Members of civic groups stage a protest in front of the U.S. ambassador's residence in downtown Seoul, Thursday, to lodge their opposition to the U.S. demand for Korea's bigger share in the cost of maintaining U.S. forces. Yonhap



By Oh Young-jin



The United States is applying a full court press to force Korea to increase its share of the cost of maintaining U.S. forces here.



Reportedly, U.S. President Donald Trump asked President Moon Jae-in to raise Korea's annual payment to $1.2 billion during their "pull-aside" meeting at the G20 gathering last year.



The two sides have since conducted 10 meetings and the result: Seoul is holding on to an annual 1 trillion won, or 4.1 percent, rise from last year as its Maginot Line, while Washington is demanding $1 billion, or 1.13 trillion won.



Now there are signs of anti-American sentiment rising through protests and demonstrations condemning the U.S. for its pressure tactic.



Conspicuous by its absence is the leadership of the government, which obviously is falling back on the "candlelight mentality" to follow the masses' power and wisdom, as it did during the popular protests to topple the Park Geun-hye government.



This time, that populist approach is wrong and the government should take a cool-headed approach, even at the risk of alienating its support base.



Above all, Korea can ill afford to give the transactional Trump leeway to talk about pulling U.S. troops out of Korea. Already there have been rumors that he will, depending on how willing Korea is to pay more for America's military presence.



True, I like to believe that there are more rational people in Washington who would collectively trump Trump's reckless approach that would strategically be detrimental to U.S. interests.



It could be tempting to resort to the brinkmanship of our own brand  believing that if the Americans are told out, they won't dare because Korea is too strategically important for America's China containment policy.








By Lee Min-hyung







President Moon Jae-in met with the leaders of the nation's two umbrella unions, Friday, to pave the way for the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions's (KCTU) possible participation in government-led talks on resolving labor issues.







This was the first time since July last year that Moon had a meeting with KCTU Chairman Kim Myeong-hwan and Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU) chief Kim Ju-young.







Moon arranged the meeting to seek participation of the KCTU, which is bigger than the FKTU, in three-way consultations with the government and management, according to presidential aides.







The KCTU has refused to join a government-led consultative body, the Economic, Social and Labor Council, citing the Moon administration's "biased" labor policy.







However, KCTU chief Kim recently hinted at possibly joining the council, despite hardliners being still negative about this. The union plans to hold a general meeting Jan. 28 to decide on whether to participate in the council.







The KCTU said it plans to deliver its stance on pending social issues, such as the minimum wage, and ask Moon to meet its demands.







Moon is seeking to win support from the labor groups for the smooth handling of his economic agenda through dialogue.







"We will address our views on social issues in a direct manner during the meeting with the President," Kim said before the meeting.







President Moon has in recent months urged unions to engage more actively in social dialogue.







In a New Year press conference, he said the nation's labor groups need to be "more open-minded" in dialogue for social engagement.







"The government's policy drive of respecting labor forces remains unwavering, and dialogue should continue even if there are different viewpoints," President Moon said during his previous meeting with the two labor union leaders in July.






By Lee Min-hyung





U.S. President Donald Trump
Matthew Leishman, middle school principal of St. Johnsbury Academy Jeju, speaks during an interview with The Korea Times at the newsroom in central Seoul, Jan. 11. / Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk



By Kim Jae-heun



Many young people do not know what they want to become. It was same for Matthew Leishman, the middle school principal at St. Johnsbury Academy Jeju (SJA Jeju).



Growing up in Seattle, Washington State, Leishman had no idea what he wanted to do when he grew up and to some extent felt insecure.



"It was in my high school year when I became a ski instructor and taught handicapped people. That's when I realized I wanted to be a teacher," Leishman said during an interview with The Korea Times at the company's office in central Seoul, Jan. 11.



He went on to pursue a bachelor's degree in educational leadership and curriculum development at Gonzaga University in 1994. Leishman also studied at Washington State University, where he became aware of international schools and thought that one day he wanted to teach overseas.



In 1998, China gave Leishman the opportunity to work as the special needs coordinator at the Shanghai American School for three years. He did not know he would stay away from his homeland for the next 20 years.



Leishman has moved around the world to further his teaching career.



Since leaving Shanghai, he has worked as a middle school principal at the American School of Warsaw, a high school principal at the Canadian Pathways International School in Xianghe, China, an elementary school principal at the Beijing Collegiate Academy and a middle school principal at the International School of Myanmar.



"What has kept me overseas this long is the responsive nature of international schools," Leishman said. "It is a fact that most international schools have the freedom, desire and ability to base the mission, vision and structure of their school on current educational research."



The principal has experience in all three areas, but it is middle school where he feels most at home.



"Middle school serves as a bridge between the childhood of elementary school and the emerging adulthood of high school," Leishman said. "As such, middle school programs and middle school teachers need to be purposefully prepared to meet the educational, developmental, social and emotional needs unique to those of young adolescent students."



In this sense, Leishman wants to focus on the learning process at SJA Jeju rather than solely on content. He believes students need to be able to inquire, think critically and be innovative.



"The curriculum at SJA Jeju is driven by a project-based inquiry approach that allows them to connect all that they learn to real-world situations and real-world problems," Leishman said. "I believe in preparing our students for the changes and the challenges that they will face as information, technology, industry and the job market change at an exponential rate."




Foreign tourists have varying tastes when it comes to sightseeing spots in Seoul, depending on their nationality, a research paper showed Friday.



Visitors from Asia prefer Myeongdong, one of the capital's main shopping districts, while European and American tourists are most impressed by royal palaces, according to the paper jointly published by the Seoul Metropolitan Government and Kyunghee University.



Chinese and Americans gave high marks to Seoul's security, while Japanese and Europeans said they are satisfied with food and shopping, respectively, it noted.



The research paper was based on an analysis of a Korea Tourism Organization survey of 9,942 foreigners who visited Seoul in 2017. They were selected out of 13,841 foreign tourists sampled by the organization after visiting South Korea that year.



The study said that 30.9 percent of Chinese visitors to Seoul named Myeongdong as the most satisfactory place, trailed by Dongdaemun Market (9.7 percent) and N Seoul Tower on Mount Nam (8.8 percent).



Among Japanese tourists, Myeongdong topped the list with 33 percent, compared with the area comprising Shinchon and Hongdae (9.2 percent) and Dongdaemun Market (8.1 percent).



But the largest number of tourists from the Americas, 20.8 percent, liked royal palaces the most, followed by Myeongdong (7.8 percent) and Itaewon (7.2 percent), the study showed.



Among Europeans, palaces also topped the list with 21.1 percent, trailed by Myeongdong and the Gangnam Station area in southern Seoul together (6.5 percent) and N Seoul Tower (5.9 percent).



The paper explained that shopping is the top motivation for visitors from China, Japan and other Asian countries, while American and European tourists prioritize history and cultural heritage. The main shopping items are perfume and cosmetics for Chinese tourists and clothing for other nationalities.



All foreign tourists, except those from China, said they gathered travel information on South Korea from the Internet. Among the Chinese, 64.7 percent said they got the information from relatives, friends and fellow workers.



Chinese and European tourists had the highest rate of solo travel, while the Japanese preferred traveling in pairs and tourists from other parts of Asia favored groups of more than three people.



More than half of tourists from the Americas, Europe and Asia (excluding Japan and China) were first-time visitors to Seoul. But 51.1 percent of Japanese people had visited Seoul more than four times in the past. In the case of the Chinese, first-time visitors made up 37.4 percent, with 28.3 percent having visited the capital more than four times.



Japanese travelers had the shortest period of stay at three days on average, followed by five days for Chinese and other Asians and 11 to 20 days for Americans and Europeans.



The study noted that the ratio of positive responses to South Korea's image among American tourists rose from 78 percent to 97.3 percent after traveling here. In the case of European tourists, the ratio similarly surged from 77.7 percent to 96.8 percent, it said. (Yonhap)






Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha, right, poses with Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland before their talks on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Thursday (local time). Yonhap
Environmental activists call for the closure of old coal-fired power plants during a demonstration in front of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Seoul, Friday. The activists claim the domestic plants are responsible for a significant portion of the fine dust pollution in the country. / Yonhap




By Jung Da-min







North Korea's state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) has released a new set of propaganda posters, one of which shows young people at the vanguard on "all fronts of socialist construction."







The posters show North Korean workers, especially young people, active in the country's key industries, including power, coal, metal and chemical production, agriculture, fisheries, light industry, construction and science.







The state media said on Friday that an appeal to the country's young people was adopted at the ninth Plenary Meeting of the Central Committee of Kimilsungist-Kimjongilist Youth League that took place a day before, to encourage their devotion to achieving economic goals set by the leader Kim Jong-un in his New Year speech.







"The appeal called upon the youth league organizations and youth of the country to fully demonstrate the heroic spirit  as youth vanguard  in the van of the general offensive campaign to open a new road of advance for socialist construction under the uplifted banner of self-reliance," KCNA said.







The Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) organ Rodong Sinmun also carried the full text of the appeal that called for young people's devotion to state industries over their personal interests or housework. Forest restoration was also included in the national tasks, along with the key industries.










By Yi Whan-woo







A North Korean art troupe will perform in China, Saturday, in an apparent sign that the two countries are enhancing their ties ahead of a planned second summit between the North's leader Kim Jong-un and U.S. President Donald Trump next month.







The performance is the first since the all-female Morang Band  purportedly formed by Kim  snubbed China by abruptly calling off a scheduled performance in Beijing in December 2015.







Following Pyongyang's nuclear and ballistic missile tests, bilateral ties hit their lowest level until Kim visited Beijing in March last year and resumed talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping.







Diplomatic sources said Friday an estimated 280 "leading artists" arrived in Beijing, Wednesday, at the invitation of the International Liaison Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.







The troupe is jointly led by Ri Su-yong, a former foreign minister vice chairman of the Central Committee of the ruling Workers' Party, and Hyon Song-wol, the leader of both the Samjiyon Orchestra and the Moranbong Band.







The troupe, comprised of members of these and the State Merited Chorus, held rehearsals Thursday and Friday at the National Centre for the Performing Arts under heavy security.







There will be two performances at the venue, including Monday when Xi and other high-ranking officials are expected to attend.







The performances are for invited guests only and are not open to the public.







The details of the programs have not been revealed.







"It is likely the guests will be accompanied by their spouses," a source said. "The size of this performance team marks the biggest North Korea has ever dispatched overseas.





Another source speculated the size reflects the significance of the 70th anniversary of North Korea-Chinese diplomatic relations this year.







Meanwhile, Ri met Song Tao, who leads the Chinese Communist Party's International Liaison Department, and other relevant officials.







In December 2015, the Hyon-led Moranbong Band called off its performance and returned home abruptly, after Chinese officials took issue with propaganda images on the stage.


A joint conference of the government, political parties and organizations of North Korea was held at the People's Palace of Culture in Pyongyang on Wednesday, the state-run Korean Central News Agency reported Thursday. KCNA-Yonhap



By Jung Da-min



North Korea wants inter-Korean unification under the separate regimes in the North and the South, the country's national appeal to Koreans home and abroad reveals.



The annual appeal was adopted at the joint conference of the government, political parties and public organizations at the People's Palace of Culture in Pyongyang on Wednesday, the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported Thursday.



It proposed a "peaceful reunification based on a nationwide agreement," while saying the different ideologies and systems in the North and the South should both be allowed under a unified Korea.



"It is necessary to pool [our] wisdom and efforts to make a nationwide proposal for reunification in line with the will and demand of the nation on a basis of recognizing ideologies and systems existing in the North and the South and allowing them," the appeal carried by KCNA read.



It called for a comprehensive expansion of inter-Korean exchanges, condemning the "cunning moves of outsiders to create mistrust" between the Koreas, in an apparent reference to international sanctions.





Officials from government, political parties and public organizations discuss how to carry through the tasks for national reunification set out by the country's leader Kim Jong-un in his New Year address. KCNA-Yonhap
The flower-bearing martyr and Hypatia: two of the appellations that Shaimaa El-Sabbagh (1983-2015), the Alexandrian socialist activist, poet, and folklorist, acquired after she was assassinated in Cairo in 2015, on the eve of the anniversary of the 2011 Revolution, while bearing roses in tribute to that events martyrs.

A new epithet would attach itself to El-Sabbagh with the publication of Egyptian Nubian writer Haggag Hassan Oddouls Kadisa. The dedication of this novel reads:

To our daughter, friend and colleague Shaimaa El-Sabbagh, who considered us a father and a mother to her, so we gave her the name kadisa, meaning cat in Nubian. We consider you a martyr of God.

Haggag and Hoda Oddoul

Years earlier, El-Sabbagh had dedicated her collection of poems to various friends, family members, and friends who had become family. The collection, Ala Dahr al-Tazkara (On the Back of the Ticket; an expanded edition was reprinted posthumously by her friends in 2015), is written entirely in Egyptian colloquial Arabic. El-Sabbaghs series of dedications puns on the collections imagery of public transport--tram, metro and train. Thus her dedication to Oddoul and Oddoula (the Nubian novelists moniker for his wife):

Papa Haggag and Mama Hoda

Oddoula and Oddoul, your home is my hearts garage.

Beyond the dedication, Oddoul (b. 1944) pays homage to El-Sabbagh through a female character loosely modelled on her, Kadisa, who gives this panoramic novel its title. More significantly, Kadisa thematically dialogues with certain preoccupations of El-Sabbaghs: the vernacular--used here to cover both her decision to write in Egyptian colloquial and her work on folklore--as well as an anti-sectarian strain in some of her poems that thematize interfaith relations.

A multi-generational historical novel in 288 pages, Kadisa (Dar El-Ein, 2015) unfolds primarily between Marseille and Alexandria. The two locales are apt for the novels theme of a cosmopolitanism between the South and North of the Mediterranean with a broadly humanist resonance, in contradistinction to religious fanaticism. Kadisa opens with the Seventh Crusade led by Louis IX in the thirteenth century. An unlikely era in which to encounter cosmopolitanism, it is, in the context of Alexandria specifically, particularly original.

The choice of the era flies in the face of what I have elsewhere critiqued as the dominant account of Alexandrian cosmopolitanism that favors all things European in the city by aligning the heterogeneity of modern colonial Alexandria with the citys Hellenistic period seen as a Golden Age. That long-standing account, in the process, overlooks the centuries from the Arab conquest all the way to the arrival of Napoleon, as well as the post-Suez city. An extensive summary of Kadisa is due here as it has not yet available in English, although it is hoped that a translation would be undertaken soon.

The first protagonist, Claude de Victor, or Claude I, a scion of one of Marseilles aristocratic families whose fortune comes from vineyards and a commercial fleet, joins the Crusade with fervor. When the Crusade is defeated in Egypt, Claude I, suffering mainly from a blow to the right cheek that leaves a permanent mark, tries to escape by swimming towards a boat. He senses the presence of female marine maidens he had first encountered while frolicking in the sea off Marseille. Back then, his mother had warned him against them, but Claude I finds the creatures benign. And indeed, off the Egyptian shore they send him messages encouraging him to fight for dear life and intimating that he has a mission to fulfil.

The Muslim fisherman who rescues Claude I in full knowledge that he is a Crusader, explains that his act is the duty of humans towards fellow-humans. When asked about his name, he offers only, Human. Taken as prisoner of war and then released, Claude I returns to Marseille repentant for the Muslim blood he has shed and comes to realize that his mission is to instill love and peace between the two shores of the Mediterranean, between Christians, Muslims and Jews.

Claude I inscribes Human on a portrait of the Egyptian fisherman he paints, and places it beside the portrait of himself he had commissioned before his departure on the Crusade. He converses with the Maghrebi Muslims of Marseille, from whom he picks up Arabic, and with the Jews of the city, learning from both communities about their religious beliefs. When his behavior raises eyebrows, Claude I responds that, God created us different, and that the origins of Marseille itself are multiethnic. He dies after writing a memoir in which he attests that good and evil exist equally among the three monotheistic communities and that the enemy of the Mediterranean is the hate-mongers on either shore. He calls on the good on both sides to cooperate and wills his family to exploit its fortune in consolidating love and mutual interests among the sides of the Mediterranean.

Generations later, a descendant of Claude Is is so identical to his ancestor--down to a birthmark on the right cheek--that he is named Claude II. A humorist and womanizer, he acquires the name Claude the Corpulent on account of his gourmandize. Yet he imbibes the message in Claude Is memoir, and accordingly invites Arabs and Jews into his chateau in a Marseille, now riven with commercial competition, that has marginalized these communities. He goes on an exploratory trip to Barcelona and Ceuta, during which he bears letters from Arabs and Jews living in Marseille to relatives in both countries.

Following the example of St. Francis of Assisi and having spent a spell studying Arabo-Islamic thought and the history of ancient Alexandria, the figure of Hypatia capturing his imagination, Claude the Corpulent decides to visit Egypt. He occupies an old house with frescoes, one of which depicts the Mediterranean and the Pharos, at the main intersection of Ptolemaic Alexandria. Mixing with all classes and befriending Greeks, Copts and Jews, he heeds the two latter communities complaints about growing intolerance.

Claude the Corpulents sketching of the ruins and consorting with the almehs might at first sight appear to be stock Orientalist pursuits. On the other hand, his love affair with the coppery dancer Basbousa shows up the objectification in Gustave Flauberts (in)famous encounter with Kuchuk Hanem and marks a shift in Claude the Corpulents perception of intercultural relations.

Granted, it is Claude who narrates to Basbousa, who is illiterate, the history of her city, the story of Hypatia moving her to tears. But their relationship is depicted as one of mutual exchange of sensual pleasure; the marine maidens even reappear to signal their approval when the couple go for an early morning swim. And the novel does give voice to Basbousas subjectivity when she explains to Claude the Corpulent that dance is the language through which she expresses her emotions and understands herself. Basbousa chooses not to inform Claude of her pregnancy when he decides to return to his wife in Marseille, and the almehs give her blue-eyed daughter the name Faranja (derived from Frank). Now replete with her grand passion, Basbousa retires from public performances, dancing only in private with her daughter.

Back in Marseille, Claude the Corpulent, much like his ancestor, sets about creating a cosmopolitan project. He begins to pen a memoir and proposes to the city's intellectuals, including a Jew and an Arab, the formation of a group called Knowledge and Peace, tasked with dispelling the mutual ignorance of each side of the Mediterranean about the other. Alexandria, in its enlightened Golden Age, would be a model. In something of a nascent cosmopolitan curriculum, three figures would be emblematic of the pursuit of rationality, love and compassion: Ibn Rushd (Averroes), Rabelais, and Maimonides. As he is dying, he regrets his ignorance of Buddhism, Hinduism and the religions of Black peoples.

Claude the Corpulent has his final meal on the rooftop of his chateau, overlooking the Mediterranean. He dies while a female servant to his right reads Galileo to him in French, a male servant to his left reading out Ibn Rushd in Arabic. His funeral cortege is accompanied by people of every color and kind and all classes of society, in a celebration of his life.

More generations pass before Claude III is born, bearing the birthmark of his two ancestors. Like them attuned to interfaith/interethnic relations, which raises eyebrows among fanatic clergy, he is vain of his looks and given to carousing on the town. When he and a friend are attacked on one such evening, Claude III kills the gangs leader who turns out to be a Muslim. Consumed by remorse, he tries to drown himself, amid the concerned marine maidens who urge him to live to fulfil his mission. Claude III is saved by a fisherman, Piaf, whose wife identifies herself as insna (feminine for human). He then travels to Alexandria, where he finds that interfaith tolerance has receded since his two ancestors sojourns, and the city, including the almehs quarter, is less radiant.

Things look up when, during a stroll in the market, Claude III meets a young, tomboyish, daredevil fishmonger, whom a Nubian woman gave the name Kadisa. She dubs him al-Faransisi (the Frenchman), and they instantly fall in love. Against resistance to their inter-religious alliance, the couple marry after Claude IIIs conversion to Islam, although Kadisa respects his undiminished faith in Christianity and accompanies him to mass. Various plot twists and turns ensue, involving a jealous rich young woman in love with Claude III and Islamist fanatics who disclose that he is uncircumcised and then attack his house. Kadisas milk brother Hamido, a fisherman and fishmonger, is murdered as he defends the besieged couple who flee to Damietta. There they have twins, Hamido (II) and Safiyya, before Claude III has to flee to Marseille with his infant daughter who looks European.

Hamido II, who bears the birthmark on his right cheek, is likewise visited by the marine maidens. When, on reaching the age of reason, he travels to Marseille to meet his father and sister, now renamed Sophie, he is saved from drowning by the son of Piaf the fisherman whod rescued his ancestor. Hamido falls in love with his sisters best friend, Yvonne, whose family is strongly prejudiced against Muslims and Jews. Mirroring his parents romance, Hamidos rouses the ire of Christian fanatics and violence follows, so that he and Yvonne marry in secret and, eluding a siege, flee to Alexandria. Their voyage is accompanied by the approving marine maidens.

The novels most extended metaphor for Mediterranean cosmopolitanism are the marine maidens. Generally referred to as huriyyat al-bahr, they are perceived by Claude I and his descendants as tayyibat (kindly; benign); these azrawat (virgins) instill in those who witness them a vocation/mission (risala) to carry out; sense that Claude II will play a humanist role; and bless the unions across the South and North of the Mediterranean understood as a sea of love, not a sea of hatred.

As such, they would be the equivalent of Greek mythologys nereids, in contradistinction to sirens. The Arabic text uses different terms to render evil female water spirits: jinniyat al-bahr, whom Claude Is mother suspects will call, bewitch and either abduct or drown her son, are clearly sirens. When Hamido II recognizes the goodness of these huriyyat he contrasts them with naddahat al-bahr, that is, the evil female spirit of the sea--the malevolent naddaha being part of Egyptian folklore--which he says resembles naddahat al-nahr, meaning the evil female spirit of the river, the latter being the only one recognizable to his Upper Egyptian stepfather.

The reference to the river may be a submerged nod towards Nubian myths about the inhabitants of the river who are divided into evil and good spirits, as represented in some of Oddouls other literary texts. These include Layali al-Misk al-Atiqa (translated into English under the title Nights of Musk: Stories from Old Nubia) and the related play Nas al-Nahr (The People of the River).

In tacitly appealing to the Nubian lore in his other texts, Oddoul adds a layer to the interweaving of North and South that Kadisa performs, aligning marine (Mediterranean) with riverine (Nilotic) mythologies.

Let me note that Nivin El Asdoudi, professor of English literature at Alexandria University and an expert on Nubian literature, gave a presentation titled The Cosmopolitan Nereids: The Nereid Myths and Haggag Oddoul's Kadisa at the American Comparative Literature Association 2017 Meeting in the Netherlands, although I unfortunately missed it.

In every generation, the novel represents both fundamentalist and tolerant characters in each of the two cities. As Kadisa unfolds, the mirroring of these dualities in the South and North of the Mediterranean is accompanied by an increasing ethnic intermingling between the two shores. This is seen particularly in kinship lines: half-siblings whose blood in one line of descent mingles South and North (Hamido II and his siblings Kadisa bears when she marries an Upper Egyptian man after Claude III leaves for France); and the illegitimate female offspring of Claude the Corpulent and Basbousa, called either Faranja or Faransa.

Another figuration of interethnic relations the novel uses forcefully is the birthmark that some descendants of the de Victor family are born with in contradistinction to circumcision. Kadisa puts up a vigorous fight when the midwife visits to perform female genital mutilation (FGM) on her as a young girl. She wins the day and is taunted about it by disgruntled members of her community when she falls for Claude al-Faransisi. He, in turn, though he converts to Islam to marry her, only pretends to have undergone circumcision. Whereas circumcision and FGM are mandated marks of ethnic belonging and closed community boundaries, the birthmark on the right cheek of the three Claudes, as well as Hamido, is nonnormative. Even though it may allude to the Gospels whosever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also, it skips generations to serve as a signifier of an interethnic calling, the assumption of agency in a cosmopolitan vocation.

The portion of the narrative on Kadisa is arguably the most vibrant: it breathes life into the fictionalized Shaimaa; simultaneously, Shaimaa as channeled here charges the novel with her vitality. The novel is written in a quite accessible Modern Standard Arabic, in keeping perhaps with its marked didacticism. With Kadisas entry, the dialogue shifts to Egyptian colloquial, as if giving voice to El-Sabbaghs devotion to it in creative writing and folkloric documentation. What is more, Kadisa, whose winsome coltishness bears a physical resemblance to El-Sabbagh, displays the gift of the gab, racy idioms and folksy wit that her activist model attested in many a rousing slogan she coined at rallies.

If to me the 2011 Revolution had seemed to appeal to the "much-frayed reservoir of syncretic folk practices" by reproducing a politicized moulid--or nativity festival for a saint or religious figure--El-Sabbagh similarly identified Forms of Folklore in the 25th of January Revolution. In a presentation by that title at a Ministry of Culture conference in 2012, El-Sabbagh adduced the communal spirit of the revolution as part of our popular/folk culture, and specifically cited the zaar (exorcism ritual) performed, semi-mockingly, by the revolutionaries and the slogans adapting traditional lyrics despite the difference in cultures between these [cities], but this is folklore, with its flexibility and simple capacity for accessibility. She went on to address a specific aspect of our literary folklore--on which she had done much ethnographic work--namely the lament (adid). In this context, she took issue briefly with the assumption that the lament is confined to women, and quoted verses in this mode on such themes as ill-fate and imprisonment.

El-Sabbagh was to critically revisit gender in relation to the lament in what seems to be the final article she wrote before her assassination, titled The oppression of woman in heritage between birth and death. Extricating the misogyny in a series of quotations from folklore--proverbs, lullabies, ballads, and laments--she astutely remarks that even in instances where daughters are valued for the laments and dirges they perform for their parents, this is based on an understanding of masculinity that prohibits sons from weeping, an activity seen as natural to women. She concludes that socio-economic conditions determine womans position and status, constituting unwritten laws that can only change with the development, maturity and consciousness raising of society.

El-Sabbagh had obtained a diploma from the Higher Institute for Folk Arts in Cairo and had done some research towards a MA thesis, according to her colleague Ali Dawoud. Kadisa gives fictional flesh to a local aspect of El-Sabbaghs turn to the vernacular, her folkloric research in Alexandria.

That Kadisa is a fishmonger in Anfoushi--one of Alexandrias oldest neighborhoods associated with fishermen and dockyards, in Bahari to the West--is not an arbitrary setting, nor is the fact that she lives in the nearby El-Tabia area of that neighborhood (incidentally, where Basbousa had lived). These aspects cue us in to El-Sabbaghs fieldwork on the folklore of fishing communities. In a short ethnographic study titled Marriage in Bahari Area in Former Times--graciously shared with me by her friend the Human Rights lawyer Sayyed Abou El-Ela-- El-Sabbagh uncovered virtually dead traditions to neutralize black magic as in sprinkling seawater in the room where the bride is decked out for the wedding, and in men from the bridegrooms party wrapping a fishing net under their clothes in hopes that it will catch evil spells.

El-Sabbagh was fascinated by the Tabia area, of which she took many photos, on one occasion in the company of Oddoul, who himself had served as an informant in a different study of hers on traditional alcoholic beverages. The novelist serves up further ethnographic detailing, as in folk martial arts--fighting Alexandrian-style--or, for that matter, Hamido whose name alludes, if slightly anachronistically, to a local urban myth about a fitiwwa (strongman; sometimes a thug).

More pertinently, Oddoul refracts the nautical theme towards contemporary concerns, within the novels broader riposte to ethnocentrism and fanaticism in our times. The omniscient narrator remarks about Hamido IIs voyage to Marseille on an unseaworthy boat:

He headed for Marseille in a wintry, cold and rainy December. The boat carried twenty young men whose goal was not trade but work in Marseille and other cities of the Frankish North. Poverty and unemployment have risen in in the countries of the South ruled by despots who have corrupted, impoverished and visited destitution on them. Marseille and other Frankish ports have become the refuge and salvation for these desperate men.... They flock to Marseille although they are aware that it no longer desires more Arabs or non-Arabs, and that the Arabs who work there often complain about their unjust treatment by the French of Marseille.

The passage is a projection on todays crisis of refugees and migrants on whom European policies are just building a cemetery in the Mediterranean, as the Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat once put it. The migrant crisis was not beyond El-Sabbaghs ken either: she had done solidarity work with Syrian refugees in Alexandria, according to Abou El-Ela. Yet, Oddouls nautical theme is of a liberal hue somewhat different from El-Sabbaghs socialist, internationalist orientation.

The South-North mirroring of the fishermen--the Egyptian who rescues Claude I and the Piaf family who rescue his descendants--and their self-designation as human spell Mediterranean humanism. The redemptive potentiality of nautical hospitality here speaks to the explanation that Pietro Bartolo, a medical doctor who treats migrants on Lampedusa, offers for the support that the Italian islanders have given: fishermen accept always, anything that comes from the sea.

If Kadisas cardinal theme of Mediterranean cosmopolitanism focuses primarily on religious tolerance, interfaith relations are also a theme present in El-Sabbaghs poetry collection. The opening poem, Tram ticket (2005), closes with the following stanza:

When the tram passed in front of the church

he remembered his beloved, Mariam

and recited the opening chapter of the Quran for her.

In a poem titled Quddas al-Duhr (Midday Mass), El-Sabbagh appeals to Christian imagery to figure social oppression:

I am the girl forbidden

from attending Christian religion classes

and the Sunday mass

although I witnessed Jesus crucifixion

in the Alexandria railway station

in broad daylight

so that even the windows were open

as the blood raced the cars on the asphalt

In this poem written in 2008, the speaker, the girl forbidden from love / in the squares, stands in the middle of the street and gathers up all the stars in the sky one by one / the sweat of vendors / the voice of beggars cursing those who condoned the crucifixion of Jesus naked / in the thronged square. The poem closes with: I, the girl forbidden from saying no / will never miss out on the dawn.

Hala Halim, an Associate Professor of Comparative Literature and Middle Eastern Studies at New York University, is the author of Alexandrian Cosmopolitanism: An Archive (Fordham University Press, 2013)



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Jeon Hyeong-pil checks a pottery in this undated photo. / Courtesy of Kansong Art Museum



Biography 'Kansong Jeon Hyeon-pil' back in spotlight as this year marks the centenial anniversary of March 1 independence movement



By Kang Hyun-kyung



Jeon Hyeong-pil (1906-1962), better known by his nom de plume Kansong, was one of the nation's top 40 richest men of his time, thanks to the enormous wealth he inherited from his parents.



Unlike other rich people who were keen to preserve and even further increase their wealth, Kansong  a combined word of two Chinese characters together which means "a pine tree sitting nearby a mountain creek"  was not a money-savvy heir.



His priority was not placed on increasing his assets or leading a luxurious lifestyle.



In fact, it was quite the opposite. He used his wealth to finance his mission-driven project to collect a wide range of artifacts, from antiques and paintings to ceramic vases to calligraphy, which illustrated that Korea has a splendid cultural heritage.



Unlike other antique collectors, he was not self-indulgent. He gathered artifacts for his countrymen who came to lose their self-esteem after their country lost its sovereignty and their fate fell into the hands of imperial Japan.



Korean-American biographer Lee Chung-yeol's best-seller "Kangsong Jeon Hyeong-pil" describes Kansong's life well-lived in great detail, from his childhood to his lifetime passion for Korean cultural heritage.



The 2010 book was back in the spotlight recently as this year marks the centennial of the March 1 Independence Movement through which freedom fighters teamed up with grassroots to peacefully call for Korea's liberation from Japan's brutal colonial rule. On the occasion of the anniversary, some of the artifacts Kansong collected are being showcased at Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Seoul this month.



Kansong invested his wealth to build the storehouse named Bohwagak or "Hall of Splendid Treasures." The construction was completed in 1939. Situated at the foot of a mountain in Seongbuk-dong, northeastern Seoul, the storehouse, which later became the Kansong Art Museum, is the nation's first private art museum.



Kansong began to collect antiques after he graduated from Waseda University in Japan. His father encouraged him to practice as a lawyer as he majored in law at the university. But the son chose to be an art collector. He found the joy of discovering valuable cultural assets in an old bookstore near his home and mingled with his mentor Oh Se-chang, an unrivaled connoisseur of his time.



He was concerned about the fallout of unauthorized excavations and looting, and the trade of stolen artifacts which was rampant during Japanese colonial rule. Many artifacts were sold to overseas antique dealers and collectors. He was worried that the loss of cultural heritage could lead Koreans to lose their self-esteem and cultural pride.



His passion for art collection reached its peak in the mid-1930s when he had an antique deal showdown with British lawyer and art collector John Gadsby.



The two greatest collectors of their times met to negotiate a package deal of 22 pieces of fine Goryeo celadon the British lawyer had collected for 20 years since 1914 when he first went to Japan for work. Gadsby, a Goryeo celadon aficionado, tried to resell the pieces as he was to return to England.



His initial price was 550,000 won, which was then roughly equivalent to the cost of 550 decent houses. It was way too expensive for Kansong who was willing to strike a deal for up to 330,000 won.



Two negotiators represented their bosses and sat down for talks, which if they reached a deal could set a record. But the two sides failed to narrow their differences.



Kansong and Gadsby met again later as the British lawyer's plan to resell his collection to the British Museum fell through. This time, the British collector lowered the price. His call was 440,000 and he showed no signs of backing off from this. If the negotiations were to fail again, the British man planned to meet rich Japanese collectors. Kansong felt Gadsby's initial call was still high. But he was anxious to purchase all of the Goryeo celadon pieces.

Kansong took him to the site of his storehouse which was then under construction, in order to appeal to Gadsy's heart.



"Mr. Gadsby, this will be the place where the Goryeo celadon will be stored if you and I reach an agreement on the package deal. My goal with this museum to be is clear. I'd like to let the next generation know that like Westerners, we Koreans also had splendid cultural heritage," Kansong told the British lawyer.



The Korean also disclosed a little secret that he hadn't told to anybody before. Kansong said no one knew the storehouse under construction was to become a museum. If he mentioned its real purpose, he went on to say that the Japanese authorities, who were suspicious of possible public gatherings as they could make it easier for freedom fighters to organize collective action for Korea's independence movement, wouldn't approve of the construction project.



His patriotism and on-site presentation appeared to have impressed Gadsby. As a collector, he knew the joy of collecting antiques. The British lawyer changed his mind and said he was willing to sell 20 pieces for 400,000 won and he would like to keep two tiny pieces for himself.



The historic deal with the unprecedented price tag of 400,000 won was clinched. Twenty of the Goryeo artifacts were later designated as national treasures.



For people like Kansong who was a mission-driven art collector, collecting antiques is about much more than wealth or a hobby. Wealth is one of the conditions the collector must have. The collector also needs to have art acumen high enough to distinguish authentic artifacts from fakes. Patience and persistence are other key assets for collectors because in art deals, playing a waiting game is part of negotiations. Jeon was a rare collector who met all these tricky conditions.


Kokomo, IN (46901)

Today

Thunderstorms likely this morning. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 83F. Winds WSW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 100%..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Partly cloudy skies after midnight. Low 68F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
Caracas: Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Thursday directed his country`s diplomats in the US to leave that country and ordered the embassy and consulates there closed, also reiterating that US diplomatic personnel must leave the South American nation within 72 hours.

Maduro issued his order before the Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ), where magistrates and representatives of other government branches declared their support for him after the head of the opposition-controlled Parliament, Juan Guaido, proclaimed himself to be Venezuela`s interim president and received Washington`s immediate support.

"I have decided to return all personnel, diplomatic and consular, of our country abroad and close the embassy and all the consulates in the United States," the president said, Efe reported.

Maduro reiterated that on Wednesday he made the decision to break diplomatic and political relations "with the imperialist government of Donald Trump, and to expel all his diplomatic personnel and (other) personnel" from Venezuela within 72 hours.

Guaido rejected Maduro`s decision and asked all foreign embassies to keep their doors open with the subsequent response from Washington that, since it no longer recognizes the Chavista leader as head of state, it will not comply with his directives.

The US government, in response, on Thursday ordered the evacuation of all its non-essential personnel in Venezuela after Maduro gave them 72 hours to leave the country.

In a security alert, the Department of State also recommended to Americans living or travelling in Venezuela to "seriously" consider leaving the country.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday asked security forces to protect the "personal integrity" of the self-proclaimed Venezuelan president and announced $20 million in US humanitarian aid for the Venezuelan "people."

Pompeo spoke before the Washington-based Organization of American States at a special meeting convened by the OAS to discuss the situation in Venezuela.

Pompeo also urged the other OAS members to recognize Guaido as Venezuela`s "legitimate" president and called for a regional meeting of foreign ministers of the countries of the Western Hemisphere to decide what to do regarding Venezuela.

The top US diplomat urged all OAS members to rebuke Maduro`s "now-defunct" and "criminally-incompetent" government, saying that "each of us must live up to our calling to promote and defend democracy" in Venezuela.

In Caracas, however, regional commanders of Venezuela`s armed forces appeared on state television Thursday to express their support for Maduro.

"We are a democratic country where the president is elected only by the people, and the people is the sovereign making decisions on our homeland`s destiny," Maj. Gen. Manuel Bernal Martinez, head of the Andean military district, said.

"The people of Venezuela, through their exercise of the free and secret ballot, elected citizen Nicolas Maduro Moros as president," he said, accompanied in the video clip by other officers.

Similar messages were conveyed in subsequent clips featuring Gen. Victor Palacio Garcia, commander of the Los Llanos defence region, and Gen. Domingo Hernandez Lares, commander of the Central region.

Venezuela`s defence minister said Thursday, that an attempted coup was under way in the South American country.

"I warn the Venezuelan people that a coup is being carried out against our democracy`s institutionality, against our constitution, against President Nicolas Maduro, the legitimate president," Vladimir Padrino told reporters in the company of other senior military officials.

Padrino read a statement on behalf of Venezuela`s armed forces in which he expressed his loyalty to the leftist Maduro as head of state and said he "will never accept an imposed president."

The defence minister said "unhinged elements" among Venezuela`s opposition, backed by outside forces, were behind the bid to create a de facto government, which he vowed "will not be victorious."

"It`s an extremely serious matter and infringes upon the rule of law, against the peace of all Venezuelans," Padrino said.

The armed forces` support for Maduro is "unfailing and unyielding," said Padrino, who thanked those foreign governments, including Mexico, that have called for resolving Venezuela`s political crisis through dialogue.

The country, meanwhile, was rocked by a third consecutive day of anti-government protests early Thursday, although thousands also took to the streets to show their support for the government amid a diplomatic upheaval that has seen many countries expressing their official recognition and support for both sides in the political tussle.
TAIPEI: The United States sent two warships through the Taiwan Strait on Thursday in the first such operation this year, the Taiwanese government said, as it increases the frequency of transits through the strategic waterway amid tensions with China.

The voyage risks further heightening tensions with China, which considers Taiwan its own and has not ruled out the use of force to bring the self-ruled island under its control. Taiwan`s defence ministry said in a statement late on Thursday the ships were moving in a northerly direction and that their voyage was in accordance with regulations.

It said Taiwan closely monitored the operation to "ensure the security of the seas and regional stability". The move will likely be viewed in Taiwan as a sign of support from US President Donald Trump`s government amid growing friction between Taipei and Beijing.

China has stepped up pressure on Taiwan since President Tsai Ing-wen, from the pro-independence ruling party, took office in 2016. It has regularly sent military aircraft and ships to circle the island on drills in the past few years.

Beijing sent several bombers and aircraft through the Bashi Channel, which separates Taiwan from the Philippines, earlier on Thursday, Taiwan`s defence ministry said in a separate statement. A similar Chinese operation was conducted on Tuesday, the ministry said, and both were monitored closely.

Chinese President Xi Jinping said in early January China reserves the right to use force to bring Taiwan under its control. In response, Tsai vowed to defend the island`s democracy and called for international support to protect Taiwan`s way of life.

Trump recently signed into law the Asia Reassurance Initiative Act reaffirming the US commitment to Taiwan, including arms sales. Washington has no formal ties with Taiwan but is bound by law to help it defend itself and is its main source of arms.
Washington: An American lawmaker has praised India's developmental role in Afghanistan in particular the USD 3 billion in financial assistance it has given to this war-torn country.

Congressman Eliot Engel, chairman of the powerful House Foreign Affairs Committee, said this during his meeting with the new Indian Ambassador to the US, Harsh V Shringla, at the Capitol on Thursday.

"We discussed the historic nature of the US-India relationship, growing defense and security ties, economic relations, & our desire to continue to strengthen this vital partnership," Engel said after his meeting with top Indian diplomat.

"I also thanked him for India's USD 3billion contribution for development assistance to Afghanistan, which of course buys more than just a library," the powerful Democratic lawmaker said.

He was referring to the mocking of India's activities in Afghanistan by President Donald Trump early this month. In fact, he tagged a BBC video that had the heading: 'Trump mocks India PM over Afghanistan Library'.

Shringla presented his credentials to the president at the White House on January 11.
Washington: Two Sikh communities in the US state of Indiana will donate funds and food to Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers, as they remain unpaid due to the ongoing partial government shutdown.

The Sikh community of Fishers, Indiana, and Gurinder Singh Khalsa of SikhsPAC, a national Sikh political action committee, are coordinating with Mario Rodriguez, Executive Director of the Indianapolis Airport Authority, and Aaron Batt, TSA Federal Security Director, to support TSA agents, who are impacted by the shutdown, the American Bazaar news portal reported on Thursday.

"The community has come forward and is keen to support the workers who are undergoing the crisis of missing their paychecks," Khalsa told the portal. He said that $5,000 in gift/grocery cards and more than $5,000 worth of hot food will be delivered to the TSA agents at the Indianapolis Airport on January 28.

Leading the community efforts, Khalsa is currently working with several local grocery stores that are eager to offer foodstuff at discounted prizes. "We are looking at the places that can offer us good discounts so that we can deliver maximum stuff to workers affected," he said.

TSA official Batt said the communities` efforts were "overwhelming and amazing".

To ensure that the community is able to offer helping hands to federal workers until the shutdown ends, the Sikhs in Fishers have vowed to encourage more Sikh temples and faith-based organisations in the state to come forward in assisting in the coming weeks if needed.

"Our community kitchen will continue serving every Sunday and we will deliver hot food weekly to our TSA public servants on a weekly basis until the shutdown is lifted," Khalsa said. TSA falls under the Department of Homeland Security and has about 60,000 employees.

Its workers are one of the lowest paid employees and have been working without pay since the shutdown began on December 22. TSA also has a much larger minority concentration of employees with about 22.9 per cent of them being African American employees, according to the Bureau of Labour Statistics.

The partial government shutdown continues as President Donald Trump demands $5.7 billion for a wall along the US-Mexico border and Democratic lawmakers decline to approve it. Roughly 800,000 federal employees have been furloughed or are working without pay since then.
London: Queen Elizabeth II has urged Britons to find "common ground" and respect "different points of view" after MPs rejected the Brexit deal last week even as deadline of the UK leaving the European Union draws closer.

Speaking at an event to mark the 100 years of Sandringham Women`s Institute in Norfolk on Thursday, the Queen said: "The continued emphasis on patience, friendship, a strong community focus, and considering the needs of others, are as important today as they were when the group was founded all those years ago.

"Of course, every generation faces fresh challenges and opportunities. As we look for new answers in the modern age, I for one prefer the tried and tested recipes, like speaking well of each other and respecting different points of view; coming together to seek out the common ground; and never losing sight of the bigger picture," the 92-year-old British monarch said.

She said these approaches were "timeless, and I commend them to everyone".

With a fresh vote on Prime Minister Theresa May`s deal for leaving the EU due next week, BBC royal correspondent Nicholas Witchell said there was little doubt the Queen was "sending a message", as without consensus the UK would have to leave on March 29 with no deal unless they can agree on a way forward.

Commentators said the remarks would definitely be seen as referring to the Brexit debate, the BBC said. "It is impossible to imagine that the head of state would use a construction of words such as this without it being appreciated that they would be seen as a reference to the current political debate," Witchell said, adding her words echoed the theme of her Christmas broadcast.

The Queen, as head of state, remains neutral on political matters and does not usually express her views on contentious issues. The Queen`s remarks came as May is due to return to the House of Commons with her revised plan for Brexit on January 29, after her deal was rejected by MPs in a historic defeat on January 15.
LAHORE: Pakistan's Punjab government has decided to constitute a "larger special medical board" to evaluate jailed former prime minister Nawaz Sharif's condition after doctors suggested that he has cardiac complications and should be shifted to hospital.

A four-member (second) special medical board of the Allama Iqbal Medical College/Jinnah Hospital Lahore examined Sharif, 69, in jail recently and recommended that for his "optimal treatment" he should be shifted to hospital.

Three-time prime minister, who is serving a seven-year imprisonment in Lahore's Kot Lakhpat jail, was rushed to a hospital Tuesday after he complained of heart related complications. He was later discharged from the hospital and taken back to jail following the medical tests.

"The government has decided to form a ?larger special medical board' in view of a previous medical board's report that Nawaz Sharif is not completely well and he should be shifted to hospital from jail to get optimal treatment for his heart complications," a senior official of Punjab government told PTI on Friday.

He said the senior cardiologists including clinical electrophysiologist of the Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology, Rawalpindi Institute of Cardiology and Punjab Institute of Cardiology Lahore will be part of the larger bench.

"If the new board suggests moving Sharif to hospital the government will implement it," the official said.

Meanwhile, Sharif's party, PML-N, has warned Prime Minister Imran Khan-led government that if anything happened to their leader for constantly ignoring his health issues the masses would be on roads.

On Tuesday, Sharif was taken to the Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC) for examination. Doctors there suggested that he required "aggressive medication" and "regular medical follow-ups" to avoid cardiac complications.

Before the AIMC board, a special PIC medical board had also examined Sharif last week and said he had vague symptoms of pain in both arms, particularly at night and numbness of toes.

Sharif's daughter Maryam Nawaz and his cardiologist Adnan Khan have demanded the PTI government shift him to hospital for better medical care.

"Reports show his (Sharif) disease has progressed and is life-threatening. Official reports from PIC still awaited. Have been running pillar to post but to no avail," Maryam tweeted.
Islamabad: An SOS call from the Chinese embassy in the Pakistani capital had the security establishment, including the police, paramilitary troops and the army along with emergency and rescue teams, rushing to the premises within minutes -- only to find to their chagrin that the alarm was sent to check their response time, a media report said.

At around 3.15 pm on Thursday, alarms installed at the offices of senior police officers and paramilitary troops in Islamabad started ringing. A message was aired through the police communications system about an SOS call from the Chinese embassy, Dawn reported.

The Quick Response Force reached the embassy within three minutes, a police officer told the daily. Officers of the police commandoes, Anti-Terrorism Force, bomb disposal squad, counter-terrorism force, Rangers, Special Branch, Crime Investigation Department, Crime Investigation Agency and the Islamabad Traffic Police reached the embassy within 20 minutes and began cordon operations, he said.

Officials from the quick-response 111th Infantry Brigade also reached the embassy.However, once they reached the embassy, located in the Diplomatic Enclave, the law enforcement agencies were informed that the alarm had been sent only to check the response time and preparedness of the departments.

The agencies then conducted a mock exercise and returned to their stations, said the officer. A senior police officer, requesting anonymity, told Dawn that "the embassy cannot check the response time and preparedness of the law enforcement agencies or send out such an alarm".Panic buttons are installed in embassies to seek help in a disaster or emergency situation, not to check our preparation or performance, the officer maintained.

He added that there was no need for checking the preparedness of the departments since a mock exercise had already been conducted in the Chinese embassy last month. He said officials of the Chinese embassy thanked the personnel.

Chinese embassy spokesman Yang Mi could not be reached for comments, said Dawn. Foreign Office spokesman Dr Faisal told Dawn that he would have to verify the details before commenting. h e

The attack was claimed by the Baloch Liberation Army. Hundreds of Chinese nationals are working in China, including on the $50 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.
BRASILIA: Jean Wyllys, Brazil`s first openly gay congressman, said on Thursday he will not serve the new term for which he was re-elected due to death threats and he now plans to live abroad. But Wyllys` Socialism and Liberty Party (PSOL) said his seat in Brasilia will go to a substitute lawmaker who is also gay: Rio councilman David Miranda, the husband of Pulitzer Prize-winning US journalist Glenn Greenwald.

In a letter to the party explaining his decision to leave Brazil, Wyllys said death threats made his life unbearable and he hardly left his Rio home. His siblings and his mother had also been threatened, he said in the letter released by the PSOL.

Wyllys said in a newspaper interview that the climate of violence in Brazil, which had one of the world`s worst murder rates last year, had worsened since the October election of far-right President Jair Bolsonaro, who has disparaged gays and other minorities.

Wyllys said he was tired of living with bodyguards since the execution-style murder last year of popular Rio de Janeiro councilwoman Marielle Franco, a fellow PSOL member. "It was not Bolsonaro`s election itself. It was the level of violence that has increased since he was elected," Wyllys told the Folha de S.Paulo newspaper.

A legislative aide in Brasilia confirmed that Wyllys will not return to Brazil from his current travels in Europe. The presidential press office declined to comment.

Wyllys told Folha that he was the target of constant death threats and defamatory campaigns on social media and got pushed in the street even with bodyguards. "I don`t want to sacrifice myself," he told Folha. "I want to take care of myself and stay alive."

The last straw, he said, were revelations that Bolsonaro`s son Flavio had employed on his Rio state assembly staff relatives of a fugitive former police officer suspected of involvement in Franco`s assassination in March.

Wyllys, 44, was a staunch advocate for gay rights and fought religious discrimination and violence against women during his two terms in Congress. "To preserve one`s threatened life is also a strategy to fight for better days," he said in the newspaper interview.
Hyderabad: Second phase of Telangana Panchayat elections began at 7 am on Friday. The polling will continue till 1 pm and the counting will begin from 2 pm.

This is the first ever polls for panchayats after the formation of the state in 2014.

A massive layer of security which includes nearly 50,000 security personnel has been deployed for peaceful polling, informed the state election commission (SEC) said on Thursday.

A total of 10,668 candidates are contesting for sarpanch posts in 3,342 panchayats while 63,480 candidates are in the fray for 26,191 wards, official communication from the SEC said.

The first phase of the Panchayat polls was held on January 21.

The third phase would be held on January 30.
Mumbai: Actress Shilpa Shetty Kundra says that women don't have to prove themselves to anyone of their capabilities.

Shilpa is one of the judges of the show "Super Dancer Chapter - 3". This weekend, the show's young contestants, the super gurus and the super judges will be seen celebrating the 70th Republic Day with great enthusiasm.

One act highlighted the challenges that women face and how they are considered weak and less than men in every aspect, read a statement.

"We women don't need to prove ourselves to anyone of our capabilities. God himself has given us females, the power to carry out his job of bringing new life into this world. He chose us because we are stronger. We should keep doing what we love doing without feeling the need to depend ourselves on others," Shilpa said.

Shilpa has a son named Viaan Raj Kundra.
New Delhi: Bollywood actress Tanushree Dutta shot back to limelight with her MeToo allegations levelled against the senior actor and then co-star Nana Patekar. She accused him of sexual misconduct on the sets of their movie 'Horn OK Pleassss' in 2008. She claimed that Nana Patekar demanded to do an intimate dance step with her. She also named choreographer Ganesh Acharya, director Rakesh Sarang and producer Sami Siddiqui as accomplices in the harassment she faced.

It opened a can of worms in Bollywood and one after another a whole list of sexual offenders were revealed. Several big names like Subhash Ghai, Sajid Khan, Vikas Bahl and now Rajkumar Hirani have been accused of sexual harassment by co-workers or former colleagues.

Now, months after the MeToo movement kind of slowed down, Tanushree has released a fresh statement against Nana, choregrapher Ganesh Acharya and Rakhi Sawant.

According to Bollywoodlife.com, in her statement, Tanushree wrote: "Ganesh Acharya, An ungrateful moron who was recommended by me for the horn ok please song and who turned on me just as quickly to help Nana get his way with me on the sets. His name is one of the four accused in my FIR. I wasn't harassed by just one but four ppl on set when I was only 24 years old and rising in my Bollywood career. This same Ganesh Acharya also went on to spread malicious rumours about me in the press thereafter and ruin my professional reputation. This guy is the brainchild behind all of the smear campaigns that were run on me by Rakhi Sawant where I was accused of all manner of derogatory things. I'm surprised that I'm still alive after so much humiliation 10 years ago as well as in the last 6 months of my stay in India where I took a stand against workplace harassment. You think you will survive opening your own academy and flourish?? I curse you won't!! I have cursed Rakhi, Ganesh Acharya, Nana, Rakesh Sarang, and producer Sami Siddiqui from the bottom of my heart and soul. Anyone who associates with you five personally or professionally or your businesses and affiliates will fall under this same curse and never prosper. Your children and the children of those that associate with you will suffer mental and emotional anguish the way I and my family have suffered. Mark my words carefully... Your firstborn sons will suffer physical torture and your daughters will suffer mental and emotional anguish! You will not prosper in any way. This curse is for anyone who has stigmatized me with their thoughts, words and/or actions and their associates and friends. Choose your friends and colleagues carefully then lest you be dammed too!! Enough of taking shit from you all.Right back at you. Take this and receive this into your soul.No priest or pundit or any holy or unholy person from any religion can get you out of it. The gods, goddesses and other spiritual entities will stay out of it as well so don't bother asking them to help. The solution to this curse will be revealed to you only by the supreme lord of this universe in due time after total repentance and in deep samadhi state."
Scenes of elderly homeless people sleeping on pavements and bare footed children running between cars begging for money or food have become familiar.

There are at least 12 million homeless people, among them three million children, in Egypt, according to reports issued by the Ministry of Social Solidarity, and the problem is most severe in Cairo, Giza, Qalioubiya, Alexandria, Menoufiya, Sharqiya, Suez, Beni Swief, Minya and Assiut.

On 15 January the Ministry of Social Solidarity initiated the We are With You campaign, in coordination with the ministries of interior and health, to help tackle the problem of homelessness.

Campaign staff work on returning children to their families or to offer some alternative shelter. Those who refuse to be relocated are given food, medicines and blankets.

According to Ayman Abdel-Aziz, deputy head of the campaign, the government is currently building shelters for street children and other homeless people.

The campaign is funded by LE50 million from the Ministry of Social Solidarity and a further LE114 million from the Tahya Misr fund.

The campaign aims at rehabilitating children socially and psychologically and where possible, with the help of the Ministry of Interior, reuniting them with their families. The campaign is also focused on helping old people cope with the cold weather by providing them with hot meals and blankets should they refuse to return to their families or move to the ministrys shelters, said Abdel-Aziz.

Since the beginning of the campaign Abdel-Aziz says the ministry has succeeded in rescuing 1,234 homeless adults and 537 street children from Cairo, Alexandria, Sharqiya and Suez.

It has allocated two hotlines  16439 and 16528  and the number 010 9536 8111 for members of the public to report any individuals without shelter. People can also inform the Ministry via its Facebook page.

Seventeen teams are now working across Egypt to help the homeless. Each team comprises a social worker, psychologist, paramedic, police officer and a case management specialist. They work six hours per day, six days a week.

The teams were carefully selected from 3,000 applicants. They were trained in collaboration with international organisations that have experience in the field, such as FACE for Children in Need, Save the Children and UNICEF, says Abdel-Aziz.

The ministry now plans to coordinate with different NGOs to encourage them to build shelters for the homeless.

Although the Ministry of Social Solidarity offers support some street children still run away and resort to stealing and using drugs. There are strict instructions from Minister of Social Solidarity Ghada Wali to move street children to shelters and provide them with education, medical and social care, says Abdel-Azisz.

Ahmed Emad, a police officer and member at one of the teams, says that in addition to the social aspect of the programme there is also a crime prevention aspect. Vulnerable children are being exploited in criminal activities and the Ministry of Interior is committed to working with the Ministry of Social Solidarity to ensure street children are provided with decent shelter and education so that they become useful members of society.

The campaigns spokesperson Hazem Al-Mallah says We are With You is a multi-pronged initiative: it includes street teams and mobile units that reach out to the homeless and provide them temporary medical and psychological services; the development of shelters for the homeless; case management, including following up on vulnerable people who have returned to their families to ensure they do not return to the street, and finally, a social marketing component.

With more than 30 per cent of the Egyptian population living under the poverty line the government is trying to widen social safety nets and provide help to the most needy.

Earlier this month President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi launched the Decent Life initiative to serve as an umbrella for civil society initiatives aimed at providing healthcare, social services, job opportunities and developing infrastructure.

* A version of this article appears in print in the 24 January, 2018 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly under the headline: We are with you

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Mumbai: Actress Sonakshi Sinha has started shooting for her next film in Amritsar, Punjab. Sonakshi on Friday posted a video of herself: "Ready to begin film #23. Wish me luck."

She then shared a photograph of herself along with actor Varun Sharma and filmmaker Mrighdeep Lamba.

"Naya din, nayi film... naya kaam... but no naam yet (new day, new film but no name yet) First day of shoot today, will tell you the name as soon as we know! Wish us luck," the actress wrote.

The yet-untitled film is directed by Shilpi Dasgupta and jointly produced by T-Series and Lamba. Other details related to the film are still under wrap.
New Delhi: Shares of Yes Bank gained for the second straight session Friday, surging nearly 14 per cent, after the company named Deutsche Bank's India head Ravneet Singh Gill as the next managing director and chief executive.

The stock soared 10.49 per cent to Rs 236.30 on BSE.

On NSE, shares of the company jumped 13.74 per cent to Rs 245.

The stock was the biggest gainer among the bluechips on both the key indices during morning trade.

In terms of equity volume, 102.71 lakh shares of the company were traded on BSE, while over 13 crore shares changed hands on NSE during the morning session.

Shares of Yes Bank Thursday also soared over 9 per cent following the announcement.

Ending months of speculation over who will succeed Rana Kapoor, Yes Bank Thursday named Gill as the next managing director and chief executive.

Incumbent Kapoor, who is also a co-promoter of the fifth largest private sector lender, was asked to step down by the Reserve Bank by January 31.
Launching a scathing attack on Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi on Thursday said that the Congress was feeling happy over the induction of a woman with a tainted life partner. The senior BJP leader made the remark just a day after Priyanka formally entered politics.

Sushil Modi also posted a tweet mocking Priyanka Gandhis resemblance with her grandmother and former prime minister Indira Gandhi.

If a person could become as capable as someone else merely by resembling him or her, by now we would have had many more Virat Kohlis and Amitabh Bachchans. Duplicates do not work in politics. Priyanka might resemble Indira, but there is a big difference, he was quoted as saying by PTI.

Comparing Priyanka's husband and businessman Robert Vadra with Indira Gandhis husband Firoz Gandhi, Sushil Modi said: "Firoz Gandhi was a good orator and an upright parliamentarian who had the guts to speak against his powerful father-in-law, Jawaharlal Nehru."

Priyankas businessman husbands irregular land transactions are spread across two states and he is facing probes. If the Congress wants to exult over the induction of a woman with a tainted life partner, it is most welcome to do so, Modi said.

Sushil Modi said that the Congress has inducted Priyanka into the party to threaten the SP-BSP alliance.

Priyanka made her formal plunge into politics on Wednesday with her brother and Congress president Rahul Gandhi appointing her as general secretary for Uttar Pradesh East.

Sushil Modi said Priyanka's entry is only going to bring the alleged corruption scandals against her husband onto the centre-stage. The BJP is not at all worried. Why should it be when her entry is only going to help us. The Congress has brought in Priyanka with a view to threaten the SP-BSP alliance, with the possibility of a split in their votes. It is a desperate attempt to make Akhilesh Yadav and Mayawati rethink their strategy, he said.

(with agency inputs)
New Delhi: South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa arrived on Friday in Delhi for his first state visit ahead of the Republic Day celebration parade, where he is the chief guest. Ramaphosa is second South Africa`s President after Nelson Mandela to be the chief guest at the Republic Day parade.

Ramaphosa, who is accompanied by First Lady Dr Tshepo Motsepe and a high-level delegation of nine ministers and a large business delegation was received at the airport by Urban Development Minister Hardeep Singh Puri.

After a cermonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhawan, the South African President will address the India-South Africa Business Forum, with the objective to grow business ties between the two countries.

During his two-day visit, Ramaphosa will also deliver the Gandhi-Mandela Freedom Lecture organized by Indian Council of World Affairs under IBSA framework as a part of the celebrations of the 15th Anniversary of IBSA.

Ramaphosa will be the chief guest at the 2019 Republic Day parade and also attend the At Home hosted by the President Ram Nath Kovind in the afternoon of January 26, 2019. According to the Ministry of External affair, this visit by South Africa President is expected to further strengthen and enhance the close relationship between India and South Africa, which has shared "close and multifaceted strategic partnership since 1997, which is underpinned by historical, cultural and economic linkages".

It is worth noting, that bilateral trade has increased to the USD 10.65 billion in 2018-19 from the USD 9.38 billion in 2017-18. Both countries share close cooperation in the areas of vocational training, capacity building etc.

The two countries share a common vision on a range of global issues and closely cooperate in various multilateral fora: United Nations, BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa), G-20, Commonwealth, Indian Ocean Rim Association and the India, Brazil, South Africa dialogue forum.Both Prime Minister Modi and President Ramaphosa have met thrice in 2018 since the latter assumed office in February 2018  on the margins of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London, BRICS meeting in Johannesburg and the G20 summit in Buenos Aires in Argentina.
NEW DELHI: Two days after sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's official plunge into active politics, Congress President Rahul Gandhi is all set to play the Hindu card to take on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The Congress president will address 12 rallies in Uttar Pradesh and Priyanka is expected to accompany her brother on stage in most of these rallies. Party sources further revealed that Priyanka's campaigning will be UP-centric with her operation base in Lucknow.

Rahul, the younger Gandhi sibling, will take a holy dip in the ongoing Kumbh Mela in February, party sources told Zee News. For the first time, public will witness Rahul wearing janeu  the sacred thread traditionally worn by Brahmans, and don a yellow dhoti and yellow gamcha (thin cotton towel) during the holy bath in the Ganges.

Rahul will be accompanied by 12 pandits who will read out shlokas while he takes the holy dip, which is expected to be witnessed by lakhs of devotees.

Senior Congress leader Randeep Surjewal first spoke about Rahul's Brahmanical roots during the Gujarat Assembly elections in 2017.

Later, ahead of Rajasthan Assembly elections in 2018, Rahul had revealed his caste and gotra while offering prayers at the Brahma temple in Pushkar. When asked by the head priest of the temple, the Congress chief said that his gotra is Dattatreya and that he is a Kaul Brahmin. He also referred to documents consisting of all information his ancestors and members of the Gandhi family.

With barely three months to go for the national elections, the Congress party is aiming to shed its anti-Hindu image and win the confidence of UP voters.

In a major development, Priyanka was appointed as the general secretary for Uttar Pradesh East on Monday. Rahul later said he gave his sister the responsibility with the target of ensuring that the party forms the next government in Uttar Pradesh.

The Congress will fight the coming Lok Sabha polls with 'full strength', said Rahul at a public meeting in Amethi on Thursday.

"Priyanka and (Jyotiraditya) Scindia have been given a target. That is to form a Congress government in Uttar Pradesh in the next election by defeating and wiping out the BJP," the Congress president said.

Unlike PM Modi, I do not talk of a 'BJP-mukt Bharat' but speak with respect," Gandhi said, referring to Narendra Modi's call to 'free' India of the Congress. In the Lok Sabha polls, we will contest with full strength, without taking a backward step."

In 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi contested and won from Varanasi constituency while Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's bastion is Gorakhpur  both in eastern UP.

Political analysts are now comparing Priyanka's role to Modi's appointment of Amit Shah as the chief party election observer in UP in Lok Sabha elections 2014.
BHUBANESWAR: In a noble gesture, Congress President Rahul Ganadhi Rahul Gandhi on Friday came to the rescue of a photographer who fell down while trying to click some pictures of the Congress leader.

Rahul took just a few seconds to hurry down a couple of steps and extend a helping hand to the fallen photographer.

The man had fallen down those same steps and he hurt himself slightly as rolled over after landing on his back and then on his head. The Congress President helped the photographer to his feet by giving him support.

The incident happened at the Bhubaneswar airport. It is to be noted that Rahul Gandhi arrived in Bhubaneshwar on Friday morning to address a town hall as part of his party's campaign for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

Take a look at the video:
Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Friday declared that the neighbouring country has formally acquired the land required for the construction of phase one and phase two of Kartarpur Corridor. Speaking to mediapersons in interior Singh, Qureshi said that Pakistan has given the message of peace by opening the Kartarpur Corridor.

The Pakistan Foreign Minister further informed mediapersons that countrys Prime Minister Imran Khan had also given his approval for the different phases of Kartarpur Corridor. He added that Pakistan desires to have cordial relations with the countries, including India.

Referring to the budget allocation for the corridor, the minister said that the total cost incurred for the first phase would be approximately 2.5 billion Pakistani Rupees. The Kartarpur corridor has about 3.2 km on the Pakistani side, which is to be built in three phases.

Qureshi also used the opportunity to reiterate Pakistans offer to resume dialogue with India. He, however, added that New Delhi has not been reciprocating to the talks offer from Islamabad.

We want better ties with India and are committed to the Kartarpur corridor, we would want to have a dialogue with India but India is currently in their election mode, said Qureshi.

The foreign minister also expressed his desire to open the Khokhrapar route of the border crossing in order to facilitate people to people contact from Rajasthan.

Qureshi further announced that Pakistan is formally introducing a new visa policy. As part of the new policy, Pakistan plans to give visas on arrival to residents of 50 countries. It has been decided in principle to give the e-visa facility to residents of 173 countries, he added.

Ground breaking ceremonies on both Indian and Pakistan sides were held in November 2018. The construction work on the Pakistan side is continuing at a fast pace as the neighbouring country has said that it intends to open the corridor in November 2019, ahead of the 550th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak.
NEW DELHI: Noted Hindi fiction author Krishna Sobti died in the national capital on Friday morning. She was 93. A recipient of Sahitya Academy and Jnanpith awards, Sobti is considered to be one of the modern pillars in Hindi literature.

She was best known for her book Mitro Marjani (To hell with you Mitro!), in which she documents the life of a young married woman in rural Punjab and her assertion of sexuality.

Grande Dame of Hindi literature dies at 93. Notable works

Other notable works published by her include novels Daar Se Bichchuri, Surajmukhi Andhere Ke, Yaaron Ke Yaar, Zindaginama, short stories Nafisa, Sikka Badal gaya and Badalom ke ghere and many more.

Born in Gujrat, Pakistan on February 18, 1925, Sobti studied at Fatehchand College in Lahore. She came to India during the 1947 Partition and worked for two years as a governess to child Maharaja Tej Singh  the Maharaja of Sirohi in Rajasthan.

She reportedly married Dogri writer Shivnath in her 70s.

Sobti had won the Sahitya Akademi award in 1980 for her novel "Zindaginama". She was also conferred with the Jnanpith in 2017 for her contribution to Indian literature.

Several fans took to Twitter to express grief and adoration of her work.

Sad news: the iconic Hindi writer Krishna Sobti passed away this morning. She didn't live to see her last novel 'A Gujarat Here, A Gujarat There', which we were due to publish in just a few weeks, on the 18th of Feb, which would have been her 94th birthday. pic.twitter.com/gAiIyvtebb  Meru Gokhale (@MeruGokhale) January 25, 2019

Adieu Krishna Sobti! What an amazing writer and woman you were! You are gone after living a fiesty life, but we still have your books. Thanks to you, Hindi literature heard women's voices and vocabulary that it never had before. https://t.co/BZO6ok7MbN via @scroll_in  Kavita Krishnan (@kavita_krishnan) January 25, 2019

I am deeply saddened by the sudden demise of the renowned Hindi fiction writer Krishna Sobti ji. May the Almighty rest her soul in peace! @INCIndia pic.twitter.com/9RAtnUPurU  Madhu Goud Yaskhi (@MYaskhi) January 25, 2019

Krishna Sobti: A fine and bold chronicler of our times, a progressive and modern voice, who exemplified courage and freedom in her work and life. Condolences https://t.co/auVzLnSVw5  Sitaram Yechury (@SitaramYechury) January 25, 2019

"She died at a hospital here today. Her health had deteriorated in the last few months and she had been in and out of the hospital," actress Ekavali Khanna, her grandniece, told IANS.

"She launched her new book in the hospital last month. Despite her ill health, she was always discussing arts, creative processes and life," Khanna added.
The Gujarat government on Friday declared that families who have been living in the state from before 1978 will be eligible to avail 10 per cent reservation for economically backward upper castes. Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel told news agency ANI that those who migrated to the state before 1978 will also be eligible for the quota.

We have decided that benefits of 10 per cent reservation will be given to those families who are residing in Gujarat before 1978 or have come to Gujarat before 1978, said Patel.

Gujarat was among the first states to declare that the Centres move for 10 per cent reservations in government jobs and higher education for the economically backward sections in the general category would be implemented.

The Gujarat government had released a statement, which read, The economically weaker sections from the general category will get 10 per cent reservation in admissions to higher education and government jobs starting Uttarayan on January 14.

The Constitution (One Hundred and Third Amendment) Act, 2019 was passed by Parliament on the last day of the winter session this week with daylong discussions and voting in both Houses.

The Act amends Articles 15 and 16 of the Constitution to provide quota to the general category people with a family income of up to Rs 8 lakh per anum.

The 10 per cent quota is in addition to the 22.5 per cent reservation for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and 27 per cent reservation for castes identified as the Other Backward Classes (OBC). The fresh provision does not tinker with the existing 49.5 per cent of this quota.

The total reservation in jobs and education now stands at 59.5 per cent.
MUMBAI: Underlining his government's policy of dealing strongly with terrorism, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday stressed that the nine suspected IS terrorists arrested by Maharashtra ATS, who were planning to create mayhem by poisoning water of river Ganga at the ongoing Kumbh mela in Prayagraj, would have been eliminated had they entered Uttar Pradesh.

The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister made these remarks while addressing the 31st Uttar Pradesh Foundation Day celebration in Mumbai. Yogi Adityanath thanked the Maharashtra ATS for arresting these terrorists and said that all of them would have been killed had they entered UP.

The function organised by a local BJP leader was also attended by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik.

Pointing towards the Maharashtra CM, Yogi Adityanath said, "You have done a great job by arresting few people who had sinister motives to do something nasty in the Kumbh. However, had they come to UP, we would have dealt with them at our border only. We know how to deal with such people."

Yogi Adityanath also used the event to highlight the arrangements made by the Uttar Pradesh government for the Kumbh Mela and said: "All sorts of research were taken into account to make the Ganga's water pure, pious and clean and make arrangements hassle-free."

"So far, 3.5 crore devotees have taken a holy dip in the Kumbh Mela and by the end of congregation, we expect over 15 crore devotees will have taken a holy dip at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers," he added.

(with agency inputs)
Chief Justice (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi on Friday reconstituted the Ayodhya bench. In the new bench, Justice Ashok Bhushan and Justice Abdul Nazeer has been included.

The Supreme Court will hear the matter on January 29.

Earlier, a five-judge Constitution Bench, headed by CJI Gogoi, and also comprising Justices SA Bobde, NV Ramana, UU Lalit and DY Chandrachud was constituted to hear the matter.

Justice Lalit decided to recuse himself from hearing the case after it was pointed out by advocate Rajeev Dhavan that Justice Lalit had appeared for Kalyan Singh government in 1997.

A three-judge bench of the top court had on September 27, 2018, by 2:1 majority, refused to refer to a five-judge constitution bench for reconsideration of the observations in its 1994 judgement that a mosque was not integral to Islam. The matter had arisen during the hearing of the Ayodhya land dispute.

When the matter was last taken up on January 4, there was no indication that the case would be referred to a constitution bench as the apex court had simply said that further orders in the matter would be passed on January 10 by "the appropriate bench, as may be constituted".

As many as 14 appeals have been filed in the apex court against the 2010 Allahabad High Court judgement, delivered in four civil suits, that the 2.77-acre land is partitioned equally among the three parties -- the Sunni Waqf Board, the Nirmohi Akhara and Ram Lalla. The apex court on October 29 last year had fixed the matter in the first week of January before the "appropriate bench".

Later, an application was moved for according an urgent hearing by advancing the date, but the top court had refused the plea, saying it had already passed an order on October 29 relating to the hearing of the matter. The plea for early hearing was moved by the Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha (ABHM) which is one of the respondents in the appeal filed by legal heirs of M Siddiq, one of the original litigants in the case.

The Babri mosque which stood at the site was demolished in 1992.
HYDERABAD: The BJP has sought an unconditional apology from Congress President Rahul Gandhi after Congress party in Telangana put up a cartoon using 'Vastraharan' of Draupadi from Mahabharata to highlight the alleged failures of election authorities in holding a free and fair election in the state.

ANI reported that the Congress'poster titled 'Democracy in Telangana was used by the party workers on Thursday. In the poster, voters are apparently shown as Draupadi who is being 'disrobed' by the Election Commission of India (ECI), depicted as the Kauravas. Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao and Asaduddin Owaisi, the All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief, are also seen standing in the poster.

Telangana BJP spokesperson Krishna Sagar Rao said that whether the newly-appointed Congress general secretary, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra would "approve" of women and Hindu mythological characters shown in such a way by her party workers.

Owaisi also took offence to the poster and said that the Congress has used the poster in completely wrong manner and it is deeply offensive to women.

"What if someone creates a cartoon of Sonia, Priyanka and Rahul Gandhi? How would the party react? I respect Sonia Gandhi a lot. The Congress party can protest for their rights but not in such a way that insults women," Owaisi told ANI.

However, Telangana Congress election committee chief, Marri Shashidhar Reddy defended the poster, stressing that the poster was not at all offensive.hhe added that the BJP is out of their mind for seeking an apology from Rahul Gandhi and asking questions from Priyanka Gandhi.

The senior Congress leader remarked that he himself is a Hindu and he will never do anything to hurt the sentiments of Hindus.

It is a depiction showing what democracy in Telangana is being subjected to...The Election Commission is silent and they have failed to identify the mistakes in the electoral rolls. I being a Hindu will never do anything to hurt Hindu sentiments," he told ANI.
NEW DELHI: On the ninth National Voters Day Friday, President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu urged the youth to enrol in voters' list and participate in the electoral exercise.

Greetings on #NationalVotersDay. This is a day to reaffirm our commitment towards further strengthening our democracy by unfailingly participating in democratic processes at the local, state and national levels. Your doing so will go a long way in building a New India, tweeted PM Modi. I urge people from all walks of life to create awareness on voter registration and especially request my young friends to register themselves as voters if they have not done so already. Every vote cast enhances our democratic fabric, he added.

Greetings on #NationalVotersDay. This is a day to reaffirm our commitment towards further strengthening our democracy by unfailingly participating in democratic processes at the local, state and national levels. Your doing so will go a long way in building a New India.  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 25, 2019

President Kovind addresses 9th #NationalVotersDay celebrations in New Delhi; says the logistics of elections make it critical to embrace modern technology. India's electoral system is held in high regard across the world pic.twitter.com/vwH0GKIr28  President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) January 25, 2019

On #NationalVotersDay my SandArt with message No voter to be left behind  at Puri beach Odisha pic.twitter.com/KxpapH0mFj  Sudarsan Pattnaik (@sudarsansand) January 25, 2019

Every Vote Matters: This #NationalVotersDay, we urge all eligible voters, particularly youngsters, to register themselves and participate in our vibrant democracy by exercising their franchise in order to help shape the future of our country. Register at: https://www.nvsp.in/, tweeted Union Minister Piyush Goyal.

Every Vote Matters: This #NationalVotersDay, we urge all eligible voters, particularly youngsters, to register themselves and participate in our vibrant democracy by exercising their franchise in order to help shape the future of our country. Register at: https://t.co/ijv6GxfHT2 pic.twitter.com/svRkYl8HtA  Piyush Goyal Office (@PiyushGoyalOffc) January 25, 2019

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wrote, Today is #NationalVotersDay. Being able to cast a vote and elect a person of our choice is what makes us the worlds largest democracy. It is extremely important that the voters, specially the new, young voters, exercise their franchise in the upcoming general elections.

Today is #NationalVotersDay. Being able to cast a vote and elect a person of our choice is what makes us the worlds largest democracy. It is extremely important that the voters, specially the new, young voters, exercise their franchise in the upcoming general elections  Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) January 25, 2019

To cast our vote is a profoundly important responsibility we have towards our country. On #NationalVotersDay, I urge everyone, especially youngsters about to vote for the first time, to take #YourFirstVote pledge at https://t.co/Zskm95eMUa    :   ,   pic.twitter.com/RDHc09Ijwa  Rajyavardhan Rathore (@Ra_THORe) January 25, 2019

"The ballot is stronger than the bullet." On this #NationalVotersDay, we urge all eligible voters to register themselves and cast their rights. Let's be responsible while we shape the country with the tool we have.

Voting is our right, Voting Right is our Responsibility! pic.twitter.com/rFJeO3qK4v  Shobha Karandlaje (@ShobhaBJP) January 25, 2019

On the occasion of #NationalVotersDay, I urge all voters, especially the first time voters, to be a part of the transformation of India under the leadership of PM @narendramodi. Exercise the power of your vote. pic.twitter.com/1HeP1HNWAA  Ravi Shankar Prasad (@rsprasad) January 25, 2019

On #NationalVotersDay, my gratitude to scores of citizens who have ensured that our democracy thrives and is strengthened by each vote cast by them. pic.twitter.com/PpuvlwwG8G  Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) January 25, 2019

Facebook sent a voter registration reminder to users in India who are eligible to vote. The `Register Now` button is designed to encourage Indian citizens to register themselves with the Election Commission of India (ECI), the company said in a statement. The reminder will be rolled out in 13 Indian languages - English, Hindi, Gujarati, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Punjabi, Bengali, Urdu, Assamese, Marathi and Oriya. "

Facebook has over 200 million users in India.

The Election Commission had started observing January 25 as the National Voters Day in 2011.
Elaborate security arrangements have been made in the national capital ahead of the 70th Republic Day celebrations on Saturday. Women commandos, mobile hit teams, deployment of anti-aircraft guns and sharpshooters have been deployed at strategic locations to keep a close watch on the eight-km-long Republic Day parade route from Rajpath to the Red Fort in central Delhi.

Parakram vans, manned by NSG-trained commandos, have been patrolling strategic locations to ensure that security is not jeopardised, as reported by news agency PTI quoting Delhi Police. A senior police officer said around 25,000 security personnel have been deployed at strategic locations in central Delhi, which were on the target of two terrorists arrested ahead of the celebrations.

A multi-layer security arrangement has been made. Thirty-six women commandos of Delhi Police's Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT) unit, who were formally inducted in August last year, will be part of the security deployment.

Snipers have been stationed atop high-rises while scores of CCTV cameras are keeping a tight vigil on people's movements on the parade route.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Madhur Verma said CCTV cameras and face-recognition cameras have been installed. Police are using counter-drone technology to thwart any attack or identify suspicious flying objects, a senior police officer said.

Security officials have identified vulnerable spots such as crowded markets, railway stations, bus stands and other high-value establishments, and secured them.

The traffic police have deployed 3,000 personnel to manage route diversions and ensure a safe and secure passage for the visiting dignitaries.

Restrictions will be put in place for smooth conduct of the Republic Day parade between Vijay Chowk and Red Fort Grounds, traffic police officials said.

Metro services will be available for commuters at all stations on Republic Day, but there will be no boarding and de-boarding at Central Secretariat and Udyog Bhawan stations from 5 am to 12 pm. Boarding and de-boarding will not be allowed between 8.45am and 12 pm at Lok Kalyan Marg (Race Course) and Patel Chowk metro stations, they said.

The parade will start at 9.50 am from Vijay Chowk and pass through Rajpath, Tilak Marg, Bahadur Shah Zafar (BSZ) Marg, Netaji Subhash Marg and proceed for the Red Fort. A function will be held at India Gate at 9am, traffic police said.

According to a traffic advisory, no vehicle will be allowed on Rajpath, from Vijay Chowk to India Gate, from 6 pm on January 25 till the parade is over.

No cross-traffic will be allowed on Rajpath from 11 pm on January 25 at Rafi Marg, Janpath, Man Singh Road till the parade is over and C-Hexagon-India Gate will be closed for vehicular movement from 2 am on January 25 till the parade crosses Tilak Marg, it said.

On Republic Day, no vehicular movement will be allowed on Tilak Marg, BSZ Marg and Subhash Marg in both directions from 10 am onwards, Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Alok Kumar said.

Flying of sub-conventional aerial platforms like paragliders, paramotors, hang gliders, UAVs, UASs, microlight aircraft, remotely piloted aircraft, hot-air balloons, small size powered aircraft, quadcopters or para jumping from aircraft are prohibited over the jurisdiction of National Capital Territory of Delhi from January 9 to February 9, the advisory said.

Patrolling in public places has been intensified and checking and frisking at metro stations, railway stations and bus terminals tightened.
New Delhi: Two alleged Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) members have been arrested on charges of planning to carry out terror strikes in the national capital during Republic Day celebrations, Delhi Police officials said on Thursday.

They were identified as Abdul Latif Ganaie (29), alias Umair alias Dilawar, and Hilal Ahmad Bhat (26) residents of Jammu and Kashmir's Wakura and Batapora areas respectively.

Dilawar was arrested on the intervening night of January 20-21 after police got a tip-off from military intelligence that a house in Laxmi Nagar was frequented by suspicious persons, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell P S Kushwah said.

Police learnt that Dilawar would come near Rajghat to meet someone and accordingly a team was deployed there. Subsequently, he was arrested with incriminating material, he said.

A .32 bore pistol and 26 live cartridges were recovered from him. Three rubber stamps of JeM commanders and other material was also recovered from his possession, he added.

It took the Delhi Police a few months to identify Dilawar, the DCP said.

A team was rushed to Jammu and Kashmir to nab his other associates. Two hand grenades were recovered from his house there, Kushwah said.

Bhat, who had carried out the recce of various places for terrorist strikes in Delhi, was also arrested from Bandipora, he said.

During interrogation, they revealed that they were JeM members and that Dilawar is the terror outfit's Ganderbal district commander, Kushwah said.

Dilawar told police that he was in touch with his Pakistan-based handler Abu Mauz through Telegram and WhatsApp, he said.

He further revealed that Mauz had given him more than a dozen hand grenades, a pistol and 30 live cartridges through an Aaqib, the DCP said.

Dilawar was asked to use those grenades on the armed and police forces in Jammu and Kashmir and in parts of Delhi to disrupt Republic Day celebrations, Kushwah said.

He told police that he had given two grenades to one Abid in Jammu and Kashmir and he used them to attack Army personnel of 5 RR in Sumbal, Bandipora on January 4, the officer said.

Dilawar also gave some grenades to one Shahbaz in Srinagar and to Bhat, Kushwah said.

Jammu and Kashmir police was informed about this network, following which Shahbaz was arrested on Tuesday, he said.

Dilawar came in contact with radical elements during a four-year course at a madrasa in sopore. He started chatting with these fringe elements on various social platforms, the DCP said.

Impressed by Dilawar's posts, Mauz communicated with him and radicalised him by sending various audio and video clips of JeM chief Maulana Azhar Masood, Kushwah said.

He said Mauz also instructed Dilawar to go to Delhi to conduct a recce of VIP areas, places of heavy footfalls in posh markets, vital places and gas pipeline to identify blast targets.

Dilawar was previously arrested in two cases of stone pelting in 2016 in the area of Sadar Ganderbal police station, he said.
New Delhi: In yet another passenger friendly move, e-ticket holder devotees visiting the temple of Shri Sai Baba at Shirdi to book Shri Sai Baba Darshan tickets online on www.irctc.co.in, the website of Indian Railway PSU, IRCTC.

This facility will be launched from 26th January, 2019.

A key facility is being launched for e-ticket holder devotees visiting the temple of Shri Sai Baba at Shirdi to book Shri Sai Baba Darshan tickets online on www.irctc.co.in, IRCTC said.

Shri Saibaba Darshan tickets will be provided to users booking Railway e-tickets having selected destination stations namely - Shirdi Sai Nagar, Kopargaon, Manmad, Nasik and Nagarsol.

Devotees availing the e-ticketing facility of IRCTC for Railway reserved tickets can avoid long queues by prior booking their Darshan tickets online and save their valuable time during their Shirdi visit

Users having PNRs with confirmed status at the time of booking will be provided this facility to book the Darshan Ticket at Booking Confirmation Page. Users who fail to avail booking option at the time of Booking Confirmation Page are provided further option to Book/Print Saibaba Darshan ticket at Ticket Booked History also.

Facility for booking Paid Darshan tickets online is being provided by IRCTC in association with Shri Sai Sansthan in Phase I. Later this facility will be extended to devotees availing free Darshan also.

Darshan dates selected can be either the date of arrival at the destination stations or any of the two following days after arrival date. Users can select their darshan date online on Sai Sansthan web portal after being re-directed from the IRCTC portal during the process of booking the Darshan ticket.

Only one darshan transaction is allowed per user coming through IRCTC. Once booked, users can PRINT Darshan tickets by visiting Ticket Booked History of particular PNR under My Account section of IRCTC. Darshan will be available for booked date only, however Users can go anytime on booked date.
New Delhi: The NIA on Thursday arrested a 33-year-old man, accused in the 2006 Kozhikode twin blasts cases, from the Delhi airport after he landed from Saudi Arabia, the agency said.

It said Mohammed Ashar, a resident of Thalassery in Kannur district of Kerala, had been absconding and was charge sheeted by the National Investigation Agency in 2010.

He was arrested on Thursday from the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, it said.

"The cases pertain to the twin improvised explosive device blasts that occurred at the KSRTC and mofussil bus stands in Kozhikode (Calicut) city on March 3, 2006, causing injuries to two persons besides damage to property," an NIA spokesperson said.

He added that NIA had taken over the investigation of the cases in December 2009 from the state police and had filed a charge sheet against eight accused, including Ashar, in 2010 under sections of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, IPC and Explosive Substances Act.

Investigation found that Ashar and the other absconding accused P P Yusuf were "party" to the criminal conspiracy hatched by the prime accused T Naseer, Safas and others to carry out IED blasts in Kozhikode city in protest over the denial of bail to some Muslim accused in the 2003 Marad communal riots case, the agency said.

The NIA claimed that Ashar, along with Yusuf, had "assisted T Naseer in preparing the IEDs and planted the explosive devices at bus stands in Kozhikode city.

"Accused Mohd Ashar had gone to Saudi Arabia in 2007 to evade arrest," it said.

Ashar will be produced before a special court in Delhi to obtain transit remand to take him to Kochi and produce him b
New Delhi: Country's largest car manufacturer Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) has signed a pact with the Haryana government for setting up a Japan-India Institute for Manufacturing (JIM) to train over 500 youth annually.

The JIM, to be set up at Uncha Majra village in Gurugram district will be equipped with modern classrooms and latest training tools and equipment, including mini vehicle assembly line. Industry experts will impart training in eight trades related to automobile manufacturing, maintenance and service, MSI said.

The company will make an initial investment of Rs 7 crore to establish the model industrial training institute (ITI).

JIM Uncha Majra is spread over 5 acres and has 14 classrooms and 8 practical workshops. It will offer courses in eight NCVT trades including Mechanic Motor Vehicle, Mechanic Auto Body Painting, Mechanic Auto Body Repair, Welder, Fitter, Electrician, Mechanic Diesel Engine and Mechanic Mechatronics.

The first JIM by Maruti Suzuki was setup at Mehsana, Gujarat in 2017. JIM Uncha Majra expected to start its first session by August 2019, will be the first in Haryana.
New Delhi: The commerce and industry ministry is not in favour of extending the deadline of February 1 for implementing the revised guidelines for e-commerce companies having foreign direct investment, sources said.

Both Amazon and Walmart-owned Flipkart have sought an extension of the February 1 deadline for complying with the revised norms, stating that they need more time to understand the details of the framework.

While Amazon has asked for time until June 1 this year, Flipkart has asked for six months.

On December 26, 2018, the government tightened norms for e-commerce firms and barred online retailers like Flipkart and Amazon from selling products of the companies in which they have stakes.

The government also prohibited e-commerce companies from entering into an agreement for exclusive sale of products. As per the revised guidelines, a vendor cannot procure more than 25 per cent of products from group companies of the same marketplace where they intend to sell them.

"The ministry has received representations from Amazon and Flipkart for more time. Internal discussions are on. But the ministry is not in favour of extending the deadline," sources in the know of the matter said.

Domestic traders body Confederation of All Indian Traders (CAIT) has asked the ministry not to extend the deadline for implementation of the changes.
Pegged back by a loss to familiar foe Magnus Carlson, five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand will look to regain the lost ground against Jan-Krzysztof Duda of Poland in the 11th round of Tata Steel Masters.

It was a heartbreaking loss against reigning world champion Carlsen in the previous round and Anand now needs at least two victories out of the remaining three rounds to keep his hopes alive for a sixth title at his favourite hunting ground.

After the third and final rest day in the tournament, Anand will have white pieces against Duda and is expected to go all out.

The Indian has another white game left in the last round against compatriot Vidit Gujrathi. In the penultimate round another tough contest awaits Anand as he meets Ding Liren of China.

Carlsen enjoys the sole first position on seven points out of a possible 10, a half point clear of local star Anish Giri. Anand, Ian Nepomnichtchi of Russia and Ding Liren share the third spot on six points apiece while Gujrathi is joint sixth on five points with Teimour Radjabov of Azerbaijan.

Things might have been a lot closer but for a temporary slip by Anand from what was a drawn endgame against Carlsen in the previous round.

The Indian ace was in terrific form after winning three and drawing six of the first nine rounds.

The victory against Azerbaijan's Shakhriyar Mamedyarov was praised by chess buffs across the globe and Anand also drubbed long-time rival Vladimir Kramnik of Russia along the way.

His hopes have luckily not ended as Carlsen still has to play solid players like Radjabov and Giri as black and for the Norwegian, the big chance up for grab might be against Duda when he has his last remaining white game.

Playing in his first super tournament, Vidit Gujrathi has been impressive and looks set to get back to the 2700 rating club post this event. The Nasik-based player was at his attacking best against Kramnik in the previous round, winning in a mere 29 moves.

In the challenger's section, young Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa has four points out of his ten games and the going has been a little tough.

Pragg, as he is fondly called, missed out on a golden opportunity to throw the tournament open in the 10th round when he blundered from a winning position against tournament leader Maxim Chigaev of Russia.

Pairings round 11: V Anand (Ind, 6) vs Duda Jan-Krzysztof (Pol, 4.5); Teimour Radjabov (Aze, 5) vs Magnus Carlsen (Nor, 7); Anish Giri (Ned, 6.5) vs Samuel Shankland (Usa, 4.5); Ian Nepomniachtchi (Rus, 6) vs Vladimir Fedoseev (Rus, 4.5); Vladimir Kramnik (Rus, 2.5) vs Jorden Van Foreest (Ned, 4); Shakhriyar Mamedyarov (Aze, 4) vs Vidit Gujrathi (Ind, 5); Richard Rapport (Hun, 4.5) vs Ding Liren (Chn, 6).
New Delhi: Filmmaker Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's 'Mere Pyare Prime Minister', which was slated to release on March 8, 2019, has been pushed a week ahead. The film will now release on March 21, 2019.

The film was originally set to release on Gandhi Jayanti last year, i.e. on October 2, 2018. But, it was later pushed to December 14, 2018 release.

Taran Adarsh shared the update on Twitter, along with a poster of the film, writing, "#MereyPyarePrimeMinister gets a new release date: 15 March 2019... Film highlights mother-son relationship... Stars Anjali Patil... Directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra... Music by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy... Lyrics by Gulzar."

The film has its focus on the issue of open defecation and sanitation problems in the country, told through the story of a slum boy, who wants to build a toilet for his mother.

Shot in the real Mumbai slums, the film brings to light sanitation issues through four children, real extras from slums and national award-winning actress Anjali Patil and Makrand Deshpande. The music of the film has been given by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy and lyrics by Gulzar.
Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi opens up with megastar Amitabh Bachchan's powerful voice, which tells us that we are about to witness the glorious journey of the valiant queen Laxmibai of Jhansi. Shortly after that, we see the young and beautiful Manikarnika, aiming her bow at a tiger. From the moment Kangana Ranaut makes her entry as the warrior princess, it is evident that she is the star of the film. Everything about herfrom the curly hair to that spark in her eyesall exude an irresistible charm, so much so that she is chosen as the perfect bride for the King of Jhansi.

The first half of 'Manikarnika' focuses on Queen Laxmibai's role as a wife and a royal. She is a free-spirited woman, who loves her husband and supports him in his royal duties. She has a strong sense of justice and doesn't hesitate in defying 'traditions'. Actor Jisshu Sengupta aces his role as Gangadhar Rao, the King of Jhansi.

Popular television actress Ankita Lokhande makes her Bollywood debut by playing Jhalkari Bai and makes her entry as a chirpy village woman who is full of life. Lokhande fits the bill and how! Atul Kulkarni as Tatya Tope and Danny Denzongpa as Ghulam Ghaus Khan do full justice to their roles and bring their own charm on-screen.

We are shown the atrocities carried out by the English East India Company against Indians. Whether it is emphasising on the signboard 'Dogs and Indians not allowed', or the brutality with which the people of Jhansi were treated, certain sequences in the film will evoke the rebel within you.

Coming back to the plot, Laxmibai and Gangadhar's paradise is soon interrupted when the latter's untimely death makes the Throne of Jhansi vulnerable to the British.

What follows after King Gangadhar's death forms the second half of the film.

While the characters are celebrating and living life in the first half (which appears to be slightly lingering), the second half is full of intense action the moment it begins. Hollywood action director Nick Powell has done a great job and Kangana leaves fans applauding in the theatres the way she swings that sword.

The film also uses cinematic devices as in one of the action sequences, Kangana is juxtaposed against the idol of Goddess Durga and looks majestic.

The dialogues are extremely powerful and evoke patriotism from time-to-time.

The film's climax, however, seems to be a little abrupt. But then, the intense action and a blend of humour and emotions that it evokes in the 2 hours 30 minutes screen time makes it a must watch for cinema lovers.

Watch it for the intense moments of thrill that it has to offer and for the lead actress, who has also turned a director with this venture. As a first time filmmaker, Kangana has proven her skills and the film stands victorious.

(Ratings: 3.5/5 Stars)
What are we looking at as we head into elections in 2019 in India? A 1971 scenario or 1977 scenario, or is that 1980? These thoughts come into my mind as a slew of opposition parties try and form a 'Mahagathbandhan' (grand alliance) against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his BJP to defeat him from power. The irony is that a lot of what Modi is saying is strikingly similar to what the then Congress prime minister Indira Gandhi and her party said in the 1970s about the opposition, in which the BJP's previous avatar, the Bharatiya Jan Sangh, was a part.

Modi's own words comparing the alliance against him to 'dhanshakti' (money power) is reminiscent of Indira Gandhi's slogan, "Woh kahte hain Indira hatao, hum kahte hain garibi hatao' (They say 'Remove Indira', we say 'Remove Poverty').

I have previously written about the striking similarities between Indira Gandhi and Modi in their mix of a personality cult, an authoritarian style and populist slogans - not to speak of a culture of sycophancy built around them, passed off as fierce loyalty.

However, is 'Modi Hatao' in the same league as 'Indira Hatao'? I am not too sure. India has moved on since the days when the opposition was mainly led by weak Hindi belt leaders like Charan Singh and leaders-turned-dissidents of the undivided Indian National Congress such as Morarji Desai. In that sense, a simplistic comparison to the anti-Indira alliances of the 1970s may not be accurate.

Two things have changed.

Firstly, Congress, despite being a strong party after winning state elections recently in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, is no longer the assumed nucleus or the long lever of an anti-BJP alliance. The absence of Rahul Gandhi as well as the communist parties in last week's 'United India Rally' against Modi in Kolkata was not only conspicuous, it was symbolic. But the fact that the Congress has swept back to power in three Hindi heartland states is not something to be scoffed at.

Therefore, what we are looking at in 2019 is neither akin to a desperate attempt as in 1971, nor a dramatic coming together of opposition groups as in 1977 and nary similar to the whimper of a fragmented coalition as in 1980.

The closest we can imagine now is a scenario similar to 1996, which catapulted a virtual stranger to national politics, Karnataka's HD Deve Gowda, to the prime ministerial chair. Again, in the 1996-1998 period, Congress was strong enough to dislodge Gowda and his successor IK Gujral the way it unseated Prime Minister Chandra Shekhar in 1990. It is much less strong now.

Secondly, what we have now is a spirited alliance of regional leaders forming a more cohesive nucleus than in the past because the Trinamool Congress led by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the Telugu Desam Party led by N Chandrababu Naidu in Andhra Pradesh and the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party in UP have all region-specific ambitions in which power-sharing at the Centre is likely to be dictated by regional concerns rather than national ones.

Their 'United India Rally' last week was a visible show of strength, but it is important to remember that the Telangana Rashtra Samithi led by K Chandrasekhar Rao and the Biju Janata Dal in Odisha led by Naveen Patnaik do not easily fit into the same equation as they have reservations about the Congress.

We have therefore on hand what I call Rubik's Cube politics. Getting one colour right on two sides could mean a difficult task in getting the colours right on the other four sides.

A lot now depends on whether and how the rallying groups come up with an agenda for power sharing. I am not sure if we necessarily need a strong leadership at the Centre for a stable government, as the BJP seems to suggest. What we might need instead is a power-sharing formula.

As for UP, with its new axis between Mayawati's BSP and Akhilesh Yadav's Samajwadi Party, it can be said easily that they are headed for a successful marriage of convenience because both parties have strong vote banks based on caste that can stay together because a combination of Modi and UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will ensure they love each other - or pretend they do. But national politics is a different ballgame.

The real focus now is on how this new opposition nucleus and a Congress led by Rahul Gandhi deal with each other. My guess: they will do so with a mix of pragmatism and wisdom, with clinical constituency-by-constituency calculation before the general election.

Rahul Gandhi's sending out of best wishes to Mamata Banerjee's rally without his own participation contains a strong message that implies: "We know we are not strong enough to lead. But then, neither are we small enough to be ignored or big enough to make you dance to our tunes." The Congress is showing all signs of being flexible.

Post-election, if the alliance wins a significant mandate (I don't rule it out), they will be guided by the details of the mandate in what happens next. I do not believe necessarily that they will be unstable, though they will have their ups and downs. A lot will depend on the manifesto they cobble up before the elections and the agenda they will frame later.

In the event of an uneven mandate, the BJP may steal the thunder by coming up with its own agenda to befriend regional parties. A weaker BJP might make more sense to some parties like the BJD or TRS than sleeping in the same bed as the Congress. Runaway brides eloping with a villainish intruder is the stuff of black comedy in this Rubik's Cube politics.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)
New Delhi: Royal Enfield will invest an additional Rs 500 crore by 2021 to expand its three manufacturing facilities in Tamil Nadu under a pact with the state government to receive fiscal and monetary incentives.

According to the memorandum of understanding (MoU) inked between the two parties, the state government will extend fiscal and monetary incentives to the company, subject to it investing Rs 1,500 crore over a period of five years beginning May 2016, Royal Enfield, two-wheeler arm of Eicher Motors, said in a regulatory filing.

Out of Rs 1,500 crore, Royal Enfield has already invested over Rs 1,000 crore.

The company is planning to put in the rest of the capital towards capacity expansion at its three existing manufacturing facilities in and around Chennai at Thiruvottiyur, Oragadam and Vallam Vadagal that are producing motorcycles for India and international markets.

The company is also planning to invest for setting up the technology centre along the Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) in Chennai.

The MoU is subject to ratification by the Board of Eicher Motors, the company said.

Royal Enfield had signed a similar MoU in May 2012 with the Tamil Nadu government for setting up its new manufacturing unit at Oragadam with an investment commitment of Rs 350 crore. The time frame for the investment was from 2011 to 2016.

The committed investments were completed before investment period, the company said.
A 19-year-old senior high school student of La PRESEC, Charity Agyeman Duah, has been abducted at Pig Farm, a suburb of Accra.

In a report that YEN.com.gh sighted on Classfmonline.com, the girl's father, Agyeman Duah, told Kwabena Prah Jnr. on Accra 100.5FM, that his daughter left home days ago but has since not returned.

The kidnappers, he said, called him to demand a ransom.

READ ALSO: Shatta Wale visits Obofour's $1.4m Trassaco house (Photos)

Duah confirmed that the case has been reported to the Kotobabi police station in Accra but no significant results have been achieved.

In a related story on abduction, YEN.com.gh has published that another girl has gone missing in Takoradi.

The report said, 25-year-old Maame Darkoa Anomah, is believed to have been kidnapped.

The kidnapper has allegedly warned the family of the lady in question not to report the case to the police.

The year is still young but Ghana seems to have witnessed a lot of kidnapping incidents lately with a lot happening at Takoradi in the Western Region.

It was reported that three young girls had been kidnapped following a cunning way used by the kidnappers to lure the young ladies.

A suspect by name, Samuel Utodoek-Wills, has been apprehended after preliminary investigations but the girls have still not been found.

READ ALSO: Two ministers to answer questions in parliament over kidnap of girls

Samuel Utudoek while in police custody absconded by cutting the rods at the window of the cell but was later rearrested.

The Volta Region on the other hand has also been reported to have some kidnapping incidents happening there.

The development has raised concerns by some section of Ghanaians and security analysts with many criticising the police for not being swift as they should be.

The Takoradi kidnapping incident for instance has generated a social media campaign with the hashtag #BringBackOurTaadiGirls.

Many celebrities and journalists have joined the campaign aimed at rescuing the three girls kidnapped in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis.

READ ALSO: Pastor allegedly orders worshippers to strip to their underwear during prayers

Ghana News Today: Latest on Hussein-Suale's Murder / High Spate of Ponzi Schemes in Ghana| #Yencomgh

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Source: Yen Newspaper
An international survey about the people's perceptions of 80 countries has named Ghana the 69th best country in the world.

The annual rankings is a joint project by digital news service US News & World Report, marketing company Y&R and the Wharton School, a business school at the University of Pennsylvania in the US.

It is a survey that ranks countries based on perceptions on citizenship, cultural influence, entrepreneurship, business climate and quality of life.

Ghana recorded its highest score - 4.2 out of 10 - under the metric, Open for Business, on account of the country's cheap manufacturing costs and other factors.

Ghana's lowest score 0.0 was recorded under Entrepreneurship as a result of a perceived difficulty in acquiring capital.

READ ALSO: Mahama arrives in Dagbon for Yaa-Naa Abubakari Mahama II's investiture

Ghana however ranked ahead of other African countries including Tunisia (72), Nigeria (74) and Angola (78) but behind Egypt (40) and South Africa (37).

Switzerland was, according to the methodology of the ranking, the best country to live in.

Japan was second, while Canada came third. The top ten in the 2019 rankings was completed by Germany, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Australia, the United States, Norway and France.

READ ALSO: Cedi depreciates again; now 5.01 to the US dollar

YEN.com.gh earlier reported that Ghanas local currency, the Cedi, has lost grounds against the US dollar in the final days of the month of 2019.

According to a report by Joy News, the Cedis decline against the US dollar is due to the sudden demand for dollar by businesses in the country to import goods from abroad.

The Ghana Cedi, which has been trading around 4.80 some two weeks ago, has now hit 5.01.

Ghana News Today: Latest on Hussein-Suale's Murder / High Spate of Ponzi Schemes in Ghana| #Yencomgh

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Source: Yen
Samuel Ofei, a 41-year-old cook, has been jailed by a Koforidua Circuit Court for kidnapping a 4-year-old boy.

The man was handed a seven-year jail term after he was found guilty for kidnapping the small boy at his school, Royal Academy School at Okorase, a suburb of Koforidua in the Eastern Region.

Kidnapped. Source: Supplied.

Source: UGC

In a report sighted by YEN.com.gh on Graphiconline.com, the man was said to have pleaded guilty but the police found his actions offensive.

READ ALSO: Afia Schwarzenegger slams Hitz FM Presenter for wanting to interview her

The Eastern Regional Police Public Relations Officer (PRO), Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Ebenezer Tetteh, said on November 8, 2018, Theresa Ansah, a trader, reported of her missing son to the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service.

Apparently, an ex-boyfriend of the victims mother is said to have gone to the boys school during break time and picked him up to his new location at Asokore, another suburb of Koforidua.

He said the next day, Offei called Theresa to inform her that he had the boy and demanded an amount of GH 2,500 before he would release her son.

Samuel, he said, was arrested after the police had gathered information of his whereabouts at the Salvation Army Church, near Asokore Zongo.

In a related news on kidnapping, YEN.com.gh published that some sections of Ghanaians have criticized the police for not rescuing the kidnapped Takoradi girls yet.

READ ALSO: Ghanaians shocked as video of journalist who slept in coffin during documentary pops up

They said the police seemed not to be taking the case seriously even though a prime suspect has been apprehended.

The suspect, who is a Nigerian, has refused to talk or show police where the girls might be after leading the police to Kasoa for a supposed search.

Meanwhile the suspect, Samuel Utudoek-Mills, has been arraigned before a Takoradi Circuit Court and charged with cell break.

On the issue of kidnapping the girls, the court adjourned the case amid on-going investigations.

READ ALSO: Kidnapped girls were lured with phones - Police

Ghana News Today: Latest on Hussein-Suale's Murder / High Spate of Ponzi Schemes in Ghana| #Yencomgh

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Venice, FL (34285)

Today

Mostly cloudy skies. High 89F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph..

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Cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 79F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph.
Rental rates across the nation were down by 0.1% in December and were logged at a median value of $433 per week. Rents across the combined capital cities, meanwhile, dropped 0.2% to $462 per week over the same period, according to CoreLogics Quarterly Rental Review. These annual changes in both combined capital city and national rents are at a rock-bottom level relative to the available data since 2005.

The combined regional markets bucked the negative results, up by 0.2% to sit at $373 per week.

The report also found that trends for the capitals differ. Rents are falling in Sydney, Darwin and Canberra. Melbourne is experiencing a significant slowdown in the rates, while others are recording growth, but on a slower pace compared to the previous year.

Brisbane and Perth are two of the cities whose rental markets are tracking upwards. Sydney remains the most expensive capital city in Australia to rent a home, with a median rent of $583 per week.

Hobart has been the most affordable capital city rental market, but strong rises in rents over recent years have caused rental costs to climb well above those in Adelaide and Perth. Hobarts rents are also now marginally higher than rents in Brisbane.

Sydney and Melbourne are both seeing the impact of significant demand from investors over recent years, along with a substantial ramp-up in new housing supply (largely apartment), much of which was purchased by investors. Darwin rents have been falling for many years and they continue to decline, said Cameron Kusher, CoreLogic research analyst.
The Australian Labor Party earned criticisms from the Real Estate Institute of Australia (REIA) after Bill Shorten, the leader of the party, recently announced that there would be no decisions made regarding changes to existing negative gearing and capital gains taxation arrangements until after the federal election.

REIA questioned whether the ALP made the move to avoid voter backlash in the lead-up to the election.

All Australians need to know what and when a Labor government, if elected, will do regarding property taxation. It is not acceptable to appear to be having a couple of bob each way in the lead-up to the election, REIA President Adrian Kelly said.

The industry group also said that while they welcome the partys promise to consult, it should be done now and not after the election.

Lets look at all property taxes in a holistic approach and not just negative gearing and capital gains tax as if thats the panacea to housing affordability, Kelly said.

There is already enough market uncertainty, especially in the larger states, and a nothing to see here approach will only worsen this ambiguity, Kelly said.

The ALP needs to come clean with what its election policies actually are so that all Australians  including the nearly 100,000 real estate businesses across Australia together with their employees and families  know exactly what they will be voting for and can make an informed decision at the ballot box, Kelly said.

Under ALPs proposed negative gearing changes, negative gearing will be limited to newly built properties. The party also plans to halve the capital gains tax discount for properties that are held longer than a year from 50% to 25%.
More arrests made in Wisconsin

By RICHARD JENKINS

[email protected]

BESSEMER  Two suspects in a Marenisco home invasion were recently arraigned in Gogebic County District Court, while two more arrests have been made in Wisconsin in connection to the case.

Todd Matthew Norton, 47, and Amber Jo Dorschner, 41, of New London, Wis., were extradited on multiple felony charges after being arrested in east central Wisconsin earlier this month.

Norton was arraigned Jan. 18 and is charged with armed robbery, first-degree home invasion, assault with intent to do great bodily harm, possession of a weapon while committi...
THOMAS CASLEY took this shot of Aurora Street in downtown Ironwood Thursday morning as the falling snow gave the area a "snow globe" effect.

A strong arctic cold front swept across the region Thursday that included a winter storm warning, frigid temperatures, blowing snow and wind chill advisories.

Ironwood, Bessemer, Wakefield-Marenisco and Watersmeet schools all canceled school early Thursday and at the same time called off school for today. Hurley also called off school for today.

The Michigan State Police Wakefield Post was cautioning against any travel on area roads Thursday. Late Thursday, MSP announced M-28 was closed between Marquette and Munising.

Gogebic Community College called off classes Thursday afternoon, but late...
SHARING A laugh at a Wednesday work session of Wakefield city officials are Scott MacInnes of the Michigan Municipal League and Bessemer city manager Charly Loper. They both emphasized the importance of any city maintaining an updated master plan.

By P.J. GLISSON

[email protected]

WAKEFIELD - Members of the Wakefield city council and planning commission met in a Wednesday workshop to learn how an updated master plan could help them to counteract the dwindling population that many U.P. towns experience.

Presenting the evidence were Scott MacInnes, northern field consultant for the Michigan Municipal League, and Bessemer city manager Charly Loper.

According to Wakefield city manager Richard Brackney, Wakefield's master plan has not been updated since 2000.

Loper said Bessemer's master plan was updated recently after city officia...
A: York County Clerk Kelly Turner said it is estimated that this particular special election, by mail, will cost approximately $11,150. If it had been done in person (at a polling place, such as the auditorium), it would have cost an estimated/approximate $11,300.

Q: Who decides if an election such as this should be done by all mail or in person?

A: York County Clerk/Election Commissioner Kelly Turner said that decision is made by the county election commissioner.

So that person would be me, Turner said.

Q: What if the clerks office receives ballots in the mail the day after the election. Would those still be able to be counted?

A: No. York County Clerk Kelly Turner said only the ballots in the possession of her office as of 5 p.m., on Tuesday, Feb. 12, will be counted. Any ballots returned to her office after that time will not be counted.

Q: On the back of the return envelope for my ballot, there is a blank that we need to fill in right before the words special election. What word are we supposed to write in that blank?

A: York County Clerk Kelly Turner said voters need to write the word recall in that blank.
We hope, Stahr said. I just wanted to make sure you are aware of it and if you so choose, we could have a letter drafted which we could send to our state senator and the governor.

Although it was the Mayors Report portion of the meeting and there were no action items regarding this matter on the agenda, Councilman Clarence Hoffman made a motion that a letter be drafted to reflect the citys opposition to the proposal. That motion was seconded by Council member Sheila Hubbard.

Mayor Stahr declared there was a motion and a second. He asked for further discussion  there was none  and then asked for the roll call. All of the council members voted in favor of Hoffmans motion.

There was no mention during the meeting that formal action cannot be taken on a matter not included in the adopted agenda.

After the fact, the YNT spoke with York City Attorney Charles Campbell about the matter and he said, There should have been no action taken because it was not on the agenda. However, this was an item that really didnt require any formal council action as it could have been done by the administration without council action or authorization.
YORK  Brandon Neal, 31, of Yorktown, Ind., has been sentenced to two years of traditional probation after being found in possession of 10-15 pounds of high grade marijuana during a traffic stop in York County.

According to court documents, troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol were conducting a ruse check-point at the Bradshaw exit on Interstate 80 when they observed an Indiana vehicle with license plates that appeared to be fictitious. Troopers said that upon making contact with Neal, who was the driver, they could smell marijuana. Upon their inquiry about the marijuana, the passenger  Chris Thurston, 32, also of Yorktown, Ind.  handed over a baggie of marijuana.

A probable cause search of the vehicle was conducted and the troopers found 10-15 pounds of marijuana in a tool box.

Each was facing a possible maximum of 24 years in prison, but due to plea agreements, the amended charge was attempt of a Class 4 felony, which is a Class 1 misdemeanor.

Thurston was also scheduled for sentencing, but that was continued to April.

Neal was sentenced to two 30-day stints in jail, which are to be served in the future  if Neal is found to be in compliance with the terms of his probation, those jail terms can be waived.
YORK -- First Presbyterian Church hosts a gathering called Loss & Healing. This group gathers every 1st and 3rd Monday at 7 p.m. in the church parlor. Loss & Healing is a grief support group which allows and encourages mutually shared feelings of loss but also affirms the presence of hope in order to regain and restore fullness of life. If you have experienced an intimate loss in the last few years it is our hope that you will consider being a part of this group. This is an open-ended invitation extending hand of hope and encouragement to those who have experienced loss of a loved one. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Pastor Mike at the church office. 402-362-5176.
As a child he loved to take long bike rides along the river with either a gun or fishing pole in hand and would be gone all day long. He attended Franklin Public Schools, that is when he actually went to school. He hated school so bad he would make himself sick so he would stay with his grandma Brachear and play cards or aggravation. He also had great memories of the many summers he spent with grandpa and grandma Rose working with the cattle and putting up hay. He always told how wonderful it was to come down the stairs in the morning to the smell of grandmas freshly baked bread and tasty churned butter. Shortly after graduating from high school he was drafted into the army and spent his first year in Fort Hood, Texas and the second in Vietnam. After returning home he worked for a while at Brodine Implement in Kearney and then returned to Franklin where he worked at the elevator for 40 years. He did their maintenance work of welding and repairing equipment. One of his co-workers once said that he had the gift of making something out of nothing. Matter of fact our son made the remark at the hospital when Rod didnt want to give up the battle. He must have gotten to the golden gates and had to stop and make a repair before entering in.
DUBAI - Iran staged war games on Friday involving newly developed rapid redeployment units focused on fighting enemy aggressors and armed militants, state media reported, amid increased tensions with the United States and following a militant attack.

Around 12,000 elite troops, armoured vehicles, fighter jets and drones were taking part in the two-day exercises, staged in the central province of Isfahan, state television said.

Deployed by transport planes and 60 helicopters, commandos hunted mock armed militants, while an armoured battalion blocked "enemy" forces trying to retreat, state media said.
BEIRUT -- Lebanon has signed a deal with Russia's largest oil company, Rosneft, to upgrade and operate storage installations in country's northern city of Tripoli.

Lebanon's outgoing energy minister, Cesar Abi Khalil, told reporters Friday that Rosneft will manage storage operations.

Abi Khalil says they will start with the development of 450,000 metric tons of capacity, likely to be expanded to 1.5 million metric tons in the future.

The facilities were built about 90 years ago and were used to store oil shipped through a pipeline from the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk.

Since the 1980s, they have been used to store diesel for local markets.
Police are investigating an incident in which several cars were damaged in the Palestinian town of Turmus Ayya north of Ramallah in an apparent hate crime .
DUBAI/WASHINGTON - An American-born anchor for Iran's state-run Press TV was freed after 10 days of detention in the United States after testifying as a material witness in an undisclosed federal investigation, a U.S. federal court order said on Thursday.

Marzieh Hashemi testified four times before a federal grand jury beginning on Jan. 18, according to the order, which made a partial disclosure of information in the case. She was released on Tuesday on a judge's orders and made her final grand jury appearance on Wednesday, it said.

Hashemi satisfied "her obligations in this material-witness matter, which is now closed," said the order signed by U.S. District Court Judge Beryl Howell.
The IDF announced that two individuals who crossed the border fence from Gaza were taken into custody. They did not have weapons.
A decade after discovering natural gas fields off its Mediterranean coast, Israel is starting to feel the geopolitical boost.

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Its newfound riches have fostered economic bonds with its neighbors, tightening relations with Arab allies, and built new bridges in a historically hostile region  even without significant progress being made toward peace with the Palestinians.

Last weeks inclusion of Israel into the Eastern Mediterranean Gas Forum in Cairo  a consortium aiming to cut infrastructure costs and lower prices  marked the first time Arab countries accepted Israel into such a regional alliance, sparking excitement in the country that its long-held hope of finally also making economic peace with Egypt and Jordan was fast approaching.

I think this is the most significant economic cooperation between Egypt and Israel since the signing of the peace treaty 40 years ago, says Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz during his visit. The discovery of significant gas fields in the eastern Mediterranean has also political value because it brings all of us ... together to cooperate with each other.

Tamar gas field (Photo: Albatross)

The forum, which also includes Cyprus, Greece, Italy and the Palestinian Authority, aims to emerge as a mini-OPEC of sorts and highlights how Israel has been leveraging its newfound gas reserves into a powerful tool to expand its immersion into a region that has increasingly come to see Iran and Turkey, rather than Israel, as their greatest rivals.

With the expected gas boon, Israel plans to wean itself off coal and emerge as an unlikely energy exporter  providing both an economic and political lift.

In the coming months, Israel will begin exporting gas to Egypt as part of a $15 billion deal signed last year to provide 64 billion cubic meters of gas over a 10-year period that will help turn Egypt into a regional energy hub.

The first batches will come from the operational Tamar field and later from the far larger Leviathan field, set to go online later this year. Israel already delivers gas to the Palestinians and to Jordan, with whom Israels Delek Drilling and its US partner, Noble Energy, signed their first export agreement in 2016  a $10 billion, 15-year deal to provide 45 billion cubic meters of gas.

This gives Israel an additional element to its relations with its neighboring countries. When you add an economic facet to the security cooperation it strengthens the bond and gives it stability, says Oded Eran, a former Israeli ambassador to Jordan and to the European Union, and a senior researcher at Tel Avivs Institute of National Security Studies.

Still, he says economic interests alone arent enough to fully integrate Israel into the Middle East. Arab nations without formal peace accords with Israel would need to see at least some progress on the Palestinian front before normalizing relations, he says.

Israel has peace agreements with only two Arab countries  Egypt and Jordan. But warming ties with Israel remain unpopular on much of the Arab street, and the gas exports have sparked sporadic protests in Jordan. The Palestinians, pleased at being invited into the consortium, hope to develop their own gas fields off the coast of Gaza but for now are required by international agreements to acquire their fuel from Israel.

Sameer Abdallah, a former Palestinian economy minister, says they import from Israel because we have no alternative but once we can change that, of course we will.

The gas appears to have helped Israel grow closer to Arab governments and other Mediterranean countries that share its concern over what they perceive as the rising power of Iran and Turkey in the region.

Yuval Steinitz at the Eastern Mediterranean Gas Forum in Cairo

Just as Noble Energy was discovering the massive gas fields in Israeli and Cypriot waters, Cyprus in 2010 suddenly banned Turkish flotillas seeking to break the Israeli naval blockade of Gaza from using its shores  a stunning about-face after months of turning a blind eye to ships that were creating a diplomatic nightmare for Israel.

Cypriot officials said at the time that Gaza-bound vessels were prohibited from leaving because of vital national interests.

Relations have since soared. Israel now holds annual trilateral summits with Greece and Cyprus, which have become its geographical conduits to the West. The two also conduct joint military operations with Israel, and just a short flight away, have replaced Turkey as the Israelis preferred holiday destinations.

The countries recently said they would sign an agreement for a $7 billion project to build a pipeline to carry natural gas from the eastern Mediterranean to Europe.

Cyprus Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides has said he believes hydrocarbons in the Eastern Mediterranean can become what the coal and steel was for the European community  a reference to how in the 1950s, coal and steel brought European countries together economically and politically.

Eran, the former Israeli diplomat, cautioned against investing so heavily in what he called an economic adventure. Even with the recent discoveries, he said the joint reserves were still not enough to create a strong enough economic lever to challenge global energy providers.

The Leviathan gas field (Photo: Albatross)

Still, the upside of finally having natural resources of its own has been so appealing that the Israeli government has pushed forward even against stiff domestic opposition from environmental and social welfare activists.

Critics, including prominent opposition lawmakers, say a controversial 2016 agreement over royalties is skewed in favor of the energy tycoons. More recently, local activists have been urging Noble Energy to move its proposed shoreline gas rig farther out to sea for fear of what they call catastrophic consequences of spreading toxic water and air pollution toward their homes.

Noble and the Israeli government say its an irresponsible scare campaign and have countered with an aggressive ad campaign extolling the virtues of Leviathan, which it has dubbed the national project.
Like most other young ultra-Orthodox women, when Esti (the names of the women have been changed to protect their privacy) decided to get married she turned to a matchmaker to send her offers. Since she was a little older than the average, and had high demands, Esti had to wait a while until she got a long-anticipated phone call from a famous matchmaker, who was a rabbi in a yeshiva. The groom, the matchmaker said, was a pious man, newly religious. For Esti, it seemed that all of her dreams were coming true.

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There were only three issues. The so-called matchmaker wasnt a rabbi but a convicted felon named Menahem Mendel Saadon. The phone calls he had with Esti were from prison. And the groom himself was also a felon who owed millions to the criminal underworld.

Esti wasnt the first young woman to fall for this scam. Mendias Menachem Mendel Saadon called himselfran a thriving matchmaking business from prison, matching felons with unsuspecting young brides who knew nothing about the men they were paired with.

Esti, 26, is from an ultra-Orthodox Chabad community in the center of Israel. When it came time for her to marry she approached several matchmakers, hoping to find a suitable husband.

A year and a half ago, a good friend told Esti she had been the subject of an enquiry by a matchmaker. He sounds serious, said the friend, he asked me a lot of questions.

Several days later the matchmaker called Esti, saying he was a rabbi at a yeshiva in central Israel. I know the issues involved in matchmaking in our community, he told her. I only make offers (for a potential match) based on a genuine acquaintance, I dont settle for just reading about someone.

Esti was impressed. It was very persuasive. He was truly interested in hearing about who I was, and he asked a lot of questions.

After a few informative conversations over the phone, Mendi the matchmaker made her a match  a man named Isaac. Hes an old friend of mine, who became religious after he had a miraculous spiritual experience with the Rebbe, Mendi said, referring to late Chabad spiritual leader Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson. He told her all about her suitor's apparently moving life story. He even said the match was financially and professionally sound.

After a while, Esti and Isaac started meeting and Esti was very impressed. I had met a guy who looked ultra-Orthodox, with a beard, a hat and a suit. He looked pious. During our meetings he talked about the Torah and he seemed just perfect. He presented himself as a man of means.

After every meeting, Mendi would call Esti to ask how the date went. He even asked her to send him a photo of her handwriting, so he could decipher it with graphology, to make match the even better.

A little before Passover, Mendi called Esti to say he was going to be away for a while, claiming he was going to Cozumel, Mexico, as a Chabad emissary. Isaac backed him up and even said he was taking Mendi to the airport. In hindsight, I ask myself how could I have been so naive, Esti said.

Three weeks later, Mendi called from an unlisted number, asked about how the dates were going, and told her all about the beautiful beaches of Cozumel. What Esti did not know was that the only views the matchmaker was seeing were prison walls, and that the unlisted number belonged to a prison phone.

As things progressed between Esti and Isaac, she started feeling like everything was just a little too perfect. But she brushed off the sense of disquiet and the two decided to get married. A few days before the engagement ceremony, the future groom told Esti that he wanted to tell her something personal. My shares crashed, he said. Im in debt.

Esti consulted with her family, and decided to go ahead with the weddingon the grounds that, you dont find a good guy every day.

Several days later, Mendis mother came by to congratulate Esti, and to collect the matchmaking fee. She also presented herself as a bridal counselor.

Ultra-Orthodox wedding (Photo: Shutterstock)

SHortly before the wedding, when Esti had already found a dress and booked a venue, a family member overheard he rtalking about Mendi and became suspicious. Im almost sure Ive heard this name, and that the man was charged with rape, he told the astounded Esti. The relative then hired a private investigator, who brought indisputable evidence: The matchmaker is in prison. When he said he was a rabbi in a yeshiva, he was actually under house arrest at a yeshiva for the duration of the legal procedings against him.

Mendi Saadon was actually 36-year-old Menahem Mendel Pinto. Saadon was his mothers maiden name, and the truth about him was extremely shocking and disturbing.

In July 2015, Pinto was charged with a list of sexual offenses he had committed against his partners daughter, who was 17 at the time. He repeatedly raped the teen, committed indecent assault and sexual assault in his living room over a period of several days. He also forced her to watch pornographic videos with him and gave the girl a variety of illicit substances.

That wasnt all. The family member's private investigator also looked into Estis future husband, and what he told her broke her heart. Isaac was a felon who had been arrested several times for drug trafficking, and owed millions to the criminal underworld.

Of course, I called it all off, said Esti. I had to pay a fine of NIS 10,000 to the wedding venue, but the money was nothing in comparison to my mental state. I walked around for months feeling like I had PTSD. I didnt dare go out of the house alone. I was amazed by how close I was to building a life with a dangerous felon. I felt like I experienced a miracle (by discovering the truth before the wedding). My life was almost destroyed, my relative and the private investigator saved my life.

In hindsight, Esti started connecting all the dots. Mendi had indeed asked deeply probing questionsand reported the answers right back to Isaac, who then used Estis exact words when he spoke to her.

"For instance, I told the matchmaker I hated liars, and on our next meeting Isaac told me, I just hate liars," Esti said. He came out with all these sentences and I just felt like I was listening to myself talking. I was naive. I didnt understand that this Mendi was a criminal genius. They both did a wonderful job fooling me.

But the sorry talk did not end there. Several weeks ago, Esti heard from one of her friends that she had been offered a good match, with a guy who studies at the Chabad yeshiva in Ramat Aviv. The matchmaker? Rabbi Saadon.

Esti asked the friend for her match's name, and a short investigation revealed he too was involved in drug trafficking and fraud. This also happened to a third girl who received an offer of a match from Mendi.

So we called Mendis mother and asked for a match.

He has no phone now, she said about her son, but perhaps we can help. Send me your details, your resume. I also do matchmaking, actually we do it together.

You and your son work together?

Yes.

Because I gathered that he offers guys who are yeshiva students.

Thats correct.

Does it make sense to you that your son is a rapist who is in prison and is offering matchmaking services? And you even offer to help him with that?

Listen, did you come here to lecture me or find a match?

You went to the engagement party of a girl who your son matched with a felon, and asked for money for the match. Does it sound right to you that your son presents himself as the supervisor of a Chabad yeshiva while he is actually in prison?

Listen to me, first of all, I could put on you trial right now for this. You dont know the details and from what youve told me, Im 90 percent sure youre trying to trick me, I got you. This will end badly.

Instead of offering me a match, you threaten me?

You dont know the details, I dont want to deal with you now at all. Ninety percent of what you told me is inaccurate.

Is your son in prison at the moment?

Its none of your business where my son is.

It is my business if you two are supposed to offer me a match.

No, I dont want to offer you a match. Its a waste of energy on someone who doesnt know the real picture.

I spoke to some girls. Your son calls girls from prison and offers felons  suspects in drug, bribery and fraud cases. Innocent Chabad girls fall for it.

Listen, do you get your information from that girl whos bad-mouthing him? She missed out on a person whos a real gem.

I've heard about other such gems he offered girls, and when we checked, we found they are also felons who served time. Gems like your son, the rapist.

Dont say things you know nothing about.

Is your son also a gem?

Hes better than you. I ask that you not lecture me. My son, the one or two he did fix up with a match praised God for it. These were people who had made it in life, from Ramat Aviv (an expensive neighborhood in Tel Aviv). Not rapists."

Illustrative: Ayalon prison in central Israel

The Israel Prison Service said in response that, the issue is being examined by prison facilities and intelligence bodies. If any woman feels like she has been hurt or threatened by an inmate, we advise her to file an official complaint with the Israel Police.

Alon Eisenberg, the lawyer who represents Saadon said in response that his client firmly rejects all the claims in the article.
The situation in Gaza is horrific. Actually, worse than that. Gazans have been deprived of electricity, water, jobs and salaries; they were stripped of their self-respect and parental authority, and some Gazans say that hope for a better future has also been taken away. The humanitarian crisis is already here: two million people drowning in existential despair are on the brink of explosion.

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Despite the convenient metaphor, Gaza is not a pressure cooker from which excess pressure can be released through a valve or lifting a lid. The explosive situation in Gaza cannot be resolved only by opening and closing the Erez border crossing, or by occasional Israeli decisions to expand Gazas fishing area to nine nautical miles.

Perhaps many would like to see Gaza disappear, sinking into the depths of oblivion. Nobody seems to like Gaza, no one wants Gaza. Prime Minister Netanyahu himself recently said that if Gaza could be handed over to anyone, he might have supported its reoccupation. Rumor has it, that Gazans claim that even God does not like Gaza.

Damage caused by IAF strike in Gaza (Photo: Reuters)

But Gaza is here to stay. And as much as it is being isolated and placed behind high fences and thick walls of repression, Gaza finds itself yet again in the heart of regional politics. Gaza is a regional issue and since any clash in Gaza might ignite the whole region, many regional players find themselves involved in Gaza, each having its own interests and considerationsnot out of love for Gaza, but out of concern for itself.

The main protagonists in this drama are Hamas, the Palestinian Authority, Israel and Egypt, who have different and at times conflicting interests in Gaza. Such a situation poses difficulties in dealing with the humanitarian crisis and achieving stability and security.

Ostensibly, there is not much to expect from other foreign actors involved in Gaza. Any such foreign actorTurkey, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, the UN, the EU, and the USuses Gaza to advance domestic and regional interests. Erdogan uses the situation in Gaza to provoke Israel and make political gains at home while positioning himself as an important leader in the Muslim world. Qatar is using its support of Gaza to gain advantage in the Gulf and position itself in the region. For the part of the EU and UN agencies, the situation in Gaza may really matter, but they do not have the political power to change reality (luckily and most recently, the UN was able to act as an effective mediator alongside Egypt and help prevent another round of violence). This is also the case regarding other actors.

However, even if they do not really care about Gaza, the fact that Gaza has become a usable political-public currency, is perhaps its greatest source of political power. The vested interests that foreign players have in Gaza can be a good starting point for a change in reality. The main challenge, therefore, is to mobilize such actors to advance their interest in Gaza while improving the quality of life for Gazans.

One important steps to be taken to this effect is to shift from a donor model to an investment model. The donor model, such as the Ad-Hoc Liaison Committee (AHLC) that meets every year since 1993, or ad-hoc conferences that gather to discuss the rehabilitation of Gaza following yet another round of fighting, provides Gaza with only so much money, while donors have almost no responsibility for the effective use of their money. On the other hand, designing an investment mechanism requires investors to be involved in managing their funds. The investment model leads to increased involvement and increased interest in stability, and creates favorable conditions to support each investment.

It is not a magic solution, just another tool, but an important one. The more players invest in Gaza, the greater the chances that Gaza will not sink.

Dr. Roee Kibrik is Director of Research at Mitvim - The Israeli Institute for Regional Foreign Policies.
When Hilde Schramm inherited several paintings collected by her father, Hitlers chief architect and Armaments Minister Albert Speer, she was only sure of one thing  she didnt want them.

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Despite determining they probably hadnt been looted from Jews during World War II, she wanted their legacy to somehow benefit others. So she huddled with friends around a rickety green table at her home-office in Berlin and came up with a plan to sell them and use the proceeds to support Jewish womens creative projects in Germany.

In 1994, that became the Zurueckgeben foundation, a project for which Schramm received an Obermayer German Jewish History Award on Monday. The honor was established by an American Jewish philanthropist to recognize the efforts of non-Jewish Germans to keep alive their nations Jewish cultural past.

Hilde Schramm (Photo: AP)

It was very much our point with this word Zurueckgeben, which in a way is a provocation, because in a way nobody really can give back, to raise consciousness about the injury that had been done very broadly in Germany, she told The Associated Press.

Today, theres a wider understanding that the Nazis plundered precious artworks and other property from Europes Jews, partially because of recent stepped-up German government efforts to identify heirs and organize restitution, and the popular 2014 Hollywood film The Monuments Men.

But most of the focus has been on the big-ticket items like precious paintings and sculptures. Schramms foundation encourages Germans to take stock of the more mundane items in their households and question where they came from.

In part its to fight the cliche perpetrated by the Nazis that all Jews were rich and powerful, and also to dispel the notion that only the Nazi elite profited at the expense of the Jews.

Let it come close to your families and look at what other ways the German population did profit. When Jews were expelled from their jobs, of course non-Jewish Germans could take their job, Schramm said. Its not only the question of real objects being robbed but their whole existence ... this is to raise awareness that it did reach almost every family, a kind of involvement or profiting.

Adolf Hitler, left, discusses plans for building a convention hall at Nuremberg with Lord Mayor Willy Liebel, center, and Prof. Albert Speer, right (Photo: AP)

Because its almost impossible to determine the original owners of smaller items like cutlery and furniture, donors to the foundation often give a symbolic amount to Zurueckgeben, or sell the items and give the proceeds.

Since it began, hundreds of Germans have donated and the foundation has been able to pay out some 500,000 euros ($570,000) in grants to support more than 130 Jewish womens projects. Those include a childrens theater, exhibitions, dance shows, books and films.

The 82-year-old Schramm, a former Greens party state lawmaker as well as an educator and author, has been involved in several other projects related to Nazi-era commemoration and atonement. She was previously honored by Berlin with the Moses Mendelssohn Prize, named after the Jewish philosopher and given to honor people for fostering tolerance.

She has also helped organize a nonprofit association to support projects in Greece after the Greek financial crisis, and has hosted seven refugees from Afghanistan and Syria in her own home. That followed German Chancellor Angela Merkels decision to open the countrys borders to more than 1 million migrants in 2015-16.

Wherever I went, whatever I did, I saw something which was a blind spot and I took it up, she said.

Hilde Schramm (Photo: AP)

Schramm was only 9 when the war ended. Even though she was there at times with her father as he rubbed elbows with Hitler and other top Nazis, she said the persecution of the Jews was not something she was aware of.

I had no idea, she said, pausing contemplatively before adding: But perhaps I didnt want to have an idea. I dont know.

Unlike many other top Nazis, who committed suicide or were executed after the war, Albert Speer served 20 years in a Berlin prison for war crimes after being convicted in the Nuremberg trials. At his trial, Speer, who died in 1981 in London, accepted moral responsibility but insisted he had not known of the Holocausta contention that many have questioned.

Schramm was able to talk with him and confront him with her questions, which was an opportunity she said a lot of the donors to her foundation never had with their families.

In a way, I always felt in a good situation, as I knew what my father had been and what he had done very soon, she said. Many men and women of my generation, they had no answer what their family had done.

Schramms award is one of six being presented by the organization established in 2000 by Arthur Obermayer, whose grandparents were all German, after he was inspired by the help he received from Germans in researching his roots. Obermayer died in 2016.
Since I really enjoyed the Japanese film adaptation of Igarashi Daisuke's manga Little Forest, I was quite curious about how the 2018 Korean adaptation would turn out, especially with Lim Soon Rye directing and Kim Tae Ri in the leading role. Though the Korean film doesn't bring any new surprises for those already familiar with the manga or the Japanese film, the charming, calming recipe of beautiful nature and scrumptious food holds up well for a second course of cinematic comfort food. Apart from the different setting, Lim's take on the story of a young woman living and cooking in the countryside does strike a subtly different tone that sets it apart from the Japanese version. Shot at a village in Gyeongbuk, the Korean adaptation of Little Forest  like the Japanese adaptation  unfolds over four seasons, bringing different beautiful sceneries and delicious foods in each chapter. Kim Tae Ri of The Handmaiden fame is heroine Hye Won, who moves back to her remote rural hometown in the winter after failing her teacher certification exam in Seoul. Though she insists that the move is temporary, she actually has no idea how long she's staying or what her plans for the future are. While she takes refuge from the outside world, she gradually faces her inner anxieties and conflicts, including her feelings about her mother who suddenly left home one day to go live her own life. Over the four seasons of the year, Hye Won returns to a simpler life of growing and gathering ingredients from nature and recalling her mother's recipes to make mouth-watering dishes from scratch. Hye Won's process of preparing different dishes is narrated and shot straight on so audiences can pick up recipes if desired. However, the cooking is generally less expository and more organically integrated in this film than in the Japanese film, which set apart the steps very clearly in visual presentation and narration. Perhaps partly because of the shorter length, the Korean film is not as detailed with the cooking and farming aspects in comparison to Mori Junichi's two-film adaptation. Lim Soon Rye's Little Forest focuses more on the emotional ups and downs of the characters. In the Japanese adaptation, the reticent heroine played by Hashimoto Ai remains unreadable for much of the film, her inner turmoil hidden under a quiet storm. The Korean adaptation, while still quiet, is brighter, warmer and livelier. With Kim Tae Ri's expressive performance to match, the protagonist's confusions and frustrations regarding her mother and this transitional point of her life are more clearly conveyed. The film's depiction of Hye Won's relationship and interactions with her mother, in particular, brims with the warmth and resentment of family. As her childhood friends, Ryu Jun Yeol and Jin Ki Joo also leave deeper impressions with stronger characters and stories. Even in a relatively mild offering like this, Lim Soon Rye shows her strength in bringing out different aspects of the human condition.
Yankton, SD (57078)

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Mostly sunny this morning then becoming cloudy during the afternoon. High 87F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph..

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Cloudy skies early with scattered thunderstorms developing late. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low around 65F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
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Harare (AFP) - The leader of Zimbabwe's main labour federation turned himself in to the police on Friday as another activist sought bail following violence during last week's anti-government protests, lawyers said Friday.

The president of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions, Peter Mutasa, "has presented himself to Harare Central Police Station accompanied by his lawyer," a grouping of human rights lawyers said in a tweet.

It was not immediately clear whether he had been arrested, but his colleague, the ZCTU unions Secretary General Japhet Moyo was arrested on Monday as he flew into the country on charges of trying to subvert the government and inciting violence.

Mutasa appeared earlier this month on a video clip posted on social media, with cleric and activist Evan Mawarire. They called jointly for a national job boycott to protest against a steep fuel price increase and the general economic meltdown.

Mawarire was arrested last week on subversion charges and earlier on Friday he sought bail in the High Court.

The prosecution opposed his bail application on the grounds that he was likely to abscond.

"If convicted he's likely to stand a long term of imprisonment and that is enough inducement for him to flee," prosecutor Mirirai Shumba told the High Court in Harare.

Mawarire is accused of subverting a constitutionally elected government and incitement to commit violence by posting videos on social media supporting a national strike called by trade unions.

His lawyer Tonderai Bhatasara argued that "there is no propensity or likelihood" of Mawarire fleeing.

A ruling on the bail application will be handed down on Tuesday.

- Reports of brutality -

Mawarire, a pastor, became a prominent voice during protests in 2016 when he posted videos on social media criticising the government while wearing a Zimbabwean flag around his neck.

His posts inspired the #ThisFlag movement that led mass protests against Mugabe, who was ousted after a military takeover.

Story continues

Nationwide demonstrations erupted last week after President Emmerson Mnangagwa announced that fuel prices were being doubled in a country suffering regular shortages of fuel, food and medicine.

Furious demonstrators took to the streets in several cities and towns with widespread rioting and looting.

Soldiers and police put down the protests and at least 12 people died. More than 1,100 were arrested, including opposition Movement for Democratic Change lawmakers and senior figures.

Global rights watchdog Amnesty International's director for Southern Africa, Deprose Muchena, on Friday called on Zimbabwe authorities to "immediately halt their menacing threats towards civil society leaders, activists, opposition leaders and suspected organisers of protests".

Amnesty International urged the government to "act swiftly to ensure security forces are held to account for ongoing brutal human rights violations, including torture, rape, beatings and killings of civilians".

There have been widespread reports of severe brutality against civilians during the crackdown. The country's government-appointed human rights commission alleged "systematic torture".

"The authorities must ensure that those who violated and continue to violate human rights face justice," said Muchena.
Washington (AFP) - The United States on Thursday ordered non-emergency embassy staff to leave Venezuela but refused to comply with a full expulsion demanded by Nicolas Maduro, who Washington says is no longer president.

The State Department mandated the departure of non-emergency US personnel and their family members "based on our current assessment of the security situation in Venezuela," a department spokesman said.

"We have no plans to close the embassy. The United States will maintain diplomatic relations with Venezuela through the government of interim President Guaido, who has invited our mission to remain in Venezuela," he said.

Amid deadly political clashes in the crisis-torn country, the State Department also said that US citizens "should strongly consider departing Venezuela."

Maduro on Wednesday gave US diplomats 72 hours to leave the country after President Donald Trump, backed by major Latin American nations, said the leftist firebrand was no longer Venezuela's legitimate president.

The United States said it was ignoring the order as it had recognized Guaido, the opposition head of the National Assembly, as the interim president.

But Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in an interview Thursday that Maduro -- to whom the military leadership is still loyal -- bore responsibility for the safety of US diplomats.

"There's no higher priority for the State Department than to keep all the people in our missions safe and secure. And we've made clear to the Maduro regime that it is our expectation that they will be safe and secure," he told conservative talk show host Laura Ingraham.

"What we want to make sure that former president Maduro knows is that he doesn't have the right to make the decision about whether or not we stay there," Pompeo said.

State Department officials have not said how many US personnel remain in Venezuela.

Maduro has also shuttered US missions in the United States.
Washington (AFP) - Washington and Beijing are "miles and miles" from resolving their trade war, US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said Thursday.

A high-level Chinese delegation is due in Washington next week for talks to resolve the dispute by March 1, when US duty rates on Chinese imports are due to rise sharply, but Ross tried to tamp down expectations to those meetings.

"There's been a lot of anticipatory work done but we're miles and miles from getting a resolution and that shouldn't be too surprising," Ross told CNBC.

Wall Street futures suddenly fell during his remarks, which came a day after the White House contradicted reports the trade talks had hit serious obstacles. His comments also coincided with pessimistic policy remarks from the European Central Bank. Just after the open, US stocks were in mixed territory but mostly in the red.

As the world economy comes under increasing strain, the possibility of failure in the US-China talks has rattled global stock markets repeatedly over the last year.

Washington accuses Beijing of a host of unfair trading practices, especially theft of American technological know-how.

Ross said there was still "a fair chance" of reaching a deal with Beijing, but much work remains to be done since the dispute involves issues difficult to address in a short timeframe.

"I believe China would like to make a deal. I believe we would like to make a deal but it has to be a deal that works for both parties," he said.

"I'm trying to say people shouldn't think the events of next week will be the solution to all of the issues between the United States and China."

Washington and Beijing last year exchanged tariffs on more than $360 billion in two-way trade, slowing the economies in both countries.

Top White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow on Wednesday helped right Wall Street stock prices, denying media reports that US officials had called off a preparatory meeting this week due to a supposed lack of progress.

Despite President Donald Trump's hard line tactics, the US trade deficit with China has continued to grow, underscoring the extent to which American industry has come to rely on the Asian giant's manufacturing base.

Last year, China posted its slowest growth in nearly three decades, and economists say the trade war is sapping the strength of the world's second-largest economy.
Sanaa (AFP) - A fire on the edge of the Yemeni port city of Hodeida has reportedly damaged two food silos, the UN said Friday, adding it appeared a mortar shell hit storage facilities.

"We are very concerned that some of our wheat stocks at the Red Sea Mills have been damaged," said the UN World Food Programme's Yemen director Stephen Anderson, quoted in a statement by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

The WFP has 51,000 metric tonnes of wheat stored at the Red Sea Mills site on Hodeida's outskirts, but has been unable to access the site since September last year, due to fighting, the statement said.

Government forces, supported by a regional coalition that includes Saudi Arabia and the UAE, have battled to oust Iran-backed Huthi rebels from the lifeline port city.

UN-sponsored peace talks in Sweden last month brought about a fragile truce for Hodeida, but the embattled government on Thursday accused the rebels of failing to abide by its terms.

"WFP urgently needs to get access to the Red Sea Mills so we can assess the level of damage and begin transporting the unaffected wheat stocks to areas of Yemen where it is desperately needed," Anderson added.

The UN agency's stores at the facility represent a quarter of its wheat stock in the country -- enough to feed 3.7 million people for a month -- the OCHA statement said.

Yemen's war has pushed 14 million people to the brink of famine in what the UN describes as the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

"The situation in Yemen is heart-breaking," said UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen Lise Grande, in the statement.

"A quarter of a million people are in a catastrophic condition, facing near starvation if assistance doesnt get to them. We need this wheat," she added.

The UAE's official news agency WAM accused the Huthi rebels of targeting the mills with a mortar shell, causing what it described as a huge fire that destroyed a large quantity of wheat.

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There was no immediate response from the Huthis.

Yemen's state-run Saba news agency said Friday that five soldiers and a child were also killed by an exploding landmine in Al-Baida in central Yemen.

It quoted a military source who said the soldiers were trying to assist "wounded civilians targeted by another landmine in the same area" and accused the Huthis of planting the landmines.

Yemen's conflict has killed some 10,000 people since the Saudi-led military coalition intervened to support the government in March 2015, according to the World Health Organization.
By Stephanie Nebehay GENEVA (Reuters) - The United Nations human rights boss Michelle Bachelet called on Friday for an independent investigation into alleged excessive use of force by Venezuelan security forces or allied militia, citing reports of at least 20 people killed this week. More than 350 people are reported to have been detained in protests since opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself interim president, challenging President Nicolas Maduro, she said. "I am extremely concerned that the situation in Venezuela may rapidly spiral out of control with catastrophic consequences", Bachelet, a former president of Chile, said in a statement issued in Geneva. "Any violent incident resulting in death or injury should be subject to an independent and impartial investigation to find out whether there was excessive use of force by the authorities, or if crimes have been committed by members of armed groups, whether pro-government or otherwise," she said. Bachelet urged Venezuela's political leaders to hold talks to defuse the "increasingly incendiary atmosphere" brought on by an entrenched social, political and economic crisis. The United States is seeking to ensure that Venezuelan oil revenue goes to Guaido, president of the National Assembly, and to cut off money from isolated Maduro, a U.S. official said on Thursday. The U.N. refugee agency UNHCR said it was monitoring the situation but had not yet seen an increased outflow of Venezuelans, more than 3 million of whom have already fled the crisis. The United Nations warned last month that an estimated 2 million Venezuelans could join their ranks in 2019. "We are still preparing for any potential change in the number of refugees and migrants leaving Venezuela," UNHCR spokeswoman Liz Throssell told a news briefing. "What we have seen is that population movements so far have remained constant since last year, and that is some 5,000 Venezuelans leaving their country every day on average." Many transit Colombia on their way to Peru or Ecuador, she said, adding: "We have seen a significant number in dire need of international refugee protection and humanitarian assistance." (Reporting by Stephanie Nebehay; Editing by Janet Lawrence)
Bamako (AFP) - Two UN peacekeepers from Sri Lanka died and several were wounded on Friday in central Mali when their vehicle hit a mine, UN mission in Mali (MINUSMA) sources announced.

"This morning at around 0600, a vehicle in a MINUSMA logistics convoy hit a mine near Douentza, Mopti region," a UN statement said. It added that some of the wounded were badly injured.

The men who died were Sri Lankan members of the 14,000-strong UN military and police mission, the source told AFP on condition of anonymity, adding that the injured had been evacuated.

The UN force deployed in Mali since 2013 to help counter jihadist activity "sent reinforcements to the scene not far from Douentza to secure it" after the attack, the source said.

The casualties come after jihadist gunmen killed 10 Chadian peacekeepers and injured at least 25 others in an attack on a UN camp in Aguelhok, northern Mali on Sunday.

Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) claimed responsibility for Sunday's attack -- one of the deadliest strikes against the UN mission in the West African country.

Mali, one of the poorest countries in the world, has struggled to return to stability since extremists linked to Al-Qaeda took control of the north in 2012, prompting France to intervene militarily.

The jihadists were routed from key desert towns such as Timbuktu and Gao, but large stretches of the landlocked Sahel state remain out of government control.

A peace deal between the government and armed groups was signed in 2015, but implementation has been slow and attacks have continued in the centre and north.

In his latest quarterly report on Mali, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres highlighted the continued growth of improvised explosive device attacks.

"The number of attacks of this type has increased steadily since January 2018, reaching 192, while there had been only 124 during the same period in 2017," according to the report.
By Tyler Choi and Anna Mehler Paperny TORONTO (Reuters) - The Canadian police said on Friday they had charged a minor with terror-related offences in connection with a pair of national security raids in Kingston, Ontario Thursday night. Two people were arrested late Thursday after the raids. One, a minor, has been charged with knowingly facilitating terrorism and counseling a person to place a bomb "or other lethal device" in public, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) said in a statement. A bomb was never placed, police said. As a minor, the person cannot be named under Canadian law. The second person was identified by his older sister, who spoke with Reuters, as 20-year-old Hussam Eddin Alzahabi. He has since been released with no charges, police confirmed Friday afternoon. The investigation originated from a Federal Bureau of Investigation tip in December and involved multiple agencies, RCMP officers said during a press conference. "It was a substantial and credible attack plot, however there was no indication of where that attack was going to take place" and there was never any imminent danger to the public, RCMP officer Peter Lambertucci told reporters. He said officers conducting the Thursday night arrests detonated "an element ... believed to be an explosive substance." "We are confident that there is no risk to public safety and there are no trace elements remaining," Lambertucci said. Police burst into her family's house Thursday night and placed guns to her parents' heads, 21-year-old Rose Alzahabi told Reuters. "They got into the house in a really violent way," she said, adding that they wouldn't let her mother wear her hijab. She said a man not known to the family had recently met her brother and his friend, approaching them near their high school and inviting them to do some computer programming for him. The man started coming to her family's home and asking "absurd" questions about how many rooms they had and whether he could see them, she said. In an interview with CBC following the arrests, Alzahabi's father Amin Alzahabi protested his son's innocence. The family, originally from Syria, came to Canada as privately sponsored refugees, according to a pastor at one of the churches who sponsored them. Bronek Korczynski, a church member who sponsored the Alzahabi family, said he worries about the way the arrests will shape perceptions of Muslims and refugees in Canada. "That is a fear, because thats the kind of ill-informed knee-jerk reaction that puts any group in potential harms way. ... This is hypothetically about two individuals who may or may not have made a bad decision. Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale said the country's official threat level would remain unchanged at "medium," where it has been since 2014. Goodale told reporters Friday afternoon it was too early to say whether the alleged plot was connected to others elsewhere in the world and cautioned against making assumptions. "Rather than leaping to conclusions, let the police do their job, let's get the facts on the table," he told a news conference in Edmonton, Alberta. Kingston is a small city east of Toronto, home to a major university and several prisons. Rose Alzahabi was happy her brother was released, but she wasn't surprised. "I was actually laughing the whole time because I know my brother did nothing: he would freak out if he saw someone playing with a knife," she said. "He has a baby face; he would never hurt anyone." (Reporting by Allison Martell, Tyler Choi, David Ljunggren and Anna Mehler Paperny; editing by Bill Rigby and James Dalgleish)
Washington (AFP) - President Donald Trump has intervened in an unusually forceful way in Venezuela's political crisis, but whether the United States can force a change of power remains to be seen.

Trump -- who has largely shunned democracy promotion overseas and is pulling troops from Syria and Afghanistan as part of an "American First" worldview -- on Wednesday recognized opposition leader Juan Guaido as Venezuela's interim president.

Backed by most but not all Latin American powers, Trump said that leftist firebrand Nicolas Maduro was illegitimate, even as the military leadership continues to support him as Venezuela's rightful leader.

"Venezuela is in our hemisphere, I think we have a special responsibility here, and I think the president feels very strongly about it," Trump's national security adviser, John Bolton, said Thursday.

- Why did Trump get involved? -

Bolton's remark came in response to a question about why Trump had abandoned Maduro, when he has embraced other authoritarian leaders.

Trump has shown no reluctance in allying the United States with countries whose human rights records are questionable such as Saudi Arabia and Egypt, and has eagerly negotiated with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

But Maduro, like his predecessor Hugo Chavez, has relished poking his finger in the eye of the United States and regularly rails against US imperialism in Latin America.

A Trump administration official justified the recognition of Guaido by saying that Venezuela, whose elections last year were widely criticized as flawed, was bound by a commitment to democracy made in the 2001 Inter-American Democratic Charter.

Mariano de Alba, a Venezuelan lawyer and international affairs expert based in Washington, however suggested that Trump was under pressure from Florida's large and mostly anti-Maduro Venezuelan community, which includes naturalized US citizens.

The Venezuela crisis also gives Trump a way "to highlight the effects of socialism and the importance of capitalism," said De Alba, who works for the analytical news site Prodavinci.

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Senator Marco Rubio of Florida has taken a lead on Latin America policy in Trump's Republican Party and has pushed for a hard line both on Venezuela and Cuba. Bolton, of course, is a longtime hawk.

"His administration doesn't pick and choose friends based on whether they're authoritarians," Stephen Pomper, director of the US program at the International Crisis Group and an adviser on human rights to former president Barack Obama, said of Trump.

"It picks and chooses which authoritarians to criticize based on whether or not they're friends."

- What more can the US do? -

Bolton said that the key focus for the United States was "disconnecting the illegitimate Maduro regime from the source of its revenues."

Venezuela is Latin America's largest producer of oil, whose declining price has worsened the spiraling economic crisis in the country, where many residents lack basic foods and medicine.

Bolton said the United States was looking at ways for the United States to direct revenues to the "legitimate" government of Venezuela, although he acknowledged that the process was complicated.

Washington is also pushing for more countries to break with Maduro.

Britain said Thursday that Maduro was "not the legitimate leader of Venezuela," although other European allies have been less explicit and Maduro enjoys Russia's support.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced that the United States was preparing $20 million in emergency humanitarian aid which it would direct through the opposition-led National Assembly once it is "logistically feasible."

The United States could also boost punitive sanctions, which have so far targeted Maduro rather than the broader economy.

Geoff Ramsey of the Washington Office on Latin America, a human rights advocacy group, said it was critical that sanctions do not worsen the economic toll on ordinary people, saying that an oil embargo could be counterproductive.

Ramsey also cautioned against "saber-rattling," which he warned could divide Venezuela's newly united opposition.

Trump has openly mused of military intervention and said that "all options are on the table."

- What is the endgame?

Michael Shifter, president of the Inter-American Dialogue group, said that the Trump administration's actions intensify pressure on Maduro -- but also carry risks if the government clamps down.

The United States has ignored Maduro's orders for its diplomats to leave within 72 hours, saying he is no longer president -- presenting an early test on whether Washington can sustain its policy.

"The endgame is which entity is able to gather the strongest support to impose its statements and power in Venezuela," De Alba said.

"As long as the Maduro regime has the control of the territory and cohesive support of the military, it will have the advantage," he said.
The Taliban have appointed a co-founder of the movement as the new head of their political office in Doha, where talks have been held since Monday with US officials seeking to end 17 years of conflict in Afghanistan.

"The esteemed Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar has been appointed ... chief of the political office," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement released late Thursday.

"This step has been taken to strengthen and properly handle the ongoing negotiations process with the United States," he added.

The announcement comes as the insurgents said Thursday they had held four straight days of talks with US officials in Doha. It was not immediately clear if the negotiations were ongoing Friday.

The duration of the talks, described as "unprecedented" by analysts, has raised hopes of an imminent agreement that could pave the way to peace talks.

But Washington, which confirmed on Tuesday that talks were being held in Qatar between its envoy for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad and representatives of the Taliban, has made no comment since.

Afghan officials, who have complained previously about being cut out of the talks, also warned that any agreement would need their endorsement.

Baradar, formerly a number two of the Islamist group, helped Mullah Omar, who died in 2013, to found the Taliban movement.

Arrested in Pakistan in 2010 in an operation then considered to have dealt a fatal blow to the movement, he was released last October after a first meeting in Doha -- never confirmed by the United States -- between the Taliban and Khalilzad.

Baradar was described as a "heavyweight" by Kabul-based military analyst Ateequllah Amarkhail, who noted that he also has influence over Mullah Muhammad Rasool, the leader of a Taliban breakaway faction.

"The appointment of Baradar could unify the Taliban movement," Amarkhail told AFP.

In addition to the appointment of Baradar, "multiple changes have also taken place in the military and civilian departments", the Taliban said in their statement.
Khartoum (AFP) - Sudan's main opposition leader Sadiq al-Mahdi on Friday called for President Omar al-Bashir to step down, throwing his support behind anti-government demonstrators after weeks of deadly protest.

"This regime has to go immediately," Mahdi told hundreds of worshippers at a mosque in Omdurman, the twin city of the capital Khartoum, which has seen near daily anti-government protests.

Mahdi said that since the protests erupted on December 19, "more than 50 people have been killed" in violence during the demonstrations.

Officials say 30 people have died in the protests, while rights groups have put the death toll at more than 40.

"A period of transition will come soon... we are supporting this (protest) movement," said Mahdi, leader of the opposition Umma Party whose government was toppled by Bashir in an Islamist-backed coup in 1989.

After nearly a year in exile, he returned to Sudan last month on the same day protests began.

Mahdi said Friday his party has signed a document with the Sudanese Professionals' Association (SPA) that is leading the campaign against Bashir's government.

"This is a document for change and freedom," Mahdi said.

"Together we will hold peaceful demonstrations in Sudan and outside of Sudan," he said as he condemned the violence and use of "live ammunition" against protesters.

A fixture of Sudanese politics since the 1960s, Mahdi was prime minister from 1966 to 1967 and again from 1986 to 1989.

His government was the last one to be democratically elected in Sudan, before it was toppled by Bashir.

Since then Mahdi's Umma Party has acted as Sudan's main opposition group and has regularly campaigned against the policies of Bashir's government.

The ongoing protest movement however has been spearheaded by the SPA, an umbrella group of unions representing doctors, teachers and engineers.

Analysts say the movement has emerged as the biggest challenge yet to Bashir's rule.
WASHINGTON (AP)  The remains of a U.S. soldier believed to have been captured by Chinese forces in North Korea in December 1950 and who later died in a prisoner-of-war camp have been identified, officials said Thursday.

The soldier, Sgt. Frank Julius Suliman, is the third American servicemember to be identified from among 55 boxes of bones and other material that the North Korean government handed over to the United States last summer. Efforts to identify them are led by a Defense Department laboratory in Hawaii.

Suliman, a member of the headquarters and headquarters company of the 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, was from Nixon, New Jersey, and was 20 years old when he died in the POW camp, according to Charles Prichard, spokesman for the Defense POW-MIA Accounting Agency. Further details about his background were not immediatly available. Suliman's remains were identified on Jan. 15.

The return of unspecified numbers of Korean War remains was among commitments made by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during his summit meeting with President Donald Trump in June. Kim also agreed to "work toward" denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, but efforts to move that deal toward an elimination of the North's nuclear weapons have been stalled. A follow-up summit is expected to be held next month.

Although the Pentagon wants to make arrangements to recover additional U.S. battlefield remains from North Korea this year, the North Koreans thus far have been unwilling to agree to face-to-face negotiations.

By the Pentagon's account, Suliman was captured by Chinese forces on Dec. 1, 1950. He had been riding in a vehicle convoy when it was halted by a roadblock south of Kunu-ri, North Korea. Fellow soldiers later reported that Suliman was captured after they abandoned their vehicles to proceed on foot.

Hundreds of thousands of Chinese soldiers entered the Korean War on North Korea's behalf in the fall of 1950 after U.S. forces gained the upper hand with the Inchon landing in September. The Chinese pushed the Americans and their South Korean allies south; thousands were buried in shallow battlefield graves or perished in POW camps.

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By the Pentagon's account, Suliman was taken to a Chinese-run camp at Pukchin-Tarigol in northern North Korea, and he died there in March 1951. The camp was in a narrow valley that the Americans called "Death Valley." Soldiers who survived captivity there recalled harsh conditions, with little food and rampant disease.

The Pentagon says the remains of 350 Americans may be at the "Death Valley" camp. In all, the Pentagon believes the remains of more than 5,000 U.S. servicemen who perished in North Korea could be recovered.

The Pentagon says it has not yet determined how many U.S. servicemen may be identified from the remains in the 55 boxes returned by North Korea last August. Prior to Suliman, only two had been positively identified. They are Army Master Sgt. Charles H. McDaniel, of Butler, Missouri, and Vernon, Indiana, and Army Pfc. William H. Jones, of Nash County, North Carolina.
Panama City (AFP) - Pope Francis began his visit to Panama on Wednesday with a call to political leaders to reject "all forms of corruption" in a speech to the diplomatic community.

Francis, in Panama for a global gathering of young Catholics, said those in positions of authority should "lead a life that demonstrates that public service is a synonym of honesty and justice, and opposed to all forms of corruption."

In a speech delivered to government ministers and diplomats at the foreign ministry, the pope said young people demanded a greater commitment from politicians.

"They call upon them to live in simplicity and transparency, with a clear sense of responsibility for others and for our world."

Young people demanded a commitment to "a politics that works to build a culture of greater transparency," he said.

Francis was speaking at the beginning of a visit in which he will celebrate two open air masses for around 200,000 young pilgrims from around the world gathered in Panama for World Youth Day celebrations.

He was to formally open the jamboree at a prayer meeting later Thursday.
Washington (AFP) - US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will press UN Security Council members to recognize Juan Guaido as acting president of Venezuela during an upcoming crisis meeting, the State Department said Friday.

The United States requested Saturday's session after it threw its support behind the Venezuelan opposition leader and declared leftist firebrand Nicolas Maduro to be an illegitimate president.

"Secretary Pompeo will urge members of the Security Council and the international community to uphold international peace and security by recognizing Juan Guaido as the constitutional interim President of Venezuela, and call for support for the transitional government in their quest to restore democracy and the rule of law," the State Department said in a statement announcing his trip.

The United States has been joined by key players in the Americas in recognizing Guaido including Argentina, Brazil, Canada and Colombia.

But none of the other five veto-wielding powers on the Security Council have formally backed Guaido.

Britain and France have both called Maduro's re-election last year illegitimate but stopped short of officially recognizing Guaido, a 35-year-old engineer who heads the opposition-led National Assembly, although British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt called Guaido "the right person to take Venezuela forward."

Russia has strongly supported its ally Maduro, and China, Venezuela's main creditor, has voiced opposition to outside interference.
Gaza City (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) - A Palestinian was shot dead by Israeli fire during fresh clashes along the Gaza border Friday, the health ministry in the enclave said.

Ehab Abed, 25, was "killed by Israeli occupation fire east of Rafah," in southern Gaza, health ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra said in a statement.

An AFP journalist at the hospital said he had been shot in the heart.

Thousands of people gathered at multiple sites along the border, with Israeli forces using tear gas and live fire to force protesters back from the border.

Friday's protests were the first since the seeming breakdown of an informal truce agreement between Israel and Gaza rulers Hamas.

That deal had seen Qatar provide $15 million in funds monthly to Gaza via Israeli territory.

On Thursday Hamas said it would no longer accept the money, saying Israel was not respecting the agreement.
Twin blasts rocked a high-rise in northeast China on Friday, killing one person and injuring another in an incident being treated as a criminal case, local authorities said.

The first blast happened at around 3:13 pm (0713 GMT) when the fire brigade received a report of a car explosion in an underground garage of the Wanda Plaza in Changchun, the city's government said in a statement posted on social media.

Three minutes later, a second explosion occurred in an office on the 30th floor of the complex. An earlier statement said that blast left one dead. It was unclear where the second person was injured.

The Changchun government added that a criminal investigation has been opened.

Eyewitnesses reported hearing over 20 explosions and people were evacuated from buildings surrounding the Wanda Plaza Apartment, the state-run Beijing Youth Daily newspaper reported.

Social media footage showed a busy road shrouded in smoke as devices exploded on the ground while people fled. Another video showed a blast on the upper floors of a high-rise building, with shattered windows seen in a photograph of the Wanda Plaza.

AFP could not independently verify the authenticity of the videos.

- Past blasts -

Bomb explosions have occurred in China in recent years.

Last July, a 26-year-old man set off a small explosive outside the United States embassy in Beijing, injuring his hand and sending smoke into the air. Police said he was from Inner Mongolia but did not reveal any motive.

In June 2017, a bomb exploded outside a kindergarten in east Jiangsu province, killing eight people and injuring dozens. The explosion was blamed on a 22-year-old introvert with health problems who died in the blast.

Ethnic Uighurs from the restive far west region of Xinjiang have been tied to mass stabbings and bombings that left dozens dead in recent years across the country.

The unrest prompted authorities to launch a sweeping campaign against terrorism and separatism that included the construction of what rights groups denounce as internment camps holding as many as one million Uighurs and other mostly Muslim minorities.

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The Chinese government describes the camps as vocational education centres aimed at combatting extremist thoughts and providing jobs.

Chinese authorities say no attacks have been committed in Xinjiang in the past two years thanks to the strategy.

The Jilin incident also comes just over a week before the Lunar New Year holiday, which the Chinese usually welcome with firecrackers and fireworks, sometimes resulting in accidents.

Last February, a fireworks explosion killed four and injured five in southwestern Yunnan province.

In January 2006, 36 people were killed as they celebrated the Lunar New Year at a temple festival in central China's Henan province when fireworks exploded in an illegal factory storeroom nearby.
Abuja (AFP) - President Muhammadu Buhari has suspended Nigeria's top judge pending the outcome of his disputed trial on corruption charges, the government said Friday.

"President @MBuhari suspends the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen and appoints Mr Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad as acting CJN," presidential aide Bashir Ahmad tweeted.

The announcement came just weeks away from presidential and parliamentary elections on February 16 -- a contest in which Onnoghen would rule if any dispute emerged about the outcome.

The judge was charged on January 12 of breaching the code of conduct for public officials by failing to declare several foreign currency bank accounts.

The move -- after a complaint reportedly made by Buhari's former spokesman -- was immediately condemned by opposition parties as a government attempt to manipulate the judiciary.

The chief justice is the head of the Supreme Court, which would hear any complaint about the results of next month's vote, at which Buhari is seeking re-election.

The former military ruler, from the All Progressives Congress (APC) party, is expected to be run close by Atiku Abubakar, from the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Both sides were accused of vote-buying in recent governorship elections while Abubakar and the PDP have repeatedly warned the ruling party is trying to rig the result.

Cheta Nwanze, an analyst with Lagos-based SBM Intelligence, told AFP the Onnoghen case was "a clear indication they (the APC) are panicking" about the results.

Buhari delayed the appointment of Onnoghen, after he became acting chief justice in November 2016.

His appointment was only confirmed by parliament in March 2017, prompting speculation Buhari was not keen to endorse his candidacy.

Onnoghen has since criticised what he said was the politicisation of judicial appointments in Nigeria and cleared Senate leader Bukola Saraki on corruption charges.

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Saraki has accused the government of targeting him because he was not its first choice as leader of the upper house of parliament.

Buhari has been accused of surrounding himself with ministers, advisors and officials from the predominantly Muslim north, his home region.

Onnoghen is from Cross Rivers state in the Christian-majority south, while Muhammad is from the northeastern state of Bauchi.

Muhammad was sworn in at the presidential villa Aso Rock, an AFP correspondent said.

Onnoghen is due in court at the Code of Conduct Tribunal next week.

But on Thursday he secured an interim Court of Appeal injunction ordering the lower court to halt proceedings, pending a ruling on his application to throw out the case.
Brussels (AFP) - Senior NATO and Russian officials failed to make a breakthrough Friday in talks on saving the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces treaty, raising the spectre of a renewed arms race in Europe.

Western capitals allege that Russia's latest generation of medium-range missiles breach the terms of the Cold War era INF treaty, and put European cities at risk.

The United States has warned that it will begin a six-month withdrawal process from the treaty on February 2, unless Russia withdraws the 9M729 ground-based missile system.

NATO ambassadors held talks with a Russian delegation led by deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov at alliance HQ in Brussels, but the meeting ended without a breakthrough.

"There was no real progress in the meeting today because Russia did not indicate any willingness to change their position," NATO secretary general Jens Stoltenberg said.

He accused the Kremlin of "hollowing out" the INF treaty.

"Russia is now violating the treaty by developing and deploying new missiles," Stoltenberg said.

"These new missiles are hard to detect, they are mobile, they are nuclear-capable, they can reach European cities and they reduce the warning time and therefore the threshold for any potential use of nuclear weapons."

- 'Window of opportunity' -

Stoltenberg described the short period until February 2 and the subsequent six-month US treaty withdrawal process as a "window of opportunity" for Russia to "come back into compliance."

But, in the meantime, he said: "We have to realise that the treaty is in real jeopardy. That's the reason why we have asked our military commanders to look into the consequences of a world without an INF treaty."

Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned of a new arms race if the treaty -- signed in 1987 by US president Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev -- collapses.

The INF treaty, which bans ground-launched missiles with a range of 500 to 5,500 kilometres, ended a dangerous build-up of warheads in Europe and there are fears a similar situation could re-emerge.

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US officials have said that if Russia misses the February 2 deadline, the Pentagon will begin work towards its own system that would otherwise be barred by the treaty.

Stoltenberg said NATO would not seek to "mirror what Russia does missile for missile, plane for plane or battle tank for battle tank" but would try to craft an effective deterrent response.

- 'Deflect attention' -

Russia insists the missile complies with the treaty, saying it has a maximum range of 480 kilometres, which cannot be modified by the army.

On Wednesday, foreign media and military officials were given a viewing of the controversial system just outside Moscow -- though no NATO country took part, according to the Russian defence ministry.

US officials have previously dismissed such "static" displays as essentially useless, as they give no indication of the missile's range.

At Friday's meeting, Russian officials alleged the US was violating the treaty with drones and target missiles used to test missile defence systems.

Stoltenberg said the claims simply aimed to "deflect attention from the real problem" of new, nuclear-capable Russian missiles deployed in Europe, while a NATO source pointed out that drones were not covered by the treaty.

Pressed for an explanation for Moscow's continued pursuit of the mid-range missiles, Stoltenberg pointed to Russia's publicly stated concerns about countries not bound by the INF treaty.

When the treaty was signed, only the US and Soviet Union were capable of producing such weapons, but last month Putin said about a dozen countries were making missiles of the type banned by the bilateral INF treaty.

China -- which shares a long land border with Russia -- has grown into a major military player since 1987, and India, Pakistan and North Korea are also thought to hold intermediate-range missiles.

The Russian leader has indicated he is open to other countries joining the INF or to starting talks on a new agreement.
Kathleen Sebelius told students they can do anything when it comes to politics during a Dole Institute of Politics event Thursday night.

The former Kansas governor and secretary of health and human services in the Obama Administration spoke about civic engagement and her political career to over 40 students. Sebelius spoke as part of a brinner (breakfast for dinner) event to get students involved with the Institutes Student Advisory Board.

Host and Student Advisory Board Coordinator Emily Depew asked former Secretary Sebelius, What can students be doing now to participate in civic engagement?

I think other than running for some offices which have an age limit, you can do anything, Sebelius said. I think in this day and age, which is different than when I was growing up, it is more wide open, and technology has made politics more individually accessible than it has ever been.

She added that people of all ages can participate in campaigns, whether it be knocking on doors or putting up signs.

Now one of my huge worries and concerns is the number of people who just sit on the sidelines, Sebelius said. And I dont mean the people who dont work for a campaign but dont even see voting as something that is important or meaningful and dont see their participation in this democracy as making any kind of difference."

"I think thats a very worrisome trend and something that engaged and involved young people can hopefully help to change," she continued.

Sebelius was also an active member of Gov. Laura Kellys campaign and was questioned on what potential opportunities the governor had to make bipartisan accomplishments with the Legislature.

There is nothing she can do that isnt bipartisan, Sebelius said. If she gets 100 percent of all the Democrats in the Legislature to vote for every one of her proposals and nobody else, everything loses.

Sebelius also said this is a very different way to think about governing and very unlike the current state of affairs in Washington.

When it comes to partisanship and compromise, Sebelius said, Democrats in Kansas start at a very different place. You have to work in a bipartisan fashion.

As secretary of health and human services, Sebelius got to work closely with former President Barack Obama.

Sebelius said she spent a lot of time working on health care as a legislator, insurance commissioner and governor, so getting the Affordable Care Act through Congress and getting to implement the law while working with the President was an amazing thing.

The Affordable Care Act was not only a legacy achievement of the Obama Administration but was the first piece of major health care legislation passed that affected lots of populations since Medicare and Medicaid was passed in the 1960s, Sebelius said when asked which success as secretary of health and human services she was most proud of.

Sebelius concluded the discussion on health care by saying the end goal should be to get to universal coverage.

When it came to working with former President Obama, Sebelius said he had a strategic vision of history and believed it is important to plan and make investments for the future.

Sebelius shared a story about when the Obama family invited children from the Anacostia neighborhood in Washington, D.C., to visit the White House. She explained that despite living only 20 minutes away, they may have well as lived in Slovakia.

To watch these kids look at Barack Obama and Michelle Obama and often say out loud Wow, they look just like me. That could be me, Sebelius said. And you realize what kind of doors and windows that opened into a future of a much more diverse and global America.

Sebelius told women interested in running for office, Go for it. Kansas is a very welcoming state to women, and that is not true for every state in the country.

Laura Kelly, Kathleen Sebelius visit campus in final push before election In a final campus campaign stop before Tuesday's midterm election, governor hopeful Laura Kelly spoke with KU students Friday afternoon.

She added that women had the right to vote in Kansas before women had it nationally and that Kansas is the only state in the country to have had three female Democratic governors. She said she believes opportunities are open to women in Kansas at any level.

Speaking at the Dole Institute, Sebelius praised the man the center is named after, the former senator from Kansas.

One of the most generous, most helpful, most engaged people in my career and particularly my opportunity to be the secretary of health and human services was Bob Dole," Sebelius said. "He reached out to me right away."

When the floor was opened to students to ask questions, one member of the audience asked Sebelius what cultivated her interest in the health field.

Sebelius responded by saying her original committee assignments and her children made the issues important to her.

The most compelling area for me was health insurance, Sebelius said. I got a deep dive for eight years into what people were dealing with fighting insurance companies and how difficult it was for people with pre-existing conditions to get health insurance at all.

Student Advisory Board member Eric Kros, a junior at the University, said this moment was the highlight of the night.

It was really inspiring," Kros said. "You could see the passion behind her reasoning of why she was so interested."

Depew reiterated Sebelius message on public service and applauded her dedication to politically interested students following the Q&A session.

Secretary Sebelius is a really great advocate for students who want to be politically involved and civically engaged in a way that's bipartisan too, Depew said. I think that tonight she advocated for students across the political spectrum to get involved in politics regardless of the political leanings.

Edited by Nolan Brey
By Robin Emmott and Vladimir Soldatkin

BRUSSELS/MOSCOW (Reuters) - NATO and Russia failed on Friday to resolve a dispute over a new Russian missile that Western allies say is a threat to Europe, bringing closer Washington's withdrawal from a landmark arms control treaty.

At a meeting of the NATO-Russia Council in Brussels, envoys from NATO's 29 members renewed their call on Moscow's deputy foreign minister to destroy a nuclear-capable cruise missile system before a Feb. 2 deadline.

Without a breakthrough, the United States is set to start the six-month process of pulling out of the 1987 Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF), having notified it would do so in early December and accusing Moscow of breaching it.

Russia denies violating the terms of the treaty, which eliminated the medium-range missile arsenals of the world's two biggest nuclear powers.

"The treaty is in real jeopardy," NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said. "The sooner Russia comes back into compliance, the better. The treaty has no value if it is not respected, the problem are the Russian missiles in Europe," he told a news conference after the meeting.

One NATO diplomat said the U.S. ambassador to the alliance told the assembled diplomats and officials that Washington would start the pull-out process from the INF on Feb. 2. The U.S. embassy was not immediately available for comment.

Related: Russia Shows Missle to Disprove U.S. Allegation

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told the closed-door meeting that it was the United States that was breaching the treaty, alliance diplomats said.

Ryabkov, who spoke in both Russian and English, cited the U.S.-built NATO missile defense system in Romania as a treaty breach. NATO says the shield is designed to shoot down rockets from Iran, not from Russia.

Separately, the Russian foreign ministry also accused the United States of reviving a Cold War-era plan to deploy a missile defense system in space.

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While NATO diplomats described Friday's meeting as calm and professional, Stoltenberg said Russia had shown no willingness to compromise. But he and some European nations such as Germany held out hope for diplomatic progress during the six-month withdrawal process.

"PURE SHOW"

Russia stands accused of developing land-based, intermediate-range cruise missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads and hitting European cities at short notice, breaching the Cold War-era pact that took such rockets out of Europe.

But the Kremlin, which this week displayed its missiles to foreign military attaches in Moscow, says the missiles' short range puts it outside the INF treaty. It says the Novator 9M729/SSC-8 rockets have a maximum range of 480 km (298 miles).

NATO diplomats repeated their view that there was no way of verifying that information because the missiles have only been shown publicly in a "static display" that gives no indication of their flying distance. One NATO diplomat said the Russian display on Wednesday was "pure show".

Some NATO diplomats believe that Russia may have developed the new missile system, which is mobile and easy to hide in forests and other strategic locations, to counter Chinese missile programs, but that did not justify deploying it.

The 1987 treaty requires the United States and Russia "not to possess, produce, or flight-test" a ground-launched cruise missile with a range capability of 500 km to 5,500 km (310-3,420 miles) "or to possess or produce launchers of such missiles".

Russia, the United States, France, Britain and China - the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council - are due to meet in Beijing on Jan. 30 to discuss arms control, diplomats told Reuters. But it was not clear if the INF treaty would be on the agenda.

(Additional reporting by Peter Maushagen; Editing by Alissa de Carbonnel and Gareth Jones)
Maputo (AFP) - The Mozambican parliament will meet on Tuesday to withdraw immunity from lawmaker and former finance minister Manuel Chang, detained in South Africa since December 29, parliamentary sources said Friday.

As a member of parliament, Chang has enjoyed automatic immunity thus far. But he is facing an extradition requests from both the US and Mozambican authorities on suspicion of financial misconduct.

"The President of parliament convened a special session of the Standing Committee on January 29, to lift the immunity of Mr. Chang," an MP who requested anonymity told AFP.

The request to withdraw his immunity was initiated by the Mozambican Attorney General's Office and the Supreme Court, in an effort to try to bring Chang to Mozambique.

But the aid dependant country is in competition with the US court that intends to extradite him to stand trial in that country where he is accused of money laundering conspiracy, conspiracy to wire fraud and conspiracy for security fraud.

On Thursday, the public prosecutor in South Africa where Chang is currently detained told the court that Chang can not be granted bail citing a high risk of escape.

"I am against the guarantee of bail to Mr. Chang at this stage as he can escape," prosecutor Elivera Dreyer told Kempton Park Magistrate Court outside Johannesburg.

"Experience has taught us that it is very easy to obtain a false passport and other false documents to escape South Africa".

Dreyer added that Chang was "high risk" to escape and if bail were to be granted, "we will not find him for extradition to the US."

The decision on Chang's bail was postponed to January 31. His request for extradition to Mozambique is scheduled for February 5.
Beijing (AFP) - Microsoft is still trying to figure out why its Bing search engine temporarily went offline in China, the company's president said following speculation that it could have been blocked by censors.

The US firm's Chinese website, cn.bing.com, was accessible again late Thursday, one day after it suddenly went offline, temporarily taking away the most prominent foreign search engine in China.

The disruption raised fears among social media users that it was the latest foreign website to be blocked by China. Sites such as Facebook and Twitter have long been blocked by authorities using a censorship apparatus known as the "Great Firewall".

"This is not the first time it's happened. It happens periodically," Microsoft president Brad Smith told Fox Business News at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

"There are times when there are disagreements, there are times when there are difficult negotiations with the Chinese government, and we're still waiting to find out what this situation is about," he said.

Bing's temporary disruption came as a surprise because the search engine has followed China's censorship rules.

On Friday, for example, a Bing search for Liu Xiaobo, the dissident and Nobel Peace Prize laureate who died of cancer while still in custody last year, returned one message: "Results are removed in response to a notice of local law requirement."

Smith said it was understood that Bing did not have the same legal freedoms in China that it enjoyed in other countries.

"But at the same time, we stick to our guns. There are certain principles that we think it's important to stand up for, and we'll go at times into the negotiating room and the negotiations are sometimes pretty darn direct," he said.

While its rival Google shut down its search engine in China in 2010 after rows over censorship and hacking, Bing has continued to operate in the country, along with Microsoft-owned Skype.

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Bing, however, has struggled to catch up to China's own Baidu search engine, which dominates the market even though many people in the country complain about the quality of its search results.

Smith said Microsoft took seriously its obligations to customers regarding censorship.

"I think what is interesting today is technology and sort of human rights, free expression, these issues are really intersecting and on certain days colliding more than in the past," he said.

"There's deals that we've turned down for things like facial recognition technology because we felt that people's rights will be put at risk.

"And I think more than ever, tech companies really need to think about these things, they need to be principled and you have to have a little moral courage, in my view, if you're going to be in this business and really take care of your customers."
By Julia Love and Delphine Schrank TIJUANA/MEXICO CITY, Mexico (Reuters) - The United States was expected to send a first group of 20 Central American asylum seekers back to Mexico through the border city of Tijuana on Friday as part of President Donald Trump's hardening of longstanding U.S. immigration policy. Under a policy dubbed the Migrant Protection Protocols, announced on Dec. 20, the United States will return non-Mexican migrants who cross the U.S. southern border back to Mexico while their asylum requests are processed in U.S. immigration courts. Mexican Foreign Ministry spokesman Roberto Velasco said U.S. authorities were expected to send the first group of 20 Central American asylum seekers back to Mexico's territory on Friday through Tijuana. U.S. authorities will send as many as 20 people per day through Tijuana and gradually start sending people back through the other legal ports of entry along the Mexican border, he said. Mexico will accept the return of certain individuals who have a date to appear in a U.S. immigration court, but will reject those who are in danger in Mexican territory, suffering health problems, or are unaccompanied minors, Velasco said. Velasco said Mexico does not have a "Safe Third Country Agreement" with the United States, which would "imply a binding commitment to process in our territory all U.S. asylum requests of migrants that pass through our country and take full responsibility for their legal situation." Asylum seekers have traditionally been granted the right to stay in the United States while their cases were decided by a U.S. immigration judge, but a backlog of more than 800,000 cases means the process can take years. Now, the U.S. government says migrants will be turned away with a "notice to appear" in immigration court. They will be able to enter the United States for their hearings but will have to live in Mexico in the interim. If they lose their cases, they will be deported to their home countries. "Shelters are at capacity and we can't receive migrants that are being deported or (Mexican) nationals that are passing through the city. Let's hope this doesn't happen," said Jose Maria Garcia, who runs the Juventud 2000 shelter in Tijuana. Leopoldo Guerrero, Tijuana's secretary of government, said Mexico's federal government should take responsibility for the migrants, stressing that the city did not have the resources to do so. The U.S. policy is aimed at curbing the increasing number of families arriving mostly from Central America to request asylum who say they fear returning home due to threats of violence. The Trump administration says many of the claims are not valid. The program will apply to arriving migrants who ask for asylum at ports of entry or who are caught crossing illegally and say they are afraid to return home. Immigration advocates fear Mexico is not safe for migrants who are regularly kidnapped by criminal gangs and smugglers, and have raised concerns that applicants will not be able to access proper legal counsel in U.S. courts. Twenty-four year-old Danis Lazaro, who left his native Guatemala five months ago with his two daughters, aged 6 and 7, said he was concerned about the new U.S. policy. "It doesn't seem fair to me. It's safer for us on the other side (of the border)," he said. It is unclear how Mexico plans to house what could be thousands of asylum seekers during their immigration proceedings. Some Mexican border towns are more violent than the cities the Central Americans left behind. "For many of them, Mexico is not a safe place to stay," said Betsy Fisher, policy director for the International Refugee Assistance Project. Trump's administration, which has described Central American migrants as a danger, says it is relying on a U.S. law that allows migrants attempting to enter the United States from a contiguous country to be removed to that country. But the policy will likely be challenged in court since claiming asylum is protected under both international and U.S. law. Several of Trump's signature immigration policies, including some attempting to reduce asylum applications, have been halted by U.S. federal courts. (Additional reporting by Lizbeth Diaz in Mexico City, Mica Rosenberg in New York and Kristina Cooke in San Francisco; Writing by Anthony Esposito; Editing by Daniel Flynn and Tom Brown)
Rabat (AFP) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov denounced Friday the United States' "destructive policy" on Venezuela, after Washington backed the opposition leader over President Nicolas Maduro.

"The (US) policy concerning Venezuela, as with many other countries, is destructive in my opinion, " Lavrov said during a press conference in Rabat with Moroccan counterpart Nasser Bourita after meeting King Mohamed VI.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will press UN Security Council members to recognise Juan Guaido as acting president of Venezuela during an upcoming crisis meeting, the State Department said Friday.

The United States has been joined by key players in the Americas in recognising Guaido as interim leader.

US President Donald Trump's administration has spearheaded the international pressure on Maduro, who accuses Washington of being behind an attempted "coup".

None of the other veto-wielding powers on the Security Council have formally backed Guaido.

"This (US) behaviour is unacceptable," Lavrov declared. "It undermines the principles of the UN Charter and the international community's standards," he said, adding Russia will defend its position at the Security Council.

Venezuela's descent into a political crisis this week began when a group of soldiers rose up against Maduro which sparked a number of protests leading up to rival rallies opposing or supporting the socialist leader.

Guaido then proclaimed himself acting president.

Russia is Venezuela's second-highest creditor after China, which has also sided with Maduro.

Last month Maduro announced, during a visit to Moscow, $6 billion of Russian investment in Venezuela's key oil and mining sectors.

On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin voiced support for the Maduro regime "in the context of a domestic political crisis that has been provoked from the outside".

burs/del
By Steve Scherer ROME (Reuters) - Italy's governing coalition leaders on Friday cranked up pressure on European Union partners, especially the Netherlands and France, to welcome a humanitarian boat carrying 47 migrants that is being blocked from Italian ports. The Sea Watch 3, run by a German humanitarian group, plucked the migrants out of a rubber boat off Libya on Saturday. Since then it has been sailing through high winds and 7-meter (23 ft) waves. With little space on board, many of the migrants are forced to stay on deck, sheltering under a tarpaulin but with little heat. Given the dire weather conditions, Italy's coast guard on Friday told the ship it could moor 2 km (1.2 miles) off Sicily's shore, near the city of Syracuse, but Italy continued to refuse to let it enter any port. Later on Friday, the court of minors in the Sicilian port of Catania sent a letter to the government asking them to immediately disembark the minors, saying leaving them on board violated Italian law. Some 13 minors are on the boat, Sea Watch said. "We can't wait to see them arrive, safe and sound, in other European countries. There no space (for them) in Italy," Interior Minister Matteo Salvini, who is head of the far-right League party, said in a statement. "TURN TO MARSEILLE" Deputy Prime Minister Luigi Di Maio, leader of the 5-Star Movement, said the ship should go to either France, which he has accused of shirking its responsibilities, or the Netherlands, which is the flag flown by the Sea Watch vessel. "I invite (Sea Watch 3) to turn its bow toward Marseille," Di Maio said on Facebook, referring to the port in south France. "It would be appropriate immediately to summon the Dutch ambassador to ask him what intentions his government has. Will it ask, along with us, that Sea Watch 3 go to Marseille, or will they be disembarked in Rotterdam?" he said. Separately, Salvini said he had written to the Dutch government asking it to take responsibility for the migrants, but The Hague said it had no intention of doing so, drawing a rebuke from Di Maio. "If (Sea Watch 3) can stay at sea and challenge Italy every day, it's thanks to the flag it was granted by the Dutch government," he said, calling for the Netherlands to either offer a port or revoke the boat's flag so it can no longer "disobey the orders of the Libyan coastguard". Flavio Di Giacomo, spokesman for the International Organization for Migration, said the migrants' plight was worrying. "Some of them must stay outside, on the deck, since there's not enough room inside," he said on Twitter. It is the second time in a month Sea Watch has been stranded at sea with rescued migrants and no safe port. The last standoff ended after 19 days and an agreement among eight EU countries, including Italy, to take in the migrants. Italy had allowed rescue ships to dock regularly until June of last year, when the populist government took over and closed the country's ports to them, even though boat arrivals have plunged over the past year. The seaside cities of Palermo and Naples, among others, have said they would welcome the ship, but the central government controls who is allowed to dock in Italian ports. (Reporting by Steve Scherer, additional reporting by Gavin Jones in Rome and Anthony Deutsch in Amsterdam; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne and Andrew Heavens)
Tbilisi (AFP) - A British man convicted of killing a woman in a speedboat crash told a court in Georgia on Friday that he was "suicidally depressed" after her death.

Jack Shepherd, 31, turned himself in to police in the ex-Soviet country on Wednesday after being sentenced to six years in prison in Britain while on the run.

He appeared in court in Tbilisi where a judge ruled that he be detained for three months pending extradition proceedings, his Georgian lawyer Tariel Kakabadze told AFP.

Shepherd was led into the glass-walled defendant's cage in a courtroom packed with journalists in Tbilisi City Court, wearing a dark jacket, blue shirt and cream trousers.

The web designer was convicted of manslaughter by negligence last year for the death of Charlotte Brown, a 24-year-old woman he took on a champagne-fuelled first date on his speedboat on the River Thames in 2015.

Speaking in court, he said "some time after the accident I felt suicidally depressed at what had happened. That's why I've been unable to speak about it."

"I regret not taking part in the court proceedings," he said, referring to his trial in Britain.

"I wish I'd sat down with Charlotte's family and explained what had happened. I can see that not to have done so has caused great pain and suffering," he said.

"That's why I hand myself in now, just to draw to a close this horrible accident and all the terrible consequences."

His lawyer Kakabadze told journalists after the hearing that "we are not going to appeal the decision of the court because it was my client's decision to surrender to the police".

He argued though that there is "not enough evidence" that Shepherd was to blame for the boat crash, saying that: "The direct witness to what happened is my client."

Earlier the lawyer told AFP that Shepherd "denies committing any crime whatsoever and is confident that he will be acquitted".

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A spokeswoman for Georgia's interior ministry, Sopho Mdinaradze, told AFP that Shepherd "will be without any doubt extradited to Britain".

Britain issued an international warrant for Shepherd's arrest after he vanished before he was due to stand trial last summer.

Shepherd lived openly in ex-Soviet Georgia before turning himself in, the reporter who found him said Thursday.

"He lived openly in a rented apartment in downtown Tbilisi, made local friends and even speaks some Georgian," said local television journalist Nino Mdinaradze, who interviewed him before he handed himself in to police.

"He had no job and spent his time in Georgia travelling across the country, frequently going to night clubs and attending social events," Mdinaradze told AFP.
Castelnuovo di Porto (Italy) (AFP) - "I found a family here, I worked with the parish priest, I helped with mass, I went to school," said Nigerian Anthony Ehikwe, one of hundreds of migrants being expelled from Italy's second-largest migrant centre. "And now I do not even have the time to say goodbye."

Italian authorities are this week removing migrants from the reception centre at Castelnuovo di Porto, just north of Rome, after far-right Interior Minister Matteo Salvini's tough anti-migrant decree became law.

"You can change immigration policies but you can't just throw people out into the street like that," said an angry Riccardo Travaglini, mayor of this town of 9,000 people.

"Here, we've done a lot to welcome people and, within a few hours, they decide to dismantle our community," he said.

The new law, which came into effect in December, ends two-year "humanitarian protection" residency permits -- a lower level of asylum status based on Italian rather than international law -- that were awarded to 25 percent of asylum seekers last year.

The Italian Refugee Council has said it was "seriously concerned" by the new legislation which "will put thousands of people outside the law and only a very few can be repatriated."

"I do not think it's about security because sadly in a few months we will see the effects of this chaos they are creating on purpose," said the centre's legal advisor Rosanna Just.

"The only result is that they destroyed something that worked very well."

The law also reorganises asylum-seeker management by closing large reception centres like Castelnuovo, which Salvini says are expensive and breeding grounds for criminals.

Migrants and asylum-seekers were given 48 hours notice of the centre's closure, and on Tuesday the authorities began the evacuation of 500 people, including 120 women and 14 children.

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Some have been taken to reception centres elsewhere in the country, while others have preferred to head for Rome on foot before they are taken away.

- Pope's visit -

"After having accompanied them, sometimes for years, on a path of integration, we had to tell them that they have to go, without even knowing their destination," said Just.

"The children were attending school, some (of the migrants) even had work and from one day to the next it's all taken away," she said.

Dozens of the town's Italian's residents on Tuesday protested against the closure of the centre, which opened in a very different political climate 10 years ago.

Pope Francis visited in 2016, celebrating mass and famously washing the feet of 11 migrants of different religions.

"It will be difficult to rebuild all this somewhere else," said Ehikwe, 27.

"I've been living here for two years, I don't know where I'll be sent, I don't know what will happen," said Ehikwe, a Roman Catholic who fled religious persecution in Nigeria, making the treacherous crossing of the Mediterranean from Libya to Italy.

"This is a common sense operation that will save Italians six million euros ($6.8 million) a year without taking anyone's rights away," Salvini said on Wednesday.
Caracas (AFP) - By declaring himself acting president, Venezuela's opposition leader Juan Guaido sparked a leadership battle with the head of state, Nicolas Maduro.

As the power struggle rages, here are details about both men's most powerful allies:

- Maduro -

THE MILITARY:

Maduro's most significant domestic backing comes from the military high command, which has repeatedly affirmed its loyalty to him. It did so again on Thursday, denouncing what it called an attempted "coup d'etat."

Of 32 government ministers, nine are from the military and control key portfolios such as defense, interior, agriculture and food, as well as the state oil company PDVSA -- vital in a country that brings in 96 percent of its revenues from crude -- and the intelligence services.

Also under military control is a television station, a bank and a vehicle assembly plant.

INTERNATIONAL CREDITORS AND ALLIES:

China is owed $20 billion dollars by Venezuela and on Thursday said it "opposes interference in Venezuelan affairs by external forces," after Guaido received backing from the United States and other key countries.

Russia is Venezuela's second-largest creditor and also supplies military backing: in December it sent two bombers and 100 officers to take part in joint exercises. President Vladimir Putin has called Maduro to offer his "support."

Fellow left-wing regimes in countries such as Cuba, Bolivia and Uruguay have announced their continued recognition of Maduro, 56, who can also count Turkey, Iran and North Korea among his allies.

JUDICIARY:

The Supreme Court is made up of regime loyalists appointed rapidly by the legislature in 2015, when it was still in government hands. The opposition had won elections and was just days away from assuming its majority.

The court declared the opposition-controlled National Assembly legislature in contempt in 2016 and has since annulled all its decisions. On Thursday, it reiterated support for Maduro.

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Attorney General Tarek William Saab is another government partisan.

CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY:

During four months of violence in 2017 that left 125 people dead, Maduro called for the creation of a Constituent Assembly to rewrite the constitution. The opposition boycotted elections to name its members, branding it "illegal," meaning it is made up entirely of government stalwarts. It declared itself the government branch with supreme power and took over legislative functions.

NATIONAL ELECTORAL COUNCIL:

The National Electoral Council (CNE) is headed by Tibisay Lucena, who is openly pro-regime and under whose leadership several opposition parties have been barred.

The CNE also declared its backing for Maduro on Thursday.

Alongside the Supreme Court, it passed decisions in 2016 to block an opposition-called recall referendum against Maduro.

Alleging a lack of guarantees or impartiality, opposition parties have boycotted the last few elections, including in May 2018, when Maduro was reelected to a second term in office. The European Union, the United States and the Organization of American States branded the election a fraud.

- Guaido -

UNITED STATES:

The US, EU and several Latin American countries rejected Maduro's re-election last year.

No sooner had Guaido, 35, declared himself acting president on Wednesday than President Donald Trump gave him official US recognition. Regional players including Brazil, Argentina and Colombia followed suit.

The EU called for "an immediate political process leading to free and credible elections," but stopped short of recognizing Guaido's claim.

But on Friday, both Spain and Germany said they were prepared to acknowledge Guaido if Maduro fails to hold elections soon. Britain described Guaido as "the right person to take Venezuela forward."

OAS head Luis Almagro was another to recognize Guaido.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY:

The National Assembly, dominated by the opposition, was elected in 2015 after the Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD) coalition delivered the regime its biggest-ever defeat.

Since assuming the legislature's presidency on January 5, Guaido began pressing for a "transitional government" and new elections, while calling on the military to break free of the government in exchange for amnesty.

The National Assembly declared Maduro a "usurper," but remains largely impotent due to the Supreme Court's contempt verdict.

EXILED JUDICIARY:

A parallel Supreme Court named by the opposition majority in the National Assembly but operating in exile praised Guaido's move.

Former attorney general Luisa Ortega, who fled Venezuela in August 2017 after she was dismissed by the Constituent Assembly, gave her "support and recognition" to the "new president."
Rome (AFP) - Five people were killed when a helicopter collided with a light aircraft in the Alps in northern Italy, mountain rescue officials said.

Italy's mountain rescue service reported on Twitter "a crash between a helicopter and a light aircraft" above Rutor glacier, in the Aosta Valley near France, and sent two helicopters to help.

"Five dead ascertained," mountain rescue tweeted, having earlier said that two injured people had been evacuated by helicopter to hospital.
Abuja (AFP) - Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday suspended the country's top judge just weeks from elections, triggering condemnation from opposition parties who accused him of "an act of dictatorship" and mounting "a judicial coup".

The former military ruler, 76, is seeking re-election at polls on February 16, against a backdrop of mounting concern about vote-buying and violence.

Chief Justice Walter Onnoghen, who heads the Supreme Court, would rule on any legal challenge to the result.

But on January 12 he was slapped with a six count charge relating to the non-disclosure of foreign currency bank accounts, in breach of rules for public officials.

The judge on Thursday secured an injunction ordering the Code of Conduct Tribunal hearing his case to halt proceedings pending his application to have the charges dropped.

But Buhari instead ordered his suspension and indicated he was forced to act because Onnoghen had not stepped down voluntarily himself.

The case was a distraction, he said, but added it was "no secret that this government is dissatisfied with the alarming rate" of acquittals in corruption cases under Onnoghen.

Buhari, who was elected in 2015 on a pledge to stamp out corruption, swore in judge Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad as acting chief justice at a ceremony at his official residence.

- 'Dictatorial act' -

The initial charges against Onnoghen, reportedly made by a former spokesman for Buhari, and the speed with which he was brought to court has dominated headlines in Nigeria for days.

On Friday, his main challenger, Atiku Abubakar, of the Peoples Democratic Party, called the suspension a "brazen dictatorial act".

It was "the latest action in the ongoing rape of our nation's hard-earned democracy by those who dined with anti-democratic forces", he said in a clear reference to Buhari's army past.

Buhari seized power in December 1983 by overthrowing civilian president Shehu Shagari, ruling with an iron fist until he was ousted by general Ibrahim Babangida in August 1985.

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He has since acknowledged he cannot change the past, calling himself a "converted democrat" but has struggled to shake off his autocratic reputation.

Abubakar, a former vice-president, said the suspension of Onnoghen was "symptomatic of the increasing desperation" of his rival to cling on to power.

The Coalition of United Political Parties, an opposition grouping supporting Abubakar, meanwhile called it "a judicial coup that must be resisted by all lovers of democracy".

"Buhari has finally overthrown constitutional governance. This factionalisation of the judiciary will not stand," it added in a statement.

Under Nigeria's constitution, a chief justice can be removed only if he is convicted of an offendce or if the Senate upholds a presidential request to do so by a two-thirds majority.

"Onnoghen's illegal removal was aimed at stopping the swearing in of members of the 2019 general election petition tribunal," said CUPP spokesman Ikegna Imo Ugochinyere.

Buhari said he was acting on the recommendation of the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

Abubakar questioned why due process was not allowed to run its course and called for the international community to threaten "strong consequences" for anyone involved.

The United States and Britain have said anyone involved in vote-rigging or election violence would be denied visas.

- Appointment delay -

Both the PDP and Buhari's ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) were accused of vote-buying in recent governorship elections.

Cheta Nwanze, an analyst with Lagos-based SBM Intelligence, told AFP the Onnoghen case was "a clear indication they (the APC) are panicking" about the results.

Buhari initially delayed the appointment of Onnoghen, after he became acting chief justice in November 2016.

His appointment was only confirmed by parliament in March 2017, prompting speculation Buhari was not keen to endorse his candidacy.

Onnoghen has since criticised what he said was the politicisation of judicial appointments in Nigeria and cleared Senate leader Bukola Saraki on corruption charges.

Saraki has accused the government of targeting him because he was not its first choice as leader of the upper house of parliament.

Buhari has been accused of surrounding himself with ministers, advisors and officials from the predominantly Muslim north, his home region.

Onnoghen is from Cross Rivers state in the Christian-majority south, while Muhammad is from the northeastern state of Bauchi.
By Josh Horwitz and Brenda Goh (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp's Bing search engine was accessible for some internet users in mainland China late on Thursday, indicating that online access to the foreign technology service may have been restored within the country's Great Firewall. Bing's website was accessible on mobile as well as broadband connections, though some users still reported occasional difficulties and it was not clear whether resumption to service was temporary or permanent. Microsoft did not immediately respond to requests for comment. It said on Wednesday that Bing had been blocked in China and that it was trying to determine its next steps. Searches performed on Bing's China website at cn.bing.com from within mainland China on Wednesday directed users to a page saying the server could not be reached. The government's Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) watchdog did not respond to faxed questions about Bing's blocked website. Bing was the only major foreign search engine accessible from within China's so-called Great Firewall, with Microsoft censoring search results on sensitive topics, in accordance with Chinese government policy. Its main competitor in mainland China is Baidu, which this week pledged to improve its media aggregating service after a complaint about the quality of the service and its search results went viral on social media. Should Bing be blocked, it would mark Microsoft's second setback in China since November 2017, when its Skype internet phone call and messaging service was pulled from Apple and Android app stores. Microsoft also has a partnership with Chinese data center provider 21Vianet to sell its Azure and Office 365 products. Alphabet's Google search platform has been blocked in China since 2010. Google CEO Sundar Pichai said in December that it has no plans to relaunch a search engine in China, though it is continuing to study the idea amid increased scrutiny of big technology firms. China's President Xi Jinping has accelerated control of the internet in China since 2016 as the ruling Communist Party has sought to crack down on dissent on social media. In a statement on Wednesday, the CAC said it had deleted more than 7 million pieces of online information and 9,382 mobile apps. The watchdog also criticized technology company Tencent's news app for spreading "vulgar information". (Reporting by Josh Horwitz in Shanghai and Gaurika Juneja in Bengaluru; additional reporting by Cate Cadell, Stephen Nellis and Vibhuti Sharma; Editing by Darren Schuettler and David Goodman)
Associated Press

Afghanistan's is racing to ramp up supplies of oxygen as a deadly third surge of COVID-19 worsens, a senior health official told The Associated Press in an interview Saturday. The government is installing oxygen supply plants in 10 provinces where up to 65% of those tested in some areas are COVID positive, health ministry spokesman Ghulam Dastigir Nazari said. Afghanistan's 24-hour infection count has also continued its upward climb from 1,500 at the end of May when the health ministry was already calling the surge a crisis, to more than 2,300 this week.
Beijing (AFP) - The Australian embassy in Beijing was on Friday granted consular access to Australian national Yang Jun, who is detained in China on national security grounds.

Embassy staff made a consular visit to Yang in the afternoon, according to a brief statement released by the Australian department of foreign affairs.

"Access to Mr Yang was provided in accordance with our bilateral consular agreement with China," the statement said.

"Due to Privacy Act obligations, we will not provide further details about Mr Yang or the contents of our consular discussions with Mr Yang."

The Chinese-Australian author and democracy advocate, whose pen name is Yang Hengjun, was detained shortly after he made a rare return to China from the United States last week.

Beijing state security took "compulsory measures" against Yang, who is suspected of "engaging in criminal activities that endanger China's national security", China's foreign ministry said Thursday.

His detention comes amid heightened tensions between Western countries and an increasingly muscular Beijing, which detained two Canadians last month amid a diplomatic row with Ottawa.

Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told reporters on Friday that Yang never worked for the foreign ministry, contrary to media reports.

Yang left mainland China for Hong Kong in 1992 and became an Australian in 2000.

According to Yang's lawyer Mo Shaoping, the Australian national was placed under residential surveillance.
By Colin Packham and Philip Wen BEIJING/SYDNEY (Reuters) - Chinese authorities are holding an Australian writer, who used to be a Chinese citizen, on suspicion of endangering state security, China said on Thursday, and his lawyer said he was suspected of espionage. Australian officials said Yang Hengjun was detained shortly after he flew in to the southern city of Guangzhou from New York last week, but it did not believe his detention was the result of rising tension between China and the West. Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said that Australia was officially notified after Yang was placed under "coercive measures" - a euphemism for detention - in Beijing. "The Australian citizen Yang Jun, due to being suspected of engaging in criminal acts that endangered China's national security, was recently placed under coercive measures and is being investigated by the Beijing city State Security Bureau," Hua told reporters. Yang's rights and interests were being protected in accordance with the law, she told a regular news briefing in Beijing, using a slightly different name for him. Australian Defence Minister Christopher Pyne, who arrived in Beijing on Thursday for scheduled talks, said Australia would normally expect to be told of such a case within three days under existing diplomatic conventions. Yang went missing on Friday and Australia was not told until four days later. Pyne said the late notification was disappointing and he would be raising it in his talks with Chinese officials. "He's being held in residential surveillance," Pyne told reporters. The Australian government was first alerted that Yang had gone missing after friends said he had been out of contact for several days. Yang's lawyer, Mo Shaoping, told Reuters that his client was suspected of "espionage", and was being held under "residential surveillance at a designated location". The special detention measure allows authorities to interrogate suspects for six months without necessarily granting access to legal representation. Rights groups say that the lack of oversight raises concern about abuse by interrogators. Mo said he had been retained by Yang's wife but because the case involved state security, he would need approval from the authorities before he would be able to meet Yang. WARNING Tensions have risen in recent weeks between China and some Western countries after two Canadians, a diplomat on unpaid leave and a consultant, were arrested in China on suspicion of endangering state security. Those arrests were widely seen in the West as retaliation by China for Canada's arrest of Meng Wanzhou, a senior Huawei Technologies [HWT.UL] executive, on Dec. 1 at the request of the United States for allegedly violating U.S. sanctions on Iran. Australia joined international condemnation of the arrest of the two Canadians, but Yang has long been in the sights of Chinese authorities. He has criticized what he described as Chinese interference in Australia. Feng Chongyi, an academic at the University of Technology in Sydney, said he asked Yang not to go to China because of the tension. "I didn't think it would be safe for him because of the situation with Huawei but he believed that he would be fine as he had been there so many times," Feng said. Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne said staff from Australia's embassy met Chinese officials on Thursday and, while details were limited, she said there was no evidence Yang's case was linked to Australia's criticism of the detention of the Canadians. "I'd be concerned if there was an indication of that," Payne told reporters in Sydney. "We are calling on the Chinese authorities to ensure this matter is dealt with transparently and fairly." 'CAN'T HIDE' Yang was also reported missing for several days while in China in 2011. Two sources familiar with the details said he had been detained but agreed to say he had been unwell. However, Yang is not seen as a radical dissident. He became famous in the 2000s for his political essays, which earned him the nickname "democracy peddler". In recent years, he had published little commentary, instead writing more fiction, including a trilogy of spy novels. Deng Yuwen, a Beijing-based political analyst who knows Yang, told Reuters that he did not know the reason for Yang's detention but that his WeChat accounts had been deleted. "He has basically not publicly released any political essays in recent years," Deng said. Chinese President Xi Jinping has presided over a crackdown on dissent since coming to power in 2012, with hundreds of rights lawyers and activists detained. Dozens have been jailed. Relations between Australia and its largest trading partner have been strained in recent years and Pyne's trip was arranged in a bid to repair ties damaged by Australian accusations in 2017 that China was meddling in its affairs. Analysts said Yang's arrest would add to pressure on Australia to take a stand, and it would prolong tension. "Australia can't hide from this. It will need to respectfully protect its citizens," said Rory Medcalf, head of the National Security College at the Australian National University. "This detention marks the new normal in the bilateral tension, which will be constant low-level tension." (This version of the story was refiled to edit paragraph six) (Reporting by Colin Packham in SYDNEY, and Christian Shepherd and Philip Wen in BEIJING; Writing by Michael Martina; Editing by Paul Tait, Robert Birsel)
Four people are dead and one is in critical condition after two shootings allegedly by the same gunman Thursday night near Penn State University in State College, Pennsylvania, PEOPLE confirms.

Starting at about 10:14 p.m., the suspected gunman, identified by authorities as Jordan Witmer, 21, of Bellefonte, opened fire at P.J. Harrigans Bar & Grill inside a Ramada Hotel, State College Police Chief John Gardner said at a press conference Friday afternoon.

In his update, Gardner said that Witmer and Nicole Abrino, 21, who was shot and injured in the melee, were at the bar together and were sitting across from Dean Beachy, 62, of Millersburg, Ohio, and Steven Beachy, 19.

At one point, Witmer got up from his bar seat and walked to the other side of the bar near where the Beachys were seated, Gardner said, reading from a statement.

To everyones shock and horror, he began firing.

Investigators are still trying to determine what led Witmer to pull out a handgun and begin shooting, he said.

Dean Beachy sustained a gunshot wound to the head and died at the scene, he said.

Steven Beachy was shot in the torso and was transported to Mount Nittany Medical Center along with Abrino who was shot in the chest.

They were later life-flighted to other medical facilities where they were listed in critical condition as of this morning.

On Friday at 1 p.m., State College police were notified that Steven Beachy had died, Gardner said.

Witmers alleged killing spree did not end at the bar. He fled the restaurant and crashed his car on Waupelani Drive, less than two miles from the hotel, Gardner said.

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He ran to a nearby home at random, breaking into it by shooting a sliding glass door and kicking it in, Gardner said. There he killed homeowner, 83-year-old George McCormick, with a gunshot to the head, he said.

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While Witmer was inside the home, McCormicks terrified wife, Joann McCormick, 80, locked herself in another room and called 911, Gardner said. She was unharmed.

While police raced to the scene, Witmer shot himself in the head in the living room and died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, Gardner said.

Authorities have not pinpointed a motive yet and are still seeking answers as to why Witmer allegedly went on the horrific killing spree.

They are still unclear as to the nature of the relationship between Witmer and Abrino. On Thursday night, Gardner told reporters he believed Abrino was either a current or ex-girlfriend.

On Friday, Gardner said, All first responders are deeply saddened by these tragic events. Our hearts go out to all the victims and their families.

While Gardner said State College is one of the safest areas of the country, he said Thursday night that unfortunately, shootings like this can still happen anywhere.

Its Happy Valley and we like to think these things cant happen here, but one of the things it makes you realize is it can happen here and it did happen here, Gardner said, WHTM reports. I guess its just a sign of the times of the world we live in.

Students on the Penn State campus are upset that police did not notify them of the shootings, outlets including local station WCAU NBC 10 and Onwardstate.com report.

The universitys alert system only includes incidents that take place on or near campus, Penn State spokeswoman Lisa Powers told Onwardstate.com.

The University also posted messages on Twitter about its alert system.

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Penn State did not immediately return PEOPLEs calls for comment.

As the investigation continues, police are urging anyone with information regarding this incident to contact the State College Police Department at (814) 234-7150, by email or submit an anonymous tip through their website.
Cancer treatment can cause physical changes in women that make having sex more difficult.

Sex might be the last thing on your mind as you start thinking about cancer treatment options and cope with the anxiety that comes with a cancer diagnosis.

But as you start to feel more comfortable during cancer treatment and afterward, you'll want to get back to a "normal" life as much as you can. For many women, this includes resuming sexual intimacy.

An intimate connection with a partner can make you feel loved and supported as you go through your cancer treatment. But sexual side effects of cancer treatment can make resuming sex more difficult.

Find out if you're at risk of sexual side effects during and after cancer treatment and which treatments can cause these side effects.

Who's at risk of sexual side effects?

Women with the greatest risk of sexual side effects include those being treated for:

Bladder cancer

Breast cancer

Cervical cancer

Colon cancer

Endometrial cancer

Ovarian cancer

Rectal cancer

Uterine cancer

Vaginal cancer

Vulvar cancer

Treatment for any cancer carries the risk of causing physical changes to your body that can alter your body image and your sexuality. But having cancer also affects your emotions, no matter what type of cancer you have. For instance, you may feel anxious and worn out about your diagnosis, your treatment, or your prognosis. These emotions can also affect your attitude toward sex and intimacy with your partner.

What sexual side effects are most common?

The treatment you receive and your type and stage of cancer will determine whether you experience sexual side effects. The most commonly reported side effects among women include:

Difficulty reaching climax

Less energy for sexual activity

Loss of desire for sex

Pain during penetration

Reduced size of the vagina

Vaginal dryness

Not all women will experience these side effects. Your doctor can give you an idea of whether your specific treatment will cause any of these.

How does cancer treatment cause sexual side effects?

Cancer treatments that are more likely to cause sexual side effects include the following.

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Chemotherapy

Many women experience a loss of libido during and after chemotherapy. Often the side effects of the treatmentsuch as fatigue, nausea, hair loss, and weight loss or gaincan make you feel unattractive.

Side effects usually fade soon after treatment ends. But it may take time to rebuild your self-confidence to bring back your desire for sex.

Chemotherapy can cause a sudden loss of estrogen production in your ovaries. This can lead to symptoms of menopause, such as a thinning vagina (vaginal atrophy) and vaginal dryness, both of which can cause pain during penetration.

Ask your doctor about what you can expect from your chemotherapy drugs, as some can cause either a temporary or permanent menopause.

Depending on your cancer type, your doctor may prescribe estrogen replacement therapyalso called hormone therapy for menopauseto reduce the sexual side effects you experience. Topical estrogen creams applied to the vaginal area also can be used. However, women with hormone-sensitive breast or ovarian cancer should carefully discuss any type of hormone therapy with their doctors. Many of these conditions may respond to treatments that do not use hormones.

Chemotherapy can also damage tissues in your body, including the vagina. This damage can cause sores and may increase your risk of infection. It can also cause fatigue or increased bleeding. During this time, your doctor may advise you to avoid sexual intercourse, or you may not feel the desire for sex.

Radiation therapy

Sexual side effects related to radiation therapy are most common in women receiving treatment to the pelvic area.

Radiation to the pelvis causes:

Damage to the ovaries. The amount of damage and whether it's permanent depends on the strength and site of your radiation treatments. Damaged ovaries don't produce estrogen. This causes menopause and its related signs and symptoms, such as vaginal dryness or hot flashes. If you've already been through menopause, you likely won't experience such symptoms.

Changes in the vaginal lining. Radiation therapy can irritate healthy tissue in its path. This can cause the lining of your vagina to become inflamed and tender. Penetration during sex may be uncomfortable during treatment and for a few weeks afterward. As the lining of your vagina heals, it may become thickened and scarred, causing your vagina to tighten and resist stretching during penetration. Your doctor might recommend using a vaginal dilator to prevent scar tissue from forming after radiation.

Talk to your doctor about what you can expect from your specific radiation treatments. Some side effects may be preventable. For instance, surgery to relocate your ovaries to another part of your body might spare them from the damage of radiation and preserve your fertility. Ask your doctor about your options.

Surgery

Whether surgery affects your ability to have sex will depend on the type of cancer you have, where it's located and its size.

Surgical procedures that are likely to cause sexual side effects include:

Radical hysterectomy. One treatment for cervical cancer may be a radical hysterectomy to remove the uterus and related ligaments, as well as the cervix and part of the vagina. A shortened vagina usually doesn't change your ability to have sex, though it may take some adjustment. The surgeon may also remove the ovaries during this procedure. If you're premenopausal when your ovaries are removed, you'll experience menopause.

Radical cystectomy. In this operation for bladder cancer, the surgeon removes your bladder, uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, cervix, the front wall of your vagina, and your urethra. Your surgeon reconstructs your vagina, though it may be shorter or narrower than it was before surgery. This can make sex painful. If you haven't been through menopause, removal of your ovaries will cause menopause.

Abdominoperineal (AP) resection. AP resection may be used if you have colon or rectal cancer. Your surgeon removes your lower colon and rectum. Without the cushion of the rectum, you might experience pain in your vagina during penetration. Some women who have an AP resection also have their ovaries removed. If you're premenopausal, this will cause premature menopause.

Vulvectomy. You may undergo vulvectomy if you have cancer of the vulva. Your surgeon removes the entire vulva, including the inner and outer lips, as well as the clitoris. These play a major part in sexual arousal in women. Removing the vulva and the clitoris can make the area less sensitive and make it harder for you to reach orgasm.

In addition, some operations may require placement of an opening (ostomy) that allows stool or urine to collect in a bag that attaches to your body. Wearing an ostomy bag may make you feel self-conscious and unattractive. Ostomy therapists and specialized clothing can help boost your self-confidence.

Hormone therapy

If you have a hormone-sensitive cancer, you might receive hormone-blocking therapy through medications, such as tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors, or through surgery, such as removal of your ovaries (oophorectomy).

If your cancer is sensitive to hormones, these hormone-blocking therapies can be effective in shrinking or killing the cancer and can decrease the chance of a cancer recurrence.

Both medications and surgery for hormone therapy cause menopausal signs and symptoms, including hot flashes and vaginal atrophy and dryness. Removing your ovaries causes permanent menopause. There are many different treatments that can lessen these side effects, so discuss them with your health-care team.

Side effects of hormone therapy medications usually wear off after you stop taking them. Women taking hormone therapy for cancer usually take these drugs for five years or more.

What can you do to regain your sexual function?

Knowing what sexual side effects to expect before you begin your cancer treatment can help you be more prepared to deal with them.

If you experience sexual side effects, find out as much as you can about what's impeding your sexual function. This will help you feel more in control and help guide you to treatment options.

You may also want to:

Talk with your health-care team. It can feel uncomfortable to talk about sexual side effects. Though talking about sex can be awkward, you're not likely to find a solution if you don't let someone know what you're experiencing. Write down your questions if it makes you feel more comfortable. In addition, your doctor may be embarrassed or hesitant to talk about sex. If this is the case, ask to be referred to a specialist or seek support from other members of your health-care team, such as nurses and counselors.

Talk with your partner. Let your partner know what you're experiencing and how he or she can help you cope. For instance, you might find that using a lubricant eases your vaginal dryness or changing positions helps you avoid genital pain during sex. Together you may find solutions to ease you back into a fulfilling sex life.

Explore other ways of being intimate. Intercourse isn't the only option for closeness with your partner. Consider spending more time together talking, cuddling, or caressing. Connecting in other ways might help make you feel more comfortable and less anxious about the sexual side effects you're experiencing.

Talk with other cancer survivors. Your health-care team might be able to steer you to a support group in your town. Otherwise, connect with other cancer survivors online. If you're embarrassed about discussing sex face to face with strangers, the online environment provides you anonymity. Start with the American Cancer Society's Cancer Survivors Network.

It may simply take time for you to regain your sexual function after cancer treatment. While that can be frustrating, remember that if you had a positive and satisfying sex life before cancer, you'll likely resume that after your treatment.

Updated: 2017-06-29

Publication Date: 2001-05-11
* UPDATE: Casey Hathaway Has Been Found Alive.

* For more information please watch the video above.

A desperate search is ongoing for a 3-year-old boy who has been missing for two days after he vanished from his grandmothers yard, PEOPLE confirms.

Casey Hathaway was playing outside the house in Craven County, North Carolina, with two other children on Tuesday, but he did not come back inside with them, FBI spokesperson Shelley Lynch tells PEOPLE in a statement.

A relative in the home searched for Casey and when they were unable to find him, called 911, Lynch continued. WTVD reported that Hathaway and the other children had been playing in his grandmothers backyard.

The grandmother and others looked for Hathaway for 45 minutes before reporting him missing, according to WTVD.

Casey Hathaway

Hathaway has blonde hair and brown eyes, Lynch says. He is 28 inches tall and weighs 25 pounds. Hathaway was last seen near Toler Road in Ernul wearing a blue coat and dark pants.

RELATED STORY: Officials Confirm Body in Creek Is 6-Year-Old Maddox Ritch as FBI Warns Dont Spread Rumors

Search teams and concerned community members have been combing the woods in the area since, hoping for any sign of the boy.

We went through the woods  through the thicket and the briars, volunteer Donna Harris told WTVD. We did it for three-and-a-half, four hours and it was bad. It was really bad out there. If everybody could come and help look for him, it would help. As it got darker, it was scary out there. I just cant imagine a 3-year-old being out there.

Casey Hathaway

The search for Hathaway continued on Thursday despite strong winds and heavy rain, Lynch said. Craven County Sheriff Chip Hughes said during a Wednesday news conference that the situation is being treated as a missing persons case, though they have not ruled out the possibility of kidnapping.

Hughes added that the little boy wasnt dressed properly for the weather and he is concerned about ditches and sinkholes in the area. He noted that divers are searching ponds in the area.

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A Facebook page has been set up for the boy, and features missing posters, photos, and search updates.

RELATED VIDEO: Mayor of Barron, WI is Overwhelmed After Jayme Closs Found Alive Almost 3 Months After She Disappeared

Breanna Hathaway, who identified herself in a Facebook post as Hathaways aunt, has shared updates about the search on the social media site.

My heart is so broken. I feel so helpless, she wrote in one post alongside a video of Hathaway saying Love you!

In another post, she added: We are not going to stop until he is home and we hope you dont either.
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Tactics aimed at separating the West Bank from Gaza are no longer restricted to the topographic, as was the case when Israel closed the safe corridor between them two decades ago.

Political and economic safe corridors have also been closed one by one, thanks to measures taken by the Palestinian Authority (PA) in Ramallah and Hamas in Gaza.

Foremost among these measures are the freeze in the reconciliation process, the withdrawal of PA officials from the Rafah crossing, and the dissolution of parliament followed by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas call for elections within six months, elections that are unlikely to include Gaza or Jerusalem.

Abbas (who also goes by the nom de guerre Abu Mazen) put the reconciliation question behind him after the failure of the last round of talks, in August 2018, on amending the October 2017 agreement between the two sides.

Abu Mazen, at the time, said the talks were the last opportunity for a reconciliation process Cairo has been steering for nearly a decade.

Although several agreements were concluded during this time, the first in May 2011, none were put into effect due to a lack of will, or so sources instrumental in formulating some of the agreements told Al-Ahram Weekly.

One of these sources added: We cannot abandon the process regardless of the obstacles the parties create. There is still hope and Egypt will continue to work for Palestinian reconciliation.

A delegation from Egypts General Intelligence Service (GIS), headed by the Deputy Chief of GIS General Ayman Badie, and General Ahmed Abdel-Khalek, responsible for Palestinian affairs, shuttled between Gaza and the West Bank two weeks ago in order to discuss issues related to the reconciliation process.

Neither side was prepared to alter its position, with each blaming the other for the failure of the process.

Hamas accused Abu Mazen of inflicting punitive measures on Gaza while pressing his ultimatum that if the PA does not regain full control over the Strip it will cut Gaza off. Abu Mazen said not only was Hamas determined to perpetuate its control over Gaza, it was colluding in a scheme to create a Gaza statelet in order to pave the way for the so-called deal of the century.

Azzam Al-Ahmed, a member of the Fatah Central Committee and head of the PA negotiating delegation, suggested the same, arguing that the purpose of the last proposed modification to the reconciliation agreement was to protect it from the repercussions of the so-called deal of the century the Trump administration is expected to propose soon.

With the PAs withdrawal of its officials from the Rafah crossing this month any visible manifestation of PA legitimacy in Gaza vanished.

Cairo has been forced to operate the crossing unilaterally, allowing people from the outside to enter Gaza and, according to a source familiar with operations at the crossing, only opening it in the opposite direction for humanitarian purposes.

Despite the lack of international observers since 2007, Cairo had allowed the crossing to operate in both directions when PA officials were posted on the other side.

The GIS delegation tried to address this issue in its recent meeting with Hamas Political Bureau Chairman Ismail Haniyeh and Hamas leader Yehia Al-Sinwar.

The delegation pledged that Cairo would reopen the crossing for normal operations if Hamas and Fatah could overcome their differences, although observers in Cairo hold out little hope for a breakthrough.

Mohamed Gomaa of the Al-Ahram Centre for Political and Strategic Studies told the Weekly, I think that, rather than getting simpler, the situation is going to grow more complicated.

The crossing is going to become a major problem in the future. I do not think we will be able to arrive at an acceptable mechanism for managing it soon.

Instead, it will be added to the rest of the crises between the two sides until a strategic shift occurs to jolt things in a different direction. I cannot see this happening now.

A number of people in Gaza have said they will stage a demonstration at the crossing on Thursday to protest its closure.

Hamas will try to calm the situation publicly and it will not support the activities secretly. It realises that the Egyptian position is correct, said a source in Gaza.

Earlier this week the PA published a Supreme Constitutional Court ruling dissolving the Palestinian Legislative Council, a move Abbas called for weeks ago. Abbas has also called for new elections to usher in a new government. All this is very problematic, according to experts in Cairo and Ramallah contacted by the Weekly.

Shadi Zamaara, a political analyst from Ramallah, said that an official from Fatah Central Committee was clear that the new government would be drawn from Palestinian factions that are members of the PLO, which means it would not include Hamas or factions in Gaza under the Hamas umbrella.

Only over our dead bodies will we include Hamas in a government, Fatah Central Committee member Hussein Al-Sheikh is reported to have said.

Hassan Asfour, a Palestinian politician and former minister, criticised the call for elections and underscored recent remarks by Hisham Kahil, the director of the Central Elections Committee, who said: Holding election does not only require preparations and executive plans but before all else the preparation of a climate conducive to holding elections in complete freedom.

There are a number of challenges impeding a Palestinian consensus emerging over elections being held. There is the ongoing internal rift and the continued Israeli blockade of Gaza and the West Bank. Not least, there is the question of the status of Jerusalem, which requires regional and international interventions.

Such issues are of critical importance and need to be addressed even before discussing the nature of the elections, and whether they should be for the government, the legislature, the presidency or all three.

Hamas, for its part, has condemned Abu Mazens actions which it says are unconstitutional and politicised. Mohamed Gomaa interprets this as a sign that if, indeed, elections are held within six months, they will not include Gaza. The positions of both sides tell us as much, he says.

The EU missions in Jerusalem and Ramallah have aired international concerns over recent developments in Palestine. In a Local EU statement on the dissolution of the Palestinian Legislative Council, the missions noted that the dissolution of the PLC formally brings to an end the mandate of the only elected governing body of the Palestinian Authority, a development the EU missions regard with concern.

The statement adds, in light of the announced elections, the EU missions in Jerusalem and Ramallah encourage the Palestinian leadership to work towards strong, inclusive, accountable and democratic institutions, based on respect for the rule of law and human rights. Hence, the EU calls upon the government to work towards genuine and democratic elections for all Palestinians.

Funds from Qatar have also contributed to dissolving the remaining links between the PA and Gaza. Abu Mazen had used funding as part of a carrot-and-stick approach to furthering the implementation of the reconciliation agreement and compelling Hamas to transfer control of Gaza to the PA and its officials. Qatar then stepped, playing the role of paymaster for Hamas government employees, routing the payments via Israel.

It thus robbed Abu Mazen of a pressure card, effectively placing it in Israeli hands to use in exchange for calm along the Gaza-Israeli border. As testimony to this new dynamic, a widely circulated video showed the Qatari Ambassador Mohamed Al-Amadi arriving in Gaza to deliver the money, after first landing at Ben-Gurion airport. As he hands over the money he tells Hamas, we want calm.

The video triggered such widespread lampooning of the Qatari role that Al-Amadi vowed he would never again act as a money courier.

Avi Issacharoff, in the Times of Israel, also picked up on this ironic dynamic beneath the headline, To get its cash, Hamas may drag Gaza into yet another fight.

If Israel blocks the transfer of the Qatari funds, Issacharoff wrote, Hamas only has to resort to its time-worn trick: to pressure Israel into allowing the transfer, all it must do is increase the tensions on the border. Within a few days, without fail, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government is sure to agree to allow the cash into the Strip.

* A version of this article appears in print in the 24 January, 2018 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly under the headline: Reconciliation cul-de-sac

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Shown until 16 February. Art and auction gallery Kieselbach is presenting works of award-winning contemporary painter Imre Bukta according to kieselbach.hu.

A retrospective exhibition entitled At Our Home in the Countryside is showcasing a comprehensive collection of the works of Bukta, including some of his latest pieces. Born in 1952, Buktas paintings depict pictures of Hungarian rural life.

Opening hours: 10 am - 6 pm on weekdays, 10 am - 1 pm on Saturdays

Venue:

Kieselbach Gallery

1055 Budapest, Szent Istvan korut 5.
Pope Franciss upcoming visit to Sumuleu Ciuc (Csiksomlyo), Romania is a historic opportunity for the regions nations to come together and make peace with one another, a government official said in Sumuleu Ciuc on Thursday.

The Hungarian government will support the citys preparations for the papal visit with an initial grant of about 20 million forints (EUR 63,000), the state secretary for church, minority and civil society relations, Miklos Soltesz, told a press conference.

The government will soon receive a detailed funding request for the visit from Sumuleu Ciucs Franciscan monks, he said, adding that Hungary will aim to transfer the funds as quickly as possible.

Soltesz urged Catholics to turn out for the popes June 1 visit in as many numbers as they can, saying that it could help support the survival of Christianity and nations.
More than 700,000 people visited Parliament last year, 20% of them Hungarians and 23% from outside the EU, Parliaments press office announced on Thursday.

The number of visitors has been growing every year, from 477,078 in 2014, to 524,629 in the following year, 582,930 in 2016 and 647,255 in 2017.

The Parliament building is listed on tourism website TripAdvisor as the fifth best tourist sight in Europe and 10th best in the world.
With the 7.5 per cent tax that multinational companies have to pay, Hungary is now ahead of other tax havens like Ireland, Cyprus or Malta.

It is only in the Benelux states that multinationals get more benefits from the government than in Hungary. At the same time, as G7 writes, a low tax rate is not an indicator of economic development: the lowest tax rate within the EU is found in the poorest member countries.

The larger a multinational company is, the less it has to pay in taxes  concludes Petr Jansky, a professor at the Charles University in Prague, after observing the company data of Orbis regarding the period between 2011 and 2015.

From this, it can be seen that multinational companies pay significantly less in taxes compared to legally determined tax rates. Petr Jansky found that the lowest tax rate, 2.2%, is in Luxembourg, while in Hungary, the tax rate was 7.5% in 2015.

According to G7s research, this has decreased: the 30 biggest multinationals paid only 3.2 per cent of their profit in taxes in 2017, causing tens of billions of forints worth of damage to the Hungarian economy.

The focus of the research was to pinpoint what the legally determined corporate tax was and how much companies actually paid compared to the corporate tax base in the given period.

Companies can make use of reducing or increasing rates, but multinational corporations have a better chance at this, as local companies are often lacking the required expertise, know-how and international background. Thus, they pay more tax in proportion.

Between 2010 and 2016, the corporate tax rate was 19% in Hungary, while for those companies with an income lower than 500 million forints (EUR 1,5 million) it was 10%. In 2017, however, the corporate tax rate was uniform: 9%.

Between 2011 and 2015, multinational companies benefitted from more advantages than in Hungary only in the Benelux countries. Getting a clear view of the taxing activities of multinational companies is getting harder and harder in Europe  the only thing that is for sure is that their taxing is so low that it is barely legal.

In 2016, the European Committee proposed that companies with over 750 million euro EU profits publish their finance data per country, so it can be seen where and how much tax they have paid.

The European Parliament endorsed this, but it was eventually forgotten, thanks to corporate pressure. There is a tax race between multinationals who are getting bigger and bigger benefits from respective countries.

Hungary is mostly targeted by the automotive industry and assembly organisations, but G7 argues that Google and Facebook are thriving here too because of the low tax rates: in 6 years, these two companies took 53 million euros from Hungary.



Source: Daily News Hungary, g7.hu
While the debate about Theresa Mays proposed deal continues in Britain, a hard Brexit would definitely not be in Hungarys interest.

In late November, British and European Union representatives drafted an agreement outlining the relationship of the United Kingdom and the EU after 2021.

However, it is still uncertain whether or not this soft Brexit agreement will come into effect as the British government and parliament remains divided on the issue, with a crunch vote due as this issue was going to press.

Because of this, the hard Brexit option (the United Kingdom leaving all European treaties including the single market and the customs union and trading with the EU by basic WTO rules) is still on the table.

According to a study by Oxford Economics, Hungarys GDP could shrink by as much as 0.5% in the case of a no-deal Brexit  the third highest damage after Britain itself and Ireland.

The study states that the United Kingdoms exit from the European Union will affect Hungary in three major ways: the volume of EU funds may decrease, Hungarian companies with business ties to Great Britain could suffer a drop in revenue and many of the hundreds of thousands of Hungarian citizens working in Britain (who send home more than HUF 50 billion every year) could be forced to move.



Uncertainty for Companies

If Brexit happens without a deal, only a few, already signed bilateral treaties will stay in effect, causing complete uncertainty, Dr. Zoltan Gabor, senior manager of Deloitte Hungarys tax and legal department tells.

The proposed Brexit deal would decrease uncertainty, since it would guarantee that the current rules for trade applied for a transitional period, until December 31, 2021. The deal would regulate the relationship between the U.K. and European countries in many ways, and provide time to negotiate bilateral agreements between Britain and individual countries, he adds.

If a no-deal Brexit happened, Hungary, like other countries, would have to negotiate bilateral trade agreements with the island nation. Britain is Hungarys seventh most important trading partner, with 3.7% of Hungarian exports arriving there, according to Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC) data from 2016.

Trade between the two countries would be seriously disrupted by a hard Brexit: companies cannot really prepare for this scenario since nobody can tell what the eventual legal framework for trading between the two countries will be; it would only be finalized by bilateral agreements negotiated and signed after Brexit becomes a legal fact. Until then, making long-term business deals would be virtually impossible.

The most important change is the one regarding sale and supply chains, says Gabor Even if the proposed deal is accepted, the U.K. would leave the European customs union, so after Brexit, tariffs would be imposed on products traded between the U.K. and EU member states, on top of the sales tax already in effect.

Gabor advises companies connected the United Kingdom to review their current supply chain and if necessary, employ customs experts to prepare for the effects of Brexit.

It is already certain that, as Brexit draws closer, logistics companies are becoming overburdened, causing delays in shipping. Market sources say that these companies are already fully booked for deliveries for the weeks before the final deadline of Brexit.

He also added that exports into the United Kingdom will also have to comply with different regulations (new British safety, environmental or quality standards replacing EU rules). Therefore, companies are advised to acquaint themselves with the new rules in advance.



Loss of EU Funds

Whether or not a Brexit deal is signed, the United Kingdom will eventually stop paying into the EUs cohesion funds, which could be a significant blow to Hungarys economy. Britains payments account for approximately 7% of the EUs budget; however, Hungary might lose more than that in EU funding after 2021.

As Kinga Kenyeres, governing advisor of Deloitte Hungary notes, the EUs funding of its peripheral member states is being restructured at the same time Brexit happens. According to the [current] European Commissions proposal, Hungary would receive 24% less EU funds between 2021 and 2027.Brexit is not the only thing to blame.

The Union is facing new challenges, such as economic issues in southern member states, the migration crisis and several European industries losing their competitive edge. These issues force the EC to reallocate cohesion funds away from Central and Eastern European member states, who are doing comparably well economically, to southern countries.



Status of Immigrants

Much more complicated is the issue of Hungarian nationals living in the United Kingdom. If the proposed deal is signed, their status will not change significantly: EU citizens who, until the end of the transitional period in 2021, will have spent five or more years in Britain will gain permanent residency in the country.

After Brexit takes effect, immigration from the EU will become much harder. In essence, there will not be any difference between EU citizens and third country nationals, and Hungarians will have to apply for working visas and residency permits.

According to leaked government letters published by British daily newspaper The Daily Telegraph, U.K. lawmakers also plan to reduce the legal stay time for unskilled workers from the EU. According to these proposals, those arriving after the grace period is over would have to renew their residency permit every 11 months.

They would not be able to use their permit to gain the right of entry for their family members either. By contrast, those with higher education could still gain permanent residency and the right for family reunification.

If the current deal is accepted, it is unlikely that Hungarian workers who currently (and until the end of the transition period) stay in the U.K. will be forced to leave, says Gabor. If no deal is reached, new directives can make expats lives harder. In this scenario there is a chance for a wave of people coming back to Hungary.

At a town hall meeting organized by the British Embassy in Budapest on January 8, both U.K. Ambassador Iain Lindsay and Szabolcs Takacs, Hungarian Minister of State for EU Affairs in the Prime Ministers office went out of their way to say both sides would do their best to protect the rights of the others citizens.

In a comment the British embassy put out later, it said: In the case of a no deal scenario, the Hungarian government has committed to protecting the current rights of U.K. nationals legally resident in Hungary on March 29, 2019, on a broadly reciprocal basis with the U.K.

Stop Press

On January 15, MPs in the British parliament rejected Theresa Mays negotiated deal to withdraw from the European Union by 432 votes to 202 after five days of debate. While the defeat had been widely expected, the crushing nature of it did surprise many (reuters.com described it as the worst parliamentary defeat for a government in recent British history).

On January 16, as we went to print, the government was facing a vote of no confidence, called for by the opposition Labour Party in the hope of triggering a general election should the government lose.

Many of the Conservative rebels, and the Northern Irish DUP which also voted against the Brexit deal, have indicated they will back the government. Some Labour politicians have also said they expect to lose, on this occasion, but have suggstd more no confidence votes will follow.

Should she survive, Prime Minister May has just a handful of days to consult with MPs and go back to the EU in search of further compromises. Should she not get any, or the so-called plan b is also rejected, a no-deal Brexit, a new referendum, or even a move to cancel Brexit are all possible. The U.K. is due to exit the EU on March 29, 2019.
The European Commission has entered its infringement procedure against Hungary concerning Hungarys Stop Soros laws in the next phase, the body announced on Thursday.

The commission said they sent the Hungarian government a reasoned opinion, opening the second phase in the procedure.

The procedure allows Hungary two months to harmonise the criticised legislation with European law, or else the commission could file a case with the Court of Justice of the European Union.

The Hungarian legislation curtails asylum applicants right to communicate with and be assisted by relevant national, international and non-governmental organisations by criminalising support to asylum applications. This is in violation of the Asylum Procedures Directiveand the Reception Conditions Directive. the EC said in the reasoned opinion.

Hungarian lawmakers approved the package, dubbed Stop Soros, referring to a plan for managing the migrant crisis earlier outlined by US billionaire George Soros, in June 2018. The package defines support for illegal immigration in the Criminal Code as offering to initiate an application for asylum to anybody who has arrived from, or passed through on the way to Hungary, any country in which that person was not persecuted.

The first offense is treated as a misdemeanour punishable by imprisonment up to 90 days; however, repeat offenses and the support of such illegal activity by material means may result in imprisonment for a period of up to one year.

The package also amended the act on asylum rights to prohibit the approval of any application for asylum by a person who has travelled through a country in which they were not persecuted or at risk of serious harm and could have applied there for asylum.

The EC acknowledged on Thursday that EU law provides for the possibility to introduce non-admissibility grounds under the safe third country and the first country of asylum concepts, but said the Hungarian rules curtail the right to asylum in a way which is incompatible with the Asylum Qualifications Directiveand the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.

The EC added that provisions in the legislation which prohibit anyone subject to a criminal procedure under the laws from approaching the transit zones at Hungarys borders unduly restricts the exercise of free movement rights of EU citizens. The infringement procedure was launched in July 2018.

The EC also decided on Thursday to send reasoned opinions to Hungary on two additional matters. The EC said Hungary had failed to implement correctly a directive on long-term residents, noting that non-EU nationals who are legal residents of an EU member state for at least five years enjoy equal treatment with nationals in certain areas, including access to employment.

At present, Hungarian law prohibits veterinarians who are non-EU nationals from practicing their profession in the country, even if they obtained their degree there.

The EC said Hungary had failed to notify it of measures taken to implement the current EU standards on the qualification of third-country nationals for international protection.

The directive on the standards lays down common EU standards for the identification of non-EU citizens or stateless persons in need of international protection and ensures a minimum level of benefits and rights in all EU countries, thus providing a disincentive for secondary movements between EU countries and asylum shopping, the EC added.
Radostina Kraleva, a Senior Accountant at Coca-Cola HBC Careers, recently asked the local expat community (via XpatLoop's Facebook group) for advice about any organisations that take care of tenant's rights in Hungary. For your interest here are related helpful hints and tips from Xpats in the loop.

Radostina explained her request to our community as follows, "It looks like my landlord started to play games and would like to deduct amounts from my deposit for rediculous things which are even not true :) Any help or advise is much appreciated! " Here's some of the feedback she got:



Noemi Noemi:

There is no such organization unfortunately. Private lawyer is the solution. Good luck!



Josey Walker:

Dont pay your last months rent for sure. Tell them to take it out of the deposit.



Tunde Mate:

I assume you have a contract and it should have something in it about the cost of repairs. Show it to a lawyer, that's the easiest solution I think.



Karela Gercane:

1) check your contract. Any specific terms there regarding repairs? Normally you should be liable only for damage done by yourself.

2) discuss with your landlady and try to find an agreement.

3) if she doesn't agree to return full deposit - don't return keys. Tell that your friend will use the flat for another month that's covered by your deposit.

Or threaten that you'll post in FB groups regarding her behavior to warn other potential tenants.

From what you've described it looks like she's trying to take an advantage that you're a foreigner and will be leaving the country in the next days.

And surely you need to have someone along with you when having these discussions.



Beatrice Cocora:

Take 2 witnesses with you to the handover and tell her that you need a record to be made in writing of the amount she refuses to give you back and the reasons for that, because your lawyer needs it.

Tell her all these + that you need these info in avance so the record can be printed by the time you do the handover. Ask a Hungarian friend to help with the record. There are good chances she will not risk it and will bring your deposit in full tonthe handover. But if she does not, and you decide to sue later, you have a solid proof of what happened.



Vera Somfai:

First of all, tell him you will go to NAV.. he might not be paying taxes so it can work.. otherwise a lawyer.



Jonathan Taylor:

It's a pretty common problem... suffered it myself. The solutions given are well meaning but have more possibility of working in Narnia than the real world.

1. Going to the NAV. This is just plain silly. They don't care. It will do nothing. (In fact they are more likely to investigate you as you're a foreigner).

2. A Hungarian contract is not worth the paper it's written on. Coupling this with a lawyer is a waste of money. It takes over 5 years to bring a civil case. In court your landlady will claim poverty and you'll receive the princely sum of 1,000 Ft per month. Oh...after the 1st month she'll stop paying and you'll have to pay your useless lawyer to start the process again. And that represents a lot of money as well as travel to Hungary.

3. The only way to get your complete deposit is to be in a position of strength.

4. As there's no way you can achieve this, then: (A) suck it up and move on. I suggest meditation. (B) if you're feeling bad about it, then get even.... (C) if you don't want to create a problem for your landlady...then see (A). Personally, I'm both a practitioner and believer in (B). She is stealing from you. Are you just going to let it go? Any lack of action just encourages her and she'll just carry on doing the same with the next tenant.



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Immigration is one of the most talked about but least understood issues in the United States today, Jose Antonio Vargas told a packed audience at Liberty Hall Thursday night.

We so little understand it that weve shut down the government because of it, Vargas said.

Vargas is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, Emmy-nominated filmmaker and immigration rights advocate. He spoke as part of the Kenneth A. Spencer Lecture Series hosted by The Commons.

Vargas is an undocumented immigrant who was sent from the Philippines to the United States by his mother when he was 12 years old. He spoke about his recently released book, Dear America: Notes of an Undocumented Citizen, a memoir about his experience as an undocumented immigrant.

Whats up, Kansas? Honored to be in the state that elected @GovLauraKelly over @KrisKobach1787. Honored to speak at @libertyhall at 7p tonight. #DearAmerica pic.twitter.com/Gcgttl6XVr  Jose Antonio Vargas (@joseiswriting) January 25, 2019

Vargas said he dedicated his book to his mom and to those who have made him feel welcome in the United States, which includes his mentors, colleagues and teachers.

The part about his undocumented experience thats hardest to talk about, Vargas said, is his mom, whom he hasnt seen since he left the Philippines more than 20 years ago. He said he resented his mom when he was young for sending him to the U.S., but as he grew up, he realized her sacrifice.

He said his mom has been waiting to receive her own U.S. citizenship for 16 years. Vargas also has a sister and a half-brother in the Philippines that he is only able to see through FaceTime and Skype.

I dont really know how to be with my mom, and this book, in many ways, was my way of doing that, Vargas said. I didnt really know how to explain what the separation has done to me and what its done to her.

As he was writing his book, Vargas said he realized he has lived his life in three stages: lying, passing and hiding.

When he applied for jobs as a journalist in the past, Vargas said he lied on the applications by checking a box saying he was a U.S. citizen.

As for hiding, Vargas said he turned down countless trips to go abroad whether for vacation or work because of his undocumented status. He had to hide from his friends and colleagues.

I didnt realize that I wasnt just hiding from the government, Vargas said. I ended up actually hiding from people.

Vargas also spoke about his organization, Define American, a nonprofit that seeks to change the way immigration is talked about today. The organization looks at how immigrants are portrayed in news articles and movies, such as the specific language used to describe them. Define American is also concerned with how teachers speak about immigrants in the classroom.

How do we talk about how we got to be where we are? And how would we get to a point where being anti-immigrant is not only culturally acceptable  being anti-immigrant actually wins you the White House, Vargas said. How did we get there?

Vargas called out to the audience during his speech to see if someone was in the crowd  Kris Kobach.

Is he here? I tweeted at him, Vargas said. I havent heard back. This man has made an entire career out of this, and I show up here  hes nowhere to be found, Vargas said.

Pulitzer-prize winning journalist, immigration rights activist Jose Antonio Vargas to speak at Liberty Hall Award winning journalist and filmmaker Jose Antonio Vargas will visit Liberty Hall on Jan. 24. The Commons sponsored event will feature a speech and opportunity for book signings.

Lawrence resident Cynthia Torres attended the event and has been following Vargas since she was in high school. As an undocumented immigrant too, Torres said she connects with Vargas story.

Hearing his story is kind of a big deal for me just because I also struggle kind of with identifying myself as an undocumented person in America, Torres said. I feel like his message is something that is very crucial at this moment in time in the Trump era, but also in the state of Kansas.

At the end of his speech, Vargas asked who in the audience were legal U.S. citizens and what they had to do to earn their citizenship. After the majority of the audience raised their hands, they responded, Nothing.

I sincerely hope you dont take your citizenship for granted, Vargas said.

Vargas said he did a dangerous thing by investigating himself in his book  he also realized a couple of things along the way.

It took me writing this book to realize that humanity is actually not a box I should have to check and that home is not something I should have to earn, Vargas said. I am home, Kris Kobach.
Worland Senior Citizens Center raising money for new garage

WORLAND  The Worland Senior Citizens Center has been working for about three years to raise money for a new four-bay garage, to be placed across the parking lot from the center, to get their public transportation vehicles out of the weather.

Im hoping by this spring we will start doing something, hopefully we will have it up next summer, Worland Senior Citizens Center Executive Director Wendy Fredricks said.

The center received grant approval on Sept. 7, 2017. Fredricks stated that the grant will cover 80 percent of the project cost and that the center needs to come up with the other 20 percent. We have about $12,556.50 that is earmarked for the garage project that we have received through donations. The total amount of the project, what we got through grants, they are going to pay up to $192,000 so we have to come up with $48,000, she said.

What we are trying to do is get our vehicles out of the weather. They will last longer, it will be more cost effective because we wont have to have our staff here a half an hour early. The issue is, this winter actually hasnt been that bad, but those ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) doors, how they are, the water just kind of gets under there and it freezes those doors, so we have actually had to shut trans down for a bit [at times] because we cant [thaw] those doors and then if they yank them they break them. So we have more maintenance cost because of just the weather, Fredricks said.

The center is also trying to purchase a new van to replace a van that is no longer able to be used, Fredricks said. She explained that the Wyoming Department of Transportation has certain criteria that must be met to be able use the vehicles for public transportation. She stated that the vehicles must be kept in good working order and as the vehicles age they tend to wear out.

Fredricks stated that she will try to do whatever she can to make sure that the new garage is cost effective.

Once the center gets the new garage and van Fredricks stated that she would like to change the name of the centers transportation program. We are going to try to come up with a name separate from the senior center because so many people, they see those vans running around and they just think its for seniors and its not, its public transportation, we take kids to school.
CHEYENNE  Community leaders, members and civilian employers of Wyoming National Guard members in the Big Horn Basin are invited to a community meeting with Army Guard command in Worland Feb. 1.

The 1 p.m. meeting will be held at the Wyoming Army National Guard readiness center in Worland, 1812 Washakie Ave.

Additional meetings will be held in February and March in Sheridan, Casper, Lander, Cheyenne, Gillette, and Laramie. The Lander meeting will be later in the afternoon on Feb. 1.

Units being deployed include the 115th Fires Brigade and 2/300th to the US Army Central Command in the Middle East. Accordign to the National Guard, when those units are deployed It hits the Big Horn Basin and central part of the state the hardest, which is why the meetings are centralized in those areas.

During the meeting,

National Guard Command will discuss the upcoming deployments and programs in place to assist Guard members, their families and civilian employers throughout the deployment cycle.

Discussions will include how soldiers will be able to keep in touch with family members and the commitment involved before and during deployment.

Following the 20-30 minute presentation there will be time for questions from those in attendance. After the meeting is officially adjourned the leadership will be available for one-on-one questions.

Building partnerships with our communities and guardsmens employers helps to ensure we can answer our nations call and deploy abroad, said Brig. Gen. Brian Nesvik, Wyoming Army National Guard commander. Expectations of our states citizen soldiers have increased over time and it is critical for community leaders and employers to understand those increased demands and how important their support continues to be.
Clarksburg, WV (26301)

Today

Thunderstorms likely, especially this morning. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 81F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms likely. Low 67F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
Charleston, WV (25311)

Today

Mostly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 86F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Isolated thunderstorms early, then cloudy skies after midnight. Low 67F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%.
Oakland, MD (21550)

Today

Partly to mostly cloudy with scattered showers and thunderstorms this afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 71F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms. Low 63F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%.
Charleston, WV (25301)

Today

Mostly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 88F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy with a slight chance of thunderstorms. Low 69F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%.
EUPORA, Miss. (WTVA) - Three people are accused of helping a jail escapee in Webster County.

Anthony Logan, 18, managed to escape from the county jail on Sunday, Jan. 20.



Anthony Logan Anthony Logan

RELATED: Logan escapes from Webster jail

He was found Wednesday night inside a house in Choctaw County.

Sheriff Andy McCants said two inmates helped Logan scale the fence along the jails exercise yard.

He identified the two as:

- Elton Gordon

- Johnathan Sysco

Both are charged with aiding and abetting an inmate in jail.

The sheriff identified the third person as Destiny Cooper.

The sheriff believes she is in a relationship with Logan. He also said she lives at the house where Logan was captured.

She is charged with harboring a fugitive.

Logan and Sysco are now in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections.

Gordon and Cooper are currently in the Webster County jail.
TUPELO, Miss. (WTVA) - The Family Resource Center of North Mississippi announced this week that funding will be cut off from some of its partners.

The organization sent a letter to its partners throughout the area saying that all activates must cease and no more funds would be expanded upon.

The FRC stated the reason is budgeting concerns due to the partial government shutdown.

A representative told WTVAs Evan Hensley that names of the organizations would not be released and that it is unknown if the funding will return after the shutdown.

These funds were from the Mississippi Department of Human Services.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is set to appear at a closed-door session of the United Nations Security Council Saturday morning to discuss the political crisis in Venezuela. The move comes after Washington declared the presidency of Nicolas Maduro illegitimate and recognized the self-proclaimed interim president Juan Guaido of the right-wing, US-funded Voluntad Popular (Popular Will) party as the government of South Americas most oil-rich country.

The turn to the Security Council, where Russia and China, which both have extensive economic and political ties to Caracas and are certain to veto any resolution backing what amounts to a US-orchestrated coup, has all the earmarks of a propaganda gesture, aimed at making a show of appeal for UN support in order to pave the way for a unilateral US intervention.

Washington has laid the groundwork for a confrontation with the Maduro government by announcing that it will defy Maduros decision to break diplomatic relations with the US and his order that all US diplomatic personnel leave the country by Sunday. While the Trump administration on Thursday ordered all non-essential personnel to evacuate the country, leading US diplomats are to remain in place, effectively being used as pawns in an unprecedented provocation that could turn into the pretext for a US military intervention.

Both a White House spokesman and Republican Senator Marco Rubio, who plays an influential role in the Trump administrations Latin American policy, issued warnings of a swift and decisive response if the Venezuelan government attempts to enforce its expulsion order.

Maduro reiterated the demand Thursday, announcing that Venezuela is closing down its embassy in Washington as well as its consulates, withdrawing all of its diplomats from the US.

Pompeo appeared Thursday before the 35-nation Organization of American States (OAS) in Washington, delivering a thuggish speech, referring to the now defunct Maduro regime and demanding that all OAS member states align themselves with democracy and respect for the rule of law by recognizing the unelected president backed by Washington.

It is noteworthy that the same Pompeo never made an appeal for other countries to support democracy and respect for the rule of law in relation to Saudi Arabia as the criminality of its ruling monarchy was on display with the gruesome murder and dismemberment of the US-based Saudi exile journalist Jamal Khashoggi. On the contrary, he and Trump rallied to the support of the regimes dictatorial ruler and author of the assassination, Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman.

Washington has claimed that Maduro is an illegitimate president based upon concerns over a May 2018 election that was boycotted by a section of his right-wing opposition and saw a record low turnout, reflecting the broad popular disgust for both the ruling party and its rightist opponents. Yet, there was no such concern when the Egyptian dictator Gen. Abdel Fattah el-Sisi recorded a 97 percent majority in a March 2018 election that was held under conditions in which tens of thousands of his political opponents were jailed and being tortured.

Asked by a reporter about these glaring discrepancies, National Security Adviser John Bolton responded by saying that the question was full of fallacies, adding, The fact is Venezuela is in our hemisphere. I think we have a special responsibility here In other words, Yankee imperialism is reasserting its domination of its own backyard, once again resorting to the method of coups and military interventions to assert its hegemony and roll back the rising influence of both China and Russia in Venezuela, as well as the wider continent.

Pompeo proclaimed that the United States was ready to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Venezuela in the form of food and medicine, announcing a grand total of $20 million, less than a pittance compared to the tens of billions of dollars that US sanctions have sucked out of the Venezuelan economy, and two hundred and fifty times less than the $5 billion Trump is demanding for a border wall, which the administration routinely describes as an insignificant figure.

The token amount will do nothing to alleviate the desperate crisis facing the masses of Venezuelan workers and poor. The conditions they confront are the product of the global crisis of capitalism, the sanctions imposed by Washington and the policies of the Maduro government, which has defended foreign capital along with Venezuelas capitalist ruling class, paying off the foreign debt, while imposing severe austerity on the working masses.

The so-called humanitarian aid is rather just one more provocation, with Washington saying it intends to funnel the money through the Venezuelan National Assembly, bypassing the government, and providing a slush fund for Guaido.

Meanwhile, Bolton stated Thursday that the US administration was focusing on  disconnecting the illegitimate Maduro regime from the sources of his revenues and diverting those revenues to the legitimate government of the US puppet Guaido.

Bolton added that the process was very complicated. It could involve US expropriation of Venezuelan assets in the US, including the refineries of Citgo, a subsidiary of the state-owned oil company, and stopping payments for Venezuelan oil. The ultimate aim is to reassert unfettered control by the US oil conglomerates over Venezuelas proven oil reserves, the largest on the planet.

Pompeo obtained far less than a ringing endorsement from the OAS, with less than half of its member states voting for recognition of Guaido, with six supporting Maduro and the rest either declaring that Venezuela faces a humanitarian crisis or abstaining.

While most of Washingtons allies have swung into line behind the Guaido coup, Russia, which has major investments in Venezuelas oil industry and has established ties with the Venezuelan military, denounced Washingtons recognition of Guaido as a very dirty and criminal game.

That the United States and some other countries have recognized the self-proclaimed president shows that they played a direct role in the crisis in Venezuela, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said at a press conference in Algiers. He added that the attempt to set up a rival government could lead only to chaos and instability.

China, which has extended major loans to Venezuela in exchange for oil, issued a somewhat more cautious statement opposing foreign intervention in the countrys affairs.

Among the strongest statements of support for the Maduro government against the US-orchestrated coup came from the Turkish government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Washingtons ostensible NATO ally. Erdogan declared his solidarity with Maduro and compared the machinations in Caracas to the US-backed coup attempt against his own government in July 2016. Venezuela has exported gold to Turkey in defiance of US sanctions.

The events in Venezuela have established irrefutably that there exists no constituency within the US ruling establishment that opposes the return to US coups in Latin America or the riding roughshod over the sovereign rights of other nations. On the contrary, the corporate media has poured out unadulterated propaganda for the coup and fulsome praise for Venezuelas supposed democratic savior, the State Department-groomed and funded right-wing non-entity, Guaido.

The Wall Street Journal presented the unelected Guaidos self-proclamation as interim president in charge of Venezuela as the act of the entire nation reclaiming its democracy, while hinting strongly at the potential for a more direct US intervention. Its tempting to think the U.S. should send in troops, a la Panama in 1989, to assist the rebellion, the Journal commented. But Venezuelans have to win their freedom themselves, and if they do they are likely to prize it all the more. And should they fail to win their freedom according to Washingtons dictates and interests? Clearly, as Trump and his aides have repeatedly declared, all options are on the table.

None of the media makes any mention of the millions of dollars in funding by the National Endowment for Democracy and USAID poured into Guaidos Voluntad Popular party.

Meanwhile, Democrats, who have waged a protracted campaign against the Trump administration based upon alleged Russian meddling in 2016 US election, have rushed to support the moves of the White House to overturn the Venezuelan president. Senator Bob Menendez, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, joined with Rubio in issuing a joint statement supporting Guaido.

The greatest euphoria over the events in Venezuela came from Wall Street, with a 40 percent rally for Venezuelan bonds. The events, according to Reuters, gave investors and traders a rare shot at a windfall on the oil-rich nations vast pool of defaulted bonds. Clearly, the financiers bet is that the installation of a US puppet in Caracas will mean that measures will be taken to extract interest from the oppressed and hungry Venezuelan working classincluding through a major bloodlettingwhile prioritizing US claims over those of Russia and China.

Venezuelas Minister of Defense Vladimir Padrino appeared on Thursday with the entire high command of the countrys military, declaring that the country was confronting a coup against the institutions and democracy of Venezuela, and warning of a civil war or confrontation between brothers. The assembled generals and admirals declared their support for Maduro.

Washingtons coup attempt depends ultimately upon winning the support of elements within the Venezuelan military, whose senior officers have played a decisive role within the governments of both Maduro and his predecessor, Hugo Chavez, a former lieutenant colonel and abortive coup leader.

Guaido and his supporters have repeatedly called for the military to intervene against Maduro, as have leading US officials, while the Venezuelan National Assembly passed legislation offering an unconditional amnesty to military officers who revolt against the government.

Failing to provoke such a military uprising against the Maduro government, US imperialism is left with the options of ever more decimating sanctions, including a blockade of Venezuelan oil exports, and direct military intervention.

The only way out of the desperate crisis created by capitalism in Venezuela and the threat of US military intervention lies in the mobilization of the Venezuelan working class, independently of the capitalist government of Maduro and its trade union stooges. What is required is the organization of workers assemblies to expropriate foreign and domestic capitalist interests and establish workers control over the countrys vast oil wealth. This struggle must be united with that of the workers of the entire hemisphere to put an end to capitalism.
Voting by Chicago United Parcel Service (UPS) workers will conclude on Saturday, January 26, on a local contract agreement between Teamsters Local 705 and the giant logistics company. There is widespread opposition among warehouse workers and drivers to the agreement, which is virtually identical to the concessions deal imposed on more than 250,000 UPS workers across the country last year.

Following the Teamsters undemocratic imposition of the national contract last October, Teamsters Local 705 kept more than 9,000 UPS workers in the Chicago metropolitan area working without a new contract. Local 705, along with Local 710, which covers more than 15,000 UPS workers in the US Midwest region, have negotiated separate contracts for six decades. Both locals have claimed the separate contract negotiations would give UPS workers covered by these contracts a better deal, but every contract has been patterned on the national concession agreements.

With the backing of the Teamsters for a Democratic Union (TDU) and the Labor Notes publication, Local 705 fraudulently claimed it would strike during peak season to oppose the concessions imposed on UPS workers nationally. Instead, the union did not even bother to take a strike authorization vote and kept workers on the job during the busiest and most profitable period for UPS between November and January.

More than 15,000 Midwest UPS workers were outraged at the national vote outcome and were determined to fight back against any concessions in their local contracts. The national contract was defeated by a 54 percent majority but the Teamsters utilized an undemocratic loophole in the constitution to ram it through. The contract maintained poverty wages for part-time workers (starting at $13 an hour) and created a lower-paid category of hybrid warehouse workers/delivery drivers.

The TDU faction of the Teamsters claimed to oppose the contract but capitulated to the undemocratic vote outcome. While more than 93 percent of UPS workers nationally had voted to authorize a strike, the TDU urged UPS workers to beg Teamsters President James P. Hoffa to reconsider his decision to override the majority vote. Instead of urging UPS workers to prepare for a nationwide strike to oppose the illegitimate contract imposition, the TDU faction is urging workers to channel their energy into electing a union reform slate in 2021, despite a more-than-40-year history of failed union reform efforts.

The contract at Local 705 was only sent out at the end of the peak season to prevent the Chicago UPS workers from launching a counteroffensive against the concessions made nationally. In October, Local 705 principal officer Juan Campos lied to a union meeting of more than 1,000 UPS workers when he said he would oppose the creation of the new lower-tier hybrid driver/warehouse worker classification. In fact, the contract proposal that was released last month includes the lower-paid tier of delivery drivers that he claimed to oppose.

While the contract claims to offer some UPS part-time workers with seniority a $15 an hour starting wage (a poverty wage that nonunion Amazon workers already receive), a Letter of Agreement tacked on at the end of the contract states that wage increases will be frozen until 2021. New hires will receive a paltry $13-an-hour wage, similar to the national contract. More than 6,600 UPS workers in the Midwest were also given a similar contract filled with near-identical concessions.

The WSWS UPS Workers Newsletter has spoken to drivers and warehouse workers who are outraged at the lies and concessions of the union.

Bob, a UPS delivery driver who has worked at the company since 2005, said, I believe its not a good contract! Its just more concessions. Theres a lot of things that have changed as long as I have been at UPS. The company used to match our 401K. We used to have a 100 percent benefit. For this job to be as physical as it is, its not worth it. We can die out here or you could kill somebody while driving. With that kind of responsibility, there should be much greater compensation for all of us.

UPS delivery drivers face immense physical and psychological strain. A study done in 1993 by the Illinois Department of Public Health found that UPS drivers suffered numerous injuries on their job. It noted that the back was also the most common site of job-related injury with 27.5 percent of participants reporting a back injury. It also found that these workers suffer stress related symptomatology that place them in the top 9 percent of the general population for psychological distress.

The 1993 study also found that UPS workers suffered from mental health illnesses due to work overload, punitive supervisors and a general lack of job control. Apart from back injuries lifting heavy objects, the study also found that drivers frequently received cuts, bruises, abrasions, as well as broken and crushed bones. Conditions have only worsened for UPS workers since the 1990s.

Bob noted the dangerous conditions he works in, adding, we have to be professional drivers in bad weather conditions. Our managers make us compromise on safety and work faster. I delivered over 400 packages a day during peak season and made 200 stops. The workload has definitely increased and theres new drivers coming in.

Bob also expressed his anger at the UPS-Teamsters conspiracy in creating the new hybrid tier of drivers, known as 22.4 who the company wants to use to push out older, higher-paid workers. We all said no on the 22.4 and they found another way to go around the no.

They also give us more work and no bonus, Bob said, while the current CEO gave himself a raise. We know UPS has the money. UPS is expected to make over $7 billion in pretax profits for 2018, the bulk of which will go to shareholders and the CEO. That sum is equivalent to nearly $30,000 for every UPS worker. UPS CEO David Abney more than tripled his pay in the course of the previous contract, taking a total compensation package of $12.3 million last year.

I believe the union sold us out. And our principal officer makes $230,000 year. Thats a lot of money for a so-called union representative. Speaking about the national contract, Bob expressed his outrage at the undemocratic vote outcome. I dont understand how we said no and they still pushed it.

Like other UPS workers in Chicago, he said, I did not get my voting ballot! I talked to my union rep about the ballot and I havent gotten it still. We need to fight this contract. Its not acceptable.

UPS workers in Chicago, the Midwest and nationally are outraged at the sellout contracts and they are determined to fight for higher wages and better working conditions. Such a fight, however, requires the formation of new democratic organizations, rank-and-file committees independent of the pro-company Teamsters union, to prepare for a nationwide struggle of UPS workers. By linking up with other sections of logistics workers at Amazon, FedEx and the US Post Office, along with 70,000 Mexican workers on strike, autoworkers and teachers, a powerful industrial counteroffensive must be built to fight for the rights of the working class in the US and internationally.

The WSWS UPS Workers Newsletter urges workers to contact us today to learn more about forming rank-and-file committees.
On Tuesday, the US Supreme Court, by a 5-4 vote, issued terse orders staying two trial court injunctions that had prevented the Trump administration from reinstating a ban on transgender personnel in the United States military. No explanation was given for the ruling and no opinion was filed by any of the dissenting justices.

Usually, cases work their way through the trial and appellate courts before the Supreme Court takes any action. In this instance, however, the Supreme Court intervened at the request of the Trump administration before the intermediate appellate court, the Ninth Circuit, could rule.

Starting in the early 1960s, the US Department of Defense formally banned all transgender personnel. That changed in 2015, when President Barack Obamas secretary of defense, Ashton Carter, announced that the ban would be repealed to make the US military as attractive as possible to the best people in our country.

After formal measures were implemented in 2016 to undo the ban, many of the estimated 4,000 active and reserve transgender members came out publicly. Multiple studies confirmed that ending the ban would have no measurable effect on the US militarys ability to rain death and destruction on people and societies standing in the way of the US corporations and oligarchs whose interests it promotes.

Following a series of Trump tweets in July 2017, the ban was reinstated. As the WSWS wrote, The move to expel transgender soldiers from the military is anti-democratic and oriented toward stoking up the most backward and fascistic elements. Moreover, it has ominous implications for transgender people in other aspects of society, legitimizing discrimination in jobs, education and access to services.

One might add that irrational discrimination against any segment of the population opens the door for discrimination against others and works against the unification of the working class.

The transgender members of the armed services who came out publicly, relying on the changed policy, have now been exposed to retaliation and expulsion.

Lawsuits were filed by affected persons and organizations representing them. Two federal district courts, both located in the western United States, issued preliminary injunctions preventing Trump from reimposing the ban. Before those rulings could be reviewed by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, however, Trump administration lawyers took the unusual step of filing petitions for certiorari, asking the Supreme Court to step in immediately.

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court issued the stay on the lower court injunctions but declined to review the merits of the underlying cases, sending them back to the lower courts. The effect of these rulings is to reinstate the ban for at least one or two more years while the cases are resolved by the federal courts of appeals.

These two perfunctory and premature rulings reveal that the current five-justice majority, which includes Trump appointees Neal Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, will take extraordinary measures to clamp down on independent judicial actions that restrain the Trump administrations increasingly autocratic measures.

Tuesdays rulings are a shot across the bow of lower courts inclined to rule against constitutional deprivations by the executive branch. Similar actions will no doubt occur in the future to prevent lower courts from blocking executive measures of dubious constitutionality, especially those intended to suppress the growing resistance of the working class to war and social inequality.

The lack of any explanation for the Supreme Courts action is also telling. Courts, when issuing injunctions and stays, usually analyze which side is likely to succeed on the merits, the probability that irreparable harm may result if immediate action is not taken, the balance of equities and the public interest.

When granting the lead injunction on December 11, 2017, for example, United States District Judge Marsha Pechman of Seattle, Washington found that the plaintiffs were likely to prevail because the ban violates the principle of equal protection by classifying individuals based on transgender status and gender identity. Rejecting the claim that the cost of additional medical services justifies the ban, Judge Pechman explained that the cost to discharge transgender service members is estimated to be more than 100 times greater than the cost to provide transition-related health care.

Judge Pechman also found a likelihood of success for those appealing the ban on the grounds that substantive due process protects fundamental liberty interests in individual dignity, autonomy, and privacy from unwarranted government intrusion, including the right to make decisions concerning bodily integrity and self-definition central to an individuals identity.

By issuing the stays without explanation and without accepting any of the cases for a decision on the merits, the Supreme Court is acting undemocratically and as the direct agent of the Trump administration.
In another outbreak of massive working class struggles in India, about 700,000 teachers and state government employees in the southern state of Tamil Nadu have been on indefinite strike since Tuesday. They walked out over a list of demands that includes reversal of retirement pension cuts, pay increases and permanency for school teachers and anganwadi (day care centres) workers.

More than 20,000 strikers have been arrested for participating in street demonstrations throughout the state, defying threats of disciplinary action by the right-wing communalist All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK)-led state government. On Wednesday, the Madras High Court ordered them to return to work by todaya warning of further government retaliation.

The strike is a part of a growing upsurge of the international working class after decades of worsening conditions and widening social inequality. The revolt includes the strike by tens of thousands of Matamoros maquiladora workers on the Mexico-US border, the teachers strikes in Los Angeles and across the US and the Yellow Vest protests across France.

Workers throughout South Asia have taken determined industrial action, as seen in last months nine-day strike by Sri Lankan plantation workers demanding a doubling of their wages, and this months eight-day strike by garment workers in Bangladesh for higher pay.

Just two weeks ago, workers across India joined a two-day strike on January 8 and 9 against the pro-investor reform and austerity measures of Prime Minister Narendra Modis Hindu supremacist Bharatiya Janatha Party (BJP) government. Late last year, over 3,000 workers from three major auto factories in Oragadam, near the Tamil Nadu state capital ChennaiYamaha, Royal Enfield and Myoung Shin India Automotiveparticipated in two-month-long strikes.

Teachers and other state government employees want to roll back the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) and reverse the imposition of the National Pension Scheme (NPS), which have cut salaries and placed their pension funds in the hands of the stock markets.

The NPS, introduced by the last BJP-led central government, was imposed in 2014. Since then, all new central and state government employees have been deprived of the previous pension rights and 10 percent of their salaries have been diverted into a pension fund that fattens the profits of share market investors.

The seven-point list of strike demands includes payment of 21-month pay arrears, permanent jobs for part-time employees and anganwadi teachers and increased pay for secondary school teachers. Non-permanent workers are increasingly exploited, under various categories like contract, part time, trainee and apprentice, in both the public and private sectors, to impose poverty-level wages and divide the working class.

The strike has shut down many schools throughout the state. Workers in other state government departments, such as Revenue, Health, Rural Development and Agriculture, have joined the strike.

Despite mass arrests, strikers participated in protests in the capital Chennai and other major cities like Mudurai, Coimbatore, Virudhungar, Ramanathapurum, Sivaganga, Theni, Vellore and Dindigul.

However, the trade unions, which were forced to call the action due to the growing militancy among workers, are totally opposed to any mobilisation of the working class against the governments attacks. The Joint Action Council of Tamil Nadu Teachers Organisations and Government Employees Organisations (JACTTO and GEO), an alliance of teachers and government unions, claims that the AIADMK government can be pressured to reverse its policies.

What workers have experienced is the oppositea government crackdown. On Monday, the day before the indefinite strike began, state Chief Secretary Girija Vaidyanathan threatened to cut off strikers wages and cancelled all leave, except for medical reasons, during the strike. The state education department moved to hire strike breakers, offering temporary appointees a meagre 7,500 rupees ($US106) a month.

The last state AIADMK government unleashed brutal repression against striking government employees in 2003, sacking hundreds of thousands.

The striking workers also have had bitter experiences with the unions. Workers have repeatedly come forward to fight against the CPS. In February 2016, for example, they started an indefinite strike, but the Tamil Nadu Government Employees Association (TNGEA), an alliance of 68 unions, ended the strike after 10 days without meeting their demands.

The unions justified that betrayal by citing election and school examination duties that government employees needed to perform, and by supposedly giving the government time to think over workers demands. JACTTO refused to join the strike, claiming that the incoming state governments 2016 budget would concede the demands.

Successive governments at both central and state levels have continued such socially-incendiary economic reforms, imposing on workers the burden of the deepening crisis of Indian and world capitalism since the 2008 global financial breakdown.

Major reform measures similar to the CPS have been introduced around the world at the dictates of the International Monetary Fund. They will not be reversed by replacing the BJP-led Modi government at the Indian general election due to be held in April-May. The opposition Congressthe traditional party of Indian ruling eliteand the regional capitalist parties like the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam [DMK], the AIADMKs current Tamil Nadu rival, are equally committed to same pro-big business measures.

The only viable strategy to defeat these attacks, as in Mexico, the US, France and around the world, is one based on the international class struggle and the independent political mobilisation of the working class against the reactionary capitalist order.

Indias main Stalinist parliamentary partiesthe Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM) and the Communist Party of India (CPI)are trying to channel the rising movement of workers behind the return of yet another capitalist government, whether led by the Congress Party or a series of smaller, right-wing regional partiesafter the April-May general election, on the pretext of defeating the Hindu communalist BJP.

The same Stalinist parties made an electoral alliance with the AIADMK in the 2011 Tamil Nadu state elections, even after its mass sackings of striking government employees in 2003.

As the World Socialist Web Site explained in its January 12 Perspective on the political significance of the two-day national general strike: All these parties have played a pivotal role in implementing the Indian bourgeoisies drive to make India a cheap-labour haven for global capital. Between 1991 and 2008, the CPM and CPI sustained in power a succession of governments, most of them Congress Party-led, which spearheaded the neo-liberal agenda and pursued closer ties with Washington.

Indian workers should follow the example of the Abbotsleigh tea plantation workers in Sri Lanka, who, under the guidance of the Socialist Equality Party, have established a rank-and-file action committee completely independent of the trade union apparatuses that have enforced their brutal exploitation for decades. Auto workers in the US, confronted by plant closures and thousands more job losses, have taken a similar course.

Such rank-and-file workplace committees must develop a working class counteroffensive by unifying the struggles of workers across India and by reaching out to workers around the world, with whom they are closely interlinked by global capitalist production.

Above all, Indian workers need a revolutionary party, based on an internationalist socialist program and strategy, embodying all the strategic lessons of the struggles of the world working class, to prosecute the struggle for workers power. That party is the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI).

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Striking Tamil Nadu teachers denounce state and central governments

[25 January 2019]

The political significance of Indias two-day general strike

[12 January 2019]
Tamil Nadu teachers spoke with WSWS reporters in Chennai, the state capital, during their indefinite state-wide strike this week. On Tuesday around 700 strikers demonstrated outside state government offices in the Ezhilagam building. Almost 3,000 protested near the District Collector Office on Thursday, the third day of the strike.

Nelson, 55, rejected claims by the state education minister that the government could not pay teachers salary arrears because of the so-called fiscal deficit.

But judges, IAS and IPS [Indian public service and police] officers were paid 21-month arrears by the pay commission, he said. Nelson denounced Indias major political parties. Both the Congress and the BJP pursue the same economic policies, he said. The Modi-led BJP government is pushing harder to implement anti-labour policies

The CPM-led state governments also pursued the same economic reforms in favour of the rich. The Left government in West Bengal even went to the extent of killing the farmers in Nandigram for refusing to give up their land to the investors. That government lost power in West Bengal because of its anti-labour stand.

Thamil, 53, another teacher, said teachers living conditions were deteriorating every day. My familys economic situation is very bad, she said. I cant afford to send my children to better quality private schools and so they go to the public schools. And when I fall sick I try go to a private hospital but if we face a major illness that involves a lot of money, then I go to the government hospital.

Commenting on strike action by US teachers, she said: I heard about the American teachers, and that they are trying to break the grip of the trade union and fight independently to organise the strike. I welcome this.

Thamil denounced Indias central and state governments. They are not for working people. I support your program and the fight for a workers government based on socialist policies.

Baskar, 42, a commercial tax junior assistant, earns just 21,000 rupees ($US295) per month. Having participated in the recent national two-day general strike, he called for united industrial action by all workers and government staff. After WSWS reporters told him about the 13 framed-up and imprisoned Maruti Suzuki auto workers, he condemned the trade union leadership and Stalinist-led alliances.

Both the CITU [CPM-led Centre of Indian Trade Unions] and the AITUC [CPI-affiliated All India Trade Union Congress] are communist unions. Why didnt they include the release of the 13 Maruti Suzuki workers in their general strike demand? He added: Im not in favour of the Congress government as an alternative to Modi, but we need, as you say, a workers government.

Shankar, another teacher, said: Modi came to power to aggressively implement austerity measures. Before he was elected, Modi promised to generate about 20 million jobs, but this promise was never carried out.

Referring to the rising number of suicides by poor farmers, he said: The farmers crisis is never overcome and farmers are committing suicide on a daily basis. The Tamil Nadu state government, he added, is even seeking to abolish the ration system [public distribution of essential commodities] for the poor.

Jeba, another striker, said: I support the socialist idea. People are facing a real crisis but none of the governments pay any attention to this. It could lead to an insurgency. I agree that in order to resolve the major social problems, including poverty and farmer suicides, we need a workers government. I welcome the development of a workers party.

I dont support Modi. His government is attacking journalists, writers and left-oriented people. Congress is also a bourgeoisie party. It was a Congress government that initiated the neo-liberal policy in 1991.

A teacher who wanted to remain anonymous said: Most of us are concerned about our future economic security. If the government does not restore the old pension scheme our economic future is uncertain.

In 2003, the AIADMK [All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam] government sacked striking state government employees. The same government is attacking us again but our fight will continue.

The opposition DMK [Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam] is also a capitalist party. It was previously aligned with the BJP but has now formed an alliance with the Congress party.

The teacher said he had no faith in any political party, then added: Ive only just have heard about the Trotskyist party but I agree that workers demands can only be won in a struggle in solidarity with the international working class. I understand the trade unions are not for workers.

Another teacher denounced Indias dominant parliamentary parties. Most of the parties that ruled this country in the last 70 years have never been concerned about the peoples welfare and rights, he said.

Most of the time the communist parties forged alliances with the Congress party. I only have contempt for the communist party. If you look at the living conditions of the people in the states where they ruledWest Bengal and Keralathe situation is no different to that facing the people in other states.
World Socialist Web Site reporter Margot Miller spoke to Melanie Strickland, one of the Stansted 15 defendants who were tried and found guilty in the UK after their courageous protest in defence of the right to asylum.

The 15 face possible lifetime jail sentences after they blocked the deportation of undocumented migrants at Stansted Airport in March 2017. The activists, who belong to the campaign group End Deportations, breached the perimeter fence and locked themselves around a government-chartered Boeing 767 to prevent take-off. On board, 57 undocumented migrants from UK detention centres were being forcibly removed, bound for Nigeria, Ghana and Sierra Leone. Some faced torture or death on return, with the UK governments actions a flagrant denial of the migrants human rights.

Campaigners displayed banners proclaiming, mass deportations kill and no one is illegal. The airport runway was shut for one hour and 20 minutes, with 19 flights diverted. A police removal team spent 10 hours extricating the protesters from the body of the plane.

After a nine-week trial at Chelmsford Crown Court, in December the jury found the defendants guilty of endangering safety at an airport in contravention of the 1990 Aviation and Maritime Security Act, part of Britains anti-terror laws. The defendants expect to be sentenced in February or March.

On January 7, lawyers lodged a 100-page submission at the Court of Appeal in London. They submit that Justice Christopher Morgan displayed bias in his summation of the case and that he wrongly directed jurors to ignore the defendants motives instead of permitting them to put their case of necessity in defence. Morgan told the jury to discount the reasons the defendants gave for their actionsalleged abuse of human rights, immigration policy, consideration of proportionalitywhich he said did not have any relevance.

The appeal will also focus on the decision to use anti-terror legislation against a peaceful protest. The charge of endangering the safety of an aerodrome requires approval by the attorney general. Lawyers argue the court failed to adequately check that the attorney general had given proper consent for the terror charge to be laid. The judge did not order full disclosure of all materials sent to the attorney general.

The Socialist Equality Party demands the dropping of all charges against the Stansted 15 and their exoneration.

Melanie, 35, has worked in the not-for-profit sector for 10 years. She explained:

Primarily, we wanted to stop that flight and to give people more time to lodge an appeal and get decent lawyers for them to secure their right to stay in the country. It was like a whistle-blowing action. We wanted to show the public what was going on, so that the government couldnt deny this happened, and that it happens on a systematic repeat basis. That was why we live-streamed it.

Originally, she and her co-defendants were not charged under anti-terror legislation:

Our lawyers have asked multiple times Why have the charges been changed? and weve never received any concrete explanation. We did the action on the March 28, 2017. About four months later, the CPS [Crown Prosecution Service] informed us that it was applying to the attorney general to change the charge from aggravated trespass to endangering safety at airports under the Aviation and Maritime Act.

Aggravated trespass is the charge that protesters always get as its so broad. But the Aviation and Maritime Act is an obscure piece of legislation brought in to implement the UKs obligation to the Montreal protocol, an international treaty dealing with terrorism at airports. It was also implemented in the UK in response to the [1988] Lockerbie bombing.

It has very rarely been used. Theres only been one case and that involved a man flying a helicopter who got into a dispute with the director of an airportI think it was Coventry. He flipped out and drove his helicopter at full speed towards the control tower and only pulled away at the last minute a couple of times. Everyone ran out in fear of their lives. It was a week after the 9/11 attacks. He pleaded guilty and got three years in prison, reduced to two years on appeal.

Originally, we expected to have our trial in September 2017 for aggravated trespass, then it was moved to March 2018, and then the judge postponed it again until October. We had a 10-and-a-half-week trial that involved lots of different state elementsthe police, the Home Officethey engaged a barrister. I dont know what intelligence gathering they were doing throughout the trial proceedings, presumably at extreme cost. The attorney general, who gave the consent in the first place, and the prosecuting barristers for the CPSthey all seemed to be in on it.

We asked Melanie why she thought such draconian legislation was used against a peaceful protest.

I think they really wanted to make an example of us. We were challenging a very contentious government policy. Very few people knew that these deportation flights were taking place, in the middle of the night, in a remote part of Stansted Airport, that people are thrown into detention centres, and that the government targets particular nationalities to fill seats on planes charted by the Home Office six months in advancesuch as Nigeria, Ghana, Jamaica that have high asylum intake, as the government puts it, and also where national flights dont go to.

It fits in with the authoritarian trend thats been happening recently that we saw with fracking protesters who got 16 months before it was overturned by the Court of Appealwhich is completely unprecedented for a peaceful protest. Also, there has been a trend across Europe and across the world to criminalize ordinary citizens and campaigners who show solidarity with migrants and refugees. Its steps along the way to fascism, which is still in the living memory of people, like the nightmare of the Holocaust and the atrocities of the world war. We are not there yet, but that could happen the way that things are goingits scary and sinister. People need to be alert and counter that.

Melanie explained why, at the end of the trial, the defence argued that the jury should be discharged.

The judge did direct the jury to disregard our defenceall the things that wed said about peoples lives being at stake and thats why we took action. Normally a judge reads the judgement out or gives a ruling and then provides reasons as to why. But in our case he didnt. That is one of the bases of our appeal.

Separate to that, the reason why our legal team made the application for the jury to be dismissed after the judge had started summing up is because he directed the jury to convict us. He said, You may think its common sense that any person going into a restricted part of an airport, authorized or unauthorized, poses a danger to the safety of the airport. That was one sentence that prompted our legal team.

Its common sense that what we did was dangerous [he implied], but its not common sense at all. The legislation we are being charged under is really complicated and the police never said to us at the time, What you are doing is dangerous, youre compromising the safety of the airport. Danger had never been raised until four months later, when the CPS told us, without any explanation, that the charge was being changed. The judge took the prosecutions case and presented that to the jury and didnt really say much about the defence case. He was very biased in his summing up.

He told the jury that we cant have the necessity defenceso the jury were not allowed to take into account that we said we acted to assist people in grave danger.

Melanie said the Stansted 15 have received strong public support:

During the trial we had lots of support from the people of ChelmsfordQuakers who let us use their meeting space every day, who put us up in their homes. Since September of last year Amnesty International organised a campaign thats been amazing. They arranged for an observer to sit at court every day to make sure that we were having a fair trial. It didnt really help that much as it turned out! [Green MP] Caroline Lucas has been very vocal and supportive and has asked helpful parliamentary questions.

Asked whether Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn had said anything, Melanie replied:

 He hasnt said anything publicly. I met him just before Christmas and he said to me youre changing historyyou know that? Which was lovely.

Despite facing state intimidation, and a possible long custodial sentence, Melanie remains committed to the struggle to defend basic democratic rights and feels the actions of the Stansted 15 have been vindicated.

The people on that flight, 11 of them are still here. I know that from Freedom of Information requests. They include trafficking survivors, women whove endured the worst forms of sexual violence, people with dependent children and asylum seekers. People who have come to this country seeking sanctuary and made a claim that have a genuine fear of persecution. These people are voiceless. They live in our communities all over the country. This government is shafting them. This hostile environment [towards immigrants that Prime Minister Theresa May said was her policy as home secretary] is hostile for all of us.

Its vital that we stand up for our rights and the rights of our migrant brothers and sisters. Although I feel that the political discourse has shifted somewhat now that our case has got a bit of coverage, the policy hasnt changed. People are still being deported, still targeted due to their nationality and thrown into detention centres. They have as little as five days to find a lawyer and challenge their deportation order by judicial review. Most people arent successful because the barriers are huge.

Its actually got worse as people are deported from military bases now. There is even less accountability and oversight. So we need to step up our efforts.

People are moving because of war and thats a result of imperialist policies. Its a legacy of slavery that keeps these countries economically poor. People are being deported in a brutal way to ex-colonial countries, Nigeria, Ghana, Jamaica, India.

Climate change is another reason why people move, and again Western counties have historically contributed to that. In Ghana, its largely an agricultural economy so most people are subsistence farming. Nigeria has a much greater urban population but there are vast parts of Nigeria that have been environmentally devastated, particularly around the Niger delta where Shell, a British company, operates. The life expectancy there is 40. The water is polluted, the soil is polluted, you cant grow crops there.

The 15 defendants are due to begin their sentence before their appeal is heard.

We lodged our appeal on January 7, but there is a massive backlog in the court of appeal. Itll take months before our appeal is heard. This is how messed up the criminal justice system is. As a defendant you dont get compensated for that, if youre found to be innocentfor the fact that youve lost your job, your home, youve lost all that time in your life doing a sentence you should never have been given.

When you look at the statistics of people that go through the criminal justice process, its largely working-class people, largely ethnic minorities. Those people get the worst of the sentences compared to those of a more privileged background.

When the welfare state was created, legal aid was meant to be an important part. It is essential in ensuring access to justice and that there arent miscarriages of justice. Everyone should have the right to a good lawyer to robustly act in your interest and that should be free, available on legal aid. But the legal aid budget has been decimated and migrants are bearing the brunt.

You dont get legal aid for most immigration cases anymore, just for asylum cases and some immigration cases involving domestic violenceif you can find a legal aid lawyer because the government has made legal aid contracts so unattractive. There are vast parts of the country where lawyers dont do legal aid or immigration cases because you hardly get paid anything and there is so much form filling in and bureaucracy. I live in Waltham Forest [in north east London] and volunteer at a local migrant centre. There are no legal aid immigration lawyers and this is a massive borough.

Melanie expressed her solidarity with WikiLeaks Julian Assange:

I went to the demos when he was first in the Ecuadorian embassy years ago. Hes a whistle-blower and he deserves our support. I think its a disgrace whats happening to him, the fact hes been locked up there for years and what is the end outcome for him?

A documentary made by filmmaker Sue Clayton in defence of the Stansted 15, including live streaming of the protest, can be viewed here.

The author also recommends:

Trial of Stansted 15 anti-deportation protesters begins in UK
Port Kembla Coal Terminal (PKCT), located near Wollongong, an industrial city south of Sydney, began a seven-day lock-out of its entire permanent workforce on Saturday morning. The attack is part of a longstanding attempt by the company to impose sweeping cuts to wages and conditions.

The Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (CFMMEU), which covers the site, has done nothing to oppose the lock-out. It has limited the workers to an isolated picket at the front of the facility and has sought to prevent any broader mobilisation in their defence. During previous lock-outs at the site, union pickets have not prevented company operations from continuing with casual and contract labour.

PKCT ships coal mined in the Illawarra region to ports across the country and internationally. It is owned by major mining companies including PeaBody Energy, South32, Wollongong Coal, SIMEC mining, Centennial Coal and Glencore.

Management imposed the lock-out to prevent partial strikes that were slated to begin this week. The 51 permanent workers at the site were preparing to take one-hour on, one-hour off stoppages that the company claimed would jeopardise two weekend shipments worth $60 million.

The lock-out is part of a four-year dispute that began when the previous enterprise agreement (EA) expired in early 2015.

The company has threatened to shut the facility if workers do not accept flexible conditions in a new EA. PKCT has claimed that major mining companies are increasingly shipping coal through ports in Newcastle, an industrial city north of Sydney, because of cheaper costs. PKCT reported last year that coal loading volumes at the facility have declined by more than half over the past several years.

A leaked company document, published by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation in March, 2018, revealed PKCTs plans to sack 30 percent of the permanent workforce and replace them with casual labour. To that end, the company has sought to remove any guarantees of job security from a new agreement.

Company representatives have also signalled plans for major wage reductions.

Executives have denounced the conditions contained in the previous deal as utopian, complaining to the financial press that some of the workers receive an annual salary of $130,000, with 22 percent superannuation payments. PKCTs clear intention is to force the highly-skilled workers onto the poverty-level wages that are increasingly the norm throughout industry. Already, workers at the site have suffered an effective four-year wage freeze since the expiry of the 2015 deal.

The company first locked out the workforce in January, 2018. In April, it applied to the Fair Work Commission (FWC), the federal industrial tribunal, for the termination of the 2015 agreement, on the grounds that the conditions it contained were too generous and could jeopardise the future of the terminal.

The FWC ruled in favour of PKCTs application, only delaying the termination of the last agreement until March, 2019.

If a new agreement is not signed by the deadline, workers will be forced onto the National Employment Standards, which sets the minimum wages and conditions for each industry. This would result in real pay cuts of up to 16 percent, along with the gutting of superannuation payments, leave provisions and other conditions.

PKCT has only been able to press ahead with its attacks as a result of the complicity of the CFMMEU.

The FWC, which terminated the 2015 deal, was established by the previous Labor government, with the full support of the unions. From the outset, its role has been to enforce the demands of the corporate and financial elite for sweeping wage cuts, a continuous offensive against conditions and the victimisation of workers who take industrial and political action.

The CFMMEUs main concern throughout the dispute has been PKCTs attempts to remove consultation clauses from a new agreement. The union is fearful that this will jeopardise its position at the negotiating table, where it bargains away the jobs, wages and conditions of the workers it falsely claims to represent, in exchange for the privileges of the union officialdom.

At each point, the CFMMEU has sought to isolate the workers. It has refused to mobilise its thousands of members throughout the Illawarra region in their defence and has limited action by workers to isolated protests and stoppages aimed at causing as little disruption to PKCTs operations as possible.

The CFMMEU has also made plain that it is seeking to strike a sell-out deal with the company. In January, 2018, for instance, as PKCT was locking out its workers, Bob Timbs, the unions south western district vice president declared: We are calling on the shareholders to intervene, to sit down with us and negotiate a fair and reasonable agreement. Such an agreement would inevitably contain major attacks on jobs, wages and conditions.

The lockout of workers at PKCT coincides with a unanimous vote by workers at BlueScopes nearby Port Kembla steel plant for a fortnight of rolling stoppages beginning on Monday. It follows a strike by casual miners demanding job security at Wollongong Coal last week.

The unions have done everything they can to prevent workers involved in the disputes from developing a unified struggle. In each case, the company attacks have been directly prepared by decades of union sell-out deals and betrayals.

This underscores the need for a break with the unions and the establishment of new organisations of struggle, including independent rank-and-file workplace committees.

Such committees would be tasked with breaking the isolation imposed by the unions and coordinating joint industrial and political action by workers throughout the region and across the country. Above all, what is required is a new, socialist perspective aimed at establishing a workers government that would place basic industry, along with the banks and finance institutions, under public ownership and democratic workers control.
Today, the eyes of the international working class are fixed on Matamoros, Mexico as the cooling off period between maquiladora workers and the companies officially comes to an end. The ruling class is terrified that the formalizing of the wildcat strikes could lead to their rapid expansion throughout the US-Mexico border region.

The Matamoros workers have demonstrated an immense level of courage and strength faced with threats of permanently losing their jobs, going into debt or being blacklisted by the ruthless maquiladoras. Demonstrating the immense sacrifices that workers are making in the course of the strike, local businesses report that grocery sales are down 25 percent from this same period last year. Seventy percent of the citys economy depends on the maquiladora industry.

The official process for calling a strike in Mexico lasts 10 days, a process which started last Wednesday. But the workers did not wait for their hated union leadership to stall and betray negotiations while they continued backbreaking work at the factories. Instead, the workers decided to take matters into their own hands and launched a wildcat strikewith or without a legal mandate.

The WSWS has now received reports that a second countryCanada, joining the UShas now been impacted by the Matamoros strike. An autoworker reported to the WSWS that the Oakville Ford Assembly Complex near Toronto, Canada has had intermittent auto part shortages this week, including for door looms which are used for the Ford Mustang. A Flat Rock Assembly Plant worker in Detroit, Michigan, told our reporters that production there will be canceled next week due to a shortage of parts.

The fact that this strike threatens to grind to a halt a major industry has only intensified the workers resolve and the companies repressive measures.

The near-total media silence on events in Matamoros continues, however, aimed at preventing the international working class from learning about the largest strike in North America in two decades. However, workers should not be fooled: the ruling classes across the world are paying very close attention to the events unfolding in Matamoros. An anxious editorial published yesterday in the Mexican newspaper El Universal notes: The demand for a wage increase between 20 and 60 percent could spread to the rest of the export industry in the municipalities of Reynosa and Nuevo Laredo. This means that soon another 210,000 workers could join the strike.

These fears are well-founded. Last week, over 100 APTIV auto parts workers in Reynosa, just 90 kilometers away from Matamoros, were locked out of their plant after demanding a 100 percent wage increase like their brothers and sisters in Matamoros. There is widespread support for a coordinated struggle against both against the companies that have exploited workers for decades and the unions that do their bidding.

The auto parts company Polytech has now agreed to make concessions to its workforce and has granted the 20 percent wage increase and USD $1,700 bonus the workers demanded. This has strengthened the resolve of workers to see this fight through to the end.

To keep this sentiment repressed and under control, the companies have intensified their scare tactics against the Matamoros workers. Yesterday, auto parts companies Candados Universales and Parker Hannifin began removing machinery from their plants ahead of the official strike date. Workers at Candados Universales responded with courageous militancy by blocking the entrances and exits to the plant. Nothing comes in, nothing goes out! the workers said.

In a clear signal that finance capital is deeply concerned about the strike, auto parts plants APTIV and Parker Hannifin stock was down five percent in the past week.

In another thuggish threat, the plastic container manufacturer Cepillos announced that it would be closing its plant in Matamoros. This company has been operating in Matamoros for 32 years, we have not been involved in the strike, but the current demands of the working class are impossible to fulfill by this company, said manager Carlos Rubio.

What a bold-faced lie! The auto parts companies that own the maquiladoras make a living out of extracting as much labor possible out of the workers. The corporations, with the assistance of the unions, funnel this wealth straight into the pockets of the financial elite. Exco automotive solutionswhich owns striking parts plants Polytech and AFXearned $82.2 million in 2017, while Parker Hannifin made $355 million in 2018. The sale of Dura Automotive, whose workers are also on strike, is expected to yield $1 billion.

This wealth was generated by the workers themselves, not the billionaires that earn their money through dividends and stock sales. The demands of the workers not just for a 20 percent wage increase and a bonus, but for a fundamental change in their situation and an end to their exploitative working conditions, means taking on the economic system that is the source of their exploitation: capitalism.

There is more than enough money to guarantee every worker and their family a high quality of life. But the fundamental issue is who controls the wealth in society: the workers or the capitalists. A well-paying job, fully-funded social services, a pension, and time for leisure and culture requires a frontal assault on the wealth of the corporate and financial elite and the reorganization of society based on socialism and the principle of social need, not private profit.

Workers who wish to form a common international strategy should contact us by email at autoworkers@wsws.org or via our Facebook page in order to take up these crucial steps. For more information on the February 9 rally in Detroit, visit wsws.org/auto wsws.org/auto.

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The recent discovery of hundreds of thousands of dead fish in far-western New South Wales (NSW) has prompted renewed questions about the management of Australias scarce water resources.

The fish were found at Menindee Lakes, which is part of the Murray-Darling Basin, Australias largest river system.

Spanning more than one million square kilometres in southeastern Australia, the Basin provides drinking water for over three million people, and supports more than 9,000 farms, which produce around 40 percent of Australias agricultural output. The Basin is also home to hundreds of species of native birds and fish.

The latest fish kill comes after about 10,000 fish died in a similar event a short distance upstream in late December.

Major fish kill events occur when large blooms of algae are killed by heavy rainfall, as happened in December, or a sudden cold snap, as was the case in January. The bacteria that decompose the dead algae use up what remains of the already depleted oxygen in the water, suffocating the fish.

Blooms of cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) occur as a result of low water levels, high temperatures, and high nutrient content in the water due to fertiliser run-off.

While the current drought certainly contributed to the low water levels in Menindee Lakes, lack of rainfall cannot be solely blamed for the fish kills. Many of the fish that have washed up on the banks of the Darling River at Menindee are Murray Cod, some estimated to be at least 30 years old.

Fran Sheldon of the Australian Rivers Institute explained: Ecological evidence shows the Barwon-Darling River is not meant to dry out to disconnected poolseven during drought conditions. The presence of certain iconic river animals [such as the Murray Cod] within its channels tell us that a dry river bed is not normal for this system.

According to Sheldon, excessive diversion of water for irrigation means that the floodplains and wetlands that feed the lower sections of the river are only filled during times of high flow. Low and medium flows that would otherwise have filled these areas are instead captured upstream for irrigation.

As a result, the river system is no longer able to cope with extended drought.

The public outcry over the recent fish kills has prompted a wave of finger-pointing and grandstanding from the major political parties.

NSW opposition Labor Party leader Michael Daley called for an inquiry into the fish kills, saying that the states Liberal-National Coalition government have been repeatedly warned by far-west residents, community groups, scientists and Labor that their water policies would cause devastation on the Darling River.

NSW Regional Water Minister Niall Blair, a member of the rural-based National Party, hit back, claiming that Daley was ignoring the fact that similar environmental catastrophes happened under their [Labors] watch when last in government.

Federal Agriculture and Water Resources Minister David Littleproud, another National Party leader, called for Basin states to agree to spend a pitiful $5 million from the Murray-Darling Basin budget to fund a strategy to look after native fish. The Murray-Darling Basin Authority previously cut its native fish strategy after the NSW Coalition government withdrew 60 percent of its funding in 2012.

The poor condition of the Darling River has had wider impacts. The regions fruit growing industry has been decimated, tourism has all but disappeared, and local residents have reported that the poor quality of tap water from the river has been making them sick.

The common failing of decades of attempts to address water security in the Basin is that they are all based on a market solution to the complex problems posed by various environmental, commercial, social and cultural issues.

The management of the river system is linked to a market in tradeable water entitlements, limited only by the total allocation of water usage. The market in water rights has ensured that huge agribusinesses accumulate vast water entitlements that are used to maximise profits to the detriment of rural communities, small businesses and farms and the environment.

In wet years, these corporate giants grow lucrative and thirsty crops such as cotton, and pump water out of the river into massive on-site storage facilities.

During extended dry periods, it may be more profitable for them to simply sell the water at exorbitant market-rates to growers of slow-maturing grapevines and fruit trees, who are seeking to avoid the destruction of their businesses.

If they are unable to pay, small farmers are forced to sell out to the big companies, which either farm the land profitably, due to their massive water assets, or simply add any water entitlements to their portfolios.

Since 1994, when water rights were first separated from land ownership under the federal Keating Labor government, the number of farms in Australia has fallen by approximately 16 percent. This consolidation of farm ownership means the use of water, a precious natural resource in the dry continent, is in the hands of big business.

The Labor government of Prime Minister Julia Gillard introduced the Murray-Darling Basin Plan in 2013. Ostensibly, it was designed to address the over-allocation of water for irrigation and improve the conditions of the river system by reserving more water for environmental flows.

Environmental scientists, including the Wentworth Group, criticised the plan, arguing that the 2,750 gigalitre (gL) per year target for water recovered from irrigation for environmental flows was insufficient to restore the Basin to health.

The Wentworth Group pointed out: This volume fell substantially short of the Murray-Darling Basin Authoritys best estimate that between 3,856gL and 6,983gL was required for a healthy river. In other words, the substantial shortfall ensured that the plan was unlikely to ever overcome the river systems environmental problems.

Moreover, the target has not been reached. To date only 2,117.5gL has been recovered, almost three quarters of which was achieved before the Basin Plan was enacted. Progress slowed even further in 2014 when a cap on water buy-backs was introduced.

The federal government also seems to have paid well over the market price for several large-scale purchases of water entitlements.

In 2017, after declaring an end to water buy-backs, the government paid $78 million for 22gL of water entitlements from a property at Tandou Station, southwest of Menindee. The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences valued the water rights at less than $25 million.

The deal was brokered by then Deputy Prime Minister, National Party leader and Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce. It resulted in a $36 million profit for Webster Ltd, the major water trader that owns the Tandou property.

Bill Johnson, a former director at the Murray-Darling Basin Authority, told the media: It is highly questionable whether the Commonwealth got any water for this money.

In reality the buy-backs of water entitlements do not necessarily mean more water in the river system. The purchase of a water right is meaningless if there is no water flowing in the relevant area.

The main beneficiary of the water entitlements market has been big business. The government has bought back entitlements, in some cases to water that does not exist, and has subsidised improvements to irrigation infrastructure.

The dead fish at Menindee are just one graphic symptom of the failure of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, like previous market solutions, to manage Australias largest river system to meet the needs of the majority of people, rather than the profits of the wealthy few.
The Socialist Equality Party (SEP), the Australian section of the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI), calls on workers, students and all those who defend the democratic right to freedom of speech and freedom of the press, to endorse, promote and participate in our demonstrations in Sydney on March 3, and in Melbourne on March 10. These rallies will demand that the Australian government takes immediate action to secure the freedom of WikiLeaks founder and Australian citizen Julian Assange.

In the heart of London, the courageous, Australian-born journalist, publisher and whistleblower, is being subjected to an ongoing violation of his human rights. A conspiracy, orchestrated in Washington, has been underway for over eight years to railroad Assange into a prison cell, or worse.

Assange is being persecuted for his leading role in WikiLeaks exposures of US-led war crimes, diplomatic intrigues, mass spying and corporate and government corruption, on a vast scale. The aim of the vendetta against him has always been to intimidate and silence independent and critical journalists and would-be whistleblowers.

Since June 19, 2012, Assange has been involuntarily confined inside Ecuadors small London embassy, where he was forced to seek political asylum. He has been denied freedom of movement, direct sunlight and adequate medical treatment, because of the British threat to arrest him if he sets foot outside the building.

For close to a year, Assange has endured conditions more onerous than those imposed on maximum security prisoners. Under pressure from Washington, the Ecuadorian government has turned against him, cutting off most of his communications and his internet access, and severely limiting his right to receive visitors. At the same time, it has demanded that he make no political statements.

Assange is in the process of being forced out of the embassy, without any guarantee that the British authorities will not immediately detain him and collaborate with his extradition to the US to face a show trial on charges of espionage or conspiracy.

Central responsibility for this situation lies with successive Australian Labor and Liberal-National Coalition governments. They have all refused to provide Assange with the assistance and defence they are obligated to extend to any Australian citizen, despite the fact that the allegations that have repeatedly been made to justify his persecution are a combination of transparent slanders and lies.

The SEP demonstrations are being organised to answer these lies against Assange and to demand that the Australian government honour its undeniable responsibilities to its citizen.

Contrary to continuousand falsemedia reports, Assange has never been charged with a crime, let alone sexual assault or rape. In 2010, Swedish prosecutors fabricated a malicious case that he was under suspicion for alleged offences, and sought his extradition to answer questions. The motive behind these slanderous claims was to silence Assangejust as WikiLeaks was publishing explosive information about US war crimesand facilitate his temporary detention in Sweden while his rendition to the US was organised.

Assange entered the Ecuadorian embassy in London only after he had lost a protracted legal battle against prejudicial rulings by British courts that he be extradited to Sweden. He sought assistance from Ecuador because he was given no diplomatic, political or even legal support by the Australian Labor Party government, then headed by Julia Gillard.

In May 2017, long after Assange and his legal team had answered every question asked of him, Swedish prosecutors finally admitted they had no case and abandoned both their bogus investigation and extradition warrant.

Nevertheless, the British authorities, with the backing of the Morrison Liberal-National Coalition government in Australia, are still threatening to arrest Assange if he leaves the embassy. Yet, the only charge against the WikiLeaks publisher is that he breached bail when he took essential action to protect himself from persecution and injustice by seeking asylum.

With the rape claims discredited, the anti-democratic response of the political and media establishment has escalated. New attacks against Assange and WikiLeaks have been manufactured, alleging they were part of a conspiracy, in collusion with the Russian government and intelligence agencies, to assist Donald Trump win the 2016 US presidential election.

The truth is that whistleblowers provided WikiLeaks with troves of emails, whose authenticity has never been questioned, revealing that the Democratic National Committee (DNC) sought to rig the partys primaries on behalf of war-monger and big-business favourite Hillary Clinton. The DNC was openly seeking to undermine the widespread support, especially among young people, for the self-styled democratic socialist, Bernie Sanders.

In July 2016, WikiLeaks published these emails, in the public interest of American voters and Democratic Party supporters. In October 2016, WikiLeaks also published emails, containing secret speeches delivered by Clinton to corporate audiences, in which she pledged to support their interests and boasted of her role in organising US wars, such as the 2011 attack on Libya.

The Democratic Party, with Sanders endorsement, responded by nominating Clinton as its candidate regardless. She did not lose to Trump because of Assange and WikiLeaks. She lost because her right-wing record and policies were rejected by millions of American workers and youthwho refused to vote for either Trump or Clintoncombined with the impact of the anti-democratic peculiarities of the US Electoral College system, which chooses the president.

Since the 2016 US election, the manufactured hysteria over Russian meddling has primarily been aimed at justifying a massive campaign of media censorship on the internet, with Google and Facebook now openly blocking popular access to left-wing, progressive, anti-capitalist and anti-war websites and social media postings.

Trumps administration has never given any support to WikiLeaks or to Assange. It signalled, from the outset, that the US vendetta against them would not stop with the election of the billionaire oligarch. In April 2017, CIA director Mike Pompeonow Trumps secretary of statedeclared that WikiLeaks would be treated as a non-state hostile intelligence service because it published leaks exposing CIA hacking operations.

In November 2018, a US Department of Justice (DoJ) document surfaced, indicating that the DoJ had a sealed indictment of espionage or conspiracy against Assange, most likely dating back to 2010.

The hostility of the entire Australian political establishment towards Assange stems from its unconditional commitment to the US-Australia military alliance, including the extraordinary integration of the Australian armed forces and intelligence agencies into the US preparations for war with China.

Since 2013, the Liberal-National Party Coalition has seamlessly continued the former Labor governments agenda. Last year, then Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull refused to even acknowledge the appeals to his government, made by high-profile Australian supporters of Assange, that it defend his human rights and secure his freedom. This included the demands made at the June 17, 2018 rally, organised by the SEP at Sydneys Town Hall Square, and addressed by the well-known and highly respected journalist and filmmaker, John Pilger.

As for current Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who was installed following the political coup against Turnbull last August, he has shown only contempt for the democratic rights of Assange. Morrison brushed off the call by WikiLeaks supporter Pamela Anderson that he act to bring him back to Australia with a crude sexual innuendo, aimed at belittling the high-profile former actress.

Nevertheless, the fact remains that the Australian government has the undeniable duty and power to intervene to secure the freedom of Julian Assange. The record has demonstrated, however, that it will only take such action if it is compelled to do so by the greatest pressure from below.

Among masses of ordinary people, Assange is rightly viewed as a heroic figure. These sentiments must be transformed into a broad, political movement of the working class and among youth.

In workplaces around the country, the SEP calls for meetings to be organised, and resolutions moved, demanding that the government immediately exercise its full diplomatic powers and legal discretion to secure Assanges right to leave the London embassy. Assange must be given guaranteed, public assurances by the British and Australian governments that he will be protected from extradition to the US, and able to exercise his unconditional right to return to Australia, if he chooses to do so.

This will only take place in defiance of inevitable opposition from the thoroughly corporatised trade unions, which function as an industrial police force for the government and big business.

The youth movement of the SEP, the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE), will campaign at universities and high schools to mobilise the largest participation by students in the rallies.

We appeal to all defenders of democratic rights, in Australia and around the world: Publicise the plight of Assange in every way you can; fight internet censorship; and take a stand for freedom of speech and a free media. Rally in March for Julian Assanges freedom!

Sydney

Sunday March 3, 2:00 p.m.

Martin Place Amphitheatre

(between Pitt Street and Castlereagh Street, at the Pitt Street end)

Melbourne

Sunday, March 10, 1:00 p.m.

Victorian State Library steps

Swanston Street, Melbourne

Brisbane (livestream of Sydney rally)

Sunday March 3, 1:00 p.m. (Queensland time)

Woolloongabba Senior Citizens Centre

22 Qualtrough St

Woolloongabba

(Between Ipswich Rd and Logan Rd)
In the run-up to next weeks vote on Prime Minister Theresa Mays statement last week on her European Union (EU) exit deal, factional warfare has deepened both between and within the Remain and Leave camps of the ruling elite.

May is calculating that enough rebel Brexiteers in her ruling Conservative Party, who voted against her original deal, will support her to ensure no possibility of Brexit being overturned. To make sure of this, she is trying to win assurances from the EU on the backstop agreement that keeps Northern Ireland in the EUs Customs Union to maintain an open border with the Republic of Ireland during the transition period between Brexit and securing an all-encompassing UK-EU trade deal.

However substantial such assurances are, regarding its duration, etc., there are indications that hard-Brexit Tories could eventually back her deal. Backbench leader Jacob Rees-Mogg said that things were going our way and there had been outbreaks of realism on voting with May.

Nevertheless, her plans could yet be spiked, with reports that up to 40 pro-Remain Tory ministers may resign if May does not allow them a vote on an amendment blocking a no-trade-deal Brexit that would result in trade on World Trade Organisation (WTO) terms at the end of March.

The pro-Brexit Daily Telegraph reported Thursday that it has learnt that an alliance of 18 Tory ministers, including five Cabinet members, has been holding secret meetings to discuss plans to stop a no-deal Brexit, with several prepared to quit over the issue.

Within the Labour Party, divisions are also hardeningwith the pro-EU wing led by the Blairites demanding party leader Jeremy Corbyn declare his support for a second referendum to reverse the 2016 referendum result.

Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell has said it was highly likely that Labour would support a pro-Remain cross-party amendment tabled by Blairite Yvette Cooper and Tory MP Nick Boles. The amendment, which is legally binding, states that if a no-deal Brexit becomes imminent on March 29, parliamentary conventions can be overridden to allow MPs to decide the order of business of Parliament, rather than the governmentto allow MPs to be able to vote on a nine-month delay to Brexit.

Corbyn met Cooper Wednesday to discuss the amendment, with reports suggesting that an alternative of seeking an extension to Article 50 to June 30 is being proposed as a more viable alternative.

The amendment was signed by 25 Labourites, along with seven MPs from three other opposition parties, the Scottish National Party, Liberal Democrats and Plaid Cymru. W ork and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd has defied Mays instruction for Tory MPs to oppose the amendment and is demanding they be given a free vote on this and other amendments aimed at ruling out a no-deal Brexit.

The hard Brexiteers are determined to prevent their Remain opponents from being able to control future events in such a manner, with Rees-Mogg calling on May to prorogue (suspend) Parliament if the Cooper/Boles amendment passes. To do otherwise was allowing the opposition to Brexit to win. Prorogation, he said, normally lasts for three days but any law that is in the process before prorogation falls. And I think that would be the governments answer, that is the governments backstop.

Forced to accept at this stage that Corbyn is not backing outright a second referendum, the Remain faction have been forced to change tack and are relying on the Cooper/Boles amendment and others to give the necessary time to thwart Brexit. On Thursday morning, MPs supporting the Peoples Vote campaign withdrew an amendment in support of a second referendum they planned to table ahead of next weeks vote. The announcement was made in a press briefing outside Parliament given by Blairites Chuka Umunna and Luciana Berger and Tory Remainer Sarah Wollaston. They took the opportunity to denounce Corbyn for not endorsing their campaign, with Wollaston saying, With great regret, we will not be laying [an amendment calling for a second referendum] because at this stage, and until we have the leader of the oppositions backing, it would not pass.

Berger, who has played a key role in the failed coups and plots to remove Corbyn as leader over the last three years, said, Regrettably, the Labour leadership wont commit to an achievable policy, asserting that the majority of Labour voters, supporters and members want a final say on any Brexit deal and that the leadership avoids answering that call.

Commenting on Coopers amendment, the Financial Times commented Wednesday, Jeremy Corbyn likes to think he is Britains leader of the opposition. But one could be forgiven these days for thinking that the job is really being done by Labours Yvette Cooper.

However, the possibility that Corbyn will heed the demands of the Blairites and change his policy from support for a general election and a soft Brexit to open support for a second referendum has provoked threats of resignations from the shadow cabinet.

Further pressure was put on May to extend Article 50 and rule out a no-deal Brexit by a delegation of trade union leaders, who met her for talks yesterday in Downing Street. The main unions articulate the interests of the dominant sections of British capital, who fear the dire consequences of a hard break with the EU that accounts for 44 percent of UK trade.

At Number 10 were Len McCluskey and Dave Prentis of the two largest unionsUnite and UnisonFrances OGrady, the head of the Trades Union Congress, and the GMBs Tim Roache. For public consumption, they went through the motions of asking May if her pro-austerity government, which has forced through draconian anti-strike legislation with their acquiescence, would ensure labour laws in the UK would remain aligned with those of the EU. May gave no such assurances.

The main concerns of the union bureaucracy are in reality the impact that a hard Brexit will have on the global competitivity of British capitalism. McCluskey, who is advanced as a key ally of Corbyn, asked May to concede calls for a three-month delay in Article 50. Prentis said, The prime minister should be looking to build consensus and putting the interests of the country first with precious little time on the clock, an extension of Article 50 is essential to bring the country back from the brink and the calamity of a no-deal and maintain close links to its biggest trading partner.

The EU poured cold water on moves to extend Article 50 without a final deal being offered by London, with chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier stating, We need decisions [from the UK] more than we need time actually.

As the Brexit date approaches, sections of big business are making dire warning about the devastating economic impact of a no-deal Brexit. Ford, which employs around a quarter of its 54,000-strong European workforce in the UK, said a no-deal Brexit would likely cost it $800 million (614 million) this year alone.

Tom Enders, the chairman of Airbus which employs 14,000 workers in Britain, with 110,000 associated jobs, warned, If there is a no-deal Brexit, we at Airbus will have to make potentially very harmful decisions for the UK. He threatened mass job cuts, saying, Please dont listen to the Brexiteers madness which asserts that, because we have huge plants here, we will not move and we will always be here. They are wrong.

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The Brexit crisis and the struggle for socialism

[23 January 2019]
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Bauhaus movement in Germany, which played a key role in the development of progressive art and culture in the twentieth century. The anniversary is being celebrated by the publication of new books reviewing the Bauhaus and a number of exhibitions and events taking place in Berlin, Dessau and beyond.

In order to familiarise our readers with the significance of the Bauhaus we are reposting an interview with British artist Wilf Franks (19082003), which first appeared on the WSWS in 1999. Franks was a pupil at this influential school of art and design between 1929 and 1931.

He was trained by Reinhold Weidensee in the Bauhaus carpentry workshop in Dessau, Germany, and knew Walter Gropius, Paul Klee, Wassily Kandinsky and Laszlo Moholy-Nagy, among others prominent artistic figures.

Wilf was forced to quit Germany in 1931 after the Nazis gained control of the Dessau city council in that year and undertook to close down Bauhaus school.

On returning to Britain, Franks worked at a training school for young men in a mining area in northeast England, passing on some of the skills he had learnt in Germany. It was during this time that he met the distinguished composer Michael Tippett (19051998), who became his close friend and collaborator.

Later, Franks joined the Margaret Barr Company as a dancer. Barr had trained with Martha Graham and was one of the innovators of modern dance in Britain. After the Second World War, he worked at the Ford factory in Dagenham for 10 years as part of the design team. He later turned to teaching, and joined the staff at Leeds Polytechnic as a lecturer in design. Franks remained a supporter of Trotskyism and the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI) until his death.

The Staatliches Bauhaus [literally, State School of Construction] in Weimar, in the central German state of Thuringia, was founded in April 1919 by Walter Gropius (18831969), its first director. This was a time of political crisis and turmoil, nowhere more so than in Germany. In the midst of the carnage of the First World War, the Russian Revolution of October 1917 raised the banner of international solidarity and socialism, in opposition to the rampant nationalism of the belligerent imperialist powers.

The seizure of power by the workers and soldiers Soviets in Russia, under the leadership of the Bolshevik Party, inspired the German revolutionaries in the Spartakusbund (Spartacus League), led by Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht, to emulate them. The country was in uproar. Thousands of workers and intellectuals, repulsed by the abandonment of socialist internationalism and descent into patriotism by the Social Democratic Party (SPD), flocked to the banner of the Spartacists.

On November 9, 1918, two days before the armistice was declared, Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicated. Liebknecht called for a socialist republic based on workers and soldiers councils. The SPD, which in 1914 had voted the Kaiser war credits and supported the imperialist war, came forward to strangle Germanys November Revolution. With SPD support, the workers uprising was suppressed, and in January 1919 Luxemburg and Liebknecht were murdered, along with hundreds of members of the newly established Communist Party.

Prior to these tumultuous events, a number of artists had been seeking to develop their own creative language: Der Blaue Reiter (The Blue Rider) movement of Kandinsky, Klee, Franz Marc and August Macke in Germany; the fauvists [fauveswild beasts in French, so named by a hostile critic] such as Georges Braque and Henri Matisse in France; the Dutch de Stijl movement that included Piet Mondrian and Theo van Doesburg.

During the First World War and in its aftermath, some artistic tendencies took on more overtly political colouring. The Dada movement, originating in Switzerland in 1916, represented a rebellious and nihilistic rejection of the cultural and social status quo. Its practitioners included the Frenchman Marcel Duchamp, the American Man Ray, and the Germans George Grosz and Max Ernst.

The October 1917 Revolution in Russia, together with the Bolshevik governments policy of encouraging the widest artistic and intellectual freedom and experimentation, had an inspirational effect on the artistic world. The work of Kazimir Malevich, Vladimir Tatlin, Sergei Eisenstein, Alexander Rodchenko, El Lissitzky and many others had an impact far beyond the borders of the USSR.

The Bauhaus emerged in this cultural, political and social ferment. As a young man, Walter Gropius was influenced by the work of John Ruskin and William Morris. Before the First World War, he trained as an architect and worked in the office of Peter Behrens, with Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Charles-Edouard Jeanneret, who later became known as Le Corbusier.

Like thousands of others, Gropius was radicalised by his experiences during the war. He became chairman of a left-wing association of architects, artists and intellectualsthe Arbeitsrat fur Kunst (Workers Council for Art), which had sought to extend the November 1918 revolution into the area of art. Gropius believed in the need for a new society. He aimed to overcome the separation between the arts and crafts and to create a total environment fit for human beings to live.

The Manifesto of the Bauhaus, written by Gropius in April 1919, was illustrated with a woodcut by expressionist painter Lyonel Feininger, Gropiuss first appointment to the Bauhaus. Cathedral (or cathedral of the future, as Gropius called it elsewhere) shows a rocket-like building rising boldly towards the sky; atop its three spires are five-pointed stars radiating beams of light. Feininger, who had also supported the Arbeitsrat fur Kunst, did not choose the image for any religious symbolism.

As a cathedral of socialism, the illustration represents the aims of the Bauhaus to unify architecture with art and design in the service of social man. The ultimate aim of all creative activity is the building, wrote Gropius in the opening lines of the Bauhaus manifesto. The decoration of buildings was once the noblest function of the fine arts, and the fine arts were indispensable to great architecture. Today they exist in complacent isolation, and can only be rescued from it by the conscious cooperation and collaboration of all craftsmen. Architects, painters and sculptors must once again come to know and comprehend the composite character of the building both as an entity and in terms of its various parts. Then their work will be filled with that true architectonic spirit which, as salon art, it has lost.

The Bauhaus attracted many leading artists of the period, including Kandinsky, Klee, Oskar Schlemmer, Moholy-Nagy and others. They taught alongside craftsmen in the fields of stone, wood, metal, clay, glass, colour (paint) and textiles, whose expertise enabled the students to master the materials and tools of each medium (Werklehre). Each area also had a tutor who addressed the problems of form (Formlehre), encouraging the students abilities to observe, represent and compose.

In February 1924, the Social Democrats lost control of the Thuringian state parliament to the right-wing German nationalists, who had from the start been overtly hostile to the Bauhaus for its supposed Bolshevism. In September, the Ministry of Education cut the schools funding in half and placed the staff on six-month contracts. For Gropius, who had already been looking for alternative sources of funding, this proved to be the last straw. Together with the Council of Masters, he announced the closure of the Bauhaus from the end of March 1925. The SPD, who for years had governed Dessauthe capital of the Free State of Anhalt from 1918 to 1945offered to establish the Bauhaus in that city. Gropius and his staff moved there in 1926.

The tragic betrayal of the German working class by its political leaders opened the road for the Nazis to come to power. The Communist Party, now under the direct influence of Stalin, and the Social Democrats refused to organise a united front to stop Hitlers Brownshirts. By September 1932, the Nazis had won a majority in Dessau, and cut off all financial support to the Bauhaus. The school was forced to move to Berlin, where it survived without any public funding for a brief time. On April 11, 1933, the Berlin police, acting on the orders of the new Nazi government, finally closed it. The Nazis degenerate art exhibition in 1937 featured works by several former Bauhaus teachers.

The Nazis failed in their efforts to completely obliterate the Bauhaus. Its forced closure and the subsequent emigration of many of its former staff and students ensured that it would become famous and influential throughout the world, especially in the United States, where a Bauhaus school was established in Chicago in 1937. The Bauhaus had a lasting impact on art education and in architecture. But cut adrift from the socialist ideals that had inspired the movement and thrust into a completely different cultural environment, many of those who worked there went on to produce relatively expressionless and dehumanised buildings.

* * * * *

The following interview with Wilf Franks was carried out by the veteran British Trotskyist Barbara Slaughter in 1999. She visited him at his home in North Yorkshire, where he told her about his experiences at the Bauhaus.

Barbara Slaughter: What were your first impressions of the Bauhaus?

Wilf Franks: I was nearly 22 when I went to the Bauhaus in Dessau. It was in 1929. I was born in January 1908. In the beginning, I didnt know what the Bauhaus was; I thought it was just a school for architects. When I arrived, I was impressed by the building. I was tremendously moved by it; it was something I didnt expect and I couldnt possibly have imagined.

I arrived after dark and there was this beautiful glass-fronted building, all lit up, with people walking about inside. If you can imagine, a 50-foot-high area of glass with the lights shining though and the steel girders of the construction four feet back from the glass. You cant believe what an experience that was. You would have been as dumb-struck as I was if you had seen it. I had come into a strange country and had endured a horrible stinking train journey, with people talking in a language I didnt understand, and suddenly I had arrived at this wonderful place and wondered, Where have I come to?

The students all gathered round me. I was the first Englishman. They were tremendously pleased about this, because they felt it meant they were getting international recognitionthat the school was becoming known to the world.

I was taken inside and given a meal. Then I was taken into a big hall where they were showing pictures of things they had done. They showed some drawings and suddenly there was a drawing of me. They had only met me 20 minutes before, out in the courtyard in the dark, and here were pictures of the Englishman who had just arrived.

The students showed me all round the building, the theatre, the workshops and the students living quarters. At the Bauhaus the workshops were identified with specific materialswood, stone, metal, clay, and so on. Students were encouraged to discover all the possible ways of using the different materials, by considering, by thinking, by feeling their way into them, to see what qualities they have and if they can be enhanced and used for the betterment of life.

BS: What did you study at the Bauhaus?

WF: Every workshop had a Master of Form, or design teacher, and a Workshop Master, or technical teacher. I was put into a workshop with a man named Reinhold Weidensee, who was a very good craft teacher and I had to learn to make furniture. Gropius had been the Master of Form in the same workshop, but he had left some months before, so he was just a name to me at first.

One day, Weidensee told me that I was going to make a bed for the Hygiene Ausstellung (Hygienic Exhibition) in Dresden. He said, The Bauhaus has made a hygienic house and you are going to make a hygienic bed.

He gave me some long planks to plane up and we put them in the press and pressed hard beech wood veneer on the surface of each plank and on the edges. They were smoothed up and painted. Then they were rubbed down with wet and dry sandpaper and painted again and rubbed down. This happened three or four times and afterwards they were shining like glass. They were a lovely green colour.

People came in and looked at the work. Some of them were younger than I was, and some much older. They made all kinds of suggestions about how the work could be made more interesting or more practical, maybe by altering it here or there. I listened and learnt from them. And now I dont know who designed that bed. It was attributed to me, because I did the handiwork, but I dont know who designed it, because so many people came in on it. I remember the ideas that I had, and how Weidensee had corrected me. Everyone at the Bauhaus helped one another. We learnt from each other. The students had as much to do with the teaching process as the masters did.

At the end of the days work, we would put all the tools carefully away in the cupboards and then oil the benches, leaving them perfectly clean for the next day. Often I would find next morning that the bench had been oiled again by somebody else. It took me a while to realise what was happening. When we left, other students came from where they had been working on jobs and did their Bauhaus work at night-time. I realised that the school was much wider, more organised and totally different from the impression I had got when I first arrived there.

BS: How did socialist ideas influence the work of the Bauhaus?

WF: Weidensee was a lovely person, very genuine and quiet. He was the person who actually told me, You will have to become a communist, if you want to make the most of our teaching, because its all based on that. The world revolution has begun in Russia.

He didnt know what Moholy-Nagy[1] knew, who was a Hungarian and had been through the Hungarian Revolution. He told me at the beginning, The counterrevolution has already happened. Stalin is the arch-enemy. This is how I began at the Bauhaus with Moholy-Nagy.

Moholy-Nagy explained that the new society began under Lenin and Trotsky. This is what the Bauhaus believed. This is what all the students believed. They all told me about what happened earlierthe Russian Revolution of 1917 and the German Revolutions of 1918-19 and 1923. They talked about it constantly and they said it would happen again.

They all knew that Marx and Engels proposed a revolutionary change, which Lenin and Trotsky had put into practice, which Moholy-Nagy taught me about. But its all gone now. Stalin buggered it all up. Thats not the word he used, but he gave that importance to it.

The other students were Marxists. I remember three students coming to me and giving me a copy of the Communist Manifesto. It was printed in English and they had sent to England for it, which must have cost them a lot of money. They put it on the bench where I was working and said, Read that, Wilf, and then youll know what we are all about.

They were internationalists and they wanted to be international. They wanted English and American people there as well as Germans, French and Dutch. They were influenced by the ideas of Karl Marx. I heard them talking about dialectical materialism. I discussed it with them. The students used to talk to me during the day, at dinnertime and in the pubs and always they were on about the revolution that had failed and the revolution that was coming soon that was going to win.

They were learning to createfor working people, for everybody. They were thinking about creating a new world out of their craftsmanship and their good work. This is a totally different attitude from any other art school that I know of, because it was not an art schoolit was the Bauhaus. It was there to create the architecture for the new socialist world that had begun in Russia and that would be international, because it had to be international, and it was international. Thats why I was there. They wanted me there and I know this happened to others.

I remember going to Edinburgh University and talking about the Bauhaus. People stood up, older people than myself and young students, and actually said that I was lyingthat it was all an idea in my mind. They were absolutely convinced that the Bauhaus was non-political, purely artisticpure artists coming together and creating, and why couldnt we do the same? I said, Because you dont have the same motive. You are not working from the same part of you. But they would not accept it.

BS: What do you recall of Walter Gropius?

WF: What we were learning at the Bauhaus was that the time will come when things change, when we will have to make everything by machinery by standardisationbut make it beautiful, like the Englishman, William Morris. Gropius said that everything must be made by hand, but with standardisation and mass production in mind, so that everybody can have beautiful things.

Gropius allowed the politics to go on. The first time I met him at his house he said to me, Youre Wilf from England. Ive heard all about you. Youre doing very well. I told him, I dont feel I am doing very well. I am a fish out of water. I know nothing about Marxism, nothing about politics and nothing about architecture. He said, You dont have to know anything about architecture or politics. All you have to do is to join in everything the students do ... We, the older generation, cant do it, but you will create the architecture of the new world, that represents the people of today.

He said, You will do what people did in earlier daysthe Gothic arch, Gothic cathedrals and churches were the direct expression of the people of those days. I remember him putting his hands like this and saying, You will do for the people of today what the people of those days did through Gothic architecture. You will make all the things that they want in your way, which we do not yet know. He must have had some conception of a new form of society.

Then he told me to go into the next room and listen to the discussion, try and understand what they were talking about and join in if I could. So I went in there and listened to a quite elderly man speaking in German, talking about Karl Marxs philosophy of dialectical materialism. And of course I didnt understand very much at the time, but I asked the other students and learnt a lot more later on.

BS: What do you recall of the artists you met at the Bauhaus?

WF: The artists were teachers of design and they did it by teaching their own thing. Paul Klee had classes continually in which the students worked as he worked.

Klee was a musician. I didnt know this until one day I heard him playing the piano, and then I knew, because it was so marvellous. I asked the other students and they told me he was doing a concert in the town a few days later. I went to hear him and he was fantastic, playing his own works and the old masters.

After that, when I saw him paint, I realised that his art works were musical works, done in a special medium. I realised his drawing came from his movement and his musicality. Mine came from my visual experience. Im a very tactile person. My tactile sensibility is most important and visual is second. My aural awareness is weakest. When you witnessed his playing, it was like looking at his drawings. I admit its a bit of a Wilfness to say that he was trying to paint from his aural sensibility, but I think its true.

I saw Klee painting; his students took me along to watch him. He played with objects near at hand and used them. He could pick up something like a matchbox and make it into the shape of a human face or paint with the edge of a ruler. He could pick anything up and use it. He was very big in his movements. He would dip a brush in paint and roll it across the page. It was a big movement. It came from his essential personalityan aural, musical personality.

There has never been a person who worked like he did. He was first and foremost a musician and painting was a second string to his music. In an extraordinary way he tried to do in paint what he did in music. He played both piano and violin and composed as well. I think he was a great musician, but hes not known for that now.

We had to learn drawing at the Bauhaus because we had to draw our designs. Life drawing is very important. The most important subject for a human being to draw is another human beingthe human body is the most subtle, the most marvellous construction.

We used to have weekly life drawing classes. I had done a lot of drawing over the years and the students asked me about it. I tried to explain how, when I am drawing a limb, say a wrist, I feel my own wrist at the same time. Its as if my wrist becomes conscious. I was trying to tell them what happened and I was making statements I could hardly explain myself.

I remember Paul Klee standing near and listening. I talked to him afterwards and he was very interested. I said that drawing was a very physical thing. I draw from my own body. When I see a leg, I feel the shape of my own leg. Its got something to do with the brain. Its not a conscious thought, but the brain affects the body. My leg is as human as the leg I draw. I am trying to capture the legginess of the leg. You have to make sure you look carefully at the model and notice the differences from yourself, otherwise you finish up with a self-portrait every time.

I went to an exhibition at Jena with some other students, who thought that Klee was the greatest of the greatest. The exhibition was mainly of the work of his students. In the cafe afterwards I told them that only one or two of them had worked and the rest were rubbish. They asked me to go back in with them and show them which ones I meant. Then they said, Strangely enough youve picked out all the masters work.

Kandinsky[2] was a painter at the Bauhaus. I was not in his class, but would have been if I had stayed a year longer. I often saw him in Dessau. He had a house there. I asked him questions, which were prompted by Moholy-Nagy, but he was very cagey and wouldnt answer. I remember him saying, You make it very dangerous for people when you ask such questions. He had lived in the Soviet Union and knew from personal experience what Stalinism was. He was telling me that the Stalinists could even kill him there in Germany if they thought he was an enemy. He repeated, You dont know how much danger you are putting people into when you ask such questions. I couldnt understand him then, but now it is quite obvious what he meant.

BS: How did the rise of fascism affect the Bauhaus?

WF: Paul Schultze-Naumburg was the architect that they sent into the school to re-establish pure German art instead of the cosmopolitan rubbish we were doing. He described Bauhaus furniture as Kisten, or boxes. He wanted to teach us how to carve Bacchuses on chair backs and that sort of thing, what we would call super-Victorian stuff.

I only saw him once. I was posing for a sculptor who was making a three-quarter-size statue and somebody came along and said, Schultze-Naumburg is in the office and he wants to see the Englishman. So I put on a pair of shorts and ran across the road and up the stairs into his office. There I saw these two Nazis in their uniforms and this fellow sitting at the desk. Its the first time I had witnessed a scene like that. Ive seen it in films and plays since.

He addressed me and said that they were very partial to English Kultur. I replied that I didnt know there was any specifically English Kultur. So he said, Oh well, we recognise your country as a country of great culture and we are sacking all the foreigners. But if you remain in the town you will eventually be reinstated. So thats when I left.

Two days later the students told me that there was to be a gathering in the square. They had put up a big platform with banners and everything. They said the fascists were coming, and we must be there to hear what they said and to see what they did.

I could see that they were all pale-faced and frightened, including people I thought were strong. And I got this fear from them. I had no real idea what Hitler was. Id seen these two Brownshirts, but that was all.

The square was full and the police came on horseback and drove us back into the side streets, leaving one main street open. We waited for about a quarter of an hour, but it seemed much longer after the business with the police, who were very clumsy and crude. Then we heard the sounds of a brass band in the distance and it came nearer and nearer. Very soon the Brownshirts came into the square, which we had filled a short time before. It was packed full of these Brownshirts and the police. This was the first time I had seen them.

Then the speaker came out on the platform. He was the leader of the fascists in the state of Thuringia. I couldnt follow anything he said, but I could see that the people I was with were deeply hurt and frightened by what they heard. When we got back they told me, On Monday we are going to have a Spiegelfest (festival of mirrors).

Monday arrived and I got up early, at about seven oclock, and went into the workshop. All the walls of the workshop were draped with mirrorsbig mirrors, little mirrors. There were beer barrels on legs and the drink was free. These people that I had been with, were all practical idealists, which means they were fighting for an ideal which could actually be achieved. I knew them as such, and here they were making love in public, and drinking and going to sleep against the wall, they were so drunk. And this went on the whole day long. This was the end of the Bauhaus.

I knew they were throwing in the towel. I actually saw them doing it. Everything is finished; all our ideals have come to nothing; Hitlers here, the Brownshirts are here, was what they were saying. It was intended to be a kind of Bacchanalian feast, and it was that. And to such a degree that I couldnt equate it with what they were, and had been, and all that they had taught me to be. It was all being thrown away.

Before I left Germany I bought a book on art published by the fascists. It was like a pornographic magazine and was supposed to show how degenerate the Bauhaus was. On one page there was a Bauhaus drawing and opposite they printed a fascist drawing, with Nazi flags and all that. It was part of their self-advertisement and was supposed to show how superior their art was to that of the Bauhaus. When you saw their stupid, insipid drawings next to ours, it worked completely the opposite way.

BS: What is your opinion of art today?

WF: Creativity is our deepest instinct and it is what we must do. We want to create togetherwe dont want to create on our own. We want to create together. And this is what the man and woman of the future will be doing. They will be seeking out people with whom they can work and together create. It takes at least two minds, not one mind. My imagination is only half of it. It leaves out the best part and allows in the worst partthe self-preservation that is the human instinct for defence against volcanoes and earthquakes.

In bourgeois society the more absurd, the more objectionable, the more questionable, the more puzzling, the more insipid and slight your work can be, the greater art it is because the more is charged for it, because the man who pays wont know what he is paying for. So you can put a line of bricks in the Tate Gallery and every night when the gallery closes, you can walk back and change the position of the bricks. Everybody will go and look at them for a second time and say how wonderful they are.

When you are learning a craft you have to learn to use two hands on a chisel, you have to learn technique. Today, art students go through art school and they learn the technique of making nothing in particular.

That is not to say that I think that nobody produces art of any value today. But I do think that many people produce art that is of very minor importance to life, which is not what it should mean. It should mean something to life, to our life, to social life or collective life. And if it doesnt mean something to that, then its trivial, its immediate and it wont matter. Its something that you shouldnt be worrying about.

Human emotion is tied to our love of one another and our desire to aid and work with one another. This is the basis of the reality of both art and science. They are not two opposites. Art is expressed in our relationships with one another, or it stays inside and becomes trivial, nothing. There is no such thing as a work of art for myself. My work of art must be a major part of my relationship with some other people, if not all other people.

The truth that we are trying to express is that we are the human animal species. This is what we are. And the deepest instinct we have is to be human, to be related with other people and work with other people to enhance our collective lot. That is where Marxism and Bolshevism and Trotskyism all spring from.

Notes:

1. Laszlo Moholy-Nagy (18951946). A Hungarian and a constructivista follower of Vladimir Tatlin. In 1919 he supported the Hungarian Soviet of Bela Kun and in January 1921 he arrived in Berlin. The following year he participated in the Dada and Constructivist Conference held in Weimar. He taught the preliminary course at the Bauhaus from 1925 to 1928. After he left he maintained a strong relationship with the students. In 1935 he left Germany, and in 1937 was appointed head of the new Bauhaus school in Chicago.

2. Wassily Kandinsky (18661944). Born in Russia. He studied art in Munich, returning to Russia in 1914. After the Russian Revolution, he became head of the Museum of Modern Art in 1919 and founded the Russian Academy of Artistic Sciences in 1921. He knew Walter Gropius before the First World War and was inspired by his Bauhaus Manifesto when writing the programme for the Moscow Institute of Art and Culture in 1920. He left Russia in 1922 and became Master of Form in the mural and painting workshop at the Bauhaus. He remained at the school until it was closed by the Nazis in 1933, when he left Germany for France.
Ron Stallworth speaks Jan. 24 at the Memorial Union about his story of being a black detective who infiltrated the Ku Klux Klan. "...And about 90 days later I got my membership card. Certifying me as a member of the knights of the Ku Klux Klan under David Duke's operation for the year 1979."
North Korea has maintained a closed and centralized economy since the 1940s. It is a relatively industrialized country where almost 50% of the GDP is generated by the industries. The economy is mainly nationalized with the state extensively subsidizing on food and housing and offering free education and healthcare. North Korea is one of the countries with a wide variety of resources in Asia. It is the 18th largest producer of zinc and iron and has one of the largest coal reserves in the world. According to several sources, the country could be sitting on about $10 trillion of resources. Some of the major natural resources of North Korea include coal, iron ore, limestone, zinc, copper, magnesite, and gold.

Natural Resources of North Korea

Coal

North Korea has the 22nd largest coal reserves in the world. Most of the coal produced in the country are the anthracite, the purest form of coal. The pure coal reserves in the country are estimated to be 4.5 billion tons, valued at $644.8 billion. North Korea is the leading exporter of anthracite. Jikdong coal mine, which contains mainly anthracite, is located in Jikdong. The mine has a capacity to handle up to one million tons of coal per year. Other coal mines include Gogeonwon Mine located in Gogeonwon labor district, also with a capacity of one million tons per year. The two coal mines are underground mines and mainly use trucks to transport coal to the respective Thermal Power Plants.

Iron Ore

North Korea is the 18th largest producer of iron in the world. Since 2000, iron ore production has increased slightly. North Korea has large deposits of iron ore and the potential for the development of large-scale mines. Iron ore mines are located in the provinces of Hamgyeongbuk-do, Pyongan-do, and Hwanghae-do. The Musan Mine in Hamgyeongbuk-do is operated by Mitsubishi Mining Company. The mine produces about 2 million tons of iron concentrate of 65% grade annually and has a capacity to handle 10 billion tons per year. Iron ores are extracted using the open pit method. The Oryong Mine, in the province of in Hamgyeongbuk also produces a significant amount of iron ore. China is the main market for DPRKs iron.

Limestone

Limestone is one of the major nonfuel minerals in North Korea. In 2014, the production of limestone accounted for approximately 66% of the value of nonfuel mineral production. For years, the country has been meeting its demand for limestone resources of about 80 million tons per year almost completely from local production. About 75% of the limestone produced is locally consumed in cement production and 14% in the manufacturing of steel products and the rest is used in the milling industry. Japan is the leading market for the limestone and limestone products from North Korea. Other major destinations include Taiwan, Indonesia, and China.

Zinc

North Korea is one of the leading producers of zinc in the world. The country has a capacity to produce 400,000 metric tons of nonferrous metals. Of that amount, 77% is accounted for by zinc and the rest by lead. Zinc is mainly mined by the Korea General Zinc Industry Group based in Pyongyang. The main zinc mine in the country is the Geomdeok Mine located in the province of Hamgyeongnam-do. It is the largest zinc mine in East Asia and has been in operation since 1932. This mine has seven mine blocks extracted through ten mines. It can handle 10 million tons of zinc ore annually. Mining of zinc concentration is mainly done by a conventional flotation method. Other products that are obtained from the mine include galena, sphalerite, and chalcopyrite.

Copper

North Korea relies heavily on copper for local production and export. To meet the local demand, the country relies on imports, mainly from Canada. However, North Korea is estimated to hold over 2.1 million metric tons of copper. Copper mining and development in Hyesan was jointly conducted by the Korea Mining Development Trading Corporation and a Chinese firm. However, KOMID was blacklisted by the UN in 2009 for a rocket launch in Korea on April 5, 2009. The Hyesan copper mine is situated in the province of Yanggang and has been in operation since 1970. It is the countrys largest copper mine. The mine was temporarily closed in 1994 as a result of flooding and was partially reopened in 2010. It has a capacity to handle 1.2 million tons of copper per year.

Magnesite

There is a significant amount of magnesite resource in North Korea. Magnesite is mainly found in large quantity in the Tanchon area and has been extracted since 1980. The main mines in the area include the Yongyang mine and Taehung Youth Hero Mine. Another significantly large mine is the Daeheung Mine, located in the province of Hamgyeonnam-do. This mine has four blocks and has operated since 1982. It is thought to be the largest magnesite mine in the world. However, it operates at 60% of its capacity (600,000 tons per year) owing to the deteriorating infrastructure. Magnesite is mined by both underground and open pit mining.

Gold

North Korea is estimated to hold 2,000 metric tons of gold reserves, valued at $87 billion. The largest gold mines in the country are located in Yanggang Province. Daebong Mine situated at the border of Woonheung and Gapsan produces over 150 kilograms of gold annually. Plans are currently underway to improve its capacity. Sangamon mine has been in operation since 1956 and has processed over 20 million tons of tailings. The Holdong Mine located in Holdong labor district has been in operation since 1893. It has a capacity to hold 2 tons of silver and 0.85 tons of gold annually.

Other Major Natural Resources of North Korea

North Korea has over 200 mineral types distributed over most parts of its territories. Apart from the resources discussed above, other significant natural resources in the country include graphite which is commonly found in Jeongchon-gun. This resource is mainly shared between South and North Korea. Lead is also found in large quantities in North Korea, with the country exporting over 100,000 tons in 2014.
Tennessee is the sixteenth most populous and the 36th most extensive state of the United States. It was initially part of North Carolina and the Southwest Territory before it was admitted to the Union as the 16th state. Tennessee was the last state to secede from the Union and join the Confederacy, but it was the first state to be readmitted after the American Civil War. About 2.2% of the state is covered by water including lakes, rivers, and reservoirs. The rivers of Tennessee not only provide water for industrial and domestic use but also provide water to irrigate vast acres of land. The following are the longest rivers in the state.

The Longest Rivers In Tennessee

Mississippi River

The Mississippi is the largest river in the United States by discharge and the second longest after the Missouri River. It covers 2,320 miles and discharges over 593,000 cubic feet per second. The Mississippi River drains Lake Itasca in Minnesota and discharges at the Gulf of Mexico. It drains 32 American states and two Canadian provinces between the Appalachian and the Rocky Mountains. The Mississippi River flows through the cities of Minneapolis, Davenport, St Louis, Memphis, Baton Rouge, and New Orleans.

Cumberland River

The Cumberland River is 688 miles long. It flows from the Confluence of Martins Fork and Clover Fork in Baxter, Kentucky, to the Ohio River in Livingston County, Kentucky. The Cumberland drains 18,000 square miles of north-central Tennessee and southern Kentucky. Its major tributaries include the Red, Stones, Caney, and Obey Rivers. Much of the river flows through rural areas, but major cities along its course include Clarksville and Nashville in Tennessee.

Tennessee River

The Tennessee River flows 652 miles from the confluence of Holston and French Broad River at Knoxville, Tennessee to the Ohio River in Paducah, Kentucky. It is the largest tributary of the Ohio River. The Tennessee River has been dammed severally to provide water irrigation and household use. In the 20th century, the Tennessee Valley Authority and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built several channels and waterways to allow navigation of the river.

Clinch River

The Clinch River flows for 300 miles from the Buckhorn Mountains in Tazewell, Virginia to the Tennessee River. The river flows through the Great Appalachian Valley where several tributaries join it before draining into the Tennessee River. The Norris and Melton Hill are the two largest dams on the river.

River Pollution in Tennessee

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation estimates that 30% of rivers cannot support a healthy population of fish while 40% cannot provide water fit enough for human consumption. The primary sources of pollution are waste from cities and towns, the changing landscape of the state including the expansion of agricultural land, and household waste. The destruction of water catchment areas through deforestation has also led to the drop in the water quantity while global warming has accelerated evaporation.
Kim Divan, 66 years old, of Woodward, OK passed away at his home on Saturday, June 12. He was born in Nebraska but spent his childhood and most of his adult life in Palmdale, CA until moving to Oklahoma in 2005. Kim liked to have a good time and enjoyed his motorcycles and fishing. He will b
(CNN) -- Carter Cookson, the three-week-old baby who urgently needed a new heart, passed away on January 19 after a donor was not found in time.

The Facebook group, Find a Heart for Carter, shared a post from his mother Saturday letting followers know that he had died.

His parents, Sarah and Chris Cookson, started the social media campaign #findaheartforcarter, hoping to locate the heart that their son needed to survive.

"Today he could not fight anymore... at 5.44 pm our brave baby boy Carter John Cookson gained his angel wings and flew into his big brothers arms," the post said.

The Cookson's first son, Charlie, died in 2013 at the age of two. He had an unidentified progressive disease that caused frequent seizures and he was unable to breathe, eat or sit up without help.

His parents posted their thanks in the Facebook group to everyone who had tried to find Carter's "gift," stating that they would be "eternally grateful."

Chris Cookson previously told CNN that he hoped Carter's story would encourage others to join the organ donor register, and to support the move to an "opt-out" organ and tissue donation system that has been planned by the UK government.

A post from Sarah Cookson was shared on the Find a Heart for Carter page saying that she can "see the impact our Angel has had, in just over 3 weeks in my heart I believe he has changed peoples minds and saved lives."

Carter, from South Shields in the Northeast of England, was born on December 26. He suffered three cardiac arrests after his birth.

During surgery to fit a pacemaker doctors found dead tissue in the left ventricle of his heart.

He was treated at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle. Doctors initially predicted that he had five weeks to live without a transplant. However, on January 16, his parents were told that a donor needed to be found within three days.

Problems with blood clots in the ECMO machine, a life support apparatus the performs the function of the heart and lungs, that was keeping Carter alive led to the reduction in his life expectancy.

CNN's Emily Dixon contributed to this report
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DAC6 was designed to insulate the common reporting standard (CRS) against new avoidance schemes designed to get around its requirements. The rollout of mandatory disclosure rules (MDRs) across the EU member states means financial institutions will have to compile a two-year backlog of transactional data in time for the first reports on July 1 2020.

One tax director at a UK-based multinational bank stressed the onus this places on the financial sector. Its very diplomatic to say retrospective reporting is potentially challenging, the tax director said. Its absurd.

You need to have a list of transactions now that youll be ready to report in a year, they said at a banking taxation seminar held by Hansuke Consulting. DAC6 was drafted without any clarity at the national level and were going to see 28 countries go ahead with this.

Tax advisors, accountants and lawyers must disclose potentially aggressive schemes to the tax authorities under the rules. These intermediaries, as well as financial institutions, have to make the disclosure within 30 days of providing, directly or by means of other persons, aid, assistance or advice.

Your conduct could get you into trouble if you dont understand these rules, the director warned. Your clients might be trying to get around this stuff, even while youre trying to comply.

EU member states will then be required to exchange the information they receive through a centralised database every three months. Every EU government has to transpose the rules into national law by December 31 2019, but documents dated as far back as June 25 2018 have to be reported. Those affected are trying to ensure they have the required information for the past six months prepared and have a structure in place to collate data from now on.

Fortunately, the impact on banks classed as intermediaries will be much less significant than advisory firms because tax advice is just one area of financial services. Banks will only have to supply governments with transactional information that falls within scope.

Open to interpretation

The problem is that the rules are supposed to restrict aggressive tax planning, yet the rules dont apply a strict definition and instead rely on very broad hallmarks, such as an effective tax rate of zero or near 0%. This leaves a lot open to interpretation.

One accountant at a European bank suggested DAC6 repeats old mistakes. People outside the tax world conflate tax avoidance with tax evasion and aggressive tax planning, they said.

Separating everyday tax reliefs from more questionable practices may be crucial for developing a serious anti-avoidance framework. A lack of clarity over these distinctions creates problems for tax authorities, as well as taxpayers.

Sometimes politicians do it deliberately because they want to make out that its all on the same spectrum. But its just not, the accountant said.

We have zero tolerance for tax evasion, they stressed. That means we want zero risk from clients on our books and zero risk from our people helping them.

Governments have done themselves no favours by making tax regimes so complex, the tax director said. Simplicity should be the cornerstone of any tax regime.

The hallmarks make it an almost catch-all approach to tax planning and cross-border transactions. The subjectivity of what counts as aggressive tax planning means a lot of ordinary arrangements may come under scrutiny. This could drive a series of changes to how businesses operate.

Its not that we dont want to cooperate and its not that we dont understand this agenda, the accountant said. But it conflates a huge amount of issues and puts a huge onus on us.

Theres this idea that banks know everything, they said. EU politicians make this claim all the time and Im not so optimistic we wont see more problems across Europe.

The fine details of DAC6 are just one part of a shift going back several years. Tax professionals are facing more questions about the future of tax policy. The only certainty left is that there is more change to come.

The changing face of accounting

There are no signs of the pressure easing up any time in the near future. A part of this is due to the public perception of corporate tax avoidance and the role of banks in the 2008 economic crash. As a result, its much easier for politicians to raise the pressure on bankers and tax advisors.

One head of tax at a US bank described uncertainty as the biggest challenge for financial services and singled out DAC6 as a major factor driving uncertainty. Many US banks have operations across the EU and may have to grapple with these changes too.

We continue to see countries implementing new legislation on cross-border investments, as well as new legislation against tax avoidance and evasion, the head of tax said.

On the other hand, the pressure is partly because of shifts in tax advice and financial planning, as well as the rise of new technologies. Financial services are the most technologically advanced areas of the global economy, second only to the high-tech sector itself.

This may mean the two sectors will increasingly challenge the dominance of traditional accounting and law firms on tax advice. Some policy experts are predicting a sea change in the way businesses approach tax .

I would predict that within the next 10 years we will see banks taking the place of many chartered accountants, alongside software houses, one UK tax policy specialist said. Banks are where all the money flows and where a lot of the business of tax and tax education can come from.

Banks have always given HMRC [the UK tax authority] interest details, the details on interest payments from individual accounts, they added. Were going to see a much more direct relationship between banks and HMRC on tax accounts.

As much as it may aggravate bankers and tax professionals, DAC6 will be a part of the new normal as the financial industry becomes more important in tax planning. An interconnected world means more transparency, and with it, more risk exposure.

The material on this site is for financial institutions, professional investors and their professional advisers. It is for information only. Please read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy before using the site. All material subject to strictly enforced copyright laws.  2021 Euromoney Institutional Investor PLC. For help please see our FAQ.

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The State of Michigan will re-open to full capacity on June 22 as more than 9 million vaccines have been administered, and COVID-19 cases fall to a one-year low.
Pic. from inchemistry.acs.org

Evaluating various options to study in foreign countries extra effort has to be applied to make sure all the pros and cons are properly weighted. Quite often the importance of studying abroad is obvious. On one hand, for those interested in getting the first-class business degree local colleges often cant offer the right blend of classes. Or domestic colleges could focus more on local specifics while the comprehensive business program requires a global approach with invited professors from all over the world. On the other hand, young people who plan to make a brilliant career might simply want to get a degree of some world-famous university like Princeton or Harvard which will guarantee their future success. The challenge though is that the number of people who can get enrolled in these schools is relatively small and the competition is really tough. It will be safe to assume that getting to a world top school is like winning a lottery or a singing contest like America got talent.

While the advantages and future benefits of studying abroad are usually understood well, the part often overlooked though is study dangers that students should keep in mind when applying to a college or university abroad.

In terms of expectations setting students have to be prepared that the rules of the university they are about to apply as well as the studying process might vary significantly from the one at the home country. For example, lets take a closer look at British universities and the UK system of higher education. Compared with other countries they often offer students more flexibility with their schedule and classes they can choose from. Some universities may have their own traditions and other requirements for newcomers who are often unaware and unprepared for that.

Fortunately, program providers always offer on-site orientation where students are explained all the basics they need to know in order to get along. Such tips and tricks help them quickly adapt to new conditions and avoid common mistakes.

Students might also need to make sure they have enough funds to cover not only the tuition costs but the living expenses as well. Having moved to another country, they may suddenly realize that the cost of living is very high or at least way higher than they had expected. Quite often after careful consideration, students decide to study in less expensive places like Australia instead of UK where the price level is 15-20% cheaper than in the UK. That might be a smart move indeed as the quality of education in Australia, the culture and many other things are similar or very close to the UK ones, and all these things way more affordable.

The best way to avoid huge tuition expenses is to apply for various educational programs which offer student grants and generous financial aid options. This is undoubtedly the most popular way to get a high-quality education abroad at minimal costs. Students might also schedule their education program in a way that would allow them working part-time on or off-campus.

Next thing that students should remember that the education process itself may be a lot more difficult than at their home university. A lot of newcomers find it difficult to get accustomed to another style of education or quickly overcome language barrier which may cause some difficulties in comprehending the information at classes or assignment writing.

For example, a student from Nigeria was admitted to an Australian university. The student had sent a message to his friend saying Buddy, I can use a hand. It seems the homework is a bit overwhelming here. Please do my assignment for me Australia. Im struggling to make sure I attend all the classes and submit my papers on time. It turned out that study in Australia is quite a tough thing. The friend was busy and could not help him with the assignment. Instead, he shared a list of internet resources which might help in cases like this.

Having said that, it is usually just a matter of time before a student gets used to the accent and the rhythm of life. Indeed, dozens of thousands of students come to study abroad every year. They all come back with a bag of positive emotions. The trick here is to understand that many people somehow address these challenges every year and enjoy the success and nice careers after that.

Last but not the least  security matters. Although it is unlikely that students face any dangerous situations in most developed countries, it is still worth to take every precaution. It might be a good idea to make physical and digital copies of the government issued ID and the driver license. In case it gets lost or stolen, it will be easier to restore it as quickly as possible. The same thing applies to debit/credit cards. Another important advice is to find out embassy location and share the university contacts with relatives in case of an emergency. Finally, it makes sense to read the terms and conditions of the life and accidents insurance that are available from the university. From the expenses standpoint, it is sometimes cheaper to purchase the insurance policy from an independent provider or an insurance broker. Make sure you shop around and compare prices as sometimes it might be 15-20% difference. Special attention has to be paid to coverage amounts, available hospitals and clinics, and any other requirements, so it is clear how to act in case anything unforeseen happens.
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Partly to mostly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 94F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph..

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If you havent yet been out shopping for BBQs, ties and cigars, youd better hop to it! Fathers Day is on Sunday. If youre among the lucky ones who have a wonderful father still alive and kicking, spend some time listening to his stories and being together because time flies.
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Purdue University is reaching across the state to help fight against the opioid epidemic, thanks to a federal grant. Fayette County, on the east-central side of the state, struggles the most with the opioid epidemic.

"When people look at numbers and say well it's only 18 in the past year, 18 is a lot to a community of that size," said Katrina Norris, Vice President of Behavioral Health and Addiction Services for Fayette Regional Health System. "That basically means that all of your neighbors have been impacted."

Norris has been working to bring all the stakeholders to the table in Fayette County to fight this problem.

"That's really the key in this crisis, is communities collaborating," she said.

So when Purdue reached out with a $1.1 million grant from the federal government, they knew this was a great opportunity. The grant money is going to the Regenstrief Center for Healthcare Engineering at Purdue for research. The money is coming from the U.S. Office of Minority Health as part of the Empowered Communities for a Healthier Nation Initiative.

Representatives from the Regenstrief Center have made the two and half hour drive from West Lafayette to Fayette County for various opioid task force meetings. Paul Griffin is the lead investigator for the research project.

"This is work we put together with Fayette County," he said. "The call was to help specifically with rural communities. It's worth it to make the drive."

He said they do not want to march into Fayette County and dictate what they should do, they want this project to be about what the county needs. According to the Indiana State Department of Health, Fayette County's average rates of fatal opioid overdoses is more than triple the state's average.

Norris said it has a major ripple effect into the community.

"You have poverty if you have substance use disorders, you also have poor physical health and so all of that impacts your overall local economy and ultimately your workforce, which builds your economy," she said. "So it's a circular pattern."

Griffin said they will be looking at how to reduce their high prescription numbers as well as helping them become more proactive.

"To help them better identify patients that might be at risk, to help them to understand and better refer patients to treatment," he said.

And ultimately, he said Purdue wants to be able to take what they are learning in Fayette County to be able to impact other rural Indiana counties struggling with controlling this epidemic.

Norris said she was blown away by the university's compassion to reach across the state.

"To say, you know, we are looking at the data we know this side of the state is impacted heavily and we care regardless of your location," she said.

Purdue will be working with Fayette County over the next three years.
President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday suspended Justice Walter Nkanu Samuel Onnoghen as chief justice of Nigeria and swore in, Ibrahim Tanko Mohammed as acting chief justice.

Read below Buharis address at the swearing in, of the new acting chief justice.

Fellow Nigerians,

A short while ago, I was served with an Order of the Code of Conduct Tribunal issued on Wednesday 23rd January 2019, directing the suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Honourable Justice Walter Nkanu Samuel Onnoghen from office pending final determination of the cases against him at the Code of Conduct Tribunal and several other fora relating to his alleged breach of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers.

The nation has been gripped by the tragic realities of no less a personality than the Chief Justice of Nigeria himself becoming the accused person in a corruption trial since details of the petition against him by a Civil Society Organization first became public about a fortnight ago.

Although the allegations in the petition are grievous enough in themselves, the security agencies have since then traced other suspicious transactions running into millions of dollars to the CJNs personal accounts, all undeclared or improperly declared as required by law.

Perhaps more worrisome is the Chief Justice of Nigerias own written admission to the charges that he indeed failed to follow the spirit and letter of the law in declaring his assets, citing mistake and forgetfulness which are totally unknown to our laws as defences in the circumstances of his case.

One expected that with his moral authority so wounded, by these serious charges of corruption, more so by his own written admission, Mr. Justice Walter Onnoghen would have acted swiftly to spare our Judicial Arm further disrepute by removing himself from superintending over it while his trial lasted.

Unfortunately, he has not done so. Instead, the nation has been treated to the sordid spectacle of a judicial game of wits in which the Chief Justice of Nigeria and his legal team have made nonsense of the efforts of the Code of Conduct Tribunal to hear the allegation on merit and conclude the trial as quickly as possible considering the nature of the times in which we live.

Whether deliberately or inadvertently, we have all seen the full weight of the Chief Justice of Nigeria descend on the tender head of one of the organs of justice under his control. There is simply no way the officers of that court, from the Chairman to the bailiffs, can pretend to be unaffected by the influence of the leader of the Judiciary.

Not only the trial court, but others have been put on the spot. Practically every other day since his trial commenced, the nation has witnessed various courts granting orders and counter-orders in favour of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, all of them characterised by an unholy alacrity between the time of filing, hearing and delivery of judgment in same.

The real effect has been a stalling of the trial of Justice Onnoghen, helped along by lawyers who insist that these orders, whether right or wrong are technically valid, and must be obeyed till an appellate Court says otherwise. No doubt that it is the proper interpretation, but is it right disposition for our nation?.

Nigeria is a constitutional democracy and no one must be, or be seen to be, above the law. Unfortunately, the drama around the trial of the Chief Justice of Nigeria has challenged that pillar of justice in the perception of the ordinary man on the street. For it is certain that no ordinary Nigerian can get the swift and special treatment Justice Onnoghen has enjoyed from his subordinates and privies in our Judicature.

In the midst of all these distracting events, the essential question of whether the accused CJN actually has a case to answer has been lost in the squabble over the form and nature of his trial. This should not be so.

If Justice cannot be done and clearly seen to be done, society itself is at risk of the most unimaginable chaos. As a Government, we cannot stand by wailing and wringing our hands helplessly but give our full backing and support to those brave elements within the Judiciary who act forthrightly, irrespective of who is involved.

As you are all aware, the fight against corruption is one of the tripod of policies promised to Nigerians by this administration. Needless to say that it is an existential Policy which must be given adequate attention and commitment by all the three arms of government. The efforts of the Executive will amount to nothing without the cooperation of the Legislature and especially the Judiciary.

It is no secret that this government is dissatisfied with the alarming rate in which the Supreme Court of Nigeria under the oversight of Justice Walter Onnoghen has serially set free, persons accused of the most dire acts of corruption, often on mere technicalities, and after quite a number of them have been convicted by the trial and appellate courts.

Since there is nothing the Executive Arm can do after the apex court of the land has spoken on any matter, several of these individuals walk free among us today, enjoying what are clearly the proceeds of the corruption which for so long has defeated the efforts of this nation to develop and prosper.

It is against this background that I have received the Order of the Code of Conduct Tribunal directing me to suspend the Chief Justice pending final determination of the cases against him. It also explains why I am not only complying immediately, but with some degree of relief for the battered sensibilities of ordinary Nigerians whose patience must have become severely over-taxed by these anomalies.

In line with this administrations avowed respect for the Rule of Law, I have wholeheartedly obeyed the Order of the Code of Conduct Tribunal dated 23rd January 2019.

Accordingly, I hereby suspend the Honourable Mr. Justice Walter Nkanu Samuel Onnoghen, GCON as the Chief Justice of Nigeria pending final determination of the case against him at the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

In further compliance with the same Order of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, I hereby invite Honourable Justice Ibrahim Tanko Mohammed JSC, being the next most Senior Justice in the Supreme Court, to come forward to take the Judicial Oath as Chief Justice of Nigeria in an Acting Capacity.

Fellow Nigerians, we can only stand a chance to win the fight against Corruption, and position our dear nation for accelerated development when we stand together to contend against it.

Thank you and may God bless our country.
On the occasion of National Police Day and the anniversary of the 25 January revolution, the Egyptian interior ministry has released 6,931 prisoners and debt defaulters, as part of Egypts President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi Prisons without Debt Defaulters initiative.

Some 4,063 prisoners were given a presidential pardon and released,

Meanwhile, 2,868 debt defaulters were released after their debts were settled by the Tahya Misr state fund, the prisoners relatives, and other civil society and non-governmental organisations

The Prisons without Debt Defaulters initiative was launched in August last year, with the aim of releasing those jailed for outstanding personal debts.

Those imprisoned in Egypt for failure to pay debts are disproportionately women.

The head of the Egyptian parliament's human rights committee, Alaa Abed, said in August that the committee is in the process of amending two laws with the aim of eliminating prison sentences for individuals who default on debt payments.

The Tahya Misr fund was established by El-Sisi in 2014 to support social and economic projects.

According to the Prison Authority, around 100,000 prisoners have been released in total from 2014 to October 2018, including 15,960 debt defaulters.

Those released include 46,000 who received presidential pardons, and 54,000 released conditionally.

Short link:


BRIDGEWATER, N.Y. -- A tractor-trailer crashed into a garage in Bridgewater Thursday.

The crash happened on Route 20.

Tractor trailer runs off the road and right into someones front yard, destroying a Bridgewater business and several vehicles. A lot of damage, fortunately no one was hurt! pic.twitter.com/wkCI0WjB5R  Alicia Daddario (@AliciaDaddario) January 24, 2019

The owner of the body shop said he was working in the garage when the truck ran through his yard.

"It sounded like a train coming off the tracks," said Greg Brower. "He had to come off the road up there over a 150 feet, there's a guardrail up there. So he jumped the gaurdrail, and came about a 150 feet to here and through the garage and moved three vehicles."

The tractor-trailer pinned a plow truck against the garage.

Two vehicles were also inside the garage at the time of the crash.

NewsChannel 2 has a crew at the scene.
WHITESBORO, N.Y. -- Bringing jobs to the area was the focus of Friday's 14th annual Legislative Breakfast put on by the Genesis Group at Hart's Hill Inn in Whitesboro.

Congressman Anthony Brindisi was joined by five state legislators, two county officials and the mayors of Utica and Rome.

The questions were geared toward what is being done to attract businesses, and therefore jobs to the region.

The topic of hiring an economic development director in Oneida County was posed to Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente.

The position was approved back in September of 2017, but 14 months later, no one has been hired.

"We are in the process of hiring an economic development director for Oneida County and it will be announced in approximately two weeks. It's taking a little longer, we did a pretty wide search and we have been working with different partners and weve been dealing with a lot of other issues relative to economic development, said Picente.

The topic of the Marcy Nano site was also brought up.

Senator Joe Griffo says ever since AMS backed out, the efforts have continued to try and market the site. He says he has confidence in those locally who are continually trying to bring a company to Marcy.
UTICA, N.Y. -- It's the oldest Catholic Church in the Syracuse Diocese and the fourth oldest Catholic Church in the state.

Historic Old St. John's Church continues its 200 year celebration Friday  with students from Notre Dame. The elementary students filed into the church Friday morning.

While the needs of the public might change over the years, over the course of the church's two-century history, one aspect that's remain unchanged is that the church welcomes all.

Any person, no matter what their background is welcome at Historic Old St. John's.

We deal with all the population of the area. We were open to the immigrants that came back in the early 1800s and we still deal with immigrants today, especially the Spanish, and the Vietnamese and now from the South Sudan, said Father John Buehler.

Historic Old St. John's Church celebrated 200 years for most of 2018... And this marks the culmination of that celebration.
UTICA, NY-- The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties held a meeting with local non-profits to discuss the affects of the partial government shutdown and the impact it has on those organizations.

Representatives with the CNY Veteran's Outreach, the Hope House, the Rescue Mission of Utica and the Food Bank of Central New York, were just some of the organizations that attended the meeting on Thursday.

Each representative spoke about their concerns and what could happen to the organization if the shutdown continues into another month or longer.

John Swann, executive vice president of the foundation, said the first step in helping those in need is listening to those concerns and collaborating on what can be done to help.

"The Community Foundation's role in this instance is leadership in the community, bringing people together initially to share information," Swann said. "Some of the conversations that we heard may guide next steps for the agencies and the not-for profit themselves and for the community foundation."

Congressman Anthony Brindisi sent a representative to hear how the shutdown is impacting local agencies and people who are affected by it.

Several participants brought up their concerns on food stamps, or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

Becky Lare, the advocacy resource manager, with the Food Bank of Central New York, said there is a growing concern that if the shutdown drags on, food assistance programs could run out.

Lare said many who receive food stamps got their benefits for February early. But there's no guarantee about when the nearly 39 million low-income Americans will receive another payment to help them buy groceries.

"These aren't extra funds, it is their February allotment and they just received it early so that means that you're not going to get additional dollars in February," she said. "So folks don't have to spend those dollars immediately they can wait until February to start spending those dollars. That's the best approach if people are able to take that approach towards budgeting their SNAP dollars."

Lare said even when the shutdown is over it's not an easy fix.

"It takes us three months to put out that many meals so we can't possibly make up for the elimination, however temporary may be of SNAP benefits," Lare said. "We're going to continue doing what we do best in acquiring and distributing food out to the community, but currently we have a delicate balance of public-private partnership and by removing SNAP from the equation it will have devastating impacts and ripple affects on the committee at large."

She added that people will not be able purchase groceries that they typically are able to and that will impact the local economy, because it will mean less money for local retailers.

The group plans to meet in two weeks to further discuss those problems and concerns and potential ways to help people in need.

For more information on the Food Bank of Central New York call (315) 437-1899 or visit: www.foodbankcny.org
UTICA, N.Y. -- Adirondack Bank is trying to help federal employees impacted by the ongoing government shutdown. The bank was contacted by a federal worker seeking a deferment, which they granted, then quickly set to work on how to help other federal workers in the same predicament.

The bank announced Friday a new Federal Employee Government Shutdown Assistance Program available to federal and contract employees.

Adirondack Mobile Banking logo from the ADK website. Adirondack Mobile Banking logo from the ADK website.

The program will offer loan payment deferment on current Adirondack Bank consumer, home equity, and mortgage loans for up to six months. They will also offer new loan assistance, which features a 90-day deferral of the first payments with a fixed rate as low as 5.5 percent.

The short-term financial help will be offered to those who qualify. It's not really a money maker for the bank. At least, not in the traditional sense.

"No, it's not a moneymaker. This is just something... kind of good will. Trying to help out the consumer, the unfortunate federal worker there,"said President and CEO, Rocco Arcuri.

Friday afternoon, a reprieve; President Trump signed a bill, temporarily funding government for three weeks. Arcuri says, the offer still stands.

"There are workers that have been without money for the past month. Maybe they might need some catchup money. And this might be a nice solution for them"
Reno Omokri, who was an aide to ex president Goodluck Jonathan, has said that the former presidential candidate of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria, ACPN, Oby Ezekwesili must give account of all funds received for campaign.

According to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP strong supporter, the former minister of education, who withdrew from the presidential race on Thursday, must give account of those funds for hr sake of upholding what she usually preaches about.

According to Omokri, while speaking via his twitter handle on Friday, the former vice president of the world bank has always been a campaigner against corruption and for good governance, therefore she must give account, else she risks being labelled a hypocrite.

He wrote:

Oby Ezekwesili always claimed to be an anti corruption and good governance advocate. Since that is the case, she owes it as a duty to give an account of all monies donated to her for the purpose of her Presidential campaign, failing which, she is a hypocrite

See tweet
Zurich Insurance Group AG is a holding company. The Company and its subsidiaries provide insurance products and related services. Its segments include General Insurance, Global Life, Farmers, Other Operating Businesses and Non-Core Businesses. The General Insurance segment provides a range of motor, home and commercial products and services for individuals, as well as small and large businesses. The Global Life segment is engaged in providing unit-linked, protection and corporate propositions through global distribution and proposition pillars. The Farmers segment, through Farmers Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries, provides certain non-claims administrative and management services to the Farmers Insurance Exchange, Fire Insurance Exchange, Truck Insurance Exchange, and their subsidiaries and affiliates. The Other Operating Businesses segment includes the Company's Holding and Financing activities. The Non-Core Businesses segment includes its insurance and reinsurance businesses.

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Morgan Stanley, a financial holding company, provides various financial products and services to corporations, governments, financial institutions, and individuals in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. The company operates through Institutional Securities, Wealth Management, and Investment Management segments. The Institutional Securities segment offers capital raising and financial advisory services, including services related to the underwriting of debt, equity, and other securities, as well as advice on mergers and acquisitions, restructurings, real estate, and project finance. This segment also provides sales and trading services, such as sales, financing, prime brokerage, and market-making services in equity and fixed income products consisting of foreign exchange and commodities; corporate and commercial real estate loans, which provides secured lending facilities and financing for sales and trading customers, as well as asset-backed and mortgage lending; and wealth management services, investment, and research services. The Wealth Management segment offers various financial services and solutions covering brokerage and investment advisory services; financial and wealth planning services; stock plan administration services; annuity and insurance products; securities-based lending, residential real estate loans, and other lending products; and banking and retirement plan services to individual investors and small to medium-sized businesses and institutions. The Investment Management segment provides various investment strategies and products comprising equity, fixed income, liquidity, and alternative/other products to benefit/defined contribution plans, foundations, endowments, government entities, sovereign wealth funds, insurance companies, and third-party fund sponsors and corporations through institutional and intermediary channels. The company was founded in 1924 and is headquartered in New York, New York.

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The following companies are subsidiares of Vodafone Group: 360 Connect S.A., [email protected] Telecom, A-ccelerator B.V., A-ccelerator Holding B.V, AAA (Euro) Limited, AAA (MCR) Limited, AAA (UK) Limited, Acorn Communications Limited, Africonnect (Zambia) Limited, Ag Mercantile Company Private Limited, Al-Amin Investments Limited, Amsterdamse Beheer- en Consultingmaatschappij B.V., Apollo Submarine Cable System Limited, Array Holdings Limited, Asian Telecommunication Investments (Mauritius) Limited, Aspective Limited, Astec Communications Limited, Autoconnex Limited, Aztec Limited, BelCompany BV, Bluefish Apac Communications Pte. Ltd, Bluefish Communications, Bluefish Communications Limited, Business Serve Limited, C&W Worldwide Nigeria Limited, C.S.P. Solutions Limited, CCII (Mauritius) Inc., CGP India Investments Ltd., CGP Investments (Holdings) Limited, COOP Mobil s.r.o, CT Networks Limited, CWGNL S.A., CWW Operations Limited, Cable & Wireless Access Limited, Cable & Wireless Americas Systems Inc., Cable & Wireless Aspac Holdings Limited, Cable & Wireless CIS Services Limited, Cable & Wireless CIS Svyaz LLC, Cable & Wireless Capital Limited , Cable & Wireless Communications Data Network Services Limited, Cable & Wireless Communications Starclass Limited, Cable & Wireless Communications Technical Service (Shanghai) Co. Ltd (Beijing Branch), Cable & Wireless Europe Holdings Limited, Cable & Wireless GN Limited, Cable & Wireless Global (India) Private Limited, Cable & Wireless Global Business Services Limited, Cable & Wireless Global Holding Limited, Cable & Wireless Global Telecommunication Services Limited, Cable & Wireless Holdco Limited, Cable & Wireless Networks India Private Limited, Cable & Wireless Trade Mark Management Limited, Cable & Wireless UK Holdings Limited, Cable & Wireless UK Services Limited, Cable & Wireless Waterside Holdings Limited, Cable & Wireless Worldwide, Cable & Wireless Worldwide Limited, Cable & Wireless Worldwide Pension Trustee Limited, Cable & Wireless Worldwide Services Limited, Cable & Wireless Worldwide Voice Messaging Limited, Cable & Wireless a-Services Inc, Cable & Wireless a-Services Limited, Cable and Wireless (India) Limited, Cable and Wireless (India) Limited Indian Branch Office, Cable and Wireless Nominee Limited, Cable and Wireless Worldwide South Africa (Pty) Ltd, Cavalry Holdings Ltd, Celfocus  Solucoes Informaticas Para Telecomunicacoes S.A, Cellops Limited, Cellular Operations Limited, Central Communications Group Limited, Central Telecom (Northern) Limited, Centurion GSM Limited, Chelys Limited, City Cable (Holdings) Limited, Cobra do Brasil Servicos de Telematica ltda., Commnet Cellular Inc., Complete Network Technology, Connect (India) Mobile Technologies Private Limited, Cornerstone Telecommunications Infrastructure Limited, Dataroam Limited , Device Insight, Digital Island (UK) Ltd, Digital Mobile Spectrum Limited, East Africa Investment (Mauritius) Limited, Emtel Europe Limited, Energis (Ireland) Limited, Energis Communications Limited, Energis Holdings Limited, Energis Local Access Limited, Energis Management Limited, Energis Squared Limited, Erudite Systems Limited, Esprit Telecom B.V., Eudokia Limited, Euro Pacific Securities Ltd., Eurocall Holdings Limited, Europolitan Holdings AB (now Europolitan Vodafone AB), FB Holdings Limited, FM Associates (UK) Limited, FinCo Partner 1 B.V., FireFly Networks Limited, Flexphone Limited, GS Telecom (Pty) Limited, Gateway Communications Africa (UK) Limited, Gateway Communications Tanzania Limited, General Mobile Corporation, Generation Telecom Limited, Ghana Telecommunications, Ghana Telecommunications Company Limited, Global Cellular Rental Limited, Globe Limited, GrandCentrix GmbH, Grupo Corporativo ONO S.A.U., H3ga Properties (No 3) Pty Limited, HBO Nederland Cooperatief U.A., HBO Netherlands Channels sro, HBO Netherlands Distribution B.V., Hellas Online, How2 Telecom Limited, Hutchison Essar Ltd, Indus Towers Limited, Intercell Communications Limited, Internet Network Services Limited, Invitation Digital Limited, Ipergy Communications NV, Isis Telecommunications Management Limited, Jaguar Communications Limited, Jaykay Finholding (India) Private Limited, Jupicol (Proprietary) Limited, KABELCOM Braunschweig Gesellschaft Fur BreitbandkabelKommunikation Mit Beschrankter Haftung, KABELCOM Wolfsburg Gesellschaft Fur BreitbandkabelKommunikation Mit Beschrankter Haftung, Kabel Deutschland, Kabel Deutschland Holding, Kabel Deutschland Holding Erste Beteiligungs GmbH, Kabel Deutschland Holding Zweite Beteilgungs GmbH, Kabel Deutschland Neunte Beteiligungs GmbH, Kabel Deutschland Siebte Beteiligungs GmbH, Kabelfernsehen Munchen Servicenter GmbH & Co. KG, LG Financing Partnership, LGE HoldCo V B.V., LGE HoldCo VI B.V., LGE HoldCo VIII B.V., LGE Holdco VII B.V., LLC Vodafone Enterprise Ukraine, Le Bunt Holdings Limited, Legend Communications Limited, Liberty Global, Liberty Global Content Netherlands B.V., London Hydraulic Power Company, M-PESA Foundation, M-PESA Holding Co. Limited, ML Integration Group Limited, ML Integration Limited, ML Integration Services Limited, MV Healthcare Services Private Limited, Mannesmann AG, MetroHoldings Limited, Mezzanine Ware Proprietary Limited (RF), Mirambo Limited, Misrfone Trading Company LLC, MobiFon S.A., Mobile Commerce Solutions Limited, Mobile Phone Centre Limited, Mobile Wallet VM1, Mobile Wallet VM2, Mobile by Sainsburys Limited, Mobiles 4 Business.com Limited, Mobileworld Communications Pty Limited, Mobileworld Operating Pty Ltd, Mobilvest, Motifpros 1 (Proprietary) Limited, Multi Risk Indemnity Company Limited, Multi Risk Limited, ND Callus Info Services Private Limited, Nadal Trading Company Private Limited, Nat Comm Air Limited, National Communications Backbone Company Limited, Navtrak Ltd, Netforce Group Limited, Netgrid Telecom SRL, Number Portability Company (Proprietary) Limited, ONO, Omega Telecom Holdings Private Limited, Oni Way  Infocomunicacoes S.A, Oskar Mobil S.R.O., Oxygen Solutions Limited, P.C.P. (North West) Limited, PPL Pty Limited, PT Network Services Limited, PTI Telecom Limited, Peoples Phone Limited, Pinnacle Cellular Group Limited, Pinnacle Cellular Limited, Plex Limited, Plustech Mercantile Company Private Limited, Prime Metals Ltd., Project Telecom Holdings Limited, Quickcomm Software Solutions, Radio Opt GmbH, Rian Mobile Limited, SBC SMART CITY 1517 B.V., SMMS Investments Pvt Limited, Safaricom Limited, Safenet N.P A., Sarmady Communications, Scarlet Ibis Investments 23 (Pty) Limited, Scorpios Beverages Pvt. Ltd, Silver Stream Investments Limited, Singlepoint (4U) Limited, Singlepoint (4U) Ltd., Singlepoint Payment Services Limited, Siro Limited, Spar Aerospace (Nigeria) Limited, Sport TV Portugal S.A, Starnet, Stentor Communications Limited, Stentor Limited, Storage Technology Services (Pty) Limited, T.W. Telecom Limited, T3 Telecommunications Limited, TKS Telepost Kabel-Service Kaiserslautern Beteiligungs GmbH, TKS Telepost Kabel-Service Kaiserslautern GmbH & Co. KG, TNAS Limited, TSM NZ Limited, Talkland Airtime Services Limited, Talkland Australia Pty Limited, Talkland Communications Limited, Talkland International Limited, Talkland Midlands Limited, Talkmobile Limited, Tele2 Italia SPA, Tele2 Spain, Telecom Investments India Private Limited, Telecommunications Europe Limited, Ternhill Communications Limited, The Cobra Group, The Eastern Leasing Company Limited, The Old Telecom Sales Co. Limited, Thus Group Holdings Limited, Thus Group Limited, Thus Limited, Thus Profit Sharing Trustees Limited, TnT Expense Management LLC, Tomorrow Street GP S.a r.l., Tomorrow Street SCA, Torenspits II B.V., Townley Communications Limited, Trans Crystal Ltd., UMT Investments Limited, UPC Nederland Holding I B.V., UPC Nederland Holding II B.V., UPC Nederland Holding III B.V., Unified Communications, Uniqueair Limited, Urbana Teleunion Rostock GmbH & Co.KG, Usha Martin Telematics Limited, VAPL No. 2 Pty Limited, VBA (Mauritius) Limited, VBA Holdings Limited, VBA International (SL) Limited, VBA International Limited, VEI S.r.l., VM SA, VND S.p.A, VSSB Vodafone Shared Services Budapest Private Limited Company, Verwaltung Urbana Teleunion Rostock GmbH, Victus Networks S.A., Vizzavi Finance Limited, Vizzavi Limited, Voda Limited, Vodacall Limited, Vodacash s.p.r.l., Vodacom (Pty) Limited, Vodacom Business (Angola) Limitada, Vodacom Business (Ghana) Limited, Vodacom Business (Kenya) Limited, Vodacom Business Africa (Nigeria) Limited, Vodacom Business Africa Group (Pty) Limited, Vodacom Business Africa Group Services Limited, Vodacom Business Cameroon SA, Vodacom Business Cote Divoire S.A.R.L., Vodacom Congo (RDC) SA, Vodacom Financial Services (Proprietary) Limited, Vodacom Group Limited, Vodacom Insurance Administration Company (Proprietary) Limited, Vodacom Insurance Company (RF) Limited, Vodacom International Holdings (Pty) Limited, Vodacom International Limited, Vodacom Lesotho (Pty) Limited, Vodacom Life Assurance Company (RF) Limited, Vodacom Payment Services (Proprietary) Limited, Vodacom Properties No 1 (Proprietary) Limited, Vodacom Properties No.2 (Pty) Limited, Vodacom Tanzania Limited Zanzibar, Vodacom Tanzania Public Limited Company, Vodacom UK Limited, Vodafone (NI) Limited, Vodafone (New Zealand) Hedging Limited, Vodafone (Scotland) Limited, Vodafone 2, Vodafone 4 UK, Vodafone 5 Limited, Vodafone 5 UK, Vodafone 6 UK, Vodafone Albania Sh.A, Vodafone Alternatif Telekom Hizmetleri A.S., Vodafone Americas 4, Vodafone Americas Virginia Inc., Vodafone And Qatar Foundation L.L.C, Vodafone Asset Management Services S.a r.l., Vodafone Australia Pty Limited, Vodafone Automotive Deutschland GmbH, Vodafone Automotive Electronic Systems S.r.L, Vodafone Automotive France S.A.S, Vodafone Automotive Iberia S.L, Vodafone Automotive Italia S.p.A, Vodafone Automotive Japan K.K, Vodafone Automotive Korea Limited, Vodafone Automotive SpA, Vodafone Automotive Technologies (Beijing) Co Ltd, Vodafone Automotive Telematics Development S.A.S, Vodafone Automotive Telematics S.A, Vodafone Automotive UK Limited, Vodafone Belgium SA/NV, Vodafone Benelux Limited, Vodafone Bilgi Ve Iletisim Hizmetleri AS, Vodafone Business Services Limited, Vodafone Business Solutions Limited, Vodafone Canada Inc, Vodafone Cellular Limited, Vodafone Central Services Limited, Vodafone China Limited (China), Vodafone China Limited (Hong Kong), Vodafone Connect 2 Limited, Vodafone Connect Limited, Vodafone Consolidated Holdings Limited, Vodafone Corporate Limited, Vodafone Corporate Secretaries Limited, Vodafone Czech Republic A.S., Vodafone DC Pension Trustee Company Limited, Vodafone Dagitim Hizmetleri A.S., Vodafone Data, Vodafone Distribution Holdings Limited, Vodafone Egypt Telecommunications S.A.E., Vodafone Elektronik Para Ve Odeme Hizmetleri A.S., Vodafone Empresa Brasil Telecomunicacoes Ltda, Vodafone Empresa Mexico S.de R.L. de C.V., Vodafone Enabler Espana S.L., Vodafone Enterprise Australia Pty Limited, Vodafone Enterprise Austria GmbH, Vodafone Enterprise Bahrain W.L.L., Vodafone Enterprise Bulgaria EOOD, Vodafone Enterprise Chile SA, Vodafone Enterprise Communications Technical Services (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, Vodafone Enterprise Corporate Secretaries Limited, Vodafone Enterprise Denmark A/S, Vodafone Enterprise Equipment Limited, Vodafone Enterprise Europe (UK) Limited, Vodafone Enterprise Europe (UK) Limited  Czech Branch, Vodafone Enterprise Europe (UK) Limited  DubaiI Branch, Vodafone Enterprise Finland OY, Vodafone Enterprise France SAS, Vodafone Enterprise Germany GmbH, Vodafone Enterprise Global Businesses S.a r.l., Vodafone Enterprise Global Limited, Vodafone Enterprise Global Network HK Ltd, Vodafone Enterprise Global Network Pte. Ltd., Vodafone Enterprise Hong Kong Ltd, Vodafone Enterprise Italy S.r.L, Vodafone Enterprise Korea Limited, Vodafone Enterprise Luxembourg S.A., Vodafone Enterprise Netherlands BV, Vodafone Enterprise Norway AS, Vodafone Enterprise Regional Business Singapore Pte.Ltd., Vodafone Enterprise Singapore Pte.Ltd, Vodafone Enterprise Spain S.L.U.  Portugal Branch, Vodafone Enterprise Spain SLU, Vodafone Enterprise Sweden AB, Vodafone Enterprise Switzerland AG, Vodafone Erste Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, Vodafone Espana S.A.U., Vodafone Euro Hedging Limited, Vodafone Euro Hedging Two, Vodafone Europe B.V., Vodafone Europe UK, Vodafone European Investments, Vodafone European Portal Limited, Vodafone Finance Limited, Vodafone Finance Luxembourg Limited, Vodafone Finance Sweden, Vodafone Finance UK Limited, Vodafone Financial Operations, Vodafone Financial Services B.V., Vodafone Fixed Ltd, Vodafone Foundation, Vodafone Foundation Australia Pty Limited, Vodafone Gestioni S.p.A, Vodafone Ghana Mobile Financial Services Limited, Vodafone Global Content Services Limited, Vodafone Global Enterprise (Hong Kong) Limited, Vodafone Global Enterprise (Italy) S.R.L., Vodafone Global Enterprise (Japan) K.K., Vodafone Global Enterprise (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Vodafone Global Enterprise Limited, Vodafone Global Enterprise Russia LLC, Vodafone Global Enterprise Taiwan Limited, Vodafone Global Enterprise Telecommunications (Hellas) A.E., Vodafone Global Network Limited, Vodafone Global Network Limited  Slovakia Branch, Vodafone Global Services Private Limited, Vodafone GmbH, Vodafone Group (Directors) Trustee Limited, Vodafone Group Pension Trustee Limited, Vodafone Group Services GmbH, Vodafone Group Services Ireland Limited, Vodafone Group Services Limited, Vodafone Group Services No.2 Limited, Vodafone Group Share Trustee Limited, Vodafone Hire Limited, Vodafone Holding A.S., Vodafone Holdings (Jersey) Limited, Vodafone Holdings (SA) Proprietary Limited, Vodafone Holdings Europe S.L.U., Vodafone Holdings Luxembourg Limited, Vodafone Hutchison Australia Pty Limited, Vodafone Hutchison Finance Pty Limited, Vodafone Hutchison Receivables Pty Limited, Vodafone IP Licensing Limited, Vodafone India Digital Limited, Vodafone India Limited, Vodafone India Services Private Limited, Vodafone India Ventures Limited, Vodafone Institut fur Gesellschaft und Kommunikation GmbH, Vodafone Intermediate Enterprises Limited, Vodafone International 1 S.a.r.l. Luxembourg Zweigniederlassung Bern, Vodafone International 1 S.a r.l., Vodafone International 2 Limited, Vodafone International Holdings B.V., Vodafone International Holdings Limited, Vodafone International M S.a r.l., Vodafone International Operations Limited, Vodafone International Services LLC, Vodafone Investment UK, Vodafone Investments (SA) Proprietary Limited, Vodafone Investments Australia Limited, Vodafone Investments Limited, Vodafone Investments Luxembourg S.a r.l., Vodafone Investments Luxembourg S.a r.l. Luxembourg Zweigniederlassung Bern, Vodafone Ireland Distribution Limited, Vodafone Ireland Ltd., Vodafone Ireland Marketing Limited, Vodafone Ireland Property Holdings Limited, Vodafone Ireland Retail Limited, Vodafone Italia S.p.A., Vodafone Jersey Dollar Holdings Limited, Vodafone Jersey Finance, Vodafone Jersey Yen Holdings Unlimited, Vodafone Kabel Deutschland Field Services GmbH, Vodafone Kabel Deutschland GmbH, Vodafone Kabel Deutschland Kundenbetreuung GmbH, Vodafone Kenya Limited, Vodafone Leasing Limited, Vodafone Libertel B.V., Vodafone Limited, Vodafone Luxembourg 5 S.a r.l., Vodafone Luxembourg 5 S.a r.l. Luxembourg Zweigniederlassung Bern, Vodafone Luxembourg S.a r.l., Vodafone Luxembourg S.a r.l. Luxembourg Zweigniederlassung Bern, Vodafone M-PESA SH.P.K., Vodafone M-Pesa S.A, Vodafone M.C. Mobile Services Limited , Vodafone Magyarorszag Mobile Tavkozlesi Zartkoruen Mukodo Reszvenytarsasag, Vodafone Malta Limited, Vodafone Marketing UK , Vodafone Maroc SARL, Vodafone Mauritius Ltd., Vodafone Mobile Commerce Limited, Vodafone Mobile Communications Limited, Vodafone Mobile Enterprises Limited, Vodafone Mobile NZ Limited, Vodafone Mobile Network Limited, Vodafone Mobile Operations Limited, Vodafone Mobile Services Limited, Vodafone Multimedia Limited, Vodafone Nederland Holding I B.V., Vodafone Nederland Holding II B.V., Vodafone Nederland Holding III B.V., Vodafone Net Iletisim Hizmetleri A.S., Vodafone Network Pty Limited, Vodafone New Zealand Foundation Limited, Vodafone New Zealand Limited, Vodafone Next Generation Services Limited, Vodafone Nominees Limited1, Vodafone ONO S.A.U., Vodafone Oceania Limited, Vodafone Old Show Ground Site Management Limited, Vodafone Overseas Finance Limited, Vodafone Overseas Holdings Limited, Vodafone Panafon International Holdings B.V., Vodafone Panafon UK, Vodafone Partner Services Limited, Vodafone Payment Solutions S.a r.l., Vodafone Portugal  Comunicacoes Pessoais S.A., Vodafone Procurement Company S.a r.l., Vodafone Property Investments Limited, Vodafone Pty Limited, Vodafone Qatar Q.S.C., Vodafone Retail (Holdings) Limited , Vodafone Retail Limited, Vodafone Roaming Services S.a r.l., Vodafone Romania S.A, Vodafone Romania M - Payments SRL, Vodafone Romania Technologies SRL, Vodafone Sales & Services Limited, Vodafone Satellite Services Limited, Vodafone Servicios SL.U, Vodafone Servizi E Tecnologie S.R.L, Vodafone Servicos Empresariais Brasil Ltda., Vodafone Shared Services Romania SRL, Vodafone Specialist Communications Limited, Vodafone Stiftung Deutschland Gemeinnutzige GmbH, Vodafone Technology Solutions Limited, Vodafone Teknoloji Hizmetleri A.S., Vodafone Tele-Services (India) Holdings Limited, Vodafone Telecel-Comunicates Pessoais S.A., Vodafone Telecommunications (India) Limited, Vodafone Telekomunikasyon A.S, Vodafone Towers Limited, Vodafone UK Content Services Limited, Vodafone UK Investments Limited , Vodafone UK Limited1 , Vodafone US Inc, Vodafone Ventures Limited1 , Vodafone Vierte Verwaltungs AG, Vodafone Worldwide Holdings Limited, Vodafone Yen Finance Limited , Vodafone m-pesa Limited, Vodafone-Central Limited Vodaphone Limited, Vodafone-Panafon Hellenic Telecommunications Company S.A., VodafoneZiggo Group Holding B.V, Vodata Limited , Vouchercloud SA (Pty) Ltd, Wataneya Telecommunications S.A.E, Waterberg Lodge (Proprietary) Limited, Wayfinder, Wheatfields Investments 276 (Proprietary) Limited, Wireless Interactions & NFC Accelerator 2013 B.V., Woodend Cellular Limited, Woodend Communications Limited, Woodend Group Limited, Woodend Holdings Limited, XB Facilities B.V, XLink Communications (Proprietary) Limited, Your Communications Group Limited, ZUM B.V., ZYB, Zelitron S.A., Zesko B.V., Ziggo B.V., Ziggo Bond Company B.V., Ziggo Deelnemingen B.V., Ziggo Finance 2 B.V., Ziggo Financing Partnership, Ziggo Holding B.V., Ziggo Netwerk B.V., Ziggo Netwerk II B.V., Ziggo Services B.V., Ziggo Services Employment B.V., Ziggo Services Netwerk 2 B.V., Ziggo Zakelijk Services B.V., and Zoranet Connectivity Services B.V..
Vanguard

The Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN) President Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili has reacted to ACPNs allegations, saying that the values and vision divergence with the party was a key factor that triggered her withdrawal from the presidential race.

The Sun

The Federal Government yesterday said that it welcomed statements from the United States and the United Kingdom calling for a free, fair and credible elections in the country.

ThisDay

Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has called on the governments of the United Kingdom and the United State (USA) to hold President Muhammadu Buhari and the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) responsible if the coming elections are rigged.

Daily Times

2019: PDP will bring back Nigerias economic fortunes  Obi JANUARY 25, 2019 The PDP vice Presidential candidate for the Feb. 16 general election, Mr. Peter Obi, says the countrys economic misfortunes will be reversed to rapid economic growth if the party is voted in. Obi gave the assurance at an interactive session with the Edo stakeholders and members of the Peoples Democratic Party in Benin on Thursday.

Daily Trust

The governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has said the South-west will reciprocate President Muhammadu Buharis kind gestures to the region by ensuring that he gets a landslide victory in the February 19 presidential election.

Leadership

Former Enugu State Governor, Mr Sullivan Chime says the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) will have the final say on the zone that gets the president in 2023.

The Nation
SunTrust Banks, Inc. operates as the holding company for SunTrust Bank that provides various financial services for consumers, businesses, corporations, institutions, and not-for-profit entities in the United States. It operates in two segments, Consumer and Wholesale. The Consumer segment provides deposits and payments; home equity and personal credit lines; auto, student, and other lending products; credit cards; discount/online and full-service brokerage products; professional investment advisory products and services; and trust services, as well as family office solutions. This segment also offers residential mortgage products in the secondary market. The Wholesale segment provides capital markets solutions, including advisory, capital raising, and financial risk management; asset-based financing solutions, such as securitizations, asset-based lending, equipment financing, and structured real estate arrangements; cash management services and auto dealer financing solutions; investment banking solutions; and credit and deposit, fee-based product offering, multi-family agency lending, advisory, commercial mortgage brokerage, and tailored financing and equity investment solutions. This segment also offers treasury and payment solutions, such as operating various electronic and paper payment types, which comprise card, wire transfer, automated clearing house, check, and cash; and provides services clients to manage their accounts online. The company offers its products and services through a network of traditional and in-store branches, automated teller machines, Internet, mobile, and telephone banking channels. As of December 31, 2018, it operated 1,218 full-service banking offices located in Florida, Georgia, Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Maryland, South Carolina, and the District of Columbia. SunTrust Banks, Inc. was founded in 1891 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.

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Chubb Limited provides insurance and reinsurance products worldwide. The company's North America Commercial P&C Insurance segment offers commercial property, casualty, workers' compensation, package policies, risk management, financial lines, marine, construction, environmental, medical, cyber risk, surety, and excess casualty; and group accident and health insurance to large, middle market, and small commercial businesses. Its North America Personal P&C Insurance segment provides affluent and high net worth individuals and families with homeowners, automobile and collector cars, valuable articles, personal and excess liability, travel insurance, and recreational marine insurance and services. The company's North America Agricultural Insurance segment offers multiple peril crop and crop-hail insurance; and coverage for farm and ranch property, and commercial agriculture products. Its Overseas General Insurance segment provides coverage for traditional commercial property and casualty; specialty categories, such as financial lines, marine, energy, aviation, political risk, and construction risk; and group accident and health, and traditional and specialty personal lines for corporations, middle markets, and small customers through retail brokers, agents, and other channels. The company's Global Reinsurance segment offers traditional and specialty reinsurance under the Chubb Tempest Re brand to property and casualty companies. Its Life Insurance segment provides protection and savings products comprising whole life, endowment plans, individual term life, group term life, medical and health, personal accident, credit life, universal life, and unit linked contracts. Chubb has collaboration with Marsh to secure insurance coverage for the COVAX no-fault compensation program. The company was formerly known as ACE Limited and changed its name to Chubb Limited in January 2016. Chubb Limited was incorporated in 1985 and is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland.

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Former presidential aide, Reno Omokri has reacted to reports that president Muhammadu Buhari has suspended embattled Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen and replaced him with Tanko Mohammed.

According to the former presidential aide the said the suspension is nothing but a plot to rig the forthcoming presidential election. He noted that, thats why its no coincidence that the suspension came the day Onnoghen was inaugurating the election tribunal. 

Speaking via his Twitter handle on Friday, wrote thus:

I am not surprised at President Buharis suspension of CJN Onnoghen by and his swearing in Tanko Mohammed from Bauchi as the new CJN. Its no coincidence that the suspension came the day Onnoghen was inaugurating the election tribunal. This is all about 2019!

I completely and totally reject the suspension of CJN Onnoghen by the cabal. The trumped up corruption charges against Onnoghen are before the courts, who have so far ruled in Onnoghens favour. King Lear madness must be resisted by voters on February 16, 2019 #TankoIsaUsurper
Energy Transfer LP provides energy-related services. The company owns and operates approximately 9,400 miles of natural gas transportation pipelines and three natural gas storage facilities in Texas; and 12,340 miles of interstate natural gas pipelines. It also sells natural gas to electric utilities, independent power plants, local distribution companies, industrial end-users, and other marketing companies. In addition, the company owns and operates natural gas gathering and natural gas liquid (NGL) pipelines, processing plants, and treating and conditioning facilities in Texas, New Mexico, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Louisiana; natural gas gathering, oil pipeline, and oil stabilization facilities in South Texas; and a natural gas gathering system in Ohio, as well as transports and supplies water to natural gas producers in Pennsylvania. Further, it owns approximately 4,823 miles of NGL pipelines; NGL and propane fractionation facilities; NGL storage facilities with working storage capacity of approximately 50 million barrels (MMBbls); and other NGL storage assets and terminals with an aggregate storage capacity of approximately 17 MMBbls. Additionally, the company sells gasoline, middle distillates, and motor fuel at retail, as well as crude oil, NGLs, and refined products; operates convenience stores; and distributes motor fuels and other petroleum products. It provides natural gas compression services; carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide removal, natural gas cooling, dehydration, and British thermal unit management services; and manages coal and natural resources properties, as well as sells standing timber, leases coal-related infrastructure facilities, collects oil and gas royalties, and generates electrical power. The company was formerly known as Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. and changed its name to Energy Transfer LP in October 2018. Energy Transfer LP was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in Dallas, Texas.

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Tapestry, Inc. provides luxury accessories and branded lifestyle products in the United States, Japan, Greater China, Other Asia, and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Coach, Kate Spade, and Stuart Weitzman. The company offers women's accessories, including handbags, such as wallets, money pieces, wristlets, and cosmetic cases; novelty accessories comprising address books, time management and travel accessories, sketchbooks, and portfolios; and key rings and charms. It also provides bag collections, including business cases, computer bags, messenger-style bags, backpacks, and totes; small leather goods, such as wallets, card cases, travel organizers, and belts; and footwear, watches, sunglasses, novelty accessories, and ready-to-wear for men. In addition, the company offers women's footwear; sunglasses; bracelets, necklaces, rings, and earrings; fragrances and watches; women's seasonal lifestyle apparel collections that include outerwear and ready-to-wear, and cold weather accessories, which comprise gloves, scarves, and hats. Further, it provides ready-to-wear and footwear items for kids; fashion bedding and tableware; and stationery and gifts. Additionally, the company licenses rights to market and distribute its eyewear, watches, fragrances, and tech accessories under the Coach brand; and fashion beddings, tableware, eyewear, watches, stationery and gifts, and tech accessories under the Kate Spade brand. It sells its products to consumers through a network of 958 Coach stores, 420 Kate Spade stores, and 131 Stuart Weitzman stores, including the Internet and concession shop-in-shops; and wholesale customers, as well as through independent third party distributors. The company was formerly known as Coach, Inc. and changed its name to Tapestry, Inc. in October 2017. Tapestry, Inc. was founded in 1941 and is headquartered in New York, New York.

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The suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen has stirred a hot debate among both the elites and ordinary Nigerians.

Latest to react to the suspension of the CJN, which was reported forced on President Muhammadu Buhari by the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

According of the former Aviation Minister, he had warned his friends in the opposition party about Buhari but they didnt listen, rather they laughed and scorned him but now they arent laughing any more.

Speaking via his twitter handle on Friday, he wrote:

When I warned my friends in the opposition that we are dealing with a fascistic monster in Buhari they did not believe me, they laughed me to scorn and accused me of being an alarmist. Well I doubt they are laughing anymore. For a President in a democracy to suspend the CJN..
Baker Hughes, a GE company provides integrated oilfield products, services, and digital solutions worldwide. Its Oilfield Services segment offers drilling, wireline, evaluation, completion, production, and intervention services; and drilling and completions fluids, completions tools and systems, wellbore intervention tools and services, artificial lift systems, pressure pumping systems, and oilfield and industrial chemicals for integrated oil and natural gas, and oilfield service companies. The company's Oilfield Equipment segment designs and manufactures products and services, including pressure control equipment and services, subsea production systems and services, drilling equipment, and flexible pipeline systems; and onshore and offshore drilling and production systems, and equipment for floating production platforms, as well as provides a range of services related to onshore and offshore drilling activities. Its Turbomachinery & Process Solutions segment provides equipment and related services for mechanical-drive, compression, and power-generation applications across the oil and gas industry, as well as products and services to serve the downstream segments of industry. Its product portfolio includes drivers, compressors, and turnkey solutions; and pumps, valves, and compressed natural gas and small-scale liquefied natural gas solutions. This segment serves upstream, midstream, onshore and offshore, industrial, engineering, procurement, and construction companies. The company's Digital Solutions segment provides sensor-based measurement, non-destructive testing and inspection, turbine, generator and plant controls, and condition monitoring, as well as pipeline integrity solutions for a range of industries, including oil and gas, power generation, aerospace, metals, and transportation. It serves through direct and indirect channels. The company is based in Houston, Texas. Baker Hughes, a GE company is a subsidiary of General Electric Company.

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Invesco Ltd. is a publicly owned investment manager. The firm provides its services to retail clients, institutional clients, high-net worth clients, public entities, corporations, unions, non-profit organizations, endowments, foundations, pension funds, financial institutions, and sovereign wealth funds. It manages separate client-focused equity and fixed income portfolios. The firm also launches equity, fixed income, commodity, multi-asset, and balanced mutual funds for its clients. It launches equity, fixed income, multi-asset, and balanced exchange-traded funds. The firm also launches and manages private funds. It invests in the public equity and fixed income markets across the globe. The firm also invests in alternative markets, such as commodities and currencies. For the equity portion of its portfolio, it invests in growth and value stocks of large-cap, mid-cap, and small-cap companies. For the fixed income portion of its portfolio, the firm invests in convertibles, government bonds, municipal bonds, treasury securities, and cash. It also invests in short term and intermediate term bonds, investment grade and high yield bonds, taxable and tax-free bonds, senior secured loans, and structured securities such as asset-backed securities, mortgage-backed securities, and commercial mortgage-backed securities. The firm employs absolute return, global macro, and long/short strategies. It employs quantitative analysis to make its investments. The firm was formerly known as Invesco Plc, AMVESCAP plc, Amvesco plc, Invesco PLC, Invesco MIM, and H. Lotery & Co. Ltd. Invesco Ltd. was founded in December 1935 and is based in Atlanta, Georgia with an additional office in Hamilton, Bermuda.

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The following companies are subsidiares of Mohawk Industries: A&S Energie NV, A&U Energie NV, Aladdin Manufacturing Corporation, Aladdin Manufacturing Of New York LLC, Aladdin Manufacturing of Alabama LLC, Alsace Logistique S.A., Avelgem Green Power CVBA, Avon Pacific Holdings Ltd, B&M NV, BGE Mexico S. de R. L. de C.V., Berghoef GmbH, Berghoef-Hout B.V., Bienes Raices y Materiales del Centro S. de R.L. de C.V., C.F. Marazzi S.A., Canterbury Spinners Ltd, Carpet Foundation Ltd, Cevotrans BV, Ceramus Bahia S/A  Produtos Ceramicos, DT Mex Holdings LLC, DTM/CM Holdings LLC, Dal Italia LLC, Dal-Elit LLC, Dal-Tile Chile Comercial Limitada, Dal-Tile Colombia S.A.S., Dal-Tile Distribution Inc., Dal-Tile Group Inc., Dal-Tile I LLC, Dal-Tile Industrias S. de R.L. de C.V., Dal-Tile International Inc., Dal-Tile Mexico Comercial S. de R.L. de C.V., Dal-Tile Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Dal-Tile Operaciones Mexico S. De R.L. De C.V., Dal-Tile Peru SRL, Dal-Tile Puerto Rico Inc., Dal-Tile Services Inc., Dal-Tile Shared Services Inc., Dal-Tile Tennessee LLC, Dal-Tile of Canada ULC, Daltile, Daltile, Dekaply NV, Durkan, Dynea NV, Eliane Argentina Sociedad Anonima, Eliane S/A - Revestimentos Ceramicos, Emilceramica India Pvt Ltd., Emilceramica S.r.l, Emilgermany GmbH, Emilgroup Asia Ltd, Explorer S.r.l., F.I.L.S. Investments Unlimited Company, Feltex Carpets Ltd, Feltex Carpets Pty Ltd, Feltex New Zealand Ltd, Fibremakers Australia Pty Ltd, Flooring Foundation Ltd, Flooring Industries Limited S.a r.l., Flooring XL B.V., Floorscape Limited, Godfrey Hirst & Co Pty Ltd, Godfrey Hirst (Singapore) Pte Ltd, Godfrey Hirst Australia Pty Ltd, Godfrey Hirst Group, Godfrey Hirst NZ Ltd, Hytherm (Ireland) Limited, IVC BVBA, IVC Far-East Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., IVC France S.a r.l., IVC GROUP LIMITED, IVC Green Power NV, IVC Group, IVC Group GmbH, IVC Luxembourg S.a r.l., IVC Rus OOO, IVC US Inc., International Flooring Systems S.a r.l., International Vinyl Company - Vostok OOO, KAI Group, KAI Keramica Ltd, KAI Mining EOOD, KERAMA CENTER OOO, Kerama Baltics OOO, Kerama Export OOO, Kerama Marazzi OOO, Kerampromservis (LLC), Khan Asparuh - Transport EOOD, Khan Asparuh AD, Khan Omurtag AD, Koninklijke Peitsman B.V., Kraj Kerama OOO, MG China Trading Ltd., MI Finance SRL, MUD (Holding) Brazil Ltda., Management Co EAD, Marazzi Acquisition S.r.l., Marazzi Deutschland G.m.b.H., Marazzi France Trading S.A.S., Marazzi Group, Marazzi Group F.Z.E., Marazzi Group S.r.l., Marazzi Group Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Marazzi Iberia S.L.U., Marazzi Japan Co. Ltd., Marazzi Middle East FZ LLC, Marazzi Schweiz S.A.G.L., Marazzi UK Ltd., Mohawk Assurance Services Inc., Mohawk Australia Pty Ltd, Mohawk Canada Corporation, Mohawk Capital Finance S.A., Mohawk Capital Luxembourg SA, Mohawk Carpet Distribution Inc., Mohawk Carpet Foundation Inc., Mohawk Carpet LLC, Mohawk Carpet Transportation Of Georgia LLC, Mohawk Commercial Inc., Mohawk ESV Inc., Mohawk Europe BVBA, Mohawk Factoring II Inc., Mohawk Factoring LLC, Mohawk Finance S.a r.l., Mohawk Foreign Acquisitions S.a r.l., Mohawk Foreign Funding S.a.r.l, Mohawk Foreign Holdings S.a r.l., Mohawk Foreign Investments Inc., Mohawk Global Investments S.a r.l., Mohawk Holdings International B.V., Mohawk Industries Inc., Mohawk International (Europe) S.a r.l., Mohawk International (Hong Kong) Limited, Mohawk International Capital N.V., Mohawk International Financing S.a.r.l, Mohawk International Holdings (DE) LLC, Mohawk International Holdings S.a r.l., Mohawk International Luxembourg S.a r.l., Mohawk International Netherlands B.V., Mohawk International Services BVBA, Mohawk KAI Luxembourg Holding S.a r.l., Mohawk KAI Luxembourg S.a r.l., Mohawk Luxembourg Capital S.A., Mohawk Luxembourg Financing S.a r.l., Mohawk Luxembourg Holdings S.a r.l., Mohawk Luxembourg Investments S.a r.l., Mohawk Luxembourg Pacific S.a r.l., Mohawk Marazzi International BV, Mohawk Marazzi Russia BV, Mohawk New Zealand Limited, Mohawk Operaciones Mexicali S. de R.L. de C.V., Mohawk Operations Luxembourg S.a r.l., Mohawk Pacific Investments S.a r.l., Mohawk Resources LLC, Mohawk Servicing LLC, Mohawk Singapore Private Limited, Mohawk Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, Mohawk Unilin Luxembourg S.a r.l., Mohawk United Finance B.V., Mohawk United International B.V., Mohawk Vinyl Financing S.a r.l., Molber Beheer B.V., Monarch Ceramic Tile Inc., P.F. Onroerend Goed B.V., PF Beheer B.V., Pergo, Pergo (Europe) AB, Pergo Holding BV, Pergo India Pvt Ltd, Polcolorit S.A., Premium Floors Australia Pty Limited, RR Apex LLC, Rata International Pty Ltd, Recubrimientos Interceramica S. de R.L. de C.V., Riverside Textiles Pty Ltd, S.C. KAI Ceramics SRL, Sibir Kerama OOO, SimpleSolutions USA LLC, Soft Step (Australia) Pty Ltd, Spano Group, Spano Invest BVBA, Spano NV, Stroyagromekhzapchast ChaO, Stroytrans OAO Orelstroy, Summit Wool Spinners Ltd, The Flooring Federation Ltd, Tiles Co OOD, Unilin (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Unilin ApS, Unilin Arauco Pisos Ltda., Unilin BVBA, Unilin Beheer BV, Unilin Distribution Ltd., Unilin Distribution Ukraine LLC, Unilin Finland OY, Unilin Flooring India Private Limited, Unilin Flooring SAS, Unilin GmbH, Unilin Holding BVBA, Unilin Insulation BV, Unilin Insulation SAS, Unilin Insulation Sury SAS, Unilin Italia S.R.L., Unilin North America LLC, Unilin Norway AS, Unilin OOO, Unilin Panels SAS, Unilin Poland Sp.Z.o.o., Unilin SAS, Unilin Spain SL, Unilin Swiss GmbH, Unilin s.r.o., World International Inc., Xtratherm, Xtratherm Limited, Xtratherm S.A., and Xtratherm UK Limited.
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Mayan Energy Limited engages in the development, production, and sale of hydrocarbons and related activities in the United States. The company holds interests in Forest Hills project situated in Wood County, Texas; Stockdale oil fields located in Wilson County, Texas; Zink Ranch and Mathis leases situated in Osage County, Oklahoma; and Shoats Creek field located in Louisiana. It also trades in oil and gas. The company was formerly known as Northcote Energy Limited and changed its name to Mayan Energy Limited in August 2016. Mayan Energy Limited was incorporated in 2010 and is based in Tortola, the British Virgin Islands.

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January 25, 2019 " Information Clearing House " - Israeli forces have shifted from a doctrine of war by stealth to openly declared aggression on its northern neighbor Syria. For two straight days, the

Nevertheless the Israeli blitzkrieg resulted in at least four Syrian military personnel being killed and damage to the civilian international airport near Damascus. That amounts to an outrageous war crime, as have countless air strikes carried out previously by Israel on Syria. Shamefully, the United Nations and Western governments maintain a hypocritical silence, while slapping sanctions on Syria, Russia and Iran over various alleged transgressions.

But whats remarkable about the latest Israeli aggression is the public acknowledgement by the government in Tel Aviv. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while on an African tour at the weekend, openly acknowledged the Israeli air strikes, as did the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).

We have a set policy, to target the Iranian entrenchment in Syria, and to harm whoever tried to harm us, said Netanyahu on a visit to Chad.

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In a statement, the IDF said: We have started striking Iranian Quds [Revolutionary Guards] targets in Syrian territory. We warn the Syrian Armed Forces against attempting to harm Israeli forces or territory.

Earlier this month, Netanyahu bragged to his cabinet members in televised comments about the success of repeated air strikes on Syria purportedly against Iranian targets.

That was also around the same time the outgoing IDF chief Gadi Eisenkot boasted to Western media about running a bombing campaign against Syria with thousands of strikes over recent years on an almost daily basis.

One of those air strikes last September resulted in the death of 15 Russian aircrew when their IL-20 surveillance plane was mistakenly shot down by Syrian air defenses in what appeared to be a deliberate aerial trap set up by Israeli fighter jets. The incident sparked outrage in Moscow which then promptly delivered upgraded S-300 air defense systems to Syria. Those air defense systems may account for the successful interception of dozens of Israeli missiles in the latest barrage.

This change in Israeli policy from habitually issuing no comment responses after air strikes are reported in Syria to one where senior government figures are publicly exulting in the conduct of attacks is an extraordinary development.

Some observers have pointed out that it could be Netanyahu engaging in electioneering. He is seeking re-election in April and so may be playing the tough guy image to bolster his national security credentials among voters.

That may partly be the calculus. But there does appear also to be a bigger shift going in Israeli military strategy towards Syria and Iran.

No doubt the announced withdrawal of US troops from Syria by President Trump has thrown the various regional players into flux. Russia has emerged as the dominant military force in Syria and possibly the wider region due to its masterstroke of intervening in Syria to thwart the countrys foreign enemies waging their regime-change operation.

Of course, the Syrian government of President Bashar al-Assad has emerged too with renewed confidence and respect in the region for its formidable defense. Syrias allies Iran and Hezbollah have also gained immense kudos in helping the Arab country defeat the US-NATO-Israeli-Saudi axis and their terrorist proxy army.

Israeli paranoia over Iranian military presence in neighboring Syria has seen the Israelis lobbying Moscow to put limits on Iranian forces. Last month, Russian military officials were reportedly in Israel for discussions with Israeli counterparts. It is believed part of those talks  described as tense  were appeals by the Israelis to Russia to give guarantees about what they called Iranian expansionism. It appears that Moscow was not obliging.

In this context of flux, it seems that Israel is trying to desperately assert its influence over political and military developments in Syria that are viewed by the Israelis as negative. In trying to salvage its interests in the failed covert war for regime change in Syria, the Israelis are openly adopting criminal aggression with a hubris that is out of control.

The public admission of daily air strikes by Israeli leaders on Syria is an admission of war crimes. The strikes are wanton aggression and violation of international law. They can be in no way justified as defensive against threats.

Iranian and Hezbollah forces are in Syria legally at the request of the Damascus government, as are Russian military. Just because the Israelis have a paranoid obsession about Iran and Hezbollah does not give them any legal grounds to launch air strikes on Syria.

In the latest escalation it is openly admitted by the Israelis that they launched the missiles first. On Sunday morning, Israel attacked Damascus and southern Syria supposedly against Iranian targets.

Later, on Sunday afternoon, the Iranian forces fired a medium-range rocket from near Damascus aimed for Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Israels Iron Dome air defense reportedly intercepted it successfully with no casualties among Israeli tourist skiers on the holiday resort slopes of Mount Hermon.

Then in the early hours of Monday, the Israelis launched more cruise missiles on Damascus. Syrian air defenses were warned by the Israelis to hold fire. When the Syrian air defense neutralized many of the incoming warheads, the Israelis turned around to target the Syrian army. Four Syrian military personnel were reportedly killed.

Evidently, even according to Israeli official accounts, it is the Israelis who are engaging in unwarranted first strikes. Their supposed retaliation to the Iran rocket on the Golan Heights is an oxymoron. Even more absurd, the Syrians are warned not to activate air defense systems while their country is being attacked. When Syria defends itself, its troops are then killed by enemy air strikes.

And lets not forget, the Golan Heights are internationally recognized as Syrian territory which Israel annexed and has been illegally occupying since the 1967 Six Day War. Again, the Western hypocrisy is exposed with no sanctions on Israel, but Russia is being sanctioned for allegedly annexing Crimea in 2014.

Irans air force commander responded to the latest events, saying his nation was ready for a war that will destroy the state of Israel. Such a war could drag in the US and Russia  and lead to nuclear weapons being deployed. The Israeli regime with its 200-300 nuclear warheads is certainly criminally arrogant enough.

Israels reckless flouting of international law and its taunting of enemies may be just the kind of hubris that precedes a catastrophic fall.

This article was originally published by " Strategic Culture Foundation " -

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Koninklijke Philips N.V. is the Netherlands-based health technology company. The Company's segments include Personal Health businesses, Diagnosis & Treatment businesses, Connected Care & Health Informatics businesses, HealthTech Other and Legacy Items. The Personal Health businesses segment is engaged in the health continuum, delivering integrated, connected solutions that support healthier lifestyles and those living with chronic disease. The Diagnosis & Treatment businesses segment delivers precision medicine and treatment, and therapy. The Connected Care & Health Informatics businesses segment provides consumers, care givers and clinicians with digital solutions that facilitate care by enabling precision medicine and population health management. The HealthTech Other segment comprises such items, as innovation, emerging businesses, royalties, among others. The Legacy Items segment consists mainly of separation costs, legacy legal items, legacy pension costs, among others.

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SociAtA GAnArale SociAtA anonyme provides financial services in Europe, the Americas, Asia, Oceania, Africa, and France. The company offers retail banking services, including deposits and loans, vehicles and asset management, corporate finance, insurance, payments, investment, and online brokerage and financial information services; Internet, mobile, telephone, and service platforms; and online banking to individual and professional customers, businesses, non-profit associations and local authorities under the Societe Generale, CrAdit du Nord, and Boursorama Banque brands. It also provides international retail banking and financial services, comprising of deposit and loan products; consumer finance and car finance; mortgage facilities; corporate and investment banking; infrastructure, renewable energies, and agribusiness financing; life, retirement savings, and personal protection insurance products; vehicle leasing and fleet management services; and vendor and equipment finance services to corporate and individual customers. In addition, the company offers capital market services, such as fixed income and currencies, equities, and securities services; mergers and acquisitions, advisory and other corporate finance advisory services, and corporate banking and investment banking, as well as capital raising solutions for debt or equity, financial engineering, and hedging for issuers; transaction and payment services, comprising of cash management, trade finance, cash clearing and correspondent banking, supply chain finance, and foreign exchange services; and export finance, aircraft finance, shipping finance, real estate finance, and structured solutions and leasing. Further, it provides financial engineering and wealth management solutions; structured products, hedge funds, mutual funds, private equity funds and real estate investment solutions; and asset management solutions. SociAtA GAnArale SociAtA anonyme was founded in 1864 and is headquartered in Paris, France.

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The following companies are subsidiares of Illinois Tool Works: A V Co 1 Limited, A V Co 2 Limited, A V Co 3 Limited, ACCU-LUBE Manufacturing GmbH - Schmiermittel und -gerate -, AIP/BI Holdings Inc., Accessories Marketing Holding Corp., Advanced Molding Company Inc., Allen Coding GmbH, Allen France SAS, Alpine Automation Limited, Alpine Engineered Products, Alpine Holdings Inc., Alpine Systems Corporation, Anaerobicos S.r.l., AppliChem GmbH, AppliChem Inc., Arylux Hungary Elektromechanikus Alkatreszgyarto Kft, Avery Berkel France, Avery India Limited, Avery Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Avery Weigh Tronix, Avery Weigh-Tronix (Suzhou) Weighing Technology Co. Ltd., Avery Weigh-Tronix Finance Limited, Avery Weigh-Tronix Holdings Limited, Avery Weigh-Tronix International Limited, Avery Weigh-Tronix LLC, Avery Weigh-Tronix Limited, Avery Weigh-Tronix Properties Limited, Azon Limited, B.C. Immo, Beijing Miller Electric Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Berkel (Ireland) Limited, Berrington UK, Brapenta Eletronica Ltda., Brooks Instrument, Brooks Instrument (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, Brooks Instrument B.V., Brooks Instrument GmbH, Brooks Instrument KFT, Brooks Instrument Korea Ltd., Buell Industries Inc., CAPMAX Logistica S.A. de C.V., CCI Realty Company, CFC Europe GmbH, CS (Australia) Pty Limited, CS (Finance) Europe S.a.r.l., CS Mexico Holding Company S DE RL DE CV, CSMTS LLC, Calvia Spolka z Ograniczona Odpowiedzialnosci, Capital Ventures (Australasia) S.a r.l, Capmax Logistica S.A. de C.V., Celeste Industries Corporation, Cetram Pty Limited, Coeur, Coeur (Shanghai) Medical Appliance Trading Co. Ltd, Coeur Asia Limited, Coeur Holding Company, Coeur Inc., Compagnie Hobart, Compagnie de Materiel et d'Equipements Techniques-Comet, Constructions Isothermiques Bontami C.I.B., Crane Carrier Company, Densit Asia Pacific Sdn Bhd, Despatch Industries, Diagraph Corporation Sdn. Bhd, Diagraph ITW Mexico S. de R.L. De C.V., Diagraph Mexico S.A. DE C.V., Dongguan Ark-Les Electric Components Co. Ltd., Dongguan CK Branding Co. Ltd., Dorbyl U.K. (Holdings) Limited, Duo Fast de Espana S.A.U., Duo-Fast Korea Co. Ltd., Duo-Fast LLC, E.C.S. d.o.o., ECS Cable Protection Sp. Zoo, ELRO (Holding) AG, ELRO Grosskuchen GmbH, ELRO-WERKE AG, Elga Skandinavian AS, Elro Group, Eltex-Elektrostatik-Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung, Envases Multipac S.A. de C.V., Eurotec Srl, FEG Investments L.L.C., Fasver, Filtertek, Filtertek De Mexico Holding Inc., Filtertek De Mexico S.A. de C.V., GC Financement SA, Gamko B.V., Gun Hwa Platech (Taicang) Co. Ltd., HOBART Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung, Hartness International, Hobart (Japan) K.K., Hobart Andina S.A.S., Hobart Brothers International Chile Limitada, Hobart Brothers LLC, Hobart Dayton Mexicana S. de R.L. de C.V., Hobart Food Equipment Co. Ltd., Hobart Foster Belgium, Hobart International (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Hobart Korea LLC, Hobart LLC, Hobart Nederland B.V., Hobart Sales & Service Inc., Hobart Scandinavia ApS, Hobart Techniek B.V., Horis, ILC Investments Holdings Inc., ITW (China) Investment Company Limited, ITW (Deutschland) GmbH, ITW (EU) Holdings Ltd., ITW (European) Finance Co. Ltd., ITW (European) Finance II Co. Ltd., ITW (Ningbo) Components & Fastenings Systems Co. Ltd., ITW AEP LLC, ITW AOC LLC, ITW Aircraft Investments Inc., ITW Airport Ground Equipment (Beijing) Co. Ltd., ITW Alpha Sarl, ITW Ampang Industries Philippines Inc., ITW Appliance Components EOOD, ITW Appliance Components LLC, ITW Appliance Components S.A. de C.V., ITW Appliance Components S.r.l.a, ITW Appliance Components d.o.o., ITW Australia Holdings Pty Ltd, ITW Australia Property Holdings Pty Ltd., ITW Australia Pty Ltd, ITW Automotive Components (Chongqing) Co. Ltd., ITW Automotive Components (Langfang) Co. Ltd., ITW Automotive Japan K.K., ITW Automotive Korea LLC, ITW Automotive Parts (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, ITW Automotive Products GmbH, ITW Automotive Products Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., ITW Bailly Comte, ITW Befestigungssysteme GmbH, ITW Belgium, ITW Brazilian Nominee L.L.C., ITW Building Components Group Inc., ITW CER, ITW CP Distribution Center Holland BV, ITW CS (UK) Ltd., ITW Canada Inc., ITW Celeste Inc., ITW Chemical Products Ltda, ITW Chemical Products Scandinavia ApS, ITW Colombia S.A.S., ITW Construction Products (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., ITW Construction Products (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., ITW Construction Products AB, ITW Construction Products AS, ITW Construction Products ApS, ITW Construction Products CZ s.r.o., ITW Construction Products Italy Srl, ITW Construction Products OU, ITW Construction Products OY, ITW Contamination Control (Wujiang) Co. Ltd., ITW Contamination Control B.V., ITW Covid Security Group Inc., ITW DS Investments Inc., ITW DelFast do Brasil Ltda., ITW Delta Sarl, ITW Denmark ApS, ITW Dynatec, ITW Dynatec Adhesive Equipment (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., ITW Dynatec GmbH, ITW Dynatec Kabushiki Kaisha, ITW EF&C France SAS, ITW EF&C Selb GmbH, ITW Electronic Business Asia Co. Limited, ITW Electronic Components/Products (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., ITW Electronics (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., ITW Epsilon Sarl, ITW Espana S.A., ITW FEG Hong Kong Limited, ITW FEG do Brasil Industria e Comercio Ltda., ITW Fastener Products GmbH, ITW Finance Designated Activity Company, ITW Finance Europe S.A., ITW Fluids and Hygiene Solutions Ltda., ITW Food Equipment Group LLC, ITW GH LLC, ITW GSE ApS, ITW GSE Inc., ITW Gamma Sarl, ITW German Management LLC, ITW Global Investments Holdings LLC, ITW Global Investments Holdings Y Compania Sociedad en Comandita por Acciones, ITW Global Investments II Inc., ITW Global Investments LLC, ITW Global Tire Repair Europe GmbH, ITW Global Tire Repair Inc., ITW Global Tire Repair Japan K.K., ITW Graphics (Thailand) Ltd., ITW Graphics Asia Limited, ITW Graphics Italy S.R.L. in liquidazione, ITW Great Britain Investment & Licensing Holding Company, ITW Group France (Luxembourg) S.ar.l., ITW HLP Thailand Co. Ltd., ITW Holding Quimica B.C. S.L. Sole Shareholder Company, ITW Holdings Australia L.P., ITW Holdings I Limited, ITW Holdings II Limited, ITW Holdings III Limited, ITW Holdings IV Limited, ITW Holdings IX Limited, ITW Holdings Inc., ITW Holdings LP, ITW Holdings UK, ITW Holdings V Limited, ITW Holdings VI Limited, ITW Holdings VII Limited, ITW Holdings VIII Limited, ITW Hungary Finance Beta Kft, ITW ILC Holdings I Inc., ITW IPG Investments LLC, ITW Imaden Industria e Comercio Ltda., ITW India Private Limited, ITW International Holdings LLC, ITW International Intellectual Property LLC, ITW Invest Holding GmbH, ITW Ireland Holdings Unlimited Company, ITW Ireland Unlimited Company, ITW Italy Finance Srl, ITW Italy Holding Srl, ITW Japan Ltd., ITW Korea LLC, ITW LLC & Co. KG, ITW Limited, ITW Lombard Holdings Inc., ITW Lys Fusion S.r.l., ITW M FILMS II LLC, ITW MH LLC, ITW Marking & Coding (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., ITW Medical Group de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., ITW Meritex Sdn. 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January 25, 2019 " Information Clearing House " - President Donald Trump once openly considered a military option to oust Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro  and now that the US has officially called on Maduro to step down amid massive protests against his rule, Trump says that option is back on the table.

But according to a former top US military official, it probably shouldnt be. The Pentagons former top official in charge of overseeing South American operations says there is no good reason for the US military to intervene in Venezuela right now.

The country is currently in the grip of a potentially explosive political standoff between two men who both claim to be the legitimate president of Venezuela: Maduro, who was reelected president in May 2018; and opposition leader Juan Guaido.

Guaido claims the 2018 election was rigged and that he, as the head of the National Assembly (the countrys legislative body), is now the rightful president according to the countrys constitution.

On Wednesday, Trump officially recognized Guaido as Venezuelas interim president and called Maduros claim to the presidency illegitimate. But Maduro has responded with defiance and has so far shown no sign of stepping down anytime soon.

That led reporters soon afterward to ask Trump if he might send US troops into Venezuela to remove Maduro from power. Were not considering anything, Trump responded, but all options are on the table.

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But retired Air Force Gen. Douglas Fraser, who from June 2009 to November 2012 led US Southern Command  the part of the Defense Department responsible for overseeing Central and South America and the Caribbean  told me that US military intervention is the wrong course of action right now.

I dont see a good reason for the military to be employed in this situation, he said.

Heres why he thinks that, and why the Trump administration should prioritize other options instead.

Why a military option isnt a good idea right now

Maduro still has control and the backing of major institutions in his country  including the military. On Thursday, Venezuelas armed forces said they support their Maduro and will stop any coup attempts against him.

That means that any US military action aimed at toppling Maduro would likely be met with stiff resistance from the 515,000-strong Venezuelan military.

Whats more, even if the US military did succeed in toppling Maduro, the country would almost certainly be in a much worse state after even the most limited war  and Venezuela is already suffering from a dire humanitarian catastrophe caused by an economic collapse over the past several years.

That could pressure the US military to stay in the country long enough to stabilize it  potentially leading to yet another open-ended US military commitment abroad. (See: the Iraq War and the war in Afghanistan.)

Instead, Fraser said, the US would be better off working with regional allies and partners to alleviate some of the suffering in and around Venezuela. Most of the country lives in poverty and lacks access to even the most basic things needed for survival. That has led millions to flee to Colombia and other nearby countries to escape the misery.

Fraser did acknowledge that the US military should still look into what it would take to invade Venezuela just in case Trump does call for such a plan. It might be worthwhile to just understand what the implications and requirements would be, he told me. Thats only prudent planning in case the president decides thats an option he wants.

But he doesnt think Trump should choose that option anytime soon. I dont see the benefit of a direct military engagement, he told me.

So for now, perhaps Trump should take that option off the table.

This article was originally published by " VOX " -

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==See Also==

Venezuela: Casualties as Violence Erupts

Venezuela military chief declares loyalty to Maduro and warns US not to intervene

Private military contractors linked to Russia are reportedly in Venezuela to protect Maduro

Venezuela's Maduro Urges Dialogue Instead of US-backed Coup

U.S. seeks to cut off money for Venezuela's Maduro, aid opposition

US asks for UN Security Council meeting on Venezuela

China opposes foreign intervention in Venezuela's domestic affairs: China supports the Venezuelan government and opposes foreign interference in Venezuela's domestic affairs

Chinese company buys 60 pct stake in Peru port:

Medvedev invites US to imagine Venezuelan-style change of president in Washington

The BBC just put out its most grotesque pro-regime change propaganda since the invasion of Iraq

4 Gains Maduros Venezuela Made That Mainstream Media Ignores

Facebooks verified account tick used to interfere in Venezuela  Russian parliament speaker :

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By Jim Lobe

January 25, 2019 " Information Clearing House " - Donald Trumps domestic troubles, combined with the current makeup of his foreign policy team, provide a confluence of circumstances, perhaps a perfect storm, to pull the United States into a war with Iran.

Indeed, the walls are closing in around Trump. The presidents poll numbersonce seemingly impervious to an already unprecedentedly tumultuous administrationare sinking, even among his most ardent supporters, as he increasingly boxes himself into the corner of a government shutdown for which the public says hes largely responsible. At the same time, impeachment looms on the horizon. House Democratic committee chairs are winding up for some serious investigations into a whole range of alleged misdeeds by the president and some of his Cabinet appointments, and Robert Mueller is wrapping up his investigation into Trumps highly questionable ties to Russia.

In short, Trumps position has never been weaker. And despite what appears to be his personal desire to extract U.S. troops from the Middle East, as shown by his order to withdraw U.S. troops from Syria and his assertion two weeks later that Irans leaders can do what they want there, his deepening political problems may make war more attractive.

As Jim Lobe pointed out in September, Trump has previously signaled that a president could benefit politically by starting a war with Iran, as he predicted President Obama would do no less than half a dozen times between late 2011 and 2013 in order to win reelection or show how tough he is. At least back then, Trump correlated political redemption with war against Iran. And with whats left of his domestic agenda on hold indefinitely due to the Democratic takeover of the House, Trumps attentionas erratic as it isis very likely to shift to foreign policy where he not only enjoys greater freedom of action but can also deflect attention from his disastrous presidency.

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Bolton Increasingly in Charge?

At the same time, Trumps top foreign policy advisers have been gunning for war with Iran for years. And the one Cabinet official largely responsible for pumping the brakes on military confrontation with Tehran throughout this administration, Defense Secretary James Mattis, is gone. With an interim enabler installed as acting Pentagon chief, theres no permanent replacement in sight (although things could get much worse if Trump opts for Tom Cotton or Lindsey Graham).

According to recent reporting, Mattis helped quash a plan last fallconjured up by National Security Advisor John Boltonto retaliate militarily against an alleged Shiite militia mortar attack that landed harmlessly near the U.S. embassy in Baghdad. Indeed, the leaks that have come out of the Pentagon since Mattiss departure strongly suggest that Bolton is looking for a pretext for an attack, even if Iranian forces are not directly involved. In the words of The New York Timess headline editors, Pentagon Officials Fear Boltons Actions Increase Risk of Clash With Iran.

Mattiss departure effectively removes from the leadership team a major obstacle to Boltons belief that the United States should take strong military action against Iran. Bolton was an unapologetic supporter of the war in Iraq and promoted false claims to make the case for the 2003 invasion. Bolton has since dedicated much of his careereven working closely and surreptitiously as UN ambassador with then-Vice President Dick Cheney and the Israelisto prepare the grounds for war with Iran or promote regime change. And he isnt shy about misleading the public to attain those goals. Earlier this month, for example, he claimed, without offering any evidence, that there is little doubt that Iran is committed to building a nuclear weapon, even though U.S. intelligence and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have made no such conclusions. In fact, both U.S. intel and the IAEA continue to find that Iran is adhering to the 2015 nuclear accord, of which Bolton gave Trump the final push to withdraw from last year.

That Bolton is perfectly capable of ignoring Trumps own directives and preferences with respect to Middle East policy has already been made clear by what has happened since Trump called last month for a complete withdrawal of U.S. troops from Syria within 30 days. Bolton publicly walked back Trumps decision to withdraw, and Trumps timeline to withdraw has already been extended to four to six months, according to the latest reports (and quite possibly longer in the wake of an attack in Manbij last week that killed three U.S. soldiers and one contractor).

An experienced bureaucratic operator, Bolton reportedly has centralized policy-making in his office, much to the annoyance of other agencies and Cabinet colleagues (notably Mattis). Given Trumps attenuated attention span and lack of curiosity, Bolton has been steadily positioning himself to pursue his own highly ideological and anti-Iran agenda. Just in the last few weeks, Bolton has bolstered his staff with two Iran ultra-hardliners: Charles Kupperman as his deputy, and former Foundations for Defense of Democracies staffer Richard Goldberg to run point on Iran. Although he has not yet been officially appointed to the National Security Council (NSC) staff, David Wurmser, one of the intellectual architects of the Iraq War who worked closely with both Bolton and Cheney, is reportedly a frequent visitor.

Pompeo Not Much Better

But its not just Bolton. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is a long-time Iran hawk who, prior to joining the administration, campaigned heavily in the House against the JCPOA in favor of hundreds of air strikes against Irans nuclear facilities. Pompeo has taken point on the Trump administrations public campaign to demonize Iran and lay the groundwork for war. As CIA director, Pompeo orchestrated a leak of documents intended to (baselessly) link Iran to al-Qaeda. At the State Department, he has delivered the most hardline anti-Iran speeches. In one last May, he insisted that Iran must accede to 12 demands, including halting all uranium enrichment and withdrawing all forces under [its] command in Syria before U.S. sanctions can be eased. He has repeated this ultimatum even though most Iran experts characterize it as totally unrealistic. During his widely panned Middle East tour earlier this month, in which he promised to expel every last Iranian boot from Syria, Pompeo announced that he will cohost with Poland an Iran-bashing summit next month that top EU officials say they intend to boycott.

Pompeo may be somewhat more hesitant these days, now that hes no longer a carefree congressman happy to engage in all kinds of provocations and freelance diplomacy with super-hawks like Cotton against the Obama administrations efforts to conclude the nuclear deal with Iran. He actually has to take the sensitivities of foreign governments, such as Washingtons NATO partners (despite Trumps trashing of same), into account. On the other hand, he has recently behaved pretty much like a bull in a china shop, evidenced by the bombing of his big policy speeches in Brussels, in Cairo, and quite probably next month in Warsaw.

Overall, Bolton and Pompeos hawkish rhetoric and anti-Iran activities have proliferated recently, particularly since Trumps maximum pressure campaign is failing to force Tehran to return to negotiations on Pompeos terms in order to avoid economic collapse and popular insurrection. Their increasingly aggressive stance, however, risks moving the two countries closer to a military confrontation.

The Role of Informal Advisers and Funders

Of course, Trump may choose not to listen to his Cabinet officials and instead seek advice from those who appear to enjoy relatively easy access to him. Theres Fox & Friends, for example, and Sean Hannity, who is probably even more belligerent than Bolton himself. What about Jared Kushner? His familys long association with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Bibi used to sleep in Jareds bedroom), business ties in Israel, and support for the settlement movement on the West Banknot to mention Jareds efforts to eliminate all aid to Palestinian refugees everywhere and his steadfast support for Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS)suggest that he would not be unsympathetic to a massive show of U.S. force against Iran as part of his efforts to implement his much-anticipated Israel-Palestine peace plan.

Then theres Trumps personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani who, like Bolton, has served as perhaps the most persistent booster of the Mujahedin-e Khalq (MEK), a cultish group of anti-regime Iranian exiles formerly on the State Departments list of terror organizations. Giuliani told an MEK rally in Paris last September that, We are now realistically being able to see an end to the regime in Iran.

Sheldon and Miriam Adelson have become the biggest financial backers of the national Republican Party and appear to get Trumps ear just about every time they want, especially regarding Israel and their personal financial interests. It was Sheldon who memorably called for the United States to drop a nuclear bomb in in the middle of Tehran if Iran refuses to give up its entire nuclear program after a demonstration bomb is detonated in the middle of the [Iranian] desert. Theres also billionaire financier Tom Barrack, who reportedly facilitated Trumps love affair with the Gulf royals, particularly in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. Although hes very unlikely to endorse Adelsons nuclear suggestionthe Gulf states would suffer a lot of fallout downwindhe may not object to military operations short of it. And then theres Lindsey Graham whos been bullish on the outcome of war with Iran.

Of course, Bolton and Pompeos aggressiveness may also be designed to provoke Iran itself to renounce the nuclear deal or at least to begin testing the its limits. Indeed, Irans adherence to the 2015 nuclear deal, as noted most recently in a comprehensive memo by the International Crisis Group, is increasingly under threat due to the growing stress felt in Tehran by the U.S.-imposed sanctions regime, the failure to date of the European Union to implement its plan for a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to enable Iran to reap at least some of the deals economic rewards, and the unrelenting hawkish rhetoric emanating from the Trump administration. That assessment leaves space for the administration to provoke a crisis, pushing Iran to ultimately withdraw from the nuclear deal and thus providing a pretext for military action.

Provocateurs Aplenty

With Trump in political trouble at home, Mattis out, and Bolton centralizing power in an increasingly hawkish NSC, certain foreign powers with a well-established interest in military conflict between the United States and Iran-notably Israel, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Bahrainmay see an unprecedented but transitory window for provocation. Indeed, like Trump, both Netanyahu and MbS are facing difficulties of their own and may be eager to create new distractions that could rally domestic opinion behind them.

Indeed, Israel has exhibited a new boldness in bombing suspected Iranian weapons sites in Syria. Analysts have warned that Israels new openness [in publicly claiming responsibility for the strikes] could ratchet up tensions, making it harder for Iranian leaders to ignore attacks and pushing them to retaliate, The New York Times reported this week. Netanyahu himself this week even mocked the head of the Quds Force, Qassem Soleimani, in the aftermath of the latest Israeli attack, implicitly daring him to retaliate. There is also Boltons history of colluding with Israel to undermine official U.S. policy and his boss, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, during Israels 2006 war against Hezbollah.

Meanwhile, any incident involving Iran on the one hand and Saudi Arabia, the UAE, or Bahrain on the other in and around the Gulf or off the coast of Yemen could quickly spiral out of control, drawing in U.S. forces. That Bolton asked for military options in response to a minor attack by a Shia militia that may not even have been supportedmuch less directedby Iran suggests a very itchy finger on the trigger in both Syria and Iraq. And it was Trump himself who reportedly asked Mattis and the rest of his national-security team repeatedly why U.S. warships dont sink Iranian fast boats, a somewhat disturbing echo of the 1964 Gulf of Tonkin incident. Misjudgments, bad or cooked intelligence, false flagsnone of these should be discounted.

But its not just hostile states that are capable of and have an interest in staging an incident designed to escalate into a wider conflict between the United States and Iran. The MEK has long had an interest in provoking such a war. So have both al-Qaeda and the virulently anti-Iranian Islamic State. Hard-line rogue commanders in Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) could also decide to take matters into their own hands.

The potential of some kind of conflict with Iran escalating into a larger regional war is very real, possibly more real than ever. Although some have been sounding the alarm, the attention given to this dire situation is nowhere near the level it deserves. Given the national medias ever-shifting focus on whatever shiny chaotic moment emerges from Trump and his administration, its possible that the United States could find itself in a new Middle East war without anyone really noticing it happen.

Jim Lobe served for some 30 years as the Washington DC bureau chief for Inter Press Service and is best known for his coverage of U.S. foreign policy and the influence of the neoconservative movement. https://lobelog.com

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By Andre Vltchek

January 25, 2019 " Information Clearing House " - It is new and it is not new, but it is tremendously wicked and deadly  the latest type of coup the US invented and is now applying against Venezuela.

Of course, coups and attempted coups are what could be described as the Wests specialties, and have been utilized by the U.S., U.K. and other imperialist countries against innumerable unfortunate nations on all continents. In Latin America, basically each and every country has suffered from them, from the Dominican Republic to Chile and Argentina; in Asia, from Indonesia to Thailand, and in the Middle East from Iran to Egypt and Syria. Whenever people of some country dared to vote in the socialists, Communists, anti-colonialists or simply some decent bunch of people who were determined to serve their own population, the West corrupted and deployed local elites and military, overthrew elected or revolutionary governments and installed brutal servile regimes. Thousands died, sometimes millions, but the Empire couldnt care less; as long as it got its way.

There has been a clear pattern to how the West constructed its terror acts against almost all truly freedom-loving nations.

But what the West is now doing to Venezuela is something else, and totally extreme; the hostile acts against President Maduro and his comrades are stripped of all the scruples and cosmetic refinements of the past. They supposed to demonstrate in the cruelest terms who the real ruler of the world is, and who is in charge. This is Western democracy at its best!

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In the past, the US tried to overthrow Chavez, it attempted to starve Venezuela, to make its medical system collapse, then to assassinate Maduro. It produced a deficit of food, even toilet paper. It ordered its lapdogs in Latin America to antagonize the Bolivarian revolution.

Now, in the latest development, the regime in Washington has simply hand-picked its favorite traitor inside the socialist republic of Venezuela - a treasonous cadre named Juan Guaido, (who served, briefly, as President of the National Assembly of Venezuela), recognizing him as the interim President of the country.

Of course, before Guaido first declared himself, pompously, President of Venezuela, he was almost immediately put into his place by the Venezuelas Supreme Court, which disavowed him as the chief of the National Assembly. So, let us call him former chief.

But the Western mass media propaganda campaign kicked into top gear, and overnight became utterly unscrupulous. As a result, it is now becoming almost impossible to read any information about the Supreme Court ruling, unless one goes to non-Western sources.

So, lets go there. As reported by Iranian Tasnim, on January 22, 2019:

Venezuela's Supreme Court head Maikel Moreno announced on Monday that the judges had disavowed Juan Guaido as the chief of the opposition-controlled National Assembly.

And the RT, just one day earlier:

Venezuelas Supreme Court has declared all acts of the countrys National Assembly null and void, days after the opposition-held assembly declared President Nicolas Maduros election illegitimate.

Also, the Venezuelan foreign minister, Jorge Arreaza, snapped at Guaido on 21stJanuary, 2019:

"You see this man, who nobody knows in Venezuelayou ask in the streets, Who is Juan Guaido? and nobody knows himbut hes being pushed to say that he is the new president, by the U.S.

And he did say that! On the 23rd of January 2019, in front of his mob of supporters in Caracas.

And then, a day later, President Trump recognized him as the countrys interim president. Canada did the same. The same did France, now a second-rate but increasingly rejuvenated imperialist and neo-colonialist power. Followed by that U.S. puppet  the Organization of American States (OAS), with such fascist countries on board, like Brazil, and Colombia now leading the pack.

Today, the world is clearly divided, as China, Russia, Iran, Turkey, Syria, South Africa, Bolivia, Cuba, Mexico, Uruguay and many others are firmly on the side of the legitimate revolutionary government of President Maduro.

Confrontation is inevitable.

Venezuela ordered all US diplomats to leave and it cut off all diplomatic ties with Washington. US refused to make its embassy staff depart from Caracas, declaring that the Venezuelan government is illegitimate.

This amounts to a declaration of war. The US refuses to recognize the sovereignty of Venezuela. It reserves the right to tell the Venezuelan people who their real president is! It only recognizes its own, supreme control over the hemisphere and the Planet, showing spite for international law.

It is childish, arrogant, outrageous, and surreal. But it is really happening. And unless it is stopped, right there, in Caracas, this new form of spreading coups, and enforcing global dictatorship, may spread to all other parts of the world.

*

Although there are many new elements at play, the situation, to a great extent, resembles the Syrian scenario, as was conveyed to TASS, on January 24, 2019, by Venezuela's Ambassador to Russia Carlos Rafael Faria Tortosa:

The Venezuelan authorities know that the US is trying to stage a Syrian scenario with "government in exile" in Caracas After US Vice President Michael Pence called for overthrowing our government, our president decided to sever diplomatic relations with the US authorities and asked US diplomats to leave Caracas in the next 72 hours. This is an adequate response which our brave president provided to flagrant interference No country can allow any other country to state their opinions about the internal affairs of the state, especially when it comes to calls for overthrowing [the authorities].

"We know what the next steps will be. The US will now have a justification [for their actions] that there are two governments in the country, like they did in our fraternal Syria with President Bashar Assad and its people. They created a government in exile, which led to great losses, to casualties, to demolition of the country's infrastructure.

Will Caracas ask Moscow directly for help, as Syria did years ago, while fighting for its survival? It is not certain, yet, although this possibility certainly exists. Venezuela is counting on increasing support from Russia, Iran, China, Cuba and other socialist or independent countries.

For Venezuela, the only way to survive, is to cut off all its dependency on the West, immediately. Washington is threatening Caracas with further sanctions and even with an oil embargo.

There is no reason to panic. But Maduros government has to rapidly and fully realign itself. There are many countries outside the NATO realm which are willing to buy Venezuelan oil, and/or fairly invest in its infrastructure and industry. Russia, Iran, China and Turkey are the most important ones, but there are many others.

There has to be new strategy on how to alleviate the pain of the ordinary Venezuelans. This, too, has to come from outside the Western sphere of control, even outside Latin America; a continent known for its brutal European-descendent elites, consistent lack of solidarity, courage, and acceptance of the Wests rule (the greatest modern-day hero of South America, Hugo Chavez, died attempting to build an united, proud, socialist Latin America, just to be stabbed in his back and spat at by many of the servile Latin American nations. Cuba was fully abandoned after the destruction of the Soviet Union, and had to be saved by China).

The country has to mobilize; it has to fight. Fight for its survival. With all its allies united, ready to defend Venezuela, the same as it has been happening in Syria.

Venezuela suffers and struggles for humanity, not just for itself. With the name of Chavez and socialism on its lips.

Russia is standing by its ally, Venezuela. On 24 January, 2019, Sputnik reported:

Russia warns the United States against military interference in Venezuela's affairs, it would be a disaster, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Thursday:

"As we see how the situation in Venezuela develops, we note the willingness of a certain group of countries, including the United States, to use different platforms such as the Organization of American States, to increase pressure on our ally Venezuela under different pretexts But we have always supported and will support friendly Venezuela that is our strategic partner.

From the country devastated by a similar destabilization campaign as the one that is taking place in Venezuela, the Syrian official press agency SANA carried a message of support for the legitimate Venezuelan government:

The Syrian Arab Republic condemns in strongest terms going to extremes by the US and its blatant interference in the affairs of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela which constitutes a flagrant violation of all international norms and laws and a brazen attack against the Venezuelan sovereignty, a source at the Foreign and Expatriates Ministry said on Thursday.

The source added that the destructive policies adopted by the US in different parts of the world and its disregard of the international legitimacy represents the main reason behind the tensions and the state of instability in our world

The Syrian Arab Republic affirms its categorical rejection of the blatant US interferences, and it renews full solidarity with the Venezuelan leadership and people in preserving the sovereignty of the country and foiling the hostile schemes of the US administration

In the past, countries accepted the Western terror unleashed against them as something inevitable. But now, the situation is changing. Russia, Cuba and Syria, Iran and China, and now Venezuela, are refusing to surrender, or even to negotiate with the terrorists.

Aleppo, which I described as the Middle Eastern Stalingrad, stood tall, fought, resisted and defeated vicious enemies. Now Caracas, the Latin American Leningrad, is under siege, starving, but determined to fight against foreign invasion and treasonous cadres.

All over the world, people have to mobilize and fight, by all means, against fascism and for Venezuela!

Andre Vltchek is a philosopher, novelist, filmmaker and investigative journalist. He has covered wars and conflicts in dozens of countries. Three of his latest books are Revolutionary Optimism, Western Nihilism , a revolutionary novel Aurora and a bestselling work of political non-fiction:  Exposing Lies Of The Empire . View his other books here . Watch Rwanda Gambit , his groundbreaking documentary about Rwanda and DRCongo and his film/dialogue with Noam Chomsky On Western Terrorism . Vltchek presently resides in East Asia and the Middle East, and continues to work around the world. He can be reached through his website and his Twitter .

Do you agree or disagree? Post your comment here

==See Also==

Venezuela: Casualties as Violence Erupts

Venezuela military chief declares loyalty to Maduro and warns US not to intervene

Private military contractors linked to Russia are reportedly in Venezuela to protect Maduro

Venezuela's Maduro Urges Dialogue Instead of US-backed Coup

U.S. seeks to cut off money for Venezuela's Maduro, aid opposition

US asks for UN Security Council meeting on Venezuela

China opposes foreign intervention in Venezuela's domestic affairs: China supports the Venezuelan government and opposes foreign interference in Venezuela's domestic affairs

Chinese company buys 60 pct stake in Peru port:

Medvedev invites US to imagine Venezuelan-style change of president in Washington

The BBC just put out its most grotesque pro-regime change propaganda since the invasion of Iraq

4 Gains Maduros Venezuela Made That Mainstream Media Ignores

Facebooks verified account tick used to interfere in Venezuela  Russian parliament speaker :

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Antiwar Hero Medea Benjamin Disrupts Venezuela Coup Circle Jerk

By Caitlin Johnstone

January 25, 2019 " Information Clearing House " - Before they launch missiles, they launch narratives. Before they drop bombs, they drop talking points. Before they implement crushing starvation sanctions, they demonize and condemn. Before they invade, they propagandize. Before the killing starts, manipulation paves the way.

For this reason, the front line of any antiwar movement is a fight against the establishment narratives about disobedient nations that are aggressively promulgated by the political/media class. And right now one of the very most adept Americans at doing that is an activist named Medea Benjamin.

Benjamin once again displayed her knack for getting her message seen in high-profile spaces in a way that grabs attention and punches through cleanly and concisely as she crashed the warmongering bloviations of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo at a meeting of the Organization for American States (OAS) in Washington, DC.

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Following a speech in which Pompeo regurgitated already established Trump talking points referring to Venezuelas president Nicolas Maduro as the former president, accusing him of being economically incompetent, profoundly corrupt and undemocratic to the core, Benjamin cut off his applause by standing at the end of the council room with a sign reading OAS: DONT SUPPORT A COUP IN VENEZUELA and decrying the Trump administrations attempts to topple the Venezuelan government.

Dont support the coup! Benjamin shouted. A coup is not a democratic transition! Do not listen to Secretary Pompeo! Do not support the coup! Do no support the coup in Venezuela!

We call on the OAS to support the democratically elected leader and work for a negotiated solution, Medea continued to yell as security staff cajoled her out of the room. Coups only bring more violence, war and destruction!

"'Don't support the coup!' @medeabenjamin declared, holding up a sign at the end of the council room. 'A coup is not a democratic transition! Do not listen to Secretary Pompeo!'" #HandsOffVenezuela #NoRegimeChange #PAZhttps://t.co/Q5HlZYt3DY  CODEPINK (@codepink) January 24, 2019

And of course Medea Benjamin is correct. This US-led coup is not different from all the other US-led coups in South America and in oil-rich nations around the world; it is designed to be profitable for the already wealthy and strategically advantageous for the already powerful, with none of the interest in humanitarianism and democracy that it always pretends to have.

For those of you who havent been following this story, heres a quick breakdown:

Venezuela has the largest proven oil reserves of any nation on the planet, and if that one fact right there doesnt raise your suspicions, youve got a lot to learn about US interventionism. US foreign interventions often boil down to resource control, so if a resource-rich nation refuses to be absorbed into the blob of the US-centralized power alliance its a safe bet that youll eventually hear the US State Department saying that the people in that nation are in bad need of some Freedom and Democracy (read: starvation sanctions and CIA coups). Venezuela has been no exception, and the economic strangulations which have been heaped upon the nation under both the previous administration and the current one have effectively made it nearly impossible for its economy to get its head above water. Add in the fact that the CIA Director all but admitted in 2017 that the agency was working to topple the Venezuelan government, and its not surprising that were seeing civil unrest there today.

Anyway, on Wednesday some guy named Juan declared that he was the real president of Venezuela and not Nicolas Maduro, who was democratically elected by an overwhelming majority in May of last year in an election which was found to have been perfectly legitimate by the international Council of Electoral Experts of Latin America. Juan Guaido did not win any election to this position, nor indeed has he ever campaigned for it. The basis for the claim of Maduros illegitimacy, a congressional interpretation of Article 233 of Venezuelas Constitution, was struck down by the nations highest court as fraudulent. Nevertheless, on Wednesday the Trump administration announced that it would no longer be recognizing Venezuelas elected government and would only be recognizing the office of Juan the guy. This move was copied by Canada and a host of South American US allies.

Thread on how the US strangled #Venezuela's economy, deprived its citizens of vital staples, and disabled the government's ability to move or access funds anywhere. It wasn't #Maduro, it was #America. https://t.co/VOmUzKqlAh  Sharmine Narwani (@snarwani) January 24, 2019

This is of course a huge move by the United States. The only thing that holds governments in place is peoples recognition of them, and on an international level that means their being recognized by other governments. If China ceased recognizing Americas current government and instead conducted all its diplomacy through some guy named Steve who works at the Home Depot in Newark, New Jersey, all diplomatic relations between the two nations would instantly crumble. In light of this brazen act, Maduro said all US diplomats have 72 hours to leave the nation, to which the Trump administration replied that it has no intention of doing since the order came from Maduro and not the rando named Juan (who as noted by Moon of Alabama is very keen on changing Venezuelas oil policies to Americas advantage).

So now the US is, as WikiLeaks observed, effectively conducting a small occupation of Venezuela by keeping its diplomats in the nation illegally. If the Venezuelan government (the actual one, not the imaginary one) were to make a move to throw them out, things could get really ugly.

And so the confrontation begins, as I anticipated just hours ago, tweeted Venezuelan-American attorney and journalist Eva Golinger when this news broke. Maduro expels US diplomats, they refuse to leave. If he tries to force them out, US will respond, with all options on the table (military intervention). This is a total reality show, invent a reason to invade.

And the Trump administration has indeed made it clear that it considers all options on the table up to and including a full-scale military invasion of Venezuela.

All options are on the table for the United States in regards to actions to be taken, a senior administration official told reporters on Wednesday, adding, When we say all options are on the table that means all options are on the table.

BREAKING: Trump declares Juan Guaido to be Interim President of Venezuela, Jackie Chan the Interim President of China, Peppa Pig the Interim Queen of England, and himself the Interim Police Commissioner of Gotham City.  Caitlin Johnstone  (@caitoz) January 23, 2019

So this is a full-fledged coup attempt, being pushed along by starvation sanctions, CIA covert ops, and copious amounts of propaganda, and it has become a tinder box that could erupt into a US-funded civil war or direct US military involvement at the drop of a hat. The mass media is as usual moving almost exclusively in the direction of unquestioning support for this trajectory. The time to protest is not when the bombs start falling, but when the war propaganda gets rolled out, as is happening right now.

Medea Benjamin is showing the way for anyone whos sick of standing by feeling helpless while the US steamrolls another nation beneath the treads of its insatiable war machine. If youre looking for ideas on how to disrupt the narratives of war, shes setting a very good example for everyone.

Caitlin's articles are entirely reader-supported, so if you enjoyed this piece please consider sharing it around, liking her on Facebook, following her antics on Twitter, checking out her podcast, throwing some money into her hat on Patreon or Paypal, or buying her book Woke: A Field Guide for Utopia Preppers. https://caitlinjohnstone.com

Do you agree or disagree? Post your comment here

==See Also==

Venezuela: Casualties as Violence Erupts

Venezuela military chief declares loyalty to Maduro and warns US not to intervene

Private military contractors linked to Russia are reportedly in Venezuela to protect Maduro

Venezuela's Maduro Urges Dialogue Instead of US-backed Coup

U.S. seeks to cut off money for Venezuela's Maduro, aid opposition

US asks for UN Security Council meeting on Venezuela

China opposes foreign intervention in Venezuela's domestic affairs: China supports the Venezuelan government and opposes foreign interference in Venezuela's domestic affairs

Chinese company buys 60 pct stake in Peru port:

Medvedev invites US to imagine Venezuelan-style change of president in Washington

The BBC just put out its most grotesque pro-regime change propaganda since the invasion of Iraq

4 Gains Maduros Venezuela Made That Mainstream Media Ignores

Facebooks verified account tick used to interfere in Venezuela  Russian parliament speaker :

Note To ICH Community

We ask that you assist us in dissemination of the article published by ICH to your social media accounts and post links to the article from other websites.

Thank you for your support.

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The following companies are subsidiares of Dominion Energy: 96WI 8me LLC, Alamo Solar LLC, Align RNG Grady Road LLC, Align RNG LLC, Align RNG North Carolina LLC, Align RNG Utah LLC, Align RNG Utah-Milford LLC, Align RNG Virginia LLC, Align RNG Virginia-Waverly LLC, Atlantic Coast Pipeline LLC, Azalea Solar LLC, BrightSuite Distributed Solar Holdings Inc., BrightSuite Home LLC, BrightSuite Inc., BrightSuite Solar LLC, Buckingham Solar I LLC, CEA Americus LLC, CEA Clovis LLC, CEA Dairy RNG Colorado LLC, CEA Dairy RNG Georgia LLC, CEA Dairy RNG Nevada LLC, CEA Dairy RNG New Mexico LLC, CEA Greely LLC, CEA Mason LLC, CID Solar LLC, CNG Coal Company, CNG Power Services Corporation, Carolina Gas Transmission Corporation, Catalina Solar 2 LLC, Clean Energy Asset USA LLC, Clean Energy Enterprises Inc., Clipperton Holdings LLC, Consolidated Natural Gas Company, Correctional Solar LLC, Cottonwood Solar LLC, Cove Point GP Holding Company LLC, Cove Point LNG Limited, DE Fluvanna Solar LLC, DE Hanover Solar LLC, DE King William Solar LLC, DE Powhatan Solar LLC, Dairy RNG Holdings LLC, Dominion ACP Holding Inc., Dominion Alternative Energy Holdings Inc., Dominion Atlantic Coast Pipeline LLC, Dominion Bridgeport Fuel Cell LLC, Dominion Brine LLC, Dominion Capital Inc., Dominion Cogen WV Inc., Dominion Cove Point Inc., Dominion Cove Point LLC, Dominion Energy BTM Inc., Dominion Energy Carolina Gas Services Inc., Dominion Energy Carolina Gas Transmission LLC, Dominion Energy Cove Point LNG LP, Dominion Energy Field Services Inc., Dominion Energy Fuel Services Inc., Dominion Energy Gas Distribution LLC, Dominion Energy Gas Holdings LLC, Dominion Energy Generation Marketing Inc., Dominion Energy Inc., Dominion Energy Kewaunee Inc., Dominion Energy Marketplace LLC, Dominion Energy Midstream GP LLC, Dominion Energy Midstream Partners LP, Dominion Energy Nuclear Connecticut Inc., Dominion Energy Overthrust Pipeline LLC, Dominion Energy Payroll Company Inc., Dominion Energy Questar Corporation, Dominion Energy Questar Pipeline LLC, Dominion Energy Questar Pipeline Services Inc., Dominion Energy RNG Holdings II Inc., Dominion Energy RNG Holdings Inc., Dominion Energy Services Inc., Dominion Energy Smart Home LLC, Dominion Energy Solar CA LLC, Dominion Energy Solutions Inc., Dominion Energy South Carolina Inc., Dominion Energy Southeast Services Inc., Dominion Energy Technical Solutions Inc., Dominion Energy Technologies II Inc., Dominion Energy Technologies Inc., Dominion Energy Terminal Company Inc., Dominion Energy Transmission Inc., Dominion Energy Wexpro Services Company, Dominion Equipment III Inc., Dominion Equipment Inc., Dominion Fairless Hills Inc., Dominion Fowler Ridge Wind LLC, Dominion Gas Projects Company LLC, Dominion Gathering & Processing Inc., Dominion Gathering?& Processing Inc., Dominion Generation Inc., Dominion Greenbrier Inc., Dominion High Voltage Holdings Inc., Dominion High Voltage MidAtlantic Inc., Dominion Investments Inc., Dominion Iroquois Inc., Dominion Keystone Pipeline Holdings Inc., Dominion Keystone Pipeline LLC, Dominion MLP Holding Company II Inc., Dominion MLP Holding Company II LLC, Dominion MLP Holding Company III Inc., Dominion MLP Holding Company LLC, Dominion Modular LNG Holdings Inc., Dominion Mt. Storm Wind LLC, Dominion North Star Generation Inc., Dominion Nuclear Projects Inc., Dominion Oklahoma Texas Exploration & Production Inc., Dominion Oklahoma Texas Exploration?& Production Inc., Dominion Person Inc., Dominion Privatization Florida LLC, Dominion Privatization Georgia LLC, Dominion Privatization Holdings Inc., Dominion Privatization Kentucky LLC, Dominion Privatization South Carolina LLC, Dominion Privatization Texas LLC, Dominion Privatization Virginia LLC, Dominion Products and Services Inc., Dominion Projects Services Inc., Dominion Resources Capital Trust III, Dominion Retail Gas Holdings Inc., Dominion Solar Construction and Maintenance LLC, Dominion Solar Gen-Tie LLC, Dominion Solar Holdings I LLC, Dominion Solar Holdings II LLC, Dominion Solar Holdings III LLC, Dominion Solar Holdings IV LLC, Dominion Solar Projects A Inc., Dominion Solar Projects B Inc., Dominion Solar Projects C Inc., Dominion Solar Projects D Inc., Dominion Solar Projects I Inc., Dominion Solar Projects II Inc., Dominion Solar Projects III Inc., Dominion Solar Projects IV Inc., Dominion Solar Projects V Inc., Dominion Solar Projects VI Inc., Dominion Solar Projects VII Inc., Dominion Solar Services Inc., Dominion Solar?Gen-Tie ?LLC, Dominion State Line LLC, Dominion Voltage Inc., Dominion Wholesale Inc., Dominion Wind Development LLC, Dominion Wind Projects Inc., Eagle Holdco Solar LLC, Eagle Solar LLC, Eastern Shore Solar LLC, Enterprise Solar LLC, Escalante Solar I LLC, Escalante Solar II LLC, Escalante Solar III LLC, Farmington Properties Inc., Four Brothers Solar LLC, Fremont Farm LLC, Granite Mountain Holdings LLC, Granite Mountain Solar East LLC, Granite Mountain Solar West LLC, Greenbrier Marketing Company LLC, Greenbrier Pipeline Company LLC, Greensville County Solar Project LLC, Hecate Energy Cherrydale LLC, Hecate Energy Clarke County LLC, Hope Gas Inc., Imperial Valley Solar Company (IVSC) 2 LLC, Indy Solar Development LLC, Indy Solar I LLC, Indy Solar II LLC, Indy Solar III LLC, Innovative Solar 37 LLC, Iron Springs Holdings LLC, Iron Springs Solar LLC, Iroquois GP Holding Company LLC, Louis Dreyfus Natural Gas, Maricopa West Solar PV LLC, Moffett Solar 1 LLC, Moorings Farm 2 LLC, Mulberry Farm LLC, Mustang Solar LLC, NE Hub Partners L.L.C., NE Hub Partners L.P., NiCHe Storage Solutions LLC, Niche LNG LLC, North Star Generation LLC, PSNC Blue Ridge Corporation, PSNC Cardinal Pipeline Company, PSNC Southgate LLC, Pavant Solar LLC, Phone House, Pikeville Farm LLC, Prairie Fork Wind Farm LLC, Public Service Company of North Carolina Incorporated, QPC Holding Company, QPC Holding Company LLC, Questar Corporation, Questar Energy Services Inc., Questar Field Services LLC, Questar Gas Company, Questar InfoComm Inc., Questar Southern Trails Pipeline Company, Questar White River Hub LLC, RE Adams East LLC, RE Camelot LLC, RE Columbia LLC, RE Columbia LLC, RE Columbia Two LLC, RE Kansas LLC, RE Kent South LLC, RE Old River One LLC, Rev LNG SSL BC LLC, Richland Solar Center LLC, Ridgeland Solar Farm I LLC, SBL Holdco LLC, SCANA, SCANA Communications Holdings Inc., SCANA Corporate Security Services Inc., SCANA Energy Marketing Inc., SCANA Energy Marketing LLC, SCANA Pharmacy LLC, SCANA Services Inc., SRFI LLC, Sappony Solar LLC, Scana Corporation, Scott-II Solar LLC, Scott-II?Solar LLC, Seabrook Solar LLC, Selmer Farm LLC, Siler Solar LLC, Somers Solar Center LLC, South Carolina Electric?& Gas Company, South Carolina Fuel Company Inc., South Carolina Generating Company Inc., Southampton Solar LLC, Summit Farms Solar LLC, TA - Acacia LLC, TA ? Acacia LLC, TWE Myrtle Solar Project LLC, The East Ohio Gas Company, Tioga Properties LLC, Tredegar Solar Fund I LLC, VP Property Inc., Virginia Electric And Power Company, Virginia Power Fuel Corporation, Virginia Power Nuclear Services Company, Virginia Power Services Energy Corp. Inc., Virginia Power Services LLC, Virginia Solar 2017 Projects LLC, Wakefield Solar LLC, Wexpro Company, Wexpro Development Company, Wexpro II Company, Wilkinson Solar LLC, Wrangler Retail Gas Holdings LLC, and roquois GP Holding Company LLC.
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.
January 25, 2019 " Information Clearing House "

-

Ever since President James Monroe announced a sort of protectorate over the hemisphere in the early 19th century known as the Monroe Doctrine, the United States has involved itself in the daily affairs of nations across Latin America, often on behalf of North American commercial interests or to support right-leaning forces against leftist leaders.

That military involvement petered out after the end of the Cold War, although the U.S. has been accused of granting at least tacit backing to coups in Venezuela in 2002 and Honduras in 2009.

The Trump's administration leading role in recognizing Juan Guaido as the interim president of Venezuela returns the U.S. to a more assertive role in Latin America than it has had for years.

Some of the most notable U.S. interventions in Latin America:

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1846: The United States invades Mexico and captures Mexico City in 1847. A peace treaty the following year gives the U.S. more than half of Mexico's territory  what is now most of the western United States.

1903: The U.S. engineers Panamanian independence from Colombia and gains sovereign rights over the zone where the Panama Canal would connect Atlantic and Pacific shipping routes.

1903: Cuba and the U.S. sign a treaty allowing near-total U.S. control of Cuban affairs. U.S. establishes a naval base at Guantanamo Bay.

U.S. Marines repeatedly intervene in Central America and the Caribbean throughout the first quarter of the 20th century, often to protect U.S. business interests in moments of political instability.

1914: U.S. troops occupy the Mexican port of Veracruz for seven months in an attempt to sway developments in the Mexican Revolution.

1954: Guatemalan President Jacobo Arbenz is overthrown in a CIA-backed coup.

1961: The U.S.-backed Bay of Pigs invasion fails to overthrow Soviet-backed Cuban leader Fidel Castro but Washington continues to launch attempts to assassinate Castro and dislodge his government.

1964: Leftist President Joao Goulart of Brazil is overthrown in a U.S.-backed coup that installs a military government lasting until the 1980s.

1965: U.S. forces land in the Dominican Republic to intervene in a civil war.

1970s: Argentina, Chile and allied South American nations launch brutal campaign of repression and assassination aimed at perceived leftist threats, known as Operation Condor, often with U.S. support.

1980s: Reagan administration backs anti-Communist Contra forces against Nicaragua's Sandinista government and backs the Salvadoran government against leftist FMLN rebels.

1983: U.S. forces invade Caribbean island of Grenada after accusing the government of allying itself with Communist Cuba.

1989: U.S. invades Panama to oust strongman Manuel Noriega.

1994: A U.S.-led invasion of Haiti is launched to remove the military regime installed by a 1991 coup that ousted President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. The invasion restores Aristide.

2002: Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is ousted for two days before retaking power. He and his allies accuse the U.S. of tacit support for the coup attempt.

2009: Honduran President Manuel Zelaya overthrown by military. U.S. accused of worsening situation by insufficient condemnation of the coup.

This article was originally published by " AP " -

Do you agree or disagree? Post your comment here

==See Also==

Repeated History, US Backs Another Coup in Venezuela

In this special segment of "By Any Means Necessary" is joined by Lucas Koerner, writer at Venezulanalysis.com to talk about the ongoing attempts at a US-backed coup in Venezuela, the illegitimacy of Juan Guaidos claim to the presidency and the role of right-wing Latin American governments in supporting the efforts to overthrow the government of Nicolas Maduro. Listen to "Repeated History, US Backs Another Coup in Venezuela" on Spreaker.

Venezuela: Casualties as Violence Erupts

Venezuela military chief declares loyalty to Maduro and warns US not to intervene

Private military contractors linked to Russia are reportedly in Venezuela to protect Maduro

Venezuela's Maduro Urges Dialogue Instead of US-backed Coup

U.S. seeks to cut off money for Venezuela's Maduro, aid opposition

US asks for UN Security Council meeting on Venezuela

China opposes foreign intervention in Venezuela's domestic affairs: China supports the Venezuelan government and opposes foreign interference in Venezuela's domestic affairs

Chinese company buys 60 pct stake in Peru port:

Medvedev invites US to imagine Venezuelan-style change of president in Washington

The BBC just put out its most grotesque pro-regime change propaganda since the invasion of Iraq

4 Gains Maduros Venezuela Made That Mainstream Media Ignores

Facebooks verified account tick used to interfere in Venezuela  Russian parliament speaker :

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Peace and joy
French President Emmanuel Macron will make his first official visit to Egypt since he assumed office in 2017 on Sunday, state-run MENA agency reported.

The visit comes as the two countries enjoy unprecedented development in bilateral relations, according to MENA.

The visit also coincides with the beginning of "France-Egypt 2019", a year-long designation that was launched by Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and Macron on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the opening of the Suez Canal earlier this year.

President El-Sisi visited Paris in October 2017 where he met with Macron and discussed joint efforts to combat terrorism, the Middle East peace process, the situation in Libya, and issues related to bilateral cooperation.

The two countries have strengthened economic and military ties under President El-Sisi since he assumed office in 2014.

Short link:


Information is taken from the records of the Portage Police Department and does not represent a comprehensive list of police activity. Each individual named in this report is presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Between 8:45 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 21 and 7:37 on Thursday, Jan. 24, police responded to about 25 parking complaints alone and a total 93 calls, including the following:

East Wisconsin Street and Ontario Street: Police at 12:06 a.m. on Jan. 22 arrested Asia L. Bronstad, 31, of Chetek, for a first offense of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated with a blood-alcohol content of 0.125. Police also cited Bronstad for speeding.

West Howard Street: Police at 1:58 a.m. on Jan. 22 cited Kristie L. Benzine, 40, of Packwaukee, for an eighth offense of operating after suspension and for not having proof of insurance and non-registration of a vehicle.

West Oneida Street: Police at 5:50 p.m. on Jan. 22 responded to a residence after a 10-year-old male juvenile threw a fork at his mother and left a mark on her neck. Police arrested the male juvenile and referred him to Human Services for recommended charges of disorderly conduct and recklessly endangering safety.
Bob married Rose Marquess in 1942. He enlisted in the Navy during World War II on a sub chaser patrol craft. After serving his country, he came home and went into farming until 1957. Then he worked up to a market manager while with Jewel Companies, Inc. for 35 years. In retirement, Bob was a semi-truck owner/operator for two years. After that, he became the vice president of a construction company. He enjoyed music, dancing, hunting and fishing throughout his lifetime. Bob and Rose were married almost 50 years. They had a loving marriage and were blessed with six children. Rose went to be with the Lord in 1992.
DALTON  A father and son, along with help from several friends, have launched a mission to give soldiers serving overseas a taste of home.

Jason Dvorak and his father, Jeff Dvorak Sr., began processing venison into strips of jerky in 2017 after tagging two deer on an annual hunting trip. They cooked about 20 pounds of venison and contacted the U.S. Army Reserves to send the gifts along.

A group of veterans in Alaska and some National Guard service members from elsewhere expressed their appreciation, and thus, Operation Jerky was born.

We realized we had to do something bigger, Jason Dvorak said, adding that soldiers serving overseas likely missed out on hunting themselves. Its not really much that were doing compared to what theyre doing, but at least we can give back a little and give them a little taste of home.

Friends from a Portage-based Facebook group to which they belong, called Shafted Outdoors, loved the idea and began sending donations to aid the cause.

Cody Barton, an administrator for the group, said he first discussed the idea with Jason and planned ways to get the word out through posters and social media. Shafted Outdoors has at least 1,337 members, and the word spread from there.
The Columbia Correctional Institution in Portage remains on lockdown status after 11 days, and details about why are sparse.

Wisconsin Department of Corrections deputy communications director Clare Hendricks confirmed Thursday the prison went into lockdown status Jan. 14 and remains on lockdown because authorities are conducting a routine search for possible contraband that might have been introduced to the facility at any time.

Lockdowns at institutions are periodically done in order to conduct a safe and thorough search, Hendricks said. Our staff continue to perform the search of the facility, and as the search progresses, the status of the lockdown will be monitored.

Citing safety concerns, Hendricks could not say specifically what sort of illegal smuggled goods authorities are searching for. She also could not specify which prison staff or authorities might be involved in any possible investigations.

Hendricks said all of the 840 inmates have received all their meals in their cells during the lockdown, including at least one hot meal per day. She said the staff are conforming to caloric and nutritional standards for all meals.

Inmates are able to shower on a routine basis while the lockdown is in effect, Hendricks said.
A federal court will delay the date of the trial in Wisconsins partisan redistricting case until the U.S. Supreme Court decides two similar cases this summer, handing a partial legal victory to the Republican-controlled Legislature.

The decision by the court to push the trial back from April to at least July, after the issuance of a decision in the two similar cases, is meant to prevent Wisconsins case from being tried twice.

It is still possible Wisconsins political maps would be redrawn before the 2020 general election if the U.S. Supreme Court were to rule in favor of the plaintiffs  several Democratic voters across the state along with the Assembly Democratic Campaign Committee.

The case was remanded back to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin after the U.S. Supreme Court in June found the plaintiffs in the case lacked standing.

The court is allowing discovery in the case to proceed on its normal schedule, meaning its still possible the district court could provide a ruling in the case in time to allow the decision to be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court for potential resolution before the end of 2020.
By Permanent Representative of Syria at the UN, Dr. Bashar Ja'fari

Transcript:

Thank you, Mr. President.



In the beginning, I congratulate your country [Dominican Republic] for your non-permanent membership in the Security Council, and I congratulate you personally for presiding over the work of this Council during this month. I welcome the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia, Mrs. Marsudi, and I congratulate Palestine, the State of Palestine for presiding over the G77 + China.



Mr. President,



Yesterday, the Israeli occupation forces once again committed a series of aggression using missiles targeting the Syrian Arab Republic territories from above Lebanese territories  it was mentioned by my colleague, the representative of Lebanon in great detail. They attacked us from above the Lebanese territories, from the occupied Palestinian territories and from the See of Galilee in the occupied Syrian Golan. This was a gross violation of international law, of the UN Charter and of the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions, as well as the 1974 Disengagement Agreement (between Israel and Syria).



These acts of aggression would not have been committed if the Security Council hadn't failed in compelling the implementation of Security Council Resolutions relevant to the Israeli-Arab conflict over long decades, and were it not for the unlimited support provided by some permanent members of this Security Council to this rogue entity. This encouraged Israel to increase their frequent crimes, violations and State terrorism, away from any kind of accountability, even purely formal. This was demonstrated by the repeated acts of aggression against my country carried out by Israel, and the multifaceted support they provided for years to terrorist organizations.



These acts were not condemned, nor was there any call by the Security Council to stop such acts, in light of the position of the US, Britain and France, who are accomplices and supporters of Israel in such acts of aggression. The policies of these 3 countries and their stances in the UN run counter, in the letter and spirit, to the responsibility they are supposed to shoulder in maintaining international peace and security in line with the international law and the UN Charters provisions. The fact that these countries continue to play the role of false witnesses and prevent the Security Council from undertaking its responsibilities will not stop us from exercising our legitimate right of self-defense and work on retaking the occupied Syrian Golan by all means possible.

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Mr. President,



Recovering the Syrian Golan is an established right for the Syrian Arab Republic. This imprescriptible right is not subject to negotiations, concessions or expiration. The full withdrawal of the Israeli occupying forces from the Golan, to the June 4th, 1967 line is an obligation that shall be fulfilled. It is an unwavering demand based on the principles of international law and the binding UN International Resolutions, including your own resolutions 242, 338 and 497.



Israel feverishly strives to alter this reality, as we have seen today in the Israeli representative's intervention  he talked about everything, except the Palestinian cause and the Israeli-Arab conflict. Israel feverishly strives to alter this reality, and keeps uttering aggressive statements and undertaking criminal acts, but they are doomed to fail, and will never lead in any form whatsoever to any prejudice against the legal or sovereign rights of my country.



Certain countries have invested heavily in the terrorist war waged against my country, and counted on the situation of some countries in the region to overshadow Arab rights and choke the voices calling to implement the binding UN International Resolutions imposing the end of the Israeli occupation of Arab land. Moreover, these countries tried to achieve gains for the occupation and promote some suspicious deal to liquidate the Palestinian cause and the established and unwavering rights of the peoples and countries in the region.



They tried to ignite artificial strife and stir surrealist conflicts between countries of the region, in order to deviate their attention from the fundamental cause of what's happening in the Middle East. All this lack of stability, prosperity and development is because of the continued Israeli occupation, Israeli settlements and Israeli massacre of the Palestinian cause.



Mr. President,



The past period has witnessed many dangerous and systematic Israeli practices, through which the occupying forces tempted to consolidate their control and impose their will on the occupied Syrian Golan. Let us mention for example: holding meetings of the Israeli government in the occupied Syrian Golan; striving to organize illegitimate local elections there; signing deals and issuing permits to loot the natural resources of the Golan; just recently, looting the properties of Syrians and displacing them to establish a project for wind power generation over around 6000 dunams of land, in some of the surrounding sites around the cities of Magd al-Chams, Ayn Qania, Buqata and Massada; and the continuous settlement activity as well as crimes and daily repression against Syrian citizens under the yoke of the occupation. They arrest them and throw them in Israeli prisons arbitrarily, as is still the case of the activist Sedqi al-Maqet, Syria's Nelson Mandela, and Amal Abu Saleh. They also subject other Syrians to house arrest. The Israeli officials have also issued repeated aggressive statements, which stress that the occupying power cares neither about international law nor about the Resolutions of your Council, and intends to continue its occupation.



Unfortunately, all these issues and their rejection by our people in the Golan did not catch the attention of the Special Coordinator, Mr. Mladinov, so that they could be included in his monthly briefing to you. Worse, he avoided on purpose to call things by their names. He talked to us about about the side "Alpha" and the side "Bravo", as if each of you knew what means Alpha and what means Bravo [1] , instead of issuing a clear condemnation of the almost daily Israeli aggression against the territories of the Syrian Arab Republic, including the continuous aggression against the Damascus International Civil Airport, which is, I repeat, a civilian airport. Such blatant disregard is a political and moral failure to undertake his mandate in a way that turns counter to the principles and rules applicable in the UN, and thus deprives him of any legitimacy.



Mr President, isnt it high time for this Council to take the necessary measures to stop the repeated Israeli aggression against the territories of my country? Or should we attract the attention of the war makers of this Council by exercising our legitimate right for self-defense and respond to the Israeli aggression against the Damascus International Civil Airport in kind by striking Tel-Aviv Airport?



Mr. President,



We are pragmatic and we know the differences in the political stances of the members of this Council. However, we call upon you to focus on the common ground that joins us, that is the international law, the UN Charter and the Resolutions of this Council of yours. Thus, we stress the necessity for the countries supporting Israel, its policies and stances to review their approach, to stick to that common ground that I have touched upon now, and to work towards the restoration of the legitimate rights to their true owners in line with the binding UN International Resolutions and the internationally recognized bodies. Otherwise, the destiny of this international organization will be just a repeat of the failure of the League of Nations for the same reasons.


Its taken a while to get here, Kirking said.

Medfords Katie Stokes said she was impressed with Maustons iLead school.

Thats just got my brain spinning, Stokes said. Just the different way for children to be engaged (and) theres still other avenues There isnt just one way to do something in life and I feel like kids need to know that.

Theres so much we can learn from each other, said Juneau County Economic Development Corporation Assistant Director Tamaya Jo Loewe. At a group level, Im so excited to listen to you guys and learn.

Hatch Public Library Director Bridget Christenson hosted Erica Clarkson, of the Medford Library.

Our service populations are identical, our budget is almost identical, our circulations are very similar, Christenson said. I think there are similar challenges in librarianship in communities our size. We both have challenges meeting the changing and growing technology needs in our community... I think its affirming to have a counterpart that is experiencing the same sorts of issues.

Medford Leadership Program participants will give a report to the city council on what they learned during their trip to Juneau County.

You can reach Jake Ekdahl on Twitter @JakeaEkdahl or contact him at 608-697-6353

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1969

A truck owned by Consolidated Petroleum was going through Columbus, and at the four corners, a wheel came off the truck and started rolling down the street, jumped the curb, and came straight at Ervin Alff who was walking on the sidewalk. Alff dodged two different ways to avoid the big wheel that crashed into the Columbus Federal Savings and Loan Association and broke a two-by-three foot hole in the window.

Also this week in 1969, Lt. John McArthur Page, 22, son of Mrs. Robert Snyder, Columbus, was killed in Vietnam by a rifle sniper.

1979

Members of the Fire Department and Park Board met with Mayor Elvin Reynolds and the City Council to discuss the proposed turnover of Columbus Firemans Park from Fireman Department control to the city of Columbus. Firemen feel it is no longer possible to both be firemen and also run the park.

Construction of the new Country Kitchen restaurant got a setback when snow and winter winds collapsed a section of the new walls.

1989

At the Columbus City Council meeting Mayor Elvin Reynolds was presented a check for $1,000 to help offset the $5,614 cost of the Rotary Park warming house. The check was presented by the local Rotary Club.
The Committee continued its discussion on Columbus School Districts request to change no parking signage at the elementary and middle schools. Last summer, the school changed the student pick-up times and locations, making the signs no longer useful.

Were talking about changing some signage there and adjusting some other signage to reflect more of what the schools are doing, Vander Sanden said.

The school has also requested the city to permit visitor parking along West School Street. That area tends to become congested, especially during school hours.

That would be parking-restricted to visitors to the district office which is located at the back end of the middle school, Vander Sanden said. It was suggested to have some parking so visitors and business coming into the district office can park there and utilize both spots.

Also at the meeting, the Committee discussed a gate that borders the northwest portion of the elementary school along Fountain Street. The school is interested in locking the gate, which would prevent motorists from using the dead-end street to drop off students. Access to the roadway also presented security issues.
Make sure you have a working carbon monoxide detector, as carbon monoxide is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in the United States, he said. Never run a gasoline or propane heater or a grill (gas or charcoal) inside your home or an unventilated garage. Never run a car in an enclosed space. If a vehicle is running, you must have a door open to the outside. Generators should be run a safe distance from the home. Never run a generator in the home or garage, or right next to windows or doors.

Meagher warns that any system that burns fuel will produce carbon monoxide. Breathing carbon monoxide displaces the oxygen in the blood and can cause death within minutes at high levels. Symptoms of overexposure to carbon monoxide are often mistaken for the flu and include headaches, fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath/chest pain, nausea/vomiting and confusion.

If you or someone you know experience any of these symptoms, or your carbon monoxide detector sounds an alarm, head outside immediately for fresh air and call 911, Meagher said.
As part of its effort to highlight whats attractive about the area, Sauk County government is offering up cold hard cash.

The county announced last week the availability of $90,000 in grant funds, which will be distributed to projects in three categories: $40,000 for community development, $25,000 for young professionals and $25,000 for tourism.

The grants are part of the countys placemaking plan, a document that provides a road map for how to tout Sauk County as an attractive place to live, work and visit. The plan was developed by a consultant in 2017 under a $42,000 contract with the county.

Sauk County Community Liaison Jared Pinkus, who was hired to implement the plan, said information about the grants and how to apply is available on a website the county recently launched at onesaukwi.com.

Applicants for community development grants of up to $10,000 each must propose neighborhood investment and redevelopment projects that benefit job creation, public space improvements or property values.

Grants of up to $5,000 will go toward initiatives that attract tourists to have fun in Sauk County and promote the areas natural, cultural and recreational resources.
The event, formerly known as the Ta-Ta Tourney, is in its seventh year and caters to a younger crowd, said Kris Craker, president of Baraboo Breast Savers Inc. Participants come in teams to compete at blind volleyball, dodgeball, horseshoes, bean bag toss, an obstacle course and other games and skills contests.

Then they hear the opening ceremonies, and it kind of hits home to them, Craker said.

North Shore gives a percentage of its sales that day to the nonprofit group. The organization also is partnering with Bar Buddies Boo for the first time this year to make sure participants can enjoy themselves still make it home safely.

One of the staples each year are the jello and pudding shots, raffles and a bra parade featuring bras decorated by each team and usually modeled by men.

As of Monday, 14 teams had signed up, though organizers aim to recruit six more. They usually draw about 200 people, 10 in each group plus friends and family, Craker said. Its not their biggest fundraiser, but it raises an average of $7,000.
Daley Farms is the largest dairy in southeastern Minnesota, exceeding the Winona County animal unit cap of 1,500. Its expansion would entail an addition of 3,000 cows, increasing the number of animal units to 5,968, which is almost four times the scale of the cap.

Such an industrial scale of production would require 92 million gallons of water annually and yield 46 million gallons of raw manure and wastewater to be disposed every year. Would it not be imperative to assess how this gigantic water demand is going to affect the water needs of neighboring farms, including the city of Lewiston, that with a population of 1,564 consumes about 33 million gallons of water per year? In addition to this, factory farms like Daley Farms are notorious for posing grave risks to water quality by contaminating it with a cocktail of toxins and pathogens such as nitrates and coliform bacteria, that are deleterious to public and environmental health.

More questions come to mind when thinking about this farm expansion:

 What is the point of having regulations in place limiting the maximum herd size, while allowing Daley Farms to quadruple its cow population, when it has been managing a herd that already exceeds the cap?
Water pollution exists for simple, obvious reasons, but we do nothing. Lassitude is plainly self-destructive. Politicians do nothing because business needs profits.

We sit and pick up the tab, when there is no wild rice to harvest  or sell? Zero plus zero equals zero.

The population doesnt need pollution abatement? Please! We know what is happening.

Make no mistake, water pollution is serious. Pollution is lethal; pollution spreads. Even now (freshwater) pollution is stressful.

Our procrastination and inaction certainly matches our politicians penchants for useless posturing.

Lethal pollutions the consequence of doing nothing and similar to global warming.

Besides health care, there are legal and community (infrastructure) costs and rising livability costs.

Rising taxes are another consequence. Like fresh water, raising taxes is limited. Bad decisions do more than erode our lives  like waves lapping a beach. What happens when poisoned well-water strikes a community?

All community costs grow as pollution compounds. However, most mitigation costs are avoidable.
A Winona State University student has died.

A university press release said that the school community is "mourning the loss" of Alexander Chadwick, a 24-year-old senior from Chanhassen, Minn., who was studying business administration and marketing.

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In a campus message, Denise McDowell, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Life, said there is no safety concern and asked students and employees to keep Chadwicks family and friends in their thoughts and prayers.

The release did not mention a cause of death.

When we lose a member of our community, its a natural response to want to know more and understand what happened, but I would also ask that we be mindful of the need to respect the rights and dignity of the individual as well as the rights of his family at this time, the statement read.

The release said extended hours for counseling and support services are being made available to the campus community.

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Trump A Threat to US, Intelligence Strategy Report Says

By Telesur

The U.S. President Donald Trump is a threat to its own country because of his impulsive behavior, reveals the 2019 National Intelligence Strategy. January 24, 2019 " Information Clearing House " - The new National Intelligence Strategy of the United States (NIS) released its strategy for 2019 Tuesday. The document reveals that 17 intelligence agencies of the U.S. are against President Donald Trumps impulsive behavior on war and peace

The 36-page report issued by Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats has targeted Trumps friends in Moscow and his business partners.

The Intelligence Community (IC) thinks of Russia as an emerging threat.

These adversaries pose challenges within traditional, non-traditional, hybrid, and asymmetric military, economic, and political spheres. Russian efforts to increase its influence and authority are likely to continue and may conflict with U.S. goals and priorities in multiple regions, the report said.

Daniel Benjamin, Bill Clintons National Security advisor, wrote on Twitter, This is one of the few benefits of having a president who reads absolutely nothing. No way he would have signed off on the intel strategy if he knew what was in it.

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This is one of the few benefits of having a president who reads absolutely nothing. No way he would have signed off on the the intel strategy if he knew what was in it. https://t.co/Xx8HTuq9Hp  Daniel Benjamin (@Benjamin05055) January 22, 2019

The host of Deep State Radio also said that Donald Trump himself is a threat to his own country.

Translation, because Shane is too polite to say it: The New National Intelligence Strategy highlights the dangers posed by the president of the United States and his sponsors overseas. Not kinda sorta. Unmistakably. https://t.co/GlimHY3Fi1  David Rothkopf (@djrothkopf) January 22, 2019

The report does not mention radical Islamic terrorists as a threat. The 2019 document replaced the phrase with traditional adversaries.

The 2019 document also suggests that the country move on from U.S. interventionist policies which witnessed wars being waged on Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and Somalia; wars whose importance and benefits to the U.S. population was never clear.

This article was originally published by " Telesur " -

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Peace and joy
The Winona County Historical Society is opening a new exhibit in the Slaggie Family Lobby of the Winona County History Center, 160 Johnson St., on Wednesday, Jan. 30 with a special Food for Thought program at 12:05 p.m.

Whitewater 100 takes a look at Whitewater State Parks 100-year history and lead interpretive naturalist Sara Holger will present some of the stories and memories that they have collected from park-goers in preparation for the big anniversary year.

A light picnic lunch will be served during the program and attendees are invited to explore the new exhibit before or after the program. This program is free and open to the public.

Whitewater State Park is nestled in the Whitewater river valley between St. Charles and Elba. The park was established in 1919 and has a vast and interesting history that includes a CCC camp, floods, WWII German POWs, and much more. Explore the parks past in this new exhibit and join in the fun of Whitewater State Parks celebrations all year.
William DeWitt Mitchell, former Winonan and at present solicitor general of the United States, has accepted the post of attorney general in the Hoover cabinet, it was announced today in an Associated Press dispatch from Washington.

Offered the position in the cabinet by the president-elect, Mr. Mitchell today announced his acceptance, making the attorney-generalship the first cabinet post to be announced definitely in Washington.

Word of the appointment of the former Winona man to the high position was greeted with pleasure by many residents of this city today, particularly by friends and acquaintances of the Mitchell family. Mr. Mitchell, former law partner of Associate Justice Pierce Butler of the U.S. Supreme Court, was born in Winona Sept. 9, 1871 in a house on the lot now occupied by Central Methodist Church.

Son of Judge Mitchell

He was the son of William Mitchell, one of the most distinguished jurists of Minnesota, a former judge of the district court of Winona and later Associate Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court. Before being appointed Solicitor General of the United States by President Coolidge on June 5, 1925, the new attorney general practiced law in St. Paul for 29 years. He is 54 years old.
State officials are looking for dozens more people who could be impacted by a tuberculosis outbreak on the Minnesota State University, Mankato campus.

The Minnesota Department of Health reported this week that there have been eight active cases of TB linked to the same area around the campus since August 2016.

The disease attacks the lungs and is transferred through prolonged exposure to an infected person.

Kris Ehresmann, who serves as director of MDHs Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Division, said people who just visit campus occassionally should not be worried.

Ehresmann said the state has tested nearly 700 people who may have spent a lot of time around someone with TB near campus.

Tuberculosis is a very common disease, globally. Ehresmann said. We just dont see as much of it in the United States. There is a vaccine for TB that is used for infants in countries where it is very common.

Ehresmann said there are usually around 150 people who develop TB in the Minnesota every year.

That is why the state health department is informing doctors across the state to be on the lookout for people who display symptoms similar to TB.
Cash prizes will be awarded for largest fish in bluegill, perch, northern and crappie for the top three spots. A junior category (12 and under) will also win prizes. A cash raffle will also be conducted and other door prizes will be awarded. Tickets are $5 and are good for admission into the raffle and into the contest. Concessions will be available at the contest.
WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump's confidant Roger Stone has been charged with lying about his pursuit of Russian-hacked emails damaging to Hillary Clinton's 2016 election bid. Prosecutors allege that senior Trump campaign officials sought to leverage the stolen material into a White House victory.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 25/1/2019 (876 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

FILE - In this Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018, file photo, Roger Stone speaks at the American Priority Conference in Washington. Stone, an associate of President Donald Trump, has been arrested in Florida. That's according to special counsel Robert Mueller's office, which says he faces charges including witness tampering, obstruction and false statements. Stone has been under scrutiny for months but has maintained his innocence. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump's confidant Roger Stone has been charged with lying about his pursuit of Russian-hacked emails damaging to Hillary Clinton's 2016 election bid. Prosecutors allege that senior Trump campaign officials sought to leverage the stolen material into a White House victory.

The self-proclaimed dirty trickster, arrested by the FBI in a raid before dawn Friday at his Florida home, swiftly blasted the prosecution as politically motivated. In a circus-like atmosphere outside the courthouse, as supporters cheered him on and jeering spectators shouted "Lock Him Up," Stone proclaimed his innocence and predicted his vindication.

"As I have said previously, there is no circumstance whatsoever under which I will bear false witness against the president, nor will I make up lies to ease the pressure on myself," Stone said.

The seven-count indictment , the first criminal case in months in special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation, provides the most detail to date about how Trump campaign associates in the summer of 2016 actively sought the disclosure of emails the U.S. says were hacked by Russia and then provided to the anti-secrecy website WikiLeaks. It alleges that an unidentified senior Trump campaign official was "directed" to keep in contact with Stone about when stolen emails relating to Clinton might be disclosed.

Former campaign adviser for President Donald Trump, Roger Stone walks out of the federal courthouse following a hearing, Friday, Jan. 25, 2019, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Stone was arrested Friday in the special counsel's Russia investigation and was charged with lying to Congress and obstructing the probe. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Stone is the sixth Trump aide or adviser charged by Mueller and the 34th person overall. The nearly two-year-old probe has exposed multiple contacts between Trump associates and Russia during the campaign and transition period and revealed efforts by several to conceal those communications.

The indictment brings the investigation even further into Trump's circle of advisers and suggests campaign officials were eager to exploit the stolen messages for political gain. But prosecutors did not accuse Trump of wrongdoing or charge Stone with conspiring with WikiLeaks or with the Russian intelligence officers Mueller says hacked the emails. They also did not allege that Trump aides knew in advance of the hacking.

The prosecution mirrors other Mueller cases in alleging coverups and deception, accusing Stone of lying to lawmakers about WikiLeaks, tampering with witnesses and obstructing a House intelligence committee probe into whether the Trump campaign co-ordinated with Russia to tip the election.

Trump attorney Jay Sekulow said the indictment "does not allege Russian collusion by Roger Stone or anyone else." Trump, in a tweet Saturday, said that if Stone "was indicted for lying to Congress," then "what about the lying" by top law enforcement and Obama-era national security officials, though he presented no specifics to support his assertion of such "lying."

CNN aired video of the raid at Stone's home in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, showing agents in body armour using large weapons and night-vision equipment, running up to the home and banging on the door.

This Friday, Jan. 25, 2019 photo shows the apartment of a friend of Roger Stone where he stays when he is in New York. The FBI has arrested Stone, a confidant of President Donald Trump, in a criminal case that shows that senior members of the Trump campaign sought to benefit from the release of hacked emails damaging to Hillary Clinton. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

"FBI open the door!" one shouts. "FBI, warrant!" Stone could then be seen in the doorway in his sleepwear before he was led away.

Though not uncommon for the FBI to make early-morning arrests of targets under indictment, it's the first time Mueller has used that tactic. In court papers, prosecutors wrote they had concerns that if Stone was tipped off to the indictment, it would increase the risk he would flee or destroy evidence.

Hours after his arrest, Stone appeared in court in a blue polo shirt and jeans. In releasing him on $250,000 bond, a magistrate judge restricted Stone's travel to South Florida, Washington and New York City and ordered him to avoid contact with witnesses. He's due Tuesday in a court in Washington, where the case was filed.

"This morning, at the crack of dawn, 29 FBI agents arrived at my home with 17 vehicles, with their lights flashing, when they could simply have contacted my attorneys and I would have been more than willing to surrender voluntarily," Stone said outside court.

Known for his political antics, conspiracy theories and hard-ball tactics, Stone has reveled in being a Washington wheeler-dealer dating back to former President Richard Nixon's administration. On Friday, he mimicked Nixon's famous "V'' gesture as he left the courthouse.

In this courtroom sketch Roger Stone, left, a confidant of President Donald Trump, attends a federal court hearing, Friday, Jan. 25, 2019, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Stone was arrested Friday in the special counsel's Russia investigation and was charged with lying to Congress and obstructing the probe. (Daniel Pontet via AP)

Stone, a longtime friend of the president's, briefly served on Trump's campaign, but was pushed out amid infighting with then-campaign manager Corey Lewandowski. Though sidelined, he continued to communicate with Trump and stayed plugged into his circle of advisers.

The indictment says Stone repeatedly discussed WikiLeaks in 2016 with campaign associates and lays out in detail Stone's conversations about emails stolen from Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta and posted in the weeks before Trump beat Clinton.

The document says that by June and July 2016, Stone had told senior Trump campaign officials that he had information indicating that WikiLeaks had obtained damaging documents on Clinton.

After WikiLeaks on July 22, 2016, released hacked emails from the Democratic National Committee, the indictment says, a senior Trump campaign official "was directed" to contact Stone about additional releases and "what other damaging information" WikiLeaks had "regarding the Clinton campaign." The indictment does not name the official or say who directed the outreach to Stone.

Though no officials are identified by name, one Trump campaign aide cited in the case is Steve Bannon, who later became Trump's chief White House strategist. Bannon, referred to as a "high-ranking Trump Campaign official," exchanged emails with Stone in October 2016 about WikiLeaks' plans. The indictment quotes from those emails, which had previously been made public by news outlets.

While the indictment provides some new insight into the Trump campaign, it deals largely with what prosecutors say were Stone's false statements about his conversations about WikiLeaks with New York radio host Randy Credico and with conservative writer and conspiracy theorist Jerome Corsi, who rejected a plea offer from Mueller last year.

The indictment says Stone carried out a "prolonged effort" to keep Credico from contradicting his testimony before the House intelligence committee. During that effort, prosecutors note that Stone repeatedly told Credico to "do a 'Frank Pentangeli,'" a reference to a character in "The Godfather: Part II" who lies before Congress.

Stone is accused of threatening Credico, including through messages in which he called him "rat" and "stoolie." He also threatened to "take that dog away from you," a reference to Credico's dog, Bianca.

"I am so ready. Let's get it on. Prepare to die (expletive)," Stone also wrote to Credico.

Stone has said for months he was prepared to be charged, while maintaining he had no inside information about the contents of the emails obtained by WikiLeaks or the timing of their release.

Still, he has long attracted scrutiny because of his WikiLeaks-related comments, especially a 2016 tweet  "Trust me, it will soon (be) the Podesta's time in the barrel"  that appeared to presage knowledge that Podesta's emails would soon be released.

In a tweet Friday, Podesta turned Stone's words against him, writing that it was now "Roger's time in the barrel."

Read the indictment: http://apne.ws/1P23qpR

Associated Press writers Michael Balsamo in Washington, Jonathan Lemire in New York, Jennifer Kay in Miami and Terry Spencer and Kelli Kennedy in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, contributed to this report.
Where America retreats, chaos follows, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in Cairo recently. Its not the sort of remark youd expect from an American diplomat only weeks after U.S. President Donald Trump declared that U.S. troops were pulling out of Syria. Is it possible that behind Pompeos severe and even pompous exterior there lurks a secret ironist?

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 24/1/2019 (877 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Opinion

Where America retreats, chaos follows," U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in Cairo recently. Its not the sort of remark youd expect from an American diplomat only weeks after U.S. President Donald Trump declared that U.S. troops were pulling out of Syria. Is it possible that behind Pompeos severe and even pompous exterior there lurks a secret ironist?

Probably not. Pompeo truly believes (like many American evangelical Christians) that the United States is engaged in a struggle of good against evil in the Middle East. "It is a never-ending struggle until the Rapture," he said three years ago. He may just be angry at Trump, in a passive-aggressive way, for abandoning Syria to the (evil) Iranian and Russian forces that back Bashar Assad, the Syrian dictator.

At any rate, Pompeo is right about the chaos that will follow, but it would be wrong to blame it all on Trump. Turkeys president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, is much better informed than the American president and probably a lot smarter, too, but he is just as impulsive, just as ruthless, just as much a bringer of chaos.

It was Erdogan, in a telephone conversation in mid-December, who persuaded Trump that pulling all the U.S. troops out of Syria would be a good idea. Turkey would be happy to take the strain instead.

Trump has always opposed Americas endless Middle Eastern wars, so he swallowed Erdogans suggestion hook, line and sinker  and tweeted his decision to pull the U.S. troops out without discussing it with anybody. Only later did the remaining grown-ups in the White House explain to him that Erdogan planned to subjugate or kill Americas main allies in Syria, the Kurds.

To his credit, Trump hated the idea of betraying the Syrian Kurds, whose militia, the Peoples Protection Units (YPG), suffered thousands of deaths while helping U.S. forces to defeat the fanatical jihadis of Islamic State.

Trump still wanted to bring the U.S. troops home, but now he had one condition. The Turks must promise not to invade northeastern Syria and crush the YPG as soon as the U.S. troops leave.

Erdogan replied that nothing Trump said or did could stop him from destroying these Kurdish "terrorists" (who have never attacked Turkey). At which point, on Monday past, Trump tweeted that the United States "will devastate Turkey economically if they hit Kurds."

All clear so far? Good.

Youd never guess, from the story thus far, that the United States and Turkey have been close allies for the past half-century, but the alliance is fading fast. Erdogan has been playing his own hand in the Middle East, and playing it quite badly.

The "Sultan," as his admirers call him, wants to secure his own one-man rule and re-Islamize Turkey, which had evolved into a secular and democratic republic over the past 80 years. He also wants to promote Sunni Islam throughout the region. The two goals are not fully compatible, so he shifts position a lot.

When the revolt in Syria broke out in 2011 during the Arab Spring, Erdogan supported it because Assads regime is dominated by Alawites, a Shia Muslim sect. He kept the border open and let supplies and recruits flow into the rebels, including even the Islamic State extremists.

When Russia intervened militarily to save Assad in 2015, Erdogan was so angry that he even had the Turkish air force ambush and shoot down a Russian bomber. But he was almost equally angry with the United States, which had made an alliance with the Kurds of northern Syria to fight against Islamic State group.

The Kurds gradually choked off the aid coming in to IS from Turkey, and IS has now lost almost all of its territory. So Erdogan told Trump he could bring the U.S. troops home now, and Trump believed him. But what Erdogan actually wants to do is crush the Syrian Kurds, which he can do once the U.S. troops leave.

Erdogan thinks the Syrian Kurds are allied with the Turkish Kurds, who make up one-fifth of Turkeys population, live just across the border from Syria and are currently at war with Erdogans regime. (Thats why he calls them "terrorists.")

The weird thing is that four years ago, Erdogan was on the brink of making peace with the Kurds. There was a ceasefire, the Turkish Kurds were no longer demanding independence and he was negotiating a compromise settlement that enhanced Kurdish rights within Turkey.

But then he lost a parliamentary election in 2015, mainly because the Kurds stopped voting for him. So he reopened the war against the Kurds, wrapped himself in the Turkish flag and won the next election on an ultra-nationalist platform. All Kurds are now the enemy, they are all terrorists and they must be crushed.

Given Erdogans ruthlessness and Trumps volatility, I have no idea how all this works out. Badly, I suspect. But I actually admire Trumps refusal to betray his allies, once he realized what Erdogan was up to. You dont see that much in the Middle East.

Of course, it probably wont last.

Gwynne Dyers latest book is Growing Pains: The Future of Democracy (and Work).
Federal elections in Canada are both national and local in character. During a campaign, we watch party leaders on TV, but are likely to receive a knock on the door from a local candidate. Party leaders run on broad national themes, while party candidates might prefer to talk about distinctive local issues. And a party can only win and form government by scoring enough victories in individual constituencies.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 25/1/2019 (876 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Opinion

Federal elections in Canada are both national and local in character. During a campaign, we watch party leaders on TV, but are likely to receive a knock on the door from a local candidate. Party leaders run on broad national themes, while party candidates might prefer to talk about distinctive local issues. And a party can only win and form government by scoring enough victories in individual constituencies.

National and local intersect both during and in the lead-up to election campaigns. One way they do so is in the quality of candidates who are attracted to seek party nominations. When parties are popular, they are more likely to attract high-quality candidates to carry their banners in local races.

But when parties are lagging in the polls, they may struggle to recruit solid candidates. Precious few people are willing to run as sacrificial lambs.

The NDP is low in the polls and Jagmeet Singh has struggled to meet the high expectations set for him when he won the party leadership in a landslide in 2017. Despite having his Liberal opponent resign following the revelation of an embarrassing racial appeal for votes, Singh is still embroiled in the fight of his life in the Burnaby South byelection.

Given all this, we might expect the federal NDP to be having some difficulty attracting candidates.

But Winnipeg Centre has defied that logic. We learned this week that Minto MLA and former attorney general Andrew Swan will seek the NDP nomination for this seat. Swan has been an MLA for the area since 2004 and held provincial cabinet positions under premiers Gary Doer and Greg Selinger.

University of Winnipeg instructor and Indigenous activist Leah Gazan has also declared her intention to seek the NDP nomination in Winnipeg Centre. But Swan is an NDP heavy-hitter, and his decision to run likely has many party bigwigs breathing sighs of relief.

If he succeeds in securing the NDP nomination, he will enter the Winnipeg Centre race as a challenger, but with all the advantages of a longtime incumbent. Whereas most challengers struggle to build name recognition, Swans long career as an MLA means he is well-known. His time as an MLA has allowed him to build the sort of local connections that most challengers can only dream of. Spending 14 years performing casework and solving problems for constituents builds up a lot of goodwill that Swan can cash in.

The NDP machine in this part of Winnipeg is formidable, even with the party at a low ebb in terms of public support. And NDP partisans tend not to suffer from the conflicted federal and provincial loyalties that Liberals and Tories sometimes do. Swan should have little difficulty transposing his provincial support from Manitoba to federal politics.

This is all obviously bad news for the Liberal incumbent, first-term MP Robert-Falcon Ouellette.

Ouellette often defies traditional categories when speaking on national issues. At home, however, he is a familiar bread-and-butter constituency politician, carefully tending to local needs and concerns in the hope that he can build enough of a profile to survive any downturn in Liberal popularity in future elections. Ouellette knows Winnipeg Centre is not a naturally Liberal seat, and a strong personal appeal may be necessary to be re-elected.

Indeed, in the 2015 federal election, Ouellette ran more as a well-regarded former mayoral candidate than as a Trudeau Liberal.

Ouellette should have entered the coming election campaign with a major incumbency advantage given the amount of time he has committed to building connections in the community. But Swan as the NDP candidate short-circuits those advantages. Indeed, his connections to the area are deeper than Ouellettes, given Swans lengthy time as an MLA.

Does Swan have disadvantages? In these pages earlier this week, Dan Lett argued that Swans history in the provincial NDP government while Selinger was premier may come back to haunt him. In particular, Swans participation in the so-called "Gang of Five," which teamed up to try to force Selingers resignation in 2014, may constitute political baggage.

Voters may, indeed, faintly associate Swan with Selingers unpopular provincial government. On the other hand, being able to say that he was one of only a handful of MLAs to stand up to the former premier may be a powerful selling point for Swan on the doorsteps.

Of course, the local candidate is not all that matters. A rising tide lifts all boats, and a strong national Liberal campaign in the next election will buoy Ouellette and weigh down Swan.

But the federal Liberals performed very well in Winnipeg-area seats in the past election. With his government battered on an increasing number of fronts, it will be difficult for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to match his 2015 performance.

That will leave Liberal MPs vulnerable in some key ridings that are hardly natural Liberal territory. This includes Ouellette, as well as MaryAnn Mihychuk in Kildonan-St. Paul and Doug Eyolfson in Charleswood-St. James-Assiniboia-Headingley.

Royce Koop is an associate professor and head of the political studies department at the University of Manitoba.
Recently, the Bank of Canada voiced concerns about the Canadian economy, leading it to slash outlooks on future trends. One of the issues contributing to this pessimistic stance is the condition of housing markets in Canada.

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This article was published 25/1/2019 (876 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Opinion

Recently, the Bank of Canada voiced concerns about the Canadian economy, leading it to slash outlooks on future trends. One of the issues contributing to this pessimistic stance is the condition of housing markets in Canada.

Housing construction activity and prices are falling after a long period of price increases that fuelled claims of a housing bubble. Yet theres little the Bank of Canada  or the federal government, for that matter  can do.

The real responsibility lies with provincial and municipal governments. If there are any housing policy courses to follow in the near future, it should come from them.

Generally, talk about housing bubbles is cheap because bubbles are hard to predict and easy to mistake for something else. However, when they do occur, theres a certain combination of conditions that allowed them to materialize. Those include, obviously, high demand for real estate.

However, more elements are needed. One element sure to worsen things is a restricted supply of real estate.

Normally, the supply of housing in any market is relatively fixed in the short term. If theres an increase in demand, then rents and home prices will increase.

However, these higher prices send the signal that its a good idea to increase the supply in the long run, which will bring prices down. If construction is easy and quick, there wont be a great change in prices. In these situations, economists have documented that bubbles are fewer and occur on much smaller scales.

However, if construction is restricted and costly, prices increase much more, giving way to more bubbles on greater scales.

Homebuyers have expectations about future prices, which in turn depend on how easy it is to build. Where its hard to build, those who contract a mortgage do so believing that prices will keep increasing. Because they believe prices will keep increasing at a brisk pace, they believe they can tolerate a larger mortgage.

Where its easy to build, homebuyers dont expect prices to change as much and arent as willing to tolerate the same mortgages as homebuyers in areas where its hard to build.

Once the bubble bursts, the decisions of homebuyers in the hard-to-build areas necessitate a harder correction than in the easy-to-build areas. This is what, in turn, leads to balance sheet crises that may turn into an economic downturn. And that, in turn, leads to bankruptcies and housing foreclosures that can morph into severe economic recessions, as happened in the United States in 2008 and 2009.

As noted by the Fraser Institute and others, the factors that affect the supply of housing are largely controlled by provincial and municipal governments. Zoning laws, construction building codes and regulations of construction trades all fall under the jurisdiction of these governments. All of these things control how easy or difficult it is to build. The result can be seen in the different metropolitan areas of Canada.

The agglomerations with the strictest regulations limiting land uses (e.g. converting commercial areas into residential areas and vice versa) are the ones that have the lowest rates of housing stock growth. They also have become eponymous of the housing bubble in Canada  Vancouver and Toronto.

Again, we saw similar trends in the U.S. before its housing bubble burst in the late 2000s. The areas with the largest price increases were the most regulated ones: California and New York. The areas that barely registered a blip on housing markets were those with the lightest regulations, such as Texas.

Thus, if one is worried about future growth in Canada because of the housing slowdown, look to the provinces and municipalities. They can kick-start that portion of the Canadian economy by easing land-use restrictions. This would be particularly helpful for the urban areas around Toronto and Vancouver.

In other provinces such as Quebec, where the construction trades are heavily regulated, deregulation of the construction sectors could help drive down construction costs and thus increase the housing supply.

Vincent Geloso is a senior fellow at the Fraser Institute.

 Troy Media
Before entering a Dumpster to retrieve food behind a grocery store or restaurant, dont forget to tap the metal side with your flashlight and listen for the scurrying of rodents, such as squirrels, that could be trapped inside. Its dangerous to get into a Dumpster with an animal that feels threatened.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 25/1/2019 (876 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Opinion

Before entering a Dumpster to retrieve food behind a grocery store or restaurant, dont forget to tap the metal side with your flashlight and listen for the scurrying of rodents, such as squirrels, that could be trapped inside. Its dangerous to get into a Dumpster with an animal that feels threatened.

But your taps on the Dumpster shouldnt be so loud that they attract the attention of other people because, well, Dumpster diving is illegal in Winnipeg and someone might call the cops.

That advice was offered by experienced Dumpster divers with whom I had several conversations. I thought of these food foragers recently with the release of a survey that concludes much more food is wasted in Canada than previously thought.

Lamentably, 58 per cent of all food in Canada is not eaten. About 86 per cent of the wasted food comes directly from the food industry, not private households, according to the survey by Value Chain Management International, which was released Jan. 17.

The disheartening results of the survey helped me realize the Dumpster-divers of my acquaintance were right all along: garbage bins behind Winnipeg grocery stores and restaurants are laden with shamefully large amounts of food that is nutritious, delicious and safe to eat.

I met these garbage-pickers as a sessional journalism instructor at Canadian Mennonite University. Every semesters class seemed to include several students who identified themselves with terms such as "waste reclaimer."

I invited conversations about their nocturnal forays because, frankly, they didnt seem like the type of people who would pick through garbage. They didnt seem hungry, and most had family and community support to provide food if needed. They also seemed to have high ethical standards, not like thieves who would choose to break trespassing laws and flout Winnipeg Bylaw 110/2012; Sec. 5(3), which says no person other than the owner, unless lawfully authorized to do so, shall pick over or remove solid wastes placed for collection.

Why break the law and endure the slime, bugs and stench of garbage bins? They see themselves as counter-cultural advocates of food justice, outlaws for a commendable cause. Theyre outraged about a food distribution system in which Canadians waste more than half of their food while so many people are malnourished.

"How can we fight against a system that is so broken?" Rebecca Klassen Wiebe asked in the newsletter of her church, Charleswood Mennonite. "What can we do as the distance between land and plate keeps getting increasingly larger? I believe that, in many ways, my faith and my community have actually encouraged me to Dumpster dive."

Nathaniel De Avila describes how his team of Dumpster divers began operating a donation-based community food share in the basement of Sargent Avenue Mennonite Church. They have moved tonnes of food.

"This food is what is left after we give our friends as much as they can reasonably store. Our fridges are packed and our freezers often dont close properly. Why is there a single hungry person on the planet when we waste this much food?"

Its important to note not all Winnipeggers who enter Dumpsters are motivated by social conscience. Some are hungry and dont have enough money to buy food for themselves and their children.

The Winnipeg Dumpster Diving Society, which claims 900 members, has a Facebook page on which divers are encouraged to share locations that are particularly bountiful, stores that have ruined it all by using garbage compactors and advice for fellow divers. ("Always go out at least an hour after closing so managers/employees arent around.")

The social obscenity of good food going to waste while many people starve has prompted places around the world to attempt positive solutions.

Food rescue programs have sprung up to repurpose unwanted food from supermarkets, restaurants and manufacturers. In New York City, for example, City Harvest rescues nearly 23 million kilograms of food a year and delivers it free to soup kitchens and shelters.

Several businesses in the U.S. sell at a great discount cosmetically challenged fruit and vegetables that are discarded as ugly.

In 2016, France made it illegal for supermarkets to throw away food that is still edible. The stores must give unwanted items to charity or to farms for animal feed.

By contrast, it remains illegal in Winnipeg for food-justice crusaders to explore the Dumpsters of supermarkets and restaurants. Winnipeg should change Winnipeg Bylaw 110/2012. People who rescue good food should be praised, not prosecuted.

carl.degurse@freepress.mb.ca

Carl DeGurse is a member of the Free Press editorial board.
By Lee Camp

January 24, 2019 " Information Clearing House " - Every once in a while, one of those stories comes along that makes the mainstream corporate media look like a bunch of middle-school kids filming their news show on an iPhone with their neck ties crooked. Recently, one of those stories splashed down into the middle of our cultural zeitgeist like a small meteor landing in the middle of an elite dinner party.

It made our mass media pundits look like hardened fools. But they have kept spouting their nonsense anyway, hoping no one notices the soup dripping down their faces.

But to talk about that, I have to talk about this: Last month we finally got to see the Senate report spelling out the Russian meddling in our last election. And it was a bombshell. It rocked the heart of our country. It shredded the inflamed mucousy core of our palpitating democracy.

As Dan Cohen reported for the Grayzone Project, the report said that everything from the Green Partys Jill Stein to Instagram to Pokemon Go to the African American population had been used and confused by the deceptive Facebook pages of a private Russian troll farm called the Internet Research Agency.

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Thats right. Russia even used Pokemon Go to pulverize the previously pristine 2016 election. Thats ever so frightening, since Pokemon Go is CIA-backed . (I guess its high time we just accept that the CIA has been taken over by those ruthless vodka drinkers.)

Back to the pointwe learned from the report last month that the Russian Internet Research Agency manipulated every one of us with Facebook ads. If you dont mind though, the Senate and the corporate media (and anybody else who knows the secret oligarchy handshake) would really prefer you just ignore the fact that Facebook clearly stated: 56% [of the Russian ads] were after the election and roughly 25% of the ads were never shown to anyone.

But like an overweight man dressed like Wolverine at a Comic-Con, our brave congressmen and -women are not about to be dissuaded by reality. After the reports came out, Sen. Mark Warner tweeted , Incredible. These bombshell reports demonstrate just how far Russia went to exploit the fault lines of our society and divide Americans, in an attempt to undermine and manipulate our democracy.

Just after posting that, Warner patriotically pissed his red, white and blue Underoos.

So who are these amazing nonpartisan unbiased sleuths who put together this legitimate and nonpartisan unbiased Senate report? The New York Times found out they are a group called New Knowledge (which sounds like a terrible boy band). New Knowledge was founded by two veterans of the Obama administration, Jonathon Morgan and Ryan Fox . So, I guess were, um, doing away with the nonpartisan unbiased thing.

Well, in that caseI say go hard or go home. I want MORE bias!

The Grayzone Project pointed out that besides working for Obama and the State Department,  Morgan also developed technology for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the arm of the Department of Defense created for basic, applied technological research, and futuristic war toys.

All right, all right, not bad. But I know what youre thinking. Lee, that might be a great bias appetizer, but we want the full bias entree!

OK, how about this?

Ryan Fox is a 15-year veteran of the NSA and was a computer analyst for the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) military unit. JSOC is notorious for its spree of atrocities across the Middle East. 

Hell yeah! You can feel that bias in my toes, cant ya? But, the truth is, were still only at a 45 percent bias rating. I say we get it up to at least 65 percent. Back to Dan Cohen:

The report  was overseen by Renee DiResta, a former Wall Street trader and tech specialist who was recruited by Obamas State Department to devise strategies for combating online ISIS propaganda.

So now weve got former Wall Street, former State Department, former Obama White House, former NSA, former DARPA, and former JSOC writing this completely legitimate completely factual report for the Senate about the powerful Russian impact of Facebook ads that no one ever saw.

I love it. This is like a report written by a hungry virus telling you not to wash your hands.

But hold on, its not only this Senate report that showed nefarious Russian meddling. Its also all of those evil Russian bots. How do we know there are evil Russian bots? Well, most outlets quote Hamilton 68 , which tracked Russian influence operations on Twitter.

Outlets like MSNBC, The Washington Post, The New York Times, Mother Jones and Tiger Beat. Theyre all quoting Hamilton 68 or people who are referencing work done by Hamilton 68. Well, who the hell made Hamilton 68, and why does it sound like a 90s alt-rock band that opened for Blink 182?

Oh, what do you know! Our old friend  [Jonathon] Morgan is also one the developers of Hamilton 68.  Funded by the German Marshall Funds Alliance for Securing Democracywhich is itself backed by NATO and USAID.

Well OK, that sounds pretty serious. Clearly these people have found a special device that locates Russian bots on the interwebs, and it most likely resembles the thing Egon used in the Ghostbusters movies. So, shouldnt we just congratulate Morgan on helping to develop the holy grail for spotting Russian bots and then call it a day? Well, theres one itsy bitsy problem:

 one of Hamilton 68s founders, Clint Watts, admitted that the Twitter accounts it follows may actually be real people who are not Russian at all.

Real people? Who arent Russian? Call me crazy, but what I personally look for in a Russian bot is something that is at least Russian. And if not that, then a bot. And if neither, then you dont have much of a goddamn Russian bot, do ya? Claiming these are Russian bots is like saying, I just met the Queen of England, except she may have been a small Icelandic goat.

Then, a few weeks ago The New York Times revealed that New Knowledge carried out an elaborate false flag operation to hurt the election chances of Judge Roy Moore in Alabama. You might recall that Roy Moore is an accused pedophile and a proven dipshit. And I dont believe he should be elected to pick the bedbugs out of Rush Limbaughs armpits. But that doesnt mean I think these New Knowledge charlatans shouldnt be revealed for what they are.

So heres how New Knowledges game worked, according to the Times . New Knowledge created a fake Facebook page in order to get conservatives in Alabama to support patio supply salesman Mac Watson instead of Roy Moore.

New Knowledge then tried to make everyone think that Moores campaign was working with the Kremlin by showing that he had thousands of Russian bots following his Twitter account. Many in the mainstream media ran with this outlandish idea. Mother Joness well-researched (sarcasm) article on the topic was titled Russian Propagandists Are Pushing for Roy Moore to Win! In the article they sourced (Can you guess?) Hamilton 68.

So to rehash: Hamilton 68, using their Ghostbusters device (patent pending), found that Russian bots (which may not be Russian and may not be bots and may not be Russian bots) were simply in love with alleged pedophiliac Alabama judges. So much so, that a majority of their tweets (meaning at least 51 percent) were in support of Roy Moore.

But as The New York Times has revealed, New Knowledges own internal report said , We orchestrated an elaborate false flag operation that planted the idea that the Moore campaign was amplified on social media by a Russian botnet.

After these revelations came out a few weeks ago, Facebook suspended some of the accounts. So now The New York Times found itself in a quandary. They must have been thinking, We need to report on this huge development in which the core authors of the Senate report on Russian meddling and the co-founder of Hamilton 68 were involved in lying, bullshitting, and false-flagging in order to help the Democratic party. But that completely undermines the Russiagate hysteria we have anchored our ship to. What do we do?

Well, kids, take notes. This is how you do it. This is how you have your yellowcake uranium story and eat it too.

The New York Times headline was Facebook Closes 5 Accounts Tied to Russia-Like Tactics in Alabama Senate Race

Russia-like tactics?! This is literally an article about how Russia was NOT involved in the Alabama senate race false flag. In fact, its an article on how the guy who helped write the Senate report on the so-called Russian tactics is also one of the top people at New Knowledge, which either created or pushed pretend Russian bots to support Roy Moore so that they could leak to the press, Russian bots are supporting Roy Moore!

Sometimes the ability of the legacy media to believe (or at least regurgitate) their own bullshit is truly breathtaking.

To sum up this fuck de cluster:

1) The Senate report is laughable.

2) Any journalist who quotes Hamilton 68 should have their face sewn to the carpet.

3) If you want ridiculous pathetic reporting on nonsense that seduces us all to the edge of nuclear annihilation, turn to your mainstream corporate media.

4) If you want someone to actually put together the truth about these issues, youll have to turn to alternative outlets like Truthdig or the Grayzone Project.

5) Bill Murray and the Ghostbusters were ahead of their time.

If you think this column is important, please share it. To find out about all of Lee Camps columns, subscribe to his free newsletter here .

This column is based on a monologue Lee Camp wrote and performed on his TV show  Redacted Tonight

This article was originally published by " Truthdig " -
OTTAWA  The Supreme Court of Canada has rejected a bid by two men named in one of Winnipegs largest drug-trafficking investigations to have their case appealed, after the lawyer who prosecuted them in a previous case became a judge overseeing similar allegations against the same suspects.

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This article was published 24/1/2019 (876 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

OTTAWA  The Supreme Court of Canada has rejected a bid by two men named in one of Winnipegs largest drug-trafficking investigations to have their case appealed, after the lawyer who prosecuted them in a previous case became a judge overseeing similar allegations against the same suspects.

Ronald Baldovi and Baljinder Singh were ensnared in a 2005 Winnipeg police investigation involving cocaine allegedly trafficked from Vancouver.

A court stayed Ronald Baldovis charge, though his brother, Randy, had pleaded guilty; Singh was convicted. One of the prosecutors in that case was Christopher Mainella.

In 2012, Winnipeg police kicked off a large cocaine-trafficking investigation, dubbed Project Sideshow, involving the Baldovi brothers and Singh. Shortly after, Mainella was appointed to Manitobas Court of Queens Bench.

Three months later, Mainella authorized a warrant in the case, which apparently authorized police to film in bedrooms and bathrooms.

Ronald Baldovi and Singh argued unsuccessfully to Manitoba's appeals court that having a judge who had prosecuted the same people on similar charges created an appearance of bias.

While the plaintiffs werent actually contesting Mainellas integrity, they argued to the Supreme Court the appearance alone of a conflict is enough to cause damage to the justice system, and therefore some of the evidence shouldnt have been entered into trial.

Baldovis lawyer wrote the court ought to take on the case because it "will have a profound effect on the perception of the integrity of the justice system and the actors within it."

On Thursday, the highest court in the land dismissed the case.

The court never provides its reasoning for not hearing cases, but only takes on those it deems to have questions that either have national importance or relevant rulings that conflict.

dylan.robertson@freepress.mb.ca
OTTAWA  The federal government has launched a pilot program to help rural communities and their businesses welcome workers from abroad.

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This article was published 24/1/2019 (876 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

OTTAWA  The federal government has launched a pilot program to help rural communities and their businesses welcome workers from abroad.

Towns across Manitoba have five weeks to apply for a program that could ease demand on the massively popular provincial-nominee program.

"I could see communities in Manitoba jumping at the chance," Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen said Thursday in an interview.

Dubbed the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot, the program will allow workers to bring family members, attain permanent residency upon arrival, and have their employer and local officials help find housing.

Businesses can apply if they have the backing of their municipal leaders or a local immigration-service group, in addition to an economic-development organization, such as a chamber of commerce.

Those groups have to agree to help newcomers find housing and settle, and must prove there are jobs available.

The five-year pilot project follows a similar one in Atlantic Canada meant to place immigrants in rural areas, instead of having them migrate to larger cities. While it doesnt force immigrants to stay in place, it tries to incentivize them to stay.

"It's flexible enough for each community to adapt the program to its own needs," said Hussen.

The new program is for northwestern Ontario, the Prairies and the territories, but not for large cities. Applicants will have to act fast; businesses have to apply by March 1, and Ottawa is not promising a second round of applications.

The program runs until 2024, with spots for 2,750 workers, in addition to their family members.

The project could be popular with Manitobas labour-starved towns.

Bernie Thiessen has been leading an informal effort to lobby for changes to immigration programs to deal with a glut of unfilled jobs around Winkler, Morden and Altona.

"We have a real dire need," said Thiessen, who had yet to study Thursdays announcement, but said it seemed promising. "We really need people; its not about job creation at this point."

For example, the Meridian Manufacturing plant in Winkler has had its workforce drop to 375 from roughly 425 over the past year, making the agricultural structures company shift operations to other provinces.

Plant director Doug Eidse said his firm has particularly grappled with getting welders, who require training but are deemed lower-skilled, and thus dont qualify for most specialized immigration streams. Thursdays announcement allows for high- and lower-skilled workers.

In recent years, Manitoba had maxed out its quota of the nominee program, which allows businesses to sponsor workers from abroad who match job needs. Hussen said Manitoba was "light years ahead" of its counterparts in using that program to fill job gaps.

Yet, Conservative immigration critic Michelle Rempel said Thursdays announcement doesnt fix a "non-functional" system that has far too many immigrants flowing to cities.

"I think this might actually exacerbate the problem," she said. "Its a really important issue in Manitoba, specifically."

Parliamentary hearings found the Atlantic pilot program doesnt have clear targets for keeping workers in communities and it seemed to add more red tape. Meanwhile, its hard to tell how the government assess the labour market to determine when communities cant actually fill jobs.

Rempel said towns have been able to retain immigrants, such as the Filipino community in Killarney (some 100 kilometres south of Brandon), but many more report immigrants moving to cities where there are more services and cultural groups.

To her, Ottawa has to learn from the successful towns, and set firm targets for rural retainment in these programs. Otherwise, "its not a thoughtful approach."

dylan.robertson@freepress.mb.ca
Manitoba Public Insurance increased funding for campaigns to combat impaired driving by more than 50 per cent during the first three-quarters of the fiscal year in which recreational marijuana was legalized in Canada.

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This article was published 25/1/2019 (875 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Manitoba Public Insurance increased funding for campaigns to combat impaired driving by more than 50 per cent during the first three-quarters of the fiscal year in which recreational marijuana was legalized in Canada.

The Crown corporation spent $414,777 on such campaigns, including advertising, community-based programming and Mothers Against Drunk Driving donations, from March 1 to Nov. 30, 2018.

Thats an increase of 52 per cent over the $271,337 that was spent during the same time period year earlier.

MPI spokesman Brian Smiley said the corporation cant say for certain how much of the funding has gone specifically to cannabis-related efforts, since programs and campaigns often target impaired driving in general.

However, its clear there was a spike in spending before and after legalization. The funding jumped $143,440.

The largest chunk of funding this year, $187,845, has gone to advertising, while an additional $126,932 has been spent on community-based programming.

Much of the community programming thats funded by MPI focuses on raising awareness among children about the dangers of impaired driving. It involves presentations and events in schools throughout the province.

Other initiatives include the Manitoba School Board safe grad program, Operation Red Nose and the New Years Eve free transit program in Winnipeg and Brandon.

A small number of drivers has been charged with cannabis-impaired

offences since the drug was legalized Oct. 17, 2018.

Just an hour into legalization, the Winnipeg Police Service handed out its first ticket for consuming cannabis in a motor vehicle. The penalty was $672.

A motorist who tested positive on one of the Winnipeg Police Services new roadside saliva tests during the first week of the annual holiday Checkstop program, was the first to be charged with cannabis-impaired driving.

The offence carries the same penalties as a conviction for alcohol-impaired driving.

Throughout the Checkstop program, which began Dec. 1 and ended New Years Day, police said four people failed oral-fluid device tests for cannabis, compared with 41 drivers who were charged with drunk driving.

ryan.thorpe@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @rk_thorpe
A union representing Manitoba health-care workers says it's worried home care workers and health-care aides may be forced to take on unfamiliar roles as a result of a decision this week by the province.

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This article was published 24/1/2019 (876 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A union representing Manitoba health-care workers says it's worried home care workers and health-care aides may be forced to take on unfamiliar roles as a result of a decision this week by the province.

The Manitoba Government and General Employees' Union, which represents 17,500 health workers, said Thursday it has grave concerns about a new regulation that would place home care workers and health-care aides in hospitals and personal care homes in the same bargaining unit.

MGEU president Michelle Gawronsky said she's been told government wants the flexibility to use the workers and aides interchangeably. She said this news is upsetting both groups, some of whom have told her they'd rather quit than be forced to take on a new role.

TREVOR HAGAN/ WINNIPEG FREE PRESS MGEU President Michelle Gawronsky speaks to reporters at the MGEU Head Office about disruptions to the health care system, Thursday.

'Only a high-priced consultant who isn't working on the front lines would try to improve quality of care by shuffling health workers around the system'  MGEU president Michelle Gawronsky

"A good health-care system needs to support (its) health-care workforce, not stress them out and turn their lives upside down," Gawronsky said at a news conference. "Only a high-priced consultant who isn't working on the front lines would try to improve quality of care by shuffling health workers around the system."

Health Minister Cameron Friesen said the MGEU's assertion is incorrect.

"Staff will continue to have choice about where they work and what role they play in the system," he said in a statement.

"The new regulation will enable support staff providing direct services to patients to deliver services where they are needed. It will also eliminate inefficiencies and artificial barriers within Manitobas health system, where staff doing similar jobs have different terms of employment and are often represented by competing bargaining agents."

A spokesman for the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority also rejected the notion that placing home care workers and health-care aides in the same bargaining category would lead to employees being uprooted from their positions.

"We would never force somebody to move jobs," he said.

The Pallister government passed legislation in 2017 to greatly reduce the number of health-care bargaining units in the province to three or four dozen from the current 180. It's named a commissioner to steer the process, which has no end in sight.

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Health Minister Cameron Friesen.

'Staff will continue to have choice about where they work and what role they play in the system'  Health Minister Cameron Friesen

The vast majority of health-care workers in Manitoba are working under contracts that have expired. Many don't know what union will represent them when they negotiate their next one. The bargaining unit rationalization process will necessitate a series of representation votes around the province, pitting union against union. No dates have yet been set for these votes.

On Thursday, the province issued a news release concerning a new regulation, which it had yet to publish by Free Press deadline, that further defined the new health-sector employment categories. In it, home care workers and health-care aides were lumped into the same bargaining group, upsetting the MGEU, which represents all the workers and a substantial number of the aides.

However, other labour groups also expressed concerns with the process Thursday.

BORIS MINKEVICH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Manitoba Association of Health Care Professionals president Bob Moroz: "There's gigantic uncertainty."

Marie Buchan, director of operations with United Food and Commercial Workers Local 832, said the union originally thought it was going to have to participate in five different representation votes. Now, that's climbed to eight.

"It becomes more and more complex every time we turn around," she said.

UFCW represents 2,300 health-care workers across the province, more than half of which are located at St. Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg.

At St. B, the union represents 1,300 support workers in more than 100 classifications, including housekeeping, clerical workers, health-care aides, porters, and operating room attendants -- all under one contract. Ironically, under the proposed changes, the health-care aides would be covered under a separate (although larger, city-wide) contract than the rest of the support staff UFCW currently represents at the hospital.

Bob Moroz, president of the 4,000-member Manitoba Association of Health Care Professionals, said his union is also frustrated with the amalgamation process. "There's gigantic uncertainty," he said.

While MAHCP and other health-sector unions were briefed Tuesday about the latest regulation, questions remain, he said. "We don't really yet know the full implications of these regulations."

larry.kusch@freepress.mb.ca
Manitoba Hydro is reminding customers that the federal government's new carbon tax will start showing up on their natural gas bills beginning April 1.

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This article was published 25/1/2019 (875 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Manitoba Hydro is reminding customers that the federal government's new carbon tax will start showing up on their natural gas bills beginning April 1.

The $20-per-tonne tax on greenhouse gas emissions results in a levy of 3.91 cents per cubic metre of natural gas. The average homeowner will see a 13 per cent increase in natural gas costs  about $88 this year  the Crown corporation says in a posting on its website.

The tax is set to rise by $10 a tonne each year until 2022.

Next year, the average homeowner is expected to pay $132 in carbon taxes on natural gas purchases. In 2021, that's expected to rise to $176 and by 2022 to $220.

The new federal tax will also be applied to fossil fuels burned in motor vehicles.

However, Ottawa has promised to rebate the tax to consumers when they file their income tax. It said last fall that the average household will come out ahead.

The federal government estimated that this year the average Manitoba household will pay $232 in carbon taxes but receive $336 in rebates. By 2022, under the escalating tax, the average household will pay $547 in carbon taxes, but receive $797.

Ottawa said it would impose its own tax on Manitobans after Premier Brian Pallister withdrew his carbon tax proposal last year.

Ottawa is also imposing the tax in several other provinces that have failed to create their own carbon levy within federal guidelines.

Meanwhile, Manitoba Hydro says even when the carbon tax rises to $50 per tonne in 2022 it is still expected to be less expensive to heat a home with natural gas than with electricity.

The corporation offers various energy-efficiency tips and programs to minimize natural gas use.

larry.kusch@freepress.mb.ca
On an unseasonably warm February night that left river conditions extremely treacherous," police in pursuit of a man suspected of stabbing a Winnipeg bus driver feared they might fall through the ice.

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This article was published 24/1/2019 (876 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

On an unseasonably warm February night that left river conditions "extremely treacherous," police in pursuit of a man suspected of stabbing a Winnipeg bus driver feared they might fall through the ice.

A canine unit had caught up to the suspect, three-quarters of the way across the Red River near the University of Manitoba's Fort Garry campus, when more officers moved in to make the arrest.

After plowing through deep snow, thick brush, and taking a two-metre plunge down the river bank to the ice, things got worse, Const. David Crane recalled Thursday in a Winnipeg courtroom.

Brian Kyle Thomas, 24, has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder in the Feb. 14, 2017, death of on-duty Transit driver Irvine Jubal Fraser, 58.

Crane said he and his Winnipeg Police Service partner arrived at the scene at 2:03 a.m.

"As we make our way onto the ice, we realize the ice is not safe," Crane said.

"My boots immediately filled with water," said the constable, who was carrying a shotgun at the time. "It was extremely treacherous."

Parts were slippery, others were slushy, he said. "I don't know if it's two feet thick or one foot thick... I'm a big guy."

When he neared the suspect, who was lying on his back, Crane said he told him if he reached for a knife, he could be shot. Crane told him to roll over onto his stomach and he was under arrest for assault with a weapon.

After he was handcuffed, the suspect -- later identified as Thomas -- stopped co-operating, said Crane. Officers on either side of him had to carry him, because he wouldn't walk, he said. "The officers were carrying his entire body weight."

At one point, they all slipped and fell struggling to get off the river ice quickly, he told the jury.

"He had to be dragged on the ice," said WPS Const. John Solarczyk, who arrived at the scene after Crane and helped escort Thomas.

"The ice was cracking. You could hear it heaving. It buckled... We didn't know how thick it was," Solarczyk told court. "There were pools of water."

Back on land, they had lift and drag the suspect up and over the steep river bank and through dense bush.

"Several times we had to let go of him to catch our breath," said Solarczyk, who took a "soaking, completely wet" suspect to the police station. Thomas was given a paper jumpsuit to wear, and his clothing and property were seized.

Under cross-examination by defence lawyer Evan Roitenberg, Solarczyk said no knife-holder was found on Thomas.

When asked, the officer said he noted in the prisoner log Thomas was "intoxicated."

Jurors watched a police video of Thomas at the police station, slurring his words, wanting to lie down, asking for a blanket and moaning. Solarczyk later took him to Misericordia Health Centre, where he was treated and released into police custody.

Thomas required three stitches on his right ear and suffered a sore leg and a scraped cheek and chest, jurors heard in an agreed statement of facts read to them Thursday.

Blood found by police on the trail Thomas took trying to cross the frozen Red belonged to the victim. The knife police found on the river bank in April 2017 was also mentioned. "There was no DNA evidence linking the knife to either Thomas or Fraser," the statement said.

The defence has questioned witnesses about how drunk Thomas appeared, and how aggressive Fraser appeared.

On Thursday, a University of Manitoba student told the jury he saw Fraser kick the legs out from under Thomas in an attempt "to get him under control."

Ridwan Hazeez, who had come to Canada to study just a month earlier from Nigeria, was visiting a friend at a residence at University College and on his way back to his U of M dorm on the other side of campus when he saw a bus driver "struggling" with a passenger.

"I saw the driver trying to push the passenger -- the passenger wanted to come onto the bus. The driver didn't want him to... When the passenger spit on the bus driver, he came out of the bus and they started fighting," said the economics student, 19.

Under cross-examination by Roitenberg, Hazeez agreed, in a statement given to police nine days after the incident, he said Thomas appeared intoxicated and the driver was beating up the passenger on the ground.

"I don't believe he was trying to harm him," Hazeez told the jury Thursday. " All I can recall is him trying to get him under control."

The trial resumes Monday.

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca
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This article was published 25/1/2019 (876 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Opinion

People love their pets.

It is estimated that more than 60 per cent of households in the Canada and the U.S. have at least one pet, and quite often they are kept in the living quarters of their owners.

Its easy to see why pets are so popular. From cats and dogs to birds and fish, these little companions provide us with emotional, social and health benefits that enrich our lives.

However, pets can also carry germs that may be passed on to their owners, usually by direct or indirect contact with the bodily fluids (saliva, urine, feces) of the animal.

Fortunately, the risk of pet-associated illness (zoonosis) is low because animals are either rarely infected or their owners are not prone to illness. Nonetheless, it is a good idea to know more about pet-borne infections and how you can reduce your risk of getting one, especially if you happen to have a weakened immune system.

Lets start with those most popular of pets: cats and dogs.

These animals can be infected with a variety of infectious agents, including bacteria, fungi, viruses and even parasites. In humans, these infections can cause a range of symptoms, including diarrhea, gastroenteritis, fever, headaches, rashes and muscle aches.

In some cases, infection may lead to more serious problems. Last summer, a Wisconsin man reportedly became infected with Capnocytophaga canimorsus, a bacterium found in the saliva of dogs and cats. As a result, the man developed a rare blood infection and had to have his limbs amputated. Contact with the dogs saliva was believed to be responsible for the infection.

Other disease-causing agents carried by cats and dogs include:

 campylobacter (bacterial cause of gastroenteritis  infectious diarrhea);

 cat scratch disease (associated with bacteria called bartonella, which can cause skin infections);

 cryptosporidium (a parasite that causes intestinal disease);

 giardia (a parasite that causes stomach cramps and watery diarrhea);

 rabies (a virus that attacks the brain);

 ringworm (a fungus that causes rashes);

 roundworms (a parasite present in dog and cat feces that may cause organ damage); and

 toxoplasma gondii (a parasite present in cat feces that can cause severe disease in the fetus of a pregnant woman).

Pet rodents are also a source of infectious disease. They can transmit many of the same pathogens as dogs and cats, including campylobacter, giardia, ringworm and rabies. Mice and hamsters can also transmit lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV), which can cause flu-like symptoms and, in rare circumstances, neurological diseases such as meningitis and encephalitis.

Rats have become quite popular as pets and there exists an extensive network of rat owners and breeding facilities (ratteries) that cater to interested buyers across Canada and the U.S.

In many cases, these rodents have been bred to have unique fur colours, patterns or features e.g. dumbo ears. These "fancy rats" pose no more of a health risk than other common rodent pets. However, they can harbour an infection called Seoul virus. It is found in the urine, feces and saliva of infected rats, and people can be exposed to it through inhalation of virus particles in dust from contaminated bedding or from rat bites. Exposed humans may develop a mild flu-like illness and a small percentage of infections may lead to kidney failure and even death.

The first reported outbreak of Seoul virus in the U.S. and Canada was documented in 2016-17. More than 30 facilities in 11 states were identified with human/rat Seoul virus infections and six of these facilities reported exchanging rats with Canadian ratteries. More than 200 individuals from the U.S. and Canada were exposed to Seoul virus and three were hospitalized.

Fortunately, you can take steps to reduce your risk of becoming infected. They include:

 scheduling a visit to a veterinarian at least once a year to ensure your pet is healthy;

 limiting your pets exposure to other animals, especially wild animals since they could be infected;

 guarding against bites or scratches from pets. Prompt washing with soap and water of wounds or scratches inflicted by pets is important; and

 washing your hands, especially after handling pets or cleaning litter boxes and cages. Pet stool is a common site where pathogens can be shed. Cleaning and disinfecting areas with pet vomit, urine, and feces immediately is essential for decreasing risk of exposure.

Mike Drebot is director of zoonotic diseases and special pathogens, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, and an associate professor in the department of medical microbiology at the University of Manitoba.
A winning entry in The Forks warming hut contest wants to lick you up.

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This article was published 25/1/2019 (875 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A winning entry in The Forks warming hut contest wants to lick you up.

Huttie, a character inspired by the retro cult kids' TV series, H.R. Pufnstuf, welcomes passersby with a bright-red tongue that waggles back and forth. Skaters pass through Huttie's mouth into a gingerbread-like house and rest on the tongue.

The design is by Jennie O'Keefe and Chris Pancoe of Winnipeg, one of three winners in the 10th international Warming Huts: An Arts + Architecture Competition on Ice.

Its only the second time Manitobans have won the event.

Huttie, by Jennie O'Keefe and Chris Pancoe of Winnipeg, is one of three winners in the 10th international Warming Huts: An Arts + Architecture Competition on Ice. (Supplied)

The other winners are: Hoverbox, designed by Simon Kassner and Wilko Hoffmann at NAICE Architecture in Berlin; and Weathermen designed by Haemee Han and Jaeyual Lee from JAEMEE Studio in Jersey City, N.J.

The 10th anniversary edition of the open competition, presented by Artis REIT and supported by the Canada Council for the Arts and the Manitoba Association of Architects, was announced in July and received 221 submissions from 57 countries.

The winning designs, which provide much-needed shelter for skaters along the Red River Mutual Trail, will be among 17 in place by early next week, including some from previous years. A new addition this year is a one-room school house built by students of Tech Voc High School. It was commissioned by the Manitoba Teachers Society to commemorate the society's centennial.

To counter any suspicions that home-field advantage played a part in the Winnipeg entry's selection, the jury deliberated without any information on entrants' origins.

Finalist Arctic Topiaries was among the more curious concepts; topiary is the art of clipping shrubs or trees into ornamental shapes. In this case, it featured ice cut into what looks like pieces used in a board game.

Arctic Topiaries are in celebration of the Winnipeg Art Gallery Inuit Art Centre designed by Michael Maltzan Architecture in Los Angeles.

bill.redekop@freepress.mb.ca
A young man with no history of criminal violence has been sentenced to life behind bars for the senseless murder of a beloved northern Manitoba hunting guide.

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This article was published 24/1/2019 (876 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A young man with no history of criminal violence has been sentenced to life behind bars for the senseless murder of a beloved northern Manitoba hunting guide.

Vernon Robert Baker, 22, will serve at least 20 years in prison without a chance at parole after pleading guilty to second-degree murder in the July 2015 killing of Mark Dumas.

"My life was taken when Mark was killed," the victims aunt wrote in one of 21 victim impact statements filed in the Manitoba Court of Queens Bench this month and read out during a sentencing hearing in Thompson.

"I wish for the offender a life of misery and not to see his family," she said.

The Free Press reviewed an audio transcript of the Jan. 14 hearing on Thursday.

The remote community of South Indian Lake, located northwest of Thompson near Leaf Rapids, was rocked after the slaying and Bakers arrest. No clear motive for the killing emerged in the RCMP investigation.

According to a statement of facts recited by the Crown in court, Baker attacked Dumas shortly after telling his ex-girlfriend he would hurt a member of her family. Dumas was the womans favourite cousin, prosecutor Ari Millo said.

Baker erupted in violence, bashing Dumas with his fists and then kicking and stomping him in the head and chest while he was down.

He dragged Dumas to a nearby boat and began paddling out toward whats known in the community as "potato island," located just off the mainland.

Baker continued the assault along the way, while some members of the community  including Bakers father  watched what was happening and implored him to stop, Millo said.

"Why should I? Who wants to die next?" Baker yelled. "Whos going to call the cops on me?"

Dumas, still conscious, raised his arms above his head and pleaded for Baker to stop.

"Please, dont," he said.

Baker dragged Dumas up a hill and killed him with a combination of physical blows and strikes with a stick used as a makeshift boat paddle, Millo said.

After checking to see Dumas had no pulse, Baker returned to shore and threw away the stick.

Dumas wasnt found until after his mother called Leaf Rapids RCMP to make a missing persons report and a community search team located his body. An autopsy showed hed suffered 16 head wounds, including skull fractures. He died of blunt-force trauma, Millo said.

Baker was arrested a day after the killing and gave a full, detailed confession to police. While hed smoked some marijuana, he told investigators he had not been drinking. RCMP initially arrested him for manslaughter, but the Crown authorized a first-degree murder charge a short time later.

Millo said the Crown agreed to let Baker plead to the lesser charge because it brought a measure of closure to the victims family. It also took into account the fact Baker is a young and Indigenous first-time offender who would spend "the bulk of his adulthood" behind bars.

Justice Chris Martin probed Baker for more detail about why hed committed such a "brutal and shocking" crime. Hed known Dumas for most of his life and had no problems with him.

"He was just in the wrong place at the wrong time?" Martin asked.

"Yeah, you could say that," Baker replied.

Martin offered his condolences to members of the victims family who were in court. They spoke of him as a friendly, loving and outgoing man who was gifted at traditional hunting and trapping. Hed worked as a guide at the community-owned Big Sand Lake Resort. Staff had described him to the Free Press as kind, well-mannered and a "gentle soul."

"It sounds like he was a wonderful man and that he made a difference in the lives of people," Martin said. "I have heard your pain, I have heard your anguish."

Defence lawyer Jon Robbins said Bakers family has disowned him.

"They have essentially shunned him  he is completely on his own," Robbins said.

Baker apologized in court.

"To this day, I still beat myself up over it," he said.

 with files from Bill Redekop

city.desk@freepress.mb.ca
OTTAWA - Canada's ambassador to China admitted to an ill-timed and politically explosive slip of the tongue when he suggested detained Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou had a strong case to avoid extradition to the United States.

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This article was published 24/1/2019 (877 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addresses the crowd as he attends Fundy Royal MP Alaina LockhartAos nomination event in Quispamsis, N.B., on Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan

OTTAWA - Canada's ambassador to China admitted to an ill-timed and politically explosive slip of the tongue when he suggested detained Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou had a strong case to avoid extradition to the United States.

John McCallum's surprise mea-culpa on Thursday was the latest head-snapping development in the saga of Canada's fallout with China over Meng's arrest. It came just hours after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau publicly defended him in the face of Conservatives demands to fire him.

"I regret that my comments with respect to the legal proceedings of Ms. Meng have created confusion. I misspoke," McCallum, a former Liberal cabinet minister, said in a statement.

"These comments do not accurately represent my position on this issue. As the government has consistently made clear, there has been no political involvement in this process."

McCallum's candid comments about Meng's legal case, made Tuesday to Chinese-language journalists in the Toronto area, raised eyebrows and fuelled speculation they were a political ploy to end Ottawa's deepening diplomatic crisis with China.

McCallum not only said he thought Meng had strong legal arguments that could help her avoid extradition, he listed several arguments he thought could help her with her case. But by Thursday afternoon he was walking back those comments.

"As Canadas Ambassador to China, I play no role in assessing any arguments or making any determinations in the extradition process," McCallum said Thursday.

"The Canadian government's priority  and my priority  is securing the release of the two Canadians arbitrarily detained in China and ensuring that the rights of all of our citizens are protected."

Canada's ambassador to China, John McCallum, arrives to brief members of the Foreign Affairs committee regarding China in Ottawa on Friday, Jan. 18, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

In the days that followed Meng's Dec. 1 arrest, China detained Michael Kovrig, a Canadian diplomat on leave, and Michael Spavor, an entrepreneur, on allegations of endangering China's national security. They remain in Chinese custody.

Trudeau has called their detentions arbitrary and Western analysts believe their cases are part of an attempt by Beijing to pressure Canada into releasing Meng, whose arrest has angered the Chinese government.

Earlier Thursday, Trudeau dismissed calls to remove McCallum from his post. He said his government's focus is on getting detained Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor home safely from China and ensuring their rights are respected and recalling McCallum wouldn't achieve that.

"Making a change would not help release those Canadians a day sooner," Trudeau said.

A day earlier, Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer called on Trudeau to fire McCallum for the remarks, which he said raised grave concerns about the politicization of the Meng case.

China's foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said her government "noted the relevant remarks by Ambassador McCallum" and reiterated its demand that Meng be released from her unjust detention, which she blamed on Canada and the United States.

"We have made our stern position clear," Hua said Thursday, in translated remarks from her ministry's website.

"In order to change the current situation, the Canadian side needs to face up to the issue squarely, take China's solemn concerns seriously, and take measures to correct its mistakes."

She noted Canada was acting on an extradition request from the U.S.

"We hope that the Canadian side will make the right choice instead of risking endangering itself for other's gains," Hua said.

At the top of McCallum's list of Meng's legal options was a possible defence on the grounds of political interference following comments by U.S. President Donald Trump last month that he might intervene in Meng's case if it would help him nail down a trade deal with China.

McCallum also said Meng can argue against the extra-territorial aspect to her case and the fact the fraud allegations U.S. officials made against her are related to Iran sanctions that Canada did not sign onto.

Experts said that while McCallum's remarks might have been controversial on the surface, the substance of his legal analysis was not far off the mark.

"In general, his comments in that respect were not out line with what some experts were saying," said Paul Evans, a China expert at the University of British Columbia. "What was significant was he said it to basically a Chinese media audience."

Henry Chang, a Toronto immigration lawyer, said McCallum was advancing some "potentially viable arguments here ... However, I don't think he should be speaking so confidently since these issues will ultimately be decided by the courts."

Trudeau stressed Thursday that Canada is following the law.

"We will always stay grounded in defence of the rule of law and the integrity of our justice system, which of course includes the capacity for people to defend themselves enthusiastically which will be fully afforded to Ms. Meng and in her rights within the Canadian justice system," Trudeau said.

Following Meng's arrest, China also sentenced another Canadian, Robert Lloyd Schellenberg, to death in a sudden retrial of his drug-smuggling case. Schellenberg had initially been sentenced in 2016 to 15 years behind bars.

Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland has asked for clemency for Schellenberg and has called his death penalty "inhumane."
By John Simkin

January 24, 2019 " Information Clearing House " - On the occasion of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a group of over 60 prominent American citizens is calling upon Congress to reopen the investigations into the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr., and Senator Robert F. Kennedy. Signers of the joint statement include Isaac Newton Farris Jr., nephew of Reverend King and past president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference; Reverend James M. Lawson Jr., a close collaborator of Reverend King; and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, children of the late senator. The declaration is also signed by numerous historians, journalists, lawyers and other experts on the four major assassinations. I am the only non-American who has been asked to sign this statement.

Other signatories include G. Robert Blakey, the chief counsel of the House Select Committee on Assassinations, which determined in 1979 that President Kennedy was the victim of a probable conspiracy; Dr. Robert McClelland, one of the surgeons at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas who tried to save President Kennedy's life and saw clear evidence he had been struck by bullets from the front and the rear; Daniel Ellsberg, the Pentagon Papers whistleblower who served as a national security advisor to the Kennedy White House; Richard Falk, professor emeritus of international law at Princeton University and a leading global authority on human rights; Hollywood artists Alec Baldwin, Martin Sheen, Rob Reiner and Oliver Stone; political satirist Mort Sahl; and musician David Crosby.

The joint statement calls for Congress to establish firm oversight on the release of all government documents related to the Kennedy presidency and assassination, as mandated by the JFK Records Collection Act of 1992. This public transparency law has been routinely defied by the CIA and other federal agencies. The Trump White House has allowed the CIA to continue its defiance of the law, even though the JFK Records Act called for the full release of relevant documents in 2017.

The group statement also calls for a public inquest into "the four major assassinations of the 1960s that together had a disastrous impact on the course of American history." This tribunal - which would hear testimony from living witnesses, legal experts, investigative journalists, historians and family members of the victims - would be modeled on the Truth and Reconciliation hearings held in South Africa after the fall of apartheid. This American Truth and Reconciliation process is intended to encourage Congress or the Justice Department to reopen investigations into all four organized acts of political violence.

Signers of the joint statement, who call themselves the Truth and Reconciliation Committee, are also seeking to reopen the Robert F. Kennedy assassination case, stating that Sirhan Sirhan's conviction was based on "a mockery of a trial." The forensic evidence alone, observes the statement, demonstrates that Sirhan did not fire the fatal shot that killed Senator Kennedy - a conclusion reached by, among others, Dr. Thomas Noguchi, the Los Angeles County Coroner who performed the official autopsy on RFK.

The joint statement -- which was co-written by Adam Walinsky, a speechwriter and top aide of Senator Kennedy -- declares that these "four major political murders traumatized American life in the 1960s and cast a shadow over the country for decades thereafter. John F. Kennedy, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy were each in his own unique way attempting to turn the United States away from war toward disarmament and peace, away from domestic violence and division toward civil amity and justice. Their killings were together a savage, concerted assault on American democracy and the tragic consequences of these assassinations still haunt our nation."

The Truth and Reconciliation Committee views its joint statement as the opening of a long campaign aimed at shining a light on dark national secrets. As the public transparency campaign proceeds, citizens across the country will be encouraged to add their names to the petition. The national effort seeks to confront the forces behind America's democratic decline, a reign of secretive power that long precedes the recent rise of authoritarianism. "The organized killing of JFK, Malcolm, Martin, and RFK was a mortal attack on our democracy," said historian James W. Douglass, author of JFK and the Unspeakable: Why He Died and Why It Matters (2010). "We've been walking in the valley of the dead ever since. Our campaign is all about recovering the truth embodied in the movement they led. Yes, the transforming, reconciling power of truth will indeed set us free."

* We call for a full investigation of the Robert F. Kennedy assassination case, the prosecution of which was a mockery of a trial that has been demolished by numerous eyewitnesses, investigators and experts -- including former Los Angeles County Coroner Dr. Thomas Noguchi, who performed the official autopsy on Senator Kennedy. The forensic evidence alone establishes that the shots fired by Sirhan Sirhan from in front of Senator Kennedy did not kill him; the fatal shot that struck RFK in the head was fired at pointblank range from the rear. Consequently, the case should be reopened for a new comprehensive investigation while there are still living witnesses -- as there are in all four assassination cases.

* On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we call for a full investigation of Reverend King's assassination. The conviction of James Earl Ray for the crime has steadily lost credibility over the years, with a 1999 civil trial brought by Reverend King's family placing blame on government agencies and organized crime elements. Following the verdict, Coretta Scott King, the slain leader's widow, stated: "There is abundant evidence of a major, high-level conspiracy in the assassination of my husband." The jury in the Memphis trial determined that various federal, state and local agencies "were deeply involved in the assassination  Mr. Ray was set up to take the blame." Reverend King's assassination was the culmination of years of mounting surveillance and harassment directed at the human rights leader by J. Edgar Hoover's FBI and other agencies.

* We call for a major public inquest on the four major assassinations of the 1960s that together had a disastrous impact on the course of American history: the murders of John F. Kennedy, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy. This public tribunal, shining a light on this dark chapter of our history, will be modeled on the Truth and Reconciliation process in post-apartheid South Africa. The inquest -- which will hear testimony from living witnesses, legal experts, investigative journalists, historians and family members of the victims -- is intended to show the need for Congress or the Justice Department to reopen investigations into all four assassinations.

* We call upon Congress to establish continuing oversight on the release of government documents related to the presidency and assassination of President John F. Kennedy, to ensure public transparency as mandated by the JFK Records Collection Act of 1992. The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform should hold hearings on the Trump administration's failure to enforce the JFK Records Act.

10. The JFK assassination was just one of four major political murders that traumatized American life in the 1960s and have cast a shadow over the country for decades thereafter. John F. Kennedy, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy were each in his own unique way attempting to turn the United States away from war toward disarmament and peace, away from domestic violence and division toward civil amity and justice. Their killings were together a savage, concerted assault on American democracy and the tragic consequences of these assassinations still haunt our nation.

9. The CIA continues to obstruct evidence about the JFK assassination, routinely blocking legitimate Freedom of Information requests and defying the JFK Records Collection Act of 1992, preventing the release of thousands of government documents as required by the law.

8. Despite the massive cover-up of the JFK assassination, polls have consistently shown that a majority of the American people believes Kennedy was the victim of a conspiracy -- leading to the deep erosion of confidence in the U.S. government and media.

7. The corporate media, with its own myriad connections to the national security establishment, aided the cover-up with its rush to embrace the Warren Report and to scorn any journalists or researchers who raised questions about the official story.

6. The official investigation into the JFK assassination immediately fell under the control of U.S. security agencies, ensuring a cover-up. The Warren Commission was dominated by former CIA director Allen Dulles and other officials with strong ties to the CIA and FBI.

5. President Kennedy has long been portrayed as a Cold War hawk, but this grossly inaccurate view has been strongly challenged over the years by revisionist historians and researchers, who have demonstrated that Kennedy was frequently at odds with his own generals and espionage officials. This revisionist interpretation of the Kennedy presidency is now widely embraced, even by mainstream Kennedy biographers.

4. President Kennedy's administration was badly fractured over his efforts to end the Cold War, including his back-channel peace feelers to the Soviet Union and Cuba and his plan to withdraw U.S. troops from Vietnam after the 1964 presidential election.

3. This stunning conclusion was also reached by the president's own brother, Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, who himself was assassinated in 1968 while running for president - after telling close aides that he intended to reopen the investigation into his brother's murder if he won the election.

2. In the four decades since this Congressional finding, a massive amount of evidence compiled by journalists, historians and independent researchers confirms this conclusion. This growing body of evidence strongly indicates that the conspiracy to assassinate President Kennedy was organized at high levels of the U.S. power structure, and was implemented by top elements of the U.S. national security apparatus using, among others, figures in the criminal underworld to help carry out the crime and cover-up.

1. As the House Select Committee on Assassinations concluded in 1979, President John F. Kennedy was probably killed as the result of a conspiracy.

Biographies

Gary L. Aguilar, MD, is a private practicing ophthalmologist in San Francisco, a clinical professor of ophthalmology at the University of California-San Francisco, and the vice chief of staff at Saint Francis Memorial Hospital. One of the few physicians outside the federal government who has ever been allowed to review President Kennedy's still-restricted autopsy photographs and X-rays, Aguilar has delivered lectures on JFK's autopsy evidence before numerous medical and legal conferences. With coauthor Cyril Wecht, MD, JD, Aguilar has published articles on the Kennedy case in journals such as The American Scholar and the Journal of the American Medical Association , and has contributed chapters to several anthologies exploring the JFK assassination. Dr. Aguilar's writings on various aspects of the Kennedy case are available online, most notably a multipart essay that examines the five investigations of Kennedy's medical and autopsy evidence that have been conducted by the U.S. government.

Daniel Alcorn was a law partner of the late Bud Fensterwald, co-founder of the Assassination Archives and Research Center (AARC). He has served on the AARC board since 1992, and was a founding director of the Coalition on Political Assassinations (COPA) on behalf of AARC, and served on COPA's board until the end of the Assassination Records Review Board process in 1998. Alcorn has represented requesters in precedent-setting Freedom of Information Act cases in the trial and appellate courts in Washington, D.C., including cases related to the JFK assassination, the Martin Luther King Jr. assassination, allegations of misconduct in the FBI crime laboratory, death squad activity in Central America, intelligence abuses, and PTSD, among other issues.

Russ Baker is the founder, editor-in-chief and CEO of WhoWhatWhy, a nonprofit news organization devoted to covering stories and angles ignored by the media . WhoWhatWhy has a special team poring over thousands of declassified JFK records. Baker is the author of Family of Secrets: The Bush Dynasty, America's Invisible Government and the Hidden History of the Last Fifty Years.

Alec Baldwin has appeared in numerous productions onstage, in films and on television. He has received a Tony nomination (A Streetcar Named Desire, 1992), an Oscar nomination (The Cooler, 2004) and has won three Emmy awards, three Golden Globes and seven consecutive Screen Actors Guild Awards as Best Actor in a Comedy Series for his role on NBC-TV's 30 Rock . His films include The Hunt for Red October, Glengarry Glen Ross, Malice, Blue Jasmine , and Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation. He has authored three books: A Promise to Ourselves; his memoir, Nevertheless; and You Can't Spell America Without Me, with Kurt Andersen. He serves on numerous boards related to the arts, the environment and progressive politics.

G. Robert Blakey is retired as the William J. & Dorothy K. O'Neill Professor of Law (now emeritus) at the Notre Dame Law School, where he taught criminal law, the law of terrorism, and jurisprudence. He also was a professor of law and the director of the Cornell Institute on Organized Crime, where he taught criminal law in the law school. Blakey also served as a special attorney in the Organized Crime and Racketeering Section of the United States Department of Justice. From 1977 to 1979, he was the chief counsel and staff director, United States House Select Committee on Assassinations.

Denise Faura Bohdan is a lawyer, film producer and the daughter of Fernando Faura, author of The Polka Dot File on the Robert F. Kennedy Killing: The Paris Peace Talks Connection, (2016), chronicling the search for an alleged conspirator in the assassination of RFK. Faura's investigation in 1968 is regarded by most researchers as one of the most important, linking Sirhan Sirhan to co-conspirators. Ms. Bohdan is producing a film on his investigation to shine more light on the assassination and conspiracy. Her previous film work focuses on human rights abuses, freedom of speech and pursuit of justice.

Abraham Bolden was the first African-American assigned to the White House Secret Service Detail, at President Kennedy's personal request. When he later tried to testify to the Warren Commission about rampant misconduct in the Secret Service, he was punished for his courage by a trumped-up bribery charge that resulted in his imprisonment for over three years. He is the author of a 2008 memoir, The Echo From Dealey Plaza .

Rex Bradford pioneered the digital dissemination of declassified JFK assassination documents, over 1.5 million pages of which are available at Mary Ferrell. He is president of the Mary Ferrell Foundation.

Douglas Caddy is a Houston-based attorney and the author of six books, most recently his memoir Being There: Eyewitness To History. In 1959, he published an article in the National Review that began a long friendship with founding publisher William F. Buckley as they worked together to help found what's now known as the modern conservative movement. In 1960, Caddy was elected as the founding national director of Young Americans For Freedom. His conservative activism made him an early campaigner for 1964 Republican presidential nominee Barry Goldwater. Caddy then worked in Washington, DC, as an attorney involved in many high-profile cases. In one, he became the original defense attorney for the Watergate burglars. His legal work has included cutting-edge research and whistle-blowing on the JFK assassination, Koreagate, CIA influences and other justice-related issues.

Rodnell Collins, Malcolm X's first cousin, is the founder of the Malcolm X, Ella L. Little Collins Family Foundation and curator of the childhood home that he and Malcolm shared in Duxbury, Massachusetts. Now a national historic landmark, Collins is working on turning it into a museum. Collins's memoir, Seventh Child, tells Malcolm's story from a family member's point of view. Most recently Collins participated in the 50 th anniversary commemoration of the famous Oxford Union debate, "The Night Malcolm Spoke Out."

Debra Conway is the president of JFK Lancer Productions and Publications, a historical research company specializing in the administration and assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

David Crosby is a musician and songwriter. He has been speaking out about the JFK assassination since the 1960s, including onstage with the Byrds at the legendary Monterey Pop Festival in 1967.

Edward Curtin is a sociologist who teaches at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. He is a widely published essayist who has written extensively about the assassinations of John and Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr.

Dr. Donald T. Curtis is a retired oral and maxillofacial surgeon who participated in the resuscitation attempt of President Kennedy at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas.

Alan Dale is executive director of the Assassination Archives and Research Center. He is the host of JFKConversations.com.

James DiEugenio is the author of The JFK Assassination: The Evidence Today, and editor of Kennedys and King.

James W. Douglass is the author of JFK and the Unspeakable: Why He Died and Why It Matters (2010)

Laurie Dusek has served as legal counsel to Sirhan Sirhan in a pro bono capacity for the last 11 years.

Daniel Ellsberg was a national security consultant to the Kennedy White House. Later he leaked the Pentagon Papers. A senior fellow of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation, he is the author of The Doomsday Machine: Confessions of a Nuclear War Planner and a memoir, Secrets , which became the subject of the Oscar-nominated documentary The Most Dangerous Man in America . He is also a key figure in Steven Spielberg's film about the Pentagon Papers, The Post .

Karl Evanzz is the author of six books, including two highly acclaimed studies of the Nation of Islam: The Judas Factor: The Plot to Kill Malcolm X (1992) and The Messenger: The Rise and Fall of Elijah Muhammad (1999). A literary and film consultant, Evanzz worked on Malcolm X: Make It Plain (Blackside Productions, 1994) and Ali (2001), starring Will Smith. Evanzz worked at the Washington Post fo r 32 years in its news department before retiring in 2008.

Richard A. Falk is professor of international law, emeritus, at Princeton University and author of Power Shift: On the New Global Order (2016).

Isaac Newton Farris Jr. is the nephew of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He has served as the president and CEO of the Martin Luther King Jr. Center and in 2011 was elected president and CEO of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, the organization founded by Dr. King. Farris currently serves as senior fellow of the King Center where he not only continues to write, research and lecture on the life, philosophy, and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., but also on how Kingian nonviolence should guide American society as we confront the social, religious, economic and war issues of America and of the world today.

Marie Fonzi is the widow of Gaeton Fonzi, a top investigator on both the Senate and House Committees that probed the death of President Kennedy in the 1970s. Marie wrote the preface and afterword of the 2016 paperback edition of The Last Investigation, Fonzi's inside story of this fateful Congressional drama.

Libby Handros is an award-winning TV producer and documentary filmmaker. Since beginning her career on the PBS team that produced Inside Story, the first regularly scheduled examination of the American press ever to appear on television, she has gone on to develop and produce over one hundred hours of prime-time programming on a wide array of subjects. Along with director John Kirby, Handros produced the critically acclaimed documentary feature The American Ruling Class and Cape Spin: An American Power Struggle, among other films. Currently she is Kirby's producing partner on Four Died Trying, a multi-part series on the political murders of John Kennedy, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy, which changed the course of history.

Dan Hardway, a graduate of Cornell Law School, has practiced law for the past 37 years. His firm, based in Cowen, West Virginia, focuses on representing nonprofit organizations, especially Christian churches and ministries, and Freedom of Information Act litigants. From 1977 to 1978, Hardway worked as a researcher for the House Select Committee on Assassinations, and assisted Ed Lopez in writing the section of the committee report titled, "Oswald, the CIA, and Mexico City."

Jacob Hornberger is founder and president of The Future of Freedom Foundation, a libertarian nonprofit educational foundation, and the author of The Kennedy Autopsy.

Douglas Horne served for three years on the staff of the Assassination Records Review Board (ARRB), from 1995-1998. He was hired by the ARRB as a senior analyst on the Military Records Team, and was later promoted to the position of chief analyst for Military Records; while on the ARRB staff, Mr. Horne ensured the release of historical records on Cuba and Vietnam policy; played a key role in the sworn depositions of ten JFK autopsy witnesses; and became the primary ARRB point-of-contact for all matters related to the Zapruder film. He is the author of the five-volume work Inside the Assassination Records Review Board (2009), and the e-book JFK's War with the National Security Establishment: Why Kennedy Was Assassinated (2014).

Gayle Nix Jackson is the granddaughter of Orville Nix, the man who took the film of the JFK assassination opposite from Abraham Zapruder. Following three decades of research on the background of the government's loss of this film, she has written two books, Orville Nix: The Missing JFK Assassination Film and Pieces of the Puzzle: An Anthology.

Stephen Jaffe was an investigator and photo-analyst for New Orleans District Attorney Jim Garrison 1967-68, testified before the Rockefeller Commission, was an associate producer/technical advisor for the film Executive Action, associate producer/technical adviser for documentaries The Garrison Tapes and the sequel by filmmaker John Barbour, and is the producer of the new documentary, A Rush to Judgment: Conspiracy in America, with Mark Lane. Jaffe was an investigator for the Lane Law Firm for the past 50 years and has written numerous articles on the assassination of President Kennedy.

James Jenkins was a medical corpsman assigned to work with pathologists on the autopsy of President Kennedy at the Bethesda Naval Hospital. He reports his eyewitness account in his book At the Cold Shoulder of History, co-written with William Matson Law.

William Klaber was the producer of The RFK Tapes, a 1993 public radio documentary on the murder of Senator Robert Kennedy. In 1997 he co-authored, with Philip Melanson, the book Shadow Play: The Killing of Robert Kennedy, The Trial of Sirhan Sirhan, and the Failure of American Justice (1997), which examined the evidence of police misconduct in the RFK murder investigation, evidence found in the LAPD's own files that was finally made public in 1988.

Bill Kelly is a co-founder of the Committee for an Open Archives and the Coalition on Political Assassinations. He was the recipient of the 2013 Mary Ferrell Award for his work on the Air Force One radio transmission tapes. He is currently the coordinator of the research committee for Citizens Against Political Assassinations. His blog is JFK Countercoup.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is the author of American Values: Lessons I Learned From My Family (2018)

John Kirby made his directorial debut with the Tribeca Festival-award-winning film The American Ruling Class and Cape Spin: An American Power Struggle, made for the BBC and the Sundance Channel. He is currently directing and editing Four Died Trying, a multi-part documentary series on the extraordinary lives and calamitous deaths of John Kennedy, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Robert Kennedy.

Andrew Kreig is a Washington, DC-based nonprofit executive, attorney, author and commentator who edits the non-partisan Justice Integrity Project, which examines the performance of legal institutions. Its work includes publication of a multi-part Readers Guide to the JFK Assassination that highlights the topic's leading books, films, archives, events and news developments.

The Reverend James M. Lawson Jr. was a long-time collaborator with Martin Luther King Jr. and, after the Reverend King, the major teacher in the non-violent struggles for desegregation and justice. Rep. John Lewis called him "the architect of the non-violent movement."

Jim Lesar is president of the Assassination Archives and Research Center, a nonprofit organization whose goal is to disclose information on political assassinations to the public. During the past 49 years Lesar has litigated more than 200 Freedom of Information Act cases, resulting in the release of several hundred thousand pages of documents prior to the enactment of the JFK Records Act. He then testified before several House and Senate committees in favor of greatly expanded release of withheld government records pertaining to the assassination of President Kennedy. After the passage of the JFK Act, Lesar testified several times before the Assassination Records Review Board (ARRB) regarding the definition and scope of the term "JFK-assassinated-related" records. In 2006, in a suit in which he represented journalist and author Jefferson Morley, he won a significant precedent that subjected the CIA's ultra-secret operational files to judicial review. This ultimately resulted in the disclosure of significant operational records, and in the process the CIA admitted under oath that it had hired a case officer linked to Lee Harvey Oswald's pre-assassination activities to undermine the investigation of the House Select Committee on Assassinations.

Edwin Lopez is an attorney practicing in New York. He has served as the general counsel at the Rochester City School District and is currently on the faculty of the Yang Tan Employment and Disability Institute at the Industrial Labor Relations School at Cornell University. In 1977 and 1978 he was a researcher for the U.S. House of Representatives Select Committee on Assassinations (HSCA), where he was involved, among other areas, in the research and investigation of anti-Castro Cuban groups, their possible involvement in the assassination of President Kennedy, possible Cuban government complicity in the assassination of President Kennedy, Lee Harvey Oswald's activities in Mexico City and the performance of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in monitoring and reporting those activities. With the assistance of other staff members, he wrote the HSCA's "Lopez Report."

David Mantik holds an MD from the University of Michigan and a PhD in physics from the University of Wisconsin. He is former faculty member in the physics department at the University of Michigan and in the radiation oncology department at Loma Linda University. He is the author of JFK's Head Wounds (an e-book).

Dr.Robert McClelland is professor emeritus in the Department of Surgery at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, an adjunct professor of law at Dedman School of Law at Southern Methodist University, and a member of the attending staff at Zale Lipshy University Hospital. Previously, he served for 30 years as the UT Southwestern Medical Center's Alvin W. Baldwin Chair in Surgery, where he had first come to work as an instructor in surgery in 1962. Two years prior to that, Dr. McClelland had begun his career on the senior attending staff at Parkland Memorial Hospital, where his duties would include the attempt to save the life of President Kennedy on Nov. 22, 1963. While working on the mortally wounded JFK, Dr. McClelland saw clear evidence that the president had been struck by bullets from the front and rear, indicating more than one shooter was involved. The gruesome injury to the back of JFK's head was caused by a bullet exiting the skull rather than entering it, McClelland determined, suggesting it was fired from the front of the presidential limousine, instead of from the rear, where Lee Harvey Oswald was allegedly shooting from the sixth floor of the Texas School Book Depository building.

Mark Crispin Miller is a professor of media, culture and communication at New York University, and author of several books, including Fooled Again: The Real Case for Electoral Reform. As editor of Discovering America, a book series published by the University of Texas Press, he commissioned Lance DeHaven-Smith to write Conspiracy Theory in America, and his Forbidden Bookshelf series, published by Open Road Media, has revived dozens of essential books long out of print, and many of them killed at birth, including works by I.F. Stone, Peter Dale Scott, Christopher Simpson, Ralph McGehee and Gerald Colby.

Jefferson Morley is the founder of The Deep State, a news blog that illuminates the influence of secret intelligence agencies. He worked for 15 years as an editor and reporter at the Washington Post. He is the author of Ghost: The Secret Life of CIA Spymaster James Jesus Angleton (2017) a biography of James Jesus Angleton and of Our Man in Mexico: Winston Scott and the Hidden History of the CIA (2008), a biography of the CIA's Mexico City station chief Winston Scott.

Major John M. Newman, U.S. Army (retired), is adjunct professor of political science at James Madison University. Newman is the author of JFK and Vietnam: Deception, Intrigue, and the Struggle for Power (1992) and Oswald and the CIA (1995). He also served as served as an adviser to Oliver Stone while he was making JFK and was one of the experts called upon to advise the JFK Assassination Records Review Board.and the multi-part series The Assassination of President Kennedy: Volume I, Where Angels Tread Lightly; Volume II, Countdown to Darkness , and Volume III, Into the Storm.

Len Osanic is host of Black Op Radio and producer of The Collected Works of Col. L. Fletcher Prouty.

Lisa Pease is the author of A Lie Too Big to Fail: The Real History of the Assassination of Robert F. Kennedy (2018). Based on more than two decades of investigative research, Pease's recently published book has already been hailed as "the magnum opus of RFK assassination research" by acclaimed Kennedy biographer James Douglass.

Dr. William F. Pepper is an American lawyer, English barrister and best-selling author. His legal career has included representation of governments and heads of state, and teaching human rights law at Oxford University. A political activist, Pepper was a 1960s friend and supporter of Robert F. Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The King family asked his help to address their doubts about the guilt of accused assassin James Earl Ray. Pepper's investigation concluded that Ray was a patsy. Representing both the imprisoned Ray before his 1998 death and the King family pro bono , Pepper then won a Memphis civil jury verdict in 1999 for the family concluding the murder was a conspiracy. Pepper authored three books on the evidence, most recently The Plot to Kill King (2016). In 2007, Pepper began representing pro bono Robert F. Kennedy's accused assassin Sirhan Sirhan based on similar evidence that Sirhan did not fire any of the shots that struck RFK. Along with other RFK friends, Pepper has advocated for Sirhan to be released on parole and/or granted a first-ever hearing to examine the relevant scientific evidence.

Jerry Policoff has been a JFK assassination researcher since 1966, specializing in the role of the media. Widely published in magazines and book anthologies, Policoff covered the House Select Committee on Assassinations for New Times magazine, breaking many exclusives. He is the former executive director of the Assassination Archives and Research Center.

Rob Reiner is an actor and director best known for his role in the iconic TV show All in the Family and for his films A Few Good Men, When Harry Met Sally, and This Is Spinal Tap . His 2017 political thriller Shock and Awe was the first Hollywood movie to examine the tragic run-up to the U.S. invasion of Iraq. Reiner is now developing a docudrama TV series on the Kennedy assassinations.

Abby Rockefeller has participated in the sponsoring and organizing of several conferences concerning the assassination of John F. Kennedy.

Dick Russell is the author of three books on the assassination of President Kennedy: The Man Who Knew Too Much (1992), On the Trail of the JFK Assassins (2008) and They Killed Our President! (2014) with Jesse Ventura.

Mort Sahl is an entertainer and political satirist. He helped write speeches for John F. Kennedy's presidential campaign, and later worked closely with New Orleans District Attorney Jim Garrison to solve the Kennedy assassination, even though doing so severely damaged his career.

Vincent J. Salandria is a Philadelphia attorney who began studying the Kennedy assassination on November 23, 1963. One of the original critics of the lone assassin concept, he is the author of False Mystery, an anthology of his essays incriminating the national security state for the murder of JFK.

Martin Sheen is an actor and activist.

Lawrence P. Schnapf is the principal attorney of Schnapf LLC and an adjunct professor at the New York Law School. He serves on the board of Citizens Against Political Assassinations.

E. Martin Schotz is the author of History Will Not Absolve Us: Orwellian Control, Public Denial and the Murder of President Kennedy (1996).

Paul Schrade is a former United Auto Workers official who knew both of the Kennedy brothers and worked in their campaigns. He was wounded in the hail of gunfire that mortally wounded Senator Robert F. Kennedy. Schrade, who has spent decades researching the RFK assassination, believes that Sirhan Sirhan did not fire the shots that struck Kennedy and is working for his release from prison.

Peter Dale Scott is a professor emeritus of English at the University of California, Berkeley. His books include Deep Politics and the Death of JFK (1993), Deep Politics II: Essays on Oswald, Mexico, and Cuba (1996), The War Conspiracy: JFK, 9/11, and the Deep Politics of War (2013) and The American Deep State (2017).

John Simkin established the Spartacus Educational website in September, 1997, an important section of which was devoted to the Assassination of John F. Kennedy. He is the author of the e-book Assassination of John F. Kennedy Encyclopedia (2012).

Bill Simpich, a civil rights attorney, is on the board of the Mary Ferrell Foundation. He is the author of the e-book State Secret.

Oliver Stone is an Academy Awardwinning director and screenwriter best known for his movies Platoon, Born on the Fourth of July, Wall Street and JFK. His 1991 feature JFK provoked a nationwide uproar about the Kennedy assassination that led to Congressional passage of the 1992 JFK Records Collection Act and the release of thousands of important previously withheld government documents.

Dan Storper is the founder and CEO of the world music company Putumayo. He is writing a book about the political struggles of the 1960s.

David Talbot is the author of the New York Times bestsellers Brothers: The Hidden History of the Kennedy Years (2008) and The Devil's Chessboard: Allen Dulles, the CIA and the Rise of America's Secret Government (2016). He is the founder and original editor-in-chief of Salon and a former senior editor of Mother Jones magazine.

Kathleen Kennedy Townsend is the eldest of Robert F. and Ethel Kennedy's children. She is the former lieutenant governor of Maryland. She has taught foreign policy at the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Maryland and is currently a research professor at Georgetown University, where she founded the Center for Retirement Initiatives.

Adam Walinsky served in the United States Department of Justice in 1963-64. He joined Robert Kennedy's campaign for U.S. Senate in 1964, and then served as counsel and speechwriter for the senator through the presidential campaign of 1968. He was one of the coordinators of the Vietnam Moratorium of 1969-70, and was the Democratic nominee for Attorney General of New York in 1970. He practiced law in New York City until 1994, serving as chairman of the New York State Investigations Commission in 1979-81. Walinsky created and led the Police Corps, a federal program that offered scholarships to college students who agreed in return to train intensively for six months, and then serve four years in a state or local police force. Police Corps programs were created in 30 states, and although funding ended in 2004, many of its graduates are still serving in law enforcement and other civic endeavors across the country. From 2008 to 2012, he led a complete retraining of the Police Department in Baltimore, Maryland. He served in the United States Marine Corps Reserve.

Benjamin Wecht is the administrator of Duquesne University's Cyril H. Wecht Institute of Forensic Science and Law, managing an internationally acclaimed center for professional and general education that presents public seminars on the assassination of President Kennedy and other urgent topics. He also serves as managing member of the Forensic Sciences and Law Education Group, a business dedicated to disseminating educational video products and online resources relating to topics at the interface of forensic investigation and historical inquiry.

Dr. Cyril H. Wecht is past president of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences and the American College of Legal Medicine. He is a clinical professor of pathology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and adjunct professor of law at Duquesne University. Dr. Wecht served as a consultant or expert witness on several major JFK inquests, including New Orleans District Attorney Jim Garrison's prosecution of Clay Shaw, the Rockefeller Commission and the House Select Committee on Assassinations.

Betty Windsor was a close friend of Dallas Times-Herald journalist Jim Koethe, who was murdered in his home in 1964 while working to solve the JFK case. Since the reporter's murder, she has worked to solve both the Koethe case and the JFK case. Many researchers consider her the most important source on the events in Dallas during that era.
SAO PAULO - A dam that held back mining waste collapsed Friday in Brazil, inundating a nearby community in reddish-brown sludge, killing at least seven people and leaving scores of others missing.

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This article was published 25/1/2019 (875 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

An aerial view after a dam collapsed near Brumadinho, Brazil, Friday, Jan. 25, 2019. Brazilian mining company Vale SA said it didnAot yet have information on deaths or injuries at the dam but said that tailings have reached the community of Vila Ferteco. (Bruno Correia/Nitro via AP)

SAO PAULO - A dam that held back mining waste collapsed Friday in Brazil, inundating a nearby community in reddish-brown sludge, killing at least seven people and leaving scores of others missing.

Parts of the city of Brumadinho were evacuated, and firefighters rescued people by helicopter and ground vehicles. Local television channel TV Record showed a helicopter hovering inches off the ground as it pulled people covered in mud out of the waste.

Photos showed rooftops poking above an extensive field of the mud, which also cut off roads. The flow of waste reached the nearby community of Vila Ferteco and an administrative office for Brazilian mining company Vale SA, where employees were present.

"'I've never seen anything like it," Josiele Rosa Silva Tomas, president of Brumadinho resident's association, told The Associated Press by phone. "It was horrible ... the amount of mud that took over."

Cattle are covered by mining debris after a mine collapsed near Brumadinho, Brazil, Friday, Jan. 25, 2019. Brazilian mining company Vale SA said it didnAot yet have information on deaths or injuries at the dam but said that tailings have reached the community of Vila Ferteco. (Leo Drumond/Nitro via AP)

Silva Tomas said she was awaiting news of her cousin, and many people she knew were trying to get news of loved ones.

Seven bodies had been recovered by late Friday, according to a statement from the governor's office of Minas Gerais state.

Vale CEO FabioSchvartsman said he did not know what caused the collapse. About 300 employees were working when it happened. About 100 had been accounted for, and rescue efforts were under way to determine what had happened to the others.

"The principal victims were our own workers," Schvartzman told a news conference Friday evening. He said a restaurant was buried by the mud at lunchtime.

Another dam administered by Vale and Australian mining company BHP Billiton collapsed in 2015 in the city of Mariana in Minas Gerais state, resulting in 19 deaths and forcing hundreds from their homes.

An aerial view shows flooding triggered by a collapsed dam near Brumadinho, Brazil, Friday, Jan. 25, 2019. Brazilian mining company Vale SA said it didnAot yet have information on deaths or injuries at the dam but said that tailings have reached the community of Vila Ferteco. (Bruno Correia/Nitro via AP)

Considered the worst environmental disaster in Brazilian history, it left 250,000 people without drinking water and killed thousands of fish. An estimated 60 million cubic meters of waste flooded rivers and eventually flowed into the Atlantic Ocean.

Schvartsman said what happened Friday was "a human tragedy much larger than the tragedy of Mariana, but probably the environmental damage will be less."

There were no official reports of deaths, but the state fire department told The Associated Press that about 200 people were missing. The company said it did not have any further information.

President Jair Bolsonaro said he lamented the accident and sent three cabinet ministers to the area.

"We will take all the possible steps to minimize the suffering of families and victims," Bolsonaro said in a speech, which he posted on Twitter.

Bolsonaro, who assumed power Jan. 1, planned to tour the area aby helicopter on Saturday. The far-right leader campaigned on promises to jumpstart Brazil's economy, in part by deregulating mining and other industries.

Environmental groups and activists said the latest spill underscored a lack of regulation.

The latest spill "is a sad consequence of the lessons not learned by the Brazilian government and the mining companies responsible for the tragedy with Samarco dam, in Mariana, also controlled by Vale," Greenpeace said in a statement.

"History repeats itself," tweeted Marina Silva, a former environmental minister and three-time presidential candidate. "It's unacceptable that government and mining companies haven't learned anything."

The rivers of mining waste raised fears of widespread contamination.

According to Vale's website, the mine waste, often called tailings, is composed mostly of sand and is non-toxic. However, a UN report found that the waste from the 2015 disaster "contained high levels of toxic heavy metals."

Vale is Brazil's largest mining company. Two hours after the accident, its stock fell 10 per cent on the New York Stock Exchange.

Marcelo Silva de Sousa reported from Rio de Janeiro. Peter Prengaman contributed to this report from Arraial do Cabo, Brazil.

This story replaces paragraph 7 to correct spelling of name toSchvartsman.
CARACAS, Venezuela - The Latest on the political crisis in Venezuela (all times local):

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This article was published 24/1/2019 (876 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Venezuelan Bolivarian National Guardsmen detain a protester after a rally demanding the resignation of President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2019. The head of Venezuela's opposition-run congress declared himself interim president at the rally, until new elections can be called. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

CARACAS, Venezuela - The Latest on the political crisis in Venezuela (all times local):

8:55 p.m.

Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido says he would consider granting amnesty to President Nicolas Maduro and his allies if they helped return Venezuela to democracy.

Guaido gave his first public comments to Univision on Thursday since declaring himself interim president of Venezuela. Guaido's comments are part of a soon-to-be aired interview that was published on Univision's website.

The National Assembly leader says that amnesty is on the table for anybody willing to help return Venezuela to constitutional order.

The United States, Canada and more than a dozen Latin American countries have rallied around Guaido.

However, Maduro shows no signs of giving up power, maintaining he was democratically elected.

The socialist leader blames the United States for backing a coup attempt to oust him, and he cut diplomatic ties with Venezuela's largest trading partner.

6:55 p.m.

The State Department is ordering non-essential diplomats and staff at the U.S. Embassy in Venezuela to leave the country.

The department says it's taking the step for security reasons and that the embassy in Caracas will stay open.

The move follows the Trump administration's rejection of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's order to break relations with the U.S. and for American diplomats to depart by the weekend. The administration says Maduro's order isn't legal because the U.S. no longer recognizes him as Venezuela's legitimate leader.

On Wednesday, President Donald Trump recognized the opposition leader and head of Venezuela's parliament as the interim president. That prompted Maduro to sever relations with Washington.

4:25 p.m.

President Nicolas Maduro has ordered all Venezuelan diplomats home from the United States and is closing its embassy  despite U.S. refusal to do the same in his country.

Maduro said Thursday that if U.S. officials had any sense they would pull out their own diplomats from Caracas rather than defying his order to leave.

The Trump administration says Maduro is not now legally president of Venezuela because of a fraudulent election. It recognizes opposition leader Juan Guaido, who assumed presidential authority and vowed to remove Maduro.

The U.S. also had snubbed Maduro's decision to cut diplomatic ties with the United States, saying he doesn't have the authority to expel U.S. diplomats.

The two countries haven't exchanged ambassadors in nearly a decade, but they have maintained diplomatic staff.

2:40 p.m.

The United States has officially requested an open meeting of the U.N. Security Council on Saturday "to discuss the ongoing crisis in Venezuela."

South Africa's U.N. Ambassador Jerry Matjila said earlier that U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had asked to discuss the political situation with the U.N.'s most powerful body. He said the "consultations" would be behind closed doors  not open.

The U.S. Mission to the United Nations tweeted Thursday that it requested a meeting Saturday morning.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday recognized National Assembly leader Juan Guaido as Venezuela's interim president, leading President Nicolas Maduro to demand that all U.S. diplomats leave the country in 72 hours. Pompeo told the diplomats to stay because the U.S. doesn't recognize Maduro.

Venezuela is not on the Security Council agenda and the U.S. needs the support of at least nine of the 15 council nations to hold a meeting. Diplomats said the council has not yet discussed the U.S. request.

Before Matjila spoke, Russia's U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia told reporters he didn't think a meeting is required.

2:30 p.m.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered his support to embattled Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in a phone call.

The Kremlin says that Putin "expressed support to the legitimate government of Venezuela amid the acute political crisis that has been provoked from the outside."

The Russian leader emphasized that "destructive foreign interference tramples on basic norms of the international law."

The Kremlin statement Thursday said Putin called for "overcoming differences in the Venezuelan society through peaceful dialogue."

It added that the two leaders underlined a shared intention to "continue the Russian-Venezuelan co-operation in various spheres."

Russia had already denounced the U.S. decision to recognize an opposition leader at Venezuela's legitimate president, calling it an attempted coup.

Russia has been a key sponsor and ally of Venezuela, and last month it deployed two Tu-160 nuclear-capable bombers to Venezuela for several days.

1:45 P.M.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says the United States is ready to send Venezuela food and medicine in response to requests from the opposition-controlled congress.

Pompeo on Thursday urged other countries to step up and help Venezuelans rebuild a country he says has been destroyed by President Nicolas Maduro's "illegitimate" government.

The United States and several other countries have recognized National Assembly leader Juan Guaido as the interim president of Venezuela.

Guaido declared presidential powers on Wednesday, vowing to restore democracy.

Pompeo says the United States is ready to ship more than $20 million in humanitarian assistance to help Venezuelans suffering dire shortages in a deepening crisis.

Maduro's government for years has rejected most foreign assistance, saying it is a cover for foreign powers to launch an invasion.

1:30 p.m.

The Vatican says Pope Francis is closely following developments in Venezuela and supports "all efforts that help save the population from further suffering".

A statement from Vatican spokesman Alessandro Gisotti on Thursday didn't say if the Holy See recognized opposition leader Juan Guaido's claim to the interim presidency.

Francis is nearby on a visit to Panama for World Youth Day.

The statement said the pope "is praying for the victims and for all the people of Venezuela." It adds that "the Holy See supports all efforts that help save the population from further suffering".

The Vatican has a delicate line to balance in Venezuela. Local bishops vocally oppose the socialist regime of President Nicholas Maduro, but the Holy See has kept up diplomatic relations with the government, to the extent that it sent its interim charge d'affaires to Maduro's inauguration earlier this month.

An anti-government protester wears a Venezuelan flag to cover her face, after a rally demanding the resignation of President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2019. The head of Venezuela's opposition-run congress declared himself interim president at the rally, until new elections can be called. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

1 p.m.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says he's shocked by U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido's claim to the presidency.

Speaking at a joint news conference with Malta's president on Thursday, Erdogan reiterated his support for embattled President Nicolas Maduro.

Erdogan said he believed Maduro would overcome the crisis and would receive the people's backing "if he continues to stand strong in the path he believes in."

Erdogan also said Maduro didn't delay in calling and visiting Turkey to offer his support soon after Turkey thwarted a coup attempt in 2016.

12:45 p.m.

South Africa's U.N. ambassador says U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has asked to discuss the political situation in Venezuela with the U.N. Security Council in closed consultations on Saturday morning.

Jerry Matjila told reporters at U.N. headquarters in New York on Thursday that the council would discuss whether the situation in Venezuela poses a threat to international peace and security.

Venezuela is not on the Security Council agenda and the U.S. needs the support of at least nine of the 15 council nations to hold a meeting.

Before Matjila spoke, Russia's U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia told reporters he didn't think such a meeting was required.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday recognized National Assembly leader Juan Guaido as Venezuela's interim president, leading President Nicolas Maduro to demand that all U.S. diplomats leave the country in 72 hours. Pompeo told the diplomats to stay because the U.S. doesn't recognize Maduro.

Matjila said South Africa still recognizes the Maduro government. He called the situation in Venezuela "very delicate," and encouraged Venezuelans "to sit together and discuss among themselves to see what they can do."

12:30 p.m.

Britain's foreign secretary says Venezuela opposition leader Juan Guaido is "the right person" to take the troubled country forward.

Jeremy Hunt said Thursday during a visit to Washington that the May 20 election in Venezuela was "deeply flawed" and said the regime led by President Nicholas Maduro has done "untold damage to the people of Venezuela."

Hunt said it is clear that Maduro is not the "legitimate" leader of Venezuela. But the statement stops short of recognizing Guaido as president.

Hunt says he plans to discuss the matter with Vice-President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

12:20 p.m.

The chief of Venezuela's military has reaffirmed his support for President Nicolas Maduro, saying the armed forces will never accept a leader imposed on their country.

The televised statement by Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez on Thursday is part of a show of military support for Maduro in the face of faltering international recognition of his government.

Opposition lawmaker Juan Guaido has declared himself Venezuela's interim president, promising to restore democracy to Venezuela.

Padrino Lopez said dark interests are working outside Venezuela's constitution, emboldening the opposition's rise.

He says his soldiers would be unworthy of their uniform if they fail to defend the constitution.

The United States, Canada and some Latin American and European countries have recognized Guaido's claim that the constitution gives him the authority to assume power.

10:05 a.m.

Military commanders across Venezuela are taking to the airwaves to vow loyalty to embattled President Nicolas Maduro.

Major General Victor Palacio said Thursday he categorically rejected any acts threatening stability in Venezuela.

Opposition leader Juan Guaido a day earlier spoke to masses of supporters crowding the streets of Caracas that he's assuming the presidency.

He called for new elections to restore democracy and appealed to members of the military to reject what he called Maduro's dictatorship.

Palacio is one of several generals who have been appearing on state TV, standing before dozens of soldiers in a show of military support.

Major General Manuel Gregorio Bernal also backed Maduro, saying the president represents an independent country in the face of imperialist aggression.

9:25 a.m.

Venezuela's closest ally says it backs socialist President Nicolas Maduro against what it calls a "coup d'etat" to impose "a servile government under orders from the United States."

Cuba's foreign ministry says Cuba "expresses its unwavering solidarity with the government of the constitutional president Nicolas Maduro Moros."

Cuba has sent Venezuela tens of thousands of workers, from doctors to intelligence officials, to support former Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and Maduro, his successor.

In return, the economically struggling island receives tens of thousands of barrels a day in heavily subsidized oil.

Anti-Maduro National Assembly President Juan Guaido asserts that he's Venezuela's interim president under the constitution.

9:00 a.m.

A Venezuelan monitoring group says at least a dozen people have been killed by gunfire in a wave of anti-government unrest rocking Venezuela, where a young opposition leader and socialist President Nicolas Maduro both claim to be chief of state. .

Co-ordinator Marco Ponce with the non-profit Venezuelan Observatory of Social Conflict gave the death toll and names of those reported slain to the Associated Press on Thursday.

Seven deaths had been reported earlier.

For a third consecutive night, there were reports of looting in poor neighbourhoods in Caracas and clashes between protesters and state security forces.

Amnesty International is calling on Maduro to uphold demonstrators' rights and immediately remove any military or police offers involved in repression.

The troubled South American nation has plunged into a new chapter of uncertainty following Wednesday's mass protests and competing claims to the presidency.

8:50 a.m.

The German government is backing the opposition-led National Assembly in Venezuela, while calling for "free and credible elections" in the country.

Government spokesman Steffen Seibert said Thursday on Twitter that "the people of Venezuela are bravely working for a free future for their country."

Seibert said "this now requires a political process that results in free and credible elections."

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, right, speaks with Constitutional Assembly President Diosdado Cabello at the Supreme Court during an annual ceremony that marks the start of the judicial year in Caracas, Venezuela, Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019. Cabello and other high-ranking allies pledged to stand behind Maduro and denounced Juan Guaido who declared himself interim president on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

He added that "the democratically elected National Assembly should have a special role here."

8:20 a.m.

The U.N. chief has called for dialogue and says violence or escalation should be avoided after the United States, many Latin American countries and others recognized Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido as the country's president.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was asked to comment about Venezuela at the World Economic Forum after many of its closest neighbours issued the rebuff to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro a day earlier.

Guterres said simply: "It is absolutely essential to have dialogue, to avoid violence and to avoid escalation." He did not elaborate.

7:50 a.m.

Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is holding talks on Venezuela with Latin American leaders in the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Sanchez's office also said the leader has scheduled a phone call with Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido.

Foreign Minister Josep Borrell, a long-time socialist, says Nicolas Maduro's government is illegitimate but declined to follow other world leaders in endorsing Guaido.

"We don't know how, but we are going to procure free and fair elections in Venezuela," Borrell has told reporters on Thursday.

Spain was among European countries that until earlier this week was promoting an international mediation between Maduro's administration and the opposition. But Borrell says now that "the situation has changed radically."

He also said the government's top priority was to ensure the safety of more than 200,000 Spaniards living in Venezuela.

7:30 a.m.

French President Emmanuel Macron says that the May 2018 election of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro was "illegitimate" and saluted the bravery of Venezuelans who are demanding freedom.

In a tweet on Thursday in French and Spanish, Macron added his own voice to the European Union's declared support for the restoration of democracy.

Macron said that he "salutes the courage of hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans marching for their liberty."

The EU is calling for the launch of a political process in Venezuela that would lead to fresh elections after opposition leader Juan Guaido claimed the presidency amid anti-government protests.

7:20 a.m.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says Turkey opposes coup attempts wherever they may occur.

Erdogan, who did not directly reference Venezuela, made the comments at a military academy Thursday hours after he spoke with Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro.

Earlier, Erdogan's spokesman said that the Turkish leader told Maduro in a phone call: "My brother Maduro! Stay strong, we are by your side."

Erdogan said: "As a country that believes in democracy, as a president who believes in democracy ... where ever in the world there is a coup attempt, we stand against them all without distinction."

He added: "Everyone has to respect the result of the ballot boxes."

Erdogan, whom critics accuse of increasingly autocratic tendencies, survived a coup attempt in 2016.

7:10 a.m.

Ecuador's foreign minister says his country opposes possible military action in Venezuela against President Nicolas Maduro's government, insisting it would have "mostly negative impacts."

Ecuador has joined many fellow Latin American countries, the United States and others that have recognized opposition leader Juan Guaido as Venezuela's president in the face of Venezuela's political and economic crisis under Maduro.

Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Jose Valencia told a panel session at the World Economic Forum in Davos that Ecuador would disagree with the military option.

Valencia was asked to comment Thursday after U.S. President Donald Trump said "options are on the table" a day earlier in response to a question whether the U.S. was contemplating military action in Venezuela.

Valencia said: "I wouldn't think that it would be a way out of the situation. You have to give the Venezuelan people the opportunity to decide by themselves."

Ecuador said in October it has granted visas to 90,000 Venezuelans fleeing their country.

7 a.m.

Syria has condemned what it describes as "flagrant intervention" by the U.S. in Venezuela's internal affairs.

The Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Thursday that the American backing of the opposition's claim to the presidency in Venezuela constitutes a "violation of international laws and norms."

The ministry says Damascus renews its "full solidarity with the leadership and people of the Venezuelan Republic in preserving the country's sovereignty and foiling the American administration's hostile plans."

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is a strong ally of Syrian President Bashar Assad. Maduro visited Syria as foreign minister in 2011, months after the Arab country's conflict began. Assad visited Venezuela in 2010.

A large Syrian community lives in Venezuela.

6:50 a.m.

The Kremlin has dismissed the political crisis in Venezuela as an attempted coup and expressed concern over suggestions of possible foreign military intervention.

Russia is a key ally of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, who was sworn in for his second term in office earlier this month. Maduro's rival Juan Gauido on Wednesday declared himself interim president before masses of demonstrators in Caracas.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Thursday dismissed Gauido's announcement an "attempt to usurp power" which violates international law. He also said the Kremlin was concerned about statements "from foreign nations" ''which do not rule out foreign intervention."

Asked if Russia would be willing to grant asylum to Maduro, Peskov said that Maduro is the legitimate leader.

Russia's Foreign Ministry in a statement issued earlier on Thursday said that the crisis in Venezuela "has reached a dangerous point" and called on the international community to mediate between the government and the opposition.

6:45 a.m.

Portugal's foreign minister is calling for Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to "understand that his time has come to an end," after opposition leader Juan Guaido claimed the country's presidency.

Augusto Santos Silva told the Portuguese news agency LUSA, in comments published by daily Observador, that Maduro "cannot ignore the will of the people."

Portugal has previously taken a careful approach to events in Venezuela, wary of doing anything that might cause problems for the large Portuguese community there.

Santos Silva appealed for a peaceful end to the standoff and called for free elections.

6:30 a.m.

The European Union is calling for the launch of a political process in Venezuela that would lead to fresh elections after opposition leader Juan Guaido claimed the presidency amid anti-government protests.

EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherni said in a statement Thursday that the voice of Venezuelans calling for democracy "cannot be ignored."

Mogherini says that "the EU strongly calls for the start of an immediate political process leading to free and credible elections, in conformity with the constitutional order."

She says the EU backs Venezuela's national assembly and that its powers should be restored and respected.

Mogherini is calling for the safety and rights of lawmakers and Guaido to be protected, and says the 28-nation EU stands ready to help support a return to democracy and the rule of law.

6:05 a.m.

China is calling on the United States to stay out of Venezuela's current political crisis and says it opposes all outside intervention in the South American country.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said Thursday that all parties to the conflict should "remain rational and level-headed and seek a political resolution on the Venezuelan issue through peaceful dialogue within the framework of the Venezuelan Constitution."

Hua said China "opposes external intervention in Venezuela. We hope that the international community will jointly create favourable conditions for this."

She said: "We hope that Venezuela and the United States can respect and treat each other on an equal footing, and deal with their relations based on non-interference in each other's internal affairs."

Over the last decade, China has given Venezuela $65 billion in loans, cash and investment. Venezuela owes more than $20 billion.

China's only hope of being repaid appears to lie in Venezuela ramping up oil production, although low petroleum prices and the country's crashing economy appear to bode poorly for such an outcome.

5:35 a.m.

Iran has denounced events in Venezuela, saying the opposition's claim there that it holds the presidency is a "coup" and an attempt to take over power unlawfully.

In Tehran, Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Ghasemi told reporters on Thursday that the "Islamic Republic of Iran supports the government and people of Venezuela against any sort of foreign intervention and any illegitimate and illegal action such as attempt to make a coup d'etat."

His remarks were carried by the semi-official ISNA news agency.

Ghasemi also condemned what he said is an open and illegal intervention in Venezuela by the U.S. and added hopes that the Venezuelan people will overcome their political rifts and problems through peaceful and legal means.

Tehran has long been an ally of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

5:10 a.m.

Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom says "the people's right to peacefully demonstrate and freely choose its leaders must be respected" in Venezuela after sometimes violent rallies in the wake of opposition leader Juan Guaido claiming the presidency.

Wallstrom has tweeted that "all violence and the excessive use of force are unacceptable. Democracy must be restored."

Her Danish counterpart Anders Samuelsen says Denmark "will always support legitimate elected democratic institutions  not least the parliamentary assembly including @jguaido Juan Guaido."

The opposition leader had declared himself interim president before a mass of demonstrators in Caracas, saying the "dictatorship" of socialist President Nicolas Maduro should end.

Violence flared again Wednesday across Venezuela, and at least seven deaths were reported in the escalating confrontation with Maduro, who has been increasingly criticized by many nations. Russia, Turkey and other nations support Maduro.

4 a.m.

Russian officials and senior lawmakers have reacted angrily to opposition protests in Venezuela that support opposition leader Juan Guaido's claim to the presidency.

Alexei Pushkov, chairman of the information committee at the Federation Council, on Thursday called Guaido's declaration "an attempted coup" backed by the U.S.

Russia has been propping up incumbent President Nicolas Maduro, who took office for a second term earlier this month, with arms deliveries and loans. Maduro visited Moscow in December, seeking Russia's political support and financial support.

"It's impossible to imagine that this was spontaneous," Pushkov said on state-owned Rossiya 24 television station, referring to the opposition protests. "That was a pre-planned action, and it was certainly co-ordinated by the United States."

President Donald Trump has promised to use the "full weight" of U.S. economic and diplomatic power to push for the restoration of Venezuela's democracy.

Pushkov warned that the showdown between Maduro and Guaido "could lead to a civil conflict, even civil war."

Konstantin Kosachev, chairman of the Federation Council's foreign affairs committee, in a Facebook post on Thursday accused the U.S. of "inciting protests" in Venezuela.

3:50 a.m.

A senior official says Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called Venezuela's embattled president, Nicolas Maduro, to voice his support after the leader of a united opposition claimed to hold the interim presidency.

Presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin tweeted early Thursday that Erdogan told Maduro: "'My brother Maduro! Stay strong, we are by your side.'"

Kalin added that Turkey, under Erdogan's leadership, would "maintain its principled stance against coup attempts."

Juan Guaido declared himself interim president before a mass of demonstrators in Caracas on Wednesday. The U.S., Canada and another dozen mostly Latin American countries quickly announced that they supported Guaido's claim to the presidency.

Turkey has cultivated close economic and political ties with Maduro. During a visit to Venezuela in December, Erdogan criticized U.S. sanctions on the crisis-ridden country.

1 a.m.

Australia is considering recognizing the rival claimant to Venezuela's presidency after the United States and many Latin American did so.

Congress leader Juan Guaido has declared himself interim president and said it was the only way to end President Nicolas Maduro's "dictatorship."

After the U.S. and others announced their support for Guaido, Maduro fired back late Wednesday by breaking relations with the U.S. and ordering its diplomats to leave. Washington says it will ignore the order.

Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne said Thursday that her government is considering recognizing Guaido as president.

She told reporters in Sydney that Australia was concerned about what the "clearly deteriorating political, economic and security and humanitarian situation in Venezuela and it is having significant effects across the Latin American region."

12:15 a.m.

Venezuelans are heading into uncharted political waters, with the young leader of a newly united and combative opposition claiming the presidency and socialist President Nicolas Maduro digging in for a fight with the Trump administration.

Violence flared again Wednesday during big protests across Venezuela, and at least seven deaths were reported in the escalating confrontation with Maduro, who has been increasingly criticized by many nations.

Congress leader Juan Guaido turned up the heat by declaring himself interim president before a mass of demonstrators in Caracas. He said it is the only way to end Maduro's "dictatorship."

The U.S., Canada and many Latin American countries quickly announced support for Guaido.

Maduro fired back by breaking relations with the U.S. and ordering its diplomats out. Washington says it will ignore the order.
DENVER - The owners of a Denver marijuana business pleaded guilty Friday to drug and racketeering charges and will spend a year in prison in what city officials called the first local prosecution of a legal pot enterprise in the U.S.

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DENVER - The owners of a Denver marijuana business pleaded guilty Friday to drug and racketeering charges and will spend a year in prison in what city officials called the first local prosecution of a legal pot enterprise in the U.S.

A yearlong investigation of Sweet Leaf's sales practices centred on a practice known as "looping," where a customer purchases the maximum amount of marijuana that Colorado law permits and repeatedly returns to the same retailer to purchase more on the same day. Prosecutors believe people using the strategy at Sweet Leaf locations purchased more than 2 tons of marijuana intended for sale on the black market.

The case is unique in that Denver authorities charged a pot business in one of 10 states plus Washington, D.C., that broadly allow marijuana use by adults and a commercial market to supply cannabis products. The majority of such businesses "are reputable and responsible and strive to obey our marijuana laws," Denver District Attorney Beth McCann said in a statement.

"Sweet Leaf is an exception," she said.

Under a plea agreement, Matthew Aiken, Christian Johnson and Anthony Sauro will serve one year in prison followed by a year of parole tied to the drug charge and a year of probation for the racketeering charge.

Aiken, 40, was sentenced immediately, and courtroom deputies placed him in handcuffs following the hearing. Johnson, 50, and Sauro, 33, will be sentenced in several weeks.

They and their attorneys left the courtroom without speaking to reporters.

Senior Deputy District Attorney Kenneth Boyd said investigators found evidence that Sweet Leaf's owners knew about and encouraged the illegal sales. Employees would even contact buyers known as "loopers" to notify them of medical marijuana deliveries to dispensaries, he said.

"Once the practice was authorized by ownership, it was pushed at the highest levels," Boyd said. "It was sell, sell, sell. This was about greed and making money, and that came from the top."

Denver police began investigating the chain of dispensaries in 2016 after a neighbour of one Sweet Leaf location complained about repeat customers visiting the dispensary day after day.

Investigators scrutinized Sweet Leaf's sales practices by using data collected by state regulators and material collected during December 2017 raids of several company properties. Several months earlier, the company's owners told Marijuana Business Magazine that they had 350 employees and $60 million in revenue.

Boyd said the 12 low-level employees arrested during the raids have since reached plea agreements contingent on community service. Two former managers received 30-day jail sentences in November as part of a plea agreement that required them to co-operate with investigators.

Boyd said Denver prosecutors still are pursuing cases against 10 people accused of using looping to buy excess marijuana at Sweet Leaf locations.

The investigation prompted Colorado regulators last year to clarify rules limiting how much marijuana an individual customer can buy in one day.

Attorneys for the company's owners had argued that the rules only limited the amount of product a customer could buy during a single sales transaction. City and state regulators rejected that argument, and Denver revoked all 26 of the company's city-issued licenses after the police investigation began.

Colorado regulators later reached a settlement requiring the owners to surrender all of their state-issued business licenses. The deal also bans the owners from working in Colorado's marijuana industry for 15 years.

Foody is a member of AP's marijuana beat team. Find complete AP marijuana coverage here: https://apnews.com/LegalMarijuana
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. - A New Jersey judge refused to block the Miss America Organization from carrying out changes to some of its state pageant leadership groups, even as he called on both sides to try to work out their differences.

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ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. - A New Jersey judge refused to block the Miss America Organization from carrying out changes to some of its state pageant leadership groups, even as he called on both sides to try to work out their differences.

Superior Court Judge Michael Blee on Friday urged four state pageant groups that had their licenses terminated to try to reach an agreement with the parent group.

But he also determined that the state groups did not demonstrate that they have a significant chance of prevailing at a trial. That was a central reason he did not issue an order the state groups had sought preventing the parent group from replacing some of them.

The Miss America Organization called the ruling "complete and total victory," adding it has the "green light" to move forward with its management of the group.

"We are pleased that the new licensees in these states can continue their work unencumbered by these meritless legal challenges," the statement said.

Numerous state groups have been battling national Miss America leadership over the way the organization is being run.

Last year, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, West Virginia and Georgia filed a lawsuit seeking restoration of the situation that existed before Chairwoman Gretchen Carlson and CEO Regina Hopper assumed leadership of the group.

On Friday, Blee urged both sides to try mediation before deciding whether a trial might be scheduled.

"Try to reach a possible amicable solution," the judge said after a nearly three hour hearing in Atlantic City, not far from where the pageant is held every September. "I strongly suggest you think about that."

Blee made his suggestion after denying a request from the four state organizations for an order that would have barred the Miss America Organization from terminating their licenses or soliciting new state leaders until the court case has been completed. The judge noted that his ruling was a preliminary one, and that the case would continue.

New Jersey and Florida had their licenses restored after appeals to the national group.

The lawsuit, filed last December, asserted "an illegal and bad-faith takeover" of the pageant by current national leaders.

"We're not fighting over money," said Paul Perkins, an attorney for the state groups and for Jennifer Vaden Barth, a former board member. "We're fighting for the survival of an institution."

Tim Davis, an attorney for the Miss America Organization, said the group is within its rights to license  or not license  state groups. He said many opponents cannot accept that the pageant, under Carlson and Hopper, eliminated the swimsuit competition last year.

"There's a vocal minority that is unwilling to accept change," he said. "The change that the new leadership is trying to bring about is moving it away from a competition in which a young woman is judged on her looks and physical appearance. People don't like change; that's what this is all about."

Perkins disputed characterization of the opponents as a minority, saying that 46 out of 50 state organizations eventually called for new national leadership of the Miss America Organization.

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BOSTON - Drug company executives weren't satisfied with sales for their powerful painkiller, so they devised a plan, prosecutors say: Offer cash to doctors in exchange for prescriptions. Soon, the highly addictive fentanyl spray was flourishing, and executives were raking in millions.

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In a photo taken Friday, Jan. 18, 2019, Deborah Fuller pauses while talking to The Associated Press about her late daughter, Sarah Fuller, who passed of a prescription drug overdose, during an interview in her home in West Berlin, N.J. The trial of the Insys Therapeutics Inc. founder John Kapoor, who accused of scheming to bribe doctors into prescribing a powerful painkiller, is putting a spotlight on the nation's deadly opioid crisis. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

BOSTON - Drug company executives weren't satisfied with sales for their powerful painkiller, so they devised a plan, prosecutors say: Offer cash to doctors in exchange for prescriptions. Soon, the highly addictive fentanyl spray was flourishing, and executives were raking in millions.

Now, the company's wealthy founder is heading to trial in a case that's putting a spotlight on the federal government's efforts to go after those it says are responsible for fueling the deadly drug crisis.

FILE - In this Oct. 26, 2017 file photo, Insys Therapeutics founder John Kapoor leaves U.S. District Court in Phoenix. Kapoor goes on trial Monday, Jan 28, 2019, in U.S. District Court in Boston, accused of scheming to bribe doctors into writing a large number of prescriptions for the powerful fentanyl-based pain painkiller Subsys. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)

"It really is a day of reckoning," said Richard Hollawell, an attorney for the parents of a New Jersey woman who died of an overdose in 2016 after she was prescribed Subsys, a drug meant for cancer patients with severe pain.

John Kapoor, the wealthy founder and former chairman of Chandler, Arizona-based Insys Therapeutics Inc., is the highest-ranking pharmaceutical company figure to face trial amid the opioid epidemic that's claiming thousands of lives every year.

The 75-year-old, who resigned from the company's board of directors after his arrest, and the four other former Insys employees being tried alongside him are charged with racketeering conspiracy. Kapoor has said he committed no crimes and believes he will be vindicated at trial, which begins Monday in Boston's federal court.

But two of his top lieutenants, including the company's former chief executive, are now co-operating with prosecutors and are expected to tell jurors that Kapoor directed the scheme to boost profits.

Massachusetts is one of many states where Insys did business, but the state's U.S. attorney's office is known for its success in complex health care cases.

Kapoor's arrest in 2017 came the same day Republican President Donald Trump declared the opioid crisis a public health emergency. And prosecutors have touted the case against Kapoor and other Insys executives as illustrative of their work to fight the drug epidemic.

Kapoor's lawyers, meanwhile, have blasted prosecutors for trying to link Insys to the drug crisis, accusing them of trying to poison the jury pool and noting that Subsys makes up a small fraction of the prescription opioid market.

"Despite these uncontroverted facts, the government continues to perpetuate a false narrative in its public pronouncements about this case," his lawyers wrote in court documents.

The judge has since prohibited both sides of the case from talking to the news media.

Several Insys employees and doctors have already been convicted in other cases of participating in a kickback scheme. A number of states have sued the company, which also agreed last year to pay $150 million to settle a federal investigation into inappropriate sales.

Prosecutors say Insys targeted doctors across the country known for prescribing large numbers of opioids and paid them bribes and kickbacks that were disguised as speaking fees for events billed as opportunities for physicians to learn about the drug.

Insys staffers also misled insurers about patients' medical conditions and posed as doctors' office employees in order to get payment approved for the costly drug, prosecutors allege.

Lawsuits filed against the company say patients were given high doses of the potent narcotic even though they didn't have cancer, weren't warned of the risks and became addicted before suffering through withdrawal when they were cut off.

"These are normal, everyday, hardworking people who go to a pain clinic because they are suffering from chronic pain and they fell into this trap," said Michael Rainboth, a New Hampshire attorney who has brought several cases against Insys.

Sarah Fuller was being treated for fibromyalgia and back pain when an Insys sales representative and her doctor met with her at her doctor's New Jersey office to persuade her to begin taking Subsys, according to a lawsuit her parents filed against Insys, Kapoor and others.

In an order to get Fuller approved for the drug, an Insys employee duped the pharmacy benefit manager into believing that the employee worked for the doctor's office and that Fuller was suffering from cancer pain, the lawsuit says.

Fuller died of an overdose a little over a year later at age 32.

"Sarah didn't have cancer, so there was no reason for her to have been on it," said her mother, Deborah Fuller. "There are a lot of things she should have been able to do, but her life was cut short by people who just don't care," she said.

Fuller's doctor isn't accused of getting kickbacks and hasn't been criminally charged. But she lost her license after state officials found she was "indiscriminately" prescribing the drug to patients without cancer.

Prosecutors allege the poorly attended speaking events were merely an excuse for doctors and their friends to have a fancy free meal. One New York doctor charged with getting kickbacks is accused of using marijuana and cocaine before and during some of the speaker programs he led.

They "do not need to be good speakers, they need to write a lot of ... (prescriptions for the fentanyl spray)," former Insys sales executive Alec Burlakoff told a colleague, according to court documents. Burlakoff pleaded guilty and is expected to testify against Kapoor during the monthslong trial.

The far-reaching impact of the drug crisis will likely make it a difficult case for Kapoor, said David Schumacher, former deputy chief of the Massachusetts U.S. attorney's office's health care fraud unit.

At the same time, there's typically less evidence incriminating those at the top than lower-level employees who carry out the scheme, said Schumacher, now an attorney at Hooper, Lundy & Bookman.

"The higher up you go in these trials, the harder it is," he said.

____

Follow Alanna Durkin Richer on Twitter at http://twitter.com/aedurkinricher
MONTREAL - Dare Foods says it will close a cookie-making plant on the south shore of Montreal by mid-2020 in a move that will affect about 275 employees.

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This article was published 24/1/2019 (876 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

MONTREAL - Dare Foods says it will close a cookie-making plant on the south shore of Montreal by mid-2020 in a move that will affect about 275 employees.

The Ontario-based company said Thursday that it told employees the production of soft cookies would be moved to other facilities across the country.

Spokesman Marc Duchesne says the plant in St-Lambert, Que., can't be expanded or modernized because it is "landlocked" near residential and commercial areas.

He added that retention bonuses, performance payments and severance will exceed the requirements of the collective agreement and the provincial labour law.

The plant in Sainte-Martine that makes toasted snack foods and has about 120 employees is unaffected.

Dare owns the Whippet, Breton and Grissol brands.
HONOLULU - Japan-based All Nippon Airways has begun taking reservations for flights between Tokyo and Honolulu on an Airbus A380, the world's largest passenger airliner.

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This article was published 24/1/2019 (876 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

HONOLULU - Japan-based All Nippon Airways has begun taking reservations for flights between Tokyo and Honolulu on an Airbus A380, the world's largest passenger airliner.

The airline expects to put its first 520-seat aircraft into service in late May. It started reserving seats earlier this month, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported Thursday.

The carrier ordered three Airbus A380s in 2016. The big planes offer more seating options and greater comfort, even in coach, according to the airline.

All Nippon Airways plans to launch service on the A380 with flights three days per week between Honolulu and the Narita International Airport. It currently has two flights departing from Narita to Honolulu and one flight departing from Haneda Airport to Honolulu. Both airports serve the Tokyo area.

The airline anticipates moving to 10 flights per week when the second A380 enters service in July. The airline expects to ramp up its Japan-Hawaii capacity to about 1,300 customers per day by 2020 if all goes according to plan, said Jun Miyagawa, the airline's senior vice-president of sales.

With the big planes, the airline aims to carve out a bigger portion of the Japan-Honolulu market. Japan Airlines currently dominates with a 32 per cent share, while Hawaiian follows at 22 per cent, Miyagawa said.

"By 2020, our overall share would be maybe less than 30 per cent, but we'd like to overcome Japan Airlines at least in our metro market," Miyagawa said.

Information from: Honolulu Star-Advertiser, http://www.staradvertiser.com
Sometimes the most devastating lies are the ones we tell ourselves.

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This article was published 25/1/2019 (875 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Sometimes the most devastating lies are the ones we tell ourselves.

That's a key theme running through playwright Daniel MacIvor's New Magic Valley Fun Town, a four-character drama centred on Dougie (played by MacIvor), a Cape Bretoner living a life of rustic semi-exile in a cosy trailer home.

We find Dougie in preparation  hauling in wine, No Frills salty snacks and a two-four of Molson Canadian  for a party. The invitees include Dougie's estranged wife Cheryl (Caroline Gillis) and his depressed grad-student daughter Sandy (Stephanie MacDonald), on an indefinite leave of studies from Toronto.

But the guest of honour is Dougie's childhood friend Allen (Andrew Moodie). He is a respected black academic based at the University of Toronto. Back in the day  much to Sandy's horror  he went by "Charky," a supposedly benign racial nickname that Dougie insists was purely affectionate.

Caroline Gillis as Cheryl meets the challenge of Dougie's inexplicable nature with a core of generosity. (Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press)

Certainly, the bond between the long-separated buddies feels real as Dougie tidies for his childhood friend with the exacting fussiness of a playboy prepping his bachelor pad for his latest conquest. Dougie, we learn, suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder, and reacts to an unexpected spill with a stream of expletive-laden horror.

He has other issues, including a series of medical battles and a tendency to self-medicate with booze instead of his prescribed medication. (Cheryl may be his ex, but she dutifully checks his prescription inventory with wifely concern.) His relationship with both Cheryl and Sandy is a jumble; there is love there, but a flash of towering rage from Dougie leads us to the suspicion that the problems with this family run much deeper than quirky sitcom-level dysfunction.

If the set-up leads us to certain expectations, MacIvor the playwright subverts them like a virtuoso. Are we leading to a racial reckoning or a big sexual disclosure? Allen's initial appearance doesn't give us hard clues. An assured intellectual, he presumably left Cape Breton behind for a life beyond his hometown's small-town realm of gossip and petty feuding.

But there is more to him, revealed in affectionate banter with Cheryl, and a flirtation with Sandy that undercuts sexual heat with a marked chill.

Eventually, it will all come down to Dougie, the kind of neurotic who tends to alter the orbits of everyone around him. We have a feeling he is due for a radical shift in his own trajectory.

The scenes in New Magic Valley Fun Town set the audience up for a Maritime variation of Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolff?, but the drama is in a class of its own. (Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press)

The initial scenes may set us up for some Maritime-bumpkin variation of Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolff?, minus the cruelty and gamesmanship. But while it invites legitimate comparison to that Edward Albee classic, the drama is in a class of its own. A co-production between the Prairie Theatre Exchange and Toronto's Tarragon Theatre directed by Richard Rose, New Magic Valley Fun Town is a character study with the urgency of a compelling whodunit. Over 90 minutes (with no intermission), it takes us on a roller-coaster ride punctuated with notes of comedy, poignant drama, horror and poetry.

The cast is superb. Gillis  a regular stage collaborator with MacIvor  feels recognizable as a woman who meets the challenge of Dougie's inexplicable nature with a core of generosity. MacDonald is funny and sad as a daughter who has amalgamated both the depressive tendencies of her father and the compassion of her mother. Moodie takes on the potentially alienating role of Allen with crisp control, but laced with an undercurrent of empathy.

But MacIvor the playwright has written himself a hell of a character, and MacIvor the actor makes the most of it with a great, funny, scary and heartbreaking performance.

After its Winnipeg run, this production of New Magic Valley Fun Town will move to Toronto's Tarragon Theatre, followed by a run at Halifax's Neptune Theatre.

randall.king@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @FreepKing
By Israel Shamir

January 24, 2019 " Information Clearing House " - Harvard scientists insisted last year we had been visited by guests from a galaxy far, far away. Well, almost. The suspected spacecraft Oumuamua first drew close to the earth, but then it accelerated, sped by our planet and disappeared somewhere into Deep Space. What went wrong? Why did the little green men of Vega, the brightest star in the Lyra constellation, gave up what was presumably their original plan to visit us Earthlings? Could it be they read our internet communications, watched our TV shows, checked our newspapers and chose to postpone the actual encounter until a better times?

One can understand them. We have really made a mess of our communications. We humans need to discuss things in order to make correct decisions, and the field for discussion shrinks rapidly. At first, we lost the media.

Once, the newspapers competed, leaders had differing views, the pundits argued, the parties called for various actions. They vied for our pennies and votes and tried to convince us. Not any more. Now they know better whats good for us. They do not care about circulation, they do not have to sell newspapers, for the advertisements are paid for by the rich, anyway. Once, minorities had been excluded from discussion; now, it is majority that is banned.

There is not a single newspaper in the US that supports the views of the US President. Nobody defended him when he was accused, brazenly, in-your-face, of being a Russian agent. Nobody supported him when he called to bring the troops home from Syria. Nobody came to his aid when he mulled parting with NATO. There are tens of millions of men and women who voted for him, but he has only his Twitter account at his disposal.

The media accuses Trump of paying too little attention to Israels needs. Israel needs US troops in Syria and in Germany, US jets in Spain and Qatar, US ships in Italy and the Gulf. Israel needs the US to lead NATO to contain Russia. If Israel needs it, the US should provide, says Daniel Shapiro, the ex-ambassador. Not a single American newspaper, not a single US statesman cared to reply that President Trump had been elected by the American people to do what is needed for them, not for Israel.

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The US is not an exception. Millions of French people support the GJ, but not a single newspaper, not a single TV channel gives them a platform. They are called anti-Semites for they are revolted by Danny Cohn-Bendit and Bernard-Henri Levi, who are Jewish. They are also called homophobes because they want to ban same-sex marriage. They are being attacked by the bankers storm-troopers, the Antifa, and no media defends them.

Millions of Brits support Jeremy Corbyn, but all the mainstream media is against him, even the state-supported BBC, even the Labour Guardian. Corbyn is accused of anti-Semitism, for Corbyn speaks for the workers and against the bankers. Nobody defends him and there is no mainstream media to speak for him.

Only the minor Russian RT channel provides, up-to-a-point, some alternative views, defending the American, British and French peoples sovereignty, but they cant do much. Paradoxically, RT does not broadcast in Russian and its English-language broadcasts cant be seen in Russia. The rest of the Russian media doesnt differ much from the Western variety.

The mainstream media from Tokyo to Paris to Los Angeles speaks in one voice. All other opinions had been pushed out of mainstream discussion. It is good that we have the internet and sites like Unz Review that allow us to express our views. The problem is with delivery. How can we deliver to the public? The real mainstream media has so many more views and viewers! For them, hundreds of thousands or even millions of views are not unusual.

We need our social networks to deliver the ideas and exchange opinions, to inform readers of our publications, to convince and rally. In over-populated, nuclearized world, with family and neighbourhood ties torn, there is no substitute for these networks. And Facebook and Twitter could help us. Google could help us.

Alas, they betrayed us, too. The social networks, by their bans and de-platforming took away from us the last possibility to communicate. An aging baby-boomer who dwelt in many countries under many rulers, I am taken aback by the new totalitarianism that crept in under the guise of new technology. Even in the grim days of Stalin and McCarthy the authorities exercised less mind control than does Mr Zuckerberg and his ilk.

And not only for politics. They want to draw and implement their agenda on all topics disregarding our views.

Facebook hates when men and women have wholesome sexual relations. This is taboo for them. Men are supposed to abuse women. Women are supposed to complain #MeToo style. Alternatively, men may lust after men, and women after women. They actually ban normal relations between the sexes.

I have been banned and my post removed by Facebook moderators for saying that French women are among the best. This is sexism and it goes against the community standards, they said. Cant you, Mr Zuckerberg, keep your hands off other peoples communications? Allow me to have my own (highly favourable) opinion about French women! Oh no, he cant.

I have been banned and my post removed for mentioning a Durham University editor who was fired for saying women dont have penises. This is offensive to transgenders and goes against Facebook norms.

Facebook and Twitter censorship is insistent, annoying and discourse-distorting everywhere, but the Russian-language Facebook has been subject to particularly severe censorship. FB moderators for the Russians are mainly Ukrainians with a grudge against Russians. Apparently this is the condition by white they are chosen. They remove and ban practically every Russian reference to the Ukraine and its affairs, and never remove or ban Ukrainian insults. Russian poets, classic and modern, are being banned; what appears to these bumpkins as PC rules are being enforced ruthlessly.

They ban people for allegedly non-PC posts and comments made years ago. Two years ago a man had quoted in his own FB blog a poem by Joseph Brodsky, the Nobel laureate, and two years later this quote was found and the man banned for a month.

Or an even better example. In 2006, a Russian philologist gave a lecture about origins of Russian language in a Moscow Bilingua cafe. In 2015, the lecture was posted by a user in Facebook. This week in 2019, it was removed and the user was banned.

Russians have no tradition of PC, for good or for bad. They do not hesitate to mention negroes or mulattos, Gypsies or Jews. They are not aware these words are considered insulting by the new lawgivers. They call the Ukrainians khokhol, or forelock, after traditional Ukrainian haircut. Khokhol had been used in Russian language for years, usually with positive or neutral connotation. A modern nicknames for Ukrainians are ukr or ukrop. Until now, nobody considered these nicknames insulting, like chico, okie and tex are not slurs. But for Zuckerberg, all such words call for ban.

I do not know of a Russian FB user who hasnt been banned for at least a month. Thus, it is not just censorship, but a whole re-education program of the kind usually associated with Chairman Mao and his times.

Zuckerberg and his trained beasts actually decided to mould public discourse of Russian civilisation in their own shape and image. Poor Russians who survived such re-education by the Bolsheviks in 1920s and by anti-Soviets in 1990, are now being processed through the fine mesh of SJW talk. When the Soviets were disbanded, the Russians were promised freedom of speech. Where is this freedom of speech?

FB bans for posting links to the sites they do not like. I have been banned for posting a link to Unz.com. Links to RT and Sputnik are removed, too. Last week, FB removed and banned 500 accounts with 850,000 followers for publishing links to RT and Sputnik. A friend of mine, Mr Oleg Tsarev, a former member of Ukrainian parliament, a contender for Ukrainian presidency and the chairman of the Donbas parliament, had his account with two hundred thousand followers, and Mr Zuckerberg scrapped it without an explanation.

I asked my FB friends to report whether they ever were banned, and if yes, for what reason. Here is a shortlist of their responses: for speaking against Stepan Bandera, the Ukrainian Quisling; for discussing Shevchenko, the Ukrainian 19th century poet; for mentioning forelocks; for posting picture of Putin; for speaking about victims of Ukrainian shelling of Donbas; for using such words as pederast or lesbian; for saying women are more emotional than men; for posting a still from an Almadovar film; for arguing against a Ukrainian historian who claimed Jesus and Buddha were Ukrainians; for defending the Russian Church; for criticizing the leading pro-Western liberal Mr Gozman; for arguing against NATO manoeuvres in the Baltic states; for speaking against discrimination of ethnic Russians in the Baltic states.

And now for Israel and Jews. This is a major cause of FB bans. It is next to impossible to refer to Israel on Facebook  without being banned. I have been banned and my post removed for posting links to my own articles on Unz.com . A ForeignPolicy.com link to an article telling of Palestinian church land sales to Jewish settlers had been removed, too. The Haaretz newspaper links were almost always removed and banned.

For instance, Haaretz informed its readers that a Palestinian mother of a teenager killed by Israeli soldiers had been imprisoned for 11 months for an angry post in Facebook. I was banned for reporting that to Facebook readers as for hate speech. Killing the womans son and imprisoning the mother is surely love deed, but telling of that is sheer hate.

Russian mainstream media steers away of Israel. The Russian editors are not necessarily Jews, but there are enough Jews in every newspaper to stop a critical item. If there are no Jews, every editor feels it would be safer for him to avoid the topic. Facebook is the only possible conduit for free information regarding Israel. Alas, it is equally partial. My friends anti-Zionist Jews have been frequently banned for their anti-Semitism. My FB blog with its few thousand followers and viewers allows the Russian readers to learn of Israeli developments. My audience is many times smaller than that of the mainstream hasbara. Cant you tolerate even such a small window of free speech and real news, Mr Zuckerberg? Apparently he cant.

In a really shameful episode, Facebook accepted the orders of Israeli military censors. In November 2018, a band of Israeli spies in Arab dress was stopped in Gaza Strip. The Israelis succeeded in escaping while their commanding officer, a high-ranking Druze, was shot dead. It transpired that the Israeli team had spent a few days or more in Gaza, pretending to be members of an international humanitarian relief organisation while actually spying and preparing the ground for shelling Gaza.

They were criminals since the laws of war expressly forbid combatants from using the Red Cross (and other relief organisations) as their cover. Israelis disregard this rule and do use Red Cross ambulances as their troop carriers. (Marwan Barghouti, a potential Palestinian Mandela, was kidnapped by such a fake ambulance.) Gaza security people managed to collect all the photos of the criminals and posted them online offering a million dollars for information leading to their full identification and apprehension. Israeli military censors forbade Israeli media and foreign journalists based in Israel from publishing the photos. However, a Jewish American dissident Richard Silverstein broke the ban and published the photo.

I tried to repost it, but shamefully, Facebook removed and banned the photo. It blocked the photo even in Messenger. I could not believe my eyes: I have placed the photo in Messenger, and it immediately disappeared! What is Facebook, then? Is it an international body  or an outpost of Israeli hasbara?

It is our luck that the Western Union does not (yet) belong to Mr Zuckerberg, otherwise wed get even letters from our family censored by his sidekicks.

It is paramount to save social networks from Zuckerberg diktat. It should be a public facility, protected by law; it should be possible to appeal every block and ban in the court; no arbitrary decisions should be made. Censorship in peacetime is unacceptable; it is against the US Constitution, too. If we want to save mankind from destruction, we must open communication channels, and keep them open. And then, perhaps, the next scout from Vega will visit us.

P.S. In real time. While this article was being written, another post of mine has been blocked: This post goes against our Community Standards, so no one else can see it. This was repost of a link to Haaretz interview of Benny Morris, an Israeli New Historian, who predicts that soon the [Israeli] Jews will remain a small minority within a large Arab sea of Palestinians, a persecuted or slaughtered minority, as they were when they lived in Arab countries. Those among the Jews who can, will flee to America and the West.

Apparently life goes against their Community Standards! Shouldnt people be allowed to read what one of the most important Israeli historians has to say? It is a pretty grim text. Morris expresses regret that Jews didnt ethnically cleansed the whole of Palestine in 1948, and remove all non-Jews; and he says there is no chance for peace settlement at all. He also says that Trump wont last a year in the office, and with his departure, Netanyahu will also go under.

In the comments to the article, an (apparently American) reader comments: do America a favor and go elsewhere, we have enough racist bigots here already.

P.P.S. Richard Silverstein has been banned for his publication in Facebook, and put up a vigorous fight against the ban.


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WESTPORT  The Staples Music & Visual Arts Department, in collaboration with PTA Cultural Arts and the Westport Library, will present Music of India at the 2019 Westport Youth Concert at the Staples Auditorium.

This annual educational music program is part a global music initiative that will feature performances by the Staples Chamber Orchestra, Jazz Band, choral groups, the award-winning District Percussion Ensemble and special guest artists Glen Velez and Loire Cotler.

In-school performances for elementary and middle school students are Feb. 5 and Feb. 7, along with a special Community Presentation Feb. 5 at 7:30pm. All are invited to this special public event, free with no ticket required.

For more information about Staples Music go to staplesmusic.org

Archdiocese paid out $50.6M to settle priest sex abuse claims

The Archdiocese of Hartford on Tuesday revealed it paid nearly $51 million to settle sex abuse claims against priests dating to 1953.

The Diocese said no priests currently serving are accused of sexual misconduct as officials released a list of those who had been the subject of credible claims of abuse, mostly involving minor children.

It is a cause of profound sorrow and soul searching for me that we bishops have often failed to grasp the spiritual and moral devastation that results from sexual abuse, Archbishop Leonard P. Blair said.

Priests included on the list of those accused of misconduct are Felix Maguire, who ministered in West Haven; Robert Ladamus, of Milford, who died in 2012; and Howard J. Nash, who died in 2001.

We are glad the Archdiocese of Hartford is taking a step toward transparency but it is such a small step after so many decades of abuse, said Gail Howard, director of the states branch of the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests.

It makes me want to say, thanks, but now I need civil authorities to step forward and respond.  Howard said.

In October, the Bridgeport Diocese announced it paid $52.5 million to settle 156 allegations of sex abuse claims since the early 1950s. The diocese covers 82 Roman Catholic parishes in Fairfield County.

The Hartford Archdiocese, which covers Hartford, Litchfield and New Haven counties, reported it paid $50.6 million to settle 142 claims involving 29 archdiocesan clergy and three priests from other dioceses.

Since 1953, 36 archdiocesan clergy have been credibly accused, of whom 23 are now deceased, the archdiocese said in a statement.

In addition, there have been six religious order priests and six priests from other dioceses who offended within the Archdiocese, the Archdiocese said.

The Archdiocese said 20 credible claims were made against one priest, and noted that most of the allegations involved abuse of minor children.

Staff writer Daniel Tepfer contributed to this story. bcummings@ctpost.com
WESTPORT  From her soft-spoken demeanor, it may not be immediately apparent that Becky Martin is a force in local Democratic politics.

Its taken me out of my comfort zone somewhat, Martin, 46, said of her work as vice chairwoman of the Westport Democratic Town Committee. Ellen Lautenberg is the groups chair.

Despite the discomfort of recruiting residents to be involved in politics, Martin, who also serves as co-chair woman of the Democratic Women of Westport along with Jenifer Gorin, said its her passion.

Definitely my on the ground Westport interest is mobilizing, Martin said.

Martin has helped execute forums on voter suppression, gun violence and Raising Children in Trumps America in town. In the lead-up to the November elections, Martin organized a Democratic fundraiser, consulted local candidates on messaging, and drafted volunteers to participate in campaign activities that resulted in record turnout among Democrats.

Its been a good intellectual life as well as an activist life, Martin said of her leadership in town Democratic politics, adding she approaches the work from a desire to find common ground and then activate volunteers around those issues.

A lot of people are hesitant to be political locally, and I am too. There are plenty of Republicans I like in town, and we have to all live together, but we can identify shared values. I think we should all be able to agree that our children should not be shot going to school. Its not just Democratic groups that feel that way about things, Martin said.

Last year, Martin testified in front of the state Legislature in favor of a ban on bump stocks and ghost guns with several other Westporters from the Democratic women group.

If Martin sounds like a seasoned campaign pro, its because she. While a student at Bryn Mawr College, Martin got her start as a summer intern for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in Washington, D.C.. It was 1992, which was the last time we talked about The Year of the Woman, Martin said.

After the summer, Martin returned to campus and volunteered with Bryn Mawrs college Democrats group to register voters and advocated for Marjorie Margolies-Mezvinksy, a Democrat who was running for Congress in the suburban Philadelphia district that included the school. The group registered about 100 people on campus, Martin said, which may not seem like a lot, but in the 1992 elections Margolies-Mezvinksy won by a mere 1,373 votes, and Martins contribution made a difference.

I had the taste of impact and just had the bug from there. All I wanted to do was graduate and work on a campaign, Martin said.

In the years after school, Martin worked as an organizer and fundraiser on Democratic political campaigns in North Carolina, Iowa and New Jersey, before leaving for law school at Georgetown University.

I practiced law for 16 months, but it just wasnt as meaningful or satisfying or really interesting, especially the law practice I was in, which was a regulatory practice, Martin said. Instead, Martin walked away from her law practice and took a job as a fundraiser for Tom Harkins 2002 senatorial campaign in Iowa.

From there, Martin worked for United Nations Foundation to find private funders for U.N. Projects. In 2005, Martin and her husband, John Donoghue, who she had met while in law school, moved to Westport because Donoghue grew up in Fairfield and got a job in the area. Martin had visited the town while in college with her aunt and uncle, who lived in Darien, and remembered Westport to be lively.

I grew up in in Southern California, which had all these wonderful advantages, but this clearly was a town with a civic life, and a center, and a beating heart, and it looks like a New England postcard, Martin said.

At first, Martin worked in fundraising at the Yale Law School but stopped because she didnt find the work as compelling. She has been a full-time mom and volunteer ever since, including as a representative on the Westport Parent Teacher Association Special Education Committee and, of course, with town Democratic organizations.

Martin said she has worked even harder at her political advocacy since the 2016 election, but eschews the notion the current political moment is unique and insurmountable.

There has been progress and there have been worse times that we have worked ourselves out of, Martin said.

Amid her political work, Martin said she has a separate passion for writing. It was the thing I always wanted to do but never had the courage to do, she said.

When she first moved to Westport and her husband worked long hours in New York City, Martin said she signed up for a continuing education writing class taught by Jessica Bram.

At the time, mommy blogs and pieces about motherhood and children were booming, and Martin jumped on the train. She has since written personal essays for the New York Times Motherlode blog, ParentCo., and BrainChild, among other outlets.

Now, Martin is hoping to establish herself as a a fiction author.

Thats still what I want to be when I grew up, Martin said.
A total of 217,000 people visited the Cairo International Book Fair in the first two days since it opened, the head of the Egyptian General Authority for Books, Haitham El-Hag, said on Friday.

In statements to Al-Ahram Arabic website, El-Hag said that despite the cold weather and long distances, visitors challenged all circumstances to participate in the most important Egyptian and Arab cultural event.

The fiftieth edition of the fair is taking place for the first time in New Cairo, a wealthy suburb of the city. It was previously located at the Nasr City fairground.

El-Hag said that the attendees included children, young people, families, Arab guests and foreign students studying in Egypt, adding that visitors committed to queues and regulations, reflecting positive reactions to the exhibition at its new headquarters.

He encouraged citizens to visit the fair and participate in the special golden jubilee edition.

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi opened the event on Tuesday.

The two-week event brings together 1,724 publishers, with participants from 35 countries, including those from Kenya, Nigeria and Ghana taking part for the first time, state news agency MENA said.

Around ten African countries, 16 Asian countries, seven countries from Europe, and two from the Americas are participating.

A total of 749 publishing houses are participating in the fair, with 579 houses from Egypt alone and 170 foreign houses.

A total of 580 volunteers have been assigned to assist guests.

The fair commemorates this year former Egyptian culture minister Tharwat Okasha, the brains behind the event, and author Suhair Al-Kalamawy, the first head of the General Egyptian Book Organisation.

The event, which opened to the general public on Wednesday and runs through 5 February, will feature hundreds of side events dedicated to culture, arts and children, as well as eight workshops on writing, theatre and fine art. It will host around 170 Arab and foreign guests, as well as over 300 poets and 2,500 writers, critics and artists.

This year's edition is being held in Egypt's International Exhibition Center in New Cairo.

Short link:


WESTPORT  Parallels were drawn Thursday night between one of the darker chapters in U.S. history and current events involving refugees, when Holocaust survivors shared their story of the S.S. St. Louis.

This German ship containing 937 Jews  part of a propaganda plan by Adolf Hitler to demonstrate to the world that no country would want Jewish refugees  was refused entry to both the United States and Canada in 1939, with hundreds of its passengers later dying in concentration camps.

Chabad Lubavitch of Westport hosted a screening of a documentary called Complicit, which not only told the story, but outlined then-President Franklin Roosevelts choice to ignore the refugees allegedly to placate some anti-Semitic contingencies in the U.S. and aid his re-election to a third term.

Two women who were on the ship as babies, and appear in the film, held a post-screening question-and-answer session, along with creator and producer Robert Krakow.

Roosevelt had the opportunity to assist the Jewish refugees fleeing from Hitler, (but) Roosevelt was a very ambitious politician, Krakow said.

By not accepting those Jews, the film notes, the U.S. and other countries indirectly sanctioned Hitlers later actions in widespread murders.

Many, many thousands of lives could have been saved, Krakow said, had Roosevelt offered the refugees a safe harbor.

The ruler of the free world turned his back on us, simply, said Eva Wiener, who now lives in New Jersey and maintains strong feelings about the United States role now in providing refuge to those in need.

There is a parallel between todays refugee crisis and that of the 1939 experience on the St. Louis, she said. The fact is that we were looking for safe haven, and if the refugees today are seeking the same with no hostile agendas, we have no right to deny them anything, because if we do we should (remove) the Statue of Liberty.

Things like this shouldnt be repeated, said S.S. St. Louis passenger Judith Steel, who now lives in Queens, N.Y., and who ultimately lost both parents in concentration camps.

I was born in Berlin, she said. Jewish people were taken and disappeared, including her father right after the Kristallnacht, or Night of Broken Glass, on Nov. 9, 1938.

Im very sensitive to things that are happening right now, she said. I wish that whatever I speak about, or whatever Eva speaks about, it should be taken as a warning  Wake up! Wake up, world!

The S.S. St. Louis, which set sail from Hamburg, Germany, on May 13, 1939, originally made port in Havana, Cuba, but refugees were turned away. It then anchored off the coast of Miami, but U.S. Coast Guard ships and planes stayed nearby to prevent anyone from attempting to enter the country.

Likewise, officials from Canada said the refugees would not be welcomed should they attempt to land in Nova Scotia.

If the boat should turn back to Germany, one passenger was reported to say, I wont be on it, because I will commit suicide before I will go back to Germany.

But it was thanks to the ships German captain  Gustav Schroeder  who years later would be honored in Israel at the Yad Vasham Holocaust Memorial as a righteous individual  that they eventually found port. Schroeder, who promised the passengers he would run the ship aground off the shore of England before returning them to Germany, ultimately helped them to safe harbor in England, France, Belgium and the Netherlands, respectively.

However, some of them would later be rounded up and sent to concentration camps anyway, following subsequent occupations by the Nazis.

Following the screening of the film to about 75 people, various questions posed to the survivors and the producer included one of why Jews in the United States were not more vocal about the incident at that time, as it was widely publicized.

The thing we hear most often is, We didnt want to rock the boat,  Krakow said, with Roosevelt experiencing popularity among Jewish voters.

He called it a very black mark on the Jewish community at that time.

Steel and Wiener shared various feelings of loss and anger they have had to process over the years, but each maintains the importance of keeping the history alive and relevant.

Learning history will hopefully protect us from reliving it, Wiener said. God forbid the world should experience this again.

Its not just the 6 million Jews. The figure is 11 million, she said, and maybe as many as 17 million by some counts.

People died for no reason, she said, other than they were different.

Wiener pointed out that fewer Holocaust survivors are around to bear witness, which is why she urges young people especially to keep sharing the stories.

The next generation has to tell the story, she said, otherwise were doomed.
Challah expert Rochie Pinson, acclaimed author of Rising: The Book of Challah will exhibit the hands-on techniques on how to braid challah dough into loaves.

At the conclusion of the evening, participants will return home with two loaves of braided challah dough with their favorite toppings. The acclaimed National Comedy Theatre will be on hand to entertain with comedy. Wine and desserts will be served, and Pinson will also do a book signing.

The event will take place Jan. 31 at 7 p.m. at Beth Israel of Westport/Norwalk Chabad at 40 King St. in Norwalk. Admission is $44 per person. VIP sponsorship is available at $180 which includes two tickets plus a cookie sampler from the new Crumb Together Bakery. The program is for anyone who has an interest in learning the art of baking and braiding challah.

All proceeds will benefit the nonprofit Circle of Friends program that provides year-round a schedule of social events, home visits and play dates for children, teens and young adults with special needs.

Attendees should register online at www.circleoffriendsct.org/loaves-of-laughs.html

For information, email cof@circleoffriendsct.org or call 203-293-8837.

Pokeworks to open new locations in Westport

Pokeworks, one of the nations largest and fastest-growing poke brands, has signed multi-unit agreements to open eight new locations in Connecticut, according to a news release.

The brand is setting out to transform Connecticuts fast-casual segment with plans to bring fresh, affordable and superior seafood to Westport and Hartford with five and three locations, respectively. The first Westport location is slated to open at 396 Post Road E. Unit 30 in February, and the first Hartford location is slated to open at 1383 New Britain Avenue in April.

As the pioneers who introduced the world to the poke burrito, Pokeworks has carved out a niche in the food industry by serving up Hawaiian-inspired poke bowls, burritos and salads.

Westport and Hartford are ideal markets to develop the Pokeworks concept in due to their strong demographics and urban settings, which represent vital elements key to our brand, said Kevin Hsu, co-founder of Pokeworks in the release. We are excited to be able to bring Pokeworks to Connecticut and are confident it will become a go-to spot for the community to enjoy healthy and delicious alternatives, while also feeling great about what theyre eating.

Founded in 2015, with its first location in Midtown Manhattan, Pokeworks was created by brothers, Michael Wu and Peter Yang, and college buddies Kevin Hsu and Kasper Hsu. After many trips to Hawaii filled with lots of poke, they began to incorporate different combinations of mix-ins and toppings.

Immigrants exhibit at Westport Library

The Westport Historical Society, in partnership with the Westport Library, will explore how immigrants have woven the fabric of the town in its exhibit Liberty to Set Down: Immigrants and Migrants in Westport, Connecticut.

The exhibit opened Jan. 23 and runs until July 30 at the Mollie Donovan Gallery in the library. Cost is $5 for adults, $3 for students and seniors, and free for members and children under 10. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

LiveGirl returns to Toquet Hall with talk

A five-week LiveGirl program will take place on Thursdays from 3:45 to 5 p.m. at Westports Toquet Hall Teen Center beginning Jan. 31 through March 7, Westport Youth Services Program Director Kevin Godburn announced in a news release.

LiveGirl is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to empower girls through year-round leadership development that builds self-confidence and fosters diversity. The goal of the upcoming LifeGirl talk will be to build social-emotional intelligence and self-esteem.

This is a free program and space is limited. Register at www.golivegirl.com/leadership.

For information, contact Godburn at kgodburn@westportct.gov or 203-341-1155.

Disco music night to benefit Save the Children

Save the Childrens Fairfield County Leadership Council will host A Night at Studio 54 on Feb. 9 at Suzuki Music Hall in Westport.

This Valentines Day-inspired event will feature signature cocktails, food and dancing with disco music performed by Band Together CT.

The evening will benefit Fairfield-based global humanitarian organization Save the Children, which is marking its centennial in 2019. The event will take place from 7:30 to 10 p.m., and tickets are $125.

To learn more about the event and to purchase tickets go to savethechildren.org/studio54 or email IPGEvents@savechildren.org.
GREENWICH  Greenwich First Selectman Peter Tesei proposed a 3.85 percent increase in town spending Thursday evening as he unveiled his planned $442.3 million municipal budget for the 2019-20 fiscal year.

This budget represents a continuation of Greenwichs recognized sound financial and budgeting practices while managing the financial unpredictability caused by the budgeting and tax policies on both the federal and state levels, Tesei said at the budget presentation before the Board of Estimate and Taxation and members of the public.

In particular, this budget reinforces my commitment to maintain the prosperous character of the town of Greenwich and to grow its international reputation as the premier place to live, work and raise a family and a place where residents hold in high regard the services they receive, he said.

Under Teseis proposed budget, the towns mill rate, used to calculate property taxes, would increase 2.99 percent, which would be within guidelines approved last year by the BET. The budget for the current fiscal year totals $425.9 million.

There was no increase in the mill rate in the current budget. By averaging the two years, it would come out to an increase of only 1.5 percent, Tesei said. If the budget was approved at the proposed level, the mill rate would increase from 11.369 to 11.709. That would mean a Greenwich homeowner with a home of $1 million assessed value would see a property tax increase of $340, he said.

The budget plan proposes $57.1 million in proposed capital spending, including money for developing a northwest fire station. Teseis budget includes $250,000 to design a replacement for the Dorothy Hamill Rink and $300,000 for architecture and engineering work on a new Eastern Greenwich Civic Center, although construction would be in future years.

All of the towns budget documents are available at https://www.greenwichct.gov/460/Budget-Documents-Schedules.

The BET Budget Committee will now begin its work. A hearing will be held on the proposed budget on Jan. 31, focusing on the $163 million school budget, which includes $26 million in capital spending. The Budget Committee will then hold hearings throughout the month of February, looking at town departments and their budget requests.

Those hearings will include a Feb. 4 presentation about the proposed northwest fire station, which has been blocked previously by the Representative Town Meeting. The proposed station, which would also include space for Greenwich Emergency Medical Services, has been a priority of Teseis for years. The Feb. 4 presentation, he said, will be about the work thats been done since September to find a suitable site for the station.

The proposed budget includes $100,000 to evaluate properties in northwest Greenwich for the station.

We will make the case for this resource, Tesei said, which he said is critical for the safety of the community.

The budget also includes $2 million for soil remediation of Greenwich High School and $50,000 for a study to determine how to better utilize, enhance and expand our downtown waterfront with a focus on Roger Sherman Baldwin Park. Tesei said he hoped this would be done in conjunction with the dredging of Greenwich Harbor.

A public hearing was to be held after Tesei presented the municipal budget, and Interim Superintendent Ralph Mayo discussed the schools budget. The $53.8 million in capital spending for the schools is expected to be a source of contention throughout the budget process.

Tesei defended the capital budget in his presentation, saying it continues to invest in town infrastructure to enhance the quality of life, advance critical public safety projects and support our excellent school system.

Both the Budget Committee and the full BET have the power to cut or place conditions on budget items. The BET can also add money to the budget, which the RTM cannot do. The RTM can only make cuts.

The Budget Committee is scheduled to vote on the 2019-20 budget on March 1. The full BET will vote on March 28. A public hearing on the budget will be held March 26, before that vote takes place.

The RTM will have the final vote on the budget in May.

At the Board of Selectmen meeting Thursday morning, Tesei stressed that it was a level services budget and gave a great deal of gratitude to the town departments that worked with him and Town Administrator Ben Branyan. And he also thanked the boards, commissions and outside agencies that had worked on the budget.

Theres nothing in this budget that shows a diminution of service, Tesei said. And in certain areas, it actually increases services through the support were providing to non-governmental organizations like the YWCA to continue their domestic abuse prevention and education program in our schools. He said he would keep a commitment to send $60,000 to the nonprofit.

Costs driving the increases in the budget are health care, pensions, contractually obligated salaries and providing for legal insurance risk, Tesesi said.

Its important to note when people complain about that and say its gone up, to stop, pause and think what are we hearing from states that have issues? Tesei said. They didnt fund these obligations. Were actually funding our obligations. We should be proud of that, not lamenting it. Theyre being funded because theyre required to be.

kborsuk@greenwichtime.com
Black Klansman to Speak at WSU

January 25, 2019

OGDEN, Utah  Ron Stallworth, subject of the recent movie BlacKkKlansman, will share his story and experience as a law enforcement officer with the Ku Klux Klan, Feb. 5 at 10:30-11:45 a.m. and 6-7:15 p.m. in Weber State Universitys Shepherd Union Wildcat Theater.

Stallworth is a retired law enforcement officer and author of the book, Black Klansman: Race, Hate, and the Undercover Investigation of a Lifetime. The book details Stallworths undercover investigation where he infiltrated a chapter of the KKK as a black police officer. The book inspired the movie BlacKkKlansman, which recently has received six Oscar nominations, including Best Picture.

Stallworth was the first black police officer with the Colorado Springs police department. He had to deal with issues of racism and bigotry from the community and within the department. One day, Stallworth noticed an ad in the paper about a new chapter of the KKK forming in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Wanting to get more information about the organization, Stallworth called the number, posing as a white man with racist sentiments. The call launched a seven-month investigation with Stallworth posing as a Klan member over the phone and sending a white officer in his place for face-to-face meetings.

Stallworth will be at Weber State to share his story and answer questions from the audience.

Im often asked why I decided to tell my story, Stallworth said in an interview. I tell my story to those who are interested. I dont have a specific point. I simply talk about the differences between 40 years ago and today, and let it go from there.

Stallworths law enforcement career spanned 30 years, beginning in Colorado Springs, and ending in Utah as an investigator for the Utah Department of Public Safety. He is known for his work on gang culture and activity, starting Utahs first gang task force in the 1980s. Stallworths expertise in gangs began with his now-famous infiltration of the KKK.

Stallworths work transformed law enforcements understanding of bigotry and hatred. Stallworth also will discuss the transformation of how people see black community members and the legacy of racism in the United States.

I have known Ron Stallworth for more than 30 years, said Adrienne Andrews, WSU Chief Diversity Officer and Vice President for Diversity. His story is incredibly powerful in helping us understand race and ethnicity in America and what is at stake when we stand divided.

Stallworths visit is sponsored by the Office of the Vice President for Diversity, Student Involvement & Leadership and Black Scholars United. The presentations are free and open to the public.

For photos, visit the following links.

photos.smugmug.com/Press-Release-Photos/2019-Photos/January-2019/i-7fbPfss/0/62afc702/X2/Ron%20Stallworth-X2.jpg

photos.smugmug.com/Press-Release-Photos/2019-Photos/January-2019/i-2FFcGkz/0/28bb8319/X2/BlacKkKlansman-X2.jpg

Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University.
Louisville, KY (40203)

Today

Best chance for storms early, a few possible alte.

Tonight

Scattered storms develop, some could be severe
"I was always afraid of what awaited me out here": A day of caring for those without shelter
Wilmington, DE (19810)

Today

Mixed clouds and sun this morning. Scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. High 88F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms likely this evening. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms overnight. Low 69F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%.
District Attorney Andrea Harrington and Auditor Suzanne Bump answer questions from the media Friday afternoon about the audit.

Harrington Looks to Address Auditor's Findings



Harrington gives Bump a tour of the office, introducing her to key members of the staff. PITTSFIELD, Mass.  District Attorney Andrea Harrington is following the auditor's recommendation to revamp internal controls.

Auditor Suzanne Bump issued a report showing that the internal control plan in the office hadn't been updated since June 2016 when it should be every year.

With a transition in the office, the new district attorney sees that as an opportunity to fundamentally change the office at its core.

"A portion of the audit highlighted the importance of having a strong internal control plan and policies in place. In looking at the auditor's report of the strengths and weaknesses of the internal control plan is going to help us have our own very strong internal control plan," Harrington said on Friday.

"The process of going through that and updating that and the mission of our office is going to ensure we actually follow through on the values and the mission I ran on in our everyday decision making."

Bump's report said the plan lacked a tone, goals and objectives, and failed to identify potential risks and any methods to control those risks. Harrington created a new position in the office, director of operations, to oversee a recrafting of that plan. That sets the stage for policies and procedures to be implemented and the foundation of the office's work.

"A foundation element, a starting point, for internal control plan is the articulation of what the values and priorities are. It is setting the tone at the top," Bump said.

"Then as you carry that through and identify the areas of your operation, whether it from a fiscal point of view or a programmatic point of view, you can identify what your weaknesses are and figure out how to address that."

Harrington took office just over three weeks ago. When former District Attorney David Capeless retired, his replacement Paul Caccaviello requested an audit of the operations. Bump's office was in the process of auditing the victim witness advocacy program and expanded its scope to look at operations.

The findings did call for the revamping of the internal control plan but also noted a problem with the timeliness of forfeiture money going to the district. Some forfeited funds from illegal activity were not remitted to the district attorney's by law enforcement in a timely manner.

"She has some really good ideas and has been working with staff in areas where we did find some deficiencies, particularly with the forfeit of funds. That was the most significant finding in the audit," Bump said of Harrington.

Harrington said her office has created a document into its management system for assistant district attorneys to file during a criminal procedure. Harrington is asking the attorneys to file that paperwork during the criminal procedure so the funds are forfeited at the conclusion. Otherwise, it would require another civil motion for it.

She added that supervisors will review the cases at the conclusion and that'll be one area they'll be looking at to make sure it was done.

"I made a commitment during the campaign around what types of funds we would seek to have forfeited. We really have trained our assistant district attorneys to seek funds that are really part of a criminal enterprise. We're not going to be out looking to take grandma's home because drug dealing was happening there. We are really looking for funds that are a result of criminal activity," Harrington said.

Those funds are being used for investigations and equipment, Harrington said, which is in line with how the former district attorney used them. The money is split between the district attorney's office and local police departments.

Bump's work isn't just helping Harrington on those two fronts. The auditor's office conducted audits on the operations of five juvenile diversion programs in the state. The Berkshire district attorney's office is the only one in the state without such a program.

"There has been one that was started in Berkshire County that is run out of the juvenile court. We need to build up the capacity to manage that," Harrington said. "We are looking at what is a really robust, effective, juvenile diversion program going to look like in Berkshire County."

Staff is already in the planning stages of building one, particularly looking at the model in Middlesex County and adjusting it to fit the Berkshires. Bump's audit of five others particularly showed a lack of data collection.

"The main recommendation we made for all of them, since there had not been any rules for DAs to follow in setting them up and they have a lot of discretion in this area, has had to do with tracking the results of the juvenile diversion program," Bump said.

Bump said the offices often didn't track final outcomes to show whether or not the program is effective. She cited a lack of data that would show whether or not the program is reducing adult recidivism.

"Because they don't keep that data, we don't know," Bump said.

Harrington promised to keep such data and make it available.

"Often time the media and communities are looking for data that we just don't have because the way we manage our data is not as effective in providing that. I am really interested in looking at how we can improve that," Harrington said.

She added, "my interest is how we define the success of my office. I don't want to define our success by the number of convictions that we get or the amount of jail time we get. I want to define our success by what kind of value we add to the community."

Bump's office doesn't audit fiscally but instead operationally. She said each state agency gets audited every three years in some form to look at whether or not the agency is following administrative policies required by the state and to see if the programs and services are being provided in the most effective way.

Bump said a handful of audits of sheriff departments were recently released alongside the audits of victim witness and juvenile diversion programs in district attorneys offices.

She said the state police fusion center was audited but federal confidentiality laws prevented what she had wanted to do there and state support for foster care education in municipalities is an upcoming topic -- i.e., how the education is paid for when a foster child moves from community to community.

"At any given time, we have 60 audits ongoing. Most of them have a nine-month duration," Bump said.

Overall, Bump said a common thread is the lack of data collection and sharing. She said the Board of Registered Sex Offenders wasn't working with the Registry of Motor Vehicles or Veterans Affairs to track down the whereabouts of an offender or the Department of Children and Families not working with MassHealth to identify injuries sustained by a child in state's care.

"Not all of the information you'd expect agencies to collect so they could monitor their activities is collected. In those DA's audits are a perfect example of that," Bump said.

Bump said she is happy that Harrington is following through on the recommendations made by her office.

"I am very pleased she has taken this up personally, so seriously, rather than just passing it off to her staff. She had really taken a genuine and deep interest in the aspects of the audit," Bump said.
Lynda Meyer has been a mainstay on Park Street for a dozen years with her vintage finds. Now she's downsizing and moving up one floor. Meyer is moving her reduced collection upstairs into a smaller place. PreviousNext

Lynda's Antique Clothing Loft Shifting Spaces in Adams



A cascade of hat boxes in one area of the store. ADAMS, Mass.  Lynda's Antique Clothing Loft is making a move but the shop won't be leaving Park Street  but it will be moving up.

After 12 years at 39 Park St., Lynda Meyer is downsizing and moving to a smaller location right above her current one.

"It is a very bright new space and I will like the privacy," Meyer said. "Women always like to change the furniture around and there is a part of me that really likes the idea of creating a new space."

The vintage clothing expert said building owner Bishop West Real Estate plans to turn her space into its new office but has offered her the new location upstairs in the same building.

This leaves Meyer with 12 years worth of antique clothing, jewelry, and other odds and ends that go back as far as 1860 and span 10 decades

"This has been a very curated accusation of 12 years which is why it is not that easy to just go 'poof,' " she said. "It can't all come with me. It is like leaving the farm and you can only take your cat."

So Meyer has a need to downsize and will be running sales. Meyer said she will hold her usual winter sale but ramp up markdowns as she gets closer to April  the month when has to move out.

She said most of her glassware will be put on the sale rack and she lamented that she may even have to part with a few of her many hat boxes.

Her entire inventory can be found on her Etsy account EvaWagenfish, named after her aunt.

This is not Meyers first move  in fact she has made many moves in her 20-plus years in the business.

Before her interest in antique clothing sparked, Meyer was a dancer in New York City and involved in the New York City art, fashion, and theater scene.

"I was a dancer and there was an artistic transference of interest," she said. "I know a lot of dancers who became very enraptured with costuming, fashion, acting and photography. There was a lot of that at that time in that environment."

Meyer said she eventually took a job at an antique clothing store in New York City.

"I couldn't get a job because I couldn't stand anything, besides the fact I was incompetent, but I started working there," Meyer said. "She put together a little store with old things and new things. I really loved the old things and it became, not a passion, but a compassion of mine."

She stayed there until her employer decided to make a move to Berkshire County. Meyer said she felt New York City was starting to get a little dangerous so she followed the shop to Pittsfield.

Meyer said over this time she became a student of fashion.

"When I got up here I was really immersed in antique clothing and the history of fashion," she said. "I learned how to buys things, what to look for, and how to restore clothing. Some of this clothing is 150 years old and if they aren't cleaned they can fall apart. Dry rot is the leprosy of fabric."

Meyer eventually opened up her own business in Adams, where she utilized Community Development Block Grant Funds through the town to improve the facade of her store. She said many other Park Street business did the same, however, they did not stand the test of time.

"There were a lot of new businesses but after about two years, I was one of the only ones still here," she said. "When I first got here I started out with very little money but I knew what I was looking at and what I was doing. I knew my products and I had years of experience."

Meyer attributes her success to the curious nature of her trade as well as the passion she has for fashion and vintage clothing.

"It is like being a butcher you really get to know the cuts of your meat and a really good butcher can tell you how much you need to feed a family," she said. "A really good curator can understand why things are, how to wear them, what they should look like, why they have value and how to display them."

Meyer gives lectures and actually has one scheduled this spring at the Rowe Museum. She will give a presentation on weddings from the 1850s to the 1950s.

Luckily for Adams, Bishop West Real Estate asked Meyer to continue to curate her storefront that has consistently brought life to Park Street.

"They like my windows and they don't want it to look boring with just an office," she said. "I brought my own sense of style here and people seem to like it."
A 12-year-old has given birth in a Perth hospital. Credit:Stock image

WA Police have confirmed the father of the baby birthed by a 12-year-old girl in a Perth hospital is a child himself.

In a statement provided to WAtoday on Friday, police said the father was known to the young mother and they were working to support the pair and their families in what was a "complex" situation.

The pre-teen fell pregnant at 11 years old and turned 12 before giving birth to her firstborn baby this month.

Circumstances around the pregnancy and birth are confidential to protect the new mum and her baby, but the case has prompted a coordinated response from several authorities.
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Australias national day means something different to everyone. For some, its a day to celebrate the place they call home, a sense of belonging and mateship. For others, its a marker of the end of summer holidays and an imminent return to work or school. And for some its a reminder of Australias colonial history. Four Australians share what the day means to them and how they spend it. A place to call home Therese Elias migrated to Australia in 1983, fleeing the Lebanese civil war. She was just 20 years old when she arrived alone and frightened. She didnt speak any English. Its a day Mrs Elias will never forget. When I first came to Australia it felt strange. I missed my parents, my friends and my home, she said. But, day by day, I felt more comfortable here and more confident - now its my home.'' Therese Elias will celebrate her adopted home tomorrow, having fled war in Lebanon in 1983. Credit:Jessica Hromas Mrs Elias met her husband at a party soon after. The two started talking and it went from there. They married in 1986 and shes now the proud mother of four children, and grandmother to an eight-month-old, who makes us all crazy because we love her so much.

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I have spent more time here than in Lebanon. I am so comfortable here." While Mrs Elias would like the date changed to one marked by less controversy, the day is still a stark reminder of the country she now calls home, saying she is 100 per cent Australian. Mrs Elias marks the day by inviting family, friends and neighbours over for a feast fusing Middle Eastern and western cuisine, including tabouli, baba ganoush and a barbecue. We base everything around food, everyone is drinking and there is a lot of conversation, Mrs Elias said. Its a special day for us, its the day we celebrate coming to Australia. A day marked by sadness Chika Isaac, owner of Salon De African Pride, said Australia is his "second home". Credit: James Brickwood Chika Isaac likes to spend Australia Day with his wife and five children, but its not a day he wants to commemorate.

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I dont want to celebrate something that is related to the sadness, tears and sorrows of other people, said the owner of Salon De African Pride, a hairdressing studio in Newtown. Mr Isaac moved to Australia in 2002 from Nigeria, "a country that was invaded many years ago, he said. I know the consequences of invasion so Australia Day is not something I would consider celebrating. For him, Australia is his second home. I am happy to celebrate every other thing about Australia,'' Mr Isaac said. ''I enjoy seeing the beautiful animals and the beautiful countryside and trees, the water is great and the weather is great. If we could celebrate on a day thats not based on invasion day, but a day for Australians to celebrate the love and unity of the country I would celebrate it. I love this country and I believe so many other people love it as I do. We didnt get to choose where we were born

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Young surfer Riley Henson says January 26 is a day to celebrate "how great Australia is". Credit:John Veage While Australia Day may be a day surrounded by controversy, it is also a day to celebrate what a great country Australia is, said Riley Henson. For Mr Henson, January 26 is a day to show how Australian you can be and show everyone what were about. The 19-year-old said hell spend the day celebrating with friends, soaking up the sun, before having a massive feed. In the evening, hell head to south Cronulla to watch the fireworks. We didnt get to choose where we were born but it doesnt get better than being born by the ocean in Australia, Mr Henson said. Celebrating Australian values' Like most Australians, Lillian Lin spends the day with friends. Their plans vary year to year but they enjoy camping or a nice barbecue because who doesnt love a good old sausage sizzle, she said.

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Planning Board member Stephanie Boyd addresses Wednesday's public forum.

Old Issues Raised Anew at Williamstown Planning Board Forum

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass.  Of the 30 or so attendees at a Wednesday public forum on proposed zoning bylaw amendments, most were well acquainted with the issue the Planning Board hopes to bring to town meeting in May.

And most of the public comments in the more than two-hour session at Williamstown Elementary School concerned issues with which the board has been grappling for months.

Parties on both sides of a key issue acknowledged that not much was new in the debate.

"We've not had many people comment on this," Planning Board Chairwoman Amy Jeschawitz said at one point. "We've had the same handful who keep coming to our meetings to complain about it. That tells me that not too many people are upset about it."

On the other hand, one of the critics of the current draft framed the divide another way.

"I've heard no opposition to the idea of [accessory dwelling units]," resident Roger Lawrence said from the floor of the discussion. "We've had a board that supports less restrictive [land] use and a roomful of people who support more restrictive use. That hasn't changed."

The Planning Board organized the Wednesday evening special meeting in order to inform the public about the proposals it is drafting and solicit input.

At issue are two draft bylaws. One would make it easier for homeowners to effectively turn a single-family home into a duplex. The other would relax the rules for detached accessory dwelling units, or ADUs.

One major sticking point is whether the town will require owners of properties with new ADUs to live in one of the dwelling units on the parcel. The Planning Board last year voted 4-1 to leave the "owner-occupied" requirement out of the draft bylaw.

The entire "roomful" of two or three dozen in the school cafeteria was not against the idea of keeping it out.

"[An owner-occupied requirement] gets municipal government into people's business in a way that would be uncomfortable," said Jeffrey Thomas, one of three members of the Select Board to attend Wednesday's forum and address the group, as individuals, from the floor.

Chris Kluchman of the Massachusetts Housing Choice Program was asked point-blank by a resident whether the commonwealth encourages requiring owner occupation for ADUs.

"What the state says is it's up to the local bylaw," Kluchman said. "The state does promote ADUs, and it wants to promote them as a by-right development.

"Personally, I think that adding a provision for owner occupation would be out of character with the rest of Williamstown's bylaw  because it's a barrier to what you might do with your housing.

"It is extremely difficult to regulate owner occupancy. The only time it would come up would be when you have neighbor complaints."

The difficulty of enforcement is frequently cited as one reason not to require owner-occupancy.

"The town is not going to go knocking on doors asking who lives there," Planning Board member Stephanie Boyd said.

Alex Carlisle, the only member of the Planning Board to vote in favor of requiring owner-occupation, again made the case for it on Wednesday night, saying at one point that enforcement would be routine, as homeowners routinely list a primary residence on tax forms. He did not specify how the town would be able to cross-reference data filed with state and federal income tax authorities; Town Hall confirmed Thursday morning that the municipality does not see that information.

Toward the end of the forum, Carlisle and Lawrence each engaged with Planning Board member Chris Winters in a familiar debate about the principle of requiring owner occupancy for an ADU.

"Traditional ADUs have been owner-occupied," Carlisle said. "The advantage of owner-occupied is it does limit the potential for development. My concern is once you open it up to three units [on a property] and eliminate the owner-occupied requirement, that makes it attractive to developers."

"We need to not allow ourselves to be scared of the word 'developer,' " Winters countered. "If someone develops land to its maximum extent and doesn't live there, that's three more families who have the opportunity to move to Williamstown who couldn't before."

Lawrence responded that the concerns of critics are justified and that "absentee landlords" will alter the character of neighborhoods currently dominated by owner-occupants.

"Recognize that our fears are valid," he told the board. "I worry about the loss of neighborhoods where people have pride of ownership. Owner-occupiers are going away, and that's the lifeblood of the town."

Winters said he found the argument that renters are less desirable than owner-occupants to be "offensive."

"You completely misconstrue what I said," Lawrence replied. "I was speaking about the property owner, not the tenant."

Winters argued that even "absentee landlords" have an incentive to maintain rental properties.

"All of us have probably rented a car at some point," Winters said. "Have you ever taken your rental car to a car wash? Of course not. But have you ever gotten into a rental car that needed to go to the car wash? No. Because that car is owned by someone, and it's in their interest to keep it in good condition so they can maximize its value."

Lawrence said Winters' analogy misses the point.

"If your rental car analogy was valid, no one would ever live in a home they don't like," Lawrence said. "Lots of people live in homes they don't like because it's all they can afford, and the owner is an absentee landlord who is trying to maximize their profit."

Owner occupation was not the only sticking point in the conversation about the ADU amendments.

Lawrence Wright, a recently departed member of the town's Zoning Board of Appeals, told the Planning Board, not for the first time, that accessory dwelling units should not be allowed on a "by right" basis on any property in town. Currently, the board's draft bylaw would allow by-right development on conforming residential parcels and require a special permit from the ZBA for parcels that don't conform with setback and frontage requirements.

Wright focused on two points made by Boyd in a presentation about the draft bylaw: Nearly half the town's residential parcels are non-conforming and, thus, would require ZBA approval; the ZBA would consider issues like parking and how to mitigate impact to the neighborhood with buffers and screening. And even if the town passes the ADU amendment, Williamstown likely would see only a handful of accessory units  if that  in any given year.

"If I'm the guy whose neighbor puts up a two-story house in the yard, I'm not too concerned that there won't be many of them in town," Wright said. "All of these ADUs should require a special permit, period. I'm not impressed that 48 percent would go to the ZBA. One hundred percent should go to the ZBA."

Resident Anne Hogeland focused on another issue: the maximum allowable units on a parcel.

Even under the town's current zoning, a homeowner with a large enough home on a conforming lot with an existing accessory building (barn, carriage house, etc.) that also meets setback requirements can have as many as three dwelling units on his or her property. By relaxing the regulations and allowing for construction of new ADUs, the draft bylaw  if passed by a two-thirds vote at town meeting  would theoretically open the door to more three-unit parcels.

Hogeland advised the board to consider writing the bylaw amendment to restrict new development to just one ADU per property. She argued that such a restriction would make the proposals more likely to clear the two-thirds "super majority" hurdle.

"It would be a shame at the end of the day to come out with something that didn't have broad support," Hogeland said. " 'Walking not running' would be a bylaw that allows either a duplex or a detached ADU on a property but not both and that allows ADUs only by ZBA approval. With those two tweaks, this could have widespread support."

Lawrence also said the Planning Board should modify its draft bylaw amendments in order to win more support.

"It's time for everyone to give a little bit of ground," he said. "One way would be to say, three units are allowed if one is owner-occupied or two units without owner occupation. I haven't said this before.

"Please, meet us in the middle."

Jeschawitz wrapped up the forum by noting that the Planning Board's next regular monthly meeting is Feb. 8 12, and she hopes the panel will be able to soon finalize warrant articles that it can send to the Select Board and begin the process for inclusion on the annual town meeting warrant  a process that includes at least one more public hearing prior to the May meeting.

Boyd told the crowd that the monthly "roomful" of critics is not the board's only source of feedback.

"All of us talk to people on the street," Boyd said. "You're not the only voices we hear."
WA's economic recovery is threatened by China's slowing economy and an all out global trade war, WA's peak business body says.

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry WAs released its biannual WA economic forecast Outlook on Friday, which warns WA's reliance on China puts it more at risk than any other state.

China's slowed growth could hurt WA's recovery.

Chamber chief economist Rick Newnham said the WA economy is showing signs of improvement, but it could now expect a bumpier road to recovery.

"Forty-seven per cent of WAs exports go to China and 53 per cent of our economy is dependent on exports. We rely on free trade for our high standard of living," he said.
The United States and China are "miles and miles" from resolving trade issues but there is a fair chance the two countries will get a deal, US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said on Thursday.

US Commerce secretary Wilbur Ross. Credit:Bloomberg

A 30-member Chinese delegation plans to come to Washington next week for talks, he said, as the world's two largest economies try to meet a March 1 deadline to resolve their trade disputes, but Ross tried to tamp down expectations for the high-level talks.

"There is a very large group coming. There's been a lot of anticipatory work done but we're miles and miles from getting a resolution and frankly that shouldn't be too surprising," Ross said in an interview with CNBC.

"Trade is very complicated, there's lots and lots of issues - not just how many soybeans and how much LNG."
A bizarre stoush has enveloped Australian oil and gas producer Empire Energy, with claims of mismanagement, breaches of confidentiality and misleading conduct levelled as a major shareholder tries to remove almost the entire board.

In a dispute three years in the making, major shareholder Global Energy and Resources Development (GERD) is trying to oust Empire Energy's management, claiming the board is unqualified and should be replaced with its own hand-picked directors.

Empire Energy CEO Alex Underwood has strongly rejected all claims of mismanagement at his company. Credit:LinkedIn

Ahead of an extraordinary general meeting scheduled for February 6, Empire Energy told the market shareholders had been sent 'false and misleading' proxy forms. It said the forms were pre-completed to vote against Empire's board and sent under its letterhead, despite Empire's management bitterly opposing the plan to replace the board.

GERD director Frank Magnus, whose company owns 10.7 per cent of Empire, told shareholders his company was seeking to remove the board because, in GERD's view, its members were insufficiently experienced and independent.
In a revealing sign of the times, listed US gym group Barrys Bootcamp has secured its first Melbourne studio - in a car park.

Barrys Bootcamp is understood to have signed an off-market deal for nearly 700 square metres at 114 Flinders Lane.

Hong Kong investment group HK Realway paid rich-lister Lloyd Williams $120 million for the 16-level carpark in 2017. The trophy car park is across the road from bluechip office tower, 101 Collins Street, dominated by financial and legal heavyweights Macquarie, Blackrock, Allens and Wingate.

Numbers of car parks are steadily reducing as landlords find more lucrative uses for the space. Credit:Craig Abraham

The ground floor retail, vacant for some time, and the first floor parking level will be converted into a Barrys Bootcamp studio.
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Delphine Luneau is a veteran journalist with more than 20 years of experience. She was the editor of Suburban Life Media when its flagship was named best weekly in Illinois, and she has worked at papers in South Carolina, Indiana, Idaho and New York.
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A convoy of official vehicles with tinted windows sped away early Friday from the heavily fortified embassy compound under the watchful eyes of Venezuelan security forces. The State Department did not disclose how many officials were exiting the country, but in Washington, U.S. officials said there are no plans to completely close the embassy, indicating that some senior staff would remain against Maduros order to depart by around 4:17 p.m. local time on Saturday.
Critics say Trumps new policy will have little impact unless Mexico agrees to extend it throughout the nearly 2,000-mile border, since the largest number of U.S. border apprehensions is in Texas. Yet its unclear whether Mexico will be willing to absorb tens of thousands of asylum seekers a year, and many migrants are wary of high-crime border cities there. Two Honduran teens traveling with a caravan were killed in Tijuana late last year.
Aliens who need to return to the U.S. to attend their immigration court hearings will be allowed to enter the U.S. and attend that hearing, the DHS fact sheet says. Aliens whose claims are found meritorious by an immigration judge will be allowed to remain in the U.S. Those determined to be without valid claims will be removed from the U.S. to their country of nationality or citizenship.
Military officials are also mindful of the escalatory effect that even positioning ships or other assets closer to Venezuela, to be on standby in the event of an emergency, could have. Officials said that as of Friday afternoon the Navy had not been asked to move ships near the coast of Venezuela. A hospital ship, the USNS Comfort, was dispatched to the Colombian port of Riohacha last fall to treat Venezuelan migrants but returned to the United States several weeks ago.
The City of David Foundation, the organization behind the project, is already engaged in a battle above ground to expand the Jewish presence in Wadi Hilweh, located in the eastern part of the city occupied by Israel after the 1967 war. The foundation, known by its Hebrew initials ELAD, considers the area around Wadi Hilweh to be of particular religious significance to Jews because it is believed to be where King David of the Bible built his city.
U.S. officials have said the deal has the chance to transform and stabilize the Balkans, a region that lags economically behind the rest of Europe and one where Russia battles with the West for influence. But opinion polls indicate that nearly 7 in 10 Greeks oppose the accord, and many accuse Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras of pulling his party away from its populist roots while ramming through a deal that has won him acclaim from abroad.
If affirmative action is an emotive issue in the United States, it is doubly so in India. The system of quotas, or reservations as they are known here, is part of the constitutional fabric and seeks to address a deep and continuing problem with prejudice and social exclusion. But now some say that the reservations have grown too large or that they ultimately stigmatize their recipients.
Any outside observer can see that the Chinese economy is facing challenges and that the trade war is taking its toll, he said. If they were saying that everything was hunky-dory, then we would be worried. The challenges are intense and this is forcing them to acknowledge them, to draw a fine line between conveying confidence and saying we recognize the risks.
Also during the lunch, McConnell made clear to Pence and others in the room that the shutdown was not his idea and was not working. According to Republicans familiar with his comments, he quoted a favorite saying that he often uses to express his displeasure with government shutdowns: There is no education in the second kick of a mule.
Overall, those who have spoken out for Maduro have been few and far between. Russia is Maduros main benefactor and has substantial investments in Venezuela, including control of at least five oil fields and two natural gas fields, as well as 49.9 percent ownership of Citgo, Venezuelas U.S.-based oil refining and distribution operation. It has supplied most of Venezuelas military arsenal and its billions in outstanding loans, many of them extended as prepayment for oil deliveries to Russian customers.
Let me be very clear: We really have no choice but to build a powerful wall or steel barrier. If we dont get a fair deal from Congress, the government will either shut down on February 15th, again, or I will use the powers afforded to me under the laws and the Constitution of the United States to address this emergency, Trump said at the conclusion of his lengthy remarks in the Rose Garden, during which he discussed the wall in familiar terms of crime, drugs and national security.
The 24-page document goes further than Mueller ever has toward answering the core question of his probe: Did Trump or those close to him try to conspire with the Kremlin? The indictment notes that before Stones alleged actions in the summer of 2016, the Democratic National Committee announced it had been hacked by Russian government operatives, implying that Stone must have known that.
Egyptian authorities have reopened three ports on Friday which were closed the day before due to bad weather.

The Red Sea Ports Authority said the port of Nuweiba in South Sinai governorate has been reopened on Friday morning after it was closed by bad weather the day before.

Maritime activities and navigation have resumed after improved weather conditions and wind stability at the port, the ports authority said in a statement.

Egyptian authorities also reopened two major Mediterranean ports, Alexandria and Dekheila, after closure on Thursday for maritime safety reasons.

The Egyptian Meteorological Authority said on Friday that Egypt is expected to see warm weather in the day, extremely cold at night all around the country, and that rain is expected in South Sinai.

Cairo and the Nile Delta governorates are expected to see highs of 22-23 degrees Celsius and lows of 11 on Friday, while the city of Alexandria is likely to be 2 degrees colder.

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During a speech on Thursday before the United States Conference of Mayors, the former vice president displayed some of his strengths. He was the man who either knows everyone or makes it seem like he does (Mayor, how ya doin man  how things down in Kentucky? he said at one point, before calling out Boston Mayor Marty Walsh for being Irish and Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown for installing charging stations for electric vehicles).
In meetings with conservative leaders and economic advisers this week, Trump has worried that the furloughed workers could hurt his economic accomplishments, according to two people who have spoken with him. And at a recent Senate lunch, they said, he talked about the importance of making sure Coast Guard workers were paid  but that has not happened. Like others interviewed, these people spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations.
Now, in the wake of Janus, we see that there wasnt as much anti-union sentiment in the workforce as right-wing groups supposed. Many of the agency-fee payers, the ones whose free speech was allegedly compromised because they were forced to subsidize a union, as Alito put it, have become full members of unions instead of quitting. AFSCME reports that 310,000 former agency-fee payers have converted to full membership since 2014. (The anti-union plaintiff in the AFSCME case, Mark Janus, who before the ruling said I love my job, quit his state-government job right after the decision and joined a conservative think tank.)
Because front-end solutions wont do anything to help those already caught in the criminal justice system, a comprehensive reform agenda should include programs to help those in prison and those who have been released. Expanding expungement opportunities to include some nonviolent felonies and misdemeanors would enable a significant number of returning citizens to get back into the workforce. The Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation and the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services should coordinate to ensure that workforce training programs in prisons will better meet the needs of employers. And occupational licensing reform in general would be a big help for ex-offenders trying to secure employment in a system with too many barriers to opportunity.
We will thank the president, and the rest of the Washington-New York corridor elite, not to get in their way (well hold the officeholders among them accountable at the voting booth if they do). We would be grateful if these border-state representatives bring their expertise about their local situation to bear on helping us address our national concerns. We will cheer an end to the treatment of federal workers as pawns. We will cheer a government that starts working again and a legislative branch that takes its proper leadership position on a vital national issue.
For instance, public flagships in states whose populations are relatively low-income (such as Maine) would be rewarded for enrolling large numbers of poor kids, even though poor, academically qualified kids are still underrepresented on their campuses. The reverse is true for schools in states that are relatively affluent yet still manage to enroll a disproportionately high share of poor students (the University of Connecticut, for example).
Eventually, these two crises will be resolved. But even when the stalemates in Washington and London come to an end, this moment should not be forgotten. The collapse of any motivating ideas on the center-right in the two great anglophone powers will have broader consequences. By losing the ability to think and act in the name of national interest, British Tories and American Republicans have also lost the ability to think internationally. For Europeans accustomed to thinking of Anglo-American politicians as pragmatic and outward-looking, it has come as a shock to learn just how little British Tories actually know about Europe and about trade, just how little Republicans really care about far-flung allies, and just how much conservative politics in both countries has given way to self-dealing and self-interest. All that talk about opportunity and entrepreneurship sounds different in a world where Jacob Rees-Mogg, one of the louder Brexiteers, has moved his own investment funds to Dublin to escape the effects of Brexit, or where the U.S. president has lied about the business deals he pursued with Moscow all the way through his election campaign.
The leaders of several smaller countries (all of whom insisted on staying off the record) described the world as adrift and lacking in any collective purpose, with only voices about narrow self-interest and conflict being heard. When the Americans are engaged, we have a sense of direction, one of them said to me. We might disagree on some points, but at least there is a larger conversation, some efforts at cooperation. Now the only energy is negative  worries about retreat, trade wars. Thats not a world in which it is easy for us to move forward. We are all stuck.
Russian bill targets fake news: Russian lawmakers backed a proposal mandating jail terms of up to 15 days for insulting authorities online and another prohibiting the spread of fake news, measures the opposition says are aimed at stifling dissent. The bills passed their first of three readings in the lower house. One bill proposes fines of up to $76 or a 15-day jail term for those expressing crude and blatant disrespect toward the government, the public, the national flag or the constitution.
In terms of a new area, I need to talk to them, explained Andrew Farke of the Raymond M. Alf Museum of Paleontology in California. The input of federal scientists is always critical for determining locations with the best potential for fossils, as well as the best ways to arrange a search permit, Farke said. Unless theres quick catch-up, finding new fossil sites in vast places of wilderness such as the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument may have to wait for another year.
Coming from a state where two-thirds of the land is owned by the federal government, where we cant do anything without leave from the federal government, this hurts, Lee said. He said hed agree to the bill only with an amendment to the Antiquities Act  used by presidents for more than a century to set aside land as protected national monuments  that would provide an exemption for Utah.
First, TerraPower has discovered that the traveling wave didnt travel so well and that it would not evenly burn the depleted uranium in the candle. Second, and partly as a result, it needed to change the design to reshuffle the fuel rods  and do that robotically while keeping the reactor running. Third, it has struggled to find a metal strong enough to protect the fuel rods from a bombardment of neutrons more intense than those commonly used in reactors  and for a much longer period of time.
The photos were reportedly taken at a private Halloween party two months after Hurricane Katrina, the 2005 storm to which more than 1,800 deaths have been attributed, hit New Orleans and other areas of the Gulf Coast, according to the Democrat. At the time the photos were taken, Ertel was the supervisor of elections in Seminole County. DeSantis (R) appointed Ertel as secretary of state on Dec. 28.
The ponds were already leaking, they were unlined, and there was no assurance that [capping] would work forever, Surovell said. If we didnt do anything, Dominion had to spend $1.7 billion [to comply with the federal order]. We required them to spend an extra $1 billion to clean it up in a way that we were sure would not cause any future problems.
The maximum they can work is a 10-hour, six-day workweek, he said. They are all maxed out on that. Then they are figuring out, I have to go drive Lyft or Uber before work and after work. They are not mitigating their fatigue, they are coming to work stressed because they cant pay the bills and at the same time fatigued because they are working around the clock to try to make ends meet.
Pure Hana Synergy dropped plans to put the dispensary at the site of the Tastee Diner along U.S. 1, where it has sat for more than four decades. A group of diner enthusiasts and residents began a campaign weeks ago aimed at trying to stop the dispensary from buying the location, arguing that the unique diner and its history should be saved.
One focus of litigation against the question has focused on Rosss shifting statements about the origin of the request for it to be added. He told Congress in the spring that he was responding to a December 2017 request from the Justice Department, but documents released in the lawsuits indicated Ross asked the department to make the request, and that he had discussed the addition with Stephen K. Bannon when he was White House chief strategist, as well as with Kris Kobach months earlier when he was the Kansas secretary of state.
A growing number of women in counseling sessions at House of Ruth have described intense anxiety around access to benefits such as food stamps, Jackson said. Elizabeth Horrigan, the shelter program manager at My Sisters Place, a domestic violence shelter in D.C., said over the last two weeks the shutdown has created a general buzz among the women at the shelter. One woman went out and bought $300 worth of food because she was afraid she might lose access to SNAP benefits.
The woman said she has taken the bar exam four times  twice in the District and twice elsewhere. She estimated she has paid about $1,600 to take the tests, plus at least $1,300 each time for a preparation course. (The District has waived fees for those affected by the error.) If she were to pass the bar, she estimated additional annual earnings of $40,000.
Riley explained his reasoning in a statement that acknowledged the tragedy of the death of a 19-year-old while concluding that a prosecutable crime had not occurred. His statement gave details of how he factored in findings by the medical examiner and by the investigating law enforcement agencies about the cause of Blacks death and whether actions of police officers caused the death and, if so, were prosecutable.
Comets owner, James Alefantis, said he has no reason to believe the fire is linked to what happened in 2016, an event that thrust him and his neighborhood shop into the national discussion over the dangers posed by the widely circulated false stories.
The woman gave him the dogs, both male, and he fled to Capitol Heights, Md., according to police. Authorities said in a Twitter message on Wednesday that one of the stolen dogs had been returned but did not explain how.
He volunteered for the first flight into the river valley during the morning of May 15, braving an enemy battalion that had the advantage of tunnels and bunkers, as well as a placement on a 1,500-foot hill. Approaching the landing zone, Obama said, Mr. Kettles and the other helicopter crews should have seen a stand of green trees; instead, they saw a solid wall of green enemy tracers coming right at them. Never, Obama added, had they experienced such heavy fire.
Since late November, when Muellers office accused Manafort of lying, the special counsels office has filed 800 pages of heavily redacted exhibits to provide evidence for their claims that, among other things, Manafort gave contradictory statements in August in a separate Justice Department criminal investigation outside of Washington; falsely denied having ongoing contact with Trump administration officials since they took office in January 2017; and sought to deceive investigators about his interactions with a longtime Russian aide and co-defendant, Konstantin Kilimnik, including by sharing campaign polling data with him in 2016.
The couple, who are from Mexico, had faced a deportation hearing on Jan. 4, and they had wanted to delay so they could apply for legal residency through their children. A daughter died unexpectedly this month, so now they must apply through their son, a U.S. Marine. But hes 19, and cannot sponsor them until he turns 21. By the time the hearing is rescheduled, he may be old enough.
But while the graduation rate grew by about 10 percentage points under Ferebee  to 82 percent in 2018  the number of 10th-graders who pass proficiency exams required to graduate has remained persistently low. Students can retake the test multiple times during their junior and senior years to earn diplomas, and they can qualify for waivers, which allow students to graduate even if they do not meet all the requirements.
But now there are also places such as Cafe Ansari, a Georgian restaurant where we took the girls for breakfast with bright fresh salads and khachapuri stuffed with egg and cheese. On warm days, its large doors stay open onto the wide sidewalk. Next door is Mochi, for sushi and Japanese robata, with a bustling, separate, takeaway joint  called OMK  directly across the street. Further along is Skopik und Lohn, which took over the space of an old gasthaus and elevated it to haute gastronomy with everything from traditional Wiener schnitzel to monkfish ragout over pasta. Karmelitermarkt itself has become a haven for high-end coffee shops such as Cafe Mima, and small gems like Wulfisch, a Hamburg-style, standing-room-only spot for fish, and Markluckte, another innovative kitchen.
Youll find hearty winter comforts such as a spaetzle gratin with celery root, and beer-adjacent snacks including an array of pickled vegetables and a pillowy soft pretzel that had us scraping every last morsel of cheese out of the cup. A grain salad with red quinoa, rye berries, delicata squash and spinach was a surprise hit. And theres something magical in the fries, which always come out of the kitchen exactly the right ratio of crispy-to-squishy, and with a creamy, tangy sauce.
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The question may go to the heart of the difference between the most original postwar art coming out of the United States and the art coming out of Europe. Both countries were traumatized, of course; both suffered terribly. But the U.S. mainland had not been a theater of war. So while the postwar period saw American artists swelling with a victors sense of pride and cosmopolitan potential, European (and Japanese) artists were rooting around in the rubble and dealing directly with the fallout from a catastrophe both physical and moral.
The nonprofit arts economy in America is over $166 billion, and our federal governments own research shows that the even larger creative economy, which includes the for-profit sector, is over $760 billion, Lynch said. The NEA and the NEH over the last half-century have been key to leveraging the growth of that cultural economy. To have them sidelined slows down the creative and economic momentum at a time when America needs them on the job.
Now, companies are unsure about what to do. Some are launching their own recalls without federal oversight, but it is not clear how thorough those efforts are. There is concern that some companies might be reluctant to take action. Two years ago, Viking Range failed to tell regulators about problems with its cooking ranges spontaneously turning on, leading to a $4.65 million penalty. Others have resisted recalls. In 2014, Takata fought regulators pushing for a national recall of its defective air bags, a fight it soon lost.
Rome cocktail bar invites customers to "Drink Kong, Think Kong, Be Kong"

Drink Kong is a refreshingly original cocktail bar in the central Rome quarter of Monti, fronted by legendary bartender Patrick Pistolesi.

This multi-faceted venue is described as an instinct bar: customers are asked if they prefer a bitter, dry or sweet taste, and a drink is prepared accordingly by a team of expert mixologists.

Jungle Room at Drink Kong

Minimal and bespoke, the bar's design evokes the cult science fiction movie Blade Runner merged with elements of Japanese traditional and popular culture.

The 300-sqm venue is divided into four separate spaces, including the main bar area, a softly-lit lounge and the Jungle Room, which hosts live rock, jazz and soul music.

Drink Kong's lounge

There is also the Omakase Room which is decorated with polished Japanese cherry-wood panelling and is reserved for privately-booked tastings or master classes with a dedicated bartender.

Omakase Room at Drink Kong

Red, green and purple neon lights illuminate the black and white chequered floor - complete with arcade-style pinball machines - that leads to a futuristic bathroom whose mirrors provide infinite reflections.

Patrick Pistolesi at work in Drink Kong

Customers can also avail of the internationally-inspired tapas from chef Marco Morello. Specialties include Scandinavian smrrebrd (buttered rye bread stuffed with herring, salmon or vegetables), vegan dumplings with bao (steamed Chinese bread) or the more local option of km-0 salumi e formaggi.

Drink Kong is open every day except Monday from 18.30 until 02.00. Piazza S. Martino ai Monti 8, tel. 0623488666.

All photos by Leon Perez. See related feature article.
Latest incident of ATAC bus self-combusting took place in Rome suburb of EUR.

A Rome city bus burst into flames near the Laurentina metro station in the EUR district of Rome at around 01.00 on 25 January.

The driver, who escaped unharmed, was returning the empty bus to the depot when the incident occurred.

It is the latest bus belonging to city transport company ATAC to self-combust, while in service, with several cases already this year.

ATAC is launching yet another investigation into the cause of the fire on the bus which served the 723 route and had been in service for 12 years.

The Faisa Sicel trade union, which represents ATAC employees, told Italian daily newspaper La Repubblica that it was "fed up" putting the lives of its drivers and passengers in danger, and called on the city to provide new buses.
Decatur, IL (62521)

Today

Mostly cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy this afternoon. A stray severe thunderstorm is possible. High 88F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Partly cloudy skies after midnight. Low near 70F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
CERESCO  The cornerstone of a church in Ceresco was laid in 1915 and the building was completed in 1916.

But, the parishioners who helped to build the church on Main Street in the northwest corner of town would not be able to call it their own congregation until 1919.

This year, Immanuel Lutheran Church is celebrating its 100th anniversary. Parishioners gathered on Sunday morning for a special worship service, followed by meal in the fellowship hall.

An open house with the community invited is being planned in April. But, Anniversary Committee Chairman Jane Otto said this past Sundays activities were meant to be a special way for the Immanuel Lutheran families to celebrate together.

She said a 1919 service book was located and Sundays service was modeled on the service from the churchs first year.

But Immanuels history dates prior to 1919.

According to the history books, the Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church, now Grace Lutheran in rural Swedeburg, had outgrown its building and helped to build a sister church in Ceresco.
WAHOO  St. Wenceslaus Grade School, Bishop Neumann Junior and Senior High School and St. John Nepomucene celebrate Catholic Schools Week Jan. 28 to Feb. 1.

St. Wenceslaus Principal Mike Weiss said he was happy to see this time of the year come around once again, as it helps remind students and staff of the opportunities they have.

Its about appreciating having a school available for people to practice their Catholic faith and how that choice is available to them, Weiss said.

He said the week is good for helping kids focus on why they are there and to not take what they have for granted.

Its so easy to go about the daily routine. The week helps remind us of the great opportunity we have, Weiss said.

He said over the course of the week, students will have different activities for each day. Monday will be a pajama day with a movie and popcorn. On Tuesday, students from Bishop Neumann will come over to help the younger students learn line dancing.

Wednesday will see the Bishop Neumann students return to play IPad games with the St. Wenceslaus students and an open house will be held Friday afternoon.
Every spring, we set the clocks ahead an hour on a Sunday morning as we transition into daylight saving time, and many of us gripe about it. Apparently some Texas lawmakers dont like it either. The Texas Legislature is actively questioning daylight saving time this session. House Bill 49 would eliminate it.

The more we learn about the psychological impact of sleep, the less it makes sense to keep daylight saving time around. Daylight saving time was popularized at the start of the 20th century as a way to make more use of daylight late in the day rather than sleeping through some of that daylight early in the morning. In this era of electric lights, television and computer screens, our lives are controlled less by the cycle of the sun than by the clock. That leads people to wonder why we still bother changing the clocks twice a year.
Trump administration officials have by now admitted they intended to use the threat of separating children from parents as a deterrent to other asylum seekers wanting sanctuary from Central American violence and economic oppression. This threat by the Trump White House isnt just immoral, its evil.

Its also a fact we have too few immigration judges to hear these asylum requests. The backlog is unconscionably high and getting worse with the shutdown forced over wall funding. Our holding facilities were designed to handle men, not women and children. This plus the backlog lead to cages and tent cities. And some border wall from sea to shining sea fixes none of this. Why not repair the asylum process and bolster staffing to do whats right? That would be far cheaper than any wall and it frees up many of our agents to chase cross-border smugglers instead.
A convicted felon was booked into McLennan County Jail on Tuesday after he was accused of sexually abusing a 9-year-old girl repeatedly while on parole in September, authorities said.

Eduardo Eddie Hernandez, 43, was released from state prison into the county jail after the McLennan County Sheriff's Office obtained a warrant for his arrest on a first-degree felony charge of continuous sexual abuse of a child.

Deputies interviewed the victim while assisting Child Protective Services with a child sexual assault investigation at an address at a home near Lorena. The girl told deputies that Hernandez touched her sexually at least four times in September when he entered her bedroom after her mother went to sleep.

At the time of the reported assault, Hernandez was under parole supervision for three driving while intoxicated convictions out of Ellis County. Hernandez was granted parole in June 2015 and October 2017 but sent back to prison both times for parole violations.

Robert C. Hurst, spokesman for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, said Hernandez was released on parole again Tuesday, but he was taken directly to McLennan County Jail on the active continuous sexual abuse of a child warrant.
Police released surveillance video showing a woman entering the Smoke Zone, 107 E. Loop 340, around 9:35 a.m. Saturday. The woman pointed a handgun at the clerk and demanded cash, which the clerk handed over, Martin said. He said the woman also stole a smoking pipe before she exited, and police believe she left in a car.
Griffin, an RN, taught nursing at MCC as an adjunct for 11 years and full-time for more than 30 before becoming program director in April 2017. She, McKown and Hills said several factors had converged in recent years to cause what MCC Board President K. Paul Holt called a hiccup in the program.

The Texas Board of Nursing adopted Texas Concept-Based Curriculum as the new state curriculum in 2013, around the time state legislators cut back the number of class hours required for an associate degree in nursing from 72 to 60, effectively increasing the amount of material covered while reducing the time to cover it.

Some faculty had difficulty adjusting to new teaching approaches in the curriculum while students complained of inconsistencies from one level to another in the program, the board reported based on its campus visit in September. The board also found that 27 students who had failed the program in fall 2016 were reinstated by the MCC administration. McKown said some students had been allowed to repeat their final semester in hope of passing.

Since 2017, six nursing faculty had left or retired and been replaced by new staff. There are now 20 full-time faculty, 20 part-time faculty and a simulation lab manager.
Mia Moody-Ramirez, Ph.D., has been named the new department chair for the department of journalism, public relations and new media at Baylor University.

She will begin her new role this summer after longtime chair Dr. Sara Stone retires on May 31.

Moody-Ramirez has been the departments graduate program director. Last year she was named one of nine Institute for Diverse Leadership (IDL) in Journalism and Communication fellows, which offers training for women and people of color that want to go into leadership positions.

She is taking a one-week trip to Howard University to shadow its administration as training for her new position, as well as a trip to Houston for an administrative conference for the Association of Schools of Journalism and Mass Communication.

Moody-Ramirez, who previously worked as a reporter at the Tribune-Herald, will continue to be the adviser of the National Association of Black Journalists chapter. She plans to teach one class per semester.
The Special Olympics Texas Heart of Texas Area will have its annual Polar Plunge on Saturday at the Waco Family YMCA, 6800 Harvey Drive.

Registration will start at 10 a.m., and the plunge will start at 11 a.m. at the outdoor pool.

Awards will be presented to the person who raises the most money and those with the best costumes.

For more information, go to sotx.org/polarplunge or call the area office at 230-4824.

Genealogical class

The Central Texas Genealogical Society will hold a beginners class from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday in the West Waco Library meeting room, 5301 Bosque Blvd.

Participants can learn how to search basic records, use internet resources and tour the librarys collection. For more information, call 750-5945.

Young Marines

The Heart of Texas Young Marines will be accepting new registrations from boys and girls, ages 8-18, from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday at 3310 N. 15A St.

Registration fee is $40 with a boot camp fee of $150. For more information, call Henry Gonzales at 405-0649.

Submit items in printed or typed form to Briefly, P.O. Box 2588, Waco 76702-2588; fax 757-0302; or email goingson@wacotrib.com.
Car maker Hyundai Motor Co. of the Republic of Korea (RoK) will set up a joint venture with Vietnams Thanh Cong group to boost sales in the emerging market, according to Yonhap news agency.

The RoK news agency quoted a statement of Hyundai as saying that the company and Thanh Cong Group signed an initial agreement to establish a sales joint venture that will be tasked with selling 100,000 vehicles in Vietnam by 2020.

For the whole of 2018, Hyundai's vehicle sales more than doubled to 55,924 units in the key Southeast Asian market compared with a year earlier. It ranked second in the local automobile market with a share of 19.4 percent after Toyota Motor Corp., the statement said.

Vietnam's automobile sector jumped 27 percent to 287,949 units last year from 226,120 in the previous year, it said.

To help meet the sales goal, Hyundai said it will expand its plant in Vietnam to 100,000 units by 2020 from the current 60,000.-VNA
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey and U.S. Sen. Doug Jones are joining executives from Blue Origin and United Launch Alliance, as well as local and state officials, for a groundbreaking ceremony for BlueOrigins new $200 million Blue Engine Production Facility in Cummings Research Park.

The new facility will create more than 300 new jobs and will be the new manufacturing home for BE-4 and BE-3U engines. These engines will power two next-generation rocket launch systems  United Launch Alliances Vulcan Centaur Rocket and Blue Origins New Glenn Rocket.

MORE FACTS Blue Origin is owned by Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos.

Bezos was named as the richest man in the world by Forbes in 2018.

United Launch Alliance (ULA) in Decatur chose Blue Origin to build the first stage of its new Vulcan rocket

The facility will cost $200 million to build

342 Jobs are expected to staff the facility

The company is already hiring for leadership positions in Huntsville

Background on Blue Origin's Announcement

The BE-4 is Americas next rocket engine and will power Decatur-based United Launch Alliances Vulcan rocket. The production of this engine would end the nations dependence on Russia for access to space for critical national security space systems.

Two BE-4s would be used on the Vulcan booster rocket. The BE-4 will also power Blue Origins New Glenn reusable launch system with seven BE-4s on the reusable first stage and a vacuum-optimized BE-4U on New Glenns second stage. Blue Origin awaits the final public approval processes of the local package by the City and County governments during their respective July meetings.

Using the latest design and manufacturing techniques, the BE-4 is made for both commercial and government missions. The BE-4 uses oxygen-rich staged combustion of liquid oxygen and liquefied natural gas to produce 550,000 lb. of thrust. Development of the BE-4 began in 2011. Testing of the BE-4 is currently underway.

Alabama is a great state for aerospace manufacturing and we are proud to produce Americas next rocket engine right here in Rocket City, said Robert Meyerson, President of Blue Origin, in making the original announcement that Huntsville had been chosen for a new facility. The areas skilled workforce and leading role in rocket propulsion development make Huntsville the ideal location for our state-of-the-art manufacturing facility.

Blue Origin Will Employ 342 People in Huntsville

Blue Origin will employ up to 342 people in this new facility. The company will make approximately $200 million in capital investment in the state.

Blue Origins decision to locate its BE-4 engine manufacturing center in Huntsville reflects the deep and longstanding capabilities in the city that became the cradle of the nations rocket program, said Greg Canfield, secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce. Huntsville is a hub of innovation in every facet of aerospace, making it the perfect home for this Blue Origin facility.

Blue Origin chose Huntsville, Alabama for this project because of the high-tech aerospace manufacturing workforce and ecosystem, including NASAs Marshall Space Flight Center, nearly 300 private aerospace and defense contractors, and the University of Alabama in Huntsville, number 14th in NASA research funding in the nation.

Huntsville is proud to be the nations propulsion center of excellence, and we couldnt ask for a better partner than Blue Origin to join our team. When you look at NASAs visionary work at the Marshall Space Flight Center, the talent and capacity of Huntsvilles space industry partners, and our expertise in research and development, engineering, and manufacturing, Blue Origin is joining a truly remarkable environment, said Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle.

Blue Origin reinforces our regions place as the Rocket City, and a center of excellence for rocket propulsion. Blue Origins presence will have a positive impact on our State, our region and our community, said Chip Cherry, President and CEO of the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber. This is an important development for Cummings Research Parks next era of expansion and we look forward to a long and productive relationship with Blue Origin.

Decatur-Based ULA Chooses Blue Origin

United Launch Alliance (ULA) chose Blue Origin as the companay to build the first of ULA's Vulcan Rocket. This decision in September 2018 paved the way for the decision to build a Huntsville facility.

"We are very honored that United Launch Alliance has selected Blue Origins LOX/LNG BE-4 as the engine that will power the first stage of their Vulcan rocket.," said Bob Smith, CEO of Blue Origin. "United Launch Alliance is the premier launch service provider for national security missions, and were thrilled to be part of their team and that mission.

$6 million in economic incentives from the City of Huntsville

"Counting the capital expenditures that come back, it turns out to be a good deal for us," Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle told WAAY-TV. Of the $6 million being offered, only about $1 million was in actual money for Blue Origin. The vast majority is the land being given to Blue Origin for the plant, worth about $4-5 million dollars, according to the city. The $1 million will come from both the city and Madison County, and will offset construction costs for Blue Origin's plant.

"We've had the land in inventory for about 12 years. That's what we had it for, to provide jobs," Mayor Battle said.

Return on Investment

As for how the city makes sure they get a return on investment, Battle says they sign development agreements with companies they offer incentives to.

"If they don't meet their number of employees, if they don't meet their payroll, they don't meet the capital investment that they promised, we get our money back," he said. However, Blue Origin even coming to Huntsville is contingent on winning the ULA contract, so if the company doesn't win, they likely won't be penalized.

And as for why the city even uses incentives, Battle says that other communities do it, so Huntsville does as well.

"If we don't, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Mississippi, will be taking all the jobs, because they will," he said.

$4.1 Billion of Economic Growth in North Alabama

Blue Origin is just one project among others coming to north Alabama. More than $4.1 billion of economic growth is on the way. Click here for a list of other projects coming to Huntsville and north Alabama.
A 21-year old man shot and killed two people and injured two others before he took his own life near the campus of Penn State, ABC27 in Harrisburg reported. The shooter is identified as 21-year-old Jordan Witmer. According to police in State College, Pennsylvania, Witmer shot two people inside a hotel bar. One of them died and the other is in critical condition. He then left the scene and ultimately wrecked his car. He then broke into a house and shot the couple inside. The husband died and the wife is in critical condition. Witner shot and killed himself a short time later. Police aren't releasing the names of any of the victims and haven't said anything about a possible motive for the shootings.

The crimes took place just two miles from the campus of Penn State, though the university did not release a formal alert.
U.S. Senator Doug Jones released a statement Thursday in response to the Senates failed efforts to reopen the government.

Jones has requested for his pay be withheld until the shutdown has ended and federal employees have started receiving pay again.

Below is Senator Doug Jones' full statement:

I am disappointed that we have again failed our constituents by not finding a consensus path forward to reopen the government. I am especially disappointed because I was one of the few Democratic voices that did not reject the Presidents Saturday proposal out of hand. Instead, I said that I viewed it as a positive step toward good faith efforts to find common ground. I did so because I truly believe we need to work together to reopen the government. But as has all too often been the case with this Administration, when it comes time for legislation rather than media announcements, the President adds provisions that are unacceptable. When I saw what the President had added to the plan he announced just five days ago, particularly as it pertains to the limitations and additional hardships placed on families and children who are legitimately seeking refuge in this country from violence in their own countries, and doing so through the legal asylum process, I could not vote for it despite my consistent support for stronger border security.

However, along with six of my Republican colleagues, I fulfilled my commitment to the thousands of federal employees and contractors to immediately re-open the government, as well as the farmers of south Alabama who were hit so hard by Hurricane Michael, by supporting an amendment that would have funded the government through February 8. That measure would have provided members of Congress additional time to work toward a compromise on border security while allowing furloughed employees and contractors the opportunity to go back to work and receive the back pay they deserve. This amendment would have also provided approximately $12 billion in immediate disaster relief funding. Unfortunately, it was clear from the start that neither plan had a path to passing the Senate, much less becoming law, so I reiterate my call to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to stop negotiating only within their own caucuses. How can we ever expect the people of this country to come together if our leaders wont sit down and work to find common ground? I am committed to doing that. We need to reach across the aisle and end the growing crisis within our borders created by this government shutdown. Our dedicated federal employees and contractors need to be able to get back to work and receive their paychecks so that the security of our country is not placed in further jeopardy.
The government shutdown could soon be impacting local jails.

The Morgan County Jail houses federal inmates and depends on a check from the government each month to take care of them; but those checks could stop coming in.

Theres been some speculation," said Aaron Dawson. "Theres been nothing confirmed as of yet that theres going to be a financial issue, but its a possibility.

Morgan County Jail Warden Aaron Dawson said his jail holds about 550 inmates. 80 of those inmates are federal.

The funding for housing, transportation, security guards and food for those federal inmates comes from the federal government.

It averages about $3 a day that we get for the federal inmates to feed them; so, it doesnt sound like a whole lot, but you multiply that by 80 and you do that every day, it adds up in a hurry," Dawson said.

The Morgan County Jail bills the government at the end of each month and the government then mails them a check.

In some states, like Tennessee, those checks have stopped. They haven't yet in Morgan County, but there's talk that they could be delayed.

The U.S. Marshals would have to find other places to rehouse them, and theres not a lot of jails in the northern half of the state that house federal inmates, so that would be a difficulty there," Dawson said.

In the meantime, Dawson wants to assure the citizens of Morgan County that they have nothing to worry about.

Its not going to impact the care of the inmates that we offer," he said. "Theyre still going to get fed, theyre still going to be taken care of, theyre still going to have their medical needs taken care of; so, locally speaking, its not going to impact us in a great wayat a county level.
A local iron workers union in the Shoals is making a special fence for a fallen soldier's memorial.

The project would normally cost more than $15,000, but they are doing it for free.

In 2006, Marine Cpl. Matthew Conley was killed in Iraq while serving our country. Conley grew up in the small community of Greenhill in Lauderdale County.

"He told us that's what he wanted to do and we're very proud of him," said Debbie Conley, Matthew's mother. "Greenhill is a small community but we found out when Matthew died they are the best community."

To keep Matthew's memory alive, the Conley family is building a memorial for him and other soliders in Greenhill. Taking on a project like this can be expensive. The family has been able to raise money for the project, but they still need about $15,000. That's where Iron Workers 477 steps in. Iron worker apprentices are constructing 215 feet of an iron ornamental fence to go around the memorial for free.

"Helping is the reason were doing it," said Iron Worker 477 apprentice instructor, Edward Mitchell.

Brody Avery lowers his welding mask and sparks start to fly as he works on the fence at the Iron Workers 477 union located in Sheffield. For Avery, working on the project hits close to home.

"My dad was in the Marines. He did his time. He was gone for a year and he actually took a bullet for the country. It's pretty special," said Avery.

Conley got the chance on Thursday to meet the men working on the fence. She said they are just good people.

"It's amazing that strangers you don't even know are willing to do that," said Conley.

The Conley family hopes to raise more money to have the memorial, which will honor each branch of the military along with Matthew, sometime in 2019. After the memorial is complete they plan on starting a scholarship in Matthew's honor.

If you want to donate to the memorial or future scholarship fund their PayPal account is MatthewConleyMemorial@yahoo.com. You can also click here to see the Matthew Conley Memorial Foundation.
Huntsville Police and the Madison County Sheriff's Office sent officers to Mobile to attend the funeral of an officer killed in the line of duty.

Sean Tuder is the 9th officer in the United States killed on the job in the first month of 2019.

"It's become normal for us to drape our badges and it shouldn't be," said Josh Moseley, who's in the Madison County Honor Guard.

Officer Moseley said the police shootings are starting to hit close to home.

"It is difficult to know walking out the door and saying goodbye to your loved ones, your wife and kids, that could be the last time you tell them goodbye," he said.

Mobile Police Officer Sean Tuder was killed one day after Birmingham Police Sergeant Wytasha Carter was laid to rest. Both officers leaving behind their families is something Moseley said weighs heavy on his heart.

"I get told every day to be safe, and the only answer I can reply with is, 'I try,'" he said.

Huntsville Police sent officer Jeffery Franks to Carter's funeral, and now he's headed to mobile for Tuder's.

"One of the reasons we actually go to these funerals is to let the families know the department knows they're not alone in this," Franks said.

He said the support from agencies across the country is incredible to see.

"There were people from Dallas PD, NYPD, Boston PD. They come from all around the country to show their respect," he said.

Moseley said with the recent violence against police, it serves as a grave reminder to always stay aware.

"We have to stay vigilant and our number one goal is to go home to our families at the end of the night," he said.
Huntsville City Schools Superintendent Christie Finley confirmed Thursday at a school board meeting that a student did sneak into a school Monday, January 7.

Huntsville City School Board Member Pam Hill previously said at a school board meeting that a teenager sneaked into a Huntsville high school for two days and went unnoticed.

Finley says the student was on a Huntsville City School's campus in the afternoon for three hours and did not return that Tuesday. She says the student tried to return Wednesday but was stopped by security. At the meeting Thursday, Finley highlighted the importance of check-in procedures, taking role and communication at schools.

It was announced that principals are tightening up check-in procedures and being asked to look over attendance records. The schools will be bringing back student ID cards, and students will be wearing badges every day when they enter the building, Finley said on Thursday.
Huntsville Police are working to get violent criminals off the street. This past year, an anti-crime unit made nearly 700 arrests.

3-year-old Livia Robinson, also known as sweet Livie, was killed in March of 2018. Huntsville Police said three people drove by her mom's home, shot into it and killed her while she was sleeping on the couch.

"She was a little bundle of joy. An angel walking on earth. She loved everybody," said MeMe McComb, her mom.

Her mom said 10 months later that it hasn't gotten any easier, but she's relieved to hear the anti-crime unit is helping stop crime and get dangerous people off the street.

"They took everything from me and my little girl," she said.

In 2018, the unit arrested 685 people. 289 of those were arrested for committing felonies. Officers in the unit said they don't stop until they catch who's responsible.

"They're not going to be able to get everybody, but it's a good start. They should continue," she said.

"A 3-year-old that was killed in our city. Every investigator, every officer and members of the anti-crime team, we work tirelessly to find the offenders arrested that night before we went home," said Tory Green, a Huntsville Police officer.

Less than 10 hours after Livie was murdered, the three people accused of killing her were booked into the Madison County Jail without bond.

"We can actually go out and spend all day looking for one person if we have to. We go after the most dangerous felons that we can," said Sgt. Terry Lucas with the department.

As the three people accused of killing Livie wait behind bars for their trial, the anti-crime unit hopes it helps her family and others heal.

"It gives them closure. The person that committed the crime is not out doing crimes. We take them in front of the justice system and they do what they do," Lucas said.

McComb said she hopes her daughter's death serves as a wake-up call to the community.

"Some of the crime can stop, because this is not life. Living like this in constant fear of something like this always happening," said McComb.

Huntsville Police said the anti-crime unit is a major help to investigators, because it allows them to work to solve other crimes while the suspects in their case are being tracked down by the officers in the unit.
The WAAY 31 I-Team learned Friday that next week the governor and attorney general will likely release their opinions on the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles' second corrective action plan to fix a broken system.

Governor Kay Ivey said after going over the parole board's new plan, there are some improvements, but a lot of things still must be addressed. She did not go into detail on what areas still have flaws.

Governor Ivey and Attorney General Steve Marshall

Jimmy Spencer Jimmy Spencer Governor Ivey and Attorney General Steve Marshall

"It has some positive improvements in it. There are still some areas yet to be addressed," Ivey said.

In the past, the governor said one of her major concerns with the parole board is it seeing no need to make any changes to its executive staff.

"The general and I had a telephone conversation about it and talked about some of those things, and we will keep working to make sure things are in place as they ought to be," Ivey said.

The board's second corrective action plan discusses more training for staff in the victim services unit, travelling to Georgia to see how its parole system works and it says an inmate must have a clean disciplinary record for at least three years prior to being considered for parole.

"We're still just reviewing the entire report," Ivey said.

The WAAY 31 I-Team began looking into the parole board's policies and procedures after it paroled a dangerous man who should have never been let out.

Jimmy Spencer was supposed to be serving a life sentence when he was paroled. He had multiple run-ins with police and was even arrested on drug charges after he was paroled, but he never went back to prison. He's now accused of murdering three people, including a child, in Guntersville.

Spencer remained a violent man while in prison, having some 50 disciplinary reports filed against him. Victims in his previous case were not notified about his parole hearing, because the board said it made a mistake, misinterpreted state law and didn't think it had to notify this specific victim.

As WAAY 31 investigated the parole board, flaws were found in which victims in other cases were not being properly notified about hearings and multiple cases where inmates in prison for serious offense had come up for early parole. After the investigation, the governor put a stop to early paroles in October 2018 and advised the board to fix its issues.

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For more information about the investigation, click HERE.
Decatur Police say they have seen an increase over the past few weeks in counterfeit money circulating throughout the city.

Businesses and residents are urged to pay close attention to bills they receive. The counterfeit bills have the word REPLICA and Chinese symbols on them. Police say the currency may be seen in any denomination.

If anyone receives or finds any type of counterfeit money, they are asked to contact Decatur Police at 256-341-4660.

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These images from Decatur Police are examples of the counterfeit bills currently in circulation.
Puerto Rico is still feeling the effects of Hurricane Maria after the storm barreled through the island more than a year ago. So, the community here in North Alabama came together to help buy the island a brand new emergency response vehicle.

When Maria actually happened in Puerto Rico, we as a community were trying to find out a way to help out, Huntsville business owner Yamil Lucena said.

Lucena grew up in Puerto Rico and knows people there are still struggling after the Category 4 hurricane swept through the island. That's why he wanted to find a way to help.

"People were like, Well, lets take water there and stuff like that.' But, the logistics behind all of that was going to be kind of rough because the airport was down," Lucena said. "We didnt have the resources, so we all agreed on doing the truck."

Lucena set up a fundraiser through the Red Cross, and it took the community around 3 weeks to raise the $150,000 for a brand new emergency response vehicle. The truck will give the Red Cross access to hard-to-reach areas to provide food and assistance to those in need.

"Something that you provided, a dollar or a penny or whatever you provided now, is real and you were a part of that help," Lucena said.

Last week, Lucena, along with other organizers and donors, visited Puerto Rico to present the Red Cross with the truck.

"People in Puerto Rico are really thankful for this truck and now, fortunately its going to help more people in the future," Lucena said.

One donor says he feels good to be a part of something that will help those on the island whenever theyre in need.

"The beauty of this vehicle is the stamp on the side of the vehicle, Donated with love and appreciation to the citizens of Puerto Rico or the residents of Puerto Rico by the residents of North Alabama," organizer and donor Rey Almodovar said. "Thats always going to be on the side of the vehicle for everyone to see, that we here in North Alabama care about them and that we love them."

Lucena says he's thinking about starting a second fundraiser to get another emergency response vehicle to Puerto Rico.
Athens police have arrested a Madison County man for receiving stolen property.

Chief Floyd R. Johnson of the Athens Police Department said Officer Seth Meadows arrested Charles Russell Turner Jr. Thursday night and charged him with receiving stolen property, second degree.

Meadows stopped Turner for a traffic violation on Elm Street, Johnson said. The vehicle Turner was driving was reported stolen from Madison County on Tuesday, Johnson said.
Photo: Universal Tv/Wolf Film/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock

Its a mystery worthy of Detective Lennie Briscoe: Why isnt the original Law & Order  the flagship series in whats arguably the most successful TV brand ever created  currently available on any American streaming platform? Virtually every other big show launched in the 1990s, from ER and Friends to Seinfeld and The X-Files, has now found a digital home. Law & Order spinoff SVU, while slowly disappearing from Netflix, is available to stream in its entirety on Hulu. But the mothership, the series which launched Dick Wolfs ever-expanding empire of procedural dramas back in 1990, remains stubbornly absent from any subscription video-on-demand service. Its a pop-culture crime, one which demands solving. Vulture decided to investigate. Dun-DUN!

Like any good detective, we began our hunt for the truth by ruling out any obvious suspects in The Case of Wheres L&O? After all, this isnt the first time the chief  er, our editor  has assigned us to the missing-shows beat. Unfortunately, the usual culprits dont seem to apply with Law & Order. While music rights and the costs associated with making an older show ready for the digital age have delayed or prevented some classic series from landing a streaming home (or even launching on DVD), those arent factors with Law & Order. Up until late 2014, the first eight seasons of the show were a staple on Netflix. And then they just vanished, forcing die-hard fans who wanted on-demand access to the OG L&O crew to either buy digital downloads of each episode or to pay $300 for the full series DVD collection. (For the frugal, reruns of the original series can be seen on the Ion broadcast network or on cable via AMC Networksowned channels We and Sundance, the latter of which offer a handful of rotating episodes for streaming on demand.)

That L&O would leave Netflix back in 2014 isnt particularly surprising. Classic series come and go from the streamer regularly, either because Netflix decides it no longer wants to pay an outside studio to license the show, or because said studio gets a better offer from a rival platform. For example, The Wonder Years left Netflix in the fall of 2017 after a six-year run, only to pop up on Hulu a year later. Indeed, Amazon Prime Video and Hulu both have rich libraries of classic shows, with the latter proving to be particularly aggressive of late in snatching up popular faves of yore long missing from streaming, including ER and The Golden Girls. Plus, as noted, Hulu is also home to SVU, making it (at least in theory) a logical contender to also carry that shows predecessor. Thats why its so confounding, more than four years after its Netflix exit, that L&O remains a digital ghost.

11 Actors Who Starred in 'Law & Order' Before They Were Famous

To unravel this mystery, we first reached out to reps for NBCUniversal, which produced the show and controls the streaming rights. Big corporations arent in the habit of freely gabbing about how they manage their various creative properties, so we didnt expect the Comcast-owned company to issue a long statement detailing exactly whats been going on with such an important asset. But a spokesman for the company responded to our questions with a flat no comment. Two different representatives for Dick Wolf also stayed silent when we sought guidance, declining to even offer any not-for-attribution background information about any factors that have kept the series from streaming, or any future plans to return it to the digital airwaves.

Our gumshoe role models on Law & Order often have doors slammed in their faces (literally, rather than metaphorically!), so we kept poking around the various back alleys of Hollywood in search of answers. (Translation: We kept emailing sources.) And finally, after some prodding, we hit upon a couple of leads. According to two well-informed sources with knowledge of the streaming business, it appears Law & Order is a victim of its own success  specifically, its early triumph as a weekly series on a broadcast network. Wolfs creation lasted for 20 years and, more importantly, a jaw-dropping 456 hour-long episodes. When it finally wrapped up in 2010, it tied Gunsmoke as TVs longest-running drama series. As awesome as this fact is for Wolf and fans of the show, its actually a handicap when it comes to selling L&O streaming rights. The series has so many episodes that the show would be pretty expensive to license in its entirety, as one person familiar with the economics involved tells Vulture.

Thats because in the business of TV syndication  a.k.a., a shows life once it finishes its initial series run  its financial value is tied directly to how many episodes it produced. This was true even in the days before streaming: Cable networks such as TBS would make deals for hit network sitcoms such as Friends or The Big Bang Theory years before they finished their runs, agreeing to pay a per-episode fee that would be based on how many episodes ultimately got produced. The networks didnt mind this, because more episodes meant more potential advertising revenue could be gleaned from their linear schedules. But in the streaming world, bigger isnt always better.

Sure, Netflix and Hulu are constantly looking to add more and more content to drive greater engagement, and keep subscribers on their sofas streaming for hours on end. And they dont mind shows with big libraries, either: Netflix just agreed to spend another $80 million to keep all 236 episodes of Friends on the service for another year. But the full series run of L&O contains nearly twice as many episodes (and about four times as much overall content, since it was a one-hour drama). Whats more, while sitcoms such as Friends and The Office have lightly serialized story arcs (think Ross and Rachel, or Pam and Jim), Wolf deliberately created his drama to be as self-contained as possible, focusing every episode on cases and offering little to no exposition regarding the lives of its regular characters. As such, streaming-industry insiders say the original L&O might not be as valuable as a show where audiences feel compelled to click ahead to the next episode. Bottom line: The combination of a procedural format and a huge price tag may very well explain Law & Orders prolonged absence from the streaming marketplace. It really comes down to whether a streamer believes the original series would drive enough viewing [and] subscriber retention to be worth the high licensing cost, our source knowledgeable in streaming economics explains.

All of this is not to suggest L&O wont be back on a streaming platform in the future, perhaps even sometimes soon. As noted earlier, all seasons of SVU are now streaming on Hulu. Given SVU this spring will match the 20-season run of L&O, clearly its not impossible for a streaming platform to absorb the cost of such a long-running series. NBCUniversal could also decide to price the original series at a more favorable rate, prompting Hulu, Amazon, or Netflix to do a deal for the show. (Worth noting: Amazon Prime Videos leadership ranks now include at least two former NBC execs who worked very closely with Wolf, though there are no indications theyre even mulling doing a deal for L&O.)

The most likely path back to streaming for Law & Order, however, seems to be through the ad-supported streaming platform NBCUniversal parent Comcast is planning to launch next year. Much the way Disney has started taking back its big film titles from Netflix to help boost its upcoming Netflix alternative Disney+, Comcast may want to make the original L&O one of the centerpieces of its own service. Doing so would still come with a cost, since Wolf has an ownership stake in the series and would surely demand to be fairly compensated. But NBC has had talks with Wolf before about using his branded properties (which now also include the Chicago series) to create value for the companys content platforms. A few years ago, there were reports Wolf and NBC were in discussions to turn the Oxygen cable channel into a Wolf-centric true-crime network. While Oxygen did make the switch to crime, the Wolf branding never happened. But the fact that such talks took place at all underscores why NBC Universal/Comcast would want to work out a way to put as much of the Wolf Films library  including L&O  on a new service. Assuming the notoriously independent-minded Wolf feels the same way, this could be the way the detectives of Law & Order finally return to the streaming universe.
Michael Schur is an optimist. He believes in the power of friendship and the existence of everlasting love. He believes that people can, with enough hard work and determination, become positives forces of good in the world. This is, in part, why people have responded to The Good Place. Amid the fantastical rigmarole and ethical dialectics and space-time warps, The Good Place is a love letter to the strength of the human spirit in the face of never-ending chaos. Its a show that sincerely preaches the wisdom that we are all capable of so much more than we ever thought possible.

This is a perfectly valid and admirable worldview, one that gives The Good Place an emotional foundation to which it can always return whenever things threaten to fly off the handle. However, sometimes the shows sentimental streak can veer into saccharine territory, especially when certain dramatic beats are unearned. This is, unfortunately, the problem that plagues Pandemonium, a season finale that entirely hinges on the audiences investment in a certain relationship and hits yet another reset button in thoroughly underwhelming fashion.

Pandemonium picks up right where Chidi Sees the Time-Knife left off: Michael is incapacitated by a panic attack just when hes supposed to welcome his first new human to the new Judge- and Shawn-approved neighborhood experiment. Eleanor tries to buck him up in time, but when that fails, she poses as the architect and introduces John (Brandon Scott Jones) to The Good Place. Despite having no memory of the 800-plus iterations of Michaels initial Bad Place experiment, Eleanor falls into the role without a hitch, and the rest of the gang follows her lead in order to keep up the experiment.

Naturally, everything goes south very quickly. Tahani learns that John was a gossip columnist on Earth who used to relentlessly torment her with fake news items (dont worry, his targets were rich and high-status and he was telling truth to power, so its okay). She logically concludes that Shawn has picked four subjects with personal connections to the gang in order to properly torture them. After realizing that the second subject is Simone (Kirby Howell-Baptiste), Chidis ex-girlfriend, Eleanor and the team protest to the Judge. She acknowledges that Shawn hasnt technically broken any of the stipulated rules, but allows Michael to wipe Simones memory to before she met Chidi so that she doesnt recognize the Soul Squad. Eleanor and Michael think they can weather this bump in the road, only Chidi firmly does not. He cant avoid Simone forever and any potential slip up on his part would doom everyone to eternal damnation. Thus, he demands that Michael wipe his memory, which would necessitate him forgetting his burgeoning, passionate relationship with Eleanor.

Now, if you are deeply invested in Eleanor and Chidis romance and would be heartbroken by their emotional separation after three seasons of back-and-forth flirtation, then the rest of Pandemonium will likely work for you. But if, like me, you are in the unfortunate position of never really caring about their relationship, despite the writers insistence to the contrary, then the episode devolves into wheel-spinning before it reaches an inevitably pat conclusion. The Good Place consistently assumes, on spec, that its audience not only wants its leads coupled up, but also that they will be immediately captivated by their love without much effort to get them to care in the first place. Eleanor and Chidi eventually get together because its a Michael Schur show, so of course theyre going to get together, and by God, you will find it adorable. Unless you dont, in which case, youre just out of luck.

But even if I did care about Eleanor and Chidi as much as The Good Place clearly wants me too, the show has built their relationship on such firm cosmic ground that it has largely removed all hypothetical conflict or stakes from their pairing. Its one thing to believe in the power of love. (Cue Huey Lewis and the News). Its another thing entirely to believe this love will withstand such inter-dimensional, multi-timeline strain because its predestined. Michaels video montage and Eleanor and Chidis tearful farewell are endearing on paper, and they still mostly work due to Kristen Bell and William Jackson Harpers respective talent, but they dont have much actual impact because The Good Place has determined that they will always end up together regardless of what the universe throws their way. Countless reboots and a do-over on Earth couldnt keep them apart. Whats one more memory wipe in the grand scheme of things?

Putting aside the EleanorChidi issue, The Good Places resets have started to hit diminishing returns. The previous two season finales featured satisfying regenerations that added new complications to the existing architecture, but this one disappoints because it essentially takes a circuitous path all the way back to square one. Chidi said as much last week: Its the exact same experiment conducted during the first season with different subjects and a whole lot more awareness. Since were privy to the behind-the-curtain machinations, it probably wont take long before Shawns four human subjects learn the truth or for Chidi to discover Eleanors true identity or for the experiment to collapse under the weight of some heretofore-unexplored loophole. Weve been down this road before.

In the interest of not being such a buzzkill, Pandemonium does feature a handful of good jokes, funny one-liners, and clever puns. (Foot Lager and Beignet and the Jets are good stuff.) Eleanor looking at Johns file only to find that its written in an inter-dimensional language was a nice sight gag. Jason gets some reliably funny material, especially his somber insistence to Eleanor that he wont let her down after she insists he talk to no one, go nowhere, and do nothing. Chidis initial reaction to Michaels panic attack  Michael looks like me. Thats bad!  is delightful. Plus, Janets earnest speech to Eleanor about people finding each other within the pandemonium of the universe somehow works in spite of the episodes macro flaws because DArcy Carden sells the absolute hell out of it.

Still, its difficult not to be concerned about the series future based on this episode. The Good Place has always been a high-wire balancing act that could topple over at any moment. Its not there quite yet, but its come closer this season than it ever has before. Heres hoping that Schur and his own Soul Squad keep their weird, crazy ship afloat when they return next year.

In the Neighborhood

 As you have probably guessed, I am, sadly, not the incomparable Noel Murray. Your regular recapper is currently attending the Sundance Film Festival, where hes watching a batch of the years newest films. Im sure he has a different, possibly more positive, perspective on the finale.

 Apparently the craziest celebrity hookup is Drake and Ruth Bader Ginsburg. They have been on and off for years and, obviously, were set up by Tahani.

 When Chidis mind gets erased, he wont remember when he and Jason stayed up late and ate pizza together in Australia, but at least he will remember the concept of pizza, so its not a total loss.
Paul Harding. Photo: Ekko von Schwichow

When Paul Harding won the Pulitzer Prize for Tinkers at the age of 42, it was one of the biggest surprises in the history of American letters. The last time a small-press book won was nearly three decades earlier  John Kennedy Tooles A Confederacy of Dunces. Unlike Dunces, Tinkers was no legendary posthumous epic; it was a quiet debut about a dying New England clockmaker, rejected by a handful of agents and relegated to a drawer before tiny Bellevue Literary Press paid Harding $1,000 for it. In the 15 months before the prize was announced, buzz from sales reps, independent booksellers, and NPR helped sell a respectable 10,000 copies of the book. But in April 2010, Harding went from being a writer with a small but devoted following to the envy and great hope of every aspiring novelist. The New York Times headlined its profile Mr. Cinderella: From Rejection Notes to the Pulitzer. Tinkers has sold 570,000 copies and counting across all formats. To commemorate the tenth anniversary of its publication, this month Bellevue released an anniversary edition with a foreword by Hardings mentor, Marilynne Robinson.

I played a small, accidental role in the improbable rise of Tinkers. At the time, I worked at RiverRun Bookstore in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and I picked up a copy on the strength of a blurb from Robinson and the stark white cover. I still remember reading the book in what felt like a fevered trance. Everything around me faded away as I sunk into the quiet novel, which starts with a man on his deathbed. I told everyone I met about it, including Rebecca Pepper Sinkler, who, unbeknownst to me, was the head of the Pulitzer fiction jury that year.

Curious about how the award had (and hadnt) changed Hardings life, I met him recently in a brightly lit Starbucks in Southampton, New York, not far from a Stony Brook campus where he is now a tenured professor. He looks the part: Holding a paper cup of coffee, he folds his eyeglasses over the center of his V-neck sweater and picks up the story of his career.

Harding had written parts of Tinkers on the backs of sales receipts and other scraps, working it over for years before selling it. His oldest son had chronic ear infections, and Harding resorted to driving around town to calm him down. The second he fell asleep, Id pull over and write a sentence at a time. His only hope was that it would one day become a book.

At every stage of its life, Tinkers gave new meaning to the publishing term of art known as hand-selling. Turtle Point Presss Jonathan Rabinowitz gave the manuscript to Erika Goldman of Bellevue Literary Press  named for the medical institution that housed the tiny publisher at the time. Lise Solomon, a West Coast sales rep, read a galley and urged booksellers to take a look. Sheryl Cotleur, then a buyer for the Bay Area mini-chain Book Passage, asked Goldman to print special hardcovers for their First Editions Club. It just is a stunning experience to read it, Cotleur says now. It gets you on all levels: emotional, visual, intellectual.

The Pulitzer tends to go to fiction with heavy marketing behind it  the kind that only a handful of conglomerates can afford. Not only was Tinkers born in a one-room shop in a hospital; it wasnt even reviewed in the Times. It felt like a win for everybody along the way, says Goldman. For the readers who loved it, for the young writers who never felt like they could break through, for the small independent publishing community, for every individual who loves books. It also helped Bellevue Press survive.

On the day the Pulitzers were announced, Harding was teaching at the Iowa Writers Workshop. When he found out, he ran to his former teacher Marilynne Robinsons classroom to share the news. Her novel, Gilead, had won the Pulitzer five years earlier. She told me: Its the American equivalent of a knighthood. Its your title now: Pulitzer Prizewinning author.

Its a strange kind of phenomenon thats sort of there every single day, Harding says now. But as a writer, you cant think about it all. You have to think about whats next.

The common narrative about sudden fame is that there are two ways to go  rocketing ever upward, or plummeting under the weight of expectations. In truth, life carries on just as it did before. Harding had already known this, because the Pulitzer wasnt his first brush with stardom. Prior to becoming an author, he was the drummer in the indie band Cold Water Flat; they toured the world, got signed by MCA. Broader recognition didnt pan out, but Harding knew all about having to appear in front of large crowds  and having to ride the aftermath of a career high. You become the protagonist for a little while, but you have to realize its going to move on, he says. You have to be still standing when it all calms down, and keep working, keep doing your writing.

You become the protagonist for a little while, but you have to realize its going to move on. You have to be still standing when it all calms down.  Paul Harding

Music still informs Hardings life as an artist. Theres a musicality to his prose, and a sense of intuitive expertise. He refers to something Sonny Rollins once said about practicing for 12 hours a day so that when he gets onstage, the music plays him. My books are smarter than I am, Harding says. Thats one of the things I love about art: Its improvisational. For him, the ideal stage of writing is when Im not actually thinking up and assigning to it, Im just taking the dictation.

That process was already well underway on Hardings next book when he won the Pulitzer. Cotleur, the bookseller whod helped boost Tinkers, had also shared it with her Random House rep, which led to publisher Susan Kamil signing Harding for a two-book deal; he was, once again, a major-label player. Enon, a sort of sequel to Tinkers set in the same landscape, follows the grandson of the first books protagonist as he grieves for his daughter. Harding says his second novel was seen as more polarizing than his first because it was so dark. I dont think its as dark a book as people think it is, he says. I think its funnier. Because it was treated like a big commercial release, its reception was a different experience, but somewhere along the way Harding realized that he needed to stop paying attention to reviews and the business side of publishing. My job, he says, is to think about art.

Harding published a reflection this week that sheds some light on how hes managed to stay grounded post-Pulitzer. It was those early Tinkers rejections  followed by the faith put in him by non-conglomerates  that steeled him against commercial pressures. Rejection  freed me from thinking about publishing, he wrote. The din of the market and publication muted, consciousness itself came into finer, deeper resolution.

Paul Hardings workspace, including notes for his new novel. Courtesy of the author.

Harding equates writing to working on a watch. Im trying to make every sentence pages deep but absolutely lucid, he says. He describes his new book-in-progress (currently titled Island) as a combination of Tinkers and Enon, written mostly on Post-it notes  a modest step up from old receipts. Harding was inspired by a story he came across about a racially integrated settlement on Malaga Island, off of Portland, Maine. In 1912, the state evicted the residents, partly on the grounds of eugenics (they were allegedly inbred). Around the same time, the first International Eugenics Congress met in London.

Like Marilynne Robinson, Harding makes his fictional history feel both fully present and fully relevant. In her foreword for the new edition of Tinkers, Robinson writes: Learning to write is above all a matter of learning to discipline attention and to enjoy the aptness of language for the work of making a new report about the timeless world.

While working on the latest manuscript, Harding would wake up in the morning, put a record on, and pore over ten books at a time  Shakespeare, theology, philosophy, as well as 20 volumes of the Oxford English Dictionary, a relic of the Old Testament seminar he inherited from Robinson. The OED was particularly handy. While writing a scene in which a character goes out fishing, he wanted to figure out a new way to describe the water. When he looked up the the definition of sugar, he found what he was searching for: There are all these different words for scorched sugar and burnt sugar, and the sugar pleats and it puckers and that sounds like the ocean, so I did this whole description of the ocean like liquid sugar: candied Atlantic ocean.

Unlike Robinson  who says she doesnt revise  Harding is slow and scholarly, a magpie of references and discoveries. Hell go days without writing, but hes always thinking about it. It works for him. Youre here to make the greatest work of art you can, he says. Thats not pretentious. Its pretentious to act like you did, but to want to! Why bother putting anything less than everything at stake?

Nine years after winning the Pulitzer, Harding still gets 100 emails a day. He enjoys meeting people who read his books, but he also loves being a bit of a hermit, and is very adamant about not being on social media. I dont even like talking on the phone, he says. For now, he wants to focus on his students and his family and, of course, his writing. I want my writing to get deeper and deeper, but denser and denser, and clearer and clearer.
Photo: Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Huffington Post

Scores of young lesbians got their wings when it was announced Kristen Stewart would lead the queer rom-com Happiest Season, and now many more will take flight with the news that Mackenzie Davis could join her. According to Variety, Davis is in talks to star opposite Stewart as her girlfriend, making Season a contender for biggest bringer of Lesbian Energy in whatever year it comes out. The script, from Clea DuVall and Mary Holland, centers on a young woman whose plan to propose to her girlfriend while at her familys annual holiday party is upended when she discovers her partner has not yet come out to her conservative parents. DuVall will further give the gays their rights by directing the movie. Don we now our gayest apparel.
Photo: Ryan Pfluger for Vulture

Jim Carrey has played a lot of transcendentally strange characters in his career, always bringing a dark side to the light and mapping a complex landscape of pathos, pleasure, risk, and fiendish discontent. Now this same winter of his discontent is being brought to bear on the current administration in his viciously perceptive drawings of Trump & Co., which he posts on Twitter.

Carrey draws every day, and unlike much of Hollywood, which pats itself on the back at award shows or dons a button on the red carpet for photo ops, he puts his pencil where his passions are  and puts it out there despite dire warnings that being this honest would be bad for his career. This hasnt stopped him at all. Carrey paints as well, but his drawings are much more original and germane. So much so that he may be one of the best public political cartoonists of our moment: an optically aggressive (bordering on bellicose) combination of Robert Crumb, Mad magazine, Jules Feiffer, and Philip Guston, fueled by outrage and his own indignant imagination.

On the occasion of his large solo show of drawings at Maccarone Gallery in Los Angeles, I spoke to Carrey before a packed audience about his work, our current political crisis, and how he is an artist in his own right, not just a celebrity artist.

Jump to Jim Carreys Works:

Capitalism With a Conscience

Space Force

Bipartisanshit

Giuliani Doesnt Bleach the Bottom Teeth

Monster

The Great Spewdini

Jerry Saltz: I dont want to talk to you about movies, acting, TV, or Hollywood. I want to talk about how we all play our own instrument, how were all just trying to write our own letter to the world. It strikes me as silly and confining to have gatekeepers, for example, to call one just an actor or only a comedian. I want to ask you about your drawings and texts on Twitter. I love them. As twisted, bleak, gaudy, inflicted, indignant, and furious as they are.

Jim Carrey: Pain bodies that have to point themselves at something.

Lets talk about what I call radical vulnerability. Youre known as an actor-comedian. Now youre making art in another medium, really putting yourself out there in another way. Whats that like?

I dont work toward the encouragement of the crowd as much as I do myself. If I feel like Ive accomplished something interesting, I know its going to find somebody because me as actor-comedian and someone who draws is not that different. Art is a very vulnerable, open soft spot, and you lay yourself open to be criticized, ripped apart, told you should stay in your lane, and Ive never believed in lanes.

Can I get an amen!

I believe that passion wins out, that theres a driving force behind artists, a force in need of expressing, a feeling or sense of whats beautiful, pressing, or whats terrible, and we are driven to distraction. Those are forces that I feel compel an audience. And artists. Things you cant avoid saying.

Jasper Johns said we must do what we cant avoid.

Its like James Joyce in A Portrait of the Artist As a Young Man. He says the greatest of art, the masterpieces, are the ones that stop you. It causes a stasis in your brain. Stops time and makes it last longer. Theres no judgment to be made. Thats what Im looking forward to one day, stumbling into something because my heart, my soul, and my talent for the craft is in a place where they all come together and capture something that cant be described.

You just showed around 80 of your drawings at the Los Angeles gallery of Michele Maccarone. What was it like at the opening with you standing there with your art on the wall. Exposed?

I couldnt believe it. I stood in the middle of the show and I looked around, and the sheer volume of it freaked me out. I said, I couldnt have done this! Thats because the passion and the need and the desire behind it was bigger than me.

I think that you mean that even though all the demons inside of you were speaking to you the whole time, driving you on and trying to stop you with attacks of This is bad; this doesnt matter; no one is going to like this  and, like all artists, you started working.

I live with those demons. Theyre my palette. Theyre a part of my cavalcade of characters. Theyre everything. To me, this separation of arts is funny, because theres definitely something to somebody whos grown up in the art world and been schooled and knows how to mix paint and knows the history. You are with what you do. You do it with words now whereas you used to do it with art.

But I failed.

Well, [gesturing to Saltz] he wrote a Pulitzer-winning article that was so self-effacing and open and honest and incredible that he bridged a gap. Youre a bridge because youre an artist and you understand an artist. All you really want is to allow people over that same bridge, to help people to the next level.

Thanks.

I like some of your stuff.

Really? I like some of your stuff.

Yeah. Thats all we can ever hope for, man.

Whats your daily practice like in drawing and painting?

I thought it would go away when I went back to work as an actor. Like, Okay, well this energy is now gonna go into the other thing. But I cant stop drawing. If I wanted to stop, I couldnt.

All artists say that. They cant not do what theyre doing.

The hard part for me is stopping long enough to take care of the business of my life because once I get started, all plans go away. Im free and thats what art is for me. Its presence and freedom in presence. I think the greatest works of art in the world are examples of an artists absolute presence touching the canvas. When the brush hits the canvas or youre sculpting clay, in that moment youre hitting the pond with a rock and the wave goes outward and doesnt stop.

On Twitter, you combine text and images. How does that work?

When I first started playing on Twitter like everybody else, I just got myself in trouble all the time because I was honest, which is a terrible thing to be on Twitter. I became kind of an activist when it comes to a lot of things that I was seeing. There was a lot of pressure from my management: Dont mess this up. Youve got goodwill in the world. People love you. You start talking about politics or whatever issues, youre gonna lose half your audience. I say: lose them.

Wow! Thats great! Ive read so many actors saying they cant express what they really think because their careers will crash. I understand that, but I hate it too.

If 30 percent or 37 percent of this country isnt willing to open their mind to whats going on and see whats right in front of them, this political demon thats controlling us at this moment and his minions, then theres no helping them. You just have to go your way and say your piece and your truth and thats what Ive been trying to do.

So you draw and tweet. Boom! Like that?

There was a pressure to stop, and the first thing I did, which I think was really smart, was give my Twitter to one of my assistants, so I wouldnt make that rash choice in the middle of the night like our president.

Did you draw today?

I did. If youd want to indulge me, I could send one out right now while were all here. [Sends Tweet.] Okay, if you want to look at your phones, somethings going to show up. I think one of the greatest enemies of our democracy is the subject of this tweet.

Bipartisanshit

Lets see  okay, its here! Oh my God. Its Mitch McConnell. And what is the text on this one?

Theres no text on this tweet because I didnt think it was necessary. Here hes in front of a blue wave and is depicted as a turtle. The nerve of a man whos been trying to destroy everything with compassion, everything that weve tried to do thats good for this country. He made us hate each other. Hes a poison in our system and we have to purge. And he has the nerve after all of it, after trying to destroy everything Barack Obama did that was good, after trying to take the health care and give tax breaks to the rich, to come out a couple days ago and ask for bipartisanship.

Say more.

These are not people you can deal with. You cannot be bipartisan with a criminal. A rapist needs to be removed, not negotiated with. And these people are raping our system. Theyre destroying it blatantly in front of us and they have to go. Trump is a melanoma and anybody who covers for him, including Sarah Sanders, is putting makeup on it. The de-emphasizing education, all of it, theyre trying to take our conscientiousness. Whatever youre told by Fox News and the National Enquirer at the cashier in the supermarket  its misinformation. Its Goebbels, man.

When I write all day, I actually have far-right-wing radio on in the background. I use it as adrenaline. Do you?

Yes.

Theyre always angry. When Bush was president, they were pissed off for eight years, then when Obama was president, they were pissed off. Now they control all the branches of government, the Supreme Court, and their Murdoch-owned media network is massive and in the tank for Republicans!

They did everything but hang Obama on the freaking White House lawn and its sickening to me. After watching the far-right-wing yellers and Fox News I burn my clothes and take a hot shower.

Do you follow the presidents Twitter account? I do. But I got blocked by Donald Trump Jr.!

Thats great! But fuck no, I dont follow Trump. Its sickening.

Back to the drawings. Theyre done in heat, with real passion. Theyre fast, but I have to say, your line is very controlled. I see that you go back over things, use Wite-Out very well. Is that what youre doing? No one uses that stuff anymore. You draw and then rip them out of the notebook. A lot of artists get very precious and keep the notebook. So you draw every day.

I do what I used to do when I was a little kid. From the age of 5 till 10, I spent most of my time in my room. I did go out and play, but my room was heaven to me and that feeling of Im gonna figure out the universe in here. The fantasy was Im going to do some poetry and then try to get it published by McGraw-Hill Ryerson. Im gonna get on The Carol Burnett Show, so Im doing impressions and coming up with stuff like that. If someone interrupted my drawing when I was a child, I would have a conniption and break things because I was in the metaphysical womb. As soon as I put a pencil on a page, Im right back at 8 years old, only now Im dealing with something really serious, but in a way that keeps me in my youth. I feel really gifted by it.

Was there art in your life, your father or your mother? Because it seems to me there had to be. I dont know anything about your life.

The amazing gift of this whole thing as well is that  and pardon me if I get misty here  my father was an incredible clown and amazing human being whom if you talked to for five minutes, you knew him for 50 years. Hed do anything for you. Just lovely, incredible, funny. I watched him perform and I thought, Thats a good thing to do. He wrapped people in our home every time they visited. They would leave with pee stains. He handed me all that talent, that ability to perform. Then I realized one day, right in the middle of creating something, that Oh my gosh, Im with my mother now.

What do you mean?

She used to get up in the middle of the night and take these pastels out and have her private world painting and drawing in the middle of the night without three kids screaming at her. She would get lost in her little paintings of tigers and giraffes and things shed put up in our room the next day. It was her peaceful time and she had a great talent for it. Both of them gave me these incredible gifts.

[To the audience] You want to see some of the art right now? Okay:

Space Force

Has your Presidency jumped the shark? Better call SPACE FORCE! To stupidity and beyond!!! https://t.co/NrLGWEFBsI pic.twitter.com/BZqxmJKjv9  Jim Carrey (@JimCarrey) August 10, 2018

The date on this one is August 10 of this year. Whats going on here?

Well, I was struck by the insincerity of Mike Pence. His face is the most insincere thing Ive ever seen in my life. Hes squinting his eyes trying to look like he loves you. Its a hospitality face. What can I do to help you? Let me hold your wallet. Thats him trying to sell us the idea of Space Force.

Lol.

Not since Saturday morning cartoons, you know what I mean? Is Space Ghost gonna be there? My gosh, the Jetsons.

Next image please.

Monster

Some people arent pretending to be monsters. Happy Halloween.  pic.twitter.com/UOH0V4zQfV  Jim Carrey (@JimCarrey) October 31, 2018

This is my Halloween photo. To me, the right wing is a gargoyle cyclops. It only sees in two dimensions. For the right wing its usually What can I have? What can I get? How can I fuck-over these people and get it for myself? Who do I resent? To me thats a very narrow field of vision to live in, so I depicted Trump as a cyclops on Halloween. Theres no perception going on there.

The one-eyed certainty of the right wing. Any issue is either right or wrong. Absolute good or bad. They know for certain. The left believes in paradox, multitudes, contradictions that we all live with all day. That more than one thing can be true at once.

Were dying to negotiate with someone reasonable. Its like the left coming out instantly after the midterms saying, Lets be bipartisan. Well, guess what? Nope. Not with these guys. They dont roll that way. You gotta get rid of these guys. Theyre criminals. They gotta go. And speaking of the midterms: It felt like a star was born, Beto ORourke, a smart, decent guy who very nearly turned Texas blue. There are great things in store for this budding Mr. Smith.

Ive conducted my own straw polls, asking progressives which candidate they prefer. People are all over the map with no consensus at all. Which is fine, I guess, although I admit it makes me get ants in my pants.

I know theres a chance that Hillary might want to run again and theres conflict about that. I dont think she would be a bad president. I have no problems. I believe that she knows what shes doing, but the fact that people are so conflicted about her whether  right or wrong  is a problem and that will lose votes, will lose moderates and swing votes, and Im sorry. I would love to see Beto and Kamala Harris. I think shes fantastic. I think hes a really incredible guy, and I would really love in this decade to be able to vote for somebody who isnt the lesser of the evils.

Like most left-wing people, all I really know about ORourke is the few answers I saw him give at Texas town halls.

I need to hear what he has to say. I like his energy a lot. Its Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. One of my favorite movies growing up. Theres Jimmy Stewart.

Speaking of which, heres a drawing of yours of Jimmy Stewart right here!

My congratulations to the record numbers of women who rose to the challenge of restoring the balance. Also last night a Star was born: Beto ORourke: a smart and decent guy who very nearly turned Texas blue. There are great things in store for this budding Mr. Smith. pic.twitter.com/M0Dd3zS1ph  Jim Carrey (@JimCarrey) November 7, 2018

Thats when Jimmy was fighting for the truth and thats what were doing right now. Were in that movie. Every day when Trump opens his mouth, its like they wheeled in a bunch of mail thats been faked. Every time you get a little bit of fresh air, they fuck it up. They taint it with some other outrageous thing.

During the fires in California Trump blamed the state, basically Tweeting, Its your fault youre on fire because you jerks didnt rake good enough.

Yeah, that was sickening. A terrible, terrible way to do business. First of all, Trump bankrupted everything hes ever done. Seven times. What makes anybody in this country think hes not gonna do the same to us financially, eventually, and morally?

Since you mention corrupting morally and everything Trump touching dying, heres an image of Mayor Giuliani:

Giuliani Doesnt Bleach the Bottom Teeth

In his desperate and neverending quest for significance, bleaching the bottom teeth just wasnt a priority. Giuliani was back! And his breath was badder than ever! pic.twitter.com/oZyCiUiEPX  Jim Carrey (@JimCarrey) May 13, 2018

The guy that doesnt have presence of mind enough to dye the bottom teeth. His mouth is the whole administration in a nutshell. [Audience applause and laughter.] Its fake top teeth that shine like diamonds and just this rotten, diseased root-canal central down there. Its just eating him from within. Tooth decay can cause heart attack and insanity. I think that explains everything.

Just outside the room were in is Stan Lees star on Hollywood Boulevard. Did you study his work or Mad magazine?

Of course. I used to go into this variety store, and I was the kid at the magazine rack trying to fold the secret back-cover page together to find out what the reveal was  and getting yelled at by the guy behind the counter. I lived for that.

Now heres a great drawing of Trump as an escape artist:

The Great Spewdini

Manafort, GUILTY! Cohen, GUILTY! Flynn, Guilty! Gates, Guilty! Whats happening to All the Best People? Ladies and Gentlemen! Children of all ages! Can the Great Spewdini spew enough lies to escape the straight-jacket of his un-Presidented criminality? pic.twitter.com/qLiaEDfsuA  Jim Carrey (@JimCarrey) August 21, 2018

It feels so accurate!

Spewdini. Yes, the great Spewdini who spews lies. I mean thousands of documented lies in two years doesnt lie. How does a human soul do that to themselves? I get sick of even the thought that this guys somehow untouchable. He is beatable. He will be beat. Because were better than him.

This next drawing is really interesting to me because it exists in three different times if you look very carefully at it:

Capitalism With a Conscience

The closest in the foreground is the present, Colin Kaepernick kneeling. Then the two figures in the middle ground giving the Black Power salute are the American Olympic athletes who of course were hated for this in the late 1960s. In the background is Jesse Owens at the 1936 Olympics held in Berlin. A great composition.

There was a big show-off moment for the Aryan race. Owens just kicked their ass, and thats what theyre afraid of.

Hitler walked out.

Busted right through that swastika man. That was a beautiful moment in history. It sickens me that we still have to be here. How long have we even existed with such racial hatred? In America? We still cant get over each others fucking skin color? African-American people gave me my career. They gave me my break. They encouraged me and welcomed me. The community has incredible grace in the face of this cancerous hate. I dont know how they havent burned this country to the ground.

When I went to your show at the Michele Maccarone Gallery, I walked around and asked viewers two questions: Do you usually go to galleries? What do you think of this work?

Accosting people as they came in. Jim Acosta-ing them.

Bada boom. First person I asked said, These give me incredible comfort. They show how angry I am. That was really moving. The next person said, These drawings are showing the other side, how we see them. I hope they can see our pain. Another person said, These are devastatingly on point about America. I found Republicans and they too were touched by your drawings. They didnt say you were some libtard. None of these people went to galleries regularly. All of them could access your work in fairly complex ways. Jim, I wish you would come on to Instagram. Theres more love there!

Instagram is owned by Facebook. I will not be on Instagram. We need to stop these billionaires from destroying our culture. They have no conscience whatsoever and what they did in the 2016 election is just unconscionable and should be punished. I dont think its enough to go Okay, lets just regulate them. We need to regulate them for sure. Billionaires. Shouldnt you be putting your money into the country?

Giving back.

To people who need it. Flint, Michigan, rape kits, education, things like that. Why cant we take care of ourselves? Elon Musk wants to make a rocket ship to Mars. He better make room for the billionaires, man, because if they stick around here much longer this way, their heads are gonna be on sticks.

One last question for you: Who is the hardest Trump administration character to draw, and why?

Theyre all hard to draw, because if Im drawing them, it means theyre still there. And when I say there, I mean standing in the way of progress.

*A version of this article appears in the January 21, 2019, issue of New York Magazine. Subscribe Now!
Harvey Weinstein. Photo: Mark Lennihan/AP/REX/Shutterstock

Harvey Weinsteins new legal team was made official on Friday, though a judge asked him questions relating to how his incoming lawyers had represented Rose McGowan  who has accused Weinstein of rape.

Justice James Burkes decision granting the restructuring of Weinsteins legal team finalized the departure of high-profile lawyer Benjamin Brafman, who had been handling his case. Weinstein and Brafman had purportedly been at odds prior to officially announcing their split last week.

Weinsteins new legal team, announced Wednesday, includes Jose Baez, who defended Casey Anthony; Ronald Sullivan, who defended onetime New England Patriot Aaron Hernandez; and Pamela Robillard Mackey, who defended former Los Angeles Laker Kobe Bryant.

The atmosphere in the courtroom appeared amicable on the defense side after Weinstein, Baez, and Sullivan walked in shortly before 9:30. Brafman, Baez, and Sullivan all shook hands. Brafman and Weinstein also chatted briefly.

During the proceeding green-lighting the change, Burke asked Weinstein about whether he was aware that Baez and Sullivan had defended McGowan for her drug case in Virginia  especially in light of the fact that McGowan said Weinstein might somehow be involved in that prosecution.

Its my understanding that there is a potential conflict of interest involving at least Mr. Baez and Mr. Sullivan  since they have recently represented the actress Rose McGowan, who has been one of your most vocal accusers, is that fair to say?

Yes, Weinstein answered.

Have you discussed it with Mr. Brafman? Burke pressed.

Yes.

Have you discussed it with your new attorneys?

Yes.

Furthermore, at least in a general sense, [McGowan] accused you of having the cocaine planted in her wallet, are you aware of that?

Yes.

Burke also asked about emails that several lawyers had in which Weinstein discussed planting evidence.

Yes, sir.

Brafman later interjected, telling Burke: He was commenting on the absurdity of the allegation, not the truthfulness of the allegation.

It doesnt matter, Burke said. Do you understand that it doesnt matter if you thought it was ridiculous or not?

Yes.

Burke pointed out that if McGowan testified  pointing out that the district attorney doesnt anticipate calling her, but is not in a position to say absolutely that she would never in any circumstance be called  it could create complications for cross-examination.

Do you waive any conflict that might pose? Burke later asked.

Absolutely, Weinstein responded.

This is a major conflict of interest, but I knew there was shadiness going on behind the scenes, McGowan reportedly said to the Daily Beast after they announced that Weinstein had hired them.

Weinstein faces five counts in New York for alleged nonconsensual encounters with two women  Mimi Haleyi and a still-unnamed accuser.

Weinstein had been facing six counts, but Burke agreed in October to dismiss one relating to accuser Lucia Evans, who claimed that Weinstein forced her into oral sex.
Broad City. Photo: Comedy Central

If youve watched the Fyre Festival documentaries on Hulu and Netflix, you may be familiar with Jerry Media, the social-media agency hired to promote the now-infamous event (the company was also a producer on the Netflix doc). Jerry Media first started as the extremely popular @fuckjerry Instagram account, and if youre in the comedy world, youve been very familiar with FuckJerry since long before the idea of Fyre Festival was even conceived.

Alongside Instagram star Josh Ostrovsky, a.k.a. The Fat Jew, FuckJerrys rise to social-media stardom was built on stolen jokes  or as both account creators like to call it, curating jokes. Like Ostrovsky, the man behind FuckJerry, Elliot Tebele, has managed to attain over 14 million Instagram followers by passing Twitter jokes and memes off as his own  the general style being screenshots with proper attribution (most commonly, Twitter usernames) conveniently cropped out. Ostrovsky and Tebeles long-running joke theft has been called out and covered extensively by comedians and writers over the years, so more recently, the accounts have included attribution, presumably to ward off further criticism. Still, they both continue to reap the rewards built from other peoples work, with Ostrovsky landing a book deal and his own wine brand and Tebele evolving FuckJerry into a marketing agency that has run ads by Burger King, Bumble, DirecTV, and Jack in the Box, making as much as $30,000 per post.

So, okay, fine  life is unfair, jokes get stolen all the time, and its unlikely a lot of the brands that have hired Jerry Media are even aware of how many comedians Tebele and crew have ripped off over the years. But it feels particularly egregious to see the latest series of ads FuckJerry has been posting this month  promoting Comedy Central shows. Broad City, Corporate, and The Other Two have all gotten their own FuckJerry Instagram ads over the past two weeks, and to twist the knife for comedians everywhere, theyre all formatted like the stolen jokes Tebele used to post regularly:

Theres just something about advertising on an Instagram account that got successful for posting stolen jokes  and spending ad money to run sponsored posts stylized like stolen jokes, no less  that feels antithetical to everything Comedy Central stands for, especially considering that the network likely employs comedians and writers who have had their jokes stolen by FuckJerry at some point. Comedy Central did not respond in time for publication when we reached out for comment, but maybe the advertising team just isnt aware of FuckJerrys (well-documented) past? Perhaps that will change now that FuckJerrys relation to one of the biggest pop-cultural scams in recent history is back in the news, but judging from how long theyve gotten away with their other scam, it seems unlikely.

Update, February 1: Today, all of Comedy Centrals ads were removed from the FuckJerry Instagram page. Comedy Central requested to have any existing ads pulled from the FuckJerry account, a spokesperson for the network confirmed when reached for comment. We have no plans to advertise with Jerry Media in the future. Presumably, Comedy Central did some digging into FuckJerrys past and present shady behavior and decided to take action. Turns out there is hope for those who want joke thieves to stop getting advertising dollars after all.

Update, February 3: In a statement published on Medium, Tebele announced an overhaul of how FuckJerry curates and obtains content for its social media channels. Going forward, content will not be republished on FuckJerry accounts unless Tebele can 1) Identify the original creator, and 2) Obtain explicit, advanced consent from the creator. It is clear that attribution is no longer sufficient, so permission will become the new policy, he wrote. As the social media landscape changes, we know our policies will have to continue to evolve, and we look forward to engaging with our followers and Instagram in conversations about these important issues. We want to apologize to anyone who feels we have wronged them in the past. We want to do the right thing by creators by seeking permission and giving them the credit they deserve.

Update, February 6: Another brand that has worked with FuckJerry in the past has now confirmed that its severed ties with the company. According to a source close to dating app Bumble, the company has not worked with FuckJerry in over a year and has no plans to work with them moving forward.
Orpo on Thursday told Verkkouutiset, the official mouthpiece of the National Coalition Party, that the party will not enforce party discipline in the eventual vote on the long-discussed and much-criticised reform bill in the Finnish Parliament.

PETTERI Orpo (NCP), the Minister of Finance, has issued a statement that some believe could be the final nail in the coffin for the social, health care and regional government reform.

Were not planning on enforcing party discipline, but well naturally keep working to make sure that if and when the bill is finalised everyone can accept it, he stated.

I think that if this piece of legislation survives all these challenges and brought to the session hall of the Parliament, itll take a lot from representatives to be part of thwarting an issue thats the result of such extensive preparatory work and that has passed through committees in the Parliament.

Paavo Arhinmaki (Left Alliance) responded to the statement on Twitter: Looks like the deputy prime minister put in the final nail for the care reform. Its difficult to see how anyone from Helsinki could vote for the reform.

The reform bill has come under criticism particularly in the capital, most noticeably from Mayor Jan Vapaavuori (NCP).

The chances of the reform bill passing took yet another blow recently, as Maria Lohela announced she will withdraw her support for the bill as part of her switch from the Blue Reform to Now Movement. The ruling three-party coalition is thus believed to have a one-vote majority in the Finnish Parliament, with Speaker of the Parliament Paula Risikko (NCP) unable to vote and Susanna Koski (NCP) and Elina Lepomaki presumably voting against the bill.

Orpo on Thursday admitted to Verkkouutiset that some of his fellow party members may vote against the bill.

Its possible. But as Ive said, were still working on this and well naturally look at what the final proposal looks like. Well comment on it and strive for unanimity, of course, explained Orpo.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT

Source: Uusi Suomi
Zimbabwe's diaspora in the USA gathered outside their embassy in DC on Friday, to show their displeasure at the violence taking place in Zimbabwe. The citizens plan to present a paper petition to Zimbabwe's Ambassador to the US., and also an online petition to several U.S. Congress members.
HARARE - Some citizens in Zimbabwe say the country resembles a war zone. They want President Emmerson Mnangagwa to rein in military forces, which reportedly continue assaulting Zimbabweans a week after the country's protests over a fuel price hike.

One 41-year-old woman says she was assaulted Sunday as she was walking with her husband and their two children. A gun butt was used, she says. Her right elbow was broken, and her husband can't walk because he was struck in the back.

"It is an indirect war situation," she said. "But they are fighting with people who are not armed, but they [the army] will be armed. I wish they could stop it. So many people have been injured and fear to go seek medication. The moment it gets to 5 p.m., we lock our doors, because if they meet you after 6 p.m. in the streets, they will assault you. But if you are unlucky, even around 2 p.m. they can come assault you indoors. We are having sleepless nights."

It appears as if there is a return to normalcy in It appears as if there is a return to normalcy in the capital, Harare, after last weeks violent protests, some Zimbabweans do not think so. It appears as if there is a return to normalcy in the capital, Harare, after last weeks violent protests, some Zimbabweans do not think so.

The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission said heavy-handedness and the use of live ammunition by military forces to quash the protests have resulted in eight deaths. Mnangagwa tweeted that heads would "roll" among security forces for any brutality.

But late Wednesday his spokesman, George Charamba, defended Zimbabwe's security forces.

"There is a fundamental question to ask here: Why so indulgently condone violence that we saw gratuitously visit on this society? Why do that?" Charamba said. "When that happens, the authority of the state is in question. And I can assure you, if the authority of the state is in question, the state has an obligation to demonstrate that it exists to ensure law and order. And that is what happened."

But the 41-year-old woman with the broken elbow has a message for Mnangagwa, who is also Zimbabwe's commander in chief.

"I am appealing to him to tell the army not to beat up innocent people, because we now fear to stay even in our homes because anytime soldiers can come, fire tear gas through windows if people do not open doors. Innocent children are being affected. We now live in fear of being assaulted for no reason," she said.

Dewa Mavhinga, the southern Africa director at Human Rights Watch, said Charamba "totally missed the point."

Dewa Mavhinga, the southern Africa director at Hum Dewa Mavhinga, the southern Africa director at Human Rights Watch, says the Zimbabwe army should stay in barracks since the county is not in a state of emergency. Dewa Mavhinga, the southern Africa director at Human Rights Watch, says the Zimbabwe army should stay in barracks since the county is not in a state of emergency.

"What needs to happen, if there are protests that turned violent, police must do its duty of maintaining law and order, and not the excessive use of force that we saw last week, which included the use of live ammunition on protesters leading to the killing of at least 12 people," Mavhinga said. "President Emmerson Mnangagwa should remove the soldiers from the streets and policing because Zimbabwe is not in a state of emergency. No state of emergency has been declared."

Army spokesman Alphios Makotore released a statement Thursday saying his organization had noted "with concern allegations of misconduct and acts of violence by people purporting to be members of the organization. The actions by these bogus elements have subsequently put the image of the organization into disrepute."

He asked citizens to report such people to the military police.
ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN - As peace talks between the United States and Afghan Taliban enter a crucial stage, the Taliban leadership has announced a new chief negotiator, a man named Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar.

According to a statement issued Thursday night by Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid, the action is intended to "strengthen and properly handle" the ongoing dialogue.

The change has signaled to many that the negotiations have progressed beyond any contact between the two sides in the past. Here is a look at why.

Who is Mullah Baradar?

Baradar, also known as Mullah Baradar Akhund, is one of the founding members of the Taliban movement. He was present in its first meeting headed by Taliban chief Mullah Omar in the autumn of 1994, in a village in Maiwand district of Kandahar province.

FILE - In this undated image released by the FBI, FILE - In this undated image released by the FBI, Mullah Omar is seen in a wanted poster. FILE - In this undated image released by the FBI, Mullah Omar is seen in a wanted poster.

Known primarily as a military man and an astute commander, Baradar was sent to what was considered the most difficult places. As the Taliban solidified and expanded its hold on Afghanistan in the mid- to late 1990s, Baradar held many important posts in the government, fighting on various fronts. He became the governor of Herat at a time when fighting was fierce.

As a trusted companion of Mullah Omar, Baradar was third in line in the Taliban hierarchy. The second in line, Mullah Obaidullah Akhund, later died in a prison in Pakistan.

"He was always there. He was in every important meeting," said journalist Rahimullah Yousufzai, who has covered the region for decades.

When the Taliban government fell in 2001, Baradar was the deputy minister of defense. He was immediately listed as one of the top Taliban commanders on a U.N. Security Council sanctions list. Out of power and on the run, he continued to serve in important roles in the organization. After Obaidullah Akhund was taken into custody, Baradar took over as head of the Taliban Supreme Council, also known as Quetta Shura.

Mullah Akhtar Monsour, the man who became the head of the Taliban after Mullah Omar died, was previously a deputy to Baradar, according to the U.N. records.

FILE - Mullah Akhtar Mansoor, leader of the Afghan FILE - Mullah Akhtar Monsour, leader of the Afghan Taliban, is seen in this undated handout photo from the Taliban. FILE - Mullah Akhtar Monsour, leader of the Afghan Taliban, is seen in this undated handout photo from the Taliban.

"If he [Baradar] was not in custody, I think he would have been the leader after Mullah Omar died," Yousufzai said, adding that in many ways, he is considered as important as the current chief Mawlawi Hibatullah Akhundzada. Akhundzada has also appointed him his deputy for political affairs.

Baradar was taken into custody in 2010 from Karachi in a joint raid by Pakistani and American security operatives.

"At the time of his arrest, he was the effective No. 2 in the movement and the de facto operational chief of the insurgency," wrote Kate Klark in her piece for the Afghanistan Analysts Network, a Kabul-based research organization.

"His wife is Mullah Omar's sister. He controlled the money. He was launching some of the deadliest attacks against our security forces," an Afghan official who did not want to be named told the BBC at the time of Baradar's arrest.

According to United Nations Security Council documents, Baradar was born in 1968 in Yatimak village, Dehrawood district, Uruzgan province, Afghanistan. He was part of the Popalzai branch of the Durrani tribe, the same as former Afghan President Hamid Karzai.

What difference does he make?

The appointment of Baradar as the chief negotiator will likely bring additional credibility to the negotiation process and assuage any concerns of the Taliban cadre fighting on the ground, according to people who watch the region closely.

"Someone who is from Kandahar or southern Afghanistan usually gets importance among the Taliban. Secondly, they have more credibility. If you want to get the political process more acceptance among the cadre on the ground, it's helpful," said Tahir Khan, a journalist who has sources among the Taliban.

Baradar was released from a prison in Pakistan last October at the insistence of Zalmay Khalilzad, the special representative for Afghanistan reconciliation who is leading the negotiations from the American side.

"When they started talking to Taliban, the Taliban raised this issue whenever there was any contact with the Americans," Yousufzai said.

On one hand, the Americans wanted to facilitate the Taliban to move the process forward. On the other hand, they also wanted the Taliban's Qatar office to be empowered to make decisions. They wanted to "negotiate with the most important people among the Taliban," according to Yousufzai. Baradar's release fulfilled that dual purpose.
A look at where investigations related to President Donald Trump stand and what may lie ahead for him.

What's this all about?

Trump is facing investigations in Washington and New York.

Special counsel Robert Mueller is looking into whether the Trump campaign coordinated with Russia and whether the president obstructed the investigation. Trump also plays a central role in a separate case in New York, where prosecutors have implicated him in a crime. They say Trump directed his personal lawyer Michael Cohen to make illegal hush-money payments to two women as a way to quash potential sex scandals during the campaign.

What do I need to know?

Roger Stone, a confidant of President Donald Trump and former campaign adviser, was arrested Friday morning and charged with lying to Congress and obstruction.

Stone was charged in a seven-count indictment that includes witness tampering, obstruction and false statements. He was arrested at his home in Florida during a pre-dawn FBI raid. Stone is scheduled to appear in court later Friday.

Roger Stone, a confidant of President Donald Trump FILE - Roger Stone, a confidant of President Donald Trump, enters the House Judiciary Committee hearing room on Capitol Hill in Washington, Dec. 11, 2018. FILE - Roger Stone, a confidant of President Donald Trump, enters the House Judiciary Committee hearing room on Capitol Hill in Washington, Dec. 11, 2018.

The indictment provides the most detail to date about how Trump campaign associates were aware in the summer of 2016 that emails had been stolen from the Hillary Clinton campaign. It alleges unnamed senior Trump campaign officials contacted Stone to ask when the stolen emails might be disclosed.

Court documents lay out Stone's conversations about the stolen emails posted by WikiLeaks in the weeks before Trump defeated Clinton.

Stone is also accused of making false statements to the House intelligence committee.

He has been under scrutiny for months but has maintained his innocence.

Meanwhile, in Washington, Trump's former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, makes his first court appearance in months as prosecutors and defense lawyers argue over whether he intentionally lied to investigators.

Mueller's office says Manafort breached his plea deal by repeatedly making false statements after he began cooperating with them in September. Manafort's lawyers say he simply had an inconsistent recollection of facts and events from several years ago. They also say he suffers from depression and anxiety.

So ... Did the Trump campaign collude with Russia?

There is no smoking gun when it comes to the question of Russia collusion. But the evidence so far shows that a broad range of Trump associates had Russia-related contacts during the 2016 presidential campaign and transition period, and several lied about the communication.

There is also evidence that some people in the president's orbit were discussing a possible email dump from WikiLeaks before it occurred. American intelligence agencies and Mueller have said Russia was the source of hacked material released by WikiLeaks during the campaign that was damaging to Hillary Clinton's presidential effort.

Other questions to consider:

What about obstruction of justice? That is another unresolved question that Mueller is pursuing. Investigators have examined key episodes such as Trump's firing of former FBI Director James Comey and his fury over the recusal from the investigation of former Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

What does Trump have to say about all this? Trump has repeatedly slammed the Mueller investigation as a "witch hunt" and insisted there was "NO COLLUSION" with Russia. He also says his former lawyer, Cohen, lied to get a lighter sentence in New York.
The U.S. Coast Guard was searching for a missing crew member from a Royal Caribbean ship early Friday after witnesses reported seeing the 26-year-old man fall overboard Thursday morning off the southern coast of Florida, multiple media accounts reported.

Exactly a month ago, another Royal Caribbean crew member went overboard in the Atlantic, off Puerto Rico, and was never found.

A spokesperson for Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd was not available for comment early Friday. Neither was a spokesperson for the U.S. Coast Guard 7th District, which patrols the Florida coast.

At about 2:30 a.m. Thursday, as the Majesty of the Seas ship was about 37 miles off the Florida coast and headed for Port Everglades, fellow crew members said they saw the man going overboard, a cruise line spokesman told the Miami Herald and other media. The man was not immediately identified.

Officers on the Miami-based ship immediately notified the U.S. Coast Guard and also began a search, the spokesperson said.

The Coast Guard took over the search about 7 a.m. and the cruise ship continued into port.

The crewman lost in December from Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas was 20-year-old Briton Aaron Hough.

Hough was a cast member of the musical Grease, which was being performed onboard the ship, according to the Miami Herald.
The United States and British governments say they will deny visas and impose other penalties on anyone who attempts to encourage or use violence to influence Nigeria's elections.

In simultaneous statements from their embassies in Abuja, both nations expressed strong support for free, fair and peaceful elections in Nigeria. The presidential election is set for Feb. 16; state-level elections are scheduled two weeks later, on March 2.

The statements, released Thursday, declared the Nigerian people should be able to choose their leaders in an environment free from hate speech and insecurity.

FILE - A woman casts her vote during a local gover FILE - A woman casts her vote during a local government election in Lagos, Nigeria, July 22, 2017. The United States and Britain issued warnings against anyone who attempts violence or disruption during the 2019 elections. FILE - A woman casts her vote during a local government election in Lagos, Nigeria, July 22, 2017. The United States and Britain issued warnings against anyone who attempts violence or disruption during the 2019 elections.

Similarly, the U.S. embassy noted the United States government supports a genuinely free, fair, transparent and peaceful electoral process, not any specific candidate or party in Nigeria's upcoming elections.

Both countries issued stern warnings against anyone who attempts violence or disruption. The United States says violations  such as election-related violence or undermining the democratic process  could bring consequences including visa restrictions. Those restrictions could also be applied to family members.

Britain says it also continues to provide significant support to Nigeria's Independent National Electoral Commission and to Nigerian civil society groups to help them deliver credible elections. It will deploy its own extensive observer mission and will coordinate with European Union observers, as well.

It warns that anyone found undermining Nigeria's elections could not only lose their eligibility to travel to Britain but also could have their investments in Britain frozen and prosecuted under international law.

The elections are consequential because Nigeria is Africa's most populous country, with roughly 203 million people, many of them young and underemployed. Despite having the continent's largest economy, poverty remains widespread in Nigeria.
Roger Stone, a former campaign adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump, was released on a $250,000 bond Friday, hours after being arrested on several criminal charges stemming from the special counsel's investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. national election.

Greatest Witch Hunt in the History of our Country! NO COLLUSION! Border Coyotes, Drug Dealers and Human Traffickers are treated better. Who alerted CNN to be there?  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 25, 2019

Leaving the courtroom Friday, Stone told reporters and protesters that he had been "falsely accused".

"I will plead not guilty to these charges, I will defeat them in court. I believe this is a politically-motivated investigation," he said, affirming his commitment to President Trump.

"I have made it clear that I will not testify against the president, because I would have to bear false witness against him," he said against a backdrop of protesters chanting "lock him up."

After his remarks, Stone paused and turned back to the crowd with both arms in the air - a pose once made by President Richard Nixon as he left the White House in disgrace. Stone once worked for Nixon.

Federal agents arrested Stone early Friday in the southeastern state of Florida after a federal grand jury indicted him for making false statements, obstruction of justice, and witness tampering.

Stone did not enter a plea in the Fort Lauderdale court Friday morning. Magistrate Judge Lurana Snow told Stone that he could not travel outside of South Florida, Washington, D.C., or New York, and was not to be in contact with witnesses.

Stone has previously denied any wrongdoing. He is the sixth Trump associate to be charged in the Special Counsel's investigation.

Who Is Roger Stone? Roger Stone, the Republican political operative indicted Friday by the grand jury investigating Russian election interference, is a longtime friend and confidante of President Donald Trump who helped pave the way for the real estate moguls unforeseen ascent to the White House.A self-described dirty trickster with a taste for loud suits and colorful language, Stone, 66, has known Trump since the late 1970s when Stone, a young veteran of Richard Nixons 1972 re-election team, was campaigning for Roger Stone, the Republican political operative indicted Friday by the grand jury investigating Russian election interference, is a longtime friend and confidante of President Donald Trump who helped pave the way for the real estate moguls unforeseen ascent to the White House.A self-described dirty trickster with a taste for loud suits and colorful language, Stone, 66, has known Trump since the late 1970s when Stone, a young veteran of Richard Nixons 1972 re-election team, was campaigning for

Hours after Stone's arrest, Trump's former campaign chair Paul Manafort appeared in court for the first time in months, challenging allegations that he breached his plea deal and lied to investigators.

Special counsel prosecutor Andrew Weissmann said that he did not currently intend to charge Manafort with additional crimes related to the breach.

Special Counsel Robert Mueller's team is investigating Russia's interference in the 2016 election, and the allegations against Manafort raise the possibility that information he provided helped Russia's efforts. The U.S. intelligence community has assessed that Russia worked to undermine the election with a clear preference for Trump to win.

U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence said Friday that Stone was indicted "for covering up his engagements with Wikileaks", an organization that U.S. intelligence officials have designated as a hostile intelligence service, in relation to the public release of emails stolen by Russia.

"It is clear from this indictment that those contacts happened at least with the full knowledge of, and appear to have been encouraged by, the highest levels of the Trump campaign," Warner said in a statement.

The White House said early Friday that that Stone's indictment had nothing to do with Trump.

"The charges brought against Mr. Stone have nothing to do with the president, has nothing to do with White House," White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said in an interview with CNN. "The president did nothing wrong."



WATCH: Sanders responds to Stone indictment

Stone faces scrutiny for implying during the election campaign he had inside knowledge of data obtained by hackers that could embarrass Democrats, including Trump's rival for the White House, Hillary Clinton. In the indictment, U.S. prosecutors allege Stone had sent and received numerous emails and text messages in which he discussed "Organization 1, its head, and its possession of hacked emails."

Organization 1 was not revealed in court documents but matches the description of WikiLeaks, which is dedicated to publishing secret and classified information provided by anonymous sources.

The indictment does not accuse Stone of coordinating with Russia in its interference in the election. But Special Counsel Robert Mueller has said those emails, belonging to Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta, were hacked by Russian intelligence officers.
One White House aide mused that the shutdown was like a paid vacation for some furloughed workers. President Donald Trump's daughter-in-law said employees' "little bit of pain" was worth it for the good of the country. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross questioned why cash-poor workers were using food banks instead of taking out loans.



The president himself says workers simply need to "make adjustments."



With hundreds of thousands of federal workers going without pay during the monthlong partial government shutdown, Trump and his team, which includes the wealthiest Cabinet ever assembled, have struggled to deliver a full dose of empathy for those who are scraping to get by.

President Donald Trump arrives with Vice Presiden President Donald Trump arrives with Vice President Mike Pence to attend a Senate Republican policy lunch on Capitol Hill in Washington. President Donald Trump arrives with Vice President Mike Pence to attend a Senate Republican policy lunch on Capitol Hill in Washington.

Ross set off howls when he was asked on CNBC on Thursday about reports that some of the 800,000 workers currently not receiving paychecks were going to homeless shelters to get food.



"Well, I know they are, and I don't really quite understand why," he said. "The obligations that they would undertake, say borrowing from a bank or a credit union, are, in effect, federally guaranteed. So the 30 days of pay that some people will be out ... there's no real reason why they shouldn't be able to get a loan against it."



In a subsequent interview with Bloomberg, Ross said he was "painfully aware" that workers were suffering hardships. He added that in his earlier remarks, he'd been trying to let workers know that credit union loans were available for those "experiencing liquidity crises" - hardly the language of those living paycheck to paycheck.



It all contributed to perceptions that the Trump administration was out of touch with workers bearing the brunt of the shutdown impact.

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., talks Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., talks to reporters on Capitol Hill, Jan. 24, 2019. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., talks to reporters on Capitol Hill, Jan. 24, 2019.

"Is this the `Let them eat cake' kind of attitude?" said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. "Or call your father for money?" With that, the speaker evoked Marie Antoinette and took an indirect jab at Trump for inheriting family money to launch his business career.



Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said Ross' comments "reveal the administration's callous indifference toward the federal workers it is treating as pawns." He added: "Secretary Ross, they just can't call their stock broker and ask them to sell some of their shares."



Deeming air traffic controllers who are calling in sick "disappointing," Ross said that workers will eventually get their pay and that there is no reason why a loan would not be a reasonable option for workers who have been staring at zeros on their pay statements.



"Now, true, the people might have to pay a little bit of interest, but the idea that it's paycheck or zero is not a really valid idea," said Ross, whose financial disclosure forms reveal $700 million in assets.



The president said he hadn't seen Ross's comments but added: "I do understand perhaps he should have said it differently."



Trump said the commerce secretary's point was that grocery stores, banks and other local entities were "working along" with federal employees to ease the shutdown's impact. He added that Ross has "done a great job."

White House chief economic adviser Larry Kudlow ta White House chief economic adviser Larry Kudlow talks with reporters at the White House. White House chief economic adviser Larry Kudlow talks with reporters at the White House.

Other Trump officials have been more effective in conveying their sympathies for those affected by the shutdown.



"Nobody, including myself, likes the hardship caused, the temporary hardship caused by the government shutdown," Larry Kudlow, director of the National Economic Council, said Thursday. "I have young people on my staff, devoted young people. You know, when you're 28 years old, you don't save a lot. I get that, and I think a lot of people have to get through this."



Trump, for his part, has repeatedly maintained, without providing evidence, that federal workers support the need for a border wall even if it means going without a paycheck. The president did not mention the furloughed workers during his Oval Office address to the nation earlier this month and has said that government employees "will make adjustments" to get by.



Asked Thursday what his message to furloughed workers was, Trump said: "I love them. I respect them. I really appreciate the great job they're doing." He continued to insist that "many of those people that are not getting paid are totally in favor of what we're doing because they know the future of this country is dependent on having a strong border."



Kevin Hassett, chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers, said early in the shutdown that some furloughed employees were, "in some sense, they're better off" because people who were already taking vacation over the holidays ultimately would not be charged for their already-planned trip. Hassett has since said that his remarks were taken out of context.

FILE - Lara Trump, during a campaign rally for his FILE - Lara Trump, during a campaign rally for his father-in-law, President Donald Trump. FILE - Lara Trump, during a campaign rally for his father-in-law, President Donald Trump.

Lara Trump, the president's daughter-in-law and campaign aide, said this week that for the furloughed workers, "It is a little bit of pain, but it's going to be for the future of our country."



On Thursday, she tried to explain the comment, insisting to Fox News that "I am incredibly empathetic towards anyone right now without a paycheck" and blaming the mainstream media for misrepresenting her message.


COLOMBO, SRI LANKA - Sri Lankan rights activists, lawmakers and relatives of slain and disappeared journalists held a vigil over their abductions and killings, demanding the government expedite investigations.

Freddie Gamage, an organizer of the vigil Thursday, said that despite being in power for four years, the current government has miserably failed to fulfill its promise to punish those responsible for attacks on journalists.

President Maithripala Sirisena came into power in 2015, promising to end a culture of impunity and ensure justice for the slain journalists. Under Sirisenas predecessor, Mahinda Rajapaksa, dozens of journalists were killed, abducted and tortured. Some fled the country, fearing for their lives.

In some cases, military officers were arrested and released on bail.

A group of Maldivians hold posters of disappeared FILE - A group of Maldivians hold posters of disappeared Maldivian journalist Ahmed Rilwan Abdulla as they mark the "International Day of the Disappeared" in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Aug. 28, 2018. FILE - A group of Maldivians hold posters of disappeared Maldivian journalist Ahmed Rilwan Abdulla as they mark the "International Day of the Disappeared" in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Aug. 28, 2018.

?Dozens killed

Gamage said 44 journalists and media workers were killed between 2006 and 2015, during the Rajapaksa presidency. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, 11 journalists were killed in the same period, including five who were targeted for murder and whose cases remain unsolved.

Investigations have been launched only into two or three cases, but so far those probes too have not been concluded and culprits have not been punished, he said. All the other cases of attacks on journalists have been totally neglected by the authorities.

Ajith Perera, a lawmaker and government minister, lamented the slow progress of the investigations on attacks on journalists.

None of those responsible for attacks on media have been punished. The government should be ashamed, he said.

In the past, the government has said the investigations are handled by police and that they will not interfere.

Sit-in protest

Separately on Thursday, Sandya Ekneligoda, the wife of abducted journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda, staged a sit-in protest in front of the presidents office, demanding his administration bring to justice the perpetrators responsible for her husbands disappearance nine years ago on Jan. 24.

Ekneligoda, a journalist and cartoonist, wrote about corruption and nepotism and Rajapaksas leadership of the military campaign against the Tamil Tiger rebels. He was abducted two days before a 2010 presidential election in which he actively supported Rajapaksas rival. Several military intelligence officials have been arrested in connection with his disappearance but they have been bailed out.

Most of the killings and attacks on journalists took place during Sri Lankas civil war, which ended in 2009, after the government troops defeated the Tamil Tiger rebels who fought for a separate state for the ethnic minority Tamils.

Both the government and the rebels were accused of killing and abducting critics.
MADRID - The search for a two-year-old Spanish boy who fell into a narrow well Jan. 13 entered its riskiest phase Thursday as miners went down a new 60-meter (197-foot) parallel shaft to start digging across to the well.

There have been no signs of life since the boy, Julen, fell into the borehole as his family walked through a private estate in Totalan in southern Spain. Rescuers found the well was blocked with earth, raising fears soil had collapsed onto the child.

"Members of the Mines Rescue Brigade sent from Asturias [region] have just accessed the vertical well to start excavation ... in the search for Julen," said regional government representative Alfonso Celis at the site.

Julen's parents embrace during a vigil as a rescue Julen's parents embrace during a vigil as a miner rescue team descends into a drilled well at the area where Julen, a Spanish two-year-old boy, fell into a deep well 11 days ago when the family was taking a stroll through a private estate, in Totalan, southern Spain, Jan. 24, 2019. Julen's parents embrace during a vigil as a miner rescue team descends into a drilled well at the area where Julen, a Spanish two-year-old boy, fell into a deep well 11 days ago when the family was taking a stroll through a private estate, in Totalan, southern Spain, Jan. 24, 2019.

Miners working in rotating shifts will dig a 4-meter passage with picks and pneumatic hammers from the bottom of the shaft toward the borehole, which is 100 meters (300 feet) deep and just 25 cm wide.

Children and families have been holding candlelight vigils across Spain in support of the missing boy and of the massive rescue operation, even as hopes of finding him alive have faded with each passing day.

Engineers and miners have worked for 10 days in a row but have run into various technical problems while drilling a shaft parallel to the well.

"No miner is left in a mine, and Julen is now considered a miner," Juan Lopez Escobar, one of the engineers in charge of the rescue operation, was quoted as saying by EFE news agency. "Whatever may have happened, a miner is always pulled out."

He told reporters earlier that digging the horizontal passage would be the most dangerous part of the effort.

El Pais reported that Julen's parents suffered another tragedy in 2017 when their three-year-old son died suddenly after suffering a cardiac arrest while walking along a beach.
The latest labour market survey conducted by the statistical institution indicates that 84,000 people  56,000 men and 28,000 women  joined the ranks of the employed between December 2017 and December 2018, raising the total number of employed people to 2,553,000.

THE TREND of the employment rate stood at 72.5 per cent in Finland in December, according to Statistics Finland.

Sami Pakarinen, the chief economist at the Confederation of Finnish Industries (EK), on Thursday stated that the newly released statistics are great particularly because they show that employment is on the rise among 2534-year-old men.

Employment is increasing rapidly particularly among 2534-year-old men. Decembers figures are the highest since 2008, he commented on Twitter.

Timo Vesala, the chief economist at Savings Bank Finland, similarly called attention to how the employment situation has developed for young men, highlighting that the employment rate did not rise as rapidly for any other demographic.

Statistics Finland on Thursday also reported that the trend of the unemployment rate fell to 6.6 per cent in Finland in December. The ranks of the jobless, it reported, fell by 82,000 from the previous year to 146,000, with men accounting for 72,000 and women for 74,000 of the unemployed.

Raising the employment rate from 68 to 72 per cent was one of the key objectives of the government of Prime Minister Juha Sipila (Centre).

I dont think any economist was expecting such a positive employment development, commented Olli Karkkainen, an economist at Nordea. A couple of years ago, it was deemed unlikely that the 72 per cent target for employment could be met. Also I did not consider it realistic. Im glad I was wrong on this issue.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT

Source: Uusi Suomi
Things are already tough for Victoria Mickleburgh, whose 3-year-old daughter Grace, has Type 1 diabetes and needs insulin every day to stay alive.

Mickleburgh, 38, gave up her job as a management consultant to care for her daughter, who must be monitored constantly, even in the middle of the night, to make sure her blood sugar levels are steady. Every time Grace has so much as a cookie, Vicki needs to check her.

So for this family in southeastern England, the question of whether insulin and the equipment needed to deliver it will be available if Britain leaves the European Union without a Brexit agreement is more than just a political debate. Unlike produce or machinery, a delay in the supply of drugs from continental Europe could have dire consequences.

Its a life or death situation, Mickleburgh said. The constant talk about a no-deal Brexit and the havoc it could cause in trade with the EU is making her nervous. You dont want the additional stress or worry of where her next vial of insulin is going to come from.

Mickleburghs stress highlights a problem for everyone in this country. Britains pending departure from the EU comes at a time when drug supplies are stretched because of market forces that have little to do with Brexit. Now pharmacists and drugmakers are concerned that shortages of life-saving medicines may occur if Britain cant negotiate an agreement to facilitate trade after March 29, the day it is scheduled to leave the bloc.

FILE - Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May leaves FILE - Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May leaves a cabinet meeting at Downing Street in London, Jan. 15, 2019. FILE - Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May leaves a cabinet meeting at Downing Street in London, Jan. 15, 2019.

?Planning for a no-deal Brexit

The risk of a no-deal Brexit is increasing as Prime Minister Theresa May tries to push ahead with the draft agreement she negotiated with the EU after it was overwhelmingly defeated by Parliament. While opposition leaders have demanded that the government reject the possibility of a no-deal departure, May says this would weaken her negotiating position.



Against this backdrop, the government has stepped up planning for the disruptions that are likely to be caused if 45 years of free trade end abruptly March 29, triggering border checks that could cause lengthy delays at the English Channel ports that are the gateway to trade with the EU. Pharmaceutical companies are building up stockpiles of drugs in Britain and insist they are ready for disruption.

Despite the industry doing everything it can (to prepare) for no deal, the complexity of no deal means there will be stresses in the system, said Mike Thompson, chief executive of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry, which represents drugmakers who supply more than 80 percent of branded medicines to the National Health Service. This is a challenge for everybody.

Stockpiling not enough

But stockpiling isnt enough to ensure long-term supplies because two-thirds of the medicines consumed in the U.K. come from the continent and 90 percent of that is shipped on trucks through three chokepoints: Calais in France and the ports of Dover and Folkestone in Britain.



Drug companies are pushing the British government to open other ports for their use. There are plans to lease additional ferries and the government has proposed airlifting drugs if necessary.

The government recognizes the vital importance of medicines and medical products and is working to ensure that there is sufficient roll-on, roll-off freight capacity to enable these vital products to continue to move freely into the U.K., Health Secretary Matt Hancock said a statement, adding that medicines would be given priority over other things.



Consumers wonder whether the government is doing enough. Much of the focus has been on drugs that require strict temperature controls and are most at risk from long delays on hot summer days. Insulin, for example, must be stored at between 2 degrees and 8 degrees Celsius (35.6 degrees to 46.4 degrees Fahrenheit).

Novo Nordisk, a Danish company that is Britains biggest insulin provider, has made expanding storage capacity one of its primary goals. The company says it has a 16-week supply of insulin in Britain, more than double the normal seven weeks, and it plans to increase that to 18 weeks within the next few months.



In the event of a no deal Brexit, then the replenishment of the stock is the really key thing here, said Pinder Sahota, general manager of Novo Nordisk in the U.K. He says the company has booked air freights and looking to transport through additional ports.

Shortages not Brexit related

Britain is already experiencing shortages of some drugs for reasons not to do with Brexit, including manufacturing problems, increasing global demand and price pressures. The Department of Health agreed to pay a premium for 80 generic drugs that were in short supply last month, up from less than 50 in October.



Graham Phillips, superintendent pharmacist at Manor Pharmacy Group in Wheathampstead, north of London, said anxiety is increasing because of Brexit. People in his village, where many are elderly, are already calling the pharmacy because of concerns about supplies.



I have no confidence that this can be managed on this scale, he said. Its an enormous undertaking. The idea that you can stockpile the whole of the NHS drug bill for a six-month period, which is billions of pounds, and you can manage logistics, I think thats cloud cuckoo land.
BELGRADE, SERBIA - Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic announced the arrest of the mayor of a Belgrade suburb on Friday in connection with an attack on a journalist that has become a cause for protesters during nearly two months of anti-government demonstrations.



Vucic, a former ultranationalist who has become an advocate of closer ties with the West, is facing weekly demonstrations from opposition groups that accuse him of increasingly authoritarian rule. More protests are planned for Saturday.



Opposition parties and their backers accuse Vucic and his Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) of stifling media freedoms and carrying out attacks on political opponents and journalists.



Demonstrators have been angered in particular by a firebomb attack on the home of a journalist, Milan Jovanovic, in Belgrade's suburb of Grocka last month. The attackers hurled a firebomb at a car in the garage and fired a pistol at the door as the house burned. The reporter escaped from a rear window.



Jovanovic says he was targeted over his reporting about corruption in his municipality.



In a televised address, Vucic said Grocka's mayor, who is also an official in the SNS party, had been taken in for questioning over his role in the attack on the reporter's home.



"A party membership card will not save anyone from responsibility. Journalists will be protected no matter for whom they work for. ... No one will be protected because of being a politician," Vucic said.



He also pledged a tougher fight against politically motivated violence and cronyism, including changes in the legislature.



Serbia wants to join the EU, tentatively by 2025, but to do so it must first root out corruption, organized crime, nepotism and red tape.



Earlier this week, at a panel during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Vucic said he was dissatisfied with media freedoms in Serbia and pledged to make an effort to help improve them.
UNITED NATIONS - The World Refugee Council called Thursday for up to $20 billion stolen by government leaders and now frozen in the United States, Britain and other countries to be reallocated by courts to help millions of displaced people forced to flee conflict, persecution and victimization.



The council also called for people responsible for the growing crisis of refugees and internally displaced people  including government leaders, military officers, and opposition and rebel figures  to be held accountable, all the way to the International Criminal Court.



Chaired by former Canadian Foreign Minister Lloyd Axworthy, the 24-member council, which was formed in May 2017, includes former heads of state and ministers, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Leymah Gbowee, and leading business, civil society and human rights officials.



Displacement at postwar peak

The 218-page report it launched Thursday goes beyond what the United Nations has done, at a time when the number of people forcibly displaced from their homes is 68.5 million, the highest since World War II. Its release also comes as populist and nationalist political figures "are exploiting people's anxieties, fears'' about refugees, Axworthy said,



Tanzania's former President Jakaya Kikwete, a council co-chair, said the current crisis is a consequence of some countries' internal policies, authoritarianism, sectarianism, violence and conflicts, "but the other aspect is that the attitude towards refugees has changed.''



"In the past people have been welcoming, friendly,'' he said. "Now people are ... closing the doors for people who are ... fleeing from danger. But they say, 'No, no, you can't come' ... and refugees are being blamed as being the problem.''

FILE - People stand amid the damage at a camp for FILE - People stand amid the damage at a camp for displaced people after an attack by suspected Boko Haram insurgents in Dalori, Nigeria, Nov. 1, 2018. FILE - People stand amid the damage at a camp for displaced people after an attack by suspected Boko Haram insurgents in Dalori, Nigeria, Nov. 1, 2018.

Kikwete said "unscrupulous politicians'' are using refugees to get votes "because when you tell your people they're dangerous,'' they react, and the politicians become popular.



At the same time, the report said, "the humanitarian commitment of nations, once a norm, has given way to nativism. Xenophobia  fear and exclusion of the outsider'  has gathered force in America, Europe, Australia and elsewhere.''



The U.N. refugee agency, which relies on voluntary contributions, is seriously underfunded, and its head, Filippo Grandi, called in his latest report on forced displacement for "a new and far more comprehensive approach'' to the crisis "so that countries and communities aren't left dealing with this alone.''



Axworthy told a news conference: "What we've really proposed is a way in which you have to get out of the box in which refugees are seen simply as 'a humanitarian issue.' ''

FILE - Yemenis displaced from the port city of Hod FILE - Yemenis displaced from the port city of Hodeida receive humanitarian aid donated by the World Food Program in the northern province of Hajjah, Sept. 25, 2018. FILE - Yemenis displaced from the port city of Hodeida receive humanitarian aid donated by the World Food Program in the northern province of Hajjah, Sept. 25, 2018.

"There has to be a much stronger level of involvement,'' he said, in matters of security, development, human rights, accountability and finance for the world's 25.4 million refugees and 40 million internally displaced, along with 3.1 million asylum seekers.



Axworthy said the World Bank has estimated that there are between $15 billion and $20 billion "in purloined assets that various political leaders have stolen from their people.''



Swiss actions

How much of that can be recovered, he said, depends on how many governments and countries are prepared to give their courts the right to reallocate the money. He pointed to Switzerland, which has done just that, as a model.



Fen Osler Hampson, the council's executive director, said Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's regime has complained it doesn't have access to $3 billion in bank accounts frozen in the United States. He said there are several hundred million dollars belonging to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's family frozen in London bank accounts. And in the case of South Sudan, he said, "the generals have several hundred millions that are frozen in bank accounts in Nairobi.''



"All it takes is political will to introduce that legislation'' to give courts the right to reallocate that money, Hampson said.

A Rohingya Muslim refugee sunbathes along with her FILE - A Rohingya Muslim refugee sits with her child outside their shelter at Balukhali refugee camp near Cox's Bazar, in Bangladesh, Nov. 17, 2018. FILE - A Rohingya Muslim refugee sits with her child outside their shelter at Balukhali refugee camp near Cox's Bazar, in Bangladesh, Nov. 17, 2018.

The World Refugee Council's argument is that refugees and internally displaced people, the majority of them women and children, are the most vulnerable in the world and should therefore have the primary claim on those assets, he said.



Other prospects for new money, Hampson said, are to leverage the vast resources of the private sector and create "refugee bonds,'' similar to "green bonds'' to tackle climate change.



Another proposal is a kind of cap-and-trade system in which a country unwilling to resettle refugees for political reasons could contribute money to developing countries saddled with the huge costs of hosting millions of refugees, Hampson said.



Remove the 'impunity'

As for accountability, Axworthy said using the International Criminal Court to prosecute Myanmar's military leaders for alleged crimes against humanity for the crackdown that led over 700,000 Rohingya Muslims to flee to Bangladesh would "take away the impunity'' for those responsible for massive displacement.



The council also called for the drafting of a new protocol to the 1951 Refugee Convention requiring "collective responsibility for refugees.''



And it urged nations to promote the achievements and contributions of refugees to counter the negative narrative of opponents and populists.



"For example, Syrian refugees in Turkey have established an estimated 6,000 businesses providing 100,000 jobs,'' the report said. "In Sweden, the intake of about 600,000 refugees and migrants has produced some of the highest growth rates in Europe and aided in addressing the challenges of an otherwise aging population.''
KHARTOUM - Protests raged across Sudanese cities Thursday and another demonstrator died in the most widespread rallies of anti-government unrest that began last month.

The 24-year-old man died from his wounds in Omdurman, a city across the Nile from the capital Khartoum, where crowds were railing against Sudan's three-decade ruler Omar al-Bashir.

That took the official death toll from unrest since Dec. 19 to 29, according to government investigatory committee spokesman Amer Mohamed Ibrahim.

Rights groups put the total at more than 40.

Trouble raged into the night in Omdurman, with smoke billowing over a street barricaded by steel poles, burning tires and tree branches.

Sudanese demonstrators march during anti-governmen Sudanese demonstrators march during anti-government protests in Khartoum, Sudan, Jan. 24, 2019. Sudanese demonstrators march during anti-government protests in Khartoum, Sudan, Jan. 24, 2019.

In Khartoum, security forces fired tear gas at protesters in various neighborhoods, witnesses said. At night, smoke wafted over Khartoum, fires burned and a main street was blocked.

There were also protests in the eastern cities of Port Sudan and al-Qadarif, where hundreds gathered in the main market area, chanting "Down, that's it! Freedom, freedom."

Triggered by a worsening economic crisis, protests calling for Bashir to step down have spread into the most sustained challenge yet to his rule.

The opposition Sudanese Professionals' Association, a union group that has led calls for demonstrations, had urged protesters to rally from early afternoon and march to Bashir's palace on the banks of the Nile.

The group said on its social media sites that protesters had gathered in cities including Madani and Sennar south of Khartoum as well as smaller towns.

Many protests were reported in Gezira state and witnesses said demonstrators had blocked the main road in al-Nuba district, also south of Khartoum.

Security forces have used tear gas, stun grenades and live ammunition to disperse demonstrations, as well as arresting hundreds of protesters and opposition figures.

Authorities have blamed the unrest on "infiltrators" and foreign agents, and said they are taking steps to resolve Sudan's economic problems.
Pope Francis on Friday brought World Youth Day to Panama's juvenile delinquents, celebrating an emotional penitential liturgy inside the country's main youth prison since the inmates couldn't participate in the Catholic Church's big festival of faith outside.

Fulfilling his belief that no one should be separated from God's mercy, Francis also heard the confessions of five inmates at the Las Garzas de Pacora detention center. At least one of them wept uncontrollably afterward.

"There are no words to describe the freedom I feel in this moment," one of the inmates, Luis Oscar Martinez, told the pope at the start of the service inside barbed wire-ringed facility outside Panama City.

Residents line the roadside to greet Pope Francis Residents line the roadside to greet Pope Francis as he rides past in his popemobile en route to Las Garzas de Pacora detention center for minors, in Panama, Jan. 25, 2019. Residents line the roadside to greet Pope Francis as he rides past in his popemobile en route to Las Garzas de Pacora detention center for minors, in Panama, Jan. 25, 2019.

Emotional highlight

It was an emotional highlight of Francis' four-day trip to Panama and a hands-on demonstration of his belief that prisoners deserve the same dignity as everyone else  as well as hope.

In his homily, Francis lamented that society tends to label people good and bad, the righteous and the sinners, when it should instead spend its time creating opportunities for them to change.

"This attitude spoils everything, because it erects an invisible wall that makes people think that, if we marginalize, separate and isolate others, all our problems will magically be solved," he said. "When a society or community allows this, and does nothing more than complain and backbite, it enters into a vicious circle of division, blame and condemnation."

Francis has made a tradition of visiting prisoners during his foreign visits, and has long made prison ministry part of his vocation to minister to the most marginal in society. Just last year, Francis changed church teaching on the death penalty, saying it was inadmissible in all cases.

The change was in keeping with his belief that prisoners can always change and deserve chances for rehabilitation so they can re-enter society after serving their terms.

T-shirts for inmates

In a sign of that need for inclusion, the Las Garzas inmates wore the same World Youth Day white T-shirts that tens of thousands of pilgrims are sporting around Panama City.

"A society is fruitful when it is able to generate processes of inclusion and integration, of caring and trying to create opportunities and alternatives that can offer new possibilities to the young, to build a future through community, education and employment," Francis said.

Las Garzas houses more than 150 inmates, some of whom are serving time for murder. The facility, considered a model, opened a year after five minors died in a fire at another prison in Panama City in 2011. Nine people including administrators and police were convicted of homicide or negligence in what was the worst tragedy for the country's youth prison system.

At the start of the service, Martinez told Francis of his remorse in losing part of his family after he committed an unspecified crime and was sentenced to serve his term at Las Garzas.

"I caused a profound pain in a dear friend and in myself," Martinez, 21, told the pope. He said he wanted to become a refrigeration mechanic when he got out.

"I hope to give this joy to my mother and be in communion with the part of my family that I lost."

Before departing Pope Francis shakes hands with in Before departing Pope Francis shakes hands with inmates after a penitential liturgy at the Las Garzas de Pacora detention center for minors, in Panama, Jan. 25, 2019. Before departing Pope Francis shakes hands with inmates after a penitential liturgy at the Las Garzas de Pacora detention center for minors, in Panama, Jan. 25, 2019.

11 offenders released

In a tangible sign of forgiveness, prison director Emma Alba announced that 11 young offenders  nine from the Las Garzas facility and another two from Colon province  won conditional supervised freedom after Francis' visit.

Martinez was one of them, she said.

"In this moment, he should be with his family," Alba told reporters hours after the liturgy.

The Vatican spokesman, Alessandro Gisotti, said the visit clearly touched Francis, who wanted to share in the suffering of those who have caused such harm and suffered the consequences.

"I think Pope Francis gave witness to them, and to all of us, that no one is separated from God's mercy, from God's love," Gisotti told reporters.

Francis was to continue the theme of the suffering church later Friday when he presides over the Way of the Cross procession  a rite of all World Youth Days that re-enacts Christ's suffering and death on the cross.
PANAMA CITY - Pope Francis is bringing World Youth Day to Panamas juvenile delinquents who cant participate in the Catholic Churchs big festival of faith.

On Friday Francis will celebrate a special penitential Mass inside the Las Garzas de Pacora detention center, which is Panamas main youth lockup. In a twist, he will also hear the inmates confessions inside confessionals the detainees made themselves.

Its all part of Francis belief that prisoners deserve the same dignity as everyone else, as well as hope.

World Youth Day opens

Francis opened his first full day in Panama with that message of hope Thursday, formally welcoming tens of thousands of pilgrims to World Youth Day at a twilight pep rally at the capitals seaside park.

He urged them to be builders of bridges of encounter, not builders of walls that sow fear and look to divide and box people in, a clear reference to the proposed U.S.-Mexico border wall.

Pope Francis attends the opening ceremony for Worl Pope Francis attends the opening ceremony for World Youth Day at the Coastal Beltway in Panama City, Panama, Jan. 24, 2019. Pope Francis attends the opening ceremony for World Youth Day at the Coastal Beltway in Panama City, Panama, Jan. 24, 2019.

?Plea to public officials

Earlier in the day, in remarks to President Juan Carlos Varela, he warned that those same young people are increasingly demanding that public officials live honest lives that are coherent with the jobs entrusted to them.

They call upon them to live in simplicity and transparency, with a clear sense of responsibility for others and for our world, Francis told Varela and other Panamanian leaders. To lead a life that demonstrates that public service is a synonym of honesty and justice, and opposed to all forms of corruption.

Transparency International estimates that as much as 1 percent of Panamas GDP, about U.S. $600 million, may have been lost to various corruption schemes during the presidency of Ricardo Martinelli, who governed Panama from 2009 to 2014. Martinelli was extradited to Panama last year from the United States to face political espionage and embezzlement charges.

Pope in Panama Blasts Corruption, Avoids Venezuela Crisis Pope Francis insisted Thursday that public officials live simply, honestly and transparently as he opened a visit to Panama and a region that has been rife with corruption scandals and is now coping with political upheaval in nearby Venezuela. Francis didn't mention the Venezuela crisis during his first remarks in Panama after a meeting with President Juan Carlos Varela at the presidential palace. Pope Francis insisted Thursday that public officials live simply, honestly and transparently as he opened a visit to Panama and a region that has been rife with corruption scandals and is now coping with political upheaval in nearby Venezuela. Francis didn't mention the Venezuela crisis during his first remarks in Panama after a meeting with President Juan Carlos Varela at the presidential palace.

In addition, two of Martinellis sons have been detained in the U.S. and are being sought on corruption charges in Panama. They are suspected of receiving more than $50 million in undue payments from Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht, which is at the center of one of the largest graft scandals in history.

Odebrecht has acknowledged paying nearly $800 million dollars in bribes in a dozen Latin American nations in return for favors and works contracts.

That includes at least $59 million in Panama, although authorities say the real figure is likely much higher. In addition to the Martinelli sons, the scandal has implicated former government ministers under the elder Martinelli as well as people linked to the party of the current president, Varela.

The Martinelli family has denied involvement by the sons in the bribery scandal and alleges persecution by political foes. The former president also denies any wrongdoing and says he is being targeted politically.
ISLAMABAD - Pakistan launched a short-range ballistic missile Thursday, formally equipping the military with a nuclear-capable rocket that officials say would deter a surprise conventional attack against the country by rival India.

This training exercise involved launching of quad salvo for desired effects. NASR is a high precision, shoot and scoot weapon system with the ability of in-flight maneuverability, the military announced in a statement.

Experts explained the weapon systems ability to launch several missiles at once would allow Pakistans military to hit many targets at the same time.

Islamabad recently enhanced the NASR missiles flight maneuverability and extended its range to 70 kilometers (43 miles) from 60 (37 miles).

U.S. concerned

The development of Pakistani tactical battlefield nuclear weapons has been a source of concern to the United States because their smaller size and quick deployment increases the risk of a nuclear conflict with India, say nonproliferation experts.

The Pakistani military noted in its statement the weapon system has augmented credible deterrence against prevailing and evolving threat spectrum, more effectively including enemys ballistic missile defense and other air defense systems.

Pakistani officials say that the nations short-range battlefield NASR missile would deter the bigger neighbor India from imposing a sudden, limited assault with its massive conventional military force under New Delhis so-called Cold Start doctrine.

India buys Russian air defense system

Indias decision to buy the Russian-made S-400 Triumph air defense system, has also raised alarms in Pakistan, where officials have warned the deal will further destabilize strategic stability and lead to a renewed arms race in South Asia.

Increasing and diversifying the nuclear arsenal is not seen in Pakistan as a policy choice, but rather a compulsion to maintain an effective deterrence vis-a-vis India, noted researchers at Washingtons Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in a recent article.

Any advances in Indias conventional military capability, nuclear arsenal, or strategic position amplify the perception of an incessant and unremitting threat for which Pakistan has no recourse other than nuclear weapons, observed the article, published in earlier this week in Washington Quarterly.

Pakistan and India have fought three wars since gaining independence from Britain in 1947. The two countries have since equipped their armies with nuclear weapons, raising fears that another conventional conflict could escalate into a nuclear exchange.

The territorial dispute over Kashmir, which has sparked two wars, continues to strain bilateral ties and prevents India and Pakistan from resuming long-stalled political talks. Intermittent military clashes across the de facto Kashmir border also have become routine, causing dozens of casualties on both sides.
SAN DIEGO - The Trump administration on Friday will start forcing some asylum seekers to wait in Mexico while their cases proceed through U.S. courts, an official said, launching what could become one of the more significant changes to the immigration system in years.

The changes will be introduced at San Diego's San Ysidro border crossing. San Ysidro is the nation's busiest crossing and the choice of asylum seekers who arrived to Tijuana, Mexico, in November in a caravan of more than 6,000 mostly Central American migrants.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said the Migrant Protection Protocols will return some asylum seekers to Mexico as they wait for their cases to be processed in the U.S. The announcement said Mexico will provide the migrants will all appropriate humanitarian protections for the duration of their stay.

DHS said the U.S. is facing a security and humanitarian crisis on the Southern Border and that is why it has implemented the MPP to address the crisis and execute our missions to secure the border, enforce immigration and customs laws, facilitate legal trade and travel, counter traffickers, smugglers and transnational criminal organizations, and interdict drugs and illegal contraband.

Families and individuals traveling to the border are not a national security crisis, said Margaret Huang, executive director of Amnesty International USA. They are people like you and me, except that many have left their home to seek protection form persecution and violence. We must not abandon those who have lost everything and are trying to rebuild their lives.

Huang is a member of an international delegation traveling to the U.S.-Mexico border to observe the impact of the U.S. policy on migrants.

DHS said MPP will discourage individuals from attempting illegal entry and making false claims to stay in the U.S., and allow more resources to be dedicated to individuals who legitimately qualify for asylum.

DHS said it is working closely with the Justice Department to streamline the process. The agency added that it is also looking to conclude removal proceedings as expeditiously as possible.

The policy, which is expected to face a legal challenge, may be expanded to other crossings. It does not apply to children traveling alone or to asylum seekers from Mexico.

The plan calls for U.S. authorities to bus asylum seekers back and forth to the border for court hearings in downtown San Diego, including an initial appearance within 45 days.

The Trump administration will make no arrangements for them to consult with attorneys, who may visit clients in Tijuana or speak with them by phone.

U.S. officials also will begin processing only about 20 asylum claims a day at the San Diego crossing but plan to ramp up to exceed the number of claims processed now, which is up to 100 a day, the official said.

Migrants from Cuba, Venezuela and Central America FILE - Migrants from Cuba, Venezuela and Central America queue at the Paso del Norte International Bridge in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua state, Mexico, to cross the border and request political asylum in the United States, Jan. 9, 2019. FILE - Migrants from Cuba, Venezuela and Central America queue at the Paso del Norte International Bridge in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua state, Mexico, to cross the border and request political asylum in the United States, Jan. 9, 2019.

?'Credible fear'

The policy could severely strain Mexican border cities. U.S. border authorities fielded 92,959 "credible fear" claims  an initial screening to have asylum considered  during a recent 12-month period, up 67 percent from a year earlier. Many were Central American families.

The "Remain in Mexico" policy is President Donald Trump's latest move to reshape immigration policy, though it may prove temporary. Other major changes have been blocked in court, including a ban on seeking asylum for people who cross the border illegally from Mexico and generally dismissing domestic and gang violence as grounds for asylum.

It is also an early test of relations between two populist presidents  Trump and Mexico's Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who took office Dec. 1.

Mexican officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment Thursday.

Roberto Velasquez, spokesman for Mexico's foreign relations secretary, emphasized earlier this week that there would be no bilateral agreement and that Mexico was responding to a unilateral move by the United States. He said in an interview that discussions covering "a very broad range of topics" were aimed at preparing Mexico for the change.

Broad outlines of the plan were announced Dec. 20, but details were not revealed until Thursday. Mexico said last month that people seeking asylum in the U.S. would get temporary humanitarian visas while their cases were settled in the U.S., which can take years, and could seek permission to work in Mexico.

Migrants from Honduras, part of a caravan of thous FILE - Migrants from Honduras, part of a caravan of thousands from Central America trying to reach the United States, jump the fence to cross it illegally into San Diego County, U.S., taken from the border wall in Tijuana, Mexico, at right, Jan. 16, 2019. FILE - Migrants from Honduras, part of a caravan of thousands from Central America trying to reach the United States, jump the fence to cross it illegally into San Diego County, U.S., taken from the border wall in Tijuana, Mexico, at right, Jan. 16, 2019.

Mexico has started issuing humanitarian visas to Central Americans as another major caravan makes its way through the southern part of the country.

While illegal crossings from Mexico are at historically low levels, the U.S. has witnessed a surge in asylum claims, especially from Central American families. Because of a lack of family detention space and a court-imposed 20-day limit on detaining children, they are typically released with a notice to appear in immigration court. With a backlog of more than 800,000 cases, it can take years to settle cases.

Tijuana's effects

It's not clear if Central Americans will be deterred from seeking asylum in the U.S. if they have to wait in Tijuana, a booming city with plenty of jobs. Tijuana doesn't come close to matching the U.S. on wages, and asylum seekers generally have far fewer family ties there than they do in the U.S.

Incoming Foreign Relations Secretary Marcelo Ebrard has said Mexico will coordinate with the U.S. on the policy's mechanics, which would ensure migrants access to information and legal services. Ebrard said Dec. 24 that he wanted more information to ensure "orderly and secure" protocols.

Rafael Fernandez de Castro, director of the University of California-San Diego's Center for U.S.-Mexico Studies, said last week that Mexico had not fully considered the impact on Mexican border towns.

"This could have lasting repercussions for Mexican border cities," Fernandez de Castro said. "We have to assess the potential numbers and how to help them stay healthy. We don't have that assessment."

VOA contributed to this report.
BRUSSELS - NATO and Russia failed on Friday to resolve a dispute over a new Russian missile that Western allies say is a threat to Europe, bringing closer Washingtons withdrawal from a landmark arms control treaty.

At a meeting of the NATO-Russia Council in Brussels, envoys from NATOs 29 members renewed their call on Moscows top diplomat to the alliance to destroy a nuclear-capable cruise missile system before a Feb. 2 deadline.

Without a breakthrough, the United States is set to start the six-month process of pulling out of the 1987 Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF), having notified it would do so in early December and accusing Moscow of breaching it.

Russia Presents Info on Missile US Says Violates Pact The Russian military on Wednesday rolled out a new missile and released its specifications, seeking to dispel the U.S. claim that the weapon violates a key nuclear arms pact. The military insisted that the 9M729 land-based cruise missile conforms to the limits of the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, firmly rejecting the U.S. claim that it has broken the pact by testing and deploying it. The U.S. The Russian military on Wednesday rolled out a new missile and released its specifications, seeking to dispel the U.S. claim that the weapon violates a key nuclear arms pact. The military insisted that the 9M729 land-based cruise missile conforms to the limits of the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, firmly rejecting the U.S. claim that it has broken the pact by testing and deploying it. The U.S.

Russia denies violating the terms of the treaty.

The treaty is in real jeopardy, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said. The sooner Russia comes back into compliance, the better. The treaty has no value if it is not respected, the problem are the Russian missiles in Europe, he told a news conference after the meeting.

While Stoltenberg described the meeting as professional, he said Russia had shown no willingness to compromise. But he and some European nations such as Germany held out hope for diplomatic progress during the six-month withdrawal process.

Russia, the United States, France, Britain and China - the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council - are due to meet in Beijing on Jan. 30 to discuss arms control, diplomats told Reuters. But it was not clear if the INF treaty would be on the agenda.

ACCUSATION

Russia stands accused of developing land-based, intermediate-range cruise missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads and hitting European cities at short notice, breaching the Cold War-era pact that took such rockets out of Europe.

But the Kremlin, which this week displayed its missiles to foreign military attaches in Moscow, says the missiles short range puts it outside the INF treaty. It says the Novator 9M729/SSC-8 rockets have a maximum range of 480 km (298 miles).

US House Votes Overwhelmingly to Prohibit Exit from NATO The U.S. House of Representatives has overwhelmingly passed a bill affirming congressional support for NATO, amid renewed concerns over President Donald Trump's commitment to the 29-member alliance.The bipartisan NATO Support Act, which forbids the use of funds to withdraw from the alliance and states that it is U.S. policy to remain part of the alliance, passed by a 357-22 vote.Beside asserting Congress's control over the money, the bill reaffirms U.S. backing of NATO and its mutual defense clause.It The U.S. House of Representatives has overwhelmingly passed a bill affirming congressional support for NATO, amid renewed concerns over President Donald Trump's commitment to the 29-member alliance.The bipartisan NATO Support Act, which forbids the use of funds to withdraw from the alliance and states that it is U.S. policy to remain part of the alliance, passed by a 357-22 vote.Beside asserting Congress's control over the money, the bill reaffirms U.S. backing of NATO and its mutual defense clause.It

U.S. officials said there was no way of verifying that information because the missiles have only been shown publicly in a static display that gives no indication of their flying distance.

The 1987 treaty requires the United States and Russia not to possess, produce, or flight-test a ground-launched cruise missile with a range capability of 500 km to 5,500 km (310-3,420 miles) or to possess or produce launchers of such missiles.

In the latest bout of East-West tensions, which have deepened Russias international isolation, Russia accuses the United States of inventing a false pretext to abandon a treaty that it wants to leave anyway so as to develop new missiles.
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Editor's note: We want you to know what's happening, why and how it could impact your life, family or business, so we created a weekly digest of the top original immigration, migration and refugee reporting from across VOA. Questions? Tips? Comments? Email the VOA immigration team: ImmigrationUnit@voanews.com.

Asylum-seekers to wait in Mexico

On Friday, the Trump administration implemented one of its most consequential asylum decisions to date. The "Migration Protection Protocols" requires some asylum-seekers to remain in Mexico while their cases are processed in U.S. courts, a major shift from past policy, disproportionately affecting Central American women and children. Mexico's Foreign Ministry spokesman said this week, however, that it did not have the resources to accept asylum-seekers who fear prosecution in Mexico.

We have a deal  for now

President Donald Trump and Congressional leaders have agreed to a deal that would fund the federal government for three weeks, ending the longest shutdown in U.S. history. Notably missing from the agreement: funding for the wall. For five weeks, the president did not budge from his demand of $5.7 billion in border wall funding. Nor did Democrats budge from their counteroffers, which included funding for border security, but zero for the wall.

The president did not concede defeat, warning that if Congress does not reach a deal by Feb. 15, one that includes "a powerful wall or steel barrier," he would be ready to "use the powers afforded" to him to address the issue. The president has not ruled out the possibility of declaring a national emergency.

DACA recipients buy time

For more than 700,000 immigrant beneficiaries of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program  young adults who were brought to the United States illegally as children, or whose legal status expired  the Supreme Court's decision not to take up its constitutionality this term means recipients may continue to renew their two-year permits for the foreseeable future, with a decision unlikely to be handed before 2020, an election year.

On Friday, a federal appeals court in New York began hearing oral arguments to determine whether the Trump administration's 2017 decision to end DACA violates the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment, one of several appeals nationwide. A ruling is not immediately expected.

Dispelling misperceptions in Europe

A new report by the World Health Organization says migrants seeking refuge across Europe are generally in good health, and run a very low risk of transmitting communicable diseases. The WHO regional director for Europe notes that displacement itself, however, puts migrants at risk of infectious diseases that are well-established in Europe. The report notes higher rates of depression and anxiety among refugees and migrants than host populations, along with vulnerability to sexual exploitation among unaccompanied minors.

Nigerians seek refuge

Thousands of Nigerian refugees from the northeastern Borno state are fleeing to Chad, following December clashes between local government forces and the radical militant group, Boko Haram. According to the U.N. refugee agency, roughly 6,000 Nigerian refugees have made the trek so far, most of them women and children.
CHICAGO - The Illinois attorney generals office has signaled it may be considering a rare sentencing-related appeal if it concludes a white Chicago police officers less-than-seven-year prison sentence in the slaying of black teenager Laquan McDonald was wrongly calculated.

The office said in a brief statement emailed Thursday it is reviewing Jason Van Dykes sentence. With credit for good behavior, Van Dyke will likely serve only around three years for firing 16 bullets into McDonald in 2014. Dashcam video of the shooting released by the city in 2015 showed Van Dyke continued to fire as the 17-year-old crumpled to the street and lay on the ground.

The graphic video images stirred expectations that Van Dyke would receive a lengthy sentence. But activist William Calloway, who helped force the city to release the video, echoed the sentiment of many Chicago residents last week when he said the punishment imposed by Cook County Judge Vincent Gaughan amounted to a slap on the wrist.

Prosecutor Joe McMahon speaks during former Chicag Prosecutor Joe McMahon speaks during former Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke's sentencing hearing at the Leighton Criminal Court Building, Jan. 18, 2019, in Chicago, for the 2014 shooting of Laquan McDonald. Prosecutor Joe McMahon speaks during former Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke's sentencing hearing at the Leighton Criminal Court Building, Jan. 18, 2019, in Chicago, for the 2014 shooting of Laquan McDonald.

?Difficult sentence to calculate

Van Dykes attorney, Dan Herbert, criticized Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul for appearing to contemplate an appeal, saying his office could have weighed in before last Fridays sentencing and presented its views to the judge.

Now he suddenly has concerns after the sentencing in the wake of some public outcry, Herbert said in a written statement. This is about politics not the law.

Attorneys acknowledged before sentencing that the judge was heading into unchartered waters, having to calculate the proper sentence for what is thought to be the first case in which a Chicago officer was convicted of killing an African-American. How he was charged and his lack of any previous criminal record further complicated calculations.

Prosecutors had asked Gaughan to hand the 40-year-old Van Dyke a sentence of between 18 and 20 years, saying in an earlier written filing that one could also make an argument for a sentence of up to 96 years. The defense said giving Van Dyke no prison time and putting him on probation would have been appropriate.

Appeal unlikely to succeed

One Chicago-based attorney Steve Greenberg, who has defended clients at more than 100 murder trials, said such appeals rarely succeed unless the sentencing judges error is egregious.

From a logical standpoint, I think the sentence is correct, he said. From a legal standpoint, it might not be. He added: I think there is a fair chance the higher court would say the sentence was wrong.

An attorney generals office spokeswoman, Maura Possley, offered no details in her brief statement, including about potential lines of arguments in an appeal, saying only that we are going to do a careful review of the record and the law and make a determination based on our review.

Greenberg said there may also be legal questions about the authority of the attorney generals office to take the lead on any such appeal since it wasnt a party in the criminal case, or whether the prosecutors must take the initiative. A message left for the special prosecutor in the case, Joseph McMahon, was not immediately returned.

Possible grounds for new sentence

Jurors convicted Van Dyke in October of one count of second-degree murder, which carries a prison term of between four and 20 years, and of 16 counts aggravated battery. A single count of aggravated carries a prison term of between six and 30 years, and judges can order that the sentence for each count be served one after the other.

Under Illinois law, Gaughan could only sentence Van Dyke for one crime, the one he deemed the more serious. His decision to accept defense arguments that second-degree murder was the more serious crime likely spared him a longer sentence because aggravated battery carries higher mandatory minimums and can be served consecutively.

Illinois courts have previously suggested that judges deem crimes with the stiffer available sentences the more serious, said Greenberg. That raises the possibility that a higher court could order a do-over, instructing Gaughan to sentence Van Dyke on the 16 counts of aggravated battery instead.

Van Dykes lawyer disagrees, saying the judge in this case carefully considered the arguments made and issued the correct ruling under the law.

Van Dyke also was fortunate that jurors chose to replace the original first-degree murder charge with second-degree murder. First-degree murder carries a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 45 years.
Greek lawmakers have ratified a deal with Macedonia, ending a nearly three-decade-long dispute between the neighbors in which the Balkan country will be renamed North Macedonia.

Greece's parliament narrowly passed the agreement, 153-146, on Friday. The deal normalizes relations between the two countries and paves the way for Macedonia to join NATO and the European Union.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo welcomed the ratification and praised the Greek government for its "vision, courage and persistence" in pushing ahead with the historic agreement.

Top EU officials also hailed the deal. European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said the vote took "political courage" while European Council President Donald Tusk tweeted, "Mission impossible accomplished."

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said he looked "forward to the future Republic of North Macedonia joining NATO."

The accord comes despite street protests and months of nationalist opposition in both Greece and Macedonia.

Greece has long protested the name Macedonia, adopted by its northern neighbor after it split from Yugoslavia in 1991. Greece has argued the name represents an attempt to appropriate Greek identity and cultural heritage, because Macedonia is also the name of Greece's northern province made famous by Alexander the Great's conquests.

Protests in Athens against the agreement turned violent earlier this week, with police saying at least 25 officers and dozens of people were injured.

The agreement has also caused protests in Macedonia, with critics there saying the government gave up too much in the deal.

The accord led to Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras losing his four-year coalition in parliament after his nationalist allies defected to protest the agreement. Following the upheaval, Tsipras narrowly won a confidence vote in parliament last week.

Tsipras praised parliament's ratification of the deal Friday saying, "This is a historic day for Greece, ending a pending issue which was a burden on our foreign policy."

The Greek prime minister and his Macedonian counterpart, Zoran Zaev, brokered the compromise in June to end the 27-year name dispute between the two neighbors.

Earlier this month, Zaev led the effort for Macedonia's parliament to approve a constitutional revision to change the country's name.

Zaev congratulated Tsipras Friday in a Twitter post: "Congratulations my friend, Alexis Tsipras. Together with our peoples we reached a historical victory. Long live the Prespa Agreement! For eternal peace and progress of the Balkans and in Europe!"

Tsipras has argued the Macedonia deal will bolster stability in Europe's Balkan region. EU countries had also strongly backed the deal.
ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN - As U.S.-Taliban peace talks take place in Qatar, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said any eventual truce between the insurgents and Afghanistan must respect his country's constitution and legal framework.

The president made the remarks in Davos during a public conversation, and his office released the transcript Friday to media. Ghani went on to suggest that only an Afghan-led dialogue should decide the fate of foreign troops present in the country.

The special representative for Afghan reconciliation, Zalmay Khalilzad, is heading the U.S. team in its talks with Taliban envoys. As the meeting entered a fifth day Friday, there were signs of progress being made toward ending the deadly 17-year-old war - the longest overseas American military intervention.

Who Is Taliban's New Chief Negotiator? As peace talks between the United States and Afghan Taliban enter a crucial stage, the Taliban leadership has announced a new chief negotiator, a man named Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar.According to a statement issued Thursday night by Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid, the action is intended to "strengthen and properly handle" the ongoing dialogue.The change has signaled to many that the negotiations have progressed beyond any contact between the two sides in the past. As peace talks between the United States and Afghan Taliban enter a crucial stage, the Taliban leadership has announced a new chief negotiator, a man named Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar.According to a statement issued Thursday night by Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid, the action is intended to "strengthen and properly handle" the ongoing dialogue.The change has signaled to many that the negotiations have progressed beyond any contact between the two sides in the past.

The function of ambassador Khalilzads office is to bring the Afghan government and the Taliban into face-to-face discussions and negotiations. Within that then, the larger issues of the U.S. presence and other international issues will be addressed, Ghani said.

Ghani emphasized the need for Washington to take into account the concerns of Afghanistans neighbors, including Russia and India, before reaching a deal. Russia fears continued Afghan instability will threaten central Asian allies that share a border with Afghanistan. India is skeptical of arch rival Pakistans involvement in the peace process.

The Taliban consider the U.S. as their main adversary in the Afghan war and dismiss the Kabul government as an illegitimate entity or an American puppet. Ghani has indirectly complained about the exclusion of his envoys but went public for the first time saying his administration is not even being informed about what is being discussed in Doha.

Theres discussion, but this discussion needs to be shared back. A discussion that does not involve the region we will not trust," said Ghani. "If we dont get all the pieces right, one piece alone doesnt suffice. He was replying to a question about whether the talks have made any headway.

Taliban, US Open Afghan Peace Talks in Qatar Afghanistan's Taliban opened a new round of peace talks Monday in Qatar with the United States, the insurgent group said.A Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, said the two-day meeting in Doha will continue on Tuesday. Zalmay Khalilzad, U.S. special representative for Afghanistan political reconciliation, is leading the U.S. delegation. In this photo released by the Foreign Office, PakiIn this photo released by the Foreign Office, Pakistan's Foreign Afghanistan's Taliban opened a new round of peace talks Monday in Qatar with the United States, the insurgent group said.A Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, said the two-day meeting in Doha will continue on Tuesday. Zalmay Khalilzad, U.S. special representative for Afghanistan political reconciliation, is leading the U.S. delegation. In this photo released by the Foreign Office, PakiIn this photo released by the Foreign Office, Pakistan's Foreign

Khalilzad has maintained that since taking office last September, he has been tasked to work for a political settlement to the war through an intra-Afghan dialogue process. Before entering into the latest round of talks with the Taliban on Monday, the Afghan-born U.S. envoy again clarified his stance and underscored the need to first halt hostilities.

To achieve peace, we are ready to address legitimate concerns of all Afghan sides in a process that ensures Afghan independence and sovereignty, and accounts for legitimate interests of regional states. Urgent that fighting end. But pursuing peace still means we fight as needed, Khalilzad tweeted.

FILE - Zalmay Khalilzad, special adviser on reconc FILE - Zalmay Khalilzad, U.S. special adviser on reconciliation in Afghanistan. FILE - Zalmay Khalilzad, U.S. special adviser on reconciliation in Afghanistan.

Insurgent officials have maintained from the outset the discussions in Doha are focused on seeking a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. and NATO-led foreign troops from Afghanistan, while the Taliban side would give assurances that Afghan soil would not be used to threaten the United States or any other country.

Ghani severely criticized the Taliban and maintained any understanding reached in Doha must be within the Afghan constitution and take into account Afghanistans international, as well as bilateral bindings, including those with the U.S. and NATO.

They [the Taliban] have relationships with all known terrorist groups. They have relationships with the largest criminal mafia on Earth, which after cocaine, is the heroin mafia. They have an organic relationship with the state of Pakistan that is providing them sanctuary, resources, support and [for] others, asserted the Afghan president.



Islamabad rejects charges it hosts Taliban sanctuaries and says it is helping the United States as a shared responsibility to promote regional peace and to help end Afghan hostilities.

Pakistan has taken credit for arranging the ongoing peace process between the U.S. and the Taliban, saying its peace and stability are linked to a peaceful Afghanistan.

There was no immediate official reaction from the Pakistani government to Ghanis remarks.

A senior Pakistani government official, while responding to sustained criticism emanating from Kabul, told VOA that Pakistan has sincerely and faithfully diverted the recent positive environment in its relations with the U.S. to the complete benefit of the Afghan peace process and Afghanistan as a whole.

The official, while speaking on the condition of anonymity, said, Afghans may never recognize or admit it, but if any nation after Afghans themselves feels their pain, it is Pakistan.

Critics have long viewed mutual tension between Islamabad and Kabul as a major hurdle in the way of jumpstarting a productive Afghan peace process.
CAPITOL HILL - Incoming flights to New York's LaGuardia Airport were delayed due to staffing issues Friday, the Federal Aviation Administration said, as the U.S. government shutdown drags into its 35th day.

The FAA also said that departure delays at LaGuardia, as well as Philadelphia and Newark airports, are due to air traffic control staffing shortages.

Air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents are among hundreds of thousands of government employees missing their second consecutive paycheck Friday as U.S. President Donald Trump and Congress could not reach an agreement on funding the government.

Trump says he would accept a deal to at least temporarily re-open the federal government if it contained a "pro-rated down payment" on the U.S.-Mexico border wall he has sought for two years.

He told reporters at the White House Thursday the country has no choice but to build a wall to keep out what he says is a "virtual invasion" by criminals, human traffickers, and drugs.

Trump said he blames himself for the large number of immigrants who want to enter the United States, crediting himself for a strong economy and what he says is a record number of people employed.

But he said anyone who wants to come to the U.S. has to do so legally.

Senate bills fail

Sens. Ben Cardin (D-MD) (L), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) Sens. Ben Cardin (D-MD) (L), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) (C) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) hold a press conference about a bipartisan solution after the failure of both competing Republican and Democratic proposals to end the partial government shutdown in back to back votes on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., Jan. 24, 2019. Sens. Ben Cardin (D-MD) (L), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) (C) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) hold a press conference about a bipartisan solution after the failure of both competing Republican and Democratic proposals to end the partial government shutdown in back to back votes on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., Jan. 24, 2019.

Senate votes fail



Earlier Thursday the Senate failed to end the shutdown  the longest in U.S. history  voting down two competing proposals that would have ended the impasse over funding for the wall.

The Republican measure incorporating Trump's $5.7 billion request for wall construction, in addition to limited immigration reforms and government funding through the current fiscal year, failed to advance by a 50-47 vote.

Earlier, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky called the Republican bill "a pragmatic compromise that could end this impasse right away. The choice is absolutely clear and the nation is watching."

McConnell emphasized the Republican plan was the only one that would have received the president's signature. But Senate Democrats pushed back against the White House offer to find a way out of the impasse.

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) leaves the Senate floor and walks back to his office after the failure of both competing Republican and Democratic proposals to end the partial government shutdown in back-to-back votes on Capitol Hill in Washington, Jan. 24 2019. U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) leaves the Senate floor and walks back to his office after the failure of both competing Republican and Democratic proposals to end the partial government shutdown in back-to-back votes on Capitol Hill in Washington, Jan. 24 2019.

"If it were a compromise, the president would have talked to us about it," said Senator Tim Kaine, a Democrat from Virginia. He went on to say that policy disagreements over immigration could be worked out, but "the difference that's hard to resolve is a party and a president who believe in government shutdowns."

The Democratic proposal also went down by a vote of 52-44, despite pulling 6 Republican votes. The measure contained no border security or immigration provisions and was designed to reopen shuttered federal agencies and provide a two-week window for congressional leaders and the White House to negotiate a deal on immigration.

Both proposals required 60 votes to advance in the 100-member chamber. Republicans have a narrow 53-47 Senate majority.

House votes to reopen government



Congressional action is not limited to the Senate. The Democrat-led House of Representatives has passed multiple bills restoring federal spending authority but omitting wall funding from all of them.

A growing number of lawmakers of both parties have said compromise is the only way to end the political stalemate and reopen the government.

"It is long overdue for all sides to come together, to engage in constructive debate and compromise to end this standoff," Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins said. "Shutdowns represent the ultimate failure to govern and should never be used as a weapon to achieve an outcome."

Furloughed federal workers and their families who Furloughed federal workers and their families who are affected by the partial government shutdown wait in line to receive food distributed by Philabundance volunteers under Interstate 95 in Philadelphia, Jan. 23, 2019. Furloughed federal workers and their families who are affected by the partial government shutdown wait in line to receive food distributed by Philabundance volunteers under Interstate 95 in Philadelphia, Jan. 23, 2019.

Another $0 paycheck



The shutdown has furloughed 800,000 government employees, with at least 420,000 forced to continue working without pay. The remainder have been sent home, some of whom have been forced to look for temporary work elsewhere to help pay their household bills. All are set to miss their second biweekly paycheck on Friday.

Some government services have been curtailed as about 10 percent of airport security agents ordered to work have instead called in sick. Some food inspections have been cut back, and museums and parks are closed. Federal courts could run out of money by the end of the month.

Trump said he understands that people need to keep their pantries full. He says he "loves and respects" federal workers and appreciates the work they do. But he did not try to explain a comment Thursday by Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross.

Trump Aides Struggle to Show Some Shutdown Empathy One White House aide mused that the shutdown was like a paid vacation for some furloughed workers. President Donald Trump's daughter-in-law said employees' "little bit of pain" was worth it for the good of the country. One White House aide mused that the shutdown was like a paid vacation for some furloughed workers. President Donald Trump's daughter-in-law said employees' "little bit of pain" was worth it for the good of the country.

Lack of empathy questioned



Ross, who is a multimillionaire, told CNBC television he cannot understand why a furloughed federal worker would have to turn to a food bank for help when he can simply take out a loan from a bank or credit union.

His remarks followed those by President Trump's daughter-in-law Lara who said Wednesday that missed paychecks and empty wallets are "a little bit of pain."

The Democratic Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, called the comments a "let them eat cake attitude."
BANGKOK - Nearly five years after the military stormed to power in yet another coup, Thailand has finally announced an official election date scheduled for late March.

It comes with mounting defiance to the armys tight control over freedom of expression, as activists and artists increasingly risk the threat of jail to publicly demand a ballot.

Thai Election Commission Chairman Ittiporn Boonpracong told a press conference Wednesday the date had been set for March 24.

That is the date, which is flexible enough and should be beneficial to everyone concerned. That is the main reason why we decided to choose that date, he said.

Activists and university students gather to demand Activists and university students gather to demand the first election in Thailand, since the military seized power in a 2014 coup, in Bangkok, Jan. 8, 2019. Activists and university students gather to demand the first election in Thailand, since the military seized power in a 2014 coup, in Bangkok, Jan. 8, 2019.

?February date

Public frustration flared when it recently was announced the long promised vote would be delayed for a sixth time because of concerns the Feb. 24 scheduled date could conflict with King Maha Vajiralongkorns coronation in May.

That excuse had perplexed many, given that pushing the date back would bring it into even closer conflict with the coronation.

A group of arch royalists staged a demonstration directly outside the Election Commission to protest the pre-coronation ballot date immediately after it was announced Wednesday.

Wide field of parties

A particularly wide field of smaller parties now is set to contest the election in a political environment that has opened somewhat since the junta relaxed wide-ranging bans on political activities in December.

Thai Government Lifts Politics Bans Ahead of Polls Thailands military government on Tuesday lifted a ban on political activities it imposed when it seized power in a coup more than four years ago, an action taken in preparation for elections promised for early next year. Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha invoked a special executive power with publication in the Royal Gazette of the order easing several restrictions that were set after the army seized power from an elected government in May 2014. The order included the lifting of a ban on political Thailands military government on Tuesday lifted a ban on political activities it imposed when it seized power in a coup more than four years ago, an action taken in preparation for elections promised for early next year. Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha invoked a special executive power with publication in the Royal Gazette of the order easing several restrictions that were set after the army seized power from an elected government in May 2014. The order included the lifting of a ban on political

It will still be a democratic election, however, that comes with many autocratic caveats enshrined in the constitution Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha imposed after he seized power from Yingluck Shinawatras elected government in 2014.

Major concerns include the military being able to virtually hand pick the entire 250-person Senate. Future governments also will be locked into a legally binding 20-year junta-devised development plan covering everything from national security to social equality.

Messages from activists demanding quick elections Messages from activists demanding quick elections to end military rule is pictured at a university in Bangkok, Jan. 19, 2019. Messages from activists demanding quick elections to end military rule is pictured at a university in Bangkok, Jan. 19, 2019.

?Military retains control

Paul Chambers, a political analyst and lecturer in Thailands Naresuan University, said the military also would retain significant control over its budgets after the election through a constitution that also allowed for an unelected prime minister.

So, there is a democracy, there are elections, but when people say, Oh, Thailands going back to democracy, its not the same quality of democracy that used to exist, he said.

A very powerful military that could appoint people to positions in the army previously overseen by the elected prime minister would remain behind the scenes, Chambers emphasized.

In October, incoming Royal Thai Army commander Gen. Apirat Kongsompong refused to rule out yet another coup after the election.

Thailand has had 19 attempted coups and 12 successful ones since 1932.

Rival parties

In addition to the Pheu Thai party aligned with ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, and longtime rivals the Democrats, the pro-military Palang Pracharat Party will compete with several smaller parties.

One that has attracted considerable interest is the progressive and diverse team that has united behind 40-year-old billionaire Thanathorn Juangroongruangkits Future Forward.

On Tuesday, Thanathorn told VOA the election was just a small first step in what would be a protracted struggle to wrestle power from those who had controlled the wealth and power of the country for decades.

So, if you want to correct whats wrong over the past decade, theres only one way you can solve that. You tackle the root cause of the problems. That means you have to deal with these structures, with this group of people. I havent seen any politicians trying to do this before, he said.

Since 1932, since the democratic revolution happened in Thailand  its been 86 years  and weve still been only this far. I believe democratization in this country will not be completed in the next year or two, Thanathorn said.
WASHINGTON - Lawyers for President Donald Trump's former campaign chairman Paul Manafort will try to convince a U.S. judge on Friday their client did not breach his plea agreement with Special Counsel Robert Mueller in a hearing that could lead to a longer prison sentence.

Mueller's office in November accused Manafort of violating his agreement to cooperate with the special counsel's investigation into Russia's role in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.



The special counsel said Manafort, 69, repeatedly lied to federal investigators on at least five different subjects ranging from his contacts with Trump administration officials in 2018 to his interactions with his former business partner in Ukraine Konstantin Kilimnik, who Mueller's office has said has

ties to Russian intelligence.



The hearing gives Manafort's attorneys a chance to persuade U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson that the veteran political consultant, who earned millions of dollars in work for Ukraine's former pro-Russia president, did not breach the plea arrangement. If Jackson finds he did, Manafort could face a much steeper prison term.



Manafort's attorneys in a court filing on Wednesday said he had difficulty recalling "certain facts and events," but did not intentionally provide false information to the special counsel.



Jackson ordered Manafort to attend the high-stakes hearing, denying his request to skip it, but ruled he can wear a suit, rather than a prison uniform.

Some of the details about Mueller's accusations about Manafort's lying were made public inadvertently by his defense lawyers in a Jan. 8 court filing.



Prosecutors said Manafort lied about sharing election polling data with Kilimnik, about his discussions with Kilimnik concerning a "Ukrainian peace plan"

and about a meeting the two had in Madrid.



Kilimnik, who has denied ties to Russian intelligence, was indicted by Mueller in June 2018 on obstruction of justice charges.



Manafort pleaded guilty in September 2018 in a federal court in Washington to attempted witness tapering and conspiring against the United States, a charge covering conduct including money laundering and unregistered lobbying. He was convicted separately by a jury in Alexandria, Virginia in August 2018 of

bank and tax fraud in a parallel case also brought by Mueller.



The Virginia case alone could bring Manafort up to 10 years in prison for the eight guilty counts, according to sentencing experts. Sentencing in that case is scheduled for Feb. 8.



Mueller, a former FBI director, is investigating whether Trump's campaign conspired with Moscow and whether the president unlawfully sought to obstruct the probe. Russia has denied election interference. Trump has denied collusion with Moscow.


WASHINGTON - The U.S. Justice Department says a former substitute teacher from Texas who was captured in Syria has been charged with trying to support the Islamic State.

Warren Christopher Clark appeared in federal court in Houston on Friday.

The 34-year-old was recently captured by the Syrian Democratic Forces and was turned over to U.S. officials this week.

Clark was first identified by researchers from George Washington University's Program on Extremism. The researchers obtained a resume and cover letter he allegedly sent to the Islamic State. In the documents, Clark said he was looking for a job teaching English to students in the Islamic State.

An indictment unsealed Friday charges Clark with attempting to provide himself as material support to the Islamic State.

His attorney didn't immediately respond to a message seeking comment.
ADDIS ABABA - Prosecutors will charge the former head of Ethiopia's strife-torn Somali region and dozens of other officials with plotting to incite a civil war and ordering abuses including beheadings, officials said Friday.

Abdi Mohammed Omer was arrested after three days of deadly violence in the regional capital Jijiga in August. Rights groups said his administration had set out to provoke ethnic bloodshed and had ordered a paramilitary force to attack minorities.

After a five-month investigation, prosecutors had decided to charge Abdi and 45 other officials, 40 of whom are still on the run, the Federal Attorney's Office said. Abdi has made no public statement about the charges.

"Horrific crimes have taken place. It had become a country where victims' throats were slit, others burnt alive or buried alive and left for dead," the Office's communications director, Zinabu Tunu, told reporters.

Zinabu Tunu, spokesperson and communication affair Zinabu Tunu, spokesperson and communication affair director of Attorney General of Ethiopia, takes questions from journalists during a news conference on the case of human rights violations in Ethiopia's Somali Regional State, in Addis Ababa, Jan. 25, 2019. Zinabu Tunu, spokesperson and communication affair director of Attorney General of Ethiopia, takes questions from journalists during a news conference on the case of human rights violations in Ethiopia's Somali Regional State, in Addis Ababa, Jan. 25, 2019.

Fifty-eight people died and 266 others were injured during the violence, including a priest set on fire inside a church, Zinabu added. Encouraging ethnic strife amounted to inciting a civil war, the office said.

Abdi Mohammed Omer spent more than a decade in charge of the remote and largely lawless region on the border with Somalia, much of that time spent trying to crush separatist ONLF rebels.

Rights groups regularly accused his administration of abuses including torture during the fight with insurgents.

The political winds shifted dramatically in Ethiopia when Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed came to power in April, promising to rein in the powerful security services and make peace with separatist groups, such as the ONLF.

Several security officials and senior members of past administrations have been arrested, accused of a range of crimes including corruption and rights abuses.

Government officials said in August that Abdi Mohammed Omer's administration had sought to mobilize ethnic Somalis to support him as rumors spread that he would be arrested on suspicion of being involved in rights violations.

In November, during investigations into the violence, police uncovered a grave containing at least 200 bodies along the border with Oromiya region.
ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA - Ethiopia is banning street begging by Syrian nationals who have startled people by showing up in growing numbers in recent months in major cities around hotels and mosques.

"We are now coordinating our security services to effectively ban Syrian citizens from begging. We have tolerated them for some time but we have now decided to ban the illegal practice. ... They are becoming a burden," the deputy head of Ethiopia's immigration office told The Associated Press on Friday.

Some 560 Syrians entered between mid-August and mid-December and the majority leave when their tourist visas expire, said the deputy, Yemane Gebremeskel. While street begging is not illegal in Ethiopia  there is a large presence of children  the act of entering the country as a tourist and begging is, he said.

Nearly 120 other Syrians have applied for refugee status in the East African nation that hosts one of the world's largest refugee populations, and they were provided with support equaling around $73.

"We gave them what we could afford but they are still begging," Yemane said.

Many Ethiopians were baffled when the Syrians began appearing on the streets of the capital, Addis Ababa, displaying signs written in the local Amharic language appealing for help.

One Syrian told the AP his family fled the war at home and has moved from place to place as life in other countries became too expensive.

Khalid Youssef said he, his wife and three children first sought refuge in Lebanon then a year ago moved to Sudan, which neighbors Ethiopia, with the help of the United Nations. They finally moved to Ethiopia.

"We don't have any money," he said. "Besides, there was no work in Sudan even though people were generous. Here, people are even more generous and they help us a lot."

To survive, he said, the family asks for charity during the day. "At night we go to sleep at the mosque."

The U.N. refugee agency told the AP in December it was supporting Ethiopia's government in caring for close to 80 "Syrian refugees and asylum seekers" whom it said started arriving in the country in 2014.

After several interviews the Syrians on the streets, the agency "was able to establish that these were new arrivals," it said. Over the previous month three Syrian families composed of 20 people had applied for asylum, it added.

Ethiopia currently hosts 900,000 refugees mainly from neighboring Somalia, South Sudan, Eritrea and Sudan. Earlier this month the U.N. praised the government for a new law that will allow refugees to obtain work permits, go to primary schools, open bank accounts and more.

Ethiopia's refugee law is now "one of the most progressive refugee policies in Africa," the agency said.
Jerome Corsi, a right-wing political commentator and conspiracy theorist, confirmed on Friday he is "Person 1" cited in the indictment of Roger Stone and said he no longer believed he would be charged as part of the U.S. special counsel's Russia probe.

Stone, a self-proclaimed "dirty trickster" and ally of U.S. President Donald Trump for 40 years, was arrested on Friday on charges of lying to Congress about the release of stolen Democratic Party emails during the 2016 campaign.

The indictment details multiple communications about the emails and WikiLeaks' plans to release them to the public between Stone and "Person 1" and "Person 2", who are described in broad terms but not identified by name.

Corsi confirmed to Reuters that he was "Person 1.

"I can confirm everything they report in the indictment about 'Person 1'," Corsi said. "I don't see that I am being charged with any wrongdoing of any kind. I think that's appropriate because I've done nothing wrong."

July 2016 email

Among other communications, the indictment references an email from Stone in late July 2016 in which he urged Corsi to go to see Julian Assange, the founder of Wikileaks who is living in Ecuador's embassy in London, and to "get the pending... emails".

Corsi, who was in Europe at the time, responded to Stone in an email on Aug. 2: "Word is friend in embassy plans 2 more dumps. One shortly after I'm back. 2nd in Oct. Impact planned to be very damaging," Corsi wrote, according to the indictment.

Corsi has said he did not receive any inside knowledge or advance notice of the planned email releases from Wikileaks and figured it out on his own based on his own research.

Corsi said in November that he had received a plea offer from Special Counsel Robert Mueller's office under which they were asking him to plead guilty to one felony count of providing false information to them in return for a lighter sentence.

Deal rejected

Corsi, who said he rejected the deal because he never intentionally lied during his 40 hours of interviews with Mueller's team, expressed concerns at the time that he would be indicted as part of the special counsel's probe.

Corsi said he would advise Stone not to underestimate the amount of information already in Mueller's possession.

"The Special Counsel has everything and they are extremely thorough," said Corsi, who has filed a lawsuit against Mueller, the FBI and other agencies, claiming the government violated his Fourth Amendment due process rights.
BRASILIA - Brazil's new far-right government on Thursday gave hundreds more public servants the power to keep official records from the public for decades by labeling them "secret" and "ultra-secret."

Vice President Hamilton Mourao, standing in while President Jair Bolsonaro was at the World Economic Forum in Davos, signed the decree expanding exceptions within the 2011 transparency law.

Handed down as Bolsonaro declared a new era of transparency in Brazilian politics and business at Davos, the decree is likely to put more public records out of the reach of civic groups, journalists and ordinary citizens.

"You need to have a balance between security and transparency," Mourao told reporters after the decree was published. "This just reduces bureaucracy when you classify secret documents."

"This decree is a step backward with respect to transparency, access to information and social control, and this decree simply must be revoked," said Gil Castello Branco, head of government transparency group Contas Abertas.

The move modifies Brazil's 2011 Access to Information Law, passed to guarantee access to local, state and federal government records in the name of strengthening democracy.

The law created exceptions to protect highly sensitive materials, including "ultra-secret" information, which is withheld from the public for 25 years. Previously, the designation could only be made by the president, vice president, cabinet-level officials, military commanders and heads of permanent diplomatic and consular missions abroad.

The new decree allows politically appointed civil servants, agency heads and top executives at public companies to make that designation. The decree also vastly expanded the circle of officials who can make the "secret" classification, which seals records for 15 years.

In total, the government gave more than 1,000 public servants greater discretion in shielding government activities from public view, according to Marina Atoji, who heads the Brazilian Association of Investigative Journalism.

"One way to guarantee that secretive classifications will be the exception is by limiting how many people have the power to make them. By radically expanding the number of people, this decree weakens that guarantee," said Atoji.

Bolsonaro, who took office on Jan. 1, has embraced an antagonistic relationship with the press and non-government organizations on the campaign trail and now in office, disparaging unfriendly outlets as "fake news" and threatening to cut public advertising in specific newspapers.
SARAJEVO, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA - A Muslim party said it would launch a legal bid to change the name of Bosnia's Serb region, enraging all Serbian parties in the volatile country and

prompting calls for calm from the European Union.

The largest Bosnian Muslim party, SDA, said Wednesday that the name Republika Srpska (Serb Republic) discriminated against

Bosniaks and Croats there, and that it would challenge it in the

constitutional court.

Under the 1995 Dayton peace accords that ended Bosnia's 1992-95 war, the country is split into two highly autonomous regions, the Serb-dominated Serb Republic and the federation dominated by Muslim Bosniaks and Croats, linked via a weak central government.

SDA leader Bakir Izetbegovic said the legal challenge was a response to "intensified attacks on Bosnia and its integrity" by Bosnian Serb nationalist leader Milorad Dodik.

Dodik, who heads the Serb SNSD party, said the initiative was anti-constitutional and that Serbs will halt their work in the central government.

"If the appeal is accepted, we will call a special session of the Republika Srpska National Assembly at which we will

decide about the future status of the RS [Serb Republic]," Dodik said after meeting other Serb politicians. He currently chairs Bosnia's inter-ethnic three-man presidency as its Serb member.

'Polarizing' actions

The EU delegation in Bosnia issued a statement saying: "We call on all political parties to refrain from political maneuvers aimed at distracting attention from the real issues facing Bosnia.

"Polarizing statements and actions ... will not facilitate the formation of new authorities at a crucial moment for the country's EU path," the delegation added.

Bosnia is hoping to become an EU candidate this year.

Bosnia's international peace overseer, Valentin Inzko, said the name challenge "in the midst of discussions on government formation is irresponsible and counterproductive, and further undermines the trust between constituent peoples and their political representatives."

Following parliamentary and presidential elections in October, a dispute between Serb, Croat and Bosniak presidency members over Bosnia's integration into NATO has delayed the formation of the central government.

The Bosniak and Croat pro-NATO presidency members refuse to approve Dodik's candidate for the job of prime minister unless

he pledges support for NATO integration. But pro-Russian Dodik is strongly against it.
The Screen Actors Guild turns 25 years old Sunday, and executive producer Kathy Connell has shaped every one.

And while the milestone anniversary offers a chance to reflect on the show's growth and impact, Connell says not to expect too many flashbacks on the telecast, which will be broadcast on TNT and TBS beginning at 8 p.m. Eastern.

"We're going to have some lookbacks but we only have two hours, our show is very tight," Connell said.

Connell has produced every SAG Awards, which honors the top performances in film and television each year. Tom Hanks and Jodie Foster were the top film actor winners in 1995, while this year the Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga-led A Star Is Born is the top film nominee.

GOLDEN GLOBES FILE - Presenters Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga take the stage at the 76th Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, California, Jan. 6, 2019. FILE - Presenters Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga take the stage at the 76th Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, California, Jan. 6, 2019.

Cooper and Gaga, along with actors Chadwick Boseman from Black Panther and Constance Wu from Crazy Rich Asians will be among the presenters Sunday.

Unlike other awards ceremonies that also honor directors, writers and other artists, the SAG Awards are solely focused on actors and the craft of acting.

"It's really a peer award and it's very meaningful because to become a union member is one milestone and then to be nominated and awarded by your peers is another major milestone I think for actors," Connell said during a recent interview. "It's very personal. The room has fun. Our show is different because the room has fun. We consider it the actors' party at the actors' house."

'Wonderful moments'

The ceremony also showcases the guild's Life Achievement Award, which predates the awards show and has been bestowed since 1962.

This year's recipient is Alan Alda, whom Connell calls a "true TV icon and a wonderful man."

FILE - Actor Alan Alda poses for a portrait in New FILE - Actor Alan Alda poses for a portrait in New York, Oct. 25, 2018. FILE - Actor Alan Alda poses for a portrait in New York, Oct. 25, 2018.

Previous recipients include Morgan Freeman, Carol Burnett, Betty White, Elizabeth Taylor, Sidney Poitier and George Burns.

Connell's hands-on approach  she and her team meticulously craft the seating chart  has led to many special memories, including one with 2014 honoree Debbie Reynolds.

The actress wasn't feeling well, so her daughter Carrie Fisher took her place during rehearsals. Fisher and Connell shared a few moments together.

"My parents had just passed, so I knew what it was like and the concern that she had for Debbie's health, and so she and I had a couple of wonderful moments together," Connell said. "Then Carrie and Debbie had a great time onstage, and I think it was the last time they were both onstage together."

Evolution of SAG awards

Connell has presided over numerous changes to the awards over the years. The inaugural ceremony, for instance, did not include the outstanding film ensemble, added in the second year. The category has become a key bellwether for whether a film will be nominated for best picture at the Academy Awards.

FILE - Megan Mullally arrives at the 70th Primetim FILE - Megan Mullally arrives at the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, Sept. 17, 2018. FILE - Megan Mullally arrives at the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, Sept. 17, 2018.

Last year, Kristen Bell served as the show's first ever host. Megan Mullally, a three-time TV comedy actress SAG winner for Will & Grace, will host this year's show.

Connell said there's still at least one awards show mainstay the SAGs hasn't used: "They still haven't let me do a song and dance, I don't know why."

Above all, she says she tries to keep the show fun.

"It's a work day for these actors. People don't understand it. It is really a workday for them," she said. "Just like any contest, some people are going to go home without a statue. So how do I make it as enjoyable as I can possibly make it for people? That's my job."
PENTAGON - U.S. Africa Command, which oversees U.S. military operations on the continent, will again release the number of enemy fighters killed and damage information caused from its airstrikes, after briefly saying it would no longer do so.

"We will continue to report results of strikes, although we are working on refining our messaging to place less emphasis on the number of militants killed and place more context on how these strikes are helping our Somali partners achieve their strategic security objectives," AFRICOM spokesman John Manley told VOA Friday.

US No Longer Announcing Deaths, Damage in Somalia Airstrikes The U.S. military says it has carried out two new airstrikes in Somalia against the al-Shabab extremist group but will no longer give details on fighters killed or damage done. A spokesman for the U.S. Africa Command says those details are now up to Somalia's government to share. On Saturday the U.S. announced its deadliest airstrike in Somalia in months, killing 52 of the al-Qaida-linked extremists after a large group mounted an attack on Somali forces. The new U.S. The U.S. military says it has carried out two new airstrikes in Somalia against the al-Shabab extremist group but will no longer give details on fighters killed or damage done. A spokesman for the U.S. Africa Command says those details are now up to Somalia's government to share. On Saturday the U.S. announced its deadliest airstrike in Somalia in months, killing 52 of the al-Qaida-linked extremists after a large group mounted an attack on Somali forces. The new U.S.

The U.S. military announced Thursday it had carried out two new airstrikes in Somalia against the al-Shabab extremist group the day before but did not provide details on fighters killed or damage done to enemy weapons or positions. A U.S. Africa Command spokesman referred VOA and other outlets to the Somali government to obtain that information.

Hours later, a defense official told VOA the strikes had targeted an al-Shabab checkpoint, killing one militant.

The latest strikes come days after the deadliest U.S. airstrike in Somalia in months. U.S. Africa Command announced Saturday that 52 militants of the al-Qaida-linked extremist group were killed in a strike in Somalia's Middle Juba region.

The U.S. military said the strike was in retaliation for an attack on Somali forces.

"The terrorists have attacked the base with suicide blasts and fierce fighting occurred. We defeated them and forced them to flee, killing at least 70 militants during the attack and an airstrike that followed," Abdinur Ibrahim, a Somali regional security spokesman, told VOA.
PREK ACHI COMMUNE, Kampong Cham Province  In 2015, Vin Dyna, then 21 years old, was struggling with the combined study load of his high school curriculum and the private Korean language classes he was following. He turned to his mother Horm Seang for advice, and she recalled how she did not have to think long about her answer. He asked me whether to drop the Khmer or Korean classes - I told him to go for Korean class and then he passed the test, Horm Seang, 54, said, adding that she encouraged him to start Korean classes a few years earlier. I saw many people [in my neighborhood] going to work in South Korea. We were poor, so I decided to ask him to go to work there, the mother of five told VOA Khmer during an interview in Prek Achi Commune, an impoverished town in a rural region in central Cambodias Kampong Cham Province.

Vin Dyna dropped out of high school at grade 11, but reached his goal: He has been working in a car-parts factory in South Korea for almost three years. He sends home almost $1,000 per month, Horm Seang said proudly, a large amount of money for a family living on a three-acre farm in an area with few other jobs. The remittances have helped pay off $3,000 in loans that she took out to cover her sons Korean classes and his travel to South Korea, she said, adding that the family has been able to save some $10,000 and spend $7,000 on renovating their home.

A town dependent on South Korea Iv Lyhov, the commune chief of Prek Achi, said some years ago several local youths gained employment in South Korea, and word of the good incomes there and ways to migrate spread quickly. Villagers see that other families who sent their children to South Korea have improved their living conditions. So they start doing the same, he said. Many [migrants] are youths and villagers who have one or two children. Some dropped out of school to learn Korean, he said, adding that his daughter and several nephews and nieces had all worked there. They are among the hundreds of thousands of rural Cambodians - often between 20 to 40 years old - who leave their villagers for other countries or the capital Phnom Penh in search of a decent income for their families. Both such types of migration have continued to increase despite Cambodias robust economic growth in recent years due to a lack of development and growing indebtedness in rural areas, according to researchers. Often, labor migration is a struggle and there is a risk of being cheated or abused, while there is always the emotional cost of separation. While Vin Dynas migration has been a financial success, it has been bittersweet for his family too. His father blames me for him going there. If he hadnt, he could have become a teacher in Cambodia, Horm Seang said. Formal migration to South Korea popular Among the foreign destinations, South Korea is a popular option and there is considerable competition to gain a place among the 4,000 Cambodian workers that the country requests annually. Dy Thehoya, a program officer with the labour rights group Central, said South Korea offered better working condition, human rights respect and higher wages than jobs in Phnom Penh or in other countries. On average, Cambodian workers in South Korea earn about $1,200-1,300 per month in the agriculture sector and about $1,700-1,800 in the industrial sector, according to the Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training. By comparison, the garment sector in Phnom Penh offers its 740,000-strong, largely female workforce a minimum wage of around $182. There are some 54,000 Cambodian workers in South Korea employed in construction, agriculture, and in small and medium industries. They annually send an estimated $300 million in remittances to their families, according to government officials, who encourage the labor migration. Through a bilateral arrangement with Cambodia, the South Korean government handles the formal recruitment and process for temporary labor migration through its decade-old Employment Permit System (EPS), which sets an age limit of 40 years and includes a Korean-language skills test. According to an International Labour Organisation (ILO) assessment, South Korea is one of the few Asian countries that formally arranges low-skilled migrant labor without involvement of private agencies, while the EPS provides labour law protections to foreign workers at the same level as those accorded to national workers. Additionally, men living in the Korean countryside struggle to find partners and have sought to marry women from elsewhere in Asia, and some 8,000 Cambodian women have married Korean men, according to government figures. Prek Achi has supplied some of this Korean demand too. Villager Chorn Nat, 65, said her two daughters married Korean men several years ago. They have the Korean nationality. They come to visit us and built our house. Now, they just send us $100 per month, she said.
KAMPONG THOM Hun Samnang, a rice farmer, has to pay off his loan in a few months. But he fears that he will not be able to meet the payments from this years harvest due to plummeting grain prices caused by the imposition of tariffs by the European Union, imposed over protectionist concerns. Rice prices at market have decreased by about 12.5 percent since the EU announced the tariffs earlier this month. If the price keeps the same or goes lower than that, I will lose, the 39-year-old farmer told VOA Khmer at his paddy field in Kampong Thoms Srayov commune. He rented the 30 hectares of land he farms to export rice to Vietnam, costing about $7,500 for four months. He now owes about $15,000 to the bank and needs to meet the $100 monthly payments of interest, as well as paying off half the loan by mid-year. I thought the rice price would be higher ... Thats why I tried to invest in that, he said. We saw others coming here and they managed. So we took the risk to come here. The cost of fertilizers, gasoline and labor costs has also risen, he said.

New tariffs Paddy rice prices in Cambodia have fallen sharply following the EU decision to re-introduce import duties on grains from Cambodia and Myanmar over the next three years. The European Commission had received a request from Italy that called for the imposition of safeguards on Indica rice originating in the two countries. The request was supported by rice growing states in the EU, according to the EU ambassador.



The commission opened a formal investigation on 16 March 2018. The findings of this investigation confirm a significant surge of imports of rice that has caused economic damage to the rice sector in Europe. As a result, the EU has decided to impose safeguard measures on rice from Cambodia and Myanmar, he said in an email to VOA Khmer. Under the new rules, normal customs duties will be imposed on the product, reducing annually over the coming years. The EU is one of the worlds largest rice importing regions, with lower income countries gaining tariff-free access via its Everything But Arms preferential trading scheme. However, it is important also to ensure that EU farmers and producers do not suffer as a result of high volumes of cheap imports. The regulation related to the scheme foresees that in such cases tariffs can be restored, Edgar said. In response to the tariff, the Cambodian government has expressed its disappointment, saying it would be used as a weapon to kill farmers and their families.

Farmers deceived But on the ground local farmers are unaware of the cause of their misfortune. I didnt know about this, says Samnang. I just grow rice and I dont know about the market. Farmers are largely reliant on an informal network of brokers who provide access to international markets. Srey Vuthy, an agriculture ministry spokesman, said the dealers can exploit events like the EU tariff imposition to manipulate prices. Villagers dont know about it and they just follow [what the dealers say]. They are deceived. The problem was compounded, he added, by the harvest season in Thailand and Vietnam coinciding with Cambodia this year. Our countrys paddy rice still depends so much on Vietnam, he said. We heard that Vietnam wont buy much from us. Samnang does not trust the dealers, but has no choice but to use their connections to sell his produce. We cant talk about the price much with the dealers. When they say it costs this and that, we have to follow. I dont think the dealers are honest with us. They want more profit, he said. Storage until the prices change is also not an option as the rice will spoil in the heat and humidity, he says. Nory Noeun, 35, a laborer who collects rice from the farmers, complains about the price increases, which he attributes to an EU tax. I think the dealers have taken this opportunity to relate [a price rise] to the EU, he said.

Another farmer, Tong Y, also has an outstanding $15,000 loan to pay for her 70-hectare land.

I want to try this year, but it is bad since the prices are low already, she said. Other farmers VOA Khmer spoke to agreed.
While the Space Needle may be the most recognizable structure in Seattle, Washington, there is another spectacular and futuristic building nearby: Seattle's Museum of Pop Culture. Initially built as a tribute to the legendary Seattle rock musician Jimi Hendrix, it now celebrates American contemporary pop culture as a whole. One display is dedicated to the Marvel Comics Super Heroes, whose creator - Stan Lee - died at 95 earlier this week. Natasha Mozgovaya gives us a look. VOA Khmer's Leakhena Sreng narrates.
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Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and President of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Borge Brende had a dialogue themed Vietnam and the World on January 24 in the framework of the ongoing WEF Annual Meeting 2019 in Davos, Switzerland.-VNA/VNS Photo Thong Nhat

The comment was made as he joined President of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Borge Brende in a dialogue themed Vietnam and the World on January 24 in the framework of the ongoing WEF Annual Meeting 2019 in Davos, Switzerland.

This is the first time the WEF has held a session dedicated to Vietnams economic achievements and its international integration successes.

Expressing his optimism about economic development in 2019, the Vietnamese leader said Vietnam would make more efforts to continue developing in a strong, sustainable and inclusive manner while ensuring no one was left behind.

PM Phuc said in 2018, although the world witnessed numerous complex and unpredictable changes, Vietnams GDP growth rate reached nearly 7.1 per cent, making it one of the countries with the fastest growth in the world, while the quality of growth also improved substantially.

Adopting a policy of integrating intensively into the global economy, Vietnam supported free and multilateral trade, he said.

Noting the pillars on which Vietnam planned to promote fast, sustainable and inclusive development, PM Phuc said the country would work to better ensure macro-economic stability since this was needed to win investors trust. It would also improve the economys resilience and capitalise on tourism, agriculture and information technology. Additionally, it would step up institutional reforms and perfect a socialist-oriented market economy in line with international practices and commitments which Vietnam had made.

Regarding the Fourth Industrial Revolution or Industry 4.0, the leader said Vietnam would take proactive action to improve labour productivity, adding that making use of Industry 4.0 was the best way for the country to develop quickly and sustainably.

He said despite many difficulties, Vietnam had certain advantages in Industry 4.0, including a young, dynamic and creative population and aspirations to move forwards.

The Vietnamese Government is building a national strategy on Industry 4.0 and preparing to set up a national innovation centre, he said, noting that Vietnam was the first Southeast Asian nation to co-operate with the WEF to establish a centre on Industry 4.0.

In terms of sustainable development requirements, the PM stressed that his country wanted to simultaneously develop the economy, society and environment, and it will never sacrifice the environment for growth.

In response to WEF President Brendes question about how Vietnam would surprise the world in the next five years, PM Phuc said the country would keep alive its spirit and aspirations for development. Firstly, it would sustain growth, improve peoples living standards and continue to be a reliable destination for foreign investors. The country would also make stronger reforms in law and policy making.

Vietnam considered investors success as its own, the PM said, pledging to protect investors rights and legitimate interests so they could further contribute to the countrys socio-economic development.

Brende highlighted the success of the WEF on ASEAN hosted by Vietnam in 2018, which delivered important and meaningful messages to the region and the world. That success not only reflected the importance of ASEAN but also helped improve Vietnams global standing considerably, he noted.

He also emphasised PM Phuc and the Vietnamese Governments strong commitment and resolve to promote production to get further involved in global supply chains.

Investment haven

Also on January 24, PM Phuc had a working session with executives of several major IT groups. He vowed non-stop efforts to improve the business climate, along with close co-ordination with the business community to remove barriers to innovation.

The PM said the Vietnamese Government always listened to foreign enterprises and pledged to form a transparent legal framework approaching advanced international standards.

PM Phuc called on international firms to come to Vietnam and make Industry 4.0 products here.

Vietnam would take the lead in building a policy framework that was receptive to new technologies, PM Phuc said, adding it would step up public-private partnerships to create breakthroughs and environmentally friendly services and products.

Calling Vietnam one of the best investment havens in the changing world, he invited investors to the country, stressing that it always opened its door to them.

At the dialogue, representatives of multinational groups said Vietnam was an important market and production hub.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the commitments made under the Paris climate accord were already "not enough". (Photo: AFP/Alberto Raggio)

"Climate change is the defining issue of our time. We are losing the race," he said on the margins of the World Economic Forum in Davos.

"It is absolutely central to reverse this trend."

Guterres said he was "not hopeful" that nations would find the resolve but stressed: "We need political will and we need governments who understand that this is the most important priority of our times."

The Paris climate accord has been shaken by the withdrawal of the United States under President Donald Trump, and by threats to do the same by Brazil's new hard-right leader Jair Bolsonaro.

The UN secretary-general said the commitments made in Paris were already "not enough".

"If what we agreed in Paris would be materialised, the temperature would rise more than 3.0 degrees (Celsius)," he said on a Facebook Live broadcast from Davos.

"We need countries to make stronger commitments," Guterres said, calling for more measures to mitigate against climate change, adapt to it, and financial aid for poorer countries.
PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc (blue tie) and WEF Founder and Executive Chairman Klaus Schwab witness the signing of an agreement between the WEF and Vietnam on building a centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. (Photo: VNA)

The Vietnamese PM attended the Informal Gathering of World Economic Leaders (IGWEL) under the theme The World in the Age of Globilization 4.0, and held a reception for Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum Professor Klaus Schwab. The two then witnessed the signing of an agreement between the WEF and Vietnam on building a centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and a letter of intent on developing initiatives for plastic waste treatment.

At a bilateral meeting with Dutch Queen Maxima who is the UN Secretary Generals Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development, PM Phuc informed her that Vietnam is building a national strategy on inclusive finance, which serves as an important foundation for the country to realise its socio-economic development targets and the UNs sustainable development goals in general and inclusive finance goals in particular.

He took the occasion to invite the Dutch King and Queen to visit Vietnam.

Talking with Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Carrie Lam, PM Phuc said that as Hong Kong is an important economic partner of Vietnam, both sides should enhance exchanges and meetings.

PM Phuc (L) meets with Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Carrie Lam. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam is willing to create favourable conditions for large enterprises from Hong Kong to expand investment in the country, especially in the fields of transport, infrastructure development, electronic spare parts, supporting industry, processing, finance and banking, he said, hoping that Hong Kong firms will actively participate in the equitisation process in Vietnamese state-owned enterprises.

Speaking highly of the Hong Kong administrations decision to exempt visas for Vietnamese diplomatic and official passport holders, PM Phuc asked the administration to ease visa requirements for Vietnamese people who come to study, work and run business in Hong Kong.

Receiving Vice President at the European Commission Jyrki Katainen, PM Phuc hailed the active development of Vietnam - European Union (EU) ties with deeper mutual understanding and trust.

Noting that the EU is currently the fourth biggest trade partner and the second largest export market of Vietnam, the PM urged accelerating procedural work for the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) to be signed and ratified in the first quarter of 2019, meeting mutual benefits and creating a new momentum for the bilateral relations, especially economic ties.

He also hoped the EU will support Vietnam to deal with the illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and soon remove the yellow card against Vietnams seafood exports to the EU.

Regarding the East Sea issue, the PM suggested the EU continue paying attention to navigation security and safety and supporting the settlement of disputes in the East Sea via peaceful means and in line with international law, the UN Charter and Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982.

Meeting with Romanian Deputy Prime Minister Ana Birchall, PM Phuc affirmed that Vietnam always attaches great importance to developing relations with traditional friendly countries in the East-Central Europe.

Prime Minister meets with foreign leaders in DavosPM Phuc (R) and Romanian Deputy Prime Minister Ana Birchall (Photo: VNA)

The PM congratulated Romania on taking over the EU Presidency in the first six months of 2019. He asked the country to push for the early signing and ratification of the EVFTA.

The two sides agreed to deepen the bilateral relations and effectively implement cooperation agreements, including signing a Protocol revising the agreement on double taxation avoidance, an agreement on cooperation in crime prevention and combat, a cultural cooperation programme in 2019-2021, and a tourism cooperation agreement.

They also agreed to organise the meeting of the inter-governmental committee on cooperation in economy and science-technology in 2019.

During his talks with Secretary-General of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Angel Gurria, PM Phuc welcomed the organisations coordination with Vietnam to build a national multidimensional review report and urged the completion of the report in 2019 to serve the review of the implementation of the socio-economic development strategy in 2011-2020 and the building of a development strategy for 2021-2030.

PM Phuc (R) and Secretary-General of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Angel Gurria (Photo: VNA)

On this occasion, PM Phuc had a number of meetings with major groups in the world such as Siemens, Qualcomn, Google, Total, Allianz, JBIC, GE, and Prudential.
The possibility of an international deal to tax US tech giants is sensitive, as countries threaten to go it alone and Europe is divided on the issue. (AFP/NICOLAS ASFOURI)

OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurria said on Thursday (Jan 24) he hopes to lay the foundations this year for an international tax on digital giants that could come into force in 2020.

The possibility of an international deal to tax US tech giants such as Amazon, Google and Facebook is sensitive, as countries threaten to go it alone and Europe is divided on the issue.

"It is possible," the head of the Organisation for Economic Development and Cooperation (OECD) told AFP at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

"I believe that the conditions exist to lay the foundations for an agreement this year that could be approved and enter into force in 2020," he said.

The prediction comes a year after the scheme looked doomed as member countries failed to agree a text presented to the G20.

At the time, "we didn't think we could do it this year", acknowledged Gurria, who believes that "a space for consensus could now open up".

The tax proposal would likely hit the sales of digital companies, instead of profits, which the tech companies tend to bank in the most tax-friendly jurisdiction.

Faced with the difficulties of reaching an agreement within the OECD and even the EU, countries such as Britain, France and Spain have announced their intention to unilaterally tax the giants.

In Davos, Google vice president Ruth Porat supported the negotiations overseen by the Paris-based OECD, which groups advanced economies.

"We are very frank: we support the OECD initiative," she said.

In France, Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire had initially defended, without success, the adoption of a tax on digital giants at the European level.

Ireland, Denmark and Sweden have blocked the plan by the EU, while powerful Germany was lukewarm, fearing US retaliation against its car industry.
A group of coral reef in waters off Cham Island. Some 2,000sq.m coral reefs were replanted in the area in 2015-17. - Photo courtesy Le Xuan Ai

An expert from the MPA management board, Le Xuan Ai said more than 2,700 groups of coral species had been planted at 10 sites off Bac and Tra beaches.

The coral groups have developed with a survival ratio ranging between 52 and 99 per cent.

Its a positive signal that the sea environment around the island has been well improved and protected over past two decades by the MPA and local community, Ai said.

We measured that coral groups grew from 2.4cm to 6cm each year after replanting in the strict protected sea areas off Bo and Nam beaches. The coral reef restoration project also involved the participation of tourism businesses, fishermen and local community in the Cham Islands over past years, Ai said.

He said campaigns against the use of plastic bags by the Cham Island MPA and local authorities as well as and the 3-R (reduce, reuse and recycle) programmes run since 2011 had helped eased pollution.

The rapid restoration of coral reefs will shelter fish and aquatic species and protect the island from damage by natural disasters.

In a field survey in waters off the island in 2017, scientists and researchers from MPA found the appearance of six rare clown fish species in Vietnam living in coral reefs.

Scientists from MPA said 29 clownfish species, of which seven had been identified, are found throughout the world, and seven rare species were found in waters of Vietnam.

Clownfish is the most hunted sea fish species for aquarium centres in Vietnam, according to MPA.

The island, 20km off the coast of Hoi An, which was recognised as a World Biosphere Reserve in 2009, is one of few places in Vietnam successfully campaigning against plastic bags and promoting 3-R programmes.

The 3,000 inhabitants of the islands, which include eight islets with vast ecological diversity, hosted more than 400,000 tourists last year.

The reserve covers more than 33,000ha, including 1,500ha of tropical forests and 6,700ha of sea, featuring a wide range of marine fauna and flora.
Mary Louise Brooks, known professionally as Louise Brooks, was an American film actress and dancer during the 1920s and 1930s. She began dancing at an early age with the Denishawn Dancers (which was how she left Kansas and went to New York) and then became one of the most fascinating and alluring personalities ever to grace the silver screen.Brooks is famous for her bob hairstyle that she helped popularize during the prime of her career. Thousands of women were attracted to that style and adopted it as their own.Brooks of her dark haired look and being the beautiful woman that she was, plus being a modern female, she was not especially popular among Hollywood's clientle. She just did not go along with the norms of the film society.Brooks really came into her own when she left Hollywood for Europe. There she appeared in a few German productions which were very well made and continued to prove she was an actress with an enduring talent. Until she ended her career in film in 1938, she had made only 25 movies. After that, she spent most of her time reading and painting. She also became an accomplished writer, authoring a number of books, including her autobiography.Brooks died of a heart attack in Rochester, New York in 1985. She was 78 years old.Take a look at these gorgeous photos to see the beauty of Louise Brooks in the 1920s.
News

Experts warn India of third COVID-19 wave by October

A third wave of coronavirus infections is likely to hit India by October, and although it will be better controlled than the latest outbreak the pandemic will remain a public health threat for at least another year, according to a poll of medical experts.


For some, finding the correct health insurance plan can mean the difference between life or death  or going bankrupt. Patrick Casale, Managing Partner of The MultiCare Group United States Division, helps clients understand the system and find coverage thats right for them.

Im going to sell you a policy that you need, and it wont cost you a penny more, Casale says.

According to Casale, who has 28 years of experience, knowing how todays insurance out-of-pockets work, along with co-pay, premiums, deductibles and tax credits, is not something the typical consumer is prepared to understand.

Its a new wave, he says. When the Affordable Care Act (ACA) first came out, a lot of people bought the wrong plans.

Casale added that a good broker will explain all of your policys intricacies: What you get with me is a guy who shows you how the system works, who maximizes your benefits and your dollars. You need the right person helping you get answers.

Casales job is to ensure his clients receive maximum benefits.

I provide them with the facts, he says. Paying more doesnt necessarily mean youre getting better coverage or better service or more choices for doctors. Paying the most doesnt translate into getting the best. According to Casale, someone who is reasonably healthy should consider a Health Savings Account (HSA)  a tax-advantaged medical savings account available to taxpayers enrolled in a high-deductible health plan  because it offers lower out-of-pockets, and premiums are about 25 percent less. Funds contributed to an HSA are not subject to federal income tax at the time of deposit, and unlike a Flexible Spending Account, HSA funds roll over and accumulate year to year if they are not spent.

Theres the ability to set aside tax-deductible expenses that you never lose if you never use, Casale says. The tax advantages actually end up reducing your overall expenses. In fact, if you are really sick and know that you will hit your out-of-pocket maximum, the HSA is your best option. In the last four years, weve seen premiums and out-of-pockets dramatically rise. Premiums are 400 percent higher since the adoption of the ACA, and out-of-pockets are now 125 percent higher, Casale says. In 2019, the penalty for not having health insurance has been waived, which Casale says will allow consumers to find programs that best fit their needs and budgets. He plans to work with lawmakers in the upcoming legislative session to reduce premiums. The average American should not be spending $20,000 a year on health insurance, he says. Were not able to save money for retirement because were trying to save money for health care costs.

The MultiCare Group has more than 25 years of experience specializing in all aspects of employee benefits. Known as change leaders, it is a full-service corporation made up of professionals in the areas of fully ensured programs and self-funded programs and is fully compliant with the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
The ad interim Director of the Vatican Press Office says the Pope wanted his visit to the Juvenile Detention Centre to be an expression of Gods mercy towards everyone.

By Sean-Patrick Lovett

Alessandro Gisotti, the ad interim Director of the Vatican Press Office, was beside Pope Francis on Friday when he visited the Juvenile Detention Centre outside Panama City. Speaking to Vatican News, Gisotti describes the visit as a kind of Mercy Friday: the discreet gestures the Pope occasionally makes in Rome to groups of marginalised or needy individuals or groups.

A message of mercy

I had the opportunity to speak to the Holy Father after this very moving and touching visit for all of us, and for the Holy Father too, says Gisotti, and he told me that the most important message he wanted to deliver, and to witness to, with this visit was precisely the mercy of God. He told me that he wanted to underline the mercy of God for everyone who needs that mercy, not only these young people who face such a difficult situation. So this was, and this is, the message of this day and this visit.

Listen

What we didnt see

At first there was to be no video or audio coverage at all of Pope Francis visit to the Juvenile Detention Centre. The detainees are minors and, as such, their identities are protected by law. In the end, images of the visit were made available, but the faces of the young people were not.

Gisotti says it was the sight of these faces, the faces of young people deprived of their liberty, that moved him most deeply. He was touched by their smiles, in particular: Their smiles, when the Holy Father embraced them, were like a wonderful ray of light, a ray of hope. Not only for them, but for me too and for all the people who were there. The Holy Father managed to give them this feeling of being loved by a father.

Personal impressions

Alessandro Gisotti recalls the first World Youth Day he attended in the year 2000, and reflects on how different it is for him to be here in Panama as ad interim Director of the Vatican Press Office today. This WYD is different because its unbelievable to be the Vatican Spokesman, he says. Everyone knows this was totally unexpected, this call of duty for me. Unfortunately I didnt have much time to prepare in the way I would like. But it is unbelievable to be alongside the Holy Father, to see his eyes, his expressions when he listens to the young people, and to understand how important it is for him to be here, even if we know we have another very important journey to the United Arab Emirates in a few days. But the Holy Father wants to show that he is with the People of God.
A statement by the Holy See Press Office Director said the Pope is informed about the volatile situation in Venezuela where the opposition leader has declared himself President during mass protests against Nicolas Maduro.

Responding to the questions of several journalists who are in Panama to cover the 2019 World Youth Day, Alessandro Gisotti, interim Director of the Holy See Press Office, said Pope Francis is updated regarding the situation in Venezuela.

In Panama, the Holy Father has been informed of the news coming from Venezuela and is closely following the situation as it evolves. He is praying for the victims and for all the people of Venezuela. The Holy See supports all efforts that help save the population from further suffering he said.


Pope Francis, who is in Panama for World Youth Day, on Thursday dedicated his first discourse on Panamanian soil to the countrys authorities, civil society and the diplomatic corps.

On Thursday, January 24, his first full day in the Central American nation, the Pope addressed the countrys authorities, representatives of civil society and the diplomatic corps in the capitals Palacio de las Garzas, the governmental office and residence of the President of Panama. Speaking in his native Spanish, the Pontiff evoked the image of a great fatherland as envisaged by Simon Bolivar, looking upon Panama as a land of convocation and of dreams.

Please find below the full text of the Popes speech:



Mr President,

Distinguished Authorities,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I thank you, Mr President, for your words of welcome and your kind invitation to visit this nation. In addressing you, I would like to greet and thank all the people of Panama who, from Darien to Chiriqui and Bocas del Toro, have made a marvellous effort to welcome the many young people arriving from all over the world. Thank you for having opened to us the doors of your home.

I begin my pilgrimage in this historical precinct where Simon Bolivar, who stated that if the world had to choose its capital, the Isthmus of Panama would be marked out for this great destiny, convoked the leaders of his time to forge the dream of the unification of the Great Fatherland. A convocation that helps us realize that our peoples are able to create, to forge and, above all, to dream of a great fatherland that can include, respect and embrace the multicultural richness of each people and culture. Taking up this inspiration, we can look upon Panama as a land of convocation and of dreams.



1. A land of convocation

This was seen in the Congress of Panama and is seen today too in the arrival of thousands of young people who bring with them the hope and desire to meet and celebrate with one another.

Thanks to its privileged location, your country is a strategic enclave not only for the region but also for the entire world. A bridge between oceans and a natural land of encounter , Panama, the narrowest country of the entire American continent, is the symbol of the sustainability born of the ability to create bonds and alliances. This capacity shapes the heart of the Panamanian people.

Each of you has a special place in the building of the nation, and is called to ensure that this land can live up to its vocation to be a land of convocation and encounter. This involves decision , commitment and daily effort to ensure that all have the opportunity to feel that they are agents of their own destiny and that of their families and the entire nation. It is impossible to think of the future of a society without the active  and not merely nominal  participation of each of its members, in such a way that his or her dignity is acknowledged and guaranteed through access to quality education and the promotion of dignified jobs. These two realities help make it possible to recognize and appreciate the genius and the creative dynamism of this people . Similarly, they are the best antidote to any type of guardianship that would restrict your freedom and subordinate or ignore the dignity of citizens, especially that of the most poor .

The genius of these lands is marked by the richness of its indigenous peoples: the bribri , bugle, embera, kuna, nasoteribe , ngabe and waunana , who have so much to relate and recall from their culture and vision of the world. I greet them and I thank them. To be a land of convocation means celebrating, acknowledging and listening to what is specific about each of these peoples and of all those men and women who make up the face of Panama and work to build a future of hope. For it is possible to defend the common good above the interests of a few or for few only when there is a firm decision to share with justice ones goods.

The younger generation, with its joy and enthusiasm, with its freedom, sensitivity and critical capacity, demands that adults, and especially all those who exercise roles of leadership in public life, lead a life consonant with the dignity and authority that they possess and that has been entrusted to them. They call upon them to live in simplicity and transparency, with a clear sense of responsibility for others and for our world. To lead a life that demonstrates that public service is a synonym of honesty and justice, and opposed to all forms of corruption. Young people demand a commitment in which all  beginning with those of us who call ourselves Christians  have the audacity to build an authentically human politics (Gaudium et Spes, 73) that makes the person the centre and heart of everything. A politics that works to build a culture of greater transparency between governments, the private sector and the entire population, in the words of your prayer for your country: Give us our daily bread: may we eat it in our own homes and in a state of health worthy of human beings.

2. A land of dreams

In these days, Panama will not only be spoken of as a regional centre or strategic site for commerce or the transit of persons: it will turn into a hub of hope. A meeting-point where young people coming from the five continents, brimming with dreams and hopes, will celebrate, meet one another, pray and kindle their desire and commitment to building a more humane world. In this way, they will defy the shortsighted and short-term views that, seduced by resignation or greed, or prey to the technocratic paradigm, believe that the only way forward is to obey the laws of competition, [speculation] and the survival of the fittest, where the powerful feed upon the powerless (Evangelii Gaudium, 53). To believe that would be to close the future to a new imagination of humanity. By welcoming the dreams of these young people, Panama becomes once more a land of dreams that challenges so many certainties of our time and opens up vital horizons that can enrich the path ahead through a respectful and compassionate gaze upon others. In these days, we will witness the opening of new channels of communication and understanding, of solidarity, creativity and mutual assistance; channels of humanity that foster commitment and break through anonymity and isolation, for the sake of a new way of building history.

Another world is possible! We know this and young people urge us to take our part in building it, so that our dreams do not remain ephemeral or ethereal, but can promote a social contract in which everyone has the chance to dream of a tomorrow. The right to the future is also a human right.

Against this horizon, the words of Ricardo Miro seem to come alive. In singing to his beloved homeland, he said: When they see you, my native land, they might say that you were shaped by Gods will, so that beneath the sun shining down upon you, all humanity can come together in you (Patria de mis amores ).

Once more I thank you for everything you have done to make this meeting possible, and I express to you, Mr President, to all those here present, and all those who join us through the communications media, my best wishes for renewed hope and joy in the service of the common good.
Following an audience in the Vatican with Pope Francis, the Secretary General of the Chilean Bishops' Conference speaks of the need for clarity and intelligence in dealing with the crime of sex abuse.

By Vatican News

One year ago, in January 2018, Pope Francis visited Chile. The four-day apostolic journey was filled with significant encounters and events, but was largely overshadowed by abuse scandals and accusations of mishandling of cases by some of the countrys bishops.

In May this year, the Pope summoned all the bishops of Chile to the Vatican to address the crisis. The meeting concluded with the bishops presenting their resignations to Pope Francis.

This week, five Chilean bishops returned to Rome to brief the Pope on the progress the Church in Chile has made in addressing the issue of clerical sex abuse in their country since that meeting eight months ago.

The Secretary General of the Chilean Bishops Conference is Bishop Luis Fernando Ramos Perez. He told Vatican News how the bishops spent an hour in frank and fruitful conversation with Pope Francis, and then continued their discussion over lunch at Santa Marta. We told him about the discernment we are making as Church, said Bishop Perez, and what developments can be expected during 2019 and 2020.

The audience with the five Chilean bishops took place behind closed doors but, according to Bishop Perez, Pope Francis gave them advice and suggestions, the fruit of his experience and wisdom. These included the need to recognize the People of God in all their dimensions, he said.

Bishop Perez will represent the Chilean Bishops Conference at the February meeting in the Vatican on the protection of minors. I believe it will be a very important meeting for the world Church, he said, one that will help all the local Churches to know how to act with clarity and intelligence in the face of these very serious crimes.


A delegation of young Pakistani Catholics was prevented by government officials from flying out of the country to join the Jan. 22-27 World Youth Day in Panama.

Young Pakistani Catholics who were about to fly out to join the Catholic Churchs World Youth Day (WYD) in Panama were blocked at Lahore airport by Pakistans Department for Immigration Office, the Fides news agency has reported.

It said the Pakistani Catholic delegation was blocked at Allama Iqbal International Airport and 14 young people with regular visas, were not allowed to travel. Only a Jesuit seminarian, Emmanuel, was allowed to embark.

The WYD is currently unfolding in the Panamanian capital, Jan. 22-27, which Pope Francis joined on Jan. 23.

Paul Mohan, coordinator of the Catholic Youth Commission of the Diocese of Hyderabad, narrated the delegations ordeal and bitter disappointment to Fides. He said on the morning of January 23, the group collected the boarding passes, went through the security checks at the airport but were blocked by the Immigration Office. They were kept waiting for more than an hour with the officials refusing to let them go.

Mohan said they tried talking to the members of Immigration Office and the officials of the airlines and changed the tickets for the following day, paying the penalty, hoping the problem was over. But the next day, Mohan said the Immigration Office stopped them again despite a regular visa and the letters from the bishops.

Speaking to Fides, Atif Sharif, Coordinator of the "Jesus Youth" movement in Karachi, regarded the action of the Immigration Office as discrimination. If you meet the criteria, if you have the regular documentation requested by the Consulates of foreign countries and you get a visa, he said, a citizen must be free to leave.

The plane ticket costs 300,000 Pakistani Rupees (about 1,800 Euros). Sharif said the huge investment in the trip abroad was all lost because of the governments discrimination.

According to Fr. Bonnie Mendes, a priest of Faisalabad Diocese, "the right to movement, including the right to travel, is a fundamental right of every citizen, in some cases the government can enter the names of some citizens in the special exit checklist, applying a restriction to prevent expatriation. But if this is not the case, government departments cannot prevent people from travelling, if they have all the documents in place", Fr. Mendes stressed. "At this point, a political and legal battle is needed to protect this right. It is a matter that the Justice and Peace Commission or the Human Rights Commission will have to face," he added. (Source: Fides)
The steak with bonfire potatoes, tahini, amba, and a side of Kibbutz salad. Photo: Liz Clayman

There arent many more influential chefs in Israel than Erez Komarovsky, the uncompromising, baker and cookbook author. In a 2017 article, the Jewish food authority Joan Nathan called him instrumental in getting his countrys cooks to look with pride to their own ethnic culinary backgrounds. Taffy Brodesser-Akner concurred in an article for Saveur in which she wrote that he helped usher in the age of Levantine cuisine, arguing he sparked the countrys first artisanal bread revolution. He did that through his Lechem Erez bakery, popularizing sourdough and making unconventional wood-fired breads with beet, fennel, and other ingredients.

The bakery grew to 30 locations, but in 2008 Komarovsky stepped down to a consulting role. Then in 2018, he fled Tel Avivs food scene for a small town near the Lebanese border, where he eventually started offering cooking classes and, more recently, began catering back in Tel Aviv. Yet for his next act, Komarovsky will do something unsurprisingly unexpected. Hell open a fast-casual spot near Union Square called Mint Kitchen, which is expected to open on Tuesday.

At the 50-seat restaurant, which hes opening with entrepreneurs Zeev Sharon and Assaf A. Harlap, Komarovsky has taken on the role of culinary partner. The food here is modern Middle Eastern, with plenty of tahini, chickpeas, and so on. It shouldnt be left unsaid that the concept of Israeli food is contentious, with issues of appropriation, and tied to the countrys conflict with Palestine. Komarovsky has not shied away from politics in the past; during the Second Intifada, he cooked a weeklong dinner series with Arab chef Duhoul Sfadi.

Imas matzo ball soup. Photo: Liz Clayman

New York is new territory for Komarovsky, but it was in California that he was turned on to sourdough bread. Hell share his bread bonafides here with a Galilee pita thats made with spelt wheat, sweet sesame, and a zaatar topping. Thats the only bread on the menu; Mints raison detre is not carbs but healthier food. Accordingly, nothing is fried. Instead, the centerpiece of the kitchen in the taboon oven.

There are shrimp kebabs served with a spicy mango salad, taboon dishes like the golden cauliflower with Moroccan couscous, and baked falafel. Other menu items include the Jaffa hummus (named for the port city) thats warm and comes with roasted mushrooms, as well as Imas herb and pine nut matzo ball soup. The only dessert is a vegan chocolate-tahini truffle, but you can pair that with it one of four gazoz, the Israeli soda made with fresh fruit and herbs, if you need an extra dose of something sweet.

The avocado Caesar with Romaine hearts, radish, zaatar pita croutons, roasted avocado, and avocado vinaigrette. Photo: Liz Clayman

Green baked falafel with tahini and Galilee pita. Photo: Liz Clayman

The Kibbutz salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, radish, red onion, olives, farmers cheese, and lemon and zaatar vinaigrette. Photo: Liz Clayman

The shrimp kebabs with spicy mango salad and barley with green leeks. Photo: Liz Clayman

Strawberry, orange, and mint gazoz. Photo: Liz Clayman

Bright lights, big city. Photo: Liz Clayman

Mint Kitchen, 83 University Pl., nr. E. 12th St.; 646-905-3720
(TNS)  Facebook Inc.s repeated privacy scandals have infuriated users, lawmakers and data-security advocates who are clamoring for a forceful government response. That job mainly falls to Joe Simons, who is under pressure to satisfy doubters or risk sidelining his agency as the nations chief privacy watchdog.The chairman of the Federal Trade Commission talked tough when he took over the agency last year, vowing to increase scrutiny of Americas technology giants after years of a mostly hands-off approach. More than eight months later, his critics are getting impatient.They need to demonstrate theyre willing to use the tools they have aggressively, said Justin Brookman, the director of consumer privacy and technology policy for Consumer Reports Inc. Everyone wants to see the hammer brought down.To some Facebook critics, that means more than just a large fine for allegedly violating a 2011 consent agreement with the FTC over an earlier privacy breach. The FTC is investigating whether the social-media giant failed to honor its commitments when political consulting business Cambridge Analytica gained access to information about millions of users.While a conclusion could still be months away, the agency is expected to hit Facebook with a record fine, said a person familiar with the case who asked not to be named because the investigation is confidential. That likelihood seems to indicate officials have determined there was a violation of the settlement. Facebook says it hasnt violated the decree.The Cambridge Analytica case was already the agencys most high-profile investigation when Simons took over in May last year. Facebooks mishaps have since increased, with disclosure of a security breach affecting 50 million accounts and news that some of the worlds biggest technology companies were given more access to users data than had been disclosed.Some privacy experts, including Brookman at Consumer Reports, are lobbying for passage of the nations first privacy law, which could upend how Facebook does business. Others want to break the company into three components: the main social-network business; the Instagram photo-sharing app, which Facebook acquired in 2012; and WhatsApp, the direct-messaging service it bought in 2014.A break-up is the best way to generate competition to offer stronger privacy protections, says Barry Lynn, the executive director of the left-leaning Open Markets Institute in Washington, which advocates for aggressive antitrust enforcement.Open Markets deputy director, Sarah Miller, said she and other members of a coalition called Freedom From Facebook discussed that approach with Simons over the summer. It would require an expensive and risky court fight that some privacy experts say the FTC is unlikely to undertake.Some argue that the FTC is so overly cautious that it should lose its privacy-protection role. Jeff Chester, the executive director of the Center for Digital Democracy, which advocates for online privacy, is among them. This is why the industry wants the FTC to be the regulator of choice for privacy, Chester said. The industry knows that its nothing more than a passive lapdog.For his part, Simons, a Washington antitrust lawyer and former partner at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, is pushing Congress for more power to punish privacy violations, and not give away his authority to a new agency. Simons, 60, has declined to comment on the Facebook investigation beyond telling lawmakers in November that the FTC will take action as fast as possible. He wouldnt comment for this article.Some lawmakers also think the FTC lacks spine. Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, who is planning to offer bipartisan privacy legislation this year, accuses the agency of failing to use the power it already has.Time and again, the FTC has shied away from pursuing clear consumer abuses by big technology companies, Blumenthal said in a statement. The FTC must demonstrate that it is willing to step up to hold Big Tech accountable.Europe has been tougher on U.S tech companies for antitrust and privacy infringements, with Frances regulator on Monday fining Google 50 million euros ($56.8 million) for violating new European Union data-protection rules. Google, in a statement, said it is studying the decision, which can be appealed, to determine its next steps.Since Simons took over, the commission has held hearings on competition and consumer-protection issues, but hasnt brought any major enforcement actions. The Facebook investigation is fact-intensive and its length so far isnt unusual, said a former FTC official, who declined to be identified discussing a confidential matter.The agency cant impose fines on first-time offenders, only on companies that, like Facebook, have previously agreed to settle charges with the agency. In 2012, it fined Google $23 million for misrepresenting to Safari internet-browser users that it wouldnt place advertising trackers known as cookies on their computers.That was a record for the agency, but a minuscule amount for Google, which reported net income of $10.7 billion that year. The fine for Facebook, which earned $15.9 billion in 2017, will exceed the Google penalty, according to the person familiar with the case.The first enforcement action stemming from Cambridge Analytica came not from the federal government, but from the attorney general for the District of Columbia, Karl Racine. Racine said in a Dec. 19 lawsuit that Facebook violated the citys consumer-protection law by misleading users about the security of their data and failing to properly monitor apps use of data. Other states have opened similar investigations.The commissions 2011 consent decree addressed a litany of deceptive practices. Facebook, for example, allowed profile information  photos, education, place of employment  that a user chose to restrict to Only Friends or Friends of Friends to be accessible to apps that the persons friends used. Facebook also promised users that it wouldnt share personal information about them with advertisers when in fact the company identified to advertisers the users who clicked on their ads or to whom ads were targeted.Facebook was required to implement a privacy program, obtain express consent from users before making changes that override privacy preferences, and undergo regular privacy audits. Under that decree, the FTC can fine Facebook about $40,000 per violation. Now the question is how far Simons takes that authority.Some privacy experts say the Cambridge Analytica mishap may not have violated the order. The incident stems from a personality-quiz app offered to Facebook users by a Cambridge University researcher. About 270,000 people downloaded the app, allowing the researcher to access data about both those individuals and their friends. The information was subsequently sold to Cambridge Analytica, which worked on Donald Trumps 2016 presidential campaign.Facebooks settings at the time allowed third-party apps to access the data of a users friends. Because Facebook disclosed that to users, its unlikely to be a violation, according to Matthew Schettenhelm, a Bloomberg Intelligence analyst in Washington. Thats one of the arguments Facebook is using to defeat a class-action lawsuit users have filed.Another potential avenue of investigation for the FTC is whether Facebook violated the order when it allowed more than 150 companies, including Amazon.com Inc., Netflix Inc. and Spotify Technology SA, access to more users personal data than Facebook had disclosed, as reported by the New York Times in December.Facebook disclosed that it shares details about users with service providers, which plausibly includes many of those companies, according to Schettenhelm. The Times, however, reported that Netflix and Spotify were able to read users private messages and werent considered by Facebook to be service providers. Facebook probably needed users consent before sharing their private messages with those companies, Schettenhelm said. The company says it hasnt violated the decree with those partnerships, either, and has disputed some details of the Times report.Its up to Simons to decide how aggressive to be. He risks drawing fire from Capitol Hill and privacy advocates with a weak settlement, but doing anything too radical could lead to a costly court battle with Facebook, a move that carries its own risks. When the agency brought an enforcement action against medical-testing company LabMD, a federal appeals court in June clipped the agencys power by ruling that the FTCs order to establish a privacy program was too vague and therefore unenforceable.They have a choice, said Open Markets Lynn about the FTC. Are they actually standing up for the American people? Are they standing up for democracy?
(TNS)  Two San Juan County high schools will be the first in New Mexico to deploy a new system designed to rapidly report incidents that require immediate 911 assistance using a smartphone app.New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas joined local government and education officials, and first responders this morning to announce the Rave Panic Button system will be installed at the Aztec and Bloomfield high school campuses.The announcement was made at the Aztec Municipal School District central office.The Rave Panic Button app can be used to report incidents that require immediate 911 assistance and request the aid of fellow staff members.When an emergency situation arises, the user can identify the button in the app that represents the nature of their emergency, including options for fire, medical, police and active shooter. The person who activates the active shooter button immediately will be connected to 911, and an emergency alert will be sent to all users at the same time.If a person activates the medical button, key administrators and staff members with medical training will be notified."The threats are evolving, and we should have the best communication tools, the best training and the best technology implemented," Balderas said.The San Juan County Communications Authority is implementing and paying for the system, and it is being offered to schools for free, according to director David Ripley.Balderas introduced three Aztec High School students he said he has gotten to know since the Dec. 7, 2017, shooting in which 17-year-old students Casey Marquez and Francisco "Paco" Fernandez were killed.Adam Jones, Sara Gifford and Maggie Dimas each spoke about their effort to have the voices of students and parents involved in discussions of school safety. They they supported the new app."We thought it was very important to do what we can and make sure people are hearing our voices," Jones said.Aztec schools Superintendent Kirk Carpenter thanked Balderas and his office for keeping his promise to keep students safe."The legacy of Casey and Paco is in our hands," Carpenter said. "It's up to all of us to make change."San Juan County Sheriff Shane Ferrari and Aztec Police Chief Mike Heal stated they were excited to have the app, adding it would save time by allowing them to immediately respond to incidents.Training will take place with staff members before the app is deployed, Carpenter said.The county communications authority hopes to get the Farmington Municipal School District on board with the system and expand to more schools, according to Ripley.
* The leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Kim Jong-un, has instructed officials to make "good technical preparations" for a second DPRK-US summit, the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on January 24.

* French President Emmanuel Macron said on January 23 that France is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with China in international affairs and to work together to safeguard multilateralism.

* At least two children were killed and 50 people injured in an explosion south of the Sudanese capital Khartoum, Sudanese Police announced Wednesday.

* Algeria and Mali on January 23 vowed to increase security cooperation on their shared border, at the fourth Joint Security Commission which kicked off in Algiers.

* A mass grave believed to be containing as many as 1,000 decomposed bodies was found Wednesday in the countryside of the Raqqa province, the former de-facto capital of the Islamic State (IS) group in northern Syria, a war monitor group reported.

* US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Wednesday (January 23) that she would not host US President Donald Trump to deliver a state of union speech before government reopens, all but rejecting Trump's intent to deliver the speech on January 29.

* The chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, on January 22 strongly condemned an attack in Mali that killed 10 Chadian peacekeepers of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA).

* The European Commission launched on January 23 several consultations to explore how to increase the international role of the euro.

* Egypt's army, backed by the police, is beefing up security presence nationwide ahead of the eighth anniversary of the January 25 uprising that overthrew longtime ruler Hosni Mubarak.

* Starting this year, Philippine government officials and employees will no longer be allowed to travel abroad during disasters and emergencies such as typhoons, according to a statement released by the Philippine Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Thursday.

* The Slovak government has approved the use of the country's airspace by unmanned North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) aircraft that perform NATO's Alliance Ground Surveillance (AGS) tasks, local media reported on January 23.

* Nigerian troops have killed 58 armed bandits and freed 75 kidnapped victims in recent operations in troubled areas of Zamfara state, north Nigeria.
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WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 26th January, 2019) Two members of the UN peacekeeping mission in Mali were killed in when their vehicle hit a mine early Friday morning, according to a local UN statement that was later confirmed by a spokesman in New York.

"This morning at around 0600, a vehicle in a MINUSMA [United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali] logistics convoy hit a mine near Douentza," the United Nations told local media.

In New York, United Nations spokesman Farhan Haq confirmed local reports that two people had been killed and several more were being treated for injuries.

The Journal du Cameroun reported that the dead peacekeepers were from Sri Lanka.

MINUSMA has been deployed since 2013 in Mali to help counter at least five Islamist terror groups, including al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (both banned in Russia) that are either seeking independence or attempting to impose Islamic law in the overwhelmingly Sunni Muslim nation.

Friday's incident followed a terrorist attack on Sunday that killed at least ten Chadian peacekeepers and injured at least 24 others, the United Nations said earlier.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed with Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov in phone talks on Thursday bilateral cooperation, including in the energy sector, the Kremlin press service reported

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 24th January, 2019) Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed with Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov in phone talks on Thursday bilateral cooperation, including in the energy sector, the Kremlin press service reported.

"On January 24, President Vladimir Putin held phone talks with Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov. A number of topical issues of bilateral cooperation, including in the energy sector, were discussed," the press service said in a statement.
MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 24th January, 2019) A new round of peace talks between the Central African Republic (CAR)'s government and militant leaders begin on Thursday in the Sudanese capital of Khartoum.

The landlocked country has been suffering from a drawn-out conflict since a coup in 2013. Much of the fighting in recent years has been between Muslim-majority Seleka and Christian Anti-Balaka militias.

A Sudanese diplomatic source told Sputnik that the talks could last for over a week, with mediation from Commissioner for Peace and Security Smail Chergui of the African Union, which has championed the peace effort.

Other regional stakeholders who will take part in the negotiations are Chad, Congo and Gabon, the source with the Sudanese embassy in Moscow said.

CAR President Faustin-Archange Touadera is expected to come, the source added. The government has made no mentioning of the president in the list of participants obtained by Sputnik.

The car government delegation left the national capital of Bangui on Tuesday. It is led by Firmin Ngrebada, minister of state and chief of staff to the president.

The delegation also includes Defense Minister Marie Noelle Koyara, Foreign Minister Sylvie Baipo-Temon, Justice Minister Flavien Mbara, and Reconciliation Minister Virginie Baikouva.

Parties from all sides of the political spectrum - the majority, centrists and the opposition - will also be present, alongside National Assembly Deputy Speaker Jean Symphorien Mapenzi.

A large group of experts and civil society representatives is likewise attending, including members of the National Mediation Council, religious leaders, human rights advocates, representatives of women groups and victims of war.

The government stressed it had a "firm intention to reach compromise with armed groups in strict accordance with the constitution, national unity, territorial integrity."

CAR Communications Minister Maxime Kazagui said to Sputnik that the nation's government, political parties and civil society were united in their desire to agree a ceasefire and a peace deal. He said he hoped that all stakeholders would negotiate in good faith.
The campaign for Moldova's February 24 parliamentary elections starts on Friday, with the future of the country's development for the next four years hanging in the balance

CHISINAU (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 25th January, 2019) The campaign for Moldova 's February 24 parliamentary elections starts on Friday, with the future of the country's development for the next four years hanging in the balance.

The main power struggle will, as usual, unfold between the "right" and "left" political forces.

The Party of Socialists of the Republic of Moldova (PSRM), which was headed by Igor Dodon before he was elected as the country's president, advocates for rapprochement with Russia. According to polls, the party stands to win 45 seats in the 101-seat parliament. At the same time, Dodon has not ruled out the possibility of early elections if the socialists do not get a majority or form a coalition.

The two right-wing forces, the ruling Democratic Party and the ACUM bloc, are determined to bring the country closer to the West, but their positions differ on a number of other issues. According to polls, each stand to win about 20 seats in parliament.

Meanwhile, the elections will for the first time be held according to a mixed electoral system, which implies that 50 deputies will be elected based on party lists, and 51 will be elected in single-member Constituencies.

The election threshold will be 6 percent for parties, and 8 percent for political alliances. Previously, this threshold was at least 9 percent for political alliances that consisted of two parties, and 11 percent if it was made up of three or more. Independent candidates can be nominated only in single-member constituencies. In addition, for the first time, 2 seats in parliament will be allocated for representatives of Transnistria and three for candidates from the diaspora

The main rival political forces support opposing directions for the country's foreign policy.

"In Moldova, there are three factions that have a certain quota of support. The voters will be offered programs that have a pronounced geopolitical focus, but it will be blurred in the context of economic well-being," Moldovan political scientist Corneliu Churya told Sputnik.

In his opinion, the Party of Socialists, which supports rapprochement with Russia, could get more than 50 seats in the parliament and form a majority. In their election program, the Socialists talk about the importance of cooperation with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the European Union, about the protection of traditional family values and strengthening the position of the country's president.

However, the right-wing forces are divided into two opposing groups. The ruling Democratic Party has repeatedly stressed that it sees no other path for the country other than European integration and even tried to enshrine this in the constitution  the bill failed to receive the necessary support. The Democrats hope to get enough votes to pass these amendments after the elections.

The other right-wing actor is the ACUM bloc. Its leaders are also determined to establish friendly relations with the West, but they advocate the fight against oligarchs, among whom, according to them, is former leader of the Democratic Party Vladimir Plahotniuc.

So far, none of these political groups have all the leverage to come out as a clear front-runner. At the same time, however, the parties have repeatedly stressed that they do not see an opportunity to enter a coalition with anyone.

According to opinion polls, six political parties are likely to enter parliament: the PSRM, led by former Prime Minister Zinaida Greceanii; the ACUM bloc, which includes the Action and Solidarity Party led by Maia Sandu and the Dignity and Truth Platform, led by Andrei Nastase; the Democratic Party, chaired by Plahotniuc; the Shor party, headed by the mayor of Moldovan city of Orhei, Ilan Shor; the former president Vladimir Voronin's Communist Party; and the Our Party under the leadership of businessman Renato Usatii.

According to the sociological study Pre-election Barometer, which was presented by analyst company iData, the pro-Dodon Party of Socialists is leading in the campaign. Experts believe that it can get 45 mandates out of 101.

The ACUM bloc, which has never previously participated in the parliamentary elections, is stands to win 25 seats in parliament, beating the ruling Democratic Party, which, according to experts, is likely to receive about 20 seats.

The Shor party and the Our Party have also never participated in the parliamentary elections but could get about tree mandates each. The oldest party in the country, the Communist Party, may also only count on getting three seats, the study shows.

Opinion polls over the last six months have shown that about 25 percent of citizens have not decided on who to vote for. Political analyst Churya said that it was these citizens who could influence the outcome of the election.

"There is a certain intrigue, and that is the point of the election campaign  to give the undecided the chance to make their choice. It is those people who will influence the final outcome," he said.

The political scientist also noted that some citizens would make their choice on the basis of the proposals in campaign programs.

"The undecided will tip the scales one way or another," Churya stressed.

Moreover, since 2009, none of the parties have been able to receive enough votes to form a parliamentary majority. Left-wing parties in Moldova have traditionally received more support, but were unable to agree on a coalition. That is why right-wing alliances and coalitions, which promote pro-Western policies, have come to power. Under their leadership, Moldova concluded an association agreement and free trade agreement with the European Union.

These developments have had a positive effect on the country's economy. Russia is one of the main markets for Moldovan products. Fearing that the market of the Commonwealth of Independent States will receive goods that are re-exported from the European Union, Russia imposed a temporary ban on certain types of Moldovan products. Nevertheless, Russia now ranks first among the countries where Moldovan exports its agricultural products.
Kazakhstan is prepared to host the UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in 2025, the country's Agency for Civil Service Affairs and Anti-Corruption said on Friday in a statement

ASTANA (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 25th January, 2019) Kazakhstan is prepared to host the UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in 2025, the country's Agency for Civil Service Affairs and Anti-Corruption said on Friday in a statement.

"Kazakhstan has expressed its readiness to hold one of the largest global forums to discuss the problems of combating crime and criminal justice.

The UN Congress is the largest thematic international forum of the United Nations," the statement reads.

According to the statement, Kazakhstan was offered to host the UN Crime Congress in Astana in 2025.

The agency's delegation took part in Asia and Pacific regional preparatory meeting for the 14th UN Crime Congress in Bangkok on January 22-24. The next congress is scheduled to be held on April 20-27, 2020, in Japan's Kyoto.
Minister for Local Government (LG) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Shahram Khan Tarakai Friday directed immediate ban on commercialization in university town and warned strict action against those found involve in the practice without prior permission of local government

PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 25th Jan, 2019 ) :Minister for Local Government (LG) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa , Shahram Khan Tarakai Friday directed immediate ban on commercialization in university town and warned strict action against those found involve in the practice without prior permission of local government

He expressed annoyance over commercialization in University Town and questioned that how the process of commercialization started in absence of approved rules and regulations.

He was chairing a meeting convened to discuss issues relating to commercialization in locality of University Town.

The meeting, among others, was attended by Secretary LG, Zahir Shah, Secretary Local Council board, Khizr Hayat, Assistant Commissioner, Town III and concerned officials.

Participants of the meeting discussed various aspects of the commercialization process in university town and acquired legal briefing from the concerned officials.

The meeting was briefed that the total area of the town was about 245 acres and the number of constructed houses in its vicinity was 1300 among which 430 were being used commercially.

He also proposed that a sector or road should be declared commercial' after introducing amendment in rules and proper legislation.
(TNS)  Bay County and other areas ravaged by Hurricane Michael are set to get 100 percent federal reimbursement for 45 days of debris removal and protective measures instead of just five, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced on Thursday.The expansion is expected to save the county $85 million in expenses.In a press conference set in hard-hit Marianna, DeSantis said President Donald Trump has agreed to extend the days of 100-percent reimbursement for debris removal, the most expensive part of the hurricane recovery to date in Bay County. Federal reimbursement will also be extended to 100-percent for 45 days for protective measures the county took to eliminate or reduce immediate threats to life, public health and safety before, during and after the hurricane."That's real money ... it takes the burden off these communities," DeSantis said.DeSantis said he met with Trump on Tuesday, where he agreed to the expansion of reimbursement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency."He heard, he listened and he acted," DeSantis said of Trump. "When things like this happen, you've got to fight and that's what we're doing."Philip Griffitts, chairman of the Bay County Commission, who attended the event, said the reimbursement expansion would be a big help to all of the county."This will take burden off the county and cities with their debris bills," Griffitts said.The county estimates that its debris removal work will reach $400 million in cost. So far, the county has borrowed money to pay for cleanup work while waiting for federal reimbursement. Costs for protective measures are ongoing."This could help cover an extensive amount of the cost," Joel Schubert, assistant county manager, said about the extension. "Hopefully, it'll be for 45 of our most extensive debris removal days."To date, the county has removed 6.5 million cubic yards of debris or 200,000 cubic yards a day."We're probably two thirds of the way through," Schubert said of debris removal.Schubert noted that the county still expects federal reimbursement money for debris removal and protective services not covered under the 45 days, just not as much. FEMA is expected to cover 75 percent of the rest of the cost, while the county and the state will split the remaining 25 percent, he said.2019 The News Herald (Panama City, Fla.)Visit The News Herald (Panama City, Fla.) at www.newsherald.comDistributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
(@FahadShabbir)

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs told the National Assembly on Friday that the Pakistani missions abroad were providing legal assistance and maintaining constant liaison to ensure well being of prisoners detained in Central Asian states

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 18th Jan, 2019 ) :The Ministry of Foreign Affairs told the National Assembly on Friday that the Pakistani missions abroad were providing legal assistance and maintaining constant liaison to ensure well being of prisoners detained in Central Asian states.

In a written reply, the ministry told the house here that the nine Pakistani prisoners in jails of Kyrgyz Republic were detained on charges of fake travel documents, murder, human trafficking, defrauding Pakistani and foreign students and entry into Kyrgyzstan without travel documents.

The Pakistani mission was maintaining constant liaison to ensure their well being.

A Memorandum of Understanding for exchange of prisoners was under process. In three cases the embassy has hired a lawyer and approached the local government at appropriate level. The embassy's lawyer was pursuing the case.

One prisoner was held in jail in Kazakhstan on drug smuggling.

The embassy is providing consular access on regular basis. However, any legal or financial assistance is not provided to drug traffickers and smugglers as directed by the Supreme Court of Pakistan.

Two persons were detained in Tajikistan because of forged documents and drug smuggling. The mission in Tajikistan provided legal assistance and Foreign Minister specially requested Tajik government for clemency for these two Pakistanis. The mission maintains constant contact with them to ensure their well being.

Four Pakistani prisoners were in jail in Azerbaijan on charges of sexual assault and forged documents. The mission remains in contact with all prisoners and daily use items/ edible are provided. The mission is also pursuing the matter with theconcerned Pakistani authorities for early ratification of the agreement ontransfer of convicts.
A celebration of the life for John Robert "Bobby" Brown, 72, will be held at his residence on Wednesday, June 16, 2021, at 10 a.m. Bobby was born in Dublin, but his home was Baldwin County. He was predeceased by his parents, John Preston "Pete" Brown and Virginia Watson Brown. He was retired
IT GOT INTO the 90s back home the other day and friends complained to me over the phone though guiltily because they knew Id spent a day in the ER in New York which, honestly, had been a beautiful illuminatory experience and not miserable at all, but they felt sheepish about complaining of 
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HUDSON -- Question: The pages of a book are numbered consecutively from 1 to n. The book is divided into 12 chapters such that the number of digits used to number the pages of each chapter is the same. Compute the least possible value for n.
Miami Converts New Website from Beta Test to Official

New Map Visualizes Chicago Neighborhoods Most at Risk from Pollution

New York State Reminds Residents to Protect Selves in Honor of Data Privacy Day

Jobs in Local and State Government Technology Work Abound

Philadelphia is searching for a director of software engineering to help modernize the citys digital portfolio.





Code for America is looking to hire a data scientist to be based in San Francisco.





Los Angeles is searching for a program manager to join its Innovation Team and help implement a program aimed at incentivizing creating accessory dwelling units to be used for homeless housing.





Baltimore IT is looking to hire a deputy CIO to help with digital transformation work in that city.





The Knight Foundation is looking for paid summer interns to work on building informed and engaged communities in the following cities, Akron, Ohio; Miami; San Jose, Calif.; and St. Paul, Minn.





Noting that local government innovation has traditionally lagged, a civic technologist with experience at the federal level has created a directory for government design systems and pattern libraries.All of the entries in the directory  which was created by Ron Bronson and has been dubbed the Non-Federal Government Design Systems and Pattern Library Directory  are open-sourced and from the municipal level. At least that was the original intent. On the directories home page, Bronson writes, Since there are so few local government design systems that exist, Ive expanded the repo to include state-level systems.So far, the list of resources available through the GitHub-hosted directory include Austin, Texas; Bloomington, Ind.; Boston; Philadelphia; Tampa; and the state of Massachusetts, among others. Bronson invites unlisted government agencies who qualify to submit their work to be added.Whats involved here are design systems, which are complete sets of design standards, accompanying documentation and principles. It also includes the toolkits that technologists can use to meet and match design standards. A pattern library, for the uninitiated, is a subclass within the design system. It is, essentially, the design patterns that are used throughout an agency for various platforms and projects.The directory Bronson has set up also extends out of the United States, including design systems and pattern libraries for places such as Bristol, United Kingdom; Cordoba, Argentina; and Alberta, Canada. The directory is, of course, free to use for any who are interested.Miamis new user-centered website, which has been in development for some time, is now live as the citys official website.Miami made the switch earlier this week. The site was first launched as an alpha version in January 2017, with the city seeking public feedback. The new design was built as both a functional and aesthetic overhaul over its predecessor. It featured hip touches culled from the citys artsier neighborhoods, and it also featured increasingly-standard user-centered design touches, such as a prominent search bar and easy-to-access list of the most popular functions.Miami, like many cities across the country, as recently as a few years ago, had a fairly utilitarian website that was packed tight with text and drab colors. In a broader sense, Miamis shift is representative in one happening across the country for cities of all sizes: moving from websites that are built solely to suit the needs of government to ones that are built with the needs of users in mind. Its a shift being powered somewhat by the private sector, in that citizens now expect their municipal government websites to be as user-friendly and streamlined as something like Amazon.While the new website is now official for Miami, the information from the old site is still online, archived via archive.miamigov.com . One can easily and immediately see the difference in the color schemes alone. new visualization maps the neighborhoods in Chicago that are most at risk from pollution.The map is aimed at illustrating the way inequities factor into even the pollution levels in certain parts of the city. It was created by the Natural Resources Defense Council, which is a nonprofit international group that works in the service of environmental advocacy. The map combines social demographic information from various neighborhoods  information like demographics, poverty, linguistic isolation, and other metrics  with environmental factors such as risks posed by air toxins, prevalence of lead paint exposure, and proximity to Superfund sites. Much of the data for the map was collected by the Environmental Protection Agency.One interesting facet of this map is that it goes beyond simply mapping factors against each other, instead combining the indicators in a way aimed at showing the cumulative impacts. Also, every neighborhood in the city was designated a cumulative score for its overall vulnerability, which was then mapped with a corresponding color on the map. Academics in California helped develop the method the map uses to combine its various factors, so as to illustrate the connection between inequity and environmental risks.Developers and advocates for the map have speculated that it could be a useful tool when it comes time to re-zone industrial developments or to spend the money that that the city was awarded as part of a multi-billion-dollar settlement with Volkswagen related to cheating emissions standards. Reports have noted that community advocacy groups have already started to use the map and the information it provides.The New York State Office of Information Technology Services and the Department of State Division of Consumer Protection has worked this week to remind both residents and business owners about the importance of protecting information online. In addition, theyve shared privacy and data tips, too.This awareness campaign comes in preparation of National Data Privacy Day, which is Jan. 28. New York state and the involved agencies are far from alone. In advance of the day, a number of cybersecurity and local government groups took the opportunity to spread awareness or host events related to bolstering online data protection.New York included relevant statistics with its announcement of the campaign, noting that according to the 2017 Internet Crime Report that was published by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation, the state ranked fourth-highest in the nation for the number of Internet crimes reported. As a result, the cost for the state was more than $88 million, which actually marked a decrease from the previous year, when the total was $106 million.Some of the tips offered include securing mobile devices, being careful when using public Wi-Fi hot spots, knowing the specifications of the apps you download, being cautious about sharing certain information on social media, using strong passwords, and changing your security questions. New Yorks Division of Consumer Protection also has a website with information related to security breaches and avoiding identity theft, which can be found here . New York's Office of Information Technology Services, meanwhile, has a website with more info and additional online security resources, which can be found here With the new year upon us, a seemingly larger-than-usual number of organizations involved with or adjacent to work in government technology are hiring.Here is a brief list of some prominent job openings as well as places online that interested parties can find more information:
Up to 400 contractors are reportedly in Venezuela now.

Private military contractors of the Russian private military company (PMC) Wagner have arrived in Venezuela to beef up security for of President Nicolas Maduro amid protests.

Two sources close to Russian private military companies told reporters about the arrival of Russian contractors in Venezuela, Russia's TV Rain (Dozhd) reported with reference to Reuters.

A third source close to the Russian contractors also told Reuters there was a contingent of them in Venezuela, but could not say when they arrived or what their role was.

Read alsoMFA: Ukraine supports people of Venezuela in bid for democracy

Yevgeny Shabayev, leader of a local chapter of a paramilitary group of Cossacks with ties to Russian military contractors, said he had heard the number of Russian contractors in Venezuela may be about 400.

The contractors are associated with the so-called Wagner group whose members, mostly ex-service personnel, fought clandestinely in support of Russian forces in Syria and Ukraine, according to Reuters interviews with dozens of contractors, their friends and relatives.

As UNIAN reported earlier, mass protests against President Nicolas Maduro began in Venezuela on January 23. Opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself president with Washington's endorsement. The National Assembly of Venezuela, in turn, declared Guaido acting president of the country.
Until the renaming process, Greece repeatedly blocked Macedonia's attempts join the EU and NATO.

Greece's parliament voted on Friday in favor of a deal to end a diplomatic dispute with the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) that has plagued relations for nearly 30 years.

The Greek government had been under immense public pressure to back down from the agreement, which will allow its neighbor to change its name from the Republic of Macedonia to the Republic of North Macedonia, Deutsche Welle reported.

The vote tally was: 153 in favor, 146 against.

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, who hammered out the deal with his Macedonian counterpart last year, hailed the ratification as a "historic day."

Read alsoRFE/RL: Macedonian Parliament votes to change country's name

Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev sent his congratulations via Twitter: "Together with our peoples we reached a historic victory. Long live the Prespa Agreement! For eternal peace and progress of the Balkans and in Europe!"

European Council President Donald Tusk also welcomed the result: "They had imagination, they took the risk, they were ready to sacrifice their own interests for the greater good. Zoran, Alexis  well done! Mission impossible accomplished," he tweeted.

According to the deal, Macedonia will:

- Change its name in exchange for Greek recognition;

- Add plaques to statues of Alexander the Great explaining his Greek heritage "to ensure respect for (ancient Hellenic) patrimony;"

- Remove all public imagery of the Sun of Vergina, which Greece claims is an ancient Greek symbol;

- Upgrade its liaison office in Greece to an embassy, among other measures;

Since Macedonia gained independence in 1991, Greece has objected to Skopje's use of the name, saying it is in direct conflict with the Greek province that goes by the same name.

For Greeks, the province of Macedonia was the seat of power for Alexander the Great, who is considered a national hero. They believe that Macedonia has in the past blurred the lines of his Greek heritage.

Until the renaming process, Greece repeatedly blocked Macedonia's attempts join the EU and NATO.
He was indicted Thursday by a federal grand jury in the District of Columbia on seven counts, including one count of obstruction of an official proceeding, five counts of false statements, and one count of witness tampering.

Roger Stone has been indicted by a grand jury on charges brought by special counsel Robert Mueller, who alleges that the longtime Donald Trump associate sought stolen emails from WikiLeaks that could damage Trump's opponents at the direction of "a senior Trump Campaign official."

The indictment's wording does not say who on the campaign knew about Stone's quest, but makes clear it was multiple people. This is the first time prosecutors have alleged they know of additional people close to the President who worked with Stone as he sought out WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, CNN wrote.

Read alsoLaw firm to pay $4.6 mln in case tied to Manafort and Yanukovych gov't in Ukraine  NYT

"After the July 22, 2016, release of stolen (Democratic National Committee) emails by Organization 1, a senior Trump Campaign official was directed to contact STONE about any additional releases and what other damaging information Organization 1 had regarding the Clinton Campaign. STONE thereafter told the Trump Campaign about potential future releases of damaging material by Organization 1," prosecutors wrote.

Stone was arrested by the FBI Friday morning at his home in Florida, his lawyer told CNN. He was indicted Thursday by a federal grand jury in the District of Columbia on seven counts, including one count of obstruction of an official proceeding, five counts of false statements, and one count of witness tampering.

The special counsel's office said he will appear before a federal judge in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, later today.
Since 2016, European allies and Canada have spent an extra US$41 billion in real terms.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg predicts that European allies and Canada are to increase their defense budgets to US$100 billion by 2020.

Since 2016, European allies and Canada have spent an extra US$41 billion in real terms. "Based on the national plans coming in from all the allies, they will add $100 billion by the end of next year," he said in Davos, Switzerland, on January 24, according to NATO's official website.

He said that by 2024, the additional defense expenditures of the allies except for the United States would grow by US$350 billion compared to their spending in 2016, according to Deutsche Welle's Ukrainian Service. In 2016, defense expenditures of NATO member countries in Europe amounted to almost US$238 billion, and the United States allocated more than US$650 billion.

As is known, U.S. President Donald Trump constantly demands that other NATO member countries increase defense spending to two percent of GDP, as decisions taken at the 2014 NATO Summit in Wales suggest.

Read alsoUkraine's Foreign Intel Service: Russia to spend US$350 mln for meddling in Ukraine elections

Stoltenberg also stressed in Davos that Europe and North America had stood shoulder-to-shoulder in NATO for over 70 years, protecting common interests and values. The Secretary General noted that Europe and North America are doing more together  modernizing the NATO Command Structure, strengthening NATO's cyber defenses and investing more in collective defense.

NATO Allies have also demonstrated unity on arms control, speaking with one voice on Russia's violation of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, he said. Allies have called on Russia to return urgently to full and verifiable compliance with the Treaty.
Two Russian fighters were killed, another one was wounded in the past day.

Russia's hybrid military forces mounted three attacks on the Ukrainian army in Donbas, eastern Ukraine, from 00:00 to 18:00 Kyiv time on Friday, January 25.

"The enemy attacked our troops' positions three times from 00:00 to 18:00. The enemy hit Ukrainian defenders near the village of Katerynivka in the Pivnich (North) sector, using an anti-tank guided missile, as a result of which one serviceman was killed and another four were wounded," the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) press center said on Facebook in an evening update as of 18:00 on January 25.

Read alsoRussia triples recon activity in Donbas, preparing for offensive  Commander Nayev

The wounded were hospitalized and provided with necessary medical aid. "There is no threat to their lives now," it said.

Russian-led forces also attacked Ukrainian positions near the village of Shyrokyne in the Skhid (East) sector twice. They used grenade launchers and large-caliber weapons.

The Ukrainian army used conventional weapons to fire back.

Ukraine's intelligence reported that two Russian fighters had been killed, another one had been wounded.

The situation in Donbas is under control, the JFO JQ said.

As UNIAN reported earlier, one Ukrainian serviceman was killed and four were wounded in an attack on their vehicle, which was hit by an enemy anti-tank guided missile on Friday morning.
The wounded military were rushed to a hospital.

One soldier was killed and another four were wounded in Donbas as an anti-tank guided missile hit the Ukrainian Army truck in the area of hostilities in eastern Ukraine where Joint Forces repel Russian proxies.

The shot was fired from the militant-occupied territory this morning, TSN reports.

Read alsoPoroshenko: Ukraine's army hasn't used Javelins in combat yet

The missile hit the Ukrainian truck in the village of Katerynivka, which Joint Forces last year took under complete control.

The wounded military were rushed to a hospital.

The report says the doctors assess their condition as stable.
There were no casualties among Ukrainian troops.

Russian-led forces mounted nine attacks on Ukrainian troops in Donbas, eastern Ukraine, in the past 24 hours.

"No Ukrainian army casualties have been reported in the past day. According to intelligence reports, five occupiers were killed," the press center of Ukraine's Joint Forces Operation (JFO) said in an update on Facebook as of 07:00 Kyiv time on January 25, 2019.

Read alsoRussia triples recon activity in Donbas, preparing for offensive  Commander Nayev

The enemy opened fire from automatic grenade launchers, grenade launchers, heavy machine guns, and small arms at the Ukrainian positions near the town of Maryinka, and the villages of Vodiane, Hnutove, Chermalyk, and Pavlopil.

In addition, the invaders engaged Ukrainian positions near the village of Krymske using 120mm mortars.

"Since Friday midnight, Russian-led forces haven't attacked Ukrainian positions yet," the report said.
Citizens of Ukraine can stay in Turkey for up to 90 days without a visa.

Some 1.35 million Ukrainian tourists visited Turkey in 2018.

"The number of tourists from Ukraine who visit Turkey steadily increases every year. Last year saw a record high number  1.350 million," Ukraine's Ambassador to Turkey Andriy Sybiha tweeted on January 25.

Read alsoVisa-free travel between Ukraine and Uruguay takes effect from Feb 15

He said opportunities of expanding cooperation between Ukrainian and Turkish tour operators had been discussed with representatives of the Association of Turkish Travel Agencies.

As was reported, citizens of Ukraine can travel to Turkey without a visa for up to 90 days within 180 days.

In addition, Ukrainians can use ID cards to enter Turkey.

As UNIAN reported, Turkish Airlines plans to launch direct flights from Boryspil Airport to the Turkish resort town of Bodrum.
The Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) collects data, a lot of data in fact, with the help of multiple systems from multiple vendors.For MATA, collecting data is not a problem. What is a problem, however, is the speed with which it is able to get that data to folks who need it  a list that includes the local government in Memphis, the public and even the agencys own leaders. Getting these stakeholders fast access to data in an easy-to-read format is logistically unwieldy. There are so many disparate sources, mechanisms of collection and systems of management. To solve this challenge, the agency is one of more than 20 government entities participating in this years Startup in Residence (STiR) program. STiR is a nationwide innovation facilitation program, one that embeds startup companies within state and local government agencies, where they spend time working together on technology-based solutions to overcome obstacles. The idea is that the close partnership will lead to private-sector expertise helping government solve problems. The entrepreneurs essentially volunteer their time for the chance to create and test products within government, still a somewhat untapped market for tech companies.In an ideal STiR scenario, the product a company creates for one government agency will be scaled for use elsewhere. This is certainly the hope of the entrepreneurs who are now working with MATA. In posting its initial challenge , MATA noted that its data sharing troubles were far from singular, citing as many as 600 other transit authorities nationwide that could benefit from a streamlined solution for organizing and sharing their data.To potentially solve this problem, STiR has paired the government group with a startup called Urban SDK , a predictive analytics and data streamlining company based in Jacksonville, Fla. For the next four months, MATA and Urban SDK will be working together to develop a solution that enables quick and simple sharing of all of the transit authoritys data.To understand how far the work has to go, one must first look at where MATA and its data practices stand now. As is largely standard for governmental bodies, the organization is a bit behind, said John Lancaster, director of planning and scheduling for MATA. In fact, anachronisms within the agency include things like storing data in separate spreadsheets, or, in some rare cases, using paper-based practices.Overall, crucial information such as transit data, ridership statistics and other performance metrics that could be used to drive evidence-based decision-making are mostly siloed, kept in separate places and decentralized. If done properly, a new streamlined system could enable near-real-time sharing of data that gets as granular as the number of riders who use certain public transit routes at given times of day. These types of performance measurement insights can be invaluable, said Lancaster. The other concern of this work is to provide the data in a way that meets requirements set by the Federal Transit Administrations National Transit Database program, which is also applicable to the hundreds of other authorities throughout the country.In regards to the logistics of the work, Urban SDKs Justin Dennis and Drew Messer, who make up the companys leadership team, noted that this kind of data streamlining is something theyre already doing. Theyre currently working to build a data integration and management platform that meets MATAs and its partners needs. The trickiest part of the entire collaboration for them, at least so far, was forging a pathway into government.Both Lancaster and the leadership team at Urban SDK said this wouldnt have been possible without STiR playing the role of facilitator. One of the ongoing improvements that STiR seeks to foster in the startup-government collaboration process is an easier way to handle the Request for Proposal (RFP) and procurement process. In fact, the program has converted its application system into an actual RFP.Jay Nath, co-executive director for STiRs managing organization, City Innovate Foundation, recently described the application as a rapid RFP, noting that it generally takes a company less than an hour to complete one. This is a far cry from how MATA used to search out collaborative vendors, doing so, Lancaster said, with advertisements in local sources that dont have national reach and almost definitely wouldnt have caught the attention of a company in Florida. STiRs RFP process was improved for the company as well.It was much faster to get to the relationship than traditional public-sector RFP processes, Dennis said. STiR gave us the opportunity to actually speak with the decision-makers here in Memphis before deciding who we wanted to work with, and that type of transparency is not typically available in your usual RFP process.STiR started back in 2014 as an initiative located in San Francisco. Over the years, it expanded regionally within California, before launching its first national cohort in 2018. This year, more than 700 companies participated in the rapid RFP process, offering up their expertise to 22 participating government agencies.
The agency handed over to the Facebook and Twitter management the information about the accounts identified that could be used by Russia as part of their hybrid aggression against Ukraine.

The SBU Security Service of Ukraine say they have revealed and shut down a mechanism for Russian intelligence's interference in the electoral processes through social networks.

According to the SBU's press center, the operatives exposed a resident of Kyiv who "under the supervision of the Russian special services administered anti-Ukrainian communities on social networks," as well as "for monetary reward got access to the so-called 'ad offices' tied to accounts of Ukrainian users of Facebook and Twitter," where he was tasked with "manipulating the minds of Ukrainian voters in the interests of the Kremlin."

Read alsoUkraine's Foreign Intel Service: Russia to spend US$350 mln for meddling in Ukraine elections

The SBU discovered over 300 accounts, which during the presidential election campaign in Ukraine were to be used to promote politically-targeted ads. Through them, masterminds planned to influence voters' choice and disseminate fake or manipulative news discredit the Ukrainian government and law enforcement agencies, according to the report.

The Security Service of Ukraine handed over to the Facebook and Twitter management the information about the accounts identified that could be used by Russia as part of their hybrid aggression against Ukraine.

The SBU stressed in 2019, Facebook tightened its security policy regarding the use of political advertising in the Ukrainian segment of the internet.

Read alsoRussia to interfere in Ukraine elections as part of ongoing hybrid war: Poroshenko

"Now, to prevent manipulative influence on Ukrainians, Facebook prohibits political advertising from accounts that are administered outside the Ukrainian segment of the internet. Due to the measures taken by the administration, the interest has increased of the aggressor's special services to [managing] personal accounts of Ukrainian citizens on social networks. At the same time, users receive commercial proposals from persons who are actually guided by the Russian 'factory of trolls'  'Internet Research Agency LLC'," the SBU said.

The Security Service of Ukraine appeals to Ukrainian netizens to remain vigilant and report to the security officials if they receive shady proposals from people they do not know personally on using their accounts in social networks. Responsibility for illegal actions that could be committed with the use of the account will be laid on the actual owner, the agency warns.
Czaputowicz said that the Nord Stream 2 project should not be implemented.

Poland's Minister of Foreign Affairs Jacek Czaputowicz says he is convinced that the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline in the Baltic Sea will deprive Ukraine of certain protection against extended aggression from the Russian Federation.

Czaputowicz made this statement while meeting with Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze in Davos, Switzerland, the media liaison office of the Ukrainian Cabinet's Secretariat told UNIAN.

The Polish minister stressed that Poland sees Nord Stream 2 as a significant threat to the peace and security of the European continent not only from the point of view of deepening the dependence of European countries on Russian energy resources, but also from prospects for the escalation of Russian aggression against Ukraine.

According to Czaputowicz, when transit shipments of Russian natural gas via Ukraine stop, the country will lose both profits and certain protection from extended aggression from the Russian Federation.

Read alsoExpert suggests way for Ukraine to undermine Nord Stream 2

He noted that Poland's position regarding the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline coincides with that of the European Commission and remains unchanged. It states that the Gas Directive on the extension of the application of its requirements to subsea pipelines should apply to all pipelines.

Czaputowicz said that the Nord Stream 2 project should not be implemented.

In turn, Klympush-Tsintsadze expressed the hope for further coordination of actions to counter the construction of Nord Stream 2. She says Poland plays an active role among the EU countries that uphold the position that member states should approve amendments to the Gas Directive as soon as possible.
Golobutskiy

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has adopted a resolution titled "The Escalation of tensions around the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait and threats to European security", which calls for the immediate release of captured Ukrainian sailors, condemns construction of the Kerch Strait bridge and selective search of Ukrainian ships in the Sea of Azov, also supporting the idea Germany and France on the introduction of foreign observers in the Kerch Strait.

First of all, the resolution allows Ukraine to continue exerting pressure on Russia. After all, Moscow's failure to hear the calls and comply with PACE requirements may one day become one of the grounds for introducing new sanctions against Russia.

And it's quite predictable that Moscow won't comply. Never before did Russia take into account any other PACE resolutions or those of other organizations, so there is no reason to expect anything else this time.

Ukraine should use all diplomatic options available to constantly maintain the issue of Russian aggression on top international agenda. After all, what is happening in the Sea of Azov is a dangerous precedent not only for Ukraine but for the whole world. For example, China is now acting in nearby seas almost like Russia is in the Sea of Azov, which causes similar indignation among their neighbors. That is, such behavior of certain world powers in seas is a serious international problem.

First of all, the resolution allows Ukraine to continue exerting pressure on Russia. After all, Moscow's failure to hear the calls and comply with PACE requirements may one day become one of the grounds for introducing new sanctions against Russia

Demanding the release of captured Ukrainian sailors. Russia does not consider the detained Ukrainian sailors prisoners of war  they are being tried for general criminal offenses. And now it is not clear what could make the Kremlin decide on the release of the detainees. For example, if you recall the story with the Nadiia Savchenko, it still remains unclear what the main reason was for her release. There are not many examples of Russia releasing Ukrainian prisoners of war. In particular, we have seen that, despite a huge ongoing worldwide campaign for the release of Oleh Sentsov, the position of the international community and foreign politicians and organizations doesn't affect Moscow's stance in any way, so Sentsov is still serving time in a Russian prison.

Therefore, I'm afraid Ukrainian sailors will not be released anytime soon, and if they will, this won't be as a result of the PACE resolution. Putin always tries to demonstrate that any attempts to put pressure on him to make him take certain steps would only be harmful to the cause, so he remains to hold his ground.

Condemning construction of the Kerch Strait bridge. As regards this provision, it makes no sense either to expect any response or reaction on the part of Moscow. It won't blow it up, right? Russia firmly insists that Crimea and said waters are part of its territory, so Moscow will behave there as they see fit.

In fact, the Kerch Strait bridge was built specifically with the sight of eventually making the Sea of Azov Sea Russia's own inland sea.

Condemning selective searches of Ukrainian ships in the Sea of Azov. If the international community fails to introduce an effective sanction policy against all Russian ships checking in European ports, then Russia won't react, and their behavior with respect to Ukrainian ships in the Sea of Azov will not change. Again, Moscow does whatever it feels like so it simply ignores positions of international organizations.

In fact, the Kerch Strait bridge was built specifically with the sight of eventually making the Sea of Azov Sea Russia's own inland sea

Supporting proposal of Germany and France on foreign observers in the Kerch Strait. Although Lavrov claimed a week ago that Putin allegedly agreed to such an option, but experience shows that Putin often agrees on something, and then it turns out that he meant something else. If this case gets into a practical plane at least a bit, then it will be possible to discuss the issue. So far, this is just a statement of intent, no more.

What is the point in such resolutions if we all understand that Russia will not comply? Ukraine is contributing to this and will continue doing so for the sake of certain processes that will take place in the future. Anyway, sooner or later, justice will be on our side. Meanwhile, we have to create legislative, legal, and other bases for future litigation, which in the long run will necessarily be launched.

Besides, it's about a reminder, maintaining the Ukraine issue on top agenda in the international arena. Ukraine shouldn't forget that the EU and other western partners has a lot of own issues to take care about beyond the Ukraine question. So, consideration of Ukrainian issues at the PACE and adoption of resolutions that are in our interest keeps the world aware of the fact that the issue is yet to be resolved. Moreover, it is a threat to the whole world, not only Ukraine.

Oleksiy Holobutsky is a political scientist, deputy head of the Situation Modeling Agency
The politician could be sentenced in absentia for a term of seven to twelve years in prison.

The Prosecutor General's Office (PGO) of Ukraine has prepared a suspicion notice charging prominent Russian lawmaker Vladimir Zhirinovsky with encroachment on the territorial integrity and inviolability of Ukraine.

As reported by the PGO's PR and media department, a pre-trial investigation has established that Zhirinovsky in February 2014, in a live broadcast from Russia aired by one of TV channels and also during a public rally voiced public calls for the accession of Crimea and south-eastern regions of Ukraine to Russia.

The PGO notes that on February 28, 2014, having come to Ukraine, visiting the Crimean cities of Simferopol and Sevastopol, the Russian official made public appeals to local residents and officials, inciting them to deliberate acts on illegally altering Ukrainian borders, according to the report.

Read also"Radioactive ash" syndrome: Russias Zhirinovsky suggests nuking Poroshenko's residence

Also, Zhirinovsky signed off and ensured due submission on March 17, 2014 of an appeal to the Polish Ambassador in Moscow, calling on Polish leaders to hold referenda in western regions of Ukraine, following the example of an illegal referendum held in Crimea and Sevastopol, on the accession of certain parts of Ukraine to neighboring states, including Poland.

On March 20, Zhirinovsky, as a Russian lawmaker, voted for the adoption of laws on Crimea and Sevastopol's accession to the Russian Federation, which later led to a full-scale occupation of the Crimean territory.

Read alsoZhirinovsky: Russia may give up on Nord Stream 2, TurkStream "if Trump gives Ukraine" to Moscow

On January 22, 2019, the Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine prepared a suspicion notice, charging Vladimir Zhirinovsky with committing a crime under Part 3 Article 110 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

The politician could be sentenced in absentia for a term of seven to twelve years in prison, according to the PGO statement.
The president is expected to announce the move Jan 25

Ukrainian President Poroshenko will most likely run for re-election as an independent candidate, according to media reports.

Poroshenko will formally launch his campaign at the International Exhibition Center in Kyiv on January 29, Ukrainian online newspaper Ukrayinska Pravda reported on January 15, referring to its sources.

Read also"Battle" in Davos: Poroshenko, Tymoshenko exchange "pleasantries" at Ukrainian Breakfast event

Besides Members of Parliament from the Petro Poroshenko Bloc parliamentary faction, all government members, including Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman (representing the faction mentioned), as well as Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko, are expected to attend the event, according to the report.

It is suggested that the conference will not be held in Party Congress format since Poroshenko is expected to campaign as a non-affiliated bidder, according to the publication.

As was earlier reported, the 2019 presidential election campaign, which will last 90 days, kicked off in Ukraine on Monday, December 31.
The position is steadfast: elections must be held in a democratic and transparent way, without any violations and falsifications, Shkiryak said.

Advisor to Ukrainian Interior Minister Zoryan Shkiryak has announced that law enforcers will provide a resolute and adequate response to any offense committed during presidential elections in Ukraine, regardless of the offenders' names or political affiliations.

The official stressed that the ministry's position is steadfast: elections must be held in a democratic and transparent way, without any violations and falsifications, the Ukrainian online news outlet Obozrevatel wrote on January 25.

"First of all, this refers to the responsibility of presidential candidates and their campaign headquarters. And this is also the issue of the electoral process in principle. After all, the National Police take part in the process based on the functions imposed by current legislation," he said.

Read alsoUkraine's Foreign Intel Service: Russia to spend US$350 mln for meddling in Ukraine elections

Shkiryak also assured that all presidential candidates would receive reliable protection on the part of the National Police, but it is not about any preferences, the minister's advisor emphasized.

"All presidential candidates in Ukraine officially registered by the Central Election Commission [CEC] should enjoy equal rights and opportunities, regardless of their names, political affiliation, and status," he summed up.
The document urges Donald Trump to work with U.S. allies to promptly lead a robust multinational freedom of navigation operation in the Black Sea.

A group of almost 70 bipartisan senators are calling on U.S. President Donald Trump to use the authority provided under the National Defense Authorization Act to enhance capabilities of the Ukrainian military, according to the Ukrainian Embassy in the United States.

It is also proposed to provide through the Departments of State and Defense "additional security assistance to Ukraine, especially to strengthen Ukraine's maritime capabilities, in order to improve deterrence and defense against further Russian aggression," the diplomats reported via Facebook.

Among other things, the document calls upon the U.S. president to "work with United States allies to promptly lead a robust multinational freedom of navigation operation in the Black Sea to help demonstrate support for internationally recognized borders, bilateral agreements, and safe passage through the Kerch Strait and Sea of Azov and to push back against excessive Russian Federation claims of sovereignty."

Read alsoPoroshenko, Merkel agree on further pressure on Russia for release of all Ukrainian hostages

Senators call on NATO to enhance allied maritime presence and capabilities, including maritime domain awareness and coastal defense in the Black Sea.

At the same time, the document includes a call on U.S. allies and partners in Europe to deny Russian Navy vessels access to their ports to resupply and refuel.

"Sanctions against the Russian Federation are a direct result of the actions of the Government of the Russian Federation and will continue and increase until there is an appropriate change in Russian behavior," senators recall.

Read alsoU.S. envoy to Germany: Russia seeks to halt gas transit via Ukraine

The draft resolution also "applauds and concurs" with the European Parliament's Dec 12, 2018, resolution condemning Russian aggression in the Kerch Strait and the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, calling for the pipeline's cancellation due to its threat to European energy security, and calling on Russia to guarantee freedom of navigation in the Kerch Strait.

As UNIAN reported earlier, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said the Alliance was strengthening its presence in Eastern Europe to prevent a conflict.
The resolution was backed by 103 PACE delegates.

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) says it supports a proposal by Germany and France that shipping in the Kerch Strait should be monitored.

"The Assembly supports the proposal, made by Germany and France, that third country observers monitor shipping traffic and guarantee freedom of navigation in the Kerch Strait," reads the respective PACE resolution, titled "The escalation of tensions around the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait and threats to European security" and passed on January 24.

Read alsoPACE calls on Russia to handle captive Ukraine sailors as per Geneva Conventions: Official document

The resolution was backed by 103 PACE delegates, three voted against, 16 abstained.

The Assembly also says it supports the proposal by the European Parliament that the mandate of the Special Monitoring Mission Ukraine of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), which covers the entire territory of Ukraine, including maritime areas, also covers the new area of tensions in and around the Sea of Azov.

The PACE also urged "Council of Europe member States to do everything in their power to avoid a further escalation of violence with potentially dangerous consequences for security in the wider region."
The PACE passed the respective resolution on January 24.

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe has called on the Russian Federation to provide captive Ukrainian sailors with the necessary medical and legal assistance as per the 1949 Geneva Conventions.

"The Assembly urges the Russian Federation to immediately release the Ukrainian servicemen and ensure they are granted the necessary medical, legal and/or consular assistance in accordance with relevant provisions of international humanitarian law such as the Geneva Conventions," reads the respective PACE resolution, titled "The escalation of tensions around the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait and threats to European security" and passed on January 24.

The resolution was backed by 103 PACE delegates, three voted against, 16 abstained.

Russia captured 24 Ukrainian sailors near the Kerch Strait in the Black Sea on November 25, 2018.

Read alsoEU to discuss more Russia sanctions over Azov Sea next month  media

The PACEL also "calls on the international bodies which have competence in the field, such as the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT), to visit the Ukrainian servicemen in prison, pending their release, and supports any diplomatic action taken by member States aimed at their release."

What is more, referring to the Treaty between the Russian Federation and Ukraine on Cooperation in the Use of the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait, signed in December 2003 and ratified by both countries in April 2004, the Assembly notes that, according to Article 2.1 of the Treaty, the free passage of merchant vessels and warships of both the Russian Federation and Ukraine in the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait, which are shared territorial waters, must be respected and freedom of passage ensured.

"The Assembly condemns the use of military force by the Russian Federation against Ukrainian warships and their crews," the resolution said.

It also called on Russia and Ukraine to refrain from any further steps which might aggravate the legal disputes between Ukraine and the Russian Federation, escalate the conflict and threaten security in the wider region.

For its part, the Assembly reiterates its commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders and recalls in this respect Resolution 1990 (2014) on the reconsideration on substantive grounds of the previously ratified credentials of the Russian delegation, Resolution 2034 (2015) on the challenge, on substantive grounds, of the still unratified credentials of the delegation of the Russian Federation, Resolution 2063 (2015) on the consideration of the annulment of the previously ratified credentials of the delegation of the Russian Federation (follow-up to paragraph 16 of Resolution 2034 (2015)) and Resolution 2132 (2016) on the political consequences of the Russian aggression in Ukraine.

PACE delegates also expressed "great concern about the construction by Russia of the bridge over the Kerch Strait, which it considers illegal and another breach of Ukraine's sovereignty, as well as about Russia's policy regarding the selective search of Ukrainian and international ships, which hinder navigation to and from the Sea of Azov."
Nearly five years after ex-President Viktor Yanukovych fled from Ukraine, the court finally handed down a verdict in his high treason case. After eight hours of an almost continuous reading of the full text, the Obolonsky District Court of Kyiv sentenced Yanukovych in absentia to 13 years in prison for high treason and 12 years for complicity in war. But can Yanukovych be held accountable to the fullest?

On the morning ot Thursday, January 24, the panel of judges of the Obolonsky District Court of Kyiv started voicing the verdict in the case of the fugitive ex-president Viktor Yanukovych.

Yanukovych was accused of treason and assisting Russian officials in committing deliberate acts aimed to alter the borders of Ukraine. Prosecution requested a 15-year term.

Before the verdict was read out, security measures were tightened around and inside the courthouse. In the presence of prosecutors and Yanukovych defense team, Judge Vladyslav Deviatko, the chair of the case, started announcing the verdict. As during previous hearings, Yanukovych was not personally present in the courtroom this time, either.

The verdict, which contained more than a hundred pages, said that the ex-president's guilt was considered proven in terms of treason and complicity in war. At the same time, charges of separatism were dropped due to the lack of evidence to prove corpus delicti. Yanukovych was also obliged by court to pay trial costs in the amount of UAH 98,561.

Transferring case to court

It is worth noting that the case against Viktor Yanukovych was opened back in 2014, almost immediately after it became known that he had escaped from the country, while claiming he was the only legitimate leader of Ukraine.

A few days after Yanukovych escaped from the Mezhyhirya residence, on February 21, 2014, the Prosecutor Generals Office of Ukraine (PGO) put Yanukovych on wanted list, and after "Mr Legitimate" held a press conference in Rostov-on-Don on February 27, which, in fact, confirmed his whereabouts in Russia, a procedure was launched for his extradition to Ukraine.

Despite the fact that the extradition procedure between Russia and Ukraine is stipulated by the European Convention on the Extradition of Offenders of 1957, Moscow did not rush to hand Yanukovych to Kyiv from the very start. In particular, in June 2014, when Yanukovych broke Russian law by staying in the country beyond the allowed 90-day term, the Russian Foreign Ministry could not explain why Viktor Yanukovych, unlike other citizens, was not deported to Ukraine.

Its difficult to give any comments on Viktor Fedorovych Yanukovych, since this person once asked to ensure his personal safety, and such guarantees and opportunities were provided, Alexander Lukashevich, the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, said at the time. Since then, Ukrainian law enforcers have repeatedly appealed to the Russian authorities to put Yanukovych on the interstate CIS wanted list, but Russia has ignored all calls.

A similar situation was with Interpol  only in January 2015 was it revealed that Viktor Yanukovych had been put on the international wanted list. Two years later, in May 2017, Interpol confirmed that Viktor Yanukovych and his eldest son, Oleksandr Yanukovych, were no longer subject to the "red notice" [request for the search and temporary detention of a wanted person with the possibility of extradition], that is, in fact, the two were no longer wanted by Interpol.

As Deputy Prosecutor General Yevhen Yenin explained at the time, Interpols decision was primarily due to the imperfection of Ukrainian criminal procedures. According to Interpol rules, a person, in respect of whom a preventive measure in the form of custody has not been selected, cannot be put on the international wanted list, said Yenin.

And there were solid reasons to put him on the wanted list. According to the then-Acting Prosecutor General Oleh Makhnytsky, the PGO launched several criminal cases against Yanukovych at once  on charges of the abuse of power, which resulted in the Maidan massacres, of conspiring to take illegal possession of state property, legalizing corruption-related funds, seizing state power by introducing changes to the Constitution through the Constitutional Court, and also calls for the seizure of state power, voiced by Yanukovych at a press conference in Rostov-on-Don on February 27.

Trial delays

And although former head of the Security Service of Ukraine, Valentyn Nalyvaychenko, said the relevant evidence base had been gathered back in September 2014, that is, within a few months after the ex-president and his top officials had fled from Ukraine, the trial started almost three years later, on May 4, 2017. Since the first preparatory meeting, the Yanukovych defense had in every way possible been delaying the trial under various pretexts. For example, first, lawyers tried to get Yanukovych to be summoned to court and asked to adjourn the hearing, citing the preparation of a videoconference with the defendant. In turn, the prosecutors office managed to get the court green-light a trial in absentia, arguing that Yanukovych was deliberately evading justice in the territory of the Russian Federation, and therefore the trial could be conducted without his personal presence.

Further on, debates between the defense and the prosecution were conducted as to whether the jury should be allowed to join the trial, which also delayed the consideration of the case.

Having studied the opinions and arguments of both parties, it was only June 26, 2017 that the court began to consider the Yanukovych case on merits. However, on the same day, the court had to postpone the meeting again due to the fact that the judges had to decide on launching a trial in absentia due to the defendant's actual absence in the courtroom.

In addition, the repeated reshuffles in the defense team could not contribute to speeding up hearings. For example, as soon as the court allowed the trial to be held in absentia, two lawyers  Viktor Serdiuk and Ihor Fedorenko  who had represented Yanukovych from the very start said they were dropping the case.

Subsequently, the court had to appoint a state lawyer. After the first replacement, at a meeting on August 10, 2017, the prosecution for the first time showed and read out a letter Yanukovych had sent to Putin with a request to deploy troops to Ukraine. Prosecutors stated they had evidence of the letter's authenticity.

After that, Yanukovychs state attorney, Vitaly Meshechok, filed a motion to recuse himself, and another state attorney, Maksym Herasko, was appointed instead, only to be later removed by court for failing to fulfill his duties. In fact, Herasko also contributed to delaying the case in every possible way. Another state lawyer, Ihor Lyashenko, was appointed but he also recused himself shortly. That's when three private lawyers joined the case, among them Vitaly Serdiuk and Ihor Fedorenko, who had both previously participated in hearings.

On December 7, 2017, the prosecutor's office filed a motion to question more than 100 people, including a number of former and incumbent high-ranking officials, including President Petro Poroshenko.

After that, the prosecution questioned ex-Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk, Interior Minister Arsen Avakov, Navy Commander Ihor Voronchenko, Head of the Belbek Airport Service Oleksandr Kustanovych, former Acting Foreign Minister Andriy Deshchytsia, Head of the Crimean Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People Refat Chubarov, Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada Andriy Parubiy, ex-SBU Head Valentyn Nalyvaichenko, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Oleksandr Turchynov, and President Poroshenko, who said in their testimony that Yanukovych had been involved in preparing the Russian annexation of Crimea;

In March last year, the court started interrogating witnesses of defense, and a month later, started the stage of debate, which was also delayed as a result of Yanukovychs lawyers skipping hearings. Debates lasted with numerous interruptions up until November 19 last year, when Yanukovych was expected to deliver his final address in court. However, the ex-president complained of a serious injury and never got in touch with the court. So, the judges began drafting the verdict.

Verdict of political significance

Head of the Maidan of Foreign Affairs Foundation, diplomat Bohdan Yaremenko, believes that the decision to convict Yanukovych in absentia was rather of moral and political significance than of any practical use. The implementation of a legal ruling, taking into account our situation with Russia, will depend solely on political circumstances, primarily on Russia's will to make any concessions to Ukraine. Today, it is obvious that this will be the case in the near future, the expert is convinced.

According to him, the sentence could also be used as an additional argument in international courts in cases concerning Russia's operation on the annexation of Crimea.

Political analyst Dmytro Franchuk explains that, even though at the moment, Yanukovych is not on the international wanted lists, his future trips abroad may become quite problematic, since the verdict handed down in absentia allows the Prosecutor General's Office to re-apply to Interpol with a request to detain and hand Yanukovych over to Ukraine.

"In European countries, trial in absentia is something that is treated cautiously  for example, in Austria and Germany, this option is allowed, while maximum punishment is insignificant  it could be two years in prison, as in Austria, or there could be no prison term whatsoever, as in Germany. The fact that the verdict has been handed down actually means that as soon as the ex-president is detained in Ukraine or in any other country with which we have extradition treaties, he will be arrested to do his time, that's if that country agrees," Franchuk says.

Nevertheless, to apply the sentence in practice remains a viable option.

Definitely, Russia will defend their friend to the last, but to ensure the recovery of assets Yanukovych obtained through corruption, a court sentence is required because it would create more legal grounds for imposing additional sanctions, seizing accounts, and recovering funds, property, and assets of Yanukovych and his family both in Ukraine and beyond, said Denys Moskalyk, a graduate student at the National Institute for Strategic Studies.

According to the State Financial Monitoring Service, in this case, at least $259 million worth of assets could be recovered from the so-called Yanukovich Family  funds that are now blocked in a number of foreign accounts.

Given the verdict, despite the crimes he committed, the disgraced ex-president still has the right to apply for pardon. But even if he succeeds in achieving this in the high treason case, his guilt has yet to be proved in a number of other cases, including on the violent dispersal of Maidan protesters.

Anastasia Zaremba

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Description

GIS  25 January, 2019: Cheques amounting to a total of Rs 17.9 million were handed over, yesterday, to some 228 beneficiaries under the Slab Grant Roof Scheme, among whom 20 received Rs 50 000, 68 received Rs 70 000 and 140 received Rs 100 000, during a ceremony held at Le Plaza in Rose-Hill. The Minister of Housing and Lands, Mr Purmanund Jhugroo, and other personalities were present.

In his address, Minister Jhugroo reiterated Governments resolve to ensure the welfare of the population and improve the quality of life of the vulnerable members of the society for their empowerment and progress. Government, he said, recognises the efforts of those who strive to improve their life chances and will provide the necessary assistance to those requiring help to complete their housing projects.

The Minister dwelt on the Slab Grant Roof Scheme that provides financial support to low-income earners to purchase building materials in order to undertake and complete construction of their houses. The Scheme is a core part of the Social Housing Policy of the Government to ensure that they are able to have a decent dwelling.

In addition, Mr Jhugroo recalled a major 2018-2019 Budgetary measure that makes provision for the broadening of the categories of households eligible for the grant for the casting of slabs. That measure includes an increase in the grant from Rs 75 000 to Rs 100 000 for families earning a monthly income of up to Rs 10 000; Rs 70 000 instead of Rs 40 000 for those earning between Rs 10 001 to Rs 15 000 monthly; and Rs 50 000 for families earning between Rs 15 001 to Rs 20 000 monthly. Since January 2015, he indicated, the National Housing Development Company has commissioned the construction of some 5 888 housing units in different sites across Mauritius.

Minister Jhugroo also spoke about the major infrastructural development projects that are currently underway across the country, including the Metro Express to ensure better connectivity; the new state-of-theart Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital; a new Teaching Hospital in Flacq, over and above the setting up of a New Cancer Centre to uplift health care services. These projects, he said, are all geared towards ensuring the modernisation and long-term progress of Mauritius. Mr Jhugroo further dwelt on other initiatives such as the introduction of the National Minimum Wage and the Negative Income Tax as well as the increase in old age pension which are in line with Governments aim to improve the life of citizens.
A visa-free regime between Ukraine and Uruguay will take effect from February 15, 2019, the Embassy of Ukraine in Argentina has reported on Twitter.

The agreement on the abolition of visa requirements will enter into force immediately after the completion of domestic procedures.

As reported, Ukraine and Uruguay signed an agreement on visa-free regime on September 26, 2018.

The duration of stay for citizens of Ukraine without a visa on the territory of Uruguay will be 90 days, which can be extended for another period of 90 days.
President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko met with President of Switzerland Ueli Maurer in the framework of the World Economic Forum in Davos.

The parties noted the growing interest of Swiss business in Ukraine, as evidenced by the stable dynamics of bilateral trade and Switzerland being among the key investors in the Ukrainian economy, the press service of the Ukrainian president reported on Thursday.

The improvement of the investment climate in Ukraine will also be facilitated by the Protocol between Ukraine and Switzerland on amendments to the bilateral Convention on Avoidance of Double Taxation, the signing of which took place during the meeting of the presidents.

The parties agreed to continue interaction between the competent authorities on the return of assets illegally withdrawn from Ukraine by former high-level officials.

Petro Poroshenko expressed gratitude to Ueli Maurer for the help provided by Switzerland to overcome the humanitarian consequences of the ongoing Russian aggression.

The head of state invited the president of Switzerland to make a visit to Ukraine.
President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko and Vice President of the People's Republic of China Wang Qishan agreed to continue the development of bilateral trade-economic and investment cooperation between the countries.

The meeting was held within the framework of the World Economic Forum in Davos, the press service of the President reports.

"The parties agreed to continue the development of bilateral trade-economic and investment cooperation. It should be facilitated by holding a regular meeting of the Ukrainian-Chinese Intergovernmental Commission on Cooperation in 2019," the statement reads.

In addition, the parties discussed Ukraine's participation in China's initiative "One Belt, One Road."

It is noted that the President of Ukraine also praised the traditionally friendly nature of the relations between Ukraine and China, which are based on the principles of mutual respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the two countries.

According to the Administration of the President of Ukraine, the Vice President of the People's Republic of China confirmed the unwavering support for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.

An increase in the level of trust and mutual understanding that underpins the strengthening of strategic partnership between the two countries was also emphasized.

As reported, President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko makes a working visit to Davos, Switzerland, on January 23-24, where he holds a series of bilateral meetings and will chair the meeting of the National Investment Council.
Militants violated ceasefire in the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) area in Donbas nine times over the past day.

In the zone of action of tactical force East, militants used automatic grenade launchers to fire on Ukrainian positions near Vodiane (94km south of Donetsk), automatic grenade launchers and heavy machine guns  near Hnutove (20km north-east of Mariupol), grenade launchers and small arms  outside Chermalyk (31km north-east of Mariupol), grenade launchers of different systems, heavy machine guns and small arms  near Pavlopol (30 km northeast of Mariupol), grenade launchers and small arms  near Marinka (23km south-west of Donetsk), the JFO Headquarters press center reports.

In the zone of action of tactical force North, Ukrainian strongholds came under 120mm mortar fire in the area of Krymske (42.5km north-west of Luhansk).

According to the intelligence, five militants were killed and another one was wounded on January 24.

Today, the enemy has not opened fire yet.

The Ukrainian servicemen continue to control the enemy on the contact line, adhering to the ceasefire regime.
Over the past year, the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine has established cooperation with the Central Intelligence Agency of the United States, the UKs MI6, as well as with the intelligence services of Germany and France.

"We establish cooperation with the intelligence services of the NATO member countries. Over the past year, the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine has developed partnership with the Central Intelligence Agency of the United States, the UKs MI6, Germanys Federal Intelligence Service, and the French intelligence," Head of the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine Yehor Bozhok said in interview with Ukrinform.

Pursuant to the law, we need to get permission from the president in order to establish cooperation with any foreign intelligence service. I have permission from the president for in-depth cooperation with the CIA, MI6, NATO intelligence committee, and therefore I can boast of results, Bozhok noted.

He added that the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine also cooperated with NATO Joint Intelligence and Security Division.
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), as part of combating illicit arms trafficking, has blocked the sale of military means of destruction on Ukrainian territory, according to a statement posted on the SBU website.

"Operatives of the special service have established that a resident of Bila Tserkva in Kyiv region illegally stored firearms and ammunition in his own home. He was looking for his clients on the Internet, in particular, among residents of Sumy region," the statement said.

SBU officers documented the sale of two domestically and foreign produced pistols, as well as cartridges to them. Law enforcers detained the culprit at the place of his residence at the time of the sale of a Kalashnikov machine gun.

The person was served with a notice of suspicion in committing a criminal offense provided for in Part 1 of Article 263 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The question of choosing a measure of restraint for the suspect is being decided.

A pre-trial investigation is ongoing to prosecute other persons involved in unlawful activities. Measures to expose the culprit were conducted by officers of the SBU directorate in Sumy region under the procedural control of the prosecutor's office.
Description

GIS - 25 January, 2019: The SME Development Scheme was introduced for the benefit of SMEs, in line with Governments objective to make SMEs the backbone of the economy. SMEs should take advantage of the facilities provided under this Scheme and Government undertakes to support start-ups in their endeavours and help existing businesses to diversify their operations.

The statement was made by the Minister of Business, Enterprise and Cooperatives, Mr Soomilduth Bholah, during a site visit at the Sigma Health Care Ltd, the first Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) in the health sector to have benefited from the SME Development Scheme.

The objective of the visit was to take stock of the progress achieved by the enterprise which is engaged in the manufacture of dental prostheses/artificial teeth and oral devices using latest production techniques and raw materials.

A number of schemes and facilities are being provided by the SME Mauritius Ltd in order to further boost the SME sector and promote viable business ideas, the Minister emphasised. On this score, he called on entrepreneurs to seek help and guidance from the SME Mauritius Ltd and to avail themselves of the facilities put in place for the successful development of their businesses.

Minister Bholah expressed satisfaction to the achievements of the Sigma Health Care Ltd and added that the enterprise is an inspiration for other SMEs to come forward with their ideas and develop businesses in the health sector.

SME Development Scheme
The Foreign and Caricom Affairs Ministry says at no time has Prime Minister Dr. Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley "ever disparaged the vaccine programme in Guyana nor has he ever implied that the vaccines in use in Guyana are defective or unsafe."
As quickly as it started, it looks to be over.

Friday, Public Utilities Minister -- Marvin Gonzales met with the management of WASA.
Greg Piatt, a former legislator now working as a lobbyist for Brock, said he has talked to 121 of 149 Oklahoma legislators about the idea, and hes getting a generally positive response.

For the most part, theyve been very open to hearing it, he said.

It didnt hurt that he had Treat, one of the three most powerful men in the Capitol, as his legislative sponsor.

Treat said hes also getting good response to the idea, especially because no county would be compelled to change the way it does business. If the voters approved the constitutional change, a countys form of government would change only if the commissioners or an initiative petition moved forward and the local voters approved the idea.

Most of the advocacy for the idea is coming out of the states two biggest counties, but Treat said he has heard from a handful of other counties that would be intrigued at what they could do.

Treat says he doesnt know whether there is enough political support in the Legislature to get SJR 19 passed this year, but hes going to give it his A game.

He has one advantage over the defenders of the states turn-of-the-century model of county government. None of his supporters rode into town on a horse.

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In other public finance news this week:

Virginia Close to Giving Amazon Nearly $1 Billion

L.A. Teacher Strike Ends

As more than 1 million federal and contract employees struggle to make ends meet after missing a month of pay, the longest government shutdown in U.S. history is also starting to take a bite out of states and cities' revenue.The Washington, D.C., region is by far the most affected. Around 400,000 federal and contract workers there are impacted by the impasse, which has entered its fifth week. All told, the region has so far missed out on nearly $200 million in tax revenue.This week, Washington, D.C.s finance chief said the city has lost more than $47 million in income and sales tax revenue. That number could balloon to more than $142 million if the shutdown lasts eight weeks.In a letter to Mayor Muriel Bowser, CFO Jeff DeWitt said the beginning of the shutdown saw minimal impact on the District because it was during the holiday season. However," he wrote, "there is evidence that impacts are accelerating and will increase each week as federal employees further reduce spending and the tourism industry moves closer to the peak spring season."According to DeWitt, roughly 40 percent of the missed revenue is expected to reach District coffers once some workers receive backpay. But that leaves the city with tens of millions of dollars that wont be recouped.D.C.'s analysis follows warnings last week from Maryland and Virginia officials that the shutdown was taking a financial toll. Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot estimated that the shutdown has so far cost the state nearly $120 million in deferred wage taxes and lost sales taxes . Virginias finance secretary estimated that the Commonwealth has lost out on $21 million in wage taxes so far. The total impact is likely higher because Virginia's figure does not consider contract workers or lost sales tax revenue.Elsewhere, the shutdowns impact isnt as obvious, but there are pockets across the country where concerns are growing. One of them is the Houston metro area, which is home to about 25,000 federal workers, according to City Controller Chris Brown.Earlier this month, furloughed NASA workers protested in front of the Johnson Space Center, which employs about 3,000 people. The day before, a terminal in George Bush Intercontinental Airport, one of Houston's two major airports, was closed because there werent enough TSA workers able to come to work without pay.Because of the timing of the citys monthly revenue reports, Brown says he wont have a sense of how the shutdown is affecting revenues until March. But he already suspects the sales taxes -- the citys second-largest revenue source -- are taking a hit.This is coming at an inopportune time because were already seeing a slight downturn from oil prices coming off their recent high, Brown says. So to add a shutdown on top of it, that will continue to add to it.If the shutdown stretches through February, Brown says about $1 million in federal grant funding for the month of March is in jeopardy. Most of that is funding for food stamps and the Women, Infants and Children program. Hes also concerned about whether the shutdown will delay the expected $1.17 billion payment in federal disaster recovery money for Hurricane Harvey, which devastated the city in August 2017.Weve been very patient -- its taken quite a while to get this money, Brown says. It would be a shame if this government shutdown were to delay that even further.Nationwide, S&P Global Ratings has estimated the average weekly direct and indirect economic costs of the partial shutdown currently add up to $1.2 billion.Amazons HQ2 in Northern Virginia passed a key hurdle this week. The state Senate easily approved up to $750 million in tax incentives for the company.The 15-year package, which is expected to pass the House, includes grants of $22,000 for every full-time job that is created -- for the first 25,000 jobs. That offer maxes out at $550 million. Then, the state would give $15,564 per new job for a maximum payout of $200 million.The legislation has some requirements, including that the internet retailer create tens of thousands of jobs with an average salary of at least $150,000.Some say the multibillion-dollar company doesnt need handouts. Sen. Richard H. Black called it a gratuitous gift to the richest company on the planet, reportedThe package is less than one-third of the size reportedly offered by New York City and state to win Amazons other headquarters location.The Los Angeles teacher strike ended this week after six school days with a deal that includes higher pay, smaller classroom sizes and more on-campus support staff in the nations second-largest school system.Now, the question is how to pay for it.The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) is projecting a half-billion-dollar deficit this budget year and has billions obligated for pension payments and retiree health coverage. According to a report last month, the districts deficit problem is expected to continue through 2022.The report urges the city to enact a new property tax or find some other means of raising revenue. California Gov. Gavin Newsom has included $140 million in new funding for LAUSD in his budget unveiled earlier this month, but that's not enough to cover the expected budget gap.
Rarely is the motivation for denying such groups the right to serve expressly stated. However, during the Civil War, with the South desperately needing soldiers, a Georgia governor said it outright: The day you make a soldier of them is the beginning of the end. . .. And if slaves seem good soldiers, then our whole theory of slavery is wrong.

This administrations whole theory of what it means to be transgender is wrong. Its policy was never based on military considerations but was, instead, a cynical message tweeted to its base about the fitness of transgender Americans.

On Jan. 14, 2016, then-candidate Trump tweeted, Thank you to the LGBT community! I will fight for you while Hillary brings in more people that will threaten your freedoms and beliefs. At a rate double that of the general population, transgender Americans know what it means to serve and fight for this country.

If President Trump will not honor his vow to fight for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, he can at least get out of the way of transgender Americans who honor a sacred commitment to defend our country.

Alyssa Bryant graduated from the University of Oklahoma College of Law with distinction and is an author and speaker on transgender law. She has practiced law in Tulsa for over 31 years and is a voting member of the Board of Directors of Oklahomans for Equality, Inc.

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Frank Marcum, a former Tulsa high school teacher who was a semifinalist for the ill-fated Challenger space shuttle flight, and who continued afterward to advocate for space education and exploration, died Saturday, Jan. 19.

He was 76.

A celebration of his life is set for 2-4 p.m. Feb. 24 in the Rogers High School auditorium.

A history teacher at Booker T. Washington High School, Marcum in 1985 joined educators from around the country in vying to become the first to go into space through NASAs new Teacher in Space program. He was one of 114 semifinalists  two from Oklahoma  selected from 11,000 applicants, and spent the summer of 85 training in Florida.

Ultimately, Christa McAuliffe, a high school teacher from Concord, New Hampshire, was selected for the honor of becoming the first teacher in space.

Months later, Marcum was at school, watching the Challenger launch on television, when just seconds after takeoff the unthinkable happened: the shuttle exploded, killing McAuliffe and everyone on board.

Marcum was shaken. However, the disaster only reinforced his commitment to space exploration and his mission to inspire students and others on the subject.
Snow is expected to flurry Friday morning throughout northeastern Oklahoma.

Accumulations and travel impacts are expected to be minimal, according to the National Weather Service in Tulsa. A fast-moving, upper level disturbance will bring the flurries and light snow to parts of northeast Oklahoma and northwest Arkansas.

Less than a half inch is expected to accumulate. Any snow is expected to move out by midafternoon with temperatures rising above freezing.

Friday's temperatures are expected to peak in the high 30s to low 40s before falling to overnight lows in the 20s, according to the weather service.
In the past year Jim Gallogly left behind his successful career as a corporate chief executive to became the 14th president of his alma mater. But the Board of Regents secretive selection process left some students and faculty members grumbling that Gallogly had landed the job without their input. The new presidents early focus on cutting costs  including dozens of layoffs  only inflamed tensions further.

And his blistering criticism of university operations, revealed in emails obtained by The Chronicle, shows a leadership style imported from the private sector can backfire in academe. After recent viral videos showed two people in blackface  at least one of them a University of Oklahoma student  the college is confronting the uncomfortable fact that racist-student incidents are a recurring problem. Its a difficult topic to talk about, let alone solve. It will require Oklahomas president to demonstrate a delicate, human touch.

I know that my words do not fall well on all of you sitting here today, the president said at a rally of 1,000 students, faculty and staff members there to decry racism. So many of you do not want me to be successful. So many of you have some hatred in your heart about what I stand for and who I am.
David said legislators should be open to that discussion, but at the same time we dont want to throw away good money on a system thats broken. We would still have the lowest health outcomes in the nation.

On medical marijuana and how Oklahoma is going to regulate it, Goodwin said, We have more questions actually than answers  all those questions still need to be resolved. Oklahoma is going to have to see what other states have done. I think we owe it to the population to make sure it is safe, that it is for people with legitimate illnesses. Its going to take lot of hard work. The people have spoken and we have to work on it.

Krehbiel gave a breakdown of the new legislature, offering some demographics on what makes it stand out from past legislatures.

We have 47 new members in the House, 12 in the Senate. In a normal year you have very few incumbents that leave, he said.

Along with the big turnover, there was a boost in the number of women and some rural-urban party realignment, he said.

Its no secret were going to have a much different legislature, he said.
The Tulsa Police Department on Thursday released the name of an officer who fatally shot a man while police were attempting to serve a search warrant at a midtown Tulsa home.

Officer Jason Lawless, a member of the Special Operations Team, shot Shaunday Mullin, 37, as police served a high-risk warrant at a residence in the 4500 block of East Eighth Street on Oct. 23.

Lawless, who police identified as a precision rifle operator, also fatally shot a man in 2016, according to a previous Tulsa World story.

Police said Mullins was shot twice in the chest after he reportedly fired at least once at officers.

First responders on standby took Mullins to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

Lawless, who joined the Police Department in 1998, was placed on paid administrative leave following the shooting.

In October 2016, Lawless shot and killed 42-year-old Salvador Reyes during a three-hour standoff at a home in the 4300 block of South 170th East Avenue, according to a previous story. Reyes reportedly forced his way into his wifes home and held her 2-year-old daughter hostage before he was shot while standing on a second-story balcony.
I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Council in the months ahead to develop a program that will deliver both.

Jerad Lindsey, chairman of the Tulsa FOP, said his organization is not out to pick a fight with the mayor.

We are just trying to preserve our members right to be part of the process going forward, he said.

Moores letter to Bynum notes that the city is legally obligated to deal with officers in good faith.

Part of good faith duty means that any significant changes in working conditions, such as the ones you propose, or policies on how officers do their jobs or when they can be disciplined, must be bargained, Moore wrote.

Moores letter chides Bynum for not discussing his plan with the FOP before making it public, saying it could probably have been established with existing resources and within current policies.

Nonetheless, that was your call, Moore wrote. The FOP response is to accept your plan as a proposal which we will dutifully and lawfully negotiate with you.

Although the specifics of Tulsas OIM have yet to be finalized, it is expected to operate and be structured like Denvers OIM.
Criminal justice reform, low salaries for prosecutors and how to fund the district attorneys offices were some of the topics discussed by prosecutors and lawmakers at a breakfast held Friday at a downtown Tulsa hotel.

Six area district attorneys used the two-hour event to bend the ears of about 22 state lawmakers who attended what was being billed as the first-ever district attorneys legislative breakfast.

The event was hosted by area district attorneys and the Tulsa County Sheriffs Foundation.

District attorneys covered a wide range of issues during the meeting, including the cautioning of lawmakers on recent calls to make criminal justice reform sentencing measures retroactive. They also painted a stark picture of how funding issues affect their offices.

On the latter topic, Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler commented on his reliance on court fees to fund about half of his offices $8.3 million annual budget.

I think its immoral to require a district attorney to be a fee collector to keep my doors open, Kunzweiler said. The fact that I have to collect a fee from somebody Im prosecuting and putting on probation, I shouldnt have to be put in that spot. My job should be public safety and applying facts to law.
A man was sentenced to 25 years in prison following his conviction for the fatal shooting of one of two people stealing a box of fireworks from his fathers stand.

A Tulsa County District Court judge on Friday sentenced Johnny Mize Jr., 33, for the fatal shooting of 15-year-old Jake Ulrich. Mize was convicted Jan. 18 of first-degree manslaughter in the heat of passion.

Mize shot Ulrich during a confrontation at a fireworks stand, located in the 600 block of South 65th West Avenue on July 4, 2017. Jake Ulrich and Jack Ulrich, 27 years old at the time, allegedly drove to the stand and stole a $600 box of fireworks, according to a previous Tulsa World story.

They allegedly fled in their truck with Ulrich in tow. Mize reportedly told authorities that he jumped into the bed of the pickup. He then told detectives the driver of the truck swerved in an effort to throw him from the truck bed. He said he then shot out one of the pickups tires before the driver fled on foot after the pickup came to a stop.

Mize also told authorities he thought someone fired a shot at him after hearing a popping sound that caused him to return fire.
SPEED READ:

At the U.S. Conference of Mayors winter meeting, a bipartisan group of local leaders urged the federal government to pass comprehensive immigration reform.

Mayors expressed unity against several of the Trump administrations immigration policies, including the plan to add a citizenship question to the 2020 Census.

On Friday, President Trump announced a deal to end the federal government shutdown, for three weeks, while border security talks continue.

A bipartisan group of border-state mayors in Washington, D.C., this week urged the federal government to pass comprehensive immigration reform and criticized President Donald Trumps focus on building a wall between the United States and Mexico."We need to protect our borders, Republican Mayor Dee Margo of El Paso, Texas, said on Thursday during a panel discussion held just blocks from the White House at the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) winter meeting. But this whole idea of focusing on a wall -- $1.3 billion or $5.7 billion -- is a bunch of malarkey. That's not dealing with the issue."The only real wall is between the president and Congress, added Democratic Mayor Tim Keller of Albuquerque, N.M., who spoke alongside Margo on the panel.A day after the mayors discussed immigration on Thursday, Trump announced a temporary end to the federal government shutdown, which is now the longest in U.S. history. He and congressional leaders have agreed to reopen the government for three weeks while discussions about his demands for border wall money continue. If a "fair deal" is not struck by Feb. 15, The Washington Post reports that Trump said the government could shut down again.The co-chairs of USCMs immigration reform task force -- Republican John Giles of Mesa, Ariz., and Democrat Jorge Elorza of Providence, R.I. -- also appeared at this weeks conference. Unlike their federal counterparts, theyre united on a host of immigration issues, including their opposition to the Trump administrations plan to add a citizenship question to the 2020 Census.Last year, Providence County hosted the nations only test run for that upcoming census, without the citizenship question, and Elorza says it revealed that many undocumented immigrants are fearful of participating -- even if the citizenship question isn't included. Its a fear he understands intimately, having grown up with parents who were once undocumented and leery of signing him up for extracurricular activities outside of school.You just never knew, if you gave away your information, where that was going to be used, he says.But Elorza stresses that the undocumented must be counted, along with immigrant communities generally. The census count factors into how much political representation and federal funding is given to state and local governments. Hes working to reassure his residents that they can trust his government, even if theyre wary of the Trump administration's immigration policies."There would be nothing [former Trump advisor] Steve Bannon would want more than a systematic undercount of our communities, said Vanita Gupta, the president and CEO of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, during a separate panel on Thursday.Despite the united front they presented, the nations mayors are divided on some immigration stances.GOP Mayor Giles is open to the idea of a border wall, which has become anathema to many Democrats, saying it can certainly be part of a comprehensive security program. Elorza, meanwhile, favors abolishing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) altogether -- hardly a consensus view even among his fellow Democrats."ICE as an institution has been corrupted so far to its core, as demonstrated by the policy of separating children from their parents, that I do believe it should be abolished, and we should build something up in its stead, said Elorza.Still, the mayors cast themselves as pragmatic problem-solvers, saying they would be able to work out solutions that have eluded the White House and Congress."There are three main political parties in the United States: Republicans, Democrats and mayors," Elorza says. "If mayors were calling the shots, you would get comprehensive immigration reform in a day."Margo, the Republican who leads El Paso, was particularly exasperated as he told his panel that America needs to accept the truth: The vast majority of undocumented immigrants are here to stay.If everybody's all concerned, irrespective of party, that, if they become legal citizens, they'll vote a certain way, then just vet 'em and give 'em green cards, he said. At least they can pay taxes without false social security numbers and be contributing citizens. I'm sorry. It's here. It's over. The egg's been broken. Let's deal with it."
Dave Lewis and Ryan Gray are hoping their dream job will help others achieve their own dreams.

Lewis and Gray are longtime friends who bonded around music. They jam together and watch videos of live performances as a way to relax.

The restaurant industry veterans got to talking about ways they could make a living in the music business.

They kept seeing video perfomances from groups of kids who were students at various Schools of Rock around the country. Lewis started researching the franchise and found that there were no locations in the Tulsa area.

We have a passion for playing music and love teaching and going to concerts. This was a perfect play for us, Gray said.

The School of Rock brand garnered popularity after a movie by the same name starring Jack Black that is based off the schools founder.

Wed seen the movie, and I thought it would be something great to do, Lewis said. Tulsa is such a musically rich town and theres been a big boom in the last 10 years here, so it seemed like this would be a good fit.
Tullahoma, TN (37388)

Today

Partly cloudy this morning, then becoming cloudy during the afternoon. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 81F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Overcast. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 66F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph.
- Private Security Regulatory Authority confirmed it will train security guards on how best to respond to attacks

- Authority boss Fazul noted it was difficult for unarmed security officers to protect themselves against gun wielding attackers

- Only protection officers in high risk areas would be armed and not those guarding residential areas

- The guards are expected to undergo refresher courses to ascertain their suitability in handling guns

The Private Security Regulatory Authority will train and issue guns to all Kenyan private security guards to counter increased cases of insecurity.

During a press briefing on Thursday, January 24, the authority's boss Fazul Mohammed also disclosed they would withdraw all police officers from engaging in cash in transit business, banks and VIP protection.

Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens.

READ ALSO: Majority of Kenyans do not want private security guards given guns

Authority boss Fazul Mohamed says his team is ready to issue guns to security guards. Photo: Nation.

Source: UGC

READ ALSO: Private security guards in Kenya move closer to receiving guns

Fazul noted it has become very difficult for unarmed security officers to offer adequate services against gun wielding attackers.

"We saw what happened at DusitD2, we saw the point entry were the private security guards and did literally nothing. You cannot protect yourself using a rungu against someone who has a machine gun. They need to be properly equipped," he told journalists.

Even though his team will only arm protection officers in high risk areas and not those in residential homes, he clarified the authority will first take into account the welfare of each guard.

"The first thing we are going to do is addressing their welfare because you cannot give guns to a guard on an empty stomach. We are talking the issue of overtime allowance, house allowance, responsibility allowance etc,"he explained.

The guards are expected to undergo refresher courses to ascertain their suitability in handling guns.

Also, employers will be required to pay their guards a minimum wage that will be set by the government and all those unable to pay them will have their permits withdrawn.

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Troy

Boats Break Loose

UPDATE: Area bridges reopened after vessels broke loose on Hudson River

Several area bridges were closed Friday morning after several boats in the Hudson River broke loose
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New Life for Old House

Habitat for Humanity unveils new house in North Central Troy
THE Leader of the Opposition stepped way over the line last Saturday in a media release in which she sought to make comparisons between the current situation regarding last Wednesdays failed mass vaccine roll-out, and the 1990 attempted coup.
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A New Jersey prosecutors office said Wednesday that it would not charge a former state official accused of sexual assault by another employee in Gov. Phil Murphys administration, citing a lack of credible evidence.Katie Brennan, who is chief of staff of the states housing finance agency, accused Albert Alvarez of sexually assaulting her in April 2017 when they were both working to get Murphy elected. Alvarez, who left as chief of staff of the Schools Development Authority in October when a news account of the accusation was about to come out, has denied the allegation through his attorney.Due to a lack of credible evidence and corroboration that a crime was committed, the Middlesex County Prosecutors Office will not be filing any criminal charges in this matter, the office said in a statement.Brennans lawyer, Katy McClure, said she was disappointed with the decision.
Three Opposition MPs are calling on the Government and the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) to have a heart and stop disconnecting the water supply of errant customers during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Barataria/San Juan MP Saddam Hosein yesterday wrote to WASAs executive director Lennox Sealey urging him to suspend the drive and display humanity as people are suffering and strapped for cash in the pandemic given the lockdowns.
IT was a Christmas Eve-like atmosphere in supermarkets yesterday as people rushed out to stock up on supplies for the Labour Day and Fathers Day weekend during which curfew hours have been extended.

During today which marks the Labour Day holiday and Fathers Day which is tomorrow, people are only permitted to be outdoors between the hours of 5.01 a.m. to 10.01 a.m.

The curfew in effect on these days is 10.02 a.m. to 5 a.m. the following day.

Even though there was a plea by Supermarket Association president Rajiv Diptee not to crowd the supermarkets yesterday, he said most of his member stores described the last-minute rush like Christmas Eve.
Canton, GA (30114)

Today

Partly cloudy early then becoming cloudy with periods of rain this afternoon. High 79F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

Tonight

Cloudy with periods of rain. Potential for heavy rainfall. Low 67F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%. 1 to 2 inches of rain expected.
ROBINSINGH@TRIBUNE.COM

Brussels, January 24

The US and major South American nations recognised Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido as interim leader Wednesday while the UN urged dialogue in Caracas to avoid disaster, leaving President Nicolas Maduro increasingly isolated.

Major regional players Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Peru and Argentina all gave their backing to Guaidos self-proclamation as acting president, which he made in front of crowd of tens of thousands of supporters in the capital Caracas. The European Union called for free elections to restore democracy.

Russia, however, lashed out at Western countries and Cuba and Turkey expressed solidarity with Maduro while Mexico extended lukewarm support to him.

But the avalanche of support for Guaido dramatically raised the stakes in Venezuela, an oil-rich nation that has become deeply impoverished under Maduro.

Maduro has clung to power through the support of the Venezuelan military, and is a socialist ally of Russia, which last month sent two nuclear-capable bombers to the country to participate in a military drill.

Just minutes after Guaidos declaration, US President Donald Trump recognised him as interim leader, and declared his National Assembly was the only legitimate branch of government duly elected by the Venezuelan people. The US said it stood ready to use all options if Maduro tries to quash the opposition, in an implied threat of military force.

Maduro responded saying he was cutting off diplomatic ties with Washington, as his riot police clashed with opposition supporters in Caracas.

Get Out! Leave Venezuela. Here we have dignity, damn it, Maduro said, giving US diplomats 72 hours to depart.

But Guaido tweeted in response that, under him, Venezuela wants countries to maintain their diplomatic presence in our country.

And the US said former president Maduro did not have the authority to sever relations. UN chief Antonio Guterres appealed for dialogue. Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland supported Guaido.  AFP

Bus driver to President

Elected president of Venezuela five years ago, Nicolas Maduro is a former bus driver with a long career in trade unionism who has divided opinion as much as his predecessor Hugo Chavez

Maduros administration has drawn condemnation worldwide for violating human rights and throwing the country into recession hastened by the collapse in the price of oil

Painted as a ruthless despot, Maduro has also set up a new constituent assembly with the power to bypass and even dissolve the opposition-led National Assembly

Sidelines to limelight

From Vargas, one of Venezuelas poorest states, Juan Guaido was relatively unknown until picked as leader of the Opposition-held National Assembly just three weeks ago

Guaido was elected to the National Assembly in 2011 and became a representative for his home state in 2016. Opposition parties picked him to lead the body as a compromise candidate

A survivor of flash floods which swept through La Guaira, killing tens of thousands in 1999, Guaido was driven into politics by the governments ineffective response to the tragedy

Moscow warns Washington against arm-twisting
pardeepdhull@gmail.com

Kathmandu, January 25

Nepal and India should be sensitive towards each others concerns and they should cooperate with each other to move forward on the path of mutual interest, senior Nepali leaders said on Friday.

Talking to reporters here on the eve of Indias Republic Day, the leaders also called for the early adoption and implementation of the Eminent Persons Groups report (EPG) on Nepal-India relations to further strengthen the ties.

Senior leader of Nepali Congress and former Finance Minister Ramsharan Mahat said the bilateral relations should contribute towards attaining economic prosperity for Nepal.

Nepal has a huge trade deficit with India and to reduce the deficit Nepal should increase its export to India which requires favourable laws and agreements, Mahat said.

Indias Republic Day is an important event for those countries that have gained freedom from colonialism, said Mahat.

The report prepared by the EPG of the two countries is an important step taken towards making bilateral relations updated and timely, he pointed out, adding that there is a need to implement the report at the earliest.

The EPG was formed in 2016 by the governments of Nepal and India for reviewing the entire gamut of Nepal-India relations and update bilateral agreements and treaties, including the Nepal-India Friendship Treaty 1950.

I congratulate the government and people of India on this occasion and also extend best wishes that India could move forward as a prosperous nation, he said.

Nepal and India enjoy close people-to-people relations since time immemorial that needs to be updated and consolidated from time to time and the EPG report was prepared towards fulfilling the objective, said former Nepal ambassador to India Bahadur Thapa.

We are eagerly waiting for early adoption and implementation of the EPG report which will certainly add new dimension in existing bilateral relations, he remarked.

Intellectuals of both the countries have shown keen interest in the report which is a common document prepared through consensus after holding wide range of discussions and debate between eminent persons of both the countries, he pointed out.

The implementation of the report will certainly strengthen and improve relations between the two countries, he said.

Nepal and India should be sensitive towards each others issues and they should cooperate with each other to move forward on the path of mutual interest, said former Minister for Foreign Affairs Prakash Chandra Lohani.

There are immense possibilities and opportunities between the two countries which need to be explored for the benefit of the two countries, Lohani said.

Nepal is economically backward but so far we have not been able to take adequate benefit from our bilateral relations, he pointed out, adding Indias help and cooperation is important for Nepals development.

The energy secretaries of the two countries have recently held discussions in the matters pertaining to opening energy bank for the benefit of the two countries, which is a positive development, he said.

The present relations between Nepal and India can be termed as the best at all time, claimed Infrastructure and Physical Planning Minister Raghubir Mahaseth.

He underlined the need to increase cooperation and collaboration between the two countries in the areas of agriculture, development and infrastructure.

Nepal and India are tied together with common bonds of history, culture, religion, language and economy since time immemorial and no one should create disturbance to spoil this age old close and friendly relations, said Anil Jha, a leader of Rastriya Janta Party Nepal.

Both Nepal and India are facing the common problems of terrorism and cross border crimes and the two countries need to join hands to get rid of them and move forward on the path of prosperity, he pointed out.

The Madhesi leader, however, said the EPG report was prepared without the participation of Madhesi people, who reside in the border areas, therefore it is unacceptable to them.

The report should be redrawn with the inclusion of representation from the Madhesi community people to make it acceptable to all, he pointed out.

Indian Ambassador to Nepal Manjiv Singh Puri said Nepal and India have unique people-to-people relations and there is a need to nurture and strengthen these relations from time to time.

He said Birgunj  Raxaul dry port recently constructed under Nepal  India cooperation has been instrumental in boosting Nepals trade as this trading point accounts for more than 50 per cent of the Himalayan countrys total international trade, he said.

Other dry ports are under-construction in Biratnagar, Bhairahawa and Nepalgunj, with the assistance of India, he pointed out.

People-to-people contact between Nepal and India play an important role in strengthening and expanding bilateral ties between the two countries, Puri said. PTI
pardeepdhull@gmail.com

Geneva, January 25

More than 350 people in Venezuela have been arrested this week during demonstrations against President Nicolas Maduros government, the UN rights chief said on Friday, calling for immediate talks to defuse the increasingly incendiary atmosphere.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, said her office had reports of large-scale detention of demonstratorswell over 350 in total (this week), including 320 on 23 January alone.

Bachelet called for a full investigation into alleged violations by the state, including summary executions.

Civil society groups in Venezuela have put the death toll from days of street protests at 26.

The rights office, citing credible local sources, said it also had indications that at least 20 people have died after allegedly being shot by security forces or members of pro-government armed groups during demonstrations on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Bachelet, a former president of Chile who dealt with Maduro in her previous role, called for immediate talks to defuse the increasingly incendiary atmosphere in Venezuela.

This is, at heart a crisis of governance, and it is the responsibility of the countrys leaders to put an end to this disastrous situation, Bachelet said.

Venezuela, an oil-rich but economically devastated country, was plunged into uncertainty this week when opposition leader Juan Guaido, the 35-year-old head of the National Assembly, proclaimed himself acting president.

He earned swift endorsement from Washington and a dozen regional powers including Brazil, Argentina and Colombia.

Maduros reelection last year was disputed by the opposition, and criticised internationallybut the socialist leader has until now retained the loyalty of the powerful military.  AFP
Red Alert

Eviction Notices

As the partial federal government shutdown stretches into its sixth week, low-income families, seniors and the disabled are facing housing instability and possible evictions.Last month, Congress failed to provide funding for key federal agencies, including the departments of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and of Agriculture, which provide housing assistance to low-income families.The shutdown is affecting not just unpaid federal workers, but also 4.7 million families living in federally subsidized housing, housing advocates say.At greatest risk, they say, are those living in whats known as project-based rental assistance, or project-based Section 8 housing. The program gives private landlords contracts to provide housing assistance to low-income tenants. HUD pays most of the rent on those units.But according to Brian Sullivan, a HUD spokesman, 1,150 rental assistance contracts were due to expire in December and January, and another 550 contracts are set to expire by February.Even without the shutdown, he said, the program always has contracts expiring and being renewed. He said HUD has called in staff to process expiring contracts so landlords can get paid.But how much we have in our own coffers is another thing, Sullivan said. We may not have contract payments for them beyond February.According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, those expiring contracts affect 27,200 low-income households. And that number will only increase if the shutdown continues, according to the coalition. An estimated 80,000 people could lose their homes, according to the Urban Institute, a Washington-based think tank.HUD wrote landlords Jan. 4 to ask them not to evict tenants and instead draw down on their reserves to make up for the shortfall.So far, there have been no reported evictions, said Susan Popkin, director of the Urban Institutes Housing Opportunities and Services Together Initiative. But theres a lot of anxiety.Meanwhile, locally run public housing authorities are funded through February. Most are not equipped to handle the fallout should the shutdown extend past March 1, said Sunia Zaterman, executive director of the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities, which represents 70 of the largest public housing authorities in the country.Its definitely an all-hands-on-deck, high-urgency red alert for agencies that dont have sufficient reserves for a sufficient amount of time, Zaterman said. And most dont.The shutdown is causing other housing woes.The Council of the District of Columbia passed emergency legislation Tuesday to protect federal workers from losing their homes as a result of the shutdown. The legislation would let judges halt eviction or foreclosure proceedings for furloughed workers.In South Bend, Indiana, the local housing authority, already short on operating money because of the shutdown, cut its office hours and warned tenants it may not be able to make utility payments for public housing residents if the impasse continues.And last week, Denver Mayor Michael Hancock, a Democrat, announced a mortgage assistance program for federal employees and others impacted by the shutdown.If the shutdown continues past February, New York City stands to lose $500 million each month in federal assistance in the form of food stamps and rental assistance, according to a statement released by Democratic Mayor Bill de Blasio. Filling that void would be unsustainable and the city would run out of money before the end of the year, de Blasio said.I cannot promise well be okay, the mayor said. Any attempt to backfill the void left by our federal government would be woefully inadequate to the scale of this crisis.Adrianne Todman, CEO of the National Organization of Housing and Redevelopment Officials, said local housing authorities have been underfunded for years.Todman, whose Washington, D.C.-based membership organization includes more than 2,700 housing and community development agencies, said members will have to dip into their reserves in March to make ends meet.Some housing authorities are cutting hours and making contingency plans to furloughed workers. And some arent issuing new housing vouchers to families in need, to keep those families who currently have vouchers in their homes, Todman said.If housing authorities can hold on to their cash by not issuing a new voucher, thats a smart business decision, but a painful one, she said.Everyones hoping and praying that it ends soon, Todman said, so they can replenish their coffers for the next shutdown thats inevitable at this point.There have been reports around the country that some landlords have sent letters to tenants informing them they will be responsible for the portion of the rent that goes unpaid because of the shutdown.And some have issued eviction notices.In many cases, thats illegal, said Michael Wallace, the federal advocacy program director for the National League of Cities, a Washington, D.C.-based membership and advocacy organization. Tenants living in subsidized housing are protected from rent increases due to nonpayment of subsidies and from being evicted, he said.But since HUD is shut down, theres no way to enforce this, he said. If youre a renter with a housing voucher and you get one of these notices, your best course is to get media attention.Local officials are on the lookout for such abuses, Wallace said, but thats not a great position for the local government to be in. You want landlords to participate in the Section 8 program.Landlords have an incentive not to evict voucher holders, HUDs Sullivan said. Once appropriations resume, the landlords will be paid and made whole, he said.Evictions are a drastic action, Sullivan said. Its cutting off your nose to spite your face.You go from receiving whatever contributions tenants make to you even during the shutdown to zero dollars.Housing advocates worry the shutdown and the hassles associated with it will dissuade landlords from participating in the nations housing voucher program. Landlords routinely discriminate against Section 8 voucher holders, especially in high opportunity areas with good schools and expensive housing, as Stateline has reported.The main selling point for reluctant landlords has been the certainty of the federal Section 8 subsidy, housing experts say. But the shutdown demonstrates that the program is far from certain, said Sarah Mickelson, director of public policy for the National Low Income Housing Coalition.Were already hearing from tenants who have a voucher but cant find a landlord whos willing to take it, Mickelson said, because the landlord isnt sure the federal government will make good on its promise.
On January 24, Politburo member and Head of the Party Central Committees Commission for Communications and Education, Vo Van Thuong, visited and gave Tet gifts to 100 disadvantaged households in Van Lang district in the northern mountainous province of Lang Son.

Conveying his Tet wishes to the local ethnic people, Thuong also expressed his pleasure to see Lang Sons positive achievements in socio-economic development, as well as ensuring social security and national defence. He highly appreciated the efforts of the Vietnam Red Cross Society - Lang Son branch in taking care of local people ahead of Tet.

On the occasion, Thuong and his entourage visited and gave Tet gifts worth VND1.1 million each to 98 poor households and policy beneficiaries in Thuy Hung commune, Van Lang district.

The same day, National Assembly Vice Chairman, General Do Ba Ty visited and presented Tet gifts in Lao Cai province.

National Assembly Vice Chairman, General Do Ba Ty, presents Tet gifts to disadvantaged households in Y Ty commune, Bat Xat district, Lao Cai province, on January 24, 2019. (Photo: VNA)



Ty went to encourage officials and soldiers of the Military Command, Police and Border Guard Command of the province ahead of Tet, praising the results in their defence diplomacy work and the fight against criminals in border areas.

He also paid a visit to policy families and those in difficult circumstances in Y Ty commune, Bat Xat district, to present Tet gifts and encourage them to enjoy a warm Tet.

Also on January 24, a delegation from Cambodias Kampong Speu province led by its Deputy Governor Sor Soputra visited and conveyed their Tet wishes to leaders of the Mekong Delta province of Vinh Long.
RTHK: Delays at New York airport due to staff shortages

New York's La Guardia airport faced major flight delays on Friday as air traffic control struggled with staff shortages linked to the partial federal government shutdown, triggering renewed pressure for politicians to end the standoff.

The Federal Aviation Administration's website said that arriving flights were being delayed an average of nearly 1.5 hours, and that departures were also affected.

The nearby Newark, New Jersey and Philadelphia airports were also facing delays as a result.

An FAA spokesperson told the AFP news agency that the delays were caused by a "slight increase in sick leave."

"We've mitigated the impact by augmenting staffing, rerouting traffic and increasing the spacing between aircraft when needed," the spokesperson added.

"The results have been minimal impacts to efficiency while maintaining consistent levels of safety in the national airspace system."

The New York region's third-largest airport, LaGuardia primarily serves domestic flights.

Around 158 outbound flights and 154 inbound flights were facing delays - nearly a quarter of each type of flight - but only a small handful were cancelled, according to flight tracker FlightAware.

Most federal workers in American airports are now on their 35th day of working without pay due to a feud between Democratic lawmakers and President Donald Trump, who is demanding funding for a US-Mexico border wall.

The impact of the deadlock on aviation security has caused experts and Democratic lawmakers to raise alarm.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi warned on Twitter that the shutdown was "pushing our airspace to the breaking point."

"@realDonaldTrump, stop endangering the safety, security and well-being of our nation. Re-open government now!" she added.

Democratic National Committee Chair Tom Perez warned that "when our air traffic shuts down, the damage to our economy is enormous, millions of Americans are affected and our national security is endangered."

Without commenting on possible causes for the delays or how to resolve them, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said: "the president has been briefed and we are monitoring the ongoing delays at some airports."

"We are in regular contact with officials at the Department of Transportation and the FAA," she added in a statement.

Earlier this week, leaders of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, Air Line Pilots Association and Association of Flight Attendants warned that if the deadlock does not end soon, flights could be cut back around the country.

Control tower staffing is at a 30-year low due to no-shows and the national flight grid was only holding up due to overtime work by controllers, some of whom are working 10-hour days and six-day workweeks.

Air traffic controllers, transportation security officers, safety inspectors and air marshals were not furloughed and have been working without pay.

"As predicted, the system is starting to unravel. This is only the beginning. Our safety professionals from @NATCA are fatigued, worried, and distracted," tweeted AFA-CWA flight attendant union president Sara Nelson.

"But they won't risk safety so the planes don't fly. Dammit! #StopTheShutdown!"

United Airlines said that "at this point, we don't anticipate significant schedule disruptions, but it is another good illustration of the escalating impact of the government shutdown and the need for the federal government to promptly re-open."

Inside terminals in major airports, passenger inspection times are lengthening due to an increasing number of workers for the Transportation Safety Administration not showing up.

The TSA said this week there was a 7.6 percent absence rate, compared to three percent a year ago.

Many of the workers are facing financial difficulties and some are unable to pay for transport to go to work or for childcare, and thus choose to call in sick instead. (AFP)

This story has been published on: 2019-01-25. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
ROBINSINGH@TRIBUNE.COM

Lahore: Doctors have recommended that Pakistan's former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif should be shifted to hospital from jail as he could be best treated there for his heart complications. A four-member (second) special medical board of the Allama Iqbal Medical College/Jinnah Hospital, Lahore, examined Sharif, 69, in jail recently and recommended that for his optimal treatment he should be shifted to hospital. Sharif was rushed to a hospital on Tuesday after he complained of heart complications. He was later discharged from the hospital and taken back to jail following the medical tests. PTI

Spore heartthrob Pang dies during military exercise

Singapore: Singaporean actor Aloysius Pang has died after sustaining injuries to his chest and abdomen during a military drill in New Zealand. The mishap occurred on Saturday when Pang, 28, had been carrying out repairs inside a Singapore Self-Propelled Howitzer with two others at the Waiouru Training area. He succumbed to injuries on Wednesday at a Hamilton hospital, the Defence Ministry said. An armament technician from the 268th Battalion Singapore Artillery, he was on reservist duty as part of Singaporeans commitment to be battle-ready to serve in the forces. AFP
ROBINSINGH@TRIBUNE.COM

THUS the Pioneer:-The Printers Devil is sometimes responsible for omissions as well as commissions in the announcements of the daily Press. Thus we were made to say in a recent issue that it seems improbable that suggestions of a constructive character have now been formulated by the heads of the Provincial Governments during their conference at Delhi. What we meant was that the contingency in question was not improbable. We understand that criticisms of a constructive nature were put forward on this occasion. We thought that the unfortunate omissions and commissions incidental to the conduct of the daily Press were the monopoly of that section of the Press whose representatives are liable to be summarily excluded from meetings of the Legislative Council for one single mistake made in the course of the whole life-time of the Council.
ROBINSINGH@TRIBUNE.COM

AN Anglo-Indian journal recently stated that it anticipated that the question of State management of Indian Railways would be postponed and the contract with the East Indian Railway renewed under more advantageous terms. If this turns out to be true, it would be disappointing to the people of India, as it means continued subordination of Indian economic interests, partly at any rate, to the interests of British shareholders in Indian Railways. This is to be strongly protested against, especially in view of the general support by the British public to the question of nationalisation of their own railways. Indians are urging a similar change for reasons some of which are similar to those of the British public while the others are as strong as they are self-evident. Indian Railways are run not entirely in the interests of Indians but largely in those of the shareholders in England.
editorial@tribune.com

Jupinderjit Singh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 24

Sukhwinder Singh, alias Mithu, of Kaunke Kalan village near Jagraon, is a relieved man today as two prime accused in the murder case of his wife Jassi are finally extradited to India after a wait of 19 years. Those extradited are Jassis mother Malkit Kaur Sidhu and maternal uncle Surjit Singh Badesha. The extradition took place after a series of blockades, including a last minute airport drama in September last year.

The duo was brought to Delhi by a team of the Canada Police after the Indian government made an objection to the Canadian government over the last years airport drama. Punjab police senior officers said Canada agreed to deliver the duo to India to make up for the procedural lapses last year.

Mithu has been waiting for this day all these years. At last they will face trial. I have been dreaming of the day when I will get a chance to confront Jassis mother on her killing, he said.

Mithu faced six cases of different nature, including rape, and spent three years in jail before he was acquitted. He even rejected offers of Rs 2 crore and some acres of land.

While Jassi died on June 8, 2000, near Malerkotla, Mithu survived despite being stabbed several times. He did not remarry and became an addict for a while before being elected a member of the village panchayat. He says his only purpose is to confront Jassis mother.

On May 9, 2014, following proceedings in the Supreme Court of British Columbia, Justice Gregory Finch ordered Surjit Badesha and Malkit Sidhu to be handed over to the Indian police to face trial. Finch justified his decision with evidence that India had presented against Badesha, including 266 phone calls between Badesha and four men convicted of the killing.

Mithu and Jassi first saw each other at a market in Jagraon in 1996. It was love at first sight. They kept in touch through letters and phone calls and got secretly married in March 2000. Jassis family did not agree to their marriage as Mithu was a poor farmers son while Jassis uncle Bidesha was the richest landlord of the village.

After the marriage, Jassi went back to Canada to prepare papers for his immigration. However, her parents got a whiff of their plan. Mithu was booked for kidnapping and raping Jassi and it was claimed she was a minor. Jassi flew back to India and cleared him of the charges in April 2000. However, she was killed on June 8.

In 2005, Mithu was booked for raping a village girl. However, he was acquitted when the girl said he was wrongly accused at the behest of Jassis mothers relatives.
rchopra@tribunemail.com

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 25

Sounding the bugle for the 2019 Lok Sabha election with the confidence that the Congress would win all 13 seats in Punjab, Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Friday hailed the entry of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra into the political arena as a masterstroke by the party president, saying it would change the political equations not only in Uttar Pradesh but the entire country.

Launching the Punjab Pardesh Congress Committees Jan Sampark Abhiyan at the Congress Bhawan here, the Chief Minister assured Priyanka of total support by the state party cadres in realising the dream of an inclusive India of Rahul Gandhi who, he asserted, is all set to become the next Prime Minister.

Priyankas entry marked the fulfilment of a long-pending demand of the Congress workers and all party members, across cadres, were with her and the Congress president in their campaign to rid the people of India of the corrupt and divisive government led by the BJP, said Amarinder.

The Chief Minister said the new Shakti programme launched by the Congress president had brought in a new level of enthusiasm among the party workers to take on the BJP-led government and exposed its anti-people agenda.

Terming forthcoming parliamentary elections as very important for the country, Amarinder called upon the Punjab Congress workers to take Shakti to every household to ensure that the party won all 13 seats in the state with sweeping margins.

Formally launching Mission 13 for the party in the state, the Chief Minister exhorted the PPCC workers to go all out to expose the false propaganda being spread by the SAD-BJP combine and to take the state governments achievements to the people.

Referring to the Jan Sampark Abhiyan, the Chief Minister stressed on the need to connect with the grassroots workers and voters to solicit their views and suggestions for informed decisions by the top leadership. The door-to-door campaign would further fortify Rahul Gandhis vision to make each Indian a part of the change which the whole nation desired, he said, addressing party workers and leaders.

Amarinder exhorted the party representatives to make optimum use of this platform for connecting with the voters at the grassroots level in favour of the party by disseminating the pro-poor and development-oriented policies of the Congress government in Punjab.
gspannu7@gmail.com

Chandigarh, January 25

A court in Sangrur district on Friday sent Malkit Kaur and Surjit Singh Badesha, who were extradited from Canada in an honour killing case of Canada-born Jaswinder Kaur Sidhu, to four-day police remand.

Jaswinders mother Malkit (70) and maternal uncle Surjit (75) were produced before the court of Judge Harpreet Singh in Sangrur by Punjab Police amid tight security arrangements.

The court has sent them to four day police remand, Sangrur Senior Superintendent of Police Sandeep Garg said.

The police had sought seven-day remand of the accused.

Malkit and Surjit will be questioned over alleged routing of money to contract killers for killing Jassi and other information, Garg said.

More than 18 years after the death of Jaswinder, her mother and uncle were extradited to India by Canadian authorities on Thursday.

Malkit and Surjit had been charged with the conspiracy to kill Jaswinder and a case under relevant sections, including 302 (murder) and 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the IPC, had been registered at a police station in Sangrur.

A Canadian court had in 2016 stopped the extradition of Kaur and Badesha to India to face trial in the case over concerns that they may not get justice in the country.

However, the Supreme Court of Canada ordered the extradition of the duo in 2017, but the decision was later stayed after the accused sought judicial review of the decision.

Their plea for staying the extradition proceedings was rejected by a court in Canada in December 2018, finally paving the way for their extradition to India.

Jaswinder, better known as Jassi, fell in love with Sukhwinder Singh Mithu, a kabaddi player and an autorickshaw driver, after she visited Punjab. She was the resident of Maple Ridge, British Columbia.

Both secretly got married against the wishes of Jassis affluent family in March 1999.

After the marriage, she returned to Canada and then came to India again in May 2000. By that time, her family had come to know about her relationship with Mithu.

Jassi, 25 at that time, and Mithu were reportedly attacked by contract killers on June 8, 2000 at village Narike of Malerkotla in Sangrur.

The police had said that the contract killers were hired by Jassis mother and uncle.

Jassis body was dumped in a drain with her throat slit, while Mithu was severely attacked and left to die. He, however, survived.

Punjab Police registered a case in this connection in July 2000 and named Malkit and Surjit in the FIR.  PTI
editorial@tribune.com

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 24

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has made it clear that accused committing offence in drug cases in India before escaping to foreign countries and those conspiring and abetting offences under the NDPS Act in the country while living abroad were required to be extradited.

The Bench of Justice Rajiv Sharma and Justice Harinder Singh Sidhu asserted that drug abuse had attained alarming proportion in some states, including Punjab. The kingpins operating from foreign countries were difficult to nab. The law was required to be taken to its logical end by attaching movable and immovable properties of accused, once they had been declared proclaimed offenders.

The directions came in a case where three accused Ranjit Singh, Hardeep Singh Sandhu and Gurwinder Singh were declared POs in March, 2010. Taking up the matter, the Bench questioned counsel appearing on behalf of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence on the follow-up to the orders declaring the accused POs. The counsel, in turn, very fairly submitted that steps had not been initiated for attachment of their movable or immovable properties.

The Bench asserted it was told during the course of arguments that the three accused declared POs were residing in Canada. In response to a query on initiation of steps to extradite them, the counsel submitted that only lookout notices were sent. Thereafter, concrete steps were never taken to extradite them.

The Bench further added that the DRI, in its own wisdom, should have invoked the provisions of the treaty entered between the governments of India and Canada for the extradition of three accused against whom a complaint was filed before the special court in Ludhiana.

Appearing before the Bench, DRI Deputy Director Nikhil Kumar Singh assured that all out efforts would be made for extradition of accused by invoking the extradition treaty and all other enabling provisions, including the Code of Criminal Procedure, within four weeks.

The Bench directed the DRI to file a status report by February 22.

Directions to ED
editorial@tribune.com

Ruchika M Khanna

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 24

The plot was perfect. Sukhwinder Singh alias Mithu, was attacked near Narike village and left for dead on the night intervening June 8 and 9, 2000. The love of his life, Jaswinder Kaur alias Jassi, had been bundled in a car by contract killers and whisked away.

She was kept in custody at a at a farmhouse near Bulara and Sangowal villages by her assailants from where they made her speak to her mother Malkiat Kaur in Canada. It was upon her refusal to return to Canada that hermother and maternal uncle (Surjit Singh) allegedly asked the hired men to eliminate her. Her throat was slit and her body was thrown away in a water channel.

Had Sukhwinder Singh not survived the murderous attack and photographs of Jassis body not recognised by Sukhwinders friend and family members, the case would never have been solved.

Recalling the investigation by the Ludhiana Sadar police, Maninder Singh Bedi, DSP, Bureau of Investigation, then posted as SHO, says inter-district exchange of notes was rare in those days.

Jaswinders body was found in the jurisdiction of the Ludhiana police, while the crime took place in Sangrur, and Sukhwinder Singh too was found injured in the area under the Sangrur police. At that time exchange of information was slow, the recovery of a body would have just entailed initiating inquest proceedings. But it was the brutality of the attack on the girl that led me to launch a probe and get her pictures published in newspapers to identify her, which too was a rarity in those days, he recalls.

Once the girl was identified and Sukhwinder Singh (who was recuperating at CMC Hospital, Ludhiana) and his friend, narrated the matter, the police launched a full-scale investigation. Within a month, the police identified the contract killers.

The accused had been introduced to Surjit Singh and Darshan Singh (whose daughter was engaged to Surjit Singhs son) through Joginder Singh, who was then incharge of CIA, Ludhiana. The car used in the crime, which was provided to the killers by Joginder Singh, was traced. Within six months, accused were arrested.

Looking back
The Trump administration announced Wednesday it will allow a ministry in South Carolina that only works with heterosexual Christian families to participate in a federally funded foster care program.That means Miracle Hill Ministries can receive federal funding to participate in the program while not working with non-Christians, or those who identify as LGBT.The organization was in violation of a regulation issued by the Obama administration that states organizations receiving funds from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) can't discriminate on the basis of religion or sexual orientation.But Trump's HHS issued an exemption for the ministry to participate in the program, writing that to force it out would be a violation of its religious freedom.
gspannu7@gmail.com

Amritsar, January 25

Police on Friday caned a group of jobless teachers who tried to force their way to the state education ministers residence to press for employment, injuring four of them.

The protesters wanted to submit a memorandum to Education Minister OP Soni for their appointment in government schools, he said.

The official said at least 300 unemployed teachers who had cleared the Punjab Governments Teacher Eligibility Test were stopped a few yards away from the residence of the minister.

The situation turned ugly, when the protesters refused to listen to the police which wanted to prevent them from reaching the ministers residence.

But the teachers began removing police barricades blocking their way to the ministers house, he said.

During lathi-charge, four teachers were injured, one of them a woman, the protesters said.

Police said one of their men too was injured in the melee.  PTI
rchopra@tribunemail.com

Washington, January 25

An American lawmaker has praised Indias developmental role in Afghanistan, especially the USD 3 billion in financial assistance it has given to the war-torn country.

Congressman Eliot Engel, chairman of the powerful House Foreign Affairs Committee, said this during his meeting with the new Indian Ambassador to the US, Harsh V Shringla, at the Capitol on Thursday.

We discussed the historic nature of the US-India relationship, growing defence and security ties, economic relations, and our desire to continue to strengthen this vital partnership, Engel said after his meeting with top Indian diplomat.

I also thanked him for Indias USD 3 billion contribution for development assistance to Afghanistan, which of course buys more than just a library, the powerful Democratic lawmaker said.

He was referring to the mocking of Indias activities in Afghanistan by President Donald Trump earlier this month.

In fact, he tagged a BBC video that had the heading: Trump mocks India PM over Afghanistan Library.

Shringla presented his credentials to the President at the White House on January 11. PTI
rchopra@tribunemail.com

Amaravati, January 25

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday said the time had come for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to go home as the BJPs defeat in the ensuing general election is certain.

Save India, save democracy slogan is reverberating across the country. The United India rallies (of opposition parties) are creating a buzz. The country will not tolerate anti-people rule, the TDP president told party leaders during his daily teleconference.

While antagonism to the BJP is a political inevitability, opposition to Modi is a democratic inevitability, the TDP chief remarked.

He pointed out that the BJP was routed in the recent elections to the five state assemblies.

Now, surveys are making the opposition to Modi clear. The BJP and its puppet parties defeat is thus certain in the coming election, he said, referring to the YSR Congress in Andhra.

Naidu claimed the Centre still owed Rs 1.16 lakh crore to Andhra Pradesh and accused the BJP of neglecting the state.

I wrote a letter to the Prime minister on this, he said, but did not disclose the details. PTI
rchopra@tribunemail.com

Satya Prakash

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 25

The Supreme Court on Friday refused to stay the operation of the 103rd constitutional amendment which provides for 10% reservation to economically backward sections of general category in government jobs and educational institutes.

It means the government can go ahead with implementation of 10% quota in public employment and educational institutes as announced by it.

A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi, however, issued notice to the Centre asking it to respond to the petition.

We are examining the matter and hence issuing notice returnable within four weeks, said the bench, which also included Justice Sanjiv Khanna.

The directions came after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta submitted that the amendments couldnt be stayed.

A day after Parliament passed a constitutional amendment to provide for 10% reservation to economically backward sections of general category in government jobs and educational institutes, an NGO had on January 10 challenged its validity before the Supreme Court, contending it violated basic structure of the Constitution.

Passed by Parliament on January 9, the Constitution (124th Amendment) Bill, 2019, has been assented to by the President and notified in official gazette.

Activist Tehseen Poonawalla, too, has challenged the legality of the amendment.

It provides for a maximum of 10% of seats/posts in addition to the existing reservations for SCs, STs and OBCs, taking the total reservation to 59%, much beyond the 50% ceiling fixed by the Supreme Court in the Indra Shawney case popularly known as the Mandal case. It also extends reservation to private aided and unaided educational institutes.

In its petition filed in the top court, Youth for Equality has challenged Article 15(6) and Article 16(6) of the Constitution added by the amendment on the grounds that economic criterion cannot be the sole basis for reservation and that economic reservation cannot be limited to the general category alone.

The NGO pointed out that the new quota law exceeded the 50% ceiling fixed by the Supreme Court in the Indra Shawney case. The 50% ceiling limit of reservations has been engrafted as a part of the basic structure of the Constitutions equality code, it said demanding a stay on the operation of the law.

It said imposing reservations on unaided institutes was manifestly arbitrary as it went against the Supreme Courts Constitution Bench verdicts.

Both the Constitution Bench judgments in TMA Pai Foundation (2002) and PA Inamdar (2005) make it clear that the states reservation policy could not be imposed on unaided educational institutes, and as they are not receiving any aid from the state, they can have their own admissions provided they are fair, transparent, non-exploitative and based on merit, the petition read.

If these illegal provisions are not stayed and admissions/appointments were to take place under them, they would be irreversible and cause great injustice and disgruntlement to those who are justly entitled. As nearly 70 years have passed without this type of reservation, it would be appropriate to keep it in abeyance until the hearing of the present petition is concluded, the petitioner submitted.
rchopra@tribunemail.com

New Delhi, January 24

The Supreme Court on Friday said it would consider listing the Centres review and petitions challenging the amendments to the SC/ ST Act 2018, together before an appropriate bench.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi said it would consider and do the needful.

Attorney General KK Venugopal said a bench headed by Justice AK Sikri had on Thursday passed an order, saying it would be appropriate to hear the Centres review and writ petitions against the AC/ST Act 2018 together.

The apex court had on Thursday refused to stay the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Act, 2018, which restored the provision that no anticipatory bail be granted to the accused.

Parliament on August 9 last year had passed the bill to overturn the apex court order relating to certain safeguards against arrest under the SC and ST law.

The court was hearing the pleas alleging that the two Houses of Parliament had arbitrarily decided to amend the law and restored the previous provisions in such a manner so that an innocent could not avail the right of anticipatory bail. PTI
ROBINSINGH@TRIBUNE.COM

Smita Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 24

This years Republic Day chief guest, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa along with First Lady Dr Tshepo Motsepe, will reach Delhi on his first state visit on Friday.

He will be accompanied by nine senior cabinet members and a 50-member business delegation. After Nelson Mandela in 1995, Ramaphosa is the second chief guest from South Africa as India celebrates its 70th Republic Day. His visit, which was finalised after US President Donald Trump declined Indias invitation, coincides with the 150th birth anniversary celebrations of Mahatma Gandhi globally with special resonance in South Africa.

President Ramaphosa will be accorded a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Friday where President Ram Nath Kovind will host a state banquet in his honour later in the evening.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold formal talks with President Ramaphosa on Friday with a focus on defence and Indian Ocean RIM cooperation, maritime security, agriculture, trade and investment, mines, counterterrorism, students exchange and visa liberalisation.
rchopra@tribunemail.com

Bhubaneswar, January 25

Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Friday said the RSS imprint was evident everywhere in the BJP-led NDA government and that the outfit wanted to penetrate and control all institutions in the country.

You currently have one institution called the RSS, mother of the BJP, which believes it is the only institution in the country. They want to penetrate into all other institutions and control them, he said.

The mindset had led to chaos everywhere in the country, including areas of judiciary and education, he maintained.

We believe India should be run by its 1.2 billion people. One set of people, one ideology should not run the country, he said during an interaction with intellectuals in Bhubaneswar.

The Congress leader said his party had a view different from the ruling BJP when it came to functioning of key institutions.

Our party has a different view on how key institutions should be supporting the country. It respects decentralisation, independence of institutions and constitutional advances, he asserted.

Gandhi said monopolisation and capture of the education and health care system in the country needs to be challenged.

A middle-class person has to pay crores to get good-quality education. The same is the case in the health care system. That needs to be challenged, the Congress chief added. PTI
shalender@tribune.com

Vibha Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 24

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will contest the parliamentary elections from Varanasi, the constituency he represents in the outgoing Lok Sabha, top BJP leaders said, a day after the Congress appointed Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in-charge of eastern UP.

The party is yet to decide on whether the PM will contest any other seat as in 2014 when he also fought from Vadodara in Gujarat. He later quit the seat for Varanasi in UP where the BJP bagged 71 of the total 80 seats. Prachar kya swaroop leta hai, party ko kahan se fayda hota hai, yeh uspe nirbhar karega (How the campaign shapes up, where the party will benefit, it all depends upon that), a BJP leader remarked, responding to speculation that Modi may pick another temple town, Puri, to create an impact in Odisha and its 21 seats of which the party currently holds one  the Sundergarh seat represented by Jual Oram.

Notably, it was Modi's famous one-liner while filing nominations from Varanasi, Na toh mujhe kisi ne bheja hai, na mein yahan khud aaya hoon, mujhe toh Maa Ganga ne bulaya hai, that killed the campaign of other parties and turned the tide in favour of the BJP in UP. This time, the Congress has handed over Priyanka the charge of eastern UP, which includes PMs constituency Varanasi, in the hope that the move will influence voters in the area.

While BJP leaders claim Priyanka's entry into active politics will have no impact, they also say the strengthening of the Congress in UP will result in a fierce triangular contest, benefiting the BJP.

A senior leader refused to read much into ally Shiv Senas praise for Priyanka, stressing: They (Sena) are in alliance with us in Maharashtra and the Centre, and that is the way it will be.

In 2014, Modi won Varanasi by

3.37 lakh votes

Narendra Modi won the Varanasi Lok Sabha seat by defeating Arvind Kejriwal by a massive margin of 3.37 lakh votes. Modi had secured 5,16,593 votes as against 1,79,739 votes of Kejriwal

...And Vadodara by

5.70 lakh votes

Modi won the Vadodara Lok Sabha seat by a margin of 5,70,128 votes. Modi secured 8,45,464 votes while his nearest rival, Congress general secretary Madhusudan Mistry, secured 2,75,336 votes
gspannu7@gmail.com

Smita Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 25

A conflict between India and China is undesirable and not in the interest of the strategically placed island nation of Maldives, Maldivian Defence Minister Mariya Ahmed Didi said on Friday.

She sought to allay concerns about Chinese presence in the archipelago nation which had increased during the previous Yameen regime.

We are very much bent on keeping Indian Ocean as a safe protected zone where bigger powers do not engage in a way that could be detrimental to interests of our nation. We dont believe that big powers should have any conflict in our region, said Didi to reporters a day after her talks with Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

She reminded that India shares geographical proximity to Maldives and was always the first responder during times of crisis.

Accompanied by Chief of Defence Forces of Maldives Major General Abdulla Shamaal, Didi also underlined that the two Advanced Light Helicopters (ALHs) which had become a bone of contention between New Delhi and Maldives during Yameens rule, had an immense humanitarian contribution.

Yameen government had asked Delhi to take back the gifted helicopters when relations spiralled downwards last year.

Didi reminded that since resumption of the helicopter services, 10 lives have been saved of the 160 saved since they were pressed into operation.

I cannot understand why it was stopped even for a short while and I dont know how we can manage without those helicopters. On our islands, there is rough weather and at times sea ambulance doesnt operate. said Didi.

The Maldivian defence minister assured that with bilateral ties now stabilising, discussions and work has resumed on all infrastructure projects stalled since 2016, including the surveillance radars commissioned by India.

With the relation resuming, we expect to have radars installed soon. Stability and security of our country is important for us. These radars will help protect our waters from illicit drug trafficking, help counter terrorism and illegal fishing in our waters. she said.

Major General Shamaal added that Maldives in its discussions with India is focussed on trans-national threats and threats that can be orchestrated by non-state actors and rogue elements within the Indian Ocean.

Discussions are on for a Dornier aircraft that Maldives wants for search, rescue and surveillance operations in the waters.

Didi will witness the 70th Republic Day parade at Rajpath on Saturday.
rchopra@tribunemail.com

New Delhi, January 25

A Jet Airways staffer is among the three men arrested by the customs officials in two separate cases of gold smuggling at Delhi airport, according to an official statement issued on Friday.

Acting on an input, a Jet Airways technician was intercepted on Wednesday. A detailed personal search resulted in recovery of four gold bars, weighing 1.3 kg, valued at Rs 43.36 lakh, from the pocket of a trouser worn by him, the customs department said in the statement.

On enquiry, the accused said he was to hand over these gold bars to a person waiting outside Aerocity metro station near the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport, it said.

A team of customs officials then arrested the receiver of the gold bars from outside the Aerocity metro station, the statement said.

The officers were trying to catch the person who may have brought gold and handed it over to the Jet Airways technician, a senior customs official added.

In another case, a man was intercepted by the customs officials after his arrival from Dubai on January 23.

His personal and baggage search resulted in the recovery of gold weighing 978 grams in the form of granules mixed with thick liquid, the statement said.

The gold valued at Rs 31.43 lakh was seized and the passenger arrested, it said.

In both the cases, three people, including the Jet Airways technician, were arrested and gold worth Rs 74.79 lakh was seized. PTI
As more people get vaccinated and states begin to roll back some of the restrictions put in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic  schools, agencies and workplaces are working on a plan on how to safely return to normal.
pardeepdhull@gmail.com

New Delhi, January 25

India and South Africa on Friday announced a three-year strategic programme to expand ties in several key areas such as defence, maritime security and trade and investment after Prime Minister Narendra Modi held extensive talks with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.

In his media statement, Modi said both sides discussed all aspects of the bilateral ties with an aim to further expand cooperation in diverse areas.

The strategic programme of cooperation is aimed at deepening the bilateral engagement and ensuring that a result oriented partnership benefits people of both the countries.

The South African President, who arrived here on Friday morning on a two-day visit, will be the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations on Saturday.

Calling India a strategic partner of South Africa, Ramaphosa said he was most honoured to have been invited for the Republic Day celebrations.

We reviewed the existing cordial bilateral relations between South Africa and India as encapsulated in strategic partnership, as well as the close cooperation at a number of multilateral groupings that our two countries belong to, where we work closely with one another, Ramaphosa said in his media statement with Modi by his side.

The two countries are a part of BRICS, IBSA (India, Brazil, South Africa) Dialogue Forum, Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) and G20.

The South African President listed agro-processing, defence procurement and mining equipment and technology as the future areas of cooperation and said the two countries want to work together in these sectors.

On his part, Modi said the economic relations between the two sides are burgeoning and the bilateral trade stands at more than USD 10 billion. India is the second largest trading partner of South Africa.

This time South Africa participated in the Vibrant Gujarat as a partner country and Indian companies are taking part in the efforts to boost investment efforts by President Ramaphosa, the Prime Minister said.

He said the two countries have strong cooperation and coordination at several international fora, including the BRICS, G20 and IORA and the United Nations Security Council.

South Africa is currently one of the 10 non-permanent members of the UNSC.

Modi said India and South Africa stand at crucial locations in the Indian Ocean and the two countries are inheritors of the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela.

Speaking about the three-year Strategic Programme of Cooperation, Ramaphosa said, In order to ensure concrete deliverables, we concluded a three years Strategic Programme of Cooperation aimed at deepening the bilateral engagement between India and South Africa and ensuring that a result oriented partnership benefits people of both countries.

Officials said the strategic programme will facilitate expansion of ties in several key areas such as defence, maritime security and trade and investment.

Ramaphosa said the two sides have instructed their ministers and officials to start implementation of the programme with immediate effect.

Modi said India and South Africa are partners in skill development efforts and a Skills Institute will soon be established in Pretoria. PTI
ROBINSINGH@TRIBUNE.COM

Shahira Naim

Tribune News Service

Lucknow, January 24

If a section of Varanasi citizens are elated at the prospect of Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking a second term from their city, there are others who feel the city did not witness the kind of development they had expected.

Sajha Sanskrti Manchs Vallabhacharya Pandey is hugely disappointed by the failure to get the Ganga clean. The life of this city revolves around the river. Despite PM Modi claiming that he had been called to Varanasi by Ma Ganga, PM Modis government, like all earlier governments, failed to get the river cleaned, complained Pandey.

According to him the city has been flush with funds meant for development, but there has been no accountability whatsoever.

Every time the PM announces new projects with astronomical budgets, citizen never really get to know how much has been spent. None of the websites of the Smart City Project, Municipal Corporation and Varanasi Development Authority have provided the blueprint of the projects or the money being spent, pointed out Pandey.

He had filed several RTIs to know the fate of the development projects, especially the Vishwanath corridor project, but has not received any response. He said that the corridor starting with the budget of Rs 55 crore has escalated to approximately Rs 3,500 crores.

Ancient mandirs and buildings in the Vishwanath temple area are being demolished to widen the bylanes. The construction is in violation of two court orders wanting status quo in the area and no construction within 200 metres of the river, he complained.

A PWD engineer and a regular at the famous Pappo tea stall at Assi Ghat also expressed his disappointment with the PM Modi rule, especially the demolishing of the ancient mandirs in the temple town.

Far from fulfilling the promise of building the Ram Mandir, this government has demolished small ancient mandirs to widen the bylanes. Even Kashi Naresh used to walk down these lanes. Why expand them at the cost of the character of the area? he asked. If the Benarsis know how to pamper someone with love and attention, they also know how to teach a lesson, he said.

However, Kapindra Tiwari, once associated with the Ganga Raksha Andolan, begs to differ. He said the amount of money and projects that have come to Varanasi are unprecedented. So many sewerage treatment plants are in the process of coming up to clean the Ganga. Infrastructural projects take time. Five years is too short a time to solve these perennial problems, he said.

PROMISES TO TEMPLE CITY  KEPT & UNKEPT

During 16 visits to his constituency since his election, the PM is believed to have allocated Rs 44,927 cr for various projects. Yet several promises havent been kept

MA GANGA

PM had announced a Rs 21,000 cr plan to clean, rejuvenate Ganga, with Rs 600 cr specially earmarked for Varanasi. But Ma Ganga is yet to be cleansed

ECO BOATS

Environment-friendly boats doled out by govt are yet to traverse muddy waters of Ganga. Of the 11 boats distributed, none in use due to a snag in their batteries

WATERWAY

On Nov 12, 2018, PM dedicated 1,383-km multi-modal waterway terminal on Ganga, connecting Varanasi-Haldia for large vessels

JAL MARG

Constructed on National Waterways-I as part of WB-aided Jal Marg Vikas project, of Inland Waterways Authority of India, it was approved at a cost of Rs 5,369.18 crore. It aims to promote inland waterways as cheap and eco-friendly means of transportation, especially for cargo

KYOTO REPLICA

He promised to make Varanasi akin to Japans ancient shrine city of Kyoto. One of the promises he fulfilled was a Trade Facilitation Centre and Crafts Museum, stone for which was laid on Nov 7, 2014. 15th Pravasi Bhartiya Divas was held at this centre

METRO RAIL

Other off-the-page promises include metro, six-lane highways, flyovers, ring roads, satellite towns, round-the-clock water, power and broadband, solid waste management systems, a Bhojpuri film city and battery operated cars
rchopra@tribunemail.com

Washington, January 25

US President Donald Trump has said the decision by India last year to cut the tariffs on motorcycles by half was a fair deal, but rued the high duties on American whisky.

At a White House event on the Reciprocal Trade Act on Thursday, Trump flashed out a green-colour board that had examples of non-reciprocal tariffs from various countries.

Look at motorcycles as an example. (In) India, it was 100 per cent. I got them down to 50 per cent, just by talking for about two minutes. Its still 50 per cent vs 2.4 per cent (on imported motorcycles to the US). Again, other than that, its a very fair deal, the President said.

Trump pointed out to the high tariff by India on import of wines. India has a very high tariff. They charge a lot of tariffs. You look at whisky... India gets 150 per cent, we get nothing.

India had last February slashed the customs duty on imported motorcycles like Harley-Davidson to 50 per cent after Trump called it unfair and threatened to increase the tariff on import of Indian bikes to the US.

In his interaction with lawmakers at the White House, Trump said the Reciprocal Trade Act would give the US workers a fair and level-playing field against other countries.

The US, he alleged, had been taken advantage of by many countries all over the world. They charge us tariffs and taxes, the likes of which nobody has any understanding. Theyre so high and so unfair! They also have barriers where we cant go in. They have trade barriers that make it impossible for us to sell our farm products and our other products.

Whether they think were very nice or not so smart, theyve been doing it for many, many years and we want to end it. Many of these are friends, many of these are allies...but, sometimes, allies take advantage of us even more so than our non-allies, he said.

Trump said the Reciprocal Trade Act would help solve the problem once and for all. Whatever the tariff for a foreign country is, we place the same tariff on us.

Whats going to happen, I think, from a practical standpoint, is they wont be charging us tariffs anymore. Well see. Or well charge them a lot. Tremendous amount of money, he said.

The Reciprocal Trade Act will be an incredible tool to bring foreign countries to the negotiating table and to get them to lower tariffs on US products and also to get rid of their trade barriers, the President asserted.

America cannot lose almost USD 800 billion on trade like has been done for many years, he said.

Congressman Sean Duffy, who introduced the Reciprocal Trade Act, has granite from India among his global list of non-reciprocal tariffs. PTI
shalender@tribune.com

KV Prasad

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 24

The Bharatiya Janata Party today let it be known that PM Narendra Modi will recontest from Varanasi. This should be seen as an assertion by the ruling party that it is in control of the situation.

Although there has been no official announcement of PM Modi and Varanasi, the news from top echelons of the party comes amid stray voices that Priyanka Gandhi, the newly appointed Congress general secretary for eastern UP, should contest from the temple city.

The report of Modi going back to Varanasi should also put an end to speculation over the past few months that the Prime Minister was considering shifting to another constituency  either Puri in Odisha or Vadodara in his home state Gujarat. (Modi also won from Vadodara in 2014, but opted to give up the seat).

The origins of both reports have a background. The first that PM Modi is unlikely to seek re-election from Varanasi came after the March 2018 byelections in UP's Gorakhpur and Phulpur where the SP-BSP alliance wrested the Lok Sabha seats. Later, Congress president Rahul Gandhi went a step ahead stating that if the Congress too joined hands, PM Modi would lose from Varanasi in 2019.

Talk of PM for Puri, the temple town in Odisha, came from a BJP functionary in the state who maintained that the people there wanted Modi to contest from Puri.

The BJP calculation is that his contesting from Odisha would give a huge fillip to the party that is hoping to bag more than one of the 21 LS seats at stake as also doing well in Assembly polls to be held simultaneously with the General Election.

There is speculation in Gujarat that Modi could this time seek to shift to Rajkot and extend the arc of his influence in Saurashtra region. The PM abandoning Varanasi appeared unconvincing with he having unleashed several developmental works in the city. His government showcased the works by getting the MEA to host the Pravasi Bharati meet that concluded this week.

Even if Priyanka Gandhi Vadra does or does not contest from Varanasi, the fact that the region under her work sphere includes the constituency, by choosing not to re-contest his seat Modi would have sent a signal that is not strong and cast a shadow on the morale of the dedicated BJP cadre.
gspannu7@gmail.com

Ahmedabad, January 25

Gujarat BJP on Friday suspended its leader and former MLA Chhabil Patel from the party after the state polices probe revealed that he was behind the murder of another party leader and ex-MLA Jayanti Bhanushali.

Since Patel belonged to Kutch district, state BJP president Jitu Vaghani asked the district unit president to suspend him from the party membership, a release issued by the Gujarat BJP said.

Patels suspension came a day after the Gujarat CID-Crime arrested Patels two aides in connection with Bhanushalis killing.

The probe agency has said that Patel had fled to Muscat a week before the murder.

Bhanushali, who once represented Abdasa seat of Kutch district in the assembly, was shot dead in a moving train on January 8.

The incident took place when the train was between Bhachau and Samkhiyali stations in Kutch, the police had said.

Investigations into the case revealed that Patel along with a woman, Manisha Goswami, had hired two sharp shooters from Maharashtra to kill Bhanushali.

The sharp shooters allegedly stayed at Patels farmhouse in Kutch before committing the crime at his behest, they said.

According to the CID-Crime, both Patel and Goswami harboured a grudge against Bhanushali and decided to join hands to eliminate their common rival.

As planned by Patel and Goswami, Bhanushali (53) was attacked when he was travelling in an air-conditioned coupe on the Bhuj-Dadar Express while returning to Ahmedabad from Bhuj, CID officials had said yesterday.

While Patel has fled the country on January 2, the police were yet to establish the whereabouts of Goswami and two sharp shooters.

Bhanushali represented the Abdasa assembly seat between 2007 and 2012. Patel, as a Congress candidate, had defeated him from Abdasa in the 2012 assembly elections.

Within two years, Patel switched sides and joined the BJP, but lost the bypoll for the seat in 2014.

In the 2017 polls, the BJP chose Patel over Bhanushali for the Abdasa seat, but he lost to the Congress candidate.

In his complaint to the Gandhidham railway police, Bhanushalis nephew Sunil Bhanushali had alleged that Patel held his uncle responsible for his defeat in 2014 and 2017 and held a grudge against him.  PTI
shriaya.dutt@tribuneindia.com

Mumbai, January 25

Megastar Amitabh Bachchan, who has worked with Boman Irani in "Lakshya", "Waqt - The Race Against Time and "Bhootnath Returns", says he would love to collaborate with him on-screen again.

Amitabh spoke at the launch of Boman's production house Irani MovieTone here on Thursday. He said it takes guts for an actor to start his own production house.

"There are very few among us who are actually brave enough to start something like this that Boman has. I congratulate Boman and to this wonderful company that he has launched. May this ever succeed and may this produce many more writers that we so desperately need.

"I hope to see Boman with me on-screen again, but for God sake, I hope that he will not upstage me again," Big B said.

The veteran actor stressed on the importance of a writer.

"I have always believed that a writer is the most important person in a project. They conceive the story, they write the screenplay," he said, and praised Boman for recognising the importance of writers in the filmmaking process.

"Writers conceive the artistes in terms of how they will speak and what they will wear, where they will go, how they will perform and what dialogue they will say... It is all done by a writer. It's a great moment that Boman has recognised a very important aspect of filmmaking and I congratulate him for that, Big B added.

Boman invited Alexander Dinelaris, the Oscar-winning screenwriter of Alejandro G Inarritu's "Birdman", for a day-long screenwriting workshop.

Asked whether he will now concentrate on his production house over acting, Boman said: "I will always be an actor. It is just that I have found a new craft... writing. Ever since I was a kid, I used to write, but I was writing badly." Talking about Dinelaris' screenwriting workshop, Boman said: "Over the years, I decided to learn the craft by reading books and I met Alex in New York. He is like my brother. We discussed my script and he encouraged me.

"When I met Alex and his friends, I learnt so much. It is important that we share someone of his craft, intelligence and simplicity here. I am glad he agreed to come here." Boman also said that he has written a script himself and that it will hopefully go on the floors soon.

"At the moment, we are putting our name out there. We have Alex to help young writers. The first production hopefully is the one that I have written, but if something else comes, then (we'll focus on) that. The idea is to develop good stories and if they are on the page, we will have good cinema on-screen." Boman has frequently collaborated with filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani in films like the "Munna Bhai" series, "3 Idiots", "PK" and most recently in "Sanju".

The actor considers Hirani to be a "great influence" on his growth as an actor. However, he denied commenting on an allegation of sexual misconduct against Hirani.  IANS
editorial@tribune.com

Majid Jahangir

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, January 24

With the killing of three local Lashkar-e-Toiba ultras on Wednesday, north Kashmirs Baramulla has been declared the first militant-free police district in the Valley.

Three militants  Suhaib Akhoon, Mohsin Bhat of and Nasir Darzi  all residents of Baramulla district were killed in a gunfight with security forces at Binner on the outskirts of Baramulla town on Wednesday. Akhoon, a top commander of the Lashkar in north Kashmir, was active since December 2017.

With this (the killing of three militants), Baramulla has become the first district in Kashmir with no surviving militant as on date, said a police statement issued after the gunfight.

The J&K Police extend their thanks to the local population for their support in providing a better security environment in the district, it said.

It is for the first time since militancy erupted in Kashmir in 1989 that the Baramulla police district has no resident militant. Baramulla always had the presence of local militants.

In 2015, over 20 militants were active in the Baramulla police district and all of them have been neutralised, the police said.

Baramulla has two police districts  Baramulla and Sopore. While Baramulla has no resident militant, Sopore sub-district has nearly 30 active militants, including a dozen locals.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Baramulla, Imtiyaz Hussain said there was no resident militant in the Baramulla police district right now. He said they had made huge efforts to prevent youth from joining militancy.

It is not the killing of the militant that has been our focus. We have made huge efforts to prevent youths from joining militancy. The families have been a great support in preventing the recruitment, the Baramulla SSP said.

While the militant recruitment has been on a rise in the Valley after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in 2016, Baramulla district has not seen much recruitment.

Last year, when over 190 youths joined militant ranks across Kashmir, which was the highest in a decade, a few youths from Baramulla took up arms.

Around 100 militants, a majority of them foreigners, are active in north Kashmirs Kupwara, Bandipora, Handwara and Sopore. South Kashmirs Pulwama and Shopian has the highest number of active militants among all districts of the Valley.

Meanwhile, a spontaneous shutdown was observed in Baramulla on Thursday against the killing of three local militants. Security forces had sealed several roads leading to the old town and Khanpora to restrict movement of people and to maintain law and order. A large number of people, who raised pro-freedom and anti-India slogans, attended the funeral prayers of the slain militants.

No resident ultra
editorial@tribune.com

Ambika Sharma

Tribune News Service

Solan, January 24

Coming down heavily on the management of DAVN School, Dadahu, for its failure to repair the school bus (HP-71-4993), which met with a fatal accident on January 5, Sirmaur Deputy Commissioner Lalit Jain on Thursday recommended withdrawal of its affiliation from the HP Board of School Education. The DC also advocated cancellation of the schools registration.

The magisterial inquiry report has held the school management responsible for the accident that had snuffed out the lives of seven students and the driver. The number of those injured in the mishap was 11. The DC has also recommended shifting of pupils to other institutions.

With a number of negligence cases coming to the fore across the state, the recommendation will help tighten the noose around slack school authorities.

Jain said the recommendation had been sent to the Principal Secretary (Education) to cancel the registration of DAVN School as the magisterial inquiry had found that the accident had occurred due to negligence on the part of the school management in rectifying the mechanical failure of the bus.

As per the report of the Assistant Engineer, Mechanical, PWD, Nahan, when the bus was coming from Khadkoli, the driver took a turn and at that point due to the failure of the U-joint coupling, the steering stopped working.

Though the parents as well as the bus driver, Ram Swarup, had been regularly conveying to the school principal about the mechanical fault, the latter failed to do the needful.

The driver, who had a light motor vehicle driving licence, was not fit to drive the bus as he should have had a PSV licence.

The bus owner, Dhanendra Goyal, is the school principal and in stark violation of the norms, no conductor had been appointed to take care of the pupils travelling by bus. Despite the parents and the driver asking the school management to recruit a conductor, nothing was done.

The magisterial inquiry report has also suggested that such accidents can be avoided in the future by going in for regular servicing of buses with a proper entry being made in the log book and the maintenance register of the bus. Other measures like erecting crash barriers along roads and improving the condition of rural stretches have also been suggested in the report.

Recommendation sent to Principal Secy
editorial@tribune.com

Sushil Manav

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 24

As candidates for the Jind Assembly byelection make last-ditch efforts to woo voters, senior leaders of political parties are visiting the segment to make an impact.

Union Minister for Steel Birender Singh on Thursday campaigned for BJP candidate Krishan Middha.

He hit out at the Congress for fielding Kaithal MLA Randeep Singh Surjewala. When a person becomes bankrupt, he puts at stake whatever is left with him. By fielding Surjewala, the Congress has proved that it is left with nothing, the minister said.

He raked up the violence during the Jat quota agitation in February 2016 and blamed the Opposition for it. The 2014 election defeat was a bitter pill for Opposition parties to swallow. So, they instigated violence out of frustration.

The BJP government, he said, not only brought law and order under control, but kept intact the social fabric of the state. The BJP candidate will secure 70 per cent of votes. The byelection will prove that the people of Haryana have rejected Opposition parties, Birender Singh added.

BJPs Kalraj Mishra, incharge for the Lok Sabha polls in Haryana, also campaigned here on Thursday.

Surjewala, meanwhile, accused the BJP of dividing people. He asked the electorate to vote for him to defeat the divisive politics. Late Hari Chand Midha was the Jind MLA for 10-long years, but he failed to develop the segment, he claimed.

Former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, who campaigned for Surjewala, described him the best among all candidates. Ensure Surjewalas victory. Once the Congress comes to power, he and I will ensure all-round development of the Jind constituency, he said.

Independent candidate Digvijay Chautala, supported by the Jannayak Janata Party (JJP), alleged the state government was misusing the official machinery to force people to vote for the BJP.

INLD leader Abhay Chautala called upon voters to keep alive the political legacy of Jind by voting for party candidate Umed Redhu and not vote for Surjewala or Digvijay, whom he termed as outsiders.

Meanwhile, the BJP will organise a rally on Friday at Saini Ramlila Ground here, while the Congress will hold a rally at HUDA Grounds at the same time.
rchopra@tribunemail.com

Tribune News Service

Rohtak/New Delhi, January 25

The CBI has registered a new case against former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and others over alleged irregularities in land allocation in Gurugram in 2009 and carried out searches at 20 locations in Delhi-NCR on Friday, officials said.

A team of officials from the agency arrived early morning at his residence in Rohtak, they said. According to the officials, 20 locations in the Delhi-NCR region are part of the probe. The agency is tight-lipped about the details of the case as the search operation is under way.

The agency has also named Additional Chief Secretary Haryana Trilok Chand Gupta, who was then chief administrator, HUDA, along with 15 builders in the case, including DLF, Emaar MGF, Buzz Hotels, Ansals among others. Their official premises were searched during the operation in the morning.

The central investigating agency is probing alleged irregularities in the acquisition process of 1,417 acres of land between 2009 and 2012 for sector 58-63 and 65-67 in Gurgaon on June 2, 2009, sources said.

'Raid aimed at taking political revenge'

The CBI raid is aimed at taking political revenge, Hooda said.

It (CBI raid) is a move aimed at suppressing my voice, but I belong to a family of freedom fighters, even the Britishers could not suppress our voice, he said.

It is alleged that there were glaring irregularities in acquisition of 1,417-acre land by the then Haryana government in Gurugram in 2009, officials said.

Police state

Congress accused the Bharatiya Janata Party government at the Centre of converting India into a "police state". Congress leader Anand Sharma said the raids were actions of a desperate regime that is in the departure lounge, and accused the rival BJP of misusing probe agencies as political weapons against the Opposition.

He wondered why there were two sets of laws in Indiaone to target political rivals and another to shield former BJP chief ministers of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan.

The Prime Minister wants a pliant CBI director and thats being played out in the process of selection of CBI chief. Opposition member in the CBI chief selection committee hasnt been given any dossier on potential candidates, Sharma said, warning officers acting at the governments behest that governments are not permanent.

Let all the officers hear. They will be held to account for their actions once the government changes, Sharma said. With PTI
pardeepdhull@gmail.com

Jind, January 25

The BJP and the Congress put up shows of strength on Friday as the Jind by-poll neared, with the ruling party accusing the Congress candidate Randeep Singh Surjewala of not taking his role as an MLA seriously.

At a rally, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar suggested that Surjewala, the Congress chief spokesperson, hardly attended the state Assembly to which he was elected from Kaithal.

The Congress is such a buffalo who eats fodder of Haryana but gives milk in Delhi, Khattar said.

Of the total 72 sittings of the Haryana Vidhan Sabha, Surjewala attended only seven, Khattar claimed.

There was no immediate comment on this claim from the Congress.

The by-poll for the Jind seat is scheduled to be held on January 28 and was necessitated following the death of INLD MLA Hari Chand Middha.

On the second-last day of electioneering, the entire Cabinet and top state BJP leaders addressed the rally in support of party nominee Krishan Middha, the son of Hari Chand Middha.

The Congress has scarcity of candidates... The party did not find a candidate from Jind for the by-poll, Khattar said, taking a jibe at Surjewala as he is already the Congress MLA from Kaithal.

He alleged that Surjewala during his tenure as minister in the previous Congress government did noting for development of the region.

Khattar also criticised the INLD and the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP).

The JJP was floated by Ajay Singh Chautala, the elder son of former CM and INLD supremo Om Prakash Chautala after power struggle in the Chautala clan.

What can you expect from people to do in the Vidhan Sabha who can not solve the problem within the family, he said, taking a jibe at the internal fight within the Chautala family.

He said that Hisar MP Dushyant Chautala and his brother and JJP nominee Digvijay Chautala should first learn how to maintain unity in the family.

At a sperate rally, the entire Haryana Congress rank threw its weight behind Surjewala. Prominent among those present at the rally included CLP leader Kiran Choudhary, state Congress chief Ashok Tanwar, Rohtak MP Deepinder Hooda, and former MP Naveen Jindal.

Surjewala in his address charged the BJP and INLD with turning Jind into a backward area. Today, Jind is backward due to the BJPs policies and its partisan approach, he said.

Seeking votes, he said that the people of Jind made him learn how to walk, run and fly.

Addressing the gathering, Deepinder, the son of former CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda, whose residence in Rohtak was raided by the CBI, said such steps will not be tolerated in democracy.

Bhupinder Hooda was also supposed to address the rally, but could not reach due to the CBI raids at his residence in Rohtak.

The NDA government at the Centre and the BJP in the state is trying to suppress the voice of Hooda who raises peoples concern against PM Narendra Modi and Khattar, he said.

He challenged the BJP government to take any step against his father and asserted that we will not be cowed down by such tactics.

The by-poll for the Jind seat, considered as the political heartland of Haryana, will prove to be a litmus test for all parties including the ruling BJP, the Congress, the INLD and the JJP.

On Saturday, the last day of the campaigning, AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal will address a rally in favour of the JJP nominee. PTI
gspannu7@gmail.com

Dubai, January 25

An Indian construction worker in the UAE has been arrested and facing trial for allegedly groping a 14-year-old school girl here last year, according to a media report.

Prosecutors accused the 32-year-old Indian man of being drunk when he touched the girl as she was walking at a metro station on October 20 last year, the Khaleej Times reported on Thursday.

The man, who was not named in the report, has denied the molestation charge at the Court of First Instance, claiming he touched her by mistake.

During the public prosecution investigation, the victim said she was busy putting cash in her bag when she was caught off guard by the accused.

She said he did it on purpose and kept walking. She did not yell at him or scream for help as she felt shocked and scared. The girl immediately reported him to the metro ticketing employee, the report said.

A police corporal said he was on duty at 1 pm on the day of the incident when the ticketing employee approached him.

He had the defendant and the girl with him. He told me that the man molested her, the officer said.

Later, the police officer took them to the police point and questioned the defendant there.

He admitted that he sexually harassed her. I informed the on-duty officer and the defendant was then taken to Bur Dubai police station, the police officer was quoted as saying to the prosecutor.

A footage taken from the CCTV cameras at the metro station captured the defendant getting very close to the girl and touching her.

While the date for sentencing of the accused has been set on February 13, he has been fined Dh 2,000 (Rs 38,659) for consuming alcohol without a permit, the report said.  PTI
Shyam Saran

Shyam Saran

Former foreign secretary and Senior fellow, Centre for Policy Research

The Director of US National Intelligence, Dan Coats, released on January 22 a new National Intelligence Strategy for the next four years. It is a sobering document, acknowledging that the international order is transforming rapidly, with a decline of Western dominance and trends towards relative insularity among Western liberal democratic states. The report identifies, from the US perspective, the emergence of a powerful adversary in China and the resurgence of threat from Russia. But more significantly, it identifies certain key global trends. On rapid technological change, it says, Technological advances will enable a wider range of actors to acquire sophisticated capabilities that were previously available only to well-resourced states. As a result, This empowerment of groups and individuals is increasing the influence of ethnic, religious, and other sources of identity, changing the nature of conflict, and challenging the ability of traditional governments to satisfy the increasing demands of their populations, increasing the potential for greater instability. Some violent extremist groups will continue to take advantage of these sources and drivers of instability to hold territory, further insurgencies, plan external attacks, and inspire followers to launch attacks wherever they are around the world.

These observations are very relevant to India.

The report has identified several emerging challenges that relate to space and cyber technology, where both opportunities to advance human welfare, and threats that may undermine it, need to be dealt with. Space-based assets are proliferating and an increasing proportion of civilian and defence-related activities are dependent on them. But they are vulnerable to anti-satellite weapons and there is no global regime to govern this domain. Cyber security is already of urgent concern and despite advances in improving defence of cyberspace from malicious and debilitating attacks, the report predicts that the threat is only likely to expand in the coming years, both from state and non-state actors.

Among emerging technologies, relevant to security planning, it identifies AI, automation, high-performance computing, nano-technology and bio-technologies. These offer the promise of significant benefits but if unregulated, could cause catastrophic consequences. Currently, there are no common ethical standards and shared interests to govern these developments.

No security strategy can afford to neglect these challenges, least of all a major country like India. And yet, we have no such strategy to date.

Since this document relates to intelligence strategy, it devotes considerable space to the gathering, collation, assessment of intelligence and to operational issues. It categorises national intelligence into strategic intelligence and anticipatory intelligence. The former attempts to draw a picture of the overall strategic environment a country is confronted with, its major adversaries and the international partnerships that can support its own efforts. The latter looks at new and emerging trends, changing conditions, under-valued developments, which challenge long-standing assumptions and encourage new perspectives. In this context, great value is attached not just to in-house capabilities, but also to inputs from outside experts, academics and industry. A culture of debate and dissent and openness to ideas is critical to making informed assessments. Our own intelligence system can draw useful lessons from this template.

What are likely to be the major preoccupations for US intelligence? The report identifies counter-terrorism, counter-proliferation, cyber security and counter-intelligence and security as priority areas. Under counter-terrorism, the mission would be to eliminate terrorist safe havens and degrade the illicit financial networks that fund terrorist activities and counter the spread of extremist ideology. There is also the threat of weapons of mass destruction falling into terrorist hands, especially in certain politically unstable N-states. Pakistan should be a prime candidate on several of these counts. Counter-proliferation is a self-evident objective. The US covert operations to degrade Irans nuclear capabilities are likely to continue. What is worth noting in the category of counter-intelligence is the citing of threats, not only from foreign intelligence entities, but also insider threats from domestic actors. In dealing with the latter, the report declares the agencys intent to respect privacy of the citizen and operate under the supervision of legal and congressional supervision. This is particularly important in a democracy. There is no parliamentary oversight over our intelligence agencies; there is weak accountability and opaqueness that need urgent remedy.

The National Intelligence Strategy is a public document enabling public debate. This can contribute to its refinement and enable broad political and public support. This strategy is aligned to the National Security Strategy of the US, which is also a public document. This enables coherence in pursuing a security strategy. Reading through the current document, one becomes aware of the complexity of national security challenges a modern state confronts, their inter-connectedness, with strong feedback loops among the connected domains. Inter-disciplinary and cross-domain interventions are indispensable in such an environment and a state must systematically accumulate capacities to be agile in anticipating and tackling challenges. Such capacity will often need inputs from the larger community of experts, academics and analysts, both at home and abroad. The sooner India begins to create such an ecosystem, the more capable it would to tackle its multiple challenges.
editorial@tribune.com

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 24

A motorcycle thief, who used to steal Bullet motorcycles from paid parking lots, has been arrested by the Chandigarh Police. His arrest led to the recovery of seven Bullet motorcycles and a Hero Honda motorcycle.

A team, led by Inspector Ranjodh Singh, SHO of the Sector 36 police station, arrested the suspect, Gurvinder Singh, a resident of Tarn Taran district in Punjab.

The police recovered seven Bullet motorcycles and a Passion motorcycle, which were stolen from various parts of the city.

The police said three cases registered at the Sector 36 police station and four vehicle theft cases registered at the Sector 49 police station had been solved with his arrest.

The suspect mainly targeted Bullet motorcycles parked in paid parking lots.

The police said bigger parking lots, including the one at the ISBT, Sector 43, were targeted by the suspect.

During the verification of his antecedents, the police found that he had several cases, including one pertaining to murder, registered against him at various police stations in Punjab.

Modus operandi

The suspect used to steal an ordinary motorcycle from the city and then look for Bullet motorcycles parked in parking lots. After locating a Bullet motorcycle, he used to park the other stolen motorcycle next to it. He then used to take the parking slip from the parking attendant and leave. After sometime, he used to return and steal the Bullet and move out of the parking lot after showing the same parking slip, which he was given earlier.
editorial@tribune.com

Ramkrishan Upadhyay

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 24

Illegal advertisements on buildings may invite a heavy penalty as the UThas proposed to increase the charges by 100 times.

Sources said in the draft proposal, the UThad proposed to charge a penalty of Rs 50,000 in case of contravention of the Advertisement Control Order along with Rs 500 per day from the date of the issue of notice till the violation was removed.

Besides, violation of the Tree Preservation Order shall also invite an enhanced fine  Rs 5,000 plus Rs 500 per day from the date of the issue of the notice till the violation is removed and the maximum amount will be Rs 10,000. The UT has decided to amend the Capital of Punjab Development Act, 1952.

It has invited objections and suggestions within 30 days. An officer said after receiving the suggestions, the final draft would be sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs for getting the Act amended in Parliament.

At present, violation of the Advertisement Control Order or the Tree Preservation Order is punishable with a fine, which may extend to Rs 500, and in case of continuing contravention, with an additional fine, which may extend to Rs 20 for each day during which such contravention continues after the first conviction.

Under the Act, the Administration has been given the power to restrict or regulate the display of advertisements in Chandigarh. Owners of buildings must seek permission of the Administration for displaying advertisements.

Charanjiv Singh, chairman of the Chandigarh Beopar Mandal, said they would oppose the huge penalty and file an objection.

Rs 50K proposed for Ad Control Order violation

Sources said in the draft proposal, the Administration had proposed to charge a penalty of Rs 50,000 in case of contravention of the Advertisement Control Order along with Rs 500 per day from the date of the issue of notice till the violation was removed.
editorial@tribune.com

Tribune News Service

Ropar, January 24

The IIT-Ropar has decided to set up a collaborative research ecosystem with the National Chung Cheng University (NCCU) in Taiwan.

A high-level delegation from NCCU visited the IIT-Ropar to work on the modalities of an Indo-Taiwan Research Centre on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning.

The centre is a first-of-its-kind between the two countries and will be housed on the IIT-Ropar campus. The visiting delegation included Dean of Research and Development, Dean of International Affairs, Dean of College of Management, Director of Smart Living Technology Research Centre, along with faculty members from earth and environmental sciences, opto-mechatronics and mechanical engineering and representatives from the Tainan Incubation Centre and Smart Living Technology Research Centre.

The focus will be to promote student and faculty exchanges, joint project proposals, development of curriculum for AI-related programmes and facilitate industry-academia interactions.
editorial@tribune.com

Our Correspondent

Dera Bassi, January 24

A woman from Dera Bassi, who was in her mid-60s, became a victim of swine flu in the first such case in the town this year.

According to officials of the Health Department, the victim was admitted to the GMCH, Sector 32, Chandigarh, after she showed signs of swine flu following which her samples were taken.

The test report confirmed the H1N1 infection. She reportedly succumbed to the deadly H1N1 virus on Wednesday.

Following the death, the health authorities have taken all precautionary measures. Health officials said there were no reports of any other patient with symptoms of the influenza from the town.

Civil Surgeon Rita Bhardwaj said a team was constituted under the guidance of the District Epidemiologist, who prepared a list of five people who came in contact with the deceased. Medicine for the flu had been given to all of them as a preventive step.

She said this was the first swine flu-related death in the town this year.
editorial@tribune.com

New Delhi, January 24

The tariff war between the US and China is benefitting India as its exports to the neighbouring country have increased by about 25% during the June-November 2018 period to $8.46 billion, apex exporters body FIEO said on Thursday.

Exports to China had stood at $6.37 billion in June-November 2017.

In June and September 2018, the US announced high customs duties on several Chinese goods. In retaliation, China also raised levies on American goods.

US-China tariff war is benefiting India. Exports to China jumped from $6.37 billion in June-November 2017 to $8.46 billion in June-November 2018, Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) president Ganesh Kumar Gupta said.

He said commodities that have exhibited high growth during the period to China include petroleum products, chemicals, cotton yarn, plastic raw material, and marine products.

Growth in exports to China is beneficial for India as it has huge trade deficit with the neighbouring country.

Trade deficit with China increased to $63.12 billion in 2017-18 from $51.11 billion in 2016-17.

India is taking several steps to promote shipments to China. Recently, it has managed to export agricultural goods such as non-basmati rice to China.  PTI

Trade deficit swells to $63.12 bn
editorial@tribune.com

Mumbai: Private sector lender Yes Bank on Thursday named Ravneet Singh Gill, currently heading Deutsche Bank India, as the managing director and chief executive to succeed Rana Kapoor, whose term ends on January 31. The RBI had last September asked Kapoor, who is one of the promoters of the city-based lender along with his sister-in-law Bindu Kapur, to leave the office by the end of this month. "The bank has received RBI approval for new managing director and chief executive Ravneet Gill. He can join on or before March 1, 2019," Yes Bank said. It further said the Board will meet on January 29 to finalise the interim transition. The announcement sent the Yes Bank counter rallying by over 14.5% to close at Rs 225.95 on the BSE whose benchmark closed the day with around 0.24% gains in a choppy trade. pti
Terre Haute, IN (47803)

Today

Thunderstorms likely this morning. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. A few storms may be severe. High near 85F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%..

Tonight

Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Low around 70F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
Johnstown, PA (15901)

Today

Cloudy this morning with thunderstorms developing this afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High around 75F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms likely. Low 66F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%.
Former Trenton Mayor Douglas H. Palmer (far right) reconnected with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and U.S. Conference of Mayors CEO and Executive Director Tom Cochran (far left) on Wednesday at U.S. Conference of Mayors Winter Meeting in Washington D.C.
This is just one of several major changes in its crackdown on single-use plastics.

There is wonderful news from Berkeley, California, this week. On Tuesday the city council voted unanimously to pass an ordinance that will drastic reduce food packaging waste. It is being called the most ambitious and comprehensive legislation of its kind in the United States. It strives to tackle the issue of single-use plastics in a number of ways.

First, all food accessories like cutlery, straws, cup lids and sleeves will be provided by request only. Food vendors must provide compost bins for customers. These changes are effective immediately.

Second, starting in January 2020, all disposable food containers will have to be BPI-certified compostable, and all dine-in food wares will have to be reusable. As SF Gate reports, "Even fast-food restaurants such as Burger King will need to provide reusable forks. It may be be the most progressive zero-waste initiative ever implemented in a city." Additionally, all customers will be charged 25 cents for takeout cups for cold and hot beverages; if they bring their own, the fee is waived.

This is huge news  groundbreaking, really. What I find most exciting is the fee for takeout cups, which is something I've been advocating for years. The experimental 5-cent charge that Starbucks tried in London last year was not enough to effect any real behavioral change, but I suspect that 25 cents could make a bigger difference, as it's a greater percentage of the total cost of a drink. It's about time we stopped discounting reusables and started charging for disposables, which is a more logical way of addressing the waste problem.

More than 1,400 organizations backed the ordinance, including the Break Free From Plastic Movement, UpStream, The Story of Stuff Project, Plastic Pollution Coalition, and Surfrider Foundation. Greenpeace's executive director and Berkeley resident Annie Leonard said in a press release,

"By passing this groundbreaking ordinance, Berkeley has sent a resounding message to the rest of the country about how to tackle the plastic pollution crisis. The ordinance is comprehensive and acts with the urgency needed to confront the throwaway culture that fuels overconsumption."



Hopefully other cities will follow Berkeley's lead. The first city always has the hardest job, but now, as Leonord said, a blueprint has now been created for a world without throwaway plastics. We'd be crazy not to do the same.
Paper is an incredibly versatile thing: we can write on it, build with it, and even make stunning, thought-provoking art with it. Taking flat sheets of paper and transforming them into three-dimensional wonders is American artist and self-described "paper engineer" Matthew Shlian, who folds paper into vibrant, geometric, 3D surfaces that explore the overlaps between science, math art, architecture and engineering. Here's a video of Shlian speaking about his collaborative research efforts at the National Academy of Sciences, working with scientists on folding things at the micro- and nano-scales.

Path to Paper

 Matthew Shlian

Before beginning to fold paper professionally, Shlian actually started out going to school for ceramics and print media. But instead of doing traditional ceramics or prints, Shlian would create large digital prints, then cut and score them in order to create large pop-up works. Shlian didn't have a particular aim in mind, but wanted to make his pieces interactive and to impart something about space and geometry. Finally, one of his faculty advisers gave him a pop-up book, which he dissected in order to understand how it worked, which eventually led him to the practice of folding paper.

 Matthew Shlian

 Matthew Shlian

 Matthew Shlian

Shlian then found himself at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and began reaching out to different departments to see if he could do some cross-disciplinary collaborations. He soon found himself working with various scientists on a wide range of projects, from flexible photovoltaics, to self-assembling materials and growing carbon nanotubes.

Process and Evolution

 Matthew Shlian

 Matthew Shlian

Shlian's work has evolved over the years, shifting from stark, white pieces to now colourfully painted paperscapes. Shlian explains his creative process, his motivations and what happens when things go wrong:

My process is extremely varied from piece to piece. Often I start without a clear goal in mind, working within a series of limitations. For example on one piece I'll only use curved folds, or make my lines this length or that angle etc. Other times I begin with an idea for movement and try to achieve that shape or form somehow. Along the way something usually goes wrong and a mistake becomes more interesting than the original idea and I work with that instead. I'd say my starting point is curiosity; I have to make the work in order to understand it. If I can completely visualize my final result I have no reason to make it -- I need to be surprised.

 Matthew Shlian

 Matthew Shlian

 Matthew Shlian

Shlian's sources of inspiration range from Islamic tiling patterns, architecture, biomimetics and music, to more practical concerns like how proteins might misfold and lead to diseases like Parkinson's. It's all about exploring the unknown and drawing out new and unexpected possibilities, as he explains:

This research into visualization of pattern is intriguing. It questions the micro-macro patterning of nature, the structures we find on the nano-scale and directly compares it to architecture and ornamentation. I use these structures as the basis for my artwork. These patterns come from both a study of Islamic tile design, and an exploration into nano-forms. It's the artist's job to bridge the gaps to make the invisible visible, and see things in a new light.

 Matthew Shlian

 Matthew Shlian

Truly exciting stuff; to see more, visit Matthew Shlian and Instagram.
"The time for complacency has passed. We must treat this crisis as if our lives, and the lives of our friends, families, and neighbors, depend on it."

If you are inside a Ram 3500, life is pretty good these days as far as safety goes. The death rates per vehicle miles traveled have never been lower, thanks to air bags, drunk driving enforcement and lots of heavy metal.

If you are outside a Ram 3500, things are not so pretty. In fact, things have been getting consistently worse. According to the latest Dangerous by Design report from Smart Growth America, "In the past decade, the number of people struck and killed while walking increased by 35 percent. 2016 and 2017 were the two highest years since 1990 for the number of people who were killed by drivers while walking."

Smart Growth America/via

It's not that people are walking more, or even that people are driving more. Pedestrian deaths have been increasing at a far greater rate. The report concludes that there are two main sources:

Road Design:

We continue to design streets that are dangerous for all people, not just because we keep repeating the same mistakes, but because our federal policies, standards, and funding mechanisms that have been in place for decades produce dangerous roads that prioritize high speeds for cars over safety for all people.



Vehicle design, and the shift to light trucks

Additionally, more people are driving cars that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has determined to be notoriously dangerous for people walking. According to a 2015 NHTSA report, SUVs (sport utility vehicles) and pickup trucks are two to three times more likely than smaller personal vehicles like sedans to kill people walking in the event of a crash.



Smart Growth America/via

But it also helps to live north of the Mason-Dixon Line. The most dangerous states for pedestrians are in the south, with Florida leading the pack. Angie Schmitt of Streetsblog cleverly notes that "the Bible Belt should really be called the Carnage Corset" because of the overlap. It is mainly a design problem because they developed more recently and are dominated by big, wide suburban streets.

Previous research by Smart Growth America found that in general the most sprawling metropolitan areas with wider roads and longer blocks typically cluster in the southern states. Furthermore, academic research has consistently linked these sprawling growth patterns to higher rates of both traffic-related deaths for people walking and traffic-related deaths overall.



Smart Growth America/via

Eight of the ten most dangerous metropolitan areas are in Florida because of sprawl and because of the older population  and because, as we have noted so many times on MNN, older pedestrians are challenged in vision, hearing, and moving fast enough to get out of the way of a pickup truck.

People walking who are killed by people driving also are predominantly poor, Black, Hispanic or native, because they live near the most dangerous roads. "In addition to siting more dangerous roads near communities of color, implicit bias may also play a role in the increased danger for people of color. Research by the University of Nevada has shown that drivers are significantly more likely to yield to a White pedestrian in a crosswalk than to a Black or African American pedestrian."

The report concludes by calling on governments to change their attitudes about prioritizing moving cars at high speeds.

We call for binding, enforceable requirements for states to work toward reducingand eventually eliminatingdeaths and serious injuries on our roadways. We call for funding dedicated to safer street projects that specifically serve the needs of all people walking, particularly older adults, people of color, and low-income communities. We call for federally endorsed street design standards that put the safety of vulnerable users first and foremost and that allow for flexible, context-sensitive design approaches.

Euro NCAP/Screen capture

I was surprised that they did not also call for new rules on vehicle designs such as Euro-NCAP, which would eliminate the dangerous walls of steel that you find on every SUV or pickup truck, or Intelligent Speed Assistance that could cut deaths by 20 percent. Big steps, but almost 50,000 people walking have been killed by people driving. If anything else caused this much harm there would be marches in the streets. As the study concludes:

The time for complacency has passed. We must treat this crisis as if our lives, and the lives of our friends, families, and neighbors, depend on it. Because the reality is, they do.



And please, no comments complaining about distracted pedestrians wearing black hoodies and headphones, which the study dismisses as "victim- blaming rhetoric prevalent in media coverage." It is a diversion.
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The F-Body Camaro that debuted in 1992 was seen by Reeves Callaways company as a "lower cost platform than the Corvette with a larger market." As such, the American tuner and manufacturer debuted their own high-performance version in 1993. The SuperNatural Camaro kit was available with a variety of options in terms of both the body and performance-enhancing parts. The Camaros sent new from Chevy to Callaway built to the top specification right at their shop were known as C8s. Callaway also offered the SuperNatural kit for the C4 Corvette and, in the same vein, the Corvette delivered brand-new to Callaway and equipped with these mods are known as Callaway Corvette C6s.

Callaway is a long-time tuner of GM products although it focuses on Chevy cars, trucks and SUVs. The fourth-generation Camaro didnt escape the clutches of Callaway, though, and this car is the prototype that toured all major auto shows in the mid-90s and was on the cover of Motor Trend in 1994. It boasts a 404 horsepower, 6.3-liter, V-8.

A 1993 Callaway Camaro Z28 with a dicey appearance that you either love or hate

Youre probably more familiar with the latest Callaway-tuned Camaros, Corvettes or Silverados but Callaway is a company established over 40 years ago thats been tuning and racing Chevys and other GM vehicles for many, many years. When the Ken Okuyama-designed fourth-generation Camaro dropped in 1992 for the 1993 model year, Callaway got to work and the first car, chassis #2G1FP22P6P2139708, was ready in 1993.

The car was ordered through a Fort Lauderdale dealer and was ready by August of that year, the original owner paying the current equivalent of about $85,000 for it. The design was radically different to that of any standard Camaro and even to that of standard C8s and SuperNatural Camaros built thereafter.

The C8 features an elongated aerodynamic nose with twin headlights flush with the bodywork and a narrow round inlet in between. The prototype as designed by Paul Deutschman has clear covers on the recessed headlights while most any other C8 lacks the covers on the headlights. Upon first impression, youre bound to think this Camaro is a relative of Mitsubishis FTO, albeit with an elongated nose.

The body kit, complete with extra side vents and a rear wing incorporated into the trunk and rear fenders received the name 'CamAerobody,' which has to be one of the worst Camaro-related puns ever.

At the time, a variety of motoring magazines seemed to enjoy the looks of the Callaway Camaro C8, the prototype even appearing on the cover of the March 1994 issue of Motor Trend. Between the covers, the CamAerobody is hailed as a "stunning interpretation of the new Camaro," while Road & Track wrote that "its a head-turning shape, pleasingly different but not overdone."

Since beauty is in the eye of the beholder, well agree that the Callaway Camaro C8 is different in many, many ways to the standard car that looked like a bloated fish anyway. So, instead, lets talk about what makes this car special.

Well, for starters, it was built at Callaway's shop in Callaway in Old Lyme, Connecticut, and then rushed to the 1993 L.A. Auto Show where it debuted in front of the whole world.

It later toured the 1994 Chicago Auto Show, stopped by the 1994 SEMA Show on top of other appearances at the 1994 Charlotte Auto Fair and the 1994 Moroso Speedway Super Chevy Show.

It was even the face of an O.Z. Wheels ad campaign in 1994. This isnt too surprising since this T-Top Camaro rides on 17-inch Monte Carlo modular wheels with Pirelli P-Zero rubber. Talking performance, this Camaro was born as a Z28 model with the 275 horsepower 5.7-liter LT-1 V-8 under the hood. This pushrod engine offered no more than 325 pound-feet of torque and was essentially the same engine like the one on the Corvette. This translated to a 0 to 60 mph time of 5.7 seconds, respectable for a car that weighed about 3,100 pounds.

Callaway decided to keep the Borg-Warner T56 6-speed manual transmission that was a no-cost option on the Z28 right from the beginning with a performance-oriented rear axle ratio.

What went was the LT-1 engine which was swapped with a 6.3-liter naturally-aspirated unit with a bespoke Callaway intake rated at 404 horsepower and 412 pound-feet of torque.

The stock brakes were replaced with Brembo brakes with vented and cross-drilled discs and 4-piston calipers behind the front wheels. It also had steel headers and exhaust system. Put next to a normal Z28, it looks like a different animal and, with almost 130 more horsepower, it also moves on a whole another level. Its unclear just how fast it reaches 62 mph from standstill, but it could be below 5 seconds. The owner says all the Callaway updates racked up to almost $30,000 back in 93.

In spite of the serious expense, the cars now up for grabs on eBay with a price of $33,000 and with just 1,135 miles on the odometer. The interior is also in good condition having been redone in tan by Johann Merkhofer. Many of you will argue that $33,000, which is $7,000 more than a 2019 rear-wheel-drive 1LT Camaro, is way too much for a fourth-gen Camaro when you can pick a well-maintained 2002 example for under $11,000. However, the cost is a by-product of its history and the fact that its a very rare car. Callaway only ever built 18 genuine C8s between 1993 and 1996.

Now, lets take a short look and see how well have the C8s numbers aged in 26 years. Callaway currently offers two performance levels for the Camaro: the SC630 and the SC750. Both come with the Callaway third generation supercharger and the same 6.2-liter V-8 under the hood. However, whereas the SC630 punches out 630 horsepower and 610 pound-feet of torque, the SC750 offers 750 horsepower and 735 pound-feet of torque. A Ferrari 812 Superfast has 789 horsepower on tap, to put things into perspective.

The SC750 takes just 3.2 seconds to reach 60 mph with the automatic transmission installed, the time marginally growing by 0.1 seconds with the manual onboard.

It also dashes through the quarter-mile in 11 seconds flat with the automatic at 128 mph. A stock Z28 from 1994 took 14.2 seconds to cover the same 1,318 feet, so the C8 should still be about 3 seconds slower. With that being said, a Camaro with over 400 ponies under the hood was quite something back in 93 when a Supra had 320 horsepower and a Ferrari 348TB only 300 horsepower, about as much as the Callaway Camaros biggest rival, the Saleen-tuned Mustang SC.

We hope that there will be someone out there who likes the styling of this special Camaro because it deserves to be saved, not only for its rarity but also as a way for us to see how far cars have got in less than three decades, if only in terms of performance.

Further reading

Read our full review on the 2016 Chevrolet Camaro SC610 By Callaway.

Source: Ebay
Sent from the best & brightest of our blog community concerning a home town hero who never quite panned out but STILL inspires a great deal of hope. Here's a note on hype for Spring and the road ahead. Take a look:
Real life aftermath of one of the most tragic stories in in recent KCMO memory, here's the best round-up and a sign of the times:
Man arrested after death of 75-year-old woman in Olathe ruled a homicide Olathe police say a man has been taken into custody in connection with the death of a 75-year-old woman in Olathe, Kansas. Officers were dispatched to the 300 block of South Cardinal Drive around 3:08 p.m. Wednesday on a medical call -- a woman at that location was not breathing.

Old school murder story tonight reminds us of danger lurking in the outer burbs. Thankfully, police already have a dude in custody after this tragic local homicide. Read more:
Survivor reacts to sentencing of man who raped her in Independence JACKSON COUNTY, MO (KCTV) -- A young mother who was gang raped next to her toddler in Independence, Missouri, blasted her attacker in court on Thursday. William Luth admitted he's guilty of raping her and has also pled guilty to another rape in Johnson County, Kansas.

Justice today for this progressive lady who showed a great deal of bravery by serving as her own advocate and following the case to its conclusion today. Reminder: It's okay to applaud her valiant persistence and reject her horrible suggestions for political office. Read more:
If you're a relatively savvy person, you're probably aware that Social Security scams are a dime a dozen. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has warned you about them; the Social Security Administration has warned you about them; the AARP may even have warned you about them, if you're of the baby boomer persuasion.

But while Social Security scams tend to work better on older folks, the scammers will target anyone. Just the other day, it happened to me: a mid-generation Millennial.

How to prevent Social Security number scams

First off, a few words of advice. If you get an unsolicited call from anyone claiming to be from the Social Security Administration, do not tell them a single blessed thing. The SSA does sometimes contact individuals, but like most government agencies, it does so by mail at first and phone calls thereafter.

If you are uncertain about the provenance of a call like this, you can always express your concern and offer to call them back at the SSA's official number, 1-800-772-1213. No real SSA employee will object to this, although you will have to wait on hold for a bit until you get to a real person.

Furthermore, the most common claim from scammers is that your Social Security number has been "suspended." This cannot happen. If you don't believe me, then listen to the FTC.



MORE: 7 Easy Ways to Get Your Identity Stolen

In extremely rare cases, the SSA may issue a new Social Security number to a citizen who has been a constant victim of identity fraud, but the agency will do this only after a long process. Generally speaking, though, you're stuck with the SSN you were born with. That's one of the reasons why it's so hard to prevent repeat attempts at identity theft.

Finally, it's important to remember that the scammers want more than just your SSN. That's the gold standard, but they'll take whatever they can get. They want to confirm your full name, your phone number, your birth date, your home address, your occupation and whatever else you're willing to volunteer.

It does not take much to impersonate a person, particularly if you're not overly concerned with obtaining financial information. ("Social engineering" is very much a thing, and money is not always the primary concern. Spreading malware to your social media contacts is also a tempting idea for cybercriminals.)

With that in mind, here's what happened to me.

A run-in with scammers

I returned to my desk after making short work of a sandwich, only to discover that I'd missed a call on my cellphone during my elegant repast. The number was 562-246-6812. Pay attention to that, because it's going to be important later.

Thankfully, these good robotic Samaritans left a message. Namely, they said that my Social Security number had been "suspended" and that I had to call them back right away at that number.

Now, remember that phone number? It's interesting for two reasons. The first is that it is, most decidedly, not the real SSA number. The number is for a landline in Los Angeles, whereas the actual SSA is located in Woodlawn, Maryland  and it's also simply the incorrect number for the SSA, as you can see by comparing to the proper number, listed above.

But just out of curiosity, I called the number  and, to my surprise, I got a robotic answering machine that claimed to be the real SSA.

Not only is impersonating a government agency extremely illegal, but it's also phenomenally stupid to tie an illicit operation to a working phone number  even though the scammers are not based in the United States and, therefore, not subject to U.S. jurisdiction. But even if it's just a throwaway line, phone numbers are so easy to spoof; why risk anything that could be used to track you?

Anyway, I figured at this point that the scammers already had my number, so what could the harm be in playing dumb for a little longer? I left a message, and they called me back within 5 minutes.

The man on the other end of the line called himself Jason (although it's unlikely that a scammer would use his real name). He had a thick Indian accent and an extremely weak phone connection, with a cacophony of other voices audible in the background.

To be clear, there are absolutely legitimate U.S. government employees with Indian accents. But in my experience, they work in quiet offices with crystal-clear landlines.

Here is where I made my first, and only, mistake in dealing with the scammer. I'm not proud of this. He asked, "Is this Marshall Honorof?" Before thinking, I replied, "Yes."

Remember: Don't give scammers any information, even your name. This organization now knows that whatever information they have linking my name to my phone number is accurate. And if they're so inclined, they can use that to find additional information about me online.

But since my name and cellphone number are publicly available, this is not the worst mistake I could have made. It certainly wasn't as bad as what they asked me next.

Jason asked me to provide the last four digits of my Social Security number. I rattled off four random digits, figuring this would end the jig straight away if they actually had my number. Thankfully, "Jason" confirmed that my digits "matched" his and that I'd need to confirm my birthdate next.



MORE: What to Do If Your Social Security Number Is Stolen

Here's where I started losing patience; just how gullible did this scammer think I was? I asked him why he was calling from California, when the SSA was located in Maryland. He simply repeated that he was calling from California (he was most likely calling from India), without answering my question.

I then asked what he meant by saying that my number had been "suspended." I told him that this could not actually happen, and I used the FTC article to back up my assertion.

"Jason" did not listen. Instead, he asked for my birthdate more and more insistently, getting louder and louder each time, even cutting me off when I started to ask a new question. Needless to say, this is (probably) not how a federal employee would act.

Finally, I'd had enough of the scammer's bad attitude. I said, "Before we go any further, I'm sure you wouldn't mind if I verified this phone number with the police?"

"Jason" yelled, "F**k you!" and slammed down the receiver. Needless to say, I did not find his impersonation of an SSA employee entirely convincing.

Victims of the scams

I could have let this issue go and simply chalked it up to Russian cybercriminals conscripting poor Indians to scam credulous Americans. But hurling profanity at me was a nadir I did not expect, even from a scammer. So, I'm writing up this story partially to vent my frustration, and partially to warn you.

It's easy to laugh off SSN scammers as scummy criminals who wouldn't last a day doing real work, but not every intended victim is a tech-savvy skeptic. Rather, the scams tend to work on grandparents who tend to be more susceptible to scare tactics and less critical of the holes in scammers' stories.

So, gentle reader, I encourage you to do what I did. Call the not-so-friendly scammers at 562-246-6812 and leave a message informing them just how boneheaded their operation is. (You may want to dial *67 on your cellphone first in order to hide your number.) With enough angry voicemails, they may get the message.

Credit: Shutterstock


The Galaxy F, Samsung's upcoming foldable phone, will reportedly have a 5G version available in Korea when it launches and, if were lucky, itll be released in other countries once theyve caught up.

(Image credit: LetsGoDigital)

In addition, according to SamMobile., the Galaxy F will be released in at least four colours: black, blue, green and silver. These are just the plain descriptions though, no doubt the Samsung will have settled on some more exciting names for these shades, not to mention a name for the Galaxy F/Fold/Flex etc, by the time its formally released.

MORE: Samsung Galaxy F Rumors: Foldable Phone Release Date, Specs and More

While many places around the world wont have a functional 5G network by the time the Galaxy F is predicted to launch, Samsungs home nation of South Korea already has one, with several different cell carriers operating 5G networks already in place.

The US has made some progress with 5G, but rollouts are just beginning; the UK is still getting 5G networks ready.

Fortunately, there will be a 4G version of the Galaxy F, too, so more people will be able to get in on the folding phone action. Hopefully, when these networks do get off the ground and give nationwide coverage, Samsung will start shipping the Fs 5G variant overseas.

On the subject of release, we are still expecting the announcement for the Galaxy F to take place during the first half of 2019. But we are hoping that it will be sooner, considering that the Samsung Galaxy S10 is also nearing release, with its announcement set for Feb. 20.

With Mobile World Congress taking place the week after, its nice to imagine a two weeks full of exciting news for Samsung fans, with the Galaxy F announcement taking place at the Barcelona-based expo.
This is Hunter. It looks like a regular drone, but all hints point at it being a lot more than that.

(Image credit:  )

Hunter seems to be a robotic wingman that flies autonomously side to side with Russian combat jets, with the pilot issuing combat orders to it on the fly.

This is not a new concept. The U.S Air Force hinted at the same idea in this video about the future of air combat (starts at the 3:10 mark):

According to the USAF, sometime in the 2030s, an F-35 pilot would be able to fly with robotic AI-powered wingmen, with the human pilot giving them orders on the fly through wireless electronic communications. The pilot will be able to tell these drones to attack a target on the ground, another plane, or execute defensive maneuvers without putting his or her life on the line.

It seems like the stuff of science fiction movies or games, but thats what the USAF envisions. And, looking at the coverage by Tom Demerly in The Aviationist, the Russians may be getting to fly them right now.

Demerly points at two major hints. The first is this photo of a Sukhoi Su-57. On its tail you can see the shapes of that human-piloted combat jet followed by the Hunter, both connected with a lighting bolt:

(Image credit:  )

This seems to imply a wireless connection between the two planes, which may work in the same fashion as the concept portrayed in the USAF future forward video.

(Image credit: )

The other clear hint is the pixel camouflage in the shape of the Hunter drone you can see in the Sukho above. Obviously, not only do the Russians want to have robotic AI wingmen, but they want to have their human-piloted jet fighters confused with the drones from the ground.

I cant help but to think of the double-fighter in Galaga, the wingmen that you could fly with in the classic 1981 video game.

Except this is not an arcade game. Sure, some will say that Russian military technology is always half baked, but recent developments  like the invulnerable 20 Mach hypersonic nuclear missile  show that things may have changed. As a U.S. Air Force General and Commander of the US Strategic Command John E Hyten told National Interest about that missile: We dont have any defense that could deny the employment of such a weapon against us.

Seems like the Russians are not stopping at deadly unkillable missiles. On the other hand, it doesnt seem that they need any missiles or robotic planes to destroy us, anyway.

Good luck, everyone.
[January 25, 2019] Ledyard Financial Group Declares Quarterly Dividend

Ledyard Financial Group (Ticker Symbol: LFGP) announced today a regular quarterly dividend of $0.18 payable March 1, 2019 to shareholders of record as of February 8, 2019. Ledyard Financial Group, Inc., headquartered in Hanover, New Hampshire, is the holding company for Ledyard National Bank. Ledyard National Bank, founded in 1991, is a full service community bank offering a broad range of banking, investment, tax and wealth management services. Ledyard Financial Group, Inc. shares can be bought and sold through the NASD sanctioned "OTC Markets" under the trading symbol LFGP. Shares may be traded through an individual's broker. For more information, please refer to the "Investor Relations" section of the bank's website at www.ledyardbank.com or contact the bank's Chief Financial Officer, Gregory D. Steverson.



Forward-Looking Statements: Statements concerning future performance, developments or events, expectations for growth and income forecasts, and any other guidance on future periods constitute forward-looking statements that are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from stated expectations. Specific factors include, but are not limited to, loan production, competitive pressure in the banking industry, balance sheet management, net interest margin variations, the effect of changes in equity prices on assets under management, the ability to control costs and expenses, changes in the interest rate environment, financial policies of the United States government, and general economic conditions. The Company disclaims any obligation to update any such factors.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190125005453/en/

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[January 25, 2019] Dealer Inspire Receives "Top Rated" DrivingSales Dealer Satisfaction Award

CHICAGO, Jan. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Dealer Inspire, a Cars.com company that provides disruptive technology and digital marketing solutions to the automotive industry, received a "Top Rated" Award in the ninth annual DrivingSales Dealer Satisfaction Awards. Dealer Inspire (DI) earned top dealer satisfaction rankings in the "Digital Retailing" and "Websites" categories, as determined by the thousands of auto dealers who are part of the DrivingSales.com community. The awards will be presented at a special event today in conjunction with the 2019 National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Convention & Expo. "We are humbled to receive two dealer satisfaction awards from the DrivingSales dealer community. Since day one our top priority is to go above and beyond for our clients," said Joe Chura, chief executive officer at Dealer Inspire. "We know our leading-edge website platform and digital retailing solutions are second-to-none. It's our technology and solutions that attract great clients who are looking to optimize their operations and future-proof their business, but it's our dedication to excellent customer service that retains them." At NADA 2019, Dealer Inspire and Cars.com will unveil a new suite of digital retailing solutions as well as several other leading-edge website solutions for dealers. DI will offer for the first time "Online Shopper: Electric," an enhanced version of the company's popular digital retailing solution that now allows shoppers to save, customize and compare multiple deals. It will also reveal METAL, a brand-new inventory management system built with intuitive design, lightning-quick controls, and instant sync with dealers' technology and advrtising in real-time, and an updated version of Conversations, its messaging platform powered by Ana Bot A.I. technology.



"We congratulate Dealer Inspire on receiving 'Top Rated' Awards for Digital Retailing and Websites, an accolade we consider to be one of our industry's most important because it comes directly from dealers," said DrivingSales CEO and founder Jared Hamilton. "In our ninth year of presenting these awards, we feel especially proud that DrivingSales Vendor Ratings continues to help dealers make smart and informed decisions through thousands of peer reviews that lead them to outstanding service providers such as Dealer Inspire. We're thrilled that DI has been recognized as one of the best by the people to whom their services count the most: the dealer community." The DrivingSales Dealer Satisfaction Awards measure dealer satisfaction with vendor products and services, and are based on cumulative ratings tallied and verified over the calendar year (January  December) at DrivingSales.com Vendor Ratings. DrivingSales Vendor Ratings is the industry's only neutral, comprehensive vendor rating forum featuring real-time peer reviews and honest competitor comparisons, and provides dealerships with important information from actual customers who have hands-on experience using vendor products/solutions in their stores. Each rating is verified as coming from an actual dealership employee.

Full award results are available online at http://events.drivingsales.com/dealer-satisfaction-awards/. Award winners are showcased in the 2019 Spring issue of the DrivingSales Dealership Vendor Buyers Guide which, in addition to being distributed at the 2019 NADA Convention and Expo, is delivered to every new car dealership nationwide, as well as to the top 100 used car dealerships. For more information on the DrivingSales Dealership Vendor Buyers Guide, please visit: https://www.drivingsales.com/buyersguide/ ABOUT DEALER INSPIRE

Dealer Inspire (DI) is an award-winning technology provider that has innovated automotive retail with four SAAS products that help future-proof dealerships, including an advanced website platform, artificial intelligence messaging, automatic digital retailing and next-gen connected marketing services. With a team of 500 employees servicing approximately 2,200 website customers in the U.S., Mexico and Canada, DI maintains its reputation for customer support with a standard of 12-minute response and 24-hour solution times. About DrivingSales

DrivingSales is a professional network serving the auto industry with dealer-driven news and information, online training, and performance data, all to enable dealers to make critical business decisions at their dealerships. DrivingSales' mission is to connect progressive dealership professionals to the people and information they need to maximize their success. Founded by a third-generation car dealer, and opened up to the industry in 2008, today DrivingSales has registered users in over 50% of new car dealerships in the US and is active in several other countries around the globe. To learn more about the DrivingSales community, training or performance analytics visit DrivingSales.com, DrivingSales.com/HCM and DrivingSalesData.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dealer-inspire-receives-top-rated-drivingsales-dealer-satisfaction-award-300784479.html SOURCE Dealer Inspire

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[January 25, 2019] Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP Announces Investor Securities Fraud Class Action Lawsuit Filed Against Maxar Technologies Inc.

The law firm of Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP reminds that an investor securities fraud class action lawsuit has been filed against Maxar Technologies Inc. (NYSE: MAXR) ("Maxar") on behalf of purchasers of Maxar securities between March 29, 2018 and January 7, 2019, inclusive (the "Class Period"). Maxar investors who purchased securities during the Class Period may, no later than March 15, 2019, seek to be appointed as a lead plaintiff representative of the class. Investors who wish to discuss this securities fraud class action lawsuit or request additional information about this litigation are encouraged to contact Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check attorneys James Maro, Jr. or Adrienne Bell at (888) 299-7706 or online at: www.ktmc.com/maxar-securities-class-action. According to the complaint, Maxar is a leading global provider of advanced space technology solutions for commercial and government markets including satellites, Earth imagery, geospatial data and analytics. On October 5, 2017, Maxar (doing business under the name MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. at the time) purchased DigitalGlobe (News - Alert) , Inc. ("DigitalGlobe"), an American commercial vendor of space imagery and geospatial content, for $2.4 billion dollars. As part of the purchase, Maxar acquired DigitalGlobe's satellites, called the "WorldView Legion," including the WorldView-4 satellite ("WorldView-4"). WorldView-4 is equipped with control moment gyros ("CMGs"), which are attitude control devices generally used in spacecraft attitude control systems. The Class Period commences on March 29, 2018, when Maxar filed an annual report on a Form 40-F with the SEC (News - Alert) , announcing Maxar's financial and operating results for the year ended December 31, 2017. Appended to the annual report was Management's discussion and analysis ("MD&A"), dated February 22, 2018. The MD&A stated that Maxar acquired "intangible assets, consisting of customer relationships, backlog, technology, software, and other intellectual property" in its 2017 acquisition of DigitalGlobe. More specifically, the MD&A stated that Maxar incurred $1.439 billion in intangible assets related to the acquisition of DigitalGlobe, and an additional $1.668 billion in goodwill.



According to the complaint, on August 7, 2018, Spruce Point Capital Management ("Spruce Point") published a research report on Maxar. The report alleged, in part, that Maxar "has pulled one of the most aggressive accounting schemes Spruce Point has ever seen to inflate Non-IFRS earnings by 79%." Specifically, the report asserted that Maxar used its acquisition of DigitalGlobe "to inflate [its] intangible assets" and had "amended its post-retirement benefit plan to book one-time gains" in a manner that "was not fully disclosed across its investor communications." Following this news, the price of Maxar common stock fell $5.97 per share, or 13.44%, to close at $38.44 on August 7, 2018. Then, on January 7, 2019, Maxar disclosed that WorldView-4 experienced a failure in its CMGs, preventing it from collecting imagery due to the loss of an axis of stability. It was further disclosed that the WorldView-4 satellite will likely not be recoverable and will no longer produce usable imagery. Following this news, Maxar's stock price fell $5.69 per share, or 48.5%, over the subsequent two trading days, to close at $6.03 per share on January 8, 2019.

The complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period, the defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) Maxar improperly inflated the value of its intangible assets, among other accounting improprieties; (ii) Maxar's highly-valued WorldView-4 was equipped with CMGs that were faulty and/or ill-suited for their designed and intended purpose; and (iii) as a result, Maxar's public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times. Maxar investors may, no later than March 15, 2019, seek to be appointed as a lead plaintiff representative of the class through Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, or other counsel, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. A lead plaintiff is a representative party who acts on behalf of all class members in directing the litigation. In order to be appointed as a lead plaintiff, the Court must determine that the class member's claim is typical of the claims of other class members, and that the class member will adequately represent the class. Your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision of whether or not to serve as a lead plaintiff. Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check prosecutes class actions in state and federal courts throughout the country involving securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duties and other violations of state and federal law. Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check is a driving force behind corporate governance reform, and has recovered billions of dollars on behalf of institutional and individual investors from the United States and around the world. The firm represents investors, consumers and whistleblowers (private citizens who report fraudulent practices against the government and share in the recovery of government dollars). The complaint in this action was not filed by Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check. For more information about Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, please visit www.ktmc.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190125005023/en/

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[January 25, 2019] Amica Insurance and Cambridge Mobile Telematics Launch Rhode Island's Safest Driver Contest

To encourage safer driving in Rhode Island, and to gain insight into how telematics can influence driving behavior, Amica Insurance has partnered with Cambridge Mobile Telematics (CMT) to launch Rhode Island's Safest Driver contest and mobile app. Starting Jan. 28, the contest is open to all eligible Rhode Island residents, who can compete for top spots on the leaderboards and win cash prizes. The best overall and least distracted drivers will receive bi-weekly prizes of $500 and grand prizes of up to $10,000. "Safe driving contests like this present a unique opportunity to incentivize Rhode Islanders to really focus on their driving habits, recognize areas for improvement and ultimately make the roads safer," said Bob DiMuccio, Amica's Chairman, President and CEO. "It's also a fun way to compete with family and friends." To sign up, users download the free RI Safest Driver app from the App Store or Google (News - Alert) Play. After registering, he app begins monitoring and scoring driving behaviors like speeding, cornering, hard braking, harsh acceleration and phone distraction.



In the app, users can invite friends and check their trends, badges, driving tips and leaderboard positions. "We believe safe drivers are made, not born," said Hari Balakrishnan, CMT's co-founder and chief technology officer. "We see a great opportunity to improve road safety in Rhode Island."

Rhode Island's Safest Driver ends April 7. For more information about Rhode Island's Safest Driver, visit www.risafestdriver.com. About Amica Insurance Amica Insurance Co., the nation's oldest mutual insurer of automobiles, was founded in 1907. The company, based in Lincoln, Rhode Island, is a national writer of auto, home, marine and umbrella insurance. Life coverage is available through Amica Life Insurance Company, a wholly owned subsidiary. Amica employs more than 3,700 people in 44 offices across the country. For more information, visit Amica.com. About Cambridge Mobile Telematics Cambridge Mobile Telematics (CMT) aims to improve safety in the mobile world for people and goods using mobile sensing and IoT, AI, and behavioral science. Since its first product launch in 2012, which helped establish the new category of mobile usage-based insurance, CMT has grown to become the world's leading mobile telematics and analytics company. Headquartered in Cambridge, MA, steps from the MIT (News - Alert) campus, CMT's award-winning DriveWell platform is used by leading insurers, fleets, cellular carriers, and other organizations in more than 20 countries, improving safety for millions of mobile users. To learn more, please visit cmtelematics.com and follow CMT on Twitter (News - Alert) @cmtelematics. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190125005389/en/

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[January 25, 2019] The Following is a Letter to CDK Global Customers from President and CEO Brian Krzanich

The following is a letter to CDK Global Customers from President and CEO Brian Krzanich: January 25, 2019 To Our Customers: Since joining CDK Global two months ago, I've spent much of my time meeting with some of you to better understand your needs, how well we have been meeting those needs, and where we have opportunities to improve. As a result of these discussions, we have begun aligning our organization and making changes to ensure we focus on fundamentals that are vital to helping your business grow. Under my leadership, I want you to know that we are making bold changes and significant commitments. CDK is dedicated to being a better partner and technology leader for you. In practical terms, this means taking immediate action to accelerate innovation while becoming more customer- and solution-focused. We made a number of announcements while at NADA in San Francisco this week related to these commitments. As we forge a new path together, you can expect that CDK will: Show up for you . We announced a dealer-centric service model called Customer Success that is unique to the industry. A its core, this service model is designed with your success in mind, and will be offered at no additional cost to you. It features an entire organization of specialists ( Customer Success Advocates ) who will proactively help you gain needed insights about your business from a new data dashboard and engage with you during key milestones to ensure the service you receive is nothing short of best-in-class.

. We announced a dealer-centric service model called that is unique to the industry. A its core, this service model is designed with your success in mind, and will be offered at no additional cost to you. It features an entire organization of specialists ( ) who will proactively help you gain needed insights about your business from a new data dashboard and engage with you during key milestones to ensure the service you receive is nothing short of best-in-class. Expand our support hours to align with your hours, including weekends and most holidays. This 30 percent increase in service team availability means you can rely on us to be there to help you any day of the week.

to align with your hours, including weekends and most holidays. This 30 percent increase in service team availability means you can rely on us to be there to help you any day of the week. Accelerate our investment to bring Drive Flex to more dealerships of all sizes in the near future. With full DMS capabilities and an improved user interface, this is the solution many of our dealers have been looking for to help them optimize their businesses for greater success. Operating on web-based architecture, the Drive Flex DMS is designed to help you reduce infrastructure costs while providing greater operating flexibility. I have taken a close, code-level look at this next generation technology and Drive Flex delivers on the promise to modernize the DMS.

to bring Drive to more dealerships of all sizes in the near future. With full DMS capabilities and an improved user interface, this is the solution many of our dealers have been looking for to help them optimize their businesses for greater success. Operating on web-based architecture, the Drive DMS is designed to help you reduce infrastructure costs while providing greater operating flexibility. I have taken a close, code-level look at this next generation technology and Drive delivers on the promise to modernize the DMS. Foster frictionless innovation . The Fortellis Automotive Commerce Exchange platform is growing, and we are making enhancements so it can continue to serve as the innovation hub for retail automotive technology, including removing all developing and publishing fees. The Fortellis Marketplace , where technology providers can market their software applications, became the latest enhancement. In addition, an Advisory Board consisting of industry members is being added to ensure Fortellis continues to be an open and agnostic technology platform observing good governance.

. The Fortellis Automotive Commerce Exchange platform is growing, and we are making enhancements so it can continue to serve as the innovation hub for retail automotive technology, including removing all developing and publishing fees. The , where technology providers can market their software applications, became the latest enhancement. In addition, an consisting of industry members is being added to ensure Fortellis continues to be an open and agnostic technology platform observing good governance. Add value and flexibility . Over the next year, we'll be making additional changes to make doing business with CDK easier, including providing you with more flexibility, pricing predictability and transparency.

. Over the next year, we'll be making additional changes to make doing business with CDK easier, including providing you with more flexibility, pricing predictability and transparency. Simplify billing. I have seen the billing that you receive from CDK and understand how complicated it can be. We will materially fix it .



Sincerely,

Brian Krzanich

President and Chief Executive Officer

CDK Global, Inc. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190125005040/en/

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[January 25, 2019] MONDAY DEADLINE REMINDER: The Schall Law Firm Announces it is Investigating Claims Against The Boeing Company and Encourages Investors with Losses in Excess of $100,000 to Contact the Firm

The Schall Law Firm, a national shareholder rights litigation firm, announces that it is investigating claims on behalf of investors of The Boeing (News - Alert) Company ("Boeing" or "the Company") (NYSE: BA) for violations of 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The investigation focuses on whether the Company issued false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose information pertinent to investors. Boeing withheld from the market information about the potential hazards caused by its new flight-control system, which may have contributed to a recent deadly crash in Indonesia. The new automated stall-prevention system alegedly can cause pilots to lose control of the aircraft in certain situations. The pilots of the flight in the Indonesia crash were reportedly not aware that the plane was equipped with the new system, and allegedly not prepared to handle the risk of this occurring. Boeing now faces scrutiny from multiple government and industry officials, including the FAA. Based on these facts, the Company's public statements throughout the class period were false and materially misleading. When the market learned the truth about Boeing, investors suffered damages.



If you are a shareholder who suffered a loss, click here to participate. We also encourage you to contact Brian Schall, or Sherin Mahdavian, of the Schall Law Firm, 1880 Century Park East, Suite 404, Los Angeles, CA (News - Alert) 90067, at 424-303-1964, to discuss your rights free of charge. You can also reach us through the firm's website at www.schallfirm.com, or by email at brian@schallfirm.com.

The class in this case has not yet been certified, and until certification occurs, you are not represented by an attorney. If you choose to take no action, you can remain an absent class member. The Schall Law Firm represents investors around the world and specializes in securities class action lawsuits and shareholder rights litigation. This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and rules of ethics. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190125005347/en/

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[January 25, 2019] American Water Accepting Applications for 2019 Environmental Grant Program

American Water (NYSE: AWK), the largest publicly traded U.S. water and wastewater utility company, announced today that applications are now being accepted by its participating state subsidiaries for the company's 2019 Environmental Grant Program awards. The grant awards will be available in American Water service areas in 11 states: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Established in 2005, American Water's Environmental Grant Program offers funds for innovative, community-based environmental projects that improve, restore or protect the watersheds, surface water and/or groundwater supplies through partnerships. Last year, American Water and it state subsidiaries funded 49 projects that were awarded grants totaling $188,000. "American Water is committed to our comprehensive environmental policy, in which we provide water quality, testing, compliance and treatment solutions for our communities and customers," said Brad Okoniewski, vice president, Safety and Environmental Leadership. "Our environmental ocus extends beyond the quality of our water and into the leadership role we accept in protecting our environment, caring for natural resources, and acting as stewards of biodiversity."



Information and application requirements can be obtained directly from participating American Water state subsidiaries, or on the Environmental Grant section of the company website. Applications must be postmarked by March 29, 2019 and recipients will be notified by April 26, 2019.

About American Water With a history dating back to 1886, American Water is the largest and most geographically diverse U.S. publicly traded water and wastewater utility company. The company employs more than 7,100 dedicated professionals who provide regulated and market-based drinking water, wastewater and other related services to an estimated 14 million people in 45 states and Ontario, Canada. American Water provides safe, clean, affordable and reliable water services to our customers to make sure we keep their lives flowing. For more information, visit amwater.com and follow American Water on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. Click here to subscribe to Mobile Alerts for American Water. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190125005220/en/

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[January 25, 2019] Datto Celebrates Growth with New Office in Ontario, Canada

Datto, Inc., the world's leading provider of IT solutions delivered through Managed Service Providers (MSPs), today unveiled its new office in Ontario, Canada. Tim Weller, Chief Executive Officer of Datto and Ontario MPP Billy Pang oversaw the official ribbon cutting ceremony, along with Rob Rae, VP, business development at Datto, and Ontario Councillor Alan Ho. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190125005068/en/ Canadian public officials MPP Pang and Councillor Alan Ho join Datto CEO Tim Weller and other Datto leaders to celebrate the grand opening of the new Datto office in Ontario. (Photo: Business Wire) "We congratulate Datto on expanding its presence in Ontario to serve the needs of its partners throughout Canada," stated Billy Pang, Member of Provincial arliament, Legislative Assembly of Ontario. "Ontario is Canada's largest province and a hub for business. With a large talent pool and robust business environment, Datto has all the ingredients it needs to continue its aggressive growth."



Founded in 2007, Datto is a global leader in business continuity and disaster recovery, business management, and networking services. Datto's presence in Ontario will enable Datto and its partners to continue to grow and address the IT needs of the small to medium businesses (SMBs) in Canada. "At Datto, we're proud to be a global organization that provides services on a local level. Our new space in Markham enables us to support the more than 1,100 Canadian partners we serve to help them grow their businesses," said Tim Weller, CEO, Datto. "Datto added more than 325 new Canadian partners in 2018. MPP Billy Pang and Councillor Alan Ho have provided great support for our growth and have created a welcoming business environment for Datto, our partners and thriving local businesses."

"The Canadian MSP channel has grown significantly over the last several years as more and more companies are focused on helping SMBs address IT challenges like business continuity, data back-up and recovery, and security threats like ransomware," said Jamie Smith, General Manager at Lanetco Computer Networks, a Managed Service Provider and Datto partner. "We've been working with Datto for several years, and we look forward to benefiting from their expanded presence in this market." "Here in Ontario, we're lucky to have high-tech businesses that bring great opportunity to our area like Datto," said Alan Ho, Ward 2 Councillor in Ontario. "With over one million small-to-medium businesses in Canada, Datto's dedication to making small businesses more successful and secure is more than welcome." About Datto As the world's leading provider of IT solutions delivered by Managed Service Providers (MSPs), Datto believes there is no limit to what small and medium businesses can achieve with the right technology. Datto offers business continuity and disaster recovery, networking, business management, and file backup and sync solutions, and has created a one-of-a-kind ecosystem of partners that provide Datto solutions to half a million businesses across more than 130 countries. Since its founding in 2007, Datto has earned hundreds of awards for its rapid growth, product excellence, superior technical support, and for fostering an outstanding workplace. With global headquarters in Norwalk, Connecticut, Datto has international offices in the United Kingdom, Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Canada, Australia, China, and Singapore. Learn more at datto.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190125005068/en/

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[January 25, 2019] Wells Fargo Launches Recovery and Rebuilding Effort in Paradise, California, and Surrounding Towns

Wells Fargo (News - Alert) & Company (NYSE: WFC) today announced that the company will provide an additional $3.25 million in financial resources to residents, small businesses and nonprofit organizations in Butte County, California, to address critical housing and economic challenges that remain after devastating wildfires spread across the county last year. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190125005071/en/ Wells Fargo's donation will be distributed to the Butte Strong Fund held by the North Valley Community Foundation, which is working to meet needs in Chico, Paradise and other towns. "The resilient spirit in these towns is inspiring, but we know that this optimism needs to be met with financial resources and community support," said Tim Sloan, Wells Fargo CEO. "As a company with headquarters in California, we stand with the residents of Butte County. Wells Fargo wants to be part of the long-term recovery efforts to rebuild Paradise and beyond, as communities emerge even stronger than before." This commitment is in addition to the $2.8 million already contributed by Wells Fargo to wildfire disaster relief in the state in 2018. Since then, Wells Fargo has deployed its Mobile Response Unit to assist customers with disaster relief and insurance check processing and hosted a Community Day in Chico, California to honor community leaders and those providing direct and immediate relief efforts. Wells Fargo volunteers also assembled care kits for first responders and wrote letters of support to those affected. Additional Wells Fargo volunteers are gathering with community leaders today to distribute meals for area residents. "For many years, Wells Fargo has supported the Paradise Community in a multitude of ways," said Jody Jones, mayor of Paradise. "This incredible donation showcases their continuing generosity and actively assists Paradise as we embark on our recovery and rebuilding. It means a great deal to the town, the residents and the businesses to know that we have such a generous partner for the long haul." Chico Mayor Randall Stone said, "Again, Wells Fargo demonstrates their commitment to our community with this generous contribution to our local business and housing recovery efforts. It is heartwarming to know one of our affordable housing lenders is so dedicated to our recovery and prosperity - at a time when Butte County most needs it." The support from Wells Fargo, to be implemented in conjunction with the Butte Strong Fund, will focus on two urgent needs: housing and small business recovery. These needs have been identified in concert with community leaders, nonprofits and Butte Strong Fund administrators to meet the most pressing needs. The model of the Butte Strong Fund is to invest in nonprofit organizations and agencies directly providing services to people impacted by the Camp Fire.



"We appreciate the commitment Wells Fargo has made to helping our communities rebuild after the Camp Fire," said Doug Teeter, vice chair of the Butte County Board of Supervisors. "Wells Fargo has been a long-standing partner in our communities. They stepped in early after the fire to assist businesses and reopened their branch in Paradise. We commend Wells Fargo for the inspiration their generous contribution will have on families and businesses recovering in the Town of Paradise and Butte County's communities." Housing assistance

The first phase of Wells Fargo's efforts will go toward meeting the community's needs regarding shelter for residents displaced by the Camp Fire. With $2 million, the fund will focus on: The transition of final evacuees who are currently staying in the temporary Red Cross Shelter. As this shelter closes at the end of January, funds will be used to provide case management, housing readiness and services to 728 individuals who need stable housing with the least amount of disruption and to fully integrate them into support services.

Of the 728 in transition, Wells Fargo will subsidize rent for up to 300 displaced families going into temporary housing for up to six months to help reduce stress and financial strain.

Funds allocated by Wells Fargo will also provide up to 100 units of temporary workforce and senior housing to retain the local workforce to stabilize businesses and ensure individuals with fixed incomes are secure. "The initial support from Wells Fargo to our community in the immediate aftermath of the Camp Fire was deeply impactful," said Alexa Benson-Valavanis, president and CEO of the North Valley Community Foundation. "But pledging to support the long and difficult road to recovery is a testament to Wells Fargo's leadership and their profound commitment to our region. We are so grateful for their partnership in the Butte Strong Fund. We will get through this, together!" Small business relief and recovery In addition to housing assistance, Wells Fargo will help address the urgent needs of local small businesses in the disaster area that are recovering from the impact of the wildfires. A dedicated $1.25 million will go towards infusing working capital back into the community and to help businesses reopen. Wells Fargo will work with Butte County leaders on rebuilding through partnerships with organizations such as 3CORE, a local Community Development Financial Institution. Support includes: Loan capital earmarked for long-term business recovery plans, such as needs for infrastructure, staff, inventory, equipment and other assistance.

Enhanced capacity to provide on-the-ground outreach to small businesses and get funds into the hands of small business owners more quickly.

Recovery initiatives to help small business owners with short-term and mid-term capital to address unmet credit needs as they rebuild and retain local jobs. "Wells Fargo has a strong history of philanthropic and programmatic support in our region," said 3CORE CEO Patty Hess. "This investment further illustrates their commitment on a variety of initiatives related to economic development and housing. These long-term recovery dollars will further assist 3CORE's efforts in providing essential capital to businesses affected by the Camp Fire and aid in addressing the regional economic impacts resulting from the disaster. We estimate these funds will assist in the retention of over 100 local jobs, further stabilizing our regional economy. This Wells Fargo funding continues to make a meaningful difference in the communities we serve." Long-term efforts With tax season fast approaching, Wells Fargo also recognizes the burden of tax returns on residents in Butte County affected by the wildfires and will work with local organizations to deliver tax refund assistance and help residents navigate the complexity of filing from within a disaster area. Over the next six to 12 months, Wells Fargo will continue to address the mid-term to long-term housing needs of displaced residents of Paradise. By working through the Butte Strong Fund, Wells Fargo will expand workforce housing and offer aid in the planning and design of Paradise's reconstruction. In addition, Wells Fargo team members will be on hand throughout the year volunteering alongside community partners like Habitat for Humanity and others to repair and rebuild temporary and long-term housing. About Wells Fargo Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a diversified, community-based financial services company with $1.9 trillion in assets. Wells Fargo's vision is to satisfy our customers' financial needs and help them succeed financially. Founded in 1852 and headquartered in San Francisco, Wells Fargo provides banking, investment and mortgage products and services, as well as consumer and commercial finance, through 7,800 locations, more than 13,000 ATMs, the internet (wellsfargo.com) and mobile banking, and has offices in 37 countries and territories to support customers who conduct business in the global economy. With approximately 259,000 team members, Wells Fargo serves one in three households in the United States. Wells Fargo & Company was ranked No. 26 on Fortune's 2018 rankings of America's largest corporations. News, insights and perspectives from Wells Fargo are also available at Wells Fargo Stories. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190125005071/en/

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Vantage Data Centers Acquires Canada-Based 4Degrees Colocation

Vantage Data Centers, a leading provider of data centers in support of business and mission-critical applications, today announced it has finalized its acquisition of Canada-based 4Degrees Colocation from Videotron (News - Alert) Ltd., a Quebecor Media Inc. (QMI) subsidiary, for approximately US$200 million (CA$259 million).

The acquisition of 4Degrees expands Vantage's coast-to-coast presence in North America to six markets, adding campuses in Montreal and Quebec City to the existing Santa Clara, Northern Virginia, Phoenix and Quincy, Washington campuses. The 4Degrees data centers bring Vantage's total number of operational facilities to nine and total number of data centers under development to five.

"Canada is an extremely attractive market for hyperscale, cloud and enterprise customers," said Sureel Choksi, president and CEO, Vantage Data Centers. "Our acquisition of 4Degrees drastically decreases our time to market and increases our ability to provide the premier service and space that our clients desire."

Vantage will immediately startexpansion projects in both markets to accelerate 4Degrees Colocation's original plans to bring total capacity up to 31MW.







Maxime Guevin, a leader in the construction, sales and management of data centers, has been named vice president and general manager of Vantage Canada, after serving as the general manager of 4Degrees Colocation for four years.

"The 4Degrees team has been in lockstep with Vantage throughout the closing process," said Guevin. "Our cohesive team is prioritizing the creation and management of superior data center facilities across North America to support some of the world's top brands."

The company plans to hire additional staff in both Canada markets to support its expansions.

About Vantage Data Centers

Vantage Data Centers is a leading North American wholesale data center provider in six strategic markets: Silicon Valley; Northern Virginia; Phoenix; Quincy, Washington; Montreal and Quebec City, Canada. Vantage has nine operational facilities totaling 92MW of capacity and five additional facilities currently under development totaling 103MW. The company provides highly scalable, flexible and efficient data center solutions to hyperscale, cloud and enterprise customers, offering unique value through its commitment to exceptional customer service and sustainability.

For more information, visit www.vantagedatacenters.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190125005239/en/
[January 25, 2019] American Lending Center Increases Investment in Pennsylvania with Two New Completed Projects

American Lending Center (ALC), one of the nation's leading EB-5 regional centers, recently celebrated the openings of two properties in the company's Pennsylvania portfolio. The Fairfield Inn & Suites in Philadelphia and the Hampton Inn & Suites in Media, PA represent significant investment projects that successfully opened over the last few months. ALC has achieved a 100 percent success rate over all of its 70+ projects across 19 states since 2010, making it a uniquely successful EB-5 regional center. The company is currently the largest non-bank SBA 504 lending institution, having successfully provided over 350 million dollars to American ventures. ALC received a record-breaking nine EB-5 project approvals in nine different cities for 30 newly approved investors in March of 2018 alone. The Fairfield Inn & Suites received $4 million in EB-5 investments from ALC, nearly 20 percent of its total funding. Originally constructed in 1924, te 12-story property has 116 guest rooms and is located within Philadelphia's Washington Square West neighborhood with full modern amenities while retaining a unique, boutique feel. ALC provided another $3.5 million in funding to the Hampton Inn & Suites in the nearby historic town of Media, PA. The property features 106 guest accommodations, a business center and variety of meeting rooms, and an indoor saltwater pool.



"ALC is proud to partner with local entrepreneurs to invest in American communities," said John Shen, ALC's CEO. "Our projects create new jobs, foster economic growth, and demonstrate the benefits international investment can offer as valuable capital for expanding industries." The two Pennsylvania properties represent an ongoing expansion of ALC's presence across the region and cement the company as a key investor in the growing hospitality and tourism sectors of the state.

About American Lending Center American Lending Center (ALC) is a U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Service designated regional center held by Regional Centers Holding Group. ALC offers investment opportunities to immigrant investors interested in obtaining permanent resident status in the U.S. through the employment-based fifth preference visa (EB-5) program. Committed to fulfilling the program's promise of investment in deserving businesses in rural and underserved communities, ALC has successfully provided over 350 million dollars to projects in rural and underserved areas in 19 states. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190125005037/en/

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[January 25, 2019] Adventus Ventures enters investment, joint development and commercialization agreement with OnFace and GERI

IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Adventus Ventures signed a Cooperative Agreement with Korean company, OnFace, last week. OnFace is an Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI) company, and the agreement was facilitated by Gumi Electronic Research Institute (GERI), a $110M Korean government-funded medical device incubator and the Mayor's office. In addition to OnFace's initial investments, Adventus Ventures and OnFace will co-manufacture products and jointly develop commercialization plans to expand and extend beyond the initial scope of the products. OnFace and GERI will provide Adventus with full access to their collective equipment, personnel, and facilities to further develop and promote upcoming technologies by Adventus. These technologies are Allevion's Allevx Smart wrist-cuff for tremor control and Pressao's BP-ADJUST wrist-cuff for hypertension control.



"We are honored to partner with the city of Gumi, GERI, and the outstanding team at OnFace, to build on our shared commitment to provide breakthrough medical innovations that profoundly improve the quality of life of patients worldwide, and the economies of two great cities separated by an ocean but connected by the same mission," said Shawn Moaddeb, Founder & Chairman at Adventus Ventures. Today's signing strengthens the tie between the two cities and their mutual commitment to medical device development and commercialization. The effort drew positive responses from both cities; as Gumi Mayor, SeYong Jang states, "My office and I will commit our full support to make this relationship a success."

"Considering the vision and track record of the principals of Adventus Ventures, Allevion, and Pressao, and fit with our Innovative Joint Collaboration (iJoCo) program, we view this cooperative agreement as just a start. We plan to make the relationship stronger between Adventus and high-tech companies beyond OnFace," said Dr. Ben Song, Director of GERI. OnFace will invest in Adventus companies Allevion and Pressao, while also licensing their technologies. Adventus plans to set up a subsidiary in Gumi, Korea, and together, the companies will collaborate on identifying and developing new technologies, pushing beyond their individual limits. About Adventus Ventures: Adventus Ventures was founded in 2017 as a medical device incubator and early stage funding providing a combination of experienced leadership, financing, legal, strategic and engineering support with wide range of expertise enabling entrepreneurs and early stage companies faster and successful path to exit and commercialization. For more information, visit the company's website at www.adventusvc.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/adventus-ventures-enters-investment-joint-development-and-commercialization-agreement-with-onface-and-geri-300784193.html SOURCE Adventus Ventures

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[January 25, 2019] Vakrangee Q3 FY2018-19 Financial Results

MUMBAI, January 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Total Income stood at `118.66 Crore EBIDTA stood at `7.37 Crore PAT stood at `3.71 Crore Mr. Anil Khanna appointed as the new Managing Director and Group CEO Vakrangee Limited (VL), announced its unaudited Financial Results for the quarter ended December 31, 2018 today. Key Financial Highlights for Q3FY2018-19 (Consol idated) Total Income stood at `118.66 crore in Q3FY2018-19 as against `320.06 crore for the preceding quarter current year.

EBIDTA stood at `7.37 crore in Q3FY2018-19 as against `7.21 crore for the preceding quarter current year.

PAT stood at `3.71 crore in Q3FY2018-19 as against `1.94 crore for the preceding quarter current year.

EPS (basic) for the face value of `1 stood at `0.04 in Q3FY2018-19 as against `0.02 in Q2FY2018-19. Leadership Update: The Board of Directors of the Company have appointed Mr. Anil Khanna as Managing Director & Group CEO of Vakrangee Limited w.e.f. 25th January 2019. Mr. Dinesh Nandwana, the founder promoter has been elevated to the role of Executive Chairman. Mr. Nandwana is fully committed and would continue to play an active role in the Business strategy and operations. Commenting on the same, Mr. Dinesh Nandwana, Founder Promoter & Executive Chairman: said, "We are delighted to welcome Mr. Anil Khanna to the Vakrangee leadership team and family. With over 40 years of business experience, Mr. Anil Khanna has the right combination of wealth of knowledge, leadership and business acumen to propel our company to new heights of growth and aspiration. We are confident that he will play a key role in the continued growth at Vakrangee. He brings with him a rich experience and proven capabilities which will immensely benefit our company. Further, we have been adding senior leadership team members over the last 12-18 months and we believe, we now have the right management team in place to take our company to the next orbit of growth and enhance the corporate governance standards while protecting the company's values and ethics at all times." Commenting on his appointment, Mr. Anil Khanna said, "I am excited to join Vakrangee, a company that has built such an overwhelming reputation for being the pioneer fr the last mile reach presence through an asset-light franchisee-based business model in the country and delivering superior services to its clients.



Despite the outstanding successes achieved thus far, I strongly believe that Vakrangee' best years lie ahead. I am looking forward to sharing my experiences and tapping into my deep knowledge to continue to drive and accelerate Vakrangee growth. With growing business and a vibrant team, it will be my endeavor to steer Vakrangee to scale new heights. I am honored and glad at this opportunity to oversee and contribute to the growth of the company." Please see below the brief profile of Mr. Anil Khanna, Managing Director & Group CEO of Vakrangee Limited.

Mr. Anil Khanna has joined Vakrangee as Managing Director & Group CEO w.e.f. 25th January 2019. Prior to Vakrangee he has been at the position of Managing Director of Blue Dart Express Limited with effect from 21st February 2007. He has a proven track record and is well experienced to lead Vakrangee. He has 40 years of experience in various industries and has been with Blue Dart since 1992 and he moved to the position of Managing Director since 2007. Under his leadership and guidance, Blue Dart was able to broaden its strategic focus from being an air express company to a full-fledged logistics organization offering a wide range of products and services, as well as Industry specific solutions in air and ground express segments. He was also responsible for developing business potential, driving strong revenue growths and enhancing service quality. He has proven his capabilities in leading his team to achieve exceptional business results. He has been awarded as Enterprising CEO of the year - Brand Leadership Award. He has also been awarded as Leadership awards - The Greatest Corporate Leaders of India 2013. He is a graduate from St Stephen's College, Delhi and holds an MBA degree in Marketing and Finance from UBS, Chandigarh. Strategy Update: Operation Update on Nexten Kendras: After successful launch in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) & National Capital Region (NCR), Vakrangee has launched 3,300+ Nextgen Vakrangee Kendras across India on 14th January 2019. These Nextgen Vakrangee Kendras offer a comprehensive range of products and services across banking, insurance, ATM, assisted e-Commerce, e-Governance, Financial services and Logistics. These Nextgen outlets are spread across 19 states, 350+ districts and 2,000+ postal codes of the country, out of which more than 70% outlets are from Tier 5 and Tier 6 cities and towns. Financial Guidance: During the current financial year, FY2018-19 the entire focus is on upgradation of existing Kendras into Nextgen Vakrangee Kendras. Financials in the current quarter have seen the maximum impact of the Up-gradation exercise with Revenues and Profitability being materially impacted. Financials would start improving from March quarter onwards as more and more Nextgen outlets become operational and mature. The Company continues to maintain a robust balance sheet with Debt free status and entire Capex being funded through internal accruals. Nextgen Upgradation Status: Currently there is a clear visibility of 15,000 incremental franchisees who have agreed to upgrade to Nextgen format. Vakrangee's planned target is to reach at least 25,000 operational Nextgen Vakrangee Kendras by FY 2019-20 and further enhance it to reach 45,000 Nextgen outlet by FY 2020-21 and 75,000 by FY2021-22. About Vakrangee Limited (BSE Code: 511431) (NSE Code: VAKRANGEE) Incorporated in 1990, Vakrangee is the unique technology driven company focused on building India's largest network of last-mile retail outlets to deliver real-time banking & Financial Services, ATM, insurance, e-governance, e-commerce and logistics services to the unserved rural, semi-urban and urban markets. The Assisted Digital Convenience stores are called as "Vakrangee Kendra" which acts as the "One-stop shop" for availing various services and products. Vakrangee has been at the forefront in financial inclusion space in India. It has signed "Common BC" and "National BC" agreements with various public sector banks for offering real-time banking to unserved and underserved rurban population. Banking at "Vakrangee Kendra" outlets is a unique experience with disruptive technology like APS, e-KYC, inter-operability and real-time transactions. In addition to banking "Vakrangee Kendra" outlets also provide insurance products, e-governance services and ecommerce products. For further information, please contact at:

Chandrakant Pattade

Concept PR

Email: chandrakant@conceptpr.com

Email: investor@vakrangee.in

Mobile: +91-9930155711





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Hot Topics Recap: Government Shutdown

Following are the latest Government Shutdown news releases and story ideas for reporters, bloggers and media outlets. These recaps, curated by Business Wire, provide reporters and bloggers around the globe instant access to the latest news releases, providing relevant and trending content to share with their audiences. Discover more news via Business Wire's Hot Topic recaps or create a custom news feed specific to your needs here. This service is provided at no charge to members of the media and financial communities.

WASHINGTON--GEICO Donates $75,000 to Help Furloughed Government Employees Source (News - Alert) : GEICO

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J.--Food Banks Impacted by Government Shutdown Receive Unilever Product Donation Valued at Over $2 Million Source: Unilever

SALISBURY, N.C.--Food Lion Donates Nearly $18,000 in Food and In-Store Gift Cards to Feeding America Food Bank Partners to Nourish Hungry Neighbors Source: Food Lion

LOS ANGELES--Despite U.S. Government Partial Shutdown, Corporate Professionals Still Believe Their Jobs Are Less Secure than Those of Federal Workers, According to Korn Ferry Survey Source: Korn Ferry

IRVINE, Calif.--QuickBridge Infographic Addresses Challenges Faced by Small Businesses During the Government Shutdown Source: QuickBridge

LOS ANGELES--VCA Animal Hospitals Offers Federal Employees Flexible Payment Plans for Pets Needing Veterinary Care Source: VCA Animal Hospitals

LONG BEACH, Calif.--Beach Front Property Management Offers Rent, Food and Utilities Aid to Federal Employee Residents in Southern California Affected by the Shutdown Source: Beach Front Property Management, Inc.

NEW YORK--KBRA Releases Comment - "Keep Those Trains, Planes & Autos Running: Gov't Shutdown Not Critical  Yet" Source: Kroll Bond Rating Agency

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--Intuit Donates $2 Million to Local Food Banks to Assist U.S. Federal Workers Source: Intuit (News - Alert) Inc.

MINNEAPOLIS--Highland Bank Launches Loan Relief Program to Help Furloughed Federal Workers Navigate Uncertainty During Government Shutdown Source: Highland Bank

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va.--Liberty Tax to Provide Immediate Relief for Federal Workers Furloughed or Working Without Pay Due to Government Shutdown Source: Liberty Tax, Inc.

RESTON, Va.--Plutos Sama Holdings, Inc. Newest Acquisition, Vapiano, Pays It Forward to TSA Workers Impacted by Government Shutdown Source: Plutos Sama Holdings, Inc.

ALEXANDRIA, Va.--United Way Establishes United for U.S. Fund to Benefit Workers Impacted by Government Shutdown Source: United Way Worldwide

WASHINGTON--New Report Provides FBI Agents' First-Hand Accounts of How the Government Shutdown Impacts FBI Operations Source: FBI Agents Association

SALT LAKE CITY--Venafi Gives Complimentary Doughnuts and Coffee to Federal Workers Source: Venafi

FRESNO, Calif.--Local Credit Unions Help Members Affected by Partial Government Shutdown Source: Educational Employees Credit Union

WASHINGTON--Consumer Finance Companies Activate Customer Assistance Initiatives Source: American Financial Services Association (AFSA)







ORLANDO, Fla.--IZEA Offers Payment Acceleration to Creators Affected by the Government Shutdown Source: IZEA Worldwide, Inc.

JERICHO, N.Y.--JFK Travel Plaza's 7-Eleven is Helping Federal Employee's During Partial Governmental Shutdown Source: JFK Travel Plaza

WATERTOWN, Mass.--Sick Over the Government Shutdown? 74% of Primary Care Physicians Report Their Patients Are Affected by It, According to Data from InCrowd Source: InCrowd

ALEXANDRIA, Va.--United for U.S. Coalition Grows Source: United Way Worldwide

SEATTLE--Washington Federal Announces a Quick 90-Day Interest-Free Loan to Help Americans During the Federal Government Shutdown Source: Washington Federal, Inc.

DALLAS--Baron & Budd Accepting Cases from Federal Contractors Who Worked without Pay Source: Baron & Budd, P.C.

NEW YORK--OneMain Financial Extends Relief to Customers Impacted by Government Shutdown with Borrower's Assistance Program Source: OneMain Financial

SAN FRANCISCO--Wells Fargo Supports Customers and Communities During Federal Government Shutdown Source: Wells Fargo (News - Alert) & Company

PITTSBURGH & CHICAGO--Kraft Opens Grocery Store to Support Government Workers Source: The Kraft Heinz Company

LOS ANGELES--In the Midst of the Government Shutdown, Economic Optimism Dips Slightly According to Latest IBD/TIPP Poll Source: Investor's Business Daily

SACRAMENTO, Calif.--Government Shutdown Has No Impact on Romaine Safety as Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement Works Even Harder to Prevent Future Outbreaks Source: California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement

DALLAS--Baron & Budd is Accepting Cases for Federal Employees Who Worked During the Shutdown without Being Paid on Time as They May Be Owed Additional Money beyond the Regular Wages Source: Baron & Budd, P.C.

NEW YORK--OneMain Financial Extends Relief to Customers Impacted by Government Shutdown with Borrower's Assistance Program Source: OneMain Financial

ALEXANDRIA, Va.--United Way Worldwide Launches 'United for U.S.' Coalition to Help Those Impacted by Government Shutdown Source: United Way Worldwide

CHARLOTTE, N.C.--Bank of America Contacts Clients Affected by Government Shutdown Source: Bank of America

MINNEAPOLIS--U.S. Bank Launches New Low-Rate, Quick Loan for Customers Needing Assistance During Federal Government Shutdown Source: U.S. Bank

BOSTON--Indigo Ag, Inc. Shares January Corn and Soybean Yield Forecasts for the Americas to Help Global Grower Community Navigate Market During US Government Shutdown Source: Indigo Ag, Inc.

ALEXANDRIA, Va.--Iraq War Veteran Pledges to Hire Government Employees, Veterans Affected by Shutdown Source: Two Marines Moving

PHOENIX--APS Announces Bill Assistance for Federal Employees Affected by Shutdown Source: APS

PARKVILLE, Mo.--Park University to Assist U.S. Coast Guard Students During Federal Government Shutdown Source: Park University

DOWNERS GROVE, Ill.--Roadrunner Revises Timing of Rights Offering; Change in Timing Due Entirely to Partial Government Shutdown Source: Roadrunner Transportation Systems, Inc.

CHICAGO--ComEd Reminds Customers of Important Energy Assistance Options Source: ComEd

NEW YORK--KBRA Releases Report: Federal Shutdown Opens the Door to Greater Fiscal Risk for Municipalities Source: Kroll Bond Rating Agency (KBRA)

FORT WORTH, Texas--First Command Will Cover Coast Guard Pay During Government Shutdown Source: First Command Financial Services, Inc.

VIENNA, Va.--Navy Federal Extends Paycheck Relief to Those Affected by Government Shutdown Source: Navy Federal Credit Union

FORT WORTH, Texas--First Command Will Cover Federal Pay During Government Shutdown Source: First Command Financial Services, Inc.

NEW YORK--Chase to Assist Federal Employees Affected by Government Shutdown Source: Chase

RESTON, Va.--Access National Bank Offers Support to Businesses Affected by Potential Government Shutdown or Disruption Source: Access National Bank

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GEICO Donates $75,000 to Help Furloughed Government Employees

GEICO, the nation's second largest auto insurance company, has made a combined contribution of $75,000 to support local and national programs assisting those impacted by the partial federal government shutdown. The donations will go to the Washington, D.C.-based Capital Area Food Bank as part of a program called "Driven to Shutdown Hunger," and to FEEA, The Federal Employee Education and Assistance Fund.

In the local Washington, D.C. area, the GEICO Philanthropic Foundation partnered with the Capital Area Food Bank to contribute $50,000 for Driven to Shutdown Hunger, which will serve 125,000 meals to impacted furloughed workers across D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. The program provides free mobile pop-up markets across the DMV, offering produce and shelf-stable items for those who have been affected by the shutdown.

In addition, the company donated $25,000 to FEEA's program providing micro grants to some of the lowest income federal employees across the country who are furloughed or working in excepted status. The grants are available nationwide and will be disbursed by FEEA.

"GEICO has a long history of serving government employees and their families. We're also offering alternative payment schedules and/or deferred payments for those impacted," said Bill Roberts, GEICO's president and CEO. "For those policyholders who have been affected, we're here to help make it a little easier."







About GEICO

GEICO (Government Employees Insurance Company), the second-largest auto insurer in the U.S., was founded in 1936 and insures more than 27 million vehicles.

To make changes, report claims, print insurance cards and purchase additional products, policyholders can access their insurance policy here, connect via GEICO Mobile, phone or by visiting a GEICO local agent.

Homeowners, renters, condo, flood, identity theft and term life coverages are written through non-affiliated insurance companies and are secured through the GEICO Insurance Agency, Inc. Commercial auto and personal umbrella coverages are also available.

Visit www.geico.com for a quote or to learn more.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190125005052/en/
[January 25, 2019] LEXON Writes a New Chapter in Its History by Joining BOW Group

BOW Group announces the acquisition of French lifestyle brand LEXON in order to diversify its portfolio beyond the Internet of Things. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190124005886/en/ Mina, Mino, Mino X et Mino L. Design by Manuella Simonelli et Andrea Quaglio (Photo: LEXON) LEXON, with 28 years of existence, more than 180 design awards, successful collaborations with some of the most prestigious designers, presence in 90 countries, over 6,000 point of sales and a prosperous activity in corporate gifts, has established itself as a worldly-known French design brand. LEXON's collections of timeless objects and luggage, designed for the home, office, travel or urban nomadism, combine a strong identity with simplicity of use, a daily aesthetic pleasure for consumers. Some of LEXON's iconic products are featured in the permanent collection of world-class museums such as MoMA in New York and Centre Pompidou in Paris. The most prestigious design boutiques including the Fondation Louis Vuitton, Le Bon Marche, the MoMA Design store, have confirmed the brand's international presence. Among LEXON's best-sellers we can mention Tykho radio, Flip alarm clock, Airline luggage and Mino portable speaker, its latest success with over 500,000 pieces already sold in less than a year.



Boris Brault, Founder and Chairman of BOW Group says:  LEXON is an iconic French company: its lifestyle aesthetic, combined with an expertise in creating desirable yet affordable objects aligns with our ambition to conquer the market of lifestyle consumer products, together with sister brand MyKronoz, which has convinced more than 3 million users in less than 5 years. Today, we plan to build upon LEXON's strong foundations to seize significant market opportunities. Having LEXON among BOW Group will bring an incredible design heritage and provide additional growth through diversification."

By joining BOW Group, LEXON will benefit from the group's existing platforms, such as its Shenzhen-based R&D center of about 40 engineers and manufacturing capabilities named BOW Industries, a strong network of online and offline sales channels and an effective digital set-up. One of the first objectives is to expand its commercial activity and increase brand exposure notably through the launch of a new e-commerce website. LEXON Founder Rene Adda, who joins BOW Group executive team as Chief Design Officer and remains partner says: "This operation marks for Lexon an incredible milestone to reach our full potential. I'm thrilled to join BOW Group with whom we share the same entrepreneurial spirit, passion for design and a consumer-driven approach. This integration will give a new momentum to LEXON by accelerating presence in untapped channels and countries through selective distribution. In addition, leveraging BOW's existing R&D and supply chain infrastructure will incredibly facilitate our product development and then our scaling strategy." About BOW Group

BOW Group is a global player in lifestyle consumer products, operating worldwide in the design and wearables markets with its 2 brands: MyKronoz and LEXON. BOW Group has now more than 100 talents spread across four office locations: Paris, Geneva, Miami and Shenzhen. Since July 2015, BOW has opened up its capital to Next Stage AM, then, in 2017 to PM Equity Partner - the corporate venture fund of Philip Morris International. MyKronoz ZeTime has convinced over 40,000 backers in more than 100 countries and became the world's highest funded hybrid smartwatch with more than $8 million raised, as well as the largest crowdfunding campaign ever from a European company and the most backed product of 2017 on Kickstarter. Since its foundation in 2013, MyKronoz has sold more than 3 million wearables and established itself as a fierce challenger to both tech and traditional watchmakers. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190124005886/en/

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[January 24, 2019] Contentos was invited to Binance's blockchain week

SINGAPORE, Jan. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- On 21-22 January 2019, Contentos (COS) was one of the top projects invited to Binance Blockchain Week to educate the masses around how the company finds ways to grow a sustainable blockchain ecosystem. Contentos had a booth at the event to promote COS and announce its most recent partnerships and product developments. With attendees driving significant foot traffic and expressing a high level of interest to the booth, COS was no doubt one of the most popular blockchain projects at the event. Practitioners and aficionados around the world gathered to learn about COS' blockchain technology, ecolgical integration with Binance and its investment footprint.



Mick Tsai, co-founder of COS, attended the VIP Gala Dinner alongside some of the influential thought leaders such as Justin Sun (CEO of Tron) and Changpeng Zhang (CEO of Binance) from top the blockchain projects. Along with these industry leaders, COS discussed and addressed innovative solutions around the industry's hottest topics relating to privacy protection, identity, and rights management within the content industry. COS' debut at the event marks another milestone for the organization as it is stacked up against some of the leading protocols in the industry. COS is backed by venture funds such as IDG, Gobi as well as blockchain projects such as Ontology, DHVC, Binance Labs, Node and LD Capital. Since its inception in May 2018, COS has jumped through various technical hurdles by modeling Steem's public chain infrastructure framework. Supporters standing behind COS are LiveMe, Cheez and PhotoGrid, which have amassed over 1 million creators and nearly 60 million monthly active global users.

COS will continue to pursue the design philosophy of developing a protocol for the content industry by staying committed to building up a world-leading content public blockchain and ecosystem. SOURCE Contentos

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[January 24, 2019] Chazey Partners and AntWorks Partner to Enable Scalable, Enterprise-wide, End-to-end, Intelligent Automation for Customers Globally

PALO ALTO, California, January 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Chazey Partners, a global management consulting firm, is delighted to announce a new partnership with AntWorks, a provider of fully integrated Intelligent Automation solutions, powered by fractal science. This new partnership is representative of the two organizations' aligned view that intelligent automation solutions are best designed to transform entire end-to-end processes, and deliver enterprise-wide scalability for customers, as opposed to solely focusing on discrete activities. (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/766766/AntWorks_Logo.jpg )

Chazey Partners has entered into a partnership with AntWorks, provider of integrated artificial intelligence and intelligent automation solutions, to deliver on the promise of enterprise-wide, scalable, intelligent automation, combined with increased data ingestion accuracy, and low/no coding requirements. Through this partnership, Chazey Partners and AntWorks will drive further value for clients in North America and around the World, using AntWorks' full stack, integrated Intelligent Automation solutions, designed to increase the ability to scale results across whole enterprises at less cost, increased speed and with greater accuracy. In contrast to traditional RPA tools (now increasingly becoming referred to in industry as Gen 1.0 technology) AntWorks' Gen 2.0 solutions integrate a suite of AI technologies, including machine vision, machine learning, deep learning and natural language modelling (NLM), natural language processing (NLP) and natural language generation (NLG). This integrated approach to intelligent automaton also leverages Cognitive Machine Reading to allow data to become ingested in any form (including structured, semi-structured, unstructured, inferred and images) which radically improves the quality and accuracy of data being used at the start of the automation process.



"At Chazey Partners we are delighted with this new partnership. AntWorks' is a leader in the Intelligent Automation, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, space, which is growing rapidly and offering significant benefits to businesses everywhere," stated Phil Searle, Founder and CEO of Chazey Partners. "We are excited to leverage AntWorks' technology as part of our solution toolkit, to continue to improve and enhance automation of end-to-end processes for our clients, delivering dramatic payback and enabling better, more intuitive and faster decision making." AntWorks CEO and Co-Founder, Asheesh Mehra, commented, "Our philosophy at AntWorks has always been to approach automation from the perspective of the process owner. We have absolute confidence that our integrated platform offers enterprises a truly unique solution to automating business processes end-to-end. We are delighted that Chazey Partners, renowned for their practitioner-based expertise in business service delivery and continuous process improvement, has chosen to partner with AntWorks to ensure we can transform our clients' digital journeys seamlessly together."

About Chazey Partners ?Chazey Partners is a practitioners-led global management consulting firm supporting Shared Services, Business Transformation and Intelligent Automation. Chazey Partners' Automation Methodology can support all phases of your automation transformation to ensure an appropriate strategy and program for delivering tangible, lasting benefits and return on investment. We pride ourselves in helping businesses and public sector organizations achieve operational excellence in the delivery of mission-critical business services; including Finance, HR, IT, Procurement, Facilities Management, Customer Helpdesk, and many other support services. For over 14 years, Chazey Partners has helped our clients implement successful service delivery solutions in the US & Canada, Latin America, Europe, Middle East, Africa, Oceania and Asia. Leverage our experience for your success. For additional information please visit us at http://www.chazeypartners.com . About AntWorks AntWorks[TM] are a global, artificial intelligence (AI) and intelligent automation company; creating new possibilities with data through digitization, automation, and enterprise intelligence. As the World's only platform that understands every data type, ANTstein digitizes every bit of information for a diverse range of industries. By creating human-like bots in a low-code / no-code environment, ANTstein innovates new ways to automate complex processes. AntWorks' solutions power up enterprises with accurate insights through an integrated, intelligent, technology stack that automates and learns independently. Put simply, it accelerates the new, constantly. ANTstein is also the first and singular Enterprise Intelligent Automation Platform powered by fractal science principles and pattern recognition.

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[January 24, 2019] More than 30 Packed Technical Sessions, Nearly 180 Exhibitors and Outstanding Keynotes at the 2019 BICSI Winter Conference & Exhibition

ORLANDO, Fla., Jan. 24, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- BICSI, the association advancing the information and communications technology (ICT) community, hosted its annual Winter Conference & Exhibition in Orlando, Florida. ICT professionals from all over the world traveled to the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center for the ultimate BICSI conference experience. BICSI President Jeff Beavers, RCDD, OSP, CFHP, officially opened the conference Tuesday morning, highlighting conference activities and noting some of BICSI's latest educational releases, as well as milestone accomplishments achieved in 2018. Highlights included a Provisional License approval from the Florida Department of Education's Commission for Independent Education for its Cabling Installation, Design and Project Management Programs; the release of the 6th edition Outside Plant Design Reference Manual which won the 2017-2018 Award of Merit in the Society for Technical Communication's (STC) Technical Communications Competition; the creation of a new Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) Region; and the launch of BICSI Project Refresh  a complete renoation of BICSI's World Headquarters in Tampa, Florida.



The Exhibit Hall was full of activity as nearly 180 exhibitors showcased the latest technical products and solutions in the ICT industry. The New Product Pavilion was a crowd favorite as attendees got an up-close look at emerging telecommunications technologies. Best in Show, as voted by attendees, was awarded to AFL and their FOCIS Lightning MPO Fiber Inspection System. Also featured was the First-Time Exhibitor Pavilion, where exhibitors brand new to BICSI Conferences were showcased. Plus, the BICSI Theater made its debut at a Winter Conference. Here, attendees enjoyed brief presentations on the latest ICT products during "What's New? What's It Do?" demonstrations.

The conference continued with Opening Keynote Speaker Shelly Palmer and technical sessions. Named LinkedIn's #1 Voice in Technology for 2017, Palmer shared his insights on digital media and technologies that are transforming the way we live and work. Conference sessions that followed included presentations on intelligent buildings, Internet of Things (IoT), data centers, smart buildings, Power over Ethernet (PoE), international ICT markets, and even the millennial RCDD. The 2019 BICSI Winter Conference continued Wednesday and Thursday with technical presentations, the Annual Awards Banquet and Closing Keynote Speaker Admiral Mike "Wizzard" McCabe who enlightened the audience with his storied experience and passion to helping teams and leaders. About BICSI BICSI is a professional association supporting the advancement of the information and communications technology (ICT) community. ICT covers the spectrum of voice, data, electronic safety & security, project management and audio & video technologies. Headquartered in Tampa, Florida, USA, BICSI membership spans nearly 100 countries. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/more-than-30-packed-technical-sessions-nearly-180-exhibitors-and-outstanding-keynotes--at-the-2019-bicsi-winter-conference--exhibition-300784118.html SOURCE BICSI

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Farmington, WV (26555)

Today

Thunderstorms likely. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 79F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms likely. Low 67F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%.
They served their tours of duty. They were sent to volatile places around the globe. Many of them experienced things that most of us cannot imagine.

Now, many of them are home and it's up to the rest of us to open our arms, make room, show support.

Join us on Feb. 28 for an event that will focus on the challenges and successes of local veterans as they make the transition from military to civilian life.

One such veteran is Norman C. Massry, decorated veteran of the Gulf War and Colonie town justice. He will be the keynote speaker at the event.

Massry is a 1986 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He spent a year in South Korea flying helicopters along the demilitarized zone with North Korea.

Following the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990, Massry was sent to Saudi Arabia as an air battle captain. There he directed the operations of an Apache helicopter unit against the Iraqi army. For his meritorious service, Massry received the Bronze Star Medal, the Air Medal and the Kuwait Liberation Medal.

Massry got a law degree from the University of New Hampshire School of Law and has practiced law in the Capital Region for 22 years. Today, he is serving in his third term on the bench in Colonie.

The Feb. 28 event will also include a panel, a question and answer period and various military service-related experts.

This is the second annual event.
FORT EDWARD - A Vermont woman who was allegedly collecting benefits from Washington County Department of Social Services was arrested Wednesday, Washington County Sheriff's Office said.

Kathleen Rozell, 35, of Fair Haven was arrested when she came into the county office building after allegedly filing false information, including that she was a resident of New York state on June 30, 2016. Based on the false information, deputies said she allegedly received $4,021 in Medicaid benefits she wasn't entitled to.
Deputy Defence Minister Vinh stressed that there is great potential for defence cooperation between Vietnam and Canada, and suggested enhancing bilateral partnership in training, settlement of war consequences, United Nations peacekeeping activities and defence industry, which he said will not only help strengthen both countries security and defence but also contribute to maintaining security in Asia-the Pacific.

The Vietnamese Deputy Defence Minister also affirmed that Vietnam support Canadas participation in the ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting Plus (ADMM+).

Joyce informed his host of the outcomes of his working session with the Vietnamese Defence Ministrys Foreign Relations Department, and expressed his hope that the defence cooperation between the two countries will continue to see positive development in the time ahead.

He thanks the Vietnamese Defence Ministry and Deputy Minister Vinh for supporting Canadas participation in the ADMM+, and pledged to do his best in his capacity to foster the Canada-Vietnam defence relations.
BALLSTON LAKE  Every day at lunchtime, Oscar Mejia takes a break from his landscaping job to call his wife in Guatemala. The 45-year-old sends almost all of what he earns back home to pay for university for his daughter studying to be a doctor and private school for his two younger teenagers.

For the past three years, Mejia has entered the U.S. on an H-2B visa sponsored by his employer, Blue Spruce Nursery. The visa lets him work for eight months as a seasonal employee doing non-agricultural work.

He would rather work in Guatemala and live with his family, but compared to home, where he said most people are self-employed and applicants can wait for a day in line to apply for a limited number of jobs, this is the best option.

"Some people wait for this opportunity their whole life," said Mejia, wiping clean his grease-stained hands as he took a break from maintaining a tractor in the Ballston Lake garage. "When you finally get the opportunity, you have to make sure that every penny that they pay for us, we bring it back with good work, not just work."

For his employers Robert and Anita Daly, who since 1986 have run Blue Spruce Nursery, Mejia and other seasonal foreign workers are increasingly vital to their business. The Dalys hire around a dozen people year-round and expand to 35 during the busy summer season, including a dozen H-2B visa workers.

With low unemployment in the Capital Region, they struggle to find local employees willing to do the hard outdoor work the job demands.

"Forget the fact that people don't want to work, there just aren't enough bodies in the U.S. to fulfill the workforce needs, therefore we must import temporary seasonal labor," Anita Daly said.

This year, local business owners like landscapers and horse trainers who depend on the H-2B visa program fear how they will fill jobs as the government caps visas and implements a new processing system that has increased a backlog.

Congress has set the cap for H-2B visas at 66,000 per year, split in half between the summer and winter seasons. Last year, with employers facing a crunch, Congress delegated authority to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to decide whether to grant more visas. DHS authorized an extra 15,000 visas in the spring. They filled up in five days.

This year, the government implemented a new system to process applications on a first-come, first-serve basis. On Jan. 1, the Department of Labor received an "unprecedented demand" of 96,400 worker requests, the agency's website reported. That's three times more applications than visas available for the upcoming season.

The department's servers crashed. The system was restored a week later, but even with additional servers added, there were still so many system errors that many employers couldn't submit their applications until hours after the filing period opened  possibly shutting them out of the process altogether  said Leonard D'Arrigo, an attorney with Albany-based Whiteman Osterman & Hanna, which maintains one of the country's largest seasonal visa practices.

After the Department of Labor accepts applications, employers are required to advertise in two newspaper ads to make sure there are no U.S. workers to fill the position. Last year the government proposed moving ads online. Approved applications are passed along to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for processing. The Department of State issues the final visas.

After President Donald Trump's "Buy American, Hire American" executive order in April 2017, USCIS has been thoroughly reviewing employment based visa programs "so they benefit the American people to the greatest extent possible," according to spokesman Michael Bars.

It isn't cheap to hire through H-2B. D'Arrigo explained it can cost upwards of $8,000 dollars for attorney fees, filing fees and advertising costs for multiple workers per season - plus another $1,000 at least per worker for consular fees and transportation to and from the U.S.

A seasonal manual labor shortage isn't new. Unemployment in the Capital region dipped below four percent last year and employers say less young people and students are taking on summer jobs.

"We realized 15 to 20 years ago we had a problem. The problem, to put it perfectly straight forward, is this is a business that American people generally don't want to be in," said horse trainer Gary Contessa. He hires 17 H-2B workers every year to take care of horses at the Saratoga Race Course.

"This job has become a key element for people from other countries because they're not afraid to work and they know the animals and are happy to be here," he said. "We will survive no matter what H-2B visas deals us. I prefer that the horses have the best available help, and the best available help coincides with H-2B."

Another horse trainer George Weaver hires 35 temporary foreign workers every year - some who have been coming for decades.

"I know there is a lot of tension over the issue of immigration but the reality is that there are many jobs out there that Americans are not going to do. It doesn't matter how much you pay them," Weaver said. "You're just not going to find Americans to do the job."

"If this program wasn't in existence, I don't know what we would do," Weaver said. "There is no back-up plan."

With the H-2B system growing more unpredictable and the labor need still dire, some employers are going even farther: D'Arrigo said he is helping one local company sponsor more than a dozen green cards for permanent residency.

The Dalys are sponsoring a green card for Mejia so he can work for them year-round. While his application is pending, he has a work permit to stay on at Blue Spruce Nursery.

But his goal isn't to bring his family to the U.S., except to visit, because he loves his home country.

"My country is a dangerous country, but I think it's the most beautiful country of all the world," he said.

The danger, he said, are gangs. His wife travels on the bus to school with his two younger children to make sure they're safe.

"If you want your son out of gangs, you need to take care of them full-time. You just close your eyes and one gang member is taking care of your son," he said.

In addition to supporting his family, he's used extra money to pave and widen the road in his hometown.

"If everyone makes a little bit in his own community, we can be better," he said. "If you have work in your country and you can stay with your family, I don't think anybody wants to leave."

Editor's note: This article has been corrected to state that applications for H-2B visas are processed by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services but issued by the Department of State. It has also been corrected to explain that while Congress sets the yearly visa cap, they delegated the authority to the Department of Homeland Security who decided to grant extra visas last year.
SCHENECTADY  For a few hours Friday, city officials and residents of the city's Stockade watched and hoped the rising Mohawk River would not send water pouring into the neighborhood.

The river, swelled by Thursday's rain and the rapid melting of ice and snow upstream, rose through the morning and nearly hit flood stage. The extra water and swift moving ice chunks fueled fear the river would be blocked at a nearby train bridge or Freenman's Bridge
Schools in outlying parts of the Capital Region are delaying the start of classes while road crews drop salt on roads left slick when Thursday's rain and melted snow left roads covered in ice.

SEE DELAYS AND CLOSURES

The delays are scattered at spots in western Schenectady County, eastern Rensselaer County, Columbia County and Greene County.

Schools in Washington County were also delayed.

New York State Mesonet posted a video on Facebook taken in Saranac on Wednesday that showed trees weighed down with snow, and the branches returning to their upright position when the snow turns to rain.
ALBANY - The first major batch of gun control measures since the passage of the SAFE Act six years ago are scheduled for a vote in both house of the state Legislature next week.

The legislation would enable New Yorkers to seek a court order to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people, ban bump stocks, prohibit teachers from being armed in schools, impose storage regulations, provide funding for gun buyback programs, extend the period for completing background checks and criminalize the sale and possession of guns that are undetectable by metal detectors.

"Overall, this will give New York a clear, comprehensive framework to make sure dangerous weapons aren't getting in the hands of dangerous people," said Sen. Todd Kaminsky, a Long Island Democrat.

The bills, which are scheduled to move through the committee process on Monday and receive floor votes on Tuesday, have riled up Republican lawmakers and gun control opponents, who characterize the proposals as a violation of the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

In recent years, significant gun safety measures had died in the Republican-controlled Senate, although they did allow the SAFE Act to reach the floor in 2013 following the Sandy Hook massacre. Last year, tighter gun restrictions for domestic abusers were also tucked into the budget process.

The most controversial new proposal is known as the "Red Flag" bill, which authorizes certain New Yorkers, including teachers, police officers or a person's family member, to petition a court to

have an individual's access to guns temporarily suspended if it's decided they're at risk of harming themselves or others.

Kaminsky said the bill includes meaningful "safeguards of due process," including putting the burden of proof on the petitioner and not the gun owner.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Cuomo described the legislation as an improvement to the SAFE Act.

In response to next week's agenda, Sen. Daphne Jordan, a Halfmoon Republican, is encouraging New Yorkers to voice their opposition. Jordan distributed an email and social media post with contact information for the bills' sponsors.

Jordan, whose office said she was unavailable to comment on Friday, described the legislation as a "GUN GRAB" in her external communications.

"The Senate Democrats may have a numeric majority, but the overwhelming majority of New Yorkers stand with us," she wrote.

The senator's claim is in sharp contrast to a Quinnipiac University poll released earlier this week which found that 64 percent of New York voters support "stricter gun laws." Upstate voters are divided on the issue, with a slim majority  50 percent  opposing additional measures.

The poll also found that 84 percent of New Yorkers back the "Red Flag" bill.

"We have proven that gun safety laws are needed and I think we have also proven that gun safety laws exist without the fear of the slippery slope," Cuomo said.

David.Lombardo@timesunion.com - 518.454.5427 - @poozer87
Jayme Closs, the 13-year-old girl who spent 88 days in captivity after her parents were shot dead in northwest Wisconsin, will receive $25,000 in reward money pledged for information leading to her safe return.

Hormel Foods, a Fortune 500 company based in Minnesota, put up the money last October, doubling the reward promised by the FBI after Closs disappeared on Oct. 15. The girl's parents had worked for a local turkey plant operated by Jennie-O Turkey Store, which is a Hormel subsidiary.

As the community reeled from news of the disappearance, the company helped coordinate the response, including a tree-lighting ceremony before Christmas. Meanwhile, a manhunt involving local, state and federal authorities drew thousands of tips and inspired volunteers to participate in a massive ground search. Jayme's image was plastered across the state, and her visage became known nationwide.

The 13-year-old went unseen until Jan. 10, when she appeared in a wooded area about an hour north of Barron, Wisconsin, the girl's hometown. She freed herself from a cabin in Gordon, Wisconsin, where authorities said she had been held by Jake Patterson, 21, who has been charged with first-degree murder and kidnapping.

Jayme approached a woman walking her dog. The woman rushed her to the nearest home, where seeing the young girl was "like seeing a ghost," according to the local couple that answered the door. They called 911.

The couple said they had no interest in the reward money, raising the question: Who would reap the financial benefit from Jayme's discovery? Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald, who was at the center of the investigation, called Jayme the "hero in the case," suggesting that if the money were to be distributed, the victim herself was owed a share.

That was the conclusion reached by Jim Snee, Hormel's CEO. The FBI has not said what the agency plans to do with the $25,000 it pledged in the case.

"On behalf of the entire Jennie-O and Hormel Foods family, we are overjoyed at the news of Jayme's safe return," Snee said in a statement on Wednesday. "Her bravery and strength have truly inspired our team members around the world. Barron is an incredibly strong community and one that never lost hope. We celebrated with the community, and the world, that Jayme is home."

Steve Lykken, the president of Jennie-O Turkey Store, said he hoped that the money would go into a trust fund supporting "Jayme's needs today and in the future."

"While we are still mourning the loss of longtime family members Jim and Denise, we are so thankful for Jayme's brave escape and that she is back in Barron," Lykken said.

Jayme's aunts and other family members celebrated her safe return this month.

"It's such an overwhelming, amazing happy ending to such a horrible beginning," Lynn Closs, an aunt, told "CBS This Morning" in the family's first television interview after welcoming the 13-year-old home.

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Video: A months-long manhunt ended Jan. 10 after 13-year-old Jayme Closs, who went missing for three months after her parents were murdered, fled her captor and sought help east of Gordon, Wis.(Allie Caren/The Washington Post)

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ALBANY  Some of the vessels that broke free during an ice jam on the Hudson River overnight might not have been there if wintertime storage had been available as usual along the Erie Canal in Waterford.

The New York Power Authority, which in 2017 took control of the canal system, said Friday that is was not ending a longstanding practice that allowed vessels to be stored during the winter in dewatered sections of the canal.

But on Friday, three people in the marine industry familiar with the situation  all of whom asked that their names not be used for fear of angering the agency  said owners who had stored vessels along the 1.5-mile Waterford Flight of five locks had been told by canal officials that the practice was being ended.

Boats had previously been stored between five locks in what's known as the Waterford Flight, where the vessels would rest on the canal bottom once water had been drained at the end of the boating season.

Such vessels would not have been exposed to the ice jam that dislodged seven vessels along the Hudson on Friday morning.

When asked about the storage situation, NYPA spokesman Steven Gosset initially responded that, "The Canal Corporation did not receive any requests from commercial vessel operators to store boats in the Waterford flight this winter." Gosset later clarified he had been referring to written requests.

But Gosset later offered the Times Union a different explanation: The Waterford Flight was not available for winter storage this season because of construction activities. Once that work is done this summer, he added, the flight should again be available for storage next winter.

He said NYPA had no records indicating it had informed boat owners about the lack of storage space in the Waterford Flight.

Some vessel owners who sought storage from canal officials this season were instead directed to Lock 5 along the Champlain Canal in the Saratoga County town of Schuyerville.

One marine customer in the Capital Region who requested anonymity said he had asked this fall about canal storage in the Waterford flight for this winter season, and was told by officials that the practice had been discontinued.

One of those vessels involved in Friday's incident on the Hudson that had been stored in the Waterford Flight during past winters was the Rusty Anchor, a tavern barge that spends its summer season anchored at Hudson Shores Park in Watervliet. The barge was among several vessels that were swept off their moorings by a wall of moving ice fueled by recent rains.

Attempts to reach Rusty Anchor owner Kevin Schufelt for comment Friday were not successful. It's unclear how many of the other boats that were carried down the river had ever sought winter storage in the Waterford Flight.

Robert Goldman, president of the New York State Marine Highway Transportation Co., said the ice jam was the largest that he had ever seen on the river.

"It was a wall of ice 1o to 15 feet tall," said Goldman, whose company ships barge cargoes on the river. "I have never seen anything like it. ... It broke away vessels that were secured with three-inch (diameter) mooring line."

That force broke loose a 65-foot tugboat, the Betty D, from Goldman's moorings in Troy, and swept the unmanned ship southward over the Federal Dam in Troy, which is the first lock for the Champlain Canal.

Three of Goldman's barges moored along the Troy seawall were ripped loose and pushed downriver by the ice jam. During past winters, unused barges have also been stored in the canal, according to people familiar with the situation.
Haunting mugshots capture Albany prison's history Thousands of photos from the 1900s illustrate the birth of jailhouse mugshots

Haunting mugshots capture Albany prison's history Thousands of photos from the 1900s illustrate the birth of jailhouse mugshots

ALBANY  George F. Donahoe stares sternly out from his 1903 mugshot, wearing a suit, a white shirt and a bow tie. His hair is closely cropped.

Donahoe, a 29-year-old pastry cook, had his picture taken at the Albany County Penitentiary after he was found guilty of "keeping a disorderly house," a brothel, and was sentenced to six months or a $250 fine.

Donahoe's countenance is one of 13,708 Bertillon Card File mugshots that have survived more than a century, finding a home in the Albany County Hall of Records after the sheriff's office sent them. Most mugshots get tossed, their subjects as forgotten as the crimes they committed. But in Albany, the printed mugshots, their cards detailing physical measurements and the glass plate negatives, survive.

Ambrose Arnold, Albany County Penitentiary. Crime: perjury. Term: 1 year and 1 day. (Albany County Hall of Records) Ambrose Arnold, Albany County Penitentiary. Crime: perjury. Term: 1 year and 1 day. (Albany County Hall of Records) Photo: Albany County Hall Of Records Photo: Albany County Hall Of Records Image 1 of / 81 Caption Close Photos: 19th-century Capital Region criminals 1 / 81 Back to Gallery

In an age when selfies are ubiquitous, it's easy to forget that mugshots were only gaining popularity a little more than a century ago and widespread photography was only just becoming popular with Kodak's introduction of its famous Brownie camera in 1900.

These are amazing. These may be the only photographs taken of them, said Rebecca Shevy, an archivist at the Hall of Records.

The photos and the information about the suspects resulted from the system developed by Alphonse Bertillon in the late 19th century. A French police officer and researcher, Bertillon combined photographs  giving birth to the mugshot  and anthropology to take physical measurements resulting in a scientific way for police to identify suspects and criminals.

Today, more than 130 years after Bertillon introduced his method in 1888, everyone knows what a mugshot is. You cant avoid seeing arrest photos. They pepper newspapers, television screens, internet news sites, and the Twitter accounts of police departments.

The poses used in the Bertillon mugshots  side profile and frontal, facing the camera  became readily recognizable. Those poses passed into popular culture  from mugshot photos of celebrities in custody to use in movies, music videos, and now in social media, said Frankie Bailey, a professor in the University at Albanys School of Criminal Justice.

The mugshots of 'wanted men,' and occasionally women, became iconic, used by Pinkerton, the FBI, and by the late 20th century on reality television shows  most famously, "America's Most Wanted"  and in local news," Bailey said. "But the mugshots also reinforced stereotypes of African-American men as offenders  much as 'perp walks' have done.

Bailey is an expert in crime history, crime in mass media/popular culture, detective fiction and crime and race and gender.

The Bertillon system was quickly embraced by novelists.

It was famous enough to become a part of popular culture, referenced in crime fiction by both Arthur Conan Doyle and Agatha Christie, Bailey said.

Frank Sinatra's mugshot from a 1938 arrest for adultery and seduction can be purchased as a poster for $9.99 on Amazon.

Today, the posting of mugshots on websites has become a commercial enterprise. Gov. Andrew Cuomo proposed this month halting the public release of mugshots and arrest information in an effort to counteract commercial sites that charge large fees to have the photos removed. Cuomo's proposal, an effort to amend the state Freedom of Information Law, is opposed by media organizations that believe it will stymie the release of information about the criminal justice system.

Albany Countys Bertillon mugshots were taken between 1892 to 1917, with most of the collection being compiled after 1896. New York state officially invested in the Bertillon System in 1896 when it created the Bureau of Identification in the state Department of Prisons and set up operations in the State Capitols Room 111, according to the state Division of Criminal Justice Services. It provided the first centralized tracking of criminals, who had been able to slip through the cracks in an era when police had no easily accessible way to check a suspect's criminal history.

A new law mandated photographing and measuring of inmates in prisons, jails and penitentiaries across the state. On Sept. 1, 1896, the state began photographing the 8,000 inmates in its prisons, according to DCJS. The practice has never stopped. In 2018, DCJS reported processing 401,650 arrests requiring fingerprinting and mugshots.

The system relied on the accuracy of 11 body measurements and the subclassifications that focused on the length of heads and cheek distance." Bailey said. "This was supposed to distinguish two people who might have looked much alike in mugshots."

It took up to 20 minutes to calculate all the Bertillon measurements for each inmate. The results can be seen in Albanys collection. Theres a strange similarity to each picture.

Every one of their heads are shaved and theyre wearing the same suit, Shevy said.

The male convicts wore the same suit jacket with a white shirt and tie. Female prisoners each wore the same dress. A male prisoners hair was cut short to assist in obtaining accurate measurements. Each woman's hair was pulled back for the camera.

The crimes that sent people to the Albany Penitentiary varied from the mundane such as vagrancy and train hopping to manslaughter, highway and post office robbery, child endangerment and larceny. Prisoners were also accused of perjury, fighting, intoxication, breaking into freight cars and disorderly conduct.

The jail held federal prisoners from around the country, inmates from other parts of the state and prisoners from across the Capital Region.

This is a record of the criminals from the small-time right up to the big ones, said Craig Carlson, deputy county clerk and director of the Hall of Records.

 John Fritz, 26, of Albany was sentenced in 1896 to 180 days for disorderly and contempt of court, according to his file card. A metal caster by profession, he had prior convictions of disorderly and assault.

 That same year, James A. Clarke, 45, a reporter from New York City, was sentenced to 6 years on a charge of assault to kill committed in Washington, D.C.

 Daniel Reardon, 24, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced in 1894 to 3 years for picking pockets and sent to Albany to serve his time. He worked as a stableman.

 Even southern moonshiners like William Cable, 25, of North Carolina ended up in Albany. A farmer, Cable was convicted of illicit distilling in 1895 and sent north for a 2-year prison sentence.

 Maggie Hickey, 27, a servant from New York City, was convicted of petit larceny in Saratoga in September 1903 at the end of the racing season.

While some crimes are unusual, Shevy points out that many of those whose files have survived were sentenced for being tramps, a rural crime, or vagrants, the urban counterpart. These were the homeless and unemployed of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Archivist Rebecca Shevy holds up the oldest mugshot they have of a man named Patrick Grant who was arrested in 1896 for assault in the third degree on Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2019 at the Albany County Hall of Records in Albany, N.Y. (Phoebe Sheehan/Times Union) less Archivist Rebecca Shevy holds up the oldest mugshot they have of a man named Patrick Grant who was arrested in 1896 for assault in the third degree on Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2019 at the Albany County Hall of ... more Photo: Phoebe Sheehan, Albany Times Union Buy photo Photo: Phoebe Sheehan, Albany Times Union Image 1 of / 20 Caption Close Haunting mugshots capture Albany prison's history 1 / 20 Back to Gallery

I noticed that wintertime is when theyre arrested, said Shevy, suggesting the homeless might have been seeking a warm place to stay during the coldest months.

But the Bertillon system was extremely complicated and not always accurate.

The users of the system needed to be highly trained and the instruments need to be properly calibrated. The system was not accurate for women and children, Bailey said.

Fingerprints eventually overtook mugshots as the most reliable way to identify people. Now, police and prosecutors favor DNA as the gold standard for identification.

The importance of mugshots at trials has faded with them being replaced by DNA and fingerprints in all but a limited number of instances, said Joseph Ahearn, a defense attorney and former prosecutor in Rensselaer County.

The only time they become relevant is when the defendant has changed his appearance since his arrest, Ahearn said. He cited a case where a defendant put on 60 pounds while awaiting trial in jail.

Mugshots remain part of the booking process, East Greenbush Chief Chris Lavin said. Youre fingerprinted and photographed. The images are filed with DCJS, Lavin said.

Its all digital. Detectives can type in a description of a suspect and create an array of photos showing similar people to see if witnesses can pick out crime suspects.

In the investigative phase, Lavin said, Mugshots are still effective.

Police departments no longer rely on books of mugshots that are a staple of police shows and movies. Lavin said his agency no longer has any of the old books of printed pictures to be reviewed.

When it comes to investigations, mugshots are still important. You have to have a starting point, said Cohoes Assistant Police Chief Assistant Chief Tom Ross, who supervises his departments detectives.

But there are problems with using mugshots to identify suspects. A witness can pick the wrong person, identifying an innocent person as a perpetrator of a crime.

Mugshots are also problematic because of the issues related to eyewitness identification. Police officers also sometimes make inaccurate identifications based on mugshots. This is certainly a problem when used by citizens who are calling in crime tips, Bailey said.

Once a witness makes the misidentification from the mugshots, they stick to it, which can lead to the police arresting a person who wasn't involved in the crime, said Steven D. Penrod, a professor at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City.

Identification of an innocent mugshot interferes with a witnesss memory of the actual target, Penrod said.

Long past their usefulness in criminal cases, Albany Countys Bertillon mugshots are now the stars of history presentations at local schools and are key tools for people conducting genealogical research.

The Bertillon Card Files are part of the Hall of Records trove of historic treasures, County Clerk Bruce Hidley said.

Theyre fabulous. Its a part of Albany County history, Hidley said. Nobody really knows theyre here.

Kenneth C. Crowe II covers Rensselaer County. Contact him at (518) 454-5084 or by e-mail at kcrowe@timesunion.com

Digital presentation by Cathleen F. Crowley / Times Union
TROY  A few weeks before handing over the Rensselaer County district attorney's office to Democrat Mary Pat Donnelly, Joel E. Abelove told the families of the four victims of a vicious December 2017 homicide that the prosecution of the case would suffer when Donnelly took over.

In an interview with the Times Union, Donnelly confirmed Abeloves remarks, which the Republican former district attorney made when he spoke briefly to family members as they met with his staff about the case.

Abeloves comments, which unfavorably compared Donnelly's experience as a prosecutor to his, upset the victims' relatives and stunned members of the district attorney's staff who were present, according to multiple sources familiar with the incident.

Donnelly condemned Abelove's remarks, and called them another problem she has been forced to clean up since taking office Jan. 1 with a pledge to restore integrity and professionalism to the office.

Albany County District Attorney David Soares, who currently serves as president of the District Attorneys Association of the State of New York, also condemned Abelove's statements, which he said were both hurtful to the victims' relatives and undermined public confidence in the prosecutor's office.

"The idea you would do something that upsets the confidence of victims' families in believing in the prosecution is certainly unfortunate," said Soares, a Democrat. "It borders on unethical behavior. It's certainly immoral."

In any transition from one district attorney's administration to its successor, he added, "There can be no place for juvenile or petty behavior."

Abelove did not respond to a request to comment Thursday.

His behavior in the meeting is just one of Donnelly's complaints against her predecessor. She said Abelove refused to meet with her during the transition, and took photographs of her while she was interviewing assistant district attorneys in the county courthouse. Donnelly said she has no idea why he was taking the photos.

In the course of doing our job, were going to resolve the problems," said Donnelly, who as an example of her strategy pointed to the appointment of veteran prosecutor Matthew Hauf as her chief assistant.

Hauf will prosecute Justin Mann and James W. White, both of Schenectady, for the violent deaths of Brandi Mells, 22; Shanta Myers, 36; Jeremiah Myers, 11; and Shanise Myers, 5. The four were found tied up with their throats slashed in their basement apartment at 158 Second Ave. in Troys Lansingburgh neighborhood shortly before Christmas 2017.

Hauf is a former member of Soares' Major Offense Unit, where he prosecuted violent felonies and property crimes. Hauf began working on the quadruple homicide even before his scheduled start date with Donnelly's office.

Donnelly  who has retained all but one of Abelove's prosecutors  said shes been working with Hauf on the cases legal issues. She described it as a horrendous crime and said that she did not want to see the families of the victims suffer more.

It was widely known among county Republicans and Democrats that Abelove, whose single term was marked by repeated controversies, had been counting on a successful prosecution of Mann and White to boost his re-election campaign. But evidentiary hearings postponed the case, removing it from the trial calendar. On Election Day, Donnelly defeated Abelove 55 percent to 45 percent.

A new trial date for the two men has yet to be set by County Court Judge Debra Young, who is still weighing several defense motions. White and Mann are charged with nine counts of first-degree murder, four counts of second-degree murder, one count of first-degree burglary, one count of second-degree robbery and two counts of fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property.

The quadruple homicide is the most prominent case that Donnelly inherited from Abelove. The new district attorney also is confronting a double homicide case in which indictments brought by Abelove were dismissed three times for being legally insufficient. She has to consider making another attempt to secure a successful indictment.

Obviously, messes are coming up, Donnelly said. Its what I expected.

The latest mess occurred Wednesday, when her office agreed to the dismissal of a grand jury indictment on misdemeanor charges brought by Abelove in December against a former Troy police officer. Donnelly said the indictment filed by Abelove came after a speedy-trial deadline had expired two months earlier.

Donnellys staff is working on ensuring that cases are handled properly so that they are not subject to dismissal for violating such deadlines.

A Times Union review of cases that came before Abelove's office between Jan. 1, 2016, and March 31, 2017, found 400 were returned from the county court level to the local municipal courts, where 38 percent were dismissed due to speedy-trial issues.
Washington

A Senate committee investigating Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election has subpoenaed President Donald Trump's former personal lawyer Michael Cohen, and Cohen intends to comply with the interview demand, his attorney said Thursday.

The development comes one day after Cohen postponed his public testimony to a House committee.

Lanny Davis, a lawyer for Cohen, disclosed the subpoena from the Senate intelligence committee in a one-sentence statement and later told The Associated Press in a text message that "we will comply and hope to agree upon reasonable terms, ground rules and a date."

Cohen is set to begin a three-year prison sentence in March.

The Senate committee did not immediately confirm the subpoena, but any interview with Cohen would almost certainly take place in private, in keeping with how the committee generally conducts Russia-related hearings.

Cohen earlier this week delayed his Feb. 7 appearance before the House Committee on Oversight and Reform on the advice of his legal team, citing ongoing cooperation in special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation and threats against his family. Trump, along with his attorney Rudy Giuliani, has publicly urged the Justice Department to investigate Cohen's father-in-law , insinuating that Cohen's relative was part of some unspecified criminal activity.

"If he wants to criticize Cohen, he can," Davis said. "Obviously, picking on his family publicly is a way of silencing him or intimidating him. And certainly he has engendered great fear in his extended family, which is why we postponed it."

In an interview Thursday, Davis said the House should take an immediate vote on censuring Trump "as a step before an impeachment investigation," and he pushed for a criminal investigation of Giuliani involving allegations of obstruction, witness intimidation and witness tampering.

The decision to postpone the House interview pushed back the chance of a public airing on additional details of Cohen's relationship with Trump, including hush-money payments that Cohen has admitted helping arrange for two women who say they had sex with the president. Trump has denied the allegation.

Democrats have suggested they may subpoena Cohen to compel his testimony and the committee's chairman, Democratic Rep. Elijah Cummings of Maryland, said Cohen could be brought from prison to appear before Congress.

"We will get his testimony," Cummings said.
College presidents help build home

Union College President David Harris and Steady Moono, president of SUNY Schenectady County Community College, set aside academic pursuits on Wednesday to become home builders. Harris and Moono participated in the Habitat for Humanity Leadership Build Day at 2026 Oaklawn Ave., Rotterdam, the nonprofit's latest build. A single mother with two young daughters is expected to move into the new home in April.

Harris said he grew up helping his father with projects around the house and learned from him. On Wednesday, he was joined by two students  Bethany Costello, a first-year mechanical engineering major; Hope Noonan-Stoner, a junior and English major; and Susan Manchester, associate director of the Wicker Wellness Center. They were cutting foam board insulation and fitting it between floor joists in the basement. The house was designed to be energy efficient, Harris said.

In the fall, Habitat volunteers demolished the house that was on the lot because it was beyond repair, said Executive Director Madelyn Thorne. The Capital Region Land Bank worked to take ownership of the site and the county legislature then deeded it to Habitat. The new owner has a mortgage through the State of New York Mortgage Agency with a 2 percent fixed rate. The interest is underwritten by Habitat.

"The new owner is a single mother who went from having her second child directly to a homeless shelter," Thorne said. "But from there, she's been able to turn her life around and get to a point she's ready to be a homeowner."

Habitat teaches people about finances and the responsibilities that come with owning a house, Thorne said. It is an 18-month process for applicants. The families who will move into the house help build it as well with what is called "sweat equity."

The one-story bungalow is on a street lined with similar houses. It is approximately 1,300 square feet and will have four bedrooms and a finished basement. Much of the $100,000 cost was covered by IUE-CWA, an electrical worker's union, Thorne said.

CM Fox hits milestone, promotes manager

CM Fox Real Estate of Guilderland did more than $107 million in sales last year, a 35 percent increase from 2017. The company was founded in Altamont in 2005 by owner/broker Troy Miller with two agents, according to a statement from the company. Now more than 60 agents work from the CM Fox headquarters on Western Avenue in Guilderland.

On Jan. 1, office manager Elizabeth Hanley was promoted to vice-president. Hanley joined the company in 2010 as an agent and has been managing agents since 2013.

"She is the secret of our success and a bigger role for her means bigger things for our team in 2019 and beyond," Miller said.

BOMA honors AWCplus president Lisa Despart

The Building Owners and Managers Association named Lisa Despart, president of AWCplus Action Window Cleaning Company, its Allied Member of the Year for the Capital Region. AWCplus is a state-certified Women Business Enterprise and a second generation business in operation for more than 40 years.

Curating Simplicity training ambassadors in Kondo method

You may have seen Marie Kondo on Netflix, helping people help themselves eliminate clutter. Joanna Black, a Certified KonMari Consultant based in Saugerties, founded a company in 2017 called Curating Simplicity, which serves people who need support during their tidying process. From Black's statement:

"The company recognizes that the process can be overwhelming for many due to the emotional attachment to possessions and to other stresses that are present in their lives. Curating Simplicity services include breathing techniques, meditations, self-care support and connections to health and wellness professionals."

In February, Curating Simplicity will take applications for its spring cohort to become Curators. The training is ideal for those who have completed the KonMari Method in their own homes and for people who are naturals at organizing spaces.

Packages start at $150 for a virtual session and $375 for in-home sessions. For more information, go to curatingsimplicity.com.

lhornbeck@timesunion.com  518-454-5352  @leighhornbeck
The Hot Yoga Spot has expanded its headquarters at Stuyvesant Plaza to include three traditional yoga studios and one aerial studio, a juice and smoothie bar and two float therapy tanks.

A ribbon cutting and grand opening ceremony was held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the plaza, 1475 Western Ave., Guilderland.
San Francisco

Apple is reducing the size of its workforce assigned to driverless car technology as the company reorganizes amid weakening sales of iPhones, its biggest moneymaker.

The company acknowledged the cutbacks in a Thursday statement, without specifying the number of jobs affected. CNBC reported that more than 200 employees were dismissed from Apple's self-driving car division, known internally as "Project Titan."

Some of the employees who lost their jobs in the driverless car division have been reassigned to other parts of the Cupertino, California, company, according to Apple.

Despite the reductions, Apple emphasized that it's still committed to helping build robotic cars, something it has been working on for several years. So far, though, Apple has lagged behind many of the other technology companies and automakers trying to catch up to the still-nascent field's early leader, Waymo, a Google spinoff that began its work on autonomous vehicles a decade ago.

"We continue to believe there is a huge opportunity with autonomous systems, that Apple has unique capabilities to contribute, and that this is the most ambitious machine learning project ever," the company said.
Webster Groves, MO (63119)

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Thomasville, GA (31792)

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Vermont and France have at least two attributes in commonboth produce world class cheese and both have a low carbon footprint. France has implemented modern nuclear power to generate electricity which does not generate carbon, and Vermont is a

carbon sinkmeaning our carbon emissions from fuel are more than offset by carbon absorbed by our forests and farmlands.

So it was perhaps unsurprising that French citizens protested a carbon tax proposal by President Macron given the cost of fuel and Frances low carbon profile. French citizens realized that they would pay dearly in additional fuel taxes for the sole purpose of assuaging the carbon guilt of jet-setting EU aristocrats.

Let me be clear: Climate change is real, and must be addressed. From modernizing weatherization, to encouraging green businesses, to developing well-sited renewable energy, we can tackle this challenge. But a carbon tax will undoubtedly be introduced this upcoming session by the new and more left-leaning legislature in conjunction with more regulation on emissions and tax credits for purchases of electric cars. These proposals or policies are regressivemeaning the impact will be more punitive for low and moderate income people than for upper income folks. Lets break it down...

The carbon tax:

Low and moderate income Vermonters simply cannot afford an additional 40 to 80 cents per gallon of gas or home heating fuel. Vermonters who live in rural areas drive more distances to get to work or shop than those in larger communities, making it harder for

our small towns to thrive. Construction businesses, farms, and municipal governments will also struggle with additional costs for diesel fuel. Ultimately, these costs will be passed on the consumers--YOU!

Proponents of the carbon tax say year-end refunds will offset the additional costs, but some are skeptical as to whether or not these will not make up for the cost increase for most Vermonters. Many low income people do not file taxes and would potentially lose the refund. Furthermore, while tax refunds are provided once a year, Vermonters would bear the increased weekly costs of higher fuel or gas through a carbon tax. This would be unsustainable for Vermonters who are living paycheck-to-paycheck.

LIHEAPa federal and state program that provides fuel assistance for the poor will not go as far with increased costs of fuel. Vermont gas stations and fuel dealers near the border with our neighbors will be uncompetitive on price.

Additionally, low-income individuals tend to spend a greater percentage of their income on consumption. Thats an economic reality. Thats why this tax is not progressive, but regressive--it hurts the poorest Vermonters the most.

Just what is the end game of the politicians proposing this scheme? Fuel is an inelastic good. It takes a massive change in price to exact even a minor change in the quantity demanded. Struggling Vermonters will be unable to afford transitioning to an electric vehicle anytime soon, so this wont be deterring their consumption of fuel--itll just be making it more expensive.

If you understand that, then you understand that this is not about preserving our environment, but instead just another revenue grab by Montpelier.

More regulation on emissions:

Regulations will be a hidden tax, like all regulations are, that will force low and moderate income people to make expensive and often unnecessary repairs to their cars. This has already begun with the increased inspection standards.

Tax credits and charging stations for electric cars:

Credits targeted to help middle-class Vermonters afford low-emissions or electric vehicles can work, if they bridge the gap needed to purchase these vehicles. However, in most cases these credits benefit wealthy people who are in a position to purchase an electric (not hybrid) cars and enjoy the tax credits. State funded electric charging stations will be very expensive to build and will benefit very few drivers. Interestingly, the vast majority of lawmakers and lobbyists who will support these ideas dont own electric cars themselves!

Polling of Vermont voters consistently reveal that economic issues and affordability are top concerns. It is mystifying that the same people who will be harmed by these policies continue to elect those who do not have their best interests in mind. The Vermont Legislature may be assuming Vermont citizens will not respond to the Essex Planaka carbon taxwith a yellow-vested protest like the French. But it also appears Mr.Macron, who handily won the French presidency, assumed the same of his electorate.
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London Pride maker Fuller, Smith & Turner, better known as Fuller's, is to sell its entire beer business to the European division of Japanese brewer Asahi.

In a deal which values the division at 250million, the London-based brewer will sell the production and distribution of its well-known beers, including its flagship drink London Pride, as well as its ale, stout, porter, craft lager and cider brands.

It also includes the Griffin Brewery in Chiswick, where the company was founded in 1845.

Buying a pint of London Pride will now put money into the pockets of Japanese drinks company Asahi

Even though Fuller's will retain ultimate ownership of its brand name, Asahi will hold the licence to use the trademark globally.

Protecting the heritage of the site was 'particularly important' to the deal, according to chief executive Simon Emeny.

'We remain incredibly proud of the Fuller's Beer Business, its history and the high quality premium beer and cider portfolio that we have developed,' said Emeny.

'Brewing has formed an integral part of our history and brand identity, however the core of Fuller's and the driver of our future growth is now our premium pubs and hotels business,' he added.

Asahi's chief executive Akiyoshi Koji said there was 'untapped international potential' in the London Pride brand which the company can use its global scale to unlock.

The announcement came as Fuller's released a trading update showing a 4.7 per cent rise in like-for-like sales in its managed pubs and hotels over the 42 weeks to January 19.

The majority (87 per cent) of operating profits came from the pubs and hotels business.

Tokyo Pride? Fuller's is to sell its entire beer business to the European division of Japanese brewer Asahi

'Asahi is an incredibly acquisitive group and right now with the pound still very undervalued it looks to be a good time to swoop,' said Neil Wilson, chief market analyst at Markets.com. 'The Japanese firm has been gobbling up brewers across Europe and elsewhere on major buying spree.'

'In addition the cash proceeds will enable investment in these brands and properties, whilst it also retains a long-term association with its iconic beers through a strategic alliance with Asahi,' added Wilson.

According to Wilson, investing in its pubs and hotels is essential as consumers demand more from their pub experience.

'Some read across for other brewers with Marstons and Greene King rising today off the back of this,' Wilson added.
Patisserie Valerie wants a rebate for corporation tax it paid on profits that may not have existed.

The stricken cafe chain, which crashed into administration on Tuesday following an accounting scandal, paid 16m to HM Revenue and Customs over the past five years.

But it is in talks with the taxman to get the money back after discovering its profits had been overstated.

In talks: The stricken cafe chain paid 16m to HM Revenue and Customs over the past five years

A rebate would be welcome as it could make the chain more attractive to potential buyers.

David Scott, a restaurateur who sold his Druckers business to Patisserie Valerie more than a decade ago, is said to be interested in buying part of the business.

The company's parent Patisserie Holdings last year revealed it has almost 10m worth of debt on its books instead of 28m in cash shown before the alleged fraud was discovered.

HMRC declined to comment on Patisserie Valerie's pleas for a tax rebate but said companies can claim overpayment relief in some circumstances.

But the firm faces fresh embarrassment after its chief executive described the crisis as 'bittersweet', despite crashing into administration with the loss of nearly 1,000 jobs with a further 2,000 still at risk.

Steve Francis, who was hired in November to turn around the cafe chain, told The Grocer: 'It sounds bizarre but it's genuinely a positive development. I would rather have 2,000 fully-employed staff than 3,000 with no future. We are executing the plan but we can do it much more quickly now.' The 57-year-old replaced Paul May, who abruptly left the business in the wake of the scandal that has brought Patisserie Valerie to its knees.

But Francis was under fire last night as shareholder anger grew over the crisis. Investors are expected to be left with nothing from the ordeal.

Chairman Luke Johnson's 166m stake is also likely to be worthless, but the 56-year-old has made 40m from share sales, dividends and pay since Patisserie Holdings listed five years ago.

Chris Boxall, co-founder of Fundamental Asset Management, who invested in Patisserie Holdings on behalf of clients, said: 'Almost 1,000 people have lost their jobs, shareholders have lost hundreds of millions of pounds, I don't see how you could put a positive slant on this especially as nothing is certain at the moment. He [Francis] is an absolute moron. He's been selected by a chairman who is clearly of a similar groupthink.'

Labour MP Peter Kyle said the workforce, investors and customers have 'all been put through hell and a little recognition of what the company has put these people through would go a long way'.

Patisserie Valerie declined to comment.
Fever-Tree sales soared thanks to demand for gin and other spirits.

Revenues at the mixer maker rose 39 per cent to 236m in 2018 as gin and tonic and other mixed drinks proved a popular alternative to beer and wine.

Shares in Fever-Tree jumped 13.5 per centc, or 350p, to 2948p as it said full-year profits are likely to be higher than previously thought.

The rise in the share price added 39m to the value of stock held by founders Tim Warrillow and Charles Rolls. Chief executive Warrillow has a 158m stake in the firm, while deputy chairman Rolls has a 237m holding  even though both have sold millions of pounds of shares over the past three years.

The pair founded Fever-Tree in 2005 after a trip to eastern Congo in search of quinine, a primary ingredient in tonic water.

The firm enjoyed a stellar performance in the UK last year, with sales up 52 per cent, while revenues grew 21 per cent in the US and by 24 per cent in Continental Europe.

Warrillow said: Drinking habits are changing. Fever-Tree is at the forefront of this trend.
Vodafone shares slipped towards a nine-year low, as poor figures from its South African division spooked investors the day before its latest trading update.

Vodacom, which is Vodafone's South African subsidiary, said a slower-than-expected economic recovery in the country was to blame for the decline in sales.

Amid political pressure to cut prices on its data packages, Vodacom's revenue slipped 1.3 per cent in South Africa over the last three months of 2018 to around 960m.

Chief executive Shameel Joosub said that though the business had introduced a number of promotional deals, fewer customers than hoped had taken them up.

The results came at an awkward time for Vodacom's London-listed parent company Vodafone, which is set to release its own update today on trading over the last three months of 2018.

Shares slid 3.5 per cent, or 5.22p, to 144p, and renewed fears surfaced over whether Vodafone might have to cut its popular dividend.

Jordan Hiscott, chief trader at Ayondo Markets, said: 'The jewel in the crown for Vodafone is its dividend, currently a generous 9 per cent  a figure many investors will look on with delight.'

But this may always be cut, he reminded investors. Hiscott added: 'With the FTSE heavyweight down an astounding 31 per cent on a 52-week basis, clearly the company finds itself in an embattled position, having taken on huge amounts of debt.'

Vodafone's sinking shares pulled the FTSE 100 down 0.35 per cent, or 23.93 points, to 6818.95.

A strong set of numbers from wealth manager St James's Place helped to mitigate losses on the blue-chip index. Choppy markets, prompted by investors' concerns over Brexit and the global economy, have knocked several similar firms in recent weeks, pushing down the value of the money they hold for clients as investments have under-performed. But St James's managed to hold steady, seeing its funds under management climb 5 per cent to 95.6bn over 2018.

Clients invested 10.3 billion more than they withdrew over the year, up 8 per cent from the year before. Shares climbed 2.2 per cent, or 20.6p, to 962p.

Investment firm Brooks Macdonald had less success, as it revealed its own funds under management had slumped 4.5 per cent over the last six months of 2018 to 11.9 billion. Shares edged down 3.5 per cent, or 60p, to 1670p.

But the same market volatility worked to CMC Markets' favour. The online trading firm said the three months to December 31 had been much better than the previous three months, as its clients increased their activity as they attempted to make money from the fluctuating markets. As its peer IG Group conceded on Wednesday, new European rules designed to protect inexperienced traders would push down revenue for the year. But shares still climbed 2.8 per cent, or 3.2p, to 117.6p.

Brownfield housebuilder Inland Homes slipped 3 per cent, or 1.7p, to 54.8p as it agreed to increase its lending. It has taken out a 65m debt facility with HSBC, to replace the 20m it previously had with Barclays.

It also said that numbers of houses sold would be lower than the previous year, due to the timing of occupations on large apartment complexes.

Larger peer Countryside Properties also dipped, despite announcing sales were up 18 per cent to 1094 homes in the three months to December. The average number of people making a reservation per building development each week  a key metric for the industry  dipped as Countryside warned of an uncertain political backdrop. Shares fell 2.8 per cent, or 9p, to 318p.

A second profit warning in three months caused private jet servicing company Gama Aviation to plummet 22.6 per cent, or 26p, to 89p.
The boss of Barclays has hit back against a New York-based corporate raider bidding to overhaul the British bank.

Chief executive Jes Staley accused Ed Bramson of failing to reveal his strategy for Barclays to the bank's directors, despite demanding a seat on its board.

Investors also claimed Bramson has not discussed his plans with them.

Battling: Chief executive Jes Staley (right) accused Ed Bramson of failing to reveal his strategy for Barclays to the bank's directors, despite demanding a seat on its board

One leading shareholder added: 'He's identified a number of problems with Barclays but hasn't come up with any solutions.'

But sources warned that Barclays shareholders could split over Bramson's plans to win a seat on the board and overhaul the bank  with US investors backing his move while those in the UK swing behind Staley.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Staley accused Bramson of failing to lay out his vision for the bank despite agitating for change.

In an interview with CNBC, Staley said: 'We've had a reasonable engagement with Bramson over the last year, we'll see him again in March. He really hasn't laid out his strategy to us, you know. We read the press, and see what they say.'

Bramson claims that his expertise can transform Barclays' fortunes after years of consternation over its share price. The activist controls 5.51 per cent of Barclays stock through his fund Sherborne Investors. He plans to call a vote of other investors at the bank's annual meeting in a bid to win a board seat.

But several large UK firms are sceptical. One shareholder who owns stock in both Sherborne and Barclays said they have never even discussed the proposals with Bramson. The investor said they were surprised at the activist's decision to target Barclays and he may have overplayed his hand.

City insiders believe that most of Barclays' London-based backers will vote against Bramson's plans. But it is thought he may be more popular with US investors closer to his New York base.

Six of Barclays' top ten shareholders are US firms, according to data from Reuters, and American companies in its top 30 control more than 32 per cent of the stock.

However, this includes huge tracker funds run by the likes of BlackRock and Vanguard, where the normal policy is to support a company's existing management in controversial votes.

If Bramson does force a vote at the Barclays meeting, Sherborne investors who also own Barclays stock will be closely watched.

Most of the firms  which include Aviva Investors, Schroders and Standard Life Aberdeen  have said nothing publicly about whether they back his demand for a boardroom seat. But if he does not get a majority of them onside, it could raise serious questions about governance at his own fund.

Richard Buxton, the boss of Merian Global Investors and backer of both Sherborne and Barclays, said last year Bramson's timing was bizarre.

Staley is said to have told friends he would quit if ordered to shrink Barclays' investment bank. And the row could even draw in the Bank of England, which is likely to be deeply concerned about major disruption at Barclays because it is a globally important lender.
I recently purchased a new 60,000 car but am concerned about what seems to be a recent surge in car thefts, especially via keyless entry.

I am thinking about buying a tracker to subtly hide somewhere within the vehicle so I can sleep easier at night but I know they can be expensive.

What are the options available and would it help drive down my annual car insurance cost?

Surely a tracker would be an easy way for police to find the vehicle, retrieve it and thus reduce the risk for insurance firms to have to pay out?

Having a car tracker installed your car means you should be able to track it should it be stolen

Grace Gausden, This is Money, replies: Installing a tracker in your car, if you can afford it, may be one of the most reliable ways to protect your vehicle.

Having a form of car security that you can rely on is especially important after figures revealed around 89,000 vehicles were stolen in Britain in 2017, a jump from 56,000 in 2016.

Even more concerning is the fact 68 per cent of vehicle thefts reported between 2012 and 2016 went unsolved, according to data.police.uk statistics.

Therefore, having a security system that could lead you to find your car, should it be tampered with, may be tempting - especially as it could reduce your car insurance premiums.

But is the cost associated with having a tracker installed worth it?

There are two types of trackers: one that uses a VHF signal, technology which is used by all 52 of the UK's police forces, and one that use GPS (Global Positioning System). Some trackers also use a hybrid technology of the two.

VHF signals will allow the car to be tracked, even if it has been hidden away in an underground car park or garage and the device will only be activated if the vehicle is stolen.

Other tracking systems use GPS which can trace a stolen car anywhere in the world.

However, GPS signals are weak and can easily be lost if a vehicle is hidden or the signal is jammed.

More advanced trackers don't just allow your car to be found but they also allow you to disable the car remotely, stopping criminals in their tracks.

Tracker is one company that provides well-known car recovery systems and uses combined VHF and GPS technology. It has released data that proves just how successful having a car locating system can be.

Tracker provides car recovery systems & has recovered 25,524 vehicles since it's inception

Not only has the company managed to recover 25,524 vehicles since its introduction 25 years ago, the recoveries it has made cover a total of 537million.

The highest valued recovered vehicle in December 2018 was a Rolls Royce Ghost worth 120,000, stolen with keys in London.

A BMW M6 was also recovered after a Tracker device alerted the police to its whereabouts, with six other stolen vehicles also being found at its location.

Car tracking devices certainly aren't the cheapest, with the locators starting from 249 on Tracker and many of the devices charging a significant yearly subscription fee as well as a one off fee when purchasing the product.

Other products from different companies charge an alternative monthly fee alongside the initial purchase price.

However, it could well be the cheaper option if your car should be stolen or otherwise tampered with and you're unable to recover it.

Significantly, having one of the devices installed could also mean that your premiums could be reduced as the safer the vehicle, the less likely the insurance company will have to pay out for any damage.

This will be dependent, however, on what sort of car, what tracker and what insurance policy you are on.

If your car is particularly expensive, some insurers will actually insist that you have a tracker fitted before they will insure you.

Car alarms, car immobilisers and steering locks are other forms of car security that could help

Some insurers will only recognise certain brands of trackers so it is worth checking with them first to see what their policy is.

There are other options to consider if having a tracker installed is too pricey for you.

Car alarms, immobilisers and steering locks are all other forms of security that could help prevent your motor from being stolen or even broken into.

Amanda Stretton, motoring editor at Confused.com, replies: 'Knowing the most effective ways to make a car more secure can be quite confusing for drivers, as there are many options out there, all with pros and cons.

'One way to increase security is installing a tracker which could help drivers to locate their vehicle should it get stolen.

'If the tracker leads to the vehicle being found, insurers can recover some of the costs of the claim  meaning they have to pay out less and these reduced claims costs may mean premiums are lower.

'More advanced systems may also offer things like impact analysis which can help to identify whether a collision claim is 'real' or not.

'This sort of technology gets a thumbs up from insurers who are looking to tackle insurance fraud, which can drive up premiums for other motorists.

'However, car trackers can be quite pricey  potentially costing hundreds per unit  especially if they have advanced features.'

A spokesperson from Direct Line car insurance replies: 'Some manufacturers have trackers fitted as standard, however, customers can also purchase a tracker which can be fitted to their car.

'Any security measure drivers can take to protect their vehicle from theft or assist in its recovery is worthwhile considering.

'If considering investing in a tracker, drivers need to ensure it is approved by The Thatcham Research Group, as they set the guidelines for how trackers function and what the minimum standards are.

'Customers should inform their insurer if they have enhanced the security of their car with features such as trackers, alarms or steering wheel locks.

'Some customers may be required to fit a tracker in order to take out a policy, for example, if they have a very high value car.

'For some policies, a security enhancement is at the customer's discretion and will not affect their premium'.

Grace Gausden, This is Money, adds: When deciding whether to purchase a car recovery system, it is important to consider whether you think the high price tag involved is worth it.

If you do decide to opt for the device, the pros are that it has the potential of lowering your outgoing insurance costs and more importantly, it will give you peace of mind that your car is secure.

However, if you decide not to pay for a locator, it is well worth investing in some other, cheaper forms of security for your vehicle, such as car alarms and immobilisers.

While these may not have the same impact on your insurance, it will still be a deterrent for criminals.
Far away from Brexit and Davos it has been a week of high drama and turbulence around the globe.

In Zimbabwe, street protests turned into bloodshed when security forces commanded by President Emmerson Mnangagwa turned guns on protesters.

A spokesman from Harare suggested it was all for the good of the people if it meant reforms from the broken economy inherited from the klepto-capitalist government of Robert Mugabe could be erased.

Fuel shortages: A motorist gets some help pushing his car into a garage in Harare, Zimbabwe after it ran out out of petrol

A continent away in Latin America, mass street protests have led to fissures in the rule of the Marxist government of Nicolas Maduro.

This encouraged the US, Canada, much of Latin America and eventually Britain to throw their weight behind Juan Guaido, the elected head of the National Assembly, as interim president.

It might have helped had Guaido had the army on side as well as the people.

Across the Channel, the French president Emmanuel Macron and German chancellor Angela Merkel signed a 16-page update to the 1963 Elysee Treaty at the German border city of Aachen, once the residence of Charlemagne, the father of Europe.

These disparate events demonstrating the power of protest have a common theme.

Maduros problems with the masses are deep rooted as a result of his ruination of the economy in what was not so long ago the richest nation in Latin America.

The trigger for the unrest, which could yet unseat him, was Maduros decision last year to order an end to subsidised fuel prices.

The goal, Maduro claimed, was to end smuggling of petroleum to neighbouring Colombia where it was being sold at international prices.

The trigger for the bloody Zimbabwe protests was Mnangagwas attempt, in line with best economic practice, to end generous subsidies to fuel prices.

In France the origins of the yellow-vest protests which have sapped power and authority from Macron, was his effort to impose higher taxes on fuel. He has since disavowed the policy but with little impact on the protests.

As we learned in Britain in 2012 when fuel tanker drivers went on strike, interfering with the open road is one of the fastest ways to bring our economy to a halt. It is one of the reasons that successive chancellors have chosen to freeze fuel duty for nine years in a row.

Ending fuel subsidies has long been a key plank of policy for the International Monetary Fund when advancing loans to needy countries.

But recent events, from Zimbabwe to France, suggest that leaders who wish to keep public order and a grip on power fiddle with petrol prices at their peril.

Roll on the age of the electric car.

Wrong numbers

Efforts by Vodafone chief executive Nick Read to reassure investors on the mobile operators prospects look to have fallen on deaf ears.

The shares plunged a further 4.9 per cent in Friday trading in spite of Reads assurances that there is enough free cash flow to fund the dividend, irrespective of whether or not it dumps further assets such as telecoms towers.

The fundamental problem for Voda is that its withdrawal from many of the global markets it once dominated means it is over-focused on low-growth Europe.

In Italy, for instance, it has been besieged by competition from upstarts and service revenue fell by 4.6 per cent.

As a lead supplier of mobile, broadband and content services across the Continent, the company may eventually benefit from a less competitive marketplace.

In the Netherlands, four service providers have become three after the EUs competition authorities recognised the risk to investment of a race to the bottom on prices.

Once Vodafone gets its hands on Libertys European network, when the EU finishes its scrutiny, that business should be income-generating straight away, enhancing the bottom line.

But for the moment in Germany, which eventually represents about 40 per cent of the groups value, service revenue is sluggish.

Read is confident that in Spain, Vodafone TV can deliver highly attractive content.

Across Europe its ownership of robust broadband and cable, bought from Liberty, will enable it to package up content from Disney et al and pump it out.

It can also carry over-the-top services from Netflix and the like online.

Vodafone is a shadow of its once imperial past. It has yet to show that it can drive faster growth in the European space where it has made its biggest bets.
Some of Britain's biggest high street banks have cautioned against a new code designed to protect customers against push payment scams, arguing it could leave them solely responsible for paying out compensation.

Responding to a consultation, Barclays, Lloyds, Nationwide and Santander all said that they disagreed with changes that could lead to payment providers being held liable for fraud even if they were not responsible for it.

Some of the banks added that they might limit services to customers or levy fees on bank transfers if the code was implemented in its current form.

Authorised Push Payment scams happen when victims transfer money into a scammer's bank account often after being tricked - 145m was stolen this way in the first six months of 2018

The new draft code, published by the Authorised Push Payment Scams Steering Group in September, sought to offer a greater level of protection to victims of so-called authorised push payment scams.

These are scams in which a customer is tricked into authorising a payment to a scammer themselves.

Under current rules, banks are not necessarily obliged to refund payments which have been authorised by their customer, but the new code states that 'firms should reimburse the customer' when they have been the victim has been a victim of an APP scam.

It adds that customers deemed especially 'vulnerable' to such scams should also normally be reimbursed. That definition should be determined on a case-by-case basis, the draft code suggested.

Figures from trade body UK Finance in September found that 145million was stolen through APP scams in the first half of last year, but only 31million of that was recovered.

Responding to the consultation, several of the country's largest banks said they supported the new code, but expressed concerns about being left liable for millions in reimbursements.

Six ways to outfox the cyber-criminals ASSUME any caller claiming to be your bank or utility provider could be a fraudster. It might sound unfair and the call may be genuine  but being sceptical from the start could help protect you. CALL your bank back on a different phone line if you are not sure a call is authentic. Use the phone number on the back of your credit or debit card. If calling from the same phone wait at least five minutes for the current call to be disconnected. Otherwise a fraudster could simply stay on the line while you dial. KNOW the hallmarks of fraud. There will be convincing lies throughout a scam and the perpetrators will sound intelligent and authoritative. But typical requests include being asked to: provide a code, a PIN, move money to a different account, repay a sum accidentally put in to your account, reveal passwords or allow remote access to your computer. Do not comply. BE careful about what links you click on emails, or what attachments you open. Scammers know how to imitate your friends or big brands in messages. These links could contain viruses that, once on your computer, allow fraudsters to spy on you when you enter log-in details for online banking. Or they will pose as big brands and demand personal information that you should not surrender. UPDATE anti-virus software on your computer and regularly change passwords on online accounts. LEARN more ways to protect yourself with help from websites such as takefive-stopfraud.org.uk and getsafeonline.org. Compiled by Laura Shannon

Barclays said: 'We disagree with the notion that payment service providers should accept all liability for a scam in the instance that "no blame" can be attributed to either party.'

Lloyds, part of the country's biggest banking group which controls around a quarter of UK current accounts, added that while they were supportive of the idea 'that all who meet the requisite level of care should be reimbursed', 'we believe it does not necessarily follow that a PSP should directly bear the cost or reimbursement in such "no blame" cases'.

Meanwhile Santander said that the draft code 'is overly weighted in the customer's favour and punishes a payment services provider for criminal behaviour' conducted by 'third parties that it is not responsible for'.

It added that if victims of even smaller purchases were 'essentially insured by some form of strict liability', it would not encourage customers to be careful and could even encourage fraudulent claims.

This is Money has previously reported on the Spanish bank's poor response to scam victims, which included sending carbon-copy letters rejecting refund requests to customers and fobbing off customers after just 24 hours.

All four banks suggested that there could be consequences if the rules around reimbursements were adopted in their current form.

Santander questioned whether those whose losses were not 'life changing' should be excluded from reimbursement, while Lloyds said it could potentially bring in a levy on payments in order to fund any compensation.

It added: 'Simply levying the charge could raise awareness of scams amongst consumers in a similar way to how the "plastic bag tax" raises general awareness of the impact of waste upon the environment.'

Nationwide suggested customers identified as vulnerable may be barred from some offers or have restrictions placed on their accounts, while Barclays said it could slow down or even interrupt payment services for customers in order to limit its liability.

Responding to the consultation, Tom Clementson, director of consumer and SMB at ShieldPay, said: 'Banks are behind the times when it comes to protecting their customers from push payment fraud.

'The very fact that there is a consultation on compensation payments brings the question of how people are able to transfer thousands of pounds to a fraudulent bank account into sharp focus.

'More safety checks must be put in place to ensure consumers do not become victims. The adoption of technology, which verify both identity and matching bank accounts, is one solution that can help to eliminate the risk.'

In total, the consultation responded 53 responses between September and November 2018.

Ruth Evans, the chair of the APPS Steering Group, said: 'We know the devastating impact authorised push payment scams can have on their victims and the steering group is united in its determination to tackle these crimes and improve protection for consumers.

'That is why it is essential that we get the voluntary code right and it is clear from the consultation responses there are a number of matters still to consider.

'We are, however, acutely aware that time is of the essence and we are working hard to resolve these issues swiftly.'
EMILY ST. LAWRENCE, Chariho girls lacrosse, senior: St. Lawrence scored the 100th goal of her career in a 16-1 win against Lincoln. St. Lawrence finished her career with 104 goals, eight short of the school record. The team did not play last season due to the coronavirus pandemic.

JOSH MOONEY, Stonington track & field, sophomore: Mooney scored in three events at the State Open meet. Mooney was second in the 110 hurdles, fourth in the javelin and fifth in the 300 hurdles. He scored all 17 of Stoningtons points.

ALEX STOEHR, Westerly softball, freshman: Stoehr hit three triples and a double in a doubleheader sweep of Barrington. For the week, she was 7 for 13 with four doubles, two triples and three RBIs. Stoehr is hitting .333 for the season.

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New Delhi, Jan 25 (PTI) The Delhi police on Friday claimed to have solved the mystery behind the recent killing of a 27-year-old woman, whose body was found floating in a well in Jhajjar, Haryana, after two men arrested on Wednesday for carrying weapons revealed their involvement in the crime.

Naveen (26) and Neeraj Nara (31), residents of Najafgarh in southwest Delhi, were arrested on January 23 after the police received information that two men carrying illegal arms would arrive in the Jai Vihar area near Dwarka in a Maruti Eeco car.

A trap was laid on the evening of January 23 near the Jai Vihar nala and when the car was stopped for verification, the two occupants tried to flee and were apprehended by the Anti-Auto Theft Squad (AATS), the police said in a statement.

On being searched, two knives were seized from the two men, who, during interrogation, confessed to their involvement in the killing of the woman on January 17, the police said.

Later, a motorcycle was also seized from their possession, the police said, adding that the two-wheeler and the car were used in the crime.

The duo had revealed that the main accused in the case, Vidhan, was their common friend, the police said.

The Haryana police has been informed of the arrests. PTI HMP RC
New Delhi, Jan 25 (PTI) The Supreme Court-appointed Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA) chief, Bhure Lal, on Friday said the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS), a corridor between Delhi, Ghaziabad and Meerut, had to be built to decongest the national capital and the Delhi government had to arrange the funds for it.

Lal chaired a meeting with Delhi government officials, in which he asserted that there was no doubt that the RRTS had to be there to decongest the national capital.

"The Delhi government is facing issues in the mobilisation of resources and that is why the meeting was convened. The government has to generate the funds for the project, whether it comes from the Centre or it generates the funds itself," he said.

On January 18, the Supreme Court had asked the EPCA to convene a joint meeting of all the stakeholders within a week so that these issues could be sorted out.

The apex court had said it should be informed about the outcome of the deliberations and had posted the matter for further hearing on February 1.

Lal said the EPCA would submit its report to the court shortly.

The Delhi government on Thursday gave its in-principle approval to the National Capital Region Transport Corporation's proposal to build an elevated station at Sarai Kale Khan for the upcoming high-speed Delhi-Meerut RRTS.

But the Aam Aadmi Party-led government has been complaining that it does not have sufficient funds for the project.

The Delhi government had, in December last year, informed the Supreme Court that it had "in-principle" agreed to the RRTS but funding it was a problem.

In August last year, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had urged the Centre to bear Delhi's share of the cost for the proposed 82.15-km RRTS, citing inadequate funds. PTI UZM RC
New Delhi, Jan 25 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone for an All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Madurai, Tamil Nadu on January 27, a statement said.

He will also inaugurate the super speciality blocks of Rajaji Medical College (Madurai), Thanjavur Medical College (Thanjavur) and Tirunelveli Medical College (Tirunelveli) as a part of upgradation projects of government medical colleges.

The prime minister will visit Kochi on the same day and unveil a plaque to dedicate to the nation an integrated refinery expansion complex of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited.

He will also lay the foundation stone for a petrochemical complex at the same venue, inaugurate a mounded storage vessel at an LPG bottling plant of the Indian Oil Corporation Limited in Kochi and lay the foundation stone for skill development institute at Ettumanoor. PTI PR IND

IND
New Delhi, Jan 25 (PTI) President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday conferred the Nao Sena Medal to Commander Tomy Abhilash, who had participated in the Golden Globe navigation race last year, but was severely injured after his sailing vessel was battered by violent winds and waves in the high seas.

Abhilash was stranded 3,200 km off the coast of Western Australia after his sailing vessel, INSV Thuriya, had its mast broken during a severe storm in the Indian Ocean.

The injury had left him incapacitated on his bunk inside his boat, but he was rescued by a French fisheries patrol vessel.

The Indian Navy had made all-out efforts to rescue the sailor and bring him back.

Abhilash also earned praise for the grit and temperament he had displayed during trying conditions. PTI PR RC
Man held from Karnataka for killing woman in Mumbai

Mumbai, Jan 25 (PTI) A 30-year-old man was Friday

arrested from Karnataka for allegedly killing a woman in

suburban Andheri last week, police said.

The 25-year-old woman was crushed to death with a

stone and her semi-naked body was found near Gilbert Hill in

Andheri on January 19, police said.

After the crime, the accused, Zameer Khan, had fled

from the city. Police teams had been dispatched to Gujarat and

Karnataka to trace the accused.

A police team nabbed Khan from Karnataka on Friday

morning and he was brought back to Mumbai. He was produced

before a court, which remanded him police custody till

February 11. PTI AVI

NP NP
Bihar Governor Lalji Tandon mourns death of Krishna Sobti

Patna, Jan 25 (PTI) Bihar Governor Lalji Tandon on Friday

mourned the death of renowned Hindi writer Krishna Sobti, who

breathed her last at a Delhi hospital early this morning.

In his condolence message, Tandon said the death of Sobti

whose many laurels include Jnanpith and Sahitya Akademi

awards has caused an irreparable loss to the world of Hindi

literature.

In her works like Mitro Marjani, Daar Se Bichhuri and

Zindaginama, Sobti successfully presented the challenges faced

by Indian women in their day-to-day lives. Her absence will

definitely leave behind a void. May her soul rest in peace and

her family members as well as numerous admirers find the

strength to cope with the loss, Tandon added. PTI NAC

SNS SNS
Jammu, Jan 25 (PTI) Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik Friday paid tributes to Lance Naik Nazir Ahmad Wani who will be posthumously conferred the Ashoka Chakra, India's highest peacetime gallantry award.

Wani was a militant but joined the Army in 2004 and laid down his life during an anti-terror operation at Shopian in Kashmir on November 25, 2018.

The Governor observed that the supreme sacrifice made by Wani will always be an inspiration for the generations to come.

It will motivate them to work selflessly for the safety and security of the country and towards the restoration of peace and harmony in the society, Malik said.

President Ram Nath Kovind will present the award to the gallant soldier's wife Mahajabeen on the Republic Day, officials said on Thursday.

The 38-year-old from Ashmuji in Kulgmam was part of a number of anti-terror operations in South Kashmir.

Wani was also awarded Sena Medal for his indomitable spirit in fighting terrorists. PTI AB RHL
New Delhi, Jan 25 (PTI) A 30-year-old man carrying a reward of Rs 1 lakh has been arrested for his alleged involvement in an international drug syndicate, police said Friday.

The accused Axat Gulia, alias Akshit alias Akshay is a native of Jhajjar in Haryana, they added.

Gulia was arrested on Wednesday after police received a tip-off that the accused was hiding at his friend's office in Baghdola village of Dwarka, police said.

A raid was conducted at the friend's office and Gulia was apprehended after a failed escape bid, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Sanjeev Kumar Yadav said.

Mobile handsets and dongle with SIM cards suspected to have been used in the illicit trade were recovered, he said.

"Some of Gulia's associates were arrested in May last year following which we got to know about his role in running this drug syndicate. Drugs in tablet and powdered form were collected from various parts of India by members of this syndicate and then supplied to traffickers in the UK, the USA, the UAE and other Middle-East nations," he added.

Gulia had contacts with persons working with x-ray machines to scan cartons/packets at the Custom House in the Delhi airport. Through his contacts, Gulia got his drug cartons cleared from security check, he said.

He has been involved in this illegal trade for the last 10 years, he added.

When Gulia was working at an export-import company, he came in contact with various persons working with x-ray machines at the airport. They scanned the consignments brought to the Custom House which were to be exported, the officer said.

Gulia befriended them and used his sources at the Custom House to clear the security check of drug consignments. For his services, Gulia received handsome share of money, police said, adding further investigation is underway. PTI AMP AMP IND

IND
New Delhi, Jan 25 (PTI) Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Friday said creating hurdles in the functioning of the AAP government is like "betrayal to the country".

In his around 20-minute speech during state level Republic Day function at Chhatrasal Stadium here, Kejriwal alleged his government was stopped from buildings schools, hospitals and mohalla clinics in the city.

The chief minister said before independence, there were some people who used to help the British to weaken the fight of revolutionaries and today as well, there are still some such people who try to do the same to the country.

"If I construct schools, hospitals, mohalla clincs for people, what wrong I do? I am stopped from building schools. I want to ask the entire country what can be more patriotic," he said without naming anyone.

On several occasions in the past, Kejriwal and his Aam Aadmi Party have been accusing the BJP-led central government of creating hurdles in the works of Delhi government.

In reference to the AAP government's Rs 1 crore ex-gratia scheme for kin of martyrs belonging to Delhi, Kejriwal alleged he was also prevented from implementing it.

"I want to ask whether this is not betrayal to the country. Why is there politics in it?...If my soldier sacrifices his life at the border, he does not see that he is saving the life of a person from the BJP or Congress or AAP and instead, he sacrifices his life while protecting the country.

"We are stopped from doing our works, which is betrayal to the country," Kejriwal said.

Four years ago, Delhiites had changed the politics of the country and installed a new government of its kind in the national capital, he said, asserting that today, the government in Delhi is a "revolution and movement".

He said the AAP dispensation provides quality education to children and better medical treatment in government hospitals.

On Thursday, Kejriwal accused the BJP-led central government of committing "sedition" by creating hurdles in the works of Delhi government. PTI BUN RCJ
Agra, Jan 25 (PTI) The CISF personnel manning the Taj Mahal here are having to undergo training to use a novel weapon - 'gulels' (catapults), to tackle menace of a different type - that of monkeys.

Central Industrial Security Force Commandant Braj Bhushan Singh told PTI that constables are being trained to use catapults to ward off monkeys from attacking and biting tourists.

"The monkeys have been posing a huge problem here. Many tourists have been injured in monkey attacks. Our jawans are being trained to use catapults to shoo them away," he said.

A local wildlife activist, armed with the provisions of the Wildlife Act, 1972, however, has come in simians' defence.

As per the Act, monkeys are protected species and no physical harm can be inflicted on them, said activist Shravan Kumar Singh.

Ved Gautam, a tourist guide, however, said, "We have seen some CISF jawans with catapults, but they have neither harmed monkeys nor used stones to target them."

Agra has been in news due to simians' menace for the last six months, as monkey attacks have resulted in several deaths and injuries to people.

"The hospitals here almost daily receive at least one serious case of monkey attack. The municipal corporation has failed to find a solution to this menace," said Mukesh Jain, a functionary of the Satyamev Jayate Trust, that had financially supported several programmes to sterilise monkeys and transfer them to forests.

The city of Taj has been facing the monkey menace for quite some time.

Last November, a monkey had snatched a 12-day-old infant from the arms of his mother and killed the baby on the outskirts of Agra.

This was on November 12. Just days later, monkeys were blamed for the death of a 58-year-old woman.

On November 22, an Italian tourist was attacked by a monkey near the western gate of Taj Mahal. PTI CORR AD RAX

RAX
New Delhi, Jan 25 (PTI) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has attached assets worth Rs 2.09 crore, including shopping complexes, of a Rajasthan- based company in connection with a chit fund money laundering case, the agency said Friday.

It said a provisional order under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) attaching the assets of the firm Oro Trade Network India (Ltd), a multi-level marketing company, has been issued.

The total value of the attached assets is Rs 2.09 crore, it said.

The ED said it took over the case after taking cognisance of as many as 48 FIRs filed by the Rajasthan Police against the company and its directors

under the Prize Chit and Money Circulation Scheme (Banning) Act, 1978.

The central probe agency described the modus operandi of the case and said its investigation found that "the company and its directors conspired and lured number of people to invest in their schemes by promising high returns and collected around Rs 44 crore in pursuance of criminal conspiracy, cheating and criminal breach of trust."

It added that the company and its directors Satyendra Sharma and Sandhya Sharma acquired various immovable and movable properties "out of the proceeds of crime."

The ED has attached a total of Rs 7.55 crore properties in this case so far.

A charge sheet has also been filed by the ED in the case and the main accused Satyendra Sharma has been arrested and his bail has been rejected by the Rajasthan High Court, it said. PTI NES

DV

DV
New Delhi, Jan 25 (PTI) The CBI Friday carried out searches at the residence of former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda in connection with a land allocation irregularities case, officials said.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is carrying out searches at 30 other locations in New Delhi and NCR, they said.

More details are awaited. PTI ABS KJ
New Delhi, Jan 25 (PTI) On the 9th National Voters Day, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday urged the youth to enrol in voters' list, saying people's participation in the electoral exercise strengthens democracy's foundation.

In 2011, the Election Commission had started observing January 25 as the National Voters Day.

The EC came into being on January 25, 1950, a day before India became a republic.

"On the National Voters day, I urge all countrymen to enrol themselves in the voters list and exercise their franchise during elections. People's participation in the electoral process is essential to strengthen the democratic foundations of the country," Naidu's office tweeted.

The PM, while greeting people on the occasion, said, "This is a day to reaffirm our commitment towards further strengthening our democracy by unfailingly participating in democratic processes at the local, state and national levels."

He said, it will go a long way in building a New India.

"I urge people from all walks of life to create awareness on voter registration and especially request my young friends to register themselves as voters if they have not done so already. Every vote cast enhances our democratic fabric," he wrote on Twitter. PTI NAB NAB DPB

DPB
Bhubaneswar, Jan 25 (PTI) Congress president Rahul Gandhi Friday said India should learn from the experience of China in creating job opportunities despite adopting large-scale automation and hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Make in India programme.

"Modi ji talks about Make in India, what is the actual result? 24 hours and 15,000 jobs every day in China. But during the same 24 hours, India creates just 450 jobs. This is Government of India's data placed in Lok Sabha," Gandhi said at an interaction with intellectuals here.

However, he added, India is the only country capable of taking up the challenge posed by China.

Gandhi said production in the present times is completely dominated and captured by the Chinese and India has to accept that China is extremely competitive and is ahead of everyone in the arena of production.

India as well as European countries are facing problems as they are not addressing the issue of automation as is being done by China, he said adding that automation does not actually restrict creation of job opportunities.

"While China is creating 15,000 new jobs every 24 hours despite full automation, why is it a problem in Europe and India?" Gandhi asked.

Referring to an interaction with some Chinese officials, the Congress chief said, "When I had gone to Kailash (Mansarovar), I met a couple of their (Chinese) ministers. They said job creation is not a problem there at all."

"Infact, they said we have plenty of jobs, we have too many jobs. So the real issue is if you are producing ... In technological stream you do not have problems. You have problems if you are producing low-value added products," he said.

Gandhi had visited Kailash Mansarovar in September 2018. PTI AAM SKN KK ABH

ABH
Aizawl, Jan 25 (PTI) Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga said on Thursday that the ruling Mizo National Front would not hesitate to snap ties with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) if the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill is not revoked.

Addressing MNF workers at Aibawk village near here, Zoramthanga said that the party and his government had been making all-out efforts to ensure the defeat of the bill.

"The ruling party would withdraw its support to the NDA if situation arises," he said.

The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, passed by the Lok Sabha on January 8, seeks to grant Indian nationality to non-Muslims who fled religious persecution from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan, and entered India before December 31, 2014.

"The state cabinet adopted a resolution opposing the proposed legislation and I have met both the prime minister and the Union Home minister to inform them about our opposition to the legislation," the MNF chief said.

The party would be at the forefront of the movement against the proposed bill, Zoramthanga asserted.

"The bill should not be enacted as it does not value the historic Mizo accord signed between India and the erstwhile underground MNF in 1986," he added.

The Mizo National Front was formed in 1950s to protest against the inaction of the central government towards the famine situation in the Mizo areas of Assam.

Following years of underground activities, it signed the Mizoram Accord with the Union government in 1986, renouncing violence.

The party cruised to an absolute majority last year, winning 26 of the 40 seats in the Mizoram Assembly. PTI HCV RMS KJ
Mumbai, Jan 25 (PTI) The Shiv Sena Friday said that Priyanka Gandhi will emerge as the "queen" if she plays her cards well and held that with her induction, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi has shown he will do whatever it takes to win the upcoming general elections.

The BJP's ally also said that comments by ruling party leaders stating Priyanka was formally inducted due to the the Congress president's "failure" had no substance.

It added that the Congress chief had increased the problems of the government by raising the Rafale fighter jet purchase issue.

Even if Gandhi's attacks on the Modi government over corruption in the Rafale deal are ignored, not giving him credit for the wins of the Congress in three states (in recent Assembly polls) would show a closed mindset, it said.

"In Uttar Pradesh, the SP and BSP tied up not giving space to the Congress. However, Rahul Gandhi, with a lot of patience, kept his cool," it said in an editorial in party mouthpiece 'Saamna'.

It said Gandhi played his cards well by announcing that the Congress would fight on all seats in Uttar Pradesh, while helping the SP and BSP wherever possible, and at the same time bringing Priyanka into mainstream politics.

"This will help the Congress. Even the Prime Minister had to speak over this (Priyanka's foray into politics). Even people have accepted a family, why does the stomach of some have to ache?" the editorial asked sarcastically.

It said the BJP harbours ill feelings towards the Nehru-Indira family because the former sees it as formidable competition.

The editorial said the BJP was scared of a stiff challenge to it (from the Congress) as it tries to retain power.

"Priyanka bears an uncanny resemblance to her grandmother Indira Gandhi in looks and manner of speaking.Therefore, the Congress will surely benefit in the Hindi heartland," the Sena said, lauding her for agreeing to join

active politics not worrying about cases against her husband Robert Vadra.

Priyanka, like Indira Gandhi, will emerge as the "queen" if she plays her cards well, the Sena said. PTI MM BNM DV

DV
C'garh govt to withdraw `political cases' filed under BJP rule

Raipur, Jan 25 (PTI) Chhattisgarh Chief Minister

Bhupesh Baghel Friday said "political cases" filed against

workers of political parties during the previous BJP

government in the state will be withdrawn.

He said political cases against workers of student

unions and political parties will be revoked.

Baghel was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a

programme of the National Student Union of India (NSUI) at the

Medical College auditorium here.

"Several fake cases were registered against NSUI

student workers who had staged protests (under the BJP rule)

in support of their demands and those cases will be revoked.

"Even former Chief Minister Raman Singh had lodged

cases against his opponents within the BJP. All those cases

will also be withdrawn on the basis of merit," Baghel said.

In an apparent reference to Raman Singh's son Abhishek

Singh, the MP from Rajnandgaon Lok Sabha constituency, in

context of the Panama Papers scandal, Baghel said, "Nawaz

Sharif of Chhattisgarh is roaming free".

In the past, Singh and his son have denied any link to

the scandal and termed the Congress allegations baseless and

politically motivated.

"During NSUIs programme in Rajnandgaon (ahead of

assembly polls),a slogan was raised that who is Nawaz Sharif

of Chhattisgarh. But the Nawaz Sharif of Chhattisgarh is

roaming free," he added.

Baghel said his government has just "removed dust"

from some files left by the previous government and all hell

has broken loose.

"We have justremoveddusts spread on some files and a

hue and cry has started. Still there are lots of files to be

opened because the entire conspiracy was hidden in those

documents," he added.

Asked to whom he was referring by calling Nawaz

Sharif, Baghel said, "The person whose name has been cropped

up in the Panama Paper leak. In the Panama scandal, Pakistan

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was jailed. In the same issue,

some names also featured from Chhattisgarh.

"On the residential address of former chief minister,

an (offshore bank) account was opened and it will be probed,"

he said.

Baghel informed that Congress president Rahul Gandhi

will be on a day-long visit to Chhattisgarh on January 28 to

express his gratitude to people and farmers who had blessed

the party with a three-fourth majority in the November

assembly polls.

Certificates of loan waiver will be distributed to

farmers at a function to be attended by Gandhi, he added. PTI

TKP

RSY RSY
Two held with pistols, cartridges at Nagpur railway station

Nagpur, Jan 25 (PTI)The Nagpur unit of Maharashtra

Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) Friday arrested two persons and

seized two pistols and 20 livecartridges from them.

The duo was nabbed from the Nagpur railway station,

the ATS said in a release here.

The Mumbai ATS had received information that two

persons from Bihar were coming by an express train from

Chhattisgarh to Nagpur and carrying pistols and cartridges

which were to be delivered to naxalites, it said.

Mumbai ATS officials passed the information to their

Nagpur counterparts who swung into action and arrested the duo

when the Barauni-Secunderabad Express in which they were

travelling reached here, the release said.

Two pistols and 20 livecartridges were recovered from

them, it said.

The ATS did not reveal the identity of the duo, but

said one of them is a resident of Yavatmal in eastern

Maharashtra, while the other hails from Bihar. PTI CLS

RSY RSY
New Delhi, Jan 25 (PTI) Following are the top foreign stories at 2000 hours:



FGN15 US-TRUMP-2NDLD INDIA

Trump sets eyes on Indian duties on American whisky

Washington: US President Donald Trump has set his eyes on the "high" 150 per cent Indian duties on American whisky after he struck what he called a "very fair" deal with India in about two minutes on the 100 per cent tariffs on the iconic motorcycle Harley-Davidson. By Lalit K Jha



FGN11 US-2NDLD SHUTDOWN

No end to US shutdown as opposing bills to reopen govt fail in Senate

Washington: Two bills to end the crippling US government shutdown have been rejected by the Senate, leaving no end in sight to the record-breaking closure of federal agencies over President Donald Trump's controversial plan to build a border wall along the US-Mexico border. By Lalit K Jha



FGN21 WEF-CLOSING

WEF summit ends with words of caution for world economy

Davos: The five-day World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2019 ended Friday with several leaders warning about imminent challenges faced by the global economy, including climate change, growing inequality and US-China trade tensions. By Barun Jha



FGN19 PAK-BAILOUT

Pakistan receives USD 2 bn from UAE, Saudi Arabia

Karachi: Cash-strapped Pakistan has received USD 1 billion each from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), as part of the bailout package by the two Gulf nations to help shore up Islamabad's dwindling foreign currency reserves.



FGN16 PAK-SHARIF

Sharif health: Larger special medical board to be formed to assess his condition

Lahore: Pakistan's Punjab government has decided to constitute a "larger special medical board" to evaluate jailed former prime minister Nawaz Sharif's condition after doctors suggested that he has cardiac complications and should be shifted to hospital. By M Zulqernain



FGN18 CHINA-2NDLD EXPLOSION

1 killed as series of explosions rock 30-storey condominium-cum-shopping mall in China

Beijing: A series of explosions rocked a 30-storey condominium-cum-shopping mall in northeast China on Friday, killing at least one person and injuring another in an incident being treated as a criminal case. By K J M Varma



FGN14 US-HARRIS-SHUTDOWN

Kamala Harris seeks ends to shutdown, reopening of federal government

Washington: First Indian-origin Senator Kamala Harris, who recently announced her presidential bid for 2020, has sought an end to the unprecedented government shutdown and asked for earliest reopening of the federal government. By Lalit K Jha



FGN12 US-RO KHANNA-COMMITTEES

Indian-American lawmaker joins key Congressional committees

Washington: Indian-American Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna has been appointed to several key Congressional committees, reflecting his growing stature within the party and the Congress. By Lalit K Jha



FGN13 US-KRISHNAMOORTHI-COMMITTEE

Raja Krishnamoorthi becomes first South-Asian American to head a Congressional panel

Washington: Raja Krishnamoorthi, a prominent Indian-American Congressman, has been named as the chairman of a panel on economic and consumer policy, making him the first ever member of South Asian descent to chair a congressional committee or subcommittee.By Lalit K Jha



FGN7 US-CHINA-TRADE

US can do without a deal with China: Trump

Washington: US President Donald Trump has said he was very comfortable with his current policy of slapping high-import tariff on products from China, but would like to have a trade deal with them for the benefit of intellectual property. By Lalit K Jha



FGN20 US-TRUMP-LD ADVISER

Trump associate Stone arrested, faces obstruction charge

Washington: Roger Stone, a confidant of President Donald Trump, was arrested Friday morning in the special counsel's Russia investigation and was charged with lying to Congress and obstructing the probe. (AP)



FGN22 WEF INDIA-KAMAL-NATH

India ready for change: Kamal Nath's poll message to global leaders

Davos: Pitching for investments that can generate jobs and help farmers in his state Madhya Pradesh, senior Congress leader Kamal Nath has said his message to global community here is that India is ready for a change in upcoming national polls. By Barun Jha.



FGN23 WEF-LD ECOMMERCE

WTO talks launch in rare win for global order

Davos: Ministers from 75 countries -- including the US and China -- agreed Friday to launch talks towards establishing global rules on e-commerce at the WTO in a rare victory for international cooperation. (AFP)



FGN10 2NDLD VENEZUELA

Backed by military, Venezuela's Maduro hits back at rival

Caracas: Backed by Venezuela's military, President Nicolas Maduro went on the offensive against an opposition leader who declared himself interim president and his US supporters, setting up a potentially explosive struggle for power in the crisis-plagued South American nation. (AP)



FGN24 UK-QUEEN-LD BREXIT

Queen calls for 'common ground' as Brexit divides Britain

London: Queen Elizabeth II has emphasised the need for Britons to come together to "seek out the common ground", in what is being viewed as an appeal to overcome bitter divisions over Brexit. (AFP)



FGN25 MACEDONIA-GREECE-NAME

Greek MPs ratify Macedonia name change in historic vote

Athens: Greek lawmakers on Friday ratified a landmark name change deal with neighbouring Macedonia, handing Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras a diplomatic triumph and bucking street protests to end one of the world's most stubborn diplomatic disputes. (AFP)

RUP
Washington, Jan 25 (AFP) Roger Stone, a former adviser to President Donald Trump, was arrested Friday under an indictment issued by special counsel Robert Mueller, US news outlets reported.

Stone was charged with seven counts, including obstruction of an official proceeding, making false statements and witness tampering, according to The New York Times and other news organizations quoting the office of Mueller, who is conducting the Russia investigation. (AFP) SMJ
Mumbai, Jan 25 (PTI) A man died on the sets of Shahid Kapoor's upcoming film "Kabir Singh" on Thursday in Mussoorie, Uttarakhand.

Ram Kumar, 35, a resident of Uttar Pradesh, lost his life in a freak accident at the five-star hotel where the film's unit is staying.

The incident took place before the commencement of the shoot, a release issued by Cine1 Studios and T Series Films, said.

According to the makers, Kumar was working with the film's unit from Dehradun as a generator operator. And while he was checking the water level in the generator, his muffler got entangled with the generator's fan and in the process, he too was pulled in.

Kumar, who had sustained serious injuries on his head, was immediately rushed to hospital in Dehradun where he was put on the ventilator for a few hours before he passed away.

Kumar is survived by three brothers and a sister, the statement said.

The producers of the film in a joint statement expressed their grief.

"We are deeply saddened by the loss. We are extending our deepest sympathies to the family of Ram Kumar. We are offering support to the family in the immediate aftermath of this tragic event," the statement from Cine1 Studios and T Series Films said read.

The film, a remake of Telegu hit "Arjun Reddy", is slated to release on June 21. The film stars Kiara Advani opposite Shahid. PTI KKP SHD

SHD
(Eds: Disclaimer: The following press release comes to you under an arrangement with NewsVoir. PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.)

Gurgaon, Haryana, India (NewsVoir)



 Delhi  NCR leads list of most credit aware customers, followed by Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Pune



 More than 40% customers with credit score of over 750 are under the age of 30







Paisabazaar.com, Indias largest marketplace for financial products, announced today that its credit awareness initiative has helped around 8.3 lakh customers improve their credit score by over 100 points within six months.





Paisabazaar.com, which is the clear market leader for lending products, has been providing consumers their free credit report with monthly updates since January 2017. It aims to ensure its customers are well-aware of their credit score and take adequate steps to build it over time, which would make them eligible for the best lending products available at lower cost.





There are around 250 million people on the credit bureau in India, out of which only 40-45 million are prime customers with a strong credit score of 750 and above. Most banks and financial institutions prefer this segment to distribute their lending products. To increase the penetration of formal credit, Paisabazaar.com for the last 2+ years has been helping customers become aware of their credit score and offering advice on building it over time, said Naveen Kukreja, CEO & Co-founder, Paisabazaar.com.





Broadly, there are 3 key aspects to credit score  checking it, tracking it and building it. Paisabazaar.com has enabled free and instant check of ones credit score from multiple credit bureaus, tracking of the score can be done seamlessly through WhatsApp, Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, and we also offer personalized services to build the score. Our objective is to help each customer achieve a high credit score and lead a healthy financial life, said Radhika Binani, Chief Product Officer, Paisabazaar.com.







62% of customers have a strong credit profile





62% of customers who have taken their credit report from the Paisabazaar platform have a credit score (from CIBIL) of over 700, which is considered good by most banks and financial institutions. On the other hand, 11% customers have a score less than 600, which is considered a risky profile for any of lending product.







Credit Score



Customers



New To Credit



16%



Less than 600 (Poor Score)



11%



600-700 (Average Score)



11%



701-800 (Good Score)



49%



801-900 (Excellent Score)



13%







(Source CIBIL)





Paisabazaar.com offers unique services for each segment with varying credit profiles to help them maintain or build a strong credit profile. Consumers with strong credit profile can benefit from the Paisabazaar platform through first in the industry innovations like Chance of Approval that helps them choose the most-suited and customized lending products, enabling them to save money due to their high scores.







For those with average scores, through builder products, can increase their credit score significantly. Consumers with low scores are offered advisory service by Paisabazaar, where credit experts provide tailor-made plans, offer personalized advice and also assist them in resolving errors in their credit report, to build their credit score over time.







Young India responsible with credit



Paisabazaar.coms data also shows that two-third of the customers who have a strong credit profile are under the age of 35. 40% of consumers who have a credit score of over 750 are under the age of 30, while 26% are between 31-35 years.







More than 40% customers with high credit score are under 30 years



Our data and the conversations we have with our customers clearly indicate that that millennials are extremely aware and responsible with credit. Due to high aspirations and easier access, they have started to take credit products early for international trips, higher education etc., and are usually very good in repaying it, said Naveen Kukreja.







Almost half of the credit aware population are from Top 10 Cities



54% of Paisabazaar.coms consumers who have a credit score of over 750 come from Top 10 metro cities. Delhi-NCR has the highest number of credit aware customers, with Delhi alone contributing 11%, while Gurgaon has 2% and Noida, Faridabad and Ghaziabad constitute 1% of the credit aware population. Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Pune are in the top 5 cities, that has 42% of Paisabazaar customers who have a strong credit score.







While the metro cities are still dominating when it comes to credit awareness, we see a steady change happening where people from smaller cities and towns are also becoming more confident in accessing credit, especially digitally. In the next couple of years, we expect huge increase in credit awareness from Tier 2 and 3 cities, said Naveen Kukreja.







Focus on further innovation



Paisabazaar.com is the only financial player in India that partners with major credit bureaus in the country to provide credit reports for free for life. It has also introduced several industry-first innovations to make tracking and building of credit score easy, including a credit advisory service that provides personal expert help to customers with low scores.







Paisabazaar.com says its round-the-year brand campaigns on TV and digital around this credit awareness initiative has made it almost synonymous with the free credit score product, and it will continue to build on it through technology and data.







While we have come a long way in the last 2 years helping consumers become more credit aware, given the size of the Indian market and the huge unserved credit segment, we, as an industry, still have a lot to do. Paisabazaar.com intends to continue to provide a completely safe, secure and best in the industry consumer experience on its platform, said Naveen Kukreja.







About Paisabazaar.com



Paisabazaar.com is India's largest online marketplace for loans and Credit Cards. It works with more than 75 partners across lending and investment categories to offer 300+ products to meet all lending and investment needs of consumers. Paisabazaar is the only marketplace in India to disburse annualized loans worth USD 1 billion.







The platform has been conferred with Economic Times Best Fintech Brand (2018) Economic Times Best BFSI Brand" (2016), Money Tech Startup of the Year (2017) and Money Tech Best Customer Experience Innovation (2017) awards. PaisaBazaar.com is part of ETechAces that owns Indias leading insurtech brand, PolicyBazaar.com, and newly launched health tech platform, docprime.com. The company is backed up by a host of investors including the likes of Softbank, Temasek, Tiger Global Management, True North, InfoEdge (Naukri.com), Premji Invest, besides investments from other PE funds and family offices.







Image 1: 62% of customers have a strong credit profile



Image 2: More than 40% customers with high credit score are under 30 years



Image 3: https://www.newsvoir.com/images/article/image3/11254_p3.jpg PWR

PWR
Karachi, Jan 25 (PTI) Cash-strapped Pakistan has received USD 1 billion each from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), as part of the bailout package by the two Gulf nations to help shore up Islamabad's dwindling foreign currency reserves.

The country's central bank, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), on Friday confirmed that Pakistan has received the third tranche of USD 1 billion as part of balance-of-payments support from close ally Saudi Arabia.

On Thursday, the SBP tweeted that USD 1 billion has been received from the UAE. The assistance was the first part of the USD 3 billion assistance announced by the Gulf nation.

The amount was received under an agreement, signed on Tuesday, by SBP Governor Tariq Bajwa and Abu Dhabi Fund for Development Director General Saif Al Suwaidi, the SBP said.

Saudi Arabia's assistance was part of the USD 6 billion bailout package - USD 3 billion balance-of-payments support and another USD 3 billion in deferred payments on oil imports - which Riyadh had agreed in October last year.

The kingdom has already deposited USD 2 billion to provide vital cushion to Pakistan's dwindling reserves. Pakistan, which is in talks with the IMF for a bailout package, has also reportedly received financial assistance from China.

According to the SBP, Pakistan's foreign currency reserves dropped to a 57-month low of USD 6.63 billion as of January 18, 2019.

With these reserves, Pakistan can hardly cover one-and-a-half-month of imports. The reserves have continued to drop for the last two years due to the country's high foreign expenditure and low income, which is better known as the current account deficit, the Express Tribune reported.

The deficit was recorded at USD 8 billion in the first half (Jul-Dec) of the current fiscal year 2018-19, which was slightly lower than USD 8.4 billion in the same period of previous year.

This assistance has improved Pakistans position in terms of import payments and debt repayment in the short term.

"The deposits will help Pakistan achieve financial stability and overcome economic challenges," the Foreign Office had tweeted after the agreement between Pakistan-UAE was inked with Abu Dhabi. PTI SMJ AKJ SMJ

SMJ
New Delhi, Jan 25 (PTI) Union Minister Arun Jaitley Friday welcomed the Supreme Court decision to uphold the validity of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, and stressed that bank defaulters cannot get away for long.

"The upholding of the provisions that bar the defaulting promoters from bidding is both ethical and proper - otherwise the defaulter will continue to manage the company with only the banks taking a haircut," he said in a tweet.

Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutional validity of the IBC saying "the defaulters' paradise is lost" and the economy's rightful position has been regained.

"The Supreme Court judgement upholding the validity of the IBC is a welcome decision. The Bank defaulters cannot get away for long," he said.

With regard to the controversial provision of section 29A of the IBC, which dealt with the rights of erstwhile promoters to participate in the recovery process of a corporate debtor, the court said that "a resolution applicant has no vested right for consideration or approval of its resolution plan".

Jaitley, last week, unexpectedly flew to the US for, what officials in the finance ministry called, a "medical checkup."

Sources, however, said he underwent a surgery in the US on Tuesday after being tested for soft tissue cancer. Doctors, they say, have advised him two weeks' rest.

On Wednesday, a Rashtrapati Bhavan communique said that Piyush Goyal would be the interim Finance Minister and Jaitley would be a minister without portfolio. PTI DP MR

MR
New Delhi, Jan 25 (PTI) The government has hiked the advertisement rates offered by it to private TV channels, which would lead to an increase of about 11 per cent in the rates for most channels.

Differential rate structures for news and non-news channels will be offered, depending on their overall reach in the country, an official statement said Friday.

The move comes just days after the government hiked by 25 per cent the rates at which the Bureau of Outreach and Communication (BOC) releases its advertisements to the print media.

Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has taken a decision to revise the advertisement rates offered by BOC to private TV channels, the statement said.

The revised rates have been announced on the basis of a review committee constituted by the ministry which submitted its report on January 1, 2019, it said.

The last hike for private TV channels took place in 2017, an official said.

The revision would lead to an increase in rates of about 11 per cent over the rates of 2017 for most private TV channels while it could be higher for some others as per their reach and TV ratings, it said.

The decision will also make it easier for TV channels to be empanelled with BOC to take advantage of the higher rates, the statement said. PTI ASK ABH

ABH
New Delhi, Jan 25 (PTI) Finance Minister Piyush Goyal Friday asked tax officers to refrain from being overzealous in tax administration, while appealing the industry to conduct business ethically.

Addressing the Central Board of Indirect Taxes (CBIC) officers on the occasion of International Customs Day, Goyal asked the tax officers to consider crowdsourcing of feedback from stakeholders as to what more could be done towards adopting a taxpayer friendly approach by the department.

Goyal, who was earlier this week given the additional charge of Finance Ministry, asked the taxmen to trust the customers with a great degree of intelligence, while adopting a customer friendly approach.

"After all, we are here to do a job, to ensure that the revenues of the government, which are rightfully due to be collected and which go to serve the poor of India, to create infrastructure, which go to develop security for our borders should not be lost. No revenue should be lost," he said.

The government in last few years has made an "honest attempt" to make the tax administration taxpayer friendly, and worked towards continuously bringing down tax rates, and make compliance easier.

"At this stage, I can ... appeal to the business community that it is time to do business ethically and straight. Those days are gone when there was era of very high taxes, very high import duties, very high indirect and direct taxes, which caused people to look at different avenues to skip taxes," Goyal said.

Stating that actions of a few people causes agony to a much larger set of people, the Minister said, it is not that every businessman is cheating on taxes.

He also emphasised that it is not always that government bureaucrats or people in power, all are engaged in wrongdoing but it is the "few black sheep", who cause the generalisation in the society or in the public mind that things are not going right, he said.

"Very often in the over enthusiasm of tax administration, we become overzealous also and that causes a lot of agony, particularly to the honest taxpayer.

"Similarly, when people talk about administration of different departments of the government, bureaucracy, it's very unfortunate that all are brushed in the same language, Goyal said.

Asking the tax officers to collectively recognise responsibility, Goyal said "each one of us as an individual represents 80,000 officers, each one of us will have to recognise that my actions are going to reflect on the image of 79,999 colleagues". PTI JD DRR
Cartoonist-turned-politician and founder of Shiv Sena, Balasaheb Thackeray, was a phenomenon. One either loved him or hated him. There was no middle ground. He owned everything that he did, occasionally even things that he did not do or ordered them done. A complex and no-nonsense personality, Thackeray was once, reportedly, asked by eminent editor Shekhar Gupta whether he was a 'Mafioso'. The Shiv Sena supremo replied: You wouldn't be sitting in front of me if I were one. Thackeray was an essential and much needed intervention in Maharashtra politics. It is hard to imagine the state's political landscape without Thackeray or Shiv Sena.

So, a biopic on such a personality, revered by lakhs even today seven years after his demise, is a herculean task. Filmmaker Abhijit Panse has shouldered the responsibility in an excellent manner and given us a film, which, most importantly, does not deny anythingbe it Shiv Sena's active participation in the Mumbai riots or its part in the demolition of the disputed structure of Babri Masjid. A biopic need not always be a critical analysis of a personality or a glorified account of the person. It should show us the personality as he or she was, a bundle of contradictions and emotions. Thackeray does that. Panse does not hesitate in showing how Shiv Sena was lampooned as 'Vasant Sena' (an outfit sponsored by then Maharashtra chief minister Vasantrao Naik). He also does not hesitate in showing how Mumbai police tacitly supported Shiv Sainiks in the riots in the aftermath of the Babri Masjid demolition.

Nawazuddin Siddiqui as Thackeray and Amrita Rao as his wife Meena Tai have delivered superb performances. The scene where Thackeray is undergoing dental treatment at Dr Shroff's clinic is brilliant because of the way Siddiqui captures Thackeray's devil-may-care attitude: A politician brings to Thackeray a proposal to merge Shiv Sena with the Congress or face ban. It is the Emergency era. The message has come from then Mumbai Congress boss Rajni Patel. Thackeray listens patiently and then tells the politician to convey to Patel that he will pay a heavy price for coming up with such a proposal. The very next moment, as if nothing has happened, Thackeray tells Dr Shroff to get on with his business.

Siddiqui and Amrita Rao in a still from the film

Thackeray-baiters may point at the irony that non-Maharashtrian actors Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Amrita Rao were picked to portray the Shiv Sena supremo and his wife, thus rendering useless Thackeray's nativist and sons-of-the-soil politics. But, it is a foolish and conference-room-debate argument. In the larger canvas of political reality that unfolded in the era in which Thackeray grew and thrived, sons-of-the-soil was an important, valid and useful card to play in real politics. So important and valid that even today, politicians in other states raise the issue. Ask Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister and Congress leader Kamal Nath who recently complained about outsiders taking away jobs from people of the state.

Another terrific scene in the film is murder of Communist legislator Krishna Desai. The firebrand Communist leader was allegedly murdered by Shiv Sainiks outside his office in 1970. Marathi actor Sanjay Narvekar has played the role of Desai very well. It is terrifying to see Desai being murdered by using a gupti (a type of sword) concealed in the handle of an open umbrella. Again, the film does not deny the role of Shiv Sena or Thackeray in that incident. It just goes on to explain that the attack was in response to an attack, allegedly by Communists, on Thackeray. An eye for an eye.

On the downside, the film justifies the use of violence as a necessary means to achieve larger aims. But then, so did Thackeray. He never shied away from saying so. One may call him a demagogue or a fascist autocrat. That is how he was and the film captures it well. Along with Siddiqui and Rao, other actors like Prakash Belavadi, Pradeep Velankar, Sanjay Narvekar and Nilesh Divekar had produced some brilliant performances. The film is a must-watch for those who want to understand Thackeray as he was.

Film: Thackeray

Director: Abhijit Panse

Cast: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Amrita Rao, Sanjay Narvekar

Rating: 3.5/5
The second wave of Covid-19 is sweeping through India, and...

By Dr Monali C. Rahalkar and Dr Rahul Bahulikar
The Supreme Court on Friday decided to examine the Narendra Modi government's decision to grant 10 per cent reservation in jobs and education to poor candidates belonging to general category.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice Sanjiv Khanna issued notice to the Central government on various petitions challenging the validity of the 103 Constitutional Amendment Act, which paved the way for grant of quota to poor persons belonging to the general category.

"We are examining the matter and hence issuing notice returnable within four weeks," the Supreme Court bench said.

The bench, however, did not stay the operation of the Centre's decision granting quota to the poor in the general category.

In poll year, the Narendra Modi government had come out with the constitutional amendment bill giving quota benefits to the poor among general category candidates.

The petitions were filed by parties including organisations like Janhit Abhiyan and Youth For Equality challenging the Centre's decision.
MPTB gets into collaboration with producers of Sherni shot in MP locales
Whave is a Ugandansocial enterprise working with communities, government, and civil societyorganisations to find and demonstrate solutions to poverty and environmentalissues. Our team includes both local and international experts with professionalcapabilities ranging from engineering to social science.
The Procurement Officer will be an integralmember of the Operations team. The Procurement Officer is responsible foroverseeing procurement in the Yumbe central office. Working closely withOperations, Programs, Administration and Finance, the Procurement Officer isinstrumental in supporting program activities through his/her services. The ProcurementOfficer is responsible to ensure that all procurement and contracts are incompliance with Mercy Corps and donor requirements. The position will mostintensively support the programs funded by European donors to support refugeesand host communities in Northern Uganda. The position is to provide support toactivities and offices in Arua, Adjumani, Rhino Camp.




The National Information & CommunicationTechnology Coordinator is responsible for effective operation of theinformation and communication technology infrastructure and services across theSOS Childrens Villages Uganda.Incooperation with the Regional ICT Director / Advisor, the NITC implements SOSChildrens Villages international, global and regional ICT goals, policies andstandards in the Member Association (MA).He / she designs and maintains the connectivity, infrastructure and ICTservices architecture that support and facilitate the business needs in theNational Office and the SOS Programme Locations.He / she ensures reliable ICT services interms of availability, security and business continuity. As a member of theNational Management Team, the NITC contributes to the development of SOSChildrens Villages Uganda strategies and operations.He / she works closely with the Managementand the various national functions in providing technical and strategic adviceson how to achieve operational efficiency, better support the programme implementationand bringing newinnovations to the workof SOSChildrens Villages Uganda.
An Antarctic astronomical facility is seen at the Kunlun Station in Antarctica, Jan. 23, 2019. The Kunlun team of China's 35th Antarctic expedition withdrew from the Kunlun Station on Thursday after completing various scientific exploration projects at the peak of Antarctic's inland icecap. (Xinhua/Liu Shiping)

ANTARCTICA, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- The Kunlun team of China's 35th Antarctic expedition withdrew from the Kunlun Station on Thursday after completing various scientific exploration projects at the peak of Antarctic's inland icecap.

The 16 members, who are now on their way back to the Zhongshan Station, arrived at the Kunlun Station on Jan. 4. The Kunlun Station was erected at Dome Argus (Dome A), the South Pole's highest icecap, at 4,093 meters above sea level.

During their stay at the station, the members conducted projects including maintenance of astronomical telescopes and collection of their data in past years, installation and operation of measurement equipment of astronomical sites, and measurement of GPS and gravity.

The Kunlun team, facing a lowest temperature of minus 40 degrees Celsius in the station when withdrawing, brought all the garbage on its way back. The team is expected to reach the Zhongshan Station in half a month.

The Kunlun Station lies at 80 degrees 25 minutes south latitude and 77 degrees 6 minutes east longitude. It is China's first science station in inland Antarctic as well as the highest science station ever built by mankind on the continent.

The station, which celebrates its 10-year anniversary in 2019, has become a key scientific research base covering such areas as Antarctic astronomical observation and deep ice core drilling.

7

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[ Editor: WPY ]
London, KY (40741)

Today

Clouds and some sun this morning with more clouds for this afternoon. High 87F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Mostly cloudy skies. Low near 65F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.
EDWARDSVILLE  The Greater St. Louis Area Council for the Boys Scouts of America will host its annual University of Scouting event at Southern Illinois University Edwardsvilles Vadalabene Center (VC) on Saturday, Jan. 26. More than 500 scouts and 300 adults are expected to attend and receive training for all levels of scouting.

The University of Scouting is designed to provide knowledge about many areas of the Boy Scouts of America and its programs.

University of Scouting is a day-long event that offers the widest variety of training opportunities, in all program areas, all in one place, said Chad Deschane, chancellor of the event. Offering more than 130 classes, attendees will find just about anything to do with scouting.

This years theme is Every Scout Deserves a Trained Leader, and focuses on the participants, whether they are a scout, an adult leader, serve on a council committee or are parents.

A welcome ceremony begins the agenda at 8:15 a.m. A vendor fair in the VC south mezzanine will be available. Among the wide variety of courses offered are leadership training, special needs scouting, STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) topics, teaching and training, scouting skills and merit badges. The class schedule is available at scoutingevent.com.

According to Deschane, SIUE fit their organizational needs.

We chose the campus due to three factors - the size and space needs are large, the location is central to our geographic area and our council has had many successful STEM events at the University, he said.

The council will also use classrooms in Peck Hall, Science East and Alumni Hall in addition to the VC.

For more information about the Boy Scouts of America, visit scouting.org. To contact the Greater St. Louis Area Council, call 314-361-0600 or visit stlbsa.org.
ALTON  A man who injured a police officer during a struggle Tuesday was charged Thursday with resisting a police officer causing injury, and unlawful possession of a controlled substance.

Gerald L. Bradford, 25, of Belleville, who has a criminal history, was accused of causing injuries to an officers hand and knee during a scuffle Tuesday. He was also accused of possessing less than 15 grams of hydrocodone. Bail was set at $30,000.

Bradford has a record dating to 2004 when he was convicted of felony retail theft. He also has two 2006 convictions for retail theft, plus a 2004 conviction for violation of probation. At the time of his arrest, he was on probation as a result of a 2006 conviction for retail theft.

He also has misdemeanor convictions for retail theft, disorderly conduct, domestic battery, trespassing and possession of drug paraphernalia.

It took at least seven Alton police officers to secure Bradford Tuesday morning during a traffic stop on the car wash parking lot at Pearl and Bozza streets.

Officers stopped the vehicle after receiving an alert from the Clark Bridges camera system that the vehicles registration was suspended for a mandatory insurance violation, according to Alton Police Public Information Officer Pfc. Emily Hejna.

Bradford was wanted on a felony warrant out of St. Clair County for failure to appear on a charge of aggravated battery to a pregnant person, according to police.

An Alton officer attempted to take the man into custody, at which point he began fighting with police, Hejna said.

Police used a Taser gun in an attempt to subdue him, and one of the officers lost a loaded spare pistol magazine on the parking lot during the scuffle.

Reach reporter Sanford Schmidt at 618-208-6449.
In 2009, more than 400 people put their lives on hold and entered a facsimile of a Soviet research plant, where they conducted experiments, gossiped, fell in love, endured arrest, suffered punishment, conceived children and betrayed one another.

They lived for two years in a parallel universe contained in a sealed set in Kharkiv, in northeastern Ukraine, where the Soviet physicist Lev Landau worked in the 1930s. A biopic about the Nobel laureate and Russian Jewish genius - begun by the Russian director Ilya Khrzhanovsky in 2005 - expanded into a massive role play and interactive spectacle dramatizing the sequestered life of the totalitarian state's scientific elite between 1938 and 1968.

"DAU," which draws its title from the nickname of the acclaimed scientist, was set to open this week across three sites in Paris but was delayed pending further negotiations with the city. The "ongoing experiment" comprises 13 feature-length movies drawn from 700 hours of footage. The film has elicited comparisons to "The Truman Show," "Big Brother" and "Blade Runner." It has something in common with Secret Cinema, which stages immersive theater experiences in impromptu spaces.

Comparisons falter, though, in the face of the sheer ambitions of the artwork. Those involved in its long-secret making - overseen by the 43-year-old Khrzhanovsky - claim it could present "the most authentic portrayal of life in the Soviet Union ever created." What makes the film so authentic also makes it troubling, some fear, warning that the project - in playing with the boundary between life and art, between past and present - ended up on the wrong side of an ethical line.

Writing in the Daily Telegraph on Thursday, Albina Kovalyova, a documentary director and producer who said she had been a casting assistant for the project, wondered whether Khrzhanovsky, by developing such a precise model of Soviet totalitarianism to condemn it, "may have become a despot himself and overseen behaviour that crossed the line from fictional abuse to the real thing."

The former casting assistant claimed to have had a breakdown after "watching one scene that showed experiments being performed on babies with Down syndrome." Khrzhanovsky, told her the children had not been mistreated, she wrote, but she continued to feel "cruelly manipulated."

The makers of "DAU" did not return a query from The Washington Post about the tactics employed in the experiments. A trailer for the film says the participants "became open to new discoveries, personal and scientific."

"They traveled through three decades, ending up in 1968, changed forever," it declares.

Only someone who was a child when the regime ended would want to recreate that world, or have the energy and imagination to do so, said Ian Christie, a professor of film and media history at Birkbeck College, University of London.

Christie, an acquaintance of Khrzhanovsky, said the product could be "spectacular." A preview in the French newspaper Liberation was more skeptical, calling the project "as ambiguous as it is vain" and claiming that it enjoyed a budget as big as the gross domestic product of Belize.

There was no script, and few of the participants were actors by trade. Teodor Currentzis, the Greek-Russian conductor, took on the role of Landau, and the actress Radmila Shchyogoleva played his wife. Hundreds of everyday people joined the set, which became known as the "Institute."

"I will probably never find myself in such a situation ever again," a resident of Kharkiv told the Moscow Times in 2013.

Viewers, who must be over 18, will spot some familiar faces, including that of artist Marina Abramovic. They will hear the voice of actor Willem Dafoe.

Instead of a ticket, a "visa" grants entry, either for six or 24 hours, or for unlimited access. Lengthier stays require visitors to complete a psychometric questionnaire that, promotional materials promise, will "enable our algorithmic system to tailor your DAU visit specifically for you."

Production unfolded in secret, stoking speculation as grainy photos bounced around the internet. Few journalists were allowed any access.

The snapshots that did emerge were eerie. Michael Idov, in a GQ story in 2011, called Khrzhanovsky, the son of the famed Russian animator Andrei Khrzhanovsky, "unhinged." Questions mounted about whether the film would ever find an audience, even as it kept Cannes buzzing. Khrzhanovsky had earned critical acclaim for his 2004 film "4," the poster for which shows a closeup bare female breast.

"Armed with total creative control, he invaded a Ukrainian city, marshaled a cast of thousands and thousands, and constructed a totalitarian society in which the cameras are always rolling and the actors never go home," wrote Idov, who gained access to the Institute as a "visiting foreign dignitary," a role for which he wore a three-piece suit and a fedora.

Entrance to the site, which occupied Kharkiv's old outdoor swimming complex, required period costumes. Once inside the 12,000-square-meter space, where residential buildings stood among science labs and a cafeteria, participants ate period food, which they purchased with Soviet rubles.

Modern equipment was prohibited; even mention of advanced communications technology was verboten. Women were reportedly left to use Soviet-model cloth tampons. Participants were encouraged to inhabit midcentury social structures and to take up leisure activities of the era.

Life on set was embraced with such gusto that 14 children were conceived at the Institute.

The executive producer, Martine d'Anglejan-Chatillon, sought to put to rest the suggestion that some of the material was pornographic by telling Screen Daily magazine, "When people live together for three years in a confined space, they have lots of sex. I can report that." But she also said the footage showed "people having breakfast, people cleaning cars, people driving down the streets or cooking or all sorts of things. There is no hierarchy there in the value of their actions."

So intent was the director on replicating the midcentury Soviet experience, Kovalyova recounted, that he installed waste pipes of the precise dimensions as those from the era so that the toilets would emit the right flushing sound. Off-kilter staircases and unlit corridors were designed to "heighten the sense of claustrophobia," she wrote. Monotonous string music blared from loudspeakers "in an apparent attempt to make cast members feel tense."

The experiment began without secret police, according to James Meek, a novelist and former Guardian correspondent in Moscow who got a glimpse of the project during postproduction in London.

But the Institute gave rise organically to a "repressive apparatus" in which neighbors denounced one another for breaking the research center's rules, he wrote in an account in the London Review of Books. Soon, midnight arrests were landing participants in prison. There, they shared cells with actual criminals who were recruited mid-sentence by Khrzhanovsky from the real prison in the Ukrainian city of 1.4 million people.

The shoot ended when the director ordered the demolition of the Institute in November 2011. According to Russian media accounts cited by Meek, Khrzhanovsky enlisted genuine Russian neo-Nazis to "storm the set, destroy it and performatively enact a massacre of its staff." A party boasting an open bar followed, drawing locals who thought they were there for a nightclub opening.

"I don't think there's been anything like this," Christie, the film scholar, said in an interview with The Washington Post. "It's on a scale that we've never seen before."

The professor said he was invited to meet Khrzhanovsky several years ago, when the director was working in London during the postproduction phase. He entered an unremarkable building in central London and, on the inside, found a replica of a Soviet interior. "This wasn't for filming - it was for living, working and meeting people," Christie said. "It was like stepping into the past."

The attempt to rediscover a lost world, one that was never fully known to Khrzhanovsky's generation, is by nature a commentary on modern Russia, Christie said, where "all the new trappings" have not erased "what is the same physical structure."

"It's like two worlds coexisting," he said, and "DAU" beckons viewers to stand at their union.

The film was initially slated to premiere in Berlin as the first stop in a three-city tour, but authorities objected to plans to build a replica of the Berlin Wall as part of the opening. It is still expected to move on to London after it finishes in Paris on Feb. 17..

The "extraordinary secrecy" in which Khrzhanovsky works tends to breed rumors, Christie observed, saying he would not want to amplify accusations of mistreatment at the Institute.

"I'm sure things happened inside this closed world - things that would not be very easy to understand from the outside," he said. "Ilya was serious about creating an alternate world."
VANCOUVER  On Dec. 1, Meng Wanzhou, the chief financial officer for the Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei, was arrested at Vancouver International Airport. She has since been released on $10-million bail with a number of conditions.

Mengs arrest followed repeated warnings from cybersecurity experts, who urged Canada to follow other countries in limiting the companys role in the development of high-tech communications.

Days after Mengs first court appearance, Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor were arrested in China in apparent retaliation for Mengs detention. Chinese authorities allege both men were conducting activities that endangered national security.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau suggested the arrest of Kovrig violated his diplomatic immunity. Kovrig was on leave from his job with the Canadian government to work with Crisis Group, an organization dedicated to preventing armed conflicts.

StarMetro will continue to update this file as the story develops.

Last updated: Jan. 29, 2018

WHAT WE KNOW

Who was arrested: Meng was on her way to Mexico when she was arrested in Vancouver after she got off a flight Hong Kong flight in Vancouver at the request of American authorities acting on a warrant from New York state.

Meng is listed as the deputy chairwoman and chief financial officer of Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. and is the daughter of Zhengfei Ren, the founder of the company.

According to an affidavit presented British Columbia Supreme Court, Meng owns two homes in Shaughnessy and Dunbar. The homes are worth $16.3 million and $5.6 million respectively, according to property assessment records.

She was released on bail in December after paying $7 million in a cash deposit and $3 million in sureties after four people  including Vancouver realtor Robert Cheng, a pair of former Huawei employees, a neighbor, and Scot Filer, the CEO of Lions Gate Risk management, who are in charge of her security upon her release, put up their homes as collateral, along with cash from her husband Liu Xiaozong.

She is also required to cover the cost of the ankle bracelet she must wear.

On Jan. 29 the court approved an application to restore Mengs realtor as surety, after he forgot the required paperwork when she was released. Someone else temporarily stepped in as surety with cash.

Meng is out on bail until her next court appearance on March 6. While awaiting her fate Meng is living in one of her two multimillion-dollar Vancouver homes.

Meng once held permanent residency in Canada, at one time living in Vancouver for a three-year stretch, but it expired nine years ago.

The charges relate to U.S. sanctions on Iran:

The 23 charges on which Mengs extradition to the U.S. is being sought were released to the public via two indictments filed in New York and Washington State on Monday Jan. 28. The United States formally filed the extradition request before the Jan. 30 deadline.

Twenty-three charges against Huawei and Meng were revealed Jan. 28. All 23 name Huawei, while four name the company and Meng. Part of the indictment alleges Huawei was operating as SkyCom to do business in Iran, counter to United States sanctions on the country. When questioned by financial institutions, its alleged Meng misled them by insisting SkyCom and Huawei are separate companies.

Among the 23 charges against Huawei, its alleged engineers from Huaweis China arm directed engineers at Huawei U.S.A. to steal information it had access to under a business agreement with T-Mobile. It is alleged Huawei sent its own engineers to the U.S. on a mission to steal the information themselves and they were caught abusing access to T-Mobiles labs to obtain information, take photos and even steal a piece of equipment.

The indictment alleges soon after the incident Huawei instituted a bonus program to encourage employees to steal confidential information from other companies.

The charges against Meng and Huawei found in the two indictments are:

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Theft of trade secrets conspiracy

Attempted theft of trade secrets

Nine counts wire fraud

Obstruction of Justice

Two counts Conspiracy to commit bank fraud

Two counts bank fraud

Conspiracy to defraud the U.S.

Conspiracy to violate International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA)

Conspiracy to violate IEEPA

Two IEEPA violations

Money Laundering conspiracy

Conspiracy to Obstruct Justice

The Chinese embassy is outraged:

Chinas embassy in Ottawa issued a statement shortly after news of the arrest broke, accusing Canada and the United States of violating Mengs human rights and calling for the personal freedom of Meng to be restored. The embassy insists on Mengs innocence.

Following the first day of Mengs bail hearing on Dec. 7, 2018 in Vancouver, Chinas Vice Foreign Minister Le Yucheng said in a statement that Mengs arrest was unreasonable, unconscionable and vile in nature and that there could be grave consequences if she is not released.

On Jan. 25, Canadas ambassador to China, John McCallum, was sacked after twice making comments about Mengs ability to beat the extradition case. While Chinas government would not comment on McCallums firing, state-run media ran pieces criticizing the move and attacking a Star Vancouver reporter Joanna Chiu, who broke the story about McCallums second set of controversial comments.

After the charges against Meng and Huawei were announced on Jan. 28, Chinas foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said the country is highly concerned about the charges against Meng and Huawei and alleged the U.S. is going down the wrong path.

Geng warned Canada not to hurt its own interests on behalf of the U.S.

Huawei is no stranger to controversy: The telecommunications giant has been banned from participating in the development of 5G networks in Australia and the United States, and the BBC reported earlier this week that the United Kingdom has limited the companys access to its 5G networks. Despite the concerns in those countries, Huawei is involved with a number of Canadian universities and companies in developing 5G networks here in Canada.

Canada recently signed a $40-million deal with Huaweis competitor, Nokia, to help develop its 5G network.

WHATS NEXT

The justice minister has to approve the extradition process: Extradition cases are forwarded to the new federal justice minister, David Lametti, who must grant approval to proceed. He has until March 1 to approve the case for processing.

If Lametti approves, a Canadian court must determine whether there is sufficient evidence to justify extradition. If the court determines that evidence exists, Lametti can order the persons surrender to authorities of the country requesting extradition.

The person subject to extradition can appeal the committal decision and seek a judicial review of the surrender order.

Read more about:
Premier Doug Ford has hired the Toronto Suns top editorial executive to be his deputy chief of staff.

The appointment of James Wallace, the vice-president of editorial for the Sun tabloids, was disclosed to Progressive Conservative staffers on Friday.

Read more:

Premier Doug Ford losing his most experienced political aide

I am pleased to announce that James Wallace will be joining the premiers office as deputy chief of staff, Dean French, Fords chief of staff, said in an email.

The premier has known James for many years and we both have a great deal of respect for him. He will be a fantastic addition to our team. Please join me in welcoming James to Queens Park.

Wallace is no stranger to Queens Park.

He was an aggressive legislative reporter for the Sun during the tenure of former NDP premier Bob Rae and former PC premier Mike Harris and served as president of the Queens Park press gallery.

After briefly leaving journalism to serve as press secretary to Tory cabinet minister Bob Runciman he returning to the legislature after the 2003 election to cover Liberal premier Dalton McGuinty for the Bowes newspaper chain, which is now part of the Postmedia empire that owns the Sun papers.

Known as Jamie to his friends, Wallaces arrival comes after Jenni Byrne left the premiers office earlier this month.

Byrne, who was Fords most experienced political aide, is headed to the Ontario Energy Board.

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Robert Benzie is the Star's Queen's Park bureau chief and a reporter covering Ontario politics. Follow him on Twitter: @robertbenzie

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Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Sport Michael Tibollo outlined high-level goals for Ontario Place in a closed-door meeting with industry representatives where he described the state of the waterfront site in terms that echoed Ontario Place board chair Jim Ginous controversial remarks earlier this month.

The comments highlighted the ministers overall philosophy and priorities for Ontario Place and indicated the governments eagerness to attract investment to the waterfront site that has been mostly unused since 2011, when the Liberal government shuttered the money-losing theme park west of Torontos downtown.

In a wide-ranging discussion with tourism stakeholders on Tuesday, the minister slammed the state of Ontario Place on multiple occasions, calling it shameful. He unfavourably described a recent site visit in cinematic terms, saying, I feel like Im walking through a Fellini film, and remarked on the peeling paint on buildings that have not been maintained.

In its place, the minister expressed the desire for an ambitious vision to turn Ontario Place into a jewel, saying that doing so would require working with more than one developer. He also raised the idea of integrating Ontario Place with the city-owned Exhibition Grounds and invoked the idea of a monorail to ease transportation concerns to and at the site.

Tibollo referred to the state of Ontario Place in harsh terms, calling it a disgrace, according to multiple sources in the meeting. The language used by the minister was similar to Ginous controversial comments to QP Briefing that sparked a backlash from opposition MPPs and waterfront advocates, showing a consistent government approach to the site that was opened for expressions of interest last week.

In the Queens Park meeting with 20 to 30 attendees that was meant to inform the governments upcoming Tourism Strategy, Tibollo bemoaned the fact that the 63-hectare Ontario Place site that was first opened in 1971 has been allowed to deteriorate, calling its state shameful.

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Tibollo described Ontario Place as a significant government asset that needs action, adding that the priority is to reinvigorate the site, according to multiple sources in the meeting who spoke with QP Briefing on background.

At one point the minister said the government will look at every option possible for the site, including working with international partners. When one stakeholder expressed support for some parts of Ontario Place, including the Cinesphere, a designated structure of Cultural Heritage Value, the minister responded that the Ontario Place as a whole is definitely going to be redevelopment. Tibollo did not downplay concerns that the worlds first standalone Imax theatre, which recently underwent an extensive renovation and regularly plays sold-out screenings, could be a victim of changes to the site.

Later, he mentioned a meeting he attended Sunday where he met with high net worth Chinese entrepreneurs, saying that they perked up when he mentioned the Ontario Place opportunity. Several stakeholders mentioned that difficult relations with China have hurt tourism, and Tibollo floated the idea of recommending that the premier go on a trade mission to the country to spread the message that Ontario is open for business.

Tibollo also urged people in the room to submit ideas for the site in the expressions-of-interest process.

In an email, press secretary to the minister Brett Weltman slammed the previous government for its management of the site. Under the previous Liberal government, Ontario Place fell into disrepair, and has been underutilized. That is why we want to move forward as quickly as possible with a plan to create a world-class destination in Ontario.

He continued by saying that working with the private sector can open up exciting possibilities for the site. No decisions have been made at this time. We look forward to receiving new and innovative ideas as a part of this process. We believe in, and support the power and ingenuity of the private sector. That is why we are going to look for the best partners from around the world to work with us on this unique opportunity.

The comments from Tibollo in the meeting and statement from the ministers office are consistent with previous government remarks about the Ontario Place site. In November, Finance Minister Vic Fedeli described what the government was looking for as something bold for a world-class attraction and refused to rule out a potential casino on the site. The Toronto Star reported in September that the premier has taken a personal interest in the site.

In a tweet on Tuesday, the premier promoted the potential redevelopment of Ontario Place, framing the site as a tourist attraction.

Many local advocates, including the group Waterfront for All, have tried to reposition the site in terms of public space and a place thats accessible rather than solely a tourist draw.

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The governments parameters for the expressions of interest excludes any proposals that require government operating grants or capital investment.

The stakeholder session was part of a series of tourism industry meetings the minister is conducting around the province. Last week he heard from stakeholders on Manitoulin Island, where a journalist for the Manitoulin Expositor was not allowed to observe the proceedings. Tibollo later conducted a followup phone interview with the reporter.

In the meeting at Queens Park, Tibollo also raised the idea of a monorail, referencing the one at Disneys 123-hectare EPCOT Center in Florida. Unprompted, the minister raised the possibility during a discussion about easing transportation difficulties around Ontario Place. He said there should be a link to Union Station and that a monorail, as an example, could serve both the Ontario Place and Exhibition Grounds.

EPCOTs monorail, once seen as a symbol of futuristic transportation, has faced recent reliability problems and could require upwards of an estimated $250-million in additional investments to update its fleet, according to reports.

When asked by QP Briefing whether a monorail would be open for consideration at Ontario Place, the ministers office did not address the question, leaving what was a controversial idea proposed by then-councillor Doug Ford for Torontos Port Lands as a possibility.

Tibollo also said that if the government wants to plan something futuristic and stand the test of time, it should look at integrating Ontario Place with Exhibition Place, the site to the east that is owned by the City of Toronto, adding that a change like that would require lots of work and consultation with the City of Toronto. Its an idea that has been backed by the likes of urbanist Ken Greenberg and former City of Toronto chief planner Paul Bedford, but the terms of how it would be done could create further provincial-municipal tension.

Informed of Tibollos remarks, NDP MPP Chris Glover, whose riding includes Ontario Place, lambasted the minister for his negative characterizations of the site.

A lot of the site has been redeveloped and reinvigorated, said the MPP for SpadinaFort York. Theres a beautiful Bill Davis Trail on the east island, theres the seven-acre Trillium Park on the east island thats been redone. Its quite a beautiful space, he said, adding that the Cinesphere has also been renovated, and that the west island is what needs work. Theres a lot to offer in whats been done.

Glover argued that the ministers starting point  that the whole site needs to be revamped  loses out on the value of whats been developed over the past three years. He added that one benefit of what has been done so far is that it was done in consultation with the public, and that the government has not done so thus far with its Ontario Place efforts. This is public property, and its some of the most valuable public property that the province owns, the MPP said. Any changes that are going to be done must be done in consultation with the public that owns the property.

Glover added that the best way to ease transportation concerns at Ontario Place and for residents in the surrounding area would be to fund the long-awaited Waterfront LRT. The 11-kilometre Waterfront West LRT would serve burgeoning population growth at Liberty Village and Cityplace, among other communities.

Toronto city councillor Joe Cressy also prioritized the need for the Waterfront LRT as the transit solution for the site, and agreed with the minister that integration between Ontario Place the Exhibition Grounds needs to be considered. But he criticized the governments approach where it has spoken to stakeholders and developers before consulting the public.

Up until now the conversation reeks of a backroom deal, Cressy said, urging the government to hear from the public and establish their priorities before choosing which ideas its prefers from developers. Cressy called it a scattershot approach that was completely backwards.

The City of Toronto has established a subcommittee related to Ontario Place that will meet for the first time on March 5.

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Her school year began with a kindergarten class of 30, which went down to 24 and has now settled at 26.

Like other classrooms across the province, Melissa Bowmans students are a diverse group  some started school as young as age 3, others are new Canadians learning to speak English, a few struggle with behaviour issues or have special needs.

So when the full-day kindergarten class hit the low of 24, Bowman and the early childhood educator she works alongside just felt like we could breathe again a little bit.

Having the lesser numbers makes a difference  with 30 students in the room, it becomes very difficult to be giving them the amount of time they deserve, said Bowman, who has taught for 11 years. Weve had quite a few kids away sick, and we were around 20 one day, and both my teacher partner and I said this is what this program was written for.

We felt we could talk to everybody and our inquiry lessons went well and no one was fighting for our attention and no one was fighting for space.

The Ontario government has just launched consultations with teacher and support staff unions, as well as trustee associations, to talk about changes to class sizes, full-day kindergarten as well as hiring practices as it works to reduce a $14.5 billion deficit.

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While they are popular among parents, smaller classes are costly  and the hard caps in the early elementary years have caused organizational headaches for boards, says a Ministry of Education document created for the consultations looking to deliver better value for government investment.

While teacher unions say they will participate in the talks, they will not accept bigger classes.

Were not just sitting there teaching, added Bowman, a teacher for the past 11 years. Were doing mother roles, were nurses, were dealing with anger management, and more students with special needs are coming to us every year.

Teachers find it a stretch to have conversations with every child and we want to make our kids feel important, Bowman added. Youll see the quality of education go down if you keep adding kids.

Education Minister Lisa Thompson told the Star its premature to say what will come of the consultations, but her overall intent is making sure we have the best learning environment.

Thompson wants to see how Ontarios class sizes compare to other provinces, and honestly my hope is to give people a baseline ... (for discussions about) the path we have to take in Ontario classrooms amid the provinces fiscal reality.

She would not comment on possible cuts or changes to the two-adult staffing model in full-day kindergarten classrooms.

However, she said she met with the council representing Ontarios directors of education on Thursday morning, and like those who voted for the PCs in the June election they themselves know that we have to get our fiscal house in order. In that spirit, everybody needs to be doing their part.

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In Ontario, kindergarten classes are capped at 29 students, and from Grades 1 to 3 at 20.

In Quebec, junior kindergarten classes can get as big as 17, senior kindergarten 19, and classes grow incrementally bigger as children progress through each grade.

In Alberta, primary classes are an average of 20.2. In Nova Scotia, primary classes are capped at 20 students up to Grade 2, and capped at 25 from Grades 3 to 6.

In British Columbia  where a Supreme Court decision forced the government to bring back smaller class sizes  kindergartens are limited to 20 students, and 22 kids in Grades 1 through 3.

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath warned more students will fall through the cracks if class sizes get any bigger.

Charles Pascal, a professor at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto, said you cant just look at class size, you have to look at the qualifications of the teachers, training and ongoing professional development when determining whats best.

However, the former deputy minister of education said what you want is class sizes small enough so that educators can adapt to the individual differences of their students  especially in the primary years.

Thats where the benefits pay off, said Pascal, the architect of Ontarios full-day kindergarten program, who called potential cuts narrow-minded.

Liz Stuart, president of the Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association, said with the diversity of needs we have within those classrooms there is no way her members would accept larger class sizes.

In secondary schools, funding is determined using a ratio of 22 students for every teacher, but class sizes differ from board to board depending on how staff is allocated.

If you increase that ratio, you are not going to have staff for those more specialized programs such as the arts or supports for struggling students, said Harvey Bischof, president of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation.

It certainly causes us concern that they would be considering the idea of altering that ratio.

He also said theres no question that students are better served where they can have individual attention of an educator.

If class sizes are boosted, he added, that could mean layoffs in some boards.
Representatives from Ontarios rape crisis centres will meet with Attorney General Caroline Mulroney early next month, after writing to her about the need for more funding amid skyrocketing demand.

Nicole Pietsch, head of the Ontario Coalition of Rape Crisis Centres, and her Francophone counterpart Maira Martin, said this is good news, but we are not sure what to expect.

They will meet in Toronto Feb. 6.

Almost a year ago, the previous Liberal government pledged a 33 per cent budget increase to the 37 rape crisis centres over three years.

In their Jan. 10 letter to Mulroney, Pietsch and Martin say despite this commitment  and our attempts for information on it from regional and provincial government representatives  this funding increase has yet to become a reality.

They also ask for a collaborative and structured plan across the three ministries/offices that address violence against women (Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, Office for Womens Issues, and Ministry of the Attorney General) as well as for Mulroney, as head of Francophone Affairs, to take leadership in supporting French-Language services in the violence against women sector.

Pietsch said sexual assault centres have seen a huge increase in calls and demand for counselling and other services, especially amid the #MeToo and #TimesUp movement that empowered more women to speak out about sexual violence.

About a decade ago, the centres took 30,000 crisis calls; that number is now more than 50,000.

The additional funding would allow each centre to hire at least one full-time staffer.

Women are not as afraid to come forward  but the programming and support they need isnt there, added Lauren Power, executive director of Muskoka Parry Sound Sexual Assault Services, where staffing levels have remained about the same for the past 25 years.

We are so stretched  we cant continue to manage on the funding that has been in place prior to the #MeToo movement, Power said.

Pietsch and Martin also want to know why Womens Issues Minister Lisa MacLeod was able to announce an $11.5 million increase to shelters and counselling services, yet Ontario sexual assault centres and other violence support services have not yet seen new resources.

Mulroney spokesperson Jesse Robichaud has said the government is committed to providing victims, their families and witnesses of violent crimes with the supports and services they need in the communities where they live and is reviewing all spending on programs.
The provincial government wants to claw back how much it pays thousands of Ontario family doctors and force them to put in longer hours, arguing they are averaging $400,000-plus annually for what amounts to part-time work.

Doctors are up in arms over the proposals and charge that the government has got it wrong when it comes to their workload. They warn if they are hit with another pay cut  on top of one imposed four years ago as well as an ongoing compensation freeze  patients will pay the price because family physicians will be driven from the field.

Im worried that the deep cuts being proposed will make it near impossible for people to find a family doctor, and that will have repercussions for the whole health system, family doctor Tara Kiran, vice chair of quality and innovation in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Toronto, wrote in an email.

The two sides have been arguing their cases before a board of arbitration, which completed seven months of hearings Sunday. The Ontario Medical Association contends the government has built its case upon faulty findings by the provincial auditor.

The arbitration board is tasked with resolving an almost-five-year-old contract dispute between the government and the OMA, which represents the provinces 31,000 practising physicians.

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The governments proposed changes to family medicine (also known as primary care) are among the most controversial issues the board has been asked to weigh in on as part of its deliberations over the size of the physician services budget. Ontario now spends more than $12 billion  or 10 per cent of the entire provincial budget  on doctors.

The three-member board is expected to come down with binding decisions this spring, ending phase 1 of the arbitration process.

Phase 2, expected to be even more contentious, will address how to divvy up the pot of money among some 35 specialty groups.

All of this is happening at the same time the province is undertaking a massive restructuring of the entire health system. Next week, the government is expected to announce the creation of a new super health agency to replace more than 20 smaller agencies. Sources say the super agency will oversee primary care.

The 5,300-plus family doctors facing the prospect of pay cuts comprise about half of Ontarios roughly 11,000 practising primary care doctors. They work in more than 800 group practices across the province, known as family health organizations, or FHOs.

FHOs were developed in 2007 to improve primary care  for example, by increasing access through after-hours availability  largely through changing financial incentives for doctors.

Twelve years later, the government argues it has paid for improvements in care, which have not materialized and that the price is too high to expand this model further.

In the past, family doctors were paid mostly through fee-for-service, which saw them reimbursed for every service rendered. There is an inherent incentive in the fee-for-service model to have high-volume practices; the more services provided, the more money made.

But under FHOs, doctors derive the bulk of their income through capitation, a form of compensation that reimburses them a set amount for each patient signed up with them  no matter how many times a patient is seen or even if a patient is not seen. The amount varies according to a patients age and sex.

In 2016/17, the average FHO doctor (with 1,300 patients) made $406,390, according to the governments written submission to the arbitration panel. That compares to $214,015 for a family doctor paid fee-for-service.

(Physician compensation is not the same as income. From their compensation, FHO doctors have to pay for overhead costs such as staff salaries and rent. Arrangements vary from practice to practice, with the health ministry, hospitals and local communities also pitching in for non-physician expenses.)

Some fee-for-service family doctors and specialists have even taken to social media to argue that their FHO peers are paid too much.

The governments submission states that FHOs have become so popular, the number of doctors working in them has surged by 154 per cent since 2008/09. To contain costs, the ministry says it was forced to limit their growth starting in 2012.

The government is now seeking to cut the pay of FHO doctors by an average of 9 per cent each, or about $33,600. That would be on top of a cut of 2.65 per cent the province imposed in 2015, as well as a compensation freeze in place since 2012.

In making its case, the government relies heavily on the 2016 provincial auditors report, which states that FHOs have not proven their worth. FHO doctors were paid $522 million more in 2014/15 than they would have received if they were paid fee-for-service, according to the report.

That was, in part, because they were paid for 1.8 million patients rostered with them, even though they did not actually see those patients, the auditor wrote.

The $522 million is significant, as it indicates that the physicians were not providing core primary care services as often as they should be (or expected to be) and/or that base capitation payments are excessive, the report reads.

The auditor found that an average FHO doctor works only 3.4 days per week.

The province made significant investments in FHOs, but most objectives (were) not met, wrote the auditor, charging that they failed to increase access to care, quality and continuity of care and cost effectiveness.

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FHOs have not delivered on commitments to provide after-hours care, the auditor said, adding they have also not done much to shorten wait times for primary care.

Many patients get their primary care elsewhere, including walk-in clinics, other family doctors and hospital emergency departments, meaning the province is paying twice for these patients to be treated, according to the report.

The auditor concluded by urging the province to review how much it pays these doctors to ensure taxpayers are getting good value for money.

In addition to seeking pay cuts, the province wants more work and accountability from FHO doctors. The government wants the average physician to put in a 36-hour work week.

Its a very expensive model to deliver primary care physician services and it is not performing optimally, government negotiating team member Bob Bass told the arbitration board on a recent hearing day. From the governments perspective, significant change is required to both moderate the costs and improve the quality.

But the OMA says the government has built its case on bad information from the auditor who failed to understand how they work.

It was done by accountants, not by doctors, OMA lawyer Howard Goldblatt told the arbitration panel, referring to the auditors report.

The government is more intent on prescribing or dictating a solution without really diagnosing the problem, he continued.

The OMA wants the government to join it in studying FHOs so that any decisions taken are based on what it contends is accurate information.

The auditor erred by calculating the workload of FHO doctors based on the number of patient visits, the OMA charges.

It stands to reason many patients would have fewer appointments, given one reason for creating FHOs was to move doctors away from high-volume, fee-for-service practices, the OMA argues. Financial incentives were changed to encourage doctors to deal with multiple conditions in a single visit rather than call patients back for multiple visits.

(Depending on the doctor, those working in fee-for-service family practices may also deal with multiple conditions in a single visit.)

The auditor also failed to take into account the fact FHO doctors are more likely to communicate with patients via email and phone since their pay is no longer based on face-to-face visits, the OMA adds.

Then there is all the paperwork that comes with working in a FHO, noted Kiran who practices out of one in downtown Toronto. Because FHOs provide full-service family medicine, there is much administrative work associated with appointments, tests and referrals, she explained, adding that FHO doctors also spend time communicating with other providers in a patients circle of care.

This work is what can lead to burnout and frustration, and is not accounted for in the governments proposals, she wrote in her email.

Kiran and the OMA warn the proposed changes to family medicine will drive doctors back to practising high-volume, fee-for-service medicine.

Family doctors would be forced to see a ludicrously high volume of patients in-person each day, she said. For patients, this would likely mean shorter appointments, less flexibility to bring up multiple problems in a single visit, and less flexibility to call or email your doctor about an issue.

The OMA points out another reason for introducing FHOs was to address past shortages of family doctors by making family medicine more attractive. The proposed changes threaten to turn back the clock on those gains, doctors argue.

In a written brief submitted to the arbitration panel, the OMA used strong language to warn of dire consequences if the arbitrators and government get it wrong:

The ministrys proposals have the potential to cause huge destabilization in primary care  The very real risk to patient quality of care and provider well-being cannot be ignored.
In the midst of a major foreign policy dispute with Beijing, what is Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to do with Ambassador John McCallum?

Late on Thursday afternoon, Canadas envoy to China issued a statement to say he had misspoken when he met with a group of Chinese-language journalists in the GTA on Monday to discuss the extradition prospects of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou.

Over that encounter, he had listed what he described as the solid arguments Meng could invoke to fend off the U.S. Justice Departments efforts to extradite her. McCallum had also said he felt a successful extradition application would not be a happy outcome.

In his statement, he now writes that his comments did not accurately represent my position on the issue. Maybe, but that is an awful lot of words to take back. What is more certain is that those words did not reflect the governments position.

For weeks now, Trudeau had maintained that Mengs arrest at the request of the U.S. government and the extradition process that is expected to ensue was a matter for the courts to decide  absent political interference. McCallums comments suggested otherwise.

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Canadas ambassador to China backs Mengs chances of fighting extradition to the U.S.

Those reading between the lines in Beijing as in Washington could reasonably conclude that, should the American extradition application pass a court examination, the government might be open  on some conditions  to use its political discretion to prevent it.

That would presumably depend on the freeing of the two Canadians who Canada believes are detained in China in retaliation for Mengs arrest and to the commuting of the death sentence imposed on a third.

It is not the first time loose lips sank McCallums ship. Last year Trudeau had to defend him for saying Canada has more in common with China under President Xi Jinping than the U.S. under Donald Trump. At last word, the prime minister was again determined to stand by his ambassador.

But this time, the damage is more serious. For notwithstanding McCallums attempt to realign his position with that of his government, the fact is that the last word on the Meng matter will likely be in the hands not of a judge but of the justice minister.

Unless the courts turn down the U.S. request, David Lametti will have to make the final decision as to whether to sign off on Mengs extradition. It will be harder going forward to argue that this is an apolitical call.

It is highly unlikely that McCallum was flying completely solo when he signed up for his candid chat with the Chinese-language media.

Yes, upon coming to power, Trudeaus government did set out to liberate its foreign envoys from the tight leash Stephen Harper had kept them on. But even a ruling party willing to give its diplomatic service more rope does not issue them a license to shape its communications on sensitive issues as they see fit.

As envoy to China, McCallum has been at ground zero of the deterioration of Chinas relation with Canada. He has been and remains in the day-to-day loop of the governments strategy with direct and presumably quick access to its top levels. One would assume he would have run the idea of making himself available to the Chinese-language media by someone in political authority.

If one accepts the ambassadors statement at face value, the most credible explanation is that the government did dispatch him to meet Canada-based Chinese-language journalists to drive home the message that this countrys legal system is not stacked against Meng and her extradition not a foregone conclusion and that the outspoken McCallum ended up overshooting the target.

That begs the larger question of whether, with Canada in a tight spot, Trudeaus point man in Beijing is qualified to help the government find its way out of the current minefield.

The timing of the storm over McCallums comments is anything but ideal for the government and not just on the front of Canadas relations with China and U.S.

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With Parliament about to reopen for the last stretch before the fall election, the Liberals can ill afford to look anything but on top of the major files that are thrown their way.

Most voters may not pay close attention to the day-to-day handling of Mengs extradition case but as the election nears, they will be paying more attention to the larger issue of the managerial competence of the government.

With the pre-election hostilities are about resume with a vengeance on Parliament Hill, McCallum has handed the Conservative opposition the gift of a field day. Calls for his firing will almost certainly not be pre-empted by his statement.

Chantal Hebert is a columnist based in Ottawa covering politics. Follow her on Twitter: @ChantalHbert

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OTTAWAThe Trudeau government asked the Trump administration to ensure China releases two detained Canadian men if  as U.S. President Donald Trump suggested last month  the U.S. drops Meng Wanzhous extradition request as part of negotiations for a trade deal with China, the Star has learned.

A senior Canadian official speaking on condition of anonymity told the Star that the Trudeau government approached the Americans after Trump said in December he wouldnt hesitate to intervene in the Meng affair if he could secure a better trade or security deal with China.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who spoke directly with Trump, and other officials in their dealings with the Americans, made it clear that if the U.S. was indeed going to use Mengs extradition as a bargaining chip, the U.S. needed to make sure that the two Canadians who were taken in retaliation by China are released, according to the senior official who had knowledge of the talks.

The insider said the American side agreed the two detained Canadians should be released, but no one in the administration admitted Meng is a pawn in a larger dispute, and the Canadian government still does not know for sure whether Trump was serious or was just trying to put the Chinese off-guard, the source said.

In fact, some kind of deal with China was one of the possible outcomes to the uproar over Mengs arrest that Canadas Ambassador to China John McCallum laid bare in an extraordinary news conference on Tuesday.

Read more:

Opinion | Chantal Hebert: Ambassador McCallums flip-flop on Mengs extradition case ramps up the pressure on Ottawa

Canadas ambassador to China backs Mengs chances of fighting extradition to the U.S.

Huaweis Meng Wanzhou has an extra passport that wasnt listed in court records  and its only available to Chinas elite

McCallum apologized late Thursday for several of his remarks, saying he misspoke when he said Meng had strong arguments to fight extradition, but he did not reference or walk back all his comments.

McCallum did not misspeak when he said some kind of deal with China might be an option.

McCallum told Chinese-language media Tuesday there were three options or ways in which the Meng affair could end. Meng, a Huawei executive, was arrested in Vancouver on Dec. 1.

He said one, Meng could be extradited as the U.S. has requested to face fraud charges, which he said would not be a happy outcome; two, the U.S. might offer a resolution in the context of its own negotiations with China, or three, she could be released by a Canadian court.

McCallum said: The second option would be that the United States made some kind of a deal with China, and part of the deal would be that they would no longer seek her extradition. And we would hope, if the U.S. made such a deal, part of the deal would also be to release the two Canadians. So that is an option, but that is more under the control of the United States than it is under the control of Canada.

Its that second option that the Canadian official confirmed to the Star was actively pursued by the Trudeau government.

After his remarks in his former riding were revealed to a broad Canadian audience, a storm of criticism erupted, primarily over McCallums opining that Meng had quite good and strong arguments to win her fight against extradition.

He suggested Trump had politicized her arrest, and listed what he saw strong arguments for her lawyers to make.

One, political involvement by comments from Donald Trump in her case; two, theres an extraterritorial aspect to her case; and three, theres the issue of Iran sanctions, which are involved in her case, and Canada does not sign onto these Iran sanctions.

Late Thursday, McCallum apologized in a clear attempt at damage control.

I regret that my comments with respect to the legal proceedings of Ms. Meng have created confusion. I misspoke.

These comments do not accurately represent my position on this issue. As the government has consistently made clear, there has been no political involvement in this process.

He did not, however, offer to resign his position as ambassador and for the second day, Trudeau stood by his envoy when asked if McCallum would be sanctioned or fired.

Making a change would not help release those Canadians a day sooner, Trudeau said in New Brunswick.

Trudeau said that remains his governments priority.

We will always stay grounded in defence of the rule of law and the integrity of our justice system, which of course includes the capacity for people to defend themselves enthusiastically which will be fully afforded to Ms. Meng and in her rights within the Canadian justice system.

Our focus remains making sure that the Canadians arbitrarily detained in China have their rights respected and, indeed, that they have an opportunity to get home as soon as possible.

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The rest of McCallums statement reverted to the same message, an indication that in spite of initial claims by government officials that he hadnt strayed too far off-message, his remarks had become a problem.

His predecessors in the job said he never should have spoken the way he did.

Former ambassador to China Guy Saint-Jacques said he believed McCallum had stumbled, not shown the restraint a trained diplomat should, and even as a former politician McCallum should have known not to comment on anything before the courts.

The result of what Mr. McCallum has said, on the one hand, undermines the legal process; it complicates the job of the minster of justice; it could be perceived as an interference in the legal process and it will confirm the Chinese in their thinking that all this is political and they just have to increase the pressure on Canada and Canada will buckle at some point and just put Mrs. Meng on an aircraft and get rid of the problem.

Yet Saint-Jacques said McCallum should not be fired because it would be very difficult to replace him at this stage given the poor state of the relationship.

We need someone in place, and it would be too risky to start a process to find a replacement. This could take months. And you need someone.

Chinas foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told a daily press briefing that China had taken note of McCallums remarks.

We believe that anyone with normal judgment could see through the nature of this case, said Hua, in translated remarks posted to the governments website.

We hope that the Canadian side will make the right choice instead of risking endangering itself for others gains.

Trump told Reuters on Dec. 11 that If I think its good for the country, if I think its good for what will be certainly the largest trade deal ever made  which is a very important thing  whats good for national security  I would certainly intervene if I thought it was necessary.

U.S. justice officials testifying at a U.S. senate committee denied the Meng case was being used for any political, diplomatic or other ends.

We follow the facts and we indicate violations of U.S. law. Thats what were doing when we bring those cases, and I think its very important for other countries to understand that, said U.S. Assistant Attorney General John Demers.

We are not a tool of trade when we bring the cases; thats what we do when we see them through to their conclusion.

The U.S. Justice Department stated this week it is proceeding with the request and would meet the Jan. 30 deadline to send supporting documents to the Canadian justice department.

Prosecutors in New York want Meng to face fraud charges for allegedly misleading banks in an effort to skirt U.S. sanctions on doing business in Iran.

Her arrest in Canada infuriated China, and was followed days later by the arrests of diplomat Michael Kovrig and businessman Michael Spavor, who remain detained on unspecified allegations of endangering Chinas national security.

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John McCallum, ex-minister and Canadas ambassador to China, has committed a gaffe, an awfully big one.

More precisely, he has committed whats known as a Kinsley gaffe, named for the American journalist who came up with this definition: A gaffe is when a politician tells the truth  some obvious truth he isnt supposed to say.

In this case, the truth that McCallum blurted out is that the extradition case of Chinese telecom executive Meng Wanzhou, which has sparked an increasingly bitter squabble between Canada and China, is infused with politics from start to finish.

Its fine for Canadian officials to insist over and over that Canada is simply following the rule of law in the case of Meng, the chief financial officer of tech giant Huawei, Chinas flagship telecom company. They are right that our judicial system is as free from political interference as any in the world  unlike that in, say, China itself.

But no one should pretend to be shocked by McCallum pointing out the obvious in his meeting this week with Chinese-language journalists.

And the obvious is that while Canada is handling the U.S. request to extradite Meng by the book, the charges against her have been made in an unmistakeably political context, if not for purely political reasons.

Read more:

McCallum says he misspoke on Huawei executives extradition case

Opinion | Chantal Hebert: Ambassador McCallums flip-flop on Mengs extradition case ramps up the pressure on Ottawa

Trudeau sought U.S. help to release two Canadians after Trump hinted he might use Mengs extradition as a bargaining chip, official says

The U.S. Justice Department accuses her of fraud by lying to cover up Huaweis violations of American sanctions against Iran. Thats arguably a political charge in itself.

More than that, Meng was arrested in Vancouver on Dec. 1, just as the trade dispute between Washington and Beijing was heating up, with a struggle for world-wide dominance in next-generation telecom networks very much at the heart of it. Some in Washington theorized that the U.S. wanted to hold her as a bargaining chip in the talks; others that it was engineered by anti-China hardliners out to derail the negotiations.

Regardless, all agreed it had to be seen as part of the bigger U.S.-China rivalry. And Donald Trump quickly put an end to any illusion that Mengs case can be considered a purely judicial matter. He cheerfully acknowledged that he would certainly intervene to get the charges dropped if it would be good for national security or help to seal a trade deal. And, in fact, the U.S. president has broad powers to intervene in such cases.

This is the essence of what McCallum was pointing out when he told the reporters that Meng has some strong arguments to make in a Canadian court against extradition.

On Thursday, after enduring 24 hours of criticism for getting off-base with the government line, McCallum issued a groveling statement saying he misspoke and his comments do not accurately reflect my position on the issue. As ambassador, he said, I play no role in deciding extradition cases.

Of course not. But McCallum basically got it right the first time. The fact is that Trump undercut both his own justice department and Canadas insistence that the case is simply about the non-political rule of law when he blurted out his willingness to use Mengs fate in getting a deal with China, if thats what it takes.

Everyone who has followed the case knows this, but McCallums gaffe consisted in stating publicly what is obvious but inconvenient. And it was decidedly inconvenient to have the Canadian ambassador to China, fresh from consultations with the entire federal cabinet, put on the record statements that are helpful to the Chinese governments contention that the whole Meng affair is a political put-up job.

On their side, of course, thats exactly how the Chinese treat it. Theyve jailed two Canadians in clear retaliation and arranged for a third to be sentenced to death in a drug smuggling case. Unlike Canada, they neither respect the rule of law nor even much pretend to follow it in cases like this.

Still, McCallum did go beyond simply stating the obvious. He ignored a golden rule for officials: dont comment on court proceedings. And he expressed a preference for a particular result by saying it would not be a happy outcome if the Canadian court does order Mengs extradition, leading to a long, drawn-out series of appeals that will prolong the tension between Canada and China.

That part was indefensible. McCallums humiliating roll-back at least makes it clear that the government is determined to maintain its rule-of-law line at all costs. They have called their ambassador to heel, and at this point he might as well call it a day, if he isnt soon dismissed. How can he be effective as Canadas representative in China when he clearly doesnt have the confidence of his own government, or simply cant control his own mouth?

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But what was said cannot simply be unsaid. China may still get the message that at least some Canadian officials have serious doubts about this case, and share their view that it is at bottom a political issue demanding a political solution.

And none of this changes the uncomfortable fact that Canada is squeezed between two economic giants operating on their own political agendas. The best  and most likely  outcome is that they will eventually strike a new deal on trade and related matters, and the cases of Meng and the imprisoned Canadians will be disposed of as part of that.

Thats another obvious truth that McCallum spelled out this week. Yet another gaffe, in other words.

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Doug Ford set out to get rid of the six-million-dollar-man. In doing so hes made himself into the 100-million-dollar-man.

Thats a terrible deal  and its even worse in Canadian money.

On Wednesday, Hydro One abandoned its takeover of U.S. energy company Avista Corp. As a result it will have to pay a termination fee of $103 million (U.S.) Thats a staggering $137 million on our side of the border.

That $137 million, tossed out the window with absolutely no benefit to Ontarios electricity users or taxpayers, is the price of the premiers incompetent meddling in Hydro One.

No one but Ford can be blamed for wasting that money. He was warned, repeatedly, but he refused to listen. And its Ontarians who will pay for it now.

When Ford promised to get rid of Mayo Schmidt, the so-called six-million-dollar-man who was Hydro Ones CEO, he was told that such a move would come with heavy costs and wouldnt reduce electricity bills, as he simplistically suggested.

He pushed him out anyway, along with the companys entire board. And the cost, as predicted, is many times greater than Schmidts generous compensation package.

Ford was told he was damaging Hydro Ones reputation and its expansion plans  the very reason for having partly privatized the utility in the first place.

Last December, regulators in Washington State blocked the takeover and they didnt mince words about why: Provincial government interference in Hydro Ones affairs, the risk of which has been shown by events to be significant, could result in direct or indirect harm to Avista.

And still Ford continued to meddle, pushing for his choice for Hydro One CEO over the new boards shortlist of candidates.

In January, a second regulator, this time in Idaho, weighed in. It is abundantly clear that the province does not have to own 51 per cent of Hydro One in order to effectively control the company, it said.

And that is not a company any one in their right mind feels comfortable doing business with.

For all the talk of creating a robust business climate Fords government has shown the world it is so keen to interfere in whats supposed to be a hands-off, market-driven company that Hydro One might as well still be a Crown corporation.

And, looking beyond this failed deal, how can Hydro One possibly deliver under these conditions on its pledge to become North Americas leading investor-owned utility?

Ontario taxpayers still own nearly half the company, so one way or another we will pay for all this.

Ontario Energy Minister Greg Rickford is busy trying to claim otherwise. Any costs incurred as a result of (Wednesdays) decision will not be paid by Ontario electricity customers, he said.

Such a ridiculous line is entirely in keeping with the Ford governments overarching view on costs: If theyre not easy to see, they just dont count.

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So, sure, this money wont be recouped as a line item on electricity bills. What would they call it anyway? Fords interference levy?

But Fords brand of politics aside, real people know that the bill always comes due.

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Some news stories are such a big puzzle that a journalist can sit looking at a handful of pieces and not realize for a long time that they are part of a large, coherent picture.

For me, the story of the Chinese Communist Partys infiltration and recruiting of agents of influence in Canada has been just like that.

Looking back now, I can see that pieces of the story began to fall into my lap when I was a political correspondent in Ontario in the early 1970s. And the hints started elbowing their way into my consciousness more persistently when I became a foreign correspondent in the late 1970s. In 1993, when I was appointed the Asia correspondent for Southam News, based in Hong Kong, the pieces came flying at me faster than I could catch them and work out how they fitted together.

So it was not until two years ago that I saw I had the full picture, and felt confident enough to sit down and write the outline for what has become my book, Claws of the Panda: Beijings Campaign of Influence and Intimidation in Canada.

What is astonishing is that just as the book was completed, the story of Meng Wanzhou and Huawei Technologies, of which she is the chief financial officer, broke.

The detention of Meng in Vancouver at the beginning of December on an extradition warrant from the U.S. Department of Justice, leans on a number of issues and themes running through the book.

So does the associated question of whether Canada should risk allowing a company closely tied to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) like Huawei to install the next generation 5G mobile communications network here. The government in Ottawa already has its own security intelligence officials warning that Huaweis network could be a window for CCP espionage, and Canadas allies the United States, Australia and New Zealand have already restricted the company.

What must infuriate the CCP, its diplomats and agents in Canada is that it was to avoid this sort of embarrassment that Beijing worked for 70 years or more to establish a network of friends and sympathizers in Canada.

But it is the CCPs actions in taking hostage two Canadians  former diplomat Michael Kovrig and businessman Michael Spavor  that has shattered Beijings image among its Canadian friends and supporters.

The Meng-Huawei affair has confronted Canadians and Beijings Canadian friends and supporters in politics, business and academia with the clash in values between the two societies. With the Canadian public so clearly outraged by the CCPs actions and the nonsensical allegations being made by Beijings officials, even the partys strongest Canadian supporters have no option but to retreat.

Until now, the network of Canadian supporters has worked well in Beijings favour. Successive Canadian governments of both main political parties have been dependable supporters of Beijing as the CCP regime emerged from the isolationism of the 1960s and 1970s, rode the waves of its commercial opening up, and now strides confidently forward as an economic and military super power.

Read More:

Trudeaus bid for a deal with U.S. on detainees

Chantal Hebert on McCallums flip-flop

How Mengs secret passport works

Ottawas support through diplomatic recognition in 1970, and the minimizing of criticism over the Tiananmen Square massacre, cultural genocide in Tibet and Xinjiang, and Beijings imperial expansion in the South China Sea has been matched by Canadas business and academic communities.

Canadian businesses have been mesmerized by the fanciful desire to get access to the Chinese market of 1.2 billion people. So addictive has been that hope that they have been largely silent about the persistent theft of their technologies and other intellectual property by Chinese partners.

More troubling perhaps, the fixation of Canadian businesses on the China market has tended to blind them to far more promising prospects in other parts of Asia.

Something similar has happened in Canadian colleges and universities. What started as a dream in the 1970s when China opened up to Canadian scholarship has become a nightmare.

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What began as a well-motivated effort to give students from China the skills they needed to develop their country has become something else. Canadian universities have become the crime scenes of technology theft, a trend that is hard to reverse as several academic institutions have become dependant on tuition revenues from Chinese students.

There is an even darker side. The CCP and its agents are determined to keep control of Chinese students here, both to dissuade them from becoming political dissidents and to marshal them to support Beijings causes.

The Beijing-financed Chinese cultural centres called Confucius Institutes set up in several Canadian colleges, universities and schools are essentially outposts for Beijings diplomats and intelligence agents to keep tabs on Chinese students.

After the Canadian Security Intelligence Service warned the academic institutions about the darker functions of these institutes, several have been closed.

The Chinese Communist Partys efforts to control the message reaching Canadians, especially Canadians of Chinese heritage, about Beijings activities extends into the media.

Starting about 20 years ago, the CCP and its agents began exerting pressure on the publishers and managers of Chinese-language media in Canada. Those with other business interests in China have been particularly vulnerable to the CCPs pressure; out of the scores of Chinese language media outlets in Canada, only a small handful present independent journalism.

Perhaps the most venal activity of CCP agents is the intimidation here in Canada of people the party considers dissidents or a threat to its continued monopoly on power.

Early in 2017, a group of Canadian organizations promoting political reform in China and Beijings adherence to international human rights standards prepared a report on CCP violations in Canada.

That report was presented to officials in Global Affairs Canada, CSIS and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in April that year. It has become part of the joint indictment among Canadas allies of the CCPs predatory actions among the diaspora of people of ethnic Chinese origin.

An essential theme that I have woven through the story in Claws of the Panda is that it is Canadians of Chinese, Tibetan, Taiwanese and Uyghur origin who are the main target and victims of the CCPs campaign of intimidation here.

What reinforces and confirms that picture is that the CCP is conducting almost exactly the same campaigns in Australia, New Zealand and the United States

In the end, I think the Huawei-Meng affair must be regarded as a positive turning point in the story of Canada-China relations. For the first time since the Chinese Communist Party came to power in 1949, Canadas leaders and opinion-makers have been forced to look at Canadas relationship with Beijing as it really is, and not as they would like it to be.

The CCPs values and objectives are not like those of Canada and never will be. This is not an argument for Canada to disengage from China under the CCP regime. That is neither possible nor desirable.

But it is an argument for ending the naivete and wishful thinking with which China has been regarded, and address Beijing from now on in a mood of skeptical realism.

Jonathan Manthorpe is the author of three books on international relations, politics and history. He has been a foreign correspondent and international affairs columnist for nearly 40 years. From 1976-1981 he worked as the Stars Queens Park columnist and European bureau chief. is the author of three books on international relations, politics and history. He has been a foreign correspondent and international affairs columnist for nearly 40 years. From 1976-1981 he worked as the Stars Queens Park columnist and European bureau chief. jonathan.manthorpe@gmail.com Claws of the Panda: Beijings Campaign of Influence and Intimidation in Canada is due to be published by Cormorant Books on Feb. 2.

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This past Sunday was the final day in seven months of arbitration hearings for the government and the Ontario Medical Association. An arbitration panel will provide a decision on the issues submitted by the two parties with a report expected late in the spring. The panels decisions will be binding on the government and the doctors.

I was on the team that developed the governments arbitration positions and will maintain confidentiality about our discussions. My commentary here is based on both parties submissions, which have been posted on the OMAs website.

This settlement will be important to patients because it will affect many aspects of future physician care in Ontario.

It will also have an impact on taxpayers, who already pay more than $12 billion (10 per cent of the entire provincial budget) for physician services. Taxpayers will be on the hook for increased fees that the arbitration board awards to physicians.

The new government seems to have an ambivalent view of arbitration. It attempted to withdraw from the hearings in December, only to rapidly reverse its position.

The governments ambivalence is understandable given the amount of money at stake. Handing responsibility for this large sum to an independent arbitrator likely seems risky to a government that has committed to reduce Ontarios budget.

The binding arbitration framework agreed to by the OMA and government attempts to limit this risk by instructing the arbitration panel to consider the provinces economy and sustainability of the health system in making its decision.

Its important to note that other workers in the broader public sector have access to arbitration. The Ontario Nurses Association, for example, can summon an arbitrator to resolve disputes with the Ontario Hospital Association. Arbitrated settlements have not resulted in excessive awards for nurses.

The government is likely more worried about physician arbitration because it does not have full control over the physician budget. Nurses hours are controlled by their employer hospital. Physicians for the most part are independent contractors, not employees, and they have considerable discretion in billing for services they provide.

About 65 per cent of physician compensation comes from fee-for-service payments, where the doctor bills OHIP for a service. The physician budget increase from arbitration will be based both on any fee increases that the panel awards as well as physicians increasing OHIP billings by providing more services.

In their arbitration briefs, the two parties disagree as to how much the physician budget should increase for incremental services. The government is calling for a 1.6 per cent annual increase to cover increased services based on population growth and population aging (as the proportion of older Ontarians in the population increases, they require more health services). The OMA argues that the physicians budget should grow by 3.6 per cent annually.

This 2 per cent difference  worth about $250 million annually  is an important factor for the arbitration board to consider when determining the size of the award.

In considering this difference, its important to remember there some unnecessary services are provided in our health system. Choosing Wisely Canada, a physician-led organization supported by the OMA, suggests that up to 30 per cent of services performed by Canadian doctors are unnecessary.

Eliminating these inappropriate services and ensuring that every health-care dollar is spent wisely is key to keeping the system sustainable for future generations.

The governments position is that the parties should work together to reduce inappropriate services provided to patients and thereby reduce the annual increase in physician billing.

The best way to reduce inappropriate services is to introduce standardized best practices, especially for common conditions like back pain or complex treatments like cancer care.

Implementing best practices requires the OMA, other clinician groups and the government to work together.

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This cannot be accomplished if the two parties are constantly engaged in bitter disputes over compensation. Binding arbitration offers an opportunity to resolve disputes with less acrimony.

The framework also allows the arbitrator to stay engaged with the parties between contracts to ensure that both parties deliver on commitments.

Ontarios health system needs to provide better customer service and better quality care. In time, arbitration should heal the fractured relationship between the OMA and the ministry. This is necessary to provide Ontarians with the affordable, high-quality health system we deserve.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Every now and then Alex Zanardi has a chance encounter with someone who reminds him theres never any reason to feel sorry for himself, not that he ever had during his two vastly different lifetimes: the one with legs, and the other as a double-amputee.

There was once a brief meeting in a hospital with a fan who talked Formula One and Ferrari with him over a cup of coffee. When he saw the man later that day, sobbing and holding a small child, Zanardi offered him comfort.

The man was crying tears of joy. His daughter, born without legs, had been fitted for her first pair of prosthetics that day. When the technician asked for her shoes to set the balance, the father had none. Hed rushed off to purchase his daughters first pair of shoes and was overcome with emotion by the simple errand.

The next time I found myself alone in front of a mirror I said, You never dare complain about what happened to you, Zanardi said.

Only Zanardi has never complained, not even in the immediate moments after he awoke in a hospital room in Germany without his legs.

Both had been severed in a horrific crash during a 2001 race at EuroSpeedway Lausitz, four days after the Sept. 11 attacks, a weekend in which CART was the only U.S.-based sports league to compete as scheduled. Zanardi was a two-time CART champion recently returned from a second stint in F1 and had plowed through the field to lead laps for the first time since hed left the series after his 1998 title.

The crash occurred when Zanardi spun his car after a pit stop and he was hit by another driver. Both legs were severed at impact, blown to pieces and part of a debris field that went as far as the eye could see.

It looked like a bomb blast, I wasnt even sure where the crash scene was and when I got to him, I remember the first thing I said is, Where are his legs? recalled Dr. Terry Trammell, an orthopedic surgeon and member of the series renowned safety team. It was essentially a war injury, one that is not survivable.

Blood poured out of Zanardis body onto the track and Trammell frantically tried to fashion tourniquets. He used Zanardis firesuit on one leg and a safety crew member handed Trammell his belt for the other. The Italian driver, 34 at the time, went into cardiac arrest on the helicopter ride to Berlin. There he was rushed into surgery and spent days in a medically induced coma before learning the extent of his injuries.

Everybody probably thought when I woke up I was going to ask myself, How the hell am I going to live with no legs? Zanardi said. And I simply asked myself, How the hell am I going to do all the things I have to do with no legs?

Now 52, Zanardi has seized every moment in the 17 years since and will cross off yet another remarkable achievement this weekend at Daytona International Raceway when he competes in the prestigious Rolex 24 at Daytona endurance race. He will race for the first time without prosthetics, using a steering wheel designed for him by BMW that allows him to drive with hand levers.

Zanardi was an established racing superstar before his accident and his accomplishments since transcend sports. An inspirational figure with indomitable spirit, he designed his own prosthetics  he jokes he made himself taller  and learned to walk again. Then he returned to racing in touring cars. After that came hand cycling, a class victory in the New York City Marathon and four gold medals spanning two Paralympic Games.

For good measure, he took up triathlons and in has gone under the 9-hour mark in several Iron Man competitions. Zanardi uses a handbike for the cycling portion and a wheelchair for the running portion.

Hes a great champion, a hero, a role model. I mean, where do you stop? said former teammate and close friend Jimmy Vasser. The things that he continues to do to show the way how to live your life every day  he probably wasnt here for a minute of this life, but he came back and he just continues to inspire everyone he comes into contact with.

Zanardi by nature is both affable and exuberant, and his infectious air of positivity has made him the shining star at an event stacked with some of the biggest names in racing. Almost everyone in the field watched video of Zanardi and his teammates practicing the driver change earlier this month, a choreographed exercise he has perfected. Team RLL can complete the switch, which includes swapping the steering wheel, in less than 15 seconds.

It started at 30-second driver changes and above, then got it down to 14 seconds. Its amazing how he can actually get in quicker in the car than I can, said teammate Jesse Krohn. Hes super positive and never lets things hold him down. Hes always finding a way to make things happen. It took time to find a way that suits him. What he can do on track and off track, he doesnt have a disability.

The race has become a reunion with old friends and a perpetual meet-and-greet with the upcoming stars of motorsports.

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Zanardi zips around the paddock on an electric chair and is consistently stopped by racers eager for a minute of his time and a selfie as a souvenir. There are four other drivers in the Rolex field who last shared the track with Zanardi in that race in Germany in 2001. Others have only heard of his feats, both before and after the accident. Zanardis 1996 pass of Bryan Herta in the corkscrew of the Laguna Seca, California, road course is considered one of the most magnificent in racing history, and hes recognized as the creator of the post-race victory doughnuts most NASCAR drivers do now.

British driver Katherine Legge said shes asked for only two autographs in her entire life  Phil Collins as a child, then Zanardi at an industry event several years ago. John Edwards, one of his teammates in this race, received Zanardis autobiography for Christmas when he was 13.

I think you learn a lot more about life from Alex than you learn about tips and tricks from racing, said Edwards, who is 27. This guy, in my mind, was a legend and had gone on to do a lot of incredible things. Even after his accident.

When Zanardi first entered CART in 1996, as the teammate alongside Vasser at Chip Ganassi Racing, the two became lifelong friends as they won a combined 23 races and three consecutive series championships. Vasser remembered asking Zanardi about his interests and was surprised that Rocky, about the underdog Italian-American boxer from Philadelphia, was his favourite movie.

That says a lot, though, about his strengths, right? I asked him why because Rocky isnt exactly the deepest movie, Vasser said. He said, No! Rocky was very smart, very clever. But that says it all, Alex ever since Ive known him, hes just never given up. Hes an animal, a lion.

All the praise for Zanardi has at times embarrassed him over the last month as hes listened to friends share their favourite stories about him. Most are about his humour, or the way he tells a story with intricate details and a touch of exaggeration, and of course, about the way hes inspired each and every one of them.

Zanardi, showing a hint of bashfulness, considers every step another chapter in a fairy tale of a life.

Disabilities are a very relative condition, it is something that defines a situation, but if you cant jump over the problem then you can certainly go around it, Zanardi said. We all are limited in that none of us can fly and none of us can run faster than some animals, but we figure out a way to go to Tokyo if we have to, right? Or we run faster than an animal with a race car.

Of course I have no legs, which doesnt help, but Im here and I just try to deliver the best I can.

___

More AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/apf-AutoRacing and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
WASHINGTONU.S. special counsel Robert Mueller revealed on Friday the most direct link yet between the Trump campaigns and WikiLeaks parallel efforts to use Democratic Party material stolen by Russians to damage the election campaign of Hillary Clinton.

In an indictment unsealed on Friday, the special counsel disclosed evidence that a top campaign official in 2016 dispatched Roger Stone, a longtime adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump, to get information from WikiLeaks about the thousands of hacked Democratic emails. The effort began well after it was widely reported that Russian intelligence operatives were behind the theft, which was part of Moscows broad campaign to sabotage the 2016 president election.

The indictment makes no mention of whether Trump played a role in the coordination, though Mueller did leave a curious clue about how high in the campaign the effort reached: A senior campaign official was directed by an unnamed person to contact Stone about additional WikiLeaks releases that might damage the Clinton campaign, according to the court document.

Stone was charged with seven counts, including obstruction of an official proceeding, making false statements and witness tampering. Mueller did not say that Stones interactions with WikiLeaks were illegal, nor that the Trump campaign engaged in a criminal conspiracy with the organization.

FBI agents arrested Stone before dawn, appearing at his Fort Lauderdale, Florida, home with ballistic vests and guns drawn. Agents typically use those tactics as a precaution to secure possible evidence and protect themselves in case a suspect fights arrest. Prosecutors sealed details of the case because they feared that public disclosure would increase the risk of Stone fleeing or destroying or tampering with evidence, according to court documents.

FBI agents were also seen carting hard drives and other evidence from Stones apartment in New York City, and his recording studio in South Florida was also raided.

Stone appeared briefly in U.S. District Court in Fort Lauderdale on Friday morning, his ankles and waist shackled in front of a packed courtroom. Stone, known for his dapper wardrobe, was dressed simply in a navy blue cotton polo shirt, blue jeans and his trademark round, black-rimmed glasses, his demeanour flat.

He posted a $250,000 bond, was ordered to surrender his passport and agreed to appear in federal court in Washington later. Afterward, outside the courthouse, Stone vowed to beat the investigation, which he called politically motivated.

There is no circumstance whatsoever under which I will bear false witness against the president nor will I make up lies to ease the pressure on myself, he told reporters afterward.

I look forward to being fully and completely vindicated, he added, then flashed twin V-for-victory hand signs reminiscent of his onetime boss, former president Richard Nixon. People close to Stone have predicted that Trump could pardon him should he be convicted of any of the charges.

In a brief interview later Friday, Stone said he will plead not guilty. Were anxious to see the governments evidence, he said, adding that Muellers team essentially manufactured process crimes and showed no proof that WikiLeaks passed material to him for the campaign.

The indictment is the first in months by Mueller, who is investigating Russias interference in the 2016 election and possible coordination with Trump campaign associates. Citing details in emails and other forms of communications, the indictment suggested that Trumps campaign knew about additional stolen emails before they were released and asked Stone to find out about them.

According to the indictment, between June and July of 2016, Stone told senior Trump campaign officials about the stolen emails in WikiLeaks possession that could be damaging to Clinton. On July 22, WikiLeaks released its first batch of Democratic emails. After that, according to the indictment, the Trump campaign sought more.

A senior Trump campaign official was directed to contact Stone about any additional releases and what other damaging information Organization 1 had regarding the Clinton campaign, the indictment said, referring to WikiLeaks.

The White House press secretary, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, sought to broadly distance Trump from the charges. The charges brought against Mr. Stone have nothing to do with the president, she told CNN. Asked whether he directed a campaign aide to contact Stone about the WikiLeaks emails, she repeated that the charges did not involve the president.

Jay Sekulow, one of the presidents personal lawyers, dismissed any ties between Russia and the Trump campaign. The indictment today does not allege Russian collusion by Roger Stone or anyone else. Rather, the indictment focuses on alleged false statements Mr. Stone made to Congress, he said in a statement.

On Friday, Trump returned to an oft-repeated talking point suggesting that the special counsels investigation  and news media coverage of it  was biased. Greatest Witch Hunt in the History of our Country! NO COLLUSION! he wrote on Twitter. Border Coyotes, Drug Dealers and Human Traffickers are treated better. Who alerted CNN to be there?

The indictment does not mention whether Stone or any other Trump associate knew about the Russian operatives plans before they hacked the Democrats. As Muellers investigators interviewed witnesses and reviewed documents, they sought to answer that question, according to two people briefed on the inquiry. To make a case that Trumps associates conspired with the Russians, the investigators indicated, they needed to show that the associates knew about the hacking in advance  knowing about the fruits of what Russia stole was not enough, the people said.

A self-described dirty trickster, Stone began his career as a Nixon campaign aide and has a tattoo of Nixon on his back. He has spent decades plying the political dark arts  including scandal-mongering  to help influence American election campaigns, and has long maintained that he had no connection to Russias attempts to disrupt the 2016 presidential election.

He sometimes seemed to taunt U.S. law enforcement agencies, daring them to find hard evidence to link him to the Russian election interference. His brash behaviour made him less of a subject of news media scrutiny than other current and former aides to Trump  like the character in a whodunit whom readers immediately dismiss as too obvious to have committed the crime.

In June 2016, days before Russia was publicly identified as having stolen the emails, senior Trump campaign officials and Trumps son Donald Trump Jr. had a meeting with a Kremlin-linked attorney about getting information that could be damaging to Clinton.

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It is illegal for a political campaign to accept foreign aid, and Trump and his son have said they did nothing wrong because they did not receive any damaging materials because of that meeting.

Stone has said publicly that he was in contact with WikiLeaks and suggested on Twitter that additional damaging information would be coming.

But the special counsels investigators spent months encircling Stone, renewing scrutiny about his role during the 2016 presidential race. Investigators interviewed former Trump campaign advisers and several of his associates about Stones fundraising during the campaign and his contacts with WikiLeaks.

Three senior Trump campaign officials have told Muellers team that Stone created the impression that he was a conduit for inside information from WikiLeaks, according to people familiar with their witness interviews. One of them told investigators that Stone not only seemed to predict WikiLeaks actions but also that he took credit afterward for the timing of its disclosures that damaged Hillary Clintons candidacy.

In October, Stone exchanged emails with Steve Bannon, then the chief executive of Trumps campaign. In one exchange, Stone wrote that more WikiLeaks disclosures were forthcoming, a load every week going forward, according to the indictment. Bannon appears to be the official described in the court document as the high-ranking Trump Campaign official, based on previous disclosures about the email exchange.

A day before Stone and Bannon emailed about WikiLeaks, Donald Trump Jr. exchanged Twitter messages with the WikiLeaks Twitter account and asked, Whats behind this Wednesday leak I keep reading about.

At the end of that week, on Oct. 7, WikiLeaks released more than 6,000 emails related to John Podesta, the chair of the Clinton campaign. The release came 30 minutes after the Washington Post published a recording of Trump bragging on the set of Access Hollywood about assaulting women. The timing has raised questions about whether WikiLeaks was trying to distract the public from the tape and redirect negative attention from Trump to the Clinton campaign.

In social media posts and numerous interviews before the 2016 election, Stone indicated that he had advance knowledge that a trove of information damaging to Clintons campaign might be about to spill into public view, and even suggested that he had personally spoken to the WikiLeaks founder, Julian Assange.

Stone has changed his story in the months since, saying that he was not actually speaking to Assange and that he had no direct knowledge that Russians were responsible for the Democratic hacking. Still, it was revealed last year that, in the weeks before the election, Stone was messaging on Twitter with Guccifer 2.0, a pseudonym used by one or more operatives in the Russian intelligence scheme to steal the emails and funnel them to WikiLeaks.

Barry Pollack, a lawyer for Julian Assange, denounced the raid as heavy-handed in an email, while stressing that the underlying charges do not bear on his own clients conduct.

The charges against Mr. Stone do not allege that Mr. Stone lied about his contacts with Julian Assange, but rather about his contacts with others and about documents reflecting those communications, Pollack said, adding that his client has not spoken to Muellers investigators.

Pollack also alluded to the governments inadvertent disclosure in November that Assange has been charged under seal with a crime. The details of that charge  including whether it is linked to the Russia probe or instead to WikiLeaks unrelated publication of leaked government secrets  remain murky.

The tumultuous relationship between Stone and Trump goes back decades, with Stone acting as an informal adviser as Trump considered running for president several times. When Trump formally announced during the spring of 2015 that he was running for president, Stone was one of the first to join his campaign, but within months, the two had a public dispute and he left the team.

The two men have remained close, though, speaking often by telephone.

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PHOENIX - The Latest on a Phoenix care facility where an incapacitated woman was raped and gave birth (all times local):

4:05 p.m.

The Arizona State Board of Nursing is investigating whether other nurses working at a long-term care facility where an incapacitated woman was raped and later gave birth need to be held accountable.

President Randy Quinn said at a meeting Friday that the board will take immediate action if evidence points to other nurses failing to act.

The board formally announced that 36-year-old Nathan Sutherland, a licensed practical nurse accused of sexually assaulting and impregnating a patient at a Phoenix facility, voluntarily surrendered his license in response to their complaint.

Sutherland was arrested Wednesday on one count each of sexual assault and vulnerable adult abuse.

Phoenix police say his DNA matches the DNA of the baby boy born Dec. 29.

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1:30 p.m.

The board of directors of a Phoenix long-term care facility where a nurse is accused of raping an incapacitated woman who later gave birth says its taken aggressive measures to improve patient care and safety.

Hacienda HealthCares board released a statement Friday in response to Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey tweeting that state agencies are looking into removing board members.

The board says it has followed a state request to have an outside team manage the facility and that they should be in place by next week.

Duceys outrage came a day after The Arizona Republic reported that Haciendas former CEO had a history of facing sexual misconduct allegations from employees.

The CEO was disciplined but ultimately allowed to keep his job. He resigned Jan. 7 after reports surfaced that a 29-year-old patient gave birth last month.

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12 p.m.

Arizonas governor is looking into whether the state can remove the board of directors of a long-term care facility where a nurse is accused of raping an incapacitated woman who later gave birth.

In a flurry of tweets Friday, Gov. Doug Ducey called for Hacienda HealthCares board to be fired.

His tweets come a day after The Arizona Republic reported that Haciendas former CEO had a history of facing sexual misconduct allegations from employees.

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CEO Bill Timmons was disciplined but ultimately allowed to keep his job. Simmons resigned Jan. 7 after reports surfaced that a 29-year-old patient gave birth last month.

Police arrested 36-year-old Nathan Sutherland on Wednesday. An online database shows Sutherland has since voluntarily surrendered his nursing license.

Hacienda officials didnt immediately return a request for comment.
COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Latest on claims that Ohio hospital patients received potentially fatal doses of pain medicine (all times local):

3:30 p.m.

Ohios medical board has suspended the license of a doctor accused of ordering excessive and possibly fatal pain medicine for dozens of hospital patients without their families knowledge.

The board says William Husel (HYOO-suhl) invoked his right against self-incrimination when its representatives asked whether he purposefully ordered excessive doses to end patients lives.

The allegations are under investigation by the Columbus-area Mount Carmel Health System, local authorities, and state officials acting on behalf of the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Husel was fired, but no charges have been announced. His lawyers arent commenting.

Mount Carmel says its investigating whether patients got lethal doses when they still might have had opportunity to improve with treatment.

It publicly apologized and put 20 pharmacists and nurses on leave pending investigation.

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10:20 a.m.

Two more lawsuits are alleging hospital patients were negligently or intentionally given lethal doses of pain medicine ordered by an Ohio doctor without the families knowledge.

The Columbus-area Mount Carmel Health System says Dr. William Husel (HYOO-suhl) ordered excessive doses for at least 34 patients over several years. It fired Husel, notified authorities and put six pharmacists and 14 nurses on leave pending investigation.

Husels lawyers arent commenting.

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He and the hospital face at least six wrongful-death lawsuits, including the two filed Friday over the deaths of 69-year-old Joanne Bellisari in May 2015 and 80-year-old Jim Allen in May 2018.

Mount Carmel initially said the affected patients were near death. It now says its investigating whether some got potentially fatal dosages when they still had an opportunity to improve with treatment.
GREENSBORO, Md. - The Latest on the investigation of a black teenagers death in police custody on Marylands Eastern Shore (all times local):

1:15 p.m.

A civil rights group is calling for an independent investigation of the death of a black teenager who struggled with police officers on Marylands Eastern Shore before he died in their custody.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Maryland said in a statement Friday that the U.S. Justice Department or Maryland State Prosecutor should investigate the September 2018 death of 19-year-old Anton Black in Greensboro.

The Maryland State Police investigated Blacks death. The states chief medical examiner released an autopsy report before Caroline County States Attorney Joseph Riley announced Thursday that he isnt asking a grand jury to consider criminal charges in Blacks death.

Attorneys for Blacks family also have vowed to ask the Justice Departments civil rights division to investigate.

The ACLUs statement says a newly released body camera video of the deadly encounter shows officers used excessive force on a man who shouldnt have been arrested.

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9:23 a.m.

Officials have released body camera video of a deadly encounter between police and a black teenager who died after struggling with officers in a town on Marylands Eastern Shore.

Greensboro Police Chief Mike Petyo released the footage after a county prosecutor announced Thursday that he isnt asking a grand jury to consider criminal charges in the September 2018 death of 19-year-old Anton Black.

Caroline County States Attorney Joseph Riley said in a statement that his office is not empowered to prosecute tragic acts.

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An autopsy report Wednesday by the states chief medical examiner says Blacks congenital heart condition and stress from the struggle likely contributed to his death.

The body camera footage shows Blacks mother screaming her sons name as she sees officers pinning him down outside her home.
NEW ORLEANS - The New Orleans police department has made significant progress in carrying out reforms mandated under an agreement with the federal government, according to a report released Friday.

The Path to Reform report says the city has achieved full compliance with parts of a 2012 agreement that the city reached with the Justice Department, but cautions that more work is needed. The report was filed in federal court for review by U.S. District Judge Susie Morgan.

The report took note of successes by the departments efforts to review its use of force policy. One of the more serious allegations against the department was the use by some officers of excessive, sometimes lethal force while making arrests and in other situations.

Jonathan Aronie, the lead monitor for a law firm appointed by the court in 2013 to make sure the city complied with the consent decree, praised New Orleans for creating a program to help officers and their families cope with the stresses of the job.

Stressed officers are more likely to use force, Aronie said at a public hearing.

The report also noted shortcomings and said more effort was needed in areas including supervision, documentation of stops and searches, and community engagement. Additionally, the department is not attracting enough quality recruits, while vetting of the recruits it does sign up is inconsistent.

The report comes as Michael Harrison, who oversaw reforms as police superintendent since 2014, prepares to take over leadership of Baltimores police department.

Recurring scandals involving corruption or questionable use of force had plagued the New Orleans police department for decades and drew national attention in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, when unarmed civilians were fatally shot.

A 2011 report by the Justice Department painted a picture of a department in which officers often used deadly force without justification, repeatedly made unconstitutional arrests, and engaged in racial profiling. Poor recruiting, ignorance or disregard of unclear policies, and inconsistent discipline all were cited as reasons for the dysfunction.

The agreement with the Justice Department was reached the following year and approved by the court in 2013.
STATE COLLEGE, PA.A gunman opened fire at a hotel bar near Penn States main campus, killing two men and wounding a woman, broke into a strangers house and fatally shot the 83-year-old homeowner, and then killed himself, authorities said.

The initial shooting happened just after 10 p.m. Thursday at P.J. Harrigans Bar & Grill in State College, about three kilometres from Penn States campus.

State College Police Chief John Gardner said Friday afternoon they are still trying to determine why Jordan Witmer, 21, of Bellefonte, opened fire inside the bar, shooting two men he apparently didnt know, and Nicole Abrino, with whom he had an unspecified connection.

Dean Beachy, 62, of Millersburg, Ohio, died at the scene, and Beachys 19-year-old son Steven Beachy died at a hospital Friday afternoon. Abrino was shot in the chest and remains at a Pittsburgh hospital. Gardner said he didnt know her condition.

Witmer then fled the bar, crashed his vehicle and broke into a home by shooting out a sliding-glass door, Gardner said. Inside, he fatally shot homeowner George McCormick, 83, before turning the gun on himself. McCormicks distraught 80-year-old wife barricaded herself in a room and called 911.

There was no relationship between Witmer and McCormick, and officials believe he chose the home at random, Gardner said.

There was never any threat to Penn State or its students, he said.

They are still gathering information about the shooter, whom he described as being in the military.

Family members told WNEP-TV that Dean Beachy was an auctioneer and that he and his son were in State College for a horse auction.
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. - A New Jersey judge refused to block the Miss America Organization from carrying out changes to some of its state pageant leadership groups, even as he called on both sides to try to work out their differences.

Superior Court Judge Michael Blee on Friday urged four state pageant groups that had their licenses terminated to try to reach an agreement with the parent group.

But he also determined that the state groups did not demonstrate that they have a significant chance of prevailing at a trial. That was a central reason he did not issue an order the state groups had sought preventing the parent group from replacing some of them.

The Miss America Organization called the ruling complete and total victory, adding it has the green light to move forward with its management of the group.

We are pleased that the new licensees in these states can continue their work unencumbered by these meritless legal challenges, the statement said.

Numerous state groups have been battling national Miss America leadership over the way the organization is being run.

Last year, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, West Virginia and Georgia filed a lawsuit seeking restoration of the situation that existed before Chairwoman Gretchen Carlson and CEO Regina Hopper assumed leadership of the group.

On Friday, Blee urged both sides to try mediation before deciding whether a trial might be scheduled.

Try to reach a possible amicable solution, the judge said after a nearly three hour hearing in Atlantic City, not far from where the pageant is held every September. I strongly suggest you think about that.

Blee made his suggestion after denying a request from the four state organizations for an order that would have barred the Miss America Organization from terminating their licenses or soliciting new state leaders until the court case has been completed. The judge noted that his ruling was a preliminary one, and that the case would continue.

New Jersey and Florida had their licenses restored after appeals to the national group.

The lawsuit, filed last December, asserted an illegal and bad-faith takeover of the pageant by current national leaders.

Were not fighting over money, said Paul Perkins, an attorney for the state groups and for Jennifer Vaden Barth, a former board member. Were fighting for the survival of an institution.

Tim Davis, an attorney for the Miss America Organization, said the group is within its rights to license  or not license  state groups. He said many opponents cannot accept that the pageant, under Carlson and Hopper, eliminated the swimsuit competition last year.

Theres a vocal minority that is unwilling to accept change, he said. The change that the new leadership is trying to bring about is moving it away from a competition in which a young woman is judged on her looks and physical appearance. People dont like change; thats what this is all about.

Perkins disputed characterization of the opponents as a minority, saying that 46 out of 50 state organizations eventually called for new national leadership of the Miss America Organization.

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HONOLULU - Japan-based All Nippon Airways has begun taking reservations for flights between Tokyo and Honolulu on an Airbus A380, the worlds largest passenger airliner.

The airline expects to put its first 520-seat aircraft into service in late May. It started reserving seats earlier this month, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported Thursday.

The carrier ordered three Airbus A380s in 2016. The big planes offer more seating options and greater comfort, even in coach, according to the airline.

All Nippon Airways plans to launch service on the A380 with flights three days per week between Honolulu and the Narita International Airport. It currently has two flights departing from Narita to Honolulu and one flight departing from Haneda Airport to Honolulu. Both airports serve the Tokyo area.

The airline anticipates moving to 10 flights per week when the second A380 enters service in July. The airline expects to ramp up its Japan-Hawaii capacity to about 1,300 customers per day by 2020 if all goes according to plan, said Jun Miyagawa, the airlines senior vice-president of sales.

With the big planes, the airline aims to carve out a bigger portion of the Japan-Honolulu market. Japan Airlines currently dominates with a 32 per cent share, while Hawaiian follows at 22 per cent, Miyagawa said.

By 2020, our overall share would be maybe less than 30 per cent, but wed like to overcome Japan Airlines at least in our metro market, Miyagawa said.

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Information from: Honolulu Star-Advertiser, http://www.staradvertiser.com
WOOSTER, Ohio - Authorities say a 17-year-old Amish girl driving a horse-drawn buggy has been rescued after the buggy was swept away by high water along a flooded rural road in northeast Ohio.

The Massillon Independent reports emergency personnel used an inflatable raft Thursday afternoon to rescue the teen whod taken refuge on the buggys roof in Wayne Countys Sugar Creek Township. She wasnt injured.

The buggy was pulled into a ditch covered in about 5 feet (1.5 metres) of water.

Officials say the horse pulling the buggy died from exposure to the cold water and sub-freezing temperature.

Sugar Creek Township is roughly 57 miles (92 kilometres) south of downtown Cleveland.

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Information from: The Independent, http://www.indeonline.com
WASHINGTON - The Latest on President Donald Trumps former personal attorney, Michael Cohen, being issued a subpoena to appear before a Senate committee investigating Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election (all times local):

8:45 p.m.

President Donald Trumps former personal attorney, Michael Cohen, and a Senate committee investigating Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election have agreed on a Feb. 12 interview date.

Lanny Davis, Cohens lawyer, said Thursday night that the two sides had reached an agreement on a date for Cohen to testify following the Senate intelligence committees decision to subpoena him.

The development comes one day after Cohen postponed his public testimony to a House committee, citing ongoing co-operation in special counsel Robert Muellers Russia investigation and threats against his family.

Cohen, the presidents onetime fixer, is set to begin a three-year prison sentence in March.

Any interview with Cohen would almost certainly take place in private, in keeping with how the panel generally conducts Russia-related hearings.

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1:30 p.m.

A Senate committee has subpoenaed President Donald Trumps former personal lawyer Michael Cohen, a day after Cohen postponed his public testimony to a House committee.

Word of the subpoena from the Senate Intelligence Committee comes from one of Cohens lawyers, Lanny Davis. Davis statement doesnt say whether Cohen will comply with the subpoena.

That committee generally has held its Russia-related hearings in private.

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Cohen delayed his Feb. 7 appearance before the House Oversight and Reform Committee on the advice of his defence team because Cohen is still co-operating in special counsel Robert Muellers Russia investigation. Davis also said Cohen has received threats against his family.

Cohen has pleaded guilty to lying to Congress about a Trump business proposal in Moscow. Hes set to begin a three-year prison sentence in March.
PHOENIX - An Arizona man facing a terrorism charge and accused of brandishing a knife in an encounter with a sheriffs sergeant has pleaded not guilty.

Maricopa County Superior Court officials say 18-year-old Ismail Hamed entered his plea Thursday. His next scheduled court date is March 8.

County sheriffs officials say Hamed told a dispatcher before the Jan. 7 attack that he had an affiliation with a terror group.

Court records state Hamed allegedly provided advice, assistance, direction or management to the Islamic State of Iraq and ISIS on or about Jan. 7.

Hamed was previously charged with aggravated assault for allegedly throwing rocks at the sergeant and brandishing a knife outside a sheriffs substation in the Phoenix suburb of Fountain Hills.

Hamed was shot after ignoring warnings to drop the weapon.
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIAAn expert from the United Nations human rights office will look into the death of Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi dissident and Washington Post columnist killed in October by Saudi agents, the agency said Friday.

Agnes Callamard, the special rapporteur for extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, will lead the inquiry into the killing of Khashoggi at Saudi Arabias consulate in Istanbul and will report her findings in June, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights announced.

She will review and evaluate, from a human rights perspective, the circumstances surrounding the killing of Khashoggi, the office said in a statement, and will assess the steps taken by governments to address and respond to the killing, and the nature and extent of states and individuals responsibilities for the killing.

As special rapporteur, Callamards role is to examine any allegations of extrajudicial executions on her own authority, without specific further authorization from the human rights commissioners office or any other UN body.

Her inquiry does not amount to a formal, independent investigation of the kind the United Nations has ordered in the past, notably into the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto of Pakistan in 2007. But it is a first step that might lead to a some fuller UN examination of the case.

It was not clear whether the announcement would satisfy Turkey, which has called on the United Nations to launch a full independent, international investigation in the Khashoggi case.

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Callamards investigation will begin with a trip next week to Turkey.

U.S. intelligence agencies have concluded that Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabias 33-year-old crown prince and de facto ruler, personally ordered the assassination of Khashoggi, a Virginia resident who was killed and dismembered, and whose remains Turkish investigators have yet to find.

Saudi Arabia has said it is conducting its own investigation into the killing, and Saudi officials have said their initial inquiry has indicated that the leader of a team of agents on the ground in Istanbul  not the crown prince  decided to kill Khashoggi. The kingdom has said it has arrested 21 people in connection with the killing and this month it reportedly began prosecuting 11 of them.

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DHAKA, BANGLADESHA UN human rights envoy said Friday that hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslim refugees wont be able to return to Burma soon because of threats to their safety in the Buddhist-majority nation.

Burma has been criticized by global rights groups and many nations for state-sponsored violence against ethnic minorities.

Yanghee Lee, the UN special rapporteur on human rights in Burma, also criticized India and Saudi Arabia for mistreatment of the Rohingya in those countries amid global calls for protections for Rohingya Muslims.

Lee spent 10 days in Thailand and Bangladesh, speaking to people from Burma, authorities, UN agencies and international experts. More than 700,000 Rohingya refugees have fled into Bangladesh since late August 2017.

It is clear that Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh cannot return to Myanmar in the near future, she said.

She said violence against the Rohingya by the Burma army in Rakhine state that prompted them to flee to neighbouring Bangladesh bear the hallmarks of genocide. Burma has repeatedly turned down her request for allowing her to visit the country.

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Lee told journalists she was disturbed by reports of new violence in Rakhine state and she accused Burma of failing to create a peaceful environment so the refugees could return from Bangladesh.

The campaign of violence against the Rohingya continues, with the security forces slowly bleeding the remaining Rohingya population and continuing to force them to flee to Bangladesh, she said.

Lee added: From the discussions I had with Rohingya this week in Bangladesh, it is evident that Myanmar is not working to create conditions for return for the Rohingya but is engaging in a sustained campaign of violence, intimidation and harassment.

Lee said she was dismayed by Saudi Arabias recent deportation of 13 Rohingya to Bangladesh, where they have been arrested and charged with forging the passports that they used to travel to Saudi Arabia.

She also said about 1,300 Rohingya have arrived in Bangladesh from after Indian authorities deported them to Burma, and they crossed into Bangladesh from Burma.

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The exodus of Rohingya began after Burma security forces launched a brutal crackdown following attacks by an insurgent group on guard posts in late August in 2017. The scale, organization and ferocity of the crackdown led the UN and several governments to accuse Burma of ethnic cleansing and genocide.

Most people in Burma do not accept that the Rohingya Muslims are a native ethnic group, calling them as Bengalis who entered from Bangladesh centuries ago. Nearly all have been denied citizenship since 1982, as well as access to education and hospitals.
TOKYO - Human rights and LGBT activists on Friday denounced a ruling by Japans Supreme Court upholding a law that effectively requires transgender people to be sterilized before they can have their gender changed on official documents.

The court said the law is constitutional because it was meant to reduce confusion in families and society. But it acknowledged that it restricts freedom and could become out of step with changing social values.

The 2004 law states that people wishing to register a gender change must have their original reproductive organs, including testes or ovaries, removed and have a body that appears to have parts that resemble the genital organs of the gender they want to register.

More than 7,800 Japanese have had their genders officially changed, according to Justice Ministry statistics cited by public broadcaster NHK.

The unanimous decision by a four-judge panel, published Thursday, rejected an appeal by Takakito Usui, a transgender man who said forced sterilization violates the right to self-determination and is unconstitutional.

Usui, 45, appealed to the top court after he unsuccessfully requested that lower courts grant him legal recognition as male without having his female reproductive glands surgically removed.

Despite the unanimous decision, presiding justice Mamoru Miura joined another justice in saying that while the law may not violate the constitution, doubts are undeniably emerging, according to Usuis lawyer, Tomoyasu Oyama.

The two judges proposed regular reviews of the law and appropriate measures from the viewpoint of respect for personality and individuality, according to Japanese media reports.

Japan is one of many countries with a sterilization requirement. In 2017, the European Court of Human Rights said 22 of the countries under its jurisdiction still required sterilization as part of a legal gender change, and it ordered them to end the practice.

Maria Sjodin, deputy executive director of OutRight Action International, which monitors LGBT rights issues worldwide, said she was unsure if all 22 of those countries have fully implemented the courts order. She noted that Sweden, which did away with the requirement in 2013, later became the first country to pay damages to anyone forced to undergo sterilization as a requirement for gender change.

The Japanese Supreme Court decision ends Usuis legal battle, but he and his lawyer said the opinions in the ruling left them with hope.

I think the ruling could lead to a next step, Usui told a news conference.

Human Rights Watch said the Supreme Court ruling was incompatible with international human rights standards, goes against the times and deviates far from best global practices. The New York-based group said the ruling tolerates grave human rights violations against transgender people.

The ruling was also criticized by Japans LGBT community.

A transgender activist and writer, Tomato Hatakeno, tweeted that the decision shows that societys interests still come before an individuals right to freedom regarding ones body.

The ruling suggests that reproductive health is not recognized as a basic human right, she said.

There is a growing awareness of sexual diversity in Japan, but it is often superficial and generally limited to the entertainment industry. In a country where pressure for conformity is strong, many gay people hide their sexuality even from their families because of a fear of prejudice at home, school or work. Obstacles remain high for transgender people.

Japan does not legally recognize same-sex marriages. As LGBT rights awareness has gradually grown in recent years, some municipalities have begun issuing partnership certificates to ease problems in renting apartments and other areas, but they are not legally binding.

Lawmakers in the conservative ruling party have repeatedly come under fire for making discriminatory remarks about LGBT people. Earlier this year, Katsuei Hirasawa, a veteran lawmaker, was widely criticized for saying that a nation would collapse if everyone became LGBT. Last year, another ruling party lawmaker, Mio Sugita, was condemned after saying in a magazine that the government shouldnt use tax money for LGBT rights because same-sex couples arent productive.

Separately, more than a dozen people with disabilities have filed lawsuits against Japans government for having been sterilized against their will under a 1948 Eugenics Protection Law that was in effect until 1996.

At least 16,500 people were sterilized without consent under the law, which allowed doctors to sterilize people with disabilities and was designed to prevent the birth of poor-quality descendants. Some orphans were also sterilized.

The government has maintained the sterilizations were legal.

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AP National Writer David Crary in New York contributed to this report.

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Follow Mari Yamaguchi on Twitter at https://www.twitter.com/mariyamaguchi
HONG KONGAt least one person was killed and another was injured in a series of explosions Friday afternoon in the northeastern Chinese city of Changchun, the local authorities said.

The police are tentatively treating the explosions as a criminal case, the propaganda office of the Changchun Municipal Communist Party Committee said in a statement posted online. The blasts began when a car burst into flames in an underground parking lot, followed by explosions from an apartment building at the Wanda Shopping Plaza, according to the statement.

The explosions sent pedestrians running from the shopping centre. Cellphone videos posted on social media showed a series of blasts, some high in the apartment tower and others near the ground level of the building.

Beijing Youth Daily, a state-owned newspaper, reported that some residents said they saw explosives being thrown from the building, but a local official would not confirm those accounts.

In one video posted to social media, more than 15 blasts can be heard, and at least one was proceeded by an object falling through the air. Some explosions produced loud booms, while others were more modest, like fireworks.

In July, a man set off an explosion outside the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, badly injuring his hand. The police said he suffered from hallucinations and had been diagnosed with a paranoid personality disorder. A lighter, firecracker fragments and three unexploded firecrackers were found at the scene.

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KANDAHAR, AFGHANISTANLocal Afghan officials are blaming the U.S. military for two airstrikes that killed 29 people this week, most of them women and children, in heavy fighting in southern Helmand province, even as U.S. diplomats negotiated possible peace terms with the Taliban.

The reaction followed a familiar pattern in the long history of disputed airstrikes in Afghanistan, with the U.S. military denying that the second airstrike even occurred, while confirming that the first was under investigation. The United Nations called the civilian casualty reports credible.

In Doha, Qatar, where the U.S. peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad was in the fifth day of peace negotiations Friday, Taliban negotiators accused the U.S. military of stepping up airstrikes to pressure them to make a deal.

Killing innocent people, with their women and children, is a great concern to us, said a senior member of the Taliban reached by telephone in Pakistan. We raised the issue with Khalilzad.

The official said deadly tactics would not work.

The more they kill, the more our blood will turn hot, he said.

The official, who was briefed on the talks but not present, spoke on condition of anonymity as part of a longstanding policy to not be named by the news media.

In the first episode, Afghan and U.S. forces carried out an operation early Thursday in the Sangin district of Helmand province, which has long been held by the Taliban. Those units on the ground received gunfire from a house that was then bombed by U.S. aircraft, local officials said.

The house belonged to Noor Mohammad, who was a civilian, said Mohammad Dawood, head of the Sangin district council, who lives in exile but remains in touch with residents there.

The bombing killed four women and 10 children in the house, as well as two men, he said.

The provincial authorities in Helmand confirmed that the episode had taken place but said they could not provide casualty details.

Mohammad Hashim Alokozai, a member of Parliament from Helmand, also said 16 civilians had been killed.

The next day, Friday, male relatives of the victims gathered for a mass funeral, and as they were burying the dead, they were caught by another U.S. airstrike, Alokozai said, killing 13 men.

We dont know what is going on, he said. We dont know what happened to NATO that they are targeting innocent civilians.

Sgt. 1st Class Debra Richardson, a U.S. military spokeswoman, said no airstrike was carried out by the coalition in Sangin on Friday.

The Taliban claim today that a U.S. airstrike killed 10 civilians while digging graves is false and Taliban propaganda, Richardson said.

As for the bombing Thursday that appeared to have killed 16 civilians, she said an investigation was underway.

A large Afghan-led, multiday operation in Sangin, Helmand, has been supported by U.S. advisers and coalition airstrikes, Richardson said. The partnered operation cleared 23 IEDs and have been engaged in heavy fighting. Due to the ongoing operation and the number of units involved we are still looking into the claim of noncombatant casualties.

The U.N. Mission in Afghanistan also put out a statement Thursday about the civilian deaths in Sangin.

UNAMA is following up on credible reports of civilian casualties, including children, from an aerial operation in Sangin district, the agency said in a Twitter post.

Civilian casualties have risen in the past year with the great increase in fighting between the Taliban and Afghan government units, often supported by U.S. Special Operations troops and air power.

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Nearly 2,800 civilians were killed and 5,252 civilians were wounded in the first nine months of 2018, according to the United Nations, which expressed concern about increasing deaths from airstrikes.

Members of the Afghan security forces are dying in record numbers. The Afghan president, Ashraf Ghani, speaking Thursday at a panel at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, said 45,000 members of the security forces had died since he took office in September 2014  a much higher total than anyone in his government had previously acknowledged.

In November, Ghani said 28,000 members of security forces had died since he became president. The Afghan military claims it is killing as many or more insurgents.

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BAMAKO, MALITwo Sri Lankan peacekeepers with the United Nations force in Mali were killed Friday after their convoy struck an explosive device in the central Mopti region, the UN said.

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spokesman said six Sri Lankan peacekeepers were injured in the blast near the town of Douentza.

A peacekeeper from Burkina Faso was injured in a separate attack using an improvised explosive device against another UN mission convoy near Douentza on Thursday, deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said.

No one has claimed responsibility for the Friday attack, but it is similar to others by extremist groups linked to Al Qaeda which have increased activities in the Mopti region.

Secretary-General Guterres and the UN Security Council condemned the attack in the strongest terms.

The Security Council called it an act of terrorism and urged Malis government to swiftly investigate and bring the perpetrators to justice.

Read more:

Canadians pressed into service after deadly attack on UN base in Mali

Al Qaeda-linked jihadists kill 10 UN peacekeepers in Mali

Mali officials say 37 civilians were killed in attack on central village

Council members underlined that attacks targeting peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law and said those responsible can face UN sanctions.

The council also expressed concern about the security situation in Mali and the transnational dimension of the terrorist threat in the Sahel region, which the Mopti region is part of. It urged all parties to fully implement the 2015 peace agreement.

Haq said Guterres also called for the perpetrators to be brought to justice and warned that targeting UN peacekeepers may constitute war crimes.

The UN chief stressed that the cowardly acts will not deter the UN missions determination to support the people and government of Mali in their pursuit of peace and stability, Haq said.

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The blast comes after an attack in the northern Kidal region on Sunday killed 10 Chadian peacekeepers and wounded 25 others.

The 15,000-strong mission in Mali is one of the most dangerous for peacekeepers. More than 100 peacekeepers have died since it was established in 2013.

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HAMILTONIt was the saddest of happy endings.

Darcy Dee was slipping away, her body finally giving in to the breast cancer shed been fighting for four years.

But Darcy had already won another battle  one that shed waged for a quarter-century  the struggle to find the little girl shed been forced to give up in 1991, the baby the system had taken away from her all those years ago after deeming her an unfit mother because of her disability.

At her bedside during those last few days was the 29-year-old woman who had been taken away from her mother as a toddler, fostered and soon adopted, the woman who had grown up and lived most of her life with a loving adoptive family just minutes from the birth mother she never knew. But miraculously, fate had brought them back together in 2015, allowing for three years that would have to make up for nearly three decades lost.

Darcy Dee, 59, died Jan. 20 in Hamiltons St. Peters Hospital. Her funeral takes place Saturday.

She is survived by 10 siblings, and by her daughter  Veronica Ann  the daughter for whom she searched for 24 years.

Knowing that my mother got her greatest wish, to heal the wound of losing me, has been a huge inspiration, Veronica said after her mothers passing. She marvels at how through all those years that they were apart, Darcy essentially built her life around the quest for her lost daughter.

She formed habits throughout her city to be visible and available so that I might by chance find her, Veronica said. She never gave up and Im so grateful I could be there to show her it was all worth it.

I told the first chapter of Darcys story nearly 30 years ago in November 1990, in the Star, as Darcy was waging a losing battle with the Catholic Childrens Aid Society in Hamilton for the custody of Veronica.

Id met Darcy by chance in the food court of a Hamilton mall that autumn while I was on assignment. Darcy had been left disabled by a brain injury after being hit by a truck while walking to school on a winter day, when she was 8. She was declared dead at the scene, but somehow survived.

That day in Hamilton, she rolled up beside my table in her scooter, which had a carrier basket full of loose-leaf papers. Once she discovered I was a reporter, Darcy wanted me to read the documents in her basket, notes shed been typing over the months, the journal of her struggle to regain custody of her daughter. (Over the years, she would type thousands of pages.)

Darcys speech was slurred. She had difficulty controlling her movements and articulating her feelings. But her journal read like poetry. Page after page of fluid and heartbreaking detail about how shed had Veronica with a guy shed met, and then lost her. Estranged from her family, the fiercely independent Darcy had been living in an apartment in downtown Hamilton.

She contacted the childrens aid society during her pregnancy, and shortly after the babys birth, Darcy was deemed unfit as a parent.

All my life people told me I couldnt do anything, Dee said during one of several interviews in her tiny subsidized apartment in 1990. Well, now I did the thing that is supposed to be the most important of all  I created a life. Now they want to take that away from me.

After a year of increasingly infrequent and restricted supervised visits, the courts ruled on Feb. 11, 1991, that Veronica would be placed for adoption and that Darcy would not be allowed to see her again.

The system was true to its word, for 24 years.

The story that Darcy shared with me in 1990, the story that continued to unfold in the intervening decades, reads like a screenplay.

She was born in Buffalo in 1959 to John and Rayme Dee, professional actors who immigrated to Canada for work and settled in Ancaster, Ont. Anyone who watched Canadian television in the 1970s and early 80s would recognize Darcys dad, John, who played Al Waxmans crusty neighbour Max on King of Kensington.

Darcy left home at 21 after getting a Grade 12 diploma from a vocational school. She eventually moved to Toronto, where she took some courses in English and history at Ryerson, without much success. Back in Hamilton in 1982, she sat in on courses at McMaster University and Mohawk College.

When I met her in the small, dingy apartment in 1990, I noticed how she made the best of the lack of space and narrow hallway: because of her limited mobility, she got around by practically bouncing off the walls, propelling herself from the table, to the chair, to the bed.

The journal entries I read in 1990 were heartbreaking and gave voice to the thoughtful, eloquent and angry young woman that the system had written off.

She wrote about when her daughter turned 1.

Yesterday was Veronicas birthday. Her very first. I did not get to see her. Although I carried on with my own life, I had a pretty heavy heart, thinking of her. Remember last year at this time, I was in the hospital, in pain, having just had Veronica the night before?

Yes, but the greatest pain of all is not being able to see my baby.

After losing Veronica, Darcy reconciled with her large family, and her sisters in particular became the champions of her efforts to locate her daughter. Her parents have long since died.

Darcys family and friends recall a spunky, unpredictable woman who could fly into a rage at those she felt were putting her down, and just as quickly flash a wide smile and howl with laughter.

This is the story of a woman who grew up fighting  for her independence after a severe brain injury, for her life with a cancer diagnosis  and then, in the short time left to her, to find the daughter she was forced to give up, her sister Betsy wrote in an account of Darcys struggle.

Darcy and I were in touch sporadically over the years.

In a journal entry on Veronicas 10th birthday, June 10, 1999, Darcy wrote: I will never stop praying for you, and loving you, even though I do not know where you are. You could be in the house in front or behind me for all I know.

In 2007, when Veronica would have been turning 18, I contemplated trying to find her myself, or even publishing the baby photos of Veronica that I had taken at Darcys apartment in 1990. But I concluded that would be a violation of the girls privacy.

In late 2014, Betsy let me know that Darcy had been diagnosed with breast cancer and that the family was stepping up efforts to find Veronica.

By then theyd already been through years of paperwork, trying to make contact and obtain official records of the adoption. I went to see Darcy in Hamilton in November of 2014. She was very ill and was now confined to a wheelchair. And she still talked about finding her Veronica.

Little did anyone know that the clue to Veronicas identity and whereabouts was already in Darcys possession. After my visit, Betsy sent a follow-up email to share some adoption-related documents that Darcy had received from Service Ontario in response to one of her requests. The key document was the 1992 record of Veronicas adoption. While all of the adoptive familys identifying information had been dutifully blacked out, for some reason the document showed Veronicas legal name at the time of her adoption.

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It took a minute on Google to find Veronica, a young web design and marketing consultant who was at that point living and working in Hamilton, blocks away from her birth mother.

Darcys sisters were in a quandary. How should they go about confirming Veronicas identity and making contact? They didnt share the finding with Darcy until they could get in touch with Veronica. After weeks of deliberating, they dropped off a letter at Veronicas apartment, informing her of the identity of her birth mother and extending the invitation for a meeting.

Several weeks later, on Jan. 25, 2015, a Sunday afternoon, the family arranged for Veronica to make a surprise visit to her birth mothers apartment.

Darcy was seated with her back to the door when Veronica entered and made her way into view.

Do you know who this is? the sister asked.

Darcy didnt.

At that point, the striking young woman with blond hair and blue eyes knelt down in front of Darcys chair and took her hand.

Im Veronica.

Veronica looks back now on that remarkable reunion and the months that followed.

My reunion with Darcy was joyful, compassionate, all about doing things together as newly introduced people, she said. We went and did fun activities all through the summer. Darcy always pictured us in the sunshine together and she got her wish.

Veronica was struck by her resemblance to Darcy, in physical appearance, and in attitude.

Shes passed that focused, never-say-die spirit on to me.

In the little time they had together, a lot was left unsaid, in part because it had become so difficult for Darcy to communicate.

Most of what happened between Darcy and I was over coffees and in each others hearts, Veronica recounted. We couldnt easily communicate but the wonder and surreal happiness of beating the odds together was our primary emotional story.

In the days before Darcys death, Veronica spent hours at her birth mothers bedside in Hamilton, still holding her hand. And while Darcy is gone, she has left her daughter a written legacy, thousands of pages of her writing.

Years before, on Nov. 11, 2007, Darcy typed this poem in her journal. After her death, it seems almost prophetic:

I can only hope and pray

That maybe, just maybe some day

That in heaven, or on earth

It will be like a rebirth

We will meet face to face

I will hug Veronica

And hold her

And she? She will touch my shoulder

Never to let go of each other
The TTC board has unanimously approved a 10-cent fare increase for 2019, over the objections from transit users and advocates who urged members not to balance the transit agencys budget on the backs of riders.

And while the price hike is expected to generate about $25.8 million for the TTC this year, Thursdays board meeting was at times dominated by presentations from agency executives that warned the transit system is on shaky financial ground, both in the short and long term.

TTC Chair Jaye Robinson said she was disappointed about the fare hike, which was approved as part of the proposed 2019 operating budget that the agency first released last week.

Robinson, who council appointed TTC chair in December, told the Star earlier this month she wouldnt back a fare hike this year. But after the vote she said she had concluded it was unavoidable because of increased costs, and because the city had made it clear it wouldnt provide more money to eliminate the need for higher fares.

The city has clearly stated theres no additional funds, she said. That left us with no choice, because we dont want to cut services. So today it came down to cutting services versus a 10-cent fare increase.

About a dozen members of the public showed up to oppose raising transit prices.

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TTC plans to hire dozens of fare inspectors to deter people from skipping out on paying

Many young people struggle to pay tuition, are straddled with student debt and precarious work or (are) unemployed. This is an additional cost that they simply cannot afford, said Eli Aaron, a planning student at Ryerson University and a member of the Toronto Youth Cabinet.

Some saw irony in the fact that the debate about the fare hike came hours after a major subway delay that was caused by switch and signal problems left thousands of Line 1 riders packed on crowded platforms waiting for trains.

The delays that people experienced this week really brought home the injustice of a fare hike, Shelagh Pizey-Allen, executive director of advocacy group TTCriders, told the board.

Student and senior fares using tickets or the Presto fare card are set to rise from $2.05 to $2.15, while adult fares will go from $3 to $3.10. The cost of a student or senior monthly pass will rise $5.70 to $122.45, and an adult pass will increase $4.90 to $151.15. Adult cash fares will remain at $3.25.

The increase will be effective April 1. Although it will increase revenue, its also expected to drive away some 700,000 potential riders.

The proposed $2.1-billion gross operating budget the board approved for the conventional system and Wheel Trans represents a 3.1-per-cent increase over last years spending. The subsidy the TTC is requesting from the city, which is considered the key measure of municipal funding for the transit system, is $22 million higher than in 2018, at $763 million.

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TTC chief financial officer Dan Wright told the board that represents one of the lowest increases that the TTC has requested in recent memory. Its less than half the average annual subsidy increase over the previous four years.

Not all of the increased spending will go toward improved service, with new items, such as the transition to the Presto fare card system and a new collective bargaining agreement, putting pressure on the budget.

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But the TTC plans to increase service hours by two per cent by deploying more buses and subways this year. There is also $14.4 million in incremental costs for the well-received two-hour transfer policy.

Wright repeatedly warned the board the budget is precariously balanced. In order to offset rising costs, it proposes relying on roughly $24 million in undetermined corporate reductions to balance the budget. The reductions are effectively savings the TTC thinks it can find in areas such as lower accident claims and electricity costs, but cant guarantee it will achieve.

The budget report said the strategy incorporates considerable risk into the budget and increases the risk that the TTC will incur a deficit in 2019.

Wright said that although he believed the savings are possible, the agency would be relying on luck and had little margin for error.

Do I think we will run a deficit? I dont know, he said.

Bottom line, we have no flexibility to absorb bad news. We need to figure out how to properly fund the TTC with long term funding that we can count on.

The board also received a report on $33.5 billion in capital costs the TTC says is required over the next 15 years to keep the system in good repair and cope with anticipated growth in the number of riders.

Some $23.7 billion of the work, which doesnt include the cost of building new lines, is not funded.

Wright said it would be doable for the TTC to secure money for the unfunded projects, which include capacity improvements on Line 1 and Line 2, buying new streetcars, replacing the bus fleet, and expanding Bloor-Yonge station. But he framed the consequences of not doing so in dire terms.

Less frequent service, a decrease in reliability, more breakdowns, more delays, poor customer service, more customers abandoning the system, he said.

Robinson said she hoped the provincial and federal governments would come forward with more funding for TTC infrastructure.

The Ontario PC government has proposed contributing $160 million to subway maintenance if it follows through with its plan to take ownership of the TTC subway. Its an amount that falls far short of what the agency says it requires.

The TTC capital and operating budgets will go to council in March for final approval.

Ben Spurr is a Toronto-based reporter covering transportation. Reach him by email at bspurr@thestar.ca or follow him on Twitter: @BenSpurr

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Warning: Graphic details follow.

A man on trial for killing and dismembering a 30-year-old Toronto woman provided more grisly details Thursday about cutting her up while continuing to insist he did it to hide the fact she was the second overdose death in his apartment in three months.

But prosecutor Bev Richards was having none of it, telling Ian Albert Ohab he killed Melissa Cooper after enticing her to his 220 Oak St. apartment early April 15, 2016, with the promise of giving her a crack pipe.

She came willingly ... and to keep her there you start serving her alcohol, instead of giving her a crack pipe, you gave her the materials to build one, Richards said to the 41-year-old during cross-examination.

Incorrect, replied Ohab, who referred to himself Thursday as a gracious host.

And Im going to suggest to you sir that she decided she wanted to leave or something happened, you had a violent argument with her ... (and) you hurt her, and caused bruises found on her lower torso, the Crown attorney continued. A forensic pathologist has testified the bruising on Coopers torso happened before she died.

Ohab has admitted to disposing of Coopers body parts, including taking her torso in a shopping buggy and dropping it behind a meat store on Broadview Ave.

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Jury sees video of chance encounter at centre of dismemberment-murder trial

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He repeatedly denied Richards suggestions that her death was anything other than an overdose and referred to the bruises as such a story.

After the dismemberment in the bathtub ... the pieces were very slippery, he testified, adding it was like a salmon almost and, uh, you had to like grab the pieces to hold onto to put them in a bag  they fumbled all over the bathtub.

To demonstrate, Ohab waved his arms in the air during his testimony, prompting a few hushed gasps in the courtroom.

But I can say I did not put a hand on Melissa Cooper while she was alive. That is the truth, he said.

Ohab also denied Richards suggestion that after killing or severely injuring Cooper, he changed his clothes  corroborated by before-and-after elevator surveillance footage shown in court  and took and bought drugs with the $60 Coopers mother testified she had with her.

Security video presented in court at the murder trial of Ian Albert Ohab shows Ohab, left, meeting Melissa Cooper in an elevator at 220 Oak St. on April 15, 2016, the last day she was seen alive. (Credit: Ontario Superior Court exhibit)

Richards said Ohab scrubbed the apartment clean with bleach to make sure you cleaned every ounce, every spec of her presence in your apartment, to cover up what you had done and ensure Coopers DNA wasnt found. She also asked if he wore gloves, to make sure you didnt leave any evidence.

I wore gloves when I dismembered her, yeah, he replied, adding a few moments later: Ive admitted to this, its a terrible thing, Im trying to do the right thing but your story is taking it too far.

Ohab has pleaded guilty to indignity to a dead body but not guilty to second-degree murder.

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The prosecutor said Ohab scattered Coopers body parts to ensure the cause of death would not be discovered. Only her torso and arm have been recovered. Richards said if Coopers head was found, for example, a forensic pathologist might be able to determine her cause of death.

You made sure they didnt have a head, didnt you, Mr. Ohab, Richards said.

I wasnt thinking of specific parts, Ohab said. I wasnt concerned with where the head was going compared to the foot, or whatever, they could have found just easily another body part, it just happened to be the lower torso.

Ok, so where can we find Melissa Coopers head?

I think that went, it was very small, down the garbage chute.

During the two-week-old trial, the jury has watched surveillance footage of Ohab throwing out pieces of furniture  including, on the day of his arrest on April 29, 2016, dragging a TV stand to the garbage behind the Toronto Community Housing building near River and Gerrard Sts.

After Melissa, I got rid of so many things, and I was cleaning my apartment because of the bedbugs and because of the furniture coming and going ... I did a complete overhaul, he testified.

And it just happened to coincide with Melissas death in your apartment, Richards asked.

Well, I was cleaning up before that too, yeah, I was freaked out I had a dead body in my apartment, and I cleared a lot of stuff out.

Ohab testified on Tuesday he woke up on April 15 to find Cooper dead of a drug overdose. He said he then rode his bike to purchase a hack saw after abandoning a plan to drag her body into a stairwell.

Ohabs girlfriend suffered a fatal drug overdose in the apartment Jan. 20, 2016, and he testified there were rumours he was responsible. When the same thing happened to Cooper, he was convinced hed be blamed, he told court.

Richards also asked Ohab about elevator surveillance footage that shows him rubbing his groin against Cooper, who pushes him away. That makes it clear Cooper wasnt interested in any intimacy, the prosecutor said.

Not even from my end, Ohab responded, adding when he first saw Cooper in the building, he thought she was a transgender male. He said he later thought she was a lesbian and said his interaction with her on the elevator demonstrated his acceptance of sexual diversity.

The trial has adjourned until Monday when closing arguments will be made.
A national study into more than six million prescription claims has found up to one-fifth of patients taking opioids at a lower dose increased their dosage above recommended levels.

The study, which looked at private and public prescription claims from 2013 to 2017, found between 11.2 per cent and 19 per cent of claimants using opioids at a dose below 50 mg equivalent of morphine  the ideal dosage according to 2017 guidelines  increased their dose above this threshold each year.

Overall, about 20 per cent of total claimants had been prescribed an opioid each year.

Prescribing is a contributor to the opioid crisis, says Helen Stevenson, former assistant deputy minister of health, prescription drug reformer and CEO of Reformulary Group, a healthcare technology company behind the study: Opioid Prescribing in Canada and its Potential Contribution to the Opioid Crisis.

Every year, people on lower doses continue to increase their dose, Stevenson said. Its the dosing  when it gets really high  thats directly attributed to harm, deaths and addiction.

There is prescribing thats happening, thats unnecessary, Stevenson said of practitioners resorting to prescription narcotics that can become addictive.

Though the study urges healthcare professionals to consider tapering and stopping patients using opioids if they are not reaching their goals rather than continually increasing opioid doses, Stevenson said, Its hard to point the finger at just doctors. There are a lot of people who play a part. Its important for us as consumers to be asking questions as well.

The 2017 prescribing guidelines  which are recommendations for physicians, but are not regulatory requirements  aim to help by promoting more judicious prescribing, said report contributor Dr. David Juurlink, head of the clinical pharmacology and toxicology division at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre.

The prescribing of high-dose opioids (such as oxycodone, hydromorphone and fentanyl) for chronic pain is a dangerous practice that can easily harm patients, even when it seems to be helping, he said. Unfortunately, countless patients have become trapped on high doses over the past two decades.

Toronto family physician Dr. Iris Gorfinkel said doctors have to shoulder some of the responsibility for prescribing opioids, but added limited pain treatment options impact doctors choices when they look to address the needs of patients.

Mea culpa, she said. There is not a doctor out there who probably hasnt contributed at least on some level to the opioid crisis.

While opioids are effective for acute pain, she said, new data shows it doesnt really help chronic pain (pain that persist for at least three months), noting in the past many doctors have relied on opioid therapy.

In view of what we now know, that seems shameful, she said. However, she added there still remains a problem with what you do with patients who are having severe pain.

Dr. Philip Berger, a former chief of family medicine at St. Michaels Hospital, said its a mistake to apply inflexible rules of practice to patients who have been dependent on these drugs for decades.

This is a multi-generational problem, said Berger, noting the issue spans his 40-year career.

You cant necessarily take a finding from a survey or a study like this and apply it rigidly to individual patients, he said. Its unfair to force them to taper and get off of them just because of theoretical guidelines that have been adapted.

Berger made it clear doctors must ensure patients are stable and not misusing prescribed opioids.

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The way doctors are trained today will curb instances of reckless and inappropriate prescribing of opioids, he said.

Opioid deaths have increased sharply in Toronto in recent years. An average of 94 people died of opioid overdoses in the city each year between 2005 and 2013  but that number has risen each year since, to a high of 308 in 2017, according to coroners data published by Public Health Ontario.

One third of the people who died from opioid overdoses in Ontario in 2016 held active prescriptions, according to a recent study, which looked at 2,833 deaths in Ontario between 2016 and 2013.
KINGSTONHussam Alzahabi said he was at work near his home Thursday when suddenly police swarmed around him, yelling, and telling him that he was under arrest.

The 20-year-old says he was handcuffed and taken to the Kingston police station on Division Street, where he was held overnight in a cell.

At the same time, a teenager, whose gender was not released by police  Alzahabi said he was male  was charged with knowingly facilitating a terrorist activity; and counselling a person to deliver, place, discharge or detonate an explosive with intent to cause death or serious bodily injury. He cannot be identified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

Asked how he knew the minor whos been charged, Alzahabi said he is just a friend and a former classmate.

There was some accusation that I work for some terrorist group, he said, sitting on a brown sofa in his familys living room after his release from custody Friday afternoon. He looked tired. His father, Amin, sat on a flowered couch across from him and said he wanted his son to talk, so the public would know what happened and hear his perspective.

On Friday, the RCMP said the investigation was initiated by a tip from the FBI on Dec. 21.

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Repeated flights over Kingston by an RCMP plane provided a clue to the terror investigation

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RCMP Supt. Peter Lambertucci said at a news conference in Kingston that there was an attack plan, which is what led to our disruption (Thursday), he said. We believe we have extinguished that threat.

Investigators have not identified a specific target for the alleged plot and no bomb was ever planted, Lambertucci said.

But one individual was believed to be building a homemade improvised explosive device, said RCMP Cpl. Caroline Duval.

Labertucci said investigators confirmed that fact during a search of the teenagers home, adding a potentially explosive substance was removed from the home and blown up Friday morning by the Kingston bomb squad.

There were elements and trace elements, but Im not prepared to speak on that with regard to the ongoing investigation, Lambertucci said.

On Friday night, back home with his family, Alzahabi said he met the youth at school.

He said he was communicating with him, but said they didnt do anything wrong, calling the arrests just a misunderstanding and just accusations.

Asked if the minor spoke about bombs, Alzahabi said he talked a lot about that. But Alzahabi said he never took him seriously and told him it was a bad idea to talk about things like that.

Now, back at his familys home on a quiet residential Kingston street, hes worried about what will happen in the future.

Not for me, but for the whole Syrian people, because they will be affected, he said.

The police still have his phone and laptops and are still investigating him, he added.

The family came to Canada about two years ago after fleeing war-torn Damascus for Kuwait. Their home in Syria has been destroyed. The father was once imprisoned for not joining the ruling political party and would be vulnerable to arrest and severe retaliation should he and the family return home, according to one of the churches that sponsored the refugee family.

Theyve been in Kingston for about one-and-a-half years, Alzahabi said.

Alzahabi said the police at the division treated him well, and gave him a sweater because he was cold.

Without laying charges, RCMP were required to release Alzahabi 24 hours after arrest, police said.

As Alzahabi described his last 24 hours, his father, Amin, looked on protectively. After Alzahabi went to bed, his father was eager to speak more about how he says his family was treated by officers who came to their home.

With the help of his younger son to translate, he expressed his outrage at how he says they stormed into his home and terrified his family.

He said he was shaken by the way officers, who he said were not wearing uniforms, rushed into his house with their guns and saw his wife without her hijab and stepped on the prayer mats, both of which, he said, are very upsetting to people of Muslim faith.

The RCMP said they started their investigation as soon as they received the tip from the FBI. Over the last few weeks, Kingston residents had started complaining over social media about the sounds of a low-flying plane, buzzing over their homes at night.

At the Friday news conference, Lambertucci confirmed the plane was part of the investigation and identified it as a Pilatus PC-12 turboprop operated by the RCMP.

Bronek Korczynski, who co-chaired the church committee behind the sponsorship, said he and other members of the four churches that brought the family to Canada were shocked by news of Hussam Alzahabis arrest.

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Even though our sponsorship ended last July, many of us in the group have maintained relationships with the family  meaningful relationships  and this is just a real body blow, he said. Were just gobsmacked by this. Its so out of whack with the family weve come to know and care for.

Korczynski said hed been at a meeting with Kingston police and RCMP on Friday morning, alongside other community leaders. Officers wanted to ensure the leaders had the answers they needed, and were able to continue providing services to the family and the broader community.

It was very much an opportunity to say, What can the community do to make sure that this doesnt become an incident that unjustifiably targets any ethnic group, national group, religious group?  he said.

He added that Alzahabi has both a younger and an older sibling, both of whom are dedicated to their education.

No other countries were involved in the alleged plot, and the FBI did not tell the RCMP about any U.S. connection, Lambertucci said.

Diane Smith-Merrill, who lives across the street from one of the Kingston homes raided Thursday, told the Star she heard sounds of a small explosion nearby early Friday morning.

I shot right up out of bed, she said.

Christian Matte, a Queens University student, was sitting inside the house across the street with his roommate Thursday when we saw lights come on and there was already like 30 cops on the street, they all got out of their cars.

Matte said the raid happened around 4 p.m. and there was a plane flying over at night for the last few days.

Its usually pretty quiet around here, Matte said.

The FBI, Kingston police, OPP, Canada Border Services Agency, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service and Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada all took part. The RCMP said as many as 300 people were involved in the investigation.

Asked if this was a lone wolf plot or if the accused had ties to a larger group, Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale refused to delve into the details of the case.

At this stage, the investigation is just beginning. As of this morning one set of charges were laid, Goodale told reporters in Edmonton.

The process is just too early to speculate, Goodale added. But police and security agencies are very clear that the situation has been neutralized, and (is) under control, and Canadians can be confident in Kingston and elsewhere across the country that they are indeed safe and secure.

There has been no change to Canadas threat level, Goodale said in an emailed statement to the Star on Thursday.

Federal Conservative leader Andrew Scheer said the incident underscores the critical importance of having strong anti-terrorism laws and appropriate penalties for those found guilty of breaking them.

It is also clear that Canadas refugee-screening process needs to be seriously examined, Scheer said. Weve recently learned of several examples of dangerous individuals entering the country, due, in part, to lax screening procedures.

A senior national-security policing veteran warned against jumping to conclusions.

We live in a fear-based society, thats for sure. Its partially a media construct and partially police and senior bureaucrats and politicians trying to get everyone afraid of The Other.

Yes, there are some bad people out there, said the officer. Im more concerned about some guy going crazy just because his girlfriend hurt his feelings than I am about some Syrian refugee kicking off.

The world is changing and everyones afraid, but I just dont think it should be the priority that it is.

With files from The Canadian Press, Alex Boutilier, Alex Ballingall and Stephanie Marotta, Jacques Gallant, Mitch Potter and Moira Welsh
OTTAWACanadian peacekeepers in Mali launched their second medical-evacuation mission in less than a week after a UN armoured vehicle triggered an explosive device Friday, killing two and wounding six others.

The attack occurred near the town of Douentza in central Mali, about 400 kilometres southwest of Gao, where the Canadian contingent of 250 peacekeepers and eight military helicopters is based.

The Department of National Defence says the Canadians rescued five injured peacekeepers from the scene and provided emergency medical treatment while in the air.

The UN identified the dead and injured peacekeepers as having come from Sri Lanka.

Canadian peacekeepers have conducted seven medevacs since operations began in August, including one last Sunday following a deadly assault on a UN camp in northern Mali.

That attack killed 10 peacekeepers from Chad and injured at least dozens more. The Canadians ended up carrying away 15 peacekeepers on their busiest day since arriving in the country.

Fridays attack was condemned by the UN Security Council, which called on the Malian government and other actors in the strife-riven country to identify those responsible and hold them to account.

We extend our deepest condolences to the loved ones of the blue helmets who tragically lost their lives this morning in Mali, Defence Department spokesman Daniel Le Bouthillier said in a statement.

Following a request for assistance, Canadian peacekeepers immediately launched aeromedical assets to provide advanced care to those injured in the attack.

Mali remains the home of the most dangerous peacekeeping mission in the world, with Fridays deaths bringing the total number of fatalities since 2013 to 189. Many of those have been from developing countries in Africa and Asia.

The 15,000-strong UN mission followed a rebellion in the north and a coup in the capital in 2012 that threw the country into turmoil.

While a tenuous peace was re-established, recent years have seen a resurgence in violence among different groups thanks to poverty, drought and an influx of Islamic jihadists.

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Two different groups, both linked to al-Qaida, have reportedly claimed responsibility for this weeks attacks.

Canadas year-long mission is scheduled to end in July, at which point the Canadians will pack up and start heading home. The UN would like Canada to stay until Romanian troops arrive in the fall but the government has rejected an extension.

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DETROITThe Canadian auto workers union is asking people in Canada and the U.S. to boycott General Motors vehicles made in Mexico.

The Unifor union is asking people not to buy trucks or SUVs with vehicle identification numbers that start with the number three, which signify that they are made in Mexico.

Unifor says it will publicize the boycott with television, newspaper and billboard advertising in both countries.

In November GM announced plans to close its car factory in Oshawa, Ontario, near Toronto, costing the jobs of about 2,600 blue-collar workers. It also has plans to close four U.S. factories but will negotiate those with the union. The closures are part of a broader restructuring that will cut 14,000 factory and salaried positions as GM tries to slim down to focus capital spending on autonomous and electric vehicles.

GM says it has too many plants that make cars as the market in both countries has shifted toward trucks and SUVs. It says the boycott could cause damage to the wider Ontario economy.

Unifor National President Jerry Dias says that in 2016 contract talks, GM agreed to keep the Oshawa plant open until the contract ends in September of 2020. He wants the company to return to the bargaining table to talk about keeping Oshawa open permanently.

Read more:

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Union president says Ford to fight for workers at GM plant slated for closure

Opinion | Jennifer Wells: For the GM Oshawa plant, hope is not a strategy

Dias accused GM of closing Oshawa and the U.S. factories while at the same time ramping up production in Mexico, where he says workers are paid $2 per hour. He says the company now makes over 600,000 vehicles per year in Mexico. We are asking you to stand up to Greedy Motors, he said at a news conference Friday in Toronto.

Dias said the company ultimately plans to pull all of its manufacturing out of Canada, where it has two other factories in Ontario. Asked if the union would strike GMs Canadian facilities, Dias said: We are not ruling out anything and we are not going to talk today about future plans.

GM said there are more than 60 Ontario-based auto parts companies that send components to Mexico, including a transmission plant in St. Catharines, Ontario, and stamping operations in Ingersoll, Ontario.

The threat of collateral damage for Ontario-based auto suppliers, auto dealers and workers is concerning, especially for an Ontario economy that is now open for business, with every opportunity to now benefit from increased trade with Mexico, GM Canada Vice-President David Paterson said in a prepared statement.

So far the United Auto Workers union in the U.S. is not joining the boycott effort, but Dias said the unions plan to talk in early February.

Since the announcement, GM has faced withering criticism from President Donald Trump, U.S. legislators from affected states, and the UAW. Trump has focused on a plant in Lordstown, Ohio, thats slated to stop making compact cars on March 1. He has promised to return factory jobs to the U.S. and Ohio, a key state in his 2020 re-election campaign.

GM is cutting six car models as buyers have dramatically shifted their preferences to SUVs and trucks, which will account for about 70 per cent of new-vehicle sales this year.

The automaker also wants to close an assembly plant in Detroit and transmission plants in Warren, Michigan, and near Baltimore. About 3,300 union jobs would be lost, but GM says many can transfer to 2,700 openings at other factories.

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GM now makes the Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain small SUVs in Mexico, as well as full-size GMC and Chevrolet pickup trucks. It also makes the Blazer SUV there, as well as the hatchback version of the Chevrolet Cruze compact car. The Equinox also is made in Ingersoll, Ontario, and the Cruze sedan is made in Lordstown, Ohio.

GM also builds full-size pickups at several U.S. factories.

The company says production at the Ingersoll plant alone is about equal to the companys retail sales in Canada.

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The last time many people in the publishing industry saw Jack Stoddart was in June 2017, at the launch of Elaine Dewars book The Handover. He was there with his wife, Nancy Kroeker, a former executive director of the Writers Development Trust.

Stoddart died at his home at Rednersville in Prince Edward County on Jan. 17. He was 74.

The book launch at the Dora Keogh pub on the Danforth in Toronto was a rare appearance at an event by Stoddart, who at one time was at the centre of Canadas book industry.

Stoddarts career in publishing began at General Publishing, owned by his father, Jack Stoddart Sr., where he started out in the warehouse, eventually working his way up. Over the years he continued to build on the base the company provided. He founded Stoddart Publishing in the mid-1980s with a view to publishing important Canadian books, both fiction and nonfiction, and he did. His authors included David Suzuki, Maude Barlow and David Chilton of The Wealthy Barber fame.

At the height, he owned the General/Stoddart group of companies, which included Stoddart Publishing and General Publishing, as well as General Distribution Services, and a number of smaller publishing houses, including the House of Anansi and a stake in Cormorant Books, among others. He also served three times as president of the Association of Canadian Publishers.

He lobbied government hard for tax incentives to encourage investment in Canadian publishing.

It frustrated him beyond measure that he couldnt convince the government that a simple tax credit similar to that which supports the movie and television industries would have put the book business on a strong footing, said Dewar, who interviewed Stoddart for her book.

Marc Cote, who is now one of the owners of Cormorant Books, was himself part of the leadership team at the Literary Press Group of Canada, an umbrella group representing independent publishers, when Stoddart founded General Distribution. GDS won the right to distribute the books of smaller indie presses to bookstores across the country.

He really did have a vision of a better Canada, with writing and publishing at its core, said Cote.

But what Cote remembers best is Stoddarts gentlemanly side.

At the first opportunity after the distribution deal was concluded and all the publishers were in Toronto for the annual CBA (booksellers conference), he invited everyone to the Donalda Club for a celebratory luncheon.

Remembering that the Granite Club and other institutions had had restrictions until only recently, I cautioned Jack on the phone about this. I didnt know if the Donalda Club was restricted, but I felt obliged to remind Jack that not all of the publishers in the LPG were WASPs. Without a moments hesitation, Jack said, They will all be my guests. And they will be received accordingly. He was quite adamant and would brook no discussion of anything but good manners.

Stoddart sold House of Anansi press in 2002 to businessman Scott Griffin. At the time, Martha Sharpe was the publisher, having been appointed to the job at just 29 years old.

He wanted to be a hub, a haven, for Canadian-owned publishing, she said of Stoddart. I feel a huge appreciation for the amount of autonomy he gave me.

That autonomy allowed her to publish voices that are now well known including Sheila Heti, Michael Winter and Lisa Moore.

Jack Elliott Stoddart was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1999 as a leader in the publishing industry who has worked tirelessly to promote Canadian authors, both emerging and established. His company, Stoddart Publishing Co. Limited, and its subsidiaries provide a much-needed forum for literature with a cultural as well as commercial value. As president of the Association of Canadian Publishers, he has been a formidable advocate for the communications industry in this country.

The years between 2000 and 2002 were tricky for the publishing industry. The beginning of big-box retailing had hit the country, tax changes in the 1990s were having a devastating effect on the industry and, says Anna Porter in her book In Other Words, library budgets were being slashed. The tumult of the time was covered in Roy MacSkimmings look at Canadian publishing from 1946 to 2006, The Perilous Trade.

In April 2002, General Publishing went into bankruptcy protection, owing $45.7 million to various creditors, including big banks, but also authors and smaller publishing houses who could ill afford to lose the money. One of those was Key Porter Books, owned by Anna Porter, which GDS owed a reported $1 million.

Sad, was how she responded in an email asking her thoughts on his death. Jack had grand dreams and the potential to reach them. What got in the way? A lack of money.

She also noted that had he not gone bankrupt, I would not have sold Key Porter when I did and how I did. It was a devastating blow for us. We lost a lot of money. And I lost heart 

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This business needs a ton of heart and courage.

Stoddart leaves his wife, Nancy, stepdaughters Zoe, Tessa and Emma, and four grandchildren. A celebration of his life is expected to be held in the spring.

This story has been changed to clarify Stoddart was not the first to distribute smaller presses.
My relationship with audiobooks began eight years ago while trapped inside during a long Newfoundland winter, caring for my first-born. Back then, the selection was mostly U.S.-based and often limited to bestsellers. Now, audiobooks are being produced in Canada  both newer books and old classics.

This month Penguin Random House Canada releases Joy Kogawas 1981 classic, Obasan, performed by Mary Ito, and next month, Anita Rau Badamis The Heros Walk, performed by Laara Sadiq. Meanwhile, Audible is regularly producing fresh takes on classic Canadian titles  Anne of Green Gables performed by Rachel McAdams, and Margaret Atwoods Alias Grace, performed by Sarah Gadon, being two examples.

We also have a glut of indie choices, thanks to an audiobook recording initiative spearheaded a few years ago by ECW publisher, David Caron. Meanwhile, smaller press books that appear on prize longlists, such as Lindsay Wongs Canada Reads contender, The Woo-Woo, are currently being recorded as Audible originals.

Inspired by this expanding selection, I recently chose a sampling of three homegrown works  listening to how they all made for different types of audiobook reads, depending on the format.

Weve come a long way since I spent that snowy season with a crying infant and my headphones on, and yet, the titles I landed on (a classic, an indie publication and a childrens book) were only available with an Audible subscription  and, no, a library card wouldnt help.

The works were also available via CELA (Centre for Equitable Library Access), a service for readers with print disabilities. Im familiar with their database because the child that inspired my audiobook journey is now a voracious reader herself and, being legally blind, relies on CELA for access to audiobooks and magazines. The Audible titles were a different production than the CELA versions, which are read by trained volunteers (who are nearly always brilliant, by the way). Audiobook producers such as Blackstone and Recorded Books have an agreement with CELA, allowing the organization access to their recordings. Audible does not.

While its sometimes tempting, I only use the CELA library for my daughter  the person in our house who really needs their services  so for my own reading I went the Audible route.

Listening to these three works showed what was possible, and perhaps on the horizon for Canadian readers wishing to revisit a classic, hear new talent, or listen to a family-friendly story without having to cross the border.

The first book I listened to was Bad Endings, a debut short story collection written and performed by Carleigh Baker, first published by Vancouver-based Anvil Press and available on audio through Audible.

Short stories are the ultimate audiobook listen. A story can engage, entertain, enlighten and conclude over the course of a commute, or, in my case, the length of time it takes me to fold the household laundry, empty the dishwasher and clean the kitchen after dinner.

While listening to Bakers engaging read of Bad Endings, however, I often found myself doing nothing at all, staring past piles of dirty dishes and balled-up socks, distracted from my labour by the stories of women in the midst of their own work  handing out free newspapers at a Skytrain station, building bear fences on a honey farm, egg collecting during a salmon run.

The stories are about endings, as the title suggests, but, its in the spark of human connection  the beginnings  where Bakers writing and narration sings. In Chins and Elbows, two women, both struggling with a difficult past become acquainted while volunteering at a salmon run. Initially wary of one another, they share a laugh like a cigarette, and we see a bond forming, however fleeting.

In The Honey Farm, we hear an inner monologue, animated by the authors voice as she performs the staccato response of a woman noticing a man for the first time. Holy crap the new guy is hot. Joe  thats his name. Joe. JOOOOOE. Joe. Joe. Joe. On the page, I might have tripped over this language, but spoken aloud, in the way Baker intended, it worked.

Alternatively, when the narrator is not the author, how can we know that they are reading the work as the writer envisioned, or, even how you yourself might have read the story? As with book-to-film adaptations, audiobook performance is an interpretation, and, it is no doubt trickiest when applied to beloved classics, such as Obasan, The Heros Walk, or Michael Ondaatjes In the Skin of a Lion. Originally published 32 years ago, the 2018 Audible production is narrated by theatre and film actor Tom McCamus.

Id read this work intensely in my early 20s, and I never planned to disturb that memory  my paperback copy is gone, as irretrievable as my youth. In audio format, however, I felt it could be a new experience. (No doubt this is what publishers are banking on.)

McCamus has the kind of voice youd hear over the din of a busy restaurant, not because its loud, but because its deep, like a spoken baritone. This was jarring at first, at odds with how I remembered the protagonist, Patrick Lewis, who is the vehicle through which we see a newly forming Canada in the first half of the 20th century, and come to know the immigrant workers and the corporate elite toiling to imagine it into being.

Audio listeners can drift and this story needs an anchor. McCamus, in his steady cadence, the way he performed the different characters, and, in particular in his deep vocal range, provided that weight.

Even still, the novel requires the listener to pay attention, to be quiet, to turn off the sink, silence the ringer, stop scrolling social media and lie still. Listening to In the Skin of a Lion marked the first time I switched a physical copy of a book for my earphones before bed. And, lest the purists sound the books death knell, I feel it is my duty, as a folklorist, to remind us all that our fictions were spoken aloud first. Stories are here to stay, in whatever form they take.

The third title I listened to was Mordecai Richlers childrens book, Jacob Two-Two meets the Hooded Fang, performed by actor Rick Miller. I listened with my husband, my daughter, age 8, and my son, age 4, during a long and bleary drive to Irelands west coast where wed spending the next two months.

First published in 1975, many adults will remember the story of this small hero who is two plus two years plus two years old and says everything twice because, being the youngest of two plus two siblings, no one hears him the first time. In this first of a series, Jacob Two-Two must face the dreaded Hooded Fang when he is sentenced for a crime against the local green grocer and sent to the terrifying childrens prison.

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The very worst critique that my daughter can hurl at an audiobook narrator is that they didnt do the voices. Happily, Millers performance of Jacob Two-Two meets the Hooded Fang did not disappoint. He is a vocal acrobat, swinging seamlessly between the innocent, questioning tones of Jacob Two-Two and the snarl of his adult antagonists while simultaneously narrating the plot. He upped the yuck-factor with his exuberant oration of the items on the prison cafeteria menu, which included delicacies such as snake burgers, electric eel soup and nettle pie.

The adult listeners appreciated the snide ridiculousness in his delivery as he tells us that the prison manufactures goods such as no-flow ketchup and major news stories concocted to break only when they could replace favourite television programs. Miller didnt just do the voices, he carefully crafted each character. His performance was magical.

A few days after we arrived at our rental house, which has limited internet (i.e. no Netflix) and no television, my two children fatigued of each others company and retired to opposite rooms, both re-listening to Jacob Two-Two meets the Hooded Fang. A reminder that, no matter where you are or whats happening in your life, an audiobook can always provide an escape.
Pawan Gupta wasnt having any luck finding a match.

The 31-year-old MBA graduate wanted to get married and scoured dating apps and Indian matrimonial websites. Yet after four years of looking and dating, he was no closer to walking around the sacred fire typical of the Hindu marriage ceremony.

So the MIT Sloan School of Management alum decided to build an AI-powered matchmaking app, one that would determine emotional, intellectual and social compatibility. Gupta teamed up with engineer Rahul Namdev to create Betterhalf, employing a wide swath of data to figure out who could be successfully matched for marriage.

The service is starting to have success. Manoj Kumar Singh, 32, turned to Betterhalf after years of failures with traditional matchmaking and dating websites. He was paired up with an HSBC executive he found kind and caring; they were married within months. Over four years, I thought Id tried everything, Singh recounted telling friends when he first heard of Betterhalf. After so many frustrating attempts, an AI-based app helped find me a wife.

AI systems are flourishing in dating apps the world over, using deep-learning to analyze Facebook posts or users tweets to gauge how compatible they would be for each other. Nowhere is this more significant than in India, where marriage remains a goal for many in the worlds largest youthful population of more than 400 million millennials. Local entrepreneurs, global dating apps and Indian matrimonial websites are racing to bring artificial intelligence to modernize match-making.

There is, however, a lingering question. Is India culturally ready for AI matchmaking apps? said DD Mishra, a research director and analyst based in India for Gartner Inc.

Guptas experiences with Indian matrimonial websites and global websites suggest young urban Indians are ready for something new. He had become increasingly distressed by the process. One match made over a site went awry when she told him she was interested only in a spouse who could get an overseas posting. On another first date, he arrived wearing a new shirt to meet a woman matched by a matrimonial website who left him stranded. And it took him months to realize that someone he was chatting with on a dating app wasnt interested yet kept him dangling.

I felt rejected again and again, Gupta said. Theres a woman out there for me, but none of the dating apps or matrimonial websites was helping me find her.

So he turned to algorithms and started Betterhalf.

The firm, funded by 15 angel investors including half a dozen MIT alumni, puts users through several levels of verification comprising social networks, phone number, personal and work email and government ID. New registrants answer a breadth of questions including on moral values, emotions and personality traits. That information is then melded with data from married individuals, open-source data and compatibility research. After matching people, post-interaction user polls help weed out the creeps.

There are thousands of dating apps around the world, Gupta said during a conversation at the Betterhalfs headquarters, a home converted into quirky office space. Theres a ready market of tens of millions of educated urban Indians seriously looking for partners so why is nobody getting it right?

Betterhalf is targeted solely to serious spouse seekers. The startup has 15 employees  13 are single, use the app and half-mockingly refer to their office as a marriage lab. They are in the apps core demographic, ages 25 to 40. Product head Rohan Bhatore, 27, has been avidly searching for seven months. The engineer educated at the Indian Institute of Technology has been matched with a dozen prospects but hasnt yet advanced to a meeting. Searching for a marriage partner is frustrating and soul-numbing, he said.

Algorithms can end up knowing a person better than friends, family or even themselves, and thats revolutionizing matchmaking, said Michal Kosinski, a computational psychologist and assistant professor at Stanford Universitys Graduate School of Business who recently signed on as an adviser to Betterhalf. Algorithms can learn from experiences of billions of others, while a typical person can only learn from their own experience and the experience of a relatively small number of friends, he said.

This is a much different matrimonial approach from the ones Indians have known for centuries: Matchmakers or families find prospective spouses within their circle and then vet the duos horoscopes by astrologers to ensure that the stars are aligned for the match.

Theres plenty of competition in the new AI space. Delhi-based entrepreneur Kumar Akshays AI-powered startup Truematch, which uses LinkedIn to authenticate users, is trying to dispel the idea that matchmaking apps only lead to casual relationships. We wanted our app to be as trustworthy as the family matchmaker yet as cool as a dating app, he said.

Even some of Indias traditional matrimonial giants are jumping on the bandwagon. Matrimony.com, which has 3.7 million active users, is developing an AI-powered chatbot that it plans to deploy later this year. And global apps like OkCupid and Bumble, backed by Bollywood-Hollywood star Priyanka Chopra, are going beyond matching with obvious criteria like language or vocation in India, and getting in tune with cultural realities.

AI works best in matchmaking when you have large volume and variation of data, which India offers, said Meenakshi Variankaval, who heads data sciences at Matrimony.com.

AI capabilities also could help detect matrimonial fraud, a serious challenge in India. In one recent case, a serial con artist was arrested in Hyderabad after he created dozens of fake profiles. He married one woman, was living with another and had defrauded hundreds more of millions of rupees.

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AI has the processing and cognitive capabilities to help matchmaking apps carry trust indicators on particular profiles, said Mishra, the Gartner analyst. This can generate huge value as it addresses the biggest risk in matchmaking.

Betterhalf has other hurdles. In a diverse country, many users come up with extraordinarily specific, inflexible partner preferences. How do you design a product for very busy professionals by giving them what they want and eventually leading them to relationship happiness? Gupta said, adding the app was at the 2 percent level of the technology it eventually wants to build.

Gupta could be his own lab rodent. For a few months he has been dating a management consultant he was matched with on Betterhalf. Theyve found they are compatible in areas like managing finances and sharing household chores. Both sets of parents approve and Gupta said his search may soon be over. An invite to my own AI-engineered wedding could be around the corner, he said.

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Boeing offered a glance at a futuristic alternative to crowded freeways when its prototype autonomous air taxi  essentially a flying car with no driver  lifted off the ground for the first time on a test takeoff.

In one year, we have progressed from a conceptual design to a flying prototype, said Boeing chief technology officer Greg Hyslop, adding that Boeing will leverage its decades of aviation expertise to create an air mobility technology thats safe, innovative and responsible.

Boeing subsidiary Aurora Flight Sciences, a leading developer of innovative aircraft and autonomous systems that Boeing acquired in 2017, designed the electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. Its first flight took place Tuesday at Auroras headquarters in Manassas, Va.

With a range of up to 80 kilometres, the air taxi is 30 feet long and 28 feet wide. Its advanced airframe uses movable propellers and wings to achieve efficient hover and forward flight.

This is what revolution looks like, said John Langford, Auroras president and CEO. He said the key to the technology will be autonomy  the aircraft is intended to fly itself, using sensors and artificial-intelligence software to avoid obstacles and other flying vehicles as it delivers passengers.

Langford said Boeings technology will make quiet, clean and safe urban air mobility possible.

Other companies are also rushing to develop similar air taxis to open up the urban skies, supplementing the current clogged ribbons of roadway with flight paths criss-crossing the three-dimensional space above our heads.

A year ago in Pendleton, Ore., European jet maker Airbus completed a similar test takeoff of its Vahana autonomous air-taxi prototype at a drone test range, the aircraft rising 16 feet into the air and then descending safely.

The next step in these flight tests will be much more of an engineering challenge: transitioning from the vertical takeoff and hover phase to forward, wing-borne flight.

Many other startups are exploring the same urban air mobility concept. And Uber, in a partnership with Aurora Flight Sciences that predates Boeings acquisition of the company, is developing an urban aviation ride-sharing product called Uber Air, which it claims will be available by 2023 in Dallas and then in Los Angeles.

Skies full of drones?

But Ubers vehicle hasnt flown yet. And dont expect to see air taxis in the skies above Seattle for years. While the basic technology is advancing, the regulatory and safety barriers to deploying it are considerable.

Uber ride-share cars stopping in the middle of the narrow streets of South Lake Union to drop off or pick up Amazonians are already a road hazard at peak commute times. Imagine dozens of air taxis converging on the area as executives try to beat the bridge and tunnel traffic.

And realize that in this imagined future, these air taxis will share the air not only with the Kenmore Air seaplanes landing on the lake but with thousands of Amazon package-delivery drones flying low across the skies.

Boeing is separately developing an unmanned, fully electric cargo air vehicle designed to transport up to 500 pounds. It completed an indoor flight last year and will transition to outdoor flight testing this year.

Even a potential killer app for urban air taxis  whisking passengers arriving at Sea-Tac International Airport to the heart of downtown Seattle  in reality looms as more of an air traffic safety nightmare when you think about pilotless air vehicles and fully loaded passenger planes flying anywhere near each other.

To address this challenge, another Boeing subsidiary, NeXt, is working with regulators and others to lead the responsible introduction of a new mobility ecosystem and ensure a future where autonomous and piloted air vehicles safely coexist, Boeing said in a statement.

At an air safety conference in Seattle last November, Boeing CTO Hyslop talked about how air mobility can overcome the shortcomings of the increasingly overburdened terrestrial infrastructure as the worlds cities grow ever bigger.

He said he can fly from St. Louis to Chicago in 44 minutes, then spend an hour and a half in a car driving to his office from OHare airport.

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Yet he said the technical challenges to an air mobility solution to this problem revolve around assurances of safety. He asked attendees to imagine an air traffic control system that suddenly instead of having a few thousand things in the air has, say, 10 million things in the air.

What are the requirements to make that safe? he asked. We probably wont have a human being talking to a human being in that scenario. But theres going to be some decisions where the consequences are just so dire where we want to have a human being in the loop.

He said certifying flight controls managed by artificial intelligence as safe is a very difficult technical problem.

Our industry still begins and ends with public safety, said Hyslop. We have a responsibility to get into this. It will be a walk, crawl, run approach.

Tuesdays test was just the first little hop into the air.

Speaking Wednesday morning on a panel at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Boeing Chairman Dennis Muilenburg said the air taxi revolution is happening now and its going to accelerate over the next five years and ramp up even more beyond that.

Traffic in dense urban areas is going to quickly go from two dimensions to three dimensions, he said Today, 25 per cent of the worlds commute times are greater than 90 minutes. Think about the time savings that are available when you go to three dimensions.

Aviation expert Richard Aboulafia of the Teal Group is a skeptic.

Last May, he wrote that such urban mobility technology is decades away from readiness.

The costs will be way higher than planned. Utilization, as a result, will be much lower than anticipated, he predicted.

In reality, this air taxi technology will likely debut as a passenger service not in the U.S. but somewhere with a government that can completely control conditions and has plenty of money to pour into the system.

Rather than Seattle or Dallas, expect to see air taxis in action first somewhere like Dubai. German drone firm Volocopter flew a prototype two-seater autonomous aerial vehicle there in 2017.

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Airbus SE should be celebrating as it enters its 50th year of transforming global aviation.

The innovative European giant, in a duopoly with Americas Boeing Co., dominates the world of large passenger jetliners.

Yet Airbus, based in Toulouse, France, enters 2019 struggling to build its planes fast enough to meet delivery dates with its airline customers. And Airbus is playing catch-up with a Chicago-based Boeing that it once overtook in total orders.

Airbus is under the cloud of a bribery scandal. And it is dealing with what are euphemistically described as teething pains in working the kinks out of the next-generation CSeries commuter jet program it bought last year from Canadas Bombardier Inc.

Finally, for all its size and prowess, the $101-billion Airbus (2017 revenues), like its Boeing archrival, is fretful about a challenge from Chinas state-owed Comac. (All figures in Canadian dollars.)

The Commercial Aircraft Corp. of China Ltd. is a leviathan that will sooner than later vie for its share of the $253-billion world market.

Airbus is not in crisis.

The company delivered a record 800 planes in 2018, its 16th straight year of increased deliveries of commercial aircraft. It has a commercial-aircraft backlog of 7,577 planes, an industry record, equal to nine years of production.

That includes orders for more than 500 A220s, the new name for a CSeries that Bombardier could not turn into a paying proposition for lack of sufficient orders.

Airbuss most recently reported annual profit, $4.4 billion in 2017, was up 23 per cent from four years earlier. And Airbus has rewarded investors with a near 10-fold increase in the value of its stock in the past decade.

Airbus is effectively tied with Boeing in total aircraft production. An Airbus ridiculed in its early days, especially by Boeing, as a state-subsidized employment agency for the European engineering workforce, now has a remarkable 10,716 aircraft in service with airlines worldwide.

That includes U.S. airlines in Boeings backyard. Among those are Delta Air Lines Inc. and JetBlue Airways Corp., big buyers of the A220.

Among the few Airbus aircraft in early retirement is the A320-214 jetliner that Capt. Chesley Sullenberger III in 2009 heroically landed in the Hudson River, a plane so well built that it has been preserved as a U.S. national treasure.

But Airbus lags Boeing in financial performance, an ominous sign of its ability to cope with Chinese competition when that day comes.

Despite workforces and revenues of roughly comparable size, Airbus generates a little more than half the profit Boeing does ($10.9 billion in 2017).

Airbuss net profit margin for 2017, of 4.3 per cent, compares badly with Boeings 8.8 per cent.

In fairness to Airbus, Boeing is lavished with far more lucrative taxpayer-funded defence and aerospace contracts than Airbus.

But that suggests that an Airbus, with a market cap of just $110 billion to Boeings $275 billion, has spread itself too thin.

As a defence contractor, for instance, Airbus is on an unequal footing with Boeing and U.S. defence and aerospace juggernaut Lockheed Martin Corp.

Airbus could exit some of those fields  jet fighters and its helicopter division, for instance. It could instead focus on bulking up its already formidable prowess in commercial aircraft, and exploring niche markets in which it would not be betting the company. More on that later.

Airbus is an unlikely success story. It was created, in 1969, as a private- and public-sector, pan-European consortium. It incorporates such legendary aircraft makers as Frances Matra (founded in 1937); Germanys Dornier (1922) and Messerschmitt (1938); and Spains CASA (1923).

Airbus should have succumbed to national and corporate-culture clashes. Instead, it thrived. Airbus popularized passenger-friendly wide-body aircraft, and invented fly-by-wire aviation technology.

Fly by wire, in a nutshell, enables pilots to get their planes to make remarkable manoeuvres with speed and a minimum of cockpit instruction.

Sully would not have been able to do what he did except that he could tell his A320-214 to make hundreds of rapid adjustments with just a few cockpit commands.

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Fly by wire was long ago adopted by Boeing and other aircraft makers. It is a French invention that ranks with the legacy of Louis Pasteur in saving lives.

Airbus is now streamlining its manufacturing processes to meet its delivery dates. Thats a challenge Boeing met not so long ago, when its plant-floor logistics were even more dysfunctional than anything Airbus has faced.

And at Airbus plants in Mirabel, outside Montreal, and in Mobile, Ala., the firm is making progress in its goal of tripling monthly production of A220s by the early 2020s. Airbus is removing wasteful levels of A220 middle management and retraining aircraft-assembly personnel  deficiencies that date from the Bombardier era.

As a regional champion, Airbus is even more important to Europe than Boeing is to the U.S., never mind that Boeing is Americas biggest exporter and among its largest defence contractors.

Airbus has lived up to its founding mission statement, to not just make planes but to take a lead role in promoting economic and technological progress in Europe.

Today, Airbus is a metaphor in Europe for what the continent needs to do in achieving global leadership in other realms, as Airbus has done in the skies.

Confronted with inroads by Chinese rail-equipment giant CRRC Corp., French President Emmanuel Macron has championed a proposed controversial merger of Frances Alstom SA and Germanys Siemens AG as a potential Airbus on rail.

European leaders also fear the continent is falling behind in the high-tech race. Peter Altmaier, the German economy minister, has declared that Europe needs an equivalent to the pan-European Airbus to counter the inroads of Chinas Huawei Technology Co., world leader in telecom equipment.

In 2021, Airbuss next-generation Mars rover, dubbed Curiosity, will explore for signs of life on the Red Planet.

The firm is experimenting with air taxis, in partnership with Uber and Lyft, geared to making the fanciful flying car of the Jetsons era a reality.

Airbus has developed an urban package-delivery system that is a marriage of drone and robotics technology. Robotically loaded and unloaded drones will relieve traffic congestion and improve urban economic efficiency in bypassing overcrowded inner-city loading docks.

And for long-range flights, Airbus is retrofitting cargo holds to accommodate futuristic sleeper modules.

Virgin Atlantic has seized on that novelty by marketing the double-bunk version of those modules on its A330-200s as Love Suites.

Thats good news for members of the Mile High Club.

But its chief effect will be to get more people flying, as white-knuckle flyers are becalmed by cuddling at 35,000 feet.

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HALIFAXA Halifax businessman who exploited foreign workers gave an emotional apology to his family on Friday, as a judge reserved his sentencing decision in an immigration case that has divided the local Filipino community.

I would just like to say something to my family... I would like to apologize for what I have done, Hector Mantolino told Nova Scotia Supreme Court Justice Glen McDougall, his voice breaking.

If I would have known the consequences to what I would done, I would not have done it ever.

Mantolino, originally from the Philippines, pleaded guilty in December 2017 to misrepresentation under provisions of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

The owner of several cleaning and maintenance companies used the temporary foreign worker program to staff his companies, bringing 28 workers to Canada from the Philippines over a number of years.

But he paid them at least $500,000 less in total than their official reported salaries, according to the Crown.

Defence lawyer Ian Hutchison said Mantolino should be given a conditional sentence, arguing the workers were aware of and actively participated in the misrepresentation.

Hutchison said the evidence shows the employees knew they would be paid less than what was stated in their contracts, and therefore made false declarations in documents when applying to immigration streams and for permanent residency in Canada.

Certainly, there was a choice by the workers to participate in this misrepresentation, Hutchison told McDougall. It was a choice of both parties, not simply by Mr. Mantolino on his own.

Hutchison said for whatever reason, Ottawas Immigration Department has not deported the workers, despite having mutually participated in the misrepresentation and despite regulations stating false declarations would result in deportation.

He said the arrangement ultimately benefited the 28 employees and their families, as it allowed them to be rewarded with a golden ticket  permanent residency.

Mr. Mantolinos case is exceptional, my lord, in the sense that the employees were allowed to remain in the country itself, said Hutchison, as Mantolino sat at his lawyers bench with his arms crossed, sometimes nodding his head in agreement.

Its confusing ... as to why Mr. Mantolino should serve straight jail time and the employees be granted the benefit of permanent residency.

Hutchison also cited other mitigating factors, including that Mantolino pleaded guilty, has no criminal record, and that his prospects for rehabilitation are high.

Outside of court, defence lawyer Lee Cohen described the case as a form of collusion.

The reason the arrangement was entered into by employer and employees was because it ultimately facilitated permanent resident status for each of the employees, said Cohen.

Every one of the employees was able to achieve that objective, which was the objective they had in mind, and the objective Mr. Mantolino had in mind, when at the beginning of this they all agreed to pay less and received less money.

He said McDougalls decision will be precedent-setting because Mantolino did not take advantage of the employees against their will or without them knowing.

Two groups of people decided to break the law: the employer and the employees, said Cohen, his client standing next to him.

In this case, everybody was in on it together, and so that makes it different and I think the judge has got some really good information to deliberate on.

Asked outside court if he had anything to say to his former employees, Mantolino said: No. Not at this moment.

McDougall reserved his decision until March 1.

Earlier Friday, Crown lawyer Timothy McLaughlin said Mantolino exploited the workers with promises of the Canadian dream.

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McLaughlin said Mantolino took advantage of the workers because they knew Canada could provide them a better life.

Where there is desire, there are people who are willing to exploit that desire, McLaughlin said. Mantolino is a person who knew where these people were to exploit that desire.

The Crown is recommending a sentence of two years in prison, noting the need to deter employers and to denounce the offences against vulnerable workers.

The case has divided the local Filipino community.

Some workers who have read victim impact statements say they were underpaid and worked long hours, remaining quiet for fear of being deported back to the Southeast Asian country.

But others remain supportive of Mantolino, saying he helped them and improved their lives for the better.

Joe Mari Mangunay said the businessman was very nice to us. He said he was aware there were issues with his salary.

Its nothing compared to what I earned here in Canada opportunity, he said in front of a packed courtroom.

I am very thankful and so is my family.

But Jamie Jason Sta Juana Jr. painted a much different picture, saying Mantolino was heartless and that he couldnt afford to buy diapers or formula for his child.

He described tears rolling down his face as he collected bottles for extra cash.

He broke my dream for the future of my family, and had a great impact in my life, he said.

The financial and emotional devastation is too intense to be able to describe in words.

Follow (at)AlyThomson on Twitter.
Barrick Gold Corp.s new chief executive officer, Mark Bristow, said his company is seeking solutions to a dispute over mining taxes in Zambia.

Were engaged with the government in a constructive way, he told reporters at a press conference in the Ivory Coasts economic capital, Abidjan. We dont believe that threatening ones partner is a constructive way to go about solving problems.

Mining companies in Zambia, Africas second-biggest copper producer, have warned that the tax hikes will harm the industry and some producers have said theyll curtail operations as a result of the changes. First Quantum Minerals Ltd. in December said it would cut 2,500 jobs in the country, before backtracking this week on the plan.

Barrick operates the Lumwana copper mine in Zambia and said earlier this week it was mindful the government is under pressure to boost revenue. However, its proposed tax changes would put Lumwana in a challenging situation. The company has made proposals to the government about a partnership approach to improve the states share in Lumwanas economics without overburdening the mine.

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With the U.S. considering sanctions against Venezuelan crude, theres little doubt that Gulf Coast refiners would look north to Canada to fill the gap. The question is whether Canada can get them enough oil to slake their demand.

Declining Venezuelan shipments have been underpinning demand for heavy Canadian crude for more than a year, even at the South American nations own U.S. refineries. Even before the most recent political upheaval, the U.S. imported a record 4.06 million barrels of Canadian crude a day last week, while imports from Venezuela slipped 13 per cent to 523,000 barrels a day. Sanctions would likely accelerate those trends.

Its certainly not a bad thing for Canadian heavy crude producers to have a competitor in a market like the U.S. Gulf Coast potentially go away, said John Auers, executive vice president at energy consultant Turner Mason & Co. in Dallas. But, Canadians have their own problem: How do we get it there?

The Canadian energy industrys shortage of pipeline capacity  due largely to environmental opposition and regulatory delays to planned projects  grew so dire last year that Albertas government mandated production cuts to clear up shipping space and prop up local crude prices that had plunged to record lows.

The oilsands industry has been ramping up shipments of crude by rail at a breakneck pace, with individual producers striking deals to load more oil on trains and Albertas government buying rail cars to increase capacity. Railcar loadings hit a record 356,000 barrels a day in the week ended Jan. 11, according to Genscape Inc. Thats up 20 per cent from Decembers average.

But Canadian producers will keep bumping up against shipping constraints until new pipelines come into service. The first of those is Enbridge Inc.s expanded Line 3, which is projected to be completed in the fourth quarter, adding 370,000 barrels of daily capacity. The timelines for TransCanada Corp.s Keystone XL and the Canadian governments Trans Mountain expansion  which would add a combined 1.42 million barrels of egress  are both farther out and less certain, due to legal and regulatory snags.

Crude movements are taking place and growing, but not fast enough, Auers said.

Read more:

Russia spent billions to build influence in Venezuela. Now it faces a bet gone bad

Venezuelas Maduro faces off with U.S. over rivals power claim

Canada recognizes opposition leader as Venezuelan president

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CALGARY - The Alberta Securities Commission is warning investors to steer clear of an organization that offers to help recover funds lost in high-profile failed investments but appears to be more focused on pocketing victims enrolment fees.

The provincial regulator says Global Advocacy Association or Global Advocates has been targeting Canadian investors in troubled Alberta-based CBI Group and real estate developer Walton Group of Companies, as well as Ontario-based Canyon Acquisition.

It says the Global entities appear to be operating as a recovery room scheme, where investors who may have lost money in an investment are contacted and offered a means to recover their funds.

Once investors agree to the deal, they are typically asked to pay upfront fees for the service or transaction. The operators then keep the funds without providing the service.

The ASC says red flags were raised in the case of Global Advocacy Association because of inaccurate or mismatched phone numbers and addresses on its website concerning offices it claims to have in Sweden and Panama.

It urges investors to take care when advancing funds prior to receiving a service and to be even more cautious when sending money offshore because that compounds the risk of being able to recoup those funds.
Hampton Hoppy Henton doesnt smoke, but hes someone who clearly has nicotine in his blood. Both his father and grandfather grew tobacco on the same Kentucky land he now farms at age 70.

His children, though, likely wont follow in his footsteps, Henton said, and its easy to see why. Undercut by serious health warnings, the number of tobacco acres harvested in the U.S. has fallen from two million in the 1930s to 302,000 in 2018, lower than in 1866, the year after the Civil War ended.

Now U.S. farmers face a new threat: the growing use of e-cigarettes that get their nicotine from processed tobacco grown much more cheaply in emerging markets like Zimbabwe. Its arrival could sound the death knell for a crop that once ruled the U.S. South but now is forcing farmers to consider new options, from less profitable grains to newly-legalized hemp.

Its causing a lot of anxiety in tobacco country because they need even less tobacco from fewer farmers, Henton said of the companies that buy U.S. tobacco. I dont know that theyre making a bad business decision, but theyre not taking us with them.

American farmers have long competed against international growers based on the quality of the leaf they produce rather than price. But leaf quality matters little in the production of the liquid used in e-cigarettes, thus the push by e-cigarette makers to take advantage of the lower cost of producing tobacco  a labour-intensive crop  in developing countries.

The picture is pretty grim, said Darrell Varner, president of the Council for Burley Tobacco, in a telephone interview. It is a threat to us as growers because we have not gotten any assurance at any time that any of the juices will contain nicotine extracted from U.S. tobacco.

E-juice made with imported tobacco is a health risk, Varner said, because its hard to trace where it came from and what the production process looks like there.

Brent Leggett grows flue-cured tobacco on roughly 300 acres in eastern North Carolina. Hes mechanized as much of the tobacco process as he can, he said, and still cant match the prices of international producers.

Really youre competing against undeveloped countries, Leggett said by telephone. Theres nothing that we really can personally do to change that.

Still, Leggetts not yet ready to stop growing tobacco. That crop makes up just 10 per cent of his farms acreage but accounts for 50 per cent of its revenue, he said. Farmers in eastern North Carolina rely on tobacco, he said, in part because the states sandy soils make it less suitable for powerhouse American crops like soybeans and corn.

Meanwhile, sales of the new e-cigarettes have been booming, rising in the U.S. alone to $2.97 billion in 2018 from $860 million in 2014, according to IRI data compiled by Bloomberg. Late last year, Richmond, Virginia-based Altria Group Inc. spent 12.8 billion for just a 35 per cent stake in e-cigarette maker Juul Labs in the latest and largest big-tobacco investment.

Cigarette industry volumes have been declining for more than 20 years, Steve Callahan, an Altria spokesperson, said in an email. That said, we continue to purchase significant amounts of tobacco from more than 2,000 American farmers and highly value those relationships.

Tobacco farmers in Kentuckys Bluegrass region are used to fighting uphill battles to defend the indefensible, according to Henton, who plants roughly 30 acres of tobacco each year. They expected change to come from e-cigarettes, but contracts with tobacco buyers are now shrinking faster than they thought, he said.

While Henton said his children will continue to farm, he doubts that tobacco will be among their crops. Meanwhile, some farmers in the Kentuckys Bluegrass farming region are betting on an alternative cash crop legalized just last month: hemp.

Grown for its fibre, food and medicinal uses, hemp can be a saviour, Blake Butler, executive director of the North Carolina Industrial Hemp Association, said by telephone. Since December, he said, when the U.S. farm bill legalized hemp on the federal level, the number of farmers asking him about hemp has been steadily increasing.

Demand has skyrocketed for hemps derivative products, including CBD oil, the non-intoxicating cannabis extract credited with helping treat a host of medical problems. Proponents argue its relatively easy to grow, and they point to the crops long history in places like Kentucky, where tobacco acreage expanded after legal restrictions were put on hemp.

Kentucky and North Carolina have both been conducting pilot programs in recent years that allowed farmers to produce hemp if granted a licence.

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But the solution might not be that simple. The price of dried hemp was falling rapidly even before the farm bill lifted the lid on hemp supply, according to a slide deck posted on the Kentucky Department of Agricultures website. A rush of new supply from farmers around the country would likely further sink the price of hemp products.

Tobacco is going to come down and hemp is going to go up, Will Snell, a professor at the University of Kentucky who specializes in tobacco economics, said by telephone. But it just depends on how profitable this sector is and consumer acceptance of these products.
Mexicos Senate has several concerns about the newly negotiated Free Trade Agreement for North America, said the majority leader of the upper house that will be responsible for its ratification.

There are some very delicate areas, Senator Ricardo Monreal said in an interview Wednesday about the new deal known as USMCA thats still being studied in the senate.

The three-nation trade accord agreed to last year calls for changes to patent rules that could cause prices for medicines to rise, Monreal said. Other areas that have raised red flags include industrial property, national content and rules of origin, he said, declining to elaborate.

Mexicos Senate doesnt have a fixed timeline to vote on the new deal and will wait until the U.S. Congress is ready to approve it, said Monreal, who didnt raise the possibility of scrapping the deal. Named by U.S. President Donald Trump as the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, the deal will replace the 1994 NAFTA pact in the three countries, which trade $1 trillion (U.S.) annually. Talks for a NAFTA refresh began in 2017 under threats by Trump that hed quit NAFTA if he didnt get a better deal.

Monreal added in the interview that he doesnt see support for a mining bill to be dealt with by the Senate in the spring session. Mining-union leader and newly installed Senator Napoleon Gomez Urrutia has said the industry should contribute more to government income and that he expects proposals will be discussed in the senate.

Read more:

Justin Trudeau calls trade deal a win, promises compensation for dairy farmers

Opinion | Irvin Studin: Canada must not be a vassal state

Trudeaus U.S. envoy confident on USMCA passage, tariff relief

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Metallica paid tribute to band Lynyrd Skynyrd during their performance in Alabama this week, playing a cover of classic song 'Sweet Home Alabama'.

The show took place at Legacy Arena at the BJCC in Birmingham, Alabama on January 22nd. You can watch a video of the performance above, where Kirk Hammett starts the opening riff and the crowd cheers as Robert Trujillo jams along. James Hetfield eventually makes his way to the mic, chiming in with "In Birmingham, they love the governor."


NEW ON DVD

'Love, Gilda' bound to put a smile on your face
HOME THEATER

'Bad Reputation' could use more insights, less adoration
Watertown Public Opinion

By the end of next week the City of Watertown should know what airlines are interested in providing commercial air service to Watertown Regional Airport.

Proposals for air service were required to be filed with the U.S. Department of Transportation by Wednesday, Jan. 30. Service to Watertown is assisted by DOTs Essential Air Service program, which subsidizes airlines to serve communities across the country that otherwise would not receive scheduled air service.

Todd Syhre, Watertown Regional Airport manager, said the DOT usually makes the proposals public the day after the deadline for submission, but he said the release may be delayed because of the shutdown of the U.S. Government.

Watertowns former air carrier, California Pacific Air, ceased operations last week, leaving the city and Pierre without air service.

I know the DOT has been in contact with the mayors and myself and my counterpart in Pierre, Mike Isaacs, Syhre said. Theyve worked diligently through this process, even being on furlough, to make things happen. The DOT has been doing a great job, and I dont expect anything less while going through this process.

Once the proposals are made available, city officials will read, review and discuss the details of each proposal before telling the DOT which proposal they prefer. The DOT has the final say.

Weve put our feelers out, and theres definitely an interest in Pierre and Watertown, said Syhre. Weve had a couple of inquiries, but well keep that under wraps until the bids close, due to the fact they (competing airlines) dont like each other.

Syhre said the DOT will be looking for similar service that California Pacific Air provided before its reliability disappeared. Those factors include, at minimum, 12 weekly round-trip flights, 50-seat jets and connections to a medium- or large-sized hub such as Minneapolis, Denver or Chicago.

Syhre said connections to Minneapolis may not happen because historically Watertown has not been able to provide enough passengers to meet EAS requirements.

The air carriers all know that, Syhre said. Denver seemed to be a great option for Watertown and Pierre. It would be nice if we had a couple (flights) to Denver and if Pierre had a couple going east somewhere.

Although the Watertown-Pierre agreement worked well for a while, Syhre said there is no guarantee that the two cities will remain connected by a new carrier.

While previous carriers serving Watertown have struggled to maintain consistent air service, nearby Aberdeen has had only one carrier since 2011  SkyWest, which is based in St. George, Utah, and connects to several communities in Minnesota and North Dakota.

Rich Krokel, airport manager in Aberdeen, said he and those using SkyWest have been very pleased.

Theyve been very reliable, he said. For the most part theyve been giving top-notch service to us.

SkyWest usually flies the 50-seat Bombardier CRJ 200 regional jet into Aberdeen. Krokel said SkyWest occasionally brings in a 70- or 90-seat plane.

That happens if theres been a delay or due to weather or a mechanical issue. If they have passengers waiting here to get out on two different flights, theyll bring in a larger plane.

Syhre wouldnt comment on which airline he would prefer.

Its a very touchy subject for airport managers or city officials to state anything to do with an EAS contract or bid until theyre published publicly, he said. Were hoping for, if not SkyWest, a carrier like SkyWest.

Once the proposals are available, Syhre believes it will take a week or two for city officials to make their choice, and he expects the DOT to then work quickly to make its decision. After that, it may take two to three months before air service returns to Watertown.

Its all in the airlines hands and the DOT right now, he said. Were expecting some good potential airline service coming here.
Dana Hess

For The S.D. Newspaper Association

PIERRE  Law enforcement agreements are key to the way the administration of Gov. Kristi Noem will work with the states nine Indian reservations.

Noem made her comments to about 40 editors and publishers who were gathered in Pierre for Newspaper Day at the Legislature sponsored by the S.D. Newspaper Association.

They are our poorest and hardest off communities in our state, Noem said of the reservations. We should not be looking past them.

State policies of the past have not worked to get the reservations out of poverty, said Noem, who has had meetings with leaders from all nine reservations.

Im willing to partner with them in new ways, but they have to give us opportunities to create law and order on tribal land, Noem said

The state wants to help with economic development, better health care and increased mental health counseling, Noem said, but first the tribes have to work with the state to make sure that people are safe.

Noem expressed support for SB59, which eliminates confidential settlements in lawsuits involving government.

I dont believe there should be any secret settlements, especially where theres liability to taxpayers, Noem said, adding that there should be a special consideration for keeping confidential the identities of victims.

If the taxpayers are going to pick up the bill for something, they need to see a receipt, Noem said.

Noem explained that the budget she introduced on Wednesday included $5 million that will act as a grant for nursing home care providers.

The grant will be used to incentivize innovation in that field, Noem said. There are families and communities that are asking to keep their loved ones at home with them longer.

The possibility exists for the reimbursement of respite care or assisted living cost. She said her office will study the possibility of easing the regulatory burdens faced by nursing homes.

Creating a journalists shield law was one of the transparency issues Noem talked about during her campaign for governor. HB1074 has been introduced to create a law that protects newspaper and broadcast journalists from being forced to disclose their confidential sources in stories or unpublished newsgathering material. Noem said it wasnt necessary for her office to act as the sponsor of the bill.

A lot of the things that are priorities for me in my administration, Im more than happy to have a legislator carry that bill, Noem said, adding that someone from her office would testify in favor of the bill.

Public safety and environmental protection are priorities for Noems administration as it makes plans for the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline.

The cost could be significant to the state and local counties if we see the kind of protests that North Dakota did, Noem.

The governor is also concerned about the man camps that spring up along path of the pipeline construction spawning drug use and human trafficking.

Thats not going to happen in South Dakota, Noem said. Were planning and working to make sure that we are prepared on all sides of this.

Noem has laid out a three-part plan to fight the states methamphetamine problem, emphasizing prevention and education.

We have proof and data that when we were doing education in our schools it worked, said Noem whose budget proposal includes putting meth education back in the schools.

The budget also calls for a media campaign that Noem calls a powerful testimony to the damage that drugs can do to families, children living in that situation.

She also noted new spending on four highway patrolmen and two Department of Criminal Investigation agents who will focus on meth interdiction. Her plan also includes treatment options.

Its not going to be successful if we focus on just one element, Noem said.
Swiss man dies on island day tour

PHUKET: A Swiss man was pronounced dead yesterday after he was pulled from the water during a day trip to Koh Phak Bia, just four kilometres from the world-famous Koh Hong, in Phang Nga Bay.

tourismdeathmarineSafety

By Eakkapop Thongtub

Friday 25 January 2019, 07:18PM

Tourists look on as the medical team attempt to revive the Swiss man on the back at Nong Thale. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

Officers from Than Bok Khorani National Park and the National Park Protection Unit at Koh Hong responded to call for assistance by the tour boat after the 53-year-old had reportedly drowned. The national park officers arrived with a medical team who provided CPR while rushing the man back to the mainland. The boat arrived at Ban Ko Kwang Beach Pier, in Nong Thale, at about 3pm, where an ambulance from Krabi Hospital was waiting to render assistance. The ambulance team sped the tourist to Krabi Hospital, but doctors there pronounced the man dead at 3:30pm. However, doctors have yet to confirm whether or not the man suffered any form of seizure while in the water. The Phuket News is withholding the mans name until it has been confirmed that his next of kin have been notified.
Officials to hit meatworks to prevent African swine fever outbreak

PHUKET: Local pig farms as far afield as Krabi are being checked for any signs of African Swine Fever (ASF) after a Chinese tourist was caught last week bringing sausages into the country that were carrying the virus.

healthChineseanimalseconomics

By Tanyaluk Sakoot

Friday 25 January 2019, 10:31AM

A Department of Livestock Development inspects meat hanging at a fresh market. Photo: DLD / file

The sausages were seized from a Chinese tourist who flew from Chengdu, the capital of China's south-western Sichuan Province, to Phuket International Airport, last Wednesday (Jan 16).

Tests conducted confirmed the presence of ASF, said Sorawit Thaneto, Director-General of the Department of Livestock Development, earlier this week.

Strict inspections of processed pork products from overseas are now in place, in a bid to stave off an outbreak. If unchecked, ASF could decimate our swine farm industry, said Mr Sorawit said. (See story here.)

Phuket Livestock Office Acting Chief Manas Thepparuk confirmed to The Phuket News that the contaminated sausages had been destroyed by officers at the Animal Quarantine Station at the airport.

"Now, provincial livestock officials have started to check pig farms in the area, including as far away as Krabi," he said.

"We will inspect all cold-storage units at farms and meat distribution centres on the island in February," he added.

I do not think that the virus has spread here, at this stage it has only been confirmed found at the airport, but I do worry about farmers who have pig farms. If the virus is found, all the pigs must be destroyed," Mr Manas explained.

The World Organisation for Animal Health describes African swine fever as a severe, highly contagious haemorrhagic viral disease affecting domestic and wild pigs.

"It is responsible for serious production and economic losses," the agency notes.

"This transboundary animal disease (TAD) can be spread by live or dead pigs, domestic or wild, and pork products;

"Furthermore, transmission can also occur via contaminated feed and fomites (non-living objects) such as shoes, clothes, vehicles, knives, equipment etc., due to the high environmental resistance of ASF virus," the agency explained

There is no approved vaccine against ASF, the organisation notes. (See report here.)

Francois Roger, an epidemiologist with French agricultural research organisation CIRAD, in September last year voiced grave consequences for an outbreak of ASF out of China.

In just one month last year, China saw ASF outbreaks in six provinces.

"African swine fever (ASF) has been seen in Chinese pigs since early August. The epidemic reeks of economic catastrophe, given that the country accounts for more than half the world's pigs and ASF is one of the most contagious animal diseases, albeit, of course, harmless to humans," Mr Roger wrote.

"Experts are afraid that the disease might become established in China and spread to neighbouring countries, he added, noting that such an outbreak would constitute a dramatic scenario for the entire supply chain in Asia. (See Mr Rogers report here.)
Gettysburg, PA (17325)

Today

Cloudy early with scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High around 85F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms early, then mainly cloudy after midnight. Low 66F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%.
Ice truck driver fined B400 for sideswipe, tree-felling wipeout

PHUKET: An ice truck driver from Surat Thani has been charged with reckless driving after his converted pickup ice truck sideswiped an SUV on Thepkrasattri Rd yesterday afternoon.

transportaccidentsSafetypolice

By Eakkapop Thongtub

Friday 25 January 2019, 02:34PM

The ice truck levelled the tree on the central reservation. Photo: Kusoldharm Foundation

The ice truck then jumped the gutter, mounted the central reservation, levelled a tree and then came to rest on its side in the oncoming lane in Muang Mai.

Capt Warawut Saensob of the Thalang Police was notified of the accident at 1:30pm.

Thalang Police and Kusoldharm rescue workers arrived at the scene to find the a white Toyota ice truck, branded as from the Ket Kaew Ice factory in Surat Thani, on its side in the southbound lane.

The ice truck driver, Phongsak Chanchaemsai, 25, from Chaiya, Surat Thani, was taken to Thalang Hospital for injuries to his right arm and elbow.

In the right-hand northbound lanes on the other side of the road was a Phuket-registered Mitsubishi Pajero SUV with heavy scratches along its left side. Its driver, Supot Nilawong, 44, was uninjured.

According to Capt Warawuts report of the accident, both vehicles were travelling northbound side by side when the ice truck suddenly veered into the side of the Pajero.

From there the ice truck flew up onto the central reservation, slammed into a tree, uprooting it in the process, then flipped onto its side and spun to a rest in the right-hand southbound lane on the far side of the road.

Phongsak was charged with reckless driving causing property damage, Capt Worawut noted in his report.

Phongsak was fined B400 and ordered to pay compensation for damage to Mr Supots Pajero.

Capt Worawut made no mention of why Phongsak lost control of his vehicle, or any mention of any tests for drugs or alcohol.

Also of note, the driving license presented by Mr Supot, of Srisoonthorn, Thalang, was issued 20 years ago.
Chinese New Year to bring B10bn tourism boost

PHUKET: The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), in collaboration with Chinas Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Chinese Embassy since 2005, is planning its most festive Chinese New Year celebration ever with HRH Princess Sirindhorn presiding over the opening on Bangkoks Yaowarat Rd, the TAT announced yesterday (Jan 24).

tourismChineseeconomicsculture

By The Phuket News

Friday 25 January 2019, 09:16AM

TAT Governor Yuthasak Supasorn and Chang Yumeng, the Counselor (Cultural affairs) of Embassy of The Peoples Republic of China in The Kingdom of Thailand, exchange a gift during the press conference to announce TATs Chinese New Year 2019 festivities. Photo: TAT

This year is especially significant, as it marks the 44th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, the agency said.

TAT Governor Yuthasak Supasorn said this year was also distinct because it comes after Thailand welcomed 10 million Chinese tourists during 2018 for the first time.

Happy New Year to all Chinese celebrating the auspicious Year of the Pig. This years event holds added significance, as it marks the anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Thailand at a time when Chinese inbound arrivals continue to be the engine that drives Thai tourism.

The TAT expects to welcome over 330,000 Chinese tourists during the seven-day period (Feb 4-10). They represent more than 30% of the overall total of 1.03 million international arrivals that are expected to visit Thailand over the Chinese New Year, he added.

According to Mr Yuthasak, Chinese tourists are also expected to spend more than B10 billion of an estimated total revenue of B24bn from international visitors during the week-long period.

The TATs Chinese New Year 2019 celebrations are held in destinations popular with young Chinese tourists. Official events are planned in Bangkok at Siam Square (Feb 4-6) and Yaowarat Rd (Feb 5); Chiang Mai at the Maya Lifestyle Shopping Centre (Feb 5-6); and in Phuket at Central Phuket Floresta (Feb 5-6).

All three locations will feature cultural performances from China and Thailand. There will be demonstrations of various Chinese art forms including paper cutting (Jianzhi) and calligraphy, a fair selling goods and auspicious food, plus other activities and additional performances from well-known artists and pop stars.

This year China will send cultural performances from seven provinces. These include acrobats from Shanxi, puppet shows from Fujian, and traditional Chinese dances from Yunnan, Inner Mongolia, Heilongjiang and Qiandongnan. From Shandong alone will be Chinese opera shows, traditional dances, acrobats and martial art (Kung Fu) exhibitions.

The TAT is also supporting independent festivities organised by large ethnic Thai-Chinese communities at locations with a long-standing tradition of hosting New Year activities on a grand scale with each event expressing its own uniqueness.

These include but are not limited to: Bangkoks China Town on Yaowarat Road, Chiang Mai, Nakhon Sawan, Suphan Buri, Ratchaburi, Ayutthaya, Phetchaburi, Nakhon Ratchasima, Udon Thani, Trang, Chon Buri, Songkhla (Hat Yai), and Phuket.

In Phuket, immediately after the Chinese New Year festivities will be the 20th Phuket Old Town Festival, held Feb 10-12, featuring the traditional procession through heart of Phuket Old Town as well lantern decorations, cultural performances and a local Phuket food fair.
Apichatpong Weerasethakul wins Artes Mundi 8 prize 2018

Palme dOr award-winning artist and film maker Apichatpong Weerasethakul from Thailand has been named as the winner of Artes Mundi 8, the UKs leading prize for international contemporary art. Weerasethakul has been chosen from a shortlist of five of the worlds most important artists to win the UKs biggest art prize, and is awarded a sum of 40,000.

Art

By The Phuket News

Friday 25 January 2019, 11:45AM

The judges said When times are tough it is sometimes not safe to talk about politics explicitly and Apichatpong Weerasethakul provides us with some subtle tools of resistance: the methodology of camouflage demonstrated in Invisibility is a powerful weapon in these turbulent times. While in the west Weerasethakul is better known as a feature film director, the jury wished to pay homage to the vigorous interrogation in his gallery work of filmmaking, storytelling and the political and social position of the artist.

Artes Mundi 8 was awarded to Apichatpong Weerasethakul based upon the last 10 years of his practice as an artist and film maker. Reflecting upon the past and the present, the artist creates installations and films that are often non-linear and embedded with a strong sense of dislocation. His work meditates upon the dark underside of the political corruption occurring in Thailand today, where self-censorship has become automatic and where ancient animism coexists alongside hyper-capitalist modernity.

Through the manipulation of time and light, Weerasethakul constructs tenuous bridges for the viewer to travel between the real and the mythical, the individual and the collective which can be seen in his Artes Mundi 8 entry, and UK premier of his film Invisibility (2016) shown across two screens at the National Museum Wales.

Apichatpong Weerasethakuls practice exists within a space between cinema and contemporary art which has garnered him praise across the world, including winning a Palme dOr for his 2011 film Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives.

During his career, the majority of his work has involved many of the same actors, which has allowed him to document different phases of their lives. Frequently set in rural Thai villages and forests, his films traverse an extremely personal territory, inviting the viewer to enter the subjective world of memory, myth and deep yearning. By using unconventional narrative structures, expanding and constructing the sensation of time, and playing with ideas of veracity and linearity, Weerasethakuls work sits comfortably in a world of his own.

The award ceremony took place on Thursday 24th January at National Museum Cardiff, with the winners announced by the respected musician and Welsh Music Prize nominee Gwenno. The panel of judges included Karen MacKinnon, Oliver Basciano, Katoaka Mami, Laura Raicovich and Anthony Shapland. This years shortlist includes Trevor Paglen, Bouchra Khalili, Otobong Nkanga and Anna Boghiguian while previous winners of the prize include Theaster Gates (2015) and John Akomfrah CBE (2017).

Apichatpong Weerasethakul, winner of Artes Mundi 8, has said: "This is a special day and I feel very honoured. I was already grateful to be shortlisted in the company of such inspiring and impressive artists, but to be named winner is quite a surprise. My practice is very personal, and I am very grateful that through the platform of Artes Mundi my work can reach and inspire many people across the world. Winning a prize like this encourages me to continue my work and to continue to ask more questions about the world that we all share. Artes Mundi reminds us that its important that artists are given the freedom to express the social and political conditions that we are living in.

"In Thailand propaganda is everywhere in various forms, so there is this fluidity of truths floating around, forming and shattering your identity. Art is the practice to discover ones own voice and to be able to speak honestly and truthfully. Truth in art fosters empathy and in the world we are living in we need more empathy as well as art that communicates real truths.

"I worked in the medium of film first because it was an escape, but then I discovered that it can be subversive. It is a language that can move beyond criticism and has the ability to mirror suffering fear and hope. Film creates another layer of identity that counters the other seemingly fixed narratives in our world."

Karen Mackinnon, Artes Mundi Director has said: We are delighted to announce Apichatpong Weerasethakul as the winner of Artes Mundi 8. In these turbulent times, art that engages with pertinent social concerns offers meaning to our lives; it can challenge, teach and console. All of the shortlisted artists have produced outstanding work for the Artes Mundi 8 exhibition at National Museum Cardiff.

"This years judges chose Apichatpong Weerasethakul for his unique approach to his gallery installations in which he interrogates film and cinema as an expanded artistic and cultural practice. Through his work he creates liminal space in which imagination is a radical strategy of resistance. His multifaceted works are as much about the vastness of the human condition as they are about political oppression and personal freedom. Congratulations Apichatpong!
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Ambassador Vu Viet Dung speaking at the event (Photo: quehuongonline.vn)

The event was held on the campus of the Embassy in the capital Riyadh with the presence of nearly 500 people.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Vu Viet Dung informed Vietnams outstanding successes in 2018 and encouraged the overseas Vietnamese to promote the spirit of self-reliance, overcoming difficulties, solidarity and mutual support, as well as strictly adhere to Saudi Arabia's law.

He also asked that representatives of labour companies find out specific information when workers face difficulties to timely inform the embassy to address any issues.

The Ambassador emphasized that the embassy will do its best to ensure that overseas Vietnamese always receive proper protection and support in accordance with Vietnams regulations.

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The following companies are subsidiares of PerkinElmer: Analytica of Branford, Applied Biosystems, Arnel Inc., ArtusLabs, Beijing Huaan Magnech Bio-Tech Co. Ltd., Beijing Longrun Bio-Tech Co. Ltd., Beijing Meizheng Bio-Tech Co. Ltd., Beijing Meizheng Testing Lab Co. Ltd., Beijing OUMENG Biotechnology Co. Ltd., Bio Evolution SAS, Bioo Scientific Corporation, Biosense Picolabs Inc., Biosense Technologies Pvt Ltd., Caliper Life Sciences, Caliper Life Sciences Inc., Cambridge Research & Instrumentation Inc., CambridgeSoft, Ceiba Solutions, Chengdu PerkinElmer Medical Laboratory Co. Ltd., Chromo G.A. SAS, CisBio US Inc., Cisbio Asia Pacific Ltd, Cisbio Bioassays SAS, Cisbio China Ltd., Cisbio Group SAS, Cisbio KK, Cisbio.com, DNA Laboratories Sdn. Bhd., Dani Analitica S.r.l., Dexela, EUROIMMUN (Hangzhou) Medical Laboratory Diagnostics Co. Ltd., EUROIMMUN (South East Asia) Pte Ltd., EUROIMMUN (Tianjin) Medical Diagnostic Technology Co. Ltd., EUROIMMUN AG, EUROIMMUN Brasil Medicina Diagnostica Ltda., EUROIMMUN Diagnostics Espana S.L.U., EUROIMMUN France SAS, EUROIMMUN Italia Diagnostica Medica S.r.l., EUROIMMUN Japan Co. Ltd., EUROIMMUN Medical Diagnostics (China) Co. Ltd., EUROIMMUN Medical Diagnostics Canada Inc., EUROIMMUN Medical Laboratory Diagnostics South Africa (Pty) Ltd., EUROIMMUN Medizinische Labordiagnostika AG, EUROIMMUN Polska Spolka z o.o., EUROIMMUN Portugal Unipessoal Lda., EUROIMMUN Schweiz AG, EUROIMMUN Turkey Tibbi Laboratuar Teshisleri A.S., EUROIMMUN UK Ltd., EUROIMMUN US Inc., EUROIMMUN US Real Estate LLC, Geospiza, Guangzhou EUROIMMUN Medical Diagnostic Products Co. Ltd., Hangzhou EUROIMMUN Medical Diagnostic Products Co. Ltd., Horizon Discovery, Integromics S.L., Jiangsu Meizheng Bio-Tech Co. Ltd., LabMetrix Technologies, Labtronics, ManCell SAS, NovaScreen Biosciences Corporation, Opto Technology, Orchid Biomedical Systems Pvt Ltd., Oxford Immunotec, Pediatrix Medical Group - Newborn Metabolic Screening Business, Perkin Elmer Chile Ltda., Perkin Elmer Italia SpA, Perkin Elmer Sdn. Bhd., Perkin Elmer Yuhan Hoesa, Perkin Elmer de Mexico S.A., Perkin-Elmer Argentina S.R.L., Perkin-Elmer Instruments (Philippines) Corporation, PerkinElmer (Hong Kong) Ltd., PerkinElmer (India) Pvt Ltd., PerkinElmer (Ireland) Ltd., PerkinElmer (Schweiz) AG, PerkinElmer (Shanghai) Equity Investment Fund L.P., PerkinElmer (Shanghai) Equity Investment Fund Management Co. Ltd., PerkinElmer (UK) Holdings Ltd., PerkinElmer Analytical Solutions B.V., PerkinElmer Automotive Research Inc., PerkinElmer BVBA, PerkinElmer CV Holdings LLC, PerkinElmer Cellular Technologies Germany GmbH, PerkinElmer Danmark A/S, PerkinElmer Diagnostics Global Holdings S.a r.l., PerkinElmer Diagnostics Holdings Inc., PerkinElmer Espana S.L., PerkinElmer Finance Luxembourg S.a r.l., PerkinElmer Finland Oy, PerkinElmer Genetics Inc., PerkinElmer Germany Diagnostics GmbH, PerkinElmer Global Diagnostics S.a r.l., PerkinElmer Global Financing S.a r.l., PerkinElmer Global Holdings S.a r.l., PerkinElmer Health Sciences (Australia) Pty. Ltd., PerkinElmer Health Sciences B.V., PerkinElmer Health Sciences Canada Inc., PerkinElmer Health Sciences FZ-LLC, PerkinElmer Health Sciences Inc., PerkinElmer Health Sciences Pvt Ltd., PerkinElmer Healthcare Diagnostics (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., PerkinElmer Holding Luxembourg S.a r.l., PerkinElmer Holdings Inc., PerkinElmer Holdings Pty. 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Ltd., Perten Instruments AB, Perten Instruments France SASU, Perten Instruments GmbH, Perten Instruments Italia S.r.l., Perten Instruments of Australia Pty Ltd., RHS Ltd, RayAl Ltd., Shandong Meizheng Bio-Tech Co. Ltd., Shanghai Haoyuan Biotech Co. Ltd., Shanghai Spectrum Instruments Co. Ltd., Shanghai Spectrum Instruments Co. Ltd., Signature Genomic Laboratories, Solus Scientific Solutions Inc., Solus Scientific Solutions Ltd., Surendra Genetic Labs, Suzhou PerkinElmer Medical Laboratory Co. Ltd., Suzhou Sym-Bio LifeScience, Suzhou Sym-Bio Lifescience Co. Ltd., Tulip Diagnostics, Tulip Diagnostics Pvt Ltd., Vanadis Diagnostics, Vanadis Diagnostics AB, ViaCell, ViaCord LLC, VisEn Medical, VisEn Medical Inc., Wallac Oy, Wellesley B.V., Xenogen Corporation, ZeLab SAS, and chemagen Biopolymer-Technologie AG.
The Muara Karang area in North Jakarta is one of Jakartas best kept-secrets, especially for food enthusiasts.

Even those who were born in the city consider the area an exciting discovery as along the muddy alleys one can find a plethora of hawker centers and restaurants offering a wide variety of Indonesian and Chinese cuisines.

Those wanting to learn more about Muara Karang may have a look at the list below.

How to get there

Muara Karang is not public-transportation-friendly. Those wanting to explore the area are recommended to take private vehicles, taxis or ride-hailing services such as Go-Jek and Grab.

What to wear

Muara Karang is known for its hawker centers. Therefore, T-shirts, shorts and slippers are acceptable while dining in the area.

What to do

Again, as it is known for its hawker centers, dining is the most recommended activity to do while visiting the area, but we are to discuss this more in the next section.

In addition to hawker centers, Muara Karang is actually the go-to place for those looking for bridal or evening gowns. WuSisters LAtelier by Vero Wu is among the recommended places to look for gowns. Here, you can find pre-wedding and wedding gown packages, as well as party dresses.

Moreover, Muara Karang is also a home to Livingseas, a dive center. Located on Jl. Pluit Karang Utara, Livingseas is a one-stop dive center that offers various services, including diving courses, trips to Pulau Seribu and a retail shop.

Read also: Jakpost guide to Pluit

What to shop

Muara Karang is actually a residential area and most of the residents are Indonesians of Chinese descent. Here, visitors can spot a shop offering Chinese ornaments called Bintang Jaya. Located on Jl. Muara Karang Raya No. 125, Bintang Jaya sells Buddhist prayer items, including statues, home altar cabinets, candles and more. However, prior to Chinese New Year, the shop also carries other Chinese ornaments intended for ancestor worship.

What to eat

Hawker centers are among the icons of Muara Karang. Similar to hawker centers in Singapore or Malaysia, the open-air complexes house many independent food stalls, offering a wide variety of dishes. In Muara Karang, you can find kwetiau (flat rice noodles), nasi campur (rice served with various pork side dishes), sate Padang (Padang-style spicy satay) and bakso (meatballs), all under one roof.

A hawker center on Jl. Muara Karang Raya is one of the best places to start your food adventure. Here, you can sample various dishes while watching the cooks preparing them right in front of you.

Outside the hawker centers, Muara Karang is also recognized as the ideal place to try food from Medan, North Sumatra. One of the most popular places is Laksa Medan Yoserizal. Located on Jl. Pluit Karang Utara, the restaurant serves an authentic fish laksa, kari ayam (Medan-style chicken curry served with rice noodles or rice) and a popular juice from North Sumatra, markisa (passion fruit).

Wing Heng Dim Sum in Muara Karang, North Jakarta, offers a wide array of dim sum. (The Jakarta Post/Donny Fernando)

Farther down Jl. Pluit Karang Utara, visitors can find a 24-hour dim sum restaurant called Wing Heng. The restaurant is known for its tasty dim sum selections and affordable prices. For an average price of Rp 20,000 (US$1.41) per portion, the menu includes siew mai (Chinese dumpling), hakkau (Chinese shrimp dumpling), baked char siu pao (baked pork filling bun) and salted egg buns. The tastes are comparable to other dim sum restaurants in Jakarta, while the sizes are bigger than the frozen dim sum we frequently see in supermarkets.

'Ikan bumbu nyonya' at Aroma Sop Seafood in Muara Karang, North Jakarta. (The Jakarta Post/Donny Fernando)

Those wanting to eat seafood may drop by Aroma Sop Seafood. Hidden inside shop lots in Muara Karang, visitors would see long queues in front of the restaurant during dinner time, a testament to its popularity. Open from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., some of the signature dishes include ikan bumbu nyonya (fish cooked in soured gravy), boiled shrimp, cumi bakar rica (grilled squid with spicy sauce) and more. Moreover, the prices are considerably low as a meal for three people of the items mentioned above only costs about Rp 300,000.

Those who love spicy food may want to try Mala House. Specializing in Sichuan cuisine, the restaurant offers dishes cooked in mala sauce, a spicy and numbing Chinese sauce made of Sichuanese pepper.

After exploring all the restaurants and hawker centers, do not forget to drop by to one of the durian sellers on Jl. Muara Karang Raya for dessert.

Tips:

- During the rainy season, expect to see muddy roads everywhere.

- Since many eateries serve pork-based dishes, Muslims should check the menus prior to ordering.

- Muara Karang is best visited at night as most of the restaurants are open for dinner. (wng)
Banda Aceh in Aceh province is collaborating with The Jakarta Post in a bid to boost and expand promotion efforts in the investment sector and tourism.

During a visit to the Post in Jakarta on Thursday, Banda Aceh Mayor Aminullah Usman said the biggest challenge the city administration faced was attracting investors.

The vision of our administration is Banda Aceh Gemilang dalam Bingkai Syariah [Glorious Banda Aceh in the Frame of Sharia] with its three development pillars, namely religion, economy and education, the former president director of Bank Aceh, who has been a mayor for just over one year, said as quoted by bandaacehkota.go.id.

Particularly for the economic sector, we need support from all parties. The regency budget [APBK] of Banda Aceh is only Rp 1.3 trillion [US$92.2 million], which is of course not enough. One of the solutions is to lobby investors from inside and outside the country to invest, said Aminullah.

Investment potentials in the city are huge, Aminullah said, such as hotels and modern shopping centers.

The existence of international-level hotels and malls will support our tourism, which in the end will boost the local economy.

Regarding investment permits, Aminullah said that the issuance process would be eased.

Were optimistic that if we can lure one big investor, the others will come. The investment climate in Banda Aceh is very promising. Regarding security, I can assure that Banda Aceh is truly safe. Our city is very tolerant. Do come and see for yourself.

Aminullah added that Islamic tourism in Banda Aceh offered traditional gems that no other region had, such as Baiturrahman Grand Mosque, zikir akbar (large-scale religious chants), a three-month celebration of Maulid Nabi Muhammad (commemoration of the Prophet Muhammads birthday), unique activities during the holy month of Ramadhan and many other religious events.

Banda Aceh has just been named Indonesias most popular halal destination by the Tourism Ministry, which serves as an added value for the city.

Aside from religious tourism, Banda Aceh is also famous for its historical tourist sites, art and culture, cuisine and coffee.

Banda Aceh has Putroe Phang Park, Gunongan, Peucut Kerkhof, the BI Building, as well as tsunami educational tourist sites like the Aceh Tsunami Museum, PLTD Apung [floating diesel-fueled power plant] and Kapal di Atas Rumah [Boat on a House], Aminullah continued.

Read also: Aceh: a guide for visitors

The region is also home to pilgrimage sites like the tombs of Sultan Iskandar Muda and Islamic scholar Syiah Kuala.

Banda Aceh also has a river walk area that we continue to develop alongside the heritage Krueng Aceh and Krueng Daroy rivers, as well as Ulee Lheue Beach that faces the Indian Ocean, Aminullah said.

In short, Banda Aceh offers a complete package for tourists, which also includes various destinations in Aceh Besar and Sabang that directly border with the city.

During the meeting, The Jakarta Post editor in chief Nezar Patria said that Banda Aceh indeed had huge potential that should be promoted to the world.

We believe that the image of Aceh as a place that implements sharia does not represent the entire picture of the province, said Nezar, who is from Aceh.

Nezar said that among the strengths of Aceh is its long-time proven diversity and tolerance.

These should be Acehs strengths, not its obstacles. (kes)
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Linkedin Yudith Ho (Bloomberg) Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia  Fri, January 25, 2019 13:12 876 75e76da2d15e495661b6357e2e89aed1 2 SE Asia Malaysia,1MDB,Jho-Low,corruption,investigate,Anwar-Ibrahim,Najib-Razak Free

Malaysias police are seeking Jho Lows parents and an associate as they widen their search for evidence of possible wrongdoing in their investigation into the scandal-ridden 1MDB.

Authorities are calling for information on Lows parents Low Hock Peng and Goh Gaik Ewe as well as Tan Kim Loong, Lows associate, the police said in a statement. They are also seeking Shabnam Naraindas Daswani, a Singaporean who is also known as Natasha Mirpuri.

Lows father and Tan, also known as Eric Tan, have already been named by the police as part of their probe into the state fund, which lies at the center of a massive scandal that has ensnared Goldman Sachs Group and prompted investigations across the globe. Tan is facing joint charges with Low for allegedly receiving illicit funds, while the police have requested the Interpols help to track down Low and his father.

US prosecutors have painted Jho Low as the alleged mastermind of scheme to siphon money from 1MDB into personal accounts disguised to look like legitimate businesses, and kicked back some of those funds to officials. Low has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.

Goh had been named in a US court filing in November in a warrant to seize a pair of diamond earrings and a matching diamond ring believed to be linked to 1MDB, Malaysiakini news website reported on Nov. 6. The filing said that authorities were seeking cooperation from Thailand, where they believed Goh resided, the report said.
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Linkedin Arya Dipa (The Jakarta Post) Bandung, West Java  Fri, January 25, 2019 15:54 876 75e76da2d15e495661b6357e2e8a3d3e 1 Business Pindad,profit,2018 Free

State-owned weapons manufacturer PT Pindad announced on Thursday that it booked net profits of Rp 98 billion (US$6.94 million) in 2018, higher than the Rp 92 billion it booked in 2017.

We want a three-digit net profit this year, said PT Pindad president director Abraham Mose in Bandung, adding that the figure exceeded last year's target of Rp 94 billion.

Pindad recorded Rp 3.2 trillion in revenues last year, most of which came from the sales of its core products like guns, ammunition and battle vehicles, said Mose, adding that the company also produced sideline products like agricultural equipment, heavy equipment and braking systems for trains.

Meanwhile, its revenues from exports increased by about 12 percent, compared to the previous year's figures, he said, adding that the profits would be spent on employee bonuses, building maintenance and investment, as well as on dividends.

This year, the company would focus on the assembly of medium-sized tanks, which was the companys new combat vehicle, the prototype of which was certified by the Armys Research and Development Agency last year.

The tank was jointly developed by Pindad and Turkeys FNSS Defense Systems Inc.

Mose said the medium-sized tank was part of the countrys longstanding program to create an independent defense system as Pindads engineers had mastered the development of its software, even though the engines and the armors were still being imported.

The Defense Ministry was expected to purchase 22 to 24 of the tanks, Mose said. However, he added that a sales contract had not yet been signed. (bbn)
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Linkedin News Desk (Reuters) Taipei, Taiwan  Fri, January 25, 2019 14:42 876 75e76da2d15e495661b6357e2e89eeff 2 World #USA,#Taiwan,#China,US,warship,pass,Taiwan,strait,tension Free

The United States sent two warships through the Taiwan Strait on Thursday in the first such operation this year, the Taiwanese government said, as it increases the frequency of transits through the strategic waterway amid tensions with China.

The voyage risks further heightening tensions with China, which considers Taiwan its own and has not ruled out the use of force to bring the self-ruled island under its control.

Taiwan's defence ministry said in a statement late on Thursday the ships were moving in a northerly direction and that their voyage was in accordance with regulations.

It said Taiwan closely monitored the operation to "ensure the security of the seas and regional stability".

The move will likely be viewed in Taiwan as a sign of support from US President Donald Trump's government amid growing friction between Taipei and Beijing.

China has stepped up pressure on Taiwan since President Tsai Ing-wen, from the pro-independence ruling party, took office in 2016. It has regularly sent military aircraft and ships to circle the island on drills in the past few years.

Beijing sent several bombers and aircraft through the Bashi Channel, which separates Taiwan from the Philippines, earlier on Thursday, Taiwan's defence ministry said in a separate statement.

A similar Chinese operation was conducted on Tuesday, the ministry said, and both were monitored closely.

Chinese President Xi Jinping said in early January China reserves the right to use force to bring Taiwan under its control. In response, Tsai vowed to defend the island's democracy and called for international support to protect Taiwan's way of life.

Trump recently signed into law the Asia Reassurance Initiative Act reaffirming the US commitment to Taiwan, including arms sales.

Washington has no formal ties with Taiwan but is bound by law to help it defend itself and is its main source of arms.
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Linkedin News Desk (Reuters) Washington, United States  Fri, January 25, 2019 20:08 876 75e76da2d15e495661b6357e2e8b07e5 2 World #USA,#politics,Donald-Trump,ally,Roger-Stone,arrested,charged,Robert-Mueller Free

Roger Stone, US President Donald Trump's longtime ally and presidential campaign adviser, was arrested on Friday, charged with obstruction, witness tampering and making false statements, according to a grand jury indictment made public by US Special Counsel Robert Mueller's office.

Stone, who has repeatedly said in interviews that he was likely to be indicted, is scheduled to appear at the federal courthouse in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, later on Friday, Mueller's office said.

Stone has faced scrutiny for his support for Trump during the 2016 presidential campaign, when he implied he had access to information obtained by hackers that could embarrass Democrats, including Trump's rival for the White House, Hillary Clinton.

A lawyer for Stone did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Stone had previously denied to Reuters that he had engaged in any criminal wrongdoing. WikiLeaks did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Stone, who was indicted on Thursday, faces one count of obstruction of an official proceeding, five counts of making false statements and one count of witness tampering, according to the Special Counsel's Office.

According to the indictment, Stone had talked to senior Trump campaign officials about what was called Organization 1, "and information it might have had that would be damaging to the Clinton Campaign."

Organization 1 matches descriptions of Wikileaks, which is dedicated to publishing secret and classified information provided by anonymous sources.

Stone was also "contacted by senior Trump campaign officials to inquire about future releases" by "Organization 1," according to the indictment.

Additionally, Stone "took steps to obstruct" investigations by intelligence committees in the House of Representatives and Senate into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, prosecutors said.

Stone had "sent and received numerous emails and text messages during the 2016 campaign in which he discussed Organization 1, its head, and its possession of hacked emails."

Stone still possessed many of those communications when he gave false testimony about them, prosecutors said in the indictment.

He also tried to persuade a witness to provide false testimony and withhold information from the congressional investigations, the indictment said.

Senator Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, had no immediate comment, according to an aide. Representatives for the heads of the two congressional committees that interviewed Stone could not be immediately reached.

US prosecutors pointed to two other individuals, including an unnamed political commentator with an online publication who regularly spoke with Trump throughout the campaign, a description that matches Jerome Corsi. They also described a radio host who Stone had known for more than 10 years, which matches the profile of Randy Credico.

Corsi declined to comment and Credico did not immediately respond to request for comment. White House officials could not be immediately reached.
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Linkedin News Desk (Agence France-Presse) Kabul, Afghanistanl  Fri, January 25, 2019 15:45 876 75e76da2d15e495661b6357e2e8a3877 2 World #USA,#Afghanistan,Taliban,appointment,co-founder,TOP,negotiation,talks,US Free

The Taliban have appointed a co-founder of the movement as the new head of their political office in Doha, where talks have been held since Monday with US officials seeking to end 17 years of conflict in Afghanistan.

"The esteemed Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar has been appointed ... chief of the political office," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement released late Thursday.

"This step has been taken to strengthen and properly handle the ongoing negotiations process with the United States," he added.

The announcement comes as the insurgents said Thursday they had held four straight days of talks with US officials in Doha. It was not immediately clear if the negotiations were ongoing Friday.

The duration of the talks, described as "unprecedented" by analysts, has raised hopes of an imminent agreement that could pave the way to peace talks.

But Washington, which confirmed on Tuesday that talks were being held in Qatar between its envoy for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad and representatives of the Taliban, has made no comment since.

Afghan officials, who have complained previously about being cut out of the talks, also warned that any agreement would need their endorsement.

Baradar, formerly a number two of the Islamist group, helped Mullah Omar, who died in 2013, to found the Taliban movement.

Arrested in Pakistan in 2010 in an operation then considered to have dealt a fatal blow to the movement, he was released last October after a first meeting in Doha -- never confirmed by the United States -- between the Taliban and Khalilzad.

Baradar was described as a "heavyweight" by Kabul-based military analyst Ateequllah Amarkhail, who noted that he also has influence over Mullah Muhammad Rasool, the leader of a Taliban breakaway faction.

"The appointment of Baradar could unify the Taliban movement," Amarkhail told AFP.

In addition to the appointment of Baradar, "multiple changes have also taken place in the military and civilian departments", the Taliban said in their statement.
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Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, January 25 2019

The capital has recorded a spike in dengue fever cases within less than two weeks amid an extraordinary occurrence (KLB) alert period, which has prompted the city administration to step up measures to prevent an outbreak in the capital.



As of Tuesday, 430 cases have been reported in Jakarta, nearly four times the 111 cases recorded on Jan. 14, according to data from the Jakarta Health Agency. No deaths have been reported.



Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan said the rise in cases was a serious threat to Jakarta.



This is very important. We have already instructed all health-related working units and jumantik [mosquito larvae controllers] to control the vectors of dengue fever, Anies told reporters at City Hall on Thursday.



Anies added that his office was also preparing a gubernatorial instruction and a map of the dengue fever ca...
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Linkedin Rachmadea Aisyah (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, January 25 2019

The government is scheduled to showcase the progress it has made in achieving its Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) at the United Nations High Level Political Forum in July.

It has been two years since Indonesia brought its first voluntary national reviews (VNRs) before the supranational body.

The VNRs aim to facilitate the sharing of experiences, including successes, challenges and lessons learned, with a view to accelerating the implementation of the 2030 agenda.

They also seek to strengthen policies and institutions of governments and to mobilize multi-stakeholder support and partnerships for the implementation of the SDGs.

Indonesias new VNRs would focus on the realization of the previous report, which put an emphasis on seven of the 17 SDGs, said Bambang Brodjonegoro, the head of the National...
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Linkedin Gemma Holliani Cahya (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, January 25, 2019 18:35 876 75e76da2d15e495661b6357e2e8abd71 1 National online-prostitution,National-Police,East-Java Free

Rights activists have criticized the police for allowing the identity of a soap opera star, officially identified only as VA and allegedly involved in a prostitution ring, to become known online.

The 27-year-old stars identity and news about her have gone viral on the internet since she was arrested for allegedly meeting a client at a hotel on Dec. 5, 2018.

The actress has been named a suspect in the case but has been released pending trial. She has reportedly been subject to abuse on various social media platforms since then.

Her last post on her Instagram account on Dec. 3, showing her posing with a dog, received almost 118,000 comments in the last two weeks, mostly condemning her for her alleged involvement in prostitution.

Good luck selling your cakes in prison. Hope they sell fast and many of them like it : ), one poster @risyadmaulana commented under the post.

Meanwhile @andyprasetyo67 said, I think its too expensive at Rp 80 million [US$ 5,676]. I can get better than her for only Rp 700,000, referring to the fee that the police claim the actress demanded from a client.

The East Java Police arrested the actress at a hotel room in Surabaya with a businessman who is believed to have paid the celebrity to have sex with him. The police have never revealed the identity of the alleged client.

VA was later named a suspect in the prostitution case after the police discovered nude photos and videos of her. The evidence also led to the arrest of four alleged pimps, identified only as ES, TN, F and W.

The Indonesian Womens Coalition (KPI) said on Thursday, that while the police had a right to carry out their duties, they must also uphold the principle of the presumption of innocence.

KPI secretary general Ria Yulianti said prostitution involved human trafficking and therefore the women involved should be considered victims who had the right to be protected, including with regard to their identity.

In VAs case, the police have the responsibility to respect the woman both as a victim and as a suspect, as stipulated in National Police Chief Regulation No. 8/2009, she told The Jakarta Post.

Article 20 of the regulation stipulates that when a woman is arrested several things must be considered, including protection of her privacy.

Police neglected this regulation in VAs case so she suffered harm, including excessive news coverage and public condemnation. This affects VA psychologically and has caused depression, he said

Law enforcers should be fair, if they publish VAs identity, they should also identify the pimps and the service users. This demonstrates gender inequality, she said.

Lucky Endrawati, a criminal law expert from the Dian Mutiara Women's Crisis Center in Malang, East Java, said in a prostitution case the clients should also be charged, as well as the pimps.

I think we havent seen [prostitution clients being charged], Lucky said.

She said Article 12 of Law No.21/2007 on human trafficking stipulated that anyone having sex or abusing the victims of human trafficking should face criminal charges.
Insurer PT AIA Financial chief marketing officer Lim Chet Ming (right) and fashion designer Sebastian Gunawan launch specially designed envelopes for the commemoration of Chinese New Year, which will be celebrated on Feb. 5, in Jakarta on Thursday. (JP/Dhoni Setiawan)(right) and fashion designer Sebastian Gunawan launch specially designed envelopes for the commemoration of Chinese New Year, which will be celebrated on Feb. 5, in Jakarta on Thursday. (JP/Dhoni Setiawan)
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Linkedin (The Jakarta Post)  Fri, January 25 2019

A handwritten letter from a prison cell is always a treasured document. A neat looking note from former Jakarta governor Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama made the rounds this week on social media, days before his much anticipated release from prison on Thursday. He reiterated gratitude to his multitude of supporters, including those who have visited him at the National Polices Mobile Brigade detention center in Depok, West Java.



On the expected big welcome outside the gates, he appealed there should be none to avoid further tension with anti-Ahokers. He left through the back gate with his son and headed home, reports said. In turning a new leaf in prison and his election defeat that, he wrote, saved him from being more arrogant, ruder, he also asked to be called BTP; those around him say he might enter business and accept several invitations inside and ou...
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Linkedin News Desk (Agence France-Presse) Chicago, United States  Fri, January 25, 2019 10:40 876 75e76da2d15e495661b6357e2e893903 2 World #USA,#HateCrime,militant,members,guilty,bombing,US,mosque Free

Members of a militia group, whose alleged leader applied to build Donald Trump's border wall, pleaded guilty Thursday to bombing a mosque in an effort to frighten American Muslims into leaving the country.

The admissions by Michael McWhorter, 29 and Joe Morris, 23, were through guilty pleas to charges stemming from a crime spree that included two bombing attempts, armed robberies, and the attempted extortion of a railway company.

Police say McWhorter confessed that his group, the "White Rabbits," bombed the Dar Al-Farooq Islamic Center in a Minneapolis suburb in August 2017 in order to "scare (Muslims) out of the country" and send the message "you're not welcome here."

No one was injured in the bombing, which damaged the office of the mosque's imam. The damage was repaired as interfaith communities rallied to the approximately 200 worshippers' aid, said Jaylani Hussein, the Minnesota chapter chief of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

Hussein said Minneapolis Muslims were relieved by the guilty pleas, but concerned about members of the group that remain at large, as well as about other militia groups.

"These militia groups have zeroed in on the Muslim community," Hussein told AFP. "And a number of their blogs are overwhelmingly talking about the Muslim community as a threat and a threat to be eliminated."

The bombing happened mere months into Trump's presidency, with heightened fears of discrimination against Muslim Americans and reports of increasing incidents of hate crimes.

The alleged mastermind of the attack was the group's founder Michael Hari, 47.

US media described him as an ex-law enforcement officer in the neighboring state of Illinois whose security firm was among hundreds of vendors that submitted proposals to build a US-Mexico border wall -- Trump's signature campaign promise.

The proposal was accompanied by a bizarre YouTube video claiming the wall would be "a powerful architectural statement of the determination of the American people to defend their nation and its Anglo-Saxon heritage, Western culture and English language."

Hari, who is in custody, was not party to the plea agreement and faces federal civil rights and hate crime charges.

Members of Hari's militia group are accused of other crimes, as well.

They allegedly "sabotaged" a section of railroad track belonging to the Canadian National Railway, demanding $190,000 in crypto currency to avoid additional attacks.

They also allegedly threw a pipe bomb into an Illinois abortion clinic, which did not detonate.
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Linkedin Apriadi Gunawan (The Jakarta Post) Medan  Fri, January 25 2019

Congratulations to the Medan Mayor for receiving the Dirtiest City Award 2019. We wish you good health. Love Medan! reads the flower board at City Hall in the North Sumatra capital.



The satirical congratulatory board was delivered to Medan City Hall on Wednesday by the Love Medan Alliance community group, after the Environment and Forestry Ministry named Medan as the dirtiest metropolis in the country.



Manado in North Sulawesi and Bandar Lampung in Lampung also ranked among the countrys dirtiest metropolises this year, alongside smaller cities like Sorong in Papua, Kupang in East Nusa Tenggara and Palu in Central Sulawesi.



In an unexpected move, the ministry presented its list of dirtiest cities during the recent Adipura Kencana Award ceremony to recognize regional efforts to maintain clean and healthy cities. This years Adipura environmental award we...
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, January 25, 2019 18:19 876 75e76da2d15e495661b6357e2e8aaedd 1 National KPK,bribery-case,graft Free

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has detained Mesuji Regent Khamami after he was named a suspect in a bribery case related to infrastructure projects in the regency.

He was accused of receiving Rp 1.58 billion (US$112,236) in bribes from the companies that had worked on the projects.

"Khamami is being detained at the Military Police's Guntur detention house for 20 days," KPK spokesperson Febri Diansyah told reporters.

The Mesuji regent has been in detention since early Friday after being grilled by KPK investigators for 24 hours. Four other suspects had been arrested but they were placed in different detention centers.

Khamami's brother, Taufik Hidayat, who is among the suspects, was detained at the Jakarta Police's detention center, while Public Works and Housing Agency secretary Wawan Suhendra is being held at the East Jakarta Police station.

Sibron Azis, the owner of PT Jasa Promix Nusantara and PT Secillia Putri, which were involved in the projects, was detained in KPK's detention building, while another suspect named Kardinal is being detained at the Central Jakarta Police station.

Khamami had allegedly received bribes worth Rp 1.58 billion, 12 percent of the total value of the four infrastructure project contracts that Sibron had obtained through Wawan.

Khamami allegedly received the bribes in several installments: Rp 200 million on May 28, Rp 100 million on Aug. 6 and Rp 1.28 billion on Jan. 23. (spl)
This week, nearly 100 children left the site for more stable housing elsewhere in the country.
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, January 25, 2019 13:31 876 75e76da2d15e495661b6357e2e89c79f 1 Business haj-fund,Haj-Fund-Management-Agency,investment,Saudi-Arabia,hotels,catering Free

The Haj Fund Management Agency (BPKH) is planning to invest in Saudi Arabia to help Indonesians who want to go on the haj or umrah (minor haj) in Mecca.

BPKH head Anggito Abimanyu said the agency would directly invest in hotels, airlines and catering services to provide haj pilgrims with better services in Saudi Arabia.

Hopefully, agreements will be made before this years haj season, Anggito said in Jakarta on Thursday as quoted by kontan.co.id.

He revealed that the agency was expected to manage Rp 121 trillion (US$8.56 billion) this year. Last year, it managed Rp 113 trillion.

Fifty percent of the funds were currently invested in sharia banks and 30 percent in sharia debt papers, with the remaining 20 percent to be invested directly in services for haj pilgrims, he said.

Anggito explained that the agency planned to invest 15 percent of the funds  roughly Rp 18.15 trillion  in Saudi Arabia and said he hoped the investment could be implemented this year, though the process would continue next year if necessary.

With the funds, he added, the agency would invest in two hotels in Medina, three hotels in Mecca and one catering service in Mecca.

Anggito said the haj funds were not used to invest in infrastructure projects even though, initially, President Joko Jokowi Widodo had an idea to use the funds to finance such projects through the non-state budget investment financing (PINA) scheme. (bbn)
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Linkedin Dian Septiari (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, January 25 2019

Indonesia has committed to increasing the number of troops for United Nations peacekeeping missions overseas, Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi said in a recent meeting with Jean-Pierre Lacroix, UN undersecretary-general for peacekeeping operations (PKOs), on the sidelines of a UN Security Council open debate in New York.



As a top-10 contributor to UN peacekeeping forces, Indonesia has pledged to field 4,000 peacekeepers by the end of 2019. Part of its strategy is to send more women out to UN PKOs and send more of its Blue Helmet troops to flashpoints in the Middle East.



Indonesia is ready to contribute in sending peacekeepers to Yemen. I also encouraged increasing the number of female peacekeepers for each mission, Retno said after Tuesdays meeting in a recorded statement received on Thursday.



During the meeting, Lacroix expressed his appreciation for In...
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Linkedin (The Jakarta Post)  Fri, January 25 2019

High flyers: Indonesian President Joko Jokowi Widodo (left) and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi fly kites at the National Monument in Central Jakarta during Modis visit to Jakarta on May 30, 2018.(Courtesy of Indian Embassy)

Historical Context



India and Indonesia have maintained a long history of interaction in the domains of culture, language, art, and architecture for several centuries.



The early contacts between our two countries are evident from the various historical chronicles. Indian traders embarked from the coasts of India on trade routes which passed through islands of Java and Sumatra of Indonesia. Close historical, cultural and commercial ties between the two countries which dates back to more than 2,000 years is reflected across length and breadth of Indonesia. The great Majapahit Dynasty and before that the Sriwija...
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Linkedin Nurul Fitri Ramadhani (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, January 25, 2019 11:01 876 75e76da2d15e495661b6357e2e893e6a 1 Politics 2019-elections,2019-legislative-election,Oesman-Sapta-Odang,Hanura-Party,#2019GeneralElections,Joko-Widodo Free

Hanura Party chairman Oesman Sapta Odang has said he would ask President Joko Jokowi Widodo to reprimand the General Elections Commission (KPU) over its refusal to list the businessman-turned-politician as a Regional Representatives Council (DPD) candidate.

Oesmans lawyer Herman Kadir said his client would also ask the Jakarta State Administrative Court (PTUN Jakarta) to send a letter to Jokowi demanding that the KPU issue a ruling that says Oesman is an eligible candidate.

Oesman, Herman said, would not resign from Hanura or step back from the candidacy.

No, he wont step back. [We will] order the PTUN to send a letter to the President. Then, its the President who will decide, Herman said.

Hanura is one of the political parties that support Jokowi.

Tension between Oesman and the KPU started in September, when the commission removed him from the provisional legislative candidacy list in September because Oesman insisted on maintaining his party leadership.

The KPU issued a regulation (PKPU) stipulating that political party officials must resign from their parties to be eligible to run in a DPD election. The regulation is in line with a Constitutional Court ruling issued in July that bans party officials from running as DPD candidates.

Oesman, then, filed a petition to challenge the PKPU to the Supreme Court and the PTUN Jakarta. Both of the judicial bodies were in favor of Oesman and annulled the KPU decision that stated that Oesman was not eligible to be a DPD candidate.

The Elections Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) also backed Oesman, saying that the KPU had committed an administrative violation and ordered it to allow Oesman to have candidate status.

Bawaslu ordered the KPU to revoke its decree on the final DPD candidate list for the April election and issue a new decree that included Oesmans name on the list of candidates.

However, the KPU insisted on following the Constitutional Court ruling, pushing Oesman to tender his resignation with the party in order to be listed as a candidate.

The KPU gave Oesman until Jan. 22 to submit his resignation letter, but he insisted on keeping his leadership role. As a result, the KPU officially removed Oesman from the final candidate list.

KPU commissioner Ilham Saputra said the commission was ready to face any possible pushback from Oesman.

Well deal with it. Its that simple. [Oesman] can report us to any relevant institution, but we are committed to holding our decision. The Constitution is all that matters, Ilham said.

Another KPU commissioner, Wahyu Setiawan, said no party could intervene with the commission. He cited the Constitution in explaining that the KPU was an independent body and therefore could not be controlled by any party or the President.

The KPU is supervised and must follow the regulations, Wahyu said.

He also explained that never before in history has a president had the legal grounds to order that the institution follow the courts ruling.

Election observers have criticized the Bawaslu for its inconsistent ruling that defied the Constitutional Courts final and binding decision on the matter.

Titi Anggraini, the director of the Association for Elections and Democracy (Perludem), said that the Bawaslus ruling had no legal basis: The [Constitutional] courts ruling clearly [] bans party officials from contesting the [DPD] election.

The public will become confused and could lose its trust in the election if the election organizers themselves do not adhere to the [court's decision] in running the election, she said.
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Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, January 25 2019

The landowner of a sand mound suspected of containing toxic and hazardous waste in Tarumajaya district, Bekasi regency, could face a criminal charge, say police. Bekasi Police criminal investigation unit chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Rizal Marito said the landowner could be charged if it was proven that he was negligent or intentionally used the land to store toxic and hazardous waste.



The police are investigating the case after three children suffered severe burn wounds after playing on the sand mound on Jan. 10. We are waiting on the laboratory results of the soil sample taken from the mound, he said as quoted by kompas.com.



The police have questioned 14 eyewitnesses, including the landowner. Rizal said as per the landowners testimony, he did not realize that the area was allegedly used to dump toxic and hazardous waste.

Initial information indicates tha...
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Linkedin Andi Hajramurni (The Jakarta Post) Makassar/Jakarta  Fri, January 25 2019

Residents of the Nusa Mapala housing complex in Gowa, South Sulawesi, joined hands to stop a house with a baby inside from being swept away by floodwater on Tuesday after torrential rainfall hit the area.



A video clip of their efforts to save the baby inside the house, which was inundated by water that rose chest high, was posted on Instagram by @makassar_iinfo, as reported by tribunnews.com.



Some of the people used a rope to hold the house in place, while others tried to reach the baby.



Rainfall in several areas in South Sulawesi was extreme and the land was unable to absorb the water, while the rivers were unable to accommodate the excess water, National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday.



Torrential rains that have been hitting some parts of South Sulawesi s...
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Linkedin Markus Makur (The Jakarta Post) Manggarai  Fri, January 25, 2019 19:24 876 75e76da2d15e495661b6357e2e8ae1db 1 National flood,East-Nusa-Tenggara,NTT,manggarai Free

A highway that connects Ruteng and Reo districts in Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara, has been cut off following a flood that brought traffic to a complete halt, an official said on Thursday.

Manggarai Police spokesperson Daniel Djihu told The Jakarta Post that the police in Reo had inspected the road and cordoned it off.

The police have inspected the entire area. The road that has been cut off is located in the western part of the Wae Pesi River, he said.

Djihu added that a severe downpour had hit Manggarai Raya prior to the incident, causing the river to overflow.

Furthermore, the flood has also led to a delay in fuel supply deliveries from the Pertamina oil plant in Reo to several areas in Manggarai Raya.

Manggarai Regent Deno Kamelus said he had instructed the Manggarai Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD Manggarai) to dispatch a team to the location in order to assess the damage, as well as to come up with an alternative route for fuel deliveries.

BPBD Manggarai head Libert Habut said he had received many complaints from residents living in flood-ravaged areas. (dpk)
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Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, January 25 2019

The Trade Ministry is set to boost the export of value-added products through the third Good Design Indonesia (GDI) competition, which would facilitate top local creators to compete at the Good Design Awards (G-Mark) in Japan.

Japan is Indonesias third-biggest export destination with a total of US$16.31 billion in 2018, according to Statistics Indonesia (BPS).

The ministrys national export development director general, Arlinda, said this years GDI would have 16 categories, including household items, home appliances, furniture and mobility, expecting as many winners as possible to be facilitated to compete in G-Mark.

Arlinda said products that secured a spot to compete at G-Mark would be guaranteed market access to Japan.

Last year, seven Indonesian products were ranked among the 100 best entr...
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Linkedin Arya Dipa (The Jakarta Post) Bandung  Fri, January 25, 2019 13:55 876 75e76da2d15e495661b6357e2e89d26c 1 Business PTDI-aircraft-industry,Navy,defense-ministry,helicopter,plane,delivery,Rini-Soemarno Free

Aerospace company PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PT DI) delivered on Thursday five antisubmarine helicopters and one CN235-220 maritime patrol aircraft to the Indonesian Navy based on a contract that was signed in 2013 between PT DI and the Defense Ministry.

Under the contract, the Navy purchased 11 helicopters worth 132 million euros (US$149.44 million) and two CN235 aircraft worth US$59 million.

State-Owned Enterprises Minister Rini Soemarno expressed hope over cooperation between the Defense Ministry and the aircraft maker being maintained in the future.

With close cooperation, we could develop a strong defense industry, she said at the headquarters of PT DI in Bandung, West Java, adding that the ministry as the largest user of PT DI products was a loyal customer.

Rini said the cooperation could also be expanded to spare part purchases and military equipment maintenance. So dont send [the military equipment] to other places for maintenance. We are able to repair the planes and supply the spare parts, she added.

Meanwhile, Defense Ministry defense facility head Agus Setiadji said the delivery of parts for helicopters and planes would strengthen the Navy's defense. He said the Navy needed such equipment to patrol the countrys expansive maritime territory.

The CN235-220 maritime patrol aircraft could be used optimally to patrol border areas to prevent illegal fishing, human trafficking, drug trafficking, smuggling and other immigration violations, Agus said, adding that the plane could also be used to carry out search and rescue missions to help survivors of natural disasters. (bbn)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, January 25, 2019 16:12 876 75e76da2d15e495661b6357e2e8a6d2d 4 City Depok,plastic,plastic-waste Free

The administration of Depok in West Java plans to issue a regulation to reduce plastic waste in the city during the commemoration of National Waste Care Day in Depok, which falls on Feb. 21.

The plan is to launch [the plastic waste reduction regulation] on National Waste Care Day, Depok Environment Agency sanitary head Iyay Gumilar said on Thursday as reported by kompas.com.

The agency, he said, had disseminated information and asked for commitments from retailers to reduce plastic waste, he added.

Iyay claimed that the retail sector welcomed the idea.

Depok Mayor Muhammad Idris had previously said the administration was preparing a draft regulation that would stipulate plastic-waste reduction.

We do not have a regulation regarding plastic waste yet. We are discussing the concept, he added.

Depok produces around 100 tons of plastic waste out of its 1,200 tons of waste per day. Of this 2 tons are from single-use plastic commonly known as kresek, according to agency data. (sau)
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Linkedin News Desk (Agence France-Presse) Sydney, Australia  Fri, January 25, 2019 08:28 876 75e76da2d15e495661b6357e2e88c166 2 World #Australia,#Vietnam,Australian,activist,arrested,Ho-Chi-Minh-City Free

A prominent Vietnamese-Australian pro-democracy activist has been detained by security services on his return to Ho Chi Minh city, colleagues in Australia told AFP on Friday.

Just days after an Australian blogger and author was arrested in China, Australian citizen Chau Van Kham is said to have been detained by Vietnamese authorities.

The retired businessman was on a "fact-finding" mission to the country, entering via Cambodia, according to colleague Phong Nguyen.

Both men are members of the Viet Tan, an anti-government group that the authorities in Hanoi consider a terrorist organisation.

Fifteen members of the group were convicted over a 2017 plot to attack Ho Chi Minh City's airport with petrol bombs.

Colleagues said they did not know where Chau was being held, or whether the Australian government had been granted consular access.

It is believed he was detained on January 13. His wife and immediate family remain in Sydney.

"At the moment we don't know where he is" said Phong Nguyen. "He was aware of the risk, but he was determined to go on this fact-finding trip."
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Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, January 25 2019

The government has no plans to stop its war against left-wing literature despite concerns raised by academics it no longer has the authority to ban or confiscate books without court approval.



The Attorney Generals Office (AGO) and the Indonesian Military (TNI) are reportedly preparing for a large scale raid on books about anything related to socialism or communism or that dig into the contentious history of the 1965 putsch that, according to the official narrative, was orchestrated by the now-defunct Indonesian Communist Party (PKI).



The AGO argued that the raid aimed to prevent the revival of the party, which has been perceived as a latent danger.



During a meeting at the House of Representatives building on Wednesday, Attorney General Muhammad Prasetyo said the order was a follow-up of previous raids in Padang, West Sumatra, Kediri in East Java ...
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Linkedin Ni Komang Erviani and Bambang Muryanto (The Jakarta Post) Denpasar and Yogyakarta  Fri, January 25, 2019 09:23 876 75e76da2d15e495661b6357e2e88e487 1 National Anak-Agung-Bagus-Narendra-Prabangsa,I-Nyoman-Susrama,AJI,press-freedom,Jokowi,remission,life-sentence Free

Journalists and rights activists across Indonesia were outraged by President Joko Jokowi Widodos move to grant remission to I Nyoman Susrama, the mastermind behind the murder of Anak Agung Gde Bagus Narendra Prabangsa, a Radar Bali daily journalist, calling on the incumbent to annul the decision.

Jokowi issued Presidential Decree No. 29/2018, which commuted Susramas sentence from a life sentence to 20 years imprisonment. Jokowi also granted remission to 114 other prisoners across the country.

The Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) Denpasar and Mataram chapters as well as the Clean Judicial Network criticized the decision, saying it was a backward step in the efforts to uphold not only press freedom but also law enforcement in Indonesia.

AJI Denpasar chairman Nandhang R. Astika said the life sentence for Susrama was a breakthrough, noting that it was the first case of violence against a journalist in Indonesia that was successfully uncovered.

The life sentence for Susrama was a breath of fresh air for press freedom and attempts to address all cases of violence against journalists across Indonesia, Nandhang said.

Echoing the sentiment, AJI Mataram chairwoman Fitri Rachmawati said the resolution of the Prabangsa murder case was a concrete form of the enforcement of press freedom in Indonesia. Before Prabangsas murder, no case of violence against a journalist had been resolved, much less given a tough sentence.

In Bali, Prabangsas murderer was caught and sentenced to life, which is an anomaly in terms of law enforcement considering its history with violence against journalists, and it deserves our support, she said as quoted by Antara on Thursday.

In Yogyakarta, representatives of the AJI Yogyakarta chapter, the local student press and civil society organizations staged a rally at the Titik Nol monument urging the President to annul the decision.

Should Jokowi not revoke the remission, well make him the common enemy of press freedom and corruption eradication efforts, AJI Yogyakartas advocacy division coordinator Tommy Apriando said on Thursday.

Yogyakarta Legal Aid Institute for the Press director Pito Agustin Rudiana emphasized that Susrama did not deserve the remission.

Criminologist Leopold Sudaryono said the government had failed to grasp the essence of the case.

"This case was not just about the murder of Prabangsa, but also the guarantee of safety for the Indonesian press as a whole," he said.

I Nyoman Susrama was sentenced to life after judges found him guilty for masterminding the murder of Anak Agung Gde Bagus Narendra Prabangsa, a journalist with the Radar Bali daily, in February 2009. Prabangsa was killed in his house in Bangli, Bali, and his body was found floating in the waters west of Padangbai Harbor. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Prabangsa had received threatening calls and text messages for two weeks before he was killed.

Prabangsa had written articles on the alleged misuse of funds allocated for building an international kindergarten and elementary school. Susrama, the younger brother of the then-Bangli regent I Nengah Arnawa, was involved in the project.

Prosecutors demanded that Susrama be given a death sentence, but he was charged with a life sentence instead. He was charged with violating Article 340 of the Criminal Code on premeditated murder. He is currently serving his sentence in Bangli prison.

The CPJ recorded that 10 Indonesian journalists have been killed on duty between 1992 and 2019. Eight of them were murdered, one died in a crossfire and another died on a dangerous assignment. Among the murdered journalists were Anak Agung Prabangsa and Yogyakarta-based Bernas journalist Fuad Udin Muhammad Syafruddin, who was murdered on Aug. 16, 1996, in a case that has not been resolved. (spl/swd)
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Linkedin Rachmadea Aisyah (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, January 25, 2019 08:10 876 75e76da2d15e495661b6357e2e88b75e 1 Business SDGs,SDG-voluntary-report,welfare,quality-of-living,bappenas,philanthropy,alternative-financing,infrastructure-project Free

The government is scheduled to showcase the progress it has made in achieving its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the United Nations High Level Political Forum in July.

It has been two years since Indonesia brought its first voluntary national reviews (VNRs) before the supranational body.

The VNRs aim to facilitate the sharing of experiences, including successes, challenges and lessons learned, with a view to accelerating the implementation of the 2030 agenda.

They also seek to strengthen policies and institutions of governments and to mobilize multi-stakeholder support and partnerships for the implementation of the SDGs.

Indonesias new VNRs would focus on the realization of the previous report, which put an emphasis on seven of the 17 SDGs, said Bambang Brodjonegoro, the head of National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas). The seven points are industry, innovation and infrastructure, poverty, hunger, health, gender equality, life below water, and partnerships to achieve the goals.

The new VNRs will highlight Presidential Regulation No. 59/2017 on the achievement of SDGs, which was issued in July 2017 following Indonesias first report. The regulation, said Bambang, was derived from national and local action plans.

The national action plan has been completed, whereas around half of the provincial governments in Indonesia have completed their respective local action plans, Bambang told reporters on the sidelines of a recent SDGs event. We will also notify [the UN] of the increasing participation of non-government SDGs actors over the past two years.

In its attempt to involve more non-government actors, Bappenas, along with the Indonesian headquarters of the UN Development Programme (UNDP), has inaugurated a national platform on SDGs for academics representing 50 universities across the archipelago.

Prior to the platforms launch, several universities initiated their own SDGs centers, such as Padjadjaran University in West Java, Jember University in East Java and Bengkulu University in Bengkulu. The Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) and the Bogor Institute of Agriculture (IPB) in West Java, said Bambang, would also launch their own SDGs in the coming months.

These universities have been actively helping regional and central authorities to realize the SDG action plans [...] they have also been mainstreaming SDGs into college curriculum and thus the general public, he added.

The UNDPs country director for Indonesia, Cristophe Bahuet, lauded Indonesias progress with regards to the SDGs, saying that the country had shown significant commitment in adopting and implementing them through the 2017 presidential regulation.

We are delighted to acknowledge our sub-national partnerships in three provinces, which are Riau, Lampung and Gorontalo [...] and ensuring alignment and adoption of SDG indicators to the mid-term regional development plan [RPJMD], Bahuet said.

Universities and academics would accelerate research and innovations in the country that were needed to achieve the goals, he said, adding that the national platform would help bring experts together to speed up the process.

In order to support the development of innovations, the UNDP had opened an innovative financing lab several months ago, Bahuet said. The lab would help the experts find new approaches and mechanisms in SDG financing, including blended finance, blue and green bonds as well as green sukuk.

The lab, he said, also offered financial solutions for philanthropists and private funds wanting to be involved in the SDGs.

In October last year, the Finance Ministry appointed government-backed infrastructure financing company PT Sarana Multi Infrastruktur (SMI) as the financial hub for the SDGs. SMI gathers and arranges budgets for public facilities to become more focused on projects embedded in the 17 objectives of the SDGs.

The company is expected to be given US$18 billion to finance hundreds of SDG-related projects with no fixed deadline.

It has also identified 31 projects that will be offered blended financing worth around $4 billion this year. Blended financing is a mix of funds from the private sector or philanthropists.
I spent last Sunday brunching with my friend CeeCee, a journalist-turned-yoga-instructor who moved to South Africa a few years ago. As we hadn't met for a long while, our conversations were robust and animated, but one discussion got me thinking further -- one about people with single narratives.

Illustrated poignantly in a TED Talk by Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, a person maintaining a single narrative on an issue can be partially blinded to the whole story, which in turn would deny the person the whole truth.

Chimamande drew examples from her life as a middle-class Nigerian student in the United States who constantly met Americans who had expectations of her being a poor and tribal African -- Americans who'd been exposed to a single narrative of a devastated Africa long before they actually encountered any Africans.

Conversely, Chimamande owned up to the fact that she, too, once held a single narrative about Mexicans as hapless immigrants, which rendered her ashamed the day she visited Guadalajara and saw diverse Mexicans.

Having worked with expats and lived overseas, both CeeCee and I are familiar with foreigners who hold a single narrative about Indonesia or Indonesians. I, for example, was earnestly asked in the summer of 1995 by a fellow Harvard Summer School student, no less, if Indonesia had any McDonald's restaurants or BMWs.

Having said that, CeeCee and I also aren't above admitting we've had single narratives about something or someone, but what got us worried is the spike in numbers of Indonesians around us chained by single narratives, whether about race, ethnicity, religion, politics, or all of the above.

It's 2019, a good 74 years after independence and we still have Jakartans who think that the eastern provinces of Indonesia are full of pristine beaches and unenlightened folks, not much different from the American single narrative of a devastated Africa that Chimamanda lamented about.

It's 2019, a respectable two decades after Reformasi, yet we still see Muslim Indonesians who are bound by the New Order narrative about all Chinese folks, including the ones born after generations in Indonesia, being godless communists. Ironically, many of the same Muslim Indonesians also believe that the Lunar New Year is a religious event for all Chinese.

Each of these single narratives occupies a brain cell next to each other, padlocked shut so tight their contradictions never come to light. Being in a majority, many Muslim Indonesians live their entire lives among their own kind so that to them people of Chinese descent are no more than shopkeepers, strangers during elevator rides, or rich tycoons profiled in the media.

It's 2019, at least two decades since internet access became available, yet one can still find non-Muslim Indonesians, who've gone to school and lived among their own demographic since childhood, who assume all Muslims are dog haters or never know that the reason Muslims seriously desire food upon breaking the fast during Ramadhan is because they ate their last meal at about 4 a.m. and not during the normal breakfast time.

Sounds ludicrous? Anecdotal as they may seem, these are all true stories that I found. If you look at things people have posted on social media lately, some more venomous than others, the numbers of people steered by a single narrative seem to be burgeoning, emboldened by social media algorithms to commune only with the like-minded, getting themselves farther removed from knowing the whole of any story.

It is even worse when religion is thrown into the mix. Piety, in any religion, requires acceptance of the One Truth, of us versus them, yet what we see lately in Indonesia are newly religious groups that aren't even open to their own brethren who dare to differ slightly over scriptural interpretations.

No wonder evil political minds decided to take advantage  the single-minded lambs marched voluntarily into the slaughterhouse in hordes, surrendering their logic and awareness in exchange for a vote.

How do we change this whole mess? Offer another bunch of narratives. Offer your narrative: voice, not noise. Go out of your virtual and real-life comfort zones, befriend people who don't share each and every one of your demographic traits. Share your stories. Hear their stories in return. It would not be easy at first, it would feel useless at times, but if you don't want a single narrative to be taken as the truth just because the noisiest crowd accepts it as such, then only you can shout out the other. Can't you?

Even if you can't immediately change perceptions, wouldn't you want the chance to add your voice into the mix? Chimamanda had her TED Talk; you can have your coffee talks. Give voice, not just noise.

Interestingly, I think that's what former Jakarta governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama is trying to do. By switching his nickname from "Ahok" to "BTP", he can accomplish a few things. First, he follows the political practice of adopting catchy initials (SBY, AHY, JKW, JFK, RFK and LBJ, for example). Second, he erases the trace of ethnicity. Third, he offers a new narrative about a man named BTP who has a clean slate, removed from that Ahok guy with his controversial narrative. As a former brand marketing professional I salute whoever advised Ahok, I mean BTP, on this rebranding.

It's what many of us must do. Indonesia is too diverse, too complex, for one lousy narrative on the things that make us Indonesians. Almost 75 years into independence, why have we more like a collection of single-minded crowds, instead of a balanced and broad-minded nation? C'mon now, people! (ste)

-- Lynda Ibrahim is a Jakarta-based writer with a penchant for purple, pussycats and pop culture.
It is billed as a human "safari", the most controversial and potentially game-changing Russian cultural export since the Ballets Russes left the West shocked and awed 110 years ago.

What began as a biopic of Lev "Dau" Landau, a father of the Soviet atomic bomb and charismatic advocate of free love, has morphed into a strange and mind-boggling artistic project.

The world will get its first taste of Dau on Thursday, when its "gripping, claustrophobic" and sometimes violent universe starts unfurling 24 hours a day for 24 days in two central Paris theaters and the city's Pompidou modern art museum.

Dubbed the "Stalinist Truman Show", Russian director Ilya Khrzhanovsky persuaded 400 people to live and work for nearly three years under the same totalitarian Soviet rules that Landau and his disciplines labored under.

The replica scientific institute he had built for them was not far from the one the Nobel prize-winning physicist ran in the city of Kharkiv in eastern Ukraine.

Volunteers -- who ranged from university professors to beggars, engineers and prostitutes -- agreed to be filmed periodically as they were subjected to scientific and philosophical experiments.

Sixteen babies were born in the hothouse sexual atmosphere.

Its cost somewhere north of 70 million euros ($80 million), sources told AFP.

Read also: Arctic art house: Russian region nurtures local film boom

Stars and shamans

Drawn by its compelling mix of sex, science and spirituality, a cluster of major international stars have also thrown themselves into Dau.

Serbian performance artist Marina Abramovic, British musician Brian Eno and Massive Attack's Robert Del Naja -- who many believe to be street artist Banksy -- will perform in Paris amid the continuous roll of screenings, immersive experiences and intimate encounters with Siberian shamans, Buddhist monks, imams, psychologists and leading scientists.

"No one has yet found the word to explain Dau," its executive producer Martine d'Anglejan-Chatillon told AFP.

However, the Canadian said it could change the way we see art.

After experiencing Dau, "going to see a film, play or an exhibition will no longer be enough," she insisted.

But its backers admit some of the 700 hours of this "encyclopedia of human nature and relationships" make disturbing viewing.

Visitors will have to hand over their mobile phones and answer an intimate psychometric test before they can buy a timed or unlimited passport to enter the universe.

The producers said rape, abuse or trauma victims will be locked out of rooms with imagery that might trigger them.

Star Greek conductor Teodor Currentzis, who plays Landau in the films, will also appear in the gutted interiors of the Paris theaters, both of which are undergoing major refurbishment work.

Read also: Credits roll for Moscow's Soviet-era cinemas

A 'guru' with oligarch gold

The warren-like rooms of the physicist's institute have been recreated inside the Theatre du Chatelet, complete with a sex shop and porn cinema.

Artistic director Ruth Mackenzie compared the experience to a "safari. You don't know what you will see. You know that it will be very intense, something very beautiful.

"Or you may see something violent and disturbing, though compared to Tarantino, it's not violent," she said.

"But you will come out and tell your friends about it. It's completely different from anything they have seen before," Mackenzie insisted.

One thing it is not is Big Brother, she said. Unlike the reality television show which continually filmed contestants, Khrzhanovsky took improvisational techniques used by filmmakers like British Oscar-winner Mike Leigh and pushed them "10 miles further down the road".

Khrzhanovsky, however, has faced accusations in the French press of exploiting his cast and having a guru-like hold over them.

Question have also been raised about the Russian telecom and food oligarch Serguei Adoniev, who has almost entirely bankrolled Dau.

Named philanthropist of the year in 2016 by the Russian Ministry of Culture, this week Bulgaria said it had revoked an EU "golden passport" it had previously granted the businessman because of a US money-laundering conviction dating back two decades.

Adoniev, 57, is trying to have the conviction quashed. He is not a target of EU or US sanctions on Russia aimed at allies of President Vladimir Putin.

Landau -- who was honored Tuesday with a Google Doodle to mark what would have been his 101st birthday -- was also something of a complex figure.

Though he convinced many of his disciplines, his wife never shared his enthusiasm for free love.

Twice honored with the Stalin Prize, he was lucky to escape with his life from the notorious Lubyanka prison in Moscow for equating Stalinism with Nazism.
Netflixs documentary on the Fyre Festival reveals the mismanagement and fraud behind the failed event, while Hulus Fyre Fraud digs deeper into the social media-obsessed generation.

Released almost simultaneously, two new documentaries share the same focus on last year's Fyre Festival fiasco in which organizers went above and beyond to market a high-class music festival in the Bahamas that spiraled into an epic disaster.

Approaching the festival from different angles, both documentaries offer fascinating hypothesis into the things that needed to happen for an event to go so wrong, and ultimately point the finger at Billy McFarland -- festival founder who turns up to be a conman of the highest and most-delusional order.

One documentary, however, provides the "better" overall picture of what went down.

Viewers should pick Netflixs Fyre: The Greatest Party That Never Happened, which is more immediate and entertaining than Hulus offering. Nevertheless, viewers can obtain a more thorough perspective by watching both.

Fyre is more streamlined in its table-setting and has the dynamics of a thrilling disaster movie. Director Chris Smith, who helmed 2017's Netflix documentary Jim and Andy: The Great Beyond and 1999's cult classic American Movie, starts with a simple question: How does a music festival go so wrong?

Smith goes on to methodically serve up the answer through fascinating interviews with insiders, attendees and, most informatively, with the local laborers who worked non-stop only to end up not getting paid.

Hindsight is 20/20, but the interviews suggest that the disaster was avoidable, and how a combination of greedy ambition, exploitation of the influencer culture, and blind ego trumped common sense. The tension piles up as the festival approaches, with seemingly everyone but McFarland knowing that disaster lay ahead. Fyre lays it out by essentially documenting the snowball effect of constantly avoiding warning signs.

Hulu's Fyre Fraud has a more contemporary approach, somewhat ironically (perhaps symbolically?) editing the documentary with fast-cuts and visual bells and whistles, giving it a "current" touch while portraying millennials almost as much a villain as McFarland.

Man behind the fraud: Hulu's Fyre Fraud features an exclusive interview with Fyre Festival founder Billy McFarland who has been convicted of defrauding investors and ticket holders. (Hulu/-)

Indeed, Fraud wants to dig into millennial blame pretty hard, offering a thesis of how the Fyre Festival is the end result of a social media-obsessed youth, grown-ups putting utmost importance on being liked and followed.

Though it does not do so outright, the documentary comes close to basically mocking the attendees. As if they deserved being swindled out of hundreds or thousands of dollars for a promise of an exclusive, luxurious experience. In the end, they instead get crappy tents and convenience store sandwiches.

Now, anyone who is not a millennial would be tempted to really celebrate these extremely privileged people getting their comeuppance. Heck, footage and interviews with them certainly do not paint them in a positive light in both documentaries (one interviewee speaks cheerily of urinating in the already limited number of tents around his tent to make sure they did not have bothersome neighbors).

Though schadenfreude is a delicious emotional treat, Fraud's generational thesis does not offer any new take on the millennials are spoiled argument. Digging deeper into the issue of true privilege would have given the documentary more weight.

With a story that does not really require any spicing up, Hulu documentary's affections feel bitter and actually rather dull in comparison to Netflixs Fyre. Still, Fraud has a lot of points in also putting to task Jerry Media, the marketing agency behind the festivals faulty marketing strategy.

Jerry Media is involved in the production of Fyre, justifying Hulu's accusations of Netflix's documentary being biased.

At the same time, Fraud also has an exclusive interview with McFarland -- dampening some of its integrity if Hulu paid him. The interview itself pretty much contains McFarland's unwillingness to comment on certain things or another questionable line from a compulsive liar. It is fair to say that both have their ethical baggage.

Both documentaries are different enough to justify watching them both. If you had to watch only one, Netflix's offering is the more obvious one that is easier to digest -- but Hulu has also managed to give a completely different perspective on what happened, digging deeper into the culture and McFarland as a born swindler. Whichever you pick, it is sure to be a fascinating take on what has to be the most interesting disaster to happen to a festival.

***

Fyre: The Greatest Party That Never Happened

(108 minutes, Netflix)

Director: Chris Smith

Fyre Fraud

(96 minutes, Hulu)

Directors: Jenner Furst and Julia Willoughby Nason
Japanese manga creator Rumiko Takahashi has become only the second woman to win the top prize at France's biggest graphic novel festival.

The 61-year-old, one of the stars of the Japanese form, took the grand prize at Angouleme Comics Festival -- which opens Thursday -- for her life's work.

Two years ago she was one of a number of women French writer Riaad Sattouf said should have got the prize instead of him.

The author of the bestselling Arab of the Future refused the prize, and lashed Angouleme's failure to honor enough female creators.

Takahashi -- who was not in the western French city to receive the prize -- is only the second Japanese to win the accolade, despite the huge popularity of manga in France.

Katushiro Otomo, the author of the Akira series, won in 2015.

France is the biggest market in the world for the comics outside Japan, and this year the Angouleme festival is celebrating the form.

Read also: Ageing Japan-Manga comics turn gray--but spirited--along with readers

Latest figures show that more than one in three graphic novels sold in the country are manga, with sales jumping 11 percent in 2018 to 16 million copies.

The hugely prolific Takahashi is one of the most read authors in the world, with her 200 works selling more than 200 million copies.

She is best known in the West for her Urusei Yatsura series, a comedy science fiction story, the romantic comedy Maison Ikkoku, and the martial arts saga Ranma 1/2, which helped manga break through in the US.

Her latest work, the 40-volume Rin-ne, is a about a young girl who can see ghosts.

Takahashi pipped the American Chris Ware, author of Jimmy Corrigan, the Smartest Kid on Earth, and French illustrator Emmanuel Guibert to the prize.

The Golden Wildcat prize for the best graphic novel of the year will be awarded at Angouleme on Saturday.
Vampire Weekend, the New York indie rock band that found global acclaim for its buoyant style and world music influences, on Thursday released its first new songs in nearly six years.

The group that originally formed at Columbia University said the two new singles are part of their highly anticipated fourth album titled Father of the Bride.

Frontman Ezra Koenig said the forthcoming album would include 18 songs -- the band would drop two tracks per month for three months, beginning Thursday, and then release the full album.

The first new song, "Harmony Hall", is typical of the band's arty pop style but with an infusion of folk and a Grateful Dead-esque guitar solo.

Koenig said the more stripped-back "2021" samples Japanese music icon Haruomi Hosono, using music the electro pioneer composed to be played in Muji housing goods stores in the 1980s.

"I know that 5-6 years is considered a long time between records," Koenig wrote to fans anxious for the album Vampire Weekend said they've been working on for several years.

Read also: Vampire Weekend has double album coming, new music out next week

"Personally, I think it's a dignified pace befitting a band that's already placed three albums in stores," he wrote on Instagram.

"But everyone has their own sense of time."

The band's last studio album, Modern Vampires of the City, was released in May 2013.

In August, Vampire Weekend played their first full show in four years at Chicago's Lollapalooza festival.

The performance followed two brief appearances in 2016 to campaign for leftist Senator Bernie Sanders, who was then running for president.

The album will be the first since the amicable departure of keyboardist and co-songwriter Rostam Batmanglij, who Koenig said did contribute to parts of the new album.
After serving nearly two years in prison for blasphemy, former Jakarta governor Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama has officially ventured into vlogging.

Ahok, who asked to be referred to as BTP following his release, posted his first video titled BTP Vlog#1  Pulang (Coming Home) on his YouTube Channel on Friday.

The video depicts his first few hours as a free man, showing him and his eldest son Nicholas Nicho Sean in a car, talking about almost everything they saw during the ride home.

He expressed amazement at seeing presidential election campaign banners and the Simpang Susun Semanggi (Semanggi Interchange). The latter, also known as Simpang Ahok (Ahok Interchange), was officially opened to the public while he was serving time.

BTP also showed a ring from Hanura Party chairman Oesman OSO Sapta Odang, saying that OSO loaned it to him while he was in prison and he planned to return it.

Read also: Ahok receives hero's welcome on Instagram post over release

He asked his son to get some water and touch the stone setting. When the stone emitted a red light, Nicho asked if there was a battery inside. No, its real, his father replied.

While chatting, BTP also asked Nicho to refrain from using harsh words. Thats what I learned in prison, he said, saying that such words could influence people's thoughts and hearts.

Among the many things discussed in the vlog was BTPs expired driver's license.

Toward the end of the video, he thanked supporters who had wished him well and promised that he would upload more videos soon.

Like a seasoned vlogger, he said at the end of the video, If you want to know more about what I want to share, you can subscribe [to my YouTube channel]. (jes/wng)
A beaded dress worn by Catherine Deneuve when she first met Alfred Hitchcock in 1969 was among dozens of her glamorous gowns sold at an auction in Paris on Thursday.

The French actress parted with close to 130 one-of-a-kind styles crafted for her by close friend Yves Saint Laurent. They included a shimmering gold number worn by Deneuve to the Oscars.

The auction raised 900,625 euros ($1.02 million), according to auction house Christies.

"Catherine Deneuve is a very beautiful actress. She was always very, very well dressed by Saint Laurent, (so) it was an unexpected opportunity to see all the dresses, and possibly even buy one, if I (could) find the right size," Isabelle Lugagne, a 76-year-old, retired graphologist told Reuters.

Read also: French actress Deneuve to auction off personal YSL collection

The Belle de Jour actress, a fashion fan often spotted at Parisian catwalk shows, put the dresses up for sale after parting with a house in Normandy, northern France, where she had stored them for decades.

Deneuve, 75, has not said what the funds will be used for.

Saint Laurent - one of the 20th centuries' most influential designers, who popularized tuxedos for women, or "Le Smoking" - met the actress was she only 22. He died in 2008.

Aside from the lot of 130 'Haute Couture' looks, a further 170 items are on sale in an online auction running until Jan 30.
Who says poetry is dead? It is pretty much alive and thriving  in the United Kingdom, at least  whose poetry sales hit a record 12 million (around $15 million) in the past year.

A total of 1.3 million poetry books were sold in 2018 alone, with two-thirds of its buyers younger than 34 years old, as per UK book sales monitor Nielsen BookScan via The Guardian on Jan. 21. It was also reported that girls and young women were poetrys biggest consumers, with 41 percent aged 13 to 22 years old.

Rupi Kaur emerged as number one in the bestsellers list, as per the report, with almost 1 million of the sales coming just from her.

Kaur, whose fame can be credited to her use of Instagram in making poetry more accessible to her fans, is known for her minimalist and simplistic style of poetry often accompanied by childlike doodles. The 26-year-old Kaur, an Indian who immigrated to Canada, boasts almost 3.5 million followers on the social media site alone.

But it was not just Kaur who was a big name in last years sales. Poetry by Seamus Heaney, Leonard Cohen, Carol Ann Duffy and Homer, among others, also sold well.

Andre Breedt from Nielsen said the boom in poetry sales can be chucked to the context of the times: during uncertainty and political instability, people turn to poetry for lucidity and attunement.

Read also: 'The sound to my voice': Norman Erikson Pasaribu on translator Tiffany Tsao

Poetry is resonating with people who are looking for understanding, Breedt was quoted as saying. It is a really good way to explore complex, difficult emotions and uncertainty.

Breedt also shared that it was poetrys brevity that makes it easy and instant to consume on social media and gadgets.

The report further noted how pieces of poetry would usually trend during national casualties and calamities. For one, Tony Walshs poem This Is the Place trended after the Manchester Arena Bombing in May 2017, when it was shared thousands of times on social media. Ben Okris poem Grenfell Tower, June, 2017, which was penned just after the fire that saw 72 people dead, also had the same reception.

For Katy Shaw, a professor of contemporary writings at Northumbria University, there seems to be no coincidence when it comes to poetry being used to critically discuss events like Grenfell, the Manchester bombing, and even Brexit.

Its being repurposed as this really dynamic and vital form that can capture, in a very condensed way, the turbulent nature of contemporary society  and give us the space to struggle with our desire to understand and negotiate a lot of what is going on at the moment, Shaw said in the report.

She also noted the advantage of technology today, which gives people the speed to share new writing to reach anybody, just about anywhere in the world: The one great advantage we have now is the speed at which we can share new work.
After staging the Pramoedya Ananta Toer-inspired play Bunga Penutup Abad (The Flower that Ends a Century), a spotlight is being put on the late Indonesian poet Amir Hamzah.

Titimangsa Productions and the Bakti Budaya Djarum Foundation are to burnish his legacy through a play called Nyanyi Sunyi Revolusi (The Quiet Singing of Revolution), to be staged at the Gedung Kesenian Jakarta playhouse on Feb. 2 and 3.

When we were researching Amir Hamzah, we realized that his work was beyond his era, said actress Happy Salma who produces the play, which is to be Titimangsas 39th production.

His Sumatra-ness is very subtle in his poetry, added Happy, who also met with Amirs granddaughter as part of her research.

The son of a sultanate royal in Langkat, North Sumatra (formerly East Sumatra), Amir Hamzah was born in 1911. His Melayu heritage informed his work as a poet, with his poetry collections  Nyanyi Sunyi (1937) and Buah Rindu (Longing, 1941)  regarded as a part of Indonesias enduring literary legacy.

Renowned critic H.B. Jassin dubbed Amir the king of the Poedjangga Baroe literary movement  making up the pantheon with the likes of Armijn Pane and Sutan Takdir Alisjahbana. In 1975, Amir was declared a national hero.

Telling the story of his life at the cusp of the struggle against Dutch colonialism, the bulk of Nyanyi Sunyi Revolusi is culled from the recently deceased writer N.H. Dinis biography of Amir called Pangeran Dari Seberang (The Prince from Across).

I was supposed to meet with N.H. Dini when I got sick, Happy said, adding that she died shortly afterwards. Nyanyi Sunyi Revolusi is therefore also a tribute to N.H. Dini.

Director Iswadi Pratama, who made a name for himself in Lampung and beyond  his play, Perempuan di Titik Nol (A Woman At Point Zero), earned Tempo magazines best theater designation in 2008  said that Indonesia needs Amir Hamzah today.

Youd be disappointed if you expected to come out of this play feeling empowered to revolt. The plays such an intimate space, he said.

That intimate space is also full of love. Nyanyi Sunyi Revolusi dedicates its two-hour run time to the love story of Amir and Ilik Sundari, a Javanese woman, to Tengku Kamaliah and to his country, according to poet and playwright Ahda Imran, who wrote the script.

At that time, there was a saying: Make sure that the fruit doesnt fall far from the tree, he said. It was uncommon to marry someone from outside your kin, especially if youre royalty.

Although the genesis of the play came out of the correspondence between Happy and Ahda from a couple of years back, it wasnt until a few months ago that production really started.

Continuing his streak in theater, acclaimed actor Lukman Sardi, who played Jean Marais in Bunga Penutup Abad, is to take on the role of Amir, while actress Prisia Nasution is to play Amirs daughter, Tengku Tahura.

Aside from renowned theater troupe Teater Garasis mainstay Sri Qadariatin, who is to play Amirs lover Ilik Sundari, another theater group based in Lampung, Teater Satu Lampung, is to take part in the play, bringing along Desi Susanti, who is to play Amirs eventual wife, Tengku Kamaliah.

He was a great character. He wasnt garish with his passion, said Lukman. This is the interesting part [about playing him].

Prisia, who works mostly as a screen actress, was frank about her stage fright. If I were an MC, I would perhaps fire myself, she said. But after discussing with [Iswadi], I realized the impulses we use in film are similar in plays. The next step, after befriending the stage, is befriending the character Tahura. The sins of her family are passed down to the child.

Nyanyi Sunyi Revolusi is to be a new chapter in Happys dream to adapt the works of Indonesian literature to the stage.

Theater art, according to her, does not yet have a market in Indonesia. Were still building an ecosystem for this business, she said.

However, Amir Hamzah  his work and his life (there is controversy surrounding his death)  would bear witness to the rekindling of Indonesian literature on stage, after Chairil Anwar (through the play Perempuan-Perempuan Chairil or Chairils Women) or Pramoedya.

To Iswadi, the gist of Amirs life can be boiled down to just two words: loving and forgiving.

He would have probably whispered those words in our ears today. He died by them, he said. (ste)
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Linkedin J. Danang Widoyoko (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, January 25, 2019 11:58 876 75e76da2d15e495661b6357e2e896e9c 3 Opinion Jokowi-administration,corruption,KPK,politics,graft Free

The global corruption perception index (CPI) of 2017 showed no progress was made in Indonesia. Indicating the successful outcome of President Joko Jokowi Widodos first three years in power, the CPI rating of global watchdog Transparency International (TI) had increased from 34 in 2014 to 37 in 2016. However, in 2017, Indonesia still had the same score of 37. This stagnancy suggests that the absence of a substantive policy to curb judicial and political corruption  the former meaning corruption involving law enforcement agencies and the latter involving political elites.



Based on the recent presidential debate and official documents of both candidates  the incumbent Jokowi and opponent Prabowo Subianto  what can people expect from the next elected president in the fight against corruption? Let us first check the current progress and challenges in the campaign against graft.



The annual CPI is a composite index from several global surveys on corruption. CPI 2017 reflected two important perspectives on corruption  economic and legal. From the economic point of view, the TI calculates CPI ratings from the World Economic Forum and Ease of Doing Business, among others. From a legal aspect, the TI relies on the Rule of Law Index, published by the World Justice Project.



Despite global perceptions of Indonesia having a lackluster approach in curbing graft, the economic surveys score increasing government performance in providing a better investment climate by simplifying procedures, improving government services and reducing corruption. Jokowis reforms have contributed to this achievement.



However, the legal perspective shows a decreasing score in law and justice, hampering peoples access to justice and protection of business interests. The decreasing score in law enforcement and other indicators related to political corruption reflects the Presidents inability to control judicial and political corruption. Although the executive branch lacks absolute authority over the judicial and political institutions, Jokowi could still help curb such entrenched corruption.



For instance, to decrease political corruption, he could increase state subsidies for political parties and candidates to prevent politicians targeting state resources for political funding.



Unfortunately, there has been no evident progress in this issue. The continued success of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) in arresting several regents, mayors and governors, as well as lawmakers, signals the absence of the Presidents policy to address political corruption. If Jokowi had a clear strategy to control political corruption, the KPK would not arrest so many perpetrators.



In the judiciary sphere, the President is the supervisor of the Attorney Generals Office (AGO) and the National Police chief. In the case of the acid attack against senior KPK investigator Novel Baswedan, the Presidents inability to speed up investigations is all too clear to the public. After two years, the police have not solved the case.



In law enforcement against corruption, the AGO is also authorized to investigate corruption cases. However, the public only knows about the success of the KPK in exposing public officials corruption through its sting operations. Less information is available from the AGO on what corruption cases they have investigated and their results.



Jokowis failure to curb judicial corruption enables those institutions to sustain and strengthen their corrupt patronage network. The absence of a strong direction and visible firmness from the President allows for continued threats and acts of terror against the KPK and its investigators, including the recent bombing attempts against two KPK commissioners at their private residences.



Official documents of the presidential candidates on their respective vision and mission statements and programs, and the first presidential candidates debate, show their clear anticorruption programs.



Among others, Jokowi promises to continue his corruption prevention program by implementing a merit system in the bureaucracy and political appointments. His primary approach is to continue his National Strategy of Corruption Prevention.



Unfortunately, the programs pay no special attention to judicial and political corruption. This means Jokowi will still focus on bureaucracy reform and corruption prevention in business licenses. This is good news for investors but bad news for the public because judicial and political corruption will inhibit any corruption eradication effort.



His contender, Prabowo, pledges to raise the salaries of civil servants and law enforcement officials to prevent them from accepting bribes. The retired military officer thus simplifies corruption as bribery and proposes to increase salaries. Numerous cases, however, show that this approach is ineffective. Corruption is a complex problem with no single magic bullet to address it. Some government bodies such as the Finance Ministry and the Supreme Court have already increased their officials wages, yet corruption remains rampant.



Although both candidates promise to support the KPK, they do not clarify this particular support. The most important is presidential political support, especially when the KPK investigates corruption involving the political elite. The lesson from the recurring conflict between the KPK and police is that law enforcement officials could engineer cases against KPK commissioners to prevent them from investigating the political elite. After the KPK named several high-ranking police officers as graft suspects, in retaliation the police investigated KPK commissioners in 2009 and 2015 that almost paralyzed the anticorruption agency. Unfortunately, neither candidate mentioned presidential support for the KPK during the debate and in their official programs.



Therefore, what can the public expect from both candidates? Without a fundamental policy to eradicate corruption, Indonesians highly fragmented politics forces the candidates to build a broad-based coalition based on patronage, especially access to public resources. This structural condition will prevent any elected president from implementing a radical policy to eradicate corruption.



Presumably, the best option for people is therefore a leader who is perceived to be able to control corruption in a particular sector and make gradual improvements, for instance to control corruption in the judiciary. If the President can control corruption in the police and prosecutors office, KPK commissioners and its staff will not have to fear being criminalized when they investigate corruption among the political elite.

***

The writer is a research fellow at Transparency International Indonesia.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official stance of The Jakarta Post.
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Linkedin Satria Ardianuari (The Jakarta Post) Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania  Fri, January 25, 2019 10:36 876 75e76da2d15e495661b6357e2e893033 3 Opinion people-with-disabilities,technology,rehabilitation,disability-equality,quality-of-living,disabled-people Free

The ability to perform basic activities of daily living is an essential need for every person. If for some reason the body functions and structures are disturbed, the ability may be reduced or even lost, resulting in what we call disability.

In Indonesia, the most common disabilities so far include impairments of vision, hearing and mobility. Approximately, half of the disabled population has multiple disabilities. Most disabilities are caused by acquired diseases and accidents along with a smaller portion due to congenital factors.

The 2016 national employment survey of Statistics Indonesia (BPS) estimates that 12.15 percent of Indonesias population -- or over 265 million people -- have moderate to severe disability. The survey also reveals that 45.74 percent of individuals with disabilities have lower or no education whereas those without disability (87.31 percent of the total population) receive only primary education of averagely 6.5 years.

Disability often restricts participation and interaction in ones community. People with disability have lower educational attainment and fewer economic opportunities in addition to being marginalized and often even excluded from society. Therefore, participation in the labor market is significantly low for people with disabilities.

The 2016 Law on People with Disability was passed following ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities in 2011. The law entails Indonesia commitment to the eradication of discrimination against people with disabilities and its active support and provision of services to this segment of the population. The new law also raises the principle that public programs be inclusive and accessible to people with disabilities.

In recent years several non-government and government campaigns and programs have also promoted inclusion and equality for people with disabilities. People also join celebrations of the International Day of People with Disabilities every Dec. 3. Another way to increase involvement in education and increase economic opportunities for people with disabilities is through the use of appropriate assistive technology.

The Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America states that assistive technology has been proven to assist people with disabilities, improving their quality of life. With the technology devices specifically tailored to meet the individuals needs, people with disabilities can improve and optimize their daily functioning, allowing them to become independent, self-sufficient and self-confident.

Depending on the disability and rehabilitation goals, assistive technology includes a wide range of technology devices. For example, individuals with mobility impairments can benefit from wheelchair seating systems, artificial limbs and/or support braces (prosthetics/orthotics) which increases independence. Students with hearing impairments can benefit from assistive listening devices or hearing aids. Those with speech impairments can benefit from text-to-speech output or augmentative communication devices. Specialized computer software and adaptive hardware can equally help employees with cognitive disabilities complete their tasks. Assistive technology can also expand to adaptive driving, home or workstation modifications, all of which are specified according to the needs of each person with a disability. The ultimate goal is to assist their vocational and recreational activities in addition to helping daily routines.

However, access to assistive technology may still be a challenge. The national social economic survey (Susenas) confirms that people with disability throughout Indonesia mostly cannot access assistive technology despite some efforts. Although still inadequate, our government already provides some of the assistive technology devices through the national insurance systems. The national health insurance BPJS Kesehatan for example, covers seven assistive technology devices at a considerably low price. Generally the coverage is so small that a person needs to have additional insurance from local government agencies, self-funding or other sources. An employee who acquired a disability at work can benefit from the new provision of mobility devices and can claim insurance coverage from the national employment insurance (BPJS Ketenagakerjaan).The national employment insurance has also established the return to work programs which provides employees with medicine and rehabilitation treatment following accidents or injuries.

Following the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, a number of type A or B public and private hospitals with rehabilitation centers, private companies and non-government organizations are supplying technologies for individuals with disabilities. Providers of assistive technology devices are promoting modalities that include prosthetics/orthotics, mobility aids, wheelchair and seating systems. Some devices have become commercially available over the counter such as hearing aids, speech output devices and mobility aids.

These assistive technology devices can help fulfill the life goals of people with disabilities particularly by allowing active participation and interaction in education and employment. Schools and employers should also be willing to adapt and accommodate the needs of their students and employees with disabilities. Moving forward, Indonesias government and citizens should become advocates for individuals with disabilities by promoting inclusion and equality in every day aspects of life. Apart from ending stigma and discrimination against them, assistive technologies can become among the catalysts to help our country become truly inclusive for all.

***

The writer is a Fulbright scholarship recipient and a student in rehabilitation technology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Pennsylvania, United States. (https://aminef.or.id/satria-ardianuari/)

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official stance of The Jakarta Post.
This blog covers software patent news and issues with a particular focus on wireless, mobile devices (smartphones, tablet computers, connected cars) as well as select antitrust matters surrounding those devices.
EDWARDSVILLE  The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Engineering (SOE) is hosting the Innovators Educational Foundations Solar Car Annual Conference Friday-Sunday, Feb. 1-3.

More than 190 students and advisors for solar car teams from around the United States and Canada, and possibly Australia, will attend. The conference focuses on the 2019 solar car competition regulations, and includes technical and other workshops for any teams interested in participating in upcoming competitions.

SIUE solar car team advisor Andy Lozowski, PhD, professor of electrical and computer engineering in the SOE, noted the timeliness of SIUE hosting the event.

Nowadays, we see increased interest in self-driving car technology, automotive navigation systems and the smart-city aspect of transportation, he said. All these technologies will be based on electric cars.

Hosting the Solar Car Conference will help our students focus attention on the importance of electric cars and ways of powering them. And certainly, the event acknowledges the accomplishments of our student team and their diligent work that started more than a decade ago.

Group meetings will be held in the Morris University Centers Meridian Ballroom or in the second-floor conference center. Breakout sessions will be held in the SOE building. Five solar car teams will bring their vehicles to be displayed in the SOE building atrium.

The teams are preparing for two significant competitions: the American Solar Challenge (ASC) and the Formula Sun Grand Prix (FSGP).

The ASC is a multi-day, 1,500-2,000-mile cross-country endurance rally across North America. The routes are always designed to provide teams with a great opportunity to demonstrate their solar cars under real world driving conditions and thoroughly test the reliability of all onboard systems.

The FSGP is an annual track competition that is held on grand prix or road style closed courses. This unique style of solar car racing is open to international teams and tests the limits of the vehicles in handling curves, braking and acceleration. On years when the ASC is held, FSGP serves as the qualifier event.
A few weeks ago, Dave Ringering opened his mail to find he had been awarded a Warriors Medal of Valor. Because Ringering, who lives in Glen Carbon, served in the U.S. Navy for nearly three decades, perhaps it shouldnt have come as a complete surprise that he was receiving such an honor.

But it did.

I was kind of floored, Ringering said recently.

After his retirement from the service 20 years ago, Ringering, who is 66, moved back to the Edwardsville area to help care for his ailing parents. The medal  actually a plaque and medallion with his name inscribed on back  was accompanied by a letter from North American Nations that, Ringering says, told him that only 34 medals have been given out and that he was the first non-native American to have received the honor.

He began wondering who might have nominated him. Of the friends Ringering has kept in touch with over the years, only one is Native American.

Thats why Im thinking maybe he did it, Ringering says.

The two of them have kept in touch over the years. Ringering recalls that his friend was a hospital corpsman, wounded three times in the Vietnam War.

He was a real hero, Ringering says, with an emphasis on the real.

Like most vets, Ringering plays down his own contributions. After leaving Edwardsville High School during his senior year, he joined the Navy and spent most of the next 28 years at sea. During the early 1970s, there was an 11-month stint in Vietnam.

He began as an aviation structural mechanic. When I enlisted I worked on the flight deck and we had our carriers up in the Gulf of Tonkin, bombing North Vietnam and mining the Haiphong Harbor, Ringering says.

He had tours in the Persian Gulf, helping the Navy during the hostage crisis and later during Desert Storm and Desert Shield.

After seven years he was commissioned as maintenance officer. Ringering retired, in 1997, as a commander.

The Warrior Medal of Honor reads: For valorous service while serving the United States of America in a military capacity. This conspicuous performance of duty represents great patriotism and pride in the finest traditions of the United States Armed Forces and reflects great credit upon the recipient and their military service. It is with great respect that the Native American Nations of the United States of America hereby present the Warriors Medal of Valor, we are grateful for your service. It is signed by Marshall Tall Eagle Serna, himself a Vietnam veteran who served a total of 14 years in the Army and Air Force. According to the groups website, the medal is presented to veterans and active duty personnel at various Native American events, regardless of the recipients cultural background.

Without honoring our veterans now, future generations will not understand the cost of freedom nor will they know what their fathers and grandfathers suffered so that they can have their present day liberty, the website says.

Ringering surmises that his Native American friend must have nominated him because of his involvement in combat situations in Vietnam and the Persian Gulf.

But thats not valorous service, he adds, thats just doing your job.

Ringering grew up in Edwardsville, on Hillsboro Avenue. He began walking to Columbus School in first grade, and continued walking to school for years. He also delivered the Intelligencer newspaper. Ive never seen any place that folds them in a square like we used to, he says.

After his retirement from the Navy, Ringering began working for Anheuser Busch but quit to take care of his parents when their health began to fail.

If my folks were still alive, he says, gesturing toward the medal, they would have gotten a kick out of this.
COLLINSVILLE  Illinois State Police District 11 Capt. Timothy Tyler has announced District 11 enforcement figures and activity for the month of December.

Illinois State Police District 11 Troopers issued 1,091 total citations and 1,060 written warnings during the month of December.

Speed violations accounted for 400 of those citations. Troopers issued 173 occupant restraint citations and 25 citations were issued for distracted driving violations.

Troopers investigated 277 traffic crashes and assisted 331 motorists. Troopers inspected 342 commercial vehicles with nine drivers and/or vehicles being placed out of service. There were 17 arrests for driving under the influence.

District 11, which encompasses Bond, Clinton, Madison, Monroe and St. Clair countries, had four traffic fatalities in the month of December.
EDWARDSVILLE  More than 30 Lutheran schools in the Metro East will celebrate National Lutheran Schools Week starting next week with service projects, special events, and open houses.

The week in events is from Sunday, Jan. 27 to Saturday, Feb. 2 and several schools will host a special Lutheran All Schools Winter Open House event Sunday, Jan. 27, at their respective campuses. Most will welcome visitors from 1-3 p.m., but times may vary. Though Metro East Lutheran High School observes the celebration, Trinity Lutheran School in Edwardsville has organized a number of activities as one of the participating schools in the Metro East. The most notable being the grade schools Trinity Olympics on Friday, where the school is divided into teams and competes in various challenges.
In the spirit of the new year, Ive been thinking a lot lately about where the University of Nebraska has been and where were headed next.

Many of us set resolutions this time of year. Its appropriate, then, that when I think about the students, faculty and staff I have the privilege of serving with every day, a word that comes to mind is resolve.

Its a word that captures the spirit of Nebraskans as a whole  people Ive come to know as unafraid of a challenge and willing to work together toward a shared vision.

At times, we are tested. That has been the case at the University of Nebraska in recent years.

Weve been through a period of fiscal stress, confronted with cuts that have impacted lives and the very structure of the organization. Like most universities, we have faced challenges related to enrollment, campus climate and student well-being. Weve had limited resources for priorities that are increasingly urgent and complex: infectious disease, hunger, terrorism, educational access.

It would have been easy for our faculty, staff and students to hunker down and wait for challenges to pass.

Instead, we put our foot on the accelerator.
SEBRING, Fla. (AP)  A gunman who opened fire inside a Florida bank Wednesday afternoon killed five people before surrendering to SWAT negotiators, police said.

Zephen Xaver, 21, was arrested after the shooting at a SunTrust branch, Sebring police Chief Karl Hoglund said at a news conference.

"Today's been a tragic day in our community," Hogland said. "We've suffered significant loss at the hands of a senseless criminal doing a senseless crime."

The victims were not immediately identified.

A man called police dispatch Wednesday afternoon and reported that he had fired shots inside the bank, Hoglund said. Initial negotiations failed to persuade the barricaded man to leave the bank, so the Highlands County Sheriff's Office SWAT team entered the building to continue negotiations, and the man eventually surrendered, he said.

Police didn't say what charges Xaver would face or indicate a motive.

Gov. Ron DeSantis was in the region for an infrastructure tour and traveled to Sebring after news of the shooting broke. He said the Florida Department of Law Enforcement would assist Sebring police and the Highlands sheriff's office in any way possible.
Considering becoming a foster parent? Want more information before you commit?

St. Francis Ministries Foster Care will be holding an informational meeting from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 29, at the Stolley Park Church of Christ located at 2822 W. Stolley Park Road, Grand Island.

The meeting will discuss how to become licensed, what training looks like, common misconceptions with foster care and about the need in the area.

For more information, contact BryAnna Brock, foster care homes recruiter for St. Francis Ministries, at (308) 380-9918.
On Saturday, at the Conestoga Mall in Grand Island, the Crane Trust will have a booth where the public can sign up to be volunteers. The booth will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Potential volunteers can learn about what it takes to become a volunteer during the crane season.

Another volunteer recruitment booth will be located at Central Community College in Grand Island on Tuesday. That booth will be open from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

On Feb. 9, starting at 8 a.m. at the Crane Trust Visitors and Nature Center, there will be an orientation day. There volunteers can learn more about their responsibilities and duties.

Wendy Bailey, director of finance and human resources, said there are usually about 30 volunteers who share the work load. But more than 40 have already signed up for this year.

Our message this year is that volunteers dont need to know everything about cranes, she said. We want volunteers to come out to help greet and guide people. You dont have to be a craneiac to do that.

Krohn said they highly value their volunteers during crane season.

We couldnt do it without them, he said.

We have such amazing volunteers, Bailey said.
St. Leos Church plans to host Family Night Holy Hour at 7 p.m. Sunday at the church at 2410 S. Blaine St. in Grand Island.

The Abide Eucharistic Adoration is an hour of passionate worship hymns, reflection and silent prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. Special intention will be for children and youths. Families are encouraged to come to be filled with the peace and power of being in the presence of God and bring family and friends.

Abide Eucharistic Adoration derives its name from the Bible verse, I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing.  John 15:5

Therapist to speak on impact of pornography on the brain

The Rev. Justin Hannemann, a licensed therapist and CEO of GracePoint Institute for Relational Health in Omaha, will speak on Sex, Tech and Your Brain on Feb. 2 at Peace Lutheran Church, 1710 N. North Road in Grand Island.

The presentation will be from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. in the fellowship hall (Entrance B) and is sponsored by Iron Men Ministry at Peace.
Grand Island police say they found three weapons, two of them loaded, inside a vehicle on a traffic stop Thursday night at West Second and North Tilden streets.

The two people inside the vehicle, Kody Prunty and Dakota Reinert, were arrested at about 11 p.m.

Their vehicle was pulled over for making an improper turn, said Grand Island Police Capt. Jim Duering.

During the stop, numerous rounds of loose and cased ammunition could be seen in the vehicle, police say. The odor of marijuana could be smelled from inside the vehicle.

In searching the car, police say they found a loaded and chambered handgun underneath the drivers seat and a loaded sawed-off shotgun underneath the passenger seat. A long rifle was found in the trunk.

Police found that two of the three guns had been reported stolen. However, both of them were stolen before either of our suspects were born, Duering said.

The men were not charged with possession of stolen firearms.

The handgun had been stolen in California in 1995, the shotgun in New York in 1968.

Stolen guns apparently cover some ground. They definitely made the rounds, Duering said.
The other difficulty is training new employees and keeping up our competency skills, Thomas said.

She said for employees who need specialized training, they partner with area hospitals, such as Grand Island, Hastings, Kearney and Lincoln, where those employees can update and add new skill care techniques.

We do this pretty regularly for preceptorships, observation experiences and training as well as getting that evidence-based research that can help keep up our skills on those things, Thomas said.

It is critical that we do that so we can keep all of our skills competent so we can take good care of our patients, Sandberg said.

To make sure that their employees keep their skills competent, Memorial provides ample training with fellowships, preceptorships, classes, online modules, simulation training, case studies and drills  some on site, others at collaborating facilities.

Both Thomas and Sandberg said the hospital has already delivered babies so far this new year. Last year, they had 35 births, down from the previous two years where the number of deliveries was about 40.
Ask any mayor of any city struggling to add to its population and chances are you will hear the same thing: Bigger is better. Growth is good. More residents bring increased tax revenues, an expanded labor force, new businesses, and more consumers to buy the goods and services those businesses produce.

A shrinking population, on the other hand, is often seen as an indicator that a citys overall health is in decline. People vote with their feet. If significant numbers are opting out, conditions  unemployment, violent crime, blighted housing, sub-standard schools  must be getting worse.

Population has become a shorthand barometer of a citys success. By that measure, Norwalk is booming. Nearly 90,000 people now live here, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Between 2010 and 2017, while most of Connecticuts population remained stagnant, Norwalk added about 4,000 people.

Numbers are easy to understand; the complex inner workings of a municipality less so, which may explain the difference between the way Norwalk is perceived by those bent on growing it and the way its experienced by those left to cope with that growth.

Sandy Schmidt, who left New York City for Norwalk, lured by its beautiful and funky qualities, is among the latter. As Schmidt put it, at a Planning Commission hearing this week on the citys Norwalk Plan of Conservation and Development, Norwalk is becoming a little Manhattan. Not in a good way.

She isnt alone. I dont agree with the theory that you have to continually add to the population in order to sustain your economy, former Common Council member Richard Bonefant said. Theres got to be a tipping point someplace.

With major development planned or under way in virtually every part of the city, its apparent that the tipping point  in the form of schools, roads, sewers, and the like  will soon be reached, if it hasnt already.

Meanwhile, the Harbor Management Commission, the Shellfish Commission, and the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection have all voiced concern that the plan gives short shrift to Long Island Sound and other natural resources.

The state-mandated POCD is being compiled by city staff, elected officials, planning and zoning commissioners, and various agencies and citizens groups. Transportation, recreation, housing, economic development, education, and resiliency are among the areas addressed.

The public has until Jan. 31 to add comments or concerns online at tomorrow.norwalkct.org. The document goes before the Planning Commission on Feb. 6, then on to the Common Council.

The POCD isnt the only plan in play. Theres also the Redevelopment Agencys Wall Street/West Avenue plan; the Parking Authoritys strategic plan, and the plan for the East Norwalk train station transit-oriented development. In areas of overlap, its unclear which plan will prevail.

This much is clear: Bigger isnt necessarily better. Its no guarantee of a better economy, education, commute, or quality of life. Somewhere between growth and stagnation lies a sweet spot, where cities and city-dwellers can thrive.
NORWALK  Grace Lichtenstein, a champion of conservation and preservation efforts in Norwalk for nearly three decades, died early Thursday at age 96.

She was the sort of the unofficial mayor of Rowayton, said former Norwalk Mayor Bill Collins.

Lichtenstein, Collins said, was a kingmaker of sorts; if a politician wanted Rowaytons support, they had to go through her.

I dont think I could have gotten elected without her, Collins said. Rowayton was mostly Republican then, but she had so many friends there who so respected her, that when she came out strongly for me, it helped pull a few votes across the line and helped me get in.

She was born to a poor family in Belmont, N.C., in 1922. After graduating from the University of North Carolina-Asheville, Lichtenstein moved to Rowayton in 1946, where her inimitable Southern charm and diplomatic manner quickly endeared her to the surrounding community.

I never met a person who didnt love her, said Francis Fay, a former Norwalk Hour reporter who lived next to Lichtenstein on Rowayton Avenue for nearly 50 years.

When she came to Rowayton, it was mostly Republican. But she came to town and moved the Democratic wagons down there and by the time she left, Rowayton was largely Democratic, he said.

With her significant political pull came appointments to important local and state agencies, and elective offices for her and her supporters.

From 1977 to 1981, Lichtenstein, a lifelong Democrat, served on Norwalks Common Council. In 1983, she became the first female to be elected as a commissioner of Norwalk's Sixth Taxing District.

As the chairman of the Planning and Zoning Commission in the 1980s, Lichtenstein was one of the driving forces behind the revitalization of South Norwalk. Along with other preservationists, Lichtenstein pushed back against calls to raze the historic buildings of South Norwalk to the ground and start anew.

Using progressive zoning regulations and code enforcement, Collins said, Lichtenstein protected the neighborhoods historic aspects, but her efforts to restore it didnt stop there.

She was always encouraging people from Rowayton to go up there to eat at these new restaurants opening up in these old buildings, and it really worked. Back then, South Norwalk had a terrible reputation, it was thought to be dirty, crime- and poverty-ridden and a place you dont go, and she helped a great deal with turning that perception around, Collins said.

Lichtenstein stayed politically active up to the point she moved into the assisted living facility at Waveny Care Center, and then some after.

When Mike Barbis, who now serves of chairman of the Board of Education, first considered running for elected office, it was Lichtenstein who took him under her wing and granted him some of her sage advice.

She was the grande dame of Rowayton, so when she spoke, you listened, Barbis said.

Barbis said he became Lichtensteins protege, going to her for advice on how build a solid constituency and see things through.

She just knew how to get things done, he said.

In her later years, Barbis would visit Lichtenstein at the assisted living facility when time allowed. Even in her worsening condition  she was diagnosed with Parkinsons disease in the early 2000s  Barbis said she was eager to keep up to date on the happenings in Rowayton and around the city.

Marilyn Deraney, a dear friend of Lichtenstein and a caretaker to her in her final years, called Lichtenstein a consummate diplomat up until her final breath.

Never one to approach election season sitting down, Lichtenstein formed a coalition for Barack Obama while at Waveny Care Center in 2008.

Everyone there is basically rich and Republican, but somehow she found a group of people and converted them to Obama voters. Thats just the type of person she was, Deraney said.

As of Friday, there are no plans to hold a service for Lichtenstein. But, though her will expressly forbade it, her remaining friends are strong considering organizing some sort of event to celebrate her life.

Grace always said she didnt want a service, but the Grace isnt here now and the community deserves to have a service for Grace, Collins said.
NORWALK  A Norwalk woman and several friends and family members are raising money to help send people who are living with or have survived cancer on high-adventure trips with the organization First Descents.

One of the organizers, Lois Benfield of Norwalk, lost her daughter, Annie Fuller, to breast cancer, but saw her life change after becoming involved with the group. She wants others confronting cancer to have the opportunity and support, and shared her familys story with Hearst Connecticut Media.

Benfield remembers the Friday after Thanksgiving 2014 like it was yesterday.

Her daughter had come to her to reveal a small lump under her arm. An occupational health nurse for more than 40 years, Benfield encouraged her daughter to seek a doctors opinion. When Fuller returned, She said, Mom, they think I have cancer.

After undergoing surgery in Manhattan, Fuller found out the breast cancer had spread to her lymph nodes.

Being a nurse, I had never heard of triple negative breast cancer, Benfield said. In reading about it I realized just how aggressive it was and the statistics werent great.

After months of chemo and weeks of radiation, Fuller went into remission, but in August 2016, she discovered another lump on her neck. It was malignant.

Thats when the doctor said youll be on chemotherapy for the rest of your life, and she was, Benfield said. When you see your daughter struggling and in pain, it breaks your heart. You wish it was you rather than her, but Annie made it easy for us. She was very strong, and she never complained and thats what helped me.

Fuller attended a small support group in downtown Manhattan and Benfield said her daughters life changed when another participant mentioned First Descents, a nonprofit that organizes adventure trips for young adults with cancer.

In February 2016, Fuller traveled with the group to go ice climbing in Colorado. In June 2017, she took a second trip to upstate New York to go caving and whitewater rafting.

She said it was lifechanging for her, Benfield said. She came back with, I think, a renewed strength and determination. She also got everlasting friendships. They shared a common bond. Until she died she kept in touch with people from First Descents.

Founded in 2001 by professional kayaker Brad Ludden, First Descents offers free full week, multiday and single-day outdoor adventure programs to people aged 18 to 39 who are living with or have survived cancer. The most popular trips include surfing, kayaking, rock climbing and ice climbing, but participants also have gone backpacking, windsurfing and caving. In 2019, the group will start scheduling mountain biking trips.

First Descents staff have led international trips to Italy, Thailand, Iceland and Bali. Trips in the U.S. have included Colorado, Montana and the Carolinas.

An upcoming weeklong trip to Sayulita, Mexico, begins Feb. 24 and consists of a weeklong surfing, paddle boarding, zip lining and snorkeling adventure. While aboard a yacht that serves as home base, participants will cruise the coast of Puerto Vallarta with meals, campfires and relaxation, according to the First Descents website. Organic chefs and medical personnel travel on trips with the participants, Benfield said.

More than 60,000 young adults aged 20 to 39 are diagnosed with cancer each year in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society. About four percent of all cancers are diagnosed in people in this age range.

First Descents has a unique approach of targeting people aged 18 to 39, said Kristin Haq, 37, nicknamed Queen on a First Descents trip she attended.

At that age range youre either in college starting a career, getting married, going backpacking. At that point in anyones life ideally, youd have the world at your fingertips, she said. However, This can completely  and it often times does derail someone  and all of your focus is on the disease and on doctors appointments and everything that the normal 18- to 39-year-old goes through when youre a cancer patient. Its just a giant hiccup and roller-coaster ride and First Descents is really in tune with making things fun but if youre not feeling it they wont push you.

After the initial First Descents trip, participants become part of an alumni group, but the road doesnt end there. First Descents staff plan trips in areas where alumni live so they can continue to bond.

In 2019, 1,500 people will experience a First Descents trip, according to the nonprofits director of advancement, Ray Shedd, an Ashford, Connecticut native.

Benfield is raising money for young New Englanders so they can experience the uniqueness of the program. From 4 to 7 p.m. April 28, she and others are hosting a fundraising event at the Shore & Country Club, 220 Gregory Blvd., Norwalk. It includes a live auction, silent auction, a magician, cocktails, music and hors doeuvres. RSVP are mandatory, and donations are welcome. Tickets are $75 and can be purchased online at support.firstdescents.org/magic. Benfield and her committee have raised about $25,000 of their $100,000 goal.

I am such a firm believer in what theyre doing because these young adults, boy they go through a lot, said Jean DiNatale of Greenwich, a fiend Benfield who is also on the committee.

DiNatale is helping Benfield reach out to oncologists at hospitals and asking they spread the word about First Descents to their patients. The two women hope their efforts will show others surviving cancer that theyre not alone.
GREENWICH  When Carol, who recently graduated from high school, lost her mother unexpectedly last month, she had to put college on hold to take care of her father. Her family is struggling to cover the funeral costs.

Pete, a public housing resident who receives a disability pension, scraped to support his family after his wife lost her job. Their financial problems compounded when one of his twin daughters underwent major surgery.

Maribel emigrated from the Dominican Republic about a year ago to be with her children. She has HIV and breast cancer, and recently had a mastectomy. Despite looking for work, shes had trouble finding a job. The $220 fee required to submit an Immigrant Visa Packet in order to stay in the country with her family was out of reach for Maribel.

Carol, Pete, Maribel and more than 80 other Greenwich and Stamford residents in need will soon receive community donations to help them meet basic needs to survive.

This whole drive was an absolute success this year, said Bill Brucker, vice president of Family Centers, a nonprofit that serves at-risk children and families in Fairfield County.

For decades, Greenwich Time and the Stamford Advocate have run short stories about people and families who are in need of a helping hand during the holidays. The vignettes include the amount needed to meet their basic needs for a program known as the Giving Fund. Two local nonprofits  Family Centers and Neighbor to Neighbor, which collected the case stories  will ensure each family gets its individual donations after the Giving Fund raised more than $50,000 this year.

We are so grateful to the community, who stepped up to help those in situational crises, especially during the holiday season, said Ceci Maher, executive director of nonprofit Person to Person, which helps families move toward stability.

The individualized stories of the needs of many living on the brink of poverty help to raise awareness of the needs of underserved populations in an affluent area, Brucker said.

Living here in Fairfield County, a lot of us are blessed with great jobs and resources, he said. These stories shine a light on the fact that there is a significant need right in our own community.

Because of the Giving Fund, Carol will get a check for $800 to help cover her mothers funeral costs. Pete and his family will receive $500 to pay down mounting medical bills. And Maribel will get the $220 she needs to stay in the U.S.
BRIDGEPORT  Zuele, billed as the oldest howler monkey in captivity, died earlier this week at age 32, according to an announcement from Connecticuts Beardsley Zoo.

The zoo said Zuele died Monday, having far exceeded the average life-span for howler monkeys, which is between 16 and 20 years.

Zuele was a very charismatic animal, who touched not only her many caretakers over the years but guests as well, said zoo Curator Rob Tomas. Zuele would greet her caretakers every morning with a howler chirp, saying good morning, and was always happy to interact with staff.

When Zuele turned 32 last May 27, the zoo threw a birthday celebration, including a cake made of her favorite fruits.

Tomas said even when previous staff members visited, theyd always stop by to see Zuele because of her unusual personality for a black and gold howler monkey.

They are typically shy and not likely to interact with humans, but Zuele liked to sit in front of her habitat and engage guests  offering high-fives by putting her hand up to the enclosures glass.

Zuele has left a positive impact on all of us, and will be truly missed, Tomas said.

Her age set her apart from other howler monkeys, including her companions in the zoos Rainforest Building  Kim and Cain. But her age also left her suffering from some of the same geriatric problems humans deal with, including arthritis and loss of bone density and muscle mass.

The zoos medical team and her animal care staff kept a constant eye on her and gave her attention to make sure she lived her long life in comfort, the zoo said.

Zuele was one of the most beloved animals in our zoo family, said Gregg Dancho, director of the Beardsley Zoo. I will certainly miss going by her habitat and having her give me her smile every time I asked her for it.

Howler monkeys, which are indigenous to Latin America, are the loudest animals in the New World, with a guttural howl that can travel for 3 miles through a dense forest, the zoo said. The species is under pressure from loss of habitat and being hunted for meat and for export for the illegal pet trade.
Progress on the Westlake trail is moving forward as Franklin County recently began negotiations with consulting firms to design the trails 2-mile loop.

County staff joined A. Morton Thomas and Associates Inc. of Christiansburg in walking the proposed route earlier this month. Lisa Cooper, principal planner for Franklin County, said the county currently is seeking cost estimates from four firms to design the trail. We are right at the beginning, she said.

The trail will be paid for through a Federal Lands Access Grant awarded to Booker T. Washington National Monument and Franklin County. The purpose of the $600,000 grant is to provide better access to federal lands through funding for alternative ways to access the parks, such as public trails.

Work on the trail is progressing after being delayed for several months last year. The Virginia Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration first had to approve the project before it could continue.

Cooper said once a design firm is chosen, construction could begin later this year. We hope to go out for construction bids by the fall of 2019, she said.
Cline said Franklin Memorial will also continue to treat those who come to the emergency department.

While the Medicaid expansion is in its early stages, Cline said he did not expect a major increase in patient load or staffing levels. Instead, the hospital may see a change in the types of care patients seek, and an increase in the percentage of patients with health insurance.

To use the ED [Emergency Department] for example, Cline explained, the ED is staffed and well prepared from a triage standpoint. The Medicaid expansion will not increase the patient levels in high acuity [patients with acute, or life-threatening, health issues], but it will increase the types of patients we see in terms of sore throats and colds and my leg has been hurting for the past couple of weeks. We may see an increase in those types of patients, and we will manage those patients the same way we manage them now. Well take care of them just as we do now.

Another thing applicants should keep in mind, Proctor added, is that the Medicaid work requirement may take up to two years to implement.

The Medicaid expansion was part of the Affordable Care Act, which originally mandated all states to expand Medicaid, but the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2012 that expansion was optional. Virginia legislators debated expansion for five years before reaching an agreement last year that includes Medicaid recipients to fulfill a work requirement. That will be phased in over the next two years, pending a federal waiver allowing the state to impose restrictions on the federal Medicaid program.
They have seeds. They have antique furniture. They have bathtubs, sinks, tile, varnish, fixtures and cabinets. And, they have regular shoppers.

What the Habitat for Humanity of Franklin County does not have are enough volunteers and funding to build homes on the organizations 11 properties.

However, Board of Directors President John Wilson and Vice President Joe Ferrara are working to change that by breathing new life into the store and getting the word out on proposed changes. Since its incorporation in 1994, Franklin County Habitat built 21 homes, refurbished two, and made 25 critical home repairs, but efforts stalled three years after the organization switched from using volunteers to contractors in order to meet new building codes.

The switch was too expensive and may have alienated volunteers, donors and board members, explained Ferrara and Wilson. They want to return to the traditional model of using donated supplies and volunteer workers. Theyre also seeking volunteers for the store, a paid executive director, additional board members and a new store location.

What our vision is for tomorrow and the next three years is to have a new store presence and also to get to the point where we can start building on properties, Ferrara said. We have a lot to do before that.
It was quickly becoming the worst day of my life. A seventh-grader at Franklin County Middle School, I was being dragged by my shirt collar down the hallway toward the principals office.

Id always been a good student. Never skipped a class. Never teased a bully (Id have received an ass-whoopin if I had). Never talked back to a teacher. But the times, as they say, were a-changin. Id been receiving more privileges at home. I had a few whisps of peach fuzz above my upper lip. I was beginning to notice the fairer gender. It was time to rebel a little.

The bad boys at our school in 1977 would visit the boys room not only to drain the main vein, but also to fill up their airways with tobacco smokethrilling in the forbidden taste and aroma of cigarettes. One studentno doubt an upperclassman (in eighth grade)would light up a cig hed likely stolen from his dad, and then pass it down a line of anxiously waiting young rebel-wannabes.

My buddy Jeffrey Naff and I were in that line that day. Innocent and curious, we were anxiously awaiting our first inhalations of adulthood. My friend took a puff and then passed the forbidden object on to me.

Thats when the bathroom door suddenly swung open and in walked Assistant Principal Jesse Goode.
Woman Dies After Being Found Frozen to Ground in Hospital Parking Garage: Officials

Officials in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, said they are investigating the death of a woman who was found frozen to the ground in a parking lot near Froedtert Memorial Hospital.

According to WISN, the sheriffs office and the medical examiners office are looking into the womans death.

Deputies responded at around 3:43 a.m. on Jan. 25, amid reports of a woman trapped beneath a vehicle.

A death investigation is underway after a woman was found trapped and frozen under a vehicle in a parking structure at Froedtert Hospital. https://t.co/GQEjzp1O2y  MyCommunityNow (@MyCommunityNOW) January 25, 2019

When they arrived at the West Parking Structure of Froedtert Memorial Hospital, they found a car that had crashed into a wall, but no one inside.

A woman was found bleeding from the head under the car. The Wauwatosa Fire Department was called to help free the woman, who was not identified in media reports.

She was unconscious with a weak pulse, said paramedics.

BREAKING: We're working to find out more information.  WISN 12 NEWS  2019125

The Journal-Sentinel reported that she was thawed before paramedics transported her.

The woman was removed from beneath the vehicle and was transported to Froedterts trauma center, but she was later pronounced dead at 4:21, stated Faithe Colas, director of public affairs with the Milwaukee County Sheriff Office.

An investigation into her death is underway.

On Dec. 28, a man was found dead on the Milwaukee County Grounds near a lagoon close to Froedtert hospital. His cause of death wasnt revealed, the Journal-Sentinel reported.

Other details about the womans case were not released.

The Mystery of Minnesota Woman Who Was Frozen Stiff for Hours

In 1980, a Minnesota 19-year-old named Jean Hilliard was literally frozen stiff for several hours in subzero temperatures. No, it isnt a hoax. Hilliard collapsed on a 22-below-zero night as she was trying to seek shelter after a car accident.

Six hours later, she was found frozen solid and was brought to a hospital.

Snopes, the hoax-debunking website, rated the story of Hilliard as true. And according to the Montreal Gazette in one of the first reports published at the time: She breathed shallowly two or three times a minute and her heart beat faintly eight times a minute. Dr. George Sather said that I thought she was dead, but then we picked up an extremely faint whimper. We knew there was a person existing then.'

There was no evidence of a pulse or blood pressure, Sathers brother, Dr. Edgar Sather, told the paper at the time. Her body was too frozen to find a vein to get a pulse.

I cant explain why shes alive, said Dr. Sather, who helped treat the woman. She was frozen stiff, literally. Its a miracle.

About a month and a half later, Hilliard walked out of the hospital alive and healthy.

Sather added: The reaction didnt appear until two or three hours after she started thawing out. The body was cold, completely solid, just like a piece of meat out of a deep freeze. Many of the stories about her recovery say that electric heating pads and oxygen tanks were responsible.
Shiyu, or Lion Islet, which is part of Kinmen county, one of Taiwan's offshore islands, is seen in front of China's Xiamen, on Lieyu island, Kinmen county, Taiwan on Aug. 20, 2018. (Tyrone Siu/Reuters)

US Warships Pass Through Taiwan Strait

TAIPEIThe United States sent two warships through the Taiwan Strait on Jan. 24 in the first such operation this year, the Taiwan government said, as it increases the frequency of transits through the strategic waterway to the concern of China.

The passage by the U.S. ships will likely be viewed in Taiwan as a sign of support from U.S. President Donald Trumps government amid growing friction between the self-ruled island and Beijing.

China considers Taiwan as its own and has not ruled out the use of force to bring it under its control.

Taiwans defense ministry said in a statement late on Thursday the ships were moving in a northerly direction through the waterway that separates Taiwan from the Chinese mainland and that their voyage was in accordance with regulations.

It said Taiwan closely monitored the operation to ensure the security of the seas and regional stability.

The United States sent ships through the waterway three times last year.

Despite Chinese military technological advances that pose an increased threat to U.S. warships, the U.S. Navy has said it has not ruled out sending an aircraft carrier through the strait, something it has not done in more than 10 years.

In Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said China closely monitored the U.S. ships through the waters, and had expressed concern to the U.S. side, urging it to abide by the one China policy.

China has stepped up pressure on Taiwan since President Tsar Ing-wen, from the pro-independence ruling party, took office in 2016. It has regularly sent military aircraft and ships to circle the island on drills in the past few years.

Beijing sent several bombers and aircraft through the Bashi Channel, which separates Taiwan from the Philippines, earlier on Thursday, Taiwans defense ministry said in a separate statement.

A similar Chinese operation was conducted on Tuesday, the ministry said, and both were monitored closely.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping said in early January China reserves the right to use force to bring Taiwan under its control. In response, Tsai vowed to defend the islands democracy and called for international support to protect Taiwans way of life.

Trump recently signed into law the Asia Reassurance Initiative Act reaffirming the U.S. commitment to Taiwan, including arms sales.

The United States has no formal ties with Taiwan, but it is bound by law to help the island defend itself and is its main source of arms.

By Yimou Lee
A staff member removes the Iranian flag from the stage during the Iran nuclear talks at the Vienna International Center in Vienna, Austria July 14, 2015. (REUTERS/Carlos Barria/File Photo

US Sanctions Hit Iran-Backed Airlines, Fighters in Syria

The United States targeted two Iran-backed foreign fighter militias in Syria and two airlines that help send weapons to Syria in fresh sanctions Jan. 24 as Washington prepares for a military withdrawal from the war-torn country.

All four groups are linked to Irans Mahan Air and Irans elite military unit, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force, both of which are already blacklisted, the U.S. Treasury Department said in a statement.

The Fatemiyoun Division and Zaynabiyoun Brigade, Afghan and Pakistani groups respectively, are being designated for providing material support to the IRGC-QF, the statement said.

Treasurys targeting of Iran-backed militias and other foreign proxies is part of our ongoing pressure campaign to shut down the illicit networks the regime uses to export terrorism and unrest across the globe, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement.

Since President Donald Trump announced that Washington will withdraw its roughly 2,000 troops in Syria, the administration has tried to allay concerns that ISIS soldiers could stage a comeback in the region, or that Iran and Russia will benefit from the U.S. departure.

The United States imposed sanctions on Mahan Air in 2011, saying it provided financial and other support to Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guards.

Treasury said Iran-based Qeshm Fars Air was designated for being owned or controlled by Mahan Air and for providing material support to the Quds Force. Armenia-based Flight Travel LLC acts for or on behalf of Mahan Air, which transports Iran-allied personnel and weapons to Syria, Treasury said.

Sigal Mandelker, undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, said Treasury is aggressively targeting groups that support Mahan air.

Iran continues to leverage Mahan Air and its commercial aviation sector to transport individuals and weapons needed to carry out this tragic campaign and to fuel sectarian conflict throughout the region, she said in the statement.

Reporting by Doina Chiacu and Tim Ahmann.
U.S. embassy employees and their families prepare to depart Simon Bolivar international airport in La Guaira, Venezuela, on Jan. 25, 2019. (Rodrigo Abd/AP Photo)

US Orders Some Diplomats out of Venezuela

The State Department has ordered non-essential diplomats and staff at the U.S. Embassy in Venezuela to leave the country. Some U.S. diplomats in Venezuela headed for the Caracas airport on Jan. 25.

A letter by a U.S. Embassy security officer requesting a police escort for a caravan of 10 vehicles was leaked earlier in the day and published on social media by a journalist for state-owned TV network Telesur. Its authenticity was confirmed by a U.S. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive security arrangements.

The diplomats were likely to leave Caracas around midday on one of two daily flights to Miami by American Airlines, the last-remaining U.S. carrier to serve Venezuela after Delta and United Airlines pulled out in 2017 amid a political crisis that has forced millions to flee the country.

The department says its taking the step for security reasons and that the embassy in Caracas will stay open.

The move follows the Trump administrations rejection of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduros order to break relations with the United States and for American diplomats to depart by the weekend.

U.S. will conduct diplomatic relations with #Venezuela through the government of interim President Guaido. U.S. does not recognize the #Maduro regime. U.S. does not consider former president Maduro to have the legal authority to break diplomatic relations. https://t.co/DBS4GiGEWI pic.twitter.com/gQZJuS1xfn  Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) January 24, 2019

The administration says Maduros order isnt legal because the United States no longer recognizes him as Venezuelas legitimate leader.

On Jan. 23, President Donald Trump recognized the opposition leader and head of Venezuelas parliament as the interim president. That prompted Maduro to sever relations with Washington.

Today @POTUS announced the U.S. officially recognizes Juan Guaido as the Interim President of Venezuela. To @JGuaido & the people of Venezuela: America stands with you & we will continue to stand with you until #Libertad is restored! pic.twitter.com/4W3hlGplql  Vice President Mike Pence (@VP) January 23, 2019

The two countries havent exchanged ambassadors in nearly a decade, but they have maintained diplomatic staff.

Speaking from an undisclosed location, Guaido told Univision he would consider granting amnesty to Maduro and his allies if they helped return Venezuela to democracy.

Amnesty is on the table, said Guaido, who just weeks earlier was named head of the opposition-controlled congress. Those guarantees are for all those who are willing to side with the constitution to recover the constitutional order.

Besides the United States, Canada, much of Latin America and many countries in Europe threw their support behind Guaido. Trump promised to use the full weight of U.S. economic and diplomatic power to push for the restoration of Venezuelas democracy.

The United States has officially requested an open meeting of the U.N. Security Council on Saturday to discuss the ongoing crisis in Venezuela.

South Africas U.N. Ambassador Jerry Matjila said earlier that U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had asked to discuss the political situation with the U.N.s most powerful body. He said the consultations would be behind closed doorsnot open.

The U.S. Mission to the United Nations tweeted Thursday that it requested a meeting Saturday morning.

Venezuela is not on the Security Council agenda and the U.S. needs the support of at least nine of the 15 council nations to hold a meeting. Diplomats said the council has not yet discussed the U.S. request.
Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh citys Vietnam - Australia Friendship Association Luong Van Ly addresses the meeting. (Photo: hcmcpv.org.vn)

Addressing the meeting, Chairman of the citys Vietnam - Australia Friendship Association Luong Van Ly said that over the past years, the friendly and cooperative relationship between Vietnam and Australia had been reinforced and developed in all areas, including politics, economics, trade, investment, security - defence, culture, education and tourism, especially since the establishment of the comprehensive partnership in September 2009.

In trade, Vietnam is Australias 5th partner among ASEAN member countries, while Australia is Vietnams 7th largest trade partner, with two-way trade turnover increasing by over 7% each year, at USD5.72 billion as of September 2018. There are 425 Australian projects worth over USD1.84 billion in Vietnam, ranking 19 of 128 countries and territories investing in Vietnam. Meanwhile, Vietnamese investors are carrying out 47 FDI projects worth USD255.8 million in Australia.

During the meeting, Australian Consul-General to Ho Chi Minh city Julianne Cowley stressed the friendly and cooperative relationship between Australia and Vietnam in general, and between Australian people and Ho Chi Minh citys people, had continued to develop in all areas, adding that Australia hoped to increase cooperation with Vietnam, especially in education and training, infrastructure and agriculture.

She expressed her hope that VUFO and the Vietnam - Australia Friendship Association in Ho Chi Minh city will work closely with the Australian Consulate General in carrying out cooperative activities, thus bringing benefits to the two peoples./.
Trump Says Deal Reached to Briefly Reopen Government

President Donald Trump announced on Jan. 25 that he had reached a deal with Congress to reopen the government for 21 days, giving lawmakers a window to negotiate a bipartisan bill that would fund a wall on the southern border. If no measure is passed by Feb. 15, Trump says he will use the executive power afforded to him by the Constitution to secure funding for the border wall.

The president made the announcement 36 days after a partial government shutdown began in December as a result of a standoff between the president and Democratic leaders over funding for a border wall. The reopening of the government, once approved by Congress, would mean that 800,000 federal workers will receive the pay they missed during the longest furlough in U.S. history.

A construction crew installs new sections of the U.S.-Mexico border barrier replacing smaller fences on Jan. 11, 2019 as seen from Tijuana, Mexico. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

I will make sure that all employees receive their back-pay very quickly, as soon as possible, Trump said, praising those who have endured without pay.

I am so proud that you are citizens of our countrywhen I say Make America Great Again, it could never be done without you.

Democratic leaders in Congress have refused to negotiate funding for a border wall while the government is closed. Trumps move is a temporary concession that returns the spotlight back on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.

Democrats have been saying for weeks theyll negotiate on wall funding when the government is open. POTUS is now giving them yet ANOTHER opportunity to come to the table, Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.) wrote on Twitter.

Democrats have been saying for weeks theyll negotiate on wall funding when the government is open. POTUS is now giving them yet ANOTHER opportunity to come to the table. Americans will be able to judge for themselves whether Democrats are truly serious about securing our border.  Mark Meadows (@RepMarkMeadows) January 25, 2019

Americans will be able to judge for themselves whether Democrats are truly serious about securing our border.

Pelosi did not immediately issue a statement in response to Trump. Schumer praised the president for reopening the government, noting that the debate on funding for a border wall will restart.

The longest shutdown in American history will finally end. The president has agreed to our request to open the government then debate border security, Schumer wrote on Twitter. This is great news for 800,000 federal workers & millions of Americans who depend on government services.

The longest shutdown in American history will finally end. The president has agreed to our request to open the government then debate border security. This is great news for 800,000 federal workers & millions of Americans who depend on government services. https://t.co/lXuepIC2kJ  Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) January 25, 2019

Trump is demanding $5.7 billion in funds for a border wall, his signature campaign promise. Those funds are part of a comprehensive border security package requested by experts from the Department of Homeland Security. The package includes funding for more border patrol agents, immigration judges, and scanning equipment at ports of entries.

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), flanked by Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.), left, and Rep. Anthony Brown, (D-Md.), talks to reporters after signing a House-passed bill requiring that all government workers receive retroactive pay after the partial shutdown ends, at the Capitol in Washington on Jan. 11, 2019. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP)

Trump asked Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to put the temporary compromise legislation on the Senate floor as soon as possible. Once the government is reopened, a bipartisan committee of House and Senate lawmakers will work together to draft a bill that works for both the president and Democrat leaders, Trump said.

This is an opportunity for all parties to work together for the benefit of our whole beautiful nation, Trump said.

On Jan. 24, the Senate failed to pass dueling bills put forth by Republican and Democrat lawmakers. Six Senate Republicans voted against the GOP bill, which would fund the border wall. The Democrat bill, which would reopen the government without wall funding, fell eight votes short of the 60 votes needed to pass a spending measure.

A Border Patrol Agent takes down information of a man and his son who crossed the Rio Grande River from Mexico into the United States in Hidalgo County, Texas, on May 26, 2017. (Benjamin Chasteen/The Epoch Times)

Republicans hold a 53-47 majority in the Senate and need at least seven Democrats to pass any spending bill. At least 7 Democratic Senators have expressed support for a border wall, according to a tally compiled by Republican Senator Bill Cassidy (R-La.)

[They have] finally and fully acknowledged that having barriers, fencing  will be an important part of the solution, Trump said.

Trump stressed that the situation on the southern border is a serious threat to national security, pointing to the massive flow of illicit drugs, gangs, and human trafficking.

The requests we have put before Congress are vital to ending the humanitarian crisis on the Southern border, Trump said. This crisis threatens the safety of our country.

The president said that funding a border wall would have a great impact on the economy and reduce crime.

I believe crime in this country can go down by a massive percentage if we have great security on our southern border, Trump said.
Former campaign adviser for President Donald Trump, Roger Stone walks out of the federal courthouse following a hearing in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on Jan. 25, 2019. (Lynne Sladky/AP Photo)

Trump Denounces Recorded Arrest of Roger Stone as CNN Scrambles to Explain

President Donald Trump denounced the arrest of Roger Stone, who briefly worked on his campaign in 2015.

Stone was arrested at his home in Florida by a bevy of heavily armed FBI agents. The arrest was captured live by CNN.

Greatest Witch Hunt in the History of our Country! NO COLLUSION! Border Coyotes, Drug Dealers, and Human Traffickers are treated better, Trump said via Twitter on Jan. 25, hours after the pre-dawn arrest.

He added: Who alerted CNN to be there?

Greatest Witch Hunt in the History of our Country! NO COLLUSION! Border Coyotes, Drug Dealers and Human Traffickers are treated better. Who alerted CNN to be there?  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 25, 2019

CNN, which has become openly hostile to Trump, tried to explain how its reporters knew the arrest was impending while claiming no law enforcement officials leaked info.

It was the result of determined reporting and interpreting clues, CNN Communications responded on Twitter.

The statement linked to an interview with David Shortell, listed as a crime and justice producer. Shortell didnt explain how CNN knew to be at the scene.

Other CNN employees claimed that Shortell noted some activity in Washington and hopped on a plane.

Shortell noted some unusual activity with grand jury in DC yesterday, trusted his instincts, got on a plane and made it to Stones house in time to catch the FBI going in, claimed Kate Bennett, a CNN reporter.

There was unusual grand jury activity yesterday so decided to stake outa decision any other reporter/outlet could have made, said MJ Lee, another CNN reporter.

Shortell in another clip aired on CNN claimed that the unusual activity was that the grand jury met on Thursday this week when it typically meets on Friday, though he admitted that other information played a role.

Robert Muellers grand jury typically meets on Fridays. Yesterday, Thursday, there was grand jury activity, Shortell explained. We also had some other signs that maybe something was going on this angle, the Roger Stone angle. So we showed up at his house this morning, we were the only ones there, and lo and behold the FBI agents did come and arrest him.

It is no conspiracy  CNN either acted on a tipor had been camped out there (either is good journalism.) What is most interesting is why it was a raid and not a surrender. Fear of flight or destruction of evidence or prosecutors really not like Stone? https://t.co/zxPtxUzzWE  Greta Van Susteren (@greta) January 25, 2019

But a number of analysts and reporters said that it appeared CNN was tipped off. A law enforcement leak to the media regarding the arrest would be wrong, they said.

Regardless of what anyone thinks of Stone, this isnt ok. The government shouldnt be tipping off media outlets to add to the humiliation of citizens arrested in their homes for the amusement of the mob, said Buck Sexton, a Hill host.

You dont have to be a Roger Stone fan to be horrified by the stunt the FBI pulled off in conspiring with CNN this morning. The completely unnecessary raid is a routine that is straight out of a third-world police state. There is no defense of such an excessive show of force, added Jordan Schachtel, a foreign policy and national security analyst for Conservative Review.

President needs to have the FBI director in front of his desk this morning explaining exactly why an American citizen was assaulted by a SWAT team with tipped off cable news cameras. He should ask for the written safety analysis that showed this was required. There isnt one, added Townhall columnist Kurt Schlichter.

Regardless of what anyone thinks of Stone, this isnt ok. The government shouldnt be tipping off media outlets to add to the humiliation of citizens arrested in their homes for the amusement of the mob https://t.co/nNAsa0T0in  Buck Sexton (@BuckSexton) January 25, 2019

No matter how one paints it CNN had special treatment to get access to the raidas a volunteer member of law enforcement in VA, media, even if tipped off would not be allowed to be anywhere near the execution of a raidthis was a dramatic set up allowed by the FBI, said Tony Shaffer, a retired U.S. Army Reserve Lieutenant Colonel.

Stone is the latest person charged through Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who was appointed in May 2017 to investigate allegations of collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia.

Stone was arrested on accusations of making false statements, obstructing an official proceeding, and witness tampering.

The indictment against Stone does not allege that Stone or anyone in the Trump campaign colluded with Russia. Mueller has indicted several Trump-campaign associates but has not charged anyone for colluding with Russia.

After being released on bond on Friday afternoon, Stone said that hell plead not guilty and that he was falsely accused.

Epoch Times reporter Ivan Pentchoukov contributed to this report.

From NTD News
President Donald Trump speaks to reporters on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington on Jan. 14, 2019. (Holly Kellum/NTD)

Trump Criticizes Cortezs 70 Percent Tax Proposal in Comments on Venezuela

President Donald Trump criticized socialist policies proposed by political opponents in his latest remarks on Venezuela on Jan. 24specifically, taking aim at the 70 percent tax rate for the wealthy that was proposed by Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.).

Trump made these remarks when speaking at the meeting with Republican members of Congress on the United States Reciprocal Trade Act. He was asked by a member of the press about the crisis in Venezuela.

The socialist South American country has been making headlines over the past few days after its dictator, Nicolas Maduro, refused to step down over mounting international pressure. The United States refuses to recognize him as the Venezuelan leader because of a fraudulent election and instead officially recognized his opponent, Juan Guaido, as the interim president. The country has since spiraled into political chaos, exacerbated by its failing economy.

In retaliation, Maduro has ordered all Venezuelan diplomats home from the United States and is closing its embassy, while the United States is seeking to cut off all funding to Maduros regime. An exiled Venezuelan Supreme Court chairman Justice Miguel Angel Martin told The Epoch Times in a previous report that Maduro is a former president and the Venezuelan military should fulfill their duty and detain Maduro.

Trump called the crisis in Venezuela a very, very sad situation and took the opportunity to comment on political opponents that want to enact similar policies in the United States.

Well, were looking at Venezuela. Its a very sad situation, Trump said. That was the richest state in all of that area. Thats a big, beautiful area, and by far the richest. And now its one of the poorest places in the world.

Thats what socialism gets you when they want to raise your taxes to 70 percent, he added.

You know, its interesting, Ive been watching our opponentsour future opponentstalking about 70 percent, he said. Number one, they cant do it for 70 percent. Its got to be probably twice that number. But, maybe more importantly, what happens is, you really have to study and take a look at whats happened to Venezuela.

He added that the United States is watching Venezuela very closely.

Ocasio-Cortezs Radical Tax Plan

The 70 percent tax rate Trump referred to was proposed by 29-year-old Ocasio-Cortezthe youngest woman ever elected to Congressin her plan to fund an ambitious new environmental agenda she has backed dubbed the Green New Deal.

Ocasio-Cortez, who was sworn into the House of Representatives on Jan. 3, suggested higher tax rates for higher income brackets, reaching as high as 70 percent on the top earnings of the richest in an interview with journalist Anderson Cooper. The plan was dubbed radical by Cooper.

The Green New Deal plan aims to eliminate carbon emissions within just 12 years. On Twitter, Ocasio-Cortez described it as a wartime-level, just economic mobilization plan to get to 100% renewable energy ASAP.

You know, you look at our tax rates back in the 60s and when you have a progressive tax rate system, your tax rate, you know, lets say, from zero to $75,000 maybe 10 percent or 15 percent, et cetera, she said in the interview.

But once you get to, like, the tippy tops, on your 10 millionth dollar, sometimes you see tax rates as high as 60 or 70 percent. That doesnt mean all $10 million are taxed at an extremely high rate, but it means that as you climb up this ladder you should be contributing more.

As a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, Ocasio-Cortez believes in universal health care, free college tuition, and the abolishment of Immigration Customs Enforcement.

Meanwhile, Trump and the GOP have advocated for the slashing of taxes, arguing that it would boost the economy and give money back to Americans. Democrats have opposed this and call for higher taxes to fund a number of welfare programs.

Epoch Times Reporter Bowen Xiao contributed to this report
Top Chef star Fatima Ali died at the age of 29 after battling a form of bone cancer, said her family. (Instagram / Selfie)

Top Chef Contestant Fatima Ali Dies at Age 29 After Battling Cancer: Report

Top Chef star Fatima Ali died at the age of 29 after battling a form of bone cancer, according to reports.

We are deeply saddened to share the news that Fatima Ali has lost her courageous battle with cancer, said a representative for Bravo, which airs Top Chef, reported Pakistani newspaper Dawn.

Bravo added to People magazine: Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this time. People not only fell in love with her cooking, but fell in love with her personality and heart. We hope that the beautiful memories shared with her will provide comfort to everyone who knew and loved her.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by This&That (@thisandthat.pk) on Jan 25, 2019 at 8:13am PST

She was diagnosed with Ewings Sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer, two years ago.

After undergoing surgery to remove a tumor in her shoulder, Ali told People magazine that she was technically cancer-free in July.

However, in October, she revealed her cancer was back.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bruce Kalman (@chefbkalman) on Jan 25, 2019 at 10:27am PST

She wrote that the cancer cells my doctors believed had vanished are back with a vengeance in my left hip and femur bone.

Doctors told her she had a year to live, with or without the new chemotherapy regimen.

Her last Instagram post came on Jan. 10 when she said she was getting sicker.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Fatima Ali (@cheffati) on Jan 10, 2019 at 6:58pm PST

I know its been ages since I posted and most may have figured out why. Im sick and unfortunately Im getting sicker, she wrote, according to ETOnline.

She added: Right now all I need are prayers; prayers that are simple. I hope, because a wish is putting on too much responsibility on the other, that you will somehow find forgiveness in your big heart for whenever I must have hurt you. I thank you a million times over for when you have given me joy. Ill try to keep everyone updated the best that I possibly can.

Several months ago, Ali told ETOnline about why she wrote a personal article about her cancer battle.

I did not expect my article to get that kind of attention at all. I wanted to write for myself, she said.

Theres so many emotions when youre going through something like this. I was so consumed in working in restaurants and trying to be a chef and I decided I wanted to pick up writing again. Amanda from Bon Appetit reached out to me and it really snowballed and resonated with so many people. They could see themselves in that piece and relate to the struggles I was going through. Cancer is something that affects millions of people, I think it did so well because people found a way to relate to it in so many different ways, she also stated.

Remembering Celebrities Who Died in 2018

Penny Marshall

Penny Marshall, the actress and director famed for her role in Laverne & Shirley, died at age 75. Marshall died at her home in Hollywood Hills, on Dec. 17, after suffering from complications from diabetes, TMZ reported on Dec. 18.

George HW Bush

Former President George H.W. Bush died on Nov. 30, 2018, a family spokesman confirmed. He was 94. His son, President George W. Bush, released a statement on Twitter, saying, Jeb, Neil, Marvin, Doro, and I are saddened to announce that after 94 remarkable years, our dear dad has died. George H.W. Bush was a man of the highest character and the best dad a son or daughter could ask for.

Stephen Hillenburg

Stephen Hillenburg, the creator of the Nickelodeon cartoon series SpongeBob SquarePants, died on Nov. 26. He was 57. Hillenburgs cause of death was amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrigs disease, according to reports. In March 2017, he announced his diagnosis.

Stephen Hawking

Stephen Hawking, who sought to explain some of the most complicated questions of life while he worked under the shadow of a likely premature death, died at 76. He died peacefully at his home in the British university city of Cambridge in the early hours earlier this year.

Anthony Bourdain

U.S. celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain, host of CNNs food-and-travel-focused Parts Unknown television series, died at the age of 61, the network said on June 8.

The cause of death was suicide, the network said in a statement. He was found dead in a hotel room in France where he had been working on an upcoming episode of his program, the network said.

Avicii

Avicii, born Tim Bergling in Sweden, was found dead in Oman. Police said there was no evidence of foul play but the official cause of death was not revealed by officials. His family indicated that he killed himself.
Fiber-optic cable can support more traffic, and U.S. Internet users need the added bandwidth. (Michael Smith/Getty Images)

Tonga Sent Back to Dark Ages After Underwater Internet Cable Severed

Residents in the South Pacific archipelago nation of Tonga had a near-total internet shutdown after an underwater cable that connected it to the rest of the world was severed, according to reports.

Tonga relies heavily on its connection to the outside world for daily supplies and tourist earnings. Its now facing an absolute disaster as officials try to deal with the problem, AFP reported.

We are all heavily tied to the Internet for doing business and for the government, Mary Fonua, editor of the online news service Matangi Tonga, told AFP on Jan. 23.

Tonga hit by near-total internet blackout https://t.co/IwKEkTSzi8  BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) January 23, 2019

Theres no Facebook, which is how the Tongan diaspora communicate with each other, businesses cant get orders out, airlines cant take bookings for passengers or freight, she added.

They are now using a small satellite connection as a back-up.

Non-essential social media like Facebook have been blocked to preserve the countrys bandwidth.

Its an absolute disaster for Tonga, a national crisis, Fonua told the news outlet.

Country sent back to dark ages after underwater Internet cable severed https://t.co/n0AMaAtbIJ  DRUDGE REPORT (@DRUDGE_REPORT) January 24, 2019

The BBC reported that bad weather is being blamed for the cause of the problem, and residents were told that it might take several weeks to fix the issue.

A repair vessel is currently in Samoa and may be in Tonga within three days, according to the broadcaster. After that, the repair work would take another two weeks, and at worst, fixing the cable might take up to three weeks.

Weve been informed that 80% of our international traffic is from social media, Tonga Cable director Paula Piukala was quoted by the BBC as saying.

She added: We may block Facebook, YouTube, and stuff like that in the meantime so that we can maximize the small bandwidth that we have from satellite on what is important to the country.

Fonua said the problem is a reality check for people.

People suddenly realize how dependent theyve become on the internet and how much is linked to the web working, she said.

I went to the supermarket and couldnt pay with my card, she added. So I had to run over to an ATM and get some cash; fortunately the ATM still worked.

Tonga is plunged into virtual cyber darkness after an undersea cable broke. Pacific island kingdom is cut off from almost all cell phone and internet serviceshttps://t.co/mUf9axMNnk pic.twitter.com/UjQhATgtGb  AFP news agency (@AFP) January 23, 2019

The government and banks have their own satellite links and have been able to remain operational, she said.

But, she added, It took everyone by complete surprise and there was no plan B.

At the office, we have to wait for 30 minutes for our inbox to load, then another 15 minutes to open an email. And we havent been able to send a single reply so far, Fonua said.

According to local news outlet Matangi Tonga, the cause of the cable breakdown is still unknown.

The outlet said the underwater cable is laid on the seabed, buried in a shallow trench, adding that the possibility of a damage to the submarine cable can most likely be caused by either a powerful movement on the seabed or damage to the cable as it comes ashore in Tonga onto the reef and land area at the Tonga Cable Ltd. office at Sopu.

Tonga has a population of about 100,000 people across about 30 islands.
Abraham Lincolns Gesture Toward a Dying Soldier Shows Why He Was a Great Leader

The Civil War broke out shortly after President Abraham Lincoln became the United States 16th president. The following heart-rending tale, retold and circulated in books and on social media, was about Lincolns act of compassion toward a dying soldier in the time of Americas greatest crisis.

Growing up in a poor family in Kentucky, Lincoln lost his mom to milk sickness when he was just 9. As a boy, he also witnessed the passing of his elder sister, who died while giving birth to a stillborn son.

Lincolns painful struggles during his early life resulted in his developing a heart of compassion and concern for others, according to American biographer Kearns Goodwin.

President Lincolns compassion was extended to all people, including the wounded soldiers who had paid the ultimate sacrifice for Americas freedom.

General William T. Sherman, a general in the Union Army during the American Civil War, wrote in Memoirs of General W. T. Sherman that he was more than impressed by Lincolns kindly nature, his deep and earnest sympathy with the afflictions of the whole people, resulting from the war, and by the march of hostile armies through the South.

Out of compassion, President Lincoln traveled long distances to visit injured soldiers on the battlefield and hospitals on numerous occasions during the Civil War. He tried to lift the soldiers up through his kind and caring words.

On one visit, doctors directed Lincoln to a young soldier who was approaching death. The President went over to his bedside, asking, Is there anything I can do for you?

The emaciated soldier clearly didnt know the man standing in front of him was President Lincoln. Not recognizing who he was, the wounded young man whispered to the President with some difficulty, Would you please write a letter to my mother?

Lincoln duly complied and carefully jotted down what the soldier said on a piece of paper.

My dearest mother, I was badly hurt while doing my duty. Im afraid Im not going to recover. Dont grieve too much for me, please. Kiss Mary and John for me. May God bless you and father, the soldier said.

The soldier stopped as he was too frail to continue. And so, Lincoln signed the letter, writing, Written for your son by Abraham Lincoln.

When the soldier saw the note Lincoln had written on his behalf, he was astonished to see Abraham Lincolns signature at the end. Are you really the President? the young man asked.

Lincoln replied, Yes, I am, before asking if there was anything else he could assist him with.

In response, the soldier said: Would you please hold my hand? It will help to see me through to the end.

In the quiet room, the tall, gaunt president held the young mans hand and offered him words of encouragement until he breathed his last.

Having the breadth of mind and compassion to listen to the needs of his people, President Lincoln was undeniably an excellent leader.

We should follow Lincolns example and extend our compassion toward others when they are experiencing hardship. Just as American researcher Steve Maraboli wrote, A kind gesture can reach a wound that only compassion can heal.
A teacher's aide was sentenced on Jan. 22, 2019, for hitting a handicapped girl so hard that it left bruises. (Google Maps)

Teachers Aide Sentenced for Striking 12-Year-Old Handicapped Girl

A teachers aide in North Carolina who was found guilty of hitting a 12-year-old handicapped girl was sentenced to 10 days in jail and a year of probation.

Margaret Harris, 61, was found guilty after a former co-worker at Franklinton Elementary School said that she saw Harris hit Jayden Ossino multiple times with a spoon in 2018.

The strikes were so hard that they left several bruises, the former colleague said. The spoon was bent by the impact.

Jaydens mother Jennifer Watson told WNCN that her daughter is handicapped.

Shes autistic. She has Potocki-Lupski Syndrome. She has a delayed myelin growth in her brain, which means developmentally shes 12 to 24 months, Watson said.

According to the National Library of Medicine, the syndrome leads to delayed development, including delayed speech and language skills and gross motor skills such as sitting, standing, and walking.

Harris denied assaulting Jayden and said that she loved the girl.

But a judge found her guilty of a misdemeanor charge of striking a handicapped person and on Jan. 22 sentenced her to 10 days in jail and a year of probation in addition to 24 hours of community service and undergoing a mental health evaluation. Harris previously lost her job for the assault.

Jaydens mother said that the punishment didnt fit the crime.

My child has been altered physically and mentally for the rest of her life, said Watson. It will never be enough. You can take it back, but that doesnt mean it never happened.

Jayden now has permanent vein damage that is only going to get worse over time. Shes had a lot of behavior adjustments. Shes now homebound. She doesnt attend public school because she shuts down, Watson added.

Ex-teachers aide in Franklin County also accused of threatening gun violence https://t.co/GL1KIbcrMQ  CBS 17 (@WNCN) January 25, 2019

Harris Accused of Threatening Gun Violence

It later emerged that Harris allegedly threatened students on a school bus who were misbehaving.

Dr. Larry Webb from Franklin County Schools told the Franklinton Police Department on April 27, 2018, that Harris had told students she would have a family member bring a piece, or a firearm, on the bus due to students misbehaving.

Webb said that Harris then dropped the bus off at a school bus garage and refused to drive anymore, reported WCNC.

Franklin County Schools said that it cooperated with law enforcement during the investigation into the incident. The investigation could not prove that Harris made the threat.

We are committed to providing a safe and nurturing environment to each and every student in our care. This type of behavior is unacceptable, added Superintendent Rhonda Schuler.

A teachers aide in North Carolina who was found guilty of hitting a 12-year-old handicapped girl was sentenced to 10 days in jail and a year of probation.

Margaret Harris, 61, was found guilty after a former co-worker at Franklinton Elementary School said that she saw Harris hit Jayden Ossino multiple times with a spoon in 2018.

The strikes were so hard that they left several bruises, the former colleague said. The spoon was bent by the impact.

Jaydens mother Jennifer Watson told WNCN that her daughter is handicapped.

Shes autistic. She has Potocki-Lupski Syndrome. She has a delayed myelin growth in her brain, which means developmentally shes 12 to 24 months, Watson said.

According to the National Library of Medicine, the syndrome leads to delayed development, including delayed speech and language skills and gross motor skills such as sitting, standing, and walking.

Harris denied assaulting Jayden and said that she loved the girl.

But a judge found her guilty of a misdemeanor charge of striking a handicapped person and on Jan. 22 sentenced her to 10 days in jail and a year of probation in addition to 24 hours of community service and undergoing a mental health evaluation. Harris previously lost her job for the assault.

Jaydens mother said that the punishment didnt fit the crime.

My child has been altered physically and mentally for the rest of her life, said Watson. It will never be enough. You can take it back, but that doesnt mean it never happened.

Jayden now has permanent vein damage that is only going to get worse over time. Shes had a lot of behavior adjustments. Shes now homebound. She doesnt attend public school because she shuts down, Watson added.

Ex-teachers aide in Franklin County also accused of threatening gun violence https://t.co/GL1KIbcrMQ  CBS 17 (@WNCN) January 25, 2019

Harris Accused of Threatening Gun Violence

It later emerged that Harris allegedly threatened students on a school bus who were misbehaving.

Dr. Larry Webb from Franklin County Schools told the Franklinton Police Department on April 27, 2018, that Harris had told students she would have a family member bring a piece, or a firearm, on the bus due to students misbehaving.

Webb said that Harris then dropped the bus off at a school bus garage and refused to drive anymore, reported WCNC.

Franklin County Schools said that it cooperated with law enforcement during the investigation into the incident. The investigation could not prove that Harris made the threat.

We are committed to providing a safe and nurturing environment to each and every student in our care. This type of behavior is unacceptable, added Superintendent Rhonda Schuler.

From NTD News
An undated photo of PG&E staff meeting with customers. (Courtesy of PG&E)

Suspicious Website Publishes False Press Release, Claiming to Be PG&E

A suspicious website that imitates the official Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) site issued a false press release on January 23 and fooled several media outlets.

The release claimed the companys former Chief Executive Officer, Geisha Williams, had donated $2.5 million to help survivors from 2018s Camp Fire disaster, the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in California history. The statement also quoted other leaders from the company, allegedly throwing their support behind the false information.

PG&E officially denies any connection with the public relations prank.

There were several social media posts about our former CEO that are simply not true, a PG&E spokesman said in a written statement. The posts were connected to a fake website that, despite appearances, is not affiliated in any way with PG&E. For official and accurate news and information related to PG&E, visit www.pge.com or www.pgecorp.com

The fake website displayed the PG&E logo, blue branded header, and search bar. However, the site does not have a visible Log in button at the top right corner like the official website does after closer inspection.

In addition, the media contacts column only has an email address listed while the official site has a phone number for media inquiries and separate contact details for customer service.

The hyperlink is also different. The official website has a longer address embedded under its news room page and news releases index. The fake site has no such history and content is therefore shorter.

Records show the domain originates from Burlington, Mass., on Jan. 20. The IP address registered appears to be from a corporate area with an office building. The IP location listed is The Endurance International Group Inc., a web hosting company.

Spotting a False Press Release

Fake press releases, especially from well-known companies can give journalists and news companies major headaches.

In 2012, a false statement announced Google would be acquiring ICOA, a wireless Internet provider. Poynter published an article about how frustrating it is for people who rely on press releases to be accurate and true.

To help remove confusion over how to tell if a press release genuine, Satirewire published an piece with tips for identifying fake releases.

Small details like capitalization, language use, and phone numbers can indicate whether the source is reliable.

It is also worthwhile fact-checking information provided. If the written statement is inconsistent with previous general knowledge about a particular company or event, an email or phone call is a good way to help verify the information.

From NTD.com
Roger Stone during Politicon at the Pasadena Convention Center in Pasadena, Calif., on July 29, 2017. (Joshua Blanchard/Getty Images for Politicon)

Special Counsel Indicts Roger Stone

Special counsel Robert Mueller indicted Roger Stone on Jan. 25, accusing the political consultant of making false statements, obstructing an official proceeding, and witness tampering.

Stone served briefly as an adviser to the Trump campaign in 2015 before being fired by then-candidate Donald Trump in August that year. Stone, who asserted that he resigned from the campaign, continued supporting Trump throughout 2016.

The special counsel alleges that Stone lied about his interactions with WikiLeaks to the House Intelligence Committee, according to the indictment (pdf). Stone also attempted to persuade a witness to provide false testimony and withhold information from the committee, the prosecutors said.

Mueller was appointed in May 2017 to investigate allegations of collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia. The indictment against Stone does not allege that Stone or anyone in the Trump campaign colluded with Russia. Mueller has indicted several Trump-campaign associates but has not charged anyone for colluding with Russia.

Starting in August 2016, Stone began claiming privately and publicly that he was communicating with WikiLeaks. In mid-August, WikiLeaks denied communicating with Stone. According to the indictment, Stone continued to speak publicly and with the Trump campaign about potential future releases by WikiLeaks.

From July 22, 2016, onward, WikiLeaks published troves of emails stolen from the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. The publication exposed that the DNC, which is supposed to be neutral to its candidates, developed an animus against Bernie Sanders. DNC Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz announced her resignation shortly after the emails became public.

In the indictment, the special counsel alleges that Stone communicated with the Trump campaign and told campaign officials that WikiLeaks had documents whose release would be damaging to the Clinton Campaign. The indictment does not specify whether Stones communications occurred before or after the initial WikiLeaks release on July 22, alleging instead that he informed campaign officials by in or around June and July 2016.

After the July 22 release, the campaign reached out to Stone to determine if he had information about future WikiLeaks releases, the indictment alleges. Stone then communicated with his associates about getting more information on potential WikiLeaks releases.

The indictment details Stones communications about WikiLeaks but does not show whether Stones predictions about future releases were based on educated guesswork or actual intelligence he received from his associates.

According to the indictment, on Oct. 7, after WikiLeaks released emails stolen from Clinton-campaign chairman John Podesta, a high-ranking Trump campaign official emailed Stone to say Well done. Stone went on to boast that he had correctly predicted the Oct. 7 release.

In the months following the election, House and Senate intelligence committees opened investigations into whether Russia interfered with the 2016 election. Stone testified before the House Intelligence Committee on Sept. 26, 2017. According to the indictment, Stone lied to lawmakers about not having any documents or communications concerning the hacked emails and WikiLeaks.

So you have no emails to anyone concerning the allegations of hacked documents  or any discussions you have had with third parties about Julian Assange? the committee asked Stone.

That is correct, Stone said. Not to my knowledge.

According to special counsel, Stone had dozens of text messages pertinent to that inquiry when he made that statement.

The prosecutors also charged Stone for lying to the committee about his public statements in early August 2016, his attempt to reach out to WikiLeaks, as well his communications with an intermediary, and the Trump campaign.

Mueller also alleges that Stone attempted to persuade another witness, radio host Randy Credico, to provide false testimony to the committee. According to the indictment, Credico initially pushed back against Stones attempts, telling Stone that his testimony was false and that he should correct it.

After the committee contacted Credico for testimony, Stone attempted to persuade Credico to either claim not to remember specific facts or to assert the Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.

Stonewall it. Plead the fifth, Stone wrote in a text message to Credico.

Stone continued his campaign to persuade Credico to plead the Fifth Amendment and ultimately succeeded. Credico informed the committee on Dec. 12, 2017, that he would not testify and invoked the Fifth Amendment privilege.

Credico and Stone would go on to have discussions about ongoing investigations. The alliance between the two started deteriorated in December 2017, according to communications detailed in the indictment. Stone tried to persuade Credico not to talk to investigators and the FBI, the messages detailed in the indictment suggests.

Im not talking to the FBI and if your [sic] smart you wont either, Stone wrote to Credico on Dec. 24, 2017.
An attendee looks at a display of Nest products during Google I/O 2016 at Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, Calif., on May 19, 2016. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Smart Home Device Falsely Alarmed California User, Saying Incoming North Korea Missile

A Northern California resident was pranked by a hacker who manipulated her Nest camera into sending warnings that ballistic missiles were launched from North Korea and headed to the United States, the East Bay Times reported.

Laura Lyons, who was cooking at home on Jan. 20, said she heard a loud alarm coming out from the living room followed by a mans voice.

North Korea had launched 3 intercontinental ballistic missiles toward the United States, and the United States had launched a counter-attack and recommended everyone take shelter, Lyons recalled the message saying.

The voice also told Lyons that the missiles were aimed at Los Angeles, Chicago and Ohio, where people were told to evacuate within three hours.

Youre hacked. It happened to me too. Change your password and set up 2 factor authentication immediately. Nest customer support will blame you for using a repeated password.   (@thomasdmay) January 17, 2019

It sounded completely legit, and it was loud and got our attention right off the bat.  It was five minutes of sheer terror and another 30 minutes trying to figure out what was going on, Lyons told the East Bay Times.

While terrified by the message, Lyons and her husband found out that the voice actually came from their Nest camera that was placed on the television.

My first thought was which car are we going to get into now because the Bay Area would be such an obvious target, Lyons said. I was thinking we can stop at our friends in Napa. I was disappointed I didnt have much cash on me. I was going right down the rabbit hole.

However, Lyons could find no media coverage about the warning. She then called 911, and the operator said there had been no other calls, so she realized that the message she received was likely false. In the end, she figured out that the whole thing was a hoax and she was a victim of a third-party hack after communicating with Nests customer service.

They have a responsibility to let customers know if that is happening, she said. I want to let other people know this can happen to them.

In fact, Lyons is not the only one who experienced such a bizarre situation recently. Several Twitter users tweeted about similar problems that happened to their smart home devices.

This is certainly unfortunate, and were sorry to hear this happened. We've carefully examined our systems and there's been no systems breach on our end. We recommend updating your password and enabling 2-step verification if you haven't already.  Nest (@nest) January 21, 2019

One user named Jesse complained to Nests official Twitter account on Jan. 21 that someone was talking through her camera, which she suspected was hacked.

This is certainly unfortunate, and were sorry to hear this happened. Weve carefully examined our systems and theres been no systems breach on our end. We recommend updating your password and enabling 2-step verification if you havent already, Nest replied.

We're disappointed to hear this, and we'd like to further assist you with your Nest account. Could you please send us a direct message so that we can discuss this issue in depth?  Nest (@nest) January 22, 2019

Another Twitter user named Hi Im Aaron said the 2-step verification didnt help much in his case.

Just had someone hack into my camera and shout out the N word at me and scream in my living room. Two step verification and new password was set up this morning. This was the second time.. Cant trust your products as much as Id like too, the user said.

Can you send us a DM with more information about what happened there?  Nest (@nest) January 23, 2019

These recent reports are based on customers using compromised passwords (exposed through breaches on other websites), according to a statement sent from Google, who owns Nest, to the East Bay Times.

In nearly all cases, two-factor verification eliminates this type of the security risk, the company said in an email statement. We take security in the home extremely seriously, and were actively introducing features that will reject comprised passwords, allow customers to monitor access to their accounts and track external entities that abuse credentials.

In another YouTube video, an Arizona resident had an informative conversation with a hacker from Canada through a hacked Nest camera. Fortunately, the hacker didnt do anything harmful but to send the Nest user a wakeup call that his password was not secure.
Furloughed contract workers, including security officers and custodians who have not been paid during the partial government shutdown, hold unpaid bills to present to the office of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, Jan. 16, 2019. (Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images)

Shutdown Woes Deepen, as Federal Workers Miss 2nd Paycheck

WASHINGTONFurloughed federal workers missed their second paycheck Jan. 25, bearing the biggest burden in the partial government shutdown that entered its 35th day, as Democrats and Republicans remain at loggerheads over providing funding for a wall on the southwest border.

Over the past week, the House rejected two Republican attempts to pay federal workers affected by the shutdown. The House voted against a Republican measure Jan. 17 that called for the issuance of a paycheck to federal workers who are furloughed or working without pay. The motion failed by 222-195 vote, with six Democrats supporting the Republican measure.

Another Republican motion to pay federal workers failed in the House on Jan. 23 with a 200-215 vote. This time, 10 Democrats crossed the aisle to support the measure.

This is a very little known fact but its very important, Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas) told Fox and Friends. Over the last week, we voted twice on a motion to recommit, which would send an appropriations bill back to committee, in order to pay federal workers.

If were not paying them, then I dont know what else to say except that Democrats actually want them as leverage and thats really not right, Crenshaw said.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration has provided greater flexibility to federal employees working without pay during the shutdown. The new guidance issued by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) on Jan. 23, allows excepted employees to request time off based on their personal circumstances.

Most employees working without pay during the shutdown are called excepted employees. They are typically workers who are considered essential to protecting life and property.

During this difficult time, it is prudent, to the extent possible and appropriate, for agencies to provide additional flexibility to the Federal civil servants who are excepted from the furlough to perform necessary functions for the American people, Margaret Weichert, OPM acting director said in the guidance.

These federal employees are also allowed to have a flexible work schedule and work from home more frequently if they are eligible.

Federal employees who have been affected by the shutdown will also get back pay as soon as the government reopens.

The Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019 cleared both the House and the Senate and was signed into law by President Donald Trump on Jan. 16. The legislation requires the compensation of government employees for wages lost, work performed, or leave used during a lapse in appropriations that begins on or after December 22, 2018, and entitles excepted employees to use leave during a lapse in appropriations, stated the White House.

Workers Run Out of Cash

Federal workers who are missing their paychecks are struggling with cash flow problems, and some have started to put their houses on the market, according to Jeremy Browne, a real estate agent with TTR Sothebys International Realty.

With the current shutdown of the government, we are starting to see the effects in the residential real estate market, Browne said.

Many Americans are paycheck to paycheck, and when applying for a loan, borrowers must have two months of liquid reserves to qualify. Retirement funds do not count, so this is a problem, he explained.

In addition, verifications of employment, tax transcripts, and flood certifications are taking much longer. When you are trying to buy and sell and have a contract in place, this can have implications on earnest money deposits and folks losing out on their American dream.

This week alone three federal employees told Browne that they were considering selling their houses due to rising uncertainty.

The federal government partially shut down on Dec. 22 after Congress failed to pass legislation to temporarily extend funding. Nine departments, about a quarter of the federal government have shuttered. Nearly 380,000 federal employees are furloughed as a result and 420,000 are working without pay.

House Democrats have been introducing appropriation bills that omit the Trump administrations demand for $5.7 billion dollars in border-wall funding.

Both Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) declared the wall a non-starter and refused to approve the border money, which amounts to 0.1 percent of total federal spending.

At the time of writing this report, the White House said that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) were meeting to see whether or not they can work out of the deadlock.

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said that Trump was willing to consider a 3-week funding bill if there was a large down payment on the wall.

As part of an effort to fix the nations ineffective budget process and prevent government shutdowns, three Republican senators introduced a bill last week that would discourage lawmakers from leaving Washington if they fail to pass a budget on time.

Sens. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), James Lankford (R-Okla.), and David Perdue (R-Ga.) introduced the No Budget, No Recess Act on Jan. 17 to help responsibly fund the federal government on time.

During a government shutdown, Congress and the White House should experience pain, not the American people, Sen. Lankford said in a press release.

Congress is required to approve a budget resolution by the deadline of April 15 and all the appropriations bills by Oct. 1, which is the first day of the new fiscal year. The last time the government was funded on time was 1996.
Senate Bills Fail to End Shutdown, With or Without Wall; House Fails to Pay Affected Workers

The Senate failed on Jan. 24 to pass either of two bills that were aimed at ending the partial government shutdown.

One bill included $5.7 billion for the construction of the border wall, which President Donald Trump demands be included to let the government reopen. The tally of 50 yays to 47 nays failed to clear the 60 votes necessary to overcome a filibuster. Republicans, who hold a 53-47 majority in the chamber, are unable to pass funding bills without the support of at least seven Democrats.

The other measure, a Democratic alternative, excluded the border-wall funding. It also failed, by a vote of 55-44.

Two Republicans went against the Trump plan in the Senate: Tom Cotton of Arkansas and Mike Lee of Utah. One Democrat, Joe Manchin III of West Virginia, sided with Trump, and three senators abstained: Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.).

Rosen also abstained from the vote on the Democrats plan. All other Democrats voted for it, joined by six Republicans: Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, Susan Collins of Maine, Cory Gardner of Colorado, Johnny Isakson of Georgia, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, and Mitt Romney of Utah. Paul and Risch abstained, along with Richard Burr (R-N.C.).

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives failed, again, to pass a measure to pay federal workers affected by the shutdown.

About quarter of the government ran out of money on Dec. 22, 2018, as Trump and the Democrats failed to reach a deal on border-security funding.

Even if the Trump plan could pass in the Senate, it most likely would have been blocked in the House of Representatives, where Democrats hold a majority.

House Republicans have introduced a measure to at least pay the federal workers800,000 of themwho have been furloughed or have worked without pay because of the shutdown. All the GOP representatives have voted for the measure or abstained, but only six Democrats lent their support last week, causing it to fail.

In a sign of glacial change, the same measure failed again Jan. 24, but this time, it drew the support of 13 Democrats.

No Compromise

Trump took a series of steps to illuminate the reasoning behind the border-wall project and to make it more palatable to Democrats. He detailed the amount of drug and human trafficking as well as other crime connected with illegal border crossings, he invited border-security personnel to make the case for the walls necessity, and he created a team led by Vice President Mike Pence to hear out individual Democratic lawmakers.

Finally, on Jan. 19, he presented his proposal in a televised address, offering to bundle the wall money with several measures more politically friendly to Democrat leaders, including a three-year legislative extension of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which shields from deportation illegal immigrants brought to the United States as children.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) rejected the proposal before Trump started his speech.
Men try to fish as sea lions gather in front, at San Antonio port, some 140 km west of Santiago, Chile, on Nov. 23, 2018. (Martin Bernetti/AFP/Getty Images)

Sea Lion Bites Alaska Fisherman, Tries to Drag Him Into Sea

ANCHORAGE, AlaskaA sea lion lunged onto a fishing boat off the Aleutian Islands last weekend, biting a crew member on the leg and trying to pull him into the water, officials said.

It marked the third time since 2017 that Stellar sea lions have bitten fishermen from the community of Sand Point on their legs.

Crew members on the boat when the latest attack happened on Jan. 20, took the man to a medical clinic, where he was treated for his injuries and released, Sand Point police officer David Anderson told the Anchorage Daily News.

The newspaper reported that the crew member was helping pull up a net when the sea lion lurched up the stern ramp of the boat and bit him, attempting to drag him into the water.

The newspaper said it could not immediately reach the injured man for comment Wednesday.

Such attacks by sea lions are unusual, but not unheard of in recent years. In early 2018, a sea lion bit a woman in the knee as she swam in the San Francisco Bay. That followed at least two other attacks on swimmers in the San Francisco Bay in late 2017. In one of those, a sea lion bit a mans groin area and in the other, a sea lion bit a mans arm.

In Sand Point, a fisherman was attacked by a sea lion last fall, suffering similar injuries as the man in the Sunday attack, Anderson said.

In another Sand Point attack in January 2017, a fisherman was bitten on the calf while he worked on a boat. He reported the animal tried to drag him into the water.

Sand Point Harbor Master Richard Kochuten Sr. said he has no idea why sea lions have bitten people in his community. He said, however, that its far more common for sea lions to get on boats to grab a fish and then go back into the water without harming anyone.

Its an occasional occurrence, he said.

Kochuten said signs warning people against feeding sea lions are posted around the harbor and other places in the community.

Sea lions live throughout waters around Alaska, preying on salmon and other fish. Steller sea lions are federally protected.

Females weigh about 550 pounds (249 kilograms) while males reach more than 1,200 pounds (522 kilograms).
Four 12-year-old girls were subjected to strip searches in their middle school nurses office, at Binghamtons East Middle School on Jan. 15 because they seemed hyper and giddy during their lunch hour and were suspected of possessing drugs. (Google Maps)

School Denies That 12-Year-Old Girls Were Strip-Searched

BINGHAMTON, N.Y.An upstate New York school district denied Jan. 24 that four 12-year-old girls were subjected to strip searches in their middle school nurses office, an allegation that brought a throng of community members to a school board meeting to demand answers and disciplinary action against staff members.

200 concerned residents packed a Binghamton School Board meeting in response to four 12-year-old girls being strip searched by East Middle School administrators. (Google Maps)

The community group Progressive Leaders of Tomorrow urged people via social media to turn out at Jan. 22 nights school board meeting. The group said the girls, who are black, were questioned and strip-searched by the school nurse and assistant principal at Binghamtons East Middle School on Jan. 15 because they seemed hyper and giddy during their lunch hour and were suspected of possessing drugs.

The children were instructed to remove their clothing, and felt ashamed, humiliated and traumatized by the experience, said a statement distributed by the group at the meeting. The group issued a list of demands including a stop to strip searches of children and a public apology to the students and community.



Last night (1/22/19), 200 concerned residents packed a Binghamton School Board meeting in response to four 12-year-old  PLOT: Progressive Leaders Of Tomorrow  2019123

On its Facebook page, Progressive Leaders of Tomorrow said three of the girls had to remove their shirts and the fourth was given an in-school suspension for refusing to remove her shirt and pants.

In a statement released Jan. 24 afternoon, the school district said there has been a lot of misinformation being spread through social media from third parties. It went on to say no students were strip-searched, nor were they punished as a result of the incident in question, and they were allowed to return to class after being evaluated.

The Binghamton City School District stated twice in a letter dated Thursday that strip searches were not conducted on any students. https://t.co/TeqacqLs4s  Spectrum News S-Tier (@SPECNewsSTier) January 24, 2019

While it did not say specifically on what happened to the girls, the district said school staff can conduct physical or medical evaluations if they observe behavior that is out of character in students.

A medical evaluation may require the removal of bulky outside clothing to expose an arm so that vitals like blood pressure and pulse can be assessed. This is not the same as a strip search, the statement said.

The Binghamton City School District board has released a statement about the alleged strip search at the middle school. Read our story from Wednesday here: http://bit.ly/2Ua0bsU  pressconnects.com / Press & Sun-Bulletin  2019124

Micah Barreiro, president of the Broome Tioga NAACP, gave the school board a list of demands, including removal of the principal, the assistant principal and the nurse who did the searches.

This is outrageous that these girls got strip-searched and nobody got suspended, Barreiro said Jan. 24 before the district denied there was a strip search. School rules say parents have to be informed before anything like this happens.

Progressive Leaders of Tomorrow has scheduled a rally at East Middle School Jan. 22 afternoon to alert parents and students of their right to refuse invasive and discriminatory searches being conducted by school faculty and staff.

Outraged parents packed a New York state school board meeting after the alleged strip search of four middle school girls.  The News Leader  2019123
Steel is loaded onto a truck for shipping at the NLMK Indiana steel mill on March 15, 2018 in Portage, Indiana. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Republic Steel to Reopen Production at Ohio Mill

American steel manufacturer Republic Steel announced that the company is planning to restart production at its Lorain, Ohio, rolling mill by the 2nd quarter of 2019.

Initially, the steel company had planned to start production in December 2018 before the date was pushed back.

Republic had expected the 232 Steel Tariffs to create additional demand for domestic production, allowing production to begin in December 2018, however, imports remain at historically high levels for products produced on this mill, a news release said.

More than 60 employees will be hired after the rolling mill underwent a complete refurbishment. The Lorain mill has a capacity of 35,000 tons per month and expects orders to come in soon. The reopening of the mill will expand Republics size range down to 7.5mm for carbon, free machining and alloy grades, including 12L14 and other leaded steels.

We have successfully run internal production trials, and now anticipate receiving sufficient orders to support moving to a production mode in the 2nd Quarter of this year, the company said.

Republic, the nations leading provider of special bar quality (SBQ) steel, had about 200 employees working in the Lorain Mill in 2016 before it was idled due to a drop in demand.

Trumps tariffs on imported steel and other efforts to boost American manufacturing have helped to revitalize a steel industry that has been in decline for decades.

Tens of thousands of American workers have faced layoffs and dozens of factories have been shut since 2000 due to imports, according to the Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM), a nonprofit organization formed by manufacturers and United Steelworkers. With the recent tariffs on imports, the steel industry is starting to seeing some positive signs.

Over the past few years, steel imports have steadily increased, comprising nearly 33 percent of the U.S. steel market in 2017. The majority of U.S. steel producers have been taking losses since 2009, losing their ability to invest in new technologies and labor.

In December alone, 32,000 manufacturing jobs were added. Since Trumps election, 20,000 new manufacturing jobs were being created per month compared to 8,000 per month in the four years prior, according to the White House.

The reopening of the Lorain Mill is one of the latest in a long list of optimistic industry news. On Jan. 7, Nucor Corp announced they would build a $1.35 billion steel-plate mill in the United States that would create approximately 400 new jobs.

Mark Glyptis, the president of a steelworkers union, attributed the positive steel news to Trump.

The presidents probably been the biggest supporter of steel that weve had in many decades, Glyptis of United Steelworkers Local 2911 told Fox & Friends on Jan. 8.

When he imposed the tariffs, when President Trump imposed the tariffs, that was a shot in the arm for the steel industry. It created thousands of jobs. Were the most efficient steelworks in the world today, he said.

Glyptis said that previous administrations ignored the steel industry while it suffered enormous job losses.

So, when the tariffs were imposed, it gave us an opportunity to compete against the rest of the world on a fairer basis. So its created jobs and the industry right now is doing very, very well, Glyptis said.
NBCs Savannah Guthrie Rebuked For Interview With Covington Student

Television Co-Anchor Savannah Guthrie has copped sharp criticism after interviewing Nick Sandmann, 16, on the TODAY show on Jan. 23.

The Covington Catholic school student openly answered questions for the first time since other mainstream media circulated a sensationalized protest video, which was recorded at the Lincoln Memorial during a March for Life rally in Washington D.C., on Jan. 18.

In the comment section, many Twitter users left harsh and bitter remarks about Guthries leading questions, and the decision to interview Sandmann. Some supported the young mans decision to stand still and patiently listen to Native American activist Nathan Philips, 64, while others accused Sandmann of disrespecting Philips by smiling as Philips beat a drum in his face.

Sitting down with Nicholas Sandmann  the student at the center of the protest controversy at the Lincoln Memorial. Airs tomorrow on @TODAYshow pic.twitter.com/oSb8ljunQN  Savannah Guthrie (@SavannahGuthrie) January 22, 2019

In hindsight, I wish we couldve walked away and avoided the whole thing. Watch Nick Sadnmanns full exclusive interview with @savannahguthrie pic.twitter.com/WpyPLvSLS2  TODAY (@TODAYshow) January 23, 2019

For the past few days various media outlets have targeted Sandmann, claiming that he mocked Philips. In the interview, Sandmann claimed he received death threats simply for exercising his first amendment right to freedom of assembly.

Conservatives Mad at Leading Question

Two of Guthries questions in the video include, Do you feel from this experience that you owe anybody an apology? Do you see your own fault, in any way? with the last one being a leading question.

Sandmann answered: My position is said, I was not disrespectful to Mr. Philips; I respect him, Id like to talk to him. I mean, in hindsight, I wish we couldve walked away and avoided the whole thing but I cant say that Im sorry for listening to him and standing there.

Why is Guthrie putting words in his mouth? Listen to how she emphasizes your own fault This is not the right way to treat a child. Shame on NBC https://t.co/P5VN6XoFm7  Jack Posobiec  (@JackPosobiec) January 23, 2019

After the media relentlessly smeared Nick Sandmann, NBCs Savannah Guthrie asks: Do you feel from this experience that you owe anybody an apology? Do you see your own fault in any way? Sandmann: As far as standing there, I had every right to do so.pic.twitter.com/5hJk5shszX  Ryan Saavedra (@RealSaavedra) January 22, 2019

Phillips claimed in an earlier interview the Covington Catholic students were yelling, Build that wall. Guthrie asked Sandmann if any of his classmates said this and he answered, Were a Catholic school. Its not tolerated, they dont tolerate racism, and none of my friends are racist people.

NBC said they reviewed the video, and found no evidence to support the students said anything about building a wall at the U.S.-Mexico border. Philips also raised eyebrows by claiming he is a Vietnam War veteran but this was later reported to be a false statement.

On the contrary, the group of Black Hebrew Israelitesa radical black supremacist wing of the Hebrew Israelite movement, according to the Southern Poverty Law Centerharassed the group of students, calling them incest babies and other derogatory terms.

Trump Shows Solidarity

The incident has caught the attention of the president, who said in a Twitter post dated January 21 Nick Sandmann and the group of Covington Catholic students were treated unfairly, and smeared by the media.

Looking like Nick Sandman & Covington Catholic students were treated unfairly with early judgements proving out to be falsesmeared by media. Not good but making big comeback! New footage shows that media was wrong about teens encounter with Native American @TuckerCarlson  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 22, 2019

Trump is hopeful media coverage of the Covington students will eventually result in positive change, even though the beginning has been unpleasant.

Nick Sandmann and the students of Covington have become symbols of fake news and how evil it can be. They have captivated the attention of the world, and I know they will use it for the goodmaybe even to bring people together. It started off unpleasant but can end in a dream.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 22, 2019

Guther finally asked Sandmann about his stare-down with Phillip, to which he replied Philips had every right to come up to him, and he also had the right to stay there. Sandmann invited the opportunity to speak with Phillips but, in a TMZ video, Phillips said he preferred not to have a one-on-one conversation with Sandmann unless the Vatican hosts the meeting.
Nathan Phillips Says He Beat up Man Whose Girlfriend Hurt His Feelings

The Native American activist who got in the face of a high school student in Washington said in an unearthed video that he beat up a man whose girlfriend hurt his feelings.

Nathan Phillips, who has a criminal record that includes a conviction of assault and escaping from prison, said in a video posted on Oct. 29, 2018, that he committed an assault provoked by nothing but words.

Little blonde hair, blue eyed hippie girl came walking up to me one night and just spit on me. Called me a baby-killer, Phillips said before pausing.

I feel bad because I beat up her boyfriend. I really do feel bad about that though, he said. After another pause, he added: She hurt my feelings.

Nathan Phillips, October 29, 2018: Little blonde hair, blue eyed hippie girl came walking up to me one night and just spit on me. Called me a baby-killer I feel bad because I beat up her boyfriend. I really do feel bad about that though. She hurt my feelings. pic.twitter.com/Tpotmbvi4o  Phil Kerpen (@kerpen) January 25, 2019

A number of videos showing Phillips talking about his past were posted on the Native Youth Alliance Facebook page, including several in which he lied about being a Vietnam veteran.

In one video posted on Jan. 3, 2018, Phillips stated: Im a Vietnam Vet.

He added, I served in Marine Corps 72 to 76. I got discharged May 5, 1976. I got [an] honorable discharge and one of the boxes in there, it shows peacetime or, what my box says is that I was in theater. I dont talk much about my Vietnam times.

Phillips also described returning from Vietnam in a 2008 interview with Indian Country Today, which reported: Phillips also described coming back to the U.S. as a veteran of the Vietnam era. People called me a baby killer and a hippie girl spit on me, he said.

Phillips spoke to NBCs Today Show on Thursday, where he lied again about his service record. There has also been some question about the nature of your military service and this is a good chance to clear it up, said Savannah Guthrie, who was interviewing him.

She then falsely claimed that Phillips never said that he was a Vietnam vet.

What Ive always said is that Ive never stepped foot in South Vietnam, Phillips responded. How much clearer can that be?

There has also been some question about the nature of your military service What exactly is the nature of your service? @savannahguthrie asks Nathan Phillips pic.twitter.com/PSeS1oTYGh  TODAY (@TODAYshow) January 24, 2019

Story Falls Apart

The activists account of what happened in Washington on Jan. 18, was cited extensively by media outlets but later fell apart when full video footage of the incident was acknowledged.

The video showed that the Covington Catholic High School students were standing near the Lincoln Memorial when they were confronted by a group of Black Hebrew Israelites, a black supremacist group, who hurled obscenities at the students. In response, the students gained permission from chaperones to launch a series of school spirit chants.

Phillips initially said he wanted to go pray at the Lincoln Memorial but was blocked by the students. When video footage proved that claim false, he pivoted and said he wanted to intervene in the conflict between the black group and the students.

Phillips approached the students and walked up to one, Nick Sandmann, and began drumming close to Sandmanns face. The high school student smiled and didnt react until, after several minutes, a chaperone said the buses to take the students back to Kentucky had arrived.

In the NBC interview, Phillips repeated the claim that the students chanted build the wall. None of the videos that were recorded in Washington include the chant, making it unlikely that it was uttered.

Sandmann said he also didnt hear any students chanting build the wall and expressed confusion as to why Phillips had confronted him.

I believed that by remaining motionless and calm, I was helping to diffuse the situation, Sandmann said in a statement.

I realized everyone had cameras and that perhaps a group of adults was trying to provoke a group of teenagers into a larger conflict. I said a silent prayer that the situation would not get out of hand.

From NTD News
Migrants from Central America are seen escorted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials after crossing the border from Mexico to surrender to the officials in El Paso, Texas, U.S., in this picture taken from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico on December 3, 2018. (Jose Luis Gonzalez/Reuters)

Migrant With Flesh-Eating Bacteria Found at US-Mexico Border

U.S. Border Patrol agents said they discovered a man among hundreds of migrants detained in New Mexico who was diagnosed with having a flesh-eating bacteria.

The man was taken to the hospital after telling an agent that he had a growing rash on his leg.

And officials said in a statement Jan. 25 the unidentified migrant will need extensive treatment.

A group of 306 migrants crossing illegally were taken into custody by Border Patrol agents Thursday in southern New Mexico.  CBS4 Local  2019125

He was detained at the Lordsburg, New Mexico, Border Patrol station, CBS4 reported, adding that he was from Central America.

A statement from border patrol officials said the unidentified migrant will require extensive medical treatment but Border Patrol spokesman Carlos Antunez said he could not provide more details or the mans condition, reported The Associated Press.

Flesh-eating bacteria is a rare condition called necrotizing fasciitis that spreads quickly and can be fatal.

The bacteria usually gets into the body through a minor cut or scrape and can cause a serious infection that can destroy muscle, skin and other tissue.

Sometimes surgery is needed to remove the infected area.

Its rare for the infection to spread to other people.

On the same day, KFOX reported that 300 migrants crossed illegally into southern New Mexico border.

A group of 306 migrants crossing illegally were apprehended by agents working out of the Camp Bounds Forward Operating Base at the Antelope Wells Port of Entry.

The majority of the group, which were from Central America, were taken to the Lordsburg Border Patrol station for more processing, the report said.

The agents at the Lordsburg station learned about the man with the growing rash on his leg.

Its the 26th group consisting of more than 100 people since the start of the fiscal year, said the agency.

The sparsely populated desert area has experienced a significant influx of large migrant groups recently. Nearly 10,000 migrants have been detained at New Mexicos three Border Patrol stations since Oct. 1, officials said. There were 12,800 detentions at the three stations from October 2017 through September 2018.

Necrotizing Fasciitis

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), necrotizing fasciitis is a rare infection that spreads quickly in the body and is potentially fatal.

Accurate diagnosis, rapid antibiotic treatment, and prompt surgery are important to stopping this infection, said the agency.

Necrotizing Fasciitis is the Rare Disease of the Day. Learn more here: http://bit.ly/26KzZqU  National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. (NORD)  201675

The bacteria can enter the body via cuts, scrapes, insect bites, burns, puncture wounds, and surgical wounds.

Also, the National Organization for Rare Diseases says that such infections can be sudden, vicious, and fast-spreading and if it progresses, the patient will continue to have a very high fever (over 104 degrees Fahrenheit) or may become hypothermic (low temperature) and become dehydrated.

Meanwhile, it added, the pain in the infected area is continual and piercing, said the organization. As the infection progresses, the affected area will continue to swell, become purple or mottled (blotches of black, purple, and red), and may be accompanied by a rash of blisters and this is a sign of skin necrosis, it says.

In July 2018, USA Today reported that flesh-eating bacteria killed one person and infected nine people alone in Virginia.

If theyre healthy, if they know they have a cut, wash it with soap and water and if they are immunocompromised, do not go into the water if you have a cut or sore. Be very careful because you are at risk. If you do have the symptoms, seek care right away. Especially if you have a weakened immune system, Nancy Lemis, an epidemiologist for the Virginia Department of Health, told the newspaper.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Mayors Want Clarity on Grey Areas Around Cannabis Consumption

TORONTORecreational marijuana has been in legal in Canada since October 2018, but municipalities across the country are still unclear about their authority over consumption of the drug. There are a lot of legal grey areas and uncertainties as to how much control individual municipalities have.

Markham was one of the first cities in the Greater Toronto Area to opt out of having cannabis retail stores and also restricted consumption of the drug to private property. The city is now looking into how far it can go to restrict marijuana consumption.

We may not, at the end of the day, have the legal authoritywere still getting a report on thatto restrict, so that we can say you cant smoke it in your backyard or within a certain distance from your neighbour, Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti said in an interview with NTD Television.

Currently, cannabis can legally be smoked essentially wherever tobacco can be smoked. According to the Ontario government website, this includes private residences, certain outdoor public places, designated rooms in hotels, and controlled areas in long-term care homes.

If someone is sitting on their back porch or on their back deck and theyre smoking on their own property and the smoke goes into the park beside them or the trailway beside them, theres not much you can do because people can smoke on their private property, not only in their house but on their lots somewhere, Richmond Hill Mayor David Barrow told NTD Television.

Theres always an issue there, so our bylaw people are going to have a struggle on determining which is actually the offence.

Since cannabis consumption is no longer an offence, Barrow said the police will not get involved unless under certain circumstances, such as driving while high. Issues like complaints about smoke drifting into a nearby schoolyard or playground will be dealt with by bylaw officers, he said.

However, it is not entirely clear how much authority bylaw officers will have. The rules around homegrown plants is one potential problem Barrow foresees. Ontario residents are allowed to grow up to four plants per residence (not per person), and he is concerned about how that will be regulated and controlled.

Will they sell it? How do you stop all of these things? How do you enforce things when were not really sure what were going to be looking at enforcing? he said.

The Ontario government allows communities to place additional restrictions on cannabis through municipal bylaws, and communities have asked the provincial government to clarify further what they can and cannot restrict.

We didnt want to pass a bylaw that would be challenged in the courts and then get knocked down, Scarpatti said. We want to do something that is going to be on a very strong footing legally, so were not wasting money and time fighting something we know is going to lose. So thats why we asked for the additional report.

Some local governments are also concerned about retail cannabis stores coming to their municipalities, as they have no control over where such a store can be located.

There were concerns that these stores would actually open up in some of the local shopping centres, the neighbourhood shopping centres, where families go to pick up milk and their drycleaning and could be very close to their homes, Scarpatti said.

Could you go get your groceries and right next door would be a retail shop for cannabis?

External signage, external marketing, and the exposure of those retail shops next to places where constituents might take their families were also concerns expressed by Markham residents, especially by parents, Scarpatti noted.

Markham is one of 77 municipalities in Ontario that have opted out of having a retail cannabis store, while 337 opted in. The Ontario government gave municipalities until Jan. 22 to decide whether they wanted to have the stores. For any community that opted out, they can choose to opt in in the future, but cannot reverse that decision.

Municipalities that opted in have no direct control over where a store can be located. Current legislation explicitly prohibits municipalities from targeting marijuana businesses through zoning bylaws, although under the Municipal Act they can limit strip clubs and payday loan stores.

Im disappointed because it takes power out of our hands to work with communities on the most appropriate locations, Ottawa city councillor Riley Brockington told the Ottawa Citizen.

We wont be unreasonable, but I dont want [cannabis stores] embedded in residential communities or close to schools or community centres. I want them spread out. You dont have four or five LCBOs on the same block.

Ontario is allowing 25 private retail cannabis stores to open on April 1. More licences will be issued when the Ontario government has determined that the federal government has provided for enough reliable supply.
Man Convicted Over Explicit Photos After Dad Poses as 11-Year-Old Daughter On Social Media

A man who sent explicit photos of himself to an 11-year-old girl has been sentenced thanks to a father who insisted on keeping a weather eye on his daughters social media account, and who posed as her online.

Blake Pitchford, 27, was sentenced on Jan. 24, to three years of community service. He was caught after sending an indecent image of himself to the girl and arranging to meet her.

In fact, Pitchford had been messaging her father via Facebook, who had only allowed her to set up a social media account on the condition that he could check it.

The very first time he checked, he came across the explicit picture of Pitchford, according to the Manchester Evening Post. He then pretended to be his daughter, and carried on messaging. Once Pitchford had agreed to meet, he contacted the local police.

The incident occurred in June 2016, when Pitchford was aged 25 and the girl was 11-years-old.

Pitchford, who lives in Wigan, north England, escaped a heavier sentence because of his low mental age, revealed in a psychological assessment, the judge said. He will now have to enroll in a rehabilitation programme for convicted sex offenders.

A judge said other parents can learn from the way the victim's father monitored his daughter's use of social media  Manchester Evening News  2019125

Sentencing Pitchford at Bolton Crown Court, Judge Richard Gioserano, praised the fathers management of her Facebook account, according to Wigan Today.

He allowed her to have that account on condition that he was allowed to monitor it and it is the experience of this court that there are others who could learn from his approach.

Online Pedophile Hunters Wrack Up Dozens of Convictions

In a statement, per MEN, the father said: Im angry and distressed that this man sent my daughter sexually explicit messages in the belief he was communication with an 11-year-old girl.

I have had nightmares of what could have happened if it was her that had been engaging in this conversation and messaging this man.

Thanks to his excellent detective skills another scumbag is off our streets   Daily Mail  2019125

The father isnt the first person to pose as a child to catch a sexual predator.

Posing as children online to snare sexual predators has become increasingly common in the UK in recent years, with self-styled pedophile hunters wracking up dozens of convictions.

One of the longest-running groups, Dark Justice, has led to 163 arrests 92 convictions and 44 jail terms, according to their website.

The two-man outfit was at the center of a landmark court case two years ago, which effectively gave the green light for pedophile hunters to continue with the blessing of the law.

Pedophile hunters often post videos and pictures of their encounters, along with text message evidence online, together with the names of the sexual predators.

Pedophile hunter groups have sometimes been criticized for meting out vigilante justice, and for the occasional eruption of violence.

One pedophile hunter group, called the Hunted One, disappeared after a sting operation at a shopping mall descended into a brawl as it was being broadcast on Facebook live.

A spokesperson for the group, who called himself Ben Bleach, had spoken to the Epoch Times a few days before the incident.

Bleach said some people who watch the videos complain about group members swearing when they confront alleged pedophiles and wait for the police.

Im Still Telling Myself Its Not My Fault

Until you actually read through a whole chat [with a pedophile] from start to finish, you never realize how sick and twisted it all is, Bleach told the Epoch Times in a previous interview. When you are sitting there with them face to face, it is very hard. Id rather sit there and swear at someone than stand there and [hit] him.

Pedophile Hunter Jamie Lee, who calls himself a child protection enforcer told the BBC, Were not doing it to incite violence, incite hatredwere doing it because if they were living next door to me Id want to know.

Lee was behind the sting that led to a jail term for a man that the BBC refers to only as Robert, who pleaded guilty to attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child.

Robert killed himself after being released from prison.

Jamie says he never expected that to happen.

My goal is for these men to face what [theyve] done. Earlier this month a BBC investigation found that since the start of the trend, eight alleged pedophiles have killed themselves after they were exposed online.
Largest Great White Shark Tagged in the Atlantic Ocean by Captain Chip

For over a month, the Atlantics Great Whites werent giving Captain Chips chum any attention. Skeptical, and driven nuts by an ineffectual 40 hours of chumming, he fed the ocean his mix of fish guts and blood once again. And to his disbelief, they tagged the largest great white ever tagged in the Atlantic Oceanapproximately 2,600 pounds, and almost as wide as the boat.

The great catch did not come alone. Six others were caught, and four total were tagged, according to the captains Facebook page, Outcast Sport Fishing. Pictures of the mighty whites were posted posing in their best Jaws impersonations.

Gannets eye view last weekend of us popping the hook out. Cant remember which one this was, though. Thanks to Taylor with Salt Creek Outfitters for the shots and jumping on the rod when we needed.  Outcast Sport Fishing  2019124

Only one female was caught and the rest were males, including the one-ton giant. In one of the captains posts, he explains that female sharks are usually much larger than their counterparts. He then shared a captains tale of three 3,000 pound females that they caught in the past.

Insane day. Largest male white shark tagged in the Atlantic. Almost as wide as the boat. Better shots coming.  Outcast Sport Fishing  2019118

Amazing day. Hooked 7, tagged 4. I haven't seen a great white shark in over a month. We had a cold snap mid-Dec and  Outcast Sport Fishing  2019119

Teenage Shark Serves as Memoriam

This South Carolina crew also has a heart for both man and fish. The one female that the crew caught weighed 1,500 pounds, and when she surfaced, she greeted the crew with more than just a pair of dark, ominous eyes and a toneless smile: seal scratches covered her face. She was quickly released.

2nd shark the other day was a 12.5ft, 1500 pound female we named Charli. She got a full work up and we shoved her off  Outcast Sport Fishing  2019121

Last year over the summer, a great friend of the captain lost his daughter in a car accident, and the great white was given a name, in memoriam of the girl: Charli.

We named her after a great friends 11-year-old daughter  As it seems, they were both born around the same year, stated the post.

Comments grateful for the captains compassion were left on the post, and others thought that naming the shark was a kind gesture. To be clear, the captain only catches, tags, and releases the sharks. According to one of the comments, which the captain liked, releasing them is a sign of prosperity to the crew.

Taylor Horton, with a shot of Charli last weekend. The shark has the technology to tell us her exact track, depths, temperatures and daily routine.  Outcast Sport Fishing  2019122

A Captain Does Not Reveal His Secrets

The captain stated that he made the record-breaking catch in a spot that he never tried before. His luck was dry, so he gave the new waters a shotand met with success. Of course, fearing that 50 boats would relish in his fresh waters, he wasnt willing to share the location in the comment sectiona true shark whisperer, and businessman.

To keep it simple; Captain Chip loves what he does, states the Outcast Fishing website. His commitment is to provide memorable and exciting sport action with a laid back attitude is what leads Capt. Chip to have one of the highest repeat businesses in the area.

Taylor Horton with Salt Creek Productions getting a sunrise while we set up for Jaws.  Outcast Sport Fishing  2019110

To track Charli and other great whites, you can download the Sharktivity app.
Lara Trump, daughter-in-law of President Donald Trump, attends the Women for America First Summit, at Trump International Hotel in Washington on Oct. 5, 2018. (Jan Jekielek/The Epoch Times)

Lara Trump Slams Media for Misrepresenting Her Remarks on Government Shutdown

Lara Trump said that her remarks about the partial government shutdown were twisted by media outlets.

Trump, the wife of President Donald Trumps son, Eric Trump, spoke with BOLD TV about the current shutdown, which affects 25 percent of the federal government.

She said that the closure isnt fair to the 800,000 people who are either working without paychecks or furloughed but that the debate on immigrationthe shutdown comes from the president wanting funds for the border wall, which Democrats refuse to giveis so much bigger than any one person.

It is a little bit of pain, but its going to be for the future of our country and their children and their grandchildren, and generations after them will thank them for their sacrifice right now, Trump said.

I would just tell them, Please stay strong. We appreciate everything that youre sacrificing. Were behind you and were going to do everything we can, I know the president is doing everything he can to resolve this quickly.

Trump critics slammed Lara Trumps comments. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), a presumed presidential candidate, was among them.

She must not have talked to the workers at our airport or the prison guards working without pay, Kloubachar said on Twitter.

But Lara Trump said her comments were twisted, calling it an example of fake news.

Theyre completely misrepresenting my words and my support for furloughed workers, she wrote on Twitter. My heart goes out to all of the federal workers affected by the shutdown and were fighting every day to end this impasse.

Speaking to Fox News, she added, For the mainstream media to take one little blurb out of what I said, misconstrue it and misrepresent what I had to say is completely unacceptable, and its why the president calls the media a lot of fake news these days.

Senate Bills Fail

Two attempts to end the shutdown failed in the Senate on Thursday.

One bill included $5.7 billion for the construction of the border wall, which President Donald Trump demands be included to let the government reopen. That bill garnered 50 votes, which is short of the 60 votes needed to avoid a filibuster.

Another bill that did not include funding for the wall garnered 55 votes, still short of the 60-vote threshold.

Speaking to reporters after the votes failed, President Trump said his administration is working on ending the shutdown, noting that a number of Democrats seem to be shifting positions in recent days.

You need the wall, he said. In fact, I see a lot of the Democrats are all, almost all of them are breaking and saying, Look, walls are good. Walls are good. Big difference from what you had two or three weeks ago.

About the bills, he added, We knew they both were not going to go anywhere.

We have a lot of alternatives, Trump said. There are a lot of people that want this to happen. Ill tell you who wants this to happen: The military wants this to happen because this is a virtual invasion of our countryof drugs, of human traffickers, of so many different things, of criminals. Its an invasion of our country.

And the military wants this to happen, and the Border Patrol wants this to happen. And, by the way, Border Patrol said all of the drones flying up in the airhaving a lot of fun, flying drones all over the placethey dont mean a thing when they look down and they see thousands of people rushing our border. The only thing that works is a strong barrier or wall.

From NTD News
Enrique Salazar Ortiz, 63, an illegal alien from Mexico, pleaded guilty to voting in the 2016 presidential election. (Bexar County Sheriff's Office)

Illegal Immigrant Who Voted Sentenced to 30 Months in Prison

An illegal immigrant who voted in U.S. elections was sentenced to 30 months in prison.

Enrique Salazar Ortiz, a native of Mexico, was convicted of making a false statement on a passport application, unlawful voting by an illegal alien, and aggravated identity theft, reported the San Antonio Express-News.

Ortiz used a stolen identity to vote in the 2016 presidential election. The name on the stolen ID was Jesse Vargas Jr.

Vargas himself left the area as a teenager but someone used his identification to vote in local elections since at least 1994, Bexar County elections administrator Jacque Callanen said, including in the 2008 Democratic primary.

A public defender told U.S. District Judge Fred Biery that the Vargas identity was used by four men in total and that Ortiz had just used it in the 2016 election.

Ortiz began using the name several years ago after buying it from a man in a bar for $20, she added.

In late 2018 Ortiz admitted to voting in the 2016 election but refused to tell authorities if he voted in any other elections, reported the Express-News.

The fake identification was detected by the State Department in December 2016 after Ortiz mailed in a passport renewal application for a passport that he had been using fraudulently for 10 years. He was arrested in August 2017.

According to a report by the Treasury inspector general for tax administration released in 2017, illegal aliens steal hundreds of thousands of legal identities to gain employment. Up to 29 million illegal aliens are living in the United States, according to researchers at Yale University.

As part of the guilty plea from Ortiz, Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Moore dismissed two other charges, false representation of U.S. citizenship and being an alien in unlawful possession of a firearm.

When asked in court whether he knew what he was doing what was illegal, Ortiz said he did.

Unfortunately, yes, I knew it was, Salazar said.

Election Officials Encourage Noncitizen Voting

Several election officials in Texas were caught on hidden camera suggesting that noncitizens can vote and are voting, while some Ohio, Georgia, and New Jersey poll workers instructed undercover reporters on who or what to vote for.

The videos were released by Project Veritas and Project Veritas Action, two nonprofits founded by James OKeefe, whose guerrilla-style of undercover journalism has developed into a highly effective operation that has garnered headlines across the country for about a decade.

One of the reporters told a Texas poll worker that her boyfriend is a recipient of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), a protection from deportation for illegal aliens who arrived in the United States as minors, which was ordered by President Barack Obama in 2012.

The reporter said the boyfriend was able to register to vote, although DACA doesnt bestow a legal status, much less citizenshipa prerequisite for voting.

He is in the system, but he knows that, like, I dont know, theres, like, an issue with DACA people voting, the reporter said in the video.

Uh-uh, the poll worker said, shaking her head. Tell him, uh-uh, tell him we had a lot of them.

Youve got a lot of them? the reporter asked.

Mhm, said the worker, identified as Pam Nash in the video, nodding. From early voter? We get tons of them.

Tons of DACA voters. Okay, the reporter said.

Get him. Bring him in, the worker said.

All right. Will do, the reporter replied. He just needs his ID, right?

Thats it. Drivers license. Hes good, the worker replied.

And it doesnt matter that hes not a [citizen], the reporter said.

Nah. No maam, the worker interjected.

Poll workers can face misdemeanor charges in Texas for knowingly allowing voting by someone who isnt eligible.

In another case, a poll worker, Jamie Arriola, instructed a person who said his girlfriend was an illegal alien to just bring her in.

Mhm. Just bring her ID, the worker said.

At another moment, the reporter asked if he could also bring the girlfriends mother and aunt. The worker said that as long as they have their ID in the state of Texas, theres no discrimination against it.

We dont actually verify status, he said.

Epoch Times reporter Petr Svab contributed to this report.

From NTD News
A naturally occurring ice disk that gained international fame appears to be freezing in place following a stretch of frigid weather, Jan. 23, 2019, in Westbrook, Maine. The giant ice disk on the Presumpscot River now has its own webcam. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

Ice Disk Freezes out an Attempt to Hack Peace Sign Into It

A giant disk of river ice has proved too much for a New Jersey attention-seeker who tried to carve a peace sign on it.

Christopher Angelo, of Lavallette, New Jersey, went onto the ice Jan. 24 with a hatchet, saying he wanted to transform the natural phenomenon into a spinning work of art. But he was unable to get the disk spinning  and his peace sign came up short, too.

The massive disk appeared last week in the Presumpscot River in Westbrook, Maine, mesmerizing onlookers as its spun slowly before coming to a stop on Jan. 22. Stories, photos and videos have been shared widely.

Police declined to intervene Thursday, saying it wasnt a crime to hack at river ice. The Portland Press Herald reports Angelo has a history of staging public stunts.

Hypnotic Moon Disc Turning into Ice

Think of it as a beautiful full-moon or think of it as an alien ship hypnotically spinning over a wintry river landscape. From certain angles, it may appear like a celestial body staring from across some distant corner of our galaxy. But this giant rotating disk is nothing you may be thinking!

Its a rare and natural phenomenon; a giant rotating disc of ice about 100 yards in diameter that has appeared on Presumpscot River in the city of Westbrook, Maine, in the United States.

There were a bunch of seagulls [sitting] right in the middle and a lot of pigeons on the edge, said Scott Brown, a resident of the city who visited the site on the afternoon of Jan. 16.

I had to be there, absolutely. It was a beautiful day, he said.

How Was It Created?

Such rotating ice disks have been reported before. Last year, a similar rotating disk was reported in the Colorado River by The Denver Channel.

Ice discs have baffled physicist and environmental scientist for over a century, according to Science Alert, a digital science media.

The website describes ice discs to be created along in a river by little spinning currents called eddies that form when water flows over rocks or into an enclosed space.

It however also mentions that this doesnt explain the entire phenomenon. If the rotation was caused by eddies, the small discs would spin faster than big discs. However, it has been observed that discs of varying sizes rotate at almost the same speed. And there have been reported incidences of icy discs rotating even on still water, according to Science Alert.

SO COOL: A massive ice disk has formed in a Maine river. The 100-yard-wide formation spins slowly on its own counter-clockwise https://t.co/nUXBMaigJV pic.twitter.com/jSxaJuBuZS  ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) January 16, 2019

Locals are thronging to the spot with their drones and cameras to capture the beauty of the rare sight.

One young fellow had a drone that he was flying to get good pictures, another fellow was trying to get a time-lapsed video but the ice sphere ended up drifting to the far side and getting caught on the banking, said Brown.

Brown said the few people he met were seeing it for the first time after hearing about it in the news. Another fella was there because his sister in New York had heard about it and so she heard about it before he did, so he came on his lunch break to see, said Brown.

The video is abuzz on the internet as well. Nature never stops doing amazing things, commented netizen Clare Elaine Berntsen on the pictures of the ice disk posted on the City of Westbrook Facebook page.

A video of the disk posted on Twitter shows ducks on the icy carousel. Honestly the best part of this ice disk are the ducks taking a ride on it, tweeted local reporter, Taylor Gleason.

Honestly the best part of this ice disk are the ducks taking a ride on it  pic.twitter.com/0Lz9qlUHaW  Taylor Gleason (@TaylorGWGME) January 15, 2019

The Epoch Times contributed to this article
Car collector Gary Dower holds up a photo showing his 2010 Dodge Challenger Limited Edition SRT8 before it burned at his home in Santa Rosa, Calif., on Oct. 20, 2017. (Josh Edelson/AFP/Getty Images)

Homeowner Equipment Caused California Wine Country Fire

SACRAMENTO, CaliforniaIn a long-awaited report, state investigators said on Jan. 24, that a 2017 wildfire that killed 22 people in Northern California wine country was caused by a private electrical system, not equipment belonging to embattled Pacific Gas & Electric Corp.

The state firefighting agency concluded that the blaze started next to a residence. It did not find any violations of state law.

BREAKING: Cal Fire has determined the 2017 Tubbs Fire was ignited by a private electrical system  NOT PG&E pic.twitter.com/wuUwjhTe3D  J.D. Morris (@thejdmorris) January 24, 2019

I eliminated all other causes for the Tubbs Fire, with the exception of an electrical caused fire originating from an unknown event affecting privately owned conductor or equipment, CalFire Battalion Chief John Martinez wrote in his report.

Some details about the property, including its owner and address, were blacked out of the report. It said the Napa County property about 3 miles north of Calistoga was built in 1946 on about 10.5 acres with a wine cellar, pool, and several outbuildings.

PG&E previously identified the owner of the Napa County compound as Ann Zink. In court filings, the utility said Zink had a private system to carry power to other buildings as well as equipment such as a water pump and water storage tank.

Efforts to reach her Thursday were unsuccessful.

PG&E previously said it plans to file for bankruptcy protection next week, citing $30 billion in potential damages from lawsuits linking its equipment to other deadly blazes for which it has been determined to be at fault.

The company said in a statement that despite Thursdays finding, it still faces extensive litigation, significant potential liabilities and a deteriorating financial situation.

Gov. Gavin Newson said his office believes that more than half of PG&Es expected damages stemmed from the wine country fire.

Newsom said his goal is to make sure victims are made whole, that the state has safe, reliable and affordable service, and that ratepayers are not paying the price of the neglect by PG&E established in past wildfires.

I imagine youre going to hear a lot of folks questioning aspects of this and theyre going to be concerned and filled with some anxiety, he said. I cant tell you what we can do in those circumstances because thats a question for lawyers, judges and potentially juries, and prospects of mediators and settlement.

Legal experts say a determination that PG&E equipment was not to blame for the wildfire will probably not stop it from going ahead with its planned bankruptcy.

The company still faces billions of dollars in potential damages from other wildfires, including the Paradise fire in November that took at least 86 lives and became the deadliest on record in the United States in the past century.

Bankruptcy would also give the company space to formulate a plan to prevent its equipment from causing more catastrophic fires in the future.

Erin Brockovich urges California to stop PG&E bankruptcy https://t.co/XhtR0G130L pic.twitter.com/4eGGbcvbQs  The Press Democrat (@NorthBayNews) January 23, 2019

Michael Kelly, an attorney for victims of the fire, said the findings wouldnt have much effect on the lawsuits he has filed.

Were going to stick by our guns, Kelly said, adding that there are still questions about why PG&E didnt cut power to the area despite a high fire danger. He said there is also evidence that contradicts the findings of state fire investigators.

Trading of PG&E Corp. stock was halted twice after news about the cause of the fire prompted a surge of buy orders. Once trading resumed, the price rocketed up, closing up $5.96, or nearly 75 percent, at $13.35 a share.

Just because a private electric line caused the wine country fire does not let the utility off the hook for the role of its equipment in other devastating fires, said state Sen. Bill Dodd, a Napa Democrat and frequent critic of PG&E.

This underscores the idea that we all have a role to play in wildfire prevention, Dodd said in a statement.

PG&E said in a Jan. 2 court filing that it believed a handyman performing unlicensed electrical work started the wine country fire at the Zink property. The utility said it had no responsibility to maintain or inspect the private system.

Zink, 91, told The San Francisco Chronicle in 2017 that her house was unoccupied at the time of the fire and she was at her other home in Riverside County when the blaze began.

In Thursdays report, one witness reported seeing a transformer explode. Another reported seeing the fire approach a PG&E power pole.

One witness, Charlie Brown Jr. of Calistoga, said the electrical wiring leading from Zinks property had not been used in years.

By Don Thompson
A watercolor of an unknown landscape attributed to Adolf Hitler at Kloss action house, pictured before it was seized by police as a suspected forgery, in Berlin on Jan. 24, 2019. (Reuters/Fabrizio Bensch)

Hitler Paintings Seized From Auction House in Forgery Investigation

Three watercolor landscapes said to be painted by Adolf Hitler have been seized by German police as suspected forgeries just as they were about to be sold at action.

Berlin police seized the landscape paintings from Kloss auction house Jan. 24 in an investigation into attempted fraud and falsification of documents.

The paintings were listed with an estimate of 4,000 to 6,000 euros ($4,500-$6,800) apiece by the auctioneers, who had previously described them as having no artistic value.

Two of the paintings are set in the Alps, one on the Rhine river.

Before the outbreak of World War I, Hitler scraped a living by painting landscapes on canvas and postcards in the city of Munich. He claimed to have produced as many as three a day.

So far the auction house has declined to comment, and no arrests have been made, according to reports.

The three paintings had acquired certificates of authenticity within the last two years.

German newspaper Deutsche Welt noted several reasons to believe they were fakes.

One of the difficulties in authenticating Hitlers paintings is the fact that he was not an original artist, but just a moderately gifted copyist without his own style, noted the newspaper. Without the fingerprint of personal artistic style, Hitlers paintings are much harder to authenticate.

The newspaper also casted doubt on the signatures, which arent in a painters fluid style, and which are known to have been forged in the past.

His former business partner, Hanisch, in the 20s and early 30s eagerly produced images with the same style as Hitler and signed them with the name of the now prominent party leader.

Welt pointed out the signatures on the seized paintings look completely different from the few samples of Hitlers signatures from before 1914.

Before the police seized the paintings, Heinz-Joachim Maeder, a spokesman for Kloss auctioneers told Reuters, In my view they have no artistic valueits simply adequate craftsmanship. The value of these objects and the media interest is because of the name at the bottom.

If you walk down the Seine and see 100 artists, 80 will be better than this, Maeder said.

Hitler twice applied for the prestigious Vienna Academy of Fine Arts, but failed the entrance exam twice.

The most paid for a painting by Hitler was 130,000 euros ($148,000), in 2014.

Hitler allegedly ordered his artwork to be tracked down and destroyed, according to the BBC, but several hundred are known to still exist, many of which are held by the U.S. Army in a collection that has never been exhibited.
As the Camp Fire ravaged the small Northern California city of Paradise, days later, a family found their dog guarding a home. (Kayla Westman/GoFundMe)

Graphic Photo: PETA Grills Fake Dog in Pro-Vegan Stunt

Animal rights group slammed on social media for upsetting children

An activist with animal rights group PETA was seen grilling a fake dog in an attempt to get others to turn to veganism.

If you wouldnt eat a dog, why eat a lamb? a sign below the lifelike barbecued dog read. The incident unfolded in Sydney, Australia, on Jan. 19.

It took place as Australians around the country prepare for yearly barbecue celebrations for Australia Day this Saturday.

PETA sparks outrage by barbecuing dog in mall https://t.co/7x2urKP4uN pic.twitter.com/UYT0oNCjTK  New York Post (@nypost) January 24, 2019

Anyone whos repulsed by the prospect of chowing down on dog meat should question the incongruity of their compassion towards other animals, the group said in a statement, Fox News reported.

This is called speciesisma form of discrimination based on nothing more than speciesand like all forms of discrimination, it cannot be justified. As humans, we instinctively feel compassion and empathy for animals, but were taught that its OK to enslave and eat some of them, without a second thought as to who they are as individuals, the statement continued.

PETA was slammed for the move, and some residents said that schoolchildren were walking nearby.

Children on their school holidays were visibly upset after coming across a fake dog being cooked on a barbecue as part of a @peta demonstration in Sydneys Pitt Street Mall #YahooNews | https://t.co/M4m6wOxGBN pic.twitter.com/308Mky9WVD  Samuel Hussey (@smhussey) January 24, 2019

Keep them out of public places. It should be classed as public nuisance! Kids around? That is further reason to stop this! Exposing them to this??? Cruel, one person said on Twitter.

Another wrote. I saw some visibly upset kids.

@peta stopping to new lows with their stunt in Martin Place today  terrifying children on school holiday outings by barbecuing a (very lifelike) dog. I saw some visibly upset kids #Disgraceful #stunt #PETA pic.twitter.com/iaRpDXrCDc  Cckrach (@cockroachBLUE) January 23, 2019

PETA said it is unphased, and it wants Australians to stop eating meat during the upcoming holiday.

To care about animalsas most Australians claim toshould be to care about all animals, the group said. Many animal-free options (which are also better for your health and the environment) are available for your Australia Day barbecue.

That supposed protest in Sydney is more inhumane than any slaughtering of animals. Keep them out of public places. It should be classed as public nuisance! Kids around? That is further reason to stop this! Exposing them to this??? Cruel.  Jkscal (@jkscal) January 24, 2019

PETAs Emily Rice, meanwhile, told News.com.au that their demonstration was thought-provoking.

Its not gruesome but its no different to when youd walk past a Peking duck hanging in a shop window or a pig on a spit at a wedding, she said.

Euthanizing Animals?

The Atlantic in 2012 reported that PETA has a very bad history of killing animals, saying that the organization cant explain why its adoption rate is only 2.5 percent for dogs.

In 2011, PETA behaved in a regrettably consistent manner: it euthanized the overwhelming majority (PDF) of dogs and cats that it accepted into its shelters, stated the report.

Out of 760 dogs impounded, they killed 713, arranged for 19 to be adopted, and farmed out 36 to other shelters (not necessarily no kill ones). As for cats, they impounded 1,211, euthanized 1,198, transferred eight, and found homes for a grand total of five. PETA also took in 58 other companion animalsincluding rabbits. It killed 54 of them.
A woman carries her luggage to departing flights entrance at LaGuardia Airport in New York, on Nov. 20, 2018. (Shannon Stapleton/Reuters)

Flights Delayed in New York and Florida Due to Air Traffic Control Shortages, Says FAA

The Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) briefly issued a ground stop for arriving flights at New Yorks LaGuardia Airport on Friday morning, Jan. 25, as the government dealt with staffing shortages at two air traffic control facilities in New York and Florida.

The FAA said earlier that staffing shortages among air traffic controllers were delaying flights at Newark Liberty International Airport and Philadelphia International airport.

Air traffic controllers have been working without pay during the government shutdown.

BREAKING: Flights delayed at New York and Florida airports due to air traffic controller absences, Federal Aviation Administration confirms.  ABC News  2019125

The FAA issued a notice that it was halting flights into LaGuardia due to staffing issues, but lifted it around 10:45 a.m. The FAA said it was instituting a program to manage traffic that would result in significant delays for arriving flights of nearly 90 minutes.

We have experienced a slight increase in sick leave at two air traffic control facilities affecting New York and Florida. As with severe storms, we will adjust operations to a safe rate to match available controller resources, FAA spokesman Gregory Martin told ABC News.

Weve mitigated the impact by augmenting staffing, rerouting traffic, and increasing spacing between aircraft as needed. The results have been minimal impacts to efficiency while maintaining consistent levels of safety in the national airspace system. The public can monitor air traffic at fly.faa.gov and they should check with airline carriers for more information, Martin added.

Controllers and airport screeners are not being paid during the ongoing government shutdown that has reached 35 days.

On Thursday, three major U.S. airlinesAmerican Airlines Group Inc., Southwest Airlines Co., and JetBlue Airways Corp.said the impact of the shutdown on their business had so far been limited but was nearing a tipping point.

No one can predict what impact it will have as it continues, Southwest Chief Executive Gary Kelly said of the shutdown on Thursday.

The financial fortunes of airlines are closely tied to the health of the economy. In addition, airlines with hubs in Washington have said they are losing government business as a result of the shutdown.

The president has been briefed and we are monitoring the ongoing delays at some airports. We are in regular contact with officials at the Department of Transportation and the FAA, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters.

The move comes as the government shutdown enters day 35.

Sanders said that a three-week continuing resolution would only work if there is a large down payment on the wall.

A Republican-backed measure to fund Trumps border wall and other legal protections on certain immigrants failed a 50-47 vote.

Democrat Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Republicans Tom Cotton of Arkansas, as well as Mike Lee of Utah, broke with their respective parties on the vote.

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) stated that he spoke to Trump and told him senators were discussing a three-week resolution to fund the government, saying we could find a way forward to produce a bill that he would sign that would be good for everybody in the country.

Reuters contributed to this report.
This undated photo released by the St. Louis Police Department shows officer Katlyn Alix. St. Louis police say an officer "mishandled" a gun and accidentally shot and killed Alix early Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019, at an officer's home. (St. Louis Police Department via AP)

Female Officer Fatally Shot By Fellow Officer In Accidental Shooting

A St. Louis police officer mishandled a gun and accidentally shot and killed a colleague early Jan. 24, authorities said.

The shooting happened around 1 a.m. local time at an officers home, police Chief John Hayden told reporters during a news conference shortly after the shooting. Two on-duty male officers were at one of their apartments when Katlyn Alix, who was off duty, stopped by, according to police.

A police incident report said the three officers were seated in the apartment living room when one of the male officers mishandled a firearm and shot (Alix) in the chest. The male officers, both 29, drove Alix, 24, to a hospital, where she died.

Policing is critical to American society and must perpetually stand on the pillars of ethical leadership, trust, and community.

When these principles are honored, communities are safeguarded, and Americas way of life is protected from discord, lawlessness, and turmoil.

Yet, one would be naive to miss the challenges policing in America is experiencing.

The spotlight on policing illuminates the critical need for improving police-community cohesiveness. Society will thrive when character, moral courage, and respect are catalysts for police-community partnerships.

Effective policing in America is mission critical for a harmonious society. Strengthening this noble profession through police-community unity must be a priority for the country.

Our nation deserves a commitment to police-community collaboration, underscored by principles of justice, accountability, and transparency. These qualities are essential not only to law enforcement professionals but to everyone privileged to call America home.

Restoring Trust, Building Community

In my article titled America Policing: Restoring Trust, Building Community, published in the Epoch Times on Oct. 20, 2016, police-community controversies are addressed.

The article underscores Americas need for a clarion call to renew, restore, and rejuvenate police-community unity.

The indisputable reality of negative repercussions of police-community controversies are also addressed.

The article highlights that any breakdown of trust between community and police demands an urgent, unwavering, and complete dedication to remedy the problem. Building trust and enhancing human contact with respect as its foundation is crystalized as mission critical.

Additionally, the article asserts that respect, the heart of policing, must always be complemented by improving use of force standards, enhanced training and certification initiatives, transparency and accountability, and a renaissance of ethical values in policing and throughout all of society.

NYPD Chief of Patrol: Leadership, Trust, Community

The importance of leadership, trust, and community was stressed by Chief Rodney Harrison of the NYPD at an event I attended on Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2018 in lower Manhattan.

Chief Harrison was the featured speaker to a standing room only audience for the First Precinct Financial Area Security Council. The council is a partnership of law enforcement, private security professionals, and community leaders dedicated to safeguarding New York City.

Prior to his appointment as Chief of Patrol, Chief Harrison has worked in every borough of New York City in his well-decorated 27-year NYPD career.

As Chief of Patrol, Chief Harrison is responsible for over 17,000 members of the NYPD Patrol Bureau. This is the largest and most visible bureau in the NYPD. It is divided into eight borough commands comprised of 77 police precincts throughout the city.

These precincts are comprised of diverse populations, and the typical NYPD precinct is the size of a midsize American city, ranging from 70,000 to 150,000 people.

During his presentation, Chief Harrison stressed that the record crime reduction trends in New York City are only possible through police-community collaboration.

He also stressed that the heart of this collaboration is a shared responsibility and bridges of trust between the police and community.

Chief Harrison also stated that shared responsibility and trust is the pillar of the extraordinary Neighborhood Policing commitment.

Neighborhood Policing is a comprehensive crime-prevention, and crime-fighting philosophy. It is built on communication and collaboration between all members of the NYPD and the community.

Essential to Neighborhood Policing, as expressed by Chief Harrison, is the Neighborhood Coordination Officers (NCOs). These are police officers who serve as liaisons with the community, and also serve as crime-fighters and problem solvers.

The NCOs work closely not only with community residents and leaders, but with local detective squads. In their leadership roles for the NYPD, NCOs are able to effectively respond to incidents and issues due to their iron-clad community partnerships.

Vincent J. Bove contributed to this article
An American Airlines plane takes off from Los Angeles International airport (LAX) in Los Angeles, Calif., on March 28, 2018. (Mike Blake/Reuters)

Family Kicked Off American Airlines Flight After Passengers Allegedly Complain About Body Odor: Reports

American Airlines reportedly removed a family from a plane after other passengers allegedly complained about body odor.

Yossi and Jennie Adler and their 19-month-old daughter were asked to get off their plane heading from Miami to Detroit as they were boarding.

All of a sudden, as soon as they took us off, they closed the gate and then they said, Sorry, sir, some people complained you had body odor and were not letting you back on, Adler told local news outlet WPLG.

This is exactly why BOB always keeps a spare deodorant in the glove box. You just never know when you're going to need it. Anyone else stash deodorant in their car?  97.9 Bob FM Bloomington  2019124

We dont have odor, OK? Yossi said to an airport agent, according to the report. Nobody here has odor.

The family said the airliner told them they could collect their luggage, but the flight left with their stuff.

They have our car seat, stroller, everything, Jennie told outlet.

BODY ODOR BOOT  A family vacationing in Miami was kicked off their flight home because passengers complained about their body odor.  WPLG Local 10  2019124

An American Airlines spokesperson issued a statement to Yahoo Lifestyle, saying, They were asked to deplane after multiple passengers, along with our crew members and Miami airport team, were concerned about the comfort of our other passengers due to the odor.

The person said, Our team members took care of the family by providing overnight accommodations and meals and rebooking them for the next available flight.

The Adlers boarded another flight and this time, they went around asking people about their odor.

We stopped several people in the airport and, its embarrassing, but we asked them, Do you think we smell? Because we just got kicked off a plane for smelling, Jennie told WPLG.

Im very frustrated, Yossi told the station. I want them to own up to what really happened and to tell me the truth. What was it?

According to the Times of Israel, the Adlers said there was a religious reason for the move.

Theres a religious reason for some reason that theyre kicking me off the plane. We dont have odor, OK? Nobody here has odor, Adler says in the video, according to the publication.

Coming up at 9: A Detroit family upset after being kicked off a flight leaving from Miami International Airport  American Airlines says it was because of their body odor. pic.twitter.com/kypSMk6Chc  Parker Branton (@ParkerBranton) January 24, 2019

The airline employee told them: Now you told me for religious reasons you dont shower, is that what you said?

No I didnt! I shower every day. I said you kicked me off because of religious reasons, Adler shot back at him.

Last week, the Adlers were able to make it back to Detroit and got their luggage without incident, the Times reported.

Wheelchair Issue?

American Airlines said its investigating after a woman in a wheelchair was left in an airport overnight following a canceled flight.

Olimpia Warsaw, 67, was attending a relatives funeral in Chicago and was scheduled to fly back to Detroit on Nov. 30.

Claude Coltea said that he walked his mother Warsaw, who has Parkinsons and diabetes, to the gate. I walked with her all the way to her gate, he told CBS. I confirmed with the gate agent that the flight was on time. Everything was ok. She said, Yup, alls fine. Well take good care of your mom.
European Politician Condemns Suspected Chinese Pressure to Cancel Shen Yun in Spain

A European politician has denounced the recent cancellations of traditional Chinese dance and music performances in Spain that appear to stem from pressure by the Chinese embassy, calling the actions a form of blackmailing.

The New York-based Shen Yunwhose mission is to revive 5,000 years of Chinese civilization through music and dance, according to its websitehad booked the Royal Theater in Madrid to perform on Jan. 31 and Feb. 2.

But just weeks before the scheduled performances, the theaters director informed Puro Arte Humanothe nonprofit presenter of Shen Yun in Spainthat the shows had to be canceled due to technical difficulties. The Royal Theater confirmed this reasoning in an emailed statement to The Epoch Times.

Daniel Herman, the former Czech Republic Minister of Culture, said the Royal Theaterone of the citys major opera housesshould have rejected the Chinese embassys pressure, as it was absolutely not acceptable to be like a province of Beijing.

Its necessary to be strong and not accept that [pressure], said Herman, who served as the Minister for Culture between 2014 and 2017.

The Royal Theater director reasoned that another show, Das Rheingold opera, that was performing the day before and after Shen Yun, would have difficulties dismantling their sets to accommodate Shen Yuns performances, according to Puro Arte Humano in a press release. Theater technical managers did not mention this as an issue at the time the contract with Puro Arte Humano was signed.

Additionally, Puro Arte Humano said that the theater did not seem to have the same problem with other shows performing around the Das Rheingold opera show dates, claiming that the theater was only targeting Shen Yun.

Sandra Flores Gomez, vice president of Puro Arte Humano, said the theaters stated reason to cancel the show was not convincing and they suspect the real reason was due to Chinese Communist Party (CCP) pressurebased on previous experiences with the Chinese consulate interfering with Shen Yuns performance in Barcelona in 2014.

In addition, China recently tried to forge deeper ties with the theater.

The theater signed a contract in May 2018 with the National Center for the Performing Arts in Beijinga venue presided by Party officialsto engage in the exchange of productions and co-productions of both theaters, according to a press release.

And in 2016, the Madrid theater announced that it signed an agreement with the Chinese regime to participate in a project called, International League of Theaters of the Silk Road, to promote artistic exchange in the field of performing arts. The league is part of Chinas flagship project for increasing geopolitical influence around the world, the One Belt, One Road initiative, according to a report by the state-run China Daily newspaper.

Moreover, the Chinese ambassador to Spain is currently a member of the Royal Theaters Diplomatic Circle, a group of diplomats that promote the theaters international appeal, according to the theaters website.

The Epoch Times recently reported that the theaters general manager was on a trip to China on Jan. 14 and 15 this year, according to sources.

CCP Pressure Not Uncommon

Herman said he has experienced the CCPs pressure a number of times when he was his countrys cultural minister, including when the Tibetan religious leader the Dalai Lama was invited to the Czech Republic in 2016 and when Shen Yun performed in Prague in 2014. He said the Chinese embassy contacted the chief of the National Theater in Prague in an attempt to stop the Shen Yun performances, but were ultimately unsuccessful.

The former minister of culture said he believes the Chinese regime does not want to allow Shen Yun to perform because the shows mission to bring back Chinas divinely-inspired culture does not align with their atheist ideology. He added that the modern pieces in the performance, which depict real-life human rights abuses in China like the persecution of Falun Gong, also do not sit well with the regime.

The regime in China is a typical totalitarian regime. They want to supervise or control all the lives of that society, Herman said. For them, its dangerouseverything that is outside of the frame of this control.

But Herman said Spain is a member state of the European Union like the Czech Republic and should not allow the communist regime to dictate whats good and whats not good for the European country.

We are free human beings, free persons, members of a democratic state, and we know better than the communists in Beijing of whats good for us, he said.

Since its inception in 2006, Shen Yun has faced challenges due to Chinese interference around the world. Some of these countries include Holland, Denmark, South Korea, Australia, and the United States. In many instances, the CCP has tried to pressure theaters not to lease their space to the performing arts company or pressure them to cancel their shows. The communist regime has even sought to coerce government officials not to attend the performances or voice public support for the company.

The New York-based company was founded by adherents of the spiritual practice Falun Gong, who have been severely persecuted in mainland China. Then-CCP leader Jiang Zemin believed Falun Gongs immense popularityup to 100 million adherents, according to estimates cited in Western media outletswould threaten the Partys authority. He then initiated a nationwide campaign to harass, arrest, detain, and defame Falun Gong practitioners.

The CCP has also strategically spread anti-Falun Gong propaganda domestically and beyond its bordersthrough pro-Beijing or Party-affiliated Chinese media, and front groups embedded in overseas Chinese communities.

Some of these front groups would gather outside theaters around the world where Shen Yun is performing to hold up placards with propaganda slogans and hate speech with an aim to disrupt theatergoers. The most recent example of this was at the Lincoln Center in New York.

Shen Yun has performed in over 100 cities around the world, selling out shows in New York, Barcelona, and other major cities.

Herman said it was important to stand behind persecuted groups such as Falun Gong, Christians, and the Tibetans.

We have to stand behind these persecuted people and we have to open in discussions with the Chinese partner even on this platform. We have to tell them that its not acceptable to us that you do such cruel, bad things, he said.
Europe Court Orders Italy to Pay Damages to Amanda Knox

MILANEuropes human rights court on Jan. 24, ordered Italy to pay Amanda Knox financial damages for police failure to provide legal assistance and an independent interpreter during a long night of questioning following the Nov. 1, 2007 murder of her British roommate. But the court said there was insufficient evidence to support claims of psychological and physical mistreatment.

The European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, France, said in its ruling that Italy hadnt succeeded in proving that the restriction of Ms. Knoxs access to a lawyer  had not irreparably undermined the fairness of the proceedings as a whole. It said Italy must pay Knox $20,000 (18,400 euros) in damages, costs, and expenses.

Ms. Knox had been particularly vulnerable, being a foreign young woman, 20 at the time, not having been in Italy for very long and not being fluent in Italian, the court noted.

After more than seven years of legal battles and flip-flop decisions, Knox was definitively acquitted of Meredith Kerchers murder by Italys highest court in March 2015. But a damaging conviction and 3-year sentence for falsely accusing a Congolese bar owner of the murder was confirmed, leaving a cloud over her acquittal.

Knox, who is now 31 and lives in Seattle, wrote in her blog after that the ruling means that my slander conviction was unjust.

I never should have been charged, much less convicted, of slander, she wrote.

It was during questioning in the wee hours of Nov. 6, 2007, that Knox accused Patrick Lumumba, the owner of a bar where she sometimes worked, of the murder. Knoxs defense had long claimed that the accusation was coerced.

The court noted she had quickly and repeatedly retracted the statement. It said that despite her lawyers request, there was never an investigation to clarify the circumstances of the incriminating statements.

It also said that the interpreter assigned to her acted more as a mediator, and taking on a motherly attitude which was not called for in the circumstances, and that Knoxs complaints about the inappropriate conduct were never examined in Italian courts.

The human rights court, however, said there was not enough evidence to conclude Knox had sustained the inhuman or degrading treatment she claimed. Knox said she had been slapped twice on the side of the head by police, while also being subjected to pressure, threats of imprisonment and shouting.

Knoxs defense attorney, Carlo Dalla Vedova, said the decision is not a big surprise for me because the supreme court already said there were many mistakes. He said he was considering whether to challenge the standing conviction for malicious false accusations.

I hope Patrick Lumumba will understand also through the outcome of this decision that she was put in a very difficult situation, Dalla Vedova said.

The sensational murder of 21-year-old Kercher attracted global attention, especially after suspicion fell on the photogenic Knox, and Knoxs then-Italian boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito. Kercher was found nude under a blanket in her locked room, with her throat slit and having been sexually assaulted. While Knox and her former boyfriend were initially convicted in Kerchers slaying and handed hefty sentences, both were eventually acquitted.

An Ivorian immigrant, Rudy Guede, is serving a 16-year sentence for the murder.

The Kercher family lawyer, Francesco Maresca, said that the family remained bitter that years of court decisions resulted only in the conviction of Rudy Guede.

Prosecutors argued throughout the trials that the murder could not have been the work of a single perpetrator.

Sollecito sought $565,000 (500,000 euros) for wrongful imprisonmentthe maximum allowed under Italian lawbut was denied because the court said he had contributed by making contradictory statements made during the investigation. Dalla Vedova said that Knox let the deadline for wrongful imprisonment filing lapse without seeking compensation, instead focusing on the human rights issue.

It is impossible to compensate Amanda for four years in prison for a mistake. There will be no amount. We are not looking for compensation of damages. We are doing this on principal, he said.

By Colleen Barry
Griselda Cuthbert, Chatelaine of Beaufront Castle, enjoyed Shen Yun at the Edinburgh Playhouse on Jan. 24, 2019. (NTD Television)

EDINBURGH, United KingdomFlowing sleeves, gliding movements, flips, tumbles, and a live orchestra that blends music from the East and West. Shen Yun Performing Arts has touched the hearts of theatergoers around the globe, with the companys latest performance in Edinburgh, Scotland, on Jan. 24.

Among the audience at the Edinburgh Playhouse, which seats 3,000 people, was Lady Jennifer Bute, who belongs to one of Scotlands most historic families.

Those women with their long, pink scarves, every scarf seemed to go just the same height and the same width and nothing went out of place. Everything was just done exactly together. It was really amazing! she said.

Lady Bute wasnt just impressed by the precision of the dancers, but the expressive movements of the performers, who are trained in classical Chinese dance.

Dating back millennia, classical Chinese dance is one of the most expressive art forms in the world. Artists can convey a wide range of emotions through its dance movements.

Shen Yun was founded in 2006 with the mission to revive the authentic Chinese culture that has almost been lost in recent times under the communist regime.

Its different from a lot of things we have here in Edinburgh, and it brings something really different and good, said Griselda Cuthbert, Chatelaine, or owner, of Beaufront Castle in Northumberland, United Kingdom.

Im very impressed by the braveness of this company for their beliefs in bringing it and carrying on in difficult times, she said.

She described the choreography and steps as wonderful and very serene.

Shen Yun features a digital backdrop, and in some pieces it seems like the artists fly up into the air. CEO Sunita Poddar was especially impressed by the technology in the performance.

Poddar said that everything from the performance was out of this world.

I was mesmerized with the whole show, she said.

Her friend, company director Lisa Ameur, was so touched by the erhu virtuoso it brought tears to her eyes.

The two-stringed erhu has a history of over 4,000 years and, unlike a Western violin, it is played vertically.

I thought she was fantastic, she said.

With reporting by NTD Television, Mary Man, and Jane Gray.



The Epoch Times considers Shen Yun Performing Arts the significant cultural event of our time and has covered audience reactions since the companys inception in 2006.
Casey Hathaway, 3, went missing from his grandmother's home in Ernul, North Carolina on Jan. 22, 2019. He was found on Jan. 24, 2019. (Craven County Sheriff's Office)

Did a Bear Help Missing Boy Casey Hathaway? His Family Says So

The family of a 3-year-old boy from North Carolina claimed that he was protected by a bear while missing for three days.

Hes good! Hes up and talking. Hes already asked to watch Netflix, Caseys mother, Brittany, said after he was found.

Breanna Hathaway, who identified herself as Caseys aunt, also said the boy told his family he was with a bear for two days.

Casey is healthy, smiling, and talking. He said he hung out with a bear for two days God sent him a friend to keep him safe. God is a good God. Miracles do happen.  Breanna Hathaway , 24  2019 .

Casey is healthy, smiling, and talking. He said he hung out with a bear for two days God sent him a friend to keep him safe, she wrote on Facebook. God is good God. Miracles do happen

Casey was playing with two other kids in his grandmothers backyard in Ernul, North Carolina, when he vanished, Craven County Sheriff Chip Hughes told USA Today.

Harsh weather that included heavy rains and winds impacted the search for the child.

HAPPENING NOW: Officials hold news conference after missing 3-year-old North Carolina boy Casey Hathaway found alive. https://t.co/t1lP131DZk https://t.co/Nz0v7QlZAG  ABC News (@ABC) January 25, 2019

Officials were also concerned the boy wasnt appropriately dressed for the bad weather.

But when he was found, the sheriffs office said he was in good health.

A release from the FBI said he was discovered by a professional search and rescue crew in Craven County. The search area was termed as dangerous by the sheriffs office before he was located.

Is It Possible?

I dont think theres a word to describe how happy I was, Caseys mother told Inside Edition.

I wanted to go home, Casey added.

SHARE: Hundreds of people are joining multiple agencies to search for missing 3-year old Casey Hathaway. These are imagines from Chopper @ABC11_WTVD HD. Call the @cravencountync Sheriffs Office if you have any information pic.twitter.com/8JeqMyZiar  Michael Perchick (@MichaelPerchick) January 23, 2019

Wildlife expert Chris Lasher said that the boy may have spotted a bear.

It is possible that Casey saw a bear, Lasher noted, adding that the area where he was found is perfect bear territory.

But could a bear have taken care of the boy?

Bears are very nurturing animals, but they take care of their own. Im not sure a bear would see a young child in distress as a possible something they have to take care of, Lasher told Inside Edition.

Did a bear really take care of a missing North Carolina boy? https://ietv.co/2N46oEz  Inside Edition , 12  2019 .

His mom believes her son.

If he said he was with a bear, he was with a bear, said hs mother.

Rough Terrain

The terrain is treacherous. Areas are flooded and filled with sinkholes, even the trained searchers are having trouble navigating safely, the office told USA Today.

Sheriffs officials downplayed notions that the boy was abducted from his grandmothers yard.

Shelley Lynch, a spokesperson for the FBI Charlotte field office, stated: A relative in the home searched for Casey and when they were unable to find him, called 911, People reported.

We went through the woodsthrough the thicket and the briars, volunteer Donna Harris told WTVD. We did it for three-and-a-half, four hours and it was bad. It was really bad out there. If everybody could come and help look for him, it would help. As it got darker, it was scary out there. I just cant imagine a 3-year-old being out there.

Casey has been found alive. He was located by professional search and rescue crews off Toler and Aurora Roads. He is in  Craven County Sheriff's Office , 24  2019 .

The terrain was woods. It was thick in places, added Max Dudley, a volunteer. Some places it wasnt that thick, but we took our time and you see the next person, and you look and you look and you look.

You have so many people volunteering from our community and surrounding areas because they were putting themselves in the shoes of the family, youth pastor Jonathan Ipock said. What would happen if that was one of their children? Its just amazing to see everyone come together to help.
Cruz, House Republicans Want El Chapos Billions to Fund Border Wall

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and 15 House Republicans led by Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Ala.) think they can end the standoff between President Donald Trump and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) on funding for a wall on the border with Mexico.

The funds could come from a proposal called the Ensuring Lawful Collection of Hidden Assets to Provide Order Act, or El Chapo Act for short. It refers to assets forfeited by former Mexican Sinaloa cartel kingpin, Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, and other drug lords prosecuted in recent years on multiple charges related to smuggling heroin and other illegal drugs into the United States.

Guzman presently faces 17 charges in a federal court in Brooklyn, New York, and could get a life sentence if convicted. He was extradited from Mexico in 2017 after U.S. officials agreed not to seek the death penalty.

The bill introduced by the Republican legislators refers to accessing El Chapos bank accounts and any other of his many assets that U.S. authorities can locate and confiscate.

Estimates of the value of the captured drug lords assets run as high as $14 billion, but they can be difficult to trace because cartel leaders like Guzman use every means possible to hide them.

What the El Chapo Act does is really simple, said Cruz, on a YouTube video he made for the Daily Caller to explain the measure. It takes the money, the billions that El Chapo made crossing the border illegally, and it takes that $14 billion and uses it to pay for the wall.

We all know we have a 2,000-mile border with Mexico. My home state of Texas has 1,200 of those miles, Cruz continued. We, right now, have an incredible flow of human traffickers, of narcotics traffickers, coming across our border and it endangers our national security.

Brooks emphasized in a statement Jan. 23 that the proposal can kill two birds with one stone, by funding the wall and ending the partial shutdown of the federal government that is now in its 35th day, the longest-ever such official closure.

Congress should end the shutdown by passing the El Chapo Act that, over time, funds border security and a border wall by using billions of dollars in seized drug and blood money profits from drug cartels and drug lords and reapplying those drug-forfeiture monies to border security and construction of a border wall, Brooks said.

On the one hand, it shifts drug and blood money to border security and a border wall, thus helping to save the lives of thousands of Americans who die each year at the hands of illegal aliens or because of Americas porous southern border. As a bonus, the passage of the El Chapo Act ends the battle over the government shutdown, he said.

The president is demanding that Congress fund $5.7 billion of the estimated $25 billion he believes is needed to complete the walls construction, in areas stretching approximately 750 miles where it can but hasnt yet been built.

A completed structure would block dozens of border-crossing points that are currently essentially left open due to gaps in resources and manpower of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CPB).

Democrats, led by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Pelosi in the House, refuse to fund Trumps wall and, for the most part, wont negotiate on other border-security measures until Trump agrees to sign funding legislation required to reopen the government.

Cruz and Brooks are pushing the bill now as a means of ending both problems.

If enacted, the result would be, according to Cruz, we have the wall and we have an essential element to secure the border, and, critically, not one penny comes from the U.S. taxpayers.

Citing federal statistics, Brooks said U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested approximately 235,000 aliens on various criminal charges or convictions within the interior of the United Statesincluding, on average each year, roughly 50,000 for assault, 15,000 for sex crimes, and 2,000 for homicides.

Brooks added that CBP arrested more than 17,000 illegal aliens with criminal records during the fiscal year from Oct. 1, 2017, to Sept. 30, 2018.

The proposal isnt without its critics, including some on the Right.

The Constitution requires Congress to appropriate funds annually for agencies to spend, R Street Institute Vice President Kevin Kosar told The Epoch Times. The El Chapo Act would have agencies taking in money and spending it without an appropriation.

Kosar said the practice has drawn the ire of conservatives in recent years, including Rep. Gary Palmer (R-Ala.), who introduced legislation to curb agencies from spending money that has not been appropriated.

Kosars group describes itself as a free-market think tank with a pragmatic approach to public policy challenges.
Crazed Cyclist Leaps on Uber Roof in Midtown Manhattan, Attacks Driver With Lock

A crazed cyclist attacked an Uber driver with a bike lock before clambering up onto the car roof where he acted out some kind of victory ritual, saluted the sky with a diamond gesture associated with rapper Jay Z, and then got back on his bike and cycled off into Midtown Manhattan afternoon traffic.

A video of the incident, which happened on the afternoon of Jan. 18, was released on Jan. 24, by New York Police who said the unknown attacker with dreadlocks is wanted for assault.

The driver was treated in the hospital for a head wound. His windshield and rear window were smashed.

The 23-year-old Uber driver was ferrying two passengers along Fifth Avenue around 1:20 p.m. when the cyclist began to bang on his window, according to NBC New York, for no reason.

The driver tried to get away, pulling away and off onto 40th Street, where he hit traffic.

The cyclist then caught up and smashed the front and rear windshields with his U-lock before turning his makeshift weapon on the driver, who had left the car to escape the broken glass.

One unnamed witness told Action News that the drivers head was covered in blood.

Action News said that witnesses said that there was an argument between the two prior to the assault.

Stomping and Howling

However, most reports said that according to a police report no words were exchanged during the confrontationbut it is not clear if that refers to the duration of the assault or the entire episode.

The video, taken from inside the car behind, shows the back of the white Kia has been shattered as the man clambers onto the hood and then onto the roof. He then stomps around, and howls and raises his arms, apparently in celebration.

The attacker then turns around 180 degrees to face down the street, bends his knees, then raising his arms so that his hands form a diamond shape, in a gesture very similar to the Diamond Roc pyramid shape associated with rapper Jay Z.

He then dusts himself off, before stomping down the hood and then to the road.

The cyclist then simply got on his black and green bicycle and pedaled off, according to most reports, which cite police information.

One witness, however, told Action News, The driver tackled the guy, let the guy up, and the guy rode away on his bike.

WANTED for ASSAULT: black male with long dreads. On 1/18/19 at 1:20 pm in the vicinity of East 40th St & 5th Ave, the suspect used a bicycle lock to break the windows of the victims car, then hit the victim in the head with the lock. Any info, call @NYPDTips at 800-577-TIPS. pic.twitter.com/dbNnOQ6yAD  NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) January 24, 2019

The driver was named as Daniel Diez by ABC New York, which reported he had now gone to Puerto Rico to be with his family while he recovers.

According to reports, police describe the suspect as a black male with long dreadlocks, last seen wearing a gray hooded sweater, a black jacket, black sweatpants, black sneakers, and he had on a black backpack.

New York police are asking anyone with information about the suspect and his whereabouts to contact them immediately.
The sign of Comet Ping Pong pizzeria on Connecticut Avenue, on Dec., 5, 2016, in Washington. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Comet Ping Pong, Restaurant of Pizzagate Fame, Catches Fire

A fire broke out at the Comet Ping Pong pizza restaurant in Washington at 9 p.m. on Jan. 24, according to WJLA.

The restaurant gained nationwide fame after a man broke into the establishment with a gun in December 2016 acting on a conspiracy theory triggered by the release of thousands of emails stolen from Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta. The theory, since named Pizzagate, alleged that Comet Ping Pong and nearby restaurants engaged in child-sex trafficking and other grave crimes involving high-level government officials.

Some of the patrons who were at the restaurant at the time the fire broke out believe the blaze was started deliberately.

All of a sudden we see these flames. A fire has been starteda very big fire, Nicole Lafragola, a witness, told WJLA.

Another patron, a male who did not identify himself, said that a curtain at the back of the restaurant suddenly went up in flames. He pulled down the curtain while the staff put out the fire.

I smelled what smelled like a lot of lighter fluid, the man said. My suspicion is its arson, I dont have the evidence on that.

Lafragola said she saw a man acting oddly before the fire broke out. The way he left the restaurant also made her suspicious.

He seemed like he was there with a purpose obviously, and he didnt stick around. This gentleman doesnt acknowledge that he sees this fire, he just walks right out and doesnt make eye contact with anyone, Lafragola said.

DC Fire is reviewing evidence to determine if the incident was caused by arson or not.

The man who fired the rifle at Comet Ping Pong, Edgar Welch, 28, told police that he came to the restaurant to self investigate the Pizzagate theory, according to The New York Times. He fired the rifle at least once after entering the restaurant before 3 p.m.

Podestas emails, released by WikiLeaks in October 2016, contained communications with James Alefantis, the owner of Comet Ping Pong, about a fundraiser for Hillary Clinton.

The emails also contained many strange references to food, among them a reference to a handkerchief described as having a map that seems pizza related. Since cheese pizza is slang for child pornography, online sleuths suspected that the strange food references could be code language for child abuse. The suspicions were inflamed with voluminous circumstantial evidence, including a Comet employee posting images fusing images of pizza and sexual intercourse.

Welch was sentenced in June 2017 to four years in prison.

U.S. District Judge Kentanji B. Jackson said that while nobody was injured when Welch fired his weapon inside Comet Ping Pong, his actions literally left psychological wreckage.

Welch acknowledged as part of a guilty plea in March that he entered the restaurant with an AR-15 and a revolver. He said he drove to the restaurant from North Carolina.

The judge said Welch forged ahead with an ill-conceived plot even though others urged him to abandon it. If Welch believed children were being harmed, he should have notified law enforcement, the judge said.

Welchs attorney had asked for a sentence of 1.5 years in prison, while prosecutors wanted 4.5 years.

Welch spoke briefly to apologize, saying he realized that his words cannot undo or change what already happened.

His mother, father, sister, and fiancee were in the courtroom.

Two Comet Ping Pong workers and owner James Alefantis spoke before sentencing. Alefantis called Pizzagate a vicious web of lies and said many people had suffered because of Welchs actions.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Luisa Ines Tudela Harris Cutting, 21, of Jeffersonton, Virginia, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder in the death of fellow Radford University student Alexa Cannon. (Radford City Police Department)

College Student Allegedly Stabs Best Friend, Tells Police, Arrest Me

Arrest me is what a blood-soaked Virginia college student reportedly told officers after she allegedly stabbed her another university student to death.

Luisa Ines Tudela Harris Cutting, 21, of Jeffersonton, Virginia, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder in the death of fellow Radford University student Alexa Cannon.

Cutting is now being held in jail and is slated to appear in Radford General District Court, reported the Roanoke Times.

The young woman was found with a butcher knife in her mouth, and was declared dead at the scene, according to a search warrant.  New York Post  2019125

Police responded to a 911 call at around 7:45 on Jan. 24, and during the call, a dispatcher said she heard someone shouting and making reference to a knife, the Times reported.

A news release from police said officers were called to the 1200 block of Clement Street, the Times reported.

When police knocked, they were met by a woman who was apparently covered in blood.

Homicide Investigation in RadfordOn January 24, 2019 at 7:45 a.m. the Radford City Police Department was dispatched to  Radford City Police Department  2019124

She turned around and put her hands behind her back.

Arrest me, she told them, according to a warrant.

The woman told them: I killed her. Then, an officer looked into the apartment and saw a woman with several stab wounds lying on the floor.

The New York Post reported that Cutting stabbed her Cannon 30 to 40 times. The Post also reported that, according to Cannons Facebook page, the girls had a close relationship.

So incredibly proud of my best friend, Luisa Cutting for becoming Latinos Student Alliances President! I know youre going to be amazing with everything you do! Love you more!! Cannon wrote on Facebook.

So incredibly proud of my best friend, Luisa Cutting for becoming Latinos Student Alliance's President! I know you're going to be amazing with everything you do! Love you more!!  Alexa Cannon  201879

Love you so so much, Cutting said in response.

A motive in the killing is not clear, said police.

Cutting is currently on interim suspension at the university, a spokeswoman told Fox News.

Cuttings social media pages said she was a major in psychology.

Radford University President Brian Hemphill issued a statement, saying, Without question, this is a difficult day for our campus and our community.

The days and months to come will also be difficult as we extend our deepest sympathies, as well as our thoughts and prayers, to the family and loved ones of our student, Hemphill said.

He sent out another email on Jan. 25, and stated that Alexa was pursuing a degree in psychology and was planning to graduate next May.

She was very involved on campus and was a proud member of several organizations, he wrote. Like every Highlander, Alexa had a full life ahead of her, a life poised to make a great impact on those she would have encountered, the career she was pursuing and the communities in which she would have lived.

He added: Please join me in expressing the Radford familys deepest sympathies and lasting condolences to the Cannon family and all of those impacted by Alexas passing and this inexcusable and heinous act.

Violent Crime in the US

The number of murders and violent crimes committed in the United States dropped slightly in 2017, according to new crime statistics released in September 2018.

Crime declined nationwide last year, consistent with our earlier analyses of 2017 data in the nations 30 largest cities, Ames Grawert, senior counsel for the Justice Program at the Brennan Center for Justice in New York, told the Washington Times.

Thats the good news. The bad news is that even while crime is falling, the number of Americans incarcerated remains near-record highs. Now is the time to address the problem.

The number of cases of manslaughter and murder dropped 0.7 percent in 2017 from the prior year, the report said.

Rapes rose by 3 percent and aggravated assault rose by 1 percent, but overall violent crimes dropped 0.2 percent, the report added.
DALLASShen Yun Performing Arts tells stories from Chinas sprawling 5,000-year history through classical Chinese dance. Audiences are transported to stories from different dynasties and locations, with the help of a 3-D background that brings the stage to life.

Physician and co-founder of popular skincare line Beautybio, Dr. Terry James, enjoyed the integration of the dance pieces with the digital backdrop.

James added that the colors and dance movements also stood out to him.

The doctor attended the performance with his wife, Dorris, at the Dallas AT&T Performing Arts CenterWinspear Opera House on Jan. 24. Shen Yun Performing Arts is currently amidst its 2019 world tour, with six equal-sized companies stopping off at 130 cities around the world.

Shen Yuns mission is to revive traditional Chinese civilization through music, dance, and story-telling. It draws on classic tales from its vast history that encapsulate the values and virtues central to the culture. These include belief in Heaven or the divine, living in harmony with Heaven and Earth, and divine retribution.

James in particular enjoyed the stories that drew upon the ancient Chinese belief of the Creator. In the opening act, the Creator asks the multitude of gods to descend to Earth with him to spread righteousness in the realm of mortals.

Its good stories. Its a story of human nature, James said.

In addition, James was impressed by the dancers ability to project a range of emotions, from funny, to sad, to triumph, adding another layer of depth to the story-telling.

Dorris also applauded the messages found in the stories, which conveyed morals and values and faith in higher beings.

I think we could use more of that, she said.

Shen Yun does not only perform stories from ancient times, it also depicts scenes from modern-day China relating to the persecution of spiritual discipline Falun Dafa, also known as Falun Gong.

This stood out to James, and led him to reflect on the strength of the human spirit.

I think there is a inner spirit in all of us, that believes in higher power, he said.

Falun Dafa is a meditation practice that includes ancient teachings centered around the principles Truthfulness, Compassion and Tolerance. After gaining significant popularity in the 1990s, with approximately 70 million practicing by the end of the decade, the practice was banned in 1999 in a far-reaching crackdown launched by the Chinese Communist Party. The persecution has led to practitioners being arrested, sent to prisons, labor camps, and brainwashing centers, tortured, and even killed. It still continues to this day.

But the performance ultimately shows hope.

James said, And so even though we may try to push that out of human mind and conscious, it just never dies. So thats difficult to extinguish that.

And I think that still lives [within] Chinese people today.

With reporting by Amy Hu and Cathy He.

The Epoch Times considers Shen Yun Performing Arts the significant cultural event of our time and has covered audience reactions since the companys inception in 2006.
Comedian Kevin Barnetts cause of death has been released just days after his death. (Kevin Barnett/Twitter)

Cause of Death for Comedian Kevin Barnett Revealed: Reports

Comedian Kevin Barnetts cause of death has been released just days after his death.

Earlier this week, it was reported that Barnett, the co-creator of Rel, died at age 32.

We can confirm the death of a U.S. citizen, Kevin Barnett, in Tijuana on Jan. 22, a U.S. Department of State official told E! News.

Writer and comedian Kevin Barnett died at the age of 32 from "non-traumatic hemorrhage, caused by pancreatitis."  E! News  2019124

According to the statement. We offer our sincerest condolences to his family on their loss, and we stand ready to provide all appropriate consular assistance. Out of respect to the family during this difficult time, we have no further comment.

The Chief of the Forensic Medical Service told the news outlet that his body was received and was identified as Barnett.

The corresponding autopsy was carried out, which determined that the cause of death was: Non Traumatic Hemorrhage, caused by pancreatitis, said a statement.

Comedian Kevin Barnett, co-creator and executive producer of Foxs "Rel," has passed away at age 32, according to reports Tuesday. Our condolences to his family and friends.  KNIN Fox 9  2019123

It added: At the moment his body is still in facilities of the Forensic Medical Service of Tijuana, waiting to be delivered to his family members who are performing the legal proceedings.

Barnetts last social post was on Jan. 19, indicating he was in Mexico.

In mexico. Bought myself a sweater, he wrote the post. Been accused of appropriation several times. In my head I just gave a lady some money so I aint cold. Either way. Swag heavy. Mixtape comin.

In mexico. Bought myself a sweater. Been accused of appropriation several times. In my head I just gave a lady some money so I aint cold. Either way. Swag heavy. Mixtape comin. https://t.co/SY5qN6kso6  Kevin Barnett (@Fatboybarnett) January 20, 2019

Friends and fellow comedians offered their condolences.

According to the Mayo Clinics website, pancreatitis is inflammation in the pancreas. The pancreas is a long, flat gland that sits tucked behind the stomach in the upper abdomen. The pancreas produces enzymes that help digestion and hormones that help regulate the way your body processes sugar (glucose).

Pancreatitis can occur as acute pancreatitis  meaning it appears suddenly and lasts for days. Or pancreatitis can occur as chronic pancreatitis, which is pancreatitis that occurs over many years, the Mayo Clinic says. Mild cases of pancreatitis may go away without treatment, but severe cases can cause life-threatening complications.

Remembering Celebrities Who Died in 2018

Penny Marshall

Penny Marshall, the actress and director famed for her role in Laverne & Shirley, died at age 75. Marshall died at her home in Hollywood Hills, on Dec. 17, after suffering from complications from diabetes, TMZ reported on Dec. 18.

George HW Bush

Former President George H.W. Bush died on Nov. 30, 2018, a family spokesman confirmed. He was 94. His son, President George W. Bush, released a statement on Twitter, saying, Jeb, Neil, Marvin, Doro, and I are saddened to announce that after 94 remarkable years, our dear dad has died. George H.W. Bush was a man of the highest character and the best dad a son or daughter could ask for.

Stephen Hillenburg

Stephen Hillenburg, the creator of the Nickelodeon cartoon series SpongeBob SquarePants, died on Nov. 26. He was 57. Hillenburgs cause of death was amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrigs disease, according to reports. In March 2017, he announced his diagnosis.

Stephen Hawking

Stephen Hawking, who sought to explain some of the most complicated questions of life while he worked under the shadow of a likely premature death, died at 76. He died peacefully at his home in the British university city of Cambridge in the early hours earlier this year.

Anthony Bourdain

U.S. celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain, host of CNNs food-and-travel-focused Parts Unknown television series, died at the age of 61, the network said on June 8.

The cause of death was suicide, the network said in a statement. He was found dead in a hotel room in France where he had been working on an upcoming episode of his program, the network said.

Avicii

Avicii, born Tim Bergling in Sweden, was found dead in Oman. Police said there was no evidence of foul play but the official cause of death was not revealed by officials. His family indicated that he killed himself.
John McCallum, Canadas Ambassador to the Peoples Republic of China, at a meeting of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development in Ottawa on May 2, 2017. (The Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick)

Canadian Envoy to China Says He Misspoke on Huawei Execs Extradition Case

OTTAWACanadas ambassador to China admitted to an ill-timed and politically explosive slip of the tongue when he suggested detained Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou had a strong case to avoid extradition to the United States.

John McCallums surprise mea-culpa on Jan. 24 was the latest head-snapping development in the saga of Canadas fallout with China over Mengs arrest. It came just hours after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau publicly defended him in the face of Conservatives demands to fire him.

I regret that my comments with respect to the legal proceedings of Ms. Meng have created confusion. I misspoke, McCallum, a former Liberal cabinet minister, said in a statement.

These comments do not accurately represent my position on this issue. As the government has consistently made clear, there has been no political involvement in this process.

McCallums candid comments about Mengs legal case, made Jan. 22 to Chinese-language journalists in the Toronto area, raised eyebrows and fuelled speculation they were a political ploy to end Ottawas deepening diplomatic crisis with China.

McCallum not only said he thought Meng had strong legal arguments that could help her avoid extradition, he listed several arguments he thought could help her with her case. But by the afternoon of Jan. 24 he was walking back those comments.

As Canadas Ambassador to China, I play no role in assessing any arguments or making any determinations in the extradition process, McCallum said on Jan. 24.

The Canadian governments priorityand my priorityis securing the release of the two Canadians arbitrarily detained in China and ensuring that the rights of all of our citizens are protected.

In the days that followed Mengs Dec. 1 arrest, China detained Michael Kovrig, a Canadian diplomat on leave, and Michael Spavor, an entrepreneur, on allegations of endangering Chinas national security. They remain in Chinese custody.

Trudeau has called their detentions arbitrary and Western analysts believe their cases are part of an attempt by Beijing to pressure Canada into releasing Meng, whose arrest has angered Beijing. Earlier on Jan. 24, Trudeau dismissed calls to remove McCallum from his post. He said his governments focus is on getting detained Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor home safely from China and ensuring their rights are respected and recalling McCallum wouldnt achieve that.

A day earlier, Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer called on Trudeau to fire McCallum for the remarks, which he said raised grave concerns about the politicization of the Meng case.

Chinas foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said her government noted the relevant remarks by Ambassador McCallum and reiterated its demand that Meng be released from her unjust detention, which she blamed on Canada and the United States.

We have made our stern position clear, Hua said on Jan. 24, in translated remarks from her ministrys website. In order to change the current situation, the Canadian side needs to face up to the issue squarely, take Chinas solemn concerns seriously, and take measures to correct its mistakes.

At the top of McCallums list of Mengs legal options was a possible defence on the grounds of political interference following comments by U.S. President Donald Trump last month that he might intervene in Mengs case if it would help him nail down a trade deal with China.

McCallum also said Meng can argue against the extra-territorial aspect to her case and the fact the fraud allegations U.S. officials made against her are related to Iran sanctions that Canada did not sign onto.

By Mike Blanchfield & Andy Blatchford
Can You Make $100 Grow Into a House?

NEW YORKMy preteen daughter earned her first dollars in 2018, so I wanted to seed her retirement account. But what can you do with $100 or so?

For people just starting to invest, those first steps are always the hardest. Most financial institutions do not even want you. Choose wrong, and your whole balance can be eaten up in fees.

On the other hand, if you get it even a little bit right, you could enjoy the magic of compounding interest.

Dennis Nolte, a certified financial planner in Winter Park, Florida, had one of his career highlights when a couple came to thank him for his help setting up a savings plan from zero.

Nolte worked at Disneys credit union when the couple came to see him. They were in their twenties, not yet married, and struggling to make ends meet. They did not have $2,500 to meet the money market minimum, so Nolte set them up with a savings plan of $20 per pay period. If they got raises or bonuses, they promised to increase the amount.

Four years later, during the market meltdown when everyones hair was on fire, this young woman walks in and says shes there to put a $5,000 down payment on their house, Nolte said. It was like water in a desert.

Here are some tips for small-fry investors:

* Child earnings

Financial advisers love Roth IRAs, retirement accounts that take after-tax contributions, because the growth is tax-free. But you need earned income to contribute. The maximum contribution is $6,000 in 2019.

Some custodians, like Fidelity, offer accounts for minors under age 18 with no minimum balance and no annual fees. You pay $4.95 for trades unless you pick from a special selection of mutual funds and exchange-traded funds.

With a small investment, do not worry about diversification, said certified financial planner James White, of Pottstown, Pennsylvania. And do not worry about market volatility, because the time horizon is so long, White added.

Pick a solid index fund like the Vanguard 500 or Schwab Total Stock Market Index and do not overthink it.

My daughters initial $115 could be worth more than $1,000 by the time she is 59 if it grows at a reasonable 5 percent. If she contributes more over time as her earnings grow, she could be well set by her 30s, and she could take out the principal for a down payment on a house.

* College savings

The longer the time horizon, the better you will do. That is the chief incentive for starting early and small with college savings, even just $25.

Most financial advisers recommend 529 savings plans for this purpose, which give you a tax deduction in many states and grow tax-free.

Target-date funds that balance stocks and bonds for you over time are a good choice for this purpose, Nolte said. Pick an end date when your child will be in college and roll forward until it is time to pay tuition, adding as much as you can over time.

* General savings

If you are looking for safety, keep your savings in a high-yield savings account or certificates of deposit that are FDIC-insured. You can find the highest rates at a site like bankrate.com, but read the fine print, because some have minimum balances or require regular contributions.

If you have money for investing, open a brokerage account at any number of financial institutions and start buying stocks and bonds. Some, like Charles Schwab and TD Ameritrade, have no minimums. An app like Acorns can help you put aside spare change and put it to work in investments, for a monthly fee of $1 to $3.

Wealthfront.com is among those that have a $500 minimum. Spokeswoman Kate Wauck said the company wants to make sure that investors have a demonstrated ability to save and are ready to invest.

Nolte said he started his teen daughters brokerage account with $1,000. He bought individual stocks that meant something to her, like Target, before shifting to broad index funds.

Note: These accounts will affect financial aid if any of your children are soon applying to college, especially assets in a childs own name. You will also have to pay tax on the childs dividend income above $1,050.
California County Employee Helps Deliver Baby in Van

PERRISA Southern California couple got some unexpected help delivering their baby.

Amanda Tadeo of Perris went into labor Jan. 16, according to a Riverside County news release about the birth. Amanda and her husband Oswaldo Tadeo were racing to the hospital when they realized they didnt have enough time, county spokeswoman Brooke Federico said.

So the Tadeos stopped at Riverside Countys code enforcement office, thinking someone there might be able to help.

Code enforcement employee Angie Solis was walking into the office on the cold and rainy day when she heard Oswaldo yell from the couples van: My wife is in labor! Shes about to have a baby!

Solis found Oswaldo on the phone with firefighters and Amandas baby crowning.

When I first saw her in labor, I was freaking out and asked my coworkers What do we do? Solis said, according to the news release.

At 6:47 AM, a couple stopped their van at our office near Lake Mathews & requested aid. The female had gone into labor & the babys head was crowning. Riverside County Code Enf. Aide A. Solis kept her composure & assisted the young mother in giving birth to a boy. #RivCoNow pic.twitter.com/V4ymjAH8w9  Riverside County Code Enforcement (@RivCo_Code) January 16, 2019

Solis jumped into action by supporting the babys head as it emerged and comforting his mother. The baby was born into Solis hands, who held him until he began crying and then placed him on his mothers chest, Federico said.

I was overwhelmed with joy for the family, Solis said.

On 01/16/18, at 6:47 AM, a young couple stopped their vehicle in front of the West Regional Office and requested aid.  County of Riverside Code Enforcement  2019116

Federico said other code enforcement employees covered the mother and newborn with blankets and sweatshirts. Paramedics arrived shortly after and took them to a hospital.

The Tadeos named their son Damian and the family is doing well back at home, Federico said.

Births in the United States

Approximately 3.86 million births took place in 2017 in the United States, according to a report (pdf) from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published in November 2018. Data was gleaned from birth certificates.

That number was down two percent from 2016. Birth rates declined for women 39 or younger but increased for older women.

The birth rate for women in their 20s continued to drop, a trend that started in 2006, and hit a record low for 20- to 24-year-olds, at 71.0 births per 1,000 women.

The rate for women aged 30 to 34 had been increasing in recent years but declined two percent from 2016 to 2017, the first decline since 2010. The birth rate for women aged 35 to 39 also declined by one percent, the first decline since 2010.

But the birth rate for women aged 40 to 44 was up to 11.6 births per 1,000 women, a two percent increase since 2016, and continuing a trend since 1985. Women aged 45 to 49 saw a birth rate of 0.9 births per 1,000 women, a figure unchanged from 2016, but the number of births to women aged 45 and over rose three percent from 2016 to 2017.

There were 840 births to women 50 or older, essentially unchanged since the previous year, although the number has been increasing since 1997.
This illustration picture taken on April 20, 2018 in Paris shows apps for Google, Amazon, Facebook, Apple (GAFA) and the reflexion of a binary code displayed on a tablet screen. (Lionel Bonaventure/AFP/Getty Images)

Big Tech Could Benefit From Onerous Data-Privacy Legislation, Experts Say

As Congress considers several online privacy and data security bills, market-oriented experts are cautioning against over-regulation.

An all-out effort to protect individual privacy sounds good, the experts said, but onerous regulations could stifle innovative start-ups and have the unintended effect of further entrenching large internet technology companies such as Facebook and Google.

Bills filed by Sens. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and John Neely Kennedy (R-La.) would address various consumer-privacy concerns, such as expanding the definition of sensitive data and simplifying online user agreements.

But the heavy-handed General Data Protection Regulation, implemented in Europe in May last year, and Californias Consumer Privacy Act, scheduled to take effect on Jan. 1, 2020, are also influencing the nascent congressional debate.

Stringent data-privacy regulations like the European Unions General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Californias Consumer Privacy Act require significant compliance costs on companies, even those that are rather small, said Jennifer Huddleston Skees, a research fellow at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University.

Larger companies are more likely to be able to absorb these costs or reallocate resources to compliance, Skees said in an email, adding that a variety of businesses, from newspapers to video games, have already opted out of the EU market, due to hefty new regulatory costs.

That means companies such as Facebook, Apple, Amazon, Netflix, and Google, or the so-called FAANG, would have a substantial advantage over their competition, even before wielding their immense networks of lobbyists and paid political influencers.

Roslyn Layton, a visiting scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, acknowledges congressional lawmakers genuine concern for internet consumers, but calls it a mistake to equate consumer protection with increased government control.

In Europe, the GDPR is driving the opposite of its promised results. Users report less trust in online systems as regulation has increased, and Google, Facebook, and Amazon have gained market share since GDPR took effect, Layton wrote.

With respect to California, she noted that the state has had more so-called privacy rules across industries than any state, yet its residents do not report feeling more private, safe, or protected.

Data Dissemination Act

A possible solution is the American Data Dissemination Act, introduced by Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), on Jan. 16.

In todays post-industrial economy, you are the product, Rubio wrote in an accompanying op-ed. Data detailing your every move is why 34-year-old Mark Zuckerberg is worth $54 billion, and Google co-founder Larry Page is worth $50 billion.

Your data is incredibly valuable, and for the most part, it is not even yours, Rubio said.

If successful, the bill would govern the collection and sale of consumer data, which not only includes items such as a users location and personal preferences, but also education, financial transactions, medical history, criminal or employment history, and unique biometric data, such as fingerprint, voice print, retina or iris image.

The proposal would require the Federal Trade Commission to develop rules for tech companies to follow based on the Privacy Act of 1974.

By relying on the Privacy Act as its framework, Rubios plan to provide overdue transparency and accountability from the tech industry, would require tech firms to give public notice of private records as they collect and disseminate them.

It would also prohibit most disclosures of private records unless individuals give written consent, and further calls for consumers to be able to correct inaccurate records.

The Privacy Act was ironically enacted after Watergate over fears that the government would abuse the collection of early computerized personal privacy data. Those fears now apply to privately owned tech businesses.

Question Who Has Access

In March 2018, a major political scandal erupted when it was revealed that Cambridge Analytica, a British consulting firm, had harvested the personal data of 87 million Facebook users without their consent. Much of the data was used in paid political targeting efforts.

Facebook initially refused to comment, but Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg would eventually testify in a series of contentious congressional hearings. The scandal became symbolic of a larger problem and the urgent need for consumer protections.

While this individual incident was sufficiently troublesome, Rubio said, consumers have plenty of reasons to question who has access to their data when they provide it to an online entity and whether their data is secure.

Data breaches are another significant issue the bill looks to address. In late 2017, credit rating firm Equifax was breached by hackers who stole private information affecting 143 million people, roughly half of all Americans.

In December, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced more than three times as many people were affected by compromised records involving the hotel giant Marriott International.

According to Marriott, the hackers accessed peoples names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, passport numbers, dates of birth, gender, Starwood loyalty program account information, and reservation information. For some, they also stole payment card numbers and expiration dates, the FTC said in a statement.

State Pre-emption

Key to Rubios proposal is a pre-emption feature that shall supersede any state laws or relevant provisions.

Although he never mentions the California Consumer Privacy Act in his op-ed or bill press release, the Florida Republican seems committed to overriding it. The California law was approved by the Democratic-controlled state legislature and signed into law by former Gov. Jerry Brown.

It includes harsh penalties of up to $7,500 per data violation, something the pro-market conservative naturally opposes.

My bill also takes important precautions to ensure it does not entrench large, incumbent corporations. Facebook, Apple, Amazon, Netflix, Google, and others would welcome cumbersome regulations that prevent start-ups and smaller competitors from challenging the FAANGs current dominance, Rubio said, appearing to draw congressional battle-lines for impending negotiations.

More impartially, Mercatus Center researcher Skees said a pre-emption feature makes practical sense.

Federal preemption of state laws concerning data privacy could prevent the development of a patchwork of state laws that place burdens on speech and interstate commerce and potentially stifle innovation, she said.
Yang Hengjun, author and former Chinese diplomat, who is now an Australian citizen, displays a name tag in an unspecified location in Tibet, China, mid-July, 2014. (Reuters)

Australian Officials Visit Writer Detained in China

BEIJINGAustralian embassy officials visited on Jan. 25 a Chinese-born Australian writer being held in Beijing on suspicion of endangering state security, the Australian foreign ministry said.

China has said that Yang Jun, a naturalized Australian writer, who goes by the name Yang Hengjun, is being held under coercive measuresa euphemism for detentionby Beijing citys State Security Bureau and being investigated on suspicion of endangering state security.

His lawyer has said he was suspected of espionage and is being held in residential surveillance at a designated location, a form of detention that allows authorities to interrogate suspects for six months without access to legal representation.

Staff from the Australian embassy in Beijing made a consular visit to Yang on Friday afternoon, the Australian ministry said on its website.

Access to Mr. Yang was provided in accordance with our bilateral consular agreement with China, the ministry said, adding that no details of their discussion could be provided due to privacy laws.

Australian officials said Yang was detained shortly after he flew in to the southern city of Guangzhou from New York last week.

They have also said they do not believe his detention was the result of strained relations between China and the West.

Tension has risen in recent weeks between China and some Western countries after two Canadians, a diplomat on unpaid leave and a consultant, were arrested in China on suspicion of endangering state security.

Those arrests were widely seen in the West as retaliation by China for Canadas arrest of Huaweis financial chief Meng Wanzhou. Meng was arrested on Dec. 1 at the request of the United States for allegedly violating U.S. sanctions on Iran.

Australia joined international condemnation of the arrest of the Canadians, but Yang has long been in the sights of Chinese authorities.

Yang has criticized what he described as Chinese interference in Australia.

By Christian Shepherd
After Finding Toddlers Tongue Cut in Two, Police Investigate and Make Arrests

Two people were arrested in Indiana after a toddlers tongue was found split in two.

The Terre Haute Police Department launched an investigation after finding a 14-month-old boy at Union Hospital with a split tongue, swollen scrotum, and severe bruises all over his body. The tip of the boys tongue was also missing.

When a police officer asked Holly Cota, the childs mother, about the injuries, she claimed the boy fell out of his crib multiple times and thought that the split tongue came after he bit his tongue.

As for the swollen scrotum, she said that her son must have straddled the toy box when he fell, accusing damage to his scrotum, according to the probable cause affidavit, which was obtained by WTHI.

The child was rushed to the Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis. A doctor there told officers that the split tongue was not caused by the boys teeth because the teeth dont run in that direction.

She [the doctor] said that the cut appeared clean and was not torn which indicated that some type of tool, possibly scissors, were used, the affidavit stated. She also said that a piece at the tip of the tongue was missing.

The other injuries, the doctor said, indicated trauma and not accidental falls.

Cota later told officers that her boyfriend, Scott Edwards, was watching the boy when he was injured, reported the Tribune-Star. She said she was afraid to take the child for medical treatment but eventually did.

Cota was arrested on obstruction of justice charges while Edwards was arrested and charged with aggravated battery, battery, and neglect of a dependent.

Appalled

A family friend said that she was appalled by news of the child abuse.

I am appalled. I am disgusted. My heart hurts, Chelsie Loose, a friend of the family for 20 years, told WTHI.

When thats all you can think about is that poor baby going through that with nobody for him to be his voice and say stop  youre hurting me. It just breaks my heart, she said.

She added, I mean really, Cameron is lucky to be alive I think. From the description [that] I heard of his injuries at his age  lucky.

14-month-old Cameron was taken to the hospital with his tongue split by what doctors suspect was scissors. Two people were charged in connection to that investigation. Today, News 10s Jada Huddlestun spoke with a long time family friend. https://t.co/QeS6fX6IrM  WTHI News10 (@WTHITV) January 23, 2019

Child Abuse

According to a report published by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (pdf), approximately 3.5 million children nationwide in 2016 were the subjects of at least one maltreatment report to authorities.

Child abuse is one of the nations most serious concerns, the authors of the report wrote in the introduction. About 17 percent of those reports were substantiated; the department said that there were an estimated 676,000 victims of child abuse and neglect, or 9.1 victims per 1,000 children.

Children in their first year of life had the highest rate of victimization at 24.8 per 1,000 children of the same age in the national population.

About three-quarters of the cases were neglect while about 18 percent were physical abuse. Some children suffered from multiple forms of maltreatment.

Of the perpetrators of the abuse, more than four-fifths were between the ages of 18 and 44 and more than one-half were women.

If you suspect a child is being abused or neglected, contact your local child protective services office or law enforcement agency so officials can investigate and assess the situation. Most states have a number to call to report abuse or neglect.

To find out where to call, consult the State Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Numbers website. The Childhelp organization also can provide crisis assistance and other counseling and referral services. Contact them at 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453).

From NTD News
US Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (C) departs the Senate Chamber after votes to reopen the government failed to pass on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on Jan. 24, 2019. (JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images)

6 GOP Senators Sided With Democrats on Border Wall Funding

Six GOP senators broke from their party and voted with the Democrats on Jan. 24 for a spending bill that does not contain any additional funding for the U.S.-Mexico border wall.

In the Senate, both a Republican-backed proposal and a Democrat-sponsored measure failed to reach the 60 votes needed.

The measure backed by the Democrats failed to pass with a 52-44 vote. Six Republican senators crossed the aisle to vote for it: Mitt Romney (R-Utah), Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Cory Gardner (R-Colo.), Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska).

Meanwhile, the Republican-backed measure also failed with a 50 to 47 vote and would have offered some protections for illegal immigrants. In that vote, two Republican senators, Tom Cotton of Arkansas and Mike Lee of Utah, broke with their parties along with one Democrat, Joe Manchin of West Virginia.

The GOP proposal contains President Donald Trumps $5.7 billion in funding for the border wall, while the Democrats measure did not. Both bills aimed to put an end to the historically long partial government shutdown, now in its 36th day.

Despite those outliers, Trump appeared to be pleased with the level of unity within his party.

I just really want to thank the Republicans for holding, Trump told reporters at the White House on Jan. 24. Im just honored that almost all of the Republicans voted for our bill.

Trump also had high praise for Manchin, the lone Democrat who crossed the aisle to vote for the GOPs measure.

We dont have 60 votes, so we need Democrat support, Trump said. We didnt get Democrat support, other than from aactually, a wonderful man, as you knowSenator Manchin. And hes doing the right thing for his people. I mean, hes doing the right thing for West Virginia, frankly.

Trump has made several attempts at striking a bargain. On Jan. 19, he outlined an offer which would provide temporary protection from deportation to some 700,000 illegal immigrants that came to the country as children in exchange for border wall funding.

Trumps proposal, outlined in a televised address on Jan. 19, was rejected by Pelosi before he started to speak. Meanwhile, a group of centrist House Democrats is calling on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) to end the stalemate over funding for the U.S.-Mexico border wall and to offer a compromise.
5-Year-Old Boy Left on School Bus for 7 Hours in Freezing Weather

A 5-year-old Delaware boy was accidentally left on a school bus for seven hours this week amid cold weather, prompting the bus company to fire the bus driver.

I was very scared, Ibn Polk, the boy who was left on the bus, told NBC 10.

The kindergartner boarded the bus as usual on Jan. 22, but fell asleep and never got off at Linden Hill Elementary School in Wilmington.

The driver steered the bus to the bus parking lot after allegedly ignoring other students who informed her about Ibn. Then, she parked the bus and didnt check the seats, ignoring a sign that greets drivers when they enter the lot which reads: Have you checked your bus for students?

Family: 5-year-old boy left on school bus after falling asleep https://t.co/5UyqqinSmM  FOX 29 (@FOX29philly) January 24, 2019

Another mistake by the school districnot informing Ibns parents when he was marked absent on Tuesday morningled to the boy spending seven hours on the bus.

Clearly that was a fail on our part, Pati Nash of the Red Clay School District said. The mom and the dad should have been notified.

And a fourth problem was also discovered. The bus had a child reminder alarm system, but it wasnt working.

He was discovered when the bus driver got back on her bus to drive her afternoon route and she heard him cough.

Abdul Polk, Ibns father and a bus driver himself, criticized the driver for ignoring the students who told her about his son.

5-year-old Ibn Polk says he does not want to go back on his school bus after being left alone for seven hours Wednesday. https://t.co/O8IFcOEvHM pic.twitter.com/ApZsyxoj3Z  Action News on 6abc (@6abc) January 24, 2019

That made it seem like she didnt really care, he told WPVI.

When the boy was finally found and reunited with his parents, his condition was not good.

When I picked him up, he was soaking wet. He urinated on himself. He had nothing to eat and said he was crying, Ivana Polk, the boys mother, told Fox 29.

Nash admitted that the whole ordeal highlighted a number of problems.

We failed this family and this child, she said. We are entrusted with those children from 8 to 3 oclock and we have to be certain we have them.

The Red Clay School District later said that the driver, a contract worker through the Sutton Bus Company, was fired.

In our bus driver handbook, its grounds for immediate termination to leave a child on a bus, Nash told USA Today. The driver is not ours, but we can and we did request that driver no longer drive for Red Clay.

She also said that Ibns teacher would likely be disciplined for not alerting his parents that he was absent.

The district has launched an investigation and is reviewing policies to try to prevent what happened from happening again.

The Polks said their anger was mostly directed at the driver.

Most of my angers at the bus driver. Its concerning to me that she didnt do her job, Ibns father said.

I know that the bus driver was just careless, Ivana Polk added. Thats a fact.

Bus driver suspended after 2nd grader fails to get off for school, is found sleeping alone on bus hours later https://t.co/3STyp5xrDH  The News Herald (@The_News_Herald) January 23, 2019

Missing Student Discovered Asleep on Bus

A Florida school bus driver was suspended without pay after a missing second-grader was discovered asleep on the bus hours after all the other students on board had been dropped off.

The incident took place on Jan. 23 in Panama City.

Bay District Schools said that the driver found the sleeping student on the bus when he reboarded the bus to drive his afternoon route around 1:30 p.m. The student was returned safely to his or her family.

An investigation has been launched.

Words cannot express how sorry I am that something like this happened, Superintendent Bill Husfelt said in a statement obtained by the Panama City News-Herald.

I simply cannot imagine how this little boys mom felt when she got that call and I just cant excuse something like this. What I can tell you is that this is an isolated incident, which doesnt make it any less awful, and I can tell you that our bus drivers work very hard each day to care of our children, but this is simply inexcusable.

District protocols require drivers to check each seat on the bus at the end of every route.

The driver will face disciplinary action that could include getting fired. In addition to a district investigation, the Department of Children and Families and local law enforcement are conducting investigations.

From NTD News
An aerial view shows flooding triggered by a collapsed dam near Brumadinho, Brazil, on Jan. 25, 2019. (Bruno Correia/Nitro via AP)

200 Missing After Brazil Dam Collapse

SAO PAULOA mining dam collapsed in southeastern Brazil on Jan. 25, inundating a nearby community in an enormous swath of reddish brown liquid waste and leaving an estimated 200 missing, according to Minas Gerais state firefighters.

Brazilian mining company Vale SA said in a statement that the flow reached the community of Vila Ferteco and an administrative office, where employees were present, which indicated the possibility of victims.

The company said it didnt have further information on deaths or injuries at the dam, located in the town of Brumadinho. Parts of the city were evacuated and local firefighters were rescuing people by helicopter and ground vehicles.

There were no official reports of deaths, but the state fire department press department told The Associated Press that about 200 people were estimated to be missing.

Local television channel TV Record showed a firefighters helicopter hovering inches off the ground as it pulled people covered in mud out of the sludge.

Photos showed the rooftops of structures poking above an extensive field of the mud, which also cut off roads.

President Jair Bolsonaro sent a tweet saying he lamented the incident and was sending the three cabinet ministers to the area.

Another dam administered by Vale and Australian mining company BHP Billiton collapsed in Mariana, Minas Gerais, in 2015, resulting in 19 deaths and dislocating hundreds from their homes. Its considered the worst environmental disaster in Brazilian history, with 60 million cubic meters of waste flooding rivers and eventually reaching the Atlantic Ocean.

The rivers of mining waste are raising fears of widespread contamination. According to Vales website, tailings are mostly made up of sand and are non-toxic. However, a UN report found that the waste from the 2015 disaster contained high levels of toxic heavy metals. The 2015 collapse left 250,000 people without drinking water and killed thousands of fish.

Vale is Brazils largest mining company. Two hours after the accident, Vale stocks fell 10 percent on the New York Stock Exchange.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) building is seen in Washington on Feb. 19, 2014. (Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images)

14,000 IRS Employees Recalled Back This Week Didnt Show Up: Report

Some 14,000 Internal Revenue Service employees were recalled back to work this week but didnt show up.

Thats more than half of the IRS employees who were recalled.

About 30 percent of the 26,000 recalled workers have sought permission under their union contract to be absent from work, IRS officials told House committee staff in a briefing this week, according to The Associated Press.

The IRS employees union contract allows them to be absent from work if they experience hardship during a shutdown.

The official start of the tax filing season comes on Feb. 4.

The Trump administration has promised that taxpayers owed refunds will be paid on time, and it reversed the policies of earlier presidents and made the money available to pay hundreds of hundreds of billions in refunds on time.

The administration planned to eventually send about 46,000 furloughed IRS employees back to work. Thats nearly 60 percent of the IRS workforce.

Of the 26,000 employees recalled, about 12,000 have come to work, the IRS officials said. Around 5,000 have claimed the hardship exception under the union contract and another 9,000 couldnt be reached by IRS managers.

A union that represents federal workers, including IRS employees, warned that many cannot handle the financial burden of working without getting paid.

After a month with no pay, real hardship does exist for IRS employees including not having the money needed to get back and forth to work or to pay for the child care necessary to return to work right now, said NTEU National President Tony Reardon, ABC reported.

He added: Emergencies can occur at any time so the hardship exemption can be requested during a lapse in appropriations when an employee is suddenly unable to return to work. That is why the exemption exists.

On Jan. 25, the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) briefly issued a ground stop for arriving flights at New Yorks LaGuardia Airport on Friday morning, Jan. 25, as the government dealt with staffing shortages at two air traffic control facilities in New York and Florida.

The FAA said earlier that staffing shortages among air traffic controllers were delaying flights at Newark Liberty International Airport and Philadelphia International airport.

We have experienced a slight increase in sick leave at two air traffic control facilities affecting New York and Florida. As with severe storms, we will adjust operations to a safe rate to match available controller resources, FAA spokesman Gregory Martin told ABC News.

Temporary Deal

But on Jan. 25, President Donald Trump announced a temporary deal to reopen the government after a 35-day shutdown.

Negotiations on border security will continue until Feb. 15.

I am very proud to announce today that we have reached a deal to end the shutdown and reopen the federal government, Trump said during a live stream.

The president said he had a very powerful tool that he could use, possibly using a national emergency to build the wall.

Our walls our obsolete, he said in a live news conference on Jan. 25. We do not have the necessary space or resources to detain, house  and safely process this tremendous influx of people, he said, referring to illegal immigrants.

Its a colossal danger to public security, he said, adding that 60,000 people were apprehended along the U.S.-Mexico border.

We cannot surrender operational control of the nations borders to foreign cartels  and smugglers, he said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Lawyers who featured in the Netflix documentaries The Staircase and Making A Murderer are heading to NZ for a speaking tour.

Brendan Dasseys attorneys Laura Nirider and Steven Drizin who featured in Making A Murderer will be joined by Michael Petersons attorney David Rudolf from The Staircase.

A post on Facebook explains, Attorneys Laura Nirider, Steven Drizin and David Rudolf will bring their popular speaking tour to Australia & New Zealand in 2019!

Laura & Steven from the Netflix smash docuseries 'Making A Murderer' and David from 'The Staircase' will join forces for a riveting night of behind the scenes insight into how police and prosecutors tipped the scales of justice in their efforts to convict Michael Peterson and Brendan Dassey.

They will take questions from the audience with a follow up discussion of the most important issues raised in these incredible true-crime documentaries.
A local victim of the disastrous Fyre Festival in Great Exuma, Bahamas is finally getting some relief.



Maryann Rolle, owner of the Exuma Point Resort, raised over $180,000 with a GoFundMe campaign after she spoke out about how she was brought on to cater the 2017 festival but was never compensated.

Our hearts broke when we saw Rolle in the doco, saying she had to spend $50,000 from her savings to pay her workers.

It has been an unforgettable experience catering to the organizers of Fyre Festival, she wrote on the GoFundMe website. Back in April 2017 I pushed myself to the limit catering no less than a 1000 meals per day.
Theater can entertain, of course, but it also can inform, instruct and enlighten. It can create a fog, and it can shine a light on the blackest darkness.

Hopefully, White Rabbit Red Rabbit will do that when StageCenter in Downtown Bryan presents the unusual play for eight performances spread over four nights and two weekends, starting today.

What's unusual about the play is that it features a different actor for each performance -- and that actor sees the script for the play only as he or she heads on stage. There is no director, no audition, no rehearsal, no set, no do-overs. That has to make for an exhilarating, terrifying, challenging test for any actor.

White Rabbit Red Rabbit was written in 2010 by Nassim Soleimanpour, now 37, an Iranian playwright who is prevented by the government of Iran from leaving his country for refusing to perform mandatory military service. The play explores issues of censorship, duty and alienation.
A local restaurateur said he was inspired by a social media post asking about available assistance for federal workers affected by the government shutdown, which has entered its 35th day.

Chef Tai Lee said that the shutdown may seem like it's far from Bryan-College Station, but despite the distance, "our neighbors are being affected."

To assist these federal workers, Lee has implemented a 40 percent discount on food and soft drinks at Madden's Casual Gourmet and Paolo's Italian Kitchen for employees and their families for as long as the shutdown lasts. Furloughed workers must provide their federal IDs.

Lee added that beginning Wednesday, he will begin donating meals to staff at the Federal Prison Camp in Bryan and their families. He worked with the women's prison to assess the total number of staff and dependents, settling on 120 meals donated per week to the facility until the federal government reopens.
According to College Station police, an officer was called to the At Home store off Texas 6, where the store's director and loss prevention analyst said they had been conducting an internal investigation into employee Constance Joy Taylor, 35, and an unidentified co-worker. Police were told that between Dec. 5 and Jan. 12, the two had rung up 277 home decor items in 185 different transactions. Each transaction would then be suspended, which would not set off theft alarms when being taken out of the store and would be deleted from the computer system after 24 hours.
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Oneonta, NY (13820)

Today

Some early morning breaks in the overcast, otherwise cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 81F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Showers early, then partly cloudy overnight. Low 59F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
Towanda, PA (18848)

Today

Mixed clouds and sun this morning. Scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. A few storms may be severe. High near 85F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%..

Tonight

Partly to mostly cloudy skies with scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Low around 60F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
Photo: Frans Sellies/Getty Images

After an insufferable month-and-a-half, the nation of New Zealand is celebrating the long-desired departure of the drunken, rowdy British family who terrorized their community so extensively that the country issued them an official deportation order. Cheers!

The ten-plus-member family became nationally notorious during their extended stay on New Zealand territory, racking up a list of petty crimes and transgressions that included wantonly littering, then threatening locals when they were asked to clean up their trash (one of their crew, a boy who appeared to be around 9, told a woman he would knock [her] brains out after pouring chips onto her beach blanket); putting ants in their food in an attempt to get it for free, or simply dine-and-dashing; and stealing everything from cans of Red Bull to an entire Christmas tree from stores. And, as evidenced by their attempts to shield their faces from cameras and the deliberate lies they told the press about their identity, they clearly knew their undertakings were illegal. They just didnt care.

Finally, New Zealanders will be able to sleep peacefully. On Tuesday afternoon, British time, the Daily Mail reports that the family packed up their luggage and headed to Auckland International Airport  but not before attempting to con one more can of Red Bull from a BP station owner.

They had tried to distract me, but I recognized them as soon as they showed up and watched them carefully, owner Linus Merchant told the Mail. I think they realized I knew who they were and wasnt going to play their games, so they left quickly.

And, while the family successfully concealed their identities during their stay, the Mail appears to have identified the leaders of the group, who are reportedly from Liverpool: family spokesman Joe Doran, his wife, and Barbara Doran, the clan matriarch. The other family members, however, have not yet been named.

Anyway, congrats to New Zealand! And, uh, best of luck to Liverpool.

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MINI USA ANNOUNCES EXECUTIVE CHANGES.







Woodcliff Lake, NJ  January 25, 2019  MINI USA today announced senior management changes effective March 1st, 2019.

Patrick McKenna assumes the role of Department Head, MINI Product Planning and Consumer Events. In this role McKenna is responsible for the MINI USA product strategy for present and future models in the United States. In addition, McKenna is responsible for developing and executing the strategy for consumer events. McKenna will transition from his current role as Department Head, MINI Brand Communications for MINI USA, a position he has held since May 2017.

Steve Ambeau joins MINI USA succeeding McKenna as Department Head, MINI Brand Communications. In this role, Ambeau will be responsible for shaping the MINI US brand strategy, as well as leading the planning, positioning, and execution of customer facing communications across MINIs owned, earned, and paid channels.

Both McKenna and Ambeau will report directly to Thomas Felbermair, Vice President, MINI Region Americas.

MINI product has always been an area that McKenna is passionate about, having made the transition from BMW to MINI USA in 2010 to lead product strategy for MINI through May, 2017.

After working for multiple advertising agencies, Patrick followed his dream to work for the BMW Group back in 1997 as the BMW Media Communications Manager. In 2002, he became the Department Head for BMW Marketing Communications and later added Events and CRM to his responsibility. From that time period, he is most proud of BMW Films induction into the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art.

Steve Ambeau began his marketing career in Chicago, working for Zurich Investments in their Asset Management division. He then moved back to his native country Canada, where he spent the next ten years on the creative agency side working within multiple verticals for top tier brands.

In 2011, Ambeau joined the BMW Group as Digital Communications Manager for MINI Canada before transitioning into the Brand Communications head role a year later. In 2016, Ambeau moved to Munich as MINI Global Head of Digital Marketing at the BMW Group AG headquarters where he spent the better part of two years.

In his most recent role as Chief Marketing Officer for RAPID RTC, a multi-national technology provider of automotive lead management solutions, Ambeau was responsible for repositioning the brand architecture and building brand equity across Canada, USA, UK and France in a competitive B2B space.

With over twenty years of diverse marketing experience, Ambeau is rooted in digital practices with a passion for the MINI brand, technology, media planning and content created around customer insight.

I am pleased to have Patrick and Steve serve as two very experienced and passionate members of my leadership team at MINI USA, and welcome them in their new roles., said Thomas Felbermair, Vice President, MINI Region Americas. Both Patrick and Steve provide a solid foundation to help lead the brand on a fresh approach to further strengthen MINI in the US market.

About MINI in the US

MINI is an independent brand of the BMW Group. In the United States, MINI USA operates as a business unit of BMW of North America, LLC, located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey and includes the marketing and sales organizations for the MINI brand. The MINI USA sales organization is represented in the U.S. through a network of 126 MINI passenger car dealers in 39 states. MINI USA began selling vehicles in the U.S. in 2002 with the introduction of the MINI Cooper and MINI Cooper S Hardtops. Since then, the MINI Brand in the U.S. has grown to encompass a model range of six unique vehicles.
Ingevity unveils low-pressure adsorbed natural gas fueling station in support of its ANG bi-fuel vehicle technology

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. Ingevity has completed the construction of a low-pressure adsorbed natural gas (ANG) fueling station at its global headquarters and technical center in North Charleston, South Carolina. The fueling station will supply natural gas to ANG bi-fuel vehicles outfitted with storage cylinders containing Ingevitys Nuchar FuelSorb activated carbon monoliths.

ANG technology is made possible by Ingevitys activated carbon which reduces the storage pressure of natural gas without sacrificing the volume of gas stored through a process known as adsorption. Ingevity has produced and sold activated carbon for more than a century, including over 40 years in the automotive market capturing gasoline vapor emissions on vehicle-based systems.

Low-pressure ANG allows for a paradigm shift in the use of natural gas as a transportation fuel and enables safe, economic fueling using the existing on-site natural gas infrastructure at work and at home, said Michael Wilson, president and CEO at Ingevity. Our commitment to ANG technology reinforces Ingevitys vision to purify, protect and enhance the world around us by harnessing the efficient and environmentally friendly properties of natural gas.

The new fueling station houses one appliance that is suitable for multi-vehicle fleet use and another appliance that simulates an at-home residential fueling solution. Both appliances will slow-fill natural gas to a targeted 900 psi, refilling the ANG cylinders within several hours.

Ingevitys investment in an on-site ANG fueling station represents our confidence in the value of this technology and its commercialization, said Ed Woodcock, executive vice president and president of Performance Materials at Ingevity. Data collected from the on-site fueling station will be an invaluable component of future partnerships with local gas utilities and alternative, light-duty vehicle fleet operators across the U.S. in support of future ANG vehicle rollouts.

Ingevity: Purify, Protect and Enhance

Ingevity provides specialty chemicals and high-performance carbon materials and technologies that purify, protect and enhance the world around us. Through a team of talented and experienced people, Ingevity develops, manufactures and brings to market products and processes that help customers solve complex problems. These products are used in a variety of demanding applications, including asphalt paving, oil exploration and production, agrochemicals, adhesives, lubricants, publication inks and automotive components that reduce gasoline vapor emissions. Headquartered in North Charleston, South Carolina, Ingevity operates from 25 locations around the world and employs approximately 1,600 people. The company is traded on the New York Stock Exchange . For more information visit www.ingevity.com.
New York: A fatal hammer attack at a Chinese restaurant in New York City is being investigated as a possible hate crime targeting Asian men, authorities said on Thursday, as the death toll climbed to three and the suspect remained in a psychiatric ward.

Seaport Buffet manager Tsz Mat Pun, 50, died at a hospital more than a week after the dinnertime ambush in the Sheepshead Bay section of Brooklyn. Chef Fufai Pun, 34, died in the January 15 attack. Owner Kheong Ng-Thang, 60, died three days later.

Police say a man entered a restaurant and attacked staff with a hammer. Credit:Sebastian Costanzo

"Tragically, earlier today, we did receive notification that this is now a triple homicide, with the third victim passing away," NYPD Chief of Detectives Dermot Shea said. "Our thoughts go out to the family."

Suspect Arthur Martunovich, who lives a few blocks from the restaurant, is expected to face three counts under the state's top murder charge, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison if he's convicted.
Vistex, a Chicago, IL-based global enterprise software company, raised up to $105m in funding.

The deal is comprised of a minority equity investment of an initial $65m, and up to an additional $40m, for future strategic acquisitions from Accel-KKR (AKKR).

The investment by Accel-KKR will support a variety of company priorities, including talent acquisition in sales, marketing and engineering from area universities and colleges.

Founded in early 1999 by Chief Architect and CEO Sanjay Shah, the company develops solutions that enables organizations to deploy their products and services through Go-to-Market programs. The software and services allow companies to increase revenue and reduce costs with their business partners by managing trade, channel and vendor programs, pricing, performance incentives and rights & royalties, optimized by industry, and deployed on-premise or in the cloud.

Vistex complements its array of software offerings with implementation, business advisory and analytics services.

The company, which serves businesses of all sizes around the world, has worldwide operation with 20 offices, 1,500 employees and nearly $250 million in revenue in 2018.

FinSMEs

25/01/2019
Yang  also known as "Henry" Yang or Yang Jun  received a bachelor's degree in politics from Fudan University in Shanghai in 1987. After working as a diplomat with the Chinese Foreign Ministry, he moved to Australia in the late 90s. In 2002, he received a master's degree from the University of New South Wales and became an Australian citizen. In 2009, he completed a PhD on the impact of the internet on Chinese politics. He has authored a trilogy of spy novels and built an enormous online following as a blogger and writer. On Chinese microblogging site Weibo, he has more than 310,000 followers. On Twitter, he has 131,000. I was not kidnapped, but it made me clearer on what I really want and what China needs. Yang Hengjun To his friend John Garnaut, a former China correspondent for the Herald and The Age and adviser to the Turnbull government, Yang is not only brilliant but extraordinarily popular among the Chinese-speaking world. He is also a courageous and committed democrat. Certainly, his writings have suggested an enthusiastic belief in the power of democracy and human rights and the need for China to to move away from authoritarian rule.

I believe China has two choices now: political reform and democracy or cultural revolution, he said in late 2010. The first is a path of life. The latter may be a path of life for some but for the nation it is a road to death. Under CCP general secretary and Chinese President Xi Jinping, the state has become far less tolerant of such attitudes. Despite widely held predictions that China was inevitably going to liberalise and democratise, the opposite has occurred, with the regime intensifying repression on multiple fronts. Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video Yang travelled to China despite warning from friends that it was too dangerous. He assured one, Sydney academic and prominent Chinese community figure Feng Chongyi, that he would not be on the authorities' radar. Yang believed he had "done nothing to offend the authorities over the last two or three years," according to Dr Feng. In recent years, Yang has lived in New York with his second wife, Yuan Rui Juan, and her child. His former wife, Huang De, still lives in Sydney, as do their sons. And it seems the life Yang had made for himself in the US was different from his time in Australia.

Friends say he did not mix with Chinese political dissidents in New York, who regarded him as likely to be working for the Chinese security agencies. He held moderate views on China, and spent much of his time working at his daigou business selling handbags and clothes he had bought at outlets in the US to Chinese consumers. Yang, who appears to enjoy a certain level of wealth, recently began selling tickets for his online talks on Chinese society, but there was nothing radical discussed, and Yang was said to be loyal to the motherland. His landlord in New York, Yi Gai, jokes that Yang was selling democracy with the online lectures. He has been a visiting scholar at Columbia University since 2017. Yi says his tenant and friend had conducted a lot of research on the Western political system, and talked about this, but was cautious. Yang had led a Chinese tour group to the US to observe the 2016 US presidential elections and was interviewed about this by CCP-run nationalist newspaper the Global Times. In an editorial on Friday, the newspaper wrote that Yang had restored Chinese nationality in 2015 and liberals accused him of surrendering to the CCP. About this time, in 2014, Yang became the chairman of a Chinese soft power group, the International New Media Cooperation Organisation. Was Yang trying to recast his public image, after his previous experience of being mysteriously detained by Chinese state security in China in 2011?

At the time, Yang downplayed the incident as a misunderstanding and committed to work for political reform in China. "I was not kidnapped, but it made me clearer on what I really want and what China needs. I'm extremely confident in gradual change towards a better political system that includes respect for human rights, democracy and freedom, he told The Age. "Yang was arrested by the Chinese secret police in 2011 for his involvement in political activism," says Dr Feng. "I launched a media campaign for his release and was involved in the negotiation with the Chinese secret police. He was quickly released on the condition that he and I would not disclose his detention, or what he could and could not do after his release. Yang no longer has that luck this time." Already detained once: Chinese-Australian writer Yang Hengjun. Credit:Tanya Lake Why now? Whatever Yangs personal history, observers are still seeking to understand why the Chinese government has chosen to target him now. The timing  with heightened tensions between China and Western powers  is notable.

Some officials, politicians and experts cant help but suspect it is linked to geopolitical power struggles centred around trade and the United States actions against the Shenzhen-headquartered telecommunications giant Huawei. In December, at the request of the United States, Canadian authorities arrested chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou, the daughter of the companys founder. Prosecutors accused her of fraud connected to business dealings with Iran in violation of American sanctions. Captive in China: Canadian nationals Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor. Credit:AP A short time later, the apparent retaliation started. Two Canadian men  a businessman and diplomat on leave  were arrested on unspecified charges of endangering national security (the same accusation now levelled at Yang). In a sudden retrial this month, a third Canadian man was sentenced to death for drug smuggling charges, overturning the previous 15-year prison sentence.

Australia joined other allies in pushing back against the Chinese actions. In a relatively restrained statement, Foreign Minister Marise Payne said the government was concerned about the detention of the Canadians. Following the death sentence, acting foreign minister Simon Birmingham said Australia was deeply concerned and called for the law to be applied fairly. Loading On Thursday, Payne said at this stage, there is no evidence of a link between Yangs detention and geopolitical tensions. Were seeking clarification on those matters. I would be concerned if there was indication of that. So we are calling on Chinese authorities to ensure this matter is dealt with transparently and fairly, she added. The more hawkish voices in the political and foreign policy realm have not felt the same need to temper their words or reserve judgment to account for diplomatic sensibilities.

Andrew Hastie, the chair of Parliaments powerful intelligence and security committee, issued a muscular declaration on Friday. He accused the CCP of detaining Yang arbitrarily as a power play to pacify the Chinese diaspora and coerce foreign governments. He called the actions against the Canadians a very unsettling precedent for democracies like Australia that have critical economic relationships with China. This action generates uncertainty in our friendship with China. It is a worrying trend when it appears that the principles of transparency, accountability and rule-of-law are traded cheaply for strategic leverage, he said. Others warn its premature to link the arrest with broader political tensions or to come to any conclusions at all, given the absence of real information. It could be a relatively standard example of the Chinese authorities exercising their brutal powers  but not directly linked to global affairs. On one level, Yang is just another Australian to be locked up by the Chinese government. According to figures from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the embassy in Beijing managed 50 active imprisonment cases in 2017-18.

Yang was seized by a squad of about 10 security agents shortly after arriving at Guangzhou airport on Saturday. The fact that he was detained moments after setting foot on Chinese soil suggests he was on a watch list. For whatever reason, authorities were prepared to swoop as soon he entered the country. Loading One prominent voice in Beijing contends this is not about politics. Yang Juns case should be an isolated one, said Hu Xijin, the editor-in-chief of the Global Times newspaper. Hes likely done something that undermined Chinas national security but the outside world didnt know. There is no reason to escalate diplomatic tension with Australia now. Plus, Yang has limited influence on Chinas public opinion. In an editorial, the publication argued it was ridiculous speculation to link the Australian case to geopolitical tensions and said it must be about Yang himself. The editorial warned some ethnic Chinese people who obtained citizenship overseas have a twisted self-identification and take their foreign nationality as an umbrella to protect them.

Repair job interrupted For the Australian government, the Yang ordeal is an unwelcome development after a concerted effort to rehabilitate the shaky relationship with Beijing. The disputes of 2017 and 2018 had swirled around foreign interference and influence in Australian politics, Chinas militarisation of the South China Sea, the growth of Chinese development loans in the Pacific, and Australias decision to block telecommunications giant Huawei from involvement in the next-generation 5G network on national security grounds. But, in the latter half of last year, things were looking up. As warming relations started to take hold, the Chinese government hosted a high-level dialogue with an Australian delegation led by former prime minister John Howard. Although the discussion was heated over the Huawei decision behind closed doors among the academics, business identities and retired politicians, it was all smiles and polite remarks afterwards. China is ready to work with the Australian side to boost political mutual trust, expand pragmatic cooperation, promote people-to-people exchanges, strengthen communication and co-ordination on international and regional issues so as to realise mutual benefit and win-win results, Chinas top diplomat, Politburo member Yang Jiechi, said.

That was seven weeks ago. This week, Payne said the relationship had been on a positive trajectory recently. Asked whether it was still on the ascent, she said: I am very concerned  and the government is concerned about the nature of Mr Yangs detention but we will seek further information on that. Canberra will make every effort to preserve the progress it has made in mending relations but episodes like this can prove to be a destabilising force. Yang's detention, as with the high-profile arrest of Rio Tinto executive Stern Hu in 2009, could become immensely damaging. Stern Hu was detained in China in 2009. Credit:Ben Rushton This time, China has already ruffled feathers by failing to comply with its consular agreement with Australia. The treaty requires that either government be informed within three days if one of their citizens is detained. Consular officials are also entitled to get access to the person within five days of their arrest. While Yang was detained on Saturday morning, authorities did not inform the Australian embassy until late on Wednesday. Consular officials were granted access to him on Friday afternoon, DFAT confirmed in a statement. Dr Feng has been told his friend was in good spirits.

As some prominent China experts publicly question whether they should visit the country now, Labor MP Michael Danby is urging the government to consider updating its travel advice. Both the arrest of our Australian citizen and the earlier arrest of the Canadians make it important that the Australian government tell the Australian people whether such an upgraded travel advisory is necessary for Australians travelling to China," he says. Residential surveillance Today, Yang is detained in residential surveillance at a designated location in Beijing. While this might not be a prison per se, friends and human rights advocates warn he could face torture and other ill-treatment in the undisclosed location. Residential surveillance has been regularly used to question activists, human rights lawyers and government critics under sweeping national security provisions in Chinese law.
More than 1 million Australians have had their name and address added to the electoral roll and then automatically passed to global marketing giants without their knowledge.

Direct enrolment laws passed by Parliament in 2012 meant Australians no longer had to register on the electoral roll to have their details entered, with information of workers and school students scanned from drivers licences, Centrelink and records from the Board of Studies in each state.

The electoral roll has since been handed over to credit-check operators for identification purposes designed to help financial services firms such as banks, Afterpay and Zip, to run fraud, anti-money laundering and anti-terrorism checks, but four of those identity firms are now running global marketing operations using data analytics.

Thousands of school students are also likely to have had their data transferred. Credit:Louise Kennerley

No government body has been able to advise if anyone is monitoring the companies for breaches of the electoral act, which carries fines for using the data in commercial operations, or if they are monitoring the separation of data between the companies' identification and marketing arms.
Warren Mundine was in tradie gear with one of his sons on Monday when the phone rang. It was one of Scott Morrisons advisers, summoning the Indigenous businessman to the governments CBD offices for a "serious, serious chat".

On the phone from Cairns, Morrison was firm. "Youve got to do it," he said, according to Mundine. "Yes or no, but we want you to do it and we think youd be an asset."

Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Liberal candidate for Gilmore Warren Mundine. Credit:AAP

Days later, the former Labor Party president is a signed up member of the Liberal Party and the endorsed candidate for the ultra-marginal NSW south coast seat of Gilmore. But whether he is an asset or liability is up in the air.

Morrison now finds himself closely tied to a man who is a stranger to the party he exalts, a newcomer to the electorate he wants to represent and who has been hit with a potentially damaging domestic violence allegation.
The number of Aboriginal children currently in care in Western Australia is far greater than that who were taken as part of the stolen generations, according to the states only Aboriginal foster care agency.

The number of Aboriginal children in care is greater than the amount of youths taken as part of the Stolen Generation. Credit:Yorganop

Yorganops recent findings showed more than 55 per cent of WA children in care were Aboriginal, while Aboriginal people made up only about 3.1 per cent of the population.

A Productivity Commissions annual Report on Government Services, released Tuesday, showed of the more than 4400 children in care in WA more than 2400 were Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.

The figures related to children aged up to 17 years old in out-of-home care as of June 30. It's a situation Yorganop tries to prevent while also keeping children with family.
Love can be hard to explain. Theres no formula to how it works, but you know it when its there. You know when it moves you, or when it gets you worked up.

Whats true for a love of a person is also true for a love of country. Most of us will have an affection for Australia. It isnt always something we find easy to express. Emotions rarely are.

Kim Thien Truong wears an outfit she made for a citizenship ceremony in Sunshine, Victoria, last year. Credit:Jason South

Patriotism comes in many forms. The Australian kind can be as much about a connection with the landscape, as it is about history and family. For others, it can be something that is civic and democratic. More often than not, it involves a mixture of these elements.

Perhaps the most affirming patriotism I see is at citizenship ceremonies. When migrants come here and decide to join us as citizens, it says something about the place: that its a country people want to make theirs. Theres a sense of renewal in being reminded Australia is a project that people want to be part of.
Temperature records tumbled across Victoria as the state sweltered through furnace-like conditions that fanned a severe bushfire in the east, strained the public transport system and forced rolling blackouts.

Melbourne was expected to endure its hottest day since Black Saturday a decade ago, but the city's top of 42.8 degrees made it the hottest day in five years.

People flocked to North Melbourne pool to escape the heat. Credit:Luis Enrique Ascui

Paramedics were called to 1300 emergencies across the state, with the number of people suffering cardiac arrests and breathing problems increasing as the heat soared. Five children needed to be rescued after being locked in hot cars.

Meanwhile, firefighters battled 40 blazes across the state, including a dangerous bushfire near the town of Timbarra that threatened homes.
The son, who doesn't speak Turkish, had asked a friend to phone the emergency number in Turkey.

The man, an emergency ward nurse, had received a message from a family friend in Iran that his mother, who lives alone in Turkey, wanted to take her own life.

Constable Joel Miller was working in the Cheltenham police station watchhouse two weeks ago when a distressed man came in.

He said Turkish authorities didn't take the request for help seriously and, not knowing what else to do, he went to his local police station in Melbourne.

Constable Miller contacted the Turkish consulate, which was closed, before going to the Australian Federal Police and Interpol.

He had an address for the woman from her son, but by then the man was on a flight to Turkey and couldn't be contacted. Constable Miller used Google Maps to work through a list of similar addresses before locating the exact block of apartments the woman was living in.

Constable Miller's efforts prompted police and firefighters in Turkey to break down the woman's door. She was unconscious, but was taken to hospital and saved.

Her son returned to Melbourne this week and one of the first things he did was to drop chocolates off at the Cheltenham police station to thank the officer. He then contacted The Age to publicly recognise Constable Miller.
QuadSAT, an Odense, Denmark-based drone-enabled antenna testing company, closed a 700 seed funding round.

The round was led by Vaekstfonden, the Danish Growth Fund, with participation from Seraphim Capital and existing investors.

The company intends to use the funds to bring its drone platform to the satellite communications industry, initially focusing on maritime and aeronautical applications.

Founded in March 2017 and led by Joakim Espeland, CEO, QuadSAT provides a platform that uses drone technology to test and calibrate satellite and VSAT antennas autonomously, mimicking an orbiting satellite that can simulate a ship or aircrafts motion.

Combining the drone technology with a simulated satellite payload and mathematical algorithms, the companys simplifies the requirements for satellite antenna testing, qualification and calibration. In addition, use of QuadSATs products reduces vessels and aircraft downtime for such testing procedures, reducing operational expenses. As well as satellite antenna qualification and calibration, the platform can also be used to identify interference to satellite transmissions with pinpoint accuracy, which is vital to minimize inadvertent or other rogue interference. Customers include the some of the worlds leading satellite operators, satellite antenna manufacturers, VSAT network operators maintenance teams and antenna testing facilities.

Based at Odense Robotics Start Up Hub, a Danish accelerator program for robotics and drone startups, which provides premises and expert assistance, the company was one of six companies to take part in Mission 1 of Seraphim Space Camp, a UK accelerator for space-tech startups backed by Seraphim Capital.

The company recently set up an office in Harwell, UK.

FinSMEs

25/01/2019
Talk about killing your darlings. Our habitual Australia Day flags-and-dates furore tells more about our insecurities than wed like. Easy solutions to both dilemmas present themselves. Lose the day. Dont change the date, dump it.

We hardly need another holiday so soon after the Weeks-of-the-Long-Hammock and if (as we profess) its love for our country we could start by, well, loving the country. Then choose the flag that shows our country not our colonisers.

The scene this month in the drainage canal of lake Cawndilla, one of the four main lakes of the Menindee Lakes, following the mass fish kill on the Darling River. Credit:Nick Moir

Im fascinated that a nation so blessed by nature should treat her so badly, like the man who marries the loveliest girl in town then demonstrates his prowess by beating her to a pulp. This colonial attitude of triumph-by-domination is everywhere  most dramatically, just now, in the Darling River fish massacre.

Although intended to exonerate, the cotton industrys passive-aggressive response  [we are] not responsible  and we are here to stay  eerily conjured the red-faced bloke in the doorway rebuffing neighbours concerns over the sounds of violence. Nothings bloody wrong, youse can all bugger off.
It has almost become a national tradition to return from our summer holidays and plunge head first to the well-worn debate about Australia Day.

Protests in Canberra on Australia Day 2015. Credit:Rohan Thomson

But the first thing you notice is that Aboriginal voices in this debate are glaringly absent, because for us its a dangerous distraction from the conversation we should be having  how to go about signing a treaty between black and white Australia.

That Australia was invaded with war and mass murder inflicted on Aboriginal nations who lived here for more than 60,000 years shouldnt even be a controversial statement.

In some cases, it resembled a "conventional" war, with invaders, sometimes sanctioned by the state, sometimes with the state turning a blind eye, capturing land in battles with Aboriginal nations.
The Queensland government has slammed proposed big stick federal energy legislation legislation, saying it will allow for privatisation by stealth.

The Morrison government introduced laws late last year which among other things would give the Commonwealth the power to break up state-owned energy generators if it believed they were manipulating prices.

It said the measures would only be used in serious circumstances where a generator was found to be deliberately manipulating prices.

Queensland has slammed proposed federal energy laws as "privatisation by stealth" Credit:Bloomberg

But in a submission to the Senate select committee on economics, which is considering the bill, Queensland Energy Minister Anthony Lynham said the federal government was giving itself the power to force public power generators to privatise, which it cant support.
'Like a grocery store:' Some of the $450,000 worth of party drugs seized by police in Sydney's south west this week. Credit:NSW Police The drugs were stored inside two houses in Sydney's south and inner west, but they may as well have been in supermarkets, so freshly stocked they were with this season's drugs of choice. When Organised Crime Squad investigators raided the Carlton and Ashfield homes on Wednesday this week, they determined a large portion of the drugs seized were very likely headed for the festivals this long weekend. "Manufacturers are tuned right into the market and they know the range of drugs preferred by festivalgoers," said acting State Crime Commander Assistant Commissioner Stuart Smith. "Clandestine laboratories are churning out products. The seizure [on Wednesday] was like a grocery store." This time of year drugs like MDMA are among the most popular, thanks to the "clear market around dance festivals. MDMA is designed for the night club, festival market," Assistant Commissioner Smith said.

He said even a cursory glance at the comments on festival event pages on Facebook show "huge knowledge...about what drug users want," detailing how long a drug lasts, its colour and what people are mixing it with. "But sideline commentators aren't being true to the science," Assistant Commissioner Smith said. MDMA, or 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, also referred to as ecstasy, is a derivative of amphetamine, with a chemical structure that provides hallucinogenic and stimulant properties. Users of the drug describe it as making one feel "light, warm and fuzzy". Others say it can bring on anxiety and paranoia, while the physical effects can include seizures, dehydration and increased heart rate, blood pressure and body temperature.

According to the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission around 1.2 tonnes of MDMA is consumed in Australia every year; as compared with nine tonnes of ice, four tonnes of cocaine and 700kg of heroin. The number of MDMA border detections also increased more than 66 per cent between 2015 and 2017. "If there wasn't the demand, we wouldn't see the seizures we are," Assistant Commissioner Smith said, adding that even the past six months had shown the state's increasing appetite for illicit drugs. "Across NSW we have started to see anecdotally that the detection of drugs at the roadside is overtaking drink-driving for the first time."

Drug evolution An explosion in the drug's use around 2006 came after the late 90s, when heroin was the predominant illicit drug trend. Heroin remained a significant problem until the early 2000s, when a "drought" of the drug affected most of the country. Then between 2002-07 drug users increasingly turned to speed, or methamphetamine, known for its highly addictive stimulant qualities that speed up the function of the brain and nervous system.

According to the ACIC, MDMA was emerging in the pockets of young people from 2006, until a major shortage of the drug three years later, prompted by a series of large border detections and crackdowns on precursor chemicals needed for its manufacture. Unlike speed, which authorities describe as involving a more simple "recipe", the manufacture of MDMA is considered a much more complex, reactive process, requiring specialised equipment. Point of origin In its most recent Illicit Drug Data Report for 2016-17, the ACIC found the vast majority of true MDMA being consumed in Australia was imported, largely from Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands. An AFP spokesman said members in The Hague and Belgrade "regularly work with their counterparts" to target MDMA trafficking," as in 2017 when a joint investigation with the Netherlands law enforcement netted 1.8 tonnes.

But since the ACIC's report was published, NSW investigators say local manufacturing has been steadily rising, utilising precursor chemicals shipped directly from China. "Last year we shut down 80 clandestine labs. Thats a growth of 50 per cent in two years," Assistant Commissioner Smith said. "NSW is the litmus test for the whole country. If it's happening here, it will happen in the rest of Australia. Only yesterday strike force detectives located a large-scale clandestine laboratory for ice and MDMA precursors in Sydneys south west.

Loading "We are seeing a significant growth in highly organised commercial level clan labs, and those we have knocked off were big with custom-built reactors," SMITH? He said investigators were aware of "clan lab schools" being conducted in sheds, where skills akin to those of an industrial chemist were passed on to "homebake cooks." "We've seen methods and recipes sold, and a replication of techniques across labs for different criminal groups, so we know those skills are being passed on." They're in the money

While Sydneys young people turn to drugs for a good time, the dealers and manufacturers behind the illicit supply are in it to make a buck. Nationally, the street price for 1kg of MDMA ranges between $30,000 and $60,000, while the average cost of a single capsule or tablet in NSW is around $30-35. Some $200,000 in cash was seized during a raid this week. Credit:NSW Police But long before a consumer purchases a capsule of MDMA, its price tag changes many times as it works its way through the multi-layered criminal underworld. In estimates confirmed by the ACIC, the AFP and NSW Police, to manufacture, ship and land the equivalent of one MDMA capsule in Australia costs an importer around $3.

The drug will then change hands two to three times, increasing in dollar value, before it is finally sold to a consumer for at least 10 times its original price. The more players needed in the supply chain, the more money there is to lose, Assistant Commissioner Smith said. So manufacturing here avoids many of the risks associated with getting here from overseas and it cuts down the number of people in between. Major players As large-scale commercial drug manufacturing grows in NSW, organised crime groups continue to be the biggest players behind the scenes.

Police say bikie groups have the largest role in the criminal labour force, but investigators are also uncovering other highly organised gang networks that lack ties to traditional criminal groups. An early morning drug bust by NSW Police during which a clandestine laboratory in Central Western NSW was dismantled. Credit:NSW Police Arrests over the last 12 months have been a real mixed bag. We see every racial group, working hand in hand, Assistant Commissioner Smith said. In places like Germany, networks are more divided on cultural lines. But immigration in Australia has certainly worked. More surprising still, he said, is the collaboration that occurs between warring bikie gangs or crime families, so long as there is money to be made.

Two gangs that wouldn't be caught dead in the same pub will be working together in drug production, Assistant Commissioner Smith said. The dangers Clinical pharmacologist Dr Judith Perl said one of the biggest risk for drug users is that they can never possibly know the actual dose of MDMA in any given pill. "Often what is sold as MDMA can have other impurities, like MDA (methylenedioxyamphetamine) or PMA (para-Methoxyamphetamine) which can increase the toxicity," she said. While deaths due to MDMA are relatively rare, she said effects on the blood pressure, heart and increased body temperature combined with all night dancing and dehydration can be fatal.
The son of a former Australian Tax Office deputy commissioner accused of misusing his position to obtain information asked whether one of his fathers subordinates was discreet and trustworthy in a series of tapped phone calls played to a court.

A sometimes audibly nervous Michael Bede Cranston was heard speaking to his son Adam, who affectionately called him Big Fella, during the 21 intercepted conversations aired during his trial before Judge Robyn Tupman in the NSW District Court at the Downing Centre.

Former ATO deputy commissioner Michael Bede Cranston is defending criminal charges in the NSW District Court. Credit:Dan Himbrechts

He is charged with obtaining information in his capacity as a senior public servant to benefit Adam, as well as using his influence to improperly obtain a benefit for his son, both with the intention of acting dishonestly.

Mr Cranston denies the allegations.
The eight state and territory capitals had versions of the same ethnic face as recently as 2001, the year Australia celebrated, without conviction, the centenary of federation. Nationally, the largest immigrant community was from mother England, and the second largest was from our little brother, New Zealand. Six of the eight capital cities lined up the same way. The exceptions were Melbourne and Adelaide, where the Italians were still number two. Twenty-first-century immigration has inverted the relationship between new arrival and host, as our ethnic face changes from Anglo-European to Eurasian. The new arrival is younger and better educated than the locally born, and typically lands somewhere between the middle and the very top of the income ladder. Two out of every three new arrivals since 2001 have been skilled immigrants. They come primarily from India, England, China, South Africa and the Philippines, to work as doctors and nurses, human-resources and marketing professionals, business managers, IT specialists, and engineers. Western Australia, for instance, is a global leader in recruiting doctors, with "the highest percentage of foreign-born medical practitioners at around 60 per cent", according to the World Bank. Nationally, the English are still our largest immigrant community, but their ranks are greying. More than half are aged over 55, reflecting their arrival before the turn of the 21st century. Chinese have replaced New Zealanders in second spot across the country. However, this new immigrant hierarchy may be short lived. On present trends, the Indians will jump from fourth to second place early next decade, pushing the Chinese back to third spot. Australian Indians dancing and drumming in Sydney Olympic Park before Indian PM Narendra Modi arrives at a 2014 event. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer The Chinese population in Australia has grown by almost 480,000 in two decades; the Indian by 450,000. To put those numbers into context, the next largest group is the Kiwis, who added 250,000 to their Australian diaspora between 1997 and 2017. The English grew by just 50,000, as new arrivals barely covered those who left or died.

The Chinese and Indians land today with a different mindset to those who came here in the 20th century. They are not fleeing poverty or war. They are middle-class immigrants leaving their congested and polluted cities for the comfort and opportunity of Australia. The last time we had a middle-class wave on this scale was the gold rush immigrants from Britain, Ireland and Europe in the 19th century. Using past trends as a guide, we can paint a fascinating picture of the future. The great Australian mixed marriage of the 19th century was between English men and Irish women. The Indians in Australia are predominantly male, while the Chinese are majority female. They will marry within their own group, with each other, and with Australian and established migrant communities. Their locally born children will carry a cultural inheritance like no other, ensuring we remain one of the most vibrant nations on earth. Loading Today's national ethnic face, with the English first and the Chinese second, is replicated in just two capital cities: Canberra, our most middle-class city, and Hobart, our poorest. The English also remain the largest immigrant group in Perth and Adelaide. But that's where the similarities end. In Perth, a city of about two million people, the New Zealanders are still second, while the Chinese are not even in the top five. In Adelaide, a city of about 1.3 million, the Indians are second, while the New Zealanders are outside the top five. Perth is an Anglo outlier which continues to attract young migrants from England. On the other hand, Adelaide's English community has reached the tipping point of ageing, with deaths and departures exceeding new arrivals. But Perth, Adelaide, Canberra and Hobart are not where most people live. The majority reside in just three cities, Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane  and these capitals look nothing like the national average. In Sydney, 5.2 million people and booming, the Chinese are now the largest immigrant community, and the Indians are poised to overtake the English in second place before the next census is held in 2021. In Melbourne, almost five million-strong, the Indians are already first and the Chinese second. Our two largest cities have crossed the threshold from Anglo-European to Eurasian.

But to the north, the Pacific, not Asia, is the main engine of diversity for the time being. In Brisbane, a city half the size of Melbourne, the New Zealanders are first and the English second. But the Chinese and Indians, placed third and fourth respectively, are expected to close the gap over the coming decade. Darwin, our smallest capital, completes the mosaic, with yet another Eurasian identity. Here the largest immigrant community is from the Philippines, followed by England. Who we are today, is Australasian. Taking the train from Melbourne's Southern Cross station to Geelong reveals the city's new demographic make-up. Credit:Vince Caligiuri The best way to understand Australasia in all its glorious contradictions is on the train ride from Victoria's cosmopolitan capital of Melbourne to its second-largest city, Geelong. The one-hour journey from Southern Cross Station reveals the many faces of our people, as the carriages empty and fill with snapshots of who we are. Each platform shatters the 20th-century assumptions that Australia is either young or old, migrant or local-born, leafy or decaying, city or bush. We are much more interesting than that. The train line cuts through Melbourne's old industrial heartland, past Festival Hall, where the Beatles could barely hear themselves play over the squall of Australia's 1960s adolescents, to the working-class suburbs of Footscray and Sunshine, then on to the new satellite suburb of Tarneit.

Behind you are the jigsaw of apartment towers around the Docklands precinct. The waterfront suburb has trebled in size since 2006, led by international students and young local professionals. A decade ago, Docklands residents were mostly Australian-born. Now, almost seven in 10 people in Docklands were born overseas, with the Chinese and Indians combining to outnumber those born here. The first stop, Footscray, is just seven minutes into our journey, but it already feels like another country. While it remains majority immigrant, this once-isolated suburb is gentrifying. The Australian-born population swelled by almost 60 per cent between 2006 and 2016, and the locals are likely to reclaim majority status before the next census is held in 2021. Five minutes further west, in Sunshine, the faces on the platform are suddenly much older. The Australian-born population is 3 per cent smaller now than it was a decade ago. Only a modest influx of immigrants from Vietnam and India spared the suburb from a decline in total population. Tarneit is two more stops and a further 13 minutes away. Here the population has increased almost five-fold in 10 years, from 7500 to almost 35,000, and the suburb now holds almost as many people as Docklands, Footscray and Sunshine combined. The platforms on both sides are boiling with commuters of all colours: backpack-wearing university students, men and women in suits, men and women with prams, teenagers in school uniforms. The wave of Indian students and young families reaches its peak here, combining to form 20 per cent of the suburb, while the Chinese-born are just 1 per cent.

The Chinese student wave concentrates in the inner city, pushing its population skyward. In Docklands, the Chinese represent 19 per cent of the suburb. Meanwhile, Chinese families with locally born children have already followed the path of the Italians and Greeks before them and settled in the leafy suburbs in Melbourne's east. Density and sprawl. This pattern of urban growth, with vibrant inner and outer suburbs fuelled by skilled immigration, and a rust belt of middle-ring suburbs, has no precedent in Australian history. In the 20th century, the people moved in the one direction, from the inner city to the suburbs. The kaleidoscope of Melbourne's west vanishes at the small town of Little River, where you are more likely to see a wheelchair than a pram on the platform. We have travelled 45 minutes and Geelong is just four stops away. As the train snakes its way into the centre of the city, the faces are a mix of young and old. But they are not diverse. Eight in 10 residents of Geelong were born in Australia, reversing the ethnic face of Docklands, where we began our journey. In Geelong, immigrants from India and China account for just 1.5 per cent of the population between them, barely 4000 people in a city of 260,000. Geelong is the symbol for everywhere else. It's what Newcastle and Wollongong are to Sydney, the Sunshine Coast is to Brisbane and the Gold Coast, and Mandurah is to Perth; a white outpost on the doorstep of diversity. Capital cities' demographic mix is different from their states' town and regions - and from each other - more so than at any point in modern Australian history. Credit:Getty Images

Capital cities have separated decisively from their states, maintaining their youth through skilled immigration, while the smaller cities, towns and regions around them age. Newcastle is almost twice as far from Sydney as Geelong is from Melbourne, but it is uncanny how their ethnic faces align. Almost nine in 10 Novocastrians were born in Australia, and the Chinese and Indians together form just 1.2 per cent of the population. Like Geelong, Newcastle is caught in a 20th-century time warp, with its top two immigrant communities coming from England and New Zealand. At the turn of the 21st century, the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie region was home to almost as many people as Parramatta, the geographical centre of Sydney. The region was a little older than the suburb, with a larger proportion of residents aged 65 and over, and fewer people of working age between 15 and 64. But both had the same proportion of children up to 14 years of age: 20 per cent. In 2001, every city, town and regional area in Australia was like Parramatta and Newcastle, with more children than people of retirement age. The population of Parramatta has grown by 2.4 per cent a year since 2001, three times faster than Newcastle's 0.8 per cent. Here's the twist. Although the population is ageing across the country, immigration is accelerating that process in the regions, and even in some suburbs, while reversing it in the cosmopolitan centres of our three largest cities. This isn't because the immigrants are having more babies  the national birth rate has barely shifted. Immigration keeps a city young by adding to the working-age population. But the immigrants in the regions have been there for decades. They are ageing alongside the locals. In Newcastle, the retirees now outnumber the children. But in Parramatta, the share of the population aged 65 and over has fallen. This hasn't occurred because Parramatta is enjoying a baby boom  the share of children aged up to 14 has also fallen slightly. It is the working-age population that has expanded because of two types of immigration: those coming in from overseas and those coming from other parts of Australia. This is the crux of the dilemma for places like Newcastle. As its children grow up, they leave to study and find work in the cities. But they are not being replaced by the international students and skilled immigrants of the 21st century, because they also prefer the cities. Australasia has many ethnic faces, but the real divide is not race, but age.

Today, every state has at least two regions with more retirees than children. They include Queensland's Wide Bay district, north of Brisbane, where Pauline Hanson's vote has been strongest; the NSW Central Coast; Victoria's Warrnambool and south-west region; Tasmania's Launceston and north-east region; the Adelaide Hills; and Western Australia's Mandurah, south of Perth. There are 5.4 million people across the country living in this new grey zone. Loading But another three million are in the parts of the cities that have become younger because of immigration. They are exclusively on the eastern seaboard: in Sydney's city and inner south, the inner south-west and Parramatta; Melbourne's inner city and inner south; and Brisbane's inner city and north. This echoes the dynamic of the Victorian gold rushes of the 1850s, when Melbourne was the world's most visited port, receiving fortune-seeking immigrants from around the globe as well as young men from the other colonies. In 1852, for instance, the total male populations of South Australia and Van Diemen's Land actually fell. Australians have grown up with conflicting national stories, often imagining we were somewhere or someone else. Consider our unofficial anthem, Waltzing Matilda, which located Australia's beating heart in the bush when we were already one of the most urbanised settlements in the world. Banjo Paterson wrote the ballad while on holiday in central western Queensland in 1895, when tempers remained frayed by the great shearers' strike of 1891. While we can empathise with the plight of the jumbuck-poaching swagman during the depression of the 1890s, it would stretch our DNA to breaking point to consider him an average Queenslander. At the time, most people lived in houses of wood and iron in the colonial towns, and in the capital of Brisbane. The swagman's tent represented just 10 per cent of the dwellings in Queensland.

The swagman was not even part of the majority population in northern Australia when Paterson travelled there in the final years of the 19th century. Indigenous people still outnumbered the white settlers in significant tracts of the bush. Across Queensland, they had been the majority as recently as the 1860s, and in Western Australia until the 1880s. The majority of the population of the Northern Territory remained Indigenous into the 20th century. Our national stories have always been conspicuous for who they leave out. The first major piece of legislation of the new federation in 1901 was the White Australia Policy, which banned non-European immigration. Our first great social reform as a nation, the vote for women in 1902, was spoiled by the declaration that the ballot would be denied to "any Aboriginal native of Australia, Asia, Africa or the Islands of the Pacific, except New Zealand" unless they were already on a state electoral roll at the time. The words Aborigine or Aboriginal were not uttered by a conservative leader during a campaign launch speech until 1958, when prime minister Robert Menzies declared that "good progress" was being made in the Northern Territory. "Already there has been a trebling of the value of production and a doubling of the non-Aboriginal population," he told voters. We spent the last half of the 20th century trying to heal the foundation scars of federation, by counting Aboriginal Australians in the census, giving back some of their stolen land, and moving to a colour-blind immigration program. The challenge of the 21st century is that the unfinished business of the past is colliding with divisions we have not known before, between a nation that draws its strength from the youth of its local and global neighbours, and a nation that is prematurely ageing. There is no comparable period in our settler history when our major population centres diverged in this way. Australasia is re-creating a form of the diversity that existed on January 25, 1788, the day before the captain of the First Fleet (and our first governor), Arthur Phillip, established an open-air prison at Sydney Cove with the detritus of "the Old Country". The convicts and their guards had no way of knowing this, but there were more than 500 Indigenous nations across the continent, many with unique languages, cultures and belief systems. To find a common voice which speaks to the Eurasian capitals of Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra, the Pacific capital of Brisbane, the Anglo capital of Perth and the cities, towns and regions of old Australia, we need to shift the conversation beyond who we were to who we've always been  the most welcoming people on earth. Each new wave raises the fear in the local population that the country is being taken from them. That was certainly true in 1788, which is why January 26 will continue to divide us.
For most employers interviewing a prospective employee, hearing that the young man before them is trying to quite ice and rebuild life after addiction would put them in the too hard pile. But for Peter Munday, an admission like that not only didn't put him off, but motivated him to help the young man turn his life around by giving him a job. Peter Munday presenting a cheque to the Canberra Hospital Foundation. It's just one of many stories Mr Munday can share about the hundreds of young men and women he has mentored in Canberra, one of the reasons he has been awarded a medal of the Order of Australia this Australia Day. He estimates he has mentored around 400 young men and women, motivated by his own difficulties as a young man, dealing with bullying and the end of his parents' marriage, as well as finally being diagnosed with dyslexia.

"Instagram, Facebook, pictures that are being sent, texts, it's really tough out there for kids and all that social media ia really affecting our kids," Mr Munday said, explaining the way challenges for young people have changed. Mr Munday has also been a generous fundraiser and donor to many charities and causes around Canberra, including being a major sponsor of the adolescent ward at the Centenary Hospital for Women and Children and facilitating the refurbishment of The Cottage, a day centre for young people seeking treatment for mental health issues. Starting his charity involvement with the Starlight Foundation, Mr Munday said he thought more needed to be done for adolescents in the community. He's also a major sponsor for Menslink, and said he is humbled by the honour, but that it wouldn't be possible without the generous donations of those who attend events and buy tickets. "Canberra's such a generous community at giving back. I don't think it happens with me doing this solely, I'm the captain of the ship that steers the way but but it's the support of everyone else that makes it the way it is." Through his role as principal for Lennock Volkswagen in Phillip, Mr Munday has been able to run car raffles and other events to aid his fundraising efforts, he emphasises that the company has backed him often.
Murdered AFP assistant commissioner Colin Winchester. Credit:Canberra Times "I have no doubt there were credible threats made to police officers and their families," Hatton said. "As a result, those lines of inquiry which didn't fit were discredited." While he made enemies within state and federal police as a result of his anti-corruption campaign during his 23 years in the NSW Parliament, many of the dishonest practices and misconduct Hatton had alleged were fully exposed by the Royal Commission. Hundreds of NSW officers were compelled to resign in the wake of the far-reaching inquiry. In re-examining the Winchester case, he said that "honest police have everything to gain and nothing to lose from an external inquiry".

We trawled The Canberra Times archives, including the reams of copy produced by the late Rod Campbell, our highly respected court reporter, to explore the most common Winchester conspiracy theory, the professional Mafia "hit". As Campbell originally noted in his lengthy assessment of this theory 29 years ago, "the history of the Mafia in Australia is marked by extreme violence and assassinations". In the wake of the Eastman acquittal, the organised crime reprisal theory now holds the strongest credence, yet it, too, is peppered by inconsistencies. The Mafia, and more specifically a Calabrian group known as the L'Onorata Societa (honoured society), are touted as a likely candidate. This notorious group is strongly suspected, but has never been fully proved, to have ordered the 1977 murder of anti-drugs campaigner Donald McKay.

Loading So why would the Mafia order a hit on a high-ranking police officer in a Deakin driveway? Surely logic suggests that such a heinous public crime would only serve to unite and intensively focus police efforts in finding the killer? The underlying chain of logic to the Mafia conspiracy, which reads like a Peter Temple novel, goes something like this: From around 1980, federal police and the NSW Bureau of Criminal Intelligence had a well-placed informant cultivating cannabis in large scale plantations just outside Bungendore. Known as Operation Seville, the police intention with this elaborate set-up was to use the drugs and their informant's distribution connections to nab Australia's Mafia bosses red-handed.

An important context to this theory was the uncertain relationship between two different police forces. The federal police, with Winchester as their lead officer, were itching to crack a big drug case with international connections and had the resources to make it happen. But a critical weakness was that they were operating inside NSW territory. That meant the feds didn't have full visibility on NSW police information-sharing. As the Wood Royal Commission uncovered some years later, the ranks of the NSW Police were then rife with widespread bribery, corruption, and evidence tampering. Loading At least three police-monitored and -controlled cannabis crops were harvested from Bungendore between 1981 and 1983 in order to embed the informant and his drugs supply into the criminal distribution network, setting the stage for a big police raid to come. The first crop, about 90kg, hit the streets of Sydney under police surveillance. Tens of millions of dollars were now at stake, and Australia's biggest drug kingpins were in the sights.

That's when it all went horribly wrong. And it's where the popular Mafia hit theory diverges on several different tangents. One tangent - given the later damning outcomes of the Wood Royal Commission - is that corrupt members of the NSW Police who grafted significant sums of money from Mafia-run operations found out about the next big delivery and passed that information on to their criminal connections. On three separate occasions, armed men came to the plantation and ripped off various quantities. In the final visit, they took around 5000 cannabis plants worth about $2.5 million. Hundreds of police hours invested in a carefully constructed operation then went down the gurgler. The National Crime Authority later launched its own investigation. NSW and federal police were embarrassed but exonerated by the revelations that followed.

What is unknown but speculated is that Winchester then secretively set about building evidence that would directly implicate NSW police involvement in the botched operation. Such activity would inevitably attract dire enemies within and without the NSW force. Loading Attempting to identify who pulled the trigger produces yet another odd tangent. A meticulous reporter, Rod Campbell was always curious about the strange contrast between the professional methodology of the murder - two bullets at close range to the head - and the choice of firearm, a .22 calibre Ruger self-loading rifle. It was this unusually prosaic weapon - far more likely to be used for hunting rabbits than as a weapon of choice by a cold-blooded professional hitman - that provided the prosecution's link back to Eastman, whom the prosecution claimed purchased a rifle of this exact type prior to the incident.
"No matter how many times I was told that I was a beautiful little girl, the mirror didnt lie." Credit:Domino Postiglione As the bus rounded the corner at the top of the road, my black lace-ups were rooted to the spot. It was too late to escape. My heart was thundering in my chest and my school bag was slippery in my grip as I took a step forward. There was nothing for it but to brave the monkey tribe and its intense curiosity and judgment. If it weren't today, it would be tomorrow. Or the day after that. Age 14 is a bad time to have your face re-arranged. It's the hardest year for a girl. Some say year 9 is the Year From Hell. It's that confusing twilight zone where you're no longer a child, not quite yet a woman, and when the fog of doubt is most likely to seep in through the cracks of uncertainty and wrap itself around you. When I was a kid, everyone who wasn't a doctor said I had a "hare lip"  a description that still persists today among ignorant people. It comes to us from medieval times when it was believed that a hare must have crossed the path of a pregnant woman and bewitched the child in her belly, so that it is born with a face that's half-human, half-animal. I'd heard plenty of jokes about people with a "hare lip". I'd heard the insult "as ugly as a spider with a hare lip" when I was a kid. No matter how many times I was told that I was a beautiful little girl, the mirror didn't lie. My nose was crooked and flat. My upper lip, just a scrap of it, was scarred and lumpy and behind it my front teeth stuck out at odd angles.

People would look at me sideways in the street and mothers would scold their children, "Stop staring at that poor little girl." When they knew their mothers weren't looking, they'd whisper, "What did happen to your face?" The nasty kids at primary school had called me "flat face", "eagle beak" or "Wendy the witch"  but not for long. The magic spell I had was the undying loyalty and love from my younger siblings, Phillip, Noel and my little sister, Helen. Always in my corner, they challenged to a fight anyone who was mean to me. And fight they did. Helen could flatten kids three times her size. We made a fierce team, the four of us. They had my monkey back. To add to our woes, our mother had left us when I was 10 and my baby sister was only six. One afternoon Mum had attempted to take her own life with a drug overdose and was carried, unconscious, from her bed to the car by my father. We lived with Dad after Mum left. She never returned. My only communication with her was through long letters and poetry she wrote to me from her home in Tasmania. They were tortured thoughts about her terrible guilt in leaving us four kids and every one of those letters tore at my heart. I cried for hours after reading them and was plunged into deep melancholy. I blamed myself for Mum leaving. It was because I was ugly. It was all my fault, I was sure. In the quadrangle at school during lunchtime, when my friends were gossiping and giggling about boys, I'd read pages and pages in which my mother described how she had resisted, at the last minute, throwing herself off a cliff or wading into the sea to drown. She wrote how much she loved me and desperately missed us all. Still, she never came back.

In the years after Mum left, Dad would drive me from the country to the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne to be assessed for my life-changing surgery. On that long drive I'd daydream about going into hospital, waking up, and being magically transformed into "Princess Wendy". Instead, year after year we were told, "Her head hasn't stopped growing." Then, when I was 14, the surgeon said I was ready. I would have my new face, at last! I was sure he would wield his scalpel like a magic wand. That's what I was thinking as I counted backwards in the operating theatre and the darkness swallowed me up. The operation was a serious undertaking that lasted for hours, I'm told. A chunk of my bottom lip was cut out and twisted up into a new position under my nose to make a new upper lip, and to maintain the blood supply, the flesh was not entirely severed. I swam back into consciousness with my mouth sewn together. The nurses wouldn't give me a mirror for days because they knew that the sight of the swollen, bloody flesh and train tracks of stitches would be distressing. An aunt came to visit with flowers; she took one look at my face and fainted dead away.

When I was finally offered a hand mirror to peek at my face, I was devastated. There was no wave of a magic wand, no fairytale transformation. If it were possible, I looked worse than I had before. And I couldn't even open my mouth to cry and wail at my terrible misfortune. My new lips were to stay sewn up like that for weeks. I couldn't talk, smile or laugh and was fed liquids through one corner of my mouth by a straw. The only rainbow in that grim, grey time came when I was allowed to go home from the hospital for a few days and my dear siblings pushed cheese Twisties and chunks of banana through the small openings either side of my sewn-together mouth. That is true monkey love, right there. Weeks later, after another operation, and now with a full top and lower lip, my face still swollen and the tracks of the stitches bright red and angry, I was waiting on the side of the road for the school bus. I could hear it coming now. Then I saw it turn the corner and trundle down the hill to where I stood  The bus veered and braked on the gravel. The door opened in front of me. I braved the top step, then the second  and the third. The driver nodded a welcome after my two months away from the usual pick-up spot. The timid misfits and newbies up the front saw me and sent sympathetic eyes. I saw them with new eyes, too.
FoodMaven, a Colorado Springs, CO-based startup that offers a way to source food, raised an additional $10M in funding.

Backers included Tao Capital Partners and members of the Walton family. As part of this financing, Isaac Pritzker of Tao Capital Partners joined the board of directors as an observer along with a Walton family member and Rob Lewis (representing seed investors).

The company intends to use the funds for ongoing rapid growth, including purchasing complementary food businesses as it enters new markets.

Led by Patrick Bultema, Chairman, CEO and co-founder, FoodMaven creates new pathways for food lost in the system due to oversupply, cosmetic imperfection or local food without effective distribution channels. The company sells this food through an online marketplace to restaurants and institutions like universities and hotels and donates it to hunger-relief organizations.

FoodMaven recently announced the closing of Anderson Beef in Denver as part of this strategy and announced plans to enter Dallas as its next market early this year.

FinSMEs

25/01/2019
The Prime Minister, Dr Ruhakana Rugunda, has said government will report on the state of diplomatic relations with Rwanda following the controversial deportation of two MTN Uganda workers.

On Tuesday, government deported two foreign nationals, Olivier Prentout, a French and Rwandan national, Annie Bilenge Tabura, over their averred involvement in acts of compromising national security, the two were workers of giant telecom MTN.

Mityana Municipality MP Francis Zaake has taken it to the floor of parliament seeking for government position on reports that the deportation is steering Uganda and Rwanda into a diplomatic crisis.

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Am worried about the reported diplomatic crisis that is said to have followed the deportation, he said during the plenary.

In reaction the Dr Rugunda said, the matter that is under investigation adding that the August House will be informed about the relationship with the two member states.

In a statement that was released by Police Deputy Spokesperson Polly Namaye after the deportation, the two MTN Uganda employees a French national Olivier Prentout and Rwandan Annie Bilenge Tabura were deported for engaging in activities that compromise national security.

Rwandas Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in charge of East African Affairs, Ambassador Olivier Nduhungirehe, has taken it on Twitter, where he poured scorn on Uganda for the deportation claiming diplomatic avenues have been exhausted to normalize both countries relations in vain.

Walking and working in Uganda while Rwandan have become a crime. The only activities allowed for Rwandans in Uganda seem to be plotting against their country, training forces and denouncing fellow Rwandans. This provocation will stop at some point, he said on his twitter handle @onduhungirehe

Ugandas relations with Rwanda has been on the rocks in the recent past, with former Inspector General of Police Kale Kayihura battling claims of illegally deporting Rwandan nationals who were seeking asylum in the country.
And then this aforementioned colleague, who was living the life I was considering, pulled me aside and told me her truth. Loading You see us working mums coming to work and you hear us talking about how great it is, that being here is easier than being home. But its not true. Im stressed out all the time, I never get time to stop and relax, and I never feel like I give enough to the kids or to my job. She told me being a full-time working mum was not a decision to be made lightly, and opened my eyes to how hard it would be. I walked back to my bosss office and said, I quit.

And this is why I completely understand Kelly ODwyers decision. The senior Liberal minister announced on Saturday shes the latest to leave politics, citing family reasons for her decision. In compiling photo books and in looking at all of those special moments over the Christmas period, I have seen how many of them I have missed, she said. I no longer want to consistently miss out on seeing my children when they wake up in the morning or go to bed at night. ODwyer added that she and her husband would love to add a third child to their family, and the stress of politics isnt helping those efforts.

I empathise. Loading Im not suggesting for a moment that my career was as demanding as politics: far from it. But it is true that many of us mums  parents  know that the rigidity of some careers demands dont match with our ideas of what we want from family life. It means missing out on mornings and family dinners, working when the kids are finally asleep, and racing around to fit everything in on any available weekend time. For me, it all led to evaluating my skills and starting my own business from home. Im a full-time working mum, but its on my own terms. Its not perfect, but its better for our circumstances. Still, it makes me feel sad that there are so many talented and ambitious people dropping out of the workforce, simply because were told that we have to fit into the corporate box or get out.

All manner of industries  from politics to STEM and everything in between  are losing the talents and skills of women (and men) who dont find the lack of balance sustainable. Families are consistently facing barriers like childcare costs and availability, as well as discrimination, and the challenge that ODwyer has faced is yet another barrier that is so hard for some of us to overcome. ODwyer tried to finish her statement on a positive note, by adding that shes sure it can work out for some. This does not mean that men or women need to choose between family and public service: they dont, she said. With the right support you can do both, and do both well. Its a tough choice, though.
The list of surfaces to paint, holes to fill, handles to install, and so on, grew daily. We were exhausted by the move, but the green bothered me. I came home from the hardware shop with colour strips in tones of neutral greys and held them against the incongruous blue blinds that we liked, just not with that green. We decided that the living room could wait, but I could not stand to look at the streaks of dark grey beneath the white in the study alcove.

When we moved in, the alcove in the downstairs room that was intended to be my office was no longer battleship grey. Instead it had been hurriedly painted over with a thin coat of white through which the grey showed in streaks here and there. We noticed the same streaky grey/white in other rooms, too; had the bathroom really been painted that same grey, and the bedroom skirting boards? Apparently so.

When we first saw the house we bought recently, a 1920s bungalow on a steep hill in Berkeley, California, the weird colours stood out. Every other carefully staged property we visited featured stark wall-to-wall white. This one was definitely "owner occupied" and made no concessions to any real estate trends towards minimal furnishings and neutral finishes. I became convinced that the sloppily painted grass-green living room, feature walls of battleship grey and "nautical" navy-blue-and-white vertical stripes of the master bedroom were one of the reasons no one else wanted the place. The stucco exterior was a colour that brings to mind that peachy-pastel Crayola "Skin" crayon of my childhood, with trim in a darker shade of the same colour that is impossible to name.

I like colour and had come to hate the impersonal quality of white walls (the decision of our real estate agents to turn our old house, a tiny, pale-turquoise jewel box, into an anonymous white space before we sold it had provoked embarrassing tears.) It had to be a shade that didn't clash with the yellow-and-cream striped carpet that we were not yet able to replace, and the off-white, greyish-green walls. The elegant colour named "Palladian Blue" showed its tones of mysterious, shadowy greenish-blue beautifully when painted on my wooden bookshelf, but when applied to the alcove wall it darkened and became a depressing shade of "basement", which is basically what this study is. So I decided to go neutral: "Balboa Mist" looked like an inviting, warm grey on the colour strip, but in the alcove turned into a stale cup of strong milky tea, possibly fine in a bright room but also not lovely with its basement tones enhanced. Same with its lighter sister "Collingwood." Small sample tins of paint accumulated on the shelves.

There was something disturbing about this process: I knew not to trust how the colours looked in the paint brochures and gorgeously designed rooms on the decorating websites. Yet the degree to which the nature of the colour seemed to change according to the quality of light, the colours around it, the time of day, and so on, was unsettling. A small piece of objective reality I had taken for granted began to dislodge itself. There was no "true colour" inherent to these shades; they were shifting, unreliable, deceptive. They were all utterly subjective and unpredictable. I began to understand the fierce devotion among decorators to "Decorator's White," the coldest, least pigmented shade of all.

I decided to try some form of white after all. A search for "white" on the website of one paint company returns 375 shades, from the peachy "Timid White" to yellowish "Man on the Moon," to bluish "Mirage". The poetic excesses of paint names are on full display: you find not just the expected Snow, Ice, Chalk and China, but white in shades of Diamond, Christmas, Patriotic, Linen, Cameo, Rock, Mountains, Mountain Peak, Antique (different from the similar shade, "Antiquity"), Dune, Opulence, and forms of clouds and weather from "Misty" to "Hazy Skies" to the glum "Overcast" and "November Rain".

The cool "Grey Lake" was the narrow favourite for the alcove in the end over the charmingly named "Paper Doll". It is neither inspiring nor off-putting, which is satisfying enough. My husband believes it is identical to the walls around it, but he has not spent hours looking at the 375 shades.

The living room has two sets of large windows, one showing the glittering San Francisco Bay (if you stand in one corner there is a "peekaboo" glimpse of the Golden Gate Bridge, which can appear to be anything from grey to rust red but never golden). With this to look at we don't notice the green walls so much any more, although every time I turn to face the fireplace my eye catches on the badly installed sandy granite tiles on the surround, the pistachio-green cabinet panels that clash horribly with the bright green walls and the blood red of the entry way.
It seems everyone is agreed: meetings are the bane of corporate life and the number one cause of inefficiency and ineffectiveness.

Or are they?

Not all work meetings are equal. Credit:Shutterstock

The question of whether meetings are good or bad is a little like asking if television is good or bad, or if robots are good or bad. In other words, it is impossible to ascribe to meetings a trait of being either intrinsically good or intrinsically bad.

While some television programs seem designed to reduce IQ points while adding subcutaneous fat, others are edifying experiences that broaden our horizons and connect us with the world.
What was shaping up to be a ho-hum market open in Singapore suddenly became the most dramatic session in years, with a haphazard spree of sell orders causing a $US41 billion ($58 billion) crash in the city's biggest stock.

The stock plunged 83 per cent before recovering. Credit:Bloomberg

Jardine Matheson Holdings Ltd., the flagship investment firm of a 186-year-old conglomerate that hadn't posted a double-digit stock decline since April 2009, plunged 83 per cent in pre-market trading on Thursday. While the drop reversed almost as quickly as it happened, some 167,500 shares changed hands at prices less than a quarter of the previous day's close.

Speculation raged across trading desks as to whether an inept human or badly-programmed machine was to blame. Sell orders overwhelmed bids during the pre-open, for which neither a fat finger nor a malfunctioning computer system were responsible, Singapore Exchange Ltd. said in an e-mailed statement after the market closed. There was no evidence of manipulation and trading was orderly, the bourse said.

Still, if the orders themselves weren't a mistake, the price reaction almost undoubtedly was. It's a reminder of how quickly losses can happen in lightning-fast financial markets, exacerbated in this case by the fact that Singapore's circuit breakers only kick into action when the regular trading session begins. Those who sold at the pre-market price left about $US9 million on the table, according to Bloomberg calculations.
AMP's profit downgrade and slashing of its final dividend sparked swift investor backlash on Friday but analysts warn the situation is likely to worsen for the wealth giant before it gets better.

Already hit by damning evidence in the Hayne banking royal commission that it repeatedly misled corporate regulator and had charged thousands of customers fees for financial advice which was never provided, AMP's profit warning will be viewed as a disappointment by the market," said Macquarie analyst Brendan Carrig.

AMP shares skidding more than eight per cent to hit $2.34  not far short of its record low. Credit:AAP

"While nothing new has been provided from a financial standpoint, the outlook commentary does point to another difficult year for AMP in 2019," he said.

Senior banking and insurance analyst at Shaw & Partners Brett Le Mesurier agreed, adding that AMP remained in downgrade mode.
A New Orleans grand jury on Thursday handed up a slew of criminal charges against a man accused of fatally shooting a couple last year as two small children watched.

The mother and sister of the accused killer, Kenneth Augustine, are also facing charges that they helped him escape the scene of the slayings, Orleans Parish District Attorney Leon Cannizzaros office said.

According to authorities, Augustine, 28, was arguing with Darnisha DeSilva, 22, and Gregory Heisser, 23, in front of a home in the 14000 block of Wales Street, in New Orleans East, the afternoon of Oct. 9. He pulled out a gun and shot Heisser before chasing DeSilva to the back of the home and shooting her as well, investigators said.

Emergency responders pronounced Heisser dead at the scene, and DeSilva later died at a hospital. A cousin of DeSilva's told The Advocate that Heisser was holding one of the couples three children when the gunfire erupted and that another child was nearby.

Cannizzaros office said Barbara Augustine, 52, and her daughter Michelle Augustine, 32, helped Kenneth Augustine into a car after the deadly attack and whisked him away before authorities arrived. But multiple witnesses identified Kenneth Augustine as the killer, and he surrendered to police within hours, officials said.

He has been in custody ever since, and his bail was increased from $900,000 to $1.2 million following Thursdays grand jury indictment.

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Augustine was charged with two counts of second-degree murder, two counts of obstruction of justice and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

In Louisiana, second-degree murder carries mandatory life imprisonment upon conviction.

Neither Barbara nor Michelle Augustine was in custody after being charged with obstruction of justice and serving as accessories after the fact to second-degree murder. Their bail was pre-set at $100,000 each.

Authorities havent said exactly what the argument that touched off the shootings concerned. But Cannizzaros office described it as a domestic dispute pitting the slain couple against Augustine, the ex-boyfriend of DeSilvas sister.

DeSilvas mother, Lise DeSilva, said Thursday, We can be at peace a little knowing (the Augustines) are at least charged.

DeSilvas sister, Anissa DeSilva, added, Im just thankful that justice has been done (to this point), and in the city of New Orleans its not always an everyday thing. This is a start.
Day four of the trial of former federal narcotics agent Chad Scott saw a second member of his task force, former Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's deputy Johnny Domingue, testify that Scott took him under his wing, and promised to help him achieving his goal of eventually becoming a federal agent.

"I believe Mr. Scott saw potential in me," he said. "He told me to be patient, that I would get there."

Domingue testified that soon after joining Scott's task force in the middle of 2015, he began doing drugs and stealing money with a fellow task force officer, Karl Newman. Domingue was arrested in January of 2016 and was fired from the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office.

Newman testified Thursday at the trial, in which Scott faces seven counts of perjury, obstruction of justice and falsification of government records charges. Domingue and Newman have already pleaded guilty to federal charges in agreements that require them to testify against Scott. Neither has been sentenced yet. U.S. District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo is presiding over Scott's case.

Domingue's testimony shed new light inside the actions of a task force that had gone rogue. During one investigation, Domingue testified, he and Newman tried to purchase enough methamphetamine from a dealer to reach the threshold to interest federal authorities. But when the dealer sold them fake meth, the two stole drugs from the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office evidence storage and added it to the fake meth so that it would test as actual meth.

On other occasions, Domingue said, the two stole money and pills from suspects or gave drugs to a suspect and asked the suspect to sell it and then they would split the profits.

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On Cross, Scott's attorney Stephen Garcia, queried Domingue on the details of his crimes and whether he was saying what he needed to get his charges reduced. Domingue was originally charged and pleaded guilty in state court, but those charges were dismissed when he agreed to cooperate with federal authorities.

Testimony in the trial is expected to last into next week.
President Donald Trump says he'll sign legislation shortly to reopen shuttered government departments for three weeks  until Feb. 15.
Allvision, a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based geospatial analytics company providing insights and business intelligence to verticals such as infrastructure management, insurance, advertising and security, raised $3.2m in seed funding.

The round was led by Lavrock Ventures, joined by The Robotics Hub, IDEA Fund Partners, and Sands Capital Ventures.

The company intends o sue the funds to accelerate product development, further hires and pursue additional go-to-market opportunities.

Led by Dr. Aaron Morris, co-founder and CEO, Allvision develops a platform to enable street level analytics at global scale. It aggregates multiple sources of 3D data and, through the power of Machine Learning and Cloud Computing, provides analysis to derive actionable information. The insights coming out of the system gives businesses and governments the ability to make informed decisions in near real-time.

FinSMEs

24/01/2019
Que Pasta, a new Cuban-themed food concept, has taken over the kitchen at Mid-City bar Twelve Mile Limit.
Even the people who dont like him tend to acknowledge that former U.S. Sen. David Vitter has many talents. One of them is an ability to reinvent himself.

Vitter burst onto the political scene in the early 1990s as the state Houses self-appointed ethics cop. During that period, he was quick to castigate fellow politicians for any hint of questionable dealing  not just Democratic Gov. Edwin Edwards but also his fellow Republicans  which made him as unpopular in the Capitol as he was popular in his Metairie district.

During his long stint in Congress, Vitter survived a prostitution scandal by fashioning himself as a conservative warrior, particularly against President Barack Obama. More surprisingly, he recast his own role in state politics from afar by applying his strategic acumen, and hardball tactics, to the task of party building. Vitter recruited GOP legislative candidates, helped them raise money and craft messages, and threatened conservative Democrats with potential opponents unless they flipped, which many did. The payoff came when Republicans took over majorities in both houses of the Louisiana Legislature.

But it all fell apart in 2015, when Vitter turned his harsh tactics against two Republican rivals for governor, Jay Dardenne and Scott Angelle. Vitter survived the brutal primary fight among the three to face Democrat John Bel Edwards, but by then the bloom was off. Several factors probably contributed to Edwards win, but one was surely the bad blood with Dardenne and Angelle, neither of whom endorsed Vitter.

Hes far less visible these days, but those following Washington politics are now getting a look at Vitter 3.0. Or maybe call it his Moscow on the Mississippi phase.

Vitter declined to run for re-election in 2016, and like many former members of Congress, he quickly signed on with one of those Washington firms that charge a high price to try to influence policymakers. Not long into his tenure at Mercury Public Affairs, he found himself in the middle of a big international controversy.

Grace Notes: How ex-Sen. David Vitter helped a Russian lobbying client land a big break Former U.S. Sen. David Vitter cant claim all the credit for the Trump administrations decision this week to drop sanctions on a high-profile

Vitter is part of what The New York Times has deemed a sophisticated multimillion-dollar lobbying and legal campaign to convince the government to remove sanctions on companies connected to a Russian aluminum oligarch with ties to Vladimir Putin  as well as a history of doing business with Paul Manafort, the now-convicted former Donald Trump campaign chairman. Oleg Deripaska, who is suspected of having ties to organized crime in his country, has promised to give up control of these businesses, although the details of just how much are in dispute. The sanctions were imposed in response to Russian meddling in the 2016 election.

Records show Vitter met with administration officials and encouraged foreign ambassadors in Washington to ask federal officials to ease sanctions, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, which tracks disclosures of federally-registered foreign agents. And indeed, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin came out in support of that position.

But among Vitters fellow Republicans in Congress, thats not the end of the story. A Senate effort to block the move fell short of the requisite 60 votes, but 11 Republican senators voted to keep the penalties, including John Kennedy, the Louisiana senator who won Vitters old seat with his support.

The House later took a vote objecting to the new policy, which passed with full support from Democrats as well as yes votes from 136 Republicans. The House vote has no practical effect, but it does put Louisiana U.S. Reps. Steve Scalise, the minority whip, and Garret Graves on record supporting sanctions (two other Louisiana Republicans, Ralph Abraham and Clay Higgins, voted no, while Mike Johnson didnt vote).

Theres now word that the Senate could take another look, in light of an explosive New York Times report that the arrangement for Deripaska to cede control may have been less punitive than advertised. Even before the story was published, Kennedy told CNN he suspected as much when he cast his vote.

"I have grave concerns about Mr. Deripaska," Kennedy said. "I understand he says he's given up his majority of the stock ... but you don't have to own the majority of the stock to have influence over the people of the company."

Its not hard to envision Vitter raising such concerns, once upon a time. But then, that was at least a couple of reinventions ago.
The port of New Orleans was the reason that Thomas Jefferson wanted Louisiana a couple of centuries ago, and since the famous land deal of the
A small city in central Louisiana decided it was time for a change at the last election, turning to its former mayor who had held the job for years. Whats unusual? Last fall, the states voters overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment forbidding felons from seeking elective office for five years after serving their sentences.

Former Mayor Roy Hebron was still under corrections supervision within the past two years after serving time for fraud related to hurricane recovery spending after Hurricane Gustav.

Its a mess that is going to court, with the defeated incumbent arguing that the amendment was adopted at the same time as the fall election in the town of Ball in Rapides Parish.

We supported the successful amendment, principally because felons seeking office can undermine faith in the political system. But the voters spoke, with 56 percent for Hebron, so its an unusual case even for Louisiana.

And hopefully the last such case, as the new constitutional amendment is now in place.
Louisiana officials started Friday morning  the 35th day since the government shut down  trying to help furloughed federal employees who are missing their second paycheck in a row.

Gov. John Bel Edwards expanded who among the federal employees could receive unemployment benefits. And the Louisiana Public Service Commission called on utility companies not to shut off power to federal employees for not paying their monthly bills.

Then by afternoon President Donald Trump announced a three-week time out in what has been the longest federal shutdown in history.

The respite made Louisiana's help a little less necessary, but the exercise set up the procedures that would allow unemployment checks and electric bill forgiveness immediately during the next shutdown.

New Orleans to waive property tax late fees for unpaid federal workers due to shutdown Furloughed federal workers in New Orleans can have one month's worth of late fees on their property taxes waived, the city announced Tuesday.

That could be in three weeks, Trump said in a Rose Garden speech Friday afternoon. If we dont get a fair deal from Congress, the government will either shut down on Feb. 15 again or I will use the powers afforded to me under the laws and the Constitution of the United States to address this emergency, Trump said.

The 800,000 furloughed federal workers  5,858 of whom live in Louisiana  will start getting paid soon.

The U.S. Department of Labor had sent out a guidance memo saying that the federal employees who were required to work during the shutdown legally didnt qualify for unemployment compensation benefits.

Ava Dejoie, secretary of the Louisiana Workforce Commission, said her agencys lawyers started poring over law books.

We had to look at Louisiana law and see what was available to us, she said Friday after the presidents reopening announcement. Now we know.

The lawyers found the path through the legal barriers to get unemployment payments to about the 1,500 federal employees  mostly employees with the U.S. Coast Guard and the Transportation Security Administration, the TSA agents at the airports. Those routes can be accessed again and a lot faster the next time.

The Louisiana Workforce Commission counted 424 furloughed individuals having applied for unemployment compensation, as of Thursday, 113 of whom received their first weekly payment. UI benefits pay $247 per week for up to 26 weeks. The money will have to be reimbursed once the federal government pays the wages that were withheld during the shutdown.

Colorado, California, Vermont, and the District of Columbia also are paying benefits to furloughed government workers.

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Edwards announced the move in a press release then at a Hispanic Chamber of Commerce luncheon. By the end of the meal, however, the White House indicated that a deal had been cut that would provide a three-week respite to the shutdown.

Once the government reopens, were not going to move forward with processing any of the applications, Edwards said at that point. Were going to do what we have to do here in Louisiana to protect Louisiana families.

+13 In shutdown fight, Sen. John Kennedy holds fast to need for funding of border wall first GONZALES  U.S. Sen. John Kennedy said Wednesday he will not agree to Democratic demands to end the partial government shutdown first before o

Similarly, Louisiana Public Service Commission unofficially asked the utility companies they regulate to forego disconnecting electricity from the homes of federal employees for not paying their monthly bills for the duration of the partial shutdown.

Theirs started as a request in the morning but by afternoon the five elected commissioners were meeting with their lawyers to map out how government shutdown could be added to the regulations that forbid utility companies from cutting off power during natural disasters and emergencies, said PSC Commissioner Foster Campbell, D-Bossier Parish.

This is not a stable situation, Campbell said. It could happen again in three weeks. We need to fix the rules so that (the regulation) happens automatically.

"Id rather do what I can do now, rather than hope about what the president might do or not in the future." said PSC Commissioner Lambert Boissiere III, D-New Orleans. He probably represents the most federal employees of any of the five commissioners. His district includes New Orleans, most of the ports along the lower Mississippi River and much of Baton Rouge.

He said utility bills make up a substantial part of the average Americans monthly cost of living, so any help is critically needed.

Entergy, which services about 1 million customers in Louisiana, has been providing this extension of credit to furloughed federal employees, PSC Commissioner Eric Skrmetta said in a text Friday.

There is no financial risk to the utilities and therefore there should be no service risk to the customers who are furloughed federal employees, Skrmetta said. Federal workers will receive their backpay in a lump sum once the shutdown is complete.

President Trump said during his Rose Garden speech that the federal employees would receive their backpay as soon as possible.

Mitch Landrieu: President Trump is 'stuck on stupid' regarding partial federal shutdown Former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu appeared tonight on MSNBC's "Hardball With Chris Matthews" to discuss the partial federal shutdown, wh

The states cooperative utilities, which sell power to about 900,000 customers statewide, arent disconnecting federal employees for nonpayment, said Jeff Arnold, chief executive officer of the Association of Louisiana Electric Cooperatives. We are working with them, granting them extensions and payment plans. We are also not charging them late fees. This has been in effect since the start of the government shutdown.
GONZALES  In a move that they say signals broader regional cooperation for the future, Livingston and Ascension parish leaders and a top levee district official finalized a deal Friday that will allow stalled work to move forward on a proposed levee extension in Ascension.

The project had been held up since May due to a lawsuit filed by Livingston Parish officials, who voiced concerns it could exacerbate flooding there.

But Livingston and Ascension officials, along with U.S. Rep. Garret Graves, R-Baton Rouge, struck an optimistic tone Friday that the parties could resolve their remaining differences over the $24 million Laurel Ridge Levee extension.

They said they see the levee extension and other mitigation projects as the cornerstone of broader regional cooperation over flood control in the Amite River Basin.

Graves said officials with the parishes and Pontchartrain Levee District have been meeting "to make sure that we're working together in a unified matter, to make sure that we're not again saving Peter to flood Paul, but we're truly advancing the interests of all citizens of south Louisiana."

Livingston Parish President Layton Ricks, Ascension Parish President Kenny Matassa, Pontchartrain Levee District President Ricky Bosco and several other officials signed the agreement Friday during a news conference at the Ascension Parish Governmental Complex in Gonzales.

The levee district is sharing in the cost of the levee extension and is handling its pre-construction phases.

Asked at the news conference, the Ascension leaders said that permit timelines for the levee weren't a major factor in the deal. The parish is already one year into one of its two-year permits but it can be extended. However, Graves suggested there was some urgency for a resolution because so much federal flood control money became available in response to the August 2016 flood.

"The last thing in the world we needed was to have $3 billion in federal funds sitting out there while folks were fighting," Graves said.

He said that disputes about how to use federal funds, in his experience, can lead to their loss as other states grab them for use for projects in their own jurisdictions.

Ricks said having that federal money available provides Livingston leaders some security that any possible impact from the levee could be mitigated, which helped open up discussions on a deal.

"That made it a lot, a lot better to reach out and say, 'OK, I'm willing to sit down now and talk again and see what we can do to have some sort of understanding between the parishes,'" Ricks said.

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Ascension Parish officials have been eyeing an extension of the Laurel Ridge Levee, their eastern flood protection barrier in the Amite River Basin, since the late 1970s. They have proposed paying for it with a combination of local drainage tax dollars and help from the levee district, for which Ascension residents also pay property tax.

But Livingston Parish officials balked early last year after the extension received a key wetlands permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, making the long-sought extension a real possibility.

Livingston officials worried the extension of the levee system in the river basin would push more water on their residents in times of high water, especially in the low-lying areas from Port Vincent to the south. Livingston officials sued Ascension and the levee district in May to block the project.

The agreement Friday holds that state court suit in abeyance. In the interim, the deal allows engineering and land acquisition to continue on the 4.5-mile extension, but not construction, until all sides reach a final consensus on the levee's flood impact.

Engineering work on the levee is expected to take about eight months. When asked what would be necessary to bring a final consensus and allow the levee's construction, the parish leaders and Graves pointed to a number of steps.

Ascension Parish officials have highlighted a proposal to dig channels under La. 22 in Acy to allow water outside the parish levee system to flow more easily to the south  the highway's elevated road bed serves as a dam to halt flow, Ascension engineers say  but Ricks said a collection of projects might be necessary. Among them, he said, would be clearing out portions of the lower Amite to improve water flow.

The parishes are also waiting on the results on a state study of the entire basin. Graves added that the Army Corps of Engineers is separately studying how the planned Comite River Diversion Canal, planned drainage improvements in East Baton Rouge Parish and other proposed work would affect flooding lower in the basin and any side effects from the levee's extension.

Matassa also said his parish has been sharing with Livingston all the data created by engineering firms working on the levee and La. 22 project to further that analysis.

But residents in the southern portion of Livingston Parish also have been vocal about their concerns over the proposed levee.

Noting that area's long experience with flooding, Ricks shared doubts Friday that Livingston leaders could convince all those residents to go for the levee extension, even if studies come back showing the project, possibly in combination with other mitigation, won't worsen their flooding.

He eventually offered a hopeful "maybe" to that prospect but said he and other Livingston officials would consider what the analyses ultimately show and make a decision based off their findings.

"The facts are the facts," Matassa added.
In this Monday, Jan. 24, 2011 file picture, anti-abortion and pro-choice activists stand next to each other in front of the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington during a rally on the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision. Americans, regardless of generation, are deeply conflicted as they wrestle with the legality and morality of abortion, with a substantial majority identifying themselves as both "pro-choice" and "pro-life," according to a sweeping new survey. The detailed and nuanced findings were released Thursday, June 9, 2011 by the Public Religion Research Institute, based on a survey of 3,000 adults _ one of the largest ever to focus on Americans' views of abortion.
The East Baton Rouge Parish Metro Council now has a new process for filling unexpected vacancies that arise on the council  one they hope will avoid a repeat of the kind of controversy that roiled the legislative body following Buddy Amorosos death last year.

The council on Wednesday adopted a new procedure proposed by Councilwoman Chauna Banks that allows qualified residents to apply for open seats on the council should an elected representative not be able to finish his or her term, for whatever reason.

It took Banks three tries over a three-year period to get her fellow council members on board with amending the parish's home rule charter to include her vacancy guidelines. The push started well before the messy process of filling Amorosos unexpired term underscored the need for changes.

"I think timing made all the difference," Banks said Thursday.

An unexpected, but passionate, voice of support for Bank's suggestions came from Councilwoman Denise Amoroso who found herself at the center of an unwanted controversy last year when she was appointed to serve out the remainder of her husbands term as the council member representing for District 8.

+2 Buddy Amoroso's widow calls driver's 12-day jail sentence for fatal crash a 'perversion of justice' The driver of a vehicle that struck and killed East Baton Rouge Metro Councilman Buddy Amoroso and injured his friend last June was sentenced 

Buddy Amoroso was killed in a bicycle accident on June 30 in West Feliciana Parish.

Banks was among the band of Democrats on the Metro Council who tried to block Denise Amorosos appointment in a failed attempt to get another Democrat in the seat to create an even split of representation on the council. The ordeal resulted in a contentious meeting of back-and-forth insults along the lines of race and party affiliations.

In comments before the council's vote Wednesday, Denise Amoroso questioned the intent behind Banks' proposed new procedures. She said shed only support it if the goal was to find replacements who will fulfill the wishes and goals of the person vacating the seat and not another attempt to try and hijack representation of a particular district as she felt was attempted in the wake of her husband's death.

"To have to put up with what I put up with that night in July for four hours is wrong," Amoroso told Banks. "My husband was accused of being a racist and a liar  two weeks after he was tragically struck down. If the goal is to fill the seat with good qualified people, not balance it out racially or any other way, then I'm all for it."

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Amoroso on Thursday stood by those statement adding, "I just want to keep people from having to endure what I endured."

Amoroso recently announced she intends to run in the March special election to serve out the remaining two years of her late husband's term on the Metro Council.

In response, Banks said her measure was about breaking the council's tradition of just appointing whomever the person vacating the seat choose as their successor, as was the case in 2016 when councilwomen Ronnie Edwards and C. Denise Marcelle were elected as representatives in the state Legislature.

Both Councilmen Matt Watson and Barbara Freiberg were vocal in their support of Banks's measure. Freiberg said the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board, which she served on before becoming a council person, had an "excellent process" in place whenever vacancies were created and she believed the Metro Council needed to have one as well.

Going forward, the recommendations outlined by Banks allows Metro Council to appoint someone within 20 days to serve the remaining time of a vacated seat with one year or less left in the term or until an election could be held if the remaining time is longer than a year.

A notice of the council vacancy will be posted on the city-parish's website asking qualified voters who reside in the same district to submit applications. All applicants meeting the qualifications for the seat will be considered, along with any other person nominated by a member of the Metro Council.

"The way we were doing it excluded the Plan of Government and made people feel like they didn't have a chance to step into public service," Banks said. "We really needed some inclusion."
BATON ROUGE (AP)  A year ago, Abdullah Muflahi rushed outside his convenience store, whipped out his cellphone and began taping moments before a white police officer shot and killed a black man in the parking lot.

Muflahi's video fueled nightly protests that turned his friend, 37-year-old Alton Sterling, into another symbol of outrage over deadly police shootings. The July 5 shooting also transformed Muflahi's store into a hub for protesters and a canvas for their grief and anger.

Visitors routinely stop by the Triple S Food Mart to photograph an iconic mural of Sterling's smiling face on its aluminum siding. A makeshift memorial  now reduced to soggy stuffed animals and withered flowers  still stands on the table where Sterling once sold homemade CDs outside.

Little has changed in this poverty-stricken neighborhood since the shooting  a frustrating fact of life for residents and business owners who had hoped a national spotlight on their problems could erode racial divisions and improve police relations in Louisiana's capital.

"It's overlooked. It's not much that the city does around here," Muflahi said. "There are things that the city could fix and help make it better, but nobody looks at it like that."

Muflahi, a 29-year-old native of Yemen, mourns Sterling as the friend who introduced himself as "Big Boy" and welcomed him after he moved here from Detroit and bought his store in 2010.

"He's the one who actually showed me around and looked out for me," Muflahi said.

The shooting strengthened Muflahi's bond with neighbors who protested outside the store after Sterling's death. But Muflahi said store revenue also plummeted and has been slow to rebound.

"A lot of people were scared to come up here," he said. "A lot of my regulars, the older people, I haven't seen them."

A federal investigation found the confrontation with the two white officers, Blane Salamoni and Howie Lake II, lasted less than 90 seconds.

The officers approached Sterling about a call that a black man selling CDs had threatened someone with a gun. They struggled with Sterling after he didn't comply with commands to put his hands on the hood of a car, then wrestled him down after Lake shocked him with a Taser, federal authorities said.

Investigators found that Salamoni shot Sterling three times after saying Sterling was reaching for a gun in his pocket, and fired three more shots into Sterling's back when he began to sit up. A loaded revolver was recovered from Sterling's pocket.

In May, the Justice Department announced it will not file criminal charges against either officer. Louisiana's attorney general is reviewing whether any state charges are warranted. The officers remain on paid leave.

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Donna Harris, a 41-year-old nurse, lives nearby and joined the protests. A year later, she's still waiting for some reason to be optimistic.

"Nothing got better. Nothing changed," she said. "They haven't even given us justice for Alton."

State Rep. Ted James, a Baton Rouge Democrat and native of the area, said he sees some progress. But he also sees enduring racial divisions and acknowledges that predominantly black north Baton Rouge  where Sterling lived and died  still suffers from a longstanding "lack of investment."

"That type of long-term change is going to take time," he said. "Things are happening. I recognize it's not happening as fast as folks would like to see it."

At a salon across the street from the Triple S Food Mart, hair stylist Ronnie Horton said he believes politicians have shortchanged the neighborhood for years.

"You go across on the other side of town, it's beautiful," he said. "It's not up here."

After Sterling's death, James and other black lawmakers secured legislation  since signed into law  to strengthen police training requirements and prevent disgraced officers from keeping their jobs or getting new ones elsewhere. "A lot of those ideas came from concerns from people in the community," James said.

Arthur "Silky Slim" Reed, an activist who orchestrated the release of the first cellphone video after Sterling's shooting, said he believes police officers will ignore policy changes unless they face consequences for violating them.

"There was a lot of talk about police reform, bringing the community together with the police. And I think the gap is widening," he said.

Muflahi sued the city, claiming investigators illegally detained him for hours in the back of a police car. That suit is still pending. He said many residents still distrust the police department  some now more than ever  and can't fathom why the shooting is still under investigation a year later.

"I thought we would have gotten somewhere," Muflahi said. "The whole city, the family, everybody is just waiting to see what's going on."
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A state judge had advanced a class-action lawsuit alleging the state violates poor defendants' constitutional rights, setting up for trial a case that could upend Louisiana's struggling public defense system.

Judge Todd Hernandez ruled last week to move forward the lawsuit, which claims Louisiana's public defense system does not adequately provide representation to poor clients.

Southern Poverty Law Center senior supervising attorney Jamila Johnson, one of the plaintiff attorneys, called Hernandez's decision an important step forward.

"It's too simplistic to say it's lack of funding," Johnson said Hernandez affirmed in his ruling. "The constitutional issues are separate from funding.  Its a system where there is inadequate oversight,  caseloads are too high, there are too many conflicts,  the outcome of the system is that everyone is at risk.

Hernandez, of the 19th Judicial District Court, denied multiple claims from the state trying to dismiss the lawsuit; the state had argued that any fix to the public defense system needs to come from the Legislature because the issues stem from budget problems, and therefore, are "not a matter of law."

Hernandez disagreed.

"The enforcement of or protection of individual constitutional rights can never be dependent upon the availability of public funds," Hernandez wrote. "Whether the public defense system in the State of Louisiana violates federal and state constitutional rights of the class plaintiffs  is a factual question that must be decided at trial."

Judge grants class-action status to lawsuit against Louisiana public defender system A Baton Rouge judge has granted class-action status to a lawsuit that aims to upend Louisianas creaking public defense system.

The class-action lawsuit representing about 50,000 indigent criminal defendants across the state should go to trial this summer, Johnson said. The lawsuit was filed in 2017 by attorneys with the Southern Poverty Law Center, the Jones Walker law firm, the New York firm Davis, Polk & Wardell, and the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. The lawsuit names Governor John Bel Edwards, the Louisiana Public Defender Board and State Public Defender Jay Dixon as defendants. A trial date has not been officially set.

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Ultimately, the state is responsible for ensuring that the sixth amendment rights of the people in the state are upheld," Johnson said in an interview Thursday.

'The system is broken': Class-action status sought for suit challenging state public defense system A lawsuit challenging Louisiana's public defense system should be deemed a class action because tens of thousands of poor people accused of cr

Calls to reach the attorney representing Edwards, Dixon and the state public defender board, Remy Voisin Starns, went unanswered on Thursday.

The lawsuit alleges the way Louisiana runs its public defense system denies poor residents accused of crimes their constitutional right to an attorney and equal protection under the law. While Johnson said many of the problems with the system are a result of insufficient funding  a challenge repeatedly admitted by Dixon and public defenders statewide  she said there are many other problems that harm clients' representation.

State Public Defender warns Louisiana lawmakers of 'dire scenario' if funding isn't increased Multiple public defender districts in Louisiana, including East Baton Rouge and Orleans, are at risk of becoming insolvent in a year or two if

Louisiana's public defender offices are partially funded by local criminal fines and fees  mostly from traffic tickets  and then a share of a state pot of money. This revenue structure means public defenders' budgets often vary from year to year and from parish to parish. In December while speaking to state lawmakers, Dixon called the current funding situation "dire" for offices around the state.

But Johnson said she hopes this lawsuit, if they are successful, would bring better representation to indigent defendants, not only with funding, but also practices and policies.

"This really feels like the final swing before trial," Johnson said. "The case is continuing on.  The state is going to have to bring its A game.
The theft of intellectual property (IP) is a challenge facing organizations and industries operating globally. A special risk involves Chinese nationals both in and outside the PRC using less than sophisticated methods to steal IP.

While there are obvious ways that an organizations IP can be misappropriated, through hacking schemes, or even when China blatantly requires organizations to share their IP with Chinese entities that have ties to the government, there are often simple ways that IP is stolen by employees, vendors, and partners.

Vendors and employees pose special risks to IP. They have access to your IP and understand weaknesses in your systems. Employees, especially those working in procurement, can readily steal IP by selling it to the shell companies they have created, as one example of a simple scheme. Many employees have access to IP, and knowing its value, are intent upon stealing it. Vendors also have access to IP, and they can exploit limitations inherent in your internal controls.

In an effort to combat these and other concerns, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer is in current negotiations with China to stem the tide of IP theft and infringement. The U.S. has banned the PRC telecom company Huawei from doing business in the United States and has urged other nations to follow suit. These efforts may help, but every organization needs to consider more immediately updating their own IP safeguards.

Organizations active in the PRC and those partnering with Chinese entities or hiring Chinese nationals need to put special emphasis upon the protection of their IP.

Here are some thoughts about protecting your organizations IP:

IP theft occurs when opportunity is present. The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) has analyzed the ins and outs of theft and fraud. Their findings show that fraud and theft occur when opportunity arises rather than when devious minds get together. This concept applies equally to the protection and theft of IP. Assume people will steal if you dont have good controls.

IP theft occurs when internal controls are insufficient. Internal controls must, at every point, account for the ways in which IP is held, transferred, sold, and shared. Protections must be put into place to meet all these scenarios and must go beyond technological solutions. Technology is only one layer of IP protection. People find creative ways to steal, regardless of whether equipment or microchips are being taken.

IP theft does not require sophisticated technological schemes. The people behind these attacks arent all technology experts. IP theft may not be a tech problem. It may be a simple theft issue.

IP theft might involve equipment, drawings, software, trade secrets, or client and vendor lists. Regardless, IP has value and people will want to take it, whether for their own purposes, or for someone elses.

IP theft is prevented and detected through simple tools. Effective hotlines, third-party due diligence, training, audit, and other standard compliance and internal controls are a useful protection against theft of IP.

___

Jeffrey M. Klink, pictured above, is the President and CEO of Klink & Co., a global risk advisory firm dedicated to helping global organizations grow and succeed. The firm works in more than 100 countries every year, and has special expertise in China, Russia, India, and throughout Africa.


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It's bad enough that leaks occur in the tech world, but when the company itself bumbles forth and ends up being the one who  "accidentally"  leaks its own products, then that takes things to another level.

Take Motorola, for example. The company wasn't supposed to unveil its Moto G7 lineup until February, but because of a company blunder, the entire Moto G7 line was leaked on Motorola Brazil's website, complete with product images and specs.

The pages have since been taken down, but clearly not quickly enough to prevent keen-eyed folks from swooping down and taking screenshots of the faux pas. CNET, for instance, was able to capture the pages while they were still live.

Moto G7 Lineup

So, thanks to Motorola's own doing, everyone now knows what the company has in store for 2019, at least with regard to the G7 line. Specifically, four models are coming. They're the Moto G7, G7 Plus, G7 Power, G7 Play.

All four variants will feature slim bezels, notched displays, and headphone jacks, and come with Android Pie out of the box. The base G7, G7 Play, and G7 Power will come equipped with Qualcomm Snapdragon 632 chips, while the G7 Plus will have the slightly better Snapdragon 636 processor. It will also get the best camera setup out of the four, with a 12-megapixel front camera and two dual in the back  16-megapixel and 5-megapixel sensors.

G7 Power, on the other hand, will come with the highest battery capacity at 5,000 mAh, which is par for the course given its name. The other devices will have merely 3,000 mAh of capacity.

The Midrange Category

In any case, the Moto G7 is expected to be Motorola's latest and greatest midrange and budget-smartphone line, two categories the company has been doing well in for more than a few years now. Critics were impressed with the Moto G6 line, thought to be the perfect blend between power, functionality, and overall cost, but the G7 might take things even further. They're no iPhone XS or XS Max, of course, but midrange devices are becoming super popular nowadays, and it's smart on Motorola's part to continue capitalizing on that. Not everyone can afford an iPhone.

Pricing and availability for the Moto G7 line are unavailable at the moment, but expect to hear more details when Motorola officially unveiled them on Feb. 7. If you have any thoughts, feel free to sound off in the comments section below!

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Liberian health officials say that the deadly Ebola virus, the reason for the epidemics, was found in a West African bat, the first in the region.

This isn't the first time it was seen in bats, though, as the animals has long been suspected of causing the outbreaks. Previously, Ebola-carrying bats were found in Central Africa.

West Africa Ebola-Carrying Bats

Despite the discovery of a bat that carries the disease, Liberia has had no reports of an Ebola case since 2016, and the mammals were not linked with any human disease. West Africa was last hit by the virus in 2013, which lasted for three years.

In that span, the Ebola virus, which causes fatal hemorrhagic fever, claimed the lives of thousands of people in Liberia alone. Now, local health officials want to share the recent identification of an infected bat in the region to warn residents of the potential effects of it, although the study is nowhere near finished.

"We do have enough data to suggest to me that it is Ebola Zaire in this bat. We agree with our Liberian government partners that this information should be shared," Columbia University virologist Simon J. Anthony said.

Although nothing is sure yet, the preliminary findings can at least warn people to avoid mines and caves where bats live. However, there are a lot more means that the infection can be passed on, as a lot of people who handle, prepare, and eat the animal may get the disease.

Zaire ebolavirus, which was found in the Liberian bat, is the same one that caused the second-largest outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has already killed 400 people and reported 700 cases. The largest was in West Africa with almost 30,000 infected cases and 11,000 deaths and which was believed to have come from a Guinea boy who held a bat-carrying disease.

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Just when it seemed like the video streaming industry had been filled to capacity, another competitor has entered the fray: T-Mobile.

According to Cheddar, the company will aim to take on the likes of Netflix and Hulu with its own free video streaming service. Much like Hulu, T-Mobile's streaming platform will be ad-supported, and both live and video-on-demand content will be available.

Unlike Netflix and Hulu, T-Mobile's service will be exclusive to smartphones and other mobile devices - it doesn't sound like it will be available to desktop or laptop users. That could change in the future, but for now, it certainly seems like T-Mobile is limiting their potential audience.

At any rate, T-Mobile's app will probably have to do more than offer "free" content to stand out from the crowd. After all, Netflix and Hulu aren't the only competitors for T-Mobile to worry about now - Disney, DC, and even Amazon have all already entered the fray, or plan to do so in the future.

What T-Mobile will do to draw customers in remains to be seen, but we'll be keeping an eye on the matter moving forward. The service is expected to launch in the coming weeks, according to Cheddar's sources.
Facepalm: Tech myths have been around for years, but one might imagine that in todays internet age, where information is just a few clicks away, most people know hokum from fact. It seems, however, that this isnt always the case.

HighSpeedInternet.com interviewed hundreds of people in the US to find out how many believed some of the most popular technology myths. At the top of the list, believed by 86 percent of interviewees, is something that certain phone and camera companies want people to think: that more megapixels mean a better picture. In reality, the resolution will be higher, but the sensor size is more important when it comes to image quality.

The next most-believed myth is one that used to be true: charging a phone overnight can ruin the battery. Years ago, doing this could reduce a battery's lifespan, but tech advancements mean it's no longer the case.

The equal-second most-believed myth is a controversial one, and some will argue its not even a myth. Fifty-two percent of participants believe in planned obsolescencespecifically, companies deliberately slowing down handsets to force customers to upgrade. Late last year, an Italian watchdog fined Samsung and Apple for allegedly engaging in the practice, though the companies deny it. There was also Apples battery-related performance throttling controversy.

Other popular debunked myths include airport x-ray machines wiping digital data, computers needing to be shut down every night to run properly, and Macs never getting viruses.

HighSpeedInternet also put together a list of the most Googled tech questions by state (above). Californias charge phone in microwave is a bit worrying, and a few queries also appear in the tech myths list.
Why it matters: With the promise of job security and a great salary, computer science programs across the country have seen a surge in students. The issue is that while the number of undergraduates has more than doubled since 2013, faculty numbers rose just 17 percent.

Going to school to become a doctor or lawyer used to be the dream of many, but computer science is quickly emerging as the 21st century's most sought after degree.

This issue of who will teach the new generation isn't just affecting a few schools who can't afford the extra salaries. Across the country, schools of all sizes are finding it increasingly difficult to manage class sizes with a limited supply of professors.

Lucrative Silicon Valley jobs have lured away much of the talent that would have traditionally gone into academia. The current trend is not sustainable since the number of students in Ph.D. programs has not risen proportionally to the number of undergraduate students.

Schools have tried many different methods in an attempt to deal with the rush of students. This includes limiting enrollment of CS courses solely to CS majors and implementing randomized course lottery systems. As originally reported by the New York Times, these practices may unintentionally discriminate against women, minorities, and first-generation college students.

If a university requires a student to be accepted into the computer science program before registering for a computer science class, this will statistically favor male, more affluent students. Low income high-schools may not have a computer science program to prepare students for college. Women are also less likely to try computer science classes in high school.

One solution that some schools such as the University of Illinois and University of Washington are trying is dual appointments. This is the practice of professors splitting time between industry and academia.

Other potential solutions including adding more entry level and exploratory computer science classes. These are great for a student that wants a feel of computer science, but isn't necessarily committed to majoring in it. These classes can also be taught by less experienced faculty leaving the more senior professors for upper level classes.

The huge increase in the number of computer science students is only projected to get worse, so this problem is likely to be around for some time before it gets better.
Facepalm: John McAfee, the eccentric antivirus creator, has announced that he will run his official 2020 presidential campaign from a boat. He is currently on the run from US authorities over years of tax evasion.

The 73-year-old McAfee said he has thousands of volunteers working for his campaign already. He calls them "road warriors who, once a month are going to appear in parks, street corners, restaurants all around America while I speak through loudspeakers." McAfee's campaign manager, Rob Loggia, described the strategy as similar to strapping an iPad on someone's head like a telepresence robot.

How we will run my campaign in exile: pic.twitter.com/evqxZQRTxH  John McAfee (@officialmcafee) January 23, 2019

McAfee has previously stated that he has not paid taxes in 8 years and that the IRS has convened a grand jury to charge him with unspecified crimes. He has also had a host of other legal troubles including unlicensed drug manufacturing and weapons possession. Most notably, he is a person of interest in the murder of Gregory Faull.

In terms of his policies and platform, some areas are clear and others aren't. The main theme of his campaign is freedom from government where he envisions a world in which citizens are free from its control.

The McAfee 2020 Campaign is, as of this day, in exile. I am being charged with using Crypto Cuttencies in criminal acts against the U. S. Government. More videos coming shortly. Stay tuned. pic.twitter.com/C75zcbnKTD  John McAfee (@officialmcafee) January 22, 2019

McAfee has long advocated for the rise of cryptocurrencies over our modern banking system. He believes that because of this, governments will not be able to collect income tax in the future.

He stated to Fox News that he has "no idea" about immigration, foreign relations, or education. Instead, he is focusing solely on freedom of the people. McAfee views our current two-party system as an illusion fluctuating between the extremes on both ends.

He has regularly taunted the US authorities while on the run so it will be very interesting to see where this whole story goes in the future.


A Brand's Guide to Digital Shelf Analytics | eBook

What can you do to improve your digital commerce game? The first rule of the digital shelf is to make sure your products can be found. Some might say its mission impossible. Unless, of course, you use digital shelf analytics (DSA). Get the eBook Today!

Personal file storage on a computer used to involve a PC-based hierarchical folder system that was maintained on local, PC-based hard drives.

Today we are embracing the cloud, which allows for redundancy, remote access, remote backup and the use of convenient input/output mobile devices like phones with limited storage but outstanding portability.

If you're still using your PC as a catch-all repository for media and documents and haven't moved over to the cloud yet, here's how to go about trying it painlessly -- and at no cost to you.

I've chosen two broad file types that are well-suited to the cloud. Each has unique services geared towards it, and both demonstrate cloud-services principles that you can try.

Cloud Documents and Photographs Using Dropbox

Step 1: Browse to the Dropbox website on a computer. This service allows you to access files saved across all of your disparate computers and phones, regardless of OS.

For all intents and purposes, it lets you bring your files with you, without e-mailing them to yourself, as long as you have an Internet connection.

Step 2: Sign up for a basic, free account at the website by entering your name, e-mail and a password and pressing the 'Sign Up' button. A Dropbox client will download. Choose 'Save' when prompted and open the Dropbox installer. Then follow the run and setup prompts.

Step 3: Launch the Dropbox folder on your computer by clicking on the newly created desktop icon (in Windows 7). The folder will open and appear as a regular Windows folder.

From the Start menu, browse to Documents within Libraries and open it. Drag a sample file, like a Word document or image from Documents, to the new Dropbox folder.

Step 4: Install Dropbox on other machines or download an app from your phone's market or store. Sign in and browse to your Dropbox folder, which will be created on the other machines and devices.

Check the installations and you'll see that the file name you dragged over will be synced across devices and on the Dropbox website. Click or touch the file name to download the actual file to that machine or device.

Step 5: Make a change to the file. Changing the file name will demonstrate this step. The change will sync across all of the Dropbox-enabled devices and on the Dropbox website.

Cloud Music for Android Using Google Play

Step 1: Browse to the Google Play Music website on a computer. This service allows you to store music and listen on the Web without taking files with you. Up to 20,000 songs are stored for free. iTunes, Windows Media Player and regular folders can all be indexed.

You can also add to your collection and get free music from new artists by using the integrated Google Play store.

Step 2: Open a Google account or sign in to an existing account and then download the Music Manager by clicking on the blue 'Download Music Manager' button.

Follow the prompts to install the Music Manager and then click through the setup's Next buttons to sign in again and add your personal collection to your Google Play music library. The music will sync.

Step 3: Launch the actual Music Manager software from the Start menu (in Windows 7) and you'll see the interface. Click on the 'Go To Music Player' button, and your synced music library will appear in a Web browser.

Step 4: Click on 'Shop Music' and 'Free Song of the Day' to add new music to your Music Manager. This music will sync.

Step 5: Open the Google Play store on your mobile device and search for the free Google Play Music app. Install it on your device. Follow the prompts to add your Google account and you'll see the music synced in the previous steps.

Touch artwork or an icon, and the music will play.

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Seminole, FL (33772)

Today

Clouds and some sun this morning with more clouds for this afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 88F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 79F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph.
A healthy baby elephant was born at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo in Syracuse last week, Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon has announced.

The calf, a male, arrived at 5:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 15. The baby is the second calf born to female Asian elephant Mali and bull elephant Doc, both age 21.

At birth, the baby weighed 268 pounds and measured about 3 feet tall. The Rosamond Gifford Zoo is among 30 accredited zoos that participate in the Species Survival Plan for Asian elephants overseen by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA).

"Asian elephants are critically endangered in the wild, so it's a huge accomplishment to be able to breed them in human care," County Executive McMahon said. "I congratulate the zoo and its dedicated animal care staff, as well as the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine team that assisted them in preparing for this birth."

An elephant's gestation period ranges from 20 to 24 months. Mali's pregnancy lasted an estimated 660 days, said Zoo Director Ted Fox. After determining the pregnancy was progressing well over a year ago, the elephant care and veterinary team began preparing for a Christmas 2018 due date, Fox said.

In recent months, the team conducted birthing drills in the elephant husbandry barn, using a life-size inflatable elephant to represent Mali and a giant boat buoy to represent the baby, Fox said.

He said Mali started showing signs of active labor at 5 a.m. January 15 and the baby was born a half hour later. "Mother and baby are both doing fine. We will monitor them closely while giving Mali and her newborn time to bond."

The zoo will be posting photo and video updates on its social media platforms so the public can see the baby's progress leading up to a springtime introduction to the public, Fox said.

The zoo is in the midst of a construction project to expand its Asian Elephant Preserve from 4.5 acres to 6 acres and improve viewing access to elephants and other species on the Wildlife Trail. The construction is expected to be completed by Memorial Day weekend.

"We are looking forward to a great summer filled with opportunities to watch this baby grow," Fox said.

Asian elephants are the species the Syracuse zoo is most famous for helping to save as part of its AZA wildlife conservation mission. Of several thousand zoos and aquariums in North America, only 232 have passed the rigorous inspections required for AZA accreditation. Of those, 30 have Asian elephants and only 11 have breeding programs for this endangered species.

The new addition brings the zoo's elephant herd to 8 animals, including a three-generation family group that includes Mali and Doc's first calf, Batu, a male who turns 4 in May, and Mali's mother, Targa, 35. The Preserve also is home to the elephant matriarch, Siri, who turns 52 this year, as well as Romani, 41, and her daughter Kirina, 23.

Asian elephants are critically endangered in their native habitat in Asia and India due to habitat destruction and hunting and poaching by humans. Only about 30,000 are estimated to remain in the wild.

The zoo's successful participation in the AZA Species Survival Plan, its state-of-the art elephant care facilities - including a 50,000-gallon elephant watering hole with green infrastructure - its experienced elephant care team and its Cornell Veterinary team set it apart as a model for elephant programs around the world.
ALBANY  State lawmakers on Monday are poised to OK measures raising the statute of limitations in child sex abuse cases, as the Catholic Church is signaling it will drop its long-held opposition if public schools are specifically included with religious and private schools in one major provision of the legislation.

The bill's Senate sponsor said Thursday afternoon that such a demand is being met in the final bill.

Democrats, now in control of both legislative houses, have vowed since before the November elections that they would push through a series of bills that were blocked when the Republicans were in the Senate majority until this month. Theyve already done so on measures involving abortion, election laws and immigration.

The Child Victims Act, which has been opposed over the years by the Catholic Church and some other organizations, is set to be passed Monday by the Senate and Assembly. It will raise the statute of limitations that victims of child sex abuse can try to bring civil or criminal cases against their abusers and open a one-year look-back period  also called a revival window  for victims of any age to bring lawsuits over alleged sexual abuse that may have occurred decades ago.

This is legislation that has been languishing for years under previous Republican majority leadership, and under the current Democratic leadership we recognize how important it is we are finally bringing justice to victims of child sexual abuse," said Sen. Timothy Kennedy, a Buffalo Democrat.

The New York State Catholic Conference, which has raised concerns about the one year look-back period, among other provisions, on Thursday declined comment until it could see the actual legislation that will be coming to the Senate and Assembly floors on Monday. The group represents the churchs bishops based in New York State.

The Catholic Church has maintained that previous efforts would carve out for the look-back period just private schools, and not the 700 public school districts in New York. The bill goes beyond just schools, whether private or not, to include other settings, including churches, Boy Scouts or other institutions.

Later Thursday, a spokesman for the Catholic Conference said the church would drop its opposition to the bill if public institutions are included in the look-back period in the final version set for Monday's floor debate in the two houses.

Asked if the final bill will include private along with public institutions covered by the civil litigation provisions, Sen. Brad Hoylman, a Manhattan Democrat and sponsor of the bill in the Senate, said: Yes, unequivocally.

Now the bill is even-handed across both private and public institutions," he said in an interview. He said the final bill, not yet printed, will make clear that both kinds of institutions will be covered by the look-back period.

Thats important because its a matter of simple fairness," the senator said.

Hoylman said New York is an outlier when it comes to statute of limitation laws for survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Now, New York joins 48 other states in permitting survivors to come forward to have their cases heard," he said.

Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal, a Manhattan Democrat and the bill's Assembly sponsor, agreed that the final bill when it emerges in the next 24 hours will cover public and private institutions. "I contend that they always were and others were saying they were not. So it will be very clear,'' she said in an interview Thursday afternoon.

"Child sexual abuse took place everywhere, not just in private institutions ... We want to make sure to allow survivors of abuse, whether at the hands of teachers or member of the clergy or any other institution, have a path to justice in the courts,'' Rosenthal added.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has supported the Child Victims Act and has vowed to sign such a measure into law. Cuomo on Thursday said that society has failed victims of childhood sexual abuse. "In New York, this ends now,'' he said.

The plan being considered would raise the statute of limitations for civil cases brought by people who say they were sexually abused as children up until they reach the age of 55, according to sources who spoke on condition of anonymity Thursday. Such cases can now be brought until the victim reaches age 23. An earlier measure, including one proposed by Cuomo, put the ceiling at 50 years of age. Victim rights groups say survivors of childhood sexual assaults can live in denial for decades before coming forward.

Rosenthal said she amended her bill from last year that set the civil statute of limitations at age 50 to 55. "Research has shown that people don't really come to terms with the abuse, don't remember it, can't handle it, block it from their memories of it until later in life because it is so painful. This gives them more time,'' she said.

Lawsuits could be brought against alleged abusers or institutions, such as a church or school.

On the criminal side, felony complaints involving acts of childhood sexual abuse could be brought by victims until they turn 28, a five-year increase from present law. It would be 25 years of age for misdemeanors.

"It's a new day. We're pleased to announce that, finally, adult survivors of child sexual abuse will have the opportunity to seek redress against their abusers and institutions  both public and private  that harbored them,'' Hoylman said in a written statement he released with Rosenthal.

One group that represents victims of child abuse celebrated the news Thursday that the Child Victims Act is set to be approved next week at the state Capitol.

Well, survivors of New York, today is our day. Kids will be protected from systematic abusers, who can be brought to justice, said Gary Greenberg, an Albany area businessman who founded Protect NY Kids years ago to push for the Child Victims Act.

-- By Tom Precious, The Buffalo News
ALBANY  Before closing down next weeks session on Tuesday, state lawmakers are expected to pass a number of gun control measures over lobbying by Second Amendment groups like the National Rifle Association.

On the list is a ban on rapid-fire bump stocks, devices that can be placed on semi-automatic weapons to increase firing speed. Such bump stocks were used in the 2017 Las Vegas shooting massacre. The Trump administration late last year imposed a federal ban on the devices.

New Yorks Safe Act gun control law bans the attaching of bump stocks to weapons. But it does not ban the sale or possession of the devices, which the new bill will do.

The package will also create a red flag provision, permitting family members, schools, police officers and district attorneys to seek a court order blocking the purchase or possession of weapons if they are deemed an extreme risk to others or themselves. The Legislatures measure is nearly the same as Cuomos red flag plan in his recent state budget, though it limits it to school officials who could bring court petitions to principals.

The gun package will also create a Firearm Violence Research Institute within the state university system. It will be charged with studying gun violence, as well as education and training programs, and making recommendations to state officials for other potential laws controlling gun possession and use.

Cuomo, a gun control advocate, has also proposed versions or identical efforts that lawmakers in the two houses have tentatively agreed to pass next week. That makes sense, Cuomo said Thursday of one measure he's offered to increase the waiting period for a gun purchase from three to 10 days for people who do not immediately pass a background check.

But the plan lawmakers are set to consider next week would raise that period from the current three days to 30 days. Presently, a dealer must deliver a gun to its purchaser if the background check is not performed within three days. The new plan extends that to a full month. Lawmakers say many background checks can be done at a store while a consumer waits, but this builds in 30 days for checks that might take longer.

Lawmakers are also considering a ban on ghost guns, which are those that can get through some standard metal detectors, such as 3D weapons. It would prohibit the sale, possession or manufacturing in New York of such defined guns, and seek to limit online instructions for making 3D weapons.

There are also new safe storage rules being considered  such as making it a Class A misdemeanor for gun owners who fail to properly store weapons if they live in a house that includes anyone under the age of 16  and the creation of a gun buyback program by the State Police.

Officials Thursday cautioned that some of the gun measures are still being negotiated and could change by next week when lawmakers return to Albany.

-- By Tom Precious, The Buffalo News
SKANEATELES, N.Y. - Timing is everything. That held true for Katie Hess and her history with the home at 34 State Street in Skaneateles.

Hess, an interior designer, grew up in the outskirts of Skaneateles. As a girl had friends who grew up in town, right near where this home is located on the corner of State Street and Academy Street.

I loved being able to walk downtown with them and be close to everything, said Hess.

Hess moved away to Boston, but would visit her sister who moved into the red house around the corner on Academy St., which used to be the carriage house for 34 State Street. Hess said they would sit out on her back porch and admire the house and how beautiful it was.

When Hess moved back to Skaneateles, the house had come up for sale but it wasnt the right time to buy it. The owners who had purchased it then had gotten transferred out of town and finally, Hess had the chance to buy it.

There it was, right in front of me. I had been admiring that house for over 10 years and I finally had the chance to own it. I felt like the house had been waiting for me, said Hess.

The home has local history, once being owned by John Barrow, a well-known painter in Central New York. His work can be seen at the John D. Barrow Art Gallery as part of the Skaneateles library.

The history of the house made it the perfect setting to open as a bed and breakfast. Tourists would come to town and visit the gallery and love learning that they were also staying in the home of the artist, said Hess.

Hess had some of Barrows artwork on display in the house, on special loan from the gallery. Being able to share Barrows home and artwork, paired with her design was very important to Hess and is something she will miss most about this home.

After purchasing the home, the renovations began. Hess had two-thirds of the clapboard replaced. This project brought about a new discovery by the carpenter she was working with. They found out that the home had brick nogging, which is a brick-lined, wood framed home. This was a pre-1900s way of insulating the home and also possibly to sound proof it. Hess put in extra sound proofing to both the walls and the floors during the renovations to give privacy to any guests staying there.

While Hess said there are so many wonderful things about this property, she loves what she calls the T.V. room, that flows into the kitchen and dining room.

That room gets amazing light and the flow of the house for entertaining is phenomenal, said Hess.

The home sits on a corner lot and Hess said it is a lot bigger than it appears. The house extends far back into the property and the backyard is completely fenced in which was great for Hess' dogs. Hess said the backyard feels very private, even though you are right in town.

There are lots of spots to sit outside and enjoy the summer months or to do some people watching, if you wish. The neighborhood has lots of young families with children ranging from babies to teenagers.

Its a friendly and beautiful neighborhood where kids can walk to school, people walk to work at the shops in town. Its everything I dreamed of as a kid, said Hess.

This house is the ninth house Hess has purchased and renovated, but it is by far her most favorite. The long history of waiting and finding the right time to be a part of this homes story has given it a special feeling.

Hess will be staying in the area, but she said she is ready to get started on a new project and turn this house over to a new family to enjoy. Whether it is used as a private residence or someone wants to keep up the bed and breakfast, this home is ready for its next chapter of life.

There will be an open house on Sunday, January 27 from 1 p.m. -3 p.m.

THE DETAILS

Address: 34 State St., Skaneateles, NY 13152

Price: $895,000

Size: 4,376 square feet

Acreage: 0.57 acres

Monthly Mortgage: $4,915 (based on this weeks national average rate of 4.45 percent, according to Freddie Mac, for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage with a 20 percent down payment. Fees and points not included.)

Total taxes: $13,154 (Based on assessed value of $534,000)

Built: 1832

School District: Skaneateles

Kitchen: The kitchen has a large center island and breakfast area. It flows directly into the living room. There is also a small beverage station which can be used as a breakfast nook. The kitchen also has a very large walk-in pantry which is where the refrigerator is located.

Bedrooms: This house has five bedrooms. Both second floor bedroom suites, including the master bedroom also have attached sitting rooms through archways. The master bedroom also includes two walk in closets and laundry closet. There is another ensuite bedroom on the first floor. Hess said if the configuration of the home was to be changed, it could potentially go up to seven bedrooms.

Bathrooms: There are four full bathrooms and one half bath in this home. The master bathroom has a double sink area, large walk in tiled shower and soaking tub.

Living areas: This home has a living room and formal parlor area, both with fireplaces. There is a dining room on this level and a combined laundry and mudroom.

Outdoors: The home sits on a corner lot with a driveway that can access both crossroads. There is a detached garage with this home and a fenced in yard. Hess added in a hot tub area, back patio, and new landscaping to the home.

Agent: Molly Elliot

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Address: 28 E. Genesee St., Skaneateles, N.Y. 13152

Phone: 315-730-1745

Email: mollyelliott@howardhanna.com
A group of Syracuse nonprofits and unions plan to give away more than 5,000 pounds of food and supplies Saturday to federal employees who have not been paid during the 35-day government shutdown.

Boxes of donated food and supplies such as laundry detergent will be distributed from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the Teamsters Local 317 union hall, 566 Spencer St. in Syracuse, organizers said.

The aid boxes have been put together by the American Federation of Government Employees, Central New York Labor Federation and the Teamsters, working with the Food Bank of Central New York and United Way of Central New York.

The community has been fabulous in recognizing our plight in recent weeks, said Mark Schumacher, chief steward of AFGE Local 2222, which represents 45 employees of the Transportation Security Administration in Syracuse, Watertown and Binghamton.

Schumacher said he plans to drive a rental truck to Syracuse Hancock Airport on Saturday to give out food boxes to TSA airport screeners who must work during the hours of the distribution at the union hall.

The TSAs hourly employees have not been paid during the 35-day partial government shutdown, the longest in history.

President Donald Trump and members of Congress reached a deal Friday to temporarily reopen the government while negotiating a long-term deal. It was not immediately known how soon the government would reopen or when workers would be paid.

The food donations are the second local effort to help feed unpaid federal employees struggling during the shutdown. The Rescue Mission Alliance on Friday began serving takeout meals to furloughed federal employees.

The Rescue Mission said it will operate a federal meals line at 315-701-3898 from 9 a.m. to noon each day to reserve meals through the remainder of the shutdown. The meals can be picked up between 4 and 5 p.m. at the Rescue Missions Seymour Street entrance in Syracuse.

Contact Mark Weiner: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 571-970-3751
SYRACUSE, N.Y.  Onondaga County and its former comptroller, state Sen. Bob Antonacci, will pay no money to resolve a racial discrimination lawsuit brought by three minority contractors, under a tentative settlement reached Thursday.

The settlement requires no money to change hands, Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon said. Other terms of the settlement were not immediately available.

The parties are still working on the final wording, which must be submitted to the court by next week.

The federal lawsuit was filed in October 2016 by three county contractors who accused then-Comptroller Antonacci of violating their civil rights by creating an intimidating work environment. Antonacci and the county were named as defendants.

The plaintiffs -- Dino Dixie, Eli Smith and Cheyenne Talbert -- claimed Antonacci singled them out because they are African American, making surprise visits to work sites, delaying payments and sending checks in differently marked envelopes. Each man owned a business that provided services under contract to the county.

Antonacci, who was recently elected to the state Senate, denied the allegations. He has previously said the lawsuit was an effort to smear him instigated by his political foe, former Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney.

Antonacci today declined to talk about the lawsuit until the settlement is finalized. "I am not commenting until the settlement document is filed, but I am happy with the resolution,'' he said.

The lawsuit was settled Thursday afternoon in a meeting at the Syracuse federal courthouse between the parties and U.S. Magistrate Judge Therese Wiley Dancks, according to court records. Dancks gave the parties until Feb. 1 to commit the settlement to writing.

Because no money is involved, the settlement will not require approval from the county legislature. The settlement document will require McMahons signature before it becomes final, McMahon said.

New York City attorney Regina Calcaterra, who represented the plaintiffs, said she could not discuss the settlement until it is signed and filed with the court. Mahoney could not immediately be reached for comment.
The original AC/DC

Author Mike Winchell has previously published exclusively fiction, but thanks to the encouragement of his literary agent, Winchell has a new nonfiction book for YA readers. "The Electric War: Edison, Tesla, Westinghouse, and the Race to Light the World" explores the story of three scientists, Thomas Alva Edison, Nikola Tesla and George Westinghouse, who raced to be the first to light the world with electricity. The publisher says the book is "Brimming with action, suspense, and rich historical and biographical information about these inventors" while detailing their scientific competition.

"The Gilded Age is a fascinating historical period because the world was in such a sped-up state of change. The foundation of the world we now live in was set during these years. I like to compare the significant progress we experienced during the Gilded Age to what we're experiencing with technology in modern times," Winchell says of his interest in the subjects at the center of his book.

Winchell enjoyed the process of taking on a nonfiction project, sharing that it helped him expand his talent, "Taking a true and factual account and making the story a page-turner takes a significant amount of craft, so it tested my ability as a writer. I feel I found my groove as I wrote this book, and I developed a pretty effective research and writing process."

"The Electric War: Edison, Tesla, Westinghouse, and the Race to Light the World" is available from many book retailers, including IndieBound and Barnes and Noble. To learn more about Winchell and his work, visit his website.

Farmer's market fun



Fans of Mac the Dog, and the "Mac's Club" program hosted by author Tamara Cantarano and her husband, Joe, will be happy to know that Mac is back with a new tale. Cantarano published a new Mac book this past summer, but due to a family loss, needed time before she felt she could start introducing the book to audiences. Now that she's returned to "Mac's Club" programming at schools, libraries and learning centers, Cantarano is also ready to invite young readers on a trip to the farmer's market.

"This new title, 'Mac 'N Market - The Farmers Market,' is to be read with a young child to have a picture walk/talk about how good it is for a community to get together at a farmers market to eat fresh, support local and make friends. This story encourages trying different vegetables and pointing out different kinds. Mac and his friends even take a trip to a local farm to see the animals, some not so friendly, and the vegetables growing fresh. This book still has the hidden purple bug for the child to seek and find, like all the titles in the series," Cantarano says.

"Mac 'N Market - The Farmers Market" is the sixth title in the "The Adventures of Mac the Dog" series, and all of the books are available on Amazon. You can learn more about the books and programming that Cantarano offers by visiting her website.

Book and author events



As members of the Project Lit Community, West Genesee High School and Westhill High School will be hosting special events over the next few months. West Genesee High School will be hosting a Project Lit Book Club on Wednesday, Feb. 13 from 6 to 7 p.m. where staff, students, and community members will be discussing "All American Boys" by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely, described as "Written in tandem by two award-winning authors, this four-starred reviewed tour de force shares the alternating perspectives of Rashad and Quinn as the complications from that single violent moment, the type taken directly from today's headlines, unfold and reverberate to highlight an unwelcome truth." Representatives from the Camillus Police Department will also be attending to participate in the book talk.

On Wednesday, March 20 from 6 to 7 p.m., Westhill High School will be hosting their final Project Lit Book Club, where they will be discussing "Tradition" by Brendan Kiely. From the jacket copy:"As Jules and Jamie's lives intertwine, and the pressures to play by the rules and to keep the school's toxic secrets, they are faced with a powerful choice: remain silent while others get hurt, or stand together against the ugly, sexist traditions of an institution that believes it can do no wrong." This talk will include participation from representatives from Vera House.

And West Genesee High School and Westhill High School will be bringing award-winning author Brendan Kiely to talk to community members on Thursday, March 28. The event is free and open to all, and will take place in the West Genesee High School Auditorium at 7 p.m. Registration for the event is encouraged, please visit the eventbrite page for the event. For questions or additional details contact the Project Lit Chapter Leaders Keith Newvine (konewvine@gmail.com) or Sarah Fleming (sfleming@westhillschools.org)

Have a book to share?

Are you a local author or have you come across a book set in Central New York? Tell us about it. Send a brief description of the book and the author and we'll add it as a candidate for coverage. Write us at features@syracuse.com.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- A Syracuse University student was killed Thursday night in an accident while traveling home to New York City, according to an email sent out to students and staff.

Brianna Herrera, a senior in the School of Information Studies, died in an accident while traveling home to Ozone Park in Queens to visit family. The details of the accident were not released.

Herrera was majoring in information management and technology in the iSchool with a minor in public communications in the Newhouse School. She was also a member of Sigma Delta Tau sorority, according to the email.

We join our campus community in keeping Brianna, her loved ones and all who knew her in our thoughts and prayers, said Rob Hradsky, senior associate vice president and dean of students division of enrollment and the student experience in an email. Our office is in communication with Briannas roommates, sorority sisters and friends. We are working to support our community, particularly those who were closest to her, as they grieve this loss.

The university is offering counseling for students.
Syracuse, NY -- A Syracuse teen who reneged on his promise to testify against others in a murder case backed himself into a corner.

Today, Tyrone Byrd, 18, found out just how bad things were: a prosecutor is seeking an additional 25 years in prison for Byrd after he refused to testify at a murder trial late last year in the death of James Smith Jr., 33.

Byrd, 18, had struck a deal that would send him to prison for 15 years in the burglary-turned-murder, committed with five others. The biggest part of the deal was he had to testify against any of the others who went to trial.

But Byrd failed to do just that when Michael Smyre, 25, went before a jury. (Smyre was convicted and sentenced to 25 years to life in prison.)

Today, prosecutor Robert Moran said that Byrd admitted he had no intention of ever cooperating.

He wasnt going to testify, the prosecutor said in court today. He never intended to testify. He hoped he wouldnt have to."

Byrd clearly wasnt thinking ahead when he made that decision.

Moran had made sure that Byrd had already pleaded guilty. Not only that, but Byrd pleaded to two separate burglaries because the group stormed into two apartments, on the first and second floors of a Merriman Avenue house.

That meant that Byrd had really committed two crimes. And, under law, the punishment for each burglary could be added up. That meant that, with the plea deal off the table, Byrd faced up to 50 years in prison -- 25 years for each burglary.

Moran said today hed take a new plea in exchange for 40 years -- or 25 years more than the original plea.

Byrds only other option might be worse: he could choose to take the case to trial. But that means hed be facing the original charges -- which include a murder charge. Byrd is culpable for Smiths murder because he participated in the burglary. Thats punishable by up to 25 years to life in prison.

Before Byrd backed out of the plea, he was looking at freedom in his mid 30s. Now, he might not get out until hes nearly 60.

Byrds lawyer, Nick DeMartino, asked Judge Thomas Miller to give him some time to prepare a report that might convince the prosecutor to reduce the offer. Miller gave DeMartino a month.

Byrd remains jailed.

All five others have been convicted. The convicted shooter, Francis Mercado, 16, was sentenced Wednesday to 25 years to life in prison. The others, besides Smyre, are facing burglary convictions after taking deals similar to the one Byrd reneged on.
WESTERN, N.Y. -- An Oneida County man is accused of stabbing his brother Thursday afternoon, according to New York State Police.

Aarin A. Rizzuto, 25, was charged with first-degree assault, a felony, and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, a misdemeanor, state police said.

Troopers were called to 7893 Gifford Hill Road in the town of Western at about 2:15 p.m. Thursday for a reported stabbing. Upon arrival, troopers discovered the victim, Alan Rizzuto Jr., 31, was allegedly stabbed by his brother, Aarin Rizzuto during a physical fight inside the residence.

The victim was transported to St. Elizabeths Medical Center in Utica where he underwent surgery and was listed in stable condition, state police said.

Aarin Rizzuto was charged and was transported to the Oneida County Jail pending arraignment.
Albany, NY -- A New York City lawyer this month likened Syracuses district attorney to Chicken Little in his passionate defense of Robert Neulanders murder conviction in spite of juror misconduct.

Alexandra Shapiro offered her aside in a 50-page argument to the states highest court, urging them to uphold a lower courts ruling that granted Neulander a new trial in his wifes 2012 death.

Like Chicken Little, the People cry that the sky will fall if the decision below is affirmed, Shapiro wrote the Court of Appeals. We recognize that a court should not lightly reverse a conviction because of juror misconduct.

But, she added: The greater risk to the system would be to sanction the egregious misconduct here, by signaling that no adverse consequences will flow from such blatant contempt for the judicial system and the integrity of jury trials.

Shapiro and Fitzpatrick are headed for a courtroom showdown at some point this year, assuming the lower courts ruling stands.

Neulander, the former DeWitt obstetrician-gynecologist, remains free on $1 million cash bail after being released from jail in July 2018. His 20-year-to-life sentence for the 2012 death of his wife was overturned. Authorities say she was murdered, Neulander maintains he found her down in the shower.

Fitzpatrick has said he was stunned by the overturned verdict and defended the juror whose acknowledged misconduct -- mainly via biased texts from friends and family -- became the centerpiece of Neulanders appeal.

Juror Johnna Lorraine got an infamous text from her father, Make sure hes guilty! and numerous other biased texts fishing for information from friends. Instead of reporting them, she later deleted some of the messages.

Written arguments from both sides to the states highest court are mainly a rehashing of points made in the earlier appeal.

But Shapiro is Neulanders third lawyer to write briefs on his behalf regarding the juror issue. His trial lawyer, Edward Z. Menkin, started the ball rolling, turning it over to high-powered NYC lawyer Gerald Shargel, who was winding down his career and ceded the file to Shapiro, who remains Neulanders lawyer.

Robert Neulander walks into Onondaga County Court after his murder conviction for his wife's 2012 death was overturned.

The DA has called the overturned verdict extremely bad precedent and suggested that it could make trials impossible in the age of cell phones and texting.

After every trial, are we going to grab every jurors cell phone and see what they texted? Fitzpatrick asked after the decision came out.

In court papers, Fitzpatrick went even further. He noted that some inevitable" contact is expected between jurors and the outside world.

Rationale for overturning the verdict relies on "speculation, mischaracterizations of the record, and misinterpretations of the applicable law that if affirmed, will create troubling precedence for future juror-issue cases, he argued.

That led Shapiro to liken the prosecutor to Chicken Little, the childrens character who thinks the world is coming to an end.

Fitzpatrick also argued that Lorraine had innocently deleted some texts and wasnt trying to cover her tracks.

Under the majoritys analysis, all cellphone owners should purchase unlimited data storage to ensure that they are able to save every text message they ever send or receive, the DA said.

Shapiro called that downright silly.

The only implications of that ruling are that jurors should refrain from sending text messages about the case and, if they receive such messages, tell the court instead of hiding them. That is not an onerous standard, she wrote.

At some point, the states high court will schedule in-person arguments in Neulanders case. They can decide to grant Neulander a new trial or reinstate the murder conviction.

One of Fitzpatricks appellate lawyers, Kenneth Tyler, is expected to appear for the prosecution. Shapiro, of New York City, is scheduled to appear for Neulander.

Its unclear if Neulander himself will attend. He is free on bail but is not required to be there.
UPDATED: 12:22 p.m.

Pulaski County schools on Facebook said that the system received word that the person being sought was located in another state. Though the shelter-in-place status had been lifted, the school system said extra police presence would remain throughout the afternoon.

Schools across the area were under extra security on Friday as police hunted for a North Carolinian.

Pulaski County Public Schools issued a Facebook post saying that they had been placed on shelter-in-place status, explaining that schools would operate as usual but faculty and staff would be on a higher state of alert and additional police would be on hand.

The post noted that school administrators were notified that a person of interest in a North Carolina police investigation could be traveling through the region. The school system in Pulaski said that the status change was precautionary and noted that there is no reason to believe the person being sought would turn up in schools.

Wythe County school Superintendent Scott Jefferies said that the schools were on lockdown at the request of Virginia State Police and did not provide any further details.
Simpsons new church, First Presbyterian Church of Sanford, is located in a town of about 29,000 people. He will serve as pastor and the head of staff.

The church has a preschool, so there will be a preschool staff, so there is a little more staffing, but it is very similar to the church in Wytheville, Simpson said.

He said his time in Wytheville has been wonderful but he feels that God is leading him to serve a new group of people, a new community and a different church.

Also, I feel like it will be a time to see where the Wytheville Church will go and where its journey will be, he said. There is new opportunity for friendships and relationships. I feel like I am being called to Sanford, and our church is in a good place to welcome someone. I think it is good for congregations to be open to where God is going to lead someone to come as their pastor as part of their journey, too.

Nevertheless, Simpson will miss Wytheville.
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Michael Greenberg, reporter for the New York Review, examined California in two recent articles, the first in December on agriculture, and the second in January on housings high cost.

In the first, he paints a stunning picture of agriculture in Californias San Joaquin Valley, a stretch of land 234 miles long and 130 miles wide, with Stockton to the north and Bakersfield to the south.

Greenberg writes, Measured by yearly production, the San Joaquin Valley is one of the highest-value stretches of farmland in the country, and is dominated by large growers who preside over a labor force of migrant workers. A few hundred families own the land. Some own 20,000 or 40,000 acres.

The owners grow raisins, table grapes, pistachios, almonds, tomatoes, fruits, garlic, cabbage, the clementines we buy in netted bags at the supermarket, as well as pomegranates. All together those few hundred families receive annual gross revenues of about $47 billion, more than double that of Iowa, the next-biggest agricultural state.

One of the people whom Greenberg interviewed, Mark Arax, was blunt when he said that the valley is like a Central American country. Its the poorest part of California. Theres almost no middle class. To find its equivalent in the United States, youd have to go to Appalachia or the borders of Texas.

Greenberg was surprised to learn that the farm laborers speak none or very little Spanish, much less English, even though at least 80% of them are undocumented Mexicans. Instead, they are Mixteco and Trique Indians, from the states of Oaxaca, Sinaloa, and Gerrero, the poorest regions in Mexico.

One day in June, Greenberg visited a tomato field that the Gargiulo family owned, and estimated that 250 were working that day, almost half of them women, some of them visibly pregnant. Each day the laborers work for five hours, from 5 to 10 a.m., when the temperature rises to 113 degrees.

To protect themselves against exposure to pesticides, the workers wear several layers of clothes: caps, hoodies, scarves, sweatshirts over sweatshirts, two pairs of pants, heavy socks and boots; only eyes and cheeks and fingers were exposed, while the merciless sun beats down on them.

The workers receive 73 cents for every five-gallon bucket they could fill. Forced to stoop over to pick the tomatoes, the Oaxacans went at it with dizzying speed. The younger workers filled two buckets at a time. In five hours, a skilled picker could earn between $75 and $85.

Once tomato season ends in October, the laborers will move to the east side of the Valley to pick citrus fruits. With luck, a diligent field hand can find work for eight or nine months a year, and earn $20,000 to $23,000, before taxes.

Greenberg researched the amount of taxes that the workers received and discovered that, In 2010, undocumented workers paid about $12 billion in Social Security taxes, money that accrued to the retirement benefits of American citizensbenefits those farm workers will likely never receive.

Some Indians from Mexico have worked the fields for at least a decade, have established families here, but live in terror of la migra, the Spanish word for the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Instant deportation or imprisonment would wrench them from their children.

Greenberg said, Thousands exist in a cordon of terror. Determined to stay and work, they evade ICE by watching for unmarked cars, and by avoiding all legal troubles, such as traffic violations.

The farm workers refuse to allow their children to follow them into the fields, because of the heat, the physical toil, the pesticides, the low wages, and the feudal power of the growers.

Thus, fieldwork in central California, Greenberg explained, is a one-generation job, and that means that a constant supply of impoverished Mexican immigrants willing to do the work is required, but those immigrants are not coming now.

In 2000, when the border was far more porous than it is now, 1.6 million Mexicans were apprehended trying to cross into the US. In 2016, the number was 192,969. This reduction is due to improved conditions in Mexico, plus the cost and fear of venturing across the border.

Immigrants do not steal farm labor jobs from American citizens. A farm labor contractor said that he has never had a white, American born person take an entry-level job. Another said that one day he hired twelve citizens or legal residents, and not one of them lasted longer than a day.

Each week millions of Americans buy a bag of table grapes, another of tomatoes, or a netted bag of clementine oranges, but few understand the arduous and dangerous physical effort that a farm laborer exerted to pick that fruit from its stem. Yet, ICE wants to deport that laborer back to Mexico.
Kellie Dawn (Sorge) Lippstrew, 53, of Sidney, passed peacefully from this life and joined her mom in heaven on January 19, 2019.

Private family services will be held. Burial will be in the Greenwood Cemetery. Friends may stop at the Gehrig-Stitt Chapel on Thursday, January 24th from 1-7:00 P.M. Casket will be closed. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (stjude.org) in Kellie's memory. You may view Kellie's Book of Memories, leave condolences, photos and stories at http://www.gehrigstittchapel.com.

Gehrig-Stitt Chapel & Cremation Service, LLC is in charge of Kellie's care and funeral arrangements.

A fighter until the very end, cancer proved a match too big for her wit and strength. Kellie was born on January 22, 1965 to Roger and Norma (Ruppert) Sorge in Sidney NE. She graduated from Leyton High School in 1983 and went on to graduate from Western Nebraska Community College. On August 9, 1999, she married her longtime love Dan Lippstrew.

Kellie worked at Cabela's for 25 years and was so proud of the work she did and the people she worked with. Often a private person, Kellie's eyes lit up at the mention of one of her great nieces or nephews. She loved them each so much and she was the most fun auntie. When a new baby was added to our family, she made sure they knew their "K's" before any other letter, so they could say her name first - Auntie K. She was a craft expert, often teaching herself new techniques when the old ones grew boring. She crocheted and sewed countless items that she sold or gave away. Kellie loved cooking - especially for the harvest crew. She often tried new recipes - most were great! However, we'll miss her burgundy mushrooms more than the cucumber mousse she once made. Kellie and Dan loved traveling to Sturgis for many years where they made new friends and had great times with long-lasting ones.

Kellie is survived by her husband and best friend, Dan Lippstrew, of Sidney; step-sons, Adam & Eric, dad & step-mom, Roger Sorge & Phyllis Easley, of Loveland, CO; sister, Brenda George & husband, Bill, of Sidney; brother-in-law Leroy Lippstrew and wife Ellen of Sterling, CO, sister-in-law Deb Lippstrew of Gurley; nieces & their husbands, Alison & Joey Mumaugh of Lincoln, Mindy & Lee Wiegand of Sidney, and Shawna & Josh Rowley of North Platte; and nephew Brandon George and special friend Sara Kromarek of Lodgepole. She is already missed by her "bubbas" - Kolton, Barrett, & Hoyt Wiegand of Sidney, and Brecken & Jude Mumaugh of Lincoln; and her "bubbettes" - Alayna Wiegand of Sidney, Danika & Morgan Rowley of North Platte, and Henley Mumaugh of Lincoln. She loved her extended family dearly and considered her close friends as her family - we are sure her passing has left a hole in the hearts of many.

She was preceded in heaven by her mom, Norma Sorge, and we know they're already laughing loudly enough for us to hear them down here. Our hearts are shattered but we are filled with hope in knowing we'll laugh with them again someday. We end this the way she would have - love you more, Auntie K.
Kimball County is asking for help, in the office and service variety, from someone who is still finding his way in the process.

The Cheyenne County Commissioners Tuesday met with Veteran Service Officer Fred Wiedeburg regarding a petition for assistance. Wiedeburg said Kimball County had contacted him about helping with the county's veterans. They have a veteran service officer. However, she is not certified. Wiedeburg said she will be attending the same classes he will this spring.

One of the questions to be addressed to reach an agreement is how often will Kimball County need Wiedeburg to visit.

One day a week is too much. One day a month is too little, Wiedeburg told the commissioners.

He said the frequency of visits is yet to be determined.

Nebraska State Statute 80-410 requires county veteran service officers to be veterans who have served on active duty in the armed forces of the United States, other than active duty for training. A county veteran service officer is also to have be discharged honorably and be a bona fide resident of the State of Nebraska continuously for at least one year prior to assuming duties as a veteran service officer, according to the state statute.

Wednesday afternoon, Darcee Wheeland confirmed she is the Veteran Service Officer assistant but she is not a veteran.

In other business, the commissioners met with Dave Dickey regarding scheduling a county surplus auction. The auction will include surplus inventory from county departments, including a trailer home that has been at the Cheyenne County Fairgrounds. Discussion included when to have the auction, and if some of the items can be promoted by photographs instead of transported to the auction site. Dickey said because some of the items are sensitive to dust, the auction should be held in the 4-H Building.

The commissioners and Dickey debated on having the auction as soon as March, and possibly as late as April.

The commissioners also met with Cheyenne County Chamber of Commerce president Hope Feeney. She said the Chamber assembles 20 newcomer packets each month. The Chamber is considering a PDF newcomer fact sheet that can be distributed by email or hardcopy. She said she worked with Economic Director Melissa Norgard and Western Nebraska Community College Campus Director Paula Abbott delivering recognition certificates to manufacturers. In doing so, she learned some of the needs of the county businesses. She said they hope to design a collaboration with the department of labor to provide necessary training for employees.

She said the Chamber is in a good rhythm with the number of businesses becoming members. She said the Chamber is wanting to do Community Business After Hours events that could promote a community instead of just a business.
Bay of Plenty

You will be operating the Roller and also required to help out the team hands on. You will be working near Bayfair for a...



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Judges have announced Janet Barratt and her photo Trapped as the first place winner of the 2019 Trustpower Photographic Exhibition, awarding her $5000 in cash in the third year of the regions largest outdoor photographic exhibition.

Friday nights prize giving saw the announcement of the top 20 finalists including the top three who share the $10,000 cash prize pool and features in The Weekend Sun and UNO. Magazine. Winning photos will also be sent to Taurangas sister city Hitachi, Japan to appear in a photographic display.

Project Manager Sally Cooke says the judges had a challenging task narrowing down the top 20 images.

We had over 3600 entries which is a 75 per cent increase from last year. This is a fantastic result but makes the judges job incredibly difficult, says Sally.

This years judging panel comprised Carolyn Schofield from Trustpower, Jenny Rudd from UNO. Magazine and Millie Newitt from Downtown Tauranga.

The Trustpower Photographic Exhibition is such an amazing showcase of talent and beauty, says Millie.

Being a judge this year was an unreal experience and Ive been blown away by not only the high number of entries, but by the calibre!

Strictly for the Birds by Chris Taylor. Second place - 2019 Trustpower Photographic Exhibition.

There were so many exceptional images entered and I can see that this years exhibition is going to bring joy to many people.

The winning photograph, captured by Janet Barratt, was a stand out for the judges.

Of all the photos I looked at, this one made me feel the most intense emotion. What a beautiful, honest and authentic image where the photographer has found beauty even in captivity, it is such a raw and true moment says Millie.

This years theme of Finding Beauty played an important role in selecting the winning images.

Jenny Rudd says this theme was a wonderful thing to be on the lookout for.

Our three finalists found beauty in humour, nostalgia, sadness, order, chaos, nature, animals and people, says Jenny.

It's one thing to look around and see beauty with your own eyes, but it's quite another to be able to capture and present it in a way that makes those who see it, feel something stir inside them. This year, our judges were drawn to images which told a story of the beauty they found.

The second and third place images, Strictly for the Birds by Chris Taylor and Military Display on Waitangi Day by Joshua Hodgson, also received exceptional praise from the judges.

I love the energy and movement in Chriss photo. Many of the images entered were beautiful but static. This image really stands out because of the feeling of energy that it has captured and the story that it tells. Its about the beauty of raw nature says Carolyn Schofield.

The gentle humour in Joshuas photo makes this photo stand out. There is lots of visual interest and the composition holds your attention.

Janets winning large-scale image, sponsored by Priority One, features alongside the 19 other finalists in the Bays largest outdoor photo exhibition which opens tonight on The Strand and acts as a showcase of New Zealands creative talent.

Sally Cooke says the exhibition brings such a buzz to the city centre.

We just love bringing this exhibition to life every year and seeing the excitement on peoples faces as they walk up and down The Strand, admiring the photos.

"I wish we could showcase all of the photos as there were so many amazing entries. We will be creating a digital library and sharing this through Downtown Taurangas website and social media, so there are opportunities to view more than the top 20 photos.

Military Display on Waitangi Day by Joshua Hodgson. Third place - 2019 Trustpower Photographic Exhibition.

This years full list of winners:

First Place:

Janet Barratt - Trapped

Second Place:

Chris Taylor - Strictly for the Birds

Third Place:

Joshua Hodgson - Military Display on Waitangi Day

Highly Commended (in no particular order)

Chris Bold - Unearthing a Hangi

Elijah Tay - Soar

Robyn Hay - Days End

Andrew Ogilvie - Koi Perspective

Jaymie Donovan - Pure Joy

Olga Macagon - Mama I Love You

Andy Belcher - Flower Power

Ilan Wittenberg - Jorja

Werner Kaffl - Whirlpool

Fiona Violich - Caught in a Kete

Sam Murdie - Life of a Dog in Summer

Rob Duncanson - Fading but Still Beautiful

Emma Soffe - Take a Moment

Rob Duncanson - Rural Castle

Jahl Marshall - Pick Me

Kyle Barnes - Innocence

Elijah Nino Mondero - Resting Pigs
Brian Rogers

Rogers Rabbits

www.sunlive.co.nz

Auntie Roger is back from her summer break, refreshed, vivacious and full of life changing advice for readers. When life brings you lemons, Auntie is on hand with the gin. Sit back and indulge yourself, sip from Aunties bountiful fondant of love and knowledge. If you have a life issue, write to Auntie for discreet advice, knowing she treats everyones private issues with the strictest confidence, only sharing with the 140,000 people in The Weekend Suns circulation area.

Dear Auntie Roger,

How do you know theres a drummer at the door? Guitarman.

Dear Guitarman,

The knocking gets louder and faster.

Auntie.

Dear Auntie Roger,

We are having such a lovely time at the party, but some of us want to leave. We said wed go, but now that its time to go, I just dont know. How can we appear to go without going? Would it be rude to say we're going but not actually? And how do we get home? Phillip has offered to take us in his Range Rover but Im not sure thats such a good idea, especially since I've heard them call it the Over Rover. Is that a bad sign? How do we make a dignified exit without actually exiting? Can we have our cake and eat it, too? Theresa.

Dear Theresa,

Relax. Help is on the way. Weve sent Jacinda over to sort you out. Shes an expert at losing while winning at the same time.

Auntie.

Dear Auntie Roger,

My wife loves my generosity. She was so proud when I told her how much I give to Charity each month. Big Spender, Avenues.

Dear BS,

Do you think shell still impressed when she finds out Charity is a lap dancer at Showgirls nightclub?

Auntie.

Dear Auntie Roger,

Im 97 and love to drive myself everywhere in my Range Rover. Lately Ive noticed a bit of a shimmy in the steering at about 175 km/h  also, it has a tendency to get airborne then the tyres squeal annoyingly when the Rover lands, after negotiating those pesky roundabouts. Theres a decidedly nasty rattle from the back end, especially when i drive over small hatchbacks. Its a devil of a job picking the bicycle parts from off the front grille.

Do you have any suggestions for making my driving experience a bit smoother? Perhaps the public should stay off my roads while Im trying to enjoy my travel?

Philip, Balmoral.

Dear Philip,

You sound like a diabolical old petrol head and youve made a right royal botch of your driving. You should audition for the next movie sequel, Smash Palace. Or the next Fast and Furious: The Dukes A Hazard. Ever thought of getting one of your minion staff to drive you? Its not like you cant afford it.

Auntie.

Dear Auntie Roger,

Mamas got a squeeze box and daddy never sleeps at night.

Pete Who.

Dear Pete,

Theres no escape from the music in the whole damn street.

Auntie.

Dear Auntie Roger,

I live in Omokoroa and work in Tauranga, but it takes me so long to get home along State Highway 2 that I have forgotten what my house looks like. How will I know when Im home? Do you think my family misses me? Hapless Commuter.

Dear Hapless,

Dont worry. Your family have forgotten what you look like, since you spend so much of your life crawling at peak hour. I suggest you live in your car. Its very fashionable.

Auntie.

Dear Auntie Roger,

What did our parents do in the evenings to avoid boredom, in the days before television and the internet?

Pondering, Papamoa.

Dear Pondering,

I dont know, so I asked my 32 siblings and they dont know either.

Auntie.

Dear Auntie Roger,

Please settle this argument at my workplace: Which was the most ground-breaking invention, the shovel or the spade?

Digger.

Dear Digger,

Take your pick.

Auntie.

Dear Auntie Roger,

School goes back next week but I don't want to go back. I don't like it there. You cant make me and I'm going to lock myself in the bathroom til the term is over.

Defiant, Otumoetai.

Dear Defiant,

You have to go back to school, youre a teacher.

Auntie.
TICKERS: SLL; STLHF

Source: Peter Epstein for Streetwise Reports (1/24/19)

Peter Epstein of Epstein Research talks with Robert Mintak, CEO of Standard Lithium, about his company's projects in Arkansas.



Robert Mintak, CEO of Standard Lithium Ltd. (SLL:TSX.V; STLHF:OTCQB), has two unconventional lithium projects in the U.S., one of which he believes is de-risked more than most lithium projects around the world due to infrastructure, permitting, jurisdiction and other key factors. While Robert can't know for sure until the company releases a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA), it seems likely that cap-ex will be low compared to conventional brine projects. For reasons explained below, op-ex is likely to be in the bottom half of the industry cost curve. The company's goal is to be in the bottom quartile.

Standard Lithium is on a clear path to signing a JV with giant German chemical company LANXESS. If the JV is consummated, LANXESS will be committed to funding commercial development. This would be a tremendous de-risking event for the project and for Standard Lithium. Funding has been a huge challenge for lithium brine projects around the world. Please continue reading for my interview with Robert Mintak to learn more about this unique U.S. lithium project, which could reach initial production in two years, 2021. -Peter Epstein

Please explain Standard Lithium to readers who are unfamiliar with your company.

We are an integrated technology and specialty chemical company. We are listed on the TSX.V as a mining exploration company but we are not exploring, you won't see any new mineral discovery announcements coming any time soon. Our business model is simple and somewhat unconventional compared to our peers; we believe the fastest way to go into production and to limit investor risk is to form strategic partnerships that allow us to piggyback off the existing infrastructure and investment of massive operating commercial brine assets in the USA.

And, I know your team is incredibly important to you, can you talk about that?

Our team is a small but very effective team of project builders.

Myself, I have been involved in the lithium sector for the better part of the past decade. My experience and successes in the lithium sector have been in forging strategic relationships and partnerships with large multinational companies and stakeholders. Previous to Standard Lithium, at Pure Energy I brought POSCO, Tenova Bateman, SRI and Tesla to the table; at Standard Lithium we have continued that dynamic with the agreements and partnerships executed including NYSE listed Tetra Technologies and, of course, our announced planned JV with LANXESS.

My business partner and our president and COO is Dr. Andy Robinson. Andy is an experienced geoscientist with 20+ years' experience, a Ph.D. in geochemistry from the University of Bristol, UK, he has worked on a wide range of projects in the resource, power and energy sectors in Europe, Africa, and North and South America

Our non-executive chairman is Bob Cross. Bob is a company builder with a great pedigree in finance, mining, oil & gas. Bob is currently the chairman at B2Gold and was one of the early investors in Standard; he joined the board last summer. Andy Robinson has assembled our scientific-technical team, which includes several world-renowned professionals from a variety of industries, not your typical exploration mining geologists.

From the pharma and fine chemical world, Professor Jason Hein is a recognized global expert on the development and commercial application of AI and robotics on reaction optimization. Prof. Barry Sharpless received the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 2001 for his work on chirally catalysedoxidation reactions. Prof. Sharpless will receive the Priestley Medal, the American Chemical Society's highest honor, in 2019. He discovered several chemical reactions that have transformed asymmetric synthesis from science fiction to the relatively routine.

Craig Brown is a hydrometallurgical expert with over 45 years' experience in developing processes for separating a wide range of chemicals from aqueous solutions. He was a central figure in the development and application of ion exchange technology, which is now well established and utilized in over 50 countries in dozens of different applications.

Ross Lewis has over 45 years' experience in process engineering, mechanical engineering, materials handling systems design, project management, procurement and construction in projects around the globe. Ross will manage the procurement and construction of the Pilot Plant.

Dr. Ron Molnar is a chemical engineer and solvent and ion-exchange specialist with over 35 years' experience in hydrometallurgical bench and pilot plant testing. He has successfully built and operated more than 60 pilot plants around the globe, extracting a wide range of metallic elements.

How is your proprietary process different from lithium brine operations like those found in Argentina?

First, I would like to state that the project drives the process. Every lithium brine project globally is by and large wholly unique. Not only the chemistry of the brine, when developing the process flow sheet, as a project builder you need to consider access to and cost of, chemical reagents, water, power.

Permitting, extraction and re-injection of brine, access to land and a skilled workforce are fundamental considerations before you even begin bench-scale testing. Trying to force an extraction technology on a project is akin to the square peg round hole analogy.

Going back to your question, our patent-pending selective extraction, technology, we call "LiSTR," vis-a-vis a typical Argentine brine project that would use either solar evaporation ponds or a modified version of solar evaporation with ion exchange. As I mentioned, the project drives the process.

It rains in south Arkansas, the land is hilly and forested, evaporation ponds are not an option. There has been significant work done over the years, by researchers, universities, large chemical companies, etc., on lithium extraction processes and so we stand on the shoulders of giants or as we like to say, "We are boldly going where others have already gone."

A unique advantage in south Arkansas is access to large volumes of raw brine to process test. Unlike our peers, we can literally open a spigot and fill large IBCs or totes with brine and ship to our facility for process testing. We do not need to permit a well, or get extraction permits. This cut months off the development timeline and allowed us to test a number of existing extraction processes including, but not limited to: solvent extraction, a variety of ion exchange resins, nanofiltration, and flotation.

Through this test work, we have developed a proprietary process that uses a solid ceramic adsorbent material with a crystal lattice that is capable of selectively pulling Li + ions from the waste brine after it has gone through the bromine-extraction step. The ceramic adsorbent materials are mounted in stirred-tank reactors that contain brine. In the second step, the adsorbent releases the Li + ions for recovery. Importantly, the Li-extraction process takes advantage of the fact that the brine leaves the bromine process heated to ~70C.

This means that no additional energy is required; the reaction kinetics for the adsorption is suitable. The process is capable of reducing the time required for Li extraction from many months (with the evaporation ponds) to hours, and is capable of producing a high-purity lithium chloride solution for further processing into battery quality compounds. The LiSTR process is designed to be scalable at each stage, from bench scalemini-pilot-demonstrationcommercial. We are using technologies and processes used in other industries; we are not reinventing the wheel, just turning it.

How might your cap-ex compare to that of lithium brine projects? For instance, there are six projects at PEA-stage, or more advanced, with an average cap-ex of C$540 million.

We have not published a PEA, so I cannot comment directly on cost comparisons other than pointing to the existing infrastructure at the project. The well-fields are in place and currently producing and circulating 125 million barrels of brine annually. The pipelines are in place, as is power and water. Road and rail are at the site. This is a bolt-on technology to existing chemical plants.

How might your op-ex/tonne compare to that of lithium brine projects?

Again, we have not yet published a PEA, but we are targeting the lowest quartile cost of production for lithium carbonate. We have confidence that this is achievable as the primary cost inputs are very attractive in south Arkansas, power and water are plentiful and inexpensive. Chemical reagents are produced in or shipped in close proximity to south Arkansas, the region is well connected to the Houston shipping channel. At the project level, we can leverage the buying power of a global chemical company when procuring materials and service agreements.

Please describe who LANXESS is. In what ways (if any) is LANXESS already helping you?

LANXESS is a global specialty chemical company based in Cologne, Germany. It operates 74 chemical plants around the world, 19,000 employees. 2017 revenue is around $11 billion. The company acquired Chemtura in 2017 for $2.57 billion, which included the Arkansas bromine business.

Current land operations in southern Arkansas encompass more than 150,000 acres, 10,000 brine leases, and surface agreements and 250 miles of pipelines. Its three bromine extraction plants currently employ approximately 500 people and they process and reinject 125 million barrels of brine annually (over 5 billion gallons)

We have signed a binding MOU and a general term sheet for a planned JV with LANXESS for the phased development of the south Arkansas project with the goal of producing battery quality lithium materials on a mass scale from brine that is a by-product of existing bromine production facilities run by LANXESS and from 30,000 acres of undeveloped brine leases that Standard Lithium holds.

As part of the binding MOU, we will locate and operate our pilot plant at one of LANXESS' chemical plants in south Arkansas. We will connect the plant into its brine pipeline system, post bromine extraction, and demonstrate (on a continuous basis) our selective lithium extraction process. We will also be locating our AI-powered lithium carbonate crystallization pilot plant at the site in south Arkansas.

The MOU we have struck with LANXESS allows us to leverage its massive infrastructure investment to de-risk our processing technology without having to spend tens of millions of dollars on resource development and the years of time that would entail. The planned JV with LANXESS includes a commitment from it for commercial project financing (subject to proof of concept and a positive PFS). That is a very important differentiator between Standard Lithium and our peers.

In addition to LANXESS, you have been working with a number of other parties. Please explain.

As a development company, managing the runway and executing on our business plan requires strategic planning. We have taken the stance that we can accomplish more and in a more cost-effective manner through strategic partnerships and agreements. In south Arkansas, we secured the only available large brine lease package with our agreement with NYSE listed Tetra Technologies.

For our pilot plant development, we are working with two global brands, Salt Works Technologies in Richmond B.C. and Zeton in Burlington Ontario. For analytics and research, we are working with two professors from the fine chemical/pharma departments at the University of British Columbia.

What's the status of your pilot plant, and what are the next steps?

Two pilot plants. We have two pilot plants in development. "LiSTR," the selective extraction demonstration pilot plant is under construction in Burlington, Ontario. Zeton is a global leader in pilot plant construction. The plant will be shipped from Zeton to south Arkansas in Q2 of this year and will be located at LANXESS' Southern Bromine Extraction plant.

The site has virtually everything required to operate in place; steam, water, power and the demo plant will connect to the existing brine feed and disposal pipeline system. We intend to run this plant in a continuous operating state, not in a batch process. We expect to run the plant through Q3/4 of 2019 and Q1 of 2020. The results of this work will feed into a Feasibility study targeted to be completed in Q2 2020.

The second pilot plant is our "SiFT" Lithium Carbonate Crystallisation Pilot Plant, which is being built by Saltworks Technologies Inc., at its facility in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada. The crystallisation technologies used today in the industry were developed in the mid-twentieth century and are suited for producing technical grade compounds. As higher and higher purity compounds are needed by cathode makers the industry needs to evolve.

The SiFT process has been developed by Prof. Jason Hein at the University of British Columbia and introduces advances and technologies from the pharma and fine chemical world to the lithium battery material world. It integrates Artificial Intelligence (AI) enabled high-speed, multi-image photo-microscopy and computer image recognition for crystal size and shape that acts like an auto-pilot, continually monitoring and optimizing the process. We have an operating prototype pilot plant that we are currently testing. The next step is to build a demonstration-scale plant that we will ship to Arkansas in the Q3 of 2019.

Most conventional brine projects are planned for about 20,00030,000 tonnes of Lithium Carbonate Equiv. (LCE)/year. Will your project be able to scale up to that range?

Yes, that is an achievable production target based upon current commercial brine production volumes, with an expansion opportunity from our undeveloped brine leases.

Please describe Standard Lithium's near-term catalysts.

The immediate near-term catalysts to watch for are a PEA in late Q1 or early Q2 and of course, our pilot plant(s) being moved to site and commissioned in the first half of this year. Investors can also expect further details on our strategic agreement with LANXESS.

Thank you, Mr. Mintak, for a detailed review of Standard Lithium (TSX-V: SLL) / (OTCQB: STLHF). Readers should consider keeping an eye on this company for the near-term catalysts listed above.

Peter Epstein is the founder of Epstein Research. His background is in company and financial analysis. He holds an MBA degree in financial analysis from New York University's Stern School of Business.

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Israel has changed its approach to the war against Iran in Syria. Now the Israelis are attacking Iranian targets day and night and are taking credit for each attack. Senior Israel political and military leaders are now using the Internet to remind the Iranian IRGC (Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps) commanders that they are losing and unable to do anything about it. This is done deliberately to destroy the myth the IRGC has been creating back in Iran about how IRGC forces are about to destroy Israel. In fact the IRGC mercenaries in Syria have had success fighting ISIL and other Islamic terrorist rebels but not much else. Israel is now convincingly pointing out the IRGC lies and calling the IRGC incompetent and an embarrassment to Iran.

In this way Israel is winning their battle to keep Iran from establishing a permanent presence in Syria, even with American troops leaving northeast Syria. This Israeli goal has been achieved via combination of force (air and artillery strikes on Iranian bases and personnel in Syria) and diplomacy (convincing Russia to persuade Iran to keep their forces away from the Israel border or suffer Israeli attacks the Russians will not interfere with). Other diplomatic activities involved the Americans and Arab nations. Israel sees the Syrian government leaning towards rejoining the Arab League, which is an anti-Iran/pro-Israel organization at the moment. The Arab League also opposes Turkish ambitions in the Arab world, specifically Syria.

The Americans are preparing to pull their 2,000 troops out of Syria but not their support for the large force of Syrian Kurds who did most of the fighting to destroy the ISIL presence in eastern Syria. The American withdrawal was dependent on Turkish willingness to continue the fight against ISIL in Syria. The Turks backed off from doing that and were unwilling to negotiate with the Syrian Kurds.

Israel still appears to be able to carry out air strikes on targets in Syria despite the presence of the most modern Russian air defense systems. Israel does not discuss this openly. In part that is to keep secret details of how it is done. This silence is also a favor to the Russians, who dont want the bad publicity that confirmation of Israeli ability to neutralize the latest Russian air defense systems. That way Russia can continue to sell its S-300 and S-400 systems.

With the Americans leaving the SDF (Syrian Kurd rebels) are depending on the United States and Russia to keep the Turks out of the northeast (east of the Euphrates River). The SDF is willing to keep fighting the remnants of ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) in eastern Syria as long as they dont have to worry about a Turkish attack. Ominously the Turks have reinforced their forces facing the SDF. But figuring out who might attack, or support, the SDF now is not easy. The Turks do not want to fight the SDF for the very simple reason that there is not much popular support in Turkey for any operation that would get a lot of Turkish troops killed in Syria. For that reason, since the Turks crossed the border into Syrian in 2016 they have used local FSA (secular Free Syrian Army rebels) forces to do most of the fighting. What the Turks do want is to get the Kurds, especially YPG (Syrian Kurdish separatist) forces, away from the Turkish border. Going much further than 20 kilometers south of the border (at least on a permanent basis) is not part of the Turkish strategy. Turkey expects to use over 10,000 FSA fighters against the Kurds, along with Turkish tanks, artillery and air power.

Likewise the Syrians use Iranian mercenaries (many of them Afghan Shias) for the heavy combat. The Syrian Army was never noted for its combat capabilities and after seven years of civil war there are few Syrian combat units with much ability or willingness to carry out a successful offensive. Morale in the Syrian Army is understandably bad many current members have been in uniform since 2011 or before.

The Russians dont have sufficient ground troops to carry out a large scale offensive and the most effective Russian ground troops are Russian mercenaries because Russian popular opinion is very hostile to Russian troops getting killed in foreign wars. Iraqi officials openly discussed sending Iraqi troops into Syria but the Iraqis have an even worse reputation for combat effectiveness than the Syrians. There was talk of the Saudis and UAE replacing the Americans in Syria. Possible in theory but not likely in practice. The Saudis are more concerned with the Iranian threat to Saudi Arabia itself.

That leaves Israel, which is focused on Iranian forces in Syria and Lebanon and continuing Iranian public backing for the destruction of Israel. Armed with the most formidable air force and special operations troops in the region Israel is currently allied with the Gulf Arab states being threatened by Iran.

Rebuilding The Syrian Arab Republic

Most Syrians are seeking assistance in rebuilding. The economy is a mess and Iran is currently the only one helping out. Syrian GDP is about half what it was in 2011 and limping along largely with the help of economic aid from Iran. The enormous expense (billions of dollars a year) has caused growing unrest in Iran and that aid may have to be cut. Gulf Arab states have expressed an interest in providing huge amounts of aid and loans for reconstruction, but only if Iranian troops and mercenaries are removed from Syria. In fact no one is willing to put a lot of money into rebuilding Syria has long as Iran has a large military force there whose main goal is to start a war with Israel. This presents the ruling Assad clan with a dilemma, or an opportunity. Do they try and betray their long time (since the 1980s) benefactor Iran for the good of Syria or stand by while Syria remains rubble, poverty and hunger while Iran tries to take on Israel. Even Iranian allies Russia and Turkey are unwilling to invest in a potential war zone and would prefer that Iranian military forces leave Syria. Worse, for the Iranian religious dictatorship, most Iranians back withdrawal from Syria and have been openly demonstrating for that since late 2017. Taking advantage of this Syria has been openly striving to rebuild diplomatic relations with other Arab nations. This presents Iran with a major problem, one that they could see coming,

President Bashar Assad spoke up to other Arab states in late 2018, for the first time since 2011, and went public with confirmation he had speaking with other Arab League members since late 2017 and had obtained offers of assistance in rebuilding Syria and assisting Syria in becoming an active member of the Arab League once more. In late 2011 Syria was suspended from the Arab League and many of the 21 other League members cut diplomatic relations or imposed sanctions. But the Arab League was unable to do much else. By early 2013 the Arab League was still unable to muster enough unity to call for international (Western) intervention in Syria. The Arab League did that in 2011 for Libya and many Arabs considered it shameful that the Arab world could not handle the military intervention itself. Despite trillions of dollars in oil income and hundreds of millions of Arabs demanding something be done, the Arab League had to call on outsiders to save Libya from degenerating into an interminable bloodbath. That is what happened in Syria and many Arabs refused to accept responsibility and just blamed the West and Israel for the mess. Given that toxic atmosphere, Western nations, including NATO member Turkey, were reluctant to do what the Arabs wanted done but would not admit they cannot do it themselves. Iran and the Russians intervened in support of the Assads and the slaughter of pro-rebel civilians continued as did Assad efforts to force pro-rebel civilians out of Syria.

Iran would prefer Syria remain an Iranian protectorate and occupied by Iranian mercenaries. No one but Iran seems to prefer this development. Actually most Iranians oppose the Syrian Iranian Republic. The Turks have opposed it for centuries (and prevented Iran from advancing west of its current borders.) Israel obviously opposes the Iranian presence and so do the Arab states (mainly Saudi Arabia and the UAE) who are at war with Iran. The Russians are traditional and historical enemies of the Iranians and Syria, not Iran, is a longtime customer (for Russian weapons) and ally. You can see where this is going, and so does the religious dictatorship that currently runs Iran.

Combat Fatigue

Because so many have been fighting for years Syrian troops cannot be trusted to handle heavy combat and in recognition of that those who were drafted around 2011 are being released from service. Most conscripts from that period are dead, deserted, discharged because of wounds, a refugee or had joined the rebels. Those who remained loyal did eventually get some relief in the form of Russian forces arriving in 2015 with all manner of assistance. While Russia brought few combat troops they did bring a lot of air support and help in rebuilding the Syrian military maintenance and logistical support forces. That also brought with it more corruption because there was more to steal. The Syrian military had long (for centuries) been crippled by corruption but by 2017 it was becoming a major problem that few wished to even talk about.

Russia has been very helpful in providing military and technical trainers to improve the combat and support skills of Syrian troops. The latest effort in this area is to help set up an IG (Inspector General) service that would regularly check units for their readiness and conformity to army regulations. More importantly the IG would report on actual or suspected corruption, which is still a big problem in the Syrian military. This effort wont necessarily reduce corruption in a major way but it is good for morale.

January 23, 2019: Russian and Israeli negotiators worked out an agreement that enables Israeli warplanes to enter Syria and avoid conflict with Russian warplanes or air defense systems. Russia also confirmed that the S-300 systems they sent to the Syrians last October are still not active and are under the control of Russian troops. These systems will apparently remain under Russian control because Russia does not want the Israelis demonstrating how they can defeat the S-300 system. That sort of thing discourages export sales. That has already happened with the mobile Pantsir system, which has been attacked and destroyed several times by the Israelis. Most of the airstrikes on Syria do not involve Israeli aircraft entering Syria. Instead the Israeli warplanes launch guided missiles from over the Mediterranean or Lebanon. These attacks will continue to be kept completely secret with no advance warning to anyone. Israel also destroyed a lot of S-200 equipment and warned the Syrians that all of it will be destroyed unless the Syrians stop trying to use it against Israeli airstrikes.

In Russia a meeting between the Turkish and Russian leader failed to work out an agreement on Turkish plans to send more troops into Syria and establish a 20 kilometers deep security zone on the Syrian side of the border. Russia backs a plan that has the security zone in the Kurdish controlled northeast managed by the Syrian (Assad) forces. Turkey sees this as useless because the Assads have a long history of supporting Turkish rebels or anti-Turkey Islamic terrorists by providing them with sanctuaries near the Turkish border. The Turks do not trust the Assads and that is unlikely to change considering the decades of bad relations between the Turks and Assads. The Russians will keep trying, if only to maintain good relations with the Assads, which is the main reason the Russians are in Syria. It does not go unnoticed that the Russians get along with the Israelis and the Assads, as well as the Gulf Arab oil states.

The Turkish and Russian leaders did work out some details of how to handle the situation in northwest Syria, where over 30,000 Islamic terrorists are trapped near the Turkish border, along with over a million Syrian civilians. No details of this plan were released.

In the east Iraqi PMF artillery fired from Iraq at ISIL targets in Syria, killing or wounding over 40 of the Islamic terrorists.

January 22, 2019: In Israel there was an Arrow 3 anti-missile missile test in southern Israel against an air-launched rocket that returned to earth at the same speed as a ballistic missile warhead fired from Iran. The test warhead was intercepted. This test had been planned for a long time and was not carried out just to send a message to the Iranians, but it did that as well.

In the northwest (Latakia province) two car bombs (one using a suicide bomber) were used for an attack in the port city of Latakia. The suicide car bomb went off (killing one civilian and wounding 14) but the unmanned car bomb was discovered and disabled before its timer set it off. This attack, like earlier ones in the province are usually the work of Islamic terror groups in nearby Idlib province.

January 21, 2019: In Syria Israel carried out air and missile strikes against several Iranian military targets. This included an IRGC munitions warehouse near the Damascus airport. This warehouse complex is apparently the main IRGC supply center in Syria and the Israelis have been bombing it regularly. Also hit were a nearby IRGC training center as well as an IRGC intelligence facility. In addition Israel bombed Syrian air defense locations, after warning Syria that these weapons would be destroyed if Syria kept using them to interfere with Israel airstrikes. Israel hit mobile as well as fixed air defense weapons. The Syrians regularly claim that their SAM (surface to air missiles) are intercepting Israeli aircraft and missiles but there is no evidence (wreckage) to prove it. However firing these S-200 missiles does require Israeli aircraft to change their tactics and there is some risk that an aircraft might be damaged or destroyed. Most of these air attacks were at night and apparently 21 military personnel (12 IRGC, 11 Syrian) were killed. It was later reported that an IRGC freighter aircraft that was in the air and headed for Damascus when these attacks took place soon turned around and returned to Iran.

The attack on targets around Damascus that took place during daytime yesterday came a few hours after another IRGC freight aircraft had landed at the Damascus airport. Israel released satellite photos the next day showing the extensive damage caused by these attacks. Israel also taunted the Iranian commander, via the Internet, about their inability to do any damage to Israel while Iranian bases in Syria are destroyed on a regular basis. This particular message is apparently intended to weaken IRGC influence in Iran, where most people oppose Iranian participation in the Syrian war and the Israeli tweet undermines Iranian government claims that the Syrian effort is succeeding.

In other respects Iran is succeeding and is doing so by bringing in Shia from other countries (including Afghanistan) and providing them with homes (formerly occupied by Sunni Arabs who fled the country) and land. Iran is also providing aid directly to existing Shia communities in Syria. This sort of thing is not popular with the Assad government because Iran is creating a population loyal to Iran, not Syria. By demonstrating the inability of the Iranians to defend themselves against Israeli attack, or even retaliate, it becomes easier for the Assad government to consider rejoining the Arab League and siding with the Arab states against Iran. That would be a very risky move, but it becomes more difficult to pull off the longer Iran has to entrench itself in post-war Syria.

Israel released a video from one of its Skystriker loitering missiles destroying a Russian made Pantsir mobile antiaircraft system. Each Pantsir-S1 vehicle carries radar, two 30mm cannon, and twelve Tunguska missiles. The 90 kg (198 pound) Tunguska has a twenty kilometer range while the Pantsir-S1 radar has a 30 kilometer range. The missile can hit targets at up to 8,400 meters (26,000 feet) high. The 30mm cannon is effective up to 3,200 meters (10,000 feet). The vehicles used to carry all the Pantsir-S1 can vary, but the most common one used weighs 20 tons and has a crew of three. This is the second time Israel has shown one of its loitering missiles destroying a Pantsir system, which was designed to defend against such low altitude, slow moving threats. The last disclosure was after a May attack and featured another type of loitering missile. The Skystriker is basically a small (35 kg/77 pound) , very quiet propeller driven cruise missile with a two hour endurance and capable of autonomous and operator controlled movement. Skystriker is launched from a catapult mounted on a vehicle. If Skystriker, with five kg of explosives on board, does not find a target it can return and land (using a small parachute) and be reused. Other types of loitering munitions can be carried by aircraft.

In the northeast an SDF (Kurdish rebels) convoy was attacked by a suicide car bombers. Five SDF men were killed and the attack was believed to be the work of ISIL.

January 20, 2019: In southern Syria an Iranian long range rocket was fired at Israel and was intercepted by Iron Dome before it could hit the Israeli Golan Heights. Israel immediately retaliated with a daylight attack on Iranian targets. That was followed by overnight attacks.

January 19, 2019: Russia and Syria are making plans to triple the size and capacity of the Damascus airport but cannot proceed as long as Iran has facilities in or near the airport and Israel keeps attacking the Iranian warehouses and other targets in the area. Israel refuses to halt these attacks unless Iran leaves and stops using the airport. Iran refuses to do this.

January 17, 2019: Turkey has moved about 80,000 troops to the Syrian border, their largest such deployment ever. There is some reluctance to actually send the troops in because the paranoid Islamic government of Turkey continues (since 2000) to dismiss senior officers suspected of disloyalty. Even officers who point out potential problems with putting a lot of troops into Syria are removed or forced to retire. The Turkish troops already sent into Syria have not done as well as expected and suffered a lot of casualties. The Turkish government does not want to see this on an even larger scale.

The French leader announced that if American troops left Syria the smaller number of French special operations and support troops would remain. The French also said that they and the Americans were in agreement on the need to protect the Syrian Kurds from Turkish attack.

January 16, 2019: In the north (Manbij) an ISIL bomb killed 16 people, including two American military personnel and two American civilians.

January 15, 2019: American and Turkish negotiators have agreed to a 32 kilometers security zone on the Syrian side of the Turkish border that will be free of SDF any other American controlled Kurdish or Syrian fighters. There are still disagreements over who will monitor and maintain order in this security zone. Inability to agree on that keeps preventing implementation of such a zone.

Iraq confirmed that there had been a reduction in foreign troop strength in Iraq. At the start of 2018 there were 11,000 foreign troops in Iraq, many of them involved with fighting ISIL forces along the Syrian border. A year later there were about 24 percent fewer foreign troops in Iraq and that number is expected to decline. That number does not include Iranian troops, mainly with the IRGC who provide training and tactical advice to the many pro-Iran Shia militias. There are not many (a few hundred) of these IRGC personnel and they are not considered combat troops. Iraq still wants some NATO troops in Iraq to make it more difficult for the Iranians (mainly the IRGC) to attempt a takeover of the government.

January 13, 2019: The Israeli leader confirmed what was widely known, that Israel has been regularly carrying out airstrikes against Iranian targets in Syria. During those comments it was revealed that these air strikes involved some 2,000 smart bombs and guided missiles as well as some short range ballistic missiles in 2018 alone. There were thousands of air, missile and artillery strikes at Syrian targets in 2017 and 2018 when the decision was made to make an all-out effort against the Iranian military buildup in Syria. This effort has been considered a success because it has cost the Iranians a lot of money as the destroyed weapons often included large rockets and guided missiles which are not cheap, even in Iran. In addition hundreds of Iranian or Iranian allied military personnel were killed or wounded. Worse, Iran has not been able to respond. All this has encouraged Turkey and Syria to openly consider asking Iran to get out of Syria. This is an even more humiliating defeat for Iran. This also encouraged Iraq to more forcefully call for Iran to get out of Iraq.

January 11, 2019: Another Israeli airstrike destroyed a warehouse at an airport near Damascus. Also attacked was the site of a meeting between Iranian and Hezbollah military commanders. Some of them were at least wounded.

January 9, 2019: In northwest Syria most (about 70 percent) of Idlib province has been taken over by the HTS (Hayat Tahrir al Sham) coalition of Islamic terrorist groups. This takeover was completed recently despite Turkey, Russia and Iran-backed Syria having a plan to prevent it. That plan was never implemented because no one wanted a major battle in Idlib, except Iran. Back in August 2018 Russia, Turkey and Syria agreed on a plan to attack and destroy the Islamic terrorist groups in Idlib province, particularly HTS. Idlib was and is the last Islamic terrorist stronghold and is on the Turkish border. Six months ago Idlib was controlled by various rebel groups. Back then over half of Idlib was controlled by the HTS coalition. This is the main al Qaeda organization which evolved from al Nusra by absorbing (willingly or otherwise) many other like-minded groups over the years. About a third of the province was controlled by several other Islamic terrorist groups. In late August 2018 the largest six of these factions merged to form the NLF (National Liberation Front). This merger was arranged by Ahrar al Sham, a longtime rival of HTS, and backed by Turkey. At that point about ten percent of the province is controlled by Turkey (in the north along the hundred kilometer long border with Turkey) and Assad forces (several towns and villages in the southeast). HTS recently convinced NLF to join a larger coalition, under the leadership of HTS that would be better able to defend Idlib. Despite its Turkish ties NLF was persuaded (after HTS attacked and eliminated NLF factions who opposed the deal). Iran still has Syrian forces, controlled by the Assads, willing to attack but such an effort would be very costly without Russian airpower and unthinkable if Turkey opposed it (because of the risk of many Idlib civilians trying to flee into Turkey.) The Russian and Turkish leaders are to meet on the 23rd to try and work out a new agreement about Idlib, one that can be carried out.

January 7, 2019: In the north Russian military police began patrolling outside the Kurd held city of Manbij. Russia is trying to establish a buffer between the Kurds and Turkish forces (either Turks or Turkish backed FSA rebels.)

January 6, 2019: In the east (Deir Ezzor province) ISIL massed a considerable force and attacked an SDF base. Some 33 of the Kurdish fighters were killed but after several assaults ISIL gave up and retreated. ISIL apparently had the element of surprise and used suicide bombers but it wasnt enough.

January 4, 2019: An American official announced that there was as yet no timetable for the withdrawal of American troops from Syria. The Americans wont go until they have assurances that Turkey and the Russians will see to it that the Syrian Kurds are not attacked by Iranian, Syrian or Turkish forces. Turkey and Iran are not cooperating.

January 3, 2019: War related deaths in Syria were lower in 2018, but at about 20,000 dead it is still a lot. About a third of the dead were civilians. The death toll in 2017 was 34,000, with about 30 percent civilians. Since 2011 about 500,000 have died in Syria. While most were Syrians a large percentage (10-20 percent) were foreigners. A third of the 2011 Syrian population has fled the country and most are reluctant to return.

January 2, 2019: In the north (Manbij) about 400 SDF militiamen were seen leaving the city, apparently to reinforce SDF forces in a more urgent situation.

Russia reported that is believed Israel had successfully used six F-16s armed with air to ground missiles and firing them from Lebanon to destroy their targets during a December 25 attack. Russia and Syria had claimed that the Syrian air defenses (mainly S-200 SAM systems) had shot down some of the Israeli missiles but there was no evidence of that (Israeli missile fragments from someplace other than the target area) and in any event the targets were destroyed.

December 31, 2018: In the east (Deir Ezzor province) Iraqi F-16s attacked a compound where some 30 ISIL leaders and their associates were believed to be meeting.

December 30, 2018: Syria has given Iraq permission to make attacks against Islamic terrorists in Syria at any time without prior permission. Iraq has already been doing this, especially when they had intel about where ISIL forces were gathering and needed to carry out an air strike quickly. Iraqi ground forces (pro-Iran Iraqi militias) sometimes moved across the border in response to Syria based ISIL forces attacking or regularly crossing into Iraq.

December 29, 2018: Turkish and Russian military officials met in Russia to work out how the departure of American forces from Syria would be exploited by the two allies. There were apparently disagreements because Turkey wanted to exercise more control of the Syrian side of the border (currently occupied by Syrian Kurd militiamen) that Russia thought Turkey could handle (diplomatically and militarily). The two countries could not reach an agreement except for additional meetings to try and work something out.

December 28, 2018: In northern Syria Assad forces advanced closer to the Kurdish controlled city of Manbij. Since the Americans announced (on the 19th) they would pull their forces out of Syria the Kurds have been withdrawing from some areas to concentrate troops in areas they believe may in danger of attack by Syrian or Turkish forces.
The Pakistani military continues to suppress local Islamic terrorist violence while increasing it in Afghanistan and India. The Afghanistan meddling is relatively risk-free while the violence against India is becoming increasingly dangerous. India has nukes, a much larger economy and a vibrant democracy that is demanding action against the Pakistani attacks.

Both Pakistan and India has about the same number of deaths in 2018 from rebels and Islamic terrorists. For both countries, it was just under a thousand such deaths. That is good news for Pakistan, which has greatly reduced their losses from local Islamic terrorist violence since 2014. India has seen deaths increase over the last few years as Pakistan increased its attacks on Indian border guards (and any civilians in the immediate vicinity) along with sending more Pakistani based Islamic terrorists into Kashmir and encouraging more local violence there. Thus deaths in Kashmir were about 450 in 2018, up a bit from 2017 and because of increased Pakistani activity not likely to decline. Meanwhile, the usual causes of deaths for India, leftist rebels in eastern India and tribal separatists in the northeast, continue to decline.

In 2014, when the Pakistani army finally decided to shut down sanctuaries for Islamic terror groups not under military control (like the ones in Pakistani Kashmir), there were 5,496 Islamic terror-related deaths in Pakistan and the Pakistani public was enraged at the military over this. In 2015 that Islamic terror-related deaths in Pakistan dropped to 3,682, then to 1,803 in 2016, 1260 in 2017 and throughout 2018 it looked like these deaths would fall under a thousand and they did just that. These are low casualty levels not seen in Pakistan since 2003. The military is under a lot of pressure to keep it that way.

India, with six times as many people, has had terror-related deaths under a thousand a year since 2012 and most of those have nothing to do with Islamic terrorism. That trend continues, despite increased Pakistani efforts in Kashmir. For 2018 India had more terror-related deaths but the overall total was still under a thousand. In 2017, for the first time in many years, India had more fatalities from Islamic terrorism than from leftist rebels in eastern India. But if you added deaths from tribal separatists in the northeast the Islamic terrorism only accounted for 45 percent of deaths. That trend has reverted to the traditional one in 2018, with Islamic terror-related deaths lower. This is mainly because Islamic terror-related deaths will not increase much for 2018 while deaths related to the leftist rebels (Maoists) in eastern India are up (mainly among the Maoists and their civilian victims).

The big difference between the Kashmir casualties compared to everything else (communist rebels in eastern India and the tribal separatists in the northeast) is that only the Kashmir Islamic terrorists have outside help. Pakistan has been supporting violence in Kashmir for over 60 years and added Islamic terrorism support in the 1980s. That failed to make much difference but it did ruin the Kashmir economy and Pakistan continued to get enough Islamic terrorists (recruited and trained in Pakistan) across the LOC (Line of Control) into Indian Kashmir to keep the area dangerous for tourists or investment.

Then Pakistan realized that a new generation of Kashmiri Moslems had access to the Internet and Pakistan created a local fan (of Pakistan ruling Kashmir rather than India) that eventually achieved celebrity status. When this young guy ( Burhan Wani) got himself killed in 2016 he was elevated to martyr status and suddenly making the street violence a regular thing and Islamic terrorism fashionable once more. At that point, economic recovery became even less likely and casualties increased. For the first time in many years, local recruits for Islamic terror groups were higher than those able to get across the LOC from Pakistan. In the last decade, Indian border security has greatly improved but the LOC is largely in rugged terrain that is thinly populated. So it is not certain death to make the crossing. But with a larger number of active Islamic terrorists on the Indian side of the LOC, those getting across from Pakistan have a longer life expectancy. This means more Islamic terrorist violence in Kashmir. While the Islamic terrorists try to confine their attacks to the security forces there are still civilian bystanders getting killed and with more Islamic terrorists active there is more opportunity to murder locals who support the government and dont want to be part of Pakistan.

This Pakistani aggression in Kashmir is pushing the two nations towards war, despite the possibility of both sides using nukes. This has brought more pressure on the Pakistani military to behave but so far the Pakistani generals are resisting the popular pressure inside Pakistan for less violence on the Indian border. The Pakistani generals see Kashmir as a victory for Pakistan, but one that Pakistan cannot take proper credit for because supporting Islamic terrorism and sending those Islamic terrorists into India (and Afghanistan) is a violation of international law. While the Pakistani military denies culpability the evidence has piled up to the extent that most of the world is convinced that the Pakistani military is, indeed, violating international norms and supporting Islamic terrorism.

Elsewhere in Pakistan there is growing violence from separatists in Baluchistan and Moslem on Moslem violence because of perceived religious or ethnic differences that somehow warrant resorting to murder. For the government, the Baluchistan separatism violence is seen as the most threatening. Thats because most of the current Chinese economic activity is in Baluchistan and China does not tolerate that sort of violence against its people. As Pakistan grows more dependent on China it must more promptly tend to Chinese complaints.

Pakistani Poverty

Pakistan finds itself caught in a system of contradictory obligations. Pakistan has long depended on large cash donations or loans from wealthy Gulf Arab oil states to keep the Pakistani economy from collapsing. The Arabs always expected something in return and one of those things was diplomatic and, less frequently, military support. The Arabs, at least Saudi Arabia (the main contributor of cash) also initially (in the 1980s) expected Pakistan to welcome Saudi religious charities that built new mosques and religious schools. The Saudis also sent clerics and teachers for the religious schools. This came in handy when Pakistan agreed to host millions of Afghan refugees during the 1980s when the Russians were seeking to conquer Afghanistan. The Saudis paid for taking care of the refugees and arming the men among the refugees who regularly went back into Afghanistan to attack the Russians for a while, then retreat to the Pakistan refugee camps. The Russians threatened Pakistan over this but Pakistan had the Americans blocking these Russian threats while the Saudis kept the refugee/guerilla war operations going.

One of the aftereffects of all that was the Taliban and a growing minority of Pakistanis who backed Islamic radicalism and the imposition of religious law, or even a religious government, on Pakistan. This created a civil war that is still underway. The Pakistani military thought they could control and manipulate the Islamic zealots. That proved more difficult than anticipated and while a four year military campaign (starting in 2014) against the local Islamic terrorists (the extremists among the Islamic conservatives the Saudis created) reduced the number of Pakistani Islamic terrorists seeking to replace the current government (a democracy dominated by the military) with a religious dictatorship, those zealots have become a permanent part of Pakistani society. This has caused problems with neighbors like Iran (Pakistani zealots kill Pakistani Shia), China (Pakistani zealots attack Chinese investments and the Chinese running them) and India (Pakistani zealots seek to terrorize India and seize control of Kashmir). These neighbors have become increasingly forceful in their demands that the Pakistani government does something about this. Pakistan placates the Iranians by refusing to provide military assistance to the Arabs in Yemen, or against any Iranian military operation directed at the Gulf Arabs. Now Pakistan has to deal with increasingly angry Arabs who threatened to halt the cash infusions that the Pakistani economy now depends on. The Chinese demand quick and effective action against Pakistan supported Islamic terrorists who threaten Chinese investments. This was one of the reasons for the 2014 campaign against many of the Islamic terror groups operating from Pakistani bases. Pakistan had hoped the Chinese would replace the Arabs as a source of cash support but the Chinese dont operate that way. China makes investments and does not provide cash like the Arabs and, until recently, the Americans did. The United States has halted all cash support for Pakistan because the Pakistanis would not shut down Islamic terror groups that attacked American interests. Now the Pakistanis know that if the Chinese feel they are being played like the Americans were, the Chinese will not be patient or forgiving. The Americans will no longer be so accommodating and the Iranians never were. India is a nuclear power with a larger army and economy than Pakistan. India is also losing patience and threatening war. Pakistan has to worry about too many past mistakes catching up with them at once.

Poor Pakistani fiscal policy makes it difficult for Pakistan to obtain a large enough bailout from the IMF (International Monetary Fund). Other lenders (Gulf Arabs and China) are the only alternative. Pakistan had already received pledges from its usual lenders (Arab oil states) but Pakistan continues to need more of this bailout cash. Because of that China had conditions attached to its loan and Pakistan is still trying to get billions from the IMF but that will only happen if Pakistan does something about the corruption and deficit spending that is causing the chronic cash shortage. The IMF also wants Pakistan to sell (privatize) the money losing national steel company and the national airline. Both are politically important because they provide lots of jobs for government supporters and are a source of cash for corrupt deals. Another corrupt practice is tolerating the wealthiest people to avoid paying taxes. Only one percent of the population pays taxes and few of the local rich do so. Another major source of tax dodgers is military leaders who receive a lot of tainted (from corrupt deals) money. The military spending will increase because the Americans have halted all military aid. The IMF also notes that some of the major loan deals with China have terms that were never made public and even the IMF is unable to find out what is going on there.

The main cause of these frequent appeals to the IMF is by now widely accepted; the Pakistani military gets too much of the government budget. The American decision to cut military aid to Pakistan was a big deal because since about 2005 that aid has accounted for nearly 20 percent of the Pakistani defense budget. The U.S. aid has declined since 2010 (when it was $2 billion) but was still significant because the current annual Pakistani defense budget is nearly $9 billion. So an extra billion or so from the Americans makes a difference. While Pakistan can turn to China or Russia for all its weapons needs it wont have access to the best nor will it get any gifts. China and Russia expect to be paid for military goods. Meanwhile, the Pakistani army gets 47 percent of the defense budget, the air force 20 percent and the Navy 11 percent. The American aid was free, not a loan. The Arab and Chinese are offering loans, not gifts and this has put much more pressure on Pakistan to change is corrupt and wasteful economic policies.

Pakistan talks about the Indian Threat and in terms of numbers, there is an Indian threat because India spends nearly $60 billion a year on defense, the fifth largest defense budget on the planet (behind the United States, China, Russia and Saudi Arabia). Pakistan barely makes the top 20. Indian spending is 3.3 percent of GDP while Pakistan is 2.7 percent. In 2016 Pakistan boosted defense spending 15 percent but was unable to sustain that growth rate. For the last five years, Pakistan has, on average, increased its defense spending about 10 percent a year. Neighboring India spends more than five times as much. Chinas defense spending ($215 billion) is the largest in the region and second largest in the world. Defense spending in South Asia has risen nearly 50 percent since 2001. The large portion of Pakistani government spending going to the military is under growing criticism inside Pakistan, mainly because Pakistan lags way behind India and China when it comes to spending on education, infrastructure and public health.

The Pakistani government tries to justify the high defense spending by pointing out that since 2011 Pakistan has suffered $57 billion in economic losses because of Islamic terrorism. That is tragic but the neighbors (and the United States) point out that those losses are largely because Pakistan has supported Islamic terrorists since the 1970s and continues to do so even though many Islamic terror groups have declared war on Pakistan. The IMF is well aware of all this and Pakistani Finance Ministry officials cannot expect much help (unless you count the usual threats) from the military in persuading the IMF to look the other way and bail out the profligate Pakistani military once more. The Pakistani military is particularly unhelpful when it is pointed out that substantial Pakistani economic opportunities have been banned by the military for no good reason. Case in point is allowing free trade with India and Indian access, via Pakistan, to Afghanistan and Central Asia. The access fees would generate huge income for Pakistan but the Pakistani generals will not allow it because the main justification for the huge Pakistani military budget is the imaginary Indian threat.

January 22, 2019: In Pakistan, the UAE (United Arab Emirates) transferred $3 billion to help Pakistan deal with another financial crisis. Late last year Saudi Arabia loaned Pakistan the same amount and also deferred another $3 billion worth of payments for oil. In November 2018 China agreed to provide a $6 billion loan to Pakistan to help avert an economic crisis there. Pakistan is resisting painful reforms and trying to get loans to put off the eventual reckoning.

January 21, 2019: In Pakistan (Karachi), Alamzeb Mehsud, a local PTM (Pashtun Tahafuz Movement or Pashtun Protection Movement) leader was arrested for encouraging his followers stage violent demonstrations. Mehsud was only detained for a few days. Normally the PTM is non-violent but in Karachi things are different. Karachi is the largest (15 million) city in the country and because of pervasive nationwide tax evasion the source of two-thirds of government revenue. This is because the Karachi economy has many commercial operations that can be taxed. Karachi is also very violent, but not as much as it was before a 2013 crackdown. That forced most of the violent organizations to be more discreet and while the city now appears less violent, it isnt as peaceful as it seems to those passing through. So PTM activities that would be peaceful back in the tribal territories (where most Pushtuns live) it is different in Karachi.

The PTM is mainly about the Pakistani Pushtuns uniting to oppose the mistreatment of Pushtuns in general. For example in early 2018 PTM went public with complaints that the security forces (controlled by the military) were kidnapping PTM leaders. This is a typical military intimidation tactic. The kidnappings did not escalate to murder but the PTM leaders taken were interrogated, threatened, beaten and released. At that point, the military began to realize the PTM was not a threat and might be a useful ally in the tribal territories. PTM feared their leaders would start to disappear and at that point, things could get violent. The Pakistani military was aware of that as well and has always been reluctant to play rough with Pushtuns who have a reputation for pushing back even harder. PTM was actually a growing Pushtun nationalist movement in Pakistan that seeks peaceful resolution of issues. Now the Pakistani military if officially agreeing with the PTM and expressed a willingness to cooperate. That could get complicated as the Pakistani military is dominated by non-Pushtuns who are not in the habit of paying attention to what Pushtuns want. For example, many Pushtun families hold the army responsible for killing one of their kin or stealing family property. A lot of Pushtuns have complaints like this that the army would rather not deal with.

January 18, 2019: India reported that Pakistani border (and ceasefire) violations in the northwest (Kashmir) had doubled in 2018 (compared to 2017) and were the highest in the last ten years. The Pakistani violence on the LoC (Line of Control) that serves as the border left 38 Kashmiri civilians and 257 Islamic terrorists (infiltrators from Pakistan) dead as a result of 614 incidents. Most of the violence did not involve casualties. On the LoC, there were 2,140 ceasefire violations on the LoC in 2018, up from 971 in 2017 and 449 in 2016. The 2018 violations led to 30 Indian civilians killed along with 20 military personnel. Pakistan has urged young Kashmiri Moslems to carry out violent (often just throwing rocks) attacks against Indian security forces in Kashmir. There were 664 of these attacks in 2018 compared to 342 in 2017 and 222 in 2014.

January 15, 2019: In eastern Pakistan (Punjab province), police raided an Islamic terrorist hideout and killed two ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) members who were known to have participated in the 2011 kidnapping an American in Lahore in 2011. The American hostage was killed in 2015 when a hideout he was being held in along the Afghan border was hit by an American UAV missile strike. The two ISIL men were responsible for other high profile kidnappings as well.

January 11, 2019: In southwest Pakistan (Baluchistan), troops raided several hideouts used by Baluchi separatists. Two separatists were killed and troops seized large quantities of weapons, ammo and explosives.

January 2, 2019: In Pakistan, the military has openly admitted that the PTM is indeed a non-violent Pashtun improvement organization. Thru the end of 2018, the military was warning the PTM to not do anything that threatened military power. PTM was never about that and the new military policy towards PTM is recognition of that.

December 30, 2018: Pakistan needs 600 new tanks and is considering a mix of Russian (T-90s) and Chinese tanks. In effect, Pakistan is playing Russia and China tank producers off each other. Both offer similar products at similar prices. Whoever offers the best deal gets most of the business. Pakistan has also decided to get out of the tank design/development business, at least for now as the army placed an order for a hundred Chinese made 52 ton VT4/MBT-3000 tanks. These may be built in Pakistan under license. VT4 is an updated version of the 330 46 ton VT1/MBT-2000/Al Khalid tanks Pakistan already has. The Al Khalid was a joint China-Pakistan project to create a Pakistani tank that would be built in Pakistan. But basically the Al Khalid was a variant of the Chinese VT1 (also known as the MBT2000). The VT1 was the export version of the Chinese Type 90 tank. Actually, the Type 90 (an improved T-72) was not accepted by the Chinese army that instead went with the 54 ton Type 99, a superior T-72 variant that entered service in 2001 and underwent a major upgrade (the 58 ton Type 99A) in 2011 and is still in production.

The VT1 entered service first in 2001 using Ukrainian engines and a few other imported items but was mainly Chinese. The Al Khalid had trouble finding an engine that could handle the desert conditions on the Indian border where Indian and Pakistani tank battles tend to be fought. Because of these delays, Pakistan bought 300 Ukrainian T-80UD, which are upgrades of a Russian Cold War design that could handle hot, sandy environments. That was mainly because of the Ukrainian built engine which Pakistan ultimately bought for its Al Khalid.

The rest of Pakistans 2,000 tanks are based on much older (1950s) Russian models, with some upgrades. Pakistan also looked at the latest Ukraine had to offer but decided to go with China, which has access to more advanced tech than Ukraine and is willing to be competitive when it comes to price. This confidence in China was based on how the 2012 agreement worked out. For that deal, Pakistan and China also agreed to jointly market the Al Khalid tank but had limited success. That was because there were a lot of improved T-72s on the market, including the Chinese MBT-2000. Al Khalid was more expensive to develop as Pakistan began the project in 1991 and made a lot of mistakes. The Al Khalid ended up costing ten percent more than the MBT-2000 and Pakistan was unable to keep its costs under control so that when it came time to develop and a major upgrade for Al Khalid it was pointed out that China already had what Pakistan wanted in the VT4. In the end the Al Khalid demonstrated why Pakistan has never been a major player in the arms export business and this deal with China was more for show than anything else. Same thing with the JF-17 jet fighter joint development that resulted in an expensive variant of the American F-16.

December 25, 2018: In southwest Pakistan (Baluchistan), across the Afghan border in Kandahar province the Pakistani (Baluchi separatist) man responsible for the attack on the Chinese consulate in Pakistan last month was killed in an explosion. Kandahar province is on the border with the Pakistan province of Baluchistan where most of the Chinese economic activity in Pakistan is taking place.

December 24, 2018: On the coast near the Pakistan-Iran border an Indian firm (Indian Ports Global) took over management of the southeast Iran port of Chabahar. This management deal lasts ten years and that played a role in ensuring that the renewed American sanctions on Iran would not interfere with the new trade route from Afghanistan, via Iran to the Indian Ocean port of Chabahar. The Americans make exceptions for these sanctions and in this case, Pakistan is seen as a larger threat to Afghanistan than Iran. Most of the truck traffic that used to go through Pakistan to the port of Karachi is now using the new route via Iran to Chabahar (built by India and Iran mainly for traffic to Afghanistan and Central Asia). At least $5 billion worth of trade to and from Afghanistan will use Chabahar each year. Pakistan is the big loser here, especially since they had recently increased higher traffic on Afghan goods moving through Karachi. In addition for the last year, Pakistan has frequently closed the main border crossings to Afghan traffic entering Pakistan. Yet Pakistani goods are allowed into Afghanistan and now the Afghans are considering blocking that and depending on trade links via Iran and Central Asia. This is an undeclared trade war by Pakistan. The main reason is growing trade with India and switching from Karachi to Chabahar for Afghan imports and exports. The United States, India, Afghanistan and the UN are increasing pressure on Pakistan over Pakistani support for terrorism.
The Philippines has become the latest export customer for the Israeli Spyder (Surface-to-air PYthon and DERby) mobile air defense system. The Philippines ordered three Spyder systems for its new GBADS (Ground-Based Air Defense System). So far Spyder has been sold to six (India, Vietnam, Georgia, Peru and Singapore) export customers as well as the Israeli military.

Spyder has been around since 2005. Spyder was initially available as a truck mounted version where one or more trucks carried a launcher (with four missiles) and another truck carried the radar and fire control system. In 2016 the Israeli manufacturer of Spyder revealed an even more mobile version that uses tracked vehicles instead of wheeled ones. Each tracked vehicle carries four missiles plus the radar and fire control system. The Philippines ordered the truck-mounted systems and it is unclear how many launcher vehicles they ordered to work with each radar and control vehicle.

Spyder launchers can carry either the Python 5 heat seeking missile (3.2 meters/ten feet long, 105 kg/231 pounds, with a range of 15 kilometers) or the Derby radar guided missile (3.6 meter/11.2 feet long, 121.4 kg/267 pounds, with a range of 35 kilometers). The Derby is actually a larger Python, with more fuel and a radar-controlled guidance system. Python has an 11 kg (23 pound) warhead while the one on Derby is 23 kg (51 pound). The Israeli Spyder radar system has a maximum range of 110 kilometers. The missiles can hit targets as high as 16,000 meters (51,000 feet) and as low as 20 meters (63 feet). Spyder can be used with other radar systems as well as a variety of truck models.

Spyder is regularly upgraded as there are improvements in the Derby and Python missiles as well as associated radar and control systems.
You could hardly make it up. This week, addressing the Davos summit in Switzerland, via video link, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo condemned Russia for interfering in American elections and those of other countries.

The next day, Pompeo was declaring the elected leader in Venezuela illegitimate and endorsing an obscure opposition figure as the recognized president.

Underway in Venezuela is a coup detat led by Washington. The country is precariously on a knife-edge of civil war, following the US audacious move to delegitimize the government in Caracas.

This is Washingtons interference in the sovereign affairs of another nation  writ large.

And yet the US government and media have the brass neck to accuse Russia of interference. Let the world see the USA for what it is  the United States of Arrogance, the United States of Absurdity.

Venezuela faces a foreboding next few weeks. Already the country has been racked by economic chaos  caused in no small part by US sanctions  and persistent street protests, whipped up by Washingtons years-long meddling.

If the violence escalates, US President Donald Trump has warned that all options are on the table, meaning possibly a military intervention by Washington. This US script for regime change is so worn out, so predictable, so deplorable.

Russia, which is allied with Venezuelas elected government of President Nicolas Maduro, has condemned the flagrant violation by the US. Moscow has also warned against any US military intervention, saying it will lead to further mayhem. Maybe that mayhem is exactly what the US is betting on. After all, history shows that when Washington does not approve of a foreign government then its habitual recourse of action is to incite instability and precipitate a failed state, which then allows the US to try to impose its dominance.

Latin America has been viewed by Washington as its backyard for the past two centuries. If the Southern Hemisphere does not toe Uncle Sams line, then recalcitrant countries are forced to cry Uncle under pain of military attack, subversion, death squads or economic strangulation.

The imperialist arrogance of Washington towards nominally independent nations is astounding. Most infamously, Cuba defied the US hegemonic overlord by choosing a socialist political system nearly 60 years ago, and for the past seven decades that diminutive island nation has been subjected to a vicious trade embargo as well as countless military aggressions.

Venezuela likewise chose a democratic path of socialism over 20 years ago with the election of Hugo Chavez. Washington has never forgiven that divergence from its hegemony, and for the past two decades has imposed sanctions and hostility on the South American nation.

The threat of a good example is never tolerated in Washingtons presumed backyard. Any move towards democracy and independence must be expunged with absolute iron fist. Washingtons preening rhetoric about democracy and law is a travesty of its actual tyranny.

Nicolas Maduro was elected for the second time last May to serve as the countrys president (he took over from Chavez in 2013 after the latters death). Maduro has vowed to continue pursuing a socialist form of governance. The US has been agitating a coup in the oil-rich country for the past two decades with sanctions and funding of opposition groups.

Maduros re-election won 67 per cent of the vote  albeit with a large abstention figure. His government is the legitimate authority of Venezuela, verified by the countrys National Electoral Commission. Following Maduros inauguration earlier this month, the US has ramped up its efforts to delegitimize his mandate.

That move by Washington culminated this week with the blatant orchestration by the White House to declare the obscure opposition figure Juan Guaido as the recognized president.

In fell swoop, Washington is declaring the election of Maduro null and void, and urging Latin American countries and other allies to similarly recognize the opposition as the authorities.

Washingtons policy is liable to tear Venezuela apart. The master of regime change is at it again. Having caused so much mayhem just recently in Syria and the Middle East, Washington is presuming its role as arbiter of Venezuelas fate.

Shamelessly, Washingtons vassals and satraps are rowing in behind its outrageous interference in Venezuela. Several rightwing governments in Latin America have predictably jumped at the sound of Uncle Sams whip to gang up against Venezuela. Britain, Canada and the European Union have either backed Washingtons usurpation of democracy in Venezuela or meekly gone along with it. The UN and EU have limply called for calm and dialogue when those organizations should be unequivocally condemning the US for infringing Venezuelas sovereignty.

Venezuela will be no push over, however. The countrys defense forces are standing with Maduros government, and defense minister Vladimir Padrino has condemned US aggression. Venezuelas Supreme Court has declared the oppositions claim to the presidency as unconstitutional.

Abroad, Venezuela has the support of several neighboring countries, including Mexico, Bolivia, Nicaragua and Cuba.

Russia has emerged as an important international power calling for respect for Venezuelas sovereignty and the legitimacy of President Maduro. Other foreign supporters include China, Iran and Turkey, who have also denounced the US-led offensive against Venezuela.

It is paramount that international law, sovereignty and the principle of non-interference be upheld. What Venezuela is demonstrating is which powers in the world are the rogue states.

The United States and its various minions, including European and NATO powers, have shown absolutely no regard for international law and sovereignty. We only have to look at the abject turmoil of Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Yemen, and many other countries, to quickly see that truth.

Latin America bears the horrific scars of US imperialism over centuries. We may refer to the coups, fascist regimes and death squads which Uncle Sam bequeathed. Today, the people of Venezuela are again suffering the benevolence of the psychopathic Uncle from el Norte.

Nevertheless, the events may show that the Uncle is now a decrepit old tyrant whose malign designs no longer match the multipolar reality of todays world.
Stowe, VT (05672)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High around 80F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Some clouds. Low near 55F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.
As Vermonts craft beer industry has taken flight, Morrisville has become a destination for lovers of locally made brews.

But dont expect any new breweries, or any other food- or drink-related business that produces large amounts of solid waste, to be popping up in Morrisville anytime soon.

In theory, as we stand today, the sewer plant is at capacity, Todd Deuso, head of the village trustees, said last Wednesday in the second of two meetings to discuss a new sewer ordinance aimed at making the high-volume waste producers pay more.

Now, the owners of Rock Art and Lost Nation breweries are complaining that they are being singled out with a new rate structure that, if in effect now, would ding them with tens of thousands of dollars in extra annual sewer charges.

At the same time, wastewater management officials say its not fair that all the other rate payers should shoulder rate increases if costs to operate the sewage plant go up.

Morrisville Water & Light is trying to coax the breweries to give back some of their wastewater allocations, which would lower those charges, but might also limit future brewery expansion.

When we built our new plant (which opened in 2011), I said we need capacity, and it didnt seem like there was enough, Matt Nadeau, co-owner of Rock Art Brewery, said last Wednesday. Now, Ive got concrete in the ground.

Added Allen Van Anda, co-owner of Lost Nation Brewing, If both of us were going to do an expansion, we couldnt expand.

A decade ago, when expanding the sewage-treatment plant, the staff at Morrisville Water & Light miscalculated the impact of the solid waste made by businesses such as breweries and food producers.

Utility manager Craig Myotte said the utility essentially gave away a quarter of the plants solid-waste capacity to the towns two breweries.

In hindsight, it was my lack of clear understanding of where our capacity was, Myotte said this week.

A few months ago, Morristown permitted a small brewery on Portland Street, at the former home of Rogue Artisans Cafe, Niche and Hot Tamale.

But Morrisville Water & Light wouldnt allow the business to hook onto the village sewer lines without an expensive pre-treatment system. With no access to municipal sewer service, the project went by the wayside.

Uncertainty brewing

The owners of Lost Nation and Rock Art tout the economic impact their breweries have had on Morrisville.

We are a destination brewery for Vermont that attracts people to our town and generates economic benefits for our local and state economy, Van Anda and business partner Jamie Griffith said in a letter Jan. 14 to town officials. We typically attract about 65,000 visitors to our brewery and restaurant.

Lost Nation is on Creamery Road, in the spot Rock Art used to occupy before it built its new place on Route 100 near the southern end of the village bypass. Rock Art is one of the states few breweries that has been in business since the 1990s.

Now, both of the Morrisville breweries are indicating that, as much as they like the town, there are other towns out there that might be more business-friendly to them.

Heartbroken and sad that this is looked at by (Morrisville Water & Light) as fair, and how you treat good neighbors and businesses. That, basically, a carrot was held in front of us to build, and now we cant move, so the carrot is being effectively removed, and the fees are a huge burden on our business, Nadeau wrote in an email to the newspaper last week. We could grow markets, we could hire employees, we could make large payments on loans with the fees, fees that were never disclosed nor imposed in the 18 years we have been in town.

Solids state

Now, the utility staff is scrambling while attempting to work with local businesses and the town government to find a solution that doesnt include upgrading the plant just 10 years after it was overhauled in 2009.

Reaching capacity was something that was supposed to take closer to 20 years and, in some regards, the plant isnt approaching capacity just yet. The facility is still running at roughly 50 percent in terms of flow, the total amount of wastewater it can handle.

The problem is the daily biological oxygen demand, also known as BOD. Measured in pounds, BOD is the amount of dissolved oxygen needed to break down organic material, or solids, in the wastewater.

What is BOD? Every industry has its acronyms, and when it comes to sewage treatment, inevitably youll come across BOD  biological (or biochemical) oxygen

Morrisvilles facility is able to handle up to 1,284 pounds per day of BOD, but the plant is already dealing with an average of just over 1,000 pounds per day, with most of the rest already allocated to Rock Art and Lost Nation.

After a year testing sewer lines, the utility has identified the three customers producing the largest amount of BOD: the two breweries and maple-syrup processor and producer Butternut Mountain Farm.

Myotte and his staff estimate Butternut is producing 170 pounds of BOD per day.

Although rumors have swirled around town that the maple syrup giant is responsible for upward of 500 pounds of BOD per day, its not 500 pounds; its significantly less, Myotte said. Since he and his staff began working with Butternut in 2016, the company has been actively trying to cut down on waste.

A more extensive study is planned this summer to nail down exactly how much solid waste the maple maker is sending to the plant.

Weve been cooperating with them to make sure we understand our issues here, and their challenges, Butternut CEO John Kingston said Tuesday.

Gave too much away

At a Morristown Select Board meeting on Jan. 14, the owners of Lost Nation and Rock Art said they arent producing nearly as much BOD. The breweries have their own measurement systems, and each says their output is between 25 and 40 pounds a day.

Unlike Butternut, the two breweries were required to seek BOD allocations when acquiring their initial permits to open a business. Problem is, the utility gave too much away to Rock Art; the brewery was allotted 260 pounds per day of BOD.

Penny Jones, controller for Morrisville Water & Light, said Rock Arts allocation would likely have been more in line with the 70 pounds per day issued to Lost Nation just a few years later.

If we knew then what we know now, we wouldnt have given Rock Art that allocation, Jones said.

Myotte wants to find a creative solution with the Nadeaus, but if they dont want to give any of the allocation back, they may have to pay to keep it.

Pay to flush

It costs more to treat BODs than regular sewage, and Morrisville also has to pay to truck the sludge that the extra treatment creates.

With that in mind, the utilitys board of trustees wants to pass new sewer ordinances that ultimately would give Morrisville the ability to bill customers that produce high amounts of BOD at a higher rate than regular customers.

Village trustees will likely approve the new sewer ordinances later this year, but the new billing system for high-strength BOD producers wont go into effect until April 2020, at the earliest.

Jones said the proposed ordinance is meant to put teeth into a rate structure that would make things more equitable for the utilitys 800 or so customers. That rate restructuring is a work in progress.

The idea is to get the larger producers to pay more because they use more.

Now, more than 700 of the utilitys customers  mostly residents, but also some businesses or institutions that dont produce a lot of high-strength waste  pay the utilitys lowest rate.

The larger customers pay gradually higher rates the bigger their sewer lines are. Jones said a few years ago, several customers with larger meters were able to get into a lower rate bracket by switching to smaller sewer lines.

The new rate structure would add a new charge aimed at recapturing some of the capital costs associated with breaking down all that organic waste  the more of it, the more oxygen needed to digest it, and the more trucks needed to haul away the leftover sludge.

The new fee for high-strength waste producers would charge a per-pound price based on allocated BOD, on an annual basis. Note the word allocated, because even if Rock Art doesnt use its 260-pound-per-day allocation, it would still pay as if it did.

According to an email exchange earlier this month between Nadeau and Myotte, Nadeau would pay an extra $62,000 per year.

The Morristown Select Board has warned a special afternoon meeting for today, Thursday, at 3:30, at Rock Art.

When asked why it was being held at the brewery instead of the town offices as usual, board chairman Bob Beeman said, We had been invited for a tour of Rock Art Brewery and when we realized it would be at least three of us select board members attending, we had to warn it as a meeting to cover us under open meeting laws. The purpose was entirely just to tour the operation and not cover any agenda items.
Austria offers elegance and value for buyers seeking quality in the mid-market price brackets

Austrias public declaration in October that its 2018 vintage was fully-ripened and bountiful could equally be applied to the status of its recent sales success in the UK.

Its whites in particular are finding favour with both trade buyers and consumers for their balance, reliability and value in the growing 8-12 price bracket, providing an elegant alternative to some of the prevailing big New World styles of recent years.

Majestic, for example, reports that annual sales of Austrias flagship white varietal Gruner Veltliner were ahead by 41% in 2018, with drinkers switching from Kiwi Sauvignon Blanc in particular.

That style has dominated our customers tastes for a decade now, but many are wanting to branch out, says Imogen Bowen-Davies, Austria buyer at Majestic. Thats really where Gruner is doing so well. Its immensely food-friendly which I believe works incredibly well with savvy, sophisticated consumers.

Oddbins has seen sales of Austrian wine soaring too. Buyer Ana Sapangiu MW says: We have seen growth of up to 29% in some of our Gruner Veltliners. There are three in the range in the 13-16 price bracket. I have plans to bring in one below these price points as more volume and affordable pricing becomes available.

The profile of the wine appeals to consumers and is shared with the type of customers who buy modern German wines, where we have done a significant range review that has been very successful.

Ben Wyse, Domaine Wachau brand manager at Gonzalez Byass UK, says: I suspect the appeal of Austrian Gruner Veltliner is that it is approachable without being bland. It has

no blatant characteristics that one might find offputting, such as overt grassiness in Sauvignon Blanc or oakiness in Chardonnay. The wines are refreshing and flavoursome.

Plenty of positives to go at then, but the danger is that, just like the Kiwi Sauvignon whos territory its encroaching on, the success of Gruner Veltliner could turn Austria into a bit of a one-trick pony.

Nik Darlington, managing director at importer Red Squirrel Wines, which has Eschenhof Holzer and Diwald in its portfolio, says it has seen sales of Gruner tail-off in the on-trade in favour of other varietals  and that the off-trade is merely playing catch-up in Gruner anyway.

Consumers remain very curious about trying less familiar wines, Austrian wines among them, and the bigger retailers have responded to the growing popularity and press attention that Gruner Veltliner and Austrian wines generally have received in recent years, he says.

However, Gruner sales have declined year- on-year [for Red Squirrel], even though Austrian wines generally are on an upward trajectory. Retailers might be a bit behind the curve. So even if the on-trades attention is waning, that popularity might now be feeding through in a bigger way than before to multiples and supermarkets.

And 2019 could see more Austrian wine come on to the market, making it even more of a draw for off-trade buyers looking for value-for-money in the mid-market price brackets.

Like other parts of Europe, Austria was buoyed by the weather in 2018, with production increasing to 3.2 million hl from a sorry 2.5 million hl the year before, with the biggest boost in production coming in white wines, the driving force behind the countrys wine exports.

Tim Carlisle, new business development manager for Vindependents, which began importing wines from Ecker-Eckhof at the end of 2017, says it has sold 2.5 times more Austrian wine than it expected to in the short time it has been selling it.

There seems to be a real thirst for pure, elegant wines that are unoaked, he says. At the same time Austria offers consumers a lot of value and, generally speaking the wines are a dependable choice. That blend of really high quality, value and dependability aligned with a magnificent harvest should see Austrian wines go from strength to strength this year.

Carlisle is hopeful that other varieties can help broaden the appeal of Austria.

As overall sales have gone up opportunities for alternative varieties to Gruner Veltiner have too, both because of the amount of wine being sold but also because wine merchants are more confident in adding new listings, he says.

In the last 12 months only 41% of Austrian wine weve sold has been Gruner. Other grapes that have done well for us in particular are Zweigelt, Roter Veltliner and Riesling which make up nearly 50% of sales of dry wines.

Darlington at Red Squirrel has seen similar trends in the way Austria is spreading its wings.

We now sell a lot more Zweigelt than Gruner Veltliner, and we have a Zweigelt rose that jumped 45% in sales last year, he says. Meanwhile other Austrian whites like Riesling grew 7% and Roter Veltliner, which always sells well, held steady.

Multiple retail buyers are steadily getting more adventurous as confidence in Austria grows. In the last two years, Majestic has listed six Gruner Veltliners and its Definition Gruner has entered the top five best-sellers in its range.

Many consumers brought into the region by the success of Gruner may now well be interested in exploring further, says Bowen- Davies. In that sense, its a similar story to one we have seen in other regions, such as New Zealand or Portugal.

Consumers get a taste and think: What next? We can gauge the appetite for this through our when-its-gone-its gone parcels and, indeed, we already are, with a red Zweigelt from Carnuntum which we launched in December.

It is, however, still very early days. Gruner Veltliner too is capable a making a myriad of styles, from fresh and bright to something more broody and spicy. Theres a lot to explore.

Related articles:
The pressure of 800,000 federal workers going without pay for 35 straight days, along with increasing national security dangers and inconveniences to the general public, proved to be too much for President Donald Trump. He finally caved on Friday and agreed to a three-week truce, allowing government employees to return to work and key federal departments to reopen.

Trump has inflicted enormous economic damage on the country, pushed federal employees to the brink of financial insolvency, and seriously undermined his own approval ratings all for a border wall that he is no closer to getting today than he was when he started the shutdown. For all the chaos he has inflicted, this is what Trump has to show for it: Nothing.

There is no other way to interpret his remarks Friday than as a humiliating concession. He lost the first round in this battle for $5.7 billion in border wall funding. He continues to threaten another shutdown in three weeks if congressional Democrats fail to approve his funding demands  or he will declare a national emergency and order the military to build the wall.
Keep calm, gimme the keys

What do you do when an elderly driver is clearly not in the right mental state to get behind the wheel? What do you do when that person, only two days earlier, had provoked a serious accident by veering into an oncoming lane of traffic, causing his car to overturn and sending the other cars passengers to the hospital? What do you do when that elderly person gets behind the wheel and goes driving yet again  this time without a seat belt?

And finally, what do you do when that person is Britains Prince Philip, age 97? If youre his wife, Queen Elizabeth II, you take away the car keys and command your loyal subject to cease and desist, henceforth and forevermore.

No good deed 

Four women may face up to six months in federal prison. Their crime? Leaving water and other supplies on federal land for migrants crossing from Mexico. The aid volunteers committed their crime during a 2017 heat wave at Arizona's border with Mexico. They pre-positioned jugs of water and canned food for migrant groups trying to survive the desert crossing.

Their depositories, prosecutors said, were located in a 860,000-acre national wildlife refuge, where leaving disposable items is illegal. Yes, as the U.S. government jails children and breaks up immigrant families, it is prosecuting people for littering as they try to save lives.
Step inside Sacred Heart Church of Jesus in Sandino, Cuba. It's the first Roman Catholic church built in Cuba since the revolution. Here's what else you need to know to Get Up to Speed and Out the Door . (You can also get "5 Things You Need to Know Today" delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up here .)

1. Government shutdown

Those 800,000 federal workers impacted by the shutdown are back at work today. But the threat of another shutdown looms. Democrats and Republicans have three weeks to hammer out some kind of deal on border security before funding from the short-term spending legislation runs out. President Trump said if there's no money allocated for his border wall he's willing to endure another shutdown or declare a national emergency so that he could use Defense Department funds to build the wall. Neither option is particularly attractive for the President. After getting nothing in the record-breaking shutdown that just ended, Trump's GOP allies may be less likely to go down that path again. And declaring a national emergency would spark a constitutional battle that could be tied up in the courts for months.
McConnell, asked about what kind of progress had been made as he departed the Capitol, said only: "Well, at least we're still talking."

The issue remains an inability to pin down exactly what the President would accept in any type of deal, the sources said, and there is still no clarity on the next steps. Talks are expected to continue, but at the moment the dynamics that led to the now 34-day-old shutdown don't appear to have shifted in a meaningful way, one of the sources said.

Schumer spokesman Justin Goodman said, "Sen. Schumer and Senate Democrats have made clear to Leader McConnell and Republicans that they will not support funding for the wall, prorated or otherwise."

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi had said as she was leaving the House floor that she hopes any potential agreement between McConnell and Schumer will not include a down payment on the wall.

"The President just said that if they come to a reasonable agreement he will support it," she said. "I hope it doesn't mean some big down payment for the wall."

Asked again about a potential down payment, she said: "That is not a reasonable agreement between the senators."
The fact that Stone was in Trump's orbit for so long is problematic in itself. For more than four decades, Stone has been part of the underside of Republican politics. Since his work on behalf of President Richard Nixon, when Stone really pioneered the art of "dirty trick politics," which used disinformation and character assassination as the primary means toward victory, he has been willing to sell his talents to whichever candidate was willing to listen to him.

Many Republicans have turned to him for his services since the 1970s, including Ronald Reagan in his 1980 campaign. While Republicans like to talk about the free market ideology and tough national security ideas they have brought to the table as the reason for their political success over the decades, a large number of the top players in the party have also been willing to go really low when it came time to win campaigns.
Sterling, VA (20165)

Today

Scattered thunderstorms this morning, then mainly cloudy during the afternoon with thunderstorms likely. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 84F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms likely this evening. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms overnight. Low 67F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%.
It's either personal resilience on Trump's part or a sign of a dangerously unchained presidency, depending on where you stand, that he does not perceive political winds shifting against him, or chooses to barge on anyway.

So with Washington waiting to see how he would climb out of a new political hole on Thursday, the President just doubled down on the same basic position that Democrats have repeatedly rejected.

For weeks, he's been saying the government cannot reopen until he gets money for his border wall. Now he's ready for the government to reopen for a few weeks -- but only if he gets money for his border wall.

Trump said that if Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer come up with a "reasonable" deal in tentative talks, he would be open to it. But with one condition -- "a prorated down payment for the wall."

Trump delivered his offer in a whirling session with reporters that was at times difficult to follow but included a trademark warning that undocumented border-crossers "permeate" the nation, as far as Wisconsin.

What does the President want?
WASHINGTON  Johns Hopkins University is buying the landmark Pennsylvania Avenue building that houses the Newseum in a $372.5 million deal announced Friday that will enable the struggling cultural institution devoted to news and the First Amendment to seek a new home in the D.C. area.

The Freedom Forum  the private foundation that created the Newseum and is its primary funder  said the museum will remain open at 555 Pennsylvania Ave. NW for the rest of the year. Then, assuming the deal wins regulatory approval, the university will take control of the property and prepare to move several graduate programs to a prime address in Washington.

The Newseum has operated since 2008 at the Penn Quarter location, near the National Mall and a few blocks northwest of the Capitol, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors a year but enduring financial challenges as it charged an admission fee while neighboring Smithsonian museums were free. The Freedom Forum announced in August 2017 that it was studying options for the building, including a sale, to escape what had become an untenable run of perennial budget deficits at the Newseum.
Ernst's story shows that abuse happens to women of all races, religions, ethnic backgrounds, income levels, and levels of education. Strong, smart, independent women like Ernst are as likely as all other women to be victims of abuse at the hands of men we love.

I was one, too, a young woman playing by the societal rules of the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s: working hard in school, getting degrees from Harvard and Wharton and toiling long hours at corporate positions within Johnson & Johnson and The Washington Post. Like Ernst, I hid it when my first husband started hurting me. He choked me and held loaded guns to my head. To protect his future, as well as to hide my shame about being a battered wife, I lied to neighbors, family, friends, work colleagues and classmates at business school.

The two people I couldn't deceive were the police officers who found me bloodied and bruised in my apartment on a dark winter night, after the final beating when my husband came within seconds of killing me. Telling those officers the truth saved my life.
CNN has exclusive footage showing FBI arrive at Roger Stone's Florida home to arrest him.

Friday appeared to be shaping up as a normal day for Roger Stone as the clock ticked past midnight: He was promoting recent media appearances and attacking former colleague Jerome Corsi on his social media accounts.

Hours later, FBI agents would be knocking on his door and he'd be heading to a courtroom to face an indictment on a myriad of charges from special counsel Robert Mueller.

CNN compiled Stone's activities from the 72 hours before his arrest based on a review of his social media accounts and media appearances. He spent most of that time pushing the same message -- his former colleagues and acquaintances who had spoken to special counsel Robert Mueller were liars and traitors, he was an innocent man and that he was standing behind President Donald Trump.

Here's CNN's breakdown of Stone's days leading up to his arrest:

Wednesday, January 23

3:00 p.m.

Roger Stone co-hosts InfoWars show.

8:10 p.m.
"FBI open the door!" one shouts. "FBI, warrant!" Stone could then be seen in the doorway in his sleepwear before he was led away.

Though not uncommon for the FBI to make early-morning arrests of targets under indictment, it's the first time Mueller has used that tactic. In court papers, prosecutors wrote they had concerns that if Stone was tipped off to the indictment, it would increase his risk of flight and of destroying evidence.

Hours after his arrest, Stone appeared in court in a blue polo shirt and jeans. In releasing him on $250,000 bond, a magistrate judge restricted Stone's travel to South Florida, Washington and New York City and ordered him to avoid contact with witnesses.

"This morning, at the crack of dawn, 29 FBI agents arrived at my home with 17 vehicles, with their lights flashing, when they could simply have contacted my attorneys and I would have been more than willing to surrender voluntarily," Stone said outside court.

Known for his political antics and hard-ball tactics, Stone has reveled in being a Washington wheeler-dealer dating back to the Nixon administration. On Friday, he mimicked Nixon's famous "V'' gesture as he left the courthouse. He has also pushed several conspiracy theories and was an early and vocal supporter of Trump's candidacy.
 Make a public option for generic drugs. The government could manufacture generics (directly or through a private contractor) if there is a shortage or arent enough competitors to keep prices down. This comes from a bill put forth by Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill.

 Let Medicare negotiate drug prices. This idea has many backers  what differs is the method of enforcement. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, has suggested that if the company and the government cant reach an agreement, the government could take away the companys patent rights. A proposal from Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md., would address stalled negotiations by letting Medicare pay the lowest amount among: Medicaids best price, the highest price a single federal purchaser pays or the median price paid for a specific drug in France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan and Canada.

 Pay what they do abroad. Legislation from Sanders and Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., would require companies to price their drugs no higher than the median of whats charged in Germany, Japan, France, the United Kingdom and Canada. If manufacturers fail to comply, other companies could get the rights to make those drugs, too.
"Planes have to keep flying. This is getting worse and worse," the official said. "He knows this has to end."

The White House had been discussing the shutdown's impact on commercial aviation with officials at federal transportation agencies, according to a source familiar with the talks.

The stark portrayal presented to the White House of a prolonged shutdown coupled with a shortage of Transportation Safety Administration officers and Friday's massive delays were a "contributing catalyst" for the agreement ending the shutdown, the source said.

Stoppage could have a nationwide ripple effect

Though all New York-area air traffic centers are fully staffed, delays continued at LaGuardia because of a ground stop, the official told CNN. The late-morning ground stop, ordered to clear congestion, has been lifted, the FAA reported.

Ground stops, especially long ones, typically can have a ripple effect nationwide, forcing bottlenecks and delays at airports that feed into other destinations.

Mary Campbell Jenkins said she was aboard a plane Friday on a tarmac in New York when the pilot announced that connecting flight information was limited "due to a ground stop here at LaGuardia due to the government shutdown."
We can all agree that there are some issues in our region, but we can also all agree, I think, that by working  I hate to use this word  together, we can collaborate and come up with some solutions, Kelly said.

Board member and Ferguson Mayor James Knowles III followed the comment by suggesting the league use the word collectively, instead of together.

Kelly and McCourt also disputed Better Togethers claim that a statewide vote would be required to form a new consolidated government.

McCourt said the league requested the chance to participate in the studies Better Together did to draft their plan but was refused.

This league was denied the opportunity to participate then, and its still denied the opportunity now, he said.

McCourt also invited Sinquefield to meet with the board.

It is past time for Mr. Sinquefield to come out of the shadows to discuss his plans and goals for the organizations he sponsors, he said.

Eighty-one municipalities and both the city and county of St. Louis are voting members of the league. It was not clear exactly how many were present Thursday night.
Dozens of skaters rode around the Steinberg Skating Rink past sunset on Monday, June 7, 2021. They were taking part in the Steinberg Monday Sk
JEFFERSON CITY  State Sen. Scott Sifton said Friday that he was preparing to run for Missouri governor in 2020  a move that could set up a contest next year between the St. Louis County Democrat and Gov. Mike Parson, a Republican.

Im focused on the legislative session that just began, but its my present intention to run, Sifton told the Post-Dispatch, adding that he was planning to officially enter the race at a later date.

Siftons announcement comes as Auditor Nicole Galloway, the only Democrat elected to statewide office in Missouri, signaled Thursday that she did not intend to run for the post next year. When asked if she had no desire to run, Galloway said in an interview: Yeah, Im here focused (on) being auditor.

Sifton, 44, is term-limited in the Senate and flirted with a run for attorney general in 2016. He is thought by party insiders to be the only major Democrat eyeing the partys nomination.

Sifton is a practicing attorney, formerly of the Husch Blackwell law firm. He lives in the Affton area with his son Stephen, 10, and daughter Madelyn, 6. He won a seat in the Missouri House in 2010. His Senate district stretches from the Oakville area north to Brentwood. The seat had been held by a Republican until Sifton flipped the district in 2012.
JEFFERSON CITY  An estimated 70 people have completed an online form saying they were either a victim or a witness to abuse by Catholic priests as part of an investigation underway by Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt.

That number is up from the 50 survivors and potential witnesses who contacted the office in the first month of the probe, which was launched in August by Schmitts predecessor, Republican U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley.

Although a spokesman for Schmitt provided an update on how many people have contacted the office, he said he could not provide answers to the Post-Dispatch about other aspects of the investigation, including how many attorneys are working on the case and whether there is a timeline to conclude the proceedings.

The other questions I cant comment on since this is an ongoing investigation, said Chris Nuelle.
The gridlocked Congress held mostly government shutdown-related votes during the week of Jan. 21-25. The final vote approved ending the impasse over President Donald Trumps request for funding for a wall between the United States and Mexico, at least temporarily.

There were no roll-call votes on the final version of the continuing resolution (HJ Res 28) that reopened the government through Feb. 15. The House and Senate approved the measure on nonrecord votes on Jan. 25 and Trump signed it into law the same day, ending a 35-day government shutdown.

Area members also received key committee assignments.

Rep. Ann Wagner, R-Ballwin, was named a vice ranking member of the House Financial Services Committee, and the top Republican on its subcommittee on diversity and inclusion. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer, R-St. Elizabeth, Mo., will be the top Republican on the Financial Services subcommittee on consumer protection and financial institutions. The committee is now chaired by Democrat Maxine Waters, D-Calif.

HOUSE
The house is about two miles from the southeastern border of the district they were supposed to be patrolling. Under department policy, on-duty officers are required to remain in their assigned districts at all times.

Officers are required to constantly patrol his/her beat, except when on special assignments and shall not lounge, loaf or gather with others at any place, according to the Responsibilities of the District Police Officers section of the police manual.

At some point, Alix arrived at the house. She was off duty. The partner told investigators that he told Hendren and Alix they should not be playing with guns, and reminded them they were police officers. He said he didnt want any part of it and started to leave, but before he got outside, he heard a shot.

Hendren and his partner reported the shooting on their police radios at 12:56 a.m. Thursday and loaded Alix into their police department SUV, taking her to the hospital.

At the hospital, Hendren head-butted the back windshield of a police SUV parked nearby, breaking it, sources said. He suffered minor injuries to his head, and remained hospitalized, sources said.
An off-duty St. Louis police officer was shot and killed early Thursday when another officer mishandled a gun at a home in the Carondelet neighborhood, police said.

The officer, Katlyn Alix, 24, was in the living room of the home of another officer who was on duty but home just before 1 a.m. when he mishandled a firearm and shot (Alix) in the chest, police said in a written statement Thursday morning.

Police Chief John Hayden said two male officers who were on duty went to one of their homes during their shift. Alix, who was off duty, stopped by and was shot in what Hayden called the accidental discharge of a weapon.

The officers then rushed Alix to the hospital, calling police dispatch to report the shooting as they drove. Alix was pronounced dead at St. Louis University Hospital.

She was killed with a revolver, not a department weapon, according to a police source. Alix and the two on-duty male officers were close and often worked together, the source said.

A gun was recovered by investigators at the scene. There was no word on why the officers were all at an officers home while two of them were on duty, when policy requires them to be patrolling in their assigned district. Its not clear who owned the weapon. Hayden would not say how many shots had been fired, how many times Alix had been shot nor whether anyone was in custody.

All that will be part of the investigation, he said in response to questions at an early morning press conference.

The other officers were not injured in the shooting, but the officer who fired the gun at Alix was hospitalized Thursday morning after delivering Alix to the hospital, a source close to the investigation said. The department has not confirmed his status, and it wasnt clear why he was hospitalized.

St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardners office tweeted that a prosecutor and two of her investigators had gone to the scene and had opened an investigation into the shooting. About 3:15 p.m., Gardner released a statement saying she had asked the Missouri Highway Patrol to assist with the investigation.

This is a tragic situation, Gardner said. The family of Officer Alix deserves a complete, objective and thorough investigation of this incident. My office is approaching this criminal investigation with the highest level of seriousness and urgency.

Hayden, meanwhile, praised Alix in a statement released to the media.

Officer Alix was an enthusiastic and energetic young woman with a bright future ahead of her, Hayden said in an emailed statement released Thursday. On behalf of the Metropolitan Police Department, I extend my deepest sympathies to the Alix family during this extremely difficult time. I ask the St. Louis community to keep the Alix family and the entire Metropolitan Police Department in your thoughts and prayers as we mourn this tragic loss.

Alix joined the St. Louis Police Academy in June 2016 and graduated in January 2017. She had served in the Sixth District, and at the time of her death she was assigned to the Second District as a patrol officer.

She is survived by her husband, mother, father and sister, the department said. She married a fellow St. Louis police officer in October. He was not among those at the home when she was shot, according to multiple sources.

Somebody help!

The shooting happened inside a home in the 700 block of Dover Place, where blood still stained the steps on Thursday morning.

A neighbor told the Post-Dispatch she heard a gunshot just before 1 a.m. and then someone yelling.

Oh, my God! the voice said. Somebody help!

The neighbor, who didnt want her name used, said she went to the window and saw a male officer in uniform. He was speaking to someone, perhaps by phone or police radio, she said. Were at Dover and Colorado, he said, describing the nearest intersection to the home. Then he drove away quickly in a police car, the neighbor said. A short time later, many other officers showed up on Dover, the neighbor said.

Another neighbor said on Twitter that she heard loud yelling that got her out of bed during the night. She also heard a loud thump but nothing she recognized as a gunshot.

Reached by the Post-Dispatch, she said she had spoken to investigators but said she didnt want to speak to a reporter beyond confirming her account on Twitter, for fear of jeopardizing the investigation.

An officer in need of aid call went out at 12:56 a.m., according to logs of St. Louis police calls. Such a call over police radios brings assistance from any nearby officers. That call was followed by an entry about 10 minutes later reporting it as a shooting, then a request for an evidence unit.

Alixs mother, Aimee Chadwick, said her daughter attended Holt High School in Wentzville and spent six years in the Army before joining the city police department. She declined to comment further.

Alix was a force to be reckoned with, said Taylor Rumpsa, a police dispatcher who said she had been friends with Alix for several years.

Rumpsa said the two liked to smoke cigars  something their mothers chided them about for not being ladylike.

Fitness was a big deal for her, Rumpsa said. She could lift ungodly amounts of weight.

Despite her tough exterior, Alix also was the first officer to jump out of her patrol car if she saw a group of children playing games, Rumpsa said. She loved kids, and shed try to shoot hoops with them, but she wasnt very good at it.

Rumpsa said she was in the same academy class with Alix for several months before realizing police work was not for her, so she returned to dispatching. She said Alix dominated almost every aspect of the police academy, earning a position as vice president of the class.

The male officers involved in Thursdays shooting, both 29, have not been publicly identified. The officer who shot Alix has been on the force about a year. The other on-duty officer who was there has been with the department about two years.

The St. Louis Police Officers Association said it, along with the public, wanted to know more about what happened.

But for now, we wait; we wonder; and we weep, said Jeff Roorda, the unions business manager.

Roorda said Alix served her community and her nation with dignity and courage, both as a police officer and as a member of the military. That is how she lived, as a hero.

Mayor Lyda Krewson expressed her sympathy to the officers family and friends on Twitter, calling Alixs death terribly sad.

St. Louis County police also tweeted condolences. We are sorry for your loss and here when you need us, the tweet said.

Leah Thorsen of the Post-Dispatch contributed to this report.

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EAST ST. LOUIS  Three men armed with rifles held up the Casino Queen in 2017, firing shots that wounded an unarmed security guard before leaving with money from the casino's cash drawers.

Fifteen months later, a Georgia man has been arrested in the crime.

Daryl V. Muhammad, 42, of Marietta, Ga., was charged earlier this month by the St. Clair County prosecutors with armed robbery/discharging of a firearm and aggravated battery with a firearm. He was arrested in Georgia by U.S. marshals on Wednesday.

Muhammad was being held in the Cobb County Jail pending extradition to Illinois. His bail was set at $1 million.

He was among three men who entered the casino just before 3 a.m. on Sept. 17, 2017, wearing guns and carrying rifles.

The robbers fired shots, hitting an unarmed security guard. The three left with cash.

Patrons scattered during the chaos, but none were hurt. A reward in the robbery rose to $26,000 in the days afterward as officers struggled to identify suspects.
Some people will go to great extremes to spoil their pets. Designer collars, fancy bags, luxury beds. But we are just looking for really cool,
You will be blown off the face of the Earth, she said he told her. He and the two other men with him were citing passages from Leviticus in the Bible. Williams, of Creve Coeur, said they terrified her, and she had no way to gauge if it was a serious threat. She called the police, who were familiar with this group because they frequently stopped there to preach.

Nothing much came of Williams complaint. The group had a right to be there, and as vile as their comments were, they didnt directly threaten her or her daughter. At the time, I thought about how difficult that situation must have been for her. In a heated moment, Williams, a white woman, felt threatened and stopped to confront a group of African-American men, one of whom was recording the interaction. It could have gone sideways and viral any number of ways.

But Williams kept her cool. She didnt respond to their hatred with slurs or mock them in any way. She had the wherewithal to tell her daughters to move away because she wanted to protect them from any further abusive language. She also showed her vulnerable child that she would defend her  that not all abuse should be ignored.
Now, the pair are recruiting families to try to understand the brain differences between children who nap and those who have stopped. It is an experiment already taking place in the real world as some preschools offer French lessons, swimming or other enrichment in lieu of nap time. Napping for two hours may seem like a waste  unless sleep itself is crucial.

Riggins and Spencer's idea is that napping performs a function a little bit like clearing off a desk, organizing and filing papers so they can be retrieved later. If the desk is not cleared, the piles can get mixed up.

"This is the drive some people have to be the best and the brightest  some of these high-income preschools are trying to cram so much into the day that they're minimizing nap time," Spencer said. "The idea is they're not napping, so they can learn more. But they may lose the attentiveness to be able to learn more."

Sleep problems have long been recognized as a symptom of psychiatric and neurological disorders, ranging from depression to Alzheimer's. But increasingly, researchers are exploring the two-way street between disrupted sleep and disease. And researchers who started out interested in cognitive functions such as memory or brain development are finding themselves focused on sleep because it is so fundamental.
These essential federal workers include TSA screeners, whose salaries start around just $34,000 per year. Many are now faced with paying for childcare so they can go to work, yet they can't collect a paycheck. Parents who don't have savings -- which would be understandable on their modest incomes -- might be forced to leave their children alone or in very unsafe circumstances. Congress needs to act now to allow them to collect unemployment benefits along with their furloughed colleagues so that they have cash on hand to pay for essential expenses like childcare.

Subsidize rent for low-income families

The shutdown isn't just endangering federal workers and their kids. It also now stands to leave poor parents and children across the country in truly desperate circumstances because the federal departments that support them aren't being funded. For example, the Department of Housing and Urban Development covers a portion of the rent of many low-income families who live in private housing across the country.
Now, companies are unsure about what to do. Some are launching their own recalls without federal oversight, raising questions about how thorough those efforts are. There is concern some companies might be reluctant to take action. Two years ago, Viking Range failed to tell regulators about problems with its cooking ranges spontaneously turning on, leading to a $4.65 million penalty. Others have resisted recalls. In 2014, Takata fought regulators pushing for a national recall of its defective airbags, a fight it soon lost.

"I'd be concerned about some of the hazards that could be out there," said Mike Gentine, a former safety commission attorney now working at the firm Schiff Hardin.

Consumers are left without the biggest megaphones for alerting them to potentially harmful products. Federal agencies act as information clearinghouses, helping the notices to be picked up by the press and social media. The agencies also tell corporations what kind of recall actions are needed and how broad they should be.
"The results have been minimal impacts to efficiency while maintaining consistent levels of safety in the national airspace system," Martin said in an emailed statement.

LaGuardia Airport in New York and Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey were both experiencing at least 90-minute delays in takeoffs Friday.

Southwest Airlines canceled a flight from LaGuardia to St. Louis Lambert International Airport that had been scheduled to arrive at 3:45 p.m, said Lambert spokesman Jeff Lea. Lea also said Southwest had canceled a 1 p.m. departing flight from Lambert to LaGuardia.

Nonstops between LaGuardia and St. Louis scheduled for later Friday were listed as delayed on Southwest's website.

Sanjay Shetty was waiting at LaGuardia to board a flight to Detroit when he heard an announcement about a ground stop due to a "staff shortage" around 10:15 a.m. He said he and other passengers eventually started boarding at 10:50 a.m.  the plane's scheduled departure time. It wasn't clear when they would get off the ground.

"The shutdown hadn't affected me until now," the management consultant from Ann Arbor, Mich., tweeted.
AWARDS

Midas Hospitality received two industry awards from Marriott International: the Partnership Circle Award and the Guest Satisfaction Excellence Award for Marriotts Residence Inn brand.

DIVERSITY

AMM Communications was certified as a Womens Business Enterprise by the Womens Business Enterprise National Council.

EXPANDING

Guardian Pharmacy Services and Guardian Pharmacy of Missouri opened a St. Louis office to serve assisted living, skilled nursing, memory care and independent living communities across Eastern Missouri.

UNCOMN LLC added a St. Louis office to provide business process and technology solutions to the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and other companies.

DAS Acquisition Co. LLC/USA Mortgage opened new offices in Auburn, Maine; Portland, Maine; Nashville, Tenn.; McKinney, Texas; and Seattle. Now licensed in 34 states, the Creve Coeur-based private mortgage bank and mortgage lender aspires to surpass the $2 billion mark in loan volume in 2019.
Instacart CEO Apoorva Mehta founded several startups that failed. Then he had the idea to make the universal chore of grocery shopping easier and more convenient.

Once part of the team at Amazon, Instacart CEO Apoorva Mehta is now up against the e-commerce giant.

Instacart, the popular on-demand grocery delivery startup, is pushing forward despite the December announcement its partnership with Whole Foods Market is ending. The company is valued at nearly $8 billion after raising $271 million in new funding in November and is expected to file for an IPO sometime soon.

"An IPO is definitely on the horizon for us," Mehta recently told CNN Business. "As we think about building a long-term company, we think being a public company allows us to do that in the best possible way."

But less than two years ago, Whole Foods was acquired by Amazon for $13.7 billion. Considering the grocery retailer was one of Instacart's major partners at the time, some critics anticipated a not-so-bright future for Instacart.
The political trilogues for the proposals transposing the recommendations regarding the swordfish, as well as the measures of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean Sea (GFCM) were two of the topics tackled by the Romanian Presidency at the European Union Council in the first three weeks of tenure, a release of the Agriculture and Rural Development Ministry (MADR) sent to AGERPRES on Friday informs.

According to the quoted source, on the agriculture and fishery area, the political trilogues were held on 22 January and, in the next period, the procedures will conclude, going to be published in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Other topics tackled during Romania's Presidency's first three weeks of tenure aimed at the Regulation amending the EU Regulations No.1305/2013 and No.1307/2013 in respect to certain norms regarding the direct payments and support for rural development for 2019 and 2020. The directive regarding the unfair commercial practices and the Regulation on the definition, presentation and labelling of spirit drinks, the use of the names of spirit drinks in the presentation and labelling of other foodstuffs and the protection of geographical indications for spirit drinks.Between 22 and 23 January 2019, Agriculture and Regional Development Minister Petre Daea presented the priorities and the programme for the next six months in the specialist committees of the European Parliament. The Romanian official explained the special context in which the Presidency will unfold, namely the constrains imposed by the conclusion of the European Parliament mandate.Furthermore, Minister Daea mentioned that the Common Fisheries Policy is especially important both through its internal dimension, that contributes to the sustainable management of fish stocks and the promotion of welfare, as well as the cultural identity of our local communities, and through its external dimension
The Liberals will notify the Ombudsman in the event of an emergency ordinance on the appeal for the annulment of the sentences handed down by the five-judge panels with the High Court of Cassation and Justice, spokesperson of the National Liberal Party (PNL) Ionel Danca said on Friday.

"We will certainly notify the Ombudsman, but we and our EP colleagues in the European People's Family are calling for any criminal law amendment to be carried out at this time with the advice of the Venice Commission and with the assistance of the European Commission experts. Any normative act in this regard should give food for thought to Romania because, just as the members of the European Parliament asked for the hearing of Minister Tudorel Toader in the Committee on Justice and Home Affairs, during its tenure of the presidency of the Council of the EU, Romania should be an example for the other member states in terms of what the commitments to observe the principles of the rule of law mean; actually not only during this period, this Government must demonstrate that these principles are respected, the Romanians are asking for this and we, PNL are asking for this as well, because any action against the recommendations and observations of the European Commission, of the Venice Commission, of the European Parliament only endangers and weakens Romania's position in the European Union," Danca told a press conference.

Read also: PM Dancila asks President Iohannis to sign appointment decrees of Development and Transport ministers

He asserted, however, that Ombudsman Victor Ciorbea has lately proved to be "Liviu Dragnea's lawyer rather than the people's" by refusing to notify the Constitutional Court of Romania (CCR) at PNL's request in the case of several emergency ordinances.

AGERPRES .
Prime Minister Viorica Dancila said on Friday that the Government is confronted with "a disinformation campaign against our country fuelled by Romanian politicians, reaching the highest level."

"We are concluding a week when Romania's Government went to Brussels with dignity and professionalism. I must note, however, with sadness, two aspects. We are confronted with a disinformation campaign against our country fuelled by Romanian politicians, reaching the highest level. This is unacceptable. As prime minister, I have decided that I have the obligation to tell the truth about the country in front of the European officials. I assured them in all the meetings we had that the Government will act for the observance of the values and principles that make up the foundation of the European construction. Observing the citizens' rights and liberties, defending the rule of law and ensuring Justice independence are at the core of our concerns. However, we equally conveyed that the Romanian citizens must enjoy the same rights and liberties as any other European citizen. The Constitutional Court has found that practices outside the legal framework had been used, which affected the act of Justice, and this situation must be corrected," Dancila said in the opening of the Government meeting.

She brought to mind a statement of the European Commission President: "Same as European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said, the rights of the citizens are not negotiable, and no compromises are accepted in this area."
Minister of Health Sorina Pintea said on Friday that the ministry she is heading is waiting for the release of the National Public Health Institute, and should the document show that for the third consecutive week the number of diagnosed flu cases is higher than estimations, a flu epidemic will be declared in Romania.

Read also: PM Dancila asks President Iohannis to sign appointment decrees of Development and Transport ministers

"Considering that the last two weeks of this epidemiological period have been declared epidemic weeks, ie the number of diagnosed cases was higher than the number of estimated cases, we are on the verge of an epidemic, according to experts. In order to declare an epidemic, the number of cases diagnosed must exceed the estimated numbers for three straight weeks. We are waiting for next week's release of the National Public Health Institute, and if the number of diagnosed flu cases is higher than the estimated figure, we'll have the basis to declare an epidemic," Pintea told a press conference.

AGERPRES .
Ensuring equal opportunities for women and men on the labor market is an important objective of the Romanian Presidency at the EU Council, said Deputy Prime Minister Ana Birchall, who represented the Romanian Government at the World Economic Forum in Davos, which took place between 22 and 25 January, being an annual event that gathers political leaders, diplomats, economists, representatives of major international companies.

According to a release of the Government sent to AGERPRES on Friday, on the sidelines of her participation in the works of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Ana Birchall attended on Thursday the Women Political Leaders - WPL meeting and the roundtable on the potential of digital economy as a development engine for Central and Eastern Europe.

"Within the meeting on women's access to leadership positions, Deputy PM Ana Birchall conveyed Prime Minister Viorica Dancila's appreciation for the WPL initiative, which proves, once again, 'the decisive role of successful women in building a better world, without prejudice and discrimination,' as well as the PM's sincere congratulations to all the representatives for the devotion with which they fight for more fairness and equal treatment and opportunities," the release mentions.

Furthermore, Birchall showed that the debates regarding the pieces of information included in the report on the Reykjavik Index (Reykjavik Index for Leadership) might lead to new ideas and solutions for improving the norms and practices in the area, and for increasing the share of women in leadership positions in public life, politics, or business.

The Romanian official also stated that gender equality is one of the fundamental values of the EU and ensuring equal opportunities between men and women on the labour market represents an important objective of Romanian's Presidency at the EU Council.

"An essential characteristic of all stable and transparent democracies, equal opportunities and treatment between women and men represents a factor that encourages economic development, promotes general welfare and leads to a more inclusive and more equitable society both for women and men," Birchall stated, as quoted in the release.

The roundtable regarding the benefits of digitisation for the states of the southeastern Europe highlighted the importance of inter-connectivity, which brings an important contribution to the economic growth and development, that can lead to a better integration at regional level.

"The Dancila Government grants a special importance to digitisation and cyber-security, these being one of the two weighty files managed by Romania during the Presidency at the EU Council, where our country can capitalise on its resources and expertise," the Deputy PM added.

On the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, the Romanian Deputy PM carried out a series of bilateral meetings with President of the Swiss Confederation Ulrich Maurer, President of Colombia Ivan Duque Marquez, President of the Swiss National Council Marina Carobbio Guscetti, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Singaporean Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen, Foreign Affairs Minister of Japan Taro Kono, Polish Foreign Affairs Minister Jacek Czaputowicz, Slovak Minister of Foreign Affairs Miroslav Lajcak, Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of the Republic Moldova Tudor Ulianovschi, and Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs Chrystia Freeland, to whom the Romanian official has sent the message of Prime Minister Viorica Dancila about the development, deepening and strengthening of bilateral relations, especially on the economic dimension.

Moreover, Ana Birchall also met with Secretary-General of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Angel Gurria and reconfirmed the importance that the Government pays to Romania's objective to join the Organisation. The Romanian official also carried out a meeting with Secretary-General of the UN Antonio Guterres, who commended Romania's involvement in the UN activities.

Read also: PM Dancila asks President Iohannis to sign appointment decrees of Development and Transport ministers

On the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Deputy PM Birchall also attended a series of events/debates in public communication conditions imposed by the Forum organizers, the release mentions.

AGERPRES .
On 31 December 2018, the deposits of non-governmental resident clients grew by 9% (5.5% in real terms) compared to 31 December 2017, a release of the National Bank of Romania (BNR) sent to AGERPRES on Friday informs.

Deposits of non-governmental clients grew by 1.6% in December 2018 compared to November 2018 to 329.673 billion lei.

According to the BNR, RON-denominated deposits of households increased by 1.5% to 120.415 billion lei. On 31 December 2018, RON-denominated deposits of households registered an increase of 7.9% (4.5% in real terms) compared to the data recorded on 31 December 2017.

According to the central bank, lei deposits of other sectors (non-financial corporations and non-monetary financial institutions) increased by 2.8% to 99.947 billion lei. On 31 December 2018, RON-denominated deposits of other sectors increased by 5.5% (2.1% in real terms) against 31 December 2017.

Foreign currency deposits of residents, expressed in RON, increased by 0.7% compared to November 2018 to 109.311 billion lei (expressed in EUR, deposits in foreign currency increased by 0.5% , up to 23.437 billion euro). Compared to the same month of the previous year, the foreign currency deposits of residents denominated in RON increased by 13.6% (expressed in EUR, residents' foreign currency deposits increased by 13.5%).

On 31 December 2018, foreign currency deposits of households, expressed in RON, recorded a 1.7% increase (1.5% in real terms) compared to November 2018 (expressed in EUR, foreign currency deposits of households increased by 1.5%). On 31 December 2018, foreign currency deposits of households denominated in RON increased by 16.8% (expressed in EUR, foreign currency deposits of households increased by 16.7%) compared to 31 December 2017.

Read also: Euro trades at 4.7648 lei

Foreign currency deposits of other sectors (non-financial corporations and non-monetary financial institutions), expressed in RON, decreased by 1.8% (-2% in real terms) as against November 2018 (expressed in EUR, foreign currency deposits other sectors declined by 2%). Compared to the same month of the previous year, foreign currency deposits of other sectors (non-financial corporations and non-monetary financial institutions), expressed in RON, increased by 6.4% (expressed in EUR, foreign currency deposits of residents in other sectors increased by 6.3%). AGERPRES .
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Fourth: A national survey disclosed that 10 percent of teachers have been threatened by students and six percent of teachers have been injured. The possibility exists that a student may disarm a teacher. (National Center for Education Statistics, U.S Department of Education, Washington, D.C. Indicators of School Crime and Safety 2017)

Fifth: The late Jim Livingston, Police Chief of the Scottsbluff Police Department, cautioned his officers: Finally, remember that when you use your gun it is a life changing event. (August 2014). Shooting someone in real life is different than what one sees on TV or in movies. The teacher who shoots someone simply cannot walk away as though nothing has happened. There is a real possibility that the teacher will have an emotional reaction as the result of the event, which may lead to PTSD.

Sixth: When an officer responds to an active shooter incident, the officer may not know who is the good guy (the teacher) and who is the bad one (the assailant) and both may be holding a gun. The officer in a split second must identify the assailant and shoot one, is it the teacher or the active shooter that is shot? Occasionally the news broadcast will highlight a sad event in which the officer unwittingly shot the wrong person.
A Scotts Bluff County District Court grand jury returned a no true bill in the death of a 23-year-old Scottsbluff man.

A no true bill means that the grand jury did not find any criminal wrongdoing by authorities in the Nov. 23, 2018, death of Corey Green.

In Nebraska, state statute requires that a grand jury be convened when a person dies while being apprehended or in custody.

Green was arrested by Scottsbluff Police on Nov. 23 on a warrant and transported to the Scotts Bluff County Detention Center, where he was booked into the jail. At the jail, Scotts Bluff County Attorney Dave Eubanks said Green made some complaints and was transported to the hospital for a medical condition. He died at the hospital.

Grand jury proceedings are closed to the public.

In 2016, the Nebraska Legislature adopted a change that makes a transcript of the grand jury proceedings, including exhibits, reviewable by the public; however, it will take time before that transcript is completed and available.

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Would Warthogs gut tourism? Free Access It was no surprise that members of the Potter County Tourist and Recreation Work Group took a dim view of the proposed A-10 Warthog training flights swooping across the county....

Potter County targeted for ATV trails Free Access Much of the region is bracing for the ATV season that traditionally kicks into gear on Memorial Day weekend and continues until late September. Those dates coincide with the opening...

Tractor Supply plan revealed Free Access Details on the plan to bring a Tractor Supply chain store to Coudersport were revealed last week. Blueprints were reviewed by both the Coudersport Borough Planning Commission and the Potter...

Rural Renaissance underway here Free Access Americans are itching to get away after being cooped up for a year or more. Some 72 percent are planning summer trips, up 37 percent from a year ago. State...
Ogden jazz icon Joe McQueen may be gone, but his memory and legacy live on. One physical reminder of his life, McQueen's lifelong home at 3158 Grant Ave., has now become available for sale. The house received extensive remodeling, but as investor Richard Casperson has said, "Joe's energy is 
W hen Jeffrey Cranor and Joseph Fink set out to create their hugely successful fiction podcast Welcome To Night Vale back in 2012, they felt the market was saturated already.

When we started talking about making a podcast, we felt that the market was flooded, [that] it had already achieved max saturation, Cranor tells the Standard.

Luckily for them, the fiction podcast genre was a little twinkle in the space dominated by magazine type feature shows, including NPR's This American Life, and lots of comedians interviewing other comedians.

We thought, this seems totally different and the type of show we wanted to write together.

Over seven years later, Night Vale is one of the biggest podcasts around. Its been downloaded more than 220 million times, spawned books and other podcasts, been picked up as TV adaptation by Sony Pictures Television, and the team behind the show are just about to embark on their fifth live tour, taking in London, Manchester, Bristol and Norwich in the UK.

How Welcome to Night Vale began

It all started when Cranor and Fink met at New York-based performance arts collective named Neo-Futurists in 2008. They became friends, eventually writing a play for the collective. We got really comfortable co-writing together, says Cranor. Through all of this, we both learned that we love podcasts. Joseph said we should do this again, maybe a podcast because its cheaper than a play.

Fink wrote the pilot for Night Vale as a radio show set in a town where every conspiracy theory was true, set in the American South West. "Naturally," says Cranor. The desert is such a great place for conspiracy theories. Its such an off-the-grid mysterious type, and a really beautiful place so that was the jumping off point.

Jeffrey Cranor and Joseph Fink, creators of Welcome to Night Vale / Nina Subin

One of the Neo-Futurists members, Cecil Baldwin, recorded the voice over as the radio stations presenter, with some music from one of Finks musician friends in the background.

On the first listen, Cranor says it reminded him of nights spent listening to talk radio when he was a child. Accordingly, the duo went forward with those feelings to create the show. It was writing short vignettes that are jokey and silly, some that are touching and sweet, and some that are dark and scary, says Cranor. You just match all of that together and it feels like actual news, some things are funny, and some are scary and terrible.

Night Vale grew slowly at the start; in the first year, the collective episodes received 150,000 downloads altogether. It was in the summer of 2013 when things really picked up. After blowing up on Tumblr, and major publications asking for interviews, in the 14th month the show had a total of 6.8 million downloads.

By the end of 2013, Cranor and Fink had quit their day jobs to focus on Night Vale full time, and started creating live shows. The first tour in 2014 was really fun and stressful, says Cranor. It was just four of us, me and Joseph, Meg, our MC, and Cecil, the narrator. We rented a minivan, driving from Seattle to Phoenix, doing 15 shows in two and a half weeks.

Whilst most of the podcast industry is still trying to make money from the medium, live shows are key to the continuation of Night Vale. The live shows made us realise where we could make money from podcasting as a sustainable living, he explains. Theres more a guaranteed business: you say Ill be here on this date, this is the number of seats, and you know how many youve sold.

And it fits perfectly because were all theatre kids  its our comfort zone, the thing we know how to do really well.

Welcome to Night Vale: live

Each live show is created around a specific theme; John Le Carres spy thriller novels inspired this tours theme of a spy that has arrived in Night Vale. Everyones worried he will learn all their secrets, very dangerous for a town where all the conspiracy theories are true, laughs Cranor.

Cecil will be there as the narrator, as well as some of Night Vales beloved characters like co-host Symphony Sanders, who plays Tamika Flynn, and Meg Bashwiner, who voices Deb.

Welcome to Night Vale is embarking on its fifth tour / Jessica Hayworth

Theres always a little element of audience interaction too, though it wont be like improvisation comedy. We want to make it fun, explains Cranor. Youre coming all the way out to see us, its a shame to do theatre and not acknowledge that the audience is there in the room with you.

Cranor is particularly looking forward to bringing the show to Union Chapel in Highbury & Islington, a venue that Night Vale hasn't performed in since the first time the podcast came to London.

Cecil Baldwin plays the narrator, also named Cecil, on Welcome to Night Vale / Veronica Rose

On our very first year of tour we did Union Chapel and it was so electric. The acoustics in there are so full and we were just so filled with joy for having been in that venue, it was magical, he says. Its one of my favourite venues in the whole world.

Aside from Night Vale sparking the trend for fiction podcasts, what else has made the series so enduring? Cranor says this is in part down to Cecil. People really attach themselves to Cecil. He has an amazing voice and is such an amazing actor, he does create that calming sense.

When we first started touring people would say, I love your show, it puts me to sleep. And, I realised that was the greatest compliment people could give you, because theyre so calmed by what you do.
R udimental - Toast to Our Differences

(Atlantic)

***

Rudimentals third studio album has been three years in the making, and at first glance its perhaps easy to see why. Its 16 songs long and features multiple collaborations  Anne-Marie, Rita Ora, Ray BLK, Jess Glynne, Stefflon Don and James Arthur are a mere handful involved. Its undoubtedly ambitious, if a little overwhelming: its mammoth length quickly becomes a burden and the manifold styles of so many artists can too often clash.

Yet its difficult not to appreciate what Rudimental have done with this record. DJ Locksmith said the albums key message was bringing people together from all walks of life through the music that we create. Piers Agget added: Theres a lot of emphasis on dividing people at the minute, so wed like to celebrate our differences instead of getting angry.

In such a divisive era, a simple message of unity is welcome, and its well delivered on the albums affecting title track opener: Lets raise a glass/And have a toast to all our differences, newcomer Shungudzo sings. Its a message punctuated by the excellent Ladysmith Black Mambazo. The uplifting sounds of the multiple-Grammy-winning South African choir prove reflective. No Pain is another highlight and features a rap about the importance of supporting communities. They said change was gonna come ... who helps us now?

Strong moments like this bring hope and power amid Rudimentals calls for harmony. Yet more such moments are needed as too many songs sit between the overly elaborate and the anodyne. Ultimately, their message of positivity prevails  but only just.

by Elizabeth Aubrey

Better Oblivion Community Center - Better Oblivion Community Center

(Secretly Canadian)

***

Phoebe Bridgers, 24, was the breathiest third of the (all female) acoustic supergroup boygenius, whose eponymous EP was one of last years highlights. Now she has found a kindred spirit in Nebraskan troubadour Conor Oberst, 38. Its a canny alliance. Service Road is an engrossing piece of storytelling that makes clever use of the contrasting textures of their voices: his velveteen, hers crystalline, both seemingly on the point of tears. Its not all so inspired  the momentum sags in the second half  but Bridgers is clearly a talent and its good to see Oberst, who has had a horrible time of late, get a little spring back into his step.

by Richard Godwin

Keuning - Prismism

(Pretty Faithful)

***

It's a full-time job keeping up with The Killers. Counting the solo releases of all four members sees the bands catalogue run to 13 albums. Surprisingly, this is guitarist Dave Keunings first lone creation, and he hasnt used it as a place to put all the experimental weirdness he couldnt get onto a Killers collection. Its a feel-good selection of synth-heavy rock n roll, including the heavy riffing of Broken Clocks and the propulsive catchiness of the overall standout, I Ruined You. The bigger tunes cry out for the more expressive vocals of Brandon Flowers, but its easy to spot Keuning as the source of many of the main bands best moments. This is a fine stopgap until theyre back together again.

by David Smyth

Bring Me the Horizon - Amo

(RCA)

****

With rock music struggling to remain relevant in the hits-driven streaming environment, Bring Me the Horizons radical makeover on their sixth album makes commercial sense. The band have shape-shifted into an EDM act on brooding bangers Why You Gotta Kick Me When Im Down? and Nihilist Blues, featuring art-pop innovator Grimes. Where there used to be churning riffs and shouty vocals, there are now blaring synths and pulsing soundscapes. Yet for all their dip into glitchy electronics, the spirit of rock endures on rampaging choruses such as Mantra and Wonderful Life. The teasing lyrics on Heavy Metal acknowledge the albums potential to alienate fans. But their new direction feels more like progress than panic.

by Andre Paine

Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba - Miri

(Out Here Records)

*****

Bassekou Kouyate, the Malian ngoni (desert lute) player, has emerged as a magnificent soloist in his own right after years of backing big names from his country such as Ali Farka Toure and Toumani Diabate. This is his fifth solo album and one of his best, going back to a roots sound with the lithe, sinewy ngoni and the vocals of his wife Amy Sacko to the fore. There are guests like Michael League from Snarky Puppy and a vibrant Cuban track featuring Madera Limpia, but its really the virtuoso ngoni-playing on tracks such as Konya that make this album really shine. This is one of West Africas leading bands, which is saying something. They play at Subterania, W10, on Sunday.

by Simon Broughton

Vula Viel - Do Not Be Afraid

(Jus Like Music)

****

A portentous blast on a conch shell and were plunged into the labyrinthine other world of Vula Viel, a British trio whose lean polyrhythms and frenzied intricacies owe much to the ringing wooden keys of the gyil xylophone of northern Ghana, which bandleader/composer Bex Burch takes into territories punk, free jazz and minimalist, while never straying far from the instruments roots. But where 2015 debut Good is Good was all traditional tunes, this sophomore album sees Burch come into her own. Buoyed by drummer Jim Hart and bassist Ruth Goller of Melt Yourself Down, Burchs gyil pulses and cycles through eight punchy, danceable originals, of which the grooving Inside Mirror, with its vocals by Rozie Gyems, is a highlight. Vibe-tastic.
M el B loves trolling the media  and now Victoria Beckham appears to be following suit.

The fashion designer, aka Posh Spice, has teased the possibility of an appearance on the Spice Girls tour, days after shutting down any hope.

Beckham opted out of the upcoming reunion with Emma Bunton, Mel B, Mel C and Geri Horner in favour of focusing on her fashion empire.

But she appeared to hint at a possible surprise appearance when she takes her children to see the shows later this year.

It was great to travel the world and be with my best friends, have fun, and really spread the girl power message, she told Good Morning America. For me now its still about that, but its about empowering women through fashion.

She said it wasnt a difficult decision saying no to a reunion as she will always be a Spice Girl. She said: Im so proud of everything I achieved and Im proud of them, I cant wait to take my kids and see it. In spirit I will absolutely be there with them.

Spice Girls announce reunion tour

Asked if she will be tempted to jump up on stage she said: I mean I dont know. Lets see.

Her comments come days after she appeared to shut down any chance of an appearance, telling the Guardian: No. Definitely not.

The girl band will hit the road in May for a summer UK and Ireland tour. Mel B also also teased a potential slot at Glastonbury Festival, telling Jessie Wares Table Manners podcast that the possibility has been talked about.
C helsea boots, said to date back to the Victorian era, are, almost literally, footwear royalty.

One of the first designs is accredited to Queen Victorias cobbler back in the 19th Century. Fast-forward a couple of hundred years and Chelsea boots became the preferred footwear of music royals as well. Donned by the Beatles and later by the likes of Kanye West, Harry Styles and Arctic Monkeys front man, Alex Turner.

These quintessential British boots have stood the test of time - and theres no sign of them being thrown into fashions dusty attic anytime soon. A few key things to consider when choosing a decent pair of Chelsea Boots, though, is whether to go for a rounded or pointy toe? Suede or leather? Designer or everyday classic?

Thankfully today you can grab a pair, whichever which way you like, from around 40. Here we pick out the best mens Chelsea boots available, from high-street options to vegan-friendly Dr Martens.

Zign Chelsea Boots in Burgundy High Shine

These original-looking, rounded-toe Chelsea boots for men are as close to perfect as youll find for under 100. Check out that hefty sole with moulded tread, it looks the part and will cut through trying ground like a snow plough. And the shiny, burgundy leather uppers make them an easy boot to pair  be it for a smart or casual occasion.

68 | ASOS | Buy it now

Bass Weejuns Monogram Wedge Chelsea Boots

If Rebel Without a Cause star Steve McQueen was still around today, we reckon hed love these mid-brown, mens Chelsea boots. The Weejun-style was inspired by Norwegian fishermans shoes. And this pair were handcrafted and come with a finely stitched detail that runs around the toe. G.H Bass & Co, an American heritage footwear brand, has been making shoes to last since 1876 so you can count on them for durability.

123.49 | Pysche | Buy it now *On sale now, was 189

Dark Brown Suede Sprayed Toe Chelsea Boots

River Island has pulled it out of the bag with these low-cost, dark brown mens Chelsea boots with spray toe detail (also available in black). The contrast seam sole and small, neatly-placed buckle add a hint of subtle sophistication, while the chunky rubber heal is ready-made for winter conditions. Marry them up with a pair of dark indigo jeans and youre ready to rocknroll.

60 | River Island | Buy it now

Givenchy Texas Full-Grain Leather Chelsea Boots

If youre fashion-obsessed (and not short of a few quid), look no further than these Givenchy western-style Chelsea boots for men. Crafted in Italy, from a robust, black, full-grain leather, they come with narrow, pointed toe, a thick cowboy heals and elasticated sides. An edgy take on a classic design from a renowned French fashion house at the top of its game.

825| Mr Porter | Buy it now

Pier One Chelsea Boots in Black Suede with Buckle

These mens black Chelsea boots by Pier One are a practical option for a shrewd shopper. With neat 100 per cent suede uppers, and fashionable silver buckle, they come with original stretchy sides  making them super-easy to slide off after a night out. Pair with black jeans, a striped tee and leather jacket for a simple yet alternative look.

50 | ASOS | Buy it now

Grenson Arlo Commando Chelsea Boots

British shoe designer Grenson has been making footwear since 1866, including for British troops during WW1 and WW2. So you know these mens black Arlo Commando Chelsea boots will stand the test of time. With strong soles and a handy heel tab, the Brogue-style boots have been designed by those in the know.

169 | End Clothing | Buy it now *On sale now, was 245

H&M Light Mole Chelsea Boots

Looking for an inexpensive, everyday pair of boots? Take a look at these sandy-coloured mens kicks by high-street retailer H&M. The original style Chelsea boots come with a light canvas lining - ideal for crisper, drier winter days. But best left at home if its raining out. Available in three other colours for under 40.

Common Projects Suede Olive Chelsea Boots

Olive isnt a colour wed naturally associate with Chelsea boots, but this design by Common Projects is very tidy indeed. The premium brand, famous for its New York-inspired designs, has come up with a contemporary take on the shoe rack staple. Were a big fan of the slick, tapered toe and the gold-foil serial number detail.

410 | Selfridges | Buy it now

Ribble C Veldtschoen Chelsea Boot in Burgundy Grain Leather

These mens Chelsea boots, by Joseph Cheaney & Sons, could be worn for a Sunday stroll in the park or to an Arctic Monkeys gig. Comfy, sturdy with a dense rubber sole, they were hand-crafted in Northamptonshire from full grain, burgundy leather. Dont be put off by the price tag as youll be able to use these boots again and again.

275 | Cheaney | Buy it now *On sale now, was 375

Vegan Chealsea Boots 2976 Oxford Brush

If 30 years ago someone had said Dr Martens would be making vegan Chelsea boots in the future, theyd probably have been laughed out of the pub. However, the notorious punk rock-inspired shoe brand has evolved since then. And these vegan, cherry red boots (available for both men and women) are proof that animal-free doesnt mean style-free. Although we do worry what Piers Morgan will make of themnot.

135| Dr Martens | Buy it now

Dolce & Gabbana Beatles Boots

Dolce & Gabannas mens Beatles boots are worthy of the famous, Liverpudlian bands name.The ankle length boots, in black shiny leather, are a nod to the musicians that regularly rocked the Chelsea boot back in the good old days. Not exactly low-cost at just under 350, but a worthy investment for the fashion-loving, music-obsessed.
U S citizens and government workers have been urged to leave Venezuela after Washington recognised an opposition politician as the countrys president.

The US embassy in the Venezuelan capital Caracas said in a security alert that non-emergency government employees had been told to leave the South American country.

American citizens should also strongly consider departing while commercial flights are still available, the embassy said.

"We are taking this action based on our current assessment of the security situation in Venezuela. We have no plans to close the embassy," a State Department spokesperson said in a statement.

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro, centre, speaks to a crowd of supporters / AFP/Getty Images

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro broke off diplomatic relations with Washington and gave US embassy personnel three days to leave the country.

This came after Donald Trump recognised opposition leader Juan Guaido as president on Wednesday.

Announcing the break in relations, Mr Maduro told a crowd of supporters gathered at the presidential palace: "Before the people and nations of the world, and as constitutional president.....I've decided to break diplomatic and political relations with the imperialist US government.

He made the announcement after a day that saw Juan Guaido, the head of the opposition-controlled congress, declare himself interim president.

Clashes broke out during a protest against the president / AFP/Getty Images

The move was immediately backed by President Trump's administration.

Russian President Vladimir Putin offered his support to embattled President Maduro in a phone call.

Mr Putin "expressed support to the legitimate government of Venezuela amid the acute political crisis that has been provoked from the outside", the Kremlin said.

The Russian leader emphasised that "destructive foreign interference tramples on basic norms of the international law".

The Kremlin statement said Mr Putin called for "overcoming differences in the Venezuelan society through peaceful dialogue". It added that the two leaders underlined a shared intention to "continue the Russian-Venezuelan cooperation in various spheres".

Opposition leader Juan Guaido / EPA

Guaido said he would consider granting amnesty to president Maduro and his allies if they helped return Venezuela to democracy.

Mr Guaido gave his first public comments to Univision on Thursday since declaring himself interim president of Venezuela.

The National Assembly leader said that amnesty is on the table for anyone willing to help return Venezuela to constitutional order.

Agencies contributed to this report
D onald Trump has said he will not accept a short-term deal to reopen the government unless it includes a large down payment for his promised border wall.

White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders urged that Senate leaders were trying to break the deadlock, but that a resolution would only come if a payment was made.

It came as the longest ever partial Government shutdown showed no sign of abating as the Senate rejected plans to end the impasse during discussions on Thursday.

Both Republican and Democratic party proposals failed to garner support as the row over Mr Trumps demands for wall funding continued.

President Donald J. Trump (R) and US Vice President Mike Pence (L) meet with US House Speaker-designate Nancy Pelosi (L) / EPA/MICHAEL REYNOLDS

The Senate first rejected a Republican plan reopening government through September and giving Mr Trump the $5.7 billion he is seeking for the project.

The 51-47 vote fell nine shy of the 60 votes needed to succeed.

Within minutes senators voted 52-44, eight votes short, for a Democratic alternative that sought to open padlocked agencies through February 8 with no wall money.

It was aimed at allowing time to seek agreement while implementing provisions for wages to be given to 800,000 government workers who are a day from going unpaid for a second consecutive pay period.

There were six Republican defectors on its partys vote including Senator Mitt Romney, who has clashed periodically with President Trump.

The Capitol is seen early Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019, as rain falls on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, with the partial government shutdown in its second month / AP

Politicians said the results could be a reality check which could usher the start of talks to end the shutdown, which began on December 22.

Following the votes, it has been reported a bipartisan amendment to temporarily reopen shuttered federal agencies will be unveiled in the US Senate later on Thursday.

Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen, detailing the proposal, said: It will allow federal government employees ... to get back to work."

Chris Van Hollen said a bipartisan plan will be unveiled / AP

The measure would be to fund several agencies for three weeks, which would give congressional leaders and President Trump time to negotiate a deal on border security funding.

As the furore has developed each side has stuck ardently to stances which have blocked negotiations from even starting.

Mr Trump has refused to reopen government until Congress gives him the wall money while congressional Democrats have rejected bargaining until he reopens government.

Nancy Pelosi speaks to reporters after officially postponing Mr Trump's State of the Union address / AP

Senator John Thune, a Republican, said Thursday's votes could "teach us that the leaders are going to have to get together and figure out how to resolve this.

He added: "One way or another we've got to get out of this. This is no win for anybody."

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi accused Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross of a "let them eat cake kind of attitude".

This came after he said on television that he did not understand why unpaid civil servants were resorting to homeless shelters for food.

Ms Pelosi offered to meet the president "anytime".

He rejected this though, tweeting: "Without a Wall it all doesn't work.... We will not Cave!"

No meetings were scheduled.

The pair has crashed in recent days over the State of the Union address, which Ms Pelosi refused to give him permission to do in the House until the shutdown ended, a decision the President called a "disgrace".
S peedboat killer Jack Shepherd today launched a bid to resist extradition from Georgia by claiming his life could be in danger if he is returned to Britain.

The 31-year-old fugitive appeared in a court in Tbilisi, two days after handing himself in to police in the Georgian capital.

Todays hearing was adjourned and Shepherd was ordered to stay in custody for three months while the extradition continues. Prosecutors argued Shepherd should not be given bail, and said there was evidence that he had been planning to flee to Thailand or Indonesia.

The court was told Shepherd had entered the former Soviet republic in March last year after travelling via Turkey.

The father of one, originally from Exeter, was absent from his trial at the Old Bailey in July, when he was convicted of the manslaughter of Charlotte Brown, 24, and given a six-year prison sentence.

Jack Shepherd handed himself into police (right). He was on the run after being convicted of the manslaughter by gross negligence of Charlotte Brown (left).

Ms Brown died after falling into the Thames when Shepherds boat crashed during a drink-fuelled date in London in December 2015.

During this mornings hearing, Shepherds lawyer claimed his client had been warned in a phone call that his life could be in danger if he is sent to a UK jail.

The lawyer said: There are grounds to believe that he could face danger if he is returned to the UK. Shepherds defence team is using a clause in the European Convention on Human Rights that blocks extradition of a criminal if their life might be at risk.

They also claimed the UK courts never considered Shepherds psychological condition, saying he had an alcohol dependency. His lawyer even claimed the main reason the Old Bailey jury convicted Shepherd was because he had not attended court and could not present his defence case.

The lawyer said Shepherd made a mistake by choosing not to appear at his trial. He is being represented by two lawyers, including Mariam Kublashvili, who once appeared on Georgias version of Strictly Come Dancing.

The speedboat owned by Web designer Jack Shepherd who was found guilty of killing his date, Charlotte Brown / PA

Shepherd told the court that he became suicidally depressed, saying: Thats why Ive been unable to speak about it. I regret not taking part in the court proceedings. I wish Id sat down with Charlottes family and explained what happened.

He added: I know its caused them even more suffering and thats why I handed myself in to draw to a close this horrible accident.

Shepherds court appearance came as details emerged of how he has enjoyed learning to ski and visiting nightclubs while on the run.

He caused outrage by appealing against his conviction while a fugitive with the help of legal aid. He has already received more than 93,000 in legal aid for the defence at his Old Bailey trial. He is reportedly paying his legal team in Georgia 15,000.

In the UK, he is also facing a charge of grievous bodily harm after he allegedly glassed a barman at a hotel in Moretonhampstead, Devon, before fleeing the UK.
T wo years after Hillary Clinton fell short in her bid to become Americas first woman president, four of the seven declared candidates for the Democratic presidential nomination of 2020 are now women, all confident that Donald Trump is there for the taking.

Some 57 per cent of Americans disapprove of the Presidents performance. The prolonged government shutdown is exacerbating the publics sense that the Trump administration  policy, ideology and Twitter wars aside  simply doesnt have what it takes to run the country. The diversity of races, religions, genders and experiences in the field of Democrats now jostling to replace Trump is already history-making. All the signs are there for what some Democrats are predicting will be the primary of the women and the woke.

When Trump defeated Clinton in 2016, the initial Democrat response was to say the party needed to reconnect with the white working class, the Mid-Western voters who defected to the Republicans. Not any more. Now Democrats are looking for a candidate who can turn Trumps rhetoric, notably on race and gender, back on the White House. A candidate who will provoke Trump into an act of self-annihilation. On Monday, Senator Kamala Harris of California announced her candidacy  joining her fellow Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Elizabeth Warren, Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii, and the two longshot men in the race: Julian Castro, a former mayor of San Antonio, Texas, and housing secretary under President Obama, and Richard Ojeda, a military veteran from West Virginia.

Elizabeth Warren / Carolyn Kaster/AP

This week, Pete Buttigieg, the 37-year-old mayor of South Bend, Indiana, added his name to the contest. Buttigieg is another longshot but a fascinating political prospect: a former Rhodes Scholar who served a tour in Afghanistan with the Navy Reserve, openly gay, a successful small-city mayor and the first millennial to run for president.

Harris has not polled especially well among Democrats nationwide so far but in betting markets she is a strong favourite to win the nomination. The discrepancy suggests she has a lot of untapped potential, which her own party is yet to recognise.

At 54, she bridges the gap between the 70-plus generation of Senator Bernie Sanders and former vice-president Joe Biden, both of whom are possible candidates again this year, and fortysomethings like Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey, and Beto ORourke, the former Texan congressman who lit up the 2018 mid-term elections.

Harriss personal story is compelling. Her parents are immigrants  her father came from Jamaica and became a professor of economics at Stanford University, while her mother came from India. Harris is often imprecisely described as African-American. Her parents divorced when she was five and she spent some of her teenage years living in Canada with her mother.

But it was California where she made her life and her professional mark, first as a lawyer then as district attorney in San Francisco and eventually as the states attorney general, and now Senator. While Harris has sought to portray herself as a liberal, reforming prosecutor and attorney general, she has come under blistering fire for her record.

In The New York Times last week, Lara Bazelon, a law professor at the University of San Francisco, excoriated Harris: Time after time, when progressives urged her to embrace criminal justice reforms as a district attorney and then the states attorney general, Ms Harris opposed them or stayed silent. Most troubling, Ms Harris fought tooth and nail to uphold wrongful convictions that had been secured through official misconduct that included evidence tampering, false testimony and the suppression of crucial information by prosecutors.

Professor Bazelons long list of charges against Harris could seriously damage her with the Democrat Left. Republicans, meanwhile, will likely tear into her liberal stance on immigration. Her supporters, though, see her as Obama Part Two. She is a natural campaigner, with a strong line to younger voters through her social media presence, including more than a million followers on Instagram.

She has a cutting sense of humour. On a TV chat show last spring, she was asked if she had to be stuck in an elevator with President Trump, Vice-President Mike Pence or then attorney general Jeff Sessions, which would it be? Her response was: Does one of us have to come out alive? She is also tough, having come up via the hard world of San Francisco politics.

Polling guru Nate Silver argues that in order to win the Democratic nomination, a candidate must build a coalition among five constituencies: party loyalists, who want a winner more than anything else; the Left; millennials; African-Americans; and Hispanics. Based on this model, Harris is the strongest of the candidates, both announced and likely, so far. Rivals such as Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders do well with the Left but are weak elsewhere. Julian Castro does well with Hispanics, and not many others.

Harris seems to grasp how this most unconventional primary campaign will come down to gathering up splinters of the party and then reassembling them for the presidential race. It is customary for candidates to kick off their campaigns in Iowa or New Hampshire, the first states to vote in the primary elections. She will be hosting her first campaign event this Friday in South Carolina, a state where black voters dictate the outcome of the Democratic primary.

Based on what she has said so far, Harris seems to intend her campaign to be about character and values, and removing the stain of Trump. Thats also broadly the message of New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. She is not entirely trusted because of how she has shifted from Right to Left during her career in the Senate, along with the mood of her party. But she is a tenacious campaigner, who has won consistently in traditionally Republican areas of rural and industrial New York.

Elizabeth Warren, by contrast, has surprised many by picking up speed and even affection among her crowds. She is going heavy on policy, true to her previous job as a law professor at Harvard, and speaking on issues like economic fairness and corruption in the politics with a range and sophistication that other candidates may struggle to match.

She has also got a boost from her golden retriever Bailey, a popular companion known to snooze on-stage during her speeches. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii would be just 39 on inauguration day, if elected. She would also be the only surfer and Hindu to be president. This time around, at least, she stands little chance.

While big names such as Bernie Sanders, Joe Biden and Michael Bloomberg are all still weighing up their options, the most intriguing unknown is Beto ORourke. Could he galvanise Democrats nationwide the way he did Texans in 2018? Could a middle-aged, middle-class white man really be the agent of change his party so wants?

The smoke and emotions of ORourkes losing campaign are still hanging over the Democrats. Few candidates have ever generated such spontaneous passion. Money and support poured in from all over the country. It was a tantalising glimpse of what a presidential run might be.

ORourke and his allies have been in contact with Barack Obama and members of his team to discuss what it would take to win in 2020. But ORourke has three school-age children he saw little of during two years of his failed campaign for the Senate. Right now, he is currently unemployed, having given up his seat in Congress. It may be that the more mundane concerns of family and earning a living will come before running.
S hocking pictures have emerged that show how a sailor caused the death of his new wife on their honeymoon yacht by opening escape hatches apparently smashing a hole in its hull.

Lewis Bennett, 41, pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter after his wife Isabella Hellman disappeared when their catamaran sank off Cuba in May 2017.

Prosecutors have released the images in a bid to convince a judge to jail him for eight years, the maximum allowed for his charge.

The FBI says the holes in the boat were smashed from the inside and the underwater portholes had been opened.

Mr Bennett, from Poole, Dorset, originally faced charges of second degree murder, which he denied, but pleaded guilty to the lesser charge in November.

The British-Australian made an SOS call claiming the boat had struck an unknown object while he was in a cabin, and when he emerged, he could not find Ms Hellman.

He allegedly made no attempt to find his wife after the 37-foot catamaran sunk, instead loading items for himself onto a life raft.

Mr Bennett was rescued by the US Coast Guard between Cuba and the Bahamas three hours later on a raft stuffed with luggage.

According to CBS12, Mr Bennett travelled back to England with the couples toddler as soon as the Coast Guard concluded its search and quickly went to have his wife declared dead, allegedly so he could inherit their apartment in Florida.

Prosecutor Kurt Lunkenheimer said the fact that the Defendant would pack all of these items into a life raft, but not actively and diligently look for his wife was why he should receive the maximum eight-year sentence.

But last week, members of Hellmans family wrote the judge, saying seven to eight years is not enough and they would rather see the case go to trial.

Investigators also discovered that Bennett was smuggling rare coins during his rescue, worth nearly 30,000, which had been reported stolen from a former employer in St Maarten a year earlier.

He admitted transporting the coins and is currently serving a seven-month jail sentence.

Colombian 41-year-old Ms Hellmans body was never found.
P ope Francis has likened the killing of women in Latin America to a plague.

When delivering a speech in Panama, on his first full day of his trip for a Catholic youth festival, the pontiff urged Latin American leaders to tackle gang violence, drug trafficking and violence towards women and girls.

He said all elements had become a plague in his native continent.

The Pope also tackled issues to do with migration during his visit, adding that more had to be done to overcome fears of migrants.

Pope Francis is the Roman Catholic Churchs first Latin American pope and the son of Italian immigrants to Argentina.

He has previously been vocal about the plight of refugees and migrants, making it a cornerstone of his papacy.

In a meeting with bishops from Central America, he said many young people found themselves boxed in and lacking opportunities, amid highly conflictual situations with no quick solution.

He added: Domestic violence, the killing of women, armed gangs and criminals, drug trafficiking  our continent is experiencing a plague in this regard.

Speaking on Thursday, Francis also urged church institutions and individual parishes to welcome and integrate migrants.

Francis previously denounced anyone who wants to build a wall to keep out migrants as not Christian.
A rchaeologists working on the HS2 rail link have solved the mystery of what happened to the remains explorer Captain Matthew Flinders.

The explorer, who led the circumnavigation of Australia, is credited with giving the country its name and is believed to be the first person to navigate around the entire coast, confirming it as a continent.

Captain Flinders, from Lincolnshire, made several significant journeys in his lifetime, notably as the commander of HMS Investigator.

Born in 1774 in Donnington, Captain Flinders came from a family of surgeons, before joining a navy ship when he was just 16.

Prince William unveils a statue in honour of Captain Matthew Flinders at Australia House, London, in 2014 / AFP/Getty Images

By the time he was 24, the young man had chartered Tasmania and was the first to prove it was an island.

Five years later, his accomplishments reached new heights when he circumnavigated the whole continent, alongside his beloved cat Trim.

Archaeologists remove the breast plate of Captain Matthew Flinders / PA

As well as notable expeditions, Captain Flinders wrote and published his highly praised book and atlas, A Voyage to Terra Australis.

Tragically, Captain Flinders died the day after the book was published, aged 40.
T he board of directors at a care home where an incapictated woman gave birth may be removed by authorities, Arizona's governor said on Friday.

A nurse at the Hacienda HealthCare facility is accused of raping the severely disabled 29-year-old woman, in Phoenix.

In a flurry of tweets, Governor Doug Ducey called for Hacienda HealthCare's board to be fired.

"My confidence level in that institution and its leadership is zero, and our job now is to ensure that the individuals in their facilities are safe," Ducey wrote on Twitter.

"The senior leadership in that enterprise needs to be completely replaced. That includes the Board of Directors, every one of whom should be terminated immediately."

Hacienda's board says it shares the concern behind the governor's comments.

Doug Ducey, left, called for all authority figures there to be removed / AP

However, it argued that it has "aggressively revamped" its system already.

The health care provider said it is already following the state's request for an outside team to manage patient care and operations.

This will be in place next week.

They also hired former Maricopa County Attorney Rick Romley to lead an independent review into the incident.

"These are not cosmetic changes," board Chairman Tom Pomeroy said in a statement.

"Rather, this organisation intends to do everything in our power to restore its credibility with our patients, their families, the public and Gov. Ducey."

Police arrested Nathan Sutherland, 36, this week after they stated his DNA matched the newborn boy.

Sutherland was booked on one count each of sexual assault and vulnerable adult abuse.

Authorities say the baby is out of the hospital and doing well but did not release details.

The woman's family has said it would care for the boy.

This photo provided by Maricopa County Sheriff's Office shows Nathan Sutherland / AP

The woman at the centre of the incident has been described previously as being in a "vegetative state".

She does not speak though has some ability to move, responds to sounds and is able to make facial gestures.

Her parents disputed characterisations that their daughter is comatose, in comments through their attorney.

The victim has been incapacitated since the age of three, after a near drowning.
T hree paintings signed off as works by Adolf Hitler have been seized from an auction house in Berlin on suspicions of forgery, police say.

The trio of watercolours had been up for sale at the Kloss auction house in the German capital.

However authorities swooped in to take the pieces of art due to the possibility they were fake.

Berlin Police tweeted that the pieces had been recovered and an investigation into fraud and forgery of documents had begun.

The paintings were each signed A. Hitler / REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch

The pictures depict a mountain scene, a river and a distant figure sat beneath a tree.

Each had been listed with a starting price of 4,000, around 3,400, according to reports.

The watercolours depicted landscape scenes (Reuters) / REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch

Prior to this latest development Heinz-Joachim Maeder, a spokesman for Kloss auctioneers, said: "They are watercolours by Adolf Hitler.

"In my view they have no artistic value - it's simply adequate craftsmanship. The value of these objects and the media interest is because of the name at the bottom."

"If you walk down the Seine and see 100 artists, 80 will be better than this.

Adolf Hitler had attempted to become an artist as a young man / AFP/Getty Images

Ahead of the outbreak of World War One, Hitler worked as a jobbing painter in Munich.

He churned out dozens of postcards and paintings for petty cash.

His dream of becoming an artist had been dashed when he twice failed to pass the entrance exam for the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts.

There are many forgeries in circulation of his works known to be in circulation.

However, these three paintings had previously been authenticated by a US handwriting expert.

The family which owns the pictures has not been identified.
T he Queen has appeared to send a message to politicians over the Brexit deadlock as she spoke of coming together to seek out the common ground.

In a speech to the Sandringham Womens Institute, the monarch emphasised the need for different points of view to be respected.

As head of state, the monarch remains publicly neutral when it comes to political matters and does not express her views. But commentators were likely to see her words as a veiled reference the debate on Britains departure from the EU.

Similar in tone to her Christmas Day address, the Queen expressed the importance of never losing sight of the bigger picture.

The Queen leaves after the meeting / PA

During the speech on Thursday, the Queen said: "Reflecting on a century of change, it is clear that the qualities of the WI endure.

"The continued emphasis on patience, friendship, a strong community-focus, and considering the needs of others, are as important today as they were when the group was founded all those years ago.

"Of course, every generation faces fresh challenges and opportunities."

The Queen attended a Sandringham Women's Institute (WI) meeting at West Newton Village Hall, Norfolk / PA

"As we look for new answers in the modern age, I for one prefer the tried and tested recipes, like speaking well of each other and respecting different points of view; coming together to seek out the common ground; and never losing sight of the bigger picture.

"To me, these approaches are timeless, and I commend them to everyone."

Parliament remains deeply divided over any possible way forward for the Brexit process.

Politicians on all sides have engaged in bitter wrangling as the date for Britain leaving the EU - March 29 - draws ever closer.

TODO: define component type apester

In her Christmas address the Queen touched on the same theme.

Then, she told the nation: "Even with the most deeply held differences, treating the other person with respect and as a fellow human being is always a good first step towards greater understanding."
T he director of a film about the boys who murdered toddler James Bulger has refused to withdraw the documentary from the Oscars despite pleas for its removal.

The toddler's parents Denise Fergus and Ralph Bulger have called upon Irish filmmaker Vincent Lambe to remove the film from the public domain and to withdraw it from contention at the Academy Awards next month.

But Mr Lambe has told the BBC: "I won't withdraw it from the Oscars."

He said: "It's like saying we should burn every copy of it. I think it would defeat the purpose of making the film."

Robert Thompson murdered James Bulger when he was ten years old / PA

The film recreates the moments before and after Jamess murder using transcripts of police interviews with his killers Jon Venables and Robert Thompson.

The two-year-old was killed by the pair, both aged 10, after they snatched him from a shopping centre in Bootle, Merseyside, in February 1993.

Jon Venables / PA

Mr Lambe said: "The public opinion at the moment now is that those two boys were simply evil and anybody who says anything different or gives an alternate reason as to why they did it or tries to understand why they did it, they get criticised for it.

"I think we have the responsibility to try and make sense of what happened."

The filmmakers have faced criticism for not consulting James' family about the film.

Mr Lambe had previously apologised for not making Ms Fergus aware of it soon enough and told the BBC: "It's something we did think long and hard about. I wanted to meet with them to try and explain why we made it."

But that was only after the film was being seen at screenings and film festivals.

Mr Lambe said: "I do regret not telling them about it sooner."

Mrs Fergus was joined by her husband Stuart on ITV's This Morning earlier on Thursday, who said: "Vincent was nothing to do (with the case), why does he have a responsibility to make the film? He was 12 years old when it happened.

"If you go on social media, that's all he's talking about, trying to get himself out there, putting himself forward for the Oscar.

"We're actually saying to Vincent Lambe now, because he's put himself forward for the Oscar, withdraw that yourself and remove your film from the public domain."

Mrs Fergus said she believes the film takes liberties with the truth of the case, and that she is haunted by the images revisited in Lambe's work.

"Seeing the images of actors playing James, it's just horrendous," she told the TV programme.

"I just can't get that image out of my head of him being led away."

She added, of Lambe: "I don't think he's sorry at all... Would I meet him now? Not now. It's too late because he's gone ahead and done it.

There's a petition (to get film withdrawn from the Oscars) and it proves how strong people are feeling on this.

"Something should be put in place. If films like this are being made, the victims' families should be told before it actually goes ahead."
J aguar Land Rover will shut down its factories for an extra week in April due to potential disruption from Brexit.

The car giant said production will stop from April 8 to 12, as well as for a previously announced maintenance closure from April 15 to 23.

It will affect all three of the companys car plants in Castle Bromwich, Solihull and Halewood, as well as its engine plant in Wolverhampton.

The manufacturer employs just under 39,000 workers at the sites.

The plants will shut down for two weeks in April / PA

The news follows an announcement earlier this month that JLR is to cut up to 5,000 jobs under plans to make 2.5 billion of cost savings.

Most of the cuts are expected to be in the UK, after a slump in sales in China and concern over diesel emissions in Europe.

Most of the job losses are likely to be in management, marketing, sales and design roles, rather than on production lines.

JLR made a 354 million loss in the first half of the financial year and has already introduced cost-saving measures.

In a statement on Thursday, the company said: Today, Jaguar Land Rover has confirmed this year's holiday dates to employees across all UK sites.

As part of this, we have also confirmed that there will be an additional week of production stand-down 8th - 12th April due to potential Brexit disruption.

Business Secretary Greg Clark warned earlier this month that JLRs problems would be dramatically worsened by a no-deal Brexit in March.
Q uestion Times new host Fiona Bruce has been warned to avoid social media and remove herself from the electoral roll to protect herself from hate online, according to reports.

The 54-year-old BBC presenter was told to take the action by colleagues to avoid the online hate mob following a row over Diane Abbott's recent appearance on the programme, according to the Telegraph.

The shadow home secretary said she was picked on and interrupted more than any other panellist when she appeared on Question Time last week.

Expletive ridden comments have since been made about Ms Bruce after Momentum set up a petition calling for her to apologise after the row.

Diane Abbott complained about her treatment on Question Time / EPA

Hundreds commented on the petition, with some accusing Ms Bruce of being a "racist" following the incident.

A BBC source reportedly told the Telegraph that there was an essence of predictability about comments made towards Ms Bruce which was why she was told to remove herself from social media.

Ms Abbott claimed she was repeatedly interrupted on the programme and said she had also been told Ms Bruce made unpleasant remarks about her before the recording began.

In a statement, the BBC denied that any of panellists on the programme had been treated unfairly.

A spokesman said they were "sorry" to hear of Ms Abbott's concerns and had sought to reassure her team that social media claims about the warm-up were "inaccurate and misleading".

The BBC declined to comment.
O ne of the worlds most endangered species of shark could be living off the coast of Wales, according to scientists.

Rare Angelsharks have been seen in Cardigan Bay, the Bristol Channel and to the north of Holyhead, according to marine biologist Joanna Barker.

The huge creatures were once common across the east Atlantic and Mediterranean seas, but numbers declined because of habitat disturbance, pollution and incidental catch in fisheries.

They are now only found near the Canary Islands, but the recent spate of sightings has suggested they could be living near Wales.

The angelshark spends its time camouflaged on the bottom of the seabed / Shutterstock / LuisMiguelEstevez

Ms Barker, who works for the Zoological Society of London, is working with Natural Resources Wales to collate stories and photographs for the first Angelshark History Roadshow.

It will travel across Wales to highlight the importance of the animal and seek information from local communities to better understand the species.

Ms Barker, Angelshark Project Manager at ZSL said: We are asking people across Wales to help us understand more about this important sharks historic range and its Welsh cultural connection.

Someone might have an old photograph in the drawer, a memory of their grandfather fishing or possibly even be able to tell us about a recent sighting of an Angelshark.

Even if people havent ever heard of an Angelshark, wed love them to come along and tell us about the local area  changes in local industry, fishing practices or infrastructure could all help us to fill in the blanks of the Angelsharks history and create the best plan of action to safeguard them into the future.

The Angelshark is a flat shark which spends its time camouflaged on the bottom of the seabed.
M illions of British holidaymakers flying to Europe this summer were today warned they face chaotic queues of up to three hours at airports in countries such as Spain, Greece and Italy in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

Tom Jenkins, chief executive of the European Tourism Association (ETOA), which represents more than 900 travel operators and tourist bodies, said extra border checks required by Brussels would bring tourism Armageddon.

He said immigration desks at the most popular Mediterranean destinations such as Palma de Mallorca could be overwhelmed even with Heathrow levels of investment.

He added passengers at airports that hit capacity after two or three arrivals would face waits of several hours. He said: As some airports have UK arrivals coming in every 10 to 20 minutes, unless something is done now, we are going to run into major difficulties.

Countdown to Brexit: 63 days until Britain leaves the EU

Delays will be caused European Commission rules issued in November that stop Britons using lanes allocated for citizens of EU or European Economic Area countries and Switzerland if the UK crashes out on March 29.

They will require immigration staff to make four extra entry checks on British travellers: the expiry date of the passport, a database confirmation of the validity of the passport, the purpose and length of stay, and whether the visitors can support themselves financially.

This will add an estimated 90 seconds per passenger to the usual 25 seconds spent at passport control. With each plane holding an average of 200 passengers, this could cause huge delays.

TODO: define component type apester

Portugal said earlier this week it would introduce special passport lanes for British tourists at Faro and Funchal airports.

However Mr Jenkins said EU member states would not unilaterally be able to relax rules imposed by Brussels.

Speaking after an emergency ETOA conference on Brexit at the Barbican this week, he warned that in the case of no deal, British airline passengers face a cross between the volcanic ash cloud disruption and the three-day week.

A spokesman for industry body Airlines UK said Britains major carriers had been planning for extra checks. He said: The commission has been clear UK passengers will be treated as being from a third country and this will likely mean extra checks at the border.

Individual EU member states will have to plan accordingly depending on their own infrastructure needs.

The commission has told them in no uncertain terms that they should prepare their airports for no deal.

A UK government spokesperson said: We welcome the proposal by the European Commission to put UK citizens on a visa-free list for short trips to the EU even in the event of no deal.

We have been clear in our proposals that we want to ensure reciprocal measures on visa-free travel for tourists and short term business visitors with the EU.
C harities have accused a London Assembly member of dehumanising people with learning disabilities after he used the word retard to describe Remainers.

Ukips David Kurten said Project Fear had gone full retard in reference to a scene in 2008 comedy film Tropic Thunder .

He posted a news story about government warnings that the UK could be kicked out of an EU space programme, adding: Project Fear goes full retard. According to Remoaners: Brexit means the UK will be in danger from space debris. This is almost good comedy! In another Twitter post, Mr Kurten said never go full retard with a link to a Tropic Thunder scene.

Ciara Lawrence from charity Mencap told the Standard it was completely unnecessary to use that word and added: Its not only incredibly hurtful, it discriminates against people with a learning disability.

The Downs Syndrome Association also hit back on Twitter: Using that language devalues and dehumanises people with Downs Syndrome and other learning disabilities.

Mr Kurten later said: I made a couple of comments referencing the comedy movie Tropic Thunder.

No offence was intended against anyone with a learning disability, and this is clear if you read my tweets.
P hilip Hammond today singled out the French for being the hardest opponents still standing in the way of a Brexit deal.

Speaking from the World Economic Forum at Davos, where he has spent three days mingling with political and finance leaders, Mr Hammond revealed that many of the other 27 EU member states were indicating in private that they would compromise on their red lines for the sake of avoiding the significant economic disruption of Britain crashing out without a deal.

But responding to the hardline position spelled out by his French counterpart, Bruno Le Maire, he said other countries were being warmer. I would just observe that the French have always been the hardest in this debate, he said. In other key developments:

TODO: define component type apester

Mr Hammond repeatedly refused to rule out resigning from the Government if it chose to pursue a no-deal Brexit. But unlike Cabinet colleague Amber Rudd he said next Tuesdays voting in the Commons was not high noon and that he would wish to oversee policies to mitigate the effects of crashing out.

Theresa May echoed the Queens plea for politicians clashing over Brexit to show respect for each other, saying through her spokesman that we should always show great respect for the point of view of others.

The pound briefly rose on reports that the Democratic Unionist Party might soften its opposition to the withdrawal agreement if the backstop was subject to a short time limit. The Sun report was not confirmed.

Senior members of the 1922 Committee that represents Conservative MPs, including Sir Graham Brady and Bob Blackman, tabled a new amendment offering support to Mrs Mays deal if the backstop is removed or limited.

Emmanuel Macron: 'Brexit has torn a society apart' / Emmanuel Foudrot/Reuters

Speaking to BBC Radio 4s Today programme, Mr Hammond said EU leaders were discussing moving their red lines. I dont think the European Union is going to change its fundamental position around the backstop, he said.

But what I hear from European politicians and commentators that I have talked to here in Davos is that there is a process going on, of thinking very hard about where the EU has drawn its red lines, whether they really need to be in the place where they have been drawn.

He suggested he was gaining ground among other EU figures that it was not reasonable to expect Britain to commit to a permanent backstop obligation when even EU membership could be cancelled with just two years notice.

He warned Tory MPs that the EU was making clear it would not remove the backstop.

And he praised the more nuanced position taken by some senior MPs in pressing for a time-limit or an exit mechanism. They understand the challenge weve got at home, and generally, not all of them but many of them, want to help, he said.

However, France today took an unbending approach. Mr Le Maire said the Irish border backstop issue was done and it was solely up to the UK to find a way out of the impasse.

Im afraid we have nothing to give, he told Today from Davos. An agreement is an agreement and the responsibility of Brexit is clearly on the shoulders of the British government, not on the shoulders of the governments of the EU member states.

It is up to the British government to find the right way out, not us, the European governments.

Asked again if the backstop could be changed, the finance minister replied: It is done. It is done and I think that we have to stick to the deal.

Responding, Mr Hammond said: Let me just say something about my French counterpart Bruno Le Maire. Much as I respect Bruno Le Maire, I would just observe that the French have always been the hardest in this debate... I would urge you to talk to colleagues from other European [countries]. There are 27 countries involved in this discussion and they too will have to compromise to get to a position. On his own position, Mr Hammond refused to rule out resigning in a no-deal Brexit three times on Today and another three times on Sky. Im not going to speculate because a lot depends on the circumstances, he said. But he indicated he would not walk out next week when ministers are set to be whipped to vote against amendments designed to prevent a no-deal Brexit.

The responsibility I have is to manage the economy in what is the best interests of the British people, he said.

Home Secretary Ms Rudd has also refused to rule out resigning in a no-deal exit, as has Business Secretary Greg Clark. Mr Hammond said no deal would be irresponsible and a very bad outcome. There will be very significant disruption in the short term and a very significant hit to our economy in the medium to long term.
From the bottom of our hearts, we want them to stay.

Without your great nation, this Continent would not be what it is today: a community defined by freedom and prosperity.

After the horrors of the Second World War, Britain did not give up on us. It has welcomed Germany back as a sovereign nation and a European power.

This we, as Germans, have not forgotten and we are grateful.
F rench president Emmanuel Macron has delivered a blistering attack on Brexit, claiming it has torn British society apart and that it cant be delivered.

Mr Macron blasted false figures given by the Leave campaign ahead of the 2016 referendum, saying the EU divorce that people voted for wont happen.

He was reported as saying: People are starting to realise that all the figures they were given are entirely false, and what they were told could be done overnight in fact can't be delivered.

And in the end it's going to cost them. In this context do you think that the referendum was a good thing?

Emmanuel Macron: 'Brexit has torn a society apart' / Emmanuel Foudrot/Reuters

No, because it didn't allow for an informed, transparent and calm debate. It's torn a society apart, and it's left it open to disinformation coming from abroad, or terrible manipulation.

Mr Macrons attack came amid bitter divides on Brexit in the UK, which have included Leavers and Remainers screaming at each other in the streets outside Parliament.

Even the Queen appeared to speak out on the matter, urging people to seek "common ground" and "never lose sight of the bigger picture". The comments have been interpreted by some as a veiled reference to the toxic mood of the public debate around Brexit.

The monarch, in a speech on Thursday to mark the centenary of the Sandringham Women's Institute, also extolled the virtues of "respecting" the other person's point of view.

Anti-Brexit protester Steve Bray arguing with a pro-Brexit protester outside Parliament / Getty Images

Meanwhile, the government itself remains in crisis, with just 63 days to go until the scheduled exit day of March 29.

Pressure has mounted on Prime Minister Theresa May to rule out a no-deal Brexit after Amber Rudd hinted she could resign from the government to stop the UK crashing out of the EU without an agreement.

Amber Rudd refuses to rule out resigning from Government

TODO: define component type apester

The work and pensions secretary, a prominent Remain supporter, said she was going to "wait and see" if Mrs May allows a free vote on a series of amendments to her Brexit "plan B" on Tuesday.

During an interview with BBC Two's Newsnight, Ms Rudd was asked three times whether she would quit the Cabinet to back a bid by Labour's Yvette Cooper to extend Article 50 unless a deal is reached by the end of February.

She said: "At this stage I'm going to stick to trying to persuade the Government to allow it to be a free vote.

"There is a lot taking place and there are a lot of new amendments.

"We'll have to wait and see."
B ritain could extend its leave date from the EU by a couple of weeks in order to get Brexit legislation through Parliament, according to Andrea Leadsom.

The Commons Leader and prominent Cabinet Brexiteer insisted it would be feasible to remain in the bloc for a time after the scheduled exit date of March 29.

Mrs Leadsom told BBC2's Newsnight: "We can get the legislation through.

"And in particular I think we do, in spite of everything, have a very strong relationship with our EU friends and neighbours and I'm absolutely certain that if we needed a couple of extra weeks or something, that that would be feasible."

TODO: define component type apester

Mrs Leadsom added: "I think we would want to think carefully about it.

"But as things stand, I do feel that we can get, with the support of both Houses, the House of Commons and the House of Lords, with goodwill and a determination, we can still get the legislation through in time."

Asked whether a delay would mean an extension of Article 50, Mrs Leadsom said: "It doesn't necessarily mean that. Think carefully about it. With goodwill it can still get it through in good time."

Theresa May continues to face pressure over Brexit / EPA

Mrs Leadsom called for Cabinet unity, insisting Britain could still leave the EU without a deal at the end of March.

She said: "I'm totally aligned to the Prime Minister. I believe that is where collective responsibility should lie.

"So number one, the legal default is we leave the EU on March 29 without a deal unless there is a deal is in place.

"That hasn't changed. That is the Prime Minister's view and that's my view.

Mrs Leadsom's comments came after Chancellor Philip Hammond piled fresh pressure on Theresa May by declining to rule out quitting, should the UK leave the bloc with a no-deal Brexit.

Meanwhile, a key ally of Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has said that holding a new Brexit poll could damage the the relationship between voters and elected politicians.

The intervention by Ian Lavery comes as the issue of whether to back another referendum on EU withdrawal provoked tension within Labour ranks.

The Wansbeck MP, who is also Labour's national campaigns co-ordinator, noted that the party was keeping the option of a new referendum on the table, but expressed concern at the consequences if such a vote was called.

Writing in the Guardian, Mr Lavery, who is chairman of the Labour Party, said: "We should be in no doubt that asking the voters to vote again on an issue they have already given an answer, until they come up with the right answer, risks serious damage to the relationship between many citizens and politicians at Westminster.

"A radical, redistributive Labour government is the answer to the woes of our country and for our communities, not rerunning a divisive campaign that seems likely to deliver the same result again and do nothing to answer the demand of a country crying out for real change."
A dealer who wrongly claimed he had been poisoned with the nerve agent Novichok has been jailed for 11 years for supplying drugs.

Alex King, 42, was absent for the sentencing on Friday, having gone on the run last year after a string of failed attempts to avoid justice, including claiming he had been the target of a Russian murder plot when he collapsed in a Salisbury restaurant in September.

The claim came six months after a genuine Novichok attack in the town on ex-soviet spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter.

A month before the scheme, King and his wife Anna Shapiro had to be rescued while sailing off the Welsh coast by the RNLI after the boat they bought in Holyhead, north Wales, ran out of fuel.

His "bizarre" party lifestyle was laid bare in Southwark Crown Court, which heard he sold drugs, including cocaine, ecstasy and ketamine, and arranged high-class escorts, including his wife, to make money.

Alex King (right) and Baljit Gill have both been sentenced for drug dealing. / PA

No hint was given in court to King's whereabouts as he was sentenced to 11 years in his absence on Friday after he was convicted of two charges of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, one charge of conspiracy to supply Class B drugs and one charge of conspiracy to supply Class C drugs following a trial.

The court heard he was last seen leaving a flat with his wife near Harley Street, in central London, on December 17 last year.

Police found King in bed with Ms Shapiro when they raided his flat in Marylebone, central London, which cost thousands of pounds a month to rent, on June 29 2016.

Officers found a block of 90 per cent pure cocaine, MDMA powder, ecstasy pills bearing the Just Eat logo, crack cocaine, ketamine and diazepam, with a street value of around 60,000 in a safe.

Sebastian Gardiner, defending Gill, described King as a "very bizarre" character who lived a "glamorous, albeit seedy, existence", making money from arranging parties, selling drugs and supplying high-class escorts to his VIP clients.

Police in Salisbury / Getty Images

King had taken photographs and videos of drugs and himself with his merchandise, which were found on his mobile phone.

King's associate, Baljit Gill, 38, who lived with his parents in Welling, south-east London, was jailed for nine years after he was found guilty of two charges of conspiring to sell Class A drugs after a separate trial.

The pair's phones contained pictures of them posing with their expensive jewellery, while in one video clip of them "showing off", Gill drives towards the camera in an Aston Martin, and says: "It's a present from Alex King to me."

King's barrister, Leon Kazakos, said he has not had any contact with his client, who had been living a "flash lifestyle, which has been hired rather than purchased".

The court heard how he feigned injury and illness to avoid his trial and on the evening of September 16 last year collapsed in the Salisbury Prezzo restaurant, where he was having dinner with Ms Shapiro.

He was rushed to hospital, but released three days later after doctors found no poison, toxin or immediately obvious neurological reason to explain his symptoms.

Wiltshire Police said the force's investigation is still ongoing into the incident at Prezzo.

The judge started proceedings to confiscate the pair's criminal cash, warning King's absence from court would not work in his favour.

He said: "If anyone in court does happen to know his whereabouts, that means that over the the next few months the prosecution are going to make investigations, estimate how much money has been made by this dealing, make an indication of what the defendants' benefit has been from this drug dealing and an assessment of their realisable assets.
S peedboat killer Jack Shepherd is today expected to appear in a Georgian court six months after he was convicted of manslaughter in his absence at the Old Bailey.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is set to request the Brits extradition back to the UK to face justice over the death of Charlotte Brown.

The 31-year-old is due to be produced at Tbilisi City Court later for a short hearing, during which it is believed Georgian prosecutors will apply to keep him in custody.

Ms Brown, 24, from Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, died after plunging into the icy waters of the River Thames when Shepherd's boat crashed during a date in December 2015.

Charlotte Brown, who was killed in a speedboat crash on the River Thames whilst on a date with Jack Shepherd / Metropolitan Police/PA Wire

Shepherd, originally from Exeter, went on the run before his trial at the Old Bailey and jurors found him guilty of manslaughter by gross negligence.

He was sentenced to six years imprisonment, but remained at liberty.

That was until Wednesday when, Shepherd walked into a Georgian police station flanked by lawyers and gave an interview proclaiming his innocence.

The CPS said prosecutors are currently "consulting with the authorities in Georgia to progress our extradition request"

On-the-run speedboat killer Jack Shepherd hands himself in

Tariel Kakabadze, Shepherd's lawyer in Georgia, said he may still fight his extradition to the UK, where his legal team has been granted leave to appeal his conviction.

Mr Kakabadze said: "It's Jack Shepherd's decision not to fight for release on today's court session."

Under Georgian law, he can be detained for up to nine months before extradition, he added

Shepherd is also being represented by Mariam Kublashvili, a lawyer who reportedly appeared on Georgia's version of Strictly Come Dancing.

Jack Shepherd was convicted of killing his date, Charlotte Brown / PA

Prosecutors are required to apply for restriction measures for a person wanted in another country within 48 hours of them being arrested.

Cabinet ministers were among those celebrating his surrender, and Theresa May's official spokesman said the Prime Minister "welcomes the news that he is now in custody".
A crime ring used Airbnb properties and moped couriers in a 5 million conspiracy to supply drugs on demand across London, a court heard.

Customers could choose from a menu of drugs  including cocaine, Ecstasy and speed  and would receive them in sealed packages within 10 minutes of making an order, it is said.

The group had moped riders on standby, aiming to make 30 deliveries each a day, Inner London crown court was told. Prosecutor Peter Finnigan QC said Airbnb flats were rented for a few days at a time as temporary distribution centres to avoid detection.

However, police put the group under surveillance after one of the moped riders phones, apparently containing drug-dealing messages, was seized during a routine traffic stop.

Mr Finnigan said Met officers raided self-storage centres in Kings Cross, Hoxton, Battersea and off the Old Kent Road in July last year and seized about 3 million of drugs.

Police also found mobiles used as dedicated drugs lines, and evidence of 2.5 million of alleged drug profits that had been banked, it is said.

Mr Finnigan said a 10-page staff manual was seized which was filled with business speak, including a code of conduct and offers of performance-based pay incentives. The handbook said it was crucial each delivery takes only 10 minutes, telling drivers to be polite and conduct yourself with adequate posture. It added: Wait at the door without screaming or speaking loudly, without drawing attention either to yourself in any way or to our clients, who need privacy and contact us with high levels of discretion.

Jurors heard that the manual boasted the drugs ring have orders all over London and the help of ex-police officers and a solicitor who informs us and helps us to build security structures that work.

It added: The aim of the company is to be number one. We count on your professionalism to achieve that and always grow in income, and that way increase your salary and bonuses.

Mr Finnigan said the stated aim of the group was to stand out in the market. They used high-tech trackers on the mopeds and WhatsApp messaging groups to deliver the drugs quickly.

Souellen Miguez, 34, was accused of renting out the Airbnb flats, hiring staff and organising storage of the drugs.

Carlos Libardi Da Silva, 33, and Bernardo Salles, 25, were said to be trusted lieutenants, while Andre Alves, 22, Isabella Braga Da Silva, 20, and Shawi Attie, 30, were also allegedly involved.

All six defendants, who are originally from Brazil, deny five charges of conspiracy to supply class A drugs.
T he former head of Westminster Councils pension fund who plundered more than 1 million to splash out on a new home and a car has been jailed for seven years.

Ian Woodall, 47, raided the fund between 2010 and 2012, moving money to bank accounts in Switzerland and The Seychelles under the guise of investments.

Investigators later found that Woodall had used 100,000 of the stolen money as a deposit on his new home, he spent 45,000 on home improvements, and 15,000 on the purchase of a Renault Scenic.

He also used the money to pay off his tax bills, Southwark crown court heard.

At court today, Woodall was jailed for seven years by Judge Stephen Robbins who said the former council worker should be put on suicide watch behind bars.

The time has come when you must be sentenced for this appalling conduct, said the judge.

You occupied a position of trust, and this was persistent abuse of that trust.

The judge added that Woodall went to great lengths to sort the money away in Swiss and other bank accounts.

The court heard Woodall used his senior position to dupe Westminster council executives into signing off payments destined for his own bank accounts.

He denied fraud by abuse of position but was convicted following a trial last year.

The case had been beset by delays due to Woodalls myriad of health conditions, including a brain disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and amnesia.

He was helped slowly into the dock for the hearing, and visible trembled as the sentenced was handed down.

His barrister, David Kitson, said Woodall cannot remember what happened when he worked for the council as the interim chief investment officer.

He has lost virtually everything that he had in his life, Mr Kitson told the court.

He has clearly lost his good health, and he has lost his family - his wife and children will be moving back to Australia as soon as all their affairs are resolved here.

Woodalls wife Tania also faced prosecution as a result of her husbands fraud, but was found not guilty of money laundering on the direction of the judge.

Westminster Council said after Woodalls conviction that it has changed our processes to make them even more robust and kept these under review.
I ts all about keeping moving, not thinking about it too much and staying the right distance from the wall.

Simple enough instructions from Jay Sharples, a respected figure in Manchesters street-art community, as he tries to talk me through creating my first piece of art using a spray can. But the trouble is that I think too much, especially when I am eager to get something right. So my first attempts at writing my name on a wall with hot-pink paint are stodgy dripping swirls  nothing like the precise lines Im mentally creating.

This art lesson is part of a street-art tour of the citys Northern Quarter by Art Battle Manchester. Before creating (ahem) masterpieces in a warehouse for two hours under the expert eye of Sharples, Id done a tour of the area, learning about the politics behind some of the street art I walk past frequently, the varying techniques their creators use, the difference between graffiti and street art, and the unwritten code of conduct in Manchesters street-art community.

Its projects like this, and the people behind them, that make Manchesters street art so special and diverse. As well as the Out House project, recent street-art festivals such as Cities of Hope and The Mancunian Spray have invited artists from all over the world to paint on the walls of the Northern Quarter and beyond. This keeps the work fresh and adds to the buzz of the scene, making even more artists want to contribute. The fact that the bulk of the art in the city is in a very walkable and culturally cool area just adds to its appeal.

While Ive always admired the work on the Northern Quarters walls, the tour gave me new insight into the motivation and passion that goes into each piece. Street artists arent always commercially minded, John, our guide, explains. They dont sell their work to the public, they just want them to see it and, sometimes, to get a message across.

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Manchester council knows the value of the citys street art. In central Stevenson Square theres a selection of works supported by the local authority as part of the Out House project, which Jay runs with Tasha Whittle. Every three months the buildings in the square are repainted by invited members of the street-art community. Current pieces include a huge bee  the much-loved symbol of the city  by Australian artist Thomas Jackson, and a trademark cartoon monkey by Jay.

As we explore, I start to recognise the signature styles of prominent artists and learn how theyve created certain effects. C215, also known as the French Banksy, has painted a number of portraits in black, white and purple, depicting those on the fringes of society. My favourite, an elderly couple gazing into each others eyes and about to kiss, in Warwick Street, was made using stencils.

Cathy Toogood wields a spray can (Catherine Bewick) / Catherine Berwick

Another striking piece of stencil art is Serenity, a huge work on Little Lever Street by duo SNIK. The towering woman in a scarlet dress is a tribute to all women who stand against injustice. Its setting, just off Stevenson Square, is deliberate: this is where several meetings of the suffragettes took place.

Stencils are a quick way to create artwork on a wall as most of the preparation is done at home. Another speedy method  to prevent being caught  is to do a paste-up, where pictures created elsewhere are pasted on to a chosen wall. We see one by the popular artist My Dog Sighs with a rip through it. Hes taken a Stanley knife to it to prevent someone stealing it, John explains.

However, many of the pieces we learn about havent been created with speed in mind, such as a portrait of Mr Manchester, Tony Wilson, the late TV presenter and impresario. The artist behind it, Akse, is known for his portraits, and the level of detail in the paintwork is incredible.

Monkey by Jay Sharples (Catherine Bewick)

Back to my lesson and Im starting to get more confident. I can just about feel where the biting point of my can is, and Im learning which caps to use for certain styles. Its all about your tools, Jay explains.

Hoping that a busy background will hide my lack of skill, I use every colour on offer to paint a rainbow, then choose a monkey stencil to sit on top. Stencilling is harder than it looks.

Im quite proud of the end result and now have a piece of art to hang on the wall at home. And while Im not quite ready to take to the streets of Manchester yet, I certainly have a greater appreciation of those who do.

Details: Manchester
B orn on January 27 1756 in Salzburg, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart would go on to be one of the most-loved classical composers of all time.

His operas, concertos, symphonies and sonatas went on to shape classical music and influence the works of fellow composers, such as Ludwig van Beethoven.

His extensive repertoire requires technical mastery from musicians and his pieces are still regularly celebrated around the world, more than 230 years on.

Heres a round up of his best musical masterpieces over his 35 years of life.

Requiem

Requiem was one of the final pieces written by the legendary composer and was left unfinished when he died in 1791. However, a completed version dated 1792 was delivered to Count Franz von Walsegg, who commissioned the piece for a service in memory of his wife who had died that year. While it is not known who finished the piece, it is speculated that Mozart's student Franz Xaver Sussmayr was the person behind it.

Clarinet concerto

Mozart's Clarinet Concerto in A major K 622 is one of his most-loved works and was written in 1791 for the clarinetist Anton Stadler. The piece, consisting of three movements, was the first clarinet concerto to be written by a major composer, but was originally written for the basset horn rather than clarinet.

Piano Sonata No.11

Mozart wrote around 18 sonatas for solo piano but no.11 is one of his best-known. The piece is made up of three movements, but is most famous for its last one, which takes the form of a Turkish style march. While it is uncertain where Mozart composed the famous sonata, it is thought that Vienna or Salzburg are the most likely locations.

Mozart Symphony No. 40

This symphony is one of his most popular  particularly with fellow composer Beethoven. It is thought that the German figure was inspired by the symphony's final movement when his wrote his famous Symphony No.5.

Symphony No. 41/Jupiter

This work, nicknamed Jupiter, is the longest and last symphony that he composed and is often regarded by critics one of the greatest in classical music. Despite being completed in 1788, when Mozart was 32, it is still uncertain whether the piece was ever performed during the composers lifetime.

Where to hear classical music in London - In pictures 1 /7 Where to hear classical music in London - In pictures Royal Albert Hall Best known for its central role at the Proms, the Royal Albert Hall is one of the most coveted stages in the world for musicians across many disciplines  not least because it can seat over 5,000 eager listeners. As well as hosting internationally famous performers on a regular basis, the Hall is also home to a Films in Concert series showing movies to a soundtrack played by a full orchestra and child-friendly shows including My Great Orchestral Adventure. David Iliff Cadogan Hall The principal venue of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra may not have the staggering capacity of some of its more famed associates, but is among the best loved. Its quirky Byzantine-inspired architecture hints as its former life as a Christian Scientist church (not too many concert halls have bell towers), only converting into a music venue in 2004. The Hall regularly host a Prom or two in summer, and is also home to the London Jazz Festival. Alex MacNaughton Wigmore Hall This Marylebone concert hall has managed something pretty special. Wigmore Hall became world-renowned shortly after opening as the Bechstein Hall in 1901 for having near-perfect acoustics. As a result, it has become a specialist venue for voice performances, particularly chamber music, supporting music with roots way back in the sixteenth century. Peter Dazeley Canary Wharf If summer is here, then the time is right to take your classical al fresco. One of the more unlikely spots in the capital to be doing this is Canary Wharf, where Canada Square (just at the bottom of the famed pyramided centre-piece of the wharf) plays host to multiple classical music events that are frequently free to attend. Royal Festival Hall audtorium, Southbank Centre As one of the citys most celebrated cultural venues, the Southbank Centre is home to not one, but three classical music venues. The best known of these is the Royal Festival Hall which boasts the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the Philharmonia Orchestra and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment as residents. Jazz lovers should head to the neighbouring Queen Elizabeth Hall, while the most intimate experience at the centre can be found in the 360 seat Purcell Room. Nick Rochowski Kings Place This very modern concert venue has all sorts happening under its roof. As much as Kings Place is a venue, it is also an education and working space for musicians both budding and established. The concert hall hosts classical music primarily, but also folk, contemporary and world musicians. If you want to get involved, you can also take in guitar lessons and a variety of workshops at the venue too. Nick White Rizwan-Muazzam Qawwali in the Barbican Hall As one of the largest cultural complexes in Europe, you can bet one of the Barbican Centres many facets is dedicated to classical music. Inside its striking Brutalist facade, youll find the Barbican Hall, a Modernist concert space which is home to both the BBC Symphony Orchestra and the Sir Simon Rattle-lead London Symphony Orchestra. Max Colson

Mozart opera: The Magic Flute

Mozart conducted at the premiere of the Magic Flute 30 September 1791  just two months before his sudden death. Made up of two acts, it takes the form of a Singspiel  an opera that includes both singing and spoken dialogue. It tells the story of Prince Tamino and the bird-catcher Papageno on their quest to rescue the Queen of the Night's daughter Pamina.

Mozart opera: The Marriage of Figaro

The Marriage of Figaro is widely considered to be one of the best comic operas ever written. The four act work was composed in 1786, with an Italian libretto written by Lorenzo Da Ponte. It follows servants Figaro and Susanna as they succeed in getting married, dashing the efforts of their cunning employer Count Almaviva.

Mozart concerts in London 2019

Celebrating Mozart's birthday with London Mozart Players and Michael Collins at St Johns Smith Square, January 26

More information can be found here.

Mozart Requiem at Southbank Centre, February 1

More information can be found here.

Bach, Handel and Mozart by candlelight at St Martins in Fields, February 15
P rickly as a hedgehog, Sir Roger Scruton is a philosopher who thinks he knows a thing or two about beauty. Last November he was appointed chair of the Governments new Building Better, Building Beautiful Commission, a deeply weird operation whose main belief seems to be that nimbys will accept more housing in their backyards as long as its style harks back to classical Greece or Rome in a manner that will fit around a church, a green and a manor house.

How he will win over a deeply sceptical design profession to this Scrutopia is unclear. He isnt someone who easily wins friends and influences people, having made various remarks that many have found sexist, racist or homophobic. He once described the neo-Nazi National Front party as anegalitarian and populist movement and date rape as a supposed crime.

Leftist rabble are to blame for hostility to his appointment, he opines. When the Evening Standard sought an interview with this public appointee, it received dusty answers  on one occasion because the email was addressed to Mr Scruton rather than Sir or Professor. He wrote of one journalists email: I was reminded of the Nazi habit of never addressing Jews, when arresting them, by their titles, but always by their surnames.

Scruton has, however, written a lot about beauty and the philosophy of aesthetics  as well as about wine, fox-hunting (hes a fan, obvs), pessimism and fictional offerings that include scenes worthy of the Literary Reviews Bad Sex award. Why do we distinguish the pure from the polluted? he asks elsewhere, before claiming victimhood because of his disadvantages[being] white, male, heterosexual, conservative and cultured.

Essentially, he is an enfeebled cultural warrior for the tweedy tendency of the hard Right. If Jacob Rees-Mogg, the Honourable Member for the 18th Century, ever formed a government, Scruton would be his perfect culture secretary. He rails at political correctness and metropolitan architectural elites out of touch with the design styles that ordinary people like. Turner Prize winners display bundles of facetious ephemera. Britain, he has written, celebrated its victory over Hitler by committing aesthetic suicide. Make Sir Christopher Wren great again!

Robert Bevan / Daniel Hambury

It is all very Breitbart News. Morality-laced neoclassicism was also the preference of Hitlers architect, Albert Speer.

Despite his venom in text, Sir Roger has a thing about manners, and believes that our cities would be more beautiful and houses built faster if contemporary buildings got in line like a Georgian terrace instead of being shouty individualists, and were compact instead of ever-sprawling. There are some decent points here  but they are points that much of the architectural profession has itself been promoting a long time since. The profession has moved on but Scruton hasnt, preferring to tilt at old windmills.

The beauty commission has emerged from a report called Building More, Building Beautiful, by Policy Exchange, a Right-of-centre think tank. One of its three authors was Scruton himself. From its cover onwards  a drawing of Georgian houses that gets the historical details all wrong  it has been many decades since a more ludicrous or ignorant report on architecture was published.

The oddity of Scrutons world view drawls off one particular page. Good manners, dress codes, polite speech, clean habits  all these we adopt for aesthetic reasons, because they harmonize our conduct with that of other people, declares the report. This is not Debretts, remember.

"Of the Grenfell disaster, Scruton said, If it hadnt been so ugly ... the problem would never have happened"

At a debate on Beauty held at Central Saint Martins last night, Scruton appeared to disown the report, fessing up that he only wrote one page  presumably that quoted above.

Other aspects of the text are truisms. It says housing developers prioritise the financial over design quality. It calls for councils to publish design guidance  many already do. There are spurious, weighted polls where a shoddy picture of the desirable Barbican apartments is apparently selected to encourage focus groups to snub modernism.

Scruton says he is not interested in reopening the style wars that sparked acrimony between Prince Charles and architects in the Eighties, but you wouldnt think it from comments such as horizontal windows transgressing the humane, and windows without decorative mouldings mere holes in the wall.

Fundamentally, he believes beauty to be a universal value that he links to moral discipline lost in the permissive Sixties, a decade which witnessed the decay of everything. It is obvious that opinions of beauty change across time and place, but Scruton appears to believe beautys rules were laid down by God or by nature. He confuses aesthetics with art and is inspired by a Positivist philosophical tradition that sees science as reason and art as non-reason, so Scrutons search for a rationale for beauty is to try and regulate it.

This results in a thick-lipped, joyless beauty at a voyeuristic distance from the messiness of real life. No amount of pediments will improve the lot of a homeless person with few housing options since Right-to-Buy sold off public housing to private landlords.

Of the Grenfell disaster, Scruton told last nights audience: If it hadnt been so ugly to begin with, the whole problem would never have happened.

Extraordinarily, he also appeared to accept that the beauty commission was a red herring, deflecting attention from the real course of the housing crisis. Asked by the chair if he thought it was a decoy, he responded: I fear it is, adding: Im here to make it look like something is being done.
W hen you walk past a Patisserie Valerie dont your eyes devour the strawberry tarts? An indulgence too far? No more than the sugar-coated creativity of the accounting at the company which, now discovered, has led Luke Johnsons chain to collapse into administration and a third of its shops closing. And with it goes a little slice of European culture in our midst.

We Brits think our own cream buns as something on a saucy Brighton postcard  naughty but nice. It was the European patissier who turned them into an art form. The glistening apples, sponges, mountains of buttercream and whipped cream were an expression of civilised cafes and the lilt of Strauss, of opera houses and stately parties.

In the 19th century, the French feted the chef Careme, who served as patissier to Napoleons foreign minister Tallyrand, to the Russian tsar and the Rothschilds, and who regarded cake-building as an extension of architecture (rather like a Bake Off showstopper challenge)  he could make castles and ships out of icing and sponge. His Austro-Hungarian rival was Sacher, who created the Sachertorte for Austrian foreign minister Metternich and perfected the chocolate glaze. The 19th century was a war between the gateau and the torte.

It was from this tradition that Madame Valerie arrived from Belgium to Soho in 1926 (Maison Bertaux around the corner had come first in 1871) to us Protestants.

Cakes are the ultimate expression of luxury and frivolity: they are ephemeral. Some are made to be eaten within hours (minutes?) of being made.

It is a shame to see Patisserie Valerie go out of fashion, but not so much of a shame as their new rivals under the glass counter: the now ubiquitous American cupcake. A childs party cake versus the symbol of European civilisation? Ill have a mille-feuille a thousand times over.

Victory to the troll who shouts loudest

Earlier this week I hosted a conversation with Anna Soubry MP at The Trouble Club, which I help run. And trouble we had indeed with a woman who sat in the front row live-streaming the event to her hard-Brexit following and then interrupted, harangued and shouted that she wasnt being heard. It was difficult to get a word in edgeways.

Soubry took it in good grace. For the rest of us, mostly Remainers, it was a sobering reminder of how the person who shouts the loudest can subvert the whole conversation. Another Brexiteer stood up and said: She doesnt speak for me. But our troll wouldnt let her speak either.

New shaming for the blagging bloggers

Instagram is the QVC for the millennial generation, someone wise once observed. And my, it has become a shopping channel. No wonder the Competition and Markets Authority has demanded that influencers now declare their influence by putting #sponsored tags on the end of their posts, or face a fine or even prison.

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley / Presley Ann/Getty Images

Rita Ora, Ellie Goulding and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley are among those whove been named by the CMA as committing to hashtagging their posts that extol freebies. Instagram influencers can earn tens of thousands for a promotion, and indeed the #sponsored tag is now having an unusual effect: influencers who arent even paid are now attaching it to their posts to make it look like they might be worth the money.

The CMA is looking a bit old school with its possible two-year prison sentence. Think of the Instagram niche audience youd win with a prison feed. It should demand that Instagram cull their following. Thats a proper social shaming.

A room of ones own must be minimalist

Currently on my bedside table is Viv Groskops How to Own the Room, a punchy book on how to walk tall and talk tall for women.

But what is this room that we need to own?

In the past month Ive had three separate conversations with female friends, all in families, about what they dreamt of. They all said a white minimalist flat just for them.
In the capital cities of the two great anglophone powers, public business has ground to a halt. On one side of the Atlantic, federal workers are lining up to receive free food while the president holds the government to ransom. On the other side, the House of Commons, a legislative body that likes to call itself the "mother of parliaments," is completely frozen by its inability to legislate. The government cannot pass the Brexit deal it has negotiated. The opposition cannot unseat the government.

There are different issues at stake in the United States and Britain, and very different characters in charge of each gridlock. The stiff and uncharismatic British prime minister, Theresa May, might as well be living on a different planet from the vulgar and mendacious Donald Trump. Yet there is nevertheless something curiously parallel about the two crises: Both are being driven by post-ideological conservative parties, the American Republicans and the British Conservatives, transatlantic cousins who have both lost their way.

Their double failure is no coincidence. In the 1980s and 1990s, anglophone conservatives were motivated by ideas so powerful that they spread from the United States and Britain to the rest of the world: faith in democracy, faith in free markets, faith in free trade. Pummeled by events - the financial crisis, the wars in Iraq and Syria - both parties have lost that faith. But they have failed to find anything else to replace it. Instead, they have been captured by angry minorities. They are easily manipulated by big funders and special interests. They have stopped thinking about the good of the nation and can focus only on what's good for the party - or for themselves.

Certainly this is true in Britain, where May's main focus since 2016 has been party management, not British interests. She adopted the language of the Brexiteer extremists - she told her party that "if you believe you're a citizen of the world, you're a citizen of nowhere," to great applause - while quietly trying to placate the pro-business center. She lost opportunities for cross-party compromise. Had she been willing to reach across the aisle and forge a compact with the Labour Party, she could have ended the stalemate already: There is a majority in the House of Commons for Britain to remain inside a customs union with Europe, a solution that would let trade continue and avoid the need for a hard border with the island of Ireland.

Some think that this is what May wants and that she will let backbench Conservative MPs try to achieve it. But she has lost months of valuable time because she won't propose it herself, for fear of a party division. Her party, not the country, is what matters to her most.

At least until now, Republican leaders in Congress have also refused to embrace a pragmatic solution - pass legislation to re-open the government, make a compromise on border security - for exactly the same kinds of reasons. Like May, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., has refused to reach across the aisle in order to pay civil servants because he fears a split in his party. Like the British Conservatives, American Republicans answer only to their own voters, not to the population at large. As for the U.S. president, Trump's personal narcissism leaves no room for concern for anyone - not government workers, not his party colleagues. His voters seem motivated by tribalism, not ideas, to support him.

Eventually, these two crises will be resolved. But even when the stalemates in Washington and London come to an end, this moment should not be forgotten. The collapse of any motivating ideas on the center-right in the two great anglophone powers will have broader consequences. By losing the ability to think and act in the name of national interest, British Tories and American Republicans have also lost the ability to think internationally. For Europeans accustomed to thinking of Anglo-American politicians as pragmatic and outward-looking, it has come as a shock to learn just how little British Tories actually know about Europe and about trade, just how little Republicans really care about far-flung allies, and just how much conservative politics in both countries has given way to self-dealing and self-interest. All that talk about "opportunity" and "entrepreneurship" sounds different in a world where Jacob Rees-Mogg, one of the louder Brexiteers, has moved his own investment funds to Dublin to escape the effects of Brexit, or where the U.S. president has lied about the business deals he pursued with Moscow all the way through his election campaign.

Their language sounds hollow because they don't believe it themselves anymore, either. Like the Communist parties of Eastern Europe in the 1980s, they are going through the motions, acting out their roles, without any faith in what they are doing. I don't believe that May honestly thinks her Brexit deal is any good, just as I don't believe that McConnell thinks his tax cut benefited anyone except wealthy friends and donors. These are nihilists who have abandoned one set of values and failed to acquire any others.
STAMFORD  When it rains hard, crossing is barred.

Thats the rule now at a busy but crumbling foot bridge downtown.

The center pier supporting the 131-year-old West Main Street bridge is so rickety that city officials shut it down during rainstorms.

Thursday it was closed for the sixth time in three months, Public Safety Director Ted Jankowski said. Most closures last a day or less.

Its more of a preventive measure, Jankowski said. Its to be on the side of caution.

City Engineer Lou Casolo said he recommended the 125-foot bridge that connects the West Side to downtown over the Mill River be closed during heavy rains. Its because the stone and concrete center pier is disintegrating.

When theres a lot of water and the rivers are running full, it creates a lot of force on the bridge piers and abutments, Casolo said. My concern is that the center pier could be compromised if a log or some other debris comes down the river and hits it.

And whatever happens to the center pier happens to the trusses  the structural frames of the bridge.

With this bridge, both of the trusses are bearing down on the center pier. If the pier failed, the trusses would fail, too, Casolo said. So I want to do everything we can to make sure nobody is on the bridge during weather events. Im being very cautious about things.

The historic iron bridge has been open to pedestrians only since 2002, when the state Department of Transportation deemed it unsafe for car traffic.

In the ensuing years, city officials debated whether to shore up the bridge just for walkers or undertake the bigger job of rebuilding it for vehicle use. The result of the debate was inaction.

Finally, last year, the Mill River Collaborative, a public-private partnership overseeing the renovation of Mill River Park, which surrounds the bridge, offered city officials a $2 million grant it received from the state to restore it for pedestrian use only.

The collaborative said a walk bridge is in keeping with the character of the park and will preserve the rare bridge, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has survived as one of the few vestiges of city history left downtown.

In September, the Board of Representatives approved a contract in which the contractor was given 100 days to evaluate the bridge and estimate the cost of repairing it to preserve its historic character, and accommodate pedestrians and light emergency vehicles.

If the board approves the estimate, the contractor, Wengell, McDonnell & Costello, will complete the design. The construction work then will go out to bid. The work is scheduled to be finished in 2020.

The contractor has concluded its findings, Casolo said, and he hopes to present them to city boards next month.

Fixing the 1888 bridge, which carries utility services  including delicate, century-old telephone lines  will be complex, Casolo said.

We may have to dam the river to repair utility lines and provide access during construction work, he said. We will present the possibility of installing a temporary bridge, if the boards support spending the money to do that.

In the meantime, the bridges age is working against it  and possibly saving it.

The 1888 structure of intricate metal work  one of only eight of its kind left in Connecticut  was renovated a few decades after it was installed to accommodate trolley tracks. Adding tracks required adding support piers, Casolo said.

When the trolley came through, they put eight mini-piers in the river, four on each side of the center pier, Casolo said. That structure wouldnt be in the condition its in if those mini-piers werent there. They are the main support for the deck of the bridge. They are keeping the bridge up.

Can mini-piers withstand the force of a river rushing with rainfall, and maybe tree limbs and other debris, until repairs are completed?

Lets keep our fingers crossed, Casolo said.

And keep the closures in place, he said.

Weve got chain-link fences on each side of the bridge, and some signage, to keep the community aware of what the procedure is when theres a lot of rain, Casolo said. The closures are done through the operations department, which knows the storm forecasts. They go out and lock the gates. After the storm subsides, I or someone from my office checks the structure, and if things seem to be the same, we open it again.

The procedure will remain until the elected boards decide whether to direct the contractor to construct a temporary bridge or leave the antique one in place for the duration of the repair project.

Im sorry for the disruption to the public, Casolo said. But, given the possible consequences, I think its the right thing to do.

acarella@stamfordadvocate.com; 203-964-2296.
STAMFORD  The target of a New York police manhunt  wanted for allegedly dragging a cop in a stolen car Thursday afternoon  showed up at Stamford Hospital with a gunshot wound and a different story.

Sgt. Sean McGowan said Stamford police were called to the hospital around 8:20 p.m. Thursday when Howard Rowlett, 24, showed up with a gunshot wound to the back.

McGowan said Rowlett claimed he was wounded in a drive-by shooting downtown near the Stamford Town Center mall.

However, Stamford police discovered Rowlett was wanted for allegedly running over a New York cop as he tried to flee in a stolen car near the Bronx-Mount Vernon border around 2 p.m. Thursday.

Mount Vernon police had been looking for a stolen BMW with Pennsylvania plates when they spotted it on Monticello Avenue.

The officers tried to stop Rowlett and a female passenger when he struck one of the cops and dragged him for about a block, according to NBC New York. Rowlett was shot by another officer as he tried to get away before crashing into a parked car, NBC reported. Rowlett and the woman then ran away.

As the manhunt continued, McGowan said Rowlett appeared at Stamford Hospital, claiming an Uber took him from New Jersey and dropped him off at the downtown train station where his cousin picked him up.

Rowlett claimed that a short time later he was walking alone near the mall when a black car drove up and someone shot him in the back. Rowlett said the shooting occurred near the Dinosaur place, but McGowan said Dinosaur Bar-B-Que is about three-quarters of a mile from the mall.

Rowlett said he then walked to Stamford Hospital, but could not say what route he took or provide any other information about who shot him, McGowan said.

Mount Vernon police arrived at the hospital around 10:30 p.m. Thursday and seized Rowletts clothing, McGowan said.

Rowlett, of Mount Vernon, has been charged with first-degree attempted assault of a police officer. According to the felony complaint in his court file, Rowlett attempted to run over a Mount Vernon detective, who had to jump out of the way to avoid being hit.

Mount Vernon police could not be reached for comment. The Mount Vernon police officer was treated for minor injuries and released from a New York hospital, NBC reported.

At his arraignment at the Stamford courthouse early Friday afternoon, Supervisory Assistant States Attorney Steven Weiss asked Judge Bruce Hudock to hold Rowlett in lieu of a $500,000 bond on an extradition warrant.

Rowlett, who claims to be a security officer, agreed to be extradited to New York and Hudock ordered him held on the $500,000 bond in the meantime.

jnickerson@stamfordadvocate.com
STAMFORD  Over the past several months, Trinity Catholic has made visible changes to its building. A new media center primed for digital learning. New wing for high schoolers on the renovated second and third floors. The guidance office transformed to make space for a learning academy.

But changes to Catholic education in the city go deeper than renovations to the Newfield Avenue campus. Earlier this month, Bishop Frank Caggiano announced the running of the school would now be in the hands of a Board of Directors, a group of nine community members with expertise in a variety of areas that could benefit the school.

The bishop is a firm believer that in order for a school to be successful, there have to be leaders who take ownership of it, said Steven Cheeseman, superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Bridgeport. It moves them from advisory (positions) to decision makers.

Trinity Catholic is the second high school in the diocese to make this change, the first being St. Joseph High School in Trumbull, which switched to the model in March 2017. It joins the Catholic Academy of Bridgeport, Holy Trinity Catholic Academy in Shelton and St. Joseph Catholic Academy in Brookfield, all K-8 schools.

It also is the second school in the city to change, following in the footsteps of the Catholic Academy of Stamford which formed in 2017, merging the citys four Catholic elementary schools and one middle school. The new academy is also under a board of directors.

These academy, single-campus models are very successful around the country, said Michael Macari, Trinitys director of marketing and communications. We saw a positive turnaround with St. Josephs getting on a good footing. Its a model that works during a time of change.

The eventual goal is for the schools to be self sufficient, she said.

(The diocese) wants to be a proponent of true Catholic education, but I dont think they want to be in the business of running a school, Macari

Cheeseman said the new model is the result of years of evolution in the handling of Catholic schools. Once in the hands of a single parish, parochial schools gave way to regional schools in which a single institution was supported by several parishes. This model was replaced by diocesan schools, which are all run by the superintendent of a diocese, with the superintendents fiscal management and human resources offices overseeing school business.

Over the years, theyve discovered its very hard to run 30 schools from one central office, Cheeseman said. We need to go back and find a way to empower people at the most local level. Dioceses across the country are grappling with this.

The transition means Trinity will still have a relationship with the bishop and is still a diocesan school, but is now independently sponsored.

The nine-person board of directors will make decisions on financial matters and tuition rates, as well as facility, admission, general curriculum, marketing and strategic issues. Each board member will oversee a committee assigned to a specific area of business comprised of six to 10 teachers, parents, representatives and professionals with relevant experience.

At the end of the day, it strengthens the relationship, Cheeseman said. In the past, people felt they didnt have a voice. This is designed to make them our partners as opposed to them running the school. The goal is not us or them. The goal is together we can run a stronger school. The hope is it strengthens the relationship with the community.

Trinitys new board chair, Roger Fox, said day-to-day decisions for the school will still be decided by Trinity Principal Scott Smith and Head of School Patricia Brady. Meanwhile, the diocese will continue to make decisions about the Catholic component of the school, as well as oversee its strategic plan and legal responsibilities.

The board members are from towns across Fairfield County, many with backgrounds in finance. They are assigned committees based on their relevant experience. Sacred Heart University education professor Darcy Ronan is the academic chair while Bruce Moore Jr., president of Eastern Land Management, is heading facilities.

Fox said the board will be looking ahead in one-, three- and five-year increments with a goal of increasing enrollment and coming up with long- and mid-term strategic plans. Fox said he personally would like to strengthen the schools Catholic influence and update its curriculum to incorporate even more modern technology.

He said hed like to increase school enrollment from 310 back up to 400 students.

The bishop felt the more local control, the more local involvement, Fox said. I think thats an extremely valid point. ... If the local community is involved, it brings more people into the schools.

The diocese as part of the restructure will eventually withdraw financial support from the school, Fox said. Historically, the diocese has given Trinity about $100,000 of its $5 million annual budget, he said. The diocese also gave the school $8 million for its recent renovations.

Cheeseman added the school will be responsible for any budget deficits, however the diocese will help for the time being, including with a deficit the school has as a result of declining enrollment.

Were not going to let them fail, he said. Were going to try to work with them.

Were branching out to appeal to more people, get some stability in administration, which Pat Brady and Scott Smith are certainly bringing, and get the curriculum into modern day, Fox said. All these things combined should bring us up to enrollment and be more comfortable. ... I just hope I dont screw it up. These are extremely gifted, talented people who have agreed to donate significant time as committee chairpeople.

Meanwhile, parents are feeling hopeful about the new model. Trinity families have seen constant waves of change with a new principal every year since 2013. Many hope the new arrangement (along with Smith who in the midst of his first year at the school) will help the institution run a smoother course.

The schools had a few very rough years, said Pauline Curley, who has one daughter who graduated Trinity last year and another whos a junior. Its had a lot of changes. I think this new governance model is a way to formalize things and put it on a more steady footing for the future. What seems positive is theres going to be a lot more people involved. They seem to be spreading the load and have a wider range of expertise in terms of people.

erin.kayata@stamfordadvocate.com; (203) 964-2265; @erin_kayata
GREENWICH  Improving transportation infrastructure, developing targeted career education initiatives and bettering conditions for existing businesses are the keys to growing Connecticuts economy, according to Greenwich resident and PepsiCo Chair Indra Nooyi.

A packed crowd gathered for a community conversation focused on the states economic growth with Nooyi and state Sen. Alexandra Bergstein (D-36) at the Greenwich Library Cole Auditorium on Thursday night.

A freshman senator, Bergstein started the discussion by asking Nooyi what businesses look for when considering a move to a new state.

The first thing we look for are whether the policies of the state government are business-friendly, Nooyi said. Also, is there a talented workforce? Is there a specialized workforce? Can I get my products out of the state easily? Is there airport access? Is the (transportation) infrastructure going to hold up?

New, improved transportation options

Using harbors and waterways for more commercial transportation and adding commuter ferries to New York City could transform many communities in Connecticut, said Nooyi, who stepped down as CEO last fall. She is continuing as chairwoman of the board of directors for now.

Updating and improving deteriorating infrastructure to better serve commercial vehicles would also be a plus for prospective companies, she added.

But the most critical of the states transportation needs is finding a way to fix the traffic jams on Interstate 95, Nooyi said.

Bergstein, who has already introduced a bill to bring tolls back to Connecticut in her first weeks in the state Senate, said installing electronic tolls on I-95 would achieve that goal.

Though a small group of protestors gathered outside the auditorium before the event to display their opposition to tolls, the audience inside cheered Bergsteins proposal.

Congestion on I-95 is an enormous problem. And theres a cost to that. The cost per resident is about $2,300 a year in excess fuel and lost time, said Bergstein, who is the first Democrat in decades to represent the 36th District, which encompasses all of Greenwich and part of Stamford and New Canaan.

According to Bergstein, a driver who commutes about 50 miles a day would spend an average of $600 a year on tolls under her legislation.

That may sound like a lot of money, but you would save $2,300 a year, she said. And you would get home to spend more time with your family.

Implementing congestion toll prices  which would be higher at busier times  would reduce traffic, Bergstein said, because truck drivers would likely adjust their travel times to avoid higher prices, shifting to night travel instead of making the trek during rush hour. And adding an HOV lane would encourage drivers to commute to work together, taking more cars off the road, she said.

With about 30 percent to 40 percent of the states highway traffic made up of trucks and tractor-trailers, Bergstein said tolls would take the burden off taxpayers to pay for damage caused by large commercial vehicles from out of state.

The senator also suggested credits or exemptions for low-income families to create true fair market pricing so we dont disproportionately impact vulnerable people.

Learn in Connecticut, stay in Connecticut

We want young people to not just get their education in Connecticut, but to make a life in Connecticut, said Nooyi.

Bergstein asked the business leader how public and private partnerships can be applied to education and job training to create a pipeline of skilled workers for businesses.

Workforce development is required for business development, said Nooyi. We need to map out what kind training we need to provide to our future workforce.

Companies that have left the state could return once they see Connecticut has the workforce the need, she said.

Bergstein floated the idea of offering student loan forgiveness to graduates of Connecticut universities who stay and work in the state for several years as an incentive to keep young people from leaving.

By adding a pool of healthy young people to the states health insurance plan, the overall cost of insurance would go down, said Bergstein. A good insurance plan would be an additional incentive for young people to take jobs in Connecticut, she said.

Building better business relationships

The most effective way to bring companies into the state is by bettering relationships with the ones that are already here, Nooyi said, because business leaders will strive to bring more companies in their industries where they work.

Pointing to the insurance industry in Hartford, Nooyi said companies there have been on the front lines of recruiting more firms in their field to work in Connecticut.

Because the state was once a hub for high-end manufacturing, the buildings and structures previously used could be fired up again by the same companies if the state can persuade them to return, Nooyi said.

That infrastructure can also be revitalized and find new life, Bergstein added, citing media companies Blue Sky Studios, which has an office in the backcountry, and NBC Sports, which took over a former manufacturing plant in Stamford, as examples.

Why we became a hub for media is because of the financial service companies that used to housed here, she said. Those buildings have the infrastructure and capacity to create the product that the media is putting out.

To achieve the bipartisan goal of renewing the states economic growth, Nooyi said a clear plan needs to be forged.

We have to outline the vision we want for Connecticut, she said.
Chahid El Hafed, Jan 24, 2019 (SPS) - The Ministry of the Occupied Territories and Abroad Communities has strongly criticized of the Moroccan authorities' repression and harassment against the Sahrawi people the occupied parts of Western Sahara, in communique issued by it on the horizon of theThe King of Spain's upcoming visit to Morocco, a copy of which obtained by SPS

The ministry expressed vigorous condemnation of the Moroccan occupation authoritys repression, harassment and siege of the masses of our people in the occupied territories and southern Morocco and Sahrawi political prisoners in Moroccan Jails the Ministry statement confirms

The communique reiterated its strong condemnation of the Spanish government's complicity with the Moroccan occupation, the last example of which was the handover of the activist Hussein Ould Bechir Ould Brahim to the Moroccan authorities on 17/01/2019.

It appealed all Conscientious people of the organizations and associations of the international community, especially Spanish and French, to reveal the complicity of their governments and their continued support for the Moroccan occupation regime.

The Ministry urged all Sahrawi in the Refugee Camps and in the Diaspora to sympathize with the besieged Saharawi people in occupied territory and southern Morocco.

"Spain, which colonized our land for more than century, continues its support to the Moroccan Kingdom occupation of Western Sahara in all international forums and decision-making centers, the last example was it support in the signing of the fishing agreement between Morocco and the European Union. SPS

125/090/TRA
Todd Douglas Miller's new documentary "Apollo 11," presented by Neon and CNN Films, premiered on Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019 at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah.

PARK CITY, Utah  Attendees at this year's Sundance Film Festival are getting a first look at never-before-seen footage from the first moon landing mission.

Billed as "a cinematic event fifty years in the making," director Todd Douglas Miller's "Apollo 11" premiered Thursday (Jan. 24) as one of the festival's opening night films. The 93-minute documentary, presented by Neon and CNN Films, was crafted from a newly-discovered trove of large-format, 65mm footage and more than 11,000 hours of uncatalogued audio recordings to provide a new look of one of the most iconic and historic moments in human history.

Disclosure: The author of this article, collectSPACE.com editor Robert Pearlman, served as the historical consultant on "Apollo 11."

"'Apollo 11' tells the story of Apollo 11, the mission, in a direct cinema way," said Miller in an interview with collectSPACE. "The intention was to make an art film out of all of the archival materials that we had available." [NASA's 17 Apollo Moon Missions in Pictures]

"We've jokingly called it 'Dunkirk' in space, but it is a good parallel of the narrative arc of the story in that you're dropped right into mission, right before the launch, and it ends with the astronauts returning home. It's really a fly-on-the-wall, direct cinema experience," said Miller.

The film relies entirely on archival footage and audio to tell the story of the July 1969 Apollo 11 mission, which landed Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin on moon while Michael Collins remained in lunar orbit.

Stephen Slater, Matt Morton, Rick Armstrong, Robert Pearlman, Ben Feist, Todd Douglas Miller, Thomas Petersen, Eric Milano and Bryan Elmer attend the "Apollo 11" premiere during the 2019 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. (Image credit: Cassidy Sparrow/Getty)

Miller and his team collaborated with NASA and the National Archives (NARA) to locate all of the existing footage from the Apollo 11 mission. In the course of sourcing all of the known imagery, NARA staff members made a discovery that changed the course of the project  an unprocessed collection of 65mm footage, never before seen by the public. Unbeknownst to even the NARA archivists, the reels contained wide format scenes of the Saturn V launch, the inside of the Launch Control Center and post-mission activities aboard the USS Hornet aircraft carrier. [NASA's Apollo 11 Moon Landing in Photos]

The find resulted in the project evolving from one of only filmmaking to one of also film curation and historic preservation. The resulting transfer  from which the documentary was cut  is the highest resolution, highest quality digital collection of Apollo 11 footage in existence.

"We knew that the clock was ticking, this material had been sitting around for 50 years," said Miller, commenting on the motivation behind the film scanning effort.

The other unexpected find was a massive cache of audio recordings  more than 11,000 hours  comprising the individual tracks from 60 members of the Mission Control team. "Apollo 11" film team members wrote code to restore the audio and make it searchable and then began the multi-year process of listening to and documenting the recordings. The effort yielded new insights into key events of the moon landing mission, as well as surprising moments of humor and camaraderie.

"Much of the footage in 'Apollo 11' is, by virtue of both access and proper preservation, utterly breathtaking," wrote The Hollywood Reporter's Daniel Fienberg in his review of the film. "The sense of scale, especially in the opening minutes, sets the tone as [the] rocket is being transported to the launch pad and resembles nothing so much as a scene from 'Star Wars' only with the weight and grandeur that come from 6.5 million pounds of machinery instead of CG."

A costume Apollo astronaut poses with the audience during the "Apollo 11" premiere at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah on Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019. (Image credit: Cassidy Sparrow/Getty)

Thursday's premiere brought together Miller with the members of his production team, including producers Thomas Petersen and Evan Krauss, composer Matt Morton, archival producer Stephen Slater and technical consultant Ben Feist. Rick Armstrong, son of the late Neil Armstrong, joined the filmmakers on the red carpet at the Park City, Utah event.

Neon is planning a theatrical run for "Apollo 11" later this spring (a date for the release is expected soon), with a giant screen release for museums and science centers in May, followed by CNN airing a version of the documentary closer to the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission this summer.

Follow collectSPACE.com on Facebook and on Twitter at @collectSPACE. Copyright 2019 collectSPACE.com. All rights reserved.
In 2011, NASA's Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) mission sent a pair of washing-machine-size satellites into low lunar orbit for nearly a year. Thanks to the spacecraft's precise dance around the moon, scientists were able to create the highest-resolution gravity-field map ever made of any celestial body. The results revealed a wealth of never-before-seen lunar features in exquisite detail.

"Trying to understand how the moon formed, and how it evolved over its history, is one of the things we're trying to address with the GRAIL mission," Maria Zuber, principal investigator for GRAIL and a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, said in a statement before the mission launch. "But also, [we're] trying to understand how the moon is an example of how terrestrial planets in general have formed."

During their time in orbit around the moon, the spacecraft accomplished both of those goals.

A path of precision

The GRAIL mission consisted of two medium-size spacecraft that were almost identical. The handful of differences between the craft stemmed from the need for one satellite to fly in front of the other.

The spacecraft relied heavily on the success of the twin Earth-based Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) spacecraft, which had launched about nine years earlier, in 2002, on a mission to study Earth's gravity. GRAIL's science payload was a simplified form of GRACE's, and the newer spacecraft's design was derived from the Lockheed Martin Experimental Small Satellite-11, which had launched in 2005.

The primary instrument on the two GRAIL spacecraft was the Lunar Gravity Ranging System (LGRS). The LGRS transmitted radio signals that precisely defined the distance between the two spacecraft. These signals allowed the spacecraft to accurately map the gravity of the lunar surface.

GRAIL was also NASA's first planetary mission to carry instruments fully dedicated to education and public outreach. Each spacecraft carried a small camera called a GRAIL MoonKAM (Moon Knowledge Acquired by Middle school students) that provided images and video of the lunar surface.

Thousands of students in the fifth through eighth grades selected target areas on the lunar surface and sent their requests to the MoonKAM Mission Operations Center in San Diego. Altogether, MoonKAM captured more than 115,000 total images of the lunar surface, all requested by middle school students from across the country.

Both GRAIL spacecraft launched Sept. 20, 2011, aboard a single Delta II Heavy rocket built by United Launch Alliance. Together, the pair weighed 1,600 lbs. (725 kilograms).

The spacecraft took 3.5 months to get to the moon, traveling along a path that reduced the spacecraft's fuel requirements and allowed more time to monitor the spacecraft and look for gas jetting from the lunar surface.

The GRAIL spacecraft approached the moon under the lunar south pole and then entered moon orbit  GRAIL-A on Dec. 31, 2011, and GRAIL-B on Jan. 1, 2012. The maneuvers placed the pair into a near-polar elliptical orbit that sent them around the moon once every 11.5 hours, though that eventually fell to just under 2 hours. By mid-January 2012, the GRAIL spacecraft received new names, thanks to a group of creative fourth-graders from Montana. "Ebb and Flow" was the winning entry in NASA's nationwide school-age contest to name the spacecraft.

Using a precision formation-flying technique, the twin GRAIL spacecraft maps the moon's gravity field, as depicted in this artist's rendering. Image uploaded on Nov. 7, 2013. (Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech)

GRAIL completed its primary mission ahead of schedule. From March 1, 2012, until May 29, 2012, the two spacecraft traveled in a low-altitude, polar lunar orbit only about 34 miles (55 kilometers) above the surface of the moon. During the extended mission, the average orbital height was 14 miles (23 km) above the lunar surface, placing the satellites within 5 miles (8 km) of some of the moon's higher surface features.

"If Ebb and Flow had feet, I think, by reflex, they'd want to pull them up every time they fly over a mountain," Joe Beerer, GRAIL's mission manager, said in a statement.

The pair took a brief break, powering off between May 29 and Aug. 30, 2012, to avoid the anticipated lunar eclipse of June 4 of that year, when a revised orbit kept them from collecting solar power.

"Before launch, we planned for all of GRAIL's primary mission science to occur between lunar eclipses," David Lehman, project manager of GRAIL from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, said in a statement.

GRAIL's extended mission ran from Aug. 30 until Dec. 17, 2012, when the spacecraft was deliberately crashed into the lunar surface.

Mapping the moon

GRAIL's primary mission objectives were to determine the structure of the lunar interior from crust to core and to advance understanding of the thermal history of the moon. To do this, the twin spacecraft created an incredibly high-resolution gravity-field map of the lunar surface.

As Ebb and Flow traveled over areas with greater or lesser gravity caused by visible and hidden features, the distance between the two spacecraft changed ever so slightly  about one-tenth of a micron, or just over half the size of a red blood cell.

"The GRAIL twins [could] detect a change in their position down to one half of a human hair," NASA said in a statement.

The precise changes in position allowed the spacecraft to make a in-depth map of how the moon's gravitational tug changed as they flew over the surface.

These changes revealed the gravitational effects of not only known mountains and craters, but also mascons. Mascons are regions of a planet or moon's crust that contain excess positive gravity anomalies, indicating the presence of extra mass in the region. The origin of mascons has been a mystery since their discovery in 1968, though researchers generally agree that they result from ancient impacts billions of years ago.

"GRAIL data confirm that lunar mascons were generated when large asteroids or comets impacted the ancient moon, when its interior was much hotter than it is now," Jay Melosh, a GRAIL co-investigator at Purdue University, said in a statement. GRAIL's map also revealed an abundance of features that had never been seen in detail, such as tectonic structures, volcanic landforms, basin rings, the central peaks of craters and numerous simple, bowl-shaped craters. GRAIL also revealed that the moon's gravity field is unlike that of any terrestrial planet in the solar system, NASA said.

"What this map tells us is that, more than any other celestial body we know of, the moon wears its gravity field on its sleeve," Zuber said. "When we see a notable change in the gravity field, we can sync up this change with surface topography features such as craters, rilles or mountains."

According to Zuber, the moon's gravity field acts as a record of the storm of impacts that once bombarded all terrestrial planetary bodies. This field also reveals evidence for the fracturing of the lunar interior, which extends to the deep crust and possibly the mantle.

LROC NAC stereo derived topographic map of the GRAIL Impact area, map is 8400 meters wide, north is up. Image released March 19, 2013. (Image credit: NASA/GSFC/Arizona State University)

Ebb and Flow revealed that the density of the lunar highland crust is substantially lower than generally assumed, which agrees with the data obtained during the final Apollo missions in the early 1970s. This suggests that the moon-rock samples brought back to Earth by the Apollo astronauts are characteristic of global rather than regional processes.

GRAIL also found that the average thickness of the lunar crust is about 6 to 12 miles (10 to 20 km) thinner than previously thought  between 21 and 27 miles (34 and 43 km).

"With this crustal thickness, the bulk composition of the moon is similar to that of Earth," Mark Wieczorek, GRAIL co-investigator at the Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris, said in a statement. "This supports models where the moon is derived from Earth materials that were ejected during a giant impact event early in solar system history."

GRAIL also revealed the origin of a craggy outline of the lunar surface known as Oceanus Procellarum, or the Ocean of Storms. Early theories suggested that an asteroid impact created the region. However, GRAIL found evidence that the Ocean of Storms is a rectangular region stretching roughly 1,600 miles (2,600 km) across that actually resulted from the formation of ancient rift valleys. As the lunar surface here cooled and contracted, it pulled away from its surroundings, creating large-scale fractures similar to the cracks that form in mud as it dries out.

"The rectangular pattern of gravity anomalies was completely unexpected," Jeff Andrews-Hanna, a GRAIL co-investigator at the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colorado, and lead author of the paper, said in a statement. "We can now clearly and completely see structures that were only hinted at by surface observations."

The end of a mission

GRAIL's mission ended as the two spacecraft ran out of fuel. The team decided to send the pair out in a blaze of glory, deliberately crashing them into the moon's surface with the hope of revealing more about the lunar composition upon impact.

But before the collision, GRAIL completed one last experiment. Fifty minutes prior to the Dec. 17, 2012, impact, the two spacecraft fired their engines until their propellant was depleted, a maneuver designed to precisely determine the amount of fuel remaining in the tanks. This final act helped NASA engineers validate computer models and improve predictions of fuel needs for future missions.

Because the moon is about 236,000 miles (380 km) away from Earth, it would have been a challenge to observe GRAIL's impact plumes from our planet. So, three weeks before the scheduled impact, GRAIL researchers contacted NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) team, which was also studying the moon.

The LRO team scrambled to get its orbiter in place to witness GRAIL's fiery demise. When Ebb and Flow crashed into the surface, LRO was only about 100 miles (160 km) from the lunar surface. Because the crash site was in the shadows, the team had to wait for the plumes to rise high enough to be visible in the sunlight. LRO's instruments revealed mercury and hydrogen in the plume.

The twin GRAIL spacecraft impacted the Moon on 17 December 2012, LROC was able to image the impact craters on 28 February 2013 showing them both to be about 5 meters in diameter. Upper panels show the area before the impact; lower panels after the impact. Arrows point to crater locations. Image released March 19, 2013. (Image credit: NASA/GSFC/Arizona State University)

Ebb's and Flow's resting places are both relatively small, only about 13 to 20 feet (4 to 6 meters) in diameter. The material blown up by the impacts created unusual dark patterns on the moon's surface.

"Fresh impact craters on the moon are typically bright, but these may be dark due to spacecraft material being mixed with the ejecta," LRO team member Mark Robinson, of Arizona State University, said in a statement.

Both impact sites lie on the southern stope of an unnamed mountain and are about 7,218 feet (2,200 m) apart. Ebb slammed into the ground about 30 seconds before Flow, which created its crater to the west and north of its twin.

Not long after the pair's demise, their craters were named in honor of former astronaut and GRAIL team leader, Sally Ride, who passed away in July of 2012 while the mission was in progress.

"Sally was all about getting the job done, whether it be in exploring space, inspiring the next generation or helping make the GRAIL mission the resounding success it is today," Zuber said in a statement. "As we complete our lunar mission, we are proud we can honor Sally Ride's contributions by naming this corner of the moon after her."

Over its 15-month mission, GRAIL improved our understanding of the moon, taking some of the steps necessary for eventually bringing humans back to the lunar surface.

"As NASA moves forward with exploration endeavors, our lunar science missions will be the light buoy leading the path for future human activities," Jim Green, then-director of the Planetary Science Division, Science Mission Directorate, in Washington, D.C., said in a statement.

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The second installment of "Star Trek: Discovery's" sophomore season, "New Eden," picks up straight after last week's episode as Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) shows Capt. Pike (Anson Mount) the recorded message she found in Spock's quarters on board the USS Enterprise. It seems that Spock had some idea about these red bursts before they began to appear.

We also learn that Spock is in a psychiatric unit on Starbase 5, the news of which upsets Burnham a little. During this quite personal exchange between Pike and Burnham, Mount shows that he is well-cast as Pike, sitting comfortably between the established portrayals by both Bruce Greenwood and Jeffrey Hunter  further illustrating why last week's short-tempered outburst seemed out of place. Providing the script is appropriate to his character, he offers interesting potential. [Ethan Peck, Leonard Nimoy and Every Actor Who Has Played Spock on 'Star Trek']

The captain and his science officer are summoned to the bridge as another red burst signal has been detected. The USS Discovery warps to a new spot to get a better fix on its location, which is in the Beta Quadrant, apparently. Since this is 51,450 light-years away and would take 150 years to get there, Pike approves use of  the spore drive. Ugh.

Yes. indeed, the "displacement activated spore hub" or DASH drive  or just "spore drive" as most call it now  has made its first appearance in Season 2. Poor Lt. Stamets (Anthony Rapp) is reluctant to go through it all again, not least because when he was lost inside the mycelial network in the episode "Vaulting Ambition" (S01, E12), he saw and interacted with an apparition of Dr. Culber (Wilson Cruz).

The good doctor  and Stamets' partner  was shockingly murdered by Lt. Tyler/Voq in what may have been the best episode of Season 1, "Despite Yourself" (S01, E10), so it's no surprise that even the possibility of seeing him again would be distressing.

The crew prep for black alert, a phrase we hoped we'd never hear again, and the Discovery does its fidget-spinner thing. There's a great POV camera angle from the perspective of the actual hull as it rotates, but it's barely a second long and if you blink you'll miss it.

Incidentally, this episode is directed by Jonathan Frakes and written by Sean Cochran, the same writer-director combo behind that excellent Season 1 episode "Despite Yourself," so our fingers were crossed that this would be better than last week's attempt.

Emerging at the correct coordinates, the Discovery can detect no sign of a red burst signal, but instead finds an M-class planet, with human lifesigns and a strange distress call that's been broadcasting for more than 200 years. There should be no human settlement this far from Sector 001 and the very first warp flight was only 193 years ago, so there hasn't been enough time for anyone to get this far. Tres bizarre, non? And the opening credits roll.

Cut to Pike's newly furnished ready room, where he, Burnham and Saru (Doug Jones) discuss their predicament. It's decided that an away team will investigate further; however, since the settlements appear to be pre-electricity, let alone pre-warp, the Prime Directive (known as General Order One) applies  they cannot interfere with the development of a species under any circumstances. Burnham suggests that Lt. Owosekun (Oyin Oladejo) accompany them and so, for the first time, this otherwise background bridge officer has a chance to broaden her role. [Extraterrestrial Etiquette: How Should Humanity Interact with Alien Life?]

Meanwhile, Tilly (Mary Wiseman) is mucking about with her meteorite in the cargo bay and confirms that it does contain metreon particles, which react with dark matter and have some kind of temporal properties. She attempts to take a core sample and provides helpful exposition along the way. But as she gazes at her wondrous new rock fragment, a sudden and mysterious energy discharge sends her flying across the room, knocking her unconscious.

Pike, Burnham and Owosekun beam down to the planet's surface in location-appropriate clothing. They enter a church and determine that the structure is indeed 200 years old. One of the stained-glass windows features a figure that vaguely resembles the angelic image associated with the red burst signal. The door opens and in walks a member of the settlement who demands to know why the three of them are not at work in the fields.

Pike does an outstanding job of improvisation and they are taken to meet the village elders. A welcoming ceremony is performed and we can see glimpses of historical influence; red  like the mysterious signals  is a prominent color, reference is made to soldiers and the third world war, which ended in 2053 with the loss of 600 million lives. There's even a brief glimpse of what looks like a WWIII soldier in armor that we saw in the very first "Star Trek: The Next Generation" episode, "Encounter at Farpoint."

The Discovery away team is intrigued by the story and we learn that as the bombs began to fall and the devastation started, a red angel appeared and took those who had taken refuge in a church  along with the church itself  to their new home, the planet they now call Terralysium.

Capt. Pike in the New Eden settlement on the planet Terralysium. (Image credit: Russ Martin/CBS)

The episode's pace is so much slower than that of last week's episode, and it gives many of the characters a welcome opportunity to show us more. Just watching Pike listen intently to the settler's story, with only the crackle of the campfire in the background, makes us feel that we're seeing more of his personality than we ever would watching him fly around, dodging asteroid debris in a VFX-heavy, Abrams-esque set piece. We learn that the settlers have a now-nonfunctional helmet-cam from a soldier in the war, which, in the early days, was among the only evidence they had of their origins.

And we're back with Tilly, who is recovering in the sick bay and receiving a lecture from Saru on the dangers of dissecting a highly unstable interstellar asteroid with no assistance. How many of us are guilty of doing that at some point? She attempts to explain that she's trying to design a coherent resonator to work with the spores, essentially building a dark-matter interface so that Stamets will no longer have to suffer each time they use the spore drive.

Saru draws upon his own experience as being the only Kelpien to enter Starfleet to relate to Tilly's burning desire to go through the command training program, while simultaneously trying to give a lesson on caution and responsibility.

His pep talk is interrupted when the Discovery's sensors detect a massive spike of ionizing radiation in the planet's upper atmosphere. It also seems that there's been a disruption of the gravitational stability of the planet's outermost ring, and it's about to start raining down radioactive particles onto the surface  causing nothing less than an extinction-level event. Naturally, the radiation is interfering with both communications and transporters. What about using a shuttle, you ask? Stamets leaps like Baryshnikov from the turbolift just in time to explain that the shuttle's ionized carbon exhaust will create a runaway positive feedback loop that will accelerate the particles' arrival. Damnit.

Saru postulates that a rescue might be the very reason they were led to this location by the red burst signal.

Many miles below, on the planet's surface, Pike, Burnham and Owosekun discover the source of the transmission in a basement under the church. Down there, among the cobwebs and covered in dust is some still-functioning tech. A villager named Jacob (Andrew Moodie) enters and tries to convince the Discovery crewmembers that he knows they're not from Terralysium. Pike sticks to his principles and vehemently denies it. In a desperate attempt to stop them from leaving, Jacob throws a stun grenade at them. The trouble-stricken trio wakes up locked in the basement with all of their tech missing, but Owosekun breaks them out by using an improvised magnet to slide the bolt back.

Tilly is having a panic attack in the sick bay and with the help of an as-yet unnamed crewmember (Bahia Watson) she reasons that perhaps they could attempt to slow down the particles from orbit. If only there was something onboard Discovery that could generate a powerful gravitational field. (Clue: the meteorite in the shuttle bay.) She runs onto the bridge in only her hospital gown and blurts out her plan.

Saru (Doug Jones) takes charge on the Discovery to avert an extinction event for the planet below. (Image credit: Mark Holzberg/CBS)

During his motivational speech to her earlier in this episode, Saru lets us know by way of exposition that Tilly is the youngest cadet to ever be accept onto the command training program  but just how young is she supposed to be? Based on her behavior in this episode, we can only assume she's still a teenager. And if she's going to make it through the training program she's going to have a shock when she has to learn some discipline, self-restraint and responsibility.

Ensign Tilly will undoubtedly polarize viewers. She's the Wesley Crusher of  no, wait, everyone hated him. She's the Marmite of "Star Trek: Discovery." Sadly, more often than not her scenes sound like an advert for an academic institute of higher education. And while one of the most attractive qualities about "Star Trek" from the very beginning, all the way back to 1966, was how inspirational it was to people of all ages, it doesn't need to communicate this in such an obvious, unsubtle and unimaginative manner. It happened last week and it happens in this episode, too. [Star Trek: Discovery Season 2: Everything You Need to Know]

Back on Terralysium, Jacob attempts to convince the other settlers of the Terralysium town, New Eden, that Pike, Burnham and Owosekun are from Earth, putting the away team in a very awkward position. Don't forget, no one on the surface knows they are about to get microwaved like a TV dinner in less than 20 minutes. Suddenly, a small child picks up a phaser and accidently sets it to overload, making Pike leap, grab the phaser and smother it without so much as a microsecond's hesitation.

Tilly's technobabble plan works and the Discovery prevents radioactive particles from bombarding the surface.

As you can imagine, Pike's wounded pretty badly, but not, thankfully, blown into a billion bloody pieces, which is what normally happens when a phaser is set to overload. Burnham grabs their tech and says that they will carry Pike to the church to pray for another deliverance, slamming the door in poor Jacob's face. He kicks it open to see the away team being beamed back to the Discovery.

Turns out that the as-yet unnamed crewmember was the ghost-of-sorts of an old school friend of Tilly's named May Ahern, who died only a few years ago. Has Tilly gone full Tyler Durden? Quite possibly. Is this some kind of influence of the red burst angels? Also entirely possible.

In a nice twist, following another great scene with well-written dialogue between Burnham and Pike in his ready room, the captain beams back to the church basement to tell Jacob that he was right and explains why they cannot intervene. It's a touching thing to do; despite not being able to help, at the very least Jacob now knows the truth  and he shuts down the repeating transmission.

"Thank you," he says. "Because of you, we know we're not lost anymore."

Pike offers him a sizable powercell to assist in their gradual colonization in exchange for the nonfunctional helmet-cam, and the two share a meaningful handshake. It's a touching moment that echoes the best of "Trek."

Alone in his ready room, Pike plays the final recordingrevealing a now familiar, angel-like image.

So, Spock is still a no-show, some more members of the bridge crew finally have lines, including Lt. Airiam (Sara Mitich) and Lt. Detmer (Emily Coutts), Tilly continues to dance equally on either side of annoying and interesting and Pike is maturing nicely. While we did like Kurtzman's creative edits and camera angles last week, please let Frakes direct more episodes of "Star Trek: Discovery."

The first season of "Star Trek: Discovery" is available to stream in its entirety on CBS All Access in the U.S. and on Netflix in the U.K. "Star Trek: Discovery" Season 1 is available now on Blu-ray.

The second season of Star Trek: Discovery comprises 14 episodes with no midseason break. It airs on Thursdays on CBS All Access in the U.S. and on the Space TV channel in Canada, and in the rest of the world on Netflix on Fridays.

Follow Scott Snowden on Twitter. Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom and on Facebook. Original article on Space.com.
India launched its first rocket of 2019 yesterday (Jan. 24), lifting two payloads into orbit: a military imaging satellite and a student-built orbital laboratory.

The rocket blasted off from India's Satish Dhawan Space Centre at 11:37 p.m. local time (12:47 p.m. EST, 1747 GMT) on Jan. 24, according to the Indian Space Research Organisation. The payloads flew on a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV); India last launched a rocket of this model in November. Yesterday's launch was the first time this rocket was used in conjunction with two strap-on boosters.

About 13 minutes after launch, the military satellite, called Microsat-R, was deployed. Then, the fourth stage of the PSLV rocket fired twice more to carry itself to a height of 281 miles (453 kilometers), where it settled into orbit about an hour and 40 minutes after blastoff. [Video: Watch India's 1st Launch of 2019 Soar!]

India conducted its first launch of the new year on Jan. 24, launching two satellites from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre. (Image credit: ISRO)

That fourth stage carried a cubesat called Kalamsat-V2, a student-built orbiting laboratory of sorts that will remain in space for about six months, according to The Times of India. The project will measure the performance of student-designed communications, electronics and solar panels. Yesterday's launch is the first time India has conducted a project of this type. [In Photos: Indian Satellites Soar in the Country's 1st Space Launch of 2019]

"I hope the student community will make use of this opportunity being provided by ISRO," K. Sivan, the head of ISRO, said in a statement. "This new low cost technology will help students to conduct several inspiring experiments in space by attaching their instruments to the last stage of the rocket."

India is expected to launch its next PSLV rocket in February.

Email Meghan Bartels at mbartels@space.com or follow her @meghanbartels. Follow us @Spacedotcom and Facebook. Original article on Space.com.
SpaceX has fired up the rocket that will launch its first Dragon spacecraft built for astronauts on an uncrewed test flight next month.

The Falcon 9 rocket carrying the new spacecraft, called Crew Dragon, ignited its nine first-stage engines briefly on Thursday (Jan. 24) as it stood atop the historic Launch Pad 39A of NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida.

"Static fire test complete  targeting February launch from historic Launch Complex 39A for Crew Dragon's first demonstration flight!" SpaceX representatives said in an update on Twitter. [Take a Walk Through SpaceX's Crew Dragon]

SpaceX is targeting a February launch for the Crew Dragon's debut, but has not officially announced a target launch date. A Spaceflight Now report citing unnamed SpaceX and NASA managers stated that the mission could fly no earlier than Feb. 23. SpaceX and NASA initially aimed to launch the Demo-1 flight in January, but pushed back the launch to February due to schedule issues and the need for extra hardware checks.

SpaceX test fired the first stage of the Falcon 9 rocket carrying its first Crew Dragon spacecraft on Jan. 24, 2019 at Launch Pad 39A of NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The rocket is scheduled to launch the Demo-1 test flight in February. (Image credit: SpaceX)

While Demo-1 will be the first test of SpaceX's human-rated Crew Dragon spacecraft, the company has been flying robotic Dragon cargo ships to the International Space Station since 2012 to deliver NASA supplies. The new Crew Dragon includes life support systems, a launch escape system, solar panels built into the capsule's "trunk" service module and other advancements over its predecessor.

Elon Musk, SpaceX's CEO and founder, said in a Twitter post that the first Crew Dragon to carry astronauts could launch this summer if all goes well with the upcoming test flight. SpaceX also plans to perform an in-flight abort test before its crewed flight.

See more

NASA awarded SpaceX a $2.6 billion contract to build a crewed version of Dragon (which SpaceX intially called Dragon 2) in 2014. Boeing recieved a separate NASA contract for $4.2 billion to develop its crewed CST-100 Starliner vehicle to fly astronauts for NASA. Both companies are expected to launch their first crewed flights later this year.

Email Tariq Malik at tmalik@space.com or follow him @tariqjmalik. Follow us @Spacedotcom and Facebook. Original story on Space.com.
A swarm of ants invaded the bRing telescope in Australia, temporarily shutting down observations of tens of thousands of stars.

A swarm of ants attacked a small telescope in Australia earlier this year, and when they died, their tiny corpses blew out the power supply.

The Australian Beta Pictoris b Ring instrument (bRing-AU) was part of a fleet of instruments used last year to hunt for signs of rings or an exomoon around Beta Pictoris, a young star hosting at least one planet. While the hunt was unsuccessful, astronomers are continuing to monitor the star, along with tens of thousands of other stellar targets in the southern sky to obtain additional science.

The ants didn't make waves climbing on the exterior of the instrument. According to Samuel Mellon, a doctoral candidate at the University of Rochester who is working with bRing, the telescope sits on a few bricks to elevate it off the ground, with an aluminum sheet attached to serve as a floor. That may have provided the point of entry for the insects. [Alien Comets of Star Beta Pictoris Explained (Infographic)]

"A minor imperfection in the seal between this and the frame could have allowed them to get in," Mellon told Space.com. Another possibility is that the small black ants, only a few millimeters in length, climbed in through the external fans, but he said this was unlikely as a very fine grill covers each of the fans. He was not certain what species the ants were.

"We anticipated a possible insect invasion and did our best to seal bRing on all sides and edges with sealant and weatherproof tape," Mellon said. "However, ordinary wear and tear could have opened a vulnerability for the tiny ants to get in."

The bRING-AU instrument is set up at the Siding Springs Observatory in Australia. (Image credit: Ian Adams/Michael Kennedy/Siding Springs Observatory)

Invasive insects

Located 63.4 light-years from the sun, Beta Pictoris is roughly 20million years old. Disks of dust and gas around the star have long suggested the presence of planets. In 2008, astronomers captured an image of a new planet, Beta Pictoris b. The planet appears to be between 9 and 13 times the mass of Jupiter, and it orbits about nine times farther from its star than Earth over the course of 20 years. Astronomers think the baby star may also host a swarm of comets.

In 2016, astronomers calculated that, while the planet would not pass directly between its star and Earth, the region around the star where rings or moons could be held gravitationally would. They began a seven-month campaign to study the star, setting up instruments in places such as South Africa and Antarctica, and even launching a small telescope into space.

One of these instruments was bRing, twin telescopes placed in Australia and South Africa. Housed at Siding Spring Observatory in New South Wales, Australia, bRing-AU used two wide-field cameras to probe the light coming from the star. Just as a planet passing between its star and Earth causes a slight decrease in the star's brightness, astronomers hoped that any rings or moons around the planet that passed the star could cause a similar dip.

The suite of instruments studied Beta Pictoris intently from April 2017 to January 2018, but neither moons nor rings appeared. That doesn't dissuade Paul Kalas, an astronomer at Berkeley who helped bring together the international teams that worked together to search for the rings. Kalas told Space.com that it's possible that the planet could still host natural satellites but the geometry wasn't lined up to make them visible from Earth.

Researchers think the swarm of ants that invaded the bRing telescope in Australia in January 2019 may have been attracted by an electromagnetic field  or they were just searching for shelter. (Image credit: Ian Adams/Michael Kennedy/Siding Springs Observatory)

"You can still have a ring system," Kalas said.

After the hunt drew to a close, bRing-AU has continued to observe tens of thousands of stars, including Beta Pictoris. But that project was briefly halted at the dawn of the year thanks to some insect interference.

"We noticed a power failure in early January 2019," Mellon said. "The handy staff at Siding Spring observatory opened up the power supply and found that the ants had shorted it out."

About a hundred ants had swarmed into the tiny telescope. Mellon isn't sure what drew the first insect investigators, but he speculated that the cause could have been electromagnetic, since they were attracted only to the power supply.

"They could also have been looking for shelter and wandered into the wrong area," he said.

On their death, the ants seemed to release a pheromone that attracted other ants to attack, causing a swarm. The process is similar to how a species known as "crazy ants," a species from South America that has invaded the Gulf Coast,short out electronics.

"When a few were electrocuted, the rest must have been summoned," Mellon said.

The pileup of corpses eventually fried the power supply, leading the Siding Spring staff to investigate. They cleaned out the dead ants and installed ant traps and repellents to keep away other curious creatures.

"We have replaced the power supply and set up ant traps and repellents and better sealed the instrument," Mellon said. "bRing-AU is back up to taking data."

Once a few ants died inside the bRing telescope in Australia, their corpses may have attracted a larger swarm that eventually shorted out the telescope. (Image credit: Ian Adams, Michael Kennedy (Siding Springs Observatory))

The brief power supply loss came after the observations of the Beta Pictoris transit had been completed, so the ants did not interrupt the hunt for the exorings. The ants did, however, put a brief stop to the next stage of observations while the power supply was replaced. No other part of the instrument was damaged, and none of the staff was bitten.

Although the team tried to anticipate potential problems, Mellon said he would have taken further steps if he had realized how determined the insects would be.

"Had I known my instrument would have been invaded by ants, I would have installed ant traps," he said. However, "this situation would have been hard to predict for anyone."

Follow Nola Taylor Redd on Twitter @NolaTRedd or Google+. Follow us at @Spacedotcom, Facebook or Google+. Originally published on Space.com.
Miguel Claro is a professional photographer, author and science communicator based in Lisbon, Portugal, who creates spectacular images of the night sky. As a European Southern Observatory photo ambassador, a member of The World At Night and the official astrophotographer of the Dark Sky Alqueva Reserve, he specializes in astronomical skyscapes that connect Earth and the night sky. Join Miguel here as he takes us through his photograph "Milky Way, Andromeda and a Dutch Sailboat."

A vertical panorama of the night sky reveals a colorful sea of stars glistening above an old Dutch sailboat in Portugal's Lake Alqueva. From the dusty core of the Milky Way all the way down to the orange airglow that lights up the horizon behind the vessel, there's a lot to see in this unique image, so scroll down and enjoy the view!

Visible below two galaxies, our Milky Way and the Andromeda Galaxy, is an old Dutch Westlander sailboat named Sem Fim. Thus vertical panorama was captured from the Dark Sky Alqueva Reserve in Portugal. (Image credit: Miguel Claro

Above the boat, you can see two galaxies  our great Milky Way, which stretches across the frame, and the diffuse elliptical shape of the Andromeda galaxy, one of the Milky Way's galactic neighbors. Andromeda appears as a small smudge in the image, located about halfway between the Milky Way and the boat. [Andromeda Galaxy Photos: Amazing Pictures of M31]

The sailboat in this image, named Sem Fim, is a Westlander sailboat built in 1913 in Holland. This type of boat was used in the Dutch channels for the transport of goods, among them flowers. It was later transformed into houseboat and brought to Portugal. Now Sem Fim only navigates in Alqueva lake, giving tourists the experience of sailing on board a vintage boat.

The image was captured under a starry sky during the XII edition of Dark Sky Party Alqueva, a public event held annually in the village of Campinho in Portugal's Dark Sky Alqueva Reserve.

To capture this vertical panorama, I used a Canon EOS 6D DSLR camera to capture a 20-second exposure with the ISO set to 2500 and with a 24-millimeter lens, set to f/2.8.

Editor's note: If you captured an amazing astronomy photo and would like to share it with Space.com for a story or gallery, send images and comments to managing editor Tariq Malik at spacephotos@space.com.

To see more of Claro's amazing astrophotography, visit his website, www.miguelclaro.com. Follow us @Spacedotcom and on Facebook. Original article on Space.com.
Georgetown, SC (29440)

Today

Partly cloudy skies early with heavy thunderstorms developing this afternoon. Hot. High around 90F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%. 1 to 2 inches of rain expected..

Tonight

Cloudy this evening with showers after midnight. Low 71F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
SPEAK OUT

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Letters may be mailed to the Editorial Department, South Bend Tribune, 635 S. Lafayette Blvd., Suite 138, South Bend IN 46601; emailed to vop@sbtinfo.com, faxed to 574-236-1765, or submitted through our online form here.

Due to volume, it is not possible to print all submissions. Except in special circumstances, we do not print poetry or thank-you letters. We do not print letters announcing events to come, extensive quotations from other material, open letters or form letters.
Emporia, KS (66801)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun during the morning will give way to cloudy skies this afternoon. Hot. High 98F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies this evening will become overcast overnight. Low near 75F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph.
Joseph Dits

South Bend Tribune

SOUTH BEND  The nonprofit Cultivate Culinary School & Catering bought a new home last week to handle the growth of its food rescue operations serving local charities.

Its a warehouse at 1403 Prairie Ave. that The Tribune had used for decades to store large spools of newsprint. Cultivate will take the nearly 12,000-square-foot structure  mostly an open space with concrete-block walls  and build a kitchen plus storage space inside of it, said the charitys board president, Jim Conklin.

The charity hopes to install enough of the new kitchen to start using it this spring, he said. That will allow Cultivate to move out of the kitchen and space it has been renting in a former Madison Center building at 701 N. Niles Ave. since beginning operations in July 2017.

We hit capacity there, Conklin said. Cultivate gets busiest in summer and fall, matching the busy season of its two biggest donors of excess food: Notre Dame Stadium and Nelsons Catering & Fundraising. We couldnt bring in the volunteers fast enough.

The new site will allow more volunteers to work, rather than just five to eight at a time, and allow Cultivate to accept truckloads of donations. Conklin said lack of space recently led Cultivate to turn away a truckload of eggs, which it could have parceled out in smaller quantities to charities. Cultivate could fix more meals there, too.

Cultivate gleans excess food restaurants and caterers cannot use and that otherwise would go to waste  sometimes cooked, sometimes raw and in unopened packages  and channels it to charities in St. Joseph, Elkhart and Marshall counties, he said.

We have more demand than we can fill, Conklin said, noting it exceeds what he and co-founder/chef Randy Ziolkowski had originally expected.

St. Margarets House, where homeless and struggling women drop in for meals and support, receives some of the rescued food. The type and amount varies, but it once received hundreds of pounds of meat, which St. Margarets saved in its freezer and used in about 10 meals, said assistant marketing director Angelica Healy, whod run the kitchen in the first half of 2018.

The charity has had to pass up some items, depending on space in its own fridge, she said. St. Margarets buys most of its food, including items from the Food Bank of Northern Indiana, said Director Kathy Schneider, noting the Cultivate donations are a big help.

Every dollar we dont spend on food, we can spend on programming, Schneider said.

Most of the money for the down payment for the warehouse and the initial construction, Conklin said, is coming from a total of $95,000 locally Cultivate is receiving from the Community Foundation of St. Joseph County, the 1st Source Foundation and the Judd Leighton Foundation.

Cultivate will do more fundraising to build out the kitchen after this spring. For example, the walk-in freezer would eventually be 25-by-50-feet, but its modular and can be built in three phases.

Conklin said several pieces of kitchen equipment are being donated out of the former Kindred Hospital, which was in the old Saint Joseph Hospital, now vacant in downtown Mishawaka, along with equipment from a closed Chilis restaurant near Grand Rapids, Mich.

Last May, Cultivate had started to run the small cafe at The Salvation Armys Kroc Center with students from the national Jobs for Americas Graduates program. Cultivate gave up the cafe after one class, Conklin said, because it couldnt secure state funding.

Cultivate also runs a culinary school that so far has taught 13 adults, with six more in a class now.

Until the new site opens, Cultivate will continue to operate in the Niles Avenue building. The other major tenant there is Riverbend Behavioral Health, now offering outpatient therapy for youths with autism.

A ribbon cutting will be held at the new Prairie Avenue site at 3 p.m. Jan. 31. If the space is ready in time, Cultivate will hold its Taste of Hope banquet there on April 25. Learn more at cultivateculinary.com.
Somerset, KY (42501)

Today

Clouds and some sun this morning with more clouds for this afternoon. High 88F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Partly to mostly cloudy. Low 64F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.
Brooks Matthew Wollum, 9-month-old infant son of Joe and Haley (Wessling) Wollum of Anita, IA, gained his forever cape, Monday, Jan. 21, 2019, at Childrens Hospital in Omaha, NE.

Visitation with the family present will be from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 24, at Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, Jan. 25, at CAM High School in Anita, with Father Chinna Devaraj of St. Marys Catholic Church officiating. Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery in Anita.

Memorials may be made to the family for a scholarship to be established in Brooks name.

Roland Funeral Service is caring for Brooks family and his arrangements.

Online Condolences:

www.rolandfuneralservice.com
Rise Gold Slowly But Surely Progressing High Grade Idaho-Maryland Project

Posted by Publisher Internet

By the https://www.criticalinvestor.eu/

Introduction

After a year which saw not a lot of enthusiasm in the mining sector to put it mildly, topped off by a resulting brutal tax loss selling season, sentiment for mining and gold in particular seems to be recovering, so in my view it is time to look at one of the more remarkable gold exploration stories around. Rise Gold (RISE:CSE, RYES:OTCQB), a small junior headquartered in Vancouver, is looking to find gold in, around and below the past-producing high grade Idaho-Maryland gold mine in California, US. ?This project contains a considerable historic (2002) high grade estimate done by Amec Foster Wheeler of 0.4Moz @ 9.1g/t Au M&I and 0.9Moz @12.7g/t Au Inf, or a more recent one by Pease in 2009, estimating 472koz @10g/t Au M&I, and 1Moz @12g/t Au Inf.

Personally I consider Amec by far the most reputable engineering firm globally, and therefore I mention their estimate, although it is firmly outdated. Of course both estimates aren?t NI43-101 compliant as both are not recent enough, using today?s QA/QC procedures, but it provides a first indication of mineralized potential. These estimates are historic, non-compliant and outdated, but aren?t hot air at all in my opinion, as the Idaho-Maryland Mine had to halt production in 1954 when it was nowhere near depletion.

The company has analyzed all available historic data, constructed all sorts of (3D) models, maps and sections, defined targets, raised cash and has completed their 2018 drill program, and is setting up for their 2019 drill program after raising C$2.5M in the last quarter. As Rise has to drill pretty deep most of the time (600-1800m), progress hasn?t always been easy and quick, but as the company doesn?t seem to have any problem reeling in strategic investors like Yamana and Southern Arc, the quest for gold continues. Let?s see what the potential is for investors. ?

?All presented tables are my own material, unless stated otherwise.

All pictures are company material, unless stated otherwise.

All currencies are in US Dollars, unless stated otherwise. ?

Company

Rise Gold Corp is a US exploration and development company with Canadian headquarters, focused on creating shareholder value through advancing a gold project in California. The company is developing an exploration strategy for its fully owned Idaho-Maryland gold project, a former past producing mine located in Grass Valley, California, US.

Rise Gold currently has 145.99M shares outstanding (fully diluted 240.709M), 80.06M warrants (the majority is due @C$0.10-0.15),and several option series to the tune of 14.51M options (C$0.18 on average) in total, which gives it a market capitalization of C$10.95M based on a January 17th share price of C$0.075. The company has no trouble raising cash despite its CSE listing, as it raised C$0.35M in September 2018, and C$2.5M in November 2018. As a consequence, their treasury contains about C$3M at the moment, which is enough for this year?s drill program. Waning mining sentiment and few results didn?t go unnoticed for Rise shareholders, as can be seen here:

Although gold has seen significant gains on a dropping US Dollar, and sentiment improved somewhat as usual after tax loss selling season, Rise hasn?t been following suit quite typically. One reason for this could be that the company is still flying very much under the radar, but the share price also seemed to experience support from the November raise, bringing on board intermediate producer Yamana Gold and seeing Southern Arc reinforcing their holdings in Rise. That way the share price was prevented to drop off mid-December as most mining stocks did, but on the other hand wasn?t able to recover lost ground as there wasn?t much lost ground to make up for. In my view at such lows it seems the bottom is in at C$0.05, and any significant drill result could very well support a higher share price soon, as the market cap is still small at around C$10M.

The management team is led by President and CEO Ben Mossman, who knows all about underground gold mines in North America with over 15 years of experience as a mining engineer under his belt (Snap Lake Mine for DeBeers Canada, Bellekeno Mine for Alexco Resource Corp). Since Southern Arc bought into their first strategic position, several positions have been filled by staff related to Southern Arc, not only in the Board of Directors but also management and the advisory team. This could evolve into a nice potential one-two, where maybe Southern Arc gets the benefits of a higher return at a hypothetical Yamana buyout. Key person in all this is John Proust, CEO of Southern Arc. Interesting names are director Bob Gallagher and former director and current advisor Alan Edwards. ?

Last but not least is director Thomas Vehrs, who is a huge asset in determining the right exploration strategy. Holding a PhD in geology, Dr. Thomas Vehrs is a highly regarded and experienced exploration geologist with over 40 years of experience in the Americas. For the past ten years, Dr. Vehrs held the position of VP Exploration for C$740M market cap Fortuna Silver Mines.

Idaho-Maryland project

Rise Gold has one project, the Idaho-Maryland Gold project, located in Grass Valley, Nevada Country, in the state of California, US. Grass Valley deposits are classified as a gold quartz vein type deposit, often higher grade and extending at great depths. California didn\-\-t exactly build the best reputation as a mining friendly jurisdiction over the years, caused predominantly by permitting issues. Because of it, the state is ranked #61 out of 91 jurisdictions worldwide on the Policy Perception Index by the latest Fraser Survey at the moment, which basically reflected 2017. However, a lot has changed since Trump took over, as he is pro-mining and anti-permitting. Furthermore, a few mines have been permitted in the last few years in California, also before Trump, Nevada County would be the lead agency and not California State, and in addition to this the project is located on private land, which makes permitting much easier compared to federal (BLM) land, as stated in the technical report:

\The Project area is covered by private land and no permits or consultations with the US Bureau of Land Management (BLM) or the US Forest Service (USFS) would be required.\

Because of all this I view permitting risk for Rise Gold as manageable.

The former Idaho-Maryland Mine has a long past behind it. The mine was reportedly the second largest gold mine in the United States in 1941, producing up to 129,000 oz gold per year before being forced to shut down by the US government in 1942 due to World War II, as workforce was needed in war efforts. Significant production after the war-time shutdown never occurred.

As mentioned earlier, there is a historic resource estimate completed in 2002 by Amec, using a cut-off grade of 3g/t Au (for correct and full disclosure see company documents, as one cannot rely on a historic resource estimate):

A few more historic resource estimates have been completed since then, the most recent being the one by Pease in 2009.? They estimated 472koz @10g/t M&I, and 1Moz @12g/t Au Inf, based on a 1.44 Mine Call Factor multiplier (the grade at the mill head was much higher than the sampling grade, so a correction factor was applied). No historic, non NI43-101 compliant resource estimate can ever be relied upon as mentioned, aso keep this in mind.

The underground workings of the former Idaho-Maryland Mine are flooded, and it would cost a lot of time and money to dewater this just for drilling, as the underground workings are extensive. The company had the New Brunswick shaft inspected with a remote operated vehicle to a depth of 701m (full depth over 1,000m), to see if it was intact.

It appeared the shaft was open over the inspected length, and the woodwork appeared to be in good condition. This could be important for future development, being either deep drilling or mine development, as constructing a new shaft is a costly business (for this size and depth easily a US$40-50M).The historic hoisting capacity was 75t/h, so this means a full-time 1,800tpd which would be more than enough for such an operation. Management thinks this can be increased if needed at today?s standards, without the need to widen the shaft. Notwithstanding all this, as underground workings are flooded, exploration needs to take place from surface, demanding deep drilling which is expensive although management elected to buy 2 drill rigs for C$611k in June 2018 to save on ongoing drilling costs, one of them among the most powerful rigs available on the market these days.

Rise Gold also bought quite a bit of land surrounding the Mine for different future mine purposes, as can be seen here:

To get a bit of an impression about the Idaho-Maryland Mine itself, here is a 3D view of the different underground workings, ranging from surface to a depth of -1650ft? (about -550m), with the mined out historic mineralization in red and magenta:

Some of the deepest drill results are reported from below 1800m. Please note that the nearby former Empire-Star Mine had underground workings going as deep as 1,600m, which is almost as deep. This Mine was shut down due to a labour strike, and also contained significant reserves, and is still owned and shelved by Newmont.

Drill Results

As the operators were mining 3 separate, rich veins (Idaho #1 and #3, Brunswick) and ramping up to double the production to 250,000oz before WWII halted everything in the past, it will be understandable that numerous exploration targets in and around the mine workings were already identified during and after operation in those days.

The 2002 Amec report lists the characteristics of typical orogenic gold deposit types, as Idaho-Maryland falls in this category, and here are some very relevant and interesting highlights:

1.Tabular fissure veins in more competent host lithologies, veinlets, and stringers forming stockworks in less competent lithologies. Typically occur as a system of en echelon veins on all scales.\

2.\Vein systems may be continuous along a vertical extent of 1-2 km with minor change in mineralogy or gold grade; mineral zoning does occur, however, in some deposits.\

Orogenic gold deposits can also have their disadvantages, as they can be hard to delineate, also due to possible nugget effects and narrow veins at depth. Fortunately for Rise Gold, Idaho-Maryland is something special in this regard:

3.\Past production at the Idaho-Maryland Mine has demonstrated significant vertical and horizontal continuity of the veins. The great vertical extents of veins of similar gold deposits, such as the adjacent Empire Mine, suggests extensions of the #1 Vein, 3 Vein system, and the Brunswick Veins to depth and there exists potential for significant stockwork-style mineralization within the Brunswick Block.\

Keep the remarks about stringers, en echelon veins, vertical extent of 1-2 km, and great vertical and horizontal continuity of veins in mind, when actual drill results will be discussed later on.

As the Idaho-Maryland system is probably too deep and complex to drill out completely (to Reserves) from surface, the strategy of Rise Gold will be exploration and in the end delineation to Indicated and Inferred Resources, probably on a grid spacing of 50m. Drill costs are estimated by the company at ~$140/m all-in, now that they own the rigs themselves. Otherwise the costs would have been US$240-300/m all-in. Because of considerable depth, managementmay use directional drilling, with a few widely spaced, deep motherholes first after which multiple branch holes will be drilled.

The currently most significant exploration targets identified at the Idaho-Maryland Gold Project are in untested ground below the historic mine workings. These targets are extensions of the Idaho #1 Vein, Brunswick, 3 Vein System, and the Crackle Zone.

The Crackle Zone, a concept initiated by renowned geologist and Hall of Famer Alan Bateman a long time ago, could prove to be the theory that might propel the Idaho-Maryland project into Tier I territory if correct. It basically envisions a converging feeder structure to all currently know mineralized zones, located below them and continuing at depth.

The size of this wedge could have an average width of 400m, average thickness of 5m and a length of 900m, creating a volume of 31.6M m3. Based on a gravity of 2.75t/m3, the Crackle Zone target could be 5Mt, which is sizeable of course. If this Zone indeed proves to be the converging point of the other zones, I wouldn\-\-t be surprised if the total resource could pan out to be 1-2Moz or even larger.

Let?s see what results the drilling has provided us so far. The first results that came back are shown here:

It was a narrow intercept, but very high grade, in line with historic mineralization, which is in large part narrow vein based. This is how things typically look down below:

According to management, the first deep hole was aimed at the Idaho #1 target, designed to be drilled between the mined stopes (voids) on the Brunswick veins so that the crew wouldn?t have to drill through open voids which can be difficult. Unfortunately they missed as the hole deviated into the other direction than expected, and a new hole was drilled.? ?

The news release also contained a pretty interesting bit of information:

?Assay data from the Drillhole indicates that the highest gold grades in the composites are located in the wall rocks immediately adjacent to the quartz vein, rather than in the quartz veins themselves.

The Company?s observation that the wall rocks of the quartz veins hosts high grade gold could have major implications to the interpretation of the historic data from the mine. In most cases, the historic operator reported drill core and channel sample assay results for only intersections of quartz and rarely conducted sampling of the adjacent material. If there are important gold values in the adjacent wall rock, the historic sampling would have greatly underreported the gold grades of the mineralized veins.?

If the engineering firms like Amec and Pease also used quartz vein based mineralization for their estimates, things could get fascinating as drilling progresses.

The concept of mineralization being located close to the (mined out) quartz veins appeared to continue with the next set of drill results, especially at the Brunswick East Block target veins:

?Drill hole B-18-04 was the first drill hole to test below the multiple parallel veins mined on the eastern side of B1600 level. This drill hole intersected four veins with significant gold values.

On the B32 Vein, an intercept of 8.0 gpt gold over 4.0 m was intersected east of the historic mine workings, between the B1300 and B1450 levels. In addition to the downdip potential of the B32 Vein, this intercept highlights the potential of significant mineralized material remaining in the levels above B1600 level, in and around the historic mine workings and stopes.

On the B10 Vein, two closely spaced veins assayed 4.0 gpt gold over 2.8 m and 4.4 gpt gold over 3.0 m. The two intercepts are located immediately below the B1600 level. Historic mining (stoping) occurred along the B1600 level, immediately above the intercepts.?

For clarity, the mentioned 1600 number is 1,600 feet below ground level, which is slightly over 500m. The results above are an example of the mentioned en echelon vein sets, and there are many of those, mined and currently being discovered. Because of these results, management expects that former operators have left a lot of mineralization at these levels, which aren?t very deep relatively speaking.

The next drill result also handled the Brunswick vein system, and reported B-18-05, again containing multiple mineralized intercepts, indicating several stacked veins:

Visible gold was also detected in the B40 vein, and management was excited to see wider mineralization as well. The average grade of this vein didn?t surpass economic viability in itself, but it could be an interesting ?pathfinder? vein, leading up to better mineralization. This hole returned more mineralization at great depth:

These intercepts are both economic although very narrow. Again, the minimum mining width is 2m, so average grades of 46g/t and 30.5g/t over 2m is very good.

It got CEO Mossman to comment on the results like this:

?These deep drill intercepts demonstrate the large exploration potential of the Idaho-Maryland Gold Project. To be able to hit deep high-grade gold mineralization with a single blind hole speaks to the great strength of this gold system. Rise has intersected multiple zones of important gold mineralization in all five holes completed to date. This deposit is known for hosting exceptionally continuous gold veins and every drill hole reinforces our belief that the Idaho-Maryland is one of the most exciting high-grade gold projects in America.?

Usually with these very short intercepts it is a case of nuggety mineralization, but as Amec mentioned in their reported, the type of mineralization of these deposits tends to be very continuous and extends very deep. This is exactly what we are seeing now, and this gets management excited as well.

To get a bit of a visual on the results so far, here is a section:

It might be that Rise Gold hit the earlier mentioned converging feeder structure at depth, as conceptualized by Bateman many years ago. In a long section also including the latest intercepts, things are shown like this:

This is all very encouraging in my view. Bit by bit the story gets more and more interesting, only reinforced further by the latest set of results, released on December 13, 2018:

For the first time the company intercepted the earlier mentioned stringers with visible gold, and again when recalculating the high grade 0.5m intercept for a minimum 2m mining width the resulting grade is very economic at 547.5g/t. An intercept of 6.8m @ 149.3g/t would have been very good as it implies more continuity (veins have a tendency to pinch and swell a lot), but the beauty of this type of geology is that the continuity is very good. As the shorter intercept (0.5m @2190g/t) contains more gold than the longer intercept (6.8m @149.3g/t) which it is part of, I asked CEO Mossman for an explanation. He stated that they rounded the widths in the news release to one decimal. The work done at site is in feet. So this interval was 1.5 ft which is 0.457 m. Since the assay is so high this couple centimeters causes the rest of the interval to show as a negative grade in a calculator. We will post the results to 2 decimals in the future. I pasted the interval into the doc below so you can see the entire detail.:???..

On a map, the location of the latest drill results of the 52 Vein target can be visualized:

Not all results are that good, but keep in mind that the nearby historic results (6.1m@ 4.1g/t, 13.3m@ 5.4g/t and 9.1m@ 16.5g/t) are certainly economic, providing a vein strike length of at least 100m at this location.

This drilling at depth takes up a lot of time and resources, but if Rise Gold manages to come close to the historic resource estimates, let?s say they prove up 1Moz of high grade mineralization, a re-rating can be expected, as their EV per oz would be in the range of US$10-15/oz, assuming more dilution. The average for this metric for explorers with a resource currently hovers around US$45/oz, according to this Haywood Securities table, part of their most recent Weekly Dig update:

This table contains outliers in both directions, so I believe this figure to be pretty accurate. If the directional drilling of Rise Gold proves to be successful, and a 1Moz is in the cards, then I don?t see a reason why this stock wouldn?t at least double from here. Management is convinced there is much more gold left in the old underground workings and below this, it?s up to them to show the world what the Idaho-Maryland really contains at depth.

Conclusion

After completing? 11,610 m of drilling, it appears that Rise Gold is hitting gold everywhere it looks. This in itself is pretty rare, and especially the economic intercepts at depth indicate large mineralized potential. Historic resource estimates point into the direction of 1Moz, but management thinks there could be more. The Rise Gold story with its roots in the fascinating, distant past is coming together nicely now, after hitting lots of veins, acquiring two rigs, raising lots of cash, attracting two strategic parties of which one is well-known producer Yamana Gold, and assembling a very experienced group of people. Because of the deep exploration, things will likely not advance very quickly, but with this type of backing there will be no shortage of financial and technical support, and Rise Gold should be able to advance Idaho-Maryland slowly but surely into a significant deposit in my view.

I hope you will find this article interesting and useful, and will have further interest in my upcoming articles on mining. To never miss a thing, please subscribe to my free newsletter in order to get an email notice of my new articles soon after they are published.

Disclaimer:

The author is not a registered investment advisor. Rise Gold is a sponsoring company. All facts are to be checked by the reader. For more information go to www.risegoldcorp.com and read the company?s profile and?official documents on?www.sedar.com, also?for important risk disclosures. This article is provided for information purposes only, and is not intended to be investment advice of any kind, and all readers are encouraged to do their own due diligence, and talk to their own licensed investment advisors prior to making any investment decisions.
PHILIPSBURGThe comments gay cruise made in Mondays sitting of Parliament by Member of Parliament for the National Alliance Christopher Emanuel are according to the Tourism Minister, the Honourable Stuart Johnson irresponsible and have offended one of St. Maartens biggest International partners in the hospitality industry, the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association FCCA and members of the LGBTQ community.

Johnson said Emanuels comments put St. Maarten at risk as this kind of negative and discriminatory comments are heard around the world and harm an already fragile tourism economy. There are lessons to be learned from the challenges of other Caribbean tourism destinations whose homophobia resulted in physical attacks on visitors and a negative image on their destination.

Johnson is calling on the National Alliance through its leader, the Honourable Member of Parliament Silveria Jacobs, to distance herself and the party from the comments made by fellow MP Emanuel, or state for the record that it is the NA's position to discriminate especially based on gender expression.

During an urgent meeting of Parliament on the liquidity, support for the SXM Airport on Monday this week, MP Emanuel asked whether the Cruise Summit Johnson attended was "a gay cruise." Emanuel had attempted to motivate a motion of no confidence against Johnson claiming that Johnson has "never attended any meeting of Parliament."

Parliament does have a critical role in addressing matters of concern regarding the Executive Branch's function. However, Johnson pointed out that it is also a responsibility of parliament to uphold the constitution and the laws on St. Maarten, one of which speaks directly to the equal treatment and rights of all individuals regardless of race, colour, religion, creed, gender, national origin or gender expression. Johnson said, "On the subject of my attendance at Parliament, I have been to Parliament in my capacity as Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport & Telecommunication four times. Meanwhile, the MP when he was a minister never attended and called parliament meetings a puppy show."

The concern now within Government and throughout the community is that MP Emanuel's comments may have a damning impact on St. Maarten's image and its relationship with the LGBTQ community and its international partners in the hospitality industry. The Cruise Summit, which Johnson attended, was the recently held PAMAC Cruise Summit consisting of over 100 FCCA PAMAC top executives. He held several meetings with top decision makers in the Cruise Industry to discuss and further develop initiatives for mutual success. His objective was to offer assurance to the Platinum Partners of St. Maarten's continued commitment to improving its Cruise Tourism Product and to find ways to return our cruise numbers to what they were before September 6th 2017.

The FCCA's Platinum Associate Membership Advisory Council honoured Port St. Maarten with the prestigious PAMAC Caribbean for Everyone Award. During that award ceremony, FCCA President Paige said, "Having Minister Johnson and Port St. Maarten on-board the PAMAC Cruise Summit is yet another example, with the event providing a vital forum for our destination partners and some of the Cruise Industry's top decision makers to discuss and develop initiatives leading to mutual successes." However, the comments of MP Emanuel are alienating members of the international community who we need as we continue to work on rebuilding our fragile economy."

Johnson said he hopes that these comments do not live a life of their own. He has expressed fear that it can result in people becoming verbally abusive towards others whose gender beliefs are not aligned with theirs. This will harm our Friendly Island image and can cause irreparable damage to our community and economy if left unchecked.
PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten  The Ad Hoc Committee New Parliament Building (AHCNPB), will meet on January 25, 2019.

The AHCNPB Committee meeting is scheduled for Friday at 11.00 hrs. in the General Assembly Chamber of the House at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg. Ir. Damien D.E. Richardson will be present for this meeting.

The agenda point is:

Presentation on the new Parliament building (IS/091/2018-2019 dated September 21, 2018)

Members of the public are invited to the House of Parliament to attend parliamentary deliberations.

The House of Parliament is located across from the Court House in Philipsburg.

The parliamentary session will be carried live on St. Maarten Cable TV Channel 115, via SXM GOV radio FM 107.9, via Pearl Radio FM 98.1, the audio via the Internet www.sxmparliament.org, www.pearlfmradio.sx and Parliaments Facebook page: Parliament of Sint Maarten.
PHILIPSBURG:--- Member of Parliament Egbert Jurendy Doran requested an urgent public meeting of Parliament, inviting the Prime Minister Leona Romeo-Marlin to update the Members of Parliament concerning the recent developments at the Postal Service St. Maarten.

Of particular interest to the Member of Parliament, is the uncertain employment circumstance in which the workers find themselves, and precisely what risks the companys downsizing process poses for these workers.

I have been monitoring the situation for some months now, and the developments transpiring at the Post office are very disappointing to say the very least, said MP Doran in a statement on Wednesday evening.

In The Daily Herald of September 18, 2018, the President of the St. Maarten Communications Union (SMCU) Ludson Evers, stated that PSS has been having financial challenges for some time now and the entire process is expected to be finalized by October 1.

Prime Minister Leona Romeo-Marlin told reporters at the Council of Minister's press briefing in September 2018, that once the process of downsizing PSS was completed, authorities will work with the workers in order to find possible alternative work. This was also published in the Daily Herald on September 20, 2018.

In the meantime, Member of Parliament Doran took note that in Mondays edition of The Daily Herald, Prime Minister Romeo-Marlin rightfully stated in regards to the serious situation at the Princess Juliana International Airport, that Without the bridge loan assistance, the airport would not be able to pay salaries at the end of this month, jobs would be lost and employees could no longer take care of families,.

MP Doran detailed, I fully agree with this sentiment expressed by the Prime Minister, as the situation at our Airport is extremely serious, and due to the fact that this situation is of no fault of the workers, it is the duty of those in charge to see to it that they are taken care of in the proper manner.

In the meantime, the Member of Parliament is calling on the Prime Minister, to show the same consideration when it comes to the workers of the post office as this is also a Government owned company.

It is the duty of Government to look out for these workers, especially after all the extraordinary circumstances that our people have been facing for the last year and a half after the storms, whereby these workers, among many other on Sint Maarten, are under enormous pressure while trying to provide for their families.



MP Doran said it is very sad and troubling to see that the Prime Minister guaranteed the postal workers jobs on several occasions within the Civil Service, and still to date has not fulfilled this guarantee, thus leaving the workers in a very insecure position.

This request was sent to the Chairlady of Parliament on January 16, 2019, and Member of Parliament Doran is looking towards the Chairlady of Parliament to convene this urgent meeting as soon as possible.
CAYHILL:--- The St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) is proud to announce the addition of a new Anesthesiologist, Dr. Katarzyna Zagolska, who started her tenure at the hospital at the beginning of January and joins current Anesthesiologist, Dr. Yelena George to bolster the Anesthesiology department.

Dr. Zagolska comes from Cracow, Poland where she previously worked at The Order Bonifraters Hospital. After receiving her Doctor of Medicine (MD) from the Jagiellonian University in Cracow, Dr. Zagolska completed her post-graduate residency at the University Hospital in Cracow.

Dr. Katarzyna Zagolska brings 10 years of experience to the SMMC with the enthusiasm to utilize her knowledge and clinical experience in Anesthesiology and Intensive Care with modern techniques. She describes herself as highly motivated and one with strong work ethics.

Dr. Zagolska hopes to connect with patients and be able to address their concerns with anesthesia and the surgical experience to help make the best of their overall experience at SMMC.

Dr. Zagolska states: You may only see a patient for a short period of time, but it is so important to have a personal connection with them. Anesthesia is personal, life-involving and brings together family members with the patient. A large part of my job is to introduce someone to that aspect of surgery and make their experience as pleasant as possible.

SMMC is delighted to welcome Dr. Zagolska to the team of medical specialists as the hospital continues her objective of bringing quality care close to home to patients on St. Maarten and surrounding islands.
PHILIPSBURG:--- It took the four men 40 days, almost 1,000 hours rowing, nearly 1 million calories, 700 liters of water, 52,000 watts of solar power, unimaginable inner strength and a large dose of humor to row the 3,000 miles, unsupported, from the Canaries to the Caribbean island of Antigua.

The distinctive green NAGICO branded ocean rowing boat, Ellida, rowed into English Harbour at (insert date and time), to complete the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge in sixth place, taking 40 days, 23 hours and 33 minutes.

The sinewy, tanned and bearded men were given an emotional, rousing welcome from their families and over 100 supporters and friends of NAGICO Insurances clients, partners and local supporters who came out to welcome the team home.

NAGICOs Chairman Imran McSood Amjad greeted the team as they stepped off the boat: We are very proud to be associated with Atlantic Discovery. These men have embraced the extreme hardships they have faced at sea and found the strength to triumph. Their resilience and teamwork is commendable - I consider Ben, Cam, Isaac and Jack to be part of the NAGICO family.

It is also an honour for me to symbolically countersign the Excess of Loss Treaty between NAGICO Group and Swiss Re which Cameron Parker signed in the mid-Atlantic in a world first on behalf of Swiss Re. Cameron Parker is Captain of the rowing team and Head P&C Structured Solutions Continental Europe at Swiss Re.

Cameron said that the moment of arriving in Antigua to meet Mac, Kyria and the NAGICO team was what he had been looking forward to most. The journey was the toughest challenge each of us has ever done. Weve learned a great deal about ourselves as individuals, and as a team. What motivated us on the row is all the support we have received from everyone. Messages, encouragement and donations - this has been the fuel that has kept us going. We wanted to make you all proud and celebrate with you at the finish.

The team did the row to raise 60K (USD 80K) for Multiple Sclerosis (MS), which affects 2.5 million people worldwide. Bens mother Rose was diagnosed with MS while her son was still at school. My mum has lived with MS for 18 years. Every day is a frustrating struggle, yet she overcomes her symptoms with sheer determination and grit. She has taught me that one grows as a person by overcoming adversity. I reminded myself during the row that no matter the challenges we faced, my mums journey has been even more difficult.

Finishing this race means that the team will receive promised donations to their chosen charities from the Hiscox Foundation, Lyme Bay Consulting and a personal donation from Kyria Ali, Group Chief Strategy and Development Officer and the staff of NAGICO, boosting funds raised so far to 24,000 (USD 31,200).

We are truly proud of Team Atlantic Discovery  what they have accomplished is no easy feat and is quite frankly, awe inspiring. They have demonstrated how ordinary people can do extraordinary things and reminded us all of the power of humanity. Our staff in all 21 territories closely followed the teams journey. We are honored to have been a part of this amazing story and created history as well with Swiss Re. said Kyria Ali, NAGICOs Chief Strategy and Development Officer.

Donations continue to be accepted and the team hope to reach their target in the next few weeks.

The remaining 21 ocean-rowing vessels are still to complete the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge over the next few weeks.
"Who do they think they are?" Maduro asked. "Do they think they have a colonial enclave in Venezuela and can do anything they want?" He also said he would be shutting down all of Venezuela's embassies and consulates in the United States. The US State Department ordered some US government workers to leave Venezuela and says US citizens should consider leaving the country. "We are taking this action based on our current assessment of the security situation in Venezuela. We have no plans to close the embassy," a State Department spokesperson said in a statement on Thursday. A sign is posted in both English and Spanish at the entrance to Venezuela's embassy in Washington on Thursday. Credit:AP As for Guaido, he'll face a critical test in February, when he pledged to open "humanitarian corridors" to funnel in desperately needed food and medicine from neighboring countries. On Thursday, Pompeo said the United States would be donating $20 million ($28 million) in aid to that effort.

But exactly how Guaido will bring in the cargo without the approval and help of the Bolviarian National Guard, which controls the borders, is far from clear. Juan Guaido has claimed the presidency of Venezuela. Credit:AP Despite opposition hopes that factions of the military might break ranks and support Guaido, there's no clear evidence of it yet. On Thursday, Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez, flanked by the high command of the armed forces, pledged his allegiance to Maduro and accused Washington of flirting with civil war by trying to install a puppet leader. If Guaido wants to make good on his promise of a humanitarian corridor, he may have to rely on foreign troops to protect the cargo, leaving his international allies open to charges that they're engaged in a military invasion. Supporters of Guaido in Lima, Peru, on Wednesday. Credit:AP

The corridor issue could show exactly how far the international community is willing to go to support Guaido's claims of legitimacy, said Eric Farnsworth, with the Americas Society/Council of the Americas. "If the Maduro government wants to repress Guaido or take actions to delegitimise him, then what's the international community prepared to do? And if they don't do anything what's their support worth?" he asked. Maduro claims he won 68 per cent of the vote in May, giving him the right to rule through 2025. But Washington and others say the election was marred by fraud, that Maduro is illegitimate and that Venezuela's constitution requires Guaido, the head of congress, to be acting president. And Washington has repeatedly said that all "options are on the table" to make that transition a reality. On Thursday, National Security Adviser John Bolton said the US will be targeting Maduro's finances. Maduro speaks to his supporters from a balcony at Miraflores presidential palace during a rally in Caracas on Wednesday. Credit:AP

"What we're focusing on today is disconnecting the illegitimate Maduro regime from the source of its revenues," he said. "We think consistent with our recognition of Juan Guaido as the constitutional interim president of Venezuela that those revenues should go to the legitimate government." Loading Guaido gave his first public comments to Univision on Thursday since declaring himself interim president. The National Assembly leader said that amnesty is on the table for anybody willing to help return Venezuela to constitutional order. Despite all the heated rhetoric and existing sanctions from Washington, the United States is still Venezuela's largest market for crude, sending more than $8 billion ($11 billion) back to state-run PDVSA oil company in 2016. One of the ideas making the rounds on Capitol Hill is to divert that money. In 1989, the United States used a similar approach with Panamanian strongman Manuel Noriega, putting money from Panama Canal tolls into an escrow account until it could be turned over to his successor. But it's not clear that tactic would work with Venezuela, as the country could simply quit exporting crude to the United States, said David Moran, an economic analyst who served as Venezuela's vice minister of finance from 1994 to 1996.

A US flag flies outside the US embassy in Caracas on Thursday. Credit:AP "Venezuela is not going to send petroleum simply to lose it," he said. "That's not feasible." The US is seeking to ensure Venezuelan oil revenue goes to Guaido, and to cut off money from Maduro, a top US official says. Although short on details, the announcement signals that Washington is willing to go beyond traditional diplomatic measures and will seek to drain cash from Maduro's government, which is already struggling under an unprecedented economic meltdown. Such a move would significantly strengthen the hand of Guaido. Loading

However, the mere act of recognising Guaido will already create financial hardship for Maduro, he said. "The legal uncertainty that [Guaido's] recognition creates means nobody is going to make an investment of, say, 10 to 15 years in the country," Moran said. And while Maduro still has international allies, they're losing interest in a country that has defaulted on $10 billion ($14 billion) worth of debt and seems to be teetering on collapse, he said. "China is not going to finance Venezuela's socialism, much less Russia or Turkey," he said. It's unclear how long Venezuela will operate with two competing executives. Much will depend on if Guaido can keep from being arrested or forced into exile, like many other opposition politicians. Farnsworth said that if Guaido doesn't have a firm plan in place to evade authorities and exercise his power, "things could get messy pretty quick".
"I have never seen anything like the explosion that we're seeing right now in CBD," Bethany Gomez, an analyst at cannabis market research firm Brightfield Group, wrote in a report last year. Brightfield estimates that sales of CBD products surged from $US174 million ($A245 million) in 2016 to $US590 million ($A831 million) last year. The firm predicts the market will grow to a staggering $US22 billion by 2022. A bartender prepares a CBD infused Stoney Negroni at Adriaen Block, a bar and restaurant in Queens CBD can be found in moisturising creams, bath bombs, gourmet ice-cream and dog treats. Coca-Cola last year confirmed it was exploring creating a CBD-infused beverage. Cafes are increasingly adding it to their coffee, as they would a flavour shot. "It has proliferated like wildfire," says Aaron Cook, co-founder of Charley St, an Australian-owned cafe in Manhattan's Nolita district.

Cook, originally from Perth, says Charley St recently began trialling CBD oil in its coffees. He expects it to become a permanent option for customers. Unlike its sister cannabis compound THC, CBD is not psychoactive and won't get you stoned. Fans describe it as having a calming sensation, similar to the feeling after you take a warm bath or practise meditation. "It doesn't pop off the tongue," Cook says. "While caffeine can give some people a real rush, this can soften it and mellow you out." Many customers have a CBD-infused coffee to calm their mind before heading into the office in the morning, he says. Studies have shown that pharmaceutical-grade CBD can help reduce seizures for people with epilepsy. But most people say they use it for other reasons, most commonly to relieve inflammation-related pain, to improve sleep and to reduce anxiety.

It's easy to see why CBD has taken off in the Big Apple, where stereotypically high-strung and neurotic New Yorkers are not hard to find. It's also a city where many residents are distressed at the direction their country is taking under Donald Trump. Michelle Goldberg, a left-wing columnist at The New York Times, explained in a recent podcast how she started consuming CBD gummy bears as a way to cope with the disturbing news stories emanating from the White House. She said she found the gummies particularly useful to calm her nerves on the day of the November midterm elections, when it looked as if the Democrats may underperform expectations. (They ended up reclaiming the House of Representatives easily.) One of the most most remarkable things about CBD's rise is that it occurred despite its legally dubious status. In 1970, the US Congress designated hemp as a substance on par with marijuana, meaning it had "no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse". This made CBD illegal at a federal level in almost all forms.

That changed just before Christmas, when Trump signed into law a new Farm Bill legalising hemp as long as it contains less than 0.3 per cent THC. The bill was supported by many conservative Republicans, mostly because small-scale farmers, struggling to compete with China and Latin America, were desperate for a new crop to cultivate. The passage of the new law was applauded by Elixinol Global, an ASX-listed company headquartered in Sydney that makes CBD oil and similar products. "It was the biggest legislative change I have seen in my 23 years in the industry," says Elixinol chief executive Paul Benhaim. "We have already grown 120 per cent over the past year and are expecting to see a significantly faster growth in 2019."

Paul Benhaim, chief executive of hemp company Elixinol Global, says Australia lags behind the US in acceptance of cannabis-derived products. Under the new laws, Benhaim says it will be easier for hemp companies to get credit from banks and to access crop insurance. Digital giants Facebook and Google had also been wary of CBD; now it will be easier for companies to market directly to consumers. The company is planning to double the production size at its plant in Colorado and hire extra staff. While CBD's spruikers are keen to distinguish it from pot, the product's surge in popularity has run in tandem with a growing acceptance of marijuana in US society. While the drug remains illegal at a federal level, recreational cannabis is now legal in 10 US states including California, Colorado, Michigan and Oregon. Medical marijuana is legal in 33 states.

With Democratic candidates angling to appeal to young and non-white voters, marijuana legalisation is expected to feature prominently in the party's 2020 presidential primaries. Legalising cannabis is increasingly seen as a racial justice issue given African Americans disproportionately go to jail for possessing and distributing the drug. Benhaim says when it comes to both CBD and weed, the US and Australia could not be further apart. In Australia CBD products are classed as a form of medical marijuana, meaning only some of the 2000 patients approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration can access them legally. "Australia's restrictive legislation for non-psychoactive CBD products means there is really no market for them in Australia," Benhaim says.

"We are growing in the US, Japan, Europe. Even though we are an Australian company, Australia is the only country not showing the growth we see elsewhere." As for the purported benefits of CBD, Benhaim stresses: "We make no claims on our products whatsoever." Indeed, there is currently little credible evidence to support many of the positive effects credited to CBD. "Future studies may show otherwise, but at present CBD looks more like an expensive placebo than a panacea," Richard Friedman, a professor of clinical psychiatry, wrote recently in The New York Times. Aaron Cook, from the Charley St cafe, suspects many of the benefits his customers attribute to CBD can be explained by the placebo effect.
by Anesa?McGregor

The Palo Alto County Board of Supervisors approved the hiring of an equipment operator and held a completion hearing during their regular meet on Tuesday, January 22.

Palo Alto County Engineer Walter Davis-Oeth requested approval for the hiring of Jeremy Wickman to fill the empty spot of equipment operator at the Emmetsburg Shed.

Wickmans start date is Monday, January 28, at a rate of $17.97 per hour.

See The Reporter/The Democrat for the full story.
Washington: Two competing measures to end the partial US government shutdown have fallen short in the Senate as lawmakers explore an option to end a month-long impasse with the White House and fund government operations for three weeks while talks continue.

A bill backed by Republican President Donald Trump to end the shutdown by funding the wall he wants to build on the US-Mexico border and a separate bill supported by Democrats to reopen shuttered agencies without such funding did not get the votes required to advance in the 100-member chamber.

US President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House on Thursday. Credit:Bloomberg

Immediately following the failed effort, Democratic and Republican senators spoke on the Senate floor and urged quick passage of a three-week, stopgap funding bill to end the partial government shutdown for now.

Some Democrats pledged to support more border security funding than was included in the Democrats' bill that was blocked in the Senate on Thursday.
Roger Stone, a longtime ally of President Donald Trump, was arrested in the special counsel's Russia investigation in a pre-dawn raid at his Florida home on Friday and was charged with lying to Congress and obstructing the probe.

The seven-count indictment against Stone, a self-proclaimed "dirty trickster" and an adviser to Trump in his unorthodox bid for the White House, is the first criminal case in months from special counsel Robert Mueller.

It provides the most detail to date about how Trump campaign associates in the summer of 2016 were actively seeking to politically benefit from the release of hacked material damaging to Hillary Clinton's campaign. It alleges that unnamed senior Trump campaign officials, reported to include Steve Bannon, contacted Stone to ask when stolen emails relating to Clinton might be disclosed.

The indictment does not charge Stone with conspiring with WikiLeaks, which published the emails, or with the Russian officers that allegedly hacked them.
The Federal Aviation Authority briefly issued a ground stop for arriving flights at New York's LaGuardia Airport on Friday morning (local time) as the government dealt with staffing shortages at two air traffic control facilities in New York and Florida.

The FAA said it had seen an increased number of workers calling in sick, a sign that the 35-day partial government shutdown was having a tangible impact on everyday American life. Hundreds of thousands of federal workers have been furloughed or, as with some airport workers, required to work without pay.

The FAA said earlier that staffing shortages among air traffic controllers were delaying flights at Newark Liberty International Airport and Philadelphia International airport.

The FAA issued a notice that it was halting flights into LaGuardia due to staffing issues, but lifted it around 10.45am (2.45am AEDT). The FAA said it was instituting a program to manage traffic that would result in significant delays for arriving flights of nearly 90 minutes.
Athens: Greek police fired tear gas to disperse crowds gathered outside parliament on Thursday to protest against a deal over the name of neighbouring Macedonia, as parliamentary debate spilled into a third day.

Several thousand people massed outside the Greek legislature, some of them chanting "traitors" as politicians debated ratification of an agreement reached with the neighbouring ex-Yugoslav state last year.

The Greek parliament delayed the expected approval of the UN-brokered deal by a day due to an increased number of politicians who wanted to have a say over it.

A flare thrown by opponents of Prespa Agreement, attending a rally outside the Greek Parliament, burns in front of police officers in Athens on Thursday. Credit:AP

The so-called Prespes Agreement between Athens and Skopje changes the tiny Balkan nation's name to Republic of North Macedonia, ending a 28-year-old row between the two countries.
San Diego: The Trump administration on Friday will start forcing some asylum seekers to wait in Mexico while their cases wind through US courts, an official said, launching what could become one of the more significant changes to the immigration system in years.

The changes will be introduced at San Diego's San Ysidro border crossing, according to a US official familiar with the plan who spoke Thursday on condition of anonymity because it's not yet final. San Ysidro is the nation's busiest crossing and the choice of asylum seekers who arrived to Tijuana, Mexico, in November in a caravan of more than 6,000 mostly Central American migrants.

The policy, which is expected to face a legal challenge, may be expanded to other crossings. It does not apply to children travelling alone or to asylum seekers from Mexico.

A girl holds a balloon as she walks among tents inside an empty warehouse used as a shelter set up for migrants in downtown Tijuana, Mexico. Credit:AP

A nearly finalised plan emerged during bilateral talks in Mexico City over the last few days. It calls for US authorities to bus asylum seekers back and forth to the border for court hearings in downtown San Diego, including an initial appearance within 45 days.
Hong Kong: A prominent Australian democracy advocate has been detained by Vietnamese security police in Ho Chi Minh City and has not been heard from in almost two weeks, the pro-democracy group Viet Tan says.

Australian citizen Chau Van Kham has reportedly been detained in Vietnam. Credit:Viet Tan

Chau Van Kham, a member of Viet Tan, was detained after he crossed the land border from Cambodia on a fact-finding trip in his native country in early January and travelled to HCMC where he met with Nguyen Van Vien, a member of the Brotherhood for Democracy.

"We are mindful that the Vietnamese police have a history of framing peaceful activists with fabricated charges," Phong Nguyen, a Viet Tan spokesman told AAP. "At the moment we still haven't heard anything."

"His family are very concerned because of his ill health. He needs regular medication because of his prostate and we're trying to send medicine but we need to locate where he is first."
Taipei: The United States sent two warships through the Taiwan Strait on Thursday in the first such operation this year, the Taiwanese government said, as it increases the frequency of transits through the strategic waterway amid tensions with China.

A US Navy ship. Credit:US Navy

The voyage risks further heightening tensions with China, which considers Taiwan its own and has not ruled out the use of force to bring the self-ruled island under its control.

Taiwan's defence ministry said in a statement late on Thursday the ships were moving in a northerly direction and that their voyage was in accordance with regulations.

It said Taiwan closely monitored the operation to "ensure the security of the seas and regional stability".
Beijing: Australian diplomats have visited the detained Australian blogger Yang Hengjun, who is being held in residential detention in Beijing under investigation for involvement with espionage.

Australian embassy staff made the consular visit to Mr Yang on Friday afternoon, seven days after he was detained by Beijing's State Security Bureau, and after his case was raised publicly by the Morrison Government. Australia's consular agreement with China stipulates access within five days.

Defence Minister Christopher Pyne had pressed for embassy staff to be given urgent access to Mr Yang during his meetings with Chinese defence chiefs in Beijing on Thursday.

On Friday, an influential Chinese tabloid dismissed accusations that Yang, an Austalian citizen, was detained as political retaliation against Australia.

The Global Times, a major propaganda tool for the Chinese government with over 1 million readers, published an editorial on the Yang case in its Friday Chinese edition and said it was "ridiculous" to suggest it was politically motivated.
But Islamist groups are playing an increasingly influential role in the political system of Australia's near-northern neighbour and that trend shows no sign of abating. Loading The country's blasphemy laws, used so effectively against Ahok, have become weaponised. Just in the last year a woman was jailed for complaining the call to prayer from her local mosque was too loud; the daughter of the country's first president Sukarno was threatened with jail for allegedly insulting the Prophet in a poem (she delivered a grovelling apology); and a Christian student in Sumatra was jailed for a Facebook post that insulted the Prophet. These are just some examples. At the same time, graves with Christian crosses on them were desecrated earlier this month in central Java and the local government in the town of Surakarta caved to public pressure to erase a mosaic (which was designed by a Muslim) that critics argued was shaped like a cross and therefore was offensive.

And while the President made a plea for tolerance during his state of the nation address last August, his selection of ageing Muslim cleric Ma'ruf Amin to be his vice presidential running mate highlights - as the would-be release of Bashir does - just how nervous the popular politician is that conservative Islamic forces will line up against him and help ensure his opponent Prabowo Subianto is elected. Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video Some commentators have suggested the protestations of Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison over Bashir's release played a significant part in Widodo's change of heart (though the Prime Minister, to be fair to him, has claimed no credit). They are kidding themselves. Canberra is still in bad odour in Jakarta because of last year's Israeli embassy move thought-bubble, the much-hyped free trade deal is still on ice and vice presidential candidate Amin, current vice president Jusuf Kalla and senior cabinet minister Luhut all suggested Australia should simply butt out on the Bashir matter.

The embassy brouhaha is just the latest speed bump in a relationship that is often fraught - the live cattle ban, boat turn-backs and the execution of two members of the Bali Nine are examples from the last decade. It was primarily domestic politics and domestic disquiet - from nationalist forces inside the government defending Pancasila, and from moderate supporters of the President who swiftly took to social media to complain - that caused Widodo to backflip and decide he couldn't, after all, bend the rule of law to release Bashir and suit his own need to appeal to conservative Muslim voters. And as a supporter of the opposition put it neatly on Facebook, before Widodo reversed course on the release, "I'm happy Bashir is being released but I'm not changing my vote from Prabowo". In other words, there was little political dividend for Widodo in backing the release of Bashir even before he backflipped. Instead Widodo succeeded in both temporarily alienating his base of moderates and nationalists and then infuriating the more conservative voters he was attempting to pander to.
Kinshana: Opposition leader Felix Tshisekedi was sworn in as Congo's president Thursday, marking the country's first peaceful transfer of power since independence from Belgium nearly 60 years ago, and immediately announced plans for the release of all political prisoners.

The 55-year-old Tshisekedi succeeds Joseph Kabila, the strongman who governed the largely impoverished and corruption-riddled Central African country for 18 years before stepping down under pressure.

Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi is sworn in in Kinshasa on Thursday. Credit:AP

"We are committed to building a modern, peaceful, democratic and caring state for every citizen," the new president said, "a state that will guarantee the happiness of all."

He called on the troubled nation to engage in a new battle, one for "the wellbeing for each citizen of this beautiful country".
Mr Bartlett still intends running for the seat of Brisbane for the Greens in this year's federal election, gathering his strength before continuing the doorknocking campaign he started last June. Former senator Andrew Bartlett with Greens Senator Larissa Waters. Credit:AAP "I suppose having the family history it was always something that could happen," he said. "I always thought I might be a bit older when it did happen. "It is obviously not good timing (politically), but there is never a good time for this type of thing.

"It is way way better to get it early. If there is discomfort as part of that, it is way better than letting it get a hold of you." Former Labor treasurer Wayne Swan, who in 2001 also had a radical prostatectomy when he learned he had prostate cancer, called Mr Bartlett to wish him well. "He wished me good luck and said I was doing the right thing considering surgery," he said. "He said if there was anything he could do, to get in touch." Mr Swan's very public declaration to tackle prostate cancer made many men for the first time consider getting checks on their bits below the belt.

Like Mr Bartlett's father, Mr Swan's dad, Maurice, also passed from prostate cancer. In Mr Bartlett's case, checking for prostate cancer was always a family issue. He now has to deal with the changes in his body; the possible impact on incontinence. "I'm still to experience how big an impact that will be and how long it will take," he said. Mr Bartlett said everyone who has contacted him after going through the surgery themselves has been very positive.

"It all takes different lengths of time, they have said, but they have said it is worth it," he said. "You do the right things to maximise your chances you can get back to pretty normal living." Mr Bartlett has always had what he calls "a gallows-type of humour" - part of his old Goth sensibilities - but he said his prostate surgery is simply something he is dealing with in his normal life. He knows it is private thing for most men. He knows thousands of men deal with it in their own way and does not want to make himself a spokesman. "It such a confronting thing for blokes. The thought of that part of your body not working properly anymore is like ... people just say I don't want to think about it anymore," Mr Bartlett said.

"People might say I'd rather get cancer than admit that part is not working properly anymore, which people probably don't mean when they are tossing it up. "Trust me you'd rather not get cancer." Former senator Andrew Bartlett recovers after surgery to remove his prostate in January 2109. Credit:Tony Moore He is determined to successfully shift from the Senate and win the House of Representatives seat of Brisbane for the Greens, now held by the LNP's Trevor Evans with a 6 per cent margin. "Seeing many of the issues I have stood up for still there 10, 15 years later has really drummed into me that we've got to win House of Representatives seats," he said.
He has promised negotiation with Indigenous Australians in relation to a treaty, and in response to the 2017 Uluru statement from the heart adopted by an Aboriginal Assembly. Implicitly this embraces constitutional recognition of Indigenous Australians as original inhabitants whose rights were disrupted by European settlement. The authors of the statement want what it called constitutional reforms to empower our people and take a rightful place in our own country  We call for the establishment of a First Nations Voice enshrined in the Constitution. This is the phrase that the Coalition claimed required some sort of third chamber of parliament, and rejected, inter alia with the argument that it would create inequality between citizens. Shorten should not be deferring progress on this until Australia Day 2020. Finally, the statement called for a Makaratta  a Yolngu word suggesting reconciliation after argument and fighting: Makarrata is the culmination of our agenda: the coming together after a struggle. It captures our aspirations for a fair and truthful relationship with the people of Australia and a better future for our children based on justice and self-determination. We seek a Makarrata Commission to supervise a process of agreement-making between governments and First Nations and truth-telling about our history.

Shorten should not be deferring progress on this until Australia Day 2020. He should open process and content discussions immediately on taking government in May, if he does. But he should announce now that Australia Day next year will mark a significant development in progress  such as the establishment of commissioners, white and black, who would negotiate the form of an agreement able to be put to the community. Shorten has also promised progress towards a republic, including an initial plebiscite asking the question something like Do you support an Australian republic with an Australian head of state? The idea is that the form that such a republic would take, including the vexed question of whether it should have an elected or appointed head of state, would be left for determination after the plebiscite. Labor admits that the movement to a republic is not the highest Australian priority. Indeed, there has been bitter arguments in some circles about the relative priority of Aboriginal recognition and a republic. Many Indigenous leaders believe that the Coalition squibbed on promises to hold a constitutional recognition referendum  even if it was plain, at least before the Uluru statement, that there was no consensus on the form it should take, and if there had been a significant risk that such a referendum would be defeated. Be that as it may, Indigenous leaders want progress, not constant deferral and delay. Bill Shorten Australia Day 2016. Labor is assuming that a plebiscite on a republic will produce a yes vote, and that once this happens progress towards it will acquire its own momentum. Frankly, I doubt that those with very strong views, one way or the other, about how a president or head of state should be chosen will sit silently until after the plebiscite. Likewise, one can still expect a strong anti-republican cause, perhaps led by Tony Abbott again, arguing that one should not vote yes until such critical questions are answered.

It would be possible for Australia to become a republic with only a few changes of wording to the existing constitution. For all intents and purposes, the Governor-General, not the queen, is our head of state. Substitution of the word president for governor-general, some short provision establishing the method of appointment, and the omission of phrases, already without force, about reserving some legislation for the monarch will pretty well do the trick. But there will be those who will argue that Australia needs more than this, if only to modernise a document adopted 120 years ago in quite different circumstances. Since then, Australia has become a single market for goods and services, and many of the old problems of a nation occupying a whole continent  particularly problems of distance and different local conditions  are not the problems that they were. Loading It might be impossible to abolish the states, as some might want, and probably equally impossible to abolish equal senate representation for each of the states. But the old divisions  now the strong overlap  of functions between the Commonwealth and the states, and the Commonwealth practical monopoly over income taxes, goods and services taxes and excise suggest that a new compact should be drawn. In some fields, say over the control of river water, and over some environmental matters, it seems obviously necessary.

A new compact need not rubber-stamp the centralisation of many powers, including in areas, such as health and education, that were once within the province of the states. It seems inevitable that the Commonwealth will have national goals and requirements in health care, education and law and order, but this does not mean that the states should give up the powers or the resources they have in such areas. What are needed instead are political and legal limits setting out respective responsibilities. But more than the federal system would come under consideration. Twelve decades ago, our founding fathers closely considered the American Bill of Rights, with its constitutional guarantees of freedom of speech, due process, the right to bear arms and so on, and decided that Australia did not need such explicit guarantees of rights and freedoms. Our common law traditions, and the tradition of judicial restraint where traditional freedoms were threatened, would be enough, they thought. They came to this conclusion before the development of the welfare state brought government into virtually every household, and before a war against terror enabled official intrusions on free speech, privacy, journalism and communications of a type that would have been unimaginable in the 1890s. In theory, there have been checks and balances against the extensions of such power, but there is little doubting that the balance has swung sharply towards greater, and less accountable, powers to the state. Australia Day could likewise be an occasion to take the republic further ... an occasion in which government speaks in an embracing way. A bill of rights  whether as a shield or a sword  is not a panacea against official abuse of power, but it is a restraint upon it. Australia is now the only common law country without such formal protections: other states which, a century ago, thought they did not need such protections, such as Britain, Canada, South Africa and New Zealand, now have formal declarations of rights.

Shorten has no need to commit himself to any particular outcome of such a debate. All he must do is to acknowledge that it is inevitable, and that Labor will participate in it enthusiastically, as can any other party or group. And as against those who will insist, darkly, that it will involve socialism by stealth, or the destruction of private property, or enslavement by Muslim boat people or whatever, he must trust to the common sense of the electorate at large. This is a common sense that will be more likely in an open and transparent debate, rather than secretively through deals, factions, lobbyists and closed debates. Australia Day 2020 could likewise be an occasion to take the republic further. It could also be an occasion in which government speaks in an embracing way about immigration and citizenship, finally formally dumping the xenophobic fear of the invader popularised by the Mike Pezzullos of the world, as well as the use of them and us to create division within the community. Heaven help us, we could return to having an immigration department focused on integrating new arrivals, rather than looking for ways of stripping them of such rights as they enjoy. Shorten has also manifested some late enthusiasm for reform and cleaning up of government, in part in response to widespread public cynicism about the integrity of politicians and officials. He is keeping an Independent Commission Against Corruption on the agenda, and, so far at least (I expect his enthusiasm will flag quickly after the election) says he wants a tough one. He wants reform of the regulation of lobbyists, including measures that embrace professional advocates for single clients, and people, such as lawyers and accountants, making all sorts of representations to government but without much in the way of formal controls. And even if Labor has shown no keenness to break away from lockstep with the coalition on the national security surveillance state, it is seemingly increasingly responsive to the idea that such powers should be subject to firm independent review. It could go further. The banking royal commission has demonstrated major flaws in the operations of many of our regulatory agencies  and significant lacuna in other critical parts of the law enforcement system, including the politicisation of police and quasi-police activities, and the black hole of the prosecution system. Legal aid, and administrative law, have suffered greatly in role and function in recent years, and the latter has been subverted by the open appointment (by both sides) of people whose chief qualifications have been of being friends and relations of ministers, or in close association with the governing party.
In so many ways Australia is the best country in the world to live in but we face a unique conundrum about the celebration of what should be our proudest day.

By a series of historical accidents the national day happens to be celebrated on the date when the first white people settled, occupied, invaded or whatever you want to call it, displacing and dispossessing hundreds of thousands of Indigenous Australians.

First Nations National Convention held in Uluru on May 24, 2017. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

If only Australia had a national day which was not burdened with this tragic dilemma. Look at the US which has the 4th of July, celebrating the universal rights of man.

But we are cursed every year to rerun the same tedious culture war. Indigenous people and their supporters quite understandably point out that they cannot take pleasure in celebrating the blackest day in their history or forget the previous 60,000 years they lived here. They demand the national day be moved to another date, although it is not clear when.
To say David Cunningham was in good shape would not do him justice.

The 55-year-old ran marathons and competed in Ironman triathlons, and a gluten intolerance means he couldn't gorge on junk food even if he wanted to. He was doing everything right.

But in 2015, he had a massive heart attack.

David Cunningham was fit, healthy and had no risk factors - but still had a heart attack. Credit:Scott McNaughton

"Because I was so fit, thats the only reason I survived it," he says.
The body representing 55,000 recreational crayfishers, Recfishwest, says it has concerns the governments current growth plan for the commercial lobster fishery could place the success of the recreational lobster fishery at risk.

The lobster plan has caused controversy.

Recfishwest has raised the concerns in a submission to Fisheries Minister Dave Kelly, after he announced a shake-up of WA's rock lobster fishery in the lead-up to Christmas, which includes a 1700 tonne increase in the amount of the delicacy to be fished, with the government proposing to take ownership of 17 per cent of the total catch.

It appears the current catch figures used in the (government) growth plan do not account for the

approximate 450 tonnes of recreationally caught lobster the submission by chief executive Dr Andrew Rowland states.

By adding the recreational catch and the governments planned 1700 tonne catch increases to the

current commercial catch levels, the level of planned extraction will exceed the sustainable level."
Victoria's energy grid is not fit for purpose in a climate increasingly prone to extreme heat, according to the state's energy minister, after more than 200,000 people had their power cut on a day when Melbourne's temperature hit 42 degrees.

Lily D'Ambrosio said a huge generation failure from aging coal and gas generators on Friday, which left parts of more than 50 suburbs and townships powerless in the searing afternoon heat, underlined the urgent need to shift to renewables.

EnergyAustralia operates the Yallourn brown coal-fired power station in Victoria, which had multiple failures in the heat. Credit:Joe Armao

Federal Energy Minister Angus Taylor agreed Victoria's energy grid had let people down, but said the widespread blackouts emphasised the need for new, reliable sources of power generation.

The power plant failures and shutdown meant the state lost almost 20 per cent of its capacity to meet the demand on Friday.
Up to 200,000 Victorian housesholds lost power during the extreme heat on Friday. Credit:Eddie Jim "Essentially, most of that was as a result of failed infrastructure from our coal and gas units, in particular coal, and of course a decrease in the amount of power from those generators that did remain in our system." This emergency blackout action came after the failure of generating units at EnergyAustralia's Yallourn power station and AGL's Loy Yang A power station, both in Victoria's Latrobe Valley. Energy Australia had taken one of its generators at Yallourn offline on Thursday in order to carry out maintenance and shut down another early on Friday after it suffered a "tube leak". AGL had also shut down one of its generators at Loy Yang A on Thursday due to a 'tube leak'. While wind farms had picked up the slack early in the morning, operating at around 45 per cent capacity at 9am and providing nearly 800 megawatts to the system, they were only operating at around 25 per cent capacity by early afternoon.

Essentially, most of that was as a result of failed infrastructure from our coal and gas units, in particular coal. Lily D'Ambrosio The Australian Industry Group said Victoria's blackouts were a symptom of a national energy failure, which is leaning increasingly on businesses to fill in the gaps. Loading "Australia is not a third world country but after many years of sweating increasingly decrepit old generators and dissuading new investment through policy chaos it is hard not to conclude that parts of our national energy system belong in the third world," AI Group chief executive Innes Willox said. "Uncertainty over whether the electricity system will cope cannot be allowed to become a regular feature of the Australian economy.

"We particularly need to acknowledge the role of Alcoas demand reductions in keeping Victorians from blackouts on Thursday." Ms D'Ambrosio said the state had lost an "extraordinary" 1800MW of power capacity due to the outages and picked up on the warning from Australian Energy Market Operator chief executive Audrey Zibelman that the ageing coal generators were like "old cars". "Those generators are ageing, they are becoming less reliable. That has become more and more obvious in the last few days. Its important we continue to build our energy supply. Renewable energy is the way of the future," Ms D'Ambrosio said. "The reality, and we need to come to terms with it, is our summers are getting longer, hotter and more extreme because of climate change. We have a 20th century energy system for a 21st century climate." Richer suburbs hit

The power was predominantly cut in what an energy analyst called "the goat cheese belt". "The power cut [was] happening in many high-income places," he said. "Presumably the choice of these suburbs was no accident. If the power was cut in poorer suburbs it would most likely affect many pensioners and those that can't afford to lose power, like those on life support." But lower income suburbs were far from immune from the rolling blackouts. Thousands of households lost power in suburbs including Pakenham, Cranbourne East and Narre Warren South. Shadow Environment Minister Mark Butler. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

Coal-fired power plants to blame Federal opposition energy minister Mark Butler put the blame on the failing coal-fired power plants. "Faults at ageing coal power plants have placed extreme pressure on Victorian energy supply," Mr Butler said. "This shouldnt surprise anyone as weve seen countless warnings about increasingly unreliable ageing coal plants and increasingly unreliable ageing coal plant outages have placed the system under incredible stress before." Comment has been sought from federal energy minister Angus Taylor.

Around 60,000 Victorians will have their power cut in order for AEMO to keep the grid operational during the heatwave. Credit:Bloomberg AEMO said it had asked for the power cuts - known as load shedding - "to maintain electricity supply and protect the power system as Victoria deals with record-breaking high temperatures, high demand and reduced generation availability". An energy analyst called the decision "just nightmare stuff". Ms Zibelman said a reduction in the heat towards the afternoon would allow it to restore power to the affected areas. "At this stage, we are expecting more favourable weather and supply-demand conditions mid-afternoon, reducing the need for scheduled supply interruptions into the evening, barring further major generation issues," she said.
A parliamentary inquiry into Sydney's eastern suburbs light rail has called for a review of the effectiveness of public-private partnerships given the litany of problems with the delayed project.

The inquiry's final report, released on Friday, made just one finding - that "the delay of the project has contributed to the distress of residents and businesses".

Construction for the light rail has taken far longer than first expected. Credit:Jessica Hromas

But the report made 20 recommendations including that the state's auditor-general undertake a review of the effectiveness of PPP contracts "for significant state infrastructure projects".

The public accountability committee also recommended a full investigation into the mishandling of human remains by a worker who was seen throwing bones onto the pavement in Surry Hills in October 2018
A man and a baby are the latest people in NSW to be diagnosed with measles, bringing the number of cases to 11 since Christmas.

The man aged in his 50s became ill as he returned home on a flight to Sydney from the Philippines. He has been hospitalised with serious complications of the infection.

They had no record of receiving a measles vaccination, according to NSW Health.

The case prompted NSW Health to again urge people travelling to South East Asia, where measles is prevalent, to ensure they are fully vaccinated before heading overseas.
A Chinese movie star and his producer friend have pleaded not guilty to raping a woman in a luxury Sydney hotel.

Actor Gao Yunxiang and producer Wang Jing pleaded not guilty in Sydney's Downing Centre District Court on Friday to sexually assaulting a woman multiple times at the Shangri-La Hotel at The Rocks in March last year.

Gao, a star so popular in Asia his lawyer likened him to Hugh Jackman, appeared before a courtroom packed with Chinese media, while Wang appeared via video link.

Both men pleaded not guilty to all charges, including aggravated sexual assault where the victim was deprived of liberty, through an interpreter.
The intense heat that has plagued the southern states and western NSW over the past two days will reach Sydney on Saturday, prompting health authorities to warn against overdoing it on the beers this national holiday weekend.

Existing heatwave conditions shifting from low-intensity to severe are expected to peak on Australia Day, with parts of the city's west forecast to reach 41 degrees while a more bearable 33 degrees will be the maximum in the CBD.

It follows a devastatingly hot few days in Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia that has seen mass blackouts in Melbourne and multiple bushfire emergencies.
A NSW man with a penchant for carrying sharp implements was jailed in Canberra on Friday for the vicious stabbing of a good Samaritan.

Justice John Burns sentenced Troy Michael Kennewell, 20, to three years and one month in prison, setting a non-parole term of 18 months.

Troy Kennewell stabbed a person in Kambah. Credit:Alexandra Back

The judge told Kennewell that it was "vital that you cease carrying weapons and in particular knives".

Kennewell had been charged with three counts of recklessly causing grievous bodily harm after stabbing a man who intervened in a fight between him and his girlfriend.
By the time you read this the tide of anger will have ebbed, leached into the sand of our daily concerns. It goes like this: Revelation becomes anger, becomes disgust, fatalism, apathy, tennis. A predictable death of a motivating force. And it's always this way. "A million dead fish!" "Shameful." "Disastrous." "I've got tickets to Federer v Nadal." "OMG. So cool." It's natural enough. But anger is all we had. It was our main hope. So it's sad to see it assuaged by tennis matches and back-to-school bargains. They're killing the Darling. I took a drive along it in December. Station owners around Wilcannia sit in their houses perplexed, staring at the last green waterholes, suffering the same fate as the Indigenous. Someone somewhere else is making decisions about their world and its regrettable, but unavoidable, death. They're the victims of another place's God-given purpose. Illustration: Robin Cowcher Would Germany let the Rhine be ruined like this? Would England let the Thames be wrung and desiccated? The French would surely rise up if the Seine were annihilated. Who are we that we stand for this? My 2014 novel, The Last Pulse, begins with a busted riverside South Australian farmer, Merv Rossiter, watching the President of Egypt interviewed on TV. The President is told that the Ethiopian government has consulted a German engineering firm to do a feasibility study on building a dam upstream on the Nile and asked what he thinks, considering all Egypt's agriculture depends on that river.

The Egyptian President replies, "Our neighbours, the Ethiopian, are a gracious and wise people who would not contemplate damming this sacred river ... however, were they to be so proud, greedy and foolhardy as to build a dam, then our air force would bomb it to gravel." "Yes," Merv whispered. "Ethiopia," he said to his kelpie. "Egypt," he explained. He then travels upriver to Queensland to blow up a massive cotton dam and let one last pulse of water flow south down the Darling to save his town. The book asks a number of questions. Are we one nation or six tribes? Does the water belong to those who live where it falls? Or to those to whom it has always flowed? You'll get a different answer at either end of the river. The Ethiopians up in Queensland believe the water is theirs; they disliked the novel. The Egyptians in SA know it's theirs; dairy farmers in that state handed out the novel at public meetings. But if the water ran the other way South Australia would steal it from Queensland and the river would die just as surely. Unless ... we were a nation, with a common stake in a ... common wealth. In The Last Pulse a South Australian court refuses to convict Merv for his act of terrorism. South Australia considers his flood a repatriation of stolen goods. "Any small-time empire builder with a dozer can build a dam. A councillor in Queensland with a year-8 education and an electorate to stroke can suck all colour and movement from a land as big as France." Has there ever been, in the history of this planet, such a far-reaching environmental catastrophe perpetrated to serve so few? The Al Saud family springs to mind. But we have allowed a cabal of cotton farmers at the top end of the river to ruin a 1500-kilometre-long ecosystem. Floating fish are a momentary, blatant sign of environmental ruination. But the Darling is a thoroughfare of life through a dry land. For a great distance either side of it an ecosystem lives because of it. Virtually all her waterbirds have disappeared in the past 30 years. And when the box trees on the floodplains die, as they are, and the redgums on her banks die, as they will, there go all the birds, from the red-tailed black cockatoos to the whistling kites, there go her many reptiles and mammals. Then silence. Silence please, Mr Federer is about to serve.
There's no equivalent of the Man Booker fiction prize for a short story, but the Sunday Times award must come close. The 2019 winner will receive 30,000 ($53,500), which makes it the most valuable prize in the world for a single short story.

Last year a relatively new writer, Courtney Zoffness, beat shortlisted literary heavyweights Miranda July and Curtis Sittenfeld to win with Peanuts Ain't Nuts, a story described as dealing masterfully with the bridge between innocence and adulthood.

Exercise your imagination. There are plenty of prizes out there for an outstanding short story. Credit:Erin Jonasson

This year a new sponsor, Audible, will produce an audiobook anthology of the shortlisted stories. Australian writers, you can enter if you have a track record of published creative writing in Britain or Ireland. But don't worry if you don't have such a track record: there are plenty of other opportunities to shine.

I didn't realise how many short-story competitions there are out there until I started looking. Aerogramme Writers' Studio lists 36 international contests for 2019, and they range from the prestigious and lucrative (the Sunday Times award, or the Commonwealth Short Story Prize) to the small, local and charmingly quirky. Supplement this with a list from the Australian Writers' Centre of 14 prizes for 2019 and you have a wide choice. And even these are just the tip of the iceberg.
Fiction

Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead

Olga Tokarczuk; trans., Antonia Lloyd-Jones

Text, $29.99 Olga Tokarczuk is a masterful storyteller who challenges expectations of what a story can be. Last year she won the Man Booker International for her novel, Flights, and in 2010 was nominated for the Nike Literary Award, the most significant literary prize in her homeland, Poland. Olga Tokarczuks gentle, light prose plays off against the confronting eccentricity of the main character in Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead. Credit:MACIEK NABRDALIK Originally published there in 2009, Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead is a thrilling and immersive story. Set in Kotlina Klodzka, a remote village in the south-west near the Czech border, the story follows the unravelling of a series of deaths that begins with the disappearance of two dogs. Its narrator, Janina Duszejko, is a woman in her 60s who lives alone and misses the company of her canine companions, whom she calls her "Little Girls". She teaches English to schoolchildren and translates William Blake's poetry into Polish with her friend Dizzy. Among other things, Duszejko is also a curious, amateur astrologian. She believes the world to be in a state of chaos. While the mystery seeps deeper and deeper, Duszejko becomes more implicated in the investigation, herself finding evidence where possible to suggest that these deaths were predestined.

Tokarczuk's book is, in a large way, about the embodiment of opposing states. The title refers to a Blake poem in The Marriage of Heaven and Hell, whose rhetoric envelops the novel's diametrical embrace of contradictions. Each chapter begins with an epigraph from Blake, hinting at how chaos can destroy that natural fabric, the ecosystem of the world. Throughout the book, Duszejko voices concern for "Hares, Badgers and Deer", "the Wolf", "Dogs", "Birds", and "Bugs", referring to a herd of deer as "Young Ladies". Duszejko is such a fervent believer in animal rights, animal agency, and even animal sovereignty over territory that her beliefs place her at odds with the villagers of Klodzko, especially those affiliated with the politically powerful hunting association. Poland's patriarchal culture as imbued in hunting is an undisguised subject of ire for Tokarczuk, following her own ribbing of nationalistic politics. The deaths, Duszejko believes, are murders committed by the hands (or hooves) of animals: the police commandant is attacked by deers; one of his cronies is eaten alive by the foxes he hoards; the president of the Penny Buns Mushroom Pickers' Society is suffocated by beetles; and a priest, Father Rustle, is killed in a fire after a mass in celebration of St Hubert, patron saint of hunters. All men who hunt. During a church session with children that Duszejko teaches, Father Rustle says "the hunters carry out their vocation of caring for the gift from God that is nature consciously, judiciously and sagaciously ..." His patronage of the hunting association disgusts Duszejko. When she confronts the police with her theories, she is dismissed: her appeals to astrology, her sentiments towards animals and, of course, her age, colour her as "crazy", as Dizzy calls her. Duszejko's reasons for refraining from participating in a culture that she believes contributes to the chaos are foreign to the reader until the very end.
T.S. Eliot enthusiasts will be licking their lips at the news of Lyndall Gordon's Eliot Among the Women. That's because the Eliot biographer's book will draw on the unseen letters the great modernist poet wrote to Emily Hale between 1930 and 1956. The 1131 letters have been locked up in 12 boxes at Princeton University and will not be released to scholars until January next year. Gordon's book will be about the women who influenced Eliot's life  his two wives, his mother, and his first publisher, Virginia Woolf  but the inclusion of the letters will be the headline element. Eliot met Hale in 1913 at his cousin's home in Cambridge, Massachusetts when he was 24 and she was 21. They were both to perform scenes from Jane Austen's Emma and Eliot was quickly smitten. They were in love and the suggestion is that before he went for a year to Oxford, he proposed but she was hesitant. He stayed in Britain during the First World War, married Vivienne Haigh-Wood in 1915 and didn't see Hale for another 12 years. The marriage to Vivienne collapsed but by then it was too late for Hale and Eliot and in 1957 he married Valerie Fletcher. Miles Franklin-winning novelist Steven Carroll (who writes the non-fiction column in this paper) has written two novels about Eliot and Hale and speculates that Eliot burnt Hale's letters to him in a fireplace at the offices of Faber & Faber, where he was a director. (It's a shame there was no Max Brod involved.) He requested she destroy his letters and was apparently livid when she gave them to Princeton. "I have wondered what will be revealed in those letters," Carroll said. "They had a very intense platonic love affair that was never consummated and took in most of their lives. One half of me thinks the letters could be very revealing and show him promising to marry her and then going back on that. The other half thinks that because he was such a guarded person, there won't be any revelations." Presumably we won't have to wait until publication in 2022 of Gordon's book to find out the details.

Justifiable authorial outrage

The Australian Society of Authors is backing a campaign by its American and British counterparts to stop the Internet Archive's Open Library from lending scanned copies of physical books. The British Society of Authors has damned what is called Controlled Digital Lending in which it referred to CDL as a "recently invented legal theory" that allowed libraries to scan print books and e-lend those copies "without obtaining authorisation from the copyright owners". The American Author's Guild pointed out the Open Library was not a "library with defined user base in any traditional sense" and copyright law did not allow traditional libraries to offer unauthorised scans. The SA pointed out that US fair-use law did not apply in Britain and "there is no legal basis for the practice of scanning books without permission and lending them in the UK ... that is a direct and actionable infringement of copyright". ASA president Juliet Rogers wrote to the San Francisco-based "library" accusing it of undermining copyright law, legitimate e-book sales and standard library practices. "Given how tremendously difficult it is to earn a living from writing, the ASA is outraged on behalf of all Australian authors whose books have been unlawfully copied and made available through the Open Library. A quick scan of the Open Library site shows users can freely download books from Helen Garner, Thomas Keneally, Tim Winton, Richard Flanagan, Kate Forsyth, Melina Marchetta, Michael Robotham, Matthew Reilly, Garry Disher, Peter Carey, Michelle de Kretser and many more Australian authors."

T.S. Eliot and Emily Hale in 1936. They met in 1913, but never married.

More legendary writers
In the late 1960s, Morris Morcos was in his 20s, freshly graduated from Egypt's Alexandria University, and looking to start a new life in Australia.

Growing up, he wanted to be a doctor, and it was one of the highly-skilled immigrant professions being sought after by the Australian government along with teachers, engineers, and pharmacists.

Morris Morcos says his family decided that he would become a pharmacist in Australia. Credit:Janie Barrett

Ultimately, though, it came down to what his parents wanted, and tradition was the deciding factor.

"I had the marks to be a doctor but my father said, 'No, you go to the pharmacy. Your sister will go and be a doctor.' More or less it was a family decision, not my decision," Mr Morcos, now 77, said.
Airport workers in Australia have had a legal win against their employer with the Federal Court of Australia ruling they can't be forced to work split shifts.

Justice Darryl Rangiah on Friday ruled airport services company Aerocare, now called Swissport Australia, can't require employees to work split shifts following a series of disputes in the Fair Work Commission.

The ruling has been welcomed by the Transport Worker's Union. Credit:Brendon Thorne

In his ruling, the judge dismissed Aerocare's application to declare that split shifts are not prohibited under the employment award and workers are not entitled to overtime rates or recall penalties for the shifts.

Aerocare's part-time employees perform ground handling duties such as baggage and cargo handling and check-in assistance.
Victoria's heatwave-induced power crisis has touched off a new round of criticism of the nation's energy system and calls for immediate action from the federal government to secure electricity supply for industry and consumers.

The Australian Energy Market Operator's (AEMO) worst-case scenario of a one in three chance of blackouts in Victoria came true on Friday as power was cut to 200,000 customers around the state.

The blackouts followed a series of outages at coal-fired power plants in Victoria, wind farms running well below capacity and a number of major industrial users agreeing to cut their usage to try and keep the lights on around the state as the temperature soared.

The situation sparked a political debate over how to get investment in generation and despair from industry over the nation's "third world" energy system.
Vegemite is undeniably a cornerstone of Australian culture. But as we move towards a "cosmopolitan and multicultural" society, so too is the salty spread's branding.

Early commercials show a very different Australia: a 1959 television commercial depicts children dressed as soldiers, flanked by cannons and marching to "Happy Little Vegemite", reminiscent of London's Changing of the Guard.

But now Vegemite has inner-city, apartment-dwelling Australians in its sights, sponsoring the Australian Open for a second year and topping dishes at high-end restaurants.

"We've moved on from happy little Anglo-Celtic Vegemites growing up in suburban Australia into something very different," says Emeritus Professor Richard Waterhouse, an expert in Australian culture and identity.
Individual travellers and corporate customers of Qantas Airways are increasingly choosing to pay a premium for voluntary carbon offsets amid growing awareness of the global environmental impact of the aviation industry.

"I think [carbon emissions] is a big issue for the aviation industry, and if not the biggest, one of the biggest that we will be facing over the next decades," Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce said during a panel discussion at the International Air Transport Association annual meeting in Dublin on Friday.

Carbon emissions remain a big issue for the aviation industry, says Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce. Credit:Bloomberg

"It is also something our customers are very passionate about. If we don't get this right, we let down all of our stakeholders  we let down our customers, we let down our employees and we let down our shareholders."

Qantas and Jetstar have offered a voluntary carbon offset program since 2009, with more than 2 million tonnes of emissions offset since the start.
Jillian Broadbent was 19 years old when she started working at the Reserve Bank of Australia, putting together models that would help prepare the country for the massive wave of deregulation that would reshape the economy through the 1970s.

The long-standing executive and director rode that wave of change for the next 51 years, serving as an executive and director at some of Australia's largest companies.

"I grew up with that idea that youre serving somebody, rather than serving yourself", said Jillian Broadbent, who has been awarded a Companion of the Order of Australia. Credit:Arsineh Houspian

Today, the 70-year-old has been recognised with a Companion of the Order of Australia for her contribution to corporate, financial, clean energy and cultural organisations; to higher education, and to women in business.

Amid a crisis in faith in corporate Australia brought on by the banking royal commission, she said her national pride served as a moral guide through her career.
Adele Ferguson, the decorated investigative journalist for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age has paid tribute to whistleblowers after being honoured in this year's Australia Day awards.

Ferguson, whose award winning investigations into financial services, franchising and retirement living industries have sparked numerous inquiries including the Hayne banking royal commission, said was "proud and humbled" after being appointed a Member of the Order Australia for her services to journalism.

Adele Ferguson has paid tribute to the victims and whistleblowers involved in her investigations.. Credit:Simon Schluter

But she said her stories couldn't have happened without the bravery of whistleblowers, and victims of corporate malfeasance, who risked their livelihoods by speaking to her.

"With all of these investigations, none of them would have had the traction they had without whistleblowers putting everything on the line, and the victims coming forward," she said.
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The Honorable Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi says that the wall which our President wants build to help in protecting America is immoral. Where were her morals when she rigged the minimum wage in America Samoa?

Some time back, the house passed a minimum wage increase to $7.25. I think Pelosi was the house minority leader at the time. The increase applied to all of the U.S. and its territories, except American Samoa. Why do you think this is? Because Starkist Tuna, with headquarters in California, and Starkists parent company, Del Monte, was located in Pelosis own San Francisco district and, not to mention, she and her husband had a $17 million interest in it.

In 2004, according to the Department of Labor, Samoan canneries directly employed some 4,800 people, or nearly 40 percent of the work force. So tell me, where is the morality in passing legislation to include all of the U.S and its territories, except the territory which has a company in which you are a stake holder.

Would Starkist be willing to provide 800,000 federal workers with jobs/salaries commensurate with their talents for the duration of the shutdown, which one their biggest investors is responsible for? I now believe Starkist Tuna is owned by a Korean company, Dongwon Industries.

(Brian Middendorf is a Grymes Hill resident.)
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Larry Wagner was suffering from stage 3 lung cancer when his troubles with the city Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) started.

Now hes been stuck with a $960.36 bill from the city agency for his Midland Beach homes water being shut off June 17.

The water was shut off seven months after his Cherokee Street homes water main started leaking -- a leak Wagner blames on the DEP.

He believes a work project done on his block in November 2017 damaged the pipe, and caused the leak that flooded the area around his home.

The house is 80 years old, so those are lead pipes -- thick lead pipes, Wagner said at a press conference held Thursday at the office of Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis.

We havent had a problem for 80 years, and then they came out, and dug the street, and the next day I spotted the leak.

A DEP spokesman said in a statement that the agency excavated twice at the location, and confirmed the damage to the private water service line was not the type that would be caused by other work.

Whoever was responsible for the broken pipe, property owners are responsible for maintenance and repair of water lines, which meant Wagner would have to pay more than $3,000 to fix the damage.

Suffering from cancer and in default on his mortgage, he didnt have the means to pay to fix the pipe, so the damage remained.

With the leak causing problems for other properties on his block, the DEP turned his water off, and the bill he received is for that shut off.

This is a valid charge because the property owner has ignored numerous notices to repair his private water service line  and the leak was impacting neighboring properties, the DEP spokesman said in a statement.

Two days after his water was shut, Wagner and his neighbor, Sue LaRocca, reached out to Malliotakis' office to see if she could help.

During the shutoff, Wagner relied on LaRocca, and Dawn Clarity from Malliotakis office bringing him buckets, and gallon jugs of water.

Its unconscionable that the city would leave somebody in Larrys condition, or any citizen, without running water for six months, Malliotakis said.

Eventually, Wagner found that a grant from Neighborhood Housing Services could help fix the pipe, but he would have to get his house out of default.

Northfield Community LDC provided the help he needed to fill out an application with the New York State Mortgage Assistance Program, which Wagner qualified for.

(The city) was of absolutely no help, Malliotakis said. We had to rely on non-profit organizations to come to the rescue.

Which they did. Wagners water main was repaired Dec. 26. Now hes hoping the DEP will agree to waive the $960.36 shutoff bill.

He said hes not sure if he would pursue legal action if they dont agree to waive the bill.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  A special education student was forced to perform a sex act on another boy inside a Staten Island high school last year, a lawsuit against the city alleges.

The episode occurred June 1 in an auxiliary room/gym inside New Dorp High Schools main gymnasium, alleges a civil complaint filed by the alleged victims father.

The alleged victim was attending a special education class, the complaint said.

Multiple sources with knowledge of the case said the boys were not New Dorp High School students nor under the supervision of New Dorp staff, but were in a separate program that uses space at the high school.

While in the room the alleged victim was sexually abused by another student and forced to perform a sex act on that student, alleges the complaint.

The boy was severely injured, requiring medical and hospital expenses, the complaint said.

He suffered physical and emotional injuries, said the complaint.

The names of the boys are being withheld due to their ages and the nature of the allegations.

The alleged victims fathers name is also being withheld to avoid identifying the boy.

The boys ages arent included in court papers.

Besides the city, the boys dad sued the city Department of Education in state Supreme Court, St. George.

The complaint alleges the defendants failed to property supervise the activities of special education students, and there was no culpable conduct on the alleged victims part.

The suit seeks unspecified monetary damages.

Martin L. Ginsberg, the plaintiffs Queens-based lawyer, did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment.

Schools are safe havens, and this deeply disturbing allegation was reported and thoroughly investigated," said Department of Education spokesman Doug Cohen. "We will review the lawsuit.

The city Law Department did not immediately respond to an e-mail request seeking comment.

Sources told the Advance investigations conducted after the incident found it to be unsubstantiated.
(Island Government is a periodic roundup of Staten Island political and civic events.)

CITY HALL -- The New York City Council overwhelmingly backed a bill Thursday to allow elected officials to fundraise to pay off their legal fees.

The bill will help Mayor Bill de Blasio pay off his exorbitant legal fees as well as Island Councilwoman Debi Rose (D-North Shore).

Several members of Roses campaign were accused of filing false campaign finance reports, and Rose was named as an unindicted co-conspirator.

Charges were later dismissed, but the five-year investigation cost taxpayers more than $500,000.

I thank you for lifting this sword of Damocles which has hung over my head for almost a decade, Rose said. Your vote has freed me from the stigma of an unwarranted prosecution and will allow me to pay off my legal debt to the very excellent legal council who defended me and my staff members through this frivolous  and bogus lawsuit.

The bill allows elected officials to create a standalone trust to accept donations to pay for their legal expenses in criminal and civil matters.

Donations would be limited to $5,000 per donor, and restrictions would be put in place on who can donate to the fund.

For instance, lobbyists, people who do business with the city, corporations and LLCs would not be allowed to donate. All donations would also have to be reported to the conflicts of interest board and posted online.

Minority Leader Steven Matteo (R-Mid Island) and Councilman Joe Borelli (R-South Shore) voted against the bill.

MAX ROSE CALLS ON EZPASS TO DELAY WITHDRAWING FUNDS FOR FEDERAL WORKERS

Congressman Max Rose (D-Staten Island) is calling on EZPass to alleviate pressure federal government employees in his district by delaying withdrawal of funds for impacted federal workers until the government reopens.

While some have disagreed with declaring this a crisis, for the constituents in my district whose lives have been upended I can assure you: this is indeed a crisis, Rose said. With over 800,000 federal workers countrywide and a significant amount of men and women in my district now furloughed and missing paychecks, they are rightfully concerned about how they will make ends meet. Frankly, the promise of back pay does not help my constituents when they are worrying now about how they are going to put food on their table, pay their medical bills, and support their families. In short, the people of my district are hurting, and they need your help.

President Trump announced the end of the shutdown Friday afternoon, but it unclear when federal workers will be paid.

MALLIOTAKIS SLAMS GOVERNORS PROPERTY TAX CAP

Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis (R-Staten Island) is slamming Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) for excluding New York City from making the 2 percent property tax cap law on local municipalities property tax levy permanent.

We need to make our voices heard to ensure that the extension includes New York City. While the residents of other municipalities in the state have been protected by the 2% cap on their property tax levy, New York Citys levy has increased by a whopping 44% in the last 5 years alone. New York City has become unaffordable for homeowners and renters alike and enough is enough, said Malliotakis. We cant count on Mayor de Blasio to treat New York City homeowners fairly, and now it is clear we cant count on the governor either. The city must lead and impose a cap so our residents arent forced to leave the communities they call home.

Malliotakis is calling on city residents to sign a petition here.

LANZA TO HOST PROPERTY TAX EVENT

State Sen. Andrew Lanza (R-Staten Island) plans to host a property tax exemption event Jan. 31 at the JCC of Staten Island to help homeowners with applications for the Senior Citizen Homeowners Exemption (SCHE) and Disabled Homeowners Exemption (DHE).

The event will take from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and interested homeowners can RSVP by calling Lanzas office at (718) 984-4073 or submit an online registration form at https://goo.gl/9vzGqA.

Property tax exemptions are available for senior citizens, 65 years and older, veterans and people with disabilities. Folks eligible for these program need to bring a photo ID, tax returns or proof of income for the year 2017 for all homeowners, trust documents (if applicable) and DD214 or discharge papers (for veterans only) to the event.

MAX ROSE APPOINTED TO HOMELAND SECURITY COMMITTEE

Congressman Max Rose (D-Staten Island) has been named to serve on the House Committee on Homeland Security. Rose, who also serves in the National Guard, will be the only veteran serving in the majority on the committee. Last week, the congressman was also appointed to serve on the House Committee on Veterans Affairs.

The cops, firefighters, and first responders who call my district home are on the front lines every single day defending our country and our city against the real threats we face, Rose said. Having fought to defend our country overseas, Im honored to serve on the Committee on Homeland Security where Ill fight to protect our nation here at home and work tirelessly to ensure the brave men and women who keep our city safe get the support and the resources they deserve.

The House Committee on Homeland Security has jurisdiction over the Department of Homeland Security, which includes programs that support local law enforcement and first responders, the United States Coast Guard, and counterterrorism programs. Sector New York is the largest Coast Guard operational field command on the East Coast and is headquartered at Fort Wadsworth in Roses district.

ODDO TO HOST BP ASSIST LIVE EVENT

Borough President James Oddo will host a BP Assist Live open house at Susan Wagner High School on Sunday Jan. 27.

The open house will consist of a Q&A for high school students followed by a resource fair. The student Q&A will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. and the resource fair will run from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. During the resource fair, attendees will have the chance to meet with Oddos staff and learn about initiatives and projects his office is working on.

Representatives from city agencies, cultural organizations, and other local groups plan to attend to talk about their services and answer questions.

a Q&A for high school students, followed by a resource fair. The Student Q&A will take place from 1-2PM, while the Resource Fair will take place from 1-4PM. At the resource fair, attendees will be able to meet with BP Oddos staff and learn about the initiatives and projects his office is working on. In addition, representatives from city agencies, cultural organizations, and other local groups will be in attendance to talk about their services and answer questions.

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STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Staten Island wont see a Gifted & Talented (G&T) program in its intermediate schools any time soon.

Although parents have long-argued that Staten Island is in need of a G&T program at the intermediate school level, the Department of Education (DOE) said it doesnt designate this type of programming at any middle school in New York City. Instead, G&T programs are only offered to students in kindergarten through fifth grade.

The DOE said the citys central G&T program has historically run from kindergarten through fifth grade, but did not elaborate on why it doesnt exist beyond elementary grades.

Paige Gunther, the mother of a second-grader in PS 8, Great Kills, said parents have long-advocated for G&T programs in intermediate schools. In fact, in 2015, parents petitioned the former Schools Chancellor Carmen Farina and the DOE to expand the program to one or more of the boroughs intermediate schools.

Its been an issue forever, I dont think well ever get one," Gunther said. "People have been lobbying for it for a long time, at least as long as weve had [my daughter], since the G&T programs have been on my husbands and my radar. So Ive been following it since then -- and every year you see people asking DOE for it and it just hasnt happened yet. Every time we get a new school campus, its always suggested by the G&T parents to designate it for that.

However, parent Suzanne Lutz said its unrealistic to think that Staten Island would get a designated G&T middle school. Her daughter graduated from the G&T program at PS 53, Bay Terrace, last year, and is now a sixth-grader at Paulo Intermediate School (I.S. 75) in Huguenot.

I have friends who were really mad that we dont have a middle school G&T program on Staten Island -- and in my opinion, scholars is similar -- and its certainly better, said Lutz, referring to scholars programs, which are accelerated programs located within some general ed Staten Island middle schools. Scholars programs require an admissions process based on various criteria, including report cards and test scores.

Lutz said she fears that a G&T intermediate school would give students a false sense of security, believing it would ensure them a seat in specialized high schools, like Staten Island Technical High School in New Dorp.

Just because you test into G&T in kindergarten does not mean necessarily that youre G&T material in middle school, she added. My kids are my kids and I love them and theyre great -- but theyre not perfect and there are going to be kids that are smarter than my kids."

PARENTS TURN TO OTHER BOROUGHS

After learning in an intensive environment during their elementary careers, Staten Island G&T students often apply to intermediate schools in other boroughs that require a test or audition to gain admission -- however, they are not DOE-designated G&T schools.

The DOE said there are several audition and screen middle and high schools throughout New York City, although none of these schools are located on Staten Island. Parents have dubbed these audition and screen schools, with school-wide entrance requirements, as elite intermediate schools.

Some parents say theyve researched these elite schools -- such as Mark Twain (I.S. 239) for the Gifted and Talented in Coney Island, Brooklyn, or New Explorations into Science, Technology and Math (NEST+m) in lower Manhattan. Despite the name, I.S. 239 does not offer a DOE-designated G&T program.

A parent, who requested anonymity, said her daughter was accepted to G&T elementary programs on Staten Island when she tested in kindergarten. But because of the lack of North Shore options at the time, she sent her now-fifth-grader to PS/I.S. 48 in Concord, which doesnt have a G&T program.

Her daughter listed two audition and screen schools in other boroughs as top choices on her intermediate school application after discovering that those schools have a high rate of students accepted into specialized high schools.

The parent said she realizes that there are scholars programs in Staten Island intermediate schools that base admission on factors like report cards and test scores, however these accelerated programs are not school-wide.

She added that she preferred a school-wide program. For example, at Coney Islands I.S. 239, the screen and audition program is school-wide.

I want her in a good school with a good program, not a mediocre school that just happens to have a good program in it, the parent said. I kind of feel like the reason they put these programs in these schools that arent so great is to try to attract students like my daughter into these schools that they wouldnt normally go to.

SCHOLARS PROGRAMS ON STATEN ISLAND

The Staten Island scholars schools are: Egbert Intermediate School (I.S. 2), Midland Beach; Prall Intermediate School (I.S. 27), West Brighton; Dreyfus Intermediate School (I.S. 49), Stapleton; and Paulo Intermediate School (I.S. 75), Huguenot.

The four scholars middle schools on Staten Island admit students into accelerated programs using the same admissions criteria as other screen programs, and schools can also create their own specialized academic courses, said Doug Cohen, spokesman for the DOE.

According to the DOE, the scholars programs in these schools admit students based on composite scores. These schools are similar to composite score intermediate school programs in Queens and Brooklyn, the agency said.

Composite score programs base admission on a combination of factors used to create one score for each student. These factors could include report card grades, state standardized test scores, attendance and behavior.

Were raising the bar across all of our Staten Island middle schools through accelerated courses, college visits and new after-school programs, and well continue working with Staten Island to ensure were meeting the needs of our students, Cohen added.

However, DeAnna Eliot-Llinas, the parent of a third-grader at PS 60, Graniteville, said the needs of G&T elementary students on Staten Island are not being met once they leave the program in elementary school.

Its not so much that these kids need honors classes and scholars programs, which are available, said Eliot-Llinas. Its not about higher test scores. These kids are different. Only parents of those who are truly gifted understand what Im talking about.

She added: Their minds work differently, not necessarily faster. They need others that learn as they do and they need a dedicated program closer to home. Its only fair."

WHAT IS GIFTED AND TALENTED?

G&T programs meet the needs of exceptional students, according to the 2019 Gifted & Talented Admissions Guide.

Students entering kindergarten through third grade can qualify to participate in G&T admissions by taking the G&T test.

The child must be a current New York City resident who is currently in pre-kindergarten through second grade. Its open to public, district and charter school students, private and parochial school students, students with disabilities, students with accessibility needs and English Language Learners (ELL).

Parents say students learn the same curriculum but it may move at a faster pace, be assigned additional projects, use technology in the classroom and increase critical thinking.

DIFFERENT G&T PROGRAMS

There are two types of G&T programs: district and citywide programs.

Citywide G&T programs accept students from all boroughs and give no admissions priority for any district of residence. Every student enrolled in these schools is enrolled in the school-wide G&T program. Students must score 97 or above on the admissions test.

There are five citywide programs in boroughs other than Staten Island -- three in Manhattan, one in Brooklyn and one in Queens.

District G&T programs give admissions priority to students who live in a particular district. The programs are offered in district elementary schools for kindergarten through fifth grade. Students need an overall score of 90 or above on the G&T test to be eligible.

There are seven elementary schools on Staten Island that have district G&T programs in place for the 2019-2020 school year. These schools are: PS 3, Pleasant Plains; PS 8, Great Kills; PS 42, Eltingville; PS 45, West Brighton; PS 50, Oakwood; PS 53, Bay Terrace; and PS 60, Graniteville.

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Budget followed by LokSabha elections; India is going to witness two big events this year. Albeit the present government has introduced the budget five times, this season it's a separate tale. While a friendly budget will support the Indians to improve their living, it will also support the NDA government to entice voters ahead of the upcoming LokSabha elections. Hint back by the blows in recent assembly elections, the government might veer from the conventional norms and announce some major & popular models to utilise them as a crowd-pleaser ahead of the elections.

As the country heads towards the general elections, we expect the government to favour expansionary economic policies that would give space to growth-boosting measures with the interim budget, says Rakesh Dugar, CMD, Mitashi Edutainment. In fact, Arun Jaitley indicated that this time the budget may go beyond vote-on-account. Last week through a video address from the US, he said: The larger interest of the economy always dictates what goes into the interim budget, including addressing some of the challenges and the government could break convention and make the February 1 exercise more significant than a vote on account. As Jaitley is undergoing surgery in the US, Piyush Goyal has been designated as interim finance minister.

Tax: Still Giving Indians Nightmares

Rumours are rife that the government might announce big changes. There is the talk of a Universal Basic Income (UBI) scheme that the Finance Minister might announce in the interim budget. The government is also expected to double the income tax exemption threshold to 5 lakh, reinstate tax-free status for medical expenses and travel allowances in a bid to offer better tax reliefs to people. This syncs with the wishlist of The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) that has urged the government to double the income tax exemption threshold to 5 lakh and increase the deduction limit to 2.50 lakh. The body has also suggested lowering the highest personal income tax slab to 25 percent, tax exemption for medical expenses & transport allowance, and corporate tax rate to be reduced to 25 percent, & should be brought down to 18 percent in a phased manner.

Also, in a pre-budget memorandum, the MAOI has appealed to the Finance Ministry to, on priority, fix the lop-sided tax policies to create a level playing field between the Indian MRO industry and foreign MROs. The MAOI has demanded to reduce GST for Indian MRO services to five percent to bring it on par with foreign MRO services, &customs duty on MRO services to 18 percent, and it has also demanded grant of Infrastructure status to MRO Industry. Against the Indian GST of 18 percent, countries such as Singapore and Malaysia GST is levied at seven percent, and Sri Lanka does not levy any tax at all. No wonder that despite the Government opening up 100 percent FDI, no foreign player wants to set up shop here. Our most earnest request to the Government is to set this anomaly right, at the earliest or else the Indian MRO sector will close down, says Bharat Malkani, President, MAOI.

Well, such steps will definitely help the education sector also. Undoubtedly, lowering the GST rates from an existing 18 percent to expected five percent will make education affordable to students. The upcoming budget also needs to take initiatives such as allocating bigger spending on education, provision for proper teacher training along with higher pay and administrative incentives. Incentives need to be provided to encourage research in all disciplines and for augmenting the technical capacity of the central educational institutions like NCERT, NUEPA, IGNOU and many more. Furthermore, a comprehensive scheme on lines of Ayushman Bharat can be a great start to improve the quality of education, adds RohitManglik, CEO, EduGorilla.

Resolving Farmer Woes

With Congress partys loan waiver scheme in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh & Rajasthan attracting the farmers, the agriculture theme is likely to hog the limelight in the budget for the government. In fact, many analysts have already declared the interim budget as a farmer-oriented budget. Many economists expect the government to replicate a scheme adopted by Telangana & Odisha, and announce a direct transfer benefit scheme, monetary benefits and concessions for farmers. We hope the finance minister renders enough attention to the farmer community and the middle-class section of the country. By extending financial support for PACs (primary agricultural societies) to undertake total computerization will facilitate the implementation of digital payment solutions. Also, Fintech companies working in rural India should be given subsidies for building awareness, which will enable them to onboard more and more rural population on to the digital platform, says MandarAgashe, Founder &Vice Chairman, Sarvatra Technologies.

Enhancing Make In India& Digital India Programs

Although the government has limited room for introducing significant changes, its expected to focus on schemes aimed at offering more benefits to the rural populace, revitalise growth by reviving the capex cycle, and promote domestic manufacturing. Rahul Garg, CEO & Founder, Moglix, says, The recent policy amendment to the foreign direct investment (FDI) bill is ambiguous and can slow down the speed of start-ups in the country. The government should come up with regulations that simplify our life as entrepreneurs and makes it easy to run businesses.

The Make in India &Digital India programs that were introduced to drive Indias economy has produced not the desired results. For instance, the ANGEL TAX has triggered tax issues and is affecting entrepreneurs badly. Reflecting on the issue, V Raman Kumar, Founder & Chairman, CASHe, says, The government should seriously consider abolishing the Angel Tax. It is hampering investments in start-ups. We expect the government to announce tax concessions in digital transactions which will, in turn, encourage electronic transactions across the industry. Also, a new policy framework for the adoption of newer technologies like Electronic National Automated Clearing House (e-NACH) and DigiLocker will help the industry and the end consumer at large. It should also further strengthen the Fintech and NBFCs who provide credit facilities to the interiors of the country besides providing solutions to avoid liquidity crisis. Offering relaxation will enable NBFCs to offer credit effortlessly and effectively. Setting up of refinancing organizations for NBFCs, similar to SIDBI, NABARD and others will help avoid liquidity crisis.

While the government has taken some initiatives in recent times to foster Entrepreneurialism, the industry is expecting more such steps. The move of the Govt. of India to increase the GST exemption limit to 40 lakh is a path-breaking pre-budget move. Given the small nature of MSMEs, the Govts move to also increase the annual turnover of the GST composition limit to 1.5 crore will also aid a tremendous number of SMEs. Sulekha expects the Govt. to unveil several such steps in the upcoming Feb 1st budget including a possible provision of value-added services like marketing fees, advertising and other such promotions to be considered under a progressively lower GST tax structure. The Govt. can also consider increasing online accounting and online tax calculation procedures for thousands of MSMEs who will benefit from an easy compliance regime, says, SatyaPrabhakar, CEO & Founder of Sulekha.com

Supporting his argument, Avneet Singh Marwah, Director & CEO of Super Plastronics Pvt. Ltd, a Kodak brand Licensee, states, In a move to promote domestic manufacturing, we are expecting FM to reduce customs duty on open cell used in the manufacturing of LCD and LED television panels to 0 percent from the current five percent. As a lot of brands have started importing TVs from ASEAN countries under FTA, major brands have stopped manufacturing televisions in India. This has impacted the Make in India initiative to a larger extent, close to which one million TV units have already been imported this year under FTA.

Well, the government is under intense pressure to address these demands and take on the opposition in the elections. On the flipside, it has a daunting task of keeping fiscal deficit in check, which will increase if all these demands are accepted. We wish that the FM will solve this dilemma, and give us a budget that will address both sides of the coin.

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Today

Mostly cloudy early, then thunderstorms developing this afternoon. A few storms may be severe. High 77F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms likely this evening. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms overnight. Low 64F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%.
Students at the University of Oklahoma held an anti-racism rally Thursday following reports that a man in blackface was seen on campus.



The incident follows one last week in which a racist video filmed by students from the university went viral  in the clip, a woman is seen putting black paint on a friend and using racist slurs. The students later withdrew from the university and issued a public apology.



This video was filmed around noon. The filmer told Newsflare that students marched from Dale Hall to Evan Hall, where a speech and gathering occurred.



Rallies have been held since to denounce the actions of the students. OU President James Gallogly addressed the incident earlier in the week and confirmed that University officials will review the Code of Conduct.
A trio of Chilean flamingo chicks that hatched in 2018 at a zoo in Virginia were excited to hear their caretaker call for them and all went in for a hug.



The caretaker, Gretchen Morgensen, was filmed taking the three chicks for an exercise on December 2, 2018 at the Natural Bridge Zoo in central Virginia, and is a mother figure for the young birds.



She has been the care taker of the babies from day one until they are old enough to join the adult colony of flamingos at the zoological facility.



She commented: "These little gray cotton candy floof balls are very affectionate as youngsters and seek their "mom" for attention, comfort, food etc."
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PANAMA CITY  Pope Francis insisted Thursday that public officials live simply, honestly and transparently as he opened a visit to a Central American region that has been rife with corruption scandals and is now coping with political upheaval in nearby Venezuela.

Francis didnt mention the Venezuela crisis during his first remarks in Panama after a meeting with President Juan Carlos Varela at the presidential palace. But his spokesman said he was following the situation closely, was praying for the Venezuelan people.

Francis stuck to his script in Panama, celebrating the countrys place as bridge between oceans and cultures and holding up the regions newest saint, slain Salvadoran Archbishop Oscar Romero, as a model for a humble church that accompanies the poor.

He thanked the Panamanian government for opening the doors of your home to young pilgrims who have flocked here for World Youth Day, the Catholic Churchs big youth rally and the reason for his visit.

But he warned that those same young people are increasingly demanding that public officials live lives that are coherent with the jobs entrusted to them, and build a culture of greater transparency between the public and private sectors.

They call upon them to live in simplicity and transparency, with a clear sense of responsibility for others and for our world, Francis said. To lead a life that demonstrates that public service is a synonym of honesty and justice, and opposed to all forms of corruption.

Transparency International estimates that as much as 1 percent of Panamas GDP, approximately $600 million, may have been lost to various corruption schemes during the presidency of Ricardo Martinelli, who governed Panama from 2009 to 2014. Martinelli was extradited to Panama last year from the United States to face political espionage and embezzlement charges.

Nicole Winfield is an Associated Press writer.
CARACAS, Venezuela  All eyes were on Juan Guaidos next step after the popular Venezuelan opposition leader declared he was temporarily assuming presidential powers in a high-stakes bid to unseat Nicolas Maduro, whose powerful loyalists went on the offensive Thursday in support of the embattled leader.

Guaido has disappeared from view since swearing before tens of thousands of cheering supporters to uphold the constitution and rid Venezuela of Maduros dictatorship, and his whereabouts remained shrouded in mystery.

In his first public comments since declaring himself interim president, and speaking from an undisclosed location, Guaido told Univision he would consider granting amnesty to Maduro and his allies if they helped return Venezuela to democracy.

Amnesty is on the table, the 35-year-old said.

A defiant Maduro called home all Venezuelan diplomats from the United States and closed its embassy, a day after ordering all U.S. diplomats out of the country by the weekend. Washington has refused to comply, but ordered its non-essential staff to leave the tumultuous country, citing security concerns.

The Trump administration says Maduros order isnt legal because the U.S. no longer recognizes him as Venezuelas legitimate leader.

They believe they have a colonial hold in Venezuela, where they decide what they want to do, Maduro said in an address broadcast live on state TV. You must fulfill my order from the government of Venezuela.

Attention has been on the military, a traditional arbiter of political disputes in Venezuela, as a critical indicator of whether the opposition will succeed in establishing a new government.

Venezuelas top military brass pledged their unwavering support to Maduro, delivering vows of loyalty earlier Thursday before rows of green-uniformed officers on state television. A half-dozen generals belonging largely to district commands and with direct control over thousands of troops joined Maduro in accusing the U.S. of meddling in Venezuelas affairs.

Gunfire during the protests and looting left 21 dead between Wednesday and early Thursday in the capital of Caracas and throughout the country, reported Marco Ponce, coordinator of the nonprofit Venezuelan Observatory of Social Conflict.

Scott Smith and Christine Armario are Associated Press writers.
MILAN  Europes human rights court on Thursday ordered Italy to pay Amanda Knox financial damages for police failure to provide legal assistance and an independent interpreter during a long night of questioning following the Nov. 1, 2007, murder of her British roommate. But the court said there was insufficient evidence to support claims of psychological and physical mistreatment.

The European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, France, said in its ruling that Italy hadnt succeeded in proving that the restriction of Ms. Knoxs access to a lawyer ... had not irreparably undermined the fairness of the proceedings as a whole. It said Italy must pay Knox $20,000 in damages, costs and expenses.

Ms. Knox had been particularly vulnerable, being a foreign young woman, 20 at the time, not having been in Italy for very long and not being fluent in Italian, the court noted.

After more than seven years of legal battles and flip-flop decisions, Knox was definitively acquitted of Meredith Kerchers murder by Italys highest court in March 2015. But a damaging conviction and three-year sentence for falsely accusing a Congolese bar owner of the murder was confirmed, leaving a cloud over her acquittal.

Knox, who is now 31 and lives in Seattle, wrote in her blog after that the ruling means that my slander conviction was unjust.

I never should have been charged, much less convicted, of slander, she wrote.

It was during questioning in the wee hours of Nov. 6, 2007, that Knox accused Patrick Lumumba, the owner of a bar where she sometimes worked, of the murder. Knoxs defense had long claimed that the accusation was coerced.

The human rights court, however, said there was not enough evidence to conclude Knox had sustained the inhuman or degrading treatment she claimed. Knox said she had been slapped twice on the side of the head by police, while also being subjected to pressure, threats of imprisonment and shouting.

The sensational murder of the 21-year-old Kercher attracted global attention, especially after suspicion fell on the photogenic Knox, and Knoxs then-Italian boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito. Kercher was found nude under a blanket in her locked room, with her throat slit and having been sexually assaulted. While Knox and Sollecito were initially convicted in Kerchers slaying and handed hefty sentences, both were eventually acquitted.

An Ivorian immigrant, Rudy Guede, is serving a 16-year sentence for the murder.

Colleen Barry is an Associated Press writer.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates  Iran arrested more than 7,000 people last year, including dozens of journalists, in what Amnesty International on Thursday called a shameless campaign of repression as the U.S. released an American anchorwoman for Iranian state television held for days as a material witness.

While Iranian officials and state media have widely condemned the arrest of Marzieh Hashemi of the broadcasters English-language channel Press TV, the figures released by Amnesty highlight the widespread campaign of arrest and harassment those in the media face in the Islamic Republic.

Even as Hashemi was released, Iran sentenced prominent whistle-blower journalist Yashar Soltani to five years in prison after his series of exposes alleging massive corruption in land deals linked to Tehrans former mayor.

Meanwhile, Iranian state TV continues to face criticism for airing statements from detainees made under duress, including two recent ones from labor activists Esmail Bakhshi and Sepideh Gholian who allegedly faced torture. Authorities detained both of them again this week.

The Amnesty report said that among those arrested in 2018 were protesters, students, journalists, environmental activists, workers and human rights defenders. Some 50 detainees were media workers, of whom at least 20 were sentenced to harsh prison or flogging sentences after unfair trials, the report said.

2018 will go down in history as a year of shame for Iran, said Philip Luther, Amnestys Middle East and North Africa research and advocacy director. Irans authorities sought to stifle any sign of dissent by stepping up their crackdown on the rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly and carrying out mass arrests of protesters.

Official reports say there are more than 240,000 prisoners in Iran.

Last year began with nationwide protests that started over Irans deteriorating economy and soon grew into antigovernment demonstrations. Iran is in the grip of a financial crisis and has seen sporadic protests in recent months as officials try to downplay the effects of the newly restored U.S. sanctions on Tehran.

In Hashemis case, she was detained by U.S. federal agents on Jan. 13. She appeared at least twice before a U.S. federal judge in Washington, and court papers said she would be released immediately after her testimony before a grand jury. Court documents did not include details on the criminal case in which she was named a witness.

Hashemi sent a message to supporters on Thursday after her release.

I have a lot of things to say about what I have suffered, she said in Farsi.

Jon Gambrell is an Associated Press writer.
Roger Stone, adviser to President Donald Trump, was arrested Friday in the special counsel's Russia investigation and charged with lying to Congress. With increasing attention being paid to parallels between Trump and Richard Nixon, it's no surprise that people were quick to fixate on one particular quirk of Stone's: His abiding love of Nixon, on display in the form of an upper back tattoo of the former president's face.

ALSO: Four takeaways from the Roger Stone indictment

Stone got the tattoo in Venice Beach, and told the New Yorker that "women love it." It grins from dead center on Stone's upper back, as if to say "I've got your back, Roger. I won't let you get indicted." (This doesn't seem to have worked).

As he spoke to the media on Friday, Stone also mimicked the "V for victory" pose Nixon struck when boarding Marine One after resigning the presidency in 1974.

So what's the Stone-Nixon connection? Why does Stone love Tricky Dick so much?

MORE: Chad 'Ochocinco' Johnson says he watched Roger Stone get arrested

Stone's admiration for Nixon is nearly as old as his career in Washington. At 19, having moved to D.C. and becoming fascinated by politics, Stone took on a pseudonym and used it to make a contribution to Nixon's rival for the 1972 Republican nomination on behalf of the Young Socialist Alliance. He then used the donation receipt to discredit the opponent as a secret leftist, according to the New Yorker.

He also paid another Republican operative to infiltrate Democrat George McGovern's campaign for president  a move that, when it was revealed during the Watergate hearings, lost Stone his job working for Sen. Bob Dole, R-Kan.

Stone has written and spoken for years about his admiration for Nixon's bare-knuckle political style and anti-elite sensibilities (Stone, for his part, reportedly owns 400 suits). They also seem to share a penchant for paranoid, conspiracy theory-driven thinking; Stone wrote a book in 2013 positing that it was LBJ who was responsible for the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

"The reason I'm a Nixonite is because of his indestructibility and resilience,"

Over the years, Stone has spoken with pride of his small role in Watergate. His affection for Nixon comes out in all kinds of ways. He makes martinis with a recipe he got from Nixon ("He said he got it from Winston Churchill," Stone told the New Yorker). He owns multiple bongs that look like Nixon's head. He reportedly told an audience at a cannabis conference that he wants to make a strain of marijuana called "Tricky Dick." It's clear he loves Nixon, but it remains to be seen if he'll look back on Trump so fondly.

Stone is the sixth Trump aide or adviser to be charged by Mueller, according to the AP. He is charged with lying about emails from the Hillary Clinton campaign that were hacked by Russia. The indictment alleges that Stone was contacted by Trump campaign officials asking when the stolen emails would be disclosed.

"There is no circumstance whatsoever under which I will bear false witness against the president," said Stone, "nor will I make up lies to ease the pressure on myself."

Filipa Ioannou is an SFGATE staff writer. Email her at fioannou@sfchroncle.com and follow her on Twitter


By Larry Elder , Jan . 24, 2019





Regular viewers of ABC, NBC and CBS evening newscasts could be forgiven it they believe every liberal despises President Donald Trump. According to the Media Research Center, a conservative media watchdog, the broadcast networks' 2018 coverage of President Trump remained as hostile as that of the year before. MRC reports, "The tone of coverage remains incessantly hostile: 90 percent negative, vs. just 10 percent positive (excluding neutral statements), matching the historically bad press we documented in 2017."





Trump-haters feast on three big supposed outrages.





First, they claim that Trump operates as Russian President Vladimir Putin's lap dog. The President counters that he has "been FAR tougher on Russia than Obama, Bush or Clinton. Maybe tougher than any other President." Second, on immigration, they accuse Trump of hatred and xenophobia. Trump argues that his position merely mirrors that of recent Democratic leadership. Third, they insist that Trump colluded, conspired or coordinated with Putin to win the presidential election. Trump angrily dismisses this investigation as a "witch hunt," and claims Special Counsel Robert Mueller lacks evidence that implicates him in some sort of "collusion."

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Most liberals completely dismiss Trump's defenses. But not all liberals.





Trump and Putin





A July 2018 NPR "Morning Edition" broadcast called "Is Trump the Toughest Ever on Russia?" examined Trump's assertion, "There's never been a president as tough on Russia as I have been." NPR largely agreed, "That might sound like hyperbole, but in this case, there's actually some basis for the President's boast." Trump, said NPR, increased spending on the European Deterrence Initiative; sent lethal weapons to Ukraine (which President Barack Obama resisted doing); changed our military's rules of engagement in Syria, which resulted in hundreds of dead Russian soldiers; pushed for greater domestic energy production, potentially harming Russian oil market share; and sanctioned dozens of Russian "oligarchs." NPR quoted Daniel Vajdich, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, who said, "When you actually look at the substance of what this administration has done, not the rhetoric but the substance, this administration has been much tougher on Russia than any in the post-Cold War era."

Trump on immigration





Peter Beinart, a liberal columnist at The Atlantic, has also written for Time magazine and The New York Times. In August 2017, he took fellow liberals to task for their complete turnaround on the issue of illegal immigration. In "How the Democrats Lost Their Way on Immigration: In the Past Decade, Liberals Have Avoided Inconvenient Truths About the Issue," Beinart said liberals used to sound like Trump: "In 2006, a liberal columnist wrote that 'immigration reduces the wages of domestic workers who compete with immigrants' and that 'the fiscal burden of low-wage immigrants is also pretty clear.' His conclusion: 'We'll need to reduce the inflow of low-skill immigrants.' That same year, a Democratic senator wrote: 'When I see Mexican flags waved at pro-immigration demonstrations, I sometimes feel a flush of patriotic resentment. When I'm forced to use a translator to communicate with the guy fixing my car, I feel a certain frustration.' ... The columnist was (New York Times') Paul Krugman. The senator was Barack Obama."





Beinart said Democrats used to argue that illegals took jobs away from Americans and put downward pressure on Americans' wages. But Democrats switched their position when political winds switched. "A larger explanation is political," writes Beinart. "Between 2008 and 2016, Democrats became more and more confident that the country's growing Latino population gave the party an electoral edge. To win the presidency, Democrats convinced themselves, they didn't need to reassure white people skeptical of immigration so long as they turned out their Latino base."





Trump and Russian "Collusion"





T.A. Frank, who writes for Vanity Fair, is a self-described liberal. He recently warned "Trump haters" to brace themselves for a letdown when Mueller releases his report, because "those who hope for an unveiling of indictments linking Putin and Trump in a grand conspiracy have no more reason to celebrate than they did a week or a month ago." As to Trump's alleged softness toward Russia, Frank concurs with NPR. "Trump's White House," he wrote, "has pursued what is arguably the harshest set of policies toward Russia since the fall of communism."





Frank, of course, acknowledged the guilty pleas of several Trump associates and has slammed them and Trump for their "sleazy" behavior. "But," writes Frank, "the purpose of the investigation was to address suspicions of underlying conspiracy  that is, a plan by Trump staffers to get Russian help on a criminal effort. Despite countless man-hours of digging, this conspiracy theory, the one that's been paying the bills at ("The Rachel Maddow Show") for a couple of years now, has come no closer to being borne out."





So, for those you did not vote for Trump and yet do not consider him a combination of Darth Vader, Adolf Hitler and Alfred E. Neuman, take comfort. You are not alone. At least, not completely alone.





Larry Elder is a best-selling author and nationally syndicated radio talk show host. To find out more about Larry Elder, or become an "Elderado," visit www.LarryElder.com. Follow Larry on Twitter @LarryElder. To read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.





Photo credit: at Pixabay

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DALLAS (AP)  Southwest Airlines will drop service to Mexico City this spring and use the financial resources to bolster other routes.

Dallas-based Southwest says it will cease operations at Benito Juarez Mexico City International Airport on March 30.
This story does seem to have some facts to back it up but there are more questions than answers, such as; if this thing really has been f...
Just after his first week of official practice, new transfer Jesse Miritello persuaded sever
South Santa Clara County residents Thursday stressed the need for local hospitals in response to the state Attorney General's decision to block the sale of two hospitals to the county, which is currently the only bidder.



Verity Health System, which owns O'Connor Hospital in San Jose and St. Louise Regional Hospital in Gilroy, declared bankruptcy on Aug. 31, 2018, and began the sale process.



The U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Los Angeles has approved the county's bid of $235 million to acquire both hospitals, but Attorney General Xavier Becerra issued a stay order on the sale Jan. 9.



Becerra has set forth 109 conditions for the sale of the hospitals, including maintaining general acute care and 24-hour emergency facilities. These are the same conditions imposed by then-Attorney General Kamala Harris when the Daughters of Charity Health System, which owned the hospitals, became Verity Health System in 2015.



During a news conference Thursday, County Executive Officer Dr. Jeff Smith called Becerra's order an "arrogant" and "unknowledgeable" regulation attempt, reinforcing the office's "wish for power and control." He said only five of the conditions are directly related to clinical operation, and many are not feasible for a public hospital.



County leaders argued both hospitals will close if the county is unable to complete its purchase, and South County residents said they do not want to see an expensive private hospital cropping up in its place.



"Public hospitals don't turn anyone away," said Christina Rodriguez, a Gilroy resident who had to drive over 45 minutes to reach the next closest medical facility in San Jose. "We do not want to kiss these hospitals goodbye, they are important for the health and well-being of all residents of Santa Clara County."



Both hospitals together contain 451 beds, according to the county, and would further aggravate a shortage if they were to be replaced by a high-cost option.



"There will be an immediate negative effect," said Phuong Nguyen, Chief Medical Officer of Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, explaining that wait times in the already stressed hospital system will also be impacted.



Smith traveled to Sacramento to discuss possible state contracting for the hospital, but said his proposal was denied.



In a statement, Becerra's spokesperson said the office is fighting to ensure the hospital is maintained with its previously imposed conditions.



"The Attorney General is entrusted with the responsibility under the state constitution and statute to protect the health and safety of patients and the community served by hospitals," the statement said.



The federal court in Los Angeles will either approve or reject the state attorney's stay order during a hearing scheduled for Jan. 30.





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FREMONT (BCN)



Fremont police used surreptitious techniques to obtain a DNA sample that helped them solve the fatal stabbing of a man in Fremont in 1990, authorities said in court documents.



The death of 30-year-old Jack Lee Upton Jr. on Dec. 15, 1990, had remained unsolved for more than 27 years until new DNA technology that led to the arrest of the Golden State Killer suspect led them to Russell Anthony Guerrero, who was 25 at the time and is now 52, in September 2018, Fremont police said on Thursday.



That technology was brought to the forefront earlier in 2018 with the arrest of Joseph DeAngelo, the suspected Golden State Killer, according to police.



However, authorities still needed to obtain a recent DNA sample from Guerrero so on Sept. 30, 2018, a team of Fremont detectives drove down to Tempe, Ariz., where Guerrero was living with his family, to conduct a surreptitious collection of his DNA, Officer Kandace Nichols wrote in a probable cause statement.



On Oct. 5, 2018, officers surveilled Guerrero's workplace and followed Guerrero and his family to Floridino's Pizza & Pasta restaurant in Chandler, Ariz., according to Nichols.



Officers watched Guerrero eat and drink and use a napkin to wipe his face and after he left, with the cooperation of restaurant personnel, they obtained his straw, metal fork and napkin and sent it to the Sacramento County Crime Lab for processing, Nichols wrote.



The crime lab later determined that the DNA swab from Guerrero's fork very likely came from the source of a bloody sock that was found at Upton's apartment in the 38700 block of Tyson Lane in Fremont on Dec. 17, 1990, when police discovered his body there, Nichols said.



Investigators believed that the suspect may have cut himself in the stabbing attack, according to Nichols.



Upton was a manager at a Safeway store on Washington Boulevard in Fremont but had last been seen there at about 4 p.m. on Dec. 12, 1990, Nichols said.



Upton failed to show up for work on Dec. 15 and 16 of that year so his co-workers filed a missing persons report because it was unusual for him not to come to work because "he was known as a responsible, dependable employee, Nichols wrote.



Upton was last seen between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Dec. 14, 1990, when a friend saw him at an establishment called Daily's on Mowry Avenue in Fremont, according to Nichols.



When police found Upton on Dec. 17, 1990, it appeared he had been dead for some time and he was covered in blood from the waist up and had suffered a number of visible injuries, Nichols said.



Upton's 1985 Nissan 300ZX, which had been stolen from the apartment complex, was found Dec. 24, 1990, in the parking lot of a Thousand Oaks' mall, 350 miles from Fremont.



Guerrero was charged with murder by the Alameda County District Attorney's Office on Jan. 17 and he was arrested Tuesday in Chandler, Ariz. by Fremont detectives.



Search warrants were served on Guerrero, his home and vehicle and evidence collected, police said.



Guerrero currently is still in custody in Arizona but authorities are in the process of extraditing him to Alameda County.





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Two Lakeport men were arrested on suspicion of burglarizing a Cloverdale concrete and building supply business Wednesday, according to the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office.



Charles Allen Polston, 36, and John Roy Hogsett Jr., 34, are suspected of forcing their way into out-buildings at Shamrock Materials Inc. plant at 30022 Levee Road in Cloverdale and stealing copper electrical wiring, sheriff's officials said.



The wiring was pulled out of underground conduits, and the wiring left behind was cut, according to the sheriff's office. Damage to the business is estimated at $100,000 excluding the loss of revenue from not being able to operate the closed facility and employees' lost wages, the sheriff's office said.



According to the sheriff's office, the scrap metal value of the stolen wiring was worth only a few hundred dollars.



Deputies, Cloverdale police and a manager from Shamrock Materials went to the business and started an investigation. Property crimes detectives identified a location in the 2600 block of Beach Lane in Lakeport as a possible location for the suspects and stolen property.



Polston was arrested and booked in the Sonoma County Jail on suspicion of possession of stolen property and conspiracy. He already was allegedly on probation in Sonoma County for three different cases and is being held on $100,000 bail.



Hogsett Jr. was arrested and booked in the Sonoma County Jail on no bail. He is suspected of possessing stolen property and conspiracy. He also is allegedly on probation in Sonoma County and on parole from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.



Sheriff's officials said all of the wiring taken from Shamrock Materials had already been stripped and prepared for metal scrapping when it was recovered.





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MARTINEZ (BCN)



New details emerged this week in a Martinez courtroom during a two-day preliminary hearing for a man accused of beating a Concord resident to death with a fireplace poker at the victim's condominium in July before stealing a car and fleeing to Oregon.



Terrance Boyd Dixon was taken into custody in the vicinity of Bandon, Oregon, and extradited back to Contra Costa County to face a murder charge for allegedly killing Michael Downie.



Prosecutors said Dixon, 55, has prior felony convictions for attempted murder and robbery in Nevada, and neighbors had seen him at Downey's home in the days before the crime scene was discovered in the 1200 block of Pine Creek Way on July 27, 2018.



A friend who'd been asked to check on Downie that night found his body on the floor and called police. Detectives who were called to the scene around 10:30 p.m. said there was blood on the floor with spatter patterns on the furniture, walls and other nearby surfaces. An autopsy would later reveal that Downie had died as a result of blunt force trauma to the head, and that he had methamphetamine in his system at the time of death.



Detectives found a meth pipe at the scene, as well as a plate with a razorblade and a white powder they suspected was cocaine.



There were no signs of forced entry to the condo, and Downie was only wearing a pair of blue shorts, which suggested that the killer may not have been a stranger, according to Concord police.



Downie's blue 2013 Hyundai had been stolen from the crime scene, and a vehicle matching its description was captured on security video parked in a McDonald's parking lot on San Pablo Avenue that night. Shortly after, an automated license plate reader (ALPR) detected Downie's Hyundai heading east on state Highway 4 around 1:22 a.m.



Mobile data for a cellphone allegedly belonging to Dixon indicates that he was headed east on Highway 4 at about that time, which was a key point presented by the prosecution. That same phone was also in the vicinity of the west county McDonald's where Downie's vehicle may have been parked before it went east, as well as in the vicinity of Downie's home during the time frame in which the murder is believed to have taken place.



The phone seems to have changed hands at least twice, and was later tracked to a homeless woman who the prosecution presented as a witness. She identified Dixon as "Willy," an apparent alias, and said he had given her the phone.



She also acknowledged that she had been smoking about a gram of meth per day in August, and had smoked meth Wednesday morning before coming to the courthouse to testify, which prompted Judge Theresa Canepa to call for a recess until an attorney could be appointed for the witness later that afternoon.



The Hyundai Dixon allegedly stole was stopped by law enforcement in Sacramento County in August. One of the men inside allegedly said he had purchased it from Dixon for $2,000 cash at an AM\PM in Lodi, and Dixon had thrown in a bicycle to sweeten the deal. But investigators said they had been unable to verify the specifics of that transaction.



There was a small amount of blood found inside the vehicle, but DNA evidence determined that it had not come from Downie.



Diana Garrido, an attorney with the public defender's office, argued that given the bloody nature of the crime scene it would have been difficult for Dixon to commit that murder and steal the victim's car without getting any of Downie's blood on the vehicle's interior.



Garrido also pointed out that another man, a former lover with whom Downie may have had a history of violence, was seen in the vicinity of the crime scene by neighbors in the days before the murder.



Detectives have acknowledged that the individual in question had been a suspect, and that he had bruises and visible abrasions on his skin when they interviewed him, but his alibi had been verified and DNA evidence ruled him out.



Prosecutors concluded their argument by alleging that by getting rid of his phone, as well as Downie's car Dixon was essentially trying to disappear - and the other suspects had been ruled out.



Canepa acknowledged that there was sufficient evidence to have Dixon stand trial. He remains in custody and is scheduled to return to court on Feb. 11.





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DANVILLE (BCN)



San Ramon Valley High School in Danville was locked down for 40 minutes Thursday afternoon while police investigated a report of a student with a weapon on the campus, town officials said.



The report came in about 12:50 p.m. and the school at 501 Danville Blvd. was locked down while police searched for the student, according to Danville town spokesman Geoff Gillette.



The student was located and interviewed, and officials determined they didn't have a weapon and that there was no threat to the campus.



The lockdown was lifted at about 1:30 p.m.



Police Chief Allan Shields said that while the report proved unfounded, he was grateful that students came forward and reported concerns.



"Taking the time report a potential threat is a vital first step to preventing a possible tragedy," Shields said. "The best advice we can continue to give our community in this regard is 'If you see something, say something.'"



For non-emergencies, resident can call (925) 820-2144. Those wishing to report a tip anonymously may use the Nixle tip line by texting "DANPD" and a tip to 888-777.





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SAN FRANCISCO (BCN)



Police are investigating an assault that caused a 64-year-old man to be hospitalized with head injuries Thursday night in San Francisco's Mission Terrace neighborhood.



According to police, around 9:15 p.m. two male suspects ran up from behind and struck a man in the head with an unknown object near Mission Street and Seneca Avenue.



The attack caused the man to fall to the ground and lose consciousness. He also suffered abrasions and a laceration to his head, police said.



After the assault, the suspects fled the scene.



The victim was taken to the hospital with injuries not considered life-threatening, according to police.



Police did not say whether the suspects took any of the man's belongings and a detailed description of the suspects was not immediately available.





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SAN FRANCISCO (BCN)



No one was injured Wednesday afternoon when a man stole a car and crashed into a bus in San Francisco's Portola neighborhood, according to police.



The incident began with a carjacking around 12:30 p.m. in the 3000 block of San Bruno Avenue.



The victim, a 33-year-old man, had allegedly just parked his car when he saw the suspect get in the car while the engine was still running.



The suspect drove away, but shortly thereafter crashed into a San Francisco Municipal Railway outbound 8-Bayshore bus.



The suspect abandoned the stolen vehicle and ran, police said.



Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the department's 24-hour tip line at (415) 575-4444 or to send a tip by text message to TIP411 and start the message with "SFPD."





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MOUNTAIN VIEW (BCN)



A man groped two women and shoplifted tobacco in Mountain View this week, police reported.



According to police, the first incident happened on Monday at about 9:30 a.m., when a 34-year-old woman was walking on the Stevens Creek Trail near Central Avenue and a man came up behind her and grabbed her.



Police said he ran north on the trail, and is suspected of groping another woman Tuesday. He allegedly approached her around 5:15 p.m. on a yellow bike in the area of the trail under state Highway 85, grabbed her and then rode away.



Police said the same man is suspected of stealing about $100 in tobacco products from Walgreens on E. El Camino Real.



The suspect is a black man in his 20s, about 5 feet 6 inches tall, and was last seen wearing a hat, black pants and was shirtless during at least two of the reported incidents.



Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Marco Garcia at marco.garcia@mountainview.gov.





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OAKLAND (BCN)



An ex-convict was convicted of first-degree murder on Thursday for fatally shooting his cousin outside a fast food restaurant in East Oakland in 2017.



Jurors deliberated for less than three hours before announcing their verdict against James Charles Amos, 58, for fatally shooting 60-year-old Jeffery Duckett Sr. outside the Jack-In-The-Box restaurant in the 2400 block of International Boulevard just before 6 p.m. on Oct. 3, 2017.



Amos faces a term of 50 years to life in state prison when he's sentenced by Alameda County Superior Court Judge Trina Thompson on March 15.



Oakland police said Duckett was shot as he walked out of the restaurant by a suspect, later identified as Amos, who fled in a car.



Duckett died at the scene.



Officer Omar Daza-Quiroz wrote in a probable cause statement that Amos was identified as the suspect in the shooting by witnesses and family members and friends of Duckett who watched video surveillance camera footage of the shooting.



Daza-Quiroz said one witness told police that he got a call from Amos in which Amos said "he had killed the victim (Duckett) and wished to turn himself in."



However, Amos wasn't arrested until March 5, 2018, when authorities found him in Michigan.



Alameda County prosecutor Danielle Hilton said after the verdict that the motive for the fatal shooting wasn't made clear during Amos' trial.



Defense attorney Mark McGoldrick told jurors that Amos should be found not guilty because witnesses' identifications of Amos being the shooter were flawed.



In addition, to murder, Amos was convicted of shooting from a motor vehicle and being an ex-felon in possession of a gun.



According to an online obituary for Duckett, he was born in San Francisco, graduated from Castlemont High School in Oakland, was a member of Local 6 of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and spent most of his life driving company trucks and making deliveries.



The obituary also said Duckett enjoyed playing pool and riding his motorcycle and was a member of a motorcycle club.





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SAN FRANCISCO (BCN)



Police are investigating a stabbing after a man walked into a San Francisco hospital early Friday morning with stab wounds.



Around 1:53 a.m., officers learned that a 29-year-old man arrived at the hospital with lacerations to his back, police said.



The man's injuries were not considered life-threatening, however, when officers tried to find out more information, the man refused to provide details, including where exactly the stabbing happened.



Police described him as "extremely uncooperative." The incident remains under investigation.





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The mother of a young woman fatally shot in Richmond in 2017 has been organizing protests outside of Contra Costa County courthouses this week, calling on District Attorney Diana Becton to change her position on a new state law preventing some juvenile offenders from being tried as adults.



Alexandrea "Allie" Sweitzer, 20, was killed on May 18, 2017, in Booker T. Anderson Jr. Park. Her alleged shooter, Vincent Lising-Campos, was 15 at the time.



California's Senate Bill 1391, which went into effect Jan. 1, repeals the authority of a district attorney to make a motion to transfer a minor from juvenile to adult court if the alleged offense occurred when the minor was 14 or 15, as in Lising-Campos' case.



Melanie Schwartz, Sweitzer's mother, wants to make sure that doesn't happen, and she's pressuring Becton to join her cause.



On Tuesday, outside the A.F. Bray Courthouse in Martinez, and then again Thursday morning outside the Contra Costa County Superior Court in Walnut Creek, Schwartz led a group of demonstrators armed with pictures of Sweitzer and picket signs calling out Becton for her position on SB 1391.



Schwartz believes the law is unconstitutional. She wants the prosecutors assigned to her daughter's case to file an appeal, which might ultimately allow Lising-Campos to be tried as an adult and face a more significant sentence if convicted.



But Becton issued a written statement Tuesday evening indicating she's issued an office-wide policy directing her staff not to challenge the constitutionality of SB 1391.



"As it stands, S.B. 1391 is the law of the land," Becton said. "The decision certainly does not excuse or condone the actions of those who find themselves charged with a crime," Becton said. "However, as we all work through the evolution of our criminal justice system, we must collectively continue to ensure public safety while balancing accountability, fundamental fairness under the law, and the rights of victims."



Schwartz, however, believes the prosecutors assigned to her daughter's case want to file an appeal. She wants Becton to let them.



"If the court says no, we're OK with that," Schwartz said. "I don't think her office should be tying the hands of the attorney assigned to fight for us."



Lising-Campos admitted to the charges against him Thursday during a juvenile court hearing in Walnut Creek, according to a spokesman for the district attorney's office. He's scheduled to return to court for another hearing on Feb. 14.





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Two people and an organization will receive Beacon of Light Awards from Santa Clara County Friday to recognize their contributions to the immigrant community, county officials said.



A ceremony starting at 5 p.m. at the Campbell Community Center at 1 W. Campbell Ave in Campbell will recognize Almaz Negash of the African Diaspora Network, Beth Chance with the Santa Clara County Office of the Public Defender and the Santa Clara County Rapid Response Network.



Also at the ceremony, Rev. Jon Pedigo of Catholic Charities will receive the Cindy Avita Award for Lifetime Achievement in Activism and Advocacy for Immigrant Rights.



County officials said the Beacon of Light Awards exemplify the Statue of Liberty's torch, which has been a welcoming symbol for U.S. immigrants.







An 88-year-old woman who survived a brutal beating in San Francisco's Visitation Valley earlier this month at the hands of an 18-year-old man, suffered facial and skull fractures and well as a brain injury, prosecutors said Thursday.



The suspect, Keonte Gathron, has been charged with attempted murder, burglary and elder abuse, among other charges in connection with the Jan. 8 assault and subsequent burglary of the victim's home.



Gathron, a San Francisco resident, has also been charged with robbery, child endangerment and receiving stolen property, among other charges, for three crimes he allegedly committed after the Jan. 8 beating.



Gathron appeared in court on Thursday for his initial arraignment, but the proceedings were put over to Monday. He's being represented by the San Francisco Public Defender's Office.



"He's facing some very serious charges. We are asking that he stay in custody without the right to bail out," Alex Bastian, spokesman for the San Francisco District Attorney's Office, said. "We have an 88-year-old victim in this case. We have two juvenile victims in this case. We're thankful the 88-year-old victim in this case is on the slow, slow process to recovery, but our thoughts and prayers are with her and her family in this incredibly difficult time."







Fremont police used surreptitious techniques to obtain a DNA sample that helped them solve the fatal stabbing of a man in Fremont in 1990, authorities said in court documents.



The death of 30-year-old Jack Lee Upton Jr. on Dec. 15, 1990, had remained unsolved for more than 27 years until new DNA technology that led to the arrest of the Golden State Killer suspect led them to Russell Anthony Guerrero, who was 25 at the time and is now 52, in September 2018, Fremont police said on Thursday.



That technology was brought to the forefront earlier in 2018 with the arrest of Joseph DeAngelo, the suspected Golden State Killer, according to police.



However, authorities still needed to obtain a recent DNA sample from Guerrero so on Sept. 30, 2018, a team of Fremont detectives drove down to Tempe, Ariz., where Guerrero was living with his family, to conduct a surreptitious collection of his DNA, Officer Kandace Nichols wrote in a probable cause statement.



On Oct. 5, 2018, officers surveilled Guerrero's workplace and followed Guerrero and his family to Floridino's Pizza & Pasta restaurant in Chandler, Ariz., according to Nichols.







South Santa Clara County residents Thursday stressed the need for local hospitals in response to the state Attorney General's decision to block the sale of two hospitals to the county, which is currently the only bidder.



Verity Health System, which owns O'Connor Hospital in San Jose and St. Louise Regional Hospital in Gilroy, declared bankruptcy on Aug. 31, 2018, and began the sale process.



The U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Los Angeles has approved the county's bid of $235 million to acquire both hospitals, but Attorney General Xavier Becerra issued a stay order on the sale Jan. 9.



Becerra has set forth 109 conditions for the sale of the hospitals, including maintaining general acute care and 24-hour emergency facilities. These are the same conditions imposed by then-Attorney General Kamala Harris when the Daughters of Charity Health System, which owned the hospitals, became Verity Health System in 2015.



During a news conference Thursday, County Executive Officer Dr. Jeff Smith called Becerra's order an "arrogant" and "unknowledgeable" regulation attempt, reinforcing the office's "wish for power and control." He said only five of the conditions are directly related to clinical operation, and many are not feasible for a public hospital.







New details emerged this week in a Martinez courtroom during a two-day preliminary hearing for a man accused of beating a Concord resident to death with a fireplace poker at the victim's condominium in July before stealing a car and fleeing to Oregon.



Terrance Boyd Dixon was taken into custody in the vicinity of Bandon, Oregon, and extradited back to Contra Costa County to face a murder charge for allegedly killing Michael Downie.



Prosecutors said Dixon, 55, has prior felony convictions for attempted murder and robbery in Nevada, and neighbors had seen him at Downey's home in the days before the crime scene was discovered in the 1200 block of Pine Creek Way on July 27, 2018.



A friend who'd been asked to check on Downie that night found his body on the floor and called police. Detectives who were called to the scene around 10:30 p.m. said there was blood on the floor with spatter patterns on the furniture, walls and other nearby surfaces. An autopsy would later reveal that Downie had died as a result of blunt force trauma to the head, and that he had methamphetamine in his system at the time of death.







Two Lakeport men were arrested on suspicion of burglarizing a Cloverdale concrete and building supply business Wednesday, according to the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office.



Charles Allen Polston, 36, and John Roy Hogsett Jr., 34, are suspected of forcing their way into out-buildings at Shamrock Materials Inc. plant at 30022 Levee Road in Cloverdale and stealing copper electrical wiring, sheriff's officials said.



The wiring was pulled out of underground conduits, and the wiring left behind was cut, according to the sheriff's office. Damage to the business is estimated at $100,000 excluding the loss of revenue from not being able to operate the closed facility and employees' lost wages, the sheriff's office said.



According to the sheriff's office, the scrap metal value of the stolen wiring was worth only a few hundred dollars.





















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SANTA CRUZ (BCN)



A San Jose fisherman was convicted last week of unlawfully shooting a great white shark that was swimming near his fishing nets last summer off Santa Cruz.



Vinh Pham, 41, was fined $5,000 and placed on conditional probation for two years, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife said Thursday. The Santa Cruz Superior Court also ordered his firearm to be destroyed.



The dead nine-foot male shark washed ashore June 17 along Beer Can Beach in Aptos. A necropsy showed it was killed by multiple shots from a .22 caliber firearm, according to the wildlife agency.



Soon after, wildlife officials were tipped off that a commercial fishing boat crewmember may have been responsible for shooting the animal.



Officers observed the vessel fishing that evening near the site where the dead shark washed up and contacted the boat's crew when they returned to Santa Cruz Harbor the next morning.



An inspection uncovered multiple violations involving their catch for that day, including possession of undersize halibut, no landing receipts, failure to weigh their commercial catch and failure to turn in landing receipts. During the investigation, officers located a loaded .22 caliber rifle concealed in the truck the suspect was using to take his catch to markets.



Officers seized the rifle as evidence, and then submitted the weapon and the .22 bullets taken from the shark necropsy to the California Department of Justice crime lab to see if they matched.



As the investigation progressed, Pham confessed, claiming he shot the shark after seeing it swimming near the wings of his fishing net.



On Jan. 14, Pham pled to multiple charges including wanton waste of the shark, possessing a loaded rifle in his vehicle, possessing undersize halibut, failing to accurately weigh his catch, failing to complete landing receipts and failing to submit landing receipts.



Information on poaching or polluting incidents, or any fish and wildlife violation, can be reported by calling the toll-free CalTIP number (888) 334-2258, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.



Tips may also be submitted to CDFW using tip411, an internet-based tool that enables wildlife officers to respond directly to the reporting party, initiating a two-way conversation. Tipsters may remain anonymous if they choose. Tips can be sent to CDFW by texting "CALTIP", followed by a space and the message, to 847411 (tip411).





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South Santa Clara County residents stressed the need for local hospitals Thursday in response to the state Attorney General's decision to block the sale of two hospitals to the county, which is currently the only bidder.



Verity Health System, which owns O'Connor Hospital in San Jose and St. Louise Regional Hospital in Gilroy, declared bankruptcy on Aug. 31, 2018 and began the process of its sale.



The U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Los Angeles approved the county's bid of $235 million to acquire both hospitals on Dec. 27, but Attorney General Xavier Becerra issued a stay order on the sale Jan. 9.



Becerra has set forth 109 conditions for the sale of the hospital, including maintaining general acute care and 24-hour emergency facilities. These are the same conditions imposed by then-Attorney General Kamala Harris when Verity Hospitals purchased the facilities from Catholic Daughters of Charity Health System in 2015.



During a news conference Thursday, County Executive Jeffrey Smith called Becerra's order an "arrogant" and "unknowledgeable" regulation attempt, reinforcing the office's "wish for power and control."



Smith said only five of the conditions are directly related to clinical operation, and many are not feasible for a public hospital.



County leaders said both hospitals will close if the county is unable to complete its purchase, and South County residents said they do not want to see an expensive private hospital cropping up in its place.



"Public hospitals don't turn anyone away," said Christina Rodriguez, a Gilroy resident who had to drive over 45 minutes to reach the next closest medical facility in San Jose. "We do not want to kiss these hospitals goodbye, they are important for the health and well-being of all residents of Santa Clara County."



The county has begun the process of transferring hospital workers from Verity into the two hospitals, and said it has received over 2,000 applications. The hospitals together contain 451 beds, and would further aggravate a shortage if they were to be replaced by a high-cost option, according to the county.



"There will be an immediate negative effect," said Phuong Nguyen, Chief Medical Officer of Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, explaining that wait times in the already stressed hospital system will also be impacted.



Smith traveled to Sacramento to discuss possible state contracting for the hospital on Tuesday, but said his proposal was denied. Becerra's office was not immediately available for comment.



The federal court in Los Angeles will either approve or reject the state attorney's stay order during a hearing scheduled for Jan. 30.





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A total of 380 workers for a Bay Area Burmese restaurant chain are due to receive about $4 million by the end of this year in a settlement of a state agency's wage theft investigation.



The settlement between the state Labor Commissioner's Office and restaurant owners Mike Lee and John Lee and their companies was signed on Jan. 7 and announced by the commissioner's office this week.



The agreement concerns present and former workers at Burma Ruby in Palo Alto and Rangoon Ruby restaurants in Palo Alto, San Francisco, San Carlos, Burlingame and Belmont. The Belmont restaurant recently closed.



The settlement is for alleged failure to pay split shift premiums, overtime, minimum wage and sick leave. The bulk of the funds -- a total of $3.8 million -- will go to 89 cooks, according to agency spokesman Lucas Brown. They will receive an average of $35,659.



Other recipients, who will get an average of $2,639, include servers, dishwashers, bartenders, hosts and people who bus dishes.



The owners issued a statement Thursday saying, "There are many aspects of the employment provided by Rangoon Ruby and Burma Ruby which have nothing to do with wage claims.



"The Ruby restaurants provided immediate employment opportunities to asylum seekers from Burma, who often arrived in this country with no more than a backpack. The restaurants provided chefs with two free meals a day and provided chefs with the option of free housing for as long as they wished to use the housing," the owners said.



"The settlement was a compromise and was reached without any admission of liability. We worked very hard with the Labor Commissioner's Office to resolve this matter on positive terms. We support the Labor Commissioner Office's efforts to see that all restaurant workers are paid appropriately," they said.



California Labor Commissioner Julie Su stated, "Workers deserve to be paid for their labor, and this settlement puts the earned wages back in their pockets."



The pact provides for a payment of $400,000 on Jan. 11, which has been made, $1.8 million by Aug. 8 and $1.8 million by Dec. 1. It includes $61,211 in civil penalties payable to the state.





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SAN JOSE (BCN)



The San Jose City Council on Thursday unanimously approved a 90-day moratorium on rent for residents affected by the federal government shutdown, which has lasted more than a month.



The program will apply to residents who benefit from federal housing vouchers, such as Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing and Section 8, and those federal employees who are furloughed.



Property owners will receive temporary relief on fees and taxes, and the moratorium will either last a full 90 days or 30 days after the end of the shutdown.



It is currently in its 34th day after beginning on Dec. 22, and was brought about by President Donald Trump's demands over a wall at the southern border, which would cost more than $5 billion.



Liccardo acknowledged the deferment of fees for landlords will not amount to much, but said either way, tenants will not be able to pay their rent. He said the moratorium would save both groups from beginning a month-long eviction process.



"There is high likelihood that in either case, the apartment owner would be in the same financial situation," Liccardo said.



Tenants, on the other hand, could be prevented from attending school, become homeless and face "undue hardship," according to the ordinance.



The city's housing department said it has funds from the U.S. Housing and Urban Development to make payments on federal vouchers through January and February, but it does not have confirmation for March and April.



The City Council today also passed an emergency loan program for federal workers at Mineta San Jose International Airport. The program is not available for all federal workers or residents impacted by the shutdown, but the city may consider a path forward for those groups if the government continues partial operation.





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CAMPBELL (BCN)



Two people and an organization will receive Beacon of Light Awards from Santa Clara County Friday to recognize their contributions to the immigrant community, county officials said.



A ceremony starting at 5 p.m. at the Campbell Community Center at 1 W. Campbell Ave in Campbell will recognize Almaz Negash of the African Diaspora Network, Beth Chance with the Santa Clara County Office of the Public Defender and the Santa Clara County Rapid Response Network.



Also at the ceremony, Rev. Jon Pedigo of Catholic Charities will receive the Cindy Avita Award for Lifetime Achievement in Activism and Advocacy for Immigrant Rights.



County officials said the Beacon of Light Awards exemplify the Statue of Liberty's torch, which has been a welcoming symbol for U.S. immigrants.





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Swarthmore, PA (19081)

Today

Some clouds and possibly an isolated thunderstorm this afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 89F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms likely this evening. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms overnight. Low 68F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%.
CAE Awarded Contract by GA-ASI to Develop Synthetic Training System for United Kingdom's Protector Remotely Piloted Aircraft

(Source: CAE, Inc.; issued Jan. 24, 2019)

CAE will design and develop a comprehensive synthetic training system that will include desktop and high-fidelity mission trainers specific to the Protector RPAS, as well as brief/debrief and scenario generation stations. (CAE photo)

MONTREAL --- CAE today announced the company has been awarded a contract from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) to develop a comprehensive synthetic training system for the United Kingdom's Protector RG Mk1 remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS) program.



The Protector will be operated by the Royal Air Force and is the UK-specific variant of GA-ASI's certifiable MQ-9B SkyGuardian RPAS, which can meet the most stringent certification requirements of aviation authorities.



Under terms of the contract, CAE will design and develop a comprehensive synthetic training system that will include desktop and high-fidelity mission trainers specific to the Protector RPAS. The high-fidelity Protector mission trainers will be based on GA-ASI's certifiable ground control station (CGCS) and will be the first simulators developed for this advanced CGCS. CAE will also provide brief/debrief and scenario generation stations as part of the overall synthetic training system.



"We are pleased to continue our global training partnership with GA-ASI to support the UK Protector program," said Gene Colabatistto, CAE's Group President, Defence & Security. "Protector will offer a new level of capability in an unmanned air system and will require well-trained aircrews. We will leverage developments we have made over the past several years creating the highest fidelity training devices for the Predator family of remotely piloted aircraft to produce a world-class synthetic training system for the Protector program."



Initial deliveries of the synthetic training system will be targeted for delivery in 2020 to RAF Waddington, the hub of UK Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) that will be the main operating base for the Protector.



"MQ-9B SkyGuardian, which Protector is based on, represents the next-generation of remotely piloted aircraft capabilities, including longer endurance and automatic take-off and landing," said David R. Alexander, president, Aircraft Systems, GA-ASI. "The Protector synthetic training system will play a key role helping the Royal Air Force develop skilled aircrews and we are pleased to collaborate with CAE as our training partner on this critical program."





CAE is a global leader in training for the civil aviation, defence and security, and healthcare markets. We have the broadest global presence in the industry, with over 9,000 employees, 160 sites and training locations in over 35 countries. Each year, we train more than 220,000 civil and defence crewmembers, including more than 135,000 pilots, and thousands of healthcare professionals worldwide.



-ends-


It's that time of year. Your coworkers and family members are dropping like flies. It can feel like the flu, or that nasty cold going around, is closing in on you from all sides.

In desperation, you chug a few packets of Emergen-C, swap your coffee for cup after cup of tea, and pray you'll be spared.

ALSO: Up to 7 million hit with flu, CDC warns

But in reality, neither of those things is going to keep you from getting sick. In fact, many of those things you've been told to do, either to avoid getting sick or to feel better once you're already in the thick of it, have no basis in science.

Click through the gallery to fact check those home remedies, "natural" cures, and other common misinformation about getting sick.

So what actually works? Wash your hands  a lot  and avoid touching your eyes, mouth and face. Get the flu vaccine to reduce the odds you'll be hit hard by the virus. And when the flu is going around your office, you should also disinfect surfaces you touch regularly, like your keyboard.

And if you do end up getting sick, rest and drink lots of fluids to aid your recovery.

Plus, help your friends out by covering your mouth and nose when you cough. First of all, it's just polite. But secondly, it's also the best way to prevent spreading your germs to the innocent people around you.

Read Alix Martichoux's latest stories and send her news tips at amartichoux@sfchronicle.com.

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Seattle, WA (98195)

Today

A few clouds early, otherwise mostly sunny. High around 75F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

A few clouds from time to time. Low 56F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph.
Posted Thursday, January 24, 2019 12:00 pm

Gabriel T. Agu, 29, of 955 Ridge Drive, was arraigned in Johnson County Circuit Court on a class E felony charge of delivery of a controlled substance and a class D misdemeanor charge of driving with a revoked license. A case review is set for Feb. 13, and bond was continued at $4,500. The charges allege he possessed marijuana and drove with a revoked license June 23, 2017.

April A. Keys, 31, Holden, was arraigned in Circuit Court on a class D felony charge of possession of a controlled substance and class D misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia. A personal recognizance bond was approved. The charges allege she possessed methamphetamine and a smoking pipe on July 18, 2018.

Malcolm T. Thomas, 50, was sentenced to a two-year suspended prison sentence and placed on five years probation after he pleaded guilty in Circuit Court to a class E felony charge of driving while intoxicated-persistent offender. He was ordered to serve 30 days shock time in the Johnson County jail with credit for time served. He also received a 30-day jail sentence on a class B misdemeanor charge of second-degree property damage. The charges alleged he operated a vehicle on May 1, 2018, in the 300 block of Jefferson Street, while under the influence of alcohol and that he has two prior convictions for DWI, and that he damaged a parked 2001 GMC pickup by crashing into it.

Jason W. Williams, 33, Oak Grove, was arraigned in Circuit Court on a class E felony charge of driving while revoked. Bond was set at $5,000 and a case review is set for Feb. 20. The charge alleges he operated a vehicle at 250 E. Cooper on July 20, 2018, while his license was revoked.

Lawanna D. Cleveland, 30, Kansas City, was arraigned in Circuit Court on a class D felony charge of child abuse/neglect, a class E felony charge of unlawful use of a weapon, and class D misdemeanor possession of marijuana. A personal recognizance bond was approved and a case review is set for Feb. 13. The charges allege that on Oct. 8, 2018, she injured a 7-year-old child by striking the child about the face/head and dragging the child by the neck, that she exhibited a knife in an angry or threatening manner and that she possessed marijuana.

Joseph M. Harvey, 34, of 909 Ridge Drive, was arraigned in Circuit Court on a class D felony charge of possession of a controlled substance and class D misdemeanor possession of marijuana. Bond was continued at $1,500 and a case review was set for Jan. 23. The charges allege that on Jan. 26, 2018, he possessed methamphetamine, marijuana and a glass smoking pipe.

Rondell L. Smith, 49, of 303 Ming St., was sentenced to four years in the Missouri Department of Corrections after he pleaded guilty in Circuit Court to a class D felony charge of first-degree tampering with a motor vehicle. The charge alleged he operated a Chrysler Voyager without the owners consent on Aug. 22, 2018.

Dustin M. Wharton, 37, rural Chilhowee, was arraigned in Circuit Court on class D felony charges of second-degree domestic assault and kidnapping and three class E felony charges of third-degree domestic assault. A personal recognizance bond was approved and a case review is set for Feb. 13. The charges allege that on Aug. 5, 2018, he injured a woman by striking her with a 2x4 and unlawfully restrained her, exposing the victim to risk of serious injury; that he attempted to injure her by ripping her clothes; and that he caused her pain by pushing her and striking her in the face.

Elizabeth A. Norman, 58, rural Knob Noster, was arraigned in Circuit Court on a class D felony charge of second-degree assault. Bond was continued at $10,000 and a case review is set for Feb. 13. The charge alleges that on May 10, 2018, she attempted to injure a man by swinging a rock at his head.

Christopher C. Miller, 33, Kansas City, was placed on five years probation and ordered to serve five days shock time in the Johnson County jail after he pleaded guilty in Circuit Court to a class E felony charge of resisting a lawful stop and class A misdemeanor driving with a revoked license. The charges allege that on May 22, 2018, he fled from an officer in an extended pursuit at speeds up to 95 mph on Highway 13 and that on several occasions he drove in the opposing lane of traffic, and that his license was revoked at the time.

Deandre Lynch, 22, of 602 Spring Ridge Road, was arraigned in Circuit Court on a class D felony kidnapping charge. Bond was continued at $15,000 and a case review was set for Jan. 23. The charge alleged that on Aug. 18, 2018, he unlawfully restrained another person, exposing the victim to risk of serious injury.

Dominic R.G. Jones, 24, of 241 SE 13 Highway, waived a preliminary hearing in Johnson County Associate Circuit Court and was bound over to Circuit Court for trial on a class C felony charge of manufacturing a controlled substance, class D felony possession of a controlled substance and class D misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia. Arraignment was set for Jan. 28 and bond was continued at $5,000. The charges allege that between Oct. 17, 2017, and Feb. 29, 2018, he manufactured marijuana by growing it, and that he possessed cocaine and a smoking pipe.

Charles L. Henderson III, 39, Kansas City, waived a preliminary hearing in Associate Court and was bound over to Circuit Court to stand trial on a class E felony charge of leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident. Bond was continued at $40,000 and arraignment is set for Feb. 13. The charge alleges Henderson struck a pedestrian who was refueling his vehicle at U.S. Highway 50 just east of Northwest 175 Road on Sept. 18, 2018, and left the scene without providing identification.

Anthony J. Wilkes, 26, of 225 S.E. 121 Road, waived a preliminary hearing in Associate Court and was bound over to Circuit Court for trial on a class D felony charge of possession of a controlled substance, class E felony resisting arrest and unlawful possession of a firearm, two class D felony forgery charges and class D misdemeanor driving with a revoked license. Bond was continued at $7,500 and arraignment is set for Jan. 30. The charges allege he possessed methamphetamine on June 8, 2018; that he fled from an officer at speeds of 100 mph on South Maguire Street and struck another vehicle; that he possessed a .40-caliber pistol while in possession of methamphetamine; that he possessed an altered temporary vehicle tag; and that he operated a vehicle at 205 E. Hale Lake Road while his license was revoked.

Brenden L. Delaney, 32, of 136 Grover St., waived a preliminary hearing in Associate Court and was bound over to Circuit Court for trial on a class D felony charge of possession of a controlled substance and class A misdemeanor possession of marijuana and class B misdemeanor first-degree trespass. Arraignment was set for Jan. 23 and a personal recognizance bond was approved. The charges allege that on July 2, 2018, he possessed methamphetamine and marijuana and entered property at 601 W. Clark St. after being given notice against trespassing.
In the last month, Ive added a new word to my vocabulary  kayfabe. What does it mean? Its the theatrical master plan that people involved in pro wrestling engage in when deciding whether Boris the Black or The White Snake will win or lose a match.
Hong Kong: Calls for estate redev't considered

The Government takes calls to redevelop public rental housing seriously, Secretary for Transport & Housing Frank Chan said today.

Mr Chan was speaking to the media after attending the Housing Authority Regular Open Meeting.

He said: "As far as the redevelopment of public rental housing is concerned, we have taken it very seriously in terms of the availability of public rental housing for those in need of adequate housing and also to expedite the moving in of the tenants of the public rental housing.

Also we have to take into account the cost-effectiveness of redevelopment, the potential of redevelopment.

All these factors we have to take into account so as to make the best use of public housing resources to enable more people to live in public rental housing, and also subsidised sale flats.

This story has been published on: 2019-01-25. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Preparing for doomsday is not just for the tinfoil hat crowd these days.

The apocalypse is on so many people's minds that an article in the New York Times Style section cheekily detailed survivalist must-haves for the "swelling class of weekend paranoiacs." Could that be you? Just remember, if you've got apocalypse on the brain, you're not alone. For company, just head over to Reddit and check into dozens of "prepper" threads.

Getting ready for total social meltdown and the ensuing chaos depends, of course, on where we live and what we can afford. For the real preppers, stocking up on canned goods is only the beginning. You need to be seriously ready when the government fails and total anarchy ensues. Do you know how you will take care of yourself?

For the wealthy, that can mean buying a renovated missile silo, land in New Zealand and perhaps a private plane to get you there. Some of the uber-rich in Silicon Valley are getting kind of obsessed with their doomsday prep.

But for folks of more average means, survival after the apocalypse may mean heading for the hills with a packed "bug out bag" and a good set of survival skills. Maybe you can't afford a Tesla Powerwall to keep your house fully lit up as you prepare your escape, but a portable solar charger is probably within means. And if you have any condoms lying around, well, here are 20 ways they just may save your life.

In the above gallery, take a peek at some doomsday essentials for the haves and have nots. (And some for both.) Some are items to pack when all hell breaks loose. Others are places to go or means of transit that could be lifesavers. Look through the gallery, then get to work on your "bug out bag." Hopefully, you'll never have to use it.
WASHINGTON  The Senate Intelligence Committee has issued a subpoena to compel Michael Cohen, President Trumps former lawyer, to appear before the panel next month to formally correct false testimony that he delivered last year about a proposed Trump Organization project in Moscow, one of his lawyers confirmed Thursday.

The subpoena was disclosed a day after Cohen pulled out of a public hearing scheduled for Feb. 7 before the House Oversight and Reform Committee, citing in a letter from his lawyer, Lanny Davis, verbal attacks by Trump.

Cohens initial agreement to appear before the Oversight Committee had been voluntary, but he will have little choice in complying with the Senate request.

Unlike the Oversight session, Cohens return to the Senate Intelligence Committee will almost certainly be behind closed doors. The panel has conducted a wide-ranging investigation of Russias election interference campaign, and possible ties to the Trump campaign, for roughly two years now largely out of the public eye.

Cohen has appeared before the Senate Intelligence Committee twice before behind closed doors. In one case, the panels leaders abruptly cut short the session after learning that he had shared with reporters a written opening statement he would deliver in private  testimony that would later prove to have contained falsehoods about a Trump Organization proposal to build a skyscraper in Moscow.

Since his guilty plea in November for lying to Congress, Senate Intelligence Committee officials have worked with Cohen and his lawyers to try to secure a return visit voluntarily so he can correct his false testimony and answer other questions.

The back and forth over Cohens testimony was the cause of continued sniping Thursday between Trump and Davis. The president linked Cohen to his onetime Democratic political rival, Hillary Clinton, a pairing that seemed designed to excite his core voters.

In an early morning Twitter post, Trump described Cohen as a bad lawyer and reminded the public about Clintons 2016 interview with the FBI, the circumstances of which have become part of a litany of anti-Clinton narratives that cast the investigation into her use of a private server as flawed.

The second lawyer to whom Trump alludes without naming is most likely Davis, a Washington attorney and close ally of the Clintons, who is currently representing Cohen.

Davis accused Trumps current personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, of witness tampering for recent comments he made about Cohens father-in-law, suggesting he might have ties to organized crime.

Maggie Haberman, Nicholas Fandos and Eileen Sullivan are New York Times writers.
WASHINGTON  A federal judge said Friday she will hold a hearing behind closed doors to determine whether former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort intentionally lied to investigators, including about sharing polling data with a business associate the U.S. says has ties to Russian intelligence.

Attorneys with special counsel Robert Muellers office say Manafort breached his plea deal by repeatedly making false statements after he began cooperating with them in September. Manaforts lawyers say he simply had an inconsistent recollection of facts and events from several years ago, and that he suffers from depression and anxiety and had little time to prepare for questioning on the days he met with investigators.

The allegations threaten his chances of getting leniency at sentencing. Attorneys with the special counsel told Judge Amy Berman Jackson the deal was no longer a factor, but they hadnt decided how to adjust their sentencing request.

Manaforts attorneys conceded the special counsel had the authority under the terms of the deal to revoke it if they determined that Manafort was lying and did so in good faith. But the judge said that she isnt yet convinced, and her decision will impact how much time he gets behind bars.

She said some of Manaforts arguments, particularly the idea that some defendants misstate facts and then correct them later on have some force.

Investigators shouldnt have to pull teeth to get the truth, the judge said, but not all the issues rise to the level of actual false statements.

But she said there were other times when Manafort affirmatively advanced a version that prosecutors believe was false. He may have lied, pure and simple, in those instances, she said.

Jackson said Friday she had been given more than 800 pages of evidence on the matter, and set the sealed proceeding for Feb. 4. She told a courtroom full of reporters she knew the measure wouldnt be popular with the media, and promised a redacted transcript as soon as possible.

The court documents already filed on the matter have been heavily blacked-out. One allegation that did emerge from a poorly redacted defense filing was especially striking  that Manafort shared polling data from the 2016 campaign with Konstantin Kilimnik, a business associate and co-defendant charged by Mueller, and then lied about it. Kilimnik is not in U.S. custody and has denied links to Russian intelligence.

Jackson questioned whether the special counsel would charge Manafort with additional crimes as a result of the alleged violation and wondered whether her determination on whether he lied would somehow prejudice any additional charges.

Attorney Andrew Weissmann, part of the Mueller team, said there were no plans to do so  but didnt rule it out entirely. Either way, he said, he believed her determination would not affect it.

Manafort, who is jailed in Virginia as he awaits sentencing, had asked to skip Fridays appearance in federal court in Washington. But Jackson denied the request, and said in court it was not meant as punitive  she believed it was advantageous for him to be present to quickly confer with his attorneys given the circumstances.

Once a high-flying political consultant, Manafort, 69, asked for permission to attend court in a suit rather than his jail uniform, and the request was granted. Manafort pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy in Washington in September as part of the deal. He was convicted of eight financial crimes at a Virginia trial last year. He faces years behind bars.

Colleen Long and Eric Tucker are Associated Press writers.
While most film and true crime genre fans continue to note the uncanny resemblance between the infamous Ted Bundy and actor Zac Efron, who is portraying the killer in the upcoming film "Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile," music fans are looking at another character.

The trailer for the movie, which dropped Friday, features appearances by Metallica rocker James Hetfield in his first-ever feature film role.

RELATED: Zac Efron channels Ted Bundy's intensity in 'Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile' image

As Rolling Stone points out, Hetfield has appeared in several shows before, but this will be the first time he actually plays a character. Hetfield joins Efron in the cast, along with Lily Collins, Jim Parsons, John Malkovich, Angela Sarafyan, Kaya Scodelario and Haley Joel Osment. The film is directed by Joe Berlinger.

Hetfield plays a veteran Utah highway patrol officer named Bob Hayward, who's known as the first police official to arrest Bundy. In 1975, Hayward pulled over Bundy and uncovered burglary tools in his car. Hayward famously sensed that something was off about Bundy, and the arrest led to convictions for kidnapping and assault in 1976. The real Bob Hayward died in Utah in 2017.

RELATED: Ted Bundy a suspect in Sonoma County cold cases

It won't be Berlinger's first project with Hetfield; the director previously worked with Metallica on the 2004 documentary "Some Kind of Monster."

"Having spent hundreds of hours behind the scenes with James and the rest of Metallica, I have experienced his charisma and powerful presence close up," Berlinger said in a statement last February. "It seemed only natural that he would bring that same power and magnetism to a dramatic role, so when he agreed to my pitch that he be in the movie, I was thrilled."

"Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile" will debut at the Sundance Film Festival, which began Thursday.

Alyssa Pereira is an SFGATE staff writer. Email her at apereira@sfchronicle.com or find her on Twitter at @alyspereira.
Ultimately, the involvement by a succession of W&M presidents and the leadership of Robert Carter Nicholas, treasurer of the Virginia colony and a school overseer, provided support and a sort of protection for the school against persons who did not support the education of Blacks, retired professor Terry L. Meyers said.
Washington and the contiguous United States have lost their last woodland caribou, as British Columbia officials have captured and shipped the one surviving animal to a breeding facility in Revelstoke, B.C.

The capture follows a precipitous decline of the South Selkirk Mountains caribou herd, which has traditionally inhabited the northeast corner of Washington, far-north Idaho and southern British Columbia.

Bart George, a wildlife biologist with the Kalispel Tribe, has likened losing the caribou to losing a piece of the tribe. "For the rest of us, it represents an important loss of diversity," said David Moskowitz, author of the acclaimed book "Caribou Rainforest."

RELATED: 'Caribou Rainforest': Our magnificent interior mountain valleys

The small, quiet, reclusive woodland caribou have received far less local and global attention than Washington's photogenic orca whales.

They are a separate species from the vast caribou herds of Alaska, and inhabit remote interior rain forest valleys such as the 43,348-acre Salmo-Priest Wilderness Area in Pend Oreille County.

The herd declined 45 percent between 1958 and 1988, ranged in size from 33 to 51 animals in the period between 1991 and 2009, and then plummeted again from 46 animals to 12 between 2009 and 2016.

"As far as everyone knows, they have removed the last of the trans-border caribou," Moskowitz said. The female caribou was captured on January 14. She will later be released, with two other animals from imperiled herds, into a more stable population in Canada.

The reasons for disappearance of woodland caribou are multifold.

Despite posted warning signs, animals have been killed on British Columbia's Salmo-Creston highway. Logging roads, clearcuts and power line corridors cross the caribou habitat. Growing deer populations have drawn predators. The Salmo-Priest is home to wolves and a handful of grizzly bears.

RELATED: Plan for Olympic Park mountain goats: Move 'em and shoot 'em

The caribou are used to a cold, wet environment. The interior rain forest, with high peaks in the Selkirks and Purcell Mountains, often replicates ancient forests of the coast.

But, notes Moskowitz, global warming is producing a drier, warmer climate.

British Columbia has tried predator control. It has also set aside land for the mountain caribou, "most of it very high elevation habitat with very little habitat at low elevation," in Moskowitz's words.

It is unclear at this point whether woodland caribou will ever be reintroduced to their transboundary habitat.

Moskowitz will lecture on the woodland caribou, on Feb. 12 at The Mountaineers off Sand Point Way, and a day later to Eastside Audubon.
An Oakland man was plotting to kill his wife using a toxic chemical compound, a newly unsealed FBI criminal complaint alleges.

According to the FBI, Sandford Faison attempted to use the dark web in late 2018 to plan a murder and buy a poison to kill his wife, but was unaware that the vendor with whom he was communicating was actually a covert FBI agent.

"I aim to ensure my wife's death within the 18 months, ideally long after our divorce is finalized (about 6-8 months from now)," he wrote in a dark web message board in early Dec. 2018, according to the complaint. "This is the only way I can begin a new life with full custody of my child. We currently live together, and I expect to have (easy) access to her environment and food for another 2 months at least."

RELATED: These towns have the highest per capita crime rates in the Bay Area

Faison and his wife had been married eight years and had two children together. They have a documented history of domestic disturbances, according to the FBI.

Less than a week after posting his first message, Faison then unknowingly solicited the purchase of the toxic substance from an FBI agent using Bitcoin, asking that it be delivered to an adult store near where he lived in Oakland.

"Newly joined but committed buyer here; figuring out how to fund my wallet, now," he is quoted as writing. "Thought to connect amd (sic) make a few^ inquiries before ordering. How many vials of [toxic chemical] do you have left? Is the packaging inconspicuous, or do you use hazard labels?"

As he awaited the delivery of the toxic chemical, the complaint outlines, he considered ways to get his wife to unknowingly eat or touch the poison, including putting it in the coffeemaker, dropping a little bit into her shoe or onto her foot while she slept, or putting some onto a surface she would touch, like a doorknob or computer keyboard. He ordered lab supplies from Amazon so that he could handle the substance without harming himself, and he weighed the best ways to reduce suspicion of his own culpability.

RELATED: Oakland man charged in West Oakland triple homicide

The package was delivered on Jan. 9, but was bugged with an "electronic triggering device" so FBI agents could monitor when the package was opened. At 7 p.m. that night, Faison did open the box; an hour later, the FBI presented a search warrant and arrested him. He was charged with attempting to acquire a chemical weapon.

As the bureau concluded, Faison had no professional reason to acquire the substance, as it has "very few legitimate applications" outside of chemical research.

According to the complaint, Faison admitted to purchasing the toxic chemical to use on his wife, with whom he had had marital problems. He also confessed to previously considering using a hitman, but concluded that "would be as expensive as getting a divorce."

Faison is currently in federal custody, awaiting trial.

Alyssa Pereira is an SFGATE staff writer. Email her at apereira@sfchronicle.com or find her on Twitter at @alyspereira.


Editors note: SFGATE spoke to Yelpers who left 1-star reviews at popular San Francisco restaurants to find out why and what, in their view, went wrong. We omitted restaurant names so as not to unduly single out their business.

Jerry Harris, a Midwesterner from Cleveland, used to rave about one popular brunch spot in San Francisco. He would tell anyone heading to the city that, if they did nothing else, to drop in for breakfast. But after his last visit in Dec. 2018, hes not sure hell go back.

I just dont understand when dealing with frontline personnel became so confrontational, Harris recalled. I felt like Jack Nicholson trying to order toast in Five Easy Pieces. Those familiar with the 1970 film will recall Nicholsons character trying to order a la carte from a no-nonsense waitress determined to stick to the fixed menu.

That December morning, Harris and his wife headed over to the restaurant and waited in line for about 45 minutes. The wait wasnt the worst part of their experience, since they had already factored that in. Once they reached the front of the line, the hostess sat them down at a large table just feet from the main entrance.

Harris says the temperature that morning was about 53 degrees, and it wasnt long before a chilly draft began to creep in. He asked his server if they could close the door, but Harris said his server said no, as it was store policy.

Were from Cleveland so were used to cold, but San Francisco in the low 50s is not like any other place Ive been, Harris said. You dont want to be that cold when youre eating.

The couple asked if they could get reseated as an alternative.

The waiter said hed go ask a manager, but it was the hostess, whom Harris described as a drill sergeant, who had their answer. You already placed your order, you cant be reseated, he says she told them. Itll confuse the kitchen.

That didnt sit well with the couple and Harris says he felt like it was a spur of the moment decision that was framed as policy. It was very unlike the other times he'd visited, and the whole thing was so off-putting that Harris decided to leave them a 1-star Yelp review.

ALSO: Man brings dead raccoon into a San Francisco McDonald's, forces location to close

I think when youre paying $50 for bacon and eggs, you expect a certain level of service to justify that cost," he said. "On some level, youre also paying for the experience.

- - -

When it comes to leaving a 1-star Yelp review, what's taken into consideration? I spoke to a number of Yelpers who left low reviews at popular San Francisco restaurants to find the answer. In short, it was almost always about bad customer service.

In fact, each Yelper I spoke to seemed adamant about sticking to a 1-star review, even if food quality met their expectations. According to Yelp, 70 percent of reviews that called out bad customer service gave the restaurant a 1-star rating.

Yelp

Gwyneth Borden, executive director of Golden Gate Restaurant Association, said that part of the reason people go to restaurants is to feel taken care of. A place with poor hospitality is one people will not frequent, she said.

You can forgive food not being great, but the indignation that people feel by being treated inhospitably is really hard to overcome, Borden said.

If a restaurant accumulates enough 1-star reviews on Yelp, that can also affect their business.

Businesses survive from new customers and if people see bad reviews, its definitely an indicator that youre not doing things right. You will see your traffic counts decline, Borden said.

Even if Yelp isnt the definitive guide for deciding where to eat, it certainly has a lot of leverage. Borden says that people tend to give more value and credence to reviews written by peers than those by established food critics.

One caveat about Yelp that Borden found is that it often allows customers to develop passive-aggressive behaviors. In some cases, customers would rather write a review than let the staff know something was wrong. She thinks both customers and restaurant staff have a responsibility to make sure the dining experience doesnt go awry.

ALSO: Do we need etiquette courses when it comes to eating out in San Francisco?

There is a great degree of benefit addressing it head-on to the manager or the owner on site, because its a lot harder to later identify what happened, what went wrong and how to fix it in a review that someone notices days later, Borden said.

Restaurant staff and owners also need to pay attention to whats going on in real-time so they can try to respond, Borden says. They should also reply to low reviews and try to invite their customer back for a better experience.

Yet among the customers I spoke to, that wasnt the case. Only one customer said he received an apology from the restaurant he visited.

Peter Yim of San Francisco said after he left a low review at a trendy Mission restaurant, the staff reached out, apologized and offered him a $150 gift certificate to come back.

Yim says he hasnt had a chance to use it yet but is unsure whether hell change his mind about them the next time. He currently stands by his 1-star rating.

I felt offended enough to write this review, Yim said. I notice how servers around other tables would ask how the food was, but I didn't get that type of attention.

Harris says he didnt receive an apology from the business but, even if he had, hes not sure that would have made a difference in his review. When asked if Harris would consider giving the restaurant a second chance if they apologized, he seemed on the fence.

I think its possible, Harris said. It would be hard to get [my wife] back there, unless there was some type of outreach and it was sincere, because it seemed like there was pushback for everything.

--

Follow Susana Guerrero on Twitter and email her at sguerrero@sfchronicle.com

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It started with a wall, then a poem and a joke. It ended with a fundraiser raising three times its goal and a rare moment of bipartisan unity between two men with little in common (least of all, their political views).

An unusual moment of good cheer and altruism took place on Twitter Thursday when comic Patton Oswalt lent a helping hand  A.K.A. his immense Twitter following  to a Vietnam War veteran.

Their exchange didn't start off all touchy-feely. On Wednesday, Oswalt tweeted a saucy poem responding to President Trump's calls to build a wall.

Michael Beatty, whose Twitter identifies him as a "good Republican" and a resident of Huntsville, Ala., responded to Oswalt: "I just realized why I was so happy you died in Blade Trinity!"

Oswalt, not one to let trolls off scot-free, clapped back: "Dude, I already know: 'cuz '...one more second of you on screen and my heart would belong to Patton Oswalt.' I get told this at least twice a week by Trump supporters. It always makes me smile and I'm grateful and blessed."

Thirty minutes later, Oswalt's tune changed.

On his GoFundMe page, Beatty explained that he had recently spent two weeks in the hospital with sepsis and diabetic ketoacidosis, caused by a blood infection and diabetes. Beatty said he spent two weeks in the hospital, went into cardiac arrest twice and was in a diabetic coma for eight days.

"Long recovery along with massive medical costs. I have a meager retirement check. I'm a Vietnam veteran," Beatty wrote. In a previous tweet, Beatty said he served for seven years on the U.S.S. James K. Polk, patrolling for missiles.

After Oswalt's kindhearted tweet, the donations began pouring in.

Before Thursday, Beatty's GoFundMe had raised $600 of its $5,000 goal. As of Thursday at 3:30 p.m., more than 769 people had donated to Beatty's cause, raising over $15,600. Oswalt donated $2,000 himself, according to the "Recent Donations" list.

"Patton. You have humbled me to the point where I can barely compose my words," Beatty wrote. "You have caused me to take pause and reflect on how harmful words from my mouth could result in such an outpouring. Thank you for this..."

"See, THIS is why compassion and forgiveness are the best," Oswalt replied.

Beatty promised he'd be in the audience next time Oswalt performed nearby.

Read Michelle Robertson's latest stories and send her news tips at mrobertson@sfchronicle.com.

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Googles self-driving car spinoff Waymo will bring a factory to Michigan, creating up to 400 jobs at what it describes as the worlds first plant 100 percent dedicated to the mass production of autonomous vehicles.

The Mountain View company said this week that it plans to spend about $13.6 million to retrofit a to-be-determined manufacturing facility in the Detroit area. In exchange, it will get a state incentive grant worth up to $8 million that was approved by the Michigan Strategic Fund Board.

Waymo spokeswoman Alexis Georgeson said the company plans to hire up to 400 people to work at the factory, including engineers, operations experts and fleet coordinators. She said Waymo is looking for a site and hopes to open the plant in the middle of this year. A memo from the Michigan Economic Development Corp. says Waymo will create 100 jobs, with the potential for up to 400, and it chose Michigan despite a high level of interest from states in the Midwest, South and Southwest.

The company integrates its self-driving system into vehicles it buys from automakers and is currently testing autonomous Chrysler Pacifica minivans in a preferred rider program for passengers in the Phoenix area, but with human backup drivers on board. It plans to expand the service to the San Francisco area but has not given a time frame. Waymo previously announced plans to buy 62,000 Pacificas and 20,000 I-Pace electric SUVs from Jaguar.

Waymo, which has a 20-employee facility in the Detroit suburb of Novi where it tests vehicles in snowy weather, will put the new factory in Wayne, Oakland or Macomb counties, where the auto industry dominates the economy with thousands of jobs at U.S. and foreign automakers as well as parts supply companies.

As we begin to commercialize our business and vehicle supply grows, were laying the foundation for a scalable, robust vehicle integration plan, starting in Michigan, the company said in a blog post.

Bryant Walker Smith, a University of South Carolina law professor who studies autonomous vehicles, said the announcement shows that Waymo, which was spun off from Google and is part of parent company Alphabet, has plans to integrate itself into the existing auto industry.

You cant reinvent everything. Coming to Michigan in some ways is your complete recognition of that, Smith said. Michigan is where you go in the United States to be fully immersed in automotive culture and industry.

Smith said Waymo will find abundant labor supply at a lower cost than in California.

The announcement confirms that Waymo will use the Michigan factory to produce a large number of vehicles for ride-hailing services in many cities, Smith said. But it did not say when it will start running the vehicles without human backup drivers.

This is an announcement about a facility to be, and the cars that will come from that facility one day, Smith said. What this is is that Waymo plans to eventually expand. Theyve been setting that foundation for a couple of years now.

Michigan Economic Development Corp. CEO Jeff Mason said Silicon Valley companies are increasingly interested in relocating to or expanding in the state. He cited KLA-Tencors plan to open a $70 million semiconductor research-and-development center in Ann Arbor and Samsungs plan to build a $60 million-plus electric vehicle battery pack plant in Auburn Hills.

David Eggert and Tom Krisher are Associated Press writers.
But killing the resolution in committee means he and other GOP delegates wont have to cast a floor vote. That benefits those up for re-election in moderate districts: If they voted yes on the ERA, theyd be going against party leadership. But if they voted no, that vote could be used against them in the campaign.
Lured by the prospect of high-salary, high-status jobs, college students are rushing in record numbers to study computer science.

Now, if only they could get a seat in class.

On campuses across the country, from major state universities to small private colleges, the surge in student demand for computer science courses is far outstripping the supply of professors, as the tech industry snaps up talent. At some schools, the shortage is creating an undergraduate divide of computing haves and have-nots  potentially narrowing a path for some minority and female students to an industry that has struggled with diversity.

The number of undergraduates majoring in the subject more than doubled from 2013 to 2017, to over 106,000, while tenure-track faculty ranks rose about 17 percent, according to the Computing Research Association, a nonprofit that gathers data from about 200 universities.

Economics and the promise of upward mobility are driving the student stampede. While previous generations of entrepreneurial undergraduates might have aspired to become lawyers or doctors, many students now are leery of investing the time, and incurring six-figure debts, to join those professions.

By contrast, learning computing skills can be a fast path to employment, as fields as varied as agriculture, banking and genomics incorporate more sophisticated computing. While the quality of programs across the country varies widely, some computer science majors make six-figure salaries straight out of school.

At the University of Texas at Austin, which has a top computer science program, more than 3,300 incoming first-year students last fall sought computer science as their first choice of major, more than double the number who did so in 2014.

The demand is unbounded, said Don Fussell, chairman of the computer science department. The university is looking to hire several tenure-track faculty members in computing this year, he said, but competition for top candidates is fierce. I know of major departments that interviewed 40 candidates, and I dont think they hired anybody.

Although the problem has been building for years, a recent boom is straining resources at new levels at institutions large and small. The situation has become so acute that Swarthmore College, which was already holding lotteries to select students for computing classes, is now capping the number of courses that computer science majors may take. The University of Maryland plans this fall to make computing a limited enrollment major, which will make it harder for non-majors to transfer in. At UC San Diego, introductory lecture courses have ballooned to up to 400 students to accommodate both majors and non-majors.

Students on some campuses said they feel shut out of computer science while others said they face overcrowded classes with overworked professors.

Aafia Ahmad, a sophomore computer science major at UT, had hoped to take an elective course in computer security this semester. But when she tried to sign up during early registration in November, the course was already full. She said that was the case for nearly every computer science elective she wanted. She is now 79th on a waiting list for the security course.

Its a cutthroat race to register for classes, she said.

Some university leaders said they are concerned that certain measures taken to address surging student demand may disadvantage people who are already unrepresented in computer science  including women, African Americans, Latinos and low-income, first-generation college students.

Some universities now require incoming students to be accepted into computer science majors before they arrive on campus  and make it nearly impossible for other undergraduates to transfer into the major. That approach can favor incoming students from schools with resources like advanced programming courses. It can also favor male students  because women on average are less likely to have taken a computer science course in high school.

When you put any kind of barrier in place in terms of access to computer science majors, it tends to reduce the number of women and students of color in the program, said Maria Klawe, president of Harvey Mudd College in Claremont (Los Angeles County), which has become a national model for diversity in computer science.

Other experts warned that some students without computing experience may be rushing into the major because it seems to be trendy and pay well  not because it is the subject that most interests them.

Maybe they are cutting off other options too early, said Richard Wicentowski, the chairman of Swarthmores computer science department.

One solution, he suggested: Universities could treat computer science more like math  courses that lay the foundations for other majors like data science and physics. That way, he said, students could learn important computing skills and then apply them to other majors, like literature, while keeping their job prospects open.

On some campuses, students have protested measures like course lotteries and long waiting lists.

At Haverford College in Pennsylvania, students put up posters in the science building on April Fools Day, lamenting the dearth of computing teachers. One showed a featureless face with the caption: This Is Where Id Put My New Tenure-Track CS Professor ... If I Had One. Students later wrote a letter to college officials pushing for more professors.

Haverford has since opened a search for a new computer science professor.

Some schools are trying to create more hospitable conditions. Both Harvey Mudd and the University of Washington in Seattle offer introductory computing courses intended to attract students with or without computing experience.

Likewise, Tracy Camp, head of the computer science department at the Colorado School of Mines  a public university where the number of computer science majors has more than doubled in recent years  said she was determined not to put in deterrents like capping the major. Instead, she said, class sizes had sharply increased.

I dont want to tell a student already at Mines, You cant major in computer science, Camp said.

Still, the pipeline of professors is limited  partly because of economics and partly because university hiring is geared toward long tenure appointments, not the latest trends.

High entry-level salaries are luring undergraduates to pick the private sector over graduate school, limiting the supply of future professors. The number of graduate students enrolled in computer science Ph.D. programs has only inched up in recent years, to nearly 12,700 in 2017 compared with about 11,000 in 2013, according to the Taulbee Survey, an annual report from the Computing Research Association.

In addition, tech giants and other companies have been poaching professors and hiring new Ph.D.s.

I had a faculty member who came in with an offer from a bank, and they were told that, with their expertise, the starting salary would be $1 million to $4 million, said Greg Morrisett, dean of computing and information science at Cornell University. Theres no way a university, no matter how well off, could compete with that.

To stem the tide of professors decamping for industry, universities are turning to dual appointments. Last year Amazon hired Siddhartha Srinivasa, a world-renowned robotics expert who is a computer science professor at the University of Washington. He now splits his time between the two.

Ed Lazowska, a computer science professor at the university, said such arrangements give faculty members access to resources, like giant computing power and tremendous data sets, that could help further their research and benefit their students.

What better place could there be than Amazon to put your robot to work? Lazowska said.

Fussell at Texas also said joint appointments could be a partial remedy, adding that he had recently talked with major tech companies about helping universities retain faculty.

They are well aware that they are eating their seed, Fussell said.

Klawe at Harvey Mudd is weighing a more academic solution to meeting student demand. She wants to train people with Ph.D.s in subjects like math, physics and biology to teach computer science, potentially increasing the supply of professors.

She is raising money for a pilot program, but she said any solution would take time.

Its going to get worse before it gets better, Klawe said.

Natasha Singer is a New York Times writer.
BuzzFeed, often hailed as the future of publishing and a leading producer of digital content, plans to lay off 15 percent of its workforce, or about 200 employees, according to a memo sent to the staff Wednesday night.

The management team, led by CEO Jonah Peretti, has been working on the staff cuts over the past few months, two people with knowledge of the plans said. They asked not to be named because they were not authorized to speak on the matter. The cuts will affect the international and web content departments, including the news division, led by Ben Smith.

Peretti sent a note to employees Wednesday night with the subject line Difficult Changes.

Hello BuzzFeeders, he wrote. Im writing with sad news: we are doing layoffs at BuzzFeed next week. We will be making a 15% overall reduction in headcount across the company. Im sending this tonight because I wanted you to hear it from me directly instead of from the press.

The move is meant to trim costs and maintain growth as the company reaches for profitability this year. BuzzFeed, which employs over 1,300 people, generated more than $300 million in revenue in 2018. That was a jump of better than 15 percent from the previous year, but the company still loses money.

BuzzFeed declined to comment.

The site relies on an army of editors, producers and journalists to produce thousands of pieces of content each week, as varied as cooking videos and breaking news reports.

BuzzFeed News came under scrutiny recently after publishing an article reporting that President Trump had instructed his former lawyer, Michael Cohen, to lie in his testimony to Congress. In a rare public statement, the special counsels office denied the report. Smith has said he stands by the article.

Publishers across the web have suffered as shifting reader habits and whimsical-seeming algorithm adjustments at Facebook have cut into revenue. Vice Media reduced staff last year in a bid to earn money, and Mic, a site aimed at younger readers, cut the majority of its staff before being sold to a competitor.

Advertisers generally pay less to reach online readers than print devotees, but investors were banking on the idea that online ad rates would significantly rise and digital publishers would dominate. That hasnt happened, and Facebook and Google continue to siphon the majority of ad dollars.

BuzzFeeds board recently agreed that the company needs to start turning a profit, the people said. The site has lost money for most of the years it has been in operation, not unusual for a startup. Venture-backed companies like BuzzFeed often spend big at first in a bid to expand. But as the company closes in on a decade in business, investors want to start seeing profits.

In his note, Peretti said that the restructuring will reduce our costs and improve our operating model so we can thrive and control our own destiny, without ever needing to raise funding again. These changes will allow us to be the clear winner in the market as the economics of digital media continue to improve.

BuzzFeed has raised nearly $500 million in venture funding, with $400 million coming from NBCUniversal.

Peretti, a graduate of the MIT Media Lab and a founder of HuffPost, began BuzzFeed in 2006 as an experiment and turned it into a genuine business by 2011. He amassed a large following by hitting on a formula that took advantage of the new publishing services on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter. BuzzFeeds monthly readership is 690 million, a figure that has made it the envy among digital publishers.

That still may not be enough. BuzzFeed took a hit when Facebook introduced a sweeping change in 2016 that significantly reduced the visibility of articles and videos from professional publishers in its News Feed, its main artery of content. The change hurt all content companies  including Vox Media, Refinery29 and Group Nine, the publisher of popular sites like the Dodo  and forced them to adjust their strategies to rely less on services like Facebook.

In a November interview with the New York Times, Peretti proffered an audacious solution: a series of mergers with five or six top internet publishers, including Vice, Vox Media, Group Nine and Refinery.

The industrial logic was evident, he said. A larger entity could lobby for a higher percentage of the ad dollars that Facebook and Google share with publishers when their content, videos in particular, run on the sites. In turn, publishers would be able to supply them with content that is safe for general users and friendlier for advertisers.

Having some bigger companies that actually care about the quality of the content feels like something thats very valuable, he said at the time.

Meanwhile, BuzzFeed has been adding new business lines, offering a cookware line at Walmart and, crucially, placing banner ads across its website. At the outset, Peretti said he didnt want banner ads, because they significantly slowed down the site. In their place he pushed for native ads  posts that look like editorial content but are created in cooperation with marketers.

Native advertising slowed considerably in 2017, however. Coupled with changes at Facebook, the rate of revenue growth declined. The addition of banner ads significantly added to BuzzFeeds coffers last year, the people said.

In his note to the staff, Peretti said he took the layoffs to heart.

On a personal note, he wrote, Ive never thought about my job as just business. I care about the people at BuzzFeed more than anything other than my family. This will be a tough week for all of us and I realize it will be much worse for the people losing their jobs. To them, I want to say thank you, Im sorry our work together is ending this way, and I hope we get to work together again in the future. Our loss will be to the benefit of other organizations where I know you will go on to make formidable contributions.

BuzzFeed has had staff reductions in the past. In 2017, it cut 100 of its 1,600 workers after it failed to meet revenue targets that year.

As BuzzFeed looks to cut down its staff once again, print publishers have also struggled. Gannett, the owner of USA Today and the Detroit Free Press, has cut its workforce sharply over the past few years. A company overview from the end of 2015 showed 19,600 employees. By the end of 2017, the figure was down to 15,300. On Wednesday, there were more cuts at Gannett newspapers across the country, including the Indianapolis Star and the Record in New Jersey. The company is slimming down in an effort to attract a buyer, and a company controlled by the New York hedge fund Alden Global Capital  which itself has made drastic cuts at newspapers in its stable, including the Denver Post  has expressed interest.

Edmund Lee is a New York Times writer.
An enormous 8,000-square-foot fortress set on 40 acres of land in Nevada's sagebrush-dotted high desert, a 2.5-hour drive from Las Vegas, is selling for $950,000.

The so-called Hard Luck Castle with four-bedrooms and three bathrooms is an extraordinary and admittedly quite odd architectural wonder with a fantastical design you'd expect to find on the set of an apocalyptic science-fiction filmthink "Mad Max."

Its concrete walls are 16 inches thick and wrap around the circular structure with a central staircase taking you to all four floors and a solarium encased in glass for stargazing.

"It's absolutely amazing," says listing agent Jake Rasmuson of Bishop Real Estate. "You have to picture the middle of Nevada...your views are completely uninterrupted.

The main house is comprised of 22 rooms including a wine cellar, a theater and game room, a viewing deck and a fountain room. There are also two working 1920s pipe organs that resonate throughout the halls when played.

ALSO: 'Castle' made of fascinating items from around the Bay Area listed for $3.475 million

A builder from Southern California, the owner chose the town of Gold Point (pop. 6) in Esmeralda County for his dream home due to its privacy, lack of building codes and few laws on private land. He spent $3 million and 12 years to complete his plan, and now he's ready to move onto his next adventure.

"He built it all himself with help from friends ," says listing agent. He's a guy who can fix or do anything. He's an amazing craftsman."

He added: "He's ready to give up the property. Purchase a boat and start a new chapter in his life."

The property is off-the-grid with self-sustained energy systems using solar and wind and a 4,000 gallon water storage tank has rain catchment. There's a detached 600-square-foot workshop equipped with tools for working on cars and steel fabrication and a remodeled miner's cabin with a new bathroom and kitchen.

A productive yet dormant gold mine with a "serviceable" mine shaft is also included. It was shuttered after World War II, but allegedly still contains gold.

"In a lot of ways, it's a 'doomsday prepper' dream home...extremely self-sustaining and secure."

That said, Rasmusson says he could also see an interested buyer might be "an astrologist, an artists, a writer, a musician, a poet, someone who really wants peace and quiet and wants two pipe organs in their home" because the organs and everything else except the owner's dog and truck are included in the sale.
Liz Hafalia/The Chronicle

There were no flight delays at Bay Area airports Friday, even as the Federal Aviation Administration halted flights from several East coast airports because of staffing shortages stemming from the government shutdown.

The FAA released a statement Friday morning alerting passengers of a slight increase in sick leave at two facilities. We are mitigating the impact by augmenting staffing, rerouting traffic, and increasing spacing between aircraft when needed.
Living in San Francisco, one often has the sense that for every logistical inconvenience  groceries, laundry, driving  there is an app or service that will have a person do the chore for you, often unseen, always for a price.

Over the summer, it became clear that not even the headache of a trip to the Department of Motor Vehicles was immune to this effect.

As DMV lines and the wait for appointments got longer and longer, driven by people's need to upgrade their California driver's licenses to be in compliance with the REAL ID Act, an Oakland-based startup called YoGov began offering expedited appointments for a fee, letting people get appointments in weeks rather than months for a price that's currently set at $24.99.

Later in the summer, a companion service was added for people who don't have months to wait: a line-waiting "concierge service" in which customers pay $94 and give two days notice. A "line concierge" goes to the DMV early on the appointed day and saves the customer's space in line, waiting for hours until the DMV opens.

ALSO: The Bay Area DMVs with the shortest average wait times

"By showing up at the crack of dawn well before the DMV opens, we ensure you a spot at the front of the line. You then can leisurely stroll in when the DMV opens and check in to get your DMV ticket number immediately with no wait," the company's website explains.

"Our line waiting concierge will keep you up-to-date with text messages and photos starting when they first get in line, and will notify you when it's 30 minutes from opening time so you can make your way over with the paperwork."

YoGov founder and CEO Ryder Pearce estimates the people who have used the line concierge service in California since it launched number "in the tens of thousands," and says the San Francisco DMV is among the most popular locations because it is so busy.

The people paid to wait in line make a set rate that's "around $70," according to Pearce.

MORE: Do I need the Real ID? And other questions about the new Calif. driver's licenses

Back when YoGov first started getting a lot of media attention with its expedited appointment service, DMV Deputy Director Armando Botello told The Chronicle the agency's investigative arm was launching a probe looking into the startup and the expedited appointments process.

But Pearce says that since hearing about the investigation, the company has yet to be contacted by the DMV, and that the main effect of the news stories has actually been to drive interest in the company's services and in California's transition to the Real ID.

"The DMV never followed up with us at all, there was never any issue there. But it was a good story because it led to a lot of other interest," he said.

Contacted for comment, DMV spokesman Artemio Armenta issued a statement similar to the one the DMV gave to the Chronicle over the summer, saying that DMV appointments are free and that an investigation is ongoing.

"The DMV's Investigations Division has looked into YoGov and found they are charging customers a fee to find an appointment," said Armenta via email. "The DMV continues to look into matters involving third parties such as YoGov, and so far no legal violations have been found but the investigation continues."

Meanwhile, the saga of long waits at the DMV has continued to evolve. Lawmakers called for an investigation into the waits. In mid-December, the DMV reported that wait times had dropped 65 percent thanks to a series of task forces and tech improvements. Later that month, news broke that the DMV had accidentally issued 2.3 million Real IDs that actually weren't compliant with federal guidelines.

And word-of-mouth and search interest in YoGov continue to grow, Pearce said. Many are relocating from out of state or out of the country and are unfamiliar with how to navigate the process.

Currently, YoGov offers some of its services for free to people who are pregnant, elderly or have disabilities, according to Pearce.

"We don't want to create a two-tier system where only the wealthy can pay, so we try to subsidize services so we can make it free or low cost," he said.

Pearce said the company offered subsidized services for low-income people for a period of about six months, but isn't doing that anymore.

The common denominator among customers is that they're busy, he said.

"We help a lot of people from tech companies; They say, 'Oh good, I don't have to spend my day navigating the system," he said. "Lots of people who are at the exec level, VCs, there's a pretty wide swath."

"Everyone has to go," he added. "The DMV is the great equalizer."

Filipa Ioannou is an SFGATE staff writer. Email her at fioannou@sfchronicle.com and follow her on Twitter
Is the craft beer bubble bursting?

Nationwide, per capita beer sales have fallen every year for the last decade, now down more than 12 percent from 2009 levels, according to the Brewers Association. That figure counts all beer  everything from Natty Light to New Belgium. When you look at craft beer specifically, sales are still growing every year, but at an increasingly slowing rate. In 2017, the craft beer category nationally grew about 5 percent; the Brewers Association expects that figure to be lower for 2018.

From that, it would be easy to extrapolate that Big Beer is slowly tanking while craft beer is starting to run out of steam. But the reality is a lot more nuanced, especially here in the Bay Area.

Heres whats really happening.

Gabrielle Lurie / The Chronicle

1. The growth rate of previous years was simply unsustainable.

Even as new Bay Area breweries and taprooms have opened in the last year  Holy Craft in S.F.; Ghost Town in Oakland; Camino in San Jose; and Ghostwood in Redwood City  a few signs of trouble emerged. Almanac closed its Mission District taproom; Black Sands sold to Fort Point.

Yes, were seeing the rate of new brewery openings begin to slow down, and were seeing the number of breweries going out of business start to go up, says California Craft Brewers Association Executive Director Tom McCormick, who estimates there were 10 to 12 brewery closures in California last year. But we think its a natural, normal, healthy maturing of the industry.

The low-hanging fruit has disappeared, says Brewers Association chief economist Bart Watson. When supermarkets all started adding craft beer sections a few years ago, for example, that spurred huge growth in the category. Now, there arent many new channels like that left to open. Coupled with demographic shifts, price increases and the growth of wine and spirits sales, double-digit sales growth every year just seems like too much to ask.

For Woods Beer Co. owner Jim Woods, who operates five taprooms in the Bay Area, the national statistics more or less align with what hes seeing for his business. In 2018, his taproom sales were up 6 percent year over year. I think thats pretty good, he says. In past years our growth has been 10 to 15 percent, but we cant expect to see 10 to 15 percent every year for mature locations. His original Cerveceria location has been open since 2012.

The 5 percent growth rate may sound small, but as Watson points out, that still translates to 1 million more barrels of beer.

Gabrielle Lurie / The Chronicle

2. Smaller is better.

The smaller the brewery, the healthier its business is right now, generally speaking. Watson found that in 2018, only 60 percent of regional craft brewers reported year-over-year revenue growth, as opposed to 76 percent of micro craft brewers.

The decisive factor? Craft growth is driven by at-the-brewery sales, says Watson. All the challenges that are affecting breweries in broader distribution  consolidation, greater competition between brands  dont really affect you if youre a microbrewery who sells most of your beer out of your brew pub, he says.

Whereas just five years ago, the goal for many new craft brewers was to scale up fast, the newer breweries now are recalibrating their long-term goals, McCormick says. To see a brewery less than 5 years old that has its sights set on statewide distribution  thats almost unheard of now.

Our taproom is getting busier every month, says Lester Koga, co-founder of 2-year-old Barebottle Brewing Co. in Bernal Heights. The brewery has been hitting its fire marshal capacity of 200 on some weekend afternoons, forcing it to turn customers away. Our biggest struggle right now is making enough beer to meet demand.

Barebottle is young and growing fast, but it doesnt want to grow forever. We have no aspirations to be a national brewery, says Koga. Because he and his partners do not want to work with a distributor, they confine themselves to Northern California  a radius that their own employees can cover in a delivery shift.

Woods Beer Co. is uncommonly weighted toward the taproom model, putting almost no beer into distribution  the equivalent of 10 percent of revenue. In part, Jim Woods sees this as a protection against the changing tides of the larger industry. Weve created a different sort of following that will help us in times when beer goes softer, he says. Its more neighborhood-oriented.

3. For consumers, the brewery is more important than the beer.

Call it the flavor-of-the-week model: Bay Area breweries like Fieldwork and Cellarmaker are constantly releasing new beer recipes, and consumers have come to expect novelty. This is a major paradigm shift. It used to be, Im a Sierra Nevada Pale Ale guy or Im a Blind Pig guy, says Koga. Now, its like, I like Alvarado Street, and I want whatever IPA they have right now.

Its a lot of work to come up with three or four new beer recipes every week, as Barebottle does, but Koga says its a crucial part of their business model. The modern-day craft beer drinker is an experientialist, a grazer, wanting to try whats new, new, new.

But if part of the flavor-of-the-week approach is built on limited-edition, allocated beer releases, Woods is wary. Some brewery owners tell me that if they dont have a New England-style IPA on tap on a Friday night, their sales take a 15 percent hit, he says. When youre really intertwined with the whims of the craft beer movement, youre really sensitive to its fluctuations.

Hed rather earn loyal customers at his taprooms because of consistent beer quality and great service  the way other small businesses, like bars, always have.

Food Guide Top 25 Restaurants Where to eat in the Bay Area. Find spots near you, create a dining wishlist, and more.

Lea Suzuki / The Chronicle 2015

4. The future of beer  might not be beer.

Vote: The Chronicle Beer Hall of Fame Which five Northern California beers deserve a place in The Chronicle's Beer Hall of Fame? Your vote will help our judges select the inductees for the first class, to be announced in early February. Your vote matters! Exercise democracy and share your picks: projects.sfchronicle.com/2019/norcal-beer-poll/ The Ultimate NorCal Brewery Map Go online to explore our interactive map, which features more than 300 breweries in Northern California. It's regularly updated with all your favorites, plus more recommendations and a long list of beer excursions: projects.sfchronicle.com/2017/brewery-map/ See More Collapse

The nontraditional beer drink  flavored sugar beverages, the alcohol seltzers, teas, kombuchas  those are all doing well, says McCormick. Just look at Boston Beer Co., the parent company of Sam Adams: According to 2018 Brewers Association findings, beer accounted for barely more than 50 percent of Boston Beer Co.s sales, with products like Angry Orchard cider, Truly hard seltzer and Twisted Tea looking poised to eclipse its beers.

Is that trend linked to the growing interest in wellness, or does it simply reflect the modern drinkers demand for novelty? Youre going to see more breweries diversifying, says Woods, whether that means installing more elaborate food menus, running more events or actually producing new kinds of beverages  like wine.

Woods and business partner Matt Coelho have been serving natural wines at their taprooms for a couple of years now, and last year their wine sales jumped 60 percent. Theyre now making some wine of their own, set to debut during Beer Week. Similarly, S.F. brewery and distillery Seven Stills now shares a tasting room with boozy agua fresca line Hard Frescos.

If craft beer continues to slow and there are all these breweries whose business models assume a double-digit growth rate, Woods says, theyre going to have to get creative.

5. Craft beers fate is not necessarily tethered to Big Beer.

When you have a flat category overall, its hard to see a lot of growth, says McCormick. Yet craft has managed to grow every year, albeit slowly, in the face of falling beer sales overall. The foundations of so many craft brewery businesses today  the all-important taproom, the hyper-local focus, the flavor-of-the-week beers  have almost nothing in common with the model of a large, internationally distributed brewery.

But beyond the numbers, other complicated problems persist. Will craft beer still look cool to younger generations, who will have grown up watching their parents drink Lagunitas? Is our contemporary wellness culture breeding a new population of teetotalers? Has the world of craft beer, historically very white and very male, done enough to make itself inclusive to women and people of color? In time, will cannabis threaten to bite into beers market share?

Its an uncertain future, but its not doomsday, McCormick says.

Yes, the market is tough. The passion is also still there. For breweries small and large, if you intend to survive, he has one piece of advice: You really need to be on your game and be making good beer.
Sen. Kamala Harris got some early positive feedback for her fledgling presidential campaign with readers of the progressive DailyKos blog.

The California Democrat topped the sites new straw poll for 2020 candidates, released Wednesday. Harris 27 percent of the vote nearly doubled her total from a Jan. 8 survey.

Harris was followed by Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, former Vice President Joe Biden, Vermont independent Sen. Bernie Sanders and former Texas Rep. Beto ORourke. Only Warren has announced that shes running  so far.

DailyKos founder Markos Moulitsas has not endorsed a candidate yet, but says Democrats should nominate an all-female ticket, at least one of whom should be a woman of color.

I think the nominee should be someone who represents the partys base, Moulitsas said in an interview.

The Democratic Party is, as its leaders like to say, a big tent, and respondents to the DailyKos poll are largely in the progressive corner of it. Outside that tent, Harris is still isnt widely known.

A Morning Consult poll released Wednesday showed that 37 percent of the respondents had never heard of her and that another 19 percent had heard of her, but hadnt formed an opinion yet.

While some people questioned the timing of Harris launch announcement Monday  on a federal holiday honoring the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.  it seems to be paying off for her. The campaign pulled in $1.5 million in donations from roughly 38,000 donors within 24 hours of Harris announcement on ABCs Good Morning America. Thats roughly the same as Sanders raised in a one-day haul early in his 2016 presidential run. Warren, New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, former Obama administration official Julian Castro and Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard have not released how much they raised after the announcements of their exploratory committees this month.

Using the digital yardstick, there were far more Google searches of Harris than other Democrats who recently announced White House exploratory committees, including Warren, Gillibrand and Castro, according to the Washington Post.

Joe Garofoli is The San Francisco Chronicles senior political writer. Email: jgarofoli@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @joegarofoli
Gov. Gavin Newsom is proposing a big change for Californias troubled juvenile prisons. He wants to shift control of the youth prisons from the states Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to its Health and Human Services Agency. He also wants to reduce costs in the youth prison system, which is both decaying and expensive.

Newsoms attention to the states juvenile justice division certainly is welcome. The state has a rare opportunity to create successful reforms for this system right now. It must take advantage of it.

Californias juvenile prison system already has undergone tremendous transformation. Over the past 15 years, lawsuits, legislative efforts and widespread drops in crime have reduced a population of 10,000 juveniles to fewer than 700. The state now runs just four youth facilities, including a firefighting camp.

But the facilities that remain are decaying, plagued by violence, and have been unsuccessful in their mission to rehabilitate young offenders. About 3 out of every 4 young offenders are arrested again within three years of their release, and more than half are convicted of new crimes.

The youth prisons also are expensive. The annual cost per offender is around $300,000.

But simply putting a different agency in charge of the youth prisons isnt likely to solve any of these problems.

It wont change the culture or the reality of daily life in those institutions, said Daniel Macallair, executive director of the Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice in San Francisco.

Real reform will require the state to rethink the state youth prison system.

Virtually every county in California has surplus space in its county juvenile hall facility right now, Macallair said. Theres no need to keep a dysfunctional state system thats no longer working.

With such a small population in the state system, its wholly possible for the state to send the youths home to their county detention facilities for incarceration and treatment.

The state would need to give counties more funding for services and support  offenders in the states youth prison system tend to have more serious charges and mental health needs than those in the county systems. But the potential cost savings from shutting down the state facilities still would be substantial.

Shutting down the state facilities would be a big reform, and many counties wouldnt like it. Its success would also be contingent on the states willingness to help counties build evidence-based treatment options for juvenile offenders, and to provide effective oversight of their practices.

But the research suggests large-scale incarceration facilities are particularly ineffective for rehabilitating juvenile offenders.

California would be better off to keep them in smaller facilities, closer to home, and improve counties offerings of evidence-based treatment programs.

Newsom is on the right track. But to make the change real, hell need to consider wholesale reform.

This commentary is from The Chronicles editorial board. We invite you to express your views in a letter to the editor. Please submit your letter via our online form: SFChronicle.com/letters.
Simonds called the new map sensible, compact, contiguous and an overall improvement for the city of Newport News. She said she was pleased it removed many of the split precincts that caused voter confusion in the past, especially the Lee Hall precinct, where voters may have been placed in the wrong districts in 2017.
SACRAMENTO  The state sued the Orange County city of Huntington Beach on Friday to force it to plan for more affordable housing, part of a campaign by Gov. Gavin Newsom to boost construction in California as residents grapple with soaring housing costs.

Newsom said Huntington Beach has refused to meet a state mandate to provide new housing for low-income people. He promised that cities that do not do their part will be held to account.

The time for empty promises has come to an end, state Attorney General Xavier Becerra wrote in the complaint, which was filed in Orange County Superior Court. California is seeking an order that would compel Huntington Beach to set aside additional sites for low-income housing.

The lawsuit was the first to be filed under a 2017 law, AB72, that authorized state housing officials to report cities and counties to the attorney general for legal action if they do not adequately plan for housing construction.

The action sends a stark message to communities like Huntington Beach that have not followed a state requirement to adopt a blueprint every five to eight years demonstrating how they will plan for regional housing needs for people across all income levels.

More than four dozen California localities do not have state approval for their housing blueprints, according to the California Department of Housing and Community Development. They range from rural Lake County to wealthy beach communities like Encinitas in San Diego County. None is in the Bay Area.

Huntington Beach, a city of about 200,000, must build 533 low-income housing units by the end of 2021 to meet its state quota.

But it faces a shortfall of more than 400 units after the City Council, under intense opposition from residents, scaled back zoning approval for high-density development in 2015.

Huntington Beach City Attorney Michael Gates, in a statement, disputed the accuracy of the states legal argument. He said the city has been working with California officials to meet regional housing needs and that the lawsuit would cut off those discussions.

It is noteworthy that Sacramento is suing only the city of Huntington Beach, while over 50 other cities in California have not yet met their targets, Gates said. That raises questions about the motivation for this lawsuit filed only against Huntington Beach.

The legal fight advances an aggressive housing agenda that Newsom has set in the first weeks of his administration. On the campaign trail last year, he talked about building 3.5 million housing units by 2025 to meet projected population growth, a figure put forward by the building industry that would require California to quintuple its current rate of construction.

In his budget proposal this month, Newsom called for setting aside $1 billion to expand state loan and tax credit programs for housing development and another $500 million to encourage cities and counties to hit their production goals. He also suggested tying those targets to transportation funding, threatening to block grants for roads and public transit to local governments that do not meet housing goals.

Newsom, in a statement, called the shortage of affordable housing in California an existential threat to our states future that demands an urgent and comprehensive response.

But some cities are refusing to do their part to address this crisis and willfully stand in violation of California law. Those cities will be held to account, he said.

Newsom authorized a lawsuit against Huntington Beach because the city scrapped plans that would have allowed it to meet its affordable housing target.

In March 2016, Huntington Beach leaders rejected a proposal that would have brought the city in line with its target. Since then, the city has taken no action to bring the housing element into compliance, the state Department of Housing and Community Development said in November.

Huntington Beachs median family income in 2017 was $88,000, about $20,000 higher than the statewide figure, census data show. Just under 9 percent of its residents were living below the poverty level.

The resistance in Huntington Beach was an impetus for AB72, said Anya Lawler, a policy advocate for the Western Center on Law & Poverty. Her organization was one of the sponsors of the law.

Marina Wiant, vice president of government affairs for the California Housing Consortium, another sponsor of AB72, said the lawsuit could mark a turning point after years of lackluster enforcement of regional housing goals and send a signal to other egregious offenders.

The state may file more such lawsuits in the coming months. A spokesman for the governor said to stay tuned.

Alexei Koseff is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: alexei.koseff@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @akoseff
An animal rights group has sued UC Davis and the University of California to try and force the campus to release video footage and photographs of monkey experiments the group says must be made public under state law.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals says that papers published by researchers at UC Davis Primate Research Center suggest that they separated infant monkeys from their mothers, isolated them in cages, and subjected them to stressful situations  including forcing them to watch videos of aggressive monkeys.

Our tax dollars are being used to terrorize infant monkeys, and UC Davis is trying to keep it secret, Kathy Guillermo, PETAs senior vice president, said in a statement. The university is obligated under the law to release this video footage, and theyre fighting it because they apparently dont want the public to see these monkeys misery.

PETA says it began requesting five years of video footage, photos and indexes of such visual records in late 2017, citing its right under the California Public Records Act to view the material.

UC Davis provided 17 minutes of footage, including 10 minutes showing a monkey alone in a steel cage looking for a way out. But the campus cited a researchers privilege in declaring thats all it had to supply.

Heather Urzua, an analyst in the office of the campus counsel, emailed PETA on Dec. 21 and said the privilege is based on a strong Constitutional interest in the right of scholars to conduct research without interference. Urzua also cited the Public Records Act itself, which lets public agencies withhold materials when doing so clearly outweighs the public interest served by disclosure.

That could be tough to prove, said David Snyder, executive director of the First Amendment Coalition, a nonprofit advocacy group in San Rafael.

The Public Records Act operates under the presumption that records are open to the public, so the burden is on the university to show that withholding the records outweighs the publics right to see the videos.

Snyder said the universitys core argument  that their researchers need to be shielded from public scrutiny to do their work  is not a ridiculous argument. But, he said, its not clear whether that statement would stand up in court.

Its an interesting dispute, he said.

In its suit filed Thursday in Yolo County Superior Court, PETA argues that public interest in the videos, photos and documentation is significant, and that they are critical to understanding the nature of UC Davis primate experimentation program.

The California National Primate Research Center at UC Davis  one of seven similar centers around the country supported by the National Institutes of Health  keeps about 4,500 monkeys, mostly rhesus macaques, according to the site, which adds that researchers rely on nonhuman primate models to look into potential cures, treatments, and preventive measures in studying human disease.

The visual records sought by PETA are connected to four researchers whose work is not in the area of disease prevention, but on sociability and behavior  the science underlying how animals relate to each other, said UC Davis spokesman Andy Fell.

Fell said all the animal research on campus is subject to review by an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, the Primate Centers internal review committee and a federal review on animal use.

In its suit, PETA cites nine of 24 instances since 2013 that UC Davis violated the federal Animal Welfare Act and was cited by the U.S. Department of Agricultures Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service  most recently for dropping a guinea pig 5 feet last year. The creature hit the floor and died soon afterward.

Among the other alleged violations were staff negligence resulting in the death of a rabbit; isolating two newborn monkeys for four months; and failing to provide adequate veterinary care, resulting in damage to a monkeys kidney and internal bleeding. The campus was fined $5,000.

Nanette Asimov is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: nasimov@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @NanetteAsimov
Nearly 250 people were treated at two Southern California emergency rooms for electronic scooter-related injuries in the first year after the vehicles were unleashed, according to a report published Friday morning  numbers that probably mirror the scene in San Francisco and other Bay Area cities.

Though most of the injuries werent serious  a lot of broken bones and minor head injuries  a few required surgery and extended hospital stays. Five patients had bleeding in the skull, which can be very serious and even deadly, and three had severe internal injuries. One person suffered a compound fracture  thats where the break is bad enough that the bone splits through the skin.

And only 10 of the 249 people who were injured were reported to be wearing a helmet at the time.

We show that there are some serious injuries happening, said Dr. Joann Elmore, a professor at UCLA School of Medicine and senior author of the report. My take-home message is I encourage riders to be careful  to follow local traffic laws and to wear helmets.

The study out of UCLA, published in the journal JAMA Network Open, is the first to document in detail the number and types of injuries associated with e-scooters, the sidewalk-rented vehicles that hit the streets of Santa Monica  the first city to get them  in September 2017. There are now more than 20,000 scooters in the greater Los Angeles area.

Scooters have arrived in the Bay Area in fits and starts since March  and so have the injuries. At San Francisco General Hospital, emergency room doctors began treating cuts, bruises and sprains, plus broken arms and concussions and the occasional very serious injury.

Dr. Christopher Colwell, chief of emergency medicine at San Francisco General, said he welcomes the details in the Los Angeles report, which looked at emergency room visits at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center and UCLA Medical Center-Santa Monica from Sept. 1, 2017, to Aug. 31, 2018.

Colwell said his team is pulling together statistics from the San Francisco General emergency room that he hopes to share this year. Anecdotally, he said hes seen many of the same injuries reported out of Los Angeles. A few particularly bad ones stand out, including compound breaks, head injuries that required the patient be put on a ventilator and more than one case of people falling face-first and suffering such bad cuts that they needed a plastic surgeon.

As experts begin to qualify and quantify the injuries associated with e-scooters, the next step is to build safety plans for preventing accidents  or at least minimizing the fallout, Colwell said.

The No. 1 goal is to make some public health messages that help drive safety home, Colwell said. For him, the most important message is that riders should always wear helmets.

A spokesman for Lime, one of the best-known providers of scooters, said the company already has started efforts to improve safety features on its fleet and promote helmet use among riders, including distributing 250,000 helmets worldwide. The company also has invested $3 million in a campaign to educate users about safe and responsible riding.

Lime is based in San Francisco but is not permitted to rent its vehicles in the city.

Bird, a Santa Monica scooter company, said that while the injuries reported were important to make note of, the study doesnt necessarily demonstrate that scooters are any more or less dangerous than other transportation options such as bicycles.

The number of injuries reported would amount to a fraction of 1 percent of the total number of e-scooter rides, said Paul Steely White, director of safety policy and advocacy with Bird. The report fails to put e-scooter injuries into context as they relate to the high number and severity of injuries and deaths caused by motorcycles and automobiles.

Riders and doctors alike said the details out of Los Angeles underscore a clear need for better safety protocols for the scooters  but what that looks like isnt yet clear. Helmet use is one obvious place to focus, but last year, legislation passed in California that did away with a helmet requirement for scooter users.

Getting helmets on riders heads may be a complicated task. No one knows what type of helmet would work best, for starters. And then: Are riders supposed to carry helmets around with them all the time? Will anyone want to use a shared helmet?

We encourage everybody to use helmets. If youre on a scooter, throw a helmet on your head, thats a great idea, said Ginger Jui, executive director of Bike East Bay. But Jui doesnt want people to stop using scooters or other alternative transportation just because they cant, or dont want to, use a helmet. Instead, cities should focus on creating safe spaces for users of scooters and bicycles.

Getting run over by a car, theres a lot going on there that just a helmet isnt going to solve, Jui said. Putting helmets on everybodys heads is not going to fix all the problems that we have.

In the UCLA report, of 249 total injuries reported, 40 percent were head injuries and nearly a third were broken bones. All but 15 patients were released from the emergency room without a hospital stay, but two of those 15 ended up in the intensive care unit.

Twenty-one of the injuries were suffered by people who werent actually riding a scooter. Eleven of them were hit by a scooter, five tripped over one, and another five were injured while lifting or moving a scooter.

Elmore said shes a fan of the scooters  she rides them around UCLA to get to meetings across campus  and she doesnt want to discourage people from using them.

But clearly riders need to start taking safety more seriously, she said.

Just yesterday I saw two people riding one scooter. You see little kids riding scooters. A friend of mine sent me a photo of a woman with a baby in a Babybjorn on a scooter, Elmore said. And the woman did not have a helmet.

Neither, Elmore added, did the baby.

Erin Allday is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: eallday@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @erinallday
The wife of San Quentin State Prisons second-in-command was selected for a coveted position in the prisons health care department after two qualification requirements were dropped from the job post, according to internal documents and sources familiar with the matter.

Kim Broomfield, the wife of Chief Deputy Warden Ronald Broomfield, recently took on the role of interim training officer in the psychiatric inpatient program at the prison in Marin County, said three prison employees, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they feared retaliation.

But this week, after The Chronicle began asking questions about her hiring, Kim Broomfield was taken off the job, which is under California Correctional Health Care Services, the prison systems health care unit.

State prison officials are now investigating why the positions qualifications were modified, said Vicky Waters, a spokeswoman for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. She would not answer specific questions about Kim Broomfields selection.

Correctional Health Care Services does not have information on why the conditions of the out-of-class candidate pool changed at the prison, but we are looking into it, Waters said.

Kim Broomfield and San Quentins warden, Ron Davis, hung up on a Chronicle reporter seeking comment about the episode. Ronald Broomfield did not return telephone messages.

Kim Broomfields selection prompted other prison employees to claim unfair hiring practices at Californias oldest correctional institution, which houses the only death row in the state. She has less experience than some of the other applicants, according to the employees who spoke to The Chronicle.

The state prison system has a written policy against nepotism and fraternization, which states that employees shall not use their personal relationships to aid or hinder others in the employment setting. Personal relationships include blood relatives, cohabitation and marriage.

The position was scheduled to last from Jan. 14 to May 13, the job post stated. Such roles, categorized as out of class, often convert into full-time jobs, sources said. They are available to applicants who have not been certified for that job class, and are offered on a temporary basis.

The job involves coordinating and maintaining training records for employees in the psychiatric inpatient program for Death Row inmates. It pays at least $5,000 per month, according to the job post.

Diane Desmond, chief psychologist and executive director of the program, distributed the job post Jan. 2 in an internal memo. The post invited employees who had at least 24 months of experience at San Quentin, and who met other eligibility requirements, to apply to be a training officer.

But in a Jan. 7 follow-up email, Desmond made two amendments to the job posting. Those interested in the position no longer needed to meet the minimum requirements for a training officer, and applicants could have less than two years of experience working at San Quentin.

Those interested must work at San Quentin, though the length of employment may be less than 24 months, Desmond wrote.

The change meant applicants no longer needed a certification known as T4T, or training for trainers, sources said.

Shortly thereafter, Kim Broomfield took over the training officer position, beating out other applicants who met the initial qualifications, the sources said.

In a Jan. 10 email sent to one applicant, Desmond thanked the candidate for a letter of interest but said that the team has chosen another candidate.

Around that time, Broomfield started scheduling training for others, sources said. Her selection was not publicly announced.

Waters, the state corrections spokeswoman, said human resource officers at Correctional Health Care Services had not approved a hire for the position at San Quentin.

She added, The selection of employees for out-of-class assignments are reviewed considering education and experience in order to select the best candidate.

When asked about Broomfield receiving the role of training officer, Waters said she did not know whether Broomfield had independently been asked to do or perform other duties. She has since returned to her previous position, sources said.

Sources told The Chronicle that several people complained about nepotism after Broomfields selection, feeling her husbands position in the prison gave her a leg up over more qualified applicants. Six letters of interest were submitted for the position, Waters said.

Kim Broomfield started work at San Quentin on Nov. 15 as an office technician under Correctional Health Care Services. The new position included a $1,900 monthly pay bump, from $3,038 to $4,975, according to public job postings.

Public records show Kim Broomfield was once the president of a now-defunct, Fresno-area food delivery company called Precious Thyme. It is not clear what other jobs she has held.

The state prison policy against nepotism and fraternization doesnt prevent spouses from working in the same program, section or unit, but bars them from supervising each other.

The position Kim Broomfield sought is not in the chain of command of her husband, and the person in the position would not have reported to the deputy warden, Waters said.

The side of the prison system that oversees prisoner custody has a hiring authority separate from Correctional Health Care Services. However, sources said, employees between the two departments work closely and in the same facilities.

Megan Cassidy is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: megan.cassidy@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @meganrcassidy
The memory of opening the front doors of her Discovery Bay home to see Richmond police officers on her doorstep is forever etched in Melanie Schwartzs mind. She remembers her legs giving out when the officers told her that her 20-year-old daughter had been fatally shot that night in May 2017 at a Richmond park.

It was like somebody took a spike and hammer to our world and hit it and shattered it, Schwartz said tearfully.

So on Thursday, after Schwartz watched her daughters teen killer plead guilty to murder as a juvenile instead of as an adult, she said, There is no real justice.

The defendant, who was 15 when he killed Alexandrea Allie Sweitzer after she refused to sell him marijuana, will be detained until hes 25 years old  then go free. Hes 17 now. Had he been convicted as an adult, he would have faced the possibility of life in prison.

Contra Costa County prosecutors had planned to prosecute the El Cerrito teen as an adult  and Judge Barbara Hinton agreed last May that the defendants behavior was so heinous he wasnt fit for juvenile court.

But a new law that took effect on Jan. 1 bars prosecutors from treating minors as adults if they committed the crime at 15 or younger. K.C. Donovan, a public defender representing the defendant, filed a motion earlier this month to have him transferred from adult court back to juvenile court under the new law, SB 1391. The motion was approved by a different judge.

Michael Short / Special to The Chronicle

His guilty pleas on Thursday sealed his fate  and ended any chance that his case would go back to adult court.

The young defendant, dressed in a green sweatshirt and wearing black-rimmed glasses, stared at the judge and muttered quietly I admit, as he also pleaded guilty to second-degree robbery, with gang and firearm enhancements, for shooting a man in his home just two days before fatally shooting Sweitzer.

Its painful, Schwartz said outside the Contra Costa County Superior Court in Walnut Creek. She said she fears he will get no rehabilitation and will kill again when hes freed.

The case is one of the first enforcements of a law that is shaking up the states court system as district attorneys attempt to fight its legality, claiming that it goes against Prop. 57, a voter-approved measure in 2016 that gives judges the authority to decide whether certain juveniles should be tried as adults.

Chad Mahalich, the prosecutor on the case, was so infuriated that he attempted to halt any plans for the juvenile to plead Thursday by threatening to walk off the case  a move that went against the directive issued by his boss, District Attorney Diana Becton, and could put his job in jeopardy.

I will not be a scapegoat. ... I will not have my name on something that is ethically and legally unconstitutional, Mahalich said in the courtroom.

Mahalich ultimately abstained from the case when Judge Hinton proceeded with the plea. He recused himself despite instructions from Becton to uphold SB1391 in this particular case and all future cases.

I have my own independent moral and legal responsibilities, and Im not going to jeopardize my integrity for anyone, Mahalich said outside the courthouse. Its not for sale.

Becton declined to comment on Mahalichs stance in the courtroom.

District attorneys throughout the state have come out against the bill questioning its constitutionality. In Riverside and Kern counties, judges ruled that the measure is unconstitutional because it unlawfully repeals Prop. 57.

Last September, more than two-thirds of the states top county prosecutors sent a letter to then-Gov. Jerry Brown asking him to veto the bill. Becton did not sign the letter. Neither did San Francisco District Attorney George Gascon, whose office rarely tries juveniles as adults.

Alameda County District Attorney Nancy OMalley signed the letter asking Brown to veto a separate bill, but not the juvenile bill. Since Prop. 57 passed, three juvenile cases in Alameda County have been transferred to adult court. At least two of those cases were homicides, and in all three cases, none of the suspects was 15 or younger, said Teresa Drenick, a spokeswoman for the district attorney.

Donovan argues that SB 1391 is constitutional because it amends Prop. 57 and furthers its intent to rehabilitate juveniles.

Children are different from adults, a fact that the California voters, legislature, and Governor have all recognized, he said in a statement to The Chronicle.

And criminal justice advocates agree.

There is a lot of research that shows that if you take kids with the same criminal history and send them to the adult system versus kids to the juvenile system, kids who go to the juvenile system are less likely to turn around and commit new crimes when they get out, said Elizabeth Calvin, a senior advocate in the Childrens Rights Division at Human Rights Watch.

Furthermore, the bill attempts to address a history of disproportionate enforcement. Studies show that 1 in 10 white juveniles were transferred to adult court for criminal cases versus 5 in 10 Latino juveniles and 6 in 10 black minors, Calvin added. The defendant in the Contra Costa case is Latino.

On Tuesday, Becton met with Schwartz and other family members as they pleaded with her to allow Mahalich to file a writ to delay a plea. That evening, Becton sent a statement to the family that her office wont move forward with filing a writ, drafted by Mahalich, to fight the constitutionality of the law.

My decision cannot and does not rest on the facts of one case, but on the overall weighing and balancing of factors on all sides of the system, she said. Let me be clear, this decision in no way undermines the rights of victims or their families. The decision certainly does not excuse or condone the actions of those who find themselves charged with a crime.

Bectons move has been applauded by criminal justice advocates who say the law is a step in the right direction. The Contra Costa AFL-CIO Labor Council, the Asian Pacific Environmental Network, the Safe Return Project and Communities for a Better Environment issued a joint statement commending Bectons commitment to ending the flawed and immoral practice of discarding children into our adult prison system.

Sarah Ravani is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: sravani@sfchronicle.com

Twitter: @SarRavani
In the event of a fire, the fire department would not be able to use the fire hydrants, Eskridge said. It would have to use salt water to try to extinguish any flames. With more cold temperatures on the way that could freeze the creek, that might not even be an option.
DNA testing led police to an Arizona man suspected of killing a Fremont resident in 1990, authorities said Thursday.

Law enforcement took 52-year-old Russell Anthony Guerrero of Tempe, Ariz., into custody Tuesday after he was linked to the 1990 killing of 30-year-old Jack Upton, according to the Fremont Police Department.

Authorities discovered Upton dead on Dec. 17, 1990, in his apartment at 38780 Tyson Lane. His car had been stolen from the complexs parking lot and was discovered a week later, on Christmas Eve, 350 miles away in Thousand Oaks (Ventura County), police said.

A DNA test of blood collected from the scene and Uptons car did not produce any suspects at the time, but last year Fremont detectives gave the evidence to Parabon NanoLabs, the agency involved in cracking a 1973 cold case in Palo Alto. Other notable California cold cases solved using DNA technology in the past year include the Golden State Killer and NorCal Rapist cases.

Fremont police regularly review unsolved cases and had received several tips about Uptons death in the past few years, said Jacob Blass, a cold case homicide detective with the department.

We actually designate somebody to go back and re-evaluate cases, he said.

Parabon NanoLabs matched the blood samples from Fremont police with Guerrero, who was not part of the initial investigation into Uptons death, authorities said.

Detectives traveled to Guerreros home in Arizona in early October to set up surveillance and obtain a physical DNA sample to match evidence found at the crime scene, police said.

The Alameda County district attorneys office issued a warrant for Guerreros arrest on Jan. 17 and charged him with one count of murder. Police dont have a motive for why Upton was killed.

Guerrero is awaiting extradition to California.

Gwendolyn Wu is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: gwendolyn.wu@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @gwendolynawu
Every year, throngs of people take Vertigo tours in San Francisco, visiting the sites where Alfred Hitchcock shot his 1958 masterpiece. Many buildings, such as the swanky Brocklebank apartments atop Nob Hill and the building at 900 Lombard St. where James Stewarts character lives, still stand.

But one location, a Victorian mansion whose name in the film is the McKittrick Hotel, has vanished. It did not disappear without a trace, however. Its story  revealed here in full for the first time  is as bizarre and disquieting as Hitchcocks story of obsession and identity.

The scene that takes place in the McKittrick Hotel is very weird  Hitchcock scholar Donald Spoto calls it perhaps the strangest moment in the film. Madeleine Elster, the mysterious woman played by Kim Novak, has just left the Mission Dolores cemetery, where she has communed with the grave of Carlotta Valdes, a 19th century ancestor who supposedly has taken possession of her.

Madeleine drives away, trailed by detective John Scottie Ferguson (Stewart), who has been hired to keep an eye on her. After visiting the Palace of the Legion of Honor, Madeleine drives across town to a slightly run-down, vaguely creepy Victorian bearing a small sign identifying it as the McKittrick. Madeleine walks in. A few moments later, we see her in an upstairs window.

Scottie walks into the foyer and asks who lives in the corner room on the second floor. Miss Valdes, the manager replies.

Scottie says, When she comes down, dont say that Ive been here. But as he turns to go, the manager stops him short by saying, Oh, but she hasnt been here today. She explains that no one could have gone up the stairs without her noticing, then leads him to the empty room.

Looking out the window, Scottie says, Her car is gone. The manager replies, What car?

What happened to Madeleine at the McKittrick Hotel is never explained. Did she somehow slip out? Was the whole incident Scotties hallucination? Or did Hitchcock simply suspend the laws of reality? We dont know.

The episode is an example of what Hitchcock called an icebox talk scene, a narrative conundrum that he slipped into his films to give audiences something to talk about as they rummaged through the refrigerator after the movie.

The master of suspense almost certainly didnt know the strange history and dismal fate of that creepy mansion. If he had, he might have been inspired to make a thriller about it  perhaps titled, The House Vanishes.

Trivia time Previous trivia question: What San Francisco restaurant featured 100 kinds of hamburger? Answer: The Hippo, at Van Ness and Pacific This week's trivia question: What was the original use of the building that now houses the Maritime Museum at Aquatic Park? Editor's note Every corner in San Francisco has an astonishing story to tell. Gary Kamiya's Portals of the Past tells those lost stories, using a specific location to illuminate San Francisco's extraordinary history - from the days when giant mammoths wandered through what is now North Beach to the Gold Rush delirium, the dot-com madness and beyond. His column appears every other Saturday, alternating with Peter Hartlaub's OurSF. Dig deep into Chronicle Vault Like what you're reading? Subscribe to the Chronicle Vault newsletter and get classic archive stories in your inbox twice a week. Read hundreds of historical stories, see thousands of archive photos and sort through 153 years of classic Chronicle front pages at SFChronicle.com/vault. See More Collapse

The buildings story begins in 1879, when an old-timer named John Conly built the 18-room Victorian on the northwest corner of Eddy and Gough streets, in the newly developing Western Addition. Conly, or Old John as he was called, was well known throughout the state. After opening a general store in the Plumas County town of La Porte in the 1860s, he co-founded the Bank of Chico and later served as a state senator for Plumas and Butte counties.

But Conlys sons, John and William, turned out to be neer-do-wells. After Old John died in 1883, they burned through his entire $400,000 estate and left his widow, Emma, penniless. According to an 1894 story in The Chronicle, the sons habitually wrote large checks on their mothers bank account, which she was too proud to decline until she had nothing to her name but her husbands watch.

With no more inheritance to sustain him, John turned to fraud. He was arrested in April 1894 for swindling a Berkeley woman out of $8,500, promising her he would invest it in land. After jumping bail, he was reportedly seen roaming about in the interior.

The house he grew up in did not remain in his family long after his arrest. In December 1895, The Chronicle reported that the principal event in the local real estate market this week was the sale of the old Captain Connolly (sic) mansion to a San Francisco businessman named Henry F. Fortmann.

The 39-year-old Fortmann purchased the building and its lot for $42,500  about $1.5 million today  from the Bank of California, which apparently had repossessed the property from the Conly estate. The price is considered low by the seller, The Chronicle reported. The building is a substantial structure, containing 18 rooms. It will be modernized by its new owner, who will reside in it while waiting for the remainder of the lot to rise in value.

More from the Archive The Vault Home of the San Francisco Chronicle's archive and more than 150 years of journalism covering the Bay Area and beyond.

If the Conly saga was a familiar San Francisco tale of squandered wealth and familial decline, the Fortmann saga was an equally classic immigrant success story.

Fortmanns father was a German named Frederick F. Fortmann, who immigrated with his wife to San Francisco in 1852. That year he started one of San Franciscos first breweries, the Pacific Brewery at Fourth and Tehama streets.

In 1859, the elder Fortmann became a founding member of the German American Shooting Society, one of the many ethnic-solidarity organizations that sprang up in the citys early days. In 1934, to accompany a story on the groups 75th anniversary, The Chronicle ran a photograph taken at the groups very first shoot. It shows six rifle-holding German immigrants and a small child. One of the men is Frederick Fortmann. The child is his 2-year-old son, Henry.

By the time of the 1934 story, Henry Fortmann was the groups oldest member. He had joined with other investors in creating a fruit-canning monopoly, then became president of the Alaska Packers Association, making a fortune in the salmon-canning trade. He held membership in 26 societies and clubs, including the Bohemian, Olympic and Pacific Union clubs.

He and his wife, Julia, raised their two daughters in that 18-room Victorian at Eddy and Gough. Both daughters were married there.

By 1945, however, Henry Fortmann was a widower and the once-swanky neighborhood was in decline. He moved out of the house he had bought a half-century earlier and into the Pacific-Union Club atop Nob Hill, and died the next year at age 89.

By this time, the Victorian mansion had seen many plot twists. Its final chapter would prove to be the strangest of all. That story will appear in the next Portals.

Gary Kamiya is the author of the best-selling book Cool Gray City of Love: 49 Views of San Francisco, awarded the Northern California Book Award in creative nonfiction. All the material in Portals of the Past is original for The San Francisco Chronicle. To read earlier Portals of the Past, go to www.sfchronicle.com/portals. For more features from 150 years of The Chronicles archives, go to www.sfchronicle.com/vault. Email: metro@sfchronicle.com
Fifteen and a half months after one of the most destructive wildfires California has ever seen wreaked historic havoc on Wine Country, Pacific Gas and Electric Co. no longer has to wonder whether the state will blame it for the blaze.

State investigators on Thursday cleared PG&E equipment of starting the Tubbs Fire, which incinerated more than 5,600 buildings and killed about two dozen people after it ignited late Oct. 8, 2017, and raced from Calistoga into Santa Rosa. The fire was caused by a private electrical system adjacent to a residential structure, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire.

The announcement provides a long-awaited measure of clarity for beleaguered PG&E, which was hit with hundreds of legal claims from fire survivors blaming it for causing the massive October 2017 firestorm. Those claims have contributed to an increasingly existential threat for the San Francisco company, especially after fire investigators determined the utilitys equipment caused 17 of the wildfires that burned through Northern California that month.

Investors reacted strongly, sending shares of the utilitys parent company, PG&E Corp., up nearly 75 percent to close at $13.95, its highest level since before the company notified employees on Jan. 14 it would file for bankruptcy near the end of the month. Trading in the companys shares was temporarily halted after the report was released.

But the findings do not fully clear the uncertainty hanging over PG&E, in large part due to the fallout from an even worse conflagration last year.

The Camp Fire, which killed 86 people and destroyed nearly 19,000 buildings after it started in Butte County Nov. 8, far surpassed the Tubbs Fires record as the most destructive wildfire in state history.

While Cal Fire is still investigating the cause of the Camp Fire, PG&E has said some of its equipment malfunctioned in the area just before and after the wildfire started. In the wake of that wildfire, PG&Es stock price plummeted as details of its equipment problems in the area emerged and lawsuits mounted.

Tubbs Fire: Follow the blaze's spread

The Camp Fire aftermath largely fueled PG&Es decision to file for bankruptcy protection next week  but the utilitys liability from the 2017 infernos was a key factor, too.

In explaining its decision to soon seek protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. bankruptcy code, PG&E said its liability from fires in 2017 and 2018 could exceed $30 billion. Its not immediately clear how much Thursdays announcement will affect that figure or the utilitys decision to seek bankruptcy protection.

PG&E said the company still faces extensive litigation, significant potential liabilities and a deteriorating financial situation. The company said its finances were further impaired by recent credit-agency downgrades.

PG&Es statement did not directly address the question of whether it still plans to file for bankruptcy, and a spokeswoman declined to comment further. The company previously said it would file on or about Tuesday.

Resolving the legal liabilities and financial challenges stemming from the 2017 and 2018 wildfires will be enormously complex and will require us to address multiple stakeholder interests, including thousands of wildfire victims and others who have already made claims and likely thousands of others we expect to make claims, PG&E said.

Cal Fires conclusions certainly help PG&E but have likely not pulled the company back from the brink of bankruptcy, said Travis Miller, a utilities analyst for Morningstar Research Services.

The devastation from the Camp Fire was so great that liabilities from it alone could be enough to make it challenging for PG&E to survive in its current financial form, Miller said.

Jeff Cassella, vice president and senior credit officer for Moodys Investors Service, said in a statement that while the announcement could reduce PG&Es total wildfire liability, the company continues to face additional litigation and extensive legal responsibilities for other wildfires.

Moodys, one of the agencies that downgraded PG&E, still expects the company to file for bankruptcy, Cassella said.

At a news conference outside his Capitol office Thursday, Gov. Gavin Newsom said it was not his place to weigh in on whether PG&E should continue to pursue bankruptcy.

Thats a question for PG&E, he said. They will make that determination. The state of California cannot make that determination for them.

But Mike Danko, one of the attorneys suing PG&E over the Tubbs Fire and the Camp Fire, questioned whether the utility now needed to file for bankruptcy.

If it was marginally insolvent before, and there was a question about that ... its certainly clear now that they are solvent, Danko said. So they are grossly, grossly overestimating their potential liability, which is their stated reason for filing for bankruptcy.

Steven Weissman, a former administrative law judge for the California Public Utilities Commission, called the Cal Fire announcement about the Tubbs Fire a remarkable new development that naturally raises the question of why PG&E would rush into bankruptcy.

At the same time, Weissman said, fire victims could still argue in court that PG&Es negligence played a role in the ignition or intensification of the fire.

Its a stunning new event, but it far from ends the controversy about PG&Es liability related to that fire, said Weissman, now an emeritus lecturer at UC Berkeleys Goldman School of Public Policy.

Though PG&E wont face criminal charges because of the Tubbs Fire, the civil case against PG&E centers on the utilitys negligence and can still proceed, according to Frank Pitre, co-lead counsel in the 2017 North Bay fire litigation.

Most importantly, what the (Cal Fire) report never gets to is whether PG&E acted reasonably in not shutting off the power despite high fire danger, Pitre said.

Interactive California Fire Tracker This interactive map provides information on wildfires burning across California and lets you explore coverage of past fire seasons.

The announcement will also probably not derail efforts from a group of lawyers who are exploring a last-minute deal that could prevent a bankruptcy filing, said Patrick McCallum, a lobbyist involved in the talks.

McCallum lost his Santa Rosa home in the Tubbs Fire and leads a group called Up from the Ashes that advocates for fire victims.

I would imagine were going to continue to move forward with the ideas that we have, McCallum said.

The Tubbs Fire had long proven to be a uniquely tricky blaze to sort out, as PG&E insisted since the weeks after the fire erupted that it could have been started by a power line installed and owned by someone else. The utility hasnt made that argument with any other fires from 2017.

The company repeated that line of argument in a court filing three weeks ago, telling a federal judge overseeing its probation from the 2010 San Bruno pipeline explosion that equipment on private property near the origin point outside Calistoga was not its responsibility and suggesting that poor maintenance was to blame.

Blame for the Tubbs Fire would have carried a big price. The California Department of Insurance has said insured losses from a series of 2017 North Bay fires, including Tubbs, were $8.2 billion. The department did not have a separate tally for the Tubbs Fire alone.

More than 700 complaints  involving about 3,600 plaintiffs, by PG&Es own count  have been filed against the utility over the October fires, with many of the suits involving the Tubbs Fire. The attorneys may continue trying to pin blame for the Tubbs Fire on PG&E, regardless of the Cal Fire report.

Danko said Cal Fires conclusions are inadmissible in court  attorneys have to prove the cause of the fire to a jurys satisfaction on their own if the case goes to trial. But the announcement will probably make the case more difficult, he said.

This is telling the Tubbs Fire victims this is going to be a very, very difficult case for them, Danko said.

McCallum said his first thought after hearing of the Cal Fire news was about underinsured Santa Rosa fire victims, particularly in the Coffey Park neighborhood, which was ravaged by the Tubbs Fire. Then he realized they can still try to recover something from PG&E in court and its not over yet.

Tubbs Fire victims like McCallum have been longing for closure about how the disaster started, he said. Because of the lingering questions raised by Cal Fires findings, hes not sure they have that yet.

I dont think theres closure now, McCallum said. I think its added confusion.

San Francisco Chronicle staff writers Alexei Koseff and David R. Baker contributed to this report.

J.D. Morris is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jd.morris@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @thejdmorris
Officials in Juuls hometown of San Francisco are exploring ways to potentially kick the vaping company out of its headquarters at Pier 70.

The president of the San Francisco Port Commission, which operates the historic property that Juul rents, has directed commission staff to urge the mayor and the Board of Supervisors to consider new city policies that would prohibit companies like Juul  and potentially companies in the tobacco, firearms and alcohol business  from occupying city property.

That direction, issued at a commission meeting this month, follows weeks of outcry from Juuls neighbors, residents in the citys Dogpatch and Potrero Hill neighborhoods, who are upset that a company they feel is enabling teen nicotine addiction is being allowed to operate on city property. The city attorneys office is also scrutinizing Juuls operations on port property and requested documents from the company to show it is complying with city regulations on its handling of hazardous materials such as liquid nicotine. Juul has provided the documents and the city is reviewing them.

The port-owned property that houses Juuls corporate headquarters was developed by Orton Development as part of the revitalization of Pier 70; Orton is the master tenant. Juul is subleasing the space from a previous tenant, Tea Living Inc.

Juul signed a lease in 2017 to occupy 60,000 square feet at the property, and over the summer of 2018 expanded by 16,000 square feet  in total, enough space for about 500 employees.

Several commissioners said at the meeting that city staff had not been consulted before Orton allowed Juul to move in. They said the arrangement was an act of bad faith, and that Juul had not been properly vetted.

Orton declined to comment.

The commission does not have the authority to remove Juul because it has not appeared to violate the terms of the lease agreement or broken any city regulations or laws, Port Director Elaine Forbes said.

Juul spokesman Ted Kwong said Thursday that the company is complying with its lease.

Amy Osborne / Special to The Chronicle 2018

Juul long has maintained that its products  vaporizers and pods that include flavors popular among teens  are meant to help adult smokers give up cigarettes. Many adult smokers have attested that Juul indeed has helped them do so. But juul-ing has also gained popularity among middle school and high school students, prompting federal regulators to crack down on selling the pods to minors.

The company recently accepted a $12.8 billion investment from Altria, the parent company of Phillip Morris, igniting criticism that a company thats tried to distance its public image from Big Tobacco is now taking Big Tobaccos money.

Commissioners are evaluating other ways the city could prevent companies whose values are not perceived to align with the public good from occupying public property in the future.

Interactive Vaccine Tracker: Latest developments Detailed information about the coronavirus vaccines as it becomes available.

The suggestion I have is we need to adopt at the city level, if we think these types of enterprises are not to be on city property, we cannot do one-off transactions because everyone has their own opinion about being on one side or the other side of a particular company and their purpose in life, said Commissioner Doreen Woo Ho. I think we have to have broad social policies.

Woo Ho pointed out the city did not oppose plans, since abandoned, for a brewery to operate on city property, even though it makes alcohol, which teens also consume. She suggested looking at the policies of some retirement and pension funds, which have rules on what types of industries they invest in.

Commission President Kimberly Brandon asked Orton if it could shorten Juuls lease or look at anything you can do to maybe get them out because the public, as you can hear, the public does not like them.

A spokeswoman for the port said staff is working with the ports general counsel on responding to the commission but declined to elaborate further.

The U.S. Surgeon General recently warned about the epidemic of youth e-cigarette use and specifically singled out Juul in his warning, said John Cote, a spokesman for City Attorney Dennis Herrera. We are very concerned about having a company like Juul operating in the city. We are looking at a number of possible options to address that.

Catherine Ho is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: cho@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Cat_Ho
Levis Plaza, the headquarters of jeans pioneer Levi Strauss & Co., is up for sale for the first time.

The office and retail complex at 1155 Battery St. near the Embarcadero has been occupied since it opened in 1982 by Levi Strauss, which confirmed the sale efforts.

Owners Gerson Bakar and Associates and its partners are looking to cash out in one of the hottest markets in San Francisco history. With comparable property sales in the past year exceeding $900 per square foot, the roughly 800,000-square-foot complex could be worth more than $700 million. A sale around that price would be one of the largest in city history.

Amber McCasland, a spokeswoman for Levi Strauss, said the company is aware of the sale and it wouldnt have any impact on its existing lease. Levi Strauss lease spans 354,797 square feet and runs through the end of 2022, according to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing.

Lea Suzuki / The Chronicle

The building owners have hired brokerage Eastdil Secured to market the building for sale, according to a real estate broker with knowledge of the property.

Executives at Gerson Bakar and Associates werent immediately available for comment. Company founder Bakar, who died in 2017, was a key figure in the San Francisco Museum of Modern Arts move to its South of Market location and the development of UCSFs cancer hospital in Mission Bay.

Levis Plaza would follow two major sales near the Embarcadero. In December, Blackstone bought the 293,877-square-foot Embarcadero Square office complex for $245 million. In October, Hudson Pacific Properties and Allianz bought control of the Ferry Building for $291 million.

The Levis Plaza site was formerly a wharf  remains of a 19th century ship were discovered during construction  and now includes landscaped plazas, parkland and a fountain and shops. Italian restaurant Il Fornaio closed in October after operating in Levis Plaza for three decades. Other tenants include the software company Vungle, co-working operator Spaces and Sothebys International Realty.

Levi Strauss was founded in San Francisco in 1853 during the Gold Rush and combined copper rivets and denim to create blue jeans in 1873. The company is reportedly considering an initial public offering this year.

Interactive Vaccine Tracker: Latest developments Detailed information about the coronavirus vaccines as it becomes available.

McCasland declined to comment on whether it plans to renew its lease beyond 2022. We enjoy being a part of the fabric of the vibrant Bay Area community, she said.

The company could face a steep rent increase: Its lease calls for $117 million over 10 years, or $33 per square foot annually, according to regulatory filings. Asking rents in prime San Francisco offices now exceed $80 per square foot..

Levi Strauss also has naming rights at Levis Stadium in Santa Clara, home of the 49ers, which recently won a property tax dispute related to the stadium.

Commercial Mortgage Alert first reported that Levis Plaza was for sale.

Roland Li is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: roland.li@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @rolandlisf
Mr. Stephen! Mr. Stephen! Mr. Stephen!

A 15-year-old boy with severe autism rocked in his chair, calling loudly and repeatedly for his teacher, Stephen Torres Esquer, for help listing his favorite things. Hed scratched out a few answers in lettering that looked like a preschoolers, but couldnt think of any more.

Torres Esquer crouched down and told the boy, whose birthday was that day, to think of the theme of his classroom birthday party scheduled for later that afternoon. Oh yes, the boy remembered. He loves garbage trucks. He added them to the list.

Its a garbage-truck-themed party! said Torres Esquer, the party planner.

Torres Esquer is a special education teacher for teenagers with moderate to severe disabilities at Lowell High School, surely one of the toughest jobs in San Francisco. Though City Hall officials have probably never heard of him, teachers like Torres Esquer are at the center of a political squabble over how to spend the citys surprise $185 million windfall.

Should all of it go to homeless services, as the mayor wants? Or should some go to teacher raises? Both are worthy causes, but Torres Esquers day-to-day life in hyper-expensive San Francisco demonstrates why teachers should be at the top of the list.

The money came from an obscure account called the Education Revenue Augmentation Fund  that first word signals teachers deserve a cut. California law requires that public schools receive baseline funding from the state. In the 1990s, the state ordered counties to share that responsibility and put property taxes in the fund to be directed to schools. Augmentation implies extra money, but there was nothing extra about it  the total amount going to schools stayed the same.

Any extra money goes back to the county. For the first time, that happened  soaring property tax revenue gave San Francisco a surprise $415 million. There are required set-asides for buses, libraries, tree maintenance and specific education expenses, such as rainy-day reserves, sports, libraries and arts, but nothing tagged for teacher raises.

After the set-asides, $185 million is left.

Mayor London Breed said in a statement that while she supports better wages for teachers, its imperative the city spend that money on homeless and mental health services and affordable housing.

We have been and will continue to engage with the board members about how to allocate this funding so that we have a plan that works for the people of San Francisco, Breed said.

Breed, who opposed Novembers Prop. C to raise $300 million annually from the citys biggest businesses for homeless services, said that despite her concerns over the measure, the voters have spoken. But they spoke in June too, when they approved a parcel tax to boost the notoriously low salaries of San Franciscos public schoolteachers.

The school district has started doling out those raises, but now both measures, and a third to raise money for child care, are held up in court over whether they required a two-thirds voter approval rate and not just a simple majority. So the raises could be rescinded. The superintendent, some supervisors and PTAs want $60 million of windfall money to cover the raises.

Myong Leigh, the districts deputy superintendent, acknowledged it was a little risky to start paying the raises before the district had its tax money in hand. But considering the annual crunch to fill all of its classrooms because teachers leave for better-paying districts or less-expensive cities, there wasnt much choice.

Everybody had a sense of urgency about improving our compensation for teachers as quickly as we could, Leigh said. We have had a very serious recruitment and retention challenge, and we knew this would make a big difference.

So some of the windfall money should be used to help backfill raises for hardworking teachers like Torres Esquer.

He arrives at Lowell around 7:45 a.m. and stays until anywhere from 5 to 8 p.m. He has a main caseload of 10 students with major intellectual disabilities and works with other special education students throughout the day.

Like the 15-year-old boy with Down syndrome who drops in regularly to sidle up to Torres Esquer and talk about the weather. He loves checking the forecast, so Torres Esquer turned him into Lowells weatherman, recording weekly segments with him in front of a whiteboard decorated with suns and clouds.

Much of Torres Esquers work centers on giving these kids real-world, practical help. He has them memorize their parents phone numbers, takes them grocery shopping and on Muni rides, cooks meals with them, and takes some to city festivals to speak about what its like to live with a disability.

I work all hours of the day and night, but at the end of the day, its worth it for me because I love what I do, he said.

Paul Chinn/The Chronicle

He may love his job, but not his mediocre salary. He has a masters degree in special education, a teaching credential to work with students with moderate to severe disabilities, and a certificate in working with deaf and blind students, all from San Francisco State. He was recently named California Educator of the Year. He also writes childrens books about kids with disabilities.

But despite all this, his quality of life hasnt changed much since he was a student working at Chipotle at Daly Citys Westlake Shopping Center.

I worked there for three years, and my life has not changed very much since then, he said. Except I work harder.

Over the past few years, teacher salaries in San Francisco, which were shameful, have improved. Theres a more generous contract in place, and the parcel tax has put an additional $4,000 to $6,000 in each teachers pocket. Its gotten a little easier to recruit new teachers. But factoring in the citys insane cost of living, the salaries are nothing to brag about and absolutely cannot go back down.

With a bonus for working in a hard-to-fill position, Torres Esquer makes about $68,000. With the new parcel tax money, that has jumped to about $72,000.

He could make $11,000 more in Palo Alto Unified and a whopping $30,000 more in the Mountain View-Los Altos High School District. Or he could go somewhere like Stockton, his hometown, make about $13,000 less, but afford far more because that city is so much cheaper.

James Tensuan / Special to The Chronicle

His San Francisco salary is enough to pay $1,500 for a tiny room, without a closet, in a flat shared with three roommates in the Richmond District. He doesnt have a car. He doesnt travel. He occasionally eats in restaurants, but never anything fancy. He has monthly student loan payments and sends whatever he can to his three nieces in Stockton whose parents are struggling.

I rarely spend any money because I dont have any money to spend, he said.

It might be a fine life for a man in his 20s. But hes 30 now and has no hope of living on his own, much less buying a house. Hes single but could never dream of supporting a family in the city.

The more time I spend in San Francisco, the more I feel like Im wasting money and also wasting opportunity, he said, adding hell probably move back to Stockton in the next year or two. Theres not a lot of hope for a future here for someone like me.

He said Stockton isnt the most exciting city in the world, but it offers a better future.

I could buy a house. I could have a savings account. I could start college funds for my nieces, he said. Theres a lot I could do there that would not be possible here.

Thats one more San Francisco teacher with an eye on getting out of the city. One who just so happens to be a Spanish-speaking man who adores teaching special education students  a unicorn in the public schools.

The city needs to do whatever it can to keep teachers like Torres Esquer. And there just so happens to be $185 million in free money sitting there to help it do that.

San Francisco Chronicle columnist Heather Knight appears Sundays and Tuesdays. Email: hknight@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @hknightsf
The Board of Supervisors appeared set to relax the citys sanctuary law to allow the extradition from Canada of a driver for a ride-hailing service charged with raping an unconscious woman in San Francisco, even as immigration advocates and one supervisor questioned the move.

Its a slippery slope, said Bill Hing, a law professor at the University of San Francisco and longtime social justice advocate. You cant be making exceptions on a case-by-case basis.

Im sympathetic to the victim and the people who want justice, but this is too big of a price to pay, he added.

Angela Chan, an attorney and policy director at the Asian Law Caucus, acknowledged that extraditions are rare but said the case could set a difficult precedent for the city if a similar situation arises.

I do think its problematic if its going to happen in the future, said Chan, who has studied sanctuary policies for more than a decade.

The ordinance was passed by the boards Rules Committee on Wednesday and is set for a vote by the full Board of Supervisors on Tuesday. It would allow the San Francisco district attorneys office to notify the Department of Homeland Security in the event that the suspect, Ben Azaza, posts bail, gets acquitted or is let go if no probable cause is found to continue his prosecution.

Azaza, who is from Tunisia, is accused of raping an unconscious, intoxicated woman he picked up while working as a driver. A no-bail warrant for his arrest was issued in June, and he fled to Canada, where he was later arrested, officials said.

Federal officials refused to allow the extradition unless San Francisco agreed to relax its sanctuary policy for this case if those circumstances are met  a sign to some supervisors that the Trump administration is looking to erode protections for immigrants.

The Department of Homeland Security did not respond to a request for comment Thursday.

Supervisor Shamann Walton opposed the bill, insisting that it is not something the board should even have to consider.

The district attorneys office is trying to use the Board of Supervisors to do its job. This is not a matter for the Board of Supervisors. The D.A.s office is trying to hide behind the city attorney and the board, Walton said.

Asking us to violate our sanctuary policies is incomprehensible, and furthermore, this is the fault of the federal government. They will not allow us to bring the accused into this country, because they have issues with our values. We want to prosecute, and we want to bring him in. The district attorney can take the appropriate action.

At Wednesdays committee meeting, Cristine DeBerry from the district attorneys office said that options for extraditing Azaza without acceding to the federal demands had been exhausted, and that he could not be brought to trial without being physically present.

President Trump has blasted California  and in particular San Francisco  for its sanctuary policies, which protect undocumented immigrants by limiting cooperation with immigration authorities. He threatened to cut federal funds to sanctuary cities and states, a decision the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco deemed unconstitutional last year.

Supervisors Matt Haney, Rafael Mandelman and Ahsha Safai said Thursday they need to learn more about the legislation and its potential implications before they vote. Safai sits on the Rules Committee but was absent from Wednesdays meeting.

We all strongly support the sanctuary law to ensure that people who are arrested here are not subject to coordination with the Department of Homeland Security, Haney said. But this sounds like a very unique situation, and I think well consider it as such.

The rest of the Rules Committee  Board President Norman Yee and Supervisor Catherine Stefani  voted to send the ordinance to the full board with a positive recommendation. Supervisor Aaron Peskin said he supports the bill, but declined to comment on it Thursday.

Stefani, a former prosecutor, said she does not see it as an unraveling of the sanctuary city policy. Weve had to do this carve-out so we could actually get him into the country and have him stand trial for his alleged wrongdoings.

Supervisor Hillary Ronen said it is arguable whether (the legislation) is necessary at all. But even if it is necessary, its not an exception or a weakening of the sanctuary law. I wouldnt be supporting it if it was.

Its about an individual were bringing into the country for the purpose of prosecution, she said. The sanctuary city ordinance is to protect those already in the city, and to make sure were using local resources to protect local residents and that local residents feel safe engaging with the local government, which keeps us safer.

Said Supervisor Gordon Mar: San Francisco is and will continue to be a sanctuary city, and Im committed to protecting that. Im also committed to supporting survivors of sexual assault, and seeing that justice is served. This ordinance maintains the integrity of our sanctuary city status and also narrowly addresses this criminal case to allow for a fair hearing.

Dominic Fracassa and Tatiana Sanchez are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: dfracassa@sfchronicle.com, tatiana.sanchez@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @dominicfracassa, @TatianaYSanchez
Even though President Trump and congressional Democrats reached a deal to reopen the federal government through Feb. 15, San Francisco officials are still looking to provide some relief to workers impacted by the record-long shutdown.

Mayor London Breed is expected to introduce legislation with Supervisor Matt Haney on Tuesday that would authorize city Treasurer Jose Cisneros to create a $20 million fund that an estimated 2,000 federal workers living in San Francisco could tap for zero-interest loans of up to $6,000 each.

When federal workers are forced to go without pay due to a federal shutdown, we can and will step in to help these workers take care of themselves and their families, Breed said in a statement.

The fund is one option the mayor and treasurers office have been working on for several days to help out federal workers, who were at risk of missing a second paycheck Friday. On Monday, Haney called on the mayor and city agencies to consider immediately provide assistance to impacted federal employees.

This is a significant and immediate solution to support impacted workers who are worried about how they can pay the bills, Haney said.

The loans would also be available for about 1,300 San Francisco International Airport workers who live outside the city, but receive a paycheck from the federal government for their work at a city-run operation. That wouldnt apply to airport safety screeners, who work for a private contractor, not the federal government.

The mayor and Haney plan to introduce the legislation at Tuesdays Board of Supervisors meeting.

The proposed legislation calls for the loans to be repaid no later than 60 days after the federal government fully reopens.

I am committed to helping federal workers avoid turning to predatory payday loans, Cisneros said.

Email: cityinsider@sfchronicle.com, dfracassa@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @sfcityinsider, @dominicfracassa
This time, its not PG&E.

Thats the conclusion Cal Fire came to after nearly 16 months of investigation into the cause of the Tubbs Fire, which incinerated parts of Santa Rosa, killing 24 people and destroying thousands of homes.

The culprit? A private electric installation on a Calistoga property.

It was a rare relief for PG&E, which has been blamed for 17 wildfires in 2017 and could face criminal charges if found liable for last year's Camp Fire in Butte County. The firm has not said whether the ruling has affected its plan to file for bankruptcy later in the month.

In Coffey Park, reporter Lizzie Johnson followed up with residents who fled as the Tubbs Fire destroyed their homes. The finding came as a shock: It likely forecloses the possibility of a settlement from the utility to help rebuild homes in the area. Some lawyers are not giving up  arguing that even if the equipment was privately owned, it was almost certainly PG&E power flowing through it.

This decision also marks a new chapter in a story that changed how The Chronicle reports wildfires. We documented the Tubbs Fire and its aftermath closely. Read our complete wildfires coverage here.

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Top of the News

Tracking the flu: This flu season doesnt appear to be as bad as last years  the deadliest season in a decade, but doctors, nurses and public health officials are closely watching several key reports to help them prepare. You can read them, too.

Espinoza case: Fifteen years ago, then-San Francisco district attorney Kamala Harris decided not to pursue the death penalty in the case of a cop killer. While that decision probably wont be a problem in the Democratic presidential primary, it certainly would be on President Trumps attack list if Harris wins the nomination, Joe Garofoli writes.

No longer cold: DNA testing led police to an Arizona man suspected of killing a Fremont resident in 1990, the citys police department says. Detectives had DNA from the original crime scene, but the evidence produced a suspect only after they gave it to the lab involved in cracking a 1973 Palo Alto cold case.

Since 1982: Levis Plaza is up for sale for the first time ever. Will the jeans pioneer keep its headquarters there when the building changes hands?

Serenity now? Nope: The new Matthew McConaughey film is not alright alright alright. Its awful, writes movie critic Mick LaSalle, and its amazingly awful, which means that very few people will want to see it, but some probably will.

Not BFFs: Both the Speaker of the House and the House Minority Speaker are from California. Thats about all they have in common. In fact, Rep. Nancy Pelosi and Rep. Kevin McCarthy have had little direct interaction until this year, Tal Kopan writes.

Juul in the Dogpatch doghouse: San Francisco port officials are considering ways to kick vaping company Juul out of city-owned property after the business moved into the Dogpatch building as a subtenant. Several port commissioners said the arrangement was an act of bad faith.

49ers win something: Santa Clara County will have to refund $36 million dollars to the 49ers after the county assessment appeals board ruled the team paid too much in property taxes on Levis stadium. Most of that money will come from Santa Claras Unified School Districts coffers.

Exception worries: San Franciscos Board of Supervisors appeared set to relax the citys sanctuary law to allow the extradition from Canada of a driver for a ride-hailing service charged with raping an unconscious woman in San Francisco. But immigration advocates are nervous about setting a precedent.

No surprise: For the fourth time in five years, the Warriors will have two All-Star Game starters  Steph Curry and Kevin Durant. Meanwhile, fellow players like Klay Thompson and Draymond Green will have to wait to see if theyll be included as reserves  as the leagues Western conference boasts far more All-Star-caliber players than All-Star slots, Connor Letourneau writes.

The Kicker

Ben Margot / Associated Press

Cups. Straws. Plates. Knives. Cartons. Pizza boxes. Those spill plugs baristas slide into the lid of your takeout latte. As of Jan. 1, 2020, none of it will be disposable in Berkeley.

The city has passed what is likely the strictest regulations on disposable food containers in the country. By next year, all disposable food ware in the city will be required to be compostable. And in July 2020, it expands to all businesses to use durable, reusable plates, cups and utensils for all dine-in meals.

But is this an only-in-Berkeley situation? According to Council Member Sophie Hahn, other cities have already reached out to learn more about the new law.

Bay Briefing is written by Taylor Kate Brown and sent to readers email inboxes on weekday mornings. Sign up for the newsletter here and contact Brown at taylor.brown@sfchronicle.com
Keene, NH (03431)

Today

Sunshine and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High around 85F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Mostly cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low 58F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.
But Monty Diehl, vice president for operations at Omega Proteins, the Reedville based company thats the only one remaining in the 150 year old fishery, said the commissioners are political appointees, and that they are not bound by law to abide by the best science.
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HRTAC executive director Kevin Page said the agency is seeking a low interest, $450 million TIFIA loan to help finance some $1.1 billion worth of work, including widening 21 miles of Interstate 64 on the Peninsula, as well as work on the I-64-I-264 interchange in Norfolk and on the stretch of I-64 between Bowers Hill and Battlefield Boulevard in South Hampton Roads.
At least three dozen women and girls were killed at the hands of serial killer Ted Bundy. Thirty years ago today, he confessed to the murders through tears as he was strapped to the electric chair and executed.

Theodore Robert Bundy, born in 1946, grew up in Tacoma (and possibly still haunts the house he lived in). He later attended and graduated from the University of Washington in 1972.

A year later, he murdered the first victim he admitted to killing, though he may have begun killing years before this. He told investigators he killed his first victim in 1973 after "being influenced by pornography," as told in a HistoryLink.org essay.

After killing 11 victims in Washington, Bundy moved to Colorado and Utah in late 1974.

One of his victims in Utah managed to escape after Bundy had handcuffed her and tried to force her into his car. She alerted the police, who arrested him in August 1975. He had already murdered several other women by then.

RELATED: Basements and Bundy: Seattle's spookiest spots

Bundy was convicted of aggravated kidnapping in Utah and sentenced to 15 years in prison. While behind bars, he was charged with two murders in Colorado and was moved there for trial.

That was a fateful move for Bundy. He managed to escape from jail in Aspen in June 1977. After being recaptured, he escaped again.

Bundy stole several credit cards and assumed a false identity. He made it to Florida, where in January 1978, he strangled two sorority sisters at Florida State University. A few weeks later, he murdered a 12-year-old girl.

He was finally arrested again -- this time for good -- in 1978 by an officer who had stopped him for speeding.

RELATED: Explore Seattle lore and history in episode of this spooky podcast

In Florida, he was convicted of the three murders and sentenced to death. He claimed innocence until his final days. He described more than 20 killings according to HistoryLink.org, often crying as he spoke. Biography.com reports he admitted to 36 killings, but experts believe the final tally could be up to 100 or more.

Police suspect he could have been responsible for unsolved deaths and disappearances dating back to when Bundy was just 15 years old.

On the morning of Jan. 24, 1989, Theodore Robert Bundy was put to death around 7 a.m., according to Biography.com. Outside, crowds cheered.

Producer Natalie Guevara can be contacted at natalie.guevara@seattlepi.com.
Finding a good deal can be a challenge if you're on the hunt for an apartment on a budget. So what does the low-end rent on a rental in Bellingham look like these daysand what might you get for the price?

We took a look at local listings for studios and one-bedroom apartments in Bellingham via rental site Zumper to find out what budget-minded apartment seekers can expect to find.

Take a look at the cheapest listings available right now, below. (Note: prices and availability are subject to change.)

Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions.

3422 Northwest Ave.

Listed at $750/month, this studio, located at 3422 Northwest Ave., is 16.2 percent less than the median rent for a studio in Bellingham, which is currently estimated at around $895/month.

Building amenities include assigned parking and on-site laundry. In the unit, anticipate hardwood flooring, closet space and wooden cabinetry. Pet owners, inquire elsewhere: this spot doesn't allow cats or dogs. Future tenants needn't worry about a leasing fee, but there is a $50 administrative fee.

According to Walk Score, the area around this address is moderately walkable, is convenient for biking and has some transit options.

(See the complete listing here.)

421 E. Maple St.

This studio, situated at 421 E. Maple St. in Sehome, is also listed for $750/month.

Building amenities include on-site laundry and extra storage. The unit features carpeting, heating and wooden cabinetry. Cats and dogs are not welcome. There isn't a leasing fee associated with this rental.

Per Walk Score ratings, the surrounding area has excellent walkability, is bikeable and offers many nearby public transportation options.

(See the complete listing here.)

202 E. Holly St., #209

Then there's this apartment at 202 E. Holly St., #209 in Downtown Business District, listed at $775/month.

In the unit, you're promised floor-to-ceiling windows, central heating and hardwood flooring. Cats are welcome. Building amenities include assigned parking and on-site laundry.

Walk Score indicates that this location has excellent walkability, is convenient for biking and offers many nearby public transportation options.

(See the listing here.)

Maplewood and Cottonwood avenues

Finally, over at Maplewood and Cottonwood avenues, there's this 680-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment, going for $950/month.

In the unit, look for a washer and dryer, ample closet space, a dishwasher and carpeted flooring. Animals are not permitted, but there is off-street parking available. Look out for a $100 administrative fee, $45 application fee.

Walk Score indicates that this location is car-dependent, is convenient for biking and has a few nearby public transportation options.

(View the listing here.)
Want to see a movie, but not sure what's worthwhile? Don't miss this week's lineup of acclaimed movies showing on the big screen in and around Redmond.

Read on for the highest rated films to catch, based on critical scores sourced from review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes. (Movie descriptions courtesy The Movie Database; showtimes via Fandango.)

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

Miles Morales is juggling his life between being a high school student and being a spider-man. When Wilson "Kingpin" Fisk uses a super collider, others from across the Spider-Verse are transported to this dimension.

With a 97 percent critical approval rating and an audience score of 94 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" has proven to be a critical darling since its release on Dec. 14, with a consensus that "'Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse' matches bold storytelling with striking animation for a purely enjoyable adventure with heart, humor, and plenty of superhero action."

It's playing at Regal Bella Bottega Stadium 11 (8890 N.E. 161st Ave.) through Wednesday, Jan. 30. Click here for showtimes and tickets.

The Favourite

In 18th century England, the close relationship between Queen Anne and Sarah Churchill is threatened by the arrival of Sarah's cousin, Abigail Hill, resulting in a bitter rivalry between the two cousins to be the Queen's favourite.

With a critical approval rating of 93 percent and an audience score of 94 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "The Favourite" has garnered plenty of praise since its release on Dec. 14. The site's critical consensus has it that "'The Favourite' sees Yorgos Lanthimos balancing a period setting against rich, timely subtext - and getting roundly stellar performances from his well-chosen stars."

Catch it on the big screen at Regal Bella Bottega Stadium 11 (8890 N.E. 161st Ave.) through Wednesday, Jan. 30. Click here for showtimes and tickets.

Stan & Ollie

With their golden era long behind them, comedy duo Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy embark on a variety hall tour of Britain and Ireland. Despite the pressures of a hectic schedule, and with the support of their wives Lucille and Ida  a formidable double act in their own right  the pair's love of performing, as well as for each other, endures as they secure their place in the hearts of their adoring public

With a 92 percent critical approval rating and an audience score of 88 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "Stan & Ollie" has become a favorite since its release on Dec. 28. According to the site's overview of critic reviews, "'Stan & Ollie' pays tribute to a pair of beloved entertainers with an affectionate look behind the scenes  and a moving look at the burdens and blessings of a creative bond."

It's screening at Regal Bella Bottega Stadium 11 (8890 N.E. 161st Ave.) through Wednesday, Jan. 30. Click here for showtimes and tickets.

The Kid Who Would Be King

A band of kids embark on an epic quest to thwart a medieval menace.

Set to be released on Friday, Jan. 25, "The Kid Who Would Be King" already has a critical approval rating of 88 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. The site's critical consensus has it that "'The Kid Who Would Be King' recalls classic all-ages adventures  and repurposes a timeless legend  for a thoroughly enjoyable new addition to the family movie canon."

Catch it on the big screen at Regal Bella Bottega Stadium 11 (8890 N.E. 161st Ave.) through Wednesday, Jan. 30. Click here for showtimes and tickets.

Aquaman

Arthur Curry learns that he is the heir to the underwater kingdom of Atlantis, and must step forward to lead his people and be a hero to the world.

With a 64 percent critical approval rating and an audience score of 79 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "Aquaman" is well worth a watch. Per the site's overview of critic reviews, "'Aquaman' swims with its entertainingly ludicrous tide, offering up CGI superhero spectacle that delivers energetic action with an emphasis on good old-fashioned fun."

It's playing at Regal Bella Bottega Stadium 11 (8890 N.E. 161st Ave.) through Wednesday, Jan. 30. Click here for showtimes and tickets.
Need date night ideas? Don't miss this week's lineup of acclaimed movies showing on the big screen in and around Tacoma.

Read on for the highest rated films to catch, based on critical scores sourced from review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes. (Movie descriptions courtesy The Movie Database; showtimes via Fandango.)

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

Miles Morales is juggling his life between being a high school student and being a spider-man. When Wilson "Kingpin" Fisk uses a super collider, others from across the Spider-Verse are transported to this dimension.

With a 97 percent critical approval rating and an audience score of 94 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" has been a must-watch since its release on Dec. 14. According to the site's overview of critic reviews, "'Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse' matches bold storytelling with striking animation for a purely enjoyable adventure with heart, humor, and plenty of superhero action."

Get a piece of the action at Century Point Ruston and XD (5057 Main St.) through Thursday, Jan. 31. Click here for showtimes and tickets.

The Favourite

In 18th century England, the close relationship between Queen Anne and Sarah Churchill is threatened by the arrival of Sarah's cousin, Abigail Hill, resulting in a bitter rivalry between the two cousins to be the Queen's favourite.

With a critical approval rating of 93 percent and an audience score of 94 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "The Favourite" has become a favorite since its release on Dec. 14, with a consensus that "'The Favourite' sees Yorgos Lanthimos balancing a period setting against rich, timely subtext - and getting roundly stellar performances from his well-chosen stars."

Get a piece of the action at The Grand Cinema (606 S. Fawcett Ave.) through Thursday, Jan. 31. Click here for showtimes and tickets.

Stan & Ollie

With their golden era long behind them, comedy duo Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy embark on a variety hall tour of Britain and Ireland. Despite the pressures of a hectic schedule, and with the support of their wives Lucille and Ida  a formidable double act in their own right  the pair's love of performing, as well as for each other, endures as they secure their place in the hearts of their adoring public

With a 92 percent critical approval rating and an audience score of 88 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "Stan & Ollie" has garnered plenty of praise since its release on Dec. 28. The site's critical consensus has it that "'Stan & Ollie' pays tribute to a pair of beloved entertainers with an affectionate look behind the scenes  and a moving look at the burdens and blessings of a creative bond."

Get a piece of the action at The Grand Cinema (606 S. Fawcett Ave.) through Thursday, Jan. 31. Click here for showtimes and tickets.

The Kid Who Would Be King

A band of kids embark on an epic quest to thwart a medieval menace.

Set to be released on Friday, Jan. 25, "The Kid Who Would Be King" already has a critical approval rating of 88 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. The site's critical consensus indicates that "'The Kid Who Would Be King' recalls classic all-ages adventures  and repurposes a timeless legend  for a thoroughly enjoyable new addition to the family movie canon."

In the mood for popcorn? It's playing at Century Point Ruston and XD (5057 Main St.) through Thursday, Jan. 31. Click here for showtimes and tickets.

Green Book

Tony Lip, a bouncer in 1962, is hired to drive pianist Don Shirley on a tour through the Deep South in the days when African Americans, forced to find alternate accommodations and services due to segregation laws below the Mason-Dixon Line, relied on a guide called "The Negro Motorist Green Book."

With a critical approval rating of 82 percent and an audience score of 94 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, "Green Book" has racked up generally positive reviews since its release on Nov. 16, with a consensus that "'Green Book' takes audiences on a surprisingly smooth ride through potentially bumpy subject matter, fueled by Peter Farrelly's deft touch and a pair of well-matched leads."

You can catch it at The Grand Cinema (606 S. Fawcett Ave.) and Century Point Ruston and XD (5057 Main St.) through Thursday, Jan. 31. Click here for showtimes and tickets.
What is a serial killer? Even the nation's leading experts don't agree. The most general definition is based on numbers and patterns: Two or more unrelated victims in distinctly separate incidents. The Northwest has a notorious history of these "prototype" killers -- among them are Ted Bundy and the Green River Killer, who are synonymous with the term "serial killer."

Yet other, less infamous killers have claimed scores of lives across the state. Some have been convicted of only one or two murders, but are suspected of many more. Four remain only suspects, pending trial.

Following general definitions provided by the FBI's Behavioral Science Unit, criminal profilers and other experts, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer compiled this list of the state's modern-day serial killers.

It's impossible to know if the list is comprehensive. There's no national database of serial killers. It's also true that some are better than others in hiding their morbid harvest. But it does show that killers often roam our state for years, exploiting holes in a law enforcement system that often fails to protect the missing or bring justice for the dead.

John R. Gasser

Student/state employee,

Seattle/Olympia

A Seattle University student in 1948, Gasser raped and strangled a 22-year-old carhop and dumped her body near the Sand Point Naval Station. Years after his release from prison, he raped and strangled a 49-year-old woman and dumped her body in a ditch outside Olympia in 1982.Status: In prison in Washington.

The Want Ad Killer

Harvy L. Carignan

Gas station manager

Seattle/Minneapolis

Suspected in dozens of sex-slayings spanning four decades and several Western states and provinces, Carignan is thought to have killed at least two women in Washington. He was convicted of two murders in Minnesota. He met some victims by placing newspaper help wanted ads. A map found in his Minnesota home had at least 180 areas circled -- including 18 in Washington -- where some bodies have been found.

Status: In prison in Minnesota.

James Dwight Canady

City water department employee,

Seattle

Abducted, raped and strangled two women, then dumped their bodies near Stevens Pass. Canady later attacked two other women and was being held in King County Jail on rape, assault and kidnapping charges when he confessed to the murders, leading detectives to one body.Status: In prison in Washington.

Warren Forrest

Clark County parks employee,

Vancouver

Suspected of kidnapping, raping and strangling six women near Vancouver. Convicted of killing one and abducting, raping and attempting to kill two others, after serving seven years in a state mental hospital.

Status: In prison in Washington.

Gary G. Grant

Navy enlistee, Renton

Confessed to four sex-slayings, including the murders of two 6-year-old boys and two teenage girls. All victims stabbed, strangled or both, then dumped in wooded areas near a Renton trailer park where he lived with his parents.

Status: In prison in Washington.

Ted Bundy

Law student, Tacoma

One of the most infamous serial killers of modern time, the former Tacoma man and University of Washington law student is thought to have killed at least 36 young women and girls in Washington, Oregon, California, Utah, Colorado and Florida.

Status: Executed in Florida in 1989.

James Elledge

Part-time church janitor, Lynnwood

Attacked at least four women over 33-year span, killing two. Crimes include a 1966 robbery/kidnapping in Albuquerque, N.M.; a 1974 bludgeoning murder in Seattle; and the1998 fatal stabbing of one woman and sexual assault of another in a Lynnwood church.

Status: Executed in Washington in 2001.

James Edward Ruzicka

Stable cleaner, Redmond

Deemed a "sexual psychopath" after attacking two Seattle women, he escaped Western State Hospital, then raped and strangled two teenagers in West Seattle. He hung the body of one victim from a tree and hid the other in a field. He was arrested in Oregon after raping a 13-year-old girl.

Status: In prison in Washington.

The Phantom Sniper:

Gary A. Taylor

Escaped mental patient, Burien

Abducted, shot and buried a Burien housewife. Suspected of killing as many as three women in Michigan, where he spent 15 years in mental hospitals. Texas authorities suspect him of killing at least one woman and sexually assaulting four others, and at one time questioned him about 16 sniper shootings on Texas freeways.

Status: In prison in Washington.

William Batten

Car lot worker, Aberdeen

Committed to state psychiatric hospital as a "sexual psychopath" following child molestations in 1967. Stabbed two teenage hitchhikers to death near Moclips in 1975. He remains a suspect in the 1969 disappearance of a woman he had dated.

Status: In prison in Washington.

Robert Lee Yates Jr.

Aluminum plant worker and Army Reserve helicopter pilot, Spokane

Killed a string of prostitutes in Spokane and Pierce County since 1996. Admitted to 16 murders, convicted of 15. Typically would pick up prostitutes, shoot them and engage in post-mortem sex. Grew up on Whidbey Island and lived in several Washington cities.

Status: On death row in Washington.

The Hillside Strangler:

Kenneth Bianchi

Security-alarm installer, Bellingham

Strangled at least seven women and left their bodies on hillsides in Los Angeles. Also killed two Western Washington University students in Bellingham in 1979. He worked with an adopted "cousin" convicted of nine similar murders in Los Angeles.

Status: In prison in Washington.

Morris Frampton

Sprinkler system installer, Seattle

Beat to death a Seattle prostitute, then dumped her body near the South Park marina. Also convicted of assaulting two other Seattle prostitutes and acquitted of killing another.

Status: In prison in Washington.

Stanley Bernson

Produce salesman, Spokane

Suspected of killing up to 30 Northwest women, Bernson stabbed a 15-year-old girl to death and buried her in a shallow grave in Richland. Authorities in Oregon also charged him for the 1978 murder of a Umatilla teenager, whose body was found in 1985.

Status: In prison in Washington.

Lewiston Valley Killer

Identity unknown

Believed responsible for five murders and disappearances in the Clarkston, Wash.- Lewiston, Idaho, area from 1979-82. Some victims were dismembered and dumped in a river. Two bodies have never been found. Victims include three young women, a girl and a man.

Status: Investigators have a suspect, but have never made an arrest.

The I-5 Killer:

Randy Woodfield

Bartender, Eugene/Portland, Ore.

Suspect in at least 13 homicides, including three in Washington. Best known for robbing, raping andkilling women in communities along Interstate 5 from Bellevue to Redding, Calif. Often wore a false beard and hooded sweat shirt during his attacks.

Status: In prison in Oregon.

Martin Lee Sanders

Long-haul trucker, Spokane

Convicted of raping and killing two teenagers in Spokane in 1983. He also killed two teenage female hitchhikers in Grant County in 1980. Avoided prosecution in those murders by later pleading guilty to the Spokane homicides.

Status: In prison in Washington.

Coin Shop Killer:

Charles Sinclair

Transient, Deming

Suspected in six murders in Washington state, including the killings of an elderly couple whose bodies have not been found. Robbed, raped and killed across several other Western states, including two suspected murders in Montana, two in California and one attempted murder in Utah. Sinclair often preyed on coin shops and their employees.

Status: Died in jail in Alaska.

The .22 Caliber Killer

Identity unknown, Spokane.

The same killer is believed to be responsible for three slayings of women found dumped near the Spokane River in 1990.

All of the victims were known prostitutes shot with the same .22 caliber gun. Investigators once looked at the crimes in relation to a string of prostitute killings in Spokane that Robert Lee Yates Jr. later confessed to. But the Army helicopter pilot was later ruled out as the murderer in these cases, as he was stationed in Germany at the time of the killings.

First known murder 1990.

Status: Unsolved.

(Note: This entry was added after the original publication of this list.)

Dwayne Elton

Army sergeant, Fort Lewis.

Shot and killed one prostitute, strangled and sliced the throat of another. Elton dumped his victims near Madigan Army Hospital in 1984. The Seattle native later pleaded guilty to the killings in military court to avoid a death sentence.

Status: In military prison in Kansas.

William Scott Smith

Unemployed cook, Salem, Ore.

Convicted of two counts of aggravated murder for the sex slayings of two young Salem women in separate attacks in the spring of 1984. Smith was also questioned in the 1983 unsolved murder of a 14-year-old girl in Idaho. Although not officially a suspect in any Washington murders, Green River investigators at one time looked at him in relation to serial killings in this state. Smith also has family ties to Pierce County.

Status: In prison in Oregon.

Billy Ray Ballard Jr.

Truck driver, Plains, Mont.

Confessed to killing a Seattle couple who disappeared while sightseeing in the Columbia River Gorge. Their bodies were recovered at different times, dumped 30 miles apart, in rural Grant County. Ballard's arrest for the abduction, rape and torture of two women in Wyoming months later helped investigators match his fingerprint to one left on the Washington couple's abandoned car.

Status: In prison in Wyoming.

Joe Kondro

Laborer, mill worker, Longview

Admits to raping and strangling two young girls in Southwest Washington -- killings more than 11 years apart. Convicted of two other rapes, he also admits to abducting a teenage store clerk at knifepoint. Suspect in dozens of disappearances, rapes and murders since 1982.

Status: In prison in Washington.

Gary A. Shaw

Unemployed, Tacoma

Convicted of raping and killing two Tacoma women in separate attacks in early 1985. Shaw dumped his victim's bodies in wooded areas of Pierce County.

Status: In prison in Washington.

Daniel Yates

Tattoo artist, Bremerton

Convicted of raping and killing a 13-year-old girl -- one of three hitchhikers he picked up, abducted and tortured. Yates also raped and tried to kill a 12-year-old boy and 13-year-old girl during the same attack. Later charged with killing a 35-year-old housemate in Oklahoma.

Status: In undisclosed out-of-state prison.

Dismemberment Murders

Identity unknown

One killer could be responsible for three murders in which the victims' bodies were dismembered and dumped in remote areas inSnohomish County. One victim was a Bulgarian organized crime figure whose body was found in 1987, but wasn't identified for 10 years. Another was a Korean immigrant from Bothell with a record for prostitution. Her body was found with the remains of a third man, who has never been identified, in 1991.

Status: Unsolved.

John Bill Fletcher Jr.

Convicted in 2001 of two stabbing murders of Yakima-area women in 1987. He was a convicted rapist already serving more than 46 years for a similar 1987 sex attack when he confessed to the slayings.

Status: In prison in Washington.

The Index Killer

Identity unknown

One killer may be responsible for murders of two Seattle women whose bodies were dumped in the Index area in 1988. Both victims, known prostitutes and drug users, were stabbed. Three other women -- two found dead nearby and a 14-year-old runaway last seen with one of the murder victims -- may also be victims.

Status: Unsolved.

Westley Allan Dodd

Shipping clerk, Clark County

Raped, tortured and killed three boysin Vancouver-Portland area. Caught after he tried to abduct a boy from a Camas movie theater. Admitted to molesting about 30 children.

Status: Executed in Washington in 1993.

Scott William Cox

Long-haul trucker, Newberg, Ore.

Stabbed one prostitute and strangled another in Portland. Suspected in more than 20 other murders, including the 1988 homicide of Snohomish County transient Hazel Gelnett and the 1990 murder of Tia Hicks, a Seattle woman whose body was found in Montlake Terrace. Also suspected of raping and trying to kill a Seattle prostitute in May 1991.

Status: In prison in Oregon.

Happy Face Killer:

Keith Jesperson

Long-haul trucker,

Yakima Valley/Portland

Confessed to eight murders in five states. Jesperson typically raped, beat and strangled truck-stop prostitutes and transients, then dumped bodies along wooded roadsides. Sent taunting letters to media and authorities, signed with a "happy face." Caught after killing his girlfriend near Camas.

Status: In prison in Oregon.

Eastside Serial Killer:

George Russell

Unemployed, Mercer Island

Raped and killed three women he met in Eastside bars, leaving their bodies in particular poses. A small-time burglar/con-artist who pretended to be a cop, Russell made his living off women he met, through trickery and theft.

Status: In prison in Washington.

The Box Car Killer:

Robert "Sidetrack" Silveria

Railroad transient

Claimed to have killed 28 drifters while riding box cars in seven states, mostly bludgeoning his victims with rocks and axes. Convicted of four murders -- two in Oregon, one each in Kansas and Florida. Seven other murders also have been directly linked to him, though Silveria was never tried for these crimes. Member of the Freight Train Riders of America, a loose-knit gang of transients, Silveria frequently traveled to Washington from 1988 to 1996. He was questioned about a transient's death in Klickitat County.

Status: In prison in Oregon.

Jack Owen Spillman III

Laborer, East Wenatchee

Raped, murdered and mutilated three females, including a 9-year-old girl, and a mother and her teenage daughter in a separate attack. Also charged with rape and robbery in Kent.

Status: In prison in Washington.

Robert Lee Parker

Unemployed, Shoreline

Separately killed two neighbor women and set fire to their Shoreline apartments in 1995. Also is suspected of shooting and killing a man in a passing car in 1996. (Note: Details of the 1996 incident were incorrectly reported when this list was originally published.) Parker, an Arkansas fugitive who lived with his girlfriend in Shoreline, is suspected of a similar murder-arson that left one woman dead in Georgia in 1995.

Status: In prison in Washington.

The Railroad Killer:

Rafael Resendez Ramirez

Day laborer, transient

Robbed and killed at least eight people who lived near or spent time on railroad tracks around the Midwest and South in the late 1990s. Has not been named as a suspect in any Washington state crimes, but is known to have been in Seattle, the Tri-Cities and Spokane in 1996.

Status: On death row in Texas.

Dewayne Lee Harris

Transient

Killed three prostitutes and transient women in Seattle. Typically would bind his victims' wrists and ankles with their shoelaces, gag them with their under clothes and strangle them, then leave bodies in vacant city lots.

Status: In prison in Washington.

John Eric Armstrong

U.S. Navy, Bremerton/Detroit, Mich.

Claims to have killed two women and a transsexual man in Seattlewhile stationed on the Bremerton-based USS Nimitz from 1993 to 1999, plus eight others worldwide. Convicted of five Detroit-area prostitute murders. Police discount many of his claims.

Status: In prison in Michigan.

Awaiting trial

Brian Keith Lord

Carpenter, Kitsap County

Suspected of the 1986 sex slaying of a Poulsbo teenage girl. At age 14, Lord shot and killed a family friendin California; and abducted his sister-in-law when he was 20. His conviction and death sentence for the Washington murder was overturned, with retrial set for this year.Status: In Kitsap County Jail, awaiting trial.

Green River Killer:

Identity unknown

Forty-nine murders are attributed to the Green River Killer, whose victims were prostitutes and runaways in the Puget Sound area.

Gary A. Ridgway, a South King County truck painter, is accused of killing Cynthia Hines, Opal Mills and Marcia Chapman in 1982 and Carol Christensen in 1983. Although all four deaths have been attributed to the killer, and Ridgway remains a suspect in other deaths, authorities are careful not to call him the Green River Killer.

Status: Ridgway arrested in 2001, awaiting trial. The Green River investigation continues.

Michael J. "Cowboy" Braae

Transient, Lacey

Suspected of killing five women and assaulting others in Washington and Oregon. Braae faces trial in the slaying of Lori Jones, 44, whose body was found July 8, 2001, in her Lacey apartment. He is also charged in Yakima with shooting Marchelle Morgan, 50, of Yelm, also in July 2001. She survived.Braae is a suspect in the death of Velina Larson, 37, whose remains were found in Oregon in January 1998, and the disappearances of Deb VanLuven, 45, of Lacey, in 1997, and Susan Ault, 39, of Roseburg, in 2001.

Status: In prison in Idaho.

Lee Boyd Malvo

Student

John A. Muhammad

Mechanic, Tacoma/Bellingham

Best known in connection with a seemingly random series of sniper shootings in the Washington, D.C.-area last fall, they are suspected of 13 slayings and five attempted killings in five states and the District of Columbia, including the fatal shooting of Keenya Cook in Tacoma in February 2002.

Status: Awaiting trial in Virginia.
Kate Linthicum is a foreign correspondent based in Mexico City. Since joining the Los Angeles Times in 2008, she has covered immigration, local and national politics, and has reported from Asia, Africa and the Middle East. She was a Livingston Awards finalist in 2018, was part of the team that won the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for breaking news and has won two Overseas Press Club awards. She was born in Texas, raised in New Mexico and graduated from Barnard College.
Looking to get out into the community this weekend?

From a single mingle to an international dinner, there's plenty to do when it comes to community and cultural meetups coming up in Seattle. Read on for a rundown.

Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions.

Seattle LGBTQ Single Mingle

This single mingle is meant for gay, bi, lesbian, gueer and non-binary women. The mingle uses a texting algorithm to match you up with your specific age and type preferences. The "speed-dating" atmosphere gives you a chance to meet with a variety of different women, five minutes at a time. Stop by to expand your social circle and maybe even score a few dates.

When: Saturday, January 26, 4-6 p.m.

Where: Saint John's Bar and Eatery, 719 E. Pike St.

Admission: $35

Click here for more details, and to get your tickets

International Dinner 2019

The event celebrates diversity from all over the world. Attendees can expect cultural performances and cuisine from different spots on the globe. A silent auction will be held and participants are encouraged to wear traditional clothing from a location of their choice.

When: Saturday, January 26, 6-9 p.m.

Where: Seattle University, 901 12th Ave.

Admission: $10-25

Click here for more details, and to get your tickets

HER Seattle: EMPOWER

Finally, head to the Timbre Room for a 21-and-over dance party geared toward LGBTQ+, the trans community and allies.

When: Saturday, January 26, 10 p.m. Sunday, January 27, 2 a.m.

Where: The Timbre Room, 1809 Minor Ave.

Admission: $12$15. More ticket options available.

Click here for more details, and to get your tickets
A curious seal kept pace with us for a couple miles down Dungeness Spit. Looking out from cold waters of the Strait of Juan de Fuca at two people basking in a rare sunny, mid-50's windless winter day.

We need to snatch such days, such as the upcoming weekend and the mellow stretch of February that often precedes March storms that fill out the winter snow pack.

As a non-skier, I've often headed with friends to two destinations off U.S. 2 on the way to Stevens Pass. Wallace Falls State Park is a staple, its trail leading to views from the bottom, middle and top of the spectacular cataract that seems to burst out of the mountainside as seen from the highway.

The Heybrook Lookout is reached by a mile-long trail that takes off across the street from the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest sign, just east of Index.

The lookout is a balcony over the Skykomish River valley. Just east is the "Baringwand," the vertical 3,500-foot north wall of 6,200-foot Mount Baring. Just to the north are mounts Merchant and Gun. Across the valley is the basin of Lake Serene against a backdrop of the three summits of Mount Index.

RELATED: Washington loses its last woodland caribou

We have great mountain walls in the Northwest, several seen from Heybrook. Famed climber Fred Beckey made the first ascent of the Baringwand (with Ed Cooper), was first atop the middle peak of Index and, as I recall, did a first traverse of the three summits.

Want to spend a little longer on trail? Check the Washington Trails Association for access to the new Heybrook Ridge trail.

Whidbey Island offers an ancient forest-plus-experience, plus a lot more. The Classic U Forest was saved from loggers by a sit-in in the 1970's, and scouts maintain a trail through the giant Douglas Firs and Western red cedar giants. The 1.5 mile trail begins directly across from the entrance to South Whidbey State Park.

The bluffs of Ebey's Landing offer very different trees, shaped by constant winds from the west. The bluffs offer an awesome view of the Olympics, and look directly out the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Watch the fog roll in and out.

RELATED: A winter pleasure turned necessity -- Plotting the year's outdoor adventures

When done, head into Coupeville to gorge on mussels, or walk out the long dock for exhibits one America's one and only national historical reserve. In the distance, the south face 10,778-foot Mount Baker and the Black Buttes.

The northeast Olympic Peninsula, and the attached Quimper Peninsula, offer much on a mellow winter weekend. Dungeness Spit, the nation's longest sandspit, extends out into the busy Strait of Juan de Fuca. Note the vessel traffic, and what a disastrous place this would be to have a tanker spill.

Or fool around Port Townsend and Fort Warden. The San Juans get all the publicity, but the Port Townsend-Coupeville ferry ride is a gem as well. Take a ride as a passenger, whether you are exploring PT or visiting the Ebey's bluffs across the water.

The ferry across Admiralty Inlet is one place in Washington where you can view three of our five great volcanoes: Mount Baker is the "great white watcher" to the northeast, Glacier Peak is due east with a supporting cast of Cascade Front Range peaks, and Mount Rainier looks far to the south.

MORE FROM CONNELLY: Most Americans think climate change is happening -- National polls

Pushing a little farther?

Head for Lime Kiln Point State Park on San Juan Island, one of the two best whale-watching spots in the islands. (The other is Turn Point on Stuart Island.) Or wander bluffs, enjoy expansive views at the American Camp segment of San Juan National Historical Park.

Or, waiting for days to get longer, head for the ocean strip of Olympic National Park, and the three-mile hike out to Cape Alava. The rain forest is wet, but the Pacific noisy and dramatic. Find a snag that protects you from the winds.

What for this weekend? Well, the Republicans are holding their annual Roanoke Conference out at Ocean Shores.

The Grand Old Party was battered with rain squalls last year, and winds so blustery that ex-Sen. Slade Gorton was nearly blown down on his ocean beach walk.

The climate in Washington, D.C., sure hasn't calmed, but the ocean should offer a sublime refuge from the inside business of politics.
OLYMPIA, Wash. - Gov. Jay Inslee declared a state of emergency Friday in all counties in response to 31 confirmed cases of measles in Washington state.

"Measles is a highly contagious infectious disease that can be fatal in small children," Inslee stated in his proclamation, adding that the outbreak in Clark County is an "extreme public health risk that may quickly spread to other counties."

At least one confirmed case of measles in King County has been tentatively linked to the Clark County cases.

RELATED: Officials: 26 measles cases in western Washington outbreak

Inslee's emergency declaration cites 26 confirmed cases of measles, but five more cases were confirmed Friday, bringing the total to 30 in Clark County and one in King County. In addition, there are nine more suspected cases in Clark County.

Inslee's proclamation directs state agencies and departments to utilize state resources and do everything reasonably possible to assist affected areas. A proclamation is also necessary to request additional medical resources from other states.

The state Department of Health has instituted an infectious disease incident management plan to manage the public health aspects of the incident to include investigations, laboratory testing and other efforts to protect communities.

RELATED: Researchers want to swab your nose to track how the flu infects Seattle

Meanwhile, the state Military Department is coordinating resources to support health officials and local officials in alleviating the impacts to people, property and infrastructure.

Measles is easily spread when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes. Almost everyone who is not immune will get measles if they are exposed to the measles virus. Because measles is contagious before people realize they are sick, people who are not vaccinated may spread the disease without knowing.
Approximately eight years ago, I began a push to make the all-powerful S.C. Budget and Control Board more transparent by streaming its meetings on the internet. (While the streaming of public meetings is routine these days, that wasnt the case in 2010.)

If youre not familiar with the Budget and Control Board, dont worry. Its a safe bet that most folks, including even lots of people within state government, didnt know much about this sprawling state agency. Unique to South Carolina in its scope and structure, the agency with an estimated 1,000 employees had a wide array of functions. They included implementing state budget cuts in times of mid-year revenue shortfalls; overseeing the states pension and health insurance systems; approving (or denying) state entities plans for construction projects and for borrowing money; providing office space and telephone, IT and janitorial services for state agencies; granting easements over state-owned property; and giving the final say over major contracts and the buying or selling of state property.
The district's school board released a statement in support of her as well.

"Dr. Smitherman has tirelessly worked for the best interests of all students in Elwood Community Schools since she was hired. She made an unfortunate mistake, but we understand that it was out of concern for this child's welfare. We know she understands what she did was wrong, but she continues to have our support," the statement said, according to Fox 59.

Cummings, the prosecutor, said that he understood that Smitherman was trying to fix a problem.

"I think she's probably a woman with a big heart that saw a young man in need," he said. "We live in a couple communities in this county that really have some serious poverty. Elwood is one of those communities and there's a lot of students that don't have resources."

But he said he did not doubt that she should have been charged with a crime. He said that the urgent care centers she had taken the teen to wouldn't treat him because she wasn't his guardian, before she tried to pass him off as her son.

"What kind message is that to send to the students you're in charge of?" he said. "The police asked the charges to be filed. There is a violation of the law. Had I ignored that, I'd be criticized by people who'd claim that some people are above the law."
"This is exactly what [Association of Flight Attendants] and other aviation unions have been warning would happen. The aviation system depends on the safety professionals who make it run," said Sara Nelson, the group's president. "They have been doing unbelievably heroic work even as they are betrayed by the government that employs them. They are fatigued, worried and distracted, but they won't risk our safety. So the planes will stay on the ground. This is anything but a sickout - it is only about our safety and the air traffic controllers' absolute commitment to it."
"Last year, nearly 220,000 employers and payers provided withholding records for the 2017 calendar year," said Tax Commissioner Craig M. Burns. "Because of identity theft and refund fraud, we're asking those groups to be extra vigilant this year. If those withholding taxes aren't filed correctly and on time, lots of people could be affected."



The department asks organizations that withheld state income taxes to submit the withholding records electronically unless they've received a waiver.
PAMPLICO, S.C.  The fifth-graders of Magan Lyerly's class of Hannah-Pamplico Elementary School donated more than $500 Thursday to Florence County Sheriff's Office investigator Sarah Miller, one of seven law enforcement officers shot on Oct. 3 while trying to serve a warrant at a home in the Vintage Place subdivision in west Florence.

Miller is a graduate of Hannah-Pamplico schools.

After the Oct. 3 shootings, the class gathered in a community circle to discuss what had happened and what they could do about it, Lyerly said.

"We have a lot of students who have parents who are law enforcement officers, and we were very moved by what happened, and we got into a big circle and started talking about it," Lyerly said. "We wanted to do something for Miss Miller, since she is our hometown hero."

Miller was present Thursday in the classroom to accept the check and to answer students' questions.

"We have been praying, and our thoughts are with you," Lyerly said to Miller. "We wanted to put some legs on those prayers, and we wanted to do something. We're a big 'leader in me' school, and what better way than let these kids take the initiative and be leaders."
Lydia said it is a myth that the only way you can get into farming is to be born into it. But she did say that her father, who was a farmer, wanted to know which one of them was going to get a real job when he heard what they had done.

The children are now grown and all have returned to the farm, along with two of their spouses also working on the farm.

All of their children, Sally, Drake and Corbin, are graduates of Clemson University with degrees in agricultural fields.

Kevin said they had a stipulation that the children couldnt come back and work on the farm unless they had been gone for three years. They all did internships on other family-owned farms.

He said he challenged his children to come back and make the pie bigger.

The family raises primarily Angus cows and is a leader in the beef industry.

Lydia said they have about 1,000 cows.

We sell bulls to other farmers, Kevin said.

Each year they sell about 450 bulls between two on-farm auctions. One is coming up on the third Saturday in February. The other is in late October.
Farming has been a part of my family for many generations, he said.

Today farming is a lot of many different things, he said. Not all farming looks the same, but farmers all work under the same umbrella and must embrace the changes that are happening today.

He said it is a whole new way.

Where is this industry going? he asked.

I dont know, he said. But he believes they have the ticket. They just dont know exactly where they are headed.

As the largest industry in South Carolina, Weathers said, the industry must identify and attract the brightest young people and encourage them to come share their talents with the industry.

One way he is helping make this happen is through the Commissioners School for Agriculture. The one-week experience introduces students to careers available in the agricultural field. It shows them that farming isnt the only career path in agriculture.

The school is a partnership between the South Carolina Department of Agriculture and Clemson University. It is held on the Clemson University campus. The dates for this summer are July 20-26.

He said the experience is academically intensive.
While fighting over females for the right to breed is common among male animals in the wild, these fights rarely result in death. You can't pass on your genes when you're dead, or badly injured. So why do the males in some colonies of the tiny spider mite (Stigmaeopsis miscanthi) display aggressive, and sometimes deadly, behavior against rival males, while the males in other colonies do not, and how did this behavior evolve? Recent research in the journal Ecology and Evolution, led by Professor Yukie Sato of the University of Tsukuba, Japan, shows that if you are a male Stigmaeopsis miscanthi mite, where you live is likely to determine your level of aggression.

These social spider mites infest Chinese silver grass, producing silk to create woven shelters that protect the colony on the underside of leaves. They raise their young collectively, and the males fight to protect their fellow mites when predatory mites invade the shelter. In some places, male mites in the same colony kill each other, dominate the colony, and create a harem. Aggressiveness between males within the same colony is low in colder regions, high in warmer regions, and mild in subtropical regions of Japan. Prof. Sato believes that this can be explained by an evolutionary theory called kin selection theory, in which individuals have evolved to favor those who are genetically related to them. She predicts that mother-son mating occurs in colder regions much more than in warmer regions. Females enter diapause, a type of hibernation, and can overwinter. Males do not enter diapause, but some males overwinter in the warmer regions. Virgin females who overwinter must mate with males to produce daughters. If there are no males, females produce haploid sons from unfertilized eggs. The females then mate with their sons, producing diploid daughters from fertilized eggs, to establish their spring nests. So, in the colder regions, males only encounter other related males. In warmer regions, overwintering females can avoid mother-son matings because some males overwinter, therefore the males encounter both related and unrelated males. In the subtropical regions, the males only encounter unrelated males. The theory predicts that, when related and unrelated males exist together, males are more likely to kill an unrelated stranger than their brother or uncle, therefore, male-killing frequently occurs in the warmer regions.

To test this theory and to work out how these mites evolved their unique behavior, Prof. Sato and her colleagues investigated the aggressiveness and phylogenetics (evolutionary relationships) of different populations of mites distributed along two land bridges between the Japanese archipelago and the eastern Eurasian continent.

Because male aggressive behavior is likely to vary depending on experimental conditions, they took advantage of the fact that males use their first pair of legs in the fights: males with longer first legs usually win. The researchers measured the relative length of the first leg in 42 mite populations and categorized the mites into three distinct forms of aggression: low, high, and mild. As expected, these forms of aggression corresponded to the geographical origins of the mite populations, with the low form inhabiting the colder regions, the mild form in the subtropical regions and the high form in the hotter regions.

So how have the mites evolved this geographic variation in aggressiveness? To answer this question, the researchers developed sophisticated and advanced computer simulations of different hypothetical migration history scenarios. They also considered the historical expansion in the geographical location of the host plant, Chinese silver grass (Miscanthus sinensis), since the evolution of herbivores such as the spider mite is often associated with their host plants. In one scenario, the researchers hypothesized that if the mite shared the same geographical expansion as the grass, the populations with mild aggressiveness in the subtropical region are expected to be the ancestor group, and the two forms with low and high aggressiveness will have emerged during its migration into the north. Their simulations showed that this scenario is indeed the most likely and that the low form was split from the mild form during the last glacial period (20,000-40,000 years ago), and subsequently, the high form was split from the mild form at the end of or after the last glacial period (5,494-10,988 years ago). This suggests that the high form is quite new and emerged in Japan at the end or after the height of the last glacial period (about 21,000 years ago); that is, when a warmer and moister climate returned, and the Japanese archipelago was completely isolated from the Eurasian continent and Taiwan Islands. The results also suggest that the mite invaded Japan more than once, resulting in the present, partially overlapping distribution of low and high forms in eastern Japan.

Thus, it appears that aggressiveness in male spider mites is related to geographical location and the resulting climate: as the temperature rises, so do their tempers.
Trillions of cells -- all different shapes and sizes -- form a human body's structure. Surrounding each cell is a membrane, jointly acting as hostess and security -- welcoming certain information into the cell while making sure its components don't spill out into the body's void. Much is known about how the individual pieces of a cell work, but a significant understanding of how proteins interact with the cell membrane has remained a mystery until now, following a recent study at the University of Missouri.

"When you think about the fundamental components of living systems, proteins are among the most important, right up there with nucleic acids," said Gavin King, an associate professor of physics in the College of Arts and Science at MU, and joint associate professor of biochemistry. "Proteins execute more activity in the cell compared to DNA."

Proteins are the workhorses of a cell. About 30 percent of proteins in any given cell frequently interact with membranes or reside within membranes in order to facilitate and regulate the flow of information and materials in and out of cells. Using high precision atomic force microscopy experiments, King's team measured the force required for proteins to break free from the membrane.

"Imagine you are going fishing, and your fishing rod is a force microscope," King said. "At the end of our fishing rod we attached a lure, or in this case a really short protein. In a very careful and controlled manner, we lower the fishing rod to the vicinity of a membrane. In a way we can't control or directly observe, the lure is frequently bitten by the fish, which in this case is the membrane. When the fish bites, we can pull the lure back and we can ask how much force it takes to pop the lure out of the fish's mouth. What surprised us is that if you do that same experiment repeatedly, you get different results. We were struggling to find a model that could fit this complexity."

To answer this question, Ioan Kosztin, a professor of physics in the College of Arts and Science at MU, partnered with King and developed a theoretical model that shows there is more than one way a protein can break free of the membrane involving several different pathways. They discovered that the protein-membrane interaction can exhibit a "catch-bond" behavior.

"Catch-bond behavior is similar to a Chinese finger trap, where counterintuitively, the harder one pulls on the trap, the stronger the trap pulls back," Kosztin said. "Though similar behavior has been previously described on a cellular level, to our knowledge, this is the first report for protein-membrane interactions."

The researchers hope this discovery will provide a foundation for future studies on signaling pathways in cells and how drugs vary cellular functions.
The ultimate recycle

Chemical engineering prof developing catalysts for waste stream energy conversion

When oil prices are low, its hard for alternative energy to compete, but were still learning new techniques that will be useful in the future.  Andreas Heyden, chemical engineering professor

Most of us look at a pile of mulch and see ground-up tree bark and wood fibers. Andreas Heyden sees a potential energy source. The chemical engineering professors research is focused on developing specialized catalysts capable of breaking down biomass such as mulch and animal waste into renewable fuels.

The question is how do you design and use catalysts that have efficient conversion rates and arent themselves degraded by the complex chemical reactions taking place to unlock the energy in biomass, Heyden says. We used an ASPIRE II grant to start talking with computer scientists about using more machine learning and data science techniques for catalysis applications.

Machine learning accelerates the catalyst design process by helping scientists predict the molecular interaction of various species on a catalysts surface based on a database of prior research. The chemical processes involved in converting biomass to energy are complex, Heyden says, and data science leads to more efficient modeling of next-generation catalysts.

Collaboration with computer scientists has proven fruitful for Heydens team, which has garnered substantial NSF funding through an ongoing research partnership with the University of Puerto Rico. The focus of their energy conversion research has been on waste stream products such as biomass and animal waste, which dont compete with food production like some common energy conversions now in use (e.g., corn to ethanol).

There are companies out there doing some of this, but its all dependent on oil prices, Heyden says. When oil prices are low, its hard for alternative energy to compete, but were still learning new techniques that will be useful in the future.

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Ballston Spa Board of Trustee candidates Liz Kormos and Christine Fitzpatrick, left and right, have announced their intention to run for seats on the board.
Danvers, MA (01923)

Today

Partly to mostly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 88F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy skies early, followed by partial clearing. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low around 65F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.
Chandigarh, January 25: The Punjab Government would never forget the sacrifices made by the brave firemen in the line of duty in the 2 fire incidents that took place at a factory in suffian chowk Ludhiana on 20th November, 2017 and the one which took place at M/s. Malka Textiles on 11-5-2017. It would always stand shoulder to shoulder with their families in their every hour of need.

These views were expressed here today at the Punjab Bhawan by the Local Government Minister, Punjab, Mr. Navjot Singh Sidhu while addressing the mediapersons on the occasion of honouring the surviving firemen of the above mentioned incidents and families of those who made the supreme sacrifice. Listing details, Mr. Sidhu said that today families of 9 firemen, namely Sub Fire Officer Mr. Rajinder Kumar, Sub-Fire Oficer Mr. Samaoun Gill, Sub-Fire Officer Mr. Raj Kumar,

Leading Fireman Mr. Manohar Lal, Fireman Mr. Puran Singh, Fireman Mr. Rajan, Fireman (PESCO) Mr. Manpreet Singh, Fireman (PESCO) Mr. Sukhdev Singh, Fireman Mr. Vishal Kumar who made the supreme sacrifice, were honoured. Besides these, the 4 firemen who survived and sustained injuries namely Sub-Fire Officer Mr. Hajura Singh, Fireman Mr. Naresh Kumar, Fireman Mr. Lovelesh Kumar and Fireman (PESCO) Mr. Saudagar Singh were also honoured.

Punjab Government would never forget the sacrifices made by the brave firemen

Divulging more, Mr. Sidhu said that the families of the martyred firemen have been given financial assistance worth Rs. 10 lakh per person. Disclosing more, the minister said that all the 13 firemen were recommended for the Presidents Fire Service Medal for Gallantry Award to be awarded at the Republic Day and in an unprecedented gesture, the Union Government accorded approval to all the 13 recommendations. He also said that out of total 15 personnel to be given this award, 13 hail from Punjab.

Elaborating about other benefits to the families of the 13 firemen, Mr. Sidhu said that the families would be given Rs. 5000 per month financial assistance apart from exemption from the income tax, 75 percent discount while travelling in Air India, Free AC 3 tier railway passes to 2 persons per family and 5 percent quota to their children in studies.

The minister also added that the fire directorate is being revamped at a cost of Rs. 550 crores with emphasis on the hydraulic machinery and other hi-tech equipments. He also said that recruitments would be made to the 270 posts in the directorate including the 38 persons injured in the train tragedy at Amritsar. Among others present on the occasion included the Director, Local Government Department, Mr. Karnesh Sharma.
Chandigarh, January 25: A large gathering of Punjab Secretariat staff members pledged to cast their votes without fear at a Voters Pledge function marking the Ninth National Voters Day on Friday. The pledge was administered by Principal Secretary Finance Mr. Anirudh Tewari on the Punjab Civil Secretariat-1 campus here. Mr. Tewari also launched a signature campaign for Voters Day.

Joining Mr Tewari, the officials pledged, We, the citizens of India, having abiding faith in democracy, hereby pledge to uphold the democratic traditions of our country and the dignity of free, fair and peaceful elections, and to vote in every election fearlessly and without being influenced by considerations of religion, race, caste, community, language or any inducement.

Earlier, the Chief Electoral Officer of Punjab Dr. S. Karuna Raju explained the significance of voters day and motivated all the officers and employees to take part in the democratic process. He said since 2011, every year National Voters Day is celebrated on January 25, the foundation day of the Election Commission of India, established in 1950. The motive of this initiative is to sensitize and encourage the youth to registered themselves as voters and vigorously take part in the election process.

The Chief Electoral Officer said all voters should exercise their right to vote without any allurement, through Ludo game, he sensitized the officials the ill-effects on the entire democratic system if any voter cast his vote under the influence of liquor or drugs.
Varanasi, Jan 25: Posters urging Priyanka Gandhi to contest the coming general elections from Varanasi-- Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Lok Sabha constituency-- came up in the holy city on Thursday. The local unit of the Congress too demanded that Priyanka, who formally entered politics on Wednesday and was appointed the general secretary for Uttar Pradesh East, be pitted directly against Modi to galvanise voters of UP and neighbouring states.

The posters featuring Priyanka Gandhi in the middle, Congress president Rahul Gandhi on the top and local Congress leader Ajay Rai, who had contested against Modi in 2014, at the bottom, have come up across Varanasi. The lines, "Kashi Ki Janta Kare Pukar, Priyanka Gandhi Ho Sansad Hamar. We want Priyanka", were printed in bold letters in the centre of the posters. Holding the posters and shouting slogans, some youth Congress workers also took out a march in the Lahurbir locality demanding that Priyanka be declared the party's candidate from Varanasi.

Narendra Modi

"The Congress party soldiers (workers) are ready to make her (Priyanka) win the elections from the temple town constituency... If she contests from here, the impact would be felt in the neighbouring states as well," Rai said. "The wave of PM Modi has now faded as people want to get rid of the Modi-Shah misrule who have ruined the lives of scorers of small businessmen and rendered thousands of people jobless due to their faulty policies and chest thumping," he added.

Rai expressed confidence that the Congress would win the 2019 Lok Sabha elections as well as the 2022 assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh. The country witnessed a negative economic growth during the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) rule, Rai said. Criticising the the Union government's Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas event being held in Varanasi from January 21 to 23, the Congress leader questioned why the dates of the event were changed. The event is held to pay respects to father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi, who returned to India from South Africa on January 9. The BJP changed the dates to gain political mileage, he said.
RICHMOND  The Senate passed legislation on Friday that would repeal a current state law that suspends the Virginia drivers license of anyone who doesnt promptly pay court fines or costs unrelated to driving offenses.

The Senate passed SB 1013 sponsored by Sen. Bill Stanley, R-Franklin, on a 36-4 vote. Stanley estimates more than 600,000 people in Virginia have suspended drivers licenses.

What were doing is disproportionately punishing the poor, Stanley said on the floor.

This is the second time Stanley has introduced this bill, which heads to the House of Delegates. Gov. Ralph Northam has signaled support for ending the practice.

The bill would require the DMV to reinstate drivers licenses that had been suspended solely for this reason before July 1, 2019, the expected day of enactment.

What this has created in effect is a debtors prison, Stanley said. Those who cannot pay their fines most certainly lose their license. Then they cannot drive, and then they lose their jobs, then the fine grows, then the debt grows and the despair grows.
Dominion has been under federal orders since 2014 to safely dispose of the pollutant. The company had sought permission leave the coal ash in place and cap it, but now it has agreed to a more lasting solution, said Sen. Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax, whose district includes Possum Point.

The ponds were already leaking, they were unlined, and there was no assurance that [capping] would work forever, Surovell said. If we didnt do anything, Dominion had to spend $1.7 billion [to comply with the federal order]. We required them to spend an extra $1 billion to clean it up in a way that we were sure would not cause any future problems.

Dominion spokesman David Botkins confirmed in an email that the company wanted to fix what he called a legacy issue.

Dominion Energy supports the comprehensive agreement reached by the Governor, legislative leaders, and members of the General Assembly that accomplishes clean closure, minimizes truck traffic, and prudently manages customer costs for the closing of ash ponds at our power stations, he wrote.

Michael Town, executive director of the Virginia League of Conservation Voters, has been battling Dominion for years to improve how it manages what he described as lakes full of toxic coal ash.
Roanoke City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to rename the citys courthouse as the Oliver W. Hill Justice Center, in memory of the revered and influential civil rights attorney who spent much of his childhood in Roanoke.

Hill returned to Roanoke to practice law for a time before moving to Richmond.

In 1954, he represented African-American students in a civil rights lawsuit against Virginias Prince Edward County school system that became part of the landmark Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas, U.S. Supreme Court case that ended school segregation.

Hills legacy is already recognized in Roanoke. His childhood home on Gilmer Avenue in Gainsboro houses the nonprofit Oliver Hill Mentoring Program, and a state historical marker recalling Hills life and career was erected in front of the house in November.

An event to formally recognize the renaming of the courthouse is expected to take place this spring.

The proposal to name the courthouse after Hill came in a July Roanoke Times editorial written by Editorial Page Editor Dwayne Yancey.
On Saturday, the diocese is holding a neighborhood walk billed as an event for truth and reconciliation.

At the Hotel Roanoke, attendees will learn the history of Roanokes urban renewal, which displaced residents of the citys historically black Gainsboro neighborhood. A walking tour revealing more of this history will end at the Dumas Center, where residents who grew up in the neighborhood will share stories of how urban renewal affected them.

Tomorrow were partially looking at some of the pain, Curry said Friday. Some of the pain and the reality of primarily the racial past and racial discontinuities and disparities that are part of the past and to some extent of part of the present.

Learning from that past, and sharing that truth, he said, can lead to reconciliation.

Its important to tell the stories. It just is. Not to pretend. Not to whitewash them. Not to cover them up, Curry said. To tell the stories.

When it comes to remedying social issues, Curry said, he couldnt speak about Roanoke in particular. But one step toward solutions, he said, comes from awareness.

Unstated painful truths have a way of coming back to bite us later, because youre not conscious of them, Curry said.

Pain doesnt have as much power when its exposed, he said. Thats the power of truth.

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Christiansburg Institute Inc. has focused its recent efforts on the repair of the buildings roof, which is estimated to cost anywhere from $150,000 to $290,000 depending on the exact work performed.

The $17,000 donation brings the current roof repair fund to a total of $20,000, Sanchez said.

Among other potential donors, Sanchez is pursuing contributions from the town of Christiansburg, which in the past donated $80,000 to Christiansburg Institute Inc. The town, however, hasnt donated money to the organization during the past few years.

Sanchez said Tuesday that he plans to soon revisit with the town about contributing to the project. He said he also plans to approach the town of Blacksburg.

While the school was in Christiansburg, we had students coming from all across Southwest Virginia, he said. Its letting them know, you share in this history. Its not just Christiansburg.

The 100+ Women Who Cares New River Valley branch is comprised of approximately 120 members. The group, which exists to raise funds for other nonprofits, meets a total a four times a year in sessions limited to just an hour. Each member during those meetings donates $100.
You build to the greatest demand first because those revenues will then offset the costs of building to the more sparse areas, Terry said.

The first project phase includes a large section of eastern Botetourt County, which has more than 1,700 unserved locations and an estimated take rate of 60 percent. Craig-Botetourt Electric Cooperative already has committed to spending $2 million in matching funds to build fiber connections to its customers in the area.

But that is not enough to do all this, so theres got to be public funding added to this, Terry said. The only way were going to get broadband to our rural areas is public funding, because it wasnt profitable, so we have to put public funding into the capital costs. The revenues will cover the operations, but we have to bridge that expense.

Botetourt County is already partnering with the electric cooperative on an application for this years Virginia Telecommunications Infrastructure grant, which would bring broadband to one area within this phase.

The second phase is a smaller area in central and western Botetourt County with more than 1,600 unserved locations. Lumos Network is targeting 300 to 600 of these locations for fiber upgrades this year and will continue to work with the county on scheduling future upgrades.
A Blacksburg museum recently became the first early American building in Southwest Virginia named as a state historic shrine by the Virginia Daughters of the American Revolution.

Historic Smithfield, the 1774 plantation home of Col. William Preston and his wife, Susanna Smith Preston, announced the designation this month.

We are very pleased that we have received [shrine] status and look forward to the positive benefits that will flow from their action, William Bill Foster, chairman of the Smithfield-Preston Foundation board of directors, wrote in an email.

An interview request sent to Foster went unanswered.

Im really thrilled, state DAR Regent Judith Joy Surber said of the listing. The people down there are very willing to work with us on this.

The Virginia DAR shrine program stretches back to at least 1936 but may be older than that. In fact, its such a long-standing project that Surber said its origins have been lost to time. Until this year, four buildings had been placed on the list  all located in eastern and northern Virginia.

Enter Judith Jones, a 20-year member of DAR living in Blacksburg, who has lobbied for nine years to get Smithfield listed as a shrine.
Visitor drowns on popular Playa del Carmen beach

Playa del Carmen, Q.R.  A man who was reported to be a tourist to the city has died after being unable to overcome sea swells while swimming at a public beach in Playa del Carmen.

Reports say that a 75-year-old tourist has died from drowning after being unable to fight the strong waves at Playa Pescadores in the citys center.

The man, who was a Mexican national, was swimming at the popular beach area off Juarez Avenue which was considered calm, however, he was overtaken by the force of the waves and dragged.

Paramedics arrived at Playa Pescadores only to pronounce the senior deceased from drowning.
Tourism secretary says more flights destined for Cancun, Isla Mujeres

Cancun, Q.R.  Tour operators and investors have confirmed their interest in the addition of new flights, mostly into Cancun and Isla Mujeres.

The news comes from the head of the State Secretariat of Tourism, Marisol Vanegas Perez, who announced the operation of new flights from Moscow, Russia and Quebec, Canada during the International Tourism Fair in Madrid, Spain.

Wholesalers, tour operators and investors have confirmed great interest in new investments, in consolidating new flights and in accommodating upcoming openings mainly in Cancun and the continental zone of Isla Mujeres.

This is in addition to the arrival of new flights into Quintana Roo that investors point out, is a highly competitive, strong destination and, in general, a robust tourism sector, said Vanegas Perez.

Photo: la Secretaria Estatal de Turismo

Dario Flota Ocampo, director of the Tourism Promotion Council of Quintana Roo explained that the company ANEXTour, which operates its own aircraft in Cancun, will extend its flights.

The intention of the operators is that over the next winter, the airline will go from having two weekly flights to five and, eventually, seven flights or one daily, he said adding that Canada was one of the fastest growing markets for Quintana Roo last year.

Ocampo says that the Moscow-Cancun route, operated by Azur Air, which has two weekly flights originally planned for the winter season, will be maintained during the summer with a plan to offer a daily flight into Cancun.

He explained that after a meeting with Serhat Kockar, owner of ANEXTour and the director of the airline, Alfonso Nieto Ruiz, they plan to increase the flight to a daily frequency by the end of the year.
Richmond, KY (40475)

Today

Clouds and some sun this morning with more clouds for this afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 88F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Mostly cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low 67F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.
Jeff Orrock, meteorologist in charge at NWS Wakefield, said purchasing the replacement part during the government shutdown means that a higher level in the agency must approve the funding. That could have delayed the order by a day, but authorization came on Tuesday afternoon.

The radar might be back in service on Thursday or Friday, depending on how long the shipping and installation take.

Rain is in the forecast for Wednesday night and Thursday, but fortunately theres no mention of severe thunderstorms or winter weather in the area while the radar is down.

The first signs of a radar problem appeared Sunday. After two days of troubleshooting, technicians said the issue was the pedestal slip ring assembly. It provides an electric link between the spinning, 28-foot-diameter antenna and the gear below the base of the tower.

Unlike the major mechanical breakdown that kept the radar out of service for nearly three weeks last winter, this repair doesnt require additional workers to be brought in.
But did we really see what we think we saw?

Some of us saw a long video of the event. Some of us saw an abbreviated version. Some of us saw just a photo.

Whatever we saw, it likely came with commentary. If so, we were seeing it through the lens of the person who posted the video or photo.

Was the young man smiling or smirking? Was he trying to be friendly or intimidating? Was he confused or confrontational? Embarrassed or emboldened? Was he looking for trouble or trying to avoid it?

What about the Native American? Was he an antagonist or innocent victim?

Your answers might depend not on what your eyes tell you, but what the political voice in your head tells you.

But no matter how you viewed the video, what we dont have is what we absolutely need the most: context.

So you must ask: What came in the moments before the video? What came after?

And when it comes to this video, and photos such as the Aleppo Boy, you must first ask: Did you personally witness the entire event or are you relying solely on someone elses video or account of the event?
MANSFIELD -- The Richland County Commissioners unanimously voted to allow the Richland County Board of Elections to negotiate a contract with Dominion Voting Systems.

Commissioners Tony Vero, Marilyn John and Darrell Banks met with the Richland County Board of Elections Thursday afternoon to discuss purchasing a minimum of 84 new voting booths to be used over the next 10 years. There are 83 precincts in Richland County.

This vote completed step one of the four step process for getting new machines.

The current plan is to purchase 520 touch-screen, tablet-style voting machines that each come with their own transport bag, back-up battery, and eight gigabyte USB flash-drive, John said.

The goal is to have new voting booths purchased by May, in time for the primary.

They spoke for about 30 minutes about two types of voting systems, direct recording electric systems (DRE) from Dominion Voting Systems and a paper/digital hybrid system from Election System and Software systems (ESS).

Throughout the special meeting, all three commissioners shared their preference for the DRE system because it was most similar to the current system and would take less time for users to figure the system out.

Both systems would cost similarly, Vero noted just before the resolution was called.

Because the state of Ohio has given Richland County about $1.1 million dollars for new equipment as a down payment, Vero said, the county will not have to use any funds for the first year to pay for the systems.

Vero said the commissioners have been given an estimated total of $675,651 for the purchase of new booths.

Paulette Hankins, director of the Board of Elections, said she knew of five counties which were leaning toward using the DRE system. She said she did not know any one using or thinking of using the ESS models.
Editor's Note: This is an ongoing series which runs each Thursday morning titled the Richland Chronicles Volume 2, by author Paul Lintern. It is set in the summer of 1831 and tells the story of Richland County through the eyes of young people. This is the second in a three-book trilogy. Volume 1 was Amelia Changes Her Tune.

Do you know what Ginseng plants look like? Isaac asked Wolf Paw a little before dawn the next morning, as they fed the sheep and pigs and changed the bedding for the horses.

Ginseng?

Yeah, do you know what it looks like?

Well, Grandmother says it looks like a May apple plant with horse chestnut leaves, you know, three large leaves and two small ones. I think they get little green and yellow flowers later in the summer.

So that would be yes, you do know what it looks like, Isaac said.

Except I don't think I've ever seen it, Wolf Paw replied.

Why?

Because people pay a lot of money for the roots, Isaac said. A lot more than for squirrel scalps.

Grandmother says its valuable. I'll bet she would sell it with her other herbs. She calls it the Plant of Life.

Then let's go looking for it, soon as we're done here. I heard some old fellows say to look near maple and beech trees, Isaac said.

Grandmother says it grows in the shade, on northern and eastern slopes, Wolf Paw added.

Then we know where to look. Hurry up and finish with the pigs, Isaac said.

Hey, why don't you feed them like you did up in the village park? Turn around and back up, Wolf Paw smiled.

Isaac glared.

Very funny.

The sun was just peeking through the trees to the east when the boys started their new hunting expedition. It had rained during the night and the temperature chilled them, after working hard in the barn where the animals and straw kept it warmer.

They had worked up a sweat and now shivered as they walked the northern side of hills, looking for maples trees. No, nothing here.

Not there, either.

No. Not there.

Nothing. Wait.

Is that? No, guess not, Isaac thought as he walked.

It was for nothing that they walked a big loop from Isaac's home around to the Inn. Even though it was only a few hundred yards on a direct route by the road, the boys walked almost two miles along their paths before they emerged from a row of bushes that hid the path entrance and walked up to an inviting breakfast fire that his mother and aunts were preparing.

Just in time, Aunt Elizabeth said, as they approached. Aunt Peggy's biscuits can draw all sorts of creatures out of the woods in the morning.

The boys were famished after the chores and that extra walk and just nodded as they reached for whatever food they could. Autumn had just finished her chores at the barn and the new girl was there.

Isaac mumbled something nice about her fiddle playing and then, remembering his manners, especially with his mother watching, he introduced her to Wolf Paw.

Amelia acted as though Wolf Paw was from another world and even asked Isaac if Wolf Paw could understand her. Everyone got a kick out of that, but Amelia recovered quickly, asking Wolf Paw if he got his name because of the way he wolfs down food.

Wolf Paw's mouth was too full to respond, but everyone else responded for him with a laugh.

She has you figured out, Wolfie, Isaac's mother said.

Katherine Zeiters was the only one who called him Wolfie, or was allowed to. After breakfast, the boys took Autumn and Amelia for a walk, all the way to their swimming hole at Brubaker Creek.

They toured their special attractions, including some hiding places even Autumn did not know. When they got to their swimming hole, and even though it still was a chilly morning and the rain had cooled down the creek, Isaac and Wolf Paw took off everything but their breeches and jumped in.

Autumn removed her vest and skirt and bloomers, then tied up her muslin shift to make a sort of suit and jumped in.

Amelia, apparently shy about swimming with boys, jumped in with all her clothes on. They sure do things differently in Boston, Isaac thought. It was a long walk home for Amelia, shivering in the still chilly morning and chafing from the wet clothes rubbing on her legs.

Then it was a long day for Isaac, Wolf Paw and Autumn, who were punished for letting Amelia be in that condition. They were sent to the woodpile, to cut and stack a month's worth of cooking wood.

Isaac spoke, That girl won't last a week out here, if she doesn't have enough sense to

She'll learn. She's seen things we only dream of. She has things we only wish for, Autumn said.

She has ways of behaving we can only wonder about, Wolf Paw said, and he grinned at Autumn before she could get mad.

We should give her time; after all, she is a little wet behind the ears, Isaac said.

And everywhere else, too, Wolf Paw said, and even Autumn smiled at that one.

The chopping continued all day, and the three met up with a dried out and warmed up Amelia about suppertime, as they returned to assist the guests. They apologized to Amelia for not doing better at looking out for her.

She apologized for being a silly goose, and for them having to cut wood all day.

They would have found a reason to have us cut it eventually, anyway, Isaac said.

So where is Wolf Paw? Amelia asked.

Went back to his grandmother's camp. He'll help her in the morning then go back to his home in Upper Sandusky, Isaac said. I'm going to meet him in Mansfield about midday and go back with him for a few days.

Do you do that often?

A few times a year.

What is his home like? Amelia asked.

Not much different than the Inn, except smaller, and no second floor. It's made of logs and has a fireplace, two windows and a door, Isaac said. Just Grandmother and him.

I thought all the Indians lived in cloth huts, she said.

Tepees? No, at least not around here. There are lots of different kinds of houses there, Isaac said. Just like here.
Editor's Note: This is an ongoing series which runs each Thursday morning titled the Richland Chronicles Volume 5, by author Paul Lintern. It is set in the 1860s and tells the story of Richland County through the eyes of young people. This is the fifth in a series. Volume I was Amelia Changes Her Tune. Volume II was Isaac and Wolf Paw Find Their Home. Volume III was Autumn Keeps Her Secret. Volume IV was Mr. Gamble Starts a School.

The next day at school, Jacob told three friends about the stranger.

"How do you know he was a spy?" Billy asked.

"I just know," Jacob said.

"He looked, well, sinister, sneaky."

"But who is he?" Simon asked.

"Never saw him before. Shifty, dangerous."

"Would you recognize him if you saw him again?" Buck asked.

"Sure would, never forget that face, I think," Jacob said.

Did I really get a good look at him?

"I don't know. I think we should tell somebody. Sheri Weaver or Marshall Gilkinson. Or even your father," Simon said.

"I tried to say something to my father last night, at the camp, but I didn't know how to bring it up. I didn't want him thinking I was sneaking around, looking for it."

"But that's exactly what you were doing," Simon replied.

"Yes, but I didn't want to say it that way."

"Then what do we do?" Buck asked.

"The more eyes the better. We should spread the word about the stranger but only to those we completely trust. We have to keep it quiet."

"Keep what quiet?"

Jacob knew that voice; he had shared a crib with it.

"Cassie, hi. Nothing, we were just talking, just boy stu."

"A stranger? A spy? You won't tell Papa?"

"How long have you been listening?"

"Obviously longer than you were aware. Look, Jacob, boys, if you think something is amiss, tell someone who can do something about it."

"I guess, Cassie, but we don't even know who this spy is."

"Then count me in; I'll help."

The boys gave Jacob a shrug of agreement and Cassie nodded her head.

"Okay," she said. "Now, here is what we do."

"Wait, I thought you were going to help. Not take over," Jacob said.

Cassie paused.

"Fair enough," she said. "What do you suggest?"

"Well," Jacob replied. "I was thinking you might have an idea."

Cassie paused again.

"Sure, let me suggest that we let you tell us everything you can about what he looked like, where he was and how he acted, then we divide the town up into areas that each of us, in pairs, can patrol, looking for the man.

"If we see him, we follow him just enough to nd something out that we can take to Mr. Gilkinson or Sheri Weaver."

"I was leaning that way, too," Jacob said.

Huzzah, I am glad she is on our side!

"Let me get a few friends together who can help, and you do the same. We will meet right after school, right here by the agpole," Cassie said.

"Sound good?"

Jacob smiled, "That's a plan."

As soon as school let out, no fewer than 20 classmates gathered around the agpole, all 10-year-old deputy spy marshals. Cassie and Jacob had them pair up and gave each a few blocks to patrol throughout the town.

Cassie had already drawn maps of each area and Jacob went over the description of the man -- his eyes, his coat, his shoes. That was about all he remembered.

"If you see him, keep your distance, but notice as much as you can about him and watch where he is and where he is going.

"Then come to the back of the courthouse and tell me. That's where I will be," Jacob said.

"After your piano lesson," Cassie said. "Today's Wednesday."

Jacob winced.

Why does it have to be Wednesday?

"Okay, I won't be there for at least an hour, but no later than an hour!"

The group split up. Each pair headed in one direction or another, with a slip of Cassie's handwritten paper in their hands.

Jacob and Cassie headed o together, toward Miss Cole's.

"What if we nd him and he tries to run?" Cassie asked.

"I guess he'll know he's been discovered and maybe he will leave," Jacob said. "But what if he is dangerous and takes one of us, or one of our friends?"

"That's why we are in pairs, so one can go get help, and maybe he will stop before he does something like that."

"How will we know if he actually is a spy?"

"I think that is something the sheri or marshall will gure out; we will just lead them to him."

"How do you know he's a spy?"

"I saw him. That's all I can say. I saw him."

They walked to the square then down to Fourth Street, so preoccupied that they almost forgot to look around for the spy, which is exactly what they had intended to be doing.

Both seemed a little embarrassed that they had forgotten the whole point of their mission.

"Why don't you run up for the lesson, and I will come along after I talk with Mr. Costin," Jacob suggested.

"Maybe he'll have some ideas," Cassie said.

"Don't keep Miss Cole waiting."

Up the stairs she went. Jacob watched her go then turned to walk in the store. He froze in the doorway.

Mr. Costin was talking with the stranger!
The longest ever government shutdown in U.S. history is over -- at least temporarily -- after 35 days.



Both the House of Representatives and the Senate on January 25 quickly and unanimously voted in favor of legislation that will fund shuttered government agencies until February 15.



President Donald Trump later signed the legislation, although it includes no new funding for his southern border barrier.



Standing alone in the Rose Garden earlier, Trump still made the case for a border wall and maintained he might again shut down the government over it.



Yet, as negotiations restart, Trump enters them from a weakened position. Recent polls found Trump bore the blame for the shutdown.



"If we don't get a fair deal from Congress, the government will either shut down on February 15, again, or I will use the powers afforded to me under the laws and constitution of the United States to address this emergency," Trump said.



House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer vowed at a news conference to never again allow American workers to be held hostage due to a budget dispute.



Pelosi said she was optimistic that the government would not shut down again at the end of the three weeks and said she looked forward to bipartisan cooperation.



Some 800,000 federal workers have either been idled or are working without pay as a result of the shutdown.



Democrats say Trump shut the government in a "temper tantrum" by refusing to sign bipartisan funding legislation last year that did not include the $5 billion he has demanded for his wall.



Trump says the wall is needed to slow the flow of illegal immigrants and drugs that enter the United States from Mexico.



Democrats and other critics doubt or deny the country even needs such a barrier, accusing Trump of twisting facts and figures to overstate the scope of any problem along the countrys southern border.



The shutdown has caused disruptions in government-related activities.



Earlier on January 25, airports in several key hubs in the Eastern United States reported major delays because a shortage of air-traffic controllers, many of whom have called in sick after being required to work without pay.

With reporting by Reuters and AP
Roger Stone, a longtime ally of U.S. President Donald Trump, has been arrested by the FBI and charged with seven criminal counts connected to Special Counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation.



Stone was taken into custody by FBI agents in a predawn operation on January 25 at his home in the south Florida city of Fort Lauderdale.



CNN showed footage of an agent pounding on the door of Stones residence and shouting: "FBI. Open the door."



Stone, who served as an informal adviser to the Trump presidential campaign, was charged with one count of obstruction of an official proceeding, five counts of making false statements, and one count of witness tampering, according to Mueller's office.

After a court appearance in Florida, Stone was released on $250,000 bond and later declared his innocence in remarks to reporters outside the courthouse.



He insisted he had been "falsely accused" of lying to the House of Representatives Intelligence Committee and asserted that any incorrect statements were not intentional.



He vowed continued support for Trump, adding that "I have made it clear that I will not testify against the president, because I would have to bear false witness against him."

The arrest came a day after Stone was indicted by a grand jury on the seven counts, according to documents filed by Muellers office.



The indictment, which had been expected, does not accuse Stone of coordinating with the Russian government's election interference in 2016, the key matter under investigation in the Mueller probe.



But it details Stone's discussions about stolen Democratic Party e-mails posted by WikiLeaks in the weeks before Trump beat Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton.



The indictment alleges that top members of the Trump campaign were in contact with Stone and sought information on when damaging e-mails related to Clinton would be made public. It did not disclose the names of the "senior" campaign officials.



Mueller's office has said those e-mails, belonging to Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta, were hacked by Russian intelligence officers.



Trump denied any collusion or coordination by himself or his campaign team with Russians during the campaign after U.S. intelligence officials concluded that Moscow interfered in the election to benefit Trump and hurt Clinton's chances.



In a Twitter statement following Stones arrest, Trump wrote: Greatest Witch Hunt in the History of our Country! NO COLLUSION! Border Coyotes, Drug Dealers and Human Traffickers are treated better. Who alerted CNN to be there [at Stones arrest]?

White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders on January 25 said accusations that Trump did anything improper were "ridiculous and insulting.



"This [Stone's arrest] has nothing to do with the president and certainly nothing to do with the White House," she told CNN.



[T]o accuse the president of the United States of asking someone to break the law. That is, frankly, it's just insulting. It's just not true," she added in a Twitter video posting.

Stone is among some 35 people to have faced criminal charges that stem from Muellers investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.



One of the most prominent, Paul Manafort, a former Trump campaign chairman, was convicted in federal court in Virginia in August of bank fraud and tax evasion connected to his work in Ukraine. He later pleaded guilty in a separate case to two counts of conspiracy to avoid a second trial in Washington, D.C.



At least 12 Russian intelligence officers have been indicated for their roles in hacking into the Democratic Party and leaking stolen e-mails and other information during the 2016 campaign.



They were identified as members of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Russian General Staff and are not in custody. Known as the GRU, the directorate is one of Russias primary intelligence agencies.



In a case not directly related to the Russia probe, longtime Trump lawyer Michael Cohen pleaded guilty to making hush-money payments -- allegedly at Trump's direction -- to women who claimed to have affairs with Trump to ensure their silence during his 2016 White House bid.

Based on reporting by Reuters, AP, and AFP
Russian authorities have arrested three men on suspicion of beating a 97-year-old World War II veteran to death while robbing the home where she lived alone.



Assailants entered the woman's home through a window, covered her with a blanket, beat her in the head, stole 20,000 rubles ($300), and fled the scene, the regional Investigative Committee branch in the southern Stavropol Krai said on January 25.

She died in the hospital two days after the January 10 attack in the village of Kursavka, it said.



The three suspects had installed a new window at the woman's home in the spring of 2018 and also stole money from her at that time, the statement said.



State-run news agency RIA-Novosti cited officials as saying that 120,000 rubles had been stolen in the robbery in the spring, and that the 20,000 stolen on January 10 was money she had been saving to pay for her funeral.



The Investigative Committee did not release the name of the victim or the identities of the suspects, who face up to 15 years in prison if tried and convicted.

With reporting by Snob and RIA-Novosti
Editor's Note: To receive Steve Gutterman's Week In Russia each week via e-mail, subscribe by clicking here.

Belarusian escort Nastya Rybka walks free -- for now, at least -- while Russia and Japan make no visible progress toward a World War II peace treaty and a political crisis in Venezuela pits Moscow against Washington in the Western Hemisphere. President Vladimir Putin's ratings take another hit and a Siberian ombudsman says schoolchildren are fainting from hunger.



Here are some of the key developments in Russia over the past week and some of the takeaways going forward.



Nastya Rybka



Some press conferences are more equal than others.

That seems to be the case in Moscow, at least, where you never quite know whats going to happen when you go to one. Over the years, press conferences have been interrupted by egg-throwing thugs, dragged down by interminable questions that are more of an observation, really -- and sometimes simply called off for no apparent reason.



Thats not quite what happened with a press conference that Belarusian escort Anastasia Vashukevich, aka Nastya Rybka, and self-styled sex guru Aleksandr Kirillov were supposed to hold on January 23, a day after their unexpected release from police custody following their detention upon arrival from Thailand, where they had been jailed for months on prostitution-related charges.



Instead, they just didnt show up. That left a lawyer -- who seemed schooled in the kind of elusive, entirely unsatisfactory response that Russian officials often deal out -- to face the media.



He said nothing of interest, but Vashukevich surfaced a few hours later, apologizing in a scratchy voice and explaining that she was sick and needed a few days to recover.



She did not say much of substance either, though -- promising to tell all once she gets better, but not specifying whether that includes details about one of the claims that has featured in lead paragraphs of stories about her since she burst to prominence almost a year ago: that she has tapes that could include evidence of Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.



Anyway, though, its far from clear that her appearance at the event would have shed light on another key question: Why was she detained in Russia, and why was she freed?



Little is clear -- and media reports say she remains under suspicion, leaving open the possibility she could be back behind bars in the future.



The Tycoon And The Ex-Kremlin Aide



The answers may lie in the intricate but sometimes brutal rivalries within the Russian security services and the elite, the relationships in President Putins circle, and what the Kremlin wants the country to know about -- or more precisely, what it wants to keep secret.



Vashukevich, 28, became prominent when Kremlin foe Aleksei Navalny published an expose based largely on photos and video she had posted on social media that showed her on billionaire Oleg Deripaskas yacht with the Kremlin-connected tycoon and Sergei Prikhodko, a deputy prime minister at the time and a longtime former foreign-policy aide to Putin.



After Vashukevich was detained roughly by plainclothes men at Sheremetyevo International Airport on January 17 -- apparently on suspicion of luring others in prostitution, a crime punishable by up to three years in prison -- several commentators said she should be pronounced a political prisoner.

The argument was essentially that the Kremlin and its allies were sending a clear message to the usually younger lovers, mistresses, and others in a position to learn compromising information about those in the top echelons of the elite, whether related to crime, corruption, politics, or personal matters: Shut up or else.

Gone Fishin



That interpretation was bolstered by Navalnys evidence-based claim that Deripaska engineered her arrest. It was undermined by the release of Vashukevich, but not entirely: The point had already been made, perhaps, and freeing Nastya Rybka while leaving charges in place could let the Kremlin evade allegations of political persecution while keeping her under its thumb.



Plus, putting her in pretrial detention might have risked making Deripaska seem too strong. In a move that might have been related to both the brouhaha over Vashukevich and the U.S. sanctions imposed on the aluminum magnate, Deripaska wrote on Instagram on January 21 that instead of the glitzy World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, he went to Lake Baikal.



To fish, he added -- words widely seen as a wry reference to Vashukevich, whose Rybka alias means little fish.



If a no-show press conference can be described in Orwellian terms, the recent diplomatic dance between Russia and Japan over a handful of windswept islands might be more suited to the U.S. comedian Eddie Murphy.



In particular, theres a routine in which Murphy acts like a child who has bought an ice cream cone and seems at least as happy that nobody else can have it as that he can.



'Ive Got Some Ice Cream



Holding the invisible cone out to an imaginary kid who was unable to buy ice cream, he offers a lick but then pulls it back and says gleefully: Psych!



Something like that unfolded over the past several months, with Russia seeming to dangle the prospect of a deal under which it would cede two of the Kurile Islands to Japan -- only to pull back after Tokyo leaned in for a lick.



Painstaking work remains before Russia and Japan can finally sign a World War II peace treaty and resolve the territorial dispute, Putin said after Kremlin talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on January 21.

OK, we get it.



Of course, it takes two to disagree. While it seems unclear whether Russia really is considering handing over Shikotan and a group of islets called Habomai, Abes readiness to abandon Japans claim to the two larger islands -- which Russia has made clear is a condition -- is also in question. 



Tough Sell



Still, some analysts think there's a chance of a deal. Carnegie Moscow Center Director Dmitry Trenin says theres a window of opportunity to get it done, but that convincing the public in both countries is a high hurdle.



Politicians will make decisions and diplomats will seek to work out mutually acceptable solutions, but the key question will be public ratification of agreements, if and when these agreements are reached, Trenin wrote.



In Russia, he warned, The Kremlin will not be able to coerce the people into accepting its point of view. It will have to convince them, if it has valid arguments.



To quote Putin, that sounds like painstaking work -- and the kind of work that, unlike negotiating with foreign governments in private or trolling them in public, Russian authorities don't often do.



Another foreign leader who reportedly did not get what he wanted out of talks with Putin this week was Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has been pursuing a "safe zone" along its border with Syria to provide security and stem the flow of migrants as the United States withdraws troops.



Venezuela



When it comes to the unfolding crisis in Venezuela, it remains to be seen whether Putin will get what he wants.



Russia certainly has a lot to lose: Embattled President Nicolas Maduro and his late predecessor, Hugo Chavez, have given Moscow its biggest foothold on the South American continent.

Russia has poured money into the oil-producing country, whose leaders have been deeply at odds with Washington since Chavez came to power 20 years ago, and sent nuclear-capable bombers halfway around the world just last month in a jab at the United States.



Win or lose, though, Russia is certain to keep using the upheaval as a platform for criticism of Washington and its actions worldwide.



Closer to home, the Kremlin suffered an apparent setback when Facebook removed hundreds of pages and accounts it said were part of two online disinformation campaigns targeting users across much of the former Soviet Union and Europe.



The U.S.-based social network said that one of the operations, with 289 pages and 75 accounts, was linked to Russian state-funded media outlet Sputnik. Posing as independent and targeting users in the Baltics, Central Asia, the Caucasus, and Central and Eastern Europe, the people behind the accounts posted on issues such as anti-NATO sentiment, protest movements, it said.



Poll Problems



In Russia, meanwhile, opinion polls continued to point to potential problems for Putin.



An early-January survey by state-supported pollster VTsIOM put the number of Russians naming Putin as one of the politicians they trust to handle important matters of state at 33.4 percent -- the lowest since at least 2006 and four percentage points below the numbers recorded amid the wave of protests that erupted late in 2011, after he announced plans to return to the Kremlin after a hiatus.



Hunger Pangs



When it comes to indicators of economic performance, there are at least two kinds: hard numbers and anecdotal evidence.



Two of the latter jumped out this week in Russia -- one in the Far East, where a local resident suggests the New Year came in with less of a bang than usual.



Observation from my colleague in Vladivostok: during the 2019 New Year festivities people used noticeably less fireworks than in previous years, Artyom Lukin, a scholar at the Far Eastern Federal University tweeted. Explanation: with stagnant economy, people are feeling the pinch. No money to spare and the mood is not that cheerful.

The other was farther west, in the coal-mining Kemerovo Oblast in Siberia, where the regional ombudsman told lawmakers that a growing number of children have been fainting from hunger at school -- some, he suggested, because straitened family finances mean they go without breakfast and cannot afford to buy lunch.
Russian lawmakers have given tentative approval to bills prohibiting the spread of fake news online and punishing those who insult authorities with jail terms of up to 15 days, in measures the opposition says are aimed at curbing dissent.

The two bills passed their first of three readings in the 450-seat State Duma with 332 and 336 votes respectively, Russian news agencies reported January 24.

One bill proposed introducing fines of up to 5,000 rubles ($76) or a 15-day jail sentence on those disrespecting government agencies, the state, the public, the Russian flag, or constitution.

A second bill proposes imposing fines of up to 5,000 rubles on individuals who spread fake news and up to 1 million rubles ($15,000) on companies that do so. It also envisages blocking Internet sources that publish what is deemed to be fake news.



Moscow has implemented tougher Internet legislation over the past five years, requiring search engines to delete some search results, messaging services to share encryption keys with security services, and social networks to store users' personal data on servers within the country.

"These are crazy bills. How can they prohibit people from criticizing the authorities?" said opposition politician Ilya Yashin, adding that he expected the bills to become law.

The bills can still be amended and must be approved at two further readings in the Duma before they are approved by the upper house and signed into law by President Vladimir Putin.

Based on reporting by Reuters, AP, and TASS
Reuters is reporting that private military contractors working on behalf of Russia are in Venezuela to help embattled socialist President Nicolas Maduro strengthen security amid opposition protests and a competing claim to leadership.

The report on January 25 cites two people close to the contractors. A third source close to the contractors confirmed that they had arrived in Venezuela but did not specify their role, Reuters added.

One source said the contractors flew to Venezuela from third countries where they had been conducting operations.

The news agency reported that the Russian Defense Ministry and Venezuela's Information Ministry did not respond to requests for comment about the contractors.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that we have no such information."

Yevgeny Shabayev, head of the All-Russia Officers Assembly with ties to Russian military contractors, said he had heard the number of Russian contractors in Venezuela could be around 400, although other sources spoke of smaller numbers.

Reuters quoted sources as saying the contractors are associated with the so-called Wagner group of mostly former Russian service personnel who have been involved in clandestine operations in foreign countries.

Private Russian military contractors have been reported in other countries, including Syria, Ukraine, and in African nations.



On January 23, Russia Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova confirmed that military contractors were operating in Sudan after British press reports stated that they were helping to crack down on protesters in that country, which is an ally of Moscow.

According to our information, representatives of Russian private security companies, who have nothing to do with Russian state bodies, are operating in Sudan," she said.

Zakharova denied the British press reports and said the task of the private security firms is limited to training staff for the military and law-enforcement agencies of the Republic of Sudan."

The reports of possible Russia-linked military contractors in Venezuela come as U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he will urge UN Security Council members to recognize Guaido as Venezuelas interim president during a January 26 emergency meeting.

The meeting of the 15-member council was requested by the United States after the U.S. and a number of countries in the region said they recognized Guaido as head of state and urged Maduro to step down.

Guaido, the president of the opposition-led National Assembly, on January 23 declared himself acting president in Caracas, as tens of thousands of people marched across the country against Maduro. Dozens of protesters have been killed in the unrest.

Maduro, who took office in 2013 after the death of Hugo Chavez, has been criticized for alleged human rights abuses and for his handling of Venezuela's economy.

Maduro was sworn in for a second term two weeks ago but has been met by international condemnation.

An estimated 3 million people have fled the country amid shortages of items like medicine and food.

With reporting by Reuters
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will urge UN Security Council members to recognize opposition leader Juan Guaido as Venezuela interim president during a January 26 emergency meeting, the State Department said in a statement issued on January 25.



"Secretary Pompeo will urge members of the Security Council and the international community to uphold international peace and security by recognizing Juan Guaido as the constitutional interim President of Venezuela, and call for support for the transitional government in their quest to restore democracy and the rule of law," the statement said.



The meeting of the 15-member council was requested by the United States after the U.S. and a number of countries in the region said they recognized Guaido as head of state and urged President Nicolas Maduro to step down.



Maduro has been criticized for alleged human rights abuses and for his handling of Venezuela's economy.



The UN request faces opposition from Russia, which has expressed support for its ally Maduro.



If the UN Security Council holds a meeting on Venezuela, Moscow will insist on compliance with international law, Russia's RIA news agency cited Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov as saying on January 25.



When asked on January 24 if the council should meet on Venezuela, Russian UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said: I dont think so, thats their internal business.

Based on reporting by Reuters and AFP
BRUSSELS -- A meeting between NATO and Russian envoys has failed to resolve a dispute over a new Russian cruise missile that the alliance says is a threat to Europe, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on January 25.



Following the talks in Brussels, Stoltenberg said that a major Cold War-era missile pact "is now in jeopardy and unfortunately we have not seen any signs of [a] breakthrough."



The 1987 Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) between the United States and the Soviet Union bans production, testing, and deployment of land-based cruise and ballistic missiles with a range of 500-5,500 kilometers.



The INF has been the backbone of Europe's security system, curbing the risk of nuclear attack.



But Washington and NATO now accuse Russia of breaching the treaty by developing the 9M729 cruise missile, also known as the SSC-8.



Moscow has denied that it is violating the INF treaty, arguing that the SSC-8 has a range of only 480 kilometers. It accuses the United States in turn that it wants to abandon the pact so it can start a new arms race.



Washington has said that if Russia does not return to compliance, it will start the six-month process of leaving the pact from February 2.



Stoltenberg, speaking at a news conference where Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov also in attendance, said there was "no real progress."



He said that Russia still had half a year after February 2 to come back into compliance, but after that, "the treaty will cease to exist."

With reporting by Rikard Jozwiak in Brussels, Reuters, AFP, AP, and dpa
The Greek parliament is expected to vote January 25 on a historic agreement to normalize relations with neighboring Macedonia.



As the Greek parliament debated the deal on January 24, demonstrators gathered outside to protest, some of them chanting "traitors."



Police fired tear gas and stun grenades after some in the crowd hurled rocks and other objects in their direction.



Police later said they arrested 10 people and detained another 133 on suspicion of committing or planning acts of violence. A new protest has been called outside parliament for January 25.



Under the agreement, Macedonia will change its name to the Republic of North Macedonia. The deal could unblock Macedonia's bids to join NATO and the European Union, long blocked by Greece.



The accord has already been ratified by Macedonia's parliament, but still needs Greek parliamentary endorsement.



The agreement is backed by Western countries that want to limit Russian influence in the Balkans. But it has faced opposition, mainly from nationalists in both Greece and Macedonia who argue it gives away too much to the other side.



Inside parliament on January 24, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras urged lawmakers to approve the deal.



"We are one step before a historic event," he told them.



"Nationalism in the Balkans has led to disasters," Tsipras said. "And I believe the time has come to escape nationalism."



Tsipras's government is expected to get support from a small number of opposition lawmakers to secure the 151 votes needed in the 300-member parliament for the agreement to be ratified.



Opposition leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis rejected the deal as a "national defeat." The leader of the New Democracy party threatened to block Macedonia's EU membership drive if his party triumphs with voters in elections later this year.



The ratification vote in parliament originally was scheduled for January 24. Debate was extended until January 25 to allow the large number of registered speakers to have their say.

With reporting by AFP, AP, and Reuters
While Russian investigators have said they are focusing on a household gas explosion as the cause of a deadly New Year's Eve apartment collapse in Magnitogorsk, the wife of a Kyrgyz immigrant says her husband was arrested, beaten, and accused by local police of having involvement in the blast.



Halimakhon, who gave only her first name in a January 24 telephone interview with RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service, said she saw her husband, Husniddin Zainabidinov, at the city's Detention Facility No. 2 the day after his January 16 arrest.



"[Officers] made him lie down on his belly, and put bricks on his back and gave him electric shocks," she said, recounting what Zainabidinov told her. "When he lost consciousness, they poured water on him and continued torturing him. They broke his nose. His face is bruised."



Halimakhon also said that Zainabidinov told her that police suspected him of involvement in the December 31 apartment-building explosion, and showed him photos of "some bearded men" and asked for information about them.



"He told them that he didn't know the men, but the officers didn't believe him," Halimakhon said.



RFE/RL was unable to independently determine what, if any, charges have been filed against Zainabidinov.

Suspected Gas Leak



Although terrorism has been cited in the Russian media, particularly after the Islamic State extremist group took credit for both the apartment blast that killed at least 39 people and a subsequent minibus explosion that killed three, the federal Investigative Committee has maintained that it is focusing on a gas leak as the most likely cause.



"The investigators have been considering every possible theory of the tragedy since day one," Investigative Committee spokeswoman Svetlana Petrenko said on January 18, a day after the SITE Intelligence Group reported that IS had claimed responsibility. "The theory of a household gas explosion remains a priority. Please note that forensic technicians have found no traces of explosives or their components in the samples taken from the scene," Petrenko said.

In a later statement the same day, the spokeswoman said that "I suggest that journalists do not trust statements from terrorist organizations."



Police and prosecutors have told RFE/RL that Zainabidinov was arrested because he is wanted by Kyrgyzstan, and that he faces extradition to his home country. According to the Russian authorities, he was found guilty by a Kyrgyz court of involvement in the 2010 ethnic clashes between ethnic Kyrgyz and Uzbeks in the country's south.



Halimakhon told RFE/RL that the ethnic clashes, in which more than 400 people were killed and tens of thousands displaced, forced the family to leave their native Jalal-Abat region. The couple and their baby daughter live in Magnitogorsk, where Zainabidinov works as a cook.



However, she said her husband was unaware of any arrest warrant against him. Contacted by RFE/RL, the Kyrgyz Embassy in Moscow said it was trying to confirm whether Zainabidinov is wanted by Kyrgyzstan.



Zainabidinovs defense lawyer, Bahrom Hamroev, seconded the claim that his client has been tortured in custody, and said that Magnitogorsk police have intensified pressure on labor migrants from Central Asia since the blast.





"Now law-enforcement agencies are trying to change his case in a different direction, claiming that Zainabidinov is wanted by Kyrgyzstan," the lawyer told RFE/RL.



Russian media have reported that police in Magnitogorsk have singled out Central Asians for document checks in recent weeks. Komsomolskaya Pravda has reported that police have raided construction sites and a bazaar where many Central Asian nationals work.

Police have denied the reports, telling Russian media that the raids were part of routine preventative measures.
A court in Tbilisi has ruled to keep a fugitive British man for three months behind bars pending possible extradition.

Jack Shepherd, 31, went on the run last year after his date was killed in a speedboat crash on the River Thames. He handed himself in to police in Georgia on January 23.

The court in Tbilisi on January 25 ruled to keep Shepherd behind bars for three months while Britain's request for his extradition is being considered.

In July 2018 Shepherd was convicted in absentia of the manslaughter by gross negligence of 24-year-old Charlotte Brown and sentenced to six years in prison. An international arrest warrant was later issued.

Georgia's Rustavi-2 television aired an interview with Shepherd late on January 23 in which he maintained his innocence.

Shepherd took Brown on a first date on December 8, 2015, during which the couple dined at a London restaurant before he took her for a ride in a speedboat.

Both were thrown from the boat when it hit floating debris at about midnight.

Shepherd was found clinging to the hull, but Brown was pulled from the water unconscious and died from cold water immersion.

Prosecutors said he was drunk and that neither he nor Brown was wearing a life jacket.

Shepherd was released on bail, but later failed to show up for his trial in July.

He reportedly had arrived from Istanbul last March and since lived in Tbilisi.

Based on reporting by the BBC, AFP, AP, and Reuters
KYIV -- Ukrainians say the biggest problem facing their country ahead of a crucial presidential election in March is the same one that ushered in the current head of state in the first place: war.



It's been almost four years since officials from Ukraine, Russia, France, and Germany agreed on a way to end a hot phase of the conflict between Ukraine's central government and Russia-backed separatists in the east.



Fast forward to today, and that deal, known as the Minsk accords, has largely failed, much to the dismay of most of Ukraine's 44 million citizens.



Sporadic fighting has killed more than 10,000 people and displaced 2 million more from an area sliced through by a 500-kilometer "line of contact" teeming with land mines. As the war grinds toward a sixth year, there is no end in sight.



But a growing field of challengers hopes that fellow Ukrainians are ready to turn the page on their wartime president, Petro Poroshenko.



Just don't insist on seeing the fine print.



"Everyone is saying they will finish the war...and they may talk about general ideas, like international peacekeepers, as a way of moving forward," says Oleksiy Haran, a professor of political science at Kyiv's Mohyla Academy and head of research at the Ilko Kucheriv Democratic Initiatives Foundation, a think tank. "But I think no politician is able to talk about specific details."



Moreover, he adds, any candidate who is brave enough to offer specifics "would immediately be accused of making concessions to [Russian President Vladimir] Putin."



In fact, that's already happened.

Talking To The Separatists



Candidates Yuriy Boiko and Oleksandr Vilkul, whose opposition parties are regarded by some as Russia-friendly or pro-Russian, have suggested any peace deal should include compromises and dialogue with the separatists -- a nonstarter for many Ukrainians who equate such a move with capitulation.



One candidate who has laid out a "new strategy for peace and security" is Yulia Tymoshenko, a former gas executive and prime minister who lost a presidential runoff to Viktor Yanukovych in 2010 and looks like a front-runner in the looming race.



She proposed a "Budapest+" negotiating format involving the European Union, China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The name is a reference to widely lauded quadrilateral talks in 1994 at which a newly independent Kyiv agreed to give up the world's third-largest nuclear arsenal in exchange for security assurances from Washington, London, and Moscow. Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014 and support for armed separatists in eastern Ukraine marked a clear abrogation of that commitment, in most Ukrainians' eyes.



Speaking to a packed house of supporters in the capital on January 22, Tymoshenko even offered up a hopeful vision to millions of eastern Ukrainians displaced by the war: "Gather up your fridge magnets, you'll soon have someplace to hang them."

But throughout, Tymoshenko was short on her plan's specifics.



"It does not reject the Minsk agreements and does not say what may be compromised regarding Donbas," Fesenko says in a reference to the eastern regions where separatists control large sections of territory.



Another candidate, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who plays a fictional president in a TV comedy series, recently offered voters something along the lines of "we'll meet in the middle" when asked how he might resolve the conflict.



"'Putin has his position; I have my position. We'll decide something and then have a referendum,'" is how Haran characterizes Zelenskiy, who is running third behind Tymoshenko and Poroshenko in early polling. "Zelenskiy demonstrated that he's totally unprepared for such questions."

Growing Desire For Peace

Many of the two dozen people who have declared their intention to run -- 17 of them already registered ahead of the February 8 deadline -- have talked about ending the war, albeit in extremely vague terms.



"Absolutely it is the most important issue," says Oleksandr Zenov, an eastern Ukrainian who has done humanitarian work during the conflict. "My [vote] will be based not only on the plans of action but also on the activities that have already been done."

After all, he says, "most of the candidates have been in Ukrainian [politics] for more than 20 years."



Polls have shown Ukrainians' desire for peace growing as the election approaches.



A poll published in November suggested 57 percent of people saw the Donbas conflict as the country's most pressing issue, ahead of corruption. That was up from 53 percent in June. Later the same month, another survey put that number at 66 percent of Ukrainians. By December, more polling said 72 percent of Ukrainians regarded the war as the country's biggest problem.



Volodymyr Fesenko, director of the Kyiv-based Penta Center for Political Studies, says there are three main reasons why candidates avoid details when it comes to ending the war.



First, there's no "meaningful alternative" to the Minsk agreements at hand, and the Ukrainian and Russian positions are "fundamentally different." Second, Ukrainians themselves are not unified behind any single solution to the conflict. And third, he insists, Ukrainian voters and politicians are convinced that peace is most contingent on "Putin's position, [and] his readiness for a real compromise."



A peace breakthrough that could dramatically sway the race in Poroshenko's favor is unlikely before the election, given Putin's public disdain for the former businessman.



But both Fesenko and Haran suggest the war's hold on many voters, at least those farther from the war zones, might recede as election day nears. They point to the same polls indicating that the war falls to third or fourth place -- after economic issues, such as utility prices, salaries, and pensions -- when Ukrainians are asked what the most important issues are for their families.



"The Minsk plan can be compared to a seriously ill patient who is in the intensive-care unit," Fesenko says. "He can be saved from death, but he will no longer be completely healthy."



Ukraine's roughly 36 million voters must be wondering if the same is true of their country.
A self-described "transparency collective" has released a massive trove of hacked e-mails and leaked documents from what it describes as "Russian politicians, journalists, oligarchs, [and] religious, and social figures."

The materials were published online on January 25 by a group calling itself Distributed Denial of Secrets (DDOS), which says it is "aimed at enabling the free transmission of data in the public interest."

The co-founder of the group, U.S. journalist Emma Best, said the materials would include various archives of hacked and leaked materials related to Russia that have been difficult for researchers to locate, the Daily Beast reported on January 25.

The group's website would bring together these materials into one location online, Best said.

A day before the release, Best, a transparency activist focusing on national-security matters, told RFE/RL that some of the documents slated for release had not "previously" been found by the group.

"The rest is rather obscure and largely unknown or forgotten," Best said.

"We cant certify that any portion of it has never been released, though," Best added.

Numerous batches of private e-mails and documents from Russian officials and businessman have been published online in recent years, including those purportedly from the e-mail account of senior Kremlin aide Vladislav Surkov.

Ukrainian hackers claimed responsibility for an alleged 2016 hack of Surkovs e-mail account, the contents of which appeared to show his offices involvement with Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine.

The Kremlin at the time did not explicitly say that the contents of those materials were fraudulent but suggested they may have been forged.

DDOS said the documents it released on January 25 included materials from "nationalists," "separatists," and "terrorists" operating in Ukraine.

With reporting by Carl Schreck and The Daily Beast
North Korean defectors release a balloon carrying anti-North Korea leaflets at a park in the border town of Paju, north of Seoul, Jan. 15, 2014.

UPDATED at 10:00 A.M. EST on 2019-01-28

The North Korean government is threatening residents along the border with South Korea with possible execution for being caught watching South Korean media, RFA sources say.

The regime has reportedly held lectures in South Hwanghae province, in the western part of the country, describing severe penalties for the possession of items from wealthy, democratic South Korea.

In the new year, police officials began hosting lectures all over the province, said a source from South Hwanghae in an interview with RFAs Korean Service on Monday.

The lectures consisted of threats that strictly demand that residents abstain from watching decadent video materials of capitalism and the possessing things like fliers and USB sticks that have found their way in from the South, said the source.

Activists in South Korea have been known to release balloons laden with money, food, fliers and USB flash drives containing media files, hoping they will land in the North and be found and distributed. But access to South Korean TV doesnt always require the discovery of a downed balloon.

In a recent lecture, they told us they are aware that a growing number of people are able to manipulate the frequencies [of their televisions] to watch South Korean TV programs, the source said.

They said that regardless of any individuals status, those caught in violation could be executed by firing squad. [They want to] instill fear, the source added.

The source said that in the areas closest to South Korea, such as in Kangryong and Pyoksong counties, frequencies can be manipulated such that South Korean TV can be seen clearly.

Since relations between North and South have smoothed recently, people who used to be afraid of watching South Korean TV are secretly doing this at dawn, when electricity is provided, the source said, adding, Law enforcement authorities are being puzzled by the increasing number of such cases.

The authorities have been focusing on South Hwanghae because it is relatively close to the DMZ, the source said.

They believe that the people living in the border regions are more likely to turn into an opposition force, posing a threat to the system, said the source.

If they dont effectively impose control, they are strictly enforcing these measures in those regions, the source said.

Meanwhile in North Koreas Kangwon province, bordering the eastern part of the DMZ, a resident described yearly efforts by law enforcement to stop citizens from watching South Korean TV.

Every year [they] set up a system that orders people to refrain from even looking at any South Korean materials [they find] and report it to the regime, the source said.

[The government] uses jamming signals to prevent South Korean TV and radio signals, said the source.

But people still are taking the risk of secretly watching South Korean TV because they provide accurate information, the source said.

South Korean TV programs make the people resentful of the North Korean regime, the source said.

When they watch South Korean dramas on a USB drive or an SD card, they can see the lifestyles of South Koreans, the source said, adding, they begin to realize and feel in their bones that our country has real problems, and we become more critical of the government.

The source suggested that residents are not taking the regimes warnings seriously.

The central government keeps repeating the same old-fashioned ideas in these lectures, the source said.

But amid the growing awareness [of the outside world] and changing perceptions, citizens are starting to laugh at the regime sticking to its old ploys and silly propaganda.

The punishments laid out for watching South Korean media have not been consistently applied over the years.

In 2015, RFA reported that five university students were denied diplomas and were sentenced to forced labor for watching a South Korean drama.

In April, the Asahi Shimbun reported that six teenagers from Ryanggang Province were sentenced to forced labor for publicly dancing to K-pop songs and distributing them to others.

But the regime has punished offenders to the full extent of the law. In 2014, ten senior members of the regime were executed on Kim Jong Uns orders for watching South Korean dramas, as were three housewives in 2015 for distributing them.

In 2017, the U.K.-based Express reported that the maximum penalty for watching foreign movies or dramas was increased from two years to ten.

Dubbed by experts as the Korean Wave, South Korean cultural exports have taken neighboring Japan and China by storm, while making inroads throughout Southeast Asia. K-Pop and K-Drama enthusiast communities also exist in Europe and the Americas. The Korea Creative Content Agencys (KCCA) said in their 2018 Content Industry Forecast Report, that South Korean cultural exports totaled $7.5 billion in 2018.

Reported by Hyemin Son for RFAs Korean Service. Translated by Dukin Han. Written in English by Eugene Whong.
Indonesian Siti Aisyah (left), is escorted by police as she leaves a court hearing in Putrajaya, Malaysia, Jan. 24, 2019.

An Indonesian defendant in the Kim Jong Nam murder case won an appeal to obtain statements from seven witnesses, but prosecutors said Thursday they would ask a higher court to overturn the ruling potentially delaying the trials resumption.

A three-judge Appeals Court panel ordered prosecutors to turn over the witness statements, but stayed their order to allow an appeal to the federal court.

Indonesian citizen Siti Aisyah and co-defendant Doan Thi Huong of Vietnam have been standing trial for the February 2017 assassination of Kim Jong Nam, the estranged half brother of North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un during a chemical attack at a Kuala Lumpur area airport.

When I was a trial judge, I would direct the prosecution to supply witness statements to the defense after the prosecutions case was concluded, Justice Harmindar Singh Dhaliwal told the prosecution team.

Attorney Gooi Soon Seng, who is leading the legal team representing Siti, said the statements were crucial for her defense, adding that the trial scheduled to resume on Jan. 28 likely would be delayed again by the appeal. Doan was not in court, because she was not a party to the appeal.

If we are allowed to see the statements, then we will get a fairer trial. ... If we do not get a fair trial, where do we get justice? Gooi said, according to the Associated Press. Why must truth be shrouded by the policy of privilege?

Siti and Doan are charged with the murder of Kim, who died after being exposed to the toxic VX nerve agent at Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 on Feb. 13, 2017. They could face the death penalty, if convicted.

Prosecutors argued that their refusal to turn over the statements from the seven, including a Japanese friend of Kim and the mans chauffeur who transported Kim around Kuala Lumpur, was based on national security grounds. Two other witnesses were Indonesian roommates of Siti.

Dhaliwal, who serves on the panel with presiding Justice Umi Kalthum and Justice Rhodzariah Bujang, challenged the prosecutions concern.

It was also a policy for the defense to get a fair trial, he said.

The ruling ordering lawyers to turn over the statements was unprecedented, prosecutor Iskandar Ahmad told BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service.

That is why we are pushing this to the federal court, this is a matter of principle, and could set a new precedence in future cases, he said.

Withholding the statements was a policy issue, according to prosecutor Dusuki Mokhtar.

For example, information could create an impact on national security and interests of justice. This information could be used by the defense to discredit the administration of justice and police, he said.

Since the trial began in October 2017, defense attorneys maintained that the two women were duped by suspected North Korean agents into believing they were being paid to perform a video prank at the airport. Four North Korean men, whom Malaysian police linked to the assassination, fled Malaysia hours after the attack.

Prosecutors rested their case in June 2018. On Aug. 16, presiding Judge Azmi Ariffin ruled that there was enough evidence against both women to carry on with the trial and allow them to present their defense.

He ordered the trial to resume in November. But he later allowed a delay until this month because Gooi, one of the defense attorneys, was recovering from surgery.

Reported by BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service.
Chinese rights activist Huang Yan, a former torture victim who spoke out publicly in support of rights lawyer Gao Zhisheng, arrived in the United States on Friday after being granted political asylum.

Huang had previously applied for asylum in Taiwan after abandoning a flight from Jakarta to Beijing during its stopover on the democratic island last June.

Instead, the authorities granted her temporary leave to remain, and she continued to apply for refugee status in a third country.

"I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks and gratitude to everyone who helped me in Taiwan," Huang said on arriving at Los Angeles.

"I am free now, but nearly [all the other Chinese refugees] in the U.S. are separated from their families," she said. "We didn't come here for the pursuit of happiness ... I actually would like to go back to China."

Huang fled China after years of harassment, repeated incarceration, and torture at the hands of the mainland Chinese authorities linked to her rights activism.

Her escape to Thailand from the former British colony of Hong Kong, which runs a separate immigration border from mainland China, was assisted by Bob Fu, president of U.S.-based Christian rights group China Aid, and culminated in her being recognized as a genuine refugee by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

But a number of Chinese refugees have been repatriated to face further punishment by the Thai authorities in recent years, and Huang boarded a plane to Taiwan in the hope of evading capture.

According to a 2011 statement by detained rights lawyer Gao Zhisheng, Huang was kidnapped and imprisoned with members of the banned Falun Gong spiritual movement, where she suffered repeated torture.

In November 2015, the United Nations Committee against Torture (CAT) said torture and ill-treatment remain "deeply entrenched" in Chinas law-enforcement and criminal justice systems.

"China is a huge country with a population of 1.4 billion, but oppression and persecution have gotten even more serious in recent years under the absolute power wielded by [President] Xi Jinping," Huang said.

"Back in China, I basically was followed every minute of the day and [often] kidnapped [by police]," she said.

A grueling effort

Yang Sen-hong, president of the Taiwan Association for China Human Rights, said the decision to grant Huang political asylum came after a grueling effort to provide evidence of the abuses that she had suffered at the hands of the ruling Chinese Communist Party.

"I can only say that we had to go back to China, to Thailand and even Jakarta to obtained detailed evidence that was repeatedly asked for by the relevant authorities," Yang told RFA.

He said being recognized as a refugee by UNHCR is only the first step in a long and tortuous road to political asylum, however.

"If anyone imagines that they can just get on a plane to Taiwan with their UNHCR refugee document, then go to the U.S., that's not what happened with Huang Yan," Yang said.

"The Taiwan government isn't obliged to welcome everyone who has been similarly treated," he said.

Taiwan's government, officially known as the Republic of China dating back to the 1911 revolution under Sun Yat-sen, is typically reluctant to be seen as a safe haven for Chinese dissidents fleeing persecution across the Taiwan Strait.

Chen Ming-tong, spokesman for Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC), said the government had offered a 90-day stay to Huang in the hope that she could sort out her application during that time.

"We assessed the situation from every angle, but human rights weighed the most heavily," he said.



Tense relationship with CCP

Meanwhile, Chinese asylum-seekers Yan Kefen and Liu Xinglian, who also abandoned a China-bound flight at Taipei, have been camping out in the Taoyuan International Airport for nearly four months while the authorities consider their applications.

The MAC said on Thursday it has approved their entry to Taiwan on principle on a "professional exchange" visa, but that they will have to travel to a third country and re-enter Taiwan before being allowed in.

Taiwan has a tense relationship with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which regards the island as a renegade province awaiting "unification," despite never having ruled the island.

President Tsai Ing-wen rejected calls from Chinese President Xi Jinping earlier this month to move towards "unification" with the People's Republic, saying its people have no wish to give up their sovereignty.

In a Jan. 2 "Letter to our Taiwan compatriots," Xi was insistent that China must be "unified," saying that China would make no promises not to use military force to take the island.

But a recent opinion poll found that more than 80 percent of Taiwanese would reject Xi's offer to rule the island via the "one country, two systems" model used for the former colonies of Hong Kong and Macau.

Taiwan was ruled as a Japanese colony in the 50 years prior to the end of World War II, but was handed back to the 1911 Republic of China under the Kuomintang (KMT) government as part of Tokyo's post-war reparation deal.

The island began a transition to democracy following the death of Chiang Kai-shek's son, President Chiang Ching-kuo, in January 1988, starting with direct elections to the legislature in the early 1990s and culminating in the first direct election of a president, Lee Teng-hui, in 1996.

Reported by Hwang Chun-mei for RFA's Mandarin Service, and by the Cantonese Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.
China on Friday hit out at a speech by billionnaire investor George Soros in which he referred to President Xi Jinping as "the most dangerous enemy" of free societies.



Soros told a fringe event at the Davos economic forum on Thursday that the ruling Chinese Communist Party's high-tech surveillance regime constituted a threat to liberty.



"China is not the only authoritarian regime in the world but it is the wealthiest, strongest, and technologically most advanced," Soros said, adding that he also had concerns about Russia under Vladimir Putin.



"This makes Xi Jinping the most dangerous opponent of open societies," he said, adding that U.S. tech giants like Facebook should also be reined in so as to protect democracies.



In Beijing, foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying dismissed his remarks.



"In today's world, it is clear who is opening doors and building roads, and who is closing doors and building walls," Hua said, in an apparent side-swipe at U.S. President Donald Trump's plan for a wall along the border with Mexico.



"We hope that the relevant people on the U.S. side can... take an objective, rational, and correct attitude towards China's development," she told a regular news conference in Beijing.



Soros also warned of "mortal danger facing open societies from the instruments of control that machine learning and artificial intelligence can put in the hands of repressive regimes."



He also called on Washington to crack down on Chinese telecoms giants Huawei and ZTE.



"If these companies came to dominate the 5G market, they would present an unacceptable security risk for the rest of the world," Soros said.



He warned that China's increasing use of artificial intelligence, including facial recognition, to keep tabs on citizens and predict their behavior could give the government "total control" over its people.



"Since Xi is the most dangerous enemy of the open society, we must pin our hopes on the Chinese people, and especially on the business community," he said.



"The reality is that we are in a Cold War that threatens to turn into a hot one."



Total control



Arthur Ding of the Institute of International Relations at Taiwan's National Chengchi University said Soros' concerns are a natural by-product of different political systems in China and the West.



"China does use a lot of technology to implement these kinds of social control," he said. "But the problem here is that Chinas entire political system is different from the Western political system."



China's social credit system is due to launch next year, but elements of it are already in place, and include train and flight bans for people who have defaulted on a court judgement,



According to Jeremy Daum of the China Law Translate blog, the system is part of China's growing surveillance apparatus.



"Social credit is about using real-name registration systems and big data management to create records of our digital conduct," Daum wrote in a December 2017 summary of the topic based on the laws and regulations that underpin the scheme.



"All aspects of our lives  transactional, educational, medical, legal, recreational, and consumer- leave a digital footprint, and social credit is about integrating and mobilizing that data to increase social and economic stability," he wrote.



"Of course, it is the Party-State that maintains and mediates access to this data."



Already monitored



Chinese citizens are already monitored by more than 20 million surveillance cameras as they go about their daily business in public places, according to a recent documentary by state broadcaster CCTV.



Now, artificial intelligence can identify and "tag" individual cars, cyclists, and pedestrians with distinguishing information that can be stored and searched for descriptions of wanted individuals.



The smart video tool correctly identifies the gender, age, and clothing descriptions of passersby, as well as distinguishing between motorized and non-motorized vehicles, recent media reports say.



The technology comes amid a growing trend towards using facial recognition as a secure form of ID, including to identify rail and airline passengers, physical and e-commerce customers, and missing persons cases.



Facial recognition technology is also being used in city subway systems, and in ride-sharing and robotic package delivery apps, airport and college dorm security, and social credit schemes, as well as to guard against jaywalkers.



Reported by Wong Lok-to for RFA's Cantonese Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.
Authorities in China have detained seven members of Marxism study groups at two top universities amid a nationwide crackdown on Maoist supporters of a labor movement in the southern province of Guangdong.



Seven undergraduate students at Peking University (Beida) and Renmin University (Renda) were detained in a coordinated operation on Jan. 21.



All were Maoist activists who had shown support for the labor movement at a factory owned by Jasic Technology in Guangdong's Shenzhen city.



Some were paid-up members of Marxist associations at their universities.



A video of Beida student Zhang Ziwei providing an eyewitness account was found on his cell phone under a bed after he was himself detained.



"I'm Zhang Ziwei," the recording says. "Six of my classmates have been detained already today, two of them just downstairs from where we live."



"They were shoved into a car, shouting 'call the police!,'" Zhang says, adding that he too is a target.



"Dark forces are conducting house-to-house searches right now," he says. "They want to take me away too, just like they did to the others."



Zhang's fellow Beida students Li Ziyi, Ma Shize, Sun Jiayan were also detained, along with recent Beida graduates Li Jiahao and Huang Yu.



Renda student Yan Zihao was also detained.



Rights activists said the students were taken into custody after they hit out publicly at "confession" videos of previously detained members of the Maoist Jasic Workers' Solidarity Group (JWSG) shown to supporters protesting their ouster from the Beida Marxism society earlier this month.



Jasic detentions



Activists have called for the release of more than 30 former workers at a factory in neighboring Guangdong province and JWSG members, who were supporting them.



Dozens more students and recent graduates of China's top universities have been "disappeared" or criminally detained since the nationwide crackdown on the Jasic labor movement made further waves of arrests and detentions in August, September and November, the JWSG reported on its Github page.



Among them are Sun Yat-sen University graduate and Jasic movement spokeswoman Shen Mengyu and Peking University #MeToo campaigner Yue Xin.



Yue, Shen, Zheng Yongming and Gu Jiayue "confessed" in the videos to trying to "overthrow" the ruling Chinese Communist Party by working with foreign media organizations to spread "false information."



Yue also criticized her attempts, inspired by the global #MeToo movement, to force Beida to reveal information about a decades-old rape case that led to a student suicide, saying she had been exploited by "foreign forces."



Gu and Zheng are in a form of detention known as residential surveillance at a designated location," which enables them to be held incommunicado for up to six months with no access to lawyers.



Video 'confessions'



From 2013-2018, China aired nearly 50 video "confessions," which rights groups say are always made under duress, and likely indicate physical or mental torture.



Chen Chuangchuang of the U.S. Independent Federation of Chinese Students and Scholars, who has been following the Jasic crackdown closely, said the students had reacted in anger at being shown the videos.



"When they had watched those videos, they uploaded them to the internet and then they gave a string of interviews to the foreign media about them," Chen told RFA. "They said they wouldn't back down."



"Shortly after that, those same students were detained," he said.



The JSWG said on its Github page that the appearance of two studentsGu Jiayue and Shen Mengyuin particular gave cause for concern.



"The most striking part of these videos are the images of Gu Jiayue and Shen Mengyu, who are pale, with dark circles under their eyes," the group said in a Jan. 17 statement. "Their eyes are dull and their speech unclear."



"When they make their confession statement, they sound as if they are reading from a script," it said. "They pause often and blink a lot, as if they can't remember what they were going to say next; as if they had to try hard to remember."



It said the police attempt to blame external forces was an attempt to avoid conflict in Chinese society.



Reported by Wang Yun for RFA's Mandarin Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.
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Lebanon, IN (46052)

Today

Partly cloudy early followed by scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 83F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Variable clouds with scattered thunderstorms. Low 68F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
Low-cost carrier Thai Lion Air will begin operating direct flights between Sri Lanka and Bangkok from January 30.



The flight is scheduled to depart Colombo at 9.30 a.m. and arrive at Don Mueang Airport (Bangkok) at 2:45 p.m. (local time).



Thai Lion Air Chairman Capt. Darsito Hendro Seputro said that the airline is ready for the Sri Lanka market and is excited to bring more travelers from Sri Lanka to experience Thailands tourism product.

In addition to Bangkok, the airline also provides convenient connecting flight services to other domestic destinations in Thailand such as Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phuken and Pattaya. Beach lovers can relax at the world famous beaches of Phuket and Pattaya.



After Sri Lanka, Thai Lion Air is planning to open other destinations for more connectivity of people all over the world. The airline is confident that the launch of these flights will increase passenger arrivals from Sri Lanka.
FAIRFIELD - Police have arrested an aide who is accused of assaulting a disabled child on a school bus.

Joseph Jean-Felix, 68, of Salem Street in Bridgeport, was arrested on a warrant charging him with the crimes of five counts each of assault of an intellectually disabled person, first-degree unlawful restraint and risk of injury to to a minor.

Capt. Robert Kalamaras said that on Nov. 26, the parent of a male juvenile came to the Fairfield Police Department to file a report on injuries on his son.

The parent reported that his autistic 15-year-old son attends a school that works directly with autistic children and he has been attending school there for about fiver and one-half years. The parent reported that on Nov.19, his son returned from school and he noticed some distinct injuries to the juveniles arm.

After further investigation and review of surveillance footage pertaining to the bus transportation of the juvenile to his school, it was determined that injuries located on the juvenile were consistent with actions taken by the transportation aid over a period of time.

Jean-Felix was held on a $50,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in Bridgeport Superior Court on Friday.

Jean-Felix was an employee who worked for Connecticut Transportation Solutions.

Chet Doheny, president, of Connecticut Transportation Solutions, LLC released the following statement

The employee involved in this incident has been terminated based on information obtained from both an internal and external investigation, and Connecticut Transportation Solutions is willingly cooperating with the Fairfield Police Departments criminal investigation into the matter.

Our company has a culture of responsiveness and a commitment to the safety of the children in our care, we have policies and procedures in place to ensure that safety, and we take very seriously the trust their parents place in us.
Tea broker Asia Siyaka projects tea output to reach 320 mn kgs

Says expected elections this year to favour RPCs and smallholders

Expects increase of tea shipments to China, Hong Kong and Taiwan

Hopeful that Japan related issues to be resolved soon



By Shabiya Ali Ahlam

Sri Lankas tea industry is eying an ambitious production target of 320 million kgs this year, despite ending the previous year on a grim note as tea output in 2018 fell to 303 million kgs from 307 million kgs in 2017.



According to an industry outlook report by tea broker Asia Siyaka, the projection is made based on the assumption that weather conditions will be more stable during this year.



Asia Siyaka noted that temporary resolution of the agro chemical issue and lower fertilizer prices will ensure critical inputs and maintenance of tea lands at a much better level than the year before, thus giving hope of a higher production.



Asia Siyaka forecasts low-grown tea output to rise this year to around 196 million kgs compared 192 million kgs in 2018.



High-grown production is projected to exceed 74 million kgs against 64 million kgs in 2018, if there was no disruption to work in the estates.



Medium-grown teas are expected to reach 50 million kgs compared to 47 million kgs in 2018.



Ad-hoc policy changes on usage of agro chemicals, work stoppages and excessive rains were identified as the main reasons for the depressed tea output in 2018.

Sri Lankas tea production was in the range of 328 to 340 million kgs during the 2010-2015 period.



Given the political sensitivity of fertilizer availability in an election year, we expect smallholders and Regional Plantation Companies to have access to fertilizer at competitive pricing, Asia Siyaka said, asserting that 2019 will be a more positive year for the tea industry.



However, the minimum wage for plantation workers is still being heatedly debated. Asia Siyaka noted that higher cost of labour after the wage increase could be partially compensated if the improved tea crop becomes available.



Acknowledging that the shortage of workers is not just a problem for the tea industry, but also a serious issue for most agricultural activity, Asia Siyaka said mid-sized and large privately-held tea plantations are struggling to find workers to harvest available crop and maintain basic agricultural work on their lands.

It was highlighted that the Regional Plantation Companies are compelled to reduce the plucking area to cope up with the depleted workforce, resulting from migration of workers seeking urban employment.



Noting that there is no obvious local solution and the country lacks a national policy on bringing in contract workers from overseas, Asia Siyaka stated that the situation could turn out to be a major social issue in the plantation sector. Mechanical harvesting is an option, but relying on gradual implementation and market forces may be too slow a process. The tea industry needs a strategic plan, the report highlighted.



Meanwhile, Asia Siyaka noted that positive prices at the Colombo Tea Auction are primarily centered on the rupee depreciation in the short to medium-term.

However, it was pointed out that currencies of major buyers of Ceylon Tea such as Iran, Russia and Turkey have also depreciated against the US dollar.

Despite rising crude oil prices, currencies in these countries have not strengthened due to other complexities.



We expect a better market for Western high-grown teas in particular during first quarter of Dimbulla season with many of the Japan related issues being resolved. We expect further increase of tea shipments to China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, Asia Siyaka said.



In terms of low-grown teas, Asia Siyaka expects a recovery with gains from growing demand from Syria after continual gains over the last two years.



Meanwhile, it was pointed out that the re-payment of Sri Lankas Iran oil debt with tea remains a positive prospect if permitted by international superpowers.
THOMASTON  Matthew Fazo, Project Manager of Risk Management at Thomaston Savings Bank, was recently named a New Leader in Banking at BankWorld 2019. A ceremony was held at Mohegan Sun Resort and Casino Jan. 17. to honor this years recipients.

The Connecticut Bankers Association and Connecticut Banking magazine asked bankers throughout Connecticut to nominate individuals they believe were rising stars in the banking industry. Nominees must be working at a bank in Connecticut, be 50 years of age or younger, and be making a significant contribution to their institution or community. Many nominations were received, which were vetted by an independent panel of judges.

Fazo joined Thomaston Savings Bank in July of 2013 as a teller. He quickly grew within the organization, advancing to a teller/customer service consultant, a retail banking generalist, and then to data analyst for both the retail and finance departments. In September of 2018, Fazo joined the risk management department as a project manager, where he is responsible for defining the scope of bank projects, ensuring project owners are accountable and on deadline, and regularly delivering a clear and accurate project status.

In addition to receiving his Bachelors Degree in Information Systems from Eastern Connecticut State University in 2012, Fazo graduated from the Connecticut School of Finance and Management in 2018. He has been involved in the Young Professionals of the Waterbury Region (YPOWR) and volunteers for a variety of events to benefit many organizations including, the United Way of Greater Waterbury, Our Lady of Mount Carmel School, The Waterbury Regional Chamber, Camp MOE/LARC and the Bristol Boys and Girls Club.

KidsPLay receives donation

TORRINGTON  KidsPlay Childrens Museum in Torrington recently received a $1,000 donation from GoodWorks Financial Group via Wheeler & Taylor Insurance, a GoodWorks Financial member in New Milford.

This donation resulted from a unique program that earmarks 20 percent of commissions Wheeler & Taylor earned on policies bought by KidsPlay employees, volunteers and donors.

Its an innovative program. Our employees and supporters can help sustain the Museum while getting a great deal on insurance, said Eileen Marriott, KidsPlays Museum Director.

Its the first year of the KidsPlay insurance program. Ed Ryan with GoodWorks Financial Group said that the annual donation should grow in future years as customers renew their policies and new ones come on.

We expect the program will provide revenue to the museum for many years to come, Ryan said.

Established in 1871, Wheeler & Taylor Insurance is a full-service independent agency that serves customers in Connecticut and Massachusetts with the highest level of excellence and professionalism. It has offices in New Milford and Great Barrington and operates throughout the Northeast. Web: www.wheelertaylor.com

KidsPlay Childrens Museum operates more than 11,000 square feet of interactive exhibits that spark curiosity and creativity for children ages 1 to 10. KidsPlay fosters whole family learning experiences and enriches the educational landscape for families in our Northwest Connecticut community and beyond. For information and hours, see http://kidsplaymuseum.org.

Webster Bank named to Forbes list

WATERBURY - Webster Bank was recently included in Forbes Americas Best Banks 2019, ranked as number 68 and the highest-ranked bank in Connecticut, according to a statement.

Forbes 10th annual list of Americas Best Banks ranks the 100 largest publicly-traded banks and thrifts based on their growth, credit quality and profitability. The data is courtesy of S&P, but the rankings are done solely by Forbes.

Webster is proud to be continuously recognized as one of the highest performing banks in the country, said President & CEO John R. Ciulla, in a statement. This ranking is a direct result of the quality and dedication of our bankers who are committed to delivering great service to our customers and achieving outstanding results.

Bank completes successful food campaign

LAKEVILLE  Salisbury Bank recntly completed another successful Fill-the-Basket food drive to benefit local food pantries.

Fourteen branch offices located in Berkshire County, MA, Litchfield County and Dutchess, Orange, and Ulster Counties in New York collected food throughout the months of November and December, and filled 82.5 baskets with more than 1,600 items. Branches also received cash donations totaling $175. All items collected, including monetary contributions, were donated directly to local food pantries serving each area.

Salisbury Bank is proud to hold a campaign that benefits local food pantries that supply food for hundreds of families during the holiday season and throughout the year, and is grateful for all the customers and community members who helped contribute to the annual campaigns success, the bank said in a statement.
Beckley, WV (25801)

Today

Some sun this morning with increasing clouds this afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 82F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Overcast. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 64F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.
Source:

January 25, 2019 11:42 IST

Bihar deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi launched a vitriolic attack on Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday, a day after she entered active politics, saying the Congress was feeling happy "over the induction of a woman with a tainted life partner".

IMAGE: Priyanka Gandhi with husband Robert Vadra. Photograph: Kind courtesy @irobertvadra/Twitter

In a tweet, the senior BJP leader also scoffed at Priyanka Gandhi's resemblance with her grandmother and former prime minister Indira Gandhi.

"If a person could become as capable as someone else merely by resembling him or her, by now we would have had many more Virat Kohlis and Amitabh Bachchans. Duplicates do not work in politics. Priyanka might resemble Indira, but there is a big difference," Modi said.

He also compared Priyanka Gandhi's husband and businessman Robert Vadra with Indira Gandhi's spouse Firoz Gandhi.

The deputy chief minister said Firoz Gandhi was a good orator and an upright parliamentarian "who had the guts to speak against his powerful father-in-law", Jawaharlal Nehru.

"Priyanka's businessman husband's irregular land transactions are spread across two states and he is facing probes. If the Congress wants to exult over the induction of a woman with a tainted life partner, it is most welcome to do so," Modi said.

Earlier, talking to reporters in Patna on the sidelines of a function, he had claimed that Priyanka Gandhi's induction into the Congress was aimed at "threatening the SP-BSP alliance".

Priyanka Gandhi formally entered politics on Wednesday with her brother and Congress president Rahul Gandhi appointing her as general secretary for Uttar Pradesh East.

Modi said her appointment would bring the alleged corruption scandals against Robert Vadra onto the "centre-stage", which would benefit the NDA.

"The BJP is not at all worried. Why should it be when her entry is only going to help us. The Congress has brought in Priyanka with a view to threaten the SP-BSP alliance, with the possibility of a split in their votes. It is a desperate attempt to make Akhilesh Yadav and Mayawati rethink their strategy," he said.
January 25, 2019 14:25 IST

While some in the Congress were apprehensive that land grab allegations against her husband Robert Vadra could turn out to be Priyanka's Achilles heel, much of the BJP leadership opted not to bring up the issue at the current juncture, reports Archis Mohan.

IMAGE: Priyanka Gandhi with husband Robert Vadra. Photograph: Kind courtesy @irobertvadra/Twitter

Amid demand from some Congress workers that Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, party general secretary for eastern Uttar Pradesh, contest from Varanasi -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi's constituency -- top Bharatiya Janata Party sources said that the PM would again contest from the seat in the Lok Sabha polls.

Modi had contested from Vadodara and Varanasi seats in 2014.

He later quit the Vadodara seat, while retaining Varanasi.

Priyankas entry into Congress party hierarchy continued to dominate discussions within the Congress and the BJP.

While some in the Congress were apprehensive that land grab allegations against her husband Robert Vadra could turn out to be Priyanka's Achilles heel, much of the BJP leadership opted not to bring up the issue at the current juncture.

BJP strategists were busy discussing whether they should address her as Priyanka Gandhi Vadra or Priyanka Vadra, which would determine the party's line of attack in the coming weeks.

In New Delhi, Union minister Manoj Sinha, addressing a press conference at the BJP national headquarters, did not bring up the Vadra issue.

Sinha said Priyanka's appointment was an attempt by the Congress to become somewhat relevant in UP, particularly now that it is in a "bad shape" after the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party alliance kept it out of their seat sharing formula.

He said only the Delhi media was talking about her debut, and "it seems that people of the region of which she has been made in-charge are not noticing it".

However, Bihar deputy chief minister Sushil Modi said in Patna that the BJP would "gain" from Priyanka's entry into active politics.

He said Priyanka's appointment would bring the alleged corruption scandals involving her husband onto the "centre-stage", which would be to the benefit of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance.

Congress leader and former Uttarakhand chief minister Harish Rawat termed Wednesday's development "full of possibilities".

He said it would pave the way for United Progressive Alliance's return to power at the Centre.

In Rajasthan, deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot said it would be a game changer in the next three months.

Some in the BJP said they were well aware that an attack on Priyanka about her husband's land deals could backfire on the party if not handled sagaciously.

Vadra is facing Enforcement Directorate and Central Bureau of Investigation probes in alleged money laundering cases.

The ED had last summoned Vadra in November in connection with a 2012 land grab case in Rajasthan.

It had raided his office premises in December.

Vadra, the agency had said, ignored two of its summons.

The ED had registered a criminal case against Vadra in September 2015.

The case relates to alleged violations of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

Senior Congress leaders were more concerned whether Vadra, a flamboyant individual, would remain in the background, or start making public statements.

In the past, Vadra has been open about his political ambitions.

On Wednesday, he congratulated his wife for her new appointment in a tweet.
Last updated on: January 25, 2019 23:35 IST

'If I see anyone taking the wrong path, I will stop him or her.'

IMAGE: Army personnel pay tribute to Lance Naik Nazir Ahmad Wani of 34 RR at his native village in Chak Ashmuji in Kulgam district of South Kashmir in November last year. Photograph: PTI Photo

It's been just two months since Lance Naik Nazir Ahmad Wani -- the first Kashmiri to be chosen for the Ashoka Chakra -- lost his life while gallantly fighting six heavily armed terrorists, but his wife is already working on a meaningful tribute to him which she knows would have made him proud.

"In my own way, I will try to show the right path to children and youngsters. I will tell them that you have to do something for Kashmir," says Mahajabeen, a school teacher and mother of two.

"If I see anyone taking the wrong path, I will stop him or her," she says, adding her inspiration has been her husband's 'resolute sense of duty' which made him take on the terrorists on the fateful day of November 25 , though he knew he might not come out alive from the gunbattle.

Mahajabeen is i New Delhi to receive the Ashoka Chakra, the country's highest peacetime gallantry award, that has been conferred on Wani posthumously on Republic Day.

"He telephoned me on the evening of Novemver 24. He told me about the encounter, and knew he is going to die. But he was resolute in his sense of duty.... He told me to sleep well and asked me not to worry," she said, adding despite the danger involved in the operation it did not blight his resolve.

Though Mahajabeen, who is in her late 30s, did not want to talk about the situation in the Valley or militancy in the border state, she opened up when asked about youngsters in Kashmir.

"I want to do something for the youngsters, school children. They are the future of Kashmir. My husband's fearless persona and love for me have been driving me to do something for them," she told PTI in an interview.

It was love at first sight when they first met at a school in South Kashmir around 15 years back, said Mahajabeen when pressed to talk about her journey with Wani, the militant-turned-armyman who hailed from Cheki Ashmuji in Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir.

"I did not cry when I was told he is no more. There was an inner resolve which did not allow me to cry," she said

Mahajabeen, mother of Athar, 20, and Shahid, 18, said Wani wanted to make one son doctor and the other an engineer. "I will fulfill his dream," she said.

Wani had joined the Army's 162 Infantry Battalion (Territorial Army) Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry in 2004, and emerged as a reliable soldier in anti-terror operations.

"He loved me so much. For me, he was my guiding light. He always encouraged all of us to make people around us happy, to resolve people's problems.

"As a teacher, I am dedicating myself to creating good citizens for my state. Leading the young minds in the right direction is my resolve and I am drawing inspiration for it from my beloved husband -- the best in the world," said Mahajabeen.

"He was a great husband, always fiercely protecting us," she said.

Mahajabeen said she was at her parents' house when the shocking news of Wani's death came.

"He had telephoned me the previous evening and enquired about our well-being. I had told him to take care of himself. But destiny had something else for him," said Mahajabeen.

"He always wanted to make his 162/TA Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry battalion proud. For him, duty was supreme. He was a source of inspiration for people in our area and community," she said.

On November 25, 38-year-old Wani lost his life in a counter-terror operation against six terrorists in Hirapur village near Batgund, in Shopian.

Under intense hail of bullets from the terrorists, he eliminated the 'district commander' of the Lashkar-e-Tayiba (LeT) and a foreign terrorist in a daring display of raw courage, officials said.

In the ensuing gunfight, he was hit multiple times, including on his head. He also injured another terrorist before succumbing to grievous wounds, they said.

"He was a brave soldier and a hero right from the beginning. He always served for peace in his home state of Jammu and Kashmir," said a senior Army official.

Wani was a recipient of the Sena Medal for gallantry twice in 2007 and 2018.

"He always had the interest of the nation in his heart. He operated with the Rashtriya Rifles units in Kashmir.

"Throughout his active life he always willingly faced grave potential threats and was a source of inspiration for others," said one of his colleagues.
KABUL AFP Jan25, 2019- The Taliban have appointed a co-founder of the movement as the new head of their political office in Doha, where talks have been held since Monday with US officials seeking to end 17 years of conflict in Afghanistan.



The esteemed Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar has been appointed ... head of the political bureau, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement released late Thursday.



This step has been taken to strengthen and properly manage the ongoing negotiations process with the United States, he added.



The announcement comes as the insurgents said Thursday they had held four straight days of talks with US officials in Doha. It was not immediately clear if the negotiations were ongoing Friday.



The duration of the talks, described as unprecedented by analysts, has raised hopes of an imminent agreement that could pave the way to peace talks.



But Washington, which confirmed on Tuesday that talks were being held in Qatar between its envoy for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad and representatives of the Taliban, has made no comment since.
Source:

Last updated on: January 25, 2019 21:11 IST

In more trouble for senior Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda, the Central Bureau of Investigation booked the former Haryana chief minister on cheating and corruption charges in connection with land acquisition in Gurgaon that favoured private builders and also conducted searches at 20 locations including his Rohtak residence.

The Congress as well as Hooda,71 , hit out at the Centre over the raids by the CBI, calling it nothing but 'political vendetta' to suppress his voice and defame him.

The CBI also named in the FIR Additional Chief Secretary Haryana Trilok Chand Gupta, who was the then chief Administrator, Haryana Urban Development Authority, along with 15 builders including DLF, Emaar MGF, Buzz Hotels, Ansals whose official premises were searched during the operation in morning, officials said.

The searches were carried out in Delhi and Gurgaon.

It booked Hooda, Gupta and the builders for alleged criminal conspiracy and cheating under the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act in connection with alleged irregularities in the acquisition of land.

Hooda is already facing CBI probes in two cases that related to Manesar land acquisition and allotment of an institutional plot to Associated Journals Ltd (AJL), the publisher of National Herald, in Panchkula.

In both the cases, charge sheets have been filed.

The third case against Hooda and others was registered on the directions of the Supreme Court on November 1, 2017 when the CBI was entrusted with the probe into alleged irregularities in the process of acquisition of 1,417.07 acres of land between 2009 and 2012 for sector 58 to 63 and 65 to 67 in Gurgaon, CBI spokesperson Nitin Wakankar said.

The government had issued the notification on June 2, 2009, he said. Hooda was the chief minister at that time.

Subsequently, another notification was issued for acquisition of 850.10 acres of land on May 31, 2010, officials said.

The CBI claimed that during the notification period approximately 616.40 acres of land were released in favour of developers.

It emerged during the preliminary enquiry that the objective of the HUDA for acquiring the land to ensure availability of developed land at affordable prices to the public at large and to the economically weaker sections of the society has not been achieved.

The agency alleged that private builders entered into a criminal conspiracy with Hooda, a two-time chief minister, and Trilok Chand Gupta with an intent to cheat land owners.

In pursuance of the conspiracy, notifications for acquisition of land were issued by the government triggering panic sale of land to private developers at a much cheaper rates than the prevalent market prices, officials said.

A large chunk of land was of no use to the Haryana Urban Development Authority(HUDA) but still it was covered in the government notification, the officials said.

The developers used their influence to get licences issued for pockets which were not useful for the HUDA and those lands were released from the acquisition process, they claimed.

Other builders booked by the CBI included R S Infrastructure, Martial Builcon, Marconi Infratech, Commander Realtors, SU Estates Pvt Ltd, Krrish Buildtech, JMD Ltd, Gupta Promoters, H S Realty, DSS Infrastructure, Sana Realtors.

"It's nothing but political vendetta. They want to suppress my voice, in which they will not succeed," Hooda told reporters in Rohtak after the CBI officials left his home.

Hooda said he 'fully cooperated' with the officials, adding, "They found nothing."

"They took a copy of an income tax return filed by my nephew a long time back," he said.

"Nothing was found against me," he added.

"I am from a family of freedom fighters, even the British could not suppress us, Hooda said, adding he would fight his battle himself.

"I know the legal process and have full faith in the judicial system."

Rohtak MP Deepinder Singh Hooda, who is the son of the two-time CM, was also in the house during the raid.

"The present BJP government is working with political vendetta for the past five years," he said.

The Congress also warned officials of various agencies to be ready for accountability for allegedly working at the behest of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to target his political opponents.

Senior spokesperson of the Congress Anand Sharma said such actions when the prime minister and the ruling dispensation 'target its political opponents by using agencies against them are dangerous for democracy in our country'.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi has a mindset of targeting his political opponents by defaming them with the objective of muzzling the voice of the opposition and to tarnish the image of their tall leaders.

"We condemn in the strongest terms the action today in the form of raids on former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda with the sole purpose of defaming him," Sharma told reporters in Delhi.

Sharma said the timing of the FIR and the searches are also very clear as it came ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

There was no immediate reaction from the BJP to the allegations levelled by Hooda and Sharma.
January 25, 2019 13:29 IST

The Asom Gana Parishad's fears relating to the Citizenship Bill are not misplaced. But does the AGP still matter in Assam's politics, asks Aditi Phadnis.

IMAGE: A protest against the Citizenship Bill in Assam. Three Asom Gana Parishad ministers resigned on January 9, 2019, two days after the AGP exited the coalition government in Assam over the Citizenship Bill.

Let us be clear. The Asom Gana Parishad, which recently walked out of the National Democratic Alliance, snapped its ties with the Bharatiya Janata Party and got its ministers to step down from the state government, knows it is peripheral to the stability of the Sarbananda Sonowal government in Assam.

The BJP and AGP formed an alliance before the 2016 state election, in which the BJP won 61 of the 126 assembly seats and the AGP got 14.

Along with the Bodoland People's Front's 12, the BJP-led alliance's tally went up to 87, well above the half-way mark. The AGP's exit will make no difference to the ruling alliance's majority.

But paradoxically, the exit represents the AGP's fight for political relevance, even survival.

Prafulla Kumar Mahanta, who led the AGP at the height of the Assam movement and became India's youngest chief minister at 33, is now in his late 60s. The party he once led is now a shadow of its former self and is headed by Atul Bora who heads a faction that is opposed to Mahanta.

Many argue that the AGP's political eclipse is self-inflicted.

The BJP and AGP contested the 2001 assembly elections in an alliance. But for the 2006 assembly elections, the AGP allied with the Left parties instead. It returned to the BJP-led NDA for the 2009 Lok Sabha election only to leave it before the assembly elections two years later.

Every alliance with the BJP cost the AGP its base and vote share.

And the alliance in 2016 was especially disastrous because the BJP grew so much at the cost of the AGP that it was able to form a government for the first time in the history of the state.

Of all the strands that came together to cause the people's upsurge in Assam in the 1970s and 1980s resulting in the AGP's birth, one has remained: The problem of Bangladesh.

The others -- neocolonialism by the Centre, exploitation of Assam's natural resources without giving it anything in return etc -- have faded into the background. But the problem of who an Assamese is, continues to be the primary political issue even after all these years.

Assam still feels hunted and threatened by 'outsiders': Bengali Muslims, Bengali Hindus, Marwaris and north Indians, Bihari labour etc. But now, another category has been added to this list by the Citizenship Amendment Bill 2016, passed earlier this month by the Lok Sabha.

This allows Bangladeshi Hindus to come to India, get citizenship and settle, to avoid religious persecution. As Bangladesh is just a few kilometres away from Assam, guess where they will all land?

The AGP doesn't want 'any' outsiders to come and settle in Assam. Not Hindus, not Muslims, not tribals, not anyone.

It wants no threats to Assam's traditions and culture. It left the NDA on this issue. It claims it had a pre-poll alliance with the BJP so the BJP was fully aware of the AGP's objections to legislation such as this.

But the fact that the BJP went ahead and passed the Bill means it thought nothing of trampling on the feelings of an alliance partner.

For the BJP, the compulsions are different. In a perfect world it would have wanted to hang on to the AGP: but its sights are set on neighbouring West Bengal.

It wants -- if not to wrest the state from Mamata Banerjee -- to make significant dents in Banerjee's vote base by hammering home the point that Bengali (and Bangladeshi) Muslims have become a favoured community under her regime, offering the Hindus of the state a grievance and an identity.

It reckons that with the Citizenship Amendment Bill, it can kill two birds with one stone: Consolidate its base in Assam's Brahmaputra valley and create a profile for itself in West Bengal.

While it is not hard to understand the party's compulsions, the Citizenship Amendment Bill has only added to fears, insecurities and anxiety of Assam even as the National Register of Citizens rolls on completing its work of enrolling bona fide Indians as citizens and striking off the names of others from voters lists.

On top of all this trauma is added another layer of worry -- that hundreds of thousands of Hindus from Bangladesh will come trooping into Assam once the Citizenship Amendment Bill becomes an Act. How will they be fed? Housed? Educated? Whose land will they till?

These are the fears the AGP wants to articulate and harness politically. It believes the first step is walking out of the NDA. But is that enough?

As perspicacious Assam watcher Saubhadra Chatterji of the Hindustan Times observed: 'The AGP continues to have its office in Ambari, in the heart of Guwahati. But does it still have a place in the hearts of the Assamese?'
January 25, 2019 11:34 IST

'In an alliance, you are forced to overlook loyal workers.'

'It sends a negative message and workers turn against the party.'

'I have forbidden this alliance.'

IMAGE: Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati and Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav address a press conference in Lucknow January 12, 2019. Photograph: Sandeep Pal

Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav tells Shikha Shalini a hung Parliament after the 2019 elections is a distinct possibility.

How do you see the 2019 election?

If we talk about the general election, the people are turning against the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party). It is clear that the promises made by the present government have not been fulfilled.

The farmers and the youth of the country are disappointed. The BJP promised to give Rs 15 lakh in bank accounts when it comes to power. It had promised to work for the farmers and provide jobs to the unemployed. But these promises were hollow.

It is not right to insult the public by being untruthful. One thing is certain: That the BJP will not be able to perform like it did in the 2014 elections and will fall short.

In my view, those who work hard in the Opposition will get more seats.

Don't you think there will be many problems in the alliance between the Bahujan Samaj Party and the Samajwadi Party regarding the seats for which talks are going on?

No alliance is happening right now (Editor's note: A seat sharing agreement was announced days after Yadav made this assertion). We are hoping that the SP's performance will be better in the 2019 election than the last elections.

The last Lok Sabha election represented the worst performance of our party and we managed to win only 5 seats that were my family's strangleholds.

But this time, workers of our party are quite active. I was in Lucknow for a week and I met workers on a daily basis.

There is enthusiasm among them and there is fervour in favour of the Opposition in the public too. Now we have to see what happens next.

Without an alliance, don't you think the road ahead for the SP would be thorny?

What's the problem? Everyone knows whose vote share Mayawati's party will damage.

What are the benefits of this alliance for my party?

The workers who have worked for the party for many years... their tickets would have to be compromised.

Those who have played a key role in establishing our party, their tickets will be cut.

These people have worked hard for the party. I have forbidden this alliance.

We will not weaken the party. I have said: If a coalition is so important, then the allocation of seats should be discussed in advance because the real fight starts from then on.

It is important to decide earlier from where one will fight; this should be the first priority because these decisions cannot be taken later. Workers work for the party, whether it is the SP or BSP.

In an alliance, you are forced to overlook loyal workers. It sends a negative message and workers turn against the party. It is important to think about these situations in totality -- and in advance.

It is said the Congress was ready to stay out of the SP-BSP coalition to defeat the BJP; What are your views?

The Congress in Uttar Pradesh is very weak. It is even worse in Bihar.

After the elections in Madhya Pradesh, the Congress was given support by the SP because we wanted to avoid sending the message that we allowed the BJP to form the government. The move had its impact in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar too.

IMAGE: Samajwadi Party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav addresses a press conference at the Lohia Trust Office in Lucknow. Photograph: Nand Kumar/PTI Photo

First, the Socialists disintegrated. Now the party you had established and built up drawing inspiration from Dr Ram Manohar Lohia is breaking up. How will the party gain control over the situation?

If you talk about family, then something or other is always happening in families -- in every family. But my family will do what I say.

It is good that young leaders who are coming up in our party give good speeches. They also raise the right questions.

Earlier, I used to think that our party is getting old, but now it seems we are getting younger day by the day.

I have assured the youth in my party that they must have the responsibility to run this party.

You are seen in the company of both Shivpal Yadav and Akhilesh Yadav and this gives rise to confusion among people about whom you really are with.

As far as Akhilesh and Shivpal are concerned, there are no serious differences between them.

Before the election, I will try to eliminate these differences and a united party will fight the election.

Ramgopal Yadav, who is the Mahamantri of the SP, is making efforts to remove differences between the SP and Shivpal's party before the general election and fight together against the BJP.

Once, when you were about to become the prime minister of India, RJD leader Lalu Prasad became a major hurdle in the process. Now Lalu is your relative and this time again, there will be a search for suitable face for the national coalition. Would you be a potential candidate for this post?

Things have changed now. Those circumstances were different. That's not the case now. Let the elections be over. Why speculate before?

After the election, names will come up for a new prime minister, depending on the situation at the time.

At the national level, an anti-BJP alliance is in progress. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu is also in support of this alliance and DMK President M K Stalin also made a statement that Congress President Rahul Gandhi could be the face of the mahagathbandhan. What do you have to say about the national alliance?

Let those who are aligning nationally, align. Let them do and think about what they have to do in this coalition.

Our party is not currently in the mood to enter an alliance with anyone. I have spoken to Chandrababu Naidu who told me that the conversation is still in the initial stages. The rest will depend on whether the coalition will be there or not.

The coalition of the DMK and Congress is older. These parties have been supporting each other from the era of the UPA (United Progressive Alliance). Stalin's statement was in tune with the old relations between the DMK and the Congress.

How strong is the National Democratic Alliance if an Opposition alliance is struck?

The NDA alliance is not particularly strong. It is true that our party has no serious dispute with the NDA coalition. But we also have to accept that the Congress is still present in the country, whether weak or strong. There are breaches in the NDA -- in Uttar Pradesh too.

Here, BJP ally Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party President Om Prakash Rajbhar and Apna Dal (S) leader and Union Minister Anupriya Patel are dissatisfied and their disappointment is being expressed publicly.

In such a situation, the BJP is more concerned about putting out the fires in its home.

After losing in three states -- Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan -- there has been panic and disillusionment in the BJP.

The Shiv Sena is also announcing that it will contest the elections on its own. (Rashtriya Lok Samta Party chief) Upendra Kushwaha joined the UPA. He was a minister in the present government.

What is your assessment of the Congress after forming government in three states?

The Congress is not getting stronger. In a situation of polarisation, the party in Opposition needs to be strong, but it does not seem to be so on the ground.

The Congress is facing the accusation of dynasty rule. Similar allegations are being made against the other parties in the Opposition, what do you have to say on this?

The truth is that the people are not opposed to family. If we talk about the last general election, a lot of effort was made to defeat us in UP. But if someone is winning, how can winners be defeated?

If a member of a political family decides to fight elections on the basis of her/his abilities and receives public support, then why should there be any resentment?

Do you think 2019 could bring forth a hung Parliament?

Looking at the current situation, it seems like that. New affiliation and equations can take shape only after the election.

From where will you contest the election?

I will contest from Mainpuri.
January 25, 2019 09:47 IST

'Most Hindus believe in living in peace with their Muslim neighbours and vice versa.'

'It is this India we have to preserve.'

IMAGE: The lynching of Mohammad Ikhlaq in September 2015 created a national furore with protests in different parts of the country. Photograph: PTI

Retired bureaucrat Harsh Mander is an ambassador of peace. His Karwan e Mohabbat set out from Nellie in Assam, where thousands were killed in 1983 massacres, to the homes of Junaid and cattle trader Pehlu Khan who were killed in mob lynchings two years ago.

Mander, below, put in his papers after the 2002 Gujarat riots as he felt there was administrative complicity in the post-Godhra train burning carnage.

At present he runs the Centre for Equity Studies which was served with an income tax notice by the Narendra Damodardas Modi government after Karwan e Mohabbat gathered momentum and popularity.

"The last few years it has been demonstrated to me that there is a greater degree of radicalisation of the Hindu mind and heart," Mander, author of a new book, Partitions of the Heart: Unmaking the Idea of India, tells Rediff.com's Syed Firdaus Ashraf.

After reading your book it looks like the concept of secularism has never been taken seriously in India even by the secular parties. How did we come to this stage?

India is right now passing through very difficult times. India is not as divided today since the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. Muslims and Christians have been reduced to a situation in which they are living in fear.

How have we come to this stage?

It is a difficult question and a very important one to answer to which I believe the struggle is an old one and at least 100 years old.

Right through our freedom struggle there were two ideologies being followed, one was of Mahatma Gandhi. In 1925, the RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) was constituted.

Right through our freedom struggle there were two battles going on. One in which the battle was against the British and the second battle was what would India do after the British left.

Essentially, the idea of India after the British left was represented by the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi and what was written beautifully in our Constitution by Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar to which the foundation was laid by Jawaharlal Nehru.

In this idea of India it did not matter which God you worshipped. Even if you did not worship, it did not matter. You will be an equal Indian protected equally by the law of the land.

This is what you called the idea of India, which the Muslim League opposed and got the idea of Pakistan on the basis of religion for Muslims and where Muslims constituted a majority.

In a sense, the idea of India was that we respected our differences, and it was a fundamentally different idea of India.

However, the Hindu Mahasabha and the RSS never accepted this idea of India and therefore they never participated in the freedom struggle. They were primarily in the battle for an India which would be dominated by Hindus, particularly upper caste Hindus who are 15 per cent of the population.

Everybody would be allowed to live as second class citizens. Now this was the alternative idea of India.

At the time emotions were high and Mahatma Gandhi's final fast was for his idea of India for which he was assassinated. After that, the country was stunned into the reaffirmation of this idea of India and the RSS went into the shadow of public life. It seemed for a while this issue was resolved for India.

But it was the battle against the authoritarian attitude of Congress and Mrs (Indira) Gandhi to which Jayaprakash Narayan called out the RSS to join battle. He gave them legitimacy, then the Ayodhya issue happened.

So the genie came out of the bottle?

Yes, the genie came out of the bottle. But the turning point of our history was the demolition of the Babri Masjid.

It was the first moment of political triumph of this alternative idea of India. And the Hindu right has never looked back from that time onwards.

The problem with the so-called secular parties was that they were weak in their conviction for secular values and did not stand up for secular values, which they should have stood for, and the values of the Constitution.

They constantly compromised on secular values in different ways. Even today, we see secular parties so unsteady in this battle.

One million people died during Partition. A country was born on the basis of religion, blood was flowing and in the midst of this, Mahatma Gandhi said this country belongs to all. That kind of moral courage we don't find at all among our secular parties.

Your book reminded me of Widening Divide by Dr Rafiq Zakaria. He wrote how Hindu-Muslim relations deteriorated during the Ram Janambhoomi movement. Do you think the relations between Hindus and Muslims are worse now than it was when the Babri Masjid was demolished?

The situation is much worse now. On my Karwan e Mohabbat travels we have met families affected by lynching. I am devastated by the extent to which I see street violence and hatred.

Hatred is of an extreme kind. They are not lynchings, bodies are mutilated and eyes are being gouged out.

The closest similarities to these kind of lynching was of (blacks) in America after the civil war where there was cruel kind of lynching where (white) families used to gather and watch it as a public performance. It was like some picnic was going on.

In India today that kind of thing has been replaced by video cameras (on cell phones). It is seen as a symbolic attack on the Muslim community just like the black community was attacked in America then.

Each lynching is like thousand lynchings and there is a message (to Muslims).

It is not the question of one Pehlu Khan or Junaid. Everybody is frightened today to eat meat.

With these acts they have reduced an entire community to being second class citizens.

So you don't change the Indian Constitution, but by these acts you make India a majoritarian Hindu State.

We find Muslims travelling freely across India wearing skull caps, women wearing burqas etc, so why do we generalise incidents like Pehlu Khan as if this is what India as a whole has become?

I have a lot of Muslim colleagues and friends. Many of my friends told me that a Muslim mother tells their children that when they are in a train not to say Salaam-Walekum or to discuss politics in public or not to grow a beard too long.

People are very scared to eat meat in a public place. This fact is demonstrating (Muslims) as second class citizens which is not the idea of India. That is the anguish and fear I talk about in my book.

Your book does not mention that there are cattle smugglers who happen to be Muslims and that there are incidents of terror where Muslims are involved. Don't you think Muslims must introspect and share blame for such incidents?

Of course, there is some radicalisation among Muslims in India, but if you compare the entire Muslim population of India, it is the least in the world.

There is also radicalisation of Hindus. I feel our opposition has to be against radicalisation and hatred.

We have no problem with Hindus or Muslims, but we have problems with Hindutva groups and radical Islamic groups.

The danger in India today is not from communalism but majoritarianism and this is across South Asia. In Bangladesh, it is the Jamaat-e-Islami which is a danger (for that nation's Hindus). In Sri Lanka there is a danger of Buddhist majoritarianism to Tamils and Muslims.

Your book says that in 1954, when Congress MP Seth Govind Das moved a resolution in the Lok Sabha for a total ban on cow slaughter, then prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru declared that he would rather resign than accept this nonsensical demand.

Didn't Nehru fear a Hindu electoral backlash as he also rejected Dr Rajendra Prasad's demand for banning cow slaughter as unimportant and reactionary?

People like Gandhi and Nehru were worried about what was right and wrong. Nehru believed in what was Constitutionally sound and was not worried about losing votes.

If you believe that every Hindu is radicalised, which is not the case yet, and if they were radicalised, all would have voted for the BJP. Why should they have ever voted for the Congress or say the Samajwadi Party?

The Congress lost ground in UP and Bihar when it compromised on secular values. It is only after the opening of the Babri Masjid locks, the Shah Bano case and the Bhagalpur riots that the Congress was wiped out in UP and Bihar.

You write that Hindus have forestalled the path of majoritarian dominance and, however imperfectly, protected minority rights and respected differences and diversity.

Do you feel this situation has changed permanently as Hindus have failed in the last five years?

I think we are slipping by the day.

The last few years it has been demonstrated to me that there is a greater degree of radicalisation of the Hindu mind and heart.

I am scary of a greater level, but I still believe that a majority of Hindus do not approve of hate and do believe in living in peace with their Muslim neighbours and vice versa.

It is this India we have to preserve.

Iif we continue down this way, then one day we will reach the point where there will be no point of return and we become like Pakistan.

I know of Muslims who have given up eating beef to respect Hindu sentiments and do not mind saying Bharat Mata Ki Jai or for that matter Vande Mataram. What is wrong if all Indian Muslims do that?

The problem with this is the coming of conditionality. To my mind, the idea of India is I can belong without being forced.

You see the German idea of nationalism. If you want to live as a minority in Germany then you have to accept the dominant culture and behave like a German.

In France they made a big issue of Muslim women wanting to wear burkinis to bathe. It is very strange as Catholic nuns go to the beach (in their traditional attire) and they have no problems with that in France.

So it is clearly saying that if you want to live as a minority in this country, then you have to live by respecting the majority culture and adjusting with it. This is not my understanding of the idea of India.

We have a diverse culture and Arunachal Pradesh is the most diverse state.

In Arunachal Pradesh there are 66 languages. There are some languages spoken by only 300 people and it is those 300 people speaking only one language who equally belong to India.

Those 300 people have a right to their language, dress, culture, worship, eat, love or do whatever they want that the majority community is not doing.

So there should be no condition except to respect the Constitutional morality to be an Indian.

Would a bill like the Communal and Targeted Violence Bill ensure that there are no more heinous riots in India?

Absolutely. Manipur is the first state that has passed a law which is very similar to Communal and Targeted Violence Bill. This bill was completely misrepresented by the BJP.

The central idea of this bill was that a public official or local district magistrate or superintendent of police decides riots should stop and lynching should not take place, then no such incident will happen as riots and lynching are a huge crime.

No riots can take place with the active complicity of local authorities. Time and again, public officials have not acted in riots and not acting (on duty) has so far not been recognised as a crime.

So what we are saying is that we should create a new trial that dereliction of duty by public officials commands responsibility. And if they are punished for not being active and go to jail, then they will act and do their duty and stop riots.

I don't want them to be in jail, but just do their duty. The fact that their conscience is not powerful enough to make them do their duty, you have to have some thing like this (bill).

After the 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots in UP, the Samajwadi Party gave Rs 5 lakh to each Muslim family to move out of their homes in Hindu localities. In the same way the Congress brought in the Disturbed Areas Act in Gujarat in the 1980s by which Muslims could not buy homes in Hindu localities.

So when secular parties fail in secularism, what does the future hold for the Muslims of India?

There is a movie called Garam Hawa. The last scene of that movie is iconic. The family feels they have no option but to go to Pakistan.

There is a procession passing and it has a red flag and not a green flag. Actor Farooque Shaikh gets up and says he will not go to Pakistan and that he will stay in India. He then joins the procession.

It says that Muslims have a complete future in India, but not in a Muslim identity, but in solidarity with other disadvantaged groups.

So Muslims must stand with Dalits, tribals, working class people, and farmers in solidarity and not retreat into a shell by saying they have no future except living in despair.

Muslims should join hands with other disadvantaged group in fighting the politics of hate.
January 25, 2019 12:45 IST

'The same instinct that thinks that women should remain at home and not be at the workplace, objects to the dance bar,' says Aakar Patel.

IMAGE: Bar girls perform at a dance bar in Mumbai in this photograph taken on May 5, 2005. Photograph: Punit Paranjpe/Reuters

The tradition and culture of the dance bar originated in Mumbai, particularly the area around Mumbai Central. Similar (and larger) places exist in the suburbs of the city and outside of Mumbai also, but their origin is in the area that described above.

The tradition may have to do with the public performance called Lavani, which is unique to Maharashtra.

The format of the places is similar. Small groups of men, and sometimes their families, sit on tables facing a small open area where half a dozen women dance to Hindi songs.

The women are dressed fully. The waiters serve alcohol, and even soft drinks are priced at the same level as beer. The women who are dancing are sometimes showered with currency notes by men who leave their table and go to the open area.

The men are discouraged from touching the women, and there are a few bouncers who regulate what is going on. There is probably a simple system for working out how the money that has been thrown is distributed and who gets what, though I do not know what it is.

The women do not reach out or collect the fallen notes; someone else does that.

The dance bar usually has multiple areas and the ones on the higher floors are reserved for clients willing to pay more money for privacy.

The dancing women move from one area to the next after a few songs, unless there is someone who is paying a lot of money for someone particular to remain.

I went to one place many years ago out of curiosity when I was editing a newspaper in Mumbai and I did not find the experience unpleasant. Similar places exist in other parts of the world, for example in Thailand and even in Japan.

However these places have not faced the anger of the state as they have done in India. In Mumbai, under the Congress government of Vilasrao Deshmukh, the dance bars were first banned about 15 years ago.

This happened at the instance of then Maharashtra home minister R R Patil who was from a village and did not like the ways of the big city. His particular objection was to women working at night and he claimed he was doing it to protect them.

The bar dancers, who were aware of the politics around their issue, protested to him but he did not listen.

The dance bar went underground after this and places continued to function, though the famous ones in central Mumbai had to shut down or change the nature of their work, because they were operating legally.

The constituency that was affected by the ban was not big, and the public at large does not sympathise with them, and so the political parties kept figuring out ways to keep the ban going.

This has changed with the Supreme Court saying that the ban was illegal. The state could regulate, but could not prohibit. In particular, I was interested at the language that the judges used.

They said that 'a practice which may not be immoral by societal standards cannot be thrust upon society as immoral by the State with its own notion of morality and thereby exercise social control' and that 'standards of morality in a society change with the passage of time'.

The court said the ban on alcohol at the dance bars was 'totally disproportionate, unreasonable and arbitrary', and the requirement for a licensee to be of 'good character' as too vague.

It also said the government could not insist on CCTVs to regulate the places because this was a violation of privacy.

The court upheld the ban on 'throwing or showering coins, currency notes, etc' that could lead to 'any untoward incident', but said that 'handing over of the notes to the dancers personally is not inappropriate'.

I find this strange because showering of money on individuals is an Indian tradition and happens even at weddings.

Overall, the judgment is very liberal and it will be interesting to see what sort of places will come up in Mumbai because of it. The court rejected the requirement for a monthly salary, saying this would restrict the women's option of performing at more than one bar.

Many of us will not like the fact that places like dance bars exist, because we see them as in some way corrupting society and a bad influence. We are convinced that what goes on is morally wrong and the women are exploited, though we do not ask the women participating in this if they enjoy their work or are proud of it.

Whether we like it or not, whether we see it this way or not, social progress is linked to morality and particularly how we view women. This is why conservative nations that avoid difficult debates are usually ones which are last to make progress.

The same instinct that thinks that women should remain at home and not be at the workplace, objects to the dance bar. That is why, even if it makes many uncomfortable, what India has allowed through this judgment is absolutely the right thing.

Aakar Patel -- winner of the 2018 Prem Bhatia Award for Political Reporting -- is Executive Director, Amnesty International India. The views expressed here are his own.
January 25, 2019 17:30 IST

The plant had been kept shut in violation of the order of the NGT and a subsequent interim order of the top court.

Mining conglomerate Vedanta on Thursday almost got a favourable order on the reopening of its Sterlite copper unit in Tamil Nadus Thoothukudi, but only for the lunch break between 1 and 2 pm.

Pre-lunch, amid heated courtroom arguments between counsels for Vedanta and Tamil Nadu, a two-judge Bench of Justice Rohinton Nariman and Justice Navin Sinha indicated that they would pass an order directing immediate reopening of the Sterlite copper plant and restoration of electricity connection to the unit.

The Bench had, however, till then not indicated if it would pass the order on Thursday itself.

Post lunch, when the court reassembled, the Bench said it would hear the matter on Tuesday and dispose it that day itself. Following the news, shares of Vedanta rose briefly before falling back when the hearing resumed at 2 pm.

During the pre-lunch hearing, Vedanta said it could comply with the directions given by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in its December 15 judgment, only if it was allowed access to its plant.

The plant - said Senior Advocate C A Sundaram, appearing for the firm - had been kept shut in violation of the order of the NGT and a subsequent interim order of the top court.

The company said it had not yet been allowed access to the plant, and that it would need nearly 60 days just to restart operations.

The NGT, in its December 15 judgment, while ordering the reopening of the Sterlite copper plant laid down a list of compliances to be followed by the company.

Among others, the company had to ensure effective and environmentally safe management of Copper concentrate and monitor ground water quality.

The tribunal had then also directed the state pollution control board to pass a fresh order of renewal of consent, paving the way for reopening the plant.

The ordeal for Vedantas unit, however, did not end there. On December 21, the Madurai Bench of the Madras high court passed orders asking to maintain status quo as was before the December 15 order.

Following the high court order, Vedanta once again approached the top court in January this year.

The Supreme Court on January 8, while admitting Tamil Nadus plea against the reopening of the copper unit, stayed the high court order and said that in the interim the NGT order on reopening of the unit would continue.

Citing the January 8 order, Vedanta said Tamil Nadu had been blatantly violating the top courts directions.

The counsel for Tamil Nadu, however, said they had not allowed Vedantas workers or administrative staff to enter the unit as it had not yet complied with NGTs December 15 directions, which were a prerequisite for allowing the reopening.

Tamil Nadus lawyer pleaded that the case be heard on Tuesday when it would argue as to why the plant should not be allowed to operate at all.

Post-lunch, the Bench also heard arguments by Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) leader Vaiko for some time before deciding to defer the matter for Tuesday.

MDMKs Vaiko has filed a Public Interest Litigation, opposing the reopening of the unit.

Photograph: Reuters
January 25, 2019 21:15 IST

The latest ad, done by O&M again, Vodafones ad agency, shows two engineers tinkering away in a dimly-lit highway tunnel.

A year ago, telecom operator Vodafone had brought its mascot, the pug, back into its advertising lexicon, while opting to convey the message of #StrongerTogether.

The merger with Idea had not been completed yet and Vodafone chose to push the message of a data-strong network using a symbol loved by all.

The communication was done without getting down to the brass tacks of networks, signals, towers and missed calls, something that rivals Airtel and Jio were pushing hard.

Instead, the Vodafone commercial, done by ad agency Ogilvy & Mather (O&M), showed an army of pugs following a boy through a street, symbolic of the network that follows you (Vodafones earlier positioning), now laden with an underlying message that one could talk, browse, play and shop without interruption (reflective of its new positioning), the result of adding a tower every hour.

A year on, Vodafone, now part of the merged entity Vodafone Idea Limited (VIL), has taken the thought of a data-strong network to the next level with #StrongerEveryHour, its first campaign of the year.

The idea of adding a tower every hour is there, but it is layered with one more message, namely, the service is uninterrupted even in crowded places.

The latest ad, done by O&M again, Vodafones ad agency, shows two engineers tinkering away in a dimly-lit highway tunnel.

One tells the other, Whats the point of working in these conditions if people will only watch cat videos and not really know or remember us after all the hard work weve put?

The older engineer turns around with a twinkle in his eyes and says, We do this so people dont remember us.

Vodafones trademark sophistication and cool has made way for the earthy realism of telecom - it is a tough business to crack, requiring an army of people, who work in tough conditions, ensuring consumers get the best experience and service.

K V Sridhar, founder and chief creative officer, Hyper Collective, says that the new communication is a reflection of the new reality - the domestic telecom market is hyper-competitive and that players have to constantly remind consumers that it is the better network providing uninterrupted service in data-dark places including tunnels, elevators and mountainous areas.

As K S Chakravarthy, chief creative officer, Tidal7 Brand & Digital, says, The cuteness is gone. What we see is proof-of-the-pudding advertising.

Hirol Gandhi, executive vice president and national integrated head, Team Vodafone at O&M, says, We started this journey last year with #StrongerTogether. It showcased Vodafones always-on effort in delivering a better experience for subscribers.

"The campaign, #Stronger EveryHour, builds on it, humanising the network improvement effort of Vodafone.

Sashi Shankar, chief marketing officer, Vodafone Idea Limited, says that it was important to put the spotlight on the backbone of the telecom industry, namely, network engineers.

For any telecom service operator, network engineers are the backbone for providing uninterrupted connectivity.

"Through this campaign, we are saluting these heroes for helping us deliver superior customer experience.

"Driven by digital, the #StrongerEveryHour campaign captures the essence of providing a seamless network experience across other media such as television, out-of-home, print and radio.

Telecom experts say that the merged entity has been quietly driving its network rollout initiative over the last few months and the campaign brings to the fore the faces pushing all of this, pointing also to a clever human resources policy that believes in giving credit where it is due.

The campaign, they say, has also picked up from where most other telecom operators are positioning themselves today: as the leading mobile data service providers.

The commercial, say experts, comes with a hint of the familiar Idea brand of earthy humour packaged in Vodafone colours such that you expect the Idea background score to actually play. Instead, viewers hear the thumping beats in sync with Vodafones communication.

In October 2017, Vodafone India and O&M, reiterated their brand commitment with a new ad campaign focused on the telecom operators 4G services.

Idea Cellular, meanwhile, parted ways with Mullen Lowe Lintas, the agency that gave them its iconic What an Idea Sirjee? and An Idea can change your life campaigns.

Idea has always catered to a largely rural market with loud jingles, lush fields and quaint villages. Vodafone, of course, has focused on the urban elite.

Brand experts say that VIL would do much better to push through Vodafones image over Ideas, since the latters target audience is too close to its primary rival Jio.

VIL and O&M are not dropping hints at all. For now, there seems to be no pug in Vodafones communication.
January 25, 2019 11:57 IST

'In many parts of the country, the empty nest-and-empty-nest egg story is a painful boom-to-bust saga.'

'Among the old and young, it is hitting pockets hard, in a linked chain of debt-laden banks, corrupt politicians and builder mafias and disastrous government policies,' says Sunil Sethi.

Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff.com

A civil servant I know, retired in Kolkata, has been sitting and biting his nails all the way up in Noida for many months now.

He is trying to sell a flat he purchased in the building boom a decade ago to buy a home for his twilight years.

Even at a 20% loss on his investment, he cannot find a buyer.

His daughter, a mid-career Noida resident, is also stuck.

Her husband and she took out a loan to buy a small flat, hoping the rental, once the mortgage was over, would supplement their income.

Months later, the flat is vacant.

They can't find a suitable tenant, even at a discount.

In many parts of the country, and glaringly so in the National Capital Region, the empty nest-and-empty-nest egg story is a painful boom-to-bust saga.

Inter-generationally, among the old and young, it is hitting pockets hard, in a linked chain of debt-laden banks, corrupt politicians and builder mafias and disastrous government policies -- from inflated land acquisition prices to heavy stamp duties, often higher than prevailing market rates.

According to some estimates, there may be as many as 200,000 housing units in Delhi-NCR either lagging years behind delivery dates, or languishing for want of buyers or tenants.

That figure is not exaggerated when the headline-grabbing Amrapali group alone has shortchanged about 42,000 homeowners and gone down with a debt of Rs 40 billion to banks and other institutions.

The Supreme Court sent three promoters of Amrapali to jail where they will join Sanjay Chandra of Unitech who has been in for more than a year.

Unitech is yet to deliver on 16,299 flats, for which buyers have paid nearly Rs 80 billion.

No two operators could be in greater contrast -- Mr Chandra, suave, public school and US-educated, to Amrapali's Amit Kumar Sharma from a hick town in Bihar who siphoned off buyers's money into other trades, from manufacturing consumer goods, making movies and lobbying frantically for a Rajya Sabha seat.

In Delhi itself there is no land to spare.

Galloping growth has centred on agricultural land in neighbouring Uttar Pradesh (Greater Noida halfway to Agra, and Ghaziabad, halfway to Meerut) or Haryana and Rajasthan (Gurgaon and beyond, halfway to Jaipur).

Both states have been powered by a succession of corrupt, land-controlling governments and developers, private and public.

Robert Vadra is one high-profile beneficiary of allegedly acquiring, and converting, parcels of agricultural land for commercial purposes in sweetheart deals with politicians and developers.

There are numerous other eye-watering examples of promoters and patrons cashing in during the suburban gold rush.

A well-known scam involves a powerful group of high-ranking civil servants's wives led by the silken spouse of a former Cabinet secretary.

Under the guise of a welfare society for disadvantaged women, this group acted as intermediary to dubious builders, and sold hundreds of flats to officials, lawyers and journalists.

When deliveries were delayed by years, the do-gooding ladies evaporated; pleas and threats to the builder also fell on deaf ears.

In one impasse, a few desperate journalists sought the urban development ministry's help.

A sympathetic official managed to track down the builder.

"Do you know what diverting the public's money is called?" he told him before the media group. "It's called fraud." The journalists managed to extract their flats (with penalties) but thousands of others have been "mugged and dumped" as one first-time home buyer put it.

Many are at mercy of intervention by courts.

The housing glut and aftereffects of demonetisation have only hastened the great property crash, but they are not the only reasons for the "price correction" in real estate, as some analysts politely call it.

There is very little by way of regulated town planning, infrastructure and construction standards.

Middle-class homeowners complain that the gap between what the builder promised and what they got is so great that it often requires a gutting and thorough refurb.

And across the social spectrum residents of Noida and Gurgaon are bitter about lack of basic amenities: Awful roads, non-existent parks, garbage disposal, water treatment plants or public security.

"One of the filthiest streets in Noida is where Minister of Culture Mahesh Sharma's family runs his chain of hospitals. Please come and see," a disgusted resident told me.

The view from the palatial penthouses in gated high rises -- all manicured lawns, glittering lobbies and rooftop lap pools -- may not be all that rosy. "We can't afford these for our staff," an international banker from Mumbai said.

"There are almost no decent, compact one or two-bedroom apartments available in these areas. Mumbai offers better per square foot value for money."

At the heart of the recent crisis between the Reserve Bank of India and government that has boiled over is a simple question: Who controls and regulates credit and money supply?

The government believes it is its birthright.

The main reason for the treacherous downturn in real estate is the same.

Governments control land, access to bank credit, and urban development as forms of political largesse.

Any wonder that the paying public's nest eggs are emptying fast?
Four finalists will be publicly addressing University of Georgia students, faculty and staff over the next two weeks as part of the interview process to replace former UGA provost Pamela Whitten, the importance of a university provost may not be immediately obvious.

What exactly does the provost do, and why should you care about this decision?
As the weekend approaches, The Red & Black has compiled a list of the need-to-know events happening on campus and throughout the city for the next four days.
While Stacey Abrams made history as the first black female to give the official Democratic response to the State of the Union address, Athenians, UGA students and employees gathered around a screen at Hendershots Coffee Tuesday to view both Trumps and Abrams speeches.
The future of Lindsay's Friday Night Market is up in the air, as City Council voted 5-0 Tuesday to begin the process of seeking new operators for the market to replace the Lindsay Chamber of Commerce.
Traverse City, MI (49684)

Today

Becoming partly cloudy after some morning rain. High 72F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%..

Tonight

Clear to partly cloudy. Low 52F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph.
One Sri Lankan Army Captain and a trooper were killed and three others were injured when their convoy came under an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attack in Mali today, the Sri Lanka Army said.

An armoured vehicle, WMZ carrying Sri Lankan Peacekeeping troops on patrol in the general area of Douentza in Mali, came under the remote-controlled IED attack around 6.30 am local Mali time.

The attack on the WMZ and the convoy which was returning after a mission, killed one Sri Lankan Army Captain and another Sri Lankan Army Trooper who were on board the WMZ. Reports reaching Sri Lanka further confirmed that three more Sri Lankan soldiers have sustained injuries and admitted to the nearby hospital, the Army said.

In a statement, it said at the time the statement was compiled, clearing operations were still on. The attack caused damages to the ill-fated WMZ vehicle and another that followed behind. UN Peacekeeping Mission Headquarters in Mali is conducting investigations into the incident, it said.
Make a rule, and the first thing humans are going to do is try to find a way around it. Its just what we do, and Californias onerous and byzantine gun restrictions are no exception to this basic fact of human nature.

The California gun market is rife with clever workarounds to the ban on scary-looking guns, and they tend to travel one of two different paths.

The first is to remove all the features that the state government has determined to make a gun assault-y: No pistol grips, folding or collapsible stocks, flash hiders, et cetera. Doing this allows the gun to retain its detachable magazines and results in some fairly bizarre and awkward-looking firearms.

The second pathway is to have a fixed magazine. Originally, this was defined as magazines that couldnt be removed without a tool, and the common workaround was the bullet button. This being a magazine release that required a tool, such a the nose of a bullet, to depress the magazine release.

The definition was changed to a magazine that couldnt be removed without breaking open the action. Most solutions currently on the market require the gun to be broken open for loading or unloading, which is terribly awkward.

Enter the CompMag, a first-time exhibitor at SHOT Show this year.

The CompMag is a magazine that is seated in the mag well of an AR or AK pattern rifle and then, with the action open, a hex screw is tightened that wedges the magazine into the well, rendering it non-removable.

There is a slot in the side of the magazine body, similar to that often seen on rimfire pistols, with a knob attached to the magazine follower. Simply pull the knob down to the bottom of the slot and into the detent there, and the magazine is ready to load.

To load the magazine, a sliding cover opens on the side opposite the slot and rounds can simply be dropped in, since youre not having to fight the tension on the follower. Once ten rounds are in, the knob is moved out of its detent and the gun is ready to load and fire. The slot in the mag body also serves as an ammo indicator, with numbered positions along its length.

Best of all, should the shooter leave the state, the magazine can be removed and the weapon is restored to a normally-functioning configuration, with no tools needed other than an Allen wrench.

Versions of the CompMag are already in production for the AR and AK, and an AR-10 .308 version is in the works.

Visit https://www.compmag.net/
Olympic figure skater Adam Rippon and Season 10 winner of "RuPaul's Drag Race" Aquaria announced the cast of Season 11 of "RuPaul's Drag Race" on Thursday.

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Rippon interviewed the queens after they walked the runway.

Viewers voted via hashtag between two challenges per queen on what they wanted the queens to perform and Aquaria explained the challenges before the queens attempted to complete the tasks in under a minute.

The first contestant announced was A'keria Davenport of the same Dallas drag family as Season 7 queen Kennedy Davenport and the late Sahara Davenport of Season 2.

She said that her experience in pageants helped prepare her for the competition. A'keria Davenport had to guess what was inside a fuzzy pink box based on feel alone and correctly identified a lobster, a plate of pasta and a snake.

Honey Davenport of the same family was also announced as part of the cast. Honey Davenport came out in a bee-inspired look and said she was "buzzing out love to each and every person watching today."

Honey was a backup dancer for Season 9 performer Peppermint and is a drag mother to All Stars 4 competitor Monet X Change. Honey Davenport played Quick Straw where she used a straw to move pretzels from one bowl to another.

New Jersey native Ariel Versace was the second drag queen announced. Versace described her makeup style as a "Bratz doll aesthetic." The fans chose the "Know Your Herstory" challenge and Aquaria peppered Versace with questions about U.S. history.

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Brooke Lynn Hytes was the first contestant to hail from Canada. Hytes has a background in ballet and performed en pointe with the all-male drag ballet troupe Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo.

She won Miss Continental in Chicago. She was asked to throw darts blindfolded.

Kahanna Montrese, drag daughter of Season 5 and All Stars Season 2 queen Coco Montrese of Las Vegas, came out in a Cardi B inspired purple bodysuit. Montrese attempted playing flip cup.

Mercedes Iman Diamond will be the first Muslim drag queen to be featured on "Drag Race."

The pageant queen said of being on the show, "I just want to share to those kids out there that are so scarred to be who they are." Mercedes played "Art is Blind" where she painted a canvas with vision blocking glasses on.

Nina West of Ohio auditioned nine times before making it on Season 11. Rippon said the first time he went to a gay bar West was performing.

West said she remembered meeting Rippon after the event because of a mutual figure skating friend. West played a game called "Under Wraps" where she had to mummify a VH1 intern with toilet paper.

Plastique Tiara, the self proclaimed "Asian Barbie," had a Crazy Rich Asians-inspired blue feathered look.

Tiara is the drag daughter of "Dancing Queen" star and All Stars 2 drag queen Alyssa Edwards of Texas. Tiara had to put a pancake in drag with different condiments.

Pageant queen Ra'jah O'Hara said that participating in competitions before didn't necessarily prepare her for the competition. It was her first time auditioning.

Her favorite song to lip sync to is "Do it well" by Jennifer Lopez. O'Hara had to pin a tail on a blown up photo of New York City drag queen Lady Bunny.

Adam Rippon won the bronze metal at the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, and in doing so was the first openly gay man to win a medal at the Winter Olympics.

Rippon also won "Dancing with the Stars: Athletes" with partner Jenna Johnson in May 2018.
By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 01/24/2019



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Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.

fans can count on the fact TLC will soon debut a new season of the popular reality series.TLC has announced Season 4 of starring the famous Duggar family and their significant others will premiere Monday, February 11 at 9PM ET/PT.'s new season will continue to follow the Duggars, Seewalds and Vuolos, as the families will have major news to share and big adjustments to make -- from budding relationships to strengthening marriages.The new season will also feature new faces and heartbreaks that test the strength and significance of family and faith. Jinger Duggar and Jeremy Vuolo prepare to welcome their first child, a baby girl, but as the due date approaches, Jinger nervously recalls her sisters' long labors and big babies."Viewers will be invited along the intense delivery, beginning with her decision to induce and hopefully avoid unexpected complications," according to the network.Once Jinger and Jeremy return home in Laredo with their beautiful daughter, Felicity, the couple will have to learn how to navigate being new parents.Meanwhile, John-David Duggar and Abbie Grace Burnett are beginning a new chapter in their lives after a whirlwind courtship and an aviation-themed proposal.John and Abbie must settle on a date for their wedding in just a few short months, and so they will enlist the help of Jana Duggar and a family friend, Laura, to begin coordinating the ceremony and reception for a whopping 1,000 guests."From floral designs to ordering porta-potties, Jana and Laura must pull everything together for John and Abbie's dream day," TLC teases."Once the happy occasion is finally here, John and Abbie are on cloud nine as they seal the deal with a first kiss to remember."As for Josiah Duggar and Lauren Swanson, they will enjoy a chaperone-free honeymoon in Austria, where the newlyweds will take advantage of some romantic moments and view the iconic sights from The Sound of Music.In addition, Jessa Duggar and Ben Seewald, Joe Duggar and Kendra Caldwell, Joy Duggar and Austin Forsyth, and the rest of the Duggars will be busier than ever next season with new babies, new milestones and new plans for the future.According to TLC, 's fourth-season broadcast run will consist of seven, one-hour episodes and then culminate in a two-hour wedding event.
By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 01/25/2019



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Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.

couple Elizabeth Potthast and Andrei Castravet have welcomed their first child together.Elizabeth gave birth to a baby girl, and the couple -- who appeared on Season 5 of in 2017 -- named her Eleanor Louise, Us Weekly reported Elizabeth gave birth at 6:13AM on Wednesday in Tampa, FL, according to the magazine.The baby reportedly arrived weighing six pounds and 11 ounces, and she also measured 19.5 inches long."We are so blessed to finally meet our baby girl, Eleanor Louise!" the new parents told Us in a statement."This is such a joyful and amazing moment for us. We have never felt this rewarded in our lives and we are looking forward to our bright future as a family of three. Thank you so much to our fans for their continued support and love during our journey."Elizabeth posted photos from her maternity photo shoot on January 20, just three days before going into labor."All of my love," Elizabeth captioned a series of images in which she wore a sexy, lace black dress.Elizabeth and Andrei confirmed the pregnancy and announced the baby's gender in October 2018, around the same time they had celebrated their one-year wedding anniversary.The reality TV stars said they learned they were expecting in May 2018, about six months after their season wrapped on television.Elizabeth's brother-in-law, Orlando Davis, spilled the beans on her pregnancy during a segment of his radio show called Orlando and the Freakshow on October 1.Elizabeth told Cosmopolitan not long afterwards she was "extremely upset" Orlando had leaked her big news.Elizabeth met Andrei, from Moldova, during a trip to Ireland in 2016. Andrei moved to the United States in September 2017 and then he and Elizabeth quickly tied the knot one month later.After starring on , the couple also appeared on Season 2 of TLC's : What Now? spinoff.
Property details:

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Property details:

FREE 2019 USE TO THE BUYER SELLER HAS PAID THE 2019 MAINTENANCE FEE FOR YOU FREE use based on resort availability and the resorts ability to complete the transfer in time. Sumday Vacations does not guarantee FREE use or that this property will transfer in time. If FREE use is received, this will be considered a bonus to the buyer. Foxrun Townhouses STT82508-65648Contact Foxrun Townhouses 180 Herman Wilson Road Lake Lure, NC 28746USA Resort telephone number: 828/625-0097 Resort Fax Number: 828/62...

Price: $ 1 Number of Bedrooms: 2 Property Address: 180 Herman Wilson Road State/Province: North Carolina Seller State of Residence: Missouri Number of Bathrooms: 2 Zip/Postal Code: 28746 Type: Activities City: Lake Lure Location: 656**, Kimberling City, Missouri

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Investment So Cal Lot near University!! Only $5,000 easy TERMS OR CASH discount This auction is for an approximately 2,200 sq. ft. lot, in a GREAT LOCATION!! It is paved, fenced and ready to start producing income in the city of San Bernardino, in San Bernardino County, California. The legal description is TRACT 14252 LOT A The property is only about 65 miles from Downtown Los Angeles. Paved roads lead to the lot which runs street to street from the popular highway Kendall Drive to a nice quite ...

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The Singaporean Government agreed to introduce the technical knowledge for the prevention of narcotic drugs and to assist the drug prevention program initiated by President Maithripala Sirisena, the Presidents Media Division said.

A meeting held at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel yesterday between President Sirisena and Singaporean Minister Desmond Lee and the officials of the departments dealing with the prevention of drugs in Singapore. They have agreed to extend support to the programmes to eliminate and prevention of drugs in Sri Lanka.

Accordingly, a special team of officials from Singapore will arrive in Sri Lanka shortly to provide assistance for the programme conducted by Sri Lanka to prevent and control drug trafficking. The officers made detailed descriptions to the President on the tackling of drugs and the national programs conducted by that country on preventing illegal drugs smuggling. The President was briefed about the current programs conducted by several Ministries of Singapore to eradicate drugs.

The President also explained about the national level programs conducted by Sri Lanka in eradicating the drugs, which has become a severe problem to the country. To appreciate the police officers who are dedicating to prevent drug smuggling and control and eradicate drugs, a function to present them Presidential Awards will be held next week, said the President.
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When Sen. Dianne Feinstein told Amy Coney Barrett, who is now confirmed as a judge for the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and is a potential Supreme Court nominee, that "dogma lives loudly within" her and "that's of concern," she wasn't voicing concern over the nominee's religious orthodoxy as much as she was revealing her own.

After all, Catholicism, unlike progressivism, has never inhibited anyone from faithfully executing her constitutional duties -- which the judge has done with far more conviction than Feinstein. Maybe Barrett should have been asking the questions.

Recently, by unanimous consent, the Senate approved a Ben Sasse resolution that declares that it is unconstitutional to reject nominees because of their membership to the Knights of Columbus. This move was instigated by a similar incident, when Democratic Sens. Kamala Harris and Mazie Hirono criticized President Donald Trump's nominee for the U.S. District Court for the District of Nebraska, Brian Buescher, for being a bit too Catholic for their liking. The Knights of Columbus, a benevolent society that still clings to antiquated notions about the dignity of human life -- from the very beginning to the very end -- doesn't exactly adhere to the new progressive moral canon.

Unlike many friends on the right, I'm less offended by questions regarding dogma and belief. It's true that the Constitution explicitly states that a federal government officeholder or employee can't be required to adhere to or accept any particular religion or doctrine as a prerequisite to holding a federal office or job. But it's also true that the clause directly preceding that clause requires every federal and state official to take an oath to support the Constitution. Rejecting someone over his faith alone is unquestionably a religious test. Merely asking a nominee whether her beliefs might stop her from fulfilling her constitutional duties is a relevant question.

For many liberals, though, the problem is that the beliefs of many Catholics and other adherents of various Christian theologies -- or, for that matter, Jewish ones, as well -- are increasingly undermining progressive ideals, not constitutional ones.

As Beto O'Rourke might ask, do the principles of the Constitution "still work"? When it comes to religious freedom, they most certainly do not. It's progressive dogma that led a Harvard-educated Washington Post editor to incredulously ask how traditional Christian schools can even "happen" in contemporary American society.

She was questioning not merely whether second lady Karen Pence is right or wrong to teach at a Christian school -- after all, Americans are free to be critical of people's faith -- but how a school that adheres to the teachings of a church that counter progressive dogma can exist at all.

This is the same progressive moral dogma that justifies yearslong attacks on the livelihood of Christian bakers and florists. It's the same dogma that justifies coercing nuns to pay for the rite of birth control. If one doesn't adhere to these commandments, the state, the most powerful institution in the world, will sue them into submission.

In this regard, liberals also like to claim that those who do allow traditional faith to inform their political views are somehow undermining a tenet of American life. (Well, as long as that traditional faith can't be utilized for left-wing agenda items, such as immigration and socialized health care.) As it goes, some of us, even nonbelievers, prefer the teachings of Jesus to those of Marx -- which, in the non-celestial world, means free will over coercion. Whatever the case, our backgrounds and beliefs always color our opinions.

The Democratic presidential hopeful Tulsi Gabbard, an apostate on this issue, recently argued in an op-ed that if the Knights of Columbus are a disqualifying group, "then President John F. Kennedy, and the 'liberal lion of the Senate' Ted Kennedy would have been 'unqualified' for the same reasons."

Well, not exactly the same reason. The anti-Catholicism of the past was predicated on an aversion to new immigrants, conspiracies about the pope, and a general long-standing theological distrust among religious denominations. In the political arena today, only the latter of those reasons is in play, and the denomination isn't Protestant. The "liberal lion of the Senate" wouldn't be disqualified by today's standards, because in public life, at least, he was a doctrinal liberal.

"There are many people on the left who act like every political fight is going to bring about heaven or hell on earth -- and so there are a lot of folks for whom politics is a religion," Sasse said after his resolution passed.

Progressives are the most zealous moralists. And these lines of questioning from Democrats, increasingly prevalent in political discourse, are an attempt to create the impression that faithful Christians, whose beliefs are at odds with newly sanctified cultural mores, are incapable of doing their jobs.

Sasse is right. Political bellum sacrum is here. We're just not looking at the right people.

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WASHINGTON -- Contrary to legend, Marie Antoinette probably never actually said "let them eat cake." The Trump administration is saying it loud and clear, though, to government workers who have now gone more than a month without a paycheck.

"I don't really quite understand why" unpaid employees are resorting to food pantries and other forms of charity, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross told CNBC on Thursday. They should just take out loans from banks or credit unions to pay for necessities, he advised. Of course they'd have to pay some interest, but "there's no reason why some institution wouldn't be willing to lend."

Ross, who is a billionaire, should try supporting a family on less than $45,000 a year, like most Transportation Security Administration airport agents do. He would be shocked to learn that banks do not treat every prospective borrower the same. "Where is the red carpet? Why are rose petals not being strewn in my path? What do you mean by 'no'?"

At least Ross didn't advise unpaid employees to do what President Trump did whenever his real-estate schemes threatened to collapse in ruin: Borrow millions of dollars from Dad.

Meanwhile, National Economic Council Director Larry Kudlow told a reporter that federal employees who are being forced to work without pay are "volunteering." The truth is, of course, that if they don't work, they will lose their jobs.

This is the heartless, clueless worldview with which Republicans in Congress have aligned themselves. They demonstrate no sympathy whatsoever for the 800,000 government employees -- plus hundreds of thousands of contract workers -- who are being made to suffer because Trump does not understand how the Constitution works.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is teaching the president, but he's a slow learner.

Trump got his latest lesson Wednesday when he sent Pelosi a letter arrogantly demanding that he be allowed to deliver his State of the Union address next Tuesday in the House chamber as originally scheduled. He was, in effect, daring Pelosi to follow through on her threat to postpone the speech until the government was reopened.

Pelosi's response reminded me of another San Francisco enforcer, the fictional Dirty Harry, who told miscreants: "Make my day." She gave Trump formal notice that she will not take the formal steps necessary to arrange the speech, period, until the shutdown is over. End of discussion.

Trump grumbled about how Pelosi -- "or Nancy, as I call her" -- "doesn't want ... the American people to hear the truth," and he had made defiant noises about giving the speech in some alternate venue. But finally he crumpled like a cheap suit, accepting Pelosi's decision that the address will take place after the shutdown ends. That's "her prerogative," he acknowledged.

Just as he threatened not to surrender over the speech, Trump insists he will never cave on his demand that Congress give him $5.7 billion for a border wall. As I said, he's a slow learner. A deal that would let him claim some measure of victory has always been available. The only question is how much more political damage he wants to do to himself and his party before he takes it.

Leading Democrats have strongly indicated that they are willing to give Trump $5.7 billion for "border security." Some portion of that money could be vaguely earmarked for barriers and fencing -- allowing Trump to tell his base that Congress gave him money for his border wall, and Democrats to say they did no such thing.

This would be a great deal for Trump because -- and I can't say this often enough -- the "big, beautiful wall" that he ridiculously promised during the campaign is totally unfeasible and will never be built, much less paid for by Mexico. And it would be a great deal for the president because the Constitution gives Congress, not the president, the power to decide how public money is spent.

All Trump is accomplishing with the shutdown is to send his approval numbers lower, even as measured by friendly pollsters such as Rasmussen. And if the government remains closed much longer, he will be hanging millstones around the necks of Republican senators who must run for re-election in 2020.

The fact that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has emerged from hiding tells me that he's ready to end this farce. He should start by explaining to Trump that the president doesn't always get his way -- and that instead of referring to Pelosi as "Nancy," he really ought to try "Madam Speaker."

(c) 2019, Washington Post Writers Group
Good morning, its Friday, January 25, 2019. Todays Quote of the Week comes from Shirley Chisholm, the first African-American woman to serve in Congress. On this date in 1972, she announced her candidacy for the Democratic Partys presidential nomination.

I am not the candidate of black America, although I am black and proud, Chisholm said. I am not the candidate of the womens movement of this country, although I am a woman and Im equally proud of that. I am not the candidate of any political bosses or fat cats or special interests. I stand here now, without endorsements from many big-name politicians or celebrities or any other kind of prop. I am the candidate of the people of America!

Ill have more on this remarkable woman -- and some of her other memorable lines -- in a moment. First Id direct you to our front page, which aggregates an array of columns and stories spanning the political spectrum. We also offer original material from our own reporters and contributors, including the following:

* * *

School Safety Panel Said to Pull Punches on Parkland Shooting. In RealClearInvestigations, Paul Sperry reports that Betsy DeVos and Jeff Sessions failed to blame lenient Obama-era discipline policies out of fear of being labeled racists.

Now Schools Have Defense Budgets. Also in RCI, Steve Miller finds that security sells in school districts around the country after the Florida school massacre nearly a year ago.

A Greener New Deal: CO2eight. In RealClearEnergy, Mark Mackie proposes a plan that he says would reduce carbon, taxes, and poverty.

Why China Is the Worlds Factory Floor. RealClearMarkets editor John Tamny argues that the Trump administrations protectionist policies are rooted in a flawed understanding of how the world works.

Are College Accreditors Improving Student Outcomes? In RealClearPolicy, Michael Itzkowitz examines how well accredited institutions are doing to improve the graduation rates of their students.

10 Warships That Simply Disappeared. Brandon Christensen compiled this list in RealClearHistory.

* * *

The Democrats 1972 presidential nomination went to George McGovern, who carried one state against Richard Nixon. Shirley Chisholm couldnt have done much worse.

Christened Shirley Anita St. Hill, she was born November 30, 1924, the oldest of four daughters. Her father was a factory worker from Guyana, her mother a seamstress from Barbados.

Her parents settled in Brooklyn, where Shirley was born into a household where education was valued -- and the oldest child excelled in school. Shirley graduated from Brooklyn College with honors, taught pre-school, served as a director of two day-care centers, and went to Columbia University for a masters in early childhood education.

Elected to New Yorks state legislature in 1964, she was in her second term in Albany when she ran for a newly districted congressional seat in Brooklyn.

Ladies and Gentlemen, shed announce over a bullhorn as she walked through precincts, this is fighting Shirley Chisholm coming through. If she was campaigning in Bedford-Stuyvesant, which had become 20 percent Hispanic, shed announce herself in Spanish, which she spoke fluently.

In the traumatic year of 1968, she won the Democratic primary less than two weeks after Bobby Kennedy was martyred, and then romped in the general election. Just wait, she said after winning, there may be some fireworks. Some of the themes Chisholm ran on seem contemporary, as does her attitude when she arrived in Washington.

I have no intention of just sitting quietly and observing, she said in response to those who wanted Chisholm to wait her turn. I intend to focus attention on the nations problems. Her first floor speech was in opposition to the Vietnam War.

She was given an unglamorous seat on the Agriculture Committee, an assignment she protested to the House leadership, which relented and put her on the Veterans Affairs Committee. It wasnt her first choice, or her second, but she made the best of it. There are a lot more veterans in my district than trees, she quipped.

Unbought and unbossed was her campaign slogan. It was true, too, and these words would be the title of her autobiography and are carved on her gravestone.

In 1982, she declined to run for re-election, returning to her original career, education. Before she left, she shared her parting thoughts with a reporter from the Associated Press. I've always met more discrimination being a woman than being black, she said. When I ran for the Congress, when I ran for president, I met more discrimination as a woman than for being black. Men are men.

Her entire January 25, 1972 presidential announcement speech can be seen here, courtesy of C-SPAN. If that whets your appetite for other speeches by other women, this spring a new repository of them will be available to the public.

This project, called the Keynote Women Speech Bank, is the brainchild of Dana Rubin, a former colleague of mine from our old California newspapering days. Dana, who is also toiling personally to get it set up, tells me that if you click on the link KeynoteWomen.com, you can be signed up for notification when the site officially launches.

While you wait you can read Shirley Chisholms autobiography. I want history to remember me -- not as the first black woman to have made a bid for the presidency of The United States, Chisholm wrote, but as a black woman who lived in the 20th century and who dared to be herself. I want to be remembered as a catalyst for change in America.

Carl M. Cannon

Washington Bureau chief, RealClearPolitics

@CarlCannon (Twitter)

ccannon@realclearpolitics.com
If it was the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. that black and white would come together in friendship and peace to do justice, his acolytes in today's Democratic Party appear to have missed that part of his message.

Here is Hakeem Jeffries, fourth-ranked Democrat in Nancy Pelosi's House, speaking Monday, on the holiday set aside to honor King:

"We have a hater in the White House. The birther in chief. The grand wizard of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. ... While Jim Crow may be dead, he's still got some nieces and nephews that are alive and well."

At the headquarters of Al Sharpton's National Action Network, wrote The New York Times, Jeffries' remarks were "met with ... much cheering."

At a Boston breakfast that same day, Sen. Elizabeth Warren chose to honor King's memory in her way: "Our government is shut down for one reason ... So the president of the United States can fund a monument to hate and division along our southern border."

At a rally in Columbia, South Carolina, Sen. Cory Booker declaimed -- in what could be taken as a shot at his New Jersey colleague, the lately acquitted Sen. Bob Menendez -- "We live a nation where you get a better justice system if you're rich and guilty than poor and innocent."

Booker urged the crowd "to apply the ideals of Dr. King" and avoid vitriol in dealing with political adversaries.

But his Senate colleague Bernie Sanders, also in South Carolina, wasn't buying it. Routed by Hillary Clinton in the South Carolina primary in 2016, Sanders is determined not to lose the party's African-American majority that badly in 2020.

"Today we talk about racism," said Sanders. "It gives me no pleasure to tell you that we now have a president of the United States who is a racist."

Sanders apparently connected, with his remarks "drawing applause."

Joe Biden spoke in D.C. in the full apology-tour mode made famous by his former boss, Barack Obama. He brought up the 1994 crime bill he shepherded though the Senate, which treated consumption and distribution of crack cocaine as more serious crimes than the use of powder cocaine, and then confessed to the crowd that it was "a big mistake."

"We were told by the experts that, 'crack you never go back,' that the two were somehow fundamentally different. It's not. But it's trapped an entire generation."

Biden meant that lots of black folks got locked up for a long time, unjustly, conceding, "We may not have always got things right."

Biden then proceeded to slander the nation that has honored him as it has few of his generation: "Systematic racism that most of us whites don't even like to acknowledge" is "built into every aspect of our system."

Is America, 50 years after segregation was outlawed in our public life, really a land saturated with systemic racism?

Mayor Michael Bloomberg was also in D.C.

The mayor's problem with African-Americans is that he pursued a policy of stop-and-frisk with criminal suspects in New York. So, he sought to find common ground with his audience by relating "a series of events that had shaped his recent thinking about race."

The mayor said he had "recently learned about the deadly race riots in which white residents destroyed the Greenwood district of Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1921, and murdered several dozen black residents."

But why did his honor have to go all the way back to 1921 and Tulsa to find race riots, when Harlem, in the heart of the town he served as mayor for 12 years, exploded in a riot in 1964 that spread to Brooklyn and Queens and lasted six days?

Why did Bloomberg not bring up the worst riot in U.S. history, when Lincoln sent Union veterans of Gettysburg to shoot down Irish immigrants protesting the draft in New York?

"It's up to us to bring these stories out of the shadows so they never happen again," said the mayor.

But where are black communities threatened by white mob violence in 2019? Was the Watts riot of 1965, were the Detroit and Newark riots of 1967, was the rioting, looting and arson that ravaged 100 cities after King's death a result of rampaging whites assaulting black folks?

Was the LA riot of 1992, which targeted Koreatown, the work of white racists?

Monday, after a meeting with Sharpton, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand offered her message of conciliation. Said the successor to Sen. Hillary Clinton, President Trump has "inspired a hate and a darkness in this country that I have never experienced myself.

"It is wrong to ask men and women of color to bear these burdens every single day. ... White women like me must bear part of this burden."

Does there not come a time when the pandering has to stop?

Ronald Reagan preached America as the Pilgrim fathers' "shining city on a hill." For Democrats today, America is the heart of darkness.

Can people lead a republic that they have come to see as a sinkhole of racism?

COPYRIGHT 2019 CREATORS.COM
Europes most powerful personages on Tuesday signed a treaty for the unification, of Western Europes biggest countries.
By Paul Sperry, RealClearInvestigations

For fear of being labeled racist, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos stopped short of linking the Parkland, Fla., school massacre to lenient Obama-era discipline policies aimed at reducing suspensions and arrests of minority students, say staffers and others involved in an investigation of school safety led by her.

Education Department officials, as well as investigation witnesses, said DeVos and co-commissioner Jeff Sessions, then the U.S. attorney general, thought it would be politically radioactive to single out the race-based policies for blame in the tragedy, despite the evidence, so they excluded it entirely from the final report.

The Federal Commission on School Safety did recommend rescinding the Obama-era discipline guidelines in its report issued late last month  and has suffered an angry backlash from civil rights groups, Democrats and others who accused the administration of being insensitive to black children.

But its failure to make the connection to Parkland has also upset some parents of the shooting victims, who partly blame lenient discipline policies for the bloodbath that killed 17 students and school staff almost one year ago, Feb. 14.

It's appalling, said one parent, who spoke on condition of anonymity. The depth of their cowardice and incompetence is astonishing, said a source who worked with Parkland parents and the commission and also requested anonymity.

Nikolas Cruz in court this month. Top, school-safety commissioners Betsy DeVos and Jeff Sessions, center, flanked by Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar, left, and Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen, also commission members.

Such critics believe the shooting might not have occurred but for a controversial arrest-diversion program that allowed repeat offender and confessed gunman Nikolas Cruz to avoid a criminal record, which authorities say would have stopped him from purchasing the murder weapon.

Pioneered by the Broward County school system, the leniency program was part of a nationwide push by the Obama administration to end what it called racial disparities in suspensions and arrests between minority and white students at public schools. Though Cruz is white, he still benefited from the program, which swaps cops for counseling for law-breaking students of all races.

The Federal Commission on School Safety was established by President Trump last March with DeVos as its helm. After some 10 months of hearings and investigation, the final report's chapter on school discipline does not mention the Parkland shooting at all. Nor does it cite Cruz or the alternative discipline program he was assigned to by Broward administrators, despite committing multiple offenses every year throughout middle and high school, generating more than 70 incident reports. Critics say this omission is as puzzling as it was deliberate.

Not in Safety Panel Report: Accounts of U.S. School Thuggery

Not in Safety Panel Report: Parkland Parents' Anguish



Aided by expert witnesses, parents provided the panel with testimony and documentary evidence detailing how the shooting sprang from Browards so-called PROMISE program, which cut delinquents like Cruz slack for a host of crimes committed on campus. Administrators never referred Cruz to law enforcement or expelled him, even after he made threats against the school and brought live ammunition to class.

Parkland parents note that the federal panel did not recommend prohibiting the use of such programs. Not linking the policy to the indelible shooting makes it easier for school authorities to continue the PROMISE program, which the parents consider dangerous.

Anthony Borges, right, and his father, Roger, left, with grandfather Alfredo at a news conference in Plantation, Fla., Anthony Borges sustained five bullet wounds after he used his body to block a classroom door during the Parkland massacre.

Lawyers of families suing the school district and county sheriffs office for negligence say they had hoped for an acknowledgement of government culpability. "It would strengthen the case against the government agencies, said Alex Arreaza, attorney for survivor Anthony Borges, a Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School student who was shot five times during the massacre.

"As a lawyer, I dont find it difficult to make the causal connection -- between the shooting and the policy  but I can see that there was politics involved in not making the connection, Arreaza said.

Referring to the federal commission, he added, "They didnt want to rock the boat more than it has already been rocked.

PROMISE (for Preventing Recidivism through Opportunities, Mentoring, Interventions, Supports & Education) was held up by the Obama administration as a model for its Supportive School Discipline Initiative, first launched in 2011. In 2014, the departments of education and justice issued to the nations 13,600 public school districts national standards discouraging suspensions and school-related arrests, except as a "last resort." Districts that did not adopt the new guidelines were threatened with bias investigations and reduced funding if their discipline standards, even if neutrally written and applied, produced significant racial disparities. Over the next few years, the government investigated dozens of districts across the country.

Supporters of the Obama directive say it has been instrumental in protecting the civil rights of minority students disproportionately suspended or arrested and removed from school. In issuing the rule, the Obama administration cited Education Department data showing that black students were suspended at three times the rate of their white peers. It argued that such punishments were denying black kids valuable classroom time and contributing to the academic achievement gap and, they claimed, a school-to-prison pipeline. Obama hoped reducing suspensions and arrests would give such disadvantaged youth a better shot at success by increasing attendance and test scores.

Even as evidence grew that the new policies were eroding classroom safety across the country, fears of being labeled racist led to a year-long delay in scrapping the Obama directive, Education Department officials told RCI. In fact, the White House had to step in and nudge the agencies to finally make the move.

At one meeting last year, according to two Education Department staffers, DeVos and her top aides fretted that they couldnt tie Parkland to the policy, or even rescind the policy, without being "labeled racists in the media. Sessions, who served on the commission with DeVos, also grew fearful of being tarred by the media and developed cold feet as the commission neared its decision, according to people who spoke with him at meetings, adding that he did not want the scrapping of the minority-friendly policy to be part of his legacy.

However, a former senior Justice Department official said that Sessions wanted to rescind the policy all along. We wanted that guidance rescinded long ago, a year ago -- more than a year -- but we kept getting pushback from DOE. The official said DeVoss office kept breaking deadlines for rescinding the guidance and making excuses for it. Sessions had to wait on the Education Department and could not act to rescind the policy unilaterally, because the Obama guidance letter had been issued jointly by Education and Justice.

"The problem was 100 percent the Department of Education, insisted the Justice official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Also, the source asserted that Sessionss office had made the connection between the Obama policy and the Parkland shooting "right away, and presented evidence to the commission that the policy was partly to blame for the tragedy. The source said that Sessions had not seen the chapter of the report on discipline policy, which failed to make the connection between the Obama guidance and Parkland, before he resigned.

Trumps domestic policy advisers were sympathetic to their fears, but advised that the alternative was continuing to promulgate policies that endangered students.

A compromise was struck to wait to rescind the Obama-era policy until after the midterm elections, when political temperatures had dropped, and after Sessions planned Nov. 7 resignation. The agencies finally revoked the policy on Dec. 21, when Congress was in recess and much of the country was observing the holidays.

Candice Jackson: Briefed DeVos on Obama discipline directive.

Like Sessions, DeVos had been dogged by accusations of racism since first taking office, and staffers say she didnt want to attract any more fire from racial activists than she had to in withdrawing the Obama-era directive.

A DeVos spokeswoman did not respond to requests for comment.

Staffers say the education chief was always open to repealing the Obama discipline directive, though she wasnt versed in the issues until she was briefed via a long memo by DOE civil rights lawyers led by Candice Jackson, then-acting head of the departments Office for Civil Rights. DeVos was especially concerned that racial quotas were being used to pressure schools to "get their numbers right" on suspensions, expulsions and arrests.

Then she encountered backlash from civil rights activists along with a raft of bad press. Critics first hammered her for remarks she made in February 2017 about historically black colleges being pioneers of school choice, and staffers say she became sensitive to charges of racism from that point forward.

In August 2017, in a contrite interview with the Associated Press in her office, she acknowledged racial insensitivity in some of her comments. She also said she hadnt decried racism enough.

In January 2018, after intense internal debate and several rounds of staff-level discussions, her office agreed to move ahead with rescinding the Obama rule, the department sources said. An agreement was reached among Jackson, Steve Menashi, then-acting DOE general counsel, and John Gore, then-acting head of the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division. (Justice had to sign off because the guidance had been issued jointly by that department and education in January 2014.)

After Cruz opened fire on the Parkland campus the next month, Trump assigned DeVos to lead a school safety commission to consider, among other things, the repeal of the Obama administrations Rethink School Discipline policies. Plans were made to announce the final decision to scrap the policies later that summer, after a DeVos summit on school discipline, which took place in April.

Protest of confirmation of Betsy DeVos as Secretary of Education in 2017.

But the announcement was postponed because, as DeVos chief of staff told department lawyers, who recounted the delay for RCI, she was not ready to rescind it. Politically, the timing was terrible. DeVos was reeling from a tough interview she did in March with "60 Minutes," during which, aides said, she did not answer effectively correspondent Lesley Stahls suggestion that disproportion in discipline was due to institutional racism.

Shortly after her interview, 145 civil rights and liberal organizations signed a letter to DeVos demanding she back off efforts to repeal the rule, arguing it was a critical tool for protecting African-American students from discrimination, and implying that any attempts to scrap it were racist.

At that point, department sources said, it also became a major struggle for lawyers and other advocates within the department to shepherd through what they say was the obvious conclusion that the Parkland shooting grew out of the permissive discipline policies that were still in effect. Suddenly, they said, timidity set in among commissioners about even recommending rescinding the policy.

Some department attorneys also argued for issuing a separate guidance discontinuing the former administrations use of a disputed racial theory known as disparate impact"  which holds that seemingly race-neutral policies are forms of discrimination if they disproportionately impact minorities.

Sources say the department was sensitive to arguments from civil rights groups, who see disparate impact as a critical tool for identifying implicit bias. In the end, the education and justice departments decided to leave disparate impact in place, where it remains a potential cudgel over schools.

This concession did not protect DeVos and other commissioners from criticism.

The irony is, by doing it in the way they did, they invited the worst-case [scenario] in terms of media reaction, because all the stories have been Trump distracts from gun control by rescinding protections for black kids without even trying to pretend like it was connected to the shooting,  said a policy expert who worked with the commission.

The policy expert said that the commission knowingly and willfully refused to pursue key facts linking discipline policies to the shooting.

Sen. Patty Murray: Charges the commission used the guise of school safety to rescind guidance aimed at stopping racism.

Indeed, supporters of the Obama-era policies have pointed to the school safety commissions refusal to link them to Parkland as proof that those who had done so  including the parents of victims  were simply trying to change the subject from the need for more gun control.

On how the Obama-era discipline guidelines might have led to the Parkland shooting, the draft report was silent, the New York Times noted. The paper quoted a civil rights lawyer concluding, Safety is a red herring intended to raise fears about our own children.

Others have suggested the administration just wants to let racist schools get away with targeting black kids for punishment. The Washington Post asserted the guidance  had absolutely no connection to school shootings, and suggested that by removing it, the Trump administration was merely punishing black schoolchildren."

Sen. Patty Murray, the top Democrat on the Senate committee overseeing education, claimed that DeVos was using the guise of school safety to rescind guidance aimed at stopping racism.

The four-member commission held a series of meetings, field visits and listening sessions around the country that began in March and ran through August of last year.

In panel discussions and written testimony, witnesses offered countless examples of unsuspended students bullying and assaulting other classmates and teachers. They explained in private briefings that the Obama guidance left schools afraid to punish violent students like Cruz.



Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) also provided testimony to the commission blaming the Obama policies for allowing bad behavior to fester and creating an environment for violent acts by students like Cruz. In a letter to DeVos and Sessions, Rubio last year stated, [F]ailure to report troubled students like Cruz to law enforcement can have dangerous repercussions. The 2014 directive lacked such common sense."
On Jan. 25, 1968, an Israeli submarine called the INS Dakar went missing along with her entire 69-man crew. For 30 years the Dakar was subject to much speculation, searching, and, thanks to the actions of the Israeli government, conspiracy theorizing. In 1999, her remains were found in between the islands of Cyprus and Crete, at a depth of 9,800 feet. The best reporting on the INS Dakar can be found here. Apparently, the hull simply collapsed after the crew dived too quickly. But official denials from the Israeli military, and a 2005 interview with an Egyptian naval officer stating that he was part of a crew that had sunk the Dakar, complicate the picture.

To make matters even more interesting, three other submarines disappeared in 1968. (Ill get back to them shortly.) The disappearance of warships is nothing new to history buffs, but here are 10 disappearances, aside from the INS Dakar, you may not have heard about:

10. HMAS Sydney & Kormoran (lost: November 1941). So, in 1941, two light cruisers, one German and the other Australian, got into a fight in the water and both vessels were destroyed. Hundreds of survivors from the Kormoran (German side) were found floating in life rafts and on nearby islands, but no survivors were ever found from the Aussie cruiser. The two vessels, or what was left of them, were finally recovered in 2008.

9. U-47 (lost: March 1941). The U-47 was one of many German submarines that disappeared during he course of World War II, but thanks to the exceptional talents of German record keepers, it is known that U-47 was one of the most successful U-boats of World War II: she sank 31 Allied shipping vessels all by herself. In late February of 1941, U-47 left for a mission off the coast of Ireland, but she never returned. Unlike many of the warships on this list, U-47 has never been recovered and nobody knows exactly what happened to her.

8. USS Scorpion (lost: May 1968). A nuclear-powered, nuclear-armed submarine that disappeared into the deep blue at the height of the Cold War? You better believe it. Speculation has continued to run wildly in all directions. The U.S. Navys reports have been inconclusive, too. A Soviet torpedo may have been responsible for the disappearance of the Scorpion. Or it could have been a hull eruption. Or a malfunctioning torpedo that exploded within the submarine. Nobody truly knows, but because the Scorpion was nuclear, it is subject to close monitoring by several U.S. agencies responsible for environmental safety. The wreckage can be found 9,800 feet below the surface of the North Atlantic, about 400 miles southwest of the Azores.

7. Minerve (lost: January 1968). The French Navy submarine disappeared two days after the Dakar did, and in the Mediterranean Sea, to boot. No wreckage has ever been found, but foul weather is still the prime suspect. The Minerve was on a routine patrol and her new captain had more than four years and 7,000 hours of submerged boating under his belt. A joint French-American search in 1969 found no traces of the Minerve, either.

6. K-129 (lost: March 1968). The fourth submarine to disappear in 1968, K-129 is useful for pointing out that the technology gap between the capitalists and the socialists was already showing, with U.S. efforts from Alaska being able to pinpoint the wreckage to within five miles of the crash, while the Soviet navys search was hundreds of miles away from the actual crash site. Project Azorian, which was the name of the secret CIA mission to retrieve K-129, was one of the best-kept secrets of Cold War. The CIA got involved because the Navy was too open, and a nuclear-armed Soviet submarine had wrecked roughly 1,500 hundred miles northwest of Oahu. Despite its secrecy, the story got out to the press within a year. At 16,000 feet below sea level, the attempt to salvage K-129 was at the time a major feat of engineering, as nothing had ever been retrieved at the depth before. Only part of the submarine was salvaged.

5. Kbenhavn (lost: December 1928). A large military training vessel of the Danish Navy disappeared en route from Buenos Aires to Australia. When I say large, I mean it was the largest sailing ship ever built when it was finished. And it just vanished without a trace. The captain of the vessel, one Hans Andersen (really!), was known for being slow to communicate, so an official search crew didnt get started until April 1929. By that time, only sailors tales remained of the Kbenhavn. This story reminds me a good novel: John Calvin Batchelors The Birth of the People's Republic of Antarctica.

4. HMAS AE1 (lost: September 1914). Australias first submarine lasted almost seven months in Canberras service before she disappeared off the coast of Papua New Guinea. An official search party was not put together until 1976, and it wasnt until December 2017 that the wreckage of AE1 was found. The Australian government is honoring the site as an official war grave. Several theories had been put forth about the AE1, from sabotage to German mines to underwater volcanoes. The craziest part? AE1 was hard to find because of all the other shipwrecks in the area!

3. ARA San Juan (lost: November 2017). Disappearances are not limited to the Cold War or the world wars. The Argentine warship San Juan disappeared during a routine patrol. All 44 members are presumed dead, including Argentinas first female submarine officer. The San Juan was purchased from West Germany (you read that right) and it is theorized that the submarine simply imploded. Dang. No tall tales or conspiracy theories for the San Juan; just a developing country trying to maintain a Navy using Cold War-era technology.

2. HMS Sappho (lost: February 1858). Known for causing a serious diplomatic crisis between the United Kingdom and the United States over a slave-trade incident, the HMS Sappho almost met her fate when she ran aground in Honduras (she spent most of her time suppressing the slave trade). The Sappho was refloated, caused a serious incident with the United States, and then disappeared along the coast of Australia. All searches for the vessel and her crew came up empty-handed.

1. USS Porpoise (lost: September 1854). The Porpoise spent most of her time working on scientific expeditions, kinda like Jean-Luc Picards USS Enterprise in Star Trek. She traveled to Antarctica and helped the U.S. chart vast swathes of the South Pacific, circumnavigated the globe, helped bomb Mexico into submission during the Mexican-American War, and patrolled West Africa looking for illegal slave traders. Not a bad life, if you ask me. In May of 1854 she set out with a squadron to China in order to explore the North Pacific, but en route the Porpoise became separated from her squadron and disappeared.

Have a good weekend.
UAE legal drama series Justice, produced by Abu Dhabi studio Image Nation and Beelink Productions, is now available on streaming platform Netflix.





The series, which first aired on OSN in September 2017 , is based on real-life cases from the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, which acted as a production partner in the project.Reportedly the most expensive ever UAE TV production, Justice (or Qalb Al Adala in Arabic) centres on an ambitious and passionate young lawyer called Farah who has just returned home after gaining a law degree in the US.The series was created by Oscar nominee Walter Parkes and Emmy award winning producer William Finkelstein. Directed by Ahmed Khaled Justice stars Fatima Al Taei, Mansoor Al Feeli, Mohamed Alamiri, and Malak Al Khalidi.Image Nations CEO Michael Garin has described the series as LA Law meets Dallas in Abu Dhabi.Speaking when Justice was first broadcast in the Middle East, Dr Salah Khamis Al Junaibi, director of corporate communication and international cooperation at Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, said: The participation of the judicial department in the production of Justice was to educate UAE audiences about the legal system and spread awareness about our efforts through non-traditional avenues.We are hoping to teach our rules and regulations through a simple method that will reach all walks of life in the UAE and contribute to the effective consolidation of social security in Abu Dhabi.Netflix is increasing the amount of Arabic programming it has, with production underway on its first Arabic original, a supernatural teenage drama called Jinn
UK: Maritime Transports newly-formed intermodal business division and DB Cargo UK have announced an agreement in principle which will see the road haulier award the rail company a contract to operate four dedicated services from Felixstowe and Southampton, with Maritime taking over responsibility for DB Cargo UKs existing intermodal customers ...
Former President and Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksas youngest son Rohitha tied the nuptial knot with Tatyana Livera yesterday, amidst a distinguished gathering including politicians representing different parties. Pictures show the couple flanked by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa and Shiranthi Rajapaksa.
Jorge Haddock, president of the University of Puerto Rico, will give the lecture What IF the world ran on 100 percent renewable energy? at 6 p.m. Feb. 6 at Stewart Center's Fowler Hall. (Purdue University graphic)

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.  Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico, and the Caribbean island will be struggling to rebuild for years.

But what does rebuilding look like and how can renewable energy be a part of those efforts?

Jorge Haddock, president of the University of Puerto Rico, will address this question in his lecture What IF the world ran on 100 percent renewable energy? Haddock, a Purdue graduate and business leadership authority, is in the unique position of leading one of the islands cornerstone socioeconomic institutions during post-hurricane recovery. He will discuss the global future of renewable energy and how Puerto Rico is approaching the idea. Topics will include the risks and rewards of switching to 100 percent renewable energy in an environmentally turbulent area, Puerto Ricos short- and long-term plans for renewable energy use, and the islands ongoing renewable energy research and its participation in international sustainability initiatives.

The lecture, which is free and open to the public, is 6 p.m. Feb. 6 in Stewart Centers Fowler Hall. It will be followed by a panel discussion with Purdue faculty members. The panel will be led by John Sutherland, the Fehsenfeld Family Head of Environmental and Ecological Engineering, with Maureen McCann, professor of biological sciences and director of the Energy Center in Discovery Park; Luciano Castillo, the Kenninger Professor of Renewable Energy and Power Systems in Mechanical Engineering; and Rakesh Agrawal, the Winthrop E. Stone Distinguished Professor of Chemical Engineering.

The event is a part of Purdues Ideas Festival, the centerpiece of Purdues Giant Leaps Sesquicentennial Campaign, which is a series of events that connect world-renowned speakers and Purdue expertise in a conversation on the most critical problems facing the world. One of the Ideas Festivals themes is sustainable economy and planet.

More information about Haddock is available online. This event is in partnership with the College of Engineering.

Writer: Kelsey Schnieders Lefever, kschnied@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service contact: Amy Patterson Neubert, 765-494-9723, apatterson@purdue.edu

Source: Stephanie McKinley, college events specialist, College of Engineering, samckinl@purdue.edu
The legendary Margaret Atwood's highly-anticipated conversation with Night Circus author Erin Morgenstern on Thursday morning provided a fitting final keynote at WI14, following as it did Reshma Saujanis Wednesday morning exhortation to booksellers to be brave and Hanif Abdurraqibs Wednesday afternoon presentation, asking booksellers to move in closer to him.

Possessed with a dry, morbid sense of humor that immediately endeared her to her audience, Atwood joked, We all know why youre here: youre here because youre saying to yourselves, shes going to die. This might be my last chance."

It was a wide-ranging discussion that began with the two novelists talking shop about the writing process and the politics of defying literary conventions in their writing. "Some people feel that genre should be watertight compartments, with them in charge of what's allowed in," Atwood said. The conversation also included humorous anecdotes about their experiences while promoting their novels-- including Atwoods memories of her first public signing, in a department store, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada for her 1969 novel, The Edible Woman. "There were no lines," she joked, in response to Morgenstern's account of her first signing, at BEA in 2012, where she faced lines that "snaked everywhere."

Inevitably, the conversation turned to Atwoods next novel The Testaments, a sequel to her 1985 bestseller The Handmaids Tale. She said that The Testaments, which follows three narrators and is set 16 years after the conclusion of The Handmaids Tale, will be released on September 10, even though there's nothing yet, but the cover, and she is still writing it. Explaining that the story is radically different from The Handmaids Tale, she said she could not divulge any more or her publisher would be "very cross" with her.

Not only did Atwood receive a standing ovation from booksellers, but she drew a second round of applause when she curtsied to them before stepping down from the stage.

It was an amazing conversation," Bob Sommer of Changing Hands Bookstore in Tempe, Ariz., said. I went into it as a groupie and came out as even more of one." Throughout the day, booksellers at the breakfast with whom PW spoke raved about Atwood.

As impressed as booksellers were with Atwood, Morgenstern held her own during the conversation between the two. During the Thursday evening cocktail author reception, when 92 authors were signing either finished copies or galleys, the massive line of booksellers wanting advance copies of Morgensterns second novel, The Starless Sea (Doubleday, Nov.), demonstrated that her book was the most sought after title of the evening. Doubleday printed 250 galleys specially for WI14 booksellers.

This is my book of the show, said Emily Hall, the owner of Main Street Books in St. Charles, Mo., as she waited in line to snag a signed copy. Ive been wanting this novel ever since I read Night Circus. I ran for it the minute the doors to the ballroom opened.



As Thursday evenings reception wound down, ABA CEO Oren Teicher stood in the center of the crowded ballroom with senior ABA strategy officer Dan Cullen and reflected upon the event. Weve been hearing very good feedback about WI14, he said. Many of the comments [were] about the energy and passion manifested here. For some years now weve talked about a new generation of booksellers joining our ranks. Here in Albuquerque I think weve seen how true that is. Were going to take all of this energy and put it directly into our planning for WI15.

Next year, Winter Institute will move east. WI15 is set to take place in Baltimore, Md., January 21-24, 2020.
Maurice Carlos Ruffin. One World, $27 (336p) ISBN 978-0-525-50906-6

Ruffins brilliant, semisatirical debut stars an unnamed narrator whos all but consumed by his blackness. Forced to become the committed to diversity face of his law firm and the pawn of an insidious ad campaign headed by powerful, flirtatious shareholder Octavia Whitmore, the narrator suffers through one indignity after another. He endures a routinely racist police stop and learns that Octavia fantasized about wearing blackface and then theres the historical revisionism at the school his mixed-race teenage son Nigel attends, where teachers insist that every schoolboy knows the Civil War didnt start because of slavery. The narrator only wants Nigel to be spared the dread of being young and black in America. In fact, hes been forcing Nigel to apply skin-lightening cream over the objections of his wife, Penny, and is planning to submit Nigel to an experimental plastic surgery procedure that he hopes will visibly erase his heritage and break the long chain of prisons, prejudice, and limited career options that characterize the narrators own forebears (his father is incarcerated, a fact that brings the narrator nothing but shame). And yet this is only the setup for a story that suddenly incorporates the violent interventions of a militarized cell of protesters, and hastens the narrator, Nigel, Penny, and Octavia toward a set of separate fates that are both harrowing and inevitable. Though Ruffins novel is in the vein of satires like Paul Beattys The Sellout and the film Get Out, it is more bracingly realistic in rendering the divisive policies of contemporary America, making for a singular and unforgettable work of political art.
Thomas Nelson, a part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing (HCCP), faces more than $15 million in damages owed to a printing company after a jury in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee found it liable for breach of contract and fraud.

EPAC Technologies, Inc., which also provides book manufacturing, fulfillment, and distribution services, filed a class action lawsuit against Thomas Nelson in early 2012. It sought damages for millions spent on upgrades and expansions as a result of its contract with the Christian publisher, which at the time the contract began was owned by the private equity firm Kohlberg & Company before it was sold to HarperCollins. EPAC alleges that Thomas Nelson failed to provide the agreed-upon order requisites before seeking new pricing from another vendor and terminating EPACs five-year contract without proper cause, according to court documents.

At trial, according to EPAC, it showed that HarperCollins claims of defects and late deliveries were fabrications designed to give the publisher an excuse to terminate the contract. Thomas Nelson was not able to show that any orders were late, that even a single book was returned, not a single credit was requested or issued, and not a single customer complained about the quality of book produced by EPAC, and EPAC showed that HarperCollins wanted to terminate the contract after it improperly disclosed EPACs business information to a competitor.

On January 18, a jury awarded EPAC $3 million in breach of contract damages, $60,000 in fraudulent concealment damages, and $12 million in punitive damages.

A spokesperson for Thomas Nelson said that the publisher disagrees with the verdict and is in the process of challenging it in court. Thomas Nelson believes that the so-called fraud claim (not disclosing to EPAC that it was also negotiating with a competitor) is wholly without merit, legally or factually, and that it acted properly in 2011 when it terminated the printing contract that EPAC admitted it could not fulfill," the spokesperson said.
Less than a month in, 2019 is already setting up to be an eventful year for the library communityand accordingly a host of important issues are on the schedule for the 2019 ALA Midwinter Meeting, which kicks off today in Seattle. And before the doors even open, a little good news for ALA: after two years of low attendance, pre-conference registration numbers for this year's midwinter meeting are up significantly over the previous two years.

As usual, the Midwinter Meeting features a great slate of authors and speakers, kicking off with philanthropist Melinda Gates, who will deliver the conferences opening keynote, in conversation with Seattles own Nancy Pearl, immediately followed by a reception in the exhibit floor. (Check out the ALA Midwinter website for more details and a complete program listing.)

But librarians will also get down to business, with the ALA in the midst of an organizational transformation. In addition to proceeding with its plans to find a new executive director, the organization will also hold a series of discussions regarding the sale of its Chicago headquarters, as well as the future direction of the ALAs mission.

 The last fiscal year was a a year of progress, for ALA, with membership growing by almost 3%, and with the ALAs Endowment Fund growing by a healthy 9%. 

ALA officials stress the changes are about re-tooling the organization for the future. In a January 2 report in American Libraries, ALA treasurer Susan Hildreth said the association was on back solid ground after two previous years of "challenging fiscal results for the ALA. Hildreth said the last fiscal year was a a year of progress, with ALA membership growing by almost 3%, and with the ALAs Endowment Fund growing by a healthy 9%. But with changing demographics, services, technology, and advocacy needs, ALA officials say now is the time to face the future head on.

Advocacy will be a prominent theme at this years annual conference, with a public rally planned for Saturday, January 26, at the Seattle Public Library. The rally will feature America Library Association (ALA) president Loida Garcia-Febo, Chief Librarian for The Seattle Public Library Marcellus Turner, Seattle City Councilmember Deborah Juarez and Washington Library Association president Rhonda Gould.

Libraries provide more than just books. They support community engagement and the delivery of new services that connect closely with patrons needs., said Garcia-Febo in a statement. As libraries transform, we should seize every opportunity to showcase their magnificent work.

Indeed, as 2019 unfolds, the library community is facing its usual array of challenges, including expectations that the Trump administration, as it has for the last two years, will again seek to eliminate all federal library funding. E-books and digital content are also expected to be a hot topic, with the major publishers appearing to consider new restrictions on e-lending after years of relative calm in the sector.

And of course, the highlight of ALA Midwinter is the announcement of the Youth Media Award winners, and the winners of the Carnegie Medals for Excellence in Fiction and Nonfiction.

Check out the PW website for all our coverage of the 2019 ALA Midwinter Meeting.
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Six Gold 2019 Travvy Awards Winning awards in different categories  from retail travel agency and franchising to technology and luxury villa provider, speaks to the strength and diversity of our company.

World Travel Holdings and its brands including CruiseOne, Dream Vacations, Cruises Inc.  and Villas of Distinction have earned six prestigious Gold statuettes at the Travvy Awards, for every category in which they were nominated.

The annual Travvy Awardsknown as the Academy Awards of the travel industrywere held Wednesday, January 23, 2019 at Gotham Hall in New York City to recognize the highest standards of excellence in the travel industry by honoring travel companies, travel products, travel agencies and destinations for their outstanding achievement.

Suppliers, destinations and individuals from across the world of travel are eligible to submit their nominations to be considered annually for the honor of being recognized as an innovator in the industry. This year, more than 100,000 votes  the largest voting block of agents in history  were cast to determine the 2019 Travvy Award winners. These winners were then honored during an awards dinner and presentation attended by the finalists, industry leaders and travel professionals from around the world.

With a portfolio of more than 35 diverse brands and as one of the nation's largest online and offline leisure travel companies, World Travel Holdings took home the Gold in the Large Retail Travel Agency category. World Travel Holdings caters to every kind of traveler and its extensive product offerings give customers the freedom to choose how they want to vacation  from luxurious villa and resort getaways to top-brand cruises visiting the world's most popular destinations.

A member of the International Franchise Association and the number one franchise for military veterans, Dream Vacations/CruiseOne won Gold in the Best Travel Agency Consortium Cooperative or Franchise Group category. Dream Vacations/CruiseOne, along with its sister brand Cruises Inc., which is the original host agency in the U.S., were also recognized with two technology awards  Gold for Best Travel Technology Planner and Gold for Best Travel Planning Technology  for the resources they provide which enable agents to work from anywhere in the world with an internet connection. The Dream Vacations/CruiseOne franchise opportunity gives entrepreneurs a choice in how they want to brand their travel business, and Cruises Inc. is an independent business opportunity. Both business models provide a work-from-home opportunity to those interested in selling all types of travel experiences whether it be a cruise, resort stay or land tour.

Full-service premier luxury villa provider Villas of Distinction, which has an extensive portfolio of thousands of privately-owned villas in more than 50 luxurious destinations was recognized with the Gold in the Best Villa Rental Company Overall category, and with the Gold in the Best Vacation Packagers-Luxury category. The luxury provider has gained its clients trust by ensuring every villa meets strict standards so that each home exceeds the guests expectations. For more than 25 years, Villas of Distinctions team of experts have made vacation planning effortless by helping travelers find their perfect vacation home, and creating one-of-a-kind getaways and lasting memories at the worlds top villas.

Winning awards in different categories  from retail travel agency and franchising to technology and luxury villa provider, speaks to the strength and diversity of our company, said Brad Tolkin, co-chairman and CEO of World Travel Holdings. Its an honor to be named a Travvy Awards winner in multiple categories as our win was determined by those who know us best: travel agents and their clients.

For more information, a breakdown of categories and to view the full list of winners, please visit http://www.TravvyAwards.com.

For more information on World Travel Holdings and any of its brands please visit http://www.WorldTravelHoldings.com. World Travel Holdings is currently hiring virtual travel agents. For more information on joining this award-winning team, please visit the World Travel Holdings careers page.

About the Travvy Awards

The annual Travvy Awards, presented by travAlliancemedia, recognize the highest standards of excellence in the travel industry and honor travel companies, travel products, travel agencies and destinations for their outstanding achievement with a prize considered to be the Academy Awards of the travel industry. More than 100,000 votes  cast by the agents who sell the vast majority of these trips to tens of millions of consumers yearlydetermined the very best in the travel industry. This represents the largest database of the nations foremost leisure-selling, independent travel agents in the country. The selections by agents reflect suppliers and destinations they believe provide the best overall service to their clients. For more information, please visit http://www.TravvyAwards.com

About World Travel Holdings

World Travel Holdings is the nations largest cruise agency and award-winning leisure travel company with a portfolio of more than 35 diverse brands. In addition to owning some of the largest brands distributing cruises, villas, resort vacations, car rentals, resort day passes and luxury travel services, World Travel Holdings has a vast portfolio of licensed private-label partnerships comprised of top leisure travel providers, including almost every U.S. airline, leading hotel brands and prominent corporations. The company also operates a top-rated travel agency franchise and the country's original host agency, and is consistently recognized as an industry leader in work-at-home employment. Its global presence includes operating multiple cruise and vacation brands in the United Kingdom. World Travel Holdings has offices in Wilmington, Mass.; Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; Virginia Beach, Va.; New York, NY; and Chorley, England. For more information, visit WorldTravelHoldings.com.
Vertical Flight Society Announces Surge in Membership (VFS logo) We are witnessing an unprecedented explosion in innovation and the Vertical Flight Society is both the community and the catalyst leading this change, said VFS Executive Director Mike Hirschberg.

The Vertical Flight Society, the worlds leading non-profit organization working to advance vertical flight, announces today that it has experienced strong growth in all its membership categories, thanks to the unprecedented global investment in advanced new military and civil vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft.

Worldwide increases in funding from governments and industry are fueling the development of advanced new high-speed tiltrotor and compound rotorcraft. The Bell V-280 Valor tiltrotor and the Sikorsky Boeing SB>1 compound Joint Multi-Role (JMR) Technology Demonstrators have proven the American industrys ability to build a new generation of advanced rotorcraft for the US Department of Defense (DoD) Future Vertical Lift (FVL) program, while the European Union is funding the development of the Airbus Racer compound and Leonardo Next Generation Civil Tiltrotor as part of Clean Sky 2. The FVL and the Clean Sky 2 programs are both investing more than $1B apiece in these four demonstrators.

In addition, the promise of urban air mobility is driving development of nearly 150 electric and hybrid-electric-powered vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft design concepts. Well over $1B has gone into exploring the potential of this transformative capability, with much of the funding coming from outside of the aerospace industry.

We are witnessing an unprecedented explosion in innovation and the Vertical Flight Society is both the community and the catalyst leading this change, said VFS Executive Director Mike Hirschberg. Over the past five years, we have successfully advocated for more than $65M in additional funding for vertical flight research and development by the Pentagon, and hosted dozens on events around the world that have engaged thousands of engineers, innovators and technology experts in the civil and military VTOL community leading these transformative efforts in vertical flight.

Todays transformational developments in vertical flight are fueling a wide expansion of the industry and an increasingly imperative demand for talented engineers and innovators. As an educational society, VFS works to support the collaboration between industry, government and academia to help the industrys need for innovative engineers and scientists, with a global network of student chapters, competitions, scholarships and pathways to internships and employment.

Largely as a consequence of these innovative new aircraft programs and the high demand for talent, the Society has experienced an impressive growth over the past two years of more than 12% in individual members, an increase in corporate members by one-third, and a doubling of its educational members. VFS now has more than 5,500 individual members, with nearly 25% residing outside the United States; over 100 corporations, with 36% being non-US-owned companies; and 29 universities who have joined as educational members, with 42% being outside the US.

VFS corporate members include nearly every major helicopter original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and helicopter turboshaft engine producer in the world, as well as most major Tier 1 suppliers. In addition to established helicopter OEMs such as Airbus, Bell, Boeing, Leonardo and Sikorsky, more than two dozen new eVTOL innovators have joined VFS. Of the 100 total corporate members, a majority are working on various challenges associated with this new class of vertical flight aircraft and more than a quarter have publically acknowledged that they are developing eVTOL aircraft.

The Vertical Flight Society is recognized as a leader in supporting the global Electric VTOL Revolution. The Societys sold-out 6th Annual Electric VTOL Symposium (being held next week in Mesa, Arizona in conjunction with the 8th Biennial VFS Autonomous VTOL Technical Meeting) is the worlds largest and longest-running event focusing on the incredible promise, progress and challenges of eVTOL aircraft. In addition, in 2017, the Society established the Electric VTOL News website, http://www.eVTOL.news, which catalogues all known eVTOL aircraft.

We've reached a remarkable period of exciting new developments across the entire spectrum of vertical flight that is truly transformative, said Hirschberg. The Vertical Flight Society is working to support the development of innovative VTOL approaches that hold the promise to revolutionize military and civil air transportation. And this worldwide surge in disruptive new civil and military VTOL aircraft that can fly faster, quieter and cheaper than a conventional helicopter is driving the Societys membership increases.

The Vertical Flight Society also announces that it has added Rex Alexander, President of Five-Alpha LLC, as an advisor for VTOL infrastructure. Five-Alpha (5) is a global consultancy dedicated to providing specialized education, training, insight and services in the very challenging and unique communities of helicopter and vertical lift infrastructure. Alexander was previously the Head of Aviation Infrastructure at Uber, the co-founder and co-owner of HeliExperts International LLC, and a past president and board member of the National EMS Pilots Association; he is also serving as the Infrastructure Working Group Co-Chair for the United States Helicopter Safety Team (USHST).

VFS was founded as the American Helicopter Society in 1943 by the visionaries of the early helicopter industry, who believed that technological cooperation and collaboration were essential to support this new type of aircraft. Today, history is repeating itself with VFS playing a similar role helping to advance todays revolutionary VTOL aircraft.

Over the past 75 years, VFS  the worlds only membership organization that spans the global civil/military and manned/unmanned vertical flight community in industry, governments and academia  has played a key leadership role in advancing the industry. VFS holds the largest and longest-running vertical flight technical conference in the world and celebrates its Diamond Jubilee this year at the 75th Annual Forum & Technology Display, May 13-16, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: https://www.vtol.org/forum.

The Vertical Flight Society

2701 Prosperity Avenue, Suite 210, Fairfax, Virginia 22031, USA

1-703-684-6777  fax: 1-703-739-9279

pr(at)vtol.org  http://www.vtol.org

VFS is @VTOLsociety on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Vimeo and YouTube
Benzer Pharmacy is proud to announce that its longstanding partnerReNue Rx, a Benzer Pharmacycontinues to stand and expand its ground in Texas with the rebranding of two longstanding storefronts in San Antonio.

With todays introductions, the Alamo City becomes the fourth city in Texas to claim ReNue Rx locations (the others being Dallas, Frisco, and Sherman). Spurred on by the news, Benzer Pharmacy President Alpesh Patel was quick to praise the move by the predominantly Texas-based group, suggesting that a larger plan of westward expansion was in the works.

Trailing only Houston as the second most populous city in the state, San Antonio puts yet another star on the board for ReNue Rx as an individual entity, as well as for the larger Benzer organization as a whole, Patel explained. Each and every location, whether it leads with or is backed by the Benzer name, receives our full support on the corporate side.

In one important way, Patel inferred that the old adage of there being a new Sheriff in town applies, particularly as it relates to Benzer Pharmacys larger mission of cleaning-up the reputation of the pharmacy business.

You may not be able to judge a book by its cover, but a pharmacy that carries the Benzer name has a got a lot going for itespecially compared to the big box stores. Were here to make friends and serve patients in a way that just isnt as common as it used to be. Call it a new-fashioned approach to doing things the right way, while steering people toward the best values in the business.

For locals not easily impressed, Patel doesnt hesitate in the slightest.

At ReNue Rx, a promise made is a promise kept.

Theyve got the Benzer name on it.

The first of two ReNue Rx, a Benzer Pharmacy locations in San Antonio is now open for business at 810 SE Military Drive on weekdays from 8am to 5:30pm (closed weekends); phone number: 210-923-4404; fax: 210-923-4166; the second is located at 6428 Bandera Road with weekday store hours running from 8am to 5:30pm; also open Saturdays from 9:30am to 1pm (closed Sundays).

To learn more, visit http://www.renuerx.com; or for details on the closest Benzer Pharmacy near you, visit http://www.benzerpharmacy.com/locations.

About Benzer Pharmacy.

Founded in 2009, Benzer Pharmacy is a chain of independent retail pharmacies specializing in compounding and specialty medication. Currently, there are 66 corporate-owned and 34 franchise locations situated throughout 23 states, including Florida, Michigan, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Georgia, Nevada, Louisiana, New York, Missouri, Mississippi, Maryland, Ohio, Indiana, and Idaho. Projections call for continued rapid growth as the organization seeks to substantially increase its customer base, while ensuring experiences match expectations at every touchpoint.

Benzer Pharmacy has made four straight appearances on Inc. 5,000 list of the fastest growing private companies in America from 2015-2018; correspondingly, the company earned 39th place on the 2015 Florida Fast 100 list, while concurrently placing 67th on the 2015 TBBJ 200 list of Tampa Bays largest private companies. Benzer was also voted favorite pharmacy in the 2015 Best of Fuquay Varina in North Carolina, and achieved PCAB compounding accreditation with Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC). All Benzer Pharmacy medications require a doctor's prescription.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BenzerPharmacy

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/benzerpharmacy

SOURCE: Benzer Pharmacy
The month-long struggle by tea plantation workers ended today with planters unions and Regional Plantation Companies (RPC) agreeing to increase the daily basic wage of plantation workers to Rs.700 from the earlier Rs.500.

However, the workers were demanding a basic salary of Rs.1,000.

Plantation Industries Minister Navin Dissanayake, who was at the meeting held with the plantation industry stakeholders, termed the new agreement as a breakthrough which would ensure the stability of the tea industry.

The workers unions and RPCs agreed to increase the daily basic wage from Rs.500 to Rs.700, excluding other payments and incentives. They also agreed to increase the Price Share Supplement (PSS) from Rs.30 to Rs.50. With ETF and EPF payments, the daily wage will come to about Rs.850, he told the Daily Mirror.

The Minister said the Plantation Industries Ministry will join the Tea Board Fund to settle the arrears amounting to some Rs.100 million.

That was the deal we were able to negotiate. Rs.100 million from the Tea Fund will to be given to settle arrears. I can justify this decision because the tea industry needs stability which is not possible if strikes continue. So I made a decision on that and then the Unions and Companies also agreed, he said.

The Minister said they hoped to sign the new agreement on Monday, providing for the increased wages for plantation workers. (Lahiru Pothmulla)
The semi-annual is an opportunity for DATAMARK staff to come together to reiterate the companys core values and show appreciation for everyones hard work."

DATAMARK Incorporated, an El Paso-based global leader in Business Process Servicing (BPS) since 1989, recently held the companys semi-annual meeting in Ruidoso, New Mexico at the Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort. Approximately 130 of DATAMARKs staff from the US, India, and Mexico attended the meeting, which took place over a three-day period. At the semi-annual event, DATAMARK reinforced the companys core values and vision, celebrated growth success stories, and enjoyed several Team Building events.

In 2018, the company celebrated the fourth consecutive year of revenue growth averaging almost 20% per year. The company also celebrated internal growth throughout its international locations, including the newest Call Center site in Mexico, and the newest Mail Processing Center in Pennsylvania. Worldwide, DATAMARK employs over 2,500 individuals.

DATAMARKs semi-annual meeting is also an opportunity to celebrate the Above and Beyond efforts of their employees in support of the companys vision. DATAMARK recognized many of its employees from around the globe for their dedication to the companys core values: Teamwork, Integrity, and Respect. The company also announced the addition of Teachability as the fourth Core Value to further support expected growth.

To help restate the importance of each core value, the employees partook in team-building activities that were meant to strengthen leadership skills, team-dedication, and overall comradery. The semi-annual allows for employees from all operational sites and from different departments to intermingle with one another, strengthening the companys emphasis on teamwork.

In attendance at DATAMARKs semi-annual meeting was the president and CEO of one of the largest marketing and promotions companies in the U.S., who has partnered with DATAMARK for the last 12 years. The president and CEO, whom DATAMARK hosted as a special guest and speaker, spoke in regards to building customer relationships through trust, a principle that has empowered DATAMARKs partnership with the client. The partnership between the two companies began as a 90-day pilot program for rebate processing. DATAMARK now provides this client with multi-shore mailroom and data processing operations, as well as bilingual customer contact services. DATAMARKs focus on partnership has resulted in an average BPS contract length of 14 years.

The semi-annual is an opportunity for DATAMARK staff to come together to reiterate the companys core values and show appreciation for everyones hard work, said Bill Randag, President of DATAMARK. We also come together to collectively align ourselves with the companys vision. We chose to invite this companys president and CEO to be our special guest because our partnership with this particular company is one that is highly valued. Having the opportunity to do so showcases our commitment to building long-lasting partnerships.

The semi-annual activities included an outdoor dinner and award ceremony as well as several team-building activities geared to empower collaboration among individual employees from the different departments of the company. DATAMARK has been hosting its semi-annual meetings in Ruidoso, New Mexico since 2016.

About DATAMARK

DATAMARK, Inc. is a leading business process outsourcing company specializing in high-volume digital mailroom management, document processing/document management, contact center services, and process improvement consulting for Fortune 500 companies and other large enterprises.

Headquartered in El Paso, Texas, DATAMARK employs over 2,500 people in its U.S., Mexico and India facilities. For more information, visit http://www.datamark.net or email us at info@datamark.net.
Signet's newest graphic arts acquisition will become a new division of BindTech It is the people and their knowledge of our industry and how to build a quality product is what really excites us. -John Helline, Co-Owner and CEO.

Signet LLC has acquired Sheridan Specialty Bindery (SSB), the assets formerly operated as Kingsport Book, of Church Hill, Tennessee from CJK Group, Inc. With the acquisition, the Akron-based investment firm adds to its portfolio a fourth company that serves the printing and publishing industry.

Financial terms of the transaction have not been disclosed.

The acquisition of SSB constitutes a full merger with BindTech LLC, an industry-leading graphic arts company. SSB will be fully integrated with BindTech and adopt the latter companys branding, becoming a third manufacturing division of the growing operation. The other two divisions consist of BindTech Cleveland (formerly Finish Line Binderies), and BindTech Nashville, which also serves as BindTechs national headquarters. PSSC is the fourth branded Signet company that specializes in inventory management, fulfillment, and warehousing. PSSC operates out of Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor, MI and Fitchburg, MA.

The integration of SSB into BindTech will allow the company to leverage more capacity, especially on the higher-end, deluxe side of the book manufacturing business. The ability to load-share common jobs with the other production facilities will benefit customers with improved turn-around times and more efficient logistics.

Chairman of parent company Signet LLC, Anthony (Tony) Manna, explains why SSB is the perfect addition to their graphics arts group. Were thrilled to add SSB and its employees to the Signet business family, says Manna. Their commitment to service is a philosophical match with us and we are excited about the strengthened market position we will see as it merges with BindTech.

Co-owner and CEO John Helline is most excited about the people who will be coming to BindTech with the acquisition. We are excited to add the capacity of Kingsport to our platform, says Helline. However, it is the people and their knowledge of our industry and how to build a quality product is what really excites us.

We also want to thank the CJK Group, especially Chris Kurtzman and Ben Matalamaki, who have been outstanding to work with throughout the entire acquisition process, Helline added. We are very pleased that they believed that our group would be the best fit in which to entrust SSBs operation and their employees.

The new ownerships management team said that they will be retaining all SSB employees, including original founders of the location Rick Jennings and Fred Cooper, who will act as Division Managers for that facility.

Both leaders will remain on board with the acquisition, and I know they are looking forward to growing our market position in the deluxe book manufacturing space, says Chad Dillon, BindTechs Vice President of Operations and Sales. We have a tremendous amount of respect for Rick and Fred, and we look forward to them joining our management team at BindTech.

The bindery was established in 2006 in Church Hill, Tennessee, and operated as Kingsport Book until October 2018, when the assets were purchased by CJK Group. The bindery is a market leader in the deluxe book-binding space. The business operates a 120,000 sq. ft. facility with over 50 employees, with the capacity to produce deluxe hard cover or flex cover books.

BindTech LLC is a premier national book bindery with a vast range of manufacturing capabilities that service major printers and publishers throughout the United States. Growing into one of the largest privately-owned trade bindery/book manufacturers in the country, BindTechs commitment to quality and service has earned a trusted name throughout the graphic arts industry.

Dillon anticipates the many positive benefits that the acquisition will bring to their collective client base. This addition will allow BindTech to provide our customers with the ability to make one call for any and all of their finishing, warehousing and fulfillment needs, says Dillon. It also eliminates conflicts for the client base with the two binderies in potential competition for market share.

Company leadership expects SSB to be fully integrated with BindTech by the second or third quarter of 2019.

About BindTech LLC

Book binding is a family tradition at BindTech. Over four generations of excellence in this trade, and over 68 years of continued experience has earned our employees the title of "Master Craftsmen. From coast to coast, BindTech services major printers and publishers throughout the United States. From perfect binding to deluxe gilded edge leather binding, and everything in between, attention to detail is sewn in every stitch, and time-honored traditions of binding are performed by employees who each day stand behind our name. With operating plants in Nashville, Cleveland, and Church Hill, BindTech's commitment to quality and service has earned a trusted name throughout the Graphic Arts industry, a name which will forever preserve the ties that bind. Visit http://www.bindtechinc.com.

About Signet LLC

Signet brings an innovative, unconventional approach to global investment that embodies creativity and forward thinking to achieve long-term success. With leadership and expertise in the areas of project structuring, capital formation, operational investment and management, we tailor strategy and resources to meet each unique opportunity. Boundless in ideas and tactics, Signet has spent 20+ years crafting collaborative partnerships that advance initiatives in real estate, diversified manufacturing, health and wellness, emerging technologies, investment banking and finance. Learn more at signetllc.com.

About CJK Group, Inc.

CJK Group, Inc. is a national portfolio of print and publishing related services, fulfillment, and technologies serving book, magazine, catalog, and journal publishers. Headquartered in Brainerd, MN, the CJK Group portfolio includes: Bang Printing - Brainerd, MN; Hess Print Solutions - Brimfield, OH; Sentinel Printing Company - St Cloud, MN; Sinclair Printing Company - Los Angeles, CA and Palmdale, CA; Sheridan - Hanover, PA, Hanover, NH, Chelsea, MI, Waterbury, VT; and Webcrafters, Inc. - Madison, WI. For more information, visit http://www.cjkgroup.com
Sierra Pacific Mortgage Company, Inc. is proud to announce that they are a sponsor of the Nevada Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB) 2019 Installation and Awards Charity Gala.

This event, being held on January 26th, celebrates top agents while raising funds for Hollingsworth Elementary School. The funds raised will provide meals for the over 600 students of Hollingsworth Elementary, who live in temporary housing and shelters. At this years Oscars themed gala, the company looks forward to an evening of supporting and celebrating industry partners and the Las Vegas community.

About the Gala, Sierra Pacific Mortgages Las Vegas Branch Manager, Franco Manueli, said, At Sierra Pacific Mortgage, we make involvement with our community a priority. We know that local support to help those in need, strengthens communities.

With branch locations across the country, Sierra Pacific Mortgage is dedicated to serving their local communities. To learn more about Sierra Pacific Mortgage, please visit: http://www.sierrapacificmortgage.com.
School Bus Logistics, LLC, the leader in logistics consulting and support to school districts across North America, has added Californias Compton Unified School District and Montachusett Opportunity Council in Massachusetts to their client roster. Established in 2010, School Bus Logistics (SBL) has helped school districts optimize routing to aid in budgetary efficiencies and safe transportation of school children.

The clients will use Route Management Services, a turn-key routing solution for districts that maintains routing safely and efficiently. Through this offering, transportation departments can eliminate inefficiencies, reduce overall routes, and increase school districts savingsespecially crucial in this time of driver shortages. By streamlining how bussing is handled, routing can function at 100%.

SBL will be handling routing for Montachusett Opportunity Council (MOC) beginning with a route optimization analysis in order to reduce overall costs for the organization. MOC helps families and individuals across the North Central region of Massachusetts by providing opportunities and resources to achieve economic stability. SBL will provide routing services, utilizing Transfinder, to help retain lower costs of transportation to those families who need it.

We're excited to have School Bus Logistics help us streamline our transportation routes," stated Kevin Reed, Montachusett Opportunity Council executive director. "Our current routes and schedules are strained by a complex geographical area combined with varied work and education needs of the families we serve. We're always looking for ways to best meet those needs while improving efficiencies, and we're fortunate to have the expertise of the SBL team to help us reach that goal.

Compton Unified School District has been using SBL for the past two years for school startup routing. Due to their use of a bus contractor, they need routes at least two weeks prior to the start of school in order for the contractor to conduct dry runs. SBL will now be providing them with year-round service utilizing Versatrans software as well as RouteHub from SBL which streamlines communication.

Its always exciting to bring on new clients and to grow the accounts of existing ones. Through Route Management Services, we are able to provide schools and ancillary organizations with complete turn-key routing. We can quickly build, develop, and manage all routes and student changes as well as handle the maintenance and upkeep of their current routing software, said Robert Jacobus, CEO and founder of School Bus Logistics, Because of this, we can cut routes, adjust bell times, and save districts money.

SBL plans to attend several trade shows this year including the CASTO Conference. During these events, they will showcase Route Management Services which provide districts with complete turn-key routing with a focus on improving customer service to schools and families.

For additional information about SBL, email sales@schoolbuslogistics.com.

####

School Bus Logistics was created in 2010 to provide logistics consulting and support to school district officials and school bus contracting companies. With more than 60 years of combined routing software experience and routing operations, their focus is solely on pupil transportation routing and the challenges it brings to school districts and the communities they serve.
QAwerk - https://qawerk.com/ - was founded in 2015 by a group of zestful individuals, black belts in Quality Assurance and Software Testing. QAwerk teams have been augmenting their dexterity and expertise over the following 3 years to earn a strong reputation of the company that contributes to the invention of high quality, user-friendly solutions for businesses around the globe.

What do we do

QAwerk provides offshore testing teams of professional QA engineers with substantial experience in detecting common or non-typical bugs and errors of various complexity. We have been involved in a full cycle of software testing for diverse businesses and startups of all sizes across 6 continents. QAwerk supplied such business giants as Cygnet Cloud, MarketOne International, ClearDATA, Hosting, Unfold, Elsewhen (ex Hive) with the best-in-class quality assurance and testing techniques to let the clients boost the efficiency of their business performance.

Top-Rated Ukrainian QA and Testing Agency:



8,760 + Hours of Testing

100+ Software Testing Projects Completed

100% Client Satisfaction and Recommendation

20+ In-House Quality Assurance Engineers

53,520 + bugs, errors and flaws eliminated

$1,523,698 Client budget saved

Core Specializations: Web, iOS/ Android, Desktop, App Testing, Game Testing, Documentation and Technical Writing.

Testing methods: Manual and Automated Software Testing Services.

Types of testing: Functional, Usability, Security, System Integration, Cross-Browser Testing Services, Software Acceptance, System, Performance, Compatibility Testing.

Technology Stack: Android SDK, Swagger, Postman, Browser DevTools, Screen recorders, Charles, JMeter, XCode.

Whats next

Businesses seek to meet innovative, customer-oriented, technologically complex solutions, and that is where QAwerk throws a lifeline. Since the quality of software products and the time to the market started to play a crucial role in the IT world, the software testing process became essential to the success of enterprises that offer emulous solutions.

There is the perennial problem of determining what is more beneficial, to keep QA in-house or to outsource. QAwerk makes sure that QA outsourcing is the sound and more efficient way to drive business flawless. Small, medium and large sized companies and startups profit from outsourcing the software testing team from QAwerk as it allows focusing on core functions and driving innovation, thus making an essential contribution to the overall effectiveness and efficiency of the organization. Outsourcing the QA and testing jobs to experienced, dedicated and specialized agencies, like QAwerk, contributes to a positive business outcome.

Reap cost benefits, reduced in-house efforts, receive independent QA, get access to an efficient and highly proficient team and advanced technology, boost application quality, get the desired outcome within stipulated time and budget, and prepare for a thoroughly-tested solution roll-out by outsourcing the QA needs to a professional QAwerk team.
As a former federal prosecutor, I have a special empathy for the outstanding men and women that make up the federal workforce and that make this country run.

Paul Padda Law will provide free gas cards to Federal employees who are currently working without pay. The free gas cards will be available to all federal employees (with a valid federal employee ID) who are currently impacted by the government shutdown and are working shifts without ongoing compensation. This event will take place at the offices of Paul Padda Law located at 4560 South Decatur Boulevard this Sunday, January 27, 2019, from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM.

Paul S. Padda of Paul Padda Law will give gas cards to federal employees free and without any charge, as his way of providing relief to and support of our local government employees who are impacted negatively by the ongoing shutdown. Attorney Padda has also issued a challenge to other businesses in Las Vegas to provide similar contributions to assist the federal workforce. In support of local residents who are currently being forced to work without their regular paychecks, Attorney Padda believes that we must come together as a community to help those in need. He is leading the effort with his contribution to this worthy cause of free cards that will allow federal employees to purchase gas without charge during these difficult times. He will be personally handing out these cards to federal employees who are impacted and working without pay, provided they show government identification. During the onsite event, employees of Paul Padda Law will also be collecting donations from businesses or the public for delivery directly to those in need. Suggested donations are diapers, canned food and other essential items. Free pizza and drinks will be provided for those who arrive in person.

Attorney Padda will be celebrating his own birthday this Sunday by personally providing these gifts to the members of our local Las Vegas community who are in need. Only through coming together to help those in need are we made stronger, Attorney Padda stated. I have been fortunate and Las Vegas has been good to me, so I want to do what I can to give back. He further added, as a former federal prosecutor, I have a special empathy for the outstanding men and women that make up the federal workforce and that make this country run. We have the best civil service in the world, Padda stated, and added, its our duty to help them in this time of need.

For more information and details contact Patty Davidson at Paul Padda Law at 702-366-1888 (office) or 702-245-8496 (cellular).

Paul Padda Law is a full service personal injury law firm, specialized in the total recovery and well-being of those injured through no fault of their own. Its not about the injury, its about the recovery.

https://www.paulpaddalaw.com
OTJ Architects is pleased to announce the promotion of key staff members to leadership positions: Elizabeth Long, AIA, LEED AP, was advanced to Partner, Camie Bingham, IIDA, LEED AP, Holly Martin, IIDA, CID, LEED AP, Pascal Molenat, and Pete Ducas, AIA, LEED AP, were named Senior Associates while Katie Schiavi, WELL AP, Archana Tembulkar, Assoc. AIA, LEED AP, Margaret Fogarty, IIDA, NCIDQ, Spencer Sear, AIA, and Amy Carter, IIDA, were made Associates.

Managing Partner Lance Jaccard, AIA, IIDA, LEED AP, remarked: 2018 was an unprecedented year of growth for our firm. This exceptional number of promotions reflects OTJs commitment to the continued success of the firm through the strategic hiring and promotion of top talent. The addition of these professionals to our leadership team will ensure that we are ideally positioned to deliver projects of increasing complexity and design quality.

Partner:

Elizabeth Long, AIA, LEED AP, is a talented design architect who is adept at guiding the client through the interior architectural design process. Her advancement to Partner recognizes her proven leadership, strategic approach to design, and ability to thrive in deadline-driven environments. Elizabeth graduated from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Architecture. She has recently completed projects for clients such as Booz Allen Hamilton and Yelp.

Senior Associates:

Camie Bingham, IIDA, LEED AP, is committed to advancing her clients business objectives through the design of high-performing workplaces noted equally for their functionality, aesthetics, and brand savvy. Her recent work on both the Sands Capital and Aspen Institute headquarters exemplifies OTJs position as a recognized design leader. In addition, Camie initiated and leads OTJs Grass Roots committee  connecting staff across studios to inspire continued focus on design excellence. Camie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design from Marymount University.

Holly Martin, IIDA, CID, LEED AP, is the former president of the IIDA Mid-Atlantic Chapter. A recognized industry leader, she believes that the most successful design outcomes are grounded in strategy informed by industry-specific research and client evidence. Holly holds a Masters in Real Estate Management which offers her a unique, business-centric perspective on design that aligns strategic, operational, and human objectives. Holly recently delivered new workplaces for Credit Union National Association (CUNA) and FiscalNote.

Pascal Molenat is OTJs Vice President of Marketing. Pascal partners with OTJs design and executive leaders as well as its marketing and business development teams to deliver holistic solutions that shape the firms reputation and support its fast-paced growth in Washington, D.C., New York, NY, and the continental United States. Pascals professional experience spans the fields of publishing, public relations, as well as corporate branding and communications. He received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film and Television Production from New York University.

Pete Ducas, AIA, LEED AP, is noted for his expertise in the design and delivery of complex technical and security solutions for clients who require network operations centers, training rooms, and state-of-the-art conference facilities. A sample of his recently completed projects includes the 350,000 SF headquarters of the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Overseas Building Operation (DOS OBO) as well as the new OneWeb workplace. Pete holds both a Master and Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the Catholic University of America.

Associates:

Amy Carter, IIDA, is a former founding partner of Esoarc Studio who brings nearly 25 years of commercial interior design experience to bear on projects spanning the private, nonprofit, and government sectors. Since joining OTJ, Amy has doubled the size of a team focused primarily on the delivery of landlord projects, including commercial building repositioning and tenant build-outs. Her clients include Cushman & Wakefield, Stout & Teague, Blake Real Estate, Monday Properties, JPMC, and HHS/OIG among others. Amy graduated from Virginia Tech with a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design.

Archana Tembulkar, Assoc. AIA, LEED AP, is the director of OTJs growing New York Studio. For over twenty years, Arch  as she is known in the industry  has led the design and delivery of exacting interiors in many of Manhattans most distinguished class-A properties. A graduate of the Southern California Institute of Architectures Masters program, Arch is currently at work on projects for Paypal, Morgan Stanley, and Marx Realty.

Katie Schiavi, WELL AP, serves as OTJs Regional Director of Business Development for the New York area where she continues to play a vital role in the firms expansion. Katie draws on a background in account management and consultative sales to cultivate trust-based relationships across the spectrum of a projects stakeholder base. She has been instrumental in the success of recent OTJ projects such as PayPal, Cultural Vistas, and The RealReal.

Margaret Fogarty, IIDA, NCIDQ, continues to challenge how leading corporations conceive of the built environment through the design of innovation centers and workplaces for clients such Booz Allen Hamilton and Adobe. Her spatial solutions are grounded in a deep understanding of her clients business objectives and promote cross-departmental collaboration. In addition, Margaret was instrumental in the successful delivery of digital giant Yelps new Washington, D.C. offices. Margaret attended the University of Georgia where she received a Bachelor of Science in Furnishings and Interiors.

Spencer Sear, AIA, is an experienced architect adept at designing for technical programmatic requirements, coordinating specialty consultants, and implementing best practices for production and construction oversight. Spencer serves at OTJs firm-wide Director of Technology and is active in multiple training and quality assurance initiatives. Spencer holds a Master and Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Nebraska. He is currently leading the delivery of multiple projects nationwide for Strayer University and recently completed the headquarters of the American Geological Institute.

About OTJ Architects

OTJ Architects is a premier interior architecture and design firm that creates award-winning projects nationwide from its offices in Washington, D.C. and New York, N.Y. For nearly 30 years, OTJ has partnered with leaders in the commercial real estate, corporate, government, and non-profit sectors to help organizations meet their human, operational, and business objectives through the power of the built environment. Signature recent projects include workplaces for Adobe, BMW, Yelp, and United Way, as well as Innovation Centers for Booz Allen and Capital One. More information is available at http://www.otj.com
The National Institutes of Health has awarded a R01 grant to a multi-institutional team to develop and evaluate a pregnancy-specific Artificial Pancreas in a sequence of in-clinic and transitional environment clinical trials. The researchers hope that the first-in-the-nation studies will lead to a safe and effective at-home clinical trial with an extension phase to the end of pregnancy.

The project brings together the experienced engineering team of the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and a clinical research consortium made up of specialists from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, the Mayo Clinic, and the Sansum Diabetes Research Institute.

This work will bring our previous advancements in artificial pancreas technology to the next level, and will be the first project of its kind in the United States, said Principal Investigator Dr. Eyal Dassau, Director of the Biomedical Systems Engineering Research Group at the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.

Achieving and maintaining the very narrow range blood glucose levels required for the best fetal outcomes for pregnant women with type 1 diabetes is extremely challenging, even with optimal clinical care, said Carol J. Levy, MD, CDE, Clinical Director of the Mount Sinai Diabetes Center, who has managed the care of hundreds of pregnant women with this condition and serves as the projects principal investigator at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. The use of customized technology provides an important opportunity to improve patient and fetal outcomes. We are excited to be part of the team evaluating this important area of research designed to improve care and reduce patient burden.

Women with type 1 diabetes experience significant insulin reactions as they try to manage their glucose within a narrow target range throughout pregnancy. There has been no artificial pancreas trial involving pregnant women with type 1 diabetes in the U.S., states Yogish C. Kudva, Professor of Endocrinology at Mayo Clinic Rochester. We are excited that we will adapting automated insulin delivery to relieve the burden on pregnant women with type 1 diabetes and their families.

This project will adapt the artificial pancreas to help pregnant women at each stage of pregnancy, progressing from a sequence of in-clinic studies to an outpatient trial, said Dr. Jordan Pinsker, principal investigator of the project at Sansum Diabetes Research Institute (SDRI). This project continues the legacy of the work of Dr. Lois Jovanovic, who performed her groundbreaking clinical trials at SDRI for 27 years, laying the foundation for the current standards of care in diabetes and pregnancy.

The first clinical trial in the grant, Longitudinal Observation of Insulin Requirements and Sensor Use in Pregnancy (LOIS-P), is named after Dr. Lois Jovanovic, and is now listed on clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03761615). This study is currently enrolling pregnant women with type 1 diabetes and will follow their glycemic outcomes throughout pregnancy and into the post-partum period.

About the Research Consortium:

Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS)

SEAS serves as the connector and integrator of Harvards teaching and research efforts in engineering, applied sciences, and technology. Through collaboration with researchers from all parts of Harvard, other universities, and corporate and foundation partners, we bring discovery and innovation directly to bear on improving human life and society. http://seas.harvard.edu.

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

The Type 1 Diabetes Research program at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai focuses on clinical research projects specifically designed to improve the lives of patients with diabetes. There is a long history of both basic and clinical research in diabetes at Mount Sinai dating back to the discovery of the radioimmunoassay to measure serum insulin levels by Nobel Laureate Rosalyn Yalow, PHD in 1977. Researchers at Mount Sinai are running a robust outpatient artificial pancreas program in New York City. The goal for all diabetes research at Mount Sinai is to continue to develop new treatments and improve patient care until there is a cure.

Mayo Clinic Rochester MN

The type 1 diabetes research program at Mayo Clinic Rochester is tightly integrated with the Diabetes Technology clinic which is a multi-disciplinary effort with dedicated Endocrinologists, Nurse Practitioners, CDEs and device technicians. The research program has conducted AP studies since 2013 and is currently conducting several AP studies working with academic engineering partners such as the Harvard School of Engineering AP program and industry partners. The Division of Endocrinology has been involved with Insulin related research since 1922 and also played a key role in early development of complex insulin therapy from 1975 to 1985.

Sansum Diabetes Research Institute

Most recently, SDRI was the only US clinical site for the landmark CONCEPTT clinical trial, where 325 women who were either pregnant or planning pregnancy were randomized to continuous glucose monitoring use or fingerstick self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) alone until delivery. Dr. Jovanovic, performed her groundbreaking work at SDRI for 27 years, from 1986-2013, laying the foundation for current standards for care in diabetes and pregnancy. Dr. Jovanovic was SDRIs former Chief Executive Officer and Chief Scientific Officer from 1996-2013.

Dr. Jovanovics courageous and relentless fight to teach the world how to care for women with diabetes led to a global improvement in outcomes for both moms with diabetes and their babies, said Dr. Kristin Castorino, also a co-investigator on the project at SDRI.

It is an honor for us at SDRI to continue Dr. Jovanovics legacy to improve the treatment of pregnant women with diabetes. Advancing her work in this field has always been part of SDRIs commitment to both our community and the diabetes community at large to progress diabetes research and innovation for those impacted by type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes or gestational diabetes, said Ellen Goodstein, SDRIs Executive Director.

About the Mount Sinai Health System

The Mount Sinai Health System is New York City's largest integrated delivery system, encompassing eight hospitals, a leading medical school, and a vast network of ambulatory practices throughout the greater New York region. Mount Sinai's vision is to produce the safest care, the highest quality, the highest satisfaction, the best access and the best value of any health system in the nation. The Health System includes approximately 7,480 primary and specialty care physicians; 11 joint-venture ambulatory surgery centers; more than 410 ambulatory practices throughout the five boroughs of New York City, Westchester, Long Island, and Florida; and 31 affiliated community health centers. The Icahn School of Medicine is one of three medical schools that have earned distinction by multiple indicators: ranked in the top 20 by U.S. News & World Report's "Best Medical Schools", aligned with a U.S. News & World Report's "Honor Roll" Hospital, No. 12 in the nation for National Institutes of Health funding, and among the top 10 most innovative research institutions as ranked by the journal Nature in its Nature Innovation Index. This reflects a special level of excellence in education, clinical practice, and research. The Mount Sinai Hospital is ranked No. 18 on U.S. News & World Report's "Honor Roll" of top U.S. hospitals; it is one of the nation's top 20 hospitals in Cardiology/Heart Surgery, Gastroenterology/GI Surgery, Geriatrics, Nephrology, and Neurology/Neurosurgery, and in the top 50 in six other specialties in the 2018-2019 "Best Hospitals" issue. Mount Sinai's Kravis Children's Hospital also is ranked nationally in five out of ten pediatric specialties by U.S. News & World Report. The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai is ranked 11th nationally for Ophthalmology and 44th for Ear, Nose, and Throat. Mount Sinai Beth Israel, Mount Sinai St. Luke's, Mount Sinai West, and South Nassau Communities Hospital are ranked regionally.

For more information, visit http://www.mountsinai.org/, or find Mount Sinai on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
Our latest research shows that while schools are preparing students for college and career, students also need to be prepared in the areas of social-emotional, interpersonal and transition skills in order to best prepare them for success after high school."

Hobsons, the education technology leader and company behind Naviance, announced today that Dr. Kim Oppelt, Director of Research will present at the Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA) Mid-Winter Conference 2019 at 2:15 p.m. (CST) on Monday, January 28.

The Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA) is an organization of more than 6,000 school leaders from across Texas who inspire others as they work to prepare future-ready students. The TASA Midwinter conference provides leaders the opportunity to come together and share innovative practices, network with peers, address the administrative issues administrators face every day, and gain fresh insights.



Dr. Kim Oppelt, Director of Research at Hobsons, will moderate a panel of experts, including:

Dr. Jharrett Bryantt, Assistant Superintendent, Innovation & Postsecondary Programming, Houston ISD

Dr. Lupita Hinojosa, Chief of School Leadership and Student Support Services, Spring ISD

Dr. David Johnston, Principal, Allen High School, Allen ISD

Dr. Martha Salazar-Zamora, Superintendent, Tomball ISD

Dr. Eduardo Lalo Sesatty, Director, Postsecondary Awareness & Access, San Antonio ISD

The panel will be held at the Austin Convention Center in room 18C. The presentation will discuss the need to expand the definition of college and career readiness to incorporate SEL, interpersonal, and transition skills that students need to be successful post-high school. Dr. Oppelt and Dr. Salazar-Zamora will discuss the innovative solutions they have used to make students aware of post-secondary opportunities, how schools have connected with local industries, and the metrics they rely on to inform these decisions.

Our latest research shows that while schools are preparing students for college and career, students also need to be prepared in the areas of social-emotional, interpersonal and transition skills in order to best prepare them for success after high school, said Dr. Kim Oppelt, Director of Research at Hobsons. It is imperative that schools and districts holistically support students to best prepare them to achieve their future goals, whether that be college, career or military.

Conference attendees are invited to stop by Naviance by Hobsons booth (#251) to speak with Naviance team members and to pick up a complimentary copy of the College, Career and Life Readiness (CCLR) Framework booklet.

Naviance provides information and resources that enable school counselors, teachers, students, and parents to engage in meaningful conversations about how to assess a students options after high school. It also allows them to explore, apply to, and enroll in a postsecondary path that is a best fit for the student, based on education and career goals, learning style, and personal preferences regarding where and how they would like to continue their education. The platform arms students and their families with information on the true cost of a particular college, based on their own family income, and allows them to explore scholarship and financial aid opportunities.

For more information on Naviance, visit http://www.naviance.com.

About Hobsons

A leader in education technology, Hobsons helps more than 13 million students to identify their strengths, explore careers, match to best-fit educational opportunities, create academic plans, and reach their education and life goals. More than 13,000 K-12 and higher education institutions partner with Hobsons and leverage our expertise and our solutions -- Naviance, Intersect, and Starfish -- to improve college and career readiness, college recruiting and admissions, and higher education student success to support millions of students. Our leading college and career readiness platform Naviance was named the 2017 and 2018 SIIA CODiE Award winner in the Best College and Career Readiness Solution category.
Citizens & Northern Bank Employee Engagement drives Financial Performance. This award is a result of Citizens & Northern Banks dedication to measuring and improving their Employee Engagement.

The National Business Research Institute (NBRI) is pleased to welcome Citizens & Northern Bank to the NBRI Circle of Excellence. The NBRI Circle of Excellence Award recognizes organizations that place a high value on Employee and Customer engagement. These organizations demonstrate their dedication by conducting best in class survey research with NBRI and taking action based upon the results. NBRI commends the leadership of these organizations for their commitment to the Continuous Improvement Process and recognizes their achievements with the Circle of Excellence Award.

To qualify for this honor, the organization must score at or above Stretch Performance at the 75th benchmarking percentile when measured against their industry, or the organization must improve 5 or more benchmarking percentiles in total company score over the previous research study, a statistically significant amount. It is no small feat to move an entire companys score of customer loyalty or employee engagement 5 or more percentiles, or to reach Stretch or Best in Class Performance levels.

Employee Engagement drives Financial Performance, said Dr. Jan G. West, Ph.D., CEO & Organizational Psychologist at NBRI. This award is a result of Citizens & Northern Banks dedication to measuring and improving their Employee Engagement.

About Citizens & Northern Bank

Citizens & Northern Corporation is a bank holding company with assets exceeding $1.2 billion and is headquartered in Wellsboro, PA. Banking services are provided by its subsidiary, Citizens & Northern Bank, from 26 banking offices in Bradford, Cameron, Lycoming, McKean, Potter, Sullivan and Tioga Counties in Pennsylvania and Steuben County in New York and a loan production office in Elmira, New York.

Investment products are offered through C&N Investment Services and insurance products are offered through C&N Financial Services Corp. Trust services are offered by Citizens & Northern Bank through the C&N Trust and Financial Management Group.

About NBRI

NBRI conducts Employee, Customer, and Market Research for businesses, and uses this data to help organizations leverage these human factors to make improvements to operations and strategy. With its extensive experience across all industries, NBRIs research teams bring their clients a combination of deep industry knowledge and expert advice. NBRIs mission is to help their Clients set new standards of excellence in their industries. NBRI product offerings, such as the Root Cause Analysis, ensures their clients will focus on the most impactful issues.

National Business Research Institute, Inc.

2701 Dallas Parkway; Suite 650

Plano, TX 75093

972-612-5070

800-756-6168

https://www.nbrii.com

Citizens & Northern Bank

P.O. Box 58

Wellsboro, PA 16901

877-838-2517

https://www.cnbankpa.com
Speaker Karu Jayasuriya rejected the claim made by TNA Leader R. Sampanthan for the second time yesterday that the UPFA could not hold the post of Opposition Leader.

Mr. Sampanthan said the present opposition could hold not that post as he was a member of the UPFA which is actually a part of the government.

UPFA Leader and President, Maithripala Sirisena is the head of the government and is holding ministerial portfolios. Therefore he is a member of the government. As such Mr. Rajapaksa who is also a member of UPFA cannot hold the post of Opposition Leader, he said and pointed out that this was the tradition followed in the British House of Commons.

The Speaker said there were precedents where there had been a President and a Leader of Opposition from the same party.  Late Gamini Dissanayake and the then member of Parliament Ranil Wickremesinghe being UNPers held the post of opposition leader when the leader of that party D.B. Wijetunga was the President. Mr. Rajapaksa held the opposition leaders post when Chandrika Kumaratunga was the president. Therefore there is no legal impediment for Mr. Rajapaksa to hold the opposition leaders post, he said.

The Speaker said one could not compare the Sri Lankan Parliament with the British Parliament, which functions under the Westminister System while Sri Lankas system of governance is based on an executive presidency elected by the people. (Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana)
Monroe College, the U.S.-based institution offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs from its campus in Castries, today held a graduation exercise for the first class of students to complete their programs at the new International Hospitality Training Institute in the southern town of Vieux Fort.

Working with St. Lucias National Apprenticeship Programme, the College created the Training Institute to provide a pathway for local residents to train for entry-level hospitality and tourism sector jobs, a mainstay of the countrys economy. The Honorable Jeannine Giraudy-McIntyre, President of the Senate in St. Lucia, cut the ceremonial ribbon at a reception to open the facility last October.

Marc Jerome, president of Monroe College, led the 10:00 am graduation ceremony, which was held on-site at the Training Institute. The Honorable Guy Joseph, the Acting Prime Minister of St. Lucia, addressed the graduates and guests. Mr. Kendall Khodra, Chief Planning Officer for the Ministry of Education, also spoke. Cabinet Secretary Benjamin Emmanuel and Oracia Denbow-Bullen, Mayor of Vieux Fort, were also among local dignitaries in attendance.

There were 131 students in the Institutes inaugural class; many have already secured entry-level jobs within their area of study. A light reception was held after the ceremony to congratulate the students on their accomplishments.

It is an honor to be here today with our esteemed guests as we celebrate the first class of graduates from our new Training Institute, said President Jerome. They leave here with the confidence of knowing they have the skills and professional training required to do well as they begin their hospitality careers. Such a career-ready workforce will no doubt be of great interest and benefit to the growing number of hotels, resorts, restaurants, and cruise ships operating in St. Lucia and throughout the Caribbean.

The Institute offers five certificate programs, with training on professionalism and the essential soft skills that hospitality employers demand incorporated into each track. The available programs are: Bartending, Event Planning and Logistics, Front Office / Guest Services, Food & Beverage Service, and Housekeeping.

The second cohort of students admitted into the program began classes this week. Applications are now being accepted for the next class term, which begins May 21, 2019. The Training Institute is open to residents throughout the Caribbean region, with priority admission granted to St. Lucia residents.

Monroe Colleges International Hospitality Training Institute is located at the Industrial Estate complex on Vieux Fort Laborie Highway in Vieux Fort, St. Lucia. For more information and to apply, please contact:

National Apprenticeship Programme

Office of the Prime Minister

2nd Floor, Chitolie Building

Beanefield, Vieux Fort (Saint Lucia)

Information is also available by calling the National Apprenticeship Programme at 718-454-8263 or the International Hospitality Training Institute at 758-456-3239.

Monroe College celebrated its tenth anniversary in St. Lucia last year. The St. Lucia campus, located on Vide Boutielle Highway in Castries, offers students from the Caribbean a broad array of educational opportunities through programs offered through Monroes Schools of Allied Health Professions, Business & Accounting, Criminal Justice, Hospitality Management and the Culinary Institute of New York, and Information Technology.

ABOUT MONROE COLLEGE

Founded in 1933, Monroe College is a recognized leader in urban and international education. The College is proud of its innovative programs to increase college access, affordability, and completion outcomes, especially among first-generation students. The strength of its warm, supportive culture is reflected in the personal connections fostered among students, faculty, and staff.

Monroe educates close to 8,000 students each year, offering Certificate, Associate, Bachelors, and Masters degree programs from campuses in the Bronx, New Rochelle, and St. Lucia. Students may also take courses online. For more information and admissions criteria, please visit http://www.monroecollege.edu.
Emergency response teams will be tested across a wide range of realistic emergency response scenarios during FMSP's annual mine rescue competition on Feb. 25-28 in Havana, Florida. Through this years event, we hope to recognize miners, emergency responders and safety workers for their outstanding contributions to the safety and emergency response fields.

Miners, emergency responders and safety workers will have the opportunity to test their skills on Feb. 25  28 during the Second Annual Surface Mining Emergency Response Training and Competition hosted by the Florida Mine Safety Program (FMSP). During the competition, which will be held at the Florida Public Safety Institute in Havana, Fla., emergency response teams will be tested across a wide range of realistic emergency response scenarios.

Last year, our inaugural mine rescue competition was a huge success. Emergency response teams were given tasks that showed them what to expect in real emergency situations, which will help prepare them to perform potentially life-saving actions, said FMSP Mining Program Manager Karen Miller, CMSP. Through this years event, we hope to recognize miners, emergency responders and safety workers for their outstanding contributions to the safety and emergency response fields. As the deadline to register quickly approaches, we await incoming team, vendor and non-competitor registrations and hope to see new faces at this years competition.

Starting Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 25-26, a number of free demonstrations will be available on topics of drones, body-worn cameras, dealing with traumatic incidents and more. Various eight-hour training sessions  such as rope rescue awareness, water safety and survival and a first aid refresher  also will be offered for a small fee. The team competition will begin on Tuesday with a multiple-choice exam, followed by a field exercise on Wednesday and a first aid practical on Thursday. The competition will come to an end on Thursday with a banquet that will include dinner, a team procession and an awards ceremony.

Registration to participate as a team or vendor is open until Feb. 22 and requires a team fee of $850 or a vendor fee of $400. The event also offers a non-competitor registration option for a fee of $150. To register, please visit http://flminesafety.com/competition/.
Steve has added tremendous depth and sophistication to our revenue management processes and introduced new ideas to our operations.

Metro Storage LLC announced the promotion of Steve Tserkezis to the newly created position of Director of Revenue Management. Mr. Tserkezis has been employed with Metro Storage LLC since 2015 and previously served as Revenue Manager.

Steve has added tremendous depth and sophistication to our revenue management processes and introduced new ideas to our operations. His cross-functional involvement with all levels within the organization provides him great insight and aids in the development of new strategies. Steves role has a direct impact on the performance of our properties and contributes to our success. We are excited to promote Steve to Director of Revenue Management, said Martin Gallagher, President & COO of Metro Storage LLC.

In this role, Mr. Tserkezis is responsible for providing direction and oversight for Metros Revenue Management Systems to maximize revenue through the optimization of existing strategies as well as the creation of new strategies.

Prior to joining the company, Mr. Tserkezis worked in multiple industries at various publicly traded Fortune 500 companies. Mr. Tserkezis has extensive experience in statistical process improvement, data science, and revenue management. He has worked internationally on multiple continents and is fluent in multiple languages. Mr. Tserkezis received his bachelors degree in Economics with a concentration in Quantitative Methods from University of Wisconsin, his M.B.A. from University of Wisconsin, and Master of Science in Data Science with a specialization in Analytics and Modeling from Northwestern University. He is also a certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt.

About Metro Storage LLC

Metro Storage LLC is a privately owned, fully integrated, international self-storage company specializing in the development, construction, acquisition, and management of self-storage facilities in the USA, Brazil, and Central America. Metro operates under the trademark Metro Self Storage in the US, being one of the top 10 largest owner/operators of self-storage facilities in the United States with over 135 stores covering 14 states. Metro Storage International (MSI) has an affiliate/partner in Brazil which operates under the trade name MetroFit. MSIs affiliate/partner in Central America operates under the trade name Mr. Bodeguitas, and is Central Americas leading self-storage operator with locations throughout Guatemala, El Salvador, and Costa Rica. More information about the firm is available at http://www.metrostoragecorporate.com.
Law firms that migrate to the cloud cite numerous benefits, including better access, stronger data security and enhanced staff efficiency.

An NYC area legal IT consultant and MSP shares experience and lessons from law firms that successfully migrated to the cloud in a new article on the eMazzanti Technologies website. Superior data security, minimized costs, streamlined firm efficiency and other far reaching benefits of migrating to the cloud are cited by the firms quoted.

The informative article discusses the need to first improve network equipment and bandwidth. In addition, the prerequisite of specific policies to ensure that migration is done securely and in compliance is stated. The featured firms urge others to choose a reliable cloud services provider with state-of-the-art security and experience handling firm data.

Law firms that migrate to the cloud cite numerous benefits, including better access, stronger data security and enhanced staff efficiency, stated Jennifer Mazzanti, CEO, eMazzanti Technologies. Firms that are reluctant or sitting on the fence should address their concerns and move forward.

LegalTech Exhibitor

In related news, eMazzanti Technologies will be attending and exhibiting at Legaltech 2019, part of Legalweek New York. The legal industry technology conference will be held at the New York Hilton Midtown, January 29 - 31, 2019.

Law firms seeking enhanced data security, migration of core legal line-of-business applications to the cloud and application support can arrange to meet the companys legal IT security consultants at the event. Interested parties should call 866-362-9926.

eMazzantis Legal IT experts can be found in booth #507 of the Legaltech exhibit hall located on the second floor of the hotel convention center. The New York Hilton Midtown is located at 1335 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York.

Below are a few excerpts from the eMazzanti article, Law Firms Migrating to the Cloud Successfully.

Improve Network Equipment and Bandwidth

For our firm, the first step to moving to the cloud was to improve our network equipment and increase our bandwidth.

Minimize Costs and Streamline Firm Efficiency

Outsourcing data security can help to minimize costs and streamline firm efficiency. If a firm chooses a reputable vendor with highly-proficient employees, the risk of being hacked or suffering a security breach may be minimal. Outsourcing security to a legitimate provider can help to reduce risks of breaches.

Getting a Step Up in Security

I believe that cloud data security far exceeds in-house security if properly setup and structured. Few law firms have "bank grade" security. Whereas, if things are hosted in the cloud, with a top-notch company in compliance with everything required by your state bar, you'll be getting a step up in security by hosting documents with them.

What should law firms look for in a cloud services provider? One that uses "bank grade" security, has multi-authentication login, and understands what it means to work with attorneys who not only have to worry about their clients but also about state bar requirements and compliance therewith.

Successfully Migrate to the Cloud

Whether a firm maintains its data in-house or seeks to migrate to the cloud, eMazzanti Technologys Legal Managed IT experts ensure secure, remote access to data, network security 24/7, eDiscovery data encryption and automated business continuity processes.

As legal Office 365 experts, eMazzanti provides proven Office 365 solutions to ensure confidentiality, security and compliance while sharing sensitive information with clients, teams and colleagues anytime and anywhere. The company also offers secure system integration for time management, billing, litigation and document management software.

Related resource information:

3 Technology Trends That Can Transform the Legal World

The Importance of Cybersecurity for Law Firms

About eMazzanti Technologies

eMazzantis team of trained, certified IT experts rapidly deliver increased revenue growth, data security and productivity for clients ranging from law firms to high-end global retailers, expertly providing advanced retail and payment technology, digital marketing services, cloud and mobile solutions, multi-site implementations, 247 outsourced network management, remote monitoring and support.

eMazzanti has made the Inc. 5000 list eight consecutive years, is a 2015, 2013 and 2012 Microsoft Partner of the Year, 2016 NJ Business of the Year, 5X WatchGuard Partner of the Year and one of the TOP 200 U.S. Microsoft Partners! Contact: 1-866-362-9926, info@emazzanti.net or http://www.emazzanti.net Twitter: @emazzanti Facebook: Facebook.com/emazzantitechnologies.
Cyber security is becoming an increasingly important topic. Innovations is excited to explore what measures are being implemented to keep our infrastructure safe...

Highlighting recent breakthroughs in cyber security, an upcoming episode of Innovations w/Ed Begley, Jr. will broadcast in the spring of 2019. Check your local listings for more information.

Recently, the U.S Department of Homeland Security reported a new wave of cyber terrorism targeting U.S critical infrastructures. In addition to industrial control systems, which are already susceptible, current integration challenges are increasing the risk and complexity of implementing cyber security controls. With the digitization of automation systems, the probability of a major incident taking place is becoming an increasingly close reality.

Innovations will explore how cyber security experts for industrial networks, like TI Safe, help companies and their suppliers protect their operations from being susceptible to cyber-crime attacks. The show will also take a look at how these types of attacks can be avoided through monitorization and by integrating cybersecurity tools with machine learning, artificial intelligence, and big data.

About TI Safe:

TI Safe is the leader in critical infrastructure security in Brazil. Present in major cities of the country offers wide range of solutions for companies, industries and government. It was the first Brazilian company to provide specific solutions for the safety of industrial networks based on the ISA / IEC 62443 and NIST SP 800-82 standards through professionals from the area of automation, with technical recognition and international certifications for security architecture of SCADA systems (CSSA). In 2018, the company opened a branch in Lisbon (Portugal) and signed an agreement to teach cyber defense to Natos security forces.

About Innovations and DMG Productions:

Innovations, hosted by award winning actor Ed Begley, Jr., is an information-based series geared toward educating the public on the latest breakthroughs in all areas of society. Featuring practical solutions and important issues facing consumers and professionals alike, Innovations focuses on cutting-edge advancements in everything from health and wellness to global business, renewable energy, and more.

Backed by experts in various fields, and a team dedicated to education and advancement, DMG Productions consistently produces commercial-free, educational programming on which both viewers and networks depend.

For more information visit http://www.InnovationsTelevision.com or call (866) 496-4065.


Registration is free, but seats are limited.

Indecomm Global Services, a leading provider of business process as a service (BPaaS), software as a service (SaaS) technology, and learning solutions for the mortgage industry, announced today its schedule of Ask Me Anything webinars for the first quarter of 2019. Indecomms Ask Me Anything webinar series features 15 minutes of presentation on an industry topic delivered by a panel of industry experts, featuring 30 minutes of an interactive question and answer session. Registration is free, but seats are limited.

The first quarter 2019 of Indecomms Ask Me Anything webinar series feature the following session topics and dates, now open for registration:

Topic: 2018 Tax Forms and Income Calculations Webinar

Date: Wednesday, January 23, 2019

Time: 2:00 pm  2:45 pm ET

SESSION REGISTRATION IS FULL

Topic: 2018 Tax Forms and Income Calculations Webinar

Date: Friday, January 25, 2019

Time: 12:30 pm  1:15 pm ET

Register Now - https://indecomm.webex.com/indecomm/k2/j.php?MTID=t45aa0a856185746f1836b432d876b3ed

Topic: Facing Your HMDA Fears: Data Submission Strategies

Date: Wednesday, February 6, 2019

Time: 11:00 am to Noon ET

Register Now - https://indecomm.webex.com/indecomm/k2/j.php?MTID=tff20bcf1a6b49a53fb8bc71eaa0f28bb

Topic: Tackling Loan Set Up Challenges Webinar

Date: Wednesday, March 20, 2019

Time: 2:00 pm  2:45 pm ET

Register Now - https://indecomm.webex.com/indecomm/k2/j.php?MTID=ta4ca61123c54c50d3d8e5a1b40ff0cac

Registration is free, but seats are limited. To register for the free "Ask Me Anything" webinars, click on the registration links or visit mortgage.indecomm.com or email marketing(at)indecomm.net to schedule a demo. Full program details can be found on mortgage.indecomm.com.

###

About Indecomm Global Services

Indecomm was founded in 2003 as a technology-enabled services company focused on high-speed document imaging technologies and automated data capture from structured and unstructured forms, with an innate ability to apply these technologies meaningfully to improve operational efficiency and client experience. We have been consistently ranked among the Global Top 100 IT and ITeS providers. With over 3,800 associates in 21 locations, Indecomm services its clients from global delivery centers and offices in the United States, Mexico, Costa Rica, the United Kingdom, India, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines, Mauritius, and the Cayman Islands. We have active business engagements with over 300 global clients, including 20+ Fortune 500 companies.

Visit http://www.indecomm.com or call (732) 404-0081 to learn more.

About Indecomm Mortgage Services

Indecomm Mortgage Services is a leading provider of business services and technology for the US mortgage industry. With solutions for every stage of the mortgage lifecycle, Indecomm Mortgage Services provides outsourcing services, software as a service (SaaS) technology, and learning solutions to support the various needs of mortgage industry clients. With a proven track record of over 25 years in the mortgage industry, Indecomm partners with large and mid-sized lenders, servicers, and title companies as a trusted partner with a singular focus - helping them grow.

Visit http://mortgage.indecomm.net or call (732) 404-0081 to learn more.
Relax on the unspoiled white and pink sands of Tikehau. Tahiti is the cultural hub of French Polynesia, preserving its history and heritage alongside exciting new traditions like the nightly culinary creations of Les Roulottes.

In an early Valentine's gift to its Globetrotters, Goway travel is inviting couples to save $1,000 on a vacation to one of the most exclusive Islands of Tahiti.

This 9-day, air-inclusive packages offers a Week in Paradise with first-class accommodations both on the island of Tahiti itself, and on Tikehau, one of French Polynesias least populated, most beautiful islands. Globetrotters who book by February 15, 2019 will save $1,000 per couple, and take advantage of an exclusive air-inclusive deal starting at just $2,699 per person. Eligible departures until March 31, 2019.

Tahiti is the cultural hub of French Polynesia, preserving its history and heritage alongside exciting new traditions like the nightly culinary creations of Les Roulottes. In contrast, Tikehau supports a population of just over 500 people, and millions of tropical fish in its lagoon. One of French Polynesias most laid back islands, it offers the tranquility and beauty of white and pink sand beaches and a chance to slow life to a pace ideal for vacationers and honeymooners alike.

Whether its a last minute Valentines getaway, or an excuse to chase away the winter blues, this week in paradise is the ideal introduction to the beauty and contrasts of the Islands of Tahiti.

Since 1970, Goway has been providing unforgettable travel experiences to Africa, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Central & South America, Idyllic Island destinations and Europe. Today Goway is recognized as one of North America's leading travel companies for individuals, families and groups to select exotic destinations around the globe. Goway has offices in Toronto, Vancouver, Los Angeles, Manila, and Sydney, Australia.

For reservations and information, visit http://www.goway.com, or call 1-800-387-8850.
We are so grateful for Invest Atlantas investment in the implementation of eCommunity Fort Mac, said Fort Mac LRA Board Chairman Cassius Butts. This funding enables us to lay the groundwork for greater access to gigabit networks in Southwest Atlanta and eventually across the entire city.

With the support of a $410,000 grant funding from Invest Atlanta, Fort Mac LRA has entered into a public-private partnership with A2D to build an Open Access Fiber-to-the-Premise Network. The all-fiber optic network, called eCommunity Fort Mac will enable multiple service providers to deliver enhanced broadband services, at gigabit speeds, to all Fort Mac facilities. A2D, the largest minority-owned telco carrier in the United States, anticipates it will start construction of eCommunity Fort Mac the first quarter of 2019.

We are so grateful for Invest Atlantas investment in the implementation of eCommunity Fort Mac, said Fort Mac LRA Board Chairman Cassius Butts. This funding enables us to lay the groundwork for greater access to gigabit networks in Southwest Atlanta and eventually across the entire city.

Councilmember Joyce Sheperd added, We are thrilled to see this investment at Fort Mac and the surrounding community. The community is excited about the Fort McPherson redevelopment and a fiber network that will help bridge the digital divide on the south side of Atlanta.

In addition to implementing the network on Fort Macs campus, A2D will also roll out eCommunity Fort Mac to surrounding neighborhoods. As an open access network, eCommunity Fort Mac will enable existing providers to deliver gigabit level broadband services to residents and businesses in and around Fort Mac and also enable new providers to enter the local market. Providers are ready to use eCommunity Fort Mac to offer gigabit-ready services at competitive prices.

We are committed to improving the lives of the Fort Mac community and surrounding neighborhoods, said Fort Mac LRA Executive Director Brian Hooker. This network infrastructure will give our businesses and residents access to fast, affordable internet that will grant them greater access to opportunity.

For more information about eCommunity Fort Mac, visit http://ecommunitynetworks.org/ fortmacatlanta/.

About Fort Mac LRA

Fort McPherson is a former Army post situated southwest of Atlanta, between two MARTA transit stations, and just a 10-minute drive from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. On June 26, 2015, Fort Mac LRA became the owner of 145 acres of property on the former fort, while construction of a world-class film and television studio is nearing completion on the adjoining 330 acres. Fort Mac LRA is also known as the McPherson Implementing Local Redevelopment Authority, a local government authority created by the State of Georgia, is led by a board of directors appointed by the Governor of Georgia and broadly empowered to leverage incentives and financing tools to enable investment, facilitate job training and housing rehabilitation programs, and otherwise work to achieve the economic development mandate. The LRA works closely with partners and neighbors to redevelop the site in a way that catalyzes economic development, revitalizes the area and empowers its community. This vision includes a walkable, mixed-use retail development, a vibrant historic village, office or medical office space, and market rate multifamily developments. For more information, visit http://www.FortMacLRA.com.

About A2D

A2D, Inc. is a Competitive Local Exchange Fiber Carrier (CLEC) headquartered in Atlanta, GA. A2D has deployed eCommunity fiber networks in both Alabama and Georgia to provide an alternative broadband access option to citizens. eCommunity is a new fiber utility network designed and built to connect to all homes and businesses in the community. An eCommunity connected premise has access to multiple conventional voice/video/internet providers delivering high bandwidth services at competitive rates. The same premise can also access separately, direct application providers enabling no-cost access to tele-health, tele-education and workforce development programs.

With eCommunity, connected citizens will always have access.

Additional information about A2D and eCommunity please visit us at http://www.a2dinc.com and http://www.ecommunitynetworks.org.
Labels and tags can convey a host of branding messages. Clothing lines with strong philosophies and social goals such as Naked Wardrobe should utilize every opportunity to convey the brands values to their customers.

A January 11 article on Forbes reports on the three sisters behind the powerhouse e-commerce fashion label, Naked Wardrobe. The article tells of how the sisters brought together their talents for fashion design, information technology, and communications to create a booming brand that is not only affordable but also inclusive for consumers of every body shape. With styles at economical prices and ads featuring models of all sizes and ethnicities, the company has made a name for itself in the fashion industry for emphasizing inner beauty. Los Angeles based manufacturer Hi-Tech Printing & Labeling Inc. says that clothing lines with strong philosophies and social goals such as Naked Wardrobe should utilize every opportunity to convey the brands values to their customers.

Hi-Tech Printing & Labeling Inc. says that a too often forgotten method of promoting a brands mission is through the use of customized fabric labels and hang tags. The company adds that for customers unfamiliar with a brands message, the label or hang tag provides an opportunity to engage a new customer base. Although most people associate fabric tags and woven labels with detailed information about how to properly care for a piece of clothing, they can be used for so much more, says the Los Angeles firm. Large hang tags can be used to place an eye-catching logo or to convey an important mission of the brand, whether its social, environmental, or religious. This marketing opportunity will remind customers of the message they are supporting every time they put on a manufacturer or designers product.

With a large selection of customizable fabric labels and hang tags, Hi-Tech Printing & Labeling Inc. notes that designers have a chance to market their image while simultaneously setting apart their clothing from other brands. Through the use of an intricate weaving process that ensures threads are perfectly color matched to any design, the Southern California company says that their tags and labels provide durability that will last wash after wash, so fading isnt an issue. Customers will be able to see the printed message or brands logo each time they wear the product. For designers and manufacturers in the eco-friendly niche, Hi-Tech Printing & Labeling says they also offer organic cotton labels that avid customers of green brands will be sure to appreciate.

Whatever the label or tag needed, Hi-Tech Printing & Labeling Inc. says theyre here to help. Readers who would like to know more can call (213) 746-7772 or visit their website at http://www.FabricLabels.com.


Explorance, MTM has rebuilt their entire dashboard to allow clearer results and better user experience, and has introduced new tools that make it easier for managers to assess strengths and opportunities within their teams based on benchmark information.

Explorance, the leading Learning Journey Analytics (LJA) solution provider, announces today that Training Industry has selected them among the 2018 Top Training Companies lists for the Assessment and Evaluation sector of the L&D market.

Training Industry, the leading research and information resource for corporate learning leaders, prepares the Training Industry Top 20 reports on critical sectors of the training marketplace to better inform professionals about the best and most innovative providers of training services and technologies. The selection to the 2018 Training Industry Top 20 Assessment and Evaluation Companies List was based on the following criteria:



Diversity of assessment capabilities

Quality and innovativeness of evaluation techniques

Company size and growth potential

Quality and number of clients/users

Awards, recognition and competitive differentiation

The companies included on this years Top Assessment and Evaluation Companies List provide assessments across all employee levels and use a variety of delivery modalities that enable better interaction and engagement with employees, said Ken Taylor, president of Training Industry, Inc. We are honored to receive this award and believe that continued improvement is the key to the success of every organization. We constantly develop better tools so that CLOs can make real-time fact-based decisions, said Samer Saab, CEO of Explorance.

Explorance, MTM has rebuilt their entire dashboard to allow clearer results and better user experience, and has introduced new tools that make it easier for managers to assess strengths and opportunities within their teams based on benchmark information, said Danielle Draewell, market research analyst at Training Industry, Inc. Explorance, MTM was selected among the Top 20 Assessment and Evaluation Companies based on the quality and overall degree of innovation incorporated into their evaluation techniques, the breadth and quality of their client portfolios where assessment and evaluation are being delivered, and the breadth of industries they serve.

MTM clients generate over 250 million data points per year that are combined with an existing repository of 1.5+ billion data points that are stored, analyzed and reported to address challenges in areas such as employee performance management, succession planning, and influential roles. One-third of the companies listed on the Fortune 100 list are currently using MTM. To learn how your organization can also benefit from sophisticated L&D decision-making, consult the Metrics That Matter page.

About Explorance

Explorance is a Learning Journey Analytics provider that empowers organizations in making the right decisions with fact-based feedback data. Through its offerings, Blue and Metrics That Matter, Explorance is at the heart of the learning organization's continuous improvement strategies.

Founded in 2003, Explorance is headquartered in Montreal with business units in Chicago, Amsterdam, and Melbourne. Since 2014, Explorance has been consecutively ranked as a top employer by the Great Places to Work Institute. Explorance's clients include a wide variety of learning organizations from various segments including academia, enterprise, consulting, as well as governments across the globe. Learn more about Explorance.
The adjournment debate on the provincial council elections ended abruptly in parliament today in the absence of quorum.

It ended two and a half hours earlier than the scheduled time of 7.30 pm because there were two members short for the 20-member quorum.

The quorum issue was raised by UNP MP Lakshman Wijemanne. UNP MP Tusitha Wijemanne who was presiding at the time called for the ringing of the quorum bell but with only 18 members present in the Chamber, the sessions were adjourned till February 5.

Hambantota District UPFA MP D. V. Chanaka, who was on his feet at the time of adjournment, accused the UNP of being scared to face a debate on the PC elections.

If the UNP is scared of even a debate one can imagine how scared they are of elections, he said. (Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana)
Fitting the core values of Philips, this partnership comes at a time that is critical with an ever-increasing active aging population and the growing need for physical therapy interventions and programming in medical and rehabilitation environments. Philips Physical Therapy Solutions break down barriers to exercise through program versatility, ease-of-use, tracking and seamless communication of relevant metrics between individuals and their care communities to deliver better outcomes.

On the new partnership, Daniel Clayton, President of Dyaco Commercial and Medical Division, commented; Were delighted to launch this innovative line of Philips medical fitness equipment to the healthcare marketplace. The strategic brand license partnership with Philips is a very significant enhancement to the Dyaco portfolio of brands. We have a unique offering of highly specified medical equipment designed to improve peoples lives. As we extend Dyacos reach into the medical and rehabilitation markets, the impact and credibility of the Philips brand make this the ideal partnership to deliver these much-needed, innovative solutions.

The equipment has been developed using rehabilitation strategies and technologies that address the active aging population and a multitude of patient deficiencies to enhance recovery outcomes. The initial launch product line includes a medical and rehab treadmill, recumbent bike, upright bike, recumbent stepper and stepper with removable seat for wheelchair access.

These specialty professional medical and commercial products bring enormous benefits to patient rehabilitation and recovery that traditional fitness equipment is just not able to provide. With tailored adjustments and proprietary features, the products enable clinicians and therapists the ability to prescribe physical therapy programs for an individuals specific needs.

We are very excited about our new partnership with Dyaco International and developing this important category in Philips healthcare brand licensing portfolio in both the professional and home sectors, helping to improve peoples lives and deliver better outcomes, says Spencer Ramsey, Senior Director Global Brand Licensing at Philips.

The Philips line of medical and rehabilitation equipment is due to launch in the US market the first quarter of 2019, with further market rollouts later in year.

About Dyaco International

Dyaco International, founded in 1990 and headquartered in Taiwan, manufactures world-class fitness and wellness products for home, commercial and medical markets. Dyaco owns Spirit Fitness and Xterra Fitness, as well as producing and distributing a wide range of market-leading brands including UFC, SOLE and Fuel. In 2018, Dyaco became an official global licensee of the Philips brand for medical fitness equipment in the United States. Dyaco International officially announced the launch of their Commercial and Medical Division in January 2018, with industry veteran Daniel Clayton appointed as President.

For more information, imagery or to arrange interviews please contact:

USA: Melissa Archibald, US Marketing Manager

melissa.archibald(at)dcmna.com

EUROPE: Janette Rose, European Marketing Manager

j.rose(at)dyaco.com

ASIA: Christopher Hancock, Global Marketing Director

chris.hancock(at)dyaco.com
Atlanta Podiatrist Steven Arminio initiated the Shoes For The Homeless program in 2017 and has been passionate about its success ever since.

This program was started with 120 pairs of shoes that were donated to an Atlanta`s Men and Women`s shelter near Crawford Long Hospital just in time for Christmas. Dr. Arminio involved outside vendors such as Surefit, our diabetic shoe provider, and Anodyne, a company known for their quality, therapeutic footwear. Surefit donated 72 pairs of shoes while Anodyne donated 24 pairs. Dr. Armino also enlisted the help of the entire organization by reaching out to the Director of Operations, Holly Billingsley, to contact our clinics for any pairs of new shoes that had been returned or abandoned. With our offices combined Village Podiatry contributed 24 pairs of new shoes.

This is such a worthy cause and one that I'm proud to have initiated and one that has been so well received by our preferred vendors, outside vendors, as well as the support of people like Holly within the EHI family. This is just one way that a company like ours can and does give back to the community at large, -- Dr. Steven Arminio.

In 2018 Dr. Arminio was able to collect 96 pairs of shoes which he personally delivered to Zaban Paradies Homeless Shelter, located on Peachtree Street in Midtown, Atlanta, and The Atlanta Mission Center, located on Ivan Allen Blvd NW, in downtown Atlanta. I can`t believe that I`m actually able to get all those shoes in my Toyota Prius, said Dr. Armino. This amazing donation was made possible again by receiving shoes from within Village Podiatry Centers, Surefit, Anodyne, and another third-party vendor, Dr. Comfort Shoes.

As a podiatrist, Dr. Arminio has seen firsthand the importance of having an adequate pair of shoes to provide comfort and protection from the environment, especially in the winter months. For many homeless, walking is the main mode of transportation and a new pair of shoes can help prevent a variety of foot aliments as well as enhance their quality of life. Dr. Arminio hopes to broaden his Shoes For The Homeless program by adding clean new socks donations, which he found to be a huge need as well.

Any vendor or individual who would like to help the Shoes For The Homeless program with donations or any other resources please contact:

Dr. Steven Arminio

Ph: 678-617-3365

Email: sarminio@vpcenters.comstarminio@att.net

About Village Podiatry Centers

Village Podiatry Centers, a division of Extremity Healthcare, Inc., is the largest foot and ankle surgical practice in the Southeast and one of the largest Podiatry practices in the country. Extremity Healthcare has more than 60 Doctors and 50 offices throughout Georgia, Tennessee, and Florida. Our highly experienced board-certified and board qualified physicians provide comprehensive treatment and surgery for all foot & ankle conditions and injuries.
Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel Representative, earned Royal Caribbeans highest honor, the Chairmans Award, for the second year in a row. Cruise Planners is a leader when it comes to travel marketing, automation and technology for travel advisors, said Richard D. Fain, CEO and Chairman of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

For the third time, Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel Representative, was awarded Royal Caribbean Internationals Chairmans Award, which is the companys highest award bestowed on their top travel partners. Cruise Planners vast nationwide network of home-based travel advisors have had continuous, impressive sales growth for the global cruise line and the partnership has never been stronger.

We are committed to our strong partnership with Royal Caribbean and are delighted they honored our advisors with back-to-back Chairmans Awards, said Michelle Fee, CEO and Founder of Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel Representative. Year after year, Cruise Planners provides the tools and our travel advisors provide the outstanding service as we all work hand-in-hand with Royal Caribbean to attract vacationers new to cruising, retain repeat clients and upsell travelers to increase sales and earn higher commissions.

Cruise Planners continues to innovate by creating new marketing and technology tools as well as maintaining a strong focus on advisors training.

Cruise Planners is a leader when it comes to travel marketing, automation and technology for travel advisors, said Richard D. Fain, CEO and Chairman of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Their ability to be nimble and flexible in our everchanging industry is at the core of their success as a strategic partner of ours year after year.

Some of the recent tools that help Cruise Planners advisors sell more include:



Triggered Emails: A series of automatic emails, which allow travel advisors to stay in contact with their clients after booking and through the time when they return back home from their vacation.

Hot Lists: A list of hot sales opportunities that identify clients who have milestone birthdays and anniversaries or clients who havent made a booking in the last 12 months or who have an open onboard future cruise deposit. Travel advisors have the option of personalizing an eCard or having them automated each month.

CP Marketing Hub: An area within CP Maxx allowing travel advisors to track their marketing efforts, analyze the ROI, create and track goals and even log and track partner co-op commitments from their local BDMs.

CP Video Network: More than 20 different modern, fresh videos focusing on popular destinations and travel styles such as family, solo travelers, adults-only travel, luxury, land and much more. Cruise Planners announced adding new customization as video marketing continues to be an impactful way for travel advisors to drive sales.

Data-Driven Travel Insight: Through the brands Travel Styles and segmentation efforts, advisors are able to find out more about their customers desires for upcoming travel and better market to them. By focusing on top-performing niches, including foodies, millennials, adventure travelers and solo travelers, the brand will help advisors close more sales.

The ways Cruise Planners engages with our sales organization day in and day out is incredible, said Vicki Freed, Senior Vice President of Sales, Trade Support and Service at Royal Caribbean International. With a partner just as dedicated to pushing the boundaries as we are in delivering vacations, its a pleasure to work with them as we continue to bring in new and loyal guests to sail with Royal Caribbean. The Chairmans Award is well deserved and a testament to how the teams at Cruise Planners stand out as travel professionals.

Cruise Planners has been recognized and honored by Royal Caribbean each year, but this back-to-back ranking proves Cruise Planners place is at the top.

Our franchisees will always be our main focus, and we will constantly operate on their behalf and in their best interest to create new programs and build new tools to keep our travel advisors at the forefront of the industry, Fee said. The numbers prove it: our latest suite of marketing and technology tools making selling easier for our home-based travel agents and were not slowing down.

About Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel Representative:

Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel Representative, is the nations largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the travel industry. Cruise Planners operates a network of more than 2,000 franchise owners who independently book vacation and travel experiences for their clients. Headquartered in Coral Springs, Fla. since 1994, Cruise Planners supports its network of franchise owners with innovative marketing, booking and technology tools, professional development and training with the industrys top executives. Cruise Planners and has been named the No.1 travel franchise by Entrepreneur magazine for 16 consecutive years and was also featured in Entrepreneur as one of the top 30 franchise innovators in technology. Consistently named as one of the Top Women-Owned Businesses by the South Florida Business Journal, Cruise Planners is on the Inc. 5000 list as one of the fastest-growing private companies in America, has been ranked as the #1 travel franchise by Franchise Business Review for 6 years and is recognized as one of the Top Workplaces by the Sun Sentinel.

Cruise Planners has achieved top producer status with every major cruise line including Royal Caribbean International, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Holland America Line, MSC Cruises, Viking Cruises, Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, as well as many land vendors such as Travel Impressions and Sandals and Beaches Resorts. As an American Express Travel Representative, Cruise Planners maintains a reputation for quality and offers exclusive American Express Travel benefits such as Pay with Points. Cruise Planners has earned the American Express Travel Representative Excellence Award since 2004, as well as numerous marketing, technology, franchise and philanthropy awards including CLIA Travel Agency Innovator Award, an International Franchise Association FranTech award for innovation, Magellan Awards from Travel Weekly and Travvy Awards from travAlliance media. Cruise Planners celebrates diversity and supports our troops as one of the Top 50 franchises for Veterans according to GI magazine, the Top Franchise Brand for Veterans according to Franchise Business Review, one of the Top 25 franchises for African-Americans by Black Enterprise magazine and a member of the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association. Visit our website, http://www.cruiseplanners.com, for more information or to view the complete list of awards and honors.

Stay in Touch: Media can stay up-to-date with Cruise Planners by visiting our media room or Socially Yours page for social media updates and handles. For additional information or to make reservations, vacationers should locate a travel advisor near them. For those interested in becoming a franchise owner, please visit the Cruise Planners franchise website.

# # #

Media Contact:

Caitlin Gardner, Director of Corporate Communications and Digital Strategy

Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel Representative

CGardner@cruiseplanners.com

954-344-8060
From left to right: Johnny Bong, Effendy Zulkifly, Douglas Bong

Blockchain Academy Asia is a global research & development and educational institution that has gathered worldwide recognition from the blockchain ecosystem and was involved with several successful blockchain projects all around the world.

The nature of the advisory role will involve Blockchain Academy Asia to bring in experts and academicians to provide technical support and academic expertise to the BitNicx team. Blockchain Academy Asia will also educate the BitNicx community with professional blockchain certification programs and a general knowledge base about blockchain technology. This marks a firm step in BitNicx Exchanges vision to become the largest cryptocurrency exchange in Southeast Asia.

Blockchain is the future technology that will revolutionize the way we live and interact with each other. It provides much-needed solutions to traditional and conventional economies. With wide blockchain adoption, Malaysia will play a major role in shaping the new and current sharing and reputation economy, says Effendy Zulkifly.

As the Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum, Klaus Schwab said, technologies such as blockchain are driving the fourth industrial revolution. By becoming an early adopter and implementing blockchain technology into businesses and key activities, or even getting detailed technical know-how about this technologyevery business that adopts this (blockchain) technology will gain a definite competitive advantage in the marketplace, Effendy Zulkifly added.

With this advisory role and strategic alliance, both parties will cooperate to increase trust for the local blockchain community, and help establish the industry in Malaysia with the local authorities and government.

We are excited to have Effendy Zulkifly on board as an advisor to BitNicx. His team and their expertise are of immense value and we believe this partnership will not only move us forward but also the industry as a whole. Ultimately, this collaboration will foster the growth of our countrys economy and put Malaysia on the global map for blockchain technology, says Johnny Bong, co-founder of BitNicx Exchange.

BitNicx Exchange is set to be Malaysias first homegrown peer-to-peer cryptocurrency exchange and marketplace founded by local Malaysians. The exchange is founded by Johnny Bong and Douglas Bong of Bong Technology Sdn Bhd. BitNicx Exchange is an escrowed peer-to-peer cryptocurrency exchange and marketplace where people can buy and sell Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies easily and safely in Ringgit Malaysia with no capital deposits required.

About BitNicx Exchange

BitNicx Exchange is the first homegrown escrowed peer-to-peer cryptocurrency exchange in Malaysia. It is set to launch on 1 March 2019. It was co-founded by Douglas Bong and Johnny Bong of Bong Technology Sdn Bhd. The company offers a platform for users to buy and sell Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies securely and safely in Ringgit Malaysia with no capital deposits required. The companys vision is to become the largest cryptocurrency exchange in Southeast Asia.

About Blockchain Academy Asia

Blockchain Academy Asia, http://www.blockchainacademyasia.io is an independent global research & development and educational institution established in 2018 with the purpose to inform, educate and train institutions and individuals on blockchain technology. The academy organizes open trainings, customized workshops and courses globally, both for business experts who want to discover the added value and business potential of blockchain technology, as well as for technology professionals who want to use and implement this technology in existing operations or new applications. The range of professionals who stand to benefit from participating in the academys events ranges from C-level management and innovation strategists to business architects and developers.
Bonomi explosion proof electric actuators are built for use in NEMA 4X, 7, 8 and 9 applications. Heavy-duty explosion proof electric actuators.

Bonomi North America has introduced a new range of heavy-duty explosion proof electric actuators for use in NEMA 4X, 7, 8 and 9 applications. They are CSA certified.

Available as quarter-turn or fail-safe spring return, Bonomi EAX Series explosion-proof electric actuators are flame-proof and combustible dust-proof. They are approved for Class I, Division 1; Class I, Zone 1; and Class II, Division 1 locations.

EAX Series actuators offer a wide range of torque outputs. Voltages are 24 AC/DC or 100-240 VAC. All models are ISO 5211 compliant and are equipped with a mechanical visual position indicator.

Other features include mechanical stops, two SPDT auxiliary switches, heater, thermostat and built-in thermal protection that prevent motor burnout. All units are available with a clutch-less manual override.

For more information on Bonomi explosion proof electric actuators or other Bonomi products, contact Bonomi North America at (704) 412-9031 or visit online at http://www.bonominorthamerica.com.

About Bonomi

Bonomi North America has served the U.S. and Canada since 2003 and is part of the Bonomi Group of Lumezzane, Italy. Bonomi Group brands include Rubinetterie Bresciane Bonomi (RB) brass ball valves and check valves; Valpres carbon and stainless steel ball valves; and Valbia pneumatic and electric industrial actuators. Bonomi North America maintains an extensive distribution network for these products from its headquarters in Charlotte, N.C. and a facility in Oakville, Ontario, Canada.
2019 International Networking Week - Week of February 4th, 2019

During the week of February 4th, Business Network International (BNI) and the Members of its 8,800 chapters around the world will host the 12th annual International Networking Week. This initiative, created by BNI Founder and Chief Visionary Officer, Dr. Ivan Misner, is a celebration of the power of business networking and the culture of Givers Gain, BNIs philosophy of reciprocity.

Throughout the week, BNI chapters in over 70 countries will host open events designed to teach business professionals the power of business networking and referrals. During these events, attendees will have the opportunity to network within their local business communities, exchange information and begin building new relationships, while practicing valuable networking skills.

The theme for this years International Networking Week is A New World of Opportunity. In 2018, this theme was regularly on display as BNI chapters hosted over 970,000 visitors.

In addition, this week will serve as an introduction to BNIs new Worldwide Referrals Feature, enabling Members to officially pass business across international borders. With 14.2 Billion dollars worth of business and 11.2 Million referrals passed over the past 12 months, this feature will revolutionize networking for BNI Members.

Marc-William Attie, BNIs President of Global Strategy & Innovation, mentioned: BNIs new Worldwide Referral Feature brings us one step closer to our mission of giving each BNI Member easy access to BNIs global community of passionate business leaders.

In support of this initiative, BNI CEO + Community Builder, Graham Weihmiller, will embark on a five-day tour across 5 global business hubs, visiting numerous chapters along the way. Inspired by BNIs mission of Changing the Way the World Does Business, Graham will visit the following cities: Guangzhou, Bangalore, Dubai, London, and New York City.

Weihmiller stated, For over 34 years, our passionate members have transformed a revolutionary concept into an international community of business leaders. Our recently released Worldwide Referrals Feature and this initiative are an important reminder that BNI is an innovative Member led organization that can have an incredible impact across the globe.

Dr. Misner stated, We live in a world where business at all levels is more global than ever. Im incredibly excited by the new opportunities that BNI provides Members to grow their businesses and build new communities across the world. Increasingly, Members of BNI are conducting business with one another across regional and international borders. This is creating a truly global business network where leaders can expand their businesses and compete on the world stage.

To receive more information about this event, visit http://www.internationalnetworkingweek.com, or contact us at marketing@bni.com. You can track Grahams journey during International Networking Week by following his Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/GrahamWeihmillerBNI.

About BNI: BNI is an organization for people who are passionate about business. With over 245,000 Members in more than 8,800 Chapters worldwide, BNI provides a global business network that remains unmatched. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, BNI also has offices across the globe in Castlebar, Paris, Mumbai, Bangalore, Colombo, and in Guangzhou, China. BNI continues to grow because it solves a fundamental challenge all professionals face: What is the best way for me to generate referrals and more sales? Benefits of BNI membership include access to proprietary business and professional development platforms such as BNI Connect and BNI University, an advanced learning management system.

About International Networking Week: International Networking Week (#INW19) is a global initiative that encourages business networking and relationship building among professionals who may otherwise not have participated. INW is an annual event that takes place the first full week in February.
This research clearly shows that the aviation industry needs to re-think how it intends to address its emissions crisis, says Adam Klauber, director, Rocky Mountain Institute.

In the past decade, airlines and aerospace manufacturers have adopted ambitious goals, such as committing to yearly efficiency gains of at least 1.5%, meeting growing travel demand without increasing net emissions, or reducing total emissions to 50% below 2005 levels by the year 2050.

However, according to new research, the industry is not on track to meet any of these goals. Aviation grew at 5% a year from 2014-2017. Further, there are no firm timelines for commercializing revolutionary aircraft design. Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is less than 0.01% of global consumption and isnt becoming available on commercial flights fast enough.

This research clearly shows that the industry needs to re-think how it intends to address its emissions crisis,  says Adam Klauber, director, Rocky Mountain Institute. By 2020, carbon emissions from aviation will reach 1 gigaton per year with the industry contributing between 3% and 9% of annual global emissions. This climate disruption wont wait for incremental action.

Key findings:



Efficiency: Aviation efficiency is not enough to keep emissions growth at 3%. From 2014-2017 emissions grew 5% annually. Because airlines have already optimized passenger load and have few available empty seats to fill. Meeting increased demand requires flying additional aircraft, which increases fuel burn. Low fuel prices have meant that airlines are retaining their fleets for longer durations to accommodate passenger growth. Aging fleets translate to higher fuel burn.

Aircraft Design: Transforming commercial aircraft with blended-wing, and other break-through features, could generate at least 50% fuel savings compared with existing designs. While aircraft design has always been touted by the industry as a major strategy for reducing emissions, the reality is quite different. There is no clear path nor timeline for revolutionary designs in commercial aircraft.

Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) provides the greatest potential for carbon reduction, and lower-carbon alternatives to jet fuel have been proven as safe and effective as drop-in blends with conventional fuel. Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is less than 0.01% of global consumption across the worlds airports. Not enough effort is being made by the industry to offer passengers regular, daily flights on greener flights.

Rocky Mountain Institute is planning a Solutions Workshop for broad industry participation. The two-day forum will be held in New York City in late spring 2019 to address the challenges identified in this research.

For more information, please contact: Nick Steel nsteel(at)rmi.org, t: +1 347-574-0887

About Rocky Mountain Institute

Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI)an independent nonprofit founded in 1982transforms global energy use to create a clean, prosperous, and secure low-carbon future. It engages businesses, communities, institutions, and entrepreneurs to accelerate the adoption of market-based solutions that cost-effectively shift from fossil fuels to efficiency and renewables. RMI has offices in Basalt and Boulder, Colorado; New York City; Washington, D.C.; and Beijing.
Jason Bryan, Director of Sales, 3xLOGIC and PACOM These are exciting times in the SPS business and new opportunities will continue to multiply. We are perfectly positioned to continue our explosive growth in 2019, and I am proud to be a part of this team. Bill Hobbs, VP of Sales.

3xLOGIC, Inc., a leading provider of integrated, intelligent security solutions, and a three-time Deloitte Technology Fast 500 winner, today announced continued expansion of the companys staff to align with its new global growth strategy. As previously announced, 3xLOGIC, PACOM, and PAC/GDX have joined forces to build the strongest and most innovative security manufacturer in the industry. The businesses will continue to operate under their own branding as usual and will report to a global management team, as Stanley Products and Solutions (SPS), under the leadership of CEO Matthew Kushner.

Jason Bryan has joined the company as the Director of Sales, North America. Jason will assume responsibility for field sales of 3xLOGIC and PACOM products in the US and 3xLOGICs expanded regional sales team will report to him. Jason has worked for parent company Stanley Black & Decker (SBD) almost since graduation from Purdue University and most recently has been managing a large part of the Sonitrol business in Indianapolis. Jason brings a wealth of knowledge to the team about the Security industry in general.

Andrew Griffith has joined 3xLOGIC as the Global Director of Sales Engineering. Andrew worked for sister company, PACOM, for 16 years. He brings an in-depth knowledge of the PACOM product and has a long history of managing a global technical team. Andrew is working with his base of Sales Engineers to enhance the SE organization and its ability to support the sales team. Andrew is also recruiting personnel to expand the SE organization globally.

3xLOGIC is quickly moving to a global organizational structure and that expansion requires building out the companys leadership team in various regions to properly support the sales and support functions. To that end, 3xLOGIC has introduced the role of Country Manager in each region where the company is now operating. Currently, Erik Boudier (France and MEA) and Neil Goward (UK and Baltics) will also report to Andrew Griffith as Country Managers in their respective regions. In the near future, additional leaders will be announced in other key regions. Country Managers are responsible for the smooth operation of the business in that region, as well as providing the top-tier product and customer support our partners and end users have come to expect.

Cesar Gonzalez will assume management of the LATAM region for both PACOM and 3xLOGIC. Cesar will remain active in his 3xLOGIC Key Account position, supporting the Stanley Global Electronic Security business and the company will provide additional support to him in his expanded role. The existing LATAM team in Mexico and Colombia will report directly to Cesar. Additional Regional Sales Managers and other staff to expand the global sales team will be announced over the coming weeks.

These are exciting times in the SPS business and new opportunities will continue to multiply. We are perfectly positioned to continue our explosive growth in 2019, and I am proud to be a part of this team, said Bill Hobbs, VP of Sales. Hobbs further stated As we continue to integrate the 3xLOGIC, PACOM, and PAC businesses under the SPS umbrella, the entire sales team will be well positioned to represent our expanded global product line and presence. We will maintain our product Subject Matter Experts in the support roles in the business and continue to look for ways to expand to best serve our partners and their customers. Our number one goal is to provide customers and partners with the best solutions and support for the security issues we face todaytodays announcement and coming personnel additions will enable us to meet and exceed that goal.

About 3xLOGIC

3xLOGIC Inc. has been a leading innovator in server and cloud-based security technology for 15+ years. The company is recognized for providing easy-to-use surveillance and business intelligence solutions that seamlessly integrate video, access control, and disparate data such as ATM, Point-of-Sale, analytics, and more.

3xLOGICs video surveillance solutions are engineered for ease of installation, scalability and affordability combined with a managed services portfolio that enables integrators to effectively evolve from dealers to high-value strategic partners. Follow 3xLOGIC on Facebook, Linked-in, or our Twitter account, and read our latest news at http://www.3xlogic.com.

For 3xLOGIC Media Queries:

Bruce J. Doneff

Public Relations

843.476.3022

doneff@verizon.net

###
EXPERT OBSERVER

The announcement by the NSW Government that they will hold an international design competition for the relocation of the Powerhouse Museum to Parramatta needs to be matched by the opposition for their proposed cultural centre.

Clearly a new cultural building in Parramatta needs to be a world class design and the NSW Governments approach to hold an international competition should guarantee a quality result.

The NSW Opposition has proposed a different type of cultural facility and it also needs to be a world class design.

The government has announced some members of a jury but not including the NSW Government Architect. The famous Sydney Opera House international design competition did include the NSW Government Architect.

The NSW Governments approach and the Oppositions approach for a signature building in Parramatta must include the Government Architect on the competition jury.

The previous NSW Government Architect, Peter Poulet, resigned in October last year but a new Government Architect has not been announced despite interviews being held.

With the government about to be constrained on new appointments due to the March election we believe this important position needs to be filled as soon as possible.

The Urban Taskforce believes that both the Oppositions proposal and the Governments proposal for Parramatta can give Western Sydney an iconic cultural building that anchors the river city as one of Sydneys three cities.

As Sydney becomes more urban and more dense as the city moves from 5 million people to 8 million people, as outlined by the Greater Sydney Commission plans, design quality will be an essential part of how the growth is built.

The role of the NSW Government Architect is essential in helping steer the future built form of Sydney.

CHRIS JOHNSON is the Urban Taskforce CEO
Rents across the nation were -0.1% lower in December 2018 and were recorded at $433/week, according to CoreLogics latest quarterly rental report.

The report found that, while rents fell -0.2% to $462/week across the combined capital cities over the month, in the combined regional markets rents increased by 0.2% to sit at $373/week.

Rents were lower in Sydney, Darwin and Canberra, they were unchanged in Melbourne and higher in the remaining capital cities.

Click here to enlarge

Sydney remains the most expensive capital city rental market with a median rent of $583/week which is $43/week more expensive than Canberra rents ($539/week) which are the second most expensive in the country.

"Historically Hobart has been the most affordable capital city rental market however, strong rises in rents over recent years have pushed rental costs well above those in Adelaide and Perth and now marginally higher than rents in Brisbane."

"The rental market remains mixed with rents falling in Sydney and Darwin and a fairly significant slowdown in growth in Melbourne."

"Sydney and Melbourne are seeing the impact of such significant demand from investors over recent years along with a substantial ramp-up in new housing (largely apartment) supply, much of which was purchased by investors."

Darwin rents have been falling for many years and they continue to decline.

The past year has seen a change of direction for both the Brisbane and Perth rental markets, following years of declines, rents are now rising again.
In memory of Rev. Fr. Harold Panditharatne

My priestly formation at the minor and major seminaries spanned thirteen years. I was under four great rectors (leaders) namely, Fr. Nicholas Marcus Fernando (later the Archbishop of Colombo) who admitted me to the minor seminary; Fr. Kingsley Jayamanne who recommended me to the national seminary; Fr. Harold Panditharatne who admitted me to the National Seminary; and Fr. Joe De Mel who recommended me to the priesthood. Frs. Harold, Kingsley and Joe De Mel have gone for their eternal reward and may they rest in peace. During my years of training, Fr. Kingsley provided us with numerous opportunities to take the initiative and leadership. He defined a leader as one who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way, and motivated us to become leaders of this calibre. This classic definition was given by John Calvin Maxwell who was an American author, speaker and pastor. This meaning of leadership has reverberated, inspired and uplifted me throughout my life. Fr. Jayamanne introduced to us Fr. Harold Panditharatne as a dedicated priest, prominent intellectual and a visionary leader.

The preaching and addresses of Fr. Panditharatne had a positive influence which drew us all closer to God. He did not engage in abstract and disembodied preaching of theology but explained the meaning of the Word of God in the simplest way and applied meaning to the human condition



My admiration of the priestly life of Fr. Panditharatne developed as I began to know him as a rector, teacher, mentor, priest and a friend. The first instance I met him was the day when thirteen seminarians from the Archdiocese of Colombo were admitted to the National Seminary in Kandy. When we met him in his office, he welcomed and greeted with a warm and humble smile. He was an excellent teacher who taught us logic. He was a beloved rector and mentor who moulded us to become dedicated priests. He was a brother priest when I was serving at St. Josephs College, who exemplified the life of a priest. When he was in the hospital at his last stages, I was fortunate to visit and bless him. I was delighted that Fr. Panditharatne attended St. Josephs College for his Advanced Level studies where I became the rector later years.



TEACHER: A TRUE LEADER WHO KNOWS THE WAY

Fr. Panditharatne was a brilliant intellectual and a scholar who was well-versed in his subjects. He had a clear vision. His friends called him Brilliant Pandith. It is true that some people are born with greater gifts than others. But the leadership ability is really a collection of skills and all of which can be learned and improved. Fr. Panditharatne was always top in the classes from his young age and obtained an upper division pass at the matriculation examination. As a seminarian, the rector and the staff realised his potential, courage, audacity and confidence and he was sent to Rome for his philosophical and theological studies. He pursued his studies brilliantly and successfully defended his first thesis in Rome and second in London. His lifestyle motivated us to discover our talents and capabilities plus the need to develop them to the fullest.



The purpose of Fr. Panditharatnes studies was to discover God in his life. Thomas Merton, Trappist monk, described his journey of life as discovering myself in discovering God. Ultimately, he says if I find Him, I will find myself, and if I find my true self, I will find Him. It was obvious from the teaching, preaching and pattern of life that Fr. Panditharatne had been deeply rooted and discovered God in his life. He often expressed his profound desire to discover God in him in all what he did. That may be the reason why, apart from his philosophical brilliance, he accomplished his licentiate in sacred theology with magna cum laude. In his quest for his true self, he appreciated and accepted his personality and his life as an essential way God called him to be himself. It is imperative that we discover our true self rather than revolve around our false self. Merton delineated true self as the person we are before God and the person we are meant to and our false self as the person that we wish to present to the world and the person we want the whole world to revolve around.

The genuine humility of Fr. Panditharatne was a trademark of his personality. Humility is a key virtue in many philosophical and religious teachings. Fr. Panditharatne was teachable and available to listen to anyone because he had a deep awareness of his own fallibility and thus needed other people to remind and show his blind spots

Fr. Panditharatne was an outstanding and conscientious teacher who could impart his knowledge of deep truths and theories in simple language. I believe and taught the teacher at St. Josephs College that teaching is to touch a life forever. Fr. Panditharatne was an amazing teacher who touched and transformed our lives. I loved his logic class because it was inspiring and interesting. When we questioned him, he was always willing to answer them and never disdained. He was humble and bold enough to say I do not know without beating around the bush, and the very next day he explained the answer. His examination question papers were relatively easy to answer because he prepared the papers from what he taught and tested what students knew rather than preparing papers from what he has not taught and to test what the students did not know. This is a mark of a distinguished intellectual. A true leader knows where he is going, and how he is going to get there.



PRIEST: A TRUE LEADER WHO GOES THE WAY

Fr. Panditharatne was a devout and dedicated priest of God. He set an example of holiness to all. Karl Rahner defined a priest as one sent by Christ, an apostle of the eternal God with one message that surpasses any and all earthly duties and responsibilities. This message is: There is a God and this incomprehensible One wants to be a part of our lives. When Fr. Panditharatne discerned the call of God to become a priest, he joined St. Bernard Seminary unhesitantly . I have seen him regularly remaining before the Eucharistic face, silently adoring and listening to God. He always joined the morning and evening prayers with seminarians. It was clear from his way of life that he was called not only to minister to souls in the name of Jesus, but more to cling to Jesus, abide in Him, to live in Him and for Him, to live by him and no other. He was resplendent with holiness. He had a special devotion to Blessed Virgin Mary and used to recite the rosary before dinner while walking.



The preaching and addresses of Fr. Panditharatne had a positive influence which drew us all closer to God. He did not engage in abstract and disembodied preaching of theology but explained the meaning of the Word of God in the simplest way and applied meaning to the human condition. It was evident that he prepared well and had always used a script to focus on his talks, preaching and teaching.



Fr. Panditharatne was generous to assist everyone in their needs. The authentic Christian service is not only calling forth the gifts of others, but is also the ability to empower the one being served to develop his talents and call forth his gifts. He allowed and wholeheartedly supported us to engage in different cultural, sport and humanitarian activities to teach us to live peacefully, loving everyone. As a rector in November 1978 a cyclone with strong winds and the rains caused extensive damage to Ampitiya, Fr. Panditharatne sent us to support the villagers. Moreover, he provided his full assistance with the seminarians to conduct mathematics, science and English classes for needy children of the village. A true leader is always the first person doing what he is saying.



RECTOR: A TRUE LEADER WHO SHOWS THE WAY

Fr. Panditharatne was an effective silent leader. Lao Tzu, sixth-century philosopher claimed that A leader is best when people barely know he exists, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves. He was not a micromanager who acted outside and against the advice of his staff and always willing to listen and consult others. He was a silent leader who was composed and confident, even in the midst of chaos. Through reflective preparation, he was able to keep cool in different scenarios. Once he shouted at us for breaking silence during a retreat. Later, we saw him walking away calmly. We were afraid to approach him because of his intellectual stature but he was always willing to listen to us. A leader always motivates his followers for the best. Fr. Panditharatne never ever degraded anyone because of lack of knowledge or understanding. He was methodical since he was also a qualified librarian.



The genuine humility of Fr. Panditharatne was a trademark of his personality. Humility is a key virtue in many philosophical and religious teachings. Fr. Panditharatne was teachable and available to listen to anyone because he had a deep awareness of his own fallibility and thus needed other people to remind and show his blind spots. When he returned to Sri Lanka after receiving his doctorates, the Archbishop appointed him to the staff of St. Peters College, Colombo. He always displayed an unquestioning obedience and submission to the superiors. His way of life was not craving to fill his emptiness with vain pursuits, positions, lust and possessions. The prestige and the power vested on him as the rector was used to empower others but not to overpower them. When you are showing people how to get the vision, you do it with them; you keep them close.



A true leader has a clear vision, (knows the way) follows that vision, (goes the way) and shows others the way to achieve the vision. A conundrum that I notice in many leaders is that they often skip knowing the way and following the way and go straight to showing others the way. Let Jesus life be the example and the standard by which I strive to imitate in my leadership. As Frank Sinatra sang My friend, Ill say it clear Ill state my case, of which Im certain, Ive lived a life thats full, I travelled each and every highway, And more, much more than this, I did it my way and so did Fr. Panditharatne he did his way and lived his life to the full.



The Philosophers Day which is traditionally held on the memorial of St. Thomas Aquinas, is an academic event organised by the Philosophate of the National Seminary of Our Lady of Lanka, Ampitiya in honour of Rev. Fr. Harold Panditharatne, the great Priest-Philosopher of revered memory. It will be held on January 28 at the Marius Peiris Auditorium of the Philosophate. The guest speaker delivering this years Rev. Fr. Harold Panditharatne Memorial Oration will be the Senior Lecturer of Kelaniya University Humanities Faculty, Dr. Pulsara Liyanage. The programme will commence at 9.00 a.m.



Rev. Fr. Sylvester Ranasinghe -- BPh. (Rome), BTh (Rome), BSc (SL), MSc (IT) (USA) -- ordained on July 27, 1985. Fr. Sylvester is 33 years a priest in the Archdiocese of Colombo. He has been the Vice Rector at St. Sebastians College, Moratuwa for 2 years and the Rector at St. Josephs College, Colombo for 8 years. At present, he is the Parochial Vicar at the Church of Our Lady of Christians, Staten Island, New York.
New Delhi, Jan 25 : Treading on political turf, President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday fully backed the 10 per cent reservation for economically backward sections enacted by the Modi government, saying it is another step towards an India of Mahatma Gandhis dreams.

Addressing the nation on the eve of 70th Republic Day, he called the coming Lok Sabha elections "not just a once-in-a-generation moment" but "once-in-a century moment" saying it will shape India of the remainder of 21st century.

Kovind also said the country belongs to all sections -- every group and every community, every region and every identity. "India's pluralism is its greatest strength and its the greatest example to the world. The 'Indian model' rests on a tripod of diversity, democracy and development. We cannot choose one above the other; we must have all the three and, we will have all three," he said.

The President referred to Gandhiji's book 'India of My Dreams' in which he wrote of an India where the poorest will have an "effective voice", where there will be no "high class and low class", where "all communities shall live in perfect harmony", and where "women will enjoy the same rights as men".

"These ideals are a constant reminder of the India that we are building. In this context, the recent constitutional amendment to provide special facilities for talented children from poorer families is another step to an India of our dreams - and of Gandhiji's dreams," he said in an apparent reference to the 103rd Constitution amendment providing for quota for the economically weaker sections that are not covered by any of the existing reservations.

The Bill to provide 10 per cent quota to the economically backward among upper castes was passed by Parliament earlier this month.

Referring to the upcoming general election, he said "each one of us" has the responsibility of voting in the elections.

"The ideas and idealism of our democracy will come into full force. Once more, as we do every five years, voters will deliver their verdict and write their destiny. This year's election will be the first when voters born in the 21st century will contribute to electing a new Lok Sabha."

He said election is not just a political exercise, it is a collective call to wisdom and a collective call to action.

The election, he said, represents a renewal and recommitment to the goals of a "shared and egalitarian society", diverse and yet singular urges of people, and that the act of voting is sacred.

"Who the voter chooses to vote for is up to him or her, I would only request all eligible voters to go out and vote. Our country is at a key juncture. In some respects this is as critical and formative a period as the late 1940s and early 1950s. Decisions and actions of today will shape the India of the remainder of the 21st century. As such, this is not just a once-in-a-generation moment - it is a once-in-a-century moment," he said.

Kovind said the election is only a milestone in the journey towards fulfilling the aspirations of people and building a developed India and the country was at the doorstep of eliminating extreme poverty for the first time in memory.

He referred to efforts to boost connectivity through rail, road, air and waterways besides the surge in phones and data access and said all of it is bringing together as never before. "India has been united and integrated - now it is being networked."

He said "leapfrogging technologies" were empowering farmers and equipping soldiers, enabling the deprived and boosting entreprenuership and start up culture.

The President said that through his travels and engagements, he has sensed an appreciation for such efforts and such hard-won advance. "This is more so in the perception of senior generations that have lived through and strived to overcome the shortage economy."

He said difficulty has been converted into availability in all areas and a change was visible in areas ranging from foodgrain, LPG cylinders, telephone connections and ability to get a passport.

"In many cases, technology has been a force multiplier. And in all cases, inclusiveness has been a moral multiplier."

He said a programme of universal healthcare has begun, affordable medicines and medical devices and implants were becoming more accessible and a greater number of Indians have access to proper housing, with modern sanitation and electricity.

TCDATA[ The Army said the armoured vehicle was targeted by a remote-controlled Improvised Explosive Device (IED), reports Xinhua news agency.

The statement said the attack killed an Army Captain and another soldiers. Besides, three more Sri Lankan military personnel were injured in the incident.

Sri Lanka has deployed 200 soldiers for peacekeeping duties in the western African nation of Mali.

Latest updates on Gandhi Jayanti 2019
Bengaluru, Jan 25 : Karnataka Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Friday regretted that the Central government did not confer Bharat Ratna on the southern state's iconic Lingayat seer Shivakumara Swami, who passed away at Tumakuru on Monday.

"It is disappointing that Bharat Ratna was not awarded to late Siddaganga seer from Tumakuru posthumously," a statement from the Chief Minister's Office said.

Kumaraswamy and other political leaders from the state have been urging for the highest civilian honour to be conferred on the late seer, who set up several educational institutions across Karnataka to provide free education to crores of poor students.

The Chief Minister congratulated those from the state who were chosen to receive Padma awards.

Actor Prabhudheva, Indian Institute of Science (IISc)'S physicist and professor Rohini Godbole, archaeologist Sharada Srinivasan, sarod player Rajeev Tharanath and environmentalist Saalumarada Thimmakka were chosen from Karnataka for Padma awards.

state Congress unit president Dinesh Gundu Rao also SAID it was "disappointing" that the popular seer was not chosen for the Bharat Ratna award.

"While we are proud that senior Congressman Dr Pranab Mukherjee is conferred the Bharat Ratna, we are extremely disappointed PMO and Narendra Modi have ignored our very own walking god Shivakumara Swami who rightly deserved the award," Rao tweeted.
New Delhi, Jan 25 : On the occasion of the 70th Republic Day, President Ram Nath Kovind has approved an Ashoka Chakra, four Kirti Chakras and 11 Shaurya Chakras for armed forces personnel for showing exemplary courage and devotion to duty.

Also, Army Chief General Bipin Rawat would be conferred with Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM) along with 27 other officers.

Lance Naik Nazir Ahmed Wani of the 34th Bn of Rashtriya Rifles, who had returned to the mainstream abandoning militancy, has been posthumously awarded Ashoka Chakra, the highest peacetime gallantry award.

Lance Naik Wani eliminated two terrorists during an intense gunfight in Hirapur village near Batgund in the Kashmir Valley on November 25 last year before he fell down to the militants' bullets.

Major Tushar Gauba of the 20th Bn of Jat Regiment, Sowar Vijay Kumar of 22nd Bn Rashtriya Rifles, Constable Rajendra Kumar Nain of 130 Bn Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Constable Pradip Kumar Panda of the 130 Bn CRPF have been selected for the Kirti Chakra.

The last three are being awarded posthumously.

Besides, 11 personnel including nine from Army and two from paramilitary forces have been awarded Shaurya Chakra.

The Chakras would be conferred upon the recipients by the President on the Republic Day.

In all, the President has approved 411 Gallantry and other defence decorations to armed forces personnel and others.

This includes 28 Param Vishisht Seva Medals, three Uttam Yudh Seva Medals, 51 Ati Vishisht Seva Medals, one Bar to Yudh Seva Medal, nine Yudh Seva Medals, two Bar to Vishisht Seva Medals, 120 Vishisht Seva Medals, six Bar to Sena Medals (Gallantry),103 Sena Medals (Gallantry), seven Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry) and two Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry).

Also, five Bar to Sena Medals (Devotion to Duty), 35 Sena Medals (Devotion to Duty), nine Nao Sena Medals (Devotion to Duty) and 14 Vayu Sena Medals (Devotion to Duty) have also been approved.

Commander Abhilash Tomy - who was badly injured while participating in the round-the-world Golden Globe Race around 1,900 nautical miles south-west of Perth after his boat was damaged in a storm - has been awarded the Nao Sena Medal in the 'Devotion to Duty' category.
Mumbai, Jan 25 : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday got an approval from a Prevention of Money Laundering Court Act (PMLA) court here to confiscate Rs 89.56 crore bank balance of city-based firm Seamless Outsourcing LLP in connection with Speak Asia Online Pvt Ltd case.

M.S. Azmi, the PMLA court judge, gave the nod in view of application filed by the ED seeking approval to confiscate the bank balance of the firm which was earlier attached by the agency. The ED had attached the Rs 89.56 crore in current account of Seamless Outsourcing LLP in March 2015.

The ED said this was the first case where it would be able to confiscate the liquid cash of such magnitude to the Central government.

The agency had made its appeal to confiscate the bank balance of Seamless Outsourching LLP as its partner Mansoor Nizam Patel failed to appear before the PMLA special court in spite of non-bailable warrant issued against them.

In September 2011, the ED registered a case based on FIR lodged by police in the case against Speak Asia Online Pvt Ltd, Singapore and its directors, other related persons.

The ED investigation has revealed that Speak Asia Online in connivance with its foreign associate Haren Venture Pvt Ltd (HVPL), Singapore and its three representatives in India -- Tulsiyat Tek Pvt Ltd, Mumbai; Kritanj Management and Allied Services, Mumbai; and Seamless Outsourcing LLP -- floated a web based online money circulation scheme through its website www.speakasiaonline.com.

"Money collected from gullible investors in the guise of subscription fee for online survey was sent out to Singapore in the bank account of HPVL," said the ED.

After investigation, the ED had filed the prosecution complaint against Seamless Outsourcing and seven others.
New Delhi, Jan 25 : Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) chief Om Prakash Chautala, who is currently lodged in Tihar Jail, on Friday moved the Delhi High Court challenging a Delhi Government order cancelling his furlough (temporary release from jail).

In the plea filed by advocate Amit Sahni, the INLD chief told the court that the furlough was suppressed following the Delhi government order of January 21 after active involvement of the Delhi's Home Minister Satyendar Jain, who issued directions to the Director General, Tihar for imposing condition on Chautala that he will not participate in any political activity or address any gathering.

Chautala was granted furlough on January 17 but it was interfered with on January 18 by imposing condition upon the INLD chief for not participating in any political activity, and finally it was cancelled by the government on January 21.

He also told the court that the order was passed due to political interference to give milage to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) alliance, as by then AAP had announced its support to JJP for the Jind bypoll.

JJP is a party launched by expelled INLD leader and sitting Member of Parliament (MP) from Hisar Dushyant Chautala, who is grandson of O.P. Chautala.

Chautala, 83, was admitted in Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital on January 9. He was discharged by the doctors on January 21's night from LNJP Hopsital in strange, unusual and inhuman condition, the counsel said.

"Due to petitioner's (Chautala) age and permanent disability, he requires intensive medical care and attention, but on the contrary the petitioner was discharged in the night...(it) is sufficient to show that the petitioner is being victimised by AAP-JJP for their political benefits," the plea read.

The plea is likely to be heard next week.

O.P. Chautala and his elder son, Ajay, were convicted in the JBT (junior basic teacher) recruitment scam in January 2013. Both were sentenced to 10 years in prison by a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court in Delhi.

The father and son have been barred from contesting elections due to the conviction. The INLD has been managed by Chautala's younger son Abhay Singh Chautala.
New Delhi, Jan 25 : The BJP on Friday attacked Congress President Rahul Gandhi over his meeting with Chinese Minister during his Kailash Mansarovasr Yatra last year and sought details of it.

Addressing a press conference here at the poarty headquarters Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson Sambit Patra said, "We want to know from the Congress what transpired between Rahul Gandhi and the Chinese ministers."

Questioning Gandhi's meeting without following the protocol of informing the Ministry of External Affairs, he said, "Why was the protocol not followed for the meeting?"

The BJP leader's remarks against the Congress chief came after he, while interacting with the intellectuals in Odisha's Bhubaneswar, said that he met a couple of Chinese ministers during his visit to China last year.

Patra alleged that BJP had in August 2018 in a press conference had said that the Congress leader was going to Kailash Mansarovar via Beijing and there are many secrets.

The BJP then had also questioned that who all Chinese ministers he would be meeting and what he would be discussing with them. "This is a very serious question because in the past also, he had secretly met Chinese leaders and during his visits to the foreign countries he acts as the spokesperson for China," he said.

"The Congress and Gandhi had then ignored the question but today he himself revealed his love for China," he said.

The BJP leader also alleged that when Gandhi was going to Kailash Mansarovar via Nepal, Gandhi wanted that Chinese ambassadors and Chinese representatives to should come to airport to see off him. He also claimed that the Chinese Foreign Ministry had written demanding three passes for its representatives to give a ceremonial see-off to Gandhi.

The BJP leader also slammed senior Congress leader Anand Sharma for threatening Central government officials, saying that such behaviour has been a culture and tradition of the Congress.
New Delhi, Jan 25 : India is on the way to becoming the fifth largest economy in the world, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday.

He was addressing the India-South Africa Business Forum organised jointly by Indian industry chambers CII, Ficci and Assocham in the presence of visiting South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Modi also noted that India had risen to 77th place in the World Bank's latest Ease of Doing Business rankings and is currently among the most attractive destinations for foreign direct investment (FDI) according to UNCTAD.

"We are on way to becoming the 5th largest economy globally and have jumped to 77th position in the World Bank's Ease of Doing Business rankings," he said.

According to the projections released earlier this week by British consultancy multinational PwC, India is likely to surpass the UK in the 2019 rankings of world's largest economies, knocking the latter from fifth to seventh place in the global table.

Speaking of India's bilateral trade with South Africa which crossed the $10 billion-mark in 2017-18, the Prime Minister said simplification of the visa regime between both countries, as well as improving air connectivity, would contribute much to boost the trade relationship.

He said there is considerable scope for increasing bilateral trade in the gems and jewellery sector, for instance, through direct procurement of diamonds which would "help improve economies of scale and reduce costs."

Noting that Indian investment into the African nation is growing and has touched $10 billion, Modi said India will be happy to share its experience with South Africa in the area of policy reforms and setting up ground level agencies.

"I assure you that New India would welcome you to look at all available opportunities, particularly in food and agro processing, deep mining, defence, fintech, insurance and infrastructure sectors," he said "Likewise, India could also partner with South Africa in startups, health care and pharma, biotech, IT and IT enabled sectors," he added.

In his address the South African President noted that as many as 150 Indian companies are operating in South Africa providing employment to as many as 20,000 local people., while "India is a significant destination for South African exports."

"There are 29 South African companies operating in India such as the Airports Company South Africa (a shareholder and technical partner in Mumbai International Airport), FirstRand Bank, Old Mutual, Sanlam and Naspers," he said.

" A number of South African companies have shown interest in investing in India. I have brought with me on this visit a large delegation of a cross section of South Afican companies," he said.

Ramaphosa also said that in line with the latest BRICS Declaration of leaders on encouraging investment-led trade, he is looking forward to increased two-way investment activity between South Africa and India.
New Delhi, Jan 25 : The Central government on Friday awarded contracts to 11 companies to operate fixed-wing and seaplane services under the third round of air regional connectivity "Udan" scheme connecting destinations like Ambala, Amravati, Campbell Bay and Car Nicobar among others.

Accordingly, the Ministry of Civil Aviation issued "Letter of Awards" for 73 proposals involving 235 regional connectivity scheme (RCS) and water aerodrome routes which were received under the third round of RCS-Udan.

This is the first time that proposals for connecting tourist destinations and seaplane services have been awarded. In the current scheme, the support fund for routes connecting tourist destinations will be provided by the Ministry of Tourism.

Subsequently, flight operations are expected to connect destinations like Kushinagar, Jharsuguda, Saharanpur(Sarsawa), Guwahati River Front, Nagarjuna Sagar, Statue of Unity in Gujarat among others.

According to the ministry, 16 unserved and 17 underserved airports, along with 6 water aerodromes and 50 served airports would be connected based on the proposals identified for the award.

Geographical spread-wise, out of the 235, 189 comprise of RCS and 46 tourism routes would be connected across 29 states in the country.

As per the ministry's data, the awarded proposals would add another 69.30 lakh seats annually across the RCS routes with more than 1 lakh annual seats through seaplanes and more than 15 lakh annual seats on tourism routes.

At an event here to award the contracts, Commerce and Industry and Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu said that some of the allotted routes will connect islands and other far-flung places to the mainland through air services.

He further said that a "3.5" version of the scheme will be launched. In the special round, those routes will be allotted which in the opinion of state governments would connect remote areas which have not yet been covered.

In addition, the ministry announced the launch of a standalone international version of the scheme with viability gap funding provided by the respective state governments.

The first standalone variant of the scheme will see Guwahati being connected to Bangkok and Dhaka. The air services will be supported by the VGF provided by the state government.

In the second phase, contracts to 15 companies were awarded for 90 proposals involving around 325 regional connectivity routes.

Currently, 128 routes have been started under the various phases of the Udan scheme.
New Delhi, Jan 25 : Delhi Police on Friday mounted high vigilance on the activities of suspected "bad" characters in view of the security requirements for an incident-free Republic Day.

In a massive drive in coordination with other wings such as the Special Cell, Crime Branch and Special Staff, the police detained about 5,000 such people in the capital.

"These 'bad characters' have been considered a threat to society. They may not be involved in mass destructive or deadly acts directly, but they can be used by organised gangs or groups of terror organizations for logistical support.

"We have detained those who were recognized as bad characters last year before the Republic Day," said Rajiv Ranjan, Additional CP of Crime Branch.

The police have detected 4,440 new habitual offenders who committed more than three crimes last year and are part of the detained lot of 5,000.

Delhi police proposed externment of 610 criminals in 2018.

"The connection between bad elements with organized gangs or even terror groups cannot be ruled out as many desperate criminals work as shooters, man power or eyes and ears for them," an official said.

"The police registered 17 MACOCA cases against gangsters such as Sonu Daryapur, Sunil alias Tillu, Shakti Naidu and Jitendra alias Gogi and identified 38 gangsters to be booked under MACOCA," the Delhi Police advisory said.
New Delhi, Jan 25 : The Supreme Court on Friday sought response from the Modi government on a petition challenging the constitutional validity of governments power of surveillance under the Telegraph and the Information Technology Acts.

The notice seeking the Centre's response came in a petition filed by the People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) contending that the said provisions permit surveillance which violates fundamental rights and freedoms under Articles 14, 19, and 21 of the Constitution and cause injury to public interest.

Filed before a bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, the petition, citing RTI replies, Ministers' reply to Parliament as well as "Transparency Reports" published by Google, Facebook, and Twitter, have pointed out "rampant abuse and misuse" of the surveillance power by the government.

Citing RTI replies in 2011 and 2013, the petition pointed out to the Ministry of Home Affairs revealing that "7500 to 9000 orders for interception of phone calls are issued monthly by the Central Government. In addition, it was revealed that about 500 orders are issued every month for interception of emails".

Enclosing the transparency reports, the petition said that Google received 5,105, Facebook 16,580, Twitter 355 and Yahoo 722 requests respectively, regarding user information from the government in 2018 (till June).

Such requests were the highest in 2017 with Google receiving 8,351, Facebook 22,024, Twitter 576 and Yahoo 1,280 requests each.

"The above details of surveillance/interception clearly show that the State has been abusing the powers to intercept communications in a massive scale without there being any cogent/sufficient reason, without application of mind, in a totally arbitrary manner, completely disregarding the rights of the citizen to enjoy freedom of speech and expression and their privac"," it said.

The petition seeks declaring as unconstitutional, Section 5(2) of the Indian Telegraph Act, Rule 419-A of the Telegraph Rules, Section 69 of the Information Technology Act and notifications/circulars issued under these provisions.
Parliament is to inform President Maithripala Sirisena that he has to attend sessions at least once in three months as per the constitution.

Leader of the House Lakshman Kiriella said that he would remind President that he will have to attend parliament sessions every three months as he is responsible to the legislature as per the constitution.

Mr Kiriella said this when Deputy Speaker Ananda Kumarasiri requested him to remind the President about it.

The discussion on the issue cropped up when JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that the President had to attend parliament sessions once in every three months as he is responsible to the legislature.

The President had not come to parliament since August last year although he is bound to come once in every three months as per the constitution, Mr Dissanayake said.
Bhubaneswar, Jan 25 : Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Friday said the decision on the entry of his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's into politics was taken some years back.

"I read in the media that this was a decision taken over the last 10 days. Actually, the decision was taken some years back," said Gandhi at a town hall meeting here titled 'Reimagining India -- Can Odisha show the way?'

"I have been having discussions with my sister about her joining politics and her push-back to me was that my children are very young and that I need to spend time looking after them," said Rahul.

"Now her children have reached an age where one of them has gone to the university and another is about to go to a university. So, that was the discussion we have been having for a while now," he said.

Rahul also spoke about his relationship with Priyanka.

"You have to understand my relationship with my sister. We have been through a hell of lot together. Everybody thinks we come from an illustrious family and everything is easy. It's actually not that easy. My father assassinated, my grandmother was assassinated and huge political battles... so we have been through a very hard sort of situation. That has brought us very close together," said the Congress President.

"Our way of operating is we give each other space. If I say to my sister that I want that space, my sister would tell the space is yours. If my sister says she wants that space, then I woulhat this was a decision taken over the last 10 days. Actually, the decision was taken some years back," said Gandhi at a town hall meeting here titled 'Reimagining India -- Can Odisha show the way?'

"I have been having discussions with my sister about her joining politics and her push-back to me was that my children are very young and that I need to spend time looking after them," said Rahul.

"Now her children have reached an age where one of them has gone to the university and another is about to go to a university. So, that was the discussion we have been having for a while now," he said.

Rahul also spoke about his relationship with Priyanka.

"You have to understand my relationship with my sister. We have been through a hell of lot together. Everybody thinks we come from an illustrious family and everything is easy. It's actually not that easy. My father assassinated, my grandmother was assassinated and huge political battles... so we have been through a very hard sort of situation. That has brought us very close together," said the Congress President.

"Our way of operating is we give each other space. If I say to my sister that I want that space, my sister would tell the space is yours. If my sister says she wants that space, then I would tell that space is your," he said.

Replying to a query whether Priyanka would campaign in Odisha, Rahul said they have not decided on that yet.

"We will have to see exactly where she will campaign. That is probably something we would decide. We have not decided right now. But her main job as we have discussed is to help revive the Congress party's idea in Uttar Pradesh," said Rahul.

Rahul Gandhi slammed the BJP and the ruling BJD in Odisha, saying both follow the "same Gujarat model" in which there is a "deal" between the Chief Ministerial candidate and industrialists and governance is later handed over to key bureaucrats.

"The BJP model and the BJD model are the same as Gujarat model. It's a very simple deal between the Chief Ministerial candidate and industrialists who fund his campaign. The Chief Minister hands the state over to key bureaucrats who run it," Gandhi said.

He said "we allow our leaders to talk to each other" and added that the Congress was not "a bureaucratic dictatorship".

"My model is that people know more about their state than I do and I intend to learn from them. When we run a state, we listen to the people. That's not how (Narendra) Modi or Naveen Patnaik think. Has Modi or Patnaik ever had such conversations with you?" Gandhi asked.

"Modi thinks he knows about everything. The BJP and BJD don't have a feedback loop and that's the big difference between them and the Congress," he added.

Gandhi said the key problems before the country were jobs, farm distress and credit to small businesses and there was a need to rethink the development paradigm.

He said China far outpaces India in job creation and that the Modi government had failed to deliver on its various promises, including one on providing employment.
Bhubaneswar, Jan 25 : Bengal film producer Shrikant Mohta, who was arrested by CBI in the Rose Valley chit fund scam, was sent to jail on Friday.

He will be lodged at the Jharpada special jail in Bhubaneswar.

Earlier on Friday, Mohta was produced before a special court of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) here. Later, he was sent to judicial custody, said an official.

The CBI on Thursday arrested Mohta in Kolkata following his interrogation in the Rose Valley Chit fund scam.

Sources said Mohta allegedly siphoned off around Rs 24 crore in the name of producing films.

The fund was illegally collected from depositors by Rose Valley in West Bengal, Assam, Odisha and other states.

The CBI had attached assets including resorts, hotels, land parcels worth Rs 2,300 crore across districts of West Bengal.

The agency has been probing the diversion of funds from the Rose Valley Group's deposit-taking companies.

Under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), CBI had registered an FIR against the company and Chairman Gautam Kundu in 2014.

The investigating agency has already arrested Kundu and other Rose Valley officials.
New Delhi, Jan 25 : Appealing to the business community to pay taxes and do business ethically, interim Finance Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday said the era of high taxes and misuse of public money was over, and now every rupee received as tax was being put to good use in the interest of the nation.

He also cautioned tax officers not to be over zealous in their functioning which could result in a lot of agony, particularly to the honest taxpayer.

Goyal, who was given temporary charge of the Finance Ministry on Wednesday in the absence of Arun Jaitley who is in the US for medical treatment, said the government had in the last few years made an honest attempt to make the administration more taxpayer friendly, continuously bringing down tax rates and making compliance easier and technology driven.

"Every rupee of tax collected by custom officers is put to good use, to put a roof over someone's head, to bring digital connectivity and electricity to rural areas, ensure a better future for the youth, and most importantly, ensure the basic dignity for women in our country," he said while addressing the Investiture Ceremony and International Customs Day celebrations here.

"And it is only when taxes are collected honestly and are put to good use honestly, one can truly feel a sense of satisfaction of a job well done," he said.

Appealing to the business community to pay taxes honestly, Goyal said it was time to do business ethically.

"Those days are gone when we had an era of very high taxes and import duties, which caused people to look at different avenues. There was also an element of misuse of public money. Very often you would hear people say - if we are paying such high taxes, and it's not put to good use, then we should not be paying such high taxes.

"In the last few years, there has been an honest attempt to change this concept - to make the administration more taxpayer friendly, to continuously bring down tax rates, make compliance easier and technologically driven," the Minister said.

Acknowledging the customs officers' crucial duty of collecting revenues "that is in turn spent for the welfare of the country's poor", Goyal said the true test of their success will be when every customer looks upon them as a friend, not as an adversary.

"This customer-friendly approach will give us far greater results than any other approach. Of course, we have to trust the customers with a great degree of intelligence. After all, our job is to ensure that the revenues of the goApeejay Trust. It consists of an invitation to the Paris Book Fair 2019 in March for the publisher of the work and an invitation for the translator to attend a one-month residency in France.
Kabul, Jan 25 : The Taliban have named the co-founder of the group as the head of their political office in Qatar with an aim to strengthen ongoing negotiations with the US to put an end to the Afghan conflict.

Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar has been appointed the deputy of the Leader in Political Affairs and the chief of the Political Office of the Islamic Emirate, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement, reports Efe news Mullah Baradar, whose real name is Abdul Ghani Baradar, was released in Pakistan in October.

Before his arrest in 2010, he was believed to be the military chief of the terror group, led by Mullah Omar, who died in 2013, although the news was made public only two years later.

"This step has been taken to strengthen and properly handle the ongoing negotiations process with the US," the spokesperson added in the statement.

He said that "with the appointment of the esteemed Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the negotiation team of the Islamic Emirate will continue their talks with the US".

A fourth round of talks between the Taliban and the US began in Qatar earlier this week.

Baradar's release in October had coincided with the Taliban agreeing to begin peace talks with the US although they had refused to hold direct talks with the Afghan government, calling it a puppet of the US.

In recent months, the Taliban and US have held several meetings in the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.

The militants had also met Iranian representatives in Tehran.

Last week, the Taliban had threatened to stall all peace negotiations after the US refused to discuss the withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan.

Since the end of the NATO combat mission in January 2015, the Afghan government has been steadily losing ground to the Taliban.

The government currently barely controls 56 percent of the country, according to data from the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction of the US Congress.
Panaji, Jan 25 : Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar should hire bouncers and post them at his cabinet meetings, for fear of ministers lashing out at each other physically, Congress spokesperson Sunil Kawthankar said on Friday.

The demand comes a day after two cabinet ministers -- PWD Minister Sudin Dhavalikar and Art and Culture Minister Govind Gaude -- reportedly had a heated argument, in which the Congress claimed that casteist abuses were also hurled at a cabinet meeting held on Thursday.

"The Chief Minister should now have bouncers at cabinet meetings because of the lack of law and order in his own office. It has never happened in Goa that ministers abuse each other using casteist slurs. Law and order in the the state is already in a shambles, and now ministers are also running amok," Kawthankar said.

Political sources said at the cabinet meeting on Thursday, Parrikar was forced to intervene during a slanging match between the two ministers, in which Gaude accused Dhavalikar of interfering in his Assembly constituency Priol.

While Dhavalikar did not respond to repeated phone calls, Gaude did not deny the incident, but said he could not divulge any information about the alleged altercation because "what goes on in a cabinet is a secret matter".

"I cannot speak about what went on in a cabinet meeting because it should be kept a secret. But in future, if it comes to that, I will speak about it," Gaude said.

He also chided the Congress, saying that demanding action against ministers for what transpired in a cabinet meeting was "foolish."

"The Congress is behaving in a foolish manner. Were they there to see what exactly happened at the cabinet meeting?" Gaude said.

This is not the first instance of state cabinet meetings in Goa triggering controversy.

A leaked audio tape, in which Health Minister Vishwajit Rane alleged that Parrikar during a December 2018 cabinet meeting had said that all files linked to the Rafale deal were stashed in the former Defence Minister's bedroom, sparking a controversy.

The tape had been released by the Congress in Delhi, earlier this month, and had stalled proceedings in Parliament. Both Parrikar and Rane had claimed that the tape was doctored.
New Delhi, Jan 25 : The Central government on Friday awarded contracts to 11 companies to operate fixed-wing and seaplane services under the third round of air regional connectivity "Udan" scheme.

Accordingly, the Ministry of Civil Aviation issued "Letter of Awards" for 73 proposals involving 235 regional connectivity and water aerodrome routes which were received under the third round of RCS-Udan.

Subsequently, flight operations are expected to connect destinations like Ambala, Amravati, Campbell Bay and Car Nicobar.

According to the Ministry, 16 unserved and 17 underserved airports, along with 6 water aerodromes and 50 served airports would be connected based on the proposals identified for the award.

In addition, the Ministry announced the launch of a standalone international version of the scheme with viability gap funding provided by the respective state governments.

The first standalone variant of the scheme will see Guwahati being connected to Bangkok and Dhaka. The air services will be supported by the VGF provided by the state government.

In the second phase, contracts to 15 companies were awarded for 90 proposals involving around 325 regional connectivity routes.
Srinagar, Jan 25 : Militants carried out four grenade attacks in the Kashmir Valley on Friday on the eve of India's Republic Day, injuring a policeman in one of the attacks.

Constable Sajad Ahmad was injured when militants attacked a police post near the bus stand in Anantnag town with a grenade.

Militants also attacked a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) camp in Tahab area of Pulwama district.

CRPF sources said the sentry on guard duty fired at the militants who, however, escaped.

Militants also attacked a CRPF bunker in Sopore town with a grenade in the evening. CRPF sources said the grenade missed the target and exploded without causing any damage.

Sopore town is part of Baramulla district.

Only on Wednesday, Jammu and Kashmir Police chief Dilbag Singh had told a local news agency that Baramulla was the first district in the Valley that was now free of militant presence.
Mumbai, Jan 25 : In an IL and FS redux, Zee group companies' exposure to the mutual fund debt and non banking financial companies industry is estimated at Rs.12,000 crore--Rs. 7,000 crore to MF debt and Rs. 5,000 crore to NBFCs.

The MF debt exposure is reportedly entirely at Zee promoter level. Exposure to Birla MF was Rs. 2,900 crore while it was Rs. 1,000 crore in the case of HDFC. The exposure to ICICI Pru was Rs.750 crore. On the NBFC front, it is believed that HDFC Ltd and L and T Finance may be impacted.

Since it is a weekend, the market can expect a hammering of Zee Group entity shares on Monday because MF debt exposure is not secured, say market analysts.

The Zee Group promoter is Subhash Chandra, who is a member of the Rajya Sabha from Haryana, and has a strong affiliation to the RSS and the BJP. Coming as it does on the back of the still-to-be cauterised IL and FS, it will send shock waves through India's financial system.
Colombo, Jan 25 : Two Sri Lankan soldiers who were deployed for peacekeeping in Mali were killed on Friday when their armoured vehicle came under attack, the Sri Lankan Army said.

The Army said the armoured vehicle was targeted by a remote-controlled Improvised Explosive Device (IED), reports Xinhua news agency.

The statement said the attack killed an Army Captain and another soldiers. Besides, three more Sri Lankan military personnel were injured in the incident.

Sri Lanka has deployed 200 soldiers for peacekeeping duties in the western African nation of Mali.
New Delhi, Jan 25 : Treading on political turf, President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday fully backed the 10 per cent reservation for economically backward sections enacted by the Modi government, saying it is another step towards an India of Mahatma Gandhis dreams.

Addressing the nation on the eve of 70th Republic Day, he called the coming Lok Sabha elections "not just a once-in-a-generation moment" but "once-in-a century moment" saying it will shape India of the remainder of 21st century.

Kovind also said the country belongs to all sections -- every group and every community, every region and every identity. "India's pluralism is its greatest strength and its the greatest example to the world. The 'Indian model' rests on a tripod of diversity, democracy and development. We cannot choose one above the other; we must have all the three and, we will have all three," he said.

The President referred to Gandhiji's book 'India of My Dreams' in which he wrote of an India where the poorest will have an "effective voice", where there will be no "high class and low class", where "all communities shall live in perfect harmony", and where "women will enjoy the same rights as men".

"These ideals are a constant reminder of the India that we are building. In this context, the recent constitutional amendment to provide special facilities for talented children from poorer families is another step to an India of our dreams - and of Gandhiji's dreams," he said in an apparent reference to the 103rd Constitution amendment providing for quota for the economically weaker sections that are not covered by any of the existing reservations.

The Bill to provide 10 per cent quota to the economically backward among upper castes was passed by Parliament earlier this month.

Referring to the upcoming general election, he said "each one of us" has the responsibility of voting in the elections.

"The ideas and idealism of our democracy will come into full force. Once more, as we do every five years, voters will deliver their verdict and write their destiny. This year's election will be the first when voters born in the 21st century will contribute to electing a new Lok Sabha."

He said election is not just a political exercise, it is a collective call to wisdom and a collective call to action.

The election, he said, represents a renewal and recommitment to the goals of a "shared and egalitarian society", diverse and yet singular urges of people, and that the act of voting is sacred.

"Who the voter chooses to vote for is up to him or her, I would only request all eligible voters to go out and vote. Our country is at a key juncture. In some respects this is as critical and formative a period as the late 1940s and early 1950s. Decisions and actions of today will shape the India of the remainder of the 21st century. As such, this is not just a once-in-a-generation moment - it is a once-in-a-century moment," he said.

Kovind said the election is only a milestone in the journey towards fulfilling the aspirations of people and building a developed India and the country was at the doorstep of eliminating extreme poverty for the first time in memory.

He referred to efforts to boost connectivity through rail, road, air and waterways besides the surge in phones and data access and said all of it is bringing together as never before. "India has been united and integrated - now it is being networked."

He said "leapfrogging technologies" were empowering farmers and equipping soldiers, enabling the deprived and boosting entreprenuership and start up culture.

The President said that through his travels and engagements, he has sensed an appreciation for such efforts and such hard-won advance. "This is more so in the perception of senior generations that have lived through and strived to overcome the shortage economy."

He said difficulty has been converted into availability in all areas and a change was visible in areas ranging from foodgrain, LPG cylinders, telephone connections and ability to get a passport.

"In many cases, technology has been a force multiplier. And in all cases, inclusiveness has been a moral multiplier."

He said a programme of universal healthcare has begun, affordable medicines and medical devices and implants were becoming more accessible and a greater number of Indians have access to proper housing, with modern sanitation and electricity.

The President said that values that shaped India's independence and which continue to shape the Republic are also the values that uphold supremacy of the people.

The Republic Day, he said, commemorates the values of democracy and was an occasion to reaffirm commitment to liberty, fraternity and equality.

He said the concept of devotion to public service and to the broadening of the ambit of justice, must get its due and well-intentioned contributions of individuals, groups, institutions, society or the government must be acknowledged and appreciated.

He said these are guiding principles that shape India's global approach and are earning it a new respect in the international system. "These are the principles, I would stress, that are at the root of our Republic."

The President said the year was "extra special" as the country will mark 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi on October 2 and 70th anniversary of adoption of Constitution on November 26.

He recalled the role of B.R. Ambedkar in drafting the Constitution.
President Maithripala Sirisena today informed Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong that Sri Lanka would expect to add amendments to the Sri Lanka-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (SLSFTA), the President's Media Division said.

The President had said a few mistakes had been made by Sri Lanka when drafting the FTA.
Kolkata, Jan 25 : "No Presents Please", originally written in Kannada by noted author Jayant Kaikini and translated into English by Tejaswini Niranjana, was announced on Friday as the winner of the prestigious $25,000 DSC Prize for South Asian Literature 2018 at the Tata Steel Kolkata Literary Meet here.

"The DSC Prize has always encouraged writing in regional languages and translations, and this is the first time that a translated work has won the prize. This magnificent book gives us a protagonist that is vivid yet full of contradictions, spirited yet lonely, embattled yet big-hearted - the city of Mumbai," DSC said in a statement.

Empathy and survival are the constant, co-dependent themes that unify every strand of the winning novel, creating a shimmering mosaic of a conflicted city that is as kind as it is, at times, cruel.

In a glittering award ceremony, the DSC Prize was awarded to Jayant Kaikini and Tejaswini Niranjana along with a unique trophy by eminent writer Ruskin Bond.

As per the prize process, the prize money would be equally shared between the author and the translator.

Congratulating the winner, Surina Narula, co-founder of the DSC Prize said: "My heartfelt congratulations to author Jayant Kaikini and translator Tejaswini Niranjana for winning the DSC Prize for South Asian Literature 2018 for their brilliant book 'No Presents Please'".

She said it was a pleasure reading the shortlist.

"The challenges faced by the authors to weave their protests against the wave of anti globalization into their writings of seemingly harmless pieces of literature could be seen through their work, migration being a major theme this year," Narula added.

The DSC Prize has completed eight years and reading South Asian literature written in English, including translations, has enabled larger global audiences to understand the issues globalisation has brought about, she said.

The Award Ceremony was held at the iconic Victoria Memorial Hall here.

The prize comes at a time when translations have attracted attention and are also arousing interest among international publishers.

Notably, the first edition of JCB Prize for Literature, billed as India's richest book prize, was also bagged by a translated novel, "Jasmine Days".
New Delhi, Jan 25 : A day after Delhi Police said they have arrested two Jaish-e Mohammad terrorists who were planning to carry out attacks in the national capital, they said on Friday that security has been beefed up ahead of the Republic Day, with thousands of policemen and anti-aircraft guns deployed at strategic points in the city.

Special security arrangements have been made at Rajpath where President Ram Nath Kovind, the Commander-in-Chief of the three forces -- Army, Air Force and Navy, will take the salute.

"In view of the terror threat, over 25,000 policemen have been deployed in Delhi. Total 405 Door Frame Metal Detectors (DFMD) have been installed at all the exit and entry points connecting passages at the venue. Apart from that, face recognition cameras have been installed at 30 major points. If any person with a criminal record tries to enter the premises, he would be recognised easily and nabbed immediately," Delhi Police PRO Madhur Verma said.

"Police teams will also be deployed in crowded markets, bus stops, railway stations, airport and malls," Verma said.

The officer said dignitaries, public enclosures, peripherals, inner and outer areas of Delhi, and VIP and VVIP routes will be provided massive security cover.

"The bordering areas of Delhi-NCR will be closely monitored through CCTV cameras. This time CCTV cameras with high zoom capacity have been installed at every point, including the roads connecting to Rajpath and the Red Fort. Several control rooms have been set up for these cameras which will be monitored by the Poilce Headquarters," CCTV Room Incharge Shiv Charan told IANS.

Verma said that the Delhi Police has taken all safety measures based on intelligence inputs about terror threat to some vital installations.

Elaborating on the arrangements made at Rajpath, Verma said: "Our teams will also be deployed in plain clothes, especially near the parade route and within VIP enclosures."

Besides the Delhi Police, thousands of personnel from paramilitary forces have also been pressed into security duty.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who is the Chief Guest at this year's Republic Day function, will be seated on the dais along with President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President Venkaiah Naidu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"No visitor without a valid card will be allowed to see the parade," Verma said.

He appealed to the people to inform the police in case they see any unidentified object or suspicious activity.

A senior police official requesting anonymity told IANS: "Security personnel have been given clear instructions to bring down any aerial object flying without permission."

As a precautionary measure, light machine guns (LMGs) have been positioned at several points along the parade route.

"Specially trained police personnel with LMGs have been deployed at strategic spots in New Delhi area," the police official said.

"A 'NOTAM' (Notice to Airmen) will also be declared for a few hours on the Republic Day, during which no flights will land or take off from the Indira Gandhi International Airport," the officer said.

He said that snipers with electronic guns will be placed on rooftops of buildings overlooking Rajpath.

The Delhi Police had on Thursday said two terrorists -- Abdul Latif Ganai and his associate Hilal who were planning to carry out attacks in heavy footfall areas in the national capital, have been arrested. Ganai, earlier involved in a series of grenade attacks in Srinagar, was arrested on Monday from central Delhi, while Hilal was later arrested on Tuesday from Jammu and Kashmir.
Colombo, Jan 25 : The Sri Lankan Police decided on Friday to take steps to confiscate the assets of 24 drug smugglers who have fled the country, a police spokesman said.

Police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekara told Xinhua news agency that police had identified these drug smugglers who have fled the country.

The spokesman said the government had stepped up efforts to curb the drug menace, and the police had started investigations to confiscate the property or assets of these drug peddlers.

He said the police had arrested 2,895 suspects in connection with drug trafficking so far this month. "We have also seized 107 kg of heroin in January," he said.

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on Monday launched a drug prevention week till January 28 covering all the schools in the country.
New Delhi, Jan 25 : More than a year after registering a preliminary enquiry, the CBI on Friday booked former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and several others in the alleged irregularities in allotting over 1,417 acres of land during 2009-12 in Gurugram and carried out raids at over 20 places in Haryana, Delhi and Punjab, including his residence and several companies.

Apart from Hooda, the agency booked Trilok Chand Gupta, the then Chief Administrator, HUDA and Director of the Urban Estate Town and Country Planning, and others, including 15 private builders, on charges of criminal conspiracy, cheating, pecuniary advantage and criminal misconduct, on January 23.

While Congress attacked the CBI action as a result of "political vendetta" citing its timing when Hooda was to address an election meeting in the Jind bypoll in the state. Other opposition leaders including West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her Delhi counterpart and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of using CBI and other agencies against political rivals.

This is the fifth case against Hooda in the last few years. Of the four earlier FIRs, three were filed by the CBI and one by the Haryana Police.

Th probe agency named in its FIR 15 realty firms -- DLF New Gurgaon Homes Developers Pvt Ltd, HS Realty Pvt Ltd, DSS Infrastructure Pvt Ltd, Sana Realtors Pvt Ltd, Gupta Promoters Pvt Ltd, Ansal Properties Pvt Ltd, JMD Ltd, Emaar MGF Land Ltd, Krish Buildtech Pvt Ltd (now Brahma City Pvt Ltd), Buzz Hotels Pvt Ltd, SU Estates Pvt Ltd, Commander Realtors Pvt Ltd, Marconi Infratech Pvt Ltd, Martial Buildcon Pvt Ltd and RS Infrastructure Pvt Ltd -- through their managing directors.

An agency official said the Central Bureau of Investigation registered the case based on November 1, 2017 orders of the Supreme Court to investigate the acquisition process of over 1,417.07 acres of land between 2009 and 2012 in Gurugram's Sector 58 to 63 and Sector 65 to 67.

The FIR was a follow-up to the PE instituted on January 1, 2018, against Hooda, Gupta, and several other unnamned persons and to determine whether any wrongdoing was involved in the allocating the lands, a senior CBI official said.

Raids were carried out since Friday morning at over 20 locations, including the DLF office in Gurugram and offices of other builders in Delhi, and in Chandigarh, Rohtak, New Delhi and Mohali, besides Hooda's residence in Rohtak.

In Delhi and Gurugram, the CBI raided the office premises of Ansal Properties Pvt Ltd in central Delhi's Kasturba Gandhi Marg, DDS infrastructure's office in Barakambha road area, DLF new Gurgaon Developers office in Jhandewalan extension area of the central Delhi and DLF Phase 2 in Gurugram, while the office of the Gupta Promoters was searched in the Unitech Business Zone in Gurugram.

The official also said that it carried out searches at the offices of Emmar MGF in Gurugram's Sector 28, while the office of the JMD Ltd located in Gurugram's MG road was also searched.

Hooda was expected to address a rally in Haryana's Jind city later Friday in support of Congress candidate Randeep Singh Surjewala.

According to the CBI FIR, during investigation it was established that a proposal for acquisition of land for development of Sector 58 to 63 and 65 to 67, Gurugram was mooted by Gupta, who issued directions for monitoring land acquisition cases by the Town Planning Wing of HUDA.

Gupta also directed to collect certain information by mentioning that land bank of HUDA was shrinking. Not only for the survival of HUDA but also for ensuring availability of developed land at affordable prices to the public and to the economically weaker sections, it was essential that a healthy land bank was created by HUDA.

The probe alleged that builders and others dishonestly and fraudulently entered into a criminal conspiracy with Hooda and Gupta and other unnamed private persons and unknown public servants with intent to cheat landowners, public and the state.

In pursuance of it, a notification under Section 4 and subsequently under Section 6 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 were issued for acquiring lands. Respective landowners were compelled to sell their land to mentioned colonizers at lower prices than the price relevant before notification. Letters of intent/licences of the notified land were fraudulently issued which caused loss to respective landowners, public at large and corresponding wrongful gains to themselves, it said.

It also alleged that with a view to compelling the land owners, who did not want to sell their land to the colonizer companies, the companies managed to get issued a notification of Land Acquisition Act, 1894 for the total areas 1,417.07 acres located at village Nangli, Umarpur, Ghata, Tigra, Ulahwas, Kadarpur, Maidawas, Badshahpur and Bahrampur (Sector 58 to 63 and 65 to 67).

"These lands were scattered over many of the pockets sandwiched between licensed land/land on which licences were applied, land falling under revenue rasta (passage) and nallah (drain) and thus, not useful for HUDA. Subsequently fraudulently licences were issued and the land was released from acquisition process," said the FIR.

It also said that Hooda and Gupta while having knowledge that the land notified was not worth developing by HUDA, first got the related land notified and simultaneously recommended and approved release of land and approved grant of licence to colonizers in order to give them undue benefit.

The Hooda government in Haryana in 2009 had initiated the process of acquiring 1,417 acres of land in eight villages around Gurgaon. But some villagers had approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court against the acquisition process alleging that the government which acquired the land for the public purpose from the poor and released about 95 per cent of it to private builders. Hearing the farmers' plea, the High Court had quashed the notification under which the land was acquired.

The HC order was challenged by Hooda government in the Supreme Court.
Colombo, Jan 25 : The Sri Lankan government will impose heavy fines and a two-year jail sentence on boat operators who do not follow correct procedures for whale watching, media reports said Friday.

Minister of Tourism and Christian Affairs Ranjith Aluwihare said that an awareness programme would be conducted for boat operators engaged in whale watching for local and foreign tourists and anyone caught violating the rules would face a jail term and a fine of $2,700, reports Xinhua news agency.

Aluwihare said some boat operators were violating the listed procedures, such as overcrowding their boats and going further ahead of designated areas, which have endangered tourists' lives.

"Whale watching has become a growing attraction that has made tourists to visit these areas. The Tourism Ministry is concerned that currently many operators do not adhere to essential safety precautions which puts the visitors at risk," Aluwihare said.

He further said boats were permitted to cover a distance of 12 nautical miles which was the observation area frequented by whales.

Sri Lanka is a popular destination for whale watching with the best seasons being from November to February or March of each year.

Blue whale, sperm whale and humpback are among the whale species seen in Sri Lankan waters, which are also rich in dolphins.
New Delhi, Jan 25 : Iconic Hindi writer Krishna Sobti, a recipient of multiple awards for her outstanding literary career, died here on Friday. She was 93.

"She died at a hospital here today. Her health had deteriorated in the last few months and she had been in and out of the hospital," actress Ekavali Khanna, her grandniece, told IANS.

"She launched her new book in the hospital last month. Despite her ill health, she was always discussing arts, creative processes and life," Khanna added.

Born on February 18, 1925, Sobti had won the Sahitya Akademi award in 1980 for her novel "Zindaginama". She was also conferred with the Jnanpith in 2017 for her contribution to Indian literature.

"Krishna Sobti was the most generous of writers, warm, so sharply intelligent. Her books and conversations made me feel that writing could open up endless horizons. I'm glad I had a chance to meet her over the years, and say thank you to her for what she meant to me," said writer Nilanjana Roy.

Ashok Maheshwari, the Managing Director of Rajkamal Prakashan, which has published almost all of her works, told IANS that her first novel "Channa" had almost been published by a reputed publisher from Allahabad but as the publisher changed some key words from the text, Sobti stopped the printing process midway and paid them the amount they had spent till then.

"She was a person of high spirits, a writer of highest values and sanctity. Every word she wrote was like a coin for her, and now the same is a treasure for us all," he said.

Author-poet Ashok Vajpeyi described her as the "trustee of Indian democracy", hailing her unmatched contribution to literature.

He said her social message was very clear, and it was evident in all her works. She fought for equality and justice, he said.

She was also the recipient of the first Katha Chudamani Award, in 1999, for Lifetime Literary Achievement, apart from winning the Shiromani Award in 1981, Hindi Academy Award in 1982, Shalaka Award of the Hindi Academy Delhi and in 2008, her novel Samay Sargam was selected for Vyas Samman, instituted by the K. K. Birla Foundation.

"Most wonderful woman in the world, beloved Krishna-ji, rest in power. I was so fortunate to have met you," said Hindi scholar and translator Daisy Rockwell.

Sobti will be also be remembered for going out of the traditional methods of writing, experimenting with new writing styles as well as giving voice to bold and daring characters in her myriad tales.

"Krishna Sobti: A fine and bold chronicler of our times, a progressive and modern voice, who exemplified courage and freedom in her work and life. Condolences," said CPI-M leader Sitaram Yechury.

Blending elements of Hindi, Urdu and Punjabi cultures in her writings, she explored a vast range of issues, including the partition, relationships between man and woman, and the slow deterioration of human values. She also worked on a series of profiles and columns but published them under a masculine pseudonym. These columns were later compiled in her non-fiction book "Ham Hashmat".

A good number of her books have also been translated into other Indian languages, besides into Swedish, French, Russian and English.
Geneva, Jan 25 : A team of UN experts is set to carry out an investigation into the killing of a prominent Saudi Arabian journalist inside his country's consulate in Istanbul, the organization said on Friday.

Agnes Callamard, a UN human rights expert and special rapporteur on extra-judicial executions, would be tasked with leading the international inquiry into the killing of Jamal Khashoggi, a statement released by the organization's human rights office said, reports Efe news.

"The UN expert will assess the steps taken by governments to address and respond to the killing, and the nature and extent of States' and individuals' responsibilities for the killing," the UN statement said.

Callamard, who is also an expert in summary or arbitrary killings, would begin the inquiry with a visit to Istanbul from January 28 to February 3, accompanied by British lawyer Helena Kennedy and Professor Duarte Nuno Vieira from the University of Coimbra.

"The inquiry will also seek to identify ways by which States can strengthen fulfilment of their international commitments to protect the right to life, prevent violations and ensure accountability," said Callamard, according to the statement.

The expert was expected to present the team's findings at a session of the UN Human Rights Council in June.

The UN said Callamard had experience leading human rights investigations in more than 30 countries and had acted as an advisor to organizations and governments all over the world.

Khashoggi, who had been a columnist for the Washington Post since 2017 after he left Saudi Arabia and was openly critical of his country's monarchy, was allegedly murdered and dismembered by a Saudi team on October 2 at his country's consulate in Istanbul, Turkish investigators have concluded.

Khashoggi's disappearance sparked an outcry from the international community, drawing condemnation from organizations and world leaders.

Saudi officials initially denied Khashoggi's death at the consulate but later acknowledged he had been killed when a fight broke out.
New Delhi, Jan 25 : The Delhi High Court on Friday asked Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) to reply to a plea challenging the university's Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) report which has given a clean chit to a professor accused of sexually harassing several women students.

Justice Suresh Kait issued notice to the university and professor Atul Johri and listed the matter for further hearing on May 3.

The court was hearing a plea filed by the complainants through advocate Vrinda Grover who has sought suspension of the professor.

The plea has also sought the quashing and setting aside of the report dated July 23, 2018, prepared by the ICC.

The ICC has given a clean chit to the professor and stated that the professor posed no threat to the complainants and instead was facing threats from the students who complained against him.

On May 29, 2018, the court directed the committee to take a decision on the suspension of Johri after examining the material on record and ordered that the professor would have no access to Laboratory No. 409 of the Department of Life Sciences.

It has also passed the direction that the professor should not take charge as warden of any women's hostel on the JNU campus.

On March 16, 2018, police had registered one FIR based on nine complaints. Later, they registered eight FIRs against Johri on separate complaints of nine students who alleged that he sexually harassed them in a lab of the Department of Life Sciences.
Kolkata, Jan 25 : FMCG major Emami Ltd on Friday said it has acquired German brand Creme 21 in the personal care space, having major business in the Middle East and other focus markets.

The brand, which offers skin care and body care products such as creams and lotions, shower gels, sun care range and men's range, has been acquired at less than 1.5 times of its sales.

With current sales at over eight million euros and a gross margin of over 50 per cent, the city-headquartered company expects to take this brand on an aggressive growth trajectory.

"The acquisition has a strong business fit as it operates in our focus markets and chosen categories. We plan to leverage our existing network of distribution and infrastructure to grow the brand.

"It has good potential for growth and we expect it to add value to our growth trajectory. With this acquisition, the company would be able to enjoy economies of scale due to additional business base," said company Director Harsha V. Agarwal.

The company said international acquisition is in line with its strategy for growth through inorganic route.

Over 80 per cent of the brand's business is contributed by MENA (the Middle East and North Africa) region and the balance by Germany and other focused countries. The products are manufactured by a third party in Germany under asset lean model.

"The acquisition is being funded from internal accruals," it added.
Chennai, Jan 25 : Beverages major Coca-Cola India on Friday expanded its Minute Maid product range by launching a grape fruit based sparkling drink branded as Colour, said a top company official.

People in Tamil Nadu towns and villages used to call soft drink 'Colour'. Coca-Cola India has branded its new grape juice sparkler as 'Colour' to resonate with the local lingo.

He also said the company would launch a new product in Andhra Pradesh that would be branded under a similar philosophy.

"The new grape juice based Colour is launched here and will be focused on Tamilian population within India. The product is part of our strategy of expanding our fruit based beverages," T.Krishnakumar, President, Coca-Cola India and South West Asia, told reporters here.

He said the company apart from focusing on its core products -carbonated drinks - also concentrates on launching products preferred in regional markets and also on expanding the 'fruit circular economy' - launching fruit based drinks made with domestically grown fruits.

"The black grapes for the drink are sourced from grape farmers in South India," Krishnakumar said.

He did not agree that the new brand 'Colour' under the broader Minute Maid brand would reduce the latter's brand equity. Minute Maid brand is known as a fruit based beverage brand.

"We are expanding the products under the Minute Maid brand. The new product has 12 per cent grape juice content," Krishnakumar said.

According to Srideep Kesavan, Director-Juices, Coca-Cola India and South West Asia, research showed that grape juice was a fast moving product at fruit juice stalls in Tamil Nadu.

Queried about cutting down on the sugar content in the company's beverages, Krishnakumar said it will come down soon and a start has been made with the grape sparkler Colour with 9.5 grams of sugar.

On the value of fruit pulp/products that Coca-Cola India would source under its 'fruit circular economy' he said the company had committed that a sum of Rs.5,000 crore would be spent on that head by 2023 and the company is in line with that commitment.
JVP MP Bimal Ratnayake yesterday asked the government whether there was any plan to sign a Status of Forces agreement between Sri Lanka and the United States.

Quoting an article that appeared in the Daily Mirror newspaper on "US navy conducts temporary cargo transfer initiative in SL", he said several US naval aircraft are scheduled to land and depart from the commercial airports.

He asked the government about its stance on the security to the country by allowing US naval aircraft to arrive at commercial airports.

Leader of the House Lakshman Kiriella said it was not a strange thing but even previous governments had signed agreements with the US.

He said however he would refer the matter to the government's attention.(Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera)
New Delhi, Jan 25 : The Congress on Friday expressed alarm over the many instances of "police encounters" in BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh and accused the Yogi Adityanath government in the state of establishing an environment of fear and lawlessness.

Former Home Minister and Congress veteran P. Chidambaram claimed that 78 people were killed by the Uttar Pradesh Police in the last 16 months.

"In 16 months, 78 persons were killed in encounters by the Uttar Pradesh Police. Is this the rule of law under the Constitution of India?" tweeted Chidambaram.

"It is the rule of law under the 'muscular' model of governance offered by the BJP. After Jammu and Kashmir, it is Uttar Pradesh that is the victim of muscular government," he added.

Later addressing the media, Congress spokesperson Anand Sharma targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the issue, saying fake encounters were being mainstreamed under the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) regime.

"One can only imagine the state of affairs in Uttar Pradesh where the sole agenda of the elected government is police encounters," he said.

"Inspired by the Gujarat model of police encounters, they are trying to make it a national campaign," said Sharma, referring to a spate of encounter cases in Gujarat between 2002 and 2006.
Bengaluru, Jan 25 : Nearly 65 per cent of Indian organisations are better prepared for the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), making the country the sixth leading nation globally in the GDPR readiness index, global networking leader Cisco said on Friday.

The GDPR, which focused on increasing protection for EU residents' privacy and personal data, came into force in May last year and organisations globally have been working steadily towards getting ready for it.

"India has greatly improved upon its GDPR readiness with its fast-evolving data privacy ecosystem, which is primarily because of a collaborative approach by the government and private organisations," said Vishak Raman, Director, Security, Cisco.

"However, there remains a huge scope for Indian organizations to increase their investments in people, and technology controls to meet customer privacy requirements faster," Raman added.

More than 3,200 global security and privacy professionals in 18 countries across major industries responded to the Cisco survey about their organisations' privacy practices.

"Only 37 per cent of GDPR-ready companies experienced a data breach costing more than $500,000, compared with 64 per cent of the least GDPR-ready companies," said the report.

"Data is the new currency and as the market shifts, we see organisations realising real business benefits from their investments in protecting their data," said Michelle Dennedy, Chief Privacy Officer, Cisco.

Customers are increasingly concerned that the products and services they deploy provide appropriate privacy protections.

"Nearly 75 per cent of respondents cited that they are realising multiple broader benefits from their privacy investments, which include greater agility and innovation resulting from having appropriate data controls, gaining competitive advantage and improved operational efficiency from having data organized and catalogued," the report explained.
Mumbai, Jan 25 : The Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital & Medical Research Institute (KDAH), among the top multispecialty healthcare institutes, celebrated the completion of 10 years of redefining healthcare services in India, here on Friday.

KDAH Chairperson Tina Ambani and Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan were among those present on the momentous red-letter day.

"In the past 10 years we have committed ourselves to transforming healthcare in India by making it more accessible and building awareness to make people more proactive, rather than reactive, about their health," said Tina Ambani.

Besides, it had employed the best technology and treatment protocols in the world and strove to create an ecosystem of inclusion by working together with other like-minded organisations, she added.

"On this milestone, we reiterate our determination to extend our embrace of care and compassion, strive harder and aim higher to give Indians the healthcare they truly deserve," she said.

Furthering its commitment, Tina Ambani announced the opening of two new hospitals in Indore and Raipur by 2020, and as part of the initiative to open 18 Cancer Care Centres in Maharashtra. Two have started in Akola and Gondiya and the third will be launched in March at Solapur.

Besides, clinics and telemedicine centres are already functional in Surat and Rajkot (Gujarat) since 2016.

Tina Ambani said the KDAH is in a dialogue with Boston Children's Hospital, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and the National Cancer Institute, US, for clinical research in Paediatric Cardiac Sciences and Cancer.

Taking the cause of medical research ahead, the KDAH's Medical Research Institute has conducted over 112 research projects, 22 international multi-centric drug trials, and published 138 research papers in international research journals.

She said the institute ranks among the leaders in the world in research on Wilson Disease, having identified genetic mutations specific to Indian patients suffering from this disorder.

The KDAH Executive Director said medical excellence and research has been the focus and in the coming years, it would strive to raise the bar in terms of clinical excellence, launch new programmes to further bridge gaps and engage in path-breaking research to benefit the country.

Started in 2009 in Andheri west, the 750-bed KDAH attracts around 265,000 outpatient cases and 40,000-plus admissions annually with over 20 per cent patients coming from other parts of India.

It has done more than 600 robotic surgeries in 2018, the largest such programme in the country. It has performed over 7,000 child heart surgeries with 60 per cent of them on infants less than a month old, and with a success rate of 97 per cent - its outcome matches that of Boston Children's Heart Hospital, US.

In academics, the KDAH offers Masters in Emergency Medicine programme with George Washington University, US and has launched the first Varian Clinical School for Stereotactic.
New Delhi, Jan 25 : The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday told the Delhi High Court that custodial interrogation of former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram is required in the INX Media cases.

Justice Sunil Gaur reserved the order on former Finance Minister's anticipatory bail plea after Chidambaram and the probe agencies concluded the arguments.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the bench that custodial interrogation of Chidambaram was necessary as he was evasive and had given false information during questioning.

The ED and the CBI have opposed the anticipatory bail plea of Chidambaram.

Chidambaram's counsel and senior advocate Kapil Sibal said that there was no evidence against his client. He also apprised the court that investigation was almost over and sanction had been obtained by the Finance Ministry to prosecute Chidambaram in the case.

However, Mehta countered that the investigation was still going on and there was sufficient evidence against the accused.

Advocate Mehta told the court that Chidambaram was not disclosing the material ought to be in his knowledge and the agencies required his custodial interrogation which will be qualitatively different.

He also said that the agencies want to exercise their statutory rights for arresting the former Minister and seek his custodial interrogation.

Chidambaram's counsel said that FIR contains neither his name nor any allegations against him. The counsel also told the court that there was nothing on record to show that the former Minister was evasive in his reply.

Sibal said that Chidambaram was called for questioning by the CBI only once in June 2018 while in the money laundering case probed by ED he joined the investigation whenever required.

"All evidence in this case appears to be documentary in nature, which is already in the possession of probe agencies. Further, the said documentary evidence is largely in the form of files of the Ministry of Finance, which are currently in safe and secure possession of the government of the day," Chidambaram said in his plea filed through counsel Arshdeep Singh Khurana.

Chidambaram is on interim protection from arrest granted by the Delhi High Court.

The court was hearing the plea from Chidambaram who sought protection from arrest from ED and CBI.

The ED and the CBI are probing how his son Karti Chidambaram managed to get clearance from the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB).

Karti was arrested on February 28 by the CBI for allegedly taking money to facilitate the FIPB clearance to INX Media in 2007 when his father was the Finance Minister. Later, he was granted bail.

Karti's Chartered Accountant S. Bhaskararaman was also arrested and he got bail later.

The agencies reiterated that the probe so far showed that for the FIPB approval, INX Media directors Peter and Indrani Mukerjea met Chidambaram and the Minister asked them to meet his son and thereafter transaction of money took place in the companies which were directly or indirectly controlled by Karti.
New Delhi/Kathmandu, Jan 25 : Border guards Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) on Friday refuted the allegations of Nepalese authorities that the force has been digging a trench near the no-man's land between India and Nepal and clarified that the digging is being done by the Forest Department as a conservation measure to protect animals.

"A project is going on in the forest area along the border on Indian side. The project was started by the Uttar Pradesh's Forest Department. SSB has no role in it. As it is a forest area, SSB personnel don't go there. What we know so far is the project is related to conservation efforts to protect the animals," an SSB official, requesting anonymity, told IANS.

SSB's clarification came after Nepalese authorities claimed that the Indian border guards are digging a trench near the no-man's land and constructing an embankment like structure.

It was also reported that the people residing across the border on Nepal side have complained that the structure would inundate their homes during the monsoons.
Thrissur : , Jan 25 (IANS) National award winning director Priyanandan, whose social media post on Sabarimala evoked angry reactions from the Sangh Parivar, was on Friday attacked near here in Kerala, leading to the arrest of the attacker.

The 53-year-old director said he was on his morning walk when a young man came up from behind me, hit him and poured cowdung mixed water on him. The incident took place around 9 a.m.

"It seems this person was waiting for me," Priyanandan said. "Generally I take a walk on this route every day around 7 a.m. but today I got delayed. This is not a one-man attack. There are others behind it."

The incident occurred near Priyanandan's home near Thrissur.

Police said an RSS activist had been taken into custody for the attack.

Speaking on the condition of anonymity to IANS, a police officer said a 25-year-old man, Sarovar, was being questioned.

The director, whose second film "Pulijanmam" received the National Award for Best Feature Film in 2006, believes the attack came due to his recent social media post on the Sabarimala temple row. He later withdrew the post.

Condemning the attack, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said such attacks would not be tolerated as it was an attack on freedom of expression.

"This unholy act has taken place just because he made his point of view on social media. Soon after his post came, he was under cyber attack. This will not be tolerated and appropriate action will be taken," Vijayan said.

Priyanandan, known to have Left sympathies, began his film career as an assistant under directors K. R. Mohanan and P.T. Kunju Muhammed.

In 2001, he directed his first feature film and till date he has seven films and numerous documentaries to his credit.
New Delhi, Jan 25 : The interim budget may be the last chance for the Modi government to "woo and win" a large section of society facing agri challenges but the actual package will reflect its commitment towards the farmers vis-a-vis fiscal consolidation, a report said.

"The cost of the widely expected farm package would provide important signals about the government's credibility for implementation for the same and/or its commitment to fiscal consolidation," JM Financial Institutional Securities said in its report on Friday.

After the failed budget promise of enhanced procurement through a revised minimum support price (MSP) formula in 2018-19, the government, as hinted by Union Minister Arun Jaitley, may go beyond a mere vote on account as tackling agricultural challenges "can't afford to wait".

JM Financial has predicted a major slippage in the fiscal deficit target. It sees the central government's fiscal deficit at 3.5 per cent of the GDP instead of the 3.3 per cent target this fiscal. For 2019-20, it sees fiscal deficit at 3.2 per cent as against the government's target of 3.1 per cent.

Citing media reports suggesting a plan anywhere between Rs 70,000 and Rs 2,30,000 crore, JM Financial said the government may find "announce, but don't allocate" a lucrative option but it may finally allocate a part of the cost to convince the voters of its intent.

This could consist largely of subsumed existing agri-schemes such as crop insurance, interest subsidy for short term credit to farmers, market intervention scheme and price support scheme, green revolution, per drop per crop and a price stabilisation fund in FY20, it said.

"The allocation for which stood at Rs 47,600 crore in FY19. This means that the incremental burden on Centre's finances would be lower in FY20. Further, with pick up in GST revenues and possible higher devolution by the 15th Finance Commission to states, the burden of the roll-out of the complete scheme could be passed to states from FY21," the report said.

While a vote on account seeks approval for the expenditure side only, an interim budget can alter taxes as well. Since 2000, interim budgets have been passed thrice.

JM Financial has not considered food subsidy as it is under the National Food Security Act, fertiliser subsidy which is paid directly to the companies and establishment expenditure under agri-related ministries, it said.
Beijing, Jan 25 : A series of explosion rocked China's northeastern city Changchun on Friday, killing one person.

The first blast was reported in a car at about 3.15 p.m. in the basement of a Wanda Shopping Plaza building, according to the media.

In a video, the authenticity of which IANS cannot confirm, more explosions could be head and smoke billowed out from the building.

One person was found dead and another injured at the scene, the South China Morning Post said.

The police were treating the explosions as a "criminal case," the paper said.

A witness dining at a restaurant in the plaza on Hongqi Street said people were asked to evacuate the buildings immediately, Beijing Youth Daily reported.

"There must have been more than 20 explosions. The shopping mall asked people over the public address system to leave right away and we ran for our lives," a woman, identified only by her family name Zhang, was quoted as saying.
Beijing, Jan 25 : China on Friday evaded a question whether it was issuing fresh loans to Islamabad in the next few days as stated by Pakistan's Finance Minister.

"I have no specific information, but one thing is sure that we will provide our utmost assistance for the economic development of Pakistan," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said at a regular press briefing here.

"Pakistan and China enjoy very sound relations. We have also made efforts to support its social and economic development. As to the current difficulties confronted by Pakistan, they will resolve it," Hua added.

At a press conference in Islamabad, Pakistani Finance Minister Asad Umar said on Thursday that "after the support from Saudi Arabia and UAE, we are expecting finance from China within next few days".

Pakistan is nearly broke with the foreign cash reserves drying and external debt mounting.

To stave off the crisis, Islamabad has turned to Saudi Arabia and its greatest ally China. Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan last year travelled to Riyadh and Beijing to seek loans.

While Khan managed to secure a loan of $6 billion from Saudis, it is not known if China has made any commitment to Pakistan after publicly vowing to help the country "tide over" the crisis.

China on earlier occasions had issues loans to Pakistan, a scenario, experts fear, might compromise Islamabad's sovereignty.

Islamabad has also sought a bailout package from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The IMF wants Islamabad to disclose financial details of the Chinese-funded China-Pakistan Economic Corridor for providing the bailout package.

However, the Chinese are wary of Islamabad going to the IMF, dominated by its rival, the US which opposes the Belt and Road project.

Experts say that the Chinese have pushed Pakistan into heavy debt through the CPEC, a charge denied by Beijing.
Kolkata, Jan 25 : Actress-writer-child rights activist Nandana Sen on Friday launched her new children's book "In My Heart" that deals with the topic of adoption.

"This book celebrates unity that we find in our family. It is about the fact that every one of us is connected to our family through our hearts," Nandana said at the Junior Tata Steel Kolkata Literary Meet 2019, an extension of the main event.

The book is about a 'heart child' (adopted child) Mia who discovers that she too has a 'tummy mummy' (biological mother), thereby explaining this complex theory in a simple and touching way.

Nandana, who is married to John Makinson, said that her four-year-old daughter Meghla Devsen Makinson (adopted by the couple) is convinced that she is Mia, but the book is about all the children who love their family, relatives and pets.

Nandana is the daughter of Nobel laureate Amartya Sen and celebrated author Nabaneeta Dev Sen. Meghla, who belongs to the family of such scholars, is naturally drawn to books.

The author of "Mambi and the Forest Fire" said that just like her daughter, the protagonist loves reading books.

Nandana, known for her critically acclaimed film Ketan Mehta's "Rang Rasiya", read excerpts from the book giving a glimpse of Mia's world.

Nabaneeta, who has penned a number of children's stories, narrated a line of a Bengali bedtime prose 'Amar Sona Chander Kona' (my dear is a little piece of moon).
There are hopes that next weeks meeting in Washington between top Chinese and US officials will see some progress

HONG KONG (AFP) - Asian markets rose yesterday putting them on course to end a shaky week on a positive note as investors look ahead to crucial trade talks between China and the United States at the end of the month.



Small signs of a break in the impasse on Capitol Hill also provided some hope, with Democrats and Republicans meeting to end the month-long government shutdown that is taking its toll on the economy and has left hundreds of thousands of workers unpaid.



Wall Street provided a mixed lead, though the technology sector was supported by strong earnings from US semiconductor firms such as Texas Instruments, while energy firms tracked healthy gains in oil prices.



There are hopes that next weeks meeting in Washington between top Chinese and US officials will see some progress, but Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross looked to temper expectations Thursday by saying the two sides are miles and miles from resolving their trade war.



However, he still offered some hope, saying: I believe China would like to make a deal. I believe we would like to make a deal but it has to be a deal that works for both parties.Im trying to say people shouldnt think the events of next week will be the solution to all of the issues between the United States and China.Edward Moya, a market analyst at OANDA, pointed out that US markets were niggled by the miles away comment, but said that many failed to focus on the rest of his comments that there is a fair chance a deal will get done, just not this week.



Hong Kong jumped 1.7 percent and Shanghai ended up 0.4 percent while Tokyo closed one percent higher.



Sydney jumped 0.7 percent, Singapore gained 0.5 percent and Seoul was 1.5 percent higher. Taipei was 0.9 percent up, while Manila, Wellington and Jakarta also made healthy advances.



In early trade, London rose 0.1 percent, Paris gained 0.5 percent and Frankfurt surged 0.9 percent.



The gains helped the region to a positive end to a week that started on a dour note as China reported its economy was growing at its slowest pace in 28 years.In Washington, two bills to end the shutdown were thrown out by the senate but the president signalled he could back a reasonable proposal that includes border security. However, Democrats reasserted they will not fund a Mexican border wall.The Senate leaders of both parties met Thursday to discuss the issue, with Democrat Chuck Schumer later seen smiling and saying: Were talking, were talking.



OANDAs Moya said that with Donald Trump fighting the trade war as well as the US shutdown, he would need to make some headway on one some time soon.The president needs a win, and he will need to decide soon whether he will move forward in resolving the shutdown or the trade war with China, he said. If he leaves both at their current states, he will see all the stock market gains and confidence in the economy evaporate.Oil prices rallied more than one percent as instability in Venezuela fuelled concerns about supplies from the major producer, with Trump weighing sanctions on Nicolas Maduros regime and backing opposition leader Juan Guaido as the countrys interim president.

Its a function of people keeping an eye on supply concerns out of Venezuela, Marshall Steeves, an energy markets analyst at Informa Economics, told Bloomberg News. Thats the overriding issue today.



And on currency markets, the pound continued its upward momentum following a report that the Democratic Unionist Party -- who provide her the crucial votes for a majority -- had given the green light to Prime Minister Theresa Mays revised Brexit plan.



The way the ground is shifting seems to support the case for a delay to the March 29th exit, which if (it) plays out would be sterling-positive and we could see more gains from what remains a rather undervalued level for the pound, said Neil Wilson, chief market analyst at Markets.com.
New Delhi, Jan 25 : Railway Board Chairman V.K. Yadav on Friday urged railway officials to inculcate leadership skills in staff to create "future leaders".

In his maiden speech as Chairman, Yadav emphasised upon the transformation being undertaken by the Indian Railways.

He said the transformational journey of the Indian Railways should continue with the same zeal and momentum to attain its goal of being world class.

Yadav took charge as Railway Board Chairman on January 1.
Kabul, Jan 25 : The Taliban have named Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the co-founder of the group, as the head of their political office in Qatar with the aim to strengthen the ongoing negotiations with the US to put an end to the Afghan conflict.

"In accordance with the decree issued by the Leader of Islamic Emirate (as the Taliban refer to themselves), the esteemed Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar has been appointed as the deputy of the Leader in Political Affairs and the chief of the Political Office of the Islamic Emirate," Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement late Thursday.

Mullah Baradar, whose real name is Abdul Ghani Baradar, was released in Pakistan in October, Efe news reported.

Before his arrest in 2010, he was believed to be the military chief of the terror group, led by Mullah Omar who had died in 2013, although the news was made public only two years later.

"This step has been taken to strengthen and properly handle the ongoing negotiations process with the United States," the spokesperson added in the statement.

He said that "with the appointment of the esteemed Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the negotiation team of the Islamic Emirate will continue their talks with the US".

A fourth round of talks between the Taliban and the US began in Qatar earlier this week.

Baradar's release in October had coincided with the Taliban agreeing to begin peace talks with the US, although they had refused to hold direct talks with the Afghan government, calling it a puppet of the US.

In recent months, the Taliban and the US have held several meetings in the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.

The militants also met Iranian representatives in Tehran last December.

Last week, the Taliban had threatened to stall all peace negotiations after the US refused to discuss the withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan.
New Delhi, Jan 25 : India and South Africa on Friday signed an agreement to further deepen their strategic partnership following delegation-level talks led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa here.

The Three-Year Strategic Programme of Cooperation is aimed at enhancing the Strategic Partnership Agreement that was signed in 1997 by Prime Minister H.D. Deva Gowda and South African President Nelson Mandela in 1997.

In a joint address to the media with Ramaphosa following the talks, Modi said that both sides reviewed the entire gamut of their bilateral ties.

"Our trade and investment ties are becoming more and more intense," he said.

"Our bilateral trade is more than $10 billion."

Modi said that Indian companies are contributing to President Ramphosa's efforts to increase investments in South Africa.

Stating that India is a partner in South Africa's efforts in skill development, he said that a Gandhi-Mandela Skills Institute will soon be opened in Pretoria.

"We are both committed to take our relationship to a new level," he said.

The Prime Minister said that both India and South Africa are strategically located in the Indian Ocean region.

He said both countries are pluralistic democracies that are carrying forward the legacies of Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela.

"As such, both countries share a similar broad global outlook," Modi said.

"Our mutual cooperation and coordination in many forums like BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa), G-20, Indian Ocean Rim Association and IBSA (India, Brazil, South Africa) are very strong."

Modi also said that both countries are working together to bring about reforms in the UN Security Council.

On his part, Ramaphosa said that that India is a strategic partner for South Africa.

"PM Modi and I were in agreement that considerable scope exists for growing and expanding our bilateral ties, especially economic ties," he said.

"India is now the second largest trading partner of South Africa."

Ramaphosa said both sides want to expand cooperation in the areas of agro-processing, defence, mining and the financial sector, among others.

"We will work together to strengthen the multilateral system so that ordinary people of the world can benefit from globalisation," he said.

Ramaphosa arrived here earlier in the day on his first state visit to India as President.

Soon after his arrival, he was accorded a ceremonial welcome by President Ram Nath Kovind at the Rashtrapati Bhavan here.

On Saturday, Ramaphosa will be the Chief Guest at the Republic Day parade.
Mumbai, Jan 25 : Veteran actor Boman Irani has joined actor Vivek Anand Oberoi in the upcoming biopic on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"It's an honour to be chosen to be a part of such a landmark film. It's a strong team comprising Sandip Ssingh (producer), Omung Kumar and Vivekanand Oberoi, and I am looking forward to working with them. This has been a great start to my New Year and I am looking forward to this remarkable journey," Boman said in a statement.

According to producer Sandip Ssingh, Boman will give the project a "much-needed experience and depth."

"We are glad to welcome Boman sir as part of the cast. I believe a strong cast is a foundation to making a great film. We are very excited to have such amazing actors on board and I can't wait to begin shooting," added Singh.

With the film's poster launched in 23 languages earlier this month, "PM Narendra Modi" will be shot extensively in Gujarat and across locations within the country.

The biopic will trace Modi's journey from a tea-seller to assuming the office of the Prime Minister of India.
New York, Jan 25 : President Donald Trump has taken aim at the 150 per cent customs duty he says India charges on whiskey imported from the US as he pushes for a law to impose reciprocity in tariffs in his battle to cut trade deficits.

At a meeting on Thursday with Republican lawmakers and his officials on the Reciprocal Trade Act he is proposing, he listed the tariffs on several items when they are imported into the US and exported by it to other countries as examples of unfairness.

He said: "India, as an example, has a 150 percent - hard to believe - tariff on whiskey. They make whiskey, and they sell it to us. We charge them zero. We sell it to them, they charge us 150 per cent. So I would say, other than that, it's a very fair deal. Okay?"

That was greeted by laughter from those at the meeting, according to a White House transcript of his speech.

He did not say if he was going to hike duty on Indian whiskey to match what India charges on US import.

He also brought up India's duty on Harley-Davidson motorcycles, one of his pet peeves that he has aired several times.

"Motorcycles, India: I got them down from 100 per cent to 50 per cent; I got them down to 50 percent just by talking for about two minutes," he said. "But it's still 50 per cent versus (our) 2.4 per cent."

He added sarcastically: "Again, other than that, it's a very fair deal."

India-US trade was $126 billion in 2017, with a $27 billion deficit for the US, according to the US government.

Trump's Reciprocal Trade Act is opposed by many in his own party because they feel it would restrict trade, and by many Democrats who don't want to give him more powers to set tariffs as the proposed legislation would.

But Republican Representative Sean Duffy introduced the legislation in the Democrat-controlled House on Thursday.

Trump's remarks about India are meant for his voter base. Kentucky is the major US producer of whiskey and he carried it with over 62 percent of the votes in the 2016 elections. He also won in Wisconsin, Missouri and Pennsylvania, where Harley-Davidsons are made. That brand is popular among his base of white men.

Trump blamed his predecessors for the overall trade deficit of $800 billion and said: "The Reciprocal Trade Act will give us the tools to solve this problem once and for all."

Under the act, the US will place the same tariff on imports that a foreign country puts on export from the US, he added.

Trump announced in March tariffs of 10 per cent on aluminum and 25 per cent on steel imports from India but has deferred them.

India announced in June that it would retaliate and increase duties on 29 categories of imports from the US but has held off from imposing them.

The highest increases, from 30 percent to 120 percent, were to be on walnuts that are grown in California, a staunchly Democratic state.

US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross is scheduled to visit India next month for bilateral dialogue and a meeting of the India-US CEO's forum.

In October, Trump said that he had great relations with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and that he was going to reduce tariffs on US imports.

He said that none of the previous presidents or trade representatives had spoken to India about the high tariffs and asserted that Modi told him that "nobody ever spoke to me" about them.

"They (India) have called us to make a deal, we didn't even call them; they called us to make a deal, which is like shocking to people," he added.

Whether Harley-Davidson actually pays the 50 percent duty is questionable because it makes the motorcycles in a Haryana factory and they are treated as domestic products. The tax on imported parts is in the range of 15 percent or less.

If India dropped the tariffs on the larger motorcycles that are charged 50 percent tariff, not Harley-Davidson, but others that don't manufacture in India will benefit, contrary to Trump's expectations.

Also, till February last year when the duty on imported bikes was dropped uniformly to 50 per cent, the highest tariff India charged was 75 per cent and it was on those with capacities of 800cc or more.

(Arul Louis can be reached at arul.l@ians.in and followed on Twitter @arulouis)
New York, Jan 25 : After Republican and Democratic measures to end the partial government shutdown failed in the Senate, a sobered President Donald Trump and the Democratic Party leadership appeared to soften their positions and edge towards a reluctant compromise.

The voting in the two failed resolutions on Thursday were telling for Trump because six of his own party's Senators crossed over to support the Democratic proposal while two Republicans voted against their party's counter proposal.

As the shutdown enters its 35th day on Friday, 800,000 federal employees, both those working and those on temporary layoff, missed their second fortnightly pay and the essential government services were beginning to show signs of fraying.

The failed Democratic measure proposed by the party leader in the Senate, Chuck Schumer, would have approved funds to keep the government running till March 8 while negotiations continued on a compromise for financing the wall on the Mexican border that Trump demands.

The defeated Republican proposal included the $5.7 billion that Trump demanded for the border wall as well as his proposal to give a three-year reprieve for deportation for about 700,000 people who had come illegally to this country as children and about 300,000 who had received temporary asylum as their countries suffered natural calamities like the Nepal earthquake or violent unrest.

Two Republican Senators opposed it because it gave concessions to illegal immigrants, illustrating the difficulty for the two party's leadership to reach a compromise because of the pull of the hardliners on both sides.

The failures were a setback for Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, who has been involved along with Vice President Mike Pence in behind the scenes talks with legislators to find a compromise.

Trump suffered a loss of face on Wednesday when he unexpectedly agreed to postpone his State of the Union address after repeatedly demanding that Speaker Nancy Pelosi allow him to speak from the House chamber.

Trump has been sticking firmly to his demand for the $5.7 billion to be included in the budget to build the border wall to deter smugglers and illegal immigrants, while the Democrats have opposed it with equal vehemence.

As a result, the country has not had a budget since December 22 resulting in a shutdown of all but the essential government services.

A high-tech border barrier, rather than a wall or steel fence, may hold the key to a settlement.

Some Democrats were reported circulating proposals for providing for border security as much as the $5.7 billion that Trump wants as long as the money is spent on high-tech defences and personnel and not for a physical barrier.

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham told the Senate that Trump would go in for a temporary measure to reopen the government for three weeks and negotiate a deal if it included some of his demand for the wall.

But Speaker Nancy Pelosi quickly shot it down as not a reasonable offer.

Trump still has an extreme option: declaring a state of emergency and having the Army Corps of Engineers build the barrier with diverted military funds.

He has spoken about it citing the crisis along the border where over 7,000 Central Americans who came in a caravan hoping to force their way into the US are camped out on the Mexican side, with another caravan of 8,000 on the way.

(Arul Louis can be reached at arul.l@ians.in and followed on Twitter @arulouis)
Washington, Jan 25 : US space agency NASA has indefinitely postponed its Day of Remembrance ceremony dedicated to space heroes, who gave their lives for space exploration, due to the ongoing government shutdown.

The ceremony scheduled for January 31 has been postponed by NASA, Administrator Jim Bridenstine said, until the agency's employees start working again. This would ensure their participation in the annual commemoration, the space.com reported.

"NASA's annual Day of Remembrance reminds us to reflect on not just the sacrifices that have been made by our fallen family, friends and co-workers, but also to remind us of our core values of safety, integrity and teamwork as we carry out our history-making missions," Bridenstine said.

"Unfortunately, most of our NASA family are on furlough, and we recognise that participation in many of the Day of Remembrance activities would be a challenge."

The Day of Remembrance marks the agency's three most serious tragedies, all of which occurred in late January or early February.

Apollo 1, which burned during a launch simulation on January 27, 1967; the Challenger space shuttle, which exploded a minute after liftoff on January 28, 1986; and the Columbia space shuttle, which burned during re-entry on February 1, 2003, in which Indian-American astronaut Kalpana Cahwla also lost her life.

NASA centres across the country arrange ceremonies to mark the deaths, with some events including family members of astronauts who have died while working for NASA.

The partial shutdown, which started on December 22, has become the longest on record, overtaking the previous record of the 21-day impasse in 1995-96 under then President Bill Clinton.

The shutdown, without a budget, has affected 800,000 employees as they have not received paycheques, the report said.

NASA personnel working with astronauts aboard the International Space Station and with spacecraft that are now flying are considered critical personnel and are working during the shutdown. However, many other employees have been sent home indefinitely.
Dehradun, Jan 25 : A man died on the set of the upcoming film "Kabir Singh", starring Shahid Kapoor and Kiara Advani, in Mussoorie. The producers of the film have offered support to the family of the deceased crew member.

Ram Kumar, 35, a resident of Uttar Pradesh, lost his life in an accident at the five-star hotel where the film's unit is staying. The incident took place before the commencement of the shoot on Thursday.

Kumar was among the local crew and was working with the film unit from Dehradun as a generator operator.

He was checking the water level in the generator when his muffler got entangled with the generator's fan and in the process, Kumar too was pulled in. Kumar sustained serious injuries on his head.

He was immediately rushed to a hospital in Dehradun where he was put on a ventilator for a few hours before he passed away.

Kumar is survived by three brothers and a sister.

The producers of the film, Cine1 Studios and T Series Films, said in a joint statement: "We are deeply saddened by the loss. We are extending our deepest sympathies to the family of Ram Kumar. We are offering support to the family in the immediate aftermath of this tragic event."
San Francisco, Jan 25 : Facebook has announced that it is discontinuing its stand-alone "Moments" photo saving and sharing app from February 25 owing to lack of users.

"We're ending support for the Moments app but we know the photos people share are important to them so we will continue offering ways to save memories within the Facebook app," CNET quoted Rushabh Doshi, Director of Product Management for "Moments", as saying on Thursday.

Though the company declined to share user numbers, the reason behind the shutdown is because not a lot of people are using it Accoding to Sensor Tower, a mobile analytics firm, the app has been installed by 87 million iOS and Android users since its launch and at its peak, was downloaded 10.7 million times in June 2016 that declined to about 150,000 downloads last month.

Facebook notified "Moment" users about its shutting down via emails and app alerts.

Since people need time to retrieve their photos from the app before it is killed, Facebook has set up a website, available till May, from where users can export their photos either to PCs or theie phone camera rolls.

People can also upload their "Moments" photos to an album on Facebook's main app. By default, the photos in those albums will be set so only you can see them, the report added.

The social media giant first launched "Moments" in 2015 to allow users to share pictures with friends without having to upload them on Facebook.
Kolkata, Jan 25 : National Award-winning Bollywood screen writer Juhi Chaturvedi says addressing issues of discrimination faced by women in Bollywood was never meant to be against men.

"It was never meant to be men versus women. We are having a fight which was never meant to be. I just hope for a day when I would be able to tell my daughter to become an actress saying there are great people out there," Chaturvedi said here at the Tata Steel Kolkata Literary Meet 2019 on Thursday.

Chaturvedi, who won the National Film Award for Best Screenplay for "Piku", feels one should not really stress on 'women role models' and everyone should be known for their work.

"The sanctity of work might just get diluted," said the writer known for her path-breaking work in "Vicky Donor".

Speaking about issues women face in the industry, she said that many times men seem to be "unprepared to discuss things or don't think it is important enough to include a women's opinion".

Women would have to manage their time as they might have to leave for home at seven and that's the time when the evening starts for many.

"You just have to take a call, if it is really important for the person to involve you, he will keep the meeting at 11 a.m. the next day. If not, then that's not the project, you would like to be a part of," said the woman who had collaborated with filmmaker Shoojit Sircar many times.

Asked about the MeToo issue and reason it was dying out, Chaturvedi said: "I think it is about time such issues make it to the front page of the national dailies, and not just gossip section. The conversations are dying down as the decision making bodies haven't taken it seriously."

She said things need to change from the school level and at home concepts like man being the head of the family, 'kanya daan' (daughter given in marriage) need to change.

A person's character, mindset, everything is out there. Women just need to interpret it seeing their work, said the daunting lady.

About women breaking the glass ceiling, Chaturvedi said: "Let's not break things, let's just create things".

Speaking about her transition from an art director to a writer, she said: "You don't realise that you are like a bin where things keep accumulating. You think you have moved on, but there is a parallel life going on which is just dying to get attention from you."

The only way she could vent out these feeling was through writing.
Arjun Aloysius, who was in remand in connection with the Central Bank bond fraud, alleged that the investigating officers of the Central Bank bond scam had let the two main suspects off scot-free and without charging them even though there was ample proof against them.

Mr. Aloysius filed a motion in the Colombo Chief Magistrate Court today through his instructing Attorney Amila Pieris.

Mr. Aloysius had complained to Magistrate Lanka Jayaratna that the prosecution conducting the investigations into the scandal had let Senior Deputy Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe and Deputy Governor Ananda Silva of the Central Bank off scot-free without holding them for the scam while there is ample proof against them over their involvement in the scam.

Counsel Sajitha Jayawardena, appearing with Aravinda Gamage and Dayal Wanniarachchi, instructed by Attorney Amila Pieris submitted that the Presidential Commission who inquired into the scam had said in their report that the Deputy Governor Silva and Weerasinghe who were very experienced officers of the Central Bank, bore a responsibility to look after the interests of the bank.

Instead they had remained silent and did not consult Mr. Mahendran to desist from the course of action or at the very least record their opposition to the direction he issued to the Public Debt Department (PDD).

It was also said that both deputy governors would have been aware that an auction was underway when Mr. Mahendran invited them to accompany Mahendran to the PDD after the Corporate Management Committee meeting.

The report had emphasised that they should have advised Mr. Mahendran at that time and that it was not proper for the Governor to visit the PDD during an auction.

The Counsel further said that this had been asserted by Government Auditor, Gamini Wijesinghe who had accused the deputy governors for their involvements.

The Counsel also said that the Commission had observed that due to the aforesaid passive attitude adopted by the two, this amounts to negligence and a breach of their responsibilities as Deputy Governors of the Central Bank.

Counsel Jayawardena pleaded the Court to instruct the prosecution to name the two Deputy Governors of the Central Bank to the pending case.

The Magistrate ordered the Counsel to make that request in court on the next date of inquiry and in the presence of the prosecution as to take appropriate action.

Arjuna Mahendran, a Singapore national of Sri Lankan origin, his son-in-law Arjun Aloysius and Perpetual Treasuries Ltd CEO Kasun Palisena were charged under the state Property Act for manipulating bond auctions in 2015 and 2016, causing losses of over $11 million to the state.

A presidential report into the high-profile bond scandal accused the former Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran for insider trading.

The investigation also had recommended a forensic audit of the Central Bank during the Rajapaksa era, saying insider trading had occurred under his rule as well. (T.Farook Thajudeen)
New Delhi, Jan 25 : It was a cold Friday morning in the national capital with the minimum temperature recorded at 10 degrees Celsius, two notches above the average, with shallow fog covering the sky in some parts of the city, the weather office said.

"There was shallow fog in the morning. The rest of the day will be generally cloudy with the possibility of light rain or thunderstorm occurring in some parts of Delhi," an India Meteorological Department (IMD) official told IANS.

As per the IMD, Delhi recorded 5.6 mm of rainfall since Thursday evening.

The showers have already broken a record of the highest rainfall in the month of January in the last 10 years. So far, the city has recorded 53.6 mm of rainfall, including Thursday's spell.

The maximum on Friday is likely to drop a few notches and hover around 19 degrees Celsius, while the minimum is expected to be around 9 degrees.

At least 11 trains were delayed on their way to New Delhi on Friday morning due to fog.

The overall air quality of the city remained in the 'very poor' zone for the second day with the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching 319 as per the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting.

Humidity, which was recorded to be at 100 per cent at 8.30 a.m. on Friday, accompanied by low wind speed is the major factor behind this increase in pollution after a short spell of rain.

Thursday's maximum temperature was recorded at 22 degrees Celsius, one notch above the normal, and the minimum was 9.7 degrees Celsius, two notches above the average.
London, Jan 25 : Queen Elizabeth II has urged Britons to fd "common ground" and respect "different pots of view" after MPs rejected the Brexit deal last week even as deadle of the UK leavg the European Union draws closer.

Speakg at an event to mark the 100 years of Sandrgham Women's stitute Norfolk on Thursday, the Queen said: "The contued emphasis on patience, friendship, a strong community focus, and considerg the needs of others, are as important today as they were when the group was founded all those years ago.

"Of course, every generation faces fresh challenges and opportunities. As we look for new answers the modern age, I for one prefer the tried and tested recipes, like speakg well of each other and respectg different pots of view; comg together to seek out the common ground; and never losg sight of the bigger picture," the 92-year-old British monarch said.

She said these approaches were "timeless, and I commend them to everyone".

With a fresh vote on Prime Mister Theresa May's deal for leavg the EU due next week, BBC royal correspondent Nicholas Witchell said there was little doubt the Queen was "sendg a message", as without consensus the UK would have to leave on March 29 with no deal unless they can agree on a way forward.

Commentators said the remarks would defitely be seen as referrg to the Brexit debate, the BBC said. "It is impossible to image that the head of state would use a construction of words such as this without it beg appreciated that they would be seen as a reference to the current political debate," Witchell said, addg her words echoed the theme of her Christmas broadcast.

The Queen, as head of state, remas neutral on political matters and does not usually express her views on contentious issues.

The Queen's remarks came as May is due to return to the House of Commons with her revised plan for Brexit on January 29, after her deal was rejected by MPs a historic defeat on January 15.
Davos, Jan 25 : Billionaire investor George Soros has used his annual speech at the World Economic Forum here in Switzerland to launch a scathing attack on China and its President Xi Jinping.

Soros warned on Thursday that artificial intelligence and machine learning could be used to entrench totalitarian control in the country, which has presented an "unprecedented danger", the BBC reported.

"China is not the only authoritarian regime in the world but it is the wealthiest, strongest and technologically most advanced. This makes Xi Jinping the most dangerous opponent of open societies," he said, hinting at Vladimir Putin in Russia.

In 2018, the Hungarian-born philanthropist had used his Davos speech to lambast tech giants such as Facebook, and what he considered to be their corrosive effect on democratic systems.

This year though he directed his wrath towards Beijing, and particularly its controversial "Belt and Road" investment plan, which pays for road, rail and sea links to boost trade with countries around the world.

"It was designed to promote the interests of China, not the interests of the recipient countries," he said. "Its ambitious infrastructure projects were mainly financed by loans, not by grants, and foreign officials were often bribed to accept them."

Urging Washington to crack down on Chinese technology companies such as Huawei and ZTE, which he said present an "unacceptable security risk for the rest of the world".

Soros cautioned that repressive regimes could utilise technology to control their citizens, in what he called "a mortal threat to open societies".

Soros, a prominent donor to the Democratic Party in the US, also criticised the Donald Trump administration's stance towards China.

"Instead of waging a trade war with practically the whole world, the US should focus on China," he said.

Although he did hint at the solution, and said the Chinese people were his "main source of hope".
Islamabad, Jan 25 : US President Donald Trump has expressed his desire to meet Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, spokesperson of Pakistan's foreign ministry said on Thursday.

Addressing the weekly briefing here, the spokesperson Mohammad Faisal said that during his recent visit to Pakistan, US Senator Lindsey Graham, discussed about Trump's interest in meeting with Khan, however, date and venue have not been finalized yet.

"There are no dates, as of now, for this meeting. A lot of preparation and homework is required before such high-level engagements are materialized," he said, Xinhua news agency reported.

He said that Senator Graham also met with the prime minster and foreign minister, which were useful in understanding each other's perspective and reviewing the regional security situation. Matters of bilateral and regional interest, including Afghan situation were discussed.

Earlier in December, Trump wrote a letter to Khan, seeking Pakistan's support and facilitation in negotiated settlement of the conflict in Afghanistan.
The husband and wife team of Ross and Charlene Meriwether opened Wild Women Winery after enjoying successful careers in corporate America. Ross had been an IT professional and Charlene was an educational consultant. Neither had experience with winemaking or retail sales, but the couple were wine lovers and were eager to move beyond the corporate life and own their own business.

In 2003, the Meriwethers stumbled across an opportunity to open a franchise winery in northern Texas.

"We didn't want to do the same thing all the time," said Charlene. "Our first winery was an opportunity to completely change things up. Immediately, we loved it. And I really enjoy walking into the door knowing that no two days will be alike."

The duo ended up opening three successful wineries in Texas before looking west to Colorado in 2007. Their idea for Wild Women Winery was to bring wine making to Denver, a city traditionally known for its craft beers and many micro-breweries.

With Ross acting as the winemaker and Charlene managing the front of the shop, Wild Women Winery departs from the traditional, highbrow views of wine and provides guests with a fun and uniquely customized experience. The Winery's Tasting Room offers wines by the glass, where guests are welcomed to taste the surprising selection of original flavors in the regular 5oz glass or the 9oz "Big Girl" glass. From the Royal Ruby Chocolate Port, a dessert wine that carries a chocolatey note, to the Red Tango Malbec, each wine carries its own unique flavor, label, and name. Guests can even work with a vintner to craft wine with custom labels and within 10-12 months' time, they will have their own bottles of wine, designed to their specific tastes.

"Our personal guarantee is, 'if you are not having fun, we will ask you to leave'," said Charlene. "The idea is that when you walk into the door, you should be having a great time."

In 2014, Ross and Charlene faced financial challenges as they looked to grow the business. Finding a traditional loan from a bank proved difficult, so the couple began searching online for a lender who could provide quick capital for their inventory needs. They found OnDeck.

The Meriwethers used the financing from OnDeck to fund inventory expansion, purchase raw materials, and meet payrolls. Today, Wild Women Winery is prospering and expanding. Wild Women Winery products can be found in 50 liquor stores and the Meriwethers hope to add more. They have hired additional employees to help with front of the house work, distribution, and the scheduling and execution of commercial expansion.

"Denver is a growing community," said Charlene. "I see the business expanding with the City as more and more residents learn the pleasures of wine. We would like to add more tasting rooms and open near the Denver International Airport area, which is now a little city in itself."

"OnDeck is delighted to recognize the achievements of Ross and Charlene Meriwether in following their dreams and achieving small business success," said Andrea Gellert, Chief Revenue Office, OnDeck. "With offices in downtown Denver, OnDeck is not just a lender to the Wild Women Winery, but many of us are frequent customers as well. We are delighted for their success."

All the wines at Wild Women Winery are produced, bottled and labeled in house. To learn more about Wild Women Winery, visit: www.winerycolorado.com. To see a video or Ross and Charlene Meriwether at work in the Wild Women Winery, please visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIurp-vHTbA&feature=youtu.be

The Small Business Spotlight series from OnDeck is designed to highlight and reinforce the vital importance of small businesses. Every month, OnDeck spotlights the achievements of its small business customers and how they are thriving as a result of receiving capital from OnDeck. To learn more about Ross and Charlene Meriwether's small business journey, visit: www.ondeck.com/smallbusinessspotlight

About OnDeck

OnDeck (NYSE: ONDK) is the proven leader in transparent and responsible online lending to small business. Founded in 2006, the company pioneered the use of data analytics and digital technology to make real-time lending decisions and deliver capital rapidly to small businesses online. Today, OnDeck offers a wide range of term loans and lines of credit customized for the needs of small business owners. The company also offers bank clients a comprehensive technology and services platform that facilitates online lending to small business customers through ODX, a wholly-owned subsidiary. OnDeck has provided over $10 billion in loans to customers in 700 different industries across the United States, Canada and Australia. The company has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and is rated 5 stars by Trustpilot. For more information, visit www.ondeck.com.

SOURCE On Deck Capital, Inc.
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., Jan. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Vectrus Systems Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vectrus, Inc. (NYSE: VEC), was awarded a $151 million cost-plus-fixed-fee task order to continue providing end-to-end engineering support for Command, Control, Communications, Computer, Intelligence (C4I) systems under the Navy's Fleet Systems Engineering Team (FSET) program. The task order was solicited and awarded under the Navy's SeaPort-e contract and extends through January 2024, including all option periods.

"Vectrus has provided continuous complex C4I support under FSET since the program's inception in 1999 and we look forward to continuing to deliver innovative solutions and exceptional performance to our Navy client," said Chuck Prow, president and chief executive officer of Vectrus. "Our afloat teams provide a full range of keyboard to antenna support services that are integral to the readiness of U.S. Navy ships. Importantly, under this task order Vectrus will now perform as a prime contractor."

Under the FSET task order, Vectrus will provide end-to-end C4I systems engineering support to the U.S. Navy's afloat force consisting of command ships, ballistic missile defense ships, strike groups as well as specific shore facilities. We will also provide systems engineering and technical support for the rapid introduction of new capabilities into the Fleet through fleet experimentation and operational fleet exercises. Importantly, our fleet systems engineers will observe C4I system performance and provide critical feedback regarding computer network defense status and to ensure Navy C4I systems are expeditiously restored in the event of system malfunction, attack, cyber-attack or other system impacting incident.

"I'd like to commend our team for creating and offering a value added and unique technological solution that will assist in our client's readiness posture," said Prow. "This recompete win in addition to our successful new business awards are examples of how we are applying innovation to our existing business and future opportunities. Through our FSET program, Spectrum Management Next Generation contract, and recent Naval Station Guantanamo Bay base maintenance win, Vectrus has been successful in expanding its Navy footprint and we look forward to further expanding our relationship with this important client."

For information on career opportunities associated with this task order as well as other Vectrus programs, please visit www.vectrus.com/careers.

About Vectrus:

Vectrus is a leading global government services company with a history in the services market that dates back more than 70 years. The company provides facility and base operations; supply chain and logistics services; information technology mission support; and engineering and digital technology services to U.S. government customers around the world. Vectrus is differentiated by operational excellence, superior program performance, a history of long-term customer relationships and a strong commitment to their customers' mission success. Vectrus is headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colo., and employs about 6,700 professionals spanning 177 locations in 21 countries. In 2017, Vectrus generated sales of $1.1 billion. To learn about career opportunities at Vectrus, visit www.vectrus.com/careers. For more information, visit the company's website at www.vectrus.com or connect with Vectrus on Facebook , Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.

Contact Information

Mike Smith, CFA

[email protected]

(719) 637-5773

SOURCE Vectrus, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.vectrus.com


Gerard has been in the MICE industry for over 25 years and has worked for Jaarbeurs, VNU Exhibitions in various leadership roles. Prior to joining UBM, he was attached with DMG events as Vice President Asia, responsible for managing and growing the energy portfolio in Asia. Gerard has worked in Europe and other countries in Asia including Thailand and Singapore.

UBM Asia Group Managing Director of ASEAN Business Mr M Gandhi said, "We are very excited to have Gerard on board. I am confident that he will be an excellent addition to the ASEAN management team and able to share his wealth of experience and provide the necessary leadership to further build our business."

UBM Malaysia is a subsidiary of UBM Asia which recently became part of Informa PLC, a leading B2B information services group and the largest B2B event organiser in the world.

With a growing portfolio of 30 trade events in Malaysia and Southeast Asia, UBM Malaysia creates business growth opportunities for ASEAN and the rest of the world in a wide range of industries including Furniture & Interiors, Industrial Machinery, Renewable Energy, Power, Security, Construction, Food, Oil & Gas, Hospitality, Livestock, Beauty, Water & Wastewater Subcontracting, Environmental Technology and HVAC.

Gerard succeeds Mr Alun Jones who will leave the organisation by 31st January 2019.

For more information about UBM Malaysia, visit www.ubm.com/malaysia.

Notes to Editor:

About UBM Malaysia

UBM Malaysia is a member of UBM Asia recently became part of Informa PLC, a leading B2B information services group and the largest B2B Events organiser in the world. UBM in Malaysia creates business growth opportunities for ASEAN and the rest of the world in a wide range of industries including Furniture & Interiors, Industrial Machinery, Renewable Energy, Power, Security, Construction, Food, Oil & Gas, Hospitality, Livestock, Beauty, Water & Wastewater Subcontracting, Environmental Technology and HVAC. For more information, visit www.ubm.com/malaysia.

SOURCE UBM Malaysia

Related Links

http://www.ubm.com/malaysia


BOCA RATON, Fla., Jan. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Two young entrepreneurs have developed a protein bar they say is better and healthier than the longtime mainstays in the protein bar market.

The GeoProtein bar, which in 2019 will expand its reach throughout the United States, has double the protein and fiber than the leading brands and is made from 100 percent whole foods with no artificial ingredients.

"I started exercising and became obsessed with personal fitness and nutrition," said Corey Nobile, CEO and founder of GeoProtein, which is located in North Andover, MA. "I would read the labels of every single food item I bought and research each ingredient that I didn't know.

"I could not find a consistently good brand that offered a variety of tasty and nutritious products," Corey said, adding also that none of the leading bars were resonating with the younger generation. "I did what any respectable entrepreneur would do. I decided to fill this gaping hole in the market and create a protein bar that met my standards and would appeal to the Gen Z/Millennial generations."

Corey spent eight months researching the market and scrutinizing products by leading brands before he developed his own GeoProtein Bar, which he said offers double the protein and fiber with half the sugar of his competitors.

"Just as significantly, GeoProtein bars are also made from 100 percent whole foods with no artificial ingredients. They are gluten-free, infused with prebiotics and have only 2g of saturated fats and 0g of trans fat," he said, adding that the bars are sweetened using Stevia.

After launching his company in 2016 and building a solid business foundation, Corey brought in his long-time friend and business partner, Nick Oliveri, to be his COO and to concentrate on sales. Corey and Nick met in sixth grade and have worked together for years on different ventures.

Did I forget to mention Corey and Nick are 18 years old?

When they met, Nick and Corey talked about the usual teenage topics of the day  business operations, starting companies, cash flow statements. They also took Algebra, English and History classes.

While in school, Corey built a veteran-and-military-appreciation-themed apparel brand, and Nick started his own mobile game development company.

"There were other ventures during high school," Nick said, adding that some even failed. "But it was these failures and experiences that gave us the ambition and knowledge to launch GeoProtein."

After high school, both Nick and Corey went to Bryant University in Rhode Island where their GeoProtein bars became a hit not only with students, but also with faculty and alumni. In their first semester, they were elected to the board of the Bryant Ventures Club.

"We are now looking to expand our sales in the United States," Nick said.

"We believe our GeoProtein bars will be successful because we created a product that does not sacrifice taste over nutrition or nutrition over taste," Corey said. "This is confirmed by our taste tests that shows our bars consistently out-perform the leading brands."

Right now, Nick said they have developed a Cookie Dough Prebiotic Protein bar, as well as a Sunflower Raisin Vitality Bar, but they are looking at other products.

"We know exactly what Millennials and Gen Z consumers want in a bar because we wanted it, too. This is superior nutrition for and by Millennials," Nick said.

For more information, visited GeoProtein's website.

Please direct inquiries to:

Andrew Polin, 561-544-0719

[email protected]

SOURCE GeoProtein

Related Links

https://geoprotein.com


TORONTO, Jan. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ - The Green Organic Dutchman Holdings Ltd. (the "Company" or "TGOD") (TSX:TGOD) (US:TGODF) is pleased to announce, further to its news release on June 27, 2018, it has entered into a definitive Agreement (the "Definitive Agreement") with Queen Genetics/Knud Jepsen A/S ("Knud Jepsen") to establish two 50/50 joint ventures; the first for the purpose of producing commercial cannabis and cannabis oils (the "Production JV") and the second for developing and patenting innovative and commercially valuable elite cannabis genetics (the "Genetics JV"). The parties will form both joint ventures in Denmark with a goal to expand the Production JV into future low-cost European jurisdictions.

The Definitive Agreement outlines TGOD and Knud Jepsen's launch of a premium organic European bulk cannabinoid production platform where TGOD will have the exclusive right to all cannabis-related production from the JV, through a guaranteed offtake agreement at a pre-determined price relative to the production cost of the JV. Further, the Production JV will have exclusive access to all intellectual property including elite cannabis genetics developed within the Genetics JV. Knud Jepsen will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the JV and TGOD will leverage Knud Jepsen's years of horticulture experience and science and R&D division to accelerate commercial operations in Denmark and throughout Europe.

TGOD's differentiated approach to organic cannabinoid production combined with Knud Jepsen's large-scale commercial horticultural and globally integrated seed-to-sale operations will accelerate TGOD's global initiatives. The European bulk cannabinoid production platform paired with the Genetics JV will generate value-added formulations and products for established European and international sales and distribution channels.

The first phase of the JV will consist of a Hinnerup, Denmark based 2,500 kg pilot program with the previously contemplated (See June 27, 2018 news release) 25,000 kgs of production in Denmark, shifting to various lower cost production jurisdictions throughout Europe.

"This JV is incredibly important to furthering TGOD's presence in Europe," commented Brian Athaide, Director and CEO of TGOD. "Knud Jepsen is a remarkable partner, having over 80 years of experience in R&D and cultivating plants in millions of square feet. As we roll out multiple phases of our JV and plan to increase the partnership to multiple countries across Europe, leveraging Knud Jepsen's expertise as operators, and our expertise in cannabis will be critical to TGOD's expansion throughout the continent. The partnership will allow TGOD to focus on building global sales and distribution channels, developing proprietary and patentable IP, and furthering brand equity," continued Athaide.

Founded in 1939, Knud Jepsen has 80 years of experience in all areas of horticulture ranging from genetics and breeding to international partnerships and developing global distribution networks. Knud Jepsen is the world's largest Kalanchoes breeder and producer distributing and selling more than 35 million finished plants in Europe and 90 million cuttings to over 75 countries each year. Over 520 people are employed or engaged by Knud Jepsen globally. In addition to Denmark, Knud Jepsen operates an 880,000 sq. ft. flower and young plant production facility in Turkey, and a 700,000 sq. ft. facility in Vietnam specializing in producing cuttings belonging to the Queen Genetic assortment.

"We are thrilled to partner with TGOD and officially enter the cannabis market with the signing of this definitive agreement," commented Frands Jepsen, Knud Jepsen's CEO. "2,500 kgs in Denmark is just the beginning, we will shift the proposed 25,000 kgs to strategic European locations with low-cost production and expect to far exceed that capacity as we onboard additional production sites. We will leverage our global business, dedicated staff, and 80 years of operating and R&D experience to become, with TGOD, the largest European producer of organic cannabis."

On Behalf of the Board of Directors,

The Green Organic Dutchman Holdings Ltd.

ABOUT THE GREEN ORGANIC DUTCHMAN HOLDINGS LTD

The Green Organic Dutchman Holdings Ltd. (TSX:TGOD) is a publicly traded, premium global organic cannabis company, with operations focused on medical cannabis markets in Canada, Europe, the Caribbean and Latin America, as well as the Canadian adult-use market. The Company grows high quality, organic cannabis with sustainable, all-natural principles. TGOD's products are laboratory tested to ensure patients have access to a standardized, safe and consistent product. TGOD has a funded capacity of 170,000 kgs and is building 1,382,000 sq. ft. of cultivation facilities across Ontario, Quebec, Denmark, and Jamaica.

TGOD's Common Shares and warrants issued under the indenture dated November 1, 2017 trade on the TSX under the symbol "TGOD" and "TGOD.WT", respectively.

For more information on The Green Organic Dutchman Holdings Ltd., please visit www.tgod.ca .

Forward-Looking Information Cautionary Statement

This news release includes statements containing certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law ("forward-looking statements"). Forward looking statements in this release includes, but is not limited to, statements about the future legalization of cannabis-infused products in Canada, statements about future research, development and innovation by the Company, statements about future facility construction, statements about the offering of any particular products by the Company in any jurisdiction and statements regarding the future performance of the Company. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "continue", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. These statements are only predictions. Various assumptions were used in drawing the conclusions or making the projections contained in the forward-looking statements throughout this news release. Forward-looking statements are based on the 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 that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. The Company is under no obligation, and 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 expressly required by applicable law.

Neither TSX nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of Toronto Stock Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE The Green Organic Dutchman Holdings Ltd.
The company has scaled rapidly following a mid-2018 fundraise focused on growing its technology and brokerage teams. TenantBase anticipates having over 100 local TenantBase brokers by the end of the first quarter in 2019, compared to 28 in 2018. The increase in brokers coupled with productivity gains from TenantBase's technology improvements will position the company to continue its strong revenue growth.

Along with the recent expansion, TenantBase announced veteran brokerage hires to head up real estate activities and growth of the TenantBase business model. In Chicago, tenant rep veterans Bob Palffy and Andrew Kelly, formerly with Cresa and Transwestern respectively, will lead TenantBase's Midwest brokerage operations and continued expansion throughout the region.

"With over 30 years of tenant representation experience and having been a part of a number of different platforms, the opportunity to lead TenantBase's expansion into Chicago and the Midwest was extremely appealing," said market leader Bob Palffy. "TenantBase's cutting edge technology combined with a knowledgeable advisor talent pool creates a unique experience for its clients. Additionally, teaming with Andrew Kelly, another proven industry veteran I have worked with previously, on our Midwest charge is exciting."

TenantBase launched offices in Houston, Austin and Fort Worth with similar veteran leadership. Market leaders across the Texas markets include industry veterans Lance McCarthy in Houston, formerly with Studley and head of Mohr partners, Jon Olofson in Austin, formerly Head Global Real Estate Portfolio Manager for Entegris, and Albert Berry in Fort Worth, formerly with Keller Williams Commercial.

"We are absolutely thrilled to add highly respected and accomplished brokers both in leadership and production capacities. We believe this is the start of a golden age in commercial real estate brokerage where AI and machine learning applications will empower brokers to be incredibly efficient in servicing a growing volume of modern tenants. Great brokerage service coupled with best-in-class technology creates the ultimate tenant experience," said Bennett Washabaugh, TenantBase CEO. "We look forward to continuing our national expansion in 2019."

SOURCE TenantBase

Related Links

http://www.tenantbase.com


LONDON, AFP Jan 24, 2019 - Airbus chief Tom Enders on Thursday warned the European aerospace giant could make very harmful decisions for Britain if it leaves the European Union without a deal, the latest multinational to issue a stark alert.



Enders branded the governments handling of Brexit a disgrace and suggested 14,000 jobs at its sites designing and manufacturing wings at Filton in southwest England and Broughton in north Wales were under threat.



If there is a no-deal Brexit, we at Airbus will have to make potentially very harmful decisions for the UK, Enders warned in a video published on the groups website.



The German CEO said that up to 110,000 jobs relied on the groups British plants, which generate around 6 billion ($7.8 billion) of turnover every year.



It is a disgrace that more than two years after the result of the 2016 referendum, businesses are still unable to plan properly for the future, Enders said.
During the 2019 Annual Meeting at Davos, SK Group hosted a private session titled "Shedding light on the hidden value of business" in partnership with Boston Consulting Group (BCG). The session brought together prominent social value experts from the worlds of business, academia and the investment community, including Joe Kaeser, CEO of Siemens, Hans-Paul Burkner, Chairman of BCG, George Serafeim, Professor at Harvard Business School, and Kevin Lu, Partner and Chairman of Asia at Partners Group. Panelists discussed their experience in creating social value and the major obstacles in bringing impact investment to the mainstream.

In today's business environment where 'connectivity' driven by digital technology forges relationships between corporations and society, corporations are expected to play a bigger role as social citizens in addition to their role as economic value creators. As such, SK Group has implemented transformative corporate objectives to create social value. It is a proactive vision that utilizes corporate resources and capabilities to solve social issues and problems.

As a panelist, Chey Tae-won, who has led the SK Group since 1998, shared his vision and provided an update on the progress the company has made in generating social value. Engaging with the other panelists and the audience, he made a strong case for a 'deep change' to make businesses sustainable and presented social value as the cornerstone of this new strategy.

As an example of an innovative approach to generate social and economic value simultaneously, Mr. Chey introduced a new accounting methodology, the 'Double Bottom Line' (DBL). This methodology is currently being implemented across the SK Group, and it incorporates a host of indicators pertaining to the environment and social well-being. It is based on Chey's belief that economic value and social value are mutually re-enforcing. SK Group plans to report all its 17 affiliates' contribution to social value alongside net income on its income statement. Receiving a wide range of public support and interests, SK Group has also signed 8 MoUs on DBL with state-owned companies in South Korea.

SK Group has pioneered the approach by increasing its efforts to build a new measurement methodology that is flexible and can be applied to a variety of contexts, projects and stakeholders. The comprehensive pilot scheme developed by SK Group called 'Social Progress Credit' (SPC) is grounded on collaboration and consensus and seeks to reward social enterprises cash incentives for their social outputs.

"SK Group is running an experimental pilot scheme that measures social value and provides incentives in proportion to social value generated. The objective is to support the growth of social enterprises," said Mr. Chey. "Interestingly, the financials of many enterprises also improved. The number of participating entities where operating profit returned to positive territory rose by 30%. The employment of the disabled and the elderly also increased."

Experts who participated in the session shared the need for creating social value as a means to drive sustainable business. In particular, they discussed how social value can be measured and incentivized, and how pursuing social value can be made mainstream for companies.

During the opening remarks, Hans-Paul Burkner, Chairman of BCG said, "BCG has been helping our clients expand the positive societal impacts that they create through their products, services and how they operate as a business". George Serafeim, Professor at Harvard Business School who leads the Impact Weighted Accounts Initiative (IWAI) added, "In the transition to impact economy, it is critical to accelerate the practice of considering social and environmental factors alongside financial performance in corporate management and investment decision-making".

Some of SK's recent initiatives aim at maximizing the social value of its tangible and intangible assets through new collaborative frameworks. For example, SK Group launched the shared infrastructure initiative, where the firm opened its domestic network of SK gas stations to external stakeholders. This initiative received more than a thousand proposals for shared-space utilization and SK's competitors have also joined the initiative and contributed facilities of their own.

Mr. Chey said, "We live in a shared economy, and must challenge our traditional way of thinking. If we adopt the view that our assets, as an infrastructure, can be shared with our consumers, stakeholders and wider society, we can develop new business models and create more social value".

About SK Group

SK Group (www.sk.com/en) is the third-largest conglomerate in Korea by asset size. It was founded in 1953 and has 101 subsidiary companies in energychemicals, ICT, semiconductor, and biopharmaceutical sectors. SK Group has 16 companies listed on the Korea Exchange (KOSPI and KOSDAQ), including SK Holdings, SK Innovation, SK Telecom, SK Hynix, and SK Chemical. The Group has two subsidiaries in 2018 Fortune 500 list - SK Holdings (95) and SK Hynix (442).

Chey Tae-won has increased SK Group's assets to US$121.7 billion in 2017, a 500% increase since he came to office as Chairman in 1998. In 2017, SK Group participated in the consortium led by Bain Capital acquiring a significant stake in Toshiba's memory chip business. In July 2018, the group also acquired a 100% stake in a US-based biopharmaceutical company AMPAC Fine Chemicals and announced the investment of US$1.67 billion in November to build a new electric vehicle (EV) battery manufacturing facility in Georgia, USA.

Media Contact

Shirley Zhao, Senior Account Executive BCW Korea +82-10-7124-0725 [email protected]

SOURCE SK Telecom

Related Links

http://www.sk.com


HOUSTON, Jan. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Sentry Energy Solutions ("Sentry"or the "Company"), a premier provider of safety and environmental services, announced today that it has acquired Himarc Environmental Solutions ("Himarc"). Himarc provides natural gas engine emissions testing & onsite gas leak detection services with state of the art, FLIR Infrared Optical Imagery cameras. The company also offers water testing, environmental site assessments, and environmental consulting to the U.S. oil & gas industry.

Tom Lucario, CEO of Sentry, commented, "We're delighted to add Himarc's service offering and capabilities to our existing portfolio of services. The Himarc team has an exceptional track record and has become a trusted partner to their customers. Further, Sentry and Himarc are highly complementary offerings that allow our respective customers to take advantage of our combined resources, footprint and growing list of safety and environmental service offerings."

Scott Hibbeler and Keith Marcotte, Co-Founders of Himarc, will join the Sentry team and will work in close coordination with Sentry's management to ensure the continued success of Himarc's operations. Hibbeler commented, "We are excited to partner with Sentry as we embark on the next chapter of growth for Himarc. Sentry is an ideal platform to help us expand our business and better serve our customers."

Tom Lucario further added, "With the support of our private equity sponsor, Intervale Capital, we are actively reviewing opportunities to scale our Sentry platform via both M&A and organic initiatives. We are committed to building a leading safety and environmental services company across North America."

Transaction terms were not disclosed. CKR Law LLP provided legal counsel to Himarc. Locke Lord LLP provided legal counsel to Sentry.

About Sentry Environmental Solutions:

Headquartered in The Woodlands, Texas, the Company is a premier service provider of safety and environmental solutions to the oilfield and industrial plant sectors. Sentry provides services for H2S safety, training, confined space supervision and rescue, fire suppression, leak detection, containment systems and more.

About Intervale Capital:

Founded in 2006, Intervale Capital is a specialized energy-focused investment firm. Intervale invests primarily in middle-market energy services and manufacturing companies. The firm has raised $1.3 billion of committed capital since its inception.

Contacts:

For Sentry Energy Solutions:

Thomas Lucario

CEO

(800) 250-6937

[email protected]

www.SentryES.com

For Intervale Capital:

Jason Arnoldy

Vice President

(281) 605-3905

[email protected]

http://www.intervalecapital.com

SOURCE Intervale Capital

Related Links

http://www.intervalecapital.com


2019 Saint Lucia Jazz Festival Produced in Collaboration with Jazz at Lincoln Center Announces Stellar Lineup



NEW YORK, Jan. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ - Through a first-time, one-of-a-kind collaboration, Saint Lucia Jazz Festival and Jazz at Lincoln Center today announced plans for the 2019 Saint Lucia Jazz Festival Produced in Collaboration with Jazz at Lincoln Center. Renowned as the premier jazz festival in the Caribbean, the 2019 Saint Lucia Jazz Festival Produced in Collaboration with Jazz at Lincoln Center will feature the finest names in modern jazz performing in intimate venues and public settings throughout Saint Lucia from Sunday, May 5 through Sunday, May 12, 2019. Details about performances and more can be found on www.stlucia.org .



The week-long festival will feature world renowned artists who have performed on Jazz at Lincoln Center's season concerts, touring initiatives, and global outposts, as well as throughout Saint Lucia Jazz Festival's 27-year history.

For this inaugural year of collaboration, Jazz at Lincoln Center has programmed a stellar lineup. Christian McBride, Ledisi, Etienne Charles, Russell Hall, and Patrick Bartley will serve as artists-in-residence in Saint Lucia during the week-long festival. Artists Gregory Porter, Dianne Reeves, Catherine Russell, Somi, The Baylor Project, Veronica Swift, members of the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, and a host of musicians and collaborators from the Caribbean will perform throughout the week. In addition to world-class performances, the 2019 Saint Lucia Jazz Festival will feature "Artists In Education" initiatives including master classes, professional development, and live performance collaborations with Saint Lucia School of Music students and local jazz artists.

"This collaboration between Saint Lucia and renowned Jazz at Lincoln Center reflects Saint Lucia's exceptional reputation for consistently producing a world-class festival. The 2019 Saint Lucia Jazz Festival Produced in Collaboration with Jazz at Lincoln Center marks another monumental chapter in our small island's history. We are excited to begin this partnership which will bring together some of the world's best jazz artists in the world's most beautiful destination," remarked Minister for Tourism, Hon. Dominic Fedee.

"We are proud to support the re-establishment of the Saint Lucia Jazz Festival as the premier jazz festival in the Caribbean," said Wynton Marsalis, Managing and Artistic Director, Jazz at Lincoln Center. "This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to presenting music at the highest level of artistic integrity and quality, while also offering festival-goers a profoundly good time. Jazz has a unique power to bring people of all ages together and lift up communities."

Saint Lucia has been hosting a vibrant jazz festival annually since 1992. For more than 27 years, the festival has attracted visitors from around the world for events and concerts celebrating multiple forms of international, Saint Lucian and Caribbean jazz music. For more information, go to www.stlucia.org .

Images available for download here.

ABOUT SAINT LUCIA JAZZ FESTIVAL

With a rich history of annual music events for 27 years, the Saint Lucia Jazz Festival offers jazz events that attract visitors from across the globe. With week-long events at indoor and outdoor venues, the event celebrates international, Saint Lucian and Caribbean jazz. One of the Windward Islands of the West Indies' Lesser Antilles, Saint Lucia is nestled halfway down the Eastern Caribbean archipelago. Saint Lucia is known for its natural beauty and diverse attractions, including the signature Piton Mountains  a UNESCO World Heritage. Learn more at www.stlucia.org .

ABOUT JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER

The mission of Jazz at Lincoln Center is to entertain, enrich and expand a global community for Jazz through performance, education and advocacy. With the world-renowned Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and guest artists spanning genres and generations, Jazz at Lincoln Center produces thousands of performance, education, and broadcast events each season in its home in New York City (Frederick P. Rose Hall, "The House of Swing") and around the world, for people of all ages. Jazz at Lincoln Center is led by Chairman Robert J. Appel, Managing and Artistic Director Wynton Marsalis, and Executive Director Greg Scholl. Please visit us at jazz.org; follow us on Twitter @jazzdotorg and Facebook; watch our free, global webcasts at new.livestream.com/jazz; and enjoy concerts, education programs, behind-the-scenes footage, programs and more at youtube.com/jazzatlincolncenter.

SOURCE Saint Lucia Tourism Authority

Related Links

http://stlucia.org/


NEW YORK, January 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ --

Q BioMed Inc. (OTCQB: QBIO), a biotechnology acceleration company, announced today that its technology partner, Mannin Research, has initiated a collaboration with McMaster University of Ontario, Canada. The collaboration is focused on ophthalmic drug delivery and formulation experiments for MAN-01, a first-in-class small molecule to treat Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma. Experiments will be conducted Dr. Heather Sheardown, a world renowned thought leader in ophthalmic biomaterials and drug delivery.



CEO of Mannin Research, Dr. George Nikopoulos stated, "This collaboration is extremely important for us and Q BioMed, as well as the MAN-01 program. The Sheardown lab at McMaster University specializes in ophthalmic delivery systems. As we approach our Phase I clinical trial, having the renowned expertise and experience of Dr. Sheardown and her team working with us on delivering our small molecule candidates to the eye is important to our success."

The main objective of the collaboration is to explore novel and better ways of delivering Mannin's small molecules to the eye to treat glaucoma. Using the formulation and drug delivery expertise of the Sheardown laboratory, the collaboration partners are focusing on increasing the compounds' ability to lower intra-ocular pressure to more effectively treat glaucoma.

Q BioMed CEO Denis Corin commented, "Through this collaboration, we are also exploring the use of extended and sustained release formulations with the Mannin compounds for the treatment of other vascular related diseases, such as acute kidney injury, influenza, and myocardial ischemia. We expect the ophthalmic drug delivery data from this collaboration will inform our planned Investigational New Drug (IND) application with the U.S. FDA."

About Dr. Sheardown

Dr. Heather Sheardown holds a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair for Ophthalmic Biomaterials and Drug Delivery Systems. She is an expert in drug delivery, contact lens materials, (intraocular lenses) IOLs, polymer chemistry, and bioengineering in the ophthalmic space. Dr. Sheardown is a Professor in Chemical Engineering and the School of Biomedical Engineering at McMaster University and is cross-appointed with the School of Optometry at the University of Waterloo.

Dr. Sheardown has gained an international reputation for her research on ophthalmic biomaterials, including her innovative work on the development of new materials for contact lenses and drug delivery applications. She has published more than 150 papers in top biomaterials journals, numerous book chapters on ocular materials and drug delivery and has several patents and patents pending on various ophthalmic materials. She has worked extensively with major ophthalmic materials companies including Vistakon, CIBA Vision, Coopervision and AMO, and is the Chief Scientific Officer for a spin-out company, 20/20 OptimEyes Technology.

Dr. Sheardown has an active and vibrant research group of more than 10 graduate students and post-doctoral fellows. Projects in her laboratory involve the development of new polymeric materials and delivery systems for all areas of the eye. These projects are currently supported by C20/20, an Ontario Research Fund grant. This grant is enabling the commercial development of academic-derived technologies and supporting partnerships with corporate partners with co-development opportunities.

About Q BioMed Inc.

Q BioMed Inc. 'Q' is a biomedical acceleration and development company. We are focused on licensing and acquiring undervalued biomedical assets in the healthcare sector. Q is dedicated to providing these target assets; strategic resources, developmental support, and expansion capital to ensure they meet their developmental potential, enabling them to provide products to patients in need.

Forward-Looking Statements:

This press release may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such statements include, but are not limited to, any statements relating to our growth strategy and product development programs and any other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could negatively affect our business, operating results, financial condition and stock price. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated are: risks related to our growth strategy; risks relating to the results of research and development activities; our ability to obtain, perform under and maintain financing and strategic agreements and relationships; uncertainties relating to preclinical and clinical testing; our dependence on third-party suppliers; our ability to attract, integrate, and retain key personnel; the early stage of products under development; our need for substantial additional funds; government regulation; patent and intellectual property matters; competition; as well as other risks described in our SEC filings. We expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in our expectations or any changes in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based, except as required by law.

Contact:

Denis Corin

CEO

Q BioMed Inc.

+1-646-889-22226



Investor Relations

+1-404-995-6671



SOURCE Q BioMed Inc.
Platinum's most recent auction sale in Wellington was in May 2018, when it sold Kismayo Farm to one of the members of a prominent California wine family. Platinum's promotion of the auction attracted an international collection of prospective buyers, including the world's youngest female billionaire. "Our Wellington buyer registries have been quite a 'Who's Who" list," Lesnock added.

The February 15th sale features an estate situated in Wellington's Southfields community, a boutique, gated subdivision with a collection of multi-acre estates located within a short distance of the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) grounds. Each year, the WEF attracts the global elite to Wellington for a series of glitzy horse events and competitions, and proximity to the WEF grounds has long been the most significant component of a horse property's value. The property is also just ten minutes from the Palm Beach Polo & Country Club and five minutes from the International Polo Club grounds.

Situated on nearly 4 acres, the property offers a 12-stall barn, 8 paddocks and a mirrored, 20m-x-60m outdoor riding arena. The courtyard-style barn features brick aisles, tongue-and-groove ceilings, a fly-deterrent system and wash racks, as well as separate laundry, feed and tack rooms. Mature landscaping and manicured hedges offer shade and privacy.

Equestrian amenities are complimented by an impressive residence with an attached, three-car garage. The home offers a total of 4 bedrooms, 4 full and 1 half baths throughout more than 4,800 square feet (which includes a cabana/guest suite with kitchenette). Prominent features include a gourmet kitchen, oversized master suite, office/study, sauna and custom pool.

Additional property and auction information can be found online at WellingtonLuxuryAuction.com, or by contacting a Platinum representative at 800.683.3789. The property is open for previews every Friday through Sunday between the hours of 12 and 5 pm, until the auction date.

About Platinum Luxury Auctions

Platinum Luxury Auctions is responsible for developing the luxury auction model for high-priced real estate auctions and owns the trademark rights to the term "luxury auction." The firm specializes in the non-distressed sale of multimillion-dollar properties within and beyond the United States. Platinum's team has closed more than $825 million in luxury real estate auction sales to date, while consulting on more than $2.5 billion in additional luxury properties worldwide.

SOURCE Platinum Luxury Auctions

Related Links

https://platinumluxuryauctions.com/listings/equestrian-enclave-wellington-fl


JUNO BEACH, Fla., Jan. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- NextEra Energy Partners, LP (NYSE: NEP) has posted its fourth-quarter and full-year 2018 financial results in a news release available on the partnership's website by accessing the following link: www.NextEraEnergyPartners.com/Earnings.

Jim Robo, chairman and chief executive officer of NextEra Energy Partners, John Ketchum, chief financial officer of NextEra Energy Partners, and other members of the senior management team will discuss the fourth-quarter and full-year 2018 financial results during an investor presentation to be webcast live, beginning at 9 a.m. ET today. The listen-only webcast will be available on NextEra Energy Partners' website by accessing the following link: www.NextEraEnergyPartners.com/Earnings. Results for NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE) also will be discussed during the same investor presentation. A replay will be available for 90 days by accessing the same link as listed above.

NextEra Energy Partners, LP

NextEra Energy Partners, LP (NYSE: NEP) is a growth-oriented limited partnership formed by NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE). NextEra Energy Partners acquires, manages and owns contracted clean energy projects with stable, long-term cash flows. Headquartered in Juno Beach, Florida, NextEra Energy Partners owns interests in wind and solar projects in the U.S., as well as natural gas infrastructure assets in Texas. The renewable energy projects are contracted, use industry-leading technology and are located in regions that are favorable for generating energy from the wind and sun. The seven natural gas pipelines in the portfolio are all strategically located, serving power producers and municipalities in South Texas, processing plants and producers in the Eagle Ford Shale, and commercial and industrial customers in the Houston area. The NET Mexico Pipeline, the largest pipeline in the portfolio, provides a critical source of natural gas transportation for low-cost, U.S.-sourced shale gas to Mexico. For more information about NextEra Energy Partners, please visit: www.NextEraEnergyPartners.com.

SOURCE NextEra Energy Partners, LP

Related Links

http://www.nexteraenergypartners.com


JUNO BEACH, Fla., Jan. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE) has posted its fourth-quarter and full-year 2018 financial results in a news release available on the company's website by accessing the following link: www.NextEraEnergy.com/Earnings.

Jim Robo, chairman and chief executive officer of NextEra Energy, John Ketchum, executive vice president, finance and chief financial officer of NextEra Energy, and other members of the company's senior management team will discuss the company's fourth-quarter and full-year 2018 financial results during an investor presentation to be webcast live, beginning at 9 a.m. ET today. The listen-only webcast will be available on NextEra Energy's website by accessing the following link: www.NextEraEnergy.com/Earnings. Also discussed during the investor presentation will be financial results for NextEra Energy Partners, LP (NYSE: NEP). A replay will be available for 90 days by accessing the same link as listed above.

NextEra Energy, Inc.

NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE) is a leading clean energy company headquartered in Juno Beach, Florida. NextEra Energy owns two electric companies in Florida: Florida Power & Light Company, which serves more than five million customer accounts in Florida and is the largest rate-regulated electric utility in the United States as measured by retail electricity produced and sold; and Gulf Power Company, which serves more than 460,000 customers in eight counties throughout northwest Florida. NextEra Energy also owns a competitive energy business, NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, which, together with its affiliated entities, is the world's largest generator of renewable energy from the wind and sun and a world leader in battery storage. Through its subsidiaries, NextEra Energy generates clean, emissions-free electricity from eight commercial nuclear power units in Florida, New Hampshire, Iowa and Wisconsin. A Fortune 200 company and included in the S&P 100 index, NextEra Energy has been recognized often by third parties for its efforts in sustainability, corporate responsibility, ethics and compliance, and diversity. NextEra Energy is ranked No. 1 in the electric and gas utilities industry on Fortune's 2019 list of "World's Most Admired Companies" and ranked among the top 25 on Fortune's 2018 list of companies that "Change the World." For more information about NextEra Energy companies, visit these websites: www.NextEraEnergy.com, www.FPL.com, www.GulfPower.com, www.NextEraEnergyResources.com.

SOURCE NextEra Energy, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.nexteraenergy.com


"Being honored for the second year in a row by NerdWallet is an achievement that our team and partners can be exceptionally proud of," said Rick Arvielo, CEO of New American Funding. "While accolades are not what drive us to be the very best mortgage lender, NerdWallet has validated the hard work that goes into providing our clients and consumers with industry-leading loan products and service . We thank NerdWallet for ranking New American Funding as one of the elites ."

To see if you qualify for a loan, please visit: New American Funding's Website

This is the fourth year NerdWallet has researched dozens of financial products across multiple verticals in order to help consumers make confident financial decisions. More than 40 of NerdWallet's personal finance experts on its editorial team spent hundreds of hours researching and comparing to find the "best of the best" financial products for consumers in 2019. New American Funding again made that list.

"Being honored in NerdWallet's Best-of Awards is a tremendous way to kick off 2019," said Patty Arvielo, President of New American Funding. "We thank NerdWallet CEO Tim Chen and his editorial team for recognizing us as one of the top financial institutions that provide exemplary products and services. While it's a thrill to win one of the top awards in the category of Best Mortgage Lender for Purchase Loans as well as Best Mortgage Lender for FHA Loans, we will continue to be forward-thinking and customer-focused."

Due to its excellent customer service, New American Funding has received more than 50,800 positive reviews through SocialSurvey, more than 6,000 5-star Zillow reviews, and it has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.

To visit NerdWallet's complete Best-Of winners list, click here.

New American Funding is a family-owned mortgage lender with a servicing portfolio of over 112,000 loans for $28 billion, approximately 193 branches, and about 3,000 employees. The company offers several niche loans and has made Inc. 5,000's list of Fastest-Growing Companies in America five times.

SOURCE New American Funding

Related Links

http://www.newamericanfunding.com


RENO, Nev., Jan. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The Nevada Military Support Alliance (NMSA) announced today that the 501(c)3 organization has committed to fundraise $250,000 for Homes For Our Troops to build a brand new, mortgage free, specially adapted custom home for Army Sergeant Adam Poppenhouse and his young family.

As a member of the Army's 3rd Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, SGT Poppenhouse and his team were securing a crash site in an attempt to rescue a downed pilot when his vehicle hit an improvised explosive devise (IED) in Taji, Iraq on December 3, 2006. SGT Poppenhouse immediately lost his right leg in the blast.

After nearly two years and numerous surgeries, SGT Poppenhouse elected to have doctors amputate his damaged left leg as well in order to alleviate severe, continuous pain.

"The Nevada Military Support Alliance is proud and honored to once again partner with Homes For Our Troops to raise funds for the construction of a new specially adapted custom home for SGT Poppenhouse, his wife Megan and their two young children. We look forward to the completion of the Las Vegas property this year and to presenting this great American and Nevada warrior and his family with the keys to their new home," said Scott Bensing, Chairman of the Nevada Military Support Alliance.

The Nevada Military Support Alliance previously partnered with Homes For Our Troops in the construction of specially adapted custom homes in 2011 for Marine SGT Dylan Gray in Wellington, Nevada and in 2013 for Army SGT Timothy Hall in Hawthorne, Nevada.

"Once again, Homes For Our Troops is excited and fortunate to be able to partner with the Nevada Military Support Alliance to deliver a mortgage free, specially adapted custom home to a Nevada family that has given so much in the defense of our great nation," said HFOT Executive Director Bill Ivey. "Their extraordinary generosity continues to help advance our mission of building and donating homes to severely injured post-9/11 Veterans."

Construction of the Poppenhouse Las Vegas home is scheduled to begin in March 2019 with an estimated completion of September, 2019.

For more information about the Nevada Military Support Alliance and to donate in support of the construction of the Poppenhouse home, please visit nvmilitarysupport.org.

About the Nevada Military Support Alliance

The Nevada Military Support Alliance is a statewide 501(c) 3, Tax ID 27-1095956, established in 2010. The mission of the Nevada Military Support Alliance is to organize and promote the Recognition, Support and Appreciation of Nevada's Men and Women of our Armed Forces, Veterans and their Families. Please contact the Nevada Military Support Alliance by phone at 775-515-5059 or by email at [email protected].

About Homes For Our Troops

About Homes For Our Troops (HFOT): Homes For Our Troops (HFOT) is a privately funded 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization that builds and donates specially adapted custom homes nationwide to severely injured post-9/11 Veterans. Most of these Veterans have sustained life-altering injuries including multiple limb amputations, partial or full paralysis, and/or severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). These homes restore some of the freedom and independence our Veterans sacrificed while defending our country, and enable them to focus on their family, recovery, and rebuilding their lives. HFOT builds these homes where the Veteran chooses to live, and continues its relationship with the Veterans after home delivery to assist them with rebuilding their lives. Since its inception in 2004, nearly 90 cents of every dollar spent has gone directly to our program services supporting Veterans. For more information, visit www.hfotusa.org.

SOURCE Homes For Our Troops

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Strove to achieve a peaceful solution to Tamils issue

GL-Neelan package the best scheme of power sharing

An irreparable loss to humanity

75th birth anniversary this week

Advent of CBK opened up fresh space for Constitutional reform

Maintained a fatalistic attitude about death

By

D.B.S. Jeyaraj

Sri Lanka approaching her seventy-first anniversary of gaining independence from the United Kingdom is presently in the midst of an interesting politico-legal phase. The island nation is engaged in formulating a new Constitution. The country from the time of Independence has had three Constitutions. The current exercise, if successful, will result in Sri Lanka getting a fourth Constitution. At a facetious level, this will reinvigorate the old joke about a bookseller who told a prospective customer that he did not sell periodicals when asked for a copy of the Sri Lankan Constitution. On a more serious note, the frequent unmaking and making of Constitutions in Sri Lanka reminds one of Dr. Rohan Edirisinghes pithy observation about Constitutions without Constitutionalism.



Even as these Constitution-formulating efforts go on a great feeling of sadness envelopes me. I cannot but help thinking of a man whose passion was for Constitutional reform who is no more among us today. A man who could have rendered yeoman services and positive sense of direction to the current Constitutional project were he alive today. A man whose loss is acutely felt by Sri Lankans, the Tamils in particular, at this juncture when Constitutional history is being made. The man for whom I have the greatest regard and affection is Dr. Neelakandan Tiruchelvam known as Neelan Tiruchelvam whose 75th birth anniversary will be celebrated this week.

The current exercise, if successful, will result in Sri Lanka getting a fourth Constitution. At a facetious level, this will reinvigorate the old joke about a bookseller who told a prospective customer that he did not sell periodicals when asked for a copy of the Sri Lankan Constitution

Neelan, an eminent Constitutional lawyer, academic and politician, was born on January 31, 1944. This article therefore is to denote and commemorate Neelans 75th birthday. I have written on or about Neelan many times in the past. Nevertheless, I do feel Dr. Neelan Tiruchelvam needs to be remembered and acknowledged again at this point of time. I feel his absence very greatly in the present political landscape where Parliament has converted itself into a Constitutional Assembly to enact a new Constitution.



Dr. Jayampathy Wickramaratne and M.A. Sumanthiran, under Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghes overall leadership, are trying hard to evolve a Constitution acceptable to all. Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP and lawyer Sumanthiran, with the blessings of his leader Rajavarothayam Sampanthan, persists courageously in his efforts to help evolve a pluralist, egalitarian Constitution that will be acceptable by all while affording maximum possible power sharing. My heart goes out to Sumanthiran as I see him confronting criticism -- much of it unfair and untrue -- and striving valiantly to put across the correct perspective in the Constitutional exercise.

Neelan fought hard to bring about Constitutional reform or a new Constitution against overwhelming odds at a time when war was raging against the LTTE and paid the supreme price



While praising Sumanthirans praiseworthy efforts, in this regard, I cannot but help thinking of what Neelan Tiruchelvam would or could have done were he among the living today and was engaged in the Constitution-making exercise. I recall his memorable words describing the Constitution reform process, Despite all the difficulties, there needs to be a concerted effort to develop a negotiating framework that can command the widest possible support. Such a negotiating framework must include at least minimal acceptance, by both sides, of the norms and standards relating to international human rights and a determination to restore peace, normalcy, civil society and democratic governance.



NEELAN FOUGHT AGAINST OVERWHELMING ODDS

Neelan fought hard to bring about Constitutional reform or a new Constitution against overwhelming odds at a time when war was raging against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and paid the supreme price. I feel Neelans loss acutely as I look at the current predicament of the Sri Lankan Tamils and lament to myself, If only Neelan was allowed to bring about a political settlement through his devolution package then. Alas, reality is cruel and such thoughts are in a way a pointless exercise nowadays I suppose.

Neelan was killed at 9.18 a.m. on his way to office at Kynsey Terrace as the assassin waiting for him near the Kynsey Road-Rosemead Place junction threw himself upon his vehicle and blew himself up

Any mans death diminishes me because I am involved in mankind, wrote the metaphysical poet John Donne. The ethnic conflict over the years in Sri Lanka has extracted a heavy human toll. In my personal capacity as a Sri Lankan Tamil and in my professional capacity as a journalist , I have lost count of the number of people related or known to me who have encountered violent deaths. But no mans death as a result of the ethnic crisis in Sri Lanka has diminished me as that of Neelan Tiruchelvam two decades ago.

The absence of Neelans theoretical competence is perhaps nowhere felt more acutely today than in relation to Tamil nationalism, the federalist tradition of which he represented in Parliament at the time of his death. With Neelans assassins themselves vanquished, post-war Tamil nationalism finds itself in a state of ideological disarray and strategic confusion. While this has not, so far, resulted in electoral depletion, post-LTTE Tamil nationalisms erratic constitutional self-representations suggest the lack of a rigorous theoretical core which could form the solid foundation of a coherent set of politico-legal claims in appreciation of the new political reality. As a result, Tamil nationalism can be found fluctuating wildly (sometimes within the course of a single political speech) between conflicting constituencies and objectives, resorting to mechanical comparativism with institutional models ranging from Switzerland to Southern Sudan, or to hackneyed categories of orthodox international law, none of which has a clear or logical relation to Tamil nationalisms interests, purposes and prospects in post-war Sri Lanka. This in a global context in which sub-state nationalisms elsewhere are at the forefront of the interrogation of traditional democracy and state forms, and the development of constitutional theory and law in new and exciting ways in the accommodation of all forms of pluralism. These developments of course do not have automatic application, but with intelligent contextualisation, of the sort that Neelan excelled in, there is no doubt that Tamil constitutional claims could be more consistently and better articulated than they are at present.



I had a close, personal relationship with Neelan. He was my friend, philosopher and guide. He was greatly instrumental in moulding my career. He was in a sense my political mentor. It was as a journalist on the Tamil daily Virakesari that I first began interacting with Neelan Tiruchelvam. My relationship with him grew over the years as I moved into English journalism via The Island and The Hindu. He had great influence over me in imparting knowledge, stimulating thought, shaping my career and moulding my beliefs. I will always remain grateful for the advice, knowledge and assistance provided by him during various phases of my life. Neelan and his wife Sithie who passed away in 2014 were like an elder brother and sister to me.



I was one of the last persons to speak to Neelan on that fateful day of July 29, 1999. I spoke with him on the telephone from Toronto for 50 minutes from 7.50 a.m. to 8.40 a.m. (Sri Lankan time). I used to call him regularly in those days. Usually, he wound up the conversation after a while saying you are going to run up a massive phone bill. But on that day he was in a mood to talk and was pensively reflective. When I ended the conversation, he seemed a little surprised.



Thirty-eight minutes later, Neelan was killed at 9.18 a.m. on his way to office at Kynsey Terrace as the assassin waiting for him near the Kynsey Road-Rosemead Place junction threw himself upon his vehicle and blew himself up. When the office aide Rajah rang me from Colombo to convey the tragic news, I did not believe it. I spoke to him only a little while ago, I wailed. Sadly, the loyal Rajah too is no more, having passed away some years ago.



Whenever I cautioned Neelan about his safety, he had a fatalistic attitude about death. No one can prevent it when it happens, we just have to go on doing what we have to, he told me once. He also seemed to have a premonition about how he was going to die. There are countless vehicles in Colombo now. There is a traffic jam at every junction. All security measures become a mockery if my car is held up. None of the police assigned for my safety will be able to do anything. How prophetic were those words! The lone assassin slipped easily between vehicles held up at the traffic snarl at Rosemead Place and triggered off the explosives strapped around him.



PROTECTING AND SECURING THE SANCTITY OF LIFE

One of his finest speeches in Parliament was made on June 15, 1999. Neelan Tiruchelvam spoke about celebrating life and stated we must be fiercely committed to protecting and securing the sanctity of life, which is the most fundamental value without which all other rights and freedoms become meaningless. Tragically, the man who emphasised the sanctity of life as the greatest human right was killed six weeks after the speech. In a few seconds of lunacy, the Tigers murdered the foremost intellectual in contemporary Tamil politics. The void created is yet to be filled. It is particularly felt at this juncture as the Sri Lankan Tamils flounder in a rudderless, leaking boat on choppy waters deprived of able sailors to steer the boat safely ashore.



When Neelans 13th death anniversary was observed in 2013, Dr. Asanga Welikala wrote a commemorative piece titled Democracy, Pluralism and Constitutional Law: Remembering Neelan Tiruchelvams Intellectual Legacy. Much of what Asanga Welikala wrote then illustrates the absence of Dr. Neelan Tiruchelvam in current Constitution reform exercises. Here is a relevant excerpt:



PURSUED VISION OF A LASTING POLITICAL SETTLEMENT

Neelakandan Tiruchelvam, well-known as Neelan or Dr. Neelan, strove ceaselessly to achieve a peaceful solution to the Tamils issue. He dedicated himself to that cause with a sense of purpose. Although he could have easily enjoyed a lucrative academic or professional career abroad, he chose to remain in Colombo through very trying circumstances and pursued his vision of a lasting political settlement where all communities, including that of his own, the Sri Lankan Tamils, coexisted with justice, dignity and peace.



In that context, his death was an irreparable loss to the country in particular and humanity in general. The widespread grief and condemnation expressed by a spectrum of human rights organisations at his killing demonstrated the extent of his contacts and was a tribute to his untiring yet unpublicised efforts on behalf of the Tamil people.

Although he could have easily enjoyed a lucrative academic or professional career abroad, he chose to remain in Colombo through very trying circumstances and pursued his vision of a lasting political settlement where all communities, including that of his own, the Sri Lankan Tamils, coexisted with justice, dignity and peace

Although a citizen of the world in every sense, Neelan also felt deeply about the plight of our people as he would refer to the Tamils when talking to me. It was this concern about the Tamil predicament and the yearning to do something meaningful about it that drew me very close to him. At the same time, Neelan was not ethno-centric and realised fully that ultimately a solution acceptable to all sections of the people had to be found.

Unlike many prominent Tamils who seemed wittingly or unwittingly oblivious to the tragic Tamil predicament, Tiruchelvam was a man very much concerned about it. Since political hypocrisy was not one of his attributes, Tiruchelvam realised that the establishment of Tamil Eelam was neither desirable nor attainable. The pursuit of such a mirage through a violent campaign could only result in long-term misery for the Tamils he felt. The fact that the arena of conflict was primarily the Northern and Eastern Provinces meant hardship and suffering of the highest order for the Tamils. Besides, he was very worried about the dispersal of the Tamil community from their areas of historic habitation and their consequent relocation to other parts of the world.



It is this permanent migration that would be the most detrimental factor to the well-being of the Tamils in Sri Lankawas a constant comment of his. A reduction of numbers would result in diminished political importance he felt. In that context, a letter by former Central Bank Governor N.U. Jayawardena that was published in a Colombo newspaper some time ago is relevant. In that, Mr. Jayawardene pointed out two things. First he said the Sri Lankan population would achieve zero growth by 2025 and stabilise itself. Second given the current rate of Sri Lankan Tamil outward migration its population percentage at that time would be only 1.9%. As such, it would become a manageable minority was NUJs conclusion. Thanks to the war ending in 2009, the Tamil population has not decreased to the extent estimated by N.U. Jayawardene. But it certainly is on the decline.

The question of whether the LTTE would win or lose the war became irrelevant in a situation where the Tamil population itself was becoming a feeble entity



DRASTIC EFFECT OF ARMED CONFLICT ON SRI LANKAN TAMILS

The drastic long-term effect of the armed conflict on the Sri Lankan Tamils was something that was either not realised or willfully ignored by the vocal warriors of the Tamil Eelam armed struggle when the fighting was on. The question of whether the LTTE would win or lose the war became irrelevant in a situation where the Tamil population itself was becoming a feeble entity. The longer the conflict raged on, the more the economy of the Tamil areas would decline and population decrease.



There was also the factor of geopolitical reality that was against the birth of a Tamil state on the island. However much the Tigers tried, there was just no way they could have achieved their goal in the long run.



For these reasons and more, Neelan Tiruchelvam was among those actively-involved in trying to get the war suspended as early as possible. He also worked diligently behind the scenes to get the governments of the day to resume talks with the LTTE. Tiruchelvam felt that only third party facilitation initially and subsequent mediation would succeed. This view that the war should end and talks with the Tigers should be initiated did not endear him to many sections of past governments.



The advent of Chandrika Kumaratunga as President in 1994 opened up fresh political space for Constitutional reform. New proposals providing greater devolution were formulated. The legal, Constitutional and political expertise of Neelan Tiruchelvam along with that of the then Constitutional Affairs Minister Prof. Gamini Lakshman Peiris contributed greatly to the formulation of the package in 1995. The LTTE and its supporters were critical of the Constitutional reforms proposals, known generally as the devolution package, which sought to find a solution to the decades-old ethnic strife. These proposals were hailed by impartial academics as the most progressive breakthrough in the political sphere of resolving the Tamil national question.

Despite its shortcomings, the GL-Neelan package was the best possible scheme of power sharing to be evolved in post-independence Sri Lanka

While Sinhala hardliners accused Neelan of promoting separatism by trying to push through the devolution package, the LTTE and its cohorts charged him of betraying Tamil interests. These contrasting allegations made by the hawks on both sides were proof enough that Neelan Tiruchelvam was on the right track in seeking a negotiated settlement that would provide maximum devolution within the unity, territorial integrity and sovereignty of Sri Lanka (One sees M.A. Sumanthiran also facing the same type of attacks from hawks on both sides now).

CO-AUTHORING A SET OF CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM PROPOSALS

Neelans fault in LTTE eyes was the co-authoring of a set of Constitutional reform proposals with Prof. G.L. Peiris. These proposals released on August 3, 1995 were described as the GL-Neelan package by sections of the media. Within a few days of the package details appearing in the newspapers, the LTTE summoned a news conference on August 11, 1995 at their Chundikuli headquarters in Jaffna. It was held by the LTTEs political adviser Anton Stanislaus Balasingham and LTTEs Political Wing Head Suppiah Paramu Tamilselvan.



Balasingham condemned the package even though it had not been submitted to the Tigers formally. Rejecting the package as an act of treachery against Tamils, Balasingham went on to say, The government is operating with an absurd and ridiculous scheme that proposes a political solution to Tamils and a military solution to the Tamil Tigers. This scheme is based on a misconceived fantasy that the LTTE and the Tamil people could be separated by enticing the Tamils with a devolution package.



That was the green light! Thereafter, the vicious campaign against Neelan began in the Tamil and even sections of the English media. He was called a traitor to the Tamil community because he participated in a positive exercise of Constitution-making instead of rabble-rousing like some other Tamil sycophants of the LTTE.



Few bothered to analyse the package constructively. Despite its shortcomings, the GL-Neelan package was the best possible scheme of power sharing to be evolved in post-independence Sri Lanka. As Neelan himself said, The proposals of August 3, 1995 represented the boldest attempt to redress the imbalance in the relationship among the different ethnic groups through devolution of power to the regions.



Neelan with characteristic modesty and disdain for hogging the limelight played down his involvement in the August 3 proposals known as the GL-Neelan package. In private and in fora that mattered, Neelan stoutly defended the package. He would often lament that much of the mud slung at him in Tamil circles was ill-informed and without any grasp of what the package was all about. He was very proud of the package but accepted that it had its shortcomings from a Tamil point of view. What he felt was that the package was the best possible available as a starting point.



CHANGE OF UNITARY STATE INTO UNION OF REGIONS

A particular source of satisfaction was the proposed change of the unitary state into a union of regions. He felt that if there were a Tamil consensus around it and the LTTE lent its bargaining clout, the package could be enhanced further. Alas! That was not to be and the LTTE campaign sought to undermine the package as a complete sell-out.



With the LTTE taking up cudgels against the package and the war intensifying, the Chandrika Kumaratunga Government too altered its approach. Naturally, Neelan was placed in an unenviable position while his critics became increasingly-strident. On the other hand, the original package itself underwent a series of revisions. The end result of all this was the systematic whittling down of the original package to which Neelan had contributed immensely. The August 3, 1995 package lost much of its lustre when presented formally as government proposals on January 16, 1996. The Parliamentary Select Committee proceedings saw the devolution proposals being diluted further when tabled as a white paper on October 24, 1997.



It was against this dismal backdrop that the LTTE assassinated Neelan. After Neelans death, the devolution package he conceptualised in its original form was further eroded. In the short-lived honeymoon period between the PA and UNP, the devolution proposals got reduced in scope and scale. With Neelans demise there was no one from the Tamil side to contribute positively to this exercise. Ultimately, a reduced version of the original Neelan package came to Parliament but even the Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF) refused to support it.



Kumaratunga in her address to Parliament did not even mention Neelans name despite his having paid the supreme sacrifice. And then the UNP did a somersault and refused to support the bill co-drafted by it. Years later, the political scenario changed drastically. The LTTE entered a peace process with the UNP and began talking to a Sinhala government about power sharing.



Lo and behold! The chief government negotiator was none other than G.L. Peiris with whom Neelan had engaged in Constitution-making, years before. The Tiger chief negotiator was the very same Balasingham who dismissed the GL-Neelan package derisively earlier. The GoSL-LTTE talks achieved a significant breakthrough in Norway when the negotiating parties decided to explore a federal solution. Despite this advance, the talks thereafter failed to follow through with this in subsequent meetings.



LTTE VINDICATES NEELAN AFTER KILLING HIM

Meanwhile, Anton Balasingham made a startling revelation on March 11, 2003when he spoke at the ceremonial opening of an LTTE bank (Vaippagam) at Kilinochchi. The speech was reported in full in the Jaffna based Uthayan of March 13, 2003. Here is the relevant excerpt:

1995 aam aandu Neelan Thiruchelvam arasamaipputh thirutha varaibhu ondrai samarppithhaar. Athu sariyaana varaibhu.Athu etkakkoodiyathu. Aanaal pinnar 2000 aam aandu antha varaibhin adippadayil Chandrika oru thirutha varaipai samarppithaar.Antha varaibhu Neelan Thiruchelvathin varaibhin oru araikkuraiyaana oru thokuthiyaagum (Neelan Tiruchelvam presented in 1995 a draft amending the Constitution. That was a correct draft. That was acceptable. But later in 2000, Chandrika submitted an amended version based on that draft. This one was only a half-baked version of the earlier draft by Neelan Tiruchelvam).



After vilifying Neelan as a traitor and the August 3, 1995 devolution package as an act of treachery for years, the LTTE was now acknowledging the merits of Neelans draft. After condemning the GL-Neelan package, Balasingham was now praising it. The wheel had turned full cycle. But Neelan was no more. After denigrating Neelan as a traitor and killing him, the LTTE was now praising him.



Although Neelan was vindicated in a way, the brightest star in the Tamil political firmament is no more and nothing can ever bring him back. The loss to his family, friends, colleagues and associates is irreplaceable. So too is the loss to his community, country, the intellectual realm and humanity at large.



D.B.S. Jeyaraj can be reached at dbsjeyaraj@yahoo.com
SAN DIEGO, Jan. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- San Diego's most beloved male health and hygiene brand, Manscaped, just partnered with fashion forward eyewear brand, Nectar Sunglasses, to offer both user base highly produced products that are equally environmentally friendly. For a limited time, Manscaped customers will be offered a substantial discount to purchase their very own pair of Nectar Sunglasses. Both companies are proud to provide unique products that elevate a customer's style on a daily basis. Thao Tran, VP of Operations at Manscaped states, "We decided to partner with Nectar Sunglasses because we believe both companies value quality, and both make a difference in the way people currently use products to enhance their lives. Manscaped helps refine the gentleman by providing the right tools for the right job. This is why partnering with Nectar Sunglasses is such an important initiative. Nectar Sunglasses offers luxurious eyewear for men and women at an affordable price." Sean Holmes, founder and CEO of Nectar, says, "We are excited to partner with such an amazing company as Manscaped, who shares our core values and strive to deliver what consumers deserve through quality products that enhances both their lifestyle and look."

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COLLEGE PARK, Md., Jan. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Educator, philanthropist and retired bank executive William Longbrake, DBA '76, has pledged $1 million to support the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business. The unrestricted gift will provide flexibility to the school, where Longbrake serves as Executive-in-Residence and a member of the Board of Advisors.

During his doctoral program at Maryland Smith, Longbrake taught finance and introductory business courses to undergraduate students. Then, after a full career in banking and public policy, he returned to Smith as a student advisor and Executive-in-Residence at the Center for Financial Policy.

"In retirement you can go back to where you started," Longbrake says. "This is where it all began."

Smith MBA students step outside the classroom in the consulting practicum that Longbrake continues to lead. In one recent example, his students helped Maryland's Environmental Finance Center manage a pollution mitigation project at the Chesapeake Bay.

"We take skills that students learn in the classroom and apply them to projects for real-world clients," says Longbrake, who also writes a monthly white paper on economic developments and issues.

For perspective, Longbrake draws upon more than 25 years of experience at Washington Mutual, where he helped build the company from a $2.5 billion mutual savings bank in Washington state to the sixth-largest depository institution in the nation. In 2001, Longbrake was named chief financial officer of the year in the Driving Revenue Growth category by CFO magazine.

Longbrake also held regulatory positions at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. As a scholar, he published articles that continue to be cited  including one from 1975 co-authored with Smith emeritus professor John Haslem.

Longbrake has a long history of giving to Smith. Notably, he funded a suite of offices for Smith PhD students in Van Munching Hall in 2008. And he endowed a professorship held by Vojislav Maksimovic.

"Bill Longbrake has been a champion of Maryland Smith for many years," Smith dean Alexander Triantis says. "He believes in the power of education to change lives, and he contributes as a philanthropist and teacher."

Besides sharing his time and resources at Smith, Longbrake has served in numerous academic, business and community service organizations  particularly those associated with affordable housing and education.

Contact: Greg Muraski at [email protected].

About the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business

The Robert H. Smith School of Business is an internationally recognized leader in management education and research. One of 12 colleges and schools at the University of Maryland, College Park, the Smith School offers undergraduate, full-time and part-time MBA, executive MBA, online MBA, specialty master's, PhD and executive education programs, as well as outreach services to the corporate community. The school offers its degree, custom and certification programs in learning locations in North America and Asia.

SOURCE University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business
CHICAGO, January 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ --

According to the new market research report "Load Monitoring System Market by Offering (Load Cell, Indicator & Controller, Data Logging Software), Technology (Analog, Digital), Industry (Automotive, Healthcare, Marine, Construction), and Geography - Global Forecast to 2024", published by MarketsandMarkets, the Load Monitoring System Market is estimated to be worth USD 2.6 billion in 2018 and is expected to reach USD 3.3 billion by 2024, at a CAGR of 4.0% during the forecast period. The major factors fueling the growth of the load monitoring system market include rise in demand for load monitoring system in healthcare, increase in use of load monitoring system for testing and monitoring aircraft parts, decline in instrumental errors owing to technological innovations in load cells, and increase in demand for remote load monitoring.

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"Load cell to lead load monitoring system market by 2024"

Load cell is the most widely used offering of load monitoring system market. The recovery of the industrial manufacturing sector resulting in increased industrial output and the consequent demand for industrial weighing equipment is expected to drive demand for load cells across the world. Further, increased investments in industrial automation technologies and steady growth in demand from load monitoring applications are the factors that are expected to drive the demand for load cells during the forecast period. The load cells are used in equipment such as industrial scales, platform scales, and universal testing machines. Based on the working mechanism, shape, size, and capacity of the load cell, they are classified into various types.

"Analog technology to be the largest market for load monitoring system during forecast period"

Analog load monitoring is the most widely used technology owing to its ease of implementation and low cost. Various industries such as food & beverages, agriculture, mining, and automotive have a high demand for analog load monitoring system. The analog load cells use strain gauge for measuring the strain or compression applied by the load. In analog load cell, the strain gauge is attached to the spring element of the load cell. The strain gauge is the most important component of analog load cell. The strain gauge is constructed in sections using thin metal pieces. The thinner the metal piece, finer would be the readings of load.

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"Automotive industry to lead load monitoring system market by 2024"

The automotive industry holds the maximum share of load monitoring system market. Growing demand for vehicles and increasing need to ensure timely maintenance of vehicles are the key factors driving the demand for load cell-based material handling machinery, which reduce lead time and increase productivity, in the automotive industry. Furthermore, load monitoring system plays a vital role in measuring tension and compression during endurance testing, validation, verification, and qualification in the automotive industry. The load monitoring system plays a vital role in measuring tension and compression during endurance testing, validation, verification, and qualification in the automotive industry. The applications of load cells in the automotive industry include tire design optimization, dynamometer, durability test platform, component testing, structural testing, R&D, pedal force testing, seat belt tension testing, suspension testing, center of gravity testing, and vehicle load testing. It also helps in maintaining the mandatory safety standards required for the vehicle to be commercialized in the market.

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Major players involved in the load monitoring system market include Flintec (Sweden), Mettler Toldo (Switzerland), Precia Molen (France), Spectris (UK), Vishay Precision Group (US), Dynamic Load Monitoring (UK), JCM Load Monitoring (UK), LMC Systems (UK), Load Monitoring Systems (UK), Straightpoint (UK), Wirop Industrial (Taiwan), Eilersen Electric Digital Systems (Denmark), Euroload (UK), Futek Advanced Sensor Technology (US), Mantracourt Electronics (UK), PCE Deutschland (Germany), Standard Loadcells (India), Strainsert (US), Tecsis (Germany), and Thames Side Sensors (UK).

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Key players operating in the lithium ion battery market include BYD Company (China), LG Chem (South Korea), Panasonic (Japan), Samsung SDI (South Korea), BAK Group (China), GS Yuasa (Japan), Hitachi (Japan), Johnson Controls (Ireland), Toshiba (Japan), Lithium Werks (The Netherlands), CALB (China), Saft Groupe, (France), VARTA Storage (Germany), Farasis Energy (California), and Sila Nanotechnologies (California).

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Power Electronics Market by Material, Device Type (Discrete, Module, and IC), Application, Vertical (ICT, Consumer Electronics, Energy and Power, Industrial, Automotive, and Aerospace & Defense), and Geography - Global Forecast to 2023

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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 7500 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.

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MarketsandMarkets INC.

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Email: [email protected]



Research Insight: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ResearchInsight/load-monitoring-system-market.asp

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SOURCE MarketsandMarkets
PARSIPPANY, N.J., Jan. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Liquid Church announced today that they will serve as one of nearly 500 churches around the world already registered to host Night to Shine 2019, sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation, simultaneously on Friday, February 8. Night to Shine is an unforgettable prom night experience, centered on God's love, for people with special needs ages 14 and older, hosted by local churches in all 50 states and across the globe all on one night. Liquid Church is excited to be a part of this worldwide movement that God is using as a catalyst to change how culture embraces people with special needs and to rally the church worldwide to stand up for those who are differently-abled.

Every guest of Night to Shine enters this complimentary event on a red carpet complete with a warm welcome from a friendly crowd and paparazzi. Once inside, guests receive the royal treatment, including hair and makeup stations, shoe shining areas, limousine rides, corsages and boutonnieres, a catered dinner, karaoke, prom favors, a dance floor all leading up to the moment when each guest is crowned king or queen of the prom.

"I am blown away by how we are seeing God use the Church to step into this space as an advocate for people with special needs. It's not about my foundation or the churches themselves, but about communities coming together to love and celebrate people with differences. Every town, every village, every state, every country needs a Night to Shine for their special needs community  a chance to be a part of something significant and life-changingand to be blessed in the process," said Tim Tebow, founder of the Tim Tebow Foundation.

As sponsor of Night to Shine, the Tim Tebow Foundation will provide each host church with the official 2019 Night to Shine Planning Manual, the official Night to Shine Prom Kit, complete with decorations and gifts for the guests, and personalized guidance and support from a Tim Tebow Foundation staff member. The foundation also has committed millions of dollars in financial support to hundreds of churches needing assistance in hosting the event.

When Night to Shine launched in 2015, 44 host churches and 15,000 volunteers worked together to honor more than 7,000 kings and queens of the prom. This past February, 537 host churches and 175,000 volunteers came together to celebrate 90,000 honored guests with special needs. Now in its fifth anniversary year, the Tim Tebow Foundation is seeing new churches sign up continuously and the event is expected to take place in over 700 locations this coming February.

For additional information on the Night to Shine hosted by Liquid Church in Parsippany, Mountainside or Bridgewater, visit LiquidChurch.com/NightToShine.

For more information on the worldwide movement of Night to Shine, sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation, visit: http://www.timtebowfoundation.org/index.php/night-to-shine/

ABOUT LIQUID CHURCH:

Liquid Church is one of New Jersey's fastest-growing Christian churches. Officially launched in 2007 by Lead Pastor Tim Lucas, the church's vision and mission is to "Saturate the State with the Gospel of Jesus Christ," with six campuses in Essex, Middlesex, Morris, Somerset, and Union Counties. Each week, over 4,000 people experience Liquid Church's worship services in New Jersey and around the globe through Church Online. As part of its global outreach, Liquid provides clean drinking water to the poorest of the poor, with dozens of completed wells in several countries including El Salvador and Nicaragua  and most recently, Rwanda! Liquid Church's innovative approaches to outreach and ministry have been spotlighted by CNN, FOX News, and The Today Show. For more information, visit www.LiquidChurch.com.

ABOUT TIM TEBOW FOUNDATION

The Tim Tebow Foundation exists to bring Faith, Hope and Love to those needing a brighter day in their darkest hour of need. That mission is being fulfilled every day through the foundation's seven areas of outreach, including W15H, Timmy's Playrooms, Orphan Care, Adoption Aid, the Tebow CURE Hospital, Team Tebow and Night to Shine. For more information on the Tim Tebow Foundation, please visit www.timtebowfoundation.org

Media Contact:

Brooke LeMunyon

732-421-8162

[email protected]

SOURCE www.LiquidChurch.com
CHICAGO, January 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ --

According to the new market research report "Linear Motion System Market by Type (Single Process Systems, Multiprocess Systems), Industry (Medical, Semiconductor & Electronics, Aerospace, Food & Beverages, Machining Tools, Automotive), and Geography - Global Forecast to 2024", published by MarketsandMarkets, this market is expected to grow from USD 12.1 billion in 2018 to USD 17.0 billion by 2024, at a CAGR of 5.9%. Increasing need for quality inspection and automation, reduced time-to-market, and growing demand for miniaturization of electronic devices in the semiconductor industry are key factors driving the growth of this market.

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Linear motion system market for multiprocess systems is expected to grow at faster rate during forecast period

The market for multiprocess systems accounted for a larger share of the linear motion system market during the forecast period. These systems are designed according to customers' needs to carry out a wide array of different tasks, such as pick-and-place, material transfer, palletizing, de-stacking, and so on. These systems are also designed to build and test entire assembly, and then, the completed units are installed in a factory. These systems eliminate backlash to allow fast acceleration and high-speed operations and increase reliability to complete multiple tasks. Hence, these systems are preferred more than single process systems in various industries to minimize process time and cost. Key vendors offering multiprocess systems are Thomson Industries, Rollon, Bosch Rexroth, PBC Linear, SKF, and B&R.

Medical industry expected to hold largest share of overall linear motion system market during forecast period

The medical industry is involved in the production and development of drugs that are licensed by government and can be used in medications. Workflow efficiency, experimental accuracy, and accuracy in production methods are crucial in this industry. In the medical industry, linear motion systems offer high performance and aim to ensure a positive experience for users, patients, and healthcare professionals. Moreover, linear motion systems used as medical equipment have high levels of hygiene; the machines' performance levels must be accurate and stable to ensure reliable results. Hence, this industry is expected to hold the largest share of the overall linear motion system market during the forecast period.

Browse in-depth TOC on "Linear Motion System Market"

14 - Tables

34 - Figures

97 - Pages

APAC to account for largest size of overall linear motion system market in 2018

High growth in machine tool production and other sectors related to the production of smart phones and automobiles, which include electronics assembly, semiconductor machinery, and customized robots for different applications are some of the reasons for the growth of the linear motion system market in APAC. There are also growth opportunities in South East Asian markets for semiconductor, electronic and electronic assembly, machine tools, packaging, rubber, and plastics, which in turn contribute to linear motion systems' sales.

The report profiles the most promising players in the linear motion system market. The competitive landscape of the market presents an interesting picture of strategies adopted by a large number of players. Rockwell Automation Inc. (US), Automation Tooling Systems (ATS) Inc. (US), Robert Bosch GmbH (Germany), ABB Ltd. (Switzerland), Beckhoff Automation GmbH & Co. KG (Germany), Timken Company (US), Fortive (US), Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (Japan), SCHNEEBERGER Group (Switzerland), Festo AG (Germany), THK CO., LTD. (Japan), NSK Ltd. (Japan), SKF Motion Technologies (Sweden), Pacific Bearing Corporation (PBC) (US), and Aerotech Inc. (US) are few dominant players in the linear motion system market.

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Other players operating in the smart home market are Amazon, Inc. (US), Apple Inc. (US), Google (US), ADT (US), Robert Bosch Gmbh (Germany), ASSA ABLOY (Sweden), ABB Ltd. (Switzerland), Ingersoll-Rand PLC (Ireland), ABB (Switzerland), Legrand S.A. (France), GE (US), Comcast Corp. (US), Hubbell Inc. (US), Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (South Korea), LG Electronics (South Korea), Sony (Japan), Control4 Corp. (US), Lutron Electronics Co. Inc. (US), Vivint (US), and Axis Communication AB (Sweden), among others. Almost all companies, including key players, have adopted a few major strategies such as product developments and launches, mergers and acquisitions, and partnerships and collaborations to grow in the smart home market.

Please Explore Relevant Reports:

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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 7500 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. Shelly Singh

MarketsandMarkets INC.

630 Dundee Road

Suite 430

Northbrook, IL 60062

USA: +1-888-600-6441

Email: [email protected]



Research Insight: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ResearchInsight/linear-motion-system-market.asp

Visit Our Web Site: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com



SOURCE MarketsandMarkets
SANTA CRUZ, Calif., Jan. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Lighthouse Bank (Pink: LGHT), a top-rated bank with offices in Santa Cruz and Silicon Valley, today announced that its Board of Directors has declared its third quarterly cash dividend in the amount of $0.10 per share. The dividend is payable on February 26, 2019 to shareholders of record at the close of business on February 13, 2019. The cash dividend is the result of the Bank's strong ongoing financial performance and significant capital strength.

In November 2018, the Bank paid its second $0.10 per share quarterly cash dividend payment to shareholders, which followed four consecutive quarterly cash dividends of $0.09, $0.08, and $0.075 per share. In addition to regular quarterly cash dividends, the Bank previously declared special cash and stock dividends. Since January 2015, the Bank has paid $3.8 million in cash dividends to shareholders.

The Bank recently reported record earnings for 2018. Net income for 2018 was $4.9 million, a 64% increase over the prior year. Total assets grew to a record $303.9 million, an increase of $42.9 million, or 16%, from the previous year-ended December 31, 2017.

ABOUT LIGHTHOUSE BANK:

Lighthouse Bank is a highly rated locally owned and operated full-service commercial bank with offices in Santa Cruz and Silicon Valley. The Bank has earned a number of top industry rankings based on a variety of categories including asset quality, capital adequacy, return on average assets, return on average equity, and operational efficiency.

Milestones Reached, Recognition & Awards Received:

Three consecutive-years ranked among "Nation's Top Ten Healthiest Banks" by depositaccounts.com.

by depositaccounts.com. S&P Global Market Intelligence ranking as "Nation's 11 th Best-Performing Community Bank" for 2017, of 4,383 banks of asset size under $1 billion .

for 2017, of 4,383 banks of asset size under . Financial Management Consulting's "Sixth Highest Performing Bank" out of 159 California banks, based on overall performance.

out of 159 California banks, based on overall performance. Twenty six consecutive quarters earning "Five-Star Superior , " the top rating by Bauer Financial.

, the top rating by Bauer Financial. Seven consecutive-year achievement of "Super Premier Performing Bank," the highest designation given by Findley Reports, Inc.

Lighthouse Bank's "Modern Banking, Traditional Service" mantra extends into every aspect of their customer experience. The Bank's dedication to providing personalized relationship-based service and easy access to decision makers give its customers a refreshing alternative to "big banking". The Bank further supports this commitment by offering unique services such as worldwide surcharge free ATM/Debit Cards, remote deposit capture, and complimentary business courier service throughout Santa Cruz County.

Lighthouse is also focused on supporting the community and actively participates and donates to over 120 local non-profits, which includes matching employees' personal donation to non-profits of their choice. The focus on community and creating a customer experience that blends modern banking standards and traditional service has been the foundation of a number of local businesses choosing Lighthouse Bank.

Lighthouse offers a variety of competitive deposit and lending solutions for businesses and individuals; including loans, lines of credit, construction and commercial real estate financing, SBA government guaranteed loans, credit cards, merchant services, mobile banking, remote deposit capture, and online banking bill payment and cash management.

Lighthouse Bank stock is actively traded under the symbol LGHT. More information on the Bank's stock and historical financial performance may be located on the Bank's website at www.lighthousebank.com or by calling 831-600-4000.

Member FDIC / Equal Housing Lender / SBA Preferred Lender

The attached release may contain forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Such risks and uncertainties may include but are not necessarily limited to fluctuation in interest rates, inflation, government regulations and general economic conditions, and competition within the business areas in which the Bank is conducting its operations, including the real estate market in California and other factors beyond the Bank's control. Such risks and uncertainties could cause results for subsequent interim periods or for the entire year to differ materially from those indicated. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, which reflect management's view only as of the date hereof. The Bank undertakes no obligation to publicly revise these forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

SOURCE Lighthouse Bank

Related Links

http://www.lighthousebank.com


WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., Jan. 24, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- John J. Bailly is recognized by Continental Who's Who as a Pinnacle Lifetime Member and Top Attorney for his role as an Attorney at Bailly & McMillan LLP.

In practice for over 20 years, Bailly & McMillan is one of New York's premier law firms for cases involving personal injury, product liability, and medical malpractice. Over their decades of existence, the firm has accrued over $100,000,000 in verdicts, making sure that all of their clients receive the full compensation they deserve from those who wronged them. They are dedicated to creating a warm, inviting environment in which their clients can feel safe and secure while their elite team of attorneys works hard to provide their services to the fullest extent possible.

With 35 year's worth of experience in the Law industry, Mr. Bailly is a vital part of the Bailly & McMillan team. While his primary expertise is in the area of Personal Injury, he also provides services in the fields of Medical Malpractice, Environmental Law, Insurance Law, Labor Law, Motor Vehicle Accidents, and Corporate and Commercial Litigation at a top-tier level to clients all across the United States.



Prior to becoming one of New York's top Personal Injury attorneys, Mr. Bailly accomplished a great deal in the world of academia. He graduated from Boston College magna cum laude with full honors, obtaining Bachelor of Arts degrees in both Political Science and Philosophy. He then went on to earn his J.D. from the Pace University School of Law.



In order to advance his professional development, Mr. Bailly is affiliated with Million Dollar Advocates Forum, American Trial Lawyers Association (ATLA), New York State Trial Lawyers Association (NYSTLA), Westchester County Bar Association, New York State Bar Association, and the American Association of Justice.



In recognition of his superior work in his field, Mr. Bailly was selected to Super Lawyers from 2011 to 2017.



For more information, visit www.bandmlaw.com



Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, [email protected]



SOURCE Continental Who's Who

Related Links

http://www.continentalwhoswho.com


The Border Patrol Agents complaint alleges that the federal government is violating the law by requiring them to work without pay during the shutdown. Border Patrol Agents are considered "essential" and throughout the furlough have continued to work as usual to secure the country's borders.

"The Border Patrol Agents have not stopped working to protect our borders at any time during the shutdown," said Gary E. Mason, at Whitfield Bryson & Mason. "But expecting them to work a month without a paycheck is completely unreasonable." Mason added, "It is ironic that the very people who secure our borders, the border with Mexico in particular, are forced to work without pay because of disagreement over funding of a border wall."

Whitfield Bryson & Mason LLP is a national law firm which represents plaintiffs in a wide range of practice areas, including wage and overtime, product liability, consumer protection, and personal injury. The Border Patrol Agents in this case are also represented by Alan Lescht and Associates, P.C., Yen Pilch & Landeen, P.C., Greg Coleman Law and Swartz Swidler, LLC.

SOURCE Whitfield Bryson & Mason LLP

Related Links

http://www.wbmllp.com


DETROIT, Jan. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Humble Design will be furnishing its 1,000th home for Detroit families emerging from homelessness on Jan. 28. The milestone comes as the locally born nonprofit celebrates 10 years of helping people break the vicious cycle of homelessness and realize better lives.

Founded in 2009, Humble Design provides hope and compassion to deserving families in need. Its staff and gracious volunteers accomplish this by turning empty residences into clean, dignified and welcoming homes.

This noble work happens three times a week in Detroit  and seven times a week nationally  through Humble Design's free professional design services and the repurposing of gently used furnishings donated by the community.

"I never could have imagined how an idea to help a friend 10 years ago could turn into an organization that makes such an impact to families and veterans that have experienced homelessness," said Treger Strasberg, the charity's Co-CEO and founder. "It started out with one family, one truck, and a community that embraced them."

The 1,000th home reveal will take place at 2:30 p.m. Monday for a single mom and her 1-year-old daughter. Media is encouraged to share the family's tale of perseverance and mark Humble Design's decade of success in addressing Detroit's homelessness crisis. Contact Shelly Watts for event details at [email protected].

"This day means so much to our staff, volunteers, families and supporters," shared Watts, Humble Design's Chief Development Officer. "We're so thankful for the immense community support as we celebrate our 10-year anniversary."

People receiving Humble Design services include single parents with children; veterans; and domestic violence victims. Humble Design partners with local shelters to identify families in need. Families take a personal stake in their newly furnished homes, leading to an extraordinary success rate  99 percent to receive services have escaped the cycle of homelessness.

Humble Design's outreach has grown the last two years with the opening of new offices in Chicago, Seattle and San Diego.

U-Haul International came on board as a national sponsor in 2016 to offer infrastructure and support for expansion. More organizations have joined the cause, including national sponsors CB2 and Clorox, and city sponsors such as the Schultz Family Foundation and Isabel Allende Foundation.

In 2018, Treger and husband Rob Strasberg began hosting the TV program "Welcome Home" on The CW. It's a takeoff on Humble Design's work to assist families striving to overcome difficult circumstances. Check local listings for when "Welcome Home" airs in your market.

"We couldn't be more proud of Humble Design and this partnership," stated Bill Rains, U-Haul Area District Vice President. "Ten years and 1,000 Detroit families helped are tremendous accomplishments. We look forward to achieving much more to remedy the homeless situation and improve lives by working together as a community."

To learn more about volunteer opportunities, corporate sponsorships, giving furniture or making a financial gift, please visit humbledesign.org.

About Humble Design

Humble Design is a Detroit-based nonprofit that helps families transitioning out of homeless shelters by providing furnishings and design services. The organization turns empty houses into clean, dignified and welcoming homes  a very simple idea that can change a family's future. Founded in 2009, the organization primarily serves single parents with children and veteran families. Humble Design has served nearly 1,200 families nationally through its chapters in Detroit, Chicago, Seattle and San Diego. humbledesign.org

About U-Haul

Since 1945, U-Haul has been the No. 1 choice of do-it-yourself movers, with a network of more than 21,000 locations across all 50 states and 10 Canadian provinces. U-Haul Truck Share 24/7 now offers customers access to U-Haul trucks every hour of every day through the self-service options on their internet-connected mobile devices. U-Haul customers' patronage has enabled the U-Haul fleet to grow to 161,000 trucks, 118,000 trailers and 42,000 towing devices. U-Haul offers nearly 632,000 rooms and 55.2 million square feet of self-storage space at owned and managed facilities throughout North America. U-Haul is the largest installer of permanent trailer hitches in the automotive aftermarket industry and is the largest retailer of propane in the U.S. uhaul.com

Contact:

Jeff Lockridge

Sebastien Reyes

E-mail: [email protected]

Phone: 602-760-4941

Website: uhaul.com

SOURCE Humble Design
NEW YORK, Jan. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- HSA company, Clarity Benefit Solutions, explains how the right employee benefits can increase employee retention.

In a job market with record low unemployment numbers, it is increasingly important that employers offer an attractive benefits program to recruit and retain top talent. Here is how the proper mix of employee benefits can increase employee retention. Studies show that a mix of health-related benefits; wellness initiatives; employee programs and services; and PTO, family-friendly leave, and flexible working options are areas in which employers have expanded their offerings for improved employee retention.

The initial step is to offer a solid employee benefits plan with the right recipe of mandatory and voluntary benefits, which can result in improved wellness and productivity. If employees are engaged in their health benefits and take advantage of them, they will take less time off. Voluntary benefits such as attractive retirement plans provide them with additional peace of mind and make them likely to stay at their job longer.

Paid parental leave is a trend that is on the rise. Progressive employers who are looking to attract the next generation of a dedicated workforce are including paternity, adoption, foster child, and surrogacy leave in their PTO options.

Employers who provide an attractive benefits package to their employees foster a positive work culture. It shows that employers are invested in their employees' long-term health and well-being. Employees who are happy and healthy are more likely to stay at a company for a long period of time. This adds up to higher levels of productivity, which makes for a more successful business. It is vital that employers keep the lines of communications open with employees when it comes to benefits, as new options are constantly being introduced. Staying on top of the latest trends is a surefire way to ensure that employees stay with a company for the long haul.

All these initiatives go a long way with making employees feeling respected and appreciatedand that their contributions are worthwhile.

About Clarity Benefit Solutions: Clarity Benefit Solutions HSA administrators provides technology that makes the health insurance plan selection process fast, easy, and straightforward. For over two decades, we have provided clients with industry-leading technology, compliance, and exceptional customer service. Our offering is designed to save time and lower the costs of managing benefits while also promoting employee self-service and automated ACA compliance.

SOURCE Clarity Benefit Solutions
Elizabeth City, NC (27909)

Today

Sunny to partly cloudy. Hot. High 96F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low 76F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph.
LISBON, January 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ --

Hovione has issued a bond of $50 million US dollars maturing in 2033.

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The bond was arranged and subscribed by Banco BPI, S.A..

According to Antonio Almeida, Hovione's CFO, "we issued this bond to strengthen our balance sheet as we embark in a new phase of significant capital expansion. We issued a USD denominated bond because the majority of our sales is in the USA".

The bond is registered as "Hovione 2018-2033", has a nominal amount of $50 million US dollars and a maturity of 15 years.

"2019 is the year when we celebrate our 60th Anniversary and we are pleased that the market offers us good terms for a bond with a 15 years' maturity. We are building a business for the long term." said Guy Villax, Hovione's CEO.

The decision to expand our production capacity follows growing customer demand since, as a specialist integrated CDMO, Hovione is increasingly being chosen as a solution partner from Drug Substance to Drug Product. Hovione is committed to listen to customers and to continue supporting their evolving needs. Of the 59 drugs approved by the US FDA in 2018, 4 of them had their process developed in our labs and are produced in our plants.

The bond is registered in Euronext with the ISIN code: PTHOVCOM0006.

About Hovione

Hovione has 60 years of experience as a Specialist Integrated CDMO offering from drug substance to drug product intermediate to drug product. With four FDA inspected sites in the US, Macau, Ireland, and Portugal, and development laboratories in Lisbon and New Jersey, the company provides branded pharmaceutical customers services for the development and compliant manufacture of innovative drugs and is able to support highly potent compounds. For generic pharmaceutical customers the company offers niche off-patent API products. In the inhalation area Hovione is the only independent company offering a complete range of services. For further information please visit http://www.hovione.com

Contact

Isabel Pina, Director of Corporate Communications

Tel.: 0035121 982 9362 - [email protected]



SOURCE Hovione
AUSTIN, Minn., Jan. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE: HRL) invites you to participate in a conference call with Jim Snee, chairman of the board, president and chief executive officer, and Jim Sheehan, senior vice president and chief financial officer, to discuss the company's first quarter financial results. The company will issue its earnings press release before the markets open on Thursday, February 21, 2019, and will host a conference call at 8:00 a.m. CT (9:00 a.m. ET).

WHEN: Thursday, February 21, 2019





8:00 a.m. CT (9:00 a.m. ET)



WEBCAST: To listen to a live webcast of the conference call, go to the company's website, http://www.hormelfoods.com, click on Investors, and you will find a link to the webcast.



PHONE: Dial toll-free 888-254-3590 at least 10 minutes prior to the call.





From outside the United States, call 720-543-0302. Please note: all dial-in participants should quote the conference ID of 1445918 to access the call.

If you have difficulty accessing the call, please contact:

PGI

Reservations Line

(888) 563-4743



AUDIO REPLAY: To listen to a replay of the conference call, go to the company's website http://www.hormelfoods.com, click on Investors, then click on News & Events and you will find a link to the webcast.

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 10th 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/.

Investor Contact Media Contact Nathan Annis Wendy Watkins (507) 437-5248 (507) 434-6352 [email protected] [email protected]

SOURCE Hormel Foods Corporation

Related Links

http://www.hormelfoods.com


SAN DIEGO, Jan. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- San Diego is a city known for its craft beer, so it should come as no surprise that the city would be the birthplace of California's first alcohol-removed, cannabis-infused craft beer. High Style Brewing Company launched their initial offering, a pale ale-inspired craft brew called Coastal Haze at the March & Ash dispensary in San Diego, California, on Dec. 31, 2018.

High Style Brewing Company

"Getting to market has been quite the process, however, we want to thank the California Department of Health (CDPH) and Bureau of Cannabis Control (BCC) for their communication and guidance in helping us bring the first state-certified product in this new category to California," states Lyden Henderson, COO of High Style. "The reception and feedback we received at our launch event were phenomenal. The dispensary sold out of their initial order of Coastal Haze that night."

The founders of High Style first conceptualized the idea of a cannabis-infused beer almost two years ago. It was clear to them that federally regulated alcohol products would not be allowed to be infused with federally illegal cannabis, so they knew their first hurdle would be to produce a truly great-tasting, non-alcoholic beer. In September of 2018, High Style poured non-infused samples (containing no THC) to over 2,000 satisfied attendees at the SD Reader Burgers & Beer event.

"While we were busy formulating our beverage, the State of California was hard at work formulating regulations," Henderson said. "Packaging, labeling, childproofing and testing requirements were constantly evolving and ultimately ended up pushing back our launch. The various state agencies did an amazing job of responding to our questions and concerns in a timely manner, ensuring that we went to market with their blessing."

According to Henderson, High Style took advantage of these delays to develop a state-wide sales and distribution network. Coastal Haze will soon be available in licensed dispensaries across California, with rapid expansion to all legal markets.

First Release

High Style's first release, Coastal Haze, is inspired by pale ale recipes and craft-brewed using Cascade and Amarillo hops. The company describes the beer as "crisp and refreshing" and the consumer can expect notes of citrus and tropical fruit. Each 12-oz. Coastal Haze is infused with 10mg of high-quality THC extract, the key psychoactive ingredient in cannabis. "Selection of our THC extract was very important," describes Henderson. "A one- to two-hour delay from consumption to onset of effects was unacceptable to us. We believe that our consumers deserve a 'self-regulating' product, where they know by the time they finish their first High Style whether or not their individual tolerance will allow them to responsibly have another." High Style claims that most consumers should feel the onset of effects in 20-30 minutes.

Removing the alcohol from beer, High Style discovered, also had many ancillary benefits for the consumer as well. Alcohol is the main source of calories in traditional beer, so each Coastal Haze comes in at just 50 calories, less than half that of traditional pale ales on the market. Alcohol is also responsible for dehydrating the consumer, causing hangovers and other physiological damage. "Non-alcoholic beer is hydrating and full of electrolytes. We hope that our product will help fuel consumers to live an active and elevated lifestyle, hangover not included!" Henderson states.

High Style will bring a version of Coastal Haze with 5mg of THC and 5mg of CBD (a non-psychoactive component of the cannabis plant) in Q1 2019 and is experimenting with various recipes to determine what style of beer will inspire their next release.

High Style Brewing Company is a privately held limited liability company headquartered in San Diego, California. For more information and investor inquiry: HighStyleCA.com or [email protected].

Related Links

Website

Instagram

SOURCE High Style Brewing Company

Related Links

http://HighStyleCA.com


DUBLIN, Jan. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ --

The "Baby Food Packaging - Global Market Outlook (2017-2026)" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Global Baby Food Packaging market is expected to grow from $53.01 billion in 2017 to reach $114.97 billion by 2026 with a CAGR of 8.9%.



Growing consumer awareness, high birth rate and increasing demand for eco-friendly packaging of the products are some of the factors propelling the market growth. However, the presence of BPA (Bisphenol A) in the plastic used for baby food packaging is restraining the market growth.



Based on product type, Pouch segment has acquired the steady growth during the forecast period. As they are easy to use and convenient to carry is predicted to drive the segment growth. However, Cartons segment witnessed the significant growth due to the growing demand of flavored milk and juices for toddlers.



By geography, Europe is expected to contribute to the largest share during the forecast period. Asia pacific region is expected to be the most dominant market during the forecast period owing to rising alertness about the nutritional benefits for packaged baby food and increasing demand for convenience baby edible products.



What our report offers:

Market share assessments for the regional and country level segments

Market share analysis of the top industry players

Strategic recommendations for the new entrants

Market forecasts for a minimum of 9 years of all the mentioned segments, sub segments and the regional markets

Market Trends (Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, Threats, Challenges, Investment Opportunities, and recommendations)

Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimations

Competitive landscaping mapping the key common trends.

Company profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent developments

Supply chain trends mapping the latest technological advancements.

Key Topics Covered:



1 Executive Summary



2 Preface

2.1 Abstract

2.2 Stake Holders

2.3 Research Scope

2.4 Research Methodology

2.5 Research Sources



3 Market Trend Analysis

3.1 Introduction

3.2 Drivers

3.3 Restraints

3.4 Opportunities

3.5 Threats

3.6 Product Analysis

3.7 Emerging Markets

3.8 Futuristic Market Scenario



4 Porters Five Force Analysis

4.1 Bargaining power of suppliers

4.2 Bargaining power of buyers

4.3 Threat of substitutes

4.4 Threat of new entrants

4.5 Competitive rivalry



5 Global Baby Food Packaging Market, By Product Type

5.1 Introduction

5.2 Pouches

5.3 Bottles

5.4 Metal Cans

5.5 Jars

5.6 Cartons

5.7 Other Product Types



6 Global Baby Food Packaging Market, By Primary Material

6.1 Introduction

6.2 Metal

6.3 Plastic

6.4 Paperboard

6.5 Glass

6.6 Other Primary Materials



7 Global Baby Food Packaging Market, By Food Products

7.1 Introduction

7.2 Dried Baby Food

7.3 Prepared Baby Food

7.4 Liquid Milk Formula

7.5 Powder Milk Formula

7.6 Other Food Products



8 Global Baby Food Packaging Market, By Geography

8.1 Introduction

8.2 North America

8.2.1 US

8.2.2 Canada

8.2.3 Mexico

8.3 Europe

8.3.1 Germany

8.3.2 UK

8.3.3 Italy

8.3.4 France

8.3.5 Spain

8.3.6 Rest of Europe

8.4 Asia Pacific

8.4.1 Japan

8.4.2 China

8.4.3 India

8.4.4 Australia

8.4.5 New Zealand

8.4.6 South Korea

8.4.7 Rest of Asia Pacific

8.5 South America

8.5.1 Argentina

8.5.2 Brazil

8.5.3 Chile

8.5.4 Rest of South America

8.6 Middle East & Africa

8.6.1 Saudi Arabia

8.6.2 UAE

8.6.3 Qatar

8.6.4 South Africa

8.6.5 Rest of Middle East & Africa



9 Key Developments

9.1 Agreements, Partnerships, Collaborations and Joint Ventures

9.2 Acquisitions & Mergers

9.3 New Product Launch

9.4 Expansions

9.5 Other Key Strategies



10 Company Profiling

10.1 Du Pont

10.2 Amcor

10.3 Winpak

10.4 Heinz

10.5 Sonoco

10.6 Nestle

10.7 Bemis Company, Inc.

10.8 Tetra Laval

10.9 Bericap

10.10 DS Smith Plc

10.11 Ardagh Group

10.12 Ball Corporation

10.13 Danone

10.14 RPC Group



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/kzs5vp/global_baby_food?w=5



Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research.

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900



U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907

Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

SOURCE Research and Markets

Related Links

http://www.researchandmarkets.com


Entering its 17 th year, the '25 People to Watch' list recognizes gaming executives, regulators and influencers worldwide whose past experiences have positioned them to make major impacts and contributions to the gaming industry in 2019 and beyond.

Gaming Arts CEO and founder David Colvin said, "We are very proud that Mike has been named as one of '25 People to Watch' by GGB Magazine. Since joining Gaming Arts, Mike has been instrumental in growing the company and expanding our product offerings. The future is very bright for Gaming Arts as we enter 2019 with great momentum in the marketplace. We look forward to the significant milestones that Mike will help us accomplish on many key fronts in the months ahead."

Gaming Arts President Mike Dreitzer said, "I am delighted to have been named to this prestigious list. It has been a pleasure working with David and the entire team at Gaming Arts. Following a strong 2018 where we focused on developing and bringing new and innovative products to market, we expect great things for 2019."

With nearly 20 years of gaming manufacturing, technology and regulation experience, Dreitzer was named President of Gaming Arts in February 2018 to lead the Company in its expansion efforts in the bingo, keno and slot sectors. Under his leadership, the Company has expanded considerably and opened a new technology and innovation campus in Las Vegas last year. Moreover, Dreitzer has helped assemble a team of veteran slot developers with more than 100 combined years of experience in the slot industry.

Prior to joining Gaming Arts, Dreitzer was President of North America for Australia-based Ainsworth Game Technology. Under his tenure, the company produced more than $80 million in annual revenue.

About Gaming Arts

Gaming Arts, LLC, a privately owned and operated business headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada, is the world leader in bingo and keno games and technology and is now entering the electronic gaming machine market with some of the world's most innovative slot games along with the world's first casino-wide interactive promotional system. Gaming Arts holds gaming licenses in approximately 80 jurisdictions, including North America, Latin America, the Pacific Rim, and South Africa. To learn more, visit http://www.gamingarts.com or call 702.818.8943. Join Gaming Arts on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

Media Contacts

Gaming Arts:

Bethany Kozal, Marketing Manager

725.223.4592 or [email protected]

SOURCE Gaming Arts, LLC

Related Links

http://www.gamingarts.com


JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Jan. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Finxact, the emerging leader in SaaS core banking, today announced it has raised $30 million in equity financing from new and existing investors. New investors include the American Bankers Association (ABA), Accenture Ventures, SunTrust Bank, and other strategic industry leaders. Also investing in this round are all of Finxact's existing investors, including Live Oak Ventures, First Data, Woodforest National Bank, and T.N. Incorporation Ltd (TNI) of Thailand.

The new funding will support Finxact's growth as it completes development and builds scale to match the market's demand for a new category of core banking platform. Finxact's Core as a Service represents a first-of-its-kind option for banks to efficiently differentiate their customer experiences by seamlessly integrating new services and migrating to a real-time digital banking enabled system of record.

"We started Finxact in the beginning of 2017, and we have focused on building a banking system of record that can effectively replace legacy core systems and also serve as a platform for rapidly evolving digital banking requirements," said Frank Sanchez, Finxact CEO and founder. "We've developed a platform that is functionally robust, reliable, scalable and highly efficient. We have multiple customer implementations currently underway and have raised capital to expand our capacity to go to market on a broader scale. We also plan to expand our integration activities with the financial services ecosystem and to mitigate the risk and complexity historically associated with core system migrations."

To date, innovations around core banking have been lacking, especially as it relates to building new core technology from the ground up. As a result, many financial institutions are burdened with antiquated high cost systems and the inability to react to rapidly evolving customer demands. Finxact's approach to core banking goes beyond simply providing the industry with modern technology, to fundamentally changing the way financial institutions and vendors will engage and operate with one another.

"Bankers know that innovation is essential to remaining competitive, yet I've heard time and again that their relationship with their core provider can make it difficult to be agile in selecting products and partners," said ABA President and CEO Rob Nichols. "We are confident that the impressive team at Finxact will challenge the entire industry, including banks and their providers, to think differently about the way a core platform enables a bank to innovate."

Finxact and its partners share a vision to provide transformative solutions for every bank. Together with its partners, Finxact is delivering a new category of banking platform, which will be technologically available and economically valuable to banks of all sizes and types. Finxact's ecosystem brings together best-of-breed modern technologies and practices to deliver commercial and technical scale that is required for all banks to compete and grow.

"The core banking market in the U.S. is set to experience significant disruption in the near future, as banks continue to grow frustrated with their existing core providers and advances in cloud and digital technology make it possible to upgrade aging systems without doing a full rip and replace," said Brett Goode, a managing director at Accenture and head if the company's North America Core Banking Practice. "We are pleased to invest in and form a strategic alliance with Finxact, enabling us to jointly bring our clients innovation that will help them transform to meet the digital needs of today and tomorrow."

"The Finxact core is designed to address the entire marketplace from community banks and credit unions to the largest money center banks," said Michael Sanchez, President of Finxact. "As we transition from our initial development phase to market delivery, we are working with our service partners in each segment to develop a new set of best practices that not only reduce the risk of transformation but also the implementation cycle time."

Finxact's core banking platform is providing the industry with a regulatory compliant system of record for processing core banking transactions. As a result, partners and customers now have a platform for quickly creating new customer experiences and services using a highly accessible and customizable platform.

Chip Mahan, Chairman and CEO of Live Oak Bancshares, the holding company for Live Oak Ventures and Live Oak Bank said, "We aim to revolutionize banking and Finxact provides the technology and data that today's financial institutions need to succeed in a modern world. Frank Sanchez and his team have created a new core banking industry standard that is open and progressive which is why we are proud to invest once again in Finxact's mission."

Finxact is working with best-of-breed partners that bring an entire set of banking services which are being seamlessly integrated into Finxact's Core as a Service. What is different about the approach now, is that Finxact's platform is enabling partners to deliver an end-to-end SaaS solution, meaning more rapid time to market, lower operating costs, and a more compelling value proposition to the industry.

Chris Foskett, Executive Vice President of First Data said, "Finxact has made great strides in redefining what core processing is, how it is delivered, bolstering the value it drives for banks and consumers. First Data remains committed to Finxact and its leadership as the company innovates open core banking platforms with Finxact's Core as a Service."

Finxact was founded by the same team that launched the first real-time banking systems on the eve of Internet banking, and is built on more than three decades of building and operating regulatory compliant core banking systems. The company is currently working with multiple U.S. and international financial institutions, from de novo banks to top-tier banks, on projects ranging from full bank conversions to digital-only initiatives.

About Finxact

Finxact is innovating the first enterprise class cloud-native Core-as-a-Service platform with a 100 percent accessible open banking API. Finxact's modern architecture enables banks to rapidly deliver new experiences by creating products on demand and integrating new services as needed. The Finxact team has been at the forefront of banking software for 35+ years, and together with its best of breed partners is disrupting core banking so financial institutions can truly transform on their terms. Learn more at www.Finxact.com .

Media Contact:

Alyson Kuritz for Finxact

[email protected]

(908) 892-7149

SOURCE Finxact

Related Links

http://www.Finxact.com


MILWAUKEE, Wis., Jan. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- EnSync, Inc. (NYSE American: ESNC), dba EnSync Energy Systems, which is creating the future of electricity with innovative residential and commercial distributed energy resource (DER) systems and Internet of Energy (IOE) control platforms, announced today the resignation of Bradley Hansen as the Company's Chief Executive Officer and as a member of the Board of Directors. The Company further announced that the Board of Directors has appointed Sandeep Gupta as interim CEO and Chief Restructuring Officer and also as a member of the Company's Board of Directors. Mr. Gupta is a principal and founder of Novo Advisors and his expertise ranges from the development of short-term liquidity forecasts, break-even analyses, and performance/profit improvement studies to mergers and acquisitions and liquidation analyses for healthy and distressed businesses across a wide array of industries. Prior to founding Novo Advisors Mr. Gupta was a Managing Director in FTI Consulting's Corporate Finance practice based in Chicago. There Mr. Gupta assisted clients in stabilizing businesses experiencing a liquidity crisis and improving financial performance both in an advisory capacity and on an interim management basis.

Before joining FTI in 2007, Mr. Gupta spent eight years with Silverman Consulting, a boutique restructuring advisory firm based in Chicago where he gained many of his aforementioned skills. Prior to Silverman, Mr. Gupta was an operational and strategy consultant for two years with Arthur D. Little. Mr. Gupta also has six years of experience as an engineer for Exelon Corporation's Commonwealth Edison power generation business in Chicago.

Mr. Gupta holds an M.B.A. in Finance and Business Strategy from the University of Chicago and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Mr. Gupta is a member of the Chicago chapter of the Association for Corporate Growth and has most recently passed all three parts of the Certified Turnaround Professional exam.

About EnSync Energy Systems

EnSync, Inc. (NYSE American: ESNC), dba EnSync Energy Systems, is creating the future of electricity with innovative distributed energy resource (DER) systems and internet of energy (IOE) control platforms. EnSync Energy ensures the most cost-effective and resilient electricity, delivered from an electrical infrastructure that prioritizes the use of all available resources, such as renewables, energy storage and the utility grid. As project developer, EnSync Energy's distinctive engagement methodology encompasses load analysis, system design consulting, and technical and financial modeling to ensure energy systems are sized and optimized to meet our customers' objectives for value and performance. Proprietary direct current (DC) power control hardware, energy management software, and extensive experience with numerous energy storage technologies uniquely positions EnSync Energy to deliver fully integrated systems that provide for efficient design, procurement, commissioning, and ongoing operation. EnSync Energy's IOE control platform adapts easily to ever-changing generation and load variables, as well as changes in utility prices and programs, ensuring the means to make or save money behind-the-meter, while concurrently providing utilities the opportunity to use DERs for an array of grid enhancing services. In addition to direct system sales, EnSync Energy includes power purchase agreements (PPAs) in its portfolio of offerings, which enables electricity savings for customers and provides a stable financial yield for investors. EnSync Energy is a global corporation, with joint venture Meineng Energy in AnHui, China, and energy project development subsidiary Holu Energy LLC in Hawaii. For more information, visit www.ensync.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press 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, that are intended to be covered by the "safe harbor" created by those sections. Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe our future plans, strategies and expectations, can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terms such as "believe," "expect," "may," "will," "should," "could," "seek," "intend," "plan," "goal," "estimate," "anticipate" or other comparable terms. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this press release regarding our strategies, prospects, financial condition, operations, costs, plans and objectives are forward-looking statements. Examples of forward-looking statements include, among others, statements we make regarding project completion timelines, our ability to monetize our PPA assets, statements regarding the sufficiency of our capital resources, expected operating losses, expected revenues, expected expenses and our expectations concerning our business strategy. 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. Our actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others, the following: our historical and anticipated future operation losses and our ability to continue as a going concern; our ability to raise the necessary capital to fund our operations and the risk of dilution to shareholders from capital raising transactions; our ability to successfully commercialize new products, including our EnSync Smart Home Energy System, MatrixTM Energy Management, DER FlexTM, DER SuperModule, and Agile TM Hybrid Storage Systems; our ability to lower our costs and increase our margins; our product, customer and geographic concentration, and lack of revenue diversification; the length and variability of our sales cycle; our dependence on governmental mandates and the availability of rebates, tax credits and other economic incentives related to alternative energy resources and the regulatory treatment of third-party owned solar energy systems; and the other risks and uncertainties described in the Risk Factors and in Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations sections of our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K and our subsequently filed Quarterly Report(s) on Form 10-Q. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

EnSync Energy Media Contact:

Lisa Nash

Antenna Group

[email protected]

(646) 883-4296

Michelle Montague

[email protected]

(262) 735-5676

Investor Relations Contact:

Lytham Partners, LLC

Robert Blum, Joseph Diaz, or Joe Dorame

(602) 889-9700

SOURCE EnSync, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.ensync.com


CRANFORD, N.J., Jan. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Citius Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("Citius") (CTXR), a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on adjunctive cancer care and critical care drug products, announced today that its Vice President of Corporate Development, Andrew Scott, will present at NobleConXV - Noble Capital Markets' Fifteenth Annual Investor Conference at the W Hotel, Fort Lauderdale, Florida on Monday, January 28th at 10:00am Eastern Standard Time in Studio 2.

During the conference, Mr. Scott will deliver the Company's corporate presentation and discuss business operations and updates. Citius recently signed a license agreement with MD Anderson Cancer Center to develop and commercialize a novel approach to reducing post-operative infections associated with surgical implants. The initial product called "Mino-Wrap", or CITI 101, is a liquefying gel-based wrap containing minocycline and rifampin for reducing tissue expander (TE) infections following breast reconstructive surgeries.

Citius Pharmaceuticals, Inc. will also be available for one-on-one meetings. To arrange a meeting with the company, please contact Mr. Andrew Scott: [email protected].

About Citius Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Citius is a specialty pharmaceutical company dedicated to the development and commercialization of critical care products, with a focus on anti-infectives, cancer care and unique prescription products that use innovative, patented or proprietary formulations of previously approved active pharmaceutical ingredients. We seek to achieve leading market positions by providing therapeutic products that address unmet medical needs. By using previously approved drugs with substantial safety and efficacy data, we seek to reduce the risks associated with pharmaceutical product development and regulatory requirements. Citius develops products that have intellectual property protection and competitive advantages to existing therapeutic approaches. For more information, please visit www.citiuspharma.com.

Contact:

Andrew Scott

Vice President, Corporate Development

(o) 908-967-6677

[email protected]

SOURCE Citius Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.citiuspharma.com


OKLAHOMA CITY and HOUSTON, Jan. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Chesapeake Energy Corporation (NYSE:CHK) and WildHorse Resource Development Corporation (NYSE:WRD) jointly announced today that, in connection with Chesapeake's pending acquisition of WildHorse, the election deadline for record holders of shares of WildHorse's common stock to elect the form of merger consideration they wish to receive in connection with the transaction is 5:00 p.m. Eastern time on January 30, 2019, which is based on an anticipated transaction completion date of February 1, 2019.

Accordingly, an election will be valid only if a properly completed and signed election form, together with all required documents and materials set forth in the election form and the instructions thereto, is received by EQ Shareowner Services, the exchange agent for the transaction, by 5:00 p.m. Eastern time on January 30, 2019. Stockholders with questions should contact Innisfree M&A Incorporated, the proxy solicitor for the transaction, toll-free at (877) 825-8621 (banks and brokers please call collect at (212) 750-5833).

The election deadline does not impact the deadline for WildHorse common stockholders to vote on the merger agreement, which will be considered at the special meeting of WildHorse stockholders to be held on January 31, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. WildHorse stockholders are encouraged to vote their shares if they have not already done so.

Headquartered in Oklahoma City, Chesapeake Energy Corporation's operations are focused on discovering and developing its large and geographically diverse resource base of unconventional oil and natural gas assets onshore in the United States.

WildHorse Resource Development Corporation is an independent oil and natural gas company focused on the acquisition, exploration, development and production of oil, natural gas and NGL properties primarily in the Eagle Ford Shale and Austin Chalk in East Texas.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This communication may contain certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities law, including the expected transaction completion date. Such statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks, and uncertainties. Statements that do not describe historical or current facts, including statements about beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as expect, anticipate, believe, intend, estimate, plan, target, goal, or similar expressions, or future or conditional verbs such as will, may, might, should, would, could, or similar variations. The forward-looking statements are intended to be subject to the safe harbor provided by Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

While there is no assurance that any list of risks and uncertainties or risk factors is complete, below are certain factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained or implied in the forward-looking statements: the possibility that the proposed transaction does not close when expected or at all because required regulatory, shareholder or other approvals are not received or other conditions to the closing are not satisfied on a timely basis or at all; the risk that regulatory approvals required for the proposed merger are not obtained or are obtained subject to conditions that are not anticipated; potential adverse reactions or changes to business or employee relationships, including those resulting from the announcement or completion of the transaction; uncertainties as to the timing of the transaction; competitive responses to the transaction; the possibility that the anticipated benefits of the transaction are not realized when expected or at all, including as a result of the impact of, or problems arising from, the integration of the two companies; the possibility that the transaction may be more expensive to complete than anticipated, including as a result of unexpected factors or events; diversion of management's attention from ongoing business operations and opportunities; the ability of Chesapeake to complete the acquisition and integration of WildHorse successfully; litigation relating to the transaction; and other factors that may affect future results of WildHorse and Chesapeake.

Additional factors that could cause results to differ materially from those described above can be found in WildHorse's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 and in its subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2018, June 30, 2018 and September 30, 2018, each of which is on file with the SEC and available in the "Investor Relations" section of WildHorse's website, http://www.wildhorserd.com/, under the subsection "SEC Filings" and in other documents WildHorse files with the SEC, and in Chesapeake's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 and in its subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2018, June 30, 2018 and September 30, 2018, each of which is on file with the SEC and available in the "Investors" section of Chesapeake's website, https://www.chk.com/, under the heading "SEC Filings" and in other documents Chesapeake files with the SEC.

All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and are based on information available at that time. Neither WildHorse nor Chesapeake assumes any obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date the forward-looking statements were made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events except as required by federal securities laws. As forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, caution should be exercised against placing undue reliance on such statements.

Important Additional Information

This communication relates to a proposed business combination transaction (the "Transaction") between WildHorse Resource Development Corporation ("WildHorse") and Chesapeake Energy Corporation ("Chesapeake"). This communication is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval, in any jurisdiction, pursuant to the Transaction or otherwise, nor shall there be any sale, issuance, exchange or transfer of the securities referred to in this document in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law.

In connection with the Transaction, Chesapeake has filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-4, as amended, that includes a joint proxy statement of Chesapeake and WildHorse and a prospectus of Chesapeake, as well as other relevant documents concerning the Transaction. The registration statement was declared effective by the SEC on December 21, 2018 and WildHorse and Chesapeake commenced mailing the definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus to WildHorse's stockholders and Chesapeake's shareholders, respectively, for their consideration on or about December 28, 2018. STOCKHOLDERS OF WILDHORSE AND SHAREHOLDERS OF CHESAPEAKE ARE URGED TO READ THE DEFINITIVE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS REGARDING THE TRANSACTION AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC, AS WELL AS ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS TO THOSE DOCUMENTS, BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Investors will be able to obtain a free copy of the registration statement and the joint proxy statement/prospectus, as well as other filings containing information about WildHorse and Chesapeake, without charge, at the SEC's website (http://www.sec.gov). Copies of the documents filed with the SEC can be obtained, without charge, by directing a request to Investor Relations, WildHorse, P.O. Box 79588, Houston, Texas 77279, Tel. No. (713) 255-9327 or to Investor Relations, Chesapeake, 6100 North Western Avenue, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 73118, Tel. No. (405) 848-8000.

Participants in the Solicitation

WildHorse, Chesapeake and certain of their respective directors, executive officers and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the Transaction. Information regarding WildHorse's directors and executive officers is available in its definitive proxy statement, which was filed with the SEC on April 2, 2018, and certain of its Current Reports on Form 8-K. Information regarding Chesapeake's directors and executive officers is available in its definitive proxy statement, which was filed with the SEC on April 6, 2018, and certain of its Current Reports on Form 8-K. Other information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, is contained in the definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant materials filed with the SEC. Free copies of this document may be obtained as described in the preceding paragraph.

CHK INVESTOR CONTACT: Brad Sylvester, CFA 405-935-8870 [email protected] CHK MEDIA CONTACT: Gordon Pennoyer 405-935-8878 [email protected] CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION 6100 North Western Avenue P.O. Box 18496 Oklahoma City, OK 73154





WRD INVESTOR CONTACTS:

WILDHORSE RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT Pearce Hammond, CFA 713-255-7094 Vedran Vuk 713-255-6962 9805 Katy Freeway, Suite 400 Houston, TX 77024 [email protected] [email protected]



SOURCE Chesapeake Energy Corporation

Related Links

https://www.chk.com


The daily and weekly thresholds at which agricultural workers receive overtime pay will phase-in according to the following schedule:

For the first year of the phase-in, agricultural workers at large businesses earn overtime pay for all hours worked over 9.5 hours in a day or over 55 hours in a workweek. Small employers have an additional three years before the changes to daily and weekly overtime pay take effect.

The Labor Commissioner's Office has also posted answers to frequently asked questions regarding overtime for agricultural workers.

Agricultural workers are defined in Wage Order 14 and include employees who are engaged in the preparation and treatment of farmland as well as the care and harvesting of crops. Agricultural workers include employees engaged in sheepherding, irrigation and licensed crew members on commercial fishing vessels.

Workers who do not receive proper overtime and other pay can file a wage claim with the Labor Commissioner's Office to begin the process to recover unpaid wages and penalties. Failure to pay proper overtime can result in a civil penalty of $50 per pay period for each underpaid employee.

The Department of Industrial Relations' Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, or the California Labor Commissioner's Office, combats wage theft and conducts on-site inspections to investigate and enforce compliance with minimum wage and other California labor laws. Its wide-ranging responsibilities include public works enforcement, retaliation complaint investigations, licensing and registration, as well as multilingual labor law education and outreach for workers and employers.

In 2014, the Labor Commissioner's Office under Julie A. Su's leadership launched the Wage Theft is a Crime multilingual public awareness campaign. The campaign defines wage theft and informs workers of their rights and the resources available to them to recover unpaid wages or report other labor law violations.

Employees with work-related questions or complaints may contact DIR's Call Center in English or Spanish at 844-LABOR-DIR (844-522-6734).

Members of the press may contact Erika Monterroza or Frank Polizzi at (510) 286-1161, and are encouraged to subscribe to get email alerts on DIR's press releases or other departmental updates.

https://www.facebook.com/CaliforniaDIR

https://twitter.com/CA_DIR

http://www.youtube.com/CaliforniaDIR

http://www.dir.ca.gov/email/listsub.asp?choice=1

The California Department of Industrial Relations, established in 1927, protects and improves the health, safety, and economic well-being of over 18 million wage earners, and helps their employers comply with state labor laws. DIR is housed within the Labor & Workforce Development Agency. For general inquiries, contact DIR's Call Center at 844-LABOR-DIR (844-522-6734) for help in locating the appropriate division or program in our department.

SOURCE California Department of Industrial Relations; California Labor Commissioners Office

Related Links

http://www.dir.ca.gov


WASHINGTON, Jan. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Today the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Federal Employee Program (FEP) announced a $1 million contribution to the Federal Employee Education and Assistance Fund (FEEA), to aid those federal employees and their families who are hardest hit by the government shutdown with cash grants and no-interest loans. The donation was made on behalf of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) and the 36 independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) companies nationwide. To complement these efforts, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield  the BCBS company serving Washington, DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia  is making an additional $1 million contribution to FEEA as well as $500,000 in donations to food banks and human service organizations in the area.

"For nearly six decades, FEP has been a steadfast partner to federal workers and their families, providing the security and stability that comes with health insurance, and helping them achieve good health and well-being," said William A. Breskin, senior vice president of government programs for BCBSA. "This contribution is a natural extension of what we do and who we are, and furthers our mission of protecting members and their families from financial hardship."

Breskin emphasized that health care coverage for FEP members remained in place and active during the government shutdown. FEP continued to process claims and reimburse doctors, hospitals and other health care providers. Eligible FEP members whose families experience a life change, such as the birth of a baby, can change their coverage or add new family members to their plans by contacting their local BCBS company.

Through the 36 locally based BCBS companies, FEP covers about 5.4 million federal employees, retirees and their families among the 8 million federal workers who receive their benefits through the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP).

The donations to the FEEA will help provide cash assistance and no-interest loans to furloughed federal workers and those adversely affected by the shutdown, according to income eligibility guidelines. FEEA is the only independent, non-profit organization devoted solely to providing emergency financial assistance and scholarships to the federal workforce and their families.

"We are honored and value greatly the generous commitment of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Companies during this extraordinary time of need for many government employees and their families," said Joyce Warner, executive director for FEEA. "We know many families were living paycheck to paycheck even before the shutdown. Not having their normal pay has been devastating to many families. Just as we have partnered for decades with FEP to provide relief and support to these families, we are thrilled to be able to provide special focus in this time of greater need."

FEP members who have questions about their coverage can learn more at www.fepblue.org.

More about FEEA can be found at https://feea.org/news/.

About Blue Cross Blue Shield Association

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association is a national federation of 36 independent, community-based and locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies that collectively provide health care coverage for one in three Americans. BCBSA provides health care insights through The Health of America Report series and the national BCBS Health Index. For more information on BCBSA and its member companies, please visit bcbs.com. We also encourage you to connect with us on Facebook, check out our videos on YouTube, follow us on Twitter and check out our blog.

About CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield

In its 82nd year of service, CareFirst, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, is a not-for-profit health care company which, through its affiliates and subsidiaries, offers a comprehensive portfolio of health insurance products and administrative services to 3.2 million individuals and groups in Maryland, the District of Columbia and Northern Virginia. In 2018, CareFirst invested $38 million to improve overall health, and increase the accessibility, affordability, safety and quality of health care throughout its market areas. To learn more about CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, visit our website at www.carefirst.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or Instagram.

SOURCE Blue Cross Blue Shield Association

Related Links

https://www.bcbs.com


AGOURA HILLS, Calif., Jan. 24, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- American Homes 4 Rent (NYSE: AMH) (the "Company"), a leading provider of high quality single-family homes for rent, today announced the tax treatment of the Company's 2018 distributions.

For the tax year ended December 31, 2018, distributions for its:

Class A common shares (1)

5.5% Series C participating preferred shares (2)

6.5% Series D redeemable perpetual preferred shares (2)

6.35% Series E redeemable perpetual preferred shares (2)

5.875% Series F redeemable perpetual preferred shares (2)

5.875% Series G redeemable perpetual preferred shares (2)

6.25% Series H redeemable perpetual preferred shares(2)

were classified as follows:

Classification Percent Ordinary Income Dividend(3)(4) 97.385981% Capital Gain Distribution 2.614019% Total 100.000000%





(1) For the Company's distribution related to its Class A common shares paid on January 7, 2019 to shareholders of record on January 2, 2019, all of the distribution was determined to relate to 2019 and will be included in next year's reporting.



(2) For the Company's distribution related to its Preferred shares paid on December 31, 2018 to shareholders of record on December 14, 2018, all of the distributions were determined to relate to 2018.



(3) None of the Ordinary Income Dividend represents "Qualified Dividend Income."



(4) 100% of the Ordinary Income Dividend are treated as Internal Revenue Code Section 199A Qualified REIT Dividend Income.

The Company's tax return for the year ended December 31, 2018, has not yet been filed. As a result, the income tax classification for the distributions discussed above has been calculated using the best available information as of the date of this release.

The Company encourages shareholders to consult with their own tax advisors as to the specific tax treatment of these distributions.

About American Homes 4 Rent

American Homes 4 Rent (NYSE: AMH) is a leader in the single-family home rental industry and "American Homes 4 Rent" is fast becoming a nationally recognized brand for rental homes, known for high quality, good value and tenant satisfaction. We are an internally managed Maryland real estate investment trust, or REIT, focused on acquiring, renovating, leasing, and operating attractive, single-family homes as rental properties. As of September 30, 2018, we owned 52,464 single-family properties in selected submarkets in 22 states.

Additional information about American Homes 4 Rent is available on our website at www.americanhomes4rent.com.

Contact:

American Homes 4 Rent

Investor Relations

Phone: (855) 794-2447

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE American Homes 4 Rent

Related Links

https://www.americanhomes4rent.com


DUBLIN, Jan. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Allergan plc (NYSE: AGN) today announced that its Board of Directors has approved an increase in the Company's quarterly cash dividend for 2019 to $0.74 per ordinary share. The Board declared a cash dividend for the first quarter of 2019 to be paid on March 15, 2019 to shareholders of record at the close of business on February 15, 2019.

"Allergan's increased dividend for 2019 demonstrates our confidence in our long-term business strategy and our commitment to executing on our capital allocation priorities. We remain committed to increasing our dividend annually," said Brent Saunders, Chairman and CEO of Allergan.

Allergan also announced that its 2019 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders will be held on May 1, 2019 in Dublin, Ireland. The Company's Board of Directors has set the close of business on March 5, 2019 as the record date for determining shareholders eligible to vote at the meeting.

About Allergan plc

Allergan plc (NYSE: AGN), headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, is a bold, global pharmaceutical leader. Allergan is focused on developing, manufacturing and commercializing branded pharmaceutical, device, biologic, surgical and regenerative medicine products for patients around the world.

Allergan markets a portfolio of leading brands and best-in-class products for the central nervous system, eye care, medical aesthetics and dermatology, gastroenterology, women's health, urology and anti-infective therapeutic categories.

Allergan is an industry leader in Open Science, a model of research and development, which defines our approach to identifying and developing game-changing ideas and innovation for better patient care. With this approach, Allergan has built one of the broadest development pipelines in the pharmaceutical industry.

Allergan's success is powered by our global colleagues' commitment to being Bold for Life. Together, we build bridges, power ideas, act fast and drive results for our customers and patients around the world by always doing what is right.

With commercial operations in approximately 100 countries, Allergan is committed to working with physicians, healthcare providers and patients to deliver innovative and meaningful treatments that help people around the world live longer, healthier lives every day.

For more information, visit Allergan's website at www.Allergan.com.

Forward-Looking Statement

Statements contained in this press release that refer to future events or other non-historical facts are forward-looking statements that reflect Allergan's current perspective on existing trends and information as of the date of this release. Actual results may differ materially from Allergan's current expectations depending upon a number of factors affecting Allergan's business. These factors include, among others, the difficulty of predicting the timing or outcome of FDA approvals or actions, if any; the impact of competitive products and pricing; market acceptance of and continued demand for Allergan's products; the impact of uncertainty around timing of generic entry related to key products, including RESTASIS, on our financial results; risks associated with divestitures, acquisitions, mergers and joint ventures; uncertainty associated with financial projections, projected cost reductions, projected debt reduction, projected synergies, restructurings, increased costs, and adverse tax consequences; difficulties or delays in manufacturing; and other risks and uncertainties detailed in Allergan's periodic public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to Allergan's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 and Allergan's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2018. Except as expressly required by law, Allergan disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

CONTACTS:

Allergan:

Investors:

Manisha Narasimhan, PhD

(862) 261-7162

Media:

Amy Rose

(862) 289-3072

Lisa Brown

(862) 261-7320

SOURCE Allergan plc

Related Links

www.allergan.com


SEATTLE, Jan. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Employees of Alaska Air Group companies Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air are receiving $120 million in incentive bonuses today. For most employees, this equates to more than 6.5 percent of their annual pay in 2018.

The company's annual bonus, called Performance Based Pay (PBP), is determined by meeting or exceeding specific company-wide goals for safety, customer satisfaction, cost control, customer loyalty and profit.

"After a year of hard work, we're incredibly grateful for our 22,000 fantastic employees who go the extra mile to put safety first and deliver the kind-hearted service we're known for," said Ben Minicucci, Alaska Airlines' president and COO. "For the 10th year in a row, our employees have earned bonuses by exceeding targets for meeting our annual and monthly goals. On behalf of the entire leadership team, thank you for another incredible year."

The PBP bonus is in addition to the approximately $15.7 million in monthly operational bonuses that employees earned over 2018 for achieving monthly on-time and customer satisfaction goals. The combined monthly, annual and one-time bonuses paid to employees total $136 million.

Geographic breakdown:

About $66 million in annual bonuses  nearly 55 percent of the total  is being paid to Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air employees across Washington

in annual bonuses  nearly 55 percent of the total  is being paid to Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air employees across $28 million  or 24 percent of the total  is going to employees throughout California

 or 24 percent of the total  is going to employees throughout $12 million is being paid to employees in Oregon

is being paid to employees in $8 million is going to employees throughout the state of Alaska

The employee bonuses come two weeks after the airline announced its 2019 jobs forecast and Washington economic impact study, highlighting the $7 billion Alaska has contributed to the state economy. Learn more about the study at https://blog.alaskaair.com/alaska-airlines/2019-hiring-forecast/.

Alaska Airlines and its regional partners fly 44 million guests a year to more than 115 destinations, with an average of 1,200 daily flights across the United States and to Mexico, Canada and Costa Rica. With Alaska and Alaska Global Partners , guests can earn and redeem miles on flights to more than 900 destinations worldwide. Alaska Airlines ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Traditional Carriers in North America" in the J.D. Power North America Airline Satisfaction Study for 11 consecutive years from 2008 to 2018. Learn about Alaska's award-winning service at newsroom.alaskaair.com and blog.alaskaair.com. Alaska Airlines, Virgin America and Horizon Air are subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK).

SOURCE Alaska Airlines

Related Links

http://www.alaskaair.com


WASHINGTON, Jan. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Conference of Mayors and the American Jewish Committee (AJC) are partnering to further enhance U.S.-Israel ties at the municipal level across the country.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed yesterday by AJC CEO David Harris and U.S. Conference of Mayors leaders, including Mayor Stephen K. Benjamin, President; Tom Cochran, CEO and Executive Director; and Mayor Nan Whaley, Chair of the International Relations Committee.

The highlight of the MOU is an annual delegation to Israel. Participating mayors will be chosen by the Conference and AJC's Project Interchange.

"Through our 22 regional offices across the U.S., we've worked closely over decades with mayors and other municipal leaders on many issues of shared concern," said Harris. "Mayors are often on the front lines in seeking pragmatic solutions to a range of challenges. These visits to Israel will be designed for mayors to meet their counterparts in Israel, who are often engaged in the same kind of problem-solving, often with innovative and cost-efficient answers."

The MOU signing took place during the mayors' annual meeting, in Washington, D.C.

In May 2018 and September 2017, bipartisan delegations of U.S. mayors, organized by AJC Project Interchange, visited Israel. They were the latest mayoral visits to Israel with AJC. The new MOU formalizes and expands this cooperation.

SOURCE American Jewish Committee
PALM BEACH, Florida, January 24, 2019 /PRNewswire/ --

FinancialNewsMedia.com News Commentary

In the global rush to supply lithium batteries for the electric car revolution, South America is most likely where the supply will originate. Chile & Argentina are the two main players. Both have their reserves largely in brine deposits which are the most financially advantageous sites. 66% of the world's reserves are in South America. Chile, the number 2 producer in the world also has the largest reserves but Argentina is 3rd in both producing and reserves and more importantly has less government hurdles to overcome. An industry magazine, The Business Financial Post reported that Argentina is set on becoming a lithium superpower. "Argentina is looking to take market share from neighboring Chile where would-be producers need authorization from the nuclear energy commission in a throwback to a 1979 decision to declare lithium "strategic." Under President Mauricio Macri, Argentina has ambitions to become a lithium superpower, supplying as much as 45 per cent of the market, up from about 16 per cent now. Battery makers are depending on the South American nation's high-altitude salt flats as a key new supply of the metal, with vast deposits and an investor-friendly government luring prospectors and developers. Active stocks in the markets this week include NRG Metals Inc. (TSX-V:NGZ) (OTC:NRGMF). Nemaska Lithium Inc. (TSX:NMX) (OTC:NMKEF), LSC Lithium Corporation (TSX-V:LSC), Neo Lithium Corp. (TSX-V:NLC) (OTC:NTTHF), Millennial Lithium Corp. (TSX-V:ML) (OTC:MLNLF).

NRG Metals Inc. (TSX-V:NGZ.V) (OTCQB:NRGMF) BREAKING NEWS: NRG Metals is pleased to announce that it has selected Knight Piesold Consulting (KP) and JDS Energy & Mining (JDS) to prepare a National Instrument 43-101 Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) on its flagship Hombre Muerto Norte (HMN) Lithium Project, located in Salta Province, Argentina.

The HMN Project is strategically located in the Hombre Muerto Salar, an area of active lithium production. The development strategy for HMN focuses on production of 5,000 tonnes per year of lithium carbonate, with the potential for expansion. A site visit was completed in December 2018 and the project evaluation and report are progressing in a timely manner. The report is expected to be completed during Q1 2019.

KP is a global consulting firm that provides specialized services to the mining, power, water resources, infrastructure, and oil and gas industries. The company focuses on creating value at every stage of a project through quality driven, sustainable, and cost-effective solutions. Established in South Africa in 1921, KP has expanded their reach into a global network of over 800 professionals based in offices in North and South America, Europe, Africa, Australia, and Asia. KP has extensive experience working in Argentina, with offices in Mendoza, San Juan and Neuquen.

JDS is an engineering, project, and construction management firm composed of a diverse set of skilled and highly experienced mining and construction professionals. With a proven record of providing clients with fit-for-purpose solutions and value delivery, JDS has acquired a reputation for delivering and executing project plans on budget, on time, and most importantly, safely. The JDS team prides itself on delivering project concepts from inception to full operations, providing clients with technical engineering support, onsite operations services and EPCM.

NRG recently filed a report titled "Initial Measured Lithium and Potassium Resource Estimate Hombre Muerto North Project, Salta and Catamarca Provinces, Argentina." The report was completed in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, on behalf of the Company by independent consultants Montgomery and Associates, of Santiago Chile. The report identifies 571,000 tonnes of Lithium Carbonate Equivalent at a grade of 756 parts per million lithium in the combined Measured and Indicated categories, with a low magnesium to lithium ratio of 2.6 to 1.0 (October 3, 2108 press release) that will be used in the completion of the PEA. Read this and more news for NRG Metals at: http://www.financialnewsmedia.com/news-ngz/



Other recent developments in the mining industry include:



Nemaska Lithium Inc. (TSX:NMX.TO) (OTCQX:NMKEF) announced recently that it has appointed Robert Beaulieu as its new Vice President, Operations. Since January 3, Mr. Beaulieu has been overseeing the construction and operations readiness work that will lead to the commissioning of the Whabouchi mine and the Shawinigan electrochemical plant.

"We are truly pleased to welcome Robert to Nemaska Lithium, an incredible talent developed through various Canadian and international experiences," said Guy Bourassa, President and CEO of Nemaska Lithium. "Robert has led the start-up and operations of large-scale projects and we will benefit from his vast experience in transitioning from construction and development to ramp-up and commercial operations and process optimization. As we are fast approaching a new turning point in our history, his extensive track record in the development of complex and innovative mining and metallurgical processing projects will be an excellent addition to team."

LSC Lithium Corporation (TSX-V:LSC.V) announced recently that it has entered into an arrangement agreement with Pluspetrol Resources Corporation B.V., pursuant to which Pluspetrol will acquire all of the outstanding common shares of LSC by way of a plan of arrangement under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia).

Under the Arrangement, Pluspetrol would acquire 100% of the issued and outstanding common shares of LSC for cash consideration of C$0.6612 per LSC share (the "Transaction"). The Transaction was unanimously approved at the meeting of the LSC Board of Directors and the LSC Board of Directors recommends that LSC shareholders vote in favour of the Transaction. The Transaction provides total consideration of approximately C$111 million.

Neo Lithium Corp. (TSX-V:NLC.V) (OTCQX:NTTHF) recently announced that it has successfully completed and tested the pilot plant (the "Plant") built by the Instituto de Investigaciones Tecnologicas from Universidad de Concepcion, Chile and has shipped the Plant to the warehouse in Fiambala, Catamarca, Argentina. The Company estimates that it will take 45 days for the Plant to be shipped, clear customs, and be reassembled and operational. The Plant was tested with artificial brine in Chile and the Company now is concentrating approximately 4% lithium brine in its pilot evaporation ponds to start production of lithium carbonate at the Plant. Currently the annual capacity of the pilot ponds is over 500 tons of approximate 4% lithium brine per year.

"I am pleased with the progress made and our ability to ship and commission the Plant during the first quarter which puts us on track with our objectives," said Gabriel Pindar, Director and COO of Neo Lithium. "Management hopes the proposed prefeasibility study will support that the plant can produce battery grade lithium at one of the most competitive cash cost of the market."

Millennial Lithium Corp. (TSX-V:ML.V) (OTCQX:MLNLF) recently reported that bench scale process test work completed by SGS Canada Inc. (SGS) in their facilities in Lakefield, ON on brine from the Company's Pastos Grandes project in Salta, Argentina, has yielded battery grade (> 99.5% Li 2 CO 3 ) lithium carbonate. Final purification testwork results yielded a lithium carbonate product that is 99.92% Li 2 CO 3 with low levels of magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), boron (B), sulphate (SO 4 ) and iron (Fe), with no other detectable metals.

Millennial President and CEO, Farhad Abasov, commented: "We are excited that the bench scale process test work recently completed by SGS has yielded very positive results with a lithium carbonate product purity of 99.92%. Typical lithium carbonate battery grade for EV batteries is approximately 99.5% Li 2 CO 3, so we are very encouraged by these results that suggest the Pastos Grandes brine is amenable to industry standard processing and capable of producing a battery grade product. The bench scale testing has also provided an excellent framework for our pilot plant, which is currently in the final design phase, and provides a basis for the potential commercial plant design for the Company's Definitive Feasibility Study."

DISCLAIMER: FN Media Group LLC (FNM), which owns and operates Financialnewsmedia.com and MarketNewsUpdates.com, is a third party publisher and news dissemination service provider, which disseminates electronic information through multiple online media channels. FNM is NOT affiliated in any manner with any company mentioned herein. FNM 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. FNM'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. FNM 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 forty nine hundred dollars for news coverage of the current press releases issued by NRG Metals Inc. by a non-affiliated third party. FNM HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.



This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. "Forward-looking statements" describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as "may", "future", "plan" or "planned", "will" or "should", "expected," "anticipates", "draft", "eventually" or "projected". You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company's annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and FNM undertakes no obligation to update such statements.





Contact Information:

Media Contact email: [email protected]

+1(561)325-8757



SOURCE FinancialNewsMedia.com
MARICOPA, Ariz., Jan. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Hilda Flores-Vidal, M.D. is recognized by Continental Who's Who as a Pinnacle Professional in the field of Medicine in recognition of her role as a Physician at Dr. Hilda Flores-Vidal, M.D.

Dr. Hilda Flores-Vidal is the owner of her own medical practice and has served the Maricopa, Arizona area for the past eleven years. With integrity and compassion at the forefront of her company's values, Dr. Flores-Vidal utilizes the latest innovations in medical technology in an effort to better serve her clientele.

Having worked in the medical profession since 1986, Dr. Hilda Flores-Vidal has served in her current position since 2007. Dedicated to providing quality healthcare services to those she serves, Dr. Flores-Vidal is revered for her remarkable contributions to the industry.

Throughout her career, Dr. Flores-Vidal has attained extensive experience in the areas of Internal Medicine, treatment of Diabetes, Chronic Pain and Congestive Heart for adults.

Throughout the course of her education and training, Dr. Flores-Vidal attended the Universidad de El Salvador Faculty of Medicine where she earned her Medical Doctor degree.

When she is not working, Dr. Flores-Vidal enjoys swimming and walking her two dogs.

Dr. Flores-Vidal has one daughter and dedicates this recognition in loving memory of her father, Fobio Flores. She also thanks her mother, Vinicia Vidal for all her continuous love and support throughout her medical career.

Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, [email protected]

SOURCE Continental Who's Who

Related Links

http://www.continentalwhoswho.com


"As one of the nation's recognized top military-friendly employers, we are proud to be able to give back to the brave men and women who have given so much to serve our country," said Jeff Dailey, CEO of Farmers Insurance. "Working with the Armed Services YMCA San Diego, as part of our work with the Farmers Insurance Open's Champions for Youth Program, allows Farmers to help make an impact on the local community and San Diego's military families."

During a special morning ceremony on Thursday, Farmers presented a Camp Pendleton Marine with keys to a refurbished car, which was restored by technicians at a local area Caliber Collision Center in San Marcos who donated their time and talent to refurbish the vehicle as part of the NABC Recycled Rides Program. The Caliber team also engaged local businesses and contributed gifts, toys and certificates to "stuff the trunk" with additional surprises for the Marine and his family. The NABC Recycled Rides program began in 2007 and since then has donated more than 2,000 vehicles valued at $36 million.

Founded in 1920, the Armed Services YMCA San Diego enhances the lives of military members and their families through specialized counseling, family & youth enrichment, and warrior care programs relevant to the unique challenges of military life.

About Farmers Insurance

"Farmers Insurance" and "Farmers" are tradenames for a group of affiliated insurers providing insurance for automobiles, homes and small businesses and a wide range of other insurance and financial services and products. Farmers Insurance is proud to serve more than 10 million households with over 19 million individual policies nationally, through the efforts of more than 48,000 exclusive and independent agents and approximately 21,000 employees. Farmers Insurance Exchange, the largest of the three primary insurance insurers that make up Farmers Insurance, is recognized as one of the largest U.S. companies on the 2018 Fortune 500 list.

For more information about Farmers Insurance, visit Farmers.com, Twitter and Instagram, @WeAreFarmers, or Facebook.com/FarmersInsurance.

Contact: External Communications

Farmers Insurance

818-965-0007

[email protected]

SOURCE Farmers Insurance

Related Links

http://www.farmersinsurance.com


GREENVILLE, S.C., Jan. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Sharon L. Van Sell is recognized by Continental Who's Who as a Pinnacle Professional in the field of Nursing in recognition of her role as Professor and Researcher at Texas Woman's University.

Texas Woman's University has committed its educational institution to the belief that by educating a woman, they then empower the world. With opportunity, excellence, creativity, and diversity at the forefront of the company's values, the university is devoted to providing eminent educational services to their clients.

With over fifty years of nursing experience under her belt, Dr. Van Sell is a trailblazing ground-breaking researcher who is a visionary, master teacher, and well venerated author of several peer-reviewed journals. Dr. Van Sell is a strong proponent of the four dimensions of scholarship of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing which includes Complexity integration nursing theory, Teaching, Application, and Integration. Throughout her career, Dr. Van Sell has attained extensive expertise in the areas of nursing administration, nursing research, and nursing education. When asked her advice to newcomers in the industry, Dr. Van Sell states that you must "have the desire to help others, advanced education, and the application of knowledge and experience."

Throughout her educational endeavors, Dr. Van Sell attained her Ed.D. in Guidance and Counseling at the University of Denver in 1986. In her previous years, Dr. Van Sell attained her Master of Science degree in Nursing Administration from the University of Colorado in 1985. Dr. Van Sell would also earn her M.Ed. in Health Education from Memphis State University in 1971. She attained her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Murray State University in 1968. In her current capacity, Dr. Van Sell is the Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Nursing and Clinical.



An elitist in her own right who has obtained a long list of certifications, Dr. Van Sell is a distinguished fellow of several organizations including the Senior Fellow Higher Education Academy, Professional Designation Academy of Healthcare Management in Washington, DC, and is a Reiki Practitioner, Level II Certified, through the Reiki Association in 1993.



For more information, please visit www.twu.edu



Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, [email protected]

SOURCE Continental Who's Who

Related Links

http://www.continentalwhoswho.com


"Our continued ability to bring a fresh array of products to the market has been the driving force behind the success of our company," said Mark Weppner, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Design and Engineering. "We're excited to continue that trend in 2019 with a multitude of new collections for home and professional use, not to mention our growing array

of commercial seating options, bedroom furniture and more."

Monday's Diamond Anniversary event will be capped with an appearance by Kathy Ireland. Bush Furniture's 60th Diamond Anniversary is not the only "60" that will be celebrated during the event. The company is also celebrating a 60 percent sales growth of Office by kathy ireland and kathy ireland Home products. Ms. Ireland will be giving away prizes from the DIAMONDS by kathy ireland brand along with a Method Collection furniture set that includes an office chair from BBF's new seating line.

"We congratulate and celebrate this incredible diamond anniversary with Bush Industries," says Ms. Ireland, Chair, CEO and Chief Designer of kiWW, who is named by Furniture Today as one of the most influential leaders in the furniture industry. "We deeply value and treasure our shared passion for bringing our clients affordable and fashionable designs for the home and office."

Visitors to Showroom A-1036 can enter a drawing to win one of three prizes: a 6.1mm Eleganza Diamond Necklace with Earrings, a 5.2mm Eleganza Diamond Necklace, and an Office by kathy ireland Method L-Shaped Desk with Mobile File Cabinet, Lateral File Cabinet and High Back Executive Chair.

As part of the celebration, guests will be treated to anniversary cake and diamond blue cocktails as they browse the selection of new products.

New furniture collections that will be on display include three more collections from the kathy ireland Home brand: Madison Avenue, featuring unique, asymmetrical designs in two available finishes; Cottage Grove, with a rustic charm highlighted by attractive diagonal accents; and the Alto Collection, which delivers clean, coordinated mid-century designs in a Pure White finish. The Bush Furniture Mayfield Collection will also be introduced in a brand new White with Shiplap Gray finish.

Also on display will be three collections from Bush Business Furniture: Infiniti, an affordable, durable blend of metal and wood; Jamestown, which features modular designs that offer a customizable set up; and Office 500, a refreshing take on the executive workspace with plenty of creative storage solutions.

The 60th anniversary celebration takes place Monday, January 28 from 3-5 p.m. at Las Vegas Market in Bush Furniture Showroom A-1036.

About Bush Industries

Bush Industries, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of case goods and ready-to-assemble furniture for the office and home. The company operates the Bush Furniture, Bush Business Furniture (BBF), Office by kathy ireland and kathy ireland Home by Bush Furniture brands, manufacturing desks, hutches, bookcases, cabinets, occasional tables, TV stands and more. With a 60-year legacy built on quality, speed and affordability, Bush Industries leads the way in designing safe, stylish products and comprehensive customer services for the workplace or home space. The company's corporate headquarters and U.S. manufacturing operations are located in Jamestown, New York, with additional facilities in Pennsylvania, California and China.

About kathy ireland Worldwide (kiWW)

kiWW is listed as one of the most powerful brands in the world by License Global Magazine. Kathy Ireland is named one of the 19 most influential women in licensing by License Global magazine and according to Fairchild Publications, Kathy Ireland is one of the 50 most influential people in fashion. Furniture Today names Kathy one of the most influential leaders in the furniture industry. Kathy graces the cover of Forbes Magazine twice (2012, 2016). kiWW is responsible for billions of dollars in retail sales. kiWW is the recipient of multiple awards including several Good Housekeeping Seals.

Kathy and kiWW support many non-profits including: YWCA Greater Los Angeles, for which she is an Ambassador, Dream Foundation, Providence Educational Foundation, 911 for Kids/AEF, and the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Kathy is named an Ambassador for the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation.

SOURCE Bush Industries, Inc.
The course is aimed at those working with ophthalmic ultrasound in their daily practice, and will cover both A-scans and B-scans, including how to capture them. Lectures will describe some of the common conditions observed using ultrasound, such as; retinal detachments & tears, vitreous haemorrhages & detachments and optic disc drusen & other dot lesions. The day will also include a lecture covering the detection of ocular oncology with ophthalmic ultrasonography.

In addition to ultrasound, the day will also cater for those using OCT-Angiography (OCT-A) in medical retina. There will be an introduction and explanation of this exciting approach to imaging and an exploration of the clinical applications of OCT-A, including CNV, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma.

The expert Faculty includes Tarek El-khasab, Consultant Ophthalmologist & Lead for Ophthalmic Ultrasound Services at Mid-Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Grant Duncan, HS-UK Clinical Training Manager.

The one-day program consists of short lectures by the expert speakers, followed by hands-on practical workshops in both OCT-A and ultrasound.

Delegates will be able to claim 5.5 CPD points for their attendance on the day. The meeting offers an excellent opportunity for delegates to network with their peers and a home-cooked lunch is included in the price.

Grant Duncan, HS-UK Clinical Training Manager, said, "Haag-Streit Academy look forward to welcoming delegates to this popular course. We are delighted to be working with Tarek El-Khashab again to deliver the course as delegates will be able to benefit from his in-depth expertise and knowledge of ultrasound techniques."

The cost of the course is just 100 + VAT. For further information or to book your place, please visit https://hsuk.co/ophthalmicultrasound

Related Links

http://www.haagstreituk.com



SOURCE Haag-Streit UK
American Mirror

January 25, 2019

A sitting member of Congress believes President Donald Trump is comparable to the violent MS-13 gang.

During an interview Thursday with MSNBCs Andrea Mitchell, Sen. Eric Swalwell, D-CA, claimed that Trumps comparable to the brutal gang that murders, tortures, and beheads innocent people.

The segment began with Mitchell asking Swalwell, who is admittedly considering a 2020 presidential run, about reports that Trump has been threatening Michael Cohen, his former attorney.

Cohen was subpoenaed to testify on Thursday before the House Oversight Committee, but postponed the hearing over what he claims are threats to his family from the president and Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani.

Despite no evidence that Trump or Giuliani threatened Cohen or his family, Swalwell compared their tactics to MS-13 gang members.

My position, and I think my colleagues share this, is the president has clearly I think obstructed, intimidated witnesses. Hes actually even tried to influence a jury deliberation with Paul Manafort. We should collect the evidence and conduct our investigations and see where we need to go, Swalwell said.

A d v e r t i s e m e n t



Mitchell and Swalwell then took turns portraying Cohen as reliable and trustworthy, which is odd given he will be heading to prison soon for a three-years after pleading guilty to eight counts of campaign finance violations, tax fraud, bank fraud, and lying to Congress.

This is a fear Ive worked with for years as a prosecutor, Swalwell said. So the subjects may be different, we may be talking about the President of the United States, but this is how gangs conduct themselves.

Swalwell continued, This is how MS-13, the presidents adversary, conducts themselves. What they do is try and intimidate people who have left the gang by threatening their family, by telling them if they cooperate, harm will come to them.

However, theres no real evidence that either Trump or Giuliani have threatened Cohen or his family.

As noted by The Washington Free Beacon, Trump has taken to Twitter to call Cohen a liar and suggested Cohens father-in-law, Fima Shusterman, is guilty of unspecified crimes.

In order to get his sentence reduced, he says, I have an idea, Ill give you some information on the president. Well, there is no information. But he should give information maybe on his father-in-law, because thats the one that people want to look at, Trump told Fox New host Jeanine Pirro, referring to Cohen and his father-in-law.

On Sunday, Giuliani said Shusterman may have ties to something called organized crime.

Making a reference to something isnt a crime. If it was, Cohen would be in even more trouble than he already is.

Trump has said savage things about just about everyone who has ever criticized him  its not illegal to have an opinion or speculate about something.

To date, there is no public evidence that the president or Giuliani have threatened Cohen and his family or their safety.

This article was posted: Friday, January 25, 2019 at 8:03 am

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Chris Menahan

Information Liberation

January 25, 2019

Its happening.

From WCPO:

The family of 16-year-old Covington Catholic High School student Nicholas Sandmann [] on Thursday hired a Georgia attorney known for aggressive libel and slander suits against media organizations. L. Lin Wood, nicknamed attorney for the damned by former CBS anchor Dan Rather, visited the Sandmann family earlier in the day, according to a news release from Sandmann family attorney Todd McMurtry. He is committed to bringing justice to 16-year-old Nick Sandmann and his family, McMurtry wrote. Wood often (seeks) eye-popping damages for those he believes have been libeled or slandered in the press, according to a 2011 Washington Post article about his defense of Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain. (Cain had been facing accusations of sexual harassment that derailed his campaign.) Other notable clients include the family of JonBenet Ramsey, who were suspects in the child pageant queens murder, and Richard Jewell, a Centennial Olympic Park guard misidentified as having bombed his workplace in 1996.

Attorney for the Damned.

I like the sound of that.

Heres some of the cases hes been involved in according to his website:

 lead civil attorney for the late Richard Jewell in matters arising out of reporting about Mr. Jewell in connection with the 1996 bombing of Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta  lead civil attorney for Jeff Greene in libel litigation against The St. Petersburg Times and The Miami Herald related to Mr. Greenes 2010 campaign for the Democratic Nomination for the U.S. Senate from Florida  lead civil attorney for Sheldon Adelson in New York libel litigation against the National Jewish Democratic Council  attorney for Republican Presidential candidate Herman Cain in defense of false accusation  attorney for Dr. Phil McGraw in connection with false and defamatory articles published by Newsweek, the Daily Beast and the National Enquirer  lead civil attorney for Howard K. Stern in the prosecution and defense of defamation claims arising out of the death of Anna Nicole Smith  lead attorney for John and the late Patsy Ramsey and their son in matters relating to the 1996 murder of JonBenet Ramsey in Boulder, Colorado, and present lead attorney for Burke Ramsey in defamation matters against CBS and Dr. Werner Spitz.  attorney for Beth Holloway in matters relating to the media coverage of the May 2005 disappearance of her daughter, Natalee Holloway, in Aruba and in a pending civil action against the National Enquirer in federal court in Alabama  attorney for Sharon Rocha in matters relating to the media coverage of the December 2002 murder of her daughter, Laci Peterson  attorney for former U.S. Congressman Gary Condit in defamation matters relating to the May 2001 abduction and murder of Chandra Levy in Washington  lead counsel for AirTran Airlines, Inc. in defamation litigation against the Cleveland, Ohio newspaper, The Plain Dealer

This is a very serious individual.

Along with their attorney Todd McMurtry @FitLwyr, I met with Nick Sandmann & his family today in Cincinnati. I have agreed to assist Todd in pursuing full legal accountability for the injustices inflicted upon this fine young man. A statement on the case will be issued tomorrow.  Lin Wood (@LLinWood) January 25, 2019

Wood appeared on Fox News on October 7th, 2018 and talked about how Judge Brett Kavanaugh should sue the media:

As we saw with the Gawker case, theres no question the American people are sick and tired of the fake news media destroying innocent peoples lives.

I have a sneaking suspicion that if Wood drags any of these propagandists before a jury in Kentucky theyll be eager to find them guilty.

This article was posted: Friday, January 25, 2019 at 6:37 am

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RT

January 25, 2019

Venezuelan authorities have offered Russian companies to take part in gold exploration and gold mining in the country, according to Russian Ambassador to Venezuela Vladimir Zaemsky.

As for Russias participation in gold-mining or other mining projects, Venezuela has made a wide range of interesting proposals that are currently under consideration by interested Russian operators, the ambassador said.

The official added that Caracas is deeply interested in cooperating with Russia in the sector of exploration of the countrys solid extractable resources, including gold, diamonds and coltan, which is used for the extraction of elements such as niobium and tantalum.

Apart from proven oil deposits, considered the richest in the world, Venezuela is considerably rich in natural resources such as diamonds, gold, iron ore, aluminum, bauxite, natural gas, and petroleum. According to a report by the World Gold Council published in June, the country has 150 metric tons of gold reserves, which makes it the 25th largest gold reserve in the world.

However, the current economic crisis and US sanctions have forced Venezuela to rely on help from other nations. Earlier this year, Washington banned American businesses and individuals from dealing with entities and people involved in gold sales from the country.

In December, Caracas and Moscow signed a $5 billion investment deal to raise Venezuelas oil production by one million barrels per day.

According to Zaemsky, the parties are also discussing possibility of cooperating on Russias Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS), which is run by the Russian Aerospace Defense Forces and is currently the second alternative navigational system in operation.

This article was posted: Friday, January 25, 2019 at 6:41 am

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Chris Menahan

Information Liberation

January 25, 2019

After news came out about mass layoffs at HuffPost, Buzzfeed and Gannett  in the midst of the medias relentless smear-job against the Covington Catholic students  right-wing Twitter had a field day.

Tons of leftist journalists announced they were laid off on Twitter and the top meme was telling them to learn to code  which is the same advice the media gave middle Americans whose jobs are being taken in traditional industries.

A d v e r t i s e m e n t



Talia Levin, who was hired by Media Matters last year after being fired by the New Yorker for smearing an ICE agent as a Nazi because she thought a tattoo he had looked like an iron cross, got quite triggered:

Chloe Angyal, best known for penning the inflammatory Goy Bye! Huffington Post headline after Steve Bannon was ousted from the White House, was also laid off.

Yes, she has a *literal* PhD in Romantic Comedies.

The editor-in-chief of Jalopnik (which is now owned by the far-left Gizmodo Media Group) was also trigged:

Smearing a bunch of children and trying to ruin their lives for smiling is respectable journalism  but making fun of journalists for losing their jobs is just a step too far!

This article was posted: Friday, January 25, 2019 at 6:32 am

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Michael Snyder

End Of The American Dream

January 25, 2019

President Trump has repeatedly floated the idea of declaring a national emergency in order to pave the way for the wall to be built, and it is now being reported that the White House has actually drawn up a draft proclamation to be used if Trump decides to go in that direction. But there is a very strong reason why he hasnt pulled the trigger on such a move yet. If Trump tries to make an end run around Congress in this manner, the Democrats plan to immediately take him to court. That would mean construction of the wall would be tied up in the court system for years, and if Trump lost in 2020 it would never happen at all.

So if Trump is really committed to the wall, he needs to keep going with this shutdown until the Democrats finally give in.

Using a national emergency to build the wall sounds like a simple solution to a lot of people, but the truth is that it would be a legal nightmare.

The easy part would be actually declaring the national emergency. Presidents have made 58 national emergency declarations since 1979, and 31 of them are still in effect right now.

And if a national emergency was declared, the Trump administration has identified 7 billion dollars in federal funds that could potentially be used for wall construction

According to options being considered, the administration could pull: $681 million from Treasury forfeiture funds, $3.6 billion in military construction, $3 billion in Pentagon civil works funds, and $200 million in Department of Homeland Security funds, the official said.

But of course the Democrats are not just going to stand by and allow President Trump to do that. As Politifact has noted, it is almost certain that there would be an immediate legal challenge

If Trump declared a national emergency, expert said he might rely on 10 U.S. Code Section 2808 and 33 U.S. Code Section 2293. In very broad terms, they concern the use of the armed forces to undertake military construction projects, and the termination or deferment of Army civil works project and using those resources to undertake other construction essential to the national defense. Trump would likely face a legal challenge if he invoked either of those two provisions, experts said. Potential arguments that would rise are whether the border wall is necessary to support the armed forces already deployed at the border, whether the construction has the appropriate approval, and whether the reallocation of funds is justified. Also a matter of debate is who would have legal standing to challenge the presidents declaration.

In particular, the Democrats would likely invoke the Antideficiency Act. It is unclear whether or not they would ultimately be successful, but this portion of federal law is certainly vague enough to keep the two sides tied up in the federal court system for a very long time. Ryan Alexander, the president of Taxpayers for Common Sense, recently gave us some insight into what the legal strategy for the Democrats could potentially look like

This latest idea of actually paying for wall construction out of the DoD Appropriations bill has a major stumbling block: the Antideficiency Act. Once the domain of only the most serious appropriations law nerds, the Trump era has pushed this statute out of the shadows of Principles of Federal Appropriations Law and made it an issue that must be discussed. Simply stated, this is the law that says money appropriated by Congress cannot be spent in advance or in excess of a congressional appropriation. Also, the act prohibits involving the government in any obligation to pay money before funds have been appropriated for that purpose (emphasis added.) In effect this means funds may only be used to pay for the item or action for which the money was specifically appropriated.

If President Trump does not want the construction of the wall to be tied up in court indefinitely, then he needs congressional approval, and that wont be easy.

Both sides have dug their heels in, and there does not appear to be any room for a compromise. The Democrats are pledging that they will never give Trump a single penny for a border wall, and if they break that promise they will have to deal with an overwhelming political backlash.

Meanwhile, the crisis on the border continues to escalate. For example, one rancher that lives on the border recently caught a smuggler in the act of trying to steal his truck

Grossman lives in the same area, and illegal crossers have entered his home a number of times. He recently caught a smuggler trying to steal his truck. I brought him back to the house, Grossman recounted. And then my wife called the sheriff, and the sheriff and border patrol come up and got him and then we went back to my pickup and there was a bale of marijuana in the back of my pickup and he had stolen a lot of stuff from the house.

And the sheriff of Cochise County is desperate for the federal government to fix this problem that he has to deal with on a daily basis

Cochise County Sheriff Mark Dannels oversees a border county covering more land than Connecticut. He says when the government fails to take a strong stand on immigration, it only makes things worse. Those that want to come into this country and harm us  terrorists  have the infrastructure to get through here in Cochise County, he explains. Anytime this administration talks about amnesty or anything that has to do with the border we have an influx of people coming across. We sit back all the time and just wonder, why they wont do something to fix this problem.

We desperately need some common sense solutions in Washington, but unfortunately most members of Congress seem to be greatly lacking in common sense these days.

So for now the government shutdown will continue, and it is not likely to end any time soon.

This article was posted: Friday, January 25, 2019 at 6:15 am

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CNBC

January 25, 2019

Liberal billionaire George Soros on Thursday warned that the U.S.and China, the worlds two largest economies, are locked in a cold war that could soon turn into a hot one.

His comments come at a time when investors are increasingly concerned about a serious economic downturn, with a long-running U.S.-China trade war souring business and consumer sentiment.

Referencing Trumps decision to label China as a strategic competitor in late 2017, Soros said this approach was too simplistic.

An effective policy towards China cant be reduced to a slogan. It needs to be far more sophisticated, detailed and practical; and it must include an American economic response to the Belt and Road Initiative, he said.

Soros, a major Democratic donor and critic of President Donald Trump, was speaking at a private dinner at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland.

Read more

This article was posted: Friday, January 25, 2019 at 6:58 am

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Stone slams Mueller as rogue prosecutor, sent text message last night, theyre setting me up for the kill!!

Paul Joseph Watson

PrisonPlanet.com

January 25, 2019

In his first statement since he was arrested, Roger Stone asserted that the indictment against him contains no evidence of Russian collusion and that Robert Mueller now has more power than the president.

Stones attorney Grant Smith was the first person to see him in the booking area of the court house. He subsequently relayed to Infowars what Stone said.

Stone first asked about the safety of his wife after the stress of the dawn raid, with Smith informing him that she was OK.

He then relayed his personal thoughts about the arrest.

This country is literally run by a rogue prosecutor who has more power than the president, said Stone, adding that he believes America is turning into the new Soviet Union and that he fears for his grandchildren.



Sharks circling: Media waits for Stones court appearance.

Stone also kept repeating the assertion that the indictment against him contains no evidence of Russian collusion while also insisting he is innocent of all the charges.

While Stone said he expects to be released after his court appearance later today on a personal recognizance bond, he is expecting to travel to DC next week for arraignment.

Stone reportedly fears he could disappear into the bottom of a modern American gulag archipelago.

During a text message exchange with Alex Jones last night, Stone also expressed his fear that, in his own words, they were setting me up for the kill! In a subsequent phone call, Stone said that he expected his arrest was imminent.

Some journalists and commentators on Twitter criticized media coverage of Stones arrest, pointing out that the indictment against him is weaker than some had anticipated and contains no proof of Russian collusion.

Isnt this kind of trafficking what respectable news organizations do every day? What distinguishes what Stone did? asked Jameel Jaffer.

Isnt this kind of trafficking what respectable news organizations do every day? What distinguishes what Stone did? (Real question, and Id be very interested in journalists answers.) https://t.co/FeAHDtIQIF  Jameel Jaffer (@JameelJaffer) January 25, 2019

The Stone indictment is yet another from Mueller alleging people lied about or otherwise obstructed the post-election investigation, but does not assert any underlying crimes committed by Americans (for conspiring with Russians or anything else) regarding the election itself, said Glenn Greenwald.

The Stone indictment is yet another from Mueller alleging people lied about or otherwise obstructed the post-election investigation, but does not assert any underlying crimes committed by Americans (for conspiring with Russians or anything else) regarding the election itself.  Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) January 25, 2019

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*********************

Paul Joseph Watson is the editor at large of Infowars.com and Prison Planet.com.

This article was posted: Friday, January 25, 2019 at 10:37 am

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RT

January 25, 2019

Undeterred by Chinese jet overflights and previous warnings, the US Navy has once again challenged the One China policy by sending its vessels through the Taiwan Strait in what it called a routine freedom-of-navigation exercise.

After sailing in the vicinity of the Chinese-claimed Paracel Islands in the South China Sea earlier this month, USS McCampbell (DDG-85) reached another disputed waterway in the Pacific on Thursday. Conducting what the US Navy claimed to be a routine passage, the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer was joined by Henry Kaiser-class oiler USNS Walter S. Diehl (T-AO-193) as they sailed across the 110-mile-wide Taiwan Strait.

The ships transit through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the US commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, Lt. Cmdr. Tim Gorman told USNI News. The US Navy will continue to fly, sail and operate anywhere international law allows.

Taiwans Ministry of Defense confirmed the passage of US warships, separately noting that mainland Chinas air force was continuing its overflights in the region for the second day running. H6 bombers and KJ500 early warning and control planes were seen flying over the Bashi Channel on Thursday. A day earlier, the Chinese reportedly sent various military aircraft, including a Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jet and a Shaanxi Y-8 transport plane over the waterway separating the Philippines from Taiwan. Taipei responded by sending military aircraft and surveillance ships to the region.

It was the first reported transit of US warships through the Taiwan Strait this year, and the fourth such passage since October, when trade conflict between the worlds two largest economies reached new heights. While China has yet to issue a comment on the matter, in the past Beijing has expressed deep concern over American freedom-of-navigation stunts in the Pacific. Beijing has also repeatedly urged Washington to respect the One China policy, which considers Taiwan as an integral part of the mainland.

Deviating from the One China principle will make the situation of cross (strait) relations tense and chaotic, Chinese president Xi Jinping warned at the start of the year. We do not promise to renounce the use of force and reserve the option to use all necessary measures.

If anyone wants to separate Taiwan from China, the Chinese military will safeguard the national unity at all costs so as to protect Chinas sovereignty and territorial integrity, General Li Zuocheng, the head of Chinas Joint Staff Department, reportedly told Admiral John Richardson, US Chief of Naval Operations, during his visit to the Asian country earlier this month.
Southbury, CT (06488)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun during the morning will give way to cloudy skies this afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 89F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy with occasional rain showers. Low 64F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%.
Abolish unfair fees, charges - BoG directs banks The Bank of Ghana, BoG has in a notice directed all Banks and Specialised

Financial remittances to be linked to Ghana Card All financial remittances will be linked to the biometric information on

Euro 2020: Scotland frustrate England in Wembley draw England will have to wait to secure a place in the last 16 of Euro 2020
Plattsburgh, NY (12901)

Today

Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High near 80F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Clear to partly cloudy. Low 58F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph.
Now that COVID-19 cases are declining and the majority of Minnesotans have received vaccinations, what activities are you most looking forward to resuming this summer?

You voted:
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.  He has a history of calling people disgusting names. He has made statements that were unprovable or flat-out false, and hes now at the center of what could be the biggest political scandal of the 21st century: the Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election.

Roger Stone, who lives in Florida and was closely involved in Atlantic County politics for years, appeared in Boca Raton last week at a book signing and relished the spotlight.

Stone emphatically denied he colluded with Russians on behalf of Donald Trump or that Russia meddled in the U.S. election.

Folks, the idea that there was Russian influence to tip this election to Donald Trump is a bald-faced, blatant lie, he said. U.S. intelligence agencies concluded Russia did try to interfere in the presidential race.

Stone also portrayed himself as a victim and attempted to put his critics on the defensive.

This is the new McCarthyism, Stone declared about congressional leaders who want an investigation.

The political consultant had a long list of South Jersey clients, and enemies  and some who were both.
Many representatives new to Congress seem to get lost for a while, safely parroting their partys talking points until theyre comfortable enough to try their own voice. Not Rep. Jeff Van Drew.

On Day One the 1st District Democrat called for his party leadership to work in a more bipartisan manner and consider new ideas, leaving behind the same animosities and lack of cooperation on both sides.

In the past three weeks, the centrist and pragmatic approach Van Drew developed in his years in the N.J. Legislature has offered bracing relief from the stagnant partisan posturing in Washington. Being his own man is clearly not a political gambit for him  its who he is.

Van Drews fast start began with his first House session and its vote for speaker. Having said he would oppose Nancy Pelosi for the position (which she won), he surprised some of his fellow lawmakers and gallery observers by voting no on her nomination instead of the expected present or for some other party member. This accomplished two things  it left no doubt that Van Drews vote wasnt an abstention and it gave widespread attention to keeping his word to buck his party if need be to vote against Pelosi.
State programs all cost regular taxpayers more

Regarding the recent letter, All entering US must be identified, approved:

A tip of the hat to the writer of this letter about what is happening in this country today.

I saw a report on a poll that found a majority want marijuana legalized in New Jersey. Try taking a poll where ordinary people shop and I think the outcome would be much different.

I read that the Lenni-Lenape chairman was truly gracious that the state (you and me) awarded the tribe $2.4 million to offset their financial losses from revoked state recognition. If they dont do a DNA test to determine members, count me in.

The governor signed a bill for $2 million for legal aid to illegal immigrants in the state. Those who want illegal immigrants in this country should try to adopt a family and provide housing, food, medical needs and such.

A simple thing like raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour might seem great, but employers will simply raise their prices. They will not cut their profit. Another idea being proposed is free college tuition for some. Ive been paying school taxes without having kids in school for 40-plus years. Let the professors and college staff pay the tuition.
The lack of communication and the delay of the ACRLs restoration line is completely unacceptable, causing extreme frustration for South Jersey commuters and impacting our regional economy, Van Drew said in a statement. It feels like South Jersey is getting the short end of the stick, and I will not tolerate this. I am immediately going to call NJ Transit and find out what the hell is going on and respond accordingly.

Assemblyman John Armato, D-Atlantic, said neither he nor his district partner, Assemblyman Vince Mazzeo, have been able to get a straight answer from NJ Transit about why no other train line in the state had to be completely shut down or when service would resume.

In December, NJ Transit announced it had met a federal deadline for installation of positive train control, technology aimed at stopping trains before human error snowballs, including derailments from excessive speed and train-on-train collisions.

When that announcement was made, NJ Transit said service would resume in early 2019.

The federally mandated equipment installation began in September. During a public forum at the Atlantic City Rail Terminal in August facilitated by state Sen. Chris Brown, R-Atlantic, Corbett told the media service would resume Jan. 1.
Stones regional connections include media types, too, such as Harry Hurley, who has hosted Hurley in the Morning on WFPG-AM 1450 since 1991. Stone has been a regular guest since the beginning, and the two have been friends for more than 30 years, Hurley said, having known each other originally through political circles.

He was last on the program a few weeks ago and has said countless times, on air, that he expected to be indicted in the special counsel probe, Hurley said.

Stones colorful persona is no recent development. He once owned a vacation condo in Margate, and Levinson remembers hanging with him on the beach, and seeing the tattoo across his back of Richard Nixons face, which Levinson described as life-sized.

I could see possibly putting George Washington or Abraham Lincoln on permanent display, but you have to scratch your head with Nixon, Levinson said.

None of those interviewed seemed delighted by Fridays news.

Hurley was sad for his friend.

I think its a very sad day, and I think that this is another example that this special counsel probe has just gone off the rails, Hurley said, arguing most of the charges lodged against Stone were process crimes.
BRIDGETON  The Cumberland County Prosecutors Office will host an informational session Thursday about a state Attorney Generals Office directive that aims to build trust between law enforcement and immigrant communities.

The program, scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Parish of the Holy Cross, St. Teresa of Avila, 46 Central Ave., will focus on the Immigrant Trust Directive. The directive aims to keep separate the role of local and state law enforcement from federal immigration authorities and goes into effect March 15, according to a news release from the Attorney Generals Office.

The program will be delivered in Spanish due to the countys large Spanish-speaking immigrant population, said Cumberland County Prosecutor Jennifer Webb-McRae.

The directive is intended to draw a clear line between the responsibility of New Jerseys 36,000 law-enforcement officers to enforce state criminal laws and the responsibility of federal immigration authorities to enforce federal civil immigration law, according to the release, and seeks to ensure that immigrants feel safe reporting crimes to New Jersey law-enforcement officers.
Instead of going through the courts, the parents of Tiffany Valiante, the 18-year-old Oakcrest High School graduate who died after being hit by a train in 2015, are turning to Atlantic County Crime Stoppers.

The Valiantes attorney, Paul DAmato, said the family is hoping to use the tip line to drum up information into Tiffanys disappearance the night of July 12, 2015.

Ultimately Tiffanys parents and family want to know who is responsible for their daughter being the victim of foul play, DAmato said.

+9 Valiantes have more questions than answers in daughter Tiffany's death MAYS LANDING  All of her friends and family have moved on with their lives while Tiffany Va

Valiante, of Hamilton Township, was killed when she apparently walked in front of a train traveling 80 mph near Prague Avenue in Galloway Township. Her death was ruled a suicide by the state medical examiners office, but her parents, Stephen and Dianne, saw too many inconsistencies in the death investigation.

Since her death, four lawsuits have been filed against the state and unnamed defendants, all of them dismissed with the cooperation of the family.

Earlier this month, the Valiantes agreed to dismiss a lawsuit against the state alleging civil rights violations related to the investigation of the death of their daughter. The case was filed over the summer. In the fall, a Superior Court judge denied the states motion to dismiss the case.

+3 Judge allows Valiante family suit against NJ attorney general to go forward ATLANTIC CITY  A Superior Court judge has denied the New Jersey attorney generals motion t
ATLANTIC CITY  A Camden County man driving a stolen car was arrested Friday after leading officers in a car chase to Galloway Township.

Michael Carty, 35, of Atco, was charged with eluding, stolen property and multiple traffic summons, according to a news release from city police.

At 3:09 a.m., Officer Jesse Oliver-Logan spotted a car parked near New York and Pacific avenues without license plates. Logan attempted to stop the vehicle after he saw Carty leave a convenience store and drive off.

Carty ignored Logan's sirens, police said. Officers followed him on to Route 30, where he crashed into a median. Officers attempted to have him surrender after the crash, but Carty did not until making it Galloway Township.

The car was heavily damaged after the crash and was reported stolen from Vorhees Township earlier that evening, police said.

Carty was remanded to the Atlantic County Justice jail.

The Absecon and Galloway Township police departments assisted in the arrest.
Atlantic City Superior Court Judge Michael Blee is expected to rule on several issues detailed in a lawsuit filed by a former MAO board member and four state organizations, according to court officials.

A former board member of the Miss America Organization and four Miss America pageant state organization licensees are requesting a temporary restraining order and preliminary court injunction to stop MAO Chairwoman Gretchen Carlson and Hopper from further damaging the state organizations operations, according to a lawsuit

The lawsuit claims Chairwoman Gretchen Carlson and President and CEO Regina Hopper orchestrated an illegal and bad-faith takeover of the MAO, beginning in January 2018.

Former MAO trustee Jennifer Vaden Barth and West Virginia director Leah Summers along with representatives from the Georgia Miss America Scholarship Fund were in the courtroom Friday morning.

Attorney for the plaintiff Paul Perkins said that they are not fighting for money, but we are fighting for the survival of an institution.

Perkins argued that the move to remove MAO trustees after the boards fourth re-vote on restructure was retaliation for challenging new chairwoman Gretchen Carlson.
In September 2017, when Finan transferred to Stockton from Gallaudet University, a school for the deaf and hard-of-hearing, she knew she would be stepping into quite a different college atmosphere. But she also knew that with the help of her fellow students and faculty, significant improvements could be made to deaf-related courses, even at a predominately hearing school.

When ASL was under health sciences and had a prerequisite of audiology classes, ASL would be looked at under a microscope and from a health or speech disorder perspective, Finan said. ASL can be used in all work, not just in the medical field.

In her second semester on campus, Finan looked to her adviser, Sara Novic, who suggested they create an online petition for an ASL department change. Finan posted the petition, American Sign Language Offered as a Language at Stockton University, on change.org, open for any student to sign.

When you are deaf or have a disability, it can be hard to see yourself represented in the professional world, Finan says. I am really lucky to have met Sara. ... We came to Stockton at the same time, and I really think that was fate. Without her, none of this would have been possible.
The township Police Department began this voluntary self-assessment program with CALEA in July 2016. It is a three-year process toward achieving recognition as being a leader in law enforcement service. This challenging endeavor has been made possible by the continued support of our citizens, elected officials and the people of the Police Department.

People tend to ask, Why accreditation, what benefit does it serve?" There is a saying, Complacency is devastating. This most certainly applies to our profession in law enforcement and delivering of police services. We must continually monitor and evaluate the way we do business and adjust accordingly to meet the changing needs, expectations and demands of our citizens and personnel. By remaining complacent, failure is certain. Subscription, adoption and compliance to CALEA standards by our personnel will only improve our people, enhance our image with the citizens we serve and enable us to succeed by using contemporary practices and approaches.
GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP  Stockton University last week announced four outside partners for its cannabis studies program intended to increase learning opportunities for students.

Stockton said Tuesday it is partnering with Thomas Jefferson Universitys Lambert Center for the Study of Medicinal Cannabis and Hemp in the Institution of Emerging Health Professions. The university also has agreements with three nonacademic partners: Relevant, an arm of Reliance Medical Group; the New Jersey CannaBusiness Association; and the New Jersey Cannabis Industry Association.

The partners will provide speakers and materials to Stockton and internship opportunities for students, the university said in a news release.

+4 Stockton and cannabis advocacy group partner to support minor A new partnership will allow Stockton University to further develop its first-year cannabis 

The Lambert Center is a leader in the medicinal cannabis and industrial hemp fields, said Ekaterina Sedia, Stocktons coordinator of the cannabis studies minor. We are thrilled that Jefferson will share their knowledge with the students in our cannabis studies minor, and offer them additional opportunities. We are looking forward to a mutually beneficial academic relationship.

The cannabis minor was introduced in the fall and provides an academic and practical study of medical and recreational marijuana use in New Jersey and the nation.
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On Thursday evening, armed bandits attacked the only commercial bank in Ila Orangun town of Osun State, Polaris Bank, shooting a police officer and two civilians.

The police later confirmed that the shot officer died.

PREMIUM TIMES gathered that the three victims of the incident were shot during an attempt to deploy security personnel to the scene.

It was also reported that the robbers, who were about 15, made away with an unspecified amount of money during the raid that lasted for about two hours.

This paper gathered that the bandits announced their arrival with gun shots, which sent fears down the spine of the residents. The heavy shooting paralysed transportation, economic and social activities within the town.

The bandits reportedly shattered the banks security door with dynamites before gaining access into the banking hall.

A commercial motorcyclist in the town, who simply identified himself as Tunde, expressed shock and sadness as this is the first time such will happen in the town.

He said the robbers had earlier sent letters to the bank to notify them of the looming raid but it was surprising to see them on Thursday. No one expected it, he added, in telephone interview with this reporter.

Effect of the robbery

Speaking on the effect the robbery will have on the town, Mr Tunde highlighted the likelihood of the affected bank not resuming commercial activities anytime soon, which will result in exploitation by other commercial mediums.

That means well have to make use of POS stands and pay unnecessary charges, pending the resumption of Polaris bank.

However, The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Osun State police command, Foladade Odoro, who confirmed the incident in a text message sent to PREMIUM TIMES, said the police officer who was shot, was an Inspector and the two civilians are currently receiving treatment in the hospital.

At about 1630hrs, a gang of armed men attacked Polaris Bank, Ila Orangun. One Police Inspector and two other civilians were shot and injured in the process while an unspecified amount of money was stolen by the suspects.

The injured police Inspector later died in the hospital while the others injured are receiving treatment.
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The police have arrested a man accused of defrauding members of the public by pretending to be an assistant commissioner of police in Akwa Ibom State.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Musa Kimo, paraded the suspect before journalists in Uyo on Thursday. He gave his name as Kingsley Udoyen.

Mr Kimo said Mr Udoyen, who resides at House 3, Stadium Road, Abak, was arrested on January 2.

The suspect has been using the fake police rank to threaten and defraud unsuspecting members of the public, Mr Kimo said.

A search in his house led to the recovery of one English pistol without magazine and ammunition, portraits of chief superintendent of police and assistant commissioner of police, three pairs of uniform, police belt, fake police ID card, and other documents, the police commissioner said.

He said several other suspected criminals have been arrested in the state for robbery, murder, and cultism.

The list included a murder suspect, one Emmanuel Tom, who allegedly stabbed one Imeobong Effiong to death in Ibiono Local Government Area.

The police said one Martins Okon Asuquo and Iboro Edet Etim were arrested on January 14 for allegedly robbing a female shop owner at her store in Ekpene Ukim, Uruan Local Government Area.

One of the suspects, Mr Etim, the police said, has confessed to belonging to a cult group called Red Skin Confraternity.

The police also said eight suspected members of a cult group, Iceland Marine Patrol, were arrested on January 9 for the attempted murder of one Uduak Bob.

The suspected cultists, according to the police, are Ukeme Etim Udosen, Victor Isaiah Joshua, Kingsley Aniedi Sampson, Ndifreke Bassey Isaac, Samuel Friday Nnana, Idongesit Effiong Asuquo, David Nicodemus Effiong, and Daniel Aniedi Nnana.

One Odudu Emem Hanson, the police said, was also arrested on January 20 in Uyo for allegedly robbing his female victim of cash, phones, and other valuables.

The police said it also arrested one Victor Effiong, Gregory Sam, and their female partner, Chichi Okoro Jackson for running a syndicate which allegedly specialises in using Keke (tricycle) to rob people in Uyo.

The Akwa Ibom police chief said some of the suspects have been charged to court, while others are still being investigated.

On assumption of duty two months ago, I assured the good people of Akwa Ibom State of their safety, peace, and security. I also warned criminal elements to desist from criminality or leave the State because the command under my watch will have zero tolerance for criminality, the police commissioner said.

Today, Akwa Ibom State still remains one of the most peaceful States in the country. This we have achieved via broadening our intelligence gathering mechanisms, increased visibility policing, enhancing community-based policing approach and massive deployment of personnel on a need basis, and working in synergy with sister security agencies and the state government.
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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it will deploy 15, 545 staff for the 2019 general elections in Kwara State.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Garba Attaihiru-Madami, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ilorin, the state capital on Friday.

Mr Attaihiru-Madami said a total of 13, 199 ad hoc staff would be needed for the Presidential and National Assembly elections on February 16, with 7, 567 NYSC members to be deployed.

He said for the Governorship and House of Assembly elections on March 2, INEC would deploy 15, 545 personnel, made up ad hoc and INEC staff.

The REC also said 57 candidates would be contesting for the three senatorial seats while 83 candidates would vie for the six House of Representatives seats in Kwara.

He said there were 2, 859 voting units in the state and 193 Registration Areas.

According to the REC, 29 out of the 55 political parties in Kwara signed a peace accord.

He said a total of 1, 406, 457 people were registered for the Permanent Voter Card (PVC), out of which 1, 101, 246 had been collected.

The REC said to ensure that the remaining 305, 211 PVCs were collected before the February 8 deadline for collection, he had directed his staff to return to the wards between Friday and Sunday.

As from Monday, February 28, our work schedule is 24 hours until after the elections, he added.

(NAN)
Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State has again refused to appear before the Presidential Investigation Panel on the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) over the death of one of his personal aides.

Tony Ojukwu, chairman of the panel, also Executive Secretary of the National Human Right Commission, said the governor refused to honour the invitation of the panel even when he was said to have been in Abuja on Thursday.

The chairman said the counsel to the governor knew that the panel was rounding off and you decided to frustrate his coming.

You are only here to make excuses for him, he received the option of fair hearing and he made his choice.

The panel will decide this matter on the merit and report on it, he said.

Audu Danbaki, counsel to Mr Dankwambo had earlier told the panel that the governor travelled outside the country on a schedule flight and could not honour the invitation of the panel.

He suggested that if he will be given any other date next week he wouldnt mind that he was not trying to be disrespectful to the panel.

He was here in Abuja for a meeting on Thursday but left to catch his flight, Danbaki told the panel.

He explained that it was the governor, who lodged the complaint to the police in Kaduna.

Counsel to the petitioner, Gloria Ballson regretted the reality of the value attached to human life in the country.

We have tendered before the panel the fact which is clinical and prayed the panel for justice on conclusion of the case on the cruelty on John Okon, who died when he ought not to.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the petition was written by Law Chambers of Sunny Olorunmola on behalf of one Mrs Okon over the death of her husband John Okon, who was a personal cook to Mr Dankwambo.

Mrs Okon alleged that her husband died as a result of injuries sustained due to beatings and torture by men of SARS.

She further stated that he was in custody of the men of SARS headed by one SP Jummai of the anti-crime department, Kaduna.

Mrs Okon said the problem started after a burglary at the Kaduna residence of Mr Dankwambo where the deceased was living with his family.

The deceased, who lived in the boys quarters of the governors private residence in Kaduna woke up on Nov. 8, 2018 to discover that the house had been burgled and four theatre TV cinema sets carted away by unidentified persons.

The deceased, his wife and other domestic staff reported the case at the Kabala Costain Police Station, where they were all arrested.

They were subsequently transferred to the state Police Headquarters on Friday, Nov. 9, 2018 for further investigation.

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My husband fell sick and died on Nov. 13 as he was being rushed to Barau Diko General Hospital, Kaduna for medical attention, she said.

Mrs Ballson, counsel to the petitioner had earlier, brought a pathologist, Dr Godwin Ayuba who performed autopsy on the deceased to testify.

Iheanyichukwu Ogbonna, obstetrician and gynaecologist, who served as an observer to the autopsy also testified.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the panel was set up by the federal government to investigate the allegations of human rights abuses by the men of Special Anti-Robbery Squad.

The panel is to make useful recommendations to government on the way forward.

(NAN)
Femi Fani-Kayode, a senior member of Nigerias main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Friday called on the National Assembly to commence impeachment proceeding against President Muhammadu Buhari.

Mr Fani-Kayode, a former federal minister, said Mr Buhari has now removed all doubts that he is a fascistic monster for suspending the Chief Justice of Nigeria without clear constitutional basis to do so.

The president on Friday afternoon suspended Mr Onnoghen, who has been facing false asset charges for two weeks. He said the judge had become a taint on the judiciary and he was compelled to take radical measures to ease him out of office.

Mr Buhari said he relied on an order of the Code of Conduct Tribunal asking him to suspend Mr Onnoghen from office. The CCT is an arm of the presidency, and its judges are appointed by the president.

Mr Onnoghen denied allegations of asset declaration fraud but acknowledged forgetting to declare some asset. Mr Buhari said the judges admission was enough to remove him from office. He said someone of his stature should not be making a claim of ignorance, which is deemed inconsequential in criminal defence.

Legal experts are divided on the matter, with many saying the president has no powers to suspend a chief justice. Some lawyers, however, argued that the president was relying on a valid court order and could also have suspended the chief justice even without a court order.

But none of the lawyers supporting the president cited any legal power for him to discipline the chief justice. The president himself did not cite any legal basis for his action. He said he only complied with an ex-parte order of the tribunal.

It was also unclear whether the tribunal could use an ex-parte ruling to suspend the chief justice. An ex-parte is an order granted by a judge before a defendant in a suit is able to enter defence, and it is often provisional.

Mike Ozekhome, a senior lawyer, urged Nigerian judges and lawyers to shun further activities as was done when former Pakistani President Perves Musharraf removed the countrys chief justice in 2007.

This recent act is a big scandalous shame on the Buhari government, assuming it still knows anything called shame. It has tainted it with the paintbrush of odium, obloquy and international derision, Mr Ozekhome said.

Mr Fani-Kayode, adding his voice to a flurry of reactions that have poured in since the development was made public Friday afternoon, said the action was unacceptable. He called on the legislature to begin impeachment process against the president.

For a president in a democracy to suspend the CJN is totally unacceptable, a clear breach of the rule of law and the Constitution and a manifest violation of the principle of separation of powers. If anyone thinks that we are practicing democracy in Nigeria that person needs to have their heads examined, Mr Fani-Kayode said.

I call on the Senate President and the Speaker of the House to stop playing games to show courage and to begin impeachment proceedings against Buhari.

That is the only way to stop this man from totally destroying our country and leading us to a civil war that may never end, Mr Fani-Kayode said.

He also alleged that Mr Buhari was plotting to declare himself the winner of the presidential elections on February 16.

Mr Buharis controversial action comes barely three days after former President Olusegun Obasanjo said the president was plotting to perpetuate himself in office. He said his latest tactics bore the markings of the brutal and inglorious dictatorship of Sani Abacha in the 1990s.

Okechukwu Nwanguma of the Network for Police Reform in Nigeria also condemned the presidents action and called for immediate interventions from lovers of democracy

The action subverts the Constitution and the principle of separation of powers. It undermines the independence of the judiciary and above all puts Nigerias democracy in peril.

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The credibility of the 2019 election will be compromised and democracy imperiled in the absence of an independent and responsive judiciary, Mr Nwanguma said in a statement to PREMIUM TIMES Friday night.

However, Nasir el-Rufai, the governor of Kaduna State and a key ally of Mr Buhari, said the presidents action was appropriate, praising the president for the timely intervention.

Mr El-Rufai said Mr Onnoghen has shown traits of corruption and should not be allowed to maintain a seat as the nations chief justice.

SANITY NEEDS RESTORATION: About time this institutional gobbledygook and regionalization to justify admitted wrongdoing are confronted. Justice must not give way to legal gymnastics and absurd technicalities. I am solidly with PMB on this, as always!! the governor wrote on his verified Twitter handle.

SANITY NEEDS RESTORATION: About time this institutional gobbledygook and regionalization to justify admitted wrongdoing are confronted. Justice must not give way to legal gymnastics and absurd technicalities. I am solidly with PMB on this, as always!! https://t.co/vS9owyiuqL  Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai (@elrufai) January 25, 2019

The president removed Mr Onnoghen despite a Court of Appeal ruling halting further actions against the top jurist by the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

The Nigerian Constitution at Section 292 said a Supreme Court judge can only be removed with the concurrence of two-thirds of the Nigerian Senate, which has a total of 109 members. But the legislature has not heard any matter about Mr Onnoghen, much less take action towards his removal.
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The three tiers of the Nigerian government, consisting of Federal, States and Local Councils, on Friday shared about N649.198 billion as statutory allocations from Federation Account for December 2018.

The allocation includes distributable statutory allocation revenue of N547.5 billion; value-added tax (VAT) earning of N100.8 billion, and over N900 million exchange gain for the month.

The statutory allocation revenue consists earnings from oil mineral exports of about N354.2 billion and about N193.2 billion from non-oil mineral revenue.

The solid mineral sector of the Nigerian economy did not make any contribution to the account for the month.

The Accountant General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris, said in Abuja at the end of the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting the gross statutory revenue realised for the month was lower than the N649.6 billion received in November 2018 by about N102.2 billion.

He said this while presenting a communique issued by the Technical sub-Committee of the FAAC.

He said crude oil export sales dropped by 1.7 million barrels, resulting in a drop in federation revenue by $83.5 million, despite a significant increase in crude oil price at the international market from $72.8 to $81.1 per barrel.

Also, the AGF said there were production shut-ins, facility shut-downs, and closure of production at various oil terminals in the Niger Delta due to fire, leakages, and flooding.

Revenues from Value Added Tax (VAT), Import and Excise Duties and Royalties increased marginally, while Companies Income Tax (CIT) and Petroleum Profits Tax (PPT) decreased significantly.

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Details of the revenue distribution showed the Federal Government received N255.2 billion, or 52.68 percent; states, N129.4 billion, or 26.72 per cent, and local government councils N99.8 billion, or 20.60 per cent.

The nine oil producing states of the Niger Delta received N45.5 billion, which represents 13 per cent oil derivation revenue.

The AGF said the total cost of collection in favour of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) as well as transfers and refunds come up to N21.530 billion.

In terms of the Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue, Federal Government received N14.51 billion, or 15 per cent; States N48.37 billion, or 50 per cent, while the local government councils received N33.9 billion, or 35 perccent.

The balance on Excess Crude Oil Revenue Account is about $0.631 billion.
The presidential candidate of Nigerias main opposition party, Atiku Abubakar, has condemned the suspension of the Chief Justice Walter Onnoghen by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Mr Abubakar is facing Mr Buhari as the presidents main challenger at the general elections starting on February 16.

Mr Buhari announced suspension of Mr Onnoghen on Friday afternoon, accusing the top jurist of failing to properly declare his assets in violation of the Nigerian code of conduct law. Mr Onnoghen denied the allegations, and the matter had been taken before a tribunal.

The tribunal has not ruled on the matter, but granted a controversial ex-parte order for the president to suspend Mr Onnoghen from office indefinitely.

The Court of Appeal, which has powers to review the actions of the tribunal, ruled this week that the tribunal should cease further hearing on the assets declaration charges, which were brought against Mr Onnoghen by a former aide of Mr Buhari and a senior member of the ruling All Progressives Congress in Enugu State.

The Nigerian Constitution at Section 292 said a Supreme Court judge can only be removed with the concurrence of two-thirds of the Nigerian Senate, which has a total of 109 members. But the legislature has not heard any matter about Mr Onnoghen, much less taken action towards his removal.

Mr Onnoghen was suspended a day before he was scheduled to inaugurate the election petition tribunals for next months election. Many believe the president acted to prevent him from doing so.

Mr Abubakar said Mr Buharis action was a desperate plot to subvert Nigerias democracy days into an election in which Nigerians are set to vote him out of office. Mr Buhari has denied allegations of trying to subvert Nigerias democracy.

But the removal of the Chief Justice and installations of an acting judge from the presidents northern region could plunge the country into constitutional crisis, according to legal experts who commented on the matter on social media Friday evening.

See Mr Abubakars full statement as sent to PREMIUM TIMES Friday evening bellow:

PRESS RELEASE

The Purported Suspension of CJN Onnoghen is an Act of Dictatorship Taken too Far

Abuja, Nigeria, 25 Jan 2019: The purported suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria by President Muhammadu Buhari, is an anti democratic act which I reject in its entirely and call on Justice Onnoghen and the judiciary to resist with every legal and constitutional means that they can muster.

This brazen dictatorial act is the latest action in the ongoing rape of our nations hard earned democracy by those who dined with anti democratic forces, and is symptomatic of the increasing desperation that President Buhari and the cabal pulling the strings have as February 16, 2019 draws near.

The fact that the unlawful suspension of Chief Justice Walter Onnoghen was announced just as it became public knowledge that the CJN was constituting the election petition tribunals is not lost on discerning Nigerians and the international community. This act of desperation is geared towards affecting the outcome of the 2019 Presidential elections. Indeed, it is not just the CJN that has been suspended, it is the Nigerian Constitution that has been infracted and, in effect, suspended, under the guise of the suspension of the CJN.

The case involving the legality or otherwise of the charges against Chief Justice Walter Onnoghen is in court, as it should be. So far, the judiciary has ruled in Justice Onnoghens favour. So, why not allow the court to adjudicate on the matter? What is the pressing urgency?

I want to seize this opportunity to call for unity amongst the judiciary. Do not let the Muhammadu Buhari administration divide you. Do not let this government turn you against yourselves. The judiciary is the last hope of the common man and the defender of our democracy.

I also urge the international community to follow the commendable example of the United States and the United Kingdom by intervening to make those involved in this undemocratic act know that their actions will have consequences. Strong consequences.

And to the Nigerian electorate, I call on you to save your beloved country from dictatorship by voting against President Muhammadu Buharis desperate war against the judiciary. Our country is falling apart under the leadership of President Buhari and it is time to stand up for democracy.

Signed:

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Atiku Abubakar

Waziri Adamawa

Presidential Candidate of PDP & Vice President of Nigeria, 1999-2007
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President Muhammadu Buhari relied on a court order to suspend the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen, from office. The order was secretly granted by the Code of Conduct Tribunal, an asset compliance agency under the control of the president.

PREMIUM TIMES on Friday obtained a copy of the controversial order, granted on Wednesday.

The tribunal granted the ex-parte order which demanded that Mr Onnoghen must step aside as the Chief Justice of Nigeria while his alleged false assets declaration trial lasts.

But the Nigerian Constitution strongly recommends that Supreme Court judge can only be removed from office by two-thirds of the Nigerian Senate. Mr Onnoghen has been on the Supreme Court since 2005.

Mr Buhari said he was suspending the top jurist and not removing him from office. It is unclear whether this could be tenable before constitutional experts and judges. Section 292 of the Constitution only talks about removing judges and does not distinguish temporary removal from permanent.

The tribunal quietly granted the ex-parte motion on January 23, a day after it adjourned hearing in the substantive suit against Mr Onnoghen on January 22.

An exparte order is one granted by a judge without hearing the other parties in the suit.

The substance of the ex-parte motion that Mr Onnoghen must step down from office was amongst the issues the tribunal said it would consider when it resumes hearing on January 28.

It was unclear why the tribunal granted the exparte order despite having the same matter in the substantive proceeding already before it.

The false assets declaration charges were first heard by the tribunal in Abuja on January 14. The trial followed a January petition against the top jurist a few days earlier by a former aide to Mr Buhari and a member of the presidents party, the All Progressives Congress.

The tribunal order that led to the suspension of Justice Walter Onnoghen by President Buhari

The tribunal order that led to the suspension of Justice Walter Onnoghen by President Buhari

More details later
The Anambra Government has disassociated itself from a purported communique by Ohaneze Ndigbo endorsing the candidacy of Atiku Abubakar for the Feb. 16 presidential election.

Mr Abubakar is the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)s presidential candidate in the February 16 election.

Solo Chukwulobelu, the Secretary to Anambra Government (SSG), made the disclosure in a statement on Friday.

Mr Chukwulobelu said that the contents of the communique did not reflect the Anambra Governments position.

An arm of the Ohaneze Ndigbo, Ime Obi, arising from a meeting on Thursday in Enugu declared support for Mr Abubakar.

Ime Obi is a rapid response arm of the Ohaneze Ndigbo, comprising delegations from the seven states that make up the organisation including state governors.

However, Mr Chukwulobelu expressed dismay that the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation had decided to be partisan, in spite of the fact that members of the organisation belong to different political parties.

Mr Chukwulobelu said: We have read bits of the communique purportedly issued by the Ohaneze leadership. We regret that they do not reflect the position of the people and Government of Anambra State.

The position of the Anambra State Government is that Ohaneze should remain a united umbrella for all Ndigbo, and should not take sides with any party.

There are major leaders in all political parties, including the three major ones in Nigeria, namely, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), All Progressives Congress ( APC) and PDP.

It is deeply regrettable that the Ohaneze leadership has chosen to go down a divisive trajectory capable of setting back Igbo unity for several years, he said.

The SSG said that Gov. Willie Obiano had sent a delegation to attend the Ime Obi meeting summoned by the organisation in Enugu.

Our delegation arrived early enough to participate in the meeting of Ime Obi scheduled to start at 7 p.m. on Thursday.

We were surprised to learn that the meeting had been held earlier and lasted for a mere 30 minutes.

The representative of the Ebonyi State Government, Dr Eric Kelechi Igwe, who arrived at the venue before the time the meeting was scheduled to start was also surprised that it had already taken place.

The same goes for others like the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, and the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, he said.

Mr Chukwulobelu said that they were shocked that the meeting was even slated for a day President Muhammadu Buhari was campaigning in Anambra and Enugu States.

He said that Mr Buharis visit to Anambra was to honour Nnamdi Azikiwe, First Republic president of Nigeria, and the leadership of Ohaneze Ndigbo was expected to participate actively.

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We were, indeed, surprised that the Ime Obi meeting could hold today (on Thursday) of all days.

We had expected Ohaneze leaders to participate actively in the inauguration of the Zik Mausoleum, Onitsha, Anambra State, he said.

Mr Chukwulobelu said that the Mausoleum which had been under construction for the past 23 years was completed by the Buhari administration which was a big honour to Azikiwe, an Igbo man.

(NAN)
"Eight people in a single family made the choices that caused much of the opioid epidemic,'' states a memorandum released earlier this month by Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healy. They hired hundreds of workers to carry out their wishes and they fired those who did not sell enough drugs. They got more patients on opioids, at higher doses, for longer, than ever before. They paid themselves billions of dollars. They are responsible for addiction, overdose and death that damaged millions of lives.
The campaign team of Oby Ezekwesili, the presidential candidate of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN) has reacted to allegations by the party that she was never serious with her presidential ambition but only used the platform to negotiate for a top ministerial position.

Mrs Ezekwesili, a former minister of Education, Thursday morning backed out from the presidential election.

Mrs Ezekwesili, a former minister of Education, Thursday morning backed out from the presidential election.

She said her decision was to help build a coalition to defeat the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). This decision, she said, was taken despite resistance from her party.

Shortly after that, her party released a statement withdrawing its support for the candidate. It adopted the president, Muhammdu Buhari, of the APC.

According to the statement signed by Gani Galadima, ACPNs national chairman and running mate of the former minister and other party officials, her action was taken without consulting the party.

In addition, the party accused Mrs Ezekwesili of using it as a platform to negotiate to be Nigerias finance minister.

I have been put into confidence by one of her aide named lyinoluwa Aboyeji that she only wanted to use the platform of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN) to negotiate to be Nigerias finance minister, Mr Galadima said.

In his rebuttal, Mr Ubabukor said the discussion on forming a coalition had been on for over two months and the party was fully aware and involved.

The party is much aware. Discussions on a coalition have been on for over two months now. The talks only intensified after Saturdays presidential debate. If anyone says he or she is not informed, that is a lie, Mr Ubabukor told PREMIUM TIMES in a phone interview.

He accused the party chairman, Mr Galadima, of kicking against such moves because of his selfish interests.

The allegation that lyinoluwa Aboyeji, our deputy campaign director confided in the party of Mrs Ezekwesili plans of negotiating for ministerial spot is baseless and shocking.

Ms Aboyeji, invested her personal funds in millions for this campaign and there is no way she would have done that if she does not believe in Obys candidacy and ambition.

Talks on forming a coalition among candidates intensified after Mrs Ezekwesili backed down.

Omoyele Sowore, Kingsley Moghalu, Fela Durotoye are the major presidential candidates considering the last minute coalition plan. They commended the former world bank leader on her decision to step aside.

But Tope Fasua, the candidate of the Abundant Nigeria Renewal Party (ANRP) and a participant of PACT before the arrangement crumbled, remained indifferent about the plan. He said he was going ahead with his campaign despite the call by Mrs Ezekwesili to form a coalition.

Mr Fasua, who apparently remained concerned with the manner the PACT election was conducted, suggested that Mrs Ezekwesilis call may be an attempt to achieve a certain predetermined goal.

Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it is impossible for any candidate at this stage to withdraw because the deadline for such has elapsed.

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In line with the commissions timetable for the election, the last day for withdrawal by candidates or replacement of withdrawn candidates by political parties for the presidential and National Assembly elections was November 17, 2018.

INEC said Mrs Ezekwesilis withdrawal changes nothing as her party and name will still appear on the ballot.

The election is coming up on February 16.
Boko Haram fighters defied Nigerian military security and stormed a major community in Yobe State on Wednesday, leaving at least eight soldiers killed and many others wounded, military sources have told PREMIUM TIMES.

It was a major market day in Geidam when the insurgents arrived in a convoy of 12 gun trucks at about 6:00 p.m., sending residents and traders from nearby communities scampering for safety. The insurgents looted several grocery stores before torching them.

The main campus of Mai Idris Alooma Polytechnic in the community was also attacked, with its technical equipment plundered.

Military sources said one of the eight military casualties occurred there. The soldier was amongst a team of security personnel, which included police officers, guarding the institution. Many of them fled in the battle.

Troubling development

In separate interviews with PREMIUM TIMES under anonymity on Friday morning, military officers were troubled by Boko Harams ability to inflict such damage on an area that had long been fortified to serve as a buffer against unchecked movement of insurgents south of River Komadougou-Yobe.

Geidam has been regularly targeted since November 2011 when Boko Haram launched a string of deadly assaults on residents in the community and Damaturu, the state capital. The military, however, moved swiftly to frustrate easy movement of the insurgents by setting up bases in the communities near River Komadougou-Yobe, which is a minor tributary of the Lake Chad.

While other Yobe communities, especially Buni Yadi, live in fear of regular Boko Haram attacks, Geidam was relatively calm, which security analysts credit to the militarys ability to prevent terrorists from using the nearby river.

But the military base in Geidam, which sits near the border with Diffa, Niger Republic, was perhaps the first target of the latest deadly raid, according to military sources.

The assault, which bore markings of Islamic States elements in Boko Haram, forced several soldiers to flee between Wednesday evening when it began and Thursday morning when it ended.

It was not immediately clear how many soldiers fled, or the level of resistance the insurgents encountered during the 12-hour-long operation, but military sources said many of the soldiers engaged fiercely with the attackers while some of their colleagues fled.

Military Silent

The military was silent about the attacks on all its social media pages as of early Friday morning, and no official statement was forwarded to reporters about the aftermath.

Onyema Nwachukwu, a Nigerian Army colonel and spokesperson for the counter-insurgency unit in Nigerias North-East, did not return multiple requests for comments from PREMIUM TIMES Friday morning. Yobe police commissioner, Abdulmalik Sunmonu, directed all enquiries relating to the Boko Haram attack to the military.

The insurgents broke into two and headed in two parallel directions after their attacks in Geidam on Thursday morning, with one group heading towards Damasak-Abadam axis in Borno State, while the order moved at a slower pace to hibernate around Bornu Yassu, also in Borno State.

Before ending their attack, however, the insurgents took over Goggo Petroleum, a service station in Geidam, where they loaded petroleum products to their satisfaction, military sources said.

The attack took military casualties to 14 within the past week. On January 19, Boko Haram killed six soldiers when they overran Kamuya, a Borno community from where the mother of Chief of Army Staff Tukur Buratai, hailed.

The military said several insurgents were also killed in the attack.

The spectre of Boko Haram insurgency, which has seen over 100,000 killed since 2009, however, still looms over Nigerias political leadership, barely days to another round of general elections.

President Muhammadu Buhari, who is standing for reelection, campaigned in 2015 to drive out the insurgents and bring succour and justice to affected communities.

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But little appeared to have changed four years on. Boko Haram attacks are still rife, and they have taken a different dimension since July 2018 when military installations began the prime targets. Hundreds of soldiers have been killed since then, with the dislodging of Nigerian Army 157 Task Force Battalion in November, being, perhaps, the most devastating of all.

Mr Buhari and his senior official and military chiefs have declared since December 2015 that Boko Haram was technically defeated after a sustained counter-insurgency that saw Nigeria retake several local government areas seized by the terrorists since declaring a caliphate in 2014.

Yet, on January 9, the president acknowledged setbacks in the counter-insurgency operations, attributing it to battle fatigue among soldiers who might not be conversant with the asymmetric nature of the attacks.
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The federal government has said the N27,000 minimum wage approved by the National Council of States is not binding, saying the recommendation was advisory.

The government also advised opponents of an executive bill proposing N27,000 minimum wage to take their case to the National Assembly.

A tripartite committee including represenatives of workers, government and the private sector had recommended N30,000 as a new minimum wage. But on Thursday, the Buhari government sent an executive bill of N27,000 minimum wage to the National Assembly, an action organised labour in the country has kicked against.

In a reaction to the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) outburst that it would mobilise its members to protest, the federal government said the tripartite committee on national minimum wage was set up at the expiration of the last National Minimum Wage Act which was enacted in 2011.

In a statement signed by Assistant Director, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Iliya Rhoda, the government said the committees recommendation could be subjected to an upward review.

It also said the federal government respected the Internatiional Labour Organisation convention on the issue.

The ILO conventions on minimum wage cited above succinctly stipulate that each member state shall be free to decide the nature and form of the minimum wage fixing machinery, and methods to be followed in its operation, Ms Iliya said.

According to her, the report of the committee asked Mr President to note the figure of N30,000 recommended by way of motion and not by consensus, and also note the figure of N24,000.

Mr President considered the report in full and looked at the differing statistics/figures presented before he arrived at N27,000 (as the new minimum wage). I must reiterate that the output by the TCNMW (committee) was a recommendation and is not cast in stone but advisory to Mr President, she said.

Ms Iliya said the new minimum wage was for all categories of workers in public and private sectors.

She said those who opposed it can argue their cases at the National Assembly during the public hearing on the matter.

As the matter of a National Minimum Wage is in the Exclusive Legislative List as item No. 34 of the Second Schedule to the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended). It is, therefore, the executive arm of government that has the responsibility to prescribe a new National Minimum Wage and send to the National Assembly for legislative action, she said.

She asked groups who opposed this to get ready to make their views known at the expected public hearing.

President Buhari transmitted the bill for the amendment of the countrys minimum wage law to the National Assembly on January 23.

Some lawmakers have opposed the N27,000 adopted and suggested they would increase the figure during the debate.
A former governor of Gombe State, on Friday asked a Federal High Court sitting in Jos, to strike out all charges filed against him and three others, over alleged N25 billion money laundering.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the case was filed by the EFCC.

Mr Goje, who is the senator representing Gombe Central, presented his plea to the presiding judge, Justice Babatunde Quadiri, when the 12-year-old case came up for hearing.

We are making a no-case submission because all the charges against us have not been proved by the prosecution, Mr Goje, through his Counsel, Paul Erokoro (SAN), stated.

My Lord, we wish to point out here that the prosecution charges against our clients must be proved as framed.

Unfortunately, that was not the case here as the prosecution has failed woefully to prove the charges against our clients.

On count 1, which deals with forgery, the prosecution failed woefully; no single prosecution witness, out of the 34 that testified, said it was Goje who forged the document alleged to have been forged.

Not only that, there was no proof of forgery as alleged because the hand writing expert didnt tell the court how and why he came to the conclusion, that the document was forged.

We are even more curious as to why the said forged document was not tendered in court as evidence, Mr Erokoro argued.

The lawyer also took a swipe at counts 2, 3, 13, 14, 20 and 21, declaring that they out to be expunged, since documents, which could have proved that Mr Goje executed many projects during his tenure, were not tendered by the prosecution.

My Lord, we wish to state here that this has become imperative because we feel that the EFCC deliberately suppressed the evidences.

In the absence of that document, all those counts died automatically.

All other exhibits tendered that rested on issues of money laundering cannot be relied upon and must be taken off, because their contents were not explained to the court, he asserted.

But Wahab Shittu, EFCC Counsel, objected to Mr Erokoros submission, saying that the defendants have cases to answer in view of documents and evidences before the court.

He said the defendants had cases to answer as arranged in the 21-count charges labeled against them.

Earlier, Mr Erokoro had told the court that one of the defendants, Sabo Tumu, last week died in a motor accident. He asked the court to remove the deceaseds name from the list of accused persons.

Mr Quadiri, who expressed his condolence over the sad incident, struck out Mr Tumus name on the defendants list.

He, however, fixed March 22, for ruling on the no-case submission made by Mr Goje and the two others.

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(NAN)
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Nigerias National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has released five guidelines to guide its operations as well as use and access to internet and IT infrastructure in Nigeria.

The regulations include: Rule-making Process of NITDA, Nigeria Data Protection Regulation, Guidelines for Clearance of Information Technology Projects, Framework and Guidelines for Public Internet Access and Framework and Guidelines for Use of Social Media in Public Institutions.

The agencys director general, Isa Ibrahim, presented the new regulations and operational framework at a press conference on Friday.

He said the regulations were issued in line with the powers of the agency under its enabling law, and are available on the agencys website.

The NITDA boss said, by its establishment law of 2007, NITDA is empowered to develop, regulate and advise the government on information technology, in addition to serving as an IT legislator.

Mr Ibrahim said the data protection regulation was formulated in consonance with provisions of Section 6(c) of the NITDA Act which provides the agency with the powers to issue regulations and monitor the use of electronic communications on all matters pertaining to government, commerce, and the private and public.

He said the new guidelines, will form basis the basis for which personal data of Nigerian citizens will be protected and managed.

The framework and guidelines for public internet access, he said, would provide protection for Nigerians using public internet from data theft and security compromise.

Unfounded Fear?

The official allayed fears of using such regulation against internet freedom for Nigerians, saying the regulations largely applied to service providers, not the end users.

Mr Ibrahim said the guidelines for clearance of information technology projects offers government institutions with process to be followed for IT procurement, under the guidance of the agency.

Minister of Communication, Dr Isa Ali Pantami

He said the objective of the new guidelines are to ensure non-duplication of IT projects, promotion of shared services, the use of local content where available, and security checks as well as suitability.

The rule-making guidelines, he said, is an international document that would henceforth guide NITDAs activities in close consultation with the public.

Head of NITDAs Office for Nigerian Content Development in ICT, Kasim Sodangi, said the agency conducted many retreats and consulted with a spectrum of stakeholders before arriving at final copies of the regulations.

Mr Sodangi, a lawyer, said the regulations have become laws, describing them as subsidiary legislations drawn from the NITDA Act 2007.

He said breaching the regulations would now be considered offences as stipulated under Section 17 of the NITDA Act and punishable under section 18 of the same legislation.
Concerned by the need to get more women involved in leadership in governance and other public processes in Nigeria, a group of women on Monday gathered in Abuja at the maiden edition of Young Women in Leadership event.

Stephanie Adams of the Premium Times Centre of Investigative Journalism (PTCIJ) who convened the event at the Premium Times boardroom under the theme #OnBecomingIntentional said it was inspired by the need to ignite this fire in young women.

Ms Adams said the Young Women in Leadership programme was designed as a forum for young women, including students, to come together and identify common values inherent in them in order to uplift each other.

Speaking at the event, the Publisher of PREMIUM TIMES, Dapo Olorunyomi, said unlike in the past where women were alienated from workspaces, especially in the newsroom, the best brains are recruited into his organisation, irrespective of gender.

He said young women should be encouraged in finding their place in the workspace and commended the management of PREMIUM TIMES for deliberating looking out for women when hiring.

But how can women make themselves indispensable and irreplaceable in this age where productivity is of essence and staying at ones best is ultimate? Chioma Agwuegbo outlined at the event practical steps for achieving this, which she titled goal setting exercise. As a woman, she said, you set goals in order to have a picture of what you want to see, keep track of important dates and be accountable to oneself. Take out time to ask yourself:

Stephanie Adams, A Program Officer at PTCIJ

Where am I, where can I be? How do I get to where I want to be and who are my allies? It is by answering these questions that the right goals are set, and leadership can be attained she said.

Adenike Aloba, a trained broadcast journalist and a producer who is one of the facilitators of the event, said leadership is the betterment of oneself, an evolving journey to self that has no end.

In her presentation titled Developing Leadership skills/ Work-life balance (Relevance in the workplace), Mrs Aloba said as a woman, there is need to have a clear perception of ones strength, weakness, emotions, value, motivation, and thoughts, and understand that there is a tipping point; a point where everything could crumble if the balance is not found.

It is not about looking at yourself in the mirror and reinforcing I can do it, instead what you should tell and ask yourself is how can I do it?, she stated.

Dapo Olorunyomi

According to her, this is where ruthless objectivity comes to play. Instead of pointing fingers at the system and her environment, a woman needs to analyse each of the four fingers pointing back at her and be sure of the destination her decisions are leading her to.

You need to introduce yourself to you. Online questionnaires exist to help you discover yourself, but the greatest tool is you, she emphasised.

In the midst of this tough objectivity to oneself, another speaker, Ebele Oputa, noted that to become a woman of positive influence, the little things done-the little acts of love go a long way in announcing leaders, so instead of losing oneself to the world, strife to discover self, as this will have a calming effect on ones personality.

Speaking on Women in Governance, Mariam Laushi, the National Publicity Secretary of Modern Democratic Party and a pioneer member of the Not Too Young Leadership team, said that as a woman, it requires courage and a tough skin to be in governance. This courage is not just for her, but for the people she is carrying along because the moment she begins to stand out, criticism sets in.

In the parliament today, you will find more men than women and their decisions often times do not favour women, because the percentage of women there is very minute, she noted.

Ms Laushi advised young women to create wealth for themselves, especially when there is an opportunity and build alliances not only among themselves but with men as well. She also encouraged them to have a self-identity as this defines the leadership path they choose to follow.

If you are going to lead and I am not just talking about politics, what exactly are you standing out for, what will be the worth of your lifes work? she questioned.

In an interview with PREMIUM TIMES, Ms Adams, the organiser of the event, said the Young Women in Leadership, a quarterly programme, was born out of her quest to becoming intentional about positively influencing other women, no matter how small the amount may be.

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She said, Last year after attending the Fellowship of Reporters in Leadership Position (FRLP), it dawned on me that there is need to replicate my knowledge on other women who will also do same, creating a culture of leadership overtime.

There is a need to mainstream the gender in the media because when you read through stories published, you will hardly find women interviewed as the main sources, and even when they are, their voices are usually captured at the end. Does that mean that there are no women in the oil and gas sector, in building, in the judiciary?

Young Women in Leadership holds quarterly. Ms Adams said the impact will be measured over time in how it is helping in transforming women into assuming leadership roles.
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Former Enugu State Governor, Sullivan Chime, says the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) will have the final say on the zone that gets the president in 2023.

Mr Chime said this on Thursday night in Enugu while fielding questions from journalists following the campaign tour of President Muhammadu Buhari in the state.

The former governor said that the appropriate organ of the party would make the decision at the appropriate time.

He said the party was currently preoccupied with the reelection of Mr Buhari.

Mr Chime allayed the fears that the South West was positioning to usurp the chance of the South East to produce the president in 2023.

At the appropriate time the party will take a final decision. However, we have always been of the view that we have the reason to say it will come to us, he said.

The reason is simple: power is shared between Northern and Southern Nigeria. The South West and South South had taken their turns remaining the South East, he said.

Mr Chime, however, said that the South East must work to justify its clamour to produce the president in 2023.

He called on the people of the zone to vote massively for Mr Buhari in the Feb. 16 presidential election to stand the chance.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Director General of Buhari Campaign Organisation, Rotimi Amaechi, had at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium during the APC presidential campaign said the South East will produce the president in 2023.

(NAN)
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The Federal Government of Nigeria has welcomed the statements from the United States and the United Kingdom, demanding a credible and peaceful election in Nigeria.

The statements also called for punitive measures against election riggers and perpetrators of electoral violence.

In separate statements issued on Thursday by the Embassy of the United States and the British High Commission in Abuja, the two countries threatened to punish anyone found guilty of either instigating violence or plotting to rig the elections.

They also pledged their commitment to ensuring free and fair elections in the country, saying the 2019 elections is important, not only for Nigeria but for the African continent.

In a statement issued in Ilorin on Friday, the minister of information and culture, Lai Mohammed, said the Nigerian government is particularly delighted that the statements came after it alerted the nation to the machinations of some opposition elements who are working to scuttle the 2019 polls through widespread violence.

A few days ago, we alerted the nation to the plot by the opposition to orchestrate widespread violence in the country, using insurgents and criminal elements within and outside the country.

Their plan is to scuttle the election and then push for an interim government, having realized they cant win free, fair, credible and peaceful elections.

The fact that those statements came after we issued our red alert, which is based on credible intelligence, shows that the international community is closely monitoring events ahead of the election.

We urge them to keep a close tab on the desperate opposition, whose language, actions and undisguised threats are antithetical to the conduct of peaceful polls, he said in the statement signed by his media aide, Segun Adeyemi.

Government reiterates free and fair elections

Mr Mohammed said Nigerians and the international community should take seriously, the assurance of a credible and violence-free election that has been consistently given by the president, Muhammadu Buhari, a tried-and-tested democrat and a globally-acclaimed man of integrity.

He said the APC-led administration is very confident of victory in the forthcoming elections, adding that a party that was not so desperate as to rig election while in opposition had no business rigging election or perpetrating violence now that it is in power and is enjoying massive support from the citizenry.

The minister called on the international community to keep a close eye on those, he said, who are spending more time on a dubious strategy of scuttling the polls than campaigning to win in a free, fair, transparent and peaceful election.

As their campaign flounders and their strategies collapse, they have resorted to seeking power by subterfuge. Thats why they are doing everything possible to discredit an election that has yet to be held by unleashing their attack dogs on INEC, the police, and the entire electoral process.

On our part, we have confidence in the electoral process and the institutions saddled with organizing and securing the election. Thats why we have been busy campaigning vigorously across the country, attracting unprecedented, organic crowds everywhere we go.

The party that has a history of rigging polls is well known to Nigerians. The party that has a history of using security forces to unleash violence in order to steal the peoples votes is well known to Nigerians.

The party that organized an election that was later described as flawed by its own winning presidential candidate is well known to Nigerians. That party is not the All Progressives Congress (APC), he said.
President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday announced the suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Walter Onnoghen, citing an order from the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

Mr Buhari also announced the appointment of the next most senior judge at the Supreme Court, Tanko Mohammed, as the new acting CJN.

In his speech announcing the suspension, Mr Buhari made reference to false assets declaration charges against the chief justice.

Although the allegations in the petition are grievous enough in themselves, the security agencies have since then traced other suspicious transactions running into millions of dollars to the CJNs personal accounts, all undeclared or improperly declared as required by law, the president said.

Below is the full speech of the president while suspending Mr Onnoghen.

ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, ON THE SUSPENSION OF HONOURABLE JUSTICE WALTER NKANU SAMUEL ONNOGHEN AS CHIEF JUSTICE OF NIGERIA AND SWEARING IN OF ACTING CHIEF JUSTICE, 25TH JANUARY 2019

Fellow Nigerians,

A short while ago, I was served with an Order of the Code of Conduct Tribunal issued on Wednesday 23rd January 2019, directing the suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Honourable Justice Walter Nkanu Samuel Onnoghen from office pending final determination of the cases against him at the Code of Conduct Tribunal and several other fora relating to his alleged breach of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers.

2. The nation has been gripped by the tragic realities of no less a personality than the Chief Justice of Nigeria himself becoming the accused person in a corruption trial since details of the petition against him by a Civil Society Organization first became public about a fortnight ago.

3. Although the allegations in the petition are grievous enough in themselves, the security agencies have since then traced other suspicious transactions running into millions of dollars to the CJNs personal accounts, all undeclared or improperly declared as required by law.

4. Perhaps more worrisome is the Chief Justice of Nigerias own written admission to the charges that he indeed failed to follow the spirit and letter of the law in declaring his assets, citing mistake and forgetfulness which are totally unknown to our laws as defences in the circumstances of his case.

5. One expected that with his moral authority so wounded, by these serious charges of corruption, more so by his own written admission, Mr. Justice Walter Onnoghen would have acted swiftly to spare our Judicial Arm further disrepute by removing himself from superintending over it while his trial lasted.

6. Unfortunately, he has not done so. Instead, the nation has been treated to the sordid spectacle of a judicial game of wits in which the Chief Justice of Nigeria and his legal team have made nonsense of the efforts of the Code of Conduct Tribunal to hear the allegation on merit and conclude the trial as quickly as possible considering the nature of the times in which we live.

7. Whether deliberately or inadvertently, we have all seen the full weight of the Chief Justice of Nigeria descend on the tender head of one of the organs of justice under his control. There is simply no way the officers of that court, from the Chairman to the bailiffs, can pretend to be unaffected by the influence of the leader of the Judiciary.

8. Not only the trial court, but others have been put on the spot. Practically every other day since his trial commenced, the nation has witnessed various courts granting orders and counter-orders in favour of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, all of them characterised by an unholy alacrity between the time of filing, hearing and delivery of judgment in same.

9. The real effect has been a stalling of the trial of Justice Onnoghen, helped along by lawyers who insist that these orders, whether right or wrong are technically valid, and must be obeyed till an appellate Court says otherwise. No doubt, that it is the proper interpretation, but is it the right disposition for our nation?

10. Nigeria is a constitutional democracy and no one must be, or be seen to be, above the law. Unfortunately, the drama around the trial of the Chief Justice of Nigeria has challenged that pillar of justice in the perception of the ordinary man on the street. For it is certain that no ordinary Nigerian can get the swift and special treatment Justice Onnoghen has enjoyed from his subordinates and privies in our Judicature.

11. In the midst of all these distracting events, the essential question of whether the accused CJN actually has a case to answer has been lost in the squabble over the form and nature of his trial. This should not be so.

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12. If Justice cannot be done and clearly seen to be done, society itself is at risk of the most unimaginable chaos. As a Government, we cannot stand by wailing and wringing our hands helplessly but give our full backing and support to those brave elements within the Judiciary who act forthrightly, irrespective of who is involved.

13. As you are all aware, the fight against corruption is one of the tripod of policies promised to Nigerians by this administration. Needless to say that it is an existential Policy which must be given adequate attention and commitment by all the three arms of government. The efforts of the Executive will amount to nothing without the cooperation of the Legislature and especially the Judiciary.

14. It is no secret that this government is dissatisfied with the alarming rate in which the Supreme Court of Nigeria under the oversight of Justice Walter Onnoghen has serially set free, persons accused of the most dire acts of corruption, often on mere technicalities, and after quite a number of them have been convicted by the trial and appellate courts.

15. Since there is nothing the Executive Arm can do after the apex court of the land has spoken on any matter, several of these individuals walk free among us today, enjoying what are clearly the proceeds of the corruption which for so long has defeated the efforts of this nation to develop and prosper.

16. It is against this background that I have received the Order of the Code of Conduct Tribunal directing me to suspend the Chief Justice pending final determination of the cases against him. It also explains why I am not only complying immediately, but with some degree of relief for the battered sensibilities of ordinary Nigerians whose patience must have become severely over-taxed by these anomalies.

17. In line with this administrations avowed respect for the Rule of Law, I have wholeheartedly obeyed the Order of the Code of Conduct Tribunal dated 23rd January 2019.

18. Accordingly, I hereby suspend the Honourable Mr. Justice Walter Nkanu Samuel Onnoghen, GCON as the Chief Justice of Nigeria pending final determination of the case against him at the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

19. In further compliance with the same Order of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, I hereby invite Honourable Justice Ibrahim Tanko Mohammed JSC, being the next most Senior Justice in the Supreme Court, to come forward to take the Judicial Oath as Chief Justice of Nigeria in an Acting Capacity.

20. Fellow Nigerians, we can only stand a chance to win the fight against Corruption, and position our dear nation for accelerated development when we stand together to contend against it.

Thank you and may God bless our country.
President Muhammadu Buhari has just sworn in a new Chief Justice of Nigeria after suspending current CJN, Walter Onnoghen.

It is not clear if the president has such powers to suspend the CJN.

Mr Buhari said he removed Mr Onnoghen based on an order of the Code of Conduct Tribunal dated January 23, 2019.

The new CJN is Ibrahim Tanko Mohammed from Bauchi State.

He was sworn in by Mr Buhari Friday afternoon inside the council chamber of the State House, Abuja.

The swearing was done after the president signed the new Executive Order 007.

JUST IN: President @MBuhari signs the Executive Order No. 007 of 2019 on the Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme, at the Council Chambers, State House, Abuja. pic.twitter.com/pkGc4Xyng3  Bashir Ahmad (@BashirAhmaad) January 25, 2019

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Justice Mohammed was driven into the forecourt of the presidents office at about 4:30 p.m. in a black Mercedes Benz C240 with number plate GWA:900FA.

The constitutionality or otherwise of the presidents action has sparked intense discussions among Nigerians with some commentators saying the country may have a constitutional crisis on its hands.

Mr Onnoghen had earlier today announced a plan to swear in members of the various 2019 election petition tribunals on Saturday, January 26.

The CJN said this through his media assistant, Awassam Bassey, on Friday.

Mr Onnoghen also described as absolute falsehood, the media reports that he resigned his office, following current allegations against him.

In a statement sent to PREMIUM TIMES by Mr Bassey on Friday, the CJN urged Nigerians to disregard the rumour and added that he was still performing his role as CJN.

Theres absolutely no truth in the rumours making the round that the Hon. Chief Justice of Nigeria, His Lordship Hon. Mr Justice Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen, GCON, has resigned his office. It is fake news!

The Hon CJN was in the office all through yesterday (Thursday) and sat in court. As part of his duties, the Hon CJN will be swearing in members of the 2019 National Assembly, Governorship & State Assembly Election Petition Tribunals tomorrow (Saturday 26th January 2019), the statement said.

Mr Onnoghen is facing trial over alleged false asset declaration brought against him by the Code of Conduct Bureau.

The Attorney General, Abubakar Malami, has also requested that Mr Onnoghen resigns from office, following the various allegations.

The case, currently ongoing at the CCT was adjourned till January 28.

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But the Court of Appeal on Thursday ordered the tribunal to suspend sitting, pending the discharge of current applications before it.

The Court of Appeal will give its verdict on the matter on January 30.

The appeals were brought by Mr Onnoghen who wants his trial halted, citing lack of merit.

PHOTO STORY

President Buhari exchanging handshake with Ibrahim Tanko Mohammed after the Laters inauguration as Chief Justice of Nigeria Ibrahim Tanko Mohammed, Chief Justice of Nigeria
DAS is the nerve center of state government, and it makes an incredible impact on how we can streamline services, hold down costs and have a better customer experience for our constituents, Lamont told reporters at the state Capitol. Its one of the jobs where we wanted to think a little bit more out of the box. ... Josh is extraordinarily qualified for what were trying to do.
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Two courts on Friday issued conflicting rulings on whether the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) can accept candidates presented by the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Zamfara elections in 2019.

A High Court sitting in Gusau, Zamfara State, on Friday ruled that the governing APC actually conducted primaries in the state and should be allowed to present candidates for the electoral contest. An Abuja court, however, ruled otherwise.

The Zamfara court specifically directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to accept candidates from the party for Zamfara States in the forthcoming elections.

INEC had last October said it would not allow the APC to field candidates in Zamfara because the party failed to conduct primaries before the deadline stipulated.

Some members of the APC in the state had approached the court challenging the decision of INEC.

The party said it conducted primaries which produced current governor Abdulaziz Yari as a senatorial candidate and his commissioner of finance, Shehu Idris, as the governorship candidate, among others.

Daily Trust on Friday reported that judge, Muhammad Shinkafi, who delivered the ruling said APC conducted primaries elections on October 3 and 7, 2018.

The court also barred the national secretariat of the APC from replacing the names of those who won the primary elections of the party.

In the case with suit number ZMS/GS/52/2018, Sanusi Liman, Dan Alhaji and 37 others vs APC and 143, the plaintiffs had asked the court to compel the APC and INEC to accept the results of the partys primaries election in the state conducted on October 7, 2018, among others.

But a Federal High Court in Abuja ruled otherwise, saying INEC acted within its powers by refusing to accept the list of candidates from the Zamfara State chapter of the APC.

The Nation reported that a judge, Ijeoma Ojukwu, in a judgment on Friday, said it was not the fault of INEC that the APC failed to conduct a valid primary within the period scheduled by the electoral body.

Mrs Ojukwu said INECs action was intended to curb impunity among political parties and politicians and ensure that rule of law is adhered to.

The judgment was on a suit filed in the name of APC by some individuals, who said they emerged from a consensus arrangement adopted by the party in Zamfara State.
A Federal Capital Territory High Court has set up a three-member panel to resolve the logjam arising from the trial of Sambo Dasuki for alleged money laundering charges.

Mr Dasuki is being tried alongside Aminu Kusa, Acacia Holdings Limited and Reliance Referral Hospital.

The three-member panel headed by Justice Hussein Baba-Yusuf is to proffer a way forward for the court in the dilemma being encountered by the court in the trial.

Mr Dasuki who had been in detention of the State Security Service (SSS) since December 2015 despite about six court orders that granted him bails, had written to the Federal High Court. In the letter, he said he would no longer appear for trial in protest against violation of court orders by the federal government which put him on trial.

The letter was sent to the Federal High Court through his legal team. In it, Mr Dasuki made it abundantly clear that the federal government has lost both moral and legal right to continue to prosecute him having deliberately violated subsisting and valid court orders.

In the strongly worded letter, the former NSA claimed that the federal government has proved beyond reasonable doubt it has no respect for the rule of law.

At the resumed trial on Friday, at FCT High Court, counsel to federal government, Oluwaleke Atolagbe, informed Justice Baba-Yusuf that the matter was for the continuation of trial and that he was ready to proceed. He, however, said that a fresh motion on notice just filed by the defendant had been served on him and that he needed time to study the direction of the motion and then respond appropriately.

Mr Atolagbe subsequently pleaded with the judge to grant him a short adjournment.

The counsel to Mr Dasuki, Victor Okwudili, had admitted that a motion was served on the prosecution and that the motion ought to be decided one way or the other before the trial could continue. He, however, did not object to the request for an adjournment by the prosecution.

Solomon Umoh, and a counsel to the second defendant, Aminu Baba-Kusa, had faulted the claim of the federal government that the former NSA deliberately refused to appear in court for trial.

The senior lawyer argued that that the blame for Mr Dasukis absence in court, should appropriately shifted to the federal government for using one hand in holding Mr Dasuki in its custody illegally, and at the same time using the second hand beckoning on the same Mr Dasuki to appear in court.

Mr Umoh therefore, agreed that the issue surrounding Mr Dasukis decision not to be in court should first be resolved before the trial could proceed.

Justice Baba-Yusuf in his ruling agreed that the issue must be resolved in the interest of justice to both parties. He, therefore, put in place a three-member panel that would proffer solution for the way forward for the court.

Apart from Mr Baba-Yusuf who is presiding, others in the panel are Valentine Ashi and Mary-Ann Anenih, both judges of the FCT High Court.

Mr Baba-Yusuf, therefore, adjourned the matter till February 19, 2019.

During his tenure as the National Security Adviser in the immediate past administration of Goodluck Jonathan, Mr Dasuki had reinvigorated and facilitated the expansion of troops of Multi-national Joint Taskforce (MNJTF) with neighbouring Benin, Cameroon, Chad and Niger towards combating the dreaded Boko Haram insurgency.

Mr Dasuki also facilitated collaboration with foreign technical advisers towards ensuring the recovery of several major towns in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states from Boko Haram terrorists. Some of the liberated towns, during his tenure included: Abadam, Askira, Baga, Bama, Bara, Buni Yadi, Damboa, Dikwa, Gamboru-Ngala, Goniri, Gujba, Gulag, Gulani, Gwoza, Hong, Kala Balge, Konduga, Kukawa, Marte, Madagali, Michika, Monguno, Mubi, Vimtim among others.

However shortly after leaving office, the federal government filed charges against him in different courts. He was granted bail in line with the provisions of the law but has remained in detention since December 2015. This prompted him to write the Federal High Court in Abuja where he is being prosecuted for charges of illegal possession of firearms and money laundering, requesting that he be allowed to stop submitting himself for trial.

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He based his request on the federal governments continued refusal to comply with a series of court orders granting him bail. He cited six court orders, including one by the Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States, which had ordered his release but were ignored by the federal government.
Bamidele Salam is a journalist, lawyer and entrepreneur who believes in social re-engineering through active participation in community development efforts, including politics.

At different times, the 49-year-old has worked as a Media Assistant to Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola (2003  2007), Chairman Egbedore Local Government (2008  2011) and head of media in the office of the Senior Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan on Public Affairs (2012  2015).

In this interview with Kemi Busari, the accomplished journalist, now contesting for the House of Representatives seat of Ede North/Ede South/Egbedore/Ejigbo Federal Constituency of Osun State, speaks about his plans.

PT: When and why did you join politics?

Salam My entry into partisan politics happened in the year 2005. I can say it was circumstantial because I really never had much regard for politics and politicians in Nigeria. I had been actively involved in students unionism as an undergraduate at the University of Ilorin and in Trade Unionism at the level of the Nigeria Union of Journalists.

So, in 2005, I had some youth from my local government coming to invite me to join the race for the chairmanship of our local government. I gave it a deep thought and prayed over it and felt convinced that I have a purpose to fulfill in political leadership.

That was how I registered as a member of the PDP in my ward. Let us take it that I came into competitive politics around the year 2005 when I launched my ambition to become the chairman of Egbedore Local Government.

I can tell you certainly that I am in politics because of my love for service. I seek out every opportunity to serve my people in increasing capacities and that has always been the reason behind all of my actions, in and out of politics.

PT: Why are you vying for a seat in the House of Representatives

Salam You see, to each man, there is a proven capacity at every level of endeavour. I have had the opportunity to serve my people as chairman of my local government and God helped us to make a lot of impact in that capacity. I can say with all measure of assurance that my tenure as local government chairman redefined governance at that level and the achievements of that time are still bearing testimony till date.

If we could redefine public governance at the local government level, the question is why not a notch higher go and serve the people of my federal constituency?

Let me also remind you that I am a Barrister at Law and that means the understanding, interpretation and institution of laws is my forte. So, combining my experience as a local government chairman, with my knowledge of the law and my competencies as a Journalist, I am well cut out for legislation.

PT: What are your manifestoes?

Salam My manifesto is under three broad areas and we may not have time to go into deep details. But, let me share with you as much as space will permit us.

There is the legislative agenda with a specific focus on job creation and youth empowerment, access to education, equal opportunities for women and the socially disadvantaged, enhancing access to credit for small businesses, restructuring to cater for devolution of powers and finally, access to justice for the poor.

These areas will form the basis for the bills and motions that I will be presenting and sponsoring on the floor of the house.

There is also the advocacy programme. I intend to use my position as a member of the House of Representatives to advocate for the wellbeing and welfare of children and women, senior citizens, teachers, awaiting trial inmates, the sick and physically challenged, labour unions and student unions.

Then, there is the community development and social welfare agenda.

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This agenda encompasses my plans to facilitate major federal government projects in the four local governments that make up my federal constituency.

Bamidele Salam is a journalist, lawyer and entrepreneur

I will also be initiating and sustaining a quarterly mobile clinic programme within my first year in office while also using the position to connect young graduates to jobs locally and internationally.

PT: If you eventually make it to the House of Reps, which major bills do you plan to sponsor?

Salam My first major area of interest in lawmaking is in amending the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act 2003 to enhance the capacity of agencies to create jobs for our youths. All over the world, small businesses are the biggest employers of labour.

Unfortunately, there is a painful neglect of this sector due to legal and regulatory defects. Our laws must guarantee access to capital and technical support for SMEs.

Anyone below the age of 35, with bankable ideas should be able to obtain zero interest loan using their certificates as collateral.

Secondly, I will also be sponsoring bills to create a new pool of resource to fund public primary schools in Nigeria. It is very unfortunate that public primary schools have become comatose in Nigeria. This is partly responsible for the over 12 million out of school children we have in the country.

If we are able to create a Primary Education Trust Fund as we currently have in TETFUND, the problem of funding will be substantially solved. We can then invest more in teacher-training, improve emoluments and revamp schools infrastructure.

Another major area of legislation I will be interested in is in restructuring the Nigerian federation to make our states have more responsibilities and resources.

PT: One of the major projects in your constituency is the MKO Abiola Airport that has been abandoned by several governments. Do you have any plan for this project?

SalamLet us put this issue in proper perspective first. There is a lot of difference between abandoning a project and using a project as a conduit pipe to siphon state funds. The previous administration in Osun State had no intention of constructing that airport; it only needed a white elephant project to execute its capital flight intentions. This became evident with the (number) of billions expended on the project, the number of times it was awarded and the level of work eventually done.

That said, my focus is bringing pragmatic development to the people of my federal constituency.

Since that is a federal government project to which a substantial resource has been committed by the state government, we will not allow the monies go down the drain. I will, together with other stakeholders, explore funding alternatives in addition to whatever budgetary allocation we can influence in the federal budgets.

Bamidele Salam is a journalist, lawyer and entrepreneur

PT: Lawmakers constituency projects are prone to poor, and sometimes non-implementation. What are your strategies to ensure you deliver quality works to your constituents?

Salam This question will take me into a bit of history. While I was the chairman of Egbedore Local Government, we undertook a number of projects in the areas of electrification, water supply, road construction and so on.

To the glory of God, the projects have endured because they well well-conceived and faithfully implemented.

One of the reasons why projects are poorly done is corruption in awarding contracts and in supervising their execution. I had many instances as a local government chairman when contractors tried to compromise us to overlook their shoddy performance.

In one case, a contractor supplied used electricity transformers and tried to bribe the supervisors to pass them off as new. The head of the department knew what I would do if I detected and insisted that the transformers be returned and replaced with new ones as specified in the contract.

The nickname I was given as local government chairman was Mr. Actual because I would insist on the actual cost of contract and delivery of actual specification. Even though as a legislator, I will not be involved in awarding contracts, I will have an oversight function to perform on the supervising ministry and the contractors.

My strategy towards delivering quality service is simple  we focus on needs and not political propaganda. Whatever project we will embark on will particularly target certain needs of the people in such localities. I want to return to communities where we execute projects some years after I may have left office and listen to testimonies of how our achievements are bettering their lives.

PT: What are your plans for education, health?

Salam As I spelled out in my manifesto, I plan to expand my scholarship and education aid scheme, particularly for students of public schools. This will help the poorest of the poor in our societies get access to quality education.

On health, I have plans to run a quarterly mobile clinic programme that will provide healthcare for people in the towns and villages within my constituency. I also plan to assist at least 1000 people in my constituency to enroll in the National Health Insurance Scheme in the first two years in office.

PT: How do you want Nigeria to be restructured?

Salam I spoke about the devolution of powers earlier on. My experience as a local government chairman showed that the closer you bring service to the people, the more effective it is to deliver on those services.

Requiring states to get federal consent to explore and exploit mineral resources in their domain is unhelpful. Appointment of a Chief Judge for a state should never be the business of a national body just as states should be able to have their police and prison service to facilitate access to justice.

Creation of wards and local governments shouldnt be subject for federal authorities just as value-added taxes ought to be domiciled in their states of derivation. These are just some of the examples of issues which should be addressed if we are truly desirous of development. What we run at the moment is certainly not federalist in any form.

PT: Do you agree that our democracy is expensive? Why or why not?

Salam Our democracy is expensive because we made it so. Political parties have to survive through the funds raised from sales of forms and that has led us into the very high costs of party nomination forms. If our politics mature to the point where members of political parties are willing to pay membership levies, the cost of nomination will reduce. That is one part.

Bamidele Salam is a journalist, lawyer and entrepreneur

The cost of our democracy is also high because of the prevailing poverty in our society. Poverty has made our people expectant of money for votes. Little as the monies they receive during campaigns may be, it helps a lot of families survive hardship, for a while at least. Add the money for votes to the cost of democracy and you get some humongous figures. But, if we cut poverty out, we will also lessen the cost on that front.

Then comes the huge size of our government at all levels. We run a system of government way too expensive for our resource base. There are too many duplications of agencies, parastatals and structures of governance.

At the state level, you find a governor having a fleet of about fifty SUVs in his convoy. The yearly fuel imprest of most governors is enough to construct many kilometers of roads. Add this to the humongous money spent as security votes and other bureaucratic expenses and you will understand why we remain poor in service delivery, in spite of our huge yearly budgets.
A controversial letter by Nigerias attorney general, Abubakar Malami, almost frustrated the corruption trial of two multinationals in Italy.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how Mr Malami wrote the letter to President Muhammadu Buhari recommendending the stoppage of the trial of suspects involved in the Malabu OPL 245 scandal.

The anti-graft agency is prosecuting Shell, ENI, ex-petroleum minister Dan Etete, Mr Adoke and others for their roles in the scandal. Unlike the Italian trial, the trial of the suspects in Nigeria has been largely stalled due to the EFCCs inability to serve court papers on former Attorney General Mohammed Adoke, former Minister Dan Etete, and controversial businessman Abubakar Aliyu.

The Malabu scandal involved the transfer of about $1.1 billion by Shell and ENI through the Nigerian government to accounts controlled by Mr Etete and Mr Aliyu. About half the money went to Mr Aliyus accounts. Anti-corruption investigators and activists suspect he fronted for top officials of the Goodluck Jonathan administration.

The transaction was authorised in 2011 by President Goodluck Jonathan through some of his cabinet ministers. The money was payment for OPL 245, one of Nigerias richest oil blocks.

Although Shell and ENI initially claimed they did not know the money would end up with Mr Etete and his cronies, evidence has shown that claim to be false.

Shell, Eni, Mr Etete and several officials of the oil firms are also being prosecuted in Italy for their roles in the scandal.

During the Italian trial on Tuesday, a lawyer to Mr Etete tried to use Mr Malamis letter as evidence his client did no wrong in the deal.

In his letter to Mr Buhari, Mr Malami said following due examination of the case files. he was able to determine that the EFCC has no significant evidence to prove its allegations of sharp practices against Mr Adoke, Mr Etete and others.

Malabu Scam: Nigerias former Minster of Petroleum Resources, Dan Etete, allegedly involved in the Malabu Scandal.

Mr Malamis claim has since been punctured by the EFCC, whose official testified before the Italian court in Milan on Wednesday.

The EFCC investigator, Ibrahim Ahmed, told the Milan court that the allocation of OPL 245 in 1998 to Malabu, a company owned under false identity by Mr Etete (using a fictional character, Kweku Amafegha) and Mohammed Abacha, violated all extant laws guiding the allocation of oil blocks in Nigeria at the material time.

Mr Ahmed graphically described how Mr Etete manipulated Malabus shares. He also named two businessmen, Oyewole Fasawe and Gabriel Volpi of Intel, of paying about $5 million to own part of Malabu.

He said the payment was made without the knowledge of Mohammed Abacha, an original holder of 50 per cent shares of Malabu from inception.

Mr Abacha is a son of the late military dictator, Sani Abacha. It was during Mr Abachas dictatorship that Mr Etete, as petroleum minister, awarded OPL 245 to Malabu in 1998.

The Etete Gamble

Under cross-examination, the lawyer to Mr Etete presented a newspaper report of the letter written by Mr Malami as evidence his client did no wrong.

The prosecutor, Fabio Depasquale, objected to the use of the newspaper article or report of the letter. The court president requested five minutes break to rule on the objection.

At resumption, the judge upheld the objection of the prosecutor and the evidence was rejected.

The lawyer to Mr Etete, obviously relying on the letter for his cross-examination, abruptly withdrew from further cross-examination after the courts ruling.

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Without the timely objection of the prosecutor, Mr Malami would have subjected the country to another round of international embarrassment, like what happened during the case instituted against the federal government by Mr Adoke, said activist Lanre Suraj, who has been monitoring the Italian trial.

If the report had been admitted, the prosecutor had planned to embarrass Mr Malami by tendering in evidence President Muhammadu Buharis reply where he turned down the disgraceful legal advice, Mr Suraj said.
A former Vice President of the World Bank, Obiageli Ezekwesili, has just released the statement below explaining the real reason she withdrew from the 2019 presidential race.

In the statement posted to her Facebook Page, Mrs Ezekwesili, who is currently travelling in Mexico, said she had to exit her party  the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria  because of the transactional attitude of its officials.

In a Thursday statement issued by the spokesperson of her campaign organisation, Ozioma Ubabukoh, Mrs Ezekwesili had said her decision to withdraw from the race followed extensive discussions with Nigerians at home and the Diaspora.

According to her, the action was also prompted by an examination of the countrys electoral environment sequel to the 2019 presidential debate of Saturday, January 19, 2019.

But in a statement Friday, Mrs Ezekwesili said she had to quit the ACPN and withdraw from the presidential race because she was no longer comfortable with the antics of her party leaders.

She was reacting to the accusations by the leadership of the party that she merely used the platform to negotiate a ministerial appointment.

The party also accused Mrs Ezekwesili of opening several accounts in the name of the party and her campaign without the knowledge of the party.

However, in her Friday statement, Mrs Ezekwesili said, Fortunately, they have divinely helped me by making the Nigerian public now fully understand why I had to swiftly depart from their midst.

How could I upon realizing the divergence of values and vision with the leadership of the Party continue to stand on such a political platform? My abiding vision has been to mobilize citizens to disrupt the old order politics of APCPDP.

The Party leaderships transactional approach to Politics began to manifest in their attitude following after the Convention that adopted me as their Presidential Candidate. All who know me can attest that I detest transactional mindset.

I would have none of such and therefore extremely delighted to part ways after a tumultuous three months of hoping that the ACPN leadership would elevate to the new values of disruptive politics that one had desired for and preached within the Party.

READ THE FORMER MINISTERS FULL STATEMENT BELOW.

NO AMOUNT OF LIES CAN STOP THE EMERGENCE OF A NEW POLITICAL MINDSET AND ORDER.

Three hours ago, I arrived far flung Cabo in Mexico where our Albert Einsteins Genius100 Visionaries meeting is holding. I was delighted to read reactions of real patriots to my announcement that Ive decided to withdraw from the 2019 Presidential race& end my membership of Allied Congress Party of Nigeria- ACPN. I have also seen the reaction of ACPN leadership to my decision.

Fortunately, they have divinely helped me by making the Nigerian public now fully understand why I had to swiftly depart from their midst. How could I upon realizing the divergence of values and vision with the leadership of the Party continue to stand on such a political platform? My abiding vision has been to mobilize citizens to disrupt the old order politics of APCPDP.

Nigeria and Nigerians deserve a New Order of ethical, competent and capable leadership which I had mistakenly assumed the ACPN was aligned with me to offer, until it proved otherwise. The values and vision divergence with the Party was a key factor that triggered my withdrawal from the Presidential race on their ticket prompting me to dissociate immediately in order to help build a coalition for Good Governance. It is why I was instant in sacrificing my candidacy to uphold my values by withdrawing.

The Partys decision to immediately today endorse the candidate of APC which was announced by my erstwhile VP candidate who is also the Chairman of ACPN was their classic political entrepreneurship in full display for Nigerians to see. It is instructive.

The Party leaderships transactional approach to Politics began to manifest in their attitude following after the Convention that adopted me as their Presidential Candidate. All who know me can attest that I detest transactional mindset. I would have none of such and therefore extremely delighted to part ways after a tumultuous three months of hoping that the ACPN leadership would elevate to the new values of disruptive politics that one had desired for and preached within the Party.

As for the defamatory statements made against my person by the ACPN leadership in their malicious statement, I want Nigerians to know that there is NO IOTA of truth in any of them. Everything ACPN wrote or said of the campaign donations is fabrication&outright lies. Our Campaign was conducted with the highest level of transparency and accountability with impeccable evidence. I know and can guarantee that at all times because these standards firmly underpin my commitment to lasting values and professionalism.

Only those who desperately wish to believe falsehoods would lend any credence to such puerile accusations by the leadership of ACPN. Only those who pretend ignorance of my legendary and uncompromising passion for accountability would give heed to such baseless statement.

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I have declined any interviews until my return to Nigeria upon which I shall hold a World Press Conference to engage Nigerians on the actions I shall take even as we present a full report of our 3-month old Campaign for the 2019 presidential election to the public.

I want to again thank all who supported us in the last three months with their talent, time and treasure to run a formidable Campaign. Without your support, we would never have attained the height #Hope2019achieved. You gave our Disruptive Campaign real VALUE.

We shall at the World Press Conference also provide insights into the citizens movement that we are energized and committed to building. There is no end to our zeal to end the reign of Bad Politics in our country.

Finally, take it from me that WE shall definitely build the Coalition force that will terminate the poverty escalating governance of the two dominant parties in the 2019 election.

We are citizens of Nigeria.

And we are resolved.
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President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday controversially suspended Justice Walter Onnoghen as chief justice of Nigeria. He appointed the next in line, Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammed as acting CJN.

Going by the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution, President Buhari lacked the power to do what he has done.

The constitution says a sitting CJN can only be removed from office by the president after at least two-thirds majority members of the Senate support such a move.

No such matter has been debated at the Nigerian senate. But Mr Buhari claimed he acted based on an order of the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

Below is the profile of Justice Muhammad as published on the website of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

About Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad CFR

Hon. Mr Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, CFR was born on the 31st December 1953. He hails from Doguwa, Giade Local Government of Bauchi State. He attended primary school at Giade Primary School from 1961 to 1968. He proceeded to Government Secondary School, Azare from the year 1969 to 1973.

His Lordship then proceeded to Abdullahi Bayero University College, Kano for his IJMB from 1975 to 1976. After successful completion of his course, His Lordship got admission to read Law at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria from 1976 to 1980. He attended Nigerian Law School from 1980 to 1981.

In furtherance of his educational career, Justice Muhammad went back to the prestigious ABU, Zaria for his Masters Degree in Law (LLM) on a part-time basis, from 1982 to 1984. In order to update himself in the field of Law, His Lordship went back to ABU, Zaria in 1987 to 1998 and obtained his Doctorate Degree (PhD) in Law, also on a part-time basis.

Hon. Justice I. T. Muhammad, CFR was appointed as Magistrate Grade II from 1982 to 1984 with Bauchi State Judiciary. He rose to Senior Magistrate Grade II from 1984 to 1986. His Lordship was appointed as the Provost, College of Legal and Islamic Studies, Bauchi from 1986 to 1989.

He was appointed Chief Magistrate/Deputy Chief Registrar, High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja from 1990 to 1991. From 1991 to 1993, he was appointed as Kadi (Judge) of the Sharia Court of Appeal, Bauchi State.

Justice Muhammad was elevated to the position of Justice of the Court of Appeal from 1993 to 2006. His Lordship was appointed Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in the year 2006 and was sworn in on the 8th of January 2007, the appointment he holds till date.
Nigerias former finance minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, says she may join the race for the presidency of the World Bank if she is nominated to vie for the exalted office.

Mrs Okonjo-Iweala, a development economist, rose to the position of the Managing Director (Operations) of the Bretton-Wood institution after 25-years. She spoke to CNNs Richard Quest in an interview on Thursday during the ongoing World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

The Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology-trained author and entrepreneur said if the right people come up with her nomination, she would not mind giving a go at the top World Bank job.

In line with recent guidelines for the selection of a new president, nominations may be made by Executive Directors or Governors through their Executive Directors. Candidates must also be nationals of the banks member countries.

I know that, because I contested (in the same position) the last time in 2012, and many people were asking that question, Mrs Okonjo-Iweala said in response to a question by Mr Quest if she was considering joining the race.

It is a shareholders decision and they have to decide how they want it. Someone has to nominate me. If the right person were to nominate me, and if the circumstances are right and people feel I can do the job, yes!

Im very happy right now, and I just want you to know that Im enjoying life for a change for a portfolio of what I like, she said.

The World Bank Group on Thursday said it has commenced a process that will lead to the selection of a new president.

Following the shock announcement of the resignation of the incumbent president of the Group, Jim Yong Kim, effective February 1, 2019, the World Bank unfolded the process that would herald a new president.

The executive directors affirmed the boards commitment to an open, merit-based and transparent selection process.

It also agreed candidates should be committed to the implementation of the Forward Look and the capital package agreement as articulated in the Sustainable Financing for Sustainable Development Paper.

The criteria spelt out for prospective candidates include a proven track record of leadership; the experience of managing large organisations with international exposure, and a familiarity with the public sector.

In addition, the directors also ask for the ability to articulate a clear vision of the World Bank Groups development mission; a firm commitment to and appreciation for multilateral cooperation; effective and diplomatic communication skills; impartiality and objectivity in the performance of the responsibilities of the position.

The deadline for the submission of nominations starts from February 7 by 9 A.M. Eastern Standard Time (EST) and will end on March 14 by 9 A.M. EST.

At the close of the nomination period, the executive directors said they would publish a shortlist of three candidates along with their consent, while formal interviews would be conducted for all the candidates with the expectation of selecting the new president before the Spring Meetings of 2019.

The president of the World Bank is also an ex-officio chair of the Board of the Executive Directors of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA).

The president is also ex-officio chair of the Board of Directors of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), and the Administrative Council of the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID).

Mrs Okonjo-Iweala first served under the Olusegun Obasanjo administration between 2003 and 2006 as well as under Goodluck Jonathan between 2011 and 2015.

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She was last year appointed alongside Robert Zoellick as new independent directors on the Board of the social media giant, Twitter Inc.

Between 2008 and 2009, Mrs Okonjo-Iweala led various World Bank initiatives to assist low-income countries to tackle food crises as well as financial crisis.

She was appointed the Chair of the International Development Agency (IDA) and later a member of the Commission on Effective Development Cooperation with Africa between April and October 2008.

During her tenure as Nigerias finance minister, Mrs Okonjo-Iweaa spearheaded the countrys drive to obtain its first ever sovereign credit rating (of BB minus) from Fitch Ratings and Standard & Poors in 2006.
PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-25 13:05:23

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The visual electrophysiology testing devices can be used for children, adults or animals of all sizes for clinical and research purpose.The International Society for Clinical Electrophysiology of Vision (ISCEV) decides and regularly review the standards for recording all the common electrophysiological tests and are benchmarked for all visual electrophysiology services. The visual electrophysiology tests are non invasive and are performed to detect functional information about the retina and optic nerve and also allow the diagnosis of some disorders relating to retina and brain. The most common visual electrodiagnostic test is electroretinogram (ERG). The Information collected from these diagnostic tests help in establishing the correct diagnosis or is helpful to rule out related ophthalmic diseases.Request Sample Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-5268 Visual Electrophysiology Testing Devices Market: Drivers and RestrainsVisual electrophysiology testing devices market is growing with the increasing prevalence cases of eye and neurological disorders. The growing investment on visual electrophysiology testing devices is anticipated to drive the market. The growing technological advancement, increasing geriatric population, and increased adoption practice to the visual electrophysiology diagnosis is expected to act as a driver to the global visual electrophysiology testing device market. Increasing awareness about adverse effects of the visual and neurological disorders are expected to create opportunity for the visual electrophysiology testing devices providers. The stringent regulations by government for recording electrical signals in electrophysiological test, high cost associated with the diagnosis and treatment procedure and lack of experience in using these advanced technology are expected to act as a restraint to the global visual electrophysiology testing devices market.Visual Electrophysiology Testing Devices Market: SegmentationThe global visual electrophysiology testing devices market is classified on the basis of test type, modality, end user and geography.Global visual electrophysiology testing device market, by Test Type:Electroretinogram (ERG)Multifocal Electroretinogram (mfERG)Electro-oculogram (EOG)Visual-evoked responses (VER)Global visual electrophysiology testing device market, by Modality:FixedPortableGlobal visual electrophysiology testing device market, by End User:HospitalAmbulatory Surgical CentersClinicsDiagnostic Imaging CentersOtherVisual Electrophysiology Testing Devices Market: OverviewVisual electrophysiology testing is performed according to the disorder. On the basis of test type, electroretinogram and visual-evoked responses are the most widely used test in the visual electrophysiology respectively. An ERG is advantageous in evaluating both hereditary (inherited) and acquired disorders of the retina. The diagnoses commonly suspects the predominant conditions of the retina including retinitis pigmentosa,retinitis pigmentosa sine pigmento,, choroideremia,, achromatopsia,and congenital stationary night blindness. The increasing government initiatives for the early diagnosis and treatment of visual and neurological disorders are expected to upsurge the overall visual electrophysiology testing device market.Visual Electrophysiology Testing Devices Market: Regional OverviewGeographically, the global visual electrophysiology testing devices market is classified into regions viz. North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia-Pacific, Japan, Middle East and Africa. North America followed by Western Europe is expected to dominate global visual electrophysiology testing devices market over the forecast period due to high incidence of visual disorders. Asia Pacific and Middle Eastern Countries are anticipated to be the fastest growing regions in the field of visual electrophysiology testing devices with the improving economic conditions and health facilities. Japan holds large market share owing to the presence of technologically advanced scenario in the region.Request to View TOC @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-5268 Visual Electrophysiology Testing Devices Market: Key PlayersSome of the major players identified in global visual electrophysiology testing devices market include Konan Medical USA, Inc., Diopsys, Inc, Nationwide Children's Hospital, The Royal College of Ophthalmologists, ., LKC Technologies, Inc., Metrovision, etc. among others.
PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-25 11:00:08

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In Europe, motorized quadricycles continue to be an attractive vehicle segment, especially among urbanites. Many consumers in European countries such as Germany, France and the UK, among others, are opting for electric quadricycle over compact cars. In addition to this, car rental companies in Europe are providing motorized quadricycles on rent and promoting their use in the regions automobile market. Persistence Market Researchs latest report on Europes motorized quadricycle market reveals that such factors will bolster the markets growth, which is expected to reach US$ 456.9 Mn by registering global sales of over 37,000 units towards the end of 2027.The report, titled Motorized Quadricycles Market: Europe Industry Analysis 20122016 and Forecast 20172027, also projects that the European market for motorized quadricycles, which is likely to be valued at US$ 268.3 Mn by 2017-end, will soar at a steady CAGR of 4.8% during the forecast period. However, the markets growth in terms of volume is expected to subpar, representing a 3.9% CAGR over the forecast period. Key factors restraining the growth of Europes motorized quadricycle market include:Request Report TOC @ https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/methodology/16711 Technical and economic limitations: Despite the various advantages that the motorized quadricycles offer, many customers feel reluctant to buy a motorized quadricycle due to their high costs.High emission levels: With regards to transition to higher emission levels, the existing regulatory scenario in European countries creates a point of concern for quadricycle manufacturers, who are already combating at the pricing front.Sub-A segment cars: Demand for low cost, Sub-A segment cars  micro cars that are filling the space between a quadricycle and a compact passenger car  is gaining traction in countries such as France.The report expects that Europes motorized quadricycles market will witness sizeable growth in France, Germany and Russia. Among European countries, France is estimated to remain dominant over the forecast period owing to increasing demand for eco-friendly small size vehicles and stringent government regulations. U.K.s motorized quadricycle market, meanwhile, is estimated witness high growth opportunities, owing to rising efforts taken by domestic manufacturers and low penetration of motorized quadricycles in its auto-markets.Request for sample report: https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/16711 By product-type, the light quadricycles segment is estimated to represent dominant market share through 2027. Around 88% of Europes motorized quadricycle revenues in 2017 are expected to be accounted by light-weight quadricycles. Demand for electric motorized quadricycles, however, is expected to be lesser than that of motorized quadricycles equipped with conventional fuel motors. By the end of 2027, over 68% of Europes motorized quadricycles revenues will be accounted by quadricycles operating on conventional fuels. The report also profiles leading players in Europes motorized quadricycle market, which include Renault SA, Bajaj Auto Ltd., Automobile CHATNET, Ligier Group, Aixam-Mega, Tecno Meccanica Imola SpA, Grecav Auto Srl.
Persistence Market Research has announced the addition of the  Smart Grid Sensor Market Poised to Soar Across Top Countries at 30.3% CAGR During 2017-2025" report to their offering.

Smart Grid Sensor Market

PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-25 14:22:38

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CONTACT:Persistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb: http://www.persistencemarketresearch.comteam lead800-961-0353

The global energy sector is transitioning into intelligent, efficient network of power supply, and smart grids are actively replacing conventional power grids across the world. The demand for smart grid sensors grows in parallel with surging adoption of smart grid technology. In todays day and age, detection and monitoring operations have helped save potential losses worth millions of dollars. Therefore, smart grid sensors are also expected to gain surplus demand in tomorrows energy industry. Persistence Market Researchs latest report on the global market for smart grid sensors projects that the market, which is presently valued at a little over US$ 128 Mn, will soar at a stellar CAGR of 30.3% to bring in US$ 1,447.3 Mn in revenues by the end of 2025.Key findings in the report exhibit that the global smart grid sensors market will have a steadfast growth during the assessment period, 2017-2025. In this period, the dynamic growth of the global smart grid sensor market will be impacted by several factors, among which following have an enduring influence:A sample of this report is available upon request @ https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/3962 Extreme Weather Conditions: Severe climate and harsh environment is disrupting the operational efficiency of smart grids, compelling the deployment of thermal sensors that can detect temperature differences and adapt to drastic weather changes, particularly in the US.Electricity Thefts: Rising incidence of electricity thefts in developing & underdeveloped regions is driving the adoption of smart grids. In Latin American countries, power authorities are monitoring such malpractices with help of sensors that identify faux power glitches.Proliferation of IoT: Internet of Things (IoT) is influencing the sales of smart grid sensors but remuneratively. Presently, utilities companies in Europe are looking to leverage IoT to improve development and operation of smart grids by connecting unique devices, which will end up creating an intelligent & self-sustained energy ecosystem.Ineffectiveness of older power grids, increasing energy demands, and implementation of smart metering systems has also propelled the global demand for smart grid sensors. According to the report, titled Smart Grid Sensors Market: Global Industry Trend Analysis 2012 to 2016 and Forecast 20172025, rising concern regarding safety & security of smart grids, and high implementation costs of smart grid sensors is likely to impede the global markets growth, but to a certain extent.To view TOC of this report is available upon request @ https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/methodology/3962 Based on the region, Latin Americas smart grid sensors market is projected to exhibit a relatively high growth, registering a robust CAGR of 36.1%. The demand for voltage/temperature sensors, in particular, is projected to remain high throughout the forecast period. The report estimates that in 2016, more than 40% of global smart grid sensor revenues were accounted by sales of voltage/temperature sensors. In terms of application, smart energy metering is expected to dominate with more than 40% share, while revenues amassed from other applications such as lead management, energy storage and renewable energy will be registering a speedy growth at 38.1% CAGR. The report also profiles key participants in the global smart grid sensors market, which include ABB Ltd., Aclara Technologies LLC, General Electric Company, Honeywell International Inc., Eaton, Toshiba Corporation, Networked Energy Services Corporation, QinetiQ Group PLC, Torino Power Solutions Inc., Sentient Energy, Inc., ARTECHE, Siemens AG, Ingenu Inc., GIPRO GmbH, GRID20/20 Inc.
Mr. Landry is pursuing a name change under the laws the of the State of Washington where, in his divorce proceedings, either party may petition the court for a name change," Dumeer said in a written response to Courant questions about the new social media account listings. Jon feels that this name change is essential because the media coverage has completely destroyed his life. He maintains that this case has been tried in the court of public opinion rather than in the courtroom where it should be tried and for those reasons he has lost his family, his beautiful children, his home, his career, his reputation, his dignity and his future.
PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-25 04:20:16

Automation in the food industry is becoming more of a need than an option. The cost controls and rigorous quality required in the food industry is making it more critical. The production of high-grade food requires capable and efficient egg tart forming machine, in the production line. Semi-auto egg tart forming machine is used for egg tart forming in various industries and is designed with professional pneumatic power to provide egg tart shape standard. Semi-auto egg tart forming machine can use various types of mold to give all types of required shape of the egg tart skin. The semi-auto egg tart forming machine is high efficient due to mass production and save the operating as well as labor cost. This machine is quite easy to operate and can be kept in small space due to its compact size. The Semi-auto egg tart forming machine has low maintenance cost and widely used in food industry. It has high demand in restaurants, hotels and bakery shops.Request For Report Sample @ www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-4227 Global semi-auto egg tart forming machine market: DynamicsThe key driving factor of global semi-auto egg tart forming machine is increasing automation in food processing industry along with increasing health consciousness among consumers. The macroeconomic factors are driving the global semi-auto egg tart forming machine market such as growing economy, increasing per capita income and rapid rate of urbanization in emerging countries such as China, Brazil, Mexico, and India. The growth of the global semi-auto egg tart forming machine market is driven by growing demand for processed food, significant growth in the poultry industry and increasing investments in the food industry. The key restraining factor which restricts to grow the global semi-auto egg tart forming machine market is the compliances related to food security. Some of the factors trending the semi-auto egg tart forming machine market include mergers and acquisitions with local players as well as the internationalization of the food platter. In addition, technological advancement such as semi-auto egg tart forming machine which is embedded with touch screen PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) and different molds select option are the major trends of semi-auto egg tart forming machine market across the globe.Global semi-auto egg tart forming machine market: SegmentationGlobal semi-auto egg tart forming machine market can be segmented by end-use industry, distribution channel type, production capacity type and region type.Global semi-auto egg tart forming machine market can be segmented by end-use industry type as follows:FoodHospitalityGlobal semi-auto egg tart forming machine market can be segmented by production capacity type as follows:HighMediumLowGlobal semi-auto egg tart forming machine market can be segmented by distribution channel type as follows:OEM(Open Equipment Manufacturer)E-commerceWholesalers/DistributersKnow More About Report@ www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/semi-auto-egg-tart-f ...Global semi-auto egg tart forming machine market: Regional OutlookBased on the geographies, global semi-auto egg tart forming machine is segmented into seven regions globally such as Eastern Europe Western Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia-Pacific excluding Japan, Japan, and Middle East & Africa. Among the regions as mentioned above, North America accounts high market share in the semi-auto egg tart forming machine across the globe followed by Western Europe, owing to rapidly growing hospitality industry in this region. Western Europe is predicted to contribute the significant share in global semi-auto egg tart forming machine market over the forecasted period, due to the high manufacturing of semi-auto egg tart forming machines along with high consumption of egg products in this region. The Asia-Pacific excluding Japan region also captures for the significant share of the global semi-auto egg tart forming machine market with high growth rate, attributed to increasing per capita income, the rapidly growing population, and changing the lifestyle of the consumers in the region. Latin America is estimated to showcase a positive growth rate in the global semi-auto egg tart forming machine market, owing to its high demand for the hospitality industry and changing the life style of consumers in this region. The Middle East and Africa is estimated to witness high growth rate in global semi-auto egg tart forming machine market, attributed to high consumption of egg products in this region.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC): www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-4227 Few associated players of global semi-auto egg tart forming machine market as follow:CHUNG WAH KITCHEN MACHINE LTD.European Pastry & Bakery MachineryAll Champ Food Production Machinery and Utensils Co., Ltd.Henan GELGOOG Machinery Co.,Ltd Solo Bakery Machinery Co., Ltd.
Persistence Market Research has announced the addition of the  Revenue from the Sales of Safety Equipment Market to Increase Exponentially During 2015  2021" report to their offering.

Safety Equipment Market

PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-25 11:07:45

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CONTACT:Persistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb: http://www.persistencemarketresearch.comteam lead800-961-0353

Increasing levels of radiationarecausing harm to human health globally. According to the United States Environment Protection Agency (U.S. EPA), radioactive materials produce ionizing radiation on decaying, which can damage the living tissues in human body. The human body tries to repair the damage but sometimes in cases of high severity it fails to repair them which lead to disease such as cancer .The most common forms of ionizing radiation are alpha, beta, and gamma.Threat of nuclear disasters drives governments and companies prone to the threat of radiation to upgrade their radiation detection and monitoring devices. The nuclear disaster in the Fukushima plant in Japan in 2011 resulted in meltdown of three nuclear reactors, leading to the release of a substantial amount of radioactive materials.The use of radiation detection, monitoring, and safety equipment minimize the effects of harmful radiations. Radiation detection, monitoring, and safety equipment includes radiation protection equipment and instruments. Based on application, the radiation detection, monitoring, and safety equipment market can be segmented into six major categories including nuclear power plants, defense and homeland security, occupational safety, oil and resource exploration,and manufacturing . Nuclear power plants also use radiation safety accessories including full body radiation protection andhand safety accessories.Based on composition, the radiation detection, monitoring, and safety equipment market can be segmented into gas filled detectors, scintillators,and semiconductor-based detectors. There are three types of gas-filled detectors, namely Geiger Mueller counters, proportional counters, and ionization counters. Scintillators can be segmented into two categories, namely inorganic scintillators and organic scintillators. Based on product, the radiation detection, monitoring, and safety equipment market can be segmented into five categories:personal dosimeters, area process monitors, environment radiation monitors, surface contamination monitors, and radioactive material monitors. Gas-filleddetectors and personal dosimeters dominate the global sales. Scintillators dominate the gas filled detectors market for defense and homeland security due to their ability to detect radiation at micro levels. Personal dosimeters include passive dosimeters and active dosimeters.Request for Report Sample: https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/3890 Increase in the number of nuclear energy industries has been propelling growth of nuclear power plants globally. The use of radioactive compounds in several consumer productsis another source of radiation.Increasing nuclear threats in developed countries and growing concern of governments regarding internal security are propellinggrowth of the radiation detection, monitoring, and safety equipment market fordefenseand homeland security.Increasing use of radiation therapy and nuclear medicine in the treatment and diagnosis of diseases is one of the major market drivers. Medical detectors include CT X-ray detectors, PET, and SPECT detectors.North America dominated the radiation detection, monitoring, and safety equipment market in 2013 in terms of global sales, followed by Europe. North America is expected to continue with its dominance during the forecast period due to technological advancements andgovernment support to the radiation detection, monitoring, and safety equipment market .Major players in the radiation detection, monitoring, and safety equipment market include Canberra Industries, Inc., Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., Landauer, Inc., Mirion Technologies, Inc., Bar-Ray Products, Inc., Biodex Medical Systems, Inc., Protech Radiation Safety, ProtecX and Amtek, Inc. Most of the major players in the global radiation detection, monitoring, and safety equipment market are U.S. based.Request for Report TOC: https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/3890
PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-25 13:08:18

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Recombinant DNA technology or Genetic Engineering is a process in which creation and manipulation of DNA sequences in a specific order resulting in genetically modified organism and product. The recombinant DNA technology is a functional application of biotechnology that expanded to include innovative and expansive sciences such as genomics, applied immunology, development of pharmaceutical therapeutics and diagnostic tools. There are several biological techniques used to make recombinant DNA. The potential usage of recombinant DNA in conventional and non- conventional application such as medicinal, agricultural and industrial. In medicine, Recombinant DNA has been used to mass-production of insulin, Follistim, human growth hormones, monoclonal antibodies, human albumin, vaccines, and other drugs. The major recombinant DNA products available in the pharmaceutical market with high market share are insulin, vaccines, and monoclonal antibodies. Industrial applications include useful protein or enzyme production on a large scale The beginning of recombinant DNA technology directed a new platform for the production of a wide range of therapeutic agents in sufficient quantities for human use. Over the past years, recombinant DNA Products has witnessed tremendous growth in medical field (production of recombinant drugs and therapeutics) and industrial segment (production of Enzyme and biochemicals). The overall global recombinant DNA market expected to shows prominent growth over the forecast period.Recombinant DNA Market: Drivers and RestraintThe major driving factors which fuel the growth of the recombinant DNA market are increasing burden of chronic diseases, commercial success of biopharmaceutical, genetically modified crop, bio pesticides, etc. However, Presence of robust biopharmaceuticals pipeline, rising need to improve the recombinant proteins' production capacity by several folds, owing to increase in demand for effective therapeutics for disease treatment. Genetically modified organisms are becoming widely used in agriculture; more than half the U.S. soybean crop now consists of a strain genetically modified, recombinant DNA is one of the fastest and widely adopted agricultural innovations over the past few years. This, in turn, is expected to bolster the adoption of rDNA technology for non-traditional applications. High complexity and huge investment required to establish manufacturing facility for production of recombinant DNA and less adoption of genetically modified crops hamper the growth of recombinant DNA market.Request Sample Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-5283 Recombinant DNA Market: SegmentationThe global market for Recombinant DNA segmented by product, by component, application, end user, and geography:Segmentation by Product TypePharmaceuticalVaccinesRecombinant proteinTherapeutics agentsNon-PharmaceuticalGenetically Modified CropsBiochemicalOthersSegmentation by ApplicationFood & BeveragesAgricultureHealthcareOthersSegmented by End UserBiotechnology& pharmaceutical IndustryBiochemical industryResearch Laboratories & Academic InstitutesOthersSegmented by geographyNorth AmericaLatin AmericaWestern EuropeEastern EuropeAsia Pacific excluding JapanJapanThe Middle East and AfricaRecombinant DNA Market: OverviewThe Recombinant DNA is a disciplinary of biomedical that offers comprehensive detection and visualization of molecular, cellular and genetic level to understand the irregularities, damaged and disorder of cells/organs of living entity. The medical segment shows the highest growth in terms of revenue due use of recombinant DNA in cancer research and treatments as well as some vaccine development. Recombinant DNA Market enables opportunity to expand their wings. Scientist continuous developed innovative recombinant DNA techniques and they also introduce the recombinant DNA product with advance application consistently in the market. The industrial use of recombinant DNA includes the production of enzymes that are used in food, laundry detergent and other various areas which brought a rapid growth of companies. Further, abovementioned factor will boost the recombinant DNA market over the forecast periodRecombinant DNA Market: Region-wise OutlookDepending on geographic regions, global Recombinant DNA Market is segmented into seven key regions viz. North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific excluding Japan, Japan, and Middle East & Africa. North America followed by Europe will continue to dominate the global Recombinant DNA Market in terms of revenue due to presence of an efficient number of biopharmaceutical companies and the regulatory and monitoring authority in the region. High adaptation of genetically modified organism/crops is expected to result in higher demand for Recombinant DNA product over the forecast period. Low-cost production and high consumption of recombinant DNA in Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest growing region in global Recombinant DNA Market.Request to View TOC @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-5283 Recombinant DNA Market: Key Market ParticipantsSome of the major players stand in Global Recombinant DNA Market are Profacgen, Amgen Inc, GenScript, Novartis AG, Pfizer Inc, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Novo Nordisk A/S, Sanofi; Merck & Co., Inc. Biogen, Eli Lilly and Company, Biocon, GlaxoSmithKline plc, New England Biolabs., Cibus, Monsanto Company, Boehringer Ingelheim, Horizon Discovery Group PLC and others. Some Companies are focusing on innovations and advancement in Recombinant DNA to exploit maximum revenue potential in global recombinant DNA market.
Prepaid Card Market

PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-25 19:54:28

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Global Prepaid Card Market Research Report presents a detailed analysis based on the thorough research of the overall market, particularly on questions that border on the market size, growth scenario, potential opportunities, operation landscape, trend analysis, and competitive analysis of Market.The Global Prepaid Card Market is expected to register a CAGR of +22% over the forecast period (2018-2023).Request Sample Copy of this Report@:This research is conducted to understand the current landscape of the market, especially in 2018. This will shape the future of the market and foresee the extent of competition in the market. This report will also help all the manufacturers and investors to have a better understanding of the direction in which the market is headed.Top Key Players in the Prepaid Card Market:Green Dot Corporation, Net Spend Holdings, Inc., H&R Block Inc., American Express Company, JPMorgan Chase & Co., PayPal Holdings, Inc., BBVA Compass Bancshares, Inc., Mango Financial, Inc., UniRush, LLC, and Kaiku Finance LLC.Global Prepaid Card Market provides the latest information on the present and the future industry trends, allowing the readers to identify the products and services, hence driving the revenue growth and profitability. The research report provides an in-depth study of all the leading factors influencing the market on a global and regional level, including drivers, restraints, threats, challenges, opportunities, and industry-specific trends. Additionally, the report quotes worldwide certainties and countenance of Market along with a downstream and upstream analysis of leading players.Get Reasonable Discount on this Premium Report @:The Prepaid Card Industry is intensely competitive and fragmented because of the presence of several established players participating in various marketing strategies to expand their market share. The vendors available in the market compete centered on price, quality, brand, product differentiation, and product portfolio. The vendors are increasingly emphasizing product customization through customer interaction.Prepaid Card Market segment by Regions/Countries: United States, Europe, China, Japan, Southeast Asia, India, Central & South America.Table of ContentsGlobal Prepaid Card Market Research ReportChapter 1 Prepaid Card 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 Prepaid Card Market ForecastFor More Information:About 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 includes 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.
Future Market Insights has announced the addition of the Preclinical MRI Equipment Market: Global Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment 2017-2027 " report to their offering.

Preclinical MRI Equipment Market

PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-25 12:15:05

Currently, non-invasive and in-vivo imaging modalities have become quite popular in the study of animal models longitudinally. Preclinical imaging is a non-invasive technique used to visualize living animals in order to study various diseases quantitatively, in real time, with the ability to monitor the disease progression rate at molecular level. Suitable models for preclinical in-vivo studies include, positron emission tomography scanners (PET), single photon emission tomography scanners (SPECT), ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), compute tomography etc. Preclinical MRI imaging technique employs use of large magnets that help generating magnetic fields, carefully targeted electromagnetic pulses, and computer software in order to obtain organ level anatomical images with high spatial resolution.These generated magnetic fields results in formation of paramagnetic atoms including hydrogen, gadolinium, and manganese created by the radiofrequency (RF) coils inside the MRI machine. The machine then captures the relaxation of the atoms at the time when the RF pulse is ceased thus generating an image based on the resonance characteristic of the body part being studied. The preclinical MRI equipments are used in study of various life threatening disorders including cancer, cardiovascular disorders, neurological and infectious and inflammatory diseases etc. Apart from this the device can also be used in the transitional research and new drug development.Request to Sample of Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-2891 Preclinical MRI Equipment Market: Drivers and RestraintsPreclinical MRI equipment market is expected to be driven by increasing research and development activities in order to examine key pathophysiological episodes at each disease stage and in development of novel therapeutic drug in treatment of various disease indications. Furthermore, launch of new preclinical MRI equipments with advanced MRI technology and additional innovative features is further expected to drive the revenues of preclinical MRI equipment market. For example, BioSpec 3T Preclinical MRI System by Brukur is a multi-purpose, preclinical MRI system that is used for studying mice and rats. The system delivers expanded range of RF coil for multipurpose applications is with superior cryogen free design. Preclinical MRI equipment offers reduced biological variability with expanded opportunity to deliver unique information in distinct forms.This will also result in substantial reduction in the number of animal models required in studying several diseases. Furthermore, integration preclinical MRI equipment machines with other imaging modalities such as PET, SPECT and CT has also resulted in significant revenue generation in global preclinical MRI equipment market. Such hybrid imaging modalities not only deliver functional information but also delivers efficient and unique tools to evaluate new chemical entities and candidate drugs. Challenges including high cost of the device is restricting the use of preclinical MRI equipment into clinical practice, inadequate infrastructure provision and lack of skilled professionals in some of the emerging economies is expected to hamper the market growth of preclinical MRI equipment market over the forecast period.Preclinical MRI Equipment Market: SegmentationTentatively, the global preclinical MRI equipment market has been segmented on the basis of modality, end user, and geography.Based on as modality, the global preclinical MRI equipment market is divided into following:Bench top preclinical MRI equipmentStandalone preclinical MRI equipmentBased on application, the preclinical MRI equipment market is divided into following:OncologyCardiologyNeurologyInflammatory and Infectious diseasesOthersBased on retail end user, the preclinical MRI equipment market is segmented as below:Academic and Research InstitutesBiotechnology and Pharmaceutical CompaniesDiagnostic CentersContract Research OrganizationsPreclinical MRI Equipment Market: OverviewPreclinical MRI equipments are widely available for preclinical imaging and research purpose. The global market for preclinical MRI equipment is expected to generate higher revenues over the forecast period. This is attributed to extensive ongoing studies in order to diagnose and evaluate several diseases. Also launch of many preclinical MRI equipments in the market with highest level of accuracy and sensitivity is expected to drive the revenues of preclinical MRI equipments over the forecast period. A recent trend in preclinical imaging is increasing use of multimodality MRI imaging technique with large diameter bore better suited for imaging of whole animal body.Preclinical MRI Equipment Market: Regional Wise OutlookGeographically, global preclinical MRI Equipment market is classified into regions viz. North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia-Pacific, Japan, Middle East and Africa. The market in Asia Pacific and Japan is expected to grow at significant CAGR due to growing number of research institutes in countries such as India, Australia and Japan, thus leading to extensive research in the field of clinical biology. North America will continue to hold largest share in the preclinical MRI equipment market as majority of the key market players located in the U.S. coupled with presence skilled professionals in the region which are culture positive to innovation. Europe is expected to take second largest share in the global preclinical MRI equipment market. This is attributed to new preclinical MRI machines launches in the region by several manufacturers.Request Report for TOC @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-2891 Preclinical MRI Equipment Market: Key PlayersSome of the major players in the global custom assay market are Bruker Corporation, Agilent Technologies, Simens Healthcare, Aspect Imaging, FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation, MR Solutions Ltd., Perkin Elmer, Inc., Mediso Medical Imaging Systems and others. Companies often provide custom assay services, where user can define their requirements and specifications and assay is built accordingly by the manufacturer.
Persistence Market Research has announced the addition of the  Point To Multipoint Microwave Backhaul Market to Fuel Revenue Growth at 7.6% CAGR During 2017-2025" report to their offering.

Point To Multipoint Microwave Backhaul Market

PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-25 14:22:40

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CONTACT:Persistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb: http://www.persistencemarketresearch.comteam lead800-961-0353

An exhaustive market evaluation put forth by Persistence Market Research on the point-to-multipoint microwave backhaul market in a new research publication titled Point-to-Multipoint Microwave Backhaul Market: Global Industry Analysis 2012-2016 and Forecast 20172025 focuses on the impact of drivers, challenges, restraints, trends and opportunities on the global market along with key player analysis during the 2017-2025 period. A detailed market segmentation is included in the research study with which value and volume analyses of various categories is possible. The global point-to-multipoint microwave backhaul market is expected to grow at a significant growth rate across the major geographies of North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Middle East and Africa (MEA).A sample of this report is available upon request @ https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/4691 Global Point-to-Multipoint Microwave Backhaul Market: Growth AnalysisThe global point-to-multipoint microwave backhaul market is impacted by several aspects that have a direct or indirect influence over its growth. The global market is poised to reflect a robust growth rate during the forecast period, which infers a much positive impact of the market factors. The increasing number of small cell deployment, rise in digitalization, increasing internet usage and rise in a networked society, increasing number of internet users even from remote areas, low pricing of microwave backhaul as compared to optical fibers, increasing use of microwave backhaul in the military sector and broad bandwidth, along with increase in ICT spending on a global scale have a positive impact on the growth of the global point-to-multipoint microwave backhaul market. However, with the pros, few cons ride along that pose challenges pulling the growth of the market. To name a few factors, the slow yet rising adoption of optical fibers in developed countries like North America, lack of capital investment and recurring license expenses are few restraints affecting the growth of the global market.Global Point-to-Multipoint Microwave Backhaul Market: ForecastThe global point-to-multipoint microwave backhaul market is anticipated to reflect a revenue growth of US$ 927.3 Mn in 2025 from US$ 517.8 Mn in 2017, and is expected to witness a significant growth rate by registering a CAGR of 7.6% throughout the period of forecast, 2017 to 2025.Global Point-to-Multipoint Microwave Backhaul Market: Segmental AnalysisThe global point-to-multipoint microwave backhaul market is segmented by component, end user solution type, end user, frequency and region. By component, it covers hardware, software and services. By end user solution type, wide area (macro) mobile backhaul and small cell (metro) mobile backhaul segments are included. With respect to end user, telecom operators and internet service providers are covered. By frequency, 6GHZ-9GHz, 10GHz-18GHz and 19GHz- 42GHz segments are included. North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Middle East and Africa (MEA) are covered in the regions category.Software segment by component is poised to grow at a higher growth rate reflecting a CAGR of 9.0% during the period of forecast followed by the services segment. The services segment is further categorized and the professional sub-segment is anticipated to grow at a robust growth rate throughout the forecast period. The hardware segment is expected to dominate the global market in terms of market value as it reflects a value of more than US$ 300 Mn in 2017 and is expected to reflect a value of US$ 540 Mn by the end of 2025Small cell (metro) mobile backhaul segment is poised to grow at a higher growth rate to register a CAGR of 9.0% throughout the period of forecast. However, this segment does not reflect higher market share. The wide area (macro) mobile backhaul segment dominates the global market by end user solution type by portraying higher market share and value throughout the forecast periodThere is tough competition between the market shares of the 19GHz-42GHz segment and the 10GHz-18GHz segment by frequency. The 19GHz-42GHz segment is poised to run at a higher CAGR of 8.9% throughout the forecast period while the 10GHz-18GHz segment is expected to dominate the market by showing a higher market value of about US$ 380 Mn by the end of 2025, making it the most attractive segment during the forecast periodTelecom operators segment by end user is expected to dominate the global market by reflecting a higher value of more than US$ 600 Mn by 2025 end, but is poised to register a comparatively slow growth rate than the internet service providers segment, which is anticipated to register a CAGR of 8.4% throughout the 2017-2025 periodAsia Pacific region is expected to be the most attractive region in the global point-to-multipoint microwave backhaul market and is expected to remain dominant by recording a higher market value of about US$ 400 Mn by 2025 end. Middle East and Africa (MEA) and Latin America regions also show good potential and are expected to register CAGRs of 7.7% and 6.8% respectively throughout the forecast period of 2017 to 2025. North America and Europe are anticipated to grow at a comparatively slow rate during this periodRequest For Report Table of Content (TOC): https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/methodology/4691 Global Point-to-Multipoint Microwave Backhaul Market: Competitive LandscapePersistence Market Research has analyzed all tier companies involved in the global point-to-multipoint microwave backhaul market. Companies such as Nokia OYJ, Ericsson AB, Dragonwave Inc., Redline Communications Group Inc., NEC Corporation, Exalt Wireless, Inc., Intracom S.A. Telecom Solutions, Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd., Cambridge Communication Systems Limited and Cambridge Broadband Network Limited have been profiled.
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PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-25 20:00:43

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The Global Wireless Smart Lighting Control Market Report is published by Research N Report and contains detailed information on drivers, redemptions and opportunities. It also provides detailed information on development trends, prominent business and recent technological advances. Statistical reports also provide comprehensive insights into the size and share of different types of revenue, profitable methods, and competitive scenarios. This survey scrutinizes recent information on key players in key regions such as North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa.Several factors have been considered to provide a comprehensive understanding of the market. The cost analysis of the wireless smart lighting control market was achieved by considering manufacturing costs, labor costs, raw materials and market concentration, suppliers and pricing trends. Buyers of the report can equally be earned on inspections that align their markets with components such as audience, brand strategy, and value methodology.Key Player Included in Report:GE Lighting, Philips, Venture Lighting-LeafNut, Petra Systems, Honeywell, Legrand, TVILIGHT, Cimcon, Telematics, chelonGet Sample Copy of Report:Rendering to the research report, the global Wireless Smart Lighting Control Market has gained substantial momentum over the past few years. The swelling acceptance, the escalating demand and need for this markets product are mentioned in this study. The factors powering their adoption among consumers are stated in this report study. This market report offers a wide-ranging analysis of the overall situation in the Wireless Smart Lighting Control Market. It estimates the market taking up a number of imperative parameters such as the type and application into consideration. In addition to this, the geographical occurrence of this market has been scrutinized closely in the research study.The report also uses feedbacks given by industry experts to support the present and new players in enclosing effective business policies in the upcoming years. The report has been accumulated by taking the aid of info graphics, charts and tables to present the historical data and appraised figures of the 2017.Get Discount on this Report @: https://www.researchnreports.com/ask_for_discount.php?id=227353 The key market segments along with its subtypes are provided in the report. This report especially focuses on the dynamic view of the Wireless Smart Lighting Control Market that can help to manage the outline of the industries. Several analysis tools and standard procedures help to demonstrate the role of different domains in Wireless Smart Lighting Control Market. The study estimates the factors that are boosting the development of Wireless Smart Lighting Control Market companies.The report has been put together in a chapter-wise arrangement, by separating required illustrations transversely. This report is an expedient tool to get responses to some of the queries that hold significance for the growth of the Wireless Smart Lighting Control Market during the forecast period. The evidence in the report was congregated from qualified organizations & dependable sources and was further authenticated by industry specialists for increased integrity.For More Queries @: https://www.researchnreports.com/enquiry_before_buying.php?id=227353
Medical cyclotron market is growing with the increasing prevalence cases of cancer. The growing investments on advanced treatment procedures for cancer is expected to drive the market. Some of the players in medical cyclotron market includes: General Electric Company, Nueclear Healthcare Limited, Cyclotron Products, Inc., IBA, Sumitomo Heavy Industries. Ltd.and others.

Medical Cyclotron

PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-25 11:30:12

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Future Market InsightsU.S. Office616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWeb: https://www.futuremarketinsights.comSEO Manager3479183531

Medical cyclotron is a machine used in the medical imaging and research field to make relatively short lived radioisotopes. Cyclotron is a particle accelerator. It is an electrically powered machine that produces a beam of charged that is then further used in medical, industrial and research processes. A cyclotron machine takes the hybrid atom (these are hydrogen that make up water except they have a negative charge) and accelerate it to very high speed. When this procedure has enough energy, the energy is spent into a target where the reaction is taken. The new element that is produced with the strike of positive ion and neutron is radioactive element that is used for the treatment in medical research.The major isotope that is used for the cyclotron is fluorine-18. Its ability to decay itself to produce positrons, which is used around the world for Positron Emission Tomography and PET scans. PET scans are used for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. With the product obtained from a cyclotron, we can produce a wide variety of isotopes of our interest for medical imaging such as iodine-123, Technetium-99m and Gallium-67. The advantage of using cyclotron rather than buying isotopes for medical application is that as the isotopes has short half-life period. By the time an isotope reaches its destination it covers its half-life. However, by having a cyclotron in the medical facility it not only reduces the cost but also, increase the number of scans to the patients in a given day. The medical facility that used cyclotron is required to be built with extensive safety such as multiple levels of shielding, monitoring and protection to ensure safe operations.Request Sample Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-4292 Medical Cyclotron Market: Drivers and RestraintsMedical cyclotron market is growing with the increasing prevalence cases of cancer. The growing investments on advanced treatment procedures for cancer is expected to drive the market. The increasing geriatric population, growing economy, changing life styles. Increasing awareness about the use of cyclotrons in diagnosis application of deep- lying tumors. The stringent regulations by government, high cost associated with the procedure and lack of experience in using this procedure are expected to act as a restraint to the marketMedical Cyclotron Market: SegmentationThe global medical cyclotron market is classified on the basis of product type and end usersGlobal Medical Cyclotron market, by Product TypeAVF CyclotronRing CyclotronGlobal Medical Cyclotron market, by End usersHospitalSpecialized ClinicsPharmaceutical companiesOthersMedical Cyclotron Market: OverviewProduct type is the major segment of the market that includes AVF Cyclotron and Ring Cyclotron. AVF cyclotron is abbreviated as Azimuthally Varying Field, it has magnetic fields that change with alternated strong and weak to focus beam axially. Ring cyclotron is a kind of AVF cyclotron, the magnets of this type of product are designed radially separated several sectors. The other segment includes end users that includes hospital, specialized clinics, pharmaceutical companies and others. The increasing government initiatives for the early detection and diagnosis of cancer is expected to act as the value-driver to the overall medical cyclotron market.Medical Cyclotron Market: Regional OverviewRegion wise, the global medical cyclotron market is classified into regions namely, North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia-Pacific, Japan, Middle East and Africa. North America is expected to lead the market due to better economic condition, better government initiatives and more business investments. Latin America market is expected to hold second largest market share followed by Europe due to increasing trend towards racing competitions and awareness among population.Request to View TOC @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-4292 Market: Key PlayersSome of the players in medical cyclotron market includes: General Electric Company, Nueclear Healthcare Limited, Cyclotron Products, Inc., IBA, Sumitomo Heavy Industries. Ltd.and others.
PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-25 05:55:20

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Research Report Insights (RRI)42 Joseph StreetPort carling P0B 1J0Muskoka, Ontario1Phone - +1-631-721-4201Website: https://www.researchreportinsights.comEmail: sales@researchreportinsights.com+1-631-721-42016317214201

Liquid Applied Membrane (LAM) is a lowly thickness waterproofing film that is employed in the form of a liquid covering to vertical along with horizontal surfaces. The LAM is, in addition, believed as a cutting-edge waterproofing chemical as well as its solid, consistent property, in addition to the ability to comply with each setup is making its need increase in the worldwide construction industry. Utilization of terrible value construction material before, trailed by poor support of the building construction is making a solid market for restoration as well as the repair that may possibly be settled by liquid applied membranes. Around 40-45% of the requirement for LAM originates from restoration and repair ventures. LAMs are additionally effective in lessening splits in the concrete, as a result driving its requirement all over the world.Governments of several emerging and emerged nations have covered the dual requirement for infrastructure evolution together with sustainability and durability. This is boosting the need for green buildings, subsequently bringing forth a strong market prospect for liquid applied membranes. The requirement for enlargement of the infrastructure industry in the emerging economies together with the high center on investment is likely to enhance the expansion of the market all through the years to come. The government is likely to take various activities relating to the sector that is likely to emphatically influence the market. All-inclusive research is being led by the makers with the end goal to create innovative products. The market players have been concentrating on item separation that is probably going to fuel the development over the approaching years. Expanding usage of bio-based and eco-friendly products is considered to boost the demand all over the years to comeRequest For Report Sample: https://www.researchreportinsights.com/report/upsample/120124823/Liquid-Applied-Membranes-Market Its properties, for example, environment-friendly nature, low viscosity, as well as low odor are probably going to encourage an expansion in the use of the product in the infrastructure industry. In addition, these have simple application over complex surfaces and are financially savvy when contrasted with waterproofing sheets. The product has a long time span of usability and is anything but difficult to re-apply which is foreseen to fuel the development throughout the following years. Also, LAMs are being favored for enhancing the general structure of industrial, residential as well as commercial buildings. They could be utilized related to high-performance polymers and materials with the end goal to improve their waterproofing properties.In terms of region, Europe and North America were the foremost markets for the product during 2016 on account of encouraging government policies in addition to recovery of the construction sector. Enhancing infrastructure in addition to expanding infrastructural expending combined with increasing disposable income of normal buyers is likely to fuel the market for the liquid applied membrane in North America.Request Report For Toc: https://www.researchreportinsights.com/report/TOC/120124823/Liquid-Applied-Membranes-Market The Asia Pacific regional market is considered to be a standalone of the most attractive markets for liquid applied membrane because of higher economic expansion in China & India. Because of developing urbanization as well as industrialization in emerging nations, for example, China and India, development in the Asia Pacific are likely to be the most noteworthy in the following couple of years.The foremost worldwide market players active in this market comprise Pidilite Industries, Sika AG, BASF SE, Chembond Chemicals, The Dow Chemical Company and Fosroc International. During February 2013, Paul Bauder brought in BauderTEC SPRINT DUO, a novel bitumen waterproofing product with a self-adhesive coating. Likewise, several market players are incorporated all over the value chain that alleviates uninterrupted raw material supply in addition to less production expenditure.Report Analysis: https://www.researchreportinsights.com/report/upcomming/120124823/Liquid-Applied-Membranes-Market
PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-25 11:11:58

The global market for lighting fixtures is estimated to reach a market size of over US$ 76 Billion all through 2025, up from a market value of over US$ 25.8 Billion during 2017. Increased penetrations in LED lighting, as well as the need for smart fixtures, are the major aspects anticipated to fuel the overall growth in revenue terms of the worldwide market for lighting fixtures. The market will be recording a healthy 14.2% CAGR all through the calculated period.Report For Sample with Table of Contents@ https://www.researchsolutioninsights.com/report/sample/230096-Lighting-Fixtures-Market Market Segmentation Based on the type, the global market is segmented as Decorative & Residential Lighting, Architecture & Commercial Lighting, Outdoor Lighting and Industrial Lighting. The outdoor lighting is estimated to increase exceedingly at US$ 20,548.0 through 2025 end. The architectural and commercial lighting is likely to grow at a high CAGR in value terms all through the predicted period. Based on the application type, the global market is categorised into corporate campus lighting, street lighting, airport lighting, education facilities lighting, retail outlets lighting, healthcare facilities lighting, government office & building, recreation & public venue lighting, industrial & warehouse lighting, restaurant & hotel lighting and residential lighting. The street lighting category is estimated to be majorly attractive in the worldwide market for lighting fixtures market over the calculated period. However, the residential lighting category is estimated to record soaring Y-o-Y rates of growth all through the calculated period. This category is likely to grow at a 16.3% CAGR in value terms over the calculated time frame. Based on the light source, the overall market is divided into fluorescent, incandescent and LED and OLED. The fluorescent division is estimated to lead the worldwide market for lighting fixtures by gaining the maximum market shares over the calculated period. On the other hand, the LED and OLED division are projected to register substantial growth in market share from 37.4% during 2017 to 59.7% by 2025.Request For Report Discount@ https://www.researchsolutioninsights.com/report/discount/230096-Lighting-Fixtures-Market  Based on the region, the overall market is assessed across Middle East & Africa, Latin America, North America, Asia Pacific and Europe. Europe and North America jointly are estimated to gain market shares in revenue terms during the assessment period. However, the MEA region is estimated to see a reasonable growth pace all through the calculated period.Key Market PlayersSome of the top Players functional in the worldwide market include Hubbell Lighting Inc., CREE INC, OSRAM Licht AG, GE Lighting LLC, Acuity Brands Lighting Inc, Royal Philips NV, Panasonic Corporation, ATG Electronics, Eaton Corporation, D. Kichler Co. and others. While some other players include Briloner Leuchten GmbH, Kenroy Homes, Delta Light, Brilliant Lighting Limited, Beghelli SpA, Disano Illuminazione S.p.A, IKEA, Glamox lighting, Endo Lighting Corp, EGLO Leuchten GmbH and others.Report Analysis@ https://www.researchsolutioninsights.com/report/analysis/230096-Lighting-Fixtures-Market
SOTU, as Washington whimsically dubs the annual Most Predictably Boring Speech of the Year, is given by POTUS (president of the, well, you know) as mandated by the Constitution. It doesnt have to be in person. It doesnt have to be televised. It just has to be a fanciful wish list from the White House to Congress about what could or should but wont happen in a given year.
Persistence Market Research has announced the addition of the  Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) Market to Witness Heightened Growth During the Period 2015  2021" report to their offering.

Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) Market

PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-25 11:08:31

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CONTACT:Persistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb: http://www.persistencemarketresearch.comteam lead800-961-0353

Light Detection and Ranging, popularly known as LiDAR (derived from the common term RADAR) is a sensing technology that makes use of light pulses in the form of a laser to measure variable distances from the Earth. A three dimensional information about the surface characteristics and shape of Earth is obtained using this technology. LiDAR technology helps mapping professionals and scientists to examine and study man-made as well as natural environments with precision, accuracy and flexibility.Early, the use of LiDAR was confined to the government and military applications. However, with technological advancements, and reductions in the manufacturing cost of LiDARs, it is heavily penetrating into the industrial as well as the commercial sectors. A few of the major applications catered by LiDAR technology include: volumetric mapping, mining, forestry, archaeology, geology, seismology, mining, topographic surveying, and corridor mapping among others. Additionally, light detection and ranging also encompasses the field of civil engineering with its applications in transportation, urban mapping and planning, infrastructure projects, and roadway planning among others. Currently, civil engineering and planning are the top revenue grossing applications for light detection and ranging systems. The LiDAR market is classified on the basis product type: airborne LiDAR, Terrestrial LiDAR, Mobile LiDAR and Short range LiDAR. However technological innovations are boosting the cost-benefit ratio of terrestrial and mobile LiDAR systems. Further, the LiDAR market may also be classified based on its components such as the inertial navigation system, GPS/GNSS, laser diode, camera and MEMS mirror.Request for Report Sample : https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/4695 Currently, there is no potential substitute for the LiDAR technology. Moreover, market has witnessed increased rapid growth in the automation provided by the LiDARs, along with the technological superiority in its field of application. Owing to these reasons, the LiDAR market is anticipated to grow at a substantial rate in near future. FARO, introduced Focus 3D LiDAR Scanner, a newly added low end device to the stationary 3D scanning market. The PrimeSense 3D Sensor, a non-traditional LiDAR, delivers an innovative solution which is adapted for real-time robotic navigation and is expected to fuel the 3D scanning LiDAR market. The recently found wide application of LiDAR technology in the digital mapping area has helped growth of this technology. Additionally, the introduction of low-cost, hand-held LiDARs is expected to reform the surveying sector in the coming five years.Some of the reasons responsible for a slow growth of the LiDAR market is high cost of the equipments and lack of awareness amongst the masses about the adoption of this technology. With technological advancements, LiDARs have found its usage in the field of agriculture majorly to create a topographical map of the fields that reveals the slopes and sun exposure of the farm land. This technology helps farmers to achieve the highest crop yield by indicating key areas for the usage of expensive fertilizers. In addition, the researchers are working on terrestrial LiDARs for automated indoor modeling, which would aid them in modeling interiors of the building.The LiDAR market is geographically diversified with its origin almost across the globe. Some of the key competitors in this market include RIEGL Laser Measurement Systems GmbH, Leica Geosystems, Renishaw Plc, Airborne imaging, Inc., Trimble Navigation Limited and Optech, IncRequest for Report TOC : https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/4695
PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-25 04:20:29

Surface mining refers to the mining technique where the overlying layer of soil and rock is removed, followed by the recovery or excavation of the underlying minerals. This method of mining provides considerably better recovery, safety, flexibility, environmental conditions and grade control as compared to other mining methods such as underground mining. The technique of surface mining gained momentum in the 16th century and has been widely prevalent at a global level, especially in North America.Factors such as lower injury rates, better recovery, flexibility and grade control serve as drivers for the global surface mining industry. However, from an environmental perspective, surface mining tends to have an extensive and more prominent impact on the surrounding environment as compared to underground mining. This is a disadvantage for the global surface mining industry. Hence, to counter this environmental impact associated with the surface mining operations, a safety zone needs to be placed around the mining area. Another disadvantage associated with the global surface mining industry is the relatively higher transport cost involved during the mining operation. For instance, the transportation cost of rock in open pit mining method accounts for about 50% of the total operating cost. Supporting regulations for surface mining such as the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act, 1977 in the US, and proper economic planning alongwith the establishment of safety zone near the mine surface have been introduced in recent times. These developments, the vast horizontal and low lying reserves and the surging demand of iron-ore, diamond, chromium and coal, will act as opportunistic factors for the global surface mining market.Request For Report Sample @ www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-61 Market segmentation of surface mining can be done on the basis of mining methods, the type of mineral deposits and regions. On the basis of mining methods, the global surface mining can be categorised into 3 groups: strip mining, terrace mining and open-pit mining. Among these, strip mining is applied where both the surface of the ground and the ore body are relatively horizontal with a minimal depth under the surface. An example of strip mining is the coal mining operation at Mpumalanga. Terrace mining is opted for where the overlying layer is relatively thicker or the ore incline is too steep. Terrace mining is a multi-step method in which the entire mine moves over the ore reserve from one end to another. This type of mining is prevalent in Germany-based lignite mines, and in some of the coal mines in the UK and South Africa. Open-pit mining refers to the traditional cone-shaped excavation with a typical vein structure, and steeply dipping and stratified ores. This mining method is primarily used for the excavation of metals such as Sishen iron-ore and Palabora copper ore. However, at some places open-pit mining can also be used for the excavation of other types of deposits such as diamond ore at Finsch.On the basis of the type of mineral deposits, surface mining can be categorised as stratified and non-stratified. Stratified surface mining can be further sub-divided into horizontal and inclined. Non-stratified is divided into vertical vein, and massive stockwork or pipe.On the basis of region, the global surface mining market includes North America, Latin America, Asia Pacific, Japan, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, and Middle East & Africa. Among these, surface mining is mostly prevalent in North America, followed by Latin America, Asia Pacific, and Middle East & Africa. Surface mining accounts for about 85% of the overall mineral exploitation in the US. The major countries using surface mining include the US, Canada, Mexico, Peru, India, China, Chile, Brazil, Indonesia, Ukraine, Angola and Australia.Some of the prominent players of the global surface mining market include: Goldcorp, Teck, Rio Tinto, BHP Billiton, Vale S A, Freeport-McMoran, Barrick Gold and others. With the adoption of safety measures, economical techniques and support from governmental legislations, the mining companies are expected to witness further positive growth, thereby contributing to a sustainable positive future for the global surface mining market.The research report presents a comprehensive assessment of the market and contains thoughtful insights, facts, historical data, and statistically supported and industry-validated market data.It also contains projections usinga suitable set of assumptions and methodologies. The research report provides analysis and information according to categories such as market segments, geographies, types, technology and applications.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC): www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-61 The report covers exhaustive analysis on:Market SegmentsMarket DynamicsMarket SizeSupply & DemandCurrent Trends/Issues/ChallengesCompetition & Companies involvedTechnologyValue Chain
PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-25 09:04:14

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ADME-Tox is pharmacology phrase that represents distribution, absorption, metabolism & excretion with toxicity testing. These four measures are imperative for the dynamics of drugs coverage to the tissue level, hence testing ADME-Tox is essential for drug development. The ADME-Tox screening is method is an incorporated workstation for discovering the absorption, metabolism, distribution & excretion attributes of drug molecules. This system incorporates biochemical assay tester that assesses the physicochemical attributes of a drug molecule. This system, in addition, bolsters the permeability assays testing that channel the drug affinity in the direction of the metabolic enzyme.The growing center of drug maker to cut down the development price of a drug with the slightest toxicological issue is the one of the foremost factor bolstering the expansion of the market for ADME-Tox screening system. Alongside the ADME-Toxicological testing gains the potency of drug that enhances the competence of the drug to aim the desired tissue. Furthermore, rising need for the specialized drug because of the increasing occurrence of several chronic diseases will in addition surge the expansion of AME-Tox screening system market. High maintenance and installation cost of this system will impede the expansion of this market. In addition, an absence of skilled professional to control this system will as well be responsible for the slow expansion of this market.Request For Report Sample: https://www.researchreportinsights.com/report/upsample/120124754/ADME-Tox-Screening-Systems-Market By product type, the worldwide market is segmented into software, assay system and instruments. In terms of the application, the worldwide market is segmented into tissue engineering, drug screening, biopharmaceutical production, discovery and development and other. In terms of the end user, the worldwide market is segmented into academic and research institute, contract research organization (CROs), biopharmaceutical companies and others.The market for ADME-Tox screening system will reflect exponential expansion because of increased biopharmaceutical production and drug development. This market is considered to increase with higher pace owing to the expansion of innovative proficiencies and an stepping up customer preference. This market has presented the huge expansion prospects to the foremost biopharmaceutical companies. In terms of the application, the drug development segment will expand the highest market share. The biopharmaceutical companies will lead the overall market by the end user for the duration of the forecast.Region-wise, North America will lead the worldwide market because of the existence of a huge number of biopharmaceutical companies. Asia-Pacific and Europe will trail the North America market. In APAC region, India and China will be growing fast throughout the period of forecast due to the augmented focus of foremost biopharmaceutical makers to extend their subsidiaries in these nations.Request For Report TOC: https://www.researchreportinsights.com/report/TOC/120124754/ADME-Tox-Screening-Systems-Market The foremost players discovered all over the value chain of the worldwide market are ACEA Biosciences Inc., Hudson Robotics Inc., Agilent Tsechnologies Inc., Albany Molecular Research Inc., ADMEcell Inc., BioreclamationIVT, LLC, Cerep SA, Beckman Counter Inc., and other.Report Analysis: https://www.researchreportinsights.com/report/upcomming/120124754/ADME-Tox-Screening-Systems-Market
Social businesses function in most ways like for-profit businesses, yet since the social impact is the primary purpose of this business, all profits have to be reinvested into the business.

Social Business Market

PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-25 19:56:03

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A social business is defined as a business whose purpose is to solve social problems in a financially sustainable way. The information governance in social business market report lists the major competitors and the tactical industry analysis of the important factors impacting the industry. This industry possibility is studied in addition to the challenges that were crucial.Request Sample Copy of this Report@:The Top Key Players included in this Market:Indiegogo, Sanergy, Warby Parker, GoldieBlox, Uncommon Goods, Lush, Adobe Systems, IBM, Oracle, SAP, SAS Institute, Adobe Systems, Attensity Group, Beevolve, Clarabridge, Crimson Hexagon, Evolve24, Google, HP, Kapow Software/ Kofax, Lithium Technologies, NetBase Solutions, Radian6/Salesforce, Sysomos, CisionThe Global Social Business Market 2019 research report can be a supply of data for techniques and business plans. The industry summary is provided by the analysis in addition to the increase Social Business market trends, futuristic and beyond cost, revenue, require, earnings, and also the source data. The information governance in social business analysis forecast growth and examines facets connected to the functioning of the market.To provide an effective business outlook, different case studies from various top-level industry experts, business owners, and policymakers have been included to get a clear vision about business methodologies to the readers. SWOT and Porters five model have been used for analyzing the Social Business Market on the basis of strengths, challenges and global opportunities in front of the businesses. The Social Business industry report also provides data, which enriches extent, the understanding, and also applications of the report.Across the globe, several regions, such as North America, Latin America, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and India have been considered for studies on the basis of productivity, types of products or services along with its features. It also identifies the competitive landscape of Social Business Market industries to understand the competition at domestic as well as global level.Get Reasonable Discount on this Premium Report @:
FMI

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Hirschsprung disease is a condition in which certain nerve fibers are absent in the segment of the bowel results in partial or full blockage of a stool which further leads to severe infection and damage to the colon. The condition is present at the newborn period and later in infancy and childhood as a result of missing nerve cells in the muscles of the baby's colon, and children are prone to a severe intestinal infection called enterocolitis which can be a life threatening. Mortality from enterocolitis or surgical complications in infancy is 25-30%. Hirschsprung disease is a common cause of chronic constipation. Hirschsprung's disease is associated with certain inherited conditions, such as Down syndrome and other abnormalities present at birth, such as congenital heart disease. Hirschsprungs disease occurs once in every 5,000 live births and is about four times more common in males than females.Hirschsprung disease affects all races; however, it is roughly three times more common among Asian-Americans. The main signs and symptoms of Hirschsprung disease are constipation or intestinal obstruction, usually appearing shortly after birth. Most often, an infant or a child with Hirschsprung disease will have other symptoms, including growth failure, swelling of the abdomen, unexplained fever, or vomiting. However, Hirschsprung disease can be treated, depending on the bowel condition and its severity and based on the patient's symptoms and medical history; this is expected to reflect positive growth in the global Hirschsprung disease treatmentmarket.Hirschsprung Disease Treatment Market: Drivers and RestraintsTechnology advancements in healthcare related to research and development of new therapies and drugs are now curing life-threatening diseases and giving promising results. Increasing the prevalence rate of such diseases with increasing number of diagnosed infants with Hirschsprung Disease across the globe are driving the Hirschsprung Disease Treatment market. However, some of the restraints also are there that hamper the Hirschsprung Disease Treatmentmarket growth such factor are the lack of definitive treatment options & misdiagnosis of the diseaseand limited access to healthcare services in various countries.Request Sample Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-5049 Hirschsprung Disease Treatment Market: SegmentationThe global market for Hirschsprung Disease Treatment is segmented on the basis of Drug Class, Distribution Channel, and geography:Based on Drug Class, Hirschsprung Disease Treatment market is segmented into the following:Anti-infectiveAnalgesicsAntiemeticBased on Distribution Channel, Hirschsprung Disease Treatment market is segmented into the following:Hospital PharmaciesDrug StoresRetail PharmaciesMail Order PharmaciesHirschsprung Disease Treatment Market: OverviewContinuous investment by government in clinical research to get the new ways to prevent, detect, or treat disease. Researchers also use clinical trials to look at other aspects of care, such as improving the quality of life for people with chronic illnesses.The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) and other components of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) conduct and support research into such diseases and conditions. This is expected to drive the growth of Hirschsprung Disease Treatmentmarket during the forecast period. Prognosis of Hirschsprung Disease with the help of diagnostic tests at regular intervals is also expected to propel the Hirschsprung Disease Treatment market.Hirschsprung Disease Treatment Market: Region-wise OutlookBased on geography, Hirschsprung Disease Treatment market has been segmented into seven key regions: North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia-Pacific, Japan, and Middle East & Africa. North America is relied upon to represent tremendous commitment under Hirschsprung Disease Treatment by income era due to well-developed diagnosis and treatment centers with affordability to health care facilities. Stimulated advancement in old technology and increasing awareness about disorders through government in Europe exhibits the rise of the Hirschsprung Disease Treatmentmarket. China, India are also relied upon to show high development rate, because of increases in research centers and adoption of these procedures in clinical practice with improved clinical outcomes that would push the Hirschsprung Disease Treatment market growth.Request to View TOC @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-5049 Hirschsprung Disease Treatment Market: Key Market ParticipantsSome of the major key players of Hirschsprung Disease Treatment market constitute: Pfizer, Sanofi, Bayer Healthcare, Johnson and Johnson Merck & Co., Novartis AG, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Astellas Pharma, Inc., Eli Lilly and Company, Abbott, Panacea Biotech Ltd. Cipla Ltd., GlaxoSmithKline Dr. Reddys Laboratories Ltd, and Baxter International.
Hemodynamic Monitoring System Market

PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-25 09:15:25

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Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb: http://www.persistencemarketresearch.comAssociate Consultant800-961-0353

Persistence Market Research (PMR), in a recent report, Global Market Study on Hemodynamic Monitoring System: Growing Demand for Critical Congenital Heart Disease Screening to Drive the Market by 2021 , projected the hemodynamic monitoring systems market to expand at a healthy CAGR of 6.5% during the forecast period. The report offered trends driving the market and delivered analysis and insights on the potential of the hemodynamic monitoring systems market in specific regions.In terms of revenue, the hemodynamic monitoring systems market was valued at US$ 328.7 Mn in 2014 and is projected to reach US$ 508.4 Mn by 2021. Factors driving market growth include government and private sector initiatives to reduce healthcare costs, rising prevalence of lifestyle diseases, growing the geriatric patient population, increasing the incidence of respiratory disorders and growing demand for the screening of critical congenital heart disease (CCHD).In terms of region, North America dominated the hemodynamic monitoring systems market with over 30% share in terms of value in 2014 but is expected to lose its market share to APAC by 2021. Europe accounted for over 20% of the total hemodynamic monitoring systems market share in 2014 and will maintain its dominance through 2021. Among the regions, APAC is projected to register the highest CAGR over 20152021 due to low-cost product offerings by manufacturers in the region. As of 2014, APAC was the third-highest contributor to the overall hemodynamic monitoring systems market, accounting for over 18% market share. By the end of 2021, it is projected to gain 330 BPS.On the basis of device type, the market has been segmented into pulse contour, oesophageal Doppler, volume clamp, hemodynamic monitoring sensors and pulmonary artery catheters.Request Sample Report@ https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/4396 The pulmonary artery catheters segment had a dominant share in the global hemodynamic monitoring systems market in 2014, while the volume clamp segment accounted for over 20% share.Global hemodynamic monitoring systems market is further segmented on the basis of end use into hospitals, clinics, ambulatory surgery centres, home care settings and independent catheterisation laboratories. Revenue contribution of the hospitals segment was over 40% in 2014 and is projected to increase to over 42% by 2021, registering a significant CAGR of 7.3%. Home care settings segment is anticipated to record highest CAGR during the forecast period as hemodynamic monitoring systems are being adopted increasingly in home care settings.By application type, the hemodynamic monitoring systems market is segmented into invasive hemodynamic monitoring, noninvasive hemodynamic monitoring and minimally invasive hemodynamic monitoring segments. Among the three segments, minimally invasive hemodynamic monitoring segment is expected to register the highest CAGR of 8.0% over 2015-2021. The invasive hemodynamic monitoring segment accounted for over 30% market share in 2014 but is projected to lose its share to the other two segments by the end of the forecast period.Request for Report Methodology @: https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/methodology/4396 Key players in the global hemodynamic monitoring systems market include Edwards Lifesciences Corporation, ICU Medical, Inc., Teleflex Incorporated, LiDCO Group Plc and PULSION Medical Systems SE. Global players focus on research and development initiatives for introducing innovative products to attain sustainable advantages over their competitors. In addition, they also focus on expanding their regional presence through mergers and acquisitions. In developed regions, hemodynamic monitoring systems manufacturers prefer selling their products directly to the consumer. By contrast, most vendors in countries such as China have tie-ups with suppliers to enhance their customer reach. Globally, medical equipment manufacturers in China account for over 50% market share for exporting noninvasive devices.
Global Help desk outsourcing market size was xx million US$ and it is expected to reach xx million US$ by the end of 2026, with a CAGR of +10% between 2019 and 2026.

Help desk outsourcing

PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-25 20:00:19

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Vijay TannaAddress:Survey No-9/4, Flat# 6, Panchshil Park,Ganpati Marg, Nigidi, Pune 411044+91 740-024-2424sales@itintelligencemarkets.comwww.itintelligencemarkets.com(Sales Manager)+91 740-024-2424

Help desk outsourcing is a process that uses resources outside the company to manage customer support and technical support for customers. Outsourcing helps organizations reduce operating costs and reach maximum end users. As the demand for outsourcing of SMEs increases, market growth is expected to accelerate Consumption of IT services is also expected to boost the market. But language barriers hinder the growth of the market. In addition, the higher the company's participation in various outsourcing activities, the more likely it is to boost the market during the forecast period.The main goal for the dissemination of this information is to give a descriptive analysis of how the trends could potentially affect the upcoming future of Help desk outsourcing market during the forecast period. This markets competitive manufactures and the upcoming manufactures are studied with their detailed research. Revenue, production, price, market share of these players is mentioned with precise information.For Sample Copy of this report: https://www.itintelligencemarkets.com/request_sample.php?id=4801 Key VendorsCSC, HCL Technologies, HP Enterprise Services, IBM, Qcom Outsourcing, Wipro, Atos, Attivasoft, CGI Group, Ciber, CompuCom, Dell, Dynasis, Fujitsu, Genpact, Getronics, Hudson SoftwareThis report studies the Help desk outsourcing market size by players, regions, product types and end industries, history 2014-2018 and forecast data 2019-2026. This report also studies the global market competition landscape, market drivers and trends, opportunities and challenges, risks and entry barriers, sales channels, distributors and Porter's Five Forces Analysis.Avail discount on this report: https://www.itintelligencemarkets.com/ask_for_discount.php?id=4801 By Industry VerticalAutomotiveConsumer GoodsITTelecommunicationOil & GasOthersThe current growth and development patterns of this market have also been encapsulated in this study. After studying key companies, the report focuses on the startups contributing towards the growth of the market. Possible mergers and acquisitions among the startups and key organizations are identified by the report's authors in the study. As leading companies take efforts to maintain their dominance in the global Help desk outsourcing market, the right way to do so is by adopting new technologies and strategies. The report highlights major technological developments and changing trends adopted by key companies over a period of time. For a stronger and more stable business outlook, the report on the global market carries key projections that can be practically studied.For more enquiry: https://www.itintelligencemarkets.com/enquiry_before_buying.php?id=4801 By Service TypeLegal ServicesFacilities ManagementKnowledge processHR ServicesFinance & AccountingHighlighted key points of this market research report:-This report provides pin-point analysis for changing competitive dynamics-It provides a forward-looking perspective on different factors driving or restraining market growth-It provides seven-years forecast assessed on the basis of how the market is predicted to grow-It helps in understanding the key product segments and their future-It provides pin point analysis of changing competition dynamics and keeps you ahead of competitors-It helps in making informed business decisions by having complete insights of market and by making in-depth analysis of market segmentsMarket segment by Regions/Countries, this report coversAmericasEurope, Middle East & AfricaAsia-PacificTable of Contents:Global Help desk outsourcing Market Research Report 2019-2025Chapter 1 Global Help desk outsourcing 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 Help desk outsourcing 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 Help desk outsourcing Market Forecast
PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-25 13:07:29

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Helicobacter pylori testing is used to identify a helicobacter pylori infection in the upper part of the small intestine and stomach. The helicobacter pylori test is also used to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment. Helicobacter pylori can cause peptic ulcers, stomach (gastric) cancer and chronic gastritis. Helicobacter pylori testing is done to find whether an infection with helicobacter pylori bacteria is causing an ulcer or not. There are different types of helicobacter pylori testing that are performed. Amongst them some requires a sample of stool or breath while others are more invasive and requires a tissue sample obtained using an endoscopy. Helicobacter pylori bacteria grows in the digestive tract and have a tendency to attack the stomach lining. Helicobacter pylori infections are usually harmless but they are mainly responsible for majority of ulcers in the small intestine and stomach. It is the most common infection in humans therefore there detection is important.According to a research by CDC, helicobacter pylori causes more than 90% of duodenal ulcers and up to 80% of gastric ulcersHelicobacter Pylori Testing Market: Drivers and RestraintsOver the forecast period, the global helicobacter pylori testing market is expected to grow steadily because of the increasing number of older population, and increased prevalence of infectious diseases and gastritis. The growing awareness of immunodiagnostics among the people, rapid advances in technology and innovations, and increasing product approvals are expected to propel the market growth of the global helicobacter pylori testing market. However high cost of test is the prominent factors restraining the growth of global helicobacter pylori testing market.Request Sample Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-5276 Helicobacter Pylori Testing Market: SegmentationThe global helicobacter pylori testing market is classified on the basis of test type, end user and geographyOn the basis of test type, the global helicobacter pylori testing market can be segmented into:With EndoscopyHistologyRapid urease testingCulturePCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)Without EndoscopyStool/fecal antigen testUrea breath testH. pylori antibody testingOn the basis of end user, the global helicobacter pylori testing market can be segmented into:HospitalsPrivate LabsPublic health labsPhysician officesHelicobacter Pylori Testing Market: OverviewTo evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment and diagnose an infection helicobacter pylori testing is done. The tests with endoscopy is considered good tests but are invasive so they are less frequently ordered. Based on end user, the global helicobacter pylori testing is segmented into hospitals, private labs, publics health labs and physician offices.Helicobacter Pylori Testing Market: Regional OverviewGeographically, global helicobacter pylori testing market is classified into regions viz. North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia-Pacific, Japan, Middle East and Africa. North America is expected to dominate global helicobacter pylori testing market over the forecast period due to high prevalence of gastritis. Western Europe is expected to be the second largest market for helicobacter pylori testing. Asia Pacific market is expected to experience delayed growth due to unawareness towards helicobacter pylori testing and low disposable income.Request to View TOC @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-5276 Helicobacter Pylori Testing Market: Key PlayersSome of the players identified in global helicobacter pylori testing market include Abbott, ADI/American Diagnostica, Agilent Technologies, Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., Helena Laboratories, Horiba, Takara Bio, EKF Diagnostics, Exalenz Bioscience Ltd., Sekisui Diagnostics, LLC, etc.
market analysis, market business reports, market forecasts, market growth, market Overview

PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-25 20:01:22

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Research N Reports has released a new report titled Mobile Portable Printer Industry, which consists of detailed descriptions and analysis based on the various types of products available in the marketplace and has a variety of end users. This report has statistics on key geographical segments and examines global outlook and progress in regions such as Europe, Asia Pacific, North America, Latin America and the Middle East and Africa. The market has the potential to witness the fastest development, has important chapters in the marketing strategies of major traders, and outlines the status of the mobile handheld printer industry during the forecast period from 2018 to 2025. The mobile handheld printer industry market considers key trends and key market factors that are important to conducting this research. The growing market will increase the global market in the coming years. In addition to this, the number of driving in the near future is expected to increase sharply and to flame on the development of this market.Key Player Included in Report:Toshiba, Epson, Canon, Hewlett-Packard, LG, Xerox, Star Micronics, BIXOLON, Zebra Technologies, CognitiveTPG, Printek, Citizen Systems, Sato, Polaroid, DELL, Ricoh, Pringo, FujifilmGet Sample Copy of Report:Mobile Portable Printers Industry Market is the best way to win the finest business selections. Numerous organizations are starting to know about the implication and outcome of the market in each part of their business. Many more are willing to spend more currency just to get the exact and precise demographics of their market. The massive rate of the customers select products and services from an organization that has a strong and accurate marketing research. The products and services that have high rankings are in addition that are boosted in large numbers.The report also uses feedbacks given by industry experts to support the present and new players in enclosing effective business policies in the upcoming years. The report has been accumulated by taking the aid of info graphics, charts and tables to present the historical data and appraised figures of the 2017.Get Discount on this Report @: https://www.researchnreports.com/ask_for_discount.php?id=227357 Precisely, the report emphases on the competitive landscape of the Mobile Portable Printers Industry Market industry and abides the persuasive development policies and plans that will decide the markets trail in the forecast period. An exploration of the major players functioning in the Mobile Portable Printers Industry Market is included in the report, segmenting and unfolding them on the constraints of manufacturing procedures and business strategies, information related to product classification and profit margins regarding the same. The cost dynamics of the market are also scrutinized and related to the ample breakdown of the markets competitive landscape which provides a complete generous range of price dynamics in the Wireless Router Market industry for the readers to comprehend it clearly.For More Queries @: https://www.researchnreports.com/enquiry_before_buying.php?id=227357
Persistence Market Research has announced the addition of the  Global Market for Cloud Services Market to Offer Lucrative Growth Prospects for Manufacturers" report to their offering.

Cloud Services Market

PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-25 12:24:06

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CONTACT:Persistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb: http://www.persistencemarketresearch.comteam lead800-961-0353

Cloud services are those services that are offered to users via the Internet from the server of cloud computing service provider. Such services provide scalable and easy access to various resources and applications, and are entirely managed by the cloud service providers. The examples of cloud services include web-based e-mail services, online backup solutions and data storage, document collaboration services, technical support services, and database processing among others. Cloud service providers supply the necessary software and hardware required for cloud service, thereby eliminating the need for organizations to deploy their own resources for managing networked services. The other advantage of cloud services over the traditional methods of providing infrastructure is faster deployment of services and reduction in in-house maintenance costs.On the basis of mode of delivery, the cloud services market is segmented into Platform as a Service (PaaS), Software as a Service (SaaS) and Infrastructure as a service (IaaS). The SaaS mode of delivery is further segmented into SMB and mobile corporate SaaS cloud services, corporate SaaS cloud services, SMB SaaS cloud services and others. North America is the largest contributor to the cloud services market due to the high penetration of internet in this region. This region is followed by Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of the World (RoW).Request for Report Sample: https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/6667 Major benefits offered by cloud services are driving business organizations in implementing the use of cloud services. Cloud services maximize the effectiveness of shared resources and ensure the business organizations higher returns and faster paybacks. In addition, cloud services offer scalable solutions to growing business organizations at low cost of ownership. This drives business organizations to invest in such services that allow them to generate higher revenues by optimizing the available resources. However, the data security issues are the roadblocks that are adversely affecting the growth of this market. The increasing data hacking incidences using sophisticated tools result in loss of sensitive data, causing serious dents in the business revenues. Also, there are constant evolutions of new security threats that are affecting the quality of cloud services. Further, the small and medium businesses find it difficult to repeatedly invest in the customized solutions available for cloud services security. Due to such factors, the business organizations are reluctant in investing in the cloud services and prefer to carry on with conventional methods of network infrastructure.Some of the major players in the market are improving their existing services by adding new and innovative features. This helps them in staying competitively ahead in the market. For instance, Akamai Technologies, Inc., one of the leading cloud services providers, recently added Zone Apex Mapping feature to its Ion network acceleration technology. This feature reduces DNS resolution time and avoids HTTP redirects. Other major players in the market include VMware, Inc., (U.S.), Taleo Corporation (Ireland), Oracle Corporation, (U.S.), NetSuite Inc., (U.S.), Microsoft Corporation (U.S.), Joyent Inc., (U.S.), International Business Machines Corporation (U.S.), Hewlett-Packard (U.S.), Flexiant Limited (United Kingdom), ENKI Consulting (U.S.), Etelos Inc.,(U.S.) , Citrix Systems Inc., (U.S.), Cisco Systems Inc., (U.S.), CA Technologies, Inc., (U.S.), and SAP AG (Germany).Request for Report TOC: https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/6667
Future Market Insights has announced the addition of the "Global Fluoropolymer Market Value Reach to anticipated to account for US$ 11472.6 Mn by 2025" report to their offering

PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-25 12:54:47

Future Market Insights (FMI) announced the release of its latest report titled, Fluoropolymer Market: Global Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment, 2015 - 2025. According to the report, the global fluoropolymer market was valued at US$ 6403.4 Mn in 2014 and is anticipated to account for US$ 11472.6 Mn by 2025, registering a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.4% through the forecast period.Market Drivers and RestraintsGlobal fluoropolymer market is majorly driven by growing consumption of fluoropolymers by industrial processing, automotive and electrical & electronics industries across the globe. Apart from this, rapid replacement of conventional materials used in high performance applications is poised to drive demand for fluoropolymers across the globe. Moreover, demand for fluoropolymers in lightweighting applications is anticipated to boost the global fluoropolymer market growth during the forecast period. High costs and fluctuations in fluoropolymer prices might hamper growth of the global fluoropolymers market to some extent.Request For Report Sample @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-453 Market SegmentsThe global fluoropolymer market has been segmented on the basis of product type, end-use industry and geography.By product type, the global fluoropolymer market is segmented into polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyvinyl fluoride (PVF), polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE), polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF), fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), perfluoroalkoxy polymer (PFA) and other. Among these segments, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) accounted for approximately 41.9% of global value market share in 2014. The segment is expected to dominate the global fluoropolymer market throughout the forecast period, exhibiting a CAGR of 5.4% between 2015 and 2025. The polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) segment accounted for 16.2% of the market value share in 2014 and is expected to increase at a CAGR of 5.2% during the forecast period, owing to its increasing consumption by electronics and aerospace industries for insulation and coatings. The fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) segment accounted for approximately 14.6% of the global value market share in 2014, and is expected to account for 14.7 % share by 2025.Browse Full Fluoropolymer Market: Global Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment, 2015 - 2025 Market Research Report at https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/fluoropolymers-market By end use industry, the global fluoropolymer market has been segmented into automotive & aerospace, industrial processing, healthcare, electrical & electronics, construction and others. Industrial processing segment dominated the global fluoropolymer market and was valued at US$ 1,797.9 Mn in 2014. Furthermore, the industrial processing segment is estimated to account for share of 28.0% of overall fluoropolymer market value by 2015 end, closely followed by electrical & electronics accounting fornearly 23.31% share. Growing demand for fluoropolymers due to its rising usage in various automotive and electronics applications such as bearing separators, valve balls, gaskets, O-rings, electrical insulation and flexible printed circuits is expected to further propel demand for fluoropolymers in automotive and electrical & electronics end use segments. Also, the scope of other end use industries segment for fluoropolymers is expected to expand in the near future due to increasing usage of fluoropolymers in emerging applications such as waterproof clothing, non-stick cookware and dental filling.Geography-wise, Asia Pacific Excluding Japan (APEJ) dominated the global fluoropolymer market in 2014, accounting for 41.1% revenue share in 2014. The market in the region is also expected to exhibit the highest CAGR of 5.9% during the forecast period.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC): https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/askus/rep-gb-453 Competitive LandscapeMajor players considered in the global fluoropolymer market are 3M Company, DuPont Company, BASF, Daikin Industries Limited, Dongyue Group Ltd., Arkema Group, Solvay Chemicals Inc., AGC Group, Honeywell International Inc., Saint Gobain S.A, Gujarat Fluorochemicals Ltd., Hindustan Fluorocarbons Limited, Kureha Corporation, Halopolymer OJSC and Shanghai 3F New Material Co., Ltd
PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-25 04:19:34

A gas leak detector is a piece of equipment or a device that senses and detects the existence of gases in a particular area. These devices are used as a part of safety systems installed in factories, homes and commercial complexes. A gas leak detector system detects the gas leaked and generates a signal to take proper action. Industrially, gas detector systems are fitted with a sound alarm to evacuate the area in case of toxic gas leakage. The popularity of such devices is growing due to the influx of new chemical facilities across the world. Further, the growing gas storage facility network across the globe has deployed a significant number of gas leak detectors for safety systems.Due to their design modifications, gas detectors are broadly categorised on the basis of technology as electrochemical, infrared imaging, infrared point, ultrasonic, semiconductor and holographic. On the basis of product type, the global gas detectors market is bifurcated into portable gas detectors and fixed gas detectors.Request For Report Sample @ www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-67 Portable gas detectors are widely used in lab application whereas fixed detectors find their maximum application in gas extraction and processing fields. Fixed gas detectors can also be used for residential applications such as using itin a bedroom. Further, industrial fixed type gas detector application includes SCADA monitoring.Gas detectors are used in applications such as gas turbines, building and construction, health care, food and beverages, water treatment, oil and gas refineries, chemical plants, underground gas storage facilities, and others. The segments for refineries and chemical plants applications dominate the global market at present. Nevertheless, gas detectors are widely used in underground gas storage. The growing gas supply network is spurring the demand in this segment.One of the major driving factors for gas leak detectors market is the ever growing oil & gas industry. The increasing number of gas field explorations and widening gas supply network has been fuelling the demand for gas leak detectors. In addition, active government organizations have been imposing safety regulations on the industries. This, in turn, has propelled the demand for gas leak detectors. Further, Asia Pacific is likely to lead the league in terms of growth of the industrial sector, mining sector, medicine and healthcare sector, and construction sector. This is likely to create opportunities for the growth of theglobal gas leak detectors market. However, the market is facing strong competition due to the influx of new players in the market and frequent product launches.Multi-gas detector coupled with an analyzer system is one of the emerging trends in the global leaked gas detector market. This kind of detector is gaining popularity due to its compact designs and better features as compared to conventional gas leak detectors. It is expected that the after sales market is likely to develop further in future and a number of market participants will enter this segment. It is also expected that the gas leak detector manufacturers will expand their business to aftermarket sales through forward integration and strategic alliances.A number of product launches can be seen in the global gas leak detectors market. For instance, market participants such as Scott Safety, GE and RAE Systems recently launched a few new gas leak detectors. The global gas leak detectors market has also been witnessing strategic alliances such as that between Cbiss and Old Man Partner. To expand the business globally, a number of gas leaked detectors manufacturers have acquired other companies such as the acquisition of Edinburgh Instruments Ltd by Techcomp Group Ltd., the acquisition of RAE Systems by Honeywell International Inc. and the acquisition ofGroveley Detection Ltd by Emerson.Some of the prominent players in global gas leak detectors market are City Technology Ltd., Honeywell International Inc., Mine Safety Appliances Co., Dragerwerk AG & Co., KGAA, Testo AG, ABB Ltd, Industrial Scientific Corporation, California Analytical Instruments Inc., Figaro Engineering Inc., Yokogawa Electric Corporation, Hitech Instruments Ltd, Ametek Inc., Emerson Electric Co.,Halma Plc, Trolex Ltd,GE Measurement & Control, Gasmet Technologies OY, Enerac Inc., Xtralis Pty. Ltd, Horiba Ltd and others.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC): www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-67 The research report presents a comprehensive assessment of the market and contains thoughtful insights, facts, historical data, and statistically supported and industry-validated market data. It also contains projections using a suitable set of assumptions and methodologies. The research report provides analysis and information according to categories such as geographies, technology, application and product type. The report covers exhaustive analysis on:Market SegmentsMarket DynamicsMarket SizeSupply & DemandCurrent Trends/Issues/ChallengesCompetition & Companies involvedTechnology
Research Report Insights (RRI) has launched the report titled, Flexible Glass Market: Asia Pacific Industry Analysis, Size, Sales and Forecast By 2020: Research Report Insights.

PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-25 12:33:19

A recently published report by Research Report Insights (RRI), reveals that market for flexible glass in Asia Pacific is set to surge at a staggering CAGR of 36.5% between 2014 and 2020 to reach valuation in excess of US$ 600 Mn. Development of displays with higher flexibility threshold is expected to reflect favourably on the flexible glass market in the Asia Pacific in the forthcoming years. Moreover, the flexible glass is likely to find widespread application in 2.5D and 3D semiconductor packaging. In the near future, flexible glass may emerge as a more cost-effective and better alternative for silicon interposer. Developers are also viewing the use of flexible glass in manufacturing flexible OLED display and may potentially replace plastic substrates.Report For Sample with Table of Contents@ https://www.researchsolutioninsights.com/report/sample/230126-Flexible-Glass-Market On the basis of application, the market for flexible glass in Asia Pacific is primarily segmented into solar PV (photovoltaic) and display. Among these two, the display application segment currently hold account for the dominant share of the market. In 2013, this segment is was valued at over US$ 74 Mn, and is estimated to stand at a market valuation of over US$ 417 Mn by end for 2020, expanding at a robust pace. In addition, the arrival of Roll2Roll process is expected to further drive the demand for flexible glass, especially in solar PV manufacturing.This, in turn, in boosting the growth of solar PV application and making it the fastest growing segment during the assessment period. The display application segment is sub-divided into curved TV, wearables, tablets, smartphones and displays mounted on buildings. Among these, the smartphones & tablets segment is projected to lead, accounting for more than 50% revenue share of the market by the end of the forecast period. Meanwhile, the curved TV segment is projected to reflect a robust CAGR of 37.1% during the same period. This is primarily attributed to emergence of new market players that are accelerating the demand for flexible glass in manufacturing of curved TV.Request For Report Discount@ https://www.researchsolutioninsights.com/report/discount/230126-Flexible-Glass-Market On the basis of countries, the market for flexible glass in Asia Pacific is segmented into South Korea, China, Japan and others. Among these, Japan in currently the most attractive market for flexible glass, followed South Korea and China respectively. In addition, the Japan is anticipate to represent for more than one-fourth share of the market in the region by the end of 2020. Meanwhile, existence of the established smartphone & TV manufacturers coupled with increasing number of research and development centres is expected to boost the growth of the market in South Korea.Factors such as higher investments R&D programs, integration of flexibility threshold in display, introduction of Roll2Roll process for flexible PV is expected to play a significant role is driving the sales of flexible glass in Asia Pacific over the next couple of years.Some of the leading companies functioning in the market for flexible glass in the region include Nippon Electric Glass Company Ltd., Asahi Glass Co., Ltd., Schott AG and Corning Inc. The presence of prominent glass manufacturers makes the market highly competitive in the region.Report Analysis@ https://www.researchsolutioninsights.com/report/analysis/230126-Flexible-Glass-Market
Operational analysis is a more specific term for the types of business analytics that focus on improving existing operations. This type of business analysis involves using other data mining and data aggregation tools to obtain more transparent information for your business plan. Operational Analytics aims to analyze as much machine data as possible and extract insights.

Operational Analytics Market

PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-25 19:58:33

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Operational analysis is a more specific term for the types of business analytics that focus on improving existing operations. This type of business analysis involves using other data mining and data aggregation tools to obtain more transparent information for your business plan. Operational Analytics aims to analyze as much machine data as possible and extract insights. This insight can be gleaned from forecasting future actions and needs by identifying current noteworthy behavior in monitored systems and observing trends and anomalous events.Ask for sample copy of this report here:Operational Analytics market the transition from traditional business to advanced business intelligence technology is increasing the market size. Operational analytics provide significant benefits in optimizing day-to-day business operations. Reduce runtime and provide real-time data streaming. The market size of operational analysis will increase in the risk management sector as it provides various benefits such as reduced operational losses, reduced audit costs, reduced exposure to future risks, and early detection of illegal activity.Organizations need new software solutions around the world to gather critical information across complex and rapidly changing enterprise ecosystems to streamline processes and improve communication across diverse stakeholders. Operational analytics provide practical insights to solve a variety of business problems by applying disconnected data from the company's database to new information technology infrastructures. Therefore, global operating analysis market. Distributors and telecom operators are expected to apply real-time control techniques to fraud and market risk management to create more opportunities in the global operational analysis market.Major key players are:Wipro, IBM, Oaims, Appnomic, Apptio, Bay Dynamics, BMC, CA Technologie, Circonus, CloudPhysics, Data41, CloudFabrix etc.Ask for discount copy of this report here:As the global Operational Analytics market is segmented based on various parameters, an in-depth classification of the market is also mentioned; elements impacting the markets growth are studied in detail to understand the report precisely. Moreover this, profiles of some of the leading players operating in the global Operational Analytics market are included in the report. Using SWOT analysis, their weaknesses and strengths are analyzed. It helps the study deliver visions into the opportunities and threats that companies may face during the forecast period.The report offers a multi-step view of the Global Operational Analytics Market. The first approach focuses through an impression of the market. This passage includes several arrangements, definitions, the chain assembly of the industry in one piece, and the various uses for the global market. This section also integrates an all-inclusive analysis of the different enlargement plans and government strategies that influence the market, its cost assemblies and industrialized processes. The second subdivision of the report includes analytics on the Global Operational Analytics Market based on its size in terms of value and volume.To conclude, concern of the huge establishment of the Global Operational Analytics Market is distorted by different analysis tools and comprehensive research reports. References are locked in to initiate clear outcomes and approve them.
Enterprise Application To Person A2P SMS Market

PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-25 19:52:48

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Enterprise Application To Person A2P SMS is the process of sending mobile messages from an application to a mobile user. A2P SMS messaging is also called enterprise or professional SMS. Businesses can use it in several technical modes to communicate with consumers, authenticate users of online services, or deliver time-sensitive alerts. In all the cases, communication is initiated from a business application, and not an individuals mobile phone, as is the case with P2P SMS. The Enterprise Application To Person A2P SMS Market is expected to grow worth of USD +86 Billion and also the market is likely to exhibit a strong +4% CAGR over the forecast period 2019-2025.The new statistical report titled as Enterprise Application To Person A2P SMS market has recently published by Research N Reports. This study comprises mix data containing the recent trends, technological platforms, tools, and certain methodologies. It gives an overview of the market dynamics such as the changing needs of the clients in different regions. This research report offers a comprehensive analysis of different parameters of businesses like profit margin, shares and pricing structures. It has been compiled by using qualitative and quantitative analysis techniques. The valuable insights of businesses have been examined by using primary and secondary research methodologies in a particular manner.Top Key Vendors in Market:Syniverse Technologies, LLC, AMD Telecom S.A., Fortytwo Telecom AB., CLX Communications AB, Ogangi Corporation, Silverstreet BV, Tanla Solutions Ltd., Symsoft AB, Cybercomm, Infobip Ltd, Route Mobile Limited, Angkor Data Communication Group Co., Ltd., tyntec, nexmo, and DIMOCOGet Sample Copy of this Report @Early buyers will receive 10% customization on reports.The report also analyzes the global Enterprise Application To Person A2P SMS market segments in terms of Basis Point Share to understand individual segments relative contribution to market growth. A section containing the data about different factors influencing the progress of the market. This research report offers a birds eye view on the historical as well as current trends operating in the global market. Different market segment and its sub-segment have been elaborated to understand the market clearly. A number of industry-based techniques have been listed to increase the sale in the sector.The global Enterprise Application To Person A2P SMS market is analyzed in terms of its competitive landscape. Geographically, the global market has been fragmented into several regions such as North America, Latin America, Asia-Pacific, Africa, and Europe on the basis of productivity of several companies. Each and every segment along with its sub-segments are analyzed in the research report. The competitive landscape of the market has been elaborated by studying numerous factors such as top manufacturers, prices and revenue. The information on the global market is accessible to readers in logical chapter wise format. Driving and restraining factors have been listed in this research report which helps to provide the understanding of positive as well as negative aspects in front of the businesses.Get upto 40% Discount on this Report @About us:Our research will change the way you think about problems. We provide global consulting that can transform businesses and give you an experience of innovative solutions and outcomes.Research N Reports helps clients harness the power of innovation to thrive on change. We have successfully guided businesses throughout the world with our market research reports. We are uniquely positioned to lead digital transformations, thus creating greater value for clients by presenting growth opportunities in the global market.Our profound experience provides a clear and confident vision to help clients navigate the future. Research N Reports techniques encompasses both qualitative and quantitative modes to provide customized and highly flexible tailored research studies so that you get information that is just the best-fit to make informed strategic organizational decisions. Research N Reports helps clients decode the future to be more successful and innovative.
Research Report Insights (RRI) has launched the report titled, Electric Vehicles Market: Global Industry Analysis, size, sales and Forecast by 2030: Research Report Insights.

PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-25 15:31:42

A Research Report Insights (RRI) report reveals that the global market for electric vehicles is set to cross US$ 99 Billion in terms of value by 2016 end. As per the report, the market is expected to reach US$ 596.56 Billion by 2030, riding on a CAGR of 15.6%.Increasing demand for clean and green energy and rise in global air pollution is compelling socio-economic institutions to rethink over the structures of social amenities that involve heavy carbon emission. In the modern age, vehicles have become a necessity more than a luxury and our dependency on them has reached to an extensive level. However, with growing dependency, their vehement use is leading to sever rise in pollution and drop of air quality worldwide.Report For Sample with Table of Contents@ https://www.researchsolutioninsights.com/report/sample/230034-Electric-Vehicles-Market Gasoline is the primary fuel for vehicles used in most transport and communication network across the globe and these vehicles emit immense volumes of carbon monoxide. Hence, such conventional transport systems have become a major concern for the governing bodies in various countries. In order to tackle this issue, various regulatory norms have been introduced to restrict the rise of both air and sound pollution. Government setting guidelines that are aimed to encourage manufacturing of soundless electric vehicles, which is pushing the growth of global electric vehicle market. World powerhouses such the US and China are taking a plethora of measures to promote the use of electronic vehicles. The US government is giving special grants to allure people to switch to electric vehicles, similarly, the government of China is offering free number plates registration for electric vehicle owners. Moreover, steep rise in gasoline price are pushing new buyers to opt for electric or hybrid models.BottlenecksKey factors that are expected to halt the surging spirit of the global market for electric vehicles include issues related to performance and power and lack of infrastructural background for developing advanced electric vehicles. Moreover, the market for electric vehicles is yet to flourish at full-fledged scale and is still at a nascent stage, especially in the developing regions of the globe. Hence, such massive intercontinental market indifference is further leading to stalemate conditions.Most electric vehicles are commonly used for large scale commercial purposes. In addition, efficient electric vehicles come with a hefty price tag and can only attract deep-pocketed customers.Streamlined Categories of the MarketDemand for battery electric cars is steadily growing in China, which is home to one of the largest automobile industry in the world. In terms of sales, battery driven two-wheelers account for the highest share of the market in China. Therefore, the battery electric cars segment is expected contribute significantly to the overall growth of market. Whereas, the plug-in hybrid vehicles segment is projected to grow at a CAGR of over 16% during the forecast period.Request For Report Discount@ https://www.researchsolutioninsights.com/report/discount/230034-Electric-Vehicles-Market Based on vehicle types, demand for passenger vehicles is expected to gain traction over the forecast period. The passenger vehicles segment is expected to claim for approx. 54% share of the market in 2016. On the other hand, the commercial vehicles segment will witness a sluggish growth owing to current inadequate performance issues, which may deter the growth of the segment.Vendor NewsKey players identified in the global market for electric vehicles include Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Ford Motor, Toyota Motor Corporation, Nissan Motor Corporation Ltd, and Bayerische Motoren Werke AG. Most of these companies are focusing on developing advanced technology in order to correct the system faults associated with power and performance limitations. Moreover, stakeholders are making higher investments to uplift the infrastructure of electric vehicles development to further support R&D initiative.Report Analysis@ https://www.researchsolutioninsights.com/report/analysis/230034-Electric-Vehicles-Market
PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-25 13:08:06

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Dyslexia is neurologically based and often hereditary. It is associated with difficulties in reading, writing, spelling and organization. Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging shows that the brains of people with dyslexia develop and function in a different way.3 Dyslexia makes fluent reading difficult, which affects not only academic success but also self-esteem and social-emotional development. The long-term effects of dyslexia on young adults include school failure, depression and increased risk of suicide, delinquency and reoffending. Indeed, surveys show that amongst the high percentage of illiterate people in prison, a disproportionate number have dyslexia.The systems.Dyslexia treatments Market: Drivers and RestraintsTreatment for dyslexia is expected to propel owing the cost incurred by the public from the failure to master basic literacy skills in the primary school years. For instance in the UK, the cost incurred is between US$ 6,746 and US$ 58,015.60 per individual to the age of 37, and between US$ 6,746 over a lifetime. This brings to a total of US$ 267.14 Mn to US$ 3.37 Bn. Moreover, there are number of market players trying to leverage the dyslexia treatment market potential through undertaking clinical trial. There are also research undertaken to understand the different traits of the brain.Request Sample Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-5281 Dyslexia treatments Market: SegmentationOn the basis of drug type the dyslexia treatments market can be segment as:CyclizineMeclizineDimenhydrinateMethylphenidateOn the basis of distribution channel the dyslexia treatments market can be segment as:Hospital PharmaciesRetail PharmaciesOnline PharmaciesDyslexia treatments Market: OverviewDyslexia is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is characterised by slow and inaccurate word recognition. Developmental dyslexia causes difficulties with accurate and fluent word recognition and spelling. No two dyslexic students present the same set of symptoms and hence there are many efforts undertaken by researchers to overcome these challenges. This challenge sometime makes it difficult for the educators to identify the most effective teaching solutions. Researchers hence, now group the commonly forms observed into different categories to make finding treatment easier.Dyslexia treatments Market: Region-wise OutlookIn terms of geography, dyslexia treatments market has been divided into seven regions including North- America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Asia- Pacific excluding Japan, Japan Middle-East & Africa and Latin America. North America is expected to remain the dominating region while Asia Pacific is expected to emerge as a fastest growing region. Neuroscientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The researchers discovered that in people with dyslexia, the brain has a diminished ability to acclimate to a repeated input  a trait known as neural adaptation. Europe is the second largest region with market players using the strategy of acquisition to mark its market position. These players are using technology development to distinguish themselves from the rest of the players. For instance, Nordic private equity house Verdane Capital acquired Norwegian software business Lingit, which provides literacy support for people with dyslexia. The software helps an individual with spelling, reading and vocabulary in text processing programs for computers and tablets.Request to View TOC @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-5281 Dyslexia treatments Market: Key Market ParticipantsSome of the dyslexia treatments market participants are The Himmel Group, DK Pharmachem, Pfizer Inc., RPG Life Sciences Ltd, Wallace Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Cian Healthcare Pvt Ltd, Rhodes Pharmaceuticals, L.P., Purdue Pharma, Apotex Corporation and Unither Pharmaceuticals.
Driver-Assistance Systems market

PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-25 19:57:52

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Name: Vijay TannaCompany: IT Intelligence MarketsAddress: Survey No-9/4, Flat# 6, Panchshil Park, Ganpati Marg, Nigidi, Pune 411044Mail Id: sales@itintelligencemarkets.comContact No: +91 705-760-0700Sales Manager7057600700

The worldwide market for driver assistance systems includes all the sensors used in applications such as adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, parking assistant, blind spot detection system, adaptive front lighting system and others. The research provides details of the manufacturing technologies used in the market for driver assistance systems, applications and global companies, along with their key strategies.Global Driver-Assistance Systems Market is expected to grow at a CAGR of +19% during the forecast period 2019-2024Driver-Assistance Systems Market report examines all the significant aspects of the global market. It provides a predictive analysis about its future scope of development through 2023. It also provides factors that will drive and restrain its course of growth and the important trends and regulations affecting numerous aspects of the market. Furthermore, it finds the most profitable of them all to help investors take the most informed decision.Request for A Sample Copy of This Report @Company profiled in this report:Delphi Automotive Plc. (UK), Gentex Corporation (US), Autoliv Inc. (Sweden), Continental AG (Germany), Hitachi Ltd (Japan), Magna International (Canada), Robert Bosch Gmbh (Germany), Hella Kgaa Hueck & Co. (Germany), Texas Instruments Inc. (US), and Renesas Electronics Corporation (Japan) among others.The market is driven mainly by the increasing demand for a safe, efficient and comfortable driving experience. The increasing demand for autonomous vehicles has also fueled the DAS market. Driver errors can be minimized by transforming the vehicle into a self-propelled unit, as automated driving technology helps to reduce the errors caused by the driver.This market report also assesses the ways through which these companies can strengthen their stand in the market and increase their revenues throughout the forecast tenure. The global Driver-Assistance Systems market report analyzes and researches the growth status that are projected in the regions such as North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East & Africa and Latin America.The research report of the global Driver-Assistance Systems market also contains an in-depth estimate of competitive landscape. It explores the business and marketing methods of the overall market for the upcoming years. Along with this, the research report also contains an analysis of the current improvements and future plans of the firms in order to understand the course of the players in the near future.Enquiry before Buying:
Future Market Insights has announced the addition of the Crude Sulfate Turpentine Market: Global Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment 2017-2027 " report to their offering.

Crude Sulfate Turpentine Market

PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-25 12:13:59

Crude sulfate turpentine is a chemical product which is burned for energy recovery. Crude sulfate turpentine is extracted during kraft wood pulping process which is further sold as a commodity. The procedure separates cellulose fibers which are used to manufacture paper. Crude sulfate turpentine is itself a fuel that contains organic compounds mainly alpha-pinene and beta-pinene and other terpenes. The technology for crude sulfate turpentine includes extraction of terpen hydrocarbons vapors from evaporators and digester and separate it from turpentine water. Crude sulfate turpentine act as a feedstock for the manufacturer who produces pinenes, flavorings, polymer additives, pine oil, fragrances and turpentine oil. Turpentine oil is extracted from oleoresin which is collected from a tree. Turpentine is used as a commercial fuel source an alternative to fossil fuels in applications such as lamps, furnaces, industrial boilers and rocket fuels. Crude sulfate turpentine has a low healing value of around 17,000 to 19,000 Btu/lb compared to other fuels such as diesel, gasoline, and propane.Crude Sulfate Turpentine Market:Drivers and RestraintsCrude sulfate turpentine market is witnessing maximum growth owing to increase in demand for bio-friendly products and high consumption of personal care and household products. Moreover, increase in the production of chemical products from turpentine which is used as a solvent, fragrance agent and flavor are some other factors expected to fuel the growth of global Crude Sulfate Turpentine market. However, decreasing consumption of the products produce from crude sulfate turpentine along with decreasing paper mill production, availability of less expensive petroleum based products and less recovery of black liquor from Kraft wood pulping process are some of the factors that hamper the growth of crude sulfate turpentine market.Request to Sample of Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-2890 Crude Sulfate Turpentine Market:SegmentationThe Crude Sulfate Turpentine market has been classified on the basis of product type, and application.Based on product type, the crude sulfate turpentine market is segmented into the following:CampheneLimoneneAlpha-pineneBeta-pineneDelta 3 CareneOthersBased on application, the crude sulfate turpentine market is segmented into the following:Paints & Printing InksAromatic ChemicalsCamphorAdhesivesOthersCrude Sulfate Turpentine Market:OverviewCrude sulfate turpentine accounts for 96% to the overall turpentine production in the US. Turpentine produced in the US is mainly of alpha-pinene accounted for 85% followed by camphene and limonene. It is the commonly used paint and varnish thinner. Based on product type, Delta 3 Carene is expected to be the fastest growing segment in near future owing to increase in the use of turpentine as a solvent for resins. Based on applications, aromatic chemicals accounted for largest market share owing to the high use of crude sulfate turpentine in FMCG products such as air fresheners, soaps, and deodorants.Crude Sulfate Turpentine Market: Region-wise OutlookDepending on the geographic region, Crude Sulfate Turpentine market is segmented into seven key regions: North America, Latin America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Asia Pacific, Japan, and Middle East & Africa. North America dominates the crude sulfate turpentine market followed by Europe, Japan owing to the largest source of terpenes, low cost of crude sulfate turpentine, presence of large manufacturers of aromatic chemicals and paints that consume crude sulfate turpentine material, and high export of Crude Sulfate Turpentine to other countries worldwide. Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa hold huge potential and shows substantial growth owing to increase in the consumption of personal care products among the population to maintain hygiene.Request Report for TOC @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-2890 Crude Sulfate Turpentine Market:Key PlayersKey players of Crude Sulfate Turpentine market are Dujodwala Paper Chemicals Ltd., Arizona Chemical Company LLC, International Flavors & Fragrances Inc., Pine Chemical Group, Lawter Inc., Privi Organics Limited, HARTING Technology Group, Derives Resiniques et Terpeniqes, Privi Organics Limited, and Renessenz LLC.
Research Report Insights (RRI) has launched the report titled, Cocoa Market: Global Industry Analysis, size, sales and Forecast by 2026: Research Report Insights

PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-25 12:51:00

In terms of value, the global cocoa market is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of 3.4 % during the forecast period and is expected to account for US$ 14,572 Mn by 2026 end. Demand for dark chocolates is high due to health benefits such as reducing hypertension, reducing symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome, protecting against sunburn, promoting heart health etc. Dark chocolate is also a powerful source of antioxidants, which includes polyphenols, flavanols, catechins and others. These properties of dark chocolate is expected to drive the market growth over the forecast period. The global cocoa market is currently witnessing major opportunity like application of cocoa in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals industries. As a result of increasing awareness of healthy skin and health benefits of cocoa, application in these industries is expected to witness robust increase over the forecast period. Global cocoa market has been segmented by application which includes confectionery, functional food, bakery items, beverages, cosmetics and pharmaceutical. Among all the application segment confectionery segment is projected to account relatively high CAGR of 3.6% during the forecast period.Report For Sample with Table of Contents@ https://www.researchsolutioninsights.com/report/sample/230045-Cocoa-Market On the basis of product type, the global cocoa market has been segmented into cocoa powder, cocoa butter and cocoa liquor. Cocoa liquor segment is expected to represent largest share in terms of value. Revenue contribution of this segment to the global cocoa market is expected to increase at a CAGR of 3.1 % from 2016 to 2026.The global cocoa acid market is further segmented on the basis of process which includes Natural and Dutch. Among both the segments Dutch type was dominant in terms of value and it registered a significant value share of 73.9% in 2016. Awareness among adult consumers regarding the various health benefits associated with dark chocolate has been witnessing a significant rise in the recent past, and is projected to continue to drive revenues of the global cocoa market in future.Request For Report Discount@ https://www.researchsolutioninsights.com/report/discount/230045-Cocoa-Market On the basis of region, the global cocoa market is segmented into North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific Excluding Japan, the Middle East & Africa and Japan. Among all the regions, the market in Western Europe recorded highest CAGR of 4.1% in terms of value and in terms of revenue share at 34.8 % in 2016, followed by North America. While APAC also gained normal market share owing to high demand from India and China that accounted for 14.1% market share in 2016 and is expected to grow up to 14.3 % market share by 2026.Key players in the cocoa market includes The Barry Callebaut Group, The Hershey Company, Nestle S.A., Cargill Incorporated, Puratos Group, Cemoi, Mars, Incorporated, Blommer Chocolate Company, Meiji Holdings Company, Ltd. Carlyle Cocoa, Jindal Cocoa and United Cocoa Processor.Report Analysis@ https://www.researchsolutioninsights.com/report/analysis/230045-Cocoa-Market
PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-25 13:01:07

Chloromethane, which is also known as methyl chloride, is a group of organic compounds. It is a toxic, colorless chemical compound which has a mildly sweet odor and is highly flammable. Chloromethane is naturally produced by the effect of sunlight on biomass and chlorine present in sea foam. Commercially, chloromethane is manufactured by the chemical reaction between hydrogen chloride and methanol. Traditionally, chloromethane was widely used as a refrigerant. However, owing to its high toxicity levels, the use of this chemical has been banned in consumer products. Presently, it is used as a chemical intermediate to manufacture derivative products such as chloroform, methylene chloride and carbon tetrachloride. In addition, it is used in the manufacture of silicone.Request For Report Sample @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-312 Growth of the electronics and automotives market is expected to be one of the primary factors driving the silicones market which in turn is expected to augment the demand for chloromethane over the next few years. In addition, rapid industrialization is expected to fuel the demand for derivatives of chloromethane such as chloroform, methylene chloride and carbon tetrachloride. However, the high toxicity levels of this chemical is expected to hamper the growth of the market as there are stringent regulations present regarding the storage, handling, usage and wastage. Rising demand for chloromethane in BRICS is expected to open opportunities for the growth of the market in the near future.Asia Pacific was the largest market for chloromethane and the trend is expected to continue into the forecast period owing to rapid industrialization in this region. Growing demand for electronics and automotives are indirectly expected to augment the chloromethane market. In addition, developing economies of South America and Africa are expected to show significant growth in demand for this chemical over the next few years.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC): https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-312 Some of the key participants present in the global chloromethane market include AkzoNobel N.V., Asahi Glass Co. Ltd., Dow Chemical Company, Gujarat Alkalies & Chemicals Ltd., Ineos, Solvay S.A., Shin-Etsu Chemical Co. Ltd., Solvay and Tokuyama Corporation among others.
PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-25 13:00:39

Cellular rubber, also known as foam rubber is manufactured using a foam agent which creates an air filled matrix structure. They are porous, closed-cell rubbers which are manufactured in accordance with expansion process with the help of gas developing agents. Cellular rubber are based on synthetic or natural rubber which include elastomer and EPDM. The cells in the rubber are not tight and are not linked to each other. This property of cellular rubber makes it watertight and airtight. Cellular rubber is manufactured on a very large process in the form of blocks. The composition of rubber mixture possesses varied properties and hence, the product is fit to suit the requirements of specific applications.Request For Report Sample @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-310 Some of the physical and technical properties of rubber include , good insulation property, excellent sealing properties, high compressibility, low heat conducting values, low water absorption, NBR/CR mixture along with high resistance to oils and high flame retardance rating, EPDM mixture with ageing resistance and high temperature.The key drivers for the cellular rubber market include the rubber industry, electronic and automotive industry. Cellular rubber is especially used in the end use industries such as, the automotive industry to manufacture door seals and tubes, body and chassis parts, weatherstripping among others. In the space industry, cellular rubber is used for sealing, shock absorption and confinement among others..The key segments for the cellular market include North America, Asia Pacific, Europe and Rest of the World (RoW). Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest growing market for cellular rubber owing to the major rubber and automotive industries in China.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC): https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-310 The major players of cellular rubber industries include: Chicago Wilcox Mfg. Co. Inc., Rogers Foam Corp, Stockwell Elastomerics, American Foam Rubber, LP, Foam Rubber LLC, Saint Gobain Performance Plastics, Metro Industries, McMaster-Carr, Monmouth Rubber & Plastic Corp and Ace Hose & Rubber Co.
PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-25 13:02:33

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The use of stem cells in medicine is evident since 1968 through the achievement of the first bone marrow transplantation. The application of bone marrow transplantation is for treating genetic blood disorders. With various technological advances taking place, the transplanted haematopoietic stem cells are increasingly sourced from peripheral and umbilical cord blood rather than the bone marrow. Beyond bone marrow transplant, there are high near-term expectations for stem cells therapeutics derived from multipotent mesenchymal stem cells; in the long term, pluripotent embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells are promising.Cell Therapy Systems Market: Drivers and RestraintsThe market for the stem cell therapy is expected to witness growth with the increasing research spending to understand the conversion of undifferentiated cell to differentiated stem cell. This is further expected to address neurological disorders such as Parkinsons and Alzheimers. In May 2017 Orthopedic Research & Education Foundation in partnership with the National Stem Cell Foundation granted US$ 800,000 over a three-year period. The will be used towards investigator-initiated clinical research proposals focusing on adult stem cells.Request Sample Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-5050 Stem cells are like blank slate cells with the ability to become several kinds of different cells in the body. In theory, these cells can replace or repair damaged tissues, eliminating the need for surgery. For example, if injected into a persons spinal cord, the stem cells mimic spinal cord cells. This peculiarity has drawn attention of researchers to explore the use of stem cells to develop treatment towards various disorders and diseases.Cell Therapy Systems Market: SegmentationOn the basis of products, the cell therapy systems market can be segment as:Pluripotent stem cell productsNeural stem cell productsMesenchymal stem cell productsStem cell substratesCulture reagentsCTS cytokines and growth factorsOn the basis of application, the cell therapy systems market can be segment as:Stem cell therapy researchImmunotherapyNeural media & reagents for cell therapyTissue engineeringOthersCell Therapy Systems Market: OverviewCellular therapy (CT) is the transplantation of human cells to replace or repair damaged tissue and/or cells. With new technologies, innovative products, and limitless imagination, many different types of cells may be used as part of a therapy or treatment for a variety of diseases and conditions. Some of the cells that may be used include hematopoietic (blood-forming) stem cells (HSC), skeletal muscle stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells, lymphocytes, dendritic cells, and pancreatic islet cells.Cell Therapy Systems Market: Region-wise OutlookIn terms of geography, cell therapy systems market has been divided into seven regions including North- America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Asia- Pacific excluding Japan, Japan Middle-East & Africa and Latin America. North America is expected to remain the dominating region while Asia Pacific is expected to emerge as a fastest growing region. North America invests a lot in the cell therapy systems research and development. Many of the academic institutes are receiving funding from the industry players or government to encourage intensive cell therapy research.In developing regions such as Japan, government is supporting the development of cell therapies by accelerating the approval process. The significance of these regulations is that they allow companies to receive conditional marketing approval and commercialize regenerative medicine products while clinical trials continue through the later stages.Request to View TOC @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-5050 Cell Therapy Systems Market: Key Market ParticipantsSome of the cell therapy systems market participants are GE Healthcare, DSS Imagetech, Thermo Fisher Scientific and Octane Biotech Inc.
Cards And Payments Market

PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-25 19:53:05

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The cards and payments market comprise establishments engaged in storing, processing and transmitting payment cards data. This market covers issuing and acquiring banks, card processing and issuing companies, payment processing institutions such as banks, non-banking financial corporations and others. The Cards And Payments Market is expected to grow worth of USD +12 Billion and also the market is likely to exhibit a strong +30% CAGR over the forecast period 2019-2025.The report, titled Mexico Cards And Payments market defines and briefs readers about its products, applications, and specifications. The research lists key companies operating in the Mexico market and also highlights the key changing trends adopted by the companies to maintain their dominance. By using SWOT analysis and Porters five force analysis tools, the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of key companies are all mentioned in the report. All leading players in this Mexico market are profiled with details such as product types, business overview, sales, manufacturing base, competitors, applications, and specifications.Top Key Vendors in Market:Gemalto, G&D, Oberthur, Morpho (Safran), VALID, Eastcompeace, Wuhan Tianyu, DATANG, KONA I, CPI Card Group, Watchdata, HENGBAO, VeriFone Systems, Honeywell, Data Logic, First Data, Fujitsu, Intermec, Ingenico, NCRGet Sample Copy of this Report @Early buyers will receive 10% customization on reports.The report also analyzes the Mexico Cards And Payments market segments in terms of Basis Point Share to understand individual segments relative contribution to market growth. This detailed level of information is important to identify the many trends governing the market. Another key feature of this report is a comprehensive analysis of the Mexico market revenue forecast in terms of absolute dollar opportunity, critical in assessing the level of opportunity that a provider can look to achieve, as well as to identify potential resources from a sales perspective in the Mexico market.The Mexico Cards And Payments market is analyzed in terms of its competitive landscape. For this, the report encapsulates data on each of the key players in the market according to their current company profile, gross margins, sale price, sales revenue, sales volume, product specifications along with pictures, and the latest contact information. The reports conclusion leads into the overall scope of the Mexico market with respect to feasibility of investments in various segments of the market, along with a descriptive passage that outlines the feasibility of new projects that might succeed in the Mexico Cards And Payments market in the near future.Get upto 40% Discount on this Report @Table of Content:Mexico Cards And Payments Market Research Report 2019-2025Chapter 1: Industry OverviewChapter 2: Cards And Payments Market International and China Market AnalysisChapter 3: Environment Analysis of Cards And Payments.Chapter 4: Analysis of Revenue by ClassificationsChapter 5: Analysis of Revenue by Regions and ApplicationsChapter 6: Analysis of Cards And Payments Market Revenue Market Status.Chapter 7: Analysis of Cards And Payments Industry Key ManufacturersChapter 8: Sales Price and Gross Margin AnalysisChapter 9: Marketing Trader or Distributor Analysis of Cards And Payments.Chapter 10: Development Trend of Cards And Payments Market 2019-2025.Chapter 11: Industry Chain Suppliers of Cards And Payments with Contact Information.Chapter 12: New Project Investment Feasibility Analysis of Market.Chapter 13: Conclusion of the Cards And Payments Market Industry 2025 Market Research Report.For more Information:About us:Our research will change the way you think about problems. We provide Mexico consulting that can transform businesses and give you an experience of innovative solutions and outcomes.Research N Reports helps clients harness the power of innovation to thrive on change. We have successfully guided businesses throughout the world with our market research reports. We are uniquely positioned to lead digital transformations, thus creating greater value for clients by presenting growth opportunities in the Mexico market.Our profound experience provides a clear and confident vision to help clients navigate the future. Research N Reports techniques encompasses both qualitative and quantitative modes to provide customized and highly flexible tailored research studies so that you get information that is just the best-fit to make informed strategic organizational decisions. Research N Reports helps clients decode the future to be more successful and innovative.Contact us:
business intelligence market

PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-25 19:53:21

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Business intelligence (BI) is an umbrella term that includes the applications, infrastructure and tools, and best practices that enable access to and analysis of information to improve and optimize decisions and performance. The Business Intelligence is segregated into touch-based and touchless technologies. Touch-based technology recorded for the largest market share during the initial phase of the growth period. However, due to rising technological advancements, the touchless technology is expected to dominate the market.The Business Intelligence Market is expected to reach USD +50 billion by the end of 2022 with +12 % CAGR during forecast period 2019-2025.Business Intelligence Market is growing rapidly due to Rapid changes in business environments, increasing number of smartphones and internet users, rising acceptance of data analytics, Rapid growth of enterprise resource planning (ERP) High adoption rate of business intelligence in big data, Need for customer analytics. The main purpose of Business Intelligence in a business is to help corporate executives, business managers and other operational workers make better and more informed business decisions.Get Sample Copy of this Report @Top Key Players:IBM, Microsoft, Oracle, SAP, SAS Institute, Actuate, Alteryx, Board International, Brist, Datawatch, GoodData, Infor, Information Builders, Logi Analytics, MicroStrategy, Panorama Software, PentahoMajor Regions play vital role in Industrial Business Intelligence Market are: North America Europe China Japan Middle East & Africa India South America OthersOn the basis of product, this Business Intelligence Market report displays the production, revenue, price, and market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split into Unstructured Data Semi-structured Data Structured DataOn the basis on the end users/applications, this Business Intelligence Market report focuses on the status and outlook for major applications/end users, consumption (sales), market share and growth rate of Business Intelligence for each application, including BFSI Telecommunications and IT Retail and consumer goods Healthcare and life sciences Manufacturing Transportation and logistics OthersEnquiry before Buying:Key questions answered in the report include:What will be the market size and the growth rate by the end of the forecast period?What are the key Business Intelligence Market trends impacting the growth of the market?What are the potential growth opportunities and threats faced by the leading competitors in the market?What are the key outcomes of Porters five forces analysis and the SWOT analysis of the key players functioning in the global Business Intelligence Market?This report gives all the information regarding industry Overview, analysis and revenue of this marketGet Upto 40% discount@About Research N Reports:Research N Reports is a new age market research firm where we focus on providing information that can be effectively applied. Today being a consumer driven market, companies require information to deal with the complex and dynamic world of choices. Where relying on a sound board firm for your decisions becomes crucial. Research N Reports specializes in industry analysis, market forecasts and as a result getting quality reports covering all verticals, whether be it gaining perspective on current market conditions or being ahead in the cut throat Global competition. Since we excel at business research to help businesses grow, we also offer consulting as an extended arm to our services which only helps us gain more insight into current trends and problems. Consequently we keep evolving as an all-rounder provider of viable information under one roof.
Research Report Insights (RRI) has launched the report titled, Branded Generics Market: Global Industry Analysis, Size, Sales and Forecast By 2026: Research Report Insights

PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-25 12:47:15

Branded generics are pharmaceutical drug molecules that are bioequivalent to original products. However, they are marketed under a companys brand to differentiate itself from the generic products. Branded generics or generics require low research or development costs compared to the branded prescription products. Companies, which operate in branded generic business invest majorly in marketing the product and to create the brand awareness. Companies are seeing growing opportunity in the branded generics market owing to the higher deemed in the emerging countries. The global branded generics market has been segmented on the basis of therapeutic application, drug class, formulation type, distribution channels, and region.Report For Sample with Table of Contents@ https://www.researchsolutioninsights.com/report/sample/230043-Branded-Generics-Market The global branded generics market has been estimated to be valued at US$ 193.3 Bn in 2015, and is expected to expand at a 7.3% CAGR over the forecast period (2026).Market DynamicsGrowth of the global branded generics market is mainly driven by increasing affordability of branded generics owing to fierce competition, favourable demographics across the regions, and companies differential pricing for these products in accordance with geographic needs. These are expected to drive the market over forecasted period.Other prominent factors driving growth of the market are adoption of branded generics by large scale pharmacy chains in European countries, integrated supply chain, growing captive sales force and conducive regulatory environment in developing countries.However, price pressure from payers such as government and insurance agencies, misuse of Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS), pay for delays, and commoditization of generics are the factors suggestive of barriers to growth of global branded generics market.Large players in this market are employing strategies like Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) and maintaining distribution agreements with strong local players in various regions to consolidate their market position.Market Segmentation by Therapeutic ApplicationBased on therapeutic application, the market has been segmented into oncology, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, neurology, gastrointestinal diseases, dermatology diseases, analgesic and anti-inflammatory, and others. In terms of value, others segment is estimated to account for more than 41% market share in global branded generics market, by 2026 end.Request For Report Discount@ https://www.researchsolutioninsights.com/report/discount/230043-Branded-Generics-Market Market Segmentation by Drug ClassAccording to drug class, the market has been segmented into alkylating agents, antimetabolites, hormones, anti-hypertensive, lipid lowering drugs, anti-depressants, anti-psychotics, anti-epileptics and others. Others drug class segment accounted for highest market share of 79.5% in 2015 and is expected to gain moderate market share over the forecast period to reach at the value US$ 330.6 Bn by 2026. Increasing demand for drugs is mainly attributed to the favourable market dynamics for branded generics across the developing countries or regions coupled with rising competition among existing players.Market Segmentation by Formulation TypeAccording to formulation type, the market has been segmented into orals, parenteral, topicals and others. Oral formulation type segment accounted for highest market share of 58.0% in 2015 and is expected to gain moderate market share over the forecast period to reach the value of US$ 241.3 Bn by 2026. Increasing demand for oral pharmaceutical formulations can be mainly attributed to the availability, affordability, and accessibility to these formulations.Market Segmentation By Distribution ChannelsOn the basis of distribution channels, the market has been segmented into hospital pharmacies, retail pharmacies, online pharmacies, and drug stores. Retail pharmacies followed by hospital pharmacies are the most preferred medium of distribution of branded generics across the regions. However, increasing consumer preference for online sales channel which provides mail order requests, are expected to impart significant competition to these traditional channels in some of the regions such as North America and Western Europe.Key RegionsThe global branded generics market has been segmented into seven major regions: North America, Latin America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Asia Pacific Excluding Japan (APEJ), Japan and the Middle East & Africa (MEA). In terms of value, the APEJ market has been estimated to dominate the global branded generics market in 2016, and is expected to expand at a CAGR of 10.0% over the forecast period. APEJ, MEA, and Latin America are expected to be the fastest growing markets among regional markets. APEJ market is expected to witness highest CAGR of 10.0% over the forecast period. In APEJ, cardiovascular diseases therapeutic application sub-segment is expected to grow at faster rate to reach the value US$ 21.1 Bn by 2026 end. Market in Japan is expected to exhibit healthy CAGR owing to growing acceptance of generics in the region.Key PlayersSome of the key players in the global branded generics market include Abbott Laboratories, Pfizer Inc., Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Novartis AG, Mylan N.V., Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc., Aspen Pharmacare Holding Ltd., Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.Report Analysis@ https://www.researchsolutioninsights.com/report/analysis/230043-Branded-Generics-Market
PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-25 13:00:54

Barium Sulphate is an inorganic compound that is white crystalline solid which is odorless as well as insoluble in water. Barium sulphate does not have any toxic effect on the humans as well as on the environment. Barite is the most essential commercial source of barium and other compounds comprising barium. The high density and white opaque appearance of the barium sulphate are the crucial factors that are exploited in its various major applications. Barium sulphate finds various applications as the drilling fluids, paper brightener, pigments, radio-contrast agent and as catalyst support.Most of the barium sulphate manufactured is consumed as a component of the oil well drilling fluid. Barium sulphate is mainly used to increase the density of the fluids. Thus, the growing demand for highly purified fluids has boosted the overall growth of the barium sulphate market. Barium sulphate is widely used in the paints and coating industry. Barium sulphate is widely used as a component for white pigment that is used in paints industry. Barium sulphate is transparent in nature and thus, it is used as filler or to modify the consistency of the paints. Thus, the growing automobile industry is expected to boost the overall growth of the paints and coatings industry which in turn is expected to boost the global demand for the barium sulphate market. Growing construction industry is also expected to contribute to augment the overall growth of the barium sulphate market. Barium sulphate is widely used as plastic filler during the manufacturing of polypropylene and polystyrene.Request For Report Sample @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-320 Thus the growing demand for polypropylene and polystyrene in various packaging applications is expected to augment the overall growth of the barium sulphate market. The development of high-tech diagnostic techniques is expected to drive the overall growth of the barium sulphate market. Barium sulphate is used frequently used as a radio-contrast agent X-ray imaging and other diagnostic procedures. Thus, the development of the new innovative diagnostic technologies the overall demand for barium sulphate is expected to grow.North America is the largest consumer of barium sulphate. The growing demand for the automobile and steel industry is expected to boost the consumption of barium sulphate in North America. Asia Pacific is expected to be the next largest consumer of the barium sulphate market. Increase in the industrial growth coupled with the civil constructions in China is expected to boost the consumption of barium sulphate in Asia Pacific. The growing automobile industry in Asia Pacific is expected to boost the overall demand for paints and coating which in turn is expected to drive the growth of the barium sulphate market in this region.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC): https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-320 Dongfeng Chemical, FoshanOnmillion Nano Material, SachtlebenChemie, Shaanxi Fuhua Chemical, ShenzhouJiaxin Chemical, Xuri Group, XinJiXibo, ValourImpex and Nippon are some of the key participants of the global barium sulphate market. The companies manufacturing barium sulphateare more focused towards research and development. The companies strive to develop new innovative products that can be used in a wide range of applications. The companies are more focused towards the development of barium sulphatenanopowder and nanoparticles. In addition, different applications of the barium sulphatenano particle in medical devices are studied widely. Many companies are developing barium sulphate that has the potential to improve the efficiency of the paints and coating used in the automobile industry.
PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-25 18:38:05

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Research Report Insights presents a comprehensive analysis of the global automotive interior leather market in its new publication titled Automotive Interior Leather Market 2026. In this report, Research Report Insights (RRI) has focused on offering detailed insights and in-depth research on the global automotive interior leather market over a 10 year forecast period 2016  2026. In this report, we have covered the important factors driving the growth of the global automotive interior leather market, untapped opportunities for market players in this field, trends and developments shaping the dynamics of the global automotive interior leather market and other insights across various key segments. In addition, we have identified the key drivers and restraints affecting the growth of the global automotive interior leather market. Changing trends are also analysed and incorporated in the report to equip the client with exhaustive information about the market resulting in better decision making. Macroeconomic factors that directly and indirectly affect the growth of the global automotive interior leather market are also incorporated in the report.Request for Report Sample: https://www.researchreportinsights.com/report/sample/110114816/Automotive-Interior-Leather-Market Report DescriptionThe primary objective of the report is to offer insights on the market dynamics that can influence revenue growth of the global automotive interior leather market over the forecast period. Insights on key trends, drivers, restraints, value forecasts and opportunities for companies operating in the global automotive interior leather market are presented in the report. To understand and assess opportunities in this market, the report offers market forecast on the basis of material type, vehicle type, application, and region.The market value for all segments is taken in US$ Mn and the market volume is also identified in thousand square meter for all the segments of the global automotive interior leather market.A section of the report highlights the region-wise automotive interior leather demand. It provides a market outlook for 20162026 and sets the forecast within the context of the global automotive interior leather market.In the final section of the report, a competitive landscape has been included to provide report audiences with a dashboard view. The report provides detailed tier-wise market share analysis for the companies operating in the global automotive interior leather market. Detailed profiles of manufacturers are also included within the scope of the report to evaluate business strategies, key offerings and recent developments in the global automotive interior leather market.Request for Report Discount: https://www.researchreportinsights.com/report/discount/110114816/Automotive-Interior-Leather-Market Our research methodologyThe market volume of the global automotive interior leather market is inferred through in-depth secondary research and validated from industry experts through primary interviews. Each interview is thoroughly analysed and average market volume is deduced and reconfirmed prior to incorporating in the report. The price of automotive interior leather is deduced on the basis of the material type, where the average price of each material type is inferred across all the regions. The market value of the global automotive interior leather market is thus calculated from the data provided by the average selling price and market volume.For the 10-year forecast of the global automotive interior leather market, changing trends have been observed, giving an idea about the future of the market. Other important factors considered to arrive at market forecast are the size of the current market and other dynamics shaping the scenario of the market.Report Analysis: https://www.researchreportinsights.com/report/rd/110114816/Automotive-Interior-Leather-Market Key metrics includedIt is imperative to note that in an ever-fluctuating global economy, we not only conduct forecasts in terms of CAGR, but also analyse the market on the basis of key parameters such as year-on-year (Y-o-Y) growth to understand the predictability of the market and to identify the right opportunities across the market. As previously highlighted, the global automotive interior leather market is split into a number of segments. All segments in terms of material type, vehicle type, application, and region are analysed in terms of basis point share to understand individual segments relative contribution to market growth. This detailed level of information is important for identification of various key trends governing the global automotive interior leather market.
PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-25 04:37:45

FMI delivers key insights on the global automotive airbag market in its latest report titled Automotive Airbag Market: Global Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment 2017-2027. The long-term outlook on the global automotive airbag market remains positive with the market value expected to increase at a CAGR of 3.8% during the forecast period (2017-2027). Among product types, the driver airbag segment is expected to expand at significant CAGR, in terms of value, over the forecast period. The global automotive airbag market for passenger cars is estimated to be valued at US$ 21Bn by the end of 2027. North America is estimated to account for a value share of 27% in the global Automotive Airbag market by 2017 end and is anticipated to be replaced by APEJ as a prominent market during the forecast period. In this report, FMI throws light on drivers and restraints likely to impact the Automotive Airbags market during this period.Growing Safety Concerns and Rising Vehicle Production will drive the Automotive AirbagmarketAutomobile consumers are becoming more aware and informed about vehicles and their safety while driving. Consumers prefer vehicles which offer safety equipment, such as airbags, that reduce the impact of accidents, collisions or crashes. This increasing awareness among people for vehicle safety is leading to the rise in the growth of the automotive airbags market. Automotive manufacturers provide airbags as a standard system or as an optional system in vehicles. The automotive airbag market is also being driven by regulations which make airbags a mandatory system in automobile.Request For Report Sample @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-4345 Increase in the production rate of vehicles has also positively affected the demand for automotive airbags. Rising demand for vehicles equipped with airbags is also enhancing the market for automotive airbags. In 2017, more than 97 million vehicles were produced, of which more than 73 million were passenger cars. The growth in vehicle production and growing regulations and safety concerns are some of the prominent factors projected to boost the market of automotive airbags.Segmentation Analysis of Automotive Airbag marketThe Automotive Airbag market is segmented on the basis of product type, coating type, vehicle type, yarn type and sales channel.Driver airbag is anticipated to continue to dominate the market in terms of value over the forecast period. The driver airbag sub-segment of the automotive airbag market is estimated to grow at a significant CAGR of 3.9% over the forecast period. It is expected to represent total incremental opportunity of US$ 3 Bn between 2017 and 2027. The side airbag is projected to grow at a relatively high CAGR as compared to other airbag types over the forecast period.Nylon-based airbag is projected to be most prominent yarn type in the automotive airbag market. The nylon automotive airbag segment is estimated to grow at a significant CAGR, in terms of value, over the forecast period. The market for nylon automotive airbags is being driven by the various benefits of nylon, such as lower density, high specific heat capacity and better impact resistance. That apart, nylon also requires more energy to melt.Neoprene coated airbags are the most prominently used airbags in the automotive airbag market. They are estimated to hold more than 70% share in the automotive airbag market.Regional Market Projections of Automotive AirbagThe Automotive Airbag market in Asia Pacific Excluding Japan (APEJ) is expected to represent significantly high incremental opportunity between 2017 and 2027. The market of Automotive Airbags in APEJ is expected to represent a total incremental opportunity of US$ 3.2 Bn between 2017 and 2027.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC): https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/askus/rep-gb-4345 Automotive Airbag Market ParticipantsThe report highlights some of the top companies operating in the Automotive Airbag market, such as Autoliv Inc., Takata Corporation, Daicel Corporation, Denso Corporation, Hyundai Mobis Co. Ltd., Toyoda Gosei Co. Ltd., ZF Friedrichshafen AG, Kolon Industries, Inc., Toray Industries, Inc., Porcher Industries SA, Nihon Plast Co. Ltd., Delphi, Wacker Chemie AG, Hyosung Co., and Toyobo Co., Ltd. among others.
Michael Isikoff titled his excellent 1999 memoir Uncovering Clinton. As I recall  I am writing from memory because I gave my copy of the book to a departed friend  the title punned on a striking theme of the book. Isikoff uncovered the Lewsinsky story while everyone in the press knew about Bill Clintons frolics and detours  everyone including Clinton spokesman Mike McCurry  but the press chose not to cover the story. As to the Lewinsky story, Matt Drudge forced their hand.

When it comes to Minnesota Fifth District Rep. Ilhan Omar, there is no pun intended. The Star Tribune is uncovering  i.e., not covering  Omar. That is the theme of my Open letter to Scott Gillespie.

In todays installment of not covering Omar, Star Tribune Washington bureau chief Patrick Condon gives us Rep. Ilhan Omar wants child care reimbursed for federal employees working without pay. Condons version of the story I documented in Ilhan Omar carries on is relegated to the concluding paragraphs and rendered incomprehensible:

Omars public focus this week has been the federal shutdown; she also held a news conference to talk about it earlier this week in Minnesota. But for the second week in a row, she also found herself responding to controversy generated by her social media posts. That was after she deleted several tweets related to a confrontation last week near the Lincoln Memorial between an American Indian activist and a group of Catholic high school students from Kentucky. I feel sorry there has been blame and hurt, Omar said. She said she was motivated by concern for Nathan Phillips, the Indian activist. I wanted to hold him in a space in my heart and have a conversation about what hate and discrimination look like in our country, she said. Omars Twitter flaps have made her a frequent target of Republicans. Rep. Omar is now in a position of power and should realize her words and tweets have consequences, Minnesota GOP Chairwoman Jennifer Carnahan said in a statement released Wednesday  one of numerous Republican hits against her in recent days.

In her first month in office, Ilhan Omar has become a major national embarrassment to Minnesota. Condons story is glorified public relations on her behalf, and not very subtle at that. It covers up rather than covers the story here and constitutes yet another exhibit illustrating the reason many of us have a strong antipathy to the Star Tribune.
We are closely monitoring the situation on the East Coast today, Chicago Aviation Department spokeswoman Lauren Huffman said in an emailed statement. While we are experiencing no direct impact to operations at OHare, we encourage travelers heading to locations on the East Coast to call their airlines well in advance of their scheduled departure time to check flight status.
Socialism in Venezuela under Hugo Chavez and Nicolas Maduro ended as socialism always ends: Chavez family members and cronies became billionaires (in some cases, multi-billionaires) while most other Venezuelans starved. Now the Venezuelan people are throwing off the socialist tyranny. As we noted here, the Trump administration has recognized Juan Guaido, the President of the Venezuelan National Assembly, as interim President of Venezuela. A number of Western Hemisphere governments have followed suit. Control of Venezuela now hangs in the balance, although it seems obvious that the Maduro regime is doomed by the inherent contradictions of socialism.

One country, though, defends the regime that has starved Venezuelans to the point that millions have fled the country: Russia. Today, Vladimir Putin expressed his unequivocal support for Venezuelas socialists:

Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered his support to embattled Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in a phone call. Mr Putin expressed support to the legitimate government of Venezuela amid the acute political crisis that has been provoked from the outside, the Kremlin said.

The outside means the U.S. government.

The Russian leader emphasized that destructive foreign interference tramples on basic norms of the international law.



It added that the two leaders underlined a shared intention to continue the Russian-Venezuelan cooperation in various spheres. Russia had already denounced the US decision to recognise opposition leader Juan Guaido as Venezuelas legitimate president, calling it an attempted coup. Russia has been a key sponsor and ally of Venezuela, and last month it deployed two Tu-160 nuclear-capable bombers to Venezuela for several days.

Venezuela, along with Cuba, has been a haven for Russian military forces in the hemisphere.

The main lesson of Venezuelas collapse is, of course, the inevitable failure of socialism. But it is also worth noting that the Trump administration has stood up against Russian pretensions to a greater degree than any since the Reagan/Bush era.
Ammo Grrrll had me at her heading: GIRLS (OF BOTH SEXES) GONE VILE! She writes:

As it happened, last week Mr. AG and a friend and I were watching a rerun of Blue Bloods, a series we quite enjoy. There was a scene set in one of those trendy, incredibly loud, incredibly crowded dance clubs that  to me  looks like the 10th Circle of Hell. (I think Dante missed one.) Then there was a VIP Room, an inner sanctum that the Really Kewl Kids aspire to, and outside that door stood a silent bouncer/guard who could have been the largest human any of the three of us had ever seen. He would dwarf Shaq. I kid you not.

He never had a single line of dialogue. Lord knows where they found him, probably in a real club. Mr. AG, himself over six feet, commented, An ordinary man probably couldnt even reach his face with his fist. And Mr. AG has a reach like an orangutan. The script-writers never even pretended that anyone could fight him. He didnt have to say obscene things or carry a severed head to look badass; he just stood there calmly.

There is a pathetic trend in the last three years for short, muscle-free men to shoot their mouths off with escalating levels of obscenity. I speak of the late night Jimmy clones, interchangeable SNL cogs, the grotesque Mr. Colbert, and degenerate geezer actors like De Niro and Peter Fonda. In the Old West, these (Beta? Zeta?) males would find themselves unconscious on the saloon floor, if not on the losing end of a gunfight or duel. Andrew Jackson famously allowed himself to be shot first, took the round which was lodged near his heart till his last breath, and killed his adversary dead for impugning the reputation of his beloved wife. What might he have done to someone who called his daughter a gash?

I am not the first person to note that these Zeta Males, Democrats all, never fail to use anti-gay imagery in their insults. Its all perfectly kosher if youre a leftist. It started with actual gay man, Anderson Cooper, who saddled Tea Party activists with Tea Bagger. Colbert referred to the President as providing a c*ckholster for Putin. Id pay good money to fly Colbert to Russia and watch him say it to Putin in Russian.

As I write these words, there is a concerted attack once again implying that Senator Graham is gay and subject to blackmail. I neither know nor care whether Senator Graham is gay; he denies it, and after his masterful performance in the Kavanaugh hearings, I wont be criticizing him for many years, least of all for what he might do in his private life.

And what of the women? It is mortifying to me that most of these ranting harpies identify as comediennes. Except for the scrawny pitchman for potties shlepping the severed head, I cant even tell them apart. Ive never heard a single one of them say anything FUNNY. Mean, yes. Nasty political commentary, at times. But not FUNNY. And always, always, obscene.

See, I KNOW funny. And Im not a tough audience. Ask anyone who knows me, including my son. When someone would say something amusing and I would laugh my trademark cross between a shriek and a bray, often the person would say with some pride, Wow, I made a professional comedian laugh! And my son, if he was present, would say, Mom laughs at everything!

Neither is it just that I disagree with the women politically. I do, but its not why I dont laugh. I found Jon Stewart quite amusing even when I disagreed with him. He had FUNNY things to say, with surprising punchlines, which is the essence of humor. I think Ellen is very funny. I have met her a couple different times and she is also a very nice person.

So whats up with all the F bombs and worse coming from the women comics and women politicians alike? They obviously believe they are demonstrating toughness with soap-worthy mouths and vicious attacks on their (approved) targets. They arent tough. They are spoiled overpaid bullies. The second there is any sort of return fire, they either start bawling or run for the Race and Sex Cards in their fat purses.

Saying tasteless things as SNLs Sarah Beattie did, promising oral sex to any thug who would hit the MAGA-hatted Catholic teenager, is not tough when there are neither consequences for bartering for hired battery nor a means to compel performance of that promise. What would YOU do if she solicited battery against YOUR son? This crap has GOT to STOP. She needs to be prosecuted to the full extent of the law for solicitation of not just prostitution, but battery for hire. Criminal and civil cases. And fired from SNL. Enough! What are the chances in New York?

Enough with the fake tough girls. Tough is my paternal grandmother who bore six children and was a Gold Star Mother. Tough is Nikki Haley in the face of universal hatred from the General Assembly of the UN. Tough is Ayaan Hirsi Ali who risks her life every day and is disinvited by colleges as a speaker, for the sin of speaking truth to cowards.

Tough is Michelle Malkin who has to hire bodyguards for her threatened children. Tough is Sarah Sanders fielding hostile, repetitive questions (def: tedious bloviating speeches) from a gaggle of lacquered lackeys who have just received their talking points du jour from the DNC. Tough was my late friend Ruth, battling metastasized breast cancer for 13 years. I have broken into two all- or mostly-male professions, have stood on stage for an hour armed only with a microphone, and am pretty handy with a gun. Yet I am a pitiful CREAM PUFF next to the women I have named. And probably many women you know as well.

Caterwauling and scratching on the doors of the Supreme Court in silly little bonnets and Handmaids costumes, pretending to be oppressed, does not make it so. Never in the history of the world have women had more opportunities or freedom than in 2019 America.

The humorless mean girls who think saying MF or feckless c is evidence of toughness are wrong. They arent very bright and have confused vulgarity and bad manners with true grit. They risk absolutely nothing. The leftist cultural gatekeepers protect their own. Its going to be a long, potty-mouthed slog until November of 2020. Better invest in a good pair of earmuff ear protectors suitable for a construction site or the tactical range.

Mr. AG calls his ear protectors his wife-suppressors. Now, THATS funny!
Kurtis Fechtmeyer has started a petition to formally censure Ilhan Omar for her repeated history of false, derogatory and hateful communications that go well beyond the bounds of acceptable discourse. You can sign the petition at Change.org. This is Kurtiss more extended statement in support of the petition, which he posted earlier today:

After the threat of legal action, Representative Omar has deleted a false and libelous statement from her Twitter feed related to the Covington Catholic high school students, and she has explained that it was an error due to forwarding false information. I have requested via Twitter that she make a formal written apology and post that on Twitter and other social media to clarify her full stance. Will keep you updated. Deleting the false and defamatory post is a welcome action from Representative Omar, although it does not exonerate her from the principal charge of promoting derogatory, insensitive and hateful communications, which disqualify her from holding public office.

We have witnessed all too often with Representative Omar that these hateful comments are couched in ways that are plausibly deniable but which make no doubt as to their intent. In 2012 she spoke of Israel hypnotizing the world with its evil ways. While she has acknowledged recently that this is traditional anti-Semitic trope and now that she knows this realizes the errors of her ways, this pattern has been repeated again and again. With reference to Mike Pence, she refrained Jesus take the Wheel and when confronted dismissed it has a harmless pop culture reference. Then, she made reference to Senator Lindsay Graham being compromised in some way, again an innuendo about the bachelor Senators sexual orientation  yet another common trope (theres that word again) in Congressional circles.

The Covington Catholic smear left many speechless. After the sinister anti-Israel phrasing, the smug slight to Vice President Pences faith, the Washington wink and nod wrt/Senator Graham, the Covington Catholic tweet was a final straw for many. I immediately requested that the tweet be deleted and pleaded for her to stop, reflect, and delete the false references. I did this to save my district further embarrassment and because the hate was so palpable in the message.

But nothing happened until a threat came from of an out of town lawyer for a libel claim. She then deleted the tweet and breezily passed it off as (yet another) rookie mistake. I thought about rescinding this petition, but given Representative Omars repeated pattern of oops, I did it again the excuses have run out. I am also maintaining this petition, because her stance on Israel Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) has been determined to be anti-Semitic by several governing bodies. Personally, I do not immediately so link BDS IF (and key IF) the person making the case has a strong record of condemning human rights violations outside of Israel by both non-state and state actors. Representative Omar has been specifically non-responsive on the question of non-state actors and limited her criticism to a narrow handful of governments, not practices. This is unacceptable as a counterweight to her BDS position without further evidence.

Finally, I want to make crystal clear that this petition has NOTHING to do with Representative Ihlans professed faith or the Muslim religion generally. And PLEASE keep any derogatory or anti-Muslim comments off this petition. I myself am a Unitarian Universalist by tradition and along with Bahai faith and other unitary theologies, we are very open to the lessons and teachings of other religions. I also believe fundamentally in the ability of people to change and mature, and it is my fervent hope that Representative Omar address the hate she has expressed.
Earlier today, House Republicans offered a bill to pay federal workers during the (very) partial shutdown that is now going on. Democrats voted it down. So much for their crocodile tears over the plight of the small minority of government workers who have been furloughed. Guy Benson comments:

Why did House Dems kill a GOP effort to pay federal workers during the partial shutdown? An aide called it a 'stunt' & 'distraction.' Translation: We love talking about those folks, but getting them paid would hurt our leverage, so the pain must go on. https://t.co/6rySipgiLX  Guy Benson (@guypbenson) January 24, 2019

Personally, Im not sure its all that much pain, but, whatever. My wife spent the day at a church meeting where a minister offered a lengthy prayer one of whose petitions was on behalf of TSA workers. TSA employees, the new heroes of the Left!
"If you want to visit with them, it's OK if you don't follow along," Vezina says. Lyon tells group that the goats may chew on their hair, thinking that it is hay. She adds that the goats might poop or pee. This wound up happening, and Lyon spends the hour running around the barn with a roll of paper towels to clean up messes.
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Guams delegate to the U.S. Congress wants to pursue an administrative solution to the long-standing H-2B worker visa crisis facing Guam, rather than a legal one.

I definitely want to sit down with (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) and the State Department, Del. Michael San Nicolas said in a phone interview with The Guam Daily Post on Friday. I want to ask several key questions.

San Nicolas said, among the questions: Why did the H-2B approval rate sink to zero? What do we need to do to fix what's wrong? Are there any monitoring or reporting requirements we need to implement to show we are following the requirements?

His position on how best to resolve the H-2B problem has put him at odds with some members of the Guam Contractors Association. GCA has been pursuing litigation against USCIS for the past two years.

If we want to pursue an administrative solution, we need to reconsider litigation altogether, said San Nicolas. That is the message he says he brought to the GCA board Thursday and there was (an) agreement in the room for me to go out there and do that, he said.

The shortage of skilled foreign workers is affecting the nation, not just Guam. The issue prompted more than 120 U.S. senators and members of the House of Representatives to send a letter on Jan. 22 to the House and Senate leadership appealing for a meaningful solution to the H-2B guest worker shortage.

San Nicolas name is not on the letter.

It wasnt brought to our attention, said San Nicolas. I absolutely would have signed it," he said. "We absolutely support trying to find a solution to the H-2B situation here on Guam."
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Imagine the young mother feeding her infant and then settling the child in for a nap, as the mom sighs in relief at what she believes is a mom Read more
Katya Roberts, a contemporary artist living in Rochester, relocated to the Med City from Los Angeles in 2016 with her family of four for her husbands residency at Mayo Clinic. "We love Rochester, it is a wonderful place to raise a family and enjoy a sense of community," she said.

Roberts, a recent SEMAC grant recipient, has had to adjust her style due to climate differences, kids and a residency budget, but is fond of winter and the chance it gives her to experiment with layering. "I love a long flowing dress, or skirt, with warm tights, a well-made fashionable hiking boot, and a basic sweater or cool jacket."

How would you describe your style?

Elegant contemporary. Im interested in creating unexpected juxtapositions but in a way that remains elegant, feminine and strong. Im from Ukraine, so my personal style probably has some European character.

Where do you find outfit/style inspiration?

Street fashion because people merge the runway, flea market, Target and their grandmas closet in interesting ways. Ive recently discovered a concept store located in Reykjavik, Iceland, and Ive been enjoying following it on Instagram ( @kvartyra49) because of the way the designers they carry structure unexpected fabrics and materials.

How does your role as an artist impact what you wear?

Being an artist gives me a license to experiment and a blank canvas approach, where the only rule is what works.

What are the pieces in your wardrobe you find yourself reaching for most often?

Ive been enjoying experimenting with elevating basic 90s T-shirts by pairing them with tailored pants and a nice jacket.

Fill in the blank: My outfit just doesnt feel complete without _______.

Meaningful connections with people. When Im dressed for an event, I hope to walk away having had a meaningful conversation with at least one person. It makes me feel my evening has been spent well.

Anything surprising in your closet?

I have a collection of unique tights and a few dresses we had a local designer make during our trip to Guinea, West Africa (with unexpected colors and designs).

Most coveted piece of clothing / jewelry you own:

My husband hand-made my engagement ring, so that has to be my most coveted piece of jewelry. I also have emerald obsidianite earrings that are made out of volcanic ash from Mount St. Helens.

I have a few vintage clothing pieces, for example a traditional Hungarian skirt I got at a flea market in Budapest 14 years ago. It is a gorgeous, black pleated skirt that looks like it belongs in a museum.

Favorite current trend? How about a trend that you hope never comes back?

Ive been enjoying the combination of active wear juxtaposed with architectural garments or structured cuts. Im not afraid of the return of any trends and I even own a T-shirt with built-in shoulder pads from Topshop in New York.

Favorite winter pieces in your wardrobe?

My new white Zara faux fur coat. Ive also enjoyed discovering brands like Woolrich and Frye for footwear that is both weather-proof and comfortable.

Any fashion pet peeve(s)?

Right now the 90s are back and spreading like wildfire. Im keeping an open mind because it is interesting to see a new generation redefine the familiar. Conceptually, thats interesting to me.

Pick one: heels, sneaks, flats or wedges?

Cool boots and white leather sneakers for every day, and heels when needed.

How could the style scene improve in Rochester?

Encourage people to have fun with their clothes.

Favorite local places to shop?

When in Rome  my favorite find has not been in some cool boutique, but rather the discovery of the street wear-inspired Who What Wear line at Target. I noticed everyone loves Target in Minnesota.

What item(s) do you think are worth splurging (and saving) on?

Splurge on well-cut jackets and quality, comfortable shoes. Save on trendy items.

Words of style wisdom you think everyone should live by:

Feel good in what you wear.
Hnath offers an absorbing back-and-forth about love, marriage and entrenched gender roles in modern society. Most of it applies to the world of today as much as it does to early 20th century Norway. But A Dolls House, Part 2 is one of those plays that benefits from being set in another time and place, its actors dressed in fancy costumes. These issues may be one we relate to daily in our lives, but seeing them at a distance gives them a fresh clarity and a different perspective.
FILE- In this Feb. 15, 2017, file photo a hotel guest is dwarfed by the glass facade of the JW Marriott hotel as he looks at his phone on an escalator at the hotel in downtown Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)
Syndicated and guest columns represent the personal views of the writers, not necessarily those of the editorial staff. The editorial department operates entirely independently of the news department and is not involved in newsroom operations.
Michael Majchrowicz is a reporter covering crime and public safety. He previously wrote about courts for the Daily Hampshire Gazette in Northampton, Massachusetts. A Hoosier native, he graduated from Indiana University with a degree in journalism.
The current James Island library branch (above) is scheduled to be replaced. County Council voted in 2015 to build its replacement on South Grimball Road. The Baxter Patrick Library opens in September 2019.
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Mary Katherine, who also goes by MK, covers health care for The Post and Courier. She is also pursuing a master's degree in data science. She grew up in upstate New York and enjoys playing cards, kayaking and the Blue Ridge Mountains.
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Partly cloudy with afternoon showers or thunderstorms. High 88F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

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The U.S. Department of Commerce, which initiated the trade conference as a way to boost Connecticut business, says the intent is to bring aerospace suppliers into the space sector. Its profitable and faces less competition from countries that do similar work at lower costs, organizers say.
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U.S. companies warn government shutdown will hurt business, economy

(Reuters)  The partial shutdown of the U.S. government that entered its 35th day on Friday is stoking fears of a wider slowdown on the worlds largest economy.

Economic growth is expected to take a hit in the current quarter because of the shutdown, a Reuters poll of economists showed on Friday, while a dearth of data is already impacting traders in U.S. fixed income and currency markets.

U.S. companies say the shutdown is hurting their businesses and can cause more damage if it persists.

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Here is a sector-wise breakdown of how some of the biggest U.S. companies have reacted to the governments shutdown:

FINANCE

Morgan Stanley  Chief Executive Officer James Gorman said it would be extremely negative for the initial public offering market if the shutdown goes on much longer.

This is not the way the U.S. should be working, Gorman said, speaking in a CNBC interview at Davos.

JPMorgan Chase & Co  J.P. Morgan economists reduced their outlook for U.S. economic growth in the first quarter to 1.75 percent from 2 percent as the shutdown has stretched to a second month.

CEO Jamie Dimon said the shutdown will hurt the economy if it persists. We dont know exactly what it is going to do, but it is not a positive, he said on a conference call.

Carlyle Group  Co-executive Chairman David Rubenstein said at the Word Economic Forum at Davos that if the shutdown continued much longer, it could really impair the economy of the United States.

Citigroup Inc  The bank said it was yet to see an effect on business from the shutdown, but that could change if the shutdown continued.

BlackRock Inc  CEO Larry Fink warned the shutdown will hit economic growth temporarily.

CONSUMER

Procter & Gamble Co  CEO David Taylor says if the shutdown continued, it would be a serious concern.

Tiffany & Co  CEO Alessandro Bogliol says issues such as Brexit, protests in France and the U.S. shutdown makes me more cautious about sales and earnings forecasts, and said he expects a couple of very tough quarters.

VF Corp  The company said the shutdown has the potential to delay the public filing of Kontoor brands.

AIRLINES

SouthWest Airlines  The company said the shutdown had knocked between $10 million and $15 million off its revenue so far in January.

American Airlines Group Inc  The company said there has been some slowness in 0-14 day bookings due to the shutdown, but is yet to determine a dollar value from the shutdowns impact.

Federal Aviation Administrations approval of two Boeing MAX 8 aircraft that the company has taken delivery of, is on hold due to the shutdown.

JetBlue Airways Corp  CEO Robin Hayes said the U.S. aviation system is nearing a tipping point due to the partial shutdown, which may cause delays, long lines and canceled flights.

Delta Air Lines Inc  The partial government shutdown will cost $25 million per month as government workers reduce travel, the company said.

Delta said that Airbus A220 start date is likely to be pushed back due to the shutdown.

United Continental Holdings Inc  The airline has seen pockets of issues, but no big impact on fly waits. United said it would have a better sense of the impact after the first quarter.

ROAD TRANSPORTATION

Roadrunner Transportation Systems Inc  The company revised the timing of a rights offering due to the shutdown.

AUTOMOTIVE

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles  CEO Mike Manley said at the Detroit Auto Show that the shutdown had delayed final certification of FCAs new RAM 3500 heavy-duty pickup truck, one of its most profitable segments.

Ford Motor Co  The company said some vehicles could be delayed if the shutdown continues another 30 days.

COMMUNICATIONS

T-Mobile US  CEO J. Braxton Carter said any delay was a concern as its prepaid business, roughly 30 percent of sales, was particularly sensitive to tax refunds.

ENERGY

Enterprise Products Partners LP  The shutdown has delayed the firms plan to build a major U.S. crude export terminal off Houston, blocking the pipeline operator from filing paperwork with U.S. regulators.

HEALTHCARE

Aimmune Therapeutics Inc  The biotech firm was notified by the FDA that as a result of the shutdown it will not start a review of companys Biologics License Application (BLA) for Ar101  an oral immunotherapy for treating peanut allergy in children.

INDUSTRIALS/MATERIALS

Boeing  The aircraft-maker said the shutdown has not had a material impact on its business to date, but it may begin to weigh on its operational efficiency and pose other challenges for the aviation sector in general, CNBC reported on Wednesday.

Bemis Co Inc  The closing date for the companys $5.25 billion takeover by Amcor Ltd has been delayed by a quarter with Amcor citing regulatory logjam due to the shutdown.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Microsoft  President and chief legal officer Brad Smith told CNBC, It is not good for business. The sooner we can come together, the better off well all be. We can debate forever how much damage a closed government will cause to the economy, but there is one thing that is indisputable: it doesnt help.

(Compiled by Aaron Saldahna, Agamoni Ghosh and Susan Mathew in Bengaluru)
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White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders sounded desperate as she tried to distance Donald Trump from the freshly indicted Roger Stone.

Sanders said on CNN, I know the charges are about whether or not he gave false statements. Thats on that individual. That has nothing to do with the president. Those are the charges they have brought against this individual when you want to get into specific questions, youll have to talk to the presidents outside counsel on that.

Video:

Sarah Sanders has gone from angry and defiant to desperate. You can hear the panic and desperation in her voice. https://t.co/DYa3lyLzUB pic.twitter.com/ZK9YGiwMMo  PoliticusUSA (@politicususa) January 25, 2019

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All of these people were working with the Russians and then lying about it to Congress and investigators, but that has nothing to do with Donald Trump. Thats what the White House wants you to believe.

Sarah Sanders has gone from defiant and angry in answering Russia scandal questions to sounding increasingly desperate as the pieces fall into place and the investigation closes in on Trump.

There was no actual denial from Sarah Sanders

Sarah Sanders was asked twice if Trump directed his campaign to contact Roger Stone about Wikileaks, and it is telling that she didnt answer.

Video:

Sarah Sanders is asked at least twice about whether Trump directed a senior Trump Campaign official to contact Roger Stone about Wikileaks. She does not directly answer. Via CNN pic.twitter.com/LXPrX2CH3z  Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) January 25, 2019

Sanders never denied anything for a few different reasons. First, shes not being given the information by Trump. Second, whatever Trump is telling her is not true. At some point, Sanders has to protect herself. If she makes statements that she knows are false, then she could find herself in the middle of an investigation.

The desperation is obvious, as the White House is out of tricks and excuses to defend Trump on the Russia scandal.

The end is coming, and Sarah Sanders is about to go down with the Trump ship.

For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.

Follow Jason Easley on Facebook.
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By Sarah N. Lynch

WASHINGTON (Reuters)  A federal judge on Friday ordered lawyers for Special Counsel Robert Mueller and President Donald Trumps former campaign chairman Paul Manafort to appear Feb. 4 for a closed hearing on whether Manafort breached his plea deal by lying to investigators.

Judge Amy Berman Jackson in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia cast doubt on some of the lying allegations against Manafort but said others appeared more firm.

The special counsel has accused Manafort, 69, of breaching his plea deal by lying to federal investigators on at least five different subjects ranging from his contacts with Trump administration officials in 2018 to his interactions with his former business partner in Ukraine Konstantin Kilimnik, who Muellers office has said has ties to Russian intelligence.

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Some details about Manaforts alleged lies were made public inadvertently by his defense lawyers in a Jan. 8 court filing. Prosecutors said Manafort lied about sharing election polling data with Kilimnik, about his discussions with Kilimnik concerning a Ukrainian peace plan and a meeting the two had in Madrid.

Kilimnik, who has denied ties to Russian intelligence, was indicted by Mueller in June on obstruction of justice charges.

Manaforts attorneys say he had memory lapses but was not trying to lead investigators astray.

Jackson said the court would release a redacted transcript of Manaforts February hearing soon after its conclusion.

She said she was a bit torn after reading the court pleadings. Jackson said not all of the instances rise to the level of actual false statements within the meaning of the criminal code but that in other cases Manafort may have lied  pure and simple.

If Jackson finds Manafort breached his agreement, it is still unclear how it would impact his sentence.

Manafort pleaded guilty in September 2018 in the Washington case to attempted witness tapering and conspiring against the United States, a charge that covers conduct including money laundering and unregistered lobbying. Both counts carry a statutory maximum of 10 years, which is well below the sentencing guidelines.

To increase the sentence beyond the 10-year maximum, prosecutors could file fresh charges against Manafort for lying or recharge him with the other remaining counts in the indictment, according to sentencing experts.

Jackson also could consider stacking his sentence on top of whatever he gets in the Eastern District of Virginia, where he is due to be sentenced on Feb. 8 after a jury convicted him on eight counts of bank and tax fraud.

On Friday, prosecutor Andrew Weissmann said his office does not currently intend to charge Manafort with other crimes and there is no reason to delay sentencing.

He declined to rule out the chance that charges could be filed later against Manafort by Muellers office or other Justice Department prosecutors.

Manafort, who has in recent months waived most court appearances, showed up to court on Friday wearing a suit and walking with the assistance of a cane.

His hearing came on the same day that his former business partner and fellow Trump campaign associate Roger Stone was arrested on charges of obstruction, witness tampering and making false statements related to the release of stolen Democratic Party emails during the 2016 presidential campaign.

Mueller, a former FBI director, is investigating whether Trumps campaign conspired with Moscow and whether the president unlawfully sought to obstruct the probe. Russia has denied election interference. Trump has denied collusion with Moscow.

(Reporting by Sarah N. Lynch; Editing by Bill Trott)
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CNN on Friday analyzed the explosive new indictment of longtime Trump friend and associate Roger Stone, who was arrested by the FBI Friday morning in his Ft. Lauderdale, Florida home.

Special counsel Robert Mueller obtained the indictment Thursday evening in Washington, D.C., charging Stone with one count of obstruction of justice, five counts of false statements, and one count of witness tampering.

CNN analyst John Berman discussed two specific items in the Stone indictment which he say reveal important new connections between the Trump campaign and WikiLeaks.

He identified language on the bottom of the third page of the indictment, which states that:

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By in or around June and July 2016, Stone informed senior Trump Campaign officials that he had information indicating [WikiLeaks] had documents whose release would be damaging to the Clinton Campaign.

Berman then cited another paragraph which says:

After the July 22, 2016 release of stolen DNC emails by [WikiLeaks], a senior Trump Campaign official was directed to contact Stone about any additional releases and what other damaging information [WikiLeaks] had regarding the Clinton Campaign.

According to the CNN analyst:

The words Trump campaign and WikiLeaks [are] all over those two paragraphs. The Trump campaign was aware of and directing at a certain level, coordination with WikiLeaks.

In the video, CNNs David Gregory then moved the conversation to look at the bigger issue of how Trump sought help from various external sources. According to Gregory, the Trump campaign was open for business for any opposition research, whether it was from the Russians or anybody else.

The indictment makes clear that there was collusion between the Donald Trump 2016 presidential campaign and WikiLeaks, and that Roger Stone was the go-between. In a sense, the indictment formalizes charges that had been appearing in the media for months.

For example, last December, we explained the timeline behind what many people suspect is connected to President Trump discussing WikiLeaks on the campaign trail, following the daily release of John Podestas emails by WikiLeaks on Oct. 7, 2016.

In November we reported that Jerome Corsi told Roger Stone about the Wikileaks plan to dump John Podestas emails in October, and Stone called Trump the next day.

In other words, the Stone indictment is not just about Roger Stone. It is really about the president and his campaign which colluded and conspired with various different individuals and entities to illegally harm his opponent, Hillary Clinton.

After agents of the Russian government illegally stole emails from Democrats, they gave those emails to WikiLeaks, who then published them for the purpose of helping Donald Trump become president.

Now we know that top officials of the Trump campaign, as well as Donald Trump himself, knew what was going on and encouraged these crimes to take place. This proves that Trump was fraudulently elected, and should never have become President of the United States.

CLICK HERE to watch the CNN video.
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(Reuters)  Jerome Corsi, a right-wing political commentator, confirmed on Friday that he is Person 1 cited in the indictment of Roger Stone and said that he no longer believed he would be charged as part of the U.S. special counsels Russia probe.

I can confirm everything they report in the indictment about Person 1, Corsi told Reuters. I dont see that I am being charged with any wrongdoing of any kind. I think thats appropriate because Ive done nothing wrong.

Stone, a self-proclaimed Republican dirty trickster and ally of U.S. President Donald Trump for 40 years, was arrested on Friday on charges of lying to Congress about the release of stolen Democratic Party emails during the 2016 campaign.

(Reporting by Nathan Layne in New York; Editing by James Dalgleish)
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By Nathan Layne and Susan Heavey

NEW YORK/WASHINGTON (Reuters)  Roger Stone, a self-proclaimed Republican dirty trickster and ally of U.S. President Donald Trump for 40 years, was arrested on Friday on charges of lying to Congress about the release of stolen Democratic Party emails during the 2016 campaign.

Stone is one of the closest Trump associates to be charged by Special Counsel Robert Mueller in his investigation into whether Trumps campaign colluded with Russia to help win the election.

The 66-year-old veteran political operative was arrested by the FBI in a predawn raid at his Florida home.

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The charges against him add to pressure on Trump as the newly installed Democratic majority in the House of Representatives plans to step up investigations of the president while a month-long partial shutdown of the U.S. government over Trumps demand for funding for a border wall drags on.

Greatest Witch Hunt in the History of our Country! NO COLLUSION!, Trump said on Twitter following Stones arrest, using his most common slur for the Mueller probe.

Mueller said in court papers that Stone had advance knowledge of a plan by WikiLeaks to release the emails, which some political analysts say may have contributed to Trumps stunning election defeat of Democrat Hillary Clinton.

The indictment refers to coordination between Stone and a senior Trump campaign official, who a source identified as Steve Bannon.

Stone was charged with seven criminal counts, including obstruction of an official proceeding, witness tampering and making false statements.

STONE BLASTS INQUISITION

In a rowdy scene outside a courthouse in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Stone said he had done no wrong.

After a two-year inquisition the charges today related in no way to Russian collusion, WikiLeaks coordination or any other illegal act in connection with the 2016 campaign, he told reporters after the hearing, flashing the twin V for Victory signs that late President Richard Nixon was famous for.

A crowd chanted Lock Him Up, an inversion of the Lock Her Up chant that Trump and his surrogates led against Clinton at rallies during the 2016 campaign. Someone played the Beatles song Back in the U.S.S.R.

Stone denounced his arrest as politically motivated and complained that arresting agents had threatened his dogs. A judge released him on a $250,000 bond and ordered him to limit his travel to South Florida, New York City and Washington.

The indictment showed Stone using language evoking mob bosses  and even cited a Godfather movie  as he called an unnamed associate facing FBI inquiries a rat. A stoolie in a series of profanity-laced messages.

Stone was an early Trump backer whose reputation as an aggressive political operative dates back to the Watergate scandal of the 1970s when he was working for Nixon. He has a tattoo of the face of the disgraced Republican former president on his back.

WikiLeaks, which is referred to as Organization 1 in the indictment, did not respond to a request for comment.

Thirty-five people have pleaded guilty, been indicted or otherwise swept up in the Russia inquiry, which has clouded Trumps two-year-old presidency.

Those people include former close associates of Trump such as his one-time lawyer Michael Cohen and former campaign chairman Paul Manafort as well as 12 Russian intelligence officers.

White House, press secretary Sarah Sanders said the Stone indictment was unrelated to the president.

The charges brought against Mr. Stone have nothing to do with the president, has nothing to do with the White House, she told CNN. The president did nothing wrong.

The charging documents included new details about the alleged activities of Trump aides, including an incident in which a senior campaign official was directed to contact Stone about any additional releases and what other damaging information Organization 1 had regarding the Clinton Campaign.

The indictment referred to an October 2016 email from the high-ranking Trump Campaign official asking Stone to inquire about future releases of emails by Organization 1. Stone responded that Organization 1 would release a load every week going forward.

The high-ranking official is Bannon, Trumps former campaign chief, according to a person familiar with the matter. Bannon did not respond to a request for comment.

STUMP CALL TO RUSSIA

The interactions with Wikileaks covered in the indictment occurred days before Trump famously called out to Russia in a campaign stump speech for help finding missing emails from Clintons time as secretary of state, according to Democratic U.S. Representative Adam Schiff.

Russia, if youre listening, I hope youre able to find the 30,000 emails that are missing, Trump said on the campaign, a comment that vexed intelligence experts and prompted Democrats to accuse him of urging a foreign country to spy on Americans.

At the very time that then-candidate Trump was publicly encouraging Russias help in acquiring Clinton-related emails, his campaign was privately receiving information about the planned release of stolen Clinton emails, Schiff said in a statement.

The Kremlin has denied interfering with the 2016 election..

Stones ties to Trump go back decades. Stone has urged Trump to run for president since 1988, was chairman of his presidential exploratory committee in 2000 and was a consultant when Trump considered running in 2012, according to Stones 2017 book about Trumps campaign for the White House.

Stone briefly worked for the Trump campaign but left in August 2015. The campaign said it fired him after he tried to grab too much of the spotlight while Stone insisted that he quit.

Even after Stone left his official position in the campaign, he still played a key promotional role and communicated with people in Trumps camp.

(Reporting by Nathan Layne and Susan Heavey, additional reporting by Doina Chiacu, Mark Hosenball and Ginger Gibson in Washington and Karen Freifeld in New York and Zachary Fagenson in Fort Lauderdale, writing by Scott Malone; Editing by Noeleen Walder and Alistair Bell)
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Former CIA director John Brennan was on MSNBCs Morning Joe today, predicting that more indictments would be coming soon in special counsel Robert Muellers probe. And he shocked his audience when he made the suggestion that Muellers new indictments could include members of President Donald Trumps immediate family.

Brennan made his comments shortly after it became public that FBI agents had arrested Trump campaign associate Roger Stone on seven felony counts this morning at his home in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

Fmr. CIA Director John Brennan weighs in on Roger Stone: https://t.co/86UfJDzIDN  Morning Joe (@Morning_Joe) January 25, 2019

Stone had been a subject for quite some time in Muellers investigation of illegal Russian interference in the 2016 American election, and possible conspiracy between Russia and Donald Trumps campaign.

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In his televised remarks Brennan said:

In the summer of 2016 we were watching what was happening in terms of what was being released by WikiLeaks and how the Russian hand was behind this.

So the intermediary was something looked at very closely by the FBI and others, so again, this indictment is not surprising in any respect.

I expect in the next 60 days youre going to have a fair number  a significant number of indictments. I think people are waiting for the report that is coming out from Robert Mueller. What I look for most are the indictments. its so rich in detail. To me all of these indictments will be basically the compendium of Robert Muellers, the special counsels investigation.

Then he added, alluding to Donald Trumps children:

I expect there to be a significant number, and a significant number of names that will be quite familiar to the average American.

Brennan said he and James Comey (who was then FBI Director) had investigated in the summer of 2016 the many direct connections between Donald Trumps campaign and Russians who were attempting to illegally influence the election on Trumps behalf.

There was an extensive effort to try to influence the outcome of the election that involved the Russians, that involved U.S. persons and that may have gone to the very top of the Trump campaign, Brennan said, then added:

I think the shoes that are yet to drop are going to be the ones that are going to be the most profound and that will hit the people at the top of the organization.

When a reference is made to people at the top of the Trump organization, it can only refer to the president and to his immediate family. The top people in Trumps business, in his charity, and in his campaign included only Donald, Donald Jr., Ivanka and Eric Trump.

John Brennan has now publicly predicted what millions of people have thought  and hoped  would happen soon: that Donald Trumps children would be indicted by Robert Mueller and formally charged with at least some of the multitude of crimes which they have committed through the years.

It appears that the Trump crime family will soon be destroyed, which is exactly what they deserve.

CLICK HERE to watch the entire John Brennan interview on Morning Joe.
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Longtime Donald Trump friend and adviser Roger Stone was finally indicted and arrested by federal law enforcement authorities early Friday morning after months of speculation.

The indictment of Stone came from special counsel Robert Mueller who charged him with obstruction of justice, giving false statements to the FBI and tampering with witnesses.

NEW: Roger Stone, a former adviser to President Trump, was indicted by special counsel Robert Mueller and arrested on charges of obstruction, giving false statements and witness tampering.

NEW: Roger Stone, a former adviser to President Trump, was indicted by special counsel Robert Mueller and arrested on charges of obstruction, giving false statements and witness tampering. https://t.co/bN6uK6IPKA  NBC News (@NBCNews) January 25, 2019

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Since the 2016 presidential campaign Stone has been looked at closely by federal investigators due to his rumored close connections to WikiLeaks. There has long been speculation that Stone was the go-between who arranged for hacked Democratic emails to be released by WikiLeaks in the summer of 2016.

Stone has always denied that he worked with WikiLeaks to arrange for the emails, that were stolen by agents of the Russian government, to be published at a time and manner that would most hurt Trumps presidential opponent Hillary Clinton.

Stone, who is 66 years old, was arrested by the FBI at his home in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He reportedly will make an initial appearance at 11 a.m. Friday in a nearby federal courthouse.

Stone was initially an official with the Trump campaign but left in August 2015. After that he continued to maintain regular contact with Trump and other campaign officials. He also publicly supported the campaign through the 2016 election. Details of Stones involvement with Trump and with WikiLeaks were set forth in a grand jury indictment filed by special counsel Robert Mueller on Thursday in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

During the past 12 months over ten Stone associates were summoned by the special counsel to appear and give testimony to his Washington grand jury. Stone himself has talked about the possibilities that he would be arrested, claiming that Mueller would make up charges against him simply because of his friendship with the president.

Last December Trump tweeted his support and approval of Stone who had said that, unlike other former Trump campaign officials, he would never testify against the president.

Trump wrote that Stone was essentially stating that he will not be forced by a rogue and out of control prosecutor to make up lies and stories about President Trump. Nice to know that some people still have guts!'

Former high-ranking Trump campaign officials who were indicted by Mueller and then flipped to provide evidence against Trump include Paul Manafort, Rick Gates and Michael Flynn.

The arrest of Stone occurred early Friday and no more details are currently available. The White House has not yet issued any comments concerning the arrest.

CNN posted a tweet that included an exclusive video of Stone being arrested.

"FBI. Open the door. Watch exclusive CNN footage of the FBI arresting longtime Trump associate Roger Stone. Stone has been indicted by a grand jury on charges brought by special counsel Robert Mueller. https://t.co/ZQCuuxLHAG pic.twitter.com/moQwNndB91  CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) January 25, 2019

Mother Jones published the entire 24 page indictment against Stone on its website this morning. CLICK HERE to see the indictment.

More details about this breaking news story will be provided as they become available.
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MSNBCs Ari Melber explains that Mueller is laying out the evidence that someone connected to Trump was trying to get illegally obtained materials to benefit Trump.

Melber said on MSNBC, This is the first time weve seen a theory for attempted collusion or conspiracy. Doesnt mean they pulled it off. Were in a new place this morning we havent been before from Mueller, which is laying out evidence and arguments that there was an individual linked to Donald Trump who was actively trying to get illegally obtained materials for Donald Trump during the campaign. For the benefit of Donald Trump. Thats new.

Video:

Ari Melber nails why the Roger Stone indictment is so devastating for Trump. https://t.co/a2iJw0xUZF pic.twitter.com/Gc70beOmqJ  PoliticusUSA (@politicususa) January 25, 2019

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The Stone Indictment Is Devastating For Trump

Trump has gone from literally at times screaming no collusion to maybe collusion to yes, there was collusion but it didnt involve me, to my friend colluded for my benefit. The amount of wiggle room that Trump decreases with each new development. Trump is a notorious micromanager. As Michael Cohen said, nothing happens at the Trump Organization without Donald Trump knowing about it. Trumps campaign headquarters were inside Trump Tower. It is unfathomable that Trump both didnt know and wasnt giving the orders to Roger Stone.

Stone isnt Jared Kushners friend or Steve Bannons friend for decades. Roger Stone was Donald Trumps longtime friend and advisor. The Stone indictment is a huge leap toward connecting the President himself to conspiring with Russia. The White House is struggling to explain this away because they cant. All they can do is pretend like there wasnt a relationship between Trump and Stone, and that Roger Stone was acting without Trumps knowledge.

Robert Mueller knows the truth, and which each indictment, he is laying out the facts in devastating fashion for the American people.

For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.

Follow Jason Easley on Facebook.
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House Intelligence Committee chairman Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) suggested that there are only a few people who could have been directing Roger Stone, which turns attention to Trump and Jared Kushner.

Rep. Schiff said on MSNBCs Andrea Mitchell Reports:

My immediate reaction is that very paragraph that youre focused on, which is that someone directed a senior campaign official to reach out to stone, to find out about future releases. How many people could direct a senior campaign official? And that language of direction weve seen in other indictments before, referring to individual 1 directing the campaign finance fraud scheme, for example. So theres probably a very select number of people that are in a position to do that.

And also, the chronology of all this, that you have these private efforts to find out about these stolen e-mails and the publishing arm of the Russians, which is Wikileaks, as well as guccifer 2, at the same time that the president is calling for Russian help in hacking Hillary Clintons e-mails, after Russians communicated that they had dirt on Hillary Clinton, were offering to help the Trump campaign in the setup to that Trump Tower New York meeting. And of course, youve got the contacts that the Russians had through intermediaries with George Papadopoulos when they informed the campaign they had Hillarys e-mails. You all see this as part of a big picture coming together, additional pieces being placed in the puzzle.

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Video:

Adam Schiff really narrows it down on who was directing Roger Stone. https://t.co/jl7nUqPafZ pic.twitter.com/tMYvUrlyxg  PoliticusUSA (@politicususa) January 25, 2019

Individual 1 in the Michael Cohen campaign finance fraud scheme is Donald Trump. The president was directing Michael Cohen, and it makes equal sense to suspect that he was also directing Roger Stone. Of course, Trump doesnt use email, so the person on the other end of emails is likely Jared Kushner. Donald Trump Jr. and Ivanka Trump were not senior campaign officials. The Wikileaks events happened before Manafort and Kellyanne Conway.

The Trump campaign was very small. Jared Kushner was running the campaign, so even though Rep. Schiff never said it, it is clear that the chairman has strong suspicions about who was directing Roger Stone.

For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.

Follow Jason Easley on Facebook.
The call came in at about 11 a.m. that a woman in a first-floor apartment at 114-116 Bonner St. had been hit by a bullet in the top of her head, Laureano said. A suspect fled before the first officers arrived, he said.
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Democratic presidential candidate and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren calmly tore into Donald Trump on Thursday for being completely out of touch with workers struggling through the government shutdown.

In an interview with MSNBCs Chris Hayes, Warren pointed to remarks made by Trump and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross earlier in the day that suggest they care very little about the hundreds of thousands of Americans struggling to get by without pay.

This is the kind of thing that just reminds you these folks have never lived paycheck to paycheck, she said.

Video:

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Elizabeth Warren says Trump is completely out of touch with workers struggling through his government shutdown. #ctl #p2 pic.twitter.com/FZ4DH0Hebp  PoliticusUSA (@politicususa) January 25, 2019

Warren said:

This is the kind of thing that just reminds you these folks have never lived paycheck to paycheck and they have no understanding of what the lives are like for people who expect to get a paycheck regularly, go out, work for it and build their whole budgets around that, build their whole lives around that. And instead, for Donald Trump, for Wilbur Ross, 800,000 federal workers are just pawns in a political game for them. That is fundamentally wrong. Its wrong in human terms and its the kind of thing that just makes us realize these are not the guys who should be running our government.

Trump has no idea how paychecks work

Earlier on Thursday, Donald Trump suggested that people will still be able to get groceries without money because stores will simply give them food on credit. As PoliticusUSAs Jason Easley wrote, this is the latest proof that Trump isnt just out of touch with working people. He is out of touch with reality.

To make matters worse, Trumps Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross openly wondered why workers were struggling to feed their families. He suggested that it would be easy to get loans to hold them over until the government opens back up.

True, the people might have to pay a little bit of interest, he said. But the idea that its paycheck or zero is not a really valid idea.

Ultimately, Its no surprise that Trump or key members of his administration are fine with a years-long government shutdown, no matter how many workers miss paychecks. After all, none of them seems to understand how paychecks actually work.

Follow Sean Colarossi on Facebook and Twitter
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Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell said Thursday that the days of Donald Trump using mob-style tactics to dodge accountability for his potential crimes are over.

With Democrats in control of the House of Representatives, Swalwell said Trump may try to bully witnesses into silence, but he wont get away with it.

In an interview with MSNBCs Ari Melber, the Democratic congressman said, The days of mob rule are over. We are no longer powerless. We are able to stop this type of intimidation, this type of tampering, this type of obstruction and finally hold the president accountable.

Video:

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Rep. Swalwell said:

[Trumps witness tampering is] a legitimate concern, but it would be more legitimate if the Democrats did not control the House of Representatives. The days of mob rule are over. We are no longer powerless. We are able to stop this type of intimidation, this type of tampering, this type of obstruction and finally hold the president accountable.

Democrats are doing the job Republicans failed to do

While Donald Trumps threats on Michael Cohens family appeared to have worked in the short term  Cohen canceled his plans to testify before the House Oversight Committee on Feb. 7  Democrats are quickly pushing back.

On Thursday, the Senate Intelligence Committee issued a subpoena to force Cohen to testify. According to The New York Times, the purpose of the testimony is to formally correct false testimony that he delivered last year about a proposed Trump Organization project in Moscow, one of his lawyers confirmed on Thursday.

On the House side, Democrat Rep. Elijah Cummings  chairman of the House Oversight Committee  said he is committed to having Cohen testify one way or another. Cummings even suggested that Cohen could be brought from prison to appear before Congress.

What all of this indicates is that, unlike Republicans, Democrats in Congress arent playing games. They are doing what the spineless GOP has failed to do for two years  hold Donald Trump accountable.

Follow Sean Colarossi on Facebook and Twitter
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By Frank Jack Daniel

MEXICO CITY (Reuters)  The United States will return the first group of migrants seeking U.S. asylum to the Mexican border city of Tijuana on Friday, a Mexican government spokesman said on Thursday.

In a major policy change, U.S. President Donald Trumps administration said on Dec. 20 it would send non-Mexican migrants who cross the U.S. southern border back to wait in Mexico while their U.S. asylum requests are processed.

The spokesman, speaking on condition of anonymity, did not specify the nationalities of those to be returned to Mexico, although the policy was aimed at helping cope with rising numbers of Central Americans seeking asylum in the United States.

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The two countries have held two meetings to work out details of the plan to return migrants seeking U.S. asylum across the shared border. Mexico has said it will not accept anybody facing a credible threat in Mexican territory.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond for comment on when the program would begin, although a DHS official said the policy would not apply to certain vulnerable populations and unaccompanied minors.

Serious doubts exist over whether Mexico can keep Central American asylum seekers who are fleeing poverty and crime safe, especially in border towns that are often more violent than the cities they left.

It is unclear how Mexico plans to house what could be thousands of asylum seekers for the months  or years  it takes U.S. immigration cases to be heard. A backlog of more than 800,000 cases is pending in immigration courts.

The program, dubbed Migrant Protection Protocols by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, is one of a series of measures taken by Trumps administration aimed at making it harder for Central Americans to enter the United States under asylum laws.

Trump argues that the asylum system is abused, calling a process by which many migrants are freed in the United States to await immigration trial catch and release.

Last year, about 93,000 people sought asylum at the southern border, up 67 percent from 2017, according to U.S. government data.

(Reporting by Frank Jack Daniel; Additional reporting by Mica Rosenberg in New York; Writing by Anthony Esposito; Editing by Jonathan Oatis and Peter Cooney)
Michael Gathy has won theA$2,500 8 Game for A$58,590, only one day after fellow Belgian Bart Lybaert took down the Six Max.

Gathy saw off a field of 94 players to take home his first Aussie Millions ring.

Meanwhile, Oliver Gill would have to settle for second place, but adds another incredible 8 Game result here at the Aussie Millions poker resume. Gill finished fifth in 2013, fourth in 2016, second in 2017 and was the champion of this event in 2015.

Here are the full final table results:

Place Name Country Payout (AUD) Payout (USD) 1 Michael Gathy Belgium $58,590 $42,185 2 Oliver Gill Australia $39,760 $28,627 3 Timothy Marsters Australia $26,155 $18,832 4 David Munday Australia $19,355 $13,936 5 Benny Glaser United Kingdom $14,125 $10,170 6 Sal Ribbera Australia $11,510 $8,287 7 Dale Townsend Australia $9,415 $6,779

The 2019 Aussie Millions 8 Game Final Table

With eight players starting the final day's play, Dean Francis was eliminated in eighth place. Earlier this month he finished tenth in the Pot Limit Omaha event, and he would again miss out on the final table, taking home A$9,415 for his efforts.

At this point, Benny Glaser was the chip leader, with Michael Gathy not far behind him.

Dale Townsend recorded his first Aussie Millions cash since 2016 finishing in seventh for A$9,415, before start-of-day chip leader Glaser bust in fifth, matching the result he achieved in the 8 Game Event last year. This is his second cash of the festival after finishing ninth in the Six Max. Glaser takes home A$14,125.

Finishing in fourth place was David Munday who recorded the biggest cash of his career since 2005. Munday cashed for A$19,355.

Three-handed it was Gathy who led the way with over 1.1 million chips, Timothy Marsters in second place with 425,000 and Gill bringing up the rear with 302,000.

However it was Marsters who would be eliminated in third, mirroring his result in the H.O.R.S.E. event earlier this festival. He cashed for A$26,155 bringing his total cashes for the 2019 Aussie Millions to over A$50,000.

Gathy held the chip lead heads-up and kept it until securing victory over Gill. This is the second-biggest Aussie Millions cash of his career after finishing tenth in last year's A$25,000 Challenge.

This year's A$25,000 Challenge starts on Friday, with live reporting right here on PokerNews.
Michael Gathy Wins Aussie Millions Event #7: A$2,500 8 Game for A$58,590

January 24, 2019 Will Shillibier

Michael Gathy has won the A$2,500 8 Game for A$58,590, only one day after fellow Belgian Bart Lybaert took down the Six Max.

Gathy saw off a field of 94 players to take home his first Aussie Millions ring.

Meanwhile, Oliver Gill would have to settle for second place, but adds another incredible 8 Game result here to his Aussie Millions poker resume. Gill finished fifth in 2013, fourth in 2016, second in 2017 and was the champion of this event in 2015.

Aussie Millions Event #7: A$2,500 8 Game Final Table Results:

Place Name Country Payout (AUD) Payout (USD) 1 Michael Gathy Belgium $58,590 $42,185 2 Oliver Gill Australia $39,760 $28,627 3 Timothy Marsters Australia $26,155 $18,832 4 David Munday Australia $19,355 $13,936 5 Benny Glaser United Kingdom $14,125 $10,170 6 Sal Ribbera Australia $11,510 $8,287 7 Dale Townsend Australia $9,415 $6,779

Aussie Millions Event #7 Final Day's Action

With eight players starting the final day's play, Dean Francis was eliminated in eighth place. Earlier this month he finished tenth in the Pot Limit Omaha event, and he would again miss out on the final table, taking home A$9,415 for his efforts.

At this point, Benny Glaser was the chip leader, with Michael Gathy not far behind him.

Dale Townsend recorded his first Aussie Millions cash since 2016 finishing in seventh for A$9,415, before start-of-day chip leader Glaser bust in fifth, matching the result he achieved in the 8 Game Event last year. This is his second cash of the festival after finishing ninth in the Six Max. Glaser takes home A$14,125.

Finishing in fourth place was David Munday who recorded the biggest cash of his career since 2005. Munday cashed for A$19,355.

Gathy Closes it Out

Three-handed it was Gathy who led the way with over 1.1 million chips, Timothy Marsters in second place with 425,000 and Gill bringing up the rear with 302,000.

However, it was Marsters who would be eliminated in third, mirroring his result in the H.O.R.S.E. event earlier this festival. He cashed for A$26,155 bringing his total cashes for the 2019 Aussie Millions to over A$50,000.

Gathy held the chip lead heads-up and kept it until securing victory over Gill. This is the second-biggest Aussie Millions cash of his career after finishing tenth in last year's A$25,000 Challenge.

This year's A$25,000 Challenge starts on Friday, with live reporting right here on PokerNews, so make sure to come on back for updates.
New York City Ballet principal and Dance Against Cancer Co-Founder Daniel Ulbricht in New York City's Columbus Circle. Travis Magee, Courtesy DAC.
Vermillion, SD (57069)

Today

Sunshine to start, then a few afternoon clouds. High 87F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy skies early with scattered thunderstorms developing late. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low near 65F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
Logansport, IN (46947)

Today

Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High around 85F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Partly to mostly cloudy skies with scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Low near 65F. W winds shifting to NE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
Eleven years later, in 2008, the University learned that Mr. Perlitz had grossly abused his position, sexually assaulting some of the young men in his care. Though some members of our community donated time and resources to the project, Fairfield University played no role in the management or governance of Project Pierre Toussaint. The University was not aware of Mr. Perlitzs crimes before they were publicly reported. Regardless, our community was shaken by these revelations, the letter from the chair of the schools board and the schools president read.
Sean Miller

(231) 439-9394

 Petoskey Film Series

Tonight, Friday night, the Petoskey Film Series and the Petoskey District Library will be showing the romantic comedy Juliet, Naked at 7:30 p.m. at the Carnegie Building in downtown Petoskey. The showing is free but donations are welcome and appreciated.

 Bearcub Outfitters Torchlight Snowshoe Outing

Join Bearcub Outfitters from 5-9 p.m. on Saturday at Camp Daggett for its annual torchlight snowshoe event.

The event is free for all ages and hot chocolate and fresh cookies will be provided.

 Pineview Cottage hosts Clare Sullivan on the strings

Join the Pineview Cottage and enjoy a glass of wine in Harbor Springs from 4-5 p.m. on Saturday as it welcomes Clare Sullivan on the strings. This event is free.

 Beer Yoga

Saturday morning take time to relax with some beer yoga at The Back Lot in Petoskey. Doors open at 10 a.m. and admission is $15 per person. Participants must be 21 years or older and bring their own yoga mat.

 Wineshoeing at Crooked Vine Vineyard and Winery

Join the Crooked Vine Vineyard and Winery in Alanson for wineshoeing from noon-5 p.m. each weekend on Saturday and Sunday. The winery will have a fire pit, hot cider, wine, hot cocoa, soup and more available alongside snowshoeing through its property. Call (231) 881-6582 for more information.
Some Harrisburg parents are in an uproar after a pink hamburger was served to a student at Rowland Academy this week.

Ashley Adams posted a photo of the raw hamburger on Facebook and said she was concerned about the quality and safety of food her daughter was being served at the middle school. Her post quickly garnered more than 140 comments.

But officials from the districts food service company insist the burger is fully cooked. The precooked burgers come from Tyson Foods.

The burger shown in the photo is fully-cooked, not raw, said Gary Mickelson, Tysons director of public relations. Sometimes fully-cooked meat can revert back to a pinkish color if its placed for an extended period time in a high-temperature/low-oxygen container or appliance, such as a steam pan or holding oven. The change in color is harmless and does not affect the safety or taste of the product.

An official statement from Southwest Foodservice Excellence (SFE,) the districts food service vendor based in Arizona, said all temperature logs reviewed at Rowland Middle School indicated proper temperature controls and full adherence to HACCP Food Safety protocols.

While the photo showed signs of pinkness, the SFE statement said, both SFE and Tyson jointly gave full assurance today that this product is both fully cooked and entirely safe to eat.

The statement also said the company would study the opportunity and continue to look for ways to optimize serving processes to ensure food items are served with the highest level of safety and appeal possible.

An SFE spokeswoman said the company has not received reports of this kind at other locations using the same product, but we do take any report seriously that pertains to safety, product integrity or appetite appeal for our students, said Kari Paulson.

Color variance can best be minimized by providing our kitchens additional training in production planning and by increasing the frequency of batch cooking, Paulson said. "Both of these elements collectively will likely reduce the holding time before serving and thus minimize the potential for color variations."

Paulson said the regional chef will be on site at Rowland next week to provide continued training.

The response didnt appease some parents who still wanted to know how students are expected to consume such strange-looking food.

When contacted Thursday, School District Spokeswoman Kirsten Keys said district officials, including Superintendent Sybil Knight-Burney, would not be able to respond to the food complaints until Monday.

Adams said she now understands the regular complaints she had been hearing from her daughter about the school lunches at Rowland.

I was just brushing it off but now I see, Adams said. I thought she was just exaggerating.

Adams said her daughter comes home hungry everyday and she wonders how many other students are affected.

Theres no telling how many other kids go hungry all day without eating until they get home when they should be able to eat in school and not served prison slop, Adams said.

Other parents shared stories on Adams Facebook post about their children complaining about the quality and appearance of the school lunches.

The hamburger incident comes four months after photos of spotty hotdogs and frozen food boxes stored outside on the ground created a stir in the district. Those photos were taken at Ben Franklin Elementary.

At that time, the city health officer got involved and cited two elementary schools with a series of food code violations, including storing food on the floor. Health Officer Nelva Wright said in September that the food storage problems appeared to part of growing pains, with larger food deliveries under the new food service vendor.

School board members in June voted 5-4 to change food vendors and hire SFE for this school year, leading to an overhaul in operations.

It's unclear why the district sought to change food service providers but School Board President Judd Pittman and three other board members (Carrie Fowler, Brian Carter and Lionel Gonzalez) had concerns about the switch and voted against it, according to board minutes.

The district gets federal funding to provide free breakfast, lunch and after-school snacks to all students because of the districts high percent of poverty. According to the SFE contract, the district gets about $4.9 million in federal and state reimbursements annually.

After subtracting SFE's annual costs of about $2.4 million to provide meals, that leaves more than $2.5 million as the "school nutrition program profit," according to the contract.

The contract guarantees the district will "profit" at least $1.25 million this school year from the money left over. If the district does not meet this threshold, then the district would not have to pay SFE's annual management and administrative fee of about $126,000.

The deal means less than half the money provided by the federal government for school lunches is actually going to pay for meals. No one from the district was available to address why the district doesnt use more of the full amount it receives from the federal program to feed students instead of pocketing that food money as profit.

Editors Note: Additional comments received Friday afternoon from Kari Paulson were added to this article.
A woman who claims she was sexually assaulted by a Pennsylvania state lawmaker believes she was drugged, according to Jennifer Storm, Pennsylvanias victim advocate.

The woman, who works at the state Capitol, alleges she was assaulted by state Rep. Brian Ellis, a Butler County Republican, following an encounter at a Harrisburg bar in 2015. Storm, who is working with the woman, said Friday that the woman was not drunk the night of the alleged assault but incapacitated by a drug. At some point, sources have told PennLive, the woman took a hard fall.

She does believe that she was drugged and that she did seek medical attention the following day because she was in pain and she did indeed have a concussion and other injuries, Storm said.

The Dauphin County District Attorneys office is investigating the womans allegations. No charges have been filed in the case.

Messages left for Ellis at his Capitol and district offices as well as on his cell phone have not been returned.

On Friday, a spokesman for Gov. Tom Wolf called on Ellis to resign, saying the allegations were outrageous and unacceptable. House Republican leaders have also urged Ellis to resign and have taken away his post as chairman of the House Commerce Committee and other committee assignments pending the outcome of the district attorneys investigation.

A spokeswoman for the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape, which works with rape victims, said theres no solid data to say how often drugs and alcohol are used to facilitate sexual assaults, although it is said to be common.

Kristen Houser, a coalition spokeswoman, said thats for a variety of reasons. Drugs can leave victims with impaired memory. A drug screening is not a routine part of a sexual assault examination, Houser said, and in some cases, the drug leaves the victims body by the time the individual seeks medical help.

However, as more people are willing to talk about rape experiences, Houser said, we are hearing more people sharing stories where they believed drugs and alcohol played a role in their becoming a rape victim.

Storm said there is a movement to try to create awareness that regardless of whether someone is voluntarily intoxicated or incapacitated from a drug, they cannot consent to sexual activity.

A lot of people dont understand that and dont truly get when consent can truly be given and when it cannot, Storm said.

But she reiterated that the woman involved in the alleged assault involving Ellis did not give consent and was incapacitated, not voluntarily intoxicated.

This is a very consistent brave woman who did not wait to come forward, Storm said. She has been weighing her options and trying to move through the aftermath and trauma of this in a thoughtful way. We know that is not uncommon for survivors.

Storm went on to express her gratitude for the support of the governor and the House GOP leaders in taking the womans claims seriously and calling for Ellis resignation.

She said it sends a signal to other potential victims of sexual misconduct at the Capitol that if they step forward, they will be believed and they will be protected.
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP)  A gunman opened fire at a hotel bar in central Pennsylvania, killing a man and wounding two other people, then broke into a home where he fatally shot another man before killing himself, authorities said.

The initial shooting happened about 10:30 p.m. Thursday at P.J. Harrigans Bar & Grill in State College, about two miles from Penn State Universitys main campus.

Jordan Witmer, 21, of Bellefonte, shot and killed Dean Beachy, 62, of Millersburg, Ohio, at the bar, authorities said. He also wounded another man as well as a woman he apparently had been in a relationship with.

Witmer then drove away from the bar and later broke into a home, where he fatally shot homeowner George McCormick, 83, before turning the gun on himself.

WJAC-TV reports that McCormick owned the residence Witmer broke into. State College police said McCormicks wife was hiding in a bedroom and called 911.

The two people wounded at the bar remained hospitalized Friday in critical condition. Their names and further details about their injuries were not released.

Centre County Coroner Scott Sayers called the shootings an isolated incident, adding that investigators were trying to determine if Witmer knew either of the men he killed.

No other injuries were reported in either shooting.

Penn State did not send an alert to students because the shooting was off campus, Onward State reports, a move that has upset some students.
STATE COLLEGE  State College police said it appears 21-year-old Jordan Witmer didnt know the three people he killed in a shooting rampage Thursday night.

Police are still trying to determine the nature of his relationship, if any, with Nicole Abrino, 21, who was shot in the chest and taken to Mount Nittany Medical Center for treatment. She was in critical condition when she was life-flighted to a Pittsburgh-area medical center, said State College police Chief John Gardner. No update on her condition was available Friday afternoon.

Gardner provided a timeline of the shooting Thursday night:

At approximately 10:14 p.m. the State College Police were dispatched for reports persons shot at P.J. Harrigans Bar and Grill at the Ramada Hotel, 1450 S. Atherton St. Dean Beachy, a 62-year-old from Millersburg, Ohio, was shot and killed. His son, Steve Beachy, 19, and Nicole Abrino, 21, were also shot.

Police later learned that Witmer and Abrino were at the bar together, Gardner said, and Dean and Steve Beachy were sitting at the bar across from them. Gardner said at one point Witmer got up from his seat and approached where the Beachys sat.

No one yet knows why he pulled out a handgun and started shooting, Gardner said

Abrino was shot in the chest and Steve Beachy was shot in the torso, and both were taken to Mount Nittany Medical Center, then flown to other medical facilities in critical condition.

Steve Beachy died Friday as a result of his injuries, according to the coroners office.

Witmer fled from the bar in his car. But he only made it about a mile.

Gardner said police were trying to locate the shooter when Centre County Emergency Communications Center reported a crash at the intersection of Waupelani Drive and Tussey Lane, around 10:46 p.m.

Gardner said multiple officers responded, crowding the small intersection and finding Witmers crashed vehicle unoccupied. They immediately began canvassing the area to locate the shooter.

George McCormick, 83, was shot an killed Thursday night inside of this home on Tussey Lane in State College.

Witmer broke into a home on Tussey Lane by shooting through a sliding glass door. He then shot homeowner George McCormick, 83, in the head, killing him. McCormicks wife, Joann, 80, was in the home but was unharmed.

Police said Witmer did not know the McCormicks. Gardner said he believes Witmer randomly chose the house after crashing his vehicle.

By 11:14 p.m., police responded to that location for a reported burglary in progress with gunshots fired. They entered to discover the shooter in the living room, dead of an apparently self-inflicted gunshot would to the head.

Gardner stressed that though the perpetrator is dead, the investigation is still on going and in its early stages. He also encouraged anyone with information to reach out to the department.
Senate Democratic leaders are using outside counsel to investigate a sexual misconduct allegation against state Sen. Daylin Leach days after the accuser delivered a private criminal complaint to dozens of lawmakers offices in the Capitol.

Cara Taylor alleges Leach coerced her to perform oral sex in 1991 when she was 17 and he was a 30-year-old attorney defending her mother in a criminal case. Leach denies all of Taylors allegations. The Montgomery County Democrat hasnt faced any criminal charges or disciplinary action.

They are preposterous, Leach said Thursday. I have never even so much as shaken hands with Cara Taylor.

Accusations of inappropriate behavior have dogged Leach for the past year. He was the subject of a December 2017 Philadelphia Inquirer article citing campaign and legislative staffers who said he crossed the line with unwanted physical contact and sex talk.

After the accusations emerged, Gov. Tom Wolf and others called on Leach to resign. While he didnt step down from the Senate, in February he abandoned a run for Congress.

Ive asked outside legal counsel to review the matter and provide me with a report as it relates to whats been alleged in [Taylors] complaint, Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa, of Allegheny County, said Thursday. Thats our next step.

Leach said he welcomed the scrutiny. I have been begging for some sort of due process for a year and a half now, he said. Im going to get that due process.

Leach said hes hired attorneys who plan to file a defamation lawsuit on Monday in order to fully air the allegations and prove them to be false. The lawmaker said theres been a concerted effort to harass and intimidate himself, his family and his staff over the last 13 months.

Theyre never going to stop, he said, of the individuals who call his offices, attend his events and post online videos of their protests.

He declined to say who, specifically, he plans to sue.

I know for a fact inaccurate or misleading information was published by various outlets, he said. The question is what I feel is severe enough to bring into litigation.

State Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa of Allegheny County

Costa declined to name the outside counsel that would be reviewing Taylors allegations but noted that the firm has done other work for the Senate Democrats. Leach identified the firm as Eckert Seamans in Harrisburg.

While theres no timeline for the reports completion, Costa said the law firm was instructed to perform its work as efficiently as they can.

Taylors accusations date back to 1991, when Leach was defending her mother, Kathleen Speth, on charges of attempting to murder her stepfather. Taylor later pleaded guilty to a felony perjury charge for testifying during the trial that she, and not her mother, committed the crime.

In her complaint, Taylor said Leach, a 30-year-old attorney at the time, brought her to his Allentown apartment to discuss the case. Her complaint alleges that Leach disrobed and told her to help me out. In the complaint, she said she performed oral sex, saying, I did as I was told.

The decision to bring in outside counsel came amid calls to action from lawmakers who received the complaint in recent days and passed it along to Senate Democratic leadership.

Someone like this doesnt belong in public service, said state Sen. Katie Muth, D-Montgomery County. Predatory behavior and abuse of power is a terrible combination. I hope people look at this and redefine what being fit for office means. I want him to be held accountable because if one person gets away with it, it opens the gates for everyone else to.

State Sen. Katie Muth, a Montgomery County Democrat, passed on the allegation of a 1991 sexual misconduct claim against Sen. Daylin Leach to Senate Leadership. The Senate Democratic leadership have hired an outside firm to investigate the claim. Muth said she hopes the investigation is transparent. Vicki Vellios Briner | Special to PennLive Vicki Vellios Briner | Special to PennLiveVicki Vellios Briner | Special t

Muth, who is a sexual assault survivor, has been openly critical of Leach. Muth said the decision to retain outside counsel to investigate the Taylor allegations was a good first step.

I hope that the investigation is transparent and thorough, and its completed in a timely manner, she said.

Sen. Judy Schwank, D-Berks County, said she contacted caucus leadership immediately after reading Taylors disturbing allegations. Aside from the most recent claims, though, she said there needs to be a clear process to address such allegations swiftly and transparently.

Pretending these things didnt happen is not helpful, she said. There are certainly constituents that know of these things and theyre concerned, as am I.

State Sen. Judy Schwank, a Berks County Democrat, is one of a few Democratic lawmakers who pressed Senate leadership to investigate a 1991 sexual misconduct allegation against Sen. Daylin Leach. The Senate Democratic leadership have hired an outside firm to investigate the claim. Leach has not been charged with any crime. Vicki Vellios Briner | Special to PennLive HARHAR

Responding to the previous allegations in an op-ed on Philly.com in January 2018, Leach said he was a somewhat touchy person and acknowledged that he hadnt considered that some people dont have the same comfort level with touching. He also said he learned that some people found his humor to be offensive.

Its heartbreaking for me that I have put someone in a position that made them feel uncomfortable and disrespected, Leach wrote, vowing to improve his conduct.

Costa said leadership didnt investigate the 2017 claims because they were not provided with a private criminal complaint.

On Thursday, Leach said he never intentionally did anything to make anyone uncomfortable.

There are people I may have done something inadvertent, innocently and they didnt like it, he said, just as its possible for anyone to do something inadvertent.

Leach said Taylor was not one of those people. The last time he remembers meeting her was in 1992, in the context of her mothers criminal case, and he said he never had any physical contact with her.

Taylor said she discussed her experience with law enforcement and others after seeing the Inquirer story. PennLive does not typically identify reported victims of sexual misconduct and violence but Taylor agreed to be named in this case. Taylor would not provide the names of others who could corroborate her account.

I read that article about his other victims  I felt responsible, she said.

Cara Taylor

Following the December 2017 Inquirer article, Taylor said she reached out to several state agencies and was eventually referred to the Lehigh County District Attorneys office. Her allegations initially circulated among Harrisburg journalists and politicos at that time.

On Nov. 8, 2018, Taylor said she filed the private criminal complaint with that office, alongside a timeline of events. Such complaints are filed by accusers; its up to prosecutors to decide whether theres enough evidence to file charges. According to Taylor, she was quickly told that her case was outside the statute of limitations but that the office would hold onto the documents in the event other accusers came forward.

A spokeswoman for Lehigh County District Attorney James B. Martin said this week that no charges have been filed against Leach and would not confirm a private criminal complaint has been filed. She declined further comment.

Taylor said she decided to go directly to lawmakers after hearing Leach had been once again named minority chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. In that role, he couldamong other thingsconsider any changes to the statutes of limitations governing how long accusers have to pursue criminal or civil action in sexual assault cases.

If these lawmakers, these people who govern over us, know who theyre working with, theyre not going to be able to say, Oh, I didnt know, she said. That was my goal.

Taylor, now 44, said she distributed photocopies of her complaint to the offices of 37 state senators and three representatives, avoiding the floor where the offices of Leach and Democratic leaders are located.

Over the weekend and into this week, Taylors allegations were widely discussed among Democratic and Republican lawmakers and aides from both chambers.

At the time of the alleged incident, Taylor said she was living on her own and raising her younger sister while her mother was in jail. She worked as a stripper to pay the bills.

During the Speth trial, Taylor testified that she, not her mother, was responsible for the attempted murder. She later pleaded guilty to charges of felony perjury and false swearing.

Earlier this month, Leach drew controversy when his official Twitter account responded to fellow Montgomery County Democratic Sen. Maria Colletts announcement of her appointment as minority chair of the aging and youth committee: Well, Im very old. But I look very young. So youll be serving me in everything you do.

In a Facebook message, Leach said he believed he was the victim of a hack or had left his browser window open for someone to maliciously impersonate him on Twitter. On Thursday, he told PennLive that hes filed an incident report with the Upper Merion police, where he lives, and hired a security firm to complete a forensic analysis of his account and computer.

State Sen. Maria Collett during the swearing-in ceremony at the Capitol in Harrisburg on Jan. 1, 2019. Vicki Vellios Briner | Special to PennLive Vicki Vellios Briner | Special to PennLiveVicki Vellios Briner | Special t

Collett said the allegations and the more recent Twitter incident are a distraction from the work of legislating.

If Sen. Leach is distracting from that focus, Senate leadership has an obligation to the people we represent to make a determination if its better for him not to be in a leadership role, she said.

Currently, child abuse victims can pursue criminal charges until the age of 50 but that more recent provision does not apply retroactively to an incident that would have taken place in 1991. Some lawmakers have pushed bills to eliminate the statute of limitations in criminal cases and extend it from age 30 to 50 in civil cases, but they stalled in the General Assembly last year.

Cathleen Palm, founder of the states Center for Childrens Justice, said the statute of limitations can be a complex issue for victims to navigate, particularly since many dont speak out for years or decades. Palm said Leach probably shouldnt hold a leadership post on the Judiciary Committee pending a thorough review of the allegations.

Anyone whos accused is entitled to due process but that doesnt mean theyre entitled to serve on a committee that determines the rights of victims, she said. You have to ask, Is this the right person?

Leach said hes been a strong advocate for womens and victims rights. He added that no one raised concerns with him about his serving as minority chair of the committee over the 13 months since the Inquirer report.

Senate rules outline a process for investigating ethical violations but the ethics rules of the chamber dont deal explicitly with sexual misconduct or harassment. The Senate can vote to remove a member but there are few precedents for such an action. A workplace harassment policy calls for the secretary and chief clerk to investigate senators and file a report within 60 days. In practice, the caucuses have largely been left to police their own.

Costa declined to comment on possible outcomes from the report or whether he would consider removing Leach from committee leadership.

Well take the findings and then well consider them and review them whatever they might be, Costa said.

Leach said he hopes to clear his name through both the Senate report and his planned defamation lawsuit.

This whole concept, that an accusation equals guilt and due process isnt appropriate and we dont listen to everyones perspective on events," he said, that is antithetical to everything we believe as a society, in our criminal justice system, civil justice system and in life.

Wallace McKelvey may be reached at wmckelvey@pennlive.com. Follow him on Twitter @wjmckelvey. Find PennLive on Facebook.

Read the TAPPED OUT special investigation of drinking water.
Police in Harrisburg are searching for a man reported missing by his mother.

18-year-old Brandon Branch was last seen by his mother at noon on Jan. 19 in the 300 block of Market Street, according to police.

Brandon is approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall and has an average build. He was last seen wearing light blue jeans, a mustard-colored hooded sweatshirt, and a black leather jacket. He was also carrying an empty black backpack with what appeared to be Jamaican flag stripes across the front of it.

Anyone with information on Branchs whereabouts is asked to contact Harrisburg Bureau of Police at 717-558-6900 or submit a tip through CrimeWatch.
A 36-year-old man killed in a Thursday morning crash on Interstate-81 near Grantville has been identified by police as Nathaniel S. Zapcic of Highspire.

State police in Harrisburg released Zapcics identity Thursday afternoon, explaining that Zapcic was fatally injured when his commercial vehicle collided with another about 9 a.m. in East Hanover Township.

According to police, Zapcic was traveling too fast for conditions moving southbound as he approached I-81s mile marker 79.6.

There, his commercial vehicle, a 1998 Isuzu, crashed into the back of another commercial vehicle, a 2017 Volvo, which was slowing for traffic, police said.

Zapcic was declared dead by EMS at the scene of the crash, police said. The driver of the Volvo, a 33-year-old Georgia man, was not injured in the crash, police said.
Temperatures will be a little colder this weekend, but dangerously cold temperatures are expected to return to Pennsylvania next week thanks to a polar vortex.

The polar vortex is expected to become displaced from the Arctic Circle and plunge down to near the upper Great Lakes, AccuWeather reports. That will occur in the wake of the winter storm that may lay a swath of disruptive snow from the Midwest, Chicago included, to a part of the Northeast early next week.

A polar vortex is a large pocket of very cold air, typically the coldest air in the Northern Hemisphere, which sits over the polar region during the winter season, according to AccuWeather. Dave Samuhel, an AccuWeather meteorologist, said that vortex is expected to move southward as it is pushed by warmer air near the North Pole.

AccuWeather anticipates temperatures will be 10 to 20 degrees below normal across the eastern half of the state, and 20 to 40 degrees below average in the western half.

"Highs may reach only the single digits and teens from St. Louis to Indianapolis and Pittsburgh, according to the report. Wind chills could make it feel even colder.
With three confirmed dead following a shooting nearly two miles from main campus, many University Park students expected an alert from Penn State regarding the violence.

Officials, however, decided against sending an alert.

The initial shooting happened about 10:30 p.m. Thursday at P.J. Harrigans Bar & Grill in State College, about two miles from Penn State Universitys main campus.

Penn State explained in a statement that while campus officials and police monitored the situation, they chose to not send an alert since the incident was unfolding off-campus.

Heres the complete statement:

"We understand that the tragic events that occurred last night may have instilled fear and concern in members of the campus community. We are deeply saddened by the senseless acts of violence that have occurred and our thoughts are with the victims and their families.

University police, working with State College police, were monitoring the rapidly unfolding off-campus incident. After careful consideration based on the circumstances known to law enforcement at the time, location of the incidents, and the lack of an imminent threat to Penn State students or the campus, it was decided that an alert would not be sent.

The decision to send an action alert is made on a case-by-case basis for each situation, and is based on information available to Penn State Police at the time of the event. We always review our responses to these incidents and will adjust our processes as needed."

Roughly two hours after the shooting, Penn State acknowledged the event with a tweet.

We understand the concerns and safety is a priority. The University is looking into the alerts and will share an update.  Penn State (@penn_state) January 25, 2019

The 12:57 a.m. tweet closed with assurance that the university would be looking into the alerts and will share an update.

The two-sentence tweet was met with many replies and frustration from students, seemingly shocked their university appeared behind all other news delivery when student housing surrounds the area.

This is pretty sick considering the shooter made his way down Waupelani Drive which is mainly student housing. Any number of students couldve crossed paths with the shooter and wouldnt have known about the situation unless they checked Twitter. This is utterly disappointing  KaileePaigeBeauty (@kkosman) January 25, 2019

I find out twenty minutes after the incident that I am two minutes away from the house that was broken into. I found out thanks to my coworkers, NOT the university that had an alert system. Its ridiculous that for over three hours, nothing was said from your team.  ~Bruschetta~ (@itsfeilnotfeil) January 25, 2019

My apartment is a 7 min walk from the Ramada. My CATA bus drops me off NEXT to the Ramada bus stop AFTER I ATTEND CLASSES AT PSU or come home from downtown. Meanwhile, My roomates and I are over here listening to the sirens and wondering whats going on like a couple of idiots!  Victor D. (@imvictooor) January 25, 2019

Amid current frustrations, however, Penn State has indicated that its alert-system can only include incidents that are within Clery-reportable locations  regarding locations on-campus, on public property close to campus or in off-campus buildings owned by the university.

The alert system includes incidents that are within Clery-reportable locations (https://t.co/nuP0cDfrQl). Nevertheless, we understand our community concerns and the University will continue to review processes.  Penn State (@penn_state) January 25, 2019

Jordan Witmer, 21, of Bellefonte, shot and killed Dean Beachy, 62, of Millersburg, Ohio, at the bar, authorities said. He also wounded another man as well as a woman he apparently had been in a relationship with.

Witmer then drove away from the bar and later broke into a home, where he fatally shot homeowner George McCormick, 83, before turning the gun on himself.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A Pennsylvania state lawmaker is under criminal investigation for claims he sexually assaulted a woman he encountered at a Harrisburg bar in 2015.

The Dauphin County District Attorneys office is investigating the womans claims involving about Rep. Brian Ellis, 49, a Butler County Republican, sources have confirmed to PennLive. No charges have been filed in the case. District Attorney Fran Chardo would not confirm or deny the existence of the investigation or any details about it, as per his offices policy.

Several sources said that the woman and Ellis were both at a downtown Harrisburg bar in October 2015, although its not clear if they were with the same group. At some point, sources have told PennLive, the woman took a hard fall.

We want to make it very clear that she was not voluntarily intoxicated. This woman was incapacitated, said the states Victim Advocate Jennifer Storm, who has been working with the woman. She does believe that she was drugged and that she did seek medical attention the following day because she was in pain and she did indeed have a concussion and other injuries.

Ellis, who apparently knew the woman at least as a workplace acquaintance at the Capitol, offered to help her get home, the sources said. PennLive is not identifying the woman in keeping with policy against naming victims of alleged sexual assaults without their consent.

The Philadelphia Inquirer first published an account of the allegations against Ellis Thursday afternoon.

Its report stated that Ellis allegedly took the woman to his Harrisburg residence, where the alleged assault occurred. The woman has stated that since she was incapacitated at the time, she was unable to give consent to any sexual acts, the Inquirer reported.

While the woman sought medical treatment the next day, it was not clear if there was any examination related to the alleged sexual assault completed at that time.

The incident is still well within the statute of limitations for prosecution of a sex crime.

Sources have told PennLive the woman felt emboldened to come forward with a complaint last year, after news reports broke about domestic violence and sexual assault allegations against another state lawmaker, Rep. Nicholas Miccarelli of Delaware County.

Pennsylvania state Rep. Brian Ellis owns a property in Harrisburg, within easy distance of the Capitol.

The woman has been exploring her options for a long time, Storm said.

As you can imagine, this is an incredibly scary and emotional experience and there are work factors at play... So I think she is an incredibly brave and courageous woman for wanting to come forward and wanting to protect other women in the Capitol building and wanting people to know who this guy really is, Storm said.

Storm said she has spoken with House leadership about the womans claims and found them to be sensitive and supportive. But there is one step that they have yet to take that she is hoping to see happen.

I would like to see Representative Ellis resign immediately because I dont think he should be able to return to work. I dont think he should be allowed to walk in that building," she said.

House GOP sources said they had not received a formal complaint about the incident and were, at this point, deferring to the criminal investigation.

On Thursday, House GOP leaders issued the following joint statement.

The House Republican Caucus has zero tolerance for any instance of sexual violence or harassment.

Our caucus has not been contacted by any law enforcement agencies regarding any new or ongoing investigations. If criminal charges related to sexual violence or harassment are filed against one of our members, we would expect an immediate resignation.

Our caucus will fully cooperate with any law enforcement investigation, or request, and would take any allegation against one of our members with the utmost seriousness."

PennLive reached out to an attorney representing the woman this week. She declined to answer questions for this report.

No one answered the door at a Harrisburg residence Ellis owns on Monday, and efforts to reach him by telephone today were not immediately successful. But a source who knows Ellis and who is aware of the allegation said the lawmaker has adamantly denied the allegation to her.

A Harrisburg neighbor said he hadnt seen anyone at the residence lately. Ellis was absent from the House session for Gov. Tom Wolfs inauguration last week.

The Ellis investigation comes on the heels of a long public controversy over sexual assault and domestic violence accusations lodged against Miccarelli.

In that case, the House Republican caucus investigated a joint complaint filed against him by another GOP lawmaker, Rep. Tarah Toohil of Luzerne County, and a Harrisburg political consultant. That review found the womens claims to be credible; however, no criminal charges resulted.

The political consultant requested Chardos office to end the investigation so she could move on with her life. Toohil obtained a three-year protection from abuse order against Miccarelli, barring him from having contact with her.

Sources told PennLive the Ellis case came to light in part because of the Miccarelli allegations. Ellis accuser, sources said, was first motivated to come forward in March after she saw allegations against another lawmaker being taken seriously.

Its not clear, however, when the allegations against Ellis landed at Chardos office.

Most sources speaking to PennLive about the Ellis allegation and the investigation it has triggered did so only on a not-for-attribution basis; some because they are not authorized to speak publicly about what they know, and others because of the sensitivity of the issue.

Ellis was first elected to his House seat in 2004. He last stood for re-election last November and easily beat his independent opponent by capturing 76 percent of the vote.

He currently chairs the House Commerce Committee after having served in a lower-level caucus leadership post as caucus administrator for the 2015-16 session. If he is charged, Ellis would immediately lose his committee chairmanship but it would take an affirmative vote from the full House to expel him from office.

Among the bills on a myriad of topics he has championed in recent years was a consumer protection measure that would require government agencies that experience a data breach to notify affected people as soon as possible, along with the state attorney generals office. The bill passed the House but died due to inaction in the Senate.

In 2016, he authored controversial legislation that sought to begin to encourage privately operated recreational and hospitality development in state parks through a pilot program. The idea of adding hotels and water parks to state parks was shot down by the House after conservationists and environmentalists protested that such developments would destroy the parks pristine nature.

Before joining the state House, Ellis worked with his family to build a network of western Pennsylvania auto dealerships, Ellis Auto Group. According to his House biography, he is married and the father of two sons.

(Staff writer Christine Vendel assisted with this story.)

*This story has been updated to include a statement from the states Victim Advocate Jennifer Storm.
Pennsylvania lawmakers welcomed the end of the federal government shutdown but also indicated they remain apart on President Trumps desire to build a wall along the Mexican border.

Trump and lawmakers reached a deal Friday to re-open the government for three weeks. The deal doesnt include funds for a border wall. The president said he may consider another shutdown if Congress doesnt release the money for a wall.

Democratic Sen. Bob Casey Jr. said Congress should talk about measures to improve border security, but a wall shouldnt be on the list.

It should not have taken 36 days of pain to our Nations workers and families for President Trump to accept the same agreement that was on the table when the shutdown began, the Scranton Democrat said in a statement. "Now with the government about to reopen, Democrats and Republicans can discuss ways to effectively secure the border instead of building a wall that security experts say wont work.

U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, a Lehigh County Republican, said the next three weeks present an opportunity to craft a workable solution. Toomey said a wall or physical barriers in some places should be part of the solution on border security.

As I have said all along, the obvious, necessary resolution is a compromise that improves border security  including physical barriers where they make sense  and delivers on some Democrat priorities, too, Toomey said in a statement. "I hope Democrats, who promised to negotiate in good faith if the government were open, will now compromise with the president so the country can put this frustrating episode behind us.

Republican U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, whose district includes Lebanon, Berks and Schuylkill counties, just began his first congressional term earlier this month. Meuser said he backs the presidents wishes for a wall.

Over the next three weeks, I will work to support the President and advance a spending bill that includes funding for a wall and/or physical barriers that secure our border," Meuser said in a statement.

Another freshman lawmaker, Democratic U.S. Rep. Madeleine Dean, described the shutdown as an entirely unnecessary trauma" for the federal employees who have worked without pay. In a statement Friday, the Montgomery County lawmaker didnt address whether she would support funding for a border wall. But she has previously said building a wall would be costly and ineffective.

Now that this has come to an end, I am determined to ensure that it does not happen again, Dean said in her statement. And I look forward to focusing on the many important issues that Americans sent us here to address.
The faculty at Bishop McDevitt High School in Harrisburg presented a letter of no confidence in president Jim Vail to the board of trustees this week, according to a report by abc27 news.

Vail was hired last year as the schools president and given the responsibility of raising money and increasing enrollment.

But, according to the report, enough people connected to the school are unhappy with how he has conducted himself that it has resulted in a rash of staff departures and the no-confidence letter that was composed by the faculty and passed along to the board.

The school board held a town hall meeting Thursday to talk about Vail and the complaints people have, the report said.

Vail left Paramus Catholic in upstate New Jersey last summer to take over the presidents job at McDevitt..

Bishop McDevitt released a written statement to abc27 News, noting that on Jan. 16, 2019, it had appointed Dr. Nancy Burke as the Administrator Pro Tem to assist Vail while the board looks for a new principal.

It added, in part: Dr. Burke will be a knowledgeable, familiar, and steady hand to assist during this time and a good partner to the schools President Jim Vail. Mr. Vail will continue to focus on setting the strategic direction of the school along with outreach efforts and improvements to encourage growth.
Pennsylvanias new Lt. Gov. John Fetterman received his first assignment: Take the pulse of Pennsylvanians about where they stand on the issue of legalizing marijuana.

At their first news conference since their Jan. 15 inauguration, Gov. Tom Wolf on Thursday joined with Fetterman in announcing he is sending the lieutenant governor on a 67-county listening tour. Fetterman will gather input on the pros and cons of Pennsylvania allowing adults to use marijuana for recreational purposes.

Fetterman plans to start his tour in mid-February and complete it over a three-month period, working these town hall-style conversations with the public around his other lieutenant governor duties.

Wolf and Fetterman both said they are launching this endeavor with no predetermined conclusion. Rather, they said they are fully aware that this issue is gaining momentum elsewhere in the country, including two of Pennsylvanias neighboring states.

In New York and New Jersey, governors there have made strong statements about legalizing recreational cannabis in their states sometime this year.

We are trying to keep our ears and eyes open. Were trying to understand whats happening out there. Were not going to make the same mistake that our predecessors made when it came to the opioid epidemic, Wolf said.

With that epidemic, he said, We wait until people were dying in the thousands before we do something. Were actually trying to figure out what is going on. What should we know, what can we learn. This is a listening tour.

He pointed out just in the Capitol Complex alone views on this issue vary widely. Auditor General Eugene DePasquale is calling for legalizing recreational marijuana and some Democratic lawmakers are planning to introduce legislation that would achieve that goal. Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman, R-Centre County, calls it reckless and irresponsible to consider such a move.

Theres no lack of people who have ideas as to what ought to happen. We just need to listen to them," Wolf said. "Thats what the lieutenant governor is going to do.

Fetterman, a supporter of legalizing marijuana, said Pennsylvania is a diverse state with differing opinions and considers these visits to counties across the state as the responsible way to gauge where people are on this issue. Polls have shown growing support for legalizing marijuana with the passage of time.

The new lieutenant governor applauded Wolf for handling this controversial issue in this way. Fetterman said it is a testament to the governors openness to really getting the truth and getting to the answer as to where we are as a commonwealth.

Wolf first signaled his interest in exploring this issue more closely in December in a comment made while answering questions from the public on Twitter.

That ignited a firestorm that Wolf later tamped down saying he was just being a realist about the issue given neighboring states interest in liberalizing their policies on it. So far, 10 states have legalized recreational use of marijuana: Colorado, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Nevada, California, Massachusetts, Vermont, Maine and Michigan.

For Wolf, his decision to advance this issue to the point of having Fetterman launch a public dialogue about the issue goes beyond what he told PennLive/The Patriot-News' editorial board in October when he was campaigning for a second term of office.

Back then, he said, At this point Im not ready to sign or promote legislation that legalizes it. He also said he thought it would be prudent to wait and see what the experiences are in the other states that have legalized it, including how it was taxed and regulated.

I think we can learn a lot from that, he said.

On Thursday, Wolf said he didnt see his interest in exploring the issue as a change in his position but rather a demonstration that he is unwilling to duck his head in the sand as to whats happening outside of Pennsylvania.

Fetterman said in addition to his town hall meetings, he will be establishing a webpage to accept online comments about legalizing recreational marijuana.

We want to make sure everyone feels heard and invested in this process, Fetterman said.
LEWISBURG - The validity of a vote awarding an Allegheny County railroad company a seven-year, multimillion dollar contract to operate five shortlines in central Pennsylvania is in the hands of the state Supreme Court.

The high court Wednesday agreed to consider three of the issues raised by the SEDA-COG Joint Rail Authority in its appeal of Commonwealth Court panel decision that had the effect of awarding the contract to Carload Express Inc. of Oakmont.

It's great news given the low number of cases accepted by the court, said Jeffrey K. Stover, executive director of the authority that owns the 200 miles of track used by railroads.

The decision on what constitutes a quorum could have a far-reaching impact on municipal authorities throughout the commonwealth, he said.

At issue is the 7-3 authority vote on July 8, 2015, to award the contract to Carload. Six members abstained, five because their employers were shippers on the shortlines.

The contract was not awarded because it is the authority's position that nine votes are needed for a majority and firms submitting proposals were aware of this.

Because Carload claimed the 7-3 vote was sufficient, the authority asked Clinton County Judge Michael F. Salisbury to decide what constituted a majority. He ruled nine.

But a three-judge Commonwealth Court panel on May 3 overturned Salisbury ruling contracts could be awarded by the majority of members present and voting.

It is authority's contention the Municipalities Act requires a majority of those present and the panel wrongly applied what is known as the common law quorum rule by adding "and voting."

READ MORE: Judge derails challenge to process used to select operator of shortline railroads

The Supreme Court says it will address that issue, whether a 1982 court decision precludes applying the common law quorum rule in this case and was the authority's discretion subverted by doing so.

Susquehanna Union and Carload Co. that has the current contract maintains five of the abstentions were not required because freight rates on shortlines are set by major railroads like Norfolk Southern.

That company, based in Northumberland and better known as North Shore Railroad, has a related suit in Clinton County.

It raises unethical conduct allegations about former board member Donald Purcell from Northumberland County who submitted his raw score ranking of the three finalists with no points for Susquehanna Union.

He testified in a sworn deposition he planned to give it 60 points out of a possible 100. Had he done so, the rankings of Carload and Susquehanna Union would have been the same.

The rail company also accuses Purcell of having improper contact with another shortline operator that was eliminated early in the process and with Susquehanna Union employees despite being advised to stop.

Action in that suit has been stayed pending the Supreme Court decision.

Susquehanna Union's shortlines that use authority track are:
UPDATE: Fourth person confirmed dead in State College shooting

On Friday morning, a sign hung from the front door to P.J. Harrigans Bar & Grill, informing customers that the business would be closed until Monday.

Just hours earlier, at about 10:17 p.m. Thursday, 21-year-old gunman Jordan Witmer entered the bar and shot three people, killing 62-year-old Dean Beachy of Ohio and injuring two others.

On Friday, locals called the bar on South Atherton Street a quiet place, known more as a good place for adults to get a meal and a drink than a college hangout.

It is not a place you would expect something like that to happen, said Rich Lysle. It doesnt cause any problems at all.

P.J. Harrigan's Bar & Grill at the corner of South Atherton and Science streets in State College was described by locals as a quiet business. On Thursday, it was the site of a shooting that left one dead and two injured.

Lysle is the CEO at the Foxdale Village Retirement Community, which is within eyeshot of P.J Harrigans, a bar attached to a Ramada hotel at the corner of South Atherton and Science streets.

Residents at the retirement home frequent the bar and restaurant, Lysle said, adding that they like it because it is within walking distance from their home.

Occasionally, Lysle said, retirement home officials will coordinate with the hotel to share parking in the case of special events.

Its good people down there, he said. I hate to see this happen to them.

Inside of the bar Thursday night, Witmer opened fire hitting Beachy, as well as another man and a woman, police said. The woman, police said, had been Witmers girlfriend.

Beachy died at the scene, and the other man and woman were transported from the bar to receive medical treatment. Police said they were in critical condition.

The note outside of the bar Thursday said the business would remain closed until Monday, out of respect for those affected by the recent tragedy.

This note hung Friday on the door to P.J. Harrigan's, the State College bar where three people were shot Thursday night, one of them fatally.

The connected Ramada hotel remained open to guests, and a hotel manager said she was not able to comment on the shooting or the bar.

But bar officials posted about the incident on their Facebook page.

The ownership, management and staff of P.J. Harrigans Bar and Restaurant wish to extend our heartfelt condolences to the victims and families affected by the senseless act committed last evening, the post reads. Words cannot fully express how heartbroken and devastated we are by this tragedy.

Following the bar shooting, Witmer fled the scene in a vehicle, which he crashed near the intersection of Waupelani Drive and Whitehall Road, police said.

From the crash scene, he fled on foot to the nearby Tussey View Estates, where he entered a home on Tussey Lane, police said. In the home, he shot and killed resident George McCormick, 83, and Witmer then killed himself, police said.

I dont know of anything like this happening around here that Ive heard of," Lysle said. I mean this is Happy Valley.

Lysle said he was notified shortly after the shooting, and administrators were on hand at the retirement home.

Jose Felix, a guest care manager at a nearby Marriott hotel, said hotel officials also were made aware of the shooting. He said the Marriott was secure, though it was not placed on lockdown.

Felix said he has worked in the area since 2005, and he cannot remember a similar incident.

Its a very quiet area in general, he said, not just of the bar, but also of the surrounding community.
Allegations of sexual misconduct involving two state lawmakers that became public on Thursday are enough for Gov. Tom Wolf to call for their resignations.

It was reported on Thursday that the Dauphin County District Attorneys office is conducting an investigation into claims 49-year-old Rep. Brian Ellis, R-Butler County, sexually assaulted a woman he encountered at a Harrisburg bar in 2015.

In a separate report, Senate Democratic Caucus leaders announced that they have launched an internal investigation into a private criminal complaint involving 57-year-old Sen. Daylin Leach, D-Montgomery County, about allegations he coerced a then-17-year-old woman minor to perform oral sex in 1991.

Neither Ellis nor Leach has been charged with a crime. But the governor said both lawmakers should step down, said J.J. Abbott, a Wolf spokesman.

The allegations against Representative Ellis are outrageous and unacceptable, said Abbott. We stand with the survivor whose decision to come forward and seek justice is courageous. Governor Wolf believes Rep. Ellis should resign.

In Dec. 2017, several former campaign and legislative staffers accused Leach of sexually suggestive jokes and, in at least two cases, unwanted touches that made women staffers uncomfortable. He also apologized to the women staffers who raised the allegations against him last year for ever saying or doing anything that has made anyone uneasy, uncomfortable, or distressed. He promised to change his conduct.

Wolf called for Leachs resignation immediately after those reports became public in December 2017.

Abbott said on Friday, Governor Wolfs position on Senator Leach has never changed. Obviously, Leach didnt resign but he did decide to withdraw his candidacy for a congressional seat.

Leach calls the latest allegation preposterous and denies any wrongdoing. He said he is contemplating filing a defamation lawsuit.

Wolfs latest calls for the lawmakers' resignation is consistent with his position on sexual misconduct claims involving other accused legislators that arose in the past couple of years.

Wolf last year called on former Rep. Nick Miccarelli, a Delaware County Republican, to resign less than 24 hours after published reports appeared about a sexual assault and domestic violence complaint filed against him with the House by Rep. Tarah Toohil, R-Luzerne County, and a Harrisburg political consultant. That complaint spawned an internal investigation in which House GOP lawyers found the womens claims to be credible; however, no criminal charges resulted. Miccarelli subsequently decided to not seek re-election to a sixth term of office.

Gov. Tom Wolf in late 2017 called on longtime Berks County state Rep. Tom Caltagirone, a Democrat, to resign in light of a news account published about a $248,000 payment issued by the House Democratic Caucus to settle a sexual harassment complaint against him in 2015. Caltagirone insisted he was innocent of any misconduct and didnt step down. In fact, he ran for re-election last year and won by a landslide against his GOP opponent.
F-15 planes flew over head.

A bagpiper played Amazing Grace.

And dozens of men wearing red berets stood in the pouring rain as family, friends and fellow service members said goodbye to Air Force Staff Sgt. Dylan Elchin of Hookstown, Beaver County.

The 25-year-old Elchin was killed in November, after a roadside bomb attack in the Ghazni province of Afghanistan. Three other service members also died in the deadliest attack against U.S. forces in the war in 2018.

His family waited nearly two months for the funeral service at Arlington National Cemetery, so that members of his elite air tactical unit who served overseas with Elchin could attend.

About 350 people gathered inside Memorial Chapel, just outside the hallowed grounds of Arlington. A larger photo of Elchin, showing him wearing fatigues and smiling, stood on a pedestal in front.

Memorial cards at the service showed him with that smile and featured two written messages:

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

A boy had a dream, the man had the guts to make those dreams come true.

Elchin was a teenager, growing up in Beaver County, when he decided to join the military. He spent years training to become an Air Force combat controller in the 26th Special Tactics Squadron. He earned the right to don the red beret of the special tactics airman.

He deployed to Afghanistan in August and embedded with a special forces team. Elchin served on the ground during combat, and, during a firefight, it was his job to coordinate air strikes.

He saw action early on. On Aug. 12, a convoy was pinned down and Elchin repeatedly disregarded his own personal safety and exposed himself to enemy fire while coordinatingair strikes, according to an Air Force news release.

He was awarded an Army Commendation Medal with Valor for his actions that day.

13 Soldier, airman from Pennsylvania killed in Afghanistan

Among those on hand to pay their respects Thursday was a group of family and friends who traveled from western Pennsylvania.

At the chapel service, a fellow airman talked about how Elchin could complete any task and walk through anything with a smile.

And the chaplain, Air Force Maj. Amber Murrell, talked about some of the things that made Elchin who he was: the Boy Scouts, training, camping, fishing, just roughing it, and the spontaneous moments he spent with others.

She described Elchins decision to join the military as a decision to fight for peace.

And those who have been in war, like many of Dylans comrades, will tell you there is nothing glorious about it, Murrell said. It is real. And it is ugly.

But she said Elchins sacrifice was an expression of love. And Dylan loved unabashedly, Murrell said, and so did Gods son.

The service lasted about 25 minutes. Then the hundreds there headed to Section 60 of Arlington National Cemetery.

Horses pulled a caisson with the flag-draped casket. A bugler played Taps. Service members fired a three-volley salute.

A lone bugler plays taps at Staff Sergeant Dylan Elchins funeral service at Arlington National Cemetery, Jan. 24, 2019.

At one point, the chaplain listed a string of words to describe Elchin: someone who was a warrior, good-hearted, fearless, a clown who loved to impersonate people, dependable. And also: son, grandson, brother, fiance, brother-in-arms, friend and patriot.

In honor of Dylans legacy, may you too make the most of your God-given gifts and talents, Murrell told the mourners.

Following military tradition, Elchins family was presented with the U.S. flag that had draped his casket.
Officials with the Centre County Coroners Office have confirmed another death in Thursday nights shooting in State College.

Steve Beachy, 19, has died as a result of his injuries, according to the coroners office.

Steve Beachy is the son of Dean Beachy, 62, of Millersburg, Ohio, who was the first person to die at P.J. Harrigans Bar & Grill when Jordan Witmer, 21, of Bellefonte entered the restaurant and opened fire.

Steve Beachy was wounded, as was another person who police said they believes was a current or former girlfriend of Witmer. Both were taken to a local hospital.

Witmer then drove away from the bar, crashed his vehicle and broke into a home, where he fatally shot homeowner George McCormick, 83, before turning the gun on himself.

Social media reports indicate that Beachy was a livestock auctioneer, and that he and his son were in the area to help with a horse sale.

The initial shooting happened about two miles from Penn State Universitys main campus. Though campus officials monitored the situation as it unfolded, they opted to not issue an alert to students since the incident happened off-campus.
PRINCETON JUNCTION, New Jersey, Jan. 24, 2019 /PRNewswire/ --A The TMA Board of Directors is pleased to announce the recently completed acquisition of the assets of Raleigh, North Carolina-based SpecComm International, Inc., including the GTNF Conference, TabExpo, Tobacco Reporter, Vapor Voice, Tobacco Farm Quarterly, Tobacconist, Pipes & Tobacco, and Cigars & LeisureA Magazines.A The purchase brings together the very best of TMA's leading member service and information platforms with world-class trade journalism, the global platform of the GTNF, and TabExpo's internationally renowned Exhibition and Congress. TMA, a non-profit, member-driven organization, is dedicated to providing all stakeholders with open and engaging forums and unbiased information on all tobacco and nicotine issues.A All the purchased assets will be operated with this guiding principal in mind.A TMA is creating a new division, The GTNF Trust, to operate the GTNF Conference, Tobacco Reporter Magazine and Vapor Voice Magazine. "All of us on the TMA Board are very excited about the future for TMA with the inclusion of these new assets," said Mike Ligon, TMA Board Chairman.A "TMA will create a tobacco and nicotine content experience for industry and all stakeholders that has more depth and coverage than anywhere else.A And watch for new topical content coming soon," added Ligon. As a member organization, TMA will continue to focus on informative content for tma.org, its 26 publications that provide the information and analysis that TMA members and subscribers depend on to widen their understanding of tobacco and nicotine issues globally, along with its highly regarded Annual Meeting and Conference.A TMA will also incorporate Tobacco Farm Quarterly into its publications to better serve the agricultural sector of the tobacco and nicotine industries. Once operational, The GTNF Trust will be the home of Tobacco Reporter, the oldest tobacco industry trade publication in the United States; Vapor Voice, the stalwart reporter that has stood with the vapor industry since the early days; and the GTNF Conference, the premier forum for international nicotine stakeholders. Building on their separate legacies of success, TMA and The GTNF Trust will strive to enhance the content and conference offerings that brings valuable new information, insights and understanding to TMA members, GTNF Conference supporters, and the wider community of nicotine stakeholders. For TabExpo, TMA will work with current licensee TEM Events, lead by Steve Fowler and Barbara Hicks, to continue the success of past expositions and congresses. TEM and TabExpo will leverage the best of TMA and its new assets to deliver an exceptional TabExpo starting with Amsterdam 2019 and continuing on to future expositions and congresses.A TMA President and CEO Chris Greer will oversee TMA and The GTNF Trust.A Roberta Crosby, TMA's Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will oversee finances and administration for TMA and The GTNF Trust. Elise Rasmussen will join TMA as The GTNF Trust Executive Director and TMA Vice President of Sales and Marketing.A Taco Tuinstra, Tobacco Reporter's Editor in Chief, will join TMA as Vice President and Chief Content Officer with responsibilities for all magazine content.A Darryl Jayson, TMA's Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, will be responsible for TMA content and legacy TMA operations. Mike MacDonald will join TMA as Director of Product and Circulation. Joining the management team is TMA's Chris Moll, who will become Director of Information Services and will oversee IT infrastructure, further development of tma.org, the online magazine! s, TabExp o and GTNF websites.A All appointments are effective immediately. "All of us at TMA are eager to combine TMA's platform with the tremendous content of the magazines and successes of the GTNF and TabExpo," said TMA President & CEO Chris Greer.A "TMA has been working on this purchase for some time and the Board and staff believe that the acquisition brings more value to membership, provides enhanced content for our subscribers, and enables TMA, GTNF, and TabExpo to deliver world class forums, conferences and expositions that bring people and ideas together." To experience all that TMA offers, visit us at tma.org and join us for the TMA Annual Meeting & Conference on April 8-10, 2019 at the Marriott Fairview Park in Falls Church, Virginia. You can also join the debate at the GTNF Conference on September 24-26, 2019 at the Georgetown Four Seasons, Washington, DC. For further details, contact tma@tma.org. LogoA - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/474917/TMA_Logo.pdf
Last year, Leah Mullinix brought her two-year-old son to a York hospital because his penis was painfully swollen with ulcers.

He had suffered the condition for four days, maybe longer, according to court records. Doctors wrote two prescriptions. But two days later, Mullinix still hadnt filled them. Her son screamed in pain so often at a domestic violence shelter where they were living that staffers filed an abuse allegation with children services due to Mullinixs lack of care.

Workers from York County Children, Youth and Families then forced Mullinix to fill the necessary prescriptions on Sept. 2. Shelter staff members had to show her how to put on the prescription cream and actually administered the prescriptions for her.

Three days later, Mullinix, 22, was supposed to appear in court for a custody hearing. Her sister filed for emergency custody of Dante Mullinix, believing him to be neglected and in danger. But Leah Mullinix didnt show up in Adams County court and the hearing was postponed one month.

Dante wouldnt live that long.

The next day, he fell unconscious and never woke up. He had a subdural hematoma, broken ribs, a lacerated liver and pancreas and bruises and marks on his neck and the rest of his body in various stages of healing, according to a child services report.

Dante died Sept. 14, one week before his third birthday, as a result of abuse.

A male friend of Leah Mullinix who was with Dante when he fell unconscious has been charged with homicide. Prosecutors allege Tyree Bowie, 40, caused the injuries when he babysat for Dante for two hours while she went to a hospital for treatment of a migraine. Bowie said he fed the boy animal crackers and the boy stopped breathing. Dantes aunt and others close to the family believe he is innocent.

Bowies attorney, Farley Holt, said Bowie had known Leah for 20 days and recognized she needed help. Holt said he would not only be able to prove Bowies innocence but also prove who really caused Dantes injuries.

Police charged Mullinix with felony child endangerment related to the delay in treating her sons genitals. She spent three weeks in jail and appeared in court Thursday where it was revealed she is pregnant again. She waived her preliminary hearing and was released on unsecured bail.

The case is the latest example of an apparent breakdown in the child protective system in Pennsylvania.

Last year, a 3- year old girl died from a methamphetamine overdose in Franklin County. CYS workers had been called about potential problems in the home the year before Logan Starliper died.

In 2014, 9-year-old Jarrod Tutko died weighing 16.9 pounds nine months after a social worker visited the home and recommended to terminate services. No action was taken the next month when hospital workers called ChildLine to report concerns about Tutkos sister, who was admitted into a hospital in a dirty, unkempt condition and her parents didnt visit her.

Jarrods death in Harrisburg, where he was locked in a feces-covered room with no heat or working lights, prompted a grand jury report that exposed cracks in the child welfare system.

The cracks remain exposed and are actually more like craters, said Sarah Mullinix, who filed a complaint through child services and was trying to gain custody of her nephew, who had grown up in her home.

When Leah lived with Sarah, Children and Youth Services already were involved with Dante, Sarah said.

A state Department of Human Services spokesman confirmed that Adams County children services provided an in-home assessment in May 2017 when Dante was a baby and provided services through October 2017. The agency did another assessment in March 2018.

But the sisters had a falling out last year and Leah and Dante moved out in June, with Leah cutting off contact with nearly all relatives. Leah had been living in her car with Dante, then in various motel rooms and at two different shelters.

After Leah moved out of Sarahs home, she did not continue with services that were being provided by an early intervention community group, Sarah said, because a therapist showed up at Sarahs home asking where Leah and Dante were. Sarah said she called police to check Dantes welfare, filed a neglect report through a therapist who visited her child and talked to an after-hours CYS worker who told her she could file for emergency custody.

In the months before Dante died, Leah had taken him to a hospital in York more a dozen times for various ailments, Sarah said. She now wonders why none of the medical providers picked up on bruises and signs of neglect.

I tried to save him, Sarah said. And it didnt work out. There is a problem with children services. There are programs set up to help children and give them a voice, but they didnt do that with Dante. What do you do when multiple people are reporting a child is hurt and no one does anything?

The fact that hospitals, a domestic violence shelter and child service workers all interacted with Dante in the days before his fatal injuries erodes the publics confidence in the states protection systems, said Cathleen Palm, founder of the Center for Children's Justice, a non-profit in Pennsylvania.

In many child abuse deaths, like in Dantes case, the child was not off the radar, Palm said.

It is so darn frustrating and unacceptable, she said Pennsylvania still lacks a sense of urgency about these children. We treat the critical incidences affecting young children as anomalies and yet are they? Or are they happening in every county across the Commonwealth and we are just not sufficiently connecting the dots?

While there is a criminal case unfolding in regards to Dantes death,  we cant nor should we overlook that he was known to a number of systems  health care, child welfare, domestic violence, Palm said. It is essential that there be some independent review of all the systems he interacted with and what those interactions entailed toward not just answering critical questions about his life and death, but ultimately toward protecting the collective community of children living in Pennsylvania.

The York County Children, Youth and Families agencies has opened a review of Dantes death, as required under a Pennsylvania law, known as Act 33. Palm was instrumental in getting Act 33 passed.

The review will result in an Act 33 report that must include statutory and regulatory compliance by the county's youth and children agency, the states findings about the incident and any recommendations "for reducing the likelihood of future child fatalities and near-fatalities resulting from child abuse."

The report is supposed to be made public within six months of a fatality, or near-fatality, but prosecutors can request that a report be kept secret during criminal investigations. The prosecutor asked for Dantes report to be kept secret once it is completed.

Colin Day, a spokesman for the states Department of Human Services department, said he could not comment on whether York County child services workers were aware of the prior CYS referrals in Adams County. Its also unclear if York County knew about the Adams County emergency custody hearing and the fact Leah Mullinix didnt show up for it.

Getting everyone on the same page is critical if Pennsylvania wants to reduce child abuse and deaths, advocates say.

I feel like everyone is trying to sweep Dante under the rug, Sarah Mullinix said. Why wasnt he good enough to be saved?

Sarah Mullinix recently started a petition to try to get the governors attention about flaws in children and youth services. It has collected more than 1,850 signatures. She also started a Justice for Dante Facebook page.

Sarah said she and other family members were not allowed to attend Dantes funeral.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Roger Stone, a confidant of President Donald Trump, was arrested in the special counsels Russia investigation in a pre-dawn raid at his Florida home on Friday and was charged with lying to Congress and obstructing the probe.

The seven-count indictment against Stone, a self-proclaimed "dirty trickster," is the first criminal case in months from special counsel Robert Mueller.

It provides the most detail to date about how Trump campaign associates in the summer of 2016 were actively seeking to politically benefit from the release of hacked material damaging to Hillary Clintons campaign. It alleges that unnamed senior Trump campaign officials contacted Stone to ask when stolen emails relating to Clinton might be disclosed.

The indictment does not charge Stone with conspiring with WikiLeaks, the anti-secrecy website that published the emails, or with the Russian officers Mueller says hacked them. Instead, it accuses him of witness tampering, obstruction and false statements about his interactions related to WikiLeaks' release. Some of those false statements were made to the House intelligence committee, according to the indictment.

CNN aired video of the raid at Stones Fort Lauderdale home, showing FBI agents in body armor using large weapons and night-vision equipment, running up to the home and banging repeatedly on the door.

"FBI open the door!" one shouts. "FBI, warrant!" Stone could then be seen in the doorway in his sleepwear before he was led away. He is expected to appear in court later Friday.

Stone is the sixth Trump aide charged in Mueller's investigation into potential coordination between Russia and the Trump campaign and the 34th person overall. The investigation has laid bare multiple contacts between Trump associates and Russia during the campaign and transition period and efforts by several to conceal those communications.

Well-known for his political antics and hard ball tactics, Stone has reveled in being a Washington wheeler-dealer dating back to the Nixon administration. He has also pushed several conspiracy theories and was an early and vocal supporter of Trump's candidacy.

The case against Stone comes weeks after Trump's former national security adviser was castigated by a judge in open court and just hours before Paul Manafort, his ex-campaign chairman , was due in court on allegations that he had lied to Mueller's prosecutors.

Stone was one of Trump's earliest political advisers, encouraging both his presidential runs. He briefly served on Trump's 2016 campaign, but was pushed out amid infighting with then-campaign manager Corey Lewandowski. Stone continued communicating with Trump on occasion and stayed plugged into the circle of advisers  both formal and informal  who worked with and around Trump.

Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Trump's press secretary, told CNN Friday the charges brought against Stone "don't have anything to do with the president."

According to the indictment, many of those conversations involved WikiLeaks. The indictment lays out in detail Stone's conversations about stolen Democratic emails posted by the group in the weeks before Trump, a Republican, beat Clinton. Mueller's office has said those emails, belonging to Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta, were hacked by Russian intelligence officers.

The document says that by June and July 2016, Stone had told senior Trump campaign officials that he had information indicating that WikiLeaks had obtained documents that could be damaging to Clinton's campaign.

Rogerss time in the barreland its headed over Niagara Falls. Roger Stone, Adviser to Trump, Is Indicted in Mueller Investigation via @NYTimes https://t.co/DuoT2FuF0B  John Podesta (@johnpodesta) January 25, 2019

After the July 22, 2016, WikiLeaks release of hacked emails from the Democratic National Committee, the indictment says a senior Trump campaign "was directed" to contact Stone about additional releases and "what other damaging information" WikiLeaks had "regarding the Clinton campaign." The indictment does not name the official or say who directed the outreach to Stone.

Another Trump campaign official cited in the indictment is Steve Bannon, who later became Trump's chief strategist in the White House. Bannon, referred to as a "high-ranking Trump Campaign official," exchanged emails with Stone in October 2016 about WikiLeaks' plans for releasing hacked material. The indictment quotes from those emails, which had previously been made public by news outlets.

While the indictment provides some new insight into the Trump campaign, it deals largely with what prosecutors say were Stones false statements about his conversations with conservative writer and conspiracy theorist, Jerome Corsi, and New York radio host, Randy Credico.

The indictment had been expected. Stone has said for months he was prepared to be charged, though he has denied any wrongdoing. A grand jury for months had heard from witnesses connected to Stone. And the intelligence committee last year voted to release a transcript of Stone's testimony to Mueller as a precursor to an indictment.

Attorney Grant Smith, who represents Stone, did not return a phone message seeking comment Friday.

Stone has publicly denigrated the Mueller investigation and echoed the president's descriptions of it as a witch hunt. But he has long attracted investigators' attention, especially in light of a 2016 tweet that appeared to presage knowledge that emails stolen from Podesta would soon be released. Stone has said he had no inside information about the contents of the emails in WikiLeaks' possession or the timing of when they'd be released.

By ERIC TUCKER and CHAD DAY, Associated Press
An air traffic controller shortage has prompted the Federal Aviation Administration to pause flights into New Yorks LaGuardia Airport, CNBC and others are reporting.

Flight delays have been reported at several other airports around the country, including Philadelphia and Newark.

From Roll Call: The FAA said the traffic management program stopping inbound aircraft from flying to the New York City airport was implemented due to staffing problems on the 35th day of the partial government shutdown. The problems occurred at the Jacksonville Air Route Traffic Control Center in Florida and the Washington Air Route Traffic Control Center in Leesburg, Va.

From Bloomberg: The Federal Aviation Administration says in a statement there has been a slight increase in sick leave at two air traffic control facilities affecting New York and Florida. So far the FAA has mitigated impact by augmenting staffing, rerouting traffic and increasing spacing between aircraft, which have resulted in minimal impacts to efficiency while maintaining consistent levels of safety in the national airspace system.

Travelers can check the status of flights online, including at FlightAware.com.

An FAA staffing shortage because of the shutdown is causing delays at PHL. It also caused a full ground stop at LaGuardia in NYC https://t.co/3rsfjCgtf2https://t.co/dQQTflG4hp  Billy Penn (@billy_penn) January 25, 2019

The shutdown, which began more than a month ago, has left about 800,000 federal workers furloughed or working without pay.

For airlines, that also means federal regulators have stopped inspecting new planes to put into service.

Airlines for America, an industry trade group, and the U.S. Chamber were among 645 national state and local business groups that sent a letter Thursday to President Trump and members of Congress urging them to reopen the government.

The time to act, the time to end this shutdown is now so that we can keep the economy moving forward, the groups said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
UPDATE: Amtrak has confirmed that the Solari Board will be taken down over the weekend of Jan. 25, 2019. This story has been adjusted accordingly.

It is officially the end for the iconic flipboard sign of Amtraks 30th Street Station in Philadelphia.

U.S. Representative Brendan Boyle, who represents part of Philadelphia, told Philly.com that the famous sign is coming down this weekend. Itll be replaced by a digital model, which will lack the signature clacking sound.

The new Passenger Information Display System is necessary to help us modernize the station, comply with ADA-law and sync the main board with the gate boards, which will improve the overall customer experience for our Philadelphia customers, said David Handera, Amtraks vice president for stations, facilities, properties and accessibility. We too have a deep appreciation for the board as part of our history and are working with Congressman Boyle and other leaders to make sure this board has a temporary home at The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania until it can be reincorporated into the station for everyone to enjoy.

The Solari Board, as it is known, was first put into the station in the 1970s. It runs on Windows 95 and is sore need of an update. Amtraks plans to take it down and replace it were first reported in November by Billy Penn. The Solari Board was set to go to the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, where it would be put on display as part of the museum's collection.

Once the news broke, however, it was met with opposition by members of the public and Boyle himself. Boyle met with Amtrak to try and save the sign, while Philadelphia-based company Oat Foundry offered to make a similar sign that would have up-to-date technology (but still produce the sound).

The new digital display board will be installed in February.

Philadelphias Solari board is the last of its kind in operation at Amtrak stations in the United States. New Yorks Penn Station took its own board down in 2017. You can see the board in action in the video below:

Want more stories about Philadelphia? Click here for all our coverage of the City of Brotherly Love.

This story has been updated with additional information from Amtrak.
Spangler Candy has a message for all you fans out there. And its written on their hearts.

The Ohio-based company, which produces the popular SweetHearts brand, released a statement on Thursday along with an image of three candy hearts bearing the phrases Miss U, Wait 4 Me and Back Soon.

The image is in reaction to the recent revelation that SweetHearts, a popular candy item found around Valentines Day, would not be available in stores in 2019.

We wish we could have Sweethearts out for the 2019 Valentine season, but its just not possible, said Kirk Vashaw, Spangler Chairman and CEO in a press release. We are committed to making sure these brands meet consumer expectations when they re-enter the market. Doing it right takes time.

The company purchased the SweetHearts brand in 2018 after its owner Necco went out of business and closed its factory.
A month or so ago, the New York Review of Books ran a lengthy essay by Christopher Browning, titled The Suffocation of Democracy.

Browning is a historian specializing in the Holocaust and Nazi Germany, andas one might expectthe essay considers the parallels and differences between then in Germany and now in the United States. He notes several troubling similaritiesand one equally troubling difference. After sketching U.S. policies in the run-up to World War Two, and emphasizing the importance of the post-war international agreements, he writes

Today, President Trump seems intent on withdrawing the US from the entire postWorld War II structure of interlocking diplomatic, military, and economic agreements and organizations that have preserved peace, stability, and prosperity since 1945. His preference for bilateral relations, conceived as zero-sum rivalries in which he is the dominant player and wins, overlaps with the ideological preference of Steve Bannon and the so-called alt-right for the unfettered self-assertion of autonomous, xenophobic nation-statesin short, the pre-1914 international system. That international anarchy produced World War I, the Bolshevik Revolution, the Great Depression, the fascist dictatorships, World War II, and the Holocaust, precisely the sort of disasters that the postWorld War II international system has for seven decades remarkably avoided.

In addition to the agenda of withdrawal parallels, he compares the political weakness of those in control of the Weimar Republicweakness that led them to cast their lot with Hitlerto the shrinking American support for conservatism that led to the GOPs embrace of Trump.

But Browning saves his most scathingand accurate criticism for Mitch McConnell, writing

If the US has someone whom historians will look back on as the gravedigger of American democracy, it is Mitch McConnell. He stoked the hyperpolarization of American politics to make the Obama presidency as dysfunctional and paralyzed as he possibly could. As with parliamentary gridlock in Weimar, congressional gridlock in the US has diminished respect for democratic norms, allowing McConnell to trample them even more. Nowhere is this vicious circle clearer than in the obliteration of traditional precedents concerning judicial appointments. Systematic obstruction of nominations in Obamas first term provoked Democrats to scrap the filibuster for all but Supreme Court nominations. Then McConnells unprecedented blocking of the Merrick Garland nomination required him in turn to scrap the filibuster for Supreme Court nominations in order to complete the steal of Antonin Scalias seat and confirm Neil Gorsuch. The extreme politicization of the judicial nomination process is once again on display in the current Kavanaugh hearings.Like Hitlers conservative allies, McConnell and the Republicans have prided themselves on the early returns on their investment in Trump.

The difference Browning identifies between then and now is equally unsettling. Hitler had to take overt actions to dissolve labor unions, to seize control of media and pursue other measures that consolidated his power. Browning says such actions are no longer necessary, because American democracy is being suffocated from within: the independence of the judiciary is being steadily eroded; the free press still exists, but has been neutered by a flood of propaganda and fake news; and systemic flaws like gerrymandering and the Electoral College have allowed the GOP to win elections despite garnering only minority support.

On these issues, often described as the guardrails of democracy against authoritarian encroachment, the Trump administration either has won or seems poised to win significant gains for illiberalism. Upon his appointment as chancellor, Hitler immediately created a new Ministry of Peoples Enlightenment and Propaganda under Joseph Goebbels, who remained one of his closest political advisers. In Trumps presidency, those functions have effectively been privatized in the form of Fox News and Sean Hannity.

I think it was Mark Twain who said history doesnt repeat itself, but it rhymes.

Originally published at SheilaKennedy.net on January 25, 2019

Peacock Panache readers:

Sheila Kennedy is a former high school English teacher, former lawyer, former Republican, former Executive Director of Indianas ACLU, former columnist for the Indianapolis Star, and former young person. She is currently an (increasingly cranky) old person, a Professor of Law and Public Policy at Indiana University Purdue University in Indianapolis, and Director of IUPUIs Center for Civic Literacy. She writes for the Indianapolis Business Journal, PA Times, and the Indiana Word, and blogs at www.sheilakennedy.net. For those who are interested in more detail, links to an abbreviated CV and academic publications can be found on her blog, along with links to her books..

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Apple engineers are on record working on a future headset if not smartglasses by means of patent filings. Some of the stunning work Apple's engineering teams are dreaming up is simply staggering in scope (01, 02, 03 and 04). Apple has also hired a few experts in the field of mixed reality headsets to guide various teams (01 and 02).

Until Apple launches a mixed reality headset or smartglasses, Patently Apple will stay on top of patents that we find from Samsung and others to show the progress being made in this emerging market.

Yesterday the U.S. Patent Office published a patent application of Samsung's relating to a new design for a head mounted display (HMD), perhaps a next-gen Gear VR headset, that overcomes some of the current negatives of current designs and adds some interesting new values users will appreciate.

Samsung first lays out some of the problems associated with current HMD designs before providing the solutions. Samsung notes that Conventional head-mounted devices provide stereoscopic regions in both eyes, i.e. a viewing angle of about 100 to 120 degrees whereas a visual field that a person perceives is about 200 degrees, is narrower than a viewing angle that a person generally perceives.

So when a high-level application video games and 3D contents is executed through a head-mounted electronic device, the user knows instinctively that the screen is providing a narrower viewing angle. The user's impression is that what they're seeing is more like what one would see through a periscope, and there is a limitation in feeling the reality of virtual reality (VR).

Accordingly, various embodiments of Samsung's new head-mounted device are optimized for a face shape in order to implement an ultra-wide angle human viewing angle in a slimmer form factor which could deal with the weight issue of most headsets on the market today.

Samsung's new head-mounted device may include a curved display; a frame having a mounting surface having a curvature such that the curved display is mounted thereon; and a pair of optical assemblies provided on the left and right sides of the interior of the frame, respectively, so as to provide displayed images to the left and right eyes of the user to implement a viewing angle of 180 degrees while surrounding the whole visual field of the user.

Samsung's patent FIG. 7 below is a diagram illustrating a binocular visual field and a peripheral visual field according to an optical assembly in the head-mounted electronic device; FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of the head-mounted electronic device.

New See-Through Mode

Samsung's new HMD design also offers a see-through function like Google Glass. Meaning a clear view function that allows the user to view the real world as if wearing regular glasses and allow the user to see the real world with AR imagery being added.

Samsung's patent application that was published yesterday by the U.S. Patent Office was filed in the U.S. in Q3 2018.
Apple's CEO has been meeting with many world leaders at Davos 2019 this week that want to work with Apple on different levels. One such meeting was with the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic who wanted Apple to open a store in his country and Cook wasted no time saying yes.

Earlier today the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic stated on his official Facebook page: "I met one of the most influential personalities in the world business today. Tim Cook, boss of Apple. We have dealt with the economic situation of our country, but also the entire European Union. Tim cook appreciated the results of our economy. I also introduced him to our new vision, which you already know. Czech Republic: the country for the future  Tim cook was absolutely thrilled that we have more than 500 scientists in the area of artificial intelligence in the Czech Republic. I also offered apple to build an apple store in Prague. It's only in ten European countries, one is right in the Paris Louvre. With us, it would be great for a building of Ministerstvo pro mistni rozvoj on anti. Tim cook reacted immediately and right on site arose a coordination team for preparing the new apple store in Prague "

Late yesterday Patently Apple posted a report titled "Egypt's PM Spoke with Apple in Davos to Open Stores, Assist in Education and Consider a Mfg. Hub for the Middle East & Africa."

Today we're learning that Apple's CEO met with Dubai's Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum who was making the same kind of pitch that Egypt's PM diD yesterday. The tweet from the Crown Prince is presented below.

I met with Apples CEO Tim Cook on the sidelines of Davos. The UAE is the leading hub for international corporations to tap into our regions market. The meeting gave us an opportunity to share the latest advancements of global firms in the region. pic.twitter.com/9sWl8f3FO5  Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) January 23, 2019

The World Economic Forum Annual Meeting at Davos ends tomorrow, so there's one more chance that we might here some development with India that was reported on back in late December. Whether the meeting is still on, cancelled or set to remain private for an official announcement later this year is unknown at this time.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP)  Gov. J.B. Pritzker is asking the Illinois Supreme Court for more time to consider legal options on his predecessor's claim that negotiations with the state's largest public employee union are at a stalemate.

The Democrat's lawyers asked the court Thursday for a 90-day deadline extension to seek an appeal of a lower court ruling that went against former GOP Gov. Bruce Rauner.

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An appeal is unlikely. Pritzker spokeswoman Jordan Abudayyeh (ah-boo-DAY'-uh) says that Pritzker's "priority is to return to the bargaining table ."

Rauner broke off contract talks with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 31 two years ago. He said talks were at an inextricable "impasse" and he could impose his terms.

He sought the high court's permission to appeal but left office Jan. 14.

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CHICAGO  Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx says she supports legalizing marijuana in Illinois and that her office will help expunge misdemeanor marijuana convictions.

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The Chicago Tribune reports Foxx told the City Club of Chicago during a luncheon speech Thursday that expunging the records would help people who have lost out on jobs or housing because of the misdemeanor convictions.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has pledged to legalize the recreational use of marijuana and its hoped-for $1 billion in annual tax revenue. Chicago and state lawmakers in recent years have decriminalized the possession of small amounts of marijuana.

But Foxx's comments  made to an audience that included politicians and law enforcement officials  mark the first time that Cook County's top prosecutor has voiced support for legalization.

Contact Roger Miller at (309) 820-3233. Follow him on Twitter: @pg_rmiller

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Flynn was the only White House official charged in Muellers investigation into ties between the Trump campaign and Russia. He pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI days after the presidents January 2017 inauguration about conversations he had had during the presidential transition period with the Russian ambassador.
LINCOLN  A Missouri semitrailer truck driver was killed and a Glencoe man was injured in separate crashes Wednesday on Interstate 55 in Logan County, state police said.

A semitrailer truck was southbound on I-55 when the driver apparently had a medical incident and went off the road about 5 p.m. at Exit 127, which is the ramp to northbound I-155 on Lincoln's northwest side, police said.

The driver, 63-year-old Roger McVay of Independence, Mo., was taken to Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital, Lincoln, where he was pronounced dead, police said.

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He was the sole occupant of the truck.

A little over two hours earlier and about 9 miles to the south, a crash near Broadwell sent Timothy T. Weston, 65, to Memorial Medical Center, Springfield, with serious injuries, police said.

A semitrailer truck driven by David Mangena, 51, of Berrien Springs, Mich., had mechanical problems and was parked on the shoulder of northbound I-55 at Milepost 118, police said. Reflective triangles were placed behind it.

For an unknown reason, Weston's SUV drove off the road and struck the rear of the semi about 2:41 p.m., police said. Weston received a ticket charging him with improper lane usage.

Mangena was not injured in the crash.

Contact Roger Miller at (309) 820-3233. Follow him on Twitter: @pg_rmiller

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BLOOMINGTON  Habitat for Humanity of McLean County is starting a new program to honor local heroes with the first being Sgt. Josh Rodgers, the Army Ranger and Normal Community High School graduate who was killed in Afghanistan in 2017.

Each year one of the homes Habitat for Humanity builds will be a Hero House, named for a local hero.

We will have some kind of permanent plaque on each of the Hero Houses, said Linda Healy, Habitat's development director.

The idea came about after Bill Waller, Habitat's construction manager, talked with the soldier's mother, Vonda Rodgers, who was volunteering with the State Farm Military Affinity Group on a Habitat house for a veteran and his family.

Waller was impressed by Josh Rodgers' sacrifice and how the community came out to line the route on the day of his funeral. He wanted some way to honor Rodgers, said Healy.

We will be soliciting sponsors for the houses, she said. We will do fundraising and hopefully will get enough for this house and the following year's Hero House.

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The McLean County group checked and didn't find any other Habitat group doing something like this, said Healy.

We anticipate that other Habitat affiliates nationwide will follow this model. We hope they do, she said.

The Habitat chapter is putting together criteria and expects to have a form online for people to make nominations for the next Hero House toward the end of the year.

We have all kinds of heroes in our community. They don't necessarily have to be in the military. They can be from any walk of life, said Healy.

They will be looking for nominees who have had an impact on the greater community and/or Habitat for Humanity and have demonstrated courage and leadership, she said.

An internal committee will go through the nominations and select finalists. Then an external group will make the final choice, she said.

Rodgers and a second Army Ranger, Sgt. Cameron Thomas of Ohio, were killed in action on April 27, 2017, during a joint military operation with Afghan forces in Nangahar Province.

Both were members of 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Benning, Ga. Rodgers was on his third deployment to Afghanistan.

Contact Lenore Sobota at (309) 820-3240. Follow her on Twitter: @Pg_Sobota

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KANSAS CITY, Mo.  An Inverness, Ill. woman who has battled NASA for years over an artifact from the Apollo 11 moon mission has filed a new lawsuit accusing the agency of damaging the object and illegally taking particles of moon dust.

The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Kan. by Nancy Lee Carlson, concerns a sample bag taken on the historic first manned moon mission in 1969.

"The bag contained lunar samples, including some lunar dust enmeshed in the bag fibers when the Apollo 11 mission returned to Earth," the suit says.

Carlson bought the item in 2015 for $995. She sold it in 2017 for $1.8 million.

During that two-year period, Carlson and NASA were engaged in a protracted legal battle over its ownership, which she eventually won.

Her new lawsuit accuses the space agency of damaging the bag and illegally keeping some of the lunar material it originally contained.

After the bag containing the first samples of lunar material collected by Neil Armstrong came back down to Earth, it ended up in the possession of Max Ary, who was president and CEO of the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center in Hutchinson, Kan.

But it was seized from Ary's home by federal officials in 2003 as part of an investigation into the alleged theft of space artifacts.

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Ary was ultimately convicted of a number of criminal charges, including money laundering, and the federal court ordered the sale of some of his assets to satisfy a monetary judgment in that case.

The bag was twice offered at auction in 2011 and 2013, but there were no buyers.

Carlson bought the bag after seeing it on an online government auction website in February 2015. She paid $995.

After her purchase, Carlson contacted NASA to see if the agency could authenticate the bag as having flown on Apollo 11 and whether it contained lunar samples.

The agency's Apollo sample curator agreed to do so, and Carlson sent the bag to NASA in August 2015.

In March 2016, NASA found that the bag was authentic and that there was lunar dust and particles "enmeshed in the fabric of the bag."

But after making that judgment NASA, for the first time according to the lawsuit, claimed ownership of the bag. The agency refused to return it to Carlson.

The federal government subsequently filed a motion in federal court in Kansas to rescind the sale of the bag to Carlson.

But a federal judge found that he had no legal authority to rescind the sale, and denied the government's motion, confirming Carlson as the "true and sole owner" of the bag, according to the lawsuit.

Despite the ruling, NASA refused to return the bag, prompting Carlson to file a federal lawsuit in Texas asking for the return of her property. The court ruled in Carlson's favor and the bag was turned over to her in February 2017.

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An early morning wreck just south of Elkhart claimed the life of one Elkhart resident. The driver of the other vehicle was flown to a hospital in Tyler, where he was treated and released.
Gary Wayne Starr age 42, passed away Tuesday June 15, 2021 at Baylor Medical Center in Dallas. He is survived by his wife Wilma Starr, his mother Paula Fountain of Tennessee Colony, his brother Andy Starr of Tennessee Colony, plus numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. He was proceeded in death
The following list includes recent reports from the Midland County Sheriff's Office and the Midland Police Department. Compiled by reporter Mitchell Kukulka.

Wednesday, Jan. 23

11:14 p.m. -- Officers were dispatched to the 100 Block of East Main Street for a liquor inspection.

10:53 p.m. -- Officers responded to an incident of domestic violence in the 2500 Block of Bay City Road.

6:53 p.m. -- A deputy spoke with a 71-year-old woman over the phone regarding a suspicious phone call she received while at work. The woman said an unknown person, who sounded intoxicated, called her business and was very disgruntled about service they had received that day. The woman said the phone number was an out-of-area one, and her business had not had any unhappy customers that day. The deputy called the number back. A man answered and said he was from South Carolina, and had not gone to or called any Michigan businesses that day. He then refused to give any further information and hung up.

6:50 p.m. -- A deputy responded to a car-deer crash in the area of South Poseyville Road and East Freeland Road. The deputy was disregarded prior to arrival after the deer had gotten back up and ran away.

5:48 p.m. -- Officers responded to a vehicle crash on private property in the 4000 Block of Whiting Drive.

4:23 p.m. -- A deputy met with a Bay County Sheriff's Office deputy who had arrested a 38-year-old Bay City woman on two outstanding Midland County warrants. She was transported and lodged in the Midland County Jail.

4:06 p.m. -- Officers responded to a traffic hazard near the intersection of West Chapel Lane and Jefferson Road.

3:23 p.m. -- A deputy responded to a single-vehicle traffic crash in the area of Four and Three Quarter Mile Road near East Pine River. A reported was completed and the at-fault driver was issued a citation.

3:17 p.m. -- A deputy responded to a vehicle crash in Edenville Township. A report was completed and the driver was issued a citation for unable to maintain control.

2:17 p.m. -- A deputy responded to a single-vehicle traffic crash in Greendale Township.

2:11 p.m. -- Officers responded to a vehicle crash near the intersection of Eastman Avenue and Pheasant Ridge Drive.

1:23 p.m. -- Officers responded to a property damage accident near the intersection of Cambridge Street and Dartmouth Drive.

12:42 p.m. -- A deputy responded to a single-vehicle traffic crash causing minor damage in Larkin Township.

11:40 a.m. -- Officers responded to a vehicle crash the intersection of Saginaw Road and Eastman Avenue.

10:54 a.m. -- Officers responded to a property damage accident near the intersection of East Ashman and Washington streets.

9:41 a.m. -- Officers responded to a vehicle crash in the 1000 Block of South Saginaw Road.

9:02 a.m. -- Officers responded to a property damage accident near the intersection of North Saginaw Road and Eastman Avenue.

3:40 a.m. -- Deputies responded to a Jerome Township location for a car-deer crash.

3:15 a.m. -- Deputies responded to a car-deer crash in Ingersoll Township.

2:12 a.m. -- A deputy was dispatched to the area of West Curtis Road near M-18 regarding a motorist assist for a disabled vehicle. Upon investigation, it was discovered that the driver, a 43-year-old man, had two arrest warrants -- one out of Gladwin County and one of Ionia County -- both for child support. He was transported to the Midland County Jail, where he posted his bond.

12:52 a.m. -- A deputy was dispatched to a Jerome Township residence in reference to a 50-year-old woman who said her 55-year-old Midland boyfriend rammed her unoccupied vehicle with his SUV. She said she did not wish to pursue criminal charges, but wanted the incident reported. The boyfriend was contacted for a statement and released. The woman was advised of the process of getting a personal protection order.
Regulars of the Boulevard Lounge located at 316 S. Saginaw Road may have noticed a change in decoration.

Where once hung beer signs and other miscellaneous advertisements now hangs 40 flags honoring the United States and its military veterans.

The remodeling of the lounge's ceiling was organized by Buddy Landerway, 65, who wanted to create a dedicated space for Midland County's veterans. Landerway approached Scott Dexter, the owner of the Boulevard Lounge, about redecorating the lounge to honor veterans and first responders toward the end of 2018.

"I want people to walk in there and stop and look, and every day somebody's going to tell a story about veterans," Landerway said. "We're dedicating it to every veteran that walks through those doors."

Landerway received funding for the flag redecoration from four local sponsors: attorney Kurt Yockey, Michael Bartos of Bartos Jewelry Design, Mike Kozuch of KJP Sales Inc. and Pat Seeburger of the Honorable Mention trophy shop. Landerway's friend John Day assisted him in putting up the flags on the morning of Dec. 17.

In the month following the remodeling, Dexter said he has received many compliments from customers.

"A lot of people respect and enjoy (the flags)," Dexter said. "You can sit down here (at the bar) and see all the history versus going to the American Legion or the (Veterans of Foreign Wars office), where a lot of people can't get in."

Dexter said the flags will be a permanent installment to the lounge's decor, and might well be added onto in the future.

Landerway himself is a veteran of the Vietnam War, serving in the U.S. Marine Corp between 1972 and 1978. He envisions the lounge being a place were Midland County's veterans can bring their children and grandchildren in the future and share their stories.

Landerway said when someone meets a first responder, they should thank them for their service  when they meet a veteran, they should shake their hand and say "welcome home."

"We (veterans) get a lot, but at the end of the day, we don't get that one thing we all want, and that's that shaking of the hand," Landerway said.
Warner Norcross + Judd has again demonstrated its commitment to diversity with the development of a new 1L Diversity Scholarship.

This scholarship program is intended to promote diversity in the legal profession in Michigan by assisting first-year minority law students who are in good standing and attending the University of Michigan Law School, Michigan State University Law School or Wayne State Law School. The firm will award a $2,000 scholarship to a student at each law school.
Local students were among more than 325 graduates honored at Michigan Technological University's Fall Commencement held on the Houghton campus on Dec. 15, 2018.

Michigan Tech alumnus Terry Woychowski, vice president of advanced technology at LINK Engineering and president of Level V Advising, delivered the commencement address. Woychowski is a former chair of the University's Board of Trustees.
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Automotive Retread Tires Market Snapshot

Global automotive retread tires market has seen remarkable growth; expected to rise at a CAGR of ~5%. Increasing demand for tires from fleet owners is the major driving factor for the growth of the global automotive retread tires market. According to OICA, there is a continuous increase in the consumption of tires in the passenger car and especially in heavy commercial vehicles, which increase the need for retread tires in the vehicles. Stringent government norms and increased environmental concern will enhance the demand for retread tires among the manufacturers and consumers. High-cost benefits from the retreading of old and worn out tires will open up new opportunities for the new manufacturers in the global market. According to tire manufacturers, the retreading of old tires will save at least 30% of the overall cost compared to new tires and further positively impact the environment. Bridgestone Corporation and the Goodyear tire manufacturing company investing heavily in inspection and development of old tires. However, according to US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) identifies the consumer behavior about the using of retread tires

The prominent players in the Automotive Retread Tires Market are-

Bridgestone Corporation (Japan), The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company (US), Michelin (France), Marangoni S.p.A. (Italy), and Nokian Tyres plc (Finland). MRF Tyres (India), KRAIBURG AUSTRIA GmbH & CO. KG (Austria), JK Tyres (India), Pilipinas Kai Rubber Corporation (Philippines), and Eastern Treads (India) are among others.

Browse Full Report @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/automotive-retread-tires-market-6922

Automotive Retread Tires Market Segmentation:

Global automotive retread tires market is segmented on the basis of process type, sales channel, vehicle type, and region. On the basis of process type, the market has been segmented into pre cure and mold cure. On the basis of sales channel, the market has been segmented into OEM and aftermarket. On the basis of vehicle type, the market has been segmented into passenger car, light commercial vehicle, and heavy commercial vehicle.

Scope of Report:

The report for Global Automotive Retread Tires Market of Market Research Future covers extensive primary research. This is accompanied with detailed analysis of qualitative and quantitative aspects by various industry experts and key opinion leaders to gain deeper insights into the market and industry performance. The report gives a clear picture of the current market scenario, which includes the historical and forecasted market size, in terms of value and volume, technological advancement, macroeconomic, and governing factors of the market. The report provides comprehensive information about the strategies of the top companies in the industry, along with a broad study of the different market segments and regions.

About Market Research Future:

At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.

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Goose Creek, SC (29445)

Today

Partly cloudy skies early with heavy thunderstorms developing this afternoon. High around 90F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Showers this evening then scattered thunderstorms developing overnight. Low 73F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
Oskaloosa, IA (52577)

Today

Plentiful sunshine. High around 90F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy this evening with thunderstorms becoming likely overnight. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 67F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
A 52-year-old Lake Oswego man died Thursday after crashing his car into an embankment in rural Washington County, troopers say.

The Oregon State Police said Brian Glover died at the scene of the U.S. 26 crash, which happened about 2 p.m. on the west side of the Dennis L. Edwards Tunnel northwest of Banks. An early investigation shows he was headed east in a 2017 BMW X1 when he left the highway and hit a stone tunnel embankment.

It appears Glover may have suffered a medical event before the crash, troopers said.

No one else was in the car. The highway was closed for about three hours, according to troopers.

The crash remains under investigation.

-- Jim Ryan; jryan@oregonian.com; 503-221-8005; @Jimryan015

Visit subscription.oregonlive.com/newsletters to get Oregonian/OregonLive journalism delivered to your email inbox.
WASHINGTON  Roger Stone, a confidant of President Donald Trump, was arrested in the special counsels Russia investigation in a pre-dawn raid at his Florida home on Friday and was charged with lying to Congress and obstructing the probe.

The seven-count indictment against Stone, a self-proclaimed "dirty trickster," is the first criminal case in months from special counsel Robert Mueller. It provides the most detail to date about how Trump campaign associates were aware in the summer of 2016 that emails had been stolen from the Hillary Clinton campaign and wanted them released. It alleges that unnamed senior Trump campaign officials contacted Stone to ask when the stolen emails might be disclosed.

The indictment does not charge Stone with conspiring with WikiLeaks, the anti-secrecy website that published the emails, or with the Russian officers Mueller says hacked them. Instead, it accuses him of witness tampering, obstruction and false statements about his interactions related to WikiLeaks' release. Some of those false statements were made to the House intelligence committee, according to the indictment.

CNN recorded video of the raid at Stone's home, showing FBI agents in combat gear using large weapons and night-vision equipment, running up to the home and banging repeatedly on the door. "FBI open the door!" one shouts. "FBI, warrant!" Stone could then be seen in the doorway in his sleepwear before he was led away, CNN reported.

Stone is the sixth Trump aide charged in Mueller's investigation into potential coordination between Russia and the Trump campaign and the 34th person overall. The investigation has laid bare multiple contacts between Trump associates and Russia during the campaign and transition period and efforts by several to conceal those communications. The case against Stone comes weeks after Trump's former national security adviser was castigated by a judge in open court and just hours before his ex-campaign chairman was due in court on allegations that he had lied to Mueller's prosecutors.

The indictment lays out in detail Stone's conversations about stolen Democratic emails posted by WikiLeaks in the weeks before Trump, a Republican, beat Clinton. Mueller's office has said those emails, belonging to Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta, were hacked by Russian intelligence officers.

It says the Trump campaign directed a senior campaign official to contact Stone after the July 22, 2016, WikiLeaks release of hacked emails from the Democratic National Committee and other groups. That official, who is not named in court papers, asked Stone about additional releases and "what other damaging information" WikiLeaks had "regarding the Clinton campaign," the indictment says.

The indictment accuses Stone of carrying out a "prolonged effort" to keep New York radio host Randy Credico, referred to as Person 2, from contradicting his testimony before the House intelligence committee. During that effort, prosecutors note that Stone repeatedly told Credico to "do a 'Frank Pentangeli,'" a reference to a character in "The Godfather: Part II" who lies before a congressional committee.

One of the Trump campaign officials cited in the indictment is Steve Bannon, who later became Trump's chief strategist in the White House. Bannon, referred to as a "high-ranking Trump Campaign official," exchanged emails with Stone in October 2016 about WikiLeaks' plans for releasing hacked material. The incitement quotes from those emails, which had previously been made public by news outlets.

Stone is scheduled to appear in court in Florida later Friday. The indictment had been expected. Stone has said for months he was prepared to be charged, though he has denied any wrongdoing. A grand jury for months had heard from witnesses connected to Stone. And the intelligence committee last year voted to release a transcript of Stone's testimony to Mueller as a precursor to an indictment.

Attorney Grant Smith, who represents Stone, did not return a phone message seeking comment Friday.

Stone has publicly denigrated the Mueller investigation and echoed the president's descriptions of it as a witch hunt. But he has long attracted investigators' attention, especially in light of a 2016 tweet that appeared to presage knowledge that emails stolen from Podesta would soon be released. Stone has said he had no inside information about the contents of the emails in WikiLeaks' possession or the timing of when they'd be released.

Stone has said he learned from Credico that WikiLeaks had the emails and planned to disclose them. Stone has released emails that he says support that assertion.

Prosecutors had offered a plea agreement to Stone friend Jerome Corsi that would have required the conspiracy theorist and conservative author to admit that he intentionally lied to investigators about a discussion with Stone about WikiLeaks. But he rejected the offer.

In a tweet Friday, Podesta wrote that it was now "Roger's time in the barrel." That was a play on Stone's own words. Stone had tweeted cryptically before the Podesta emails were disclosed that it would soon be Podesta's "time in the barrel."

Read the indictment: http://apne.ws/1P23qpR

 The Associated Press
UPDATED Friday, Jan. 25: Man who shot 2 in downtown Portland still on the loose; police release suspect description

***

Two people were shot in downtown Portland on Thursday, and police are looking for the shooter.

The shooting was reported around 2:40 p.m. in Ankeny Alley near the 200 block of Southwest Broadway, according to the Portland Police Bureau. The two people injured were taken to a hospital for treatment. They are expected to survive.

Portland police havent announced any arrests in the shooting and havent released any description of the shooter.

Nick Larson, who was in the area during the shooting, said he heard three shots and saw a man down on the ground soon after. At least one other person was helping the man when Larson got to him.

Larson said he helped keep the man warm by offering his hoodie and helped apply a tourniquet to the mans wound until paramedics arrived. Larson said he stopped to help to because he knew CPR and described the man as shaking profusely, losing color in his face and apologetic.

He said I was shot at twice and one missed, Larson said. Whoever was shooting was shooting rampantly.

Southwest Ankeny Avenue from Broadway to Park Street were temporarily closed for an investigation. West Burnside Street from Broadway to Ninth Avenue was also closed. The area was reopened by 6 p.m.

Portland police ask anyone with information to contact Detective Jeff Pontius at 503-823-2081 or call the bureaus non-emergency line at 503-823-3333.

Beth Nakamura of The Oregonian/OregonLive staff contributed to this report.

 Everton Bailey Jr
WASHINGTON  A splintered Senate swatted down competing Democratic and Republican plans for ending the 34-day partial government shutdown on Thursday, leaving President Donald Trump and Congress with no obvious formula for halting the longest-ever closure of federal agencies and the damage it is inflicting around the country.

In an embarrassment to Trump that could weaken his position whenever negotiations get serious, the Democratic proposal got two more votes than the GOP plan. There were six Republican defectors, including freshman Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, who's clashed periodically with the president.

There were signs lawmakers on both sides were seeking ways to resolve their vitriolic stalemate, if only temporarily.

Moments after the votes, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., spent a half-hour in the office of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and a parade of senators from both parties took to the Senate floor to advocate reopening agencies for three weeks while bargainers seek a solution.

"We're talking," Schumer told reporters, one of the most encouraging statements either side has made since the shutdown began Dec. 22.

At the White House, spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Trump would consider signing a short-term bill "only if it includes a down payment on the wall."

For most of Thursday, both parties in conflicting ways to showed their sympathy for unpaid federal workers while yielding no ground in their fight over Trump's demand to build a border wall with Mexico.

The Senate first rejected a Republican plan reopening government through September and giving Trump the $5.7 billion he's demanded for building segments of that wall, a project that he'd long promised Mexico would finance. The 50-47 vote for the measure fell 10 shy of the 60 votes needed to succeed.

Minutes later, senators voted 52-44 for a Democratic alternative that sought to open padlocked agencies through Feb. 8 with no wall money. That was eight votes short. It was aimed at giving bargainers time to seek an accord while getting paychecks to 800,000 beleaguered government workers who are a day from going unpaid for a second consecutive pay period.

Flustered lawmakers said the results could be a reality check that would prod the start of talks. Throughout, the two sides have issued mutually exclusive demands that have blocked negotiations from even starting: Trump has refused to reopen government until Congress gives him the wall money, and congressional Democrats have rejected bargaining until he reopens government.

Thursday's votes could "teach us that the leaders are going to have to get together and figure out how to resolve this," said Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, the No. 2 Senate GOP leader. He added, "One way or another we've got to get out of this. This is no win for anybody."

For now, partisan potshots flowed freely.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., accused Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross of a "let them eat cake kind of attitude" after he said on television that he didn't understand why unpaid civil servants were resorting to homeless shelters for food. Even as Pelosi offered to meet the president "anytime," Trump stood firm, tweeting, "Without a Wall it all doesn't work.... We will not Cave!" and no meetings were scheduled.

As the Senate debated the two dueling proposals, McConnell said the Democratic plan would let that party's lawmakers "make political points and nothing else" because Trump wouldn't sign it. He called Pelosi's stance "unreasonable" and said, "Senate Democrats are not obligated to go down with her ship."

Schumer criticized the GOP plan for endorsing Trump's proposal to keep the government closed until he got what he wants.

"A vote for the president's plan is an endorsement of government by extortion," Schumer said. "If we let him do it today, he'll do it tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow.'

The White House closely monitored the Senate votes and Trump spoke with lawmakers throughout the day. He was waiting to see if many Democrats crossed over to back his plan, but West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin proved to be the only one.

In one indication the lawmakers were reaching a breaking point, Vice President Mike Pence attended a pre-vote lunch with GOP senators and heard eagerness for the standoff to end, participants said. Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., said their message to Pence was "Find a way forward."

In consultation with their Senate counterparts, House Democrats were preparing a new border security package they planned to roll out Friday. Despite their pledge to not negotiate until agencies reopened, their forthcoming proposal was widely seen as a counteroffer to Trump. Pelosi expressed "some optimism that things could break loose pretty soon" in a closed-door meeting with other Democrats Wednesday evening, said Rep. John Yarmuth, D-Ky.

The Democratic package was expected to include $5.7 billion, the same amount Trump wants for his wall, but use it instead for fencing, technology, personnel and other measures. In a plan the rejected Senate GOP plan mirrored, Trump on Saturday proposed to reopen government if he got his wall money. He also proposed to revamp immigration laws, including new restrictions on Central American minors seeking asylum in the U.S. and temporary protections for immigrants who entered the country illegally as children.

In another sign of hope, Thursday's vote on the Democratic plan represented movement by McConnell. For weeks, he'd refused to allow a Senate vote on anything Trump wouldn't sign and has let Trump and Democrats try reaching an accord. McConnell has a history of helping resolve past partisan standoffs, and his agreement to allow Thursday's vote was seen by some as a sign he would become more forcefully engaged.

At a panel discussion held by House Democrats on the effects of the shutdown, union leaders and former Homeland Security officials said they worried about the long-term effects. I fear we are rolling the dice, said Tim Manning, a former Federal Emergency Management Agency official. We will be lucky to get everybody back on the job without a crisis to respond to.

 The Associated Press
WASHINGTON  Roger Stone, a confidant of President Donald Trump, was arrested in the special counsels Russia investigation in a pre-dawn raid at his Florida home Friday on charges that he lied to Congress and obstructed the probe.

The seven-count indictment against Stone, a self-proclaimed "dirty trickster," is the first criminal case in months from special counsel Robert Mueller.

It provides the most detail to date about how Trump campaign associates in the summer of 2016 were actively seeking to politically benefit from the release of hacked material damaging to Hillary Clinton's campaign. It alleges that unnamed senior Trump campaign officials contacted Stone to ask when stolen emails relating to Clinton might be disclosed.

The indictment does not charge Stone with conspiring with WikiLeaks, the anti-secrecy website that published the emails, or with the Russian officers Mueller says hacked them. Instead, it accuses him of witness tampering, obstruction and false statements about his interactions related to WikiLeaks' release. Some of those false statements were made to the House intelligence committee, prosecutors allege.

CNN aired video of the raid at Stone's Fort Lauderdale home, showing FBI agents in body armor using large weapons and night-vision equipment, running up to the home and banging repeatedly on the door.

"FBI open the door!" one shouts. "FBI, warrant!" Stone could then be seen in the doorway in his sleepwear before he was led away. He is expected to appear in court later Friday.

Stone is the sixth Trump aide charged in Mueller's investigation into potential coordination between Russia and the Trump campaign and the 34th person overall. The investigation has laid bare multiple contacts between Trump associates and Russia during the campaign and transition period and efforts by several to conceal those communications.

The case against Stone comes weeks after Trump's former national security adviser, Michael Flynn, was castigated by a judge in open court and just hours before Paul Manafort, his ex-campaign chairman, was due in court on allegations that he had lied to Mueller's prosecutors.

In referring to Trump campaign officials and their desire to leverage hacked emails, the criminal case brings Mueller's investigation into the president's inner circle but it does not accuse the president of any wrongdoing or reveal whether he had advance knowledge of the WikiLeaks trove.

Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Trump's press secretary, told CNN Friday the charges brought against Stone "don't have anything to do with the president."

Well-known for his political antics and hard ball tactics, Stone has reveled in being a Washington wheeler-dealer dating back to the Nixon administration. He has also pushed several conspiracy theories and was an early and vocal supporter of Trump's candidacy.

Stone was one of Trump's earliest political advisers, encouraging both his presidential runs. He briefly served on Trump's 2016 campaign, but was pushed out amid infighting with then-campaign manager Corey Lewandowski. Stone continued communicating with Trump on occasion and stayed plugged into the circle of advisers  both formal and informal  who worked with and around Trump.

According to the indictment, many of Stone's conversations during the campaign involved WikiLeaks. The indictment lays out in detail Stone's conversations about stolen Democratic emails posted by the group in the weeks before Trump, a Republican, beat Clinton. Mueller's office has said those emails, belonging to Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta, were hacked by Russian intelligence officers.

The document says that by June and July 2016, Stone had told senior Trump campaign officials that he had information indicating that WikiLeaks had obtained documents that could be damaging to Clinton's campaign.

After the July 22, 2016, WikiLeaks release of hacked emails from the Democratic National Committee, the indictment says a senior Trump campaign official "was directed" to contact Stone about additional releases and "what other damaging information" WikiLeaks had "regarding the Clinton campaign." The indictment does not name the official or say who directed the outreach to Stone.

Another Trump campaign official cited in the indictment is Steve Bannon, who later became Trump's chief strategist in the White House. Bannon, referred to as a "high-ranking Trump Campaign official," exchanged emails with Stone in October 2016 about WikiLeaks' plans for releasing hacked material. The indictment quotes from those emails, which had previously been made public by news outlets.

While the indictment provides some new insight into the Trump campaign, it deals largely with what prosecutors say were Stone's false statements about his conversations with conservative writer and conspiracy theorist, Jerome Corsi, and New York radio host, Randy Credico. Corsi is referred to as Person 1 in the indictment, and Credico as Person 2.

The indictment accuses Stone of carrying out a "prolonged effort" to keep Credico from contradicting his testimony before the House intelligence committee. During that effort, prosecutors note that Stone repeatedly told Credico to "do a 'Frank Pentangeli,'" a reference to a character in "The Godfather: Part II" who lies before a congressional committee.

Stone is also accused of threatening Credico. The indictment cites several messages, some of which have already been public, that Stone sent to Credico last year. On April 9, Stone called Credico a "rat" and a "stoolie" and accused him of backstabbing his friends. Stone also threatened to "take that dog away from you," a reference to Credico's dog, Bianca.

"I am so ready. Let's get it on. Prepare to die (expletive)," Stone also wrote to Credico.

The indictment had been expected. Stone has said for months he was prepared to be charged, though he has denied any wrongdoing. A grand jury for months had heard from witnesses connected to Stone. And the intelligence committee last year voted to release a transcript of Stone's testimony to Mueller as a precursor to an indictment.

On Thursday, hours before his arrest, Stone posted on Instagram a photo of himself with Trump and the caption, "Proud of my President." He also posted a screen shot of a CNN segment and complained that the network had found the "worst photo of me possible."

Attorney Grant Smith, who represents Stone, did not return phone messages seeking comment Friday.

Stone has publicly denigrated the Mueller investigation and echoed the president's descriptions of it as a witch hunt. But he has long attracted investigators' attention, especially in light of a 2016 tweet that appeared to presage knowledge that emails stolen from Podesta would soon be released. Stone has said he had no inside information about the contents of the emails in WikiLeaks' possession or the timing of when they'd be released.

Stone has said he learned from Credico that WikiLeaks had the emails and planned to disclose them. Stone has also spoken openly about his contacts with Corsi.

Credico hasn't been accused of any wrongdoing. Last year, Mueller's prosecutors offered a plea agreement to Corsi that would have required him to admit that he intentionally lied to investigators about a discussion with Stone about WikiLeaks. But he rejected the offer and denied that he lied.

In a tweet Friday, Podesta wrote that it was now Rogers time in the barrel. That was a play on Stones own words. Stone had tweeted cryptically before the Podesta emails were disclosed that it would soon be Podestas time in the barrel.
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January 25, 2019: This report focuses on the global Software Testing Services status, future forecast, growth opportunity, key market and key players. The study objectives are to present the Software Testing Services development in United States, Europe and China.

Software testing is a process to validate the different components of system and application software to detect errors in the development of high-quality software products. The software testing process follows the software testing life cycle (STLC) protocols to test the validity of software products. Software testing tools, solutions, and services are subscribed by software developers across a range of industry verticals to build high-quality software within a limited period.

Download sample Copy of This Report at: https://www.radiantinsights.com/research/global-software-testing-services-market-size-status-and-forecast-2018-2025/request-sample

With the complete analysis of the upcoming growth opportunities for companies across regions such as the Americas, APAC, and EMEA, our industry research analysts have estimated that countries in the Americas will offer growth opportunities to companies in the software testing market during the forecast period.

The application testing market segment accounted for the maximum growth of the market during 2017. According to our industr research experts, the segment will account for the maximum share of the software testing services market size throughout the end of the forecast period.

In 2017, the global Software Testing Services 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% during 2018-2025.

Complete Report Available @ https://www.radiantinsights.com/research/global-software-testing-services-market-size-status-and-forecast-2018-2025

The key players covered in this study

IBM

Accenture

Capgemini

Wipro

Atos

Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC)

Cigniti Technologies

Deloitte

Gallop Solutions

Infosys

NTT DATA

Steria

Tech Mahindra

UST Global

Market segment by Type, the product can be split into

Application Testing

Product Testing

Market segment by Application, split into

BFSI

Telecom

IT

Media

Retail

Other

Market segment by Regions/Countries, this report covers

United States

Europe

China

Japan

Southeast Asia

India

Central & South America

The study objectives of this report are:

To analyze global Software Testing Services status, future forecast, growth opportunity, key market and key players.

To present the Software Testing Services development in United States, Europe and China.

To strategically profile the key players and comprehensively analyze their development plan and strategies.

To define, describe and forecast the market by product type, market and key regions.

About Radiant Insights

Radiant Insights is a platform for companies looking to meet their market research and business intelligence requirements. We assist and facilitate organizations and individuals procure market research reports, helping them in the decision making process. We have a comprehensive collection of reports, covering over 40 key industries and a host of micro markets. In addition to over extensive database of reports, our experienced research coordinators also offer a host of ancillary services such as, research partnerships/ tie-ups and customized research solutions.

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OLYMPIA, Wash.  Bars and strip clubs in Washington would be barred from holding dwarf-tossing contests under a bill introduced this week by a Spokane Valley legislator.

The Spokesman-Review reports the Deja Vu Showgirls strip club in the Spokane Valley and a Seattle club sponsored such events last year.

Republican Sen. Mike Padden brought the bill after he was contacted by a medical student who has dwarfism about the potential harm the contests can cause.

Under the bill, which has bipartisan sponsors, a bar or strip club that allows such a contest could lose its business license and face a $1,000 fine.

Mighty Mike Murga, who was the person tossed at Deja Vu, defended the activity, saying he trains for it like any athlete.

The bill will get a hearing in the Senate Law and Justice Committee Thursday.

 The Associated Press
A death near Mount St. Helens is under investigation, southwest Washington authorities said Friday.

The Skamania County Sheriffs Office said it received a report of suspicious circumstances on a forest road about 6 miles east of Cougar on Thursday afternoon and that detectives later discovered a dead person in the area.

The agency didnt release any information about how the person is thought to have died, nor did it publicly identify him or her.

Deputies said the suspicious circumstances were reported on Forest Road 83 near its junction with Forest Road 90 about 2:15 p.m. and that detectives later found the dead person in the area.

Deputies said the investigation will cause delays on Forest Road 83, affecting traffic to the Ape Caves and Marble Mountain Sno-Park  which is the start of Mount St. Helens primary winter climbing route.

The sheriffs office said it hopes to limit delays to short periods in the morning and early afternoon Friday.

-- Jim Ryan; jryan@oregonian.com; 503-221-8005; @Jimryan015

Visit subscription.oregonlive.com/newsletters to get Oregonian/OregonLive journalism delivered to your email inbox.
Two middle school students in Roseburg were arrested Thursday and a third was issued a citation after police say they lied when they reported seeing a group of masked people with guns last week planning a shooting at their school.

Two 12-year-old boys were booked into the Douglas County Juvenile Detention Center on suspicion of first-degree disorderly conduct, and an 11-year-old boy was cited on the same charge.

The threat was reported last Thursday at Joseph Lane Middle School. Officers determined the threat was false about an hour later, Roseburg police said.

Investigators later determined the three boys were involved. Police havent identified the students.

-- Everton Bailey Jr.

ebailey@oregonian.com | 503-221-8343 |@EvertonBailey

Visit subscription.oregonlive.com/newsletters to get Oregonian/OregonLive journalism delivered to your email inbox.
We witnessed problems with two major headlines in one week: the Buzzfeed story about Michael Cohens testimony to Congress, and the video showing a Native American vet at a rally who had approached some students. The first was treated as gospel by the media, but got shot down by Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who said it was not accurate. And the second was blatantly misrepresented out of context. We all know it became news only because the students wore MAGA caps.

Such lack of objectivity is being caused by the medias hatred of Trump. And yes, Trump likes to call them fake news, but their ongoing behavior validates his point. Its like the media melted down in Donalds little hands, making him look like a genius.

Can't the media simply rise above it, be professional and earn back our trust?

James Angus, Milwaukie
By Dennis Richardson

Dennis Richardson is Oregons Secretary of State.

Oregonians are known for their pioneering spirit. We are trail blazers who are always exploring new frontiers. We are never satisfied with the status quo, and that is why Oregon is leading efforts to modernize and improve elections.

All Oregonians should be proud of our states election systems and processes. As the first state to implement vote-by-mail and automatic voter registration at the DMV, we are leading the nation and defining the best practices on accessibility, security and integrity in elections. Now, we are encouraging other states to follow our example.

To start the New Year, I partnered with Democracy Works and Democracy Fund to host The National Summit on Secure and Efficient Elections. The summit provided an opportunity for state and local elections officials and other elections experts from across the country to discuss improvements to voter registration and security based on Oregons successes. Dozens of elections professionals from across the United States attended, including elections officials and clerks, Secretaries of State and their staffs, and organizations dedicated to promoting voter accessibility and engagement.

We discussed how Oregons unique elections process increases security and integrity, voter participation and efficiency. But the event also was an opportunity for us to learn what other states are doing. The collaboration was meaningful and benefited presenters and attendees alike.

You may have seen news reports about how some states had challenges during their 2018 elections. But the summit wasnt about assigning blame. Instead, it was an inclusive, open conversation to share and take advantage of best practices and improve elections throughout the country. We are pleased that this new national forum will become an annual event to promote successful innovations and learn from recent elections.

We also have taken a leadership role in the Electronic Registration Information Center or ERIC. The center is a non-profit membership organization of 25 states plus the District of Columbia with a mission to help state and local election officials improve the accuracy of their voter rolls, register more eligible citizens to vote, reduce costs and improve the voting process. The organization provides secure, sophisticated data matching services to states in order to improve their ability to identify inaccurate and out-of-date voter registration records, as well as unregistered residents who are likely eligible to vote. States can then contact voters, in compliance with federal and state regulations, to encourage individuals to register or update their existing registration.

Efficient and effective data matching and cleaner voter rolls results in efficiencies including less returned mail, greater integrity in our elections, and fewer provisional ballots on election day.

The race to improve election accessibility and security never ends. We are always working hard to do better and to set the standard of election excellence for the entire nation.

Everyone who is eligible to vote should be able to vote. Oregonians can be proud that we are leading the way and are actively assisting and encouraging other states to join us in excellence.

Republican Dennis Richardson is Oregons Secretary of State, an elected position that oversees elections, audits, state archives and business reporting.
Updated 4:29 p.m.

Oregons U.S. senators on Friday introduced a pair of bills targeting foreign consulates that help their citizens escape criminal prosecution in the U.S., a response to revelations that the Saudi Arabian government provided assistance to students who ran afoul of the law and fled before trial.

Citing an Oregonian/OregonLive investigation, Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden proposed to enact legislation that would require the federal government to investigate such disappearances, prevent them from happening again and punish the Saudi government for its suspected role.

Saudi Arabias blatant disrespect for international norms cannot be allowed to stand, Merkley said in a statement. We should all be able to agree that any nation that helps their citizens escape from the law needs to be held fully accountable.

The Oregonian/OregonLive has revealed criminal cases involving at least five Saudi nationals who disappeared before they faced trial or completed their jail sentence in Oregon.

In four of the cases, the Saudi government stepped in to help, posting large sums of money for bail and possibly underwriting legal fees, according to court records and interviews with prosecutors.

Before their disappearances, three had turned over their passports to court or law enforcement officials to prevent their travel.

In announcing the legislation, Merkley and Wyden singled out suspects in two of the five cases, Abdulrahman Sameer Noorah and Ali Hussain Alhamoud.

Noorah was charged in the fatal Southeast Portland hit-and-run death of 15-year-old Fallon Smart in August 2016. He vanished two weeks before his June 2017 manslaughter trial.

Federal law enforcement officials told The Oregonian/OregonLive last month they believe the Saudis helped orchestrate Noorahs remarkable escape and that the young man arrived back in Saudi Arabia 19 months ago.

Federal court records in Oregon show the Saudi government also bailed out Alhamoud from the Lincoln County Jail in 2012 after he was indicted on multiple sex-crime charges, including first-degree rape.

Alhamoud, who records show was living in Corvallis, managed to board a plane in Portland the same day he was released and returned to Saudi Arabia, according to a criminal complaint filed by the FBI.

Merkley and Wydens first bill, the ESCAPE of Saudi Nationals Act, would:

 Urge President Donald Trump to declare any Saudi diplomat involved in the escape of Noorah or Alhamoud as a persona non-grata, which would trigger their expulsion from the U.S.

 Ask the State Department to not accredit any diplomat at the Saudi consulate in Los Angeles until both men are returned to the U.S.

 Require the State Department and U.S. Attorney General to investigate any involvement the Saudi consulate in Los Angeles had in the disappearance of the fugitives  and deliver a report within 90 days.

 Require the State Department to shut down any consulate or embassy in the U.S. found to have helped a foreign citizen escape prosecution in the U.S.

The second bill, the Preserving American Justice Act, would:

 Charge the Department of Justice with creating an annual report on foreign nationals who flee the U.S. while facing criminal prosecution.

 Require the Director of National Intelligence to create a list of countries that help foreign nationals accused of crimes escape.

 Create a tax penalty for any country that lands on that list.

 Prohibit visas and travel to the U.S. to some Saudi nationals, should the Department of Justice determine the Saudi government assisted in the escape of suspected criminals in the U.S.

Wyden last month asked Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker for explanations about the disappearance of Noorah. Neither has responded.

More than a month after The Oregonian first put a spotlight on how Saudi Arabias government apparently helped accused criminals flee the United States, the Trump Administration has failed to explain what, if anything, it is doing to ensure these men face American justice, Wyden said in a statement.

Our bills will force the Justice Department to get to the bottom of what happened, and create tough consequences for any government that helps flout the U.S. justice system.

Fahad Nazer, a spokesman for the Saudi embassy in Washington, D.C., said that as a policy the government will cover the cost of bail for any citizen jailed in the U.S. who asks for assistance.

However, no travel document was issued by the Embassy or Consulate for Mr. Noorah, the spokesman said in a statement Friday. Furthermore, the Saudi government advises all its citizens to strictly observe the laws and regulations of every country they visit or reside in.

-- Shane Dixon Kavanaugh; 503-294-7632
The widow of a 62-year-old man who collapsed and died while running on a treadmill at the 24 Hour Fitness in the Pearl District has filed a $13 million lawsuit against the gym.

Stacy L. Rutledge faults the gym for allegedly failing to train the only employee on duty that morning how to respond to the emergency and how to find the automated external defibrillator that can save the lives of cardiac arrest victims.

The lawsuit says David L. Rutledge had arrived at the gym at his usual time, 5 a.m., on Dec. 21, 2017. At 5:10 a.m., Rutledge began running and some time before 5:30 a.m., he collapsed, according to the suit. Another gym member, who was working out behind Rutledge, came to his aid and searched for a gym employee to call 911 and bring out the defibrillator, the suit states.

The gym member ultimately found employee Corey Lay in the restroom, but Lay didnt immediately call 911 and didnt know where the defibrillator was, the suit says.

The company offered this response to a request for comment Thursday: We were saddened by the passing of our club member and our thoughts are with the members family. As a matter of policy, 24 Hour Fitness does not comment on pending litigation.

The suit says Lay had never worked at that 24 Hour Fitness location before that morning. The suit faults the company for allegedly failing to properly train Lay in how to respond to an emergency.

When medics arrived at the gym at 1210 N.W. Johnston St., they couldnt save Rutledge, the suit says.

Oregon law requires health clubs that are frequented by 50 or more members and guests in a day to have the defibrillators on hand.

Every minute of delay caused Mr. Rutledge a further loss of chance of survival, the suit states.

His obituary said his death came as a surprise.

The doctors declared how unusual it was that they could not get Davids heart restarted, it said. Usually they said, they dont lose a man of Davids age with seemingly excellent health.

Rutledge, an electrical engineer, was planning to retire the day after his death and had worked for Lattice Semiconductor in Hillsboro for 34 years, according to an obituary on OregonLive.com.

Portland attorneys Scott Schauermann and James Hiller are representing Rutledges estate. The lawsuit was filed Wednesday in Multnomah County Circuit Court. Read the suit here.

-- Aimee Green

agreen@oregonian.com

o_aimee

Visit subscription.oregonlive.com/newsletters to get Oregonian/OregonLive journalism delivered to your email inbox.
Bullseye Glass, the Southeast Portland glass-making company sued nearly three years ago by neighbors who said their homes were contaminated by dangerous levels of heavy metals spewing from the business, has settled the class action lawsuit for $6.5 million.

The settlement allows for owners and residents of each of the estimated 2,200 homes in the neighborhoods surrounding Bullseye, just southwest of Cleveland High School and Powell Park, to get cash payments that have yet to be determined.

But an estimate by the neighbors' attorneys says the payments could range from $600 per renter to $2,400 for a family of four that owned its home on Feb. 3, 2016. Bullseye predicts, however, a vastly smaller number. As little as $10 per person is a possibility, said Jim Jones, company vice president.

The money will go to adults and children who lived in Bullseyes emissions plume. A map overlay shows the area reaches from Southeast Division Street in the north to the Reed College campus in the south, covering roughly 2  miles across its widest point and three-quarters of a mile at its narrowest point. Bullseye Glass is at 3722 S.E. 21st Avenue.

People who only worked or went to school in the area arent eligible for the payments.

This map shows the Southeast Portland neighborhoods eligible for proceeds from a $6.5 million settlement with Bullseye Glass.

Daniel Mensher, a Seattle attorney who represented the class of thousands who live in the affected area, said while the payments to homeowners and residents are important to them, equally meaningful are measures that have been or will be undertaken to ensure the air quality in the area remains healthy.

The settlement agreement calls for $1 million of the money to be spent on six air quality monitoring stations, with results posted to a website for the next two years so residents can check that the air is safe, Mensher said.

Bullseye Glass also announced in a news release that aside from the $6.5 million payment, the company has spent $2.2 million in a state of the art emissions control system. The company says all of its furnaces now are connected to filters and that the company is in compliance with the most stringent federal and state emissions standards. Oregon Public Broadcasting first reported the settlement.

Mensher and Portland attorney Karl Anuta represented 10 neighbors who filed the lawsuit, which was later granted class-action status. Among the neighbors were Scott and Erin Meeker, who Mensher said bought a home and put a lot of time into developing their backyard for themselves and their now 5-year-old daughter. After learning of heavy metals contaminating their property, like many other neighbors, the Meekers felt uncomfortable using their yard or inviting people over, Mensher said.

Literally, you sit in their hot tub and you can see the smokestacks from Bullseye, Mensher said. They felt its not right to have friends over for a glass of wine and say, Dont breathe too deeply.'"

For many of these people, they lived in this neighborhood because its a place where they could afford a yard where their kids could play, he said.

The lawsuit was filed in March 2016. In February 2016, state regulators announced that theyd found found arsenic at levels 159 times above the states benchmarks and cadmium levels 49 times higher -- and that increased longtime neighbors chances of getting cancer. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality pinpointed Bullseye as the likely culprit.

That same month, state officials warned residents within half a mile of Bullseye Glass and Uroboros Glass in North Portland not to eat backyard vegetables. A few weeks later, the state lifted that warning for neighbors around Bullseye Glass.

The concerns over Bullseye Glass pollution prompted Gov. Kate Brown to push for a Cleaner Air Oregon law, which before it passed in 2018 lost significant power to force industry to change, a 2018 analysis by The Oregonian found.

In December 2017, Bullseye Glass filed a $30 million lawsuit against Brown and other state officials, claiming the state unfairly cracked down on the business to divert attention away from the states poor record of protecting the air and environment. That lawsuit is still pending.

The neighbors and Bullseye strongly disagreed about the alleged harm the glassmaker was causing, and the validity of studies outlining a problem.

In the settlement, Bullseye Glass admitted no fault. The companys attorneys stated in court papers that Bullseye remains resolute in its denial of wrongdoing or liability for any of plaintiffs claims.

Bullseye attorneys criticized a moss study by the U.S. Forest Service, saying the results that estimated air emissions around Bullseye Glass werent statistically significant and that the Department of Environmental Quality air monitoring was was fraught with design and execution errors.

This lawsuit was triggered by sensational press accounts and misleading information from state and local agencies; but the factual discovery Bullseye obtained over the course of this litigation establishes that those allegations were inaccurate, wrote Bullseye attorneys Allan Garten, Kent Robinson and Carrie Menikoff.

But they said the company has decided that settling the case is sensible from both a financial and practical standpoint and the settlement provides Bullseyes neighbors with valuable and meaningful environmental services.

The $6.5 million in settlement will be divided as follows:

$1 million will go toward the six air quality monitoring stations over the next two years.

$2.5 million will pay for attorneys fees for the neighbors.

$7,500 will be paid to each of the 10 neighbors who acted as named plaintiffs in the lawsuit, unless they were a married couple. In that case, the couple will get $10,000.

A yet-to-be determined amount will go to pay residents who request reimbursement of up to $500 they spent testing their soil, $300 they spent on air purifiers in their homes and $5,000 they spent on replacing or otherwise remediating soil on their properties.

The rest of the money -- possibly $2 million -- will be divided among the owners and residents of about 2,200 properties after they opt-in to the settlement, according to the neighbors' attorneys. They estimate a single renter could receive about $600; two people living in a home they owned would receive about $2,000; and a family of four living in a home that it owned could receive about $2,400.

Bullseye Glass, however, estimates that far less money will be left over for cash payments after reimbursing neighbors. Payments could be as low as $10, according to the company.

Lawyers say people eligible to opt-in will be notified by mail, or can access information about how to make a claim on the website of the plaintiffs attorneys. That information isnt posted yet, but will be at a later date.

The settlement was preliminarily approved by Multnomah County Circuit Judge Stephen Bushong this week. The judge must finalize his approval in coming months. If all goes as planned, neighbors could receive payments as early as this summer.

Read the 34-page settlement document.

-- Aimee Green

agreen@oregonian.com

o_aimee

Visit subscription.oregonlive.com/newsletters to get Oregonian/OregonLive journalism delivered to your email inbox.
IF JANUARY 25 IS YOUR BIRTHDAY: In the coming five to six weeks your ability to visualize and fantasize will develop by leaps and bounds and you will have ample opportunities to use them. You may enjoy a romantic encounter or have an opportunity to take a dream vacation. For the best success your career and financial plans should be put into motion during May when your business acumen is at a peak and you are more adept at handling practical matters. In June and

BIRTHDAY GAL: Actress Claudia Kim was born in Seoul, South Korea today in 1985. This birthday gal, born Kim Soo-hyun, has appeared in such films as "Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald," "The Dark Tower," and "Avengers: Age of Ultron." She's also lent her voice talents to the 2015 sci-fi flick "Equals." From 2014-2016, she portrayed Khutulun on "Marco Polo" and starred on the Korean series "Monster."

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Develop a worthy goal and then stalk it. You don't need an axe when you have intelligence to hew a better path. Grab every new opportunity super-fast but don't dip your toes in the dating pool just yet.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): You're lovely just as you are. Someone may undermine your confidence by reacting in an unexpected way. A minor rift isn't the end of the world. Use your head to outmaneuver disruptions of the heart.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): You are quick on the uptake whenever you dive deeply into a subject. The key to your success is to let your creative genius run wild and to brainstorm fantastic new ideas. Treat yourself to a reward for hard work.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): What is valuable and what is expensive are not the same. Value can come from something as simple as a few kind words that make someone feel good while items with a hefty price tag can be worthless in a few weeks.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Press all the right buttons if you want to have the best results. A friendship could blossom into greater intimacy over the weekend. You can attract people who upgrade your viewpoint or broaden your outlook.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Cupid's arrows could strike the wrong target. Someone may have stopped striving before reaching a goal or completing the terms of a promise. A true love will forgive your awkwardness and ignore your mistakes.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Tackle troubles by using techniques that reflect true objectivity. You may see some bridges that need to be burned or a promise that must be broken. Full coffers or a packed pantry make you feel safe and contented.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Beauty is more than skin deep. You appreciate people for their fine ideals and like to have the best of everything. Go ahead and spend a few extra pennies on a tasteful item you have been yearning to own.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Once you start a journey you will find the best path. You may be inspired to act dynamically to follow up on your creative ideas. Sincerity is the key to making a partnership or friendship thrive and grow.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): If you don't know the answer, try asking. The advice of an experienced mentor could prove invaluable when it comes to solving a problem. You can impress others by showing off your creativity.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): A maze always has a way out although you might hit a few dead ends before you solve the puzzle. This is a very good time to ask for assistance or advice from people who have traveled the same route.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Impulsive decisions can throw a wrench into plans but there is probably a silver lining to scheduling changes. Surprise phone calls or unexpected visitors can force you to rob the piggy bank for a few extra cents.

IF JANUARY 25 IS YOUR BIRTHDAY: In the coming five to six weeks your ability to visualize and fantasize will develop by leaps and bounds and you will have ample opportunities to use them. You may enjoy a romantic encounter or have an opportunity to take a dream vacation. For the best success your career and financial plans should be put into motion during May when your business acumen is at a peak and you are more adept at handling practical matters. In June and July don't make major changes because you won't always get what you want although you will get what you need. Your desire for independence may be challenged in October and you might be frustrated by disruptions if you put plans in motion or make changes.

(c) 2019 TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, LLC.
The Oregon State Bar wants a judge to throw out a federal lawsuit filed by two attorneys who have challenged the bars dues as well as the bars publication of a statement decrying the rise of white nationalism under President Trump.

Attorney Daniel Crowe, Lawrence Peterson and the nonprofit group, Oregon Civil Liberties Attorneys, sued the bar last month, arguing it violated their constitutional rights by requiring them to pay fees to be members and using their dues for political speech that they dont agree with.

The bar, which regulates admission to the practice of law and the conduct of practicing attorneys, has countered it cant be sued in federal court because its an arm of the state of Oregon created by state lawmakers in 1935.

Its lawyers also cite U.S. Supreme Court rulings that allow mandatory bar membership, membership fees for attorneys and use of the fees for political and ideological activities related to the regulation of lawyers and their legal services.

Crowe and Peterson disagreed with the Joint Statement of the Oregon Specialty Bar Associations Supporting the Oregon State Bars Statement on White Nationalism and Normalization of Violence, that was published in the bars April 2018 Bulletin.

It was signed by non-bar specialty groups and published in the bars magazine that is mailed to members 10 times a year. Leaders of the Oregon Asian Pacific American Bar Association, Oregon Filipino American Lawyers Association, Oregon chapter of the National Bar Association, Oregon Hispanic Bar Association, Oregon Women Lawyers, OGALLA-The LGBT Bar Association of Oregon and Oregon Minority Lawyers Association signed it.

The statement repeatedly criticized President Donald Trump for having "catered to this white nationalist movement, allowing it to make up the base of his support and providing it a false sense of legitimacy.

Crowe and Peterson, in their lawsuit, said they would not have chosen to fund that criticism but had no opportunity to prevent their mandatory dues from being used to pay for it. Theyve asked a federal judge to declare Oregons mandatory bar membership unconstitutional or to order the bar to stop using the mandatory fees for political speech.

The bar in May voted to refund $1.12 each to lawyers who objected to the printing of the statement. The amount was calculated as the per-member cost of publishing that issue.

Attorneys for the bar pointed out that the statement wasnt from the bar but from seven other lawyers groups and that it also announced support for the bars "commitment to the vision of a justice system that operates without discrimination and is fully accessible to all Oregonians."

Oral argument in the case is scheduled before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jolie A. Russo at 10 a.m. on March 13.

-- Maxine Bernstein

Email at mbernstein@oregonian.com

Follow on Twitter @maxoregonian
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Competitive Dashboard

The major players operating the global market are Grundfos (Denmark), KSB Group (Germany), Weir Group (U.K), Goulds Pumps (U.S.), Ebara Corporation (Japan), Shijiazhuang Industrial Pump Factory Co. Ltd (China), Flowserve (U.S.), SRS Crisafulli Inc (U.S.), Tsurumi Pump (Japan), Excellence Pump Industry Co. Ltd (China), Kirloskar Ebara Pumps Limited (India), Halliburton (U.S.), Xylem Inc (U.S.), and Sulzer (Switzerland).

Market Scenario

The Global Mud Pumps Market is presumed to register 8.0 % CAGR during the forecast period (2018-2023) owing to the growing demand for horizontal and directional drilling, asserts Market Research Future (MRFR). Mud pumps are special purpose pumps used for moving and circulating drilling fluids in mining and onshore and offshore oil and gas. Mud pumps are piston-cylinder systems used to transfer fluids at high pressure. Such pumps are operated in hostile and rugged environments; therefore, they are robust and bulky.

Drivers and Constraints Impacting the Market

There has been a growing demand for mud pumps due to several properties such as easy installation, easy handling and cleaning, and cost-effectiveness. Mud pumps also discharge mud smoothly which makes it ideal equipment, thereby driving the global market during the review period. With the rising demand for horizontal and directional drilling, new oil discoveries, and higher-pressure handling capabilities, the global market for mud pumps is anticipated to trigger over the assessment period. Moreover, innovation in technology further drives the market. For instance, MTeq uses Energy Recoverys Pressure exchanger technology in order to reduce operating costs and improve productivity in the pumping process.

On the flip side, environmental risks associated with drilling, high cost of drilling, and changing government mandates for power and energy are considered to pose a threat to the market growth during the assessment period.

A Sample of This Report Is Available upon Request @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/1584

Global Mud Pumps Market: Segmental Analysis

The Global Mud Pumps Market has been segmented on the basis of Type, Component, Application, and Region.

By Mode of Type

Duplex pump

Triplex pump

By Mode of Component

Fluid end

Power end

By Mode of Application

Oil and gas industry

Building industry

By Mode of Region

Europe

North America

Asia Pacific

Rest-of-the-World

Among all the regions, North America is predominant as its major source is shale gas tight oil which requires extensive drilling. Moreover, the U.S. is constantly adding new oil wells which are triggering the demand for mud pumps in this region.

Asia Pacific holds a significant share in the market owing to the growing number of wells in this region. The growth is noticeable in countries such as India and China due to rapid industrialization and urbanization.

The Middle East and Africa is also a lucrative region for mud pumps owing to the presence of a number of natural gas and crude oil reserves in this region.

Browse the Full Research Report At@ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/mud-pumps-market-1584

Key Players

The major key player in global mud pumps market are
A 27-year-old man who has been in custody for more than a year on a first-degree burglary allegation in the Nov. 24, 2009 case involving the death of a federal public defender was sentenced Thursday to nearly six years for two unrelated robberies in Washington County.

Two prosecutors from Portland handled Justin Joseph Paneks sentencing on the robberies. They also are the lead prosecutors in the 2009 death of Nancy Bergeson, 57, a federal public defender found dead on the floor of the dining room at her Southwest Portland home.

Multnomah County Chief Deputy District Attorney Don Rees has worked with Paneks defense lawyer and Multnomah County Judge Eric J. Bergstrom for at least two years to reach a resolution for Paneks pending criminal cases in three counties and two states, according to court records.

Bergstrom sentenced Panek to five years and 10 months for two 2016 robberies in Tigard.

Panek appears to be a linchpin in bringing about an arrest after all these years in Bergesons death.

As Panek was in custody on the Tigard robberies, inmates facing other charges in late 2016 and early 2017 came forward and shared details with police and prosecutors regarding Paneks involvement in the Bergeson unsolved murder, according to police documents reviewed by The Oregonian/OregonLive.

One inmate told police that Panek was in some way involved in the murder of Federal Public Defender Nancy Bergeson, the documents show.

Portland homicide detectives interviewed the other inmates in early 2017, the records show. Prosecutors then charged Panek on Sept. 18, 2017 with burglarizing Bergesons home on Nov. 24, 2009, the day her body was discovered.

At the time of Bergesons death, Panek lived with his grandfather behind Bergesons home on Southwest 42nd Place and often cut through her property and driveway, neighbors said.

Its believed that Panek helped investigators link 28-year-old Christopher Alexander Williamson to Bergesons killing.

Portland homicide detectives Mark Slater and Erik Kammerer arrested Williamson last Friday on an allegation of murder in the Bergeson case. Both detectives attended Paneks brief sentencing on the Tigard robberies.

Paneks lawyer David M. Veverka, when asked about the burglary allegation Panek faces, said, "No comment.''

Rees, the prosecutor, refused to answer any questions, repeatedly turning his back to a reporter.

As of Thursday, Panek faces only a first-degree burglary allegation in the Bergeson case. The case file and audio from hearings in the case have been sealed, but a sentencing in the burglary is now set for Feb. 22.

On the day he was accused in the Bergeson burglary, Panek pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree robbery stemming from the Tigard robberies: holdups of a Dottys Deli and DoubleTree Hotel in Tigard in June 2018. He held up Dottys Deli and the DoubleTree Hotel with two co-defendants.

Other cases are pending against Panek, court records show: Hes accused of solicitation to commit murder in trying to convince a fellow inmate to kill the getaway driver in the Tigard robberies after learning she planned to testify against him. Hes pleaded guilty to second-degree robbery in Linn County in 2017. Hes also accused of being a fugitive from Washington on 2016 assault allegations there.

Paneks sentencing Thursday will allow authorities to move him out of the Multnomah County Detention Center in downtown Portland to a state prison. Williamson also is being held in the detention center.

Williamson is due back in court Wednesday to face an expected indictment in the Bergeson killing.

-- Maxine Bernstein

Email at mbernstein@oregonian.com

Follow on Twitter @maxoregonian
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee declared a state of emergency Friday over 31 cases of measles in the state.

The declaration allows the state to request medical resources from other states and tells state agencies to do everything possible to help workers who are treating people with measles and trying to stop the spread of the highly contagious disease.

Measles is a highly contagious infectious disease that can be fatal in small children, Inslee said. The existence of 26 confirmed cases in the state of Washington creates an extreme public health risk that may quickly spread to other counties.

Clark County announced Friday that there are 30 confirmed measles cases in the Vancouver area. One person in King County has also been diagnosed.

There are nine more suspected cases in Clark County. The majority of the people who are infected are children 10 years old or younger.

The emergency declaration shows the severity of an unusually large outbreak. Washington has not seen an outbreak of this size in recent memory and public health officials expect the number of people affected to climb in the next months.

Measles is highly contagious and can linger in the air after an infected person has left the area for up to two hours. The states emergency declaration says that anyone who hasnt been vaccinated and comes in contact with an infected person will likely get the disease.

Washington and Oregon do not have enough people who have received vaccines to achieve what scientists call herd immunity, which can stop a diseases progression before it starts.

The measles vaccine is 97 percent effective and the Washington health department tries to provide it for little to no cost to people who cant afford it.
Two more children, at least one of whom was unvaccinated, have been diagnosed with measles, according to a Thursday update from Clark County Public Health.

While there were no new confirmed cases Wednesday, the number of suspected cases kept rising, bringing people waiting for confirmation on whether they have measles up to 12 now.

The new cases include one child younger than 11 and one child between 11 and 18. It is unclear which one was unvaccinated. Public health officials are unsure whether the second was vaccinated or not.

The measles vaccine is about 97 percent effective, and there have been no confirmed measles cases of someone who had the vaccine and contracted the illness.

Nearly all never received a vaccine against measles. One person has been hospitalized.

Public health officials must send samples from people suspected of having measles to be tested by federally certified laboratories before making a public confirmation, so the high number of suspected cases could indicate a steep uptick to come.

For two days, the public health department has not released any new locations visited by infected individuals.

The highly contagious virus spreads through the air and can linger for up to two hours in an isolated space. People who have never received a measles vaccine are susceptible to the disease, which can be deadly.

State public health officials are urging people who have not received the vaccine to get it now -- as well as people who received the first dose but never the second, both of which are recommended in the first 10 years of life.

Clark County health officials are keeping both students and staff who cannot prove they have been vaccinated from the schools linked to the outbreak, most of which are in the Evergreen School District. Those who are excluded are also not supposed to enter other schools, child care centers or places with lots of people.

Even friends and families of students and staff at Evergreen High School and Orchards, Hearthwood and Image elementary schools are asked not to attend any events or games at the schools unless immunized. The Clark County health department has placed this restriction until Jan. 30 for most schools and Feb. 5 for Orchards.

To further limit the spread of the virus, health officials ask that people who think they might have measles call their doctor or health care provider before visiting a hospital or doctors office.

Washington State Department of Health keeps track of residents immunization status so people can see if they need shots.

Clark County Public Health also now maintains a daily call center for questions about the outbreak at 360-397-8021.
Washington County residents of any income level can get vaccines in February before the state deadline for children to attend school.

All school-age children in Oregon must have proof they have been immunized by Feb. 20 or they wont be able to attend school. Parents can get exemptions based on specific criteria, such as medical reasons.

Contagious diseases can spread rapidly in closed, close-knit communities like schools, as evidenced by the current measles outbreak in Clark County. Measles has already affected four schools, three of which are elementaries, and is expected to keep spreading, especially among children 10 and younger.

The current measles outbreak in Clark County is a compelling example of why getting your children vaccinated is so important, says Washington County Deputy Health Officer Dr. Christina Baumann.

The measles vaccine is about 97 percent effective, and Washington County has made it free or low-cost to families that need it.

Here are ways to get necessary vaccines:
For Grayback Forestry, December and January are normally the months the Grants Pass company rests up, hires and trains staff, and generally preps for the next fire season.

There also is fire suppression work to be done -- thinning and prescribed burns intended to reduce the severity of wildfires. After two long and deadly fire seasons, these contracts have arguably never been more important. But theyre not getting done, at least not on federal land.

The partial federal government shutdown, now on day 34, has led to significant hardship all over Oregon. Many federal workers will soon miss their second paycheck.

Air traffic controllers in Portland are taking out short-term loans to get by. Coastal communities like Astoria and Newport are setting up free food pantries for struggling Coast Guard families. U.S. Forest Service employees in Southern and Eastern Oregon have been furloughed.

And its not just federal employees feeling the pain. Tens of thousands of private contractors like Grayback Forestry are also losing jobs and revenue.

Grayback, which has operations all over southern and eastern Oregon, already has lost two contracts due to the shutdown. Weve missed two windows for prescribed burns, said Mike Wheelock, the company president. If this doesnt get resolved in two to three months, its going to start impacting us monetarily. We can borrow money and get by for now.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce on Thursday called on Congress and President Donald Trump to end the comedy of errors and get the government running again. The chamber released a study breaking down federal contracting by state. It estimated that in 2018 2,100 small businesses in Oregon got contracts worth $416 million from federal agencies that are now shut down.

The chamber estimates that $36.5 million worth of federal contracts with small businesses in Oregon have been thrown into limbo by the shutdown.

Nationwide, those small business federal contracts added up to $29.1 billion last year, the chamber estimates.

TROUBLE AT PDX

At Portland International Airport, about 100 air traffic controllers, approximately the same number of Customs and Border Protection workers and more than 500 Transportation Security Administration employees continue to work without pay. Many will get their second paycheck worth $0 on Feb. 1.

Kirsten Lewandowski is one of those air traffic controllers. They are a dispirited bunch, she said, as the financial pressure builds. Were professionals, were going to do our jobs, she said. But to say that morale is great just wouldnt be factual. Were in uncharted territory 34 days later. Were all wondering, how long will this last? How long will my savings last?

The shutdown has led to some construction delays just as the airport prepares for a $2 billion expansion. To make way for the massive project, the Federal Aviation Administration needs to move a radar facility from the terminal to near the base of the air traffic control tower.

The so-called TRACON project is now officially one month behind schedule. Should the shutdown last another few months, TRACON project completionand our terminal redevelopment project schedulewill undoubtedly be delayed, said Port of Portland spokesman Steve Johnson. We estimate it will cost $3 million for every month the terminal redevelopment project schedule is impacted.

Coasties work without pay

On the Oregon Coast, communities have rallied to support the U.S. Coast Guard.

Stacy Benson, a Coast Guard spouse in Astoria, first thought about collecting food and other donations for local Coast Guard families two weeks ago. The idea took on a life of its own, she said.

Benson and several friends opened their Be the Light food pantry last weekend giving away donated food, diapers. They were stunned when more than 500 families showed up grateful for the help.

The Coast Guard has 3,500 employees in Oregon and Washington.

Benson has been asked to testify before Congress. But she doesnt know if she can make it to Washington, D.C. I have a son and a dog, she said. But if I do go, Ill tell them some mutual agreement has to be reached. There are so many Coast Guard families that are suffering.

The failure of Congress and President Donald Trump to reach a deal on Thursday means the next scheduled Coast Guard paychecks on Jan. 31 will be for $0.

Coast Guard compensation varies widely depending on rank and experience. An enlisted person just out of boot camp will earn $1,800 and $2,000 a month in base pay, said David Mosley, a Coast Guard chief petty officer and public affairs specialist in Seattle. A lieutenant with 10 years of experience gets base pay of $6,500 a month.

No matter how stressful its been us working without pay, we want the taxpayers and public to know, were still standing the watch, Mosley said. If someone calls for help, well be there.

IMPACT ON FORESTS

Meanwhile, back in the forestlands of southern Oregon, onlookers worry not just about the shutdowns financial impact, but also the increased fire risk.

Jim Whittington, a retired Bureau of Land Management employee who was heavily involved in that agencys firefighting efforts, said with the fire season getting longer and more intense, the federal agencys badly need time to hire and train firefighters. In a bad year, the government can need as many as 25,000 to combat the blazes.

Firefighters generally are young people, many of whom scrape by working seasonal jobs. A lot of these folks are going to be hurting real quick, Whittington said. The longer we go without filling those positions, the more likely they will find something else to do.

Earlier this month, Oregon Sens. Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden called on Trump to end the shutdown, claiming he was endangering the lives of firefighters and rural residents.

As the fire season grows longer, time for federal agencies to prepare and train for the upcoming fire season is in short supply, they said. The failure to reopen the government puts peoples lives at risk by undermining their ability to respond to wildfires and will only serve to delay critical forest restoration and safety projects.
Global Material Handling Robots Market Brief Analysis by Top Key Players - FANUC (Japan)  KUKA (Germany)  ABB (Switzerland)  Yaskawa (Motoman)(Japan)  Nachi (Japan)  Kawasaki Robotics(Japan)  Comau (Italy)  EPSON Robots (Japan)  St

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The Material Handling Robots market analytical summative by Market Study Report, LLC, is a thorough study on the latest market trends prevailing in the global business sphere. The report also offers important details pertaining to market share, market size, profit estimations, applications and statistics of this industry. The report further presents a detailed competitive analysis including growth strategies adopted by key players of the industry.This report focuses on the Material Handling Robots 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.Material handling robots are used in various streams such as pick and place, palletizing/depalletizing, and the packaging sector. They are used to improve material handling efficiency, flexibility, and constancy in the manufacturing processes. The use of material handling robots in a production plant not only reduces the ergonomic threats but also helps to improve the lean management system of the business.Request a sample of this premium report at:Material handling robots can manage case-picking functions and can also handle carts for contentment centers or manufacturing process for parts to the lines of operation. The lifting capacity of material handling robots can be over 150 lbs (68 kg). The twin arm manipulator can lift and handle almost every warehoused material. These robots help reduce workplace fatigue and injury.Increases in the number of manufacturing facilities and the growth of production plants are among the major drivers of the material handling robotics market. The ability to simplify and decrease time consumption in production functions, while enhancing dependability, accuracy, and the involvement of low task force are the additional market drivers. The development of the material handling robotics market is expected to rise due to the suitability and the substantial cost reduction offered by these robots. Sorting systems, sliding belts, picking systems, and material putting robots are some of the material handling robots that have gained significance in recent years. The initial investment required for material handling robots is high, but in the long run these robots provide a competitive edge.Chinese players already have planned to expand the production capacity of industrial robots in next few years. But most of robots are low-end products, lack of core technologies and competitiveness, low stability and high cost, dependence on importing robot reducers, controllers and servo motors from Japanese and European players like Nabtesco, Harmonic and SUMITOMO etc.Currently, the global material handling robots market is still dominated by players from Japan, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, United States and Korea.The worldwide market for Material Handling Robots is expected to grow at a CAGR of roughly xx% over the next five years, will reach xx million US$ in 2023, from xx million US$ in 2017, according to a new research study.Market Segment by Manufacturers, this report covers: FANUC (Japan) KUKA (Germany) ABB (Switzerland) Yaskawa (Motoman)(Japan) Nachi (Japan) Kawasaki Robotics(Japan) Comau (Italy) EPSON Robots (Japan) Staubli (Switzerland) Omron Adept Technologies (US) DENSO Robotics (Japan) OTC Daihen (Japan) Toshiba (Japan) Mitsubishi Electric (Japan) Universal Robots (Denmark) Hyundai Robotics (Korea) Siasun (China) Anhui EFORT Intelligent Equipment (China) Estun Automation (China) Guangzhou CNC Equipment (China) STEP Electric Corporation (China)Market 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, coversArticulated Material Handling RobotsSCARA Material Handling RobotParallel Material Handling RobotMarket Segment by Applications, can be divided intoAutomotiveChemical, Rubber and PlasticElectrical and ElectronicsMetal and MachineryFood, Beverages and PharmaceuticalsThere are 15 Chapters to deeply display the global Material Handling Robots market.Chapter 1, to describe Material Handling Robots Introduction, product scope, market overview, market opportunities, market risk, market driving force;Chapter 2, to analyze the top manufacturers of Material Handling Robots, with sales, revenue, and price of Material Handling Robots, 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 Material Handling Robots, for each region, from 2013 to 2018;Chapter 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, to analyze the market by countries, by type, by application and by manufacturers, with sales, revenue and market share by key countries in these regions;Chapter 10 and 11, to show the market by type and application, with sales market share and growth rate by type, application, from 2013 to 2018;Chapter 12, Material Handling Robots market forecast, by regions, type and application, with sales and revenue, from 2018 to 2023;Chapter 13, 14 and 15, to describe Material Handling Robots sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data sourceRequest a discount on standard prices of this premium report at:Table of Contents1 Material Handling Robots Market Overview2 Manufacturers Profiles3 Global Material Handling Robots Market Competition, by Players4 Global Material Handling Robots Market Size by Regions5 North America Material Handling Robots Revenue by Countries6 Europe Material Handling Robots Revenue by Countries7 Asia-Pacific Material Handling Robots Revenue by Countries8 South America Material Handling Robots Revenue by Countries9 Middle East and Africa Revenue Material Handling Robots by Countries10 Global Material Handling Robots Market Segment by Type11 Global Material Handling Robots Market Segment by Application12 Global Material Handling Robots Market Size Forecast (2018-2023)13 Research Findings and Conclusion14 AppendixMore Details on this Report:About Us:Marketstudyreport.com allows you to manage and control all corporate research purchases to consolidate billing and vendor management. 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Aviation Test Equipment market key Player Global Analysis with Testek  Boeing  Airbus  Rockwell Collins  General Electric Co.  3M  Moog, Inc.  Rolls Royce Holdings Plc  Honeywell International Inc.

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This Aviation Test Equipment market report speaks about the manufacturing process analyzed thoroughly with respect to four points like Manufacturers, regional analysis, Segment by Type and Segment by Applications and the actual process of whole Aviation Test Equipment industry.Over the next five years projects that Aviation Test Equipment will register a xx% CAGR in terms of revenue, reach US$ xx million by 2023, from US$ xx million in 2017.Request a Sample this premium Report at:This Report Focusing on Following Key Manufactures By Significant Research ASI (Avionics Specialist, Inc.) Testek Boeing Airbus Rockwell Collins General Electric Co. 3M Moog, Inc. Rolls Royce Holdings Plc Honeywell International Inc.The Aviation Test Equipment Report consists of all the basic information regarding the Aviation Test Equipment market. The all-inclusive report will aid users to understand the market current trends, industry growth drivers, share, analysis, size, production, forecast trends, supply, sales, demands, and many other aspects. The analysis is accomplish using an objective amalgamation of primary and secondary data including contributions from major participants in the market. The global Aviation Test Equipment report is an essential reserve of data, primarily for the industry administrators.Global Aviation Test Equipment Market: Product Segment AnalysisElectrical Test EquipmentHydraulic Aviation Test EquipmentPneumatic Aviation Test EquipmentPower Aviation Test EquipmentGlobal Aviation Test Equipment Market: Application Segment AnalysisMilitaryCommercialRequest a Discount of this premium Report at:Key Regions, covers:Americas (United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil)APAC (China, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia, India, Australia)Europe (Germany, France, UK, Italy, Russia, Spain)Middle East & Africa (Egypt, South Africa, Israel, Turkey, GCC Countries)Research objectivesTo study and analyze the global Aviation Test Equipment consumption (value & volume) by key regions/countries, product type and application, history data from 2013 to 2017, and forecast to 2023.To understand the structure of Aviation Test Equipment market by identifying its various subsegments.Focuses on the key global Aviation Test Equipment 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 Aviation Test Equipment with respect to individual growth trends, future prospects, and their contribution to the total market.To share detailed information about the key factors influencing the growth of the market (growth potential, opportunities, drivers, industry-specific challenges and risks).To project the consumption of Aviation Test Equipment 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.To Get Full Access of This Information:About Us:Marketstudyreport.com allows you to manage and control all corporate research purchases to consolidate billing and vendor management. You can eliminate duplicate purchases and customize your content and license management.Contact Us:Market Study Report4 North Main Street,Selbyville, Delaware 19975USAPhone: 1-302-273-0910US Toll Free: 1-866-764-2150Email: sales@marketstudyreport.comWebsite:Blog:
Future Growth of Joint Reconstruction Devices Market Global Analysis by Key Players - Stryker, Zimmer Biomet, Medtronic Spinal, Smith & Nephew, DePuy Synthes Companies, Integra LifeSciences and Aesculap Implant Systems

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The Joint Reconstruction Devices market study collated by researchers at Market Study Report, LLC, is a detailed sketch of the business sphere in terms of current and future trends driving the profit matrix. The report also indicates a pointwise outline of market share, market size, industry partakers, and regional landscape along with statistics, diagrams, & charts elucidating various noteworthy parameters of the industry landscape.Joint Reconstruction Devices Market will exceed USD 21.5 billion by 2024; as per a new research report.Rising prevalence of Osteoarthritis is one of the prominent factors driving the joint reconstruction devices market growth. Being one of the most common disease around the globe and leading cause of disability among the population aged above 40, the need to address the problem will be largely responsible for rapid demand for various reconstruction devices.Request a sample of this premium report at:Some of the notable industry players are Stryker, Zimmer Biomet, Medtronic Spinal, Smith & Nephew, DePuy Synthes Companies, Integra LifeSciences and Aesculap Implant Systems among others. Industry players focus on increasing their research and development activities by launching innovative technology and enhanced joint replacement implants. Also, companies carry out merger and acquisition to expand the market at geographic level in order to sustain in the competitive market.Moreover, augmented rate of technological advancements with consistent research and development has boosted the demand for joint reconstruction devices in the European countries and will continue influence adoption curve during the forecast period. With introduction of new products into market such as, Agili-C by an Israeli startup CartiHeal Ltd, that will be effective in joint replacement surgery is most likely to contribute to industry expansion. The rapid technological advancement brings in accuracy and precision in joint reconstruction replacement, alignment and placement; fueling the total joint reconstruction devices market growth.Expanding geriatric population base suffering from orthopedic diseases such as Osteoarthritis and other musculoskeletal disorders that causes joint pain, stiffness and inflammation will result in rising demand for major joint replacement and implant products. Also, increasing life expectancy of the people in emerging economies will increase the chances of more and more joint related disorders. The Asia Pacific region is witnessing a rapid rise in the number of people over the age of 65 and require frequent use of joint reconstruction devices due to deteriorating bones and tissues. The increasing risk of getting affected by musculoskeletal disorders will augment the growth of joint reconstruction devices market in the forthcoming years.Joint reconstruction surgeries are becoming prevalent, recurrent and more complex at the same time. However, patient?s undergoing joint reconstruction surgeries are more susceptible to several post-surgical complications such as bleeding, wound complication, thromboembolic disease, neural deficit, etc. The rise in cases of post-surgical complications will hamper the market growth.Knee replacement devices market will grow at 3.7% CAGR in near future. Knee replacement was the 14th most common inpatient surgical procedure in the year 2013. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) report of 2014, around 10% and 18% men and women above 60-year age suffer from osteoporosis, proving to be one of the most impact rendering factor for the segment growth over the forecast period.Request a discount on standard prices of this premium report at:Hip replacement devices market held significant market share and was valued around USD 6,677.3 million in the year 2017. Hip replacement is one the most common joint replacement procedures conducted across the globe, resulting in high hip replacement devices demand. In past few years, hip replacement procedures have increased drastically, making the hip device market second biggest in the world after knee replacement devices.U.S. joint reconstruction devices market will grow considerately at 2.4% CAGR in the foreseeable future. According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, nearly 70 million American population have some or the other form of chronic joint disorder or arthritis. The large population base with high musculoskeletal disorder prevalence will create ample opportunities for the growth of joint reconstruction devices market in the United States.China joint reconstruction devices was valued around USD 501.5 million in the year 2017. China has been progressing drastically in the last few years in the bone and joint market segment. Joint replacement surgery is accepted for people suffering from surgically remediable joint diseases and conducted routinely across the country. The recent technological advancements along with increasing adoption of joint replacement procedure in the country will boost the market growth.More Details on this Report:About Us:Marketstudyreport.com allows you to manage and control all corporate research purchases to consolidate billing and vendor management. You can eliminate duplicate purchases and customize your content and license management.Contact Us:Market Study Report LLC4 North Main Street,Selbyville, Delaware 19975USAPhone: 1-302-273-0910US Toll Free: 1-866-764-2150Email: sales@marketstudyreport.comWebsite:Blog:
Automobile Starters Market 2019-2025: by Manufacturers (Bosch, Denso, Valeo, ACDelco, Hitachi, Hanna Automobile Starter, Ford, Mitsubishi Electric), by Regions, by Types and Applications, Forecast to 2025

Automobile Starters Market 2019-2026, Automobile Starters Industry, Automobile Starters Market Sales, Automobile Starters Market

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MarketResearchNest.com published an Exclusive Research Report on Global Automobile Starters Growth Potential 2019 that highlights the in-depth market analysis and covers significant data with future prospects of the market.The global Automobile Starters market is valued at million US$ in 2018 is expected to reach million US$ by the end of 2025, growing at a CAGR of during 2019-2025.This report focuses on Automobile Starters volume and value at global level, regional level and company level. From a global perspective, this report represents overall Automobile Starters market size by analyzing historical data and future prospect. Regionally, this report focuses on several key regions: North America, Europe, China and Japan.At company level, this report focuses on the production capacity, ex-factory price, revenue and market share for each manufacturer covered in this report.Request for sample copy of Automobile Starters Market Report 2019@The following manufacturers are covered in this report, with sales, revenue, market share for each company: Bosch Denso Valeo ACDelco Hitachi Hanna Automobile Starter Ford Mitsubishi Electric Apeks Mitsuba Wonder Auto Tianfa Dynamic Assembly AVIC Guiyang Aviation Electric Beiqi Feichi Automotive FAW YBM Group Dixie WAI Global Jinzhou Wander DongFeng Motor ElectricAutomobile Starters Breakdown Data by Type: Electric Pneumatic HydraulicAutomobile Starters Breakdown Data by Application: Passenger Vehicle Commercial VehicleMarket size by Region: United States Europe China Japan South Korea India Other RegionsBrowse full content and In-depth TOC of Automobile Starters Market Report 2019@Automobile Starters Consumption Breakdown Data by Region: North America-United States, Canada, Mexico Asia-Pacific-China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam. Europe-Germany, France, UK, Italy, Russia, Rest of Europe. Central and South America-Brazil, Rest of South America Middle East and Africa-GCC Countries, Turkey, Egypt, South Africa, Rest of Middle East and AfricaThe study objectives are: To analyze and research the global Automobile Starters capacity, production, value, consumption, status and forecast; To focus on the key Automobile Starters manufacturers and study the capacity, production, value, market share and development plans in next few years. To 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 market. 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.In this study, the years considered to estimate the market size of Automobile Starters: History Year: 2014-2018 Base Year: 2018 Estimated Year: 2019 Forecast Year 2019 to 2025For the data information by region, company, type and application, 2018 is considered as the base year. Whenever data information was unavailable for the base year, the prior year has been considered.Inquiry for buying a sample copy of Automobile Starters Market Report 2019 @About us: - MarketResearchNest.com is the most comprehensive collection of market research products and services on the Web. We offer reports from almost all top publishers and update our collection on daily basis to provide you with instant online access to the Global and Southeast Asias most complete and recent database of expert insights on industries, organizations, products, and trends.Contact us: - Mr. Jeet Jain, Sales Manager, sales@marketresearchnest.com ;+1-240-284-8070, +44-20-3290-4151;Connect with us: Google+ | LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook
Commercial Boiler Market to Witness Huge Growth -2024 : Top Players Vaillant Group, Weil-McLain, Cleaver-Brooks, BDR Thermea Group, Ferroli S.p.A., Navien, Inc., WOLF GmbH, Viessmann

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Global Commercial Boiler Market is set to surpass USD 15 Billion by 2024, as reported in the latest study by Global Market Insights, Inc. Growing need for hot water and space heating solutions across cold climatic regions along with shifting trend toward adoption of energy efficient heating units will drive the global market growth. Government efforts toward promotion of energy efficient systems in high carbon footprint buildings will further augment the product deployment. The European Union adopted the Energy Performance of Building Directive (EPBD), targeting a zero-greenhouse gas release from building infrastructures by 2050.Get a Sample Copy of this Report @Standing as one of the top-notch energy transition verticals, commercial boiler market is poised to amass substantial gains, with a global installation target of 300,000 units by 2024. Boiler efficiency has been touted as one of the foremost factors determining the overall efficiency of a central heating system. According to the U.S. DOE, commercial infrastructure consumes more than 7 trillion joules of site energy annually. The boiler efficiency also has a major impact on the carbon emissions and cost reduction, owing to which the demand for commercial boilers has observed a sharp uptick globally.The U.S. market is predicted to surpass an annual installation of 80,000 units by 2024. Resurgent economic growth coupled with rapidly increasing population will drive the industry growth in coming years. As per the World Bank, the U.S. has witnessed a GDP growth of 34.5% between 2009 and 2017, and a population surge of 6.1% within the same period.The stringent government regulations mandating the use of energy-efficient systems also bags a major growth credit. Europe, in this regard, has been at the forefront to implement these energy-efficient and sustainability standards. One of the significant measures along these lines have been the Energy Performance of Building Directive by the European Union, which aims to achieve zero carbon emissions from buildings by 2050. As yet another initiative, in 2017, the European Commission launched Voluntary Reporting Framework Level(s) to improve the building sustainability. Driven by such stringent regulations toward energy transition and infrastructural developments, Europe commercial boiler market is slated to witness appreciable proceeds over the coming years.Global Commercial Boiler Market: Competitive Market Analysis & Forecast 2018  2024 in detail along with the table of contents@In context of energy efficiency, the ongoing renovation activities of inefficient building infrastructure is providing a substantial impetus to the commercial boiler industry trends. The fraternity has been witnessing a slew of product developments and technological proliferations to develop advanced, efficient, and sustainable equipment. In this regard, condensing boilers have registered a massive demand across the commercial sector, primarily driven by their emission reduction capabilities.It is imperative to mention that amidst the stringent regulatory backdrop, gas-fired commercial boiler industry has witnessed a massive penetration globally. Besides meeting the emission standards, these boilers also have lower maintenance and operational costs which is further fueling its deployment across the commercial sectors. In terms of commercialization, this segment is forecast to record a CAGR of 3% over the coming six years.Make an inquiry for purchasing this report @Key Players of Commercial Boiler Market : Vaillant Group Weil-McLain Cleaver-Brooks BDR Thermea Group Ferroli S.p.A. Navien, Inc. WOLF GmbH Viessmann O. Smith Corporation Babcock & Wilcox MEGTEC (B&W MEGTEC) Vaillant GroupAbout Global Market InsightsGlobal Market Insights, Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider; offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy and biotechnology.Contact Us:Arun HegdeCorporate Sales, USAGlobal Market Insights, Inc.Phone: 1-302-846-7766Toll Free: 1-888-689-0688Email: sales@gminsights.comWeb:Blog:
Food and Grocery Retailing in France Market Key Findings and Methodology: Carrefour, E.Leclerc, Intermarche, Auchan, Super U, Casino, Lidl, Simply Market, Cora, Aldi

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"Food & Grocery Retailing in France, Market Shares, Summary and Forecasts to 2022", provides data for historic and forecast retail sales, and also includes information on the business environment and country risk related to France retail environment. In addition, it analyzes the key consumer trends influencing France food & grocery industry.The food & grocery sector in France is dominated by three retailers: Carrefour, E.Leclerc, and Intermarche, whose combined market share accounted for nearly one-third of total sector sales in 2017. Although hypermarkets and large discounters dominate the market, convenience stores and online retail are forecast to register high growth, as consumers shift their spending to more convenient methods that fit their lifestyles.Get Sample Copy of This Report atKey Leading Companies Mentioned:CarrefourE.LeclercIntermarcheAuchanSuper UCasinoLidlSimply MarketCoraAldiWhat else does this report offer?- In-depth analysis of the latest trends in consumer shopping, covering the factors driving shopping, consumer insights, market dynamics- The report also details major retailers in food & grocery category group with their product proposition analysis and market positioning in 2017 along with recent key developments- Market insights based on consumer trends, changing economic and demographic factors, technology innovations, and other macroeconomic factors- Retail sales and the fastest-growing product categories in food & grocery sector- Qualitative and quantitative insights of changing retail dynamics in food and grocery sector.Scope- France retail market is forecasted to grow at a CAGR of 2.0% during 2017-2022- Food & grocery sector to produce strongest retail growth- Changing shopping habits shift growth to online and convenience formats- E-commerce registers strong growth, although is still less penetrated than other sectors- Carrefour, E. Leclerc, and Intermarche are the leading players in the market- Simply Market registers the highest growth with an affordable range of fresh foods.Reasons to buy- Gain a comprehensive knowledge on food and grocery sector in the France retail market and develop a competitive advantage from the start of your supply chain- Investigate current and forecast behavior trends in food and grocery category to identify the best opportunities to exploit- Analysis of key international and domestic players operating in the food and grocery market- Explore novel opportunities that will allow you to align your product offerings and strategies to meet demand by analyzing the vital economic and population trends, key consumer and technology trends influencing the food and grocery market- Analyze the recommended actions to align your marketing strategies with the crucial trends influencing consumer behavior- Analysis of key international and domestic players operating in France retail market - including store counts and revenues that give you a competitive edge and identify opportunities to improve your market share.Make an Inquiry before Buying@Key Leading Table of ContentsKey FindingsThe State of the NationThe State of RetailFood & groceryDefinitionsMethodologyAbout 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
Artificial Intelligence in Medicine Market Outreaches $18,119 million at a CAGR of 49.6% by,2025

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In the field of medicine, artificial intelligence (AI) can be used for research research and applications that support decision-based medical tasks using data-intensive computer-based solutions. For all drugs launched in the market, the pharmaceutical industry spends an average of $ 2.7 billion, which will amortize the losses incurred from the discontinued pipeline. Nearly 90% of all drug programs that have reached the clinical trial stage will be discontinued. Therefore, many major pharmaceutical and academic research institutions focus on the use of AI to increase efficiency and design better medicines.Global artificial intelligence in the Medicine market is estimated at $ 719 million in 2017 and is estimated to reach $ 18,119 million at a CAGR of 49.6% from 2018 to 2025. With the help of algorithms and software. The development of new pharmaceuticals and biologics by clinical trials can take more than 10 years during their holding period and costs billions of dollars. AI technology can help to make this process faster and cheaper, which in turn is expected to help improve the efficiency of pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.Get sample copy of this report @The main factors that drive the growth of AI in the drug market include the shortage of qualified healthcare professionals, the growth of the importance of precision medicine and the increased processing power of AI systems, which is It estimates that it helps to improve the efficacy of the discovery and management of clinical trial drugs. However, the limited acceptance of healthcare professionals and the limitations of IA decision-making limit the growth of the market. On the contrary, it is expected that untapped market potential in developing regions such as India and China will provide numerous opportunities for market growth during the forecast periodBased on region, North America occupied the largest share in 2017 owing to availability of capital investments for use of AI in drug discovery and increase in adoption of AI technology by the pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. However, Asia-Pacific is expected to grow at the highest CAGR of 55.0% during the study period, due to growth in healthcare expenditure, rise in the R&D activities for advancement in AI technology, lack of healthcare professionals, and increase in need to reduce the healthcare costs.Top Key Players: Welltok Inc. Intel Corporation Nvidia Corporation Google Inc. IBM Corporation Microsoft Corporation General Vision Inc. Enlitic Inc. BioXcel CorporationSend Enquiry on this report @About Us:Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain.We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procureContactDavid Correa5933 NE Win Sivers Drive#205, Portland, OR 97220United StatesToll Free: +1-800-792-5285UK: +44-845-528-1300Hong Kong: +852-301-84916India (Pune): +91-20-66346060Fax: +1?855?550-5975help@alliedmarketresearch.comWeb:
Exclusive Report on ERP Solutions Market 2019-2026: Development Scenario with End-User Application and Profiling Key Players: INFOR, Microsoft, SAP AG, Oracle and others

ERP Solutions Market

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Enterprise resource planning (ERP) is business process management software that allows an organization to use a system of integrated applications to manage the business and automate many back office functions related to technology, services and human resources.This study includes an elaborative summary of ERP Solutions market which also includes snapshots that offer depth of information of various other segmentations. Through qualitative and quantitative analysis of key factors which are responsible for boosting or hampering the market growth and the promising opportunities in the market have been provide.The restraining factors are also provided with the best solutions which also prove to be a counteract to the drawback and help increase the market demand.For Sample Copy:This report focuses on the top players in global market, like:INFOR, Epicor Software Corp, Microsoft Corp, NetSuite Inc, Oracle Corp, SAP AG, Aplicor LLC, ACUMATICA, DELTEK INC, FinancialForce.com Inc, Intacct Corp, Plex Systems Inc, QAD Inc, Ramco Systems Ltd, Sage Software Inc, RootStock Software, Workday IncObjective of ERP Solutions Market Study:- To provide detailed analysis of the market structure along with forecast for the next 07 years of the various segments and sub-segments of the Global ERP Solutions Market.- To provide insights about factors affecting the market growth.- To analyze the ERP Solutions Market based on various factors- price analysis, supply chain analysis, porters five force analysis etc.- To provide historical and forecast revenue of the market segments and sub-segments with respect to four main geographies and their countries- North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of the World (ROW).- To provide country level analysis of the market with respect to the current market size and future prospective- To provide country level analysis of the market for segment by technologies, by applications and sub-segments.- To provide strategic profiling of key players in the market, comprehensively analyzing their core competencies, and drawing a competitive landscape for the market- To track and analyze competitive developments such as joint ventures, strategic alliances, mergers and acquisitions, new product developments, and research and developments in the Global ERP Solutions Market.Avail Discount at:The key opportunity areas in the market and the top trends impacting the development of the market have also been presented through this report. The current growth and development patterns of this market have also been encapsulated in this study. The competitive background section of the report covers the key vendors and throws light on the strategies being adopted by them for better penetration into the market.Moving further, the players dominant in the market have been presented. The trends and competitive status of the market during this period have also been reviewed under this section of the report. The new entrants and the predicted trends in the market have also been summarized under this section of the report.Market segment by Regions/Countries, this report covers United States EU Japan China India Southeast AsiaFor More Information:The Global ERP Solutions Market is a highly fragmented, niche market with the presence of a limited number of vendors. Providers in the market compete based on pricing, innovation, service, reputation, distribution, and promotion. As the market is still in its development stage, small vendors with innovative solutions have the chances of being acquired by large players in the market.Finally, it focuses on the dynamic aspects of the businesses such as, client needs, competitors response and review of the customers. This ERP Solutions market analysis gives a gist about some innovative information such as profit margin, methodologies, investment and revenue.About 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
Folding Cartons Market to 2017 - 2025: Amcor Limited, Westrock Company, Huhtamaki Oyj, KapStone Paper and Packaging Corp, Sonoco Products Company, Georgia-Pacific LLC, Rengo Co., Ltd., Mayr-Melnhof Karton AG

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Folding Cartons Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2017 - 2025" to its huge collection of research reports.Global Folding Cartons Market: OverviewThis report provides forecast and analysis of folding cartons market on Global level. It provides estimated data of 2017, and forecast data up to 2025 in terms of revenue (US$ Mn) and volume (000 Tonnes). The report also includes macroeconomic indicators along with an outlook on folding cartons consumption pattern across the globe. It includes drivers and restraints of the global folding cartons market and their impact on each region during the forecast period. The report also comprises the study of current issues with end users and opportunities for folding cartons manufacturers. It also includes value chain analysis.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Global Folding Cartons Market: Research MethodologyMarket numbers have been estimated based on extensive secondary and primary research, average pricing of folding cartons, by structure type the revenue is derived through regional pricing trends. Market size and forecast for each segment have been provided in the context of global and regional markets. The folding cartons market has been analyzed based on expected demand. Prices considered for the calculation of revenue are average regional prices obtained through primary quotes from numerous regional folding cartons manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors. All key end users have been considered and potential applications have been estimated on the basis of secondary sources and feedback from primary respondents. Country demand patterns have been considered while estimating the market for various end users of folding cartons in the different regions. Top-down approach has been used to estimate the folding cartons market by regions. Global market numbers by structure type, by dimension type, by end use industry, by received order type and by material type have been derived using the bottom-up approach, which is cumulative of each countrys demand. Company-level market share has been derived on the basis of revenues reported by key manufacturers. The market has been forecast based on constant currency rates.A number of primary and secondary sources were consulted during the course of the study. Secondary sources include Factiva, FAO, Packaging Digest, and Hoovers, and company annual reports and publications.Global Folding Cartons Market: Market SegmentationThe report includes consumption of folding cartons and the revenue generated from sales of folding cartons across the globe and important countries. By structure type (straight tuck end, reverse tuck end, tuck top auto-bottom, tuck top snap-lock bottom, full seal end, double glued sidewall, others), by dimension Type (Less than 4 X 1.5 X 6 (Inch), 4 X 1.5 X 6 to 6 X 4 X 10 (Inch), 6 X 4 X 10 to 10 X 6 X 12 (Inch), 10 X 6 X 12 to 12 X 8 X 14 (Inch), More than 12 X 8 X14 (Inch)) by end use industry (food & beverage, cosmetic & personal care, institutional, healthcare, household, electrical & electronic and other industry), by received order type (customized order, standard order), by material type (paper).Global Folding Cartons Market: Competitive LandscapeIn order to provide users of this report with comprehensive view of the market, we have included detailed competitiveness analysis of company players with their SWOT analysis and strategy overview. The dashboard provides detailed comparison of folding cartons manufacturers on parameters such as operating margin, total revenue, product portfolio, and what we call innovation scale. The study encompasses market attractiveness analysis by structure type, dimension type, end user industry, received order type, material type and region.Get Complete TOC With Tables and Figures @The report provides detailed competitive and company profiles of key participants operating in the Global market. Key players in global folding cartons include Amcor Limited, Westrock Company, Huhtamaki Oyj, KapStone Paper and Packaging Corp, Sonoco Products Company, Georgia-Pacific LLC, Rengo Co., Ltd., Mayr-Melnhof Karton AG, Stora Enso Oyj, AR Packaging Group AB, Oji Holdings Corporation, Pratt Industries Inc., U.S. Corrugated, Inc., Great Little Box Company Ltd., Metsa Board Corporation, Graphic Packaging Holding Company, Schur Pack Germany GmbH, Multi Packaging Solutions, Inc.Folding Cartons Market segmentation is belowFolding Cartons Market  By Structure TypeStraight Tuck EndReverse Tuck EndTuck Top Auto-BottomTuck Top Snap-Lock BottomFull Seal EndDouble Glued SidewallOthersFolding Cartons Market  By DimensionTypeLess than 4 X 1.5 X 6 (Inch)4 X 1.5 X 6 to 6 X 4 X 10 (Inch)6 X 4 X 10 to 10 X 6 X 12 (Inch)10 X 6 X 12 to 12 X 8 X 14 (Inch)More than 12 X 8 X14 (Inch)Folding Cartons Market  By End Use Industry TypeFood & BeverageFrozen FoodFresh FoodBakery and ConfectionaryReady to Eat MealBaby FoodPet FoodTobaccoOther FoodBeverageAlcoholic BeverageNon Alcoholic BeverageCosmetic & Personal CareInstitutionalHealthcareHouseholdElectrical & ElectronicOther IndustryFolding Cartons Market  By Received Order TypeCustomized OrderStandard OrderFolding Cartons Market  By Material TypePaperFolding BoxboardSolid Unbleached BoardSolid Bleached BoardWhite Line ChipboardMake An Enquiry @Folding Cartons Market  By Region TypeNorth AmericaLatin AmericaEuropeAsia Pacific (APAC)Middle East and Africa (MEA)About ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.For More Information Kindly Contact:ResearchMozMr. Nachiket Ghumare,Tel: +1-518-621-2074USA-Canada Toll Free: 866-997-4948Email: sales@researchmoz.usFollow us on LinkedIn @Follow me on @
Schneider Electric, Pitney Bowes, MDA, Hitachi, Companies Profiled in GIS Market: Hexagon AB, Harris Corporation, GE, Esri, Bentley Systems, Autodesk, Geosoft Inc., Trimble, Inc., Topcon Positioning Systems

Global GIS Market

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According to a new research report by the market research and strategy consulting firm, Global Market Insights, Inc, the GIS Market is set to expand USD 9 billion by 2024. With location-based analytics and mapping forming an essential part of the future smart & sustainable technologies, GIS market is going a transformation of sorts in the recent times. Over the years, strong technological proliferation in geospatial services for remote sensing platforms and navigation have further accelerated the adoption of GIS solutions for obtaining critical information and real-time location data. With improved operational efficiency and enhanced decision-making, the advent of GIS technology has irrefutably brought a commendable transformation in the recent years.Request for a sample of this research report @Globall GIS market is considerably thriving on the copious amount of geospatial information used by the government agencies for taking data-driven decisions on national & state welfare. The government sector is in fact seen increasingly investing in deploying GIS software across the military, defense, and aerospace for carrying out terrain analysis, crucial surveillance as well as reconnaissance operations, battle field management, and monitoring of possible activities of terrorism. According to a report compiled by Global Market Insights, Inc., the global GIS market is estimated to be pegged at USD 4 billion in 2017, and is projected to hit a remuneration portfolio of USD 9 billion by 2024, depicting a 12% growth rate over the timeframe.Company profiled in this report based on Business overview, Financial data, Product landscape, Strategic outlook & SWOT analysis:1. GE2. Esri3. Bentley Systems4. Autodesk5. Geosoft Inc.6. Trimble, Inc.7. Topcon Positioning Systems8. Schneider Electric9. Pitney Bowes10. MDA11. Hitachi12. Hexagon AB13. Harris CorporationGlobal GIS Market in mapping application segment held amounting to over 40% in 2017 due to the widespread adoption of the GIS software to integrate, manipulate and present the geospatial data and let the users to produce graphic display of information for analysis. GIS mapping software helps in mapping the position and any changes occurring in the areas and allow GIS professionals and surveyors to gain insights about changes that occur in the specific area.Make an inquiry for buying this report @On account of the vast application and regional scope it comes as no surprise that the GIS market players are making rapid headways in reinforcing their global positions in unique ways. Recently, for instance, a GIS startup AmigoCloud has announced that it is on a mission to make satellite mapping easier. In order to make digital mapping available for everyone, the company has developed a unique cloud-based GIS app which can be downloaded from Google Play and Apple Store. The proliferations of such different start-ups and core industry players, is undeniably expected to propel the commercialization potential of GIS market in the ensuing years.The penetration of remote sensing platforms and navigation and positioning technologies to capture the spatial data objects and associated attributes will lead to an increase in demand for GIS hardware components, including imaging sensors, cameras, and GNSS antennas. The data captured by these components need to be integrated and analyzed for predictive analysis which further help the organizations to make informed predictions about the future events. This will increase the demand for GIS solutions during the forecast timeline. Increasing investments in the smart cities have further accelerated the adoption of GIS software which acts a common platform to enable easy integration and coordination of different participants of the smart city ecosystem.This will increase the demand for GIS solutions during the forecast timeline. Increasing investments in the smart cities have further accelerated the adoption of GIS software which acts a common platform to enable easy integration and coordination of different participants of the smart city ecosystem.GIS Market in the agriculture segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 15% between 2018 to 2024 due to the increasing applications of drone technology. Drones are rapidly being used by the farmers to assess crop condition. As these collect vegetation and topography related information, the demand for GIS will increase during the forecast timeline.GIS market in telematics and navigation applications are expected to exhibit a growth rate of over 17% during the forecast timeline. With the growing number of connected cars, the vehicle-generated information such as the data related to braking systems and vehicle diagnostics plays an important role in delivering modern telematics and navigation solutions. As the navigational and telematics systems use data related to geoinformatics for tasks such positioning and vehicle & traffic management, the need for GIS software for assisting connected cars and autonomous vehicles is likely to increase significantly from 2018 to 2024.Browse key industry insights spread across 240 pages with 211 market data tables & 28 figures & charts from the report, Geographic Information System (GIS) Market in detail along with the table of contents:The North America GIS market held a major share of over 40% in 2017 and is projected to hold a significant market share by 2024 due to the increasing government-led initiatives contributing towards the growth and development of the regions geospatial industry. For instance, in June 2018, the U.S. Air Force awarded a contract of USD 130 million to SpaceX for the launch of Air Force Space Command Satellite (AFSPC)-52 satellites in the late FY2020.Another factor accelerating the market growth is the higher concentration of the GIS solution providers in the region. These players are offering the most powerful mapping and spatial data analytics technology and are dedicated to provides GIS professionals and surveyors with necessary tools and modern software to assist them in conducting surveys.Asia Pacific geographic information system market is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 15% during the forecast timeline. The GIS market growth is attributed to the factors such as rising urbanization and development of smart cities and various efforts taken by the government agencies to strengthen spatial infrastructure of the satcom industry which further triggers the need to have more advanced GPS systems and navigation platforms to capture the location-based data.Recently for instance, the Maharashtra (India) government has announced that it will be using the GIS mapping technology for identifying the illegal constructions in more than 170 major cities. According to the officials, there is no prevention nor any steps are generally taken to stop illegal construction. It is only after a building is constructed & people start residing, the issue is ranked up. The regional GIS market in this regard is thus gaining traction as the satellite mapping technology is expected to help the government monitor illegal construction at an early stage.Top key players operating in the geographic information system (GIS) market are Bentley Systems, Supermap, Pasco Corporation, Autodesk, Schneider Electric, Pitney Bowes, ESRI, General Electric, Trimble, Hexagon, Topcon, MacDonald, Geoinfo, Geosoft, Harris Corporation, Hexagon, Hitachi Solutions, MDA Information Systems, and Unistrong.Browse Related Reports:About Global Market InsightsGlobal Market Insights, Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider; offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy and biotechnology.Contact UsArun HegdeCorporate Sales, USAGlobal Market Insights, Inc.Phone: 1-302-846-7766Toll Free: 1-888-689-0688Email: sales@gminsights.comWeb:Blog:
Global Cyber Insurance Market 2019 - American International Group, The Chubb Corporation, Zurich Insurance Co, XL Group Ltd

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The global "Cyber Insurance Market" report delivers a comprehensive and systematic framework of the Cyber Insurance market at a global level that includes all the key aspects related to it. The data is collected from different sources allied to the global Cyber Insurance market and the research team meticulously analyze the gathered data with the help of various analytical tools and present their opinion based on analysis and calculations. The global Cyber Insurance market report offers clear-cut information about the key business-giants American International Group, The Chubb Corporation, Zurich Insurance Co, XL Group Ltd, Berkshire Hathaway, Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty, Munich Re Group, Lloydas , Lockton Companies, AON PLC challenging with each other in the Cyber Insurance market in terms of demand, sales, revenue generation, reliable products development, giving best services, and also post-sale processes at the global level.Apply here for the free sample copy of the report :The forecast for CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) is stated by the Cyber Insurance market report in the terms of % for the specific time span. This will also help the customer to understand and make a precise choice on the basis of an estimated chart. The report presents a detailed segmentation Small Medium Enterprise , Large Medium Enterprise. Market Trend by Application Healthcare, Retail, Financial Services, Information Technology and Services, Others of the global market based on technology, product type, application, and various processes and systemsRevenue generation and manufacturing scale are the two chief divisions on which the Cyber Insurance market is dependent. In-depth assessment of the markets main portion and the geographical areas [xxx] around the world is also covered in this report. Various Cyber Insurance market factors such as growth, limitations, and the planned characteristics of each point have been reported deeply. On the basis of this characteristics, the Cyber Insurance market report predicts the future of the market globally.Read Detailed Index of full Research Study at :This report holds each and every aspect of the international market for this specific domain, ranging from the primary market data to many important criteria, based on which, the Cyber Insurance market is standardized. The main functioning domains of the Cyber Insurance market are also covered based on their performance. The Cyber Insurance market report covers research of present policies, regulations, and market chain. Considering other factors like goods, their chain of production, chief manufacturers, and supply & demand, price format for business is also organized in this report.The report also contains the manufacturing limits, characteristics of demand & supply, pinpoint analysis, and the sequential presentation of the Cyber Insurance market worldwide.There are 15 Chapters to display the Global Cyber Insurance MarketChapter 1, Definition, Specifications and Classification of Cyber Insurance , Applications of Cyber Insurance , Market Segment by Regions;Chapter 2, Manufacturing Cost Structure, Raw Material and Suppliers, Manufacturing Process, Industry Chain Structure;Chapter 3, Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of Cyber Insurance , Capacity and Commercial Production Date, Manufacturing Plants Distribution, R&D Status and Technology Source, Raw Materials Sources Analysis;Chapter 4, Overall Market Analysis, Capacity Analysis (Company Segment), Sales Analysis (Company Segment), Sales Price Analysis (Company Segment);Chapter 5 and 6, Regional Market Analysis that includes United States, China, Europe, Japan, Korea & Taiwan, Cyber Insurance Segment Market Analysis (by Type);Chapter 7 and 8, The Cyber Insurance Segment Market Analysis (by Application) Major Manufacturers Analysis of Cyber Insurance ;Chapter 9, Market Trend Analysis, Regional Market Trend, Market Trend by Product Type Small Medium Enterprise , Large Medium Enterprise, Market Trend by Application Healthcare, Retail, Financial Services, Information Technology and Services, Others ;Chapter 10, Regional Marketing Type Analysis, International Trade Type Analysis, Supply Chain Analysis;Chapter 11, The Consumers Analysis of Global Cyber Insurance ;Chapter 12, Cyber Insurance Research Findings and Conclusion, Appendix, methodology and data source;Chapter 13, 14 and 15, Cyber Insurance sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data source.Enquire Here Get customization & check discount for report :Reasons for Buying Cyber Insurance marketThis report provides pin-point analysis for changing competitive dynamicsIt provides a forward looking perspective on different factors driving or restraining market growthIt provides a six-year forecast assessed on the basis of how the market is predicted to growIt helps in understanding the key product segments and their futureIt provides pin point analysis of changing competition dynamics and keeps you ahead of competitorsIt helps in making informed business decisions by having complete insights of market and by making in-depth analysis of market segmentsThanks for reading this article; you can also get individual chapter wise section or region wise report version like North America, Europe or Asia.Intense Research provides a range of marketing and business research solutions designed for our clients specific needs based on our expert resources. The business scopes of Intense Research cover more than 30 industries includsing energy, new materials, transportation, daily consumer goods, chemicals, etc. We provide our clients with one-stop solution for all the research requirements.Joel John3422 SW 15 Street, Suit #8138,Deerfield Beach, Florida 33442,United StatesTel: +1-386-310-3803GMT Tel: +49-322 210 92714USA/Canada Toll Free No. 1-855-465-4651Email: sales@intenseresearch.comWeb:
Cellular IoT Market  Future Performance of Product 2025 | ZTE Corporation, MediaTek Inc., Qualcomm Inc

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Cellular IoT Market: SnapshotAs more and more devices are getting connected together, the internet of things (IoT) architecture is expanding. In the future, it is estimated that all the internet devices will be connected. IoT remains the way to deliver machine to machine and device to person communication on a large scale. Most of the devices are estimated to be connected via wireless area networks (WAN), which are made possible by cellular networks. This is projected to drive the growth prospects of the global cellular IoT market in the period from 2017 to 2025.Request Sample Copy of the Report @In the IoT architecture, connectivity plays a major role and hence, cellular operators will be in a position to add value to the IoT market. Various roles can be played by cellular operators in the IoT market. This is a deciding factor for the value that a cellular operator can add to the IoT architecture. With so many devices communicating with each other and people communicating with machines, huge amount of data will be generated and this will create a need for data storage, data transfer, and data interpretation in real time. In addition to this, it is essential that data storage and data transfer can be done at minimal cost. This is fulfilled by cellular networks. Different cellular technologies are evolving in terms of functionality and new radio access technologies to form an effective solution and offering tailored IoT services. These cellular technologies include: WCDMA, GSM, LTE, and 5G.Global Cellular IoT Market: OverviewSeveral significant technological advancements in the area of cellular IoT will widen the horizons of the global cellular IoT market over the coming period. While the Internet connects people, IoT connects all devices and objects to the Internet. By connecting various smart devices, cellular IoT can collect sensor data from them. Some of these connected devices can be industrial equipment, vehicle electrical systems, home alarm systems, and even refrigerators and air conditioners.The report covers key trends, growth drivers, challenges, and opportunities in the global market for cellular Iot. The major market players are discussed in the report, wherein their strengths, weaknesses, market strategies, market shares, and product portfolios are studied, in addition to a SWOT analysis. The market forecasts, market attractiveness, supply and demand ratio, competitive landscape, regional markets, and technological advancements in the field of cellular IoT have also been revealed.Request TOC of the Report @Global Cellular IoT Market: Drivers and RestraintsThe key growth drivers of the global cellular IoT market are the increasing demand for extended network coverage and large capacity that can connect innumerable devices. Conventional cellular options such as 4G and LTE networks require high amounts of power. Moreover, these networks cannot be incorporated with several applications wherein only a small amount of data is transmitted inconsistently. Some examples are gas or electricity consumption and meters used for reading water levels. Cellular IoT, on the other hand, is capable of meeting the demands of low-power and long range applications. The large number of applications for cellular IoT will also ensure market growth.Widespread awareness about environmental hazards and excessive energy consumption have been fuelling the need for energy management, which is offered by cellular IoT. The growing demand for green, eco-friendly homes is another key growth driver of the market. The increasing deployment of cellular IoT in smart meters and smart grids for inter-connectivity within individual meters is likely to aid the growth of the market. On the contrary, high fragmentation in terms of technology and inadequate regulation for spectrum allocation might pose a threat to market expansion.Another driving force of the market is the growth of the NB-IoT segment. NB-IoT enables low consumption of power and extends greater coverage when compared to prevailing technologies such as SigFox. Therefore, they are slated to experience an upsurge in terms of demand.Global Cellular IoT Market: Regional OutlookThe global market for cellular IoT can be segmented into Asia Pacific, Europe, North America, and the Rest of the World on the basis of geography. The North America segment furnishes a multitude of opportunities for the expansion of the cellular IoT market as numerous IoT developments have been taking place in smart building, agriculture, transportation, and infrastructure. The U.S. has been carrying out large-scale investments in numerous sectors for the implementation of projects such as Smart America, wherein IoT will aid the efficiency of healthcare, manufacturing, transportation, security, energy conservation, and emergency services.The sprouting of smart cities in various countries of Asia Pacific such as India and Japan will provide further impetus to the global cellular IoT market. South Korea, China, Japan, and India are investing massively in the implementation of IoT in infrastructure, which will contribute towards the growth of the market.Read Comprehensive Overview of Report @Companies Mentioned in the ReportSome of the major companies operating in the global market for cellular IoT are U-Blox Holding AG, Gemalto N.V., CommSolid GmbH, ZTE Corporation, MediaTek Inc., Qualcomm Inc, Sierra Wireless, Sequans Communications, and Telit Communications PLC.About TMR ResearchTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todays supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clients conduct business by providing them with authoritative and trusted research studies in tune with the latest methodologies and market trends.Contact:TMR Research,3739 Balboa St # 1097,San Francisco, CA 94121United StatesTel: +1-415-520-1050Email: sales@tmrresearch.com
North America advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) Market is expected to garner USD 9.20 Bn by 2023 with By Major Vendors: AG, Autoliv Inc., Delphi Technologies, Denso Corporation, Bosch, Mobileye

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North America advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) marketADAS are systems that support, complement or substitute the driver of a vehicle. These systems help drivers to avoid collisions and accidents. It is a set of systems used in vehicles to provide an intelligent and comfortable driving experience. They use radar and cameras to assist the drivers by providing real-time information about the surroundings. ADAS is leading the way for autonomous vehicles. These systems are the foundation of next-generation automotive electronic safety systems and autonomous cars. A vehicles ADAS can detect objects and alert the driver of hazardous conditions or impending danger. The North America ADAS market is expected to reach USD 9.20 Bn by 2023 with a CAGR of 17.7% during 2018-2023.Download Free Report Sample (PDF) Here:The market is divided into three primary segments based on vehicle, sensor and component.Based on vehicle, the market is segmented into passenger and commercial vehicles.Based on sensors, the market is divided into image, radar, lidar and other sensors (ultrasonic,infrared and laser sensors).Based on components, the market is classified into adaptive cruise control (ACC), parking assistance (PA), lane departure warning (LDW), tire pressure monitoring (TPM), blind spot detection (BSD), autonomous emergency braking (AEB) and others (adaptive front lighting, drowsiness monitor, forward collision warning, head-up display and driver monitoring systems).On the basis of countries, the market is segmented into the U.S. and Canada.Key growth factorsThe increasing government initiatives for mandating driver assistance system in order to lower road accidents is expected to proliferate market growth. Higher adoption of these systems in small cars is anticipated to further boost the market demand. Rising levels of technological innovation as well as growing initiatives towards vehicle automation and self-drive cars have raised the demand for driver safety and assistance systems over the past decade. The adoption of ADAS applications such as ACC, BSD, LDW and night vision are leading to reduction in the number of accidents. The ADAS market in North America is expected to grow with a rise in demand for automobiles, especially in the U.S. Major manufacturers exist in this region and combined with the available sophisticated technologies they fuel the ADAS market. Car sales across the U.S. have significantly increased implying a positive prospect of growth in the automotive industry. This industry in Canada is closely linked to that of the U.S., due to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the Automotive Products Trade Agreement (APTA). Therefore, the market in this region is also growing.Threats and key playersThe growth of the ADAS market is currently hindered by the growing incidence of software failures in sensors coupled with the high cost of these systems that have acted as major restraining factors for the wide acceptability of these systems. The forward-collision warning systems still have difficulty identifying objects when a vehicle is traveling at high speed. Many of the most promising ADAS applications are still being refined or have not yet hit the market while others are expensive and mostly available in premium cars. But one of the most important factors inhibiting demand could be a lack of consumer awareness. Once consumers become familiar with ADAS, they will prefer cars with these features.The key competitors in the North America ADAS market are Continental AG, Autoliv Inc., Delphi Technologies, Denso Corporation, Bosch, Mobileye and others.Get Discount & Customization of this Report Here:Chapter 1: Executive summary1.1. Market scope and segmentation1.2. Key questions answered in this study1.3. Executive summary  North America1.4. Executive summary  the U.S.1.5. Executive summary  CanadaChapter 2: North America ADAS market  market overview2.1. North America market overview  by revenue2.2. North America market overview  by countries: revenue, CAGR2.3. North America market overview  drivers, challenges and trends2.3.a. Drivers2.3.b. Challenges2.3.c. Trends2.4. Value chainChapter 3: Country-wise market overview3.1. Country-wise market overview  the U.S.3.1.a. The U.S. historical market revenue, the U.S.forecasted market revenue, CAGR, key companies, highlights3.2. Country-wise market overview  Canada3.2.a. Canada historical market revenue, Canadaforecasted market revenue, CAGR, key companies, highlightsChapter 4: North America segment overview4.1. North America segment overview  by vehicle  revenue, CAGR, write-up4.1.a. North America segment overview  by vehicle: regional share (2023F)4.2. North America segment overview  by sensor  revenue, CAGR, write-up4.2.a. North America segment overview  by sensor: regional share (2023F)4.3. North America segment overview - by component  revenue, CAGR, write-up4.3.a. North America segment overview  by component: regional share (2023F)Chapter 5: The U.S.  by segment5.1. The U.S.  by vehicle: revenue, CAGR, highlights5.2. The U.S.  by sensor: revenue, CAGR, highlights5.3. The U.S.  by component: revenue, CAGR, highlights.Get Complete TOC with Figures and Tables Here:Research Report HubResearch Report Hub offers wide-ranging collection of market research reports under virtually every market verticals and sub-categories from different publishers across the globe. We offer reliable market intelligence reports and report customization services to better understand current and projected market scenarios. It also gives a clearer depiction of industries and facilitates to simply perceive competitor activity in the respective industry. Our services are also geared towards helping organizations procure market reports at the finest price.Research Report Hub20 Hanover SquareMayfair, London W1S 1JY, UKsales@researchreporthub.comWeb:Find us on:sales@researchreporthub.comUK: +44 7441 906751(US/CAN TOLL FREE):1 888-247-2308Asia: +91 84484 44687
Healthcare Assistive Robot Market Emerging Technology and Innovations by Top Key Leaders  Barrett Technology, CYBERDYNE INC., Auris Health, Inc., Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Kinova Inc.

Healthcare Assistive Robot Market to 2025

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The Healthcare Assistive Robot Market report analyzes factors affecting Healthcare Assistive Robot 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 Healthcare Assistive Robot Market in these regions.An assistive robot is a device that can sense, process sensory information, and perform actions that benefit, people with disabilities and seniors. The assistive robot performs a physical task for the well-being of a person with a disability. The task is embedded in the context of normal human activities of daily living (ADLs) and would otherwise have to be performed by an attendant healthcare assistive robots. In the recent years, these robots have been revolutionizing the eldercare industry.Request Sample Copy is Available at:Healthcare Assistive Robot Market report aims to provide a 360-degree view of the market in terms of cutting-edge technology, key developments, drivers, restraints and future trends with impact analysis of these trends on the market for short-term, mid-term and long-term during the forecast period. Further, the report also covers key players profiling with detailed SWOT analysis, financial facts and key developments of products/service from the past three years.Some of the Major Players In Healthcare Assistive Robot Market:1. Barrett Technology2. CYBERDYNE INC.3. Auris Health, Inc.4. Honda Motor Co., Ltd.5. Kinova Inc.6. KUKA AG7. Ekso Bionics8. GaitTronics Inc9. Hocoma10. ReWalk RoboticsThe healthcare assistive robot market is anticipated to grow with a significant rate in the coming years, owing to Rising funding for research on robotics technology, increasing incidence of stroke worldwide, and rapidly implementation of technology in healthcare industry are drive the market. Due to growing awareness coupled with increasing efforts to promote robotic research will fuel business growth, and favorable government regulations have boosted the healthcare assistive robots market. Therefore, healthcare assistive robots market has expected lucrative growth opportunity in forecast period.The Global Healthcare Assistive Robot Market Analysis to 2025 is a specialized and in-depth study of the medical device industry with a focus on the global market trend. The report aims to provide an overview of global healthcare assistive robot with detailed market segmentation by product, portability, application and geography. The global healthcare assistive robot is expected to witness high growth during the forecast period. The healthcare assistive robot market report provides key statistics on the market status of the leading market players and offers key trends and opportunities in the market.Ask For Discount at:Healthcare Assistive Robot Market  Global Analysis to 2025 is an expert compiled study which provides a holistic view of the market covering current trends and future scope with respect to product/service, the report also covers competitive analysis to understand the presence of key vendors in the companies by analyzing their product/services, key financial facts, details SWOT analysis and key development in last three years. Further chapter such as industry landscape and competitive landscape provides the reader with recent company level insights covering mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, collaborations, new product developments/strategies taking place across the ecosystem. The chapters also evaluate the key vendors by mapping all the relevant products and services to exhibit the ranking/position of top 5 key vendors.Report Benefits  To identify emerging players with the desirable extreme product portfolio To setup vigorous counter schemes to obtain competitive benefits To discover new beginners of partners in the target analytics To know the main areas of Healthcare Assistive Robot industry To plan partnerships and accession perfectly To traverse business capabilities and scopeTable of Contents:1.1. SCOPE OF STUDY1.2. THE INSIGHT PARTNERS RESEARCH REPORT GUIDANCE2. KEY TAKEAWAYS3. HEALTHCARE ASSISTIVE ROBOT MARKETMARKET LANDSCAPE3.1. MARKET OVERVIEW3.2. MARKET SEGMENTATION3.2.1. Healthcare Assistive Robot Market  By Product3.2.2. Healthcare Assistive Robot Market  By Portability3.2.3. Healthcare Assistive Robot Market  By Application3.2.4. Healthcare Assistive Robot Market  By Region3.2.4.1. By Country3.3. PEST ANALYSIS3.3.1. North America  PEST Analysis3.3.2. Europe  PEST Analysis3.3.3. Asia Pacific  PEST Analysis3.3.4. Middle East and Africa  PEST Analysis3.3.5. South and Central America PEST Analysis4. HEALTHCARE ASSISTIVE ROBOT MARKET  KEY INDUSTRY DYNAMICS4.1. KEY MARKET DRIVERS4.2. KEY MARKET RESTRAINTS4.3. KEY MARKET OPPORTUNITIES4.4. FUTURE TRENDS4.5. IMPACT ANALYSIS5. HEALTHCARE ASSISTIVE ROBOT MARKET  GLOBAL ANALYSIS5.1. GLOBAL HEALTHCARE ASSISTIVE ROBOT MARKET OVERVIEW5.2. GLOBAL HEALTHCARE ASSISTIVE ROBOT MARKET REVENUE FORECASTS AND ANALYSIS (US$ MN)5.3. PERFORMANCE OF KEY PLAYERS5.4. EXPERT OPINIONSPlace Direct Purchase order For Complete report -:About UsThe 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 committed to providing highest quality research and consulting services to our customers. We help our clients understand key market trends, identify opportunities, and make informed decisions by providing market research solutions at an affordable cost.Contact usThe Insight partners,Phone: +1-646-491-9876Email: sales@theinsightpartners.com
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Swedish Market Expands With Growing Pains

Published January 24, 2019 by Lee R

The hammer is likely to fall on some companies on greedy operators in the new Swedish market.

Sweden has already had to issue re-warning restraining newly licensed operators for failure to comply with regulation just implemented this month for the first time ever.

No More Warnings

The country's gambling regulator Spelinspektionen has specified unannounced financial penalties and licence cancellations await those operators who fail to comply.

Complaints Continued

The regulator explains that the new re-warning only days after the original has been spurred by complaints and tip-offs about continued non-compliance.

The Self-Exclusion Imperative

The key directive has been identified as the requirement for all operators to check players names against the Spelpaus.se self-exclusion register before clearing them for gambling or advertising mailing lists.

Since last week's warning about the need to carry out these checks, complaints have continued to come in to the authority regarding self-excluded players still being sent marketing materials.

Visible Support Resources

Additional complaints have been logged since the warning regarding violation of the requirement to ensure the prominent display of responsible gaming information with links to relevant treatment and support bodies on each site page.

The Penalties

Spelinspektionen said fines will start at up to 10% of a companys turnover, with more serious breaches vulnerable to immediate license revocation.

Staying on Point

According to the regulator, the key priority of market re-regulation was not profits but to channel players towards legal and safe gaming options that would push unlicensed sites out of the market.

Spelinspektionen has made clear that this is the last warning to be issued, and delineated penalties would be levied for non-compliance without notice from here on in.

New Licenses

Meanwhile, the new era moves forward. In more positive news, Spelinspektionen announced new online betting and gaming licences to lottery betting operator Lottomatrix, making the Jackpot.com operator the 66th licensee in Sweden on the heels of earlier week licence application approvals for Dreambox Games, Ellmount Gaming, Legolas Invest, LeoVegas esports joint venture Pixel Digital and More Tech Group.

Outlook

Spelinspektionen took over the regulation reins from Lotteriinspektionen on January 1st, and immediately took a more proactive approach to enforcement of guidelines, in this tender period in which Sweden launches is liberalised market. It looks like it's first major task is going to be preventatively safeguarding against aggressive operators overeager to gain lead position in the liquid economy of Scandinavia's largest market.
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These 2 Chinese companies give single women employees leave to find love

International

oi-Shubham Ghosh

Beijing, Jan 25: Two Chinese companies, in a move of compassion, have decided to give 'dating leaves' to their women employees aged over 30 to help them avoid the stigma of being tagged as 'leftover women'. According to a report in South China Morning Post, the two firms that are behind a tourist attraction themed on Song Dynasty in eastern China are allowing their single women employees time to "go home and date" as the country is preparing for the Lunar New Year.

Hangzhou Songcheng Performance and Hangzhou Songcheng Tourism Management have notified that the unmarried women in "non-frontline" roles would get an extra eight days of leave besides the normal week-long break in quest for Cupid's strike.

Eighty-plus man bought 55,000 gowns for his wife for this reason

While it seemed to be sensational for many, the idea also aimed at dealing with issues that women in their 30s face in the Chinese society. Such women are seen as 'less preferred' by men because of their age and are called 'leftover women' or 'shengnu'. The country's marriage rate has also slumped since 2013, according to its civil affairs ministry which has seen almost 200 million single adults, The Telegraph reported.

"Women employees mostly work in internal functional departments and some are show performers ... some female staff have less contact with the outside world. Therefore, we hope to give more leave to female staff, to give them more time and opportunities to be in contact with the opposite sex," Hangzhou Songcheng Performance human resources manager Huang Lei was quoted as saying by online news outlet Zhejiang Online. He also said that the employees were pleased with the decision.

A Hangzhou school has also given single teachers 'love leave'

A high school in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, also gave its single, stressed-out teachers an additional two days off every month as "love leave" provided it did not hurt their teaching responsibilities.

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Story first published: Friday, January 25, 2019, 9:08 [IST]
No end of tunnel yet: 2 bills to end US govt shutdown fail in Senate

International

oi-Shubham Ghosh

Washington, Jan 25: The government shutdown in the US seems to be a dark, endless tunnel as the US Senate on Thursday, January 24, rejected two bills that aimed ending the stalemate. The shutdown, which is in force since December 22, is the longest ever in the history of the world's oldest democracy and left a serious impact on its people and economy.

While the Republican legislation failed by 50-47, that of the Democrats failed by 52-44. They needed 60 votes to be successful. In the meantime, eight lakh furloughed federal employees, who have been spending days without pay for over a month now, are set to miss yet another pay on February, January 25.

Height of insensitivity! US commerce secy advises unpaid federal workers to take loans to cover cost

The Democratic bill failed to pass despite six Republican defectors voting for it, include former presidential candidate Mitt Romney. Had the bill been passed, the government would have reopened by February 8. On the other hand, one Democrat backed the Republican legislation which would have sanctioned the wall worth $5.7 billion that President Donald Trump is eyeing to build a wall along America's southern border with Mexico. It would also have saved, albeit temporarily, from deportation some US residents who had entered the country without documentation as kids.

Soon afterwards the bills tanked, the Senate leaders from both the parties discussed briefly a new proposal to reopen the government agencies for three weeks, CNN reported.

While Trump said he would not sign a bill if the "down payment" on the wall was made, Democratic leader of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi said the president's stand was without a reason.

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Story first published: Friday, January 25, 2019, 8:54 [IST]
Explained: Why New Zealand imposed restrictions on travellers from India. Will other countries follow?

Why this BBC interview of New Zealand PM irked Twitterati

International

oi-Shubham Ghosh

Wellington, Jan 25: New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has made special headlines for not just being a country's premier but also as an unmarried mother and a working woman. However, a recent interview of her to BBC News came under criticism as the 38-year-old was asked what were perceived to be sexist questions and the news outlet was blasted on social media.

Ardern, who became mother just a few months ago and was seen with her newborn at big international meetings, was asked whether she has plans to marry her partner Clarke Gayford and about guilt pangs for being a working mother. The questions from Victoria Derbyshire came after Ardern spoke on more relevant topics like trade deal with the UK post Brexit and the emerging world order.

Ardern was a little surprised when she was asked whether she had plans to propose to Gayford to which she said "No I would not ask, no."

Meet the man who took care of New Zealand PM's 3-month-old baby at UN when she delivered speech

The next question was whether the prime minister was a feminist. To this, the latter said she is indeed a feminist, but added: "But no, I want to put him through the pain and torture of having to agonise about that question himself, that's letting him off the hook, absolutely not."

"I want to put [my partner] through the torture and pain of having to agonise about that question himself"



New Zealand @jacindaardern tells us she is a feminist, but she'd never be the one to pop the questionhttps://t.co/MCAoKLpCGK #VictoriaLIVE pic.twitter.com/rfbSp4NOmf  Victoria Derbyshire (@VictoriaLIVE) January 21, 2019

The interviewer said at this point: "OK, fair enough. We await that day."

The NZ prime minister, who is only the second world leader to turn a mother while in office, was also asked whether she experienced "guilt" for being a working mother. She admitted that it was "sometimes a struggle" but also added that it also gave her valuable and "insightful" experience that was more like how every woman balances their work and family duties.

The PM also discussed bringing up her daughter Neve Te Aroha Ardern Gayford and said she was "a mother, not a superwoman".

The Twitterati was clearly not amused by the personal questions posed by the BBC interviewer and came up with strong disapproval. Here are some of the reactions on Twitter on the issue:

Honestly @BBCNews youre asking a Prime Minister if shes going to propose to her husband & when she says no questioning her #feminist credentials? Seriously questioning your inappropriate & lazy #journalism lately  https://t.co/BjgnPpp3u1  Charlotte Minvielle (@Cha_Minvielle) January 23, 2019

In stead of taking a jab at Jacinda Ardern's feminism maybe Victoria Derbyshire should look at her sexist interview questions, including asking Ardern how she balances motherhood and running a country and whether she feels guilty about it https://t.co/oM5SzXZE1P  Alexandra Sinclair (@alexandrasinc10) January 22, 2019

I think its time we stop asking women whether they feel guilty about going to f*cking work. #Feminism https://t.co/OTrdU4TAI5  Shiran Avni (@AvniShiran) January 22, 2019

And how do you juggle running the country and being a mum ? Stupid question from a stupid woman. https://t.co/1HyvjRmJ1h  Mike Carlton (@MikeCarlton01) January 22, 2019

Jacinda is amazing in this interview, warm and articulate, but sheesh these questions just arent asked of male leaders with children. https://t.co/Pq726P4wAt  Bounder (@DawgBelly) January 22, 2019

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Story first published: Friday, January 25, 2019, 9:22 [IST]
List of Chief Guests at Indian Republic Day celebrations

Infographics

oi-Oneindia Staff

By Anuj Cariappa

New Delhi, Jan 22: January 26 is celebrated as Republic Day. Every year the guest of honour is a foreign leader. This year South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa will be the chief guest for the Republic Day parade, which is held in New Delhi.

Below, we provide you the list of Chief Guests for Republic Day since the year 1950:
Will Priyanka challenge Modi at Varanasi?

India

oi-Oneindia Staff

By Anuj Cariappa

New Delhi, Jan 25: Posters urging Priyanka Gandhi to contest the coming general elections from Varanasi-- Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Lok Sabha constituency-- came up in the holy city on Thursday.

The local unit of the Congress too demanded that Priyanka, who formally entered politics on Wednesday and was appointed the general secretary for Uttar Pradesh East, be pitted directly against Modi to galvanise voters of UP and neighbouring states.

The Priyanka effect: Congress to play long innings in UP

The posters featuring Priyanka Gandhi in the middle, Congress president Rahul Gandhi on the top and local Congress leader Ajay Rai, who had contested against Modi in 2014, at the bottom, have come up across Varanasi.

The lines, "Kashi Ki Janta Kare Pukar, Priyanka Gandhi Ho Sansad Hamar. We want Priyanka", were printed in bold letters in the centre of the posters.

Holding the posters and shouting slogans, some youth Congress workers also took out a march in the Lahurbir locality demanding that Priyanka be declared the party's candidate from Varanasi.

"The Congress party soldiers (workers) are ready to make her (Priyanka) win the elections from the temple town constituency... If she contests from here, the impact would be felt in the neighbouring states as well," Rai said.

"The wave of PM Modi has now faded as people want to get rid of the Modi-Shah misrule who have ruined the lives of scorers of small businessmen and rendered thousands of people jobless due to their faulty policies and chest thumping," he added.

Rai expressed confidence that the Congress would win the 2019 Lok Sabha elections as well as the 2022 assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh.

The country witnessed a negative economic growth during the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) rule, Rai said.

Criticising the the Union government's Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas event being held in Varanasi from January 21 to 23, the Congress leader questioned why the dates of the event were changed.

Why Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's formal entry into politics matters

The event is held to pay respects to father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi, who returned to India from South Africa on January 9. The BJP changed the dates to gain political mileage, he said.

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Story first published: Friday, January 25, 2019, 6:15 [IST]
Weather forecast for Jan 26: Heavy rains likely in Hyderabad

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

New Delhi, Jan 25: Here is the weather forecast for Bengaluru, Delhi, Lucknow and Hyderabad on January 26.

Bengaluru:

Rain in South India has remained on the sidelines ever since Northeast Monsoon bid adieu. In fact, the states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Telangana have not seen much rains with some of the cities remaining practically dry for the longest time. As predicted by Skymet weather, major cities of Bengaluru, Chennai, as well as Hyderabad will be the ones seeing some rainfall activity. Along with this, Puducherry may also be seeing some rainfall activity in the same time frame.

Delhi:

On January 19, an anti-cyclone was marked over Northeast Rajasthan and adjoining parts of Delhi in the lower level. As predicted by Skymet weather, during the next 24 hours, clouding over the region will be increasing continuously, due to which slight decrease in day temperatures cannot be ruled out. But night temperatures are expected to increase significantly. From January 21 evening, spell of rain and thundershower with strong winds is likely to affect over Delhi and its adjoining areas such as Gurugram, Noida, Faridabad and Ghaziabad.

Lucknow:

The rainy spell has tightened its grip over Uttar Pradesh. At present, intense clouding can be seen over parts of the state, particularly Lucknow, Kanpur, Hardoi, Bahraich, Barabanki, and Gonda. As predicted by Skymet weather, rains would be now reducing significantly over most parts of the state, barring isolated pockets of southern and southeast districts may receive light rains with one or two moderate showers.

Hyderabad:

It's been more than a month now that the weather over Andhra Pradesh and Telangana is dry with no signs of rain. Minimums over these states were significantly below normal until January 21. According to weathermen, moderate to heavy rains are likely to lash many parts of Telangana during the next 24 hours. These showers would be accompanied with strong winds and hailstorm.

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Story first published: Friday, January 25, 2019, 17:23 [IST]
Top BJP leaders, including Modi, Shah, Aditynanath, to address rallies in West Bengal

India

pti-PTI

New Delhi, Jan 25: The BJP will hold rallies of its top leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, party chief Amit Shah and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, in West Bengal as it seeks to organise up to 200 public meetings by February 8 in the state to boost its tally of seats there in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

BJP general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya, who is the party's in-charge of the state, said there was widespread anger against West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) president Mamata Banerjee and that the saffron party's extensive campaign would turn the tide against her party.

"We will win up to 25 seats (in West Bengal). There is anger against the TMC, which rules by coercion and fear. There is no democracy in the state. But the BJP will show that it is up to the challenge and will rally the masses against the state government," he said. Modi will hold two rallies in West Bengal on February 2 and another one on February 8, while Shah will address a public meeting on January 29, party leaders said.

Union ministers Rajnath Singh, Smriti Irani and Dharmendra Pradhan and former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan are also among those who will address the saffron party's rallies.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is looking to organise anywhere between 150 and 200 public meetings in West Bengal, involving its national and state leaders, by February 8, Vijayvargiya said.

The BJP had won only two of West Bengal's 42 Lok Sabha seats in the 2014 general election and Shah had identified it as one of the states for the party to boost its tally in the 2019 polls. The saffron party has gained in vote share during various by-polls and local elections in West Bengal, but the TMC has maintained its preeminent position in the state.

PTI
Why govt used COVID-19 data as 'propaganda tool' rather than to stop coronavirus, asks Priyanka Gandhi

Indians do not come first for PM, politics does: Priyanka on Covid crisis

'Misuse of donation an insult to faith': Priyanka Gandhi on alleged Ayodhya land deal

The Priyanka effect: Congress to play long innings in UP

India

oi-Oneindia Staff

By Anuj Cariappa

New Delhi, Jan 25: Congress president Rahul Gandhi said he has given his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, newly-inducted general secretary with charge of eastern Uttar Pradesh, the target of ensuring that the party forms the next government in the state.

The Congress will also fight the coming Lok Sabha polls with "full strength", he said at a public meeting in his constituency.

His two-day visit to Amethi starting Wednesday had coincided with the formal entry of Priyanka Gandhi in politics, after years of speculation on whether she would take the plunge.

Why Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's formal entry into politics matters

She has been appointed general secretary for Uttar Pradesh East, while Jyotiraditya Scindia holds charge of UP West.

"Priyanka and Scindia have been given a target. That is to form a Congress government in Uttar Pradesh in the next election by defeating and wiping out the BJP," the Congress president said.

"Unlike PM Modi, I do not talk of a 'BJP-mukt Bharat' but speak with respect," Gandhi said, referring to Narendra Modi's call to "free" India of the Congress.

Whether it is Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh or Tamil Nadu, everywhere the Congress will fight with full might on the front foot, and you will see that after the Vidhan Sabha elections there will be a Congress government in the state," he said.

"In the Lok Sabha polls, we will contest with full strength, without taking a backward step," he said, referring to the election just months away.

He criticised the Central government over the Rafale aircraft deal and accused the prime minister of "waiving" industrialists' loans, charges countered earlier by the government.

"The watchman proved to be a thief," he said, and repeated the slogan, "Gali gali mein shor hai, chowkidar chor hai."

Earlier in the morning, Gandhi visited a local Shiva temple after meeting party workers at a guesthouse.

Addressing a public meeting in Salon area, he termed himself, his sister and mother Sonia Gandhi as "soldiers" for the people of the constituency.

While Rahul Gandhi won the 2014 parliamentary elections from Amethi, Sonia Gandhi is an MP from adjacent Rae Bareli.

While going out to vote, people will see Indira Gandhi in Priyanka: Shiv Sena

Both fall under the turf carved out for Priyanka Gandhi. Narendra Modi's Varanasi constituency and chief minister Yogi Adityanath's bastion Gorakhpur are also in eastern UP.

Rahul Gandhi reiterated he has full respect for leaders like Bahujan Samaj Party president Mayawati and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and his father Mulayam Singh Yadav.

The SP and the BSP recently forged an alliance for UP in the coming Lok Sabha polls, keeping the Congress out of the pact.

The Congress president said the prime minister had not kept his poll promise on creating jobs, and suggested that the Bharatiya Janata Party government had slowed development in his constituency.

"You will get your food park back, not 99 per cent but 101 per cent. All development projects that have been stalled by Narendra Modi and Yogiji to hurt you will be back," he said.

"The BJP people are spreading hatred in the name of religion, caste and region. They get people of UP and Bihar thrown out of Gujarat, get Hindus and Muslims fight each other,'" he charged.

"Narendra Modi means hatred, he is the symbol of hatred," he said. "We will remove Modi in 2019 and no one can stop this."

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Story first published: Friday, January 25, 2019, 5:45 [IST]
Indias second-smallest state gets second-biggest government hospital

India

oi-Shubham Ghosh

Gangtok, Jan 25: The hilly state of Sikkim often comes to the headlines for its government's people- and environment-friendly policies. Last week, India's second smallest state made the headlines yet another time and this time, the reason was the opening of the country's second-biggest government hospital on its soil. Sikkim is India's second-smallest state after Goa.

Chief Minister Pawan Chamling, who is the longest-serving incumbent now (since 1994), breaking the record of Left patriarch Jyoti Basu who was in power for 23 years in neighbouring West Bengal, inaugurated the hospital at Sochaygang which has 1,002 beds. The hospital, named New Sir Thutob Namgyal Memorial Multi-Speciality Hospital, is reportedly the second biggest healthcare facility only after New Delhi's All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), a report in Northeast Today said.

Sikkim plans to roll out Universal Basic Income scheme as first state in country

The hospital is built on 15 acres of land and it took nine years and Rs 1,281 crore to set up the entire project. The 10-storeyed hospital building can also resist earthquake measuring up to eight on Richter Scale. It has 13 lifts and 23 operation theatres besides several departments. It also houses sophisticated equipment and round-the-clock bus service will be available to carry passengers and attendants to and from the state capital of Gangtok for free.

"After AIIMS, this is the biggest government hospital in the country and our government has created history. The 100-year-old Sir Thutob Namgyal Memorial Hospital located in the heart of the capital would be now shifted to the new hospital by the end of this month," Chamling was quoted as saying while inaugurating the hospital.

The new hospital will replace the existing 100-year-old hospital by the same located in the heart of Gangtok.

Indian Army rescues 150 tourists stranded in Sikkim snow; army answers SOS

The hospital will start functioning from February 1. As of now, the government has appointed 47 regular doctors and over 260 nurses and the procedure is on to rope in more specialists and paramedics, the chief minister said, adding the hospital will give free treatment to residents of the state as well patients from the neighbouring regions.

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Story first published: Friday, January 25, 2019, 17:15 [IST]
Pinjra Tod: Surprised Delhi HC examined issues that were not even challenged says SC

SC refuses to stay implementation of upper caste quota

India

oi-Vikas SV

New Delhi, Jan 25: The Supreme Court on Friday refused to stay the implementation of 10 percent quota for the economically weaker sections of upper caste, but said "we will examine the issue".

The apex court issued a notice to the Centre in a batch of petitions challenging the Constitution (124th) Amendment Act, 2019 and gave the Centre four weeks to respond, but refused to order a stay on the quota move. The pleas had sought the quashing of the Constitutional amendment.

Madras HC issues notice to Centre on DMK's plea against 10% quota

The petitions challenged the Constitution (124th Amendment) Bill, 2019 that was passed by the Parliament earlier this month paving the way for grant of reservation to general category people.

Earlier on Saturday, a bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi had said that it will hear together all the petitions contesting the bill to amend the constitution.

Centres's bill allowing for 10 percent quota to economically poor candidates form the general category was passed in the Rajya Sabha on January 10. The quota is over and above 50 percent mandated for the SCs, STs and the OBCs. A day after Lok Sabha approved The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty Fourth Amendment) Bill, 2019, the Rajya Sabha passed the law with 165 voting in favour and 7 against.

Reservation for general category poor reflects BJP's "upper caste mindset": Tejashwi Yadav

323 lawmakers voted in favour of the bill in Lok Sabha on January 8, whereas only three voting against it.

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Story first published: Friday, January 25, 2019, 11:37 [IST]
Republic Day eve speech: Lok Sabha polls 'once-in-a-century moment', says Kovind

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

New Delhi, Jan 25: President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday addressed the nation on the eve of the 70th Republic Day.

In his address to the nation on the eve of the 70th Republic Day, Kovind said,''Republic Day 2019 is an opportunity for all citizens of the country to remember independence, equality, & brotherhood.''

''This Independence Day is important for us in a special way. On Oct 2, we'll celebrate 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. Not only for India, but this anniversary is also an opportunity for entire world to understand,adopt and implement his principles,'' he said.

Speaking on the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Kovind said, "Elections to 17th Lok Sabha is a 'once-in-a-century moment'." Urging people to cast their votes, he said, "Decisions and actions of today will shape the India of the remainder of the 21st century."

Stating that India's pluralism is its greatest strength and its greatest example to the world, President Kovind said, "The 'Indian model' rests on a tripod of diversity, democracy and development. We cannot choose one above the other; we must have all three and we will have all three."

Speaking on the 10% quota for the poor under the general category, the President said, "The recent constitutional amendment to provide special facilities for talented children from poorer families is another step to an India of our dreams - and of Gandhiji's dreams."

"It is important to create avenues for such conversations, even if they are inconvenient. In a society experiencing rapid change, we must be prepared for such conversations," the President said.

"Our Republic's vision is of reaching democratic goals by democratic means, pluralistic goals by pluralistic means, enlightened goals by enlightened means, compassionate goals by compassionate means - and constitutional goals by constitutional means," Kovind said.

Ahead of the celebrations, chief guest for the Republic Day celebrations, President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosac arrived in India and was accorded the ceremonial Guard of Honour at the Rashtrapati Bhawan. Ramaphosac also visited the Rajghat and paid his tributes to Mahatma Gandhi during the day. The chief guest will accompany the President to the saluting dais on Saturday.
Family of man who married 38 women and had 200 children, grand-children refuse to perform last rites

'Pro-China protests in Mizoram: It happened ahead of 2014 Lok Sabha election as well

India

oi-Shubham Ghosh

Aizawl, Jan 25: Massive protests broke out in Aizawl, the capital of the north-eastern state of Mizoram on Wednesday, January 23, against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016. Effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh were burnt while placards reading "Hello China, Bye Bye India" were seen frequently.

Over 30,000 people responded to the protests called by students and NGOs and student leaders warned that if pushed to the wall, the protesters will not hesitate from picking up arms.

Powerful social bodies in the state like Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP) and Young Mizo Association (YMA) have even vowed to boycott Republic Day celebrations as part of the protest.

Mizos had shown similar protests in 2014

It was also in February 2014, just months ahead of the Lok Sabha election that year, that similar pro-China slogans were heard in Mizoram and "curfew" was imposed on "outsiders" in the state.

The reason for the protests then was against racial discrimination and attacks on people from that part of the country in places like Delhi. The 'Hello China' placards are seen in a state which though has no border with that China.

Protests rage on in Assam over Citizenship Bill

The protesters had said then that they were disappointed with India's treatment of them like 'second-class citizens' and that there are some countries in the neighbourhood where they feel more at home since they would not be discriminated there on the basis of their physical traits.

Even the BJP unit of the neighbouring state of Manipur had sent a memorandum to then prime minister Manmohan Singh, urging to frame anti-racism law to safeguard the people of north-east.

Mizos are angry again in 2019

Five years since that protests against the feeling of alienation in their own country, the Mizos are angry again, this time over the Citizenship Bill.

Unlike in Assam where infiltration from Bangladesh has been an old issue, the concern in Mizoram is against the threat from the influx of "illegal Chakmas".

The Chakmas constitute over 10 per cent of the population of Mizoram and a large section of the Mizos do not consider them as part of their state and consider them as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh.

Mizo groups have also protested in the past seeking dissolution of Chakma Autonomous District Council.

The controversial citizenship bill which was passed in the Lok Sabha earlier this month aims to amend the Citizenship Act 1955 by relaxing the citizenship eligibility rules for migrants belonging to six communities -- Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi, and Christian - from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh.

Contentious Citizenship Amendment Bill passed in Lok Sabha

Even though there has been change of guards at both Centre (Congress in 2014, BJP in 2019) and state (Congress in 2014, Mizo National Front in 2019), yet the Mizos' are far from satisfied on questions of ethnicity and citizenship.

The north-east continues to find itself at a precarious distance from mainland India and no political leadership has yet been able to bridge the gap, even if there is more universality in the changing political colours in the region - from Congress to non-Congress.

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Story first published: Friday, January 25, 2019, 16:49 [IST]
Priyanka's entry in politics will not have any impact on outcome of LS polls: Yogi Adityanath

India

pti-PTI

Noida (UP), Jan 25: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday said Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's entry into active politics would not have any impact on the outcome of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls as "zero plus zero results in zero".

Adityanath also dubbed Priyanka Gandhi's appointment as the Congress general secretary for eastern UP an extension of the "political dynasty" culture in the party. "Zero plus zero results in zero. This would not make any impact on the poll outcome. With her appointment, the Congress has only extended its culture of political dynasty," he told reporters here.

Priyanka Gandhi, 47, the sister of Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, was Wednesday appointed the party's general secretary for UP East, effective from February. Her region of responsibility would also include Gorakhpur, from where Adityanath has been a five-time member of parliament.

The chief minister, who was here to inaugurate the Noida-Greater Noida Metro Rail and half-a-dozen infrastructure projects, also took on rivals Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party.

"Earlier there was a jinx associated with Noida and Greater Noida. It was said that any chief minister who visits this region loses his/her chair. Hence this region remained ignored," he said referring to former chief minister Akhilesh Yadav and Mayawati, without naming them. "When I became the chief minister, I was asked if I would visit the twin-cities in western UP, I said why not! Noida and Greater Noida are also part of UP. We are not working for the chair or power, we are working for the people. I have visited this region multiple times since March 2017 and would continue to do so in future," Adityanath said.

Flanked by Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri, he hit out at the previous governments for not being able to complete development works in a time-bound manner. "During the previous Samajwadi Party's government's full term in the state, 20,000 houses were sanctioned under the central housing scheme for all, but in a short span of time, we have built more than eight lakh houses. We are speeding up our efforts to make more houses for the people, he said.

PTI
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Pak army lobs mortars into Indian territory

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

New Delhi, Jan 25: The Pakistan Army targeted forward posts and civilian areas along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district with mortars and small arms, official said.

The Indian Army is effectively retaliating.

"Pakistan Army initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation by small arms fire and shelling with mortars in Sunderbani Sector since 0915 hours", the Defence PRO said.

The Pakistan Army also targeted forward posts in Mendhar sector of Poonch district on Wednesday night, officials said.

Pak army claims it shot down Indian spy quadcopter

Officials said the Pakistan Army is continuously firing 120 mm and 81 mm mortars when last reports came in.

The shelling and firing has triggered panic among border dwellers.

Northern Army Commander Lt Gen Ranbir had said on Thursday last that a befitting reply will be given to ceasefire violations by Pakistani troops.

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Story first published: Friday, January 25, 2019, 6:07 [IST]
MeT dept warning: Thunder showers likely in parts of Uttar Pradesh in next 3 hours

India

oi-Vikas SV

Lucknow, Jan 25: The MeT department on Friday issued a weather warning for parts of Uttar Pradesh. Heavy rains and thunderstorms are likely to hit Prayagraj, Hathras, Agra, Etah, Sant Ravidas Nagar districts and adjoining areas in the next three hours.

"Rain/Thundershowers accompanied with hail is very likely to occur today during next three hours at some places over Prayagraj, Hathras, Agra, Etah, Sant Ravidas Nagar districts and adjoining areas," ANI quoted Lucknow MeT department as saying.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had on Monday issued a rain and thunderstorm warning for several areas in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

Weather forecast for Jan 25: Scattered rains likely in Bengaluru

Uttar Pradesh was experiencing dry weather conditions since the last few days. However, western parts of Uttar Pradesh had received few spells of good rains therefore the state's rain deficiency was dwindling somewhere at 10% as on January 22.

During the last 24 hours, however, moderate to heavy rains have occurred over the state therefore we expect this deficiency to fade away as well. Moreover, there are chances of West Uttar Pradesh to even become surplus in rains by a few percent. East Uttar Pradesh was also running on the same lines and the rain deficiency here stood near to 90 percent.

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Story first published: Friday, January 25, 2019, 9:00 [IST]
CBI raids former Haryana CM Hooda

India

oi-Vikas SV

New Delhi, Jan 25: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) raided over 30 places in the Delhi-NCR in connections land scam case involving former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Hooda. The CBI has also registered a fresh case against former Bhupinder Singh Hooda over alleged irregularities in land allotment

CBI teams raided his house in Rohtak and several other premises in Delhi and the National Capital Region in connection with alleged land irregularities during the Congress leader's tenure as chief minister.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had last year (2018) filed charge-sheet against former Haryana CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda and 33 others in Panchkula court in connection to a land acquisition scam causing loss of around Rs 1500 crore to farmers of Gurugram. The chargesheet, along with annexures, runs into more than 80,000 pages.

CBI names Bhupinder Singh Hooda, 33 others in Manesar land scam case

In May 2017, CBI questioned Hooda, who headed the government for 10 years till 2014, in connection with alleged irregularities in the allotment of industrial plots in Panchkula.

The agency had registered the case in September 2015 on allegations that private builders in conspiracy with unknown public servants of the Haryana government had purchased around 400 acres of land from farmers and land owners of village Manesar, Naurangpur and Gurgaon at throwaway prices.
Kodanad estate case: SC dismisses petition seeking CBI probe

India

oi-Vikas SV

New Delhi, Jan 25: The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a petition seeking CBI investigation into controversy over the break-in at former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa's Kodanad estate in 2017. The petition was filed by social activist KR Ramaswamy also known as Traffic Ramaswamy.

Ramaswamy had on January 14 sought CBI probe into the matter after some new details emerged in connection with the case.

Traffic Ramaswamy seeks CBI probe in Kodanad estate controversy

In April 2017, the security guard of the Kodanad estate, Jayalalithaa's retreat home in the hilly district of the Nilgiris, was found dead. It emerged during the probe that Jayalalithaa's former driver C Kanagaraj and K V Sayan had allegedly plotted the crime. A total of ten people had been arrested in the case, with a charge sheet also being filed.

According to reports, a 16-minute video was released by former Tehelka editor Samuel Mathew in Delhi on Friday (January 11), which claimed that the break-in and subsequent deaths of those involved in the crime, was linked to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi Palanisami. Based on interviews with men involved in the break-in, the journalist alleged that the crime was ordered by the Chief Minister to retrieve important documents from the estate.

Palaniswami had refuted the allegations and denied any involvement. He has also reportedly given a complaint to the Chennai police against the journalist.

Jayalalithaa is a 'convict', govt can't build a memorial: Traffic Ramaswamy moves HC

"Yesterday (Friday), former Tehelka editor Samuel Mathews released a video which links me to an incident (break-in) that occurred in Amma's Kodanad estate on April 24, 2017. This (charge) is completely contrary to facts, and there is no iota of truth in it," the Tamil Nadu CM told reporters on January 12.

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Story first published: Friday, January 25, 2019, 12:09 [IST]
Jaitley targets CBI over Kochhar probe, says adventurism taking over professionalism

India

pti-PTI

New Delhi, Jan 25: A day after the CBI named banking doyen K V Kamath and virtual who's who of the sector for questioning in the alleged fraud case against former ICICI Bank CEO Chanda Kochhar, union minister Arun Jaitley on Friday advised investigating agency to avoid "adventurism" and concentrate only on the bull's eye.

Jaitley, who is recuperating after a surgery in a hospital in the US, on Twitter said one of the reasons for "poor" conviction rate in India is that "adventurism and megalomania" overtakes investigators and professionalism takes a back seat.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday filed a case of criminal conspiracy and fraud against the Chanda Kochhar and her husband Deepak Kochhar. The agency also said Kamath as well as present ICICI Bank CEO Sandeep Bakshi, Goldman Sachs India Chairman Sonjoy Chatterjee, Standard Chartered Bank CEO Zarin Daruwala, Tata Capital head Rajiv Sabharwal and Tata Capital senior advisor Homi Khusrokhan need to be investigated for high-value loans ICICI Bank sanctioned under Kochaar to Videocon Industries. It alleged that the loans were extended in violation of bank's lending policies and in exchange for an investment by the consumer electronics company's owner in a business headed by Chanda Kochhar's husband.

"There is a fundamental difference between investigative adventurism and professional investigation," Jaitley wrote. "Sitting thousands of kilometres away, when I read the list of potential targets in the ICICI case, the thought that crossed my mind was again the same  Instead of focusing primarily on the target, is a journey to nowhere (or everywhere) being undertaken? If we include the entire who's who of the banking industry  with or without evidence  what cause are we serving or actually hurting."

Jaitley, who was finance minister of India till last week and had to temporary handover the charge to his fellow minister Piyush Goyal for the duration of his indisposition, advised the investigators  "Follow the advice of Arjun in the Mahabharat  Just concentrate on the bull's eye." Investigative adventurism, he said, involves casting the net too wide including people with no 'mens rea' or even having a common intention to commit an offence, relying on presumptions and surmises with no legally admissible evidence.

"Adventurism leads to media leaks, ruins reputations and eventually invites strictures and not convictions. In the process, the targets are ruined because of harassment, loss of reputation and financial costs. It costs people their career," he wrote.

"Professional investigation targets the real accused on the basis of actual and admissible evidences. It rules out fanciful presumptions. There is no personal malice or corruption. It targets the guilty and protects the innocent. It secures convictions and furthers public interest," Jaitley said. One of the reasons why conviction rates in India are poor is that "adventurism and megalomania overtakes our investigators and professionalism takes a back seat," he wrote.

PTI
J&K: Militants attack CRPF camps with grenades on Republic Day eve, security tightened

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

Jammu, Jan 25: Two grenade attacks by suspected militants were reported in Kashmir on Friday even as multi-tier security arrangements have been put in place across the Valley ahead of Republic Day celebrations.

A police constable was wounded on his leg when suspected militants lobbed a grenade on a police party in the bus stand of Anantnag town late on Friday afternoon. He has been hospitalised, a police official said.

Another grenade was lobbed at a CRPF camp in Tahab area of Pulwama district which burst outside the camp with no loss of life or property.

A third blast happened near a CRPF bunker in north Kashmir Sopore town without any consequences. SP Sopore, Javid Iqbal said they are ascertaining the nature of the blast. "Can't say whether it was a grenade or something else. We are checking if any nearby shops have been damaged," he said.

However, so far, the J&K police have not issued any details about the attacks that took place in Shopian, Sopore and Tral. "Two incidents of hurling of grenade by terrorists reported: #Anantnag and #Pulwama. Investigation is in progress. @JmuKmrPolice," the police had tweeted.

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Story first published: Friday, January 25, 2019, 23:43 [IST]
India's 70th Republic Day celebrated by Google Doodle

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

New Delhi, Jan 25: Today's Google Doodle celebrates the 70th Republic Day of India. Republic Day is celebrated to mark the day when India formally adopted the constitution and became an independent republic. The main celebration of Republic Day involves a parade in the national capital which starts from the iconic India Gate and carries on along the Rajpath.

The parade includes marching contingents, various tableaux and performances showcasing the different cultures of the country. This year's parade will feature tableaux from 14 states and union territories, and nine central ministries.

"Republic Day is one of only three national holidays celebrated all across India, the other two being Independence Day on August 15 and Mahatma Gandhi's birthday on October 2," wrote the search engine in its description of the important day. "

Reshidev RK, recreated the colorful celebrations and depicted the famous parade floats that decorate the city, each representing a different component of India's history: environment, architecture, textiles, wildlife, monuments, and farming. Observances last for four days, coming to a conclusion on January 29th with the Beating Retreat ceremony, featuring the bands of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force," read the description.

Reshidev RK is a fine arts student from Kannur in Kerala who is inspired by geometry in traditional art forms, his signature style includes a lot of colours and patterns. In his free time he creates designer sneakers, trunk boxes, clay models and other interesting artifacts. As an artist he always strivex to be prolific and try different kinds of mediums. He is currently an Art Director at Wieden + Kennedy New Delhi.

Today, India will be celebrating its 70th Republic Day on Saturday, January 26, 2019. After August 15 (Independence Day), the 26th of January is considered the most important day or national holiday in India and rightfully so. Because the Republic Day marks the coming into force of India's own constitution and the nation becoming a 'Republic' in the true sense of the word.

India adopted the constitution on November 26, 1949, which came into force on January 26, 1950, marking the country's first Republic Day.

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Story first published: Saturday, January 26, 2019, 0:35 [IST]
Republic Day Highlights: 90-minute iconic parade at Rajpath ends with a grand show of IAF's flypast

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

New Delhi, Jan 26: India is celebrating its 70th Republic Day today. South African President Cyril Ramaphos is the chief guest this year. He is accompanied by First Lady Dr. Tshepo Motsepe along with a high-level delegation that includes nine ministers, senior officials, and a 50-member business contingent.

Ramaphos is the second South African President after Nelson Mandela to be the chief guest at the Republic Day Parade on the historic Rajpath.

Here are the Highlights:
Here's why Chandrababu Naidu wants Andhra people to have more than 3 children

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

New Delhi, Jan 25: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday batted for four children in every household stating concerns of the increasing death rate.

Addressing a public gathering in Amaravati on Friday, Naidu said that he would get the clause quashed from the Panchayat Act, which does not allow a candidate to contest if he/she has more than two children.

"These days youngsters don't want to marry. Even if they agree to marry, they don't want to have children. That is a dangerous trend,'' he said and added that India's pride is its family system and we need to safeguard it.

"We have to say it again and again and make people aware," the TDP chief said in Amaravati today.

The Telugu Desam Party supremo further said that his earlier decree for Panchayat polls, as per which those having more than two children cannot contest, has also been quashed.

Yoga guru Baba Ramdev received support from BJP MP Giriraj Singh for his statement on population control. Ramdev had warned about the dark future of the country due to increasing population and said those having more than two kids should be deprived of voting rights as well as the right to contest an election.

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Story first published: Friday, January 25, 2019, 23:59 [IST]
Haryana land cases again haunt Hooda and Congress

India

oi-Hardeep Singh Bedi

New Delhi, Jan 25: Former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Haryana land deals were again in news on Friday after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) raided his residence and other places related to him.

The raids were carried out at over 30 places in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR), Punjab, Haryana over alleged irregularities in land allotment during Hooda's tenure in the state.

When the CBI sleuths reached Hooda's residence in Rohtak then he was reportedly present at his home and was planning to address a rally in favour of Congress candidate Randeep Singh Surjewala for Jind by-poll scheduled for January 28.

The case pertains to 1,407 acres in Gurgaon where the previous Congress government led by Hooda had issued a notification on June 2, 2009 under Section 4 of the Land Acquisition Act 1894 for acquiring the land of Nagli Umarpur, Tigra, Ullhawas, Kadarpur, Maidawas, Badshahpur, Behrampur and Ghata for the purpose of development of residential Sectors 58 to 63 and residential-commercial Sectors 65 to 67.

The land acquisition collector finally passed the award only for 87 acres on December 22, 2011. Thus, there was release of about 95% of the notified land for acquisition. Taking the CBI investigation into the release of land in Manesar into consideration, the Supreme Court, while hearing a petition, had ordered a CBI probe into the acquisition and release process.

Under the Land Acquisition Act 1894, the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) and Haryana State Industrial Development Corporation (HSIDC) have powers to acquire land under Section 4 & 6 through the issuance of notifications, while the award of licence is announced under Section 9.

The Congress was miffed over the raids and alleged that it was an attempt by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led Union Government to harass opposition leaders.

Senior Congress leader Anand Sharma told reporters in New Delhi that the Narendra Modi government is rattled and sensing an imminent defeat, Prime Minister Modi was taking such actions.

He further warned the officials that the governments don't have permanency and when the new Union Government assumes charge after the general elections then the officials, who have been acting on the directions of today's political masters, will have to answer.

Is uneasiness behind Sharma's warning to CBI officials?

The political analysts say the way Sharma has warned CBI officials shows that there is 'uneasiness' in the grand old party due to Haryana land allotment cases have indirect affect on Congress' top brass.

While a Haryana land allotment case involves Associated Journal Limited (AJL) in which two senior Congress leaders Motilal Vohra and Oscar Fernandes are directors, the other case involves new Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's husband Robert Vadra.

AJL Land Allotment Case

In December last year, the CBI special court summoned Hooda and Motilal Vohra in the Associated Journals Limited (AJL) land case.

AJL is the publisher of National Herald, a newspaper closely associated with the Congress party.

Hooda, who was the then chief minister of Haryana, is accused of allotting a plot to the subsidiary of AJL in 2005 at the market rates of 1982 i.e. Rs 91 per sq m.

Hooda is accused of causing a loss of Rs 67 crore to Haryana Urban Development Authority

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has attached the controversial plot saying it was allotted fraudulently and the AJL had acquired loans from a bank by mortgaging the same plot despite the fact that the allotment was illegal.

Vadra and Haryana Land Allotment

In September last year, Haryana Police booked Robert Vadra and Hooda for alleged irregularities in land deals in Gurugram.

The police registered the case against Vadra, Hooda and others on September 1 at Kherki Daula police station on the complaint of Surender Sharma, a resident of Tauru, who alleged that a company belonging to Vadra's Skylight Hospitality had cheated people and the government.

Sharma alleged that when Hooda was Haryana Chief Minister and held the portfolio of the Town and Country Planning Department then Vadra's company Skylight Hospitality Pvt Ltd purchased 3.5 acres of land in Gurugram's Sector 83 from Onkareshwar Properties for Rs 7.50 crore in 2008 and later sold it to real estate major DLF at a price of Rs 58 crore after procuring commercial license for the development of the colony with the influence of Hooda.

In October, 2012, when the Congress was still in power in Haryana, senior IAS officer Ashok Khemka cancelled the mutation of the land deal between Skylight Hospitality and DLF. It was mired in controversy over allegations of undervaluation.

Vadra has denied the allegation and termed it as political vendetta by saying that he will "always be used for political gains".

Is it really a political vendetta?

After Friday's raid, Hooda too said that the raids were a result of political vendetta and would fight the battle himself. But, is it really a case of political vendetta?

The timing of the CBI raids may give the BJP political advantage but calling entire Haryana land allotment cases political vendetta is misleading as even state's land scam cases have landed before the Supreme Court of India.

In 2016, the apex court quashed the "illegal" and "deceptive" licensing of 280 acres of land in Rohtak, Haryana in 2006 to Uddar Gaggan Properties Ltd. It gave huge relief to farmers and landowners.

The Supreme Court judgement was a blow to Hooda and other state officials who are facing multiple probes for facilitating the private enrichment of builders through similar illegal licencing.

It referred to then "the unholy nexus to promote the private interests" of builders by "transfer of resources of poor for the benefit of the rich", through "gross abuse of law" and "clear fraud".

There are a total of 6 CBI cases and several other vigilance department investigations against Hooda underway.

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Story first published: Friday, January 25, 2019, 20:00 [IST]
CAA to be implemented soon, TMC believes in divide and rule politics: BJP chief Nadda

Anti CAA stir that led to riots would be covered by definition of terrorist act: Delhi Court

CPI (M) to hold protest on Feb 4 against Citizenship Bill

India

oi-Hardeep Singh Bedi

New Delhi, Jan 25: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Friday announced to launch nationwide protest on February 4 against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill.

The Bill has been passed by the Lok Sabha and awaits the passage in the Rajya Sabha and is being opposed across the North Eastern states.

In a statement, the Polit Bureau of the CPI (M) said that the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill infringes on the basic premise of our Constitution of common citizenship regardless of diversities of caste, creed, gender, ethnicity and culture.

"The idea of unity in diversity stands threatened with this proposal which exclusively recognizes religious identity as the basis for citizenship," said the Left party.

Urging the the government not to proceed further with the legislative proposal and withdraw it altogether, the CPI (M) called for protest by the party units all over the countryon February 4 demanding the withdrawal of this proposed Citizenship (Amendment) Bill.

The Bill seeks to amend the Citizenship Act to make illegal migrants who are Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan, eligible for citizenship after residing in India for six years, as opposed to the current twelve-year requirement. This is applicable to those who came to India before December 31, 2014.

Meanwhile on Friday, the All Manipur Bar Association and the Manipur High Court Bar Association joined hands to hold the silent protest at the Cheirap Court complex at Imphal.

Residents of the North-Eastern states fear that the proposed amendment will lead to an influx of migrants, and therefore, change the demographic composition of the region.

However, the Ministry of Home Affairs has tried to allay fears of the North Eastern states by saying on Tuesday that foreigners would not be granted Indian citizenship without the consent of state governments concerned.

The MHA also said that a proposal to "provide incentives to those people who want to settle anywhere in India, except the North East" is currently under consideration.

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Story first published: Friday, January 25, 2019, 19:56 [IST]
Collective leadership need of the hour: Chandrababu Naidu

India

oi-Oneindia Staff

By Anuj Cariappa

Kolkata, Jan 25: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has stressed that "collective leadership" is the need of the hour for the 'Mahagathbandhan' (grand alliance) of opposition parties, and said the name of the leader for the prime minister's post would be declared after elections.

Naidu, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president, said that be it West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee or NCP chief Sharad Pawar, nobody is working single-handedly but functioning together.

He came down heavily on his Telangana counterpart K Chandrasekhar Rao for skipping the Trinamool Congress' (TMC) mega opposition rally in Kolkata on January 19, and described his absence from the event as "drama".

AP CM Chandrababu Naidu says EVMs turning out to be big threat to democracy

The absence of the BJD and Left parties at the Brigade Parade Ground national unity rally, which was participated by nearly two dozen opposition leaders, had also set tongues wagging.

Naidu also made a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and dubbed him as a "publicity-seeking prime minister, who only raises slogans and never performs".

"There is a need of a collective leadership. Politics is for serving people. It is through politics we will form the next government. Only post elections, we will announce the name of the leader," Naidu told PTI in an exclusive interview here on January 19.

The remarks came in response to a question about the possible face from the proposed coalition of the opposition parties for the prime minister's post.

"Nobody is working single-handedly. Not Mamata Banerjee, not Sharad Pawar, we are all together. Their (leaders in the 'Mahagathbandhan') commitment-level to save India is very high. It was clear during the rally in Kolkata. We all are working together, forgetting our differences.

"Didi (Mamata) had invited him (KCR), but he chose to skip the rally. It indicates that you are up to some drama. There are differences among political parties. (Arvind) Kejriwal has differences with the Congress, even Akhilesh (Yadav) and Mayawati joined hands in UP. It is time to come together for the sake of saving the nation," he said.

On the issue of electronic voting machines (EVMs), he said they were susceptible to "manipulation" and called for restoring the ballot paper system.

Naidu said the coalition of opposition parties would soon visit the Election Commission (EC) to press for their demand to do away with EVMs and return to paper ballot.

"The 'Mahagatbandhan' allies are planning to begin a nationwide debate on reintroducing ballot paper system for Lok Sabha elections. EVMs are not used in any other democracy," the TDP president said.

Chandrababu Naidu alleges Centre threatening to impose President rule in Andhra

The machines pose a big "risk" as the fate of the democracy lies in the hands of a computer programmer.

"Using EVMs means you are risking democracy in the hands of one individual, who is a computer operator or a programmer. No developed or technology-driven country, including the US, Japan or Germany, has allowed EVMs. Anybody can manipulate these machines," he said.

Naidu, who had pulled out of the NDA last year over denial of special category status to Andhra Pradesh, said the common people are "annoyed" over the performance of the present dispensation.

"Modi's slogans have to match his performance. That is missing. Common people have realised that he makes tall promises without delivering them. That is why they are annoyed. Because of him, the country is suffering. Today, democracy is under threat. This never happened in the past.

"All these sop announcements will be more damaging. He (Modi) might announce more (sops) on January 26. These are all panic reactions which will not help now. You (Modi) should have done all that in the past four-and-half years," he said.

On BJP's rule at the Centre during the present term, Naidu said, "We have lost five to six years and that agonises people. You cannot bring back time."

Referring to the "success" of previous coalition governments, the TDP leader said, "Earlier, P V Narasimha Rao had a minority government and fared well post the economic reforms. Then things started rolling. After that, we had two coalition governments under prime ministers (Atal Bihari) Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh.

"Now, he (Modi) has an absolute majority. If you compare these four governments, all of them performed better than the present dispensation. It indicates that a collective leadership performs well with timely reforms.

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Story first published: Friday, January 25, 2019, 6:20 [IST]
CJI Ranjan Gogoi sets up new Ayodhya bench; case to be heard on Tuesday

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

New Delhi, Jan 25: The Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi on Friday, 25 November reconstituted the bench to hear the Ayodhya land dispute case that will be heard on 29 January. The bench will now include Justice Ashok Bhushan and Justice Abdul Nazeer. The newly constituted Bench would decide on the date of the hearing and also whether the case would be heard on a day to day basis.

On 10 January, Justice UU Lalit had recused himself from the five-judge Constitution Bench after senior Advocate Rajeev Dhavan pointed out that Justice Lalit had appeared for Kalyan Singh in a related matter.

A three-judge bench of the Supreme Court had on September 27 last year, by 2:1 majority, refused to refer to a five-judge constitution bench for reconsideration of the observations in its 1994 judgement that a mosque was not integral to Islam.

When the matter was last taken up on January 4, there was no indication that the case would be referred to a constitution Bench.As many as 14 appeals have been filed in the Supreme Court against the 2010 Allahabad High Court judgement, delivered in four civil suits, that the 2.77-acre land be partitioned equally among the three parties -- the Sunni Waqf Board, the Nirmohi Akhara and Ram Lalla. The SC on October 29 last year had fixed the matter in the first week of January before the "appropriate bench".

Later, an application was moved for according an urgent hearing by advancing the date, but the top court had refused the plea, saying it had already passed an order on October 29 relating to the hearing of the matter.

Various Hindutava organisations have been demanding an ordinance on early construction of Ram temple at the disputed site.

The hearing on Tuesday assumes importance as Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier suggested any decision on an ordinance on Ram temple in Ayodhya can happen only after the completion of the judicial process.
BS Hooda dubs CBI raids against him as 'political vendetta'; Congress says govt rattled

India

oi-Vikas SV

New Delhi, Jan 25: Former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Friday dubbed CBI raids against him in connection with a land scam case as a "political vendetta".

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) raided over 30 places in the Delhi-NCR in connections land scam case involving BS Hooda.

"This is a result of political vendetta. I will fight this battle myself. I have complete faith in the judiciary. No one can silence my voice," Hooda told the media after raids.

CBI raids former Haryana CM Hooda

The Congress said raids against Hooda shows that the government is rattled.

"Officials must hear this. Governments do not have any permanency. There are few weeks left for the general elections to begin. It is certain this government is rattled, Prime Minister is staring at an imminent defeat, that's why these actions," senior Congress leader Anand Sharma said.

"When the new government resumes office, all such actions which have been at the behest of the political masters of today to harass, intimidate, frame and defame, even the charges, they will be held to account and they will have to answer," he added.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had last year (2018) filed charge-sheet against former Haryana CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda and 33 others in Panchkula court in connection to a land acquisition scam causing loss of around Rs 1500 crore to farmers of Gurugram. The chargesheet, along with annexures, runs into more than 80,000 pages.

In May 2017, CBI questioned Hooda, who headed the government for 10 years till 2014, in connection with alleged irregularities in the allotment of industrial plots in Panchkula. The agency had registered the case in September 2015 on allegations that private builders in conspiracy with unknown public servants of the Haryana government had purchased around 400 acres of land from farmers and land owners of village Manesar, Naurangpur and Gurgaon at throwaway prices.
Ashoka Chakra debuts in Kashmir: Lance Naik Wani you made India proud

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

New Delhi, Jan 25: The Ashoka Chakra, India's highest peacetime gallantry medal will be awarded posthumously to Lance Naik Ahmad Wani, who laid down his life during an anti-terror operation at Shopian in Jammu and Kashmir last year.

This would be the first time that a Kashmiri would be receiving the honour. The honour will be bestowed on Republic Day.

Terrorist to decorated soldier: Lance Naik Wani to be conferred Ashoka Chakra posthumously

"Lance Naik Nazir Ahmad Wani exhibited the most conspicuous gallantry in personality eliminating two terrorists and assisting in the evacuation of his wounded colleagues and made supreme sacrifice in the highest traditions of the Indian Army," a press release from the President's Secretariat said.

He was a terrorist initially. However, he realised that this entire exercise was a futile one. He went on to become a highly decorated Armyman and last year, he laid down his life battling terrorists.

Lance Naik Nazir Ahmed Wani was martyred while battling terrorists at Shopian in Jammu and Kashmir. Six terrorists were killed in the operation. Sadly, Wani, once an ikhwan was martyred in the operation. An ikhwan is one who has been a terrorist, but has surrendered to become involved in counter insurgency operations.

Lance Naik Wani, began his career with the 162 Battalion of the Territorial Army in 2004.

From terrorist to highly decorated soldier: A big salute to Lance Naik Wani

A highly decorated soldier, he had received the Sena Medal for gallantry in 2007. He had also received a bar to the Sena Medal in August this year. A resident of Cheki Ashmuji village in Kulgam, he is survived by his wife and two children. For this brave soldier, life came a full cycle. He was initially a terrorist, but over the years realised that violence was a futile exercise. He then surrendered and later became involved in counter-insurgency operations. On Monday, Lance Naik Wani's body was taken to his village. Draped in the Tricolur, he was given a 21 gun salute. The 38 year old soldier had been shot and injured during an operation at the Batagund village in Shopian on Sunday. He was evacuated to a hospital immediately, but succumbed to his injuries later.

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Story first published: Friday, January 25, 2019, 9:49 [IST]
All you need to know about Milan anti-tank guided missiles that India is set to procure from France

India

oi-Vikas SV

New Delhi, Jan 25: The Indian Army is planning to buy more than 3,000 Milan 2T anti-tank guided missiles from France. This will significantly bolster the Army's capability to thwart off advancing armoured divisions of the enemy.

An anti-tank missile, anti-tank guided missile (ATGM), anti-armour guided missile or anti-tank guided weapon (ATGW) is a missile that is created to destroy vehicles that are heavily armoured.

Indian Army requires around 70,000 anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM) of various types and around 850 launchers of different types. The Indian Army is planning to procure third-generation ATGMs with a longer range than that of its existing Milan-2T and Konkurs ATGMs.

Why India preferred Israel designed Spike missiles over US made Javelin?

After years of struggles with the development of the Nag third generation "fire-and-forget" anti-tank guided missile by India, it is literally raining Anti-Tank Missile Systems as India builds on the technological capabilities which were developed over the years and expertise developed that India has started many parallel projects which are fast maturing and soon India will not require them to be acquired from abroad anymore. But, this particilar deal seems like a stopgap arrangement till the indegenous systems are fully ready.

Indigenous anti-tank missiles:

NAG, HELINA, SANT (Stand-off Anti Tank) Missile, Cannon-launched Laser Guided Missile (CLGM), SAMHO, AMOGHA-1, AMOGHA-2, AMOGHA-3 are some of the indigenous anti-tank weapons that have either been sucessfully tested or under development.

The issue with DRDO is that it takes so long to develop weapons that the forces have to reply on imports.

MILAN Anti-Tank Missile System:

MILAN is a portable medium-range, anti-tank weapon manufactured by Euromissile, based in Fontenay-aux-Roses in France. Euromissile is a consortium originally set up by Aerospatiale-Matra of France and DaimlerChrysler Aerospace of Germany, now a subsidiary of the EADS company.

The munition consists of the missile in a waterproof launch tube. MILAN 2 has a single shaped charge warhead for use against very thick and composite armour. MILAN 2T and MILAN 3 missiles are armed with a tandem charge for use against reactive armour.

Indigenously-built anti-tank missile Nag test fired in Rajasthan

The first stage burns for 1.5s to eject the missile from the launcher to a distance of about 3m, and then the second stage burns for 11s giving a speed of over 200m/s and maximum range of 2km for a 12.5s time-of-flight, as per army-technology.com.

The MILAN 2 variant, which entered service with the French, German and British armies in 1984, utilizes an improved 115 mm HEAT warhead. The MILAN 3 entered service with the French army in 1995 and features a new-generation localizer that makes the system more difficult to jam electronically.

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Story first published: Friday, January 25, 2019, 9:29 [IST]
ABP-C Voter opinion poll: TMC to sweep West Bengal, but BJP may improve tally

India

oi-Vikas SV

New Delhi, Jan 25: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which could manage to win just two seats in West Bengal in 2014 Lok Sabha elections, is likely to better its performance this time around, but the eastern state would remain a Trinamool stronghold, according to ABP-C Voter poll survey.

As per the ABP-C Voter poll survey, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) is all set to win a lion's share of the seats in upcoming Lok Sabha polls in West Bengal. The incumbent Mamata Banerjee led TMC govt is likely to win 34 out of the 42 parliamentary seats in the state. The BJP may win seven seats which is more than three times it won in 2014. The Congress led UPA may win just one seat.

For the CPM, its all looking gloomy and the left party, which was a formidable force in the state for almost two decades, may not bag any seat. Looking at the vote shares of 2014 general elections, the trend that emerges is that the CPM's loss has been BJP's gain. BJP has eaten into CPM's vote share.

ABP News-CVoter predicts NDA, UPA won't get clear majority in LS polls

2014 Lok Sabha polls were the elections in which the BJP stormed to power at the Centre riding on what many refer to as the Modi wave. In West Bengal, however, the BJP could bag just two seats which was slightly better compared to 2009 elections when it could bag just one seat.

The India Today-Karvy Insights' Mood of the Nation poll has predicted that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led NDA alliance may win just 18 of the 80 Lok Sabha seats on the politically mist crutial state of Uttar Pradesh. The BJP had swept Uttar Pradesh in 2014 Lok Sabha elections by winning 71 seats, while its ally Apna Dal had won two. This time around, the formidable-looking Samajwadi Party (SP)-Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) alliance of which the Rashtriya Lok Dal is also a part may emerge on top and bag 58 seats.

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Story first published: Friday, January 25, 2019, 11:02 [IST]
7th Pay Commission: Why the TA for CG employees will not increase despite rise in DA

7th Pay Commission: What CG employees get good news today

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

New Delhi, Jan 25: There have been several reports suggesting that there could be some announcement regarding the 7th Pay Commission soon.

The reports emerged ahead of Republic Day and it was said that the government would make some announcement. Similar reports had emerged ahead of the Independence Day last year as well.

Let us put the issue to rest and there will be no announcement on the 7th Pay Commission tomorrow, January 26 2019. As OneIndia had reported earlier that only sops will be given, but that would be over a period of time.

Hence in this regard, the CG employees must keen a close watch on the Cabinet meetings that will take place. All announcements would be made during the Cabinet meetings and not on Republic Day, the official also confirmed.

In another development, there has been a change of guard at the Union Finance Ministry. Piyush Goyal has filled in for Arun Jaitley, who is away abroad for treatment. Will Goyal make some announcement in the absence of Jaitley?

It is highly unlikely because Goyal would look to focus more on the agrarian issues. Another issue is that all talks that the employees have had is with Jaitley. Hence until Jaitley returns to India, all issues regarding the 7th Pay Commission will remain pending.
Oneida County

Ice jams threaten communities

State deploys to assist with ice jam flooding in Oneida County and New York
The North Koreans no doubt hope they can manipulate Trump into new giveaways at a second summit, such as a relaxation of sanctions, a declaration ending the Korean War, or even the withdrawal of U.S. troops from South Korea. They have given no indication they will offer anything substantive in return.

At a meeting with the South Korean president last fall, Kim floated the shutdown of the aging nuclear facility at Yongbyon  a horse that has been peddled in previous negotiations.

Trumps diplomacy has not been fruitless: North Korea has now refrained from nuclear or missile tests for 13 months, breaking what looked, in Trumps first year in office, like a slide toward war. In his New Years address, Kim asserted that the regime will not produce, test nor proliferate any more nuclear weapons.

But the regime has never made an unambiguous commitment to give up its arsenal of warheads and missiles. Kim said no steps would be taken until sanctions on the country were lifted and that denuclearization must include the withdrawal of U.S. forces and assets from the region.

Perhaps there have been hints of greater flexibility in those letters to Trump. The danger is that Kim will use a second summit to persuade a gullible U.S. president to yield valuable concessions in return for fools gold.

Wed like to hope that Trumps advisers, such as Pompeo, would dissuade him from reckless action; but then, as the presidents recent decision to order U.S. troops out of Syria showed, hes not inclined to listen. All of which means that a resumption of U.S.-North Korean negotiations should be welcomed  but warily.
Just as he threatened not to surrender over the speech, Trump insists he will never cave on his demand that Congress give him $5.7 billion for a border wall. As I said, hes a slow learner. A deal that would let him claim some measure of victory has always been available. The only question is how much more political damage he wants to do to himself and his party before he takes it.

Leading Democrats have strongly indicated that they are willing to give Trump $5.7 billion for border security. Some portion of that money could be vaguely earmarked for barriers and fencing  allowing Trump to tell his base that Congress gave him money for his border wall, and Democrats to say they did no such thing.

This would be a great deal for Trump because  and I cant say this often enough  the big, beautiful wall that he ridiculously promised during the campaign is totally unfeasible and will never be built, much less paid for by Mexico. And it would be a great deal for the president because the Constitution gives Congress, not the president, the power to decide how public money is spent.
Members of the Westside Community Schools board set out the requirements last year for the districts next superintendent when they launched the search for a successor to Superintendent Blane McCann, who is retiring at the end of this school year. Among the qualifications the board identified:

An appreciation for Westsides culture and history but also the confidence to propose new ideas. Experience with school budgets and a strong understanding of Nebraskas school funding formula, given the districts fiscal challenges. An ability to connect with parents and staff  an important quality for a district that pressed the pause button on changing elementary school boundaries to give parents greater opportunity for input. A vision to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse population in a district with more than 30 percent of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch.

Those indeed will be among the key obligations for the candidate unanimously chosen this week by the Westside board to succeed McCann: Mike Lucas, currently superintendent of the York, Nebraska, school system. Lucas, with almost 16 years of experience as a school superintendent in Nebraska, is known as an energetic executive and vigorous advocate for public schools.
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is now home to nearly 160 students from the African country of Rwanda  the third-largest subgroup of UNLs international students. The students say they intend to return home and use the skills they learn to better their communities and country. This is an encouraging, familiar pattern for African students who attend UNL, usually with a focus on agricultural and natural resources studies.

University of Nebraska institutions, in fact, have a variety of connections to Africa. UNLs National Drought Center has done drought and flooding analysis focusing on the Horn of Africa. NUs Daugherty Global Water for Food Institute has studied irrigation needs in Ethiopia and conducted drought monitoring in North Africa. NU outreach in Tanzania has promoted livestock health and increased literacy for rural women.

The University of Nebraska Medical Center participates in an International Cancer Prevention Consortium in the Middle East and East Africa. UNMC is highly regarded for helping in the fight against the Ebola virus that has struck some African countries.

Such international outreach, a part of the universitys overall strategic vision, shows the positive effect NU is having here and abroad.

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An 88-year-old Omaha man who was reported missing was found Friday in a ditch in western Iowa.

William Hare is now with his family, authorities said at 1:45 p.m. Friday, when an endangered missing advisory alert they had issued was canceled.

Hare was reported missing after being last seen about 11:55 p.m. Thursday near 50th and Dodge Streets, authorities said.

Pottawattamie County Sheriff Jeff Danker said someone called about 9:30 a.m. Friday to report that a vehicle was in a ditch near Wilson Island State Recreation Area, about 25 miles north of Council Bluffs.

A deputy looked into the vehicle, which was unoccupied, but searched the area and found Hare. He may have been suffering from hypothermia, Danker said, so the deputy called for a helicopter to take Hare to the Nebraska Medical Center. He was in fair condition there Friday afternoon.

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The body of a motorcyclist who has been missing since Sunday was pulled Thursday from an icy lake in northeast Nebraska.

Eddie Myrick, 55, of Stanton was last seen Sunday afternoon riding his motorcycle on Maskenthine Lake, which is north of Stanton and southeast of Norfolk. Myrick was reported missing about 5:30 p.m. that day.

Authorities conducted both a ground and drone search for Myrick on Sunday night and Monday morning, but didn't find signs of him, according to the Stanton County Sheriff's Office.

After a search by drone Wednesday afternoon, ice rescue teams from Hadar Fire and Pilger Rescue found Myrick's helmet encased in the ice. The search was suspended due to darkness. About 11:30 a.m. Thursday, dive teams from Hadar and Yankton, South Dakota, found Myrick's body, the sheriff's office said.

Myrick's death is being classified as a traffic fatality unless circumstances determine otherwise, according to the sheriff's office.

Others assisting in the search include Stanton Fire, Stanton County Emergency Management, and the Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District.

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WASHINGTON  Many federal workers will receive paychecks with nothing but zeros for the second time Friday as the partial government shutdown continues to drag on.

Lawmakers voted this week on various proposals to fully reopen the government, but none are headed to the presidents desk yet.

The Senate voted Thursday on two competing bills; both failed to advance.

House Democrats note that they have voted almost a dozen times on various bills to reopen the government. Those bills do not include the border wall money that President Donald Trump is seeking.

Nebraska and Iowa Republicans have opposed those measures and have criticized House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.

If the president just opened up the government without some compromise from Pelosi, it would be totally just caving into the Democratic side, and I think that thats not how these things should work, said Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska. There should be both sides meeting somewhere in the middle.

But Democrats say Trump is just demanding concessions to end a crisis he created. Giving him what he wants would only encourage him to create more crises in the future, they say.
LINCOLN  Renee Sans Souci learned as a young teenager, growing up in Lincoln, to walk warily and always be on alert.

Experience taught her that, as a Native American woman, she was a target for harassment, violence and sexual exploitation. She still wound up being sexually assaulted and suffering from domestic abuse.

Sans Souci, of the Omaha Tribe, was hardly alone among the Native American women testifying Thursday before the Judiciary Committee. Almost all said they, too, had experienced rape and domestic violence in their lives.

For a long time, I thought that was the norm, said Chandra Michelle Walker, who chairs the Native caucus for the Nebraska Democratic Party.

Both women spoke in support of Legislative Bill 154, introduced by State Sen. Tom Brewer of Gordon. The measure would add Nebraska to a growing number of states that are taking a closer look at cases of missing Native American women and girls.

The proposal would require the Nebraska State Patrol to work with the Nebraska Commission on Indian Affairs on a study looking at how many Native American women have gone missing and at the law enforcement resources available to investigate those cases and protect women.
The total renovation cost of the two sites, including equipment and materials, is $2.1 million, spokeswoman Diane Ostranski said. The majority will be paid for with private donations, she said. The districts schools foundation is still seeking donations for equipment and materials.

During the governors visit, students Nate Newton and Hunter Ryba showed her the wall they built in class with wood studs and drywall, and the electrical connections they installed.

Reynolds told them there are great opportunities and good-paying jobs in the trades. Nate said a visit from the governor was a cool honor.

He said he isnt sure of a career yet. He said he may pursue a career in one of the trades or law enforcement, but he just enjoys the academys hands-on learning.

Its using my hands and getting up out of my seat, he said. Its easier to learn about stuff when youre actually doing it, than while youre sitting in a classroom looking at a white board just copying down notes all day.
LINCOLN  Rural Nebraskans escape human hordes and traffic jams, but when theyre ill, many have a long way to go to see a doctor.

University of Nebraska Medical Center officials told the NU Board of Regents on Friday that they are finding ways to serve rural places and are recognizing what it takes to place a young doctor in a small town. They also are making progress through video technology and mobile training strategies.

UNMC has been working at this for years. The problem is sure to persist as urban America grows in population and rural America shrinks. In 1910, 54.4 percent of the United States population lived in rural areas. As of 2010, that had plummeted to 19.3 percent.

A report Friday said 13 of Nebraskas 93 counties have no primary care doctor. Dr. Bradley Britigan, dean of UNMCs College of Medicine, told the regents that the challenge of serving rural Nebraska continues.

All counties other than Douglas and Lancaster have been designated by the state as shortage areas for at least one kind of primary care. Those include family doctors, pediatricians, internal medicine doctors and obstetrician-gynecologists.

There is clearly a workforce shortage in Nebraska, particularly rural Nebraska, Britigan told the regents.
Authorities have arrested a second teenager who they think was involved in the shooting death of a 23-year-old Bellevue man.

Sadie Grant, 18, was booked into the Pottawattamie County Jail on Thursday night. She faces three felony charges in Sarpy County: first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit robbery and use of a weapon to commit a felony.

Dakota Pirruccello, 18, appeared in Sarpy County Court on Friday on those same charges. He was ordered held without bail.

Both teens are accused in the fatal shooting of Brian Faeller, who was shot about 10 p.m. Jan. 15 at the Pheasant Ridge Apartments near 36th Street, about a mile south of Nebraska Highway 370.

Faeller was taken to the Nebraska Medical Center in extremely critical condition and pronounced dead there.

Bellevue Police Lt. Andy Jashinske said additional arrests are possible.

Pirruccellos next court appearance is scheduled for February.

Pirruccello was found Wednesday night in Omaha and taken into custody without incident, Jashinske said.
The ACLU, in a statement Friday, said it plans to pursue those issues in individual, post-conviction appeals on behalf of the inmates.

Todays ruling does not resolve our clients claims that, after the Legislatures 2015 repeal of the death penalty, they no longer may be executed, said Danielle Conrad, executive director of the ACLU of Nebraska. We look forward to resolution of those claims in the individual post-conviction proceedings the court has ruled that each prisoner must undertake.

Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson, whose lawyers argued the case for the state, said the Supreme Court reached the correct conclusion.

The ACLU  requested the court override the will of the people, Peterson said.

Attorneys with the Attorney Generals Office also argued that the Legislature, regardless of its vote to repeal the death penalty, lacks the power to overturn sentences that were previously imposed by judges.

The ACLU has actively opposed the death penalty, saying it is a waste of government resources, that minorities and low-income offenders are more likely to have the sentence imposed, and that the process lacks transparency.
The World-Herald was joined by Omaha television station KETV in last years lengthy battle to obtain the grand jury information. Omaha attorney Michael Cox represented both news media outlets.

In separate decisions, Douglas County District Judges Duane Dougherty and J Russell Derr said a state law passed in 2016 requires the court to make the grand jury record available for public review. Countering the concerns about poisoning a jury pool, Derr noted that he had little problem seating a jury in the Christopher Edwards case  a sensational case in which many facts about the murder of Jessica OGrady came out before trial.

OBrien had argued that the law originally was designed to release grand-jury records only in cases where grand jurors cleared the officers. Such releases would lift the veil on the otherwise secret proceedings  and give the public insight into what may have prompted an officer to kill a person.
A handful of snow removal contractors interviewed locally, including many who said they had not yet heard of the apps, said they might explore them.

That makes good financial sense, said Phani Tej Adidam, a professor of marketing and entrepreneurship at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

Established players in snow removal, like those in other businesses, make a mistake when they ignore the arrival of such on-demand providers, he said.

Their greatest advantage over on-demand apps is relationships with customers, Adidam said, and what better way to meet new customers.

If theyre smart, they should be a part of this on-demand or access-based economy, he said. Dont be like Sears and Kmart and then die one day.

Keith Ruml, who runs A Ruml Service, an Omaha-area painting and home repair business that does snow removal in the winter, signed up with SnoHub.

He says he ran across the app when he was reading a news story in Connecticut and reached out to say hed be interested if they came west.

He hopes he might be able to add some quick residential work between clearing parking lots and apartment complexes.
Editor's Note: Leia Baez, a former World-Herald editor, gave a commencement speech to her Bellevue University class after graduating last year. A video of her inspiring speech went viral soon after. By continuing to share her story, she hopes to help people realize there is life after divorce.

* * *

For the longest time, I couldnt talk about my divorce.

I was embarrassed and ashamed. It was just too difficult for me to put into words what I was going through without crying. I felt I had failed as a wife and mother. I had so much anxiety at times that I felt nauseated, and I cringed at the fact that people were gossiping about my marriage.

It took me several months to open up to my closest friends, and it was more than two years before I even thought about sharing my story publicly. While I was hesitant at first, I figured if one person could be uplifted or inspired by my story, it would be well worth sharing.

But I never imagined inspiring millions of people.

I was floored when I learned my story was being shared internationally by several motivational websites, including Goalcast. Heres how it happened:
Lissa Costa, also a Montgomery County parent, was astonished at how difficult it was to get her ninth-grade daughter out of an AP U.S. history course that was at that point too tough for her. "She put 20 hours into the class," Costa said, "but still failed the first weekly test. Working with her, I could clearly tell the textbook was beyond her reading level. I'm a former teacher. She requested a class change, but both her counselor and her teacher told her it would get easier if she stuck with it."

Costa got the same answer when she requested the change. After another 20 hours of work and another failed test, she tried again. No luck. Costa said the school switched her daughter to an honors class only after she demanded a meeting with the grade-level principal.

Schools spokesman Derek Turner said: "Over many years, (Montgomery County) students and teachers have consistently shown that when students take on the challenge of advanced courses for the first time and proper supports and instructional practices are in place, students do well. While schools may aggressively recruit students for these opportunities and work to foster a sense of belonging, the academic load must be personalized for each individual student. . . . We also must pay close attention to student well-being, stress and anxiety as they balance these multiple demands in a changing world."
As a youngster, Lilyann Schied developed a rash on her torso, along with some tummy trouble, after taking a penicillin-based medication for a childhood infection.

The doctor said Lilyann was allergic to penicillin, considered a first-line antibiotic.

But this fall, Lilyann, now 15, underwent testing to determine whether she truly was allergic. She passed the evaluation and the penicillin allergy was removed from her chart.

Lilyanns turnaround on the penicillin allergy front could be important to her health care  and its by no means unusual.

Some 1 in 10 Americans have a documented penicillin allergy, according to a report last week in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Recent studies, however, indicate that more than 90 percent of such patients can safely take penicillins.

This is a public health concern, said Dr. Brian Kelly, an allergist and immunologist at Boys Town National Research Hospital. When you have 35 to 40 million people who report having an allergy they may not really have, I think its our duty to try to fix that problem.
During her winter break from New York University, Omaha violinist Nadia Maudhoo is doing something shes never done before.

Shes an actor and dancer in Rodgers and Hammersteins South Pacific in Concert, an Omaha Symphony program at the Holland Center this weekend. She plays Liat, the love interest of a soldier whos stationed on a remote island during World War II.

The concert  a collaboration between the symphony and Music Theatre Wichita  will feature all of the tunes from the popular musical, accompanied by the symphony under the direction of Principal Pops Conductor Ernest Richardson.

It will include only about one-third of the dialogue, however, enough to convey the story without stretching into the three-hour length of the musical, said Wayne Bryan, producing artistic director for the Wichita company. Music Theatre Wichita developed the concert and provided most of the performers, although several Omahans also are featured.

Though shes never had an acting role, Maudhoo has been onstage at the Holland. As a student of Omaha Symphony violinist Anne Nagosky, she participated in several symphony Christmas shows. In fact, she got the acting gig through that connection.
The Kiez have a very catchy new single.

Ghost was released Friday on Warner Music Germany.

Formed by Lincolns Eli Mardock and Germanys Lucas Kocbeck, The Kiez is one of the few local acts signed by a major label. (Others include Conor Oberst and King Leg, both coincidentally also signed to divisions of Warner.)

Their pop duos new single is a catchy little song, a whistled melody and toe-tapping beat. The refrain  youre just another girl that I used to know/tried to let you go/its like Ive seen a ghost  will absolutely get stuck in your head.

Ghost came about from memories of a few breakups over the years, the band said in a press release. Most people have this experience or something like it. You know: youre in love with someone and maybe youre with them for a couple of years or longer.... But for whatever reason it ends. And then you see them again, sometime later, and its like seeing a ghost, or something from a past life.

Ghost will appear on The Kiezs debut album, Hi, We Are the Kiez, which will be released on April 19.

The Kiez, which means neighborhood in German, released an EP early last year.

A solo artist and former frontman of Eagle Seagull, Mardock is also the owner/operator of The Royal Grove rock club in Lincoln.

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The Health and Safety Authority will begin an intensive farm safety inspection campaign on Monday, January 28 with a focus on the safe management of livestock during calving season when the risk of injury to farmers increases significantly.

Livestock is the number one cause of accidents on Irish farms accounting for 42% of all injuries. In relation to fatalities, incidents involving livestock are the second most common cause. In the 10 year period 2009 - 2018, 16% of all fatal farm accidents (33 deaths) were livestock related, with over half of these (18 deaths) involving cows and heifers.

According to Pat Griffin, Senior Inspector with the Health and Safety Authority, Although 2018 saw a 40% decline in farm fatalities, there are still far too many deaths in the agriculture sector as well as a substantial number of very serious injuries. Working with livestock is a key incident trigger and there is no room for complacency amongst farmers. During calving period, increased fatigue and stress levels are common. However, early planning and preparation can make a significant difference in the safe management of livestock and help prevent injury or even death.

Key areas of focus during the inspection campaign will include:

Is there a plan in place to minimise the risk of attack from a cow when handling a calf to tag, dip navel or stomach tube?

Has an adequate physical barrier been established between the farmer and the freshly calved cow when tagging, treating and handling calves?

Are facilities and procedures adequate for loading and unloading animals?

Pat Griffin added, Good handling facilities and holding areas where cows can be monitored remotely are important and can help reduce farmer fatigue. Well-prepared calving units with clean bedding, calving gates and the necessary equipment will ensure safety and reduce stress both on farmers and on the animal. With much of calving happening during short and often dull days, or at night, farmers are encouraged to have plenty of well-positioned lights in calving units and around the farmyard as this will greatly improve visibility and safety.

A wide range of free guidance material in relation to livestock and many other farm safety hazards is available on the Authoritys website at www.hsa.ie.
Offaly Down Syndrome is inviting the schools and businesses of Offaly to hold a Rock Your Socks event for World Down Syndrome Day on Thursday, March 21.

Every year on this day, Down Syndrome Associations around the world invite people to wear the loudest, craziest, oddest socks they can get their hands and feet on.

This day is an opportunity to raise awareness and to help educate the younger people of Offaly about what Down Syndrome really is (and isnt) and help erase the stigma surrounding it.

It is also an amazing opportunity to raise some much-needed funds, which help towards employing teachers for home-schooling, assisting families who have just started their Down Syndrome Journey, hold social events for families, and also help financing education seminars.

Offaly Down Syndrome advocates for the rights, inclusion, and well-being of individuals with Down Syndrome. Through parent-led advocacy and partnering with like-minded organisations, it encourages young people with Down Syndrome to develop self determination.

This year, Offaly Down Syndrome are asking for a donation of just 2 from each student. For this, they can wear their own bright and colourful, striped, mismatched or even long socks to help raise funds for Offaly Down Syndrome, whilst at the same time making a statement.

Its not just schools that can take part, Offaly Down Syndrome is also looking for companies to get involved too. Just wake up on the morning of Thursday, March 21 and wear your stripy/odd/loud/long socks with pride.

Donations can be made to Offaly Down Syndrome's Gofundme page at www.gofundme.com/downsyndromeoffaly.

Everyone who takes part can show their colours and get involved with World Down Syndrome Day. It's easy.

Take pictures wearing your cool socks and share them on the Facebook using the hashtag #RockYourSocks4ODS so everyone can see your love, support and awareness.


Matthew Felling

Matthew Felling, who was senior director at Burson-Marsteller's Washington office, has joined the office of Maine's Independent Senator Angus King as strategic communications director.

It marks the return to Capitol Hill for Felling, who did a stint as strategic communications director for Lisa Murkowski (R-AK). For Murkowski, Felling dealt with healthcare, military issues, sustainable fisheries and the needs of the Alaska Native population.

Prior to Murkowski, Felling was news anchor and lead political reporter for the CBS TV affiliate in Anchorage.

He also did a two-year stint at Hill+Knowlton Strategies in Washington.


Will Ostedt

The Pollack PR Marketing Group has promoted equity partner and senior vice president Will Ostedt to executive vice president and creative director. As the agencys first creative director, Ostedt will oversee PPMGs creative initiatives for both B2B and consumer clients. He will become the liaison between the agencys digital services, branded as LAB186, and its PR and marketing services. Based in the agencys Los Angeles office, Ostedt will lead the agencys creative output and work closely with its account teams of professionals in both the agencys Los Angeles and New York City offices. Over his 20 years with us, Will has been an active partner in helping lead the agency into new directions and expanding our scope of services in the process, said PPMG president Stefan Pollack.



Kim Cerda

HudsonLake has hired Kim Cerda to head up its organizational change and culture practice. Cerda joins HudsonLake from Toyota Financial Services where she was most recently vice president of human resources and operational excellence. In this role, she oversaw human resources strategy and operations, talent acquisition, organizational development and employee reward programs. HudsonLakes organizational change and culture practice, addresses diverse leadership, operational and cultural transformations to companies ranging from global, Fortune 50 companies to smaller regional businesses.



Guillermo Gonzalez

New York-headquartered ENroute Communications has signed Guillermo Gonzalez to lead efforts to expand its Latin America portfolio. Gonzalez was most recently general director of the San Miguel de Allende Tourism Board. In his new post, he will develop and execute proactive campaigns for the agencys travel accounts, as well as working on trade relations for its clients. With a focus on increasing the agencys portfolio of clients in Latin America, Gonzalez will be based out of the companys Mexico office. ENroute also has offices in London and San Jose, Costa Rica.
Correction: A previous version of this article stated that the name of Maruyamas boyfriend was Li Huayu, and that the girl still lost her memory every day, when in reality this only occurred only in the first two months after her accident.

The touching love story between an amnesia sufferer whose memory was wiped clean every morning and the loyal boyfriend who makes her fall in love with him every day has touched the hearts of millions in Japan.

50 First Dates, a 2004 romantic comedy starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore, tells the story of a young woman whose short term memory was affected by a car crash. Every morning, her memory resets to the day of the accident, but that doesnt deter Sandlers character from making their relationship work, even if it means making her fall in love with him every day. Its one of the best romantic comedies of all times, in my opinion, but I never imagined that such a love story could exist in real life. Well, a Japanese couple reportedly lived their very own 50 First Dates romance for to months.

Photo: video screengrab

Japanese television recently broadcast the touching story of Maruyama, a 24-year-old woman suffering from amnesia, and her fiancee, Yuya Tachibana, who for two months tried to make her fall in love with him again every day. The two have been together for two and a half years and had even discussed marriage, but nine months ago an accident changed their lives completely. Maruyama was riding her bike when a car crashed into her leaving her comatose. When she woke up, she didnt recognize any of the people in her life, including her parents and her boyfriend.

The young womans physical injuries gradually healed, but her memory didnt seem to improve at all. Despite having to cancel their wedding, Maruyamas condition didnt discourage Yuya at all. He stayed by his girlfriends side, convinced that she would one day remember him and the beautiful memories they shared. As the saying goes, things often get worse before they get better.

Photo: video screengrab

During the first two months after her accident, Maruyama started forgetting things that had happened after she woke up from her coma, and eventually she developed the same condition as Lucy, Drew Barrymores character from 50 First Dates. Every morning, her memory was wiped clean, and the people in her life had to reintroduce themselves to her. This caused quite a strain on Maruyamas relationship with her loved ones. She was confused every day, and even tried running away from home a few times.

Yuya had to re-introduce himself to his girlfriend every morning, showing her proof of their relationship and explaining what had happened to her. One day, Maruyama suggested they break up, as their relationship had no way of working, but Yuya refused, telling her You may have lost your memories, but we can make new ones.

Doctors advised Maruyama to write all the important events of the day in a diary before going to sleep at night, so that she could read it the next morning and have an idea of whats been going on in her life. This has made things a bit easier for her, as she didnt panic when she saw her parents and fiancee.

Luckily, Maruyamas short-term memory started showing signs of improvement and she now remembers everything that happened after the accident, although she has yet to recover all her pre-accident memories. In a recently televised TV show, the young woman thanked her fiancee for staying by her side and proposed to him.

Thank you for your care during this time. You understand me very well and have always tolerated this sensitive and fragile version of me, the young woman said. Doctors say that the amnesia may get even worse. I may lose my memory again, even forget you forever, are you still willing to be with me?



Her fiancee did not hesitate to say yes. Despite all the hardships theyve faced in the last nine months, he still loves Maruyama and says that his love for her is only growing with each passing day. He promised to stay by her side no matter what, as he is convinced that Maruyama is his soulmate.

Because of my amnesia, I have the chance to fall in love with him again, Maruyama said during a recent television show. No matter how many times I lose my memory, I believe I will always fall in love with him.
Authorities in Hejiang county, Chinas Sichuan province, have come up with a controversial method of convincing borrowers to pay up their debts  showing their faces and names during short clips played in cinemas before the main movie starts.

Called Reel of Shame, the clip features an animated character who tells the audience Come look at these laolai before showing the borrowers faces, names and other details on the big screen. The derogatory term laolai refers to borrowers who fail to pay their debts on time. To maximize the techniques effectiveness, authorities show the borrowers faces in cinemas in their local area.

Public shaming has been an increasingly common tactic to punish laolai  along with other repercussions for failing to repay loans, including blacklisting and travel restrictions, Li Qiang, director of enforcement for Hejiangs courts, told Chinese website The Cover. For the audiences in the cinema, we specifically chose to expose the names of debtors whose household registration were in that area so it was more targeted and the results would be more effective.

A video of the Reel of Shame playing in a Hejiang cinema recently went viral on Chinas microblogging platform Weibo. It showed the faces and names of 26 business executives who had defaulted on their loans despite local court orders demanding they pay up.

Interestingly, the Reel of Shame is just one of several public shaming methods used in China. Last year, the Government rolled out a national system allowing borrowers names, identity card numbers, photographs, home addresses and the amounts owed to be made public and propagated through various channels as a way of coercing them to pay their debts.

Some cities put the borrowers photos and information on advertising billboards, electronic screens and even buses, while provinces like Jiangsu, Henan and Sichuan have teamed up with telecom companies to have pre-recorded messages about their debts play whenever someone calls these offenders.

I guess China isnt as concerned about privacy as countries in the West

Public shaming has also been used by a public utilities company in Russia, which recently installed a heavy Pyramid of Debt in front of the houses of its biggest debtors.
The Chambers County Sheriffs Office is searching for an escaped inmate.

Inmate Thomas Jack Hart walked away from an inmate detail near the Chambers County Lake around 10 a.m. Friday morning, according to the Chambers County Sheriffs Office.

Hart, of Lanett, was in custody on felony theft charges.

Law enforcement describe Hart as a 29-year-old white male who is approximately 5-foot and nine-inches tall and weighs about 140 pounds.

Anyone with information regarding his location is asked to contact the Chambers County 911 center at 334-576-0916 or call Sgt. Wright at 334-864-4342.
Mary Turner for The New York Times

Brexit is happening.

After three years of haggling in the British Parliament, convulsions at the top of the government and pleas for Brussels to delay its exit, Britain closes the book on nearly half a century of close ties with Europe on Jan. 31.

Its split with the European Union was sealed when Prime Minister Boris Johnsons Conservative Party won a resounding victory in Decembers general election. That supplied Mr. Johnson with the parliamentary majority he needed to pass legislation in early January setting the terms of Britains departure, a goal that repeatedly eluded his predecessor, Theresa May. European lawmakers gave the plan their blessing later in the month.

Mr. Johnson, a brash proponent of withdrawal, will now guide the country through the most critical stage of Brexit: trade negotiations that will determine how closely linked Britain remains with the bloc.

Little will change overnight. At midnight in Brussels on Jan. 31  11 p.m. in London, a reminder that the European Union sets the terms of departure  Britain will begin an 11-month transition in which it continues to abide by the blocs rules and regulations while deciding what sort of Brexit to pursue.

What ultimately emerges as Britain parts ways with the European Union could determine the shape of the nation and its place in the world for decades. What follows is a basic guide to Brexit: what it is, how it turned into a political mess and how it may ultimately be resolved.

Lets start with the basics

Why Brexit?

A portmanteau of the words Britain and exit, Brexit caught on as shorthand for the proposal that Britain split from the European Union and change its relationship to the bloc on trade, security and migration.

Britain has been debating the pros and cons of membership in a European community of nations almost from the moment the idea was broached. It held its first referendum on membership in what was then called the European Economic Community in 1975, less than three years after it joined. At the time, 67 percent of voters supported staying in the bloc.

But that was hardly the end of the debate.

In 2013, Prime Minister David Cameron promised a national referendum on European Union membership with the idea of settling the question once and for all. The options offered to voters were broad and vague  Remain or Leave  and Mr. Cameron was convinced that Remain would win handily.

That turned out to be a serious miscalculation.

As Britons went to the polls on June 23, 2016, a refugee crisis had made migration a subject of political rage across Europe. Meanwhile, the Leave campaign was hit with accusations that it had relied on lies and that it had broken election laws.

In the end, a withdrawal from the bloc, however ill-defined, emerged with the support of 52 percent of voters.

Debate settled? Hardly.

Brexit advocates had saved for another day the tangled question of what should come next. Even now that Britain has settled the terms of its departure, it remains unclear what sort of relationship with the European Union it wants for the future, a matter that could prove just as divisive as the debate over withdrawal.

How did the referendum vote break down?

Most voters in England and Wales supported Brexit, particularly in rural areas and smaller cities. That overcame majority support for remaining in the European Union among voters in London, Scotland and Northern Ireland. See a detailed map of the vote.

Young people overwhelmingly voted against leaving, while older voters supported it.

Why is it such a big deal?

Europe is Britains most important export market and its biggest source of foreign investment, while membership in the bloc has helped London cement its position as a global financial center.

With some regularity, major businesses have announced that they are leaving Britain because of Brexit, or have at least threatened to do so. The list of companies thinking about relocating includes Airbus, which employs 14,000 people and supports more than 100,000 other jobs.

The government has projected that in 15 years, the countrys economy would be 4 percent to 9 percent smaller if Britain left the European Union than if it remained, depending on how it leaves.

Mrs. May had promised that Brexit would mean an end to free movement  that is, the right of people from elsewhere in Europe to live and work in Britain. Working-class people who see immigration as a threat to their jobs viewed that as a triumph. But an end to free movement would cut both ways, and the prospect was dispiriting for young Britons hoping to study or work abroad.

How did we end up with a Jan. 31 deadline?

Before Parliament approved Mr. Johnsons withdrawal agreement in January, just about the only clear decision it made on Brexit was to give formal notice in 2017 to quit, under Article 50 of the European Unions Lisbon Treaty, a legal process setting it on a two-year path to departure. That made March 29, 2019, the formal divorce date.

But departure was delayed when it became clear that hard-line pro-Brexit Conservative lawmakers would not accept Mrs. Mays withdrawal deal, which they said would trap Britain in the European market.

The European Union agreed to push the date back to April 12. But the new deadline did not bring about any more agreement in London, and Mrs. May was forced to plead yet again for more time. This time, European leaders insisted on a longer delay, and set Oct. 31 as the date.

Mr. Johnson took office in July, and vowed to take Britain out of the bloc by that deadline, with or without a deal. But opposition lawmakers and rebels in his own party seized control of the Brexit process, and moved to block a no-deal withdrawal, which would have meant Britain leaving without being able to cushion the blow of a sudden divorce.

That forced Mr. Johnson to seek an extension, something he had said he would rather be dead in a ditch than do. European leaders agreed to extend the deadline by three months, to Jan. 31, as Britain considered its options.

Ultimately, Mr. Johnson persuaded enough opposition lawmakers to agree to an early general election. His Conservative Party won an 80-seat majority, the largest since Margaret Thatcher in 1987.

What happens next?

Much as Jan. 31 marks a symbolic milestone, it is merely the beginning of a potentially more volatile chapter of the turbulent divorce, in which political and business leaders jockey over what sort of Brexit will come to pass.

Every path holds risks for Mr. Johnson, all the more so after an election in which he was buoyed by voters in ex-Labour heartland seats in northern and central England who stand to suffer from trading barriers with Europe.

And the clock is ticking: The end of the transition period is Dec. 31. Any request to extend that deadline would have to be made by June.

Mr. Johnson, though, has repeatedly vowed to complete the departure by the end of the year. If he sticks to his word, Britain and the European Union will have to strike a deal governing future trade across the English Channel at an unusually fast pace. (It took seven years, for example, for the European Union and Canada to negotiate their 2016 trade deal.)

That will involve negotiations over trade in manufactured goods as well as services, which make up the bulk of the British economy. Should the two sides fail to reach an agreement, even a narrow one that leaves some issues for next year, Britain would crash out of the bloc with no deal at all, raising the prospect of tariffs and border disruption that would mirror the sort of no-deal Brexit that lawmakers have long feared.
While the government is reopening for at least three weeks, its unclear whether all I.R.S. employees will return to work immediately, Mr. Reardon said on Friday evening. The agency is hopeful of getting normal operations going on Monday, he said, since tax filing season is officially starting. But workers, he said, were awaiting specific instructions from their supervisors. The union is urging the government to be flexible and pay workers as quickly as possible, he said, since many are facing financial hardship from missing two paychecks during the shutdown.

As to the I.R.S. help line, taxpayers and tax preparers will probably have longer waiting times this year.

Even in a good season, theres a backup, said Edward Karl, vice president for taxation with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Despite the uncertain environment, Mr. Karl said, taxpayers who typically file early should do so, as soon as they have the necessary documents, like W-2 income statements.

The critical thing for taxpayers is to presume its business as usual, he said.

Meanwhile, the I.R.S. has announced a bit of relief for some taxpayers: If you underpaid your taxes in 2018, youre less likely to pay a penalty this year. The agency said this month that because of tax changes passed by Congress in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, it would waive the penalty for many filers who underpaid.

The change  just for the 2018 tax year  is aimed at helping taxpayers who were unable to properly adjust their withholding and estimated tax payments because of the array of changes under the tax law, and may have inadvertently underpaid, the I.R.S. said.

The federal tax system is pay as you go, so taxes must be paid periodically, rather than all at once. Typically, taxpayers pay a penalty if their payments, from paycheck withholding or extra estimated tax payments, total less than 90 percent of the amount owed. (Other criteria also apply. For instance, if you underpaid but owe less than $1,000, youre not subject to any penalty.) For 2018 returns, the I.R.S. said, the threshold will be lowered to 85 percent.
Nigerias president on Friday suspended the countrys chief justice just three weeks before the presidential election and an expected court challenge to the results, while the presidents top rival called the move an act of dictatorship.

The decision by President Muhammadu Buhari, who seeks a second term in the Feb. 16 vote, sent Africas most populous country into a constitutional crisis. It was not immediately clear whether the president has the authority to suspend a chief justice.

Observers already have warned that the vote could lead to violence  Mr. Buharis election in 2015 was a rare peaceful transfer of power in oil-rich Nigeria  and diplomats have urged the top candidates to sign a peace pledge.

The chief justice, Walter Nkanu Samuel Onnoghen, faces trial on charges of failing to declare his assets. Mr. Buhari said his suspension will continue until the case is concluded. This is the first time a chief justice is standing trial in Nigeria, where corruption is widespread. Justice Onnoghen said the charges are meritless.
Her inquiry does not amount to a formal, independent investigation of the kind the United Nations has ordered in the past, notably into the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto of Pakistan in 2007. But it is a first step that might lead to a some fuller United Nations examination of the case.

It was not clear whether the announcement would satisfy Turkey, which has called on the United Nations to launch a full independent, international investigation in the Khashoggi case.

Ms. Callamards investigation will begin with a trip next week to Turkey, aided by Helena Kennedy, a British lawyer, member of the House of Lords and former official at the University of Oxford; and Duarte Nuno Vieira, a leading expert in forensic medicine and professor of medicine at the University of Coimbra in Portugal.

American intelligence agencies have concluded that Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabias 33-year-old crown prince and de facto ruler, personally ordered the assassination of Mr. Khashoggi, a Virginia resident who was killed and dismembered, and whose remains Turkish investigators have yet to find. After a briefing on the issue by the director of the Central Intelligence Agency, the Senate passed a resolution publicly holding the crown prince responsible.

Saudi Arabia has said it is conducting its own investigation into the killing, and Saudi officials have said their initial inquiry has indicated that the leader of a team of agents on the ground in Istanbul  not the crown prince  decided to kill Mr. Khashoggi. The kingdom has said it has arrested 21 people in connection with the killing and this month it reportedly began prosecuting 11 of them. The kingdom has said it is seeking the death penalty for five of those defendants but has not named any of them.
LONDON  Over the last few years, as Britain has divided into warring tribes over its exit from the European Union, Queen Elizabeth II has retained a sphinxlike neutrality, imperturbably getting on with the business of conveying knighthoods and hosting garden parties.

But this week even the queen was drawn into Britains constitutional turmoil, after a prominent lawmaker suggested she employ a royal prerogative that has not been used for centuries: the right to tactically adjourn, or prorogue, a rebellious Parliament.

The 92-year-old queen then made a veiled reference to Brexit in a speech on Thursday, delivering a plea for respecting different points of view and coming together to seek out the common ground. In line with her constitutional obligation to remain neutral on political matters, she revealed nothing about her views on Prime Minister Theresa Mays withdrawal agreement or, say, the northern Irish backstop.

[What is Brexit? A simple guide to why it matters and what happens next.]

As we look for new answers in the modern age, I for one prefer the tried and tested recipes, like speaking well of each other and respecting different points of view; coming together to seek out the common ground; and never losing sight of the bigger picture, the queen said.
BRUSSELS  The year 2019 is a crucial one for democracy in Europe, with 14 elections, probably the most important of which will be in late May for the European Parliament.

With turnout traditionally low in those elections, there is anxiety that the passionate anti-Europeans will vote while many others will stay home, helping the far right and the so-called populist parties, which are nearly universally nationalist.

So a form of fighting back has begun, led, in a very European way, by some of its most prominent writers and intellectuals.

Thirty of them signed a pro-European manifesto, published on Friday in Liberation, the French daily, that warns that Europe is in peril from the populist forces washing over the continent.
Mr. Sanchez wants to give greater recognition to the victims of Franco, in accordance with a law of historical memory. That measure was approved in 2007, under a previous Socialist government, but was shelved and deprived of government funding under a conservative government led by Mariano Rajoy. One of the main goals of the 2007 law was to facilitate the opening of over 2,000 mass graves to identify the remains of those inside, most of whom died during the civil war.

For now, Mr. Sanchez has made it a priority to remove Francos remains from the basilica of the Valley of the Fallen, which the general had built to honor those who fell for God and Spain in the civil war. But the plan has been stalled by a legal dispute with Francos relatives, who argue he can be reburied only in Madrids cathedral. Politicians are also feuding over what to do with Francos current burial site once his remains are moved.

For Mr. Moreno, Franco not only needs to be physically removed from the Valley of the Fallen but also reinterpreted in Spanish history books, so as to get the same treatment as Hitler and Mussolini, the other fascist war criminals.
KABUL, Afghanistan  As the United States has shifted from trying to defeat the Taliban militarily to seeking a negotiated end to the long Afghan war, American diplomats and Afghan officials alike have grappled with a basic question: Just who speaks on behalf of the Taliban, and with how much authority?

That question seemed to be answered on Thursday when the Taliban announced that one of their founding leaders, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, would serve as the new chief negotiator in high-level talks that have reached a critical stage. The appointment brought much-needed clarity and indicated that the Taliban are taking negotiations seriously, according to Western diplomats and Afghan officials.

Mullah Baradar is known as a longtime, powerful lieutenant to the Talibans founding supreme leader, Mullah Muhammad Omar. The following that Mullah Baradar commands among the Talibans rank and file could help make a deal negotiated by him more acceptable, officials said.

Word that a noted Taliban leader would be helping lead the talks was a sign that after an estimated eight years of sporadic negotiations, this round could actually show results. With a war now lasting more than 17 years  Americas longest  the major stakeholders have signaled they are ready for a compromise. The Taliban want the American military to pull out, and the United States is looking for security assurances.
NEW DELHI  Outside the white marble facade of the imposing Taj Mahal, tourists are facing a menace: gangs of hungry, rosy-bottomed monkeys. They bite. They scratch. Occasionally, they kill.

Now, Indian security guards are cracking down, taking to the streets of Agra, India, where the monument is, to scare off the animals. Their weapon of choice?

Slingshots.

Foreign tourists get very excited to see the monkeys, said Dineshor Tongbram, the deputy commandant of a security force for the Taj Mahal. They try to go closer to them and become victims.

The threat of an attack is real. Last May, two French tourists were reportedly confronted by a mob of monkeys and bitten. In November, a monkey snatched a local baby from his mother, bit him and then dumped him on a neighbors roof. The boy later died of his injuries.
Some trekking operators, which act as brokers and take a percentage of rescue fees from helicopter companies, make more money through evacuations than they do charging for hikes. The typical profit margin for each hiker heading to Everest might be just a few hundred dollars. Participating in the scam could net operators thousands of dollars in kickbacks.

The investigation last year by Traveller Assist found evidence of fraud by four hospitals and 13 helicopter, charter and rescue companies. The separate investigation by Nepals government identified most of those same companies. A few dozen more trekking companies are thought to be involved.

To say this is a complex problem is an understatement, said Danny Kaine, head of assistance at Traveller Assist. Fraud and corruption in the helicopter rescue industry in Nepal are so ingrained in some companies. It has become an accepted way of doing business.

Insurance companies initially struggled to track the fraud, though it has been occurring since at least the early 2010s. But over the last few years, the number of insurance claims from Nepal shot up dramatically.

Alarmed at the increase, travel insurance companies created internal blacklists of Nepali helicopter companies and hospitals, posted advisories warning trekkers of the scam and raised premiums.

Traveller Assist found that about 1,600 helicopter rescues had occurred in Nepal from January to August 2018, out of which 35 percent were considered fraudulent, costing insurers some $4 million in losses.

In September, Nepals government introduced a new monitoring program that required companies to submit bills to the department of tourism to ensure that they were genuine.
Beijing Youth Daily, a state-owned newspaper, reported that some residents said they saw explosives being thrown from the building, but a local official would not confirm those accounts.

In one video posted to social media, more than 15 blasts can be heard, and at least one was proceeded by an object falling through the air. Some explosions produced loud booms, while others were more modest, like fireworks.

In July, a man set off an explosion outside the United States Embassy in Beijing, badly injuring his hand. The police said he suffered from hallucinations and had been diagnosed with a paranoid personality disorder. A lighter, firecracker fragments and three unexploded firecrackers were found at the scene.
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan  Local Afghan officials are blaming the American military for two airstrikes that killed 29 people this week, most of them women and children, in heavy fighting in southern Helmand Province, even as American diplomats negotiated possible peace terms with the Taliban.

The reaction followed a familiar pattern in the long history of disputed airstrikes in Afghanistan, with the American military denying that the second airstrike even occurred, while confirming that the first was under investigation. The United Nations called the civilian casualty reports credible.

In Doha, Qatar, where the American peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad was in the fifth day of peace negotiations on Friday, Taliban negotiators accused the American military of stepping up airstrikes to pressure them to make a deal.

Killing innocent people, with their women and children, is a great concern to us, said a senior member of the Taliban reached by telephone in Pakistan. We raised the issue with Khalilzad.
CARACAS, Venezuela  Risking arrest, Venezuelas opposition leader attended a rally on Friday in his first public appearance since he declared himself president, and told supporters to maintain pressure on the authorities if they dare to kidnap me.

The rally in eastern Caracas, where at least 500 people converged in a square ringed by police officers, was peaceful and orderly, and there was no immediate indication that the opposition leader, Juan Guaido, would be taken into custody, as many had feared.

At the same time, President Nicolas Maduro, who had been furiously describing his adversary as the lackey of an American-backed coup plot, appeared to take a more conciliatory approach, calling for dialogue.

Alluding to reports of clandestine meetings that had taken place between opposition members and people in Mr. Maduros orbit, he even expressed a willingness to attend such meetings himself. If I have to use a hood or go naked, however I have to go, Mr. Maduro said at a news conference.
Many in the caravan said they decided to migrate after a decision by the Mexican government to drastically speed up the process for securing a yearlong humanitarian visa that allows migrants to legally travel and work in Mexico.

The humanitarian visa that theyre giving now is the reason we are here, said Carlos del Valle, a Guatemalan teacher who was standing in line with his family this week to apply for the visa on the bridge connecting Guatemala with Mexico.

Later, if possible, we can get to the United States, he said.

Under the streamlined process, which began last week, the government is seeking to issue the humanitarian visa in an average of five days rather than a month. Migration officials said the policy would be permanent.

The initiative, officials say, is part of the presidents strategy to make Mexicos immigration policy more humane, after years of stepped-up deportations under pressure from the United States. But it could also draw even more migrants to trek north to the border with the United States, inflaming tensions with a Trump administration determined to build a border wall and lower immigration numbers.
SAO PAULO, Brazil  A mining dam burst in southeastern Brazil on Friday, killing at least seven people, flooding nearby homes, submerging cars and buses under a river of sludge and leaving 200 people missing, according to the rescue workers searching for them.

The accident, in the town of Brumadinho, comes just three years after a dam burst in Mariana, 75 miles away, killing 19 people and causing one of the worst environmental disasters in Brazils history.

The Brumadinho dam ruptured in the early afternoon on Friday, spilling murky water filled with mining waste into an administrative area where employees were working and a neighborhood where they lived. The dam is owned by the iron ore mining giant Vale S.A., which also was a joint owner of the dam that burst in Mariana.

The press office for the Civil Defense service said search and rescue efforts had been suspended after nightfall, but confirmed that seven people were killed and 17 people were injured and rescued. There were more than 50 firefighters on location with six helicopters and the search for approximately 200 would continue on Saturday.
In a city where Mr. Kelly has become part of the cultural fabric, the suggestion was explosive. Public sentiment has been tilting against Mr. Kelly since the documentary, but support for him is still easy to find in Chicago.

After the documentary aired, Mr. Kelly celebrated his birthday at a Southside nightclub, singing powerfully as adoring fans cheered him on.

Anaya Frazier, a 17-year-old junior at Gwendolyn Brooks Preparatory Academy in Chicago, said two boys recently blasted R. Kelly songs in the cafeteria. When she asked a security guard to get them to turn it off, she said the guard told her to get over it, and that the music was not hurting her.

A lot of young folks in Chicago, they talk about the R. Kelly situation as if its a joke, said Anaya, who takes part in A Long Walk Home, a nonprofit that uses the arts to empower young girls.

Two decades ago, Anayas mother, Tiahanna Robinson, went to Kenwood Academy, the same high school that Mr. Kelly had attended. Ms. Robinson said she remembered Mr. Kelly, who had long since left the school, as one of many men who used to hang around the campus and spend time with female students.

I knew it was wrong, said Ms. Robinson, 37. But at the same time, it was normal almost because thats what was going on in the area.

Ms. Robinson said she was no longer a fan of R. Kelly, but her boyfriend still plays his music, arguing that you can love the art and not the artist.
I have to use this umbrella to protect myself from the torrent of illegal leaks. Roger Stone. Hes a Republican political consultant and a self-described  Agent provocateur. He was an adviser to longtime friend Donald Trump during his 2016 presidential campaign. Trying to stop Trump is like stepping in front of a hurtling freight train. Now, Stone is back in the spotlight. Hes been charged as part of Special Counsel Robert Muellers investigation over his communications with WikiLeaks, the organization that released Clinton campaign emails stolen by the Russian government to help Trump win. In 2016, Stone said he had an in with WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. I actually have communicated with Assange. We have a mutual acquaintance who is a fine gentleman. But now, he says it was all part of his political game. I set a Google News alert for Julian Assange. I read every interview he gave. And I used that information to posture and to bluff and to punk the Democrats. Stone has built a reputation on winning at all costs, even if it means bending the truth. I assumed he was lying. Its something Roger does. Posture and bluff. Thats politics. Stone started his career as a political operative at a young age. At 19, he was an entry-level trickster for Nixons re-election campaign. His name later came up in the Watergate investigation. I paid $100 to Mr. Roger Stone on one occasion to leave a leaflet, I believe, at Senator McGoverns headquarters. Stone and Trump have been friends and associates since the 1980s, when Stone was working as a political consultant with Paul Manafort. Yes, that Paul Manafort, Trumps former campaign manager, who has since been convicted of financial fraud. Stone says he has been encouraging Donald Trump to run for president since 1988. I would say that I would have a hell of a chance of winning. Between his outspokenness, his national name identification and his issue positions, he could be a formidable candidate. I guess were looking at it very seriously. After he got into some trouble working for Bob Dole in 1996, he bounced back  but has largely worked outside of political campaigns. Stone has a unique personal brand: a mix of provocation, politics and fashion. He can often be found discussing some of his favorite topics: the Clintons, how L.B.J. was behind the assassination of J.F.K. and fake news. Fake news. Stone strongly denies any wrongdoing in 2016. I havent done anything illegal. Ive been targeted for one reason and one reason only: I am loyal to the president of the United States. But emails and interviews suggest that he sold himself to the Trump campaign as a conduit to WikiLeaks. He is also connected to a web of associates, some of whom have been interviewed as part of Muellers investigation. Stone has been charged with seven counts, including obstruction of an official proceeding, making false statements, and witness tampering.
WASHINGTON  President Trump agreed on Friday to reopen the federal government for three weeks while negotiations continued over how to secure the nations southwestern border, backing down after a monthlong standoff failed to force Democrats to give him billions of dollars for his long-promised wall.

The presidents concession paved the way for the House and the Senate to both pass a stopgap spending bill by voice vote. Mr. Trump signed it on Friday night, restoring normal operations at a series of federal agencies until Feb. 15 and opening the way to paying the 800,000 federal workers who have been furloughed or forced to work without pay for 35 days.

The plan includes none of the money for the wall that Mr. Trump had demanded and was essentially the same approach that he rejected at the end of December and that Democrats have advocated since, meaning he won nothing concrete during the impasse.

Mr. Trump presented the agreement with congressional leaders as a victory anyway, and indicated in a speech in the Rose Garden that his cease-fire may only be temporary: If Republicans and Democrats cannot reach agreement on wall money by the February deadline, he said that he was ready to renew the confrontation or declare a national emergency to bypass Congress altogether.
[Crowd: Lock him up! Lock him up! Lock him up!]

This morning at the crack of dawn, 29 F.B.I. agents arrived at my home with 17 vehicles with their lights flashing, when they could simply have contacted my attorneys and I would have been more than willing to surrender voluntarily.

They terrorized my wife, my dogs. I was taken to the F.B.I. facility, although I must say the F.B.I. agents were extraordinarily courteous. I will plead not guilty to these charges. I will defeat them in court. I believe this is a politically motivated investigation.

I am troubled by the political motivations of the prosecutors, and as I have said previously, there is no circumstance whatsoever under which I will bear false witness against the president nor will I make up lies to ease the pressure on myself. I look forward to being fully and completely vindicated.

REPORTER: [Inaudible] you in any way cooperate with the special counsels office?

MR. STONE: Since I was not contacted prior to the charges today, my lawyers have not talked to the special prosecutors. I dont want to address that question, but I have made it clear I will not testify against the president. Because I would have to bear false witness against him.

[Crowd shouting]

REPORTER: But will you work with the prosecutors?

MR. STONE: I will be appearing for an arraignment in D.C. next week, and Ill address those questions at that time.

REPORTER: Roger, the president said that you had done [inaudible]. What do you think he meant by that?

MR. STONE: Well, I intend to tell the truth. I have told the truth throughout this entire proceeding, and I will prove that in a court of law.
WASHINGTON  In Fridays indictment of Roger J. Stone Jr., a longtime informal adviser to President Trump, the special counsel for the first time revealed evidence of efforts by senior Trump campaign officials to learn how emails and other information that had been hacked by Russia and given to WikiLeaks could damage Hillary Clintons presidential campaign. The evidence appeared to contradict Mr. Stones assertions that he was acting on his own in his attempts to communicate with WikiLeaks. Senior campaign officials asked Mr. Stone to look into WikiLeaks plans, and he kept the campaign abreast of what he found out, the indictment said.

The special counsel, Robert S. Mueller III, disclosed new details about his investigation into Russias 2016 election interference and possible ties to the Trump campaign:

The campaign sought to learn how WikiLeaks releases might damage Mrs. Clinton

The public has long known that Mr. Stone and his associates had tried to connect with WikiLeaks in the summer of 2016 as Mr. Trump clinched the Republican nomination. Senior campaign officials dispatched Mr. Stone on that mission, the indictment revealed.

In June or July 2016, Mr. Stone told senior campaign aides that he knew that WikiLeaks had documents whose release would be damaging to the Clinton campaign, the indictment said. After WikiLeaks released emails stolen from the Democratic National Committee on July 22, 2016, a senior Trump campaign official was directed to contact Stone about any additional releases and other information that WikiLeaks had that could hurt Mr. Trumps opponent in the race, Mrs. Clinton.

The Trump campaign officials were interested in learning about the stolen emails and other documents, despite the fact, as the indictment noted, that the Democratic National Committee had publicly blamed the Russian government more than a month earlier for hacking its computers.
michael barbaro

From The New York Times, Im Michael Barbaro. This is The Daily. Today: The special counsels indictment of Roger Stone contains details as over-the-top as Stone himself, including encouraging an associate to use a tactic straight from The Godfather films. But the indictment itself is quite serious in finally making a link between the Trump campaign and WikiLeaks. Its Monday, January 28. [POUNDING ON DOOR]

archived recording

F.B.I.! Open the door!

archived recording (roger stone)

Twenty-nine F.B.I. agents showed up at my home, pounded on the door. [POUNDING ON DOOR]

archived recording

F.B.I.!

archived recording (roger stone)

I opened the door to pointed automatic weapons. I was handcuffed. There were 

archived recording

We have some major breaking news in the Mueller investigation. Roger Stone  you see him right there  President Trumps longtime political adviser, former campaign aide, has been arrested in Florida. Charged with seven federal felonies, obstruction of an official proceeding, five counts of making false statements and one count of witness tampering.

archived recording (sarah huckabee sanders)

This has nothing to do with the president, has nothing to do with the White House, and beyond that, Im not going to get into the back and forth.

archived recording

Have you spoken to the president?

archived recording (roger stone)

There is no circumstance whatsoever under which I will bear false witness against the president, nor will I make up lies to ease the pressure on myself. I look forward to being fully and completely vindicated.

michael barbaro

So, Mark Mazzetti, what do we need to know about who Roger Stone is?

mark mazzetti

Roger Stone is a legendary Republican operative who, from the earliest days of his career, has plied the dark arts of scandal-mongering and dirty tricks in aid of political campaigns.

archived recording

Are you telling me that that was a lie? Roger Stone is a trickster. Roger Stone is a shady character, O.K.? I know Roger Stone, and you know, he worked for Nixon. He famously tattooed his hero on his back. And who among us can say that? The questionable consultants resume is filled with work for Republican stars  Nixon, Reagan, Bush senior.

mark mazzetti

He is someone who very proudly talks about how he tries to plant stories with the press, someone who tries to dig up any kind of personal dirt about a candidate in order to help the other side.

archived recording (roger stone)

Im certainly guilty of bluffing and posturing and punking the Democrats. Unless they pass some law against bull-bull-[BLEEP]-ing-ing and I missed it, Im engaging in tradecraft. Its politics. Im sure its driving the Democrats crazy, but theres nothing illegal about it.

mark mazzetti

So this is someone who  well, for many people who hate politics, they would hate someone like Roger Stone.

archived recording (roger stone)

The truth is, Jimmy Carters middle name was not Hussein. A very substantial number of people wonder, because of the policies of this administration, about whether the president is a Muslim. This is not going to hurt Trump, and its not going to hurt Carson.

archived recording

They may wonder, but should a presidential candidate like Trump be saying that, or at least condoning it with his silence?

archived recording (roger stone)

I dont think he commented either way.

mark mazzetti

He goes on television in strange outfits, he gives interviews from his pool and clearly, in many cases, doesnt take himself too seriously.

michael barbaro

So hes kind of a sideshow.

mark mazzetti

Except hes someone who Donald Trump has taken seriously for a long time.

archived recording (roger stone)

Hes a regular guy. You can talk to him like a regular person. Theres nothing formal or stilted about him, and hes funny. Hes got a great self-deprecating wit. Hes just fun to be with.

mark mazzetti

Hes been this sort of informal adviser to Trump over decades, and someone who, long, long before anyone took seriously the idea of Donald Trump being the president of the United States, Roger Stone was pushing this idea.

archived recording (roger stone)

It was not until 1987, really, late 87, that I began thinking about him as a presidential candidate.

mark mazzetti

Although it has often been a contentious relationship.

archived recording (roger stone)

Yeah, I think we have a complicated relationship. But first of all, recognize, Im a Trump loyalist. Even when hes wrong, Ill be there.

mark mazzetti

Theyve been at odds at times. Hes someone who didnt last very long on the Trump campaign. He started out as an official campaign adviser, but was fired from the campaign pretty quickly.

archived recording

And more turmoil for Trump  a top longtime associate both from his business world and in the political realm, Roger Stone is out tonight. Dispute about whether he resigned or was fired. Trumps campaign says Stone was fired because he was using the campaign to seek publicity for himself.

archived recording (roger stone)

I have no interest in going back. Although I strongly support Trump, we have managerial differences. And meanwhile, Im just making the very best case for him in public that I can, because I do think he has what it takes.

michael barbaro

And insofar as he was involved in the campaign, what exactly was his role as an informal adviser? What did that amount to?

mark mazzetti

He was the classic late-night phone call person to listen to what Trump was thinking. He was the confidant of then-candidate Trump, talking to him by phone, being a sort of back channel of advice outside official campaign communications. You didnt always know that Roger Stone was there, because he did have this behind-the-scenes role. But it was pretty apparent to people close to Trump that Roger Stone had this outsized influence over Trump.

archived recording

It seems to me theres more than meets the eye here with Roger Stone parting company from the Trump campaign, coming on my program and others and giving the big Trump pitch.

archived recording (roger stone)

You media types are so conspiratorial. [LAUGHTER]

archived recording

No, no, the Stone-Trump types I think are the conspiratorial.

archived recording (roger stone)

Im like 

mark mazzetti

So he was behind the scenes until he wasnt. In August of 2016, a few months before the election, Roger Stone sent a very cryptic tweet about Podesta.

archived recording

Roger Stone tweeted that it would soon be, quote, Podestas time in the barrel.

mark mazzetti

And he said it will soon be his time in the barrel. Now Podesta was John Podesta, the campaign chairman for Hillary Clinton. And no one really knew what that meant until a few months later in October. A few weeks before the election, he sent out another tweet. I think it said, On Wednesday, Hillary Clinton is done. #WikiLeaks.

archived recording

Roger Stone writes, Thursday, October 6, Julian Assange will deliver a devastating expose on Hillary at a time of his choosing. I stand by my prediction. #HandcuffsForHillary.

mark mazzetti

And then 

archived recording

We need to talk about these hacked emails.

mark mazzetti

The Podesta emails spill out a few days later.

archived recording

WikiLeaks released more than 2,000 emails. They claim they came from her campaign chairman, John Podesta, and other staffers. The leak revealed transcripts from some of Clintons paid Wall Street speeches. This is the first time that were actually getting a look at these Wall Street speeches. What you see is that her own words really hit on her own perceived weaknesses, particularly around relatability and trust. You see why she really wasnt in a hurry to release these, as it really highlights a lot of concerns that voters have about her.

mark mazzetti

And so this is again Roger Stone creating this image that he had a direct channel to WikiLeaks and knew what the information was going to be before it became public.

michael barbaro

Right. And if I remember correctly, one of those WikiLeaks dumps of emails was right around the time of the Access Hollywood tape being published.

archived recording (john podesta)

October 7, the Access Hollywood tape comes out. One hour later, WikiLeaks starts dropping my emails into the public. One could say that those things might not have been a coincidence.

michael barbaro

Which was interesting timing.

mark mazzetti

Within hours. And of course, thats very fortuitous timing if youre candidate Trump. Very quickly, a lot of the media started focusing on the Podesta emails rather than this explosive story about the Access Hollywood tape.

michael barbaro

So at this point, justifiably, everyone is starting to wonder, does Roger Stone, this informal adviser to the president who is in touch with the campaign, does he have inside knowledge of whats going on at WikiLeaks? Is he coordinating with this organization?

mark mazzetti

Yes, and remember, Roger Stone has built a career on creating an image that he does have great access.

archived recording (roger stone)

I actually have communicated with Assange. I believe the next tranche of his documents pertain to the Clinton Foundation.

mark mazzetti

He does have insight that others dont.

archived recording (roger stone)

I think that Assange is going to be very influential in this election, because hes going to be educating the American people about the Clintons.

mark mazzetti

Once the Russia investigation heats up, though, he has to reverse course.

archived recording (roger stone)

I had no advance notice of the content source or the exact disclosure time of the WikiLeaks disclosures. Assange himself has said so. In fact, Assange has said in his own tweets and in interviews that Roger Stone never predicted anything that I hadnt already said in public.

mark mazzetti

He has to paint himself as someone who didnt have that knowledge, who didnt have any insight, because that was something that could potentially put him in real legal jeopardy.

michael barbaro

So what do we learn from this indictment last week about what was really going on here?

mark mazzetti

So what we learned on Friday is that Roger Stone in fact did have insights into what WikiLeaks was doing. He made extensive efforts to find out what Julian Assange was planning. And we find out that he was directed by people inside the campaign to go find out what WikiLeaks was doing. So we really, for the first time, have a sense that there was a link between WikiLeakss efforts to damage Hillary Clinton and the Trump campaigns efforts to damage Hillary Clinton. And that link was Roger Stone. And something else that should not be lost in all this is that all of this was happening months after it was first revealed that the Russian government was behind this operation to hack the Democratic servers and put the information out for WikiLeaks.

michael barbaro

And thats significant because its one thing to be coordinating with WikiLeaks when no one quite knows how it got those internal Clinton emails. Its another to be coordinating with WikiLeaks once its understood that the emails its disseminating were stolen by Russia. It seems to elevate this above wanting negative information about your opponent out in the world.

mark mazzetti

Thats right. All of this was done while it was well known that the Russians were behind this operation.

michael barbaro

So do we know who on the campaign was talking to Roger Stone and encouraging him to keep communicating with WikiLeaks and find out when their leaks would occur?

mark mazzetti

Thats where it becomes really interesting. The Times reported a few months ago that Steve Bannon, who was the campaign chairman at the end, was in contact with Roger Stone about this. In early October, Stone writes Steve Bannon that WikiLeaks would release, quote, a load every week going forward. He separately writes to a supporter involved in the Trump campaign, quote, spoke to my friend in London last night. The payload is still coming.

michael barbaro

Friend in London presumably meaning Julian Assange?

mark mazzetti

Right. But the Mueller indictment has a very tantalizing detail.

michael barbaro

Whats that?

mark mazzetti

The indictment said that a senior campaign official, quote, was directed by someone to contact Stone about additional WikiLeaks releases. Theres a very odd use of the passive voice that you would not expect in an indictment written by lawyers with Ivy League educations. The indictment does not say who it was that directed the senior campaign official. Of course, its led to speculation that that person could only be Donald Trump. We dont know.

michael barbaro

Everything youre describing here about Roger Stones communications with the campaign and Roger Stones communications with WikiLeaks  it sounds quite nefarious, but I wonder if it is illegal. Is his communication with WikiLeaks what Roger Stone was indicted for?

mark mazzetti

No. The charge is Stone lying to Congress about his interactions with WikiLeaks, trying to tamper with witness testimony and an overall charge of obstruction of justice. As for the witness tampering charge, that centers around Stones interactions with someone named Randy Credico, who is a longtime New York radio personality, on-again-off-again friend of Stone, and someone who did in fact seem to have direct connections to Julian Assange and WikiLeaks. And what the indictment details is that Roger Stone had several communications with Credico, trying to make sure that Credico told the same story to the House that Roger Stone had told, and even suggesting that he should pull a, quote, Frank Pentangeli before the committee.

archived recording

Did you serve on the capital regime, Peter Clemenza, under Vito Corleone, also known as the godfather?

mark mazzetti

And that is a reference to a character in The Godfather 2 who is called before Congress to testify about the mob and all of a sudden gets amnesia.

archived recording

I ask you again, sir, here and now, under oath, were you at any time a member of a crime organization headed by Michael Corleone? I dont know nothing about that! Oh. I was in the olive oil business with his father, but that was a long time ago. Thats all.

michael barbaro

And why isnt Mueller going after Stone for anything other than the lying, for the actions he lied about?

mark mazzetti

Its hard to make a conspiracy case. The fact is that the emails appear to have been stolen before Roger Stone knew about them, so he didnt seem to have participated in the theft. And he seemed to maybe be trafficking in information that was becoming public or was about to be public. And this is what his defenders and the presidents defenders have pointed out, that these are all crimes that happened after the fact. He is not being charged with something thats at the bottom of this whole thing  collusion, conspiracy, et cetera. And this is what, of course, President Trump has fallen back on for some time.

archived recording

This is why this thing is so weird, strange. The crime is conspiracy to hack. Collusion is not a crime. It doesnt exist. Now, conspiracy to defraud the government  youre right. Conspiracy to hack, that is the crime. We dont know whether  Now, did Donald Trump engage in a conspiracy to hack with the Russians? Theyve been going at it  the counterintelligence investigation came to the conclusion  no evidence.

michael barbaro

Mark, it feels like time and time again, when it comes to the Mueller investigation, he and his prosecutors are charging people around the president with lying or tampering with a witness or doing something deceptive around their interactions with his own investigation, but not with actually colluding with Russia or coordinating with Russia or being involved in a conspiracy that involves Russia, which, of course, is what this investigation is really about. What do you make of that?

mark mazzetti

If you want to look at it as a best-case scenario for President Trump, its that theres no original crime here. Theres no collusion, theres no conspiracy. Theyve been charged because they were just lying to Congress.

archived recording

Todays surprise guilty plea by Michael Cohen  Cohen said in federal court that he lied to Congress, he says, to support Mr. Trumps timeline of a Moscow real estate deal.

mark mazzetti

Lying to the F.B.I. Withholding evidence.

archived recording

Tonight, former Trump campaign aide George Papadopoulos admitting he lied to the F.B.I. about his contacts with someone the F.B.I. suspected of being a Russian operative to cover for President Trump.

mark mazzetti

But the worst-case scenario is that they are lying to protect something big. They were so concerned about whats at the bottom of this story that they had to lie to keep investigators from getting there. Thats been one of the enduring mysteries of this entire story. Was there a grand conspiracy, or does this all add up to small, individual acts, individual contacts with Russians, individual business deals gone bad that individual people were trying to lie to cover up their own role? The fact that we dont know where Mueller is going and Mueller only reveals his strategy in individual indictments means that were still left with these kinds of questions.

michael barbaro

And in this latest indictment, weve learned that Roger Stone, who has not been taken very seriously all this time, now seems to represent something quite important in all of this.

mark mazzetti

Yes. In many ways, Roger Stone was this kind of cartoonish figure. If this were a whodunit, hed be the obvious suspect that a reader would have long ago dismissed because hes too obvious. And yet, heres Roger Stone being charged with very serious crimes. And for the first time, we see Mueller show his hand that there really was this direct link between the Trump campaign and WikiLeaks. But I think the bigger point is the question of how directly the Trump campaign officials were working with the original source of the information, and that is the Russian government. WikiLeaks was a pass-through here. The Russian government, Russian hackers gave it to WikiLeaks to distribute. The real question at the end of the day is not the communications necessarily with WikiLeaks, but whether there was foreknowledge about what Russia was doing and any direct communication with the Russians about their campaign to sabotage Hillary Clintons political future.

michael barbaro

Mark, thank you very much.

mark mazzetti

Thank you.

michael barbaro

Well be right back.

archived recording (president trump)

Thank you very much. My fellow Americans, I am very proud to announce today that we have reached a deal to end the shutdown and reopen the federal government. [APPLAUSE]

michael barbaro

On Friday afternoon, just hours after the F.B.I. raid of Roger Stones home, President Trump walked into the Rose Garden of the White House and announced victoriously that he was temporarily ending the shutdown with no agreement from the Democrats to fund his border wall.

archived recording (president trump)

I want to thank all of the incredible federal workers and their amazing families 

michael barbaro

The announcement came a day after two bills to reopen the government  one sponsored by Republicans, the other by Democrats  failed to pass in the Senate, and as frustration over the shutdown began to boil over in highly public and disruptive ways.

archived recording

Theyre both clowns. Both sides should sit down and make it happen, including our president, including Pelosi. Its ridiculous. Its not fair. Its not T.S.A.s fault that theyre not getting paid and stuff. Its the governments fault. So the government should get it together.

michael barbaro

By Friday, so many air traffic controllers had called in sick that the Federal Aviation Administration grounded flights across the Northeast. Hundreds of workers at the IRS refused to show up for work, and the director of the F.B.I., Christopher Wray, had released a public message to his employees.

archived recording (christopher wray)

Hi, everyone. Were now five weeks and two missed paychecks into this mess, and I wanted to touch base with all of you again. Making some people stay home when they dont want to and making others show up without pay  its mind-boggling, its short-sighted and its unfair. It takes a lot to get me angry, but Im about as angry as Ive been in a long, long time.

michael barbaro

Unity among congressional Republicans, which had held for a month, began to collapse, with Republican senators, including majority leader Mitch McConnell, telling Vice President Mike Pence that the presidents shutdown strategy was not working and needed to end immediately. In his speech, the president, who has made the $5.7 billion in funding for his wall a non-negotiable condition for ending the shutdown, and who repeatedly rejected Democratic proposals to reopen the government while negotiations continue, ultimately did just that, restoring government to normal function for the next three weeks and promising to quickly pay back federal workers who have missed paychecks since the shutdown began. But 

archived recording (president trump)

If we dont get a fair deal from Congress, the government will either shut down on February 15 again, or I will use the powers afforded to me under the laws and the Constitution of the United States to address this emergency.

michael barbaro

Democrats and Republicans will enter formal negotiations this week to see if they can find a compromise on border security funding and on what constitutes a wall, a definition that is evolving for the president himself.

archived recording (president trump)

We do not need 2,000 miles of concrete wall from sea to shining sea. We never did. We never proposed that. We never wanted that, because we have barriers at the border where natural structures are as good as anything that we can build. Theyre already there. Theyve been there for millions of years.

michael barbaro
TYSONS, Va.  Under scrutiny for his embrace of centrist politics at a time when an insurgent Democratic wing is demanding more leftist policies, Michael R. Bloomberg, actively weighing a presidential run in 2020, on Friday rejected the idea that he could not represent a broad coalition in the party.

I dont think we have to choose between bold ideas and pragmatic leadership, he said after emphasizing the importance of working across the aisle.

Mr. Bloomberg, a billionaire media executive and former Republican mayor of New York, has said he would run as a Democrat if he pursues the White House in 2020. But in the face of concerns that he is too far to the right on a number of issues, including big business and stop-and-frisk policing tactics, he has shown few signs of seeking to assuage those critics.

In a keynote speech at a sold-out breakfast hosted by the Democratic Business Council of Northern Virginia, Mr. Bloomberg underscored the importance of working with Republicans and seemed to brush off attacks that his brand of politics would be unable to unite the party. He also delivered a sharp attack on President Trump as a failed businessman.
We caught up with Mr. Kobach this week by telephone. His remarks were condensed and edited for clarity.

Q. I understand that youre on the board of an organization thats promoting a private wall. Can you tell me what the goal is?

A. The goal is to facilitate construction of a border wall on private land with private funds along the southern border in conjunction with federal government efforts to construct the wall.

Have you done any work to see how much thats going to cost?

We believe we can build the wall, or build sections of the wall, for well under half the price that the federal government is projecting and perhaps as low as a quarter of the price. Quite often the federal government purchases things at prices higher than individuals in the private marketplace.

Do you have a location in mind right now? Do you have landowners who will donate land for this?

We have landowners who are inviting us already. Well be hopefully breaking ground within weeks, but I dont want to give the names yet. We havent selected where were going to start. It doesnt require the donation of a large amount of land. The landowner retains the land. Its not like we build the wall and take possession of the land.

Do you think theres a groundswell of support for this?

I do think theres a groundswell of support. Its an objective that people conceive of very easily. Its not rocket science. Its not super high technology to construct border barriers.

Democrats have proposed other kinds of mechanisms for securing the border  technology, drones, radar.
Kyrsten Sinema, you couldnt tell the difference between her and Martha McSally on matters of the border, he said. She did not run as a Democrat, she ran as an independent or an Arizonan, and did not concede one bit of being tough on illegal immigration to Martha McSally.

Demographers have long predicted the growing share of Latinos in Texas and Arizona would turn those Republican-leaning states a shade of purple or blue. Democrats expectations of awakening the sleeping giant of Latino voters have been repeatedly thwarted.

But 2018 may have moved them a step closer to the future. More than one in four Latino voters said they cast a ballot in a midterm election for the first time, versus 12 percent for whites, according to the Pew Research Center. In congressional races across the country, about 69 percent voted for the Democrat.

Immigration is the big deal breaker in not voting Republican, said Joseph Garcia, director of the Latino Public Policy Center at Arizona State University.

Because Latinos are much younger on average than whites, and many are just forming a partisan preference, Mr. Garcia predicted that Mr. Trumps policies and language about immigrants would sour them on Republicans in federal elections for years to come.

It wasnt just the wall, it was the rhetoric over three years demonizing Latinos in general, he said. That has a longer-lasting effect than just this administration.

The die has been cast in that Arizonas future is largely Latino, he added, and theyre all U.S. citizens because they were born here. The median age of Latinos in Arizona is 26, and for non-Hispanic whites, 43.
After reading a New York Times article about the families gun dilemma that was published earlier this month, the California businessman decided to write a check to the families for $62,500. He contacted a reporter at The Times so that he could get in touch with the lawyer for the special administrator of the estate.

It was tugging at my heart strings and it seemed like a horrific situation for the families to deal with this choice, he said in an interview. I wanted to alleviate some of the pain or at least not allow it to get worse.

The executive said that he wants the donation to be anonymous because the focus should be on the families.

No credit in the face of pain, he said. This was about heartbreak and wanting to help.

He said he made the donation conditional on the destruction of the firearms  which range from pistols to high-powered long arms  to ensure they do not end up back in circulation.

I think the families would feel better if the weapons are gone, he said.

Alice Denton, the lawyer for the special administrator of the estate, said the F.B.I., which is in possession of the firearms, had given a verbal commitment that it would destroy the weapons if it received a court order to do so. She said that she would seek such an order next month from the Las Vegas judge overseeing the estate case. In the meantime, no action to destroy the guns would be taken.
McALLEN, Tex.  President Trump traveled to the Rio Grande Valley earlier this month and made his case for building a wall on the Southern border  needed, he said, to keep America safe from a variety of dangers that are continuing to make their way across the frontier from Mexico.

To help make his point, the evidence was laid out on tables: a big bag of cash, bundles of drugs, high-powered firearms, all confiscated by law enforcement agents working the borderlands in South Texas.

This is just all recent. This is all very recent, Mr. Trump said, pointing to the illicit exhibit in front of him. Mr. Trump was not shy about his disgust for the illegal goods: It looks pretty brutal. This is not a manufactured deal, as you say. This is the real stuff.

But the display at the presidents Jan. 10 round table, it turns out, had little to do with what happens along unfortified reaches of the border. An examination of the seized items suggests that a border wall would not have stopped most of the items from entering the United States, or, in the case of several weapons displayed in front of the president, from leaving the United States for Mexico.
When you arrive at the tiny glass-encapsulated Better Luck Tomorrow in Houstons hip Heights neighborhood, youre asked to join the bars club, which requires a signature before youve even looked at the menu. Its the bars coy way of working around local restrictions that prohibit the sale of alcohol unless the establishment is a private club.

But over the short time it has been open, you could say Better Luck Tomorrow has become one of the hottest clubs in Houston, winning accolades galore. Eater Houston ranked it the best bar in Houston when it opened in 2017, and Food & Wine magazine flagged it as one of the countrys top 10 restaurants of 2018.

Awards for both restaurant and bar is the result of the mind-meld of the citys two dining wunderkinds. Better Luck Tomorrows food menu is designed by Justin Yu, the James Beard award-winning chef known for his popular Houston restaurants Oxheart (closed in 2017) and Theodore Rex. The bars cocktail menu is the work of Bobby Heugel, the man who has virtually remade Houstons drinking scene through innovative concoctions at his bars Anvil and The Pastry War. The two chose the name, the title of a film considered a prequel to the Fast and Furious franchise, because it seemed fitting for a bar. Bars are generally happy places with a bit of melancholy, Mr. Yu said.

The bar is open nightly but does not take reservations. As a result, its small interior can get cramped quickly with millennials on dates or groups of foodies on the hunt, as it did on the rainy night I visited. With outdoor seating on either side of the bar, and in light of its popularity, the space is best calibrated for either sunny weekend brunch or boozy post-dinner drinks and nosh. The dress code is come as you are, or rather, come as you would like to be seen in a tight, flirty space.
Saratoga Springs, NY (12866)

Today

Rain ending this morning. Breaks of sun in the afternoon. High 84F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Partly to mostly cloudy. Low near 60F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.
Smartphones played a key supporting role in James Grahams Privacy, at the Public Theater, too, demonstrating  sometimes uncomfortably  how much could be gleaned about a randomly gathered group of theater fans by the devices they carried in their pockets.

Digital wizardry in The Tempest

Working with Intel and a motion-capture company founded by Andy Serkis (Gollum from Lord of the Rings trilogy), the Royal Shakespeare Company featured an unusually shape-shifting Ariel in its 2017 production of The Tempest.

Mark Quartley, the actor playing Ariel, appeared both onstage and, at moments when his character referred to magic, as a digitally created avatar, filmed live and projected onto screens moving over fellow actors.

More Object lessons

Sensorium, the company that oversaw the technical direction on Hamlet 360, also helped to develop objects in mirror AR closer than they appear, an extension of Geoff Sobelles acclaimed one-man show The Object Lesson.

Presented at New York Theater Workshop and at the Tribeca Film Festival, the piece gave viewers the chance to wander through sections of Mr. Sobelles clutter-filled set and, using smartphone technology, watch and learn more about what was inside the many boxes and drawers  further fleshing out, visually and aurally, what Ben Brantley in The New York Times called the connective poetry in the seeming randomness of what we hoard.
Matt Apfel, the director of augmented reality and virtual reality content at Google, said there was a sizable void when it came to arts and culture and V.R., so when Mr. Maler, who does consulting for Google, pitched the idea, Mr. Apfel and his team were intrigued.

The possibilities of using Hamlet 360 as an educational tool were also exciting, Mr. Maler said. One of his central goals for the project was to bring this Hamlet into classrooms and schools, where performances of Shakespeare are common, but professional-caliber productions are not.

Many young peoples first experience of Shakespeare is not all that great, he said. This is a way to put into the classroom an extraordinary experience of this play, and give teachers another tool to bring the material to life.

Although you watch it on a screen, Hamlet 360 feels in many ways more like theater than cinema. The takes, for example, are extremely long  the get thee to a nunnery scene lasts nearly 10 minutes and is composed of only two shots. Matthew Niederhauser, a technical director and cinematographer on the project, said that quick takes can be hard to watch in V.R. because viewers have to reorient themselves every time the camera moves.

To capture the action, a camera called the Yi Halo 360, lent by Google, was planted in one spot and the actors moved around it, aiming for the sweet spot of its focal depth, about three to eight feet away. The Halo is made up of 17 cameras, one pointed up and the rest fanned around in the shape of a wreath.
LONDON  The Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei was dealt another blow on Friday when one of the worlds largest wireless carriers suspended its purchases from the company in Europe over security concerns about its ties to the Chinese government.

Vodafone Group, which is based in London, said it would temporarily stop buying Huawei equipment for core parts of its next-generation wireless networks, known as 5G. Nick Read, Vodafones chief executive officer, said the pause was necessary while European governments considered whether to ban the use of Huawei equipment.

Mr. Read said Vodafones decision reflected political factors rather than any newly discovered security vulnerabilities. Huawei has been dogged by a campaign led by United States officials, who have argued that Beijing could use the companys gear for spying.

The noise level is at an unhealthy level across Europe, Mr. Read said during a conference call with reporters.
People in many countries often rely on only one or two text messaging services. In China, WeChat, which is made by Tencent, is popular, while WhatsApp is heavily used in South America. Americans are more divided in their use of such services, SMS text messages, Apples iMessage and various Google chat apps.

For Facebook, the move also offers avenues for making money from Instagram and WhatsApp. WhatsApp currently generates little revenue; Instagram produces ad revenue but none from its messaging. Mr. Zuckerberg does not yet have specific plans for how to profit from integrating the services, said two of the people involved in the matter. A more engaged audience could result in new forms of advertising or other services for which Facebook could charge a fee, they said.

One potential business opportunity involves Facebook Marketplace, a free Craigslist-like product where people can buy and sell goods. The service is popular in Southeast Asia and other markets outside the United States.

When the apps are knitted together, Facebook Marketplace buyers and sellers in Southeast Asia will be able to communicate with one another using WhatsApp, which is popular in the region, rather than using Facebook Messenger or another, non-Facebook text message service. That could eventually yield new ad opportunities or profit-generating services, said one of the people.

Some Facebook employees said they were confused about what made combining the messaging services so compelling to Mr. Zuckerberg. Some said it was jarring because of his past promises about independence. When Facebook acquired WhatsApp for $19 billion in 2014, Mr. Koum talked publicly about user privacy, and said, If partnering with Facebook meant that we had to change our values, we wouldnt have done it.

Last month, during one of WhatsApps monthly meetings for staff members, it became clear that Mr. Zuckerbergs mandate would be a priority in 2019, said a person who was there. One WhatsApp employee then conducted an analysis of how many potential new users in the United States the integration plan could bring to Facebook, said two people familiar with the study. The total was relatively meager, the analysis showed.

To assuage concerns, Mr. Zuckerberg called a follow-up meeting with WhatsApp employees a few days later, three of the people said. On Dec. 7, employees gathered around microphones at the WhatsApp offices to ask him why he was so invested in merging the services. Some said his answers were vague and meandering. Several WhatsApp employees have left or plan to leave because of Mr. Zuckerbergs plans, the people said.
My colleague Kate Conger and I reported Wednesday that lawmakers were asking Twitter for more information about the accounts. There is concern that the accounts that amplified the tweet were foreign (read: Russian) and looking to stir discord among Americans. Twitter said it was investigating. So far, it appears that at least the original poster, @2020fight, is American.

The account was suspended by Twitter. But what, at least under Twitter rules, did it do wrong? Many people on Twitter use fake names; many more use fake photos. Neither practice is explicitly against Twitters rules, and in many ways the account used Twitter for exactly what the platform was designed to do  to make something go viral.

Theres a question of whether that is good for any of us, or whether, as my colleague Farhad Manjoo succinctly put it in his column this past week, the answer is to Never Tweet.

 Twitter wasnt the only company to have a bad week. French regulators announced that they had fined Google 50 million euros, or about $57 million, for not properly disclosing how it collected data about its users across its services. Adam Satariano wrote that it was the largest penalty of its kind levied by the European Union, which last year adopted a sweeping new data privacy law known as the General Data Protection Regulation.

 In Australia, a sweeping new law gives local law enforcement authorities the power to compel tech companies like Apple to create tools, known as back doors, that would circumvent the encryption they built into their products.

My colleague Nellie Bowles reported that the laws impact could be felt globally. If Apple were to build a back door for iPhones, law enforcement in other countries, including the United States, could ask to use the same tool.

The debate about back doors to encryption has been raging for years. Tech companies argue that they encrypt devices to protect users. The police say they need access to devices, especially phones, to do their jobs.
DAVOS, Switzerland  Theyll never admit it in public, but many of your bosses want machines to replace you as soon as possible.



I know this because, for the past week, Ive been mingling with corporate executives at the World Economic Forums annual meeting in Davos. And Ive noticed that their answers to questions about automation depend very much on who is listening.

In public, many executives wring their hands over the negative consequences that artificial intelligence and automation could have for workers. They take part in panel discussions about building human-centered A.I. for the Fourth Industrial Revolution  Davos-speak for the corporate adoption of machine learning and other advanced technology  and talk about the need to provide a safety net for people who lose their jobs as a result of automation.

But in private settings, including meetings with the leaders of the many consulting and technology firms whose pop-up storefronts line the Davos Promenade, these executives tell a different story: They are racing to automate their own work forces to stay ahead of the competition, with little regard for the impact on workers.
This article is part of David Leonhardts newsletter. You can sign up here to receive it each weekday.

First, Roger Stone  the longtime adviser to President Trump  was indicted this morning on seven counts, including witness tampering and obstruction. Legal analysts and journalists are still sorting through the charges. But as Quinta Jurecic of Lawfare notes, Stone appears to have been a conduit between the Trump campaign and WikiLeaks. If so, he may also have been at the center of the relationship between the campaign and Russia. Stay tuned.

Let Them Eat Loans

At this point, Wilbur Ross almost seems to be campaigning for the title of Worst Trump Cabinet member.

Ross, the commerce secretary, made news yesterday by suggesting that federal workers working without pay dont have it so bad: They should just take out a loan, he suggested, and all will be fine.
To the Editor:

Re The Day the Music Died, by Margaret Renkl (Op-Ed, nytimes.com, Jan. 21):

While its true that the death of one neighborhood bar in a growing city isnt a tragedy, when it comes on the heels of 43 other music-related businesses demolished over the last five years, the public should be concerned. Especially considering that during that same time, only one threatened historic building  RCA Studio A  was saved.

As Ms. Renkl eloquently describes, Nashville is in danger of destroying its own history. Instead of providing exemptions to Music Rows zoning  which ultimately encourages demolitions of small-scale, music-related buildings  the city should adopt incentives to support the music industry on Music Row. Although large companies are routinely awarded incentives to locate or operate in Nashville, no such benefits exist for small music businesses.

Creating these incentives, including a state tax credit for historic rehabilitation, would help save the past and future of Music Row. Otherwise, no number of mournful laments by the many talented troubadours in Music City will make up for the permanent loss of the citys cultural heritage.

David J. Brown

Washington

The writer is executive vice president and chief preservation officer for the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Nicola L, a French Pop artist who was best known for wry feminist sculpture of female and male forms that often function as furniture, died on Dec. 31 in Los Angeles. She is thought to have been in her mid-80s.

Her death was announced this month by her sons, Christophe and David Lanzenberg. No cause was given. She had moved to Los Angeles 18 months ago to be near her family, having lived for many years in Manhattan, mostly at the Chelsea Hotel.

Although well known in Europe in the 1960s and 70s, Nicola L  she was born Nicola Leuthe  did not have her first institutional survey until 2017, when the Sculpture Center in Long Island City, Queens, mounted a show of about 50 of her works dating from 1968 to the present.

That relative obscurity over the years could be attributed in part to her spreading herself thin as she moved frequently among different media, including performance, film and painting; and in part to her tendency to exhibit in the nearly mutually exclusive worlds of art and furniture design galleries.
Frank Blaichman, who as a teenager during World War II fled into the forests of eastern Poland to avoid a roundup of fellow Jews by occupying Germans and soon became a leader of a band of partisans trying to disrupt the Nazis from inside the country, died on Dec. 27 at his home in Manhattan. He was 96.

The Jewish Partisan Educational Foundation, which develops educational material about the Jewish partisans who fought back against the Nazis, recently announced his death.

Mr. Blaichman, who settled in the United States after the war, was active in promoting the legacy of the partisans, hoping to counter the misperception that all Jews went passively to their fate and that none fought back against the Nazis. He told his story in a 2009 book, Rather Die Fighting: A Memoir of World War II, as well as in an oral history recorded for the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and in several documentaries.

He was among the organizers of an effort to create a memorial to Jewish partisans and soldiers. When that memorial was dedicated in Jerusalem in 1985, he was among the speakers.
Not every state senator gets to start off a new legislative session by receiving a standing ovation, but that was the reality on Jan. 14 for incoming state Sen. Zellnor Myrie. The Democrat from Brooklyn sat in his red, cushioned leather chair in the state Senate chambers, while colleagues surrounded him to offer handshakes, hugs and smiles.

How did he earn these plaudits? The chamber had just passed a bill to implement early voting statewide and even some Republican lawmakers joined in as the Senate applauded Myrie for 22 seconds in recognition that he had just passed his first bill. It was the type of moment that could play well later on in campaign commercials and the campaign stump  the idea that on Day One, Myrie made big things happen for his constituents. I have a feeling, state Senate Deputy Majority Leader Mike Gianaris said on the Senate floor, We are going to be doing this a lot this year, because we have some many new members.

By the end of the following week, fellow freshman senators Julia Salazar and Jen Metzger also saw prominent legislation pass with their names at the top. While these bills  the Comprehensive Contraception Coverage Act and the Boss Bill respectively  dealt with expanding access to contraception, they were similar to Myries bill in two fundamental ways: they all passed by large margins and none of them were originally sponsored by the new senators. Instead, they were submitted by someone else in the previous legislative session: state Sen. Brian Kavanagh, for the voting reform bill, and Republican State Sen. John Bonacic and state Senator Liz Krueger for Salazars and Metzgers, respectively.

Lawmakers swapping bill sponsorships isnt new. But it has reached an unprecedented level in the Senate this year through the combination of a hefty backlog of old bills blocked by the previous GOP majority and a 15-person roster of newly elected Democrats. In a legislative session when Democrats have passed a slate of high-profile bills, not a single new Assembly Democrat has sponsored any of them, while in the Senate, the list of new lawmakers with nominally big achievements to their names keeps growing. These bills have given the newcomers early legislative achievements, fodder for later campaigns, and have helped cement unity between the Senate leadership and the senators who helped it win their strongest hold on the chamber in more than a century.

Its relationships, said political consultant Jake Dilemani, who has worked with Myrie, state Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and other Democrats in the past. Its Andrea and its Gianaris starting the year off on the right foot, trying to build a strong united conference that they can maintain for not just the next two years, but also after that.

New state senators are sponsoring bills big and small  and not always from the left. By sponsoring a bill previously sponsored by state Senate Minority Leader John Flanagan that would cap property tax increases, for example, state Sen. James Gaughran will earn some political capital from Long Island voters. Taxes, taxes and taxes, said Larry Levy, executive dean of Hofstra Universitys National Center for Suburban Studies, of the priorities of Gaughrans constituents. But Gaughran has not stopped there. He has also picked up a bill that was sponsored by Republican Assemblyman Andrew Raia. The bill, which requires propeller guards on instructional vessels, might not generate headlines, but politically, its a no-brainer, to sponsor a bill that shields children from injury, said Levy.

Other freshmen senators are primed to benefit politically by reintroducing or modifying old bills. State Sen. Kevin Thomas found a bill to protect babies from the dangers of infant walkers that was proposed by Assemblywoman Amy Paulin last year. State Sen. Monica Martinez is the latest senator to seek a crack down on revenge porn, picking up a bill sponsored last year by Republican Sen. Phil Boyle. Stewart-Cousins handed off a 2018 bill abolishing the sub-minimum wage for tipped workers to state Sen. Jessica Ramos, while state Sen. Andrew Gounardes gets to sponsor a bill regulating physicians sponsored by his controversial 2018 Republican opponent former state Sen. Marty Golden. State Sen. James Skoufis is giving new life to a bill limiting the room temperatures of public schools, originally championed by the deceased state Sen. Jose Peralta. While it does not involve bill sponsorship, state senators Skoufis, Salazar and Alessandra Biaggi will also chair upcoming hearings on sexual harassment that will give them a large amount of attention early in their terms.

The new members are the future and they want to get something done. Re-election is only two years away, political consultant George Arzt said. The fact that they have sponsored a bill shows that they have the faith of leadership and I think that is really important to the voters  all you have to say is you sponsored this piece of legislation.

Overall, the number of bills passed by new senators is roughly in proportion to their representation among the majority conference. The notably high level of involvement of first-time senators in sponsoring legislation and helping to shepherd it through the committee process is one early sign that the new Senate majority is giving its new members opportunities to share in the limelight as Democrats aim to redefine the Senate in a more progressive image. "The new Senate majority is committed to breaking down barriers and hitting the ground running," Senate majority spokesman Gary Ginsburg said.

You'd expect notorious attention seekers such as state senators to refuse to hand over their bill, and the credit that comes with it, to a freshman. When asked whether he had ever witnessed lawmakers jealously guard bill sponsorships in the past, Democratic state Sen. Brad Hoylman said he had, while declining to provide specifics. However, he added that the members who are excited to finally win the majority want to protect it.

Some senior lawmakers could be reluctant to give up the sponsorships of favorite bills, and the credit and attention that goes with it, to new senators. When asked whether he had ever witnessed lawmakers jealously guard bill sponsorships in the past, Democratic state Sen. Brad Hoylman appeared to acknowledge that he had. I laugh, he said, chuckling. But at the end of the day you got to take a step back and see the big picture, Hoylman said. Theres enough credit to go around.

Three weeks into the legislative session, the opportunity for freshman lawmakers to say they had an immediate impact on legislation has been limited to those whose bills got the greenlight from Senate majority leadership. For the time being, new senators who have yet to sponsor bills, new or old, have yet to publicly share any dissatisfaction. They were already being sponsored, said Sen. Rachel May. I just want to pass ... the DREAM Act and voting rights.

Many of the new senators have gotten bill sponsorships through the committee assignments they received and discussions with conference leadership. Myrie got his chance to sponsor the early voting bill during discussions at Senate Democrats December retreat in Albany. That is where he expressed his interest in taking on the bill, in part because he was the newly-appointed chairman of the Committee on Elections. We had the opportunity to express to the leadership the things that we were passionate about, Myrie said. I felt that early voting would be a great place to start. Kavanagh stepped aside as Myrie added some minor tweaks to the bill and got ready to debate the legislation on the Senate floor. I was really nervous because this was going to be the first thing that the conference was going to tackle, Myrie said.

Although he did not come up with the idea of bringing early voting to New York, as the sponsor of the bill, Myrie had to defend it on the floor against Republican attacks. Although the outcome of the vote was never really in doubt, Myrie went through the motions of explaining the bills merits and how he thinks it would open up the democratic process so that more people can vote. While he got recognition from his colleagues once the legislation passed, Myries true reward might still await him when he runs again in 2020. Mixing metaphors Myrie said, many of us are really taking the ball in the ninth inning and getting it across. Its going to be significant to go back to the people in the 20th district and say look Im doing what you voted for me to do.

Correction: A previous version of this story mixed up two bills sponsored by Democratic state Sen. James Gaughran that were previously sponsored state Republican Sen. John Flanagan and Republican Assemblyman Andrew Raia.
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When a New York City public housing employee overhauled her kitchen with stolen equipment, she even took the cabinets  but didnt stop there.

She stole the kitchen sink, too.

This is according to charges filed in Queens Criminal Court, which say that Eva Torres, who worked for the New York City Housing Authority, stole eight kitchen cabinets, a white refrigerator and a sink from a public housing complex in East Harlem.

The property taken from the housing authority, also known as Nycha, was worth over a thousand dollars, officials said.

This Nycha supervisor misused her position to give her personal kitchen a makeover, realizing the renovation with stolen equipment and an appliance from Nycha and denying residents what was rightfully theirs, according to the charges, the commissioner of the citys Department of Investigation, Margaret Garnett, said in a statement.
In 1910, when Harry Payne Whitney bought his fathers mansion on Fifth Avenue, The Times reported, No house in the country, perhaps, has been more sumptuously and artistically furnished.

Also: The great bronze fire dogs in the dining room are the finest in America.

It cost a trifle under $3,000,000, fully furnished, the largest private house sale in respect to price that has ever been recorded in the city. (That would be about $80 million today.)

In the modern era, the most expensive homes in the city were bought and sold at a scale that was, in a way, understandable. Prices ticked up by a million here, a couple million there.

Then things started to accelerate. By 2006, a home on East 75th Street sold for $53 million.

That record was shattered in 2012 when a penthouse on Central Park West was sold to a Russian oligarch for $88 million, soon to be topped by a $100 million sale.
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Less than four months ago, the staid Metropolitan Republican Club in Manhattan became an unlikely battleground between anti-fascism activists and a far-right group known as the Proud Boys.

After the Proud Boys founder, Gavin McInnes, spoke at the club, vandalism and violence ensued, as people associated with the group squared off with protesters on the streets of the Upper East Side.

Now the brawl has moved inside the century-old club. The fight mirrors broader tensions within the Republican Party around the country, pitting far-right conservatives energized by President Trump against a Republican establishment that was once a bastion of New York moderates like John V. Lindsay and Nelson A. Rockefeller.

The election for club president will be held Wednesday, and one of the two candidates, Ian Walsh Reilly, has won support from another right-wing provocateur, Milo Yiannopoulos, who posted a New Years Eve appeal on Facebook, urging his followers to join the club and vote for Mr. Reilly.
The judge pointed out to Mr. Weinstein his lawyers would face an ethical problem if the actress were called to testify against him.

Mr. Weinstein, 66, faces five charges in Manhattan, including rape and two counts of predatory sexual assault, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison. The charges are related to one woman who accused Mr. Weinstein of raping her in a Midtown hotel and another who said he performed oral sex on her against her will in his apartment.

He has denied the allegations and has said the relationships were consensual.

Ms. McGowan has been a vocal critic of the movie producer and was one of the first women to come forward and accuse him of sexual misconduct. She said Mr. Weinstein assaulted her during a film festival in Utah in 1997, but charges were never filed. It is possible she could be called to testify about her experience to establish a pattern of behavior.

Ms. McGowan has criticized the lawyers for taking the Hollywood producers case, calling it an egregious conflict of interest.

Mr. Baez and Mr. Sullivan represented Ms. McGowan in November 2017 when she faced drug possession charges in Virginia. She had accused Mr. Weinstein of having a hand in her arrest, saying, without evidence, that he had the drugs planted in her wallet.
They come two by two, sometimes solo, or in fours, key card in hand, to the small room on the 10th floor of Hotel 3232. Some know what to expect, but others are in for a surprise.

One couple came on their anniversary, a gift from husband to wife, and riding up in the elevator she wondered if he was taking her to a sex party. She was relieved to find that where the bed would normally be was a sushi bar  and behind it the exuberant, wisecracking chef David Bouhadana.

Sushi by Bou Suite 1001  Mr. Bouhadanas latest project and part of his growing line of dining experiences  opened in December. It is a speakeasy like no other. New Yorkers love a hideaway or secret place and this one in NoMad has never quite been done before.

Mr. Bouhadana, with the help of investors Michael Sinensky and Erika London, has partnered with the 32nd Street hotel to install a four-person sushi counter in one of its rooms. He is there every night, making his creations, from 5 p.m. to midnight, bouncing to disco music and encouraging diners to drink deeply from the Mr. Sake machine. Each 17-course meal lasts 60 minutes and costs $125 (not including sake), reasonably cheap by New York omakase standards.
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At La Guardia Airport in New York on Friday, Divneet Wadhwa, 26, was stewing. Her flight to Toronto, where she was going for a wedding, had been delayed three times.

I dont think were going anywhere, Ms. Wadhwa said, adding that she had events later and that being stuck in New York would really mess everything up.

She was just one of thousands of travelers across the Northeastern United States whose plans were upended Friday morning after a shortage of air traffic controllers triggered significant flight delays.

A few hours later, President Trump announced a deal to temporarily reopen the government, easing the increasing strain on federal agencies, for a few weeks at least.
I.C.R.C. is one of the few organizations that offer Afghans cost-free and sustainable medical treatment for amputations and other injuries. It has been working in the country for 30 years and has provided more than 109,000 prosthetics to Afghans since the orthopedic program started. Many of the people who seek assistance were injured by roadside bombs, airstrikes or undetonated bomblets leftover from American cluster munitions dropped after the initial U.S.-backed invasion in 2001. In 2017, a third of the clinics patients were children, who are often taken on field trips to learn how to recognize and avoid stray ordnance. In a recent profile written by Mujib Mashal for The Times, Alberto Cairo, the head of I.C.R.C.s physical rehabilitation program, described how these injuries are about more than physical loss. When you lose a leg, you dont just lose a leg  you lose a piece of heart, you lose a piece of mind, you lose a piece of self-confidence.

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Despite the grim reality that McDonnells photos depict, they also demonstrate the resourcefulness of a people who once relied on clothing, scrap metal and tape to build and maintain their own artificial appendages. Its this intimate sense of survival that makes McDonnells photos stand out and that reminds us of a past era of a war that has yet to end.

Lauren Katzenberg is the editor of At War.

TIMES EVENT: Civilian Casualties of the War on Terror

Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2019 | New York City

A rare convergence of experts on the human costs of war will discuss the often-ignored outgrowth of the global war on terror: two decades of civilian casualties. Times journalist and Marine Corps infantry veteran C. J. Chivers, winner of the Pulitzer Prize for his 2016 story about an Afghan war veteran suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, will moderate the discussion. The panelists are Alissa J. Rubin, the Times Paris bureau chief who won a Pulitzer Prize for foreign reporting on Afghanistan in 2015; Azmat Khan, an investigative reporter and New York Times Magazine contributor, who uncovered civilian casualties among nearly 150 airstrike sites across northern Iraq; and writer Brian Castner, a veteran of the Iraq war and weapons expert for Amnesty Internationals crisis team, who also investigates war crimes and human rights violations.

Get tickets here.

The Latest Stories From At War
I called the police and was connected to the dispatch office in the county where the avalanche had occurred. The dispatcher asked for my husbands name. I told her. Hold on a minute, she said. She returned to the line. Well, we dont have his name right here, she said. I will have the coroner call you back one way or the other. That should have been my clue. Either she didnt want to tell me or she wasnt authorized to deliver the news.

The doorbell rang. I opened the door to the three sheriffs deputies. I managed to speak first. It was him, wasnt it? I said. My voice was barely a squeak. My tears started as they asked if they could come in. One of them was a chaplain, who sat on the couch and confirmed my fears. Much after that is a blur. Many other phone calls were made: to a friend who would come over so I wouldnt be alone; to my parents, who would fly out the next day to be with me. The conversation with the deputies came around to informing Chriss mother. She was in Kentucky. One of them called to Lexington. The police there were busy with New Years Eve festivities. The deputy called a fire chief, who said he didnt feel comfortable with the task. It was left to me.

It was approaching midnight where Chriss mom lived. I wondered: Should I wait until morning? I dreaded causing her the pain I knew was to come. The wretched cry I had heard from my own mother minutes before would surely be multiplied a hundredfold. For a moment I thought that if I could wait until morning maybe I would think of the right words. There are many gaps in my memories of that night. One comment I do remember was this: Im a father, one of the deputies said. I would want to know now. I made the call. I told her that, yes, his body had been recovered and passed on the coroners contact information. She responded with tears and devastation and shared in my disbelief of whether this moment was real.

Chriss urge to be in the mountains was related to his postwar adjustments, and it became central to his regeneration and health. But I didnt blame the war for his death. His drive to pursue his passions outside of his first career gave me the resolve to do the same. Six months after he died, I left the Army, moved across the country and started medical school. Becoming a physician requires years of intensive practice and study, and in this early stage of my career, I know I should be more concerned with learning drug names or the proper quantity of fluid boluses. Yet its the act of communicating bad news to patients and their families that I often ponder. I came to medical school having served around violence and trauma, and having already received and given a death notification. Ive learned that the worst moments in someones life can be a haze with few distinct memories. In these moments it matters less what you say than how you say it. People in pain remember compassion, like the compassion I received from the deputies who sat on the couch with me and didnt leave until I was no longer alone.

I am trying to apply this lesson as I follow Chriss example, knowing that as an emergency-medicine physician, its inevitable that I will be informing families about a loved ones death. I dont view this as a dreaded duty. It is part of being human and connecting with others. I want to pass this knowledge on.
The following report compiles all significant security incidents confirmed by New York Times reporters throughout Afghanistan from the past seven days. It is necessarily incomplete as many local officials refuse to confirm casualty information. The report includes government claims of insurgent casualty figures, but in most cases these cannot be independently verified by The Times. Similarly, the reports do not include Taliban claims for their attacks on the government unless they can be verified. Both sides routinely inflate casualty totals for their opponents.

At least 90 pro-government forces and 21 civilians were killed in Afghanistan during the past week. The casualties of pro-government forces increased this week, but the number of the Taliban attacks decreased. The bloodiest attack took place in Wardak Province, where a Taliban suicide attacker drove an armored Humvee packed with explosives to an Afghan intelligence agencys base, killing 50 intelligence personnel and wounding dozens others. It is the first time in recent weeks that Taliban attacks across the country decreased dramatically, perhaps due to the cold weather and the first heavy snowfalls in many parts of the county. One American service member was killed in Oruzgan Province by enemy fire during a combat mission.

[Read the Afghan War Casualty Report from previous weeks.]

Contributors: Reporting was contributed by the following New York Times reporters: Rod Nordland and Fatima Faizi from Kabul; Najim Rahim from Mazar-e-Sharif; Taimoor Shah from Kandahar; Zabihullah Ghazi from Jalalabad and Farooq Jan Mangal from Khost.

Jan. 23 Helmand Province: 16 civilians killed

At least 16 civilians were killed during a joint military operation of Afghan and American forces in Sangin District. The house where the civilians lived was targeted, although its unclear if it was hit by an airstrike or a rocket.

Jan. 22 Faryab province: one police officer killed

The Taliban attacked security outposts in the center of Almar District, killing one police officer and wounding a pro-government militia member.
The race for New York City Public Advocate provides a perfect example of why New York needs instant runoff voting, also known as ranked-choice voting. Twenty candidates at the time of this writing were expected to be on the ballot in the Feb. 26 special election to replace Letitia James since she was elected state attorney general. We can also expect crowded fields in the 2021 Democratic primary for New York City mayor and other local races.

But the traditional first-past-the-post election system risks creating bizarre and unintended consequences, especially in the public advocate race. In a public advocate election with no primary and well over 10 candidates on the ballot, there is a strong possibility that someone will win with less than 20 percent of the vote. Special election turnout in New York City is often under 5 percent, so theres a real chance that someone could win fewer than 80,000 votes and represent more than 8 million New York City residents. The winner of this election will be next in line for mayor should Bill de Blasio fail to finish his term. In an instant runoff election, however, a winner with only 20 percent of the first-choice votes would also need to be the second or third choice of many voters, and so could realistically claim a mandate from the majority.

Instant runoff voting provides an elegant solution for elections where no candidate wins a majority of the votes in a contest between three or more candidates. On an instant runoff ballot, instead of just picking one candidate, voters rank their first choice, second choice, third choice and so on for as many candidates as they wish. If no candidate wins a majority of the first-choice votes, it triggers an instant runoff: The candidate with the fewest first-choice votes is eliminated and that candidates second-choice votes are distributed to other candidates. If those second-choice votes dont put anyone over 50 percent, then another runoff is triggered, and runoffs continue until someone passes the 50 percent threshold and wins. (If you find this baffling, FairVote.org can point you to a clever demonstration video using Post-it notes.) The important point is that no one has wasted their vote in an instant runoff election, even if their first choice was a candidate who came in dead last. That voters second, third or fourth choice can still have an impact on the outcome.

Another problem with first-past-the-post elections is the potential for spoilers. Two candidates who draw on a similar base of supporters can spoil each others chances, allowing a less popular candidate to win. There is a possibility of this happening in the public advocate race: New York City Councilmen Jumaane Williams and Rafael Espinal and Assemblywoman Latrice Walker all represent neighboring districts in Brooklyn. This can torment voters; by choosing their local favorite candidate, will they undermine another similar candidate that they also like, and wind up helping someone they oppose?

New York City contains nearly seven times more registered Democrats than Republicans, but if voters divide their support between more than a dozen candidates who identify as Democrats or progressives, theres a real possibility of victory for the single Republican elected official in the race, City Councilman Eric Ulrich. With instant runoff voting, an outcome like this would be nearly impossible, as voters are likely to pick ideologically similar candidates for their top choices.

Its possible U.S. Rep. Sean Patrick Maloneys run for attorney general last year wound up spoiling the Democratic primary for Zephyr Teachout. We cant know who Maloney voters would have picked for their second choice, but he and Teachout were strong in similar regions, winning every county north of Westchester and Rockland. Under instant runoff voting, if 75 percent of Maloney voters had picked Teachout as their second choice, she would have won an instant runoff against James. Instant runoff voting would eliminate the risk of spoilers, and would encourage candidates to run positive campaigns, hoping to get at least a No. 2 pick from their close rivals.

In first-past-the-post elections, someone with a fairly small base of die-hard supporters can beat a crowded field of more popular candidates, an outcome that is nearly impossible in instant runoff voting. Science journalist Paul Raeburn made the case in Newsweek that Donald Trump might not have won the 2016 GOP primary under instant runoff voting, because Ted Cruz, John Kasich and Marco Rubio combined won 2 million more primary votes than Trump, and its possible the vast majority of those voters would not have picked Trump as their No. 2 choice.

Trumps victory shows how first-past-the-post elections can favor divisive candidates who eke out a plurality, rather than consensus-builders. Instant runoff voting would give candidates an incentive to reach out to a broader range of voters, in hopes of being the second choice for voters backing more marginal candidates.

New York City already has one safeguard against a fringe candidate winning a crowded citywide primary with a small percentage of the vote. If a candidate wins with less than 40 percent, New York City holds another runoff election between the top two candidates. This is an expensive and cumbersome solution, though, asking voters to vote in another primary just weeks after the first. These runoffs are not available in statewide or state legislative elections, for special elections like the current public advocate race, or for New York City Council elections  so it is possible that the next governor of New York could win the primary with less than 25 percent of the vote, especially if the trend toward crowded elections continues. Statewide adoption of instant runoff voting can provide a clear, inexpensive solution to this problem.

The state of Maine, and more than 10 U.S. cities including San Francisco, have already adopted instant runoff voting. A study of San Franciscos implementation estimates it will save $15 million over 10 years by eliminating traditional runoff elections, despite some one-time expenses in retooling voting machines. Critics warn that instant runoff voting can be complicated and confusing, especially in the rare cases where the candidate who gets a plurality of the No. 1 votes loses to a candidate who wins most of the second-choice votes. But recent increases in political participation in New York point to an electorate that is ready to engage with a more complex and more (small d) democratic process. Elected officials including New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer, state Attorney General James and New York City Councilman Brad Lander are pushing for instant runoff voting, along with most local good-government groups.

New Yorks new Democratic legislative majority has already passed important voting reforms such as early voting. These legislators could enact instant runoff voting statewide, or New York City could enact it through the 2019 Charter Revision Commission or through legislation. Facing a future where more people will run for office, New York needs instant runoff voting in all elections.

Correction: An earlier version of this post had the incorrect date for the public advocate special election. The election is set for Feb. 26.
Like many stories of its kind  migrants fleeing unbearable lives  this one begins at sea, with 60 people jammed like livestock headed to market in a dinghy best suited for six.

What makes the journey of these immigrants from the Middle East and Northern Africa different from others is not the dangers they braved before a Spanish rescue crew spotted them last summer in the Mediterranean. Every day, migrants risk everything when they set sail for Europe  drowning, starvation, suffocation and, if they reach land, rejection, detention, even enslavement by traffickers.

What makes this story unique is its happy ending, almost as if in a fairy tale.
Businesses have been sounding the alarm over Britains impending departure from the European Union ever since its approval in a 2016 referendum. But this week, with lawmakers unable to agree on any sort of orderly plan as the March deadline for a deal nears, their warnings rang louder  and some decided to act.

Airbus and Bentley called the prospect of Brexit without an agreement a killer and a disgrace. Sony, concerned about Brexit-generated disruptions, said it would move its European headquarters from Surrey to the Netherlands. Other companies are furiously stockpiling supplies, while civil servants are scrambling to prepare for emergency arrangements.

While politicians may yet pull together a deal before March 29, analysts say businesses have run out of time. The precarious state of affairs is already damaging the economy.

Until the middle of last year, it was a slow burn  we lost about 2 to 3 percent of output, said Amit Kara, head of British macroeconomic research at the National Institute of Economic and Social Research. My feeling is it has gathered a little bit of pace since then.
The publisher Spiegel & Grau, a Penguin Random House imprint known for its best-selling and groundbreaking nonfiction, has been shut down as part of a continuing effort to streamline Penguin Random Houses sprawling operation following the merger between Penguin and Random House in 2013.

On Friday, the company announced that the imprint will be shuttered and that its founders, Cindy Spiegel and Julie Grau, will leave. The news came as a shock to some at the company and in the publishing world, as the imprint had just completed one of its most successful years. In 2018, it published multiple New York Times best sellers and other high-profile titles, including a book about the Beastie Boys by the band members Michael Diamond and Adam Horovitz, and one about pressing societal concerns by the Israeli historian and philosopher Yuval Harari.

The imprint, which was started at Doubleday in 2007 and moved to Random House in 2008, has over the years amassed a stable of prominent authors and award-winning books.

Spiegel & Grau published Between the World and Me, by Ta-Nehisi Coates, a best seller that won a 2015 National Book Award and helped drive conversation about police violence and systemic racism. They also published best sellers like Bryan Stevensons Just Mercy, the memoir Born a Crime, by the Daily Show host Trevor Noah, Jay-Zs DECODED, Piper Kermans prison memoir Orange Is the New Black and books by popular self-help authors like Suze Orman and Brene Brown.
As improbable as some of the particulars might be, Gamble seduces with her rich, rollicking portrait of life in Jacksonian Ohio.

THE PERILOUS ADVENTURES OF THE COWBOY KING

By Jerome Charyn

283 pp. Liveright. $26.95.

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Theodore Roosevelts acerbic daughter Alice suggested that her father wanted to be the corpse at every funeral, the bride at every wedding and the baby at every christening. To this we must add the hero of every novel. Teddys cry of Ya-ha-hawww! punctuates the prose of The Perilous Adventures of the Cowboy King, exclamation being the default choice of voice for Teedie, who narrates his life from his childhood in Manhattan until his elevation to the presidency.

As a writer/ventriloquist, Charyn has written works by Abraham Lincoln and Emily Dickinson, productions in which the audience can occasionally see the performers mouth move. Teddy is a fraught choice for biographical treatment these days, a trustbusting conservationist who was also a big-game hunter with a dubious view of racial equality, appearing almost buffoonish behind his pince-nez and buck teeth. But Charyns empathic first-person strategy keeps the tone sprightly positive, undercutting the braggadocio with paradoxical self-deprecation. On the celebrated charge of the Rough Riders up San Juan Hill, for example, Teddy loses his eyeglasses and cant seem to locate one of the many extra pairs that have been sewn into his uniform. He is rescued by an aide with yet another spare pair.

Yet he is, undeniably, a marvel. As a little boy, he makes himself expert at imitating birdsong and keeps a seal skull and other artifacts in the malodorous Teedie Roosevelt Museum of Natural History in his bedroom. As an adult, he is part cowpoke, part politician. Perhaps most telling is his infatuation with a pet cougar named Josephine. Ya-ha-hawww!

MAD BLOOD STIRRING

By Simon Mayo

386 pp. Pegasus. $25.95.

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The War of 1812, bookended by the American Revolution and the Civil War, usually disappears in their shadow, so its instructive as well as entertaining to find an ambitious novel set at the close of that conflict. A truce has been declared, yet American sailors find themselves still trapped in Dartmoor, a vicious den of a prison in Devonshire, England. Wicked cold grips the place in the winter of 1814, and a smallpox epidemic decimates the population. The plot of Mad Blood Stirring grows from a kernel of historical truth  Mayo provides a full bibliography, in case theres any doubt  but his book dazzles not so much as fact than as fiction.
THE RECOVERING: Intoxication and Its Aftermath, by Leslie Jamison. (Back Bay/Little, Brown, $18.99.) Jamison, adding to a large group of addiction memoirs, maps her own recovery while considering the relationship between creativity and substance abuse. The emotional firepower of the book comes in its second half, after she has embraced sobriety; our critic, Dwight Garner, called this section close to magnificent, and genuinely moving.

LOVE AND RUIN, by Paula McLain. (Ballantine, $17.) McLains latest novel, about the marriage between the journalist Martha Gellhorn and Ernest Hemingway, takes up the question that vexed (and probably doomed) their relationship: Why must a woman choose between her career and what her husband wants her to be? McLain drew on primary sources to develop her fiery protagonist.

A WORLD WITHOUT WHOM: The Essential Guide to Language in the BuzzFeed Age, by Emmy J. Favilla. (Bloomsbury, $18.) The BuzzFeed copy chief discusses her plan to codify language in a digital era, balancing a need for logic with flexibility to account for how people actually talk. Along with a look at the rules she devised, the book offers a guide to the quandaries we face as the way we communicate online reshapes language itself.

MADNESS IS BETTER THAN DEFEAT, by Ned Beauman. (Vintage, $17.) Emboldened by fungal clairvoyance after inhaling mold in an old temple, a C.I.A. agent tells the story of a fateful meeting in the Honduran jungle in 1938. The novels twists and turns touch on everything from colonialism to conspiracy theories. Our reviewer, Helene Stapinski, called the story a kitchen-sink sendup of spy novels, 1930s Hollywood and screwball newspaper comedies, with a pinch of Pynchon thrown in for fun.
This is not truly a saga of highway construction, as Rutkow spends little of his time on the front lines with the earthmovers. He is more interested in the difficult political road of Pan-Americanism, the romantic notion of hemispheric unity that lives on in the name of the defunct airline Pan Am; the fading country medallions on New Yorks Sixth Avenue, which nobody ever calls The Avenue of the Americas; a little-visited marble building on the Mall in Washington, D.C.; a proto-United Nations body called the Organization of American States and the 19,000-mile highway that still bears the faint stamp of Simon Bolivars original vision of a common army and parliament for the New World.

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The story begins at sea with the nausea of Hinton Rowan Helper, the United States consul to Argentina, who endured a miserable voyage back to New York City in 1866 and wondered why not by rail? He devoted the next several years to promoting the then-fantastical concept of an overland rail link between the United States and Latin America. After initially floundering in Congress, the scheme became a choice morsel to be seized in the chaos capitalism typical of the early railroading era. Jay Gould, Collis P. Huntington and William Palmer all vied to be the first to lay tracks from the Rio Grande to Mexico City, an ambition that carried the endorsement in 1880 of the former president Ulysses S. Grant, who had fought in the Mexican-American War as a young officer and, as Rutkow puts it, loved Mexico almost as much as he loved cigars, horses and whiskey. The extensions of the Pan-American Railway into Central America became mainly a tool of the powerful mercantilist company United Fruit, known to its critics as El Pulpo, or The Octopus.

By the 1920s, however, the automobile was king, and Washington had embraced the doctrines of the Good Roads movement that sought to bring all-weather macadam and concrete to every muddy corner of the country, and into Central America. Within a decade, Franklin Roosevelt would become one of Pan-Americanisms greatest champions, and his posture toward the highway is a reminder of how freely ideas and cash flowed during the New Deal. Rutkow paints convincing portrayals of technocrat-heroes like Logan Page and Thomas MacDonald at the federal road office, who handled their jobs with efficiency and prudence even while commanding staggering amounts of money.

At times, the book reads like an executive summary of the various conferences organized to promote the highway, while potentially colorful episodes are brushed over. Rutkow is a superb fact-hunter, having raided archives from San Jose, Costa Rica, to Laramie, Wyo., to find letters, minutes and articles that may not have seen daylight since the years they were written. Yet not every quotation about the highway feels necessary to the story, and theres a paucity of description of the road itself or its surrounding landscape. And for such a well-researched book about a bicontinental project, theres another strange omission. The route through South America receives precious little attention, with almost all the focus trained on United States policy toward road-building in Central America.

Rutkow is a graceful writer with a penchant for well-placed classical allusions, yet he possesses a distracting literary tic: a heavy reliance on the adverb finally, which occasionally occurs twice on the same page. He uses it to describe such perfunctory matters as Mexicos control of its own rail system, the opening of a tunnel under the Hudson River, the nationalizing of American railroads during World War I, a power transfer in Guatemala, the disbanding of a committee, a proposal for federal funding of canals, the appearance of a Treasury Department report, a vetoed bill in Congress, a call to form a lobbying organization, the emergence of rural free mail, the popularity of good roads, the use of science in road-building, a job offer and the desire among Latin Americans to buy cars. This conclusory word is a curious one when overused in connection with a project whose essence is incompletion.
Amy called me out of the blue one day and said, You know, as long as Ive known you, youve always been the oldest girl in the world. And Im like, Is that a compliment? Cut to the end of the story: We ended up developing a show for NBC called Old Soul, in which I played a character named Nadia, and Ellen Burstyn played [a character based on] Ruth, my real-life godmother who lives in Murray Hill and spends most of her time at the Borgata in Atlantic City and is a high-roller but almost exclusively on the slot machines. Chain-smoker, Carltons. So when that show did not get picked up, it was almost like a paid investigation of what would become Russian Doll.

Join Times theater reporter Michael Paulson in conversation with Lin-Manuel Miranda, catch a performance from Shakespeare in the Park and more as we explore signs of hope in a changed city. For a year, the Offstage series has followed theater through a shutdown. Now were looking at its rebound.

Whats it like handing off your ideas to an all-female writers room?

In an amazing way, the first thing that goes out the window is the trope of a woman. Everybody is a vulnerable, complex person, but I dont think that the ways in which we exhibit that are in any way how our stories have been told traditionally.

How fun was it thinking up ways for Nadia to die?

Theres probably a bit of a misconception around how key the deaths are. It was more an emotional story of bottoming out. There are metaphorical deaths big and small throughout the day: There are the bigger ones where you just feel like your whole world is collapsing, [because of] health or a relationship falling apart. Then theres the smaller deaths of the text message that didnt get responded to that youre obsessing on, and it feels like youre suddenly a hollow man inside.

Lets not forget those street-crossing hazards.

Im definitely a real criminal jaywalker. Im happy for the environment that we have bicycles now in the city, but its unmanageable. You dont know if theyre coming from this side or the other side. Its way too zany. No longer is there this elegant kind of Richard Hell sort of Lou Reed lazy amble through the city as you cross the street, looking over your shoulder like a cool guy. Theyve killed that entire rhythm to Manhattan.

I dont want to spoil anything, but youve cast Chloe Sevigny in a very personal role.

Chloe is my closest person in life, and there was really only one person that felt like it was safe to entrust that role to. Probably the most incredible moment for me was walking home with my little directors binder in the East Village and watching the sun begin to rise. And Im like, this is a very different kind of sunrise than what Ive experienced historically at this hour. This was the good guys version of that, and it was deep stuff. Chloe and I had walked those streets so many times, and now it was this world that we had built. There was a lot of gratitude. I just couldnt believe how things have turned out.

In July, you told some crossword puzzle jokes for T Magazine. It seems youre obsessed.

I might like the crossword puzzle more than I care about cigarettes, which is insane. There have been relationships where Ive broken up because Im like, I need this to feel more like a crossword puzzle. At the time, I didnt know that thats what was missing  about the stimulus or lack thereof  but its a real sweet spot. Imagine if they ever really figure out virtual reality: It would feel similar in terms of why people would want to escape into a futuristic pod and just live in there because the world outside has become too toxic to inhabit. That was an early concept for Russian Doll that we abandoned because we realized we didnt know how to make that show.
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.

T.S.A. in Slow Motion

When Jimmy Fallon found out that a legal marijuana vendor is offering free medical cannabis to government workers during the shutdown, he imagined some unintended side effects for travelers.
Last week, high-profile spots for the latest Ghostbusters, Spider-Man and John Wick movies were released. This week, its Matthew McConaugheys bare bum, an Idris Elba movie without Idris Elba, and a Nancy Drew whodunit. The trailer gods work in mysterious ways.

The Beach Bum (March 29)

The red-band trailer for the writer-director Harmony Korines follow-up to his 2013 cult favorite Spring Breakers makes it look like a spiritual sequel. This time, McConaughey partakes in the sex- and drug-fueled exploits as Moondog, a hedonistic novelist trying to go straight. The starry cast also includes Snoop Dogg, Isla Fisher, Zac Efron, Jimmy Buffett and Martin Lawrence, but they all get upstaged by McConaughey in a thong. Guess you can take the man out of Magic Mike 

Yardie (March 15)
Theater: The Return of Freestyle Love Supreme

Jan. 30-March 3; freestylelovesupreme.com.

One of the most fascinating things about Lin-Manuel Mirandas fame is the way he uses the freedom and wealth that Hamilton gave him to boost people, projects and places dear to his heart.

Examples from this month alone: Hamilton opening in a still-rebuilding Puerto Rico, Miranda back in the title role; the rescue of the Drama Book Shop, a threatened resource in Manhattans theater district bought by Miranda and friends; and the return, starting on Wednesday, Jan. 30, of the hip-hop improv group Freestyle Love Supreme.

Miranda, a founder of the group, is a producer of the five-week engagement at the Greenwich House Theater in Manhattan. Hes also on the roster of occasional surprise guests, as are Christopher Jackson, the original George Washington in Hamilton; Daveed Diggs, who created that shows sexy Lafayette; and James Monroe Iglehart (Aladdin), a current Hamilton star.
Posted Friday, January 25, 2019 10:15 am

OLYMPIA  Gov. Jay Inslee on Thursday announced an expansion of unemployment benefits to federal employees working without pay in America's longest government shutdown.

Inslee's announcement on the 34th day of the partial shutdown came one day before another missed federal payday and as the state begins to see more impacts from the loss of federal workers.

"This is most unfair and most egregious," Inslee said in a news conference. "There are nearly 16,000 Washingtonians who are about to lose a second paycheck as a result of this federal shutdown."

Under the new expansion, so-called "essential" workers being directed to work through the shutdown for no money will be allowed to apply for a partial wage replacement backdated to the beginning of the shutdown.

Included in those ranks are employees of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the FBI, food inspectors and Coast Guard personnel.

The new expansion, which comes through the state Economic Security Department (ESD), could help approximately half of Washington's nearly 16,000 federal workers who are not receiving paychecks, according to Inslee and state officials.

"It is the right thing to do," said Inslee.

Federal workers in Washington state have collectively lost an estimated $29.3 million per week in wages during the shutdown, according to data compiled by ESD. About $16.6 million of those lost wages come from an estimated 8,200 federal employees in King County.

Other counties with large numbers of potentially impacted federal workers include Whatcom County (1,050), Spokane County (945) and Grant County (634). Snohomish County has 452 workers potentially impacted by the shutdown, while Pierce County has 554, according to the data.

Federal workers who have been furloughed and are not working have already been able to apply for unemployment benefits.

The wage replacement is coming from the state's unemployment trust fund, and workers would have to repay the state once they receive their backpay for lost wages.

The average annual wage of the affected workers in Washington is about $82,000 per year, according to Suzi LeVine, commissioner of the ESD. But, she added, "many are below $50,000 a year."

The maximum amount of weekly compensation unemployment benefits is $749 per week, said LeVine.

Roughly the same time as Inslee's news conference, the U.S. Senate took a pair of votes geared toward breaking the stalemate -- and both failed.

The shutdown started after President Donald Trump and Congress did not agree on his calls to fund more of a wall along the southern border.

It has prevented the funding of dozens of federal agencies and nine Cabinet-level departments, including those of Agriculture, Homeland Security, Interior, Justice, State and Transportation.

As the weeks pass, more impacts of the shutdown are coming into focus, according to a list of programs compiled by the governor's office.

The shutdown has led to the cancellation of an annual inspection for one vessel of the Washington State Ferries system, the MV Chimacum. Four other vessels -- MV Chelan, MV Salish, MV Tillikum and MV Elwha -- are due for their annual inspections in the coming weeks.

Alaska Airlines announced it would have to delay the introduction of its commercial service at Everett's Paine Field.

At Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, some nonregulatory TSA positions are being backfilled by Port of Seattle employees, to help with wait times and staffing shortages.

On Tuesday, aviation employees and their supporters demonstrated outside Sea-Tac Airport to call for an end to the dysfunction.

Meanwhile, the final report into the 2017 Amtrak derailment south of Tacoma has been delayed because inspectors at the National Transportation Safety Board are furloughed.

Among its consequences in Indian Country, the shutdown has opened up a 23 percent budget shortfall at the Seattle Indian Health Board. It has also stopped timber sales at a Yakama Nation mill and generated estimated losses to the Colville Confederated Tribes.

Earlier, some of Washington's national parks had closed, and some wildfire-response training events were canceled. The halt of federal money was expected to hamper efforts to undertake food inspections and detect and stop instances of animal disease.
The building that houses the Newseum  the financially troubled monument to journalism in Washington  is being sold to Johns Hopkins University for $372.5 million by the Freedom Forum, the foundation that created the museum.

The institution will remain open through 2019 and museum executives will spend that time trying to find a new space for its contents.

This was a difficult decision, but it was the responsible one, Jan Neuharth, the chairwoman and chief executive of the Freedom Forum, said in a statement released Friday. We remain committed to continuing our programs  in a financially sustainable way  to champion the five freedoms of the First Amendment and to increase public awareness about the importance of a free and fair press. With todays announcement, we can begin to explore all options to find a new home in the Washington, D.C., area.

For Johns Hopkins, the purchase will allow the university to expand and consolidate its presence in the nations capital.
DAU, the sprawling interactive art project by the filmmaker Ilya Khrzhanovsky, was supposed to have its big moment this week, opening in Paris after a trail of delays and cancellations stretching from Ukraine to Berlin.

Instead, hours before the doors were set to open on Thursday, the Paris premiere was postponed, too. Ticket holders were told only that the Paris Police had not given their approval. A spokesman for the project eventually said it would open at 9 p.m. Friday.

Originally intended as a biopic of the theoretical physicist Lev Landau, DAU has ballooned into an immersive experience that includes improvising actors and live musical performances as well as 13 feature-length films. Shooting took place in Ukraine between 2009 and 2011, in a fully functioning theoretical physics institute where participants were expected to stay in character 24 hours a day.

The project arrived in Paris after plans for a premiere in Berlin last year were scuttled by city administrators. The official reason was incorrectly filed paperwork, but the rejected proposal had included a concrete wall that would be built around the interactive spectacle  and torn down on the anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall  and caused an outcry in the city. Many critics accused the organizers of normalizing the horrors of totalitarianism.
SAO PAULO, Brazil  An openly gay federal lawmaker in Brazil who has frequently clashed with the countrys new far-right president said on Thursday that he was giving up his seat because of death threats.

The lawmaker, Jean Wyllys, a fierce advocate for gay rights who was due to be sworn in for a third term in February, said in an interview with the newspaper Folha de S. Paulo that this environment isnt safe for me after the assassination of a political ally last March and violence that followed the election of the president, Jair Bolsonaro, in October.

For the future of this cause, Mr. Wyllys said, I have to stay alive. I dont want to be a martyr. He added that he was currently on vacation abroad and did not plan to return to Brazil.

Mr. Wyllys called Mr. Bolsonaro, a former colleague of his in the lower house of Congress, a president who always vilified me, who always openly insulted me, who was always homophobic with me.
SAO PAULO, Brazil  Jair Bolsonaro, Brazils new far-right president, stepped onto the international stage this week at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, with a pitch that had resounded with voters back home: He was committed to eliminating entrenched corruption in his country.

But a series of questionable episodes just three weeks into his term has left Mr. Bolsonaro, who rode to power by denouncing elitist privilege, fending off charges that his administration is engaging in more of the same.

Three ministers as well as some midlevel directors implicated in corruption investigations have been hired by the administration, despite Mr. Bolsonaros stated policy of zero tolerance. The son of the vice president was promoted and given a threefold raise at a state-owned bank. Even a fine levied against Mr. Bolsonaro for fishing in protected waters back in 2012 was voided by the authorities.

Mr. Bolsonaro and his allies have also continued using legal but much-despised political privileges, such as accepting the moving allowances granted to federal lawmakers and officials  even when they already live in the capital.
The man the F.B.I. said Thursday was the traveling bandit responsible for a string of seven bank robberies in six states was not even supposed to leave Kentucky, his home state.

The suspect, Jason Lee Robinson, of Pikeville, Ky., was released from federal prison in November and had been instructed by his parole officer not to leave the state, according to an affidavit. But the authorities maintain he traveled quite widely, logging over 3,000 miles as he carried out at least seven robberies in three weeks.

He was arrested in the small city of Fruita, Colo., on Thursday and charged with robbing a Capital Bank in Aventura, Fla., a well-to-do suburb about 20 minutes north of Miami, on Dec. 28  the first in a string of heists the F.B.I. said ended Jan. 17.

According to the affidavit, Mr. Robinson entered the bank, which sits among luxury condos, an upscale mall and yacht clubs, at about 3:30 p.m. that day. He passed a teller a note demanding money and indicating that he was armed. The teller handed the suspect about $1,900, which he quickly grabbed and fled. The teller then pressed the banks silent security alarm.
Mr. Saez and Mr. Zucmans work shows that the wealthiest 0.1 percent of families  roughly the group that would be hit by Ms. Warrens proposed tax  now hold 20 percent of all wealth in the United States. Their share of the nations wealth has doubled since 1985. In a recent sign of billionaire prosperity, the hedge-fund manager Kenneth Griffin paid $238 million for a Central Park apartment this week, more than doubling the previous record for a home purchase in the United States.

The bottom 90 percent of Americans by net worth hold 25 percent of all wealth, combined, according to Mr. Saez and Mr. Zucmans work. That is down from nearly 40 percent of all wealth in 1985.

While the idea of taxing wealthy Americans is resurgent, it is not unique: The top marginal income tax rate in the United States was as high as 91 percent in the early 1960s. Today, the top marginal income tax rate is 37 percent, down from 39.6 percent during Mr. Obamas second term.

Ms. Warren appears to be the first declared Democratic candidate to release a plan for a wealth tax, but the idea is quickly gaining steam among liberal activists and policy experts. Two left-leaning think tanks, the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy and the Washington Center for Equitable Growth, released wealth-tax-themed policy briefs this week in Washington.

In a sign of the ideas rising currency with the Democratic establishment, Ms. Batchelder and another former economic adviser to Mr. Obama both praised the plan on Thursday. The incidence of extreme wealth inequality  as well as the magnitude of never-taxed wealth  is just so obscene at this point in our nation that I think there is simply no choice but to explore a wealth tax like this, said Gene Sperling, who directed Mr. Obamas National Economic Council.

The projected revenue from Ms. Warrens proposal would be enough to pay for several policy initiatives that she and other Democrats have proposed, including universal prekindergarten, a $1 trillion federal infrastructure spending push and widespread debt relief for student loans. But increasingly, liberal activists see taxing the incomes and the wealth of the rich as a policy goal in and of itself  in order to combat what they see as dangerous levels of inequality.

Democracies become oligarchies when wealth is too concentrated, Mr. Saez said in praising the plan. A progressive wealth tax is the most direct policy tool to curb the growing concentration of wealth in the United States.
Nancy Pelosi has led the Democrats in the House for the last 16 years. Shes been in power for the partys highs   and lows. Sweeping, stunning Republican victories all across the country.  the president of the United States. Now she is again Speaker of the House, and leading an impeachment battle in a big election year in 2020. I couldnt be more honored. So what are the tactics that have kept her in power for so long? Good morning. Pelosis affinity for politics may be genetic. Well, I was born into a political family in Baltimore, Md. My father was in Congress when I was born, and he was mayor my whole life from when I was in first grade to when I went away to college. But despite being raised in political circles, Pelosi didnt jump in right away. Instead, she moved to San Francisco with her husband in the late 1960s and raised their five children as a stay-at-home mom. But as they grew up, Pelosi decided to enter the fray. Pelosi quickly rose through the ranks of the California Democratic Party, earning a reputation as a star fund-raiser, and in 1987 she won a seat in Congress. Through the 90s Pelosi navigated the party in Washington, becoming leader in 2003. Thank you all very much. Since then, shes raised millions for the Democrats. Over the years, Pelosi has earned a reputation as a shrewd legislator, especially when it comes to corralling votes. Her tactic: rewarding loyalty with good roles and coveted assignments, and punishing those who cross her. Exhibit A: when Representative John Dingell didnt support Pelosi for Democratic whip, she eventually backed someone else to take one of his committee seats. Pelosi has never been shy about how she feels about her leadership. Well, Im a master legislator. I think Im the best person to go forward to unify. I have a strong following in the country. Thank you. And while her confidence has likely paid off, it also provides a counter to her other public persona: Democratic bogeywoman. Pelosis long tenure has made her an easy target for the right. Amy McGrath is a Nancy Pelosi liberal   whose name is Conor Lamb, but in Washington hed be one of Nancy Pelosis sheep. And occasionally for the left. I didnt support Nancy Pelosi for any leadership position. We need some new leadership. But when asked, she just shrugs it off. I think Im worth the trouble, quite frankly. Pelosi is no stranger to a fight or a quick retort. Please dont characterize the strength that I bring to this meeting. Shes battled President Bush and recent G.O.P. leaders. Mr. President, stay the course is not a strategy its a slogan. Say one nice thing about Paul Ryan  Theres a big difference between the president and me: He has very thin skin, and I have very thick skin. And with a challenging year ahead, there are inevitably many more fights to come. So, help us God.
Hi. Welcome to On Politics, your guide to the day in national politics. Im Lisa Lerer, your host.

For the first two years of his presidency, it seemed like Donald Trump could, as he famously put it during his campaign, shoot someone on Fifth Avenue and not lose his voters.

Republican majorities in the House and the Senate negotiated his agenda on Capitol Hill. The majority leader, Mitch McConnell, and House Speaker Paul Ryan protected him from serious Congressional investigations, and passed a sweeping tax bill, the presidents major legislative accomplishment. G.O.P. lawmakers largely lived in fear of angering the presidents still-loyal base if they challenged him.

Times have certainly changed. Mr. Trump spent the Christmas holidays complaining that he was all alone in the White House. Now, with the government in the middle of its longest-ever shutdown, his State of the Union address has been delayed indefinitely. Even his G.O.P. armor shows some tiny cracks, with a half dozen Republican senators voting on Thursday afternoon in favor of a Democratic proposal to reopen the government.

So far, divided government hasnt been a good look for Mr. Trump. And a batch of new polls released over the past few days tells a pretty unflattering story for him.
Good Friday morning. Here are some of the stories making news in Washington and politics today.

_____________________

 Two Senate bills to end the government shutdown  one with border wall funding, one without  failed, sending lawmakers from both parties into frenzied efforts to forge a compromise. Federal workers are about to miss a second consecutive paycheck on Friday.

 The Senate Intelligence Committee issued a subpoena to compel Michael D. Cohen, President Trumps former lawyer, to formally correct false testimony he gave last year about a proposed Trump Organization project in Moscow.

 Democrats are making the most of gaffes about the shutdown from Trump administration officials, some of whom have been less than careful about their messaging.
WASHINGTON  The Trump administration said Thursday that it would start blocking a small number of asylum seekers from entering the United States from Mexico, using the San Ysidro border crossing near San Diego as the first location to turn back immigrants applying for refugee status.

The policy to block asylum seekers was first announced last month by Kirstjen Nielsen, the homeland security secretary, and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. It will gradually be expanded over the next two weeks at border crossings with heavy foot traffic in Texas, New Mexico and Arizona, according to a senior United States official briefed on the move, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

The move is intended to dissuade immigrants, mostly from Central America, from making the long and dangerous journey through Mexico to the southwestern United States border. The policy is likely to intensify pressure on the Mexican authorities, who are already struggling to deal with thousands of Central American immigrants who have applied for humanitarian visas in Tapachula, near the border with Guatemala.
Posted Friday, January 25, 2019 10:42 am

In an effort to remove the floodplain designation that has hindered growth in Packwood, the Lewis County Economic Development Council is asking the Washington state Legislature to fund a new study that could replace the current federal maps.

Hopefully by the end of session we'll have something, said EDC executive director Matt Matayoshi. I'm optimistic.

The EDC and county leaders have focused attention recently on the plight of Packwood, a community which is largely designated as floodplain in maps produced by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

That designation makes it prohibitive to build and develop in Packwood, whether for residential or business purposes. Structures must be elevated, along with HVAC systems. Septic systems must be more robust. Insurance is more expensive. The communitys efforts to build sewer infrastructure face extra hurdles as well.

Making things worse is the fact that Packwood has never flooded, at least in living memory.

Ive been here 40 years, and Ive never seen water in downtown, Packwood resident Maree Lerchen told The Chronicle in November.

The 1981 Flood Insurance Rate Map produced by FEMA shows the area expected to be inundated during a 100-year-flood event, with the Cowlitz River spilling over to envelop the downtown and covering an area west and south of town. Local leaders are working to see if they can get that FEMA map revised, matching it with the reality on the ground  and hopefully opening the way for more development in Packwood.

This would be some modeling work, some survey work, some engineering work, to show that those maps are not accurate, said Erik Martin, county manager and the administrator of the Cowlitz Basin Flood Control Zone District.

In order to get the FEMA designation reversed, advocates need to provide topographical data and a hydrology and hydraulics study demonstrating that the original floodplain designation is not accurate.

FEMA floodplain specialist John Graves told The Chronicle in November that such a change  known as a Letter of Map Revision  is more likely to happen if the work is a priority at the state level.

If this area is interested in getting a new study, they need to bring that up through the state, he said. Thats the easiest way to get the attention of our engineers.

With that in mind, Matayoshi and the EDC are putting in a legislative request to lawmakers, asking the state for $600,000 to fund the necessary study work.. Matayoshi said he was working on communicating with local legislators about the proposal, noting that theyve been generally supportive of flood-related work.

All three of our (20th District) legislators have been extremely helpful and provided great leadership on the issue of flooding, he said.

County commissioner Gary Stamper, who represents the East County district that includes Packwood, said procuring state funding could allow the county to make a case for federal dollars as well.

If the study gets funded and shows what its backers expect it to, Martin said hes optimistic that FEMA will accept its conclusions and change the designation.

Typically, they have a process for the map amendment. They ask for certain justifications and you supply that, he said. If we get to that point where we can prove it, then I would expect that FEMA would accept the professional work that was done.

Even if the Legislature funds the project this session, Matayoshi said it will be some time before the map will be officially changed.

It'll be a multi-year process, he said. Once the (Request For Proposal) goes out, then consultants will come back with proposals and timelines, and we'll have a better idea at that point. It's a long term project.
Ms. Ernsts story drew expressions of shock and support from lawmakers of both parties.

My heart goes out to her, Representative Debbie Dingell, Democrat of Michigan, said on CNN on Thursday.

A conservative favorite, Ms. Ernst was interviewed as a potential running mate for Donald J. Trump during the 2016 campaign. She declined to be considered, citing family concerns, the court documents showed.

I understand its newsworthy, but this is a huge violation of her privacy, said Karen Kedrowski, director of the Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics at Iowa State University. It would not surprise me if some people would see a disconnect between her personal experience and public positions and see this as hypocrisy. But I think that undercuts the human capacity to compartmentalize and see personal experience in a different frame of reference.

The release of the court documents meant Ms. Ernst lost control of her own story. But her decision to speak publicly put her in the company of other women who have had to balance forthrightness and transparency about traumatic experiences against the potential loss of privacy and other negative effects on their lives and careers.

In Congress, Ms. Ernst and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Democrat of New York, have advocated on behalf of victims of sexual assault in the military. On a visit to Iowa last spring, Ms. Ernst promised to seek more reliable federal funding for Iowas Rape Victim Advocacy Program, whose leaders complained that state budget cuts had defunded the states 24-hour sexual abuse hotline and forced the advocacy program to cut staffing.

But Ms. Ernst was also among female legislators casting doubt on the testimony of Christine Blasey Ford, the educator whose allegations of high school sexual assault by Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh nearly derailed his Supreme Court nomination.

Im glad that she is here, and its important that we hear from her, Ms. Ernst told reporters at the time. However, the other statements provided by those witnesses have contradicted what she is stating. Ms. Ernst voted to confirm Justice Kavanaugh.
At the time of his assassination in 1968, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was living in a brick home on Sunset Avenue in an Atlanta neighborhood known as Vine City.

The civil rights leader had moved there in 1965  the year after he was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize  and the house was a refuge for him, his daughter Bernice King said Thursday. It was a place where the entire family would gather around the dining room table to eat and talk, where family portraits hung on the wall, and where Dr. King and his children used to play games and watch television.

This month, the house became the property of the National Park Service, in preparation for opening it up to the public.

With greater access to Dr. Kings life and legacy, we can learn more about this countrys past and how his work continues to echo through time, said Will Shafroth, the president of the National Park Foundation, the National Park Services charity arm.
Theyre relying on the pure good intentions of the higher skilled work force. And thats what they drain down the most quickly in these stupid shutdowns.

MATT LINTON, a computer security specialist who left NASA after the 2013 shutdown, on fears that highly skilled employees will leave government work.
Plays about womens can-I-have-it-all conflicts too often resemble a Crate & Barrel catalog in both decor and decorum. So its a relief to find that there isnt a sofa in sight in The Convent, nor even a pouf or a pew. Instead, Jessica Dickeys new drama, which opened on Thursday evening in a handsome, sometimes hysterical production directed by Daniel Talbott at A.R.T./New York, swims vigorously (if then laboriously) against the tide of contemporary domesticity.

At first, The Convent doesnt even seem to take place in the present, let alone in a living room. As we file into seats on either side of the long, narrow playing space designed by Raul Abrego, we see two women in homespun robes sitting in what looks like a medieval cloister, complete with flagstones, plantings and, in evocative projections by Katherine Freer, forever views of lavender and wheat.

The illusion of eternity is shattered by the very first (unquotable) words spoken, as a third woman arrives breathless after climbing to the site. We quickly discern that this woman, Jill (Margaret Odette), and the other two, Dimlin (Annabel Capper) and Bertie (Amy Berryman), are contemporary pilgrims who have come to the restored convent, in the south of France, for a weeklong feminist spiritual retreat. Soon, three more  Tina (Brittany Anikka Liu), Wilma (Lisa Ramirez) and Patti (Samantha Soule)  show up panting, more or less eager to surrender their unhappiness along with their cellphones.

But it will not be so easy, as Mother Abbess (Wendy vanden Heuvel) soon tells them. Women cannot follow men, she explains; they must in some way follow themselves. We could say you are here because a kind of fog has rolled in between you and your leader, and so your life has become frightening, even hostile, disoriented.
SEATTLE  Microsoft said its Bing search page was back online in China after being inaccessible for part of this week. It appeared to have been blocked by government censors.

Users in parts of China were unable to access Bing on Wednesday and Thursday, and it remained unclear what led to the shutdown.

While Bing is not widely used in China, it has been one of the few remaining portals to the broader internet as the government isolates Chinas internet from the rest of the world. Bing has survived in part because Microsoft has worked to follow the governments censorship practices around political topics. It has also cooperated with the government in developing other parts of its business, such as working with a state-run firm that supplies the military to produce a government-approved version of its Windows 10 software.

There are times when there are disagreements, there are times when there are difficult negotiations with the Chinese government, and were still waiting to find out what this situation is about, Brad Smith, Microsofts president, said in an interview with Fox Business Network at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
NATIONAL

An article on Tuesday about the Supreme Courts decision to hear a case related to vulgar trademarks referred incorrectly to the etymology of the most versatile curse word. It is of Middle English origin, not Anglo-Saxon.

BUSINESS

An article on Wednesday about cryptocurrency mining in Georgia misstated the energy price paid by Bitfury. It is 5 to 6 cents per kilowatt-hour, not per hour.

ARTS

An article on Wednesday about the 91st Academy Awards referred imprecisely to the filming of The Artist. Although it was a French film, and production took place in France, it was filmed in the United States.

SCIENCE TIMES

An article on the cover on Tuesday about increasing noise levels in the oceans from shipping and oil exploration misstated the decibel levels of underwater seismic blasts, and miscalculated the comparison to sounds in the atmosphere made by container ships. Underwater, the seismic blast would register at about 200 decibels, not 260 decibels. By comparison, that seismic blast would then be 10 times more intense than the sound of a container ship, not 10 million times more intense.
The loyal man serves. That is, he does not merely follow his own impulses. He looks to his cause for guidance. This cause tells him what to do, Royce wrote in The Philosophy of Loyalty.

The cause gives unity and consistency to life. The cause gives fellowship, because there are always others serving the same cause. Loyalty is the cure for hesitancy.

Of course, there can be good causes and bad causes. So Royce argued that if loyalty is the center of the good life, then we should admire those causes, based on mutual affection, that value and enhance other peoples loyalty.

We should despise those causes, based on a shared animosity, that destroy other peoples loyalty. If my loyalty to America does not allow your communitys story to be told, or does not allow your communitys story to be part of the larger American story, then my loyalty is a domineering, predatory loyalty. It is making it harder for you to be loyal. We should instead be encouraging of other loyalties. We should, Royce argued, be loyal to loyalty.

Before Martin Luther King Jr. used it, Royce popularized the phrase the beloved community. In the beloved community, political opponents honor the loyalty the rival has for a cause, and learn from it.

In such a community, people submit themselves to their institution, say to a university. They discover how good it is by serving it, and they allow themselves to be formed by it. According to Royce, communities find their voice when they own their own betrayals; evil exists so we can struggle to overcome it.

Royce took his philosophy one more crucial step: Though we have our different communities, underneath there is an absolute unity to life. He believed that all separate individuals and all separate loyalties are mere fragments of a spiritual unity  an Absolute Knower, a moral truth.
A third person has died from his injuries after a man wielding a hammer entered a Brooklyn restaurant last week and attacked its employees.

The manager of the Seaport Buffet, Tsz Pun, 50, died Thursday morning at NYU Langone HospitalBrooklyn, the police said.

His death came nine days after a man entered the Chinese restaurant in Sheepshead Bay and began beating employees, the police said. A chef at the restaurant, 34-year-old Fufai Pun, died the same night at a hospital. A 60-year-old owner, whom The Associated Press identified as Kheong Ng-Thang, died from his injuries on Friday.

The suspect in the killings, Arthur Martunovich, 34, of nearby Brighton Beach, was arrested within blocks of the restaurant after the Jan. 15 attack, and the hammer was recovered. A police official said he remained hospitalized in a psychiatric ward.
Last week, the F.A.A. announced it was bringing back furloughed inspectors and other employees in order to ensure safety. Its revised shutdown plan called for having 3,113 employees responsible for aviation safety designated as essential to protect life and safety, meaning that they would work without pay during the shutdown rather than be furloughed.

The F.A.A.s original shutdown plan called for only 216 aviation safety positions to be considered essential for life and safety. The union representing inspectors had warned that furloughing those workers was hurting the safety of the air travel system.

There are still plenty of F.A.A. employees who have been sidelined. Over all, about 14,000 of the F.A.A.s 45,000 employees are furloughed under the revised shutdown plan.

What about airport security?

More than 40,000 transportation security officers  employees of the Department of Homeland Security who screen passengers at the airports  have worked through the shutdown. But they have been failing to show up for their shifts at a rising rate  about one in 10 were absent on Sunday. On average, they make less than $40,000 a year and many of them have had to borrow money, seek side jobs or turn to food pantries to get by.

Despite reassurances from Transportation Security Administration officials, the agency did have a lapse in early January that frightened travelers. A woman passed through a screening checkpoint at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport with a gun that she carried onto a flight that landed Jan. 3 in Tokyo.

The agency later said that any perception that the shutdown caused the failure to detect the gun, which was in a carry-on bag, would be false. No similar lapses have been reported during the shutdown.

Why are air traffic controllers so worried?

Staffing was already an issue even before the shutdown, their union said.

The number of certified controllers is at a 30-year low, according to the National Air Traffic Controllers Association. The centralized radar facility for the airports that serve New York City, which is known as a Tracon, has only about 130 controllers, far short of its full complement of 228, said Rich Santa, a regional vice president of the controllers union. And 50 of them are eligible to retire now, he said.
A huge bonfire was burning at Joaquin Guzman Loeras mountain hide-out one night when the crime lords bodyguards brought him two enemy soldiers slumped across the backs of two A.T.V.s. The men  members of the Zetas, a rival cartel  had been tortured for hours and many of their bones had already been broken. The soldiers, as listless as rag dolls, according to a gunman who was there, could barely move.

In the glow of the firelight, Mr. Guzman ordered the Zetas to be placed beside the flames and then approached them with a rifle. Pressing its barrel to the first mans head, the kingpin cursed the soldiers mother and abruptly pulled the trigger. After he had done the same to the second, he ordered his assassins to dispose of the bodies.

Put them in the bonfire, the gunman recalled Mr. Guzman saying. I dont want any bones to remain.

This morbid story was recounted on Thursday by Isaias Valdez Rios, a former cartel killer, at Mr. Guzmans drug trial in New York. Though dozens of murders have been described in court since the trial began 10 weeks ago, Judge Brian M. Cogan has sought to keep a tight leash on the gore. But Mr. Valdezs testimony was exceptionally gruesome and marked the first time that jurors heard explicitly graphic examples of the bloodshed that Mexican cartels have long been known for. It was also the first time that evidence was shown that depicted the violence personally committed by the defendant, known to the world as El Chapo.
Posted Thursday, January 24, 2019 4:12 pm

A Chehalis driver was not injured after a second driver caused a collision on U.S. Highway 12 five miles west of Elma Thursday afternoon.

The crash was reported at 1:31 p.m. Thursday. According to a report from the Washington State Patrol, a 45 year old resident of Allyn was. heading eastbound in a green 1995 Toyota Camry when he changed lanes to pass another vehicle, cutting off a 2012 Kenworth construction truck, which rear-ended the smaller car.

The driver of the Kenworth truck, identified as a 40-year-old man from Chehalis, was not injured.

The driver of the Toyota was cited for failing to yield and was transported to an area hospital for unspecified injuries. Drugs or alcohol are not believed to be a factor in the incident.
A group of San Francisco Bay Area philanthropists has pledged to spend half a billion dollars to protect and expand affordable housing in the region, according to an announcement on Thursday. A central player in the project is the philanthropy founded by Facebooks chief executive, Mark Zuckerberg, and his wife, Dr. Priscilla Chan.

The effort, called the Partnership for the Bays Future, is meant to combat the dizzying ascent of home prices that has run parallel with Silicon Valleys latest expansion. In November, the median sale price for a home in the Bay Area was $815,000, according to the research firm CoreLogic.

The money will seed an investment fund that will work to preserve housing for 175,000 families and add capacity for 8,000 new homes over the next decade through loans and other assistance to community groups. A separate $40 million fund will make grants to local governments and other groups trying to devise policies to protect affordable housing on a large scale.

In a news release announcing the partnership, Californias governor, Gavin Newsom, called the move a bold action. Mr. Newsom, who has criticized tech companies for not doing enough to help solve a problem they are widely believed to have exacerbated, praised the projects collaboration of private companies, nonprofits, government agencies and community leaders.
Airlines defend offsets, even while acknowledging that some projects have not lived up to their promises. For example, mango trees that were planted in India to offset a concert tour by the band Coldplay were found to have died a few years later.

EasyJet, one of Europes largest low-cost airlines, did not offer offsets until 2007  late for a European carrier  because it was trying to figure out how to ensure the money went to the right places, said Oliver Aust, a spokesman.

It now gives passengers the option of offsetting their flight emissions by investing directly in projects that have been approved by a United Nations certification program for reducing emissions.

EasyJet, which was founded in 1995 but has vastly expanded its fleet since 2003, also uses only the newest and most fuel-efficient jets, flies full planes and packs in extra rows of seats, making its estimated emissions per passenger 28 percent lower than more established carriers on the same routes. Some airlines are experimenting with innovations that may someday reduce emissions, like using fuels made with algae rather than crude oil.

Passenger offsets purport to cancel out carbon dioxide emissions ton for ton through investments in green projects. But critics say there is no transparency about how companies measure whether that happens.

For example, many airlines offer investments in tree-planting projects because trees absorb carbon dioxide. But experts say it takes decades for trees to start fully absorbing the gas, making them a questionable offset for airplanes, which emit carbon dioxide. Ms. Kollmuss said the quality of offsets depended on the project. But if its very cheap, it does raise red flags, she said.

For Mr. Francis of Responsible Travel, the final straw came when he noticed that carbon offsets were being offered by private jet companies and helicopter tour operators, which generate very high emissions per passenger. The message was, Dont worry, you can offset the emissions,  he said. But you dont really need to see Sydney from the air, do you? And you can travel in a commercial airliner.
ARE carbon offsets a good thing?

They are intended to reduce the environmental impact of consumption. Traveling by plane, for example, causes carbon dioxide to be emitted into the atmosphere, so travelers can pay a specialist to offset those emissions some other way  perhaps by planting vegetation or installing renewable-energy technologies. It all sounds reasonable.

Yet carbon offsets have drawn sharp criticism, even ridicule. A British Web site called Cheat Neutral (www.cheatneutral.com) parodies the concept  by offering a service under which someone who wants to cheat on his partner can pay someone else who will refrain from committing an act of infidelity. The sites founders say they wanted to use humor to demonstrate why the market for carbon offsets is a moral travesty.

But the criticism is misguided. If our goal is to reduce carbon emissions as efficiently as possible, offsets make perfect economic sense.

Consider the decision of whether to buy a hybrid car. Because of the expensive batteries and other complex equipment in such cars, they can cost much more than similar vehicles powered by standard combustion engines. Many people drive so little that they wouldnt save enough on gasoline to recoup the higher cost. Yet many such people buy hybrids anyway, because they think they are helping the environment. Well and good, but they could help even more by buying a standard car and using the savings to buy carbon offsets.
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President Donald Trumps announcement that he would ban transgender individuals from serving in the U.S. military in 2017 took many by surprise, but the U.S. Supreme Court legitimized the decision Tuesday in a 5-4 decision.

After consultation with my Generals and military experts, please be advised that the United States Government will not accept or allow Transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military, Trump tweeted in July 2017. Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail.

Now, the Supreme Court, with two Trump-appointed justices, just barely allowed the decision to stand and without any official legal ruling.

Democratic lawmakers are pledging their allegiance to transgender service members and promising to work to reverse the decision, and that promise is legitimate. The Supreme Court didnt make a legal decision to outright ban transgender troops on any constitutional grounds. Instead, its decision was to let Trumps plan take effect without blockage from lower courts. Those lower court battles will continue.
A Lansing native who lost her 16-month-old son to a congenital heart defect is hosting a fundraiser for children's heart disease in February at the Museum of Science and Industry.

Lindsay Bartels is co-chairwoman of the 2019 Hearts at Play event, which raises money for the Children's Heart Foundation.

In January 2017, her son, Kane Anthony, died after undergoing an open heart surgery that left him with a severe brain injury.

"Congenital heart defects are the No. 1 birth defect, affecting 1 percent of babies born in the U.S.," said Bartels, a business development specialist who lives in Chicago.

"Children's heart research remains severely underfunded. These events are really important so we can continue to fund lifesaving research."

She said the event, which takes place during Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week, aims to bring in enough money to fund at least one study, which generally costs $15,000 to $100,000. Every 15 minutes, a child is born with a congenital heart defect, the birth defect responsible for the most infant deaths.
INDIANAPOLIS  Snow, ice and frigid temperatures spanning two weeks have resulted in a sharp decline in blood donations, prompting the Indiana Blood Center to issue an urgent plea for Hoosiers throughout the state to donate blood as soon as possible.

Currently, there is less than a two-day supply of some blood types and even less of critical blood types like O negative.

In the event of massive transfusion situations or unforeseen tragedies, the supply could be quickly diminished.

Ideally, a three-day supply or more is needed to meet the needs of nearly 80 Indiana hospitals that rely on Indiana Blood Center to provide life-saving blood, platelets and plasma.

Our hospitals rely on us to collect and provide blood and blood products daily for their patients undergoing surgery, fighting disease and recovering from trauma, said Dr. Dan Waxman, vice president and chief medical officer at Indiana Blood Center.

We need Hoosiers to answer the call and give blood today to help save lives. Donating blood is a life-saving gift for which we can only rely on each other. We are counting on our generous donors to answer the call for this critical need.
BURNS HARBOR  Megan Keller, a service advisor at Bosak Motors, already walked a lot. Now she gets paid to do it.

The 30-year-old tracks her steps using a Fitbit, then digitally sends the results to UnitedHealthcare, which puts up to $3 a day in her health savings account depending on how much she walks.

Her company is part of a new wellness program offered by the insurer that pays employees for being fit.

"I've been a runner since grade school, so I've always been active," she said. "This encourages people to be more active."

The Motion program is being used by more and more employers in Northwest Indiana, as they search for solutions to ever-increasing health care costs. The initiative encourages employees to walk up to 10,000 steps a day to earn more than $1,000 a year.

Matt Glaros, an insurance broker with the Meyers Glaros Group in Schererville, called it the most "impactful" and "easiest" insurance incentive program he's seen. His company has signed up about a dozen businesses for Motion since September, he said.

"It's a great way to entice members to get more money in their HSA accounts and get healthier at the same time," he said.
LIBERTY TOWNSHIP  No one was injured in a pole barn fire Thursday night, officials said.

The fire is still under investigation.

Liberty Township Volunteer Fire Department sought mutual aid for the fire in the 800 block of Calumet Avenue, near Tratebas Road, at about 6 p.m. There are no hydrants in that rural area, Lt. Matthew Wineland said.

However, firefighters quickly extinguished the fire, battling the winter weather as well as the flames.

No one was inside the building, Wineland said.

The Porter County Fire Investigation Strike Team will review the fire to try to determine the cause.

Liberty was assisted by the Chesterton, Porter, Washington Township and South Haven Fire Departments as well as the Porter County sheriff's office and Porter Regional EMS.

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MUNSTER  A worker suffered minor injuries after a dump truck hit a power line, causing Munster businesses to lose power.

The man was transported to the hospital with minor injuries from a power line that fell near his truck. Munster Fire Chief Dave Pelc said while details of the man's injuries aren't known, the man could have experienced minor electrocution. He appeared to be conscious and talking at the scene, Pelc said.

The incident created a production shutdown at PepsiCo, Pelc said, and knocked out the power to businesses at 9200 Calumet Avenue.

Firefighters responded at 9:45 a.m. Thursday to a NIPSCO construction site at 9300 Calumet Ave. for a dump truck that hit a power line, Pelc said. The incident also knocked out a transformer, causing a surge.

PepsiCo and some of the businesses at the Lake Business Center, 9200 Calumet were without power as of 3 p.m. Thursday, with NIPSCO crews working to restore power by 8 p.m., NIPSCO spokesman Tom Stevens said.

As the power systems switched over, nearby residents could have seen very brief periods of the power turning off and back on earlier in the day.
GARY  The cash-strapped Gary Community School Corp. auctioned off several art collection pieces over the weekend, including the wooden, small-scaled model of Chicagos towering Picasso steel sculpture.

The move to auction off art collections, equipment and unused supplies for cash is part of the state-appointed emergency management team's plan to shore up the district's coffers, pay down its debt and put the schools on better financial footing.

The original model  given to American Bridge at Gary Works to sculpt the "Chicago Picasso  has been on display at the Gary Career Center gym for many years.

After the final installation of the "Chicago Picasso, the plywood model went into storage and was later given to the Gary Community School Corp. in 1970, according to the Kraft Auction Service website, the company hired by the district to advertise and auction the schools collections.

The nearly 16-foot-tall piece was not created by Picasso, but approved by the artist himself as a model for the Chicago sculpture.

It was sold Sunday for $20,000 to a private collector in Belgium, who is hoping it will be displayed at one of the countrys museums, said Jonathan Kraft, owner of Kraft Auction Service.
CROWN POINT  A woman saw a Gary man's photo with a news story about a rape in the city's Aetna section and told police she recognized him as the man who robbed and attempted to rape her in 2017, court records say.

Brandon Williams, 35, of Gary, had a gun that went off when he struck the woman in the head during a robbery Aug. 8, 2017, in the 1500 block of Van Buren Street, according to Lake Criminal Court records. The woman wasn't shot.

The woman told police she was out for a walk when Williams ran toward her and grabbed her by the hair, according to a probable cause affidavit.

Williams threatened to shoot her and demanded her purse, then attempted to drag her into the bushes, records say. The woman told police she stood there as he pointed a gun at her face.

Williams ordered her to pull her pants down, but she refused, records say. He then allegedly ordered her to perform oral sex.

The woman began to unbutton her pants, but noticed Williams had put the gun in his pocket as he went through her purse, records say.

The woman ran, fell down and looked back to see Williams still looking at her purse, the affidavit says. She made it to a relative's home, where she reported the robbery.
CROWN POINT  A man charged in the strangling deaths of a former local radio host and her daughter in 2016 has decided not to represent himself and told a judge he's happy with his new public defenders.

James A. Lohnes, 47, of Crown Point, told Lake Criminal Court Judge Samuel Cappas in August he wanted to represent himself and alleged the county public defender "destroyed my entire defense."

On Thursday, Lohnes told Cappas his new public defenders, Nicholas Barnes and Mark Chargualaf, were "good attorneys."

Cappas set a status hearing for March 28. A trial date has not been set.

Barnes said the defense team received four boxes of materials from the Lake County prosecutor's office and was preparing for trial. There may be a need for an expert witness, he said.

Lohnes is facing two murder charges in the strangling of Velia Taneff, 86, and her daughter, Lana Taneff, 63, on Jan. 17, 2016, at their property in the 2300 block of West 44th Avenue in Calumet Township.

Lohnes is also charged with auto theft on allegations he stole the older woman's vehicle after the murder and drove it to Montpelier, Ohio, where he was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving, records state.

Lohnes was ordered in July 2017 to be treated at a mental institution after court-appointed doctors determined he was not fit to stand trial on the murder charges. State officials informed the court in January 2018 that Lohnes had attained the ability to understand court proceedings and assist in his defense.

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CROWN POINT  A judge entered not guilty pleas on behalf of a Gary man charged in a botched robbery that resulted in the Jan. 9 shooting death of an 18-year-old Portage High School student.

Giovante M. Galloway, 21, of Gary, was charged Jan. 14 with murder, robbery and burglary and remains in custody at the Lake County Jail.

He appeared before Lake Criminal Court Judge Clarence Murray on Thursday with his court-appointed attorney, Susan Severtson.

Cappas scheduled Galloway's next hearing for March 14.

Galloway's uncle, Juarez Rogers, 48, of Park Forest, Illinois, also was charged Jan. 14 but remained at large Thursday, Griffith police Cmdr. Keith Martin said.

The charges allege Galloway planned to rob Ortiz's boyfriend, Michael Hawkins, 18, and enlisted the help of Rogers and three unidentified men.

Police were continuing to follow up on leads in the case, Martin said.

The men allegedly targeted Hawkins because Hawkins was selling large amounts of marijuana, according to court records.

Galloway, Rogers and the three men broke into a home in the 4400 block of Madison Street in Gary where Hawkins was staying, records say.
CROWN POINT  A Hobart man is accused of raping a grandmother in August.

Christopher M. Novak, 42, allegedly woke up the 63-year-old woman as she slept in a bed with other family members, in a home Novak shared with the victim's relative, and threatened to "get it" from her 5-year-old granddaughter if she did not perform a sex act.

Novak also is accused of threatening to kill the woman's family if she told anyone, Lake Criminal Court records state.

The woman submitted, and Novak raped her for more than two hours in the same room where her family was sleeping, records state. During that time, he allegedly took a sock from his foot and put it in her mouth.

Novak was charged Wednesday with three felony counts of rape, one count of sexual battery and two counts of intimidation.

The woman told police this month she told a relative the next day about the rape, but never sought medical attention, records state. The woman didn't report the alleged crimes to police until earlier this month because she feared for her family's safety.

The woman told police she had not met Novak before staying in his home in August and has not seen him since then, records state.
LAPORTE  An 85-year-old Valparaiso woman has died as a result of injuries suffered in a two-vehicle crash Tuesday afternoon along an icy stretch of U.S. 20, east of Range Road in rural Kankakee Township, according to LaPorte County police.

Lena Pera was a passenger in a van that was struck around 2 p.m. by a pickup truck that crossed the center line, police said.

"At the time of the crash, the immediate area was experiencing freezing rain and the roadway surface was icy," police said.

Pera was conscious at the accident scene and complained of leg pain, police said. She later died at an area hospital.

Pera died as a result of blunt force trauma, according to LaPorte County Coroner Bob Cutler.

The driver of the pickup truck, a 25-year-old Texas man, complained of upper body pain following the crash, police said.

The 44-year-old South Bend man driving the van containing Pera complained of arm pain and was transported to an area hospital for treatment, police said.

The crash remains under investigation.

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At the time of the homicide, Hawkins was free on a $10,000 cash bond in another case. Charges filed Sept. 21 against him and another man include armed robbery, burglary, pointing a firearm and sexual battery of a 16-year-old girl Sept. 16 at his former employer's home in the 400 block of Henry Street in Gary.

Additional charges filed this week show Hawkins falsely reported a burglary in progress about 1:45 a.m. Jan. 12, causing Hobart police to awaken a man as they entered his home in the 400 block of Lawrence Street with guns drawn.

Hobart police determined Hawkins gave a dispatcher the phone number to the Hobart Parks Department, but actually called from his own number. A review of 911 audio recordings also showed the caller's voice matched Hawkins' voice, according to a probable cause affidavit.

Hawkins was charged in that case with misdemeanor false informing.

About 45 minutes before the fake 911 call Jan. 12, a Hobart officer stopped Hawkins on westbound 37th Avenue at County Line Road, records show. Hawkins was weaving in and out of traffic at 75 mph in a 40 mph zone and disregarded two stop lights, an affidavit says.

He was charged with misdemeanor reckless driving, disregarding a traffic control device and speeding.
The Congressional Steel Caucus, the bipartisan group that advocates for the steel industry in Washington D.C., has named new leaders in light of the Democratic Party taking control of the House of Representatives.

Rep. Conor Lamb, D-Penn., will serve as the new chairman. He represents the Pittsburgh area, where U.S. Steel is headquartered.

"America produces the world's best steel, and southwestern Pennsylvania produces some of the world's best steelworkers," Lamb said. "I'm excited for the opportunity to lead this bipartisan group and work with my colleagues from both parties to help strengthen the steel industry to protect American jobs and American workers."

Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Gary, was formerly the top Democrat in the caucus, having served as vice chairman during the recent Republican majority. Visclosky said he will remain active in the committee but will not lead it, because of his responsibilities on the Appropriations Committee.
They source their CBD from Colorado and have been promoting it across Northwest Indiana, including at Charcuterie in Griffith, where a chef incorporated CBD powder into a bruschetta and a flatbread for a special tasting event.

"You can literally sprinkle it onto a pizza," Klaus said.

This Sunday, Green Balance Health and Wellness will be offering their products at the I Love Coffee 5k at Hawthorne Park in Chesterton in the morning and at a bridal fair at Wicker Park in Highland in the afternoon.

"We'll introduce a wedding cake popcorn at the bridal fair," Klaus said. "Brides have anxiety, and CBD is well known for reducing stress and anxiety."

Though people still don't know a lot about it, or confuse it with marijuana, CBD has been becoming more mainstream because people have been seeking alternatives to big pharma and over-the-counter pills, Klaus said.

"It's a natural alternative," she said. "It's not a cure-all, but it's a supplement that can take some of those aches and pains away."

They have been working to place their products in more health food stores and say the business will only continue to grow as more people become aware of CBD and its potential benefits.

"There's some apprehension, especially from folks in the Midwest, not being familiar with it," she said. "They might say, 'Oh my gosh' if they have to put it on their tongue. But if it's mixed into a drink it takes that apprehension away. You can drink your smoothie or latte and go about your day while the CBD works on your aches and pains or anxious feelings. We want to let people know there is a natural product that's a healthy alternative to taking pills."

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Indianapolis, IN (46208)

Today

Partial cloudiness early, with scattered showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 84F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms likely this evening. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms overnight. Low 69F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
Abortions in Pa. Down to All-Time Low, Thanks to Real Alternatives

Contact: Al Gnoza, 717-238-9613

MEDIA ADVISORY, Jan. 25, 2019 / Christian Newswire / -- There is encouraging news as far as abortion goes. The number of abortions performed in Pennsylvania during 2017 was the lowest number ever recorded -- just over 30,000. It's a decrease of 870 from the prior year and way down from the all-time recorded high of nearly 66,000 in 1980.

That news was reported just last month by the Pennsylvania Department of Health. It is definitely a case of the glass being half-full or half-empty. There is still the fact that while 30,000 marks a low point, it is still 30,000 too many. So there is still work to be done.

One of the groups doing that work -- and one that likely deserves credit for bringing the number of abortions down -- is Real Alternatives, a group that has been offering free pregnancy support services for 24 years.

"In Pennsylvania, we have 400-plus counselors who will take the time and listen (to a pregnant woman), walk with her and be with her through the moment of conception through 12 months after birth," said Real Alternatives President and CEO Kevin Bagatta. "That empowers her to overcome obstacles so she doesn't feel she has to abort the baby.

"Surveys show that a lot of times women choose abortion because they are alone," Bagatta said. "They don't have anyone -- parents, boyfriends. They are by themselves."

Among the congratulations received about the program's success include Vice President Mike Pence.

"I send my special congratulations to everyone with Pennsylvania Pregnancy and Parenting Support Program as you celebrate serving 300,000 women and families over the past 22 years," Pence wrote. "With your caring and compassionate work, I have great confidence that we can continue to restore a culture of life in our nation and build a brighter future for generations to come."

For the rest of the story, see:

Al Gnoza is communications director for the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference, the public affairs agency of Pennsylvania's Catholic bishops and the Catholic dioceses of Pennsylvania.
January ushers in the frigid air of winter, but on Jan. 18, our nations capital was humming with warmth. Thousands of people from across our country, young and old, joined the 46th annual March for Life in Washington, D.C.

Many Nebraskans traveled over 1,000 miles to proudly march in this annual rally and stand tall for the timeless values they hold dear.

They came from all walks of life. Families, student organizations, neighbors, and church groups braved freezing temperatures to march along the national mall and draw the worlds attention to pro-life, pro-women policies.

Since I first began my career in public service, I have been an ardent supporter of common-sense measures that protect unborn children and offer compassion to expectant mothers. Too often, women in the midst of an unplanned pregnancy experience despair, pain and judgment from their community. Its unacceptable. Instead, these women should be receiving assistance, comfort and reassurance for the challenging times ahead.

Thats why, last week, I was proud to announce my full support for several pro-life bills I have been working on in the U.S. Senate.
Whats clear is there will be change coming down the line. Thats heralded by the arrival of a new chief operating offer, Jim Vena, who began with the railroad less than two weeks ago.

He came out of retirement to take command of operations at U.P. after 40 years at Canadian National, the railroad where in his most recent role, he led a relentless drive for efficiency. He used a playbook that others in the industry  like U.P.  now are trying to replicate.

Venas biggest task: Reducing the companys so-called operating ratio  or, essentially, the share of every dollar that it takes in that it spends. Right now, that is 61.6 percent, and the company wants to get that down to below 61 percent this year and below 60 by 2020.

How to get there? There is nothing thats not on the table, Vena said on the Thursday conference call, in which he noted that he had the support of Chief Executive Lance Fritz.

Vena said hed visited a train yard last week and saw opportunities to make operations more efficient, though he said he would examine the entire company before announcing decisions.
Lincoln County has crane viewing blinds at Buffalo Bill State Recreation Area and in the North River Wildlife Management Area near Hershey. Landowners along the river with a known sandhill crane roost may call the Visitors Bureau at 308-532-4729 if theyd like to work on setting up a blind, Clark said.

Of the Plattes two branches in the county, she said, cranes tend to find the South Platte too deep and channelized for their roosting tastes. The North Platte is more of that open, braided, shallow river, like the united river downstream.

Even if crane watchers prefer not to sit outdoors in late winter at sunrise or sunset, Clark said, they should find the viewing loop laid out by the Visitors Bureau as legitimate a viewing as viewing blinds are.

The proposed loop would start on Rodeo Road, take Buffalo Bill Avenue north to Scouts Rest Ranch and follow U.S. Highway 30, Front Road and West Platte Valley Road to North Hershey Road. After crossing the river on the latter road, motorists would return along Wildlife and North River roads to U.S. Highway 83, with north-south roads connecting to the river.
McPherson County has new faces in numerous county offices, but it doesnt take long to get to know new faces in a county of less than 500 people.

It is strange going to these communities and everyone knows you within a week, said new Sheriff Kelly Williams with a laugh, and it takes you quite awhile to know folks.

Williams took over as sheriff in January after being appointed by the McPherson County commissioners.

Former Sheriff Tim McConnell, who had announced that he would depart the position because of health concerns, won the November election over write-in candidate Robert McFarland, forcing the commissioners to appoint the next sheriff.

Four candidates, including Williams and McFarland, were interviewed on Dec. 10 and Dec. 21, according to a Jan. 3 article in the Stapleton Enterprise, and Williams was appointed in January.

We thought he would fit the county better than some of the others, said County Commissioner Carl Rundback. But he added, We didnt find fault with really any of them.

Williams was born in Alaska, raised in Texas and has lived in Nebraska since 1989. He said he has seen much of the country.
Local veterans were given the opportunity to ask questions concerning the VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System on Thursday at the American Legion in North Platte.

Director B. Don Burman and several representatives from the various veterans affairs programs offered information and answered questions at the town hall.

I didnt hear anything new that I havent heard in a lot of our town halls, Burman said. Theres a lot of confusion when the Choice Act was put in place.

The ability for the veteran to go to different places for health care and then having a problem getting their prescriptions filled is an example, Burman said. The Choice Act provides new authorities, funding and other tools to help support and reform VA, according to a VA fact sheet.

Thats a fairly universal problem, so Im not surprised by it, Burman said. Were still working through how do we get that resolved.

He said he didnt think it would be resolved in the next 30 days.

But I know this is a big issue weve been trying to work through, Burman said. This new third party administrator may be the way to get it done. Im hopeful for that.
WILLIAMSPORT -- The First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania (FCFP) is excited to announce Raise the Region 2019, an event to help the communities of Columbia, Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder, and Union Counties support local nonprofit organizations fundraising efforts. FCFP, in partnership with Blaise Alexander Family Dealerships, will be launching a 30-hour fundraising event starting on Wednesday, March 13, 2019.

Nonprofit participation in Raise the Region is available to 501c3 organizations serving residents in Columbia, Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder, or Union Counties. Preregistration is required by Thursday, February 28, 2019. For nonprofits interested in registering for this event and a complete set of rules, please visit www.RaiseTheRegion.org.

This is the seventh year for the fundraiser supported by FCFP and Blaise Alexander Family Dealerships. We are excited to host this regional event that aligns closely with the mission of the Foundation and the work of our grantmaking and fundraising efforts, said Jason McCahan, Director of Strategic Philanthropy.

Blaise Alexander Family Dealerships has generously donated $150,000 that will be used to stretch every donation made to preregistered nonprofits. Additional monetary prizes and incentives sponsored by Larson Design Group, Subaru, Toyota Motor Corporation, and UPMC will be awarded to participating nonprofits throughout the entire event. This program is designed to help kickoff the 2019 fundraising efforts of local nonprofits through the generosity of our sponsors and the community at large.

"The Blaise Alexander Family Dealerships are proud to be a part of this regional fundraiser for the seventh year. Raise the Region gives us the opportunity to support a variety of local nonprofits by providing an extra percentage on each gift," said Aubrey Alexander.

In 2018, north central Pennsylvania showed its true spirit of philanthropy by donating $1,457,895 to over 314 nonprofits. Raise the Region had thousands of donors make over 9,002 gifts. Since starting in 2013, Raise the Region has collectively received $7.2 million in donations for the benefit of local nonprofit organizations.

"Raise the Region provides FCFP the opportunity to show the benefits of working as a regional community foundation focused on strengthening area nonprofits through collaboration and leadership. Raising awareness for the many great nonprofits across the region and increasing the sense of community among donors across county lines are our primary goals," McCahan said.

On Wednesday, March 13th at 6 p.m. through 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, March 14th the public is encouraged to visit www.RaiseTheRegion.org and select participating nonprofits to support and your gift will be stretched by the matching contribution from Blaise Alexander Family Dealerships. Your donation(s) can also help raise additional support for the nonprofits selected by qualifying them for monetary prizes. All gifts are tax deductible and will help make your favorite nonprofits mission possible.

The Foundation works to improve the quality of life in north central Pennsylvania through community leadership, the promotion of philanthropy, the strengthening of nonprofit impact and the perpetual stewardship of charitable assets.

For more information on the programs and services offered by the Community Foundation, or to learn more about ways to make a difference in your community, contact the Community Foundation office at 570-321-1500.
King, Gardner, Nelson, LeVell, Parker: Leaders Urge President to Proclaim Abortion as National Crisis

Contact: Day Gardner, 202-834-0844; Leslie Palma, 732-757-9087

WASHINGTON, Jan. 25, 2019 /Christian Newswire/ -- In an open letter to the president, national leaders, joined by other leaders in the prolife movement, urge the commander in chief to declare that abortion of human babies is a national crisis. They are urging the people of America to join in advancing this message.

Read the text of the letter below.

January 25, 2019

President Donald J. Trump

The White House

Attention: White House Public Liaison Office

Washington, DC

Dear President Trump,

Thank you for your service to the people of America. Mindful of your compassion for the "soul of America," we are writing with an urgent request.

While we fully understand your concern for the safety and security of the American people, as well as compassionate consideration for innocent immigrants, we are requesting that you also consider addressing another American crisis by declaring that the abortion of a child - notably deemed by science and philosophy as a living human byproduct - in the womb is a crime against humanity.

While considering a barrier or a wall to protect the people of America and to assist the innocent immigrants who desire to come into our country, we pray that you will also remember the babies in the womb, according to God, science and philosophy are human beings waiting to be born.

The scourge of abortion of human beings in the womb is an American crisis. Please declare that abortion of pre-born human beings is a national crisis.

Just this week on January 22, 2019 the Governor of New York signed into law The Reproductive Health Act, an approval to kill even more of our American children, especially African American children. Already in New York more Black babies are being aborted than are being born. Sir, we are asking you to declare that abortion is a crime against humanity.

Again, America is in a state of crisis, at our geographical borders and in the sanctuaries of the wombs of our mothers. America is besieged and beleaguered by serious crimes against humanity with abortion of human beings at the top of the list.

We are very concerned that all of the candidates that announced their bid to run for president in 20/20 chose to rise on the anniversary of the celebration of the 90th birthday of the prophet Martin Luther King, Jr.; and did so being fully in league with America's massive abortion industry while backed by Black faith-based leaders under the auspices of the the Negro Project; a genocide project with longstanding and deadly intent.

They all remain in league to commit genocide and eugenics against African American babies. One third of the babies aborted in America are African American babies while we remain the least of these in numbers of population (about 12%).

Mr. President, we salute you for keeping your promises and bringing prison reform, religious freedom, tax breaks, lower unemployment, and many other benefits to America. Thank you also for addressing crimes against humanity, notably demonstrated yet again with your recent signing of the Frederick Douglass Anti-Human Trafficking Law.

Thank you for recognizing the legacy of Frederick Douglass and his incredible efforts against slavery. Thank you for recognizing that human trafficking is today's modern slavery; all slavery is a crime against humanity. Abortion is another form of slavery; with the human child in the womb held hostage.

As you know, a crime against humanity occurs when the government withdraws legal protection from a class of human beings as they did with African American slaves in our American past. Even though adoption is a viable option to abortion; there is very little if any protection for the unborn human baby.

In addition to seeking solutions to this crisis, we also urge you to declare that abortion occurs in the human sex trafficking cycle; often these occurrences are forced abortions; all indicative of more crimes against humanity.

We have denied legal protection to a class of human beings, children in the womb. As the Supreme Court has said in describing the contents of the woman's womb, "While we find no reliable data to measure the phenomenon, it seems unexceptionable to conclude some women come to regret their choice to abort the INFANT LIFE they once created and sustained." "Severe depression and loss of esteem can follow." (emphasis added) Gonzales v. Carhart, 550 U.S. 124 (2007).

Mr. President, we the undersigned individuals urge you to make a public declaration to this effect; that abortion of a child in the womb is a crime against humanity; and to sanction The Moral Outcry Petition at www.themoraloutcry.com and other factual statements in support of the sanctity of life.

Again, Mr. president, thank you for your continuing leadership to promote human dignity and the sanctity of human life regardless of condition of servitude, color of skin, or length of days.

We are urging the people of America to pray with us, and to join us in sounding this alarm. God bless you, Mr. President; and God bless America.

Respectfully Submitted,

Evangelist Alveda King

Civil Rights for The Unborn

Dr. Day Gardner

National Black Pro-Life Union

Rev. Dean Nelson

Human Coalition

Bruce LeVell

National Diversity Coalition for Trump

Allan Parker, Esquire

The Justice Foundation

SIGN ON TO OPEN LETTER HERE: www.nationalblackprolifeunion.com
Chebon Tiger, left, performs with the Chebon Tiger Band during the opening day of Jazz in June, Thursday, June 14, 2018, at Brookhaven Village. The annual festival was among 38 Oklahoma fine arts organizations that received word this week that a total of more than $595,000 in promised  and expected  grant payments are on hold because of the ongoing partial federal government shutdown.
There was applause in the chamber for the governors words, but this legislature has lately been more interested in erecting barriers to voting, rather than tearing them down. So while we are hopeful, we will be watching to see what progress is made.

Even if successful, this proposal couldnt go before the voters for a few years. Two successive general assemblies (which convene every two years) must approve legislation before it goes to the voters. Thats a long time to wait. We think the governor, who said Tuesday she believes in the power of redemption, ought to strongly consider an executive order restoring voting rights in the interim. A Des Moines Register report last weekend amply showed there are people who are losing, right now, their right to vote because of the way this prohibition is applied.

Elsewhere, the governors pledge that prosperity belongs to all Iowans is worthy of praise, of course. But we believe the best way to prepare Iowans for future success  to soar, if you will  is to ensure they get a proper education.
Sister Claudia Robinson, Religious Sister of Mercy, is the recipient of the 2019 Mercy Heritage Award for Health and Humanities.

A Council Bluffs native, Robinson was taught by Sisters of Mercy at Holy Family Elementary School and Mount Loretto High School. She credits the Sisters influence for her desire to become a Sister of Mercy.

Robinson entered the Community at age 17. She began her ministry teaching in Catholic elementary schools in Omaha, Kansas City and Joplin, Missouri. She was a principal in Joplin and at Holy Family in Council Bluffs.

She served as dean of students at College of Saint Mary in Omaha from 1960 to 1968. She was also a Newman Center chaplain and served on the faculty of Idaho State University in Pocatello from 1969 to 1972.

Along the way, Robinson earned a bachelor of science degree in education from the College of Saint Mary and a master of arts degree in counseling and guidance from the University of Denver.

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Ive done actual welding before, so the simulation is really close, he said. I think its a good thing for people who are learning before they use the actual welder.

Ibarra plans to work for a year or two after high school, then join the Navy or seek further training in a trade.

I like doing hands-on work using different tools and equipment, he said.

Junior Brock Renfro is interested in veterinary medicine but also likes the idea of becoming an iron worker. His father had a career as an iron worker before changing occupations, he said.

I might follow in his footsteps and work with big, heavy machinery, he said. That would be cool.

Junior Harley Larsen is interested in zoology but would like to be able to do his own repairs to save money, he said.

Sophomore Camren Butts might be interested in working in construction or as a diesel technician, but he needs to do more research, he said.

Its exciting to see the kids here, Reynolds said. You can see theyre really engaged in what theyre doing.

Murillo was excited that the governor was interested in the TradeWorks Academy.
Fe y Esperanza (Faith and Hope) United Methodist Church, 2447 Ave. B, is handicap accessible and open to the public. Membership in the church is not required to participate in any activities. Tonight, prayer and Bible study will begin at 7 p.m. The Rev. Humberto Gonzalez invites the public to a bilingual Sunday worship service (in Spanish and English) at 12:30 p.m., accompanied by the churchs praise band. The youth group will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday. Call 712-323-3124 for more information. The pastor can be reached at 712-828-1340. The church is on Facebook at Fe y Esperanza UMC.

Hazel Dell United Methodist Church, 23109 205th St, is handicap accessible and open to the public. Membership is not necessary to participate in any church activities. Sunday school will begin at 10 a.m. followed by worship at 11. The churchs phone number is 712-545-3021. Check out the church online at facebook.com/hazeldellumccb and at hazeldellumccb.wordpress.com .

Emanuel Lutheran Church, 2444 N. Broadway, will hold worship with Communion at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, followed by fellowship and coffee at 10:30, the annual congregation meeting at 10:45 and lunch served by the children and youth committee at 11:45. On Monday, Communion at Midlands Living Center will begin at 11 a.m. Tai Chi will also begin at 11. On Tuesday, Girl Scouts will meet in the community room at 5:30 p.m. and the Boy Scouts will meet at 7 in the youth center. On Wednesday, Mission Action Quilters will meet at 9:30 a.m.; church dinner will begin at 6 p.m. followed by adult study and Kidz Kamp at 6:45, and worship in the community room at 7:30. On Thursday, adult study will begin at 9:30 a.m., Tai Chi at 11; choir rehearsal at 6:30 p.m. and DaBand rehearsal at 7:30. The church office is closed on Fridays. On Feb. 3, worship with Communion will begin at 9:30 a.m. followed by fellowship and coffee at 10:30 and a mental health support group meeting at 11. Visit the church online at emanuelcb.org or facebook.com/emanuellutherancbia.
FRIDAY

 Roller Skating at UMBA Hall  Skating every Friday night at the UMBA Hall in Underwood except holiday weekends or if Underwood Schools are cancelled due to weather. Fourth grade and younger may skate from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Fifth grade and older skate from 8:30 to 10 p.m. Admission is $4. No outside skates are allowed. The party room may be reserved for birthday celebrations for $30. Private skating parties are available for two hours of skating for $300. Call 712-566-2222 to reserve a time.
The following story originally published in the Daily Nonpareil's 40th Anniversary Hy-Vee special section, which ran Tuesday, Jan. 22. For more, check out the e-edition.

For nearly 25 years, visitors to Omahas Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium have enjoyed a lovable collection of cold-water penguins  a major attraction at the aquarium. Yet visitors to the zoo seldom think about where the penguins came from or how they made their way to Omaha.

Getting the penguins to the metro area was quite an undertaking and, as with many community service projects, the folks at the metro area Hy-Vee stores were right in the thick of things.

When managers of the area Hy-Vee stores suggested to the zoo they might be willing to help fund the purchase of the penguins, zoo officials had a different idea.
19,000 Catholics Urge Sacred Heart University to Cancel Fr. James Martin's Talk

Contact: John Ritchie, 717-495-5427

FAIRFIELD, Conn., Jan. 25, 2019 / Christian Newswire / -- Young Catholics collected nearly 20,000 signatures on a petition urging Sacred Heart University to cancel Fr. James Martin's upcoming talk on campus on Jan. 29. The Jesuit priest's support for transgenderism and homosexuality has prompted backlash from those who embrace Catholic moral values.

"It is difficult to understand why the president of Sacred Heart University, Dr. John J. Petillo, while expressing solidarity for the victims of clergy abuse, would allow a priest who promotes the same sin that is responsible for such scandalous abuse to speak," said John Ritchie, director of TFP Student Action, the group hosting the petition.

The petition can be accessed here: www.tfpstudentaction.org/petitions/protest-fr-james-martin-sacred-heart-university

To oppose Fr. Martin's errors, concerned Catholics will be holding a peaceful protest rally at Sacred Heart University on Saturday, January 26 at noon. The location of the demonstration will be at the intersection of Old Town Road and Park Avenue in Fairfield, Connecticut.

Addressing the abuse crisis in the Catholic Church, Bishop Robert C. Morlino stated:

"There must be no room left, no refuge for sin -- either within our own lives, or within the lives of our communities.... But to be clear, in the specific situations at hand, we are talking about deviant sexual -- almost exclusively homosexual -- acts by clerics. We're also talking about homosexual propositions and abuses against seminarians and young priests by powerful priests, bishops, and cardinals. We are talking about acts and actions which are not only in violation of the sacred promises made by some, in short, sacrilege, but also are in violation of the natural moral law for all. To call it anything else would be deceitful and would only ignore the problem further."

Ritchie continued: "Fr. Martin's public pro-LGBT activism and open revolt against Catholic moral teaching causes scandal, especially among faithful Catholic students. Sin is something to be ashamed of, not a badge of pride. In good conscience, we cannot remain silent when God's holy law is trampled. So we're asking the university to find a new speaker who respects and loves the perennial doctrine of the Catholic Church."
An expansive effort to restructure Louisiana's fishing and hunting licenses and increase fees on commercial and recreational license-holders for the first time in more than two decades won easy approval from the Senate Monday.
I recently took two roundtrip flights, one of them domestic, the other one international, which means that I encountered both Transportation Security Administration officials and U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Officers who  thanks to a petulant president of the United States  arent getting paid for showing up to work and doing their jobs.

I dont expect any objections  any harrumphing or hot-headed Internet comments  over my blaming Donald Trump for this unnecessary and ridiculously long partial government shutdown. In a Dec. 11, 2018, meeting with Chuck Schumer, the Senate Minority Leader, and Nancy Pelosi (then the House Minority Leader, now the Speaker), Trump crowed, You know what Ill say? Yes. If we dont get what we want one way or the other, whether its through you, through a military, through anything you want to call (it), I will shut down the government, absolutely. So I will take the mantle. I will be the (one) to shut it down. Im not going to blame you for it.

Of course, we all knew that when the awfulness of the situation became apparent that Trump would blame the Democrats and exonerate himself. But the attempted deflection isnt working. According to a Jan. 20-22 Fox News poll, 51 percent of voters surveyed believe Trump is most responsible for the shutdown and 34 percent believe congressional Democrats are.

According to an Associated Press poll, Trumps approval rating dropped from 42 percent in December to 34 percent in January, his lowest approval rating in a year. So, yes, its his shutdown. Hes the reason that the security officials I saw working at the airport before dawn werent getting paid for showing up and working.

Ive always imagined that working at TSA is challenging no matter the circumstances. Can you imagine how many pairs of feet  how many pairs of funky shoes  TSA officials must catch a whiff of every single day. Now theyve got to add working without pay to their list of daily indignities?

I got to Louis Armstrong Airport at about 4:45 a.m. Sunday Jan. 13 for a 6:30 a.m. flight. That was earlier than I wanted to arrive, but because Id heard stories of agents calling in sick, I wanted to be there extra early in case the lines were long.

There wasnt much of a line at all, and as I got closer to the check point I wondered what would be the most appropriate thing to say to the person checking my I.D. and boarding pass.

I dont think I said anything at all. In fact, I felt so bad for the agent that I dont think I even looked her in the eye.

In A Grief Observed, an essay C.S. Lewis wrote about his life after his wifes death, he writes, An odd by-product of my loss is that Im aware of being an embarrassment to everyone I meet. At work, at the club, in the street, I see people, as they approach me, try to make up their minds whether theyll say something about it or not. I hate it if they do, and if they dont.

During my multiple interactions with people who I knew werent getting paid to do their jobs, I repeatedly struggled with whether or not to say something about it. I heard that some travelers were greeting federal employees like they would soldiers in uniform and saying, Thank you for your service. But at a Midwestern airport I just flew through, I told a TSA official, I appreciate yall, and I sensed that he was annoyed at my remark.

Was it that my appreciation means little to him, or was my appreciation an unrequested reminder that he was working without the expectation of a timely check?

For furloughed federal workers, New Orleans waives property tax late fees

Around the country, people are trying to extend empathy and compassion to the more than 800,000 federal employees who arent getting paid. Some local restaurants have offered free meals to those employees. Mayor LaToya Cantrell and the New Orleans City Council have announced that federal employees who own property in New Orleans will not be charged a late fee if theyre unable to pay their tax bills on time. Thousands of our Orleans Parish residents ... are facing financial hardship through no fault of their own, the mayor said in a statement. This is one way we can help ease their burden until the crisis is resolved.

In December, Saints owner Gayle Benson paid off almost $100,000 in layaway orders at a local Walmart, and Tyler Perry used about $430,000 to do the same at two Walmart stores in the Atlanta area. Former New Orleanian Andre Perry co-authored a column for The Brookings Institute called Christmas cheer is not a policy solution. That column may have struck some as grinchy, but its point is all the more obvious now.

Free plates of food and grace on a bill wont make up for federal employees not getting paid. They need their wages, not our charity.

That their wages are being withheld for what would be a monument to Trumps ego makes this situation even more infuriating. He keeps claiming that foreigners will do us harm. But this harm is coming from our side of the border.

Jarvis DeBerry is a columnist on the Latitude team at NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune. Latitude is a place to share opinions about the challenges facing Louisiana. Follow @LatitudeNOLA on Facebook and Twitter. Write Jarvis at jdeberry@nola.com or @jarvisdeberry.
More than 1,500 federal employees in Louisiana who have been required to work without pay during the federal government shutdown will now be eligible to receive unemployment insurance benefits, Gov. John Bel Edwards announced Friday (Jan. 25).

These furloughed federal workers, previously disqualified from receiving such benefits, can immediately begin the application process with the Louisiana Workforce Commission.

Today marks the second pay period that approximately 6,000 federal workers in Louisiana have gone without a paycheck, and many of these dedicated employees have continued to report to work, said Edwards. These individuals deserve every bit of our support during this difficult time.

Louisiana joins Colorado, California, Vermont, and the District of Columbia in paying benefits to all furloughed government workers, according to Edwards office. There is, though, a critical caveat, said Ava Dejoie, secretary of the Louisiana Workforce Commission. Any unemployment benefits received by federal employees likely will need to be repaid when those employees are paid back wages  presumably after the shutdowns end.

For many of these employees, UI benefits will serve as somewhat of a stopgap until the federal shutdown ends, Dejoie said. Until then, we will continue to serve these individuals as we would any other qualifying workers.

As of Thursday (Jan. 24), 427 furloughed workers in Louisiana had applied for unemployment insurance compensation with 113 having received their first weekly payment. Louisianas maximum weekly benefit is $247 over 26 weeks for a total of $6,422, according to the governors office.

Furloughed federal employees are encouraged to check the LWC website, www.LAWorks.net, for further instructions. The site will be updated regularly as additional information becomes available.
As a retired Coast Guardsman with more than three decades of service, I never imagined I would have to reconcile such a breach of faith.

At the time of this writing, active duty members of the Armed Forces of the United States, 42,000 Coast Guardsmen, are fast approaching non-receipt of a second consecutive paycheck. All the while, our elected leadership, on Capitol Hill and in the Trump administration, on both sides of the aisle, stand by and allow the unpaid days to tick by with no apparent sense of urgency.

Yet these Coast Guardsmen and their families, unpaid, continue to stand the maritime watch for America, often in harms way, both stateside and abroad. They patrol the waters of the Northern Arabian Gulf, with their U.S. Navy brothers and sisters, going toe-to-toe with the Iranian Navy every day.

They deploy with Navy carrier strike groups around the world and conduct drug interdiction operations thousands of miles from our shores. Sailing our nations only active heavy icebreaker, the Coast Guard is serving 9,000 miles from home icebreaking a critical shipping channel into McMurdo Station Antarctica.

We see them in our own back yard, facilitating billions in commerce on our 10,000-mile inland river system and across the energy rich Gulf of Mexico. These are the same Coast Guardsmen who over and over again heroically respond to disasters like Hurricanes Katrina and Harvey, saving tens of thousands of their fellow citizens, perhaps even some of you reading this.

And you can bet they will do it again at the drop of a hat.

These are not your standard government employees. They are active duty military on the exact same pay scale as any soldier, sailor, airman or marine. The junior enlisted ranks (E-3/4) in the armed forces pull in an annual base salary of less than $26,000 before taxes. They are not represented by government employee unions, they dont get paid overtime, and when unpaid, they have no option to supplement their income, because as members of our armed forces, they must report to duty.

They raise their right hand and promise their fellow citizens that they will endure the hardships and risks of military life. They promise to protect, defend and save us, if necessary, at the cost of their own lives.

A lapse in appropriations for a military service has far reaching second- and third-order effects beyond the obvious and significant impact on human capital. Maintenance is deferred, acquisitions and modernization programs are frozen, ultimately resulting in negative safety and readiness issues. And for the United States Coast Guard, where life and death is often in the balance on every mission, this degradation is too bitter to contemplate.

Our elected officials can argue border security, the wall, and the government shutdown until they are blue in the face, but to do so to the detriment and expense of active duty members of the armed forces is unconscionable. Bipartisan legislation (HR 367 and S 21) has been introduced in the House and Senate. This would ensure Coast Guard pay regardless of a lapse in appropriations.

Some members of the Louisiana contingent are listed as co-sponsors. I must ask, where are they, and more importantly, where is their sense of urgency?

Every day this continues, our elected leaders break faith with these Coast Guardsmen. Its simple, either they truly support the members of our armed forces, or they dont. So far, their inaction has been stunning, and their silence deafening. Those of us who wear and have worn the cloth of our nation are watching.

Rear Admiral Dave Callahan recently retired to the New Orleans area after a 35-year career in the United States Coast Guard. A veteran of the Hurricane Katrina and Harvey responses, he completed his career as commander of the Eighth Coast Guard District, covering Louisiana and 25 other states.
U.S. Sen. John Kennedy on Thursday (Jan. 24) derided Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross for saying unpaid federal workers should be borrowing money to make up for lost pay during the partial government shutdown instead of visiting food banks for handouts. I just think its a jackass statement, the Louisiana Republican said.

I dont agree with him," Kennedy said. "I dont think Secretary Ross would have to worry about a paycheck because I understand hes a billionaire.

Earlier Thursday, Ross had said he didnt understand why unpaid federal workers were visiting food banks. The idea that its paycheck or zero is not a really valid idea, he said. Theres no reason why some institution wouldnt be willing to lend.

Unpaid federal workers should use loans, not food banks, Commerce secretary says

About one-quarter of the federal workforce is either furloughed or working without pay, the result of a 34-day standoff between President Donald Trump and congressional Democrats over whether to build more barriers along the Mexican border. Among the shuttered agencies are Ross' Commerce Department.

Kennedys remarks came during a telephone conference with Louisiana reporters. He backs Trumps request for barrier money and largely blames House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., for the impasse. Shes allowing her hatred for the president to impact her judgment, Kennedy said.

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Twice on Thursday, the Senate failed to make progress on easing the deadlock. The next step in the upper chamber, Kennedy said, is for Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York to "sit down and see if there is any way to reach some middle ground.

Everybody is going to have to make peace with an imperfect proposal, Kennedy said.

15 more times Sen. John Kennedy really said that

. . . . . . .

Drew Broach covers Jefferson Parish politics and education, plus other odds and ends, for NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune. Email: dbroach@nola.com. Facebook: Drew Broach TP. Twitter: drewbroach1. Google+: Drew Broach.
InspireNOLA Charter Schools and the McDonogh 35 Alumni Association Thursday (Jan. 24) unveiled a new recruitment campaign designed to attract new students and talent to the historic high school this year.

The Orleans Parish School Board a month ago identified InspireNOLA as the operator of McDonogh 35s new 9th grade academy for the 2019-20 school year beginning in August. InspireNOLAs agreement with the OPSB requires the charter to keep the school colors and mascot, the Roneagle, at the McDonogh 35 College Preparatory High School.

McDonogh 35 was founded in 1917 as the first public high school in Louisiana for black children. Although the former magnet school was once considered a School of Academic Achievement by the Louisiana Department of Education, its academic ranking has declined since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The D-rated school now teaches 451 students in the St. Bernard area, according to recent state data.

InspireNOLA officials and the McDonogh 35 Alumni Association held a press conference at the school Thursday in an effort to encourage residents to apply for enrollment at the new academy. Their enrollment push comes as parents have until Feb. 22 to select schools for their students through the OneApp, which is the centralized lottery system for public school placement in New Orleans.

We invite students to choose McDonogh 35 as your number one school choice on the OneApp, said Gertrude Ivory, McDonogh 35 Alumni Association president.

InspireNOLA set to control McDonogh 35 in bid to uphold city's pillar high school

Ivory also encouraged certified teachers and staff who have demonstrated success with students to apply for employment at the schools new 9th grade academy. She also stressed that their partnership with InspireNOLA will ensure a smooth transition that upholds the schools legacy and ensures the schools success.

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The press conference also served to show a renewed relationship between McDonogh 35 alumni and the charter network after a contentious OPSB meeting in December regarding the schools future. The districts decision to charter McDonogh 35 under InspireNOLA will make New Orleans the nations first all-charter school system once all of the schools current students have either graduated or transferred elsewhere within the next two school years.

The OPSB considers InspireNOLA the citys top open admission charter organization. InspireNOLA currently runs six public schools in New Orleans serving more than 4,500 students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, including one A-graded and 2 B-graded schools. Additionally, InspireNOLA has a history of successful school takeovers. InspireNOLA CEO Jamar McKneely Thursday stressed his commitment to McDonogh 35s success.

"We are looking forward to expanding and enhancing the experiences of its scholars, teachers, alumni, and families of McDonogh 35 while continuing to carry on the schools tremendous legacy and history, McKneely said.

InspireNOLA plans to host two town hall meetings at McDonogh 35's campus at 6 p.m. on Feb. 6 and Feb. 12 to give residents an opportunity to brainstorm ideas regarding the future of the school. Leaders with InspireNOLA and the McDonogh 35 Alumni Association also plan to sign a Memorandum of Understanding to underscore the InspireNOLA's commitment to the preservation and legacy of the school during the Feb. 12 meeting.

McDonogh 35 handoff to make New Orleans 1st all-charter school system by 2022

Wilborn P. Nobles III is an education reporter based in New Orleans. He can be reached at wnobles@nola.com or on Twitter at @WilNobles.
A 57-year-old man accused of illegally dumping 14,000 used tires in New Orleans East and near the Superdome pleaded guilty to charges Friday (Jan. 18), according to the Orleans Parish District Attorneys office.

Bryant Ballard withdrew his not-guilty plea and pleaded guilty to four counts of illegal dumping and one count of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, according to the release. He was sentenced to three years in state prison.

Police accused Ballard of using a rented U-Haul truck to collect and dump approximately 14,000 tires over the course of eight months at the following locations and dates:

- On Clio Street, between South Derbigny and South Roman streets, around September 10, 2016

- On Michoud Boulevard near I-510 around June 14, 2017

- On Dwyer Road near I-510, between September 1, 2016 and May 31, 2017, on two separate occasions

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Ballard received a two-year sentence for the unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and four one-year sentences, to be served concurrently with each other, for illegal dumping. Ballard will consecutively serve the sentences for illegal dumping and illegal use of a motor vehicle for a total of three years.

"Illegal dumping is a serious problem in some areas of the city," Cannizzaro said in the statement. "No neighborhood should have its property values and quality of life diminished by the blight, health hazards and other problems associated with illegal dumping activities.

Agents from Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, the Louisiana State Police, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement and NOPD helped connect Ballard with the crime. Authorities spoke with witnesses, watched surveillance footage and reviewed rental truck records, the release stated.

Police arrested Ballard Nov. 11, 2018.

See how illegal dumping still plagues New Orleans neighborhoods
Coptic Solidarity Commends Resolution Introduced by Rep. French Hill for Coptic Equality Rep. French Hill (R  AR) introduced H.Res.49, expressing support for Coptic Christians and religious liberty in Egypt, with co-lead Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI) and an additional 11 other cosponsors on January 16. Coptic Solidarity urges all U.S. Representatives to support human rights and religious freedom for Copts and all Egyptians by cosponsoring the resolution. "...we must confront the reality that Coptic Christians in Egypt do not receive the same protections under the rule of law as others...the U.S. government must use the tools it has to hold our allies to a higher standard if they are to continue to receive our aid." -- Rep. French Hill Contact: Lindsay Griffin, Director of Development & Advocacy, Coptic Solidarity , 801-512-1713, coptadvocacy(at)copticsolidarity(dot)org WASHINGTON, Jan. 25, 2019 / Christian Newswire / -- Rep. French Hill (R  AR) introduced a resolution, H. RES.49 , expressing support for Coptic Christians and religious liberty in Egypt with co-lead Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI) and an additional 11 other cosponsors on January 16, coinciding with Religious Freedom Day. Coptic Solidarity strongly commends Reps. Hill and Cicilline for continuing to champion equality and religious freedom for the Copts of Egypt in an equitable, tangible, and realistic manner. Coptic Solidarity urges all U.S. Representatives to support human rights and religious freedom for Copts and all Egyptians by cosponsoring the resolution. Photo: Protests have resulted in multiple church closures in Minya, Egypt (C) Copts United Congressman Hill stated "Egypt and the United States are important partners in the fight against terrorism. However, we must confront the reality that Coptic Christians in Egypt do not receive the same protections under the rule of law as others. I have been on the front lines of this struggle and met with government and religious leaders throughout Egypt. While we have seen progress from Egyptian President el-Sisi, the U.S. government must use the tools it has to hold our allies to a higher standard if they are to continue to receive our aid." Coptic Solidarity strongly urges all concerned individuals to send messages to their U.S. Representative through Coptic Solidarity's website asking them to cosponsor this resolution. A sample letter is provided, and once signed it will be delivered directly to the correct Congressional office based on the sender's address. Gathering the maximum number of cosponsors is a critical step to show sufficient support for the resolution to be marked-up in the Foreign Affairs Committee and then scheduled for a full floor vote. Earlier this month, members of the US administration and a high -profile delegation visited Egypt for the opening of the Nativity Cathedral in Egypt's new administrative capital. Many referred to this building as a "gift" from the Egyptian government, lauding the state of tolerance and religious freedom in Egypt. In reality, the cathedral was paid for by private donations from Copts. Additionally, a January 15, 2019 report stated that the Egyptian government continued its policy of arbitrary church closures, with four churches closed in the previous four and half weeks. The introduction of H. RES. 49 is critical given Egypt's increasingly authoritarian environment in which minorities suffer. A recent report ranked Egypt the third most likely country to witness genocide. Co-sponsoring and passing the resolution will send an important message to Egypt's government that the US Congress cares about the state of human rights and religious freedom in Egypt, and is willing to address it, while simultaneously acknowledging positive steps. Coptic Solidarity is an organization seeking to help minorities, particularly the Copts, of Egypt and we support those in Egypt working for democracy, freedom, and the protection of the fundamental rights of all Egyptian citizens. It advocates in cooperation with the affiliated organizations in Canada and in Europe (Solidarite Copte). For more information, contact Lindsay Griffin at 801-512-1713 or coptadvocacy(at)copticsolidarity(dot)org

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A Jefferson Parish judge on Wednesday (Jan. 23) quashed Corey C-Murder Millers latest push to vacate his 2009 conviction for a Harvey nightclub killing.

Recanted testimony won't automatically open C-Murder's cell door

Judge Stephen Enright Jr. of the 24th Judicial District Court ruled that Miller hadnt met his burden of proof for post-conviction relief and denied his request for a new trial. The judge also cast suspicion on the recent recantations of two witnesses who testified at Millers trial.

The court finds the recantation evidence presented in this case to be suspect and not reliable, Enright said, referring to witnesses Kenneth Jordan and Darnell Jordan, no relation, who now say they were coerced and threatened into identifying Miller as the gunman.

Miller, 47, was sentenced to life in prison after a jury found him guilty of second-degree murder for the January 2002 shooting death of 16-year-old fan Steve Thomas at the now-closed Platinum Club in Harvey.

Millers defense attorney, Paul Barker, filed a motion asking the court for post-conviction relief in June 2018, arguing that his client didnt receive a fair trial because of prosecutorial misconduct, ineffective assistance of counsel and the coerced witnesses.

Darnell Jordan and Kenneth Jordan came forward last year in conjunction with the airing of Reasonable Doubt, an Investigation Discovery true-crime television show that focused on Miller's case.

Kenneth Jordan testified at trial that C-Murder stood over (Thomas) and shot him. But Kenneth Jordan changed his story, claiming that he only identified Miller because Jefferson Parish Sheriffs Office detectives threatened to arrest him on a felony carnal knowledge charge involving an underage girlfriend, according to the court records.

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Darnell Jordan, a bouncer at the Harvey club at the time of the shooting, signed an affidavit accusing detectives of tricking him into fingering Miller, court records said. He also accused them of harassing him and his family.

Barker had argued that Kenneth and Darnell Jordan repeatedly told authorities their identification of Miller wasnt truthful, but investigators and the Jefferson Parish prosecutors failed to turn over that information to Millers attorneys.

In his ruling, Enright notes that Darnell Jordans was consistent when he testified before the grand jury in 2002, in Millers 2003 trial -- which was later overturned and in Millers 2009 trial.

Rapper 'C-Murder' ordered to pay $1.1 million to victim's family

The information regarding Darnell Jordans inconsistent statements was presented to the jury during Darnell Jordans testimony at trial, Enright wrote.

Millers application provided nothing to back up Kenneth Jordans coercion claim or the allegation that he told authorities Millers identification was false, Enright said. And Kenneth Jordans immunity offer was also brought up during the trial.

Enright ruled that Miller also failed to prove that actions taken or not taken by his defense attorneys led to an unfair trial and conviction.
A man involved in a domestic disturbance in Treme was found with a stolen car, a stolen gun and an assault-style rifle after he was involved in a car crash while trying to evade state police, according to arrest documents.

Michael C. Jackson, 25, was booked Monday (Jan. 21) into the Orleans Justice Center jail in connection with the crimes, which were reported Saturday night, jail records show.

Both Jackson and another driver received minor injuries when Jackson, in trying to flee Louisiana State Police, ran a stop sign and another vehicle crashed into his, according to arrest documents for Jackson. Both he and the other driver, a 38-year-old woman, were taken to the hospital for treatment.

In a gist sheet for the NOPD, Trooper Max Verret writes that Jacksons arrest occurred after Verret responded about 9:30 p.m. Saturday to a domestic disturbance at a home in the 800 block of North Dorgenois Street.

The caller told a police dispatcher that Jackson was trying to get into the home and he was armed with a gun.

Verret arrived to find Jackson sitting in a white 2018 Chevrolet Equinox alongside North Dorgenois Street, near the home. The car pulled into the roadway, but with no headlights on, according to the gist sheet sworn by Verret.

The trooper tried to stop the car but instead of pulling over, Jackson ran a stop sign at the intersection of North Dorgenois and St. Ann streets and turned onto Orleans Avenue, bypassing traffic controls in the process, the document states. Jackson turned onto North Rocheblave Street and then Lafitte Avenue, where he accelerated to speeds topping 65 mph, over three times the roadways 20 mph speed limit, according to the documents.

Another vehicle crashed into Jackson when he ran a stop sign at Lafitte Avenue and North Galvez Street.

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During his arrest, Jackson told the trooper that he had two guns in his car, which he stated was his reason for attempting to flee, the arrest documents state.

Police found the handgun, which had been reported stolen, and an AR-15-style rifle in the car.

After he was released from the hospital, Jackson was booked with two counts of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and single counts of aggravated flight from an officer, illegal possession of a stolen firearm, illegal possession of a stolen auto, negligent injuring and illegal carrying of a weapon.

An Orleans Parish magistrate commissioner found no probable cause for illegal carrying of a weapon, court records show.

Jackson remained jailed Thursday with his bond set at $52,500.

Arresting documents show home addresses for Jackson in both New Orleans and Houston.

His criminal history in Orleans Parish includes a February 2013 conviction of attempted possession of a firearm or weapon by a convicted felon and October 2011 convictions of possession with intent to distribute marijuana and illegal carrying of a weapon.

Laura McKnight covers crime and breaking news for NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune.
NJ Transit passengers who use rail lines that have been suspended or cut back due to safety work will have to wait at least until April for their trains to return, however, some fare discounts will end before then.

NJ Transit officials announced Friday that suspended service on the Atlantic City line, the Princeton Shuttle and Raritan Valley Line service to and from New York will return sometime during the second quarter of the year, which begins on April 1.

Today is 22nd and we are just 7 working days away @NJTRANSIT , need to know about the 10% discount as we have tickets marked with jan 31st expiration date.  Ravi (@ravir9) January 22, 2019

A 10 percent rail system wide fare discount will end on Jan. 31, but a 25 percent discount on Atlantic City rail tickets will continue, officials said.

Its reprehensible they revoked the fare discount for long suffering riders when they dont announce the date when one single train is restored, said David Peter Alan, Lackawanna Commuter Coalition chairman. What we are hearing from our constituents is theyre still furious, they want their trains back.

The announcement came after commuter groups and legislators pressed NJ Transit to give riders a time frame on when service will resume and the fate of the discounts.

We think this is an important first step. A lot more has to be done to restore communication and trust with riders, said Assemblyman Daniel Benson, D-Mercer, chairman of the assembly transportation committee, which pressed NJ Transit officials to update riders. Thankfully, they listened and put this out.

NJ Transit officials also will hold five meetings with riders of the affected rail lines in Atlantic City, Cherry Hill, Morristown, Princeton and Somerville, he said. Dates have not been set. The committee still may hold a hearing with NJ Transit officials at a time to get the most answers for commuters from officials, Benson said.

Republican lawmakers, led by Assemblyman Anthony Bucco, R-Morris, have pressed for hearings to address commuter complaints about canceled trains, overcrowded trains and delays. Legislators should ride the trains and be on the platform when they learn a trains been canceled so they feel what commuters experience, Alan said.

Last week, both Gov. Phil Murphy and Kevin Corbett, NJ Transit executive director said the suspended trains would return, but the federal shutdown has prevent the Federal Railroad Administration from reviewing and signing off on plans to resume service. Both said they didnt want service to be prematurely restored and cut back due to equipment or crew availability.

A great start would be to get NJ Transit's Atlantic City Line started back up with more frequent trains!  Joseph (@bicycleriiights) January 23, 2019

"Our goal is to begin restoring a service that remains reliable and predictable for customers as quickly as possible, Corbett said in a statement.

NJ Transit officials said the agency continues to address a continuing shortage of locomotive engineers, and equipment availability, as Positive Train Control (PTC) installations, maintenance inspections and testing continues. Earlier this month officials admitted the railroad had to cancel trains this month because of a backlog of locomotives and rails cars that needed to be inspected.

Corbett said he expected the number of canceled trains to dwindle toward the end of January.

NJ Transit met a federally mandated Dec. 31, 2018, deadline to install the first phase of Positive Train Control and filed documents and an application for an extension to complete the work and testing by Dec. 31, 2020. PTC is a computer and radio based system that stops a train if the operator fails to obey speed limits or signals.

Larry Higgs may be reached at lhiggs@njadvancemedia.com . Follow him on Twitter @commutinglarry .

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Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says the Senate will pass legislation on Friday thats intended to reopen the government after a record-long 35 day shutdown.

McConnell says he knows "the pain that this episode has caused" across the country. The Kentucky Republican says federal workers who have gone without pay "deserve this resolution."

President Donald Trump has agreed to a fund the government for three weeks, through Feb. 15. Negotiations continue on his demand for money to build a border wall with Mexico.

McConnell says he hopes there will be "good-faith negotiations" in the coming weeks to settle differences on border security.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer says Democrats oppose the billions of dollars Trump wants to build the wall, but do agree on other ways to secure the border. He says that bodes well for coming to an eventual agreement.

And even as Trump backs down and agrees to the short-term deal, he isnt giving up on his push for a U.S.-Mexico border wall.

On top of that, hes threatening to shut down the government again or use his presidential powers to address the border issue if he doesnt get what hes calling a fair deal.

Trump says the border barrier he wants built isn't "medieval' and shouldn't be "controversial" because it will keep drugs and criminals from crossing into the United States.

He's calling it "smart" and "see-through" walls.

Trump has announced that the government  after a record 35-day partial shutdown  will temporarily reopen for a few weeks while he negotiates with Congress on his demand for billions of dollars to pay for a border wall.

Some 800,000 federal workers have had to work without pay or have been kept from doing their jobs as Trump and congressional Democrats were locked in a stalemate over the billions of dollars that Trump has demanded to build a U.S.-Mexico border wall.

Trump spoke at the White House on Friday as intensifying delays at some of the nations busiest airports and widespread disruptions brought new urgency to efforts to break the impasse.

Overnight and into Friday at least five Republican senators had been calling Trump, urging him to reopen the government and have the Senate consider his request for border wall funds through regular legislation, according to a person familiar with the situation who was not authorized to discuss the private talks publicly.

The burst of movement came as LaGuardia Airport in New York and Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey were both experiencing at least 90-minute delays in takeoffs Friday.

The world's busiest airport  Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport  was experiencing long security wait times, a warning sign the week before it expects 150,000 out-of-town visitors for the Super Bowl.

Trump and the Democrats in Congress had remained at odds over his demand that any compromise include money for his coveted border wall.

The standoff had become so severe that, as the Senate opened with prayer, Chaplain Barry Black called on high powers in the hour of national turmoil to help senators do what is right.

Senators were talking with increased urgency after Thursday's defeat of competing proposals from Trump and the Democrats. The bipartisan talks provided a glimmer of hope that some agreement could be reached to temporarily halt the longest-ever closure of federal agencies.

"There are discussions on the Senate side. We are in touch with them," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told reporters Friday morning as she entered the Capitol. Asked about Trump's demands for border security measures as part of a bill temporarily reopening government, Pelosi said, "we'll see what happens today. One step at a time."

Pelosi was referring to a Thursday meeting between Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., to explore potential next steps for solving the vitriolic stalemate.

Pressure was building among both parties to reopen agencies immediately and pay hundreds of thousands of beleaguered federal workers while bargainers hunt for a deal.

Monday is the start of federal tax filing season. But fewer than half of the furloughed IRS employees recalled during the shutdown to handle tax returns and send out refunds reported for work as of Tuesday, according to congressional and government aides. The employees had been told to work without pay.
WASHINGTON  New Jersey Rep. Josh Gottheimer wants the rich to pay a little more to fund a tax break used by middle-class homeowners.

Gottheimer, D-5th Dist., is drafting legislation that would close loopholes that only benefit wealthy Americans to pay for restoring the entire federal deduction for state and local taxes that President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans capped in order to fund their tax law. He is working with Rep. Lee Zeldin, R-N.Y., on the plan, which would not raise tax rates on the rich or corporations.

The deduction cap primarily affected New Jersey and other high-tax states, most of which send billions of dollars more to Washington than they receive in services.

New Jersey got hosed last year when they gutted the state and local tax deduction and targeted our state with higher taxes," Gottheimer said.

The double taxation grenade last Congress was lobbed at New Jersey and New York by the moocher states. Now, its time to work across the aisle, end double taxation, and restore the deduction."

With Democrats now in control of the House, lawmakers are looking at ways to restore the deduction, which has been a part of the Internal Revenue Service code since the first income tax. Rather than simply increase the deficit, as the Republicans did with their tax bill, Democrats are looking at ways to raise money from other sources in order to fund the state and local tax break.

For example, Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., D-9th Dist., a member of the tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee, has discussed tweaking the corporate tax as a way of paying for the state and local tax break.

IRS statistics showed that 860,000 New Jersey households affected by the Republicans' cap made $75,000 to $200,000 a year. Thats 860,000 Jersey households in that income range whose average state and property tax deduction exceeded $10,000, according to Internal Revenue Service statistics.

That was more than double the 326,260 taxpayers earning more than $200,000 who got the same tax break.

While upper-income taxpayers will lose more in tax breaks because their average deduction was $51,401, compared with less than $15,000 for those making under $200,000, they will be the ones paying to restore the full tax break.

While the bill has yet to be introduced, discussions have centered around preventing wealthy Americans from evading capital gains taxes by putting those assets into private foundations that do little charitable work, and making changes to the treatment of capital gains under the estate tax, which affects only 1 in every 1,000 taxpayers, virtually none of them family farms or small businesses.

Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JDSalant or on Facebook. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.
The state lawmakers in charge of a special legislative committee examining how Gov. Phil Murphys office responded to a top staffer being accused of rape say the panels work wont stop after prosecutors decided not to bring criminal charges in the case.

State Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg, the committees co-chair, said the panel will hold its sixth public hearing as scheduled Friday morning.

We were not in charge of investigating the criminal aspect of this, Weinberg, D-Bergen, told NJ Advance Media.

The committee has spent nearly two months hearing from witnesses as they look into how Murphys team responded after learning that Katie Brennan, a state official, accused Albert J. Alvarez, a top Murphy aide, of raping her during the governors campaign in 2017.

On Wednesday, the Middlesex County Prosecutors Office said it closed the book on the case due to a lack of credible evidence and corroboration that a crime was committed. The Hudson County Prosecutors Office also declined to press charges in December

Weinberg noted that committee members were tasked with a broader goal: to examine Murphys hiring practices in the wake of Brennans allegations and come up with ways to strengthen such state government hiring policies, as well as state laws and regulations for how sexual assault allegations are handled.

Specifically, the panel has been examining why Alvarez was hired despite Brennans allegations, why it took months for him to resign, and why no one told Murphy about the accusations.

I dont know what peoples reaction will be when we meet (Friday), Weinberg said. I think there are still real questions."

Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg is pictured at the Statehouse in Trenton earlier this month. (Patti Sapone | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)Patti Sapone | NJ Advance Media

One of the biggest mysteries has been: Who actually hired Alvarez? Multiple top Murphy staffers testified they dont know, and the governor has refused to say.

Everybody wants to know that, Weinberg said.

State Assemblywoman Eliana Pintor Marin, the committees other co-chair, expressed similar sentiments after the announcement from the prosecutor.

Obviously, Im disappointed for Katie, Pintor Marin, D-Essex, told NJ Advance Media. Their decision really doesnt affect what the committee was put together to do."

Its not going to change who were calling to testify," she added. Its not going to change what were wanting to do with regard to having policy (come from this).

The committee is expected to hear testimony Friday from Raj Parikh, who served as the counsel for Murphys transition team.

Witnesses have testified that Parikh learned of the allegations against Alvarez shortly after Murphy was elected. But, Murphy officials have said, Alvarez was hired after passing a background check that showed he had no criminal charges against him.

Weinberg said the committee has a few others they will call to testify, including Lynne Haynes, one of Murphys deputy chiefs of staff, and Melissa Lieberman, the chief of staff to the state Attorney Generals Office.

She said there are no plans as of now to call anyone from Murphys campaign.

We are still concentrating on the transition  the hiring practices, how theyre implemented, how background checks are done," Weinberg said.

Murphys office launched a separate, internal investigation into how Alvarez was hired. He said Wednesday he doesnt know when it will be released.

I would hope its imminent, but I dont know the answer to that, the governor said.

NJ Advance Media staff writers Susan K. Livio and Samantha Marcus contributed to this report.

Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @johnsb01. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.

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Gov. Phil Murphy on Thursday launched a special task force to probe into how a lucrative tax incentive program championed by former Gov. Chris Christie went off the rails after an audit found deficient oversight that may have cost the state millions of dollars.

The move sets the stage for the potential public grilling of current and former administration officials, corporate executives and Trenton power players who set up the programs.

The audit, conducted by the state comptroller, found New Jerseys Economic Development Authority, which oversaw the incentive programs, may have improperly awarded, miscalculated, overstated and overpaid millions in tax credits to companies that pledged to turn the savings into new jobs in the state through the $11 billion programs.

An executive order signed by the Democratic governor on Thursday gives the newly formed task force subpoena power to compel uncooperative witnesses to testify or turn over documents. It will hold public hearings.

The panel, chaired by former New Jersey Public Advocate Ronald Chen, includes a legal team of former federal prosecutors and attorneys with backgrounds in corporate compliance and white collar crime.

The task force adds another layer to the growing controversy over the tax incentive program. Supporters  including Christie, a Republican  said it has helped create and retain employers and jobs in a high-cost state facing stiff competition beyond its borders, while opponents argued the programs lacked proper controls.

The audit, which Murphy ordered soon after taking office, seemed to confirm critics' complaints.

Now the states attorney general, a Murphy appointee, is investigating whether any corporations who received tax breaks failed to hold up their end of the deal.

And shortly after Murphy announced the formation of the task force, state Senate President Stephen Sweeney, D-Gloucester, and state Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, D-Middlesex, announced the state Legislature would be holding its own public hearing on the program.

Sweeney, who has had a tense relationship with the governor, had been a champion of the programs and laid the blame on program managers for failing to provide oversight.

A state official with knowledge of the decision said Thursday that the task force was necessary to provide a full accounting of what went wrong with the programs. It will have the authority to ask the comptrollers office to issue subpoenas.

The official, who requested anonymity to discuss internal deliberations, said that while the attorney generals investigation could lead to lawsuits to recover taxpayer money, it will mostly be conducted in secret. The task force, meanwhile, will dig deeper into the comptrollers findings and can force witnesses to appear in public.

The comptrollers report did not name any names," the official said. "This will.

It remains unclear who, exactly, will be called to testify. The state official and a spokesman for the governor each declined to identify potential witnesses, but said anyone involved in the program could be asked to appear.

The official said the attorneys working for the task force, who all work for the firm Walden Macht and Haran in New York City, were chosen because of their backgrounds untangling complex corporate finances and because none had deep ties in Trenton.

They include Jim Walden, former Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Pablo Quinones, former deputy chief of the fraud section at the U.S. Justice Department; and Milton Williams, who co-chaired the Moreland Commission, a body in New York that investigated public corruption and led to criminal charges against legislative leaders in that state.

A spokesman for Murphy did not respond to questions regarding how much the firm was being paid.

NJ Advance Media staff writer Samantha Marcus contributed to this report.

S.P. Sullivan may be reached at ssullivan@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter.

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The county prosecutor at the center of a rape case that has roiled Gov. Phil Murphys administration says she was never friends with the high-level staffer accused of rape and hasnt had any contact with him in more than a decade.

In her first interview in months, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez refuted any accusations that the decision not to prosecute may have been connected to any ties she had with Albert J. Alvarez, the staffer accused of sexual assault.

I simply remember that he worked for one of the law firms that did work for one of the outside agencies (for Bergen County), Suarez told NJ Advance Media. I didnt even oversee them. I just knew that he worked there and he was married at the time and had just had twins. Thats about as much knowledge as I had of him. That was about 15 years ago.

Suarez spoke to NJ Advance Media on Thursday, a day after the Middlesex County Prosecutors Office announced it would not file charges in the case, upholding the Hudson County Prosecutors Office earlier decision not to file charges. In a wide-ranging interview, she answered questions about how her office handled the case and her connection to the Alvarez and his accuser, Katie Brennan.

In a case that first reported by the Wall Street Journal in October 2018, Brennan said she was raped by a fellow staffer on the Murphy campaign after an event for the candidate in April 2017. Brennan immediately reported the alleged rape to police. Brennan said she alerted Murphys transition team to the alleged assault on Dec. 1. 2017, and said she expected that Alvarez could be charged. Later, that day she found out that the criminal case had been closed.

Alvarez, who was chief of staff to the New Jersey Schools Development Authority until he resigned Oct. 2, 2018, has denied rape. In a statement, Alvarezs attorneys said Thursday, events of that night in April 2017 were consensual and the lack of credible evidence and corroboration of a crime has again cleared him of any wrongdoing."

Brennans attorney, Allan Zegas, has repeatedly claimed there was political pressure on the prosecutors office to close the case.

Suarez vehemently disputed those accusations, and said she was not aware of the case until she was contacted by a reporter, despite reports that a legislative committee is seeking emails allegedly sent to her and nearly two dozen other people in the office when the alleged attack occurred.

The Hudson County Prosecutors Office has refused to publicly release the documents or even confirm their existence, saying they are confidential investigatory records.

She said it was common practice for senior staff to not alert her to the details of pending cases. In fact, the head of the special victims unit said Sunday that he made the call to close the case without Suarezs input, something he described as routine.

The prosecutor said she became first aware of Alvarezs involvement in the case after being called by reporters for comment on Brennans story last October. It was then, she said, when she recognized Alvarezs name from her time as county counsel in Bergen County, that she asked to state Attorney Generals Office to step in out an abundance of caution" and the state agency in turn asked the Middlesex County Persecutors Office to conduct an independent review.

Suarez questioned whether people were claiming she knew Alvarez because they both have Hispanic last names.

What because our last names end in ez?, she said. Its offensive to me that I have not seen this guy Alvarez in, I mean, I dont know, easily 10 years, 15 years, I dont know when the last time was that I saw him but I certainly dont have any kind of a friendship with him.

Her first interaction with Brennan, Suarez said, came in August 2018 during a dinner party at a restaurant in Jersey City with about a dozen people in attendance. Suarez said she was unaware of who invited Brennan and that shed never met her prior to the dinner, but at one point, a small group, involving the two, had broken off from the party.

"That would have been a good opportunity for her, talking in hindsight, to have said to me, Hey Esther, I had reason to come in contact with your office and Im really dissatisfied. Do you think maybe we can talk about this tomorrow? said Suarez, who noted the group of about five were talking about their careers.

Suarez defended her agencys handling of the case and said she hope the public fallout from the scandal would not be a deterrent for other victims to come forward.

"I would ask the residents of New Jersey to acknowledge that were doing the job weve been hired to do and were doing it effectively. Suarez said.

Craig McCarthy may be reached at 732-372-2078 or at CMcCarthy@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @createcraig and on Facebook here. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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With supporters saying it will change lives and one opponent claiming it will be the end of roller rinks in New Jersey, a state Assembly committee on Thursday approved a bill that would raise the states minimum wage to $15 in 2024.

The action keeps the Democrat-controlled state Legislature on course to pass the bill by months end.

The nearly 70 percent increase over five years from the current minimum wage of $8.85 an hour to $15 an hour drew both moral and economic arguments from low-wage workers who told the committee the raise is needed to lift them out of poverty and the entrepreneurs who said it will run them out of business.

Perhaps none was as passionate as Brian Kulas, an East Brunswick waiter who told the Assembly Labor Committee that the day before his testimony he had to choose between spending the few dollars in his pocket on tooth paste or produce.

Im out of choices and Im out of time, he said. How is it I can have food stamps, how is it I can have rental subsidies, I can have (disability benefits), but my refrigerator is still empty?

All workers deserve that additional $6.15 an hour, he said while choking back tears.

Under the bill, the minimum wage for most workers would increase to $10 an hour on July 1, to $11 on Jan. 1, 2020, $12 an hour on Jan. 1, 2021, $13 in 2022, $14 in 2023 and $15 in 2024.

Seasonal workers and workers at business that employ five or fewer employees wont reach $15 an hour until 2026. Farm workers will hit $12.50 in 2024, after which it would be left up to state officials in the executive branch whether to keep going to $15 an hour by 2027.

Gov. Phil Murphy, state Senate President Stephen Sweeney and state Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, all Democrats, announced the deal last week, putting the first-term progressive governor within striking distance of his single biggest policy achievement.

The deal represents a compromise between Murphys call for a clean minimum wage bill without any exclusions and Sweeneys desire to accommodate certain industries.

But small business owners testified Thursday that the increased payroll costs will bury them and that five or fewer employees doesnt make a small business  but a tiny one.

James Link, who with his wife, Judy, owns a roller skating rink in Mays Landing, warned that for a legacy business such as his that employs mostly teens, this legislation is crippling.

Worse yet, he said, it threatens the very existence of roller skating in the state of New Jersey.

He added: Please reconsider the small business such as ours who not only had to teach a kid what a mop is but how to use it.

The owners of a seasonal, shore bakery estimated they would have to raise the price of a dozen doughnuts to $21 to account for the higher wages, and a south Jersey gas station and repair shop owner forecasted hell shut off his pumps in July rather than operate at a loss, laying off two attendants.

Business owners have little flexibility to absorb higher wage costs and will be forced to raise prices, reduce employee hours, cut employee benefits or let employees go, said Tom Bracken, president of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce.

Specifically, he asked the committee to consider a more drawn-out phase in, more exceptions and a more generous definition of a small business.

The demographics of the state of New Jersey versus the demographics of the states that are also proposing a $15 minimum wage are very, very different, Bracken said. They are not the most unaffordable state in the country. We are. They are not the least competitive from a business standpoint. We are. They are not the most-taxed state in the country. We are. They do not experience the highest outmigration in the country. We do.

Lobbyists for the states counties, municipalities and school boards said they need special considerations given the 2 percent cap the state imposes on spending increases.

New Jersey Policy Perspective, a liberal Trenton think tank, estimated more than 1 million workers would benefit from the wage hike once fully implemented. About 10 percent of those employees would be put on a slower path.

Someone working 40 hours a week at the current minimum wage, $8.85 an hour, will earn $354 a week, or $18,408 a year. At $15 an hour, that same worker will earn $600 a week and $31,200 a year.

The Democratic proposal also creates a training wage which would allow employers to pay new employees a sub-minimum wage  but no less than 90 percent of the minimum wage  for their first 120 hours of work.

It also raises the tipped wage from $2.13 an hour to $5.13 an hour. That wage, combined with a workers tips, must equal the standard hourly minimum.

And the bill allows up to $10 million in tax credits annually for businesses that hire workers with disabilities.

Samantha Marcus may be reached at smarcus@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @samanthamarcus. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.
Who'd have thought it? Gov. Phil Murphy has come up with a novel approach to maintain New Jersey's greatest natural resource and help prevent overbearing commercial interests from spoiling it.

He's actually nominated two people to the Pinelands Commission who are environmentalists, and who are concerned about the 1.1 million acres the panel oversees.

If confirmed, the appointments will mark a welcome change from the heavy-handed tactics of former Republican Gov. Chris Christie -- aided and abetted by state Senate President Stephen Sweeney, D-Gloucester, and former state Sen. Jeff Van Drew (now in Congress) -- to surgically remove traditional commission members and replace them with eagerly pro-development appointees. It's the commission's main role, after all, to limit building activity that could degrade the natural reserve or the estimated 17 trillion gallons of clean water beneath it.

The new nominees come with strong conservation movement pedigrees. One is Kelly Mooij, vice president of government affairs at New Jersey Audubon. She is an attorney specializing in environmental law, and a trustee of the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters -- which applauded both appointees.

The other nominee, Theresa Lettman of Manchester Township, was a staffer at the Pinelands Preservation Alliance. Although the alliance sounds like it's affiliated with the Pinelands Commission, it's actually an independent preservation group. Lately, it has acted as a kind of truth squad shadowing some of the commission's more controversial actions. Lettman is also involved with several local environmental organizations in Ocean County.

Most of the drama during the Christie administration revolved around a tie vote in 2014 that voided South Jersey Gas Co. plans for a 22-mile natural gas pipeline through a swath of the Pinelands. After the rejection, pro-pipeline forces worked to stack the deck, in part by having freeholder boards in Pinelands counties replace their individual traditional appointees with certain "yes" votes for a pipeline reconsideration. Christie also refused to renominate some at-large appointees whose terms had expired.

By the time all of the machinations concluded in 2017, the reconstituted commission voted 9-5 to approve the project. Pipeline construction has begun, although it is embroiled in litigation by groups trying to halt it.

The pipeline's major purpose is to supply the coal-fired B.L. England electricity plant in Cape May County with a cleaner source of energy. That's not an altogether unreasonable pursuit, despite what activists who want New Jersey to get off of all fossil fuels immediately have to say. But, stacking the commission allowed the panel and its staff to ignore any possible solutions that would involve rerouting the pipeline or additional safeguards against leaks or fires.

Murphy's nominees would help counter a repeat of the pipeline scenario with future projects, but there are caveats. First, there's no word on whether Sweeney or other South Jersey state senators will OK Mooij and Lettman, or will block efforts to confirm them. Second, Lettman is slated to replace longtime Pinelands Commissioner Candace Ashmun, a preservationist who wants to retire at age 93. So, trading her for Lettman wouldn't change the commission's balance. It's like the ideology-neutral exchange that occurs when a president replaces a retired U.S. Supreme Court conservative with another conservative justice.

Whatever the complications, Murphy's choices are a step in the right direction, a counterbalance to the dig-baby-dig mentality that now dominates the panel, and a downpayment on a promise to pay attention to New Jersey's environmental community. Sweeney and the rest of the Senate should resist any urge to hold the nominees hostage over some unrelated issue, and approve them.

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By Hal Wirths

Can you imagine just showing up for work to manage over 200 employees and collecting a six-figure salary without ever being hired by someone? Even George Costanza couldnt pull that off with the Penske file.

The answer is a very clear no, but that is exactly what Gov. Phil Murphys administration expects us to believe with their collective I dont know answers. It is hard to believe nobody knows who hired Albert J. Alvarez, the person accused of raping a volunteer during Murphys 2017 campaign for governor.

At least seven high-ranking Murphy aides have testified under oath for more than 25 hours combined. So far not a single aide has been able to provide lawmakers with an answer to the simple question of who hired him? Not even Murphys chief of staff or chief counsel can say how the accused rapist was hired for a high-level state job last year. Alvarez has denied the allegation.

Murphy has said he had no role in the hiring and was likely made aware only after his appointment. He continues to punt questions from reporters, telling NJ Advance Media reporter Matt Arco on Tuesday: Ive said everything Im gonna say.

As a former member of Gov. Chris Christies transition team and a commissioner of the Labor Department, I can say with certainty that none of this makes any sense.

I was involved in hundreds of hires and promotions. If the governor or his staff ever questioned how or why someone had been hired, they would have been given the answer quickly. If they didnt, the person asked would have expected to be shown the door.

From the moment Murphy conceded last October that the hire should have never happened, wouldnt you think that someone in his administration would have found out who made the decision? Wouldnt you think that before facing a legislative panel about the hire, administration officials would have asked that question themselves and be prepared with the answer?

Without that answer, we are left to wonder: Who is actually in charge of state government?

Besides adding to our collective frustration and the victims pain, the stonewalling comes at a great cost to the public. To aid in their investigation, lawmakers have hired two veteran defense attorneys paid as much as $350 per hour. Likewise, Murphy hired a former attorney general to serve as the administrations lawyer before the probe at the same rate. That is on top of the salary of a former state Supreme Court justice Murphy hired to investigate the matter for his administration.

How do we expect any of those high-paid lawyers to help us get to the truth if no one can provide an answer to one very simple question?

Murphy could clear this up by simply providing answers himself as the states chief executive in charge of running the government. Maybe he should be the one to testify; otherwise it seems that the buck doesnt stop with him.

Time and again transparency is an issue, and inaction is the preferred path because there is less risk if you do nothing. Wherever the buck does stop, the public deserves answers to simple questions. Thats the least Murphy can do.

Harold Hal Wirths was state labor commissioner from 2010 to 2016 and is a Republican state assemblyman for the 24th Legislative District representing Sussex County and parts of Warren and Morris counties.

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By Jennifer Rubin

This week we witnessed a jaw-dropping affront to the rule of law and a violation of the president's oath of office.

The New York Times reported:

Michael D. Cohen, the former personal lawyer and fixer for President Trump, indefinitely postponed his congressional testimony set for next month, his lawyer said on Wednesday, depriving House Democrats of one of their first big spectacles in their plans to aggressively investigate the Trump administration.

Democrats called the presidents attacks textbook mob tactics of coercion. The most upsetting thing about all of this is the fact that Mr. Cohen was intimidated, Representative Elijah E. Cummings, Democrat of Maryland and chairman of the House Oversight Committee who had invited Mr. Cohen to testify, said in an interview. And not only was he intimidated, but he believes his family also has been intimidated and threatened.

In particular, Trump repeatedly referenced Cohen's father-in-law (both in a Fox News interview and in a tweet).

Kevin Corke, @FoxNews Dont forget, Michael Cohen has already been convicted of perjury and fraud, and as recently as this week, the Wall Street Journal has suggested that he may have stolen tens of thousands of dollars.... Lying to reduce his jail time! Watch father-in-law!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 18, 2019

Mr. Trump has referenced the Eastern European background of Mr. Cohens father-in-law, Fima Shusterman, to imply that Mr. Shusterman has ties to organized crime, the Times said. No evidence has emerged to back up that suggestion. Mr. Shusterman was sentenced to probation after pleading guilty in 1993, a year before Mr. Cohen married his daughter, to cashing $5.5 million in checks to evade federal reporting requirements.

When the president of the United States  who has the power of the FBI and Department of Justice behind him  leaves such hints, the implication is that he can and intends to act in ways that will imperil a witnesss family. (Not a few people have noted the similarity to the scene in The Godfather: Part II when Michael Corleone brings in from Sicily the brother of a government witness, thereby making the implicit threat that the brother would be harmed if the witness spilled the beans.)

Renato Mariotti, a former federal prosecutor, said, "There is no good reason for Trump to call out Cohen's father-in-law. The obvious implication is that Trump wants to intimidate Cohen." He added, "If I pulled the same stunt when I was a federal prosecutor, I would have been fired."

So why has this not caused a greater hullabaloo?

Constitutional scholar and litigator Larry Tribe said, Its emblematic of a larger problem: Shouldnt high crimes (in the Impeachment sense) committed in plain view get at least as much attention as similar abuses committed in the dark and breathlessly unveiled in the form of breaking news?

He continued, Many criminal law experts who should know better focus solely and obsessively on the precise language of U.S.C. 1512 (b) [the statute covering witness intimidation]. . . [and] the difficulties of proving the intent element of that criminal prohibition beyond a reasonable doubt.

But of course special counsel Robert S. Mueller III in all likelihood will not indict a sitting president, so the real attention should be on whether such action is impeachable. The challenge, Tribe said, is how we can protect ourselves from the seductively inoculating and anesthetizing effect of drip-by-drip disclosures  like those of Trumps outrageous witness intimidation vis-a-vis his former fixer Michael Cohen  that generate more yawns than howls and seem unlikely to build up the bipartisan public outrage necessary for the impeachment power to be deployed successfully.

It is ironic that many former prosecutors, who spent their lives trying to prove facts beyond a reasonable doubt, are imploring the public to look at the bigger, political picture: bullying of witnesses, concealing a business deal with a foreign foe and repeatedly lying to the American people.

As for the Cohen matter, former prosecutor Joyce Vance White said, Whether technically the crime of intimidation or not, its unacceptable conduct for a president. Any effort by Trump to delay or deter Cohens testimony before the House by suggesting his family could be put at risk while Cohen is in prison should be beneath the dignity of a president, to say nothing of being a gross abuse of the criminal justice system.

The same could be said of Trumps other public actions (such as hinting at pardons for witnesses). Its no less wrong when the crime is committed in daylight than when it takes place in the shadows, White said. Congress and voters should take note.

Jennifer Rubin writes the Right Turn blog for The Washington Post, offering reported opinion from a center-right perspective.

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A 67-year-old Jackson woman was critically injured Thursday in a three-vehicle crash in Toms River after a pickup truck crossed into an oncoming lane and struck her car, authorities said.

Irene Firestone was flown by helicopter to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune after being pulled from her car by rescuers, Toms River police said.

Firestone was driving northbound on Whitesville Road near Cleveland Street around 4:50 p.m. when a pickup truck being driven by a 67-year-old Bayville man in the opposite direction crossed into oncoming traffic and hit Firestones car, police said.

The crash sent the pickup into a van driven by a 26-year-old Lakewood resident. The pickup truck overturned in the crash and the driver was taken to Community Medical Center in Toms River with minor injuries. The van driver was not injured, police said.

The investigation into the crash is ongoing and no charges have been filed.

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A 55-year-old Ocean County man was arrested after he stabbed another driver following a road-rage incident in Berkeley Township on Wednesday night, authorities said.

Scott Moore, of the Bayville section of town, drove away after attacking the victim at around 11 p.m. along Veterans Boulevard near Harding Avenue, according to Berkeley police.

Moore called police a little while later to tell them what happened.

The other driver was taken to Jersey Shore Medical Center in Neptune to be treated for stab wounds and cuts not considered life-threatening.

Moore was charged with aggravated assault and a weapons offense. He was taken to Community Medical Center in Toms River with minor injuries. Moore was released after being processed, police said.

Berkeley police couldnt immediately be reached for additional information about what sparked the road rage confrontation.

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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Diana Heils mother died in 2005, but that didnt stop the flow of her pension funds. It instead went into Heils coffers, and now shes facing a year in jail for illegally collecting the cash.

Heil, a 49-year-old Pleasantville resident, pleaded guilty to theft by unlawful taking, a third-degree offense that will likely get her 364 days in the Atlantic County jail, the state Attorney Generals Office announced Friday.

Heil must also pay full restitution of the $140,873 she stole from the New Jersey Teachers Pension and Annuity fund.

In a statement, Attorney General Gurbir Grewal said Heils mother was receiving the benefits from her deceased husband. When Heils mother died, the Division of Pensions and Benefits was not made aware of her death and continued to deposit the monthly payments into a checking account she shared with her daughter.

The money continued to flow into the mostly inactive checking account until 2013, when Heil notified the state of her moms death.

Heil acknowledged that the money did not belong to her and promised to return it, but she instead proceeded to make a series of large withdrawals and wire transfers from the bank account, resulting in the theft of approximately $140,873 in state funds, Grewal said in the statement.

Heil is scheduled to be sentenced on March 8.

Alex Napoliello may be reached at anapoliello@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @alexnapoNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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If the words single origin pour-over coffee mean anything to you, then I have good news.

Rook Coffee, a local chain started by two childhood friends, has opened its 12th shop -- and the first outside of Monmouth County. This one is in the Bridge Plaza Shopping Center on Bridge Avenue in Point Pleasant, across from the Stop & Shop.

Its Rooks largest store to date and the southernmost location for the company. (You can also text your order to this location -- something new for Rook).

Over the years we keep track of every request for a new location, said Marc Hindman, a spokesman for Rook. Weve seen an influx of demand for Point Pleasant, Brick and the Toms River area. So that was the next progression for us.

The closest location to this new one is on Rt. 35 in Wall Township. Others are in Colts Neck, Freehold, Holmdel, Little Silver, Long Branch, Manalapan, Monmouth Medical Center, Oakhurst (two locations) and Red Bank.

Rook Coffee was founded nine years ago by Monmouth County natives Holly Migliaccio and Shawn Kingsley. They left their corporate jobs in marketing and finance and opened their first shop (a whopping 300 square foot space) where they perfected the pour-over coffee technique. Its all about pouring hot water over coffee grinds and serving a high-quality, clean cup in just one minute, Hindman said. At other places it can take up to five minutes for a pour-over cup of coffee, he said.

Rook serves three types of specialty coffees year-round -- New Orleans, Mocha and Turkish style -- plus some limited releases and seasonal flavors. It also serves eight single-origin coffees that are traceable to their Central American, African or Indonesian roots.

But the cold brew -- the cold brew is our baby, Hindman said. It comes in New Orleans style (Rooks No. 1 seller), mocha, latte and traditional style.

The companys motto is quality, simplicity and experience. To that end they dont serve tea, theres no art on the walls and they serve very little food -- some pastries and bagels.

Were very focused on the coffee, Hindman said.

The expanding chain has inspired a devoted fan following, with people proclaiming their allegiance to the brand on social media and even on car bumper stickers.

Its seen as such a staple of Monmouth County that even Jersey Shore star Mike The Situation Sorrentino can be seen drinking a Rook in the video he posted of his trip to prison. The reality show star began this week serving an 8-month sentence for tax evasion.

Nobody:

Girl from nj: omg I need a wawa pork roll and an IV of rook iced coffee NOW  TrashTweets (@nikki_ideas) January 19, 2019

Allison Pries may be reached at apries@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @AllisonPries. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips.

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Three years ago students at Hightstown High School began drafting - and championing - a bill that would make it easier for the public to review unsolved civil rights case files that had been sealed for decades.

In late December, Anushka Subrahmanian, a senior at Hightstown High School, heard grim news. After years of work by classmates, former and current, and their teacher, Stuart Wexler, the legislation looked like it would not be voted on anytime soon. An incoming crop of freshman members and the looming government shutdown, a congressional staffer told her, meant it was unlikely the bill would head for a vote.

The next day, despite the odds, it did, and was passed and headed to President Donald Trumps desk for his signature.

The Cold Case Act, which establishes an independent review board to consider the release of sealed documents, was signed by Trump on Jan. 9. The law will make it easier for people with an interest in solving these cases to get documents that have not been heavily redacted, expediting the process for lawyers, journalists and private investigators seeking access to these records, Wexler said.

I think its really a testament to how far hard work and dedication can take you, Subrahmanian said. I think only a few of people in our class can vote, but we were still able to make some kind of impact on the political system, which most people wouldnt think is possible at our age."

The journey began in 2015 when Wexler, a history and government teacher at the school, was teaching his advance placement U.S. Government and Politics students about the political and racial violence taking place in the 1950s and 60s.

Wexlers students filed Freedom of Information Act requests for documents related to unsolved civil rights cases from the era, but what they got back was either heavily redacted, delayed in being delivered, or both.

Wexler said the students voted to draft legislation that would allow for the release of the original documents. Two laws - the Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crime Act and the President John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 1992 - provided the framework for their bill, Wexler said.

Each year, a new group of Wexlers students would take up the challenge of making the bill a law. Reflecting on how likely it was the bill would one day become law, Wexler said, I would have put the odds at ten thousand to one.

You start multiplying those odds out and again youre probably at ten thousand to one. And thats for anybody. Thats not for students who cant vote; a group of people who have no money to spend (on lobbying).

Students had an op-ed published in Politico that caught the attention of U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush (D-IL), who worked with Wexlers classes to revise the bill into the version introduced in the House version. Rush also championed its passage.

Wexlers students also worked with Sen. Doug Jones (D-AL) to get the bill introduced in the Senate, and, in July of 2018, they were able to watch from the gallery as Jones introduced the bill in the Senate.

This school years students have focused on getting the bills through the committee review process, passed and signed into law, Wexler said.

A lot of our work has involved getting to work with different senators, different house members and basically figuring out each of the committees that we were in, what they could do to help us get through the committee, and then what our steps would be from there, said Aryan Maleshk, a senior at Hightstown High School.

It wasnt always a smooth and easy process. Subrahmanian said there were times that the students, arriving for a meeting with a congressional leader, were delayed as they were questioned by staff who didnt believe a group of high school students could be there for an appointment.

"They didnt actually believe that we were coming in as high schoolers working on a bill, Subrahmanian said.

For students and teachers, its a really great learning opportunity to get involved in something like this," Maleshk said. "This isnt information that youre ever going to be able to get out of a textbook.

From figuring out how to reach out to different congressmen, and learning about what they value and how that might align with our bill, and figuring out how a bill actually moves through the entire Congress, being able to visit offices in D.C., I mean these are things that are really something unique to an opportunity like this.

Subrahmanian said what she and her fellow students want others to take away from their accomplishment is that if they can do this, so can any other students. If you believe in something you should go and try to do whatever you need to do to make the world better, kind of like how this class did, she said.

Olivia Rizzo may be reached at orizzo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @LivRizz. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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China Aviation Daily | Jan. 25, 2019

JAL Group today established a Corporate Venture Capital Fund (CVC) firm called Japan Airlines Innovation Fund. The company will look to invest in startup companies around the globe to create new values that are one step ahead of its competitors; a target raised in JAL`s Medium Term Management Plan 2018.

Through the establishment of the CVC, JAL will proactively act with speed; promote collaboration and co-creation with startup companies featuring state-of-the-art technology. The objectives of the firm are as follows.

1) Enhance products and services to provide customers with a truly comfortable travel experience with highly personalized services as a Full Service Carrier.

2) Expand business domains by leveraging JAL's assets to shorten the distance of people and goods on a global scale and contribute to the betterment of society.

- Provide a comprehensive air mobility service to achieve seamless transportation methods

- Provide new means to replace the physical movement of people

- Provide added value to the travel experience

3) Strengthening the foundation for creative innovation opportunities for employees to co-create new values with startup companies.

Looking toward 2020 and beyond, JAL will take on the challenge to create new values that are one step ahead of its competitors in the industry and deliver unparalleled service to our customers. Furthermore, the carrier will contribute to the betterment of society by promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization and fostering innovation.

Contributed by Japan Airlines
WASHINGTON (AP)  The Pentagon says it has identified the remains of a U.S. soldier who died in a prisoner-of-war camp in North Korea in 1951.

The soldier, Sgt. Frank Julius Suliman, is the third American servicemember to be identified from among 55 boxes of bones and other material that the North Korean government handed over to the United States last summer.

By the Pentagon's account, Suliman was part of an infantry unit fighting Chinese soldiers when he was captured on Dec. 1, 1950. He was said to have been taken to a POW camp in what the Americans came to call "Death Valley."

He reportedly died in March 1951. Pentagon records say he was from New Jersey, but officials did not immediately have more details, including his date of birth.
A New Jersey man who was drunk and high when he crashed a convertible in New York, killing his girlfriend and a friends fiancee during a trip to visit wedding venues, has been sentenced to five to 15 years in prison, officials said.

Christopher Perrella, 32, of Vernon, was under the influence of alcohol and marijuana on Nov. 4, 2017 when he lost control of his convertible on a curve along Glenwood Road in Pine Island, New York. The car rolled over before slamming into an unoccupied home.

The crash killed Emily Carwile, 36, of Vernon, and Jessica Dussault, 30, of Hopatcong, both of whom were in the back seat. Parrella and the front-seat passenger, a 32-year-old Knowlton man, survived their injuries.

The quartet had earlier visited a potential wedding venue in Warwick, New York.

Parrella pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicular homicide.

What should have been a trip planning one of the most joyous events in life, turned into a tragedy because of this defendants decision to drive while intoxicated," Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler said in a statement. "Fatalities like this are as tragic as they are preventable. I hope that this resolution brings some measure of closure to the families of both of the deceased women.

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Katie Brennan was driving to a meeting Wednesday afternoon when her attorney called to say it was all over: the Middlesex County Prosecutors Office had decided the man she accused of rape  a former senior official who worked for Gov. Phil Murphy  would not face criminal charges.

I went from numb to angry to crying  wildly crying  on my way to a meeting, Brennan told NJ Advance Media on Thursday.

She immediately called her husband. He cried, Brennan said.

The Hudson County Prosecutors Office in late 2017 had reached the same conclusion, declining to arrest Albert J. Alvarez for allegedly sexually assaulting Brennan after he drove her home from a Murphy campaign event in April 2017. But in October, the case was transferred to Middlesex County and reopened after Brennan went public with her story and accused the Murphy administration of a cover-up after hiring Alvarez for a senior position.

I had a glimmer of hope again, Brennan said.

But her optimism faded when, like the Hudson County Prosecutors Office, Middlesex investigators did not interview her husband and her best friend whom she contacted right after the alleged attack. She said she offered to testify before the grand jury, but no one followed up.

You know its a possibility but for it to happen is devastating again, and to feel like your trauma is denied again, Brennan said.

In her first interview since the announcement Wednesday, Brennan revealed how she and her attorneys learned from media reports why the Middlesex prosecutor declined to prosecute, citing a lack of credible evidence and corroboration that a crime was committed.

Brennan was outraged at their findings. She said the prosecutors office has offered to discuss its decision; she said she would accept the invitation.

I offered my witnesses to the Middlesex County Prosecutor and the Middlesex County Prosecutor did not talk to the witnesses. So when they talk about credibility and corroboration, I dont know who they are corroborating my story with, she said.

Katie Brennan speaks to NJ Advance Media in Trenton on Thursday. (Andre Malok | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

Brennan, 31, chief of staff for the state Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, also expressed bitter disappointment that the Murphy administration has failed to take responsibility for hiring Alvarez, and for letting him keep his job months after they assured her they believed her account.

And Brennan pledged to continue pursuing justice for herself through a pending civil lawsuit, and through the ongoing legislative hearings into the matter that she hopes will produce better laws to protect survivors. She said every day, survivors contact her and tell her they believe her and tell her to keep fighting.

Its a lot to carry and its horrifying to know the scale thats out there. But you know you are not alone, Brennan said, tearing up.

I have to believe even if every system fails the reforms that come from this will make it better for the next survivor," she added. I absolutely have that hope.

In a statement Thursday, Alvarezs attorneys, Stacy Biancamano and John Hogan, said Alvarez has always maintained the events of that night in April 2017 were consensual and the lack of credible evidence and corroboration of a crime has again cleared him of any wrongdoing."

Although he has now been cleared by two independent investigations, his vindication seems conciliatory when compared with the damage that has already been caused, according to the statement. These unsubstantiated allegations led to Mr. Alvarez being unfairly forced to resign and have devastated his promising career, not to mention the emotional toll this process has taken upon him and his loved ones.

Brennan told authorities Alvarez drove her home in Jersey City from a campaign party one night in April 2017 and asked to use the bathroom and get a drink of water. Brennan said Alvarez pushed her onto the couch, pulled off her pants and underwear, took off some of his clothes and forced himself on her. She said she kicked him off of her and locked herself in the bathroom.

Alvarez was chief of staff to the New Jersey Schools Development Authority until he resigned Oct. 2, the day he was contacted by the Wall Street Journal, which was preparing to publish a story about Brennans allegation and the administrations failure to investigate or hold Alvarez accountable.

A campaign attorney, Jonathan Berkon, and Murphys former chief of staff, Pete Cammarano, testified to the legislative committee that Alvarez was told he must find a new job.

The detective in Hudson (County) said she believed me," Brennan said, adding that an assistant prosecutor told her there was DNA evidence although not enough" to proceed.

"Every single witness who have been called before the Legislature said they believe me and I am credible, Brennan said.

The fact that the Murphy administration has taken such a public stand for women who have accused President Donald Trump, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh and others of sexual abuse frustrates and angers her. Where is the follow-through on her behalf, she asked?

Cowardice is not an excuse for injustice. If you are going to be infuriated by Trump, if you are going to be infuriated by Harvey Weinstein, if you are going to be infuriated by Kavanaugh, then you have to honestly ask yourself what you do when it comes to you," Brennan said.

When its right in front of you, are you going to stick your neck out and do whats right even when it is not personally advantageous? she added.

I am telling you I am not reliving my trauma every single day, going to the ends of the earth to try pursue justice, for any other reason than besides what is right," Brennan said.

"I have nothing to gain from this. Its extremely emotionally trying every single day. It impacts every facet of my life and it is a convenient excuse for people if they can make themselves feel better by deciding he said she said, and brush it off as rumor, because that means they dont have to do anything.

NJ Advance Media staff writers Brent Johnson, Craig McCarthy, and Ted Sherman contributed to this report.

Susan K. Livio may be reached at slivio@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SusanKLivio. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.

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Three unions representing pilots, air traffic controllers and flight attendants have publicly voiced their concerns about safety and security as a federal government shutdown continues into a second month.

The joint statement issued Thursday warned travelers of safety and security concerns because the shutdown is making existing aviation staffing shortages worse, said the presidents of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, Air Line Pilots Association and Association of Flight Attendants.

Were alerting the traveling public that the private airlines are intertwined with the federal government, you cant separate the two, said Sara Nelson, As federal government programs are being eroded, it will cripple the aviation industry. When the planes stop flying, we wont get the goods and services we need.

On Day 33 of this senseless #shutdown @ALPAPresident Capt. Joe DePete, #NATCA Pres @PaulRinaldi & @afa_cwas @FlyingWithSara Nelson issued a joint statement that details growing safety concerns in the US #aviation system caused by the shutdown. Read here: https://t.co/MdD4KmYWrT  NATCA (@NATCA) January 24, 2019

The most visible result of the shut down, in its 33rd day as of Thursday, are longer lines and waits at TSA airport security checkpoints because of absences by TSA screening officers.

Behind the scenes, staffing in air traffic control facilities is at a 30-year low and controllers are only able to keep air traffic moving by working overtime, including 10-hour days and 6-day workweeks, union officials said.

The union presidents did not safe it wasnt safe to fly, but said their concerns are growing.

When Im asked that question, I tell them Im less safe than a month ago, Nelson said. "I take extra care to tell my husband and son I love them.

Safety inspectors and federal cyber security staff also arent working at pre-shutdown levels, union officials said. Workers not on furlough are working without pay, including TSA screeners.

We have a fundamental belief system, you work and you get paid, Nelson said. "This is an attack on every single American principle.

Travelers at Newark Liberty Airport are already enduring some of the longest lines in the nation due to absent TSA screeners who are affected by the shutdown. Workers are facing a second missed paycheck, prompting groups such as the Community Food Bank of NJ to hand out food to TSA employees at Newark airport.

In a Martin Luther King day address, Nelson called for a general strike of aviation unions in sympathy for the federal employees working without pay and to force an end to the shutdown.

For the humanitarian crisis happening now, its time to strike, Nelson said. We have a growing concern about this. If we fear for our safety, we can withhold our service."

Some people on social media supported TSA workers calling in sick for one day on Jan. 29. to try force an end to the shutdown. That effort has no obvious organizer, but garnered tweets of support in the last few weeks.

It's amazing how the most maligned, low-morale federal agency has become the most powerful player in Washington -- and how many people are supporting the workers. #TSAsickday #TSAWalkout #TSAstrike https://t.co/rfTTGRSLSK  Tom Frank (@ByTomFrank) January 17, 2019

Federal government employees are barred from striking and a federal Office of Personal Management memo warned workers they would be considered away without leave and could face disciplinary action if they call for staging a sick out.

Officials at the American Federation of Government Employees, the union that represents 700,000 federal workers including TSA employees, advised workers against a sick out.

AFGE would never encourage workers to strike or engage in any illegal action, said Tim Kaufman, a union spokesman. Employees who are ordered to work during the shutdown are considered absent without leave (AWOL) if they do not show up to work, and they could face disciplinary actions up to and including termination.

According to tweets from supporters, the one day sick day was to coincide with the presidents State of the Union address, which President Donald Trump has postponed due to the shutdown.

Larry Higgs may be reached at lhiggs@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @commutinglarry. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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New Jerseys attorney general again promised that the state is working to better track police officers' use of force, nearly two months after an NJ Advance Media investigation found gaping holes in oversight.

Racism, discipline and officer-involved shootings became flashpoints Wednesday in the first of the community listening sessions Gurbir Grewal will be hosting. For this event in Bridgeton, he was joined by the Cumberland County prosecutor.

Grewal and other officials spoke briefly and then took audience questions on the findings of The Force Report, a 16-month investigation into police use of force, and how the government planned to respond to its findings.

NJ Advance Media collected more than 70,000 forms and created a database that revealed alarming trends in some police departments from 2012 through 2016, with some officers using kicks, punches and other types of force at far higher rates than their peers. The report flagged officers with high rates of force and exposed departments that might have neglected to fill out forms properly.

Grewal reiterated his promise that the Attorney Generals Office would reform the system that records and monitors force, and would implement a tool that we could then use to hold those outliers accountable who engaged in the unjustified use of force.

Jennifer Webb-McRae, the Cumberland County prosecutor, said law enforcement must dig deeper and make use of modern tools such as tracking software and body-worn cameras.

She added that they should turn from reacting to the latest headline-making shootings and injuries and instead identify opportunities for training or discipline.

But many advocates and community members expressed skepticism of their promises, asking how they could expect change when problems had been going for so long, especially in relationships with the black community.

The trust, the accountability and the transparency dont exist when it comes to the street, said Steve Young, an Atlantic City activist.

Young pointed to Atlantic Citys high force rate and millions paid in excessive force settlements, and said that no amount of effort had resulted in change. Mothers are losing their children right now, he said.

Grewal said NJ Advance Media had a head start with the data, but officials are using it to inform their decisions. He has directed county prosecutors to look at The Force Report website and their own data to check for obvious trends.

He also added that they were trying to get the detailed data used in The Force Report. NJ Advance Media will soon make that data available for purchase.

We had 17 years where we did not utilize this data the right way. My commitment is that we are looking at this data. We are going to utilize it. Moving forward we are going to create a new system, he said. If its not happening at the pace that you would hope for it to happen, we are working at this at a statewide level to hold individuals accountable.

Walter Hudson, founder of Salem County-based civil rights group National Awareness Alliance, asked whether reforms would apply to proposed legislation that would require the state to investigate officer-involved shootings rather than county prosecutors.

Grewal said he intended to ensure independence and justice in shooting investigations, but he opposes the new legislation because state officials likely would not be able to quickly reach the site of a shooting in the immediate aftermath of the incident  a time period critical to the investigation.

Another audience member asked if the attorney general would act on the findings that The Force Report had already highlighted such as officers who used force at a rate much higher than average.

Grewal said he could not comment on individual cases or release reports on when officers were disciplined by their departments, but he promised transparency in other ways: releasing officer-involved shooting videos quickly and letting people know the conclusion of shooting investigations.

Several audience members asked how these reforms would square with the states plan to legalize recreational marijuana. Officers have used marijuana and other minor crimes to get fines and fees to bolster their budgets, they said.

Im worth money in N.J. When Im locked up and paying surcharges, Im an easy target. Im an easy victim. Im a big dollar sign. Im a real modern-day slave. I really am, said Henry Green, of Atlantic City.

Grewal said he couldnt choose which rules the Legislature might choose, but he hopes a legalization bill would include the expungement of previous marijuana crimes.

Roughly a dozen police officers in uniform attended the session. When asked about their departments' diversity, Vinelands chief said his department employee 13 black officers. Bridgetons chief said he employs five.

Millville police Chief Jody Farabella said his department has two black officers and was looking for more.

Bridgeton Chief Mike Gaimari discussed some of the broader reforms hed implemented since he assumed his position in 2015. The department now reviews every use of force on several levels and logs them into an early warning system.

After the meeting, Grewal said he thought many important points had been raised.

Ive done dozens of meetings over the last year since Ive been attorney general, but this was the most engaging and the most interactive one Ive had, he said.

Clarification: An earlier version of this story mischaracterized the attorney generals comments on legislation related to police-involved shootings. This story has been updated.

Disha Raychaudhuri may be reached at draychaudhuri@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @Disha_RC.

Erin Petenko may be reached at epetenko@njadvancemedia.com.Follow her on Twitter @EPetenko. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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The giant ice disk on a Maine river that captured widespread attention this week for its mesmerizing spin and resemblance to the moons surface is in danger. And, yes, a guy from New Jersey is to blame.

CBS 13 in Maine reported Christopher Angulo, of Lavallete was standing on the ice, wielding a chainsaw and attempting to carve a massive peace sign into the ice surface.

"Im making a giant peace sign out of this and I want it to spin around so bad, and create that visual for the world to see of peace making the world go around right here in Westbrook, Angulo told the TV station. Angulo is a self-proclaimed artist, arborist and aspiring politician, according to his Facebook profile.

Local police, however, have warned about the dangers of going on the ice.

Angulo told CBS hes put American flags on the ice, and that his background as a tree climber who uses chainsaws and ropes regularly make him expert enough to slice away at the 100-yard ice disk on the Presumpscot River.

Maine residents were not pleased with Angulos efforts and offered him some advice.

New Jersey folk cant pump their own fuel for reasons like this, a commenter wrote on a CBS Facebook post sharing the story.

Go back to Jersey, another said.

Messages left for Angulo by NJ Advance Media on Friday were not returned.

Amanda Hoover can be reached at ahoover@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @amandahoovernj. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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A head-on crash left an 11-month-old boy hospitalized in intensive care and at least one other person hurt Thursday in Monmouth County.

An 18-year-old Neptune woman was driving south on Route 34 in Howell when her Cadillac SRX crossed into oncoming traffic and slammed into a Nissan Rogue around 11:15 a.m., according to a statement from police.

A 41-year-old woman from Sayreville was driving the Nissan, traveling with the infant and an 11 year old girl, the statement said.

Off-duty Monmouth County Sheriffs Officer Patrick Luke and two members of the New Jersey State Police who were on-duty in plain clothes - identified as Detective Condron and Trooper Meehan - were passing by and stopped to perform CPR on the badly injured infant, according to police.

Authorities said the 11-year-old girl suffered a minor arm injury, police said. Both drivers were not seriously hurt.

The infant remained at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune as of Thursday, according to police. Route 34 was reopened around 4 p.m.

Please be advised that Route 34 is closed in both directions between Route 33 and Colts Neck until further notice due to accident investigation.  Howell Police (@HowellPolice) January 24, 2019

An investigation into the wreck, which occurred near the Colts Neck town line, was ongoing. Police asked anyone with information to contact Patrolman Matthew Cherney of the Howell police Traffic Safety Unit at 732-938-4575, ext. 2629.

Editors note: This post has been updated to correct that the two State Police officers who stopped to help were on-duty and in plain clothes at the time.

Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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A Bucks County, Pennsylvania man who struck and killed a pedestrian after swerving around a stopped car faces up to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty this week to murder, the Bucks County District Attorney announced.

Anthony Woods, 42, had just shot up with a dose of heroin while driving back from Philadelphia, where he bought the drugs, when he came upon a stopped car on New Falls Road in Falls on the evening of Aug. 21 last year.

The stopped motorist was letting Emmanuel Manny Weintraub cross the street safely. Hed just enjoyed his favorite ice cream treat at Jo-Jos Ice Cream and Water Ice and was walking to his car, parked across the street

Woods blasted ahead and around the car, hitting Weintraub, and kept on motoring. He knew he hit someone, later telling police he thought it was a kid," or "whoever.

Weinberg was a 70-year-old retired postal employee who walked with a cane and whose family remembered him as a dedicated family man who doted on them and enjoyed the simple things in life - Sudoku puzzles, reading his newspaper, and eating ice cream. He rarely missed a local fundraiser, senior event or church outing.

On Tuesday, Woods pleaded guilty to third-degree murder, homicide by vehicle and related counts as part of a plea deal that calls for him to serve 10 to 30 years in state prison. the district attorneys office said.

It was important to the Commonwealth and to Mannys family that Woods be convicted of third-degree murder, Deputy District Attorney Robert D. James said in a statement. Woods' actions before, during and after the incident demanded a conviction for the most serious offense he could be charged with under the law, and he deserves to serve every day of that 30 years behind bars for the damage he caused to his victim, the victims family and the community.

Woods initially tried to evade police, taking his damaged car to Nicks Auto Glass, where he had the windshield replaced, police said last summer. When he realized cops were on to him, he called the shop and asked them to tear up his receipt.

Also a Falls resident, Woods later surrendered to authorities and confessed to his actions, authorities have said.

In addition to the Weintraub case, Woods also pleaded guilty Tuesday to DUI charges from a traffic stop earlier in August, in Bucks County.

Kevin Shea may be reached at kshea@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@kevintshea. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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JERSEY CITY  A group of teachers excoriated Schools Superintendent Marcia V. Lyles at Thursdays school board meeting, with some of Lyles' critics telling her she should quit now instead of waiting until her contract expires next year.

The teachers dinged Lyles for low teacher morale, filthy classrooms, broken toilet seats, fiscal mismanagement and more. The criticism came during a special meeting of the Jersey City Board of Education called in part to discuss the boards Jan. 2 decision to tell Lyles she will not be rehired in 2020.

Lets go, doc. Pack your bags, said Ron Greco, president of local teachers union the Jersey City Education Association.

Lyles has a Ph.D.

The superintendent has had a tense relationship with the districts 2,800 teachers since she was hired in 2012. Critics like Greco say there is tension because Lyles does not listen to their concerns. Lyles supporters say the teachers union is resistant to changes Lyles makes.

Lyles supporters criticized the school board for its Jan. 2 decision to alert her that she will not be rehired. The agenda for that meeting included no notice that Lyles employment would be discussed and the action took place moments before the meeting was adjourned, leaving the public unable to comment on the move.

Last nights meeting at School 26 gave the public their opportunity, and it was dominated by teachers and union officials who criticized how Lyles has run the 30,000-student district.

I have never seen teacher morale this low, said Charlene Bini, a teacher at School 15. We need to fault the poor decision making made by our current leader, Dr. Lyles.

When things are pointed out to you and you continue to not cope with them ... people lose hope, School 4 teacher Colleen Kelleher said to Lyles. Theres nobody to blame for that. I told you what would engender some kind of hope and a dialogue between you and the teachers and you completely ignored the recommendations that I gave.

Lyles declined to respond to the teachers comments. Matt Schapiro, one of Lyles last remaining allies on the nine-member school board, criticized the comments as a union-orchestrated effort to bash the superintendent.

When Schapiro began to speak, the nearly two dozen teachers who came to the meeting to criticize Lyles administration stood and turned their backs on him. Toward the end of Schapiros comments, Greco walked up to a microphone set up for public comment.

JCEA members, you can leave, Greco said.

As the teachers filed out, Schapiro said, The political circus continues.

Terrence T. McDonald may be reached at tmcdonald@jjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @terrencemcd. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook.
HOBOKEN  Even Mayor Ravi Bhallas critics give him credit for one thing: he knows how to fundraise.

Bhalla, 45, is one year into a four-year term as mayor and since June has raised $81,641 for a potential second term, $40,175 of that in the last three months of 2018, newly released campaign finance documents show. $10,400 of the total was transferred from his prior campaign.

The mayor's first-year haul represents a dramatic shift from his predecessor, Dawn Zimmer, who reported raising $20,961 one year into her first term.

Ravi is taking a proactive approach, said his spokesman, Vijay Chaudhuri.

As with his initial mayoral campaign, his re-election fundraising is dominated by out-of-town donors. Since June, he has received about $35,000 in large donations from people who live outside Hoboken and about $15,000 from Hoboken residents.

Asked to comment, Chaudhuri said, Mayor Bhallas election and service as mayor is a source of tremendous pride to people across the country, especially Sikhs and South Asians who have supported his campaign."

New Jersey candidates are not required to name donors who give less than $300. Chaudhuri said the mayor has received numerous donations from Hoboken residents that are below $300.

Bhalla has reported $51,275 in large donations total and $19,960 from donors who gave less than $300.

He is burning through money quickly. Of the $40,175 he reported raising in the last quarter of 2018, he spent $35,208. Some of the payments include $9,000 to Mercury for fundraising consultation  thats where former city spokesman Juan Melli works  and $3,500 to Chaudhuri for communications consulting. Chaudhuri recently rejoined the city payroll as Bhallas spokesman.

Bhalla is sitting on $32,069 in the bank as of this month.

The mayor took office one year ago after winning a six-person race to become New Jerseys first Sikh mayor. He had previously been an at-large councilman for two terms.

Bhalla is a Democrat. Local races in Hoboken are nonpartisan.

He has two reasons to raise campaign cash early. He won his first term in November 2017 in a six-person field and eked out a victory with just 33 percent of the vote (he reported raising $523,731 for that campaign). If he runs again in 2012, the competition is expected to be aggressive.

Bhalla also has an eye on this Novembers city election, when all six ward council seats are up for grabs. The nine-member council is dominated by Bhalla critics, including two who ran against him in 2017, and they can thwart his agenda easily and generally cause his administration heartburn. A large war chest would give Bhalla a chance to fund candidates who run against his critics.

Terrence T. McDonald may be reached at tmcdonald@jjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @terrencemcd. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook.
JERSEY CITY  The next Jersey City mayors race is more than 1,000 days away, but Mayor Steve Fulop isnt waiting around to raise money for a potential third term.

Fulop, 41, collected an eye-popping $324,085 from donors in the last four months, bringing his total 2021 haul to $695,669, according to newly released campaign finance documents.

Compare that to attorney Bill Matsikoudis, Fulops sole opponent in 2017, who raised $382,572 total for that campaign.

Fulops ability to raise a lot of campaign cash is bad news for anyone who might want to challenge him in 2021. It is part of what scared away challengers during his last re-election campaign. He raised $1.9 million when he ran for his second term.

Last year was an exceptionally strong year for us and we are really proud that the fundraising numbers reflect the progress in the city," Fulop said in an email. "Im thankful to see such strong support and I am continuing to work hard in moving Jersey City forward.

Fulops most recent donors are a mix of labor unions, city workers and people who work in the real estate and finance industries. Nine labor unions, including the one representing Jersey Citys police superiors, gave a total of $49,600 in the last quarter of 2018. Members of the Inserra family, which runs the Metro Plaza ShopRite, gave a total of $12,500. Fourteen city employees gave $6,550 combined.

Hes not spending much, but he forked over $9,228 to Facebook and Twitter in the last three months of 2018 for social media messaging. Thats out of $32,529 spent.

As of Jan. 14, Fulop had $524,093 in the bank.

The mayor is a Democrat. Local races in Jersey City are nonpartisan.

During his initial campaign for mayor in 2013, Fulop pledged to implement term limits. He dropped that idea almost immediately, but still promised not to serve more than two terms.

He was only 13 days into his second term when he appeared to abandon that promise, too, writing on Twitter, I assure u Im running for mayor for another term to fight for Jersey City if others want to try to stop progress for political gain.

No one else has reported raising money for the 2021 mayors race.

Terrence T. McDonald may be reached at tmcdonald@jjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @terrencemcd. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook.
When Sarah Stern went to the Bradley Beach bank on the day she was allegedly killed, she was greeted with friendly faces, including the bank manager who knew her since she was a baby.

Those same faces filled with tears Thursday, as they recalled on the witness stand the last moments they saw the 19-year-old Stern.

Sarah was a special kid, said Kearny Bank manager Raymond Bloetjes, who broke down as he talked about Stern. Every time she came into the branch, she would come over and give me a hug, a kiss."

Liam McAtasney, 21, is charged with strangling Stern on Dec. 2, 2016, and then dumping her body off the Route 35 bridge in Belmar. Thursday marked the second day of his trial.

Before she was killed, authorities say, Stern went with McAtasney to her bank where she withdrew about $7,000. McAtasneys admitted accomplice, Preston Taylor, testified Wednesday that months earlier Stern found a shoebox full of cash left by her deceased mother and that she had deposited some of the cash.

Stern told her next-door neighbor and lifelong friend, Carly Draper, that she had found approximately $20,000 in the shoebox. Stern said some of that money was to be used to move to an apartment in Canada with McAtasney, Draper testified.

Defense attorney Carlos Diaz-Cobo, left, talks with his client Liam McAtasney. The murder trial of Liam McAtasney entered its second day at the Monmouth County Courthouse in Freehold on Thursday, Jan, 24, 2019. He is charged with the murder of Sarah Stern. (Russ DeSantis | For NJ Advance Media)Russ DeSantis | For NJ Advance M

However, Taylor testified Wednesday that the plan to move to Canada was a ruse -- intended to get Sarah to withdraw money from the bank so the two could steal it. The two thought they could get $100,000 from Stern, Taylor said.

Bloetjes and a teller at the bank, Lynda Copobianco, said the day they saw Sarah at the bank on Dec. 2, 2016, she was all smiles.

She was happy, recalled Copobianco, who added that was normal behavior for Sarah.

Sarah was not just any customer at Kearny Bank, Bloetjes said. He said he had a good relationship with Sterns father, Michael, and her mother, who died when Sarah was a freshman in high school.

Sterns mother, Carla, owned Books Unlimited, a bookstore in Neptune City. When Bloetjes moved to Bradley Beach from North Jersey in the late 80s, he frequented the store and became close with the Stern family, he said.

I dont remember her being born, Bloetjes said, but I remember the excitement of her being born.

Assistant Monmouth County Prosecutor Meghan Doyle played video of Stern walking through the bank. In the video, you can see Stern wave and smile to Bloetjes before she left.

I blew her a kiss and I said, I love you," Bloetjes recalled, taking a pause to gather himself. We had that friendship.

Meanwhile, prosecutors say while Stern was in the bank, McAtasney contacted Taylor to give him an update on their plot: Im at the bank. Im going to do it now. Im going to take her out.

Alex Napoliello may be reached at anapoliello@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @alexnapoNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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Niagara Falls, NY (14301)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun early followed by cloudy skies this afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 84F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 61F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.
Born in Norwalk, Roger Stone Jr., a longtime informal adviser to President Donald Trump, was arrested by the FBI on Friday on charges of lying and witness tampering in connection with the release of Democrats' hacked emails in 2016.

Stone is the second person with Connecticut ties to be indicted by special counsel Robert Mueller.
A bill to allow for motorcyclists to lane split  ride between two lanes of traffic  has been introduced by state Sen. Cathy Osten (D-Sprague).

Proposed Senate Bill 629 would amend section 14-289b to "permit the operator of a motorcycle to operate between lanes of traffic."

The stated purpose of the bill is to "To permit the operator of a motorcycle to operate between lanes of traffic as is permitted in other states and countries and thereby ease traffic congestion"

The existing statue reads:

(b) The operator of a motorcycle shall not (1) overtake and pass, in the same single traffic lane occupied by such motorcycle, any motor vehicle other than a motorcycle, or (2) operate a motorcycle between lanes of traffic. An autocycle shall not overtake and pass any motor vehicle operating in the same single traffic lane occupied by such autocycle.

Senate Bill 629, which provides no specific details, has been referred to the transportation committee.

Lane splitting is currently not legal in 49 states with California being the lone exception. The practice had been not explicitly legal or illegal in that state for decades until it was formally legalized in 2016.

Photos: The 2018 CT United Ride

Motorcyclists in California may still be ticketed for driving recklessly, enforcement of which has been left to the discretion officers.

Separately, State Rep. Michelle Cook (D-Torrington) has introduced House Bill 6161, which would require riders under the age of 21 to wear helmets while riding a motorcycle. Currently, the state of Connecticut only requires riders 17 and younger to wear helmets. Connecticut is one of the 28 states which require only some riders to wear helmets.
NORTH HAVEN - Police are looking for a suspect who stole a purse in a Universal Drive restaurant.

The unidentified male used credit cards from the purse to purchase gift cards from a Universal Drive business.

The suspect then had purchases declined at an additional Universal Drive business before heading to Orange, where more successful purchases were made.

Anyone who recognizes the man is asked to contact Officer Brennan at (203) 239-5321, Ext. 261
NEWINGTON  A special group of constituents has been busy giving well wishes to government representatives for the upcoming legislative sessionpets at the Connecticut Humane Society.

Pets greeted Governor-elect Ned Lamont, Lieutenant Governor-elect Susan Bysiewicz and local and state representatives Sunday, Jan. 6, and were overheard lobbying for more treats in the new year. It was all a part of Lamonts Connecticut Day of Service.

CHS was one of several nonprofits that Lamont and other legislators visited, in his effort to encourage the publics support of charities and spread awareness of local groups.

Legislators received a behind-the-scenes tour of CHS that offered a glimpse of the extensive medical care all pets receive before they are ready for adoption, and of CHS Fox Memorial Clinic, which provides low-fee veterinary services to community pets.

Lamont and Bysiewicz visited CHS Newington with Representative Tony Guerrera, Representative Rick Lopes, Representative-Elect Kerry Wood, Representative-Elect Gary Turco, US Senator Richard Blumenthal and Newington Mayor Roy Zartarian.

At CHS Westport, visitors included Westport Selectwoman Melissa Kane, Senator-elect Will Haskell, Bysiewicz, Representative Jonathan Steinberg, Blumenthal, and Senator Tony Hwang.

Since 1881, CHS has served Connecticuts pets by supporting their families, providing shelter and medical care, and improving animal welfare statewide, an effort only possible thanks to donors and without any funding from the government or any national groups.

Yoga class enrollment open

BRANFORD  Gentle Flow yoga classes begin in March in Branford, offered by the Branford Recreation department.

Gentle Flow Yoga: Build yoga skills in this Vinyasa style practice. Breath work linked with intention and postures allow you to tone and tighten the entire body, improve flexibility, enhance balance and build core strength. Class is suitable for beginners to advanced practitioners. Bring a yoga mat and water bottle. Classes begin March 11 and continue to April 15, 6-7 p.m. Fee is $75. Classes will be held at the Mary T. Murphy Elementary School Gymnasium. To register, call the Branford Recreation Department at 203-488-8304 or go to http://www.branford-ct.gov/parks

Oddfellows offers Le Petit Studio

MIDDLETOWN  Oddfellows Playhouse announces Le Petit Studio a series of three theater workshops for ages 8 - 14 and their family members. The first workshop is Saturday, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at Oddfellows Playhouse, 128 Washington Street in Middletown.

Each week will be a new theater experience, a new story, a new creation. Students work with Congolese theater artist Toto Kisaku to create instant theater, continuing Feb. 9 and Feb. 23, 10 am.-12 p.m. Attend one Saturday, or all three. Tuition is $30 per session, or $75 for all three sessions. Financial aid is available.

Toto Kisaku is a Congolese theater artist who is now a Middletown resident. His one-person show, Requiem for an Electric Chair was a highlight of last summer's International Festival of Arts and Ideas in New Haven. Le Petit Studio is an exciting kid and family theater event that Toto has devised and implemented all over the country. Here is a description in his words: Le Petit Studio is a workshop space for dramatic readings by and for children and adolescents, with optional participation by adults, including teachers, parents, and grandparents. The Petit Studio promotes a shared space where young people can experience and create around books, words, and sounds. A place to dramatize and recreate a universe that comes from writers from every part of the globe.

Imagine that group of young people can recreate an entire world on stage. Imagine that they take responsibility for making artistic decisions to realize their vision and make their story come alive. First, the children choose a book or fable to dramatize. Next, they decide who will play each character, who will make sounds that will create the environment, and who will design the costumes and the set. Then the activity begins! For one hour, the young people cut, sew, paint, staple, and draw; they sing, whistle, blow, snap, stomp, and make unearthly sounds to recreate the world theyre creating; they practice voices for characters, look up how to pronounce unfamiliar words, try out various postures that fit their characters, and dig deeply into their charactershow they feel about themselves, how they feel about the other characters.

Each workshop culminates with a performance: the costume group dresses their characters, who now read their individual parts with the sound effects group adding the appropriate accompaniment. There is much laughter and enthusiastic participation as the young people experience the joy of creating together. Toto has led more than 40 Le Petit Studio workshops for schools, nonprofit organizations and governments.

To register, or for more information, contact Oddfellows Playhouse at 860-347-6143, email info@oddfellows.org, or go to www.oddfellows.org.

Radon test kits still avaialble

The Killingworth Health Department still has free radon test kits available and now is the best time to test your home for radon. Residents can stop into the office Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. to pick up their free test kit. Radon gas is the leading national environmental cause of cancer mortality. Health officials estimate that radon is responsible for more than 21,100 lung cancer deaths each year in the United States.

A naturally occurring, radioactive gas formed from the natural decay of uranium, radon is found in rock, soil and water. While radon in outdoor air poses a relatively low risk to human health, it can enter homes from the surrounding soil and become a health hazard inside buildings.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends that homes with radon levels at or above 4.0 pCi/L be fixed. Homeowners should consider reducing their potential lung cancer risk by fixing homes with radon levels between 2 pCi/L and 4 pCi/L. Smokers exposed to radon have a much higher risk for developing lung cancer.

Radon problems can be corrected by qualified radon contractors, with costs typically ranging between $1,200 and $1,500. A homeowner should hire a qualified radon mitigation (reduction) contractor to decrease airborne radon levels.

To learn more about radon and to obtain a list of qualified radon mitigation contractors, please visit the CT Department of Public Health Radon Program website at, www.ct.gov/dph/radon.

Test kits are also available in most hardware stores and from the American Lung Association, https://www.lung.org/our-initiatives/healthy-air/indoor/indoor-air-pollutants/radon.html.

Additional information may be found on the EPA web site, http://www.epa.gov/radon/index.html.

For more information contact the Killingworth Health Department at 860-663-1765 x223.
WALLINGFORD  Budget season has arrived for the Board of Education, and discussion of the proposed 2019-20 spending plan Wednesday night centered around allocation of money for classroom supplies and whether the district should hire a public information officer.

Superintendent of Schools Savatore Menzo unveiled his proposed budget to the board earlier this month. Unlike the way most Connecticut school districts present their proposed budgets, Wallingfords school board is given a choice of two spending plans.

One has enough in it only to sustain existing services. The other option, called the strategic plan budget, includes enough funding to meet the goals the school board has set for the district.

Menzos proposed sustained services budget is $104.13 million, a 2.40 percent increase over the current budget. The strategic plan budget adds $2.82 million to that, a 2.78 percent increase over current spending, for a total of $106.95 million.

Much of the meeting focused on how the district disburses funds for classroom materials

Board member Patty Pursell, a retired educator, said elementary school teachers are spending more out of pocket than other teachers. But Menzo said it would be difficult to determine how much each teacher is spending out of their own money and not getting reimbursed for.

Board Chairwoman Roxane McKay said district officials over the years have changed the way money is disbursed to the schools.

There were principals that werent using the all of the funding that was alloted to them, McKay said, speaking in general terms. They leaving money on the table. And if youre going to leave money on the table, its your fault if we use the money somewhere else.

Parker Farms Elementary School Principal Christina Sagnella told the board that when the districts principals meet as a group to discuss funding disbursements, we try to look at the big picture.

Its all based on past performance, Sagnella said.

Menzo said the disbursement process needs to be a little more collaborative and involve teachers more in the decision-making process.

We dont want to remove principals from the process totally, he said.

McKay said she is supportive of an idea to have the district add a communications person to field inquiries from the media as well as handling Freedom of Information Act requests. Much of that work currently is done by Menzo or his staff.

The expectation of how we communicate as a society has grown tremendously, she said.

The position is being proposed as a job that would have a $31,000 annual salary. What is less clear at this point is whether it would be part-time or full time job, as board members discussed both options.

The school board is required to deliver a budget to Mayor William Dickinson Jr. by March 1, Menzo said.

luther.turmelle@hearstmediact.com
Gov. Ned Lamont on Friday nominated a former senior IBM executive, Josh Geballe, as his choice to run the Department of Administrative Services, a state agency that serves as landlord, purchasing agent, information-technology provider, construction manager and personnel department for all of state government.

Geballe, 43, of Branford, is a mid-career corporate executive with a technology background whom Lamont says can bring a fresh approach to an agency at the heart of a state government that the governor sees as badly in need of modernization. He called the position something he thought long and hard about.

DAS is the nerve center of state government, and it makes an incredible impact in terms of how we can streamline services, hold down costs and have a better customer experience for all of our constituents, and it is one of the jobs where we wanted to think a little more out of the box, Lamont said.

Geballe returned to Connecticut after a stint overseas with IBM, where he worked for 11 years. He was the chief executive officer of a tech startup, Core Informatics, which developed software platforms for scientists. He is on the board of directors for the Connecticut Technology Council and Connecticut Business and Industry Association and an instructor at Yale.

Josh is extraordinarily qualified for what we are trying to do, Lamont said. Noting his work at Core Informatics, Lamont smiled and said, Scientists are as unruly and technophobic as state governments, so I think he is ready for what we are trying to do here.

Like Lamont, Geballe is a graduate of the School of Management at Yale, and Geballes parents are prominent at the university. His father, Gordon, is an associate dean at Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Sciences. His mother, Shelley, a lawyer and professor public health at Yale, also is a founding board member of CT Mirror.

Geballe there are significant differences in business and government, but there also are commonalities about the need to use technology to provide the highest quality of service at the lowest-possible cost.

Ive dedicated my professional life to figuring out how technology can make the world better, he said.

The nomination of Geballe, whose salary will be $175,000, is subject to confirmation by the General Assembly. He will begin work on March 1 as the commissioner-designate, succeeding Melody Currey.
A Columbia University-led team has developed a new method to finely tune adjacent layers of graphenelacy, honeycomb-like sheets of carbon atomsto induce superconductivity.

Above  Applying pressure to twisted bilayer graphene transforms the material from a metal to a superconductor. Image: Ella Maru Studio

Our work demonstrates new ways to induce superconductivity in twisted bilayer graphene, in particular, achieved by applying pressure, said Cory Dean, assistant professor of physics at Columbia and the studys principal investigator. It also provides critical first confirmation of last years MIT resultsthat bilayer graphene can exhibit electronic properties when twisted at an angleand furthers our understanding of the system, which is extremely important for this new field of research.

In March 2018 researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology reported a groundbreaking discovery that two graphene layers can conduct electricity without resistance when the twist angle between them is 1.1 degrees, referred to as the magic angle.

But hitting that magic angle has proven difficult. The layers must be twisted to within roughly a tenth of a degree around 1.1, which is experimentally challenging, Dean said. We found that very small errors in alignment could give entirely different results.

So Dean and his colleagues, who include scientists from the National Institute for Materials Science and the University of California, Santa Barbara, set out to test whether magic-angle conditions could be achieved at bigger rotations.

Rather than trying to precisely control the angle, we asked whether we could instead vary the spacing between the layers, said Matthew Yankowitz, a postdoctoral research scientist in Columbias physics department and first author on the study. In this way any twist angle could, in principle, be turned into a magic angle.

They studied a sample with twist angle of 1.3 degreesonly slightly larger than the magic angle but far enough away to preclude superconductivity. Applying pressure transformed the material from a metal into either an insulatorin which electricity cannot flowor a superconductorwhere electrical current can pass without resistancedepending on the number of electrons in the material.

Remarkably, by applying pressure of over 10,000 atmospheres we observe the emergence of the insulating and superconducting phases, Dean said. Additionally, the superconductivity develops at the highest temperature observed in graphene so far, just over 3 degrees above absolute zero.

To reach the high pressures needed to induce superconductivity the team worked closely with the National High Magnetic Field user facility, known as the Maglab, in Tallahassee, Florida. This effort was a huge technical challenge, says Dean. After fabricating one of most unique devices weve ever worked with, we then had to combine cryogenic temperatures, high magnetic fields, and high pressure  all while measuring electrical response. Putting this all together was a daunting task and our ability to make it work is really a tribute to the fantastic expertise at the Maglab.

The researchers believe it may be possible to enhance the critical temperature of the superconductivity further at even higher pressures. The ultimate goal is to one day develop a superconductor which can perform under room temperature conditions, and although this may prove challenging in graphene, it could serve as a roadmap for achieving this goal in other materials.

Science  Tuning superconductivity in twisted bilayer graphene

Abstract

Materials with flat electronic bands often exhibit exotic quantum phenomena owing to strong correlations. An isolated low-energy flat band can be induced in bilayer graphene by simply rotating the layers to 1.1, resulting in the appearance of gate-tunable superconducting and correlated insulating phases. Here, we demonstrate that in addition to the twist angle, the interlayer coupling can be varied to precisely tune these phases. We induce superconductivity at a twist angle larger than 1.1in which correlated phases are otherwise absentby varying the interlayer spacing with hydrostatic pressure. Our low disorder devices reveal details about the superconducting phase diagram and its relationship to the nearby insulator. Our results demonstrate twisted bilayer graphene to be a uniquely tunable platform for exploring correlated states.
Nigerian election campaigns are never for the faint-hearted, but the vitriol of this year's presidential contest is giving a whole new meaning to the phrase gutter politics.

The cacophony of accusations and counter-charges is drowning out the real debate between President Muhammadu Buhari, 76, and main opposition candidate, Atiku Abubakar, 72, over the economy, education and how it is that Africa's top oil producer has more people living in extreme poverty than any other nation, according to a Brookings Institution report. Some analysts say the hyperbole may lead to violence and a delay in the Feb. 16 elections.

"You need to castigate your opposition to show that they have fallen in terms of the people's expectation of them," said Habu Mohammed, who heads the political science department at Bayero University in the northern city of Kano. "When elections are coming, fabrications take over."

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who's backing Abubakar, alleges Buhari's re-election campaign is "working round the clock in cahoots with security and election officials" to rig the vote and spark "violence of unimaginable proportion." The presidency responded by saying Obasanjo needed "a good doctor" and hoped he would "get well soon."

Abubakar's People's Democratic Party has said having Amina Zakari, who's related to Buhari through marriage, as head of the Independent National Electoral Commission's collation center indicates that the government is planning to rig the election.

On Monday, it was the government's turn to dial up the rhetoric. Information Minister Lai Mohammed alleged that the opposition "is orchestrating widespread violence with a view to truncating the elections, thus triggering a constitutional crisis." Islamist militants, mercenaries from neighboring Niger and armed bandits, he said, have all been enlisted in the plot.

"Tension is being fanned and escalated, so that you get the sense the different sides of the political divide are digging in in an uncompromising manner," said Clement Nwankwo, executive director of the Abuja-based Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre and chairman of Situation Room, a grouping of more than 70 civic groups monitoring the electoral process. "That's the kind of situation that leads to violence."

Nigerian elections have a history of violence since the return to democratic rule in 1999. While the last vote in 2015 was relatively peaceful, when Buhari became the first opposition candidate to win power through the ballot box since independence from the U.K. in 1960, at least 600 people were killed in the vote four years before.

Personal attacks are in vogue too. A former vice president and wealthy businessman, Abubakar has accused Buhari of being inept at running the economy. The president's camp has suggested Abubakar acquired his wealth corruptly.

Buhari last year felt the need to publicly dismiss his opponents' claims that he'd died -- he spent more than five months in London being treated for an undisclosed illness in 2017 -- and had been cloned in Sudan.

While Abubakar was in Washington last week meeting U.S. lawmakers, Information Minister Mohammed said the authorities believed he has questions to answer over his alleged role in a failure of a bank and that documents showed he benefited from slush funds that led to its collapse. Abubakar's spokesman called the charge "a needless distraction."

"It is ridiculous and makes nonsense of the war on corruption when it is very clear that all of these things are being thrown out there to score political points," said Cheta Nwanze, an analyst at SBM Intelligence in Lagos, the commercial capital.

Despite the increasingly harsh rhetoric, both candidates skipped a presidential debate on Jan. 19 where they were due to lay out their policy plans for Nigeria.

"This kind of propaganda rather than issue-based politics is really giving the opportunity for hate speech and acrimonious relationships among the politicians, and political violence in the long run," said Mohammed of Bayero University.
Have you ever wanted to be in a movie? Now might be your chance, as Synthetic Cinema International is casting extras right here in Connecticut.

The Rocky Hill-based company has made movies for theaters, The Lifetime Channel and Hallmark, and is known for bringing movie magic to Connecticut, according to a News 8 article.
Lawmakers are intensifying their scrutiny of the Interior Department's decision to keep churning out drilling permits and restart work on offshore oil leasing despite the government shutdown.

At best the activity represents unfair favoritism for the oil industry, Democrats argued Wednesday, and at worst it's a violation of federal laws that generally bar agencies from spending money they don't have except in emergencies.

"There are serious questions about the legality of these and other actions by the administration," said Rep. Betty McCollum, D-Minn., who heads the House appropriations subcommittee that sets funding for the Interior Department.

A separate panel that oversees the agency, the House Natural Resources Committee, has scheduled a hearing Thursday to examine "the Trump administration's blatant favoritism towards the oil and gas industry during the government shutdown."

The lawmakers' responses played out as the U.S. Senate prepared to vote on rival Democratic and Republican plans to end the impasse, which entered its 34th day on Thursday. Both measures are expected to fail.

The Interior Department, which oversees oil and gas development on federal lands and waters, has taken pains to ensure that the permits and other initiatives are immune from the shutdown -- even as it closes parks, halts work on endangered species initiatives and cancels meetings on a proposed renewable energy project off the Massachusetts coast.

For instance, Interior's Bureau of Land Management has issued more than 150 permits to drill on public land since federal funding for more than a dozen major government agencies lapsed on Dec. 22 -- a reversal of the approach taken during the 2013 shutdown, when the Obama administration halted work on drilling permits and canceled at least one lease sale.

And now Interior's Bureau of Ocean Energy Management is summoning 11 furloughed employees back to work to prepare documents necessary for upcoming oil lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico. According to an agency contingency plan updated Jan. 8, bureau personnel also are on call to help develop a new five-year plan for selling drilling rights in U.S. coastal waters from mid-2019 through mid-2024. A

All of that activity was excluded from the ocean energy bureau's earlier, December 2018 contingency plan.

Fourteen Senate Democrats on Tuesday demanded to know what prompted the change as well as the legal justification for it, casting the move as a blatant bid to shield the oil industry from the budget standoff that has shuttered a quarter of the federal government.

"The newfound characterization of these projects as essential paints a troubling picture of an agency dedicated to mitigating the consequences of the shutdown for a powerful and well-connected corporate lobby at the expense of the American people," the senators, led by Bob Menendez of New Jersey and Ed Markey of Massachusetts, said in a letter to Interior Department officials.

"While the oil industry might view a delay in the approval of new offshore drilling as an emergency, the American people deserve regulators who prioritize safety and environmental protection over political expediency and the wishes of moneyed special interests," the senators said.

Under the 1870 Antideficiency Act, agencies generally are barred from spending money Congress hasn't awarded them, except where there are imminent threats to "the safety of human life or the protection of property."

Democrats and environmental advocates argue that that threshold hasn't been cleared.

McCollum said she has already asked the U.S. Government Accountability Office to testify about Interior Department spending decisions amid the shutdown, "so my fellow appropriators and members of the public can determine whether Trump administration actions constitute a misuse of taxpayer dollars under the Antideficiency Act or other provisions of law."

"I'm troubled about the Trump administration changing the rules in the middle of the shutdown to bring back certain furloughed employees to ensure oil and gas drilling permits and the companies benefiting from them don't feel the pain of the shutdown," McCollum said in an emailed statement Wednesday.

Legal experts say there's not much ordinary Americans can do to stop questionable shutdown spending. The responsibility for prosecuting violations of the 1870 Antideficiency Act falls to the Justice Department -- and no one's ever been taken to court to account for flouting the law. Antideficiency Act experts say it's not clear anyone else would have standing to challenge agency spending and activities that continue despite a broad government shutdown.

One possible exception: Congress, which could mount its own legal battle by voting to file a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of agencies spending money it hasn't appropriated. Even without that step, intensifying congressional scrutiny of Interior shutdown decisions could signal trouble for the agency in getting spending approval down the road.
Ridgefields new superintendent has denied allegations that he resigned from his previous job over a 14,000-gallon fuel tank spill in a Newington bus lot.

Dr. William Collins, who was hired in December by the Ridgefield Board of Education, previously held the position of superintendent of schools in Newington. According to a report in the Hartford Courant published in June 2018, Collins resigned from his post after courting controversy over the fuel spill, and for not signing a grant for renovations to the Newington Town Hall.

That had absolutely nothing to do with it, Collins told Hearst Connecticut Media recently.

I was actually planning to retire, to be honest, he said. The Hartford Courant said somehow  Is it a coincidence? Well, it is.

Collins resigned in Newington and went into retirement with two years left on a three-year contract. He said he originally planned to work as a consultant, before he was hired by Ridgefield in December.

He officially takes over from interim Superintendent Dr. JeanAnn Paddyfote on Feb. 19.

The board was aware of it, and certainly wanted to make sure that we understood what the genesis of that article was about and if there could be any concern, said Ridgefield Board of Education Chairwoman Margaret Stamatis. We did our own due diligence speaking to Dr. Collins and others  we found that there were facts where perhaps the story itself took things out of context, and was not his fault, as the story would lead one to believe.

Collins said the tank, which cost Newington $2.5 million in cleanup after a corroded pipe fitting allowed fuel to seep into the ground over the course of a year, was shared by the schools and other town agencies.

The town owned the pumps and managed them... the fact that they drew that conclusion was just crazy, he said.

When fuel levels read lower than they should have, how would our guys know that it wasnt the town firetrucks filling up? Collins added.

The superintendent is always responsible. So it did happen. I dont think I would say that anybody was negligent, he later added.

Collins similarly dismissed the idea that a fight over a grant for the town hall played a role in his departure.

That whole town hall debacle  that was absolutely mind-boggling, Collins said.

He said the plans that he received from an architect hired to renovate town hall  Newingtons former high school  did not suit the needs of the schools. They actually cut our space by half, Collins said. I said no to them once on the plan. They brought back another set of plans with absolutely no detail.

The reality was they got something together, sent it over to me, and then signed it, he added.

Collins and Stamatis said they were both aware the story of Collins resignation in Newington could be shared widely on social media.

This is a very savvy parent population, we knew that would come out, we wanted to make sure the facts come out as well, before just looking at the negative, said Stamatis.

She reiterated that the board had looked into the matter and were satisfied that there was no concern.

Collins said he planned to enjoy his retirement before he learned Ridgefield was looking for a new superintendent. I just said Im going to fade into the sunset, he said.

He said he was drawn to the district because everything facing the town was something he had to deal with as a superintendent in Newington. He said he hopes to tackle the districts intervention programs, the accreditation of Ridgefield High School, declining math scores, trouble with aging school facilities and even transportation.

I know thats ironic, but I do have some experience there, Collins said. Gotta get students to school on time.
DANBURY - Nine commercial kitchens failed their health inspections in December - mostly for food temperature violations - according to the latest records from City Hall.

The nine establishments - including three restaurants, two hotels, and a bakery - were given 24 hours to correct the violations, and have subsequently passed their re-inspections.

Our inspectors follow up on these reports to ensure that the corrections are made, said Lisa Morrissey, Danburys director of health and human services. If something is egregious we can actually ask them to close until the corrections have been done.

The kitchens that were fined $250 for failing their inspections in December are: Basilico restaurant, Hotel Zero Degrees Danbury, La Costenita restaurant, Lous Deli & Salads, Padaminas NY Bakery, Planeta Brazil Bar & Grill, the Portuguese Cultural Center, Residence Inn by Marriott, and Stanziatos Wood Fired Pizza, the health department said.

One restaurateur whose kitchen failed inspection had mixed feelings.

Honestly, it was very simple stuff like food containers on the floor in the cooler, and we didnt have paper to dry peoples hands because one of the center pull paper boxes was empty, said Leo Gecaj, owner of Basilico Pizza, Pasta & Gourmet. If you go straight by the book, any kitchen is going to have a few issues.

That much seems to be true.

Of the 42 commercial kitchens that the city health department inspected in December, each one had multiple minor demerits - including all 33 establishments that passed inspection.

Among the infractions cited in the passing kitchens were poor hygienic practices, the presence of insects or rodents, food not property thawed, and improper disposal of wastewater.

As long as there arent too many of those minor violations, a kitchen can still pass, with the condition that it corrects them promptly.

But none of the passing kitchens had the most serious type of violation - the four-point demerit, which is grounds for an automatic failure.

Examples of four-point demerits are failing to keep food at safe temperatures, failing to protect food from spoiling or contamination, and failing to keep hands clean.

A Danbury restaurant closed for 24 hours in late December while the health department investigated complaints about people getting sick after eating there. An investigation is continuing, but local health officials believe the sickness was caused by a stomach bug called norovirus.

Gecajs restaurant, which was cited with 20 demerits, including unsafe food temperatures, said he stands by the integrity of his kitchen.

Absolutely, he said. I wont serve anybody something that I wont eat myself.

rryser@newstimes.com 203-731-3342
The work of popular New Haven Register columnist and Senior Editor James Walker will now appear in all eight of Hearsts daily newspapers in Connecticut.

Hes part of a growing roster of distinctive voices Hearst is assembling.

Walkers column takes on matters of justice, crime, commuting, money, race, taxes and the general foibles of life.

James Walkers columns are sometimes provocative, often thought-provoking, but always thoughtful, heartfelt and immersed and in touch with the real-world experiences of the people of Connecticut, said Matt DeRienzo, vice president of news and digital content for Hearst Connecticut. Were excited to see them receive a statewide audience, and expect a tremendous dialogue to emerge on the topics he tackles.

Walker joined the New Haven Register in 2013 as metro editor. Previously, he was city editor of the Norwalk Hour for seven years, a general assignment reporter at the Hour, a business and features reporter at the Norwich Bulletin, and a reporter at the Pictorial Gazette in Old Saybrook.

He attended East Tennessee State University and lives in Bridgeport.

In the expanded role, Walkers columns will appear in the Connecticut Post, Norwalk Hour, Stamford Advocate, Greenwich Time, Danbury News-Times, Torrington Register Citizen and The Middletown Press, in addition to the New Haven Register.

Earlier this month, Hearst announced the addition of longtime WNPR radio show host and Hartford Courant politics and humor writer Colin McEnore as a statewide columnist. His column is also published on Sundays in Hearsts Connecticut daily newspapers.
Dhaka:

Bangladesh must not "rush to relocate refugees" from the Rohingya Muslim minority, a top UN rights official said on Friday, amid plans to move the community to an island vulnerable to extreme monsoon weather. Some 750,000 Rohingya Muslims from Myanmar escaped a bloody military crackdown in northern Rakhine state since August 2017 and joined some 300,000 refugees living in the already overcrowded Bangladesh camps.

Dhaka has spent some USD 280 million transforming Bhashan Char, a muddy silt islet that only emerged from the Bay of Bengal nearly two decades ago, into a camp for some of the refugees. But the island, in a coastal region where extreme weather has killed hundreds of thousands of people in recent decades, is one hour by boat from the nearest land and over a stretch of sea prone to violent storms.

Yanghee Lee, a UN Special Rapporteur of human rights, visited the island on Thursday and urged Bangladesh to observe "caution and patience" before proceeding with any relocation plan. "There should be no rush to relocate refugees, such as before the monsoon season which is one of the possibilities that has been outlined to me," she told reporters on Friday.

"It is imperative that any measures to relocate the refugees enhance their enjoyment of rights and do not create a new crisis," she added.

Lee also advised Dhaka to share feasibility studies and allow the UN to carry out a "full technical and humanitarian assessment, including a security assessment, before making any further plans for the housing of people on the island".

"The island's isolation does particularly trouble me, especially in the event of cyclones or other natural disasters," she added.

Lee did not provide further details about the island, which is still strictly off limits to the public and the media. Plans for the island camp were first floated in 2015 and Bangladesh had previously wanted to start relocating refugees to the island last June before the monsoon season began.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was then slated to open the new settlement, built to house 100,000 refugees, last October, but the inauguration was postponed. A senior disaster management official told AFP in September that nearly three-quarters of the project was complete, with the navy fast-tracking construction of shelters and evacuation centres.

Local officials have pointed to a newly-constructed three-metre (nine-feet) embankment around the island that they say will keep out tidal surges in the event of a cyclone. Lee, who also visited Rohingya camps in Cox's Bazar, said the refugees "cannot return to Myanmar in the near future".

"I encourage the government to begin to engage in longer-term planning and prepare the local population for this reality," she said.

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Washington :

US President Donald Trump on Thursday said that America and its borders cannot be secured without a wall. Trump wants to build a US-Mexico border wall and is seeking USD 5.7 billion in funding for the physical barrier which according to him is a must to prevent flow of illegal immigrants into the US. The Democrats assert that such a move is a waste of taxpayers money. Trump said that without a wall there cannot be safety at the border.

Without a wall there cannot be safety and security at the border or for the USA. Build the wall and crime will fall, Trump said in a tweet.

The partial shutdown has impacted the country hard with more than 800,000 federal government workers out of work across the key departments.

Also Read | No Cave: Donald Trump vows no surrender on 32nd day of US shutdown

Trumps comments came after he delayed his State of the Union address on Thursday, saying he wont do it until the crippling government shutdown ends.

The presidents announcement came after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi rescinded an invitation for him to deliver the speech in the House Chamber. Nancy just said she just doesnt understand why? Very simply, without a Wall it all doesnt work. Our Country has a chance to greatly reduce Crime, Human Trafficking, Gangs and Drugs. Should have been done for decades. We will not Cave! Trump said, giving a fresh indication that he will not compromise on building a wall.

Pelosi hoped that Trump will help in ending the shutdown, which has paralysed some key wings of the federal government.

Mr President, I hope by saying near future you mean you will support the House-passed package to #EndTheShutdown that the Senate will vote on tomorrow. Please accept this proposal so we can re-open government, repay our federal workers and then negotiate our differences, Pelosi said.

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New Delhi:

WhatsApp on Thursday said over five million enterprises globally are using its 'Business' app to connect with their customers within a year of launch. "In January of last year, we launched the WhatsApp Business app, and now there are more than five million businesses using it to support customers, grow their businesses and serve their communities all over the world," WhatsApp said in a blogpost.

It cited the example of Bengaluru-based eyewear brand Glassic which has seen 30 per cent of its new sales being generated through WhatsApp Business. India is home to over 200 million WhatsApp users. It has about 1.5 billion users globally.

Using the business app, SMEs can help customers with useful information such as business description, e-mail, store addresses and website.

Recently, the Facebook-owned mobile messaging platform announced it was restricting how many times any given message can be forwarded in an effort to boost privacy and security. In July, WhatsApp had rolled out safeguards in India that included limiting the number of users to whom a message can be forwarded. It also ran newspaper ads to raise awareness about fake news.

That decision followed threats by the Indian government to take action after crazed mobs butchered more than 20 people accused of child kidnapping and other crimes in viral, widely-circulated WhatsApp messages. WhatsApp said its latest move to extend the restrictions to all users came after a six-month review of user feedback.

"The forward limit significantly reduced forwarded messages around the world," read a company statement on Monday about a test run of the forwarding limit. "Starting today, all users on the latest versions of WhatsApp can now forward to only five chats at once, which will help keep WhatsApp focused on private messaging with close contacts." Previously, users could forward any given message up to 20 times on the app.

"We'll continue to listen to user feedback about their experience, and over time, look for new ways of addressing viral content," the WhatsApp statement read. Founded in 2009 and purchased by Facebook in 2014, WhatsApp said that in early 2018 it had more than 1.5 billion users who exchanged 65 billion messages per day.
New Delhi:

In a growing sign of man-animal conflict, a leopard was caught on camera nearly mauling a man in Maharashtras Nashik on Friday. The big cat, which had entered the residential area recently, was terrorising people. Many people were injured while trying to catch the leopard. Later, forest officials were called, who successfully managed to catch it. The small video clip tweeted by news agency ANI showed the leopard attacking a man. The animal lunged towards him and overpowered him. But it seems the victim was lucky or the animal was distracted by all the noise around him. Soon, he fled the spot and was later caught by the forest officials. A womans loud scream can also be heard in the background.

#WATCH A leopard entered a residential area & attacked people in Nashik, earlier today. The leopard was later caught by Forest Department. #Maharashtra pic.twitter.com/FvB41PjTHs  ANI (@ANI) January 25, 2019

The Nashiks incident is yet another example of the growing strife between the animal kingdom and the human world. On January 21st, the residents of the Sadullapur village of Greater Noida had an exciting Sunday after sighting a leopard in the morning. The forest department was alerted and a from the National Zoological Park, one from Meerut and one comprising volunteers from Wildlife SOS reached the spot around 9.30 am. Combing operations were carried out the big cat was finally caught seven hours later at 4.30 pm. The leopard, a seven-eight-year-old male, had been lurking in Greater Noida for the past few days sending citizens into a tizzy and causing great panic. The animal reportedly attacked a boy, Komal Kumar, who walking down a road. The boy escaped with minor injuries.

Before it was caught, the leopard injured a villager after it jumped across the boundary wall of a lentil field. Fortunately, the veterinarian from Delhi Zoo managed to tranquilise the big cat after which it was taken to the Surajpur Nursery, a forest ranger who was part of the rescue operation told the Indian Express. It is being assumed that this was the same animal which was spotted near the Stellar Jeevan society in Greater Noida on Wednesday night. Chief Conservator of Forests, Lalit Verma said that the leopard may have travelled across the Hindon river chasing an animal when it reached the residential area. He added that the big cat has been given a fitness certificate since it has no injury marks or internal bruises.

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New Delhi:

The Supreme Court issued a notice to the Centre over the 10 per cent quota for the economically weak in General Category on Friday. The top court said that it will examine the law. The matter was heard by a bench of Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi and Justice Sanjiv Khanna. However, it refused to put a hold overt the upper caste quota. The top court was hearing a batch of petitions, which claimed that the 10% upper caste quota is unconstitutional. The Supreme Court has demanded an answer from the Centre within three weeks. As many as six petitions were filed against the upper caste quota law.

Earlier on Monday, the Madras High Court had issued a notice to the Narendra Modi government over the 10% reservation for the economically weaker section in general category. The High Court gave a month to the Centre and asked for a reply by February 18. The High Court was hearing a plea filed by the DMK challenging the Forward Quota Bill. On Friday, DMK organising secretary RS Bharathi had filed a writ plea in the Madras High Court challenging the Modi governments decision.

The DMK on Friday had moved the Madras High Court challenging the recently passed Forward Quota Bill, saying that it is against social justice. The Bill, which was passed by Parliament, has now become a law after it was given a nod by President Ram Nath Kovind. Earlier, the Lok Sabha had passed the Bill on January 8 with as many as 323 members voting in support of it and only three voting against the Bill. A day later, it was passed from the Rajya Sabha with 165 voting in favour and seven against.

Earlier, Youth For Equality and Kaushal Kant Mishra had also challenged the reservation. They had said that 10 per cent Quota Bill violates basic feature of the Constitution as a reservation on economic grounds cannot be limited to the general categories and the 50 per cent ceiling limit cannot be breached. It sought the quashing of the Bill saying that the economic criterion cannot be the sole basis for reservation.

The government had extended the session for a day to take up the Constitutional (124th) Amendment Bill. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had termed the passage of The Constitution (124th Amendment) Bill, 2019 in both Houses of Parliament a victory for social justice. He said the Bill will ensure a wider canvas for our youths to showcase their prowess and contribute towards Indias transformation.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi last week said that the Constitutional amendment to provide 10 per cent reservation to economically poor in the general category was achieved due to the political will of his government and would be implemented from this academic year. Addressing a gathering after inaugurating the 1500-bed Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Institute of Medical Science and Research, Modi said the economic reservation has been given without impacting the existing social reservations.

"The new reservation will be implemented in 40,000 colleges across 900 universities in the country from this academic year. The number of seats will be increased by 10 per cent," he said.

Modi said his government was committed to provide equal opportunities to all sections of the society. The Institute will be linked to the Ayushman Bharat scheme so that poor people can avail medical facilities free of cost, he said.

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New Delhi:

Amid the speculations of his estranged cousin and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Varun Gandhi joining the Congress party ahead of 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Rahul Gandhi on Friday denied having any information about it, reported news agency PTI. I am not aware of any speculation over Varun Gandhi joining Congress, Rahul Gandhi was quoted as saying by the agency.

Ever since Rahul Gandhi took over the reins of the Congress party as its president, there had been speculations that Varun Gandhi, who often praises policies of the previous UPA government, may join the Grand Old Party. The sources had, in the past, also said that Priyanka Gandhi may play the mediator and help crack a deal for her cousin. Now, with Priyanka Gandhi joining the active politics in the party, the speculations are once again on the rife.

Also Read | Rahul Gandhi talks about tasks given to Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi

Sources close to the Varun Gandhi said that he is not getting his due share in the BJP. There have also been reports of rift between Varun Gandhi and the party after his name was not consdiered for the chief minister's post in Uttar Pradesh.

He has been critical of the Narendra Modi government's several decisions and this is considered as one fo the reasons the BJP has not given him any crucial role in the party. Also, Varun has praised Congress-led UPA government's schemes, including the MNREGA. It is to be noted that Modi has been a critic of the MNREGA scheme aimed at tackling the extreme poverty.

WATCH: Photographer falls, Rahul Gandhi rushes to help, wins hearts

Although it looks unlikley that he will join the Congres given the fact that his mother Maneka Gandhi is a minister in the Modi cabinet, but if he joins the Congress party, it will help the party in policaly crucial state Uttar Pradesh, where he enjoys a significant following in some districts.

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New Delhi:

President Ram Nath Kovind will address the nation on Friday on the eve of the 70th Republic Day. The address will be broadcast from 7pm on the entire national network of All India Radio and telecast over all channels of Doordarshan in Hindi followed by the English version, the Rashtrapati Bhavan said.

This will be followed by broadcast in regional languages by regional channels of Doordarshan, it said in a statement. The AIR will broadcast regional language versions 9.30pm onwards on its respective regional networks, the statement said.

The majestic Republic Day parade will start at 9.50 am tomorrow. It will commence from Vijay Chowk and pass through Rajpath, Tilak Marg, Bahadur Shah Zafar (BSZ) Marg, Netaji Subhash Marg and proceed for the Red Fort. A function will also be held at India Gate at 09.00 am, the traffic police said. In order to facilitate smooth passage of the parade, movement of vehicles on certain roads leading to the parade route will be restricted, they said.

According to a traffic advisory, no vehicle will be allowed on Rajpath, from Vijay Chowk to India Gate, from 6 pm on January 25 till the parade is over. No cross traffic will be allowed on Rajpath from 11.00 pm on January 25 at Rafi Marg, Janpath, Man Singh Road till the parade is over and 'C'-Hexagon-India Gate will be closed for vehicular movement from 02.00 am on January 26 till the parade crosses Tilak Marg, it said.

On Republic Day, no vehicular movement will be allowed on Tilak Marg, BSZ Marg and Subhash Marg in both directions from 10 am onwards, Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Alok Kumar said. The Delhi Police has advised commuters to plan their journey accordingly in advance and avoid the parade route from 0200 hours to 1230 hours for their convenience.

Kumar said though there will be no restriction for people from North Delhi going towards New Delhi Railway Station or Old Delhi Railway Station, yet it is advised that they plan their journey in advance and take sufficient extra time to reach their destination to avoid any possible delay. Flying of sub-conventional aerial platforms like para- gliders, para motors, hang gliders, UAVs, UASs, microlight aircrafts, remotely piloted aircrafts, hot air balloons, small size powered aircrafts, quadcopters or para jumping from aircraft are prohibited over the jurisdiction of National Capital Territory of Delhi from January 9 to February 9, the advisory said.

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New Delhi:

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will inaugurate the Noida Metro Aqua Line today from Noida sector 137, as per reports. He will be accompanied by Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri. He will also travel to the Depot station in Greater Noida. The 29.7-km Aqua Line has 21 stations. The Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) completed the final round of safety inspection of the Noida-Greater Noida Aqua line. Everything was found to be up to the mark barring a few defects, according to reports. The Noida Metro Rail Corporation (NMRC) had inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), which will assist the NMRC in operating the Aqua Line corridor in the first year. Additionally, this is one of the first Metro lines to become active in the Greater Noida region.

10 points about Noida-Greater Noida Aqua Line:

The Aqua Line, which will have 19 rakes with 4 cars each, will stop at Sectors 76, 101, 81, NSEZ, 83, 137, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148 and Greater Noida's Knowledge Park II, Pari Chowk, Alpha 1, Delta 1, GNIDA Office and Depot metro stations.

The rail corridor 29.7-km long with a total of 21 stations, of which 15 of them are in Noida and six in Greater Noida.

Aqua Line will enter Greater Noida and will go through Knowledge Park-II, Pari Chowk, Alpha-1 and Alpha-2, before terminating at Knowledge Park-IV.

The trains are designed to run at a maximum speed of 80 km per hour with an average speed of 37.5 km per hour.

Every train is equipped with a passenger information system, a public address system, and an emergency announcement system from the operation control centre. Besides, all the stations are equipped with platform screen doors.

Travelling one station would cost Rs 10 on an QR-coded ticket and Rs 9 via smart card; 2 km would cost Rs 15 on ticket and Rs 13.50 on smart card; 3 to 6 km would cost Rs 20 via ticket and Rs 18 on smart card; 7 to 9 km would cost Rs 30 on ticket and Rs 27 on smart card.

Travelling more than 10 stations but less than 16 stations would cost Rs 40 via ticket but Rs 36 via a smart card. Travelling beyond 16 stations would cost Rs 50 via ticket and Rs 45 via a smart card.

After getting off the Aqua Line, a commuter has to travel a few kilometres to take Delhi Metro's Blue Line at Noida City Centre metro station as the Aqua Line does not directly connect the commuters with Blue Line metro.

The final and mandatory safety inspection of the corridor was done last month by the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) which gave its approval to the NMRC for launching commercial operations.

The 49th battalion of the UP Provincial Armed Constabulary has been entrusted with the responsibility of security on the Aqua Line, while some private security personnel will also be deployed.

Here are the LIVE updates:

12.29 am: Residents of Greater Noida say that the Aqua Line is a gift long awaited.

12.01 am: Ministers and dignitaries start arriving at the Noida Sector 137 station. Dr Mahesh Sharma, the MP from Gautam Budh Nagar, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri will address the gathering.

11.16 am: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has reached Noida. He will reach Noida Sector 137 at 12.30 pm.

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New Delhi:

A three-member committee led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday met in New Delhi to decide the name of the next CBI director, however, the meeting remained inconclusive. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is set to inaugurate the Noida Metro Aqua Line today along with Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri. After overnight rains in Delhi-NCR, the air quality was recorded in the 'moderate' category. The ministers are also expected to take a Metro ride from sector 137 to Greater Noida. The US is ready to provide more than $20 million in initial humanitarian assistance to Venezuela for the South American country to cope with the severe food, medicine shortages because of the unrest.

19:38 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In President Ram Nath Kovind: Apart from education, art, medicines & sports, our daughters are now creating an identity for themselves in the three Armed Forces as well. In topmost educational institutes, often there are more daughters than sons among medal-winning students.

19:20 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In President Ram Nath Kovind:This year, citizens of India will get a chance to fulfil an important responsibility.All of us have to use our voting rights in coming General elections for 17th Lok Sabha.This election will be special as 21st century born voters will vote for the 1st time

19:20 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In President Ram Nath Kovind:This Independence Day is important for us in a special way. On Oct 2, we'll celebrate 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. Not only for India, but this anniversary is also an opportunity for entire world to understand,adopt&implement his principles

19:16 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In President Ram Nath Kovind in his address to the nation on the eve of the 70th Republic Day: Republic Day 2019 is an opportunity for all citizens of the country to remember independence, equality, & brotherhood.

18:59 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In

CM Yogi Adityanath: Zero plus zero hamesha zero hi hota.Priyanka Ji pehli baar rajneeti main nahi aai hain.2014, 2017 ke chunav main bhi unhone party ko lead kiya tha. Congress ki durgati uss samay hui thi,wohi stithi iss bar bhi rahegi. BJP par iska koi asar padne wala nahi hai. pic.twitter.com/SkKGLumdwr

 ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) January 25, 2019



17:39 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Supreme Court issues notice to Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on two contempt petitions filed against it for not complying with Supreme Courts direction to disclose information under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.

17:06 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Jammu and Kashmir: Grenade lobbed on a police post near General Bus Stand in Anantnag. One police personnel has suffered minor injuries.



Jammu and Kashmir: Grenade lobbed on a police post near General Bus Stand in Anantnag. One police personnel has suffered minor injuries. More details awaited.

 ANI (@ANI) January 25, 2019



12:38 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In A mortar bomb is found near a factory in Mandor, Jodhpur. Police at the spot.

12:21 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Hearing in disproportionate asset case against former Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh Virbhadra Singh, in a Delhi court, to be on 30th January.

12:13 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Hearing in disproportionate asset case against former chief minister of Himachal Pradesh Virbhadra Singh in a Delhi court to be on heard on January 30.

12:12 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Supreme Court dismisses a petition filed by social activist KR Ramaswamy seeking a CBI probe into the Kodanad estate case.

11:33 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa pays tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat in Delhi.



President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa pays tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat in Delhi. pic.twitter.com/Zu81o6emJg

 ANI (@ANI) January 25, 2019



10:34 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa arrives in Delhi. He will be the chief guest at the Republic Day parade tomorrow.



President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa arrives in Delhi. He will be the chief guest at the Republic Day parade tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/TnjxJi3mL5

 ANI (@ANI) January 25, 2019



09:33 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Andhra Pradesh : 8-year-old girl studying in Class 2 sexually abused by a teacher in Agiripalli, Krishna district on 22 Jan. Doctor has confirmed sexual abuse after medical examination. Case registered. Accused taken into custody. Investigation underway.

08:12 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In 11 trains to Delhi are running late due to fog and low visibility conditions.

07:20 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In US requests UN Security Council meeting on Venezuela: AFP

07:19 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Trump-backed measure to end partial government shutdown fails in US Senate: AFP

07:18 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In

Delhi: People take refuge at night shelters as heavy rain lashes the national capital; visuals from a night shelter near Ramlila Maidan.

























07:18 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In The US is ready to provide more than USD 20 million in initial humanitarian assistance to Venezuela for the South American country to cope with the severe food, medicine shortages





07:18 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Delhi: Two dead and one critically injured in an accident between a motorcycle and a tractor in Shastri Park yesterday night.



Delhi: Two dead and one critically injured in an accident between a motorcycle and a tractor in Shastri Park yesterday night. pic.twitter.com/rrNxOyuwo0

 ANI (@ANI) January 24, 2019



07:17 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Delhi: Major pollutants PM 2.5 at 156 and PM 10 at 160, both in 'Moderate' category in Lodhi Road area, according to the Air Quality Index (AQI) data.



Delhi: Major pollutants PM 2.5 at 156 and PM 10 at 160, both in 'Moderate' category in Lodhi Road area, according to the Air Quality Index (AQI) data. pic.twitter.com/md3VNI4NrP

 ANI (@ANI) January 25, 2019



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New Delhi:

The Supreme Court has agreed to hear the plea demanding an SIT probe into the murder of rationalist MM Kalburgi on Friday. The Bench of Justices Nariman and Vineet Saran murder called it a very serious case and said that it will hear the plea on February 26 next month. The top court was hearing the petition filed by Kalburgis wife Umadevi, who is demanding a fair probe into the murder of her husband. 77-year old Kalburgi, the former Vice-Chancellor of Hampi University and a well-known scholar and epigraphist, was shot dead in broad daylight at his residence in Kalyan Nagar in Dharwad, Karnataka, on August 30, 2015. Born in 1938, he was a Sahitya Akademi award-winning writer of old Kannada literature.

Earlier during a hearing in November last year, the top court had chided the Karnataka government for doing nothing into the rationalists murder case. What have you (Karnataka government) done so far? Nothing. You are just fooling around. How long will you take for completing the investigation? Tell us or we will pass orders, the Bench of Justices RF Nariman and Navin Sinha had said.

On March 23 last year, the Centre had told the apex court that the NIA, being a special agency to probe national and inter-state terrorism cases, cannot investigate the killing of MM Kalburgi. The Centre has referred to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Act and said the instant offence did not fall under the category of Schedule offence under the law and hence, the probe agency cannot investigate it.

The court had earlier asked the CBI and the governments of Maharashtra and Karnataka to file their responses in the case. Kalburgis wife, in her petition filed through advocate Krishna Kumar, has alleged that there was common link between the murder of her husband and that of intellectual activists, Narendra Achyut Dabholkar and Govindrao Pansare, who too were assassinated in August 2013 and February 2015 respectively.

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highlights The case is scheduled to be heard on January 29.

The SC decided to constitute afresh the five-judge Constitution bench.

Justice UU Lalit has opted out of the hearing in the matter.

New Delhi:

The Chief Justice of India, Ranjan Gogoi, has today reconstituted the Ayodhya bench where he inducted Justice Ashok Bhushan and Justice Abdul Nazeer. The case is scheduled to be heard on January 29. Earlier, the Supreme Court decided to constitute afresh the five-judge Constitution bench to hear on January 29 the politically-sensitive Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land title dispute in Ayodhya after a judge, Justice UU Lalit, recused himself from the hearing. Justice Lalit, who was part of the five-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, "expressed his disinclination to participate in the hearing any further" and opted himself out of the contentious matter.

The apex court said since Justice Lalit has opted out of the hearing in the matter, there was no option left but to adjourn the case "to fix a date of hearing and to draw up a time schedule for hearing of the case". Senior advocate Rajeev Dhavan, appearing for a Muslim party, said Justice Lalit had appeared as a lawyer for former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Kalyan Singh in a connected matter "sometime in the year 1997".

He said Singh, as then chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, had "failed in his promise to maintain the status quo" over the disputed structure at Ayodhya which was demolished on December 6, 1992.

The bench, also comprising Justices SA Bobde, NV Ramana, and DY Chandrachud, which heard the matter for 20 minutes, noted in its order that Dhavan has "no objection to Justice Uday Umesh Lalit hearing the matter, the ultimate decision in this regard is for the learned judge to take".

"The said facts being pointed out, Justice Uday Umesh Lalit has expressed his disinclination to participate in the hearing any further. We, therefore, have no option but to adjourn the case to another date for the same purpose i.e. to fix a date of hearing and to draw up a time schedule for hearing of the case," the bench said.

Fourteen appeals have been filed in the apex court against the 2010 Allahabad High Court judgement, delivered in four civil suits, that the 2.77-acre land be partitioned equally among three parties -- the Sunni Waqf Board, the Nirmohi Akhara and Ram Lalla.

Dhavan, who was appearing for lead petitioner M Siddiq (since dead) and now represented by his legal heirs, pointed to the September 27, 2018 judgement, by which the top court had refused to refer the 1994 verdict in Ismail Faruqui case to a five-judge constitution bench to examine the observation that a mosque was not integral to Islam.

He drew the court's attention to "certain speculations prevailing as to why the matter has now been fixed for hearing before a five-judge bench through the three-judge bench" by its September 27, 2018 order had expressly directed that the matter be listed before a three-judge bench.

Senior advocate Harish Salve, appearing for a Hindu party, submitted, "I understand that if a constitutional question has to be decided, then it should not be decided by a bench of less than five-judges".

Clearing the doubts, the bench said the decision to post the matter before a five-judge bench was taken by the CJI on administrative side in exercise of his powers under Order VI rule 1 of the Supreme Court Rules, 2013 which mandates that "every cause, appeal or matter shall be heard by a bench consisting of not less than two judges nominated by the Chief Justice".

"Order VI rule 1 of the Supreme Court Rules, 2013 prescribes the minimum numerical strength of the bench and it is always open for the Chief Justice to decide, having regard to the various relevant facts and circumstances, which cannot be exhaustively laid down, to constitute benches of such strength that the Chief Justice deems it proper," Justice Gogoi said.

"This is how the present bench of five-judges has been constituted which is, in no way, contrary to what has been laid down by the three-judges bench in the aforesaid judgment and order dated September 27, 2018," the CJI added.

The bench, in its order, noted that Secretary-General of the apex court registry has informed the CJI that in four suits, out of which these appeals have arisen, in all 120 issues have been framed for trial and a total of 88 witnesses were examined.

It noted that depositions of witnesses run into 13,886 pages and a total of 257 documents were exhibited. While the order was being dictated, Dhavan pointed that number of exhibits were 533, including three archaeological reports. The bench noted that the high court's verdict runs into 4,304 printed pages, which according to the registry, are 8,533 typed pages.

"The bench has been informed that the original records are lying in 15 sealed trunks in a room which has also been sealed. Whether the depositions and documents which are in Persian, Sanskrit, Arabic, Gurumukhi, Urdu and Hindi, etc have been translated is not clear," the bench said.

It said the apex court, in its August 10, 2015 order, had indicated that though counsel for parties had attempted to submit some translated version of the evidence, "there is a dispute with regard to the correctness of the translations made".

"In these circumstances, the registry of this court is directed to physically inspect the records which are lying under lock and key; make an assessment of the time that will be taken to make the cases ready for hearing by engaging, if required, official translators of the requisite number and give a report thereof to the court," the order said.

"The said report will be submitted to this court by the registry on January 29, 2019 when the reconstituted bench (without Uday Umesh Lalit, J), as may be, will assemble once again to take up the matter for further orders," it said.

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New Delhi:

The CBI is carrying out raids at 30 location including Rohtak home of former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda over alleged land scam. Earlier on January 2, Hooda and senior Congress leader Motilal Vora were granted bail by a CBI court in a case pertaining to alleged illegal re-allotment of land to Associated Journals Ltd (AJL) in Panchkula in 2005. Hooda and Vora were granted bail by CBI judge Jagdeep Singh on furnishing a bail bond of Rs five lakh each, their counsel Abhishek Rana said. The Congress leaders were handed over copies of chargesheet filed against them by the CBI. The next date for hearing in the case has been fixed for February 6, he said.

News Nation has learnt that Hooda is inside his Rohtak home right now. On political front, the former Chief Minister had predicted that the BJP will lose miserably in the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections. He made the prediction just after the disastrous Hindi heartland loss suffered by the ruling party.

"These (Assembly) polls were being treated as the semi-final to 2019 (General Elections). The Congress' performance has been quite impressive in the Hindi heartland states. The results have set the alarm bells ringing for the BJP-led government at the Centre," Hooda had said. "Under the able leadership of Rahul Gandhi, the party is definitely on an upswing across the country. The credit goes to him and Congress workers...the countdown for the NDA government has begun," Hooda said.

The senior Congress leader alleged that the BJP ignored farmers' plight, which was a big issue in the polls. "The government did not bother about the plight of farmers. Small traders were badly hit by GST even as Modi government's decision on demonetisation was widely criticised. Besides, unemployment was also another key issue," Hooda said.

The 71-year-old lawyer-turned politician began his active political career in 1982. Hoodas grandfather Chaudhary Matu Ram and then his father Chaudhary Ranbir Singh were also politicians. Hooda has been one of the most ardent Nehru-Gandhi loyalist, who openly said that his only aim was to implement the agenda set by Sonia Gandhi. In 2005, Gandhi removed Bhajan Lal to appoint Hooda as the Haryana Chief Minister. Hooda has been open about issuing too many licences. "Haryana has no natural resources but has an admitted advantage because it fringes Delhi on three sides. This benefits the people in bringing them better prices for their land, and the government by attracting investments," he was quoted as saying by an India Today report.

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New Delhi:

In a major relief for homebuyers, the Supreme Court ordered the government-owned National Buildings Construction Corporation (NBCC) on Friday to complete the two stalled projects by the embattled Amrapali Group. The top court has now posted the matter for hearing for February 11. The Friday order would spell huge relief for the Amrapali investors also. On December 5, 2018, the Supreme Court had directed attachment of Amrapali Builder's five-star hotel, corporate office and other properties. The top court also directed the Debt Recovery Tribunal to sell the properties of the embattled real estate firm. A bench of Justices comprising Arun Mishra, UU Lalit and DY Chandrachud have been dealing with a batch of petitions filed by home buyers who are seeking possession of around 42,000 flats, booked in projects of Amrapali Group. The company is responsible for diversion of home-buyers' money.

Earlier on November 13, in a massive crackdown on Amrapali Group for "wilful disobedience" of its orders, the top court had attached the company's 100-bed multi-speciality hospital, bank accounts, the building which houses its office, certain firms and a "benami" Villa in Goa.

Post that, the Supreme Court asked the realty firm to reveal the details of all its properties in the name of directors, their family members, relatives, Chief Financial Officers and statutory auditors in India and abroad by December 3.

The court gave one last opportunity to Amrapali Group and its directors and promoters to comply with each and every direction passed by the court since May last year. The Amrapali Group has been also restrained from alienating its companies through which it had transactions and ordered attachment of such firms. The top court has also ordered the firm not to create any third party rights for 86 luxury cars and SUVs purchased from the company's funds.

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highlights Delhi Polices EOW has asked Niranjan Patnaik to submit related documents.

Patnaik was director of Vavasi Telecom when the alleged fraud took place.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi will address a rally in Odisha today.

New Delhi:

Ahead of Congress president Rahul Gandhis visit, Odisha Congress chief Niranjan Patnaik and his son Navjyoti Patnaik have been summoned by Delhi Polices Economic Offences Wing (EOW) for their alleged involvement in a fraud case. The case pertains to one KS Ahluwaliya, who alleged that a company named Vavasi Telecom Pvt. LTD took Rs 32 crore from him by fraud in 2007-08. Both the Odisha Congress chief and his son were the directors of the company during the time.

The firm  Vavasi Telecom  has also given in writing that Niranjan even misappropriated funds worth Rs 6 crore of the Rs 32 crore Ahluwaliya had allegedly paid. The EOW has been investigating the case and asked the father-son duo submit related documents.

Meanwhile, the Odisha PCC chief said that he has not received any such notice but will cooperate if police seek any information from him. I have not received any notice but will cooperate if police seek any information. I was the director of the company, but I have resigned long back, said Patnaik.

In April last year, Niranjan was appointed as the president of the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC). He had replaced Prasad Harichandan.

The development came a day ahead of Rahul Gandhis rally in Bhubaneswar to kick start his partys campaign for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. The visit of Congress chief is crucial as it comes at a time when the party is facing issues among top leaders of the state.

On January 20, the Congress had expelled former Union Minister Srikant Jena and former MLA Krushna Chandra Sagaria for alleged anti-party activities. The announcement was made late at night by Odisha Congress disciplinary committee convener Ananta Prasad Sethi.

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Mumbai:

The Bombay High Court on Thursday refused to give relief to a lawyer seeking a stay on the release of film Manikarnika - The Queen of Jhansi on the ground that it wrongly depicted historical facts. Advocate Vivek Tambe, who claims to be a fifth generation descendant of the family of Rani Lakshmibai, the Queen of Jhansi, had moved the high court earlier this week claiming that the Kangana Ranuat-starrer had got several historical facts wrong.

According to the petitioner, the film shows the birth year of the queen of Jhansi as 1828. However, her birth year was actually 1835, his plea said. It further claimed that there are certain scenes which show that the queen suffered a miscarriage, which is not correct.

The producers of the film opposed the plea, saying the birth year was provided by historians and that there is no scene in the movie showing a miscarriage. Central Board for Film Certification (CBFC) counsel Advait Sethna told a division bench of Chief Justice N H Patil and Justice N M Jamdar Thursday that its examining committee has given due consideration before certifying the movie.

"A disclaimer has also been included in the movie saying certain elements have been dramatised and fictionalised and that it does not intend to hurt any person's sentiments," Sethna said.

The bench, after hearing the arguments, said it was not inclined to grant interim relief by way of staying the release of the film. The court directed the producer to file their affidavit responding to the petition in two weeks.

The movie is slated for release Friday.

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highlights Gandhi said that he will fight with the PM but doesn't hate him.

He said that the RSS imprint was evident in the NDA government.

Gandhi also said that his party listens to the people.

New Delhi:

Congress president Rahul Gandhi, who has been attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi of late with chaukidar chor hai jibe, on Friday said that he will fight with the prime minister but doesn't hate him. The Congress chief also said that he felt like hugging the prime minister whenever he attacked him. I look at Mr. Modi when he abuses me and I feel like giving him a hug, he was quoted as saying by ANI.

Taking a dig at Bharatiya Janata Party's ideological mentor Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Gandhi said that the abuse from the ruling party at the Centre and RSS is the biggest gift to him. The best thing that happened to me as a politician & human being was the abuse I got from BJP & RSS, it has been the biggest gift they could give me. I look at Mr. Modi when he abuses me and I feel like giving him a hug, ANI tweeted.

Rahul Gandhi in Odisha: I realise he (PM Modi) disagrees with me & I disagree with him, and I will fight him and I will try and make sure that he is not the prime minister but I don't hate him. I give him the right to have his opinion. pic.twitter.com/OS4Hw28mtn  ANI (@ANI) January 25, 2019

He said that the RSS imprint was evident everywhere in the BJP-led NDA government and accused it of trying to penetrate and control all institutions in the country. "You currently have one institution called the RSS, mother of the BJP, which believes it is the only institution in the country. They want to penetrate into all other institutions and control them," he said during an interaction with intellectuals in Bhubaneswar.

Congress President Rahul Gandhi in Bhubaneswar: The best thing that happened to me as a politician & human being was the abuse I got from BJP & RSS, it has been the biggest gift they could give me. I look at Mr Modi when he abuses me and I feel like giving him a hug. pic.twitter.com/283JmhUrHT  ANI (@ANI) January 25, 2019

Gandhi also said that his party has a view different from the ruling BJP when it comes to the functioning of key institutions. "Our party has a different view on how key institutions should be supporting the country. It respects decentralisation, independence of institutions and constitutional advances," he asserted.

The Congress chief said that we listen to the people. Not like Mr. Narendra Modi who thinks he knows everything, there is no scope of feedback. This is the basic difference between us and BJP, he said.
New Delhi :

A team of Delhi Polices special cell on Wednesday busted an international drugs syndicate and recovered party drugs worth over Rs 90 crore. The Police have arrested five members of the syndicate, including an NRI, on charges of alleged drug smuggling. The police said that they all were involved in smuggling of contraband drugs Alprazolam, Tramadol tablets, Tramadol powder, Ketamine etc, which are known as Party Drugs and Meow Meow.

Those arrested have been identified as 33-year-old Sunil Kumar, 25-year-old Lokesh Mehta, 45-year-old Satish Sahu, 43-year-old Neeraj Arora and 45-year-old Rajesh Dutta, a British citizen (45), the police added.

Drug tablets and contraband drugs were collected from Mumbai and Delhi by the members of this syndicate and exported to London, UK, Nepal and Malaysia, the police said in a press release.

Kingpins of the syndicate have been identified as Mazhar, a Pak national and Amarjeet Bains both based in London and Jaspreet Singh Dhillon, based in Nepal.

The police have received a tip-off that the international gang was active in the national capital Delhi, Mumbai and other parts of the country. Following the tip-off, the police had put the gang on surveillance and found out that a large consignment would be exported, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Sanjeev Kumar Yadav said.

"After we received input that a drug consignment would be handed over to one of the gang members on the intervening night of January 15 and 16 near Bharati College in Janakpuri, a trap was laid at the spot," he said.

He further said that the recovered consignment was supposed to be smuggled to Europe via Sri Lanka and other routes. During the interrogation, the police said, the accused revealed that Kumar and Mehta used to supply narcotics and psychotropic tablets and powder to one Mazhar, a Pakistan national based in UK, through cargo and courier, as per demand.

For all the Latest Crime News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Paris:

French carmaker Renault said Thursday that it had named Thierry Bollore as its new chief executive and Jean-Dominique Senard as board chairman, replacing former boss Carlos Ghosn following his arrest in Japan for alleged financial misconduct. Senard, currently the CEO of tyre giant Michelin, will represent Renault in its powerful alliance with Japanese carmakers Nissan and Mitsubishi, Renault added in a statement following a board meeting.

Bollore, the chief operating officer who had been Ghosn's heir apparent as CEO, has been running the company in the wake of Ghosn's sensational arrest in November. He will be tasked with coordinating Renault's side of "the alliance's activities in the operational field" under Senard's authority, the statement said.

"The board expresses its confidence in the new leadership and wishes it every success in its mission," the statement said.

Ghosn, who remains behind bars in Japan, resigned as Renault CEO and chairman late Wednesday. He had already been sacked as chairman of Nissan and Mitsubishi over accusations that he under-reported his income by millions of dollars over several years.

The Renault statement said merely that the board had "taken note" of Ghosn's resignation. But it added: "The board praised the alliance's track record, which has enabled it to become the world's leading automobile manufacturer."

Senard will be tasked with evaluating whether changes to Renault's governance will be necessary "in order to ensure the transition to the new structure" splitting the roles of chairman and chief executive, the statement said. He is to present his proposals to the Renault board before the next general shareholders' meeting.

Ghosn has already been stripped of his positions as chairman of Nissan and Mitsubishi in the wake of the allegations. The French government, Renault's biggest shareholder with a stake of more than 15 percent, is particularly keen to see the company appoint a new leader.

Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire had last week demanded a board meeting "in the coming days" to name Ghosn's successor. The Franco-Lebanese-Brazilian businessman, who was arrested on November 19, is set to remain behind bars for the forseeable future after a Tokyo court again denied him bail on Tuesday.

Prosecutors suspect he under-declared his income in official statements to Nissan shareholders between 2010 and 2015 to the tune of some five billion yen ($46 million), apparently in an attempt to avoid accusations that he was overpaid. A separate but similar charge is that he continued to do this between 2015 and 2018, under-reporting his income by a further four billion yen. He also faces a complex charge of seeking to shift personal investment losses onto Nissan's books and transferring company funds to a Saudi contact who allegedly stumped up collateral for him.
Shamokin, PA (17872)

Today

Partly cloudy this morning, then becoming cloudy during the afternoon. A stray severe thunderstorm is possible. High 84F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Thunderstorms early, then cloudy skies after midnight. Low 61F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%.
Australia's heatwave has moved to Melbourne, where the city braced for its hottest day since Black Saturday in 2009.

Temperatures in Melbourne reached 44degC on Friday, the hottest it's been in the city in a decade. And it was too much for the city's electricity grid, with 100,000 homes losing power.

The state hasn't seen a day this hot since Black Saturday in 2009, when 173 people were killed by fire.

A total fire ban has been put in place, and firefighters warned that any blaze on Friday would have proved impossible to control.

Fierce bushfires are already burning across Tasmania, with two homes lost. And 29 blazes are out of control on the worst day of the fire season.

Residents of the west coast town Zeehan have been ordered to leave. And 21 Kiwis are on the frontline in conditions much tougher than those at home.

"The fire behaviour is more extreme. It's not something we get naturally at home too often but all the emergency planning is right on key," said New Zealand Fire National Liaison Officer, Nigel Dravitzki.

The mass of hot air brewed in the outback hit South Australia on Thursday. The extreme temperatures made Adelaide the warmest city on Earth, and on Friday they hampered Kiwi firefighters called on by Tasmania for help.

A record 46.6degC was recorded in Adelaide and in Port Augusta it reached 49.5degC.

As the heat rose, beer prices tumbled. One pub even gave them away for free. But others suffered from heat exhaustion, with 39 callouts by 2pm.

The tough, long summer's far from over.

December was Australia's hottest on record and January soon could be the same.

Newshub.
But as more pictures of the event were uploaded, it soon became clear it was real.

"They all seem to see the same bright pixel," said Prof Mazrouei. "This confluence points strongly toward the flash of light actually being an impact."

The impact happened at about 5:41pm NZ time, when the moon - from our perspective - was still below the horizon.

A few asteroids strike the moon every a week, but they're hard to spot because the moon is so bright.

The flash was recorded by the Moon Impacts Detection and Analysis System at Spain's University of Huelva.

"This is the first time in the history of astronomy that a lunar impact flash [was] recorded during a lunar eclipse," Huelva astronomer Jose Madiedo told NBC.

His team had set up eight telescopes pointed right at the moon just in case something like this happened.

"I was very surprised when the software that scans the images to locate these events notified me that we had an impact," he told NBC, "but I was also really happy and excited to see that, at the end, the effort was rewarded."

Despite its size, the moon is hit by more asteroids than Earth because it doesn't have an atmosphere to burn them up.

Newshub.
A car allegedly belonging to the rowdy tourists has been vandalised after they ditched it following a crash in Mangere, Auckland.

A photo of what appears to be the group's car was sent to Newshub, showing two tags scrawled across the rear.

One tag is unreadable but above it reads the word "pikey", a slang term for travellers often considered to be a slur.
If Auckland's property prices follow that of our Australian counterparts in Sydney and Melbourne, where home values have plummeted, there's no doubt some homeowners will take a hit.

After holding steady for the past 18 months, house prices across Auckland fell in December with QV reporting average house prices down 0.4 percent year-on-year.

Barfoot and Thompson data also reflected a house price decline of 0.8 percent in December on 2017.



It is the first time the median price has dipped below the previous year since 2008 when the impact of the global financial crisis hit house prices.



Former ANZ chief economist Cameron Bagrie says this could be the beginning of a trend we'll see throughout 2019.



"What we have seen in the later quarter of 2018 was a turn from flat lining to the market now starting to weaken," Mr Bagrie told Newshub.



"Prices are now starting to go backwards. I don't think it will be a huge decline, but I think it's going to be a modest decline and the reasons for that; there are an awful lot of negatives out there."



Restrictions on foreign buyers, tightening bank credit and the flow on from what's going on across the Tasman will contribute to movement throughout the year.
A map from MetService has shown the terrifying heat on its way to New Zealand, with most of the country sweltering under 30degC temperatures by Thursday.

Hot weather is making its way across the Tasman after Australia suffered a record-breaking heatwave. Some temperatures across the ditch reached the mid-40s.

The map shows the country in shades of yellow and green for normal temperatures on Saturday, but dark red hues take over as the forecast temperature rises through the week.

Thursday will be the worst, with most of the country forecast for 30degC. The lowest temperature will be on Stewart Island, at 22degC. Southland is the next closest on 27degC.
Human remains could continue to wash up on a Maketu beach following an enormous landslide in early January that unearthed an urupa (burial site).

The landslide on the eastern side of Okurei Point caused bones to fall into the sea. A six-week rahui was placed on January 14, which ensures no one will collect kaimoana or other food from the beach and surrounding areas.

Ngati Whakaue ki Maketu elder Liam Tapsell told NZME large quantities of remains are still being found. He says three sacks of adult, children and infant bones have been collected from Newdicks Beach.

"We had local iwi and members of the public picking up bones for at least a week since the slip," he told NZME "that included two young Pakeha boys finding a jaw bone".

A child's forearm and two children's skulls were found among the bones.

Mr Tapsell says the bones have been handed in to Te Puke police, and anyone who discovers remains should place them in a plastic bag, or otherwise protect them and hand them in to police as soon as possible.

Police have confirmed that a "large number" of bones are being held.



The disturbance of the burial site has caused great disturbance within the community, and Mr Tapsell urges people to adhere to the rahui, and treat the human remains with respect.

Heritage New Zealand's Tauranga archaeologist told NZME the remains were understood to be pre-1900 in origin, but the exact date is unknown as the remains have not been examined by an osteoarchaeologist.

"We are in on-going contact with iwi and police regarding this matter and providing archaeological support as and when required."

Te Puke police say they are liaising with local Kaumatau and iwi to return the bones.

Ngati Whakaue ki Maketu has been contacted for comment.

Newshub.
"I logged in through what the instructions told me to and it wasn't my daughter's bedroom," she told the Aussie news network.

"It was somebody else's bedroom."

Day says she's now afraid the technology glitch means anybody else in the world could see into her baby daughters' bedroom - either through a similar accident, or a more sinister hack.

"I don't know if anyone around the world can log in... that's my daughter's bedroom, I feel sick."

Day says the state of the art device cost AU$250 (NZ$262), but she'll be going back to a more basic device following the incident.

Australian technology news expert Ben Aylett told 9News the glitch could have very serious consequences if it was abused.

"This is horrifying. It's very scary when this sort of thing happens," he said.

"This is just simply through misconfiguration, [or] the code might have some sort of error in it.

"This does happen from time to time."

Newshub.
Tyga has also posted a couple of updates from his own 'T-Raww' Instagram account since arriving in New Zealand, one from the plane and several videos of the powhiri he was honoured with.

The 29-year-old hip-hop star is known for hits like 'Taste', 'Ayo' and 'Nasty', as well as his long-term relationship with Kylie Jenner, which ended in March 2017.

Tyga's Auckland concert is set to take place on Friday, January 25.

Newshub.
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Computer scientists, philosophers, economists, legal scholars examine impact of AI

New York, NY, January 24, 2019 - ACM, the Association for Computing Machinery; AAAI, the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence; and SIGAI, the ACM Special Interest Group on Artificial Intelligence, today announced the second annual ACM/AAAI Conference on Artificial Intelligence, Ethics and Society (AIES). The AIES conference provides a platform for research and discussions from the perspectives of several disciplines to address the challenges of AI ethics within a societal context, featuring participation from experts in computing, ethics, philosophy, economics, psychology, law and politics. The conference is planned for January 27-28, 2019 in Honolulu, Hawaii.

"AI is evolving rapidly, and as a society we're still trying to understand its impact - both in terms of its benefits and its unintended consequences," said conference co-chair Vincent Conitzer, of Duke University. "The AIES conference was designed to include participation from different disciplines and corners of society, in order to offer a unique and informative look at where we stand with the development and the use of artificial intelligence."

The AIES conference was chaired by a multi-disciplinary program committee to ensure a diversity of topics. Conference sessions will address algorithmic fairness, measurement and justice, autonomy and lethality, human-machine interaction and AI for social good, among other focuses. AIES presenters and attendees include representatives from major technology and non-technology companies, academic researchers, ethicists, philosophers, think tanks, and members of the legal profession. More than 300 individuals are expected to attend. The conference is sponsored by the Berkeley Existential Risk Initiative, DeepMind Ethics and Society, Google, National Science Foundation, IBM Research, Facebook, Amazon, PWC, Future of Life Institute, and the Partnership on AI.

AIES HIGHLIGHTS

Invited Talks

"Guiding and Implementing AI"

Susan Athey, Stanford University

Athey will address theoretical perspectives on how organizations should guide and implement AI in a way that is fair and that achieves the organization's objectives. The role of insights from statistics and causal inference for this problem is examined first, followed by the framework to incorporate considerations about designing rewards for AI and human decision-makers, and designing tasks and authority to optimally combine AI and humans to achieve the most effective incentives.

"How We Talk About AI (and Why It Matters)"

Ryan Calo, University of Washington

Calo will explore how AI should be discussed, what's at stake with our rhetorical choices and the interplay between claims about AI and law's capacity to channel AI in the public interest. Not only do our rhetorical choices influence public expectations of AI, they implicitly make the case for or against specific government interventions.

"The Value of Trustworthy AI"

David Danks, Carnegie Mellon University

In this talk, Danks will unpack the notion of 'trustworthy' from both philosophical and psychological perspectives, as it might apply to an AI system. He will argue that there are different kinds of (relevant, appropriate) trustworthiness, depending on one's goals and modes of interaction with the AI. There is not just one kind of trustworthy AI, even though trustworthiness (of the appropriate type) is arguably the primary feature that we should want in an AI system.

"Specifying AI Objectives as a Human-AI Collaboration Problem"

Anca Dragan, University of California, Berkeley

Estimation, planning, control, and learning are giving us robots that can generate good behavior given a specified objective and set of constraints. In this talk, Dragan will explore how humans enter this behavior generation picture, and discuss two complementary challenges: 1) how to optimize behavior when the robot is not acting in isolation, but needs to coordinate or collaborate with people; and 2) what to optimize in order to get the behavior we want.

Best Paper Award (sponsored by the Partnership on AI)

"Learning Existing Social Conventions via Observationally Augmented Self-Play"

Alexander Peysakhovich and Adam Lerer, Facebook

In this paper, the authors discuss how a simple procedure that combines small amounts of imitation learning with self-play can lead to agents that can learn social conventions.

Select Papers:

"(When) Can AI Bots Lie?"

Tathagata Chakraborti, IBM Research AI, and Subbarao Kambhampati, Arizona State University

This paper investigates how fabrication, falsification and obfuscation of information can be used by an AI agent to encourage behavior in the hopes of achieving some greater good. Results of a thought experiment indicate that public perception is positive toward lying for the greater good, but poses several unresolved ethical and moral questions with regards to the design of autonomy.

"Active Fairness in Algorithmic Decision Making"

Michiel Bakker, Alejandro Noriega-Campero, Bernardo Garcia-Bulle and Alex Pentland, MIT

The authors propose an alternative active framework for fair classification in order to achieve fairness measures, and suggest two such methods, where information collection is adapted to group and individual needs respectively. Their results suggest that by leveraging their additional degree of freedom, active approaches can substantially outperform currently used randomization-based classifiers.

"Shared Moral Foundations of Embodied Artificial Intelligence"

Joe Cruz, Williams College

The author suggests in his paper that apprehensions regarding AI systems' inability to align with the moral values of human beings are overstated. Embodied Cognition research programs will be implemented to achieve intelligence in its full generality and adaptiveness in AI systems.

"Killer Robots and Human Dignity"

Daniel Lim, Duke Kunshan University

This paper focuses on arguments against the use of Lethal Autonomous Weapon Systems (LAWS) based on human dignity, and suggests that a non-contingent ban on LAWS based on human dignity fails.

"The Right to Confront Your Accuser: Opening the Black Box of Forensic DNA Software"

Jeanna Matthews, Marzieh Babaeianjelodar, Stephen Lorenz, Abigail Matthews, Clarkson University; Mariama Njie, Iona College; Nathan Adams, Forensic Bioinformatic Services; Dan Krane, Wright State University; Jessica Goldthwaite and Clinton Hughes, Legal Aid Society

This paper examines the Forensic Statistical Tool (FST), a forensic DNA system developed in 2010 by New York City's Office of Chief Medical Examiner (OCME), used in more than 1,300 criminal cases, and the first analysis of the impact of an undisclosed function capable of dropping evidence that could be beneficial to the defense.

"Framing Artificial Intelligence in American Newspapers"

Ching-Hua Chuan, Wan-Hsiu Tsai and Su Yeon Cho, University of Miami

This paper examines how artificial intelligence (AI) was covered in five U.S. newspapers over the course of nine years using a content analysis based on framing theory. Results indicate that business and technology were the primary topics in news coverage of AI, and that benefits were discussed more frequently than its risks, but risks of AI were generally discussed with greater specificity.

"Guiding Prosecutorial Decisions with an Interpretable Statistical Model"

Zhiyuan Lin, Alex Chohlas-Wood and Sharad Goel, Stanford University

In one of the first large-scale empirical analyses of pre-arraignment detention, the authors examine police reports and charging decisions for approximately 30,000 felony arrests, finding that 45% of arrested individuals are never charged for any crime but still typically spend one or more nights in jail before being released. A statistical model is proposed to help prosecutors identify cases soon after arrest that are likely to be ultimately dismissed in an effort to reduce such incarceration.

###

For a complete list of research papers and posters which will be presented at the AIES Conference, visit http://www. aies-conference. com/ accepted-papers/ . The proceedings of the conference will be published in the AAAI and ACM Digital Libraries.

About ACM

ACM, the Association for Computing Machinery) is the world's largest educational and scientific computing society, uniting computing educators, researchers and professionals to inspire dialogue, share resources and address the field's challenges. ACM strengthens the computing profession's collective voice through strong leadership, promotion of the highest standards, and recognition of technical excellence. ACM supports the professional growth of its members by providing opportunities for life-long learning, career development, and professional networking.

This email was sent to ormond@hq.acm.org

Association for Computing Machinery, 2 Penn Plaza, 7th Floor, New York, New York 10021, United States

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This story has been published on: 2019-01-25. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Jeffersonville, IN (47130)

Today

Thunderstorms during the morning will give way to mostly cloudy skies this afternoon. A few storms may be severe. High 91F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

A few clouds. Low 71F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph.
Gullible Trump haters, deluded by the mainstream media (those sources labeled by President Trump as Fake News), believe that the purported catastrophe caused by the flood of illegal immigrants crossing our southern border is only a manufactured crisis driven by racism and xenophobia. Consequently, in obeisance to the self-serving lies of Democratic leaders such as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, they repeat the mantra that the wall promised by Trump is an entirely unnecessary fantasy of a deluded megalomaniac. Although I am probably incapable of changing the minds of these deceived individuals, I can at least point out to them that there are millions of us who see through the lies of these Democratic charlatans and are well aware of their true motives.

We know that, in reality, the main reason for the Democrats objection to the wall is that they want our southern border to be as porous as possible. Not only do they want an endless stream of people to pour across our border, but they want the path to full citizenship for these people to be as simple as possible, because they believe that the vast majority of such people would end up voting for Democrats. Their ultimate goal, in other words, is retention of political power. All of the objections raised about the presidents desire for the wall, including the crocodile tears over the missing paychecks of some government employees and the feigned sympathy for the poor refugees who are desperately trying to escape the poverty and terrorists in their homelands, are only a facade intended to cover up this ultimate goal. To those of us without blinders, its as clear as day.
Interstate 81 is one of Virginias major transportation and economic arteries. The 855-mile-long highway begins at the Canadian border near the town of Wellesley Island, N.Y., and continues to its southern terminus at Dandridge, Tenn. Virginia has the longest stretch of I-81, with 325 miles between Winchester to the north and Bristol to the south.

Work began on the first segments of the highway in the mid-1950s in New York, with an expected completion in 1968. That simply wasnt to be: Tennessee didnt finish its portion until 1975, and work in Virginia didnt end until 1987. Early on, the highway became popular with truckers as an alternative to the far busier, automobile-dominated I-95 further east.

What we have today is a highway, designed mostly to late 1950s/early 1960s standards that is outdated from an engineering perspective and is demonstrably unsafe to anyone driving it, especially the portion in Virginia. For the last 10 years or more, local governments and state legislators from the I-81 corridor have implored the state and federal governments to take up major improvements to the highway, but their pleas, for the most part, have fallen on deaf ears in Richmond.

Until Gov. Ralph Northam came onto the scene.
Beatty, who says he is living off his retirement check, said he became sick after not properly treating his diabetes. He developed sepsis and diabetic ketoacidosis, serious complications from his diabetes that nearly killed him in December. Beatty fell into an eight-day coma during his extended hospital stay and is now recovering, he said - but needed help paying various medical bills that were starting to trickle in.

Enter Patton Oswalt, whose generosity helped transform Beatty's acidic remarks into compassionate prose.

Beatty tweeted at Oswalt: Patton. You have humbled me to the point where I can barely compose my words. You have caused me to take pause and reflect on how harmful words from my mouth could result in such an outpouring. Thank you for this and I will pass this on to my cousin who needs help. A cascade.

The two continued their banter, with Oswalt joking that he'd take away his donation because Beatty showed emotion. The man said he hoped to attend one of Oswalt's shows if the comedian ever performed in his area.

Beatty said the positive replies he's received from people of various creeds and political affiliations have meant just as much as the donations. He's tried to reply to everyone he can, he said, and the once-staunch Trump supporter said experience has shifted his perspective.
Tax season officially begins on Monday. Within the first 10 days, Virginia expects as many as 650,000 returns to be filed. They can't be processed until lawmakers vote to conform state tax policy to federal policy.

This year, that routine vote is mired in politics.

The seemingly arcane dispute is at the heart of a sweeping debate in the General Assembly about how to set tax policy and what to do with more than a billion dollars in potential revenue.

"If we fail to timely reconfigure the tax code, I believe we will have failed at a fundamental task that we have before us," Del. Lee Ware, R-Powhatan, who chairs the House tax policy committee, warned his colleagues in a floor speech this week.

The basic problem is simple: Virginia law requires residents who itemize on their federal returns to also itemize on their state returns. But the congressional tax cuts that went into effect last year made complex changes that left state policy out of alignment.

Most notably, Congress doubled the standard deduction, making it likely that many people who usually itemize their taxes would instead choose the standard deduction.

Many Virginia residents who make that switch will likely wind up with a heftier state tax bill, because the state's standard deduction is puny - it hasn't been raised since the 1980s. That could result in $1.2 billion in extra revenue to Virginia over the next two years, according to Gov. Ralph Northam (D).

The legislature is wrestling over what to do with that extra money. In the meantime, state taxpayers - and tax preparers - need to know how to file their Virginia returns.

"Continued delays in advancing Virginia's date of conformity will present significant challenges to taxpayers and the Commonwealth," state Finance Secretary Aubrey Layne Jr. wrote to lawmakers this week.

It gets far worse if lawmakers fail to agree on a policy by May 1, the deadline for Virginians to file their taxes. That would leave many taxpayers having to file amended returns after the deadline.

"We would really not like that to happen," said former state Sen. Walter Stosch, who is lobbying on behalf of the state's certified public accountants. "That's an inefficient way to deal with tax compliance."

It's not just the itemize-or-not dilemma that accountants are watching; the federal tax cuts cascaded changes through the code, and not reconciling state law would create dozens of corrections Virginia filers would have to make to their returns, Stosch said.

But on a broad, policy level, there are three basic approaches to the issue.

Northam and most Democrats want to conform to the federal code and keep state policy about deductions unchanged. They would take some of the expected additional revenue and give it to lower-income Virginians, arguing that they didn't benefit as much from the federal tax cuts as their more affluent neighbors.

The rest of the windfall would go to a smorgasbord of priorities from teacher salaries to local economic development.

Republicans who narrowly control both the House and Senate say that's not going to happen.

In the House, Republicans have advanced a plan to "de-couple" state policy from federal policy. They would let state taxpayers itemize on their Virginia returns even if they choose the federal standard deduction. That route is aimed at benefitting "middle class" residents, who Republican leaders have defined as married couples earning between $120,000 and $150,000 a year. The state's median household income is $54,000.

Recognizing that it would be hard to process such a change this year, House Republicans would leave current tax policy unchanged, collect the extra revenue, then rebate the money to taxpayers next year.

Senate Republicans seemed to be coalescing on Thursday around a plan to keep state policy tethered to federal policy but to increase the state's standard deduction. That, too, is aimed at middle income residents.

Complicating the debate in Richmond is the fact that lawmakers are posturing for reelection, with all 140 seats in the legislature on the ballot this fall.

One Republican senator - Glen Sturtevant of Richmond city - proposed quadrupling the state's standard deduction, which is $3,000 for individuals and $6,000 for married couples filing jointly. Such an increase would cost an estimated $3.7 billion over the next two years.

"We have not increased the state standard deduction in any real way in a generation," Sturtevant told a Senate working group on Wednesday night.

"What you're proposing," Emmett Hanger, R-Augusta, the co-chair of Senate Finance, responded politely, "would be something where we can't go to right this moment."

Ware, the House Finance chairman, noted that the legislature faced a similar dilemma in the 1980s with tax cuts championed by President Reagan. At that time, Democrats controlled both houses of the legislature as well as the Executive Mansion. Their solution, he said, was to change several tax brackets and return extra revenue to taxpayers.

"That would be the best possible outcome," he said.

But Ware said if lawmakers want to keep debating, he would be happy to carry a bill calling for straight conformity with federal code - as he usually does, every year. Then, he suggested, the legislature might consider a special session to decide what to do with the extra revenue and how to handle next year's taxes.

Northam has offered to work with legislators on a compromise, he pointed out. "It is my conviction that we can act," Ware said. "But we must act promptly."
However, Francis said thanks to the work of homeless street outreach coordinator Michelle Bauman, who started in July with Miriams House and the Community Access Network, the count could increase because Bauman knows specific locations for some of those living outside.

This year  we were able to have a more robust idea of where the street homeless are located as opposed to previous years where we were just shooting in the dark, Teer said. I think thats really helping in terms of zeroing in on specific areas or specific individuals that we can capture this year.

From 5 to 7 a.m., Francis, Demmin and Morgan searched around Kemper Street and Memorial Avenue for unsheltered individuals to survey with required questions from HUD about their circumstances. Teer said the survey includes one community-specific question about barriers to shelter.

So, have you tried seeking shelter in the past and werent able to obtain it because of no ID, substance use, or because shelters were full? This will help us get a better idea of some of the barriers to shelter in the community, Teer said.

During her search, Bauman visited several locations around Midtown. She found three unsheltered individuals and said she didnt expect to find any more.
Plans for Walton-themed lodging in Schuyler are now set to go to the Nelson County Board of Supervisors after the county planning commission recommended approval of rezoning and special use permit requests for the construction of a bed-and-breakfast.

The planning commission voted unanimously Wednesday to recommend approval to the board of supervisors for a rezoning request from business to residential and a special use permit request from Carole Johnson, owner of the Walton Hamner House and the Waltons Mountain Museum.

Johnson hopes to construct a replica of the Waltons home from the Hollywood set of the TV series The Waltons to run as a bed-and-breakfast for people coming to Schuyler for Walton events.

The request is generally consistent with the comprehensive plan and could be considered an expansion of the existing use of the Walton Mountain Museum, Sandy Shackelford, director of planning and zoning, told the planning commission.

Johnson said the bed-and-breakfast, set to be constructed at 6483 Rockfish River Road across from the museum, would consist of five bedrooms and five bathrooms. Johnson said two people will live in the bed-and-breakfast full time.
During development in the womb, immune cells called macrophages go to the kidneys, and they remain there for life. Understanding the possible healing role for these macrophages after kidney damage may be crucial to helping treat patients who suffer acute kidney injury.

Acute kidney injury, or AKI, is a devastating condition that develops in two-thirds of critically ill patients, and patients with AKI have a 60 percent risk of dying. In AKI, kidneys can become scarred and can show progressive decline in function, becoming unable to heal their tissue.

In a JCI Insight study published today, University of Alabama at Birmingham researchers have found that, during AKI in a mouse model, the kidney-resident macrophages are reprogrammed to a developmental state, resembling these same cells when they are found in newborn mice. Newborn mouse kidneys are still developing. This reprogramming during AKI may be important to promote healing and tissue regeneration. If a similar developmental shift is seen for human kidney-resident macrophages during AKI, that could aid new therapeutic approaches for patients.

The experimental challenge in this study was distinguishing the kidney-resident macrophages from the many cells that invade the kidney from blood circulation in response to kidney damage. Some of these invading cell types can differentiate into macrophages and dendritic cells in the kidney, and it was unknown whether some of the invaders become kidney-resident macrophages.

The UAB researchers used parabiosis -- the linking of the blood circulatory systems between two mice -- to reveal whether the kidney-resident macrophages after AKI were from invading precursors or from renewal by existing kidney-resident macrophages in the kidney.

In the parabiosis experiments, two mice shared blood circulation for four weeks, and then one underwent ischemia/reperfusion-induced AKI. Because the immune cells of the two mice have different surface markers that identify which mouse they come from, researchers could follow the invasion of the AKI kidneys by circulating immune cells from the healthy mouse. They found that the infiltrating cells contributed only minimally to the kidney-resident macrophage cell pool in the damaged kidneys.

Thus, after kidney injury, the kidney-resident macrophages are a distinct cellular subpopulation that does not differentiate from nonresident, infiltrating, precursor immune cells.

Researchers, led by co-senior authors Anupam Agarwal, M.D., director of the Division of Nephrology in the UAB Department of Medicine, and James George, Ph.D., professor in the UAB Department of Surgery, detailed how the kidney-resident macrophages are reprogrammed to a developmental state after injury. In response to the disease model, the kidney-resident macrophages turned off their expression of major histocompatibility complex type II, or MHCII. This lack of expression is similar to kidney-resident macrophages in newborn mice -- those mice, the researchers showed, lack expression of this protein up to postnatal day seven, and then begin to express it over the next two weeks. Notably, MHCII protein and macrophages have important roles in autoimmunity and transplant rejection.

In addition, kidney-resident macrophages after AKI underwent transcriptional reprogramming to express a gene profile closely resembling that of the kidney-resident macrophages in newborn mice at postnatal day seven. Further supporting their role in development and healing, the reprogrammed kidney-resident macrophages were enriched in Wnt signaling, an active pathway that is vital for mouse and human kidney development.

Co-first authors of the JCI Insight study, "Resident macrophages reprogram toward a developmental state after acute kidney injury," are Jeremie M. Lever and Travis D. Hull, M.D., Ph.D., who are trainees from the NIH-funded UAB Medical Scientist Training Program, an M.D., Ph.D. program.

"Macrophage biology has reached a pivotal point," said Lever, a UAB graduate student and NIH F31 individual fellow. Many basic science research studies have suggested the importance for tissue-resident macrophages in healing after injury, but development of therapies promoting them is still in early stages, Lever says. "In order to successfully utilize these cells for contemporary translational interventions, I believe we will need to be specific about the origin -- tissue-resident versus infiltrative -- of the cells we plan to target."

Hull, now a surgery resident at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, said, "This work demonstrates that tissue resident macrophages possess the same plasticity that has been demonstrated in other immunological cell types. Moreover, this ability to reprogram to an early ontological phenotype is a potential avenue for therapeutic intervention, if the cellular signals and mechanisms of this reprogramming can be fully elucidated.

"This is an exciting development in the field of acute kidney injury," Hull said, "but also may represent a therapeutic target in fields such as transplantation, where the importance of macrophage biology is less well understood."
According to a new report, the Public Health England (PHE) campaign to vaccinate all girls between the ages of 12 and 18 years against HPV was only achieved in two-thirds of the population in some areas between 2017-2018.

ADfoto | Shutterstock

HPV, or human papillomavirus, is linked to cancer of the uterine cervix. There are around 100 strains of HPV, but HPV-16 and HPV-18 have been linked to most cases (70%) of cervical cancer.

Almost every case (99.7%) of cervical cancer is linked to infection with one or more high-risk HPV. Some other HPV types, denoted low-risk, may cause genital warts.

The HPV vaccine prevents infection with four types of HPV that cause about 80% of cervical cancer and almost every case of genital warts.

Full immunity requires that two doses of the HPV vaccine be taken. According to the NHS, this effectively prevents high-risk HPV infection. A single dose is considered to give inadequate protection.

New data shows that around 57,000 girls did not receive one or both of the injections required for complete immunization. Despite these statistics, PHE claims it has a stable and consistent vaccine program.

The aim is to vaccinate at least 80% of girls, in an attempt to achieve herd immunity, which protects women who have not been vaccinated by reducing the prevalence of HPV in the population.

A total of 354,658 girls were eligible for the HPV vaccine this year. Normally, the first dose is offered between 12-13 years, and the second dose comes 6-12 months later.

PHE statistics reveal that only 83.3% of eligible girls (between 12-13 years of age) were fully immunized. In other words, one in six missed the second dose, while a little more than 10% missed both.

Despite the country-wide HPV immunization rate of 80% for this group of girls, there are significant variations from area to area, ranging from 86.6% in Scotland and 80.3% in Wales to 84.7% in Northern Ireland.

According to PHE reports, only 65% of girls in some regions of London, like Hammersmith and Fulham were vaccinated. This is in contrast to other areas like North Yorkshire, Portsmouth, and Tameside, where over 90% of girls were fully immunized.

In view of the wide disparity between some regions, the overall rate should not lead to official complacency, according to Robert Music, chief executive of Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust.

A cervical cancer survivor and school administrator, Emmeline Collin, tells her 13-year-old daughter Lucy the HPV vaccine can be lifesaving. This 47-year-old lady had asymptomatic cervical cancer in 2009.

She calls herself lucky to have had her cancer treated early because it was detected on a routine cervical smear. 10 years later, she is encouraging Lucy to be immunized against HPV.

Mrs. Collin knows that many parents find it difficult to explain the use of the vaccine to girls because of their fear that it will encourage sexual activity and promiscuity.

She doesnt agree with this, however, calling it a naive view; she feels parents should tell their girls the value of the vaccine without fear or hesitation.

The answer, according to the charity Jos Cervical Cancer Trust, is educating girls and their parents about the virus.

Many religio-cultural beliefs and language barriers prevent uniform vaccine uptake rates across England, according to NHS teams.

Apart from the fear of some parents in certain non-white communities that administering the vaccine amounts to giving girls the freedom to become sexually active, another concern among parents is vaccine safety.

If children are not given the second vaccine within the timescale due to absenteeism or sickness we still offer it to them in a later school year but they will not be captured in the figures. Central and North West NHS Foundation Trust

It also pointed out that some children moved to schools in other areas after parents refused permission for second vaccine doses.
Executive Summary:

Founded in 2008, the Biodonostia Health Research Institute was the first institute for medical research in the Basque region of Spain. Facing difficult surgical challenges every day, it recently partnered with Tknika, a Research and Applied Innovation Centre for Vocational Education and Training in the Basque region, and Tecnun, a specialist division of Universidad de Navarra, to enable surgeons to harness the latest 3D printing technology as a tool to aid surgical preparedness. Now, using Stratasys advanced FDM 3D printing technology, the hospital can create advanced, patient-specific 3D printed models to plan for complex cases such as complicated thoracic wall tumors. The partnership allows them to convert the CT scan of the patient into a 3D printed model and deliver it to the surgical team within 24 hours. Due to these models, the team are now enjoying a reduction in surgical time, avoidance of lengthy, invasive surgical procedures and improved patient care.

Patient-specific 3D-printed model of a tumor on the thoracic wall. 3D printed using the Stratasys Fortus 450 mc.

Benefits/Value:

Using precision 3D printing, surgeons at Biodonostia are able to create highly-accurate patient-specific 3D models to plan for thoracic wall tumor surgeries.

Surgical time for the removal of a complicated thoracic wall tumor in a 64-year-old patient reduced by 2 hours due to the ability to plan the surgery in advance with a patient-specific 3D printed model.

Surgeons are now able to reduce often lengthy and invasive steps by measuring the necessary screws and pre-bending the titanium plates accurately before the surgery using the patient-specific, accurate 3D printed model.

Biodonostia is now working with 23 hospitals across Spain, providing them with access to advanced Stratasys 3D printing technology to enhance pre-surgical planning and improve patient care.

Biodonostia Health Research Institute, founded in 2008, is the first institute for medical research in the Basque region of Spain. Today it undertakes research in seven subject areas that bring together over 350 researchers across 26 groups. Daily, the institute, and the co-located Donostia University Hospital where all treatment takes place, face challenging surgical cases. These all require precise, complex and often difficult surgeries during which surgeons need to make the most of every tool in their arsenal to ensure a safe clinical outcome.

A new, and vital tool is 3D printing. The hospital recently entered into a partnership with Tknika, a Research and Applied Innovation Centre for Vocation Education and Training in the Basque region, and Tecnun, a specialist division of Universidad de Navarra, providing the surgical team with access to more advanced 3D printing technology.

3D printing is an essential surgical tool for us. Previously, no 3D printed model we created in-house could meet the level of detail and accuracy we needed. However, thanks to our partnership with these local institutions, we now have access to advanced 3D printing technology from Stratasys that enables us to meet the demands required to create highly-accurate, patient-specific 3D models. Dr Jon Zabaleta, Thoracic Surgeon at Biodonostia

Stratasys FDM 3D printing has proved particularly important when treating complex, and often life-threatening thoracic wall tumors. Located on the chest wall, thoracic tumors can cause excessive and painful swelling, or lead to breathing trouble for the patient.

Surgical Time Reduced by Two Hours

In a recent case, a 64-year-old man came to Dr Zabaleta and his team with an extremely complicated tumor on his thoracic wall. Over the course of two years, the tumor had slowly grown up his chest cavity and spread across multiple ribs. The man was in intense pain, with surgeons concerned about his respiratory function.

Ordinarily, in a case like this, we would remove the affected ribs and correct the defect by covering the area with a titanium plate. These plates are a standard size, designed for men of 100 KG or women of 50 KG, and need to be altered and rotated during surgery to suit each patient specification. In a complicated surgery, this can add hours to the operating time. Dr Jon Zabaleta, Thoracic Surgeon at Biodonostia

As Dr Zabaleta explains, this case presented a complex challenge for the surgical team, as removing the tumor would require removal of more than one rib, an unusual method of treatment that increased the risks associated with the surgery. As a result, the surgeons needed to find the best way to correct the defect with the strength to protect the lungs, while maintaining flexibility and movement in the chest.

In order to explore and plan the surgery, the surgeons turned to their partnership with Tknika and Tecnun to produce an advanced, patient-specific 3D model of the patients thoracic wall on the Stratasys Fortus 450 mc 3D Printer. Together, the hospitals partners converted a conventional CT scan of the patient into a 3D printed model and return edit to the surgical team within 24 hours.

By creating a precise, anatomically-accurate 3D printed model of the thoracic wall, we were able to plan and perform the resection on the 3D model ahead of the surgery. This allowed us to measure the screws and pre-bend the titanium plates in advance and helped reduce the overall operating time by 2 hours. For the patient, this meant a significant reduction in time under anesthesia, and for our hospital, freeing up time in operating rooms saves costs. Dr Jon Zabaleta, Thoracic Surgeon, Biodonostia Health Research Institute

For this thoracic wall tumor, the surgeons required a model strong enough to replicate human bone, so the teams at Tknika and Tecnun selected Stratasys FDM technology thanks to the ability to print in engineering-grade thermoplastics.

Our partnership afforded us access to the necessary technology to produce a large and complex model that was incredibly strong, close to the real bones we would face during surgery. Without the strength of this model, we could not have prepared for the surgery in the same way, explains Dr Zabaleta.

In addition, Dr Zabaleta credits an improvement in patient-doctor communication to the 3D models. For the man in the aforementioned case, the ability to use 3D printed models to explain how they intended to protect his lungs helped to alleviate his anxiety ahead of a complicated operation and enables informed consent to be achieved quicker and more easily. Additionally, the surgical consult is faster and more efficient, offering the surgeon time to see more patients

Extending the use of 3D printing to other disciplines

Dr. Zabaleta believes that the next natural step will be for all surgical disciplines at Biodonostia to use Stratasys 3D printing to prepare and plan for surgeries, as it offers the hospital the opportunity to innovate their treatment procedures and improve patient care.

The use of the 3D printed model was so essential to this case, and we are working to apply this to many other surgical disciplines across the hospital, from pancreatic tumors to airway stenosis,and these 3D printed models are already being used to help train our future surgeons,explains Dr.Zabaleta.

Ultimately, the goal of the partnership with Tknika and Tecnun is to create a multi-disciplinary team that collaborates to create the best possible 3D printed surgical models for the hospital on-demand, with Tecnuns involvement centering around the segmentation and reconstruction of the models, and Tknika producing the final 3D printed versions. But this collaboration is not just limited to Biodonostia, as the hospital is currently working to provide 3D printed models to 23 other hospitals across Spain.

Were thankful to have such knowledgeable partners in Tknika and Tecnun. Coupled with the dedicated local support of Stratasys distributor, Pixel Sistemas, were confident that the hospital can continue to help patients with access to the most advanced 3D printing solutions, concludes Dr Zabaleta.
Quitting smoking can significantly improve the effectiveness of cancer treatment, according to the U.S. Surgeon General, yet almost half of cancer patients continue to smoke after they've been diagnosed.

A new study from Northwestern Medicine and the Abramson Cancer Center at the University of Pennsylvania found cancer patients have better success quitting and are not as prone to relapsing one year later if they undergo counseling sessions for 24 weeks and take the smoking cessation medication varenicline (e.g. Chantix) for 24 weeks, compared to the routine 12 weeks.

"With the stress cancer patients are under, they tend to be at higher risk of relapsing for a longer period of time," said senior author Brian Hitsman, associate professor of preventive medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. "So we thought providing treatment for longer would be more effective."

The findings will be published Jan. 25 in the journal Psycho-Oncology. Patients in the study had a variety of cancers, ranging from breast to skin to lung cancer. Forty percent of patients actively had cancer while others had had cancer in the past five years.

For Billie Green, 70, smoking while undergoing cancer treatments was the result of a combination of her 50-year smoking history and the stress of her life-altering lung cancer diagnosis that made it difficult to quit.

"When someone tells you that you have cancer, you get scared," said Green, who lives in Chicago. "Smoking used to be my best friend when I was upset, after I ate. But I knew it didn't make any sense to keep smoking, if I'm going in for treatment all the time."

Green's daughter learned about the Northwestern Medicine smoking cessation study specifically aimed at cancer patients - one of the largest smoking cessation trials ever conducted with cancer patients - and asked her to enroll. Green did so a month later.

Today, Green is in remission from her cancer. She still smokes but has dramatically cut back from one pack a day to one cigarette every other day. Green said the treatment - a combination of medication and behavioral counseling sessions - made her aware of what she was doing to her body.

The higher success of quitting, though was true only for the 43 percent of patients who took varenicline as directed for the full 24 weeks. For the other 57 percent of participants who did not take the medication as prescribed, there was no significant difference in quit rates or susceptibility of relapsing compared to the control group, who only received varenicline for the first 12 weeks.

Both groups received the same behavioral therapy - counseling sessions to set quit dates, learn coping skills and manage withdrawal symptoms - over the course of 24 weeks. Many of the study participants in the control group and experimental group continued with the full counseling regimen, despite not always adhering to the medication regimen.

"While the behavioral therapy wasn't the focus of this study, we will need to study this part more closely because it can be a very powerful tool for cancer patients to quit smoking," Hitsman said. "You can imagine how someone going through a severe or significant disease and treatment process could benefit from the support we provided in this study."

This was only the second study to examine the use of varenicline for cancer patients. It was the first smoking cessation study -- for any population of smokers, not just cancer patients -- to double the length of the standard course of 12 weeks of varenicline and include behavioral therapy in the treatment.

Because varenicline treatment had never been given to a cancer population for longer than 12 weeks, the scientists wanted to assess its safety. The study found taking an additional 12 weeks of the medication did not increase the side effects for patients.

"We hear from cancer patients and oncologists that varenicline may cause serious side effects or that managing the stress of the disease makes addressing tobacco use among patients inappropriate," said first author Dr. Robert Schnoll, associate professor in the department of psychiatry and associate director for population science at the Abramson Cancer Center.

"But the results from this study show that this leading FDA-approved medication is effective for cancer patients, doesn't increase patient risk and yields increased benefits for those who take the medication as prescribed."

"We need now to focus on how we can get more patients who smoke to use the medication and use it sufficiently if we are to see broader population-level gains," Schnoll said.
There is only scant scientific evidence available on whether the genetic risk for developing specific psychiatric disorders or cognitive traits is manifest in brain structure from childhood and, to date, studies have focused primarily on adult populations. The question remains unanswered. New evidence has now been provided by a study led by a researcher from the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), a centre supported by "la Caixa", which analysed data from a large paediatric sample.

The study, which has been published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, analysed data from a sample of 1,139 boys and girls aged 10 years drawn from the Dutch Generation R Study cohort. Using polygenic risk scores based on genetic data, the authors calculated each participants' genetic susceptibility to five psychiatric disorders and two cognitive traits. The polygenic scores were calculated on the basis of the most recent findings of genome-wide association studies obtained from samples including thousands of participants. Regression analysis was used to test for associations between the polygenic risk scores and the results of magnetic resonance brain imaging. The results showed that total brain volume tended to be larger in the children with higher polygenic scores related to intelligence or educational attainment.

By contrast, in participants with higher polygenic risk for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the volume of the caudate nucleus, one of the structures that make up the brain, was smaller. ISGlobal researcher Silvia Alemany, lead author of the study, comments: "This finding is significant because, while the association between ADHD and a smaller caudate nucleus is now considered to be a consistent finding, the mechanism involved is still poorly understood. Our findings in this study indicate that the association could be explained by genetic variants related to ADHD".

The analysis showed that morphological differences in the caudate nucleus could, in part, explain the association between genetic risk for ADHD and attention problems in boys; however, this association was not observed in girls. "ADHD is more prevalent among boys than girls and the reasons for this difference are still being investigated", explains Silvia Alemany. "And our findings suggest that the genetic variants associated with ADHD may act differently in the brains of boys and girls."

Polygenic risk was calculated for five psychiatric disorders: ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression. ADHD was the only condition found to be significantly associated with the volume of any part of the brain.

"This study was based on data collected at one specific point in the lives of the participants" explains the lead author. "More research is needed involving measurement of the brain over time to determine whether the polygenic risk for psychiatric disorders or cognitive traits is related to changes in developmental trajectories."
Female smokers experienced more stress and craving than male smokers after viewing cellphone-delivered stress-inducing images, report addiction researchers at the Medical University of South Carolina in Nicotine & Tobacco Research

Gender matters when it comes to smoking cessation.

Women are 31 percent less likely to quit smoking successfully, according to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, in part because nicotine replacement therapy is thought to be more effective in male smokers. In contrast, laboratory-based studies suggest that women crave cigarettes more when they experience stress. However, that finding has not been clearly replicated in a real-world setting.

In an article published online by Nicotine & Tobacco Research, researchers at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) report the findings of a real-world study in 177 smokers. In the study, female smokers experienced more stress and craving than male smokers after viewing stress cues. Stress cues are images that induce stress, similar to news images of violence or war. However, no gender differences in craving were noted after viewing cellphone-delivered smoking cues. Smoking cues are images that suggest smoking behavior, such as a photograph of a cigarette or a person smoking.

These findings suggest that improving quit outcomes in women may require gender-specific cessation strategies.

"We know that not all existing treatments are equally effective for men and women," says Rachel L. Tomko, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at MUSC and first author on the article. "That could be because they find different aspects of smoking rewarding and relieving, and there are different things that maintain their smoking. Our findings suggest that stress may be one thing that maintains smoking more for women than for men."

"This research helps us understand what drives smoking behavior and what really may create barriers to treatment that we didn't think were there," explains Kevin M. Gray, M.D., professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at MUSC and senior author on the article. "If smoking were all about the nicotine, then everyone would respond beautifully to nicotine replacement therapy. But it's more nuanced and complex than that. The better we can get at it, the better we will be able to create the right kinds of treatment for each individual."

Participants in the real-world study viewed eight images each day (four sets of two) for two weeks. These included smoking cues, stress cues and neutral images. Each time they received a pair of images, they completed a form assessing their stress, negative emotion and craving levels before viewing the images (their baseline value) and after viewing each image. They also tracked the number of cigarettes they smoked each day.

These data were recorded via a smartphone app (status/post; Infinite Arms; Charleston, SC) that integrates with the research tool RedCap (Vanderbilt University), and these RedCap data were hosted by the South Carolina Clinical and Translational Institute, an NIH Clinical and Translational Science Awards Program Hub.

As already noted, female smokers reported experiencing more stress, negative emotion and craving after viewing stress cues, but not smoking cues, than male smokers. Regardless of gender, smokers with higher baseline levels experienced more stress, negative emotion and craving after viewing stress cues. Because women smoke more in response to stress and environmental triggers, their smoking patterns could be expected to vary more than men's. However, the MUSC team found no difference in the number of cigarettes smoked per day for male and female smokers.

"Fortunately, showing smokers stress and smoking cues did not result in an overall increase in cigarettes smoked," says Tomko. "This is likely because smokers are already exposed to similar images on a daily basis. However, it is surprising that women did not have more day-to-day fluctuations in their number of cigarettes than men. It is possible that minor, everyday stressors result in women smoking a cigarette a bit sooner than they would have otherwise but does not impact the overall rate of smoking. We hope to test this in future research."

With other colleagues at MUSC, Gray and Tomko plan to analyze the daily hormone level data collected during the study to explore how hormones affect stress and smoking. Using a special lighter that can record time, they will also conduct studies to see how long it takes for different smokers to light up after experiencing stress. This could, for example, provide more evidence that stress leads to smoking in women. More broadly, they will continue to map out the gender and other differences that affect how smokers respond to treatment and use that knowledge to better craft cessation therapies.

"The really good news - and we can say this both as clinicians and researchers - is that we have effective treatments for smoking cessation," says Gray. "The challenging news is that, even with effective treatments, most smokers who try still struggle to quit smoking. We can try to make improvements by using the blunt instrument of a bigger, better treatment for everybody. However, I think we should also try to think what is different between individuals -- either gender or other characteristics -- and whether those differences help us better tailor our treatments."
Researchers at Shiley-Marcos Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (ADRC), part of University of California San Diego School of Medicine, report that autopsies of patients diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease (AD) when they were alive -- and confirmed by autopsy -- indicate many cognitive issues symptomatic of the condition are less noticeable in living Hispanic patients.

The findings, produced in collaboration with colleagues at the University of Southern California (USC), are published in the January 2019 issue of the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease.

Authors say the data suggests it may be more difficult for clinicians to detect AD in its mild to moderate stages among living Hispanic patients compared to non-Hispanic patients. As a result, intervention and treatment could be delayed and less effective.

The study involved autopsies of 14 Hispanic and 20 non-Hispanic persons, all with autopsy-confirmed physiological evidence of AD and an equal number of autopsies of cognitively healthy Hispanic and non-Hispanic individuals without an AD finding.

The scientists looked at patterns of neuropsychological deficits, vascular risk factors and neuropathological differences between the Hispanic and non-Hispanic patients, who were matched by age, education, global mental status and severity of functional decline at first diagnosis.

They found that mild-to-moderately affected Hispanic patients with AD were significantly less impaired than non-Hispanic patients with AD, relative to their respective culturally appropriate control groups, on measurements of memory, attention and executive functioning.

While the patient groups had similar overall AD pathology, the authors found, Hispanics with AD showed greater small blood vessel disease in the brain than non-Hispanics with AD, as well as increased amyloid angiopathy, the accumulation of protein fragments in blood vessels associated with AD.

"There have been very few autopsy studies in Hispanic elderly with Alzheimer's disease that have allowed researchers to gain insight about factors that might make it more difficult to clinically diagnose the disease in this demographic," said senior author David P. Salmon, PhD, professor in the Department of Neurosciences and Helen A. Jarrett Chair in Alzheimer's Research at UC San Diego School of Medicine.

"Information from our study can help guide how we assess living Hispanic patients who may have Alzheimer's, to more accurately detect the disease in its early stages."

AD affects 5.7 million Americans, with that number expected to nearly triple by 2050 without prevention or cure. Some studies suggest that the prevalence of dementia might be higher among Hispanics than non-Hispanic whites. Hispanics comprise the largest ethnic minority in the United States. By 2050, they are projected to represent nearly one-third of the total national population. In California and Texas, Hispanics already represent almost 40 percent of residents.

As those numbers grow, the authors said it will be vital that physicians and dementia clinicians use protocols that allow them to best assess this particular demographic, including measures of AD detection that take into account possible effects of bilingualism, educational disparities and cultural factors on neuropsychological procedures.

Their research suggests multiple factors can influence the assessment of severity and profile of cognitive deficits seen in AD, making it difficult to differentiate the disease from normal aging or other dementing disorders. The authors said further study of neuropsychological deficits associated with AD in elderly Hispanic patients, and consideration of possible health disparities and cultural adaptation of cognitive tests, is necessary.

"The evidence we found is important to moving forward because early identification of Alzheimer's disease can allow for earlier implementation of treatments and interventions that prolong the life and well-being of patients and their caregivers," said first author Gali Weissberger, PhD, a postdoctoral researcher at USC Keck School of Medicine.

"The majority of Alzheimer's disease research has focused on non-Hispanic White populations, and findings from this study suggest that certain contextual factors may contribute to a different and less salient profile of cognitive deficits in Hispanic older adults. Findings support the critical need for additional research with minority groups."
Cognetivity Neurosciences Ltd. (the Company or Cognetivity) today announced that it has signed a commercial agreement with Dementias Platform UK (DPUK) to become its ninth industry partner. Cognetivity will join forces with DPUKs existing partnership which includes many highly notable researchers from both academia and industry combining groundbreaking approaches from some of the worlds best research universities with the R&D skills and knowledge of world-leading pharmaceuticals companies in strategic partnership initiatives.

Other partners include biopharmaceutical companies AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline and Janssen and eleven leading academic institutions which include Cambridge University, University of Oxford, Imperial College London and University College London.

Cognetivitys proprietary Integrated Cognitive Assessment (ICA) testing platform will be one of the select cognitive testing tools that are made available by DPUK to studies involving its cohorts  over 2 million individuals from over 50 long-term studies of health. The ICA is unique in its ability to provide precise, sensitive measurements of subjects ability to process visual information, and is importantly unaffected by subjects culture, language and shows no learning effect, allowing it to be continuously used to chart cognition, either at a subjects home or in the clinic. The ICA allows detailed measurement of cognitive performance by testing different areas of the brain to standard cognitive tests, allowing measurement of small changes in cognition in the important but poorly understood pre-symptom phase of dementia.

Professor John Gallacher, Director of DPUK, said:

At DPUK we have brought together the people, organizations and institutions which collectively have the power to tackle dementia. We believe Cognetivity is a new, key player in this group and by allowing our research partners to utilize its exciting technology in their studies and combine the sensitive data it is able to provide on subjects cognitive performance with existing research data, we believe great strides can be made towards our ultimate goal of tackling this global challenge.

Cognetivity CEO, Dr. Sina Habibi commented:
Dr. Paul Harch, Clinical Professor and Director of Hyperbaric Medicine at LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine, and Dr. Edward Fogarty, Chairman of Radiology at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine, report the first PET scan-documented case of improvement in brain metabolism in Alzheimer's disease in a patient treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). The report, published in the current issue of the peer-reviewed journal Medical Gas Research, is available at http://www. medgasres. com/ article. asp?issn= 2045-9912;year= 2018;volume= 8;issue= 4;spage= 181;epage= 184;aulast= Harch.

The authors report the case of a 58-year-old female who had experienced five years of cognitive decline, which began accelerating rapidly. Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) suggested Alzheimer's disease. The diagnosis was confirmed by 18Fluorodeoxyglucose (18FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) brain imaging, which revealed global and typical metabolic deficits in Alzheimer's.

The patient underwent a total of 40 HBOT treatments - five days a week over 66 days. Each treatment consisted of 1.15 atmosphere absolute/50 minutes total treatment time. After 21 treatments, the patient reported increased energy and level of activity, better mood and ability to perform daily living activities as well as work crossword puzzles. After 40 treatments, she reported increased memory and concentration, sleep, conversation, appetite, ability to use the computer, more good days (5/7) than bad days, resolved anxiety, and decreased disorientation and frustration. Tremor, deep knee bend, tandem gain, and motor speed were also improved. Repeat 18FDG PET imaging one month post-HBOT showed global 6.5-38% improvement in brain metabolism.

"We demonstrated the largest improvement in brain metabolism of any therapy for Alzheimer's disease," notes Dr. Harch. "HBOT in this patient may be the first treatment not only to halt, but temporarily reverse disease progression in Alzheimer's disease."

The report also contains video imaging, including unique rotating PET 3D Surface Reconstructions, which allow the lay person to easily see the improvements in brain function.

"PET imaging is used around the world as a biomarker in oncology and cardiology to assay responses to therapy," says Dr. Fogarty. "We now have an irrefutable biomarker system that this intervention has promise where no other real hope for recovery of dementia has ever existed before."

The physicians report that two months post-HBOT, the patient felt a recurrence in her symptoms. She was retreated over the next 20 months with 56 HBOTs (total 96) at the same dose, supplemental oxygen, and medications with stability of her symptoms and Folstein Mini-Mental Status exam.

According to the National Institutes of Health, "Alzheimer's disease is an irreversible, progressive brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills and, eventually, the ability to carry out the simplest tasks. It is the most common cause of dementia in older adults. Alzheimer's disease is currently ranked as the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, but recent estimates indicate that the disorder may rank third, just behind heart disease and cancer, as a cause of death for older people."

The authors note that four pathological processes have been identified and primary treatment is with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors or the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist memantine, which have been shown to have a positive impact on Alzheimer's disease progression with no significant disease-modifying effects.

HBOT is an epigenetic modulation of gene expression and suppression to treat wounds and disease pathophysiology, particularly inflammation. HBOT targets all four of the pathological processes of AD by affecting the microcirculation; mitochondrial dysfunction, and biogenesis; reducing amyloid burden and tau phosphorylation; controlling oxidative stress; and reducing inflammation.

The first successful HBOT-treated case of Alzheimer's disease was published in 2001. The present case report is the first patient in a series of 11 HBOT-treated patients with Alzheimer's disease whose symptomatic improvement is documented with 18fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (18FDG PET). "Our results suggest the possibility of treating Alzheimer's disease long-term with HBOT and pharmacotherapy," concludes Harch.
Following a Jan. 23 flood, the Chagrin River in Eastlake has lowered to about 9 feet deep. Optimal safe levels are around 6 or 6 1/2 feet.
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Ridgefield High Schools freshman class president is taking a stand against the schools decision to remove a world history class as a graduation requirement for students.

The plan to change a mandatory world history course into an elective sparked protest from Anshuman Suryawanshi, president of the class of 2022, who is concerned the change would negatively impact minority students.

Suryawanshi told the Board of Education recently that removing the course  Global 1  as a graduation requirement would harm the educational experiences of minority students, like myself, by not giving other students the chance to learn about our cultures.

Suryawanshi, who is also the student representative for the student culture and leadership program at the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, said the course had taught him more about Indian culture and history than he learned at home.

There have been instances where Ive gone home to the dinner table, and surprised my parents with a deep cultural understanding of Indian history that they wouldnt expect me to have as a second-generation Indian in America, he said.

Shaving down two years worth of global history into one year will dilute the quality of education across the board, Suryawanshi added. But more specifically, it will harm the education experiences of minority students, like myself, by not giving other students the chance to learn about our cultures. Global 1 is unique, because it is the single required course that educates students about non-Western cultures.

Under new graduation requirements adopted by the board, high school students will have to complete 2 1/2 social studies credits to receive their diploma. The required social studies include: a full year of World History II, a full year of U.S. History, and a half-year of Government and Politics.

The change in graduation requirements was driven by new legislation from the state, which went into effect in mid-2017. The new requirements will apply to seniors who graduate in 2023  eighth grade students this year.

Seniors who graduate before 2023 will need to have completed 3 1/2 social studies credits.

The social studies requirement for Ridgefield graduates will exceed the bare minimum  a half-year credit  called for in the new state law.

In theory, you could go through high school and only take a one-semester class in social studies, said RHS Principal Stacey Gross.

As for turning Global 1 into a half-year elective, school board member Sharon DOrso noted that students would now take two years of world history in middle school instead of one year.

So students will be coming in with a stronger base in world history, she said.

Global 1 will be an additional elective for incoming freshmen.

Suryawanshi indicated he was troubled by the trend of focusing only on European history.

Programs like the College Board are already cutting non-Euro-centric topics from the world history class. Please do not let RHS follow in their footsteps, he said.
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The Archdiocese of Hartford on Tuesday revealed it paid nearly $51 million to settle sex abuse claims against priests dating to 1953.

The Diocese said no priests currently serving are accused of sexual misconduct as officials released a list of those who had been the subject of credible claims of abuse, mostly involving minor children.

It is a cause of profound sorrow and soul searching for me that we bishops have often failed to grasp the spiritual and moral devastation that results from sexual abuse, Archbishop Leonard P. Blair said.

Priests included on the list of those accused of misconduct are Felix Maguire, who ministered in West Haven; Robert Ladamus, of Milford, who died in 2012; and Howard J. Nash, who died in 2001.

We are glad the Archdiocese of Hartford is taking a step toward transparency but it is such a small step after so many decades of abuse, said Gail Howard, director of the states branch of the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests.

It makes me want to say, thanks, but now I need civil authorities to step forward and respond.  Howard said.

In October, the Bridgeport Diocese announced it paid $52.5 million to settle 156 allegations of sex abuse claims since the early 1950s. The diocese covers 82 Roman Catholic parishes in Fairfield County.

The Hartford Archdiocese, which covers Hartford, Litchfield and New Haven counties, reported it paid $50.6 million to settle 142 claims involving 29 archdiocesan clergy and three priests from other dioceses.

Since 1953, 36 archdiocesan clergy have been credibly accused, of whom 23 are now deceased, the archdiocese said in a statement.

In addition, there have been six religious order priests and six priests from other dioceses who offended within the Archdiocese, the Archdiocese said.

The Archdiocese said 20 credible claims were made against one priest, and noted that most of the allegations involved abuse of minor children.

Staff writer Daniel Tepfer contributed to this story. bcummings@ctpost.com
Due to inclement weather last week, the Norwalk Historical Society and the Love All Project have rescheduled Kids Care: MLK Jr. Service Day Project for Jan. 26 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Norwalk Historical Society Museum.

For those who have already registered, email info@norwalkhistoricalsociety.org to confirm attendance on Jan. 26.

This free, family-friendly Service Day Project supports the nonprofit organization Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants.

Participants will create welcome bags for immigrants and ref ugees settling into Connecticut. Participating families are encouraged to bring individually packaged, non-perishable snacks to include in the welcome bags. Along with filling the bags with goodies, children will be able to create cards and decorate the bags.

In addition to the service project, children will get the opportunity to create peace doves, heart origami and learn more about Kings mission for peace, freedom and justice for all.

Visit norwalkhistoricalsociety.orgto register. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

Rowayton Arts Center plans Abstraction Exhibition 2019

The Rowayton Arts Center plans a new exhibit, Abstraction Exhibition 2019. The opening reception, 4 to 6 p.m. Feb. 10, is free and open to the public.

The exhibition features artwork by RAC Exhibiting Members with a larger degree of independence from visual references. The theme is abstract art which uses a visual language of form, color and line to create a composition that exists independent from visual references. This departure from representation can be partial or it can be complete.

Co-chairs for the exhibition are Michael Brennecke and Dan Long. The judge Miggs Burroughs, a lifelong Westporter and graphic artist, has designed hundreds of logos, websites and print material.

RAC celebrates the study, creation and appreciation of the arts through classes, exhibitions and events open to all in the community. It is at 145 Rowayton Ave. For more information, visit rowaytonarts.org and follow @rowaytonarts.

Gallery hosts Hearst photo editors exhibit

Forgotten can refer to a lot of things. It can mean something or someone has been lost to time. It can mean that something has been misplaced and slipped from consciousness while life hurries on.

For Ned Gerard, the word holds lots of meanings as well. Gerard, Hearst Connecticut Medias photo editor, is having his first solo exhibit at Bridgeports City Lights Gallery  titled Forgotten Panoramas: Roadsides and Waterways  which runs through Feb. 21.

Gerard, 51, who lives in Stratford, said the title stems both from the fact that the photos themselves were forgotten for several years, and from the actual loss of many of the structures in the pictures.

A lot of these these places are obsolete, said Gerard, who works out of the Connecticut Post offices in Bridgeport. Theyve disappeared.

That includes the former carousel house at Pleasure Beach in Bridgeport and the Congress Street bridge in the city, both of which are featured in the show, and both of which have since been demolished.

But it isnt just loss that ties together the works in the exhibit. Gerard said all 25 photos featured in the show were taken with the same camera, a Hasselblad Xpan, a film camera that takes panoramic images.

The pictures were taken between 2003 and 2013 and represent not just places in Bridgeport (and elsewhere in Connecticut), but spots around the country, including Ohio, rural Virginia, Wisconsin and New Yorks Coney Island.

Ive worked 25 years in newspaper photography, said Gerard. And these have nothing to do with what I do for work. These were done on my own time. What youre basically looking at here are my vacation photos.

There are also many shots that were obviously taken on the water, including a few lighthouses. Those pictures were taken with the aid of a kayak, something Gerard invested in shortly after buying the camera.

The kayak gets me to locations I couldnt get to by land, Gerard said.

There will be a reception for Forgotten Panoramas from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at City Lights Gallery, 265 Golden Hill St., Bridgeport.

acuda@ctpost.com
Councils new economic development officer wants to strengthen digital infrastructure

Gabrielle Mancini has big plans to help small businesses thrive in her role as West Berkshire Councils economic development officer (EDO).

Mrs Mancini has been working for the local authority for 19 months and took up her new role in October.

She has a background of producing detailed briefings and drafting policies on a variety of subjects.

She said: In my role as EDO, Ill be raising awareness of just how much our wonderful district has to offer and promoting West Berkshire as a great place to live, work and learn.

Since moving to the area some years ago, I have been absolutely bowled over by the wealth of talent we have here, much of which comes in the form of our almost 9,000 small and medium enterprises.

West Berkshire really is an amazing place and I am so proud to be part of a team that is contributing to that.

This is particularly important to me as I live locally and want to make a positive impact on the community in which my two young children are growing up.

In the coming months, the council will be developing its new Economic Development Strategy to 2036.

"As part of this, the economic development team will be working closely with local businesses to understand what they need from us and how we can make the district open for business, which is the councils key strategic priority.

We will have to consider how we can ensure that the districts workforce has the skills employers need, what we must do to develop our digital infrastructure and how we can attract a wider age range of people to the area.

Well also be looking at how we can further boost our start-ups, particularly in digital, as this is an area in which West Berkshire is particularly strong.

This isnt something well be able to do overnight, but I am confident that, with buy-in from the right partners, well be able to create something that will help to put Newbury and West Berkshire on the map for years to come.

Integral to this work will be the emerging West Berkshire Community Interest Company, which was announced at the Newbury 2026 Vision Conference in October.

"I hope to work with partners including the Newbury BID, Greenham Trust and Newbury Weekly News to develop the districts brand and to further enhance our already vibrant district.

In the New Year I will be particularly focussing on businesses in Hungerford, Thatcham and in the east of the district to see how I can assist them.

West Berkshire Council marked Small Business Saturday for the first time this year.

This was absolutely fantastic as we had the opportunity to visit some of our small businesses and get their take on what more we could be doing to support them in a difficult trading environment.

"The campaign itself started in 2013 and has since grown hugely, gaining support from high-profile figures including the Prime Minister.

Almost 850m was spent in the UKs small businesses on the day, which just shows how raising awareness through this campaign can make such a big difference to our own small businesses here in West Berkshire.

At The Newbury pub we saw how Pete Lumbers creativity has led to the creation of Berkshire Dry Gin and spoke to some members of the Newbury independent business community.

In Lambourn we learned more about our thriving racing industry.

In Yattendon, at the West Berkshire Brewery, we saw how a good idea and passion can grow into an amazing, successful business and in Theale we saw how West Berkshires compassionate and entrepreneurial people are making a difference to others, not just in their communities, but across the world.

It was really humbling to be welcomed into all of these businesses and I hope that well be able to mark Small Business Saturday again next year.

Mrs Mancini can be contacted on 07771 387128 or by emailing gabrielle.mancini@westberks.gov.uk
Newburyport, MA (01950)

Today

Considerable clouds this morning. Some decrease in clouds later in the day. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 87F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy after midnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 64F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.
Police in Vermont are offering a cash reward for information that will lead to the identification and arrest of two men believed to be responsible for the assault that left a man with a skull fracture.

Shortly after 2 a.m. on Jan. 18, a man was struck by another man in the parking lot between Union Street and 82 South Winooski Ave., according to Burlington police.

In addition to the skull fracture, the victim also suffered a fracture to his orbital socket and multiple brain bleeds. Police are searching for two men believed to be persons of interest in the case.

Surveillance footage shows one man wearing a cap, a dark-colored jacket and hooded sweatshirt, dark pants and boots walking with a woman. The woman is also wanted for questioning.

The other person of interest is wearing a beanie, a dark-colored hooded sweatshirt and jacket, dark pants and shoes.

The current condition of the victim, who has only been identified as a 21-year-old Burlington man, is unclear.

Anyone who recognizes these men is encouraged to contact Det. Eric Dalla Mura of the Burlington Police Department at 802-540-2286.
Police are stepping up patrols after a string of break-ins in Newton, Massachusetts.

Officials say the thieves are often accessing homes through unlocked windows on the first or second floor.

It was a surprise to be downstairs and learn you house was robbed while you were sitting in your TV room, said one of the victims who did not want to be identified.

The suspects apparently climbed up the house and got in through a window.

I discovered it when I walked upstairs and saw the bathroom window wide open, said the woman.

Several pieces of jewelry were taken.

Its painful, she said. You lose your sense of confidence in your own home.

Hers wasnt the only home burglarized on Friday.

Newton police say seven homes were broken into along the border between Newton Center and Newton Highlands.

Investigators believe the same people could be responsible.

Im petrified, said Eileen Bornstein, who lives in the targeted neighborhood.

Bornstein says shes seen a suspicious car in the neighborhood for weeks with two men inside.

She believes they may have been scoping out peoples homes and their habits.

They were like slick-looking, like on TV, they could rob a bank and get away with it, she said. They didnt belong here.

Over the last several weeks, there have been 10 other break-ins in Newton, many in the same part of the city.

Police are urging people to lock doors and windows, and remove things like ladders in the yard that criminals could use to help them get inside.
Gov. Charlie Baker is preparing to present lawmakers with ideas about how Massachusetts could help federal workers who are furloughed or working without pay because of the partial federal government shutdown.

The Republican said Thursday his administration is looking for ways the state's unemployment insurance system could be tapped to help workers. He said many are struggling to pay rent or mortgages or meet other daily costs of living.

There are about 47,000 federal employees living in Massachusetts.

Baker said he hopes to offer suggestions to lawmakers as early as next week.

Democratic House Speaker Robert DeLeo said Thursday the Legislature is also looking for ways to help federal workers in Massachusetts.

On Thursday, Democratic Senate President Karen Spilka announced an eight-member working group to develop ways to help workers.
Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, who voted for GOP and Democratic proposals for ending the government shutdown that ultimately failed, says she sees a "glimmer of hope" because more than dozen senators appear to be willing to compromise.

Collins voted Thursday in favor of President Donald Trump's proposal, as well as a Democratic alternative, saying the longest government shutdown in the nation's history "must come to an end."

Both measures failed. One bill reflected Trump's demand for border wall funding in exchange for temporary protections for some immigrants. The other called for short-term funding while a compromise is hashed out.

Collins said compromise is not a "dirty word" and that Congress needs to reopen the government, address border security "and get on with the business of this country."
Students and faculty of Green Mountain College in Poultney, Vermont, are reacting to this weeks announcement that the school will close later this year.

When that news hit, everybody was just sad and kind of depressed, because everybody just loves this school, said Hayden Jackson, a freshman from Dallas, Texas.

The private 185-year-old college, known for programs in environmental and social sustainability, announced itll close sometime after the spring semester, saying the campus and its operations are just no longer financially viable.

Im sad for the faculty and staff because theyre from this area, and theyve grown up here, and their kids go to school here, said senior Chelsea Wimble, from Colchester, Vermont. Its just so devastating.

Small colleges across the country have faced major challenges from shifting demographics, rising costs, and drops in enrollment in recent years. GMC is the latest New England college to announce a closure blamed on money problems.

In Massachusetts, UMass Amherst acquired the campus of Mount Ida College when it shut its doors, and Newbury College will cease operations this spring.

Some other small schools have said theyre looking for mergers or partnerships with larger institutions to stay solvent.

Already, a growing list of colleges and universities have pledged to work with Green Mountain College students to help smooth their transition as they look to continue their studies elsewhere. Among them: Vermonts Sterling College.

For the students from Green Mountain College, its a fairly natural transition, said Philip Ackerman-Leist, the dean of Sterlings School of the New American Farmstead. Its not unfamiliar in terms of the curriculum.

Ackerman-Leist noted that Sterling College also focuses on environmental stewardship, and has features that would be familiar to GMC studentsincluding a campus farm and a dining facility that embraces local food systems.

I feel its really a natural path for students whod like to find the next stepand hopefully, here in Vermont, Ackerman-Leist told necn.

Other schools that have announced teach-out agreements to help GMC students continue their educations on a new campus include Vermonts Castleton University, Paul Smiths College in New York, and Prescott College in Arizona.

Prescott College said in an announcement that it would create a Green Mountain Center at Prescott to help ease the transition and continue GMCs legacy. The school said it would even create opportunities for GMC students to continue working with their familiar professors at Prescott.

Prescott and GMC were founding members of the EcoLeaguemade up of liberal arts schools that focus on environmentalism, the Prescott announcement noted. The Arizona school added that it would send a representative to Vermont to discuss transfer options with students and faculty.

GMCs president said in a letter to the campus that he is proud of the schools long history, adding that he is confident the schools values of strengthening communities and putting the planet first will live on through the work of alums.

I feel that weve made a difference and will continue to make a difference, even when the physical campus is no longer functioning, said faculty member Laird Christensen.

College president Bob Allens letter to the campus said a specific closing date has not yet been identified.
A New Hampshire man pleaded not guilty Friday afternoon in connection with a deadly wrong-way crash that killed a retired Massachusetts police sergeant and his wife earlier this month.

Ryan Kittredge, 31, of Derry, was charged with one count of negligent homicide and one count of felony reckless conduct at his arraignment in Rockingham Superior Court.

Police said Kittredge was behind the wheel of a Dodge 1500 pickup truck when he made a U-turn in the wrong lane on Route 101 in Epping on the night of Jan. 10. He then allegedly continued to drive in an eastbound direction on Route 101's westbound lane before his truck hit a Chevrolet Impala head-on, killing retired Townsend Police Sgt. John Johnson and his wife, Heidi.

After being led out of the Epping Police Department and into a cruiser to court, Kittredge was asked if he had anything to say to the Johnson family.

Im sorry, Kittredge mumbled.

New Hampshire State Police

Police used Johnson's handcuffs to arrest Kittredge.

Theyre the handcuffs he used during his 40-year career, said New Hampshire State Police Lt. John Hennessey.

Kittredge, who is still suffering injuries from the crash, appeared in court visibly hurt  walking with crutches. The room was filled with the Johnsons loved ones.

Theyre grieving the loss of two incredible individuals, said Deputy Rockingham County Attorney Jennifer Haggar. The tragedy theyre suffering is unspeakable.

The driver of a third vehicle, a Ford Fusion, was unable to see the crash unfold ahead of him in time to stop, and was also involved in the crash. That driver was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Authorities said the Johnsons didn't have a chance to survive.

There is a rise on that road in the area of the impact, Lt. Hennessey explained. The Johnsons came up over that rise, they just didnt have a chance to see him, no chance at all.

Johnson was a 34-year veteran of the Townsend Police Department, according to Townsend Police Chief Richard Bailey.

And while toxicology results arent back yet in this case, officers say no matter how or why this happened, its a tragedy that couldve been avoided.

It is preventable which makes it even more tragic, said Townsend Deputy Chief James Sartell.

Authorities say Kittredge was convicted of two other DUIs  one in 2012 and one in 2014.

The judge told Kittredge he considers him a danger to the public and ordered him held without bail. It's unclear when he's due back in court or if he has an attorney.
Police in Braintree, Massachusetts, say their investigators found four homes believed to be used for an illegal marijuana production operation, officials said.

An investigation into a marijuana grow house in Braintree led the discovery and the arrest of three people.

One of the homes allegedly involved in the operation was in Braintree, another in Westford and the last two in Quincy, according to the Braintree Police Department.

Officials executed search warrants on the four homes on Wednesday and seized enough pot to meet the trafficking weight element of Massachusetts drug laws. Several marijuana plants, packaged marijuana and tools used to help plants grow were found on the sites, according to police.

Xu Feng Wang, 30, of Boston was arrested at the Braintree home and charged with trafficking a class D substance and conspiracy to violate drug laws. He is expected to be arraigned on Thursday. It is unclear if Wang has an attorney.

A 48-year-old Quincy man and 23-year-old Quincy woman were also charged with trafficking a class D substance; however, their names were not immediately released. It is unclear if either has an attorney.

Authorities warn these types of marijuana grow operations could cause public safety hazards since dangerous chemicals and faulty wiring are commonly found in these sites. These conditions can create an environment for black mold to flourish, Braintree police said, and that often, homes used for such an operation are not lived in.

Braintree police added that board of health officials have since condemned the home in Braintree due to "uninhabitable conditions."
Rescue crews in Spain early Saturday found the body of a 2-year-old boy, whose fall into a deep borehole 13 days earlier prompted a complex and heart-wrenching search-and-rescue operation that had the country holding its breath.

Julen Rosello fell down the narrow 110-meter (360-foot) -deep borehole on Jan. 13 while his family was preparing a countryside Sunday lunch. Adding to the family's tragedy, Spanish media had reported that his parents had another young son who died of a heart attack in 2017.

Julen's remains were found in the early hours of Saturday by rescuers digging a tunnel to reach him, said Alfonso Rodriguez, the Spanish government's representative for the southern region of Andalusia. They were accompanied by a member of the Civil Guard, which then took charge of removing the body.

Rodriguez said that the results of the boy's autopsy would remain secret under a judicial commission following up with the accident's investigation. The Civil Guard was investigating if the borehole had been made illegally.

The tragedy had gripped Spaniards from day one and the country had followed closely every turn of an extremely complex operation, frequently hampered by layers of hard rock.

Spain's King Felipe VI and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez both offered their condolences to the family.

"All of Spain shares in the infinite sadness of Julen's family," Sanchez wrote on Twitter. "We have followed each step taken to reach him. We will always be grateful for the tireless effort of those who worked to find him during these days. My support and warmth to his parents and loved ones."

The dry waterhole, only 25 centimeters (10 inches) in diameter, was too narrow for an adult to get into and hardened soil and rock blocked equipment from progressing to the place two-thirds of the way down where the toddler was trapped.

During the nearly two weeks of the ordeal, officials came up with several alternative routes to the toddler. A series of small explosions set off since Thursday afternoon, including a fourth one late on Friday, helped the crews make their way through a 3.8-meter (12 -foot) -long horizontal tunnel to the cavity.

Before that tunnel could be dug some 70 meters (230 feet) underground, a vertical shaft was drilled during days of painstaking engineering to bring miners and rescue experts up and down.

The difficulty of the operation had prompted Jorge Martin, a spokesman with the Malaga province Civil Guard, to say: "We have to be very careful, here the mountain is in control."

Hair that matched Julen's DNA was found in the borehole and no other verbal or visual contact had been established with him. Despite that, officials had refused to speculate over whether the boy could have survived so long.

In one of the few media interviews the child's parents gave before the body was found, father Jose Rosello said the family was "heartbroken" by the long wait but hoping for "a miracle."

El Pais reported that the couple had lost Julen's older brother, Oliver, when the 3-year-old suffered a heart attack during a walk on the beach two years ago.
Police in Fairfax County, Virginia, are asking for help preventing weather-related accidents after two women in their 80s recently died after being found in snow, and a homeless man in his 40s died after being found in a laundry room.

Joan Ackley, 88, died after being found outside of a nursing home in Reston, county police said Wednesday. Ida Wolk, 86, died after being found outside of an assisted living facility in Reston.

And Kenneth Perez, 47, died after being found sleeping on top of washing machines in an apartment complex in Fairfax. Perez apparently was trying to stay warm.

"Each one of these cases is heartbreaking," Maj. Ed O'Carroll said.

All three deaths are being investigated as weather-related. The D.C. area has faced freezing temperatures in recent weeks, with heavy snowfall and a blast of bitter cold.

The first of the deaths occurred after an incident Monday, Jan. 14. Officers were sent to a CPR in progress at Brightview Senior Living, at 10200 Colvin Run Road in Reston. The staff said Ackley had been missing for 2 1/2 hours, police said. She was found outside the facility and pronounced dead.

A week later, on Monday, Jan. 21, officers were called at about 11:30 a.m. to an apartment complex in the 9800 block of Clifford Drive in Fairfax. A resident reported a homeless person sleeping in the laundry room. Firefighters arrived and pronounced Perez dead.

Perez once lived in a unit in the apartment complex, a neighbor said. When he became homeless, he often sought shelter in the laundry room.

"He [was] like an older person who's making sure these kids don't go down the wrong paths. He was the neighborhood watch," the man said.

Later on Jan. 21, at about 3:30 p.m., officers were informed of a woman who was missing from the Sunrise at Reston Town Center assisted living facility, at 1778 Fountain Drive in Reston. The staff said Wolk, a resident, had been missing for almost three hours.

Officers searched the building for Wolk. Finally, an officer "looked out a window in the rear of the building and saw the woman laying outside in the snow," police said. It was just 21 degrees outside.

Officers wrapped Wolk in blankets. She was rushed to a hospital, where she died.

Medical examiners' results in each case are pending. There's no decision yet on whether there will be charges in any of the three cases.

Sunrise, the assisted living facility, said they "cherish each and every resident and are heartbroken by this tragedy."

"We are cooperating with local authorities in their investigation and supporting the family," the company said in a statement.

Police asked residents to check on family members, friends and neighbors during cold weather. If someone appears to be confused or not properly dressed for cold weather, call the Fairfax County Police Department's non-emergency number at 703-691-2131.

"Three deaths is three too many," O'Carroll, the police major, said.
There's a new store for medical marijuana in Washington, D.C., and it's the first to open east of the Anacostia River.

Anacostia Organics, a woman-owned dispensary right in the heart of historic Anacostia.

D.C. leaders say the dispensary's opening is filling a need among the nearly 6,000 patients currently signed up for medical marijuana services in D.C.

Eighteen percent of those patients live in the Anacostia neighborhood.

"Finally, medical marijuana has come to the other half of the city," said Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton said at the dispensary opening on Thursday.

Medical marijuana sales have nearly doubled in the past year.

"Sometimes we can laugh and giggle about marijuana, right? But it's big business and big business means that people can be employed," D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said at the opening.

While celebrating the opening, Bowser said she is moving forward with legislation to legalize the sale of recreational marijuana.

"We think we have an untenable situation. So it's really driving a lot of underground sales," she said. "So we need regulation and we still expect to have a bill introduced in the early part of this year."

Bowser said illegal marijuana sales are hurting medical marijuana businesses.

While the number of patients registering for medical marijuana slowly increases each year, only 50 percent of people who register every year renew their registration.

Medcial marijuana stores in D.C. are not just for the city's residents. They will honor medical marijuana cards from 16 states, including Maryland and Delaware.
The D.C. museum dedicated to news and the First Amendment will relocate after Johns Hopkins University buys its building near the Capitol.

Johns Hopkins announced Friday that it has reached a $372.5 million deal with Freedom Forum, the creator and primary funder of the Newseum. The purchase is pending regulatory approvals.

The Newseum, first opened in 2008, will remain in the prime location for the rest of the year, Freedom Forum told The Washington Post.

"This was a difficult decision, but it was the responsible one," Jan Neuharth, chair and chief executive of Freedom Forum, said in a statement to the Post. "We remain committed to continuing our programs  in a financially sustainable way  to champion the five freedoms of the First Amendment and to increase public awareness about the importance of a free and fair press. With todays announcement, we can begin to explore all options to find a new home in the Washington D.C. area."

Freedom Forum did not immediately respond to an inquiry.

The Newseum has faced recurring financial trouble. In part, it has had to compete for visitors with nearby Smithsonian museums with free admission. Newseum admission for an adult tops $25 per person.

Striking exhibits at the museum include portions of the Berlin Wall, a memorial listing the names of hundreds of journalists killed on the job and an exhibit on how news organizations ran toward danger on 9/11.

Johns Hopkins plans to move several graduate programs to the more than 400,000-square-foot building, including the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced and International Studies (SAIS).

"With the acquisition and renovation of the Newseum, we will have an unparalleled opportunity to bring all of our current D.C.-based Johns Hopkins graduate programs together in a single, landmark, state-of-the-art building," university president Ronald Daniels said in a statement.

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What to Know The remainder of a controversial pipeline through Chester County, Pennsylvania, has been shut down amid a sinkhole investigation.

The sinkhole developed over the weekend along Lisa Drive in West Whiteland Township that exposed a section of the Mariner East 1 pipeline.

Sunoco is purging a 44-mile section of the pipeline, from Beckersville, Berks County, to Marcus Hook, Delaware County.

Less than a week after being partially exposed by a sinkhole, the remainder of a controversial pipeline through Chester County, Pennsylvania, has been shut down.

A sinkhole developed over the weekend along Lisa Drive in West Whiteland Township that exposed a section of the Mariner East 1 pipeline, which is operated by Sunoco Pipeline LP.

Workers used flowable fill material and sand to secure the secured section of the pipeline. Sunoco then made the decision to shut down the remainder of the line after a discussion with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission's Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement.

Sunoco is purging a 44-mile section of the pipeline, from Beckersville, Berks County, to Marcus Hook, Delaware County, in order to fully isolate the Lisa Drive location for testing, officials said.

"Following discussions with the PUCs I&E, the remainder of ME1 has been shut down by SPLP (since Jan. 21), meaning no product is flowing in this pipeline anywhere in Pennsylvania," a spokesperson for the PUC wrote. "SPLP is not permitted to resume the transportation of product through ME1 until approval is received from I&E."

The construction of the gas pipeline through Chester County, Pennsylvania, has been a contentious issue for years, but the sinkhole added a bizarre twist over the weekend.

An armed constable from central Pennsylvania, 100 miles from the Philadelphia suburbs, flashed a badge at an actual local detective Sunday when the investigator arrived to look into residents' complaints of the sinkhole, according to the Chester County district attorney.

"When a Chester County Detective in plain clothes approached the scene, an armed man flashed a badge at the Detective and identified himself as a constable," District Attorney Tom Hogan said in a letter released Tuesday. "The Detective, who is familiar with all of the Chester County constables, asked the armed man who he worked for. The man then finally identified himself as a constable from Northumberland County in central Pennsylvania. When pressed further by the Detective, the man admitted that he had been hired as security by Sunoco."

Hogan said he is reaching out to his counterpart in Northumberland County to get to the bottom of what he called "hired guns flashing badges."

A message left for Northumberland County District Attorney Tony Matulewicz was not immediately returned.

An out-of-town armed guard acting in a law enforcement capacity is the latest twist in a years-long dispute over pipeline construction through rural enclaves west of Philadelphia.

The sinkhole formed along the Mariner East 1 pipeline, which is a decades-old conduit for natural gas liquids. The Mariner East 2 and 2X pipelines remain incomplete, but will eventually funnel the gas products to the Marcus Hook refinery in Delaware County from western Pennsylvania.

In December, Hogan opened a criminal investigation into the current pipeline construction.

Potential charges could include causing or risking a catastrophe, criminal mischief, environmental crimes and corrupt organizations, Hogan said.

In his letter, Hogan alluded to ongoing problems between residents and Sunoco, which is a subsidiary of Dallas-based Energy Transfer. And he said his office will continue the criminal investigation, with or without the help of state public utilities officials' help.

"Sinkholes. Fouled well water. Obscene messages from out-of-state pipeline workers to Chester County residents. Hired guns flashing badges. Volatile natural gas liquids flowing in pipelines just a few feet from schools and homes. We are not sure what it will take to get the attention of Governor Wolf and the Public Utility Commission," he wrote in the letter. "All of this is happening on their watch. The Chester County District Attorney's Office is committed to this criminal investigation, even if we must fight alone."

Security in the area of the sinkhole in West Whiteland Township was requested by homeowners, according to Energy Transfer.

"We have engaged security on Lisa Drive at the request of the impacted homeowners to restrict access to their property as they were concerned not only with protecting their privacy, but the possibility of people trespassing on their property," company spokeswoman Lisa Dillinger said in a statement. "I will decline to discuss any further details of our security efforts, beyond that we do use security on our projects as needed to ensure the safety of our employees, our assets and those who live in the area."
The Trump administration plans to begin turning asylum-seekers back across the southern border on Friday to wait in Mexico under a new policy designed to crack down on immigration by Central American families, according to three Department of Homeland Security officials familiar with the matter.

Customs and Border Protection officers will begin returning asylum-seekers trying to enter at the San Ysidro port of entry in California from Tijuana, Mexico, where thousands of migrants from Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador are already waiting in poor conditions, NBC News reported.
President Donald Trump and congressional leaders reached a deal Friday to temporarily reopen the government and end the longest shutdown in U.S. history.

Trump agreed to endorse a short-term funding bill that doesn't include money for a border wall  something he had previously demanded as part of any continuing resolution to end the shutdown.

"I have a very powerful alternative but I didnt want use it at this time and hopefully it wont be necessary," Trump said during a news conference in the Rose Garden on day 35 of the shutdown.

The Senate and House approved the plan later Friday, and Trump signed it.

The deal will restore money for the shuttered federal agencies until Feb. 15 while negotiations continue on a longer-term solution. It also includes a back pay provision for furloughed employees, and Trump said he will make sure "all employees receive their back pay very quickly or as soon as possible."

"The longest shutdown in American history will finally end," Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., tweeted after Trump's announcement. "The president has agreed to our request to open the government then debate border security. This is great news for 800,000 federal workers & millions of Americans who depend on government services."

But the president isn't giving up on his push for border wall. Trump renewed calls for a border barrier and threatened another government shutdown or emergency declaration if he doesn't get a "fair deal."

"Walls should not be controversial," Trump said. "Our country has built 654 miles of barrier over the last 15 years, and every career border patrol agent I've spoken to has told me, 'walls work.'"

In another development Friday, the Associated Press reported Trump would not deliver his State of the Union on Tuesday.

Following Trump's announcement, lawmakers on Capitol Hill expressed optimism that the deal would clear Congress and be signed into law by the president Friday.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said during a speech on the floor that "with cooperation we can pass legislation opening the government and send the DHS appropriations bill to a conference with the House today."

House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer, D-Md., confirmed in a statement that the House will pass the continuing resolution to reopen the government through Feb. 15.

Late Friday, Trump pushed back against criticism of his agreement to reopen the federal government without winning a promise of new funding for a border wall. With even some conservatives casting the agreement as a retreat by the president, Trump tweeted that it "was in no way a concession" on his part.

Pressure had been building among both parties to reopen agencies immediately and pay hundreds of thousands of beleaguered federal workers who missed a second biweekly paycheck on Friday.

The shutdown began three days before Christmas when Trump and top Democratic leaders in Congress reached a stalemate over Trump's demand for a $5.7 billion wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. The impasse continued for five weeks as the president and congressional Democrats remained at odds over his insistence that any compromise include money for his coveted border wall.

"You are fantastic people, you are incredible patriots," Trump said Friday. "Many of you have suffered far greater than anyone, but your families have known or understand, and not only did you not complain, but in many cases you encouraged me to keep going because you care so much about our country and our border security."

The standoff became so severe that, as the Senate opened Friday with prayer, Chaplain Barry Black called on high powers in the "hour of national turmoil" to help senators do "what is right."

Trump spoke at the White House on Friday as the toll of the shutdown was being felt at airports across the countries. The Federal Aviation Administration on Friday reported delays in air travel because of a "slight increase in sick leave" at two East Coast air traffic control facilities. White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said Trump has been briefed on the airport delays and was monitoring the situation.

The world's busiest airport  Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport  was experiencing long security wait times, a warning sign the week before it expects 150,000 out-of-town visitors for the Super Bowl.

LaGuardia Airport in New York and Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey were both experiencing at least 90-minute delays in takeoffs Friday.
The Transportation Security Administration announced Friday that it will issue a partial paycheck to most employees as thousands of other federal workers are set to miss a second biweekly paycheck, marking nearly a month since they were last paid.

TSA Administrator David P. Pekoske said the agency scraped together limited funds from varying sources in order to pay a portion of their workforce.

Employees "at the I-band and below," who worked in an exempted status for any amount of time from Dec. 23 to Jan. 5 will receive 40 hours of pay "to alleviate some financial strain," the TSA said. Employees in pay bands J and above, which are senior level positions with higher pay rates, will not receive a partial payment Friday.

"Challenging times require challenging decisions. While our aim is to pay everyone for their work, during this period of lapse in funding and because of legal and financial constraints, we needed to make decisions on how best to support the workforce using the limited funds we had," the agency said in statement to NBC News. "As such, it was determined that where we could, we would provide partial pay to employees and we focused on employees in the lower pay bands to help alleviate the financial strain they may be experiencing."

However, the TSA said Federal Air Marshals (FAMs), of all pay bands, will not receive a partial payment. The agency the FAMs account didn't have sufficient funding available to provide "meaningful partial payment" for Air Marshals. Instead, the TSA will issue 2018 performance awards for all FAMs "at the I-band and below."

Pekoske acknowledged in a tweet Friday morning that "anything short of full paychecks are a partial measure, and in no way compensates the #TSA workforce for the financial burden many are experiencing." But, he added, whenever funding is restored, "pay and travel reimbursement processing will be our highest priority."

The money for the TSA payments came from a combination of unlapsed FY2018 funds the agency had in "certain specific accounts" and the reallocation of some funds from other accounts, the agency said.

The shutdown began three days before Christmas when President Donald Trump and top Democratic leaders in Congress reached a stalemate over Trump's demand for a $5.7 billion wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Unions that represent air traffic controllers, flight attendants and pilots are growing concerned about safety and security of its members and passengers with the shutdown well into its fifth week.

The presidents of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, Air Line Pilots Association and Association of Flight Attendants cautioned in a join statement that the airline industry "cannot even calculate the level of risk currently at play, nor predict the point at which the entire system will break. It is unprecedented."

Federal workers say going without pay is grinding them down, and they're not sure how much longer they can take it.

"At work, the morale is really low," said Tyler Kennard, an air traffic controller in San Diego. "It's actually more stressful now with this government shutdown than it was when I was in a war zone in Iraq doing the same job."

The retired Marine, who got his start in air traffic control in 2005 when he was based at Marine Corp Base Camp Pendleton, told NBC San Diego that he and his wife are worried about how they will pay for gas, the mortgage, their daughter's braces and their 4-year-old son Tucker's hospital visits.

During his nearly decade and a half in the profession, he has been through three other government shutdowns but this is the first time he's missed a paycheck.

"This is the one thats hit us the hardest 'cause this is the first time where its gone where we havent got paid," Kennard said.
A Hawaiian Airlines flight heading to New York was diverted to the San Francisco International Airport Thursday night following a medical emergency that led to the death of a veteran flight attendant.

Flight 50 left Honolulu at 4:20 p.m. and was headed to John F. Kennedy International Airport when was it re-routed to SFO around 1 a.m. Friday after a flight crew member experienced a suspected heart attack, a spokesperson for SFO Doug Yakel confirmed.

Hawaiian Airlines identified the crew member as flight attendant Emile Griffith, who has been with the airline for 31 years.

"We are forever grateful for Emile's colleagues and good Samaritans on board who stayed by his side and provided extensive medical help. Emile both loved and treasured his job at Hawaiian and always shared that with our guests," the airline said in a statement.

One passenger, author Andrea Bartz, sent out a series of tweets saying flight attendants made an announcement calling for any doctor on board to help.

Flight from Honolulu to JFK diverted to SFO for a passenger needing medical attention. Its been a long time since they asked for doctors to come to first class so I hope theyre okay. First time Ive ever had a flight diverted, somehow. Waiting for medics to board now.  Andrea Bartz (@andibartz) January 25, 2019

"Its been a long time since they asked for doctors to come to first class so I hope theyre okay," Bartz tweeted.

Yakel said that qualified medical personnel were attempting CPR onboard but the efforts stopped prior to landing at the San Francisco airport.

"The San Mateo County Coroner declared the flight crew member deceased on arrival at SFO. Passengers were re-accommodated on other flights," Yakel said in a statement.

The flight, which initially carried 253 and 12 crew members, was seen leaving San Francisco before 5 a.m.
What to Know Ten Michelin-starred restaurants are participating in NYC Restaurant this week.

Each participating restaurant has a prix-fixe menu, $26 for a two-course lunch and $42 for a three-course dinner.

Restaurant Week runs from Jan. 21 to Feb. 8.

More than 380 restaurants are participating in NYC Restaurant Week this winter, but only 10 of them are Michelin-starred.

This bi-annual drop in prices at some of New Yorks finest restaurants is a celebration of good food and runs from Jan. 21 to Feb. 8.

Each participating restaurant offers a prix-fixe meals. While it may be hard to choose from the hundreds of deals, you will definitely get the most out of your money by dining at one of these restaurants, each of which possess one Michelin star.

Ai Fiori

400 Fifth Ave.

This French-Italian Riviera restaurant is all about serving traditional dishes with a modern, elegant flair. Located in the Langham hotel in Midtown West, Ai Fiori looks, feels and tastes luxurious while remaining welcoming. You can experience lunch at Ai Fiori for as little as $26 per person  a great deal considering a meal usually costs $70 for one. For this price, you get a two-course meal that includes an entree of homemade tagliatelle.

Batard

239 West Broadway

Beautifully delicate and wildly flavorful, the dishes at Batard are noticeably influenced by the Austrian background of its chef. The space of this TriBeCa restaurant is animated and comfortable, but does not lack an upscale feeling. For $42 per person, enjoy a two-course dinner with choices like salmon tartare and branzino. With a similar normal price per person as Ai Fiori, take advantage of the opportunity to experience the colorful and dynamic dishes at Batard.

Cafe Boulud

20 W. 64th St.

For a Mediterranean experience, try Cafe Boulud  a contemporary restaurant with an open-kitchen concept decorated in dark woods and mirrors. The menu of this Upper West Side restaurant pulls flavors from the French Riviera to Turkey, with a focus on grilled foods. The grilled meats are considered a specialty. Main course options include salmon and lamb.

Casa Mono

52 Irving Pl.

Located near Gramercy Park, Casa Mono and its attached tapas restaurant, Bar Jamon, serve Spanish dishes, with an emphasis on Catalan specialties. Its dishes are meant for sharing, so bring your friends to this rustically luxe restaurant. For $26 per person, choose from a variety of dishes  including oxtail and dorada, a Mediterranean fish  for a two-course meal.

The Clocktower

5 Madison Ave.

On the second floor of the New York Edition Hotel, youll find the portrait-covered walls of The Clocktower, a restaurant with British roots. Its menu is distinctly British, with classics like fish and chips and shepherd's pie  the latter of which you will also find on the Restaurant Week menu. At a price of $26, guests can choose from one appetizer and one entree.

Gotham Bar and Grill

12 E. 12th St.

This New American restaurant near Union Square is well-loved by the ritziest of New Yorkers. The warm and welcoming atmosphere is great for dining with anyone from clients to family. While usually a lunch here can be very pricy, Gotham Bar and Grill is offering a $26 lunch deal. From ceviche to risotto, Restaurant Week is the perfect opportunity to get an upscale meal at this renowned spot.

Junoon

27 W. 24th St.

The word junoon is Urdu for obsession, and this restaurant might be your new obsession after you get a taste for its flavorful menu at its Restaurant Week pricing. For $26 for lunch or $42 for dinner, try this Indian restaurant known for covering all the bases of Indian cooking  with a twist. Its menu uses traditional cooking methods combined with untraditional ingredients like lobster and pomegranate.

Nix

72 University Pl.

Located in Greenwich Village, Nix is one of the few vegetarian and vegan restaurants with a Michelin star. Chef John Fraser uses flavors and spices from around the world to elevate his market produce dishes. Everything at Nix is clean and colorful, and their Restaurant Week menu is no exception. For a two-course meal at $26, choose from dishes like tandoor-roasted beets to sweet potato and ginger dumplings.

The Musket Room

265 Elizabeth St.

This Nolita restaurant embodies the spirit of New Zealand and its cuisine. With a menu that approaches food with respect to the history of the country, The Musket Room has received a Michelin star every year since it opened in 2013. For $42 per person, enjoy a warm and rustic three-course dinner.

Tuome

536 E. 5th St.

For Asian fusion, head to Tuome in the East Village, where the menu features traditionally asian foods like octopus and rice porridge combined with western flavors. The atmosphere is beautifully rustic with a modern take  just like the food. The $42 Restaurant Week deal here is a choice of an appetizer, main course and dessert.

Make sure to get a bang for your buck before Restaurant Week ends on Friday, Feb. 8. Bookings can be made for all of the above restaurants here.
What to Know A brief ground stop was ordered at LaGuardia, which experienced a "ripple effect" because of a spike in staff sick calls at other hubs

It came on the 35th day of the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history; Friday also marked the 2nd missed paycheck for 800K

Hours later, President Trump announced a deal had been reached to reopen the government until Feb. 18

A brief ground stop was ordered Friday at LaGuardia Airport, which experienced a "ripple effect" because of a spike in staff sick calls at other hubs as tensions boiled over the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history.



The stop was ordered shortly before 10 a.m., on the 35th day of the shutdown and hours before President Trump announced from the Rose Garden that a deal had been reached to reopen the federal government until Feb. 18.



LaGuardia's ground stop had been reduced to a "ground delay program," meaning air traffic was moving again, within about 40 minutes. The FAA said LaGuardia's staffing was not the issue; the problems were in Washington, D.C., and Florida.



"We have experienced a slight increase in sick leave at two air traffic control facilities affecting New York and Florida," the FAA said in a statement. "As with severe storms, we will adjust operations to a safe rate to match available controller resources. We've mitigated the impact by augmenting staffing, rerouting traffic, and increasing spacing between aircraft as needed."

The "ground delay progam" status at one point caused arriving flights into LaGuardia to be delayed about 1 hour and 26 minutes, according to the FAA.

Arriving flights from Newark International and Philadelphia International airports were being delayed by an average of 41 minutes at one point. Later, LaGuardia released a statement saying, "Due to shaffing shortages at FAA air traffic control centers along the East Coast, there are major delays at LGA."

At least one traveler tweeted that she was sitting on the tarmac for nearly an hour because of "staff shortages in air traffic control." Making matters worse, her flight landed 45 minutes early, she said.

Another traveler said his JetBlue flight was approaching a 2-hour delay after its original route was canceled because of the staffing issues; he said the plane had to return to the gate to refuel for a new route. Still another traveler said she was stuck on a Southwest flight in Baltimore.



Yet another, one traveling Delta, described total chaos in LaGuardia's Terminal C. Delta released a statement saying it was working closely wtih the FAA and airport officials to try to minimize the impact on its operations and customers.



"At this point, we don't anticipate significant schedule disruptions, but it is another good illustration of the escalating impact of the government shutdown and the need for the federal government to promptly re-open."



The trouble wasn't only on the ground at LaGuardia.

In a video taken aboard a Delta flight from Atlanta to the Queens hub, the pilot can be heard telling passengers: "Im sure theyre doing the best they can but um I wouldnt be surprised if it takes another 20 to 30 minutes before we come, become airborne. I cant see out the taxiways but uh just by listening to the radio chatter I get the feeling this is not gonna go uh very uh quickly. So Ill uh keep you posted, as soon we can start our push, our names in the hat, as soon as they let us do that Ill have a better idea of how long this is gonna take."

The air traffic chaos came on the second missed payday for 800,000 federal workers who are furloughed or working without pay.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi condemned the shutdown on Twitter amid the chaos, writing, "The #TrumpShutdown has already pushed hundreds of thousands of Americans to the breaking point. Now it's pushing our airspace to the breaking point too. .@realDonaldTrump, stop endangering the safety, security and well-being of our nation. Re-open government now!"

Trump announced the temporary reopening about four and a half hours later.

Unions that represent air traffic controllers, flight attendants and pilots had been growing concerned about safety and security of its members and passengers as the shutdown stretched well into its fifth week.

The presidents of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, Air Line Pilots Association and Association of Flight Attendants cautioned in a joint statement earlier Friday that the airline industry "cannot even calculate the level of risk currently at play, nor predict the point at which the entire system will break. It is unprecedented."

"Staffing in our air traffic control facilities is already at a 30-year low and controllers are only able to maintain the systems efficiency and capacity by working overtime, including 10-hour days and 6-day workweeks at many of our nations busiest facilities, said the statement from the unions presidents.

Following Trump's announcement on deal to temporarily end the government shutdown, Association of Flight Attendants-CWA President Sara Nelson said "federal workers are not facekess bureaucrats."

"It is wonderful news that the there is a deal to end this senseless shutdown, and the lockout of nearly a million Americans from their jobs or their paychecks. This never should have happened and it must never happen again. It should be abundantly clear to the American people that federal workers are not faceless bureaucrats," Nelson said.

"To all Americans: if there is anything this shutdown has taught us, it should be that labor rights matter. We must work together to improve rights for working Americans. Our democracy depends on it," Nelson's statement continued.

Federal workers have said going without pay was grinding them down, and they weren't sure how much longer they could take it. Two Senate votes to reopen the government failed on Thursday.

"At work, the morale is really low," said Tyler Kennard, an air traffic controller in San Diego. "It's actually more stressful now with this government shutdown than it was when I was in a war zone in Iraq doing the same job."
What to Know A judge signed off Friday on changes to the legal team representing Harvey Weinstein in his rape and sexual assault case

New lawyers Jose Baez, Ronald Sullivan and Duncan Levin replace Benjamin Brafman, who asked court permission to withdraw

Weinstein is charged with raping a woman and performing a forcible sex act on a different woman. He denies all allegations

A judge signed off Friday on changes to the legal team representing Harvey Weinstein in his rape and sexual assault case, allowing the film producer to swap out his bulldog New York City defense attorney for a four-person team that's full of courtroom star power.

The disgraced Hollywood mogul was in court in Manhattan along with new lawyers Jose Baez, Ronald Sullivan and Duncan Levin, and former lawyer Benjamin Brafman  as Judge James Burke approved the switch.

"Welcome to the New York State Supreme Court," Burke told Weinstein's new lawyers.

Weinstein, 66, and Brafman, 70, announced last week that they had "agreed to part ways amicably." The move came a month after they lost a hard-fought bid to get the case thrown out.

Weinstein's trial is tentatively scheduled for May.

He is charged with raping a woman in 2013 and performing a forcible sex act on a different woman in 2006. He denies all allegations of nonconsensual sex.

Weinstein's other new lawyer, Pamela Robillard Mackey, didn't attend Friday's hearing because she was out of the country.

Baez is perhaps the best-known name of the four. He first gained fame for representing Casey Anthony, the Florida mom whose televised trial in 2011 ended in an acquittal on charges of killing her young daughter.

Baez and Sullivan, a 52-year-old Harvard law professor, teamed up to successfully defend New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez against murder charges in 2017. Hernandez, in prison for a 2015 murder conviction, killed himself five days later.

Mackey, who's based in Denver, represented Kobe Bryant when the former basketball star was accused of raping a 19-year-old at a Colorado resort in 2003. The charges were dismissed when prosecutors said the accuser was no longer interested in testifying.

Levin is a former top deputy under Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr.

Weinstein announced the new legal team on Wednesday.

Actress Rose McGowan, one of the first of dozens of women to accuse Weinstein of sexual misconduct, blasted Baez and Sullivan for agreeing to represent Weinstein after they defended her in a drug case last year. She called it a "major conflict of interest."

Baez and Sullivan said in a statement that McGowan's case had nothing to do with Weinstein and that they were certain there was no conflict.
Notorious Mexican kingpin Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman took a hands-on role in the grisly deaths of three kidnapped enemies of his drug cartel, including one who was buried alive, a witness testified Thursday at Guzman's U.S. trial.

Isaias Valdez Rios told a New York jury that, while a member of the Sinaloa cartel security detail around 2006, he witnessed Guzman order his men to dig a grave before he shot a victim in a fit of rage.

When the gunfire stopped, the wounded man "was still gasping for air," said Isaias Valdez Rios. "That's how we dropped in the hole and buried him."

Jurors at a trial that began in mid-November had previously heard allegations that Guzman ordered assassinations to protect his cocaine-smuggling empire, a key element of a case the defense says is fabricated. But Valdez's chilling testimony offered the most detailed account to date of the cartel boss personally engaging in violence against those who crossed him.

Valdez, 39, testified that he was a Mexican military veteran when he was recruited to join a team of gunmen protecting Guzman at one of his mountainside hideouts in Sinaloa. In a lighter moment, the cooperator described how a cheerful Guzman greeted him by saying, "Dude, how ya doin?"

His tale grew much darker after a prosecutor asked him whether he'd seen Guzman harm anyone. He responded by spending the next few minutes talking about two separate executions in gory detail.

The first involved the burial victim, who was a member of a rival cartel brought to Guzman's having already been bound, blindfolded and appeared half-dead having been burned with a household iron so severely that his T-shirt was stuck to his skin, Lopez said. Guzman interrogated him, left him to rot in a shed for a couple days and interrogated him again before ending his life.

Another time, Guzman announced, "Guys, they are sending a gift," as a plane carrying two bound victims from another gang known as the Zetas landed on the compound air strip, Valdez said. Guzman told his men to take them to a secluded area to "start heating them up," meaning they should be beaten, he said.

Guzman then took things into his own hands by asking someone to retrieve him a branch, he said. Asked by the prosecutor why a branch, the witness paused and responded, "Obviously, he didn't make that request to be affectionate towards them."

Well into the night, Guzman tortured the victims by pummeling them to the point of leaving them with broken bones, he said. He then instructed his men to dig a hole and start a fire before ATVs were used to carry the battered men toward the flames, he said, adding the he saw fear etched in their faces.

Guzman hurled profanities at one and then "boom, shot him in the head" with an assault weapon, the witness said. The second man met the same fate before both were dumped in the narco-funeral pyre that Guzman wanted fed with wood until daylight, he said.

Guzman, he said told them, "I don't want any bones to remain."
What to Know A 4-month-old baby died after being found unresponsive during a nap at his Brooklyn day care, sources say

The boy was identified as Ayden Perez; his family has no history or case with the city's Administration for Children's Services

No criminality is suspected at this point

An infant boy died at the hospital after a day care worker noticed he wasn't breathing in his crib during a nap in Brooklyn, according to law enforcement sources.

The four-month-old baby, identified as Ayden Perez, was at day care at 423 Blake Ave. in Brownsville and napping in a crib when a worker went to check on him Friday afternoon, sources said. The baby wasn't breathing, and staff immediately started CPR as 911 was called.

EMS rushed the boy to Brookdale Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The medical examiner will determine a cause of death.

The source said there was no sign of trauma, and no criminality was suspected at this point.

The baby had been at day care with several other children, according to sources. A spokeswoman for the Administration for Children's Services on Friday said the family of the baby has no current case or history with them.

"Our top priority is protecting the safety and wellbeing of all children in New York City," Chanel Caraway said. "We are investigating this case."
A look at where investigations related to President Donald Trump stand and what may lie ahead for him:

WHAT'S THIS ALL ABOUT?

Trump is facing investigations in Washington and New York.

Special counsel Robert Mueller is looking into whether the Trump campaign coordinated with Russia and whether the president obstructed the investigation. Trump also plays a central role in a separate case in New York, where prosecutors have implicated him in a crime. They say Trump directed his personal lawyer Michael Cohen to make illegal hush-money payments to two women as a way to quash potential sex scandals during the campaign.

Trump Associates Indicted or Convicted During His Presidency

When President Donald Trumps former campaign chairman Paul Manafort was convicted on eight felony counts on Aug. 21, 2018, he became the first member of Trumps campaign to be found guilty. Several other Trump associates have pleaded guilty, including the president's former personal attorney Michael Cohen, who did so within minutes of Manaforts conviction, and again on Nov. 29, 2018.

On Jan. 25, 2019, Roger Stone became the sixth Trump aide to face criminal charges. The seven-count indictment against Stone, Trump's long-time confidant, accuses him of witness tampering, obstruction and false statements about his interactions related to WikiLeaks.

Click each photo to learn more.

WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW?

Roger Stone, a confidant of President Donald Trump and former campaign adviser, was arrested Friday morning and charged with lying to Congress and obstruction.

Stone was charged in a seven-count indictment that includes witness tampering, obstruction and false statements. He was arrested at his home in Florida during a pre-dawn FBI raid. Stone is scheduled to appear in court later Friday.

The indictment provides the most detail to date about how Trump campaign associates were aware in the summer of 2016 that emails had been stolen from the Hillary Clinton campaign. It alleges unnamed senior Trump campaign officials contacted Stone to ask when the stolen emails might be disclosed.

Court documents lay out Stone's conversations about the stolen emails posted by WikiLeaks in the weeks before Trump defeated Clinton.

Stone is also accused of making false statements to the House intelligence committee.

He has been under scrutiny for months but has maintained his innocence.

Meanwhile, in Washington, Trump's former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, makes his first court appearance in months as prosecutors and defense lawyers argue over whether the he intentionally lied to investigators.

Mueller's office say Manafort breached his plea deal by repeatedly making false statements after he began cooperating with them in September. Manafort's lawyers say he simply had an inconsistent recollection of facts and events from several years ago. They also say he suffers from depression and anxiety.

SO ... DID THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN COLLUDE WITH RUSSIA?

There is no smoking gun when it comes to the question of Russia collusion. But the evidence so far shows that a broad range of Trump associates had Russia-related contacts during the 2016 presidential campaign and transition period, and several lied about the communication.

There is also evidence that some people in the president's orbit were discussing a possible email dump from WikiLeaks before it occurred. American intelligence agencies and Mueller have said Russia was the source of hacked material released by WikiLeaks during the campaign that was damaging to Hillary Clinton's presidential effort.

OTHER QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER:

WHAT ABOUT OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE? That is another unresolved question that Mueller is pursuing. Investigators have examined key episodes such as Trump's firing of former FBI Director James Comey and his fury over the recusal from the investigation of former Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

WHAT DOES TRUMP HAVE TO SAY ABOUT ALL THIS? Trump has repeatedly slammed the Mueller investigation as a "witch hunt" and insisted there was "NO COLLUSION" with Russia. He also says his former lawyer, Cohen, lied to get a lighter sentence in New York.
What to Know The indictment does not accuse Stone of coordinating with the Russian government's election interference in 2016

But it lays out in detail Stone's conversations about stolen Democratic emails posted by WikiLeaks before the election

Stone appeared in court later Friday in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where he was arrested, and was granted $250,000 bond

President Donald Trump's confidant Roger Stone has been charged with lying about his pursuit of Russian-hacked emails damaging to Hillary Clinton's 2016 election bid. Prosecutors allege that senior Trump campaign officials sought to leverage the stolen material into a White House victory.

The self-proclaimed dirty trickster, arrested by the FBI in a raid before dawn Friday at his Florida home, swiftly blasted the prosecution as politically motivated. In a circus-like atmosphere outside the courthouse, as supporters cheered him on and jeering spectators shouted "Lock Him Up," Stone proclaimed his innocence and predicted his vindication.

"As I have said previously, there is no circumstance whatsoever under which I will bear false witness against the president, nor will I make up lies to ease the pressure on myself," Stone said.

The seven-count indictment, the first criminal case in months in special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation, provides the most detail to date about how Trump campaign associates in the summer of 2016 actively sought the disclosure of emails the U.S. says were hacked by Russia and then provided to the anti-secrecy website WikiLeaks. It alleges that an unidentified senior Trump campaign official was "directed" to keep in contact with Stone about when stolen emails relating to Clinton might be disclosed.

Stone is the sixth Trump aide or adviser charged by Mueller and the 34th person overall. The nearly two-year-old probe has exposed multiple contacts between Trump associates and Russia during the campaign and transition period and revealed efforts by several to conceal those communications.

The indictment brings the investigation even further into Trump's circle of advisers and suggests campaign officials were eager to exploit the stolen messages for political gain. But prosecutors did not accuse Trump of wrongdoing or charge Stone with conspiring with WikiLeaks or with the Russian intelligence officers Mueller says hacked the emails. They also did not allege that Trump aides knew in advance of the hacking.

The prosecution mirrors other Mueller cases in alleging cover-ups and deception, accusing Stone of lying to lawmakers about WikiLeaks, tampering with witnesses and obstructing a House intelligence committee probe into whether the Trump campaign coordinated with Russia to tip the election.

Sarah Sanders, Trump's press secretary, said the charges brought against Stone "don't have anything to do with the president." She didn't directly answer questions on whether Trump directed a campaign official to contact Stone about stolen emails and wasn't aware of the Justice Department giving the White House notification of the arrest ahead of time.

Trump attorney Jay Sekulow said the indictment "does not allege Russian collusion by Roger Stone or anyone else." Trump, in a tweet Saturday, said that if Stone "was indicted for lying to Congress," then "what about the lying" by top law enforcement and Obama-era national security officials, though he presented no specifics to support his assertion of such "lying."

CNN aired video of the raid at Stone's home in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, showing agents in body armor using large weapons and night-vision equipment, running up to the home and banging on the door.

"FBI open the door!" one shouts. "FBI, warrant!" Stone could then be seen in the doorway in his sleepwear before he was led away.

A friend of Stone's, "Manhattan Madam" Kristin Davis, told NBC News that federal authorities also raided a Manhattan apartment that they used to share.

Though not uncommon for the FBI to make early-morning arrests of targets under indictment, it's the first time Mueller has used that tactic. In court papers, prosecutors wrote they had concerns that if Stone was tipped off to the indictment, it would increase the risk he would flee or destroy evidence.

Hours after his arrest, Stone appeared in court in a blue polo shirt and jeans. In releasing him on $250,000 bond, a magistrate judge restricted Stone's travel to South Florida, Washington and New York City and ordered him to avoid contact with witnesses. He's due Tuesday in a court in Washington, where the case was filed.

"This morning, at the crack of dawn, 29 FBI agents arrived at my home with 17 vehicles, with their lights flashing, when they could simply have contacted my attorneys and I would have been more than willing to surrender voluntarily," Stone said outside court.

Known for his political antics, conspiracy theories and hard-ball tactics, Stone has reveled in being a Washington wheeler-dealer dating back to former President Richard Nixon's administration. On Friday, he mimicked Nixon's famous "V'' gesture as he left the courthouse.

Stone, a longtime friend of the president's, briefly served on Trump's campaign, but was pushed out amid infighting with then-campaign manager Corey Lewandowski. Though sidelined, he continued to communicate with Trump and stayed plugged into his circle of advisers.

The indictment says Stone repeatedly discussed WikiLeaks in 2016 with campaign associates and lays out in detail Stone's conversations about emails stolen from Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta and posted in the weeks before Trump beat Clinton.

The document says that by June and July 2016, Stone had told senior Trump campaign officials that he had information indicating that WikiLeaks had obtained damaging documents on Clinton.

After WikiLeaks on July 22, 2016, released hacked emails from the Democratic National Committee, the indictment says, a senior Trump campaign official "was directed" to contact Stone about additional releases and "what other damaging information" WikiLeaks had "regarding the Clinton campaign." The indictment does not name the official or say who directed the outreach to Stone.

That question was the most significant detail in the indictment, said House intelligence committee chairman Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif.

"Our Committee will be eager to learn just who directed a senior campaign official to contact Stone about additional damaging information held by Wikileaks, one of the publishing arms of Russian government hackers," Schiff said in a statement.

Though no officials are identified by name, one Trump campaign aide cited in the case is Steve Bannon, who later became Trump's chief White House strategist. Bannon, referred to as a "high-ranking Trump Campaign official," exchanged emails with Stone in October 2016 about WikiLeaks' plans. The indictment quotes from those emails, which had previously been made public by news outlets.

While the indictment provides some new insight into the Trump campaign, it deals largely with what prosecutors say were Stone's false statements about his conversations about WikiLeaks with New York radio host Randy Credico and with conservative writer and conspiracy theorist Jerome Corsi, who rejected a plea offer from Mueller last year.

The indictment says Stone carried out a "prolonged effort" to keep Credico from contradicting his testimony before the House intelligence committee. During that effort, prosecutors note that Stone repeatedly told Credico to "do a 'Frank Pentangeli,'" a reference to a character in "The Godfather: Part II" who lies before Congress.

Stone is accused of threatening Credico, including through messages in which he called him "rat" and "stoolie." He also threatened to "take that dog away from you," a reference to Credico's dog, Bianca.

"I am so ready. Let's get it on. Prepare to die (expletive)," Stone also wrote to Credico.

Stone has said for months he was prepared to be charged, while maintaining he had no inside information about the contents of the emails obtained by WikiLeaks or the timing of their release.

Still, he has long attracted scrutiny because of his WikiLeaks-related comments, especially a 2016 tweet  "Trust me, it will soon (be) the Podesta's time in the barrel"  that appeared to presage knowledge that Podesta's emails would soon be released.

In a tweet Friday, Podesta turned Stone's words against him, writing that it was now "Roger's time in the barrel."

Associated Press writers Michael Balsamo, Jonathan Lemire, Jennifer Kay, Terry Spencer and Kelli Kennedy contributed to this report.
What to Know Officials confirmed the identities of three people that were killed, including Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jonathan Farmer of Boynton Beach

A South Florida soldier has been identified as one of those killed in a suicide bombing in northern Syria earlier this week.

The Department of Defense confirmed the identities of three people that were killed, including Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jonathan Farmer. The 37-year-old Farmer was a Boynton Beach resident who had been assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group based out of Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

Farmer joined the Army in 2005 and served overseas during six tours of duty, including twice during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He leaves behind a wife and four children.

DOD officials also confirmed a Navy cryptologic technician and a civilian contractor were killed in Wednesdays attack.

At least 16 people in total were killed in the explosion, which came just one month after President Trump announced U.S. forces would begin to be pulled out of the country and that ISIS had been defeated.

The terror group claimed responsibility for the attack but has not produced evidence to support that claim, according to NBC News.

The attack was the deadliest since U.S. forces entered the country in 2015.
What to Know In Bay County, the county hardest hit by the storm, the change in reimbursement could translate into a savings of $60 million.

Florida will get potentially hundreds of million dollars for Hurricane Michael recovery after President Donald Trump agreed to expand the number of days the federal government will reimburse state and local governments for cleanup efforts, the state's governor announced Thursday.

The federal government had already committed to reimburse Florida for five days of storm cleanup. Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis said that is now being expanded to 45 days after he had a private meeting with Trump at the White House on Tuesday.

"He loves the Panhandle, he loves the folks here, and I think he understands that this was not just a typical storm," DeSantis said while standing in front of a building that was destroyed by the storm. "When the president knew the scale of the debris, he just said, 'Look we've got to help these guys.'"

By comparison, he said Hurricane Irma in 2017 affected all 67 counties and left 2.5 million cubic yards of debris. Last October, Hurricane Michael left 25 million cubic yards of debris and only hit a portion of the Panhandle between the Gulf of Mexico and the Alabama and Georgia borders.

The storm nearly wiped the small coastal town of Mexico Beach off the map.

"When you have a $3 million budget for the city and you have $80 million in debris costs, that's a tough nut to crack," DeSantis said of Mexico Beach.

DeSantis said the federal money has already been appropriated and won't be affected by the partial federal government shutdown.

Division of Emergency Management Director Jared Moskowitz said the state will be able to pick the 45 most costly days of the storm cleanup for reimbursement.

"This is in the hundreds of millions of dollars in savings in local taxpayer money. This is money that's now back in the state budget, back in the city coffers," said Moskowitz. "This is needed, it is necessary, and we thank our federal partners for recognizing what needs to be done in Florida."

In Bay County, the county hardest hit by the storm, the change in reimbursement could translate into a savings of $60 million, said county manager Robert Majka Jr.

"It's very, very important," Majka said. "Every dollar we get in assistance is a big help."
An off-duty Los Angeles County Fire Department captain was being mourned Thursday after he was killed in a collision on the northbound Antelope Valley (14) Freeway in Santa Clarita that also left a Caltrans worker injured.

A Jeep and a Caltrans vehicle collided just south of Sand Canyon Road about 11:15 a.m. Wednesday, California Highway Patrol Officer Moises Marroquin said.

According to the CHP accident report, the Caltrans vehicle -- a GMC3500 with a dump truck bed that was part of a sweeper operation -- was traveling within the northbound center median when it was rear-ended by a Jeep.

The Jeep driver -- an Agua Dulce resident later identified as Capt. Michael Shepard, 63, of Fire Station 132 in Canyon Country -- died at the scene, according to the CHP. Authorities at the crash site covered Shepard's body with an American flag.

The driver of the Caltrans vehicle suffered moderate injuries and was taken to Henry Mayo Memorial Hospital for treatment, according to the CHP.

The crash shut down the carpool and No. 1 lanes until about 7 p.m. The closures caused an eight-mile, 90-minute traffic backup.

Shepard joined the county fire department in 2006 and worked his way through the ranks, officials said.

Shepard is survived by his wife Cathy, four sons, two daughters and seven grandchildren.

"Mike was a dedicated husband, father and fire captain," according to a statement issued by Shepard's wife. "He was the source of love, comfort, protection and joy to the entire family. It is with grieving hearts that we have lost him, but we are forever grateful for each minute we spent with him."
What to Know CA Gov. Gavin Newsom filed a lawsuit against Huntington Beach on Friday.

Newsom says Huntington Beach has not complied with state laws to build additional housing unity.

Huntington Beach rejects the lawsuit, saying their own city charters establish different housing guidelines.

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a lawsuit on Friday against the city of Huntington Beach, accusing the Orange County surfing haven of blocking the production of affordable housing and thus exacerbating the statewide housing crisis.

"The state doesn't take this action lightly,'' Newsom said in a statement. "The huge housing costs and sky-high rents are eroding quality of life for families across this state. California's housing crisis is an existential threat to our state's future and demands and urgent and comprehensive response."

Huntington Beach City Attorney Michael E. Gates said the governor's statement "contains inaccuracies" and said the move would slow down efforts to negotiate a legal settlement regarding housing issues.

According to Newsom's office, the city has refused to comply with state housing law, "even after extensive attempts to offer partnership and support from the California Department of Housing and Community Development."

The state argued that cities are required to enact housing plans that meet "the needs of the broader region and its economy."

The state Department of Housing and Community Development found Huntington Beach's housing plan to be deficient in 2015. According to Newsom's office, the city was in compliance two years earlier, but it then amended its housing plan "and significantly reduced the number of new housing units able to be built."

The city later rejected a proposed amendment that would have added the ability for more units to be built, according to the governor's office.

"Cities and counties are important partners in addressing this housing crisis, and many cities are making herculean efforts to meet this crisis head-on," Newsom said. "But some cities are refusing to do their part to address this crisis and willfully stand in violation of California law. Those cities will be held to account."

Gates responded that the city has been "complying with all applicable state housing and zoning laws and has been, and will continue to, work with the California Department of Housing and Community Development regarding meeting the city's Regional Housing Needs Assessment."

Gates said proof of that "is evidenced by the city's recent court victories in lawsuits challenging the city's actions to zone for additional housing, including affordable housing."

Efforts by city officials to improve its zoning "has been caused by the city fighting lawsuits and court appeals filed by plaintiffs such as the Kennedy Commission."

Gates said the lawsuit was "timed poorly as it now interrupts recent months of discussions with both (Housing and Community Development) and the Kennedy Commission with regard to a resolution to the remaining outstanding disputes."

Since 2014, the city has "issued permits and filed inspections for over 2,500 new housing units, including approximately 100 very low-income and low-income deed-restricted units," Gates said.

"Moreover, the city has also permitted or entitled all of its moderate-income (Regional Housing Needs Assessment) target," Gates said. "The city has also established programs, such as our Tenant Based Rental Assistance program, dedicated to providing assistance to extremely low income and at-risk homeless households."

Gates said it was "noteworthy" that Huntington Beach has been singled out "while over 50 other cities in California have not yet met their RHNA targets. That raises questions about the motivation for this lawsuit filed only against Huntington Beach."

The city also is embroiled in a legal battle with the state over the so-called "sanctuary state" law that the city has claimed doesn't apply to Huntington Beach since it is a charter city.

State Sen. John Moorlach, R-Costa Mesa, criticized the lawsuit in a statement.

Moorlach said he was "befuddled that Gov. Newsom - a former mayor of a city and county with astronomical housing costs and multitudinous problems - would try and make an example out of my constituents, the city of Huntington Beach, and sue them for not having enough affordable housing."

Moorlach said he believes the city "is doing its best to comply with applicable state housing and zoning laws and continues to work on meeting its housing goals and has consistently prevailed in court on this very issue."

The state senator said the governor has "made things worse" and "exacerbated the housing crisis by unilaterally" suing.

Moorlach said Huntington Beach should not be singled out when other cities lag behind affordable housing requirements.

"Otherwise, these are strong-arm tactics," Moorlach said.
The Texas Department of Public Safety has identified 58,000 non-U.S. citizens who voted in one or more Texas elections, dating to 1996, according to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's office.



Further, the DPS said there were about 95,000 non-citizens they identified as having a voter registration record in the state.



"Texas law allows lawfully present noncitizens to obtain drivers licenses by showing proof of lawful presence to DPS," Paxton's office said in a statement. "However, only citizens are eligible to vote. And Texas law currently does not require verification of a voters statement that they are a citizen."

It's not clear if the remaining 37,000 people attempted to vote in any election, be it local, state or federal, or if those who did vote in state elections also voted in federal elections.



The Texas Secretary of State this week provided the information to Paxton's office, which can prosecute election crimes.



Every single instance of illegal voting threatens democracy in our state and deprives individual Texans of their voice," Paxton said in a statement. "My Election Fraud Unit stands ready to investigate and prosecute crimes against the democratic process when needed."

Republican Gov. Greg Abbott praised the findings, which officials said were the result of voter rolls being checked against a state database of Texas residents who are not citizens but leally obtained driver's licenses.

"I support prosecution where appropriate. The State will work on legislation to safeguard against these illegal practices," Abbott tweeted.

Sam Taylor, spokesman for the Texas secretary of state's office, said they were "very confident" the citizenship data obtained by the Texas Department of Public Safety was current. But a voting rights group immediately questioned the accuracy of the data and warned that the numbers would likely fuel efforts to tighten voting laws.

Texas Democratic lawmakers also urged caution, including Dallas state Rep. Rafael Anchia, who said "because we have consistently seen Texas politicians conjure the specter of voter fraud as pretext to suppress legitimate votes, we are naturally skeptical."

In his statement, Paxton mentioned three recent convictions for voter fraud obtained by his office for three non-citizens in Tarrant, Montgomery and Navarro counties.

"Nothing is more vital to preserving our Constitution than the integrity of our voting process, and my office will do everything within its abilities to solidify trust in every election in the state of Texas. I applaud Secretary of State Whitley for his proactive work in safeguarding our elections, Paxton said.

Paxton's office said from 2005-2017, the attorney generals office prosecuted 97 defendants for numerous voter fraud violations.

In 2018, Paxtons Election Fraud Unit  with assistance from a criminal justice grant from the governors office  prosecuted 33 defendants for a total of 97 election fraud violations. Last February, the attorney general announced a significant voter fraud initiative and addressed key problems and policy areas related to election law.

This story contains material from the Associated Press
Texas Health Resources announced a round of layoffs Thursday as the company looks to the future.

Company officials said the layoffs will affect less than three percent of the entire workforce of more than 24,000 people.

The layoffs were not centered at one hospital or location, but rather spread across different facilities.

While we regret having to take these actions, we want to be clear that only a small number of employees were affected, said Michelle Kirby, Texas Healths chief people officer.

There are job opportunities in other areas of Texas Health and we have a long track record of placing impacted employees in other roles in our system. We are working hard to do so for these individuals, added Kirby.

Texas Health officials said they continue to grow several service lines and has plans to open two new hospitals in the next two years, along with expansion projects at existing facilities.

Texas Health leaders said the layoffs were necessary as the company takes a long-term view of its operations and continued service to the community.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has ordered preparations for a second summit with President Donald Trump, saying he'll "wait with patience and in good faith" to work toward a common goal, the North's state media reported Thursday.

Despite Kim's determination for another meeting with Trump, the two remain at odds over fundamental issues. Experts say a major sticking point is what denuclearization steps Kim should take to move forward stalled nuclear negotiations and what rewards Trump should provide to push Kim to take those measures.

The Korean Central News Agency said Kim received a letter from Trump from a North Korean envoy who met the U.S. president in Washington last week. The White House confirmed that Trump responded to a letter Kim had sent him.

After meeting Kim Yong Chol, Trump said that he and Kim Jong Un will probably meet around the end of February but did not say exactly when and where the summit would take place.

Thursday's report said Kim expressed satisfaction with his envoy's meeting with Trump and spoke highly of the U.S. president for "expressing his unusual determination and will for the settlement of the issue with a great interest in the second summit."

"We will wait with patience and in good faith and, together with the U.S., advance step by step toward the goal to be reached by the two countries," Kim was quoted as saying.

Kim also "set forth tasks and orientation for making good technical preparations" for the second summit high on the agenda, according to KCNA.

Nuclear negotiations have been stuck since Kim and Trump met in Singapore last June for their first summit, which ended with Kim's vague denuclearization pledge that his government had previously used when it called for the withdrawal of the 28,500 U.S. troops in South Korea. A summit accord also stated that the United States and North Korea will commit to establishing new relations and join efforts to build a lasting and stable peace on the Korean Peninsula.

The strongest step Kim could promise during a second summit may be abandoning his long-range missile program targeting the U.S. mainland. That step, if realized, would trigger a strong backlash from many in South Korea and Japan, which are within the striking distance of North Korea's short- and medium-range missiles. In return, Kim is seeking to get U.N. sanctions lifted. He also wants better relations with the United States to try to revive his country's moribund economy to pave the way for a prolonged rule by his family, experts say.

North Korea observers say Vietnam is likely to be chosen as a venue for a second summit but there has been no official confirmation.

The negotiations have replaced fears of war following a series of North Korean high-profile nuclear and missile tests in 2017 that were followed by exchanges of crude insults and threats of total destruction between Kim and Trump.

Kim has so far suspended nuclear and missile tests, dismantled North Korea's nuclear testing site and parts of its rocket engine test facility and taken conciliatory measures, like releasing American detainees. The North now says it's time for the U.S. to come up with reciprocal measures.

But satellite footage indicates North Korea is still running its main nuclear complex, raising questions why it's producing nuclear material if it is truly committed to denuclearization. U.S. officials want North Korea to take more significant steps such as a declared accounting of its nuclear weapons program for future inspections. The North has rejected that, saying such a declaration would be like providing coordinates for U.S. military strikes on its nuclear facilities.
In arguing for border wall funding, President Donald Trump claimed  without any evidence  that only 2 percent of those apprehended crossing the border and released pending immigration hearings appear in court. Actually, Trump administration officials put the figure at about 50 percent, while immigration experts say it is even higher.

The president made his remarks on Day 24 of the partial government shutdown, which began because Congress would not agree on Trumps request for $5.7 billion in funding for a proposed border wall. The president was speaking at the American Farm Bureau Federations annual convention in Louisiana.

--Trump, Jan. 14: Somebody comes into our country, they touch one foot on the ground, and we have to catch them. Its called, catch. We then take their names and we bring them to a court  can you believe this?  and we release them.  And they go into our country, and then you announce  these are the laws  then you say, Come back in three years for your trial. Tell me, what percentage of people come back? Would you say 100 percent? No, youre a little off. Like, how about 2 percent? (Laughter.) And those people, you almost dont want, because they cannot be very smart. (Laughter.) Two percent. Two percent. Two percent come back. Those two percent are not going to make America great again, that I can tell you. (Laughter and applause.) Crazy.

It is important to note first that most people apprehended at the border are quickly returned to their home country.

In an August 2018 report, the Department of Homeland Security said that 52 percent of the 479,000 people apprehended by the U.S. Border Patrol for crossing the border illegally in 2014 were returned to their home countries within three days.

Overall, DHS repatriated 65 percent of aliens encountered in 2014, with the majority (80 percent) of these repatriations occurring as expedited removals or reinstatements of previous removal orders, according to the DHS report, which tracked the enforcement outcomes over time for people trying to cross the Southwest border legally and illegally in 2014.

Mexican nationals, in particular, are often immediately processed and removed, as are those with criminal records, the report said.

Existing enforcement measures are highly efficient at repatriating Mexicans, convicted criminals, and single adults who do not seek humanitarian relief, according to the report, which noted that 97 percent of those with criminal records were repatriated.

However, DHS has criticized current laws and court rulings that favor the release of unaccompanied children and families from noncontiguous countries until their immigration status can be resolved in court  a process that can take years. The DHS report said that more than half of those from Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador who were apprehended at the Southwest border in 2014 remained in the U.S. after three years, and about half of all those apprehended from those countries were unaccompanied children and families.

But we found no evidence to support Trumps claim that only 2 percent of those released return for court hearings, and no one from the administration provided us with any evidence, either.

We contacted the Department of Homeland Security, which referred us to the White House. Hogan Gidley, the White House deputy press secretary, promised to respond in a minute, but never did.

However, two administration officials testified about the subject before Congress, and both officials put the figure for no-shows at around 50 percent  not 2 percent.

At an Aug. 16, 2018, hearing, Republican Sen. James Lankford of Oklahoma, questioned James McHenry, director of the Justice Departments Executive Office for Immigration Review, specifically about unaccompanied children who are released and then fail to show up at immigration hearings.

Im trying to figure out how many that we actually know are showing up to hearings or are still engaged in the process, Lankford said. Do you have a number on that at all?

The closest estimate we have is the in absentia rate, the number who receive an order of removal for not showing up at the hearing, McHenry replied. (In absentia is Latin for in the absence.)

McHenry said a little over 50 percent of cases involving unaccompanied children crossing the Southwest border are decided in absentia. A chart on the website of the Executive Office of Immigration Review, which McHenry heads, shows the in absentia rate in fiscal year 2018 for unaccompanied alien children, or UACs, was 50 percent.

Similarly, Matthew T. Albence, executive associate director for Enforcement and Removal Operations at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, told senators at a Sept. 18, 2018, hearing that 53 percent of cases involving family units encountered at the Southwest border in FY 2014 were decided in absentia.

One immigration expert told us Trumps 2 percent figure is highly unlikely.

As usual, I have no idea where he is getting his figures from and would suggest it is highly unlikely. This is so because those who are processed through the border are released from detention on an ankle monitor and have to follow a number of different procedures to help track them, all found to be highly effective alternatives to detention, said Ayodele Gansallo, an adjunct professor at the University of Pennsylvania Law School who is a senior staff attorney with the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society of Pennsylvania.

Lenni B. Benson, who teaches immigration law at New York University, also questioned the 50 percent figure cited in congressional hearings by Trump administration officials.

In a phone interview, Benson said the fact that a deportation order is issued in absentia does not mean that the person will be or should be deported. Too often, she said, noncitizens dont know when to appear in court because they are given inadequate notices to appear.

Benson cited the case of Wescley Fonseca Pereira, who was ordered removed in absentia because he missed a removal hearing in 2007. The Supreme Court ruled 8-1 in June that Pereiras notice to appear was inadequate because it lacked both time and location. In the majority opinion, Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote that the Department of Homeland Security almost always serves noncitizens with notices that fail to specify the time, place, or date of initial removal hearings, and instead state that the time, place and date are to be determined.

The government acknowledged in a court filing that almost 100 percent of notices to appear omit the time and date of the proceeding over the last three years.

If given inadequate notice, noncitizens may seek to reopen their immigration proceedings, even though a deportation order was filed against them in absentia. Benson argued that the 50 percent figure cited by the Trump officials is inflated, because it is a snapshot in time. In other words, some who failed to show up and received a deportation order in absentia may nevertheless continue to work through the judicial system.

When asked about the best available data on case outcomes, several immigration law experts referred us to a study published last year in the California Law Review that analyzed government data from immigration court cases initiated between 2001 and 2016.

The study  led by Ingrid Eagly, an immigration law professor at the University of California, Los Angeles  found that [f]amily members released from custody attended all of their hearings in 86% of cases during the 15 years covered by the study period. The percentage was slightly lower  81 percent  for nonfamilies.

One group in particular  families seeking asylum  had a very high rate of showing up for court hearings. We find that family members seeking asylum who were released from detention attended their hearings in 96% of cases that began in family detention since 2001, the study found.

The president frequently complains about what he calls catch and release. Last year, he claimed only 3 percent of those released show up in immigration court, while on other occasions he has said the released immigrants never show up in court or nobody ever shows up. But there is no evidence to support any of these claims.
Connecticuts U.S. senators both voted against the Republican-backed measure to reopen the government, Thursday.

That bill had the full support of the White House because it contained full funding for President Donald Trumps proposed $5.5 billion wall along the southern border.

But, the Democratic proposal also failed to achieve 60 votes, leaving the government shutdown in place.

From the very beginning this was only going to end one way, Republicans dropping all of these ridiculous demands and opening the government, said Sen. Chris Murphy, one Connecticuts two Democrats in the U.S. Senate. Democrats have no conditions, no demands. All we want is for the government to be open.

The Democratic proposal amounted to a short-term, two week proposal to open the government immediately, but it did not include funding for the wall.

Murphy said its Republicans who need to compromise because when they had the chance to approve the wall on their own they were unable to.

Donald Trump had Republican control of the House and the Senate for two years. A Republican House and a Republican Senate would not give him money for his wall because Republicans knew it was a waste of taxpayers dollars, Murphy said.

The Democratic proposal did amass more votes than the GOP proposal, with six Republicans crossing party lines to cast votes to reopen the government without funding the wall.

Because of that level of bipartisan support, only West Virginia Democrat Joe Manchin voted with the Republicans on their measure, Sen. Richard Blumenthal says the path to compromise is with the Democrats version.

There was some glimmer of hope with this vote, Blumenthal said. Clearly, some of my Republican colleagues and hopefully an increasing number are seeing the pain caused by this Trump shutdown and foreseeing the harm being done to our entire economy.

Hartford Congressman John Larson says he expects the House to take up another spending measure to open the government, but also criticized the president for using national security as the reason for the wall, when the shutdown threatens the safety of Americans flying every day the shutdown persists.

Rep. Larson said, "It's gotten insane to think that people where public safety is involved, you would say for security reasons you're going to shut down the government. Now how does that make any sense?"
Olympic gold medalist and UC Berkeley graduate Nathan Adrian announced Thursday that he's going through cancer treatment.

The competitive swimmer announced on social media that he recently learned about his testicular cancer after a visit to the doctor to get his flu shot.

"I went to the doctor as something didn't seem quite right," he wrote. "On the bright side, we caught it early, I have already started treatment and the prognosis is good."

Adrian says he's still expected to compete in his fourth Olympics in Tokyo next year.

"I will be back in the water in short weeks with my sights fully set on Tokyo! Along the way, I hope to share my journey in an effort to help break the stigma of discussing men's health issues," he said.

He posted a photo of himself in a hospital gown with his wife Hallie Ivester. The couple got married last year in Napa Valley.

"'In sickness and in health' came a bit sooner for us than anticipated," Ivester wrote on her Instagram. "Your positivity and strength during this time is more impressive to me than any medal you could ever win. I love you now and always!"

Adrian has won eight medals  five gold, one silver and two bronze  as a member of the U.S. Olympic team.
Police have arrested the man believed to be responsible for the death of a 30-year-old Fremont resident who went missing in 1990 by using DNA evidence.

Fremont Police detectives arrested 52-year-old Russel Guerrero in Chandler, Arizona, on Tuesday after officials spent months conducting surveillance on the man who would have been 25 years of age the time of 30-year-old Jack Upton's murder.

Police opened an investigation into Upton's disappearance on Dec. 17, 1990, after he had not shown up for work for multiple days. He was later found dead in his home on Tyson Lane, according to police.

Upton's Nissan 300 ZX, reportedly stolen from the apartment complex's parking lot, was located a week later 350 miles away in Thousand Oaks, California, police said.

Blood and other forensic evidence were collected from the vehicle and the blood sample was determined to be of an unknown suspect.

A new DNA technology by Parabon NanoLabs that was used in the arrest of the Golden State Killer suspect was brought in to assist with Upton's homicide investigation, according to Fremont police.

Last year, Bay Area authories made several cold case arrests using similar DNA analysis method.

That DNA analysis "coupled with a complete fresh look at the evidence in the case, produced a potential suspect in the case," authorities said in a statement. The case was then presented to the Alameda County District Attorneys Office last Thursday and a warrant was issued for Guerrero's arrest.

It wasn't immediately clear if Guerrero had a legal representative.
Azerbaijan has put its brand new Tufan-type (Saar OPV-62) border guard ship S-206 afloat in the Caspian Sea. This vessel is to be incorporated to the State Border Service (SBS) of the Azerbaijans Coast Guard.

Azerbaijan has put its brand new Tufan-type (Saar OPV-62) border guard ship S-206 afloat in the Caspian Sea. This vessel is to be incorporated to the State Border Service (SBS) of the Azerbaijans Coast Guard.

Saar OPV-62 S-204 (Picture source : WeapoNews)

This vessel will help the Coast Guard of Azerbaijan to complete important missions including the ensuring of border security in the Caspian Sea, the organising of reliable protection of the oil and gas industry, the managing of rescue missions and also the surveillance of its coasts.

The S-206 is scheduled to be equipped with modern equipment, radio communications and weapons (including missile and anti-missile weapons, night and day surveillance systems, etc). It is also fitted to accommodate a helicopter on its 62-meter long deck, and various high-speed boats.
(Natural News) Not only has America become the land of endless fake news, but under the rogue hand of Robert Mueller, this nation is also the land of fake justice. In an early morning raid that was staged exclusively for CNN, Roger Stone was arrested and charged with so-called process crimes consisting almost entirely of charges of lying to Congress.

Stop the presses. If lying to Congress is a crime, then where is the arrest of Mark Zuckerberg and Google CEO Sunday Pichai who lied under oath and claimed there is no bias in Google search results or Facebook accounts?

If lying to Congress is a crime, where is the arrest of Hillary Clinton, James Comey, Andrew McCabe and Barack Obama himself? And where is the evidence of collusion against Roger Stone, anyway? The deranged, dishonest left-wing media keeps telling us that Trump colluded with Russia, but when it comes down to all the staged arrests and criminal charges, theres no collusion to be found at all. Robert Mueller has become the King of process crimes who specializes in trapping people with minor misstatements, then staging pre-dawn armed raids on camera in order to feed fresh meat to the liberal mob media.

On January 25, 2019, in the pre-dawn hours, at least six FBI vehicles and at least 12 officers stormed Trump associate Roger Stones home in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, reports The Gateway Pundit. The deep state officers were dressed in tactical vests with large weapons. They were wearing night vision glasses. This is the Mueller Deep State at work. They send out fully armed tactical teams to harass and abuse political opponents in the dead of night. And only CNN hacks get tipped off before hand.

There are false charges of witness intimidation. This is a politically motivated result, Roger Stone said in an exclusive interview with Alex Jones of InfoWars.com. Twenty-nine FBI agents showed up at my home, pounded on my door, I opened my door to pointed automatic weapons. I was handcuffed. There were 17 vehicles in the street with lights on. They terrorized my wife and my dogs. They executed a search warrant. And CNN was present. CNN was tipped off prior to my arrest.

I intend to vigorously fight the charges because they are false, Stone explained.

Robert Mueller is the one who needs to go to jail for rampant abuse of power, witness tampering and obstruction of justice

Robert Mueller is the most corrupt prosecutor in U.S. history, and he has a long history of obstructing justice, abusing power and tampering with witnesses. If anybody should be indicted and charged with crimes against the State, its Robert Mueller and his cabal of treasonous actors, including James Comey who illegally leaked classified information to the press in order to get Mueller appointed (while Jeff Sessions looked the other way and abandoned America to save his own skin).

In an exclusive quote to GP, [Jacob] Engels referred to Muellers collusion with CNN to film the arrest as Joseph Goebbels style propaganda, reports TGP:

Those claiming for the past two years that we live in the Fourth Reich were right. This is a gestapo state and Robert Mueller is your Fuhrer. To SWAT an older man and his wife at 6AM with CNN cameras rolling is something that would make Joseph Goebbels proud. It was a production of propaganda by the Special Counsels office that turned FBI agents into modern day Nazis.

This political hit-squad run by the FBI and their allies in the mainstream media would earn praise from Adolf Hitler. Americans should fight this political persecution with every fiber of their beings, now more than ever.

Democrats / leftists / media cheering todays jackbooted raid on Roger Stone should be very careful. What happens when this Gestapo style government force is used against you? You are collaborators & should be treated as such. Supporting @realDonaldTrump isnt illegal.  Jacob Engels (@JacobEngels) January 25, 2019

Help support Roger Stones legal defense fund at StoneDefenseFund.com.

As Engels explains:

You can now be arrested for having supported Donald Trump for President of the United States. The enemies of freedom have successfully weaponized the FBI into a roaming gestapo-style political persecution hit-squad. They started with Roger Stone, but they will end with us. Infowars, Gateway Pundit, and independent journalists who have stood up to Robert Muellers criminal enterprise will not be spared if we dont stand and fight.
(Natural News) Corrupt California legislator and vaccine industry hack Richard Pan, a Democrat, has apparently inspired a cohort of other Democrats in Arizona to propose new legislation that, just like with Pans Senate Bill 277, would eliminate an exemption clause for Arizonans that currently allows them to opt out of mandatory vaccinations based on personal objections.

House Bill 2162, as explained by the National Vaccine Information Center (NVIC), would completely eliminate the right of Arizonans to refuse vaccines using the personal belief exemption, leaving only the medical and religious exemption clauses in place  though its important to note that the religious exemption isnt valid at schools, which would leave only the medical exemption clause for Arizona students, just like in California.

The 10 legislators who are co-sponsoring HB 2162 are all Democrats, and include Representatives Alma Hernandez, Isela Blanc, Kelli Butler, Cesar Chavez, Kirsten Engel, Randal Friese, Daniel Hernandez, Jennifer Longdon, Robert Meza, and Athena Salman. Again, not a single Republican legislator in Arizona is in support of HB 2162 at the current time.

Why are our rights over our own bod[ies] constantly under attack? asks NVIC on its Instagram page, warning followers to take action to stop this latest assault against freedom of health choice. This has already been tried before and has been shut down! Lets do it again, everyone! Now is when we need to unite and fight for our rights.

As Americans are distracted by fake news about Catholic boys taunting Native American elders, politicians are busy stripping more medical freedoms from their constituents

All of this would seem to be taking place under the cover of endless mainstream media propaganda, most recently concerning the Covington Catholic High School boys who are being falsely accused of giving racist glares to Indigenous activists.

According to NVIC, HB 2162 will amend Section 15-873 of the Arizona Revised Statutes, effectively removing the personal exemption to vaccine mandates from the books.

The parent or guardian of the pupil submits a signed statement to the school administrator stating that the parent or guardian has received information about immunizations provided by the department of health services and understands the risks and benefits of immunizations and the potential risks of nonimmunization and that due to personal beliefs, the parent or guardian does not consent to the immunization of the pupil, the bill reads.

Keep in mind that the definition of the word pupil in the bill is very broad, and covers any person who is eligible to receive instruction at a school and includes pre-kindergarten age children receiving either services for children with disabilities or day care on a school campus otherwise exempt from day care rules pursuant to section 36-884.

Naturally, many Arizonans who do their homework in order to protect their children from such tyranny are rightfully upset by the proposal. Like NVIC, theyre calling on anyone and everyone in Arizona who supports medical freedom to call their legislators and demand that HB 2162 be effectively stopped.

Theres a war against us anti-vaxxers now, wrote one Instagram commenter in support of killing HB 2162. This is exactly what Big Pharma wanted.

 they even were giving out flu shots at the Grammys this year for publicity. Big Pharma will not stop because they will lose billions of dollars. They have brainwashed most people. My child had the flu once in his 16 years of his life. Thats because he had the flu shot. Sad my state will be part of this craziness and worse yet my future state is already. So glad I am done having kids but fear for my future grandchildren.

For more vaccine-related news, be sure to check out Vaccines.news.

You can also keep up with the latest assaults on health freedom at HealthFreedom.news.

Sources for this article include:

Legiscan.com

NaturalNews.com

Instagram.com

NVIC.org

NaturalNews.com

Facebook.com

Instagram.com
(Natural News) A new browser plug-in called NewsGuard is being widely promoted and accepted by Big Tech and the mainstream leftist media. The app, already installed on mobile versions of Microsofts Edge browser, essentially publishes a list of blacklisted independent media sites and warns consumers not to trust them. The green-yellow-red flag system targets independent media and favors establishment, war-mongering, pharmaceutical-funded and left-leaning media sources.

NewsGuard, founded by establishment media insiders and intelligence operatives, is a for-profit venture that seeks to partner with Big Tech to degrade, de-legitimize, and blacklist independent news sites that have gained trust and influence over the past decade. NewsGuard is already giving green light ratings to all the fake news giants that have been caught in massive media hoaxes, including BuzzFeed, Rolling Stone, CNN, WashPost and NY Times.

The fight for power over the publics trust and perception

A rapidly increasing number of people are losing trust in mainstream media channels. Official sources have blatant political, industrial, and ideological agendas that misconstrue facts and misrepresent events. The rise in popularity of independent media shows that people are questioning more and making up their own mind on important topics, history, medical decisions, and current events. The people who control big business, political policy, and conflict abroad want complete trust in their vision. The people with wealth and power are competing for control over your mind (and dollars) and they will stop at nothing to secure that trust. Your trust in them is vital to their financial success, fame, security, and further ascension to power.

The term fake news was created to destroy independent media and to restore Americans trust in official bought-off sources such as CNN, MSNBC, and the Washington Post. Ironically, CNN fabricates lies on a daily basis while driving a leftist political narrative that sometimes comes across as deranged and even anti-American.

CNN has driven countless false narratives in an attempt to disparage the current Presidential administration. The President has called out the BS along the way, giving a more realistic and transparent perspective on what his Administration is doing and has accomplished. The people working against him would like to taint, twist, obstruct, and confuse everything he is doing, instead of providing accurate scrutiny that is essential in a democracy; therefore the President is right when he flips the script and says CNN is the fake news and the enemy of the people.

NewsGuards team of analysts wants to restore CNNs reputation through their coercive, biased app. They also want to destroy public trust in independent media through their apps manipulative blacklisting feature. Sites that question the official narrative, such as Breitbart News, The Drudge Report, RT, and the Daily Mail, have already been blacklisted by this shady app. Does the U.K.s third most popular British newspaper, the Daily Mail really fail to maintain basic standards of accuracy and accountability as NewsGuard postulates? The news site follows the most fundamental rules of proper journalism. The most reputable journalism source in the world, WikiLeaks, which has never had to retract a story due to false or misleading information, is also blacklisted to a red rating by NewsGuard.

Ironically, sites that publish hit-jobs against conservative media publication such as Media Matters, Salon, the Clintonite Democrat, and the Huffington Post have all received the green light and are credited as the most trustworthy news sources. Sites such as BuzzFeed, recently humiliated for publishing alleged details about the ongoing Mueller investigation, were called out for lying by Robert Mueller himself. Even though BuzzFeed misconstrued facts about the Mueller investigation that were exposed, the publication continued to promote their story. According to NewsGuard, though, BuzzFeed regularly corrects or clarifies errors and can be trusted above all the others.

Not to be outdone is the green-light NY Times, the Washington Post and CNN. All these official sources and their associates ran a very irresponsible news story accusing Trump-supporting teenagers of taunting a left-wing Native American senior. The Covington Catholic high school students were threatened on social media as a result. When the narrative was exposed, it was the Native American agitator who taunted the students who wore MAGA hats, and the students kept their cool. Of course, these official sources can be trusted, just as NewsGuard tells us in their app.

NewsGuards top advisors include intelligence operatives and neocons who worked for the Clinton, Bush, and Obama administrations with connection to Silicon Valley, U.S. oligarchs, globalists, leftists, and pharmaceutical business interests. Any news site that publishes content that challenges their power, their business interests, their sponsors, and their agendas will inevitably be blacklisted.

For more on this topic, see NewsGuardWatch.com.

Sources include:

Breitbart.com

Breitbart.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) Following the horrific December 2012 school shooting of young children and adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., talk radio host Alex Jones initially theorized that, based on some evidence he unearthed, the incident may have been staged.

During a broadcast almost two years later, Jones said, Weve clearly got people where its actors playing different parts of different people. Ive looked at it and undoubtedly theres a cover-up, theres actors, theyre manipulating, theyve been caught lying and they were pre-planning before it and rolled out with it.

In response, the mainstream media (MSM) jumped on Jones as a blatant conspiracy theorist, criticized him for making his claims, and demonized him in every imaginable way, simply because he questioned the official narrative based on some of his findings. After all, it isnt as if the government isnt capable of doing horrible things in order to advance, say, a gun control agenda like the Obama administration tried with its Mexican gun-running operation Fast and Furious.

A dangerous irony

Nevertheless, Jones pushed back against the media smears. This is all out of context.  And its not even what I said or my intent, he noted after nearly a half-dozen parents of children killed at the school filed a lawsuit. (Related: Mass shooting deaths in 2018 killed 68 Americans and the mass media freaked out; ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS murdered 2,000 people  MSM silent.)

Fast forward to this week.

The very same MSM that savaged Jones and smeared his name and reputation so badly has now misreported  intentionally?  the incident last weekend involving a confrontation between a teen Catholic boy in a MAGA hat and a Native American activist named Nathan Phillips.

The lies told by the media were so egregious that the school  Covington Catholic High  actually had to close its doors for a day out of fear that its students would be attacked, even shot and killed, by a riled-up lunatic, according to threats cited by law enforcement.

When Jones questioned the official version of events at Sandy Hook, he was pilloried by the very same press that could have actually caused another school shooting thanks to its fake news reporting.

A dangerous irony.

Read more about mass public shootings at Shootings.news.

Sources include:

CBSNews.com

Breitbart.com

TheNationalSentinel.com
(Natural News) For most of last year leading up to the 2018 midterms, conservative online publishers and pundits complained that the major social media tech platforms were banning them, censoring their content, and/or downgrading their materials and viewpoints in an effort to prevent even their followers from seeing it.

And for nearly as long, the head of Facebook, Twitter, YouTube/Google and others denied that any such censorship was taking place, or that there was a concerted, coordinated effort to keep conservative voices off their platforms.

In recent days, conservative media  ironically  have reported that yes, the tech platforms do indeed censor content they have determined to be controversial but which also happen to suppress Right-leaning viewpoints on issues like abortion.

Now we learn from a tech CEO himself that such censorship efforts are, in fact, well-coordinated between platforms.

As reported by Breitbart News, Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey told the Left-wing HuffPost in no uncertain terms that the social media behemoths definitely collaborate on various methods of censorship of certain content and, presumably, certain publishers.

During the interview, which was conducted by former Gawker correspondent Ashley Feinberg  who initially complained about Dorsey unfollowing her on Twitter  the CEO denied intentional censorship of conservatives and their content.

I think it would be easy to believe a perspective if you only look at particular things. And you look at actions based on who you follow and whatnot, he said after Feinberg asked him why conservatives believe they are being censored.

I mean, people follow people that violate our terms of service and who we take action upon, and if youre only following those people and youre not following anyone else, you tend to see that and the perspective is strengthened, the Twitter CEO declared.

As I said in front of Congress, we do make some mistakes where our algorithms can be super aggressive. But do we build bias into our systems? No, its not in our policies, its not in our enforcement, and its not in our algorithms So the main thing that were focused on is how we stay transparent with our actions and continue to be impartial  not neutral, but impartial. (Related: Arrest Google CEO Sundar Pichai for lying under oath to Congress: Yes, Google manually alters search results.)

We definitely collaborate

Dorsey said he reached out to a bunch of people including conservative pundit Ali Alexander before he banned Infowars creator Alex Jones, noting that Alexander advised against it.

He then denied that the social media giants work in tandem to suspend or otherwise downgrade conservative voices  then added that they definitely collaborate on methods with the other platforms.

I think the conspiracy theory was that all companies were working in concert together to deplatform in terms of all platforms working together. We definitely collaborate on methods, but particular actions, we dont, he admitted, without really explaining the difference.

What I said is that there was an active conspiracy theory around all these companies working together. We want to state that we have a Terms of Service and that we are going to follow it. Then when we find that we need to take action, well take action. But theres no decision other than making sure that we stay true to our enforcement policies, he added.

Conservatives argue that studies, examples, and anecdotal evidence suggest otherwise  that the platforms not only collaborate but target them.

In fact, the banning and censorship is so blatant that Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) announced over the summer he was bringing a formal complaint to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) because, he said, Twitter editors were censoring or downgrading his feed, which amounts to a curb on his ability to reach his constituents.

Based on an investigation by far-Left Vice, Twitter was most definitely shadow banning several GOP lawmakers: Reps. Gaetz, Devin Nunes, Mark Meadows, Jim Jordan, and John Ratcliffe by blocking their names in the search bar.

Read more about social media censorship of conservatives at Censorship.news.

Sources include:

TheNationalSentinel.com

NewsTarget.com

Breitbart.com
(Natural News) Health freedom is under attack around the globe, as nations everywhere are adopting increasingly tyrannical vaccine policies. Government officials in Argentina have just announced the passing of legislation which will make vaccination mandatory for citizens who want access to luxuries like passports, drivers licenses and other essentials. The first leg of the mandate will only apply to children, but there are plans in the works to expand this tyranny to adults as well. Indeed, only an authoritarian regime would place such constraints upon their constituents. Vaccine mandates serve only to coerce the population into heeding the governments demands  and further, give the government unprecedented power over their populations personal health choices.

Make no mistake, vaccine mandates have nothing to do with public health initiatives, and everything to do with Big Government ensuring you are a compliant member of the flock.

Argentina launches ludicrous vaccine mandate

As Robert Scott Bell reports, Argentinas Senate approved a law that would establish citizens obligation to be vaccinated against vaccine-preventable diseases in order to have access to a number of basic essentials. The law reportedly stipulates that the complete vaccination card will be required at the time of processing the DNI, passport and driving record , among others, as well.

Argentina creates mandatory vaccination law for passports, IDs and drivers licenses, school and more, Robert Scott Bell reports on his video channel at Brighteon.com.

Bell explains that the rise and expansion of biometric data coupled with identification numbers (like your social security number) makes notions like mandatory vaccination especially frightening. Not only is the government capable of knowing who is or isnt vaccinated, they can know where you are and what youre doing at all times  and they can put any restrictions on you that they want.

Once theyve got you by numerical, biometric tracking data, they now say, Were going to tie that into your vaccine records. And youre not going to be able to get an ID, you will not be able to get a drivers license, you will not be able to get a passport, without your vaccine schedule checked and up to date, Bell states.



Bell goes on to recall that many moons ago, the federal government was prohibited from using social security numbers for the purpose of identification  and yet today, thats exactly what theyre used for. As he contends further, the notion that government will not use its power against its people is erroneous; its already happening. Every time citizens agree to give an inch, government takes a mile.

Vaccine mandates are some of the most outrageous examples of government abuse of power. In the case of Argentina, big government is literally stripping its citizens of their right to make independent choices about their health by way of coercion: If you want to have access to modern necessities, like passports and IDs, you must comply with the governments inane vaccine agenda.

In the United States, vaccine pushers like California Senator Richard Pan have been advocating for stronger laws to enforce inoculation and quash opposing voices in the vaccine debate. Pan has authored multiple anti-freedom, pro-vaccination bills that infringe upon Americans rights to freedom.

While vaccine propagandists may say that the U.S. government is within its rights to mandate vaccination because health freedom is not expressly written into the Constitution, the Tenth Amendment clearly states, The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

In other words, any power that is not explicitly laid out by the Constitution does not belong to the federal government. Freedom from being medically coerced by the government ought to fall under that category somehow.

See more coverage of the vaccine industrys latest atrocities at Vaccines.news.

Sources for this article include:

Brighteon.com

RobertScottBell.com
(As delivered)

Prime Minister Ardern, Jacinda,

Its great to have you here, welcome to the NATO Headquarters.

And New Zealand and NATO are far apart on the map but we are very close as partners. And we really appreciate the close partnership with New Zealand. We share the same values, we believe in a rules-based order and have worked together for peace and security for many years.

We also understand that many of the threats and challenges we face are truly global. Terrorism, cyber, proliferation of nuclear weapons, all these threats and challenges are a challenge both for NATO Allies and for New Zealand.

We welcome very much the close partnership. We see that in many different ways. We see that in Afghanistan where we have been working together for many years and New Zealand has contributed with personnel to the National Army Defence Academy, helping to train and educate Afghan soldiers and officers. And the purpose of our presence in Afghanistan is to prevent Afghanistan from once again becoming a safe haven for international terrorism. Its still a difficult situation in Afghanistan, but we strongly believe that the best way to help to stabilize the country is to train the forces, build local capacity so they can stabilize their own country.

Were also happy and glad that New Zealand plays a valuable role in the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS. You are training Iraqi forces. NATO has trained Iraqi forces for some time but were now scaling up our presence in Iraq with a new training mission and in our meeting today, we discussed how New Zealand and NATO can best coordinate our efforts in the fight against terrorism. Both in Afghanistan, in Iraq and elsewhere.

New Zealand also has maritime capabilities, which contribute to our shared security and we have seen that especially in our joint efforts to fight piracy off the Horn of Africa.

The Alliance also benefits from New Zealands expertise and insight in Asia-Pacific security and we look forward to continue our close consultations. Today we discussed the full range of our cooperation. We identified the areas where we could do more together, including work on maritime security, cyber defence and Women, Peace and Security.

So I look forward to continue to cooperation with New Zealand and with you and once again, warm welcome to NATO Headquarters.

Jacinda Ardern [Prime Minister of New Zealand]: Thank you very much, Secretary General. Thank you for the warmth of your welcome. Obviously my first official visit here to Brussels, so obviously my first official visit to your new and expensive NATO Headquarters, but it's a real pleasure to be here with you and to receive this warm welcome. As you say, the security environment has changed remarkably in the last 20 years. Globalisation has, in many ways, particularly for a small country at a great distance from others, it has made the world feel that much smaller. And it has had positive benefits for a country like ours, that is often distant from traditional theatres of conflict, but which has always sought its role and its part in the defence of values and norms in which we hold dear.

But globalisation is also creating an increasingly complex security and economic environment, making that relationship between us all the more relevant, but also the need for us to be all the more dynamic and adaptable for the challenges that we face, including for instance cybersecurity. Thats why New Zealand's geographic isolation is no longer a barrier it once was - and that is why we cannot respond just to those security threats alone. And nor can any other individual state. The threats we face are truly global in their nature, but also in their impact, and that is why we will continue to make the case for collective action, because the case for it has never been clearer. And this is where our partnership with NATO is so important and where also it has the ability to be mutually beneficial. Although separated by great distance, we share common values: the values of democracy; the values of human rights; protecting fundamental freedoms; and increasingly the need to uphold the rules-based order. It's incredibly helpful for us to be able to share, as we have done today, insights on key security challenges, and identifying ways that we can work together.

Today, the Secretary General and I discussed how we can be swooped together to achieve those mutual goals, and of course we discussed issues of maritime security, terrorism in particular. We also had a discussion around some of the challenges in our region, in particular. I'd like to think New Zealand has a small in fact, I know New Zealand has a small but highly-capable security and defence force. Weve a well-earned reputation, which we discussed today, for providing high-quality personnel for international missions, and that includes to NATO operations. And we have supported efforts led by NATO to deliver peace and security in Afghanistan and Kosovo, for instance, and we continue to work alongside you and your members in many other theatres, to defend that rule-based order.

We did discuss the situation in Afghanistan and Iraq together today, and it is clear that international support is required in the region, to assist both countries to provide security, prosperity, the rule of law and, as we discussed today, to continue to see those improvements in excess to some of the things that we consider most basic, like for instance, education. I'm grateful to the Secretary General for his openness, his willingness to share his insights with me, and I thank you again for your hospitality and I look forward to continuing our important relationship together, between New Zealand and NATO.

Oana Lungescu [NATO Spokesperson]: Thank you. Yes, please, TV New Zealand?

Question [TV New Zealand]: Hello, my name is Joy, I'm from Television New Zealand. Just a question: do NATO and New Zealand have plans together in Afghanistan or Iraq, going forward?

Jens Stoltenberg [NATO Secretary General]: New Zealand is helping and supporting the NATO mission in Afghanistan and we have many partners working together with NATO in Afghanistan, and we welcome of course that very much. Because, as I said, the reason why we are in Afghanistan is to make sure that Afghanistan not once again becomes a safe haven for international terrorism. We saw the consequences back in 2001, when the 9/11 attacks on the United States were organised/planned, from Afghanistan. And thats the reason why we went in.

Then of course I understand that people may ask, we have been there for so long, so why should we continue to be there. Then I think it's important to remember that not many years ago we were part of a big combat operation, with more than 100,000 troops in combat operations in Afghanistan. Now, the NATO mission, which is supported the Resolute Support Mission, which New Zealand is contributing to, is a train, assist and advice mission, where we help the Afghans stabilise their own country and the Afghans are now taking over responsibility for the security in their own country. And we highly value the contribution from New Zealand because it's high quality; the personnel from New Zealand are very committed, they are playing a key role in helping to educate and to build a national defence academy. And thats the best way to help Afghanistan, and that is to help them develop their own forces, so they can create security in their own country themselves.

Oana Lungescu [NATO Spokesperson]: Deutsche Welle/National Public Radio.

Question [Deutsche Welle / NPR]: Hi, Teri Schultz, over here. To the Prime Minister, are you concerned by reports coming out of the US about the drawdown of troops, the potential, the expected drawdown of troops in Afghanistan, with you of course continuing your contribution there? And to the Secretary General, a momentous day for Macedonia; all of us who've covered this issue for so many years have waited for this. What is your reaction? Is the Greek parliament's approval the last hurdle that Macedonia had to becoming a NATO member? What's the next step? How quickly will this happen? Thanks.

Jacinda Ardern [Prime Minister of New Zealand]: Thank you. I'll cover very briefly the question that you asked. Obviously, the decision of other governments as to the way that they choose to deploy their forces, the length of stay for those forces, are ultimately decisions for those individual countries and their leaders.

What New Zealand focuses on is of course the nature of our contribution, the quality of our contribution, and in Afghanistan we know, with the individuals that we here have there now, which roughly total 11, that we do have high-quality individuals providing an incredibly important role and as part of a wider team. And so that, for us, it's about our individual contribution; we dont judge what were doing relative to others. Those are decisions for them.

Jens Stoltenberg [NATO Secretary General]: Let me just first add one small remark to the previous question on Afghanistan and Iraq, because I forgot to say anything about Iraq. We have launched a training mission in Iraq. We will of course welcome also contributions from New Zealand to that training mission. New Zealand is already present in Iraq, but we will of course in the context of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, but we will also of course welcome contributions to the NATO training mission.

Then, on the decision in the Greek parliament today; this is an historic decision and it's a decision I really welcome, because the ratification of the name agreement, between Athens and Skopje, is historic because it removes an obstacle for Euro-Atlantic integration of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia into NATO, and it's something we have been supporting for many, many years, and now we see that the name agreement has been supported by a majority in the parliament in Skopje and now also today in Athens. I would like to commend the leadership and the courage of Prime Minister Tsipras, but also of Prime Minister Zaev. They have made this possible and this has become possible because they have shown leadership which is really impressive. We will now move on with in the process of getting FYROM as the 30th member of NATO, under it's new name, the Republic of Northern Macedonia. We will be able to sign the accession protocol shortly and then this protocol has to be ratified in the different parliaments, and after that the country will be a full member of the Alliance.

Oana Lungescu [NATO Spokesperson]: The Newshub?

Question [Newshub]: Thank you. Secretary General, are you concerned about China and China's growing influence in the Pacific and the South Pacific? And is that one of the reasons why you see New Zealand as an important ally?

Jens Stoltenberg [NATO Secretary General]: So, one of the issues we discussed today was the security situation in the Asia-Pacific region, and of course we follow that closely for many reasons, not least because of the concerns we have related to the development of nuclear weapons and the nuclear programmes of North Korea, but also because we see other challenges in the region.

China is a growing power with growing economic might and military might, and of course we follow that. NATO is not present in the Asia-Pacific region, but, of course, we have partners in the region and for us it is important to always be able to deal with a changing security environment, and we see also that, for instance, when it comes to an issue which is now very urgent for European NATO Allies; the INF Treaty, thats the treaty related to intermediate-range nuclear missiles. This treaty is now in jeopardy, partly because Russia is developing new missiles. But, one of the reasons why Russia is developing these new missiles is that China is also deploying the same kind of missiles. So, this just illustrates that security is something which is interconnected and therefore, of course we also follow the rise of the of China and their military capabilities.

Oana Lungescu [NATO Spokesperson]: Lady over there.

Question: [LAILUMA SADID, KABUL TIMES]: Thank you, Secretary General. I would like to ask about peace negotiation, even some time the Afghan government is not optimistic, but the people of Afghanistan are really optimistic. If a peace deal is reached whatever, NATO relations and assistance to Afghanistan will change? Or no? Thank you.

Jens Stoltenberg [NATO Secretary General]: First of all, we strongly support the efforts to find a peaceful and negotiated solution to the crisis in Afghanistan. And we welcome the initiative taken by President Ghani and we welcome also the talks between the US and the Taliban, and we hope that that can lead towards a process which includes, of course, the Afghan government.

I will not speculate about the likelihood of a success, but it is extremely important to support those efforts. The way NATO supports those efforts is of course to support the Afghan government: political support, practical support, and also through our military presence, because the purpose of our military presence in Afghanistan is to send a message to the Taliban that they will not win on the battlefield. So, they have to sit down at the negotiating table and find a political solution.

Then I will expect that a political solution, a peace agreement in Afghanistan will also address the issue of presence of troops from other countries, including NATO, but it's much too early to speculate exactly what kind of consequences that will have, because that will depend on the character of the agreement.

We are ready to continue a partnership, the cooperation with Afghanistan and our presence is conditions-based and of course, a new peace agreement will have an important consequence for NATO presence in Afghanistan.

Oana Lungescu [NATO Spokesperson]: Okay, we can have time for one more question. Over there.

Question: I'm sorry, I didnt have time to have a question at the previous briefing, so if I may: the question is

Jacinda Ardern [Prime Minister of New Zealand]: It's obviously for me.

Question [Belarus TV]: No, for the Secretary General. Mr Secretary, what do you think I'm representing Belarus, Belarus TV station, so the question is: how do you think, what risks does the withdrawal from treaty bring to such countries like Belarus, which are exactly between NATO and Russia? What should our politics do? Maybe join negotiation on  [inaudible] because our people are care about it.

Jens Stoltenberg [NATO Secretary General]: The INF Treaty has been and still is extremely important for all European countries. Because these missiles, they can only reach targets in Europe. And the challenge and the problem with the new Russian missiles is that they are mobile, they are hard to detect, they are nuclear-capable, they can reach European cities, they have a short warning time, so by that they also reduce the threshold for any potential use of nuclear weapons in a conflict. Thats the reason why this treaty has been so important. And, as you know, it didnt only limit the number of missiles, but it actually banned a whole category of missiles. Thats also the reason why we still call on Russia to come back into compliance, in a transparent and verifiable way. And thats also the reason why I welcome the very strong message from all NATO Allies to Russia, to do exactly that. This is of course also important for Belarus, but I am only able to speak on behalf of NATO Allies.

Oana Lungescu [NATO Spokesperson]: Thank you very much. This concludes this press point. Thank you.
(CNN)  The U.S. State Department on Thursday evening ordered all non-emergency government employees to depart Venezuela amid an ongoing diplomatic crisis in the country.

They also warned in a security alert that U.S. citizens "residing or traveling in Venezuela should strongly consider departing" while flights remain available.

"The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Venezuela," the alert said. "If choosing to stay, ensure you have adequate supplies to shelter in place."

The announcement comes just hours after embattled Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said he is closing the Venezuelan Embassy in the United States and all Consulates, as well as pulling out all diplomatic staff from the country.

"I have decided to return all our diplomatic and consular staff from our country that is abroad and close our embassy and all of our consulates in the United States," Maduro said, during a speech at the Venezuela Supreme Court in Caracas that was aired live on state broadcaster VTV.

Maduro, who appeared wearing the presidential sash, said Venezuelan diplomatic staff was expected back in Caracas by Saturday, adding that they would hold "a festive welcoming act" for the returning staff. He reiterated his demand for US diplomatic personnel to leave Venezuela.

"They have until Sunday, that is their 72-hour deadline to leave Venezuela. To get out of Venezuela," Maduro said. "I'm telling the State Department, in a sensible and rational way and based on international law, they must follow the order that has been issued by the Venezuelan government."

Administration officials had earlier dismissed Maduro's Wednesday announcement that he was cutting ties with the U.S. and ordering American diplomats to leave within 72 hours as "meaningless."

Regarding the U.S. Embassy is Caracas, national security advisor John Bolton said on Thursday morning that personnel had "been invited to stay by the legitimate government."

A senior State Department official told CNN Thursday morning that "there are no plans to close the embassy."

"We are closely monitoring the situation. Safety and security are, as always, a top priority," the official said. A State Department spokesperson reiterated that they were monitoring the situation "in real time," noting that they were "prepared to do the things we need to do to make sure we keep our people safe.""

Prior to the announcement of the ordered departure, Reps. Eliot Engel (D-New York ) and Michael McCaul (R-Texas), the chairman and ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Commitee, wrote a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Thursday to request "immediate briefings and written materials on all efforts to keep U.S. government employees and their families in Caracas safe and contingency plans for these individuals to exit the country if needed."

"Regardless of the Administration's policy toward Venezuela, we all agree on the need to keep our diplomats in Caracas safe from harm by making staffing decisions for the U.S. Embassy based on the well-being of these individuals and their families," the congressmen wrote.

The Secretary of State and the State Department have called on Venezuelan military and security forces to protect Guaido and the citizens of Venezuela, as well as U.S. and other foreign citizens in the country.

Earlier Thursday, Venezuela's Armed Forces pledged allegiance to Maduro through written and video messages which aired on state broadcaster VTV.

Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino spoke Thursday from the Defense Ministry Headquarters in Caracas, saying the Armed Forces were standing by "the legitimate president" of Venezuela and accusing "the far right" of installing a "parallel de facto government" and leading a "coup against Venezuela's democracy."

Lights out at the Venezuelan Embassy

By Thursday afternoon, lights were off at the embassy in Washington, DC and a sign was posted on the door noting that there would be no consular services there "until further notice."

The U.S. State Department denounced the move to close the Venezuelan missions in the US.

"The United States expects the same treatment we accord all diplomats within our borders," a State Department spokesperson said. "We urge the good people of Venezuela, from those working to keep the lights on to those charged with protecting people, to stand with their fellow Venezuelans, the struggle for democracy, and do the right thing."

The spokesperson also said the U.S. is ready to support Guaido as he "establishes a transitional government and carries out his duties as interim President, including determining the status of diplomatic representatives in the United States and other countries."

'Very, very sad situation'

On Thursday afternoon, President Donald Trump called Venezuela "a very, very sad situation."

"We have our eye very closely on Venezuela. Very closely," he said.

The U.S. President's decision on Wednesday to recognize Guaido, the Venezuelan opposition leader, as the country's interim president, a move that has set the stage for dramatic escalation in the coming days, as forces within and outside Venezuela wrestle to determine its future.

Thirty-five-year-old Guaido swore himself into office and declared that Maduro had been deposed -- though analysts say it's not clear the former bodyguard's fall is anywhere near imminent or that Trump's power play will pay off.

The European Union and several Latin American countries are also supporting Guaido.

China, Russia and Turkey have voiced support for Maduro.

Maduro on Thursday also accused Trump of wanting "to install a de facto unconstitutional government" in Venezuela.

"There is no doubt that it is Donald Trump, with his craziness, who thinks he can police the world: who thinks he has more power than anyone in Latin America and the Caribbean," he said.

Maduro's remarks come hours after Pompeo urged all members of the Organization of American States to support the interim presidency of Juan Guaido in Venezuela, referring to Maduro's regime as "now defunct" and "illegitimate."

"We call on the OAS and all its member states to act on basic, decent democratic principles and the incontrovertible facts on the ground," Pompeo said.

"His regime is morally bankrupt, it's economically incompetent and it is profoundly corrupt," he added about Maduro. "It is undemocratic to the core."

As Pompeo spoke at the OAS, White House national security adviser John Bolton told reporters on the North Lawn that Trump's assertion Wednesday that all options were on the table regarding the situation in Venezuela "speaks for itself."

"All options (are) on the table," Trump told reporters Wednesday when asked if he might use military force to ensure the outcome he wants in Venezuela. "All options, always, all options are on the table."

Bolton also said Thursday that the administration is focusing on disconnecting the Maduro regime from its sources of revenue.

"We think consistent with our recognition of Juan Guaido as the constitutional interim president of Venezuela that those revenues should go to the legitimate government. It's very complicated. We're looking at a lot of different things we have to do but that's in progress," Bolton said.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "US orders non-emergency personnel out of Venezuela."
(As delivered)

Good afternoon.

Weve just had a meeting of the NATO-Russia Council. Our first meeting this year. And the ninth since 2016.

It was a successful and useful and professional meeting, at which we discussed two important topics: Ukraine and the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty.

On both of these issues, Allies and Russia fundamentally disagree. But that is exactly why it is important to talk. To address concerns, increase predictability and reduce risks.

Since 2014, Ukraine has always been the first item on our agenda. We discussed the heightened tensions in and around the Sea of Azov, as well as the security situation in eastern Ukraine. Allies made clear that they do not and will not recognise the illegal annexation of Crimea. And they called on Russia to immediately release the sailors and ships seized in November.

We also addressed the INF Treaty. All members of the NATO-Russia Council agree that the Treaty has been crucial to Euro-Atlantic security. But the Treaty is now in jeopardy. And unfortunately, we have not seen any signs of a breakthrough. NATO Foreign Ministers met on this issue in December. And all Allies agreed that Russias SSC-8 system violates the INF Treaty. Today, Allies urged Russia again to return to full and verifiable compliance with the Treaty. They also expressed firm commitment to supporting and strengthening real and verifiable arms control.

Todays meeting covered two of the most serious issues affecting Euro-Atlantic security. Our discussions are not always easy.

But thats exactly why they are so important. And we remain committed to continuing our dialogue.

And with that, Im ready to take your questions.

Oana Lungescu [NATO Spokesperson]: Okay, we'll go to Agence France-Presse.

Question [Agence France-Presse]: Hello. David Wake from Agence France-Presse. On the INF, was in your meeting today, was there any indication of any willingness on the Russian side to make allowances or change their behaviour, in response to concerns? Or are you getting the same obfuscations that the Americans say theyve had for five years now? Thanks.

Jens Stoltenberg [NATO Secretary General]: There was no real progress in the meeting because Russia did not indicate any willingness to change their position. But Russia still has an opportunity to come back into compliance, and we call on Russia to use that opportunity. And the responsibility to preserve the treaty lies on Russia, because Russia is now violating the treaty, by developing and deploying new missiles, which are in violation of the treaty. And these new missiles are hard to detect, they are mobile, they are nuclear capable, they can reach European cities, and they reduce the warning time and thereby also the threshold for any potential use of nuclear weapons in a conflict.

All this makes these missiles something we have to take very seriously and thats the reason why this issue, the new Russian missiles, have been raised. This issue has been raised by two US Administrations, over several years, and it has been raised from the US side in 30 high-level diplomatic meetings or engagements with Russia, to try to get Russia back into compliance.

Then, at the NATO Foreign Ministerial meeting in December, all Allies clearly stated that Russia is in violation of the treaty. We call on Russia to come back into compliance with the treaty. And United States also stated clearly that, if Russia doesnt come back into compliance, then US will start the withdrawal process, after 2nd February.

So, we will continue to call on Russia to use this opportunity, this window of opportunity to come back into compliance, but so far we have not seen any progress.

Oana Lungescu [NATO Spokesperson]: Politico, gentleman with glasses there.

Question: David Herszenhorn with Politico. Do you envision anything changing between now and 2nd February? And if nothing changes and the withdrawal process begins, are European NATO Allies safer if the US starts redeploying weapons that otherwise would be banned under the INF, on the European continent?

Jens Stoltenberg [NATO Secretary General]: I think we have to understand that what happens as first of all, Russia can come back into compliance before 2nd February. But even if they dont come back into compliance before 2nd February, there will still be an opportunity to preserve the treaty. Because what happens after 2nd February is that the US will start the process, initiate the process of withdrawal, but that process will be completed at the end of the six-month period. So, we will have a new opportunity, within that six-month period, before the withdrawal process is completed from the US side, for Russia to come back into compliance.

So, we will continue to engage with Russia on this issue, continue to talk with them on different levels. Allies will do it, we will do it in NATO-Russia Council, and of course the US and other NATO Allies will also raise this issue with Russia also in the coming months, even if Russia doesnt come back into compliance within 2nd February.

Then, we have to realise that the treaty is in real jeopardy. Thats the reason why we have asked our military commanders, our military authorities, to look into the consequences of a world without the INF Treaty and where Russia continues to deploy these missiles. I will not speculate about what the outcome will be of this process, partly because our main focus now is on getting Russia back into compliance and partly because this is a very serious issue and we have to also look into new initiatives on arms control. All NATO Allies, NATO, is strongly in favour of arms control, we are at the forefront of arms control efforts, and arms control serves us all well, it makes us all safer. So, we will continue also to work for effective and verifiable arms control.

Oana Lungescu [NATO Spokesperson]: ITAR-TASS.

Question: TASS News Agency, Denis Dubrovin. Thank you very much. Mr Secretary General, have you discussed today the US systems which are in violation of the INF Treaty - like predator drones, like the intermediate-range missiles which are used for target practice for the NATO for the US anti-missile systems, but which are perfectly capable of delivering nuclear warheads? In Russia, there is a strong feeling that US is simply trying to put the blame on Russia for its unilateral decision to leave the INF Treaty, yet another international treaty which US is leaving. Thank you very much.

Jens Stoltenberg [NATO Secretary General]: These issues have been discussed for several years. The question of UAVs, ballistic target missiles which are used to testing ballistic defence, interceptors, and these systems are not in violation of the INF Treaty. And Russia continues to raise this issue to deflect tension from the real problem, and that is the new Russian missiles. There are no new US missiles in Europe, but there are new Russian missiles in Europe. Thats the problem. Thats the issue which is now undermining the INF Treaty, and this issue has been raised by the US, which is a signatory to the treaty, over several years. It started with the Obama Administration and then continued with this Administration.

The message from NATO and from NATO Allies, and especially from the United States being a part of the treaty, is that arms control will not work if it's only respected by one side. If one side doesnt respect, doesnt adhere, is not in compliance with the treaty, then the treaty doesnt work. And Russia has hollowed out the INF Treaty over several years. Thats the problem and thats the problem we try to fix by continuing to call on Russia to come back into compliance, and by also giving Russia this window of opportunity to come back into compliance before US starts the withdrawal process.

Oana Lungescu [NATO Spokesperson]: ZDF. Lady over there.

Question: Anna Galiena, German Television in Brussels. Mr Secretary General, how would you describe the atmosphere in the NATO-Russia Council? How do you talk to each other? And secondly, if the INF Treaty is suspended, we will see nuclear weapons deployed in Germany again?

Jens Stoltenberg [NATO Secretary General]: It was a professional, open atmosphere, where we exchanged views and we also of course saw disagreements, real disagreements on both the issue of the situation in and around Ukraine, and on the INF Treaty. But I strongly believe that, especially when tensions are high, when we have some real differences, some real difficulties, then it is important to meet to address these issues.

So, even though we didnt solve those issues, the only way forward is to sit down, address them, to improve the understanding of each other's positions and then try to find a way forward. So, in that sense, it was a very useful meeting and I think we need to continue the dialogue with Russia because thats the only way to address these issues.

As I said, it's much too early now to pre-empt what NATO will do if Russia continues to violate the treaty and the treaty is then no longer effective. So, we will come back to that because it is a very serious issue. We have to make sure that NATO continues to provide a credible and effective deterrence and defence. At the same time, we dont want a new cold war, we dont want a new arms race, so what we will do will be measured, it will be defensive, and we dont mirror what Russia does, missile for missile or plane for plane, or battle tank for battle tank. We need to make sure that we have effective credible deterrence, but not necessarily mirroring exactly what Russia does.

And at the same time, we will continue to work for arms control and I also welcome the initiative by Foreign Minister Heiko Maas to convene a conference in Berlin, to address arms control and how to make progress on arms control. So, we will of course address the military aspects, but also continue to work for effective arms control.

Oana Lungescu [NATO Spokesperson]: Deutsche Welle/NPR.

Question [Deutsche-Welle/NPR]: Hi, Teri Schultz with Deutsche Welle and NPR. Thank you. Why is there now a window of opportunity when Russia has been given these warnings for years? NATO Allies have been briefed for months, if not years, and convinced months ago that this missile was in existence. Why do you think now, at the very last minute, that there's some window of opportunity? And the US has made clear that when it notifies a withdrawal/suspension, whatever it calls it on that day, it will go ahead and start moving ahead, as is its right, with creating its own missile system. Then dont you have an arms race, whether or not you want one? Thanks.

Jens Stoltenberg [NATO Secretary General]: The sooner Russia comes back into compliance the better. The reason why I said we have a window of opportunity is that, if they come back into compliance with the treaty before 2nd February, then actually the treaty is preserved, because then US will not start the withdrawal process. But my second message was that, even if Russia doesnt come back into compliance before 2nd February, there will be a new window of opportunity because the withdrawal process will take six months. So, in that new period, there is still an opportunity to come back into compliance before Russia before United States has completed the withdrawal process. After that, then the treaty has ceased to exist.

But again, we have to remember that a treaty has no value if it's not respected, if it's not adhered to. So, the problem is the existence of the new Russian missiles in Europe. That is what's undermining and hollowing out the INF Treaty. And thats why NATO Allies so strongly urge Russia to come back into compliance, in a transparent and verifiable way. We still dont want a new arms race and thats exactly why, when we now have started to be prepared for a world without the INF Treaty, both  [inaudible] look into new arms control initiatives. One of the challenges we see is that intermediate-range missiles or weapon systems, back in the 1980s, were something almost only the US and then Soviet Union possessed. Today, these kind of weapon systems is something that China, India, Pakistan, Iran and also North Korea are developing. So, new initiatives to address also the global challenges related to intermediate-range weapons is one of the issues we have to look into, in one way or another. So, we will continue to strive to avoid a arms control a new arms race, but of course that will become more difficult if Russia doesnt come back into compliance of the INF Treaty and preserve the treaty.

Oana Lungescu [NATO Spokesperson]: Der Spiegel.

Question [Spiegal]: Markus Becker with Der Spiegel. In determining a NATO response to the  [inaudible] deployment, it's obviously important to know what the other side wants. So, what is your theory as to why the Russian side is deploying these missiles? Thank you.

Jens Stoltenberg [NATO Secretary General]: First of all, I will always be very careful about speculating too much about the motives of Russia, why they develop and deploy these new missiles.

But if you read different statements from different Russian political leaders, and also military leaders, you see that they have publically, several times, announced their concerns about the INF Treaty. Because, in their view, this treaty limits their possibility to respond to the development of intermediate-range weapons in other countries than the United States, meaning China, India, Pakistan, Iran, and also North Korea. And this has been publically stated, both by President Trump, by different no sorry, President Putin, by different military leaders, from the Russian side. And the US Ambassador actually quoted a lot of these Russian statements, explaining why they actually dislike the INF Treaty. So, if you would like to look into why Russia is violating the treaty, you can actually study those public statements and also Former Defence Secretary Gates of the United States, he actually referred to a conversation he had with the then Defence Minister of Russia, that clearly stated that he wanted US and Russia to withdraw from the whole treaty. So, they have previously expressed concern about the treaty and I think thats the main reason why they also now violate the treaty.

Oana Lungescu [NATO Spokesperson]: We have Ukrainian National News Agency.

Question [National News Agency of Ukraine]: National News Agency of Ukraine and my question is about the Kerch Strait. Was the issue of free passage through that Kerch Strait discussed and what solution was reached? And follow up, were there any sign of progress in liberating our servicemen captured in that strait? Thank you.

Jens Stoltenberg [NATO Secretary General]: Yes, the incident in the Kerch Strait where Russia used violence against Ukrainian naval ships and seized the ships and the sailors, was one of the main topics we discussed in the meeting. And the NATO Allies called on Russia to immediately release the sailors. That will be perhaps the most efficient way to deescalate and to try address the heightened tensions we have seen in and around Ukraine, and especially in the Black Sea region.

And Allies also expressed very strongly that they support freedom of navigation and the full respect for Ukraine's integrity and sovereignty, including of course their territorial waters. So, this was one of the main issues and many Allies expressed their concern that the combination of the illegal annexation of Crimea, the building of the bridge and Russia trying to interfere and to hamper freedom of navigation in and out of the Azov Sea creates new tensions and new problems.

Oana Lungescu [NATO Spokesperson]: OK, we have gentleman over there.

Question: Mr Secretary General, do you think there is a possibility the US to deploy missiles which are actually forbidden by the INF, in case they retreat for the INF? I mean in Europe.

Jens Stoltenberg [NATO Secretary General]: Well, as I said, there are no new US missiles in Europe today, but there are new Russian missiles and they have been there for some years, and there are coming more and more Russian missiles. They continue to deploy missiles which are in clear violation of the INF Treaty. Thats the problem. Thats the reason why the INF Treaty now is in jeopardy. And the treaty is hollowed out, by the fact that one party is not respecting the treaty. And no treaty will be effective if it's only respected by one part, thats the problem.

Then, the United States has made clear that Russia should come back into compliance. They have given them the time until 2nd February. If they dont come back into compliance before that date, the United States would start the withdrawal process. But that will end at the end of a six-month period. So, there is still time, still a window of opportunity for Russia to come back into compliance.

We have started the process of looking into what we will do if Russia doesnt come back into compliance, but our main focus now is to get Russia back into compliance, because that will save or preserve the treaty. As, as I have just said, I will not now speculate, I will not now preempt what kind of conclusions we will make, because this is an issue that requires some careful assessments, some really important considerations about finding the right balance between preserving effective deterrence and defence from the NATO side, without escalating the situation unnecessarily. And thats exactly why we will do this in a very measured, prudent and considered way, before we make our conclusions. We will do that as an Alliance, in consultation with each other, and we will both look into military options, but also of course look into how can we take new initiatives when it comes to arms control. And I also underline that we will not necessarily mirror exactly what Russia does, but we need to have a credible deterrence and defence.

Oana Lungescu [NATO Spokesperson]: Gentleman in front here.

Question [German Television]: Just a question to the meeting. You said that this is useful for understanding the other one's position. Can you tell us on what part did you better understand the Russian position? What were the things where you say OK, we understand this or that?

Jens Stoltenberg [NATO Secretary General]: I think it is useful that Russia share with us their views and their considerations, both about their systems, but also their assessments of our systems. But I have to admit that the main problem is that when Russia addresses our systems, they raise these issues which have been discussed, but that are clearly not in violation of the INF Treaty. UAVs and NATO's missile defence system is not in violation of the INF Treaty. Missile defence is a defensive system, while the Russian missiles are offensive. The Russian missiles are armed, both with nuclear and conventional warheads. Our interceptors are unarmed, they dont carry explosives. So, it's no meaning to compare those systems, a defensive missile defence with offensive nuclear-capable missiles.

But again, I believe that it's better that we sit down, that all Allies are able to listen to each other and to listen to Russia, instead of not meeting and sitting down and address these issues.

Oana Lungescu [NATO Spokesperson]: OK, gentleman in the back.

Question: Thank you. Sir, you delineated a little bit that you have now issued a tasking to the military authorities to look for alternatives. Could you unveil some details of in particular of the timing? Because this falls together with the measured responses you just mentioned.

Jens Stoltenberg [NATO Secretary General]: I fully respect that you ask questions about what NATO will do, but I hope also that you respect that I will not answer. Because if I now started to speculate about all the possible options NATO had or have, or has, then I will only add to uncertainty and add to the tensions. And thats not my purpose. My task is to try to find a way to preserve the INF Treaty. Thats the main focus. But, at the same time, we have to realise that this treaty is now really in great jeopardy and therefore, we need to start the preparations for the possible situation that we dont have an INF Treaty in the future.

And, regardless of how you ask the question, I will not speculate because I think that will be the wrong thing to do now. What I can promise you is that we will have a process in NATO, all Allies included, and a part of that will also be to address arms control. And therefore, I also welcome the fact that several Allies, but for instance also Germany has been very active in trying to preserve the treaty, but also trying to take new initiatives on arms control. I welcome the proposal by Foreign Minister Maas to look at new arms control arrangements and also to address arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation, also in a world with new technologies that actually puts new challenges on how we have effective arms control. And we will continue to work for that at the same time as we make sure that NATO has credible deterrence and defence.

Oana Lungescu [NATO Spokesperson]: Thank you very. This concludes this press point. Thank you.

Jens Stoltenberg [NATO Secretary General]: Thank you.
The Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach visited the NATO Joint Force Command in Naples, Italy on the 25th January 2019 where he met with the Commander, Admiral James Foggo, and key personnel working at the Hub for the South.

Upon his arrival at the NATO Joint Force Command in Naples (JFC Naples), the Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, Air Chief Marshal Stuart Peach was welcomed by its Commander Admiral James Foggo. Active since 2004, JFC Naples is one of two Joint Force Commands responsible for preparing, planning and conducting military operations in order to preserve the peace, security and the territorial integrity of Alliance member states. JFC Naples is responsible for the NATO Kosovo Force, NATO Mission in Iraq and the NATO Response Force.

In his meeting with Admiral Foggo, Air Chief Marshal Peach received an update on the current security situation in the Western Balkans. Admiral Foggo underscored that his command is carefully monitoring the situation and that NATO supports any effort that leads to the normalisation of the security situation and avoids creating tensions. The Chairman agreed, adding that NATO fully supports the continuation of the EU-facilitated dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina which is critical for regional peace and security. Additionally, NATOs presence in Kosovo, mainly through the NATO-led Kosovo Force, is also contributing to the security and stability in the Western Balkans which is important for the whole of Europe.

The two military leaders also discussed NATOs new training mission in Iraq, established at the request of the Iraqi Government and in coordination with the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS. The NATO Mission Iraq, led by Canada, will strengthen the Iraqi security forces, by providing technical advice to Iraqs Ministry of Defence and the Office of the National Security Adviser; and by training and advising Iraqi instructors at military academies and institutions. Air Chief Marshal Peach highlighted the importance of Capabilities Development, training local forces is one of our best weapons in the fight against terrorism. At the same time, we are working to improve our understanding of the threats and challenges from the South.

The Chairman of the NATO Military Committee ended his visit with a briefing from Brigadier General Igazio Lax, Director of the NATO Strategic Direction South (NDS-S) Initiative, aka the Hub for the South. The Hub helps to enhance NATOs regional situational awareness and understanding of the threats, challenges and opportunities emanating from the South; and to improve our cooperation with partners to counter those challenges through information sharing and assessments of potential threats.
NATO Secretary General, Mr. Jens Stoltenberg, will travel to Washington D.C. from Saturday 26 to Monday 28 January 2019.

During his visit, the Secretary General will meet with the Secretary of State, The Hon. Mike Pompeo, the Acting Secretary of Defense, The Hon. Patrick Shanahan and the National Security Advisor, Ambassador John Bolton.

Still and video images will be available on the NATO website after the visit.

Follow us on Twitter (@NATOPress and @jensstoltenberg)
Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to NATO Headquarters on Friday (25 January 2019) for talks on the Alliance's cooperation with New Zealand. Calling the country a close partner in standing up for international security and the rules-based order, the Secretary General thanked the Prime Minister for New Zealand's contributions in Afghanistan and Iraq, adding he looked forward to deepening cooperation in the future.

Read the joint press point here
The NATO-Russia Council, which brings together all 29 NATO Allies and Russia, met in Brussels on Friday (25 January 2019). NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, who chaired the meeting, noted that Allies and Russia discussed two important topics: Ukraine and the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty. On both of these issues, Allies and Russia fundamentally disagree, but that is exactly why it is important to talk  to address concerns, increase predictability and reduce risks, he said.

Read the Secretary General's press point here
Watch the trailer for a new film by Story in Progress following a team of scientists, explorers and conservationists surveying the effects of climate change on a remote region of the Great Barrier Reef.

The full film is available to watch now.
When squillionaires are on the right side of an issue, their efforts should be applauded.

George Soros has been a vigorous critic of Big Tech surveillance and lambasted Google and Facebook last year at Davos. This year, he returned to this theme and highlighted Chinas wide ranging domestic spying powers and some of its disturbing tools, like its social score. Soros depicted Chinas AI ambitions as a planned assault on individual freedom. Even more remarkably, backed the Trump administration plans to take on China and encouraged it to go further, specifically by competing with Chinas Belt and Road program.

A cognitive bias is the halo effect, the tendency to see people as all good or all bad. Even if you deplore Soros adventurism in Ukraine, Soros also kept public universities across Eastern Europe from collapsing when the USSR broke up. Soros has become vocal about the dangers of surveillance and particularly the use of AI and machine learning to greatly increase their effectiveness.

If you are as old as I am, you may recall that one of the reason the West felt so threatened by the USSR was that it had industrialized in a generation, a stunning accomplishment. The West was alarmed that a command and control society could mobilize resources more effectively than a lassiez faire economy.

Soros gives a 21st century version of the fear that authoritarian societies can use surveillance technology to control and direct their populations. Soros singles out China as far and away the biggest threat. From his speech:

China isnt the only authoritarian regime in the world, but its undoubtedly the wealthiest, strongest and most developed in machine learning and artificial intelligence. This makes Xi Jinping the most dangerous opponent of those who believe in the concept of open society. How can open societies be protected if these new technologies give authoritarian regimes a built-in advantage? Thats the question that preoccupies me. And it should also preoccupy all those who prefer to live in an open society.

Wired give a good recap:

Chinas government issued a broad AI strategy in 2017, asserting that it would surpass US prowess in the technology by 2030. As in the US, much of the leading work on AI in China takes place inside a handful of large tech companies, such as search engine Baidu and retailer and payments company Alibaba. Soros argued that AI-centric tech companies like those can become enablers of authoritarianism. He pointed to Chinas developing social credit system, aimed at tracking citizens reputations by logging financial activity, online interactions, and even energy use, among other things. The system is still taking shape, but depends on data and cooperation from companies like payments firm Ant Financial, a spinout of Alibaba. The social credit system, if it became operational, would give Xi Jinping total control over the people, Soros said. Soros argued that synergy like that between corporate and government AI projects creates a more potent threat than was posed by Cold Warera autocrats, many of whom spurned corporate innovation. The combination of repressive regimes with IT monopolies endows those regimes with a built-in advantage over open societies, Soros said. They pose a mortal threat to open societies.

Having said that, its not hard to see why one can wonder about Soross open society when he describes how, in the 1980s, he chose and backed scholars whose views he liked. Social engineering by a foreignerpretty fraught.

In what may come as a surprise, Soros backs Trumps efforts to contain China and urges him to do more:

Most importantly, the US government has now identified China as a strategic rival. President Trump is notoriously unpredictable, but this decision was the result of a carefully prepared plan. Since then, the idiosyncratic behavior of Trump has been largely superseded by a China policy adopted by the agencies of the administration and overseen by Asian affairs advisor of the National Security Council Matt Pottinger and others. The policy was outlined in a seminal speech by Vice President Mike Pence on October 4th. Last year I still believed that China ought to be more deeply embedded in the institutions of global governance, but since then Xi Jinpings behavior has changed my opinion. My present view is that instead of waging a trade war with practically the whole world, the US should focus on China. Instead of letting ZTE and Huawei off lightly, it needs to crack down on them. If these companies came to dominate the 5G market, they would present an unacceptable security risk for the rest of the world.

Soros also contends, giving specific examples, that Chinas Belt and Road program has been funding projects with loans rather than grants, that bribery is common to get the projects approved, and they are often uneconomic, putting China in a position to squeeze the borrower. As the Financial Times noted:

An outspoken critic of US president Donald Trump and a bogeyman for populist leaders around the world, Mr Soros said the Trump administration had developed a coherent policy towards China. Mr Trump was notoriously unpredictable, he declared, but the US government had rightly identified China as a strategic rival. He called for an American response to Chinas Belt and Road Initiative, which he said was designed to promote the interests of Beijing rather than those of recipient countries. He singled out Chinas actions in Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Pakistan.

Now to the full text of Soross remarks:

* * *

I want to use my time tonight to warn the world about an unprecedented danger thats threatening the very survival of open societies.

Last year when I stood before you I spent most of my time analyzing the nefarious role of the IT monopolies. This is what I said: An alliance is emerging between authoritarian states and the large data rich IT monopolies that bring together nascent systems of corporate surveillance with an already developing system of state sponsored surveillance. This may well result in a web of totalitarian control the likes of which not even George Orwell could have imagined.

Tonight I want to call attention to the mortal danger facing open societies from the instruments of control that machine learning and artificial intelligence can put in the hands of repressive regimes. Ill focus on China, where Xi Jinping wants a one-party state to reign supreme.

A lot of things have happened since last year and Ive learned a lot about the shape that totalitarian control is going to take in China.

All the rapidly expanding information available about a person is going to be consolidated in a centralized database to create a social credit system. Based on that data, people will be evaluated by algorithms that will determine whether they pose a threat to the one-party state. People will then be treated accordingly.

The social credit system is not yet fully operational, but its clear where its heading. It will subordinate the fate of the individual to the interests of the one-party state in ways unprecedented in history.

I find the social credit system frightening and abhorrent. Unfortunately, some Chinese find it rather attractive because it provides information and services that arent currently available and can also protect law-abiding citizens against enemies of the state.

China isnt the only authoritarian regime in the world, but its undoubtedly the wealthiest, strongest and most developed in machine learning and artificial intelligence. This makes Xi Jinping the most dangerous opponent of those who believe in the concept of open society. But Xi isnt alone. Authoritarian regimes are proliferating all over the world and if they succeed, they will become totalitarian.

As the founder of the Open Society Foundations, Ive devoted my life to fighting totalizing, extremist ideologies, which falsely claim that the ends justify the means. I believe that the desire of people for freedom cant be repressed forever. But I also recognize that open societies are profoundly endangered at present.

What I find particularly disturbing is that the instruments of control developed by artificial intelligence give an inherent advantage to authoritarian regimes over open societies. For them, instruments of control provide a useful tool; for open societies, they pose a mortal threat.

I use open society as shorthand for a society in which the rule of law prevails as opposed to rule by a single individual and where the role of the state is to protect human rights and individual freedom. In my personal view, an open society should pay special attention to those who suffer from discrimination or social exclusion and those who cant defend themselves.

By contrast, authoritarian regimes use whatever instruments of control they possess to maintain themselves in power at the expense of those whom they exploit and suppress.

How can open societies be protected if these new technologies give authoritarian regimes a built-in advantage? Thats the question that preoccupies me. And it should also preoccupy all those who prefer to live in an open society.

Open societies need to regulate companies that produce instruments of control, while authoritarian regimes can declare them national champions. Thats what has enabled some Chinese state-owned companies to catch up with and even surpass the multinational giants.

This, of course, isnt the only problem that should concern us today. For instance, man-made climate change threatens the very survival of our civilization. But the structural disadvantage that confronts open societies is a problem which has preoccupied me and Id like to share with you my ideas on how to deal with it.

My deep concern for this issue arises out of my personal history. I was born in Hungary in 1930 and Im Jewish. I was 13 years old when the Nazis occupied Hungary and started deporting Jews to extermination camps.

I was very fortunate because my father understood the nature of the Nazi regime and arranged false identity papers and hiding places for all members of his family, and for a number of other Jews as well. Most of us survived.

The year 1944 was the formative experience of my life. I learned at an early age how important it is what kind of political regime prevails. When the Nazi regime was replaced by Soviet occupation I left Hungary as soon as I could and found refuge in England.

At the London School of Economics I developed my conceptual framework under the influence of my mentor, Karl Popper. That framework proved to be unexpectedly useful when I found myself a job in the financial markets. The framework had nothing to do with finance, but it is based on critical thinking. This allowed me to analyze the deficiencies of the prevailing theories guiding institutional investors. I became a successful hedge fund manager and I prided myself on being the best paid critic in the world.

Running a hedge fund was very stressful. When I had made more money than I needed for myself or my family, I underwent a kind of midlife crisis. Why should I kill myself to make more money? I reflected long and hard on what I really cared about and in 1979 I set up the Open Society Fund. I defined its objectives as helping to open up closed societies, reducing the deficiencies of open societies and promoting critical thinking.

My first efforts were directed at undermining the apartheid system in South Africa. Then I turned my attention to opening up the Soviet system. I set up a joint venture with the Hungarian Academy of Science, which was under Communist control, but its representatives secretly sympathized with my efforts. This arrangement succeeded beyond my wildest dreams. I got hooked on what I like to call political philanthropy. That was in 1984.

In the years that followed, I tried to replicate my success in Hungary and in other Communist countries. I did rather well in the Soviet empire, including the Soviet Union itself, but in China it was a different story.

My first effort in China looked rather promising. It involved an exchange of visits between Hungarian economists who were greatly admired in the Communist world, and a team from a newly established Chinese think tank which was eager to learn from the Hungarians.

Based on that initial success, I proposed to Chen Yizi, the leader of the think tank, to replicate the Hungarian model in China. Chen obtained the support of Premier Zhao Ziyang and his reform-minded policy secretary Bao Tong.

A joint venture called the China Fund was inaugurated in October 1986. It was an institution unlike any other in China. On paper, it had complete autonomy.

Bao Tong was its champion. But the opponents of radical reforms, who were numerous, banded together to attack him. They claimed that I was a CIA agent and asked the internal security agency to investigate. To protect himself, Zhao Ziyang replaced Chen Yizi with a high-ranking official in the external security police. The two organizations were co-equal and they couldnt interfere in each others affairs.

I approved this change because I was annoyed with Chen Yizi for awarding too many grants to members of his own institute and I was unaware of the political infighting behind the scenes. But applicants to the China Fund soon noticed that the organization had come under the control of the political police and started to stay away. Nobody had the courage to explain to me the reason for it.

Eventually, a Chinese grantee visited me in New York and told me, at considerable risk to himself. Soon thereafter, Zhao Ziyang was removed from power and I used that excuse to close the foundation. This happened just before the Tiananmen Square massacre in 1989 and it left a black spot on the record of the people associated with the foundation. They went to great length to clear their names and eventually they succeeded.

In retrospect, its clear that I made a mistake in trying to establish a foundation which operated in ways that were alien to people in China. At that time, giving a grant created a sense of mutual obligation between the donor and recipient and obliged both of them to remain loyal to each other forever.

So much for history. Let me now turn to the events that occurred in the last year, some of which surprised me.

When I first started going to China, I met many people in positions of power who were fervent believers in the principles of open society. In their youth they had been deported to the countryside to be re-educated, often suffering hardships far greater than mine in Hungary. But they survived and we had much in common. We had all been on the receiving end of a dictatorship.

They were eager to learn about Karl Poppers thoughts on the open society. While they found the concept very appealing, their interpretation remained somewhat different from mine. They were familiar with Confucian tradition, but there was no tradition of voting in China. Their thinking remained hierarchical and carried a built-in respect for high office. I, on the other hand I was more egalitarian and wanted everyone to have a vote.

So, I wasnt surprised when Xi Jinping ran into serious opposition at home; but I was surprised by the form it took. At last summers leadership convocation at the seaside resort of Beidaihe, Xi Jinping was apparently taken down a peg or two. Although there was no official communique, rumor had it that the convocation disapproved of the abolition of term limits and the cult of personality that Xi had built around himself.

Its important to realize that such criticisms were only a warning to Xi about his excesses, but did not reverse the lifting of the two-term limit. Moreover, The Thought of Xi Jinping, which he promoted as his distillation of Communist theory was elevated to the same level as the Thought of Chairman Mao. So Xi remains the supreme leader, possibly for lifetime. The ultimate outcome of the current political infighting remains unresolved.

Ive been concentrating on China, but open societies have many more enemies, Putins Russia foremost among them. And the most dangerous scenario is when these enemies conspire with, and learn from, each other on how to better oppress their people.

The question poses itself, what can we do to stop them?

The first step is to recognize the danger. Thats why Im speaking out tonight. But now comes the difficult part. Those of us who want to preserve the open society must work together and form an effective alliance. We have a task that cant be left to governments.

History has shown that even governments that want to protect individual freedom have many other interests and they also give precedence to the freedom of their own citizens over the freedom of the individual as a general principle.

My Open Society Foundations are dedicated to protecting human rights, especially for those who dont have a government defending them. When we started four decades ago there were many governments which supported our efforts but their ranks have thinned out. The US and Europe were our strongest allies, but now theyre preoccupied with their own problems.

Therefore, I want to focus on what I consider the most important question for open societies: what will happen in China?

The question can be answered only by the Chinese people. All we can do is to draw a sharp distinction between them and Xi Jinping. Since Xi has declared his hostility to open society, the Chinese people remain our main source of hope.

And there are, in fact, grounds for hope. As some China experts have explained to me, there is a Confucian tradition, according to which advisors of the emperor are expected to speak out when they strongly disagree with one of his actions or decrees, even that may result in exile or execution.

This came as a great relief to me when I had been on the verge of despair. The committed defenders of open society in China, who are around my age, have mostly retired and their places have been taken by younger people who are dependent on Xi Jinping for promotion. But a new political elite has emerged that is willing to uphold the Confucian tradition. This means that Xi will continue to have a political opposition at home.

Xi presents China as a role model for other countries to emulate, but hes facing criticism not only at home but also abroad. His Belt and Road Initiative has been in operation long enough to reveal its deficiencies.

It was designed to promote the interests of China, not the interests of the recipient countries; its ambitious infrastructure projects were mainly financed by loans, not by grants, and foreign officials were often bribed to accept them. Many of these projects proved to be uneconomic.

The iconic case is in Sri Lanka. China built a port that serves its strategic interests. It failed to attract sufficient commercial traffic to service the debt and enabled China to take possession of the port. There are several similar cases elsewhere and theyre causing widespread resentment.

Malaysia is leading the pushback. The previous government headed by Najib Razak sold out to China but in May 2018 Razak was voted out of office by a coalition led by Mahathir Mohamed. Mahathir immediately stopped several big infrastructure projects and is currently negotiating with China how much compensation Malaysia will still have to pay.

The situation is not as clear-cut in Pakistan, which has been the largest recipient of Chinese investments. The Pakistani army is fully beholden to China but the position of Imran Khan who became prime minister last August is more ambivalent. At the beginning of 2018, China and Pakistan announced grandiose plans in military cooperation. By the end of the year, Pakistan was in a deep financial crisis. But one thing became evident: China intends to use the Belt and Road Initiative for military purposes as well.

All these setbacks have forced Xi Jinping to modify his attitude toward the Belt and Road Initiative. In September, he announced that vanity projects will be shunned in favor of more carefully conceived initiatives and in October, the Peoples Daily warned that projects should serve the interests of the recipient countries.

Customers are now forewarned and several of them, ranging from Sierra Leone to Ecuador, are questioning or renegotiating projects.

Most importantly, the US government has now identified China as a strategic rival. President Trump is notoriously unpredictable, but this decision was the result of a carefully prepared plan. Since then, the idiosyncratic behavior of Trump has been largely superseded by a China policy adopted by the agencies of the administration and overseen by Asian affairs advisor of the National Security Council Matt Pottinger and others. The policy was outlined in a seminal speech by Vice President Mike Pence on October 4th.

Even so, declaring China a strategic rival is too simplistic. China is an important global actor. An effective policy towards China cant be reduced to a slogan.

It needs to be far more sophisticated, detailed and practical; and it must include an American economic response to the Belt and Road Initiative. The Pottinger plan doesnt answer the question whether its ultimate goal is to level the playing field or to disengage from China altogether.

Xi Jinping fully understood the threat that the new US policy posed for his leadership. He gambled on a personal meeting with President Trump at the G20 meeting in Buenos Aires. In the meantime, the danger of global trade war escalated and the stock market embarked on a serious sell-off in December. This created problems for Trump who had concentrated all his efforts on the 2018 midterm elections. When Trump and Xi met, both sides were eager for a deal. No wonder that they reached one, but its very inconclusive: a ninety-day truce.

In the meantime, there are clear indications that a broad based economic decline is in the making in China, which is affecting the rest of the world. A global slowdown is the last thing the market wants to see.

The unspoken social contract in China is built on steadily rising living standards. If the decline in the Chinese economy and stock market is severe enough, this social contract may be undermined and even the business community may turn against Xi Jinping. Such a downturn could also sound the death knell of the Belt and Road Initiative, because Xi may run out of resources to continue financing so many lossmaking investments.

On the question of global internet governance, theres an undeclared struggle between the West and China. China wants to dictate rules and procedures that govern the digital economy by dominating the developing world with its new platforms and technologies. This is a threat to the freedom of the Internet and indirectly open society itself.

Last year I still believed that China ought to be more deeply embedded in the institutions of global governance, but since then Xi Jinpings behavior has changed my opinion. My present view is that instead of waging a trade war with practically the whole world, the US should focus on China. Instead of letting ZTE and Huawei off lightly, it needs to crack down on them. If these companies came to dominate the 5G market, they would present an unacceptable security risk for the rest of the world.

Regrettably, President Trump seems to be following a different course: make concessions to China and declare victory while renewing his attacks on US allies. This is liable to undermine the US policy objective of curbing Chinas abuses and excesses.

To conclude, let me summarize the message Im delivering tonight. My key point is that the combination of repressive regimes with IT monopolies endows those regimes with a built-in advantage over open societies. The instruments of control are useful tools in the hands of authoritarian regimes, but they pose a mortal threat to open societies.

China is not the only authoritarian regime in the world but it is the wealthiest, strongest and technologically most advanced. This makes Xi Jinping the most dangerous opponent of open societies. Thats why its so important to distinguish Xi Jinpings policies from the aspirations of the Chinese people. The social credit system, if it became operational, would give Xi total control over the people. Since Xi is the most dangerous enemy of the open society, we must pin our hopes on the Chinese people, and especially on the business community and a political elite willing to uphold the Confucian tradition.

This doesnt mean that those of us who believe in the open society should remain passive. The reality is that we are in a Cold War that threatens to turn into a hot one. On the other hand, if Xi and Trump were no longer in power, an opportunity would present itself to develop greater cooperation between the two cyber-superpowers.

It is possible to dream of something similar to the United Nations Treaty that arose out of the Second World War. This would be the appropriate ending to the current cycle of conflict between the US and China. It would reestablish international cooperation and allow open societies to flourish. That sums up my message.
A former cabinet minister has challenged President Emerson Mnangagwa to respect the voice of protesters and resign the same way his predecessor President Robert Mugabe did in November 2017.

Former Minister of State for Masvingo Province, Kudakwashe Bhasikiti wrote on his twitter handle that it would be his prayer that President Mnangagwa respects the will of the people and step down.

Bhasikiti said president Mnangagwa must follow the then president Mugabe who resigned after a mass protest in Harare in November 2017 which was called by the war veterans.

Im praying for Ngwena (President Mnangagwa) to honor his word. Gushungo had already cleared the path. You just need to follow him since you were his closest ally, said Bhasikiti.

In a telephone interview, Dr Bhasikiti added: The voice of the people is the voice of God is a catchphrase Mnangagwa said in reference to the ousting of Mugabe in 2017. He was saying that since the people had demonstrated against Mugabe, Mugabe was supposed to obey and leave office. Now that people overwhelmingly staged a successful Shutdown in protest against his rule, he should do exactly what his predecessor did, leave office!

Zimbabweans across the country brought business to a standstill between January 14 and 16 across the country after an announcement by President Mnangagwa that fuel price had gone up by 150 percent.

Reports claim that about twelve people died while dozens were injured during the protests which saw many shops looted, property vandalised and public roads being blocked..

Bhasikiti was booted out of ZANU PF party in 2014 together with some cabinet ministers like Joyce Mujuru, Ray Kaukonde and Didymus Mutasa on accusation of trying to topple President Mugabes government, a campaign which was spearheaded by Mugabes wife Grace.

The group was labelled gamatox with Mujuru being its leader.

Since then, Bhasikiti who lost the Mwenezi East parliamentary seat under the MDC Alliance banner to ZANU PFs Joosbi Omar during the July 31st 2018 harmonised election has become a fierce critic of the ruling party.

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THE Ministry of Information, Publicity & Broadcasting Services has dismissed a statement made by presidential spokesperson George Charamba that the nation had to take tweets from President Mnangagwas official twitter page with a pinch of salt.

Charamba yesterday cautioned the nation against believing everything that is tweeted through President Emmerson Mnangagwas verified Twitter account, insinuating that the page was being run without the full control and authority of the President.

But the Information Ministry, via its own twitter page, has dismissed Charambas claims.

In a short but hard-hitting tweet, the Information Ministry twitter page, believed to be under the hands of the ministrys permanent secretary Nick Mangwana, has said nothing gets posted on President Mnangagwas twitter page without him having cleared it.

Charamba cautioned the nation yesterday against believing everything that is tweeted through President Emmerson Mnangagwas verified Twitter account.

Responding to journalists who were probing about the call for dialogue by President Mnangagwa, Charamba said, Just when we were in there the President was drawing me to an attempt as it were putting words in his mouth using his twitter account. So do not always believe that which is coming through that account.

But in an apparent clap back, the Information Ministry has just tweeted: There maybe be many fake accounts in His Excellence President Mnangagwas name but @edmnangagwa is the legitimate voice of the President. Nothing goes on there but that which represents his views and positions on issues and that which he has explicitly cleared.

https://twitter.com/InfoMinZW/status/1088721670129504257

Factionalism, confusion, and outright pure jealousy have ripped the governments information department right in the middle, with information of key national significance constantly changing depending on the mouthpiece that speaks at the time.

Some of these naked contestations border on pure jealousy, a source close to the ruling party hierarchy told 263gossip.

George Charamba just wants to make life difficult for Nick Mangwana to do his job. He is behaving like an ex who was ditched while still in love with the girl, and will do everything to make life difficult for the replacement.

But of course there is the aspect of factionalism between the Presidents camp and the camp led by his deputy; factionalism between the Mnangagwa and the VP Chiwenga camps didnt end at Esigodini, a ruling party youth league insider told 263gossip.com. If anything, the Esigodini congress served to push the Chiwenga camp to operate more subtly and with the added benefit that the other camp thinks there is no more challenge to the throne.

The truth is that Chiwenga may spring a surprise and day any time between now and 2023. His guys like George (Charamba) are clocking many hours burning midnight candles planning a comeback. Its not over until the fat lady sings!

President Mnangagwas official Twitter account is run by his son Emmerson Junior, hence Charambas feeble attempts to play it down as not reliable, the source added.

So deep-seated is the factionalism that only this week, Herald Editor Joram Nyathi was fired for not placing an article about President Mnangagwas return from Eurasia on the front page.

All it took for Nyathi to be shown the door was a tweet from Mnangagwa ally Justice Mayor Wadyajena to register his factions displeasure.

The next day, Nyathi was relieved of his duties. He had been on the job for just four weeks.

Sources say Deputy Minister of Information, Publicity & Broadcasting Services Energy Mutodi, who is in the Chiwenga camp, is the next target by the Mnangagwas allies.

Wadyajena has in the past accused Energy Mutodi of misusing his energy.

Another Mnangagwa ally, former depuity Finance Minister Terrence Mukupe, has of late been aiming potshots at the Chiwenga faction.

Yesterday, Mukupe took aim at George Charamba for harbouring Mugabe tendencies of the old. This was after Charamba had said Zimbabwe was not in a hurry to re-join the Commonwealth. Charamba also said the Americans were responsible for funding the anti-fuel price hike demos last week which left a trail of killings.

Said Mukupe: Mugabe days of toxic comments and blaming the British and Americans for everything thats wrong with Zimbabwes Renaissance are back powered by George We need the British and the Americans in as much as we need the Asians as shown by the re-engagements efforts of President ED.

https://twitter.com/tmukupe/status/1088501249488621568

Mutodi has previously openly attacked his boss at the Ministry, Monica Mutsvangwa, but no public reprimand was issued against him.  263gossip

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The family of music icon Oliver Mtukudzi has declined an offer by President Emmerson Mnangagwas government to bury the legendary musician at the Heroes Acre national shrine, opting to lay him to rest at his Madziva rural home.

Mtukudzi died at Harares Avenues Clinic late Wednesday morning.

He will be buried in Madziva at 2 pm on Sunday, a family source told Kukurigo. These are Olivers express wishes. He wanted to be buried amongst his ancestors.

Mtukudzi was declared a national hero yesterday.

Declaring Tuku a national hero was an easy decision, Mnangagwa told mourners at the Mtukudzi Knowe residence in Norton, adding that no member of the Zanu PF politiburo  the ruling partys highest decision making body in between Congress  opposed the proposal.

Mtukudzis death has united a deeply divided nation in grief, following a brutal crackdown by security services that has seen at least 12 killed, hundreds injured and imprisoned while dozens of rape allegations have been levelled against the military.

Zanu PF sources say Mnangagwa had hoped the funeral would provide an opportunity to unite the nation.

We are obviously disappointed but their wishes have to be respected. It was going to be a good opportunity for the President to address the nation on the challenges the country is facing, said a Zanu PF Central Committee member who requested anonymity as he is not authorised to speak to the Press.

The process of conferring hero status has in the past been criticised as partisan. Zanu PF has appropriated the process giving the power to make the decision to its all-powerful Politburo.

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THE late Zimbabwean Afro-jazz musician and national hero Oliver Mtukudzi will be buried at his rural Madziva home near Bindura on Sunday, sources close to the Tuku family have revealed.

Mtukudzi, who succumbed to diabetes on Wednesday at a Harare hospital, was declared a national hero, with the family having the liberty to choose where and when he will be laid to rest.

Announcing the conferment of national hero status on Oliver Mtukudzi at the Mtukudzi home in Norton Thursday, President Mnangagwa said the government will cover all funeral expenses.

He added that the Mtukudzi family will decide where and when Tuku will be buried.

Sources close to the Tuku family told 263gossip that Oliver Mtukudzi will be laid to rest at the familys rural Madziva, just outside Bindura, as that had always been Tukus wish.

A family source further said: Over the past few weeks, the family had come to terms with the reality that Tuku might lose his fight to diabetes. All burial scenarios seem to have been finalized while Tuku was alive, as there wasnt that much debate or consultations regarding his final resting place.

This was also confirmed by UK-based former Radio Zimbabwe DJ Ezra Tshisa Sibanda, who worked for a long time with Mtukudzi.

Sibanda, who for much of the week has been at the Mtukudzi home in Norton to pay his condolences, said Tuku confided to him some years back that he would want to be buried at Madziva.

Ezra Sibanda said: Tuku once told me his wish was to be buried at his rural home in Madziva, 30km from Bindura, Mashonaland Central province.

He added: He told me a few weeks after the burial of his son Sam in 2010 who died in a horrifying accident & was buried at Warren Hills, Harare. Im pleased his wishes have been respected and will be laid to rest in Madziva on Sunday!

https://twitter.com/EZRATSHISA/status/1088511987749933065

There had been speculation that Mtukudzi could be buried at Warren Hills where his son Sam was buried eight years ago.

Mtukudzi is not the first national hero to be buried somewhere other than the National Hroes Acre in Harare.

Recently, the founding Vice Chancellor of Nust, Professor Phineas Mogorosi Makhurane, was declared a national hero but the family preferred to have him laid to rest at the family home in Gungwe, Gwanda South.

Professor Makhurane was buried on December 8, 2018.

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Flatiron School, the coding school owned by WeWork, is opening a data science boot camp in Houston.

Boot camps have become a popular way to learn new technical skills in a short, intensive period of time. In 2018, the coding boot camp market was expected to graduate 20,316 students in the U.S. and Canada, up 20 percent from 16,867 graduates in 2017, according to third-party coding boot camp directory Course Report.

Flatiron entered the Houston market last year. The first cohort of students for its coding boot camp received scholarships from Facebook.

MORE: Facebook providing scholarships for Houstonians to attend coding boot camp

The 15-week data science course, costing $15,000, will be a full-time program held in the Flatiron campus at 708 Main St. Its first cohort of classes will begin April 22, with students learning to gather data, apply statistical analysis to answer questions with that data, and then take action from their insights and information.

Students in Houston's first data science class will receive $3,000 toward their tuition. Houston-area veterans and their families will get a $5,000 scholarship if they enroll through Flatiron's Houston Heroes program.

The data science class will include fundamental concepts in programming using Python and SQL to gather and clean data, and students will also learn the PySpark distributed programming framework that's used to work with huge amounts of data.

At HoustonChronicle.com: Rice adopting boot camp model for big data

Data scientist topped LinkedIn's Most Promising Jobs of 2019 list for the U.S., with a 56 percent year-over-year growth in job openings.

And Flatiron isn't the only school addressing this need. Rice University also has a 24-week, part-time data analytics boot camp developed in partnership with Trilogy Education.
If the line where the sea meets the sky calls you, it may be time to practice your best "Moana" numbers at this amazing Hawaiian waterfront property.

Known as the Tahitian Pavilion, the oceanfront beauty in Maui is on the market for $8.9 million. The four-bedroom, 3.5-bath home won the Waterfront Homes category in HGTVs Ultimate House Hunt competition in 2018.

I call it my million-dollar surf shack, says listing agent Anna Severson. Architect Kendrick Bangs Kelloggknown for his innovations in organic architecturedesigned the home to capture the ocean breezes and the sounds of the waves and birds, incorporating the natural surroundings into the home whenever possible.

People walk in, and nine out of 10 people go, Wow, Ive never seen a house like this in my life,' says Severson. The home is built on five staggered layers, with funky Hawaiian and surfer accents and styling throughout.

Outdoor views realtor.com

Living room realtor.com

Outdoor living space surrounds nearly the entire perimeter of the home, allowing residents to take in the views of the neighboring surf break and sunsets. Even when youre indoors, the exposed beams, large windows, and skylights keep the home feeling open, and private outdoor showers, natural local wood, and lava rock accents bring the outdoors to you.

Its built to be very harmonious to the rocky point, says Severson.

Theres a small sandy cove accessible from the house, complete with that surf break. The water is less turbulent in the summer, and lends itself to snorkeling. If you prefer to relax in calmer waters, the heated outdoor whirlpool seats six people in its rocky enclave, or you can head to the open-air hot tub in the master suite.

Dining room realtor.com

Bedroom realtor.com

The current residents are only the second owners to live in the house, after purchasing it from its original builder. Theyve maintained quite a collection of furniture suited for the house and also of art to complement it, including original oil paintings from local artists Jan Kasprzycki, Pegge Hopper, and Phillip Sabado, and are selling the house furnished. Handmade ceramic tiles decorated with island scenes, bold traditional Hawaiian quilts, and other tropical accents all come with the package.

Its really an interesting and well-thought-out art collection, says Severson. They feel it should all go together, because that is how the home was conceivedits an important part of the spirit of the home.

And of course, the surroundings are not to be overlooked. Whether lying on the patio or balcony, or even in bed, residents can take in views of the rocky point and ocean waves. You can see literal turtles coming in, whales breaching, and really beautiful sunsets, says Severson.

The post Where the Sea Meets the Sky! HGTV Ultimate House Hunt Winner for Sale in Hawaii appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com.
I think people are sadly mistaken when they preach arming school teachers as a means to protect students.

In a school shooting, where law enforcement officers are called upon to rush into a building with the knowledge that there is an armed person or people wandering around shooting students, the first individual they see with a weapon in his hand will be a target. Shoot first and ask questions afterward. Self-preservation. Thats human nature.

Jesse Ortiz

Shutdown solution

There has been a lot of flapping lately about the partial shutdown of the federal government, and the majority of the public discussion seems to revolve around whether a wall should be extended or improved along the southern border of the U.S.

I believe the proper issue that should be occupying the minds of the public is: How do we see that politicians suffer significantly whenever a disagreement among them results in a shutdown, such as the one now, while Congress spends its time taking vacations and the president runs around holding press conferences and such?

I think the best way to accomplish this would be the following: All employees on furlough or unpaid status, as well as their adult relatives and friends, send five letters each. One to the president, one to the vice president, one to each senator from his or her state, and one to his or her representative in the House stating something like, If you do not end this shutdown in the next five days, you may be assured I will vote against you in the next primary election, thus ensuring the end of your political career.

If each of them had five others to support him or her, that would be nearly 5 million votes, enough to terrify all politicians in the country. The advantage of mentioning the primary election is you preserve your ability to select any party in the general election, while ensuring the people causing the problem leave.

With any luck, we could elect a group that would vote to cancel retirement for those who create a situation like the current one, and we might just have seen our last shutdown.

Joseph A. Durusau

Wall, LSD; all good

Our president told us  in an important national address  that some say building a wall will reduce the crime rate in our country by as much as 50 percent.

I feel so much better now. Just like when Timothy Leary told us, Some say LSD is always a good trip. And when the cigarette industry told us, Some say that smoking cigarettes is perfectly safe. And some say that global warming is not connected, in any way, to human activity.

I will sleep well now!

John Olmstead

They trespassed, too

Re: Get them out, Your Turn, Sunday:

I concur with letter writer John Gretz on the issue of illegal immigration. Legal immigration should be the only option.

What Mr. Gretz does not address is the fact that an inordinate number of businesses continually hire these folks illegally. It saves business owners money. Until this practice is totally eliminated, people seeking work will continue to come illegally.

Mr. Gretz is quick to address the issue of trespassing and the serious actions that should be taken to punish those who break the law. I wonder if Mr. Gretzs ancestors noticed the No Trespassing sign when they landed at Plymouth Rock and/or any other port of entry available at the time. This was not your land or property; it belonged the native Americans. Too bad they didnt have jails or hefty fines then.

Rogelio Saucedo

Dont overdo it

It is a great thing when so many people are set to run for president in 2020. I am happy to see the interest in serving our government, which is our people of the United States. For the Democrats who have announced their intentions, I suggest the following: Do not promise what is not feasible.

They are promising to work for free universal health care, free post-high school education and guaranteed employment, among other issues. Please do not overdo it.

Look at who we have now. We have President Donald Trump and his pledge to build the wall. Even he must have known it was not feasible  Mexico was not going to pay for it, and surely our taxpaying citizens cannot afford such an expense.

Look at our most recent history. We have federal employees living without a paycheck because we have a president who now has his back against the wall and no way out, trying to save face for making promises that just didnt make sense.

I am for the betterment of service to all citizens and education for all. But please do not go overboard. Work on what is feasible. Lets take it one step at a time.

Santos Hernandez

Castro disappoints

Its so disappointing to see Julian Castro spouting the same old venom coming from all the Trump-hating Democrats in Congress. He couldnt wait to jump in the mix and condemn our president for the outrageous lies set forth in the now-debunked Buzzfeed report. Before Mueller could even respond and set the record straight that the report was full of lies, Castro was out in front calling for Trumps impeachment. And this man wants to be president? I dont think so.

Rand Dennis

Whats wrong?

Re: Latino, period Your Turn, Jan. 18:

Carlos Hernandez took offense to Gilbert Garcias excellent column referring to Julian Castro as the Latino Barack Obama so, whats wrong with that? Many Latinos love former President Barack Obama; even Nancy Pelosi does and she loves no one, especially President Donald Trump.

Shirley Swift
The closing earlier this month of the tent city housing immigrant teens in the border town of Tornillo near El Paso was long overdue.

It was never intended to be in use as long as it was.

When it opened in June  after the Trump administration adopted a zero tolerance policy calling for the separation of parents from children after families crossed from Mexico illegally  it had 400 beds.

It was intended to stay in operation a month; instead, it was in use for seven months and expanded into 150 canvas tents with 3,800 beds.

The abandonment of the barrackslike tents packed with closely spaced bunk beds in West Texas is a hollow victory if the administration continues to warehouse unaccompanied minors who make it across the border and are apprehended by federal agents.

Overall, the number of migrant minors in federal shelters is down, and that is welcome news, but the statistics remain troubling.

As of Jan. 13, 10,500 children remained in more than 100 shelters. The government still had 16,000 migrant youth shelter beds under contract across the country.

As children transited out of the Tornillo tent city, federal officials announced plans to expand the occupancy at a temporary shelter in Homestead, Fla., from 1,350 to 2,350 children, the New York Times reported. Located near the Everglades, this now has the dubious distinction of being the largest temporary migrant minor shelter in the country. That label once belonged to Tornillo.

During the six months that the tent city in Tornillo was in operation, 6,200 teens from Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and other countries were processed through. When the last child was gone, federal officials reported that 5,500 of the youths had been released to a parent or guardian to await a decision on their immigration case. The other 700 were transferred to other federal immigrant detention facilities, and it is uncertain where they are today.

In fact, as a recent report by the Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General demonstrated, the federal government is having a hard time accounting for the minors in its care and how many had been separated from their parents. Moreover, the report noted that the administration was separating children from parents even before it began the so-called zero-tolerance program that made a nation to stand in revulsion, bringing the program to an end.

Continuing to use children to gain leverage in the immigration debate comes with serious consequences. Even a brief period of detention can cause psychological trauma and induce long-term mental health risks, the American Academy of Pediatrics warns.

The facilities are classified as temporary setups. That means they do not have to abide by the same stringent rules as similar, permanent detention centers. Government watchdog groups raised serious questions about the lack of education and mental health services at Tornillo. They also blasted the waiving of a government requirement for FBI background checks on the employees hired to work among the children, and rightly so.

During the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, U.S. Customs and Border Protection detained more than 50,000 unaccompanied migrant children, compared to 41,435 the previous fiscal year.

On average, a detained child spent about 36 days in a temporary federal shelter. That is unacceptable. Children need to be released to family members willing to take them into their homes while their immigration status is resolved.

Warehousing children in temporary shelters is not the solution.
Last week, Democratic Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia offered President Donald Trump some advice on how to end the current border wall standoff. Always try to find a solution in which both sides come out ahead, Warner told the president. Its good advice. Trump is taking it. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., are not.

On Saturday, Trump did exactly what Warner suggested, offering Democrats a win-win compromise. In addition to his 230-mile physical barrier, Trump said he would support three years of legislative relief for 700,000 recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, as well as a three-year extension for 300,000 other immigrants whose temporary protected status is expiring  1 million people in all. These extensions, Trump said, would give Congress time to work on a larger immigration deal, which everybody wants  Republicans and Democrats. His offer, Trump said, was straightforward, fair, reasonable and commonsense, with lots of compromise, adding that both sides in Washington must simply come together  and find solutions.

The Democrats response? Pelosi called the offer non-starter even before Trump delivered his speech. Schumer declared it one-sided and ineffective. Thats ridiculous. Obviously, Trumps proposal is only an opening bid. But instead of making a counteroffer and negotiating in good faith, Democrats are demanding unconditional surrender.

Trump is being the adult in the room. He has stopped talking about invoking a national emergency. Hes showing flexibility on the definition of a wall, the number of miles, the amount of money  and adding immigration sweeteners. To demonstrate his support for immigration, he even held a naturalization ceremony in the Oval Office to personally swear in new citizens from Iraq, Bolivia, Jamaica, the United Kingdom and South Korea, telling them our whole nation embraces you with open arms and joyful hearts.

But it seems Democrats objective is not to find a way out of the stalemate; it is to humiliate the president. Since Trump heeded Warners advice, maybe the senator should go to his own leadership and tell them the same thing: The only way this standoff ends is with a win-win solution. Trump is willing to let Democrats claim victory, as long as he can, too.

Indeed, he is offering Democrats what should be a tantalizing possibility  that a small deal on the wall now could pave the way to a big deal on immigration. As Trump said in his speech Saturday, If we are successful in this effort, we will then have the best chance in a very long time at real, bipartisan immigration reform. And it wont stop here. It will keep going until we do it all.

Such a deal, Trump made clear, would include amnesty and a path to citizenship for millions of illegal immigrants. Indeed, Trump took heat from the right for his Saturday offer, with immigration restrictionists attacking him for supporting amnesty. Trump didnt flinch at the criticism. To the contrary, he declared, Amnesty will be used only on a much bigger deal.

The Democrats refusal to negotiate is self-defeating. Just as only Nixon could go to China, only Trump can cut an immigration deal with Democrats. Trump is willing to push back on the immigration hard-liners in his own party to make such a deal. By contrast, Pelosi and Schumer are pandering to their partys hard-liners. It is a pathetic display of political cowardice and opportunism. Their hatred for Trump is so all-consuming that they cannot bring themselves to accept his outstretched hand and make a deal that would give them many of their long-held immigration priorities.

They could have enacted comprehensive immigration reform when, under President Barack Obama, they had control of the White House and the House, and a 60-vote, filibuster-proof margin in the Senate. They failed to do it then, and they are failing to capitalize on this opportunity now. It increasingly appears that Democrats dont seem to want a solution; they want the issue.

While Democrats are genuflecting to their base, Trump is showing leadership. If Trump continues on this path, the American people will eventually come to realize it. Polls show that the vast majority of voters want both sides to compromise. On Saturday, Trump openly embraced compromise. The Democrats rejected it. Their position is irresponsible and unsustainable. Time is on the presidents side.

@marcthiessen
As the shambolic Trump presidency caroms and lurches into Year Three, a shameful governing philosophy has emerged: cruelty for crueltys sake.

Let us take stock:

Roughly one-quarter of the federal government has been closed for a month, in the longest shutdown in U.S. history. An estimated 800,000 employees are either furloughed or being forced to work without pay, not to mention untold contract workers who are also idled. Prospects for a near-term solution to the impasse between President Trump and Congress range all the way from dim to dimmer.

Imagine going a month without a paycheck. Imagine lining up the bills and deciding which get paid and which dont  mortgage, electricity, heating. Imagine having to commute to work at an essential government job and trying to scrape together enough money for gas.

All of these hardships, and many more, are being inflicted on hard-working public servants for no earthly reason. From the beginning, Democrats have taken a reasonable position: Keep the government open, and lets have a debate and a negotiation about border security. Trump agreed  until far-right pundits accused him of abandoning his border wall, which everyone knows will never be built.

So Trump made federal workers  and other citizens who depend on government services  into sacrificial lambs whose blood is an offering to the Trumpist base. Negotiations about a solution are at a standstill because Trumps self-proclaimed negotiation prowess comes down to taunts and tweets. The next time you take a flight, hope that the agents who inspect passengers luggage and the traffic controllers who guide pilots through the sky are thinking about their work, not worrying how to make ends meet.

Meanwhile, we learned last week that the sadistic policy of separating would-be immigrants from their children has been far more extensive, and more shocking, than anyone suspected.

There was bipartisan uproar earlier last year when it was disclosed that more than 2,000 children had been effectively kidnapped by our government, in a mean and cynical attempt to deter undocumented migrants and asylum-seekers. Now, the inspector general of the Department of Health and Human Services reports that the family separations actually began in 2017 and that thousands more children were taken from their parents.

So haphazard and uncaring was this outrageous policy that there exists no full accounting of who these children are, where they are or whether they were ever reunited with their families. There is not even enough solid information for the inspector general to be more specific than thousands about the number.

Trump claims his imaginary wall is needed to address a humanitarian crisis at the border. The crisis is real, but it is of Trumps own deliberate creation. Given the administrations combination of malice and incompetence, it is safe to assume that some of the children we snatched away will never see their parents again. They are mere props that let Trump demonstrate how far he will go to punish Latinos for daring to seek a safer, better life.

Perhaps Trump thinks this is how his base wants him to act. Perhaps his own myriad insecurities lead him to falsely equate callous indifference with strength.

Whatever the reason, he does not even pay lip service to the struggle for freedom, dignity and due process in countries like Russia, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the Philippines. Public pressure from a U.S. president  which costs nothing, in terms of domestic political support  can save the lives of activists and journalists who heroically labor to hold autocratic governments accountable. Cold silence from a U.S. president can be fatal.

Such gratuitous cruelty is really this administrations only consistent policy. Trump tried his best, for example, to destroy the Affordable Care Act, not because he had a better idea about how to provide health care but apparently because he cant abide anything with President Obamas name on it. He failed, but in the process weakened Obamacare enough to make it less effective and more expensive.

Why would Trump injure innocent consumers? Why hurt stockholders of companies led by chief executives he does not like? Why seek to deny desperately needed help to Puerto Rico, where some politicians have been critical of Trump?

Why? Because he can.

Above all else, Trump is a bully. Like all schoolyard tyrants, he tries to project great strength in order to mask internal weakness. But remember the one universal truth about bullies: The bigger they are, the harder they fall.

eugenerobinson@washpost.com
San Antonio Crime Stoppers is offering a $15,000 reward for anyone who can help identify the person responsible for the first homicide of 2019. Authorities released a surveillance image of the suspect on Friday.

Police have been unable to identify the robbery suspect who fatally shot Timothy Collins, a clerk at the 7-Eleven store on 7930 Callaghan Road, in the early morning hours of Jan. 1.
A 44-year-old man was hospitalized after he was stabbed in the chest by his pregnant wife Thursday night, according to San Antonio police.

Officers responded to a cutting call shortly before 11 p.m. in the 2600 block of Mulberry Avenue where they found the man suffering from the stab wound.
San Antonio police need the public's help to identify a suspected arsonist who they say lit a West Side furniture store on fire in December.

On Dec. 22, firefighters were called to 3918 W. Commerce St. to put out a fire at Guernsey Furniture.
A man is recovering after his car rolled over into a fence on the North Side early Friday morning, police said.

The driver hit the curb on Nakoma Avenue near U.S. 281, causing him to rollover into a fence at a nearby wholesale store at 1:30 a.m.
The Bexar County Sheriff's Office arrested a man Thursday shortly after two sisters came forward to their school counselor with allegations of sexual abuse.

John Anthony Clede, 43, is charged with aggravated sexual assault of a child and continuous sexual abuse of a child, according to Bexar County Jail records.
A week after the creation of an online fundraising site that stated it wanted answers to the killings of Nichol Olsen and her daughters, donors are asking how the money is going to be used.

The GoFundMe site, Searching for the Truth, was created by Olsens friends on Jan. 17. It raised $55,000 in five days; it crossed $60,000 Wednesday.

There are countless unanswered questions and we, as well as many, are waiting for answers, wrote Susan Khalil and Nicole Baptiste, its creators. Please help us in our mission to seek the truth.

As of Thursday, the fundraisers creators had repeatedly declined to answer on the record how exactly the money will be used.

FIND OUT FIRST: Get San Antonio breaking news directly to your inbox

Olsen and her two daughters were found shot to death in a luxury home inside the Anaqua Springs Ranch gated community in northwest Bexar County on Jan. 10. On Jan. 14, Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar said that even though the countys medical examiner had ruled that Olsen had killed herself, his office would not be completely swayed by the finding and would continue its investigation.

On Tuesday, Salazar announced the FBI would join the investigation and help analyze forensic evidence.

Khalil then posted an update to the fundraising campaign, which said that because of the FBIs participation, she and Baptiste MAY or MAY NOT need to allocate the funds under the premise in which they were raised.

We will consult with the FBI about their level of involvement and will seek their recommendation as to our next steps, she wrote, adding they would only be satisfied if the FBI fully took over the investigation.

RELATED: FBI joins investigation into fatal triple shooting in luxury San Antonio-area home

Khalil said in a phone interview Thursday that they are currently not content with the FBI's level of involvement and will continue to search for the truth.

The FBI is assisting in the investigation. They are not taking over, she said. If anyone has a problem with money that they contributed, and theyre uncomfortable, Im more than willing to give them back their money.

The FBIs involvement appears to have donors concerned over the use of the money.

The FBI is now involved. What specifically is the intended goal of $100,000 raised to be used for? Private investigators? That sum seems excessive, particularly when any private investigation could in no way match the resources and skills of the FBI, wrote an online commenter.

Another advised: Tried to read why you are raising money but there is nothing on this site that tells. If you want to raise money you might want to tell people what it is for.

Several others, however, wrote that they assumed the money would be used to help with funeral expenses or education for her surviving son  and that they were OK with that. One offered to personally refund an amount equal to the donation of anyone uncomfortable with the fundraiser .

Salazar said Thursday that no one connected to the Searching for the Truth GoFundMe site has been in contact with his office. The family is free to spend the money as it pleases, whether its to fund a private investigator or fund another opinion from a different medical examiner, as he has seen suggested on social media, he said. If the family and friends feel the need to do that, if they feel that they will bring them some comfort, Im in favor of that, he said.

He doubts a second medical examiners report will come to a different conclusion or that a private investigator could uncover evidence the authorities dont already have.

As the case has evolved, some social media users have theorized what could have happened in the house the night of the shootings. Salazar said he has seen things that are flat-out factually incorrect on social media and that others have made leaps that he wouldnt .

Look, some people are never going to be convinced, Salazar said. Youll never convince 100 percent of the people. I cant worry about that. All we can do is go where the evidence takes us.

Caleb Downs covers crime in San Antonio and Bexar County. Read him on our breaking news site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com |

cdowns@mysa.com | @calebjdowns
San Antonio police are asking the public to keep an eye out for a 36-year-old woman who went missing a week ago.

Valerie Rae DeLaRosa, 36, was last seen on Jan. 18 in the 3500 block of Gracie Street, according to a news release from the police department.
Katie S. Russell had a longtime dream of starting a pediatric practice in Medina County.

The pediatric nurse practitioner, seeing a need for childrens health care in the area, fulfilled that dream by opening Medina Valley Pediatrics in August 2017 in Castroville. She billed it as the first full-time pediatric office in the county.

She had faith this was going to be successful, but just never imagined how quick that that would occur, said husband Justin Russell.

The practice had about 1,400 patients when Katie Russells life was cut short Jan. 7, four days after she went into cardiac arrest while exercising with friends. She was 38.

Her death was a blow to the Castroville community, where she was known as a faithful Christian who loved her family, church, patients and neighbors.

A celebration of her life held Jan. 14 at First Baptist Church of Castroville drew more than 800 people. A video of the service posted to the churchs Facebook page has garnered more than 7,500 views.

Katie S. Russell Born: July 12, 1980, San Antonio Died: Jan. 7, 2019, San Antonio Survived by: Her husband, Justin Russell; two daughters, Jordyn and Jiliana; parents Steve and Betsy Keller; sister Kristen Hohn (Josh); grandmother, Peggy Keller; father-in-law and mother-in law, Mark and Janis Russell; brother-in-law Mack Russell (Amy); sister-in-law Jenny Rogers (Chris); and nephews Mark and Zachary Russell and Bryce and Trent Hohn. Service: A memorial was held Jan. 14 at First Baptist Church of Castroville. See More Collapse

If you knew Katie, you knew love and you knew compassion, because she had that for people, said her friend Tara Wilks, who recently moved to Altus, Okla., from Castroville. She was the most amazing, genuine, passionate, God-fearing woman that I have really, honestly, ever known.

She just had it all together, Wilks said.

Russell was known for putting her young patients at ease during an examination by telling them, Lets see if youve got any monkeys in your ears.

I cant tell you how many people said that to me when recalling her at a Jan. 13 visitation, Justin Russell said.

Katie and Justin Russell met while they were both attending the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Belton. The couple married in 2001 after Justin Russells graduation. They remained there while she earned a bachelor of science degree in nursing and psychology.

After her graduation in 2003, the couple moved to San Antonio. She earned a master of science degree in nursing in 2007 from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, now known as UT Health San Antonio. She was licensed by the state as an advanced practice registered nurse.

Russell worked at Northeast Pediatric Associates on San Antonios Northeast Side for 10 years before starting her practice.

She was there for her patients pretty much 24 hours a day, Justin Russell said. She was always a servant and always looking to help somebody in need.

The Russells enjoyed traveling, particularly to Disney World with their two daughters, Jordyn, 11, and Jiliana, 7. They also took ski trips to Durango, Colo., and Red River, N.M.

Katie Russell served as First Baptist Churchs outreach coordinator, helping to expand the congregation. She and her husband co-taught Sunday school for more than 10 years.

During the Jan. 14 service, Justin Russell told the congregants that after his wife fell ill, people in such far-flung places as Atlanta, Canada and India were praying for her.

How amazing is that? he said. And heres what I want to encourage you with: Those prayers were answered. We prayed for a miracle and a miracle occurred. My wife ended up being an organ donor. And so how many of those organ recipients, their families, have been praying for a miracle? Theres no telling.

Her liver and kidneys helped save four lives, Justin Russell said.

God used her and He provided a miracle for all those people, he said during the service.

Donations are being accepted for the Jordyn and Jiliana Russell Education Fund at Security State Bank at 1726 U.S. 90 East, Castroville, Texas, 78009.

The Texas Nurse Practitioner Foundation has set up the Katie Russell Memorial Scholarship Fund. Donations can be mailed to the foundation at 4425 S. Mopac Expressway, Building 3, Suite 405, Austin, Texas, 78735.

The funds name should be included on the checks memo line. Donations also can be made online at https://tnp.givingfuel.com/katie-russell-memorial-scholarship-fund.

Patrick Danner is a San Antonio-based staff writer covering banking and civil courts. Read him on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | pdanner@express-news.net | Twitter: @AlamoPD
Police released the description of a suspect accused in a shooting outside a west Houston gas station Thursday.

The shooting happened in the parking lot of the service station at the corner of Richmond Avenue and West Beltway 8 around 11 a.m., according to the Houston Police Department.

The suspect in the shooting is described as a black male standing about 5 feet, 8 inches tall. He was last seen in light gray sweatpants and a light gray hoodie.

He fled the gas station in a light-colored SUV, which could possibly a Honda make.

Anyone with information about the shooting or the suspect is urged to call Houston Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS (8477).

Jay R. Jordan covers breaking news in the Houston area. Read him on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and our subscriber site, HoustonChronicle.com | Follow him on Twitter at @JayRJordan | Email him at jay.jordan@chron.com | Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message
NEW YORK  A huge bonfire was burning at Joaquin Guzman Loeras mountain hideout one night when the crime lords bodyguards brought him two enemy soldiers slumped across the backs of two ATVs. The men  members of the Zetas, a rival cartel  had been tortured for hours, and many of their bones had already been broken. The soldiers, as listless as rag dolls, according to a gunman who was there, could barely move.

In the glow of the firelight, Guzman ordered the Zetas to be placed beside the flames and then approached them with a rifle. Pressing its barrel to the first mans head, the kingpin cursed the soldiers mother and abruptly pulled the trigger. After he had done the same to the second, he ordered his assassins to dispose of the bodies.

Put them in the bonfire, the gunman recalled Guzman saying. I dont want any bones to remain.

This morbid story was recounted Thursday by Isaias Valdez Rios, a former cartel killer, at Guzmans drug trial in New York. Though dozens of murders have been described in court since the trial began 10 weeks ago, Judge Brian M. Cogan has sought to keep a tight leash on the gore. But Valdezs testimony was exceptionally gruesome and marked the first time that jurors heard explicitly graphic examples of the bloodshed that Mexican cartels have long been known for. It was also the first time that evidence was shown that depicted the violence personally committed by the defendant, known to the world as El Chapo.

RELATED: El Chapo Trial: The Kingpin's Mistress Tells All

In three grueling hours on the witness stand, Valdez spellbound the jury in U.S. District Court in Brooklyn with wrenching accounts from the front lines of Mexicos bloody drug wars. He spoke about running someone down in his truck during a frantic highway gunfight. He spoke about killing an informant in the earshot of women and children. He spoke about burying a bound and blindfolded man, who was still alive, on Guzmans orders.

As the prosecutions last cooperating witness, Valdezs appearance on the stand suggested that the governments case was coming to an end. He seemed to have been called to deliver a gut punch to jurors. His testimony  brutal, relentless and unquestionably damaging to Guzman  was a kind of emotional punctuation mark.

Valdez started his account with a vivid description of his first day working in what he described as Guzmans security circle. On that day in 2004, he recalled, a man he knew as Fantasma  one of the kingpins bodyguards whose nickname translates to ghost  picked him up in Culiacan and took him to an airstrip where he boarded a plane for a short flight into the Sierra Madre. When Valdez landed at Guzmans hideout, someone walked up to him, he said, and placed a bulletproof vest, an AK-47 and a rocket-propelled grenade launcher in his hands.

The rules of his new workplace were eventually explained to him.

He would be on duty for a month, he was told, then off for a month.

He would sleep in the dirt outside the kingpins cabin.

He would be paid 2,000 pesos a month (or a little more than $175).

He was never to approach the boss. If the boss wanted to speak with him, he would be summoned.

RELATED: El Chapo's Wife Is Implicated in His Infamous Prison Escape

That happened, Valdez said, 10 or 15 days after he arrived at the encampment known as The Sky. As he approached Guzman, he recalled, the crime lord jocularly asked, Dude, how you doing? Guzman wanted to know about his new recruits service in the Mexican special forces. He also warned the novice gunman that he had to be especially vigilant in the mountains.

Here, Valdez recalled the drug lord saying, you really have to be on the lookout.

Shortly after, Valdez, in his first assignment as one of Guzmans sicarios, or assassins, was ordered to accompany the kingpins chief of security, Alejandro Aponte, known as El Negro, to hunt down and execute an informant. Valdez told jurors that three other killers accompanied him. One was known as El Ocho. The other was nicknamed Mojo Jojo.

After the hit team arrived at the informants house, Valdez said, they subdued the women and children then found their target hiding in a bedroom. The man was taken to an indoor patio where, apparently desperate, he wrapped his arms around one of its support columns. Valdez said that Aponte shot the man first with a burst of automatic gunfire. After he fell to the ground, Valdez said, another sicario shot him in the head.

Then the hit team simply returned to their pickup truck. We headed toward the mountains, Valdez said.

A few years later, he recalled, he watched Guzman interrogate  then kill  an ally of his bitter enemies, the Arellano Felix brothers. Speaking softly in the silent courtroom, Valdez recounted how the kingpin had the man brought, bound and blindfolded, to a graveyard in one of his mountain camps. The man had already been tortured so viciously with an iron, he said, that his T-shirt had been soldered into his skin. He also reeked, Valdez added, from having been locked inside a hen house for days.

Although the victim couldnt see it, he had been placed in front of his own freshly dug grave. Valdez said Guzman asked the man several questions, and in the middle of an answer, pulled out a .25-caliber pistol and shot him.

Remove his handcuffs and bury him, he recalled the crime lord saying.

But as Valdez and another gunman bent to fetch the body, they realized the small caliber bullet hadnt killed the man.

He was still gasping for air.

And thats how we dumped him in the hole and buried him, Valdez said.

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
Taurus Nelson previously told the Houston Chronicle that he resented the fact that he was never able to see his newborn grandchild open her eyes before her father allegedly stabbed her to death.

Now, he says his daughter  the only one to survive the early January attack that also left two of her other children dead  is only communicating by opening one of her eyes as she lays in an area hospital.

Kimaria Nelson, 23, was severely injured when her boyfriend Junaid Hashim Mehmood, 27, allegedly stabbed to death newborn Ashanti Mehmood, Prince Larry Brown, almost 2, and Angela Pilot, 5, on Jan. 3 in a Texas City apartment.

Ashanti Mehmood is Junaid Mehmood's biological daughter. He turned himself into authorities and is facing a capital murder charge in the children's death.

Taurus Nelson said his family isn't exactly sure if Kimaria Nelson, 23, knows why she's in the hospital or even if she knows her own children are dead.

Taurus Nelson said he and his family are refraining from communicating to her about them.

There is good news for Kimaria: she's been taken off a ventilator and is breathing on her own, her father said.

In an interview with the Houston Chronicle the day after the attack, Taurus Nelson said the youngest of the children  Ashanti Mehmood  was born on Nov. 23.

"(I) never got a chance to see her with her eyes open," Nelson said outside his Texas City home on Jan. 4.

Taurus said the family will have a memorial service for the children next week.

Mehmood is facing life in prison or the death penalty if convicted of capital murder.

Jay R. Jordan covers breaking news in the Houston area. Read him on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and our subscriber site, HoustonChronicle.com | Follow him on Twitter at @JayRJordan | Email him at jay.jordan@chron.com | Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message
H-E-B provides groceries for millions across Texas and now, backdrops for photo shoots.

The San Antonio-based chain was the setting for a special announcement by the Mercer family recently.
History buffs should make a beeline to San Antonio, a new list of worldwide travel destinations says.

TripSavvy, an advice for adventurers website, rounded up an inaugural list of "Where to Go in 2019" with spots for all sorts of niche interests  coffee snobs, geeks, fine diners, party animals and history buffs.

FIND OUT FIRST: Get San Antonio breaking news directly to your inbox

It's no surprise that San Antonio, a city that predates the U.S. Constitution, would offer a wealth of antiquated stories for locals and visitors to uncover. TripSavvy shined a light on the city's balancing act of incorporating a modern appeal while remembering the past, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site-designated Missions, the St. Anthony and Hotel Emma and neighborhoods like the King William Historic District.

Hotel Emma, nestled in The Pearl, was recently recognized as No. 8 in TripAdvisor's Traveler's Choice Hotel Awards. The national list was based on millions of reviews by TripAdvisor travelers.

RELATED: Spurs fan with Kawhi Leonard, snake emoji posters issued an NBA Warning Card for 'verbal abuse'

The TripSavvy findings followed an analysis of 60,000 hotels, eateries and things to do around the world.

London earned the right of being the "Best Party Town," Atlanta is the best destination for "Beer Snobs," Denver has a noteworthy brunch scene and Houston, the only other Texas city on the list, is the spot for the "food obsessed."

See which spots earned San Antonio the national distinction in the gallery above.

Madalyn Mendoza is a breaking news reporter and general assignment writer. Read her on our breaking news site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com | mmendoza@mysa.com | @MaddySkye
"Blood In Blood Out" star Jesse Borrego and artist Adan Hernandez will be in San Antonio this weekend for autographs and a photos at Flip Side Record Parlor on San Antonio's South Side.

The meet and greet will be held Sunday from 12 to 6 p.m. at 840 Southwest Military Drive, according to a Facebook event page. The event will include food, music, vendors, and raffle prizes as well.
This article, Jeff Bezos' $150 billion divorce: What you need to know, originally appeared on CNET.com.

Jeff Bezos' divorce announcement in January started with a seemingly heartfelt and straightforward tweet from the couple and soon after spiraled into allegations of blackmail over nude photos and a private investigation into leaked texts.

Apparently this is what it looks like when the world's richest person gets divorced.

The split, which was finalized in early April, has transformed Bezos' public persona from a privacy-seeking tech geek to a supermarket tabloid regular, with gossip pages dishing on the couple's massive fortune of roughly $150 billion and on Bezos' steamy texts to his new girlfriend.

Beyond the world of TMZ and Page Six, Jeff and MacKenzie Bezos' divorce will have a big impact on Amazon's ownership and create new challenges for the company. And though it's unlikely, that turbulence could even harm consumers by slowing Amazon's rapid pace of growth and innovation.

The divorce had been expected to result in one of the biggest and most notable settlements in history. It ultimately lived up to that hype.

"Jeff remains very much focused on and engaged in Amazon," company spokesman Drew Herdener said in January.

Here's what you need to know about the divorce and what effects it may have.

The split

Jeff and MacKenzie Bezos jointly announced their divorce via Twitter on Jan. 9, saying they decided to split "after a long period of loving exploration and trial separation." The message said they plan to remain friends. The couple married 25 years ago, the year before Bezos founded Amazon.

What wasn't mentioned in that tweet was that the National Enquirer tabloid had reached out to Bezos two days earlier to ask him for comment on a story it planned to run about Bezos and his girlfriend, Lauren Sanchez, The Wall Street Journal reported this week.

Hours after the divorce announcement, the Enquirer reported that Bezos has been dating Sanchez, the wife of WME talent agent Patrick Whitesell. It also published a series of texts Bezos sent Sanchez, including: "I love you, alive girl. I will show you with my body, and my lips and my eyes, very soon." Sanchez and Whitesell are separated, according to several news reports.

Michael Sanchez, Lauren's brother and a longtime source for the Enquirer, leaked those texts to the publication, according to reports by both the Journal and the Daily Beast. He hasn't admitted that he was the Enquirer's source.

Jeff Bezos is Amazon's founder, CEO, chairman and top shareholder. MacKenzie Bezos is a novelist who helped Amazon grow during its early years but hasn't been significantly involved in the company since and has a much lower profile than her husband. The couple has four children.

Lauren Sanchez is a former TV reporter who founded an aerial film production company called Black Ops Aviation. She didn't respond to a request for comment.

The settlement

In early April, Jeff and MacKenzie Bezos announced, via Twitter, a divorce settlement in which MacKenzie will receive 25% of Jeff Bezos' stake in Amazon. She's expected to be worth about $35 billion and will become one of Amazon's four biggest shareholders.

MacKenzie Bezos agreed to hand over voting control of her shares to Jeff Bezos and gave up her stakes in the Blue Origin rocket company and in The Washington Post.

The Medium post

Things got strange a month after the divorce announcement when Bezos published a lengthy Medium post alleging an apparent blackmail plot by the Enquirer. He said the publication was threatening to release nude photos of him unless he ended a private investigation into how the tabloid got a hold of his text messages to Sanchez. He said the publication also called for him to say publicly he found no proof that the Enquirer's reporting was politically motivated; President Donald Trump has had an ongoing feud with Bezos and has close connections to the Enquirer.

"Rather than capitulate to extortion and blackmail, I've decided to publish exactly what they sent me, despite the personal cost and embarrassment they threaten," Bezos said in the post.

Bezos was still going through an increasingly messy and public divorce, but his revelation of the Enquirer's apparent extortion won the billionaire a wave of positive coverage.

American Media Inc., the Enquirer's publisher, said it would investigate Bezos' claims.

On March 30, the plot thickened when Gavin de Becker, a private investigator hired by Bezos, alleged in a post on The Daily Beast that Saudi Arabia had hacked the Amazon CEO's phone and accessed private information. The alleged hack was linked to coverage in The Washington Post, of the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi reporter who wrote for paper. Bezos owns The Post.

The Saudi embassy didn't respond to a request for comment.

De Becker said it wasn't clear how much, if anything, AMI knew about the alleged Saudi hack.

In a statement, an American Media spokesperson called de Becker's claims "false and unsubstantiated," adding that Michael Sanchez was the company's "single source" of information on the relationship. "There was no involvement by any other third party whatsoever."

CNET couldn't reach Michael Sanchez for comment.

What's the president's take?

Yes, even Trump has a take on this divorce. Trump has often showed his disdain for Jeff Bezos, mostly because Bezos' Washington Post has reported many unflattering things about the commander-in-chief.

So sorry to hear the news about Jeff Bozo being taken down by a competitor whose reporting, I understand, is far more accurate than the reporting in his lobbyist newspaper, the Amazon Washington Post. Hopefully the paper will soon be placed in better & more responsible hands!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 14, 2019

The president is known for taking digs at his enemies, so it should come as no surprise that he's mocked Bezos amid the divorce. In one tweet in January, Trump called him "Jeff Bozo." When asked about the Bezos divorce, Trump, who's been divorced twice, said: "I wish him luck. It's going to be a beauty."

Trump also enjoyed a victory lap after the Enquirer broke news of Bezos' extramarital relationship. The president is close to the tabloid's publisher and has reportedly used the tabloid to suppress allegations of his own affair.

Michael Sanchez, a Hollywood talent manager, is also connected to both the Enquirer and conservative activists. These relationships and Trump's comments on the divorce have made plenty of people wonder whether the Enquirer reporting was an effort to go after Bezos to benefit Trump.

Bezos and Amazon routinely avoid responding to Trump's taunts. Onlookers should expect that posture to continue.

The fortune

Nearly all of Bezos' wealth comes from his 16% ownership in Amazon, one of the world's most valuable publicly traded companies, valued at about $890 billion. Bezos personally owns The Washington Post, which he purchased for $250 million in 2013. The couple's properties include two homes in Beverly Hills; two homes in Medina, Washington; the largest home in Washington, DC; and a Texas ranch, according to the Journal.

Bezos also owns Blue Origin, a rocket and space travel company he founded in 2000. He invests about $1 billion of his Amazon stock every year in developing the startup. Through Bezos Expeditions, he owns stakes in companies including Airbnb, Uber, Nextdoor and Twitter.

After being a minor player in the charity world for most of his career, Bezos in September unveiled the Day One charitable fund, with an initial investment of $2 billion to aid nonprofits focused on homelessness and to create a new network of preschools in low-income communities.

What could happen next for Amazon?

TMZ had reported that the couple has no prenuptial agreement, which meant the world's biggest individual fortune could have been split, with Jeff Bezos losing direct control of half his Amazon stake. That didn't happen. He will retain 75% of his original stake and maintain voting control of MacKenzie Bezos' shares. She has not requested a seat on Amazon's board or pushed for any changes at the company -- two scenarios considered possible early in the divorce process.

Corporate governance experts have said the divorce is sure to add uncertainty for Amazon. It appears to have already created a distraction for Bezos.

"These are hard jobs even in the best of circumstances, then you add other things in there," David Larcker, director of the Corporate Governance Research Initiative at Stanford's business school, said in January. "Do you have the bandwidth to deal with it? Do you have your eye on the ball?"

Jason Redmond/Getty Images

Jill Fisch, a professor of business law at the University of Pennsylvania, said: "How strong Amazon is as a company will determine how big an impact this has."

Larcker and Fisch likened the Bezos divorce to Tesla CEO Elon Musk's emotional issues last year and Apple co-founder Steve Jobs' illness and death in 2011. In both cases, the impact on consumers and the products they bought from Tesla and Apple was muted. Larcker said he expects the same outcome in Amazon's case, too, though he cautioned that a more distracted Jeff Bezos could harm long-term decisions and cause Amazon to miss out on potential acquisitions.

To avoid those kinds of issues, Larcker said, Amazon will have to rely on its bench strength of longtime Amazon executives, who include worldwide consumer business CEO Jeff Wilke, Amazon Web Services CEO Andy Jassy and senior vice president Jeffrey Blackburn. Amazon now employs about 600,000 people worldwide, meaning it isn't run by any one person, no matter how important, and can continue to move on it own momentum at least for the short term, he added.

Has there been any impact on Amazon so far?

There have been scores of tabloid headlines, and the publishing of embarrassing texts from Jeff Bezos punctures Amazon's typical air of secrecy. The blackmail allegations, too, likely distracted the company from its usual messaging about new products and services. Beyond that, there's been no clear dustup related to Amazon as a company, with its stock remaining stable since the divorce announcement.

On Feb. 15, a week after Bezos' Medium post hit, Amazon said it scraped its plans to build a major, 25,000-employee campus in New York City. However, that decision has been widely attributed to pushback from local politicians and activists, not the divorce drama.

Even $35 billion poorer, Bezos is likely to remain just as engaged in and motivated about Amazon's growth, Larcker had said, since his identity is so closely intertwined with the company, and he'll still be worth a staggering $115 billion.

There's no lack of challenges for Bezos. He's just starting the development of another major 25,000-employee office in Arlington, Virginia (yes, there were going to be two). His company is stretching itself into smart-home gadgets like the popular Alexa-powered Echo speakers, as well as Hollywood, health care, groceries, robotics and new international markets. Plus, competition in Amazon's main business, online retail, continues to simmer as Walmart, Target and other traditional retailers fight to catch up.

There isn't a lot of room for error for Bezos and Amazon. If this team stops executing as well as it has for the past few years, lots of competitors could jump ahead.

Has a similar CEO divorce happened before?

Yes, though the numbers don't get any bigger.

Wynn Resorts founders Steve and Elaine Wynn divorced in 2010 and split their 18% stake in the casino company, which was then valued at about $1.5 billion. The breakup was amicable, but things fell apart soon after, with Elaine Wynn suing to regain voting control of her shares and eventually becoming the largest shareholder when Steve Wynn resigned amid sexual misconduct allegations.

Rupert and Anna Murdoch's marriage of 32 years ended in 1999, resulting in Anna reportedly receiving $1.7 billion in the settlement.

There are plenty of other instances of super rich divorce settlements, but the Bezos split is likely the biggest settlement in history, with MacKenzie Bezos becoming one of the wealthiest women in the world.

First published on Jan. 24.

Update March 20: Adds information on Bezos' Medium post, Michael Sanchez and Amazon's pull out of New York. Update March 31: Adds details of Gavin de Becker post at The Daily Beast. Update April 4: Notes that the divorce settlement has been finalized.
A Houston energy company is proposing to build a nearly $600 million petrochemical project in Pasadena, newly-released state documents show.

Next Wave Energy LP wants to build a manufacturing facility that would produce olefins, a key component of a variety of chemical and plastic products, and alkylate, a high-octane hydrocarbon used to produce motor and aviation gasoline. The project would be built on an undeveloped 53-acre tract off Pasadena Highway, according to documents filed with the Texas Comptroller's office.

Construction could start in the third quarter this year if Next Decade receives all the necessary permits and if its board approves a final investment decision in the second quarter of this year.

The petrochemical company didn't disclose how much olefins and alkylates it would produce but said it expects to start operating in the second quarter of 2021.

Building the project would create about 400 construction jobs and 25 permanent jobs with a salary of $70,000 annually. It is started to hire this year.

The company wrote that it would invest close to $600 million to build the project, including construction costs, engineering services and equipment.

RELATED: Saudi Aramcos Motiva eyes $6.6B petrochemical expansions

Next Wave said it already has a letter of intent signed with its feedstock supplier, but didn't provide further details on the supplier or type of feedstock.

Next Wave is seeking some $1.98 million of annual tax incentives from the City of Pasadena, according an application for the incentives filed in December but released last week by the comptroller's office. Another incentive from Deer Park ISD would limit the taxable value of the assets to $80 million for the 10-year life of the agreement. Next Wave filed for the incentives under the legal name of Pasadena Performance Products LP.

Launched in 2015, Next Wave described itself as an independent energy company "focused on the development, operation, acquisition and expansion of midstream and downstream petrochemical and fuels assets," particularly for natural gas liquids, petrochemicals and gasoline blending components.

ON HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM: U.S. eyes energy independence as production seen overtaking Russia, Saudi Arabia

Next Wave is backed by $500 million an initial equity from the New Jersey-based private equity firm Energy Capital Partners.

Its four founders - Patrick Diamond, Michael Bloesch, Dan Fahey and Sean Diamond - collectively have nearly nine decades of energy industry experience with a focus on midstream, petrochemical and fuels, according to a 2015 press release from the company.

Next Wave couldn't immediately be reached for component Friday.
NEW YORK  More than a year before Mexican drug lord Joaquin Guzman Loera pulled off one of the most notorious prison breaks in history, he got word to his associates how he planned to escape through an unlikely source: his wife, Emma Coronel Aispuro.

The strategy that Guzman crafted  and Coronel passed on  was as daring as it was ingenious: Laborers staged near the prison would dig a milelong tunnel into his cell. To pinpoint his exact location, someone would sneak a watch with a GPS transmitter past the guards and into the crime lords hands.

Like Guzmans flight from the authorities in 2014 through a secret tunnel hidden under his bathtub, the audacious escape from the Altiplano prison in Almoloya, Mexico, one year later is one of those almost unbelievable tales that have helped transform him into the criminal figure known as El Chapo. And as with other myths surrounding him, this one was told again Wednesday  with astonishing new details  at his trial in U.S. District Court in Brooklyn.

The most important revelation emerging from Wednesdays testimony was that Coronel, then 26 years old, was neck deep in planning the Houdini-like escape. The witness who implicated her, Damaso Lopez Nunez, also testified that she had been part of another effort to break her husband out of prison after he had been recaptured (or rather, re-recaptured) the following year.

RELATED: El Chapo Trial: The Kingpin's Mistress Tells All

In what has become a familiar sight, Coronel was sitting in the courtroom as Lopez, one of El Chapos former lieutenants, calmly told jurors that she had ferried messages from her husband ordering his aides  including his own four sons  to purchase land near the prison and then obtain a cache of weapons and an armored pickup truck.

Lopez never said Coronel had been the one who slipped the watch with GPS past the prisons guards, but did recount that she was one of only two people who regularly visited the kingpin behind bars.

It was not the first time that evidence at the trial has suggested that Coronel aided and abetted her husbands myriad crimes.

Two weeks ago, prosecutors introduced text messages between the couple showing Coronel handing her cellphone to her father, Ines Coronel Barreras, who then hashed out the details of a major cocaine deal with Guzman. In other messages, Coronel agreed to hide her husbands guns, fearing police were at their door and planned with him to place the deed to their sprawling new mansion in the names of their twin baby daughters.

In court Wednesday morning, Coronel declined to comment on the prison break allegations, as did Guzmans lawyers. A spokesman for the U.S. attorneys office in Brooklyn, which has led the prosecution of the kingpin, also declined to comment on whether she had committed any crimes.

RELATED: Once-Close Aide Tells of El Chapo's Once-Lush Life

Now 29, Coronel lives in Mexico, but has attended the trial nearly every day since it started in November. Most mornings she waves to Guzman, making it clear that she is standing by him. Just before Christmas, in a move that seemed designed to catch the jurys eye, she brought their 7-year-old twin daughters, dressed in matching bows and sweaters, to the trial to see their father.

On Tuesday, she took part in a strange sartorial stunt with Guzman. Both dressed in identical garnet velvet smoking jackets in what appeared to be a symbolic snub of the kingpins mistress who, in prison garb, was on the witness stand testifying against him.

Despite her constant presence at the trial, Coronel has largely remained inscrutable. She rarely betrays emotion, and even when witnesses have mentioned her by name, she has often done no more than chew her gum and play with her hair.

Coronel had no reaction Wednesday, sitting in the courtroom still and silent as Lopez described the details of the prison break that she helped plan.

On July 11, 2015, he said, the tunnel diggers reached their destination, breaking through the shower floor of Guzmans cell. Descending into the darkness, Lopez said, the kingpin was met by an accomplice on a motorcycle attached to a pulley system.

After they were hauled to safety, Guzman exited the tunnel, hopped aboard an all-terrain vehicle and rode it to an airstrip. There, Lopez said, the kingpin boarded a plane, which flew him to a hideout deep in the Sierra Madre mountains called The Sky.

RELATED: Will El Chapo Testify? He May Not Have Much to Lose

But in the constant game of cat-and-mouse that is Guzmans life, he was arrested  again  six months later and immediately sent to a different prison, in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico.

Not long after the arrest, Lopez met with Coronel who, he said, informed him that her husband wanted to escape again. His plan was to be transferred back to Altiplano and have another tunnel dug. According to Coronel, Lopez said, to ensure the transfer happened, Guzman paid a $2 million bribe to the chief of Mexicos prison system.

All of this sounded so incredible that on cross-examination, one of Guzmans lawyers, A. Eduardo Balarezo, wondered if it really happened. A tunnel? An ATV? A plane that whisked the kingpin to the mountains?

Its pretty spectacular, right? Balarezo asked.

Lopez was unfazed.

It is very real, he said.

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
Sonora Inn Painting View Photos

The Tuolumne County Arts Alliance has moved to a new location. They are now inside of the Sonora Inn, at the corner of Washington and W Stockton Street.

Lisette Sweetland, Tuolumne County Arts Executive Director, was Fridays KVML Newsmaker of the Day.

According to Sweetland, The new owners of the space formerly known as Bedazzled, have generously offered two spaces for our offices and for our partners, Motherlode Makerlabs.

Tuolumne County Arts endeavors to inform, educate, entertain, and provide enjoyment and enrichment for the residents and visitors of Tuolumne County.

The history of serving Tuolumne County first began as an idea from gatherings in 1970 that were hosted by renowned musician, conductor and supporter of the local arts community; Carl Anton Wirth. He welcomed like-minded friends to his Twain Harte cabin to share music and conversation with other artists. An idea emerged to create an arts organization that would unite the growing number of artists and musicians who were drawn to the beauty of the area.

In 1976, Californias State Legislature created the California Arts Council. Recognizing that everyones life is enriched by the arts, CAC continues its mandate to support, encourage and nurture the arts in our state. Originally known as Central Sierra Arts Council, they became a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit membership organization in 1978.

The partnership with the California Arts Council is in the form of the SLPP (State and Local Partnership) grant from the California Arts Council. Because of that partnership, TCA is designated as Tuolumne Countys mandated Public Arts Agency. The goal of which is to provide a continuing Arts presence in order to strengthen our local economy through the arts.

Along with the new location, is a new website. Check out https://www.mytuolumnecountyarts.org for information on upcoming events. You can also call 209-532-ARTS (2787).

The Newsmaker of the Day is heard every weekday morning at 6:45, 7:45 and 8:45 on AM 1450 and FM 102.7 KVML.
Apologise to your children when you ...
Every year, we receive the same news: Cyber threats against the United States are on the rise. This year, though, we have some good news: Federal government officials are finally taking these threats seriously. These officials are committed to developing a cyber strategy and working hard to shore up the nations virtual defenses. Congress is exploring ways to reorganize its own technology research capabilities. The military is figuring out how to put Silicon Valley to use.

Governments at the state level, however, are lagging.

Cybersecurity suffers from the weak-link problem: Weaknesses in one area can put entire systems at risk. With cyberattacks affecting state and local governments every day, the United States cannot afford to let state-level cybersecurity go unaddressed.

The risks caused by state-level breaches are manifold. States that fail to address their own cyber risks are vulnerable, and one survey found that 40 percent of local governments self-reported an increase in attacks in 2016.

We saw this in March 2017, during the alarming ransomware attack on the city of Atlanta. For more than a week, Atlanta was crippled as hackers locked people out of their own systems, demanding money for return access. Atlantas government refused to pay, leaving employees to fill out forms by hand and costing taxpayers more than $2.1 million. Although Georgia eventually indicted two Iranian men for the attack, the city required the help of both the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI to get back on its feet.

While federal agencies like the FBI and DHS often step in to address major cyberattacks like the one in Atlanta, they simply do not have the resources to deal with every cyberattack on every city or town. If a similar ransomware attack hits Pierre, South Dakota  population 14,000  at the same time attacks freeze systems in San Diego and Philadelphia, the smaller town might not receive attention, or at least not immediately. Without a massive expansion of these agencies, the federal government will be forced to make tough choices about whom to assist.

The solution to this problem is clear: In order to minimize dependence on federal resources, states must shore up their own cybersecurity capabilities.

They can start with cybersecurity-focused procurement. When making technology decisions, cybersecurity must be a priority, and states may need to forgo cheapest provider decisions in favor of more secure options.

Its important to recognize that not all cybersecurity companies are trustworthy, and the federal government should help states determine which providers to trust. For instance, Kaspersky Lab Software, touted as a tool to shore up cyber defenses, has been bannedfrom federal systems since September 2017, after it was identified as a possible tool for Russian intelligence. Similarly, the U.S. government has banned the use of Huawei and ZTE telecommunications equipment out of concern that the companies devices could be used to carry out espionage on behalf of the Chinese government. But these bans do not extend to state systems, and local officials may struggle to identify and replace the banned equipment.

With limited resources, each state will need to come up with creative solutions to ward off cyberattacks. Lacking budgets to build standing cyberattack response teams, several states are choosing to develop volunteer cyber forces. Much like military reserve units, cyber forces made up of the best local tech talents volunteer a few weeks each year to prepare in case of a major cyberattack, ready to come to their states aid should it need them.

Already, Michigan is experimenting with the Michigan Cyber Civilian Corps, while Ohio is bringing together organizations from the public and private sectors to test, defend and recover networks under attack. These efforts can serve as models for policymakers in other states who want to explore options and adapt them to their respective pools of resources and potential volunteers.

States can decide their own cyber futures. By prioritizing resources and innovating on the ground, states can mitigate risks and ensure that they are no longer the weakest link.

Megan Reiss is a senior national security fellow at the R Street Institute. She wrote this for InsideSources.com.
The Illinois State Board of Education is asking for $19.3 billion next year to adequately fund public schools, an amount of money equal to more than half the entire existing state budget.

If lawmakers granted the board full funding, it would represent an 86 percent increase in state money for Illinois public schools. In a release, the board said $11 billion would close the entire state funding gap and the rest would go to universal preschool, teacher retention programs, career-oriented learning and other projects.

The deep structural inequity in Illinois schools today did not happen by accident, State Superintendent of Education Tony Smith said. Institutional decisions, both historical and ongoing, produce disparate and statistically predictable educational outcomes for Illinois students.

Homewood Democratic Rep. Will Davis said the state cant afford that price tag, but hes optimistic that lawmakers can allocate more funding than last year.

That will significantly help so many school districts working toward getting to that 90 percent, he said, referring to the funding levels established under the recent school funding overhaul.

Gov. Bruce Rauner signed a budget into law in June that provided $12.1 billion for the State Board of Education, capital appropriations not included.

State Sen. Jason Barickman, R-Bloomington, said the boards annual requests have become symbolic in nature, considering the states fiscal condition. The State Board of Education regularly asks for far more than it will realistically get from the state. Board members have said the requests help highlight the need for additional education funding, although some lawmakers have grown tired of the tactic.

I dont think that it does much to kick-start the legitimate conversation in Springfield about how we fund our public school system statewide, he said. It has to be reconciled or balanced against the financial pressures that our state continues to bear.

Included in that request is more than $2 billion for a universal preschool program, something Davis said is worth considering to prepare children for the K-12 system.

We know that truly is a cornerstone to get kids started in the right direction, said Davis, who was a lead negotiator, along with Barickman, in the 2017 school funding reform law conversation.

The State Board of Education estimates 315,409 children ages 3 to 5 statewide are not served by an early childhood education program funded by the agency in the current fiscal year.

Illinois public schools primarily are funded by local property taxes. Illinois residents pay among the highest property taxes in the nation.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed an executive order his office says will help protect immigrants and refugees in Illinois.

Pritzker signed the order Thursday at a social services agency in Aurora. Under the order, the Illinois Department of Human Services would expand access to welcoming centers in the state for immigrants, refugees and those seeking asylum. State agencies also would inform immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers about helpful programs and social and economic opportunities.
Congressman Darin LaHood has been appointed to the Ways and Means Committee Tax Policy Subcommittee and will remain on the Ways and Means Oversight group.

The 18th District congressman said the Tax Policy Subcommittee will provide an expanded platform to advocate for policies that support small businesses in Illinois.
Four businesses were honored Thursday during the Jacksonville Area Chamber of Commerces annual meeting at Hamiltons Catering.

Each year, the Chamber honors a select few businesses that have gone above and beyond in excelling in  and giving back to  the Jacksonville community. This year, Dons Place, Benton and Associates, Jacksonville Public Library and Charles Heitbrink received Chamber awards.

Its always difficult to select a winner because we have a lot of great nominations but these four winners are standouts, they really are, Chamber President Lisa Musch said. Were really excited to be able to award each of them this special award we give out once a year.

Dons Place won the Small Business of the Year Award, given to businesses with under 25 employees.

For the past 35 years, Danny and Carol Ann Kindred have grown their business into a city staple. Providing Jacksonvilles downtown a place to gather, socialize and enjoy beverages, the business has seen remodels and expansions while keeping hundreds of college students, and a few hermit crabs, under their employ.

The restaurant and bar celebrated its 33rd Thursday night crab racing tradition this month.

Dons place also has been a sponsor of and donor to numerous benefits, fundraisers and other events, such as the annual St. Patricks Day parade, Float Your Boat contest for veterans, and the community chili cook-off. It also has supported the Jacksonville Safe Ride Program and the annual Bar 2 Bar event.

Benton and Associates won Business of the Year, given to businesses with 25 or more employees.

A civil engineering service and consulting company, Benton and Associates has provided service for 48 years. The company employs 37 full-time employees, 30 of whom are based in Jacksonville, and has offices in Jacksonville and Macomb, Kirksville, Lebanon, Macon and Rolla, Missouri.

Benton and Associates helped Jacksonville get its water supply flowing again after the 2011 flood and has helped the city secure numerous loans and grants to help with projects such as the new water treatment plant.

The company also has offered support through involvement with and contributions to the Chamber, Prairieland United Way, Passavant Area Hospital, Ambucs, Kiwanis, Rotary, Jacksonville Public Schools Foundation and other organizations.

Its indeed a privilege and an honor to accept an award like this and one that means a lot to our company, said Reggie Benton, president of Benton and Associates. My dad, Robert Benton, the founder of our company, has always been active in community activities and actually served as Chamber president in 1986, so were very pleased to be selected as the business of the year and certainly have to thank our clients for giving us the opportunity for 48 years.

Jacksonville Public Library received the Not-for-Profit Business of the Year Award.

The library has offered a place for Jacksonville residents to enjoy books, movies and music; participate in youth and adult programs; and join in a range of other activities offered at the library, which opened on Feb. 23, 1903.

We are very thankful to the Jacksonville Chamber for this award, library director Chris Ashmore said. We think we do a pretty good job, but its always nice to be recognized, especially by an organization I have a lot of respect for. In March, Ill have worked at the library for 20 years and I think we have the best staff Ive worked with yet and Id like to thank them. Id also like to thank our board of trustees, who are great and easy to work with.

Finally, Realtor Charles Heitbrink was awarded the Circle of Excellence award.

Heitbrink has spent his life in Jacksonville participating or volunteering in a number of organizations locally, statewide and nationally, while serving the Jacksonville area for 45 years. Heitbrink served as president of the Jacksonville Association of Realtors, the State of Illinois Real Estate Administration and Disciplinary Board and the Association of National Real Estate License and Law Officials.

The Chamber itself also celebrated another successful year with its Chamber Check program nearing its $1 million mark, several ribbon cuttings, and a new website on the way. Each victory brings the Chamber in line with its mission statement: To improve the business climate, promote economic development and enhance the quality of life in the Jacksonville area.

Were really fortunate here in Jacksonville, we work well with others, Musch said. Jacksonville Main Street, the visitors bureau, the (Jacksonville Regional Economic Development Corporation), the Chamber, all of these groups work really well together and were always working toward that common goal.

Nick Draper can be reached at 217-245-6121, ext. 1223, or on Twitter @nick_draper.
During a speech to U.S. Air Force personnel station in the United Kingdom recently, President Joe Biden warned that global warming is the greatest physical theat to the nations security. Biden has suggested that climate change poses a threat to U.S. military security on multiple occasions. In February, he noted that he had directed the Pentagon to reimagine the countrys strategy for dealing with the impact of climate change. Do you agree with the President that climate change is the great physical threat to the United States? Choices are:

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Jamison Jaron Weeden, 28, Okmulgee resident, left us June 5, 2021. Service of Remembrance will be Friday, 11:00 AM, The Chapel of Peace of the Keith D. Biglow Funeral Directors, Inc., of Okmulgee. biglowfunerals.com
(CNN)  The U.S. Navy sailed two ships through the Taiwan Strait on Thursday, according to the U.S. Pacific Fleet, which oversees operations in the area.

The guided missile destroyer USS McCampbell and the USNS Walter S. Diehl "conducted a routine Taiwan Strait Transit" that was "in accordance with international law," U.S. Pacific Fleet spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Tim Gorman told CNN.

"The ships' transit through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the U.S. commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. The U.S. Navy will continue to fly, sail and operate anywhere international law allows," Gorman added.

The U.S. Navy also sailed two ships through the Strait in October and November, operations that were shadowed by multiple Chinese warships.

The U.S. had conducted a similar operation in July. Prior to that, the transits occurred only about once a year.

The approximately 110-mile-wide strait, which separates the People's Republic of China and Taiwan, is seen as a potential geopolitical flashpoint should Beijing ever seek to take the island of Taiwan by force.

Beijing continues to lay claim to Taiwan, a self-governed, democratic island that China views as a breakaway province. While the strait constitutes international waters, China is thought to be very sensitive about the presence of US military forces there.

The U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency issued a report earlier this month saying that China has undertaken a series of ambitious military reforms and acquired new technology, modernization steps the report said were driven primarily by "Beijing's longstanding interest to eventually compel Taiwan's reunification with the mainland and deter any attempt by Taiwan to declare independence."

"Beijing's anticipation that foreign forces would intervene in a Taiwan scenario led the (People's Liberation Army) to develop a range of systems to deter and deny foreign regional force projection," the report added.

America's top naval officer, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson, met with his Chinese counterparts earlier this month, with Chinese military officers raising the issue of Taiwan, according to a report on the Chinese military's English-language website.

"If someone tries to split Taiwan from China, the Chinese military will do whatever it takes to safeguard national reunification, national sovereignty and territorial integrity," Gen. Li Zuocheng, a member of China's Central Military Commission, reportedly told Richardson.

Following his China visit, his second as chief of naval operations, Richardson said the US Navy would continue to send warships wherever international law allows.

"We see the Taiwan Straits as another (set of) international waters, and so that's why we do the transits through the straits, is again just exercising the right to pass through those waters in accordance with international law," Richardson said last Friday while speaking in Tokyo.

Earlier this month, China's President Xi Jinping called on Taiwan to reject independence and embrace "peaceful reunification" with China in a conciliatory speech that nevertheless took a hard line on the island's political sovereignty and freedoms.

The Chinese leader added that "we make no promise to renounce the use of force. We reserve the option for all the necessary means."

In response to Xi's speech, Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen said the island will "never accept" a "one country, two systems" arrangement with China.

Richardson said he had told his Chinese counterparts that U.S. policy toward Taiwan had not changed and the US remains "opposed to any kind of unilateral action from either side of the strait that would change that status quo."

This story was first published on CNN.com, "US Navy sails warships through Taiwan Strait."
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This is National School Choice Week, and Midlanders should celebrate it. There probably isnt a community in the state that embraces school choice like Midland does, and thats a good thing.

School choice means giving parents access to the best K-12 education options for their children, according to schoolchoiceweek.com. These options include traditional public schools, public charter schools, magnet schools, private schools, online academies and homeschooling.

NSCW is a nonpartisan, nonpolitical, independent public awareness effort, and therefore it is not associated with any legislative lobbying or advocacy, according to the website.

We know there are Midlanders who believe school choice represents a type of shift of resources from public schools, but that thinking is outdated. It also isnt in line with what our community is. Midland isnt just home to Midland Independent School District. This city is home to more private schools than one would expect to find in a 150,000-population community and likely more per capita than one would find in the state. It includes mainstays such as Midland Christian School, Trinity School, Midland Classical Academy, St. Anns Catholic School, Hillander School and Hillcrest School. We also know that a Catholic high school  Holy Cross  eventually will give Midland a fourth larger private high school.

There are also non-district charter schools, including Midland Academy Charter School and Texas Leadership Academy.

However, we want to make the case that the traditional definition of school choice has changed. School choice doesnt mean a migration away from a school district. As we currently are witnessing inside our own community, the school district has become a willing participant. Midland ISD has grown its school choice options include Carver Center (for the gifted and talented), Early College High School at Midland College, Bowie Fine Arts Academy, Washington STEM Academy, Pease Communications and Technology Academy and Sam Houston Collegiate Preparatory Elementary. Midland ISD also has plans for a young womens academy to begin in the fall, and an in-district charter could be a reality by the fall of 2020. That means at least eight (including the two in the pipeline) choice schools (or 20 percent of the total number of MISD schools in 2020).

There is a lot to like. Residents have options for their children, and to us, that is what National School Choice Week represents.
We have written previously that we would enjoy seeing competition when it comes to philanthropy in Midland.

We arent necessarily talking about people outdoing one another, but rather, giving that inspires a healthy competition.

It seems that when it comes to giving in our community, the bar has been set and raised repeatedly. We applaud that. The efforts are helping the community deal with mental health support deficiencies and school finance challenges.

RELATED: Anwar donates $500K for the city's parks

We have seen foundations come through again and again -- with Scharbauer, Abell-Hanger, Henry and the Permian Basin Area Foundation taking the lead. We have seen corporations, flexing their muscle with the Permian Strategic Partnership promising $100 million over the next several years. Last week, Concho Resources made headlines with its involvement in the Texas A&M-Concho Engineering Academy at Midland College. Concho also partnered with the Scharbauer Foundation to provide resources that allowed the city to green-light a downtown park expected to be unlike others in the state.

Midlands cup runeth over and continues to do so.

This past week, oilman S. Javaid Anwar took his turn, pledging $500,000 to the city for park improvements. Anwars prowess in the oil industry  he was honored last week with the Permian Basin Petroleum Associations Top Hand award  might be outdone only by his record of giving, earning outstanding philanthropist from the Permian chapter, Association of Fundraising Professionals.

He told the Reporter-Telegram that he was helped growing up and now it is his turn to give back.

How you help your family, Anwar said, it is the same way you help your community  that is if you have extra, help them out.

Not everyone has the means of Anwar, a foundation or corporation. We get that. But the spirit of giving knows no income bracket. One provides what he or she can. Those donations  big or small  might not receive a headline but it will make an impact in the community.

Competition or inspiration, if one leads you to make a difference in the community, it doesnt matter the reason. The end result is all that matters. We know there has been plenty of inspiration to go around recently. We would be disappointed if it doesnt continue.
The Texas Department of Public Safety is offering $15,000 for information on a wanted alleged Mexican Mafia gang member who is known as "Ghost."

Anthony Gonzales, 45, is a Texas 10 Most Wanted Fugitive with ties to Corpus Christi and Goliad, authorities said.
Houston oil company Apache Corp. has doubled a gift to help save a revered West Texas swimming hole.

In addition to donating $1 million to repair the shuttered Balmorhea State Park Pool, the company has donated an additional $1 million to create an endowment to preserve and support the iconic West Texas state park.

Apache Corp. CEO John Christmann made the announcement during the Thursday morning meeting of the Texas Parks & Wildlife Commission in Austin.

"Balmorhea State Park is a natural treasure and an icon of West Texas, and it's also a critical part of the local economy," Christmann said. "But most importantly, it's a special place to the residents of the entire West Texas region, many of whom are Apache employees and partners. It wasn't a matter of if but a matter of how we would help."

The popular and spring-fed West Texas swimming hole was closed in May 2018 after park staff performing an annual cleaning noticed damage to the concrete apron under the diving board. The concrete apron is used to stabilize the walls of the pool against erosion.

Park officials drained and closed the pool while the Texas Parks & Wildlife Foundation, a non-profit organization to support the state agency, launched a $2 million fundraising campaign.

Apache, the largest oil company in the area, pledged to match all donations dollar-for-dollar up to $1 million. The foundation reached its $1 million goal on Jan. 17 after receiving 575 donations "from Amarillo to Brownsville to Dallas."

"That means a total of $2 million will go towards repairing the pool, ensuring that much needed resources are not diverted from other parks statewide," Christmann said.

Christmann said the company's additional donation of $1 million will be used to create a permanent endowment within the Texas Parks & Wildlife Foundation to support Balmorhea State Park.

"That will provide incremental support to assist the park in fulfilling its mission of enhancing visitor experiences and conserving a truly unique resource," Christmann said.
The West Texas Food Bank has partnered with Midland ISD to open its third and fourth food pantries in the district  one at Alamo Junior High and one at South Elementary.

As the only elementary school to have a food pantry, South received its first round of equipment on Thursday, allowing the school to begin the process, while Alamo is set to open during the first week of February.

Leann Dumas, principal at Alamo, said school officials are currently looking for a donation of a refrigerator, but they are nearly all set to open the pantry.

West Texas Food Bank approached us, Dumas said. But I just think its great. Its a great opportunity for our kids here in our school and for our community.

She said the current plan is to open the food pantry from 4:15-5:15 p.m. one day a week, and if there is a greater need, the school will open it more.

We just want to make sure were teaching our kids how to serve others. We want that to be the focal point  to teach our kids that, sometimes, there are people out there who are less fortunate, and we want to be able to serve them."

According to the USDA, one in six children live in households without consistent access to adequate food. However, South Elementary has about 500 students in need, said Mike Mills, program director for Educate Midland.

Mills said when he first heard of Souths situation, he contacted the West Texas Food Bank, and it helped immediately.

When the food bank did the assessment on the school, they really felt they needed to open a pantry at South Elementary, Mills said.

Mills said he is moved by what the community in the Permian Basin and the WTFB have done to support the students.

Our kids at South definitely need it," Mills said. Our families desperately need it. I am amazed at how our kids can come to school and learn if they are hungry. This is a great way to take that stress off these kids to create more success for them in schools. We love seeing our community come alongside, and this is one of those stories.

Barbara Yarbrough, parent liaison at South Elementary, said often times, the only food students get is what they get from the school.

She shared a story of when she had a can of soup and Saltine crackers in her bottom drawer, and one of the girls saw it and asked what she was going to do with it.

I told her, Thats my hard-timey stuff, so when I dont have any money, Ive got something to eat, Yarbrough said. And she told me, Ive got hard-timey already. I dont have anything for dinner tonight. And I thought she was lying, so she brought in her siblings. Then, I gave them to her with a can opener, and told her what to do with (that) and what to do with the soup  and to crumble the crackers up in it. She came back to school the next day and said, We ate good last night.

The little girl would then come in every evening to get Saltine crackers and a can of soup, she added.

Just this week, Yarbrough said students were hiding food in their desks to take home later.

The little things that we take for granted are just so simple, Yarbrough said. The food is needed. It will not be wasted.

The food pantry will be set up in one of the portable buildings located behind the school.

Yarbrough said the food pantry is still in need of a freezer and chrome-wire shelves  rather than book shelves  to be able to store food in before it can open. Additional refrigerators and freezers would be an even greater help.

Craig Stoker, director of marketing and communications of the WTFB, said they began with the backpack program, and it has been a long-term goal to be able to support students once they are out of primary school.

Just because they are in middle school does not mean they are any less hungry, Stoker said. The backpack program just isnt a way we are able to support students in secondary school. The pantry is the best model.

The pantry impacts between 75 and 100 students per month, he said. San Jacinto Junior High and Midland Freshman High School also have a pantry  along with four Odessa schools.

We are really excited the program is taking off, Stoker said. Im thankful the school district is allowing us to do it. Its a lot of work, and the teachers are already overworked, so Im really grateful for them.

Mills said there are enough resources in the community to combat this issue  among many others.

However, he said he thinks a lot of people are clueless about these types of struggles, and the people experiencing these types of issues do not like to admit their struggles and will not ask for help on their own.

We need equity, Mills said. If we dont discover equity, we will never solve this issue. Transformation will happen when every co-sector realizes we all own part of the community, and we need to join this together. Were all in this together, and its going to take all of us to get out of this.
M3 Group is partnering with National Bank to offer the latters suite of mortgage products.

The distribution agreement formally begins in April in both companies home province of Quebec, and will eventually be rolled out Canada-wide.

All the applications will be going directly from our BOSS system directly to [National Banks] adjudication system, said Eric Chamelot, VP of lender relations and lender solutions at M3 Group. Submissions will strictly go through our platform directly to theirs. One strong element for us is that well be the only ones connected in that way to National Bank, so in the mortgage broker space we have de facto exclusivity.

Chamelot adds that decisions on files will be made faster than usual because some of the steps are automated.

The way were going to be set up with direct access to adjudication is the same platform that National Bank mortgage specialists use to submit their applications, continued Chamelot. Were going down the same channel and technology as they are, so, service-wise, its bringing brokers to the same level as mortgage specialists.

Albert Collu, president of M3 Mortgage Operations, says that brokers under M3s umbrella will be able to diversify their businesses now that they have another option at their disposal.

What we hope this does is help brokers diversify their portfolios and make them better armed and more competitive in the broker space, said Collu. It will help us grow originations organically, too. Its feeding demand to make sure we have enough on the supply side to put business in whichever bucket it belongs in. National Bank has a great product line thats unique compared to other types of banks we work with in the space, and we see this as giving the broker channel one more arrow in the quiver.

M3 has not given a date for when National Bank mortgage products will be available to the network outside of Quebec, but Chamelot says it will come. He also says that the success of this venture could impel other banks to forge similar partnerships with the broker channel.

Our two-phase approachfirst in Quebec and then to the rest of Canadashows were an organization that has the ability to convince a bank that had a different strategy to appeal directly to the mortgage broker space, he said. Maybe banks that left the space because of what it was like back then will reassess and see the broker space as entering a new age.
Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio distribute food donations to Beyond the Walls Church in Elyria on Jan. 11, 2019, in the inaugural delivery for its new large capacity delivery truck. Second Harvest has received a grant of $50,000 to help people affected by the partial shutdown of the federal government.
 Flash

Xu Qiliang, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, said on Thursday that China and Australia should further strengthen their strategic communication and exchanges between the two militaries at all levels.

Xu made the remarks when meeting with visiting Australian Minister for Defense Christopher Pyne.

The mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Australia has promoted their respective development and benefited the two peoples, said Xu.

Xu noted that the two sides should respect each other, rationally view each other's strategic intentions and strive to draw on each other's strengths for mutual benefit and win-win results, so as to broaden the path of mutual cooperation.

Pyne said Australia attaches great importance to developing its relations with China and would like to strengthen pragmatic exchanges and cooperation with China in various fields to bring more benefits to the two peoples.

China's State Councilor and Defense Minister Wei Fenghe also met Pyne on the day and told him that China and Australia are important countries in the Asia-Pacific region. To develop a healthy, stable and sustainable Sino-Australian relationship is in the fundamental interests of the two peoples and conducive to peace, stability and prosperity in the region.

Pyne said Australia appreciates China's important role in international and regional affairs and is ready to work with China to develop stronger, friendly and dynamic relations between the two countries and militaries.
January 25, 2019 Venezuela - Trump's Coup Plan Has Big Flaws The U.S. led coup attempt against the government of Venezuela under President Maduro is based on a plan that is similar to this one (vid).

bigger While U.S. coup plotting against Venezuela goes back to at least 1998 when the deceased President Chavez won his first election, the actual planning for this coup attempt was only done during the last two month. There are many holes in the plan and it involves a lot of wishful thinking. That might give the Maduro government openings to deflect the attack. More likely though the insufficient planning, based on false perceptions of the situation on the ground, will lead to demands for escalation and mission creep. Venezuela must thus immediately prepare for the worst. Today U.S. media give some insight into the decision making before the coup attempt. The Wall Street Journal headline makes it clear that the U.S. is 100% responsible for it: Pence Pledged U.S. Backing Before Venezuela Opposition Leaders Move

Trump administrations secret plan pledging support for opposition leader Juan Guaido was preconceived and tightly coordinated The night before Juan Guaido declared himself interim president of Venezuela, the opposition leader received a phone call from Vice President Mike Pence. Mr. Pence pledged that the U.S. would back Mr. Guaido if he seized the reins of government from Nicolas Maduro by invoking a clause in the South American countrys constitution, a senior administration official said. That late-night call set in motion a plan that had been developed in secret over the preceding several weeks, accompanied by talks between U.S. officials, allies, lawmakers and key Venezuelan opposition figures, including Mr. Guaido himself. The leading figures were Vice President Pence, Secretary of State Pompeo and Senator Marco Rubio as well as hawks in in the National Security Council. A decisive moment came a week later in a White House meeting Jan. 22, the eve of protests in Venezuela, when Mr. Rubio along with Sen. Rick Scott and Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, both Republicans from Florida, were called to a White House meeting with Mr. Trump, Vice President Pence and others.

...

Other officials who met that day at the White House included Messrs. Pompeo and Bolton, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, who presented Mr. Trump with options for recognizing Mr. Guaido. Mr. Trump decided to do it. Mr. Pence, who wasnt at that meeting, placed his phone call to Mr. Guaido to tell him, If the National Assembly invoked Article 233 the following day, the president would back him, the senior administration official said. Trump himself is only interested in Venezuela's oil reserves, which are the largest of the world: While the developments this week surprised many onlookers, Mr. Trump had long viewed Venezuela as one of his top-three foreign policy priorities, including Iran and North Korea.

...

Mr. Trump requested a briefing on Venezuela in his second day in office, often speaking to his team about the suffering of Venezuelan people and the countrys immense potential to become a rich nation through its oil reserves, ... Before the U.S. attack on Libya Trump said (vid) that the U.S. should demand 50% of the oil profits from the 'rebels' it hoped to put into place: "[They] should have said: We'll help you but we want 50% of your oil." I likely requested a similar deal from Guaido. It is interesting that neither the Pentagon nor the Justice Department were involved in the planing of the coup attempt. They could have pointed out the obvious flaws. Article 233 of the Constitution of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (pdf) is not a valid legal basis for Guaido himself or for the Venezuelan National Assembly to declare him president. It regulates the procedures in the case that the elected or sitting president "becomes permanently unavailable" which Maduro is obviously not. To cite Article 233 for claiming the presidency is a scam that no court will accept. The White House planning also seem to go no further than the current stage. This for example is extremely wishful thinking: The U.S. believes the rank-and-file military are most likely with the opposition, the senior administration official said. The most significant development in the last 24 hours has been that the [Venezuelan] military has stayed in its barracks. And Maduro hasnt ordered them to squash the protests possibly because hes unsure they would follow his orders and doesnt want to test that. This is delusional. The opposition protests were so far smaller and less violent that those in 2016. Even during those riots the military stayed in the barracks not because Maduro is afraid of it but because it plays no role in the internal security of Venezuela. To confront rioting protestors is the job of the local police and the National Guard of Venezuela which "can serve as gendarmerie, perform civil defense roles, or serve as a reserve light infantry force." While the National Guard is formally a military service it has its own line of command. Since 2002 Chavez and then Maduro have cleaned up the military. It has also received a number of perks. Many nationalized companies are led by (former) military officers. To base a plan for a coup on an unfounded hope of military support is crazy. The White House seems at a loss at what to do next: Much remains to be sorted out, including the U.S. determination that Mr. Guaido represents the lawful government and is entitled to all revenues. If that legal determination is made, it will soon be tested in court. As the flawed quoting of article 233 as a basis for Guaido's self declaration as president is not legally valid, any such determination will be flawed. That the administration has not thought of this before it acted is quite curious. The Washington Post goes deeper into the obvious flaws of the plan: With risks ahead, Trump administration pins hopes on Venezuelas opposition I think that speaks for itself, national security adviser John Bolton said when asked Thursday what Trump meant by saying all options are available to him. The administration is betting that it will not need to spell it out further. But it was unclear whether it has fully mapped out a strategy in the event that President Nicolas Maduro refuses to budge, serious violence erupts or foreign supporters of Maduros government  including Russia and Turkey  decide to intervene on his behalf. For now, the hope is to use the newly declared interim government as a tool to deny Maduro the oil revenue from the United States that provides Venezuela virtually all of its incoming cash, current and former U.S. officials said.

..

What were focusing on today is disconnecting the illegitimate Maduro regime from the source of its revenues. We think consistent with our recognition of Juan Guaido as the constitutional interim president of Venezuela that those revenues should go to the legitimate government, Bolton said. Its very complicated. Were looking at a lot of different things we have to do, but thats in the process, he said. If the U.S. stops payment for oil to the Maduro government, Venezuela will obviously stop shipping oil to the States. Several large Gulf Coast refineries are geared specifically to that heavy type of oil. They will have to stop working and gas prices in the U.S. will increase. One wonders how Trump's voters will like that. The administration also wants to increase sanctions on Venezuela but the existing ones are already causing the people pain while they have little effect on the government. The plan is also based on the hope that the dude that came up in Venezuela can actually do something: The U.S. pressure campaign is aimed partly at convincing Maduro that he cannot continue to govern, and partly at building up Guaido. We have been engaged with the same strategy: to build international pressure, help organize the internal opposition and push for a peaceful restoration of democracy. But that internal piece was missing, the official said. He was the piece we needed for our strategy to be coherent and complete. But what does Guaido have? Does he have any office, any public building, any army? Does he controls the ports, the custom offices and the central bank? Even in Venezuela few knew him. How many really committed followers does he have? There are some 8-9 million followers of the Bolivarian movement in Venezuela. These are poor people. Many of them own what they have to the socialist government. They will fight against an illegitimate coup. What means does the U.S. supported guy have to suppress them? Notes the Post: The Trump administration hopes Venezuelas armed forces switch allegiances, but there is no clear road map for what Trump would do if that does not happen, or if blood is spilled. The Post also confirms that the U.S. military was not involved in the planning even as the logical consequence of the coup attempt is likely a war: Its kind of a giveaway, that [the Defense Department] or Southcom was not part of this process or wasnt given a heads-up, said one former senior administration official. One could argue that we are on, if not an inevitable path, certainly a path toward intervention because of the dramatic nature of what weve done, the former official said. Telling a sitting president he is no longer president and recognizing somebody else. Next question: Okay, what comes next? To what extent are we actually prepared to continue to march down this road? That's the $64,000 question. My impression is that Trump was scammed. It was long evident that he gives little attention to details and does not think things through. Most likely Bolton, Pompeo and Rubio presented him with a three step plan: Phase 1. Support the self declared president Guaido; Phase 2: ... (wishful thinking) ...; Phase 3: Take half of their oil! Trump accepted the plan without asking how phase 2 might really play out. I doubt that he knew that it will likely lead to higher gas prices. Nor do I think that he knew that it will likely require a military escalation up to a major war that will take years to finish. He would have known that both will cost him dearly during the next election. This is similar to Trump's other genius plan that now leads to the closing of U.S. airports. Phase 1 of that plan was to shutdown the U.S. government. Phase 2 foresaw that the Democrats give him money. Phase 3 was the Great Wall on the southern border that would help him to get reelected. That plan also failed because of wishful thinking. It also costs Trump at the polls. But Trump has now committed himself to both poorly laid out plans and it will be extremely difficult for him to pull back from them. While he may still wiggle out of the domestic embarrassment over his wall, it will be much more difficult to do that on the international stage where he asked many other nations for their support. He is now on the spot and has no decent moves to make. Higher gas prices and a military escalation go against his election promises. His voters will not like either. Bolton and Pompeo are both experienced politicians and bureaucrats. They likely knew that their plan was deeply flawed and would require much more than Trump would normally commit to. My hunch is that the soon coming mission creep was build into their plan, but that they did not reveal that. Trump just ruined his presidency by falling for their scheme. How long will it take him to understand that? Posted by b on January 25, 2019 at 20:09 UTC | Permalink Comments next page  next page 
The Supreme Court has issued notice to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on a contempt petition which alleged that the central bank did not provide information sought about the inspection reports of some banks and on the alleged irregularities in the case of Sahara Group of companies under the transparency law.

A bench headed by Justice Nageshwar Rao issued the notice on a petition filed by a Mumbai resident who contended that the RBI had refused to part with the sought information despite apex court rulings on the issue.

The petitioner, Girish Mittal, represented by senior counsel Prashant Bhushan and Pranav Sachdeva, contended that he had sought information under the RTI Act in December 2015 like copies of inspection reports of ICICI Bank, Axis Bank, HDFC Bank and SBI from April 2011 and copies of cases files with file notings on various irregularities detected by RBI in the case of Sahara Group of companies and erstwhile Bank of Rajasthan.

The contempt petition is concerned with the "denial of information", he said.

The petition recalled the Supreme Court ruling in a case that RBI is clearly not in any fiduciary relationship with any bank. RBI has no legal duty to maximise the benefit of any public sector or private sector bank and thus there is no relationship of 'trust' between them.

"The RBI ought to act with transparency and not hide information that might embarrass individual banks. It is duty bound to comply with the provisions of the RTI Act and disclose the information sought," the apex court had observed in that case.

Disclaimer: Information, facts or opinions expressed in this news article are presented as sourced from IANS and do not reflect views of Moneylife and hence Moneylife is not responsible or liable for the same. As a source and news provider, IANS is responsible for accuracy, completeness, suitability and validity of any information in this article.
Many Indian banks and financial institutions have, in recent years, been requesting customers to complete a FATCA compliance certificate. The reason for the request is that India and the US signed an agreement to implement the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) which allows automatic exchange of tax information between the two countries.

Under the FATCA pact, financial institutions in India would be required to report information about US account-holders/taxpayers directly to the Indian government, which would be then passed on to the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS). FATCA is an important part of the US governments effort to address tax evasion.

Last year, market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) required that Indian financial institutions have to file certification of their FATCA compliance with SEBI on an annual basis as well as put in place a system to validate the information collected. Account-holders must provide a self-certification of compliance under FATCA. Failure to provide self-certification of compliance could result in the non-compliant accounts being blocked and made inaccessible for any transactions.

FATCA is part of the USs answer to tracking money hidden in offshore accounts so it can be brought into the US tax net. Over 100 countries have signed FATCA and automatically report foreign accounts and income data to the US IRS. As a result, foreign banking secrecy no longer exists: virtually all foreign banks report their data to the IRS. In 2015, India had signed the inter-governmental agreement (IGA) with the US for implementing FATCA.

Indian investors (including non-resident IndiansNRIs), who hold accounts in any Indian financial institution such as mutual funds or have bank fixed deposits, must file a FATCA self-certification form. All joint investment account-holders, including any power of attorney holders and guardians of minors, also need to attach their FATCA/CRS (Common Reporting Standard) certifications.

The account-holders need to provide details such as tax residency status in India, passport status, immigration status and documents supporting it, such as documents stating place of birth, occupation, income details, and tax identification number.

Account-holders should be certain that they are in full compliance with all US tax and reporting requirements, to avoid future tax and legal problems. For example, US tax law requires annual information reporting on all Indian accounts over US$10,000 in the aggregate.

IRS has established several amnesty programmes, under which a non-compliant individual can become compliant and avoid potentially high penalties or criminal prosecution. However, these amnesty programmes, generally, require the taxpayer to come forth before being contacted by IRS.

Account-holders should seek competent US tax legal advice before completing any self-certification or know your customer (KYC) documents for non-compliant accounts.
World Economic Forum_WEF

The five-day World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2019 ended on Friday with several leaders warning about imminent challenges faced by the global economy, including climate change, growing inequality and US-China trade tensions.

In the last plenary session on 'Global economy in transition', IMF chief Christine Lagarde listed climate change, an ageing population, jobs for youth, income inequality and the need to make the world more cooperative among the key issues needed to be dealt with.

World Bank CEO Kristalina Georgieva made a passionate plea to give more decision-making power to women.

"Think of those that may be left out or behind. And how a just transition can be successful ... For that success we ought to have more women like you (Lagarde) in the high corridors of power.

"Put these decisions in the hands of women, the moms and the grandmothers and very good things will come out of it," she said.

In his closing remarks, Borge Brende, president of WEF, said the meeting had a lot many positive outcomes, including by the WTO on e-commerce, while strong commitments were made on various pressing challenges faced by the world.

He also said the WEF would celebrate its 50th year in 2020.

The WEF also thanked all participants as also citizens, police and military personnel and the government of Switzerland.

The meeting, attended by over 3,000 global leaders, ended with a performance by a quartet of the Sphinx Virtuosi chamber orchestra, comprising young African-American and Latino musicians in the US.

The music performance was accompanied by awe-inspiring images of the Earth from space from National Geographic, which the organisers said marked it as an occasion for a renewed commitment to building a more inclusive and sustainable world.
 Flash

China and France are willing to steadily promote the Sino-French comprehensive strategic partnership, visiting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Thursday.

Wang made the remarks while meeting with French president's diplomatic advisor Philippe Etienne for the 18th consultation of the coordinators for the China-France Strategic Dialogue.

As this year marks the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, Wang noted China and France look forward to taking it as an opportunity to deepen bilateral ties.

The Chinese top diplomat said both sides should give full play to the China-France Strategic Dialogue, strive to accelerate the upgrade of Sino-French pragmatic cooperation, and insist on seeking more common interests under the principles of fairness, openness, mutual benefits and win-win results.

Two-way trade and investment should be boosted between China and France, Wang said, adding that China welcomes France could continue taking part in the China International Import Expo actively and is ready to import more quality French products according to market needs.

China is willing to strengthen the alignment of respective policies and development strategies with France, and improve cooperation in exploring the third-party market, Wang said.

China is also willing to align the Belt and Road Initiative with the European Union's Euro-Asian connectivity strategy, and conduct cooperation with the EU based on the spirit of openness, inclusiveness and transparency, Wang said.

He also stressed China's readiness to strengthen communication with France within the framework of the UN, G20 and the World Trade Organization (WTO) to safeguard multilateralism and multilateral trading system together for the development of globalization in a more balanced and inclusive way.

On his part, Etienne said he has had fruitful talks with Wang during the 18th consultation of the coordinators for the China-France Strategic Dialogue.

France is willing to make joint efforts with China to boost bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership through the mechanism like the strategic dialogue, said Etienne.

The official highlighted that France is ready to beef up the cooperation with China on trade and investment, as well as in the important fields like nuclear energy, aviation and aerospace.

He noted that France is ready to strengthen cooperation with China on the fight against unilateralism, G20 agenda, realizing the Paris agreement on climate change and others, and to join hands with China to safeguard the multilateral trading system which puts the WTO at its heart.
Representative Image

US President Donald Trump has set his eyes on the "high" 150 percent Indian duties on American whisky after he struck what he called a "very fair" deal with India in about two minutes on the 100 percent tariffs on the iconic motorcycle Harley-Davidson.

India in February last year slashed the customs duty on imported high-end motorcycles like Harley-Davidson to 50 percent after Trump called it "unfair" and threatened to increase the tariff on import of Indian bikes to the US.

At a White House event on the Reciprocal Trade Act on Thursday, Trump flashed out a green colour board with examples of non-reciprocal tariffs from various countries.

Trump alleged that many countries have taken advantage of the US.

"Look at motorcycles as an example. (In) India, it was 100 percent. I got them down to 50 percent, just by talking for about two minutes. It's still 50 percent vs 2.4 percent (on imported motorcycles to the US). Again, other than that, it's a very fair deal," the president said.

Trump, however, pointed out to the high tariff by India on import of wines.

"India has a very high tariff. They charge a lot of tariffs. You look at whisky... India gets 150 percent, we get nothing."

In his interaction with lawmakers at the White House, Trump said the Reciprocal Trade Act would give US workers a fair and level-playing field against other countries.

The Reciprocal Trade Act, which Trump was expected to highlight in his now-delayed State of the Union address, would give him authority to levy tariffs equal to those of a foreign country on a particular product if that country's tariffs are determined to be significantly lower than those charged by the United States.

It would also allow Trump to take into account non-tariff barriers when determining such tariffs.

"They charge us tariffs and taxes, the likes of which nobody has any understanding. They are so high and so unfair! They also have barriers where we can't go in. They have trade barriers that make it impossible for us to sell our farm products and our other products.

"Whether they think we're very nice or not so smart, they've been doing it for many, many years and we want to end it. Many of these are friends, many of these are allies... but, sometimes, allies take advantage of us even more so than our non-allies," he said.

Trump said the Reciprocal Trade Act would help to solve the problem once and for all. "Whatever the tariff for a foreign country is, we place the same tariff on us."

"What's going to happen, I think, from a practical standpoint, is they won't be charging us tariffs anymore. We'll see. Or we'll charge them a lot. Tremendous amount of money," he said.

The Reciprocal Trade Act will be an incredible tool to bring foreign countries to the negotiating table and to get them to lower tariffs on US products and also to get rid of their trade barriers, the president asserted.

America cannot lose almost USD 800 billion on trade like has been done for many years, he said.

Congressman Sean Duffy, who introduced the Reciprocal Trade Act, has put granite from India in his global list of non-reciprocal tariffs.
Congress

Maharashtra Congress Friday said the seat-sharing talks with the like-minded parties for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections would get over by the end of this month.

Ashok Chavan, president of the Maharashtra unit of Congress, while addressing a press conference here, also said the district committees were submitting names of the aspiring candidates, which would be examined by the state committee at its meeting on January 29-30 and forwarded to the AICC for its approval.

"At any cost, discussions with eight to nine parties will finish by the end of this month...There are no differences between the NCP and the Congress and only discussions on seat sharing have been taking place," he said.

On the alliance with Prakash Amedkar's Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh (BBM), Chavan said, "We have categorically told them that as long MIM is there, Congress will not be a part of join hands with it."

"But now since (MIM chief Asaduddin) Owaisi has said that his party does not want a seat from the Congress, we will once again start discussions with Ambedkar," he said.

Ambedkar Thursday gave a six-day ultimatum to the Congress for an alliance proposal. He has demanded 12 Lok Sabha seats from the Congress in the state which has 48 Parliamentary constituencies.

Chavan also ruled out a tie-up with the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) in the upcoming elections. "It will never happen," he said.

In response to a query, he said the Shiv Sena and the BJP cannot afford to go solo in the upcoming polls.

"The BJP-government wooed the Sena by giving Rs 100 crore for the Balasaheb Thackeray memorial and is also ready to name the Samruddhi Mahamarg after the late Sena supremo," he said.

"The Shiv Sena is certainly afraid of the BJP as after the Lok Sabha elections the BJP will show its true colours, which will adversely affect the Sena," Chavan added.

Asked if the Congress was prepared for simultaneous polls to the Lok Sabha and the state assembly, he said it would not make any difference to his party as it was prepared.

When asked whether Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's formal entry into politics would benefit the party, he said, "It will certainly have a positive impact on the party workers as she reminds us of Indira Gandhi."

Chavan dismissed the report that Congress chief Rahul Gandhi will contest election from Nanded.

On "Thackeray", a biopic on late Balasaheb Thackeray, he said, "The timing of the film's release is aimed at gaining political mileage."

"The fate of almost all the proposed memorials in the state is hanging in balance. But the memorial of Balasaheb Thackeray, who was a great man, should not face any hurdles," he said.

Chavan was speaking to media at the conclusion of the Konkan leg of the party's 'Sangarsha Yatra', which ended in Bhiwandi in the district.

"Although the Yatra has concluded, the party's agitation against the government will continue. There is a clear-cut anger among the people against the BJP government, which has failed on all the fronts," he said.

"Every decision taken by the BJP government has failed. It is not 'Make in India', but 'Fake in India'," he said.

Chavan urged people not to fall prey to the "empty and false" promises of the BJP government, and defeat it in the elections.
Rahul Gandhi

Accusing Rahul Gandhi of acting as a "Chinese propagandist", the BJP Friday asked him to give complete details of his meeting with China's ministers and officials during his Kailash Mansarovar visit and questioned why he had not kept the Indian government informed.

The BJP's attack on Gandhi came after the Congress president said at a meeting in Odisha that Chinese ministers told him during the trip in August-September last year that job creation was not a problem in their country.

"When I had gone to Kailash, I met a couple of their ministers and they said job creation in China is not a problem at all," Gandhi said.

BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said his party had raised questions about Gandhi's meeting with Chinese officials when he had embarked on the holy trip but the Congress had rejected the claims and said he was on a personal visit.

"The Kailash Mansarovar yatra was an excuse. He had gone to meet these ministers. Rahul Gandhi is not an ordinary citizen. Why did he not inform the Ministry of External Affairs? Why was the Indian embassy not kept in loop? We want to know the details of his talks," Patra told reporters.

The Congress president keeps talking about China, he said, asking, "Why is he acting as a Chinese propagandist? He keeps raving about China".

The BJP leader said Gandhi had also met the Chinese envoy in India during the Doklam standoff involving the armies of two countries, adding that the Congress had first denied it.

At the presser, Patra also attacked the Congress after its senior spokesperson Anand Sharma warned officials of various agencies to be ready for accountability for working at the behest of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to target his political opponents, comments that came after CBI raids at former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda's residence Friday.

The BJP leader said it amounted to the Congress issuing "threats" to officials and showed the mentality of the opposition party.

"The Congress believes that its leaders are entitled to corruption and they should not be investigated," he said, adding that such "threats" are against the principals of the Constitution.

Taking a dig at the opposition party's claim of political vendetta following the raids, he said the Congress first questions why the government was not taking action on corruption charges against its leaders and then alleges vendetta when probe agencies act.

To a question about Gandhi's attack on the RSS, Patra said the Congress leader suffers from "RSS-phobia" and wondered if the Hindutva organisation was the reason why he appointed his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra as his party's general secretary for Uttar Pradesh East.

Patra added that her entry into active politics was a "non-event".
Acting President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa arrives at the parliament, in Cape Town, South Africa, February 15, 2018. REUTERS/Mike Hutchings - RC167DEB49D0

India and South Africa on January 25 sealed three year strategic programme to further boost cooperation in number of key areas after talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.

In his media statement, PM Modi said both sides discussed all aspects of the bilateral ties with an aim to further expand cooperation in diverse areas.

Ramaphosa said his country was looking at a "result oriented" partnership with India through implementation of the three-year strategic exchange programme.

The strategic programme will a programme will cover cooperation in a range of areas including defence and security, trade and investment, the blue economy, tourism, IT and agriculture.

Ramaphosa, who arrived here this morning, will be the chief guest at the Republic Day Parade on January 26.

It was the fourth meeting between Modi and Ramaphosa within a year.
Khurda: Congress President Rahul Gandhi addresses a public meeting 'Parivartan Sankalp Samavesh' at Tamando in Khurda district, Friday, Jan. 25, 2019. (PTI Photo)(PTI1_25_2019_000183B)

Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Friday said India should learn from the experience of China in creating job opportunities despite adopting large-scale automation and hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Make in India programme.

"Modi ji talks about Make in India, what is the actual result? 24 hours and 15,000 jobs every day in China. But during the same 24 hours, India creates just 450 jobs. This is Government of India's data placed in Lok Sabha," Gandhi said at an interaction with intellectuals here.

However, he added, India is the only country capable of taking up the challenge posed by China.

Gandhi said production in the present times is completely dominated and captured by the Chinese and India has to accept that China is extremely competitive and is ahead of everyone in the arena of production.

India as well as European countries are facing problems as they are not addressing the issue of automation as is being done by China, he said adding that automation does not actually restrict creation of job opportunities.

"While China is creating 15,000 new jobs every 24 hours despite full automation, why is it a problem in Europe and India?" Gandhi asked.

Referring to an interaction with some Chinese officials, the Congress chief said, "When I had gone to Kailash (Mansarovar), I met a couple of their (Chinese) ministers. They said job creation is not a problem there at all."

"Infact, they said we have plenty of jobs, we have too many jobs. So the real issue is if you are producing ... In technological stream you do not have problems. You have problems if you are producing low-value added products," he said.

Gandhi had visited Kailash Mansarovar in September 2018.
IMA Ponzi scheme case: A multi-crore scheme run by Karnataka-based I-Monetary Advisory (IMA) and its group entities allegedly duped lakhs of people by promising higher returns using Islamic ways of investment. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is currently investigating the case and has filed at least three FIRs. (File image of the CBI headquarters)

Senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday urged the government to convene a meeting of the high-powered committee by January 31 to select the new CBI director, saying any delay would be construed as government's intent to keep an "ineligible" interim director as head of the agency.

The last meeting of the high-powered panel on Thursday remained "inconclusive" and Kharge had sought details of dossiers of all the eligible officers for the post.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi heads the three-member panel that will appoint the new CBI director, with Kharge and Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi as its members.

"We have told PM that the meeting should be called at the earliest. If the meeting keeps getting postponed, the person appointed as CBI interim director, who is not even eligible, will continue," he said, adding that the government's intent should be made clear.

Kharge alleged the government committed the mistake by appointing someone who is not eligible and then convening a meeting without providing details of the short-listed officers.

"This delay in meeting is because of government's mistake. A meeting of the Committee should be held before January 31 to appoint a new director of the CBI," he said.

The Congress leader said the material required by the panel must be placed before it at the earliest to avoid any further delay in the selection of the new CBI director.

He said had all the material come before the committee, it could have decided on the new director.

Sources said during the meeting, the names of around 80 officers from four IPS batches were presented before the panel and Kharge sought dossiers of all the officers shortlisted.
Rahul Gandhi

Congress President Rahul Gandhi on January 25 targeted the RSS, alleging that the BJP's "mothership" was trying to penetrate and control all institutions and its imprint was evident everywhere be it "North Block and the South Block" which has led to chaos in the country including the judiciary.

During an interaction with intellectuals as part of the Congress' outreach efforts ahead of Lok Sabha polls, Gandhi said unlike the BJP, his party "respects decentralisation, independence of institutions and constitutional advances".

He said that their fight was against the ideology that "one state, one ideology and one set of people should run the country" and stressed that the nation should be driven by its 1.2 billion people.

He criticised the Modi government over the issue of loan waiver to industrialists, implementation of GST and MGNREGA and Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme.

Gandhi said he takes "constant abuse" by the RSS and BJP as a "gift" which has strengthened him as he has learnt a lot from them. He said he will recommend that Prime Minister Narendra Modi read "the Gita (holy book) a couple of times. I also recommend him to read the book 'I am That' by Swami Nisargadatta."

The book teaches you how insignificant you are when compared to the universe, Gandhi said.

"You currently have one institution called the RSS, mothership of the BJP, which believes it should be the only institution in the country. They want to penetrate into all other institutions and control them," he said.

This mindset has led to chaos everywhere in the country, including areas of judiciary and education, Gandhi said.

"You can see these imprints of RSS if you go to North Block and South Block. We simply believe that one state, one ideology, one set of people should not run this country. We believe that 1.2 billion people should run this country. We defend this," Gandhi said.

The Congress leader also said his party has a view different from the ruling BJP when it comes to functioning of key institutions.

"We believe that there is a link between India's success, India's constitution, advancement and institutional independence. So very simply, we respect institutions like judiciary, Election Commission of India, educational system and universities. There is a difference in mindset.

"We are much more interested in bringing the voice of people into government and sometimes frankly, when Congress was operating, there was lot of noise, but that is part of democracy," the Congress chief said.

Gandhi asserted that the Congress will not allow assault on key institutions. "We will have to do a lot of repair works because what was done in last five years is devastating for the country," he said.

"For the first time in India's history, Supreme Court judges came out... and said we are not allowed to do our work," he said.

The Congress president said he readily accepts criticism. "I am a person who is not critical to criticism. I learn from people and I do not want that everyone should accept my opinion. I do not hate as hate weakens and hatred creates blindness," Gandhi said.

He dismissed suggestions that all parties have been neglecting middle-class and stressed that a sizeable section of the society was able to rise above poverty because of the liberalisation process initiated by the Congress in 1991 and between 2000 and 2014.

"Congress helped create the middle-class. Our set of policies of liberalisation, frankly, built the middle-class. Now of course you can ask the question about neglect of middle-class to (Narendra) Modi", he said.

Middle class people are facing hardships in spheres of health care and education due to monopolization, he said. RTI and Lokpals are major weapons for the middle-class but "RTI is dead at present", he said..

Monopolization and "capturing" of education and healthcare systems needs to be challenged, he said, underlining the need to invest huge amounts in these sectors.

He said there was a need to raise the standards of institutions like IITs by improve the quality of education and infrastructure. "You see how IITs were set up in the 1950s. We all talk of the quality of the IITs, but we must remember that these were set up nearly seven decades ago. We need to see what we can do to take these forward," he added.

Regarding jobs, Gandhi said Rs 12.5 lakh crore of India's banking money has been captured by 30 or 40 businessmen.

"If you are a small or medium businessman, you have to deal with demonetisation, GST, but you are not forgiven your loans, while Vijay Mallya can run away with Rs 9,000 crore and Nirav Modi with Rs 30,000 crore which is the amount of one year's job volume of MGNREGA.

"Anil Ambani can be given Rs 30,000 crore just like that. Some of these monopoliies need to be challenged," Gandhi said.

The Congress chief said a small businessman "should also be given similar access to banking and political system as Anil Ambani. And we centralise power. If everything is run from PMO or CMO, only 15 to 20 people close to them will benefit. Decentralisation of power can stop it.
Moneycontrol Contributor

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has made it official, and categorically named names in the ICICI Bank-Videocon loan case.

The most damning statement that has been issued is that ICICI Banks former managing director and chief executive officer Chanda Kochhar abused her official position to sanction a loan in favour of Videocon International Electronics.

Kochhar, her husband Deepak, and some of his firms have been named as accused in the Rs 3,250-crore case.

We have been following this story here on MoneyControl but this may be the most significant plot twist so far in this sprawling, unwieldy saga.

The beginning of the end?

Shrimi Choudhary and Anup Roy reported in Business Standard on January 25, that a first information report (FIR) was registered stating that the accused (with that being a key word) including Videocon Industries (VIL) and its chairman and MD, Venugopal Dhoot, sanctioned certain loans to private companies in a criminal conspiracy and cheated ICICI Bank to the tune of Rs 1,730 crore.

We quote, "Explaining the modus operandi, the CBI said ICICI Bank sanctioned credit facilities of Rs 3,250 crore to several companies belonging to Videocon group such as Trend Electronics, Century Appliances and others which were in violation of the Banking Regulation Act, Reserve Bank of India rules, and the banks credit policy. The Rs 3,250-crore credit amount was part of a total loan of Rs 40,000 crore sanctioned to the Videocon group by a 20-bank consortium.

The agency said it had investigated the quid pro quo where Dhoot made an investment of Rs 64 crore in Deepak Kochhars NuPower Renewables through his firm Supreme Energy (SEPL). Dhoot also transferred the same to Pinnacle Energy managed by Kochhar through a circuitous route between 2010 and 2012.".

The report further informs that the CBI went on to conduct raids at Videocons headquarters in Mumbai and an office in Aurangabad. It also searched Kochhars NuPower Renewables and Supreme Energy offices at Nariman Point in Mumbai.

The CBI probe, informs the report, has also reached the current and former brass of ICICI Bank including KV Kamath, Sandeep Bakhshi, NS Kannan, Zarin Daruwala, Rajiv Sabharwal, Sonjoy Chatterjee and Homi Khusrokhan. These individuals, claims the CBI, constituted various credit committees of ICICI Bank and sanctioned loans to the Videocon group in violation of the banks credit policy.

We quote from the FIR, These loans amounting to Rs 1,575 crore were sanctioned on various dates (2009-2011) by these committees having senior officials of ICICI Bank. The loans have turned non-performing assets (NPA) resulting into the wrongful loss to ICICI Bank and wrongful gain to the borrowers and accused persons.".

These committees had sanctioned loans to Videocon group companies such as Millennium Appliances which received Rs 175 crore, Sky Appliances that received Rs 240 crore, Techno Electronics - Rs 110 crore, Applicomp India - Rs 300 crore, and Videocon Industries which received Rs 750 crore.

These loans, says the report, were credited to repay unsecured loans availed by these companies from VIL. Further, the Rs 750-crore loan to VIL was sanctioned for refinancing purposes. Sources in the CBI said the agency would soon summon all the people named in the report. The FIR comes 10 months after a preliminary enquiry (PE) was registered to probe an alleged nexus between Dhoot and the Kochhar family.

And how did all this come about?

The Business Standard report informs that between 2009 and 2011, ICICI Bank had sanctioned six high-value loans to various Videocon group companies. In August 2009, a rupee term loan (RTL) of Rs 300 crore credited to Videocon International Electronics (VIEL) was in contravention of rules and policy by the banks sanctioning committee. As per the report, Chanda Kochhar, one of the members of the sanctioning committee, was involved in a criminal conspiracy to cheat ICICI Bank.

We quote, "This loan was disbursed to VIEL on September 7, 2009, and the next day Dhoot transferred an amount of Rs 64 crore to Kochhars firm Nupower through his company SEPL. This was the first capital received by Nupower to acquire its first power plant. This transaction showed that Chanda Kochhar got illegal gratification/undue benefits through her husbands firm.

Nupower was incorporated in December 2008 by Deepak Kochhar, Venugopal and Saurabh Dhoot. Later, the Dhoot brothers resigned from the company in less than a month. However, before resignation, Venugopal Dhoot allotted 19,97,500 warrants to Deepak Kochhar at the rate of 10 per cent per warrant on an initial payment of Re 1. In June 2009, the shares held by Dhoot and Deepak Kochhars Pacific Capital Services were transferred to SEPL, which became 95 per cent shareholder of Nupower.".

According to the CBI, Supreme Energy, which was incorporated in July 2008 by Venugopal and Vasant Kakade, had apparently resigned from the directorship and subsequently transferred the control to Kochhar by selling shares to Pinnacle.

The report explains, It is pertinent to mention that the loans were sanctioned to Videocon group firms after Chanda Kochhar took over charge of bank CEO and MD in May 2009.

The CBI further said that in 2012, the outstanding of these six major accounts (Rs 1,730 crore) was adjusted under refinance of domestic debt. Later, in 2017, VIL and its group companies were declared NPA.

But as the piece cites experts to point out, naming bank CEOs in a chargesheet doesn't automatically violate the fit and proper criterion of the Reserve Bank of India and merely being named in an FIR doesn't violate the fit and proper criterion. If there is a subsequent conviction, that of course debars the person from holding responsible positions, but not before that, says the article, citing an anonymous source.

Fall from grace

The latest move by CBI, has in a way cemented the fall of one of the most respected erstwhile bankers, and a Padma Bhushan awardee, who exited India's second-largest private sector bank last year amid a dust storm of controversy. Chanda Kochhar, a native of Rajasthan, came to Mumbai and graduated from Jai Hind College in 1982. After studying cost accountancy for a brief period, she completed her Master's Degree in Management from Mumbais Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies. It was there she met Deepak, her batchmate whom she went on to marry. She joined ICICI Bank in 1984 as a management trainee and went on to leave her imprint on the banking industry. As we reported in one of the earlier MoneyControl podcasts, back in 2011, Chanda Kochhar gave an interview to Fortune, where she pledged to make ICICI one of the top 20 banks in the world within 10 years. That was an incredible ambition, one that would have required multiplying ICICIs assets worth $90 billion about 15 fold. ICICIs shareholders were assured then that Kochhar would pursue the goal with her trademark blend of cool and gritty.

Cut to the present. Charges of alleged irregularities in six high-value loans worth Rs 1,875 crore, criminal conspiracy (to cause loss to ICICI Bank), cheating and corruption, as a TOI report said, are serious enough for a jail term of seven years if the accused, including Chanda Kochhar, are convicted.

Loans given illegally in lieu of financial favours and in violation of the Banking Regulation Act, RBI guidelines and the banks credit policy constitute a money trail that has been traced right back to the Kochhars who allegedly received illegal payments, including a Rs 64 crore transfer from Dhoot for the favour, according to the CBI.

TOI deconstructs the CBI FIR to inform that the accused have committed offences punishable under Section 120B (conspiracy) and 420 (cheating) of IPC, section 7 (taking gratification) and 13(2) (criminal misconduct) read with 13(1)(d) (pecuniary advantage) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

The law took its own sweet time to catch up with the alleged offenders since the time the original Preliminary Enquiry from December 8, 2017 was registered on the allegations that ICICI Bank Ltd sanctioned credit facilities of about Rs 3,250 crores to Trend Electronics Ltd., Century Appliances Ltd, Kail Ltd, Value Industries Ltd and Evan Fraser and Co India Ltd, all of them belonging to the Videocon Group promoted by Venugopal Dhoot.

As a News 18 report puts it, it is pertinent to mention here that the aforesaid credit limits to the Videocon group companies were sanctioned after she (i.e, Chanda Kochhar) took over as MD and CEO.

The role of the whistleblower

A report by NDTV on January 25, 2019 outlines the key role of the whistleblower who blew the lid off the alleged 3,250-crore loan scam. This individual claimed the case was a part of something much larger, and requested the government to scratch deeper under the surface of the Indian banking system to uncover other irregular deals.

We quote news agency ANI, "The whistleblower, Arvind Gupta, said although many companies that received loans from ICICI Bank went bankrupt, Ms Kochhar found a "new way" to profit from the situation. He said, "As a shareholder, I felt that these are things people must know. So I informed everybody. I would like the government to look into foreign funding in Indian companies, because Chanda Kochhar's case is just the tip of the iceberg."

"All banks are in the same state," he claimed, adding that loans should be strictly given on merit.

Putting the pieces of the puzzle together

An India Today report recounts how things came to this pass and we will again go back in time to configure this particular story.

We quote from India Today, In 2012, a consortium of 20 banks and financial institutions had loaned Rs 40,000 crore to Videocon Group and 12 of its subsidiaries. ICICI Bank was one of the financial institutions which granted a loan of Rs 3,250 crore to Videocon.

Just six months after the loan was approved, Kochhars husband gets controlling stake in a company which Videocon MD Venugopal Dhoot set up with him, Chanda Kochhar and two of her relatives in December 2008, reported The Indian Express.

After setting up the company, Dhoot had given a loan of Rs 64 crore to NuPower Renewables and subsequently transferred its ownership to Pinnacle Public Trust head by Deepak Kochhar for just Rs 9 lakh.

The nexus between the loan awarded and transfer of NuPower Renewables led to allegations of quid pro quo against Chanda Kochhar. Almost 86 per cent of the loan Rs 2,810 crore out of Rs 3,750 crore -- remained unpaid, following which Videocon was declared a non-performing asset (NPA).

Initially, Kochhar was backed strongly by ICICI Bank but support weakened as allegations against her kept growing. Multiple agencies have probed Kochhar and her family members since then. It also led to an independent probe by retired judge BN Srikrishna, following which Kochhar was sent on indefinite leave. Kochhar finally resigned on October 4 last year.

Lingering questions

Some loose ends remain and, as a MoneyControl report mentioned, a section of public sector bankers raised questions about the RBI seeking powers to regulate state-owned banks. They said the central bank had apparently failed to act against officials in the ICICI Bank-Videocon matter despite claiming to have enough powers to deal with private sector lenders.

We quote, "Against the backdrop of CBI on Thursday naming former ICICI Bank chief Chanda Kochhar and others in the alleged quid pro quo in extending Rs 3,250-crore loan to Videocon Group, some public sector bankers wondered whether the central bank was treating issues at state-owned and private lenders in a different way.

On condition of anonymity, the bankers also claimed that while the RBI has been acting very promptly in penalising top officials of public sector banks even for procedural lapses, it appears that the relatively strong case regarding Kochhar was not dealt with appropriately."

The report cites the Punjab National Bank-Nirav Modi scam worth Rs 14,000-crore where the lender's managing director and two executive directors were sacked on grounds of procedural lapses. The point being, there seem to be different approaches by the RBI towards public and private sector banks despite both handling public money.

We quote PTI, "While the issue of alleged irregularities in loan extended to Videocon Group has come under the scanner of multiple authorities, including the RBI, there has been no direct action taken by the central bank against Kochhar before she stepped down last year, another senior official of a public sector bank said.

Raising doubts over the intent of the RBI in dealing with private sector lenders, an All India Bank Officers' Confederation spokesperson said the central bank did not take any action against ICICI Bank or its officials even after a law firm withdrew its report that had given clean chit to former CEO Kochhar."

We will continue to watch this story closely as new developments unspool but for now, a CBI chargesheet against a figure that was once revered in financial circles evokes pride that the law is even handed. There is also a sense of pathos that another icon has been besmirched, possibly irrevocably.
State Bank of Mauritius (SBM), among the few foreign lenders to operate as a wholly-owned subsidiary, is targeting to grow its loan book to Rs 5,000 crore in the next two years and double its branches.

The bank, which has been operational since 1994 as a branch and has four branches now, had advances of Rs 1,016 crore as of March 2018, according to the data from the RBI.

"SBM is targeting a healthy business and a balance- sheet and believes that quality assets of Rs 5,000 crore can be achieved over the next two years," an official statement said on Friday.

It is planning to inaugurate four more branches as it seeks to expand its book here.

Visiting Mauritian prime minister Pravind Jugnauth attended an event Thursday evening here where he inaugurated the bank's business as a wholly-owned subsidiary.

The banks is targeting to support Indian companies investing into Africa across their trade finance needs, and also the India-Africa trade corridor, said the statement.

"This change in our Indian strategy to convert our operations into a wholly-owned subsidiary has as its main objective in building greater proximity with our clients here," SBM chairman Li Kwong Wing said.

Apart from retail, corporate and trade finance, the bank is also aiming to tap fee-based business in capital markets, trading and stockbroking, asset management and custody services businesses, the statement said.

After the 2008 global financial crisis, the RBI has been pursuing foreign banks to convert into wholly-owned subsidiaries with the intent of ring-fencing the financial system and has come out with specific norms for the same.

So far, only a select few lenders like SBM and the Singaporean lender DBS have become so. This will get them almost equal treatment like the domestic lenders when it comes to branch expansion and taxation and other benefits. The RBI mandates those with 20 branches or more will not be allowed to expand unless they become fully-owned local subsidiaries. But there are only four three foreign banks- StanC, HDBC and Citi-which have over 20 branches.
A farmer channels water to irrigate his wheat field on the outskirts of Ahmedabad, India, December 15, 2015. India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi will recalibrate budget priorities in 2016 to focus on social initiatives, such as the country's first major crop insurance scheme, while capping previously prioritised infrastructure spending, officials say. Modi splurged on roads and railways this year in a strategy to spur economic growth. But it came partly at the expense of federal programmes for farmers and the poor, suffering through back-to-back drought years. Picture taken December 15, 2015. REUTERS/Amit Dave - GF10000266582

A farmer in Madhya Pradesh has received a loan waiver of Rs 13 against his debt of Rs 20,000 from the state government, which had promised to waive off loans up to Rs 2 lakh.

Riding the farm loan waiver wave across India, the Congress emerged victorious, defeating the Shivraj Singh Chouhan-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government.

In keeping with his poll promise, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath signed the debt waiver file as soon as he assumed office in December 2018.

However, several reports started to pour in, where farmers were provided loan waivers of just Rs 10, Rs 20 and Rs 50.



MP:A farmer of Agar Malwa's Nipania Baijnath alleges his name was included in list of farm loan waiver,stating only Rs 13 waived off from loan of Rs 20000.Says,"My loan of Rs 20000 must be waived off as govt is waiving off loans up to Rs 2 Lakh.Officials say can do nothing.(21.1) pic.twitter.com/dtn2QkrW2J

 ANI (@ANI) January 24, 2019

Niphania Baijnath, a farmer who lives in Malwa, said his name was included in the list of debt waivers, but just Rs 13 was waived off from his loan of Rs 20,000. "My loan of Rs 20,000 must be waived off as the government is waiving off loans up to Rs 2 lakh. Officials say they can do nothing," Baijnath told ANI.

Farmers from Khargone and Chief Minister Kamal Nath's Chhindwara constituency found their names against amounts as low as Rs 13 or Rs 232, according to an NDTV report. Hameed Khan, a farmer, said he availed a loan of Rs 10,000, but the amount waiver was only Rs 232.

In some cases, farmers said the names of people who have not taken loans are in the list of beneficiaries.

Responding to such reports, State Home Minister Bala Bachchan asked farmers to inquire about it from bank officials. He assured farmers that the government will "waive off loans up to Rs 2 lakh of farmers who are eligible and took loan within the specified time frame."



Bala Bachchan, #MadhyaPradesh Home Min, on reports of some farmers got loan waiver of less than Rs 100: Whosoever faces this problem should inquire about it from bank officials.We'll waive off loans up to Rs2 lakhs of farmers who are eligible&took loan within specified time frame pic.twitter.com/KJZYSRrAuq  ANI (@ANI) January 24, 2019

Taking a dig at the ruling Congress government over the farm loan waiver mess, Chouhan termed it as a 'cruel joke', The Financial Express reported . He alleged that while checking the list of beneficiaries, he came to know that half of the list was in English, a language most farmers will not be able to understand.
 Flash

A bill backed by U.S. President Donald Trump that will fund a border wall failed to pass the Senate on Thursday.

The bill, which needs 60 yes-votes to move forward, was supported by 51, and opposed by 47.

Two Republican senators, Tom Cotton of Arkansas and Mike Lee of Utah voted no on the bill, while Democratic senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia voted yes.

The Senate will proceed to vote on a bill produced by Democrats which calls for a temporary reopening of the U.S. government without funding for a border wall, it will also need 60 votes to move forward.

The votes are a major showdown between the two parties 34 days into the unprecedented government shutdown, while neither are expected to pass. Analysts believe the votes will be an indicator of the mood among lawmakers and provide a clearer direction for negotiators in the coming days.
P Chidambaram

The CBI and Enforcement Directorate on Friday asserted before the Delhi High Court that custodial interrogation of Congress leader and former Union minister P Chidambaram was required in the INX Media cases.

The submission was made before Justice Sunil Gaur who was hearing the plea of Chidambaram seeking anticipatory bail in the corruption and money laundering cases relating to the INX Media scandal.
india_South Africa

India and South Africa on Friday announced a three-year strategic programme to expand ties in several key areas such as defence, maritime security and trade and investment after Prime Minister Narendra Modi held extensive talks with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.

In his media statement, Modi said both sides discussed all aspects of the bilateral ties with an aim to further expand cooperation in diverse areas.

The 'strategic programme of cooperation' is aimed at deepening the bilateral engagement and ensuring that a "result oriented" partnership benefits people of both the countries.

The South African president, who arrived here on Friday morning on a two-day visit, will be chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations on Saturday.

Calling India a "strategic partner" of South Africa, Ramaphosa said he was "most honoured" to have been invited for the Republic Day celebrations.

"We reviewed the existing cordial bilateral relations between South Africa and India as encapsulated in strategic partnership, as well as the close cooperation at a number of multilateral groupings that our two countries belong to, where we work closely with one another," Ramaphosa said in his media statement with Modi by his side.

The two countries are a part of BRICS, IBSA (India, Brazil, South Africa) Dialogue Forum, Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) and G20.

The South African president listed agro-processing, defence procurement and mining equipment and technology as the future areas of cooperation and said the two countries want to work together in these sectors.

On his part, Modi said the economic relations between the two sides are burgeoning and the bilateral trade stands at more than USD 10 billion. India is the second largest trading partner of South Africa.

This time South Africa participated in the Vibrant Gujarat as a partner country and Indian companies are taking part in the efforts to boost investment efforts by President Ramaphosa, the prime minister said.

He said the two countries have strong cooperation and coordination at several international fora, including the BRICS, G20 and IORA and the United Nations Security Council.

South Africa is currently one of the 10 non-permanent members of the UNSC.

Modi said India and South Africa stand at crucial locations in the Indian Ocean and the two countries are inheritors of the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela.

Speaking about the three-year 'Strategic Programme of Cooperation', Ramaphosa said, "In order to ensure concrete deliverables, we concluded a three years Strategic Programme of Cooperation aimed at deepening the bilateral engagement between India and South Africa and ensuring that a result oriented partnership benefits people of both countries."

Officials said the strategic programme will facilitate expansion of ties in several key areas such as defence, maritime security and trade and investment.

Ramaphosa said the two sides have instructed their ministers and officials to start implementation of the programme with immediate effect.
New Delhi: India Gate illuminated with hues of the Tricolour, for the forthcoming Republic Day celebrations, in New Delhi, on Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019. (PTI Photo/Arun Sharma)(PTI1_24_2019_000226B)

This year, India will be commemorating 70 years of being a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic. Like every year, a grand parade will be taken out and the nation will celebrate Republic Day with pomp and grandeur.

The chief guest for this years parade will be South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. But have you ever wondered how the chief guest for Republic Day is picked?

The visit of the chief guest is actually similar to a State visit, in that, it is the highest honour that can be bestowed on our guest in terms of protocol. He/ she is given the ceremonial guard of honour at Rashtrapati Bhavan, attends the evening reception hosted by the President of India and lays a wreath at Rajghat, Mahatma Gandhis memorial.

The process of selection of the chief guest is rather laborious and tedious, and commences around six months ahead of Republic Day.

After the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) carefully scrutinizes Indias relations with the concerned country, the government sends an invite to their Head of State.

Among other factors that the MEA considers, including political and economic relations and military cooperation, is the past association with the Non Aligned Movement (NAM). NAM was a movement joined by most newly liberated countries to collectively fight colonialism and apartheid.

After due deliberations, the MEA seeks the Prime Ministers approval, after which clearance of the President is sought. After the potential chief guest is shortlisted, Indian ambassadors in the concerned country are asked to discreetly find out if the dignitary is available for the event and is not preoccupied with unavoidable engagement.

After all of this, the Indian Chief of Protocol (CoP) and his counterpart in the concerned country work out a detailed plan chalking out the logistics, security, medical requirements if any, etc. The plan, once finalized, is followed minute-by-minute with military precision.

The chief guest is also decided on the basis of the other countrys interest and availability of the dignitary. The natural corollary is that the guest should be treated with utmost honour and they should be satisfied with their visit.

This years choice  South African President Cyril Ramaphosa  was also made keeping in mind that 2019 also marks the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, who had a major role to play in the countrys initial freedom struggle.

Earlier, there were reports of US President Donald Trump being the chief guest at the Republic Day Parade, but he had declined the invitation citing a crowded calendar.
The 29.8 km elevated Noida-Greater Noida Metro link, popularly known as the Aqua Line, was inaugurated by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on January 25. (Image: Vandana Ramnani/Moneycontrol)

The Aqua Line has 21 stations  15 in Noida and 6 in Greater Noida. (Image: Vandana Ramnani/Moneycontrol)

The trains can clock up to 80 kmph and have an average speed of 37.5 kmph. (Image: Vandana Ramnani/Moneycontrol)

The minimum fare has been fixed at Rs 9, while the maximum is Rs 50. (Image: Vandana Ramnani/Moneycontrol)

The metro will have a separate compartment for women. Seats for ladies, elderly and differently abled will be colour coded. Children below 3 ft in height will be allowed to ride the metro for free. (Image: Vandana Ramnani/Moneycontrol)

All stations will be operational at one go, however stations such as Sector 146 and Sector 149 have been planned for future requirements. (Image: Vandana Ramnani/Moneycontrol)

Noida Metro Rail Corporation (NMRC) had invited bids from companies to sell naming rights of all 21 stations to generate revenue. (Image: Vandana Ramnani/Moneycontrol)

Currently, the Blue Line of the Delhi Metro and the Aqua Line are not connected. However, Sector 52 station of the Blue Line is 200 metres away from Sector 51 station of the Aqua Line. (Image: Vandana Ramnani/Moneycontrol)

DMRC, which operates Delhi Metro, will assist the NMRC to run the Aqua Line for one year. (Image: Vandana Ramnani/Moneycontrol)
No 9 | Kerala | Total value of fake Rs 2,000 notes seized: Rs 8,804,000

Tourism is increasingly becoming a major growth driver of Indias economy, now contributing close to $250 billion or 10 percent of the country's gross domestic product (GDP) in 2018, according to a report by Statista. The growth has been faster than expected, considering that the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) had estimated it to be a $230 billion industry in 2018.

Perception about tourism has changed in recent times, as more people are now looking at travel as a relief from the monotony of everyday life and take regular breaks through the year instead of one long holiday. This apart, measures by the Ministry of Tourism too has helped promote tourism within the country.

Here are some of the factors that have boosted tourism scenes in India:

The simplified visa process has been the main driver of Indian tourism, the largest tourist destination in South Asia, according to the latest report from the UN's World Tourism Organisation.

Historically, India has not been a favoured destination for foreign travellers, mainly due to bureaucratic processes and poor infrastructure. There has been improvement on both fronts over the last few years.

Electronic visa processing has made life easier for foreign tourists visiting India. The e-visa policy, launched in November 2014 for 44 countries at nine airports, has been extended to 166 countries, 26 airports and three seaports. These e-visas are available for tourism, business, medical purposes and conferences.

The visa policy played an important role in attracting higher tourist footfalls into India as reflected in a healthy growth in foreign tourist arrivals (FTAs) using e-Visa.

The number for foreign tourist arrivals in India jumped 16 percent to 8.8 million in 2016 from 7.68 million in 2014.

January-November 2018 were 9.3 million, up 5.7 percent over the same period in 2017.

International tourist arrivals in India are forecast to rise to 30.46 million, generating expenditure of $46.71 billion, an increase of 5.5 percent per annum.

> Development of tourism infrastructure

The government has been giving priority to developing tourism infrastructure so that travelers have a better experience.

Under the Swadesh Darshan scheme, the government has sanctioned close to Rs 6000 crore for 73 projects across 30 states and Union Territories in the country till date.

Nine of the above projects were inaugurated between August to December 2018 in Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Nagaland, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh.

Facilities such as tourist facilitation centres, eco log huts, craft villages, toilets have been developed at these tourist spots as a part of the above projects.

These moves comes amid a growing awareness within the government about the potential of tourism in generating foreign exchange and jobs. Foreign exchange earnings (FEEs) during January- October 2018 stood at $22.37 billion up 12 percent over the same period the year before.

Over the past ten years, the travel and tourism sector is known to have created one in five of all jobs across the world and, with the right regulatory conditions and government support, nearly 100 million new jobs could be created over the decade ahead, according to the WTTC report.

Alongside, the government has also been working in collaboration with Ministry of Culture and Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), under "Adopt a Heritage Project", to provide world-class tourist facilities at the various natural/cultural heritage sites, monuments and other tourist sites.

> Incredible India website



A picture-postcard view of Jhelum River during the fall season. Enjoy a boat cruise along this river when you visit Jammu & Kashmir. #IncredibleIndia pic.twitter.com/0uHKFdbOny

 Incredible!ndia (@incredibleindia) January 24, 2019

With the ongoing digital transformation, the government's idea to set up a go-to website -- Incredible India -- has helped the country attract tourists to smaller cities and towns.

The website provides details about tourist spots across India, lists activities that one can indulge in and gives a brief description of the place. It also categorises destinations based on the type of vacation that one may look for such as a short break, adventurous, honeymoon, pilgrims and more.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday asked the migrants from his state to contribute in the development of Mumbai and Maharashtra, but not to forget their roots and the land of their forefathers.

He said over 3.5 crore devotees have so far taken a holy dip at the Sangam - the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati rivers in Prayagraj - where the Kumbh Mela is currently going on.

More than 15 crore devotees are expected to take a holy dip at the Kumbh Mela site by the time the mega congregation ends on March 4, Adityanath said.

Adityanath was here to attend the 31st Uttar Pradesh Foundation Day celebration in Mumbai organised by a local BJP leader.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik, too, attended the celebration.

Highlighting the arrangements made by the Uttar Pradesh government for the Kumbh, Adityanath said, "All sorts of research were taken into account to make the Ganga's water pure, pious and clean and make arrangements hassle-free."

"So far, 3.5 crore devotees have taken a holy dip in the Kumbh Mela and by the end of congregation, we expect over 15 crore devotees will have taken a holy dip at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers," he said.

Adityanath said the BJP-led government in the northern state has gone the extra mile to provide facilities to the devotees.

He appealed to the people of Uttar Pradesh living in Mumbai and Maharashtra not to forget their roots.

"May you all keep contributing in the development of Mumbai and Maharashtra, but please do not forget the birth place of your forefathers. Keep doing something for your ancestral place also," he said.

Adityanath lauded Fadnavis's efforts to maintain law and order in the state BJP-ruled state.

Pointing towards Fadnavis, Adityanath said, "You have done a great job by arresting few people who had sinister motives to do something nasty in the Kumbh.

"However, had they come to UP, we would have dealt with them at our border only. We know how to deal with such people."

Adityanath was apparently referring to the arrest of members of an "ISIS-inspired" group, which the Maharashtra police claimed, were planning mass causality attacks at big gatherings, including possibly the Kumbh Mela.

The UP Chief Minister said Lord Ram had links with Maharashtra when he spent most crucial part of his 14-year- long exile by living at Panchvati in Nashik district of the state.

Fadnavis hailed Mumbai BJP general secretary Amarjeet Mishra's efforts to celebrate the Uttar Pradesh Foundation Day in Maharashtra.

Mishra, along with his social and cultural outfit Abhiyan, has been organising the Uttar Pradesh Foundation Day in Mumbai since the last 30 years.

This was the first time when the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh took part in the event.

Addressing the gathering, Fadnavis said, "Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra have long association. This bond between Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra is so deep that it seems like sugar has been added into milk ('doodh me shakkar ke tarah samathit')...and contributing equally in development of the state."

Fadnavis said the people from Uttar Pradesh living here since three generations are more of Maharashtra's than that of UP.

The CM said the people who used to terrorise the natives of Uttar Pradesh in Mumbai are not doing so anymore and they (migrants) now feel safe in the state.

Adityanath said Maharashtra was the land of stalwarts like Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Veer Savarkar and Dr B R Ambedkar.

Fadnavis praised the land of Uttar Pradesh, saying it is the birth place of several deities like Lord Ram and Krishna.

On the occasion, Naik, who hails from Maharashtra, presented the report card of his tenure as Governor of Uttar Pradesh.
No 5: South Korea | The corporate tax rate in the country is very suitable for foreign entities, but this year the government approved a 3 percent tax rise to pay for social welfare programmes and new public sector jobs.

Seoul on January 25 sent aircraft over the Yellow Sea to carry out cloud-seeding experiments in an effort to tackle air pollution many South Koreans blame on China.

Air quality in South Korea is generally better than in its giant neighbour, the world's biggest polluter, which is periodically affected by choking bouts of filthy air and according to the International Energy Agency uses coal to generate around three quarters of its energy.

Beijing has been seeking to tackle the scourge, which causes widespread public anger, and a recent study found urban levels of PM2.5 -- the tiny airborne particles considered most harmful to health -- had been cut by almost a third on average over four years.

But they remain far above World Health Organization norms, and pollution levels in Korea sometimes spike as the prevailing winds blow PM2.5 particulates -- referred to as "fine dust" in the South -- across the sea between the two countries.

Many South Koreans accused China when pollution surged for three days earlier this month, and on January 25 the Korea Meterological Administration (KMA) sent an aircraft to disperse silver iodide, a compound believed to cause rain to fall, over the waters, known as the West Sea in Korea.

"The experiment is to see whether the technology works and is effective in washing away fine dust," a spokeswoman told AFP, adding it was the first of 15 such tests planned for this year.

She said Seoul had "no evidence that fine dust on the West Sea is entirely from China".

Last year, South Korea shut down five ageing coal-fired power plants in a bid to improve its air quality.

But ruling party lawmaker Shin Ching-hyun pointed out that when pollution levels rose two weeks ago, they were highest on Baengnyeongdo island, 200 kilometres west of Seoul and the closest South Korean land to China.

"China's claim -- that it is not entirely to blame for South Korea's air pollution problem -- violates the rights of South Koreans to healthy environment," he said in a statement.

Earlier this month, Thailand also deployed rain-making planes to try to combat its own air pollution.
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The Ministry of Civil Aviation on January 25 awarded routes to airlines under the third phase of its regional connectivity scheme (RCS) or UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik). SpiceJet bagged the maximum routes by obtaining rights to fly over 22 routes, followed by IndiGo with 12 routes and Ghodawat Enterprises with 10 routes.

Suresh Prabhu, Union Minister for Civil Aviation, called the scheme a "gamechanger" for the sector and said that announcement of routes on the eve of Republic Day was the gift of the ministry to the citizens.

Moneycontrol was the first to report that Centre would announce the routes this week. Aviation Secretary, RN Choubey, had confirmed about the development to Moneycontrol.

UDAN 3: Detailed report card

The ministry revealed that 73 networks, consisting of 235 routes have been identified in the third phase of the RCS. Of these, 23 are priority routes (routes connecting hilly areas of Himachal and Uttrakhand, north-east states and J&K), 166 routes other than priority and 46 routes proposed by the ministry of tourism.

A proposal, essentially is, a network of routes where one major airport in a city is connected to various other airports.

UDAN 3 has added certain routes proposed by the ministry of tourism in order to provide air connectivity to tourist spots within states. Such routes would connect airports to tourist destinations in order to boost tourism in the state.

The financing of such routes will be done by the tourism ministry.

The 235 routes will now provide connectivity to 16 new airports, 17 under-served airports, 50 served airports and six aerodromes, taking the total connectivity to 89 airports under the third phase.

Airlines that will fly

While initially 15 airlines had shown interest to fly under UDAN 3, 11 airlines have managed to bag routes. These are Alliance Allied Services (subsidiary of Air India; right proposals), Andaman Airways Pvt Ltd (one proposal), Aviation Connectivity and Infrastructure Developers Pvt Ltd (one proposal), Ghodawat Enterprises Pvt Ltd (10 proposals), Heritage Aviation (one proposal), Interglobe Aviation (IndiGo; 12 proposals), Jet Airways India (five proposals), SpiceJet Ltd (22 proposals), Turbo Aviation Pvt Ltd (two proposals), Turbo Megha Airways Pvt Ltd (two proposals) and Zexus Air Services Pvt Ltd (six proposals).

SpiceJet has also won the rights to operate international flights under the UDAN International scheme.

"SpiceJet will fly to Dhaka and Bangkok from Guwahati under the international plan... While we would prefer the airline to fly daily flights between Guwahati and Dhaka/Bangkok, it will initially start off with three flights a week and expand as per booking trends," a senior government official said.

The difference, however, between UDAN and UDAN international is the way they are priced. Under domestic RCS, the government has capped the fares at Rs 2,500 for every one hour flight. The fares for international will, however, be market determined.

"No capping of funds/prices will be done under UDAN International. They will be determined as per market trend," aviation secretary, Choubey, said.

The government, this time, has done due diligence while inspecting the airlines. Choubey said that fair amount of consideration was given to those airlines that are in a position to undertake such operations and flights.

This was the reason why regional airlines such as ZoomAir, Air Odisha and Air Deccan were not given any routes under the third phase.

Senior officials had said that they had declared their bids "invalid" due to failing financial conditions.

"We would have given them routes but they have failed to meet their previous commitments," Choubey had told Moneycontrol.

Prabhu also said that there are 21 routes yet to be awarded that have been identified in consultation with state governments.

"We will open bids for these routes from February 8," he said.

State-wise analysis

All the states have bagged at least one new route under the UDAN scheme in this phase. Uttar Pradesh, however, emerged as the outlier state with as many as 28 airports being approved for the scheme.

While Chandigarh, Goa, Haryana, Meghalaya and Uttrakhand got single airport connectivity, Chattisgarh, Delhi, J&K, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tamil Nadu and Tripura got two airports approved.

Furthermore, Uttar Pradesh got 28, Rajasthan got 12 and Maharashtra and Gujarat, each, got nine airports approved for the connectivity scheme.

The third phase will augment RCS flight seat capacity by 69.30 lakh and will cost Centre Rs 1,167 crore annually.

According to government sources, state governments of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Andaman and Nicobar Island will provide additional monetary incentives to the airline operators.

Centre provides funds to airline operators through a viable gap funding (VGF) mechanism.

UDAN 1 was launched in April 2017 with five airlines receiving rights to operate on 128 routes. The second phase, which focused more on hilly and terrain areas, saw many heliports and helipads being approved for better connectivity. 15 airlines on 325 routes, including those having chopper operations, were awarded routes during the second round in January 2019. 
Air India building, Mumbai

Centre will infuse fresh equity of over Rs 1,000 crore in debt-laden Air India before March 2019, a senior aviation ministry official said on January 25.

"We are in the process of releasing Rs 1,500 crore as fresh equity to Air India," said the official on condition of anonymity.

The infusion will be part of the budgetary support as approved through supplementary budgetary grants, the official said.

Centre had raised supplementary grant request during the winter session of the Parliament in December 2018. Arun Jaitley had tabled second round of supplementary grants for 2018-19 in Rajya Sabha and had sought Rs 2,345 crore as equity infusion coupled with Rs 1,300 crore as grant-in-aid for the national carrier.

Till December, government had infused close to Rs 1,600 crore as equity infusion in the state-owned carrier, which sits on accumulated losses of Rs 30,000 crore and debt of over Rs 55,000 crore.

The Centre is working on a revival plan for Air India by transferring half of its debt to a special purpose vehicle (SPV).

According to the plan, Rs 29,000 crore will be transferred to Air India Asset Holding Company, leaving the airline with a debt of Rs 26,000 crore.

The SPV will be tasked with selling Air India's non-core business arms to generate funds.

The government had invited Expression of Interest (EoI) from potential buyers but failed to receive any bid. The bidding had closed on May 31, 2018. Transfer of the airline's debt is part of Centre's plan to lessen the airline's burden so as to make it attractive for bidders.
Oracle Financial Services Software | In the last four years, the stock has risen -3 percent to Rs 3098.00, as on November 3. The company's trailing 12-month (TTM) EPS was at Rs 185.81 per share. EPS in FY17 for the stock stood at Rs 139.56.

US-based technology giant Oracle has been accused by the US Department of Labour for discriminating against Indian, Asian and African Americans by paying wages 25 percent lower than white or non-Asian employees, The Economic Times reported.

The California-based company hired more Indian nationals for product development roles, but they have been victims of discrimination, along with Hispanics and Africans, when it comes to wages. "It impermissibly denies equal employment opportunity to non-Asian applicants for employment, strongly preferring a workplace that it can later underpay. Once employed, women, Blacks and Asians are systematically underpaid relative to their peers," said the Office of the Federal Contract Compliance Programmes in a complaint.

The Labour Department refers to investigations done at Oracle's headquarters in Redwood Shores in the complaint. It also claims that this impacted over 11,000 Asians. Non-white employees reportedly lost wages of nearly $400 million between January 2013 and December 2016.
Tata Motors owned Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has announced plans to halt production for a week at its UK plants in April due to Brexit-related disruption.

Britain's largest carmaker said the temporary production stand-down would take place between April 8 and 12 and affect all three of Jaguar Land Rover's UK car plants, as well as its engine plant.

"We have confirmed this year's holiday dates to employees across all UK sites. As part of this, we have also confirmed that there will be an additional week of production stand-down 8th-12th April due to potential Brexit disruption," a JLR spokesperson said.

Britain is set to leave the European Union (EU) by the deadline of March 29 this year but the process has been mired in controversy. The JLR has repeatedly warned against a hard exit from the 28-member economic bloc, which would adversely hit its supply chains and put jobs at risk.

The JLR employs just under 39,000 workers at its UK sites  Castle Bromwich, Solihull and Wolverhampton in the West Midlands, and Halewood on Merseyside.

The plan to pause production follows an announcement earlier this month that the company is to cut 4,500 jobs in a bid to cut costs of up to 2.5 billion pounds.

The luxury car brand had closed its main plant in Solihull for two weeks in October last year to reflect "fluctuating demand" in key markets like China.

The company has told the government that, while its "heart and soul" are in the UK, a bad Brexit or a "no-deal" scenario would severely impact the company's plans.
Former Haryana Chief Minister and Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda is leading in Garhi Sampla-Kiloi constituency with registering over 72 percent of the total votes polled.

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The CBI team on January 27 registered a new case against former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and others over alleged irregularities in land allocation and carried out searches at 30 locations in Delhi-NCR, including DLF offices, sources said.

Shares of DLF plunged 18 percent intraday after reports of CBI search operation became public.

They said that CBI has named DLF and other developers such as Ansal Prop in the list of accused in a case pertaining to land acquisition. Other developers such as Emaar MGF, JMD Ltd, Sana Realtors are among those named in the CBI FIR, sources said.

A team of officials from the agency arrived early morning at Hooda's residence in Rohtak, Haryana, they said, adding 30 locations in the Delhi-NCR region are part of the probe.

The case relates to alleged irregularities in land allotment. There were apparently irregularities in acquisition of over 1,400 acres of land by the then Haryana government in Gurgaon in 2009.

DLF sources confirmed that a team from the CBI had visited their offices on Friday, as well as other corporates in connection with a land acquisition matter.

"A team from the CBI has visited our offices today, as well as those of several other corporates, with respect to an old case, pertaining to a land acquisition matter. We are fully confident of the merits of our case and are extending our full cooperation to the authorities, the company spokesperson said.
Queen Elizabeth II urged Britain to seek out the common ground and grasp the big picture, a coded plea to the political class to resolve the Brexit crisis that has shocked investors and allies alike.

With the clock ticking down to March 29, the date set in law for Brexit, the United Kingdom is in the deepest political crisis in half a century as it grapples with how, or even whether, to exit the European project it joined in 1973.

While Elizabeth, 92, did not mention Brexit explicitly in a speech to her local Women's Institute in Norfolk, the monarch said every generation faced "fresh challenges and opportunities."

"As we look for new answers in the modern age, I for one prefer the tried and tested recipes, like speaking well of each other and respecting different points of view; coming together to seek out the common ground; and never losing sight of the bigger picture," the queen said.

The comments were interpreted as a coded signal to Britain's political class. The Times' main headline read: "End Brexit feud, Queen tells warring politicians" while the BBC said there was no doubt the monarch was sending a message.

As head of state, the queen remains neutral on politics in public and is unable to vote though ahead of the 2014 referendum on Scottish independence, she made a delicately crafted plea for Scots to think carefully about their future.
The Supreme Court on January 25 has upheld the Insolvency & Bankruptcy Code (IBC) in its 'entirety' and its constitutional validity. While dismissing a batch of petitions challenging the IBC, the apex court refused pleas to allow operational creditors' parity with financial creditors.

The genesis of this judgement is the Allahabad High Court ruling in April last year which declined to give private power companies any interim relief on the February 12 Reserve Bank of India (RBI) circular, which tightened bad loan norms from August 27 (the deadline for finalising resolution plans for stressed assets). It also mandated insolvency proceedings by lenders against defaulting power projects.

RBIs February 12 circular said defaulters have to be admitted to the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) within 180 days. Power companies had sought a relaxation on this as had the government, while the banking regulator had sought a transfer of all cases filed in various high courts to the SC.

This ruling will come as a serious jolt to operational creditors of bankrupt companies, whose hopes were raised after the court had on December 17, 2018 suggested they be given a voice, including voting rights, in the resolution proceedings in proportion to their debt.

Operational creditors, usually suppliers of products and services to bankrupt companies, dont have much of a say as such as they are excluded from the Committees of Creditors (CoCs) that comprise financial creditors like banks. Since they do not have voting rights, so have no control on any CoC decision on the bankrupt asset.

The SC bench was hearing a slew of petitions challenging several IBC provisions, calling it arbitrary and discriminatory.

Petitioners wanted promoter creditors of defaulting companies be kept out of the resolution process, while those opposing sought their presence on the grounds that without their involvement, creditors would fail to recover the true value of assets.

One of the cases implored the apex court to make a provision for debtors to be heard during insolvency proceedings.
The set of new regulations introduced by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) is likely to be credit positive for the sector, according to a Moodys report.

In an interaction with Moneycontrol, Mohammed Ali Londe, AVP-Analyst, Moodys said liberalisation of reinsurance regulations will enable insurers to get more capacity.

Indian insurers will also be able to get more technical expertise from global reinsurers that have set up branch presence in the country, he added.

Reinsurance liberalisation

IRDAI revised the reinsurance regulations in December 2018. Indias General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC Re) gets the first right of refusal in the order of preference of reinsurance business.

While GIC Re will retain first right of refusal, it will lose business if it is unable to match lower rates offered by foreign reinsurers. This will improve Indian insurers' access to reinsurance, he explained.

Currently, 10 reinsurers (including specialist insurance market Lloyds) have a branch presence in India. The others include Swiss Re, Munich Re, Hannover Re, SCOR Re, Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty SE among others.

Risk-based capital framework

India currently follows Solvency I or a factor-based solvency capital model. This means a set factor (3 or 4 percent) is multiplied with the mathematical reserves to arrive at the minimum capital to be held by insurance companies.

Londe said the risk-based capital framework to be implemented from April 2021 will be beneficial for the mark and help improve risk management. He said it could be challenging for weaker insurers and also trigger merger & acquisition activities.

In the financial sector assessment programme of 2017, the International Monetary Fund and World Bank recommended that IRDAI move towards an RBC supervisory regime.

Ayushman Bharat to boost premiums, help cross-sell

Launched in September 2018, the Ayushman Bharat-National Health Protection Mission is one of the worlds largest government-sponsored health insurance scheme. Under this initiative, about 100 million families (500 million people) will get access to Rs 5 lakh health insurance completely free of cost. This will include families from lower income groups as per the socio-economic caste census (SECC) 2011 data.

Londe said this will not only boost insurance penetration in the Indian market but also provide companies with an opportunity to cross-sell products among customers. This is credit positive for the Indian insurers. However, most Indian states have chosen to run the scheme as a trust model, which will limit the full growth potential for insurers, the Moody's report stated.
Narendra Modi_

Days ahead of presentation of the interim budget, the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) on Friday cautioned the government against deviating from its fiscal consolidation target.

The Council, however, observed that there must be a continued emphasis on social sector interventions. "The Council strongly feels that there should be no deviation from the fiscal consolidation target but there must be continued emphasis on social sector interventions", an official release said after a meeting of the EAC-PM on Friday.

The statement has come amid speculations that the government may announce packages for farmers and poor and sops for middle class in the budget ahead of general polls.

Junior agriculture minister Parshottam Rupala said Thursday that the government will soon announce a package for farmers to boost their income.

Moody's Investors Service Friday pointed out that steps announced by the government to aid MSMEs and the measures being planned to support farmers will increase the risk of fiscal slippage and push deficit to 3.4 per cent of GDP in the current financial year.

The government had budgeted the fiscal deficit for the current financial year at 3.3 per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP). However, in the April-November period, the deficit touched 114.8 per cent of the budget estimates.

Railways Minister Piyush Goyal is likely to present the interim budget on February 1 as he was Wednesday given the additional charge of finance ministry. The Council said India's economic growth is expected to remain in the range 7-7.5 per cent in the next few years.
The government has opened around 1.25 lakh branches of India Post Payments Bank and soon, it will have operations across over 1.5 lakh locations, Communications Minister Manoj Sinha said on Friday.

"Department of Posts (DoP) has opened India Post Payments Bank for unbanked and underbanked people. There are lump sum 1.25 lakh branches. Shortly, it will have 1.5 lakh branches," Sinha said while unveiling post stamp on Mahamati Prannathji.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched IPPB on September 1 last year with an aim to take banking services to the doorstep of every citizen by arming three lakh postmen and 'Grameen Dak Sewaks' with digital aids to deliver financial services.

The payments bank can accept deposits of up to Rs 1 lakh, offer remittance services, mobile payments/transfers/purchases and other banking services such as ATM/debit cards, net banking and third-party fund transfers. However, it cannot offer loans directly, or issue credit cards.

"Since the time of independence, there were around 1.3 lakh bank branches, we are going to provide more bank branches than that," Sinha said.

Talking about the stamp launch, the minister said that earlier, it was a trend in this country that post stamps of only special people from prime families were issued.

"After 2014, under the direction of Prime Minister, Department of Posts had a mandate to issue post stamps of people of eminence who made special contribution at national and international level. In this sequence, this post stamp has been issued today. I am fortunate that we are issuing post stamp today on one such majesty Mahamati Prannathji," Sinha said.
The tariff war between the US and China is benefitting India as its exports to the neighbouring country have increased by about 32 percent to $8.46 billion during the June-November 2018 period, exporters body FIEO said on Thursday.

Exports to China had stood at $6.37 billion in June-November 2017.

In June and September 2018, the US announced high customs duties on several Chinese goods. In retaliation, China also raised levies on American goods.

Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) President Ganesh Kumar Gupta also said that during the period, India's exports to the US grew by 12 percent.

"Exports to China jumped from $6.37 billion in June-November 2017 to $8.46 billion in June-November 2018," Gupta said in a statement.

He said commodities that have exhibited high growth during the period to China include petroleum products, chemicals, cotton yarn, plastic raw material, and marine products.

"While tariff war is not good for the global trade, the same has come as an opportunity for other countries including India. Our exports to China in June-November 2018 went up by 32 percent and to US by 12 percent in the same period," Gupta said.

If the tariff escalation continues, India has to increase production capabilities to meet the growing demand in both the markets, he added.

Growth in exports to China is beneficial for India as it has huge trade deficit with the neighbouring country.

Trade deficit with China increased to $63.12 billion in 2017-18 from $51.11 billion in 2016-17.

India is taking several steps to promote shipments to China. Recently it has managed to export agricultural goods such as non-basmati rice to China.
US President Donald Trump has said the decision by India last year to cut the tariffs on motorcycles by half was a fair deal, but rued the high duties on American whisky.

At a White House event on the Reciprocal Trade Act on Thursday, Trump flashed out a green colour board that had examples of non-reciprocal tariffs from various countries.

"Look at motorcycles as an example. (In) India, it was 100 per cent. I got them down to 50 per cent, just by talking for about two minutes. It's still 50 per cent vs 2.4 per cent (on imported motorcycles to the US). Again, other than that, it's a very fair deal," the president said.

Trump pointed out to the high tariff by India on import of wines. "India has a very high tariff. They charge a lot of tariffs. You look at whisky... India gets 150 per cent, we get nothing."

India had last February slashed the customs duty on imported motorcycles like Harley-Davidson to 50 percent after Trump called it "unfair" and threatened to increase the tariff on import of Indian bikes to the US.

In his interaction with lawmakers at the White House, Trump said the Reciprocal Trade Act would give the US workers a fair and level-playing field against other countries.

The US, he alleged, had been taken advantage of by many countries all over the world. "They charge us tariffs and taxes, the likes of which nobody has any understanding. They're so high and so unfair! They also have barriers where we can't go in. They have trade barriers that make it impossible for us to sell our farm products and our other products.

"Whether they think we're very nice or not so smart, they've been doing it for many, many years and we want to end it. Many of these are friends, many of these are allies... but, sometimes, allies take advantage of us even more so than our non-allies," he said.

Trump said the Reciprocal Trade Act would help to solve the problem once and for all. "Whatever the tariff for a foreign country is, we place the same tariff on us."

"What's going to happen, I think, from a practical standpoint, is they won't be charging us tariffs anymore. We'll see. Or we'll charge them a lot. Tremendous amount of money," he said.

The Reciprocal Trade Act will be an incredible tool to bring foreign countries to the negotiating table and to get them to lower tariffs on US products and also to get rid of their trade barriers, the president asserted.

America cannot lose almost $800 billion on trade like has been done for many years, he said.

Congressman Sean Duffy, who introduced the Reciprocal Trade Act, has granite from India among his global list of non-reciprocal tariffs.
IndiGo

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Shishir Asthana

A 75 percent drop in InterGlobe Aviations (IndiGo) net profit did not deter the company from coming out with ambitious plans. The airline, after consolidating its position in the domestic market, is now targeting international airspace. But with competition in the international market far more intense, will the strategy work?

IndiGo is the leader in the domestic market with a 43 percent market share and is one of the most efficient airlines in the country. IndiGos performance looks credible because of at least two big reasons. First, it has managed to gain market share in the fastest growing market in the world with heavy competition. Second, the growth has been achieved without damaging its financials. With two big airlines  Air India and Jet Airways - gasping for air in an environment of cutthroat competition, IndiGo has clearly broken away from the pack. Now that IndiGo has a strong domestic presence, it wants to build on it. As of now, the airline only has a market share of 6 percent among countrys international passengers.

When Etihad picked up a stake in Jet Airways, the fact that clinched the deal was Jets strong presence in the domestic market. Jet Airways then had a market share of around 25 percent, which has now come down to 14 percent. According to government data, between 2015 and 2019, trips have more than doubled from 100 million to 225 million and planes in the sky have increased from 400 to 700. During this period, IndiGo increased its share from 25 to 43 percent.

IndiGo is in a much better position than its competitors to capitalize on its market share of the domestic market. The weak link in its story is its connectivity in the international market.

If the airline is able to maintain its market share around the current level in the domestic market, it will be in a position to build its international business. A significant portion of Indian domestic passenger movement is outward bound, who use other international airlines to complete their return journey. That is one reason why Etihad tied up with Jet. IndiGo already has a sizable domestic base and is best placed to offer good deals and capture a significant size of the domestic plus international airline passenger market.

But can other airlines follow this model? The answer is yes and no. What differentiates IndiGo from Air India and Jet Airways is that IndiGos bread-and-butter market is the domestic market, which is profitable, thanks to its no-frill offerings. Air India and Jet Airways are losing money in the domestic market. They are profitable in the international market, but their high cost of operations in India and the competitive pricing eats into the gains from the international market. And since the domestic market still contributes a significant of part their revenue, they do not have the room to grow their international business.

However, SpiceJet, another low-cost airline, is as well-placed as IndiGo to take advantage of the growing opportunity.

In aviation, a strong domestic foundation is a sine qua non to increase your international footprint. IndiGo and SpiceJet, with increased international revenue going forward, would only make life tougher for Air India and Jet Airways.
L&T Technology Q4 | Profit rose to Rs 204.8 cr vs Rs 191.5 cr, revenue rose to Rs 1,446.6 cr versus Rs 1,343.1 cr YoY. (Image: Reuters)

Larsen & Toubro (L&T) said that it will be able to stick to FY19 guidance, but expects the last quarter and the subsequent first quarter of FY20 to be a dull period for fresh order inflow due to general elections.

The country's largest infrastructure company had earlier said that it was expecting a 12-15 percent increase in revenue and 10-12 percent increase in order inflows in the current fiscal. EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation) margins are expected to remain stable with an upward bias of 25 basis points.

In the nine months ended December, it surpassed its guidance. Revenues rose 22 percent, order inflows grew at 16 percent and EBITDA margin stood at 11.1 percent, 70 basis points above the same period as compared to the previous year.

L&T on January 25, beat street estimates and reported strong earnings for the quarter ended December 2018 as profit grew by 37 percent year-on-year to Rs 2,042 crore, driven by strong revenue growth and operational performance.

Revenue from operations in Q3 increased by 24.2 percent to Rs 35,708.9 crore.

At the group level, L&T secured orders worth Rs 42,233 crore for the quarter ended December 2018, down 12 percent as compared to Rs 48,130 crore reported in same period last year. It however remained steady against the Rs 42,000 crore orders received in the September quarter.

Its infrastructure segment's contribution to the order inflow stood at around 50 percent.

The company said there were delays in order awards in the current quarter due to deferment of select prospects in project businesses mainly in transportation infrastructure, heavy civil infrastructure and power business.

SEBI's buyback rejection

On the market regulator Securities Exchange Board of India's (SEBI) rejection of the proposed Rs 9,000 crore share buyback, L&T said it was evaluating options to reward shareholders.

"It's a bit of a harsh order, we are studying it," said SN Subrahmanyan, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of L&T.

"There seems to be an internal rule of SEBI, which looks at the consolidated debt of group companies when it comes to the buyback, they seem to have applied that in our case, this was not in the public domain and we are not aware of it. That's how the rejection took place," Subrahmanyan added.

L&T had proposed to buy back up to 6.1 crore shares from shareholders at Rs 1,475 per equity share.

Subrahmanyan added the company will take up the matter with SEBI.
US oil prices rose by 1 percent on Thursday, boosted by the US threat of sanctions on Venezuela, but gains were capped by record high gasoline inventories and an unexpected big build in crude stocks in the United States.

US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures rose 51 cents to settle at $53.13 a barrel, a 0.97 percent gain. Brent crude futures fell 5 cents to settle at $61.09 a barrel.

Washington signaled it could impose sanctions on Venezuela's crude exports as Caracas descends further into political and economic turmoil. The threat to reduce supplies supported futures prices.

The United States, the top importer of Venezuelan crude, is seeking to ensure that the OPEC member's oil revenue goes to opposition leader Juan Guaido, who swore himself in as interim president, and to cut off money from President Nicolas Maduro, a top US official said on Thursday.

"The breakdown in diplomatic relations was interpreted as upping the possibility of a US sanction on Venezuelan oil that would likely force US refiners to seek alternative supplies at higher prices, hence the WTI gains," Jim Ritterbusch, president of Ritterbusch and Associates, said in a note.

Venezuelan oil is predominantly heavy crude, which requires extensive refining. It is frequently blended with lighter crudes to give refiners higher-value products.

With Iran already crippled by US sanctions, a drop in Venezuelan exports could squeeze global supply further.

Geneva-based Petro-Logistics said on its website that Iranian crude and condensate exports in December "fell steeply" from November to less than 1 million barrels per day (bpd) due to US sanctions - lower than some other estimates.

Both Brent and WTI are both backed by light, sweet crudes, and are not directly linked to Venezuelan oil.

But concern about the supply of heavy crudes is apparent in the US physical market, where the price for Mars Sour , a medium crude, shot to its highest since early 2011.

Two of the world's biggest commodities trading houses, Glencore and Mercuria Energy Group, predict more oil price volatility in coming months due to concerns about supplies from Venezuela and Iran. For graphic on Venezuela's crude exports and US crude prices, click https://tmsnrt.rs/2S57l4p

Anaemic US Gasoline Demand

Weighing on oil futures, US crude inventories <USOILC=ECI> sharply rose by 8 million barrels last week, the Energy Information Administration said on Thursday, versus forecasts for a decline of 42,000 barrels.

Gasoline stocks rose for the eighth straight week to a record 259.7 million barrels, as demand for the motor fuel over the past four weeks fell 0.1 percent from a year ago.

"The report was rather bearish, punctuated by the large crude oil inventory increase," said John Kilduff, partner at Again Capital Management. "Gasoline demand remains anemic."

Worries about the longer-term outlook for global economic growth, and therefore demand for crude, has pressured oil prices. Persistent concerns about the US-China trade war as well as slower world growth forecasts have kept investors wary.
BBC logo

British public broadcaster the BBC could open a major new European office after Brexit, perhaps in Brussels or Amsterdam, a Belgian official told AFP on Thursday. The BBC did not have any immediate comment on the report, which comes as businesses look to adapt to a future where Britain is outside the European Union.

"The BBC is planning, given Brexit, to open a major base on the continent," a Belgian government source told AFP, confirming press reports.

"The prime minister met BBC managers yesterday in Davos to sell them on Belgium. We know we're on the shortlist. There are two more, including Amsterdam."

Belgian leader Charles Michel is at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, an annual get-together for the global business, media and political elite.

"We have several trump cards," the official continued.

"We're a multilingual country, we have several international institutions like the EU and NATO and we're close to London, three hours by Eurostar." The BBC already has a news bureau in Brussels for reporters covering Belgian and European stories.

But, after Brexit, the corporation -- partially funded by a British TV licence fee and partly by overseas sales -- may need to retain an EU business presence.
GENESEE COUNTY, MI  Police believe Joshua Rosebush got a ride from someone while law enforcement scoured mid-Michigan looking for him on Tuesday, officials confirmed.

Rosebush got the ride from Flint Township to Burton sometime after shooting a police officer in the face during a traffic stop early Tuesday morning. Investigators believe they know the drivers identity, but have not interviewed the person yet, according to state police.

It all started at 2 a.m. Tuesday when Officer Jeff Koenig, a 16-year department veteran, spotted a white Dodge pickup driving with its headlights off. Koenig stopped the truck on Tittabawassee Road between Fashion Square Boulevard and Bay Road in Kochville Township.

When Koenig approached the truck to give the driver a warning about the lights, the driver opened fire on him, police have said. The truck drove off as Koenig managed to radio for help.

Koenig, 48, underwent surgery Wednesday night at Michigan Medicine in Ann Arbor for a wound to his jaw, said Saginaw Township Police Chief Donald F. Pussehl Jr.

Police later found the Dodge abandoned near Davis and Liberty roads in Kochville Township. Rosebush, 29, soon became a suspect in the shooting.

Rosebush allegedly stole a construction truck in Kochville Township. The truck was discovered late Tuesday morning in the parking lot of the Home Depot store off Corunna Road in Flint Township.

Different teams of officers were dispatched to check several residences in multiple areas, said Michigan State Police Lt. David Kaiser. Carman-Ainsworth schools went into secure mode as officials searched for the suspect.

Rosebush then received a ride from Flint Township to Burton, Kaiser said. In Burton, Rosebush allegedly stole a van from the parking lot outside of the Speedway gas station at Bristol Road and I-475.

Kaiser said the vehicle either had the keys left inside or was left running.

Rosebush was driving the van when spotted by a Shiawassee County Sheriffs detective along westbound Interstate 69.

Shiawassee County Sheriff Brian BeGole told MLive Tuesday night that the detective was patrolling I-69 after picking up radio traffic from Genesee County of a van stolen out of Burton.

He got a description of the vehicle. He called and confirmed, got a further description of the stolen vehicle and what the suspect was last seen wearing, commented BeGole.

The detective spotted a vehicle fitting the description heading west on I-69, but it turned out not to be the suspect.

BeGole said the detective turned around and began traveling east on I-69 when he spotted another vehicle matching the description around 1 p.m. Tuesday afternoon.

He got behind that one and everything started adding up description-wise on what he was wearing, noted the sheriff.

The detective began following the suspect vehicle to allow for other units to get in place, but it then exited at the Woodbury Road exit and continued until stopping between Lansing and Braden roads in Woodhull Township, just south of the interstate.

Thats when the suspect got out of the vehicle.

He did pull over and, at some point, he exited his vehicle with a handgun and pointed it at the detective, said BeGole. Several shots were fired by the detective in which time the suspect was struck.

The state police investigation revealed the suspect took a shooting stance towards the deputy, according to Kaiser.

The deputy was able to fire first and strike the suspect one time in the facial area," Kaiser said.

Rosebushs mugshot shows him with a large white bandage wrapped around his head and jaw area.

Kaiser said the county sheriffs detective was the sole officer on scene at the time when the suspect was shot. Rosebush was hospitalized following the incident and has since been transported to Charles Egeler Reception & Guidance Center in Jackson.

Chris Gautz, Michigan Department of Corrections spokesman, told MLive that Rosebush is being processed again as a parole violator.

Rosebush has at least 13 convictions on his record, 10 of which netted him prison time. Most recently, a Tuscola County judge in March 2016 sentenced him to three concurrent terms of two to 15 years in prison.

The MDOC paroled Rosebush in April and he is accused of absconding on Jan. 3 of this year by removing an electronic tether.

He could serve the remaining time left on the sentence he was paroled on, though new charges are expected as well, Gautz said.

Saginaw County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Mark J. Gaertner previously told MLive that prosecutors in several counties where Rosebush is accused of committing crimes need to confer and form a game plan on how to proceed. He said his office plans to charge Rosebush with assault with intent to murder and weapons offenses at the minimum.

As Rosebush is back in prison, prosecutors need not file new charges within the 72-hour timeframe that typically follows a suspects arrest, Gaertner has said.

Kaiser spoke with the prosecutors office this week regarding the possibility of all charges being handled in Saginaw County under state law that allows for crimes committed in multiple counties to be handled in one jurisdiction.

Charges expected against Rosebush, Kaiser said, could range from attempted murder, felonious assault, felon in possession of a firearm, unlawful driving away of an automobile.

Meanwhile, the community has been generous with kind words and financial support for Koenig.

Shortly after news broke about Koenig being shot, a fundraiser appeared on Facebook with the goal of raising $10,000 for Koenig and his family. After reaching the goal, the amount was raised to $20,000, then $30,000 and as of Thursday, Jan. 24, more than 4,500 people have raised over $150,000 toward the now $250,000 goal.

Several public safety agencies expressed support for Saginaw Township police on their Facebook pages.
The Beijing municipal government Thursday issued the "Beijing Rural Vitalization Strategic Plan (2018-2022)," proposing to raise the per capita disposable income of all rural households above the low-income line under the current standard by 2020.

Wang Yingjie, deputy inspector of the Beijing Municipal Commission of Development and Reform, gave an introduction of the plan. He said Beijing's rural vitalization plan will take into consideration the actual conditions of the city, which has large expanses of suburban areas. The plan targets 2020 for Beijing to bring the per capita disposable income of 68,000 low-income households over the current low-income line of 11,160 yuan (US$1,648), and to lift the 234 low-income villages above the low-income line.

Also by 2020, Beijing plans to promote about 1,500 demonstration villages with a garbage classification system, and the domestic garbage in 99 percent of its administrative villages will be properly disposed of.

By 2022, the toilets in Beijing's rural areas will meet the "Class-III+" sanitation standards, 99 percent of the toilets in the rural households will be up to standards, and the comprehensive utilization level of livestock and poultry manure in large farms will reach over 95 percent. The coverage of rural sewage treatment facilities in key areas such as urban and rural junctions, important water source areas and folk tourism villages will increase from the current 52 percent to over 95 percent. In addition, by 2022, all villages in Beijing's rural areas will have access to express delivery services.

The Beijing municipal government will also continue to improve the rural public service and achieve the integration and equalization of public services in the urban and rural areas.

Moreover, the municipal government will set up one community health service center or township health center in every township by 2022. A network of village-level medical and health institutions will be established so that community-level health service is accessible within a 15-to-30-minute distance.

By 2022, there will be at least 450 elderly care centers in Beijing's rural areas. Each township in the plain and shallow mountainous areas will have one old-age care center. "Mobile canteens" will be placed for those senior people in rural areas who prefer to stay home for elderly care.
SAGINAW TWP, MI  As a Saginaw Township police officer shot twice in the line of duty progresses in his recovery, prosecutors have streamlined their efforts in bringing charges against the parolee accused of shooting the officer.

Saginaw Township Police Officer Jeff Koenig, 48, was shot in the right shoulder and jaw during a traffic stop about 2 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 22. Later that day, he was taken via ambulance to University Hospital in Ann Arbor, where he underwent a two-hour surgery Wednesday night. He underwent another surgery on Thursday, according to Saginaw Township Police Chief Donald F. Pussehl Jr.

Yesterday, doctors removed Officer Koenigs breathing tube, Pussehl said on Friday morning. He is conscious and alert, however unable to talk as the doctors had to wire his jaws so that they could begin to heal. A few officers did visit with him for a few minutes. He is trying to rest as much as possible. Doctors plan to let the jaws heal some before beginning additional surgeries.

The man police say shot him, 29-year-old Joshua M. Rosebush, was himself shot in the face by the Shiawassee County Sheriffs detective, who arrested him on Tuesday afternoon after Rosebush pointed a handgun at him. After receiving treatment, Rosebush on Wednesday was transferred to the Charles Egeler Reception & Guidance Center in Jackson.

Rosebush has at least 13 convictions on his record, 10 of which netted him prison time. Most recently, a Tuscola County judge in March 2016 sentenced him to three concurrent terms of two to 15 years in prison. The Michigan Department of Corrections paroled Rosebush in April and he is accused of absconding on Jan. 3 of this year by removing an electronic tether.

A photograph of Saginaw Township Officer Jeff Koenig is shown during a press conference at the Saginaw Township Police Department, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019.Kaytie Boomer | MLive

As he was a parole absconder, the MDOC can hold him for up to the remainder of his original sentence.

Police believe Rosebushs crime spree began with him stealing a Dodge truck from a residence in St. Charles. Prosecutors accuse him of shooting Koenig in Kochville Township and of stealing two more vehicles as he drove through Genesee County and into Shiawassee County, where police captured him.

Saginaw County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Mark J. Gaertner on Wednesday told MLive that prosecutors in the several counties where Rosebush was active needed to confer and form a game plan on how to proceed. Since then, the various counties prosecutors have consolidated their efforts.

Saginaw County will be in charge of the entire prosecution, Gaertner told MLive on Friday morning. Genesee and Shiawassee (prosecutors) signed off on it late afternoon. Its going to be assigned to two of our prosecutors from the Major Crimes Unit that predominantly handles homicides and Ill be overseeing it, so well be having three people working on it.

He added that in instances where a continuous criminal act starts in one county then crosses into others, state law allows the first countys prosecutor to handle the whole case.

The Michigan State Police are going to be bringing in preliminary reports next week, Gaertner said, though the complete file is not yet ready for prosecutors review.

Gaertner said numerous charges will likely be issued, including assault with intent to murder, weapons offenses, and some related to the stolen vehicles.
MOUNT PLEASANT, MI  A Central Michigan University student accused of killing both his parents on campus with his police officer fathers own gun has accepted a plea deal that may result in him being committed for the rest of his life.

James E. Eric Davis Jr., 20, on the afternoon of Friday, Jan. 25, appeared before Isabella County Chief Trial Judge Eric R. Janes and pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to two counts of open murder and one count of felony firearm.

Davis, wearing red pants, a plaid long-sleeve shirt, and glasses, only spoke to answer the judges questions. The judge relied on court records to accept Davis pleas, including a Dec. 20 report from the Center for Forensic Psychiatry in Ypsilanti which he then ordered be sealed in the non-public portion of Davis court file.

Janes found Davis to have been mentally ill and legally insane when he committed his crimes. He ordered Davis be committed to the Forensic Center for up to 60 days for staff to evaluate him and determine if treatment is necessary. Depending on the results of that analysis, a Probate Court judge could order Davis committed indefinitely, up to life.

Davis will be periodically evaluated by the courts to see how his treatment is progressing.

James E. Davis Jr.

Its the right result, said Davis attorney, Joshua Blanchard. Its a fair outcome. Its not a common resolution, but its the right one in this case.

Russell Davis, James Davis' older brother, also issued the following statement:

We, the family of Diva and James Davis Sr, are highly satisfied with the outcome of this hearing. Mental health is real and we know that Eric was not in a right state of mind. We are appreciative of the love and support offered to us by the CMU Community, Center for Forensic Psychiatry, and Erics attorney, Joshua Blanchard.

A judge on March 12 ordered Davis be sent to Forensic Center for an assessment of his competency to stand trial. Eleven days later, a judge reviewed the centers staffs findings and ruled Davis incompetent and ordered he receive treatment to restore his competency.

After undergoing months of treatment, Davis on Oct. 30 was deemed competent to stand trial by Judge Janes. The same day, prosecutors and defense counsel stipulated Davis return to the center for an assessment of his criminal responsibility.

Gauging competency means determining if a defendant's current mental or emotional state is fit enough for trial, to the extent he or she understands the charges against them and their constitutional rights. Criminal responsibility assesses if a defendant should be deemed responsible or not for the alleged crime based upon their mental or emotional state when the offense occurred.

Mr. Davis was determined by the examining forensic psychiatrist to suffer from a mental illness at the time the offenses were committed, further noting that he lacked substantial capacity to appreciate the nature and quality and wrongfulness of his conduct, Isabella County Prosecutor David R. Barberi wrote in a prepared statement given to the media after Davis pleaded.

Its important that the public understand that this does not mean that Mr. Davis is free to return to society, Barberi continued. Todays plea brings an end to a very tragic event that temporarily marred the safety and comfort that we all know and value in our community and at Central Michigan University. While we know there is much more healing ahead for the Davis family, we hope that todays plea brings some sense of closure and finality to them and the Central Michigan Community as we all continue to move forward.

Case background

Davis charges stem from the March 2 shooting deaths of his parents, James Davis Sr. and Diva Davis.

Davis Jr.'s parents were helping him move out for spring break when he is accused of taking his father's pistol from their family vehicle, returned to his fourth-floor room inside Campbell Hall, and shot both his parents dead.

Police have said Davis Jr. then fled Campbell Hall along railroad tracks and, after a 15-hour manhunt, was found a little more than a half mile away and taken into custody. He was suffering from hypothermia at the time and was hospitalized for five days.

The night before the shooting, Davis Jr. exhibited erratic behavior that police suspected was drug-induced, officials have said. He was taken to an area hospital, which he briefly escaped from, before his parents picked him up a few hours before the shooting.

The Davises resided in Plainfield, Illinois. Davis Sr. was a part-time officer with Bellwood Police Department, a village near Chicago, and had been a longtime member of the Illinois Army National Guard and served in the Iraq War.
MUSKEGON COUNTY, MI  One of two men facing charges related to a recent Muskegon Heights homicide fingered the other as the killer, according to a police affidavit.

Torrie Lynard McGee, 42, was fatally shot Dec. 30 in an alley off the main drag in the citys downtown.

Darias Lamont Harris, questioned after a car chase following the early-morning shooting, initially told police he didnt know who shot McGee, according to a police affidavit. Later he told police the shooter was the driver of the chased car in which he was a passenger, the court document indicates.

As a result, Harris was slapped with a felony lying-to-police charge.

The man he implicated, Douglas Wayne Wyrick, already was in jail for fleeing police that night. He has not been charged with McGees murder.

He was fleeing from the area where the homicide occurred, said Matt Roberts, chief trial attorney with the Muskegon County Prosecutors Office.

Wyrick was paroled last June after serving 15 years in prison for assault with intent to murder. The Michigan Department of Corrections Web site on Friday, Jan. 25, referred to Wyrick as a parolee held under custody.

Police said earlier that Harris and Wyrick were persons of interest in McGees death.

McGee, a Muskegon Heights resident, was walking in an alley off Baker Street between Center Street and Broadway Avenue when he was shot five times, according to police. The location is adjacent to the Muskegon Heights Police Department, out of which Michigan State Police troopers routinely work.

Police said earlier that Harris and Wyrick were persons of interest in McGees death.

Following the shooting, a vehicle was observed leaving the scene, striking a marked Michigan State Police cruiser, according to the affidavit for a warrantless arrest filed by a Muskegon Police officer.

Police chased the vehicle from which a gun was seen being thrown, the officer wrote. That gun is believed to be the one used to kill McGee, according to the affidavit. The vehicle eventually was stopped by police.

Harris, a front-seat passenger in the vehicle driven by Wyrick, initially told police that he didnt know a gun had been in the car or who had shot McGee, according to the officers affidavit.

Later, Harris told police that Wyrick admitted to shooting McGee and had thrown the gun out the window, the affidavit states. Harris further stated that his earlier comments to police were a lie, according to the affidavit.

Harris, 29, of Muskegon was arraigned on Jan. 15 for obstruction of justice  lying to a peace officer during a violent crime investigation. He posted a $50,000 cash or surety bond and was released from the Muskegon County Jail. His preliminary examination is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Jan. 31 in front of Muskegon County District Judge Geoffrey Nolan.

Harris is charged as four-time habitual offender, which increases his potential penalty if convicted from four years in prison to 15.

Wyrick, 35, of Muskegon Heights was arraigned Jan. 2 for fleeing and eluding police. He too is charged as a four-time habitual offender. He is being held in the Muskegon County Jail on a $50,000 cash or surety bond. His preliminary examination is set for 9:30 a.m. Feb. 7 in Nolans court.

Wyrick was convicted in 2003 of assault with intent to murder for a shooting that occurred during a melee outside what was then called the Elks Charity Lodge in Muskegon. The 2002 fight involved two large groups of people that ended in the death of 26-year-old Dorieko Jenkins of Muskegon.

Wyrick pleaded no contest to assault with intent to murder and other charges for shooting another man in the hand during the fight. He was sentenced to 13 to 31 years in prison and served 15 before being paroled last June.
MUSKEGON, MI  The Muskegon Area Promise scholarship could run out of money if it doesnt meet a new fundraising goal.

While the two-year scholarship lightens the financial load on students and families, higher-than-expected participation rates have put a strain on the program.

The Promise pays two years of tuition at Muskegon Community College or Baker College of Muskegon for Muskegon County high school graduates with at least a 3.5 grade point average. More than 400 students are participating this year.

The scholarship will have funding gaps through 2023-24 if it doesnt raise another $2.5 million, according to the Muskegon Area Intermediate School District (MAISD), which administers the program.

MAISD Superintendent John Severson said hes confident there wont be "any trouble reaching that goal. About $759,000 have already been raised.

The Promise is expected to pay $1.6 million to fund 415 scholarships in 2018-19, according to the MAISD. This years gap is about $379,000 - but fundraising has already exceeded that. In 2019-20, the funding gap is anticipated to be larger: $746,413.

The Dream Bigger fundraising campaign seeks to fill $2.5 million in funding gaps that are expected through 2023-24.

The Muskegon Area Promise scholarship is expected to have funding gaps through 2023-2024 that add up to $2.5 million.

By 2025, the scholarship program should be fully funded through a tax capture arrangement, according to MAISD calculations.

Muskegon County is one of 15 Promise Zones in Michigan, which makes it eligible to capture a portion of the growth in the State Education Tax that comes from increases in local property values. Over the next six years, the program is expected to collect up to $14 million from the tax capture.

Promise scholars must graduate from one of 16 Muskegon County high schools with a 3.5 GPA and live in the county.

Initially, we expected many of these top students with 3.5-and-higher grade point averages to head off to four-year universities, Severson said in a written statement. In reality, about half of the eligible students recognized the quality of our local colleges and were eager to lighten their financial load.

Twenty-seven percent of the countys class of 2018 qualified for the scholarship, and 241 of those 503 students accepted it. Since its inception in 2015, 460 students have used the Promise.

In addition, about 84 percent of scholars return to use the second year of the Promise, which is high, according to local officials.

A 49-percent return rate would be typical, according to Severson.

Since its launch in 2015, more than $1 million have been raised for the Promise and $1.3 million in taxes have been collected.

That money initially was expected to be sufficient to fund the program, but lower participation was also expected, Severson said.

The lead donors in the current Dream Bigger campaign include Hines Corporation, Nichols, ADAC Automotive, the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, Mercy Health, Eklund Holdings, Sheryl and Dan Kuznar Family, Kathy and Steve Parker Family, Julie and Pat Donahue Family, MasterTag, Swanson Pickle Company and Executive Air Transport.

Donations can be made through the Community Foundation for Muskegon County.
DOWAGIAC, MI -- Police have arrested two of five suspects sought in connection to the shooting and carjacking of a man in the parking lot of the furniture manufacturing company where he worked.

The victim, a 21-year-old Hartford man, suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was released from the hospital Wednesday evening.

Police were dispatched shortly after 10 p.m. Monday, Jan. 21, to a report of a shooting at Ameriwood, a furniture manufacturing company located at 202 Spaulding St. in Dowagiac. Officers arrived to find a shooting victim being treated by employees inside the facility.

The man was an employee of Ameriwood, police said, and had just arrived for his shift Monday evening when he was followed into the parking lot by a dark-colored SUV, which parked near his vehicle.

The man told police he was approached by a man, who pulled out a gun and attempted to rob him. Four more people got out of the SUV and also approached the victim, police said. A struggle ensued, and the victim was shot several times as he ran away, police said. The suspects then took the victims vehicle and fled.

In addition to the vehicle, marijuana and packaging materials were also stolen from the victim, according to a joint news release from Dowagiac Police Department and the Cass County Prosecutors office.

Police believe the five suspects committed the robbery and shooting after traveling to Dowagiac from South Bend, Indiana, in a stolen SUV.

Dowagiac officers alerted other law enforcement agencies in both Michigan and Indiana as this investigation unfolded, police said.

Police in Nappanee, Indiana, arrested three occupants of a Lexus SUV after a police chase Tuesday, Jan. 22, according to the news release. The Lexus was stolen from an auto repair business in Mishawaka, Indiana, police said.

The Cass County Prosecutors office has filed charges against one of the vehicles occupants, a 20-year-old South Bend man. He is currently being held in the Elkhart County Jail in Elkhart, Indiana, on charges of conspiracy to commit robbery, armed robbery, carjacking, conspiracy to commit carjacking, conspiracy to commit unarmed robbery, unarmed robbery and felony firearm possession.

Police are seeking charges against the driver of a vehicle, a 38-year-old South Bend woman. She is also currently being held in the Elkhart County Jail, police said.

Investigators believe the third occupant of the vehicle stopped by police Tuesday was not involved in the shooting and robbery from the day before.

The incident remains under investigation. Police ask anyone with information to contact the Dowagiac Police Department at 269-782-9743, or the Cass County Tip Line at 800-462-9328.
TEXAS TOWNSHIP, MI -- Four homes in Texas Township have been abandoned while residents struggle to keep back encroaching flood waters and protect their property.

Since October 2017, Texas Township Superintendent Julie VanderWiere said residents around Eagle Lake, Crooked Lake and Duck Lake are experiencing heavy flooding that continues to worsen. Next week, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality is holding a public hearing on a permit submitted by Texas Township to temporarily pump water from Eagle Lake and Crooked Lake into nearby wetlands and other bodies of water.

Every day they wait is a day closer to the possibility of having to abandon their home, VanderWiere said.

Eagle Lake Association Vice President Len Bosma said officials face a race against the clock" to find a solution before spring brings more rain and melted snow to the watershed. Around 100 homes have flooded, while others remain protected by levees, sandbags and small pumps.

The flooding that weve experienced starting in late 2017 has grown exponentially and is, for us, a full-blown catastrophe, Bosma said.

Homes within a flood impact area are spread around several lakes in Texas Township. (Prein & Newhof)

Crooked Lake Association President Jim Roberts also spoke of the emergency in stark terms.

The stress is unbelievable, Roberts said of residents dealing with flooding. I have people calling me crying. Moisture is going to cause a severe mold problem.

The hearing will be held 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 31, at the Kalamazoo Valley Community College campus in Texas Township, with an informal question and answer session beginning at 6:30 p.m. DEQ will accept additional comments until Feb. 10 and make a decision by May 6.

We are going to try to take action as soon as we can, DEQ Environmental Quality Analyst Derek Haroldson said. We certainly dont have any intention of waiting until that due date ... The urgency has been stressed to us by these landowners that have been affected. Were doing our best to have a thorough review process and expedite it as much as possible.

The township commissioned civil engineering firm Prien & Newhof to evaluate the flood conditions and provide possible solutions. It recommended constructing outflow structures on Eagle Lake and Crooked Lake to discharge water east into wetlands and Bass Lake, which flows into Portage Creek and the Kalamazoo River.

A natural outlet at Bass Lake has sent water to Portage Creek, but not fast enough to relieve the flooding. The application proposes moving the flood water through above ground pipes.

Water would be need to be pumped from Eagle Lake into Crooked Lake at a rate of 1,500 gallons per minute. Pumps will remove water from Crooked Lake to wetlands adjacent to Bass Lake at a rate of 3,000 gpm.

Eagle Lake would need to be pumped for about 6 months to return to normal levels and Crooked Lake would need to pump about 8 months, according to the study. Haroldson said it is the best option being discussed.

There doesnt appear to be a whole lot of other alternatives the township has to deal with this water, Haroldson said.

A slide from a January 2019 Texas Township flooding task force presentation shows a recommended solution for mitigating overflowed lakes. (Source: Texas Township)

Pumping would reduce water levels in the lakes, but DEQ is trying to determine if permission is needed from other property owners who could be affected by runoff.

The pumped water will increase water levels in approximately 31 acres of wetland. Water is expected to rise 1 foot on Bass Lake and 6 inches within the West Fork Portage Creek and adjacent wetlands downstream of U.S. 131.

Texas Townships attorney determined the impact from runoff would ultimately be a civil issue for property owners to take up. The Michigan Attorney Generals Office was asked to provide feedback on whether permission from impacted landowners is needed. Township officials have not yet received a response.

We have to be responsive about how much water were releasing, VanderWiere said. We cant affect downstream people.

The application is also subject to comments from Environmental Protection Agency regarding impacts to a threatened species of rattlesnake. The EPA has been unable to comment due to the federal governments ongoing partial shutdown.

Haroldson said the DEQ cannot issue a permit if EPA objections are unresolved.

Roberts said the red tape is frustrating.

Some of this stuff just blows my mind, Roberts said. The DEQ is supposed to deal with water quality, not some snake.

No natural protection

Haroldson said the geology of the lakes themselves left the area susceptible to flooding after heavy rains. Eagle Lake and Crooked Lake have no natural outlet to discharge water.

Prien & Newhofs evaluation found the areas water table was already higher than normal, due to above-average rainfall in 2016 and 2017. A severe storm in February 2018 caused lakes to overflow their banks.

Download the Texas Township Flood Study Report from Prein & Newhof.

Roberts said impacted homes essentially sit in a bowl that continued to collect water during the last year. Texas Township doesnt have a man-made stormwater management system; the townships 18 ponds and lakes retains most runoff from the area.

If your boat made a wake, that wave could go into someones walkout basement, he said.

Haroldson said creating permanent connections between the lakes and the Portage Creek is a possible long-term solution.

Residents are becoming frustrated that more was not done sooner. VanderWiere said there hasnt been enough property damage for the governor to declare a state of emergency, and the township did not apply for a federal Emergency Management Agency grant because most of the impacted homes are not within the 100-year flood plain.

If this rain event had occurred over two days it would be an emergency and maybe would be taken care of," Roberts said. "It took a year for the lakes to come up this much. Because it came up slowly, it doesnt appear to be an emergency to the DEQ.

A Texas Township flooding task force includes state Sen. Sean McCann and state Rep. Brandt Iden. Haroldson said Gov. Gretchen Whitmers office was also notified of the situation.

Weve realized the urgency and the impact that this high water is having, but its a complex project, Haroldson said. Its a top priority for the DEQ and something that weve got many staff working on at different levels."

Bosma said relief needs to come before spring. He is fearful that more homes will be impacted if the lakes continue to rise.

Bosma said many of the residents have flood insurance plans that do not fully cover damage to their property. He estimated 100 trees have been killed by the floods.

The township assessor is evaluating homes impacted by flooding to determine the impact on property values. Roberts said residents appreciate the work Texas Township has put into finding a solution.
GRAND JUNCTION, MI  Police have identified the Florida man who was found dead in his car during extreme cold temperatures.

Edgar Antonio-Gonzalez, 22, of Wimauma, Florida, was found dead in a car stuck in a field Monday, Jan. 21 in the 8000 block of County Road 215 in Grand Junction.

His passenger, Armando Jose-Gonzalez, 21, also of Wimaauma, Florida, was taken to Bronson Methodist Hospital and is still listed in critical condition, Van Buren County Operations Lieutenant Jim Charon said Friday, Jan. 25.

Deputies believe that the two men were in the area visiting friends and drove into a field where the vehicle they were driving became stuck. The two appeared to try and get the vehicle unstuck from the field but were unsuccessful. Police said they believe the extreme cold played a factor in Antonio-Gonzalezs death.

Temperatures were measured at 2 degrees in Bloomingdale, near where the two men were found, on Monday at 11:30 a.m., according to the National Weather Service.

Deputies have said they arent sure why the men didnt seek help.
KALAMAZOO, MI -- A local social service organization is planning a tiny home neighborhood for people with criminal backgrounds or substance abuse issues.

Construction will begin this spring on six 400-square-foot homes and a leasing office at the corner of North Street and Westnedge Avenue in the Northside neighborhood. HOPE Thru Navigation founder Gwendolyn Hooker said the project aims to stabilize vulnerable populations while addressing the citys affordable housing shortfall.

A capital campaign will kickoff in January to raise $350,000 for the project. The site includes a vacant lot and a 2,880-square-foot building that will be demolished before construction begins in the spring.

Rent for the loft-style homes will cost rent is $400 a month, a rate of $1 per square foot. It should be affordable for people making 30 percent of the median income in Kalamazoo County, approximately $14,500, according to figures published by the Michigan State Housing and Development Authority. Three of the six houses would be available for tenants to put their rent toward permanent ownership.

Hooker hopes the project will providing a template that could be replicated across Kalamazoo. Its is based on a Detroit model implemented by United Methodist Reverend Faith Fowler, Executive Director of Cass Community Social Services and author of Tiny Homes in a Big City. Fowler visited Kalamazoo several times while the local initiative was planned.

George Franklin, a retired Kellogg columnist and 2018 Democratic primary candidate for Congress, said he made a donation to help purchase the property. Franklin did not disclose how much he donated, but said he is a strong supporter of the project.

The way to prevent homelessness is to build homes," Franklin said. "What I loved about this project is it is going to prevent homelessness. Its a wonderful cause. I was glad to help.

Wrap around social support services will be available on site through partnerships with community collaborators, like Community Healing Centers, KPEP, Northside Recovery and Resource Center, the Kalamazoo Community Foundations Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation initiative, ISAAC and others.

Hooker said the homes are specifically for able-bodied adults with a criminal background or history of substance abuse who do not have any dependents.

Services will provide people with routes to employment, education and self-sufficiency, Hooker said. The idea is to address issues that contribute to chronic homelessness beyond affordability.

We know Kalamazoo already has a homelessness issue, Hooker said. When you add barriers like criminal backgrounds and substance abuse issues to that equation the situation is exacerbated exponentially.

A conceptual site plan designed by OBoyle, Cowell, Blalock & Associates will be unveiled to the community at a Friday, Jan. 25 launch event.

Hooker said the project is expected to be replicated in the Vine neighborhood.

Note: An earlier version in this story incorrectly identified HOPE Thru Navigation.
KALAMAZOO, MI -- Two churches in downtown Kalamazoo are opening their doors to keep around 50 people sheltered from brutal winter temperatures.

First Congregational Church and First Baptist Church of Kalamazoo are partnering with the American Red Cross to offer temporary shelter from Friday, Jan. 25 through Feb. 1. The city of Kalamazoo is providing emergency funding to assist what City Manager Jim Ritsema called a public safety matter, while Kalamazoo County finalizes an emergency weather relief protocol.

Two temporary cold weather shelters are being set up in Kalamazoo. Both will be open from 8 p.m. - 8 a.m. each night... Posted by The City of Kalamazoo, Michigan on Friday, January 25, 2019

Kalamazoo County has been under a winter weather advisory issued by the National Weather Service for much of the last week. Snow showers and bitter cold are expected during the weekend, with wind chill temperatures reaching from 5 below to 15 below zero.

Wind gusts to 30 mph are expected this weekend, resulting in areas of blowing and drifting snow.

The Rev. Nathan Dannison said overnight beds will be available to people who are unable to stay at the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission. He said the shelter effort is meant to supplement the existing emergency shelter as a stopgap measure during some of the worst weather Kalamazoo has experienced this winter.

People need to remember, the first check-in needs to be the Gospel Mission, he said. These (beds) are for people who either cant use the Gospel Mission or were caught in the cold unaware.

Gospel Mission Program Director John Simpson said the shelter is below 90 percent capacity. Simpson said the shelter will not turn someone away during inclement weather.

We still have some room for folks to come in and would encourage folks to do that earlier than later, he said.

The Gospel Mission lifted all bans on people who were barred from the property due to misbehavior last summer. Since then, Simpson said three people have been banned from the property due to violent behavior and sexual harassment. Two others are not allowed to sleep overnight but can access meals and other services.

The Gospel Mission recently implemented a council to review cases and oversee an appeal process for people who are banned.

Dannison said the availability of shelter could mean the difference between life or death for people living on the streets.

In March 2012, a man was found under a large spruce tree near FCC several days after he died. MLive found the man had stopped staying at the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission and occasionally sought shelter near the church.

Rev. Matthew Laney, the churchs pastor at the time, said the situation was "to our shame and to the shame of the city.

Dannison said the churches are seeking volunteers to work overnight shifts and donate clothing items. Beds will be available at both churches from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. each day until Feb. 1.

Contact dannison@gmail.com to volunteer.

City Manager Jim Ritsema said Kalamazoo will provide some funding to pay support staff. Hes not aware of the city helping to establish emergency shelters in the past, but staff are more cognizant of homeless communitys needs after continued conversations that spun out of last summers protest in Bronson Park.

Its important for us to be involved because we certainly dont want members of the homeless community in danger due to the cold weather, especially families with children, Ritsema said.

Kalamazoo County Board Chair Julie Rogers said the Sheriffs Office is in the process of finalizing a plan for emergency response during extreme temperatures. The county would partner with the Red Cross to set up warming stations in the winter and cooling stations in summer heat waves.

Rogers said the county will act as a convener of various resources throughout the community.

Rogers said its important to spread the word about available resources in these situations. Warming stations also benefit families whose furnaces broke down this winter.

Meanwhile, winter conditions continue to impact other services across Kalamazoo County.

Kalamazoo Metro buses are running with delays due to road conditions, the organization announced Friday. Call (269) 337-8222 for bus location information.

Metro Connect is providing limited service Friday due to snow. Call (269) 350-2970 to confirm scheduled rides.
DETROIT  Trucks are a lot like the beverage cups at fast food restaurants  even the smallest sizes arent very tiny.

Trucks of all sizes are on display at the North American International Auto Show this week in Detroit. Since the larger trucks  like the Ford F-Series, Toyota Tundra and Dodge Ram  get most of the attention, we decided to take a look at the choices in the really-not-that-small small-truck category.

I evaluated four small trucks: the Toyota Tacoma, Honda Ridgeline, Ford Ranger and Chevrolet Colorado.

The newly-introduced Jeep Gladiator is entering the category, but wasnt part of our search because you cant buy it yet and many of the vehicle specifics havent been released.

Regardless of which truck you go with, they all have a slew of features that are an upgrade from older trucks. All four offered some sort of lane-keeping assistance, collision avoidance, rearview cameras and adaptive cruise control.

So what topped the list? The Chevrolet Colorado  although it was a decision of the head, not the heart. The interior feels plain and the exterior isnt particularly unique.

But the numbers check out. The Colorado is the cheapest of the four trucks (starting at $21,300), has the most available towing (7,700 pounds), most horsepower (308) and best fuel efficiency (30 mpg highway for the turbo diesel engine, 26 mpg highway for the standard).

And it has a Wifi hot spot.

The 2019 Ford Ranger XLT 4x4 SuperCrew at the 2019 North American International Auto Show on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019 at Cobo Center in downtown Detroit. (Jake May | MLive.com) Jake May | MLive.comJake May | MLive.com

The Ford Ranger  which also offers WiFi  was second to the Colorado in many of the categories. It starts at $24,300, has 7,500 pounds in available towing, 26 miles per gallon on the highway and 270 horsepower.

If you go to the auto show, youll see an elaborate Ranger display, showing off the limitless accessories that make the truck adventure ready, as Ford markets it. From bike racks to kayak carriers, its easy to see how the Ranger can tailor to your lifestyle.

The Toyota Tacoma at the 2019 North American International Auto Show at Cobo Center in Downtown Detroit Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019. Jacob Hamilton/MLive.comJacob Hamilton/MLive.com

At Toyotas display, the Tacoma immediately caught my attention with its bright VooDoo Blue paint  although it might look more like Honolulu Blue to Detroit Lions fans. Toyota touts the special color and it definitely pops under the auto show lights.

Select Tacomas also offer a desert air intake system attached along the passenger side of the windshield. It not only keeps excess dirt from the engine when off-roading, but adds a muscly look to the truck.

The slick interior is the most comfortable of the four small trucks. But the specs didnt impress  as it starts at $25,550, has 6,800 pounds of available towing, has 278 horsepower and gets 22 mpg highway.

The Honda Ridgeline at the 2019 North American International Auto Show at Cobo Center in Downtown Detroit Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019. Jacob Hamilton/MLive.comJacob Hamilton/MLive.com

If youre searching for something different  and cant wait for the Jeep Gladiator  the Honda Ridgeline is worth a look. It looks like a mix of a truck and SUV and sits lower to the ground than most trucks.

The rear tailgate and flatbed are pretty nifty, too. The tailgate opens the traditional way and opens outward like a door. Plus, there's a large storage space under the flatbed that could be useful.

But like the Tacoma, the numbers arent great on the Ridgeline. Its the most expensive of the four  starting at $29,900  and has the lowest towing capacity at 5,000 pounds. It also has 280 horsepower and gets 26 miles per gallon on the highway.

What do you think about the newest small trucks on the market? Let us know in the comment section.

The North American International Auto Show runs through Jan. 27. View full coverage here.
As the Spring Festival draws near, the power supply capabilities of Beijing's sub-center will face its first test. The sub-center's power supply company has started extensive maintenance and inspection of more than 1,000 smart monitor terminals to ensure power supply during the holidays, and the inspection is assisted by robots - smart inspection robots, automated firefighters, and an automatic inspection car.

The smart inspection robot has two cameras as its eyes that can inspect and monitor cables inside the power houses in real time. Once it detects problems such as high temperature or partial discharge in the cables, it will immediately report them to the integrated visualization system in the Tongzhou Power Supply Company for further automatic diagnosis.

The automated firefighters act like the smart inspection robot's partner. If the temperature of the cables is too high or fire happens, the firefighters will release dry chemical and put out the fire even prior to the arrival of human inspectors.

At least 80 percent of the inspection work inside the power tunnel is replaced by the two kinds of robots, but human inspectors are still needed to guarantee absolute safety.

In the tunnel, the automatic inspection car is also an important assistant. The 80-centimeter-wide and two-seat vehicle without a steering wheel can run automatically following the yellow lines and carry 500 kilograms of weight. It carries human inspectors and heavy equipment back and forth for the inspection in the 1.9-kilometer tunnel, saving a lot of time and energy for the inspection. During the first-phase construction of the smart integrated tunnel in the sub-center, 10 robots and two inspection cars have been put into use.

According to Ma Wenying, safety director of the Tongzhou Power Supply Company, this is the first Spring Festival that the smart grid will be tested. Apart from the inspection of over 1,000 monitor terminals, the company has also started maintenance of robots and in-depth inspection of equipment, signal transmission and power systems.

"To guarantee the power supply for this year's Spring Festival, we have applied intelligent tools such as the integrated visualization system and mobile operating apps to manage six major items including inspection and maintenance," Ma said. "Both machine and human operating processes are made transparent, potential safety risks are detected and eliminated beforehand, and the on-site operation is tracked in real time. We have improved the efficiency of the grid as well as the power supply service to bring a safe and peaceful Spring Festival to citizens in the sub-center."
GRAND RAPIDS, MI  In a panicked 911 call, Mario Nelson, who found a bloody tarp in the basement of his two-family rental home, immediately suspected the upstairs tenant, Jared Chance, who had a gun and looked to be moving out.

Nelson had just heard that others were looking for a woman who had been with Chance.

In the 911 call, Nelson took the phone from his girlfriend, who was too upset to talk, and told a dispatcher: Excuse me, uh, thats my girlfriend shes kind of, uh, under some little stress but I have my upstairs neighbor, there was this girl over here recently and today someone just been snooping around our house and theyre looking through the trash can and she said her friend has been missing for some days or whatever  so hes been in the basement and we live in an apartment and the basement is normally locked.

And our house been having a real bad smell lately so I just went in the basement, opened the basement door, and theres a tarp and what looks like it could be blood and I want the police, he said.

Grand Rapids police found a torso under the bloody tarp.

The body was later identified as Ashley Young, 31, a missing Kalamazoo-area woman who was last seen alive with Chance. Parts of her body  some are still missing - were found in boxes on the landing outside of his front door.

The transcript of the 911 call was obtained Friday, Jan. 25, under a Freedom of Information request.

Names were redacted in the transcript provided by Grand Rapids police. But Nelson testified earlier that he was the one who found the bloody tarp and took the phone from his girlfriend when she struggled to provide information to the dispatcher.

Jared Chance, 29, awaits trial in Kent County Circuit Court on charges of open murder, mutilation of a body, concealing a death and three counts of tampering with evidence. His parents, James and Barbara Chance of Holland await trial charged with perjury and being accessories after the fact.

Police believe Chance killed Young after they went to Mulligans Pub and the Hookah Lounge in Eastown during the early hours of Nov. 29. They were seen on surveillance video at Mulligans.

Her mother, Kristine Young of Grand Haven, became concerned the night before when her daughter did not reply to text messages. She reported her daughter missing.

On Dec. 1, Chances parents picked him up and brought him back to Holland. He carried a box with a black plastic bag inside, a garbage container and other items to his parents Honda CR-V. He brought them back when he returned home the next day.

Police say his parents and brother, Konrad Chance, 27, were aware that Chance had cut up the victims body. Police found an electric Skil saw, with apparent blood and human tissue on it, under the couch of the parents home.

Nelson testified at a recent hearing about talking to a 911 dispatcher.

There was blood in my basement. I dont know if its normal for anyone else but theres not supposed to be blood in my basement, he said.

While on the phone, Nelson said he was nervous after finding the bloody tarp.

He said he knew that Chance had a gun. Then, apparently talking to his girlfriend, said:  (A)s a matter of fact go get your car keys  . Cause we  dude got a pistol.

He said his girlfriend said he looks like hes moving  hes moving stuff out of his house. Like theres a trashcan with some shoes on  in it on the back porch, the transcript said.

When asked about the tarp, he said: Yeah I dont know what it is, it  I didnt look, its a tarp at the bottom of the stairs and it looked like blood leaking out of it. Is there an officer like in the neighborhood you could just said over here? Cause  .

The dispatcher said police were on the way. The dispatcher told the caller that the questions would not slow police response but provide information for them.

The caller also said Chance had recently texted him.

I just remember him texting my phone like a couple days ago telling me if somebody looking for him dont  say I aint seen him or something like that.

He said that the woman who had been with Chance left her car at the house. Nelson helped Chance get into the car after Chance locked the keys inside. Police later found the car abandoned.

Nelson said Chance texted him a lot but he uses a lot of drugs so he tried to avoid him.

Nelson then says he sees police at his home.

The transcript also includes a call from an unidentified aunt of the victim. She appeared extremely upset.

Okay my niece Ashley, Im sorry I cant even talk Im just  my niece Ashley Young has been  reported missing.

She said she was told that a neighbor to Chance hadnt seen him for several days. She said someone sent her a video on Facebook of some garbage (Ashley Young) left there and it is a bin full of garbage like with rubber gloves and stuff. That is just not right, its just not right.

The aunt said she had just received the video and told the person who took the video to call police. That person told the aunt that neighbors were acting sketchy and thats in my video, the transcript said.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI  A project led by a Grand Valley State University institute using cutting-edge 3D printing technology to create medical devices is expected to bring new talent and develop existing talent in the city and region.

The applied Medical Device Institute (aMDI) is a non-academic unit within GVSUs Padnos College of Engineering and Computing.

The city of Grand Rapids is helping underwrite a portion of the Accelerating Medical Devices to Market study with a two and a half year $500,000 SmartZone grant.

MediSurge, a Grand Rapids medical device contract manufacturer within the Alliant Enterprise family of companies, is aMDIs industry partner in the initiative.

Brent Nowak, founder and executive director of aMDI, said approximately a dozen undergraduate and graduate students are working on the innovative project. He said 3D additive manufacturing, the process of making three dimensional solid objects from a digital file, is an emerging manufacturing process.

State-of-the-art 3D printing technology from Carbon, Inc., was recently installed in aMDIs incubator space/lab at GVSUs Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences, located at 301 Michigan St. NE.

Our study is looking at the threshold where 3D printing is the best option versus using traditional manufacturing methods like injection molding and CNC Machining,  said Nowak, about the grant awarded last year.

Early 3D printers were just printing layers with weak points that were only good for prototyping or show and tell, not really production ready. The difference today is that the technology has matured, the materials have matured, and the computer science has matured.

The aMDI team is working on creating production-grade medical devices that can be safely implanted into and under the skin, which isn't currently possible.

The current process of launching a new medical device to market in the United States is strictly regulated, highly complex, and expensive, so we understand the importance of perfecting this type of emerging technology, said Bob Taylor, CEO of Alliant Healthcare Products and MediSurge, in a press release statement.

Being able to offer this type of novel service would drastically decrease time to market for products and create immense value for customers.

Rick Shorey, program director for product development with MediSurge, said the company is contributing in-kind engineering time and financial support toward the study.

The objective of the grant is to look at scalability of this technology, he said. We want to look at how does this technology scale up for higher volume medical device manufacturing.

Upon completion of the study and determining scalability for 3D printing of medical devices at production volumes, MediSurge would be the first medical device manufacturing company in the Midwest to offer this kind of service, according to a press release.

Shorey said Surge Cardiovascular is one of the companies he works for that makes products for cardiac surgery that could benefit from the study. He said the devices are generally a combination of multiple components manufactured using traditional manufacturing.

Nowak said with the Carbon printer can lower investments because there are fewer parts and assembly steps than traditional manufacturing, it is faster, more precise, and the material properties are anisotropic, so you dont have to worry about how to orient it.

Equally as important as the study, he said, is the learning and development of students. He said students on the aMDI team are participating in research projects in a real-world laboratory and learning environment.

Established in 2016, the institute is a fee for service organization that provides high-level intellectual engineering and business services. Nowak said they put together unique teams to solve some of the most challenging problems for businesses.

Aldo Fanelli, a graduate student pursuing a masters degree in biomedical engineering, marveled at Carbons revolutionizing technology from its digital processing and use of oxygen optics to its high-resolution pixel (75 m) and ability to print isotropic parts.

On Wednesday, Jan. 23, he and three other GVSU students were in the aMDI lab using the 3D printer to create different medical components, including an aortic root.

I know that this is going to replace a lot of old technology and eliminate expenses that are unnecessary now, said Rebecca Jakob, a senior mechanical engineering student, who also works at MediSurge. Being able to create different geometries with just a 3D printer expands our capabilities.

Nowak said there are only six universities in the country using this new technology and Grand Valley is the only one in the Midwest.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Grand Rapids police say they will investigate their role in the brief December detainment of a Marine veteran by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

American Civil Liberties Union lawyers on Wednesday sent Grand Rapids police a letter, demanding further investigation into what prompted the detainment of Jilmar Ramos-Gomez.

Ramos-Gomez was arrested by police Nov. 21 for breaching security at Spectrum Health Butterworth hospital and ultimately standing on the helipad. He was to be released from jail Dec. 14 after pleading guilty to a trespassing charge but instead was detained by ICE for three days.

ACLU leaders say they want to know why police contacted ICE about Ramos-Gomez following his arrest, because he had his passport and Michigan drivers license in his possession to prove citizenship.

Grand Rapids police Interim Chief David Kiddle, in response posted to Facebook, said he has directed the departments Internal Affairs Unit to investigate the matter.

This is a high priority for our police department and City leadership, he wrote.

However, Kiddle said the investigation would not be completed by Jan. 29 as requested by the ACLU. More time is needed to do a thorough and fair review.
PITTSFIELD TOWNSHIP, MI - Michigans only womens prison will reopen to visitors on Saturday, Jan. 26 after closing this week for a facility-wide scabies treatment.

The infestation, identified at the end of December, was confirmed in 39 prisoners at the Womens Huron Valley Correctional Facility last week amid a year-long outbreak of rashes at the prison in Pittsfield Township.

The closure kicked off Tuesday, Jan. 22, so the entire population of about 2,000 inmates could receive a first dose of Ivermectin and have their clothing and bedding laundered, Michigan Department of Corrections spokesman Chris Gautz previously said. The prison started issuing the first dose last week to the 224 prisoners afflicted with the rash or suspected scabies.

Scabies is a skin infestation caused by the human itch mite, according the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It causes intense itching and a pimple-like rash.

It was ruled out through skin scrapings and dermatologist evaluations when the rash outbreak was first identified in February and March 2018, Gautz said.

After months of frustration for the prisoners and various theories by the department, a scabies diagnosis was confirmed in December when a dermatologist came to the facility.

Its still believed some of the rashes are caused by inmates improperly washing their clothing, Gautz previously said.

A second round of Ivermectin is expected to start next Thursday and Friday, with no visiting restrictions, Gautz said in an email Friday.

The two rounds of Ivermectin were estimated to cost $80,000 to $90,000, Gautz and Dr. Carmen McIntyre, chief medical officer for the MDOC, previously said.
TRAVERSE CITY, MI -- A 63-year-old Traverse City woman is accused of embezzling money through the use of a sophisticated payment scheme while she worked for the Michigan Department of Treasury.

A warrant was issued Friday, Jan. 25 for Cheryl Anne Hall, 63, who is charged with embezzlement of at least $50,000, but less than $100,000, according to the Michigan Attorney Generals Office.

Shes also charged with three counts of identity theft, three counts of allowing a false statement to be made in a tax return, and three counts of larceny by conversion.

If found guilty, Hall faces up to 15 years in prison and repayment for the stolen funds.

Fridays charges in Traverse City District Court followed a two-year investigation by Michigan State Police and the Attorney Generals Office. The investigation was triggered by a tip to the Department of Treasury from a taxpayer who noticed payment discrepancies.

The Department of Treasury has ensured the victims in the case were credited or reimbursed, according to Attorney General Dana Nessel.

State of Michigan employees are expected to be honest, transparent and good stewards of the publics money.," said Treasurer Rachael Eubanks, in a press release. "When they arent, they must be held accountable. I am proud of Treasurys staff for taking quick action to have this thoroughly investigated and for identifying and implementing improved technology and procedures to protect Michiganders.

Hall is a now-retired, former employee of the Michigan Department of Treasury.

Police ask anyone with additional information regarding this case, including any resident who submitted returns to the Traverse City office and think they might have been a victim, to contact the Cadillac State Police post at 231-779-6040.
Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson announced Friday she has reached a settlement agreement in a lawsuit alleging the states existing political district lines are gerrymandered, a move that could mean new state House districts in the 2020 election cycle.

The settlement stipulates 11 state House seats - the 24th, the 32nd, the 51st, the 55th, the 60th, the 63rd, the 76th, the 91st, the 92nd, the 94th and the 95th - are unconstitutional and would need to be redrawn by the legislature.

No state Senate or federal districts would be impacted under the settlement agreement. Benson said her decision to stick to the state House in settlement negotiations acknowledged the unconstitutionality of the 2011 redistricting maps while also reaching a remedy that is limited in scope and impact, given the length of time that these districts have been in place.

The case is before the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, and the court will have the final say on whether the agreement is accepted. If the settlement proposal is accepted by the court, its expected the court would set up a process and timeline for the districts to be redrawn.

The 11 Michigan state House districts that would be redrawn under the settlement agreement plan reached between Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and the League of Women Voters, the plaintiffs in a federal lawsuit alleging gerrymandering in several Michigan state and federal political districts.

The lawsuit, initially filed by the League of Women Voters in December 2017, claims Michigans 2011 redistricting process heavily favored Republicans and resulted in gerrymandered districts. The case was slated to go to trial in early February, and Benson filed a brief in court concurring with a request from attorneys for several Republican officials that the trial be put on hold.

Bensons intent to settle had already drawn outcry from Republicans and raised questions, particularly for the potential impacts in state Senate districts, where senators were elected to four year terms in 2018.

Michigan Republican Party spokesperson Tony Zammit alleged in a statement that the proposal was an effort by Benson to try and steal the State House of Representatives in 2020. He suggested Benson should be replaced as the defendant on the case, arguing Benson has demonstrated she cannot be impartial.

The Democrats know it will be nearly impossible to redraw these eleven districts without effecting countless others causing electoral chaos," Zammit said. "Worse yet, outdated 10-year-old data will be utilized to draw the new lines which will not accurately reflect the demographics of our state.

Benson said she tried to make the decision in a vacuum without regarding what she characterized as attacks against her character. She said she believes the settlement is a better way to resolve the lawsuit than proceeding to trial, both due to ongoing legal costs and her belief that the lawsuit had merit.

I think no matter what decision I made in this case, someone was going to be upset, she said. No one likes being in that position, but thats part of what I knew coming into this job.

Any settlement reached with the case would only impact the 2020 election cycle. After the 2020 census, Michigans district lines will be redrawn by an independent redistricting commission following the passage of Proposal 2 in 2018.

Learn more about the 11 districts that would be impacted below:
BRIGHTON, MI  A longtime Michigan State Police trooper is calling it a career.

Lt. Mario Gonzalez, who served Michigan as a state trooper for 29 years, customarily signed off for the final time on Friday.

And while checking out of service is something that happens from time to time in the world of law enforcement, Gonzalezs sign off was captured on video and posted to the MSPs First District Twitter account.

Fighting back tears as he read off his badge number, Gonzalez, the assistant commander of the MSP Brighton Post, delivered the following message to his colleagues.

Look right meow! Michigan State Police strike Super Troopers pose

To say its been an honor to be a trooper for 29 years is an understatement, he said. Ive enjoyed every minute of it. To all my MSP family out there who is going to keep doing the good jobs that the state police do, my prayer for you is that God keep you safe and that he blesses you every day on patrol. God bless you. 1202 signing out.

What followed was a parade of MSP personnel thanking Gonzalez for his guidance, friendship, leadership and more via radio. You can see the entire, emotional exchange in the videos below.
Michigan State University has more than $300 million in liability insurance coverage to help offset the cost of the $500 million legal settlement for victims of Larry Nassar, according to MSUs top legal counsel.

The challenge has been getting the insurers to pay up, says Robert Young, MSUs general counsel and vice president for legal affairs.

The university is now in mediation with insurance companies that provided liability policies during the two decades of Nassars employment with MSU. Nassar molested hundreds of patients as a MSU sports-medicine doctor from 1997 until he was fired in 2016.

Mediation is expected to be completed in late February, Young said.

Last May, MSU agreed to pay $500 million to settle lawsuits filed by Nassar victims, and the money was paid in December. Michigan State financed the settlement with bonds, which they hope will be partially reimbursed by insurance settlements.

To that end, Michigan State filed a lawsuit in July against 13 insurance companies that held MSU liability policies. That suit, filed in Ingham County Circuit Court, is on hold until the conclusion of mediation, Young said.

United Educators, which provided MSU with liability insurance from 2000 to the present, is the company that provided the most liability coverage, Young said.

In its lawsuit, MSU noted that United Educators actively promoted its policies' coverage of the types of claims at issue in this case.

United Educators' coverage highlights include liability coverage for sexual or physical abuse or molestation and added personal injury coverage for sexual harassment to its plan in 1999 recognizing this would have (UEs general liability policies) encompass the sexual-assault related nature of Title IX claims, the suit said.

But in the Nassar case, United Educators has been grotesque in its refusal to pay its indemnity or pay for our defense," Young said. We fronted the entire cost of defense. This has all been in the universitys nickel.

A spokesperson for United Educators declined comment.

Young said that MSUs ongoing litigation with insurers is the big reason that Michigan State was claiming attorney-client privilege on some communications sought by William Forysth, the special prosecutor leading a state investigation into Michigan States handling of the Nassar controversy.

Forysth accused Michigan State of stonewalling the state investigation, citing overuse of attorney-client privilege as an example.

Youngs response: Once attorney-client privilege is waived in one circumstances, its waived in all circumstances, which means any documents shared with Forsyths team must be made available to others, including the insurers that MSU is suing.

Im sure our insurance carriers would love to know what advice were getting from lawyers in regards to the Nassar situation, Young said.

We have more than $300 million in insurance benefits that should be paid to us, Young said. Theres no reason for us to walk away from that" or do anything that would undermine MSUs lawsuit against the insurers.

Insurance companies named in the lawsuit and the periods in which they insured MSU are:
Expanding Michigans civil rights law to include protections against discrimination for LGBT people is likely a nonstarter in the legislature this term, state House Speaker Lee Chatfield said this week.

Asked whether a change to the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act expanding anti-discrimination laws to include sexual orientation and gender identity could happen during an interview on Off the Record, Chatfield, R-Levering, said: I probably would not allow a bill to come up that I believe would infringe on religious freedom.

Personally, I dont believe people should be discriminated against," he said. But at the same time, Im never going to endorse a law or allow a bill to come for a vote that I believe infringes on someones ability to exercise their sincerely held religious beliefs.

Chatfield said on the show he believed there was public pressure against changing the law and also said such a change could open up people with religious beliefs to reverse discrimination, suggesting negative impacts would outweigh any benefits.

If people today in Michigan were being discriminated against on a daily basis because of their sexual orientation, it would be statewide news, and we all know it, he said.

Erin Knott, interim executive director of Equality Michigan, said part of the reason Republican lawmakers might not be aware of discrimination against LGBT people is because they have repeatedly blocked attempts to accurately track those cases.

I dont think that the speaker understands that not everyone has access to the media like he does, she said. I think that the speaker is not well informed...discrimination happens on a daily basis.

Attempts to expand the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act have come up periodically in the legislature. A 2014 effort led by former Rep. Frank Foster - who was defeated by Chatfield in a primary election that year - ultimately failed despite support from business leaders and advocacy groups around the state.

Last year, the Michigan Civil Rights Commission approved a statement legally interpreting the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Acts ban on discrimination because of ... sex to include discrimination against sexual orientation or gender identity, and directed the Michigan Department of Civil Rights to begin taking complaints related to sexual orientation or gender-based discrimination.

Former Attorney General Bill Schuette determined the statement was invalid, writing in a July 2018 opinion that the commission had overstepped its bounds by legislating from the executive branch.

The statement is invalid because it conflicts with the original intent of the Legislature as expressed in the plain language of the Act, and as interpreted by Michigans courts, the opinion read.

The department has continued to accept sexual orientation and gender identity-based discrimination complaints, spokesperson Todd Heywood said. As of Jan. 22, Heywood said there are 13 open cases before the department, eight dealing with sexual orientation and five with gender identity.

Both former Gov. Rick Snyder and current Gov. Gretchen Whitmer recently took steps to extend civil rights protections to the LGBT community via executive directives.

Before leaving office, Snyder banned LGBT discrimination for state contractors. Whitmers executive directive, which rescinded Snyders directive and a related one from former Gov. Jennifer Granholm, extends protections to cover people based on sexual orientation and gender identity within the state workforce and for state contractors and services.

If were going to attract the talented workforce our businesses need to create jobs and grow our economy, then weve got to get on the right side of history, Whitmer said at the time.

Chatfield said on Off the Record that the governor certainly has her prerogative to run state departments as she would choose but still doesnt anticipate passing legislation to that effect.

Knott said Equality Michigan appreciates Whitmers efforts to protect employees under her purview, noting the only Michigan government employees that dont have explicit protections against discrimination for sexual orientation and gender identity are those that work in the Legislature.

Knott said Equality Michigan is laser focused on continuing to put pressure on the legislature to do the right thing and codify an expansion of civil rights law.
Editors note: This story has been updated.

DETROIT -- A 3-year-old boy was shot Thursday evening while sitting in the backseat of his godmothers vehicle while the two were driving northbound on the Southfield Freeway, according to the Associated Press. The boy is in critical condition at Sinai Grace Hospital as of Friday morning.

Police say the godmother and the boy were fired at shortly before 7:30 p.m. as they traveled along the freeway near Joy Road. The bullet pierced the side of the vehicle and struck the boy. Michigan State Police Lt. Michael Shaw said police arent quite sure if the vehicle was targeted by the shooter.

Shaw also said the shooting does not appear to be a case of road rage. The freeway was temporarily closed Thursday night as police conducted an investigation. A suspect has not been identified by police.

Police had previously said the boy was riding with his mother, when in fact he was in his godmothers vehicle.
Sanitation in rural areas of Shandong province has been greatly improved through the so-called toilet revolution, the provincial government said.

The incidence of infectious diseases fell by 26.9 percent in 2017 from 2015 levels.

The government noted in a news release that the province started renovating toilets in rural areas in 2014, and said that about 10 million toilets with substandard hygiene had been renovated or rebuilt as of the end of last year. More than 8 billion yuan ($1.2 billion) has been invested so far.

Shan Tihua, Party secretary in Xidan village of Zibo city, remembers how residents opposed the renovations when he began promoting the project in 2015.

"The habit of using traditional pit toilets blocked our plan at the beginning," he said. "It took a long time to persuade narrow-minded villagers, but they finally accepted the proposal after seeing their peers using cleaner toilets."

He said the most common toilet in the village was a square pit with no water for flushing that smelled and attracted flies in the summer.

"Financial subsidies were also key in moving the project forward," Shan said. "Building a new toilet with modern hygiene standards cost about 1,500 yuan in 2015. Every rural household would receive a 1,300-yuan allowance if they joined the project, which was roughly enough to cover the expense."

Sun Meiyun, a senior from Xidan village, appreciated the new toilets.

"The toilet used to be a difficult place to clean up, and the pit toilets even scared my daughter-in-law and grandson," she said. "Now the condition of the toilet is no different from the ones they use in the city."

Most of the 308 households in the village finished renovating their toilets in 2015, according to Shan Tihua.

"We are now endeavoring to improve follow-up services, toilet maintenance and sewage management," Shan said.

Xu Hongshui and his team in Zibo are transforming the waste into organic fertilizer and methane to make the toilet revolution more sustainable.

"We used to collect animal feces and straw to produce fertilizer before 2015," he said. "We began to recycle human waste about three years ago and now we are cooperating with the city's 10,000 households," Xu said.

He said that improper disposal of human or animal waste could damage the soil and water, while it can be properly recycled for fertilizer and gas production for electricity generation, which is environmentally and economically beneficial.

"The annual sales volume of the organic fertilizer we produce can reach 30,000 metric tons, earning us a net profit of about 2 million yuan," Xu said.

He said his company built a 1,500-cubic-meter methane tank in October and plans to build a larger one of 10,000 cubic meters this year to increase marsh gas production.

The toilet revolution in rural areas has received great support from the authorities. A guideline focusing on countryside toilet renovation was released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development and six other departments in early January.

The guideline said that by 2020, substandard toilets in communities in northern China would be renovated. The city outskirts of central and western areas, are expected to get modern toilets, with human waste properly disposed of or recycled.
Walthamstow teenager launches overseas initiative

A teenager from Walthamstow is involved in the establishment of an international scheme.

Fiona MacDonald, a student from Walthamstow, is working on a plan that might help people in Zambia. Edinburgh Global Partnerships has been cooperating with a small group of students at the University of Edinburgh. McDonald hopes that this scheme results in the increased employment of Zambian women in the future.

Initially, the eight students want to raise some funds. Their first target has been set at 9,000. Fundraisers are often promoted with the help of posters and flyer printing. It is hoped that something can be created which will last for five years.

MacDonald told the East London & West Essex Guardian:

I joined the group after hearing about it around Campus, but I wasnt completely sure of what it was about yet.

She explained that her Walthamstow upbringing had influenced her perspective on the world. In particular, MacDonald referred to the multicultural aspect of the area.

A trip to Zambia will be necessary as part of the initiative after a Zambian womens organisation agreed to participate in the venture. Health tips and business skills should be acquired by local women. Community-led empowerment of this type can lead to sustainable poverty reduction. The idea is that the project will develop its own momentum so it keeps going after the five years are up.
North of 60 Mining News  February 1, 2019

NANA Jan. 19 announced the hiring of two key executives heading into the new year  Sarah Lukin now serves as senior vice president and chief administration officer at NANA Regional Corp., and Kevin Aubertin joins NANA's Commercial Group as the president of Tuuq Drilling.

Lukin, who officially began her tenure at NANA on Jan. 7, will provide strategic leadership in a broad range of functions, including leading external and government affairs, corporate communications, corporate administration, corporate operations and regional sustainability. Lukin has more than 18 years of experience working with businesses across the U.S. and Canada, including her previous role as chief operating officer for Pt Capital, LLC, and senior vice president of corporate affairs for Afognak Native Corp. Lukin earned her bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Alaska, and a certificate in Alaska Native executive leadership from Alaska Pacific University.

"As a key member of the executive leadership team, Sarah will take the lead on many critical issues and initiatives, and will work closely with me and the board of directors to support NANA's broader mission and objectives," said NANA President and CEO Wayne Westlake.

Tuuq Drilling, owned by NANA Development Corp., brought Aubertin on in Dec. 2018 to strengthen the drilling company's business performance for sustainability and growth. Tuuq Drilling provides drilling services in the mining industry, most notably in the 38,000-square-mile NANA region in Alaska's Arctic. The company specializes in drilling solutions for mineral exploration and geotechnical investigation in arctic conditions.

Kevin Aubertin

Aubertin comes to Tuuq Drilling with diverse experience in global business organizations including Canada-based Tonto Drilling Services, Nevada-based Coates Drilling and the joint ventures of NANA-Coates and NANA-Dynatec. Most recently, Aubertin was the project management superintendent for Major Drilling America. These companies provided Aubertin the opportunity and challenge to work on and lead projects in Africa, Alaska, Canada, Mexico, Russia, South America and locations in the Lower 48. Aubertin's drilling operations and leadership experience includes mineral exploration, mine development, coal bed methane, as well as geotechnical and geothermal projects.

"With over 40 years of experience in drilling operations and management, Kevin brings tremendous expertise to our company to deliver on our strategy to effectively sustain and grow Tuuq Drilling," said NANA Commercial Group President John Hendrix.

NANA is an Alaska Native corporation whose mission is to enrich the lives of its more than 14,400 shareholders across the globe. As the owner of a diversified holding company with business holdings in the federal and commercial groups, NANA works to maximize economic growth, protect and enhance its lands, and promote healthy communities with decisions, actions, and behaviors inspired by the Inupiat Ilitqusiat values.

SHANE LASLEY
What is the real need behind the U.S. Army's proposed long-range cannon that can shoot out to 1,000 miles or more?

It could be used to conduct a strategic or tactical strike in support of the other military services, or to take out targets before service members get to the battlespace, according to the top civilian of the Army.

"On a tactical level, we need to be able to outrange our adversaries' guns with comparable caliber and organization," said Army Secretary Mark Esper.

Speaking during a media roundtable with reporters at the Pentagon, Esper compared the technological evolution to that of the spear and the sword.

"Why was the spear developed? Because the other guy had a sword. But a spear gives you range," the secretary said.

"You always want to have standoff where you can strike without being struck back," Esper said.

He added, "That's what extended-range cannon artillery gives us, case in point vis-a-vis the Russians."

Just as the stealthy fifth-generation F-35 Joint Strike Fighter can enter anti-access environments to soften targets for fourth-generation aircraft, the extended-range artillery cannon could help eliminate threats for ground troops and other military assets, Esper said.

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"You can imagine a scenario where the Navy feels it cannot get into the South China Sea because of Chinese naval vessels, [but] we can from a fixed location," Esper said Thursday.

The 1,000-mile range cannon is part of the Army's larger effort to development long-range precision fires technology, one of the service's modernization priorities.

The commander of Army Futures Command told lawmakers in September that the newly established command was looking for smarter ways to acquire such technologies and streamline the acquisition process because of necessity.

That includes the procurement and fielding of a supergun that can fire 1,150 land miles.

"We are looking very hard and starting down the path of hypersonics and also looking at what we call the Strategic Long Range Cannon, which conceivably could have a range of up to 1,000 nautical miles," Gen. John "Mike" Murray said before the House Armed Services Committee's Subcommittee on Readiness.

Esper on Thursday did not give an estimate on when the new long-range cannon could be fielded.

-- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @oriana0214.
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- The Navy's newest flat-deck amphibious assault ship will replace the USS Wasp as the flagship for Task Force 76 at Sasebo Naval Base, Japan, according to a recent report by the U.S. Naval Institute.

The USS America will arrive in Sasebo around May, according to a report by the Military Times.

The Wasp, an 844-foot flat-deck amphibious assault ship, which came to Japan in January 2018 to replace the USS Bonhomme Richard, is slated to return to Norfolk at an unspecified date for scheduled maintenance.

Like the Wasp, the America can host the Marine Corps' F-35B Lightning II stealth fighter, which is capable of short take offs and vertical landings.

Commissioned in 2014, the America has no well deck from which to launch hovercraft that Marines use to get from ship to shore. Instead, the America has an area dedicated to the multitude of aircraft used by a Marine expeditionary unit. These include the F-35B, tilt-rotor CV-22 Osprey, CH-53K King Stallion heavy transport helicopter, and the Navy's MH-60S Seahawk used for air-sea rescue.

"[Wasp] is coming around because of maintenance -- her time in [the forward-deployed naval force] is over out in Japan, America's going out there. She's coming back because of maintenance and dock loading and stuff like that," Vice Adm. Richard Brown, commander of Naval Surface Forces and Naval Surface Force Pacific, told USNI News Jan. 11.

The America is the first of the America-class amphibious assault ships. The second, the USS Tripoli, is scheduled to be commissioned in the fall.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned Venezuela's military and security forces Thursday to avoid any actions against the self-declared interim president and U.S. diplomats or risk a U.S. response.

"We call on all Venezuelan security forces to ensure the protection of interim president [Juan} Guaido's physical integrity and his safety," Pompeo said at a meeting of the Organization of American States in Washington, D.C.

Pompeo earlier had rejected President Nicolas Maduro's threat Wednesday to expel U.S. diplomats within 72 hours. Venezuela broke relations with the U.S. after President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. was recognizing the 35-year-old Guaido as interim president.

Pompeo noted that several deaths and more than a hundred arrests were recorded in massive demonstrations in Caracas and across the country Wednesday in support of Guaido.

The non-profit Venezuelan Observatory of Social Conflict said that at least 12 protesters were killed Wednesday, all of them by gunshots.

"So I reiterate our warning about any decision by remnant elements of the Maduro regime to suppress the peaceful democratic transition," Pompeo said.

There were no immediate signs that the Venezuelan military was prepared to break with Maduro as had been hoped by Guaido. Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez declared the loyalty of the armed forces to Maduro and charged that Guaido was attempting to mount a coup.

Padrino and several generals joined Maduro at a news conference to show support. Padrino said Venezuelans would not back a "de facto parallel government" led by Guaido, the president of the National Assembly.

"It's not a war between Venezuelans that will solve our problems," he said. "It's dialogue."

Maduro also received support Thursday from Russia and China, which have extensive investments in Venezuela, in moves that could possibly set up a major power struggle for influence in the region with the U.S.

A Tweet from the Kremlin said that Russian President Vladimir Putin had phoned Maduro Thursday and "expressed his support for the legitimate Venezuelan authorities."

Following Guaido's declaration Wednesday that he would serve as interim president, Trump announced that the U.S. was recognizing him as Venezuela's leader.

"The people of Venezuela have courageously spoken out against Maduro and his regime and demanded freedom and the rule of law," he said.

In 2017, Trump warned that a "military option" was possible to depose Maduro in oil-rich Venezuela, once the most prosperous nation in Latin America but now an economic ruin. The State Department has estimated that about three million Venezuelans desperate for food and medical aid have fled to neighboring countries.

At a White House meeting Wednesday, Trump said in response to reporters' questions that "we're not considering anything but all options on the table. All options, always, all options are on the table."

-- Richard Sisk can be reached at richard.sisk@military.com.
-- Joseph V. Micallef is a best-selling military history and world affairs author, and keynote speaker. Follow him on Twitter @JosephVMicallef.

It was roughly a year ago that the Iraqi government of Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced the defeat of the Islamic State (IS) in Iraq by declaring that, "our heroic armed forces have now secured the entire length of the Iraq-Syria border." U.S. officials, while more circumspect, echoed similar sentiments. Former Secretary of Defense James Mattis, declared, "we sit here today at the end of 2017, the caliphate is on the run, we're breaking them."

A year later, despite continued progress in rolling back the last remnants of the territorial domain of Islamic State, the final defeat of IS seems less certain. Despite statements from the Trump White House that the Islamic State has been "obliterated," and is in in "its final throes," IS continues to show remarkable resiliency.

The organization's long reach was underscored recently by a suicide bombing outside of a shawarma restaurant popular with American troops in the town of Manbij; a region that had long been cleared of IS jihadists. The attack killed 16 people, four of whom were American military personnel. Moreover, over the months of November and December 2018, jihadists affiliated with IS, but operating independently of it, staged attacks in Egypt, Australia, the Philippines and Morocco. In addition, five people were left dead following an attack on a Christmas market in Strasbourg, France.

Closer to home, at the end of December, the FBI arrested a Georgia man, and self-declared IS supporter, Hasher Jallal Taheb, on suspicion of plotting to use an anti-tank missile to attack the White House. Taheb also considered attacks against the Statue of Liberty and other "targets of opportunity" in the DC area.

These attacks occurred within weeks of the Trump Administration's announcement that it was withdrawing the roughly 2,000 U.S. military personnel in Syria and that it would rely on Turkish military forces and their affiliated local militias to finish the final destruction of the remaining Islamic State militants in Syria.

The Deir ez-Zor Campaign 2017-2018

By the end of 2017, Islamic State forces in eastern Syria had been largely reduced to an 80-mile strip of the central Euphrates Valley running southeast from Deir ez-Zor to Al-Bukamal, just north of the Iraqi border. In addition, there was a smattering of small IS enclaves scattered throughout eastern Syria and portions of western Iraq.

The Deir ez-Zor campaign consisted of a series of engagements on both flanks of the mid-Euphrates Valley. On the eastern side, operations were conducted by the U.S. backed, Kurdish led, Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). On the western side, operations were carried out by Syrian Armed Forces (SAF), accompanied by their Russian advisors and local militias.

The SDF campaign proceeded in fits and starts, and was paused on three separate occasions to deal with Turkish attacks against the Kurdish enclave of Afrin and in response to Turkish artillery attacks against Kurdish positions in northern Syria. The current phase of the campaign began on November 11, and is still in process.

The region hosts several major oil fields that were a lucrative source of income for Islamic State and have been tenaciously defended by IS militants.

By the end of 2018, Islamic State forces had been reduced to a small pocket, approximately 10 miles in length, from Wada Ajaj to Ash Shajilah. Originally it was believed that total IS strength in the Marashidah pocket was 2,000 to 3,000 militants. That number was subsequently increased to an estimate of 20,000 to 30,000.

The remaining leadership of Islamic State is probably holed up in this enclave. This includes IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. The death of al-Baghdadi has been announced on numerous occasions by both Iraqi and Syrian forces, but never verified.

As of mid-January, SDF units were preparing for the final assault on IS's last remaining enclave.

According to the Trump Administration, Washington and Ankara had agreed that Turkey would take over the campaign against the Islamic State and the last of their militants from U.S. forces. It's not clear how this can be achieved from a practical standpoint. The bulk of the Turkish military forces and their supporting militias are in the north and west, whereas the remaining IS militants are in the southeast, literally the opposite side of Syria.

It's unlikely that either Syrian military forces or the SDF would allow Turkish troops transit through the territories they control. Turkish forces would need to oust SDF forces out of a sizeable chunk of the territory they hold before they would be able to engage with IS militants. Any such attempts to do so would precipitate intense fighting between the SDF and the Turkish military.

Beyond an expansion of air operations against IS, it is hard to see how Turkish forces would be in a position to roll up the last remaining pocket of IS territory.

In the meantime, IS has resorted to the same strategy it adopted in 2009. By 2011, when the Obama Administration pulled the bulk of U.S. troops out of Iraq, IS strength had been reduced to under 1,000 militants and three out of every four members of its leadership had been either killed or captured.

At that point, IS had lost virtually all of the territory it had previously controlled in the Sunni Triangle of western Iraq and had reverted back to an insurgency. Its primary strategy was a campaign of indiscriminate violence, combined with a program of kidnappings and assassinations against any leaders that emerged within the anti-IS, Sunni community.

As the U.S. and its SDF allies have rolled back Islamic State, it has fallen back on its previous strategy, targeted assassinations against Arab and Kurdish leaders in the newly liberated towns and villages, as well as a new terror campaign. In Iraq alone, there were over 1,600 acts of violence perpetrated by Islamic State during 2018.

In short, IS has a battle tested strategy of going underground during periods of weakness and waiting out U.S. resolve to maintain its troops in theater.

In 2011, IS had virtually ceased to exist. Within three years, it had seized control of half of Syria and a third of Iraq. That does not mean that a new U.S. withdrawal will result in a similar outcome, but neither should we assume that the destruction of Islamic State's territorial domain spells the end of the organization as a jihadist force.

Islamic State around the World

As of the end of 2018, Islamic State had approximately 50 affiliates around the world. Some affiliates existed in name only. Others, like the three in Libya, could only muster a few hundred committed jihadists. In many instances, the larger affiliates are either factions or splinter groups within existing jihadist organizations, like Boko Haram in Nigeria or al-Shabab in Somalia.

Western intelligence agencies estimate that Islamic State has an additional 30,000 to 40,000 active supporters around the world, with the bulk of those supporters, some 10,000 to 20,000, in north, west and east Africa, followed by another 5,000 to 10,000 militants and active sympathizers in Western Europe. The balance of its strength is in a broad arc from central Asia to southeast Asia and the Philippines.

In reality, these numbers probably grossly underestimate the potential strength of IS. Many militants opportunistically declare for one jihadist organization over another based on who can offer financial compensation at the time or the prospect of booty. These affiliations can be fluid and change quickly as conditions warrant.

Larger organizations, like Boko Haram or al-Shabab, often show different factions, each tied to one of the transnational jihadist movements. Sometimes these factions reflect ideological differences within the organizations, in most cases, however, they reflect more mundane personal rivalries between elites.

In Africa, for example, there are approximately 100,000 Islamic jihadists. Approximately one-third of these belong to the three largest jihadist organizations: Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), Islamic State in Sinai and al-Shabab.

Boko Haram, for example, currently operates as two separate organizations. One group, ISWAP is led by Abu Musab al-Barnawi, the son of the former founder of Boko Haram, Mohammad Yusuf. Its strength is estimated at around 3,500 jihadists. A second group, operating under the original name Boko Haram, is headed by Abubakar Shekau. That group is also an affiliate of IS, although Shekau was considered too extreme for local jihadists, hence his replacement by Barnawi.

The relationship between Boko Haram and Islamic State is indicative of the difficulties in estimated the strength of IS and its affiliates. According to U.S. intelligence sources, the combined strength of ISWAP and Boko Haram is around 5,000 militants. Nigerian sources, however, place Boko Haram's strength, including active sympathizers and former jihadists, at upwards of 50,000 militants.

Not all active sympathizers are committed jihadists. On the other hand, such sympathizers play an important support role within the organization. They are sources of funding and logistical support and some percentage may eventually become full-fledged militants.

The situation in West Africa is further complicated by the fact that the region has become the center of an extensive rivalry between Shiite and Sunni missionaries. Historically, the center of Shiite Islam was the countries surrounding the Persian Gulf. North and West Africa were overwhelming Sunni Muslim.

In recent years, the Shiite population of West Africa has been among the fastest growing in the Islamic world. Some of that growth is from Sunnis switching to Shi'ism, while another portion is coming from conversion of non-Muslims in the region.

The area has also become a critical conduit for shipments of drugs and arms between Hezbollah and its affiliates in South America, especially in Venezuela.

IS has another 1,500 or so fighters in the Islamic State in Sinai. There are approximately 5,000 jihadists, or jihadist sympathizers, operating in the Sinai. So, while around one-third of those militants are officially affiliated with IS, the potential pool that IS could eventually draw from is several times larger.

In Libya, Islamic State is officially down to around 500 militants. This is substantially less than the several thousand militants it was believed it could muster several years ago. Currently, IS no longer controls any significant towns or cities in Libya, but continues to operate an insurgency, striking at targets of opportunity against both competing Libyan governments.

The Islamic State in Greater Sahara is the remnant of the al-Qaeda affiliated group in Mali. In addition, there are affiliates in Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt and Algeria--the latter is the IS splinter of al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).

The Islamic State in Somalia has waxed and waned over the last several years. It consists of a faction within the al-Shabab organization that on occasion have affiliated themselves with Islamic State. Al-Shabab has been at the center of an intense rivalry between IS and al-Qaeda. Currently, the official strength of IS in Somalia is only a few hundred militants, but al-Shabab has a pool of tens of thousands of militants that it can draw from and which could be made available to IS.

Finally, IS has a small, but active presence in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. In addition, there have been persistent reports of IS cells in South Africa and elsewhere in the region among the Muslim migrant worker communities from East Africa.

In Europe, Islamic State continues to rely on a pool of between 5,000 and 10,000 veterans of the Syrian and Iraqi civil wars who have returned home and remain ideologically committed to IS. In addition, there is a large number of sympathizers who form a significant pool of potential self-radicalizers. These self-radicalizers operate independently of IS, receive no financial support, training or instructions, and typically only declare their support for IS immediately before an act of violence.

This group adds to the continuing pattern of low-level random violence, which currently plagues Western Europe.

In Asia, IS has a significant presence in Afghanistan, and to a lesser extent in Pakistan, and on the southern Philippine island of Mindanao. It is not clear that IS has had much success in expanding its Afghan and Pakistani footprint over the last year. It did attempt to make some inroads into the Afghan drug trade, presently controlled by the Taliban, without much success. At this point it still lacks the logistical ability to move narcotics out of central Asia in a consistent manner.

Where IS has been successful, is in establishing a low-level presence across much of southeast Asia. These beachheads include all of the principal Islamic regions of southeast Asia: southern Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and even Singapore.

Islamic State 2019: An Assessment

2019 will mark the year where the final vestiges of Islamic State territory will be rolled up. Given the expected strength of IS militants in the al-Marashidah pocket, however, it is likely that this will be a protracted campaign that will last several months. The question is, will the remaining leadership of IS, and in particular al-Baghdadi, be captured or killed and what will happen to the balance of the remaining militants?

Ideally, the final campaign will require the support of Iraqi and Syrian armed forces to ensure that the surrounding region can be sealed and to ensure the capture of escaping IS militants, especially any of its leadership.

Additionally, it's estimated that IS has amassed a war chest of around $400 million, mostly in the form of cash and gold. Some portion of this wealth is probably safely hidden, but it's likely a significant chunk is with the IS leadership in the Marashidah pocket.

Africa will continue to be the main focus of Islamic State over 2019, and beyond. The region offers some significant advantages to IS. It has a large population of experienced jihadists and jihadist sympathizers from which it can recruit. In many parts of the region, national governments' intelligence and security reach is limited. There are large rural areas that lack any kind of a government presence.

Moreover, the region sits in the middle of drug, arms and illegal migrant smuggler routes, which represent a lucrative source of income for jihadist organizations.

The breakdown of national governmental authority in many countries of this region, combined with the growing intense rivalry between Sunni and Shiite missionaries, is radicalizing elements of the local Muslim population to the benefit of organizations like Islamic state.

Moreover, in an environment where governmental authority is often weak to nonexistent, Islamic State's strategy of creating chaos and instability plays to its historic tactics.

IS will continue to be an opportunist organization, looking to establish itself where the opportunity affords itself and shaping its strategy based on the presence and strength of its opponents. While it will continue to look for opportunities to expand around the globe, it is in north, east and especially West Africa, that Islamic State 3.0 is likely to appear.

-- 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.
The Air Force Knew It Had an Ejection Seat Problem, But Didn't Speed Up a Fix. Then a Pilot Died

And his widow fears that another pilot may suffer the same fate.
WASHINGTON -- In another reminder that the Coast Guard remains handcuffed to a larger, protracted government shutdown, Senators on Thursday failed to move key legislation forward that would have ended the stalemate on pay for service members.

In a debate that boiled down to paying all federal workers caught up in the shutdown, an attempt to bring the Coast Guard legislation to a vote on the Senate floor was blocked after an extended back and forth between lawmakers.

"I think our members of the Coast Guard need to be paid during this shutdown," Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., said on the upper chamber's floor. "There's some good members of Congress but right now the American people are wondering what they're good for and it seems to me that we ought to be able to reach an agreement."

Kennedy said President Donald Trump would sign off on the plan. However, Kennedy's move to gain passage on the measure was met with an objection and failed to move forward Thursday. It came moments before two other Senate attempts to fund all closed portions of the government also failed.

Thursday marked the 34th day of the shutdown, the longest ever for the U.S. government. Trump has said he will not sign an overall funding bill without $5.7 billion for a border wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. And there's no end in sight as Trump and congressional Democrats have failed to reach a deal.

Related: Here's What the Coast Guard Is Cutting Back On During the Shutdown

The Coast Guard was able to pay its members their Dec. 31 paychecks, but missed their next payday on Jan. 15. If the shutdown continues through next week, the nearly 42,000 members of the Coast Guard will miss a second round of pay on Feb. 1. Also that day, roughly 50,000 Coast Guard retirees and their survivors will miss their first check, as they are paid monthly.

Thursday's latest failed attempt to fund the Coast Guard comes after weeks of Capitol Hill lobbying to pay service members. Other competing measures, such as S. 21, the "Pay Our Coast Guard Act" sponsored by Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., has also failed to gain traction.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said he met recently with the Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Karl Schultz and asked the admiral to pressure Trump administration officials to "stop holding federal employees hostage."

"I reject to the original request because the senator from Louisiana has not allowed the rest of the government to get paid," Schumer said Thursday after Kennedy made his Senate floor request. "We could do a whole lot more good by funding and opening up the government for everyone."

The widening crisis facing the Coast Guard continues to produce anecdotal evidence as the shutdown enters its fifth week on Friday.

For example, retired Vice Adm. Peter Neffenger, a former vice commandant of the Coast Guard, said Thursday during a Capitol Hill panel discussion that recruits are the latest casualties showing wear from the shutdown. For Coast Guard recruits who began basic training after Dec. 31, they are training for a job for which they are uncertain when they will be paid, he said.

The service is also struggling to get graduates from the Coast Guard Training Center at Cape May in New Jersey to their next duty station. Graduates whose new units are unable to accept them are either being sent back home for hometown recruiting or are staying behind at Cape May until the shutdown ends.

"We are beginning to lose people who have talent and are capable," said Neffenger, who was also a former administrator of the Transportation Security Administration.

The partial government shutdown began Dec. 21 when Congress failed to pass a budget for certain departments, including Homeland Security, which includes the Coast Guard. Other military branches aren't affected by the shutdown because they are part of the Defense Department, which is fully funded through fiscal year 2019, which ends Sept. 30.

"Just like we are today paying for the members of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines, the Coast Guard members are the only service[members] out there now who are required to perform their duties" without pay, said Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., said on the upper chamber floor. "I think it would be a significant gesture on the part of Democrats and Republicans in this Senate and the House of Representatives to pass this one small change, which the president has said he will sign."

Stars and Stripes staff writer Rose Thayer contributed to this report.
All domestic airlines were ordered to immediately prohibit smoking in the cockpit and to severely punish crew members who violate the ban, a notice issued by the Civil Aviation Administration of China said on Tuesday.

It ordered airlines to suspend crew members who smoke in the cockpitincluding those using e-cigarettesfor 12 months for a first offense and 36 months for repeat offenders.

Other crew members who fail to intervene when a member of the cockpit crew is smoking are subject to suspension for six months, the administration said, adding that if smoking on a plane results in serious consequences, the penalty will be more severe and recorded in crew members' files.

The administration said airlines must carry out inspections from time to time, and it asked all crew members to supervise misbehavior.

Smoking was strictly banned in the passenger cabin and toilets of all aircraft in October 2017, but individual airlines had the option to permit smoking in the cockpit for two years. The cockpit ban issued on Tuesday accelerates the original time frame.

Originally, the rules would not take effect until the end of this year, said Zhang Qihuai, a Beijing lawyer specializing in civil aviation. But only Chongqing Airlines and China West Air had implemented the cockpit ban.

In July, news reports said that an Air China co-pilot who was smoking an e-cigarette en route from Hong Kong to Dalian, Liaoning province, wanted to turn off the air circulation fan. But he switched off the aircraft's air conditioning by accident, which diffused smoke throughout the cabin and led to the deployment of oxygen masks and an emergency descent.

The aircraft climbed to its cruising altitude and the flight continued once the problem was identified.

There were 153 passengers and nine crew onboard. No injuries were reported.

Zhang said he believed this incident triggered the early enforcement of the regulation.

"If heavy smokers among the passengers can forgo their habit during flights, there is no reason to make the crew an exception, especially since they are responsible for the safety of all on board," Zhang said.
President Donald Trump, attempting to clarify earlier statements by Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, himself a billionaire, about how federal workers should make do without paychecks revealed his apparent misunderstanding of how grocery stores work.

Ross told CNBC earlier Thursday he did not understand why furloughed federal workers were heading to food banks and not taking advantage of low or no-interest loans offered by banks to help them through the government shutdown.

Poll: 6 in 10 Americans blame Trump for shutdown

"Well, I know they are, and I don't really quite understand why," Ross said. "The obligations that they would undertake, say borrowing from a bank or a credit union, are, in effect, federally guaranteed. So the 30 days of pay that some people will be out ... there's no real reason why they shouldn't be able to get a loan against it."

Trump was asked about the comments by a reporter during a televised news conference later in the day.

"Perhaps he should have said it differently. Local people know who they are when they go for groceries and everything else, and I think what Wilbur was probably trying to say is that they will work along," the president said. He added that Ross has "done a great job."

Suffice it to say in 2019, most grocery stores do not extend store credit to customers who cannot pay for food.

"Sounds like someone who never bought his own groceries," Ellen Leonida, a federal public defender told the San Francisco Chronicle. "It's an offensive thing to say. Groceries aren't free."

In a subsequent interview with Bloomberg, Ross said he was "painfully aware" that workers were suffering hardships. He added that in his earlier remarks, he'd been trying to let workers know that credit union loans were available for those "experiencing liquidity crises"  hardly the language of those living paycheck to paycheck.

It all contributed to perceptions that the Trump administration was out of touch with workers bearing the brunt of the shutdown impact.

"Is this the 'Let them eat cake' kind of attitude?" said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. "Or call your father for money?" With her comments, the speaker evoked Marie Antoinette and took an indirect jab at Trump for inheriting family money.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said Ross' comments "reveal the administration's callous indifference toward the federal workers it is treating as pawns." He added: "Secretary Ross, they just can't call their stock broker and ask them to sell some of their shares."

This isn't the first time Trump appeared to be out of touch with how Americans buy groceries. In July the president told supporters at a rally, "you know, if you go out and you want to buy groceries, you need a picture on a card, you need ID."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
HARTFORD  A local legislator has proposed a bill which would enable small business employees in the state to purchase health insurance in collaboration with the state employee plan.

This public option would provide relief for small businesses and affordable health care choices for their employees, according to state Sen. Christine Cohen, D-Guilford.

As a small business owner myself, I know all too well the high costs associated with health insurance, and what that does to a bottom line. Burdens can vary from business to business, but in speaking with many area partnerships and corporations, one common encumbrance was clear  the cost of insurance, Cohen said in a press release.

This bill would alleviate some of that expense while offering, in many cases, superior coverage. Additionally, the hope would be to potentially provide coverage to people who have never been covered before or encourage those to seek medical treatment they may have foregone, Cohen said.

The option would:

Help small businesses lower operating costs (less expensive fringe benefits)

Improve the quality of health care small businesses in Connecticut can offer their employees

Create incentive for businesses to operate in Connecticut

Make Connecticut small businesses more attractive and competitive to workers

Decrease the states health care costs for its own employees by increasing the buying power of its health plan

State Sen. Matt Lesser, D-Middletown, chairman of the Insurance and Real Estate Committee, applauded Cohens efforts in the news release.

Theres a reason that a public option was listed as number 1 on the Insurance Committees agenda. Families and businesses in Connecticut cant afford to wait. Theyre looking to the legislature and to Gov. Ned Lamont to lower costs and deliver on the promise of health care reform, Lesser said in a prepared statement.

The Insurance Committee voted to draft the bill during its Thursday meeting.
Authorities said "excessive restoration" of the Great Wall will be avoided in the future to help preserve its historical integrity.

Song Xinchao, deputy director of the National Cultural Heritage Administration, was replying to a question from China Daily at a news conference in Beijing on Thursday.

Thirteen years in the making, the national-level Great Wall comprehensive conservation plan was released by the administration and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism on Tuesday. It will be used to guide restoration, management of public access and academic research until 2035.

"Many people have biased understandings," Song said. "They confuse restoration of the wall with development of a tourist attraction."

He said that restorations of the main structures are often not differentiated from general construction work.

"Many restorers have stereotyped ideas that every section of the Great Wall should be like Badaling in Beijing," he said. "That leads to many problems."

In 2015, restoration of a section of the Great Wall in Suizhong county, Liaoning province, aroused widespread anger online after portions were paved over with cement, destroying its original facade.

A collapsed gate along the Great Wall in Shanyin county, Shanxi province, was worked on in 2017, but it was widely criticized for its unattractive appearance.

In the new plan, the principle of minimum intervention is emphasized.

"For those portions that have become ruins, the priority is to avoid or slow down their disappearance. Massive restoration is not suitable in such cases," the document said.

The cultural heritage administration organized a nationwide survey of the Great Wall from 2006 to 2010, and a digital database of the structure was created in 2015. The comprehensive conservation plan was approved by the State Council earlier this month.

According to the survey, more than 21,000 kilometers of the Great Wall survive in 15 provincial-level administrative regions across China. This includes 8,800 km built during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), with the most familiar sections to tourists constructed with bricks.

However, in earlier dynasties, earth and stone were major building materials. In some western provinces, portions were even constructed by mixing sand and vegetation.

"We will enhance the expertise among restorers, though no uniform standards for fixing the Great Wall should be set. However, more scientific guidance is needed to encourage each section to use standards based on its own characteristics and materials," Song said.

Liu Yuzhu, director of the administration, said the Great Wall is not only an architectural wonder but also a landmark that promotes national pride.

For example, Chinese soldiers fought Japanese forces in 1933 along the Great Wall near Beijing.

"The Great Wall is deeply rooted in Chinese people's hearts as a form of spiritual strength," Liu said. "In the new conservation plan, nongovernmental efforts are encouraged to organize more protection for the structure and promote educational programs."

Liu said that about 100 million yuan ($14.7 million) has been allocated annually to protect the Great Wall in recent years, and most funds have been spent on key sections. But many local patrols overseeing the structure still lack sufficient financial support.

"Now that the conservation plan has been released, local governments can put more emphasis on the work," Liu said.

Beijing has set an example by including payment for patrols made up of local residents. There are more than 3,000 such patrols registered nationwide.

The Great Wall was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, one of the earliest in China to achieve the honor.

The China Foundation for Cultural Heritage Conservation joined hands with US technology giant Intel in 2018 to use artificial intelligence and aerial drones to monitor sections of the Great Wall near Beijing and help facilitate future restoration work.

Research institutes from China and the United Kingdom have also been holding regular symposiums since 2017 to improve protection of the Great Wall, as well as Hadrian's Wall, which was built by the Romans in northern England.
HARTFORD  State Reps. Vincent Candelora, R-North Branford, and Noreen Kokoruda, R-Madison, co-hosted a Know the Risks press conference earlier this week to discuss the implications and health risks associated with legalizing retail marijuana in Connecticut.

The legislators were joined by representatives of the Connecticut Chapter of Smart Approaches to Marijuana, Connecticut Association of Prevention Professionals, students, advocates, law enforcement, health professionals and local officials, according to a press release.

Recent findings were discussed by a number of speakers, many of whom highlighted how states that have already legalized marijuana now lead the nation in teen use, according to the release.

Experts from urban and suburban areas mentioned several points:

States that have legalized marijuana lead the United States in teen use

Kids dependent on marijuana are three times more likely to become addicted to heroin

Todays marijuana is much more potent than in the past and comes in many youth-friendly forms

Neurological risks for youth and adults under age 25

Connecticut existing marijuana laws do not contribute to mass incarceration

Colorado marijuana-related traffic deaths increased 48 percent following legalization

When all costs are considered, there will be no revenue windfall

Within the Connecticut General Assembly, during the 2019 legislative session, the topic of legalizing marijuana will continue to be a divided debate with advocates on both sides, the release said.

Countless reputable studies have concluded that marijuana is addictive and harmful, regardless of claims made by the marijuana industry trying to refute this. Simply put, legalizing marijuana is a money grab that would increase our states disposable income, but would do so at the expense of our children and the health of our citizens, Candelora said in a prepared statement.

We should never make decisions without considering the risks associated with them, and in this case the risks are grave, and must be avoided at all costs, he added.

Collecting tax revenue from legalizing retail marijuana is simply not worth the negative repercussions of doing so, many experts and researchers have verified these claims. This is not a decision we can make lightly, especially when states that have already legalized retail marijuana are now experiencing the blowback of this decision, Kokoruda added.

CT SAM, an affiliate chapter to the National SAM organization, works to educate citizens on the science of marijuana and to promote health-first, smart policies and attitudes that decrease marijuana use and its consequences. CAPP is the Connecticut affiliate of Smart Approaches to Marijuana, an alliance of organizations and individuals dedicated to a health-first approach to marijuana policy.

For information, visit: cappct.org/ct-sam.

Candelora represents the 86th District communities of Durham, Guilford, North Branford and Wallingford. Kokoruda represents the 101st District communities of Durham and Madison.
Fairfield University is among several affiliated religious groups that have agreed to pay a $61 million settlement following lawsuits alleging sexual abuse at a school for homeless boys in Haiti.

Douglas Perlitz, a former Fairfield University graduate, founded and operated the school in Haiti. He pleaded guilty in August 2010 to one charge of traveling overseas to engage in sex with a minor.

Fairfield and other defendants did not admit any guilt, said Mitchell Garabedian, a Boston-based lawyer who has built a reputation for representing victims of sexual abuse by Catholic priests and employees. But the settlement speaks for itself, he said.

The settlement calls for the creation of a $60 million fund to help the 133 victims and a $1.2 million fund to administer the payments, Garabedian said. It comes after seven months of mediation.

All of these 133 sexual abuse victims will be members of the proposed settlement class, Garabedian said. Other victims of sexual abuse perpetrated by Douglas Perlitz, Father Paul E. Carrier or anyone else affiliated with (Perlitzs) Project Pierre-Toussaint will have the opportunity to become members of the settlement class.

Fairfield University raised funds and sent university student volunteers to work at the Haitian school. The university and the affiliated groups are accused of being negligent in their supervision of Perlitz and Carrier.

Carrier spent 20 years as an instructor, chaplain and director of campus ministry at Fairfield University.

Garabedian, who served as co-lead counsel with Paul J. Hanly Jr., said he does not anticipate any other victims coming forward.

We have been scouring the area for nine years, Garabedian said. We think we found all the victims ... If more come forward, their claims will be assessed.

But before any settlement is approved and paid out, Senior U.S. District Judge Robert Chatigny must first grant Garabedians request to turn the 51 separate lawsuits into one class action matter.

Chatigny is expected to conduct a hearing on that request Feb. 11 in his Hartford courtroom. Once that happens, the process of certifying the 133 victims as a class will begin, and it could take a year before payouts are made.

A significant proportion of the funds to be used in the Universitys contribution to the settlement will come through a University Insurance carrier, Fairfield University said in a statement regarding Fridays action.

The university was among four affiliated religious and charitable organizations and three individuals that agreed to the payout terms.

The proposal will settle claims against Perlitz, Fairfield University and the Rev. Paul E. Carrier; the Society of Jesus of New England; and the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta, which provided a start-up grant and additional monies to Project Pierre-Toussaint, which included a residential school, Garabedian said.

It also settles claims against the defunct Haiti Fund Inc., which served as Project Pierre Toussaint's nonprofit fundraising arm, and Hope Carter, a New Canaan philanthropist and former member of the Haiti Fund's board of directors, Garabedian added.

The university has been planning for this litigation, and any difference has been allocated for and will not have material impact on the financial integrity of the university or its day-to-day operations in serving our students, faculty and the broader Fairfield Community, the school said in a prepared statement. We will continue to make investments to enhance our facilities and our faculty to ensure that we provide a world-class education to our students.

The deal marks the second time in almost six years that Garabedian has reached a settlement with victims from the Project Pierre-Toussaint scandal in Cap-Haitien, Haitis second largest city.

In 2013, Garabedian settled 23 similar suits for $12 million which resulted in payments of $500,000 to 24 victims.

Lawyers said that money also came primarily from insurance policies held by many of the same defendants.

The payouts enabled the victims to receive occupational, physical and psychological treatment. Shortly after that settlement, Garabedian began filing another 51 suits involving these 133 victims.

Many of these clients are severely sick, he said. He described them as starving and very thin, having lumps on their skin and suffering from various diseases.

Garabedian said all the victims in the latest settlement claim they were abused by Perlitz, with one of those also alleging to have been sexually abused by Carrier, long described as Perlitzs mentor.

The allegation made by Garabedian against Carrier marks the first time the charismatic Jesuit priest has been accused of abusing one of the boys. Carrier often visited Perlitz in Haiti, numerous victims told Hearst Connecticut Media during the newspaper groups investigation in Haiti of Project Pierre-Toussaint. None of those said they were abused by Carrier.

Despite the claim, Carrier was never charged with any crime.

Nevertheless, the Society of Jesus transferred Carrier from Fairfield University in 2008 as federal investigators, Haitis National Police and the United Nations began digging into claims of misconduct exposed a year earlier by Cyrus Siebert, a radio journalist in Haiti.

The order suspended Carrier from performing any religious duties shortly after Perlitzs sentencing in December 2010.

Carrier now resides at the Campion Jesuit community in Weston, Mass., Garabedian said.

Perlitz was sentenced to 19 years and seven months in federal prison.

Now 48 and one of 1,924 inmates incarcerated in the federal correction institution in Seagoville, Texas, Perlitz is awaiting release in 2026.

He was left penniless when the federal government seized his bank and retirement accounts totaling about $49,000. That money was distributed to the 16 victims identified in the federal criminal case against him.

During his sentencing, Perlitz said he was involved in a dark and abusive relationship both physical and spiritual that began with a Fairfield University priest shortly after he arrived as a freshman on campus in 1988.

Ira Grudberg, Perlitzs defense lawyer, said that relationship continued for many years including all of his (Perlitzs) work in Haiti.

The priest was never identified.

What we learned in these cases is that impoverished Haitian children were sexually abused and then left in pain, agony and without hope, Garabedian said.
PIGEON  Self Serve Lumber in Pigeon will now be offering a new service for its customers.

The business, which is located at 91 N. Caseville Road, recently announced it will be expanding its reach by signing on as a U-Haul neighborhood dealer.

Were always looking for different things to offer our customers and to give people another reason to come and shop with us, said Ryan Harden, president of Self Serve Lumber. We thought it would be a good service to offer our customers because sometimes people will come in and need to buy some lumber, or some bulky materials, and they dont necessarily have a pick-up truck to haul it with.

Self Serve Lumber will offer U-Haul trucks, trailers, towing equipment, pre-tow inspections and moving supplies.

With U-Haul, they can rent a small trailer or a small box truck if theyve got a bigger project, to help get materials to their job site, Harden said. So, were just trying to expand our service offering to the customers.

Its renting of whatever size unit you would need, he added. You can do one-way rentals where you drop it off at your destination or you can also bring it back to our store. So, theres some flexibility there.

According to a press release from U-Haul International, the arrival of U-Haul Truck Share 24/7 is revolutionizing the moving industry through its more convenient and secure way to pick up and return a truck.

U-Haul live verification technology allows rental transactions to be carried out entirely on a smartphone at any hour, day or night.

That is something that we will be expanding into, Harden said. What were trying to do is get iPads for all of our locations that do have U-Haul. It helps streamline the check-in and check-out process a lot faster. A couple of our other stores already have the tablets, and, in the future, I think all of our stores will have that feature.

You can reserve U-Haul products at Self Serve Lumber in Pigeon by calling 989-453-7227.
Births in China are forecast to decrease further in the years ahead, as is the number of workers, a top official with the National Bureau of Statistics said.

The projection was made by Li Xiru, head of the population and employment statistics department of the NBS in an article published on the bureau's website on Wednesday. The estimate was published two days after official figures on last year's population showed a steep decline of 2 million births and fueled concerns about a future labor shortage and its potential negative impact on economic growth.

"Based on the current number and demographics of fertile women, as well as the fertility rate, China's annual newborn population is projected to continue its decline in the coming years. But total births are set to outnumber total deaths, thus leading to moderate population growth," Li said.

Last year, 15.23 million babies were born on the Chinese mainland, compared with 17.23 million in 2017 and 17.86 million in 2016, according to the NBS.

Li said the birth decline is the result of a shrinking population of women of childbearing age and the easing effect of the second child policy, which was implemented in early 2016 to allow all couples to have two children.

The NBS data shows that fertile women aged 15 to 49 dropped by 7 million year-on-year in 2018, and the number of women at peak fertility, age 20 to 29, was down by 5 million.

"However, China is still home to a massive population of women at peak fertility, currently around 100 million, despite the recent fall," Li said, which he believed would help the total population remain on a steady upward trend.

In an earlier report released by the population and labor economics research branch of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, researchers predicted that an inevitable dip in total population is likely to occur as early as 2027. They urge immediate research and policymaking to tackle the coming population shift.

Accompanying the birth decline is a swelling number of elderly and a shrinking working-age population.

"The number and proportion of those aged 16 to 59 have been falling for seven consecutive years," he said. "And the number of people employed saw its first decrease last year.

"But the number of people of working age still stands at almost 900 million, and around 780 million are employed."

The figures, according to Li, suggest there's an abundant supply of domestic labor.

"By improving the labor force participation rate, expanding educational avenues and employment opportunities, we can fully make use of the potential of the workforce," he said.

Li added that the increasing proportion of people over 60 would pile pressure on those of working age and pose challenges to economic development and social insurance policies.
UPPER THUMB  An emergency shelter will be available in Cass City when Michigans unpredictable weather causes power outages.

Hills and Dales General Hospital and the village reached an agreement to provide emergency shelter at the hospitals service building, which was previously Baker College, when there has been a power outage for four hours. The facility has a generator that can operate the heating and cooling system. The 13,816-square-foot building at 6667 Main St. also has restrooms.

The room that we will be using (as an emergency shelter) can house at least 100 people, but more if it were necessary, said Danielle Blaine, Hills and Dales General Hospital marketing and foundation director.

She noted it will be a safe place to congregate.

We have the rooms set up in the classroom-style format, and we can fit 100 chairs, Blaine said.

Cass City Police Department will open the hospitals Corporate Services Building when it is needed as an emergency shelter.

Anyone is welcome to use the shelter if needed. We didnt put any restrictions on residency, Blaine explained. We will put a statement out on Facebook  both the hospitals and villages, and anyone can also call the hospital at 989-872-1212 to ask whether it is open.

Also, the village hall can be called at 989-872-2911 during business hours, or residents can call the police department to see if the shelter is open.

We are thrilled to be able to offer this service to our community. We know from experience that there is a definite need during power outages for emergency shelter, said village Manager Debbie Powell. I am extremely thankful to Hills and Dales for partnering with us on this shelter. It will serve as a great benefit to our community.

In 2018, the Cass City area had several power outages.

So often during an extended power outage, especially in the winter, we have community members present at our emergency room because they dont have anywhere else to go, or they dont have the basic items to get through an extended power outage, said Jean Anthony, Hills & Dales president & CEO. We are more than happy to offer this service to our community.

The hospital acquired the former college building last summer when college officials donated it to them. Some of the hospitals non-clinical staff relocated to the building.
UPPER THUMB  Dr. Matthew Shelson of Caro has been honored as a top doctor in Michigan by the Michigan Thyroid Support Group.

The Michigan Thyroid Support Group was founded in 1999 by Tracy Green. After many years of suffering with thyroid disease and watching friends and family suffer with thyroid disease, Tracy started the support group to help others find support, doctors and information about their disease.
Miami, FL (33127)

Today

Some sun this morning with increasing clouds this afternoon. High 88F. Winds SE at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms developing late. Low around 80F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
Huawei Technologies Co Ltd will unveil its first commercial 5G foldable smartphone in February, as the Chinese technology giant seeks to overtake Samsung Electronics Co Ltd to be the world's largest smartphone vendor.

Yu Chengdong, CEO of Huawei's consumer business group, said the foldable handset will be equipped with its 5G modem Balong 5000, which the company described as the most powerful 5G modem in the world.

Yu said Balong 5000 is the world's first 5G modem that fully supports both non-standalone and standalone 5G network architecture, which can greatly widen its use scenarios.

Analysts said the modem is designed to compete with the US chip giant Qualcomm Inc's X50 modem in performance. Huawei underlined that it will not sell Balong 5000 as a standalone product, but just use it in its own smartphones.

The 5G foldable smartphone, to be unveiled at the Mobile World Congress 2019 in Barcelona, Spain, is Huawei's latest push to fuel consumers' interest to upgrade their devices after the global smartphone market hits a saturation point.

The move also came after Huawei's consumer business posted a record $52 billion in sales in 2018, driven by the strong demand for its premium smartphones. The company shipped more than 200 million units of smartphones worldwide last year and surpassed Apple Inc as the world's second largest smartphone vendor.

On Thursday, Huawei, the world's largest telecom equipment maker, also unveiled its first chipset for 5G base stations. The chip, named as Tiangang, can support a bandwidth of 200 megabytes and reduce the weight of a 5G base station by half.

Ding Yun, president of Huawei's telecom carrier business group, said the company has shipped over 25,000 5G base stations globally, up from the figure of 10,000 it disclosed in late December.

"We have so far acquired 30 5G contracts, with 18 from Europe, nine from the Middle East and three from the Asia-Pacific region," Ding said.

Wang Yanhui, secretary-general of the Mobile China Alliance, an industry association, said despite the difficulties Huawei is facing in overseas markets, including cyber security allegations, the company is steadily gaining clients, with more 5G base stations shipped.

"The trust between Huawei and some telecom carriers can help the former better navigate the choppy waters. It also reflects Huawei's technological superiority," Wang said.

The company's 5G foldable smartphone plan came after its rival Xiaomi Corp unveiled an engineering gadget on Wednesday, which can be bent and rolled to function both as a smartphone and a tablet.

"This year will see the first batch of 5G smartphones and foldable handsets respectively. Those which can bring the two together will turn out to be highly competitive in the market," said Fu Liang, an independent telecom analyst.

China Mobile, the country's largest telecom carrier, said in December that the first batch of 5G smartphones will be priced at above 8,000 yuan ($1,166), and more than 30 commercial 5G devices are likely to hit the market in 2019.
You are here: Business

Trade volume between China and countries along the Belt and Road (B&R) Initiative totaled 1.3 trillion U.S. dollars last year, the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) said Thursday.

This marked a year-on-year growth of 16.3 percent, 3.7 percentage points higher than China's trade growth in 2018.

China exported goods worth 704.73 billion dollars to B&R countries last year, up 10.9 percent year on year, while importing goods from them worth 563.07 billion dollars, rising 23.9 percent year on year.

Chinese firms invested 15.64 billion dollars in non-financial sectors in B&R countries last year, up 8.9 percent year on year, while receiving investment from them totalling 6.08 billion dollars, up 11.9 percent.

China will further open up the market to share more opportunities with B&R countries and promote mutual opening-up among them, said MOC spokesperson Gao Feng.

China will also promote liberalization and facilitation of trade and investment in the region and invite more B&R firms to attend the second China International Import Expo this year, Gao added.
COSCO Shipping Ports Ltd has reached an investment agreement with Volcan Compania Minera SAA, a Peruvian polymetallic miner, to acquire 60 percent of its stake in Terminales Portuarios Chancay SA for $225 million.

With an initial payment of $56 million, this deal was sealed in Davos, Switzerland, on Wednesday, the Chinese company said in a statement on Thursday.

After the acquisition, Chancay terminal will become the first terminal project controlled by China COSCO Shipping Corpthe parent company of Hong Kong-headquartered COSCO Shipping Portsin South America, as well as the group's second greenfield port project invested overseas.

Volcan is a Peruvian polymetallic miner engaged in the exploration and production of zinc, copper, gold, silver, and lead in Peru's Sierra Central region. In addition to mining business, the company also operates ports, logistics companies and hydroelectric power plants in the country.

Located at Chancay Harbor in central Peru and about 58 kilometers from the country's capital Lima, Chancay terminal boasts an exceptional geographic location and is connected with the economic center of Peru by convenient traffic.

It is a natural deep-water harbor with a maximum of 16-meter water depth and is capable of meeting the needs of mega vessels.

The construction of Chancay terminal includes multipurpose terminals, container terminals and related infrastructure facilities. Phase one of the terminal will have four berths, of which two are multipurpose berths, and two are container berths with a total annual designed capacity of one million TEU, or twenty-foot equivalent unitsan industry measure of cargo capacity.

Xu Lirong, chairman of China COSCO Shipping, said the business move in Peru, which covers the entire logistics industry chain, will not only embody the company's coordinated development, but also inject vitality into target countries and regions.

After the acquisition, COSCO Shipping Ports and Volcan can fully utilize their resources and capabilities to jointly build Chancay terminal into a major gateway port in Peru. It will facilitate trade between Peru and China, and between China and Latin America while creating jobs, services and infrastructure investment opportunities, said Li Guanghui, vice-president of the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation.

Zhang Wei, vice-chairman of COSCO Shipping Ports, said the investment in Chancay terminal will enable the company to further extend its reach to South America. The terminal will also help cut Peru's deficiency in port infrastructure.

"The two companies will make full use of their advantages to build Chancay terminal into a key hub in South America, the most important logistics center on the Pacific coast, and a major platform that serves bilateral trade," he said.

COSCO Shipping Ports' terminal portfolio covers the five main port regions on the Chinese mainland, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Europe and the Mediterranean. By the third quarter of 2018, it operated and managed 282 berths at 36 ports worldwide, of which 192 were for containers, with a total annual handling capacity of approximately 104 million TEU.
(CNN)  China, Turkey and Syria have joined Russia in criticizing the United States for recognizing Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido as the South American country's interim president.

Those countries issued strong statements declaring support for beleaguered President Nicolas Maduro, who was sworn in for a second term earlier this month, while others have disputed his legitimacy as his nation faces a deep economic crisis.

"We warn everyone, not just the U.S., but some others that can entertain these ideas from this type of action," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told CNN's Frederik Pleitgen in an exclusive interview Thursday.

So far, more than a dozen other countries have followed the United States in welcoming Guaido, including the United Kingdom, Canada, Brazil, Costa Rica, Argentina, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Chile and Spain, as well as the Organization of American States.

But Russia's allies have firmly rejected those supporting 35-year-old Guaido -- who swore himself into office Wednesday and declared that Maduro had been deposed -- setting the stage for a struggle for Venezuela's future both within and outside the country.

Ryabkov told CNN that by recognizing Guaido the United States was "meddling."

"I truly feel that there are dangerous signs of something going on along these lines," he added.

"I mean it's just pouring gas on fire.

"The resort to military power would be catastrophic. ... It would be another huge blow to the international system. We face a scenario that may lead to further bloodshed in Venezuela."

In December, signs pointed to Russia and Venezuela deepening ties as the Kremlin extended a lifeline to the cash-stripped country by agreeing to restructure $3.15 billion of debt payments that it owes Moscow. Venezuela also owes debts to China, oil service providers, airlines and a slew of other entities.

During a conference call with reporters Thursday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reiterated that Russia considered the interference "to usurp power in Venezuela to be illegal and contrary to international law."

Maduro hit back at Trump's announcement by cutting ties with the United States and ordering all American diplomats to leave the country within 72 hours, but the White House dismissed the order as "meaningless." Maduro has since decided to close the country's embassy and consulates in the United States.

The United States has requested an open meeting of the UN Security Council on the ongoing crisis in Venezuela on Saturday morning, the U.S. Mission to the United Nations said in a tweet.

Meanwhile, Venezuela's armed forces pledged allegiance to Maduro on Thursday and accused the far right of installing a "parallel de facto government" and leading a "coup against Venezuela's democracy."

With unrest in the streets and foreign powers taking sides, Venezuela has entered an increasingly precarious political crisis, even prompting the UN secretary-general to plead for dialogue to prevent "total disaster."

Turkey, Syria and Cuba also follow Russia

On Wednesday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told Maduro by phone to "stand tall" and that "Turkey stands with you," Turkey's state-run Anadolu news agency said, citing presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin.

Kalin tweeted Thursday that under Erdogan's leadership "Turkey will maintain its principled stance against all coup attempts," while also sharing the #WeAreMADURO hashtag to show solidarity.

China also expressed support for Maduro, citing the Venezuelan government's "effort in maintaining national sovereign independence and stability."

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said China hoped other Venezuelan parties would respect the constitutional system and resolve political disputes through dialogue to avoid the escalation of violence.

"We hope to see Venezuela and the United States deal with bilateral relations based on equal treatment, mutual respect and noninterference in each other's internal affairs," Hua said during a regular press briefing.

She emphasized China's opposition to "external interferences in Venezuelan affairs."

"We note that all sides are firmly opposed to military interventions in Venezuela," Hua said. "I want to stress that external sanctions and interferences usually only further complicate situations, instead of resolving concrete issues."

Syria also hit back against the United States in a foreign ministry statement Thursday.

President Bashar al-Assad's government condemned the American "blatant interference in the affairs ... which constitutes a flagrant violation of all the international norms and laws and a brazen attack against the Venezuelan sovereignty."

In a statement, according to Syria's official news agency, the government said it supported "the people and leadership of Venezuela in maintaining their sovereignty and to foil the American Administration's belligerent conspiracies."

Cuba joined those countries by declaring its unvarying support for Maduro.

"The Revolutionary Government of Cuba strongly condemns and rejects the attempt to impose by way of a coup a puppet government in service of the U.S. in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela," the government said in a statement.

However, key U.S. allies such as Mexico have not moved to recognize Guaido.

"Mexico will not participate in the non-recognition of the government of a country with which it maintains diplomatic relations," Mexico's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement Wednesday.

"We fully agree with the call of the United Nations that all parts involved in the conflict in Venezuela reduce tensions, make the greatest efforts to avoid escalation and reject any type of political violence."

Maduro has continued the social welfare programs and price control policies of Hugo Chavez, who steered the country toward socialism before dying in 2013. Through nearly a decade of mismanagement, Venezuela has squandered its oil wealth, leaving the economy in tatters and Latin America reeling from a mass exodus of migrants in search of food and medicine.

The United Nations estimates as many as 3 million Venezuelans have fled since 2014.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "'Pouring gas on fire': Russia slams Trump's stance in Venezuela."
At the entrance to the main conference hall of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos Tuesday afternoon, the first day of the forum's annual meeting, people crowded in a long queue, waiting for a panel discussion on advancing the Belt and Road Initiative proposed by China.



Since the queue was longer than expected, the organizer only allowed pre-registered guests to enter the venue. For many of them, China's proposals are much more popular in Davos and beyond, when globalization comes to a crossroad.

Unstoppable trend

Themed "Globalization 4.0: Shaping a Global Architecture in the Age of the Fourth Industrial Revolution," this year's WEF meeting opened as risks hang over global growth with rising nationalism, protectionism, and political uncertainties in some wealthy countries.

Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan delivered a speech at the forum Wednesday afternoon, elaborating on the Chinese leadership's vision of globalization first outlined by Chinese President Xi Jinping in Davos in 2017, among others.

Wang told the star-studded forum that in this era of unfolding economic globalization, the entire mankind has a common stake, and that only through joint efforts can a great future be created for all mankind.

In his speech two years ago, President Xi warned that any moves to turn back to protectionism runs against historical trend.

"Whether you like it or not, the global economy is the big ocean that you cannot escape from. Any attempt to cut off the flow of capital, technologies, products, industries and people between economies, and channel the waters in the ocean back into isolated lakes and creeks is simply not possible," said Xi.

Delivering a speech at this year's WEF annual gathering, German Chancellor Angela Merkel also told audience that "multilateralism is indispensable for the prosperous development of the world."

She reminded the impact of the global economic slowdown on the existing multilateral system, noting that the current forecasts showing declining growth rates lead to a number of "disturbances and uncertainties in the multilateral system."

Charles-Edouard Bouee, Global CEO of international consulting firm Roland Berger, agreed that globalization is an unstoppable trend and the only way forward.

"Yet, it's not an easy road. It's more like climbing a mountain, and we have to be prepared, we have to be committed, we have to be consistent and we have to be convinced," he said.

China's proposals

To meet the challenges that globalization faces, Xi offered China's proposals and solutions while addressing the opening ceremony of the 2017 WEF meeting.

He stressed the importance of developing a dynamic innovation-driven growth model, a model of open and win-win cooperation featuring a well-coordinated and inter-connected approach, and a model of fair and equitable governance in keeping with the trend of the times, and a balanced, equitable and inclusive development model.

Commenting on the innovation-driven growth model, IHS Markit's chief economist Nariman Behravesh highlighted the growing role of high tech, particularly in digitalization, for cultivating new growth points for the world economy by impacting manufacturing and services significantly.

Speaking at one of the panel discussions, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella reminded that the fourth industrial revolution also needs to deliver technology and innovation that can drive economic growth.

"We need to get back to the core challenge of economic growth. This next phase of globalization needs to deliver economic growth so that it is equitable," Nadella said.

As to the open and win-win cooperation featuring a well-coordinated and inter-connected approach, Bas Burger, CEO of BT's Global Services division, told Xinhua that Xi's proposal absolutely resonates with him, saying "we can't really do without each other."

"Globalization 4.0, the fourth industrial revolution, and our day-to-day lives are all influenced by the galloping pace of new technologies," Ueli Maurer, president of the Swiss Confederation, highlighted in his special address.

All of the big issues, namely climate change, migration, health and corruption, need collective approach by the world, Michael Moller, director-general of the UN Office at Geneva told Xinhua.

Embracing globalization

For many, the path of China's development can be the key source for both learning experiences and leading the sustainable inclusive growth of the world.

Deeply impressed by the historic change in China over the last few decades, Pakistan's former Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz told Xinhua at WEF that "it is unique and has not been experienced by many countries."

History will tell people that China is a big nation of peace, he said, adding that Chinese have no aspiration to disturb any of the current set-ups, but they can strengthen everybody.

"China embraces globalization. China being the champion of globalization is very important," Managing Director of Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) Simon Galpin told Xinhua.

His colleague Khalid Al Rumaihi, CEO of the EDB, looks upon China as "a model for those who want to stimulate tech ecosystems and go from being importers of technology to net exporters."

"China represents a massive opportunity for the rest of the world to see what's coming -- not only on the technologies of the future but also the way we can leverage technology to foster inclusive growth," Al Rumaihi added.

Contributing to nearly 30 percent of the world's economic growth, the world's second-largest economy grew 6.6 percent year on year in 2018 -- on firm footing, with better quality and improved structure.

"Today China is at the forefront of the digital world. It is at the forefront of cutting-edge technologies," Yossi Vardi, an Israeli entrepreneur and investor, told Xinhua.
JOURNALIST: One of the main points of contention here in Greece is that the neighbouring country will henceforth be known as North Macedonia, while its people as well as its language will be referred to as Macedonian. We would like for you to tell us about that, as well as how it is we reached this compromise?



G. KATROUGALOS: With regard to the Macedonian language, from the very beginning, we have explained that it had been recognised as such during a UN Conference in 1977. From then on, it was considered by the other side to be an acquis on their part in international fora, and it was something that could not be overturned, precisely because our country did not react when it should have. With regard to the issue of the people, I have explained to Parliament, in detail, that agreements recognise states, they do not recognise peoples. For this reason precisely, the agreement could refer neither to a people nor to an ethnicity, and indeed it does not. Therefore, the Agreement refers exclusively and solely to nationality, which is the legal relationship that citizens have with the State. With regard to the country, as the long-standing national position had been, there are provisions for it to change in all forms, and not just the name itself, but also the adjectives: Macedonian shall become North Macedonian with regard to the country, international institutions, as well as private organisations funded by the State.



JOURNALIST: In order to clarify things, will the term nationality be North Macedonian or Macedonian?



G. KATROUGALOS: Presently, passports and nationality only mention Macedonian. The term Citizen of North Macedonia is added through the agreement. Therefore, this is not something that we are ceding, it is essentially something we are achieving, obtaining.



JOURNALIST: You have also been criticised quite a bit because, from the beginning, there was no national position for negotiating. Why did you proceed in this manner?





G. KATROUGALOS: Because the national position is a fixed one. We have not altered it in any way. The national position was repeated numerous times by every Prime Minister from 2007 onwards, as well as by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and the Samaras Government too, and this was: A compound name, thus containing the term Macedonia, and a geographical qualifier to be applicable erga omnes. We therefore promoted this position exactly as it stood. The problem about which New Democracy reproaches us lies in the fact that, within the party, there are two lines. There are those who together shaped the national position and those, such as its Vice President, who accused Kostas Karamanlis of being a backtracker, of being the Prime Minister who is selling out Macedonia. It is precisely due to the inherent disunity of New Democracy, with two conflicting and completely contradictory views, that issues result, and not because we made any sort of effort to instrumentalise the matter.



JOURNALIST: You have mentioned that certain safeguards are in place in case something should go wrong in the future. Does the Greek government have suitable margins to react in the event that a future government in the neighbouring country should decide to violate this agreement?



G. KATROUGALOS: First of all, the basic guarantee was the Constitutional amendment. Because this is valid for a long time and is not easily reversible. Beyond this, we shall be able to monitor implementation of the agreement in every step pertaining to the process of the neighbouring countrys accession to the European Union. And, in Article 19, the agreement itself provides for dispute settlement mechanisms when differences arise. But I shall tell you in all honesty that I believe that from the moment we remove, through this agreement, the poison that has soured relations between the two countries, the poison of nationalism, we shall have friendly relations going forward. And we shall not have any effort on the part of the neighbouring country to violate its obligations.



JOURNALIST: Was there international pressure that led to this agreement?



G. KATROUGALOS: No international pressure whatsoever. Moreover, proof of this is that it is the international position that I am repeating. The same one that, from the interim accord forward, we have essentially been attempting to actualize, which we managed to implement. And indeed by 110%, because we also added the constitutional amendment.
Upon completion of the deal, which has been approved by both boards, existing Jervois shareholders will own 77.9% of the new company while 22.1% will be owned by current M2 Cobalt shareholders.In late 2017, the company completed a board and management transformation with a focus on battery metals. Demand for electric vehicles (EV) continues to grow, with cobalt and nickel forming critical components of the cathodes in lithium ion batteries used in such vehicles.Jervois senior management includes a number of former Glencore and Xstrata executives, including its chief executive officer Bryce Crocker, chairman Peter Johnston, non-executive directors Brian Kennedy and Michael Rodriguez, and group manager David Selfe. After the transaction,the new entitys board will comprise three directors from Jervois and one from M2 Cobalt. Crocker and Johnston will remain in their respective roles as CEO and chairman.Jervois core project is the 100%-owned Nico Young nickel-cobalt laterite deposit in New South Wales, Australia, which is in the pre-feasibility stage. The company is in discussions with investment and offtake partners for Nico Young.Jervois has also applied for a prospecting license for the Kabanga Nickel project in Tanzania, and has a 4.54% interest in eCobalt Solutions, a Toronto Stock Exchange-listed primary cobalt developer in Idaho, the United States.But the company has turned its sights on East Africa, where M2 Cobalt has 100% ownership of properties in Uganda. It has five exploration licenses along the strike of the historical Kilembe mine, which Falconbridge operated for over 20 years between 1956 and 1977.Falconbridge, the Canadian base metals company subsequently purchased by Xstrata in 2006, sold the mine to the Ugandan government during the political instability of the 1970s and the operation has since been closed.M2 Cobalt also controls the Bujagali project, which consists of six exploration licenses in south central Uganda including Democratic Republic of Congo-style mineralization with copper-cobalt anomalies.Jervois has reviewed a significant number of investment opportunities in cobalt globally and is enthusiastic regarding the exploration potential of M2 Cobalts portfolio of tenements, the company said.Uganda has a continuation of geological trends from neighboring DRC, as well as a history of copper-cobalt production, but with greater political and regulatory stability, it added.The new entity will retain a primary listing on the Australian Securities Exchange, where Melbourne-based Jervois is currently listed, and will also list on TSX Venture Exchange, where M2 Cobalt shares currently trade.Cobalt prices soared after the EVs story gained ground but have moderated since. With suppliers eager to destock amid limited buying appetite from consumers in Europe , Fastmarkets MB assessed the price of standard-grade cobalt, in-warehouse Rotterdam , at $19-21.40 per lb on Wednesday January 23, down 25.7% from the end of December and 37.5% from the end of November. The latest price level is also at the lowest since February 2017.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC NEED HEARING AND MOTION AND HEARING FOR AN ORDER TRANSFERRING TITLE AND POSSESSION OF PROPERTY STATE OF MINNESOTA COUNTY OF DAKOTA CASE TYPE: CONDEMNATION DISTRICT COURT FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT District Court File No. 19HA-CV-18-4292 The County of Dakota, (C.P. 8-21) Petitioner, v. TruStone Financial Federal Credit Union, et al., Respondents. IN THE MATTER OF THE CONDEMNATION OF CERTAIN LANDS FOR HIGHWAY PURPOSES TO THE RESPONDENTS HEREINABOVE NAMED: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE, YOU, and each of you, are hereby notified that on November 14, 2018 at 9:00 a.m., or as soon thereafter as counsel can be heard, in the Dakota County Judicial Center, 1560 Highway 55, Hastings, Dakota County, Minnesota, the Petitioner will present to the Court a Petition now on file with the Court for the condemnation of certain lands for highway purposes as describe in the Petition and identified in the attached Exhibit A. This hearing is required by Minn. Stat.  117.075. The Court will only hear testimony offered for or against granting the petition for condemnation. The Court will not hear testimony related to damages. The Petitioner prays for the appointment by the court of commissioners to ascertain and report damages that will be caused by the taking of said real estate interests. YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED, that at the same time and place as stated above, Petitioner will move the Court for an order authorizing Petitioner to cause the early transfer of title of the real estate interest described in the Petition in accordance with Minn. Stat.  117.0142, effective as of December 28, 2018. At the November 14, 2018 hearing, the Petitioner will bring before the Court a motion for an order permitting the Petitioner to pay the Respondents or deposit into Court an amount equal to the approved appraised value of the affected real estate interests, thereby transferring title and possession to the real estate interests to the Petitioner as of the dates specified in the order. In accordance with the provisions of Minn. Stat.  117.055, subd. 2, notice is hereby given that: (1) any party wishing to challenge the public use or public purpose, necessity, or authority for a taking must appear at the court hearing on public need and state the objection or must appeal within 60 days of a court order approving public need; and (2) a court order approving the public use or public purpose, necessity, and authority for the taking is final unless an appeal is brought within 60 days after service of the order on the party. If the Court finds public need for the project has been proven, the Court will appoint condemnation commissioners to ascertain and report damages caused to the various owners resulting from the taking. The objects of said Petition are to acquire permanent highway easements and temporary easements for highway purposes over the lands described in the Petition. Dated: September 24, 2018. JAMES C. BACKSTROM DAKOTA COUNTY ATTORNEY By /s/Greta L. Bjerkness Greta L. Bjerkness Assistant County Attorney Attorney Registration No. 0390575 Dakota County Judicial Center 1560 Highway 55 Hastings, MN 55033 Telephone: (651) 438-4438 Email for eService only: civilecourt@co.dakota.mn.us ** not for correspondence use Attorney for The County of Dakota NOTICE OF PUBLIC NEED HEARING EXHIBIT A The lands proposed to be acquired are situated in Dakota County, Minnesota, and are hereinafter described. The names of all persons appearing of record or known to Petitioner to be the owners of said land or to have an interest therein, together with the nature of the ownership or interest of each, as nearly as can be ascertained, are as follows: CONDEMNATION PARCELS: TE 1(477) Legal description of temporary easement to be acquired for construction purposes subject to existing easements and rights-of-way record: TE 1 as shown on DAKOTA COUNTY ROAD RIGHT-OF-WAY MAP NO. 477, according to the map on file and of record in the Dakota County Recorders Office. Parties of Interest Name Nature of Interest Weyerhaeuser, Frederick T. Fee Owner all other parties unknown having any interest in the Other potential premises described herein, together with the un- interest holders known heirs or devisees, if any, of any of the parties that may be deceased and including unknown spouses, if any CONDEMNATION PARCELS: TE 2(477) Legal description of temporary easement to be acquired for construction purposes subject to existing easements and rights-of-way record: TE 2 as shown on DAKOTA COUNTY ROAD RIGHT-OF-WAY MAP NO. 477, according to the map on file and of record in the Dakota County Recorders Office. Parties of Interest Name Nature of Interest Fitzgerald, Patrick M. Fee Owner Fitzgerald, Julie L. Fee Owner US Bank National Assoc Mortgagee TruStone Financial Federal Credit Union Mortgagee all other parties unknown having any interest in the Other potential premises described herein, together with the un- interest holders known heirs or devisees, if any, of any of the parties that may be deceased and including unknown spouses, if any CONDEMNATION PARCELS: TE 5(477) Legal description of temporary easement to be acquired for construction purposes subject to existing easements and rights-of-way record: TE 5 as shown on DAKOTA COUNTY ROAD RIGHT-OF-WAY MAP NO. 477, according to the map on file and of record in the Dakota County Recorders Office. Parties of Interest Name Nature of Interest Knezovich, Mary A. Fee Owner Knezovich, David Fee Owner Associated Bank Mortgagee National City Mortgage Co. dba AccuBanc Mort- Mortgagee gage all other parties unknown having any interest in the Other potential premises described herein, together with the un- interest holders known heirs or devisees, if any, of any of the parties that may be deceased and including unknown spouses, if any CONDEMNATION PARCELS: TE 6(477) Legal description of temporary easement to be acquired for construction purposes subject to existing easements and rights-of-way record: TE 6 as shown on DAKOTA COUNTY ROAD RIGHT-OF-WAY MAP NO. 477, according to the map on file and of record in the Dakota County Recorders Office. Parties of Interest Name Nature of Interest Dosh, Karen M. Fee Owner Dosh, Charles Martin Fee Owner Phipps, Philip L. Mortgagee Phipps, Ruth L. Mortgagee all other parties unknown having any interest in the Other potential premises described herein, together with the un- interest holders known heirs or devisees, if any, of any of the parties that may be deceased and including unknown spouses, if any CONDEMNATION PARCELS: TE 7(477) Legal description of temporary easement to be acquired for construction purposes subject to existing easements and rights-of-way record: TE 7 as shown on DAKOTA COUNTY ROAD RIGHT-OF-WAY MAP NO. 477, according to the map on file and of record in the Dakota County Recorders Office. Parties of Interest Name Nature of Interest Phipps, Philip L. Fee Owner Phipps, Ruth L. Fee Owner all other parties unknown having any interest in the Other potential premises described herein, together with the un- interest holders known heirs or devisees, if any, of any of the parties that may be deceased and including unknown spouses, if any CONDEMNATION PARCELS: TE 16(477) Legal description of temporary easement to be acquired for construction purposes subject to existing easements and rights-of-way record: TE 16 as shown on DAKOTA COUNTY ROAD RIGHT-OF-WAY MAP NO. 477, according to the map on file and of record in the Dakota County Recorders Office. Parties of Interest Name Nature of Interest Inter City Oil Co. Inc Fee Owner all other parties unknown having any interest in the Other potential premises described herein, together with the un- interest holders known heirs or devisees, if any, of any of the parties that may be deceased and including unknown spouses, if any CONDEMNATION PARCELS: TE 21(477) Legal description of temporary easement to be acquired for construction purposes subject to existing easements and rights-of-way record: TE 21 as shown on DAKOTA COUNTY ROAD RIGHT-OF-WAY MAP NO. 477, according to the map on file and of record in the Dakota County Recorders Office. Parties of Interest Name Nature of Interest Bellows Orchard Townhouses Association Fee Owner all other parties unknown having any interest in the Other potential premises described herein, together with the un- interest holders known heirs or devisees, if any, of any of the parties that may be deceased and including unknown spouses, if any CONDEMNATION PARCELS: TE 22(477) Parcel 22(477) Legal description of temporary easement to be acquired for construction purposes subject to existing easements and rights-of-way record: TE 22 as shown on DAKOTA COUNTY ROAD RIGHT-OF-WAY MAP NO. 477, according to the map on file and of record in the Dakota County Recorders Office. Legal description of permanent easement to be acquired for highway purposes subject to existing easements and rights-of-way record: Parcel 22 as shown on DAKOTA COUNTY ROAD RIGHT-OF-WAY MAP NO. 477, according to the map on file and of record in the Dakota County Recorders Office. Parties of Interest Name Nature of Interest Monson, Judy K. Fee Owner Monson, Donald R. Fee Owner Associated Bank, N.A. Mortgagee all other parties unknown having any interest in the Other potential premises described herein, together with the un- interest holders known heirs or devisees, if any, of any of the parties that may be deceased and including unknown spouses, if any CONDEMNATION PARCELS: TE 23(477) Parcel 23(477) Legal description of temporary easement to be acquired for construction purposes subject to existing easements and rights-of-way record: TE 23 as shown on DAKOTA COUNTY ROAD RIGHT-OF-WAY MAP NO. 477, according to the map on file and of record in the Dakota County Recorders Office. Legal description of permanent easement to be acquired for highway purposes subject to existing easements and rights-of-way record: Parcel 23 as shown on DAKOTA COUNTY ROAD RIGHT-OF-WAY MAP NO. 477, according to the map on file and of record in the Dakota County Recorders Office. Parties of Interest Name Nature of Interest Glass, Felicia A. Fee Owner Wilcox, Telly Fee Owner MERS as nominee for Nation Star Mortgage, dba Mortgagee Mr. Cooper all other parties unknown having any interest in the Other potential premises described herein, together with the un- interest holders known heirs or devisees, if any, of any of the parties that may be deceased and including unknown spouses, if any CONDEMNATION PARCELS: TE 24(477) Parcel 24(477) Legal description of temporary easement to be acquired for construction purposes subject to existing easements and rights-of-way record: TE 24 as shown on DAKOTA COUNTY ROAD RIGHT-OF-WAY MAP NO. 477, according to the map on file and of record in the Dakota County Recorders Office. Legal description of permanent easement to be acquired for highway purposes subject to existing easements and rights-of-way record: Parcel 24 as shown on DAKOTA COUNTY ROAD RIGHT-OF-WAY MAP NO. 477, according to the map on file and of record in the Dakota County Recorders Office. Parties of Interest Name Nature of Interest Bradley, Carole M. Fee Owner Bradley, Thomas Fee Owner MERS as nominee for American Advisors Group Mortgagee all other parties unknown having any interest in the Other potential premises described herein, together with the un- interest holders known heirs or devisees, if any, of any of the parties that may be deceased and including unknown spouses, if any CONDEMNATION PARCELS: TE 26(477) Parcel 26(477) Legal description of temporary easement to be acquired for construction purposes subject to existing easements and rights-of-way record: TE 26 as shown on DAKOTA COUNTY ROAD RIGHT-OF-WAY MAP NO. 477, according to the map on file and of record in the Dakota County Recorders Office. Legal description of permanent easement to be acquired for highway purposes subject to existing easements and rights-of-way record: Parcel 26 as shown on DAKOTA COUNTY ROAD RIGHT-OF-WAY MAP NO. 477, according to the map on file and of record in the Dakota County Recorders Office. Parties of Interest Name Nature of Interest Rossi, Judith Fee Owner Rossi, Richard Fee Owner all other parties unknown having any interest in the Other potential premises described herein, together with the un- interest holders known heirs or devisees, if any, of any of the parties that may be deceased and including unknown spouses, if any CONDEMNATION PARCELS: TE 31(477) Parcel 31(477) Legal description of temporary easement to be acquired for construction purposes subject to existing easements and rights-of-way record: TE 31 as shown on DAKOTA COUNTY ROAD RIGHT-OF-WAY MAP NO. 477, according to the map on file and of record in the Dakota County Recorders Office. Legal description of permanent easement to be acquired for highway purposes subject to existing easements and rights-of-way record: Parcel 31 as shown on DAKOTA COUNTY ROAD RIGHT-OF-WAY MAP NO. 477, according to the map on file and of record in the Dakota County Recorders Office. Parties of Interest Name Nature of Interest Eckert, Elke D. Fee Owner Kohler, Christa Eckert Fee Owner all other parties unknown having any interest in the Other potential premises described herein, together with the un- interest holders known heirs or devisees, if any, of any of the parties that may be deceased and including unknown spouses, if any CONDEMNATION PARCELS: TE 32(477) Parcel 32(477) Legal description of temporary easement to be acquired for construction purposes subject to existing easements and rights-of-way record: TE 32 as shown on DAKOTA COUNTY ROAD RIGHT-OF-WAY MAP NO. 477, according to the map on file and of record in the Dakota County Recorders Office. Legal description of permanent easement to be acquired for highway purposes subject to existing easements and rights-of-way record: Parcel 32 as shown on DAKOTA COUNTY ROAD RIGHT-OF-WAY MAP NO. 477, according to the map on file and of record in the Dakota County Recorders Office. Parties of Interest Name Nature of Interest Chapman, David Fee Owner Chapman, Catherine Fee Owner MERS as nominee for LeaderOne Financial Cor- Mortgagee poration Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC Judgment Creditor all other parties unknown having any interest in the Other potential premises described herein, together with the un- interest holders known heirs or devisees, if any, of any of the parties that may be deceased and including unknown spouses, if any CONTINUED...
China and the United States will have in-depth negotiations on economic and trade issues during Vice-Premier Liu Hes visit to Washington on Jan 30 and 31, the Ministry of Commerce said on Thursday.

China and the US are in close touch on detailed arrangements for the talks, ministry spokesman Gao Feng said at a regular news briefing.

During the upcoming high-level negotiations, both sides will continue to have in-depth talks on various economic and trade issues of mutual concern, Gao said.

A recent foreign media report that claimed US officials canceled a vice-ministerial meeting with China scheduled for this week was false, Gao said.

China and the US are in the midst of a 90-day tariff truce, which began on Dec 1, when President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart, Donald Trump, met on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Buenos Aires.

The two leaders agreed to continue trade negotiations, stop the imposition of new tariffs and meet again at an appropriate time.

Experts said the worlds two largest economies should continue to seek mutually beneficial solutions amid a softening global economy.

Alan Beebe, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in China, said China and the US should make some changes to solve essential issues.

Beebe said the two governments should continue discussions on trade for the agricultural and energy sectors, but they should also put more focus on structural issues, rather than merely on the trade imbalance.

The two sides consultations would have a huge impact on Chinese as well as US companies, the trade leader said at the first National Foreign Businessman Assembly on Tuesday in Beijing.

China and the US can deliver positive results in trade talks to allay global concerns, said Diao Daming, associate professor at Renmin University of Chinas School of International Studies.

Cooperation is the best choice for both sides, Diao said, stressing Sino-US relations have made tremendous progress over the past four decades.

Despite some headwinds, the two countries will further the progress of their economic and trade relations, Diao added.

Wei Jianguo, vice-president of the China Center for International Economic Exchanges, was also optimistic about China-US trade discussions.

Wei said it is of great importance that the two countries have been maintaining closer contacts as resolving trade disputes is urgent for both sides as well as the global economy.

The US needs to cope with particular economic uncertainties like stock market fluctuations, while China needs to increase quality imports to meet ever-growing domestic demand, he said.

Gao Feng, the commerce ministry spokesman, said China will continue to open up its market to foreign investors and increase imports of quality goods and services in 2019.
Meridian, MS (39302)

Today

Periods of rain. Potential for heavy rainfall. High around 75F. Winds E at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a half an inch..

Tonight

Rain likely. Low 68F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
Two months ago, India lost a braveheart while fighting terrorists in the Shopian district of the Kashmir Valley and we're still sullen and absolutely gutted with grief losing such a heroic man.

Lance Naik Nazir Ahmed Wani, a terrorist-turned soldier laid down his life in a gruesome encounter with terrorists and was buried with the utmost honour and respect in his own village-Chak Ashmuji in Jammu and Kashmir.

He definitely brought a rare sense of honour to his little hamlet, surrounded by paddy fields and orchards, all around. But that's not all. Every soldier who fights a long and hard battle to protect us, while we sleep peacefully, needs a deserving accolade for his brave deeds and that's exactly what Wani received, with absolute honour.

 Twitter

India's highest peacetime gallantry medal, the Ashok Chakra, was posthumously awarded to Wani, for fighting fiercely and losing his life, a brief while after.

Wani, an Ikhwan, was shot in a counter-terrorist operation in Shopian district two months ago, in which 6 terrorists were killed. An Ikhwan is someone in the state of Jammu & Kashmir who gives up militancy and takes a solid stand against it, while becoming absolutely pro-government and is a part of the counter-insurgency operations.

When the news of his honour reached his village, no one reacted to it, no one shared any grief or happiness or even a condolence. Wani's family and the villagers didn't find anything spectacular about the award, as they believed these awards serve no purpose anymore.

 Twitter

Nobody came, and why should they? When he was alive, we prayed for him to be safe at his place and us to be safe here. Now, when he is no more, what purpose will these awards serve? Mushtaq, Wani's younger brother spoke to a popular publication.

Unlike a few neighbouring villages around Wani's village, including Shopian, where Wani lost his life, his was very different and peaceful and the story shouldn't have been about the death of a soldier, who hailed from there. But because the village of Cheki Ashmuji was swaying towards pro-Azadi sentiments, its conversion to that of a militancy-stricken village, wasn't too far away. No one from the village actually joined militancy, but half a dozen of the men from the village are in the Army or Paramilitary Forces.

 TOI

Wani, whose family still resides in Cheki Ashmuji, had moved to a well-protected colony at Kulgam district headquarters after he joined the Ikhwan, almost two decades ago. A lot of militants, in fact, give up militancy in the early years and become Ikhwans to serve the Army and do away with terrorism. And that's what Wani believed in as well. His tryst with peace to his village and his nation grew bigger than the half baked purpose he was serving before.

He was awarded the Sena medal in gallantry back in 2007 and a bar to the Sena medal in August this year and his death was a testimony of his bravado displayed in South Kashmir, where his battalion was attached with a unit of Rashtriya Rifles, which is a force especially put together to fight militancy in Jammu and Kashmir.

 TOI

President Ram Nath Kovind on Thursday presented the Ashoka Chakra award to Wani's wife Mahajabeen and right after the award was given, an Army spokesperson described how Wani had fought till his last dying breath.

Under an intense hail of bullets from the terrorists, he eliminated the district commander of the LeT (Lashkar-e-Toiba) and one foreign terrorist in a daring display of raw courage. He took multiple hits, some to his head but injured another terrorist before falling. He was a hero right from the beginning and always served (the cause of) peace (in Kashmir). His extraordinarily fearless and courageous persona was reflected in getting the Sena Medal for gallantry twice in 2007 and 2018" The Army official said.

 Twitter

Nazir Ahmed chose peace over violence and he fought for what was right, In fact, we learnt that Mahajabeen had fallen in love with exactly that quality of his and it was love at first sight for them, when the two met in school when they were just 15. A teacher and a mother of two, Mahajabeen said he always instilled a good value and belief system in her and his fierce love was enough motivation for her to cultivate young people to become good citizens for the country.

 Twitter

When he was set to receive the highest and most prestigious award for his martyrdom, she did not cry for his death. She was proud of the fact that he did something to set a brave example for the generation to come and for her, he was always her guiding light, her pillar of strength.

"He had telephoned me the previous evening and enquired about our well-being. I had told him to take care of himself. But destiny had something else for him. He always wanted to make his 162/TA Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry battalion proud. For him, duty was supreme. He was a source of inspiration for people in our area and community," She told a popular news publication agency.

 Twitter

Lance Naik Nazir Ahmed Wani will always serve as an inspiration to the Armed Forces and youngsters growing up, learning and reading about jawans like him, who gave up militancy for the greater good. He always had the interest of the nation at heart and gave his all to protect his family, friends, subordinates and strangers.

This Republic Day, let's remember more such heroes and be grateful that they're always there to protect us.
We all, as adults, at some point, move out of our parents' house. People who are living alone will understand how stressful it gets when your parents announce their annual and sometimes sudden visit.

From fake office trips to a friend's wedding to what not, people have often come up with interesting excuses to stop their parents from coming home. But, what is the wildest thing you've done to stop them? Whatever it is, it cannot top this 23-year-old guy from France who made a hoax bomb threat, just because he didn't want his parents to come home.

Pexels

This student's parents were coming to see him, in a flight from Lyon to Rennes in France. Reportedly, he anonymously made a hoax call regarding the bomb, which caused the flight to turn around shortly after the take-off. His parents boarded the EasyJet flight, EZY4319 on January 18.

Wikimedia

The public prosecutor of Rennes said in a statement, "the author of the facts has been identified." The dude has been held in custody and charged with "false news compromising the safety of an aircraft in flight."

If the guy is prosecuted, he could end up facing up to five years in jail and might get slapped with a fine of 75,000 euro (Rs. 60 lakh approx.)

Pexels

Seriously, what was he hiding in his house or what could have possibly happened between him and his parents that he took this extreme step to stop them?
Note: This post contains spoilers about the show 'Sex Education'

So, I watched this new series on Netflix called Sex Education, starring Asa Butterfield and Gillian Anderson.

It is a comedy-drama centring on a sexually-repressed teenager, 16-year old Otis Milburn (played by Butterfield), and his friends as they navigate the most tempestuous time of one's life: being a teenager. As they voyage through the currents of the journey, they chance upon the most invigorating topic of discussion in those years (and the years to come): Sex!

It got me thinking. And that I did. A lot! (No pun intended: Keep you mind out of the gutter! :P)

Sex!

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The word is enough for us to either burst into a fit of giggles or become increasingly uncomfortable.

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It isn't our mistake. We, as a society, have been stifled when talking about sex.

Sex is talked about in whispers and in secrecy. It is not to be mentioned, to be kept under covers. The mere whisper of the word is sure to make people angry or look at you like you have avowed Satan as your master.

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Stigma, is that you?

Though what we have been taught is that sex is a bad thing. A thing to be done tauba, tauba over.

The reason?

Most people do not have the proper knowledge about their own bodies. A gruesomely true fact because no one bothered to teach it to us.

And whatever we don't understand we try to mask with humour or complete censure. Our discomfort in talking about it stems from the lack of dialogue.

 Netflix

The topic is wonderfully addressed by the series, in such a witty way that you will find yourself questioning where it had been when we were teenagers.

When Otis unknowingly helps a fellow student, Adam, to come to terms with his body and sexual issues, having eavesdropped a lot on the sessions conducted by his sex therapist mother, Jean, and picking up some knowledge, cash-strapped Maeve thinks it would be a good idea to open an underground sex clinic for the school where students can get some therapy in exchange for money. Otis is to be the therapist.

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Otis is apprehensive about sex. So much so, that he can't even masturbate. The thought of touching himself repulses him. To think about someone in a bad light and get pleasure from it? The expressway to hell. He believes it is bound to make him a bad person.

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And I couldn't help but compare it to the world we live in.

We Don't Talk Anymore

In our world, we never have a healthy discussion about sex.

Where do babies come from? What is sex?

What is masturbation?

If the answers to the above questions were met with silence or some ridiculous answer, congratulations, you are a part of the myth-induced generation, most probably in your tweens now.

According to Indian movies of the past, sex is two flowers intertwining and birds singing to each other as the actors on screen indulge in sin.

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The stigma around masturbation is real, we are told it is a terrible thing to do. Various myths surround it and even the mere mention raises eyebrows, not to mention the religious aspects.

Indian parents have their go-to on sex ranging from ignore whatever is happening to the quintessential silence or the best alternative: avoidance.

Worse, they instil fear about the topic. Who hasn't heard the myth that parents claim about kissing?

If you kiss someone, you can get pregnant. So, abstain! (You got us there!)

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Studies suggest that nearly 88% of males and 58% of females never received sex education from home or schools.

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Only some parents take the talk of the birds and bees seriously and imbibe it from an age when the child does not become defensive about it. My parents encouraged the talk but to a certain extent.

Of course, you can't ask everything from your parents, but they are there to give you the initial knowledge.

The relationship we have with our parents is a precursor to being comfortable with them. The parent-child dynamic is of vital importance.

There is some change in the newer generation though, parents today are savvier about the topic. Trust is essential in the relationship; you shouldn't shame a child for asking a question.

'Sex Education's' stellar storytelling focuses on the very delicate relationship between parents and children. And its repercussions on the latter's sexual initiation.

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In the series, Gillian Anderson, in a departure from her role as the uptight Special Agent Scully on 'X Files', plays Jean Milburn, Otis' overbearing mother who is a celebrated sex therapist.

 Netflix

Jean is overly intrusive in Otis' life, especially his sexual awakening (or the lack of it). She analyses every aspect of his life; his bedsheets, his notes, his books and his relationships. Otis is frustrated with her.

Gillian Anderson is a phenomenon as Jean; whether it being confronting Otis about his pretend masturbating or snooping around his room when he specifically asks her to stay out. The best part of Jean is her advice; though a bit calculative, it is insightful.

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Jean is a cool mom; she is astute and shrewdly tackles problems, she smokes pot with Otis' friends, has no-strings attached relationships with her clients (mostly one-night stands), is friendlier to his friends more than him. Moreover, she has a very liberal and comfortable stance about sex. She encourages him to talk about it and share his experience.

All this makes Otis even more uncomfortable.

However, they share a strong relationship based on trust; Otis can speak to her when he wants to.

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In complete contrast is the principal of the Moordale Secondary School, Mr. Groff (Alistair Petrie), who can't stand to be in the same place where the word sex is uttered. He is a stern educator (on face value) and has a terrible relationship with his son, Adam. And a tendency to binge on chocolates when stressed.

 Netflix

In another wonderfully written episode focusing on the perception of sex by young people relating to an incident at school, he gets uncomfortable when the word vagina is repeatedly used by the students. He stands as the allegory of the society. The society which wants us to be good citizens, good people but also covers our eyes over brutal realities.

Abhi Umar Hi Kya Hai!

Being a teenager is hard (and being an adult is no piece of cake either). With so many hormones and emotions cruising through us and having a field day on the body and mind, it is natural to feel annoyed and cranky.

Add to it the changes in the body and you have got the recipe for a complete train wreck. With nothing to guide us through the turbulent time, when something we can't understand seems to be happening to us and we are not being able to talk about it, we can't help but feel isolated.

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This is where sex education comes into play.

Another oft-shrouded topic is the concept of sexual orientation. You are born a certain way. You can't help who you like, and you shouldn't try to change yourself just to fit in.

In our society, people with a certain orientation, other than being straight, are looked down upon. Even after years of struggles and fights, the LGBTQ+ community faces harsh criticism and is ostracized. Though hope seems to be emanating with the recent abolishing of Section 377, it's a long battle till people change their mindsets.

Talking about fitting in, we all try to fit in, try to change ourselves in order to please our peers, to be accepted. We let ourselves become someone else in the process of accommodating others.

Otis' best friend, Eric Effiong (Ncuti Gatwa), is openly gay and loves to cross-dress. Like every other teenager, he is coming to terms with his sexuality. He is also fastidiously trying to get into the elite group of the school. He tries hard but keeps failing. He wants to be cool but is always the afterthought.

 Netflix

Also, it doesn't help that his religious father condemns his dressing up and is afraid of how the world perceives his son, though they share an immensely layered rapport which is rather intricate.

 Netflix

Eric's arc is a marvellous one.

When he gets assaulted because of his sexuality, it opens up his mind to the truth of life; you are what you are, and you shouldn't let others influence your journey.

Sex Education: What is That?

I cannot remember having a Sex-Ed class ever in school.

The chapter on Reproduction in Biology class garnered a lot of Cheshire-cat smiles from the students or discreet whispers and a lot of ahem-ahem from the teachers.

What I do remember from the class is a lot of giggling from the students as the words vagina and penis were mentioned. A rush of uneasiness when the teacher (visibly uncomfortable while valiantly trying to teach) showed us a picture of the female reproductive system. A boy turning away when the slide showed us the diagram of the male reproductive system.

Raucous laughter on the word condom and nervously twitching students when the topic progressed to abortion and safe sex.

 Netflix

The series has an episode where Otis gets humiliated in class when a video of his mother teaching how-to put-on condoms starts playing on the monitor. Mortified, he leaves the class as his classmates keep laughing and pointing at the screen.

I would think I was lucky (even with the horror of sitting in a class where sex was the topic) as compared to my friends who were asked to read the chapter on their own.

We have been fed with the notion that sex is something to be ashamed of. In pure puritanical style, we have been asked to listen and follow whatever is being doled out to us.

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Being curious is natural, especially when we are young, we tend to have an inquisitive outlook. More so about sex which seems to be a taboo topic.

 Netflix

As the series progresses, we find out the real reason behind Otis' trepidation about sex. And the reason for it is not uncommon.

We have been coddled by our parents, who in an attempt to safeguard us from the harshness of life have hidden away important aspects of growing up.

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Thus, we have grown up with some quite weird ideas about sex and sexuality.

Look at this video for instance!

For a society which has been so sexually repressed and anything that mentions the word comes under criticism, we are obsessed with it. As they say, the more you make something forbidden, the more people want it.

Banning something only leads people to know it more. Just because you won't talk to your child about sex doesn't mean that they will forget about it.

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Movies, novels, mainstream media, everything has a connotation leading to sex. Some do it through veiled references while some approach it directly.

Sex is that forbidden fruit. When one does not get it naturally, they turn to a different path which leads to either a complete misunderstanding of the concept or the person's eventual ruin.

Not knowing what to do leads us to do things we shouldn't.

 Netflix

Sex education does not teach us to have sex early, it isn't making children precocious, but the timing of the education is vital.

It makes you aware of things which a young person should know.

 Netflix

Shockingly, 52% of young children in India have been sexually abused during the formative years, but the children are unaware of it, until later in life. The reason? They had never been told about the difference between a good touch and a bad touch.

In a few instances, even if the children have spoken up, parents have shut them down in order to not deal with the societal shame it attributes. What will other people say?

Log Kya Kahenge?

The series focuses on Maeve Wiley, an apparently promiscuous teenager who has sex often and is labelled cock-biter by the students. She is a closeted genius; she puts on an armour of indifference (her quintessential go fuck yourself) and a certain dumbness to counteract the facts of her life. Pink hair, dark makeup and an astounding personality. Between you and me, this role seems to be tailor-made for Margot Robbie. :P

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A drug-addled mother and an absent father have hardened her to never depend on anyone.

I am into complex female characters, she says.

 Netflix

She finds them interesting because they parallel her life; she reads feminist literature, is a talented writer and a complete badass but she knows that her financial conditions limit her to a life of solitude and suffering at best. She uses dark humour as a coping mechanism.

Also, it is the reason that when she finds love, she doesn't pursue it. Because she thinks that it only leads to sadness.

She gets pregnant in the series and decides to get an abortion. In this brilliant episode, very poignantly essayed by the talented Emma Mackey, Maeve tries to understand what the ramifications it'll have on her. And how she copes with it. One of the best episodes of the 8-episode series.

 Netflix

Teen pregnancy is not limited to the West. It is a problem all over the world. We cut short our own resources by ignorance.

Sex education is more than just the physical act of sex. It is about knowing your body better, finding out what works for you.

Everyone is clueless about sex when teenagers or even as adults; be it the act itself, your own organs or the results of having unprotected sex. What we can do is ask questions and we will find answers.

Yes, it is imperative to ask the right person and go through the right material. It is time for parents and the youth to be proactive and attempt to start a healthy discussion about it.

There is a lot of misconception about sex, further fueled by misleading articles on the Internet, the wrong type of pornography and weird ideas fed by society.

One needs to understand it isn't how porn shows it. It isn't that easy or that graphic and it is done by actors. It is essential to remember that everything in moderation is good, even porn. Though, porn perpetuates an unrealistic view of sex it does provide some knowledge on the subject but not the real picture.[s1]

Why I Liked The Show & Why I Think You Will Too

On a superficial glance, the series might look like another teen angst-ridden high school drama but on closer inspection, it is so much more that. Though there is a considerable amount of nudity and some racy scenes, they are just a propeller of the show's narrative. What else do you expect from horny teenagers? :P

Sex is something which you have to understand with a lot of help. Your parents can provide you a perspective, but it will be theirs. Eventually, you have to get your own perception of it.

This show helps in changing the way we perceive it, in a good way.

The show features well-etched characters wonderfully essayed by the actors. The character development is flawless.

The show tackles complex aspects in a very clever way; pushing the envelope but not being preachy. In its own witty way, through smart banter and clever dialogue, the show opens up about issues everyone faces, age notwithstanding.

Asa Butterfield as the socially-challenged, sexually-repressed Otis is delightful. He plays the character so convincingly that you will relate to him easily. Then again, he was brilliant as Bruno in The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas; I hardly know anyone who hasn't cried (or felt devastated at the least) after watching that movie.

Another fascinating part of the show is how they have portrayed friendships. Friends are the people who help us through every phase of life. They are the ones we can talk to about stuff which we can't with others.

 Netflix

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The bond between Otis and Eric is truly a beautiful one which will make you call your BFF right away! Maeve and Otis' budding friendship which starts off as a business transaction into a seemingly romantic one is something to look forward to.

 Netflix

Inclusivity is yet another part of the show, the storylines concerning the gay characters have been well-written and superbly executed.

Other standout characters are Ola, Aimee, Adam, Lily and Jackson.

Lily (Tanya Reynolds) with her strong urges and body comfortability finds something new about herself which shocks her.

 Netflix

Aimee with her affinity to please, finally learns the truth about being a pushover.

 Netflix

Jackson (Kedar Williams-Stirling) is the star of the school: Head Boy, superb athlete with a bright future but a terrible secret.

 Netflix

Ola (Patricia Allison) with her quick wit, superb attitude and the apparent bisexual/queer vibe she sends (Season 2, maybe?), and Adam (Connor Swindells) with his brilliant portrayal of a bully with body issues and sexuality ineptness, steer the show to the winner it is.

 Netflix

The best part is that Otis gives advice to people on sex, though he is not entirely sure about the concept himself, and gets to realize what he is lacking, on the same journey.

The show brilliantly shows us how we tend to not realize our faults and misgivings until we see it in someone else.

Though Otis' therapist career is a bit Streisandian, with him mostly giving correct advice and being right quite a lot, it provides the necessary thrust to the narrative.

 Netflix

 Netflix

With its teen angst omnipresent, this show has an 80s John Hughes movie vibe, while set in the UK with an American school backdrop, and it is sure to make you marvel at its genius. (Confused? I was, too! :P)

The best thing it has done is that it has opened up discussions about sex, a much-needed education in today's society.

It is a long wait until India opens up about sex education and comes up with a series (are you listening, Netflix India?) with it being the central theme, this series is enough to keep us entertained while getting educated.

Go, watch it!

Looking forward to Season 2!
The much-awaited teaser of Salman Khan's 'Bharat' is out and looks like the Eid of 2019 is going to be a great one for both Salman and his fans.

The teaser begins with an overcrowded train entering a railway station in Pakistan, hinting at the time of Partition of India. Then enters the 'Dabangg' Khan aka Salman and takes over the 1 minute 30 seconds video as Bharat, a man who is beyond caste, creed, religion and surname. In fact, in the voiceover, Salman Khan says that his father named him Bharat, after his country.

 Salman Khan Films

In the teaser, Salman appears to have multiple professions and adventures. He first appears as a badass motorcyclist who jumps through a ring of fire like it's nobody's damn business. He is then shown as a Navy officer and then an ageing boxer. Honestly, this 1 minute 30 seconds video looks better than the 2 hours 40 minutes called 'Race 3'.

Directed by Ali Abbas Zafar, 'Bharat' also stars Katrina Kaif, Jackie Shroff, Sonali Kulkarni, Disha Patani and Nora Fatehi. For those who don't know, 'Bharat' is a remake of a 2014 Korean movie called 'An Ode To My Father'. 'Bharat' is expected to release in June during Eid.
Ocasio-Cortez has been falsely accused of lying about her personal background because of the fact she grew up in a modest suburb outside New York City. She has been attacked for wearing nice clothes, for worrying about how she would afford rent in DC, and for having student loan debt. Her bank account has been the subject of intense scrutiny for the crime of being too low. Some have disparaged her for previously working as a bartender, and others have said she isn't really working-class or hasn't actually struggled in life.
NEW YORK

Jan. 25, 2019

Mount Sinai

the United States

Eyal Dassau

Carol J. Levy

Mount Sinai

Yogish C. Kudva

Jordan Pinsker

Lois Jovanovic

Lois Jovanovic

Harvard's

Harvard

Mount Sinai

Mount Sinai

Mount Sinai

Mount Sinai

New York City

Mount Sinai

Kristin Castorino

Ellen Goodstein

New York City's

New York

Mount Sinai's

New York City

Westchester

Long Island

Florida

Mount Sinai's

Mount Sinai

Mount Sinai

/PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The National Institutes of Health has awarded a R01 grant to a multi-institutional team to develop and evaluate a pregnancy-specific Artificial Pancreas in a sequence of in-clinic and transitional environment clinical trials. The researchers hope that the first-in-the-nation studies will lead to a safe and effective at-home clinical trial with an extension phase to the end of pregnancy.The project brings together the experienced engineering team of the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and a clinical research consortium made up of specialists from the Icahn School of Medicine at, the Mayo Clinic, and the Sansum Diabetes Research Institute."This work will bring our previous advancements in artificial pancreas technology to the next level, and will be the first project of its kind in," said Principal Investigator Dr., Director of the Biomedical Systems Engineering Research Group at the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences."Achieving and maintaining the very narrow range blood glucose levels required for the best fetal outcomes for pregnant women with type 1 diabetes is extremely challenging, even with optimal clinical care," said, MD, CDE, Clinical Director of the Mount Sinai Diabetes Center, who has managed the care of hundreds of pregnant women with this condition and serves as the project's principal investigator at the Icahn School of Medicine at. "The use of customized technology provides an important opportunity to improve patient and fetal outcomes. We are excited to be part of the team evaluating this important area of research designed to improve care and reduce patient burden.""Women with type 1 diabetes experience significant insulin reactions as they try to manage their glucose within a narrow target range throughout pregnancy. There has been no artificial pancreas trial involving pregnant women with type 1 diabetes in the U.S.," states, Professor of Endocrinology at Mayo Clinic Rochester. "We are excited that we will adapting automated insulin delivery to relieve the burden on pregnant women with type 1 diabetes and their families.""This project will adapt the artificial pancreas to help pregnant women at each stage of pregnancy, progressing from a sequence of in-clinic studies to an outpatient trial," said Dr., principal investigator of the project at Sansum Diabetes Research Institute (SDRI). "This project continues the legacy of the work of Dr., who performed her groundbreaking clinical trials at SDRI for 27 years, laying the foundation for the current standards of care in diabetes and pregnancy."The first clinical trial in the grant, Longitudinal Observation of Insulin Requirements and Sensor Use in Pregnancy (LOIS-P), is named after Dr., and is now listed on clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03761615). This study is currently enrolling pregnant women with type 1 diabetes and will follow their glycemic outcomes throughout pregnancy and into the post-partum period.About the Research Consortium:Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS)SEAS serves as the connector and integrator ofteaching and research efforts in engineering, applied sciences, and technology. Through collaboration with researchers from all parts of, other universities, and corporate and foundation partners, we bring discovery and innovation directly to bear on improving human life and society. http://seas.harvard.edu.Icahn School of Medicine atThe Type 1 Diabetes Research program at the Icahn School of Medicine atfocuses on clinical research projects specifically designed to improve the lives of patients with diabetes. There is a long history of both basic and clinical research in diabetes atdating back to the discovery of the radioimmunoassay to measure serum insulin levels by Nobel Laureate Rosalyn Yalow, PHD in 1977. Researchers atare running a robust outpatient artificial pancreas program in. The goal for all diabetes research atis to continue to develop new treatments and improve patient care until there is a cure.Mayo Clinic Rochester MNThe type 1 diabetes research program at Mayo Clinic Rochester is tightly integrated with the Diabetes Technology clinic which is a multi-disciplinary effort with dedicated Endocrinologists, Nurse Practitioners, CDEs and device technicians. The research program has conducted AP studies since 2013 and is currently conducting several AP studies working with academic engineering partners such as the Harvard School of Engineering AP program and industry partners. The Division of Endocrinology has been involved with Insulin related research since 1922 and also played a key role in early development of complex insulin therapy from 1975 to 1985.Sansum Diabetes Research InstituteMost recently, SDRI was the only US clinical site for the landmark CONCEPTT clinical trial, where 325 women who were either pregnant or planning pregnancy were randomized to continuous glucose monitoring use or fingerstick self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) alone until delivery. Dr. Jovanovic, performed her groundbreaking work at SDRI for 27 years, from 1986-2013, laying the foundation for current standards for care in diabetes and pregnancy. Dr. Jovanovic was SDRI's former Chief Executive Officer and Chief Scientific Officer from 1996-2013."Dr. Jovanovic's courageous and relentless fight to teach the world how to care for women with diabetes led to a global improvement in outcomes for both moms with diabetes and their babies," said Dr., also a co-investigator on the project at SDRI."It is an honor for us at SDRI to continue Dr. Jovanovic's legacy to improve the treatment of pregnant women with diabetes. Advancing her work in this field has always been part of SDRI's commitment to both our community and the diabetes community at large to progress diabetes research and innovation for those impacted by type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes or gestational diabetes," said, SDRI's Executive Director.About the Mount Sinai Health SystemThe Mount Sinai Health System islargest integrated delivery system, encompassing eight hospitals, a leading medical school, and a vast network of ambulatory practices throughout the greaterregion.vision is to produce the safest care, the highest quality, the highest satisfaction, the best access and the best value of any health system in the nation. The Health System includes approximately 7,480 primary and specialty care physicians; 11 joint-venture ambulatory surgery centers; more than 410 ambulatory practices throughout the five boroughs of, and; and 31 affiliated community health centers. The Icahn School of Medicine is one of three medical schools that have earned distinction by multiple indicators: ranked in the top 20 by U.S. News & World Report's "Best Medical Schools", aligned with a U.S. News & World Report's "Honor Roll" Hospital, No. 12 in the nation for National Institutes of Health funding, and among the top 10 most innovative research institutions as ranked by the journal Nature in its Nature Innovation Index. This reflects a special level of excellence in education, clinical practice, and research. The Mount Sinai Hospital is ranked No. 18 on U.S. News & World Report's "Honor Roll" of top U.S. hospitals; it is one of the nation's top 20 hospitals in Cardiology/Heart Surgery, Gastroenterology/GI Surgery, Geriatrics, Nephrology, and Neurology/Neurosurgery, and in the top 50 in six other specialties in the 2018-2019 "Best Hospitals" issue.Kravis Children's Hospital also is ranked nationally in five out of ten pediatric specialties by U.S. News & World Report. The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary ofis ranked 11th nationally for Ophthalmology and 44th for Ear, Nose, and Throat. Mount Sinai Beth Israel, Mount Sinai St. Luke's, Mount Sinai West, and South Nassau Communities Hospital are ranked regionally.For more information, visit http://www.mountsinai.org/, or findon Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.SOURCE Mount Sinai Health System
ST. LOUIS

Jan. 25, 2019

January 1, 2019

Kathy Jordan

Kathy Jordan

August 2012

St. Louis

California

June 2017

Bangor, Maine

Kathy Jordan

/PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- After two years in his position as Director of Client Development at Jordan Search Consultants, DJ Larson has been named Chief Operating Officer for the company, effective. As COO, Larson is responsible for overseeing business development initiatives as well as directing day-to-day operations. Additional duties include leading and managing JSC's team of eight consultants and associates."During his two years as head of business development, DJ has been instrumental in JSC's growth. He has demonstrated his ability to lead, guide, and mentor the team and has earned their respect," said, CEO and Founder of Jordan Search Consultants. "With DJ as COO, my capacity expands to be able to focus on long-term growth strategies for the company." In addition to company business development,will continue to be involved in day-to-day operations and maintain direct contact with clients."I'm excited about this new role and the team we have in place," says Larson. "I plan to ensure that the infrastructure and processes at Jordan Search Consultants are optimized to keep pace with the ongoing growth of the company, and to continue to expand and create innovative service lines for our clients," he added. "We also want to significantly increase our presence in targeted geographic regions, including the New England area."Jordan Search Consultants was founded in 2003 as a physician and healthcare executive recruitment firm. In, the company acquired another-based search firm to add higher education, academic leadership, and executive-level corporate position sourcing and recruiting to their service offerings. In February of 2014, Jordan Search Consultants acquired a-based search firm to expand their geographic reach and their capabilities to include recruitment for managed care and health plan physician/nurse leadership, hospice organizations, and non-profit community health centers. Most recently, in, Jordan Search Consultants increased their national footprint through the acquisition of Health Search New England, a healthcare search firm based inis confident in DJ Larson's ability to help lead the company. "Under our combined leadership, I anticipate JSC growing 30-40% in 2019," she shared.###About Jordan Search ConsultantsFounded in 2003, Jordan Search Consultants provides healthcare, executive, and higher education recruitment services to clients throughout the nation. By understanding the unique culture of each client organization and the professional and personal goals of each candidate, the professionals at Jordan Search Consultants are able to develop effective solutions to staffing needs. With solutions that range from candidate sourcing services to complete outsourced recruitment models, Jordan Search Consultants provides a customized level of support. For more, visit http://www.jordansc.com, call 866-750-7231, or email kjordan@jordansc.com.SOURCE Arco & Associates
Recent research has tied regular use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin, to longer survival in some people with head and neck cancer. Share on Pinterest Aspirin may improve the outlook for some people living with head and neck cancer. The researchers propose that there should now be a clinical trial to test the effectiveness and safety of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for this purpose. They suggest that the effect that they observed is likely due to the NSAIDs reducing prostaglandin E2, a molecule that promotes inflammation. A paper on their findings now features in the Journal of Experimental Medicine. Head and neck cancers are cancers in which tumors develop in the nose, sinuses, larynx, throat, and mouth. In most cases, the tumors arise in the flat thin squamous cells that form the tissue lining of surfaces. For this reason, they bear the name head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs). In the United States, people with HNSCCs account for around 4 percent of all those with cancer. These types of cancer also tend to have a lower rate of survival compared with many other types. The main risk factors for HNSCC are tobacco use, heavy use of alcohol, sun exposure, and infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV).

Aspirin and HNSCC Previous research has suggested that taking aspirin regularly can reduce the risk of developing HNSCCs. However, the recent study is the first to link the use of aspirin and other NSAIDs to longer survival in some people who already have HNSCC. It found that, among people with HNSCC and alterations in the PIK3CA gene, those who regularly used NSAIDs had a longer overall survival rate than those who did not. Regular use of NSAIDs appeared to make no difference to survival in people with HNSCC who did not have any PIK3CA gene alterations. The researchers defined regular use of NSAIDs as using them at least twice a week for 6 months or longer. The present study, says senior study author Prof. Jennifer R. Grandis M.D., who works in the Department of Otolaryngology at the University of California, San Francisco, is the first to demonstrate that regular NSAID usage confers a significant clinical advantage in patients with PIK3CA-altered HNSCC.

PIK3CA and cancer The PIK3CA gene contains DNA code for the catalytic subunit of the signaling enzyme PI3K. The catalytic subunit is the trigger for the enzyme, which activates various signaling reactions in cells. Signals from PI3K are essential for cell survival and activities, such as growth, division, movement, material transport, and protein production. Around 35 percent of people with HNSCC have tumors that harbor activating mutations of PIK3CA note the authors. Colorectal cancer studies have also revealed links between regular NSAID use and improved survival in people who have altered PIK3CA genes. However, they did not explain the underlying mechanism. Prof. Grandis and colleagues examined medical records and tumor tissue samples belonging to 266 people with HNSCC. The tissue samples came from tumors that surgeons had removed. In most cases, the individuals then received treatment with chemotherapy, or radiotherapy, or both.

Overall survival rose from 45-78 percent The investigators used the tissue samples to determine which people had altered PIK3CA genes. They then correlated these results against patterns of NSAID use from the medical records. The analysis revealed that that overall survival increased from 45 to 78 percent in those who regularly took NSAIDs and whose tumors showed that they had an altered PIK3CA gene. The researchers tested for two types of PIK3CA alterations: mutations and amplifications. They found that the type of alteration did not change the benefit to overall survival. Mutations are alterations in the spelling of DNA code, whereas amplification is when DNA sequences repeat. Amplification can lead to increased production of proteins. The team then tested the effect of NSAIDs on a mouse model. They injected mice with cancer cells containing an altered PIK3CA gene. The mice that received NSAIDs grew much smaller tumors.
Amlodipine is an oral medication that doctors prescribe to treat some cardiovascular conditions. In the United States, it commonly goes under the brand name Norvasc. Amlodipine is a type of calcium channel blocker. Doctors commonly prescribe these drugs to treat people with high blood pressure. A doctor may also prescribe amlodipine for coronary artery disease and angina. In this article, we look at what doctors prescribe amlodipine for and its recommended dosage. We also cover the side effects, interactions, warnings, and considerations for amlodipine as well as some alternative drugs.

What is it used to treat? Share on Pinterest Amlodipine is usually known as Norvasc in the U.S.

Image credit: Kimivanil, 2015. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) first approved amlodipine in 1987. The FDA consider amlodipine safe and effective for treatment of: high blood pressure, which doctors refer to as hypertension

coronary artery disease

angina, which is chest pain resulting from reduced blood flow to the heart Doctors sometimes also prescribe amlodipine to treat people with other conditions. This is known as off-label treatment because the FDA has not yet approved the drug for these uses. According to one source, off-label uses of amlodipine include : diabetic nephropathy

left ventricular hypertrophy

Raynauds phenomenon

silent myocardial ischemia

Dosage guide The dosage for amlodipine depends on the persons condition and how well their symptoms respond to treatment. The doctor will also take into account an individuals age and medical history when recommending a dosage. According to the FDAs prescribing information leaflet, amlodipine is available in tablets and capsule form and in a range of strengths, including 2.5 milligrams (mg), 5mg, and 10mg quantities. Doctors prescribe amlodipine for a variety of conditions, and the FDA recommend the following dosages: For treating high blood pressure: For adults : starting with 5 mg once daily with a maximum dose of 10 mg daily.

: starting with 5 mg once daily with a maximum dose of 10 mg daily. For older people or those with liver problems : 2.5mg once daily.

: 2.5mg once daily. For children aged 617 years old: 2.5mg or 5 mg once daily. The FDA also recommend that doctors adjust a persons dosage according to blood pressure goals, but wait between 7 and 14 days between changes. For treating chronic stable or vasospastic angina: For adults : 5 mg to 10 mg once daily. Most people will need to take 10 mg for the drug to treat their angina effectively.

: 5 mg to 10 mg once daily. Most people will need to take 10 mg for the drug to treat their angina effectively. For older people or those with liver problems: 5 mg once daily. For treating chronic artery disease: For adults : 5 to 10mg once daily.

: 5 to 10mg once daily. For older people or those with liver problems: 5 mg once daily. For some people who have difficulty swallowing, such as children and older people, a doctor may administer amlodipine as an intravenous injection or drip.

Side effects Share on Pinterest Side effects of amlodipine can include drowsiness. According to the FDA, researchers have used clinical trials to evaluate the safety of amlodipine in over 11,000 people. These studies found that the drug rarely caused problems in dosages up 10 mg daily. However, common side effects include: edema, which is a swelling that occurs in different parts of the body, particularly the feet or ankles

dizziness

flushing

palpitations, which are feelings of a fast or irregular heartbeat Less common side effects include: a headache

fatigue

nausea

abdominal pain

drowsiness

Interactions Amlodipine can potentially interact with some other medications, including: Simvastatin . The FDA recommends limiting the dosage of simvastatin to 20mg daily while also taking amlodipine.

. The FDA recommends limiting the dosage of simvastatin to 20mg daily while also taking amlodipine. CYP3A4 inhibitors . Medications that inhibit an enzyme called CYP3A4 can increase the concentration of amlodipine in the blood. These drugs include diltiazem, ketoconazole, itraconazole, and ritonavir. The FDA recommend that doctors monitor people who are taking both CYP3A4 inhibitors and amlodipine for symptoms of edema and low blood pressure.

. Medications that inhibit an enzyme called CYP3A4 can increase the concentration of amlodipine in the blood. These drugs include diltiazem, ketoconazole, itraconazole, and ritonavir. The FDA recommend that doctors monitor people who are taking both CYP3A4 inhibitors and amlodipine for symptoms of edema and low blood pressure. Cyclosporine. In people who have had a kidney transplant, taking amlodipine and cyclosporine together may increase the levels of cyclosporine in the body. It is essential that people inform their doctors about all the medications, herbs, and supplements they are currently taking before starting amlodipine or any other new medicines.

Warnings The FDA have issued several warnings for doctors to take note of when prescribing amlodipine. These include: Hypotension Amlodipine can cause hypotension, or low blood pressure, in some people, particularly those with severe aortic stenosis. Symptoms of hypotension include feeling faint, tired, and nauseous. Increased angina or myocardial infarction When starting or increasing the dosage of amlodipine, it can worsen symptoms of angina and increase the risk of heart attack in some people, particularly those with severe obstructive coronary disease. However, this is rare. Liver problems The liver extensively metabolizes amlodipine, so doctors need to be cautious when prescribing this drug to people with liver conditions. The FDA recommend that doctors closely monitor these individuals and increase the dosages of amlodipine slowly.

Considerations The FDA have also highlighted some considerations that both the prescribing doctor and the person taking amlodipine need to be aware of. These include: Pregnancy There is a lack of research into the safety of taking amlodipine during pregnancy. The FDA recommend that doctors should only prescribe amlodipine to pregnant women if the potential benefits outweigh the risks to the fetus. Breastfeeding Scientists have not yet determined whether amlodipine can enter a womans breast milk. Because of this, the FDA recommend that women do not take amlodipine while breastfeeding. Children under 6 years Due to a lack of studies, doctors do not know how safe or effective amlodipine is in children under the age of 6 years.

Alternative drugs Share on Pinterest Alternative medications are available. Possible alternative medications to amlodipine include other calcium channel blockers, such as nicardipine, clevidipine, and nifedipine However, doctors often prescribe amlodipine over some other medications because a person usually only needs to take one dose per day. If a person experiences side effects on amlodipine, they should speak to a doctor about changing medication.
Mastoiditis is a serious infection in the mastoid process, which is the hard, prominent bone just behind and under the ear. Ear infections that people fail to treat cause most cases of mastoiditis. The condition is rare but can become life-threatening without treatment. Symptoms of mastoiditis include swelling behind the ear, pus coming out of the ear, throbbing pain, and difficulty hearing. Ear infections that do not receive treatment, as well as antibiotic-resistant ear infections, sometimes spread. When this happens, the bacteria travel to surrounding structures, including bones such as the mastoid process. Without antibiotic treatment, the bacteria can continue spreading to the bones of the skull. They may also travel to the blood and organs, including the brain. Middle ear infections, which doctors call acute otitis media, and mastoiditis are most common in children younger than 2 years of age.

Symptoms of mastoiditis Share on Pinterest A person with mastoiditis will often have intense throbbing pain in or around the ear. Mastoiditis can begin after symptoms of an ear infection seem to have cleared up. It may also appear as a progressively worsening ear infection. When a person develops new symptoms within a few weeks of an ear infection, a doctor may assess them to see if they have mastoiditis. Symptoms include: intense throbbing pain in or around the ear

pus or other fluids coming out of the ear

fever or chills

swelling behind or under the ear

redness behind the ear

a bad smell coming from the ear

an ear that appears to be sticking out or pushed forward

hearing problems or ringing in the ears People should look out for the following signs in very young children who might be unable to describe their symptoms: mood changes

frequent crying

hitting the side of the head

pulling on the ears In some people, the swelling that mastoiditis causes is intermittent or gets better and then worse. It is important not to assume that an infection is healing just because symptoms improve slightly. Without treatment, mastoiditis can cause infections in the skull, the blood, or the organs. People can also develop a life-threatening blood infection called sepsis. A person with mastoiditis or an ear infection who has confusion, a high fever, is very weak, or who has swelling around their head should go to the emergency room.

Causes of mastoiditis Share on Pinterest Not taking antibiotics can allow the infection to spread. Ear infections are the most common cause of mastoiditis. When a person does not receive antibiotics for mastoiditis, the bacteria can spread. If people stop taking antibiotics too soon, this can also allow the infection to spread. Some people can develop antibiotic-resistant infections that spread even with antibiotic treatment. A person may, less commonly, have an abnormal growth of skin cells in the middle ear called a cholesteatoma. This skin growth can cause a blockage in the ear that allows bacteria to multiply, causing mastoiditis. Cholesteatomas can also cause ear polyps that may result in further obstruction.

When to see a doctor Call a doctor immediately for symptoms of mastoiditis. Mastoiditis is a severe condition that can potentially become life-threatening. People should not delay treatment. They should go to an urgent care clinic or the emergency room if it is the weekend or after hours. A person who has symptoms of an ear infection, such as pressure and pain in the ear or fever, should see their doctor within 24 to 48 hours.

Treatment and prevention Share on Pinterest A doctor can usually diagnose mastoiditis by looking at the swelling. A doctor can usually diagnose mastoiditis, depending on symptoms and by looking at the swelling. Sometimes blood work or imaging scans of the ear can help rule out other causes. Antibiotics can usually treat mastoiditis. In most cases, a person needs intravenous antibiotics, typically requiring hospitalization. If the first antibiotic treatment does not work, a doctor may take a culture of the infection to determine the type of bacteria and find a different course of antibiotics. In some cases, a doctor may need to perform a mastoidectomy. This operation involves the removal of the portion of the mastoid process that has the infection. If there is an abscess, which is a swollen mass of infected fluid, a doctor may need to drain it surgically or with a needle. The most effective option for preventing mastoiditis is to treat ear infections promptly. It is essential to see a doctor for symptoms of an ear infection that are not improving. This is true even if a person has previously had a successful recovery from an ear infection without needing antibiotics. When a doctor prescribes antibiotics for an ear infection, people should take all of the antibiotics even if symptoms disappear. Taking a partial dose of antibiotics makes it easier for the infection to return. People should not take older antibiotics that are lying around the house from a previous illness. Taking the appropriate antibiotics for the infection is critical. Regular hand-washing and avoiding people who are unwell can help reduce the risk of contracting an ear infection. People with a weakened immune system due to HIV or AIDS, diabetes, or certain medications are more vulnerable to serious complications. It is vital to immediately see a doctor for signs of infection in a person with a compromised immune system.

Outlook With prompt, aggressive treatment, the outlook for mastoiditis is good in most cases. A 2014 study followed 32 people younger than 16 years old who were in the hospital for mastoiditis. Most of the children had a successful recovery, though 54 percent required surgery. Three of the children with weak immune systems developed mastoiditis again and had to have further surgery.
New research published in the journal Current Biology finds that slow, repetitive movement improves sleep quality  and implicitly memory consolidation  by modulating brain wave activity. Share on Pinterest New research helps explain why sleeping in a hammock feels so good. As many as 1 in 3 adults in the United States are not getting the recommended 7 hours of sleep a night, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease are just some of the conditions that sleep-deprived people are at risk of developing. The director of the CDCs Division of Population Health recommends that people who dont get enough sleep make a range of lifestyle changes to improve their sleep quality. Changes include going to bed at the same time each night; rising at the same time each morning; and turning off or removing televisions, computers, mobile devices from the bedroom. But besides such sleep hygiene practices, new research suggests there is something else a person can do to improve sleep, even as an adult: rocking gently from side to side. Two new studies, conducted by researchers at the University of Geneva (UNIGE), University of Lausanne (UNIL), and the University Hospitals of Geneva (HUG)  all in Switzerland  examine the effects of slow and repetitive movement on sleep quality in young adults and mice.

How rocking affects sleep quality Laurence Bayer, a researcher in the Department of Basic Neurosciences at UNIGE Faculty of Medicine, together with Sophie Schwartz, a full professor in the same department, led the first study. The study involved 18 healthy young participants who slept at the HUG Sleep Medicine Center for 2 nights. The researchers recorded the participants heart and respiratory rates and used electroencephalography to monitor their brain activity. On the first night, the study participants slept on a moving bed, while the second night they slept on a bed which was still. [W]e observed that our participants, although they slept well in both cases, fell asleep more quickly when they were rocked, reports Bayer. In addition, they had longer periods of deep sleep and fewer micro-wakes, a factor frequently associated with poor sleep quality. Next, the researchers wanted to see if gentle motion also affected memory consolidation. [W]e subjected our participants to memory tests: they had to learn pairs of words in the evening and remember them in the morning when they woke up, reports first author of the study Aurore Perrault, a researcher at the UNIGE Faculty of Medicine. And here too, rocking proved beneficial: the test results were much better after a night in motion than after a still night! she says. The researchers explain that this is a consequence of how deep sleep modulates brain wave activity, and of how gentle rocking helps synchronize the brain activity across the so-called thalamocortical-cortical networks. These brain networks play a vital role in deep sleep and memory building.
Triple-negative breast cancer is an aggressive form of the disease. To understand it, a person should know about the other types of breast cancer. Some breast cancers have receptor cells that respond to hormones. There are three main types of receptors: estrogen receptor

progesterone receptor

human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 Doctors diagnose breast cancer by identifying which receptor is present. They run a series of tests for each of the three receptors, and these will return either positive or negative results. When a person has breast cancer, but all of these results come back negative, doctors diagnose the person with triple-negative breast cancer. Many treatments aim to block one or more of the three receptors. When results for all three are negative, hormone-based medications are not an effective option. Instead, a doctor will recommend other treatments, such as chemotherapy. As with other breast cancers, the success of treatment for triple-negative breast cancer depends on the size of the tumor and how pervasive it is. There are fewer treatment options for triple-negative breast cancer, and it is more likely to spread and recur than other types of the disease. Read on for more information about triple-negative breast cancer and what to expect.

Recurrence rates Share on Pinterest A doctor can give advice about the risk of recurrence. A review from 2018, published in the British Journal of Cancer , analyzed data from people with triple-negative breast cancer. The results indicated that if someone survived for 5 years following treatment of the disease, there was a low probability of it recurring in the next 10 years. Doctors believe that certain factors affect recurrence rates of triple-negative as well as other types of breast cancer. Some factors that may increase the likelihood of recurrence include: larger tumors

initial diagnosis when a person is 35 years old or younger

lumpectomy without radiation

involvement of the lymph nodes According to specialists, the highest risk of recurrence typically occurs in the first few years following treatment. After 5 years, the risk of recurrence reduces. People who have triple-negative breast cancer are also more likely to develop metastasis. Metastasis refers to a secondary cancer forming in a different part of the body. One study, published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, determined that metastasis was most likely to appear in the brain and lung. The researchers also concluded that survival rates are better when metastasis occurs in the bones.

Survival statistics According to BreastCancer.org, triple-negative breast cancer accounts for 1020 percent of all breast cancers. The organization also states that 1 out of every 8 women in the United States will develop invasive breast cancer at some point. Doctors base survival rates on the percentage of people who are still alive at least 5 years after they received a diagnosis. However, survival rates have some limitations: Doctors base the rates on a 5-year time gap, so women who have received recent diagnoses may have a higher survival rate because of advancements in treatment.

They do not take recurrence, metastasis, or substages of cancer into account.

Individual factors, such as age and overall health, play a role in how long a person may survive. Doctors calculate survival rates according to the stage of the cancer when the person received the diagnosis. The American Cancer Society report the following 5-year survival rates for breast cancer: stage 0 to 1  near 100 percent survival rate

stage 2  about 93 percent survival rate

stage 3  72 percent survival rate

stage 4 (metastatic)  22 percent survival rate According to BreastCancer.Org, doctors typically class triple-negative breast cancer as grade 3. Anyone with this diagnosis should speak to the doctor about how their unique conditions affect the estimation of survival.

Risks and symptoms Certain people are more susceptible to developing triple-negative breast cancer. Some risk factors are unavoidable, while others are lifestyle-related. Risk factors include: being African-American or Hispanic

being under 50 years old

having the breast cancer type 1 susceptibility protein, which is often called the BRCA1 mutation

not breastfeeding

being obese or overweight

breast density Symptoms of triple-negative breast cancer The signs and symptoms of triple-negative breast cancer are similar to those of other types of breast cancer. Some of the most common symptoms include: a lump or mass appearing in the breast or around it

inverted nipples that may leak fluid

redness or pain in the breast

Treatment and prevention Share on Pinterest A doctor may recommend a mastectomy or lumpectomy. Hormone therapies are not effective in treating triple-negative breast cancer. Instead, doctors focus on other options. A treatment plan may include a combination of: radiation

chemotherapy

surgery Surgery may involve: a lumpectomy, in which a surgeon removes some breast tissue

a mastectomy, in which the surgeon removes one or both breasts Though doctors may refer to triple-negative breast cancer as difficult to treat, people should note that successful treatment depends on how early a doctor detects the cancer and its stage at diagnosis. Prevention of triple-negative breast cancer Some people are more prone to this type of cancer than others. However, having risk factors does not necessarily mean that a person will develop it. Similarly, some people with no risk factors have triple-negative breast cancer. While it is impossible to prevent breast cancer, a person can reduce some risks by maintaining a healthful lifestyle, including: not smoking

reducing or eliminating alcohol consumption

eating healthful, well-balanced meals and snacks

doing regular exercise Also, people should perform self-exams and go for regular checkups and breast cancer screenings. Early detection will help improve the prognosis.
by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, January 25, 2019

Analysts and economists are using Google Search and Google Trends data to determine the economic status of the United States since the government shutdown and since the Commerce Departments December retail report missed its scheduled January 16 release date.

Indeed, it is an unorthodox method, as Bloomberg refers to it -- but apparently it works.

Search engine queries suggest that retail sales rose -- excluding gas and autos, which sequentially rose 0.3% in December, Neil Dutta, Renaissance Macro head of U.S. economics, wrote in a report, cited by Bloomberg.

The economist notes that the report adjusts for seasonal retail sales from companies such as Gap, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Nordstrom. He tracked the annual change in search growth with the historical sales data during the same period.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. also sees value in alternative economic data from Google Trends and other technologies, Bloomberg wrote.

The Search and Trends data provides visibility into activity that traditional measures miss, per Bloomberg, citing JPMorgans report.

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Some Wall Street analysts have been using Google search and Google Trends data for years.

Mark Mahaney, analyst at RBC Capital Markets, also refers to Google Trends data in his January 15, 2019 report when referring to Yelp. He wrote: "Comscore Traffic and Google Trends data look mixed-to-negative for Q4, tho Street FY19 estimates were materially reduced post Q3 zero net adds issue."

Other analyst like Colin Sebastian, senior research analyst at RW Baird, use Google Trends data to identify interest in video games such as Black Ops 4. In a research note, Sebastian wrote On a relative basis, Google Trends data still show "RDR2" generating significantly more search traffic than either "BO4" or "Battlefield.
by Dave Morgan , Featured Contributor, January 24, 2019

The following was previously published in an earlier edition of Media Insider:

For years, folks in the ad industry have talked wistfully of the day when TV advertising would be bought through automated online interfaces on auction-based bid marketplaces, as search, social and digital display advertising have been bought since the middle 2000s.

And some folks have done more than just talk. In 2003, a start-up called SpotRunner launched an online marketplace for local TV ads. It was shut down before the decade was out.

In 2007, eBay tried to create a TV ad marketplace, but it never even made it to the launch pad.

Also in 2007, Google created an online marketplace for TV ads, only to shut it down five years later. Microsoft bought a TV ad-tech company, Navic  or its Admira TV ad marketplace  but it didnt make it much past 2010.

What gives? Why have some of the worlds largest tech companies failed at bringing marketplace technology to TV?

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To me, the answer is pretty straightforward. Just as everything is a nail to a hammer, to most digital ad-tech companies, all media is like digital.

Except, as anyone who truly knows TV knows, the world of TV advertising is nothing like digital. Heres what I mean:

In TV advertising, demand exceeds supply. TV has a futures market, the upfront, because more advertisers want guaranteed placements on TV than there are placements to be sold. Thus, they must reserve them and lock in pricing many months in advance.

Digital doesnt work that way. The vast majority of digital ads are not actually bought until a millisecond before they are served, or the availability perishes.

Real-time systems operate totally differently than futures systems do. Virtually all of the core ad technology that powers digital marketplaces  bidding, ad serving, optimization, demand-side platforms and sell-side platforms  operate on a real-time waterfall system, and have at their core real-time decisioning engines that optimize against an addressable media unit.

The digital ad-tech systems that can make the most optimal decisions against the largest pool of addressable units (browsers, apps, mobile phones, etc.) in the least amount of time win.

Not so in TV. The value  and optimization potential  in TV advertising is in the future, and the transaction unit is a TV spot. The vast, vast majority of TV spots are not addressable.

Thus, the purchased unit has to be viewed as a portfolio, not a person or browser or app, since every TV ad spot represents thousands or millions of different people that have different duplication and relative cost relationships to every other one of the spots available on TV during a campaign (every day, there are more than 250,000 spots on national TV).

Trying to predict and optimize TV ad campaigns with digital ad-tech systems is like trying to predict tsunamis off the coast of Indonesia six months in advance by sticking your hand out your Manhattan office window 10,000 times per second. Good luck with that.

TV networks have nothing to gain by exposing unsold inventory. Why do TV networks have special deals in place with direct-response advertisers, many of whom pay much lower rates than large brands do?

Because the structure of most of those deals permits the networks to preempt those ads at the last second with higher-paying ads, and having them in place guarantees scarcity of available impressions. That dynamic is critical in maintaining TV as a supply-constrained market.

In that world, TV networks gain nothing from exposing the volume or pricing of their unsold, or under-sold, inventory to buyers. In the digital ad world, publishers must push their avails information and status directly into the buyers interfaces, to be picked off at the last moment.

In the TV world, it is the opposite. Buyers demand  the amount that advertisers or agencies are willing to bid and pay for specific TV spots or audiences  needs to be pushed all the way into sellers interfaces, with sellers able to unilaterally accept or reject those bids each and every time.

This mismatch between the interests of TV sellers, and the design and operation of digital ad-tech systems built for a marketplace where buyers rule, is one of the most fundamental reasons weve seen so many digitally inspired marketplaces fail in the world of TV advertising.

Will all this change? Will we see marketplaces purpose-built for the TV ad ecosystem? For sure. Its an area Ive been personally focused on, and weve heard from a lot of the large TV ad market participants like AT&Ts Xandr and Comcast that theyre headed there, too. This will be fun to watch.

What do you think?
by Adam Buckman , Featured Columnist, January 25, 2019

The first puzzle one confronts in this new TNT limited series called I Am the Night is its title.

Who or what is the night? Who or what is saying I am the night? Is the night being evoked here as a general metaphor for darkness, as in the darkness in men's souls (and some womens)?

Or is I am the night being spoken by this show's lead character, an ethically challenged reporter whose personality has its own dark spaces, including substance abuse and a decidedly downscale lifestyle?

Or maybe one is supposed to read this title and think I am the knight, -- which, here again, may or may not be a reference to this reporter character.

He is the closest character this series has to the archetypal hero of noir fiction and films -- the cynical, world-weary lone knight who lives by his own code of ethics or behavior and somehow, often against his own better judgement, cannot help ending up on the side of the downtrodden.

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The name given to this one (played by Chris Pine, who is also an executive producer of this series premiering Monday on TNT) is Jay Singletary, which might have been chosen on purpose to underscore his status as a lone wolf.

Or maybe not. The problem is, Jay Singletary is no Phillip Marlowe or Lew Archer. Having said that, Pine is the best part of this series.

He plays the role of a man who has become all too accustomed to hitting rock bottom, ever since he was nearly destroyed by a story he once covered.

The story is one that movies and TV have returned to again and again -- the so-called black dahlia murder, a notorious L.A. crime that was never solved.

It involved the murder of a young black-haired woman whose dismembered, mutilated body was discovered in an L.A. park in 1947.

Her name was Elizabeth Short, but she came to be known in the press coverage of the crime as the Black Dahlia -- a nickname with several possible origins.

The thing is, however, this TNT series I Am the Night takes place in 1965, some 18 years after the crime. For this reporter to have covered this story back then, he would have had to be approximately 20 years old. (For the record, Pine is 38; his character's age is not specified.)

As it happens, Singletary was a bit of a wunderkind back then, and somehow became a reporter with The L.A. Times at a very tender age, according to another character in this show.

He has apparently been down and out ever since, subsisting on bottom-of-the-barrel freelance assignments and sharing his cocaine stash with hookers. And now, in 1965, an anonymous phone tip about this all-but-forgotten case has him thinking he might be able to redeem himself at long last.

But wait -- The Pine character is not the only principal figure in this drama. The other is a young woman, played by India Ainsley, who comes to L.A. from Nevada in search of her real family.

And this family she seeks might be mixed up in the Black Dahlia murder (and possibly some other ones too).

Evidently, the paths of this reporter-knight and this young woman known as either Pat or Fauna are destined to cross.

As their paths wind toward this inevitable intersection, there is one other subject this series has decided to chew on -- race, and the state of white-black relations at the mid-point of the 1960s.

The young woman character named Fauna (or Pat) had a white mother and black father, which is a secret that her birth family has made every effort to bury.

Pat (or Fauna) is light-complexioned, so much so that various characters and authority figures express surprise when they learn that she at least partly African-American (which in those days qualified her as black).

Thus, this young woman is meant to carry the weight of the 1960s civil rights struggle smack dab on her slender shoulders, which is quite a responsibility to put on this character.

The various storylines -- the down-and-out reporter seeking redemption with a story that almost destroyed him, the mixed-race young woman undertaking a naive search for her original identity, and race relations in America -- do not exactly gel here.

In this way, I Am the Night seems to be biting off more than it can chew. Despite the costumes and vintage cars, the show's 1960s time frame comes across as inauthentic -- like play-acting more than acting.

I Am the Night premieres Monday (January 28) at 9 p.m. Eastern on TNT.
Its a wonderful town, Popovic said of St. John, where she served on the board of zoning appeals for the last year. I have a strong, vested interest in making sure that this town grows - economically, financially and conservatively -- in a good way. Ive been looking forward to being on this board. Ive been bending everyones ear to learn about this process.
Job Summary  Grants Assistant

PATH is a global organization that works to accelerate health equity by bringing together public institutions, businesses, social enterprises, and investors to solve the worlds most pressing health challenges. With expertise in science, health, economics, technology, advocacy, and dozens of other specialties, PATH develops and scales solutionsincluding vaccines, drugs, devices, diagnostics, and innovative approaches to strengthening health systems worldwide.

Position: Grants Assistant

Location: Lubumbashi

PATH and its project partners are currently implementing an integrated HIV/AIDS services program to reduce morbidity and mortality from, and transmission of HIV in the provinces of Haut Katanga and Lualaba in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). PATH is seeking a Grants Assistant, based in Lubumbashi, to assist with the management of the projects portfolio of grantees in Haut-Katanga, under the supervision of the Lubumbashi/Haut Katanga regional Grants Officer.

Job Duties:

Maintain updated paper and electronic sub-grantee records, including supporting regional Grants Officers to update sub-grantee trackers monitoring submission of deliverables and payment processes and disbursements.

Assist with the collection and filing of required sub-grant deliverable, including monthly payment requests and milestone certification forms, and perform initial review of payment requests to ensure alignment with sub-grant payment schedule

Assist with the collection of supporting documents and preparation of payment lists for payment of beneficiaries through MPESA mobile money.

Support regional Grants Officers to coordinate review and payment process.

Collect supply requests for direct support recipients, support regional Grants Officers to ensure that requested goods and services requested have been procured, organize delivery of supplies to health facilities, and collect and file Acknowledgement of Receipts following delivery.

Prepare reimbursements of transportation and hospital services fees for direct support recipients.

Assist with development of agreements and budgets for new grants and amendments for existing grants (as needed), under direction of the regional Grants Officers.

Support regional Grants Officers to close out sub-grants in accordance with USAID and PATH policies, including gathering all required deliverables and documentation from sub-grantees and filing appropriately in project files.

Required Skills:

Bachelors degree in Accounting/ Finance or related field, and 23 years of full-time experience in sub-grant administration, financial management, and/or accounting is required, with experience on USAID or US Government projects strongly preferred

Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and ability to produce products with minimal errors.

Proven capacity to work under pressure, prioritize multiple tasks, and meet urgent deadlines.

Excellent oral and written skills in French; English proficiency a plus.

Ability to organize time efficiently and work with minimal direction.

Effective communication and interpersonal skills.

Ability to maintain confidentiality of financial and other sensitive information.

Strong team-player and work ethic.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, specifically Outlook, Excel, Word, and Access; accounting software packages; and web-based databases.

This position does not attract international terms and conditions. The post holder will be considered as a local staff and will not have international terms and conditions of employment. Applicants considered for this position are to be DRC nationals. This position is based in Lubumbashi. Candidates outside of Lubumbashi will be responsible for their relocation expenses.

Early application is encouraged as we will review applications throughout the advertising period and reserve the right to close the advert early.

PATH is dedicated to building an inclusive workforce where diversity is valued.

PATH is an equal opportunity employer. Every qualified applicant will be considered for employment. PATH does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, age, national origin, marital status, disability status, political ideology, military or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Please, submit your application to the following link: https://bit.ly/2MrqY1r.
The Regenerative Medicine Market is anticipated to reach over USD 79.23 billion by 2026 according to a new research published by Polaris Market Research. In 2017, the cell therapy dominated the global Regenerative Medicine market, in terms of revenue. North America is expected to be the leading contributor to the global market revenue in 2017.

Regenerative medicine is a branch of medicine that regrows, and repairs the damaged cells in the human body. These medicines include the use of stem cells, tissue engineering, that further helps in developing new organ that function smoothly. These medicines have the caliber of developing an entire organ as these cells are multipotent. The cells are majorly isolated from bone marrow, and umbilical cord blood.

The regenerative medicine market is primarily driven by the increasing number of individuals suffering from cancer, rising need to monitor and treating these chronic diseases in the limited time. Furthermore, stringent government policies, proper reimbursement policies, and increasing government healthcare expenditure for developing healthcare infrastructure to also boost the market growth in coming years. Also, rising number of organ transplantation, and increasing number of products in pipeline that are waiting for approval create major opportunity for the regenerative medicines in the coming years. However, some of the ethical and religious concerns for the use of stem cells, and lack of proper regulatory for the approval of various drugs would impede the market growth during the forecast period.

North America generated the highest revenue in the Regenerative Medicine market in 2017, and is expected to be the leading region globally during the forecast period. Increasing number of patients suffering from chronic diseases, improved healthcare infrastructure and health facilities, accessibility of healthcare facilities, are the primary factors driving the market growth in this region. While, Asia Pacific to be the fastest growing region in the coming years. The growth in this region is majorly attributed to the developing healthcare infrastructure of the countries like India, & China, and rising awareness for the use of regenerative medicines as an effective treatment option for chronic diseases.

The key players operating in the Regenerative Medicine market include Organogenesis Inc., Vericel Corporation, Osiris Therapeutics, Inc., Stryker Corporation, and NuVasive, Inc., Medtronic Plc., Acelity, Cook Biotech Inc., Integra LifeSciences, and C.R. Bard. These companies launch new products and collaborate with other market leaders to innovate and launch new products to meet the increasing needs and requirements of consumers.

Request Sample Report at https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/3695854-regenerative-medicine-market-share-size-trends-industry-analysis

Table of Contents

Overview and Scope Executive Summary Regenerative Medicine Market Insights Regenerative Medicine Market Size and Forecast by Therapy Type, 2018-2026 Regenerative Medicine Market Size and Forecast by Product Type, 2018-2026 Regenerative Medicine Market Size and Forecast by Application Type, 2018-2026 Regenerative Medicine Market Size and Forecast by Region, 2018-2026 Company Profiles

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Meadville, PA (16335)

Today

Mostly cloudy skies this morning followed by thunderstorms during the afternoon. A few storms may be severe. High 76F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms during the evening will give way to cloudy skies after midnight. Low 64F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%.
Marietta, GA (30060)

Today

Cloudy skies with periods of rain this afternoon. Potential for heavy rainfall. High 79F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch..

Tonight

Rain. Potential for heavy rainfall. Low 69F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. 1 to 2 inches of rain expected.
Hiram, GA (30141)

Today

Cloudy with rain developing this afternoon. Potential for heavy rainfall. High 77F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch..

Tonight

Rain. Potential for heavy rainfall. Low 68F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%. 1 to 2 inches of rain expected.
During the seventh day of Snyders trial, federal prosecutors asked witnesses about what qualifications a person would need to be considered to consult on health care issues or technology, seeking to establish that the Portage mayor met none of them. Snyder has said that he did legitimate consulting to justify a $13,000 payment that prosecutors say is an alleged bribe.
Atlanta, GA (30320)

Today

Periods of rain. Potential for heavy rainfall. High 78F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch..

Tonight

Rain likely. Potential for heavy rainfall. Low around 70F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall near an inch.
Atlanta, GA (30342)

Today

Cloudy skies with periods of rain this afternoon. Potential for heavy rainfall. High near 80F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch..

Tonight

Cloudy with periods of rain. Potential for heavy rainfall. Low 69F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%. 1 to 2 inches of rain expected.
Viola Caudill, 85, a resident of the Gowen Community passed away Thursday June 10, 2021 at home. A Graveside service will be held a 11:00 AM Monday June 14, 2021 in the Pavilion at Bache-Red Oak Cemetery. There will be a family and friends visitation on Sunday June 13, 2021 from 5:00pm to 7:
When Massachusetts State Police troopers attempted to help a tow truck driver who had crashed his truck off Interstate 495 in Milford, the troopers discovered the driver was carrying methamphetamine in a backpack, officials said.

The 2007 International 4300 flatbed truck crashed around 5 a.m. Friday, landing against a tree in the median on the northbound side of the highway, state police said. No other cars were involved in the crash.

Troopers pried open the door of the truck so the driver, 41-year-old Shawn McKay of Suncook, New Hampshire, could get out, state police said.

McKay was not injured and refused medical treatment, according to state police.

Due to the cold temperature and location of the crash, Trooper Erickson offered to let McKay wait inside her cruiser, state police wrote in a statement. For safety reasons, Trooper Connor pat frisked McKay and his belongings finding the above mentioned narcotics inside a backpack.

McKay was arrested on drug charges and is expected to be arraigned Friday in Milford District Court.
A person who has been added to the states sex and violent offender registry could try to request a name change for various reasons, such as if they want to try to avoid the stigma of their conviction or had their case reported on in the news, according to Hatcher.
Kennie Mota-Cruz, who is accused of fatally shooting 42-year-old Jose Ortiz last summer over a debt, pleaded not guilty to murder on Friday morning.

Mota-Cruz, 25, entered the plea at his arraignment in Worcester Superior Court. He was ordered held without bail and is scheduled to return to court on March 20.

No new details of the case were discussed in court.

Worcester police discovered Ortiz deceased with a single gunshot wound to his head at 15 Everard St. in the Bell Hill neighborhood of the city around 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 24.

Police issued a warrant for Mota-Cruzs arrest in early September. Later that month, he was arrested in New York, where he was charged with being a fugitive from justice.

A witness told police that Mota-Cruz went to the home with the intent to collect a debt from Ortiz, according to documents filed in Worcester District Court. The two men apparently argued in the front hall of the address and were the only people present in that area.

During the argument, there was an explosion, court documents read. Following the explosion, Mota-Cruz fled the area in the Mercedes. Mota-Cruz told the witness that he had to do what he had to do.

Court documents list the defendants name as both Kennie Mota-Cruz and Kennie Mota.

The medical examiner determined Ortizs death was a homicide by firearm.

Police did not find a firearm near Ortizs body or on the premises, court documents read.

Mota-Cruz was indicted on the murder charge on Dec. 20, moving his case to Worcester Superior Court.

Additionally, two others facing charges in connection with the shooting were also indicted on that date.

Jermaine Daye of Worcester and Chayenne Markland of Worcester are both charged with being accessories to the shooting. They will be arraigned in Worcester Superior Court at a later date.

Markland drove Mota-Cruz to the apartment in Dayes car, police said.

Daye was told his car was used in the shooting but failed to notify police, according to court documents. Authorities said Daye was seen on surveillance video cleaning the inside of the car on Aug. 26 and removing the floor mats.

Police searched the car and found stains believed to be blood, according to court records.
Jonathan Hart, who pleaded guilty earlier this week to murdering his great-uncle, saying the 84-year-old relative molested him for years, has been sentenced to serve 25 to 30 years in prison, officials said.

The motive behind the 2011 killing of Harts great uncle, Joseph Cernauskas, was revealed Wednesday as Hart pleaded guilty voluntary manslaughter as part of a plea deal. Hart had been charged with murder.

On Friday, he was sentenced to serve 25 to 30 years in prison, followed by 10 years of probation, according to the office of Worcester District Attorney Joseph Early Jr.

Hart, 28, of Barre, claimed that Cernauskas, who was days short of his 85th birthday when he was killed, molested him for years beginning when Hart was around 6 years old. Cernauskas was a former selectman in Hardwick.

Hart then revealed that the victim had molested him since he was 6 or 7 years old until he was 12 or 13, prosecutor Christopher Hodgens said as Hart pleaded guilty in Worcester Superior Court. Hart said that for a few years he had harbored the desire to hurt the victim and told several people of this desire.

Hart and a friend, Jason Lopez, 27, of Ware, waited outside Cernauskas home in the Wheelwright section of Hardwick just before midnight on Sept. 5, 2011. They went inside after Cernauskas fell asleep.

They found Mr. Cernauskas asleep in his bed, stabbed him, and killed him, Hodgens said Wednesday. They dragged the body to the victims minivan, drove to a remote field, and dumped the body.

The two men returned Cernauskas' home, stole some items and set the house on fire. They took the minivan and left.

Hardwick police and firefighters responded to the Maple Street home around 7:45 a.m. on Sept. 6, 2011, for the fire. Inside, they found evidence, including blood-stained bedding.

Cernauskas' body was not discovered until Sept. 20, 2011. He died from sharp force injury of the neck and torso.

Hart and Lopez drove to Florida. Lopez tried to kill himself by jumping in front of a moving car there on Sept. 14, 2011, authorities said. He was then arrested on a stolen motor vehicle charge.

The following day, Hart was arrested in Florida.

Lopez still has pending charges against him in connection with the killing.
As federal workers miss their second paycheck Friday, a popular Massachusetts barbecue joint is offering a free meal to government employees affected by the shutdown.

B.T.s Smokehouse in Sturbridge said furloughed federal workers can stop by for a free sandwich, drink and side, or a one-meat platter on Friday.

We hope to see resolution soon so that you all can start getting paid again, the company wrote on Facebook.

The government shutdown is entering its 35th day as impasse continues between President Donald Trump and Congress over a border wall.

Businesses in Massachusetts and across the country have stepped up to help furloughed workers who are struggling financially during the shutdown, offering freebies and even temporary work.

B.T.s Smokehouse was named the number one spot for barbecue in Massachusetts by Best of Mass judges last year.

Anyone knows good things take time, as seen with the brisket at B.T.'s Smokehouse: Its smoked for 24 hours. The patience, judgment and attention on each pice of meat is reflected in the taste, MassLive judges said, of B.T.'s. Thats why customers greet a line that wraps around the door and into the parking lot on weekends: Its just that good.
SPRINGFIELD  Isaiah Hall on Friday pleaded guilty in Hampden Superior Court to carrying a firearm without a license and illegal possession of ammunition in connection with a shooting at a West Springfield hotel in January 2018.

Charges of assault and battery with a firearm and discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a building were dropped as part of a plea agreement.

Hall, 22, of Springfield, has no criminal record.

Judge Francis Flannery adopted the sentence recommended by prosecution and defense. He sentenced Hall to 18 months in the Hampden County Correctional Center in Ludlow, followed by two years probation.

There is an 18-month minimum mandatory sentence on the gun charge, Assistant District Attorney James M. Forsyth said. Hall, who was supported by his wife and other family members in the courtroom, has 68 days credit for days spent in jail awaiting trial.

Police responded on Jan. 24, 2018, at about 1:10 p.m. to the Express Inn on Riverdale Street.

Forsyth said Hall was outside a room with others when Israel Cabrera-Perez pulled in to the parking lot with a woman in his car and raised a gun to Hall. Hall fired at Cabrera-Perez, who fired back. The woman with Cabrera-Perez took the gun and repeatedly fired it at Hall, who was hit in the bicep. Hall dropped his gun and someone else took the gun into a hotel room.

Two men began kicking and punching Hall, but police broke that up, Forsyth said.

Cabrera-Perez was charged in connection with the incident and his case is still pending in Hampden Superior Court.
The Red Sox were scheduled to visit the White House on Feb. 15. But the trip has been postponed until Bostons road trip to play the Baltimore Orioles in May because of the government shutdown, The Boston Globe is reporting.

Team president Sam Kennedy explained at Red Sox Winter Weekend last Saturday the Red Sox feel its not appropriate to attend the White House during a government shutdown.

Youve got 800,000 federal workers who are not working right now, Kennedy said. Some working, some not working but not receiving paychecks. Its hit people hard in the New England area. So just not sure its appropriate to be celebrating in such a public way while theres people who are struggling right now. So thats been the internal conversation.

Kennedy suggested Red Sox fans affected by the government shutdown have expressed their opinion to the Red Sox as well.

We always have ongoing dialogue with our fans, Kennedy said. So yeah, theres been lots of conversations.

The Red Sox visit the Orioles from May 6-8. They have an off day May 9.
Amid the longest-running government shutdown in U.S. history, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has been largely absent. He abstained from speaking engagements and refused to allow funding bills to reach the floor of the Senate for debate and vote. Many feel the longtime lawmaker is hurting the nation with his intransigence. Others say he is protecting the Republican Party. What do you think?

PERSPECTIVES

McConnell has been deferring completely to the president on the shutdown. While bills have passed through the House that would allow the government to re-open, they do not have support from the president -- something McConnell requires of any bill before reaching the floor of the Senate. Per the New York Times Magazine:

As of Jan. 23, the Hill reports McConnell blocked four bills that would fund the government while debates over the wall continued.

Not only did the shutdown occur on McConnell's watch, he refused to allow Senators to debate bills in good faith.

Some note McConnell routinely makes political calculations he believes will result in the best solution to any crisis. During the shutdown, he refused to bring bills to the floor he knew would fail.

McConnell changed his tactic in late January, allowing both Democrats and Republicans to bring bills to the Senate floor for a vote. Jim Manley, who worked for former Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, told Vox he believed McConnell was planning for both bills to fail, giving him more leverage to broker a compromise.

While McConnell's perceived lack of movement on the shutdown frustrated critics, his absence successfully protected Senate Republicans from blame.

As Majority Leader, McConnell is responsible for maintaining the power of his party. By staying to the sidelines and allowing Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi to battle President Trump, he staved off any criticism. Per NBC News:

While shutdowns hurt the government, McConnell's actions could save Republicans from retribution in the polls in 2020.

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Roger Stone, a longtime GOP consultant and former adviser to President Donald Trump, is expected to address reporters following his Friday appearance in federal court on charges raised as part of Special Counsel Robert Muellers investigation into the 2016 presidential election.

Watch Stones remarks here:

Stone briefly went before U.S. Magistrate Judge Lurana S. Snow at the federal courthouse in Fort Lauderdale, Florida -- hours after FBI agents arrested him at his home.

Snow set a $250,000 bond for the former Trump campaign adviser and told Stone he could not travel outside of South Florida, Washington, D.C. and New York City or have contact with any witnesses, the Associated Press reported. Prosecutors also asked that Stone submit to drug test, a request to which his attorney did not object.

The arrest came one day after a federal grand jury indicted Stone on one count of obstruction of an official proceeding, five counts of giving false statements and one count of witness tampering, according to the special counsels office.

This is a breaking news story and will be updated.
Roger Stone, a longtime GOP consultant, told reporters Friday that he is not guilty of the charges brought against him as part of Special Counsel Robert Muellers investigation into the 2016 election and will not bear false witness against President Donald Trump.

Stone, following an appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Lurana S. Snow at the federal courthouse in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, publicly denied allegations that he took steps to obstruct congressional and FBI investigations into Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, gave false statements and tampered with a witness.

The charges today relate in no way to Russian collusion, WikiLeaks collaboration or any other illegal act in connection with the 2016 campaign, he said amid boos and chants of lock him up." I am falsely accused of making false statements during my testimony to the House Intelligence Committee. That is incorrect, any error I made in my testimony would be both immaterial and without intent.

Stone further took issue with the handling of his early morning arrest, saying he found it disturbing that special counsels office issued a press release on his indictment prior to contacting his attorneys.

He argued that instead of sending more than two dozen FBI agents to his home at the crack of dawn, they could have simply contacted his lawyer.

Stone said he will plead not guilty to these charges and defeat them in court," contending that the special counsels investigation is politically motivated.

I am troubled by the political motivations of the prosecutors and, as I have said previously, there is no circumstance whatsoever under which I will bear false witness against the president, nor will I make up lies to ease the pressure on myself, he said. I look forward to being wholly and completely vindicated.

Stones remarks came shortly after Snow set a $250,000 bond for the former Trump campaign adviser and told him he could not travel outside of South Florida, Washington, D.C. and New York City or have contact with any witnesses, the Associated Press reported. He did not enter a plea during the brief appearance.

The special counsels office announced Friday that Stone was arrested in Fort Lauderdale, after a federal grand jury indicted him on one count of obstruction of an official proceeding, five counts of giving false statements and one count of witness tampering.

Mueller, in his 24-page indictment against Stone, alleges that he communicated with the Trump campaign and its associates about WikiLeaks releases involving Democrats' emails in the run up to the 2016 presidential election.

The special counsels indictment suggests that Stone took steps to obstruct congressional and FBI investigations into Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election -- probes which also looked at his alleged contact with WikiLeaks, referred to as Organization 1.

It alleges that he made multiple false statements to (U.S. Houses Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence) about his interactions regarding Organization 1, and falsely denied possessing records that contained evidence of these interactions.

Officials accused Stone of, among other things, falsely testifying that he did not have emails with third parties about the head of WikiLeaks or any documents that refer to the head of Organization 1; and never discussed his conversations with the person he referred to as his go-between, mutual friend and intermediary with anyone involved in the Trump Campaign.

Muellers indictment also accuses Stone of attempting to persuade a witness to provide false testimony to and withhold pertinent information from the investigations.

This is a breaking news story and will be updated.
Roger Stone, a longtime GOP consultant and former adviser to President Donald Trump, appeared in federal court Friday after being charged with various counts of obstruction, giving false statements and witness tampering as part of Special Counsel Robert Muellers investigation into the 2016 campaign.

Stone briefly went before U.S. Magistrate Judge Lurana S. Snow at the federal courthouse in Fort Lauderdale, Florida -- hours after FBI agents arrested him at his home.

Snow set a $250,000 bond for the former Trump campaign adviser and told Stone he could not travel outside of South Florida, Washington, D.C. and New York City or have contact with any witnesses, the Associated Press reported. Prosecutors also asked that Stone submit to drug test, a request to which his attorney did not object.

The news outlet noted that Stone did not enter a plea.

According to the special counsels office, the arrest came one day after a federal grand jury indicted Stone on one count of obstruction of an official proceeding, five counts of giving false statements and one count of witness tampering.

Mueller, in his 24-page indictment against Stone, alleges that he communicated with the Trump campaign and its associates about WikiLeaks releases involving Democrats' emails in the run up to the 2016 presidential election.

It further accuses him of lying to Congress about his communications regarding WikiLeaks and attempting to prevent another persons testimony in an official proceeding.

The special counsels indictment suggests that Stone took steps to obstruct congressional and FBI investigations into Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election -- probes which also looked at his alleged contact with WikiLeaks, referred to as Organization 1.

It alleges that he made multiple false statements to (U.S. Houses Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence) about his interactions regarding Organization 1, and falsely denied possessing records that contained evidence of these interactions.

Officials accused Stone of, among other things, falsely testifying that he did not have emails with third parties about the head of WikiLeaks or any documents that refer to the head of Organization 1; and never discussed his conversations with the person he referred to as his go-between, mutual friend and intermediary with anyone involved in the Trump Campaign.

Muellers indictment also accuses Stone of attempting to persuade a witness to provide false testimony to and withhold pertinent information from the investigations.

Stone is the sixth Trump associate to be charged as part of Muellers probe, the Associated Press noted.

Despite the charges brought against Stone, the White House stressed Friday that they do not indicate any wrongdoing by the president.

The president did nothing wrong and there was no collusion on his part, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders told CNN.

Jay Sekulow, a lawyer for Trump, added that the new indictment does not allege Russian collusion by Roger Stone or anyone else," but rather focuses on alleged false statements made to Congress, AP reported.

This is a breaking news story and will be updated.
President Donald Trump spoke out Friday against the early morning arrest of Roger Stone, arguing that border coyotes, drug dealers and human traffickers are treated better" than his former adviser.

Trump, who has repeatedly cast Special Counsel Robert Muellers investigation into the 2016 campaign as a witch hunt, revived his criticism in a tweet posted hours after FBI agents arrested Stone on charges brought as part of the Justice Department probe.

The president further stressed that no collusion occurred between his campaign and Russia and blasted the FBIs handling of Stones arrest -- footage of which appeared on CNN Friday.

Greatest Witch Hunt in the History of our Country! NO COLLUSION! Border Coyotes, Drug Dealers and Human Traffickers are treated better, he tweeted. Who alerted CNN to be there?

Greatest Witch Hunt in the History of our Country! NO COLLUSION! Border Coyotes, Drug Dealers and Human Traffickers are treated better. Who alerted CNN to be there?  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 25, 2019

Stone, a longtime GOP consultant and former adviser to Trump, appeared in federal court Friday -- hours after FBI agents arrested him at his home.

According to the special counsels office, the arrest came one day after a federal grand jury indicted Stone on one count of obstruction of an official proceeding, five counts of giving false statements and one count of witness tampering.

Mueller, in his 24-page indictment against Stone, alleges that he communicated with the Trump campaign and its associates about WikiLeaks releases involving Democrats' emails in the run up to the 2016 presidential election.

This White House stressed Friday that the charges brought against Stone do not indicate any wrongdoing by the president.

The president did nothing wrong and there was no collusion on his part, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders told CNN.

Jay Sekulow, a lawyer for Trump, added that the new indictment does not allege Russian collusion by Roger Stone or anyone else," but rather focuses on alleged false statements made to Congress, the Associated Press reported.

This is a breaking news story and will be updated.
Police arrested Jakharr Williams, 20, on Jan. 23 in connection with the shooting, and he was charged with unlawful possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, according to the Daily Southtown. Police said Britten and Williams knew each other, and the shooting followed a confrontation between the two, according to the newspaper.
Gov. Charlie Baker is preparing to present lawmakers with ideas about how Massachusetts could help federal workers furloughed or working without pay because of the partial federal government shutdown.

The Republican said Thursday his administration is looking for ways that the state's unemployment insurance system could be tapped to help the workers. He said many are struggling to pay their rent or mortgage or meet other daily costs of living.

"What we've been working on most of is trying to figure out how to make the unemployment insurance system support these folks," Baker told reporters. "Our goal is to have some thoughts about how to do that that we could talk to the Legislature about next week."

There are about 47,000 federal employees living in Massachusetts.

Democratic House Speaker Robert DeLeo said Thursday the Legislature is also looking for ways to help federal workers in Massachusetts.

"One of the concerns that I have is as this extends for a longer and longer period of time there are going to be a number of people there that obviously are not going to be in a good position in term of paying bills because of the fact they're getting no income," DeLeo said.

Also Thursday, Democratic Senate President Karen Spilka announced a bipartisan eight-member Senate working group to develop ways to help federal workers.

Spilka said the working group will look at how to assist families and individuals meet their basic needs, including groceries, housing and childcare. The working group will also evaluate proposals designed to extend unemployment insurance, as well as attempt to assess coming challenges to the state if the shutdown continues.

"Creating this bipartisan working group will allow us to effectively strategize ways to protect and care for individuals and families affected by the government shutdown, while also preparing for the long-term implications for our economy," Spilka said in a statement.

She said of the federal workers in Massachusetts, about 8,000 have been out of work since the government shutdown began on Dec. 22.

The shutdown is now in its 34th day and is the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.
Charlie Baker is proposing a $1.1 billion increase to kindergarten-through-grade-12 education. If the teacher unions, advocacy groups and other concerned participants care about improving Massachusetts schools, as presumably they do, they should stop playing politics.

The governors proposal merits scrutiny, debate and perhaps, change. It is not perfect. The seven-year window of implementation, in particular, stretches over much of the learning period for an entire generation of students.

That rankles those who see much more urgency in the need for improvement.

What Bakers plan doesnt deserve is the scathing tone of some of the criticism. This is partisanship masked as caring. It doesnt resonate as much as perhaps it once did.

Bakers plan is coming under attack for three basic reasons: its too slow to implement, some critics say it doesnt go nearly far enough, and it gives the education commissioner power to withhold state funding when districts perform at unacceptable levels and progress is not being seen.

The case for more urgency has merit, but the governor wants to make sure education investment can be afforded. Thats a necessary consideration if long-term sustainability is the goal, as it must be.

As for more state intervention, nobody really wants that. But the governor and the Board of Education want results. Teaching children is an inexact science and standardized numbers alone should not determine success or failure.

The cost of poor education, though, is too high to accept simply with the local-autonomy defense. Accountability matters. It should not always be met with rebuke.

Whether the education commissioner should have the power to withhold state funding can be debated, but the Massachusetts Teachers Associations stance does not address alternative solutions - unless the solution is to allow low performance to go unchecked in the name of local autonomy.

Of the proposed increases, 85 percent would be earmarked to districts with the levels of low-income students. Still, does Bakers proposal go far enough?

Thats where the real debate should be. But for as much as Massachusetts children deserve the best we can give them, cost and sustainability cannot be entirely ignored.

One voice of reason belongs to Lisa Guisbond, the executive director for Citizens for Public Schools and a leader in the Fund Our Future campaign. Shes distressed by the seven-year schedule.

Its good to see the governor acknowledging the under-funding of our schools. But Im concerned that theres a lack of urgency about addressing this issue, she said.

Thats a fair analysis. The budget process has a long way to go. But if Massachusetts education improvement is being stalled, its not the governors fault.

The Democratic-controlled House and Senate failed to come up with a funding bill before the 2018 session ended. With an apparently more resolute attitude, lawmakers are taking up the issue again. The result is expected to be the most significant, progressive upgrade of state education in 25 years.

Its needed and its overdue, which makes the seven-year schedule open to debate. But at the very least, Bakers proposal is a good starting point. The proper way to start is not by suggesting a $1.1 billion investment in our children is coming from a governor who doesnt care.
SOUTH HADLEY  A broken utility pole prompted police to close a section of New Ludlow Road Friday morning.

Police, in a post on their departments Facebook page issued at about 7:30 a.m., said New Ludlow Road will be closed to through traffic between Old Lyman Road and Morgan Street in Granby.

The roadway is expected to be closed for 1-2 hours. Police could not immediately be reached for comment.
SPRINGFIELD  According to the police narrative, Roberto Perez brought a cellphone to what became a gunfight.

Perez, 22, listed as homeless, was shot by police Sunday night as officers responded to a domestic disturbance in Indian Orchard. The two officers fired as many as 11 shots combined, and Perez was struck twice in the buttocks.

According to the police narrative, Officers Igor Basovskiy and John Wajdula, opened fire after Perez removed an unknown object from his pants, pointed it at them and then charged at them from a distance of about 20 feet.

It was only afterward, as they tended to a wounded Perez on the ground, that they learned the unknown object was not a gun but a cellphone.

Since the shooting Sunday night on Layzon Brothers Road, police and the Hampden district attorneys office have released just the barest of details.

Accounts of the shooting and events leading up to it are including in the police narrative, authored by Basovskiy, that was obtained by The Republican from Springfield District Court.

Perez is charged with two counts of unarmed burglary, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon and four counts of threatening to commit a crime (murder).

He is also charged with five warrant charges for assault with a dangerous weapon, breaking and entering, threatening to commit a crime, and two counts of violation of a restraining order.

Perez entered a not guilty plea at his arraignment on Tuesday in Springfield District Court. He was ordered held without the right to bail until the court holds a dangerousness hearing on Jan. 29. He was brought into the courtroom in a wheelchair, with his hands cuffed and his legs shackled. He also had a bandage on the left side of his neck, but there is no mention of that injury in the police report.

The shooting is under investigation by the district attorneys office to determine if an appropriate level of force was used. This is a standard procedure for officer-involved shootings.

James Leydon, communications director for DA Anthony Gulluni, said he did not want to say how long the investigation would take. The DAs office does not typically release findings of such a review until the completion of any related court cases. He said no statement will be made public until Perezs court case is resolved.

An attempt to reach Perezs court-appointed lawyer, Yvonne Vidal, was not successful.

The shooting occurred during the second of two calls for a domestic disturbance at the same location, roughly 30 minutes apart. Basovskiy and Wajdula were the responding officers for both of them.

At 9:09 p.m., they were dispatched for a report from two women that an unwanted male guest in their residence would not leave. One of the women identified him as Perez and said he was her kind of boyfriend.

Officers searched the apartment and found no one. The narrative mentions the officers found fresh footprints in the yard coming from the house, and believed Perez had fled. Before leaving the scene, Basovskiy and Wajdula instructed the two women to call police again if Perez returned.

Around 30 minutes later, they called again.

Basovskiy and Wajdula were dispatched to the same residence at 9:42 p.m.

Unlike the earlier call, this time Perez was there and he was apparently enraged. The report says that when the officers arrived they could hear women screaming, Stop kicking the door, leave us alone. Get out of here. There was also a pounding noise from the rear of the residence.

When the officers went around back, they could see Perez pounding on the door. On the ground was what appeared to be a bent window screen pried off the house. The back of the residence was described as not very well lit.

The report notes that Perez repeatedly refused to listen to commands to get away from the door. It describes him as pacing back and forth, shouting that the police needed to leave. He is reported to have added, Or I will shoot you.

Wajdula at this point removed his Taser from its holster and pointed it at Perez.

As the exchange continued, Perez refused to follow commands and continued to gesture toward his waistband, the report says.

Basovskiy drew his firearm. At the same time, Wajdula put his Taser back in its holster and drew his firearm.

Police spokesman Ryan Walsh said Wajdula holstering his Taser in favor of his sidearm is basically a judgement call by someone in the middle of events. He said it may have had something to do with the distance Perez was from the officers.

A Taser works by firing two hooks attached to wires at the target. The hooks latch onto the target, and the electrical charge is carried from the Taser through the wires. Tasers have an effective range of 25 feet.

Walsh noted that Perez was described as being approximately 20 feet away and pacing back and forth.

After a few moments of pacing, the report states, Perez reached into his pants and removed a black object that he pointed at Basovskiy and Wajdula. Basovskiy in the report describes Perez holding his arms out in the same fashion that a trained individual would point a firearm.

When Perez charged at them, both officers opened fire.

Wajdula fired eight rounds, while Basovskiy fired two or three.

Perez was hit twice in the buttocks and fell to the ground. Before he fell, he had closed the distance by several feet, the report notes.

It was only then that the officers learned the black object in Perezs hands was a phone.

The police report notes eight spent shell casings were recovered from the scene.

The phone was recovered and tagged for evidence, the report notes.
EPPING, N.H. (AP)  A New Hampshire man has pleaded not guilty to negligent homicide in connection with a wrong-way crash that killed a retired Massachusetts police sergeant and his wife.

Police said 31-year-old Ryan Kittredge, of Derry, also pleaded not guilty to a reckless conduct charge Friday. Police said in an affidavit Kittredge told authorities he had been drinking, but wasn't driving. No one else was in his truck.

Police accused him of driving east on the westbound side of Route 101 in Epping on Jan. 11, and that crashing into a westbound car.

The car was driven by 58-year-old John Johnson, a sergeant who recently retired after nearly four decades with the police department in Townsend, Massachusetts. He and his 57-year-old wife, Heidi Johnson, died. They lived in New Ipswich, New Hampshire.
Attempts to crack down on drugged drivers got a powerful ally this week.

Gov. Charlie Baker introduced a bill that would implement the findings of a commission that made recommendations to help police and prosecutors arrest people for driving after using marijuana.

The proposal, Baker said in a statement, includes important changes that will make Massachusetts safer and improve how police officers train for detecting the influence of intoxicating substances like marijuana, how they interact with motorists who show signs of impairment, and eventually how these cases are tried in a courtroom.

The biggest change proposed by the Special Commission on Operating Under the Influence and Impaired Driving, and included in Bakers bill, would extend the states implied consent law to marijuana.

Currently, if a Massachusetts driver is stopped and refuses to take a breathalyzer test for alcohol, the driver will lose their license for six months. If a driver refuses to be tested for impairment from marijuana, there is no similar sanction. The commission proposed putting in place the same sanction for refusing to take a drug test as for refusing the breathalyzer.

The Republican / MassLive previously reported that this raises tricky scientific and legal questions, since there is no test for impairment from marijuana that is as scientifically accurate as the breathalyzer.

The commission, and Bakers bill, would also extend the open container law for alcohol, which prohibits driving with an open container of alcohol in the car, to opened packages of marijuana.

Other proposed changes relate to expanding training for police officers in detecting impaired drivers; authorizing the courts to take judicial notice that marijuana does impair drivers; letting officers seek electronic warrants to collect evidence of intoxication, such as a blood test; and developing educational materials on impairment to share with judges.

Chelsea Police Chief Brian Kyes, president of the Massachusetts Major City Chiefs, said in a statement, With the legalization of adult use marijuana establishments here in the Commonwealth since 2016 and with the recent approval by the Cannabis Control Commission of new licensees this past fall, it is absolutely essential that police officers stand ready to address the potential dangers posed by some motorists who choose to operate a motor vehicle while impaired after consuming marijuana.

Cannabis Control Commission Chairman Steven Hoffman said Thursday that he has not yet read the governors legislation. But he said he is very pleased Baker took the initiative on the issue, and he hopes the bill gets thorough consideration by the Legislature.

The Cannabis Control Commission on Thursday heard a presentation on operating under the influence by the commissions research director, Julie Johnson.

Johnsons report found that there has been an increase in drug-related driving stops in recent years. Among tests performed by drug recognition experts, who are specially trained police officers, the number of evaluations that detected cannabis jumped from 74 to 168 between 2010 and 2017. But that also corresponded with an increase in the number of officers available and the number of evaluations done. The percent of evaluations that detected cannabis only increased by a small amount, from around 30 percent to 33 percent.

The report also made clear that there is not a single, fully effective test for detecting cannabis impairment in drivers. Each potential test has problems. For example, a blood test can detect whether marijuana is in someones blood, but cannot reveal when the person used marijuana and if they are currently impaired. Saliva tests are new technology, and false positives and negatives can occur.

Because of the lack of an accurate drugged driving test, civil liberties advocates are opposing efforts to expand penalties for people arrested for drugged driving.

Matt Allen, field director of the Massachusetts ACLU, recently told The Republican / MassLive that he does not think the technology is advanced enough to justify penalties, such as a license suspension for someone who refuses to take a test.

Our position is if a motorist faces legal penalties for refusing to take a test, that test should be based on evidence and science, Allen said.

Hoffman, asked whether he is concerned about the civil liberties implications of using these tests, said there is a trade-off between public safety and civil liberties, and it should be up to the Legislature to address that balance.

Bakers bill will now go to the Legislature for consideration.

Last session, the Legislature created a special committee to deal with marijuana legislation. House and Senate leaders have not yet appointed committees for the current session.
NORTHAMPTON  A woman accused of conspiracy and other crimes in the case of a city man whose body was set on fire after he was fatally shot denied charges in Hampshire Superior Court Friday morning.

Chelsea T. Rodriguez, 22, of Northampton, pleaded not guilty to a host of charges, including conspiracy, withholding evidence from a criminal proceeding, accessory after the fact and improper disposition of a human body.

Rodriguez is the last of several co-defendants who allegedly tried to cover up the March 2018 slaying of 44-year-old Daniel Cruz. Attorney Marissa Elkins is representing Rodriguez.

Judge Daniel Ford set Rodriguezs bail at $250,000 cash. If she posts bail, conditions for her release include that she stay away from and have no contact with her co-defendants or with witnesses in the case, or with the victims family. She would also be subject to GPS monitoring.

Officials have said Cruz was shot to death by 22-year-old Nerkin Morales on March 10, 2018, after an altercation at the Meadowbrook apartment complex in Florence. Prosecutors say that after the shooting Morales and 21-year-old Pedro Soto-Rodriguez enlisted a number of other people, including Rodriguez, to help dispose of the body and cover up the crime.

Rodriguez apparently fled the state after a grand jury handed up indictments in the case. She was arrested in DeLand, Florida, on Dec. 6, 2018, after an investigation by the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section. She was subsequently extradited for her arraignment.

Ford set a bail hearing for Jan. 28 that will also determine upcoming dates in the case. The court will also consider a protective order that has been issued in numerous other instances in the Cruz case, which would protect the identity of witnesses during the legal process of discovery.

All eight individuals indicted by a Hampshire grand jury on November 26, 2018, for their alleged involvement in the murder of Daniel Cruz in Northampton on March 10, 2018, or the subsequent concealment of that crime, have now been arrested and arraigned in court. We now transition to the process of moving these cases through the court system with the continued goal of seeking justice for Daniel Cruz and his family, Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Suhl, who is prosecuting the case, said in a statement.
They say that when one door closes, another one opens, and we can certainly see some truth in that when it comes to craft beer in Holyoke.

After the disappointing news that Holyoke's Paper City Brewing was closing in 2017, it seemed that the city, which is undergoing a nice little renaissance, would be without a brewery for the first time in decades. Paper City had been among one of the early and popular breweries in the area.

Fortunately, is set to step into the breach and fill that void on Feb. 2. The new brewery, located at 208 Race St., had a soft opening earlier in January and is ready to go.

Owned by Mike and Catherine Pratt, Holyoke Craft Beer has a small staff that includes business partner Mike Schilling (co-owner of Beerology in Northampton) and two employees, Adam Copeland and Andy Gaylord, who are seasoned home brewers and who do a lot of the day-to-day brewing operations at the brewery. Schilling, who is professionally trained in brewing, helps with recipe formulations and provides expertise.

"Catherine is a systems engineer and works in the space industry on life support systems. I am a chemical engineer and specialize in water treatment for the power industry providing technical sales support to customers," Mike Pratt told me in an email. "I've been a home brewer for 10 years and have always dreamed of opening a small brewery."

For the Pratts, the idea was ignited by Holyoke's ongoing comeback.

"We've lived in Holyoke for about seven years now and have seen the transformation of the downtown area and were inspired to want to contribute to the revitalization of Holyoke," Pratt said. "We saw an opportunity to bring a nanobrewery into the city for the community to come and share a fresh pint of craft beer together."

Of course businesses' success can often depend a lot on "location, location, location," as the old saying goes. It seems Holyoke Craft Beer chose a great one.

"We chose the specific location at 208 Race St., which is a great building which has all the infrastructure for us to start small and gives us room to grow naturally as things progress," Pratt said. "

Race Street in particular has seen a major change in the last couple of years,Pratt said, with a number of businesses thriving such as Gateway City Arts, Artesana, The CUBIT building and the HCC Culinary Center, and the Massachusetts Green High Performance Computing Center, the canal walk, and an Amtrak station that just opened across the street.

"We think there is enough new business thriving that will generate a lot of foot traffic over to our brewery," he said.

As far as the beer, Pratt said they want to be a brewery that can be attractive for everyone. HCB's starting lineup will consist of four beers, ranging from something very light, to hoppy, to very dark.

"Our primary focus when brewing these beers is utilizing as many local ingredients possible, small batches, and provide a variation for something new for people to experience when they visit," Pratt said.

The initial plan is to have tap room open on Fridays from 4-8 p.m. and expand appropriately as the business grows. The opening on Feb. 2 will be from 12-7 p.m. The venue is located in the basement of 208 Race St. so customers can park in the back parking lot or on the street. Visitors can enter the building from either side and take the elevator down.
Gordon Hayward and his wife Robyn announced the birth of their third daughter on Instagram today.

The baby came a few days past the due date, which is why Robyn Hayward said on Instagram Our sweet Nora Mae was a little stubborn on wanting to join us, but she was worth the wait."

Gordon Hayward missed the road game against the Atlanta Hawks in anticipation of his daughters birth. Brad Stevens would say afterwards that it was because of the snow storm that hit the east coast last week and he didnt want to be stuck out of town.

This daughter will always be tied to the Daddys always happy gender reveal video on which Hayward seemed less than enthused about his participation.

Little Nora Mae at least has a good sense of timing, arriving on an off day for the Celtics. Today the Celtics hold their first full practice in more than a month due to a long stretch of games every other day. Today is also the first consecutive day off for the Celtics since December 16, 17, and 18, a span long enough to see Aron Baynes exit and return with a broken hand.

The Celtics are preparing to take on the Golden State Warriors tomorrow, hoping to extend their winning streak to six and their home winning streak to 11. The Warriors are coming in off an eight point win over the Washington Wizards.

Hayward wont see any extended road trips until after the All-Star break, which is also good timing for the newborn. The next road games for Boston are quick one-game trips to New York on February 1, Cleveland on February 5, and Philadelphia on February 12, so hell get to spend plenty of time at home with the new baby.
SPRINGFIELD  Cherry the friendly opossum has been at The Zoo in Forest Park for only about one year of the zoos 125-year-history.

But with the charisma she uses to intrigue young and old, and her inability to survive in the wild after having one of her rear legs amputated, Cherry represents two things the Springfield zoo will do more of in year 125 and beyond: education and wildlife rehabilitation.

The zoo has changed a lot over the years. We havent always been in the same spot. We havent always been run by a private nonprofit. We had a much different collection for a time. We were more of a petting zoo for a time, Executive Director Sarah Tsitso said during a Friday news conference announcing the zoos plans for 2019.

The Zoo in Forest Park began in 1894. For a time it was run by the father of Theodor Seuss Geisel, who took the job after Prohibition closed the family brewery. The young Dr. Seuss lived nearby and the Forest Park Zoo clearly inspired his 1950 childrens book If I Ran the Zoo."

On Friday, Tsitso said the zoo will work this year with the Springfield Museums and its The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum to make the public more aware of the connection.

She also announced that the zoo will open for its summer 2019 season on March 30.

The zoo will host a nature and wildlife photo contest and debut three new exhibits in 2019. One will be bald eagles that arrived from Alaska in December. The other two new exhibits are being kept as a surprise, Tsitso said.

The zoo will bring back its popular Wine Safari and Brew at the Zoo fundraising events this summer.

Nathan Bazinet, president of the zoo board, said the organization will also mark the 125th anniversary by making a comprehensive evaluation of its activities and directions it might go in the future.

What do we want the zoo to look like in 2019 and beyond? he said. We are going to ask ourselves the tough questions.

The zoos $675,000 budget for 2019 is balanced, Tsitso said. It includes $75,000 in state funding included in the 2018-19 budget at the behest of the local legislative delegation. The zoo is lobbying to get money in the 2019-20 state budget as well.

The zoo is not a city department, but a nonprofit organization that pays nominal rent for the land in the park.

The zoo is closed for the winter now, but staffers are busy year-round caring for the animals and taking them out as part of Zoo on the Go, visiting schools, senior centers and community hubs, even doing birthday parties.

Zoo on the Go emphasizes a science curriculum that challenges minds and fits in with what young people are learning in class. Its not just, here is a cute animal, you can pet it, Tsitso said.

Attendance at the zoo is up, with 55,000 people visiting in 2018 compared with 44,000 in 2017.

In July the zoo debuted an exhibit with two African serval cats thanks to a financial contribution by Paul Picknelly of the Sheraton Springfield and the new Starbucks at Monarch Place.

The Zoo in Forest Park is also emphasizing rehabilitation of wildlife, especially species that folks might also spot in the wild. About 85 percent of the animals at the zoo are sick, injured or too accustomed to humans to live on their own. Even the eagles are rehabilitated.

Tsitso said she and everyone connected with the zoo understands how big a role the zoo plays in the community. Everyone has a memory of a visit to the zoo, she said.

We want those memories, Tsitso said. We want to know what makes this zoo special for you.
People inside the home said they heard gunshots outside, Hamady said. Once the gunshots stopped, they found the woman injured in the living room, release states. They called police, but the suspect or suspects had fled the area upon officers arrival, according to Hamady.
BOSTON  Fridays delays at LaGuardia Airport might mean delays and disruptions for travelers heading into and out of Boston Logan International and Worcester Regional Airport.

We are aware and monitoring the situation. Passengers may experience delays and should check with their airline for the latest information about their flight, said Massport spokeswoman Jennifer B. Mehigan.

Hartford-Springfields Bradley International Airport wasnt yet reporting any delays Friday.

" The FAA has not advised us of any staffing issues at our air traffic control tower. We are actively monitoring the status of the other airports for any potential residual impacts," said Kevin Dillon, Connecticut Airport Authority Executive Director. "While there is currently no operational impact at Bradley International Airport due to the government shutdown, sooner or later there might be. The shutdown needs to be brought to conclusion.;'

The FAA shut down LaGuardia Friday due to a shortage of air traffic controllers due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, which is now in its 35th day.

This is a developing story which will be updated.
An executive with CRRC said this week he believes the trade dispute between China and the United States  one that threatens to harm CRRCs operations in Springfield  will be resolved to the satisfaction of both sides.

Sun Yongcai, general manager and deputy party secretary at CRRC Group, sounded optimistic, according to a report on CNBC from the World Economic Forum hosted this week in Davos, Switzerland.

CRRC rolls out new MBTA cars at its Springfield plant. Posted by MassLive on Tuesday, December 18, 2018

I think the problems are only temporary, Sun said, according to CNBC and its translation of the interview. The two countries are in the middle of discussions and negotiations. With the wisdom from both nations, I believe that we can reach an agreement thats acceptable to both sides.

CRRC is building subway cars for the MBTA in its mammoth $95 million factory at the old Westinghouse site in East Springfield.

CRRC MA  the companys name for its Massachusetts operations  employs approximately 213 people. The manufacturing facility in Springfield employs 126, including 71 union production employees, and expects to grow as it adds more production of MBTA Red Line cars to the Orange Line cars its already building.

In 2014, CRRC received a $566 million contract from the MBTA to build 152 Orange Line cars and 252 Red Line cars at the Page Boulevard site. In December 2016, the state upped the order with another 120 new Red Line cars, with production set to begin in June 2022 at a cost of $277 million.

In its bid specs for the Red and Orange cars, the state required that the cars be assembled in Massachusetts, an attempt to start a transit car industry here.

Its working. CRRC also has contracts to build cars in Springfield for the Los Angeles subway and the Philadelphia areas SEPTA commuter rail system. CRRC is also in talks with Atlanta and Washington.

The worlds largest rail car maker, CRRC didnt have a North American presence before Springfield. It now has a plant in Chicago as well, making cars for the transit system there.

Whether its our Springfield or our Chicago base ... we produce, procure, manage and service locally, Sun told CNBC. Our two production bases hire locally as well  we employ over 300 people over there, which has contributed to local employment and the local community.

Seventy percent of the components used in the Springfield-built cars are from the United States. But the shells are built in China and shipped here.

Trump administration tariffs imposed in the summer of 2018 added 25 percent tariffs to the cost of the rail car components. Under CRRCs contract with the T, its the T that would pay that overage.

But the tariffs might also make CRRC and the Springfield plant less likely to attract new business. In response, CRRC is lobbying hard and has asked the U.S. government for waivers that would exempt it from the tariffs.
Long before Victor Pena crossed paths with Olivia Ambrose on Congress Street in Boston -- and allegedly kidnapped her -- he had a history of abusing and threatening women close to him, court records show.

At least three women in Boston have taken out restraining orders against Pena in the last 15 years. That was around the time Victor Pena, 38, first moved to Massachusetts, his brother Jose Pena told MassLive.

The women, all former girlfriends, described Pena as physically and emotionally abusive. He called them ugly and fat, and showed up at their homes long after the relationships ended. He threatened and scared them.

I am very anxious and nervous and cant sleep well at night worrying about this, one woman wrote in affidavit filed in 2004.

Penas behavior was forced into the spotlight this week when on Tuesday he was arrested for allegedly kidnapping Ambrose, a 23-year-old woman who had recently moved to Boston.

Ambrose was at Hennesseys bar on Union Street with her twin sister and friends Saturday night when they lost track of her. Three days later police found Ambrose crying with a horrified look on her face in Penas Charlestown apartment. The discovery capped a citywide search that stoked panic in Boston as many wondered how a woman could disappear in one of the citys busiest areas.

Detectives spoke to Ambrose while she was at Massachusetts General Hospital Tuesday night. She said she was held against her will in 49 Walford Way, a public housing apartment at the Bunker Hill Housing Development, police wrote in an incident report filed in Charlestown District Court on Wednesday.

But Jose Pena, Victor Penas older brother, says it is impossible his brother kidnapped a woman. The elder Pena, 39, said he was aware of the restraining orders taken out against his brother, but did not believe he was capable of hurting anyone.

Just because someone has a problem with a female doesnt mean hes going to kidnap someone, Jose Pena said in a telephone interview. Thats psycho. My brother is not a psycho.

Jose Pena said he, his brother, and three sisters were born in New Jersey, but moved frequently between the United States and Puerto Rico during childhood.

Victor Pena suffered from seizures as a kid, his brother said, and when he was 7, he began convulsing out of his mothers sight. He lost consciousness for who knows how long and his oxygen was restricted, leaving him with brain damage, Jose Pena said.

Victor Pena attended special education classes until sixth grade, when he left school, his brother said.

Hes very immature. His mentality is like a 15-year-old, Jose Pena said. The 38-year-old collects teddy bears, his brother said, because he likes the way the soft fur feels on his face.

My brother is slow. But I dont think anyone can be that dumb to kidnap someone and take them to a project, he said.

Victor Pena was close with his sister who died of cancer in 2013, Jose Pena said. When she died, Victor Pena withdrew from his family, and stopped taking his medication, his brother said.

Jose Pena said he did not know what kind of medication his brother was prescribed, just that it helped him to calm down.

On Tuesday, Victor Pena called his brother after he was arrested. Jose Pena was driving and said it was hard to understand what his brother was saying because he was talking so fast. He said his brother was sad and stressed.

Victor Pena told his brother he was having fun with Ambrose. He told his brother that they had long conversations in Spanish in his apartment, which she was helping him clean.

He even went to get food for her, Jose Pena said. [When the police arrived] she was standing right next to him in the kitchen. It is not like she was tied with rope when they opened the door ... theres no pictures of her sitting down with something in her mouth. She was completely fine like she was in her own house.

Jose Pena said he believes Ambrose wanted to go home with his brother and later regretted the decision.

But police have said it is clear from video surveillance that Ambrose did not follow Pena willingly. The police report notes she was staggering across the street, and seemed intoxicated in the surveillance videos reviewed by officers.

Police say Pena wrapped his arm around Ambrose and guided her from the MBTAs State Street station to his home in Charlestown. Ambrose told police he kept her phone from her, and only just before police entered the apartment did she get it back and send her mother a text message.

Pena resisted police after he let them into his apartment, according to the police report.

This was not the first time Pena tried to trap a woman, according to court documents. The woman who filed a 2008 restraining order in Dorchester District Court said she went to Penas sisters house in February that year and tried to break up with him.

He grabbed me and took me into his sisters room and locked the door and choked me and told me he wasnt going to let me go, the woman, who shares a daughter with Pena wrote in the report. She said her children were afraid of Pena, who she met on a ChatLine.

He always wanted me to do what he wanted and if I did not do it he got aggressive, she wrote in the the 2008 affidavit.

Penas daughter is now 14, according to court documents. He also has a son who lives in the Boston area, according to Jose Pena.

In August 2004, another former girlfriend of Penas said he walked around her building hurling insults at her in front of her children, according to an affidavit filed with a request for a restraining order. This was when Pena lived in the Lemuel Shattuck Hospital Shelter in Jamaica Plain.

[He] called me saying bad words to me, you b---h, youre ugly and fat, I hate you, youre going to die, the woman wrote in an affidavit. ... In the past he has tried to break into my apartment, he has hit me, he has forced me to have sex and he has insulted me constantly. He has been calling me on the phone every day for a month - sometimes up to 10 times a day.

She said her children - then 9 and 6 - were afraid of Pena.

In 2013 another woman, who is the mother of Penas son, filed a request for a restraining order after she said Pena called her repeatedly suggesting to have a sexual relationship.

He started to send humiliating and sexual messages through my Facebook page saying that I am a pig, low life, cow, ugly, and that he didnt know why I was still alive. He threatened my new boyfriend....to hurt him badly, the woman wrote.

After the woman changed her phone number Pena broke into her car, stole money, and also threatened to poison her two dogs, according to court documents.

A year later, Pena filed a restraining order against this woman, which was denied by the court. In his own affidavit he said he was afraid of her.

I feel panic and much fear towards her, Pena wrote in his affidavit, which was translated from Spanish. I told her mother I did not want trouble I just wanted to be with the mother of my son.

When Pena appeared in court on Wednesday he sobbed and mumbled to himself. He was ordered to undergo a psychiatric evaluation.

Meanwhile, Jose Pena said the family is hiring a lawyer.

The truth will come out, he said.
Haverhill Police say a man was struck and killed by an oncoming driver while walking in the downtown area early Friday morning.

At 5:12 a.m. police in Haverhill, a city located about 30 miles north of Boston, received a 911 call about a pedestrian who had been struck by an oncoming car at a four-way intersection, in the area of Main Street and Water Street.

Haverhill Police officers are searching for a gray or silver PT cruiser that they say fled the scene after fatally striking the man, who has not been identified.

Following the crash, police say the PT cruiser headed north on Main Street and then east, on Route 110, toward the town of Merrimac.
Charles Burrill, a 59-year-old resident of Haverhill, was struck and killed by a car while walking downtown early Friday morning.

The Essex County District Attorneys office identified Burrill as the pedestrian who was fatally struck in a hit-and-run crash around 5 a.m. in Haverhill on Friday.

Burrill was walking near a four-way intersection at Main Street and Water Street when a car hit him and fled the scene, a spokesman for the Haverhill Police Department said. Haverhill police received a 911 call about the hit-and-run crash around 5:12 a.m.

Haverhill Police and Massachusetts State Police are searching for a gray or silver PT Cruiser car in connection to the incident. A spokesman for Haverhill Police told MassLive that following the crash, the PT Cruiser drove north on Main Street and then east, on Route 110, toward the town of Merrimac.
Former Massachusetts State Police Lt. David Wilson pleaded not guilty to three additional charges in connection with the overtime abuse scandal that has roiled the agency in Suffolk Superior Court Friday.

Wilson, who appeared in court with his wife and his lawyer, pleaded not guilty to one count of larceny over $250 by single scheme, procurement fraud and public employee standards of conduct violation.

Former Massachusetts State Police Trooper David Wilson pleads not guilty to 3 counts. No conditions, no bail requested. Next court date March 13. pic.twitter.com/vYhgs5mHHT  Jackie Tempera  (@jacktemp) January 25, 2019

In 2015, Wilson, who was a shift commander in Troop Es Duty Office in Boston, was paid over $270,000, including more than $120,000 in overtime pay, according to Attorney General Maura Healeys office.

Wilson allegedly submitted fraudulent claims for pay for at least 116 hours of overtime, allowing him to collect at least $11,000 for hours he did not work, according to the attorney generals office.

Wilson allegedly regularly scheduled his overtime shifts directly before his regular shifts but submitted claims for both shifts so that he was double paid for a number of overlapping hours, Healeys office said in a statement.

Wilson, 58 from Charlton, faces both state and federal charges. He agreed to plead guilty to the federal embezzlement charges, but has pleaded not guilty to state charges connected with overtime abuse from 2015 and 2016.

Wilson, who retired from the State Police in 2018, receives pension checks from the state totaling $8,791.02 a month.

Federal prosecutors say Wilson also submitted false overtime claims in 2016 for $12,450. That year, WIlson earned $259,475 and received a total of $102,062 in overtime pay.

But state prosecutors say the number hit at least $19,000 that year, on top of $11,000 allegedly stolen in 2015.

Wilsons lawyer requested Friday that the court consolidate the charges related to the alleged 2015 and 2016 fraud in one trial.

The hearing for that motion was set for March 13. Wilson is set to go to trial on Oct. 7.

A total of 46 Massachusetts State Police troopers are under investigation for allegedly stealing overtime pay while claiming to conduct specialized traffic enforcement on the Massachusetts Turnpike and Metropolitan tunnels system.
TIANJIN, China  If President Donald Trumps tweets are sometimes puzzling in English, just imagine trying to translate his idiosyncratic prose into Chinese.

Total hoax, lap dogs, Mr. Magoo, horse face, smocking gun, presidential harassment, angry Dems, steel slat barrier, total sham, Scott Free, fake news, covfefe. Much of it defies the laws of semantics and grammar, making translation a challenge.

But that is Zhang Jiaqians mission. Every day, he spends several hours trying to render the American presidents tweets into Chinese, and writes a commentary far longer than 280 characters to explain them.

I think this is a public service to Chinese people. Chinese people need to understand him, Zhang said during a break from his day job at a medical device company in Tianjin, southeast of Beijing. He asked not to disclose the name of the company, fearing his employer would not look kindly on his extracurricular activity.

If we want to win the trade war, if China is going to make the right policies, we need to understand Trump, he continued in passable English he taught himself. He may be reelected in 2020, so we may have to cope with him for a long time.
But Georges death does not necessarily mean the snails are extinct, said David Sischo, a wildlife biologist and coordinator of Hawaiis Snail Extinction Prevention Program. Scientists have been looking for them for more than 30 years and are still actively searching, he said. The snails can live only about 20 years, however.

Most known populations of closely related tree snails on the island are rapidly disappearing, Sischo said. So if there happen to be some out there somewhere hiding, we suspect they will also be gone very soon before anyone is able to find them.

Even so, when it comes to something as small as a snail, Sischo said, its nearly impossible to declare it gone for good.

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the world authority on species at the brink, an animal can be described as extinct only when there is no reasonable doubt that the last individual has died. Whats more, exhaustive surveys must have been carried out everywhere the species was known to exist, as well as places where it historically existed and might have survived unnoticed until the present day.
Cantoni was 50/50 on the idea of requiring a civics test. While he applauded the idea of making sure students had the knowledge, it would likely just encourage them to learn it as a one-off to pass the test.
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Members of the American Indian Veterans of Michigan feel strongly that the American flag should be lowered whenever there is a death of a service member. Chris Franklin, Oneida of the Thames 1st Nations and board chair, Karen Tomalis, Chickasaw and board treasurer, and Michael Jones, Shawnee and board secretary, raised, then lowered the flag at the South Eastern Michigan Indians Inc. office in Center Line and will raise it again after two active-duty personnel and one veteran who recently died in Syria are buried.

PHOTO SUBMITTED BY SUE FRANKLIN
If you were to ask many of our longtime faculty, they would likely say our campus has the longest comprehensive Black Studies program of any campus around the country. But I think it is more accurate to say we rank as one of the oldest existing university programs dedicated to this important area of education and understanding.
(CNN) -- Remarks made by U.S. President Donald Trump may have strengthened China's hand in fighting a U.S. extradition request for detained Chinese telecoms executive Meng Wanzhou, according to Canada's top diplomat in Beijing.

Meng, chief financial officer of Chinese tech giant Huawei, was arrested by Canadian authorities acting on behalf of the United States in Vancouver on December 1.

The US government alleges that Meng helped Huawei dodge US sanctions on Iran and has indicated it will file a formal extradition request by the January 30 deadline.

The Chinese government has repeatedly and furiously called for her release, labeling the charges political.

Speaking at press conference in Beijing, Canadian Ambassador John McCallum appeared to hint at strained relations between the US and Canada over the continued fallout from case.

"I think she has quite good arguments on her side," said McCallum. "One, political involvement by comments from Donald Trump in her case. Two, there's an extraterritorial aspect to her case, and three, there's the issue of Iran sanctions which are involved in her case, and Canada does not sign on to these Iran sanctions."

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said Thursday the case against Meng had "never been a normal legal case."

"We have noted Ambassador McCallum's remarks. I think anyone with normal judgment can see through this issue. We hope the Canadian side will do so as well and make a correct choice," she said at her daily press briefing.

Since Meng's arrest, China has detained two Canadians on suspicion of "activities that endangered China's national security." Another Canadian was sentenced to death after a Chinese court convicted him of drug smuggling, prompting Canada to issue a travel warning to its citizens over "the risk of arbitrary enforcement of local laws" in China.

McCallum said relations had been strong between Ottawa and Beijing before the arrest, adding he knew it had "angered China."

"I know this has angered China but we have a system of extradition treaty a system of rules of law which are above the government, the government cannot change these things," he said.

US President Donald Trump complicated the situation in December by suggesting he may intervene in the legal saga if it would help his pursuit of a trade deal with China.

"If I think it's good for what will be certainly the largest trade deal ever made  which is a very important thing  what's good for national security  I would certainly intervene if I thought it was necessary," Trump told Reuters.

That helped fuel the widely held view in China that Meng's arrest was a political move by the Trump administration to gain leverage in the clash between the two countries over trade and technology rather than a law enforcement matter.

At the time, Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland reprimanded Trump. "Our extradition partners should not seek to politicize the extradition process or use it for ends other than the pursuit of justice," she said.

On Wednesday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he was committed to making sure "that the rule of law is properly and fully followed," adding that would include the opportunity for Meng "to mount a strong defense."

When pressed on the ambassador's comment, Trudeau said his government would ensure the independence of Canada's justice system was "properly defended and properly supported."

McCallum's comments were met with dismay in parts of Canada, however, with Canadian conservative opposition leader Andrew Scheer calling for the ambassador's dismissal.

"We can't on the one hand go and defend our actions to the Chinese government by saying these decisions are made at arms length ... if then on the other hand the government is using our ambassador to China to interfere in the process to obtain a desired outcome," Scheer told CBC on Wednesday.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Canadian ambassador says detained Huawei CFO has strong case."
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Local News, Health & Wellness, Press Releases, Politics

By Long Island News & PR Published: January 25 2019

Bellone: "When a cardiac event occurs, a rapid medical response can mean the difference between life and death."

Suffolk County, NY - January 25, 2019 - Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone today announced that the Suffolk County Department of Health Services will be offering five free CPR training classes for residents during the month of February, which is dedicated as American Heart Month. The trainings will focus on Chest-Compression-Only CPR, which, according to the American Heart Association, has the same statistical odds of saving a person's life as traditional CPR.

When a cardiac event occurs, a rapid medical response can mean the difference between life and death, said County Executive Steve Bellone. Our hope is that through these classes we can raise awareness about the importance of making health conscious choices and help our residents be prepared to jump into action if disaster strikes.

Upcoming CPR Classes

Saturday, February 16th at 11:00 AM

Huntington Community First Aid Squad

Wednesday, February 20th at 7:00 PM

North Babylon Fire Company

Sunday, February 24th at 9:00 AM

Shoreham Fire Company

Thursday, February 28th at 7:00 PM

East Islip Public Library (Hosted by the Exchange Ambulance of the Islips)

381 E Main St, East Islip , NY 11730

Recent studies by the American Heart Association show that chest-compression-only CPR may be easier to learn and remember than traditional CPR, which alternates between chest compressions and mouth to-mouth resuscitation. Non-medical personnel may be more willing to perform chest-compression-only CPR, as they may not want to do mouth-to-mouth resuscitation -- especially on strangers.

Suffolk County Legislator Bill Lindsay said: American Heart Month brings awareness to one of the major health issues in America today, which is heart disease. Its important for Suffolk County residents to be informed in order to make healthy decisions for themselves, and their loved ones. I commend the County Executive for providing free CPR training classes in order to educate individuals about cardiac arrest and learn the ways in which they can help if anyone is ever in need. Being trained in CPR is a vital skill to have, and I believe having the capability to save someones life is priceless.

Suffolk County Legislator Sarah Anker said: It is so important that we educate residents on how to respond in emergency situations. We never know when we might cross paths with someone who needs our help. CPR classes and other related trainings provide us with the skills necessary to potentially save a life.

Suffolk County Legislator William Spencer, MD said: "With heart disease being the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States, these courses will give all residents the opportunity to make a meaningful difference. The compression-only CPR method offers a more straightforward technique that anyone can learn and apply. I encourage residents to participate in these free courses which should significantly increase the chances of survival for those suffering from cardiac events."
Local News, Community, Charity & Cause, Press Releases

By Long Island News & PR Published: January 25 2019

Volunteers collecting food, personal care products, household supplies, pet food, and other items.

Huntington Station, NY - January 25, 2019 - Today Senator Jim Gaughran dropped off donations of food and supplies to Long Island Cares food bank in Today Senator Jim Gaughran dropped off donations of food and supplies to Long Island Cares food bank in Huntington Station . Senator Gaughran has been collecting food, personal care products, household supplies, pet food, and other items to benefit federal employees affected by the government shutdown. He was joined by American Federation of Government Employees AFGE workers, who today entered their 34th day working without pay, the longest shutdown in United States history.

Senator Gaughran said The federal shutdown has now lasted more than a month, putting an undue burden on hard working families during a challenging time of year. Im proud of our efforts to help workers affected by this unprecedented shutdown and encourage workers to continue calling my office for assistance. My deepest appreciation to everyone who has donated.

Paule Pachter, chief executive of Long Island Cares, said For people living from paycheck-to paycheck affording basic necessities can prove challenging but, when youre working without being compensated, or youve been furloughed as a result of a government shutdown the challenges to put food on your table or take care of your personal needs including your family pet can turn into a crisis. This is just getting compounded day after day. Every day the government stays shut, another family is being hurt; another community is being hurt."

Gabriel Pedreira, Legislative and Political Organizer District 2 AFGE, said AFGE thanks Senator Gaughran for sponsoring this food drive. Federal workers need state and local government to step in and help out while DC remains in paralysis.

Assemblyman Charles Lavine said The Government Shutdown is truly a tragic moment in our country, negatively impacting the lives of many Long Island residents. Although this is a very sad and disappointing time for us all, it brings me great comfort knowing that dozens of community members have contributed so generously to our Food and Supplies Drive in hopes of helping those in need. I sincerely thank you all.
Local News, Crime, Press Releases, Politics

By Long Island News & PR Published: January 25 2019

Legislation bans the practice of conversion therapy, prohibits discrimination against individuals on the basis of gender identity or expression.

New York, NY - January 25, 2019 - Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today signed into law the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act and legislation banning the practice of conversion therapy, which has been hailed as a victory for the LGBTQ community.

"As the most progressive state in the nation and as the home of the modern LGBTQ rights movement, New York has always been on the front lines fighting for full protections for every individual," Governor Cuomo said. "By signing into law GENDA and a ban on the fraudulent practice of conversion therapy, we are taking another giant step forward in advancing equal justice for every New Yorker - regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation. We are once again sending a clear and proud message that there is no place for hate in our state, and anyone who engages in bigotry and discrimination will be held accountable."

"No person should face discrimination or violence because of their gender identity, especially in the state that is the birthplace of the LGBTQ rights movement," said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. "The Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act will finally provide protections within our laws to secure equal rights for transgender, gender nonconforming, and non-binary New Yorkers. We proudly celebrate our diversity that makes us the Empire State. With GENDA and legislation banning conversion therapy now state law, we are one step closer to ensuring justice and equality for all."

Ensuring Equality through GENDA

Furthering protections and equality for New York's LGBTQ community, the passage of GENDA prohibits employers, educational institutions, landlords, creditors, and others from discriminating against individuals on the basis of gender identity or expression, and make offenses committed on the basis of gender identity or expression hate crimes under New York State law.

In 2015, the Governor enacted regulations that protected all transgender individuals under the State's Human Rights Law, confirming to and all public and private employers, housing providers, businesses, creditors and others that discrimination against transgender individuals is unlawful and those who do not follow the law will be held accountable in New York State.

Banning Conversion Therapy

Mental health professionals have long recognized that therapies intended to change one's sexual orientation pose a health risk to the individual. The legislation signed today bans the practice of conversion therapy by expanding the definition of professional misconduct for professions licensed under the education law to include engaging in conversion therapy with a patient under the age of eighteen years.

In 2016, Governor Cuomo announced multi-agency regulations to ban the practice of conversion therapy on minors. At the Governor's direction, the Department of Financial Services issued regulations preventing insurers from providing coverage for conversion therapy for individuals under the age of 18, the Department of Health prohibited coverage of the practice under New York's Medicaid program, and the Office of Mental Health restricted facilities under its jurisdiction from using the treatment on minors.

"The passage of GENDA and the ban on conversion therapy practices are major steps forward for the LGBTQ community, and signal that New York State is ready to be a true progressive leader that supports and affirms transgender, gender nonconforming and nonbinary New Yorkers as well as our youth," said Glennda Testone, Executive Director of NYC's LGBT Community Center. "We celebrate these long-overdue wins, Governor Cuomo's commitment to making them a reality and the tireless activism from all who refused to give up on making New York a more inclusive state despite seemingly insurmountable boundaries. These victories show what we can do when we come together in support of one another, and what's possible for the road ahead."

Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said, "One of my proudest moments as a Senator was when we passed the Marriage Equality Act. But that was eight years ago now, and since then the former Senate Republican Majority refused to pass any real protections for the LGBTQ community. Now, under the Democratic Majority, this Senate chamber is affirming that we stand with our LGBTQ community. I commend Senator Hoylman for his leadership on these bills and this important issue and I thank my partners in government, Speaker Heastie and Governor Cuomo, for moving to have these bills become law so swiftly. I am proud that the Senate Majority has passed these historic bills, and we will continue to move ahead with our ambitious, progressive agenda."

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said, "For years, the Assembly Majority has passed GENDA and legislation to ban conversion therapy because we know every New Yorker deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. With our new democratic partners in the State Senate, we are extremely grateful that these important measures will now become law. I would also like to give special thanks to Assemblymembers Dick Gottfried and Deborah Glick as well as the many members of the Assembly Majority for their tireless dedication to these critical issues."

Assembly Member Deborah J. Glick said, ""It is a great triumph to the see these two pivotal bills be signed today. GENDA will ensure that New York State's civil rights and hate crimes laws include protections for the transgender and gender non-conforming communities that have seen so much discrimination in America over the years. Additionally, the ban on so-called Conversion Therapy will outlaw the much-discredited practice of subjecting minors to the destructive process of trying to change their immutable sexuality or gender expression in this state. The New York State Legislature and the Governor have achieved a clear objective in bringing justice to the many New Yorkers who have been harmed by a lack of these protections and will ensure that generations to come are protected. I am so pleased to see these bills, which many advocates and my colleagues and I have worked for years to pass, be finally signed into law."

Senator Brad Hoylman said, "It's a new day in Albany. After eight years of the Senate blocking any LGBTQ-specific legislation, today Governor Cuomo signs into law two landmark bills to protect the rights of transgender and gender non-conforming New Yorkers and prevent our kids from being subject to the barbaric practice of so-called 'conversion therapy.' As the Trump administration continues to roll back protections for LGBTQ Americans, today's victory sends a strong message to LGBTQ people across the State of New York: your civil rights protections have the full force and effect of law. I'm deeply grateful to Governor Andrew Cuomo for his historic and steadfast support of LGBTQ New Yorkers and proud to be part of a Democratic Majority that works with the Governor to safeguard the rights of all New Yorkers under the leadership of Andrea Stewart-Cousins. I'm also sincerely thankful to my colleagues in the Assembly, Deborah Glick and Richard Gottfried, for their persistence and determination over the years, as well as Senator Michael Gianaris and former Senators Tom Duane and Daniel Squadron."

Assembly Member Richard N. Gottfried, the original Assemblyintroducer and sponsor of GENDA, said, "Today is an historic day. Governor Cuomo took strong action in 2015 when he issued statewide regulations under the State's Human Rights Law that prohibited discrimination on the basis of gender identity and transgender status. But adding gender expression and identity to the Human Rights Law and the Penal Law will give proper recognition, protection against repeal of these regulations, and add protection under the State's Hate Crimes Law. With an administration of bullies in Washington, New York is standing up for common sense, fairness, and justice."

Throughout his administration, Governor Cuomo has championed LGBTQ rights and led New York as it passed groundbreaking legislation protecting LGBTQ community. In 2011, the Governor passed the historic Marriage Equality Act, creating a new national standard and sending the message that this fundamental inequality must come to an end.

Most recently, in anticipation of the potential rollback of critical Affordable Care Act provisions, Governor Cuomo directed the Department of Health to issue regulations prohibiting health care providers from discriminating against transgender patients, and directed the Department of Financial Services to issue regulations expanding anti-discrimination protections for transgender individuals when accessing health insurance. These directives were in direct response to the Trump administration's proposal to repeal a federal regulation that clarifies that the Affordable Care Act's non-discrimination protections based on sex include protections based on gender identity. By removing these protections, approximately 90,300 transgender New Yorkers would be exposed to unfair, blatant and unlawful discrimination.
Local News, Community, Charity & Cause, Press Releases, Politics

By Long Island News & PR Published: January 25 2019

As FAA halts flights in NY, NJ, and PA due to air traffic controller shortage, Curran announces new food program to support air traffic controllers and other furloughed and unpaid workers in Nassau County.

Mineola, NY - January 25, 2019 - Nassau County Executive Laura Curran and Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone today announced that former Congressman Steve Israel will lead a bi-county working group to help coordinate a regional response to the recurring federal government shutdowns and their impact on Long Island.

County Executive Curran also today announced that the Nassau County Veteran Services Agency will open its food pantry (Vet Mart) to serve unpaid and furloughed air traffic controllers in Westbury and other impacted federal workers, many of whom now have missed multiple paychecks since the federal government shutdown began 35 days ago.

The Presidents shutdown is spiraling out of control. Flights are being halted because of safety concerns, while countless federal workers on LI are struggling to put food on the table for their families, said County Executive Curran. We are acting in every way we can to respond to this shutdown, including today announcing a food program to support our air traffic controllers and other federal workers going without pay. To President Trump: Enough is enough already  open the government now!

"There's a lot of finger pointing over the federal government shutdown. County Executives Bellone and Curran, on the other hand, have decided to roll up their sleeves and protect their constituents. I'm honored to volunteer to assist them, said former Congressman Steve Israel.

During this difficult time the Nassau County Veterans Service Agency would like to extend its food pantry services to all Federal Employee, said Ralph Esposito, Director of Nassau County Veteran Services Agency. Many Federal Employees have been working for weeks during the shutdown without pay and we wish to assist these hardworking Americans with free weekly groceries.

It has been 35 days since the federal government shut down, and hundreds of federal workers across Long Island have now missed multiple paychecks. Long Island is home to 16,000 federal jobs, while 26,000 federal workers live on Long Island. Nationwide, 800,000 federal employees are going without a paycheck. It is estimated that the Long Islands economy could be losing as much as $28 million per week in lost wages to federal employees, according to the Long Island Association. Today, the FAA was forced to halt flights in La Guardia International Airport and at airports in Newark and Philadelphia because of air traffic controller shortages.

In Nassau County, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) operates the Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) center in Westbury, NY. As of last week, there are roughly 265 federal workers stationed at TRACON. Roughly 190 are working without pay, while roughly 75 have been furloughed.

County Executive Curran has today announced a food program to support the air traffic controllers and other furloughed and unpaid federal workers in Nassau County. The Nassau County Veteran Services Agency will open its food pantry (Vet Mart) to serve these federal employees and their families in Nassau County. Workers need only show their employment identification upon arrival to the Vet Mart, located at 2201 Hempstead Turnpike Building Q, East Meadow , NY 11554. Hours of operation are M-F 9:00AM-12:00PM.

Safety trainings for air traffic controllers have been suspended and new hiring has been frozen, exacerbating existing staffing issues. According to the presidents of the Air Line Pilots Association and of the Association of Flight Attendants, staffing in our air traffic control facilities is already at a 30-year low and controllers are only able to maintain the systems efficiency and capacity by working overtime.

They also warned that almost 20% of certified professional controllers were eligible to retire, and if they chose to do so, the National Airspace System will be crippled.

County Executive Curran would like to thank the American Legion, VFWs, LI Cares and Island Harvest, all of whom donate food to the Nassau County Veterans Service Agencys Vet Mart. The County Executive has joined elected officials and community leaders in supporting local food drives across Nassau County by LI Cares and Island Harvest for federal employees affected by the shutdown.
Local News, Business & Finance, Press Releases, Politics

By Long Island News & PR Published: January 25 2019

Proposed Executive Budget Cuts $19million+ from Long Island local governments.

Huntington, NY - January 25, 2019 - Today, Senator Jim Gaughran and Assemblyman Fred Thiele, Chairs of the Committee on Local Government in the Senate and Assembly respectively, were joined by dozens of bipartisan local elected officials as they rallied for full restoration of AIM funding in the State budget. The proposed Executive budget cuts $19 million+ from Long Island town and village government budgets, a change Gaughran and Thiele decried.

The electeds, led by State Legislators Gaughran and Thiele, requested full restoration and an appropriate increase to equate what the Long Island region sends to Albany each year. Town supervisors and village mayors spoke of potential cuts to programs and services -- including to senior services, public safety services, mental health initiatives, youth programs, and public infrastructure -- their municipalities are forced to consider in light of the Executive budget proposal.

The rally was held at Huntington Town Hall, a township slated to lose more than $1 million under the proposed Executive budget.

Senator Jim Gaughran said Local governments here on Long Island and across New York State cannot afford to lose the crucial state aid they need to provide residents with essential services including public safety, water quality, or paved roads. We cannot afford these devastating cuts and as Chair of the Committee on Local Government, I look forward to a productive conversation with the Executive branch on full restoration and an increase in AIM funding, a top priority for me this budget season.

Assemblyman Fred Thiele said, "The Executive Budget proposal would virtually repeal AIM funding for most of our towns and villages. The statewide impact would be $54 million. About 90% of all towns and villages in the state would be cut. On Long Island alone, it would be $19 million cut. Make no mistake, the loss of these state funds means the loss of essential government services or property tax increases. This is unacceptable. AIM funding has been flat for many years. Not only should these funds not be cut, they should be increased. As the Chairs of the Local Government Committee in the Assembly and Senate, that is exactly what Senator Gaughran and I will attempt to do in Albany with our respective one-house budget bills."

Huntington Town Supervisor Chad Lupinacci said "Considering the significant financial support the State receives from the Town of Huntington and the Long Island region in general, it is disappointing to learn of the unprecedented $59 million in cuts Governor Cuomo has proposed in his 2020 New York State Budget, effectively gutting the unrestricted state revenue sharing program known as Aid and Incentives to Municipalities (AIM), significantly affecting the Long Island region," said Huntington Town Supervisor Chad A. Lupinacci. "The Town of Huntington will lose $1,067,256 due to Governor Cuomos proposed cuts. I urge our State Legislature to reject the Governors dangerous proposal, which could translate into service and program cuts and layoffs. The Town of Huntington should not be punished because our conservative fiscal practices have resulted in a State funding stream that represents less than 2% of our budget; when you take over $1 million away from us, the money has to come from somewhere."

Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino stated, We can all agree with the Governor when it comes to making the States property tax cap permanent. This is an issue that I supported in Albany and continue to support for the taxpayers of Oyster Bay. As we protect our taxpayers, it makes no sense to cut funding to local towns. Keeping the towns budget balanced while not raising taxes has been the cornerstone of our administration. I am pleased to work with Senator Gaughran and Assemblyman Thiele to restore the funding that our Town and its residents deserve.

Babylon Town Supervisor and Chairman of the Suffolk County Supervisors Association Rich Schaffer said The Executive budget proposal didnt allow towns to adequately prepare. If they eliminate this program, they need to give us a year to plan first. Babylon Town budgeted $1.1 million in state aid. If the governors plan is adopted, wed have to go into the budget and move things midyear. Our association will ask the governor to reconsider.

Islip Town Supervisor Angie Carpenter said To learn about this after weve already adopted the budget for 2019 presents a tremendous problem for municipalities. If the AIM (Aid to Municipalities) funding is cut, Town Board members and I would have to take the necessary steps to replace the lost revenue stream in the Towns 2019 budget. Like all other townships affected, this could possibly necessitate cutting back full-time/part-time staff, and delaying projects that would negatively impact our residents.

Huntington Town Councilmember Mark Cuthbertson said We are very concerned about the decision to cut this aid to the Town of Huntington. It will blow a hole in our budget and may leave us with the choice of cutting services or increasing taxes. I have submitted a sense resolution that will be on our Town board agenda on January 29 urging the New York State Legislature and Governor to fully restore funding to the Town of Huntington under the AIM Program.

Huntington Town Councilmember said Long Island already sends more money to Albany than it gets back, and this proposed elimination of per-capita state aid will only add to the imbalance, taking away more than $1 million that Huntington relies on to pay for services our residents want and deserve. I am proud to join support my colleagues Sen. James Gaughran and Assemb. Fred Thiele in their push for a full restoration of this item in the state budget. Simply put, Long Island in general and Huntington in particular deserve our fair share.

Huntington Town Councilman Ed Smyth said, Huntington adopted its budget in November as State law requires. The Town Board anticipated $1-million in AIM funding, about where our allocations been frozen for years. In light of the tax cap, the State ought to consider increasing aid to municipalities, but cutting us to zero mid-way through our operating year is patently irresponsible. I am glad that Senator Gaughran and Assemblyman Thiele are willing to listen. I hope they can find a fairer approach.

Suffolk County Legislature Presiding Officer DuWayne Gregory said This decrease in funding may sound small, but minor cuts can pack a major punch when it comes to a municipalitys budget, especially on Long Island. This small piece of the state budget means a great deal to the towns and villages that have come to rely on that funding in order to offer the same services and keep taxes down at the same time, and accounting for such changes takes time and planning. Our state officials must carefully consider what they are asking of our municipalities.

Suffolk County Legislator William R. Spencer, M.D. said At a time when towns and villages throughout Suffolk County and the region are working hard to function within the property tax cap; the proposed cuts to Aid and Incentives to Municipalities (AIM) are disappointing and will have negative financial implications that could mean loss of services and impact quality of life for taxpayers. I am thankful to Senator Gaughran and Assemblyman Thiele for their leadership on this issue and fully support their effort to restore this critical funding source.

Suffolk Legislator Donnelly: I applaud and thank Senator Gaughran and Assemblyman Thiele for taking the lead to help restore much needed aid to the hard-working residents of Suffolk County.

President of the Suffolk County Village Officials Association, Nissequogue Mayor Richard B. Smith: The Governors Proposal hurts the village citizens the most in villages that have the largest budgetary needs. The Governor continues to add to village responsibilities and costs, but simultaneously wants to force villages to increase their local property taxes to pay for the same village services as were provided last year.

Village of Sea Cliff Mayor Edward L. Lieberman Once again the Governor has shown the taxpayers of New Yorks municipalities and villages his lack of concern for their well-being. The influx of AIM monies has been utilized by my village to help off set higher taxes and to ensure better services to our residents. I applaud State Senator Gaughran and Assemblyman Thieles action regarding this matter and ask the Governor to reconsider his position.

Village of Bayville Mayor Robert De Natale said On behalf of the Bayville Village Board and all of the residents of our beautiful community, I wish to thank Senator Gaughran for fighting for the restoration of AIM Funding. Senator Gaughran recognizes that the elimination of AIM funding will create a substantial burden on our Village to make up the shortfall in our annual budget at the expense of some of the highest taxed residents in the entire Country.
Some 113 new jobs were created in Longford last year during a record year for Enterprise Ireland. Cllr Micheal Carrigy said the 4% increase is excellent news for the local economy, with 113 people now employed across the Longford

Cllr Carrigy went on to say: These record results are a great achievement and a testament to the resilience of Irish companies in the context of Brexit as well as our local economy here in Longford.

They are particularly welcome in the context of similarly strong results from IDA-supported companies in 2018.

Fine Gael in government is committed to rural Ireland with almost two thirds of the new jobs created outside of Dublin and all regions recorded increases in employment.

Almost two thirds of total employment by Enterprise Ireland backed companies is now outside of Dublin and almost 10,000 jobs were created nationally last year.

These record results are a great achievement and a testament to the resilience of Irish companies in the context of Brexit.

Lifesciences (+8%), Construction (+8%), Electronics (+7%), Primary Meats (+5%) and Food (+3%) were the key performing sectors.

Enterprise Ireland is working intensively on a one-to-one basis with its exporting clients on Brexit contingency plans. In 2018, the agency approved funding of 74m for 535 of its most Brexit-exposed clients.

As part of the agencys Brexit response, the organisation is announcing a major drive to support Irish exporter diversification including a significant expansion to its overseas offices network in 14 priority markets over the next 18 months to help companies expand beyond the UK.

Heather Humphreys, Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, said: Some 215,207 people are now employed in companies supported by Enterprise Ireland, growing at 4.4% in 2018. This is the highest total employment in the 20-year history of the agency.

As we reach full employment, our focus must shift from getting people back to work to creating sustainable jobs that can deal with new challenges and embrace new technologies.

The Governments new Future Jobs plan, which I will launch next month, will guide the next phase of Ireland's economic development and embed the excellent progress we have made since the economic downturn.

As part of the Governments Global Ireland 2025 strategy, I allocated an additional 3m to Enterprise Ireland in Budget 2019. This funding will be used to expand the Agencys global footprint, allowing us to promote Irish capability to even more international buyers.
A Longford charity has issued an urgent appeal for help raising awareness. Hungry Horse Outside, an equine rescue service based in County Longford, is need of a voluntary filmmaker to help spread the word.

"As a charity, we are looking to find a way to show a small insight into what our volunteers do and the process that takes place in order to rehome Ireland's forgotten horses," the charity posted on Facebook today.

"We are looking for anyone, who would be happy to volunteer some of their time,in making an advertisement or short documentary, that could be shared across social media.

"Maybe youre a college student that would like to add to your portfolio or someone who has a genuine love of horses, thats also worked in this field. We are making this appeal for help as the phone calls continue and horses are being badly treated still in this country."

Anyone wishing to make a donation tot he charity can do so via paypal. For more information, contact 086 402 9317.
Hundreds of GPs from every part of Ireland will be holding a mass protest outside Dail Eireann on Wednesday, February 6.



According to the National Association of General Practitioners (NAGP), "this will mean that on the day, many GP practices maybe be closed to patients, or will have limited services available.

Also read: Longford Leader columnist Mattie Fox: Once nurses appear on picket lines government wont stand a chance



"There is likely to be significant disruption to the GP service around the country on the day of the national protest.



"GPs will be protesting on behalf of patients, as the family doctor service is, or has in some areas, completely collapsed.



"They are tired of having to say sorry to patients.



Sorry we cant give you a same day appointment

Sorry our nurse is only here part-time

Sorry I can only give you a few minutes per consultation

Sorry, you have to wait four years for your hip replacement.

Sorry, you have to wait two years for an outpatient appointment.

Sorry, you have to wait five years for your cataract surgery.

Sorry, you are unable to access physiotherapy, psychology, podiatry and all the other ancillary services that make a health system work efficiently and safely.

Sorry, your relative died on a waiting list before their appointment came around.



"We have not chosen this decision lightly but it is vital for us to make the Government and others fully aware that our health system is in crisis and has been so for years.



"This is despite that fact that we have one of the most expensive health systems in the world.

ALSO READ: UPDATE Irish Water working to restore supply to homes and businesses in Granard



"Evidence from around the world confirms that community based health systems, like the family doctor system, are the most efficient, safe and effective.



"Years of successive cuts in Government funding for general practice have created an inefficient unstructured health system which is collapsing.

"Also, promised extra investment in developing the GP service, like the fairytale promises under Slaintecare, have not even been begun to be delivered, so that the family doctor service can be healthy and sustainable for the future.



"For months, the Government have promised to reverse the 38% cuts imposed over past years (FEMPI cuts to GPs) and to offer - and properly fund a new, modernised GP contract - but these things have not materialised.



"The number of doctors who can no longer take on any more patients is a growing crisis.



"The medical card system can no longer cope, having been starved of resources.



"Not enough new doctors are being appointed by the State, to serve the public and many are having to retire early, due to burnout.



"GPs are at, and many have passed, breaking point.



"The future survival of the GP service is vital, to enable it to serve patients.



"This issue affects whole communities around Ireland.

"For these reasons, GPs will be taking unprecedented action on Wednesday, February 6."

ALSO READ: REVEALED - The shortlist for Longford's All Time Great
An Irish man arrested in New York last week in connection with sex offence charges which are alleged to have occurred on dates between 2004 and 2009 in the midlands is facing extradition proceedings at a New York court today.

The man, who fled Ireland in 2013, was arrested by US Homeland Security last week, with assistance from Guilderland police.

He is due to appear in court in Albany, New York, later today.
In addition to Clinton, other individuals named on the milestones are composer John Alden Carpenter; William Black, a Civil War captain and defense attorney during the Chicago Haymarket Riot trial; Raymond Hollis, designer of the city flag; George Carpenter, the first village president, who also donated land for the first village hall; Frederic Goudy, book printer and type designer; Clara Barck Welles, founder of the Kalo Studio; Albert Buchheit, Park Ridge's first mayor; Mother Francis X. Cabrini, the first saint from the United States to be canonized; and artist Alfonso Iannelli, who local historians say designed the Campfire Girls Fountain.
Longford has a lot to offer and should not be left behind when it comes to Project Ireland 2040.

That's according to Granard Municipal District's Cllr PJ Reilly who listed off the assets that exist in the north Longford town at the recent special meeting to discuss the RSES.

Its towns like Granard that are being neglected and left out. And we have to say we are proud to have two national businesses in Granard, said Cllr Reilly.

Also read: Major road upgrades needed in Longford with Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy

We have Pat the Baker - one of the largest bakeries in the country who bake 1.2 million loaves a week. And you can buy Pat the Bakers bread in any town or country shop anywhere in Ireland, and also out in New York - theres Pat the Baker bread there.

This is what rural Ireland can achieve, he said, before acknowledging the other major business located in Granard: Kiernan Milling.

But we have to look at the achievement of Mullinalaghta from a GAA perspective, he continued.

That is another example of what rural Ireland can achieve.

Its very, very important that these things are kept alive and these things are kept active. Its as important to us down here as if we were above in the suburbs.

Also read: Center Parcs resort could never have gone ahead in Longford if current draft of RSES was in place
The Creative Ireland Longford Creativity and Culture Programme 2019 is now open. A call for applications for funding went out in December 2018 with a closing date of Thursday, January 31, 2019. This has now been extended to Thursday, February 7.

To assist you in completing the application form, or finding out more about Creative Ireland as a possible funding partner for your event, please visit us at one of our open Information sessions beginning next Monday.

Members of the Longford Creative Ireland team will be available to discuss your project with you in the following venues:

* Longford Library, Monday, January 28, from 5- 7pm

* Ballymahon Community Library, Tuesday, January 29, from 5-7pm

* Granard Community Library on Thursday, January 31, from 5pm to 7pm

This is your opportunity to learn more about how Creative Ireland Longford can support you in ensuring your proposed idea, event/festival etc is a success in 2019. To book a time to meet with members of the Creative Ireland Longford team at one of these venues, please call 043-3341124 or email: creativeireland@longfordcoco.ie.

To download the 2019 funding application form, or to find out more about the Creative Ireland Longford Culture and Creativity Plan (2018-2022), please visit: longfordlibrary.ie/creative-ireland-longford/creative-ireland-longford-funding.

Last year, almost 40 exciting new projects from across the county received funding, including the Padraic Colum International Literary Gathering, the Still Voices Short Film Festival , the revival of the Granard Harp Festival, Cruinniu na nOg, Ardagh Heritage and Creativity Centre Scealta Beo Storytelling festival and many more.

The Longford Whats On Guide to events happening across the county, will be published shortly and we want to include every cultural event happening in the county providing information over the course of this year.

If you want your event included, please submit your details on or before February 19th (free of charge), to creativeireland@longfordcoco.ie or telephone 043-3341124.
Logan, WV (25601)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun during the morning will give way to cloudy skies this afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 87F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy skies this evening will become partly cloudy after midnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 69F. Winds light and variable.
Lockport, NY (14094)

Today

Partly cloudy skies this morning will become overcast during the afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 84F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 61F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.
Although Corpus Christi's new Harbor Bridge won't be finished until 2020, recently released photos showed noticeable progress in the project.

The photos, released Tuesday on the Harbor Bridge Project's Facebook page, showed the construction of street bridges, ramps and pedestrian bridges near downtown Corpus Christi.
Francis Moczygemba, known to most simply as Country, overcame the scars of the Vietnam War to find peace by feeding the hungry and poor.

It was more a lifes calling than a job. He truly was an advocate for those who suffer. He would always want to do well by them, said Eric Cooper, president of the San Antonio Food Bank.

For over 20 years, Id say, The world has a lot of one-named people: Cher, Madonna, Prince. And at the San Antonio Food Bank, we had our Country, he said.

Moczygemba, 71, died Sunday of congestive heart failure, still working in Pearsall for the food bank.

His special talent was gathering surplus fresh produce from growers in South Texas and Mexico for food banks in San Antonio and beyond.

It takes a lot of logistics, supply chain knowledge and relationships. Were talking about millions of pounds of produce every year. I dont know anyone who put more produce on plates than Country, said Cooper.

Born in Floresville, Moczygemba grew up on a farm in Poth, the sixth of six sons of Ben and Martha Moczygemba.

Francis H. Moczygemba Born: April 20, 1947 in Floresville Died: January 20, 2019 in Beeville Survivors: Brothers Arthur and Leroy Moczygemba; children Kristin Moczygemba, Kevin Moczygemba and Amy Moczygemba; and grandsons Ben and Jake Moczygemba. Services: Viewing and rosary from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Feb. 6 at Hurley's Funeral Home, 608 E. Trinity St., Pearsall. Funeral service at 10 a.m. Feb. 7 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 422 Brazos St., Pearsall. See More Collapse

He was a country boy. A good old Polish boy, real Catholic. Super guy, recalled his longtime friend Charles Urbina Jones.

Moczygemba attended St. Marys University, graduating in 1969 with a degree in political science and a Army commission as a second lieutenant.

He soon found himself in deadly jungles of Southeast Asia, where he saw combat, was promoted to captain and received decorations, including a Bronze Star and Purple Heart.

He was a forward artillery observer, and you know, they dont last very long, remarked his older brother Leroy. He didnt want to talk about why he received the Bronze Star. I think it was pretty harrowing.

Returning home, Moczygemba had a hard time of it.

He had PTSD, and in his marital life and professional life, he would come and go, Leroy recalled.

He also adopted the nickname Country so he wouldnt have to endure mispronunciation or explain too much, his brother added.

Eventually he started working in food programs for the needy and was able to get his life in order.

Somewhere along the line, working with the poor and the hungry sort of brought him back to reality, Leroy said.

Jones knew Moczygemba when they were students at St. Marys University. Later they both served in Vietnam as forward artillery observers.

He was very spiritual, very academic, and as smart as they come, everything youd want in a warrior, said Jones, who spoke regularly with his old friend.

Franny was a beautiful, brilliant man. It makes my heart sad to know he is not here, he added.

John MacCormack is a staff writer in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read him on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | JMacCormack@express-news.net | Twitter: @JohnMacCormack
I just dont like buying things pig in a poke and not knowing what were going to put on there, and then go to see what we can put on there, said Dominic Sulimowski, who was the sole no vote. Im not saying Im against the project in total, but I have no idea what were going to put on there.
Roger Stone has seen this day coming for a long time, and he prepared for it. Not only did he predict he would be indicted in special counsel Robert Mueller III's investigation, but he also pre-rebutted the idea that his talks with WikiLeaks (which have now been detailed) would constitute illegal coordination with Russia.

Asked by Chuck Todd last year whether working with WikiLeaks would be treasonous, Stone made the case that it would not. He argued that the link between WikiLeaks and Russia was too tenuous.

"I don't think so, because for it to be a treasonous act, (WikiLeaks founder Julian) Assange would have to be probably a Russian asset and WikiLeaks would have to be a Russian front, and I do not believe that is the case," Stone said. He called Assange "a courageous journalist" and said, "I can say with confidence that I know nothing about any Russian collusion or any other inappropriate act."

This question took on new significance Friday, after Mueller indicted Stone for lying to investigators. The indictment does not charge Stone with anything amounting to collusion (or treason). But as The Washington Post's Rosalind S. Helderman reports, it does somewhat conspicuously lay out a series of occasions on which the Trump campaign sought information about WikiLeaks's releases from Stone and encouraged the relationship.

At one point, it even makes reference to someone who could be President Donald Trump himself, saying, "After the July 22, 2016 release of stolen DNC emails by (WikiLeaks), a senior Trump Campaign official was directed to contact STONE" about WikiLeaks and its future releases. It is not clear who did that directing, but the fact that it is left unsaid, and that Trump would be in such a position to direct a senior aide, is intriguing to say the least.

All of these contacts could merely be included to substantiate the alleged lies Stone told investigators about his contacts with WikiLeaks. But it also seems possible Mueller is entering them into the public record for a reason - as a possible preview of things to come.

Could they be part of a collusion case, though? Would working with WikiLeaks, whether you are Stone or someone from the campaign asking for information he had gleaned from WikiLeaks, be legally problematic?

The short answer is it is way too early to say. But the plot has definitely thickened.

The first important note here is that, while Stone does not regard WikiLeaks as a front for the Russians, the U.S. government says it played a key role in Russian election interference. From the intelligence community's report on 2016 election interference by the Russians:

"We assess with high confidence that the GRU (the Russian military intelligence organization) used the Guccifer 2.0 persona, DCLeaks.com, and WikiLeaks to release US victim data obtained in cyber operations publicly and in exclusives to media outlets."

Just because WikiLeaks disseminated the Russian emails does not necessarily mean WikiLeaks was wittingly working for the Russians. According to Mueller's indictments of Russians involved in the election interference last year, the Russian hackers communicated using that Guccifer 2.0 persona, which claimed to be Romanian, in their contacts with WikiLeaks:

"In order to expand their interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, the Conspirators transferred many of the documents they stole from the DNC and the chairman of the Clinton Campaign to (WikiLeaks). The Conspirators, posing as Guccifer 2.0, discussed the release of the stolen documents and the timing of those releases with (WikiLeaks) to heighten their impact on the 2016 U.S. presidential election."

As the Atlantic's David A. Graham notes in his piece on whether WikiLeaks was a Russian front, Assange's sympathy for Russia and its usefulness to him have been pretty evident. We found out recently the U.S. government has indicted him under seal, though we do not know if it has anything to do with Mueller's investigation.

From there, this is a question of connecting the dots. Let's say WikiLeaks knew it was doing Russia's dirty work. Would Stone be responsible for knowing that? The Post reported in mid-June 2016 that Russia was behind the hack of Democratic National Committee emails, but this was not a matter of official government record.

Similarly, the Trump campaign had to be aware of this report when it was seeking information on WikiLeaks from Stone after the initial June 22, 2016, email dump. The report was only a week old. But would that constitute some kind of illegal coordination with a foreign government?

One key question in all of that would seem to be whether there was any kind of a give-and-take - whether Stone was not only getting information but also strategizing with WikiLeaks, either on his own or at the direction of the Trump campaign. And Stone's indictment suggests he was engaging. It lists three occasions on which Stone asked his intermediary to pass along a message to WikiLeaks, including one in which he requested specific emails:

"As described above, on or about July 25, 2016, STONE sent Person 1 an email that read, 'Get to (Assange) (a)t Ecuadorian Embassy in London and get the pending (WikiLeaks) emails ... they deal with Foundation, allegedly.'

"b. On or about September 18, 2016, STONE sent a text message to Person 2 that said, 'I am e-mailing u a request to pass on to (Assange),' and then emailed Person 2 an article with allegations against then-candidate Clinton related to her service as Secretary of State. STONE added, 'Please ask (Assange) for any State or HRC e-mail from August 10 to August 30-particularly on August 20, 2011 that mention (the subject of the article) or confirm this narrative.'

"c. On or about September 19, 2016, STONE texted Person 2 again, writing 'Pass my message ... to (Assange).' Person 2 responded, 'I did,' and the next day Person 2, on an email blind-copied to STONE, forwarded the request to an attorney who had the ability to contact the head of (WikiLeaks)."

So both Stone and the Trump campaign had an indication WikiLeaks might be working for Russia, Stone was allegedly exchanging requests and information with WikiLeaks, and the Trump campaign was encouraging this relationship, at least to some extent.

Even with all of that, though, there is the very important question about journalistic protections and whether WikiLeaks qualifies for them. Again, we do not know on what charge Assange has been indicted, and some would argue that even getting information from nefarious sources would be protected. WikiLeaks did not steal the information itself, and it regards itself as a journalistic organization.

There are so many complex legal questions here, and we do not even know what specific statute we might be talking about when it comes to collusion, which is a word that does not even appear in the criminal code. As usual, the dots are there for the connecting, and they are getting closer to being connected. But there are so many variables here, any one of which could take collusion off the table.

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Video: The Fix's Aaron Blake analyzes Roger Stone's indictment and what it means for special counsel Robert S. Mueller III's investigation into possible coordination between the Trump campaign and Russia.(JM Rieger/The Washington Post)

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Jo Licata wasnt sure what to do with the 6-foot-tall stuffed dinosaur in her office. The massive Barney doll had been left at the Hilton San Francisco Union Square last year, and it was Licatas job to dispatch it. But who would take a giant stuffed animal on short notice?

Licata, the hotels community projects manager, immediately reached out to some of the more than 50 nonprofits the Hilton works with in the Bay Area on accepting donations. If the giant toy didnt faze her, its because Licata has seen far stranger things left behind. Her office is nearly always filled with bags of guest clothing, assorted luggage and boxes of convention giveaways, from logo water bottles to clip-on tubes of hand sanitizer. Barney was just one of the literally thousands of items  from phone chargers and suit jackets to diamond earrings and baby strollers  that are forgotten or abandoned every month by guests and conventioneers.

I love getting unusual items because it is a challenge, Licata says.

Items left at hotels run the gamut from the mundane to the exotic to the (ahem) unmentionable. Most of the items left behind at the Hilton and other San Francisco hotels dont just sit around languishing in a lost-and-found pile or get tossed in the trash. Many go on to lead second lives if they arent claimed. Even random oddities such as sign boards, walkers, orphaned earrings, abandoned luggage, medical supplies  and yes, a giant stuffed dinosaur  are donated to organizations that can put them to good use.

What people leave

According to a 2015 survey released by G6 Hospitality, which owns lodging brands Motel 6 and Studio 6, 54 percent of 1,060 American travelers surveyed said they had left something behind in a hotel room at some point in their lives. The survey found that 29 percent are more likely to accidentally leave a belonging behind in a hotel room than take a hotel item  like shampoo or soap  home with them. In addition, 35 percent of those surveyed have returned to a hotel to retrieve what they forgot.

By far, the most common items left behind in hotels are phone and electronics chargers. With 1,921 guest rooms and an additional 1,000 rooms at its Park 55 property, the Hilton Union Square alone collects about 250 chargers a month. The Fairmont San Francisco and the Palace in San Francisco also collect hundreds of chargers every month, which are held for a period of time before they are disposed of.

I always tell people who have left their chargers at home to go to the concierge and ask for one, Licata says. But every six weeks, we have an e-waste company that comes and picks those items up.

Clothing like hoodies and coats, business clothes, shoes, rain jackets, dresses and even more intimate items also are commonly left behind in hotel rooms, along with eyewear and jewelry. Other than the underwear, clothes, eyeglasses and other usable articles are usually donated to homeless shelters, womens shelters, the Salvation Army and other nonprofits. Suitcases and strollers that people buy just for the trip and leave behind are given to programs that help single moms and homeless families.

July and August are our big vacation months, but people who come here dont always realize that these are not warm months, Licata said. They end up having to buy sweatshirts and hooded jackets because they were unprepared for the cold. Sometimes, they just leave those items behind.

Even trade show and convention giveaways like T-shirts and caps find a new life at San Francisco nonprofits. Totes are especially in demand, Licata said.

A lot of times, these conventions and trade shows dont want to have to ship those leftover items back, Licata said. Totes are really popular. All the organizations want the totes.

Orphaned earrings and other costume jewelry, leftover trade show signage and similar items are donated to Scrounging for Creative Repurposing of Art Products (SCRAP) or to nonprofit theater companies and schools.

Medical equipment abandoned after a medical trade show was a little harder to place, Licata said. She ended up finding a nonprofit that sends medical devices to developing countries.

All those little soaps guests unwrap and use only once or twice? Even those are repurposed.

We harvest the scrap soap every three to four weeks and send it to Clean the World, which melts them down, sanitizes them and creates new soap thats sent to developing countries and to disaster relief, like the areas recently hit by the hurricanes, said Licata.

Where leftovers end up

Most San Franciscos hotels follow protocol from the California Hotel and Lodging Association, which recommends that found items be turned in to the hotels lost-and-found department where they are logged and held for a period of time under the watchful eye of the hotels security officer.

After 90 days, if we havent successfully reunited the item with its owner, the person who discovered the item gets first dibs on it, Licata says. After that, we donate the items to the community.

Possessions are sent back to guests when requested.

Call the hotels lost-and-found department as soon as possible. They will be happy to make arrangements to have items returned, says Michelle Heston, regional director of public relations for Fairmont Hotels & Resorts. By protocol, any found illegal items are immediately reported and surrendered to local authorities.

Sometimes, hotels go above and beyond to return beloved items.

At the Palace Hotel, a little girls stuffed rabbit got mixed up with the bedding and sent off to laundry service during housekeeping. The girl was distraught.

Our director of housekeeping went down to the laundry service, and they were able to find Rabby, but the family had already left to go home to Texas, says Renee Roberts of Renee Roberts Marketing & Public Relations, representing San Franciscos Palace Hotel. So we took pictures of Rabby by the pool, Rabby having a tea party, Rabby hanging out with the chef and riding in an expensive automobile and sent those pictures to the family so they knew we were taking good care of Rabby.

Housekeeping created a duvet for Rabby to sleep on in the return package and included the photo album of Rabbys adventure for the family when the toy was returned.

It was a cute little thing to do, and it made the little girl happy, Roberts says.

Not all items are easy to return, however. One of the oddest items the Palace has shipped to an owner was a set of tires left in a room and a full-length mink coat. The Fairmont San Francisco once found an artificial leg and a set of dentures.

If its an item of any value, people will call to get them back. We find a lot of laptops, electronic devices, jewelry and items that people want to claim, Roberts says.

Items of a more racy, romantic nature are also kept, in case the owners want them back. Depending on the item, some are discarded after a defined period of time if no one claims it, Heston says.

As for Barney, he, too, found a second calling: Hilton Union Square donated the massive stuffed dinosaur to Child Protective Services.

We got a call about two sisters who were removed from the home. The 3-year-old was inconsolable, but when she walked into the childrens waiting area, she saw Barney and just ran and threw herself on him, clinging to him for comfort, Licata says. That brought tears to my eyes when I heard that.

Heide Brandes is a freelance writer. Email: travel@sfchronicle.com.
WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump's bold decision to throw U.S. support behind a self-declared opposition government in Venezuela carries risks for a president whose foreign policy is staked on prizing American interests over others and keeping the country out of foreign quagmires.

In support of the government declared by opposition leader Juan Guaido, U.S. officials refused to rule out military action or far-reaching economic measures, including an oil embargo that would harm U.S. business.

"I think that speaks for itself," national security adviser John Bolton said when asked Thursday what Trump meant by saying "all options" are available to him.

The administration is betting that it will not need to spell it out further. But it was unclear whether it has fully mapped out a strategy in the event that President Nicolas Maduro refuses to budge, serious violence erupts or foreign supporters of Maduro's government - including Russia and Turkey - decide to intervene on his behalf.

For now, the hope is to use the newly declared interim government as a tool to deny Maduro the oil revenue from the United States that provides Venezuela virtually all of its incoming cash, current and former U.S. officials said.

Bolton suggested as much in comments to reporters at the White House on Thursday.

"What we're focusing on today is disconnecting the illegitimate Maduro regime from the source of its revenues. We think consistent with our recognition of Juan Guaido as the constitutional interim president of Venezuela that those revenues should go to the legitimate government," Bolton said.

"It's very complicated. We're looking at a lot of different things we have to do, but that's in the process," he said.

While the United States has increased its own oil production, many Gulf Coast refineries are geared to process heavy Venezuelan crude into gasoline and diesel, and would probably have to shut down at least temporarily if imports were stopped. In a conundrum for the administration over the past two years, oil sanctions would deprive Venezuela of most of its cash income but could also result in an increase in energy prices in the United States.

The administration is already adjusting existing sanctions to protect the alternate government Guaido has begun erecting, a White House official said, and is expected to levy new sanctions against Maduro-connected entities. The sanctions in place now were designed to have as little effect on the Venezuelan public as possible, the official said, leaving room for new measures that would apply only to the entities the United States considers illegitimate.

"We have been patient, we have been cautious, so we didn't overburden the Venezuelan people with our sanctions policy," said the White House official, who like others interviewed spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the swiftly moving events more freely.

- - -

In Guaido, the Trump administration found a figure on which to hang hopes for a peaceful ouster of Maduro from within, or by Maduro's own choice, current and former U.S. officials said.

The Trump administration would support safe passage to exile for Maduro if he chose it, one official said.

"We are not trying to arrest everybody; this is not about revenge," the official said. "If that means Mr. Maduro and a few of his family and friends would want to spend time in another country, we would be happy to pay for the airfare."

The U.S. pressure campaign is aimed partly at convincing Maduro that he cannot continue to govern, and partly at building up Guaido.

"We have been engaged with the same strategy: to build international pressure, help organize the internal opposition and push for a peaceful restoration of democracy. But that internal piece was missing." the official said. "He was the piece we needed for our strategy to be coherent and complete," the official said.

Control over oil revenue - and $20 million in humanitarian aid Secretary of State Mike Pompeo promised Thursday - would give Guaido both international legitimacy and practical help.

But such a maneuver is easier said than done, as President George H.W. Bush found out when he tried a similar tactic to oust Panama's then-President Manuel Antonio Noriega in 1989. As long as Maduro controls the finance and treasury ministries and the country's central bank, alternative mechanisms would have to be established.

Diversion of economic resources would also fail to address what U.S. officials said is the biggest obstacle: Maduro maintains control of the army and police, and could attempt to crush street protests, arrest or harm Guaido, or interfere with the U.S. Embassy in Caracas.

Late Thursday, the State Department ordered nonessential employees working at the embassy and U.S. family members to leave the country. They did not say how many, or when they would leave.

The departure order was made on what a State Department spokesman said was its "current assessment of the security situation in Venezuela." There are no plans to close the embassy.

Asked whether Trump would intervene militarily if diplomats were at risk, Pompeo said in an interview with Fox News host Laura Ingraham that he "didn't want to speculate or create a hypothetical situation" but that "we're prepared to do what it takes to make sure that we do everything we can do to keep our people safe."

The Trump administration hopes Venezuela's armed forces switch allegiances, but there is no clear road map for what Trump would do if that does not happen, or if blood is spilled.

In Panama, the U.S. decision to intervene came only when Panamanian security forces killed a U.S. military officer at a roadblock, and Bush sent 10,000 U.S. troops into combat.

The Pentagon did not buy into Trump's previously implied threats of using military force in Venezuela. Former defense secretary Jim Mattis had argued that with major wars and deployments underway in the Middle East, along with possible conflict with North Korea, any discretionary use of force in the hemisphere was irresponsible.

Rather than preparing for a possible use of force in Venezuela, the head of the U.S. Southern Command, Adm. Craig Faller, is on an extended tour of Central America this week and on Thursday was visiting Guatemala.

"It's kind of a giveaway, that [the Defense Department] or Southcom was not part of this process or wasn't given a heads-up," said one former senior administration official.

"One could argue that we are on, if not an inevitable path, certainly a path toward intervention because of the dramatic nature of what we've done," the former official said. "Telling a sitting president he is no longer president and recognizing somebody else. Next question: OK, what comes next? To what extent are we actually prepared to continue to march down this road?"

- - -

For the moment, however, the administration is enjoying a rare outpouring of hemispheric - as well as bipartisan - approval. In a speech at the Organization of American States, notoriously reluctant to support what it sees as U.S. aggression, Pompeo drew applause Thursday when he declared Maduro's government "illegitimate" and "all of its declarations and actions illegitimate and invalid." The United States, Pompeo said, "stands solidly behind" Guaido.

Most officials there echoed the U.S. decision to break relations and recognize a new government, although Mexico was conspicuously not among them.

The administration also plans to put its case before the United Nations Security Council at a special meeting Saturday morning, although the prospects for united action are slim. Among the five permanent members with veto power, France and Britain have condemned Maduro but not followed U.S. actions, China has called for calm and remained neutral, and Russia has denounced the administration.

Overall, those who have spoken out for Maduro have been few and far between. Russia is Maduro's main benefactor and has substantial investments in Venezuela, including control of at least five oil fields and two natural gas fields, as well as 49.9 percent ownership of Citgo, Venezuela's U.S.-based oil refining and distribution operation. It has supplied most of Venezuela's military arsenal and its billions in outstanding loans, many of them extended as prepayment for oil deliveries to Russian customers.

China also has billions in outstanding loans to Venezuela. Nicaragua and Cuba, who have also denounced the U.S. moves, are ideologically attuned to the Maduro government and have received cut-rate oil in return.

Trump's declaration of support for Guaido keeps faith with conservative Republican foreign policy hawks, including Vice President Mike Pence, for whom the leftist dictatorship is a long-standing target on ideological and human rights grounds.

"By standing with the people of Venezuela, President Trump stands for freedom," Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., tweeted after the U.S. announcement Wednesday.

Many Democrats praised the decision, too, including Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., a frequent Trump critic, who called it "an appropriate step."

"The Administration should continue to work with other nations in the region towards a diplomatic solution to the crisis, and take every precaution to safeguard our diplomatic personnel," Schiff said in a statement Thursday. "We must also remember that America's support for democracy and human rights must apply universally if it is to be credible."

That was a reference to what some other Democrats and Trump critics saw as a double standard, in which the White House tolerates or embraces some dictators and right-wing authoritarians but calls leftist and socialist authoritarians illegitimate.

"Let me get this straight. The US is sanctioning Venezuela for their lack of democracy but not Saudi Arabia? Such hypocrisy," Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., tweeted Wednesday. "Maduro's policies are bad and not helping his people, but crippling sanctions or pushing for regime change will only make the situation worse."

Khanna also responded to an expression of support for the policy from Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill., by saying, "US should not anoint the leader of the opposition in Venezuela during an internal, polarized conflict."

The diplomatic move made common cause with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, whose relationship with Trump nose-dived last year over trade issues, and drew support among many Latin American nations. Among 19 nations that have lined up behind the United States, 16 are in the Western Hemisphere, the White House official noted.

Asked why the response to Maduro is different from many other authoritarian leaders, Bolton rejected the premise.

"The fact is, Venezuela is in our hemisphere," Bolton said. "I think we have a special responsibility here, and I think the president feels very strongly about it."

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Video: President Trump on Jan. 24 said the U.S. is "very closely" monitoring the situation in Venezuela.(The Washington Post)

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Longtime President Donald Trump adviser Roger Stone was charged Friday with lying and witness tampering in connection with the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.

He also threatened to steal a dog, according to special counsel Robert Mueller's indictment.

The indictment does not name the dog or the dog's owner. But people close to the case told The Washington Post the person is a Stone associate named Randy Credico, a New York City comedian and former radio host.

Credico had said Stone threatened him after he publicly denied being Stone's back-channel connection to WikiLeaks during the campaign. That intimidation included an April text in which Stone called Credico a "rat" and a "stoolie" and vowed to "take that dog away from you," according to the indictment.

Credico has what he refers to as a "therapy dog," a Coton de Tulear named Bianca. And news that Stone had threatened a dog - which, to be clear, is a supporting detail in the indictment, and not itself cited as a crime - quickly made Bianca a star on Twitter, where she was cast as a blameless victim of a cruel threat.

But was Stone threatening Bianca or Credico? What might he have done with Bianca had he committed the dognapping? The indictment does not say. If Stone is to be believed - and, well, that is the heart of the matter - the dog might possibly have been in safe hands. That is because Stone, a self-professed "dirty trickster," is also a self-professed dog fanatic.

In an interview with The Post last year about experimentation on dogs in federal research labs, a practice he has publicly opposed, Stone said he and his wife were "dog lovers and cat lovers." They owned three cats and two Yorkshire terriers - the latest of nine Yorkies they had owned over the years, he said. They'd also at one point taken in a Wheaten terrier they found injured on a roadside, he said; its leg was later amputated.

"We often refer to our place as Stone's Animal Farm," said Stone, whose coexistence with dogs goes back at least three decades: At age 33, he had two Dachshunds, according to a 1986 Post article.

So passionate is he about dogs, Stone said last year, that he'd encouraged candidates for office in his Florida district to rail against the local animal shelter's euthanasia rates. He said he'd also organized a small protest in 2018 outside what he described as a shady storefront "puppy mill" that sold ill dogs and offered dubious financing. (To spread the word, Stone said, he "printed out fliers and went into all the gay bars . . . and called all my friends in college Republican clubs.")

"It's just something I feel very strongly about," Stone said of animal causes.

In fact, he added, he had plans to retire from political life and devote his time to animal welfare.

"I'm really thinking about it. Politics is ceasing to be fun. There was a time when it was fun," Stone said. "The camaraderie that used to exist just isn't there anymore."

Which brings us back to the text message involving Bianca. In an interview last year with the Yahoo News podcast Skullduggery, Credico discussed Stone's threat and suggested it was not a shining example of camaraderie.

"It's certainly scary," Credico said. "When you start bringing up my dog, you're crossing the line."

Stone might agree. Speaking Friday morning outside the federal courthouse in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, he criticized the FBI for having sent multiple officers and vehicles to arrest him in a dawn raid at his home there. The raid had "terrorized" his wife, he said - and his dogs.
Washington

President Donald Trump says "all options are on the table" as the U.S. seeks to push Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to give up power. But the reality is much more complicated.

The U.S. still has tools to apply pressure on Maduro, even after years of tough rhetoric and increasing sanctions. But further targeted measures may do little to hurt the already-reeling South American country, and a major step like halting Venezuelan oil imports could damage the American economy. The most extreme step, direct military action, appears not to be under consideration.

The U.S. and other nations Wednesday took the unusual step of recognizing Juan Guaido, the opposition head of the National Assembly, as the interim president of Venezuela. Maduro, elected last year in a vote seen as fraudulent, still controls the military and security services and has support among at least a portion of the public. He's given no sign he intends to step down.

On Thursday, 16 of the 34 nations in the Organization of American States recognized Guaido at an emergency session. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urged members to oppose the "illegitimate" Maduro and pledged to make $20 million available for humanitarian assistance to the country.

When asked about next steps, administration officials repeat variations of what the president said on Wednesday. "We're not considering anything, but all options are on the table," Trump told reporters, in response to a question about the possibility of military action.

A potent weapon called for by some lawmakers would be sanctions on oil from Venezuela, the fourth largest supplier of crude to the U.S. But that could cause gas prices to rise, mean a loss of business for Gulf State refiners and have other ripple effects in the American economy.

Another option to punish Venezuela would be to designate it a "state sponsor of terrorism," which would impose wide-ranging sanctions and put strict limits on the ability of Venezuelan officials to travel to or within the United States. The administration has considered the measure but has for the moment ruled it out because Venezuela does not meet the legal criteria, which would include evidence that the government supported or ordered terrorist attacks.

Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, who represents thousands of Venezuelan expatriates in her South Florida district, favors "targeted" sanctions on the oil industry to reduce some of the money that flows to Maduro's government.
I am of Mexican-American descent and have lived quite happily in Naperville for over 31 years. I participate in local activities, volunteer in places of need and worship without conflict. I am sure ethnic comments may have been uttered out of my earshot or ignorant individuals made comments to my children, unaware of their ancestry, but overall I believe Naperville has presented itself as a wholesome, kind and generous town.
Panama City

Pope Francis insisted Thursday that public officials live simply, honestly and transparently as he opened a visit to a Central America that has been rife with corruption scandals and is now coping with political upheaval in Venezuela.

Francis didn't mention the Venezuela crisis during his first remarks in Panama after a meeting with President Juan Carlos Varela. But his spokesman said he was following the situation closely, was praying for the Venezuelan people and supported "all efforts that help save the population from further suffering."

Francis celebrated the country's place as bridge between oceans and cultures and holding up the region's newest saint, slain Salvadoran Archbishop Oscar Romero, as a model for a humble church that accompanies the poor.

He welcomed tens of thousands of young people to World Youth Day, the Catholic Church's big youth rally, and urged them to be builders of bridges of encounter, not "builders of walls that sow fear and look to divide and box people in," a clear reference to the proposed U.S.-Mexico border wall.

But he warned that those same young people are increasingly demanding that public officials live lives that are coherent with the jobs entrusted to them, and build a "culture of greater transparency" between the public and private sectors.
While world leaders converged on Davos, Switzerland, this past week to discuss "Globalization 4.0" at the World Economic Forum, President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Theresa May stayed home to deal with globalization-related crises: a government shutdown over Trump's demand for a border wall and Parliament's rejection of May's Brexit deal. Meanwhile, U.S.-China trade tensions continued to roil financial markets, and trade conflicts contributed to another downgrade of global growth forecasts. The political crossfire over globalization has propagated a raft of myths. Here are five of the most prevalent.

1. Myth No. 1: Populist nationalism has begun to reverse globalization.

After 2016's electoral surprises (Brexit and Trump), many predicted globalization's imminent demise. A headline in the Guardianproclaimed, "Globalisation as we know it is over - and Brexit is the biggest sign yet," and one in the Boston Globe read, "Trump won. Globalization lost. Now what?" In 2017, former HSBC chief economist Stephen King published a book titled "Grave New World: The End of Globalization, the Return of History."

The actual interactions that take place among countries, however, tell a different story. The new DHL Global Connectedness Index, coming next month,shows that globalization - measured based on flows of trade, capital, information and people - rose to a record high in 2017. For the first time since 2007, the proportions of all four types of flows crossing national borders increased significantly. Trade in goods grew at its fastest pace since 2011, and international tourism the fastest since 2010. Free calls over the Internet continued to power strong growth in international communications.

In 2018, major public policy threats to globalization did turn from rhetoric to reality. There were tit-for-tat tariff increases,new restrictions on foreign corporate takeovers and crackdowns on immigration. But there was no general collapse of globalization. Trade continued growing, though at a slower pace, last year, while foreign direct investment declined.

2. Myth No. 2: We live in a world of borderless markets.

This idea has been around for a long time, especially in business circles. Strategy consultant Kenichi Ohmae's 1990 book was titled "The Borderless World." In 1997, economics journalist Frances Cairncross published "The Death of Distance." Then, the most popular book about globalization ever, New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman's 2005 volume, "The World Is Flat," proclaimed a "level playing field" for global competition and collaboration.

NYU Stern and IESE Business School professor Pankaj Ghemawat has been debunking this myth for more than a decade: The vast majority of activities that could happen either within or across national borders are still domestic rather than international. For example, only about 20 percent of economic output is exported, 17 to 19 percent of tourism is international, 9 percent of global output comes from the foreign operations of multinational firms, roughly 7 percent of phone call minutes are international (including calls over the Internet), and 3 percent of people live outside the countries where they were born. Furthermore, trade, capital, information and people flows are all still dampened significantly by distance.

This myth has especially pernicious effects on policy debates. Just about everyone overestimatesinternational flows, and people who overestimate them by a wider margin worry more about globalization exacerbating inequality, climate change and other problems. Surveys have shown that simply telling people the actual levels of immigration into their countries reduces the proportion who thinkthere are too many immigrants or that immigration is a problem. Moreover, the fact that distance still matters is the main reason Brexit is such a challenge. Geography alone means that Europe will remain Britain's most important market.

3. Myth No. 3: The U.S. is one of the world's most globalized countries.

With politicians at both ends of the ideological spectrum railing against free trade, Americans could be forgiven for supposing that the U.S. economy is especially exposed to competition from imports. Most Americans also grew up thinking of the country as "a nation of immigrants," and until last year, that phrase was even part of the mission statement of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Surprisingly, the United States is actually the advanced economy that imports the least relative to its size (and only six emerging economies import less intensively). In 2017, it imported goods and services worth 15 percent of its gross domestic product. Japan is the only advanced economy that comes close (18 percent), and even China imports more intensively than the United States does (19 percent). The United States ranks higher on immigration, but there are still more than 30 countries where a larger share of the population was born abroad. America also has fewer immigrants than most Americans think: 15 percent of the population, compared with the average guess of 29 percent in a 2018 survey.

The United States ranked 27th out of 140 countries on the 2016 DHL Global Connectedness Index, but that relatively high position was mainly because of how broadly its international flows span the globe. On the "depth" dimension of the index, which measures international flows relative to domestic activity, the United States ranked 100th.

4. Myth No. 4: Emerging markets are globalization's new leaders.

This notion gained traction after Chinese President Xi Jinping's vigorous defense of globalization at Davos three days before Trump's inauguration. "China's Xi Jinping Seizes Role as Leader on Globalization," the Wall Street Journal declared. (Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a similar play the following year.) A 2017 headline in the Financial Times said that "Emerging markets are set to lead globalisation." There is more than just rhetoric here: China has advanced bold international infrastructure and institution-building initiatives, and the share of world trade and investment involving emerging economies is up significantly relative to the early 2000s.

Actually, though, advanced economies are much more globalized than emerging economies, which trade about as intensively as advanced economies do but are only one-third as integrated into international capital flows, one-fifth as active in movements of people and one-ninth as linked to information flows. Emerging economies are also less globalized in the sense that they maintain strong connections to a narrower set of countries. They had been closing the gap with advanced economies on the intensity of their international flows, but their catch-up progress has stalled, in part because of China's rebalancing away from export-led growth.

5. Myth No. 5: Globalization is the main culprit behind rising inequality.

From the right, Trump argued during his campaign that "globalization has made the financial elite who donate to politicians very wealthy. But it has left millions of our workers with nothing but poverty and heartache." From the left, Bernie Sanders held that "the global economy is not working for the majority of people in our country and the world. This is an economic model developed by the economic elite to benefit the economic elite."

While economists continue to debate the relationship between globalization and inequality, a substantial body of research suggests that other factors, such as technological change and domestic policies, have contributed more to rising inequality than globalization. Simple measures help reinforce this conclusion. Since the United States is the advanced economy that imports the least relative to its size, it's hard to see how imports could explain its ranking near the top on inequality among developed nations. In contrast, eight of the 10 most globalized countries are in Europe, and they all maintain more equitable income distributions.

- - -

Altman, a senior research scholar at the NYU Stern School of Business, is executive director of NYU Stern's Center for the Globalization of Education and Management and a co-author of the DHL Global Connectedness Index.
The Song Tra Cau riverbed near Duc Pho, South Vietnam, was dubbed Chump Valley. Only a chump, it was said, would venture there.

On May 15, 1967, amid punishing fire from the North Vietnamese, then-Army Maj. Charles Kettles piloted his helicopter in once, twice, a third time and then a fourth to deliver reinforcements to the outnumbered members of the 101st Airborne Division, and to evacuate the wounded and the dead.

He made the final trip alone after learning that eight men remained behind, having been unable to board helicopters in the previous round. "If we left them for 10 minutes," Kettles later said, "they'd be POWs or dead."

Kettles was credited with saving the lives of 44 men and received the Distinguished Service Cross, the military's second-highest award for valor, for his actions. Nearly half a century later, the award was upgraded to the Medal of Honor.

President Barack Obama, bestowing the medal on Kettles in 2016, recalled a comrade who called Kettles "our John Wayne."

"With all due respect to John Wayne," the president said, "he couldn't do what Chuck Kettles did."

Kettles, who retired from the Army in 1978 at the rank of lieutenant colonel, was 89 when he died Jan. 21 at his home in Ypsilanti, Michigan. The cause was lung cancer, said his son Mike Kettles.

Kettles insisted that the Medal of Honor belonged not to him, but to the other men who joined him in the mission that Monday in 1967. He was their flight commander, an aviation buff since his boyhood days in Michigan experimenting on a Ford Motor Co. flight simulator.

He volunteered for the first flight into the river valley during the morning of May 15, braving an enemy battalion that had the advantage of tunnels and bunkers, as well as a placement on a 1,500-foot hill. Approaching the landing zone, Obama said, Kettles and the other helicopter crews "should have seen a stand of green trees; instead, they saw a solid wall of green enemy tracers coming right at them." Never, Obama added, had they experienced such heavy fire.

According to an Army account of the events, some soldiers arriving with Kettles were killed even before they could disembark. Napalm dropped on the surrounding hills brought little reprieve from the enemy fire. For the return trip, Kettles refused to leave until the helicopters were loaded with as many wounded as they could carry.

On his second trip, his gunner suffered wounds that would result in the amputation of his leg. Kettles flew him and other wounded back to the base, even as their aircraft was leaking fuel.

When the infantry battalion commander requested the evacuation of the 40 men remaining in the valley, Kettles volunteered to go back for them, as well as four more from his unit. He was leading a group of evacuation helicopters away and believed all men to be accounted for when he received a radio communication that eight had been unable to board. He left the formation, going back alone.

At that point, according to the Army account, the North Vietnamese "concentrated all firepower on his lone aircraft." Yet the eight men managed to board his dangerously damaged helicopter. To pick up enough speed for liftoff, Kettles bounced the craft along the ground like a "jack rabbit," he later recalled.

The drama of the scene, Obama said during his remarks at the award ceremony, resembled "a bad 'Rambo' movie." Kettles, for his part, told USA Today that he "walked away from the helicopter believing that's what war is."

"So be it," he said. "Let's go have dinner."

The Distinguished Service Cross was awarded to Kettles in 1968. Only decades later, when he recounted his experience to an oral historian with the Library of Congress's Veterans History Project, did momentum build for him to receive the Medal of Honor.

Former U.S. congressman John Dingell and his wife, U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, as well as U.S. Sens. Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow, all Michigan Democrats, helped enact legislation allowing the medal to be awarded after the customary five-year time limit had elapsed.

"Without his courageous actions and superior flying skills, the last group of soldiers and his crew would never have made it off the battlefield," reads the citation for the medal.

Ashton Carter, who served as defense secretary at the time of the award, made the matter more concrete.

"How many Thanksgiving tables have had an extra chair through the years because of his actions?" he said in remarks honoring Kettles. "How many weddings, childbirths, and graduations were made possible because Major Kettles and his crew returned again and again to the hot landing zone in the Song Tra Cau riverbed?"

Charles Seymour Kettles was born in Ypsilanti on Jan. 9, 1930. His father served in the Canadian air force during World War I and in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II.

Kettles was attending what is now Eastern Michigan University when he was drafted into the Army in 1951. He attended Officer Candidate School, received his commission in 1953 and served stints in postwar Korea, Japan and Thailand before returning to Michigan, where he operated a Ford car dealership and served in the Army Reserve.

He volunteered for active duty in 1963 and served two tours in Vietnam, the first in 1967 and the second in 1969 to 1970. His decorations included the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star Medal and multiple awards of the Air Medal and the Army Commendation Medal.

After his military retirement, Kettles received a bachelor's degree in business management in 1978 from Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio and a master's degree in industrial technology from Eastern Michigan University in 1979. He taught drafting and aviation technology at EMU, also working for Chrysler Pentastar Aviation.

His first marriage, to Ann Theresa Maida, ended in divorce. Survivors include his wife of 41 years, the former Ann Cleary Heck of Ypsilanti; six children from his first marriage, Chris Kettles and Jeanna Kettles, both of San Antonio, Margaret Gupta of Reston, Virginia, Mike Kettles of Dallas, Marianne Kettles of Yellow Springs, Ohio, and Carolyn Kettles of Honolulu; three stepchildren, Catherine Nezwek of Rockford, Michigan, Patrick Heck of Lachine, Michigan, and Maria Heck of Saline, Michigan; a brother; and numerous grandchildren. His stepdaughter Theresa Heck Seibert died in 2018.

When he received the Medal of Honor, Kettles sought to deflect attention from what others regarded as his heroism. "The bottom line on the whole thing is simply that those 44 did get out of there and are not a statistic on the wall in D.C.," he said, referring to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. "The rest of it is rather immaterial, frankly."
She has made vile comments against the very people that she was just elected to represent, Coyne said in a statement. Her actions are the most disgusting that I have ever seen from an elected official. Im strongly considering motioning to have our great city censure Stava-Murray for her self-serving and outrageous political posturing. Clearly she puts scoring political points with the fringe left above her job as a representative for Naperville. Im not inclined to let that pass.
Starpoint Church presents the Shenendehowa School District with a check for $3,171 for its Bountiful Backpack program, as part of the church's 15-year anniversary celebration. The program provides backpacks full of food for children to eat on the weekends, when school breakfasts and lunches aren't available to them. The money was funded from a $15 monthly offering from churchgoers being given to community organizations throughout the year.
Teary-eyed parents and students of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church furiously demanded answers Thursday night after the sudden news their school and St. Peter's Memorial will no longer exist.

Due to diminishing enrollment and increasing debt, the Diocese of Laredo announced that the two schools will be consolidated into one. This new school may be located at the Our Lady of Guadalupe campus, which is set to be renamed. It is not immediately clear why the diocese wants to rename the school. It was also unclear what will happen to the schools' staff.

The announcement was made during a meeting for parents at St. Augustine High School's cafeteria. In the letter notifying the parents about the meeting, the diocese said it had "exciting" news to share with them. But parents were anything but excited.

READ ALSO: Laredo-area high schools with the best teachers, according to Niche

Diocese of Laredo School Superintendent Guadalupe Martinez Perez said she was acting "as the messenger" from the diocese during the announcement. Bishop James A. Tamayo was not at the meeting, which was attended by more than 50 parents.

"The Catholic schools office is aware and sincerely appreciative of the efforts of each school community," Martinez read from a letter. "Nevertheless, after engaging with each school to work toward their future, a determination must be reached for responsible planning for the 2019-2020 academic school year."

Heated parents opposed the renaming of Our Lady of Guadalupe. They said it would erase the school's identity and uproot the community. The news comes on the cusp of its 115th anniversary in April, and the community planned for months a celebratory fundraiser happening on Saturday.

Many parents wore green shirts with golden lettering saying "115th anniversary."

"It's also our faith, the Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus," said parent Edith Delgado. "And it's a cultural thing, it's Guadalupe. Where is it going to go?"

In 2017, the diocese said it would continue financially supporting the two schools on the condition they increase enrollment to 200 students each. This would be achieved by increasing fundraising efforts and closely managing their finances, the diocese said.

This school year, Our Lady of Guadalupe has 113 students and St. Peter's Memorial has 59. Our Lady of Guadalupe serves grades K3-seven and St. Peter's K3-eight.

"Most recently, (the two schools) have suffered major setbacks in the area of student enrollment and financial indebtedness," the letter from the diocese states. "To date, the Diocese of Laredo has provided $135,515 to St. Peter's and $228,470 to Our Lady of Guadalupe School."

When Perez finished reading the letter, she abruptly ended the meeting and began the end prayer as astonished parents spoke over her with questions. She attempted to leave but stayed as parents surrounded her and asked how the diocese could drop the news without prior notice.

Parent Anel Talley stood near the front and pressed Perez on who Tamayo answers to. Talley said she would go to those above him with the way he treated the meeting.

"They told us we could come to the meeting and ask questions, whatever," Talley said. "We come to the meeting and we can't ask questions. We were mislead, misinformed, for months."

One young girl cried into her mother's arms upon hearing the news. Kevin Rubio had tears in his eyes and said his great-grandfather helped build the school he attended and now his children attend.

He said he will consider sending his children to public school.

"It's not just about the school, it was the teachers, the principal, everything," Rubio said. "I was on the fence about coming back because I didn't know about everything that changed. Ms. Martinez, the principal, convinced me it would be good for my kids. I got to know the teachers and they were great."

Perez declined to answer questions to the Laredo Morning Times after the meeting.

The school itself is located adjacent to the Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, and both use the nearby parish hall. Students attend Mass weekly at the church, and so even though some families are from the northside, they feel connected to the area and its people, one parent said.

"It's sad enough that across the world Catholic schools are closing, but these families made the sacrifice to pay for our kids," Talley said.

READ ALSO: Here's all the dates and times of 2019's Washington's Birthday Celebration events in Laredo

Last February, the diocese informed the schools about a possible merger. But parents said there was no ultimatum given that if the schools did not reach the enrollment numbers, the schools would face closure.

Starting in September, the diocesan schools office considered alternative solutions with its fiscal office. What ensued was a series of meetings mulling drastic changes. One of these meetings was attended by principals of both schools, Perez and the diocesan finance department.

Parents said they were unaware of these meetings.

In October, Perez met with the St. Peter's Memorial school board about its financial state. Later that month, Perez, the finance department and Tamayo discussed solutions.

In November, the diocese asked Our Lady of Guadalupe's school board to create a plan of action, and in the following days, St. Peter's drafted its recommendations. On Nov. 12, St. Peter's submitted its proposal to Tamayo.

The Our Lady of Guadalupe's school board submitted its proposal in late December.

On Dec. 20, both boards met with Perez and Tamayo with a final recommendation for the bishop's consideration. It's unclear what these proposals and final recommendation were.
This week's episode of "New York Now," the award-winning coproduction of WMHT and the Times Union, looks at passage of the Reproductive Health Act and the DREAM Act  two pieces of legislation long sought by Democrats but blocked until now by state Senate Republicans.

At the Reporters Roundtable, WMHT's Matt Ryan, the TU's Casey Seiler and Karen DeWitt of New York State Public Radio discuss what's next.
Beginning Friday at 11 p.m., the Texas Parks and Wildlife Departments state parks reservation system will be temporarily unavailable, the department announced via Twitter Thursday.

While the system undergoes maintenance, all advance reservations will be unavailable, according to the department. Park visitors will also be unable to purchase annual park passes or redeem gift cards.
The current city ordinance says, It is unlawful for any licensee or individual owning more than five percent of the stock of any licensee, where more than five percent of the licensee's gross income is derived from the sale of alcoholic liquor, to make any contribution exceeding one hundred fifty dollars toward the nomination, campaign fund or expenses of the mayor or any candidate for the office of mayor of the city.
When Santina Muha appeared on "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" in 2007, the producers asked which chair she'd rather use: her own, or the studio's.

"I asked if anyone else in a wheelchair had ever been on the show," said the actress, who was paralyzed from the waist down in a car accident when she was 6 years old. "They said no, so I said, 'I'll stay in my wheelchair.' "

Days after the two-part episode aired, a woman told Muha that her young son, who also uses a wheelchair, was so inspired by seeing the actress on television, she let him stay home from school the next day to watch the conclusion.

"I was on TV for, like, 10 minutes, and I got fan mail from other countries," Muha said. "Disability needs to be normalized."

As debates rage over what characters should appear on screen, and who should portray them, disabilities have largely remained undiscussed. Meanwhile, conversations concerning on-screen representations involving gender, race and sexual orientation have gained so much traction in recent years, A-listers have abandoned roles in response to online outrage. Scarlett Johansson, for example, exited the upcoming drama "Rub and Tug" last year, after being criticized for her plans to portray a transgender character.

But more than a decade after Muha's game-show appearance, people with disabilities remain the most proportionally underrepresented group on screen.

The disabled are, arguably, the largest minority in America, its 56.7 million members constituting nearly 20 percent of the population, according to the 2010 Census. But a study from the University of Southern California Annenberg Inclusion Initiative that combed through 900 popular movies from 2007 to 2016 found that only 2.7 percent of characters with speaking roles were portrayed as disabled.

Things are slowly changing: Last year, Dwayne Johnson played an amputee in the action flick "Skyscraper," and Joaquin Phoenix portrayed the late paralyzed Portland cartoonist John Callahan in "Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot." But some advocates and actors with disabilities, such as Maysoon Zayid, an actress with cerebral palsy, have taken issue with this casting: They say only disabled actors should get these roles.

The latest movie to find itself in the center of the debate is "The Upside," a remake of the beloved French film "The Intouchables," which hit theaters this month. It stars Bryan Cranston as a wealthy but depressed quadriplegic who hires a cocky former convict, now a caregiver (Kevin Hart), to assist with his daily needs. Cranston's character is paralyzed throughout the film, meaning there are no flashback or dream sequences. The role would have been perfect for a paralyzed actor, advocates say.

Early in the movie, Hart places Cranston in a wheelchair but forgets to buckle him in. A helpless Cranston begins falling, but is caught at the last second - a scene played entirely for laughs. The film is filled with such scenes: Hart aggressively feeding Cranston, a cringe-worthy catheter changing scene, Cranston crashing into waiters with his wheelchair. Advocates have admonished the portrayal, saying it's "dehumanizing."

"I was disappointed to see 'The Upside' come out, because we, as disability advocates, have been fighting against non-disabled actors playing visibly disabled character for decades now," Zayid said. "We don't feel like physical disability can be mimicked, can be played, can be mastered."

Cranston defended his decision to take the role, telling the British Press Association: "As actors, we're asked to play other people. If I, as a straight, older person, and I'm wealthy, I'm very fortunate, does that mean I can't play a person who is not wealthy, does that mean I can't play a homosexual? I don't know, where does the restriction apply, where is the line for that?" (His publicist did not issue a response to The Washington Post's inquiries.)

Studios often cite the need to cast famous actors to make a movie bankable, but there aren't many well-known disabled actors. Advocates say that's because disabled actors rarely get the chance to star in a movie (because they aren't famous). And, given the awards-bait nature of these roles - Eddie Redmayne, Colin Firth, Daniel Day-Lewis, Dustin Hoffman, Tom Hanks, Al Pacino and Jamie Foxx have all won Oscars in the past two decades by playing visibly disabled characters - such roles are highly competitive.

When conversations about representation flare up and, just as quickly, die down, there are myriad reasons: Visible disabilities often make able-bodied people feel uncomfortable, something movie producers try to avoid. And the disabled community doesn't speak as one voice. As actress Christine Bruno told The Post last year, "We are fragmented as a community because there are all different kinds of disabilities."

"We are the last civil rights movement of our time. Everything else has sort of been addressed," said Jenni Gold, a wheelchair-using director who made "CinemAbility," a documentary about disability in Hollywood. "In a crowd scene, there often isn't one person with a disability. If you don't exist in that world of the film, how do you exist in real life?"

The conversation today feels louder than ever. The controversy surrounding "The Upside" even reached the ears of "The Daily Show" host Trevor Noah who addressed it in lengthy monologue this month.

"My first instinct was ... we're going too far now. They're actors. Actors are gonna act," he said. But then a wheelchair-using actor, whose name Noah doesn't mention, "completely opened my eyes" with something the actor wrote: "I understand what an actor is. I too am an actor. But I'm an actor in a wheelchair, and I never see parts that are leading roles for a person in a wheelchair. So the one time I see a role where there's a person in a wheelchair, I think, 'This could be it.' ... Because when you think about it on the flip side, they never call people with wheelchairs in to play able-bodied people."

That's what makes the casting of an actor such as Cranston in "The Upside" so frustrating to many advocates. As Gold said, "It was a perfect role to give someone a big break."

Progress - however slight - is being made. Muha recently filmed an upcoming episode of "Curb Your Enthusiasm," in which her wheelchair was never mentioned. Zayid has two shows in the works. Ryan O'Connell, who has cerebral palsy, created and stars in an upcoming show on Netflix titled "Special." The Yale School of Drama recently teamed up with the Ruderman Family Foundation to provide an annual scholarship for a disabled actor. Its inaugural recipient was Jessy Yates, an actor and comedian with cerebral palsy.

"For years, I did not think there was a place for people with visibly disabled bodies as performers and creators, and I discounted myself from the profession," Yates said in a statement. "The training necessary for sustained careers in the arts is often not accessible to the disabled community."

And days after the interview with Muha, "The Good Place" actress Jameela Jamil gave an interview with the Independent, in which she said she passed on a role to play a deaf woman, even though she was born partially deaf.

"I said it wouldn't be appropriate for me to take that role, and they should find a brilliant deaf woman to play that role. I think you have to make those choices and not be too greedy and make space rather than take space," she told the tabloid.

As Muha said, "I think it's very slowly getting better, because it's a conversation at all."
Impeachment: A Handbook, New Edition

By Charles L. Black Jr. and Philip Bobbitt

Yale. 165 pp.

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Impeachment: An American History

By Jon Meacham, Timothy Naftali, Peter Baker and Jeffrey A. Engel

Modern Library. 270 pp. $26

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Impeachment: A Citizen's Guide

By Cass Sunstein

Harvard. 199 pp. $7.95

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Trump Must Go: The Top 100 Reasons to Dump Trump (and One to Keep Him)

By Bill Press

Thomas Dunne Books/St. Martin's Press. 373 pp. $27.99

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To End a Presidency: The Power of Impeachment

By Laurence Tribe and Joshua Matz

Basic Books. 281 pp. $28

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Impeaching the President: Past, Present, and Future

By Alan Hirsch

City Lights. 225 pp. $14.95

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Impeach Donald Trump

By Yoni Applebaum

The Atlantic. March 2019

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(BEGIN ITAL)"Some mode of displacing an unfit magistrate is rendered indispensable by the fallibility of those who choose, as well as the corruptibility of the man chosen."(END ITAL)

(BEGIN ITAL) - George Mason, Constitutional Convention, June 1787(END ITAL)

(BEGIN ITAL)"We're going to go in there, we're going to impeach the motherf---er."(END ITAL)

(BEGIN ITAL) - Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), Jan. 3(END ITAL)

The contrast between these two statements reveals everything about the challenge of exercising Article II, Section 4 of the Constitution and attempting to remove President Trump from office. By this point, the "unfit" condition of this magistrate is clear, as is his disdain for the principles and traditions of American public life. But the fitness of Congress, the sole branch empowered to impeach and convict the president, also bears scrutiny.

Is the least-trusted institution in America - rated lower than big banks, the news media and the presidency itself - ready to investigate and try a president in a way that conveys legitimacy and inspires broad confidence? And could the American public, already so divided and cynical, regard whatever outcome emerges from that process as nonpartisan and fair?

These questions loom over the numerous guides and retrospectives on presidential impeachment - authored by historians, law professors, journalists and assorted commentators - that have appeared in the two years since Trump swore the oath of office. (For some reason, many publishers imagined that a refresher might come in handy.) Partisanship, they contend, poisons impeachment, both the process and its legacy. This is the paradox: When a demagogic or authoritarian leader comes to power by stoking cultural division and partisan hatreds, the need for impeachment grows, but so does the difficulty of seeing it through.

George Mason, James Madison & Co. would hardly have been surprised by the current boom in impeachment talk. They feared a president who might "pervert his administration" into a scheme for personal enrichment or "betray his trust to foreign powers." They worried that "the man who has practiced corruption and by that means procured his appointment in the first instance, be suffered to escape punishment."

Yet impeachment is the nuclear option of American politics, "nullifying the will of voters," historian Jeffrey Engel emphasizes in "Impeachment: An American History." So the drafters of the Constitution spent months considering who would ultimately wield that power. Should it be the Senate or the Supreme Court? A vote of state legislatures or governors? The final choice of the House of Representatives (a simple majority vote for impeachment) and the Senate (a two-thirds majority for conviction) flowed from contrasting imperatives, Laurence Tribe and Joshua Matz explain in "To End a Presidency," a thorough look at the history and legalities of impeachment. The House, directly elected and more susceptible to the passions of the moment, "could credibly claim unique authority to speak for the American people," whereas the Senate could strive for greater impartiality, wisdom and rigor.

Placing this power in Congress rather than the courts makes impeachment as much a political process as a legal one. But calling it political does not denigrate impeachment; it elevates it. Impeachment (BEGIN ITAL)should(END ITAL) be political, reflecting the nature of impeachable offenses and the judgments that should be brought to bear when considering it. The endlessly parsed phrase "high Crimes and Misdemeanors" does not cover policy differences, unpopularity, personal animus or simple "maladministration" on the part of the president, a term the framers considered but dismissed as so vague that it would leave presidents at the mercy of Congress. In fact, an impeachable offense need not involve the commission of a crime. Rather, it must feature misdeeds that "so seriously threaten the order of political society as to make pestilent and dangerous the continuance in power of their perpetrator," wrote the late legal scholar Charles L. Black Jr. in his classic 1974 study, "Impeachment: A Handbook," reissued last year. Impeachment ought to follow egregious abuses of power that constitute, in Engel's description, wrongdoing "against the entire American people."

In "Impeachment: A Citizen's Guide," law professor Cass Sunstein acknowledges the political dimensions of impeachment but emphasizes the high standards and judgment that should be brought to bear. "It is in part because the standard is high that political opponents of presidents have so rarely resorted to the impeachment mechanism," he writes. "Despised presidents, and bad presidents, have hardly ever been impeached, which is a tribute to the Rule of Law." The problem is not that the process could be political but that it could easily become too partisan, another weapon in a permanent campaign. "When an impeachment is purely partisan, or appears that way, it is presumptively illegitimate," Tribe and Matz warn.

Indeed, the impeachment efforts historians remember as least legitimate are precisely those, such as the case of President Bill Clinton, that were most partisan. "For both Clinton and his foes, the impeachment battle was not so much a search for facts or even a debate about what this generation of Americans believed constituted high crimes and misdemeanors than it was another political contest to be won or lost," writes New York Times reporter Peter Baker, a contributor to "Impeachment: An American History." By contrast, the House Judiciary Committee's action against President Richard Nixon reflected a judicious and painstaking effort, one that would eventually compel Nixon to resign rather than face impeachment in the House - where the Judiciary Committee had approved three articles of impeachment on a bipartisan basis - as well as likely conviction in the Senate at the hands of both Republicans and Democrats.

"What has changed is ourselves," writes Yale law professor Philip Bobbitt in an essay appearing alongside Black's rereleased impeachment study. "We no longer have the confidence in the leadership of Congress that we had in the Nixon era." In 1973, some 42 percent of Americans expressed "a great deal" or "quite a lot" of confidence in Congress, according to Gallup polls. By 2018, that total had dropped to 11 percent.

The presidents enduring impeachment proceedings hardly help matters, typically painting the efforts as purely partisan. "The law case will be decided by the PR case," Nixon argued to his chief of staff in the heat of the Watergate saga; he also complained that his lawyer, James St. Clair, treated the impeachment inquiry "too much as a trial" rather than a raw partisan fight. Historian Timothy Naftali, founding director of the Nixon Presidential Library and a contributor to "Impeachment: An American History," emphasizes how that view nearly succeeded, largely because, for a long time, "the Republican partisan mind refused to absorb the incriminating nature of the [White House] tapes."

Similarly, during the Clinton impeachment, Democrats attempted to turn every skirmish with the Republicans and the special counsel into a party-line war. "The more partisan the impeachment effort looked, the less legitimate it would seem in the eyes of the public," Baker writes. "While they decried partisanship, the Democrats intentionally tried to promote it." Even the Starr report's descriptions of Clinton's personal encounters with Monica Lewinsky managed to help the president, by making his rivals seem more obsessed with sex than with the Constitution. "For Clinton, the release of the report was a public humiliation but a political boon," Baker explains.

Clinton's behavior in the Lewinksy scandal, though sordid, abusive and duplicitous, offers a less obvious catalog of impeachable offenses than Nixon's electoral sabotage, abuses of power and obstruction of justice. Yet Clinton's inquisitors seemed to display deeper personal aversion toward their target than did Nixon's antagonists. Just compare Rep. Peter Rodino (D-N.J.), the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee during Watergate, who worked to build bipartisanship and appealed to what he called "the middle," with the hard-charging House majority whip during the Clinton era, Rep. Tom DeLay (R-Tex.), who referred to the impeachment effort as "The Campaign."

Trump has at times offered a positive case against impeachment. "How do you impeach somebody that's doing a great job?" he asked last fall. But more often, he assails the accusations and investigations against him as hoaxes, witch hunts or desperate moves by "angry Dems," all in an attempt to pre-emptively delegitimize any grounds for tossing him out. In this light, comments such as Tlaib's "motherf---er" moment only affirm his argument.

Indeed, the more partisan the books against him, the less persuasive they feel. "Trump Must Go: The Top 100 Reasons to Dump Trump (and One to Keep Him)" by liberal commentator Bill Press exemplifies the genre. Press mixes the prospect of Russian collusion with the president's personality quirks (such as Trump's Twitter addiction), speculation about his health ("he may be certifiably mentally ill") and policy disagreements (on issues from marijuana to the national debt) to argue that Trump needs to leave office now. Even the alleged "pee tape" of Russia dossier lore, "which none of us have seen, but which many of us just know exists," makes a cameo.

When scholars argue that the removal of a president must be bipartisan, they are expressing less an opinion than a historical fact. Nixon still enjoyed the support of roughly a quarter of American voters when he resigned, and he could have counted on some 10 to 15 Republican votes in the Senate, writes Williams College legal scholar Alan Hirsch in "Impeaching the President." But the public would have accepted his removal, Hirsch explains, because significant numbers of Republicans in both chambers supported it. Similarly, it was the partnership between Sens. Tom Daschle, a South Dakota Democrat, and Trent Lott, a Mississippi Republican, that made the conclusion of Clinton's Senate trial a somewhat bipartisan undertaking.

In some ways, the Trump era combines the most toxic elements of the Nixon and Clinton episodes: the likelihood of impeachment-level wrongdoing, as well as inflamed - and deeply personal - partisan opposition. In such an environment, impeachment proceedings could harden, not ease, our national divisions, Tribe and Matz write. "Virtually every source of dysfunction in our democracy - hyperpartisanship, dark money, fake news, manufactured outrage, cultural warfare - could be magnified tenfold by an impeachment."

Of course, that hardly means it shouldn't happen.

Perhaps the most instructive case today - and one undergoing something of a historical revision - is the 1868 impeachment of President Andrew Johnson. In his contribution to "Impeachment: An American History," historian Jon Meacham highlights the parallels with our era: "an obstinate president; a divided Congress; a nation that seemed intractably tribal; fears that the grand American experiment in democracy was coming to an end; and, as a capstone, a battle over the legitimacy of the president."

The impeachment of Johnson, a Democratic vice president thrust into the Oval Office after Abraham Lincoln's assassination, has often been remembered as a partisan exercise, and in many ways it was. The Republican-led Congress despised Johnson, deriding him as "Acting President," "His Accidency" and "His Vulgarity." And Johnson's precipitating offense - violating the Tenure of Office Act by firing the secretary of war without Senate approval - was a technicality, a trap, not a serious constitutional violation. Impeached in the House, he survived in the Senate by a single vote, in part because some senators feared his potential successor, the controversial Sen. Benjamin Wade (R-Ohio).

But scholars today also stress the legitimate reasons for seeking Johnson's ouster. In a nation just emerging from an existential conflict over slavery, Johnson opposed the 14th Amendment granting citizenship to former slaves and vetoed major civil rights legislation. When Congress overrode him, the president refused to enforce the law properly. He was, in many respects, still fighting for the cause of the defeated South. "Johnson's virulent use of executive power to sabotage Reconstruction posed a mortal threat to the nation - and to civil and political rights - as reconstituted after the Civil War," Tribe and Matz write. "These were not ordinary policy disagreements."

In a comprehensive Atlantic essay making a case for Trump's impeachment, historian and journalist Yoni Appelbaum looks back on the Johnson episode and sees justice, not partisanship. Johnson wanted to "restore America as it had been" before the war, he writes, shorn of slavery but with little else changed. "If his impeachment was partisan, it was because one party had been formed to defend the freedom of man, and the other had not yet reconciled itself to that proposition." Although Johnson served out his full term, the close call damaged his political prospects so badly that he did not stand for a second term. "The chorus of experts who now present Johnson's impeachment as an exercise in raw partisanship are not learning from history," Appelbaum concludes, "but, rather, erasing it."

Today, it is tempting to imagine that Trump's impeachment and removal would take the country back to a saner, simpler time. This illusion ignores the enduring forces that brought Trump to power as well as the risks of impeachment itself. "I confess to a very strong sense of the dreadfulness of the step of removal, of the deep wounding such a step must inflict on the country," Black writes. Engel warns that impeachment "disrupts the American political landscape as few other events do, leaving scars for generations." A failed impeachment drive could encourage the president's most dangerous impulses, and even if it succeeds, impeachment only kicks out an offending leader, "it doesn't fix the democratic decline that brought [him] to power," Tribe and Matz remind. "It doesn't undo the havoc he wreaked while in office. And it doesn't forestall the trauma of expelling him." They worry that core supporters of the impeached leader would consider his removal "a gussied-up coup d'etat" and walk away from the American project, drift toward revolutionary politics or even commit violence - "especially if the ousted president refuses to depart gracefully and instead terrorizes the polity that rejected him." And graceful exit is hard to imagine under current management.

Yet not undertaking impeachment can be momentous as well. Sunstein does fear a wholly partisan impeachment effort, but he's just as concerned about the failure to impeach when justified. "If a president systematically overreaches in his use of executive authority, or puts civil rights and civil liberties seriously at risk, he is likely to have, or to be able to get, the backing of a lot of Americans - at the very least, a big chunk of the electorate. Will We the People end up doing anything in response? I don't know. That's worth worrying about."

Even if the new Democratic majority in the House decides to move forward on impeachment, the Senate remains in Republican hands. Reaching 67 senators seems unlikely, except when recalling the Nixon era. "Nixon's saga reveals that when support for an embattled presidency fades, it cascades," Engel writes. "Why did so many Americans change their minds so quickly? Because the facts changed."

That is why, if lawmakers do begin an impeachment process, truth, not partisan fury, must remain the foremost value - and that means offering a full accounting of Trump's offenses. There is a compulsion on the part of some of the president's critics to hinge everything on the work of special counsel Robert Mueller, the Godot of the Trump era, as if specific legal misdeeds are the only issue. "Proof that a crime occurred can feel comfortingly objective," Tribe and Matz write. "It relieves us of the need to exercise judgment and casts a technical gloss over bitterly divisive political questions."

Obstruction of justice, violation of the emoluments clause, the betrayal of trust to a foreign adversary - any one of these is a significant misdeed that should be core to any impeachment process. Yet they all reflect Trump's greatest offense against the American public and the American experiment, which is his lack of interest in faithfully executing the office of the president. His biggest lie, out of so many, occurred when he swore the oath and then, in his inaugural address, pledged to be a leader for all Americans. Trump governs for his own interests and those of his family, and for the cheers of his base. His opponents righteously declare that he is "not my president," forgetting that Trump made that choice for them long ago.
NEW YORK - Lucio Fontana became famous in the last 10 years of his life for creating neat, more-or-less vertical incisions in otherwise monochrome canvases. A metaphysical aroma wafts from the resulting slashes, which seem to open onto infinite black voids.

Or it does if you let it. The high-flown rhetoric the works have inspired could fool you into thinking Fontana was a riddling sage, a spiritual guru. To the less credulous, his breakthrough act, carried out with a Stanley utility knife, remains an empty, avant-garde gesture, its impact diluted by cynical repetition.

In the late 1950s and '60s, Fontana churned these canvases out like high-end interior design product, which in a sense they were: In fancy homes, Fontana's signature works never fail to draw the eye. They harmonize material abundance with its tastefully sublimated negation.

But it's easy to take aim at rhetoric and taste. The works are what matter. And when it comes to Fontana, I am a yay-sayer rather than a cynic. It takes effort to shrug off the grip of his slashed canvases on one's imagination. They really do feel like portals to elsewhere - or better yet, nowhere. And then - as a new show at the Met Breuer reminds us - there was much more to Lucio Fontana.

He was born in 1899 in Argentina, where his Italian parents had immigrated. His father was a commercial sculptor who specialized in funerary monuments. The family returned to Italy when Lucio was still a boy. But Fontana returned twice to Argentina for lengthy spells: five years in the 1920s, and then from 1940 to1947. He died in Italy in 1968, at age 69.

This is the first Fontana show in New York since 2007, and only the third since he visited the city in 1961. The surprise for many will be that he spent most of his career making sculptures.

Fontana was academically trained at the Milan School of Fine Arts. Over the following decades, against a backdrop of political turmoil, he hopscotched across the spectrum of available styles, from conservative-modernist to extravagant kitsch to preening avant-garde. Like the in-house decorator of a fashionable casino, Fontana sprayed out sculptural confections so unbeholden to taste or intellectual rigor that they seem to exist out of time. He worked in polychrome bronze and cement, colored mosaic, enameled terra cotta, glazed ceramic and gilded plaster.

As he experimented with such marine forms as starfish, squid, clams and coral, as well as stock figures drawn from mythology and religion, his forms became rougher and more expressive and energetic - somewhere between the futurism of Umberto Boccioni and the swampy existentialism of Willem de Kooning's sculpted figures.

It wasn't until 1949, when he was 50, that Fontana took up painting. The catalyst was the war.

His studio, and much of his life's work, had been destroyed by Allied bombing in 1943. But he had left Italy for his native Argentina three years earlier. Returning to Italy in 1947, what must he have felt?

The question may go to the heart of the difference between the most original postwar art coming out of the United States and the art coming out of Europe. Both countries were traumatized, of course; both suffered terribly. But the U.S. mainland had not been a theater of war. So while the postwar period saw American artists swelling with a victor's sense of pride and cosmopolitan potential, European (and Japanese) artists were rooting around in the rubble and dealing directly with the fallout from a catastrophe both physical and moral.

In response to the ambient chaos, some developed a feeling for truths that lurked in formlessness, negation and acts of destruction. They scoured their ravaged surrounds for humble or tortured materials - burlap, stone, wood and clay (clay in particular enjoyed a revival after the war in the hands of avant-garde artists from Pablo Picasso and Joan Miro to Isamu Noguchi and Fontana's friend Fausto Melotti) - and engaged in simple, repetitive gestures.

In 1949, Fontana made his first "Concetto Spaziale" ("Spatial Concept"): a small, off-white canvas punctured with dozens of holes arrayed in horizontal rows to form an egg shape. The next year, he began repetitively stabbing clay tablets, like a crazed Sumerian scribe turning tidy cuneiform into cuss-filled graffiti.

Repetition is, of course, a response to trauma. Fontana's gestures have the depersonalized aura of an activity that no longer has anything to do with self-expression, but feels compulsive, like self-harm.

In ensuing canvases, puncture marks often cohered into patterns suggesting scripts or diagrams. Fontana inserted colored Murano glass into some. He continued sculpting in clay, making blob-like forms in glazed ceramic and painted terra cotta. Punctured, incised, with orifices gouged out, they resemble congealed black holes, or, as the daughter of friends said, "exploded universes."

That's to say, they feel formless. There's no right side up, no carefully scaled appeal to hand or body, no connection to human society. Fontana, it's clear, wanted to break away from expectations of what an art object should be. He befriended younger artists, including Yves Klein and Piero Manzoni, who shared his aesthetic inclinations - and also his chutzpah. (Klein sold empty space for gold; Manzoni commodified cans of excrement.)

By the end of the 1950s and all through the '60s, Fontana's aesthetic gradually became more contained and fastidious, the better to hint at the void. Chic monochromes in gorgeously artificial colors were punctuated with just one, two or a few refined slashes made with a Stanley knife.

"They think it's easy to make a cut or a hole," Fontana said. "But it's not true. You have no idea how much stuff I throw away."

Sometimes the incisions curved to the left or right, as if Fontana were a typographer designing an extremely attenuated new font and toying with the right angle at which to place the apostrophe. He experimented with irregular frames instead of rectangles, using pentagons, hexagons, tondos and asymmetrical lozenge-shaped canvases arranged on the wall in little archipelagoes.

In the early '60s, Fontana experimented with slashes and holes made in shiny, textured surfaces such as copper or thickly textured gold paint. But in his final years, he returned to a more pristine look. A whole room in the Met Breuer show is devoted to slashes in white or off-white canvases.

Chasing the ineffable, Fontana also created light installations. Two are re-created at the Met Breuer; a third is at the Met's Fifth Avenue mother ship; and a fourth is at El Museo del Barrio. Using colored light, suggestive apertures and controlled spaces, these "Ambiente" ("Environments") exemplify an avant-garde shift in the '50s and '60s toward immersive experiences and immaterial art (made from sound and light). A younger trio of artists from Germany - Otto Piene, Heinz Mack and Gunther Uecker - were mining similar territory. Their movement, the Zero Group, claimed Fontana as "something like a spiritual father."

Did all of this amount to something great? Maybe. Maybe not quite. In avant-garde art, a smart breakthrough too often becomes a trademark, a gimmick, which the hapless artist feels obliged to repeat for the remainder of his or her days. You could argue this fate befell Fontana.

But go. See for yourself. Register the full range of Fontana's output. And contemplate, if you care to, the impact of his most famous creations. To me, they're like Zen koans. They can feel slight. Yet they remain surprisingly magnetic. And there's a modesty I like in his willingness to revel in his work's inevitable status as interior decoration, commodities, even as he offers sneaky glimpses of information that's not for domesticating.

---

"Lucio Fontana: On the Threshold"

Through April 14 at the Met Breuer, 945 Madison Ave., New York. metmuseum.org/visit/met-breuer.
Proceeds from the event will benefit KidsMatter and the Alive Center. KidsMatter works to help teenagers mitigate stress that can lead to depression, anxiety, drug and alcohol use and suicide. Funds will also help provide high school mentors to middle schoolers at the Alive Center.
The most devastating of the 2017 Wine Country fires, the second-most destructive blaze in California history, was sparked by private electrical equipment, state officials reported Thursday.

The Tubbs Fire killed 24 people and destroyed more than 5,600 buildings when it raced from rural Napa County to suburban Santa Rosa, becoming an enduring symbol of the states increasing wildfire risk. It stands out from many of the blazes that erupted in fall 2017 because it wasnt blamed on Pacific Gas and Electric Co.

An 80-page report by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention, Cal Fire, faults a privately owned conductor or equipment at a home in Calistoga, or next to it, for the blaze. The document doesnt narrow the ignition to a precise location within the parcels electrical setup, nor identify exactly what went wrong, however. The fire destroyed much of the wooded 10.5-acre lot, making an already difficult investigative task even trickier.

The report, which has been in the works for 15 months, suggests that at least parts of the propertys electrical system were not professionally installed. A caretaker interviewed by investigators acknowledged that repairs were needed, including replacement of a wooden electrical pole that was wood-peckered so damn bad, though there was no evidence this caused the blaze. The report also says two fire-safety violations had been found on the parcel during a 2015 defensible-space inspection.

Still, investigators concluded that there were no breaches of state law associated with the electrical issues that ignited the Tubbs Fire, and no criminal charges were recommended: No negligence, in that matter of speaking, said Cal Fire spokesman Scott McLean.

The owner of the property, Ann Zink, 91, could not immediately be reached for comment, nor could the caretaker. In 2017, Zink told The Chronicle that her Calistoga home was unoccupied at the time of the fire, but she thought trees hitting wires during fierce winds started the blaze. She said she was at her other house in Riverside County when the fire broke out.

PG&E, which has been blamed for more than a dozen of the October wildfires, has long argued that private electrical work at the home was responsible for the blaze.

Within days of the Oct. 8 ignition, Cal Fire investigators had taped off several properties around Zinks home on Calistogas Bennett Lane, east of Highway 128, an area where forested hillsides converge on leafy vineyards. The site was treated as a crime scene for weeks.

Tubbs Fire: Follow the blaze's spread

After lengthy examination of electrical equipment and burn patterns as well as consultation with witnesses and fire experts, investigators ruled out the possibility that PG&E caused the fire as well as the likelihood of arson. A hitchhiker known to local authorities was investigated briefly, according to the report.

Those who lost homes, even friends and family, in the Tubbs Fire had mixed reaction to the investigations findings. Most were surprised, however, to learn that PG&E wasnt the culprit.

How? said Himanshu Parikh, 51, confused by the news. Did they prove it? How? Wow.

Like many in Sonoma and Napa counties, Parikh, whose house burned in Santa Rosas Fountaingrove neighborhood, said he was banking on a legal payout from PG&E. He said he needs help covering his rent until his home is rebuilt. He said he also doesnt expect his insurance to fully cover the cost of his new house.

We have heard no from so many other places, like FEMA and insurance, said Parikh, noting that this was his first home in the United States, having moved from India in 2008 with his family, including his now-15-year-old daughter and 21-year-old son. This is very bad for us.

PG&Es vindication, though, appeared to be good news for Wall Street. Shares of the utilitys parent company, PG&E Corp, shot up nearly 75 percent Thursday, even as the company announced earlier this month that it planned to file for bankruptcy because of growing fire liabilities.

The Tubbs Fire was among at least 170 separate ignitions that occurred across Northern California during that second week of October. Many became violent blazes, including the North Bays Atlas and Nuns fires nearby. Between the Mendocino coast and the Sierra foothills, a total of 45 people were killed and more than 9,000 homes, businesses and other structures were destroyed.

Wine Country was ground zero of the unprecedented firestorm. The Tubbs Fire was by far the most catastrophic.

The blaze was reported to fire officials at about 9:45 p.m. during an evening of warm temperatures and gusts up to 80 mph. What started as a small fire on a country lane quickly escalated into an inferno that shot through the forested hills and canyons of Napa and Sonoma counties before descending toward the more populous Santa Rosa.

By 1 a.m., homes were burning along Mark West Springs Road, just north of the city, and in an early-morning panic, thousands of unsuspecting residents began scampering for safety, joining bumper-to-bumper traffic on the regions few major roads. Some, however, became trapped in their homes and in a few cases jumped into swimming pools to escape the flames.

The swift winds carried flames across Highway 101 and into the sprawling Coffey Park subdivision, where hundreds of tract homes burned to the ground. As the fire hopscotched across Santa Rosa, the exclusive Fountaingrove neighborhood was decimated, as were schools, health centers and businesses, including a Kmart and a Hilton hotel. Also hit hard was the Larkfield-Wikiup community.

Firefighters were left dumbfounded by the intensity of the burn. A total of 36,807 acres were left in ruin.

The blaze has been held up as a demonstration of the worsening effects of wildfire and as a teachable moment for fire prevention and safety. The regions emergency warning system, for example, faced a crucial test that it failed, state officials said later, giving rise to changes in statewide communication protocols.

Most of those who lost homes and commercial property are just beginning to rebuild. Many have left the area. Insurance estimates put statewide losses above $11 billion.

For Santa Rosa resident Janet Reisner, 59, knowing the cause of the blaze that destroyed so much might have brought a sense of closure. But it didnt, she said.

In the beginning, at least, there had been a massive display of public support, with businesses hanging Santa Rosa Strong signs in their windows and donations pouring in from across the country, Reisner said. But over the past year, the attention dropped off, focused on other fire-scarred places like Redding and Paradise.

Meanwhile, the 15 months since the Tubbs Fire leveled her Coffey Park home has felt never-ending, she said.

Its probably worse now than the beginning ever was, because its been so slow rebuilding, said Reisner, who works for the city. Its been really tough on my husband and myself. We are still living in a rental.

The tiny bit of hope for the Reisners was that some money might come from PG&E, if the utility was found liable. Thursdays report left them feeling disappointed and shocked, and unable to fully process the news.

Cal Fire has blamed PG&E for 17 of the wildfires in October 2017. In 11 of the cases, investigators said the utility broke a law. They have not specified the violation, saying matters are still being investigated for criminal prosecution, but presumably the company failed to safely maintain electrical equipment.

While PG&E may be cleared of culpability in the Tubbs Fire, the utility is still facing hundreds of lawsuits and as much as $30 billion worth of claims over damages wrought by fires over the past two years.

Investigators are still looking into the cause of Novembers 153,000-acre Camp Fire, which surpassed the Tubbs Fire as the most destructive in state history. The blaze killed 86 people and destroyed nearly 19,000 structures, virtually wiping out the community of Paradise in the northern Sierra foothills.

PG&E reported that a high-voltage line malfunctioned near the origin of the Camp Fire, which has since fanned both speculation and legal complaints alleging that the utility was behind the disaster.

Chronicle staff writer Peter Fimrite contributed to this report.

Kurtis Alexander, Evan Sernoffsky and Lizzie Johnson are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: kalexander@sfchronicle.com, esernoffsky@sfchronicle.com, ljohnson@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @kurtisalexander @EvanSernoffsky @lizziejohnsonnn
Shareholders on Friday rejected an activist investor's attempt to wrest control of Luby's from the Pappas brothers, ending a proxy fight over the struggling Houston cafeteria chain that started in December.

Investors at Luby's annual meeting elected all of the company's candidates for its nine-member board, rejecting four nominees pushed by New York hedge fund Bandera Partners, according to preliminary results issued by the company.

Luby's did not release voting figures, but said it was a close contest.

Jeff Gramm, a Bandera co-founder, said he accepted the preliminary results, and added he was encouraged by Luby's commitment to bring some changes to its board in the coming year.

"Although it is early and we have not seen official results, we believe we won the vast majority of votes from non-affiliated shareholders," he said. "It is clear to me that Luby's shareholders are very frustrated with the company and desperate for change in the boardroom."

Luby's CEO Chris Pappas said in a statement that the company would focus on improving its operating results.

"With this annual election now completed, our full focus returns to executing our turnaround plan for the business and ensuring that we have our right Board composition to oversee our strategy," he said.

RELATED: Luby's, activist investor spar over cafeteria chain's future

Bandera, which has owned Luby's stock for more than a decade, was lobbying fellow shareholders to remove Chairman Gasper Mir III and board members Frank Markantonis, Chris Pappas and Harris Pappas from the company's board. The brothers are also the owners and operators of Pappas Restaurants in Houston.

The hedge fund, co-founded Jeff Gramm, the son of former Texas Sen. Phil Gramm, faced an uphill battle to wrest control of Luby's from the Pappas brothers, who control 36.8 percent of the company's stock. Bandera has a 9.8 percent stake.

RELATED: Gramm, Pappas family feud over Luby's tests a friendship

In the statement, Mir said he appreciated support and the "candid and valuable" input from shareholders during the proxy contest. He added that the board will welcome input from Bandera in the future.

Luby's last week announced plans to make some changes to its board in a bid to appease shareholders concerned with the company's stock performance. Among those, Mir announced he would relinquish his leadership position to another independent board member later this year. The board said it is also looking to replace two incumbent members, several of whom are approaching retirement age, with independent directors.

RELATED: Activist investor launches proxy fight against Luby's

Luby's did not indicate which incumbent board members will be stepping down, but said the changes will take place later this year.

Shares of Luby's were up 6 percent to $1.92 in midday trading. The company is set to report fiscal 2019 first quarter earnings Monday.

Check back later for more on this developing story.
An American alligator sticks its snout out of an icy pond at the Shallotte River Swamp Park in North Carolina.

As temperatures dipped along the U.S. East Coast, alligators at a sanctuary park in North Carolina figured out a cute way to survive in their icy homes: They poked their noses out of the water as it began to freeze over, their scaly "snorkels" becoming their only conduit for oxygen.

Several American alligators were spotted this week with their noses breaching the icy water's surface at The Swamp Park in Ocean Isle Beach, in southern North Carolina, which houses rescued alligators in a fenced-off body of water near the Shallotte River.

"The water they are in does tend to freeze on consecutive sub-freezing nights. This does not happen often," said George Howard, the park's general manager. "They do this as a survival technique  a coping mechanism to allow them to breathe in the event the water freezes over." [Alligators vs. Crocodiles: Photos Reveal Who's Who]

Howard spotted the same nose-poking behavior last January at the park during the so-called bomb cyclone.

"This time of year, they are in a process called 'brumation,' kind of like hibernation except they are fully aware," Howard told Live Science. "They lower their metabolism to survive the cold. They don't eat for a few months, until the temps get up to 70 [degrees Fahrenheit; 21 degrees Celsius] and above."

During brumation, an alligator's metabolism slows down, allowing the reptile to go without food and just "chill" for four to five months.

They can't let their bodies get too cold, however, or they will die. American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis), a member of the order Crocodilia, are cold-blooded animals, so they essentially take on the temperature of their surroundings. That's why they bask in the sun, using the heat to get toasty, and why they can't live too far north in the U.S.

When air temperatures drop below about 70 F, the reptiles sometimes dig out muddy underwater dens to keep warm. They can also apparently stay submerged in water with only their snouts sticking above the surface for hours to a few days, said Greg Skupien, of the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, who cited research published in the 1980s.

In a study published in 1982 in The American Midland Naturalist, researchers from the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory found that an alligator in an iced-over pond in South Carolina kept a breathing hole in the 0.6-inch-thick (1.5 centimeters) ice for several days, though the animal later died because its body got too cold, dropping to 39 F (4 C).

Scientists reported on a similar behavior in 1983 in the Journal of Herpetology, describing a "'submerged breathing' posture in which the snout broke the water (i.e., ice) surface, while the remainder of the head and the body angled back down into the den."

Though Skupien, curator of the Naturalist Center at the museum, has never witnessed the so-called icing response, he told Live Science that the behavior is "as weird as it gets for alligators."

He added, "There are other reptiles and amphibians that exhibit some pretty cool overwintering strategies, such as frogs that produce cryoprotectants (i.e., antifreeze) and turtles that can essentially breathe from their butts (i.e., cloacal respiration)."

Originally published on Live Science.
The bronze catfish skeleton, minus its tail, can now be found in the Natural History Museum Rotterdam alongside its amputated pectoral fin.

There are all sorts of drinking traditions. Some people sing songs as they down their alcohol. Others dance to thumping music. Somewhere in the vicinity of Rotterdam, in the Netherlands, a group of young men, apparently inspired by the American television show "Jackass," got in the habit of capping off their boozing by swallowing live fish.

This, it turns out, is a bad idea. Especially in the event that the fish have evolved to fight back.

According to a recent case report published on Jan. 17 in the journal Acta Oto-Laryngologica Case Reports, the young men typically swallowed live goldfish out of their home aquarium  small, squishy creatures that don't put up much of a fight. The fun stopped on April 3, 2016, when one of the men tried to take their tradition a bit further by swallowing a bronze catfish (Corydoras aeneus), a popular aquarium fish with some powerful natural defenses. [27 Oddest Medical Case Reports]

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the night ended with the 28-year-old man in the emergency room, where puzzled doctors carefully removed the spiny fish from the man's throat.

"Most animals know better"

Most animals know better than to eat bronze catfish, said Kees Moeliker, a director at the Rotterdam Natural History Museum who reviewed the catfish remains after doctors removed them from the man's throat. That's for a good reason: Their cute 2- to 3-inch bodies (5 to 8 centimeters) are defended with spines, mounted on their pectoral fins. When the fish get stressed out  say, for example, when they're being swallowed by a predator  those spines become erect and can pump venom into the mouths of their attackers.

Because of this, bronze catfish "don't have predators like birds and other fishes," Moeliker told Live Science. "Those who give it a try die, and natural selection does its work."

Indeed, in the man's case, it appears that he quickly realized that he had made a grave mistake, according to a video of the incident that was described by the case report authors. Unfortunately, the video was not available for Live Science to review or share. But the report includes a vivid description of what it showed. In the video, a crowd of men stood around drinking and shouting "grote vis, grote vis!" (Dutch for "Big fish! Big fish!") One guy, holding a glass of clear water with the live catfish in it, tips it back, attempting to swallow it whole. Four seconds later, he spit the water and the fish out into his hands, and threw it on the table, where it floundered, appearing "distressed" and "agonized," according to the report.

That might have been the end of it, if someone hadn't plucked the flopping catfish off the table and handed it to a third man, a 28-year-old whose trauma would become the subject of the case report. This unfortunate fellow swallowed some beer, and then dropped the still-living creature into his throat. [11 Weird Things People Have Swallowed]

A CT scan shows where the main body of the fish lodged itself. (Image credit: Benoist et al.)

Immediately, it was obvious something had gone wrong. The man tried to swallow more beer but couldn't. Ten seconds later, he was "gagging vigorously" and vomiting liquid. "In extreme distress," he shoved two fingers down his throat, trying to make himself gag but no luck. Someone administered what the doctors described as a "wrongly-applied Heimlich maneuver," which again failed to produce the fish. The man spewed some blood into a bucket, and then the camera switched off.

Even so, the man apparently waited "several hours" before going to the hospital, after trying but failing to dislodge the fish with "more beer, honey and ice cream."

A "fish-like" structure

When the man finally made it to the emergency room, doctors looked down his throat using a tool called a laryngoscope, and spotted what they described as "a fish-like structure," according to the report. [Photos: The Freakiest-Looking Fish]

An image shows what that catfish looked like in the man's throat prior to removal. (Image credit: Benoist et al.)

"This is definitely in the top three of weirdest medical cases Ive encountered," said case report co-author Dr. Linda Benoist, a medical resident at Rotterdams University Medical Center who treated the patient. Benoist told Live Science that she had been aware that the fish-swallowing game was a "bizarre" tradition among some young people in the area.

The catfish, she said, was already dead when the patient arrived, pressed up against the entrance to the man's esophagus, at the bottom of his throat. (The fish had probably suffocated, Moeliker said, noting that a few swallows of beer do not contain enough water for a fish to breathe in).

The man needed surgery to remove the fish, with the surgeons paying very close attention to carefully remove the fish's spines from the delicate tissue in the throat. .

Fortunately, the procedure was a success. Though not much is known about the effects of bronze catfish venom on humans, it didn't appear to complicate the situation. As of the man's most recent follow-up with doctors, in March 2017, he is doing well.

The fish, meanwhile, ended up preserved at the Rotterdam Natural History Museum, which is right next door to the hospital. It joined an exhibit called "Dead Animal Tales" on dramatic collisions between animals and humans, Moeliker said.

Asked whether the drinking game is dangerous when only goldfish are involved, Benoist said, "I'm not an expert in goldfish swallowers, but I can imagine that fish species without [spikes] would slide easier into the stomach."

Still, the researchers did highlight some other case studies where people choked on live fish, including one instance where a fisherman attempted to kiss a fish but it slid into his throat. Live Science recommends eating fish dead and in bite-size pieces.

Originally published on Live Science.
LIMERICK rapper Denise Chaila has dropped her stunning debut EP.

The Zambian-born Limerick-based rapper, well known for her performances with Rusangano Family, releases Duel Citizenship this Friday.

Featuring the title track as well as Copper Bullet, Chaila says: Im so excited to share this EP, a taster for the music Ive been longing to make since I first picked up a pen.

These two songs are a small glimpse into a transatlantic emotional journey, and the answer to a question I get so often its tattooed on my heart.

The electric and charismatic performer has already showcased her abilities at live shows, festivals and guest appearances but is set to make a big splash with this release.
A MAN is being treated for injuries following a fall at a building site in County Limerick this Friday evening.

It is understood that a man "fell into a hole" at the site and is being treated for possible neck and back injuries.

The National Ambulance Service requested the assistance of the Limerick Fire Service at 5.53pm.

One unit was dispatched to the scene, and returned to base at 6.35pm.

The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) and An Garda Siochana were contacted in relation to this incident.
A BENCH warrant was issued for the arrest of a Pakistani national who attempted to open a bank account in Limerick by using a fake Bulgarian ID card which he bought for 7,000.

Muhammad Aslam, 39, who has an address at Nicholas Street, Limerick was prosecuted following a series of events which began in May 2017.

Giving evidence at Limerick District Court, Cathal Scully said he was working at the Limerick branch of KBC bank on May 26, 2017 when the defendant presented.

He said Mr Aslam filled out an application form to open a new bank account and that he provided an electricity bill and a Bulgarian National ID card as proof of his identity and address.

Mr Scully told Inspector Ollie Kennedy that he followed standard procedure and sent scanned copies of all the documents to the anti-fraud department in Dublin for examination.

He confirmed that sometime later, he became aware that the application had been refused.

Ronan McGuckian, who works in the Financial Crime Unit at KBC, said the application and associated documents were referred to him and that he had performed a number of checks.

He said he was satisfied the Electric Ireland bill was genuine but that he determined there was a high probability the Bulgarian National ID card was a forgery.

I formed the view there was a substantial risk he (Mr Aslam) had provided a forged document, he said confirming that he had placed an alert on the internal system and that he later referred the matter to gardai.

Detective Garda John OConnell told the court he was tasked with investigating the complaint and that he called to the defendants home May 16, 2018 have been granted a search warrant.

On arrival, he met Mr Aslam who produced a Bulgarian National ID to confirm who he was.

Det Garda OConnell said this was same ID card that had been produced when he attempted to open the bank account a year earlier.

The defendant was arrested and during interview he told gardai he had paid 7,000 to a female solicitor for the Bulgarian National ID card.

He claimed he had used the card to travel to a number of countries including Italy, Germany and the UK.

He also informed gardai he had successfully applied for a Public Services Card from the Department of Social Protection here by producing the fake card.

Det Garda OConnell confirmed Mr Aslam was issued a PSC but that it has since been cancelled.

Convicting the defendant, who was not present in court, Judge Brian OShea said he was satisfied he intended to induce Cathal Scully to accept the Bulgarian National ID card as being genuine.

He knew it was false, he said as he issued a bench warrant.
PETER Casey, the controversial candidate in the recent presidential election, has come out in full support of a ban on election posters, a proposal made earlier this month by Newcastle West councillor Michael Collins.

Using the form of communication best-loved by President Trump, Mr Casey tweeted at the weekend that he totally supports Cllr Collins proposal to ban posters in all future elections.

But continued the outspoken businessman: Apart from pollution, anyone who is influenced by a poster should not be allowed to vote.

Totally support Councillor Michael Collins in his proposal to ban posters in all future elections! Apart from the pollution, anyone who is influenced by a poster, should not be allowed to vote! Posters did not work so well for SF in the Presidential election. January 19, 2019

Speaking to the Limerick Leader this Wednesday, Mr Casey, who won 34% of the vote in Limerick County and 23% in Limerick City in the presidential election, confirmed he did indeed mean this.

I do, of course, he said. If you are so fickle in your ideas, in your beliefs by a picture of somebody, that is not really what a responsible voter should be. It is a bit like knocking on somebodys door at night. If somebody knocked on my door at night, they wouldnt get my vote.

I dont think people are influenced by posters, said Mr Casey, who did not use posters in his bid for the presidency last year.

And he pointed out that posters didnt help Sinn Fein in their presidential campaign.

There are lots of ways of getting your policies across rather than polluting the environment, he said.

Social media was one way, he pointed out, or local radio. But he continued, he refused to pay for social media during his presidential campaign although people were advising him to spend on advertising.

I didnt pay for social media,he said. Maybe if I had I would have won.

But he said he had made no decision on whether or not he would stand in the local elections or European elections in May.

All I know is I have to make sure I have my wife completely on board. We havent made any final decision, he continued.

If he were to stand, he added, he wouldnt start his campaign until after St Patricks Day.

Meanwhile, Fianna Fails Cllr Michael Collins has said his proposal to ban election posters is gaining traction locally and nationally, both among voters and politicians and on social media.

There is a lot of support for it, he said. People dont see the need for them at all. There has been no negativity.

He is now looking forward to discussing it at the councils Environment Strategic Policy Committee meeting next month and hopes to bring the proposal before a full council meeting in March and get its backing.

If they do they do. If they dont, they dont. At least we have done our bit at local level.

The six Newcastle West councillors have already agreed they wont put up posters in any part of their Municipal District. Cllr Collins proposed the ban primarily on pollution grounds but also on safety grounds.

It is a national issue and I hope it will be taken up nationally, he added.
A MAN who forced another car onto the centre of a roundabout in Limerick while being pursued by gardai was convicted of multiple counts of dangerous driving.

Patrick ODonoghue, 31, of Rhebogue Halting site, Dublin Road was prosecuted following an incident which happened on May 24, 2018.

Garda John Sheehan told Limerick District Court he was alerted to an Audi A4 being driven by the defendant after he noticed a brake light which was repeatedly flickering.

He said when he activated his blue lights and siren shortly after 10pm, the defendant accelerated and drove off at high speed.

Judge Brian OShea was told Mr ODonoghue then drove at speeds up to 130km/h as he travelled on the Dublin Road and along Childers Road and Ballysimon Road.

Garda Sheehan said a number of cars were forced to take evasive action and that a red Nissan Micra was forced to drive onto the roundabout at Tipperary Road Roundabout to avoid being struck by the Audi A4 as it entered the roundabout.

The defendant was arrested after he stopped the car at Crosagalla and was subsequently charged with driving without insurance and three counts of dangerous driving under Section 53 of the Road Traffic Act.

After formally convicting Mr ODonoghue who was not present in court, Judge OShea issued a bench warrant for his arrest.
A NEW campaign has been launched by Limericks local authority to highlight some of the most popular running and walking routes across the city and county.

The initiative has been launched at a time of year when many people choose to adopt a healthier lifestyle.

The new campaign by Limerick City and County Council will feature videos, a printed and digital guide and a comprehensive Limerick on Foot section on Limerick.ie.

Limerick on Foot - Walk it, Run it, Love it from Limerick.ie on Vimeo.

The Council describes Limerick as an ideal city to explore on foot and encourages visitors and locals alike to amble along the citys recreational riverside routes or follow in the footsteps of some of Limericks legendary athletes on one of the Olympic running trails.

Some of Limericks most popular routes are highlighted in the guide, including the award-winning City Centre to UL Riverbank route, which is Limerick Smarter Travels flagship route, the Neil Cusack Olympic Trail at Condell Road, The Three Bridges walk, City Centre to Shannon Fields, City Centre Sli na Slainte and Castletroy Sli na Slaint.

The routes are shown on specially produced maps with all the main landmarks highlighted, so walkers know they are on the right track. In addition to the routes, the various parks around Limerick are included so walkers and runners can include them as part of a fitness regime.

There are looped routes and exercise stations in many of the council-run parks listed in the new guide, such as Mungret Park, the Peoples Park, Castletroy Park, Shelbourne Park and OBrien Park on Clare Street.

For those who are looking for something a little longer and more challenging, the guide has details of 16 trails across County Limerick, from the Knights Walk in Glin to the Knockfierna walking trail, the Great Southern Greenway Limerick to the Ballyhoura Way.

Short videos produced for the Councils Tourism unit, will be unveiled over the coming weeks featuring walks across County Limerick including Castleconnell, the Clare Glens, the Keale River Walk, Knockfierna, the Knights Walk and the Broadford/Ashford Walking Trails.

Laura Ryan, Head of Marketing & Communications in Limerick City and County Council said: Last year we produced a walking/running guide and couldnt keep it in stock it was so popular. This year weve expanded the campaign to include an updated guide map, new video content and a comprehensive Limerick on Foot section on Limerick.ie.

We feel its timely as people want to get fit for the New Year and possibly train for the Regeneron Great Limerick Run and other events taking place across Limerick. Were also very supportive of our Limerick leader Jean Tierney on Operation Transformation on TV so the aim is the same, get some exercise outdoors around Limerick and enjoy our beautiful city and county- walk it, run it, love it!
THE DUNRAVEN Arms famous roast beef was a popular choice at the Limerick and Clare milk producers dinner dance on Friday night.

Beef also cropped up in the chairman, Michael OConnors speech. During the week, he said he had listened to a radio programme that featured a segment on a food trial.

It was regarding the amount of meat and dairy products that were healthy for the long term health of a person / sustainability of the planet. It was claimed that one cocktail sausage was your quota of meat or one glass of milk a day!

To add to that our taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, who is supposed to have the best interests of us all at heart and not just Dublin, makes a statement that he was cutting back on his consumption of red meat. His argument being that he wanted to reduce his carbon footprint. Maybe if he cut out one of his foreign trips each year, he could do a lot more for the environment than reducing his intake of beef, said Mr OConnor.

Maybe he could think about the livelihood of beef producers and factory workers whose livelihoods could be seriously affected by his lack of understanding how things work in the countryside, he continued. Mr OConnor then turned to his own meat and drink and that of many in the audience - milk.

On liquid milk I think it is very sad to see Golden Vale branded milk being sold in shops. Little or none of these cartons contain milk from the Golden Vale area but from Glanbia liquid milk suppliers, who are located far away from County Limerick, said Mr OConnor, who touched on the perfect storm of weather and hurling in 2018.

The main talking point was the poor start to the year and the drought of the summer but like all things  not only one drought but two  came to an end in August. First of all the rain came and secondly the Liam MacCarthy Cup came to Limerick after a long wait, said Mr OConnor to resounding applause. He finished up by by wishing everyone all the best for 2019.

Hopefully we will all be back here again next year for another fine beef dinner and not just one cocktail sausage or a variety of beans and peanuts, said Mr OConnor, who thanked the management and staff of the Dunraven Arms; all their sponsors for donating such a variety of spot prizes and all the organising committee.

See page 19 of L2 for more photographs
GARDAI at Roxboro Road garda station have arrested a woman who allegedly robbed a man in Limerick city with a "syringe" on Thursday night.

Gardai arrested the woman, 20s, following a robbery incident at Catherine Place on Thursday.

"Shortly after 8pm, gardai in Roxboro Road received a report after a man was approached by a woman, armed with what is believed to be a syringe, and demanded he handed over all of his cash. The suspect left the scene with a small sum of money and following a preliminary investigation by gardai a woman was arrested a short time later. The man was not injured during the incident."

She was brought to Roxboro Road garda station where she is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.
A FULL review of University of Limerick student records system could cost up to 20 million, TDs were told at the Committee of Public Accounts (PAC) this Thursday.

The Limerick Leader revealed earlier today that concerns have been raised over whether potentially thousands of students were given incorrect exam records over many years.

UL president Dr Des Fitzgerald faced questions from committee members over a number of long-running controversies related to the HR and finance departments at the university.

Dr Fitzgerald was also grilled about the reliability of ULs student records system, after TDs were provided with the details set out in a confidential report carried out by Deloitte in 2015.

Deputies heard that serious challenges arising from issues with the universitys QCA system of calculating student results were detailed in the Deloitte report.

The report, which UL has repeatedly declined to release, also estimated that a full review of the system, including a detailed historical review of student records, could cost between 15m and 20m.

A whistleblower, known as Person G and a current employee of UL, has raised concerns over a number of years in relation to weaknesses with the system.

Committee members heard that these issues could have resulted in an unknown number of students receiving understated degrees.

That is a very, very serious allegation, Sinn Fein Deputy David Cullinane said.

Potentially people have been given results that werent the results they achieved.

What is the institute doing about those concerns that have been raised by Person G? he asked Dr Fitzgerald.

The president replied: When I came into the university, one of the first things I did was to meet with the head of IT to ask about our IT systems. He made me aware of a report that was critical of those systems.

At that point, we put an additional amount of money into IT, spending about 2 million in the first year.

We did that by stopping some other capital projects that were being planned, he added.

An internal review of records found that one student had received an incorrect degree, he said. However, a forensic audit has not been carried out on all student records under the system, which was installed in 1998.

In early 2015, the UL executive committee of the university undertook action to re-write a part of the system where risk had been detected and added a checking system, Liam OReilly, director of IT at UL, told the committee.

That system has been used to check the results from every semester since, he added.

Since that report has issued, there have been significant actions taken to deal with aspects of the data issues.

The specific focus has been on the processing of active students to ensure the integrity [of their results], Mr OReilly said.

Theres multiple strands to the project, he told TDs. It's complex, its large. Were under way, were engaged in it.

For more on ULs appearance before the PAC, stay with limerickleader.ie
LIMERICK could be on track for a new museum set to visually showcase five decades of music memorabilia with more than 1,200 vinyl records, periodicals, posters and photographs.

Music Memories and Memorabilia, which will feature artifacts from the archives of musical greats like Thin Lizzy, Van Morrison and Horslips, is hoped to be on the way for the city by the end of 2019.

The proposed museum will also feature rooms dedicated to international, Irish and Limerick-born musical talents, and a performance space for gigs, according to collector and DJ Nicky Woulfe.

Collecting memorabilia, appreciating and preserving items of interest from periods of our past, are all intrinsic parts of my own practice as a collector, Mr Woulfe said.

So it has been a lifelong ambition to bring the Music Memories and Memorabilia project to fruition as a full time visitor attraction, he added.

More than 6,000 people visited the Music Memories and Memorabilia collection during its six week run during the City of Culture celebrations in 2014, according to Mr Woulfe. At that time it featured just 157 artefacts, he added.

Many of these visitors were from abroad, and remarked about how fantastic it was, that it should have a full time home, Mr Woulfe told Limerick city and county councillors at a meeting of the Metropolitan District of Limerick.

The collection has been promised further artifacts by many of the people and bands I have worked with over the years which have included the Cranberries, Thin Lizzy, Van Morrison, Horslips, Mary Black and many more who have promised me material from their achieves once the project is up and running on a full time basis.

Seven locations in Limerick city have been considered for the venue. The museums trustees have also spent the last two years traveling to similar visitor destinations in Cuba, Paris, Barcelona and Liverpool.

The project is currently seeking funding assistance worth 30,000, to offset some of the costs of framing items for the proposed museum, which is expected to cost in excess of 100,000.

We believe that with the support of Limerick City and County Council, Music Memories and Memorabilia can and will make a very real and significant contribution to attracting and growing tourist numbers in the years ahead, given how unique an exhibition it is, Mr Woulfe added.
LIMERICK City and County Council made an offer of 3m to buy the vacant Dunnes Stores site in Sarsfield Street, it has emerged.

The local authority has long wanted to develop the site, which has lain idle for the last 11 years since the retail giant reduced its city centre presence from three stores down to just one.

But in the High Court this week, it has emerged that Dunnes Stores rejected the offer from an estate agent acting for the council in 2017.

Metropolitan mayor Daniel Butler has criticised the retailer for not engaging with the council over the site, which lies on the northern entrance to the city, and is considered by many to be an eyesore.

They have made a reasonable and fair offer, as far as I am concerned. They have refused that. To me, I wonder what these guys want? Its becoming a rolling drama and an absolute insult to the people of Limerick City. It just shows the tactics used by Dunnes Stores in relation to the site, Cllr Butler added.

The disclosure was made in a High Court case in Dublin, where Dunnes won an order meaning it will not have to pay derelict site charges on its Sarsfield Street store  for the time being.

City and County Council had placed the store on the register, which would have seen it subject to a sliding scale of charges from next year. On foot of this, Dunnes Stores appealed this to An Bord Pleanala.

At the same time as this, Dunnes Stores (Limerick) and Dunnes Stores Unlimited brought the case to the High Court, where they have secured a stay on any determination by An Bord Pleanala.

Dunnes claimed the council failed to give adequate reasons for its decision to declare it a vacant site.

For its part, the council says the site is underutilised and is detracting from the character of the area.

An Bord Pleanala was asked to decide among other things whether the land is considered to be regeneration. Dunnes disputed this. When the council refused to cancel its entry on the vacant sites registrer, it brought High Court proceedings seeking to quash the decision.

It also asked the court case should take priority over the board making a decision.

It was claimed the council had shown bad faith by putting it on the register when it was clear Limerick Council had shown an interest in buying it.

Justie Una NiRaifeartaigh ruled there should be a stay on the boards decision pending the outcome of judicial review proceedings. If this is unsuccessful, Dunnes may still be subject to backdated charges, she ruled.
A WOMAN has pleaded guilty to assault charges following an incident of handbags which occurred off-the-pitch at Thomond Park.

Inga Seklanova, 56, who has an address at Rhebogue House, Dublin Road was prosecuted in relation to an incident which occurred in the car park following a function which had taken place at the iconic stadium on November 26, 2016.

Garda Aishling Keohane who investigated the incident told Limerick District Court the defendant struck another woman after she swung her handbag at her during an altercation.

The incident, she said, was recorded on a mobile phone and the injured party sustained a cut to her lip as a result of being struck.

Garda Keohane said both parties had attended the same function and that both were known to each other.

She said a verbal argument involving Ms Seklanovas son and the injured party had been the catalyst for the the assault.

Solicitor Darach McCarthy said his client  a Latvian national  has been living and working in Ireland for more than a decade and that she has never been in trouble before.

It was literally handbags, he said adding the defendant had made full admissions and had cooperated with gardai.

He said she is very protective of her son and that she thought he was being taken advantage of.

She made full admissions, she has no previous convictions, she accepts she should not have behaved the way she did, he said adding that Ms Seklanova had let herself down badly.

The case was adjourned to next month to allow gardai contact the injured party.
(CNN)  It had been hours since the terrorists burst into the hotel complex in Kenya, and you could feel the desperation in the air.

Armed with guns and explosives, they were roaming the halls of the Dusit hotel complex, shooting at anything that moved.

As day turned into night, not much was known about the attack in Nairobi -- word was trickling out in bits and pieces. Those trapped inside sent out pleas on social media, asking people to get them help.

Philip Ogola, a Red Cross volunteer who describes himself as a "digital humanitarian," saw the desperate messages and created a group chat for those trapped in the buildings.

With phones their only connection to the outside world, those shared chats on popular messaging app WhatsApp become a lifeline for the victims during the standoff that started at 4 p.m. on January 15 and lasted nearly 16 hours.

First few hours: Fear and uncertainty

The gunshots and explosions popped relentlessly. Some of the people trapped turned off their lights and crawled under tables. Others crouched inside kitchen cabinets.

They sent out pleas on the group chat, asking whether help was coming. How long would it take Recce, an elite Kenyan special forces team, to get to them, they wondered.

Next few hours: Gunshots, then silence

The hours dragged on. Some started to worry that rescuers had forgotten them. Others wondered why the gunfire was incessant. When it finally stopped, they questioned why it was suddenly quiet, whether the special forces sent to rescue them had retreated.

"I can hear my eyelids blink," one message said.

Night turns to day: A glimmer of hope

The clock ticked past midnight, and Tuesday turned into Wednesday. The usually bustling suburb of Westlands became a ghost town. But outside the complex, Ogola sat with other rescuers and some of the victims' relatives, sharing information. They got an update from authorities on what part of the complex the police and special forces were in. They asked those in the group to name their locations so police can get to them.

Almost over: The focus is on the injured

The messages in the group alternated between reassuring the victims and providing medical help to those suffering from gunshot wounds. The group members included a doctor and a Red Cross official who shared tips and images on how to stop bleeding. Issa Premji, a Red Cross official in the group, said that helped save lives.

The siege ends: Not everyone makes it out

When Kenyan authorities declared the siege over on January 16 -- nearly 16 hours later -- Ogola and other rescuers asked those in the group to check in. Some sent quick one-liners saying they'd been rescued. Others did not say a word -- their batteries had long died. But others had stopped responding because they were among the 21 people killed in the attack.

The aftermath: Hope amid chaos

While the number of people rescued from the group is unclear, Ogola said they helped coordinate 124 people during the standoff.

CNN obtained the WhatsApp group chats, but did not publish them all or identify the people involved because some of them were killed. The people who sent messages in the group chats are referred to as victims to avoid giving away their identities.

Ogola said he created the group with Kenyan journalist Boniface Nyaga after people reached out to them with numbers of relatives trapped in the complex. Those under siege provided details and phone numbers of others trapped with them, and the group grew from there.

Ogola also combed through social media and saw posts from others who were hiding in the complex and asking for help.

"We quickly had to step in to keep them safe," he said. "We started off by telling them, 'please, do not disclose your location on social media. For your safety. Be very discreet. The terrorists are also tech savvy, they could be on social media.'"

Wanjiku Mugo was crouched under a table in an office with about 30 other people between 4 p.m. and 4 a.m. She said the group kept them calm and reassured them that help was coming.

Before the group was formed, she said, they'd lost hope and had nowhere to turn for information. But in the dark room, every time her phone screen lit up with a new message, she felt a little more hopeful.

You can email Faith Karimi at faith.karimi@cnn.com

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Trapped for hours, they shared their fears in this group chat as terrorists roamed the halls."
A man who has been housed at the Eyre Powell Hotel in Newbridge for the past seven years while seeking asylum was remanded further in custody on January 24 after spending the previous week in custody.

Oussama Denine, 36, Eyre Powell Hotel, appeared at Naas District Court on January 16, charged with an alleged assault on Michael Browne at the Eyre Powell hotel on Tuesday, January 15. Mr Browne works at the hotel.

It is alleged that Mr Denine, who is from Algeria, punched Mr Browne, fracturing his eye socket.

Gardai told the court on January 16 they believed a disagreement about Mr Denine cooking food in his own room led to the alleged assault.

Gardai objected to bail for the defendant, based on the seriousness of the charge.

They also had a concern about where he would stay because while he remains an asylum seeker, his residence remains the Eyre Powell, but returning there is problematic after the alleged assault.

On January 23, Mr Denine was further charged with having false French documents on October 25 2018 and Judge Desmond Zaidan was told that Gardai did not really know if he was Oussama Denine.

A Garda said in evidence that a claim for asylum could be made under any name, in their experience.

Mr Denine was remanded in custody overnight to the January 24 sitting and further remanded for two weeks to February 5 next.

Tim Kennelly, solicitor for Mr Denine, said his client had been in the hotel for the past seven years waiting for an adjudication in his application for asylum and found it incredibly frustrating.

Mr Kennelly said his client had a PPS number and is working in a warehouse. He said Mr Denine just wanted a decision on his asylum application one way or another.

Mr Kennelly said his client had no trouble abiding by any conditions it might impose for bail, like a curfew, or staying away from the Eyre Powell.

He has a sum of cash that he can lodge if necessary. Its money he has worked hard for, said Mr Kennelly.
A woman who is charged with assault and public order offences involving near neighbours has apolgised to them publicly in court.

Naas District Court heard on Janaury 23 that Terry Maher, 9 Gleann na Ri Grove, Naas, had been upset by what she saw as the attitude of others about her relationship with her same sex female partner.

She was charged with assault at another property at Gleann na Ri Grove on December 26 2017 and with criminal damage at the same house on May 26 and May 29 2018.

Acting for Ms Maher, solicitor Tim Kennelly said his client had found life very tough through a lack of acceptance of her sexuality over many years. Now living in Dublin she had moved on and had received counselling, given up alcohol and had the prospect of a job.

Judge Desmond Zaidan said Ms Maher has numerous previous convictions and each time she lost the plot over her sexuality.

He told Ms Maher: If anyone deserves to go to jail, it is you.

Judge Zaidan said she could not keep blaming her sexuality for offences committed under the influence of alcohol.

You blame the whole world except yourself, he said.

Speaking on oath, Ms Maher apologised to neighbours.

I apologise. I was out of order. I don't blame them (neighbours) at all. It was me that did it, she said.

She said she knew she needed to do an anger management course and would do a restorative justice programme.

Ms Maher has been remanded on continuing bail until June 5 coming.

She will undertake a programme under the supervision of the Probation Services.

Mr Kennelly said his client would submit to urine tests if required.
Authorities will shortly consider whether repairing the courthouse in Kilcock is a viable option.

Since September 2016, all Kilcock District Court Cases have been heard at Naas courthouse. The Kilcock District Court Area covers Maynooth, Kilcock, Straffan, Rathcoffey and a large part of west Kildare, and the move has put a burden on the public, given the poor public transport between the north and centre of the county.

A costing has been completed and presented to the Office of Public Works, a separate review of the provision of court services in the District Court area of Kilcock is also nearing completion.

Originally Kilcock Court was set to reopen in November 2016, but major issues with the building have delayed that.

Last March the Minister indicated to the Labour Partys Emmet Stagg that a review of the future delivery of court services in the District Court area of Kilcock would be held.

The Minister has now advised Mr. Stagg that the review of the future delivery of court services in the District Court area of Kilcock is nearing completion.

Read also: Talk on the Mound of Killeen Cormac in South Kildare

The review involved consultation with relevant stakeholders including legal practitioners, the Irish Prison Service, An Garda Siochana and members of the judiciary.

ts understood that a report is being prepared to present at the next meeting of the Courts Service Building Committee in February 2019 and that any decision on the future delivery of court services in the District Court area of Kilcock will be made then.

Mr. Stagg said he was glad that the review was nearly completed, given the importance of the delivery of District Court services locally.
The Exploring Shackleton Exhibition, which runs at the Shackleton Museum in Athy until March 1, 2019 has been hailed as an amazing success, attracting visitors from all parts of Ireland.

Among many of our tour groups to visit the Exploring Shackleton Exhibition was the C.I.E. Hill walkers club, the Dublin Touring Club and there is also a great flurry of students from the various schools in Kildare making the journey to see this amazing two floor picturesque exhibition celebrating the story Ernest H. Shackletons from birth to death, said Curator Margaret Walsh.

The exhibition, first time seen in Ireland, is on loan from the world famous Fram Museum in Oslo, Norway.

In the exhibition you can read about all of Shackletons Antarctic expeditions, in addition to his personal life; his voyage on board Discovery with Robert F. Scott and Edward Wilson, the successful Nimrod Expedition, the Endurance Expedition and his often-forgotten Ross Sea Party and finally his death during his 1922 voyage on the Quest," she added.

"The story of Shackletons life is fully illustrated with more than three hundred photos and maps from many of the Shackleton archives around the world an also features original artefact, it is a must see.

SEE ALSO: Talk on the Mound of Killeen
A talk on an ancient graveyard along the Kildare and Wicklow border called the Mound of Killeen Cormac will be held on Monday, February 4, 2019 in The Tanyard in Ballitore at 7.30pm by the South Kildare Villages Heritage and History Group.

Translated, it means, the Little Church of King Cormac. The site, a gravel mound known as Killeen Cormac is classified as a 'Burial Ground', but may be regarded as an important early ecclesiastical site. A recent geophysical survey of the site shows traces of an early Christian foundation. Seven ogham stones were originally found at this site, at least one of which was broken up and re-used in the construction of a surrounding wall in the late 19th century. One of the ogham stones, currently on display in the National Museum of Ireland, is a bilingual stone with both an ogham inscription and one in Latin.

County Kildare Archeologist, Sharon Green, has done a geophysical research of the spot, perhaps the most intriguing in the county. She will tell its story, as much as can be known.

While the Chuch is long gone, historians are now asking was King Cormac really buried there under the mound. Who was he? What is inscribed on the Ogham pillars and why has one got Roman numerals?

These questions will all be discussed next Monday in The Tanyard, Ballitore at 7.30pm. Organisers are advising people to come early, especially if you missed the packed out New Year Meeting in OBriens of Timolin. Gourmet Coffee and biscuits as usual.

It's the second event of 2019 by The South Kildare Villages Heritage and History Group. Don't miss it.

SEE ALSO: Cold snap ahead
A young Laois couple have praised the amazing care of their two premature babies in Portlaoise hospital.

Sarah Claire and Brian Pearson from Borris-in-Ossory had all three of their sons born prematurely, with two of them needing weeks in the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) in Portlaoise.

Their first son Ben was born six years ago, eight weeks ahead of schedule.

My pregnancy had been normal, until things changed. I was not sure what was wrong, I went to the hospital and they told me I was in labour. It was scary, very daunting and unknown. It was after a loss so that made it extra scary, said Sarah Claire.

Ben weighed just 4lb 3oz. He was placed in the SCBU and Sarah Claire began a twice daily trek from Borris-in-Ossory to the unit, while struggling to pump breastmilk for Ben.

The staff took amazing care of us, they really take you under their wing. They guided and advised me on renting a breast pump from the Irish Premature Babies Association and touched bases with me on the phone, she said.

Ben spent six weeks in the unit before safely coming home. Two years later Sarah Claire became pregnant again.

My water broke at 30 weeks and six days, I was sent to the Coombe because the pregnancy was so early. Alex was born by c-section at 33 weeks, weighing 3lb 14oz. Because I had been in the care of Portlaoise before, we were lucky that he was brought back there and they looked after Alex in the SCBU for a further four weeks.

Again, they kept in touch with us on the phone, they sent me bus timetables, they were just amazing, really caring, she said.

Ben is now 6 and a pupil in Killadooley NS. Alex, 3 is in the schools preschool unit. They have a little brother Matt aged 20 months. He was also born in Portlaoise early, but at 36 weeks he luckily did not need the intensive care of the SCBU.

Below: Ben aged 4 weeks in the Special Care Baby Unit in Portlaoise hospital maternity ward.



Sarah Claire praises the follow up care for Ben and Alex.

They are all flying it. There are minor things like glasses and speech and learning, but these were caught early as part of the follow-up. When Ben got his eyes checked, the consultant insisted on seeing all the boys as eyesight problems can be common in premature babies. Alex had a tongue tie and again the consultant referred us. It is all very reassuring, she said.

Last January the couple held a coffee morning and a raffle in Sarah Claires parents home in Ballaghmore, to raise money for the unit as a thank-you.

We got a wonderful response. We had about 60 people, lots of neighbours and parents from the school, she said.

They also held a raffle and sold 800 of tickets in the Roscrea SuperValu.

The response was absolutely brilliant, people were just throwing money in, even strangers, who wanted to donate to the baby unit, she said.They also opened a GoFundMe account and between everything have reached 2,700 in a month.

People are still donating,. It is still open and we hope to reach 3,000 in the next few weeks, she said.

The money will be used for equipment in the unit not funded by the HSE, such as cubicle screens, breast pumps and heated cots. The couple thanks everyone for their support.

Please donate, big or small. Every little helps, Sarah Claire said.
Community Alert groups in Laois who want to operate CCTV to fight criminals have agreed join a grouping under a deal with county hall that looks set to see the camera blackout lifted this year.

Laois County Council chief executive, John Mulholland met last week with up to 13 groups from accross Laois. Most of the groups have been blocked from erecting cameras due to a dispute over data protection.

However, this looks set to have been settled with the majority who met Mr Mulholland and other officials in county hall last week.

The council has set six conditions to its uudertaking to be the data controller. These are:

- All groups must be capable of installing and operating a scheme.

- All schemes must be part of a County Laois Federation of Group CCTV schemes to be set up on June 1, 2019.

- Groups must be responsible for CCTV operation and costs.

- Groups must comply with a CCTV code of practice.

- Each group must reach agreement with the council as data controller and an approved data processer.

- Each group must remain a member of the federation.

Group representatives were required to sign the undertaking which is believed to have been run by the Department of Justice.

Mr Mulholland told the Leinster Express that the workshop addressed the practical issues associated with the successful implementation of community CCTV schemes.

The outcome is that all groups will now proceed to form a local Federation of Community Based CCTV Group Schemes that is to be independent of, but supported by Laois County Council, and that on this basis Laois County Council will agree to act as Data Controller under the 2006 governing legislation.

On foot of this development all applicants for new CCTV schemes and associated funding are now free to submit applications for further processing and approval by the Department of Justice and Equality. It is anticipated that new schemes can proceed to installation in the short term, he said.

Michael G Phelan is a member of the Woodenbridge Community Alert Group in south Laois. It has been delayed because the council had refused to act as data controller before now.

He co-chaired a public meeting before Christmas which put pressure on the council.

Mr Phelan welcomed the outcome and said it would allow groups who want to erect cameras to proceed.

A number other groups with camera plans include Mountrath, Mountmellick, Castletown and Donaghmore.

They needed county council agreement before the Department of Justice could release grants to help pay for cameras.

It is not clear how some groups that already had CCTV have responde d to the council's move.

Under the law, a local authority must agree to be the data controller for community CCTV to be legal. It must also be authorised by the Garda Commisioner in Dublin.
Met Eireann has extended weather warnings for all 26 counties with winds of up to 100 km/ph expected to hit on Saturday night.

The warning was extended to counties down the middle of the island on Saturday morning. The forecaster is also warning that wind and rain will be followed by a big drop in temperatures.

A Status Yellow wind warning is valid for Leinster, Cavan, Monaghan, Roscommon, Cork, Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford from Saturday night into Sunday morning.

From early tonight and overnight the forecaster expects north to northwest winds to reach mean speeds of 50 to 65 km/hr with gusts of 90 to 100 km/hr.

More below tweet

WEEKEND WEATHER

Fri: Cloudy, mostly dry. Scattered patches of mist & drizzle. 10 to 12C

Sat: Rain widespread in the morning, heavy showers later. Turning colder. Becoming windy. 6 to 8C

Sun: Gusty NW winds. Mostly dry, sunny spells. Feeling cold. 5 to 8Chttps://t.co/j8i4Q3TEwU pic.twitter.com/K5lyCg5jy4  Met Eireann (@MetEireann) January 25, 2019

The warning, which is not of storm status, is valid from Saturday night through to Sunday morning.

Read also: MET EIREANN UPGRADE WARNING IN DETAIL

A Status Yellow warning is issued by Met Eireann to notify those at risk because of their location and/or activity, and to allow them to take preventative action. The conditions do not pose an immediate threat to the general population.
The man tasked to lead the charge to bring foreign investment and jobs to Ireland is set to visit Portlaoise's IDA business park.

Laois TD Sean Fleming TD has confirmed that the Industrial Development Authority (IDA) and Enterprise Ireland will be in Laois on Friday, March 1 next. He said it is a follow up to a similar meeting held in February 2018.



"This is an opportunity for the IDA and Enterprise Ireland to give a progress report on their work in respect of promoting and bringing jobs to Laois over the last year and their future plans and activities in this area.



"Martin Shanahan, Chief Executive Officer of the IDA will be present together with senior representatives from Enterprise Ireland. The three Laois Oireachtas Members, John Mulholland Chief Executive of Laois County Council and Council representatives will be present at this meeting.



"This shows that the meeting held twelve months ago was not a once - off and this represents a determined commitment by the IDA, Enterprise Ireland, Laois County Council and the Oireachtas Members to promote Laois as a location for new job creation," said the Fianna Fail TD.



Dep Fleming said he looked forward to this meeting taking place and hearing future plans by the IDA and Enterprise Ireland for job creation in Laois.

He did not say if confirmation of the visit was a sign that a jobs announcement was imminent.

The IDA and, to a lesser extent, Enterprise Ireland has a poor record of job delivery in Laois. However, since last year's visit Glanbia has announced plans for a cheese production facility in Portlaoise.

A draft plan for the east and Midlands has given Portlaoise key town status.
The Alaska man charged with spreading panic across the Lafayette College campus after sending bogus emails about a terror plot admitted to federal investigators that he firebombed a car in Canada, according to court documents.

The documents filed Jan. 22 in federal court say Gavin Casdorph also admitted he traveled to Canada to kill two people, that he made internet threats against Carelton College in Canada and threatened the Ottawa, Canada, police. The documents say he did not carry out his murder plot in Canada but once there he used gasoline and two propane bottles to firebomb a car belonging to one of the targets.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph A. LaBar made the claims against Casdorph in a court motion to keep Casdorph detained pending his trial on charges of making threats and conveying false information concerning an attempt to kill individuals and damage buildings via an explosive.

Casdorphs attorney, James A. Funt of Philadelphia, disputed LaBars claims.

Gavin Casdorph is a young man who has been unfairly treated and the current accounts of him are wildly inaccurate, Funt said in an email. "Once all the facts are presented his true nature will be revealed which will demonstrate unequivocally that he never intended any harm to anyone. We will not, however try this case in the press but rather will present all relevant information properly in a court of law. This case is far more complicated than has been suggested and it is inappropriate to comment any further at this time. 

A hearing on Casdorphs detention is set for 1:30 p.m. Friday in Philadelphia.

Casdorph allegedly sent Tweets and emails on May 6, 2018, claiming to be Brendan, a Lafayette College student who converted to Islam, changed his name to Jafar Saleem, joined ISIS and threatened an attack on the campus. In the threatening communications, he said I have set up several pipe bombs, pressure cookers and nail bombs around the campus and plan to inflict the utmost damage possible" at the Easton college.

The threats forced students to shelter in place and drew the attention of local law enforcement and the FBI. Authorities determined the plot was hatched when Casdorph was playing online video games with two other people, one of whom was a Lafayette student.

An argument ensued and a gamer going by the name Neuroscientist" asked Casdorph to send in an anonymous threat to Lafayette College. Casdorph used a phone number he bought off a Russian website to set up accounts he used and TOR software to shield his identity, according to the FBI.

Casdorph was 20 years old when he was charged last year. He has been extradited from his home in Anchorage and is in federal prison in Philadelphia.

Rudy Miller may be reached at rmiller@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @RudyMillerLV. Find Easton area news on Facebook.
In my sons case, he normally shuffles out the door at about 6:40 a.m. Around that time on Friday, the air temperature was pushing minus-9 in our end of the county. Two hours later, when he went out the door with an actual winter coat on rather than the teen uniform of a light jacket over a hoodie, it had warmed up to all of minus-7.
Pennsylvania State Police are asking for the publics help to find a Bucks County woman.

Avery Moorhead Berry, 34, was last seen last Saturday at her home in the 1300 block of Oak Lane in Springfield Township.

Berry is white, five feet six inches tall, and 135 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information about Berry or her whereabouts should call the Criminal Investigation Unit at the Dublin Barracks at 215-249-9191 and reference incident number PA2019-89666.

Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @SarahCassi. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
Authorities say a gunman opened fire at a hotel bar in central Pennsylvania, killing a man and wounding two other people, then broke into a home where he fatally shot another man before killing himself.

The initial shooting happened about 10:30 p.m. Thursday at P.J. Harrigans Bar & Grill at the Ramada Hotel on South Atherton Street in State College, about two miles from Penn States main campus.

Authorities say 21-year-old Jordan Witmer, of Bellefonte, shot and killed 62-year-old Dean Beachy, of Millersburg, Ohio, at the bar. He also wounded another man and a woman at the bar. Police told WJAC the woman was in a relationship with Witmer.

The wounded victims were taken to Mt. Nittany Medical Center, then flown to another hospital in critical condition, the TV station reported.

Witmer then drove away from the bar and later broke into a home, where he fatally shot George McCormick, 83, before turning the gun on himself. WJAC reported McCormicks wife locked herself in the bathroom and called 911.
Travelers flying out of Newark Liberty International, Philadelphia and LaGuardia airports encountered flight delays Friday due to staffing issues on the ground from workers calling out sick, Federal Aviation Administration officials said.

The FAA website was reporting delays between 1 hour 30 minutes and 1 hour 45 minutes at Newark Liberty Airport at one point. By 12:30 p.m., those delays had dropped to an hour and were attributed to wind. Philadelphia International Airport had reported departure delays of 1 hour and 14 minutes, but those have dropped back to normal operations by 11 a.m. LaGuardia delays were averaging 1 hour 26 minutes.

"We have experienced a slight increase in sick leave at two facilities. Weve mitigated the impact by augmenting staffing, rerouting traffic, and increasing spacing between aircraft when needed, said Gregory Martion, an FAA spokesman. The results have been minimal impacts to efficiency while maintaining consistent levels of safety in the national airspace system.

The staffing problems were at air traffic centers in Jacksonville, Florida and a Washington D.C. center that controls high-altitude air traffic over seven states. Officials said staffing levels at the airports were fine. A ground stop was briefly issued at LaGuardia, but has since been lifted.

Port Authority officials said all three metro airports were affected.

Fliers at LaGuardia felt the brunt , with 47 cancellations and more than 580 delays, averaging over an hour, and representing over half of the daily flights at the airport, a Port Authority spokesman said.

Newark Liberty Airport had departure delays for much of the morning and into the afternoon exceeding one hour. At least 40 flights were cancelled, and nearly 300 have experienced delays, he said. JFK had over 230 delays, many caused by late arriving aircraft affected by the staff shortage.

Although staffing was reported back to normal by the FAA, residual delays are expected into the evening at LaGuardia, authority officials said.

Fliers can check delays at fly.faa.gov and they should check with airline carriers for more information.

The White House says President Donald Trump has briefed on airport delays amid the extended partial government shutdown.

White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said in a statement: The President has been briefed and we are monitoring the ongoing delays at some airports. We are in regular contact with officials at the Department of Transportation and the FAA.

Louis Di Paolo, a former Dumont councilman, said his JetBlue flight from Newark to West Palm Beach was among those delayed Friday morning.

It was supposed to set out at 9:02 so we were delayed over an hour and a half," Di Paola said in a message to NJ Advance Media while his flight was en route to Florida. "(We were) on the tarmac for about an hour and a half. And the plane was a few minutes late coming to Newark because of the shutdown/lack of air traffic controllers. While we were sitting on the runway, the pilot apologized to all passengers and expressed his frustration with the shutdown

He said passengers soon realized it was not an ordinary delay.

We got a sense something was off when the pilot was giving the pre flight remarks - he stopped in the middle as if he had just heard the news and then it was just quiet," Di Paola said. There was a lot of chatter among passengers, then everyone started turning on their TVs to watch the news."

Huge flight delays at Laguardia, Newark, and Philadelphia airports because of "staffing" issues, FAA reports. https://t.co/XQ0cMTlnDQ  Damian Paletta (@damianpaletta) January 25, 2019

Delays at LaGuardia, Newark & Philadellphia Airports were due to Air Traffic Controllers Staffing Shortages amid Senseless Trump Shutdown. Our safety is in danger at this point. Trump Reopen the Government NOW!!  Ngozi  (@nnwajei) January 25, 2019

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo says delays at East Coast airports amid a partial federal government shutdown are another symptom of the federal madness caused by Republican President Donald Trump.

The Democrat says the delays are hurting the economy and impacting airport safety and security. His comments came at an unrelated event in Manhattan Friday morning.

Earlier in the day Cuomo wrote to Trump demanding an end to the shutdown, saying it could become a national security issue.

The letter was sent shortly before the FAA announced LaGuardia Airport in New York and Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey were both experiencing delays in takeoffs due to staffing problems at two air traffic control facilities.

Heres the departure board at #LGA. After a ground stop this morning because of an air traffic controller shortage, about 2/3 of outgoing flight are delayed. The arrival side looks worse with 3/4 delayed 20min to 2hrs. @wcbs880 pic.twitter.com/wg14s5P4O9  Peter Haskell (@peterhaskell880) January 25, 2019

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Sophie Nieto-Munoz may be reached at snietomunoz@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her at @snietomunoz.

Larry Higgs may be reached at lhiggs@njadvancemedia.com . Follow him on Twitter @commutinglarry .

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UPDATE: College student traveling home killed in Route 80 bus wreck that injured more than 20

One person was killed and more than a dozen others were injured, including one critically, in a crash involving a commercial bus and three cars on Route 80 in Parsippany Thursday night, authorities said.

The wreck occurred on Route 80 express eastbound near milepost 44.8 around 7:30 p.m., according to the New Jersey State Police. There were at least two people with serious injuries from the wreck.

In all, 21 patients were taken to Morristown Medical Center in conditions that ranged from fair to critical, a hospital spokeswoman said. One person remained in critical condition Friday morning. Two others remained hospitalized, though their conditions were not disclosed. The other 18 people treated at the Morristown hospital were released, the spokeswoman said Friday.

Morris Countys Emergency Management Office issued a statement Friday just before noon saying a total of 36 people were treated or evaluated from the crash. In addition to the 21 taken to Morristown Medical Center, five people were taken to St. Clares Hospital in Denville. Another 10 people were taken to a firehouse in Parsippany to be evaluated, officials said.

***UPDATE TO BUS ACCIDENT***



Troopers responded at 7:31 p.m. to MVA involving commercial bus and 3 cars. 1 confirmed fatality and 2 serious injuries. Accident is currently under investigation. There will be no additional info available tonight. #alert  NJSP - State Police (@NJSP) January 25, 2019

Video posted on social media showed emergency workers leading people away from a bus with major front damage. In another video on Twitter, scores of first responders were seen around a bus marked Adirondack Trailways. The bus company did not immediately respond to messages and could not be reached by phone late Thursday.

Sad news in #Parsippany. Heavy traffic due to major bus accident! Hope everyone is safe  pic.twitter.com/dRacx1Bdk3  Melinda Reyes (@botsreyes) January 25, 2019

A Morris County Medical Ambulance Bus, often used in emergencies with numerous patients, was also at the scene along with rescue teams from around the area.

Route 80 express in both directions east of Exit 43 remained closed for the investigation, the state Department of Transportation reported late Thursday night. Highway traffic was being diverted to local roads. Parsippany police warned drivers of extremely heavy delays through the area.

A spokesman for the Morris County Prosecutors Office, which investigates serious and fatal crashes, confirmed an investigation was ongoing but could not release more details.

It was not yet clear if the fatality was from the bus or other vehicles.

Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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A bullet found Thursday in a Lehigh County elementary school led to a lockdown, but the school was eventually deemed safe, officials said.

The bullet was found at Jefferson Elementary School, 520 Elm St. in Emmaus, and the school was on lockdown from 3:15 p.m to 4:07 p.m., East Penn School District spokesperson Laura Groh said in a news release.

Police and district officials began investigating, and it was determined that a student brought the bullet to school. There was no weapon on school property.

The school was deemed safe by police, and students were dismissed for the day.

The district has dealt before with ammo found at its schools.

Last June, a bullet was found in Eyer Middle School in Lower Macungie Township. The school was placed on lockdown, and then classes were dismissed for the day. Classes were also cancelled the following day as state police investigated.

In May 2016, officials said an Emmaus High School student dropped two .22-caliber bullets in a bathroom in order to trigger an early dismissal.

Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @SarahCassi. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
- National Public Health Institute of Liberia has made fresh declaration on the presence of the deadly Ebola disease

- NPHIL said after sampling hundreds of bats over the past two years, the scientists detected the Zaire Ebola virus in one bat

- Recall that the last major Ebola outbreak was in 2014 and since then about 11,000 people died as the virus spread across major African nations

National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) has made fresh declaration on the presence of the deadly Ebola disease, which was responsible for the untimely death of many in the West Africa country and Nigeria.

The Institute said scientists found the traces of the deadly virus's presence in a series of laboratory experiments carried out on bats, The Herald reports.

Legit.ng gathers that after sampling hundreds of bats over the past two years, the scientists detected the Zaire Ebola virus in one bat.

READ ALSO: NAIJ.com upgrades to Legit.ng: a letter from our Editor-in-Chief Bayo Olupohunda

Addressing journalists in Monrovia, the country's capital, NPHIL director general, Tolbert Nyenswah, said the finding was nonetheless significant, as researchers believe bats may be a natural host of the disease.

Nyenswah said: "To date, all other bats have tested negative. Ongoing studies will examine whether more ... bats are infected, how bats spread the virus.''

It would be recalled that the last major Ebola outbreak was in 2014. Since then, about 11,000 people died as the virus spread across the major West African countries of Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Nigeria.

PAY ATTENTION: Download our mobile app to enjoy the latest news update

Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that Ebola deadly virus, that raged in some West African countries several years ago, had staged a return in northwest part of Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), killing 17 people.

Congos health ministry on Tuesday, May 8, described the fresh outbreak as a public health emergency with international impact.

NAIJ.com (naija.ng) upgrades to Legit.ng to serve its readers better. Great Journalism!

N1,500 for health of Nigerians - On Legit.ng TV

Source: Legit
- Academic Staff Union of Universities has justified its demand from the government and the ongoing strike action it embarked upon

- The clarification became necessary following the wide public condemnation of the union's lingering strike

- ASUU said it does not demand money for its pocket, rather it is calling on federal government to provide infrastructure for the public universities

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has urged members of the public to refute the fast growing insinuation that it is a strike-loving organisation, adding that its demand from the government is purely for the progress of education sector.

The need, it was gathered, was expedient following the wide condemnation from the public on the lingering strike action embarked upon by the body, The Punch reports.

Legit.ng reports that the ASUU chairman of Benin zone, Professor Anthony Monye-Emina, justifying the need for the ongoing strike action on Wednesday, January 23, in Benin, said the failure of the federal government to show full commitment toward the sponsorship of the public universities made the union result to the strike alternative strategy.

READ ALSO: NAIJ.com upgrades to Legit.ng: a letter from our Editor-in-Chief Bayo Olupohunda

Addressing market women during an interactive and sensitising meeting, the university don said ASUU is on the move to rescue the Nigerian education system from moribund mute, adding that strike action is part of the strategies mapped out against the challenges ahead.

He said the union had written not less than 450 letters to the federal government since the struggle started in 2009.

He said: ''Our society has a wrong impression about ASUU struggle. We are not asking for money to keep in our pockets but for the development of infrastructure in our universities.''

Monye-Emina, however, urged concerned Nigerians to prevail on the ongoing crisis, adding that government must address infrastructural deficit in Nigerian universities to make quality of the country's education system.

He also used the platform to refute the claims that the ongoing strike action of the union is politically motivated.

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Meanwhile, Legit.ng had earlier reported that ASUU had expressed disappointment over the failure of the federal government to make fresh offer on funding of public universities in the country.

ASUU president, Professor Biodun Ogunyemi, made this known in a strike bulletin 9 sent to branches of the union on Thursday, January 24, when briefing members of the body on the recent development as regards their pressing demand.

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Parents advice government over ASUU strike | Legit.ng TV

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Editor's note: David Onmeje, a United Kingdom based analyst writes on the war against insurgency and the operations of the Nigerian Army under the leadership of Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai.

Onmeje further commended the Nigerian soldiers for their selfless service to the nation and her citizens.

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.

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In Nigeria, most leaders often present themselves as the Greek philosopher kings of ancient times. They brandish themselves as all-knowing, and untouchables. They are people who cannot be counseled, and most times elevate themselves in magisterial eminence, cast in the shades of the likes of King Pharaoh. Outside their personal interest, nothing else obsesses the mind.

Challenge for any deprivation, means a hounding path to doom. Such leaders are happier when those they lead grumble and wail. They display a puzzling detachment from the led and cast themselves in the shadows of Princes and Princesses. Nonetheless, genuine leaders place the ruled first and themselves last.

Nigerias biggest insecurity challenge since 2009 has been Boko Haram insurgency. There are pockets of other security challenges all over the country, but insurgency has remained the most daunting problem. True Nigerian leaders are committed to it as observable now.

Therefore, since the appointment of Lieutenant General TY Buratai as the COAS and leader of the counter-insurgency operations, soldiers have sauntered on a new plane of leadership of the Army.

The welfare of troops has remained paramount in Buratais leadership of the Army. So, before his troops, the Army Chief de-robes himself of mastership and assumes the role of a loyal servant, in the mould of Man Friday, the character in Daniel Defoes novel, Robinson Crusoe, cast in the setting of an Island, usually lonely and forlorn.

Much like Man Friday, General Buratai is not influenced by the language, ethnicity or habits of his troops. He places himself in a position of service at their disposal, by elevating their welfare above his personal interests. What affects his troops, shadows in him directly. He shares in their pains, joys and sorrows.

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And with each passing day, General Buratai thinks of the comfort and pleasure of his troops in the battlefield.

If troops are facing hard tackles in the warfront from Boko Haram enemy forces, General Buratai does not retreat into his shell in the comfort of his luxurious office in Army Headquarters, Abuja. He angrily steps out in laced boots to the battlefield, fighting the enemies together with his troops.

Since Buratai became the COAS, its difficult to remember which Sallah , Christmas or New Year celebration he has ever observed in the company of his lovely family. He spends it in the dark caves, and dreadful forests with the troops in the northeast.

The Army Chief eats together, drink from the same pot and dance to the music of chirruping birds.

Leaders of his ilk would mount a live music orchestra band erected in Abujas most secured environment. They will dance in stupor and wild celebrations, in pomp and pageantry to the pleasure of family and friends.

But in the northeast, especially Sambisa Forest, where troops keep strict vigilance, Buratai and his troops, celebrates any of these festivities, in the line of duty. They know there is no reason to renege on the covenant with Nigerians to secure Nigeria from terrorists.

Like Man Friday, whose relationship with Robinson Crusoe the main character in Defoes novel is touted as the father-son type of intimacy and the former genuinely caring for the welfare of his circumstantial lad,  Man Friday, so also is Gen. Buratai to his troops.

General Buratai , who is an ardent believer in the principles of the Chinese war veteran, Sun Tzu, he has adopted his wisdom of treating his troops in the same manner and passion of a personal family in his interactions with them.

So, though, Buratai is the overall master of the Nigerian Army today, but the Army Chief has reshuffled the roles and the aura surrounding his office upside down, to the favor of his troops to innately earn their loyalty for best results.

A foresighted war leader knows, it is necessary to place yourself in the dungeon of your subordinates to solve any problem. And Buratai has mastery of it.

So, practical application, Buratai has reversed the roles and he thinks, the troops are his masters and he is not hesitant serving them faithfully and loyally at all times. he leaves no room for any barrier to affect interpersonal relationship just like Man Friday with his boss, Robinson Crusoe marooned on the Island off the coast of Venezuela, where Boy Friday as he is otherwise called by some literary analysts found a master, friend and companion.

READ ALSO: Elections: I wish Atiku well, Buhari must not be re-elected - Falae declares

General Buratai remains the only Army Chief in Nigerias history who thinks the wives and children of troops in the war-front deserves special attention. He does not mind who is your spouse, but renders himself generously to their problems and dispensing instant solutions.

Consequently, General Buratai has ensured salaries and allowances of troops are remitted to their accounts promptly. He has prioritized renovation of Army barracks, most of which were in dilapidated conditions, due to years of neglect.

Almost every Army formation in Nigeria today wears a new look. The Army boss is not only concerned with residential quarters of soldiers, but also, the offices they sit to run administration of the Army.

Just last year, the Nigerian Army under the leadership of General Buratai signed a N7.5 billion MOU for a housing estate in Otukpo and Ohimini LGAs of Benue state for both soldiers and civilians in partnership with Betonic West Limited.

Before it, the Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri, Borno state; Elele Army Barracks, Rivers State and headquarters of the 331 Artillery Tactical Forward Operation Base (FOB) at Buratai in Biu local government area of Borno state among others from an inexhaustible list have both residential and office accommodation reliefs.

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There are also a Forward Operation Base, military barracks at Okene, in Kogi State; and in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, new army cantonment, named Muhammadu Buhari Cantonment, Giri; the Nigerian Army School of Artillery in Kachia, Kaduna state and Office of the Military Secretary at the Army Headquarters Abuja. General Buratais transformative relics in Army welfarism are everywhere in Army formations in Nigeria.

In essence, General Buratai strikes special attention and stands tall in the midst of some Nigerian leaders because having sworn the oath of allegiance to his country to discharge his professional duties faithfully and dedicatedly, he has not slacked a second of a minute.

The funds committed to the development of the Nigeria Army and the welfare of Army personnel as practically verifiable could have been diverted by an uncultured leader for personal gains.

But General Buratai has proved to be different by signifying exceptional enthusiasm for the welfare and development of the Nigerian Army, in loyal service like Defoes Man Friday.

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2019 Armed Forces Remembrance Day | - on Legit.ng TV

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The main headlines in mainstream newspapers today, Friday, January 25, are focused on the southeast's request for the zone to be given the IGP slot and a spot on the Security Council, the threat by the US and UK to place visa restrictions on individuals who interfere in the Nigerian elections and recent developments in the ongoing trial of the chief justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen.

Kicking things off, The Nation is reporting that as President Muhammadu Buhari paid a visit to Onitsha, Anambra state on Thursday, January 24, to push his bid for re-election, Igbos tendered a list of requests to him.

They demanded that the president should appoint a south-easterner as inspector-general of police, stop Boko Harams insurgency and herders-farmers clashes and address marginalisation claims made by some regions.

The publication points out that the acting inspector-general of police, Mohammed Adamu, is from Lafia, Nasarawa state.

During the president's visit to Onitsha, he inaugurated the mausoleum of the First Republic president, the late Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe.

Front page of The Nation, Friday, January 25 (Photo credit: Legit.ng)

Source: Depositphotos

READ ALSO: Elections: Buhari must not be re-elected - Falae

On to the subject of the forthcoming general elections, The Guardian is reporting that the United States and United Kingdom have announced that those who unduly interfere with the exercise would face restriction of visas and other punitive measures.

Both countries, in two separate statements issued on Thursday, said they would be monitoring the elections closely to ensure that they are free, fair and credible.

The US, on its part, stressed that although it had no preferred candidate, it was interested in the process because of Nigerias relevance to Africa and the world.

Front page of The Guardian, Friday, January 25 (Photo credit: Legit.ng)

Source: Depositphotos

Mirroring the position of the previous publication, This Day reports that the US and UK have announced sanctions, including visa restrictions and other repercussions for election interference and election-related violence in Nigeria.

Both countries demanded that the elections be fair and transparent, as they noted that that the exercise is very important to not just Nigeria but Africa.

The publication also notes that the US said though it does not support any specific candidate or party in the upcoming elections, it supports the Nigerian democratic process and a genuinely free, fair, transparent, and peaceful electoral process.

Nigerias presidential and National Assembly elections hold on February 16, while those for the governorship and state Houses of Assembly are slated for March 2.

Front page of This Day, Friday, January 25 (Photo credit: Legit.ng)

Source: Depositphotos

Still on the matter, Punch is reporting that the decision of the US and UK to sanction individuals who meddle in Nigeria's elections has been welcomed by opposition political parties on the platform of the Coalition of Political Parties (CUPP).

The coalition made its position public in a statement issued in Abuja by its first national spokesperson, Imo Ugochinyere.

While lauding the foreign governments for their decision, Ugochinyere described them as the true gatekeepers of democracy.

He said in part: We, the opposition parties, are in full support of this decision by the UK and the USA, the true gatekeepers of democracy.

On Monday, we will be releasing a list of 15 Buhari/APC associates involved in pre-election crisis.

This statement from the UK and the US couldnt have come at a better time. We have on many occasions reiterated the need for this visa ban on perpetrators of election violence and we are glad that finally, it is going to happen."

Front page of The Punch, Friday, January 25 (Photo credit: Legit.ng)

Source: Depositphotos

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And rounding things off with an entirely different subject, Vanguard is reporting that palpable reprieve came the way of Justice Walter Onnoghen, the embattled chief justice of Nigeria, as the Abuja division of the Court of Appeal on Thursday ordered the Code of Conduct Tribunal to stay further proceedings on the federal government's six-count charge against the former.

According to the publication, the Danladi Umar-led tribunal was ordered by the court, to temporarily hands-off the matter till January 30, a date it fixed to deliver ruling on an appeal the embattled CJN lodged before it.

The order was given by a three-man panel of justices of the appellate court, led by Justice Abdul Aboki, after listening to counsel to the CJN and that of the federal government regarding what previously transpired at the tribunal.

Front page of Vanguard, Friday, January 25 (Photo credit: Legit.ng)

Source: Depositphotos

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Top 5 coolest facts about the Igbo people - on Legit TV:

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- Former Governor Isa Yuguda says he is ready to serve as a chairman of a local government if his people wanted such

- Yuguda reportedly says this to emphasise his readiness to work for the success of President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019

- Senator Godswill Akpabio says the youth and women remain important to the victory of the APC

A former governor of Bauchi state, Isa Yuguda, hosted the Central Working Committee (CWC) of the presidential support committee saying that he is ready to work as chairman of a local government if his people want him to do so.

The central working committee is a platform coordinating over 4,000 APC support groups for the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari, which is led by its national coordinator, Senator Godswill Akpabio.

Daily Trust reports that Yuguda said this to show he is prepared to take any role in the bid to ensure the victory of President Buhari on February 16, 2019.

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I have to thank Almighty God for us to be able to assemble and interact with one another. I listen to the national coordinator as they kick-start activities in earnest in order to ensure that we achieve the objective of successfully bringing back Mr President to his seat come February 2019.

Mr national coordinator, I recently joined. Since I joined, I have become a very active member. We have only few weeks to the presidential election. We are supposed to be working 24 hours.

We are very confident that you have what you need to succeed. As you did say, its not about positions you held, its about how effective you will be.

Whatever position you are holding, Im prepared to work as a local government chairman now, having been a two-time minister, two-time governor and a managing director of two banks.

So, if Im given a job of chairman of a local government today, and my people want me to serve them, I will do that.

We should humble ourselves. Its not about position, no, we dont have time. Lets just work together as a family, lets deliver, he said.

In his speech, Akpabio, who was governor of Akwa Ibom, said women and youth remain important to the victory of President Buhari.

We must ensure that from Abuja, we move right down to where elections are held. We must go back to the units. We must have unit collators, monitors, observers, and watchers.

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We must have those who will follow the results from the unit to the ward level, from the ward level to the local government level, and from local government level to the state level, and from the state level to the central collation point.

This is the reason why I believe strongly that we, PSC, have the capacity and spread. Let me say that we must bond together as a family. The only appointment I want you to have in mind is to be a coordinator for President Buhari in 2019 election, he said.

Legit.ng earlier reported that the governor of Oyo state, Abiola Ajimobi, declared that President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) are sure of massive votes from the south western region of Nigeria during the February 16, election.

However, Atiku Abubakar recently reacted to the news that Ghana had overtaken Nigeria as West Africas largest recipient of foreign direct investment saying he would reverse the trend if elected.

It was gathered that Atiku described the development as disappointing, pledging to make Nigeria regain its status as Africas top recipient of foreign direct investment (FDI) once he becomes the president during the 2019 presidential election.

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Nigerians rip Buhari, Atiku apart over absence at presidential debate | Legit TV

Source: Legit
Right now, it looks like we will be able to do it, but if the wind keeps picking up, it can cause the ice that is forming now to break up, he said. We really want to get it done so the family has closure.
Some gunmen suspected to be armed robbers have reportedly attacked a branch of a new generation bank located in Oke Ejigbo, Ila Orangun in Osun state.

The Punch, citing sources, reported that the bank raid reportedly occurred in the afternoon on Thursday, January 24. The newspaper stated that policemen and other security operatives were deployed to the scene of the said robbery to arrest the suspected criminals.

READ ALSO: Galadimas allegations are baseless - Oby Ezekwesili

The Nation reports that robbers numbering about eight attacked the bank around 2pm, blasting the banks security door with an explosive substance.

The newspaper said the hoodlums who operated for more than one hour reportedly carted away a substantial amount of money before escaping a police task force that raced to the scene.

Eye witnesses said three persons, including police security, were feared killed by gunmen, while several other people suffered injuries from stray bullets.

In another report, the Rivers state command of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has confirmed the kidnap of Anugbom Anuoha, the special adviser to Governor Nyesom Wike on lands and survey by unknown gunmen in military uniform.

The spokesperson of the police in the state, DSP Nnamdi Omoni, confirmed the development in a statement in Port Harcourt on Friday, January 18.

According to Omoni, the incident took place on Thursday at about 8.30pm at an unnamed hotel in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

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Meanwhile, Nigerian troops are reported to have killed 58 armed bandits in Zamfara state, but lost two soldiers in the operation, tagged Saharan Daji.

The operation took place at Dumburum and Gando forests of the state, the operations acting force Information officer, Major Clement Abiades statement said in Sokoto, The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

He said the bandits were killed on 20 January, 2019, at Dumburum and Gando forests when the troops encountered them in a large gang armed with sophisticated firearms and rocket propelled grenades (RPGs).

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Offa bank robbery: Why some residents were shot by armed robbers. Legit TV

Source: Legit.ng
- An NGO is organising a competition for young Nigerians to tell the story of democracy through arts

- This is an opportunity to enlighten many young people who are voting for the first time without knowing the genesis of democracy in Nigeria

- The target audience include talented students from tertiary institutions, primary schools and the grass root local community

A young led non-governmental organisation named Centre for Youth Participation Dialogue And Advocacy Africa (CYPA Africa) is organising a competition for young Nigerians.

The competition tagged 'Draw for Democracy Campaign' will feature young talented youth from all over the nation to tell the story of Nigeria's democracy through arts.

This was disclosed on Thursday, January 24, by the Executive Director of CYPA, Chris Iyama, at a press briefing in Abuja.

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Iyama said: The programme is centered on mobilising young Nigerians from different community to tell the story of democracy through arts that will depict the Nigerian democracy from 1999-2019, which marks the 20 year of Nigeria uninterrupted democracy.

We want to use this opportunity to enlighten many young people who are voting for the first time without knowing the genesis of democracy in Nigeria.

The draw campaign training session will be organized for the youth with such talent by CYPA Africa in the six geo political zone (southwest, southeast, south-south, northwest, northeast, north-central) with Lagos, Enugu, Port Harcout, Kaduna, Bauchi and Jos as the training centres.

After which a room will be given to tell the story of democracy by the youth, which will cover all the democratic experiences like the first democratic election of MKO Abiola, the inauguration of EFCC, the coming of card reader for election etc, permit me to quote former President Obasanjo, if you do not know history you will see history.

This project will incorporate all component of arts and the target audience include talented students from tertiary institutions, primary schools and the grass root local community. This campaign will not interrupt the electoral process and the forth coming election. The project will be unveiled in Plateau after this media launch.

He stated that all the arts work will be displayed in an art gallery in Abuja known as Democracy Art Gallery, to be commissioned by whoever emerges as the Nigerian president on May 29, 2019 (Democracy Day) after the election.

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Meanwhile, a civil society organisation, Youth Empowerment Solutions (YES), has launched a campaign against violence as Nigeria prepares for the 2019 general elections scheduled for February 16 and March 2.

The campaign tagged 'I Stand 4 Peace' is geared towards raising awareness that will engender peace, before, during and after elections.

Speaking at a press briefing/media launch of the campaign on Monday, January 21, Oche-Precious Edeh, the convener of the group, said YES will collaborate with other groups to embark on campaign tour of the country during the campaign.

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I am learned, I am educated but PVC is a NO | Legit TV

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- NAPTIP has revealed that there are between 20,000 and 45,000 kidnapped Nigerian women in Mali

- The anti-trafficking agency said many of the women were sold as sex slaves

- Some of the women were said to have been tricked into going to Mali by giving them the impression they were going to get jobs while others were abducted while going to school

- The Nigerian government has been criticised for failing to tackle human trafficking

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has revealed that it has found thousands of missing girls and women in southern Mali, many of whom were sold as sex slaves.

According to NAPTIP, there are between 20,000 and 45,000 kidnapped Nigerian women in Mali it intends to return to Nigeria.

Julie Okah-Donli, NAPTIP boss, told Al Jazeera that the women mostly came from rural areas of six different states in Nigeria.

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They were tricked into going to Mali by giving them the impression they were going to get jobs in hotels, for example. Some were actually abducted while going to school.

There are over one million Nigerian residents in Mali, out of which about 20,000 are trapped into forced prostitution. The conditions are horrible. They are kept in the thick of the forest where they cannot escape and with the 'madames' watching over them," she said.

According to a 2018 report by the US State Department, human trafficking is a major problem in Nigeria.

Nigerian victims of human trafficking were found in about 40 different countries, the report stated, adding that, 80 percent of all female Nigerian migrants in Italy are or will become sex trafficking victims.

The United Nations had criticised Nigeria for failing to tackle human trafficking after a human rights mission looked at efforts to stamp out the organised trade in people.

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Meanwhile, the Benin zonal command of NAPTIP recently revealed that it rescued no fewer than 52 victims of human trafficking in the third quarter of last year.

Nduka Nwanwenne, zonal commander of the agency comprising Edo and Delta, said that the rescue was made from July to September.

He also disclosed that within the period under review, 15 suspected human traffickers were arrested.

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Nigeria News 2018: BUSTED Police Arrest One-Chance Tricycle Thieves, Human Traffickers | Legit.ng TV

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- The Nigeria Police has deployed 1,711 officer to Niger state ahead of President Buhari's scheduled visit

- The police said these officers are expected to provide adequate security before, during and after the president's visit

- According to the police, the Niger command has taken concrete security measures to ensure a peaceful presidential visit

The police command in Niger has deployed 1,711 security officers to provide adequate security before, during and after President Muhammadu Buharis one day official visit to the state.

The presidents official visit to Niger is billed for Saturday, January 19.

The commissioner of police in the state, Dibal Yakadi, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Minna on Friday, January 18.

Yakadi said that an effective operational order on how to provide security at each of the places that the President was expected to visit had since been issued to the officers deployed for that purpose.

He said that President Buhari was expected to inaugurate the Baro River Port, Presidential Lodge at Baro in Agaie local government area , as well as launch the All Progressives Congress ( APC), Presidential Campaign rally at the Trade Fair Complex in the metropolis.

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He said that the command had taken concrete security measures to ensure a peaceful visit.

"We have mobilised sufficient armed personnel with modern working facilities to provide security cover for our president during and after the visit.

"We have since embarked on Operation Show Force with other security agencies to show our preparedness for the August visitor.

The commissioner warned politicians and party supporters against thuggery before during and after the visit.

According to him, the police will arrest and charge to court, any politician or youth caught perpetrating violence.

READ ALSO: Woman gets compensated after employer forced her to work on Sundays

He said that the police would not fold their hands and watch any politician or group of youths carry arms before, during and after the visit.

Yakadi added that the command had been proactive in responding to emergency calls across the state at all times.

"I wish to also solicit the cooperation of the public through the provision of timely and useful information to all divisions of the command across the state with a view to helping us respond to distress calls on time," he said.

Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that President Buhari arrived Kogi on Wednesday, January 16, to attend the All Progressives Congress (APC)'s presidential campaign rally in the state.

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The special adviser on media and publicity to the president, Femi Adesina, disclosed that the president attended the rally with the APC national president, Adams Oshiomhole; the Kogi state governor, Yahaya Bello and the governor of Plateau state, Simon Lalong.

Also, before the rally, President Buhari had held a meeting with some members of the Kogi State Traditional Rulers Council.

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Buhari will not attend presidential debate because he has to read - on Legit TV

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- Boko Haram has reportedly attacked Rann, a community in Borno state

- Several people are reported to have died in the attack, including some personnel of the Nigerian Army

- The attack which is the third in a row since the terrorists attacked the community in March, 2018, was carried out by fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province

- Following the attack, thousands of people are fleeing across the border to Cameroon, without food, water, or shelter

A fresh attack on Rann, the headquarters of Kala Balge local government area of Borno state by gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram terrorists has allegedly led to the death of several people including some personnel of the Nigerian Army.

The attack which occurred on Tuesday, January 15, was carried reportedly out by fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

READ ALSO: Come out if you have evidence of corruption against my administration - Buhari to Nigerians

Channels TV reports that both civilians and soldiers allegedly lost their lives during the attack.

This is the third attack on Rann since March last year. The first attack killed three aid workers and saw three others kidnapped. Two of the three were later executed. The last attack happened in early December.

Meanwhile, Legit.ng earlier reported that a former military head of state, Ibrahim Babangida, has urged the military authority to evolve new combat strategy to confront Boko Haram terrorists who have continued to carry out attacks in the northeastern parts of Nigeria.

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Babangida in a statement on Monday, January 14, in commemoration of the Nigerian Armed Forces Remembrance Day, saluted the armed forces for their commitment in ensuring peace in the country.

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Can Nigerian Soldiers really not deal with Boko Haram fighters?| Legit TV

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Kremer said the 1-acre site of the existing hospital at 218 Ogden Ave., is for sale as residential lots. He and his partners bought the hospital in 2007, doubled the business and soon outgrew the structure, he said. They wanted to replace it with a more modern facility on that site, but the residential zoning prevented that change.
Front-page

Brutally cold conditions blowing in

Staff file photo by Dan Reiland A UW-Eau Claire student shovels her sidewalks in January, shortly before record-setting February snowfall made shovels difficult to find at Chippewa Valley retailers. Staff photo by Dan Reiland A bundled up Stephanie Grose, a UW-Eau Claire senior from Stevens Point, shovels her sidewalks in Eau Claire on Jan. 24, 2019. View more photos at LeaderTelegramPhotos.com.

Brutally cold conditions are expected to envelop the region into next week, prompting local officials of offer advice on how to stay safe.

The best bet on days like were about to experience is to stay home if you can, said Genevieve Kragness, an emergency room nurse at HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital. If you have to venture out, be smart about what you wear, where you go and whats in your car.

Between Thursday afternoon and this morning, wind chills of 25 to 35 degrees below zero were expected, according to the National Weather Service. Arctic air is predicted to continue to dominate the region with dangerous wind chills expected through the middle of next week; the coldest air looks to arrive Tuesday and Wednesday.

Freezing temperatures, wind chills and winter storms can cause hypothermia, frostbite and even death, said Tyler Esh, Eau Claire County emergency management coordinator, noting 38 people died in the 2017-18 winter season in Wisconsin.

The best way to stay safe during extreme cold is to be prepared, said Lieske Giese, Eau Claire City-County Health Department director.

Kragness, Giese and Dr. Sue Cullinan, an emergency medicine physician at Mayo Clinic Health System, offered the following tips:

 Dress in layers; wear a hat, mittens and snow boots; and use a scarf to cover your mouth and face.

 Keep track of family members, especially young and old, friends and neighbors. This also goes for college students out for a night of drinking, Cullinan said.

 Use care in outdoor exertion, such as shoveling snow. Cullinan has seen an increase in people experiencing chest pain and heart attacks during cold weather.

 Dont run a propane heater, oven or grill inside your home or garage to keep warm. Using these appliances can increase risk for carbon monoxide poisoning, which can cause significant medical issues and even death.

 Make sure you have working carbon monoxide detectors. All homes and duplexes in Wisconsin are required to have properly working detectors on every level, including the basement but not the attic or storage areas, according to Giese.

 Limit alcohol use. Drinking can cloud someones judgment, resulting in him or her not realizing exactly how cold it is or how long he or she has been outside, Cullinan said.

 Limit time outdoors. Save  skating, sledding and running for a slightly warmer day, Kragness said.

 Stay dry. Wet skin is much more susceptible to frostbite because the skin loses heat more quickly, Kragness said.

 Be aware of the signs of frostbite and hypothermia.

Frostbite is an injury caused by freezing of the skin and underlying tissues, according to MayoClinic.com. Its most common in fingers, toes, nose, ears, cheeks and the chin.

Signs and symptoms, according to the website, include, at first, cold skin and a prickling feeling; numbness; red, white, bluish-white or grayish-yellow skin; hard or waxy-looking skin; clumsiness due to joint and muscle stiffness; and blistering after rewarming, in severe cases.

Hypothermia is abnormally low body temperature caused by prolonged exposure to the cold, Kragness said. It happens when the body begins to lose heat faster than its produced.

Symptoms include shivering, slurred speech, confusion and a low energy level after cold exposure, she said.

 If planning to travel, make sure your windows are clear and your vehicle is in good operating condition, said Bridget Coit, Eau Claire Police Department public information officer.

Kragness recommends carrying a blanket, flashlight and first aid kit in your car.

 Dont forget about your furry companions.

Longer-haired and thick-coated dog breeds, such as huskies and other dogs bred for colder climates, are more tolerant of cold weather; but no pet should be left outside for long periods in below-freezing weather, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.

For those who keep dogs outside, make sure the floor of the animals dog house is off the ground, and the house has thick, dry bedding, which is changed regularly, Coit said. In addition make sure the dog has access to water, and its not frozen.

If your dog has a short coat or seems bothered by cold weather, consider a sweater, dog coat and booties, she said. Check the animals paws frequently for signs of cold-weather injury or damage, like cracked pads.
He was found not guilty on two counts of official misconduct and two counts of theft of government property. Prosecutors dropped the most serious count, theft of $100,00 or more, before the case went to trial.
Phil Gruber is the news editor at Lancaster Farming. He can be reached at 717-721-4427 or pgruber@lancasterfarming.com. Follow him @PhilLancFarming on Twitter.
Rome, January 25 - Deputy Premier and Interior Minister Matteo Salvini said Friday that Rome has sent a letter to the government of the Netherlands telling it to take charge of the case of a ship run by the Sea-Watch NGO with 47 rescued asylum seekers aboard. The vessel has been allowed to enter Italian territorial waters due to bad weather, Italian coast guard sources said Friday. "Fifteen minutes ago I sent a letter to the Dutch government in which the it is officially and formally tasked with dealing with this vessel, which flies the Dutch flag, and of the passengers on board," Salvini said. Earlier on Friday fellow Deputy Premier and Labour and Industry Minister Luigi Di Maio said that he thinks the Dutch ambassador to Italy should be summoned over the ship. The city of Naples has said it is willing to allow the Sea-Watch ship to dock there. But League party leader Salvini ruled this out, saying his policy of refusing access to Italy's ports to NGO-run migrant-rescue ships is not changing. I can't wait to have them arrive, safe and sound, in another European country," Salvini said. "There's no space (for them) in Italy". The Netherlands said Friday it would not take in the migrants from NGO rescue ship Sea-Watch 3 as demanded by Italy, De Telegraaf reported. "Until there are European accords on structural solutions for the migrants on board the (migrant smuggler) boats, the Netherlands will not take part in ad hoc solutions," said Dutch Secretary of State for Asylum and Migration Mark Harbers, according to De Telegraaf. He said "the Netherlands has noted the Italian request, but is not responsible for the Sea-Watch 3".
Naples, January 25 - Swiss entrepreneur Stephan Schmidheiny, ex-CEO of asbestos company Eternit, was indicted Friday on charges of manslaughter in the death of six workers and two of their relatives of cancer due to exposure to asbestos in the plant at Bagnoli in Naples. The trial will start April 12.
Rome, January 25 - Venezuela parliament president and self-proclaimed president of the South American country Juan Guaido on Friday thanked Deputy Premier Matteo Salvini for his support against President Nicolas Maduro. "We appreciate the recognition of the will of all the Venezuelan people, which will continue to peacefully speak in the streets," said Guaido. Salvini came out Thursday against the Maduro regime. Opposition leader Guaido has indicated he would grant amnesty to embattled President Maduro if he cedes power. Guaido, who has declared himself interim president of the South American country amid mass demonstrations against Maduro, said "all those who are willing to side with the constitution" could be offered reprieves. Speaking from an undisclosed location, the 35-year-old National Assembly leader told the American Spanish-language TV channel Univison that an amnesty could also be offered to the president and his closest allies.
Rome, January 25 - Italy on Friday is commemorating the third anniversary of the disappearance of Giulio Regeni, a 28-year-old Cambridge University doctoral researcher who was tortured and murdered in Egypt. His killers have not been brought to justice and there is no sign of a breakthrough in the investigation into the homicide. Regeni, who was researching Egyptian street unions, disappeared on the heavily policed fifth anniversary of the uprising that ousted former strongman Hosni Mubarak in 2011. His mutilated body was found in a ditch on the highway to Alexandria just over a week later. Rome prosecutors have placed several Egyptian spies and police under investigation in relation to the case. Cairo has said its security forces are not to blame. "Three years have passed. And we must not stopping asking, every day, for #truthforGiulioRegeni," Lower House Speaker Roberto Fico said via Twitter. "And for that reason I will be in (Regeni's home town of) Fiumicello for a torchlight procession this afternoon". Regeni's family reiterated that they will not stop fighting to get to the truth either. "We are giving up, dear Giulio," said the researcher's mother, Paola Deffendi, via Facebook.
Rome, January 25 - Deputy Premier and Interior Minister Matteo Salvini said Friday that Rome has sent a letter to the government of the Netherlands telling it to take charge of the case of a ship run by the Sea-Watch NGO with 47 rescued asylum seekers aboard. The vessel has been allowed to enter Italian territorial waters due to bad weather, Italian coast guard sources said Friday. "Fifteen minutes ago I sent a letter to the Dutch government in which the it is officially and formally tasked with dealing with this vessel, which flies the Dutch flag, and of the passengers on board," Salvini said. Earlier on Friday fellow Deputy Premier and Labour and Industry Minister Luigi Di Maio said that he thinks the Dutch ambassador to Italy should be summoned over the ship. The city of Naples has said it is willing to allow the Sea-Watch ship to dock there. But League party leader Salvini ruled this out, saying his policy of refusing access to Italy's ports to NGO-run migrant-rescue ships is not changing. I can't wait to have them arrive, safe and sound, in another European country," Salvini said. "There's no space (for them) in Italy".
Rome, January 25 - Deputy Premier and Labour and Industry Minister Luigi Di Maio said Friday that he thinks the Dutch ambassador to Italy should be summoned over the case of a ship run by the Sea-Watch NGO with 47 rescued asylum seekers aboard. The vessel has been allowed to enter Italian territorial waters due to bad weather, Italian coast guard sources said Friday. "The Sea-Watch 3 ship will have medical and sanitary support from the Italian government if necessary but I invite it to point the bow towards Marseilles," 5-Star Movement (M5S) leader Di Maio said via Facebook. "As you can see in the photos, this ship is flying the Dutch flag and it is now a few kilometres from the Italian coast. "For this reason, I consider it opportune to immediately call the Dutch ambassador and ask him what his government's intentions are". Deputy Premier and Interior Minister Matteo Salvini on Thursday said the decision by a ship to head towards Italy was an "umpteenth provocation". On Friday he reiterated that the government's stance of refusing access to NGO-run migrant rescue ships to Italian ports was not changing. "I can't wait to have them arrive, safe and sound, in another European country," Salvini said. "There's no space (for them) in Italy". On Friday Transport Minister Danilo Toninelli said the Netherlands should receive the migrants as the ship is flying the Dutch flag.
Rome, January 25 - Finance police in Rome on Friday seized assets and real estate properties worth a total of 2.4 million euros from members of the local Casamonica-Guglielmi crime clan. Investigative sources said a probe revealed the assets owned by the two families was not compatible with the income they declared on their tax returns. The assets and eight real estate properties, including parts of a luxury villa in Rome's Anagnina area, were seized from Abramo Di Guglielmi, known as Marcello Casamonica, his sister Giulia and her husband Romolo Cerello, all members of the Casamonica-Guglielmi family. The suspects are allegedly involved in illegal activities including gambling, drug trafficking, armed robberies and thefts and fraud, investigative sources said.
Strasbourg, January 25 - The Council of Europe's Group of Experts on Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) on Friday expressed "concern" about the impact of Italy's new migration-and-security decree. The body said the legislation, drafted by Deputy Premier and Interior Minister Matteo Salvini, could have a negative impact on the identification of trafficking victims and in providing reception facilities for unaccompanied minors. GRETA's second report on Italy, published Friday, examined the country's situation until December 7, 2018.
Rome, January 24 - Deputy Premier and Interior Minister Matteo Salvini on Thursday said the decision by a ship run by the Sea-Watch NGO to head towards Italy with 47 rescued asylum seekers on board was an "umpteenth provocation". He added that the government's stance of refusing access to NGO-run migrant rescue ships was not changing. Sea-Watch says that it desperately needs a port of safety after rescuing the asylum seekers on Saturday. It said via Twitter that it was heading towards Italy to seek shelter because of a violent storm with seven-metre high waves. Fellow Deputy Premier and Labour and Industry Minister Luigi Di Maio said the Sea-Watch ship should go to France. "The Sea-Watch NGO ship, which is sailing towards Sicily, will have medical and sanitary support from the Italian government if necessary," 5-Star Movement (M5S) leader Di Maio said via Facebook. "After that, I invite it to point the bow towards Marseilles and get the people to disembark on French soil instead of pointlessly waiting in Italian waters for days".
I didnt impose the maximum fine last time but I am going to impose it today, he said. The village has the authority to increase those fines. I will tell you, at some point youre going to need to find a way to control the noise coming from your club.
(CNN)  When Ralph Turner arrived at his usual swimming spot, Deep Hole, about 12 miles from the remote Ltyentye Apurte (Santa Teresa) community in Australia's Northern Territory, he couldn't believe his eyes.

The 330-foot waterhole was dried up and the bodies of dozens of wild horses were strewn along its bed.

"I just couldn't believe it. I'd never seen anything like it. I didn't stop to count but there were lots and lots of them. It was devastating," Turner told CNN. "I just can't stop thinking of how they died, desperate for water in this heatwave. The horses used to be good and strong a couple of years ago."

Rohan Smyth, a media spokesperson for the local Aboriginal community, said the thirsty animals went looking for the water and, having found none, had nowhere to go.

"People in the local community take care of the feral horses. They are very concerned about the local wild animals' welfare," he told CNN.

The Central Land Council (CLC), a body that advocates for Aboriginal people in Central Australia, said in a statement Thursday that it had to euthanize more than 50 more horses near the waterhole because they were close to death.

"Horses and other feral animals are dying of thirst and hunger because many reliable water sources, such as Apwerte Uyerreme, have dried up in the current heatwave and areas overpopulated by feral animals suffer erosion and vegetation loss," the council said in the statement.

The CLC said it was planning to euthanize a further 120 camels, horses and donkeys dying from thirst in another remote community.

Since some residents are opposed to the cull, the council said, it is holding a community meeting with animal welfare officers to address the issue.

"Before a cull it is important to get the informed consent of the traditional owners of the Aboriginal land trusts we support," CLC director David Ross said.

"However in emergencies, such as last week in Ltyentye Apurte, we will go ahead without consent if necessary.

"With climate change well and truly upon us, we expect these emergencies to occur with increasing frequency and nobody is truly prepared and resourced to respond to them."

Record-breaking temperatures

Australia has been experiencing a record-breaking heatwave since the start of the year.

Temperatures in Alice Springs hit 42 degrees Celsius (107.6 Fahrenheit) for 14 consecutive days and counting, a new record for the area, according to the country's Bureau of Meteorology.

Health warnings were issued across New South Wales last week advising people to stay indoors during the hottest part of the day, minimize physical activity and keep hydrated.

Australia's wild animals are increasingly suffering from the high temperatures, with more than million fish reported dead and washed up on the banks of Murray-Darling river basin across the southeast, and colonies of bats falling from trees in Adelaide, according to CNN affiliate Nine News.

People have been warned to avoid contact with the bats as they can carry deadly diseases.

A report released by the Bureau of Meteorology last week showed that 2018 was Australia's third hottest year on record, with rainfall 11% below average

The report said climate change played a key role in the increase in the frequency or intensity of heat events, fire weather and drought.

This story has been updated to correct a miscalculation from Celsius to Fahrenheit.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Dozens of wild horses die of thirst in Australia's heatwave."
ABC FOX Montana has confirmed that the Flathead County Sheriff's Office is currently on the scene of a standoff in a Kalispell neighborhood.

Sheriff Brian Heino says that a report came in just before 7 p.m. of a person firing a shotgun in the area of Valley Drive.

When deputies arrived on the scene, he says the suspect began firing at them and then retreated into a home.

The Flathead County SWAT team and negotiators are currently on the scene, trying to resolve the situation.

In the mean time, Sheriff Heino is asking the public to avoid the area Valley Drive neighborhood. Roadblocks are currently being put into place.
The future growth of Billings could hinge on the decisions made this year in Helena.

Over over the last two months, we've gotten a better idea of what the One Big Sky District could look like. One state senator is trying to do his part to persuade other lawmakers to get behind a $125 million dollar proposal.

A proposal that could spur development in Yellowstone County and across the state.

Montana Senator Roger Webb says he's trying to think outside of the box to get funding for the One Big Sky District. His proposed plan would flip the investment on private industry.

"Private industry would have to put up $300 million of their own money and when that happens, then that series of triggers will kick in. The state would contribute money and the city would contribute money, only are they have a commitment that they've spent $300 million," said Webb.

Senator Webb wants private industry to build the development, prove it works, then the public will fund the rest of the project. Following the project's full build out, developers estimate there will be a $2.5 billion gain in state and local revenues.

"In fact in the bill we're looking at right now there will be a cap on the public contribution at $250 million between state and local so it's about a 10 to 1 return on investment," said Dan Brooks from the Billings Chamber of Commerce.

That means 87% of the One Big Sky District's funding is on the shoulders of private investors, leaving 13% to tax payers.

The Billings Chamber of Commerce says they're working with state legislators like Webb on the project to help bring a qualified workforce to local businesses.

The chamber says their projections show with the Baby Boomer generation beginning to retire, local businesses are turning to the Millennial and Gen-Z populations to fill those gaps.

"We know that those are kids coming through the education system are often time choosing to leave the state and so we are trying to make sure we can build communities that those kids want to come back to that we can grow our workforce and help our businesses thrive," Brooks said.

So will this legislative proposal go through in the 66th session in Helena?

State Senator Webb says, "We're establishing a very strong push to try to get something this session, if not we are going to lose two years. And who knows with construction costs, they're through the roof now. We want to wait another two years?"

To clarify, Webb's bill would only provide the state's funding at $125 million. Local municipalities would have to kick in the additional $125 million separately.

But, if Webb can get support for his proposal, that would open state dollars to similar projects to be developed elsewhere in the state.
According to an article published in The Washington Post, Friday, at least 14,000 IRS workers have not returned to work this week despite orders to do so.

The impact will be felt for those calling with tax questions. The Washington Post reports that the IRS had planned to have enough staff to answer 80% of calls, but at this time only 35% are actually being answered.

Average wait times have grown from 7 to 10 minutes to 25 to 40 minutes.

So how will the shortage of IRS workers affect Montana's tax payers? KULR-8 spoke with Becky Spencer, an enrolled agent who represents tax payers, to see what the shortage could mean come tax season.

Her answer? It shouldn't change much at all. Spencer says all the IRS processing is mostly done by computers. She says it's already in the works.

Spencer says so far, the testing on tax returns has been on time and she has received notification the IRS will start releasing the first funds.

Because of all this, she believes IRS tax returns should be released on schedule, and there shouldn't be any unusual problems except for unique cases.

"A lot of people are having some kind of collection or an audit issue or something like that but I would imagine they will automatically extend any deadline that you know, can't be met because of the shutdown and so I don't think it really affects the tax payers of Montana," said Spencer.

Spencer adds, the only reason Montanans could see a delay in their tax refunds is if they ask for it via a check instead of direct deposit to their bank.

For the full story click here -> At least 14,000 unpaid IRS workers did not show up for work as broad shutdown disruption hits tax agency, according to House aides
Working with airplanes in general  especially at our facilities  you need all your concentration to make sure youre doing your job the right way, Hall said. As much as you try to downplay (the government shutdown) while at work, you cant help but think about these things.
A family says they were left embarrassed at a Florida airport after an airline told them they couldn't stay on board because of other passengers complaining about their smell.

Yossi Adler, the airline passenger said, "There's no body odor that we have, there's nothing wrong with us."

Yossi Adler along with his wife Jennie and baby were wrapping up their vacation in Miami and heading back home to Detroit last night.. At least, that's what they planned.

The Adler family briefly boarded their American Airlines flight before they say they were asked to get off because passengers were complaining about their body odor.

Yossi said, "We don't have odor, okay? Nobody here has odor. Oh stop don't give me that. Oh stop."

This is cell phone video taken by Yossi talking with airline staff after being booted from their flight.

Yossi said, "They said they were taking our stuff off and they lied."

The Adlers say they were told their luggage would be taken off the plane, but that did not happen, leaving them with only the clothes on their back.

Jennie Adler said, "They have our car seat, stroller, everything."

American Airlines sent us a statement Wednesday night saying, "Mr. Adler and his wife were removed from the flight when several passengers complained about their body odor. They have been booked into a hotel for the night and given meal vouchers. They have been rebooked on a flight Thursday."

Yossi, Jennie and their 19-month-old daughter arrived to MIA early this morning in hopes they will be able to take off on their flight.

Jennie said, "We stopped several people in the airport and it's embarrassing but we asked them do you think we smell because we just got kicked off a plane for smelling. And they were like, oh my god we're so embarrassed for you that somebody would do such a thing, no."

Yossi said, "I'm very frustrated. I want them to own up to what really happened and to tell me the truth. What was it?"

The family made it back home to Detroit and were reunited with their luggage.

It's unclear if they've heard back from the airline since the incident.
When to take (or not take) aspirin to prevent heart trouble
Casey Smitherman, an Indiana school superintendent, is accused of pretending a sick student was her son so she could get him treatment. She's been arrested and charged with fraud, but the school board says it stands behind her.
Vancouver superintendent allowed to close schools due to safety reasons during strike as deadline to meet agreements nears
Most people whove had a horse that has made you so much pleasure or money or earned ribbons, they dont want to give them away, they want to take care of them, she said. They want the animals to enjoy their later years, she added.
Police: Keizer man backing up pickup on I-5 near Sutherlin dies in crash with semi
Auburn, IN (46706)

Today

Mostly cloudy this morning. Scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 82F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Partly cloudy skies after midnight. Low 63F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
Kendallville, IN (46755)

Today

Mostly cloudy early with scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 82F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low 63F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
Family members of Britten were in the courtroom, and following the hearing gathered outside as Eric Russell, acting as spokesman for the family, told reporters they remain in excruciating pain and are making funeral arrangements for Britten, who was known as Von.
Angola, IN (46703)

Today

Cloudy skies this morning followed by scattered showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 81F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

A few clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 62F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph.
Jackson was shot multiple times throughout his body and pronounced dead at the scene, officials said. The female victim, who was two months pregnant, was hit once in the upper left side of her body and underwent multiple surgeries. Shes been released from the hospital, but ended up losing the baby, he said.
The film opens with NASAs pictures of the power and dynamism of our sun, accompanied by Canadian composer John Estacios Solaris. In the second and third movement, Salgados photography of the Northern Lights is accompanied by Estacios Borealis and Wondrous Light.
Christopher Wayne Cleary, 27, has been charged with terrorism threats after he allegedly wrote on Facebook that he planned to kill "as many girls as I see" as payback for his virginity.
ST. LOUIS (KMOV.com)  Condolences are starting to pour in for an off-duty St. Louis police officer who was accidentally shot and killed in so
Police: 18-year-old arrested for alleged threat to blow up school, 'kill as many people as possible'
Global warming will have a variety of effects on our planet, yet it may also directly impact our human biology, research suggests.
ST. LOUIS (KMOV.com) -- A former Navy SEAL from St. Louis killed in Syria was laid to rest Wednesday.

Scott Wirtz, a navy SEAL of 10 years, had been working for the Defense Intelligence Agency since 2017. He completed three deployments for the agency in the Middle East.

The funeral mass was held at the Cathedral Basilica on Lindell. A big crowd turned out despite the rain.

U.S. military members, the Patriot Guard, St. Louis Fire Department and members of local law enforcement were on hand at Lambert Airport last Saturday when Wirtz's body arrived.

Flags were placed on every overpass between Lambert Airport and the funeral home when his body arrived in St. Louis.

The visitation for Wirtz was held Tuesday at Ortmann-Stipanovich funeral home in Creve Coeur.

After the funeral mass, a motorcade took his body to Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.
An interesting OIA find over here. A feminist who is against the changes to the Births Act to allow a change of sex on the birth certificate had been writing op-eds that were published on Scoop. After complaints Scoop not only stopped her contributing further, but deleted all her previous contributions without informing her.

She complained the Media Council. As part of Scoops defence the then editor wrote to a Green Party Minister and Under-Secretary asking for assistance with the complaint (which was dismissed).

What is interesting is the editor of a media outlet, asking a Minister and Under-Secretary for help. Scoop is known to be left-leaning but this interaction seems to be something new.

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(Kitco News) - Wall Street and Main Street both look for gold to rise next week, according to the Kitco News gold survey.

Traders and analysts cited a number of political and geopolitical uncertainties, as well as an expectation the U.S. Federal Open Market Committee will now be more cautious about raising interest rates. Policymakers are scheduled to meet next week.

I believe next week is a make-or-break week for gold, said Richard Baker, editor of the Eureka Miner Report. After two early attempts this month to break and stay above the mercurial $1,300-level, it is likely this time that the yellow metal will succeed on its push-pull ascent to $1,380-plus in the first half of 2019.

Eighteen market professionals took part in the Wall Street survey. There were 13 votes, or 72%, calling for higher prices. One respondent, or 6%, said lower, while four, or 22%, said sideways.

Meanwhile, 266 respondents took part in an online Main Street poll. A total of 126 voters, or 47%, called for gold to rise. Another 77, or 29%, predicted gold would fall. The remaining 63 voters, or 24%, see a sideways market.

Wall Street Bullish Bearish Neutral VS Main Street Bullish Bearish Neutral

In the last survey, Wall Street was evenly split on gold-price direction for this week, while 58% of Main Street was bullish on gold. As of a.m. EST, Comex February gold futures trading 1.2% higher for the week so far to $1,297.60 an ounce.

I am bullish on gold for next week. Between the Fed meeting, ongoing earnings, U.S.-China talks and the shutdown, I think there could be significant volatility, which may attract renewed interest in gold, said Colin Cieszynski, chief market strategist at SIA Wealth Management.

I see a test of $1,300, said Peter Hug, global trading director for Kitco Metals.

Ole Hansen, head of commodity strategy at Saxo Bank, said that he is bullish on gold next week as there are significant geopolitical and macro-economic risks that could push prices through $1,300 an ounce.

If we see any major upsets in the global economy, then gold could break $1,300 an ounce, Hansen said. U.S. equity markets have significantly improved this past month, but gold has managed to hold key support. I dont think investors should ignore the underlying demand for gold as a safe-haven asset.

George Gero, managing director with RBC Wealth Management, looks for gold gains on an acceleration of worries globally. The metal was bolstered Friday by political uncertainty in the U.S., political uncertainty in [the] euro zone, political uncertainty in Venezuela and pockets of South America, and upcoming China-U.S. tariff trade talks.

Charlie Nedoss, senior market strategist with LaSalle Futures Group, said he looks for gold to test new highs. For the April futures, the 10-day moving average is around $1,293 and the 20-day at $1,293.80. A close above $1,294 is very positive, he said.

Adam Button also looks for gold prices to move higher, commenting that the final countdown toward the Lunar New Year  and gift-giving demand  should keep a tailwind behind gold.

David Madden, senior market analyst at CMC Markets, said that technically gold has a chance to break through $1,300 an ounce.

There is not much to hold gold back now as the Fed is expected to sit on its hands, he said.

Fawad Razaqzada, technical analyst at City Index, said that he also sees gold prices pushing through $1,300 next week as the bias for the U.S. dollar is bearish in the near term as the Federal Reserve joins other central banks in a dovish shift in monetary policy.

Because of disappointing economic data out of China and Europe, the Fed now has genuine reasons to pause their monetary policy tightening, he said.

Sean Lusk, director of commercial hedging with Walsh Trading, said higher, pointing to signs of improvement in physical demand. Seasonality is big for me, he said, explaining that gold tends to get a bid from the start of the year through the Lunar New Year and Valentines Day. China He also cited news from earlier this month  that Chinas central bank resumed purchases in December  as helpful for the mood in gold.

Jim Wyckoff, senior technical analyst with Kitco, called for the gold market to be sideways and choppy, commenting that charts have turned less bullish but not outright bearish.

Adrian Day, chairman and chief executive officer of Adrian Day Asset Management, sees flat prices over the next week.

Gold has been strong recently, but some developments could see it pause, he said. If the U.S. government shut down ends or there is progress with China trade talks, gold would pull back. Moreover, it will likely need more than one assault of the psychologically important $1,300 level to break through. I remain very bullish, but the next week or so could see a flat price.
By Anne Marie Roantree and Sijia Jiang

HONG KONG, Jan 25 (Reuters) - A senior Alibaba executive slammed the United States' treatment of China's Huawei Technologies as "extremely unfair", saying measures by the country to curb the firm's access to their markets was "very politically motivated".

Joe Tsai, the e-commerce giant's executive vice-chairman, also sharply criticised what he called an attempt by the U.S. government to curb China's rise via a trade war.

He struck an optimistic note about China's economy, saying it remained fundamentally strong despite a slowdown, and added that stimulus such as tax cuts needed to be imposed to prop it up even as it battles U.S. efforts to dent its businesses.

U.S. President Donald Trump's administration has not only slapped crippling tariffs on Chinese imports, it has also stepped up scrutiny of Chinese investments in the country and torpedoed many deals citing national security concerns.

Huawei, the world's biggest network equipment maker, has been caught up in the crosshairs, with the United States alleging its products could be used by Beijing for espionage.

Huawei has repeatedly denied the allegation.

"I think what the American government and together with the Five Eyes Alliance  what they're trying to do with Huawei - is a bit unfair, there's definitely a political agenda behind it," Tsai said at a Reuters BreakingViews event in Hong Kong.

The United States and its allies, Australia and New Zealand, have restricted Huawei's access to their markers, while Canada and the United Kingdom are reviewing whether to curb access.

Last month, Meng Wanzhou, Huawei's finance chief, was arrested in Canada, sparking a diplomatic row between Canada and China. She faces extradition to the United States. Tsai, a Canadian passport holder, said he hoped the relationship between Canada and China would improve.

"I love Canadians, they're great," Tsai joked when asked about Meng's arrest, calling it a politically charged question.

"ANTI-CHINA PROBLEM"

Relations between Washington and Beijing have deteriorated rapidly amid a tit-for-tat escalation in tariffs that has roiled financial markets and raised fears over the impact on global supply chains and investment plans.

"President Trump may have started it focusing on the trade deficit itself ... but over the course of the last nine months it was blown into a bigger anti-China problem," Tsai said, adding the trade war has spurred anti-China sentiment. "It worries everybody."

Alibaba has been previously critical of the trade war as well, with founder Jack Ma calling the spat the "most stupid thing in the world."

The company, which promised in 2017 to create a million U.S. jobs, backed out last year, blaming the trade war.

Tsai said U.S. regulators had made it very difficult for Alibaba to make investments in the country, adding that the company would look at other parts of the world for investment.

Just last year, a U.S. government panel rejected a bid by Ant Financial, which Ma owns together with Alibaba executives, to buy U.S. money transfer company MoneyGram International Inc on national security concerns.

Among the most high-profile Chinese deals to be scuttled under the Trump administration, the $1.2 billion deal's failure was a major blow for Ma, who was looking to expand Ant's footprint amid fierce competition back home from rival Tencent Holdings Ltd's WeChat.

CHINA OPTIMISM

Brushing aside the pains of the trade war, Tsai said people were over worried about China's economy. Chinese consumers are still fundamentally very strong and consumption in China is going to grow over the next 5-10 years, he said.

Comments from Tsai come at a time when China's economic growth has slowed to its weakest pace in nearly three decades amid faltering domestic demand and bruising U.S. tariffs.

Growth is expected to ease further this year.

Tsai said Alibaba will continue to invest aggressively despite the uncertain business environment.

Asia's second most valuable public company has been investing heavily in offline retail and rural e-commerce to win new customers as China's urban market shows signs of saturation.

(Reporting By Anne Marie Roantree in Hing Kong and Sijia Jiang; Additional reporting by Cate Cadell in Beijing; Writing by Sayantani Ghosh; Editing by Himani Sarkar)
(Adds Goldman Sachs comments, reaction)

By Huw Jones

LONDON, Jan 25 (Reuters) - British lawmakers launched an inquiry on Friday to plot the best way forward for finance after Brexit as Goldman Sachs warned it could cut jobs if the United Kingdom crashes out of the bloc without an agreement in two months' time.

The inquiry will determine if the country should track European Union rules or cut loose to best serve its financial sector after Brexit.

Finance is Britain's biggest tax raising sector, earning government coffers more than 70 billion pounds ($91 billion)

each year, and the EU is the sector's largest single customer. "London is the world's premier financial centre, and many of us want to keep it that way," Treasury Select Committee chair Nicky Morgan said in a statement.

Britain has yet to secure a divorce settlement with the EU to avoid leaving the bloc on March 29 without any framework, leaving banks, insurers, asset managers and trading platforms in Britain with European customers scrambling to open new EU hubs.

Goldman Sachs Chief Executive Officer David Solomon told the BBC in Davos that the bank would invest less in Britain if there is a difficult or hard Brexit.

"But I would say that, over time, if this is resolved in a difficult way or a hard way, it'll have an impact on where we invest and where we put people," Solomon said.

A vote in parliament next Tuesday could take a no-deal Brexit off the table, but it would remain unclear what would replace it.

Supporters of Brexit say departure from the EU is an opportunity to trim the rulebook and keep the City of London competitive as a global financial hub.

British regulators want to stay aligned with the EU and have ruled out a "bonfire" of regulations, warning about the perils of "light touch" rules that led to the financial crisis.

The committee said on Friday it will look at what Britain's priorities should be when it negotiates future trading relations with the EU and other countries.

The EU has said that Britain's financial sector faces the same patchy and unpredictable system of market access as other non-EU countries like the United States and Japan.

Brussels grants access to foreign financial firms if their home regulation stays "equivalent" or closely aligned with the bloc's own rules, a determination that has no timetable.

Miles Celic, chief executive of TheCityUK, which promotes Britain's financial services abroad, said there is no appetite in the industry to take a bulldozer to current rules.

"The UKs reputation for quality regulation and high standards is a key competitive advantage," Celic said.

Stephen Jones, head of UK Finance, a banking industry body, said Britain must avoid fragmenting markets.

"We also need to ensure the UKs tax policy is globally competitive," Jones said.

The committee will make recommendations to the government and regulators.

($1 = 0.7673 pounds)

(Reporting by Huw Jones Editing by Alexander Smith and Raissa Kasolowsky)
(Reuters) - The partial shutdown of the U.S. government that entered its 35th day on Friday is stoking fears of a wider slowdown on the worlds largest economy.

Economic growth is expected to take a hit in the current quarter because of the shutdown, a Reuters poll of economists showed on Friday, while a dearth of data is already impacting traders in U.S. fixed income and currency markets.

U.S. companies say the shutdown is hurting their businesses and can cause more damage if it persists.

Here is a sector-wise breakdown of how some of the biggest U.S. companies have reacted to the governments shutdown:

FINANCE

Morgan Stanley - Chief Executive Officer James Gorman said it would be extremely negative for the initial public offering market if the shutdown goes on much longer.

This is not the way the U.S. should be working, Gorman said, speaking in a CNBC interview at Davos.

JPMorgan Chase & Co - J.P. Morgan economists reduced their outlook for U.S. economic growth in the first quarter to 1.75 percent from 2 percent as the shutdown has stretched to a second month.

CEO Jamie Dimon said the shutdown will hurt the economy if it persists. We dont know exactly what it is going to do, but it is not a positive, he said on a conference call.

Carlyle Group - Co-executive Chairman David Rubenstein said at the Word Economic Forum at Davos that if the shutdown continued much longer, it could really impair the economy of the United States.

Citigroup Inc - The bank said it was yet to see an effect on business from the shutdown, but that could change if the shutdown continued.

BlackRock Inc - CEO Larry Fink warned the shutdown will hit economic growth temporarily.

CONSUMER

Procter & Gamble Co - CEO David Taylor says if the shutdown continued, it would be a serious concern.

Tiffany & Co - CEO Alessandro Bogliol says issues such as Brexit, protests in France and the U.S. shutdown makes me more cautious about sales and earnings forecasts, and said he expects a couple of very tough quarters.

VF Corp - The company said the shutdown has the potential to delay the public filing of Kontoor brands.

AIRLINES

SouthWest Airlines - The company said the shutdown had knocked between $10 million and $15 million off its revenue so far in January.

American Airlines Group Inc - The company said there has been some slowness in 0-14 day bookings due to the shutdown, but is yet to determine a dollar value from the shutdowns impact.

Federal Aviation Administrations approval of two Boeing MAX 8 aircraft that the company has taken delivery of, is on hold due to the shutdown.

JetBlue Airways Corp - CEO Robin Hayes said the U.S. aviation system is nearing a tipping point due to the partial shutdown, which may cause delays, long lines and canceled flights.

Delta Air Lines Inc - The partial government shutdown will cost $25 million per month as government workers reduce travel, the company said.

Delta said that Airbus A220 start date is likely to be pushed back due to the shutdown.

United Continental Holdings Inc - The airline has seen pockets of issues, but no big impact on fly waits. United said it would have a better sense of the impact after the first quarter.

ROAD TRANSPORTATION

Roadrunner Transportation Systems Inc - The company revised the timing of a rights offering due to the shutdown.

AUTOMOTIVE

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles - CEO Mike Manley said at the Detroit Auto Show that the shutdown had delayed final certification of FCAs new RAM 3500 heavy-duty pickup truck, one of its most profitable segments.

Ford Motor Co - The company said some vehicles could be delayed if the shutdown continues another 30 days.

COMMUNICATIONS

T-Mobile US - CEO J. Braxton Carter said any delay was a concern as its prepaid business, roughly 30 percent of sales, was particularly sensitive to tax refunds.

ENERGY

Enterprise Products Partners LP - The shutdown has delayed the firms plan to build a major U.S. crude export terminal off Houston, blocking the pipeline operator from filing paperwork with U.S. regulators.

HEALTHCARE

Aimmune Therapeutics Inc - The biotech firm was notified by the FDA that as a result of the shutdown it will not start a review of companys Biologics License Application (BLA) for Ar101 - an oral immunotherapy for treating peanut allergy in children.

INDUSTRIALS/MATERIALS

Boeing - The aircraft-maker said the shutdown has not had a material impact on its business to date, but it may begin to weigh on its operational efficiency and pose other challenges for the aviation sector in general, CNBC reported on Wednesday.

Bemis Co Inc - The closing date for the companys $5.25 billion takeover by Amcor Ltd has been delayed by a quarter with Amcor citing regulatory logjam due to the shutdown.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Microsoft - President and chief legal officer Brad Smith told CNBC, It is not good for business. The sooner we can come together, the better off well all be. We can debate forever how much damage a closed government will cause to the economy, but there is one thing that is indisputable: it doesnt help.
LONDON (Reuters) - Queen Elizabeth has sent a delicately coded message to Britains factious political class over Brexit, urging MPs to seek common ground and grasp the big picture to resolve the crisis.

With the clock ticking down to March 29, the date set in law for Britain to leave the European Union, the United Kingdom is in the deepest political crisis in half a century as it grapples with how, or even whether, to exit the European project it joined in 1973.

While Elizabeth, 92, did not mention Brexit explicitly in an annual speech to her local Womens Institute in Norfolk, the monarch said every generation faced fresh challenges and opportunities.

As we look for new answers in the modern age, I for one prefer the tried and tested recipes, like speaking well of each other and respecting different points of view; coming together to seek out the common ground; and never losing sight of the bigger picture, the queen said.

Though steeped in the conventional language the queen has made her hallmark, the remarks in the context of Britains crisis are a signal to politicians to sort out the turmoil that has pushed the worlds fifth largest economy to the brink.

Shes been a gold standard monarch for very nearly 67 years now and this is a particularly gilt-edged moment, I think its very important what she said and how she said it, historian Peter Hennessy said.

Buckingham Palace declined to comment though the British media was clear about the significance of her remarks. The Times headline read: End Brexit feud, Queen tells warring politicians.

As head of state, the queen remains neutral on politics in public and is unable to vote, though ahead of the 2014 referendum on Scottish independence she made a delicately crafted plea for Scots to think carefully about their future.

GOLDMAN WARNING

The future of Brexit remains unpredictable with options ranging from a disorderly exit that would spook investors across the world to a new referendum that could reverse the process.

Prime Minister Theresa May is engaged in a last-ditch bid to win support for a tweaked divorce deal after parliament this month crushed the original plan in the biggest defeat in modern British history.

The Northern Irish party which props up Mays minority government has decided to back her new deal if it includes a time limit to the Irish backstop, The Sun newspaper reported.

May has been meeting MPs to discuss a range of options on how to address concerns on the backstop, an insurance policy aimed at avoiding a hard border in Ireland should the two sides fail to agree any other solution.

The point we are at the moment is that work is ongoing, as to what we may eventually bring forward and potentially discuss with Brussels, we are not there yet, her spokesman said.

Sterling scaled a high of $1.3140 for the first time since Nov. 8 in Asia, before edging back to trade at $1.3095, as traders bet Brexit will be delayed. Options markets indicated sterling could rise to the mid-$1.30s.

But in a sign of the turmoil at the heart of government, finance minister Philip Hammond declined to say if he would quit if Britain left the EU without a deal that he predicted would lead to significant short-term disruption and hurt the economy.

France and other European powers said they were preparing for the worst.

Goldman Sachs will invest less in the United Kingdom if there is a difficult or hard Brexit, Chief Executive Officer David Solomon said.

Our headcount in the UK over the last couple of years has not gone down but it hasnt gone up either - we have added head count you know on the continent, Solomon told the BBC in Davos.

But I would say that, over time, if this is resolved in a difficult way or a hard way, itll have an impact on where we invest and where we put people, he said.
NEW YORK/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Roger Stone, a self-proclaimed Republican dirty trickster and ally of U.S. President Donald Trump for 40 years, was arrested on Friday on charges of lying to Congress about the release of stolen Democratic Party emails during the 2016 campaign.

Stone is one of the closest Trump associates to be charged by Special Counsel Robert Mueller in his investigation into whether Trumps campaign colluded with Russia to help win the election.

The 66-year-old veteran political operative was arrested by the FBI in a predawn raid at his Florida home.

The charges against him add to pressure on Trump as the newly installed Democratic majority in the House of Representatives plans to step up investigations of the president while a month-long partial shutdown of the U.S. government over Trumps demand for funding for a border wall drags on.

Greatest Witch Hunt in the History of our Country! NO COLLUSION!, Trump said on Twitter following Stones arrest, using his most common slur for the Mueller probe.

Mueller said in court papers that Stone had advance knowledge of a plan by WikiLeaks to release the emails, which some political analysts say may have contributed to Trumps stunning election defeat of Democrat Hillary Clinton.

The indictment refers to coordination between Stone and a senior Trump campaign official, who a source identified as Steve Bannon.

Stone was charged with seven criminal counts, including obstruction of an official proceeding, witness tampering and making false statements.

STONE BLASTS INQUISITION

In a rowdy scene outside a courthouse in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Stone said he had done no wrong.

After a two-year inquisition the charges today related in no way to Russian collusion, WikiLeaks coordination or any other illegal act in connection with the 2016 campaign, he told reporters after the hearing, flashing the twin V for Victory signs that late President Richard Nixon was famous for.

A crowd chanted Lock Him Up, an inversion of the Lock Her Up chant that Trump and his surrogates led against Clinton at rallies during the 2016 campaign. Someone played the Beatles song Back in the U.S.S.R.

Stone denounced his arrest as politically motivated and complained that arresting agents had threatened his dogs. A judge released him on a $250,000 bond and ordered him to limit his travel to South Florida, New York City and Washington.

The indictment showed Stone using language evoking mob bosses  and even cited a Godfather movie  as he called an unnamed associate facing FBI inquiries a rat. A stoolie in a series of profanity-laced messages.

Stone was an early Trump backer whose reputation as an aggressive political operative dates back to the Watergate scandal of the 1970s when he was working for Nixon. He has a tattoo of the face of the disgraced Republican former president on his back.

WikiLeaks, which is referred to as Organization 1 in the indictment, did not respond to a request for comment.

Thirty-five people have pleaded guilty, been indicted or otherwise swept up in the Russia inquiry, which has clouded Trumps two-year-old presidency.

Those people include former close associates of Trump such as his one-time lawyer Michael Cohen and former campaign chairman Paul Manafort as well as 12 Russian intelligence officers.

White House, press secretary Sarah Sanders said the Stone indictment was unrelated to the president.

The charges brought against Mr. Stone have nothing to do with the president, has nothing to do with the White House, she told CNN. The president did nothing wrong.

The charging documents included new details about the alleged activities of Trump aides, including an incident in which a senior campaign official was directed to contact Stone about any additional releases and what other damaging information Organization 1 had regarding the Clinton Campaign.

The indictment referred to an October 2016 email from the high-ranking Trump Campaign official asking Stone to inquire about future releases of emails by Organization 1. Stone responded that Organization 1 would release a load every week going forward.

The high-ranking official is Bannon, Trumps former campaign chief, according to a person familiar with the matter. Bannon did not respond to a request for comment.

STUMP CALL TO RUSSIA

The interactions with Wikileaks covered in the indictment occurred days before Trump famously called out to Russia in a campaign stump speech for help finding missing emails from Clintons time as secretary of state, according to Democratic U.S. Representative Adam Schiff.

Russia, if youre listening, I hope youre able to find the 30,000 emails that are missing, Trump said on the campaign, a comment that vexed intelligence experts and prompted Democrats to accuse him of urging a foreign country to spy on Americans.

At the very time that then-candidate Trump was publicly encouraging Russias help in acquiring Clinton-related emails, his campaign was privately receiving information about the planned release of stolen Clinton emails, Schiff said in a statement.

The Kremlin has denied interfering with the 2016 election..

Stones ties to Trump go back decades. Stone has urged Trump to run for president since 1988, was chairman of his presidential exploratory committee in 2000 and was a consultant when Trump considered running in 2012, according to Stones 2017 book about Trumps campaign for the White House.

Stone briefly worked for the Trump campaign but left in August 2015. The campaign said it fired him after he tried to grab too much of the spotlight while Stone insisted that he quit.

Even after Stone left his official position in the campaign, he still played a key promotional role and communicated with people in Trumps camp.
By Rajendra Jadhav and Karthika Suresh Namboothiri

MUMBAI/BENGALURU, Jan 25 (Reuters) - Demand for physical gold in India improved slightly this week as local prices eased from their highest level in over five years, while buying gathered steam in China ahead of the Lunar New Year festival.

Dealers in India were offering a discount of up to $5 an ounce over official domestic prices, down from last week's discount of $7. The domestic price includes a 10 percent import tax.

Demand has been slowly improving from retail buyers but still, higher prices are deterring many consumers, said Harshad Ajmera, the proprietor of JJ Gold House, a wholesaler in the eastern Indian city of Kolkata.

Gold dealers are now awaiting a budget presentation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government on Feb. 1.

"Some jewellers are postponing purchases expecting a duty cut in the next week's budget," said a Mumbai-based dealer with a global trading firm.

The bullion industry has been urging a tax reduction to combat smuggling, which has increased since India raised the import duty to 10 percent in August 2013 to narrow its current account deficit.

India's gold imports in December fell 24.3 percent from a year ago to $2.57 billion, trade ministry data showed. Also seeing strong buying was top consumer China, with premiums ranging from $9.50 to $11.50 an ounce versus last week's $6-$9 range.

Prices in Hong Kong were between flat and about a $1.20 premium over the benchmark.

International benchmark spot gold prices traded in a tight range, between $1,276.31 and $1,286.54 an ounce, but were on course for a small weekly gain, buoyed by concerns surrounding global growth and a prolonged U.S. government shutdown. "January is a typically strong month as seasonal demand picks up," said Samson Li, a Hong Kong-based precious metals analyst at Refinitiv GFMS, adding the market is busy anticipating the Lunar New Year.

Demand tends to gather pace going into the Lunar New Year, which falls during the first week of February, since gold is considered a popular gift during this period.

The festive season also helped lift buying in Singapore, where premiums charged ranged from 60 cents to 70 cents, versus 80 cents to $1.50 in the previous week.

"There is some demand, but generally, most (buyers) are looking to get it lower before good demand kicks in," said a trader based in Singapore.

Japanese gold demand was stable, finding support from uncertainties in trade talks between the United States and China, a Tokyo-based trader said, adding prices were on par with the benchmark.

(Reporting by Karthika Suresh Namboothiri in Bengaluru; editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise)
NEW YORK/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trumps longtime ally Roger Stone was arrested on Friday on charges of obstruction, witness tampering and making false statements related to the release of stolen Democratic Party emails during the 2016 presidential campaign.

Stone, an adviser to Trump in his unorthodox bid for the White House, was arrested in the predawn darkness on Friday and scheduled to appear at the federal courthouse in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, at 11 a.m. EST (1600 GMT).

The indictment ends months of speculation that Stone would be charged as part of Special Counsel Robert Muellers probe into Russias alleged interference in the 2016 campaign to help Trump defeat Hillary Clinton.

Stone was charged with seven criminal counts accusing him of lying to Congress about his public statements and communications with others suggesting he may have had advance knowledge of plans by Wikileaks to release hacked emails.

Grant Smith, Stones lawyer, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Stone has previously denied any wrongdoing. WikiLeaks, which is referred to as Organization 1 in the indictment, did not respond to a request for comment.

The Stone indictment is unrelated to the president or the White House, press secretary Sarah Sanders said on Friday. The charges brought against Mr. Stone have nothing to do with the president, has nothing to do with the White House, she told CNN. The president did nothing wrong.

The charging documents included new details about the activities of Trump aides, including an incident in which a senior campaign official was directed to contact Stone about any additional releases and what other damaging information Organization 1 had regarding the Clinton Campaign.

The indictment referred to an October 2016 email from the high-ranking Trump Campaign official asking Stone to inquire about future releases of emails by Organization 1. Stone responded that Organization 1 would release a load every week going forward.

The high-ranking official is Steve Bannon, Trumps former campaign chairman, according to a person familiar with the matter. Bannon is considered a witness in Muellers probe and is not at risk of being charged, the source said. Bannon did not respond to a request for comment.

The indictment was not unexpected, but it is still significant because it alleges coordination between the Trump Campaign and WikiLeaks, said Barbara McQuade, a former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan.

Stone was charged with one count of obstruction of an official proceeding, five counts of making false statements and one count of witness tampering, according to the indictment. The charges relate to Stones testimony before congressional committees probing Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election.

CNN, in video of the arrest, showed a heavily armed FBI team taking Stone away from his home in the dark just before 6 a.m. EST (1100 GMT) on Friday and Stone surrendering without any issue.

Michael Caputo, a longtime Stone associate and former Trump campaign adviser, said he expected Stone to fight the charges.

This has been rumored to be coming down for several months, so Roger and his legal team are ready to fight these charges in court, Caputo told Reuters. They cant prove collusion or conspiracy because it doesnt exist, so theyre going after him personally. He will be vindicated.

AGENT PROVOCATEUR

This is not some casual, low-level contributor to the Trump Campaign. This is someone who had been very active in Republican Party politics for a long time, Democratic U.S. Senator Chris Coons told MSNBC in an interview.

A self-described agent provocateur of the American right and Republican veteran of Washington and New York City politics, Stone has a tattoo of the face of late president Richard Nixon on his back. His political career began with the Nixon presidential campaign in 1972.

The indictment described in detail numerous emails and text messages during the 2016 campaign in which he discussed Organization 1, its head, and its possession of hacked emails.

Stone still possessed many of those communications when he gave false testimony about them, prosecutors said in the indictment.

He also tried to persuade a witness to provide false testimony and withhold information from the congressional investigations, the indictment said.

U.S. prosecutors pointed to two other individuals, including an unnamed political commentator with an online publication who regularly spoke with Trump throughout the campaign, a description that matches Jerome Corsi. They also described a radio host who Stone had known for more than 10 years, which matches the profile of Randy Credico.

Corsi declined to comment and Credico did not immediately respond to request for comment.
Michael Connor

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The U.S. governments partial shutdown might be enough to tip Americas economy into recession if it runs longer than another month, a former White House aide said on Thursday.

SkyBridge founder and co-managing partner Anthony Scaramucci, who was the presidents communications chief for 10 days in 2017, said in an interview in the Reuters Global Markets Forum that the disruption now in its 34th day, also weighed on the presidents prospects for re-election in two years.

Economist at J.P. Morgan on Thursday reduced their estimate of first quarter U.S. economic growth to 1.75 percent from 2 percent because of the shutdown.

The following are excerpts from the LiveChat at the World Economic Forum in Davos with Scaramucci:

Question: Do you see economic fallout from the shutdown. Is it enough to push the U.S. economy into recession?

Answer: (The government disruption) will lead to slower growth this year globally. It is not significant enough but, if it lasts longer than another month, it will be.

Q: If the dispute between the Democrats and the president is resolved soon, what are your expectations for the U.S. economy?

A: Low risk of recession (during) 2019, but goes up in mid-2020.

Q: Are you making any changes in your portfolios at Skybridge because of the prospects of recession?

A: No change to our portfolio.

Q: Politically speaking, is the shutdown a political plus or minus for the president?

A: A-minus ... They are in a Gordian knot with both sides having no face-saving way out.

Q: What are the odds of the president being re-elected?

A: 60/40. 60 to get re-elected.

Q: Do you have any contact with the president these days? Do you have any informal role?

A: Speak to him once a month. No formal role.

Reporting by Michael Connor in New York, Divya Chowdhury in Davos and Parikshit Mishra in Bengaluru; Editing by Alistair Bell
Earlier this week, Newmont Mining (NEM) rocked the gold world when it announced its $10 billion purchase of Goldcorp (GG).

The all share deal will give each Goldcorp shareholder nearly a 1/3 share of Newmont.

Not having much to cheer about, Goldcorp shareholders (I didnt own any) will be happy to take the 17% premium. But its a better deal for shareholders than the rumored Newcrest Mining deal. It was offered to the board of Goldcorp at no premium just before Christmas.

When this deal is complete, Newmont/Goldcorp will be the largest producing gold company in the world. It will pump out between 6 and 7 million ounces of gold every single year for at least a decade.

Newmont will also strengthen its balance sheet through operational efficiencies which could add up to $100 million and noncore dispositions that will occur post merger (shares in juniors, non-core assets, etc).

Newmont is Preparing for the Next Bull Market in Gold

This isnt a short sighted move by the aptly named Gary Goldberg, CEO of Newmont.

Newmont recognizes the core value of Goldcorps flagship assets. No question Goldcorp made some missteps and there will be a lot cut from the combined entity in the next 24 months. But when the gold price rises in the next gold bull market, this could look like a genius purchase.

Shares of Goldcorp got slaughtered since 2011. Take a look at this multi decade low in late 2018

What This Means for Junior Gold Stocks

For one thing, this acquisition of Goldcorp will be a slow and drawn out corporate process. People will be let go and projects will be shelved and sold.

But what does it mean for junior gold speculators? The two recent mega mergers will limit investments into juniors by the majors and takeovers, as the big two (Barrick 2.0 and Newmont) execute their synergies and divestitures.

In the table below, lets take a look at the significant stakes in smaller gold companies that Newmont currently owns.

At most, Newmont will maintain their interest in any future financings. But after this week, another $1 billion in acquisitions wont be at the top of mind for Newmont.

Never Fear  When Gold is Near

Anyone with an internet connection these days knows how strong the U.S. stock market has been over the last 9 years.

Cheap money fueled an exceptional rally that drove indexes to new highs.

But financial heroine (cheap money) only can last for so long. And when the junkies cant get their fix, look out.

The financial withdrawal that the global markets will experience will be unlike anything ever experienced. Just like junkies, the previous dose wont get the same high. And the debt levels are near O.D. (overdose).

In December 2018, there was a mass exodus of capital from the major U.S. indexes. Selling pressure was fierce and led to the first negative year for the S&P 500 since 2011.

I have long said that gold and gold stocks should make up a portion of ones investment portfolio. Especially during periods of economic uncertainty.

President Trump shut down the government over a fight about building a border wall in Mexico (power politics at play). Meanwhile, hes also in the middle of a trade war with China.

The markets are uncertain. Gold is certain. Gold has lasted thousands of years and will last another thousand.

Below is a chart which shows the historical returns for gold and the S&P 500. Youll see that in all the major corrections over the last 20 years, gold has been a strong performer.

Look no further than historical corrections in the S&P500 to see how gold can act as a hedge:

The historical use for gold was as a hedge against disasters, whether they be political or economic. And it can pay off during turbulent times as shown above.

Golds Mojo is Rising

Ill be the first to admit, gold has been a lousy sector to invest in over the past 5 years.

Even with massive ten baggers on Northern Dynasty and Newmarket Gold (which became Kirkland Lake), its been a market that has tested my own testicular fortitude. And Patience. My big bet on Nevsun Resources played out well. But Ive had some smaller bets that havent worked out and I cut my losses and moved on.

Out of the hundreds of data sets we track for precious metals including mine reserves, commitment of trader reports and others

We are big fans of looking at sentiment.

We want to know whos talking about gold and how theyre talking about it. And we have just the tools to tell us.

Right now, our sentiment indicators are flashing a massive green light. Its showing an upwards spike in gold sentiment.

In fact, over the last month positive mentions for gold and gold stocks have achieved a 65% increase over the month previous.

This coincides with a rising gold price and the price of gold equities.

Gold stocks could just be the #1 investment of 2019. And a prudent investor or speculator needs to be positioned accordingly.

Heres How Were Preparing for a Golden Bull Market

Long-time readers know Im a big fan of holding some physical gold and even silver.

But theres a much, much better way to profit off a rising gold price. And thats by holding underlying gold equities.

And with the recent $10 billion takeover of Goldcorp by Newmont, it sets the stage for a massive shakeup of efficiency in the industry. The best will get better and this news will spark massive interest in whats next.

Ive got in-depth research on every publicly traded gold producer in the world. It doesnt give me a crystal ball but it narrows the field big time.

I have an extensive rolodex with the best management teams in the business. Proven teams that have discovered, developed and operated world class operations.

With gold spending much of 2018 under the radar thanks to Bitcoin and Marijuana, its recent move is getting attention. The time to pick up gold stocks is before they make their next 50%, 100% or 300% move in short order.

Thats when a much wider audience will look to jump in. Volumes will swell, traders will come in and youll see gold newsletters coming out of every corner.

But theres still a window to scoop up the best of the best gold companies before that happens.

And thats exactly what Im doing with millions of dollars of my own money.

I am buying world class assets, in the top jurisdictions, with the best management teams.

If were at the start of a major rally in gold, look out.

In the February issue of Katusas Resource Opportunities, I am publishing the details of two gold companies I believe will be bought out in 2019. And what price to buy those two companies.

I plan on having myself and subscribers positioned to profit, so make sure you are too. And I will be putting even more money into select companies over the coming months.

So stay tuned.

Regards,
Later, Chicago police notified Riverside police that the victim had been found. He had been released from the vehicle near the 4300 block of West 47th Street. The victim was taken to MacNeal Hospital in Berwyn. He suffered head injuries and had lost some teeth, Weitzel said, but the injuries were non-life-threatening. The mother was hospitalized with head injuries, but her injuries also are non-life-threatening.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 25)  Government troops on Friday overran a camp believed to be used by Maute-ISIS remnants in Sultan Dumalondong, Lanao del Sur.

The group is believed to be led by Owayda Benito Marohombsar or "Abu Dar." With a 6-million bounty, Abu Dar emerged as leader of remnant terrorists after the Marawi City siege in 2017. The lair is over 50 kilomoters away from Marawi City

Troops from the 103rd "Haribon" Infantry Brigade found notebooks, personal belongings, and a black flag in the seized camp.

This comes after government forces clashed with members of the ISIS-linked Maute group on Thursday. Three Maute members were killed, while three soldiers were wounded.

Related: 3 Maute members killed, 2 surrendered in Lanao del Sur clash
ALBERT LEA, Minn.  A daughter pleads guilty to attacking her mother.

Caitlin Anne Nesje, 28 of Albert Lea, was arrested in July 2018 after her mother reported a domestic assault. Police who spoke with the victim say she had a bloody nose, blood spread across her face and dripping down onto her shirt, and a large bite mark on her left forarm.

The woman told officers Nesje was yelling and waving a knife around and when the woman tried to walk away, Nesje grabbed her, hit her in the face, dragged her down the stairs, and bit her.

Nesje was charged with 2nd degree assault with a dangerous weapon but wound up pleading guilty to misdemeanor domestic assault.

She was sentenced to 90 days in the Freeborn County Jail with credit for 65 days served.
NORTHWOOD, Iowa  A Texas man originally accused of multiple crimes in North Iowa is pleading guilty.

Benjamin Wayne Blaschka, 42 of New Braunfels, TX, and Samantha Renee Linaman, 28 of Kenyon, Minnesota, were arrested after a Worth County traffic stop on October 26, 2018. Law enforcement says both seemed under the influence of drugs and a search of their vehicle found a large amount of methamphetamine, a small amount of marijuana, drug paraphernalia, burglars tools, and three coin dispensers from vending machines at a Northwood business that had just been robbed.



Samantha Linaman Samantha Linaman

As part of a deal with authorities, Blaschka has now pleaded guilty to possession of meth-3rd offense and was sentenced Thursday to up to five years in prison.

Linaman is pleading not guilty to possession with intent to deliver drugs, failure to use a drug tax stamp, 3rd degree criminal mischief, 4th degree theft, OWI, possession of meth and possession of marijuana. Her trial is set to begin on February 20.
WORTH COUNTY, Iowa - There's no question that the wind has picked up dramatically throughout the course of Thursday. But are the stronger winds affecting the ability to travel?

Sisters Cathy Larweck and Cindy Johnson are heading from just north of the Twin Cities to Arizona for a vacation, but made a brief stop at the Top of Iowa Rest Area in Worth County.

"I started out with my cruise control on, but it's not good with all the safety equipment on your cars and that. You can slow up and slow down. So not a good idea to have your cruise control on in this wind."

Even without cruise control, they have been able to maintain their speed.

"We've been going 70 and keeping up with the semis."

But the visibility started changing.

"There's been a couple whiteouts. The roads are not slick though, but it's almost like hazy because of the snow being blown around."

Rob Mauritz and his wife are traveling in the opposite direction, from Des Moines to near Wisconsin Dells.

"It was worse near Des Moines, because there's more snow on the ground, so there's more to blow. And then there was a stretch there where it wasn't so bad, but now it's getting bad again. The visibility is getting worse."

He's also been able to drive the speed limit, but did come across a scary situation.

"We did see one truck that appeared to be dying. It was still in the road, flashers, and that's scary because you don't know if someone's going to catch up to him too quickly."

They're all no strangers to this weather, but safety is always forefront.

"We live in Minnesota. We always drive in this kind of weather," Larweck and Johnson add.

"Being from Wisconsin, we're used to this. It's still a little unnerving at times," Mauritz adds.
DECORAH, Iowa  A local effort has saved the Winneshiek County Sheriffs Office from having to buy a new sniper rifle.

Jim See, owner of Elite Accuracy, donated his time and energy to rebuild an old rifle which had been in service for many years with the Special Response Team. See also got several companies to donate the parts for the work: Jeremy Winters of Gunwerks, Derrick Dornbush of DW Precision, Karsten Hanson of Karsten Kydex, and Buck Holly of C&H Precision.

The Sheriffs Office says they would like to thank See and all who contributed to making sure they have the best tools and equipment to continue to serve the people of Winneshiek County.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP)  Many rural drivers are applauding Minnesota for pushing the speed limit to 60 mph on most two-lane state highways, a move that's also been met with criticism from road safety experts.

More than two-thirds of rural highways slated for the increase have already posted the new limit, and the rest should be completed this year, according to state traffic officials. Rural residents pushed for the change, but some national safety experts fear the 5 mph bump will lead to more fatalities, the Star Tribune reported.

"Raising the speed limit never comes without a cost," said Russ Rader of Virginia-based nonprofit the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Rader said raising the speed limit reduces a driver's ability to quickly brake and survive a crash. Rural two-lane roads are more risky because of hazards including ditches and trees, Rader said.

People often drive faster than the posted speed limits, said Kara Macek of the Governors Highway Safety Association, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit.

"It's the buffer zone," she said. "People don't think they're going to get caught if they drive 5 or 10 miles over the speed limit."

The Minnesota Department of Transportation examined roadway geometrics and hazards along 7,000 miles (11,260 kilometers) of rural, two-lane state highways before determining where the 55 mph speed limit could be increased, according to a five-year study released this week.

When the speed limit was 55 mph, Minnesota traffic officials found that people frequently drove between 63 mph and 65 mph, said Brad Estochen, a state traffic safety engineer. With a 60 mph speed limit, people often drove between 64 mph and 66 mph, he said.

The change merely decriminalizes what people were already doing, said Republican Sen. Torrey Westrom, who pushed for the speed limit increase.

"No one liked the idea that they were breaking the law and being subject to expensive tickets," he said.
ROCHESTER, Minn. - Rochester Public Schools is helping fill the need of affordable, early education for area kids with the latest expansion to Hoover Elementary School.

New this school year is the Hoover Early Learning School, where youngings can get on the right academic track before kindergarten.

"Early education is of utmost importance to helping level the playing field for all children so that we can best prepare our future learners for successful kindergarten," Koni Grimsrud, the Assistant Directory of Special Education Early Childhood, said.

This is the second early learning school, in addition to Mighty Oaks Early Learning School on the south side of town.

"The need still existed to have affordable preschool, on site, so that we can have all of the learning they need to know and the readiness they need to know before kindergarten entry." Grimsrud said.

Along with The Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce, community members welcomed the learning school to the community with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Students also lead tours of the new space.

The expansion provides over 20 new classrooms for students and is designed to also be an inclusive for students with special education needs.

Grimsrud said if any family wants to sign students up for the next school year, they can do so through community education.
ROCHESTER, Minn.-

It's one of the fastest ways we travel around the world, through the air.

There's a growing need for pilots to operate those planes. Now, Rochester Community and Technical College is finalizing their plans to address that need through a new two-year aviation program.

The president of great plains aviation Nick Fancher teaming up with RCTC to create a 60-credit program.

The program is designed so students can transfer to Minnesota State Universitys, Mankatos aviation program to complete a bachelor degree.

A small step into curbing that pilot shortage, said Fancher.

Jim Perry is one of the instructors who will be teaching the next generation of pilots.

He comes from a family of flyers and wanted to show young people how exciting the world of aviation can be.

He tells me that now is the time to come into the field because there is more demand than ever for pilots.

Pilots are making better money and as they're making better money this becomes a viable career for young people to get into,said Perry.

RCTC will start accepting applications this fall.
ROCHESTER, Minn.-We are now over a month into the government shutdown...and thousands of federal employees across the nation are going without pay.

To help ease some of those workers' money worries, Rochester City Council unanimously voted to authorized free rides for federal workers on public during the partial shutdown.

City staff has really done what we can to put this program in place right away so we can offer free rides to all federal employees who are affected, said communications and public outreach coordinator Nick Lemmer.

We also spoke to Council President Randy Staver who wants to remind the community that there is help in the community.

We want to help out federal workers, he said.

He says there are other options for those who are late on bills. Staver wants to remind people that Rochester Public Utilities doesnt have an interest fee on late payments and your heat will not be turned off during the winter.

Rochester Public Transit says the free rides will continue until the shutdown ends or additional action is taken by the council.
WORTH COUNTY, Iowa  A Lake Mills man is accused of stealing from the convenience store where he worked.

Justin Richard Ivey, 24, is charged with 2nd degree theft in Worth County District Court. According to court documents, Ivey was working at the Kum and Go store near the Diamond Jo Casino and would take items off the shelves or have someone bring an item up to the counter, ring them up as returned items, and then always gave the cash to the same person.

Ivey is accused of doing this 12 times between November 4 and November 14, 2018, for a total of $2,293.95.

Ivey has been fired from the store.
CLEAR LAKE, Iowa  The best of the best in Clear Lake are honored Thursday.

The Chamber of Commerce held its annual award presentation and luncheon at the Best Western Holiday Lodge. The annual meeting was originally scheduled for Tuesday was moved to Thursday because of the possible winter storm earlier in the week.

The 2018 award winners are:

- North Iowa Service Award  Mark Holt, Entrepreneur

- Education Partner of the Year  Mallory Huffman, Surf Ballroom & Museum

- Larry Luker Volunteer of the Year  Kelly Steenhard, Dean Snyder Construction Co.

- Business of the Year - Lake Theater

- First mate of the Year - Alice Hanley, Alpha Media

Built in 1890, the Lake Theater is an icon in Clear Lake. Since then a lot of work has been done to keep it alive and well. On Thursday, the current owners were recognized for their dedication to the community cornerstone. Aaron and Erin Donaldson have great childhood memories at the Lake Theater.



The thought of it not being here for future generations didn't sit well with me, says Aaron.



So they took it over nearly three years ago. From roof repairs, updating heating and cooling systems and a state of the art sound system, in that time the Donaldsons have made major improvements, all so the people of Clear Lake and beyond can continue coming to this little theater. It's one reason why Lake Theater won business of the year.



I think the Business of the Year kind of amplifies the mission statement of the city and the chamber. They are trying to make Clear Lake that shining star on the hill, somewhere people want to visit, live in and build in and to be recognized as a part of that is really an honor, says Aaron.



Looking forward, Aaron says he is excited to be showing "Bohemian Rhapsody". Lake Theater is one of only a few single screen theaters to receive the sing-a-long version. That special event will be at 7:00 p.m. on February 1st. He says 2019 is looking to be a blockbuster year for the movie industry.
Jones parents testified that their son was a good kid, but one who had been diagnosed with ADHD and bipolar disorder. His mother, Gretchen Boren, said she allowed Jones to go off his medications around age 14 because of side effects. His troubles with the law began about that time, she said.
ROCHESTER, Minn. - Steven Estes walks to work in downtown Rochester almost every day. He said hes often had some close calls dodging cars.

Where theyre trying to turn, and Im trying to cross, and its like a who goes first kind of thing, Estes said.

The City of Rochester wants drivers to know pedestrians go first, especially as it attempts to get more people walking and out of their cars in the coming years.

The city is testing out a new type of intersection where the walk sign goes on four seconds ahead of the green light for cars.

City traffic engineer, Sam Budzyna, said it will help make people crossing the street more visible to cars.

It allows them to establish their right of way in the intersection, Budzyna said.

Research from the National Association of City Transportation Officials shows this type of intersection can reduce pedestrian-vehicle collisions by as much as 60%.

Most of the feedback Ive been getting is pretty positive, people want to see it expand to other intersections, Budzyna said.

Estes said this could be a step in the right direction.

Its nice to know I have the right of way, he said. And not have to necessarily worry as much about if a car is going to accidentally turn and Im trying to cross.

The two intersections these are being tested at are at 4th St. SE and 1st Ave, and West Center St. and 1st Ave.

Testing these intersections came at zero cost, just required a change in programing. But, Budzyna said this is not possible in all intersections across town if more were to come. Budzyna said to expect more intersections like these within the next year.
Picking up where they left off in 2018, Ballykeefe Distillery have added yet another gold to their impressive treasure trove of eleven national and international awards in their first year of operation.

This time their signature Ballykeefe Extra Dry Irish Gin, has won gold at the 2019 World Gin Awards recently held in London.

The World Gin Awards select the very best gins in the internationally recognised gin styles and promote the worlds best gins to consumers and trade across the globe.

Commenting on the award, Morgan Ging, Owner and Managing Director, paid tribute to both Master Distiller Jamie Baggott, the most highly decorated white spirit distiller in the world and the very special copper stills handcrafted by the Barrison Family in Trento, Italy.

They are a winning combination, Mr Ging said with a smile.



Kilkennys very own Carmel Nolan, who is the Director of Sales & Marketing at Ballykeefe is delighted with the award.

Gold at the World Gin Awards is the perfect start to the New Year, she said.

Carmel also pointed out that the Ballykeefe spirit labels have all changed to use sustainable paper.

It was expensive to change, she added, but it was money well spent, given our commitment to environmental protection.
A new bill in Spokane Valley would make the sport known as "dwarf tossing" illegal. "Dwarf tossing" is a game seen in many bars and strip clubs across the county, which involves contestants picking up little people and throwing them as far as they can.
He said the trio made a stop at Gascas home, where Gasca returned to the car with a backpack and a box. During the car ride, Gasca took out a handgun and was showing it off while they were on Weber Road in Romeoville. When he went to pass it back to Alhourani, the gun went off, striking Gasca in the head, he said.
Firefighters were alerted to the fire at 10:17 a.m., and when Gratzianna arrived six minutes later, he saw flames burning and smoke rising from the back of the kitchen, near the cooler, and involving the outside wall and roof. The flames appeared to be coming from a 2-inch thick main gas pipe, which was dangerous because it could have exploded, Gratzianna said.
EUGENE, Ore. -- Two women are suing the previous owner of Taylor's Bar and Grill in Eugene for $5 million, saying they were drugged and sexually assaulted.

According to the lawsuit, the two women were inside Taylors in January 2017 when they were secretly given drinks with "incapacitating drugs." They were then allegedly led to a different location where they were sexually assaulted. The lawsuit claims the owner at the time, John Charles Hare, had security cameras inside the bar that were pointed toward the ceiling, and there was a chaotic atmosphere inside the bar where women were not safe.

KEZI 9 News spoke to University of Oregon student Kennedy Harris, who said she wasnt surprised when she heard what may have happened.

"I have personally talked to some people who have had some really bad experiences at Taylors, Harris said. I think that part of the problem is that it's super crowded all the time. Whenever I go, I can barely move, so a lot of stuff can happen when there's a lot of people."

Hare sold the bar in 2017. Officials with the Oregon Liquor Control Commission said Taylor's currently has a temporary liquor license and will have their hearing to renew their license in June. They said Taylor's has had more than two dozen violations in the last couple of years, including sexual assault, fighting and excessive intoxication.

KEZI reached out to Hare for comment but didn't hear back.
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Pharmacists play an essential role in todays ever-expanding health care system today. They check for drug interactions, watch for signs of opioid overprescribing and try to determine whether a drug for one condition prescribed by one doctor will negatively impact the patient because of another diagnosis the patient has. In hospital units, their roles have become yet more complex  often serving on various quality committees, managing daily dosages of medications like warfarin and vancomycin  and more. I rely upon them in the hospital daily to catch mistakes and advise on drug dosages and choices. Many in the community give flu vaccinations. Some are even trying to gain provider status under Medicare, allowing them bill directly for treating patients. This has been accompanied by a drastic change in the preparation of the average pharmacist. Where once it was a five-year bachelors degree, now it is a graduate degree  a change recent enough that as of 2014, over 60 percent of pharmacists practicing had trained under the old system.

Some of these changes are controversial  a recent article put out by the Texas Medical Association details how some pharmacists inappropriately deny pain medication to cancer patients because of concerns over the opiate crisis, though CDC guidelines explicitly exempt such patients from the guidelines. The American Medical Association has come out as well, noting the story of a patient who attempted to commit suicide due to bone pain from metastatic prostate cancer after his perfectly appropriate opiate prescription was denied by a pharmacist.

But these stories of prescriptions denied and conflicts miss a more fundamental issue. As pharmacists roles have changed, their professional norms, practices, and regulations have not kept up to date. This means that corporate policies may have inappropriate influence over their decisions and provide an unbalanced incentive towards one action.

Let me give an analogy. Suppose a homeless patient with no money or insurance is assaulted or hit by a car. They are taken to the nearest ED and wind up in that hospitals ICU with a brain injury. No one is paying for that patients care. And the hospital is losing millions every week for what promises to be an extended stay. Can the hospital CEO march down and order the doctors to make the patient DNR/DNI and turn off the ventilator  or be fired? No. In California, this is explicitly prohibited by law as a corporate bar on the practice of medicine. But in every state, the prevailing norms of medical practice means that an attempt to do this would be met by howls of outrage by doctors who would recognize this as a grievous breach of medical ethics, which obligate us to treat all patients equally and never withdraw life-sustaining treatment on cost grounds alone. Few, if any, doctors or nurses would comply, and threats of reporting the case to the local district attorney for murder charges would promptly start flying.

But if you read the articles from the Texas Medical Association and the American Medical Association, it is clear that corporate policies are significantly affecting how pharmacists practice at a time when their role has significantly changed. Once, pharmacists were primarily concerned with one thing: the safe production and dispensation of medications. Their calls to doctors once consisted of, Did you really mean to write for 50 mg Tramadol for this patient? If the answer was yes, they dispensed the medication. Now, as their training and role have changed, their calls are, Are you sure 30 pills of 50 mg Tramadol is the correct choice for this patient? And if the doctor cant explain convincingly enough, they may well deny the prescription. And I dont believe there is necessarily anything wrong with that. Pharmacists have a right to refuse to dispense medication and a duty to use their medical knowledge to help their patients. Like nurses, there are actions they may disagree with and vocalize their disagreement but carry them out anyway. And there are actions which they feel are so wrong that they refuse to dispense a medication.

But the fact is: Unlike doctors, pharmacists do not have a professional culture or legal protections that fights strongly against interference from their corporate superiors. Corporations almost overwhelmingly employ them. And under threat of losing their jobs, they are forced to bend to the orders of their corporate superiors to dispense thousands of opiate prescriptions without question thanks to the massive profits involved. And now after lawsuits against those same companies over those practices to deny opiates under blanket policies without consideration to individual patient characteristics. When a patient walks in with severe pain for any reason and needs opiate pain medication  whether for cancer, severe trauma, or another cause that requires them, rare as they may be  the pharmacist has every incentive to deny that script, and no repercussions if they say no. Contrast that to the physician, who is obligated and held liable in a balanced way for both acting and failing to act. Of course, a common response is that a patient can always go to another pharmacy. But this justification becomes increasingly thin as patients are directed to order from certain pharmacies by their insurance companies or else face sky-high copays (not that they may not face sky-high copays anyway).

When they decide to push back on, approve or deny medications based on medical merit, pharmacists are effectively practicing medicine. I dont even believe this is necessarily a bad thing, provided the training is appropriate and roles delineated. But as pharmacists abilities to deny and change medications on both cost and medical grounds expands, it is time to expand the professions protections against corporate interests, and provide for a balanced oversight that appropriately recognizes both a duty to stop dangerous prescriptions and to allow through legitimate ones.

Vamsi Aribindi is a surgery resident who blogs at the Medical Intellectual.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com
After Joliet EMTs were called, they were further delayed by security guards who chatted at the front desk before giving paramedics access to the facility, the suit claims; EMTs also had to walk through the mammoth facility rather than being given access to a rear loading dock adjacent to where Becker was in distress. This further delayed their response time another five to seven minutes, according to the lawsuit and reports from the Joliet Fire Department.
In an age of instant communication, quick responses usually take precedence over careful deliberation. Hot takes are valued; cold takes are not a thing. But truth can be a casualty when social media hordes leap to vent anger at bits of information that look offensive.

All this became apparent, not for the first time, when a video went viral showing a face-to-face encounter at the Lincoln Memorial between a 64-year-old Native American veteran and a high school boy wearing a Make America Great Again hat.

The impression left by the clip was of an arrogant white teenager harassing a person of color for the amusement of his rowdy classmates. The Native American man, Nathan Phillips, told reporters he felt threatened by the crowd of teens and heard chants of Build the wall.

The storm of outrage that followed was something to behold. The students, a group from a Catholic boys high school in Covington, Ky., who were in the capital for the March for Life, were denounced on Twitter as racist bullies who had no respect for their elders. Calls went out for the boy and his friends to be expelled and shamed. The archdiocese of Covington condemned the students conduct, and the mayor disavowed it.
STANTON  Dive teams recovered the body of a missing man last seen Sunday on Maskenthine Lake near here about 11:30 a.m. Thursday.

Stanton County Sheriff Mike Unger confirmed that the body of Eddie Myrick, 55, of Stanton had been recovered by a rescue team.

Unger said dive crews were out before sunset Wednesday and again Thursday morning looking for Myrick and his motorcycle.

An extensive ground search for Myrick had been undertaken on Sunday and Monday. The search was suspended later Monday after conditions at the lake were deemed too dangerous on parts of the ice.

Unger said no sign of Myrick was located during the ground search, but aerial footage showed several areas of interest on the lake. On Wednesday afternoon, an aerial search with a drone indicated pertinent physical evidence on the lake. An ice rescue team from Hadar Fire and Pilger Rescue located the helmet of the missing person encased in ice.

Due to darkness on Wednesday, all efforts were suspended until Thursday morning and it was then that the body of Myrick was recovered by dive rescue teams from Hadar and Yankton.
GOTHENBURG  The Gothenburg Improvement Co. has announced it is under contract to purchase the former home of the Baldwin Filters (now Parker Hannifin) manufacturing plant with the intention of attracting another employer to Gothenburg.

According to a GIC press release, those efforts are because of a communitywide push to approve an LB840 economic development program in response to the announcement in October 2017 that the plants operations would be consolidated with the facility in Kearney.

We are excited for the opportunity to purchase this asset for the community of Gothenburg, and we have already begun marketing it to prospective businesses, said Nate Wyatt, GIC president. This is the result of a tireless effort on the part of community leaders to provide a solution to the Baldwin announcement.

Wyatt said he couldnt reveal the negotiated price for the vacant plant, but he said the purchase is scheduled to close in late March. Before closing the deal, GIC representatives will approach the Gothenburg City Council to request LB840 funds to pay for the plant.

Gothenburg collects a one-half cent sales tax for economic development purposes. The tax generates about $250,000 to $270,000 annually, according to City Administrator Bruce Clymer.
He said it was good news in early December when the 2018 Farm Bill was passed. However, it will take time to add new language, write new rules and update forms for FSA and NRCS programs.

The furloughs slowed those things down and some things arent happening, Krolikowski said.

As an example, he said his NRCS staff has ranked or continues to rank Environmental Quality Incentives Program applications so they will be ready when funds are available if farm bill-related updates are minimal.

If there are significant changes in farm bill language or forms, the ranking process might have to start over and/or applicants might have to sign new paperwork.

After his CPNRD Board meeting presentation, Krolikowski participated in a conference call with the NRCS state conservationist and other district conservationists from across Nebraska.

He later told the Hub the general message was there could be staffing changes at NRCS offices if the government shutdown continues into February. NRCS offices will prepare for a possible extended shutdown by identifying program and staffing priorities.

Krolikowski said the carryover money used since Dec. 22 isnt a substitute for budgeted operating funds.
We believe this project should be revised to comply with the villages requirement for 40 percent open space, not the current 27 percent as planned. The creek through the property, Seavey Road Run, must be given sufficient open space. Open space should also be used to provide a naturalized stormwater management treatment train to clean up runoff from the site before it is discharged to Blackberry Creek.
ORD  A JEO Consulting Group study has determined that Buffalo Countys Ravenna Lake is not feasible as water-holding site for a possible groundwater recharge project.

Results of that study were part of General Manager Russell Callans report at Thursdays Lower Loup Natural Resources District Board meeting in Ord.

Callan told the Hub that water quality monitoring at the lake will continue.

The directors also approved spending up to $80,000 for a new electrical line to the Davis Creek Recreation Area south of North Loup. Callan said a current line has provided electricity to 42 camping sites, but a new line is needed to also serve 25 other existing sites.

The board also approved up to $5,000 for 50 percent cost shares on soil moisture probes.

Callan said its been determined that an irrigation efficiency project of The Nature Conservancy and Central Platte NRD should extend to a few sites within the LLNRD. Lower Loup soil moisture probe cost shares are for those fields.

The four LLNRD board officers were re-elected to one-year terms: Joseph Citta Jr. of Columbus, chairman; Jim Eschliman of Ericson, vice chairman; Rollie Amsberry of Mason City, treasurer; and Henry Thoene of Burwell, secretary.
cation of this Notice and that, after

the expiration of the said thirty (30)

days, Paving Improvement District

No. 2019-996 and any measures

related to it, will not be subject to

any further right of referendum.

This Notice is first published on

January 11, 2019.

Copies of Ordinance No. 8315,

as published in pamphlet form by

authority of the City Council, are

available to the public at the Office

of the City Clerk, City Hall, 18 East
GRANTS PASS, Ore.  A series of burglaries that began at the Josephine County Sheriff's Office impound lot on Thursday morning led police to arrest two suspects, according to the Grants Pass Department of Public Safety (GPDPS).

Around 6 a.m. on Thursday, GPDPS said that Justin Denny and Darian Rodriguez broke into the impound lot, then broke into one of the vehicles and "took property from inside the car."

Surveillance footage from the lot allowed investigators to identify the vehicle that Denny and Rodriguez were driving, GPDPS said.

Then at 11:15 p.m., investigators believe that Denny and Rodriguez were involved in another burglary  this time at a house on NE 11th Street in Grants Pass. But when the resident of the home responded, the two would-be burglars fled the scene. The resident got photographs of the same vehicle identified at the Sheriff's Office lot.

GPDPS said that at 4:15 p.m., a police officer recognized that car around Nebraska Ave near West Harbeck Road.

"The vehicle had been disguised by painting it black with spray paint," the agency said.

When officers pulled the vehicle over in the parking lot of Red Robin, Denny reportedly fled on foot. Grants Pass officers worked with Sheriff's Office deputies to find and take him into custody. Rodriguez stayed in the car and cooperated with the offers, GPDPS said.

"The subsequent investigation revealed that Denny and Rodriguez had committed burglaries in Grants Pass and in the Merlin area," GPDPS.

Detectives and deputies were able to find several stolen items taken from burglaries in Merlin, the Josephine County Sheri's impound lot, and the Grants Pass burglary. Denny is also a suspect in several residential burglaries in Jackson County, GPDPS said.

Rodriguez has been charged with Burglary 1, Theft 1, and Criminal Trespass 2, with more charges to follow. Denny has been charged with two counts of Burglary 1, Theft 1, Criminal Trespass 2, Providing False Info to a Police Officer, Interfering, and Escape 3, with additional charges on the way.
MEDFORD, Ore.  With the partial government shutdown lurching into its 34th day, more and more companies and organizations are offering deals or discounts to federal workers increasingly feeling the pinch. On Thursday, Safeway and Albertsons joined the fray.

"We are happy to be able to help the many families impacted financially during the shutdown," said Greg McNiff, President of Oregon and Southwest Washington Safeway and Albertsons.

Thousands of essential government workers continue to work without pay and many thousands more have been furloughed  with unemployment pay or other short-term work proving elusive.

At all Safeway or Albertsons locations in Oregon or southwest Washington, federal workers will receive 10 percent off all national brands and 15 percent off Safeway/Albertsons-branded items. Federal workers will just need to show government-issued ID.

The company said that it has also given $1,000 in gift cards to U.S. Coast Guard sectors in Newport, North Bend and Astoria. Safeway and Albertsons also gave $1,000 in gift cards to workers with the Federal Bureau of Prisons, based in Sheridan.

"We have donated $4,000 to the Oregon Coast Guard and other Federal organizations. We want to continue to help local federal workers who arent being paid, so starting today, we are also offering 10% off all national brand items and 15% off Safeway/Albertsons branded items. Federal workers will only need to show their government ID at check out, said McNiff.

Parks like the Oregon Zoo and local organization Wildlife Images were among the first to offer aid of some sort to federal workers impacted in the state. But as the shutdown continues, more and more companies or organizations related to the basic essentials have been stepping forward to help.

Talent pizzeria The Grotto just announced that it would offer 25 percent off for employees affected by the shutdown. The United Way of Jackson County recently promised temporary financial assistance for struggling federal workers.
CHILOQUIN, Ore. -- Furloughed workers in Southern Oregon got some financial relief when a local couple set up a GoFundMe account for them, but many workers are still struggling to get by.

One of those workers, Curtis Yocum, is a forester with the U.S. Forest Service.

"At first we thought it would be like the last few that have happened where it would be a quick turnaround and we would get back to work and we wouldnt miss any paychecks, and then it prolonged and prolonged and prolonged," Yocum said.

Yocum applied for unemployment benefits several weeks ago, but they still haven't kicked in.

It's been a struggle to make ends meet.

"We've used all of our savings to cover January, so January's covered, but now February is coming reallly close and unemployment still hasn't kicked in," Yocum said.

He did catch a break when he received a $500 check from the GoFundMe page.

"For all the people who have donated, thank you so much. We can go get some groceries now and it's not maxing out a credit card, we can put some gas in the car so that way my wife can get to work, our boys can get to school," Yocum said.

His wife works at Crater Lake National Park, but her hours have been drastically cut short recently because of a lack of visitors.

On top of everything, Yocum recently received a notice from his landlord that there would be no rent extensions and there would be an increased fee if he pays late followed by an eviction notice if rent is not paid by Feb. 15.

With no end to the shutdown in sight, he can't help but start to feel helpless.

"We don't care about the politics behind it, we just want to go back to work, we want our lives back," Yocum said.
The city pool in Independence is closed on the hottest day of the year. Adventure Oasis is making changes to deal with the large crowds it's seen.
Just more of the same: Well, J.B. Pritzker is our new governor and his party has an even bigger strangle hold on Illinois. Its possible for a Democrat to turn around a state in trouble. Jerry Brown was the Democrat governor in California, and hes leaving office after two or three terms. When he took over the state, it was deep in trouble, even deeper than Illinois, I believe. Now, hes leaving office with a surplus. He did it mainly by making small cuts to mega pensions and trimming waste in different areas. It would be nice if Pritzker would bring him in, but I dont think Pritzker wants to know. I think its obvious Pritzker is going to cater to those lucky few who get big benefits from the state of Illinois and those who backed his campaign. In other words, more of the same and raise taxes to pay for it.
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Police dashcam video obtained by The Beacon-News shows officers responding to a disturbance in a residential neighborhood on Sept. 14, 2017, and the situation escalates as Tad and Charlene Johnson go inside their home. Tad Johnson yells obscenities at officers. Officer Jeffrey Johnson then ridicules Tad Johnson, challenges him to bring it, and later tells other officers the man is getting tased immediately  just FYI, according to the audio.
Wyckwood House, 14 W. Downer Place, Suite 16, will host Feel the LOVE at Wyckwood House from 5 to 9 p.m. Janell McCann from Letters from Eden at Wyckwood House will offer personalized hearts, handmade from Real Happy Space. Valentine treats will be available for purchase from Goodness Me Artisan Bakery. The music group The Vintage Sons will also perform  6 to 8 p.m.
Irvin denied there was any link between the donations and the work on the city projects. Irvin then stressed that donations he receives are legal and controlled by the state board of elections, and that no project is approved without a City Council vote.
PHOTOS Heart healthy foods to add to your diet

When it comes to showing your heart some serious love, there are a few things you can do. Managing stress and getting enough sleep are massively important, but so is eating well, according to Julia Zumpano, a registered dietician in preventive cardiology and rehabilitation at the Cleveland Clinic. Managing your diet can help reduce cholesterol, reduce blood pressure, reduce weight, weight circumference, triglycerides; all of those things are influenced by the way that you eat, Zumpano said. And all of those are risk factors for developing heart disease. Incorporating more of these foods into your diet can help you do those things, and youll be giving your heart a helping hand.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 25)  A Senate panel resumed its hearings into the lowering of the age of criminal responsibility on Friday.

Senator Committee on Justice and Human Rights Chairperson Dick Gordon said discussions will revolve around possibly holding parents of children in conflict with the law liable for the crimes committed by the sons and daughters.

"People think it's not a discretion of age but a question of when does accountability begin. And at the same time whether the government is truly ready to say that when you keep or hold a young person, can you hold me a decent half-way home," Gordon said.

Gordon said the Philippines only has 55 of the supposed 111 Bahay Pag-asa centers--facilities where children in conflict with the law will be raffled off to under the Juvenile Justice Act.

"If we don't put our money where our mouth is, this is all rhetoric," he added.

The Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act was amended in 2012 to require children from 12 to 15 who commit crimes like murder, homicide, kidnapping and offenses punishable under the Comprehensive Drugs Act of 2002 to be placed in a special youth care facility called "Bahay Pag-asa."

Gordon also slammed those who claim there are no funds available for the rehabilitation of child offenders.

"There is always funding available, it's a question of priority," he said.

The House of Representatives approved on second reading Wednesday a bill that would lower children's responsibility for crimes from 15 years old to 12.

The lower House earlier posed to hold children nine years old and up criminally liable, but solons have agreed to raise it amid criticism with senators.

Senate President Tito Sotto claimed a majority of senators agree with the House bill.

READ: Senators oppose criminal responsibility at 9 years old
JUSTICEINFO.NET: Is the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism fully operational?

CATHERINE MARCHI-UHEL: We have finished the preparatory work, but the mechanism started to become operational before that. As soon as we had set up our evidence management system and made it secure in May 2018, we were able to start gathering elements of information, including some of the most sensitive. This evidence gathering, which is at the heart of our mechanism, allows it to become the central repository of evidence on mass crimes committed in Syria.

To do this, we have launched negotiations to establish a legal framework for the transfer of information and pieces of evidence with a certain number of people, starting with the UN commission of inquiry on Syria, but also Syrian civil society, international and State actors. Such a framework has not yet been established with everyone, even if we already have a significant number of agreements. We do not have access to Syrian territory, but our investigators have already been to a number of countries to meet people who hold pieces of evidence and agree to share it with us.

The recruitment of our staff  from investigators to analysts, including of digital video and audio data  allows us to develop a structural investigation offering an overview of data collected. This includes, for example, judicial elements that we need to establish so that an act can be prosecuted as a war crime or crime against humanity, information on the context in which the crimes were committed, the parties to the conflict and also the various people who could be implicated in the commission of such crimes, which structure they are working for and how they interact.

Our structural investigation, which is well advanced, has already allowed us to open investigative files within which we aim to establish individual responsibilities in the commission of crimes.

This work is broader than that conducted within the specific framework of a criminal case. But it is indispensable to identify recurring scenarios and make our case selection. Our structural investigation, which is well advanced, has already allowed us to open investigative files within which we aim to establish individual responsibilities in the commission of crimes.

For the time being, we are funded by voluntary contributions, a situation that is not sustainable in the long term. The UN General Assembly has asked the Secretary General to include our funding needs in the UNs regular budget in 2020. For this year, we have received substantial pledges from States. But they are not enough to cover the needs for the whole year.

What are the first judicial results of your work?

The structural investigation is broad, since our mandate is to identify the most serious crimes, whichever party to the conflict the perpetrators belong to. We will not have the capacity to address all the crimes committed in Syria. But this long-term work allows us to make a relevant selection of crimes. One of the goals of our work is to identify the suffering of victims and to be able to identify crimes that make sense to them. The choice of cases is essential for victims, including those who will not be able to obtain justice directly for what they have suffered.

We are beginning to have a mode of cooperation between [national] war crimes units that gives hope that justice will be done in a number of cases.

Part of our work over the past year has been to engage directly with war crimes units that have ongoing investigations into crimes committed in Syria. These developments are very important. Even if no international court is currently seized of the crimes committed in Syria, we are beginning to have a mode of cooperation between [national] war crimes units that gives hope that justice will be done in a number of cases.

Last year, the French and German authorities decided to set up a joint investigation team by combining their resources. This followed an international arrest warrant issued by the German Federal Prosecutors Office against a senior official in the Syrian intelligence services and an international arrest warrant issued by the French against the same person, another intelligence official and a third person. The existence of these investigations makes the prospect of results from our work more tangible and allows us to think concretely about the type of collaboration we can have with the various competent authorities.

Have you been able to engage in other collaborations?

We have received more than a dozen requests for assistance from national prosecutors who have ongoing investigations concerning Syria and we know that other prosecutors are preparing to take up the matter with us.

For crimes committed in Syria, it is Germany that has the closest form of universal jurisdiction, without any connection with that country.

With regard to the jurisdiction exercised by the various war crimes units, for crimes committed in Syria, it is Germany that has the closest form of universal jurisdiction, without any connection with that country. Other countries have a form of extended extraterritorial jurisdiction.

Recommended reading Whats behind the rise of evidence-gathering bodies

What place do you give to victims?

Syrian civil society has a central place. Its members, some of whom are themselves victims, have taken enormous risks in documenting crimes and making them known. We have a platform for engagement with members of Syrian civil society in Lausanne. It brings about 30 NGOs together with the Mechanism twice a year. We continue to engage other Syrian civil society actors individually, in groups, and also to inform them about our work through newsletters.

Many dictatorial regimes document their crimes through their administration. Is this also the case in Syria?

Internal documents of several parties to the conflict have been smuggled out and describe the conduct of their operations. They could therefore be used as evidence to prove the commission of some of the most serious crimes, such as war crimes or crimes against humanity.

After major development at the turn of the century, international justice is going through a crisis that undermines its credibility, particularly that of the International Criminal Court (ICC). How do you see its future?

In the Syrian situation, the ICC could not be seized. The Syrian Arab Republic has not ratified the Rome Statute and blockages in the UN Security Council have prevented this situation from being referred to the Court. This is not normal given the seriousness of the crimes committed. But the current situation, where national investigative, prosecutorial and trial authorities are taking their part in the effort to establish individual criminal responsibility for these crimes, is not so far removed from the principles laid down by the Rome Statute, the founding text of the ICC. This court is a court of last resort. It is intended to try some of the most serious crimes, provided that other jurisdictions are not doing so, according to a principle of complementarity.

The fact that a number of national courts have assumed their responsibilities by launching investigations is a very important step that is at the heart of the Rome Statute. In an ideal situation, a combination of these different avenues would be required to deal with a situation as serious and lasting as the war in Syria. It is this combination that works, as we have seen in Rwanda or for the former Yugoslavia.

This is a very strong signal to the perpetrators of crimes. And it is a message of hope for the victims. These crimes are not time-barred. And we are taking every opportunity to make sure that justice can be done.

We are not currently benefiting from this situation for Syria. But the mechanism established by the UN General Assembly in December 2016 shows that, despite the deadlocks, the collection of evidence, analysis and preparation of criminal files must still be done. This is a very strong signal to the perpetrators of crimes. And it is a message of hope for the victims. These crimes are not time-barred. And we are taking every opportunity to make sure that justice can be done.

What lessons have you learned from the past experiences of international justice?

They have taught us that it takes real substantive and long-term work to prosecute this type of crime. They have also taught us the importance of adopting a proactive approach to ensure that sexual violence, gender-based crimes and crimes against children are not forgotten in the prosecution process and are properly documented. We are working much more closely with civil society than in the past, as required by my mandate.

One of the criticisms addressed to international courts on crimes against humanity is their cost and duration. Will your mechanism speed up proceedings on Syria?

Our work should save time for investigations. It also helps to preserve evidence for the future. It will not be necessary to start from scratch when the political situation allows international trials to be opened or even, one day, in Syria. It is much more difficult to document these crimes 30 years after the events, as happened with the Khmer Rouge tribunal in Cambodia.

Our work should save time for investigations. It also helps to preserve evidence for the future. It is much more difficult to document these crimes 30 years after the events.

The trials against some Khmer Rouge leaders have [also] shown how complex it is to identify and choose crimes that represent the suffering of victims, but also how difficult it is to manage these trials. It is always extremely difficult to conduct a major trial that covers all dimensions of the atrocities committed. These trials must retain a manageable dimension. It is the multiplication of judicial channels that, in my opinion, is the best way to give the full dimension to the crimes committed and their context.

The bridge we are building between commissions of inquiry and the various avenues of justice available is based on our preparatory work, which is very strongly rooted in criminal methodology. Moreover, the Human Rights Council has decided to establish a similar mechanism for Myanmar to address the crimes against the Rohingya.
VANCOUVER, Jan. 25, 2019 /CNW/ - Mirasol Resources Ltd. (TSX-V: MRZ) (OTCPK: MRZLF) (the "Company" or "Mirasol" ) is pleased to announce that the Company has signed an option to purchase (OTP) agreement (the "Agreement") completing consolidation of the large prospective Sascha  Marcelina Low Sulfidation Epithermal (LSE) Au-Ag district in Santa Cruz province, Argentina.

Under the terms of the Agreement, Mirasol can acquire 100% of the Marcelina claims from a privately-owned mining company, by making staged option payments totalling US$3.4 million over 4 years, with US$3.15 million due on the 4th anniversary. If the OTP is exercised, the Marcelina claims will be subject to a 1.5% NSR royalty. There is a minimum US$300,000 exploration spending commitment by Mirasol during the first three years of the option period.

Stephen Nano, President and CEO of Mirasol, stated: "Consolidation of the very prospective Sascha and Marcelina projects into a large-scale district play has been a long-term objective of Mirasol. This agreement will allow the multiple underexplored prospects to be systematically explored utilizing the Company's knowledge of large-zoned epithermal Au+Ag districts, gained through more than 15 years of successful exploration in Santa Cruz province."

Highlights of the Sascha District

The consolidated Marcelina district has a "footprint" in excess of 65 sq-km, as defined by anomalous Au+Ag rock chip samples and satellite-based alteration mapping.





The claims package comprises 30,600 ha of contiguous exploration claims, including the 24,900 ha Sascha claims, which are 100% owned by Mirasol, and an additional 5,700 ha controlled by Mirasol under the 4-year OTP agreement.





The project is centered on the extensive Marcelina "Silica Cap" interpreted to represent the preserved steam heated alteration and water table silica "blanket", a feature typical of the near paleosurface level of an LSE Au+Ag system.





Multi-kilometre long Au+Ag vein and structural trends, which traverse and outcrop surrounding the Marcelina Silica Cap, display similarities in areal extent and geological setting to the Cerro Negro Silica Cap, where GoldCorp operates the "Vein Zone and Bajo Negro" mines in the world class Cerro Negro Au+Ag Mining District located 100 km to the north of Sascha-Marcelina.





Rock chip samples from the Sascha-Marcelina district have assays ranging from weakly Au anomalous (10's ppb) in the area of the Silica Cap (above the mineralized epithermal interval), up to a peak assay of 160 g/t Au, (5.14 opt) and 780 g/t Ag (25.07 opt) at the Sascha Main prospect (interpreted top of the high grade Au+Ag mineralized epithermal interval).





Initial remodeling of shallow drilling, completed at the 5 km long Sascha Vein trend in 2009 by then Joint Venture partner Coeur Mining, shows that grade vectors to-depth with interpreted untested Au+Ag "shoots" of higher-grade mineralization, representing compelling priority targets for drill testing.





trend in 2009 by then Joint Venture partner Coeur Mining, shows that grade vectors to-depth with interpreted untested Au+Ag "shoots" of higher-grade mineralization, representing compelling priority targets for drill testing. Other mineralized trends recognized at the project have not been systematically mapped, sampled nor previously drill tested, suggesting significant potential to define new drill targets along these trends using current exploration technologies and new deposit models.





Mirasol is mobilizing a field team to the Marcelina District to begin a program of systematic surface exploration to define drill targets. This exploration will initially be focused on the Estancia, Igloo and Sascha vein trends.

Project History and Ownership

The consolidated district comprises 30,600 ha of contiguous exploration claims. Mirasol staked 16,500 ha of the claims in 2003, to secure the Sascha Vein Zone (Figure 1, inset 2). At that time the Marcelina claims were held by competitors. The Mirasol-controlled 5 km-long Sascha Vein Zone was partially drill tested on the western end while under joint venture to Coeur Mining from 2006 to 2009. Two shallow holes were also drill by Coeur at the Sasha Sur prospect, into what Mirasol now interprets as the footwall of the structure, which warrants further testing. Coeur terminated the joint venture in 2009 and returned 100% of the project to Mirasol. On the 23rd of January 2019, Mirasol signed an OTP for the 5,700 ha Marcelina claims, consolidating the full district under one company for the first time.

Project Geology and Exploration

Mirasol has recently completed an integrated interpretation of district-scale exploration data sets collected prior to 2009. Anomalous rock chip Au+Ag assays and Aster satellite alteration anomalies defined a 16.5 x 4.0 km (65 sq. km) "footprint" to the district, showing a large-scale, zoned alteration system characteristic of a large LSE Au+Ag system (Figure 1). Five, multi-kilometre long, mineralized vein and silicified breccia trends have been recognized to date across the consolidated district. The trends traverse the Marcelina Silica Cap, or outcrop through post mineral gravel and basalt cover that surrounds the Silica Cap.

Interpretation of mapped volcanic and sedimentary stratigraphy, Au+Ag and multielement geochemistry and alteration mineralogy shows that different levels of the epithermal system outcrop across the district, exposing what are interpreted to be different levels of the mineralized column of an LSE Au+Ag system. These patterns can be summarized as follows (Figure 2):

Marcelina Silica Cap:

The geologic and geomorphic setting of the Marcelina Silica Cap and related silica structures and veins is analogous to the Cerro Negro Silica Cap, where Goldcorp is mining plus million ounce Au+Ag resources at Bajo Negro and Vein Zone deposits, at the Cerro Negro Mine located 100 km to the north of the Sascha  Marcelina project (Figure 2).

The Marcelina Silica Cap is a three sq. km area of Argillic (kaolinite with minor dickite  alunite) alteration with extensive areas of low temperature silica breccia structures and replacement of the host volcanics. The silicification is interpreted to have been deposited at the top of a hydrothermal system (paleowater table "silica blanket") at the time of formation, suggesting that the complete epithermal mineral system maybe preserved at depth in this area.

The Silica Cap is cross-cut by large NW and NE oriented silica structures and structural breccias (Pellegrini Trends 1 and 2), interpreted to represent feeder structures for the silicification. Rock chip sampling of the structures and breccias returned weakly anomalous Au, averaging 60 ppb and assaying up to 180 ppb Au and up to 11.2 ppm Ag with elevated As, Sb and Hg. The assay results, in conjunction with the interpreted geological setting, suggest the Pellegrini Trends may represent the upper level of mineralized vein zones, with the potential for high grade Au+Ag mineralization at depth, and therefore are considered conceptual exploration targets for future drill testing (Figure 3).

An extensive post mineral gravel "apron" surrounds the immediate area of the Marcelina Silica Cap, concealing extensions of the alteration system, strike projections of the Au+Ag the silica-breccia structures, and potentially additional mineralized veins. Systematic mapping and geochemical sampling of the Pellegrini Trends with ground magnetic and electrical geophysics surveys of the Marcelina Silica Cap and the gravel cover will be used to identify and refine conceptual targets for later drill testing.

Estancia, Sascha Sur and Igloo trends: These prospect areas are characterized by multi-kilometre long trends of intermittently outcropping sheeted epithermal veinlet zones up to 20 m wide and locally developed breccia pipes, with multiphase hydrothermal brecciation (Figure 4). The host volcanics are altered to an intermediate argillic assemblage of illite-smectite clays. Initial rock chip sampling of these trends averages approximately 150 ppb Au with peak assays up to 1.62 g/t Au and up to 158 g/t Ag.

The alteration assemblage, assay results and silica textures seen at these prospects, are consistent with the interpretation that these trends may represent the top of the mineralized interval in an LSE system. The anomalous Au+Ag assays potentially represent geochemical leakage from concealed higher-grade precious metal mineralization at shallow (100  200m) depths.

The host rocks at the current outcrop level of the Estancia, Sascha Sur and Igloo trends, are ash and crystal tuffs of the upper middle Jurassic Matilda formation. These volcanics are poor host rocks for large fissure vein formation. However, Mirasol's stratigraphic mapping at the Marcelina project shows that more permissive host rocks for fissure vein formation, including welded ignimbrite flows of the middle Jurassic Chon Aike formation, are present in the stratigraphy underlying these prospects. Mirasol will use a combination of detailed geological  structural mapping, selective geochemical sampling, alteration vectoring studies and electrical geophysics to refine targets for drill testing.

The Estancia, Sascha Sur and Igloo trends represent priority drill targets for potential high-grade Au+Ag mineralization and will be the initial focus of surface exploration.

Sascha Main: Previous surface mapping and rock chip sampling (see Sascha Gold-Silver Project 43-101 Technical Report, 2004 and news release February 21, 2006) of the Sascha Main prospect identified outcrop expressions of a series of mineralized "shoots" hosting high grade Au+Ag mineralization. Rock chip assays of this material ranged up to 160 g/t Au, and 780 g/t Ag, with precious metal mineralization reporting to chalcedony  adularia colloform banded pulses hosting fine bands of sulfides and native Au ("ginguro" phases).

Previous JV partner drilling at the Sascha vein zone (see news release September 5, 2007) included 19 diamond drill holes that partially tested the vein zone to a maximum depth of 200 m. Drilling intersected narrow zones of Au+Ag mineralization including a best interval of 1.55 m at 8.92 g/t Au and 27.7 g/t Ag (Hole DDS-02) but did not intersect the ginguro phases with native Au evident at surface. Mirasol's remodeling of the Sascha Main exploration data suggests that the drilling may not have tested the targets optimally, possibly missing the "tops" of plunging high grade shoots that could potentially to extend to depth. These "shoot tops" are priority targets for drill testing at the Sascha Main prospect.

Stephen Nano, President and CEO of Mirasol, has approved the technical content of this news release. Mr Nano is a Charter Professional geologist and Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (CP and FAusIMM) and is a Qualified Person under NI 43 -101.
North Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 24, 2019) -(TSXV: LIO) (OTCQX: LOMLF) (ASX: LLO) (") is pleased to announce that construction of the new Lion One Geochemical Assay and Metallurgical Laboratory building is nearing completion at the Company's Fijian headquarters 1km from the Nadi International Airport on the island of Viti Levu in the Republic of Fiji.

Construction of the laboratory building commenced in early 2018 with local contractors and will service the Company's Tuvatu Gold Project located 17km away in the nearby Sabeto Valley.

The Company plans to start the commissioning process in early 2019 as soon as the current installation of the ventilation system is completed. Lion One has hired a highly experienced Laboratory Manager and team of laboratory technicians from Fiji to operate the facility, supporting the creation of five new full time positions.

The new laboratory will be equipped for gold analysis by fire assaying with atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) finish, and a large range of elements by Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES). The facility will also be utilized to conduct flotation testwork and other metallurgical testwork. Fiji does not currently have any commercial laboratory facilities for geochemical and metallurgical analysis, so the Company plans to have the laboratory become internationally certified and be evaluated for commercial operations potential.

Lion One Managing Director Stephen Mann commented, "The new facility will greatly reduce costs and return times on geochemical and metallurgical sampling results. Currently the return times on average take 4 to 6 weeks with samples sent to Australia or Canada at a significant cost that included other logistics such as customs clearance, freight, transport, and analysis. The Company will soon be able to benefit from 24-48 hour turnaround on results, greatly enhancing planning and direction of future exploration, mine planning, and metallurgical work at the Tuvatu Gold Project."

About Lion One

Lion One Metals Limited is a Canadian exploration and development company focused on advancing its 100% owned and fully permitted Tuvatu Gold Project towards production. Lion One envisions a low-cost high grade underground gold mining operation with district-scale exploration upside, located near the Nadi International Airport on the island of Viti Levu in the South Pacific island nation of Fiji.

Additional information about Lion One including NI 43-101 technical reports for the Tuvatu Gold Project is available at www.liononemetals.com and at www.sedar.com.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of Lion One Metals Limited

"Walter Berukoff"

Chairman & CEO

Contact Investor Relations

Toll Free (North America) Tel: 1-855-805-1250

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This press release may contain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are forward looking information. Generally, forward-looking information may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "proposed", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases, or by the use of words or phrases which state that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, or might occur or be achieved. This forward-looking information reflects Lion One Metals Limited's current beliefs and is based on information currently available to Lion One Metals Limited and on assumptions Lion One Metals Limited believes are reasonable. These assumptions include, but are not limited to, the actual results of exploration projects being equivalent to or better than estimated results in technical reports, assessment reports, and other geological reports or prior exploration results. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Lion One Metals Limited or its subsidiaries to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such risks and other factors may include, but are not limited to: the early stage development of Lion One Metals Limited, general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; the actual results of current research and development or operational activities; competition; uncertainty as to patent applications and intellectual property rights; product liability and lack of insurance; delay or failure to receive board or regulatory approvals; changes in legislation, including environmental legislation, affecting mining, timing and availability of external financing on acceptable terms; not realizing on the potential benefits of technology; conclusions of economic evaluations; and lack of qualified, skilled labour or loss of key individuals. Although Lion One Metals Limited has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Lion One Metals Limited does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.
THUNDER BAY, ON, Jan. 25, 2019 /CNW/ - Premier Gold Mines Limited (PG: TSX) ("Premier" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the signing of a definitive credit agreement (the "Credit Agreement") with Investec Bank plc ("Investec"), as administrative agent for the lenders for a US$50 million secured revolving term credit facility (the "Investec Credit Facility"). Premier is also pleased to announce financing arrangements with OMF Fund II SO Ltd. and Orion Mine Finance Fund II LP (collectively, "Orion") for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately US$18.2 million. Details of the terms of the Investec Credit Facility and the Orion financing arrangements are described below.

Steve Filipovic, Chief Financial Officer, commented, "With two new mining operations currently under construction, and an underground program planned for Cove during the second half of this year, this facility complements the Company's strong balance sheet and positions Premier to execute its aggressive growth plan".

Investec Credit Facility

The Investec Credit Facility matures in four years and will be used for working capital requirements and general corporate purposes. Amounts borrowed under the Investec Credit Facility will bear interest at a variable rate per annum equal to LIBOR plus an applicable rate as determined by the Company's debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio for the immediately preceding fiscal quarter ranging from 3.00% to 4.30%. The Investec Credit Facility is secured by the assets relating to the South Arturo mine in Elko County, Nevada, U.S.A. ("South Arturo Mine"), and the Mercedes mine near Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico ("Mercedes Mine").

In connection with the entering into of the Investec Credit Facility, Premier issued to Investec 216,446 common shares ("Common Shares") in the capital of Premier and 1,500,000 common share purchase warrants ("Investec Warrants") of Premier, with each Investec Warrant exercisable into one Common Share until January 24, 2022 at an exercise price of C$2.17. The Common Shares and Investec Warrants are subject to a four-month plus one day hold period pursuant to applicable Canadian securities laws.

Funding under the Investec Credit Facility is subject to customary conditions precedent.

Orion Financing Arrangements

Premier and Orion Mine Finance Fund II LP have entered into a subscription agreement pursuant to which Orion has agreed to subscribe for 7 million Common Shares (the "Private Placement") for aggregate gross proceeds of C$11,056,500 or approximately C$1.58 per Common Share. In connection with the Private Placement, Premier will also issue 2,000,000 Common Share purchase warrants to Orion ("Orion Warrants"). Each Orion Warrant will be exercisable into one Common Share for a period of three (3) years from the date of issuance and will have an exercise price equal to C$2.05. The closing of the Orion financing arrangements is subject to customary closing conditions, and the following:

the execution of an amended and restated silver stream agreement (the " A&R Silver Stream Agreement "), amending and restating the original agreement that was entered into on September 30, 2016 , pursuant to which: Orion will pay an additional deposit of US$10 million to a wholly owned subsidiary of Premier which will deliver to Orion 100% of the silver production from the Mercedes Mine and 100% of the silver production from the South Arturo Mine attributable to Premier until the delivery of 3.75 million ounces of silver (including deliveries previously made to Orion), after which the delivery will be reduced to 30% of the silver production from the Mercedes Mine and the South Arturo Mine; Premier is required to deliver at least 300,000 ounces of refined silver in each calendar year to Orion until 2.1 million ounces of refined silver in aggregate have been delivered to Orion after the date hereof; Orion will continue to pay an ongoing cash purchase price equal to 20% of the prevailing silver price; and Orion will have security over the assets relating to the South Arturo Mine.

"), amending and restating the original agreement that was entered into on , pursuant to which:

the execution of an amended and restated offtake agreement (the " A&R Offtake Agreement "), amending and restating Premier's existing offtake agreement with Orion, to increase the annual gold sale quantity to 60,000 ounces of gold, subject to an annual aggregate maximum of 40,000 ounces of gold from each of (i) all of Premier's producing projects (other than the Mercedes Mine) and (ii) the Mercedes Mine; and





"), amending and restating Premier's existing offtake agreement with Orion, to increase the annual gold sale quantity to 60,000 ounces of gold, subject to an annual aggregate maximum of 40,000 ounces of gold from each of (i) all of Premier's producing projects (other than the Mercedes Mine) and (ii) the Mercedes Mine; and the execution of an amended and restated gold prepay credit agreement (the "A&R Gold Prepay Agreement"), amending and restating the original agreement that was entered into on September 30, 2016 , providing security to Orion over the assets relating to the South Arturo Mine and providing Orion's consent to security changes at the Mercedes Mine to facilitate the Investec Credit Facility.

Following completion of the Private Placement, it is anticipated that Orion will hold approximately 12.40% of the total issued and outstanding shares of Premier (on a partially diluted basis), resulting in Orion becoming an "insider" of Premier, as such term is defined in the Securities Act (Ontario).

The proceeds of the Private Placement and the additional deposit payable pursuant to the A&R Silver Stream Agreement will be used for the development, construction and working capital requirements for the South Arturo Mine.

Premier Gold Mines Limited is a gold-producer with a respected exploration and development pipeline of precious metal projects in proven, accessible and safe mining jurisdictions in Canada, the United States, and Mexico.

Investec Bank plc is an international specialist bank and asset manager providing a diverse range of financial products and services. Investec's Global Resources team offers a full service, tailored offering and is active in precious and base metals, minerals, oil and gas in both emerging and developed markets. Investec has extensive experience in arranging and providing financing for resource companies throughout North America and globally, supporting growth, acquisitions and working capital.

For further details about Investec refer to: Click Here

Orion Mine Finance is a mining-focused investment business specializing in providing flexible capital investment solutions to mining companies in the base and precious metals sectors. Orion has demonstrated capability in debt, equity, convertibles, offtake, streaming, and royalty investments. In addition, the Orion team has experience in the physical metals markets, such as facilitating the purchase, metal financing, transporting, processing and selling of a mine's output to end customers.

This Press Release contains certain information that may constitute "forward-looking information" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements about the terms and completion of the Investec Credit Facility, the financing arrangements with Orion including the Private Placement, execution of the A&R Silver Stream Agreement, the A&R Offtake Agreement and the A&R Gold Prepay Agreement, uses of proceeds, strategic plans, including future operations at Cove, the Mercedes Mine and South Arturo Mine, and corporate and technical objectives. Forward-looking information is necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including the risks inherent to the mining industry, adverse economic and market developments and the risks identified in Premier's annual information form under the heading "Risk Factors". There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. All forward-looking information contained in this press release is given as of the date hereof and is based upon the opinions and estimates of management and information available to management as at the date hereof. Premier disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
Why should the man who said he would be proud to own the shutdown and then renege by calling it a Democratic shutdown be allowed to have the customary bully pulpit of a State of the Union address? He will only use that opportunity to present the same distorted facts and outright lies to appease his base and give the rest of us a migraine. And worse, if he goes off-script.

Trumps denial of government transportation is so patently retaliatorial that it is petty.

I think Pelosi can hurt Trump worse than Trump can hurt Pelosi; but the true loser is the U.S., and the State of the Union is not good!

Pelosi is one feisty lady. Maybe she should throw her hat into the 2020 presidential race.

David Turck

Clemmons

In fairness

In fairness to Robert Frost, the citation from the poem Mending Wall (Fences, Jan. 17) deserves context. The first line might drive readers to look it up for themselves and draw their own conclusions about the poets wisdom:

Something there is that doesnt love a wall.

Suzanna Watkins

Winston-Salem

Please submit letters online, with full name, address and telephone number, to Letters@wsjournal.com or mail letters to: The Readers Forum, 418 N. Marshall St., Winston-Salem, NC 27101. Letters are subject to editing and are limited to 250 words. For more guidelines and advice on writing letters, go to journalnow.com/site/forms/online_services/letter/
She retired from WSSU in 1994, then worked an additional 15 years as the executive director of childcare at Shilohian-St. Peters Childcare Center, a joint operation of St. Peters Church, now St. Peters World Outreach Center, and Shiloh Baptist Church, where she was a member.

Scales was definitely a hard worker and a woman of accomplishment. But her greatest talent may have been in encouraging others to excel.

She was a strong leader in the community. I enjoyed working with her and learning from her  her firmness and leadership skills, and that you need to know people in the community, Gordon Slade, who worked with Scales on the day care center, told the Journal.

Shes why I came to serve at Shiloh Baptist, the Rev. Paul Lowe told the Journal. She also convinced him to run for office  he now serves as a state senator.

She was a great lady, Lowe said.

Scales was one of several local women honored as pioneers and legends in 2013 by the Womens Missionary Society of Goler Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church.

She was a person of high standards, Jones, who was raised by Scales, told the Journal. She taught me how to treat people the right way. She didnt stand for foolishness.

We certainly need more like her today.
Border security is a phrase being thrown around a lot in the great standoff over the government shutdown. The question that should be asked, however, is how best to achieve it.

President Trump continues to sell the vanity project that was his signature campaign promise. Without a Wall our Country can never have Border or National Security. With a powerful Wall or Steel Barrier, Crime Rates (and Drugs) will go substantially down all over the U.S. The Dems know this but want to play political games. Must finally be done correctly. No Cave! he tweeted Tuesday morning. The president has gone so far as to claim that if his wall were built, we can stop heroin.

It is noticeable that Trump is talking more and more about the wall as a solution to this countrys drug and crime problem  in part because his characterization of migrants as murderers and rapists is a racist trope that has worn thin with all but the most xenophobic of his supporters.

But the $5.7 billion barrier that Trump wants to build would be no deterrent to the vast majority of the illegal drugs coming into this country. Very little of it is carted in by people crossing the U.S.-Mexico border in remote areas of the desert where the wall would go up. Illicit narcotics, by and large, come in shipments through existing points of entry.
She was a registered Republican from 1991 to 1996 because "I thought that those were the people who best supported markets." Today, she favors "big structural change." Her Accountable Capitalism Act would produce the semi-nationalization of large corporations, with federal charters requiring (among other things) 40 percent of their directors to be elected by employees. Such accountable-to-government (not to markets) corporations must have "a material positive impact on society ... when taken as a whole." This gaseous metric will be defined and applied by government. Such federalization of corporate law would inevitably be the thin end of an enormous wedge of government control, crowding out market signals. As would her Climate Risk Disclosure Act. And her American Housing and Economic Mobility Act. And her Affordable Drug Manufacturing Act (government-run production of generic drugs).

What law professor Richard Epstein calls Warren's "surreptitious socialism" would, he says, "likely lead to the largest flight of capital from the United States in history." Foreign investors -- domestic ones, too -- will not want to put wealth in corporations subservient to the political agendas of government. And the agendas of various "stakeholders" deemed to have rights comparable to those of shareholders who actually own corporations, and to whom corporate directors have the fiduciary duty to maximize their shares' value.
DETROIT  A Michigan family was escorted off an American Airlines plane Wednesday after passengers complained of body odor.

WPLG-TV in Florida reported that Yossi and Jennie Adler of Southfield and their 19-month-old daughter were boarding a plane at the Miami International Airport when they were escorted off. But Yossi Adler told the station that the family did not have body odor and urged the airline to reveal the actual reason behind the familys removal from the plane.

A statement from American Airlines officials to the Detroit Free Press stated, The Adler family were asked to deplane last night after several passengers, along with our crew members, complained about their body odor. The family were provided hotel accommodations and meals, and rebooked on a flight to Detroit today.

The Adler family could not be reached for comment Thursday.

WPLG received confirmation via text message that the family boarded a plane Thursday morning.

The familys luggage was reportedly not taken off the plane. Yossi Adler told the station, They have our car seat, stroller, everything.


A threat was made against schools across Northwest North Carolina Friday morning, prompting investigation by law enforcement officials in Forsyth and surrounding counties.

The unspecific threat did not mention any Winston-Salem/Forsyth County school or this district, said schools spokesman Brent Campbell.

An email and phone message were sent to parents Friday morning to notify them of the threat.

We are closely monitoring any information and will adhere to all security procedures throughout the day, Campbell said. Again, we have no known threat to Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools but want you to be aware of information being circulated throughout the entire region.

The man who made the threat called the Forsyth County Sheriffs Office Thursday evening about an unrelated issue, said Christina Howell, the offices public affairs officer.

The man then called the Winston-Salem Police Department Thursday night to make the threat. Howell said she did not know the exact nature of the threat, and police declined to comment.
Allen Spach Goslen, whose company, Goslen Printing, has connections to Salems first printing business, died Jan. 22 in Salemtown Retirement Community. He was 89.

Goslen Printing is the publisher of Blums Farmers and Planters Almanac, which began publication in Salem in 1828 when local printer John Christian Blum turned out the first edition.

Mark Goslen, Allen Goslens son, who now leads Goslen Printing, said his dad was deeply involved in every aspect of putting together the almanac for many years.

He absolutely loved printing the almanac, Goslen said. Almost as soon as one edition went to press, Allen Goslen starting compiling information for the following years edition, his son said.

He enjoyed doing the research to create the articles that would be published, the son said. He and I would sit down and talk about upcoming events for the next year, what current articles would be of interest next year. We would build it almost like a jigsaw puzzle. You have to think very far in advance.
GREENSBORO  Electric guitar aficionados take note.

Someone donated a 1983 Daion Power Mark X-B bass guitar to a Goodwill store in Greensboro.

The guitar was made by the world-renowned Matsumoku factory in Japan.

But you wont find the guitar on a shelf in the store.

Instead, Goodwill is selling the instrument on its online auction site at shopgoodwill.com/Greensboro.

The minimum bid is $560. (Bidding had reached $555 late Friday.)

The guitar is up for auction through 1 p.m. Wednesday.

 Staff Writer Carl Wilson
The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners on Thursday unanimously approved an agreement between the county and the City of Winston-Salem for the city to participate in the financing, ownership and operation of a parking deck for the new courthouse facilities.

The $13 million parking deck with about 660 spaces will be built at Chestnut and First streets in downtown Winston-Salem before the construction of the courthouse facilities.

Based on the agreement, the county would own the deck and the city would have the right to park its vehicles in about 183 spaces.

About 101 spaces will be available for public parking. The city and county would share in the construction, operation and maintenance of the parking deck.

The citys share of the costs for construction and operating the deck would be about 35.4 percent, or nearly $5 million. The county will pay the remaining costs.

So far, the Winston-Salem City Council has not taken action on the agreement.

The board also approved the rezoning of 92.7 acres in southeastern Forsyth County where Medline Industries, a manufacturer and distributor of medical supplies, wants to open a 660,000-square foot warehouse distribution center.
GREENSBORO  Threats to four jurors forced a judge Friday morning to restrict who can attend a murder trial involving a Bloods gang member.

Each juror alerted bailiffs they had been followed from a parking area to the courthouse by a man dressed from head to toe in red  the color worn by members of the Bloods.

Judge David Hall, four days into a trial that has increased security at the Guilford County Courthouse, slammed down a stack of papers after hearing the news.

One juror was so shaken, Hall said, she was hysterical. She was later dismissed from the trial.

Because of repeated and credible threats to the witnesses, the prosecutor and now jurors, Im now faced with either closing the courtroom or limiting those who attend, Hall said.

Hall ultimately decided to restrict the number of people allowed inside the courtroom  and ordered officers to be on the lookout for a man fitting the jurors description. He was eventually found.

It was the latest drama in the trial of Chauncey Slade, a 20-year-old facing life in prison for allegedly killing Ernest Lemark Cuthbertson, a Bloods member, and another man when he was 16.
Q: Why was the Sanitation Department working Monday when all city offices/services are closed for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday?

G.C.

Answer: Some sanitation services are required to prevent trash accumulation from leading to public health issues during the holidays, said Nick Geis, assistant sanitation director for the city. However, he said that the majority of the sanitation department does not have to work on city holidays.

Q: What is the name of the bright star I see in the southeast around 6 a.m.? Also the one right below it but not as bright?

J.G.

Answer: According to Caitlyn Zarzar, STEM Theatres Manager at Kaleideum, what you are most likely referring to are planets, not stars.

You are probably seeing Venus and Jupiter around that time, she said. Jupiter would be above Venus near the horizon and Antares (the 15th brightest star in the sky in the constellation Scorpio) might be visible at that time, but it is most likely Venus and Jupiter.

Planets do not produce their own light, but reflect the suns light.
Early European plant hunters trekking the jungles were often exasperated to learn that their shipments of tropical rarities were arriving home dead. The long sea voyages proved too much for the foliage, which got too much salty air and too little light. This dire situation continued until 1829 when an English physician with an obsession for botany made a startling discovery.

Dr. Nathanial Ward was a collector, amassing thousands of plants in his personal herbarium as well as countless insects in glass jars. In one tightly sealed bottle of moth cocoons, a tiny fern sprouted and, over the next few years, grew quite large. Ward observed that the moisture inside the vessel evaporated and condensed on the glass during the day only to run down the sides and feed the roots at night. A self-sustaining microenvironment had been created.

Ward proceeded to have two larger containers built, using glass and wood, which he filled with ferns and grasses for shipment to Australia. After months at sea, the plants arrived healthier than when they left. A return trip of Down Under species was equally successful. Ward published his findings in a book, On the Growth of Plants in Closely Glazed Cases, and the word was out.
South-southwest and westerly sides of the plant  thats the side that will get the most damage, because thats where sunlight hits it in the wintertime, Priode said.

Priode stressed that the No. 1 way to prevent winter burn on landscape ornamentals was to water, water, water. When temperatures fall well below freezing and the wind aids in pulling moisture from foliage, its crucial to have available moisture in the soil.

The main problem (in our area) is temperature fluctuations in the wintertime, Priode said. We can have a spring-like day and then two days later we can be in the 20s. So plants start moving water through themselves when its warm, and then when the temperature drops really quick, theyre still moving water. And then the wind and low humidity pull the water out. The best way to prevent winter burn is to make sure they have enough water to uptake during those cold times.

Even with the excessive amount of rain weve had, its important to note that some plants may not be receiving that water where they need it the most. Evergreens can shed rain to their drip line, not to their root ball. So its important to check the moisture level in all newly-planted evergreens. Dont just assume Mother Nature has taken care of it.
American Bank and Trust, based in Monroe, received tentative approval from the commission on Nov. 14. It also is working to complete its capital raise.

If approved, American Bank or Community Bank would be the first startup bank to begin operations in North Carolina since 2009.

Tony Plath, a retired finance professor at UNC Charlotte, said its not unexpected to see startup community banks struggle to open the door.

Its quite complicated to complete an application for a new charter, and the process is time consuming, like around six to nine months of work, and expensive, Plath said.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. typically requires startup banks to have in place a certain amount of capital, in this case $25 million for Community. The N.C. Commissioners of Banks also requires start-up community banks to raise at least $25 million to gain a state charter.

Its just plain difficult to accomplish a successful capital raise in the current equities market, Plath said.

Investors have plenty of cash, but theyre spooked by the volatility, and hence risk, of the market, and thus unwilling to take a chance on a new, unproven business.
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Puzzle-makers compete during the Third Annual Puzzle Mania competition. Tickets to this years event on Feb. 24 are available through the Friends of Music organization.
Illinois is now ranked No. 1 for prison call affordability, according to Prison Phone Justice. And Vollen-Katz said that has created a new set of problems. Since the rates went down at the beginning of the year, more inmates are able to afford to make phone calls, she said. So the demand is higher, and the competition for phone time is bad for morale and can create behavioral problems.
For me, the difference between deep knowledge and surface knowledge is the difference between what I know about New York City, where I have lived for years, and San Francisco, which I have visited only a handful of times. In New York, I can tell you where all the neighborhoods are and which train lines to take and speculate about whether the prevalence of Manhattan schist in the geological substrate influenced the heights of the buildings in Greenwich Village versus Midtown. Ive invested a lot of time in looking at both paper and digital maps of New York. In San Francisco, Ive only ever used digital maps to navigate from point to point. Ill be the first to admit that I dont know where anything is in the Bay Area.
Jeff Wessel is preparing to show his solar-powered home, and to field questions with solar power specialists, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday. The house is at 610 Spruce Hill Way in Charles Town.
When the Jan. 21 meeting of the Anamosa school board began, there was a new face at the end of the board table. For the first time in a number of years, a student rep is back on the board as junior Riley Troester was introduced prior to the meeting.
David Abel, 72, died June 18th, 2021, at his home in El Dorado, AR, surrounded by his family after a short battle with cancer. David was born November 26, 1948, in Sacramento, CA, to Earnest "Bood" Abel and Peggy Downing Abel. David attended school in Miami, OK, and graduated in 1967. He joi
Allie Gross covers Teton County government. Originally from the Chicago area, she joined the News&Guide in 2017 after studying politics and Spanish at Vanderbilt University in Nashville.
But from the beginning, everything about the wall proposal was phony. No expert study was done to confirm that the wall would be the most cost-effective approach to illegal immigration. It would be impractical and most likely impossible to erect a tall concrete barrier from the Gulf of Mexico to the Pacific Ocean. He was the only person who took the notion seriously.
Weather Alert

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM EDT THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH SUNDAY EVENING... The Flash Flood Watch continues for * Portions of north and central Georgia. * From 2 PM EDT this afternoon through Sunday evening. * A tropical low pressure system will bring heavy rainfall to portions of Georgia today and Sunday. Rainfall totals of 3 to 5 inches are expected over the watch area, with higher amounts to 6 inches possible over portions of western and north Georgia. Quickly accumulating rainfall will easily allow for efficient runoff and increase flash flooding potential. * Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks and inundate fields, roads, businesses and other property. Street flooding could also lead to road closures. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should Flash Flood Warnings be issued. &&
Anderson was Homewoods village clerk from 1955 to 1969, and served two terms as president of what was then the South Suburban Chamber of Commerce & Industry, according to Hofstetter. He was a past member of the board of directors of the Harvey YMCA and United Way of Harvey.
Chinese telecommunications equipment provider Huawei Technologies has launched a 5G multi-mode chipset and the first commercial 5G device powered by it in Beijing on Thursday.

The company claims that the Balong 5000 chipset and the Huawei 5G CPE Pro will "provide the world's fastest wireless connections for your smartphone, your home, the office, and on the go".

"The Balong 5000 will open up a whole new world to consumers," said Richard Yu, chief executive of Huaweis Consumer Business Group. "It will provide the high-speed connections needed for pervasive intelligence.

"Powered by the Balong 5000, the Huawei 5G CPE Pro enables consumers to access networks more freely and enjoy an incredibly fast connected experience.

"Huawei has an integrated set of capabilities across chips, devices, cloud services, and networks. Building on these strengths, as the leader of the 5G era, we will bring an inspired, intelligent experience to global consumers in every aspect of their lives."

Huawei claims the Balong 5000 is the world's first single-chip multi-mode modem. It says the Balong 5000 supports 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G on a single chip, reduces latency and power consumption when exchanging data between different modes, and is claimed to enhance user experience in the early stages of commercial 5G deployment.

It is claimed to be the first chipset to perform to industry benchmarks for peak 5G download speeds. At Sub-6 GHz (low-frequency bands, the main spectrum used for 5G), Balong 5000 can achieve download speeds up to 4.6 Gbps. On mmWave spectrum (high-frequency bands used as extended spectrum for 5G), Balong 5000 can achieve download speeds up to 6.5 Gbps  10 times faster than top 4G LTE speeds on the market.

The company said Balong 5000 was also the first chipset that supported both standalone and non-standalone network architectures for 5G.

"With non-standalone, 5G network architecture is built on top of legacy 4G LTE networks, whereas standalone 5G, as the name implies, will have its own independent architecture. Balong 5000 can flexibly meet different user and carrier requirements for connecting devices throughout different stages of 5G development," Huawei said.

The company's 5G smartphones powered by the Balong 5000 will be released at this year's Mobile World Congress which is scheduled to be held in Barcelona from 25 to 28 February.

The Huawei 5G CPE Pro supports both 4G and 5G wireless connections.

The company claims that on a 5G network, a 1-GB HD video clip can be downloaded in three seconds, and 8K video can be streamed smoothly without lag, setting a benchmark for home CPEs. The device can also be used by small and medium-sized enterprises for super-fast broadband access.

The company said the Huawei 5G CPE Pro used new Wi-Fi 6 technology to deliver speeds of up to 4.8 Gbps.

"It is the first 5G CPE that supports HUAWEI HiLink protocols, bringing smart homes into the 5G era," Huawei said. "As a 5G pioneer, Huawei began research and development in 5G as early as 2009, and is currently the industry's only vendor that can provide end-to-end 5G systems.

"Huawei has more than 5700 engineers dedicated to 5G R&D, including over 500 5G experts. In total, Huawei has established 11 joint innovation centres for 5G solutions worldwide."
A fresh saga has begun in the long-running case between Google and Oracle, with the search giant asking the US Supreme Court on Thursday to reverse a verdict granted in Oracle's favour.

In a 343-page submission, the company urged the court to rule that its use of 37 Java APIs in its Android mobile operating system constituted "fair use" which is allowed under American copyright law.

Google described the ruling made by the US Federal Circuit Court of Appeals in August last year as a "devastating one-two punch at the software industry that would prove a hurdle to innovation.

Oracle executive vice-president and general counsel Dorian Daley said in a statement: Google's petition for certiorari presents a rehash of arguments that have already been thoughtfully and thoroughly discredited.

"The fabricated concern about innovation hides Google's true concern: that it be allowed the unfettered ability to copy the original and valuable work of others as a matter of its own convenience and for substantial financial gain.

"This is not, and has never been, a valid justification for copying. Further, the purported chill on innovation is a well-known myth.

"Since the initial decision of the Federal Circuit (and agreement of the Solicitor General's Office) that the Oracle Java code copied by Google was copyright protected, the pace of innovation has only accelerated, spurring job creation and opportunity.

"Indeed, the sky is not falling on the software industry or technology industry in general."

Daley said Oracle would continue its efforts to protect and grow its own innovations, as well as those of other innovators, "by ensuring that the well-established principles of copyright law are not subverted by anyone trying to cut corners".

"In major victories for software innovation, the Court of Appeals has twice sided with Oracle against Google. The Court of Appeals was correct each time. The Supreme Court should once again deny Googles request to take the case.

In a statement, Google's senior vice-president of Global Affairs and chief legal officer Kent Walker said: "A court initially ruled that the software interfaces in this case are not copyrightable, but that decision was overruled. A unanimous jury then held that our use of the interfaces was a legal fair use, but that decision was likewise overruled.

"Unless the Supreme Court corrects these twin reversals, this case will end developers traditional ability to freely use existing software interfaces to build new generations of computer programs for consumers.

"Just like we all learn to use computer keyboard shortcuts, developers have learned to use the many standard interfaces associated with different programming languages. Letting these reversals stand would effectively lock developers into the platform of a single copyright holderakin to saying that keyboard shortcuts can work with only one type of computer.

"The US Constitution authorised copyrights to 'promote the progress of science and useful arts', not to impede creativity or promote lock-in of software platforms. Leading voices from business, technology, academia, and the nonprofit sector agree and have spoken out about the potentially devastating impacts of this case.

"We support software developers ability to develop the applications we all have come to use every day, and we hope that the Supreme Court will give this case the serious and careful consideration it deserves."

In August 2018, the US Federal Circuit Court of Appeals rejected Google's bid to have the case reheard. This meant that the decision  that Google's use of the Java APIs was "not fair as a matter of law"  would stand, and the search giant would have to fork out US$8.8 to billion to Oracle or else try to take the case to the Supreme Court  as it did on Thursday.

The case has been going on since 2010 when Oracle sued Google shortly after it purchased Sun Microsystems and became the owner of Java, claiming that the search engine company had violated its copyright and patents.

That case ended in 2012 with Google being largely the victor. The presiding judge, Justice William Alsup, ruled that APIs could not be copyrighted.

But an appeal gave Oracle what it wanted: a ruling that APIs could be copyrighted. As a side note, this ruling has put developers at risk, as they could be sued for using APIs that they could use freely prior to the trial.

In a second trial that ended in May 2016, a jury found that Google's use of the Java APIs in Android was covered under fair use. As expected, Oracle was not happy with the verdict.

Oracle initiated an appeal in February 2017 having indicated after the May 2016 verdict that it would not take a backward step. In August 2016, Oracle tried to get the verdict set aside, but was this was refused by Justice Alsup. Later the same year, the database giant filed the necessary papers to prolong the battle.

Finally, on 28 March, the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit came to the conclusion that Google's use of the Java APIs was "not fair as a matter of law".
Canada's ambassador to China, John McCallum, has backtracked on comments he made, about detained Huawei chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou having a good case against extradition to the US, claiming he "misspoke".

The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation reported on Friday that McCallum had said in a statement: I regret that my comments with respect to the legal proceedings of Ms. Meng have created confusion. I misspoke. These comments do not accurately represent my position on this issue.

The envoy had told an event in Markham, Ontario, on Tuesday, where Chinese-language media were present, that Meng had "some strong arguments she can make before a judge" in fighting extradition, according to a CBC report.

McCallum was quoted as saying, "One, political involvement by comments from [US President] Donald Trump in her case. Two, there's an extraterritorial aspect to her case, and three, there's the issue of Iran sanctions which are involved in her case, and Canada does not sign on to these Iran sanctions. So I think she has some strong arguments that she can make before a judge,"

Meng was arrested in Vancouver on 1 December at the request of US law enforcement under the terms of a bilateral extradition treaty. The US has now said it will make a formal bid to extradite her to face charges of violating its sanctions on Iran.

When Trump was asked in December if he would intervene in the matter, he responded: Whatevers good for this country, I would do.

If I think its good for what will be certainly the largest trade deal ever made  which is a very important thing  whats good for national security  I would certainly intervene if I thought it was necessary.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his efforts were focused on two Canadians whom China has detained  Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor  in what looks like retaliation for Meng's arrest, out of China and recalling the envoy would not help in this direction.

Asked about McCallum's backflip, Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a regular press briefing in Beijing on Friday: "Whatever the Canadian side said, China's position on this issue has always been very clear-cut.

"As to this issue, the Canadian side has made a serious mistake from the very beginning. It is by no means an ordinary judicial case. Instead, it is a serious political incident. Like I said yesterday, we hope that Canada can recognise the seriousness of this issue instead of risking endangering itself for other's gains."
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency has announced $500,000 in funding to Climate-KIC Australia to lead a three-year longitudinal study into the benefits of geothermal energy in the residential sector and greenfield estates.

The $1.7 million project will study a commercial-scale demonstration of renewable ground-source heat pumps being deployed in the Fairwater master-planned residential community in Blacktown, Western Sydney.

Climate-KIC will lead the project team comprising University of Technology Sydney, Curtin University, Wattwatchers and the Green Building Council of Australia, with $180,000 of funding each, as well as in-kind support over three years from the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage, and the developer of Fairwater, Frasers Property Group.

ARENA says that, if successful, the project will pave the way by establishing a business case for industry-wide adoption of ground-source heat pumps within local, renewable and efficient energy systems.

Geothermal heat pump systems will supply heating and cooling to each of the over 800 new dwellings in the Fairwater precinct, and the project is based on the living laboratories concept of using existing buildings to evaluate performance of energy efficiency and sustainability initiatives.

ARENA chief executive Darren Miller said the project would demonstrate the potential of using geothermal energy to power households.

Ground sourced thermal energy being installed in new housing estates could reduce energy consumption and cost as well as benefiting the network by lowering peak demand and the associated need to invest in expensive infrastructure, he said.

Miller says that, if successful, the study could help demonstrate the value of geothermal energy to greenfield developers, potentially seeing further housing developments implement this renewable technology.

Frasers Property Group executive general manager  Residential, Anthony Boyd, said Frasers were always looking at opportunities to invest in smart sustainable technology that benefits its customers and the environment.

This real-world research will provide important data for the industry to optimise the deployment of geothermal technology in communities of the future. Its the type of study that will help accelerate the pace of change the Australian property industry must embrace if, as a country, we are to meet our international climate change obligations, he said.

Climate-KIC Australia chief executive Christopher Lee said the Fairwater Project represented a unique opportunity to measure, evaluate and understand the use of new technologies.

Working with a proactive property developer, leading researchers, start-ups and industry bodies allows us to bring a broad range of skills to a complex project. We are excited to be able to develop important insight for the property sector going forward.

Project Lead Investigator Associate Professor Leena Thomas from UTS said the Fairwater Living Laboratory would include detailed energy and environmental monitoring, community engagement, and feedback from residents about their everyday experience of the homes and the precinct.

The research will deliver a better understanding of the opportunities and barriers for wider adoption of the innovative geothermal heat pumps and other sustainable design features included at Fairwater.

Additionally, the living laboratory offers a unique opportunity for our cross disciplinary team of experts from architecture and building to science, health and sustainable futures, to evaluate how this six star Green Star precinct performs in terms of sustainability, resilience, commerciality, health and well-being, she said.
Global software provider Rimini Street has completed the delivery of a payday filing upgrade to the University of Aucklands PeopleSoft enterprise software system, after working closely with the University to develop the module.

Payday filing is a significant change to the way New Zealand businesses report payroll information to New Zealands Inland Revenue (IR) and, under the new system, employers will need to report employee payments every payday rather than the current system which requires monthly reporting, and all businesses in New Zealand must payday file starting on 1 April.

Rimini Street says that, for many New Zealand businesses, this will require an upgrade to their existing payroll systems.

The University of Auckland utilises PeopleSoft 9.2 as its enterprise software system, and leverages Rimini Street to manage the maintenance and support for the platform. The University also relies on Rimini Street to support and implement complex tax and regulatory change requirements.

The University began to work closely with Rimini Streets software and support teams last year to develop the module well ahead of the 1 April deadline, with the upgrade also including a change to the amendments reporting process.

Under the old system, amendments to the old Employer Schedule (IR348) had to be made using a manual, paper-based system, and Rimini Street and the University worked together to develop a module which digitised this process.

Payday filing is a significant change to how businesses have to report, said Julia Middleton-Easte, university associate director, HR Services at University of Auckland.

We selected Rimini Street to work on this substantial update because its an organisation with a history of working with customers to help them stay ahead of regulatory changes and remain compliant. Leveraging their expertise in developing a solution to these requirements means we do not have to undertake an expensive upgrade to our systems.

Most recently, Rimini Street worked with customers in Australia and directly with the Australian Tax Office to develop an update for SAP and Oracle systems which met the countrys Single Touch Payroll reporting requirements.

Rimini says it was able to do so ahead of the vendors and prior to the deadline, ensuring clients were ready for  and compliant with  the new system.

The shift to payday filing will streamline the payroll reporting process in New Zealand, but only if New Zealands businesses have the right systems in place to report efficiently, while meeting regulatory requirements and securing the data, said Sean Jones, senior account executive for New Zealand, Rimini Street.

The University of Aucklands proactive approach to payday filing ensures its systems are compliant, but it also shows they are taking control of their digital transformation roadmap.

Rimini Street launched a new subsidiary in New Zealand in November 2018 in response to what the company said was an increasing desire for software support solutions that can help optimise IT spend and enable organisations to liberate significant funding for their business transformation initiatives.

Rimini Street, now with an office on Queen Street in Auckland, says it already supports nearly 50 clients with operations in New Zealand, including local brands James Pascoe, Spark, 2Degrees Mobile and Refining New Zealand, along with the University of Auckland.
Users of Microsoft Office 365 and Microsoft 365 in Europe have been unable to access their mailboxes for more than a day, with a borked domain controller apparently the reason.

Surprisingly, the Microsoft Office 365 status website said there were no known issues.

But the Twitter account for Microsoft 365 said it had been determined that a subset of the domain controller infrastructure had become unresponsive, with the result that user connections were timing out.

Weve determined that a subset of Domain Controller infrastructure is unresponsive, resulting in user connection time outs. Were applying steps to mitigate the issue. More details can be found in the admin center published under EX172491.  Microsoft 365 Status (@MSFT365Status) January 24, 2019

In November last year, Microsoft had issues with the Office 365 service, with customers complaining they were unable to sign in to their accounts.

A number of cloud services offered by the Redmond software giant use the MFA offered by Azure Active Directory to authenticate by default.

This is still down, 13 hours and counting. O365 Mailboxes in North Europe region. Apparently a domain controller is down, per MS support.  Cybersecurity Beaumont (@GossiTheDog) January 24, 2019

Two days before that, users of the company's Exchange Online service werefor more than 12 hours.

And a week prior, Microsoft cloud customers using multi-factor authentication found themselves locked out of their accounts.

Office 365's support team having a lovely time in the office. pic.twitter.com/dfRV2blDJj  Gregg Bayes-Brown (@GreggBayesBrown) January 24, 2019

Additionally, a lightning strike near one of Microsoft's South Central US data centres in September led to a massive outage in regions around the globe.

Well.. at this rate it's going to be Microsoft350 by the end of the year.  Taneli Kaivola (@dist) January 24, 2019

The Azure service was hit by a fire suppression incident in 2017. It also suffered prolonged downtime in 2013.
Ithaca, NY (14850)

Today

Partly to mostly cloudy with widely scattered showers or thunderstorms possible this afternoon. A few storms may be severe. High around 85F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Rain showers this evening with clearing overnight. Low 61F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
On Friday, officials with the Walker County Hospital District board announced that they have finalized a $7.8 million purchase of Huntsville Memorial Hospital. Do you feel like this is a good use of tax dollars, and is this the right direction for the struggling health care facility?

You voted:
World Canada's Envoy to China says 'Misspoke' on Huawei CFO Case

Meng Wanzhou, executive board director of Huawei, attends a session of the VTB Capital Investment Forum "Russia Calling!" in Moscow, Russia, on October 2, 2014. / Reuters

TORONTOCanadas ambassador to China said he misspoke when he said Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd, Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou had a strong case against extradition to the United States, John McCallum said in a statement on Thursday.

Speaking to Chinese-language media in a Toronto suburb on Tuesday, McCallum said Meng had good arguments on her side in her case.

I regret that my comments with respect to the legal proceedings of Ms. Meng have created confusion. I misspoke. These comments do not accurately represent my position on this issue, McCallums statement said.

Mengs arrest in Vancouver on Dec. 1 at the behest of the United States enraged China, which has called for the extradition case to be dropped. The United States has until Jan. 30 to formally request her extradition over alleged violations of US sanctions on Iran.

Canadas government has emphasized that it follows the rule of law and cautioned against politicizing the case after US President Donald Trump told Reuters last month he would intervene if it served US trade or national security interests.

In his Tuesday remarks, McCallum said Trumps comments and the fact that Canada had not applied the same sanctions against Iran as the United States made for strong arguments Meng could make before a judge. She next appears in court on Feb. 6.

Meng has been released on bail and is living in one of her two multi-million Vancouver homes, wearing a GPS ankle bracelet and watched by security guards when she leaves the house.

The case has made for tense Canada-China relations. Two Canadians were detained in China following Mengs arrest, and a third was sentenced to death on drug charges.

Neither Canada nor China has explicitly tied these actions to Mengs arrest but some former diplomats have suggested this is a tit-for-tat issue.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told reporters Wednesday that he is focused on getting detained Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor out of China and recalling McCallum would not help their case.
Burma Myanmar Army Man Rescued in Bangladesh

A photograph of the rescued member of Myanmars border guard police force who was found in Bangladesh on Thursday morning. / Border Guard Bangladesh / supplied
Burma Intl Crisis Group Urges China to Push for Army Ceasefire in Rakhine

Myanmar Army troops join a military parade in Naypyitaw in 2018. / Myo Min Soe / The Irrawaddy

YANGONIn its latest report issued on Thursday, the International Crisis Group (ICG) urged China to put pressure on the Myanmar Army to extend its unilateral ceasefire to Rakhine State in order to address ongoing armed clashes there between government troops and the Arakan Army (AA).

The report, entitled A New Dimension of Violence in Myanmars Rakhine State, contains five sections detailing the insurgency waged by the AA, arbitrary arrests of prominent Rakhine politicians, the indiscriminate killings of protesters in Mrauk-U last year and the political grievances between Arakanese political parties and the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD), as well as encouraging both sides to restrain from further offensives in the region.

Regarding the ICGs advice, Yangon-based ethnic affairs analyst U Maung Maung Soe said China has been playing a major role in facilitating the peace dialogue for the Northern Alliance group for several years, adding that a Chinese envoy even recently disused the ongoing violence in Rakhine with AA leaders in Kachin States Laiza, where the Kachin Independence Army and the AA headquarters are located.

But any encouragement to the military to extend the ceasefire to cover Rakhine State should firstly involve negotiations between the actors, U Maung Maung Soe said.

Without having any negotiations between them, its really tough to discuss possibilities, he said.

As part of the solution, the ICG suggested the Myanmar government initiate dialogue with ethnic Rakhine representatives over key political, economic and social issues. It also recommended the authorities consider releasing Aye Maung and other ethnic Rakhine political prisoners.

The report mentioned that political dialogue between the Union government and Arakanese stakeholders should cover the repatriation process for Rohingya refugees who have been sheltering for more than one year in Bangladeshi camps, the rebuilding of Rohingya communities, economic development and power sharing between the central and state governments.

It also said the NLD governments labeling of the AA as terrorists had only exacerbated the tensions between the Arakanese and Burman political actors at both the state and national levels.

The government convened a rare high-level meeting of senior military and civilian officials in Naypyitaw on Jan. 7 in response to the AAs coordinated attacks on four border outposts in northern Rakhine on Jan. 4, which killed 13 policemen and injured more than a dozen.

The day after the meeting, Myanmar Presidents Office spokesman U Zaw Htay held a press briefing in which he used harsh rhetoric against ethnic Arakanese, and told reporters that the president had given the military a green light to crush the terrorists. His comments are seen as having increased support for the AA among the Arakanese public.

The Irrawaddy phoned U Zaw Htay on Friday evening to get his comments on the ICGs criticism of the government, but he declined to answer questions over the phone. Brigadier-General Zaw Min Tun from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief did not answer phone calls on Friday.

AA chief Tun Myat Naing previously told The Irrawaddy that the group felt it was necessary to raid the four Border Guard Police outposts in northern Rakhine, as the police were helping the military implement its four cuts strategy, which includes cutting off food, information and travel in the conflict zone, as well as conducting arbitrary arrests of AA supporters and Arakanese youth activists.

The ICG report says, The 4 January attacks and government response have changed the dynamic of armed conflict in Rakhine State by activating previously latent support for the AA and bringing such support more into the open.

In an apparent attempt to discredit the AA among ethnic Rakhine, U Zaw Htay made inflammatory remarks accusing the group of having ties with the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army, and of operating two bases inside Bangladesh. The ICG predicted the Tatmadaw (Myanmars military) may instead focus its attention on civilians, seeking to undermine support for the AA by making large-scale arrests.

Despite the ICGs wide range of suggestions on how to find a peaceful solution in Rakhine, armed conflict is seen as likely to emerge in other contested areas across Myanmar in the near future. On Friday, the Office of the Commander-in-Chief issued warning messages to all ethnic armed groups, including both signatories and non-signatories to the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement, to cease all military movements by Feb. 12.
Burma I Dont Need to Explain Myself: Scandal-Hit Tenasserim Chief Minister

Tenasserim Region Chief Minister Daw Lei Lei Maw at her office in 2018 / Zue Zue / The Irrawaddy

YANGONTenasserim Region Chief Minister Daw Lei Lei Maw said she would not respond to a nepotism scandal surrounding her.

I dont need to explain myself. Time will tell. They [the government] can come and make an inspection, and if I have done something wrong, it will be revealed, she told The Irrawaddy.

According to unconfirmed reports, the chief minister will be forced to resign for allegedly awarding business contracts to Global Grand Service (GGS) Company, which is reportedly owned by her relatives, and allegedly appointing a relative as her personal secretary, a paid government position.

The chief minister has denied that any of her relatives work for GGS Co.

If I am asked to resign, I will. I would have to; that is standard procedure, Daw Lei Lei Maw said. She was confident she would be able to clear her name, however.

Daw Lei Lei Maw said the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD)s Central Executive Committee had not communicated with her regarding the allegations.

My personal secretary is [an official] from the General Administration Department, she said.

According to lawmakers in the regional parliament, Daw Lei Lei Maw appointed a daughter of U Aung Soe, a member of the NLDs Central Executive Committee and the chairman of the NLDs Tenasserim Region chapter, as her personal secretary when she took office. Daw Lei Lei Maw is U Aung Soes sister-in-law.

Daw Lei Lei Maw denied making any such official appointment. I have not appointed her [to a position]. But sometimes, she helps me with some computer work in my office. She is just helping, she told The Irrawaddy.

The Presidents Office issued an order on April 1, 2016, barring Union ministers from appointing family members as their personal secretaries. According to the order, Union ministers must select from among departmental officials when appointing personal secretaries, in line with the rules and regulations for civil servants.

Though the rule could be strictly interpreted as not applying to local governments, Tenasserim regional parliament speaker U Khin Maung Aye said it applies to all government officials.

Those who hold important positions should not appoint their relatives. Others might have a bad opinion of this. My understanding is that [the order] applies to all members of the government, he said.

He confirmed that U Nay Myo Aung, the son-in-law of U Aung Soe, holds a senior position in GGS Co., which supplies electricity in Dawei District.

GGS Co. produces electricity from gas purchased from the government. The company owes over 8 billion kyats for gas supplied between July 2017, when it launched its power supply service, and late 2018.

He said the regional parliament has received complaints from locals about the chief minister and GGS Co. The parliament will take action in line with the relevant laws and regulations, he said.

NLD spokesperson Dr. Myo Nyunt told local media the party had also received complaints against the chief minister.

The scandal follows a separate controversy involving the Kachin chief minister. On Friday and Monday, Chief Minister U Khet Aung ordered three ministers to resign from their positions. The only explanation given for the move was that the instruction had come from State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.
Burma Aid Curbs in Myanmar's Rakhine Impact 'At Least 50,000 People'UN

An ethnic Rakhine woman who fled violence in Maungdaw feeds her daughter at a temporary internally displaced persons (IDP) camp in Sittwe, Myanmar on October 15, 2016. / Reuters

YANGONNew government curbs on aid activities in Myanmars western Rakhine State are affecting at least 50,000 people, the United Nations has said in an internal note, highlighting the growing impact of recent fighting on the civilian population.

The Rakhine State government this month blocked non-governmental organizations and UN agencies from travelling to rural areas in five townships in northern and central parts of the state affected by conflict.

The International Committee of the Red Cross and UN World Food Programme were exempted from the ban on aid activity in the region, where fighting between government troops and autonomy-seeking ethnic Rakhine rebels has displaced thousands.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) summarized recent information gathered from aid organizations on the impact of the restrictions in the two central Rakhine townships of Kyauktaw and Ponnagyun.

UNOCHA circulated a note on the findings late on Wednesday to some UN officials and non-governmental organisations seeking comments and updates on the situation. Reuters obtained the note independently and reviewed it on Thursday.

It said that the restrictions forced aid organizations to reduce or stop pre-existing programs, including the provision of healthcare, clean water, school construction and teacher training, among other activities.

For example, the agency said that in Kyauktaw mobile health services were to be provided in 15 villages, totaling around 17,000 people, involving around 1,600 people to be treated on average each month the provision of these services has now been put on hold.

The affected activities included primary health care and malnutrition screening and treatment, it said.

In Ponnagyun, around 220 health consultations in rural areas of the township have been stopped, including emergency referral services, the agency said in the note.

Fighting has forced about 5,000 people to flee from their homes and to take shelter in monasteries and communal areas across the region since early January, according to UNOCHA.

Myanmars president, speaking in a rare meeting with the commander-in-chief this month, urged the military to crush the rebels of the Arakan Army. The president, Win Myint, is a loyalist of the de facto government leader, Nobel laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

Last week, the United Nations called on the government to allow rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access to the area.

We are currently working to assess the impact that recent access restrictions could have on the delivery of pre-existing and ongoing humanitarian programs in the affected townships, said Pierre Peron, UNOCHAs spokesman in Myanmar in response to an email seeking comment on the internal note.

This is an evolving assessment.

He said the United Nations was liaising closely with the authorities in Rakhine State, who have now invited humanitarian organizations to individually apply for travel authorizations for specific activities, adding he hoped authorities would respond quickly and positively to such applications.

Myanmar government spokesman Zaw Htay did not respond to calls seeking comment.

Ready to respond

The Rakhine municipal affairs minister, Win Myint, could not be reached for comment. He told Reuters earlier the restrictions had been put in place for security reasons and he did not know when they would be lifted.

Reuters contacted several affected NGOs seeking comment on the situation. One of them, the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), said: Along with most other organizations we do not currently have access to respond to the needs of the conflict-affected and displaced populations.

We have emergency supplies prepositioned and remain ready to respond if this situation changes, said Laura Marshall, the NRCs acting country director.

The affected aid groups published a statement on Tuesday expressing deep concern about the restrictions.

Rakhine State has been roiled by successive rounds of violence in recent years.

In 2017, an extensive military crackdown, following attacks by Rohingya Muslim insurgents, prompted about 730,000 Rohingya to flee westwards into neighboring Bangladesh.

The Arakan Army, the group behind the recent fighting, is demanding greater autonomy from the central government for the state, where the mostly Buddhist ethnic Rakhine people form the majority of the population.

Arakan Army fighters killed 13 policemen and wounded nine in attacks on four police posts in early January, state media reported.

An Arakan Army spokesman outside Myanmar told Reuters the group attacked the security forces in response to a broad military offensive in the north of Rakhine that also targeted civilians.
WHILE watching the Prime Time special on transgender issues in Ireland, a third-level student of my acquaintance remarked that, during her university debates, students are asked as a matter of course to give their name and what pronoun you prefer to be addressed as, writes Alison OConnor.

This comment was made in a by the way manner , nothing sensational, in the same way that you hear that younger generation bandy about the word pansexual.

Revealing my age and stage in life, I did have to refer to Google to check out exactly what pansexual was and discovered, in a nutshell, that it means not being limited in sexual choice with regard to biological sex, gender, or gender identity. It appears to be a whole new pansexual world out there.

Except that, for many people, it is simply that things have moved on enough for them to be able to state that they are transgender, a term which broadly describes people who identify as having a different gender from the sex assigned to them at birth. This is a hugely vulnerable population in our communities, with high rates of suicide and a huge level of worry among parents who fear for the future wellbeing of a transgender child.

Tuesday nights Prime Time report by Eithne OBrien did a very good job of explaining where the issue is at in Ireland, as opposed to in the UK, where they are going hammer and tongs on certain aspects of it. The British debate is especially toxic on social media, being rife for whipping up prejudice and fear. Sadly, it is so in-your-face and vitriolic no one ends up any the wiser.

Prime Time was obviously angling for some of that controversy action by deciding to include comedy writer Graham Linehan as a contributor. Linehan, of Fr Ted fame, has serious form when it comes to controversy around this issue. He was given a verbal harassment warning by British police after being reported by a trans activist over social media comments last year. As many of those who objected to his appearance pointed out, he is neither a doctor nor someone who is transgender.

But those sort of narrow strictures smack of censorship. Clearly he was included to whip up an audience  with plenty of controversy preceeding the airing of the programme and a protest taking place at RTE. When it came down to it, he did raise issues that are unpalatable to some people, but that doesnt mean he should be shut down.

The debate in the UK has, on one side, those who advocate for gender self-identification: The belief that the world should take at face value a persons declaration of their own gender identity. On the other side are those who argue the primacy of biological sex. Their concerns include protections for women being eroded, including from male violence, by allowing trans women into female-only spaces. This does not simply concern gender-neutral toilets, but also, for instance, prisons.

Other examples of how its all shaping up include a leading UK cancer charity, tweeting that cervical screening was relevant for everyone aged 25-64 with a cervix. No mention of women. Or the campaign group which donates sanitary products to asylum seekers referring to menstruators rather than women  all in the name of trans inclusivity.

Talking about this issue is not easy and there are a number of terms that are difficult to remember and there is a fear of inadvertently causing offensive or using the wrong pronoun. I dont know if it is a generational thing but it does feel impossible, for instance, to get my head around the notion of referring to an individual who identifies as non-binary  neither male nor female  as they, rather than he or she.

Its also worth saying that, at the moment, Brexit-soaked Britain appears to be in a place where it would fight with its toenails on any given issue. Its such a relief to say were not in that place. In fact, after the marriage equality referendum and the abortion referendum, I think it can safely be said we are in a compassionate place at present.

Without much ado at all a few years ago we introduced the Gender Recognition Act 2015. It allows over-18s to decide their own gender identity without the backing of a medical professional or gender reassignment treatment. Since then, 393 adults have been granted gender recognition certs  216 from male to female; 163 female to male.

Instinctively though, it feels as if a recent Private Members Bill, which passed second stage in the Seanad, which would allow 16- and 17-year-olds to change gender without parental consent, is not a good idea. This legislation may never reach the end of the line but it does show that maybe, in contrast to the UK, we need to have more debate here. There is also a Government- ordered review which recommends that under-18s have a right to such a certificate with their parents consent.

Compassion is an all-important first position here for those parents and young people struggling with gender identity and wondering what is the best way forward. Your child may have the eventual relief of finally being able to identify as their chosen gender, as opposed to the one they were identified with at birth, but there is the certain knowledge, given the societal norms, that a hard road lies ahead.

They struggle with the lack of medical and psychological support services available. Demand is growing each year. To deal with this huge demand, the Tavistock Gender Identity Clinic in London runs a satellite service in Our Ladys Hospital for Sick Children in Dublin every month. According to Prime Time, 35 Irish children were referred there for treatment in 2017 compared to just one child in 2011.

No one is certain whether this is because it previously went largely unspoken about or ignored, if people now feel better able to express it, or if there is an element of it being an issue that is currently over identified with.

Expressing that particular thought drives some instantly to rage, but we simply cannot ignore that some children go through a transgender stage and often simply grow out of it, while others most definitely do not. It is estimated that 30% of children with gender dysphoria (a term used to describe those who feel ones emotional identity to be opposite to their biological sex) or identity disorder may have some form of autism forms another part of the discussion.

Also, in the UK, that four times as many girls as boys have gender dysphoria needs examination. This is a question that can be endlessly speculated on  not least that teenage girls are more vulnerable and highly susceptible to mental health difficulties.

None of it is easy to understand or to explain, but this is an area where we have a duty to listen very carefully. A survey conducted by Transgender Equality Network Ireland showed almost 80% of those questioned had considered suicide, and a similar figure avoided some public places or situations for fear of harassment. We went some way towards that this week but need to lose the overreactions.
Were the US president allowed to construct a border wall with Mexico in exchange for ending the government shutdown, its staggering cost and logistical difficulty would undermine him, says Lincoln Mitchell.

THE stalemate between US president, Donald Trump, and congressional Democrats over funding for the proposed border wall with Mexico has been politically damaging for him.

Most Americans blame him for the longest government shutdown in history.

Plus, he has been put in a difficult strategic corner. He needs a way to resolve the shutdown, without looking like he has abandoned a signature promise of his election campaign.

Democrats dismissed his proposed deal to end the partial government shutdown in exchange for temporary protections for Dreamers (young people brought illegally to the US, but allowed a deportation deferral) and other immigrants.

The problem for Trump is that while his fixation on the wall might play well to his supporters, actually building it would be a political disaster for him. His insistence provides red meat for his anti-immigrant base, who believe that the border with Mexico is porous, allowing millions of undocumented workers, as well as criminals, drugs and terrorists, to wantonly flood into the United States.

By demanding the wall, Trump is sending a message to his voters, that he understands their concerns, and, as a master builder, is willing to rock the Washington boat to get something done.

However, if the wall were ever to begin to get built, it would create problems beyond pushing away the swing voters he needs to be competitive when he runs for re-election in 2020.

First, most experts on immigration agree that the wall will not solve any of the problems cited by Trump. The number of undocumented workers has been declining in recent years; most narcotics are brought into the United States either at existing checkpoints or through other ports of entry; very few terrorists have come across the border illegally since the September 11 attacks, and, contrary to Trumps assertions, people making illegal crossings are not disproportionally criminal elements.

Building a wall that would, in large part, span a hot and inhospitable desert would address none of the problems that anti-immigration activists would like to see solved.

Second, the wall will be extremely expensive. Trump is currently asking for about $5bn to begin construction, but if the wall were ever to be completed the final price would likely be much higher.

Five, $10bn, or even $20bn for a government expenditure that helped address a real problem, like climate change, the opioid crisis or healthcare, would be, even from a political perspective, a much wiser use of resources for the administration than a wall that eventually will likely be a symbol of Trumps petulance.

A third point is that the wall will probably never be completed. If Trump is not re-elected, stopping construction on the wall will be one of the very first actions taken by any Democratic president.

Even if Trump wins a second term, something that looks less likely with each passing month, Democrats will have future opportunities to cut the funding, because public support for the wall has never been strong. This leads to the real possibility that a few miles of uncompleted, rusting, half-built wall, somewhere on the US-Mexico border in Arizona or Texas, will be the lasting physical monument to the Trump presidency.

The fourth problem is who will build the wall. Various defence contractors will bid for it. The firms that will be interested in this unusual, but extremely lucrative, project will have to do whatever they can to keep bidding costs low.

Whoever gets the project will then be faced with the challenge of hiring not only skilled and well-compensated workers for much of it, but finding lower-paid and less-skilled workers for other parts of the construction.

Anybody who has studied the data, or spent time on building sites in the United States over the last few decades, knows that the construction industry relies heavily on undocumented immigrant workers, many from Mexico.

The temptation to rely on that labour pool will be very strong in the borderlands, where the wall is being constructed.

If that does occur, the political fallout is not likely to drive up the presidents poll numbers.

The Democrats have provided little indication that they will give Trump his wall, but they could score a valuable strategic win, if they wrestle generous policy concessions from him in exchange for a compromise.

After Trumps recent proposal, Democrats insisted that they would only negotiate on border security once he reopens the government. Getting, for example, a real path to citizenship for Dreamers  not the temporary protections he offered  in exchange for a wall that seems impossible to build and will, ultimately, be an embarrassment for Trump, would not be a bad outcome for House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi.

Ironically, congressional Democrats unwillingness to give in to the president may be what spares him this humiliation.

- Lincoln Mitchell is a writer and scholar based in New York and San Francisco. He teaches in Columbia Universitys Political Science Department; @LincolnMitchell
The 6,000 women invited to undergo repeat tests will wonder why its only happening now, writes Catherine Shanahan.

As a basic tool of modern public health and preventative medicine, CervicalCheck, detector of more than 40,000 high-grade cervical abnormalities, should hold a special place in our hearts.

Instead, anyone in receipt of an envelope with the CervicalCheck logo is left wondering whether to open it, in light of a seemingly never-ending series of cock-ups, some with tragic consequences.

The latest saga to beset the national screening service will see 6,000 women receive letters inviting them to undergo repeat smear tests. This is because for those with low-grade abnormalities, a test should have been applied within a recommended timeframe, to see if they had the human papillomavirus (HPV). While four in five of us carry this virus at some time in our lives, and it may never become an issue, it is nonetheless behind the majority of cervical cancers.

Last November, Quest Laboratories told the HSE that it hadnt conducted the HPV test within the manufacturers recommended timeframe and that this has been happening since secondary HPV screening was introduced in 2015.

Health Minister Simon Harris was told before Christmas, date unspecified.

Next week, which brings us into February, the 6,000 women whose low-grade abnormalities were not tested for HPV within the specified timeframe will begin to receive letters telling them same. They will be invited to attend their GP for a repeat smear as a precaution.

Peter McKenna, clinical director of the HSEs Women and Infants health programme, said their clinical review has assured them that this issue poses little risk to womens health. The likelihood is he is right, but at this stage, how many women have any faith left in CervicalCheck?

This latest batch of women let down by the screening programme will also be wondering why on earth they are only finding out now? If the HSE knew last November and the minister since before Christmas, why are they not finding out until February? They did, after all, have low-grade abnormalities and trust me, the standout word in that phrase is abnormalities. Surely they were entitled to organise a repeat smear ASAP?

This could present another problem. How do you organise an immediate repeat smear at a time when women are waiting at least 22 weeks to get results of smear tests? While the HSE has said these women will be prioritised by the labs, who would be foolhardy enough not to go private in the current climate, especially when you consider that another cohort of women  1,000 to be precise  also have to undergo repeat testing because initial smear samples had expired before they had been transferred to slides for testing.

Vicky Phelan, who broke the CervicalCheck scandal when she sued the HSE over misread smears.

This delay was the direct result of the backlog that built up when Health Minister Simon Harris offered free repeat smears to everyone after the CervicalCheck controversy broke, when Limerick woman Vicky Phelan sued the HSE over her misread smears, which she wasnt told about until three years after her diagnosis. It emerged that at least 221 women were left in a similar position to Ms Phelan, of whom at least 21 have died, most recently Dublin woman Orla Church, who died last week ,and whose case against the HSE and Quest Laboratories was settled in the High Court yesterday.

Mr Harris politically expedient decision to offer universal free smears  well-meaning but ultimately disastrous for the operation of CervicalCheck  has been under considerable scrutiny in recent days, following revelations that he acted against the advice of experts, as per documents obtained under Freedom of Information legislation by TheJournal.ie.

It reported a gynaecologist in the Mid-West region warning that the offer of free repeat smear tests was dangerous and put the CervicalCheck screening programme at risk. Fianna Fail is calling on the minister, who is on paternity leave, to publish details of the medical advice he received. Sinn Fein health spokeswoman Louise OReilly said the minister needs to clarify when he knew about the latest cock-up. As a woman, her confidence in the screening service is undermined, she said, as is the confidence of other women.

If he knew since December, why did he not instigate a plan of action? said Ms OReilly.

Tanaiste Simon Coveney was defending his missing ministerial colleague in the Dail in the absence of any one of the numerous junior ministers in the Department of Health.

It was not a resource issue Mr Coveney said, it was a capacity issue with the labs, which reassured no-one.

We are also still awaiting reassurance in relation to the different labs that analyse the smears on our behalf. Weve been under the impression that individual lab error rates were being looked at for some time now for fear of an outlier, but no information has been forthcoming in this regard.

The upshot of the ongoing negativity around CervicalCheck has to be an alarming loss of faith. As Labour Party leader Brendan Howlin asked in the Dail: How much scandal can the screening programme take?
Ailin Quinlan speaks to Amanda Flanagan, a volunteer with Aware, about setting up an after-school club to promote positive mental health.

Becoming a volunteer with AWARE, the depression support group, had significant benefits for Amanda Flanagan  it increased her self-confidence and provided her with the skills to discuss mental health with children and adults.

However, there was more  it also empowered the mother-of-two to co-found a successful club at her local primary school which promoted the skills of positive mental health:

I have an interest in mental health and Ive always had a very positive outlook - and I wanted my children to see me doing something for others, so I decided to volunteer for Aware, says the former HR trainer (43), now a full-time mum to Tom (14) and James (12).

Ive always had a passion for empowering people and I wanted to show my sons that I do things for others - and that this is what life is about.

I saw an ad on Twitter for Aware volunteers, she recalls. Amanda applied online, did an interview and began what turned out to be ongoing training: I now work on the support line for one three-hour shift a week, and deal with people from every background who are looking for support in relation to their mental health and education, and information about their mental health.

I didnt realise that it would train or empower me so much, recalls Amanda, from Dublins Navan Road, who became an Aware volunteer in February 2016.

I have learned so much about mental health.

On top of that, Amanda says, after joining Aware, she discovered that many mental health-related issues seem to be rooted in childhood; a time when some children cannot express themselves or talk about their feelings and emotions.

About a year after she began work as a volunteer with Aware, Amanda and a school-teacher friend, Niamh Brennan, who works at the St John Boscos Senior Boys Primary School on Dublins Navan Road, decided to set up an after-school club to promote the skills of positive mental health in pupils.

Niamh had worked as a primary school teacher in Britain for several years before returning to Ireland two years ago.

More specifically, Niamh had worked in disadvantaged areas of the UK, where part of the curriculum involved the teaching of mindfulness and the nurturing of childrens emotional needs. Amanda, whose sons attended St John Boscos, instinctively felt Niamhs skills were relevant to Ireland.

As a mother, I felt that boys in particular are not always great at looking after their emotional needs.

I also think many Irish men dont always have the coping skills to deal with the emotional challenges of life, recalls Amanda.

With the blessing of headmaster Emmanuel Bourke, Amanda and Niamh established the Wellbeing Warriors after-school club at the school in January 2017.

The clubs first six-week programme was such a success that the duo is currently running their eighth Wellbeing Warriors Club.

To date, weve worked with third, fourth, fifth and sixth classes, explains Amanda, whose sons attended the club, which is optional and generally has between 12 and 15 members.

Its all child-based. The objective is to learn the skills to express how they are feeling and to ask others how they are feeling. Kindness is a very important part of what they do

We give children the skills to be aware of their own feelings and emotions and to practise talking about them in a safe group environment, she explains.

Its about developing life-skills and resilience and self-confidence.

Niamh now also trains other primary teachers in the Wellbeing Warriors programme and is very pleased with the results of the club.

Anxiety is a major issue at primary school level, says school principal Emmanuel Bourke.

The fact that Niamh had trained in supporting childrens positive mental health and enabling them to talk about their emotions, strongly appealed to him.

I could see the need for something like that and I have to say we have not looked back.

Ive seen how the children who got involved have grown, he says, adding that he has noticed a natural pick-up in pupils who have attended Wellbeing Warriors.

In school, we can see the way the impact on the child - they are more relaxed and better able to focus.

And, reports Amanda, it all comes back to her work with Aware.

It was as a result of my work in Aware that I had the confidence to co-found Wellbeing Warriors, she says. Last September she walked the Camino de Santiago, raising 5,00 for the organisation:

The amount Ive gotten back as a result of volunteering with Aware is huge. I would recommend to people that they give it a go - when you volunteer for Aware you learn more about yourself and you give yourself mental health skills.

Joining Aware, as a volunteer, has really enhanced my life.
Parents who misuse drugs and alcohol are putting their children's health, safety and life opportunities at risk.

That is according to TUSLA and the HSE who have come together to address the neglect a child may suffer if their carer is abusing substances.

There is a concern that children are invisible to addiction services that are trying to help their parents.

Children who experience parental substance misuse often live chaotic family lives and their home lives can be high in tension, aggression and unpredictability.

Aisling Gillen from Tusla said Tusla are working with adult services in the HSE to generate a more family-focused approach that considers the needs of children and other family members.

This morning, together with @hselive, we launched the Hidden Harm Strategic Statement. Hidden Harm is a joint initiative to support children whose parents misuse alcohol and other drugs #HiddenHarmIrl pic.twitter.com/9nkSwdUiSl  Tusla - Child and Family Agency (@tusla) January 25, 2019

"Tusla aims to provide the right help at the right time through our diverse range of family support services.

Commenting at todays launch in Tallaght the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Dr Katherine Zappone TD, said: In order to protect, support and safeguard our children we must ensure those in the frontline are fully trained to spot signs of danger.

"Everyone providing care, support and protection to children and young people needs to be aware of Hidden Harm and know how to respond."

The Hidden Harm Strategic Statement, Practice Guide, and leaflet can be found here.
Ireland needs to update its laws to catch up with technology, according to the AA's Conor Faughnan.

He was responding to the phenomenon of people taking pictures of accidents and sharing them on social media, describing it as 'the dark side of human nature'.

Mr Faughnan was speaking in the wake of a fatal accident on the M50 in Dublin on Thursday. Members of the public slowed down to take pictures of the accident, many of which were shared widely on social media.

Three people died in accidents on Thursday. There were also fatal accidents in Loughrea, Co Galway and Monasterevin, Co Kildare.

Mr Faughnan said that current laws are outdated and need to be re-examined in the context of advancing technology as "a line had been crossed" in this instance.

We cant be blind to this and say these things arent happening. We need to look at the laws about decent behaviour. We need the law to catch up with technology, he told RTEs Today with Sean ORourke show.

There should be some sanctions against that behaviour. Any reasonable person would say that they shouldnt be allowed to do that. With a bit of concentration reasonable laws could be drafted to deal with this situation."

"People should be held accountable," he said.

Noel Gibbons, road safety officer at Mayo County Council, urged people to be more mindful when it comes to posting images of accidents. He said that, often, images on social media could be the first notification that family members have of an accident.

"Social media is an easy outlet for people to get information to a vast number of people instantly," said Mr Gibbons.

"When someone finds out about a death of a loved one in a message, where it's such a broad spectrum it's very impersonal and obviously a shock to the person when they find out.

"Sometimes its enough to know that horrible things happen without having to see them."

Gardai say drivers using mobile phones to take photos at collision scenes can be charged with distracted driving.

In June 2018, the driver of an articulated truck in Cork was convicted of careless driving when it was determined that he had used both hands to take photos of an accident on the South Ring Road. He was fined 600 and given five penalty points.
The Taoiseach has put it up to the UK to make concessions on a Brexit deal claiming Ireland will not be victimised for something we did not choose.

Speaking in Davos, Leo Varadkar also warned that if Britain crashes out of the EU in March without a deal in place we could see a return to troops and checkpoints along the border with Northern Ireland.

His comments, which were a marked change in messaging and sparked criticism from politicians on both side of the border, were made ahead of another Brexit key vote in the UK's House of Commons next Tuesday.

Fianna Fail, Sinn Fein, the DUP and other political parties hit out at Mr Varadkar claiming his remarks which warned of a return to a police or army presence on the border were "reckless and irresponsible".

Asked if there was room for negotiation on the withdrawal agreement which was rejected by MPs in the House of Commons, Mr Varadkar said the EU has "always been open for compromise" and if the UK was to change its red lines "of course our position could evolve".

"Ultimately it's the people who caused all of this and started this who have to come up with solutions," he told Bloomberg.

"We shouldn't forget the basic principles here, this is a problem caused by Britain, we came up with a solution which is the deal that is on the table, their parliament rejected it, shouldn't they be offering us something, why are we the ones constantly being asked to solve the problem they created?

"What are they offering us?"

Pressed on this Mr Varadkar said the UK is offering us "nothing at the moment".

"Why is it the country that is being victimised that is always the one that has to give?" the Taoiseach asked.

Mr Varadkar said the main objective of Ireland and the EU is to avoid a hard border and stressed that the backstop is the means by which this can be achieved.

"We are not going to give up a mechanism that we know will work, that is legally binding," he said.

But he said that if the UK can come forward with another mechanism to avoid custom checks along the border with Northern Ireland "then, of course, we would listen to that, but unfortunately, that's not what I am getting".

"We are not going to give up a mechanism that we know will work, that is legally binding?"

Asked about possible technologies that could be used to carry out checks but at the same time avoid a hard border, Mr Varadkar said: "They don't exist and nobody has been able to show them to me.

"I think we have given a lot already, let's not forget that this is a decision that Britain has made it's a decision that potentially will have great harm for other countries and yet we are the ones who are already giving."

Meanwhile, Tanaiste Simon Coveney urged firms to brace for a hard Brexit, saying there will be huge strain on the economy if no deal is agreed between the EU and the UK.

The Foreign Affairs Minister said food and drink firms were particularly vulnerable to the fallout of a no-deal Brexit, but added that he did not believe there would be shortages of supplies if such a scenario played out.

Mr Coveney said he remained confident that a deal could be reached and that a hard Brexit would not come to pass.

I have always said that a no-deal Brexit will put an enormous strain on the Irish economy...in a no-deal Brexit scenario, if we have to trade with the UK on the basis of WTO rules including tariffs, that will put a strain on many sectors.

If it impacts on the value of sterling, that puts pressure on the very significant trade between these two islands, there is no question about that. I dont think there are going to be shortages but certainly there will be cost implications for that trade, Mr Coveney said.

He added that people should be "under no illusion" that a no-deal Brexit would cause huge strain on the Irish economy.

"Clearly the food industry would be impacted by the imposition of significant tariffs that would come with WTO rules," the Tanaiste said.
The re-establishment of panels of primary teachers paid to be on standby to cover absences should go ahead to help alleviate a teacher supply crisis, Education Minister Joe McHugh has said.

Although final details have yet to be agreed by his department, the minister said a supply panel system which was piloted for several years is one option that can be used to address substitute shortages in particular.

The panels comprised qualified teachers paid the equivalent of a full-time salary who could be called on at short notice to provide substitution cover in primary schools in the local area.

But claims that they were not always fully employed were cited when the Department of Education scrapped the long-running pilot at the height of the recession.

A year ago at the Irish Primary Principals Network (IPPN) annual conference, Mr McHughs predecessor Richard Bruton mentioned inefficiencies and cost when he raised doubts about the school leaders call to reinstate the system amid a growing crisis faced by principals trying to find substitutes.

The current minister addressed the issue after IPPN president David Ruddy highlighted the ongoing problems at the organisations 2019 conference.

Minister McHugh speaking at #IPPN19 this morning. Acknowledges the role of the IPPN in the Primary Education Forum. pic.twitter.com/VlZmqEU7jR  education.ie (@Education_Ire) January 25, 2019

One of the greatest challenges still facing us is finding teachers to teach our pupils. Weve got texts from some of our colleagues who cannot attend today because of that substitute shortage, Mr Ruddy said.

Short-term vacancies and maternity leave are particularly difficult for us...If it werent for retired teachers, I dont know how wed survive."

Recent Department of Education statistics showed a spike in the number of retired teachers being used in primary schools during the last school year, up almost half in a year from 679 to 1,003.

They worked an average of 33 days each, more than double the 13-day average worked by retired teachers in primary schools six years earlier.

Mr Ruddy acknowledged recent measures that will help, including easing of restrictions around the ability of teachers on career break to provide substitute cover.

Mr McHugh told the principals and deputy principals at the IPPN conference that the use of teacher supply panels is being discussed with the Irish National Teachers Organisation and is under consideration.

He was applauded for committing to further progress on extra administration days allowed for the majority of principals at smaller schools where they are required to be full-time teachers themselves.

The minister later told reporters that he is anxious to see the supply panel system introduced, as he recognises the pressure facing principals trying to organise substitute cover at short notice.

The communication between the INTO and my officials is ongoing. I want to see clever, creative practical ways of doing this. The substitute panel is an example of doing this and its something I want to see happen, Mr McHugh said.

If you go back far enough, there is a precedent there as well. If we can bring that back in, its something that Im committed to."

The availability of additional days for administration work for teaching principals would also provide more opportunity for teachers on supply panels to be used on a regular basis, further helping to justify their establishment.

The minister said one of his priorities is to build on the number of extra release days for teaching principals, and primary principals with special classes, already provided in recent budgets.

I want to see something meaningful happen here, and I will work with IPPN on this...I think we can allow a bit of space to try and see how this can happen, Mr McHugh said.
Ireland has exposed its citizens to risk and danger without justification by not taking adequate measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and failing to maintain an environment consistent with human dignity, the High Court has been told.

The State can take necessary measures to reduce emissions but it is simply not doing so and its national mitigation plan (NMP) to reduce emissions is not fit for purpose, Brian Kennedy SC for Friends of the Irish Environment (FIE), said.

Unless urgent measures are taken, emission levels will be higher in 2030 than in 1990, he said.

Things are not getting better, they are getting worse.

The fact society recognises environmental rights through the legislature supports the existence of a constitutional right to an environment, counsel argued.

Such a right has been recognised by the High Courts Mr Justice Max Barrett, there is an international consensus in that regard and the right is consistent with other human rights, including to life, dignity and bodily integrity, he said.

The court was obliged to protect these rights given the real and imminent threat posed by climate change.

He was making closing submissions in FIEs action aimed at quashing the 2017 NMP over alleged failure to comply with the Climate Change and Low Carbon Development Act 2015.

The four-day hearing concluded today and Mr Justice Michael McGrath reserved judgment in what he described as a very complex matter.

The court was packed with supporters of the action, including Green Party leader Eamon Ryan, and the judge thanked them for listening attentively to the arguments.

File photo of Eamon Ryan.

FIE claims, because the State has not achieved emission reductions to which it has committed, it is contravening the constitutional and human rights of its citizens who will be exposed to unacceptable risks from climate change.

The group has suggested the NMP should be recast to achieve substantial emission reductions in the short and medium term in contrast to the plans target of an 80% reduction by 2050.

The State denies any breach of rights and insists what FIE seeks would involve the court prescribing policy in breach of the constitutional separation of powers between the executive and judiciary.

FIE wants emission reductions unprecedented in an international context, it contends.

In his closing arguments for FIE, Mr Kennedy said the State pays lip service to its carbon reduction obligations and, on its own evidence, was way off course from meeting the 2030 targets.

The fact that climate change is a global problem does not excuse the States failures, he said.

FIEs case is that it is not lawful to have a NMP that is not calculated to achieve substantial reductions in emissions in the short to medium term and the court should direct the State to come up with a NMP worthy of the name.

In closing arguments for the State, Rory Mulcahy SC said the NMP is one of seven NMPs and part of a wide series of measures adopted by the Government to tackle climate change.

The court was not obliged to follow Mr Justice Barretts recognition of a right to an environment because that recognition was obiter - a non-binding expression of judicial opinion, he argued.

Insofar as it could be said what a right to an environment involves, the State maintained that did not involve as much as Mr Justice Barrett had indicated and the latter had also recognised the difficulties in identifying the scope of such a right, he added.

Niamh Hyland SC, also for the State, said the FIE case is that the plan does not do what science requires but the court could not examine the plan against a "science-based standard".
The Minister for Education says he will address the issue of pay for new teachers next year.

Unions are warning of a recruitment and retention crisis in schools as a TUI survey shows 75% of principals questioned have had no applications for teaching positions in the past 12 months.

Pay scales for new entrants, compared with more established teachers, are being blamed, with many taking up jobs in the private sector instead.

Education Minister Joe McHugh says he will look at the issue after the 2020 public sector pay agreement runs out.

"There are specific issues there but under the terms of the agreement up to the end of 2020 that is agreed and I certainly want to let the new entrants know that I want to work some way towards ensuring that we have an equalisation post-2020," said Minister McHugh.

Delighted to be @IPPN_Education to listen to school leaders & share my thoughts on doing our best to teach children #IPPN19 Nice message on way in - its better when were together. pic.twitter.com/l5H6LiFiyW  Joe McHugh (@McHughJoeTD) January 25, 2019

The Minister was speaking at the Irish Primary Principals Network taking place in Dublin today where unions are warning of a recruitment and retention crisis in schools.

A survey by the TUI shows 75% of principals have had no applications for teaching positions in the past 12 months.

Teaching principals are highlighting the need for greater investment in resources and many also want one day a week for admin work.

"Schools are doing their very best but they need middle management restored just to get leadership back throughout the school and just to give recognition of all the great work that is being done," said one principal.
A man who killed his best friend following a drunken row over a can of beer has been jailed for six years.

Paul Keating of Harmonstown Road in Artane, Dublin 5 admitted stabbing Mark Richardson but said he just "flipped and lost it".
A court has heard a man threatened to burn three women alive during a tiger kidnapping in Dublin.

A post mistress, her daughter and an Italian lodger were tied up and held for hours during the ordeal.

In September 2014, two armed men broke into the home of post mistress Susan Lawlor in Malahide in Dublin.

She immediately dialled her works emergency tiger kidnapping line and slid the phone under the bed covers so the security company could hear snippets of what was happening.

Over the next few hours, Ms Lawlor was physically assaulted and one of the raiders threatened to burn her alive  along with her daughter and a student who was staying with her - if they did not comply.

The women were eventually driven to Bayside Post Office at 6am that morning where the raiders took 92,000 from the safe.

The women had been tied up with cables during the raid and managed to raise the alarm when the men left.

53-year-old Paschal Kelly with an address in Cootehill in Cavan went on trial for false imprisonment, threats to kill, robbery and the unauthorised taking of a vehicle.

He was found guilty by a jury with the court hearing his DNA was found on two water bottles in the getaway car.

The accused, who has 60 previous convictions, will be sentenced week.
A man has been jailed for six years for his role in what was described in court as the "carefully planned execution" of a man in Dublin.

Nathan Foley from Loreto Road in Maryland, Dublin 8 pleaded guilty to facilitating the murder of David Douglas in July 2016.
European Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager says she has been impressed with the Irish governments resolve and dedication in its preparations for Brexit.

She acknowledged that there is a risk for everyone if there is a hard Brexit or a no deal Brexit, but if that happens Ireland and the EU will figure out how to solve the problem.

Ms Vestager told RTEs Morning Ireland that it is important to protect the integrity of the Single Market and that the EU 27 will come together on our values and stay together.

She said she and her department have been working closely with the Irish authorities in the preparations and had been very impressed with the resolve and dedication.

Weve been clearing paths so that if urgent action is needed, we will be ready to do that.

Ireland is the one facing the most severe consequences of a hard Brexit.

Ms Vestager said that the important thing is to send out the strong message that the Irish government has been taking decisions, setting up schemes and they are ready to act urgently.

A no deal Brexit would be the worst case scenario and would be a risk for everyone involved, she said. If that happens Ireland and the EU will figure out how to solve the problem.

She said she was absolutely sure that if the situation arose, the EU will respect the wish to find a solution that everyone can live with.

Any resolution will have to protect the peace process.

On the topic of Irelands corporation tax which had been criticised in Davos, Ms Vestager said the Apple situation could not arise again because countries have changed their tax codes.

It was important that Europe move forward and that loop holes are not opened, she said.

It is only fair that companies pay tax where they make profits and digital companies need to compete on a level playing field - taxes are a part of that level playing field, she added.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 25)  Senate Justice Committee Chairperson Richard Gordon on Friday expressed dismay over the lack of charges against parents and other adults for their involvement in children's criminal offenses.

Gordon noted during the Senate hearings on bills seeking to lower the minimum age of criminal responsibility that there are measures that penalize parents in Presidential Decree 603, or the Child and Youth Welfare Code.

Under the code, parents are criminally liable if he or she "causes or encourages the child to lead an immoral or dissolute life," "permits the child to possess, handle or carry a deadly weapon, regardless of its ownership," or "improperly exploits the child by using him, directly or indirectly, such as for purposes of begging and other acts which are inimical to his interest and welfare," among others.

"All these are in the law, and yet when I asked judges the other day, five of them from the RTCs (Regional Trial Courts) and family courts, nobody has been prosecuted at least from their parents," he said.

Gordon said laws are already in place, but there is a lack of implementation.

"We tend to focus on the criminal liability of the child. That's all well and good, We should also focus on the reality that the state promises a lot," Gordon said.

Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan, author of the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006, said a factor in the lack of law enforcement is coddling of children from corrupt local officials and policemen.

"Maglalakas ng loob ba ang 13, 12 years old kung wala siyang backer na corrupt na pulis, corrupt na tanod, corrupt na (Metro Manila Development Authority) official diyan sa may EDSA, na pagka sila ay hinuli, titimbrehan lang at pakakawalan din?" Pangilinan said.

[Translation: Will a child be bold enough if he didn't have a backer like a corrupt policeman, village or MMDA official that they will contact when they are apprehended for them to be released again.)

Gordon asked the Philippine National Police to submit names of adults charged found involving children in crimes.

The PNP added that as of now, they have no intelligence of policemen being involved in children's crimes.

The hearings on the bills come after the House of Representatives approved on second reading a bill seeking to lower the minimum age of so-called "social responsibility" from 15 to 12.
South Africa: Own your future, register to vote

President Cyril Ramaphosa has encouraged new voters to come out in their numbers and register at the various voting stations this weekend.

The countries 22 925 voting stations will be open for the final registration between 8am and 5pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Use your freedom and make your mark. If you are 18 years of age or older, take your identity document along to your nearest voting station on the 26th and 27th January, and register to vote, the President said in his message.

The next national and provincial elections, he said, will be an opportunity for the youth to own their future.

The simple and easy act of becoming a registered voter is your first step towards shaping your own future and that of our country. As we celebrate 25 years of freedom and democracy, the forthcoming election is your opportunity to make your own history and to help South Africa grow towards a brighter future, the President said.

To be able to vote in the upcoming national and provincial elections scheduled for May, your name and information need to be on the voters roll.

The roll needs to be updated to contain the details of individual voters in line with the Constitutional Court ruling.

Currently containing over 26 million names, the voters roll allows the IEC to plan an election and identify fraud, as it tells the commission how many voters to expect in each voting district.

All South African citizens aged 16 and older in possession of an official ID can register as voters (although only those who are at least 18 years old on voting day may vote).

Voters should take a copy of their barcoded ID book, smart card ID or temporary ID certificate when they go to register in the voting district in which they ordinarily reside.

When registering, voters will need to provide their address or a description of where they live to allow the Electoral Commission to place them on the correct segment of the voters roll. Proof of address is not required.

If you have previously registered, you must update your registration details for example if you changed address changes or when your ID number changes due to changed.

Registered voters can check if their details are correct and which voting station will they vote in via the Click, Check and Confirm facility on the Electoral Commissions website at www.elections.org.za.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2019-01-25. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
The Master of the High Court, who has been a vocal critic of the way banks handle repossession cases, has been told to stop dealing with all debt cases.

From February 4, Edmund Honohan will no longer deal with debt proceedings, which will be assigned directly to High Court judges instead.

The instruction came from President of the High Court Mr Justice Peter Kelly yesterday, just days after it emerged Mr Honohan had been admonished by the Courts Service for smashing partition windows in a courtroom with a hammer to let in air after failing to get a response to complaints about the room being stuffy.

However, it is understood the decision to remove debt cases from his court was being considered for some time in light of Mr Honohans repeated criticisms of banks, the existing law, some judges, the Taoiseach, and Government ministers.

The outspoken barrister has also drafted a bill for Fianna Fail seeking to prevent banks from evicting mortgage defaulters until a property is sold and requiring them to give housing co-operatives the chance to buy the property for the occupant.

It is understood that his actions and views were considered in breach of the principle that judges and officers of the court should appear objective in their deliberations.

Mr Honohan operates in a quasi-judicial manner, describing his job as the gateway to the High Court. Cases come before him to clear up procedural matters before they are declared ready to proceed before a judge. He can also finalise some cases without having to refer them to a judge.

He was appointed to the post in 2001 but since the recession, his case list has often been packed with debt recovery applications from banks and he has spoken out regularly in the media and in other forums about what he sees as the unfairness of the current legal provisions to defendants and the behaviour of financial institutions towards them.

Most recently, on RTE radio last week, where he defended his actions in breaking the windows, he warned of a potential tsunami of evictions on the way if the full number of repossession orders in existence were executed and he said many of the older orders should be cancelled.

Mr Honohan has received plaudits for speaking out but he has clashed with the courts on some of his more unusual decisions. In 2014, the High Court granted an injunction against him, preventing him from sending papers from a case to the Director of Public Prosecutions after he accused a solicitor for AIB bank of perjury. The High Court later ruled he had acted outside his powers in trying to get the DPP to investigate.

Last year, he described as a sick joke advice given by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to those wanting to get a mortgage-to-rent solution. Mr Varadkar had advised using the Abhaile service but Mr Honohan dismissed the service as merely a voucher for 200 worth of legal advice.

Mr Justice Kelly gave no explanation for his direction. He has powers under the Courts Act to issue practice directions deemed necessary to ensure the smooth running of the courts.

The direction does not affect other work carried out by Mr Honohan, whose court will still act as a clearinghouse for non-debt related cases. He also has dozens of cases involving AIB and other financial institutions listed before him today.

Mr Honohan was not directly contactable for comment and he did not reply to messages. David Hall of the Irish Mortgage Holders Organisation, however, said it was a bad day for debtors.

Those in debt have had few effective people to help them and treat them with compassion and protect their dignity while being pursued by well-represented banks, said Mr Hall.

Ed Honohan has been one of the few officials who has spoken the truth about banks behaviour and has tried to help those crippled with debt. This is an outrageous move that will remove the plug from the repossession dam.
The theft of a historic sculpture from St Patricks Street has reignited a long-running conversation in Cork City about the handling of historic artefacts.

It is understood that gardai are reviewing CCTV footage to try to identify the culprits behind the theft of Seamus Murphys sculpted limestone dog bowl, which was removed from 124 St Patricks St.

Historian and city council member Kieran McCarthy described himself as saddened and furious at the theft.

Dunscombes Fountain at the bottom of Shandon St, Cork. Picture: Irish Examiner

It is a well-known piece of heritage in Cork, he said.

It has been there for nearly 60 years and it has not been interfered with in six decades.

The piece has huge cultural value. Someone trying to sell this piece will be unable to because of how well-written-about this trough is on social media.

To remove it would have required some machinery as it was based in concrete. There is intense CCTV in the area and that should be able to help identify the culprits.

The troughs disappearance is not the first time a piece of Corks heritage has vanished.

Passers-by spotted that the piece was missing yesterday and Cork City Councils heritage officer has now confirmed that it was removed without the knowledge of the local authority.

Elected members of Cork City Council have frequently raised concerns about historical works that were once in the citys possession.

Niamh Twomey, heritage officer at Cork City Council, is appealing for the safe return of the piece and asked members of the public to contact Anglesea St Garda Station or Cork City Council Heritage Office if they have any information on the sculptures whereabouts or if they see the item for sale.

Our overriding concern is that this item is returned safely as this is a significant piece of Cork citys heritage, created by the sculptor, Seamus Murphy, she said.

It is held in great affection by many Corkonians. It really is a great loss and every effort needs to be made to retrieve it and return it to its rightful place.

Questions remain about the whereabouts of the antique Dunscombe Testimonial Fountain. Donated to the city by the family of the same name in the 19th century, city officials have admitted that they have no idea where the item currently is. It once stood at the end of Shandon St, adjacent to North Gate Bridge, but has long been on the missing list.

A fountain which once stood at Emmet Place in the 1980s is also on the missing list. This fountain marked in kilometres the distance between Cork and the capitals of all the EEC states. It was installed to mark the Year of the Environment and was officially switched on in February 1987.

The limestone sculpture stood at 124 St Patricks St since the 1950s when it was commissioned by businessman Knolly Stokes.

A plaque, presented to the people of Cork by the French city of Rennes in the 1980s as a symbol of friendship, has disappeared from its location in Mahon.

Members of Cork City Council have previously criticised the local authoritys care of heritage items. Specifically, questions have been asked about the historic firemans hut that once stood on St Patricks St as another example.

The hut has been in storage in Fitzgeralds Park for a number of years.
The father of a girl who allegedly was sexually assaulted by a relative more than two years ago has spoken in court about confronting the alleged assailant the following day outside the latters home.

A garda is on trial before the Circuit Criminal Court on a single charge of sexually assaulting a then 10-year-old girl in the early hours of November 27, 2016, following a family gathering.

The girl is alleged to have been assaulted while she was in a bedroom of the accuseds home during an overnight visit by her mother and herself to the house.

The defendant denies the charge. He cannot be named to protect the identity of the girl.

The court heard he had been with his wife, his parents-in-law, and sister-in-law  the complainants mother  in the pub on the night before the alleged incident and returned home slightly earlier than the others so a babysitter could go home.

In evidence yesterday, the alleged injured partys father said he received a call from his wife on the morning of Sunday, November 27, 2016, and, during the conversation, he became aware of an allegation made by their daughter against the defendant in this case.

He decided to drive to the defendants house and another brother-in-law and sister-in-law travelled with him. The accuseds wife answered the door and after they told her they had to speak to the accused, she said: Whats wrong?

They then saw the accused, who had come outside the front door.

The witness said he told the accused his daughter had said that you touched her inappropriately.

The accused replied: Oh God, no [name of witness]... No, and shook his head.

When asked under cross-examination whether he was inside the house when he spoke to the accused, the witness said: All I can remember is being outside the front door and confronting [the accused].

His other brother-in-law, who had travelled to the house with him, then asked the accused to be honest, and the accused said he did not do anything to the girl.

Earlier, the accuseds wife agreed under questioning that she was shocked and numb when she was told of the allegation against her husband. Her husband repeatedly denied doing anything wrong when she had a conversation with him that day in the house.

The accused himself told GSOC investigators in interviews in January 2017, after he was arrested by appointment, that the allegations were all lies.

He had returned home from the pub to allow the babysitter go home, he said, and then realised his niece was in his bed instead of his sons room where she was supposed to be. When she asked if she could stay there, he said she could and pulled the covers over her. They spoke about Christmas presents, he told investigators, and went downstairs together when they heard the others return from the pub.

I wouldnt harm a hair on her head, he said in interviews.

He said he had had an excellent relationship with the girl.

This has destroyed me, he told investigators in a separate interview.

The trial continues today.
Environmentalists have succeeded in halting a proposed extension to a quarry in Co Kerry which they feared would cause damage to a local beauty spot.

An Bord Pleanala has refused planning permission for a 14 hectare extension to a quarry at Glannagilliagh, near Caragh Lake around 5km outside Killorglin.

A local environmental group, Protect Caragh Lake Group, had appealed the decision of Kerry Co Council last year to sanction the planned extension by the quarrys owners, Michael F Qurike and Sons.

The company wanted to extract 50,000m of material per annum over a 13-year period.

An Bord Pleanala said it was not satisfied that the development, either on its own or in combination with another project, would not have a significant effect on the special area of conservation covering Killarney National Park, the Macgillycuddys Reeks, and Caragh River Catchment, as well as another protected site at Castlemaine Harbour.

The planning appeals authority said the development was also situated in a rural area close to Caragh Lake which was designated as a Rural Prime Special Amenity Area under the Kerry County Development Plan 2015-2021.

Notwithstanding the history of extracting gravel from the area, the board said it believed the extension of the quarry would seriously injure the rural and tourist amenities of the area and of nearby properties.

The Protect Caragh Lake Group feared the site of the proposed extension to the quarry lies within 400m of the lake, as well as within 500m of 66 residential properties. In particular, the group was worried about the threat of material draining from the quarry and flowing into Caragh lake as well as the impact any extension would have on a sensitive and scenic landscape.

They also said the extension would result in the extinguishment of a right of way used by the public.

The quarry owners claimed the risk of contamination of the lake would be minimised by measures to prevent any impact on the flow of groundwater locally.

Opponents also complained that there was a history of unauthorised development at the quarry. A report by an An Bord Pleanala inspector noted previous planning decisions over the development of an unauthorised concrete batching plant on the site.

It would appear that the majority of the existing quarry operation does not actually have the benefit of planning permission, the inspector said.
Thousands of people illegally adopted in decades past would have their original birth status confirmed under a bill from Labours Joan Burton.

Amid some concerns about the bills intention, Ms Burton said it is seeking to allow those adults who were adopted to regularise their status and get access to records on who they really are.

In May 2018, 126 cases of illegal registrations were confirmed by Tusla following an analysis of files from St Patricks Guild.

Those cases had adoptive parents incorrectly registered as birth parents on birth certificates between 1946 and 1969. Many of those people have been contacted in recent months to inform them of the absence of adequate paperwork in relation to their cases.

Sometimes this informal adoption took place within the wider family and sometimes through the aegis of the Church or other voluntary agencies such as St Patricks Guild.

In many cases, rather than record the adoption, infant children were simply transferred directly into the hands of their new parents.

Ms Burton said: The information provided to register the births was false and the children were as a result given false birth certificates, as the children of the adopting couple. This is where the illegal registration occurred.

Ms Burtons bill, which she describes as narrow and precise, aims to allow those affected have access to their original birth records, should they wish it. The bill is to be tabled in the Dail next Tuesday.

Childrens Minister Katherine Zappone said she is aware of the bills publication and promised to take a look at it and get back to you on it.

Katherine Zappone

Barrister Anne OMeara is one of those affected; she was informally adopted by her parents, but there is no certification of that in existence.

There is no adoption order in my case. I want to get a declaration to say I was adopted. My birth mother adopted me, my parents adopted me. I simply want their wishes to be recognised, she said.

Ms OMeara said such ambiguity could potentially cause mayhem when it comes to inheritance matters.

Ms Burton said what happened in St Patricks Guild is only the tip of the iceberg.

The bill seeks to define what happened in illegal or informal adoptions and will allow people to apply to the Circuit Court to validate their adoption. If satisfied with the evidence presented, the court may make a declaration that the applicant is deemed to have been validly adopted, on a particular date. The Registrar of Births will cancel the false birth certificate, while the Adoption Authority will issue a valid adoption certificate.

Concerns have been raised by some legal experts that the bill, while noble in spirit, could be problematic in execution, particularly in cases where people did not know they were adopted.

Co-founder of Adoption Rights Alliance (ARA) Claire McGettrick expressed concern that the bill essentially regularises illegal adoptions which, in this case, involved registering a child as the natural offspring of the adopting parents, which is a criminal offence. She said the consent of the natural mother would be missing in any adoption order granted in these circumstances.

An adoption order should never be made in the absence of consent from the natural mother, and in the case of these illegal adoptions from St Patricks Guild, it is unclear whether the natural mothers concerned have even been informed that the law was broken in the adoption of their now adult children, she said.

ARA said it would be premature to introduce legislation in this area in the absence of a thorough,transparent investigation into all illegal adoption practices in Ireland.

Last summer, Tressa Reeves and her son settled case against the State and St Patricks Guild after his birth was illegally registered in the name of his adoptive parents.
The HSE has failed since October to produce a plan to tackle the Cervical Check backlog as advocates warn more women may die.

It is understood Health Minister Simon Harris told the HSE to come up with a capacity plan to deal with a spiraling backlog more than three months ago, but this has yet to materialise, with women now waiting 22 weeks for smear results.

Advocate Stephen Teap, whose wife Irene died after after receiving two false negative tests, now fears more women could face a delayed terminal diagnosis because of the wait times.

It comes as it emerged that 6,000 women must now have a repeat smear because their slides were not checked within the acceptable timeline.

Mr Harris and the HSE are under pressure to provide answers to the latest CervicalCheck controversy and it understood he is willing to cut short his paternity leave next week to address the Dail.

Advocates now fear that women will lose faith in the entire screening service and in the Dail, Labour leader Brendan Howlin asked: How much scandal can the screening programme take?

Patient representatives also hit out the Government and HSE, venting fury that the latest issue was revealed through the media before the women themselves are informed.

If they had acted quicker in verifying the numbers, they could have written to these women before it became public, said Mr Teap. Now, he said, women would be looking at the letterbox wondering if they will be one of the ones who gets a letter.

Tanaiste Simon Coveney was forced to strongly deny that the Government was trying to hide the latest revelations after being pressed on the fact that the HSE first

Read More:

Mr Coveney also said Mr Harris was told of the discrepancy with secondary HPV testing in December but defended his Cabinet colleague by stating: The minister sought regular updates but a final report was not available to him relating the numbers involved or who they were.

The women impacted by the latest CervicalCheck controversy had been asked to get a secondary HPV test after low-grade changes were detected in their initial smears.

The test for HPV should be carried out within 30 days of the sample been given by a woman but it has now emerged that Quest Diagnostics failed to meet this deadline in the case of 6,000 samples which were taken from 2015 onwards.

Lorraine Walsh, who was one of the 221 women impacted by last years CervicalCheck scandal, questioned why the lab had not adhered to standards and why CervicalCheck had not carried out audits on the facilities contracted.

What happened before was human error, in this case we are talking about a lack of standard operating procedures.

While the screening service processes about 250,000 cervical tests each year an extra 84,000 women came forward for screening last year due to concerns about cervical screening following the CervicalCheck audit.

The HSE confirmed that about 82,000 of these are still being processed leading to a 22-week wait time for results compare to the normal two to four weeks.

Mr Teap said: The backlog is my biggest worry, that backlog has to be reduced.

We do not want the next scandal to be as a result of a delayed diagnosis in 2019.

All this is going to take is for one person to die or someone to get a terminal diagnosis or a cervical cancer diagnosis, thats my biggest concern.

Ms Walsh, who along with Mr Teap sits on the CervicalCheck steering committee, said she had raised the lack of a HSE plan around delays with the Minister as far back as October.

A Department of Health spokesperson said: It is important to clarify this is a separate issue to the backlog of smear tests.
IAG, which owns Aer Lingus and British Airways, abandoned an eight-month pursuit of Norwegian Air Shuttle, leaving the indebted airline reeling as it faces a cash crunch during the slow winter season.

IAG does not intend to make a further bid and will be selling a 3.9% stake in due course, it said. Norwegian shares slumped as much as 26%, the most ever, while IAG reversed earlier declines to trade higher.
Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe has denied claims Irelands corporate tax regime is giving it a free ride as he reiterated opposition to any new attempt to usher in an EU-wide digital tax.

Speaking on a panel at the annual gathering of corporate leaders and politicians at the Swiss ski resort of Davos, the finance minister again said that Ireland was committed to global tax reform led by the OECD.

The panel, called Rethinking Taxes: Creating a Fair and Balanced System, heard claims Ireland was getting a free ride while dragging its feet over the digital tax.

But Mr Donohoe said Ireland along with some other EU countries opposed an EU-wide digital tax or setting a minimum level of corporation tax, on the basis it would impinge on their national sovereignty.

US tax cuts last year had changed the landscape by incentivising US companies to repatriate profits back to the US, he said.

Asked about whether Ireland was dragging its feet over the digital tax, he repeated that Ireland failed to get the credit for taking on the reforms under the OECD initiative but said the Government was very concerned about any system that moved away from the principle of taxing company profits in the location where value was created.

And Ireland had collected the 14bn from Apple but will make its case in its appeal against the European Commission ruling, Mr Donohoe said.

He said he supported Spains right to set a digital tax and added that he believed that corporate tax rates following the US tax cuts would not drop as sharply as some believed.

Fellow panellist, Angel Gurria, head of the Organisation for Co-operation and Development, which is driving global tax reform, said Italy and Spain and the UK plan to bring in some form of digital tax.

He said the OECD believed that countries should set their own levels of tax but it opposed sweetheart deals, citing the Apple tax case with Ireland, which the EU ruled had broken state-aid rules.

But Mr Gurria said Ireland had dismantled its Double Irish tax loophole and that the Netherlands had ended its Double Dutch loophole, adding that the Apple case could never happen again,

It was the second year in a row that Mr Donohoe faced claims on a Davos panel that the Government was gaming worldwide tax rules.

Last year, some panellists accused Irelands tax regime of facilitating world hunger and poverty by helping multinationals avoid paying their fair shares of tax.

On a separate Davos panel, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar faced calls from Polish counterpart Mateusz Morawiecki and by leading European banker Ana Botin for the EU to review corporate tax regimes.

The Polish premier said that people feel distant from the institutions in Brussels which meant that the EU would need to do more to promote the concept of empowering its people.

He said inequality had been neglected for far too long as he linked the issue with what he said were tax havens operating in Europe and in the rest of the world which he said the EU should move against.

The Polish government backs the efforts of Frances Emmanuel Macron and Germanys Angela Merkel for a digital tax.

But more than that, he favoured removing tax havens which were preventing a level playing field in Europe, he said.

He said that the EU needed to take account of the way tax systems impede Poland, which was for 50 years under communist rule, saying his gut feeling was a middle way between taxing companies was needed.

Ms Botin, who chairs Spains Santander Bank, said the principle of paying tax where it was generated was not being adhered to, creating problems for communities and jobs. But she said she was not in favour of the digital tax proposal.

But the Taoiseach said that Ireland was taking in a record level of corporate taxes and no longer tolerates accounting loopholes such as the Double Irish.
Timely delivery of the infrastructure promised in the National Development Plan will be the key to Cork achieving its potential in the coming decades.

Even as Cork Chamber President, Bill OConnell, oversees the activities planned for the Chambers 200th anniversary, his focus is on future priorities every bit as much as celebrating past achievements.

Two hundred years ago, the population of Cork city was around 80,000, while current projections for the region estimate that with the right investment and infrastructure, Corks metropolitan area could grow to 500,000 by 2050, said Bill OConnell, whose two-year Chamber term ends in April.

Facilitating that future growth and supporting our members will continue to be a key feature of the Chambers work in the coming years. Our surveys have shown that over 70% of commuters go to work using their own vehicles. With the projected population growth, that commuting pattern wont be sustainable.

We need people to live in the city. We want planning so that the city grows up rather than grows out. Well need houses, apartments, bus connections, light rail. Well need the M20 (Cork-Limerick) and the M28 (Cork-Ringaskiddy) roads prioritised.

Mr OConnell spent 28 years in a variety of roles with EMC Dell, laterally as vice-president of global logistics. He is currently principal of BOC Consulting. He is well-placed to understand the multi-national corporations who located in the southern capital with the promise of extensive infrastructural developments.

Despite the challenges, there is a rich vein of optimism in Cork business at present.

When I came into the Chamber role two years ago, I thought Cork was in a good place at the time, said Mr OConnell.

Now its even stronger. There are really great opportunities for further growth in Cork in IT and the agri-food industries.

We have hosted very successful trade events in the UK and in San Francisco. The further afield we go and the more cities we visit, were creating more and more valuable business connections. A lot of overseas companies want to work with Cork.

Mr OConnell describes Brexit as the ultimate nightmare in terms of the obstacles that now seem likely to emerge with our largest natural trading partner. Nonetheless, the Chamber has been working with client companies, helping people understand export documents etc, training which is delivered by Enterprise Europe Network (EEN), one of Cork Chambers many service groups.

When you look at the Chambers website, you get a sense of the breadth of the services it offers to its members and the breadth of areas in which it represents the interests of Cork businesses. The Chamber is also deeply committed to the local communities in which these businesses operate.

As part of the 200th anniversary celebrations, the Chamber has launched Cork Chamber 1819 Fund, a six-month community funding drive to raise 200,000 by July, in partnership with Social Innovation Fund Ireland (SIFI). This fund will benefit Cork community initiatives with a social, environmental or economic impact.

The 1819 Fund has a fundraising target of 100,000, with the goal of a combined funding total of 200,000. The Department of Rural and Community Development matches all philanthropic donations to SIFI, euro for euro, from the Dormant Accounts Fund.

Bill OConnell said: We are encouraging businesses of all sizes and sectors, as well as individuals, to take ownership of this partnership and contribute to the fund, thereby making a very personal investment in the initiatives that will build community resilience as well as ensure longevity for the future, making Cork a better place to live and work as we start our next 200-year journey.

Deirdre Mortell, CEO of SIFI, added: The successful projects will benefit hugely from this fund, which will allow them to raise their profile locally and nationally, gain key knowledge through the SIFI Accelerator programme and expand their reach and capabilities to the benefit of their communities. To date, SIFI has backed over 80 social innovations around Ireland with over 14m in philanthropic funding.

Cork Chamber was founded in 1819 by 11 Cork businessmen at a time of high unemployment; it was housed in what is now the Victoria Hotel on St Patrick Street. Today, based in Fitzgerald House, Summerhill North, the Chamber represents the interests of 1,200 businesses employing over 100,000 people in the region.

There are certainly plenty of interesting activities planned for 2019. Top of the list is President Michael D Higgins addressing attendees at the sell-out Annual Dinner in Cork City Hall, where 1,000 of the citys business leaders will gather on Friday, February 1.

Other events will include a Schools Art initiative, in association with the Glucksman Gallery in UCC. Future Forms will see Cork schools, third-level students and community groups working with artists to create artworks that imagine what the city and urban environment will look like in 200 years time.

Bill OConnell said: This year marks a huge milestone in Cork Chambers history. Cork Chamber has remained one of the greatest champions of the regions business community for the past 200 years.

This year is not just about reflecting on the successes of the past; more importantly, it is about looking at how the Chamber can support businesses to tackle some of the challenges of the present and about being ambitious for the future of the region, which is going through a very exciting period of growth at the moment.

Business Movers

Brian Gallagher is the new head of aviation business development at Cork Airport. He will oversee the development of partnerships with airlines, tourism partners and business stakeholders, to deliver continued route expansion and positive growth. He has more than seven years of experience working in aviation development across daa, with his most recent role as airline business development manager for Dublin Airport.

Cork Airport is entering its fourth year of consecutive growth, and is forecasting a 7% increase in passenger numbers for 2019.

Brian said: I am delighted to join the innovative team at Cork Airport. I look forward to utilising my experience and knowledge of business development in the aviation industry to further strengthen route development at Cork Airport.

Niall McCarthy, managing director, Cork Airport, said: We have seen fantastic growth at Cork Airport with passenger numbers consistently on the rise over the last three years, and Brians expertise will only strengthen this success.

Over 50 routes are now on offer from Cork Airport across the UK, continental Europe and the east coast of the USA, and we are committed to continue this growth throughout 2019.

Gerry Hastings has been appointed as CEO of fintech firm Fexcos new aviation business, Fexco Aviation Services. He brings extensive experience in aviation in finance roles for GPA, GECAS and AerCap. He joins Fexco after 11 years as MD of Phoenix American Financial Services, a provider of services to the aviation Asset Backed Securities (ABS) sector. The new company will be based in Shannon, Ireland, with an office in Dublin. Fexco Aviation Services will perform cash management, administration and accounting services for aviation related businesses. It will also provide Managing Agent services for aircraft and aircraft engine owning vehicles in the ABS sector.

Brendan McVeigh has been appointed as regional head of sales and marketing, Ireland, with veterinary pharma firm Norbrook, leading activities in Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland. He takes over from Patrick Hughes who retires in August, after 35 years of service. Brendan brings over 20 years experience in the animal health industry. He joins from Merck Sharp & Dohme Animal Health where he was most recently MSDs intensive livestock business unit director. He also spent 14 years in Norbrook Labs in various sales roles, including sales manager for Northern Ireland for both farm and companion animal sectors. Norbrook has had a significant presence in Ireland for the past 50 years.

Michael Regan has been appointed managing director of Building Solutions Ireland, part of Actavo, the engineering solutions firm headquartered in Dublin and operating in 100+ locations worldwide. He comes to Actavo with over 20 years experience in construction across the globe in oil, gas, commercial and residential sectors. He has worked in Ireland, Qatar and Australia in office-based engineering, bid proposals and project management roles and well as site-based construction management roles. He was on the team that delivered the Gorgon LNG 4,600-person construction village on Barrow Island, Western Australia. He spent 11 years in the Irish construction industry, notably with Collen Construction. Michael has qualifications in Construction Management, Civil Eng, Business Leadership and Management.

Niall Corbett has been named as CFO with Avantcard, the credit card and loans provider based in Carrick-On-Shannon. A chartered accountant and chartered tax consultant by profession, he joins from Bank of Ireland, where he was most recently head of finance at the consumer banking division; prior to that he was the head of business banking at the banks Dublin Central operations. He brings senior experience in finance and banking, retail lending, consumer loans, cards and payments; he is skilled in driving lending performance. He began his career with Mazars. He has also served as a director of the British and Irish Chamber of Commerce and has lectured on finance at the Institute of Chartered Accountants.
The Cork Business Association (CBA) has announced the finalists of its Cork Business of the Year Awards.

The overall winners will be announced at a gala at Clayton Hotel Silversprings on Saturday, February 23.

The awards, which are run in partnership with JCD and The Irish Examiner, recognise the outstanding contribution of businesses and individuals across varied sectors of business in the Cork city region.

They are judged by an independent panel of judges.

The finalists are:

Best Cork Retail Business sponsored by Cork City Council

Azure Jewellery

IKON Hair

OConnell Fishmongers

Best Tourism, Arts, or Event sponsored by IHF Cork

St. Peters Cork

Nano Nagle Place

Crawford Art Gallery

Best New Business, sponsored by LEO Cork City

NRG Awareness

Ichigo Ichie

Ocean Escapes

Best Cork Cafe, sponsored by The English Market

Cafe Velo

Union Grind

Idaho

Best Cork Professional Service, sponsored by ETC PR & Marketing

ACET Ireland

Meitheal Design

Springboard PR

Best Cork Restaurant, sponsored by The English Market

Cornstore

Greenes

Arthur Maynes

Best Cork VFI Pub, sponsored by Vintners Federation Cork

Franciscan Well

Gallaghers Gastropub

Cask

Best Cork Family Business, sponsored by Musgrave

Hassetts Bakery  The Hassett Family

Alliance Packaging  The Horgan Family

Cork English College  The Cullen Family

Best Cork Hotel, sponsored by Kings Laundry

The Metropole

The River Lee Hotel

Hayfield Manor

On the night, the overall Cork Business of Year in the medium and large business categories will be announced, as well as the Champion of Cork award.

Chief executive of CBA, Lawrence Owens said: This year we received a record number of entrants and I would like to congratulate each of our very deserving finalists.

"To a finalist is a wonderful achievement, and I wish everyone the best of luck on the night. I would like to sincerely thank all of our sponsors, in particular our award sponsor JCD, event partner AIB, and media partner The Irish Examiner.

The awards will be presented at a black-tie dinner in the Clayton Hotel Silversprings on Saturday, February 23.

Tickets are priced at 110 or 1,000 for a table of 10, and are available to purchase through Eventbrite or direct from the CBA office on 021 4278295.

For more information see www.corkbusiness.ie
The European Commission will continue to press for an EU-wide digital tax on the basis all companies in Europe should be treated fairly, competition commissioner Margrethe Vestager has said.

The digital tax proposal  which the Irish Government and a number of Nordic countries, including her home country Denmark, have opposed  was very much alive among some member states and would promote fair competition between digital companies and more traditional companies, Ms Vestager said.
DALLAS, ANDERSON, Indiana and YVERDON LES BAINS, Switzerland - January 24, 2019 (Investorideas.com Newswire) Leclanche SA (SIX: LECN), one of the worlds leading energy storage solutions companies, today announced that it is to participate in the industrial consortium which will support and operate a Battery Cell Research Production Centre, a new research and large-scale industrial manufacturing plant for lithium-ion cells, based in Germany.

The Battery Cell Research Production Centre is an initiative launched by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)[1] and will receive an investment of 500 million EUROS. It is part of a strategic drive to develop a German-based mass production of lithium-ion cells necessary to meet the demands of the electrification of transport and storage systems.

As the largest cell manufacturer within the consortium, with world leading in-house technologies from electrochemistry to energy management systems software, Leclanche will be playing a leading role by bringing industrial scale cell manufacturing know-how. The consortiums objectives with the facility are to ensure it acts as an enabler for the development of mass industrial production based on state-of-the-art cell chemistry and cell design.

Other participating companies include BMZ Group/ Terra E, Customcells, EAS and Liacon.

The project is a significant win for the German Ministry of Education and Research, Germany, and for Europe at large who need the participation of leading lithium-ion players to build a European-based industry capable of minimizing dependence on Asian battery manufacturers.

Leclanche announced in December 2018 that it would triple current factory capacity to over 3 million cells per year, or 1 GWh per year by 2020. The production of its proprietary cells, Lithium Titanate Oxide (LT)) and Lithium Graphite/NMC, is based in Willstatt, Germany which is currently the largest lithium ion pouch cell production facility in Europe operating since 2012 with a capacity of over 1 million cells. The ramp-up of cell production comes on the back of significant orders in the etransport sector including e-buses, 2-3 wheelers, and electric vehicles in India and Europe, and major breakthroughs in the marine sector with orders exceeding 45 MWh. Leclanche recently achieved the important milestone of 100 MWh of projects around the world.

About the participating companies and other members of the Consortium:

BMZ Group/Terra E

The BMZ Group is a global player in the production of lithium ion system solutions. The group is headquartered in Germany and has production facilities in China, Poland and the USA as well as subsidiaries in Japan and France. In addition, there are research and development locations worldwide. Around 3,000 employees work for the BMZ Group worldwide.

Customcells

Customcells is a worldwide operating high-tech company with approx. 40 employees. We develop and produce battery electrodes, lithium-ion battery cells and energy storage systems under the slogan "Special applications are our standard". More than 450 customers in more than thirty countries rely on Customcell's technology, which includes renowned technology leaders in electromobility and other industries (e.g. oil and gas industry, chemical industry and industry-related research institutes). Our company sees itself as a first movers in the megatrend "energy storage". Technology development, cell design and production are carried out on a small and medium scale. Customcells is growing strongly with production facilities in Schleswig-Holstein and expansion plans in southern Germany.

EAS Batteries

EAS Batteries GmbH has been producing large-format lithium-ion cells and lithium-ion batteries at its Nordhausen site for more than 20 years with approx. 40 employees. The EAS technology is characterized by above-average power densities and is mainly used in hybrid electrical applications. The high safety and performance of the EAS systems are particularly sought after in the fields of shipping, construction machinery, rail vehicles and mining vehicles as well as in the aerospace industry. Since 2017, EAS Batteries has been part of the MONBAT Group, the third largest battery manufacturer in the world.

Liacon GmbH

Liacon GmbH is currently setting up a lithium-ion cell production facility near Dresden, in Ottendorf-Okrilla, with a production capacity of up to 300 MWh per year. Production will start in the first half of 2019. In addition, the company maintains a research and development group in Itzehoe. The company currently employs approximately 40 people at both sites.

About Leclanche

Headquartered in Switzerland, Leclanche SA is a leading provider of high quality energy storage solutions designed to accelerate our progress towards a clean energy future.

Leclanches history and heritage is rooted in over 100 years of battery and energy storage innovation and the Company is a trusted provider of energy storage solutions globally. This coupled with the Companys culture of German engineering and Swiss precision and quality, continues to make Leclanche the partner of choice for both disruptors, established companies and governments who are pioneering positive changes in how energy is produced, distributed and consumed around the world.

The energy transition is being driven primarily by changes in the management of our electricity networks and the electrification of transport, and these two end markets form the backbone of our strategy and business model. Leclanche is at the heart of the convergence of the electrification of transport and the changes in the distribution network. Leclanche is the only listed pure play energy storage company in the world, organised along three business units: stationary storage solutions, etransport solutions and specialty batteries systems. Leclanche is listed on the Swiss Stock Exchange (SIX: LECN).

SIX Swiss Exchange: ticker symbol LECN | ISIN CH 011 030 311 9

Consortium partners hand over Memorandum of Understanding to Federal Minister Anja Karliczek on 23 January 2019

From left to to right:

Michael Deutmeyer/EAS Batteries; Federal Minister for Education and Research Mrs. Anja Karliczek; Torge Thonnessen/Customcells; Gerold Neumann/Liacon Batteries; Ralf Elze/Leclanche GmbH

Disclaimer

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements relating to Leclanche's business, which can be identified by terminology such as "strategic", "proposes", "to introduce", "will", "planned", "expected", "commitment", "expects", "set", "preparing", "plans", "estimates", "aims", "would", "potential", "awaiting", "estimated", "proposal", or similar expressions, or by expressed or implied discussions regarding the ramp up of Leclanche's production capacity, potential applications for existing products, or regarding potential future revenues from any such products, or potential future sales or earnings of Leclanche or any of its business units.

You should not place undue reliance on these statements. Such forward-looking statements reflect the current views of Leclanche regarding future events, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. There can be no guarantee that Leclanche's products will achieve any particular revenue levels. Nor can there be any guarantee that Leclanche, or any of the business units, will achieve any particular financial results.

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California fire investigators on Thursday concluded that a major 2017 wildfire was caused by privately owned electrical equipment, prompting the states new governor to estimate that PG&E Corps potential wildfire liabilities could be almost cut in half.

Investors in the utility, which is preparing to file for bankruptcy, initially sent its shares up 80 percent, but PG&E said it still faced huge potential liabilities from other fires. That would include the Camp Fire, the states deadliest, in 2018.

Regardless of todays announcement, PG&E still faces extensive litigation, significant potential liabilities and a deteriorating financial situation, the utility said in a statement.

As of Thursday afternoon, PG&E still planned to seek bankruptcy protection, despite the findings on the 2017 Tubbs Fire, a person familiar with the matter said.

In a brief statement, the California Department of Forestry and Fire said its investigators did not identify any violations of state law, Public Resources Code, related to the cause of this fire. It did not mention PG&E specifically.

The Tubbs Fire on Oct. 8, 2017 burned 36,807 acres (14,895 hectares) from Napa County to suburban Santa Rosa, in Sonoma County, killing 22 people and injuring one firefighter, according to CalFire. It was part of a conflagration of more than 170 fires that burned 245,000 acres (99,148 hectares), CalFire said.

PG&E is facing liabilities that could potentially exceed $30 billion because of the possibility that its equipment was involved in starting the devastating wildfires in the state in 2017 and 2018. The mounting liabilities have sent investors fleeing and prompted downgrades of its credit ratings, pushing it to the brink of bankruptcy.

Public outcry over PG&Es spotty safety record has made lawmakers unwilling to back bailout legislation for the utility, which provides electricity and natural gas to 16 million customers in northern and central California.

California Governor Gavin Newsom told reporters outside his office in Sacramento that the Tubbs Fire liabilities accounted for about half of the $30 billion estimate and called the report a surprise. He added, however, that he did not know whether a reduction in liability would lead the company to pull back from a possible bankruptcy filing.

PG&E will continue to face lawsuits from fire victims and survivors who may not accept the premise of the CalFire report, Newsom said.

This does not close out all of these lawsuits, he said. While CalFire did not blame PG&Es equipment for the Tubbs Fire, the company had been found responsible for 17 other blazes that year, he noted.

According to PG&E, the 2017 wildfires spurred lawsuits from some 3,800 individual plaintiffs. There are another 2,100 individual plaintiffs as a result of 2018 fires. If PG&E files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, wildfire cases would be put on hold, the company has said.

PG&E has stated repeatedly that it should not be held liable for the Tubbs Fire because it involved a private electrical facility. In November, Morgan Stanley analysts said in a note to clients that they were encouraged PG&E would not be held responsible for that fire.

Shares of PG&E rose nearly 75 percent to close at $13.95. After Reuters reported that the company still planned to file for Chapter 11, the shares fell 5.5 percent in extended trading.

PG&E shareholder BlueMountain Capital Management said in an emailed statement that the utility should not rush into a bankruptcy filing, which would be totally unnecessary and bad for all stakeholders.

But Moodys Investors Service said bankruptcy was likely. PG&Es numerous regulatory, legislative, and credit challenges are largely unchanged and we still expect them to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the next few days, Jeff Cassella, vice president and senior credit officer, at Moodys said in a statement.

State Senator Bill Dodd, who helped pass a bill last year to allow utilities to raise rates to help cover 2017 fire costs, said he believed bankruptcy for PG&E was still a done deal, despite CalFires findings.

I dont think this changes their cash position going forward and doing what they have to do maintain a safe grid, he said by phone.

Reporting by Shanti S Nair in Bengaluru, Mike Spector and Jon Stempel in New York and Jim Christie in San Francisco; Editing by Leslie Adler, Bill Berkrot and Richard Chang

Topics California Legislation Wildfire
The federal government shutdown is delaying disaster relief for some North Carolina farmers.

The Fayetteville Observer reported last week the shutdown has mostly closed the federal Farm Service Agency responsible for a document required in farmer applications for state disaster relief.

North Carolina set aside $240 million to assist farmers who sustained losses during Hurricane Florence and Michael last year.

The program is overseen by the state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and applications require certifications of acreage by the Farm Service Agency. State Department of Agriculture Chief Deputy Commissioner David Smith says about 900 farmers are waiting on that certification and more than 7,000 farmers say they need the programs help.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Agribusiness North Carolina
A federal jury has awarded $7 million in damages to a North Carolina trooper and his wife for when a passenger bus plowed into the troopers sport-utility vehicle as he responded to an Interstate 40 accident.

Court documents show jurors decided Jan. 18 in New Bern that Trooper Chris Justice is entitled to $6 million from Greyhound Lines and bus driver J.L. Robinson. Their verdict also included $1 million for Lisa Justice.

The News & Observer of Raleigh reports the Christmas Eve 2014 collision occurred in Alamance County. Chris Justice was in his parked SUV with emergency lights flashing in the far-right lane when the bus struck from behind. Justice was seriously injured and still cant work.

Greyhound had denied negligence, arguing the Highway Patrol shared responsibility for what happened.

Topics Lawsuits North Carolina
A South Florida developer is questioning the well-established facts of climate change, and is putting his money where his mouth is, investing millions to build residential projects in highly exposed Miami Beach.

Brazilian billionaire Jose Isaac Peres is hosting an inaugural party Thursday for the sales center of his planned 81-unit 57 Ocean, where the penthouse will cost $31 million. Hes also seeking permission to build another condo project, a four-story development on Ocean Drive.

The real estate magnate and chief executive officer of shopping-center developer Multiplan Empreendimentos Imobiliarios SA said he isnt factoring in the financial risk of rising sea levels. Asked about the threat, he told a story about his youth in Brazil in the 1950s, when seawater sometimes encroached on buildings, suggesting ocean levels have risen and receded forever.

Its funny, thats the last concern that I have here in Miami, that global-warming issue, he said in an interview Wednesday.

Peres, whos making significant investments in Miami Beach for the first time in almost two decades, said climate change has never come up with the banks and insurance companies hes dealt with in Brazil.

Youre leaning toward paranoia, you know? he said, suggesting that Americans are more fixated on the study of climate change than Brazilians are. You see a ghost, and you run after it as if it were real. Still, Peres didnt fully discount global warming, instead saying he didnt think it was going to occur as quickly as people imagine.

Wouldnt Be Bad

Peres climate-change skepticism follows similar statements by a number of high-profile politicians and business leaders, most of them not scientists themselves. Over the weekend, as much of the U.S. coped with freezing temperatures, President Donald Trump tweeted, Wouldnt be bad to have a little of that good old fashioned Global Warming right now! (Trumps statement erroneously confused short-term weather fluctuations with climate, a long-term aggregate, adding to his history of distorting climate-related facts.) Brazils new president, Jair Bolsonaro, has also questioned climate change.

Its not the first time a Florida developer has downplayed the threats of climate change.

Jorge Perez, the billionaire CEO of Related Group, told Jeff Goodell, author of The Water Will Come: Rising Seas, Sinking Cities and the Remaking of the Civilized World, at an art-museum gala that he neednt worry: In 20 or 30 years, someone is going to find a solution for this. Besides, by that time, Ill be dead, so what does it matter?

Perez later said in an interview with the Miami Herald, Maybe I had too many drinks, and that he had no recollection of the conversation. He apologized for the quote, and said he was encouraging the active pursuit of climate solutions.

South Florida officials, meanwhile, arent ignoring the threats posed by climate change. Miami Beach has committed to spending $500 million for seawalls and raised roads, and City of Miami voters have approved $400 million in bonds partly to combat issues related to rising sea levels.

Copyright 2021 Bloomberg.

Topics Florida Climate Change
Texas state Sen. Kelly Hancock (R-North Richland Hills) has filed a legislative package addressing two significant concerns raised in the wake of Hurricane Harvey.

Senate Bill 442 would require all homeowners insurance policies that do not provide flood coverage to explicitly state so by providing written notice to the insured, and SB 443 would extend the disaster relief homestead exemption from two to five years.

SB 442

Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) data show more than half of all homes flooded by Hurricane Harvey were outside designated flood zones. Many consumers in these areas have expressed a lack of awareness that their standard homeowners insurance policies did not cover flood damage. SB 442 would require all residential property insurance policies that do not provide flood coverage to explicitly state so, providing written notice to the insured.

In its 2018 Biennial Report, published in December 2018, the Texas Department of Insurance recommended that lawmakers consider the issue of flood coverage disclosures. Also in December 2018, Rep. Mary Ann Perez of District 144 in Pasadena filed House Bill 283, which would require all insurers that issue commercial or residential policies that dont provide coverage for flood losses to include the following statement on top of the policys declaration page: WARNING: THIS POLICY DOES NOT PROVIDE COVERAGE AGAINST LOSS CAUSED BY FLOODING.'

SB 443

In Texas, all homeowners qualify for a $25,000 school homestead exemption to their property taxes. Those 65 or older and the disabled qualify for an additional $10,000 exemption. Because the homestead exemption may only apply to a primary residence, state law currently provides that the homeowner can continue receiving their exemption on a property damaged due to a natural disaster for up to two years, while living elsewhere and rebuilding the primary residence. SB 443 would extend that period up to five years to accommodate construction timelines following large-scale disasters like Hurricane Harvey.

Hancock represents District 9, which includes portions of Dallas and Tarrant Counties. He currently serves as chairman of the Texas Senate Committee on Business & Commerce and vice chair of the Texas Senate Committee on Transportation.

Topics Texas Flood Homeowners
Online seller Pie Insurance has started offering its workers compensation insurance in five more states, bringing the total to 14.

The Washington, D.C.-based managing general agent disclosed it has begun marketing its policies to small businesses in New York, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Nebraska. Thats on top of existing approvals in Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, North Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.

The tech-drive companys system relies on predictive analytics and datasets to digitize the buying of workers compensation insurance, which it pitches as saving small business owners up to 30 percent in the process.

In 2017, Pie attracted $4.3 million in seed funding from Sirius Group, Moxley Holdings and Elefund. In 2018, Greycroft and Aspect Ventures joined existing investors to bolster geographic expansion and scale operations as part of Pies $11 million Series A Funding round.

Pie operates as a managing general agency for Sirius America Insurance Co., a subsidiary of Sirius Group, offering A.M. Best A-rated workers compensation insurance.

Source: Pie Insurance

Topics Workers' Compensation InsurTech Tech Talent New Markets
Boeing Co said on Wednesday its flying car prototype hovered briefly in the air during an inaugural test flight, a small but significant step as the worlds largest planemaker bids to revolutionize urban transportation and parcel delivery services.

Boeing is competing with arch-rival Airbus SE and numerous other firms to introduce small self-flying vehicles capable of vertical takeoff and landing.

The investments, fueled by leaps in autonomous technology as much as frustration with road congestion, could change the face of the aerospace industry within the next decade.

Boeings 30-foot-long (9 meter) aircraft  part helicopter, part drone and part fixed-wing plane  lifted a few feet off the ground and made a soft landing after less than a minute of being airborne on Tuesday at an airport in Manassas, Virginia, Boeing said.

Future flights will test forward, wing-borne flight.

This is what revolution looks like, and its because of autonomy, John Langford, president and chief executive officer of Boeing subsidiary Aurora Flight Sciences, said in a news release announcing the test flight.

Major hurdles to Boeings vision of low-stress mobility  as it is called in the companys marketing materials  include sorting out numerous critical safety and regulatory issues to meld traditional roadway traffic with fleets of flying cars.

Boeing is working with startup SparkCognition Inc and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration to develop a traffic-management system for three-dimensional highways, as well as the regulatory framework that will allow waves of autonomous vehicles to zip safely around buildings, the company has said.

Boeing bought Manassas-based Aurora Flight Sciences last year to speed development of a fleet of autonomous air vehicles. With Aurora, Boeing is also working on Uber Technologies Incs UberAIR service for flights that are planned to be available for order via smartphones around 2023.

Boeing is looking to achieve a range of 50 miles with two flying car variants capable of carrying two and four passengers each. Tests are planned for later this year on a package-hauling version that can lift up to 500 pounds (226.8 kg).

Competitors range from Airbus, which says it has already conducted numerous flying vehicle test flights, to Volocopter, which has tested drone taxis that resemble a small helicopter powered by 18 rotors, and AeroMobil, with a stretch-limousine concept that can turn into a fixed-wing aircraft.

Vertical Aerospace, which completed a flight test last year, aims to offer short inter-city flights in the coming years with a piloted aircraft capable of carrying multiple passengers.

The future of mobility  moving goods, moving cargo  moving people  that future is happening now and its going to accelerate over the next five years and ramp up even more beyond that, Dennis Muilenburg, Boeings president, chairman and CEO, told a panel at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Wednesday.

(Reporting by Eric M. Johnson in Seattle Editing by Tom Brown)

Topics Aviation Aerospace
North Dakotas House has endorsed legislation that exempts riders of horses and bicycles from drunken driving laws.

The House voted 91-1 Wednesday to allow intoxicated people who either pedal or saddle up to ride without fear of criminal prosecution.

The legislation still allows riders on horses and bicycles to be charged with non-criminal offenses such as speeding or other traffic violations.

The measure now goes to the Senate for consideration.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics North Dakota
Anbang Insurance Group Co., which symbolized the era of mega-acquisitive Chinese companies that later had to reverse their buying binges, is continuing to whittle down its empire.

The Beijing-based conglomerate is exploring the sale of the Manhattan office building that houses its U.S. headquarters, according to people with knowledge of the plans. Its also in advanced talks to sell its domestic health-insurance arm to Fujia Group, a petrochemicals-to-finance group in northeastern Chinas Liaoning province, other people familiar with the matter said.

After being temporarily seized by the nations insurance regulator last year and having its former chairman sentenced to prison for fraud, Anbang has been accelerating efforts to sell assets and deleverage. The company made global headlines in 2014 with the trophy purchase of New Yorks Waldorf Astoria hotel, and then went on to snap up marquee assets around the world before landing in the crosshairs of Chinese regulators.

A sale of Hexie Health Insurance Co. would be Anbangs first major local asset disposal. Fujia has been negotiating final details of an agreement to buy Hexie Health, though the potential deal could still fall apart, one of the people said, asking not to be identified because the information is private.

Representatives for Anbang declined to comment on either Hexie Health or the proposed Manhattan transaction. A representative for Dalian-based Fujia said he couldnt comment. The China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission, which leads the government team overseeing Anbang, didnt immediately respond to a request for comment.

Vancouver, Belgium

Anbang bought 717 Fifth Ave. from Blackstone Group LP in 2015 for $414 million amid an offshore buying spree that also included Vancouvers largest office complex and Belgian insurer Fidea. Another major purchase was a portfolio of U.S. luxury hotels that includes the JW Marriott Essex House in Manhattan and the Westin St. Francis in San Francisco. Its now trying to jettison that too and is working with Bank of America Corp. to find a buyer, people familiar with the matter said in November.

The Fifth Avenue building was developed for the Corning Glass Co. in the 1950s with a glass curtain-wall design that provides views of Central Park. Its office tenants include Stonepeak Infrastructure Partners and Andrew Farkass Island Capital Group LLC, while the retail component, partly owned by SL Green Realty Corp., houses shops including Dolce & Gabbana.

Hexie Health provides services ranging from disease management, medical care, disability care, health care and accident insurance in the worlds most populous country. The companys net income jumped more than fivefold to 2.7 billion yuan ($398 million) in 2016 from the previous year, after revenue from premiums more than tripled, its latest annual report shows.

Fujia Group was Liaoning provinces biggest private business taxpayer for nine years, according to its website. It operates in retail, real estate, hospitality, petrochemicals and finance. The conglomerate provides financial services through Fubang Capital Holding Co.

Bloomberg News reported in October that Cerberus Capital Management LP, Swiss Re AG and Temasek Holdings Pte were among parties that have held preliminary discussions about buying a stake in Anbang.

Copyright 2021 Bloomberg.

Topics Carriers China
National Grid began the painstaking process Tuesday of going door-to-door to restore natural gas service to about 7,000 Rhode Island customers who were without heat on a day when temperatures werent expected to rise above freezing.

The effort in Newport and Middletown could take a week or more, Tim Horan, president of the utility in Rhode Island, said at a news conference with Gov. Gina Raimondo.

The utility suspended service Monday following a potentially dangerous loss of pressure caused by a suppliers faulty valve. In such cases, there can be explosions as pressure is restored, but National Grid shut down service out of an abundance of caution.

An overpressurization issue was blamed for multiple explosions, fires and one death in the Lawrence, Massachusetts, area in the fall. Horan said the current situation was different, and that the integrity of our system is safe and intact.

We know this situation has created a huge challenge for everyone, he said.

Although temperatures were expected to rise to near 50 degrees later this week, Raimondo urged residents to find alternate accommodations. She declared a state of emergency and deployed the National Guard to get people without heat to somewhere warm. She urged people to call 211 to be picked up.

National Grid said it would reimburse affected customers for hotel stays.

Elizabeth Brooks, a retiree from Newport, knew something was wrong Monday morning when she turned up the heat and nothing happened. Still, she and her husband and their cat are staying put.

She said she never felt in danger. Its just annoying, she said. Were cold. The house is quite chilly. But were not going anywhere. We have four fireplaces and an electric blanket for night, so were all set.

National Grid technicians are going door-to-door to restore gas service. They will be accompanied by locksmiths and police officers in case they need to get into an unoccupied home.

Several warming centers were set up in the area and National Grid set up a customer service center at a local hotel that still had heat.

Newport Public Schools and Salve Regina University canceled classes Tuesday although the university said the campus would remain open.

Newports schoolchildren will likely have the week off, Mayor Jamie Bova said, because none of the schools have heat. The police and fire departments were without heat, but the local hospital does have heat, she said.

The lack of heat also forced officials to close Newports courthouse.

A Middletown animal shelter, the Potter League for Animals, offered to take in pets of people unable to bring them to shelters or hotels.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Hartford says it has paid $50.6 million to settle priest sexual abuse claims over the last several decades.

The archdiocese said Tuesday that it has settled 142 claims involving 32 clergy members. The archdiocese paid out $24.5 million from its general reserve fund and insurance recoveries covered the rest of the cost of the settlements.

The archdiocese said 98 percent of the settlements paid were over allegations of abuse of minors that occurred before 1990.

The names of clergy members credibly accused of offenses that took place in the archdiocese also have been made public.

Dioceses around the country have been reckoning anew with the sexual abuse scandal following a startling grand jury investigation in Pennsylvania.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Claims
Ryan Specialty Group LLC has reached a definitive agreement to acquire the assets and operations of Boston Insurance Specialists Inc. (BIS), an independently owned wholesale insurance brokerage with offices in Mansfield and Westfield, Mass. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Following the acquisition, BIS team will become part of R-T Specialty LLC, the wholesale brokerage unit of Ryan Specialty Group, and will enhance RT Specialtys New England presence.

BIS was founded in 2001 and is a family-owned business led by founders Debbie Murphy and Peggy Giancola. Its specialty product includes property, casualty, professional liability and personal lines.

Source: Ryan Specialty Group LLC

Topics Mergers Excess Surplus
Pie offers small businesses easy-to-understand quotes through desktop and/or smartphones. The company uses predictive analytics and high-quality datasets to digitize the workers compensation insurance experience, potentially saving clients up to 30% in costs.

Shopping for insurance should be simple and accessible just like other products and services we buy online, said Pie co-founder and CEO John Swigart. Americas small businesses deserve a better workers comp insurance experience, as well as the ability to find savings in the process.

Pie is an MGA for Sirius America Insurance Company, a subsidiary of Sirius Group. The underwriter offers A.M. Best A-rated workers compensation insurance.
Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty, Allianz Groups specialty corporate insurer, has announced the appointment of Hugo Reyes as senior underwriter, general aviation, for North America. Reyes will report to David Watkins, regional head of general aviation. Reyes will be based in Colorado and will be responsible for the underwriting of complex general aviation risks and broker development and management, Allianz said.

Reyes has nearly two decades of industry experience. He began his career with the US Aviation Insurance Group (USAIG) as a claims representative, and went on to hold a variety of positions there, including underwriter and assistant vice president. He later joined Swiss Re, where he rose to vice president and managed the companys West Coast office. Reyes holds a degree in aviation management and air traffic control from Daniel Webster College.
I believe that this is an appropriate time for the company to benefit from the perspectives of a new leader, said Saacke. I would like to express my appreciation to colleagues, customers, and the many partners around the world with whom I have worked over the past six years.

Qatar Re is a great company with outstanding prospects as a reliable force to be reckoned with in the ever-changing global market. While the market conditions remain challenging, I am confident that our talented, highly dedicated people, our promising pipeline, and strong underwriting management will deliver significant value in the years ahead.

The outgoing boss also wished van der Straaten every success in his new role, adding that he is certain his successor will make a major contribution to the Bermuda-headquartered enterprise.

Meanwhile Qatar Insurance Company (QIC) group CEO & president Khalifa Al Subbay expressed gratitude on behalf of parent firm QIC.

Under his strong strategic and operational leadership, Qatar Re has developed into a formidable franchise, placed among the global top 30, and is recognised as a modern and reliable reinsurer around the world, said the chief executive.

In the challenging environment of recent years Gunther has brought to bear his tremendous following in the market. He has been instrumental in building and inspiring our teams and has greatly supported the very substantial and dynamic development of our group.
Woodbridge, VA (22192)

Today

Scattered thunderstorms during the morning becoming more widespread this afternoon. Heavy downpours are possible. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 84F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%. 1 to 2 inches of rain expected..

Tonight

Thunderstorms early, then cloudy skies after midnight. Low 68F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%.
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Insurance fraud seems like it might be an easy thing to do. Insurance companies are often so huge, one wonders how they might not even notic...
Hi-Crush has resumed operations at its idled facility in Whitehall, Wisconsin, while also shuttering operations at its works in Augusta in the same US state, switching its export capacity toward the northeastern US.



The US frac sand miner suspended operations at the Whitehall facility in September last year because of...
Veteran Indian American politician Kishan Putta  shown here on the campaign trail with his wife Divya Swamy and their son Om  was sworn in Jan. 2 as an advisory neighborhood commissioner in the historic Georgetown area of Washington, DC. Putta beat out a 14-year incumbent to win his race on Nov. 6, 2018. (photo courtesy of Kishan Putta)
Once you start living separately from your parents you feel homesick, but it also has some advantages like you can party your heart out. But what happens when they make a sudden plan to come to see you and you're not exactly 'prepared' for them to arrive?

A 23-year-old dude was mortified by the idea of his parents coming over and kind of overreacted to the situation. He made an anonymous call to the airport and made a hoax bomb threat on an easyJet flight, according to The Independent.

Twitter

The flight which was from Lyon to Rennes in France was forced to turn around because of the hoax call. An easyJet spokesperson confirmed to The Independent that the flight on January 18 returned to Lyon as a result of security related issue.

Twitter

"The author of the facts has been identified," the public prosecutor of Rennes said in a statement. He added that it was a student based in Rennes who did not want his parents, onboard the plane, to visit him.

After it was discovered that it was a hoax call, the student was taken into custody and according to Fox News, if prosecuted, the student could face up to 5 years in prison and will have to pay $85,000 (Rs 60,52,425).

Last year, a similar incident took place when a flight from Delhi to Ahmedabad was delayed by around four hours today following a bomb threat which was a hoax.
Ken Griffin is the billionaire who dared to purchase the most expensive house in America that cost a whopping $238 million (Rs 16,92,06,10,000). Rich people splurge on crazy things, but he spent his money on buying a penthouse in the most prestigious location of New York. (Just a thought - I can spend an entire lifetime with the money he spent to buy this penthouse).

A prestigious address - 220 Central Park South, a dreamy Central Park view and approximately 24,000 square feet apartment... What a fairytale life! But the wow factor is the price of the apartment which makes it the most expensive home ever purchased in the US, according to the Wall Street Journal.

New York is known for extraordinary deals, but this deal is extraordinary in every measure, said the real estate investment expert Daniel Levy, Chief Executive at New Yorks CityRealty.

"He's definitely a global trophy hunter and he bought what would arguably be now the number one building in New York," said Donna Olshan, President of Olshan Realty Inc.

New York Apartment/Twitter

"I don't think that the fact that he buys an extraordinary trophy property speaks anything about the market. It's just this is what he does and you have to look at it as a one-off. Hats off to the developer for that kind of sale," she added.

Whats more interesting is that earlier this month, Griffin also paid about 95 million pounds that equal to Rs 8,67,72,50,000 for a 200-year-old mansion at Londons St. Jamess Park and the 20,000 square-foot property has a gym, pool, and underground extension. The house he purchased in London is also the most expensive purchase ever in the UK capital.

London Mansion/Google Maps

Kenneth Cordele Griffin is an American investor and philanthropist, who is the founder and CEO of the global investment firm Citadel. Citadel is one of the world's largest alternative investment management firms.

In 2012, Forbes magazine also identified Griffin as one of highest-earning hedge fund managers of the year.
Free things are the best, no one would ever turn down free stuff, right? A company known as BudTrader is offering free marijuana to the US government staff who are not being paid.

The Federal Government in the United States came to a standstill last month with an ongoing row over funding for President Trumps border wall. The dispute has reportedly left around 800,000 staff unpaid.

Unsplash

According to The Hill, BudTrader.com has said it will donate the legal limit of marijuana to government employees who are struggling to pay for the medical marijuana. They posted the news on their Facebook page and said that they were helping those who couldn't pay for their marijuana.

The post read, "To any Federal Employee unable to pay for their medical cannabis due to the Government shutdown, BudTrader will donate to you the allowable, legal limit according to California adult use rules and regulations to help ease your suffering in this difficult time."

"The donation will be completely confidential. For more information please visit BudTrader.com. God Bless all Federal Employees, God Bless the Cannabis Community and God Bless the United States of America."

Unsplash

In a press release, the company's CEO, Brad McLaughlin, said they are making the offer in light of the 'tough times' people were facing.

He said, "I don't think federal employees are getting enough love and support. In these tough times, we want to extend the offer of a donation of medical cannabis to any federal worker affected by the shutdown."

The Senate will now vote for legalising the use of marijuana. While Canada voted to legalise the use of marijuana, most parts of India are still deliberating the same.
Soldiers devote their lives to the service of their nation - they stand guard in the harshest of conditions and do their duty, no matter what the circumstances. After retirement, their pension is mostly the only source of earning. But what if that very thing is unfairly denied?

A 94-year-old widow of a former Indian Army Officer, who died almost 30 years ago, is fighting for the family pension from the government.

India Today

She repeatedly wrote letters to the MoD (Ministry of Defence) for the same but got no response to her request. It was when Prime Minister Narendra Modi intervened and issued a notice to the Ministry, did something finally happen.

Hebe Benjamin, widow of Late Col George Benjamin of Army Engineers expected to be paid at least a pension as she had no other source of income. After PMOs intervention, she is now expected to receive Rs 75 lakh after 29 years. If interest and arrears are paid then the figure could even cross Rs 1 crore.

"She had lost all hope. As a last resort, Hebe Benjamin wrote to the PM requesting him to restore the pension that was due to her. Col Benjamin had served the Army with pride. After retirement, they relocated to Israel. Once he passed away, the family pension was no longer being deposited in her account. And Hebe Benjamin had no other sources of income," Manpreet Kant, a family friend who wrote many letters to MoD, told India Today TV.

Old photo of Late Col George Benjamin/India Today

When friends and family met MoD officials they were not willing to clear the files especially with Benjamin now living in Israel. But Benjamin was fighting a battle legally and no reason was given for denying her family pension.

Col Benjamin served in the Corps of Engineers and retired in 1966. The family wrote to the deputy adjutant in the Adjutant General's branch repeatedly, "Her husband had passed away in 1990. His pension stopped. The family sought arrears be calculated keeping in mind the 5th, 6th and 7th Pay Commission and interest on pension denied for 29 years. In 1998 she received a letter from Principal Controller of Defence Accounts (Pensions) (PCDA) Allahabad that pension could be released only after the President decided on the matter. And then there was total silence on the issue."

Old photo of Hebe Benjamin with Late Col George Benjamin/IndiaToday

"As a last resort, she wrote to PM Modi, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Gen Bipin Rawat, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS). She requested their personal intervention to ensure her plea be a fast track and family pension be restored with arrears and interest," Manpreet Kant added.

Now, the restored family pension is expected to be transferred to Benjamin's account by January 31.
The first openly gay congressman, Jean Wyllys said that he will not serve the new term despite getting re-elected following threats to his life and now he is mullilng to leave the country as well and stay abroad. Socialism and Liberty Party (PSOL), the party Wyllys belongs to, said that his seat in Brasilia will be given to another lawmaker who is also gay. The new lawmaker on his seat would be Rio councilman David Miranda, the husband of Pulitzer Prize-winning U.S. journalist Glenn Greenwald.

AFP

Wyllys expressed his concerns via an interview in a newspaper citing the high murder rates in the country which have gone worse ever since the election of far-right President Jair Bolsonaro.

He further added that he was tired to moving with security guards since the murder of Marielle Franco, the Rio De Janeiro councilman woman who also happens to be from his party PSOL.

It was not Bolsonaros election itself. It was the level of violence that has increased since he was elected, Wyllys told the Folha de S.Paulo newspaper.

Wyllys confirmed through the newspaper that he will not return to Brazil from his current travels to Europe.

I dont want to sacrifice myself, he told Folha. I want to take care of myself and stay alive.

(With Reuters inputs)
Just a day before the Republic Day celebrations, in a major security crackdown the Delhi Police special arrest of two Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorists who were planning a series of blasts in the national capital.

One of them has been identified as Abdul Latif Ganai, alias Umair alias Dilawar. The identity of the second arrested man was not immediately clear. Read more

Cow Dung Thrown On Award Winning Filmmaker Over Sabarimala Issue In Kerala, RSS Member Nabbed

An RSS activist has been arrested by the Kerala Police for attacking Malayalam film director Priyanandanan and throwing cow dung on him. The accused, identified as Sarovar, was arrested by the Thrissur Police hours after Priyanandanan came under attack outside his house on Friday.

Priyanandanan had left home and was on his way to a nearby shop when Sarovar confronted him, punched him on his face and threw cow dung on him. Read more

2018 Saw Most Death Penalty Awarded In The Last 20 Years, Thanks To Changes In POCSO Act

The judiciary handing over death penalty to many criminals, particularly the sexual offenders. 162 convicts were sentenced to death in India by trial courts in 2018, the highest number of capital punishments awarded in the country in a year since 2000. The number of capital punishments awarded in 2018 saw dramatic increase from a year ago when 109 convicts were sentenced to death.

In 2018, with a total of 22 capital punishments pronounced by the trial courts, Madhya Pradesh had the highest number of death sentences in the country, an increase of over 4 times fro 2017 when 6 persons were sentenced to death in the state. Read more

No Shortage Of Polio Vaccine In India, Claims Government But There's Still No Clarity On Date Of Immunization Drive

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has refuted reports that there was a shortage of polio vaccines in the country and that the next national level immunization drive which was scheduled for February 3.

"There is no shortage of Oral Polio Vaccines (OPV) and Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) in the country," the ministry said in a press release. Read more

500 Crocodiles To Be Displaced From Their Homes To Make Way For Seaplane Terminal Near Statue Of Unity

In order to make way for the seaplane service planned to promote tourism at the recently inaugurated Statue of Unity, the Gujarat Forest Departments have started evacuating crocodiles from the two ponds on Sardar Sarovar Dam premise located on the river Narmada.

In an exclusive report, the Indian Express said that until last Tuesday, 15 out of roughly 500 crocodiles had been evacuated. The crocodiles in the two ponds fall under schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act which protects that most endangered species of the animals. Read more

Leopard Attacks Politician, Hurts Cops, Cameramen; Finally Nabbed In Mumbai

A leopard wreaked havoc in Maharashtra's Nashik district on Friday after entering a crowded locality. The animal was was caught several hours later but not before it had injured a local politician and two media personnel. The leopard strayed into Savarkar Nagar area in the early hours of the day and was finally caught by Forest department personnel at around 10:45 am, an official from Gangapur Road police station said.

"Local Shiv Sena corporator Santosh Gaikwad, television news channel cameramen Tabrez Shaikh and Kapil Bhaskar were injured by the leopard. They are undergoing treatment at a nearby hospital," he said. Read more
The Indian Space Research Organisation ISRO set itself the target to send astronauts to space by December 2021. The Gaganyaan project by the space agency will make India the fourth nation to independently send humans into space announced ISRO chief Dr K Sivan.

The initial training for Gaganyaan will be done in India and advanced training may be in Russia. Women astronauts will be there on the team. That's our aim, Sivan was quoted by ANI as saying.

The Gaganyaan project was announced by PM Modi on Independence Day last year and union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad last month had said that three Indian astronauts will be sent to space for up to seven days by 2022 as part of the Gaganyaan. The government had cleared a funding of Rs 10,000 crore for the programme.

ISRO Chief K Sivan: The inital training for Gaganyaan will be done in India and advanced training maybe in Russia. Women astronauts will be there on the team. That's our aim. pic.twitter.com/rKJbfKfmtV  ANI (@ANI) January 11, 2019

The ISRO chief also said that the target of sending two unmanned test mission to space is December 2020 and July 2021.

ISRO Chief K Sivan: We will set up six incubation and research centres across the country. We will bring the Indian students to ISRO. Why do the Indian students need to go to NASA? pic.twitter.com/nOdqSeWbsp  ANI (@ANI) January 11, 2019

The chief also spoke about Indians going to American space agency NASA instead of rendering their services to ISRO.

We will set up six incubation and research centres across the country. We will bring the Indian students to ISRO. Why do the Indian students need to go to NASA?

Apart from Gaganyaan, ISRO will also be looking at launching its second Moon mission - Chandrayaan - 2 this year. The launch is set to take place in late March or early April, once the complete testing is finished. The mission was earlier planned for an early 2019 launch. The mission will have an orbiter which will circle the moon for a year. The lander part of the mission will have a rover that will be active for about 14 days on the moon service and cover a distance of 500 meters.

ISRO's RLV - Reusable Launch Vehicle will also be flight tested this year and is important for the space organisation's future as it looks to reduce costs for future launches.

2019 is looking to be a busy year for ISRO with a total of 32 missions planned this year.
Waichin Valley, in Himachal Pradesh, is the perfect spot for when you're looking for a peaceful spot to get away from the chaotic city life. A 4-kilometre trek from the village of Malana, it is often called Magic Valley for the beautiful views of snow-capped mountains, waterfalls and the pristine greenery around.

Also read: These Beautiful Photos Of Stunning Natural Phenomena Prove Nature's Magic Has No Match



More than anything, Waichin Valley is perfect for a relaxed camping trip where you can sit under the sun during the day and lie down on the grass to count the stars during the night. Here are some breathtaking photos of Waichin Valley that'll convince you to pack your bags and leave right away:



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Also read: These Beautiful Photos From Snow Clad Places In India Will Put You In A Holiday Mood

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Card image (L-C-R): russellmoopen/monkhut.official/saurabhpurohit_
Of the many things you can find online, artworks by serial killers has to be the most disturbing. Then there are people who collect these artworks after shelling out an eyebrow-raising amount (some, so they can destroy it later). But mostly, some of us find this whole business hard to reconcile to: many feel this hurts the memory of the victim, is plain exploitative or just downright offensive. But what makes it truly offensive?

Speaking to Psychology Today, true crime writer Harold Schechter says it's "not the subject matter itself... What inspires such widespread disgust is the mere notion that convicted lust killers are allowed to be treated like minor celebrities."

Take a look at the artwork by some of the most notorious beings of our time and judge for yourself.

Viewer discretion

1. Keith Hunter Jesperson

An American-Canadian serial killer, Jesperson also known as the 'Happy Face Killer' (because he signed off his letters to media and prosecutors with smiley faces) is known to have murdered at least eight women in the United States during the early 1990s.

Art-sheep

2. Charles Ng

Along with his accomplice Leonard Lake, Charles Ng is said to have raped and killed anywhere between 11 and 25 women.

Art-sheep

3. Alfred Gaynor

Gaynor has been convicted of raping and killing nine women in the US.

Art-sheep

4. John Wayne Gacy

John Wayne Gacy, one of America's most notorious serial killers and rapists, is said to have tortured and murdered 33 young men and boys.

SobadSoGood

5. Charles Manson

Manson, cult leader and father of the Manson Family, got his followers to commit a series of nine murders spread over separate locations.

Art-sheep

6. Henry Lee Lucas

Henry Lee Lucas or the 'The Confession Killer,' is said to have murdered anywhere between three and 3000 people; a clear number has not been established.

Art-sheep

7. Danny Rolling



Danny Rolling also known as the Gainesville Ripper, is said to have murdered five women during a three-day spree.

Art-sheep

8. Joseph Druce

Druce is a convicted killer currently serving two back-to-back life sentences for murdering a gay bus driver and a paedophile priest in two separate events.

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9. Richard Ramirez

Richard Ramirez or the 'Night Stalker,' (also a devil worshipper) is infamous for 13 murders, 11 sexual assaults and 14 burglaries. One of his victims had it the worst when he climbed in through her window, killed her by nearly decapitated her head and then had sex with her corpse.

Supplied
The taste of success is always sweet and for Yami Gautam, it is even more special as her latest film Uri has gone on to become the first biggest hit of 2019.

Agencies

In 7 years of her stint in the Hindi film industry, Yami didn't just manage to break the image of a quintessential 'girl next door' but she also proved that she can add value to any film she takes up, irrespective of her screen time.

Instagram

Be it her special cameo in Sriram Raghavan's Badlapur or her role as an intelligence officer in Aditya Dhar's Uri, her contribution as an actor has always been appreciated.

She embarked her journey into the world of films with Vicky Donor which went on to become one of the biggest hits of that year. After a promising debut came a rocky road with films that couldn't work but that in no way deter her spirit or enthusiasm to prove herself as a good performer.

In a heart to heart chat with Indiatimes, Yami Gautam takes us through her journey from her debut film Vicky Donor to the bumps in the road that didn't detour her from her aim in life to how and why Uri became one of the most promising and satisfying projects for her. Read on!

Q: Uri has become 2019's first big hit and the dialogues and scenes from the film have become a cult. With all this love and validation, how does it make you feel as an actor?

Yami: I was extremely confident about the script and the subject. It is also very important for the actors to have faith in the director and the team. Aditya (Director, Uri) said something in just one line (After reading the script): he said I want to make a film which not just the audiences love but a film that even the Indian army is proud of. For me, that intention and honesty were extremely important. I knew that it was going to be a very good film. The technical team and all the actors, all of us had an instinct and the vibe that this one is going to be a good film with which even the audiences will be able to connect with. What I didn't see coming was it go on to become a wave, a rage in the country. Its hard to describe but the kind of reaction we are getting after the film and all of this is overwhelming. The way the people are clapping and the dialogue- for any actor, this validation is extremely heartwarming. Even on the army day when we went and meet the army and the president, we only earned praises for the project. So, all this was very surreal. The hard work of the whole team got its due.

Q: In a first, we saw your mellow version on the screen as Pallavi in Uri who had such a huge responsibility of ensuring that the mission becomes a success. What special preps did you do for the role?

RSVP Films

Yami: I didnt have too many onscreen references for the character to lean on. When I started preparing for the role during our workshop, I asked Aditya how to go about it and he again said something really compelling that 'dont try to project the character, instead, try to internalize it'. Because I had not met any intelligence officer before but Aditya had and based on all the anecdotes that he shared, I drew my references for the character. I understood that the officers are extremely unpretentious and youll never even get to know that they are officers. Thats how I approached my character.

Q: Instead of donning a wig or prosthetics, you actually took the plunge of chopping off your hair. Considering how it is a big deal for actresses, what made you confident about the move?

Yami: When we were designing the character, we discussed and obviously, we thought that a more practical approach towards it is important. We consciously took the decision of cutting down on the time of hair-make up and the whole vanity van time. My father was literally very upset when I told him that I was going to chop off my hair for the role. But later when he watched the film, he understood why I did that and how the character was so natural. We didnt want to use the wig because the look would have again looked very artificial. We wanted the role to be as authentic and natural as possible. Since childhood, I was this Rapunzel in my head but I am really glad that I took this step to make Pallavi more real. I didnt even think twice before getting it done. It had meaning and reason behind it and I am glad we did that.

4. A lot of actors are very conscious of the screentime they get in a film. We have seen you pick a lot of projects where even though your contribution was validated but they were mostly cameos and special appearances. Any specific strategy that goes behind picking up the films?

Yami: For me, as an actor, it will be a little awkward to justify my screentime or my presence in the film so I wouldnt want to break it down. I take it as a privilege as an actor that I got the opportunity to pull off some of the most compelling characters. For example, Vicky Donor was different, Kaabil was different. In Uri, Pallavi plays a very crucial role in the entire operation so I am glad that the director saw me as a perfect fit for the role and he was shackled with the stereotypical notion of what roles I played or for how long I was on the screen for the film. For me, being diverse and being part of such strong stories and films is really important. I foresee how substantial is my role in the film and how I am going to add value to a certain project. I am hungry for good work and I want to prove myself as an actor first. In todays time, the audiences want to see stories and characters that are captivating. I am proud of all my films and not just because they went on to become hits but because of the characters, I got to play. From Shoojit Sircar to Sriram Raghavan to Rakesh Roshan- the experiences have been extremely enriching.

5. Being an actor or a public figure makes you very vulnerable to online trolling and harsh criticism. How do you deal with it?

Yami: Luckily, I am one of the most non-controversial stars and I am very happy with this tag and I intend to carry this forward. And even if there is criticism or negativity, you need to take it with a pinch of salt. You need to understand that today there are mediums for people to reach out to you and express themselves. And, sometimes, there actually is a good observation that maybe I could have failed to see. And sometimes, you need to just ignore and move on. Considering we are public figures and popular and vulnerable, we cant let these opinions define or break us.

6. You have earlier expressed your opinion on how the film industry could be an emotionally exhausting place? Amidst this madness of fame, popularity and pressure, how you strike an optimum work-life balance and maintain sanity?

Yami: Yes, absolutely. We as actors need to understand that there is a life beyond work and screen. For me, I understand that as much as I want to enjoy my work, I want to also explore my life and live it to the fullest. You need to keep evolving as a person and as an actor but your soul should always remain the same. I worship my work but it is not my entire life. For me to maintain sanity and positivity- I make efforts. I divide and segregate the pressures related to my work and my personal life. Its also important to stay in touch with people who really know you and love you for who you are. Be it your family or friends, you need to choose you, people, as they are the ones who keep you grounded. When I meet my set of people and school friends, they treat me as the same person. They help you retain your sanity and who you are as a person. I believe that all the hard work you do and what you achieve- having gratitude is very important. We often tend to lean towards but gratitude is very important. You need to be thankful for what you have without compromising on your ambition as an actor. If you dont enjoy what you do and seize the day in a city like Bombay, you need to be thankful and maintain a work-life balance.

7. There has been a lot of conversations around pay disparity in the film industry and how female actors still have a long way to go. Your take?

Instagram

Yami: I think the whole idea is very subject as it mainly depends on the kind of film you do and the kind of budget it has. I am very glad that at least the dialog and conversation has started. And I am very hopeful that a fair remuneration scheme will eventually happen. It depends on a lot of factors as maybe just after two films, the fee can shoot up.

8. In every actor's career, there is a lull phase where nothing exciting comes up. As an actor/performer, how do you cope up with it and try to stay relevant?

Agencies

Yami: For me, right after Vicky Donor, there was this weird phase. While Vicky Donor was a huge success, my second and the third film didnt do well at all. You just don t know a way out and especially with media bombarding you with questions. You dont feel low and dejected but you need to shake yourself up and remind yourself of the purpose of being here. You need to remind yourself of the struggles you have had to reach here on your own. You need to constantly pep up yourself and understand that when you are making it here on your own and you have no connections in the industry and if you are someone who is not very socializing, you need to understand that consistency is the key. If a film doesn't do well, you need to choose the next project more carefully. Its important to just keep moving on. You need to believe strongly in the purpose of existence of being in the industry and why you leave your hometown. And you need to accept the fact that while you accept the success of a film, you also need to gracefully embrace your failures in life. Today, I know that the kind of response of Uri has got- its overwhelming but you cant keep on carrying the success or failure of your project to your next project. You just need to keep moving on.

9. With all the hoopla around nepotism and favoritism in Bollywood, how does it make you feel as an 'outsider' or someone who has no solid connections in the industry? Is it a challenge?

Yami: It is heartbreaking and not easy. But I honestly believe that everyone has their own challenges and expectations you need to live up to. But then its all about your hard work and destiny because no matter whose son or daughter youre, its all about what and how you do. For me, if my film fails, I might not have an option of proving myself again but someone from the industry might have an option of exploiting a second chance by taking up another project. Honestly, I enjoy the whole process because the whole outsider perspective, I wouldnt trade for anything. Its just about enjoying it all and utilizing your hardship. I just believe in the fact that if somethings dont work out, I always see the silver siling while moving on.

10. A lot of actors including Abhay Deol and Sonam Kapoor have taken a strict stand against fairness cream endorsements. Since you have been associated with a brand, does this negativity and trolling affect you or your choice of endorsements in any way?

Agencies

I would never say I am proudly endorsing fairness products or I wouldnt even use an adjective. I would just say I am doing my work. For me, technically, I was already roped in for a brand endorsement long before Vicky Donor happened. I was roped in as a model and way back then, I started working and I was an independent girl and I took it as work. And I have come here step by step. I had a meeting with the brand that I endorse and we collaborated on the fact that the essence of it should be progressive. The ads I do are not like what they used to be years ago. I was very particular that the message that goes out shouldnt be that if you are not fair- its something to be unhappy about or to feel uncool about. This is how I took it as. Now that I endorse a fairness product, I know what message I am executing. And everyone talks about being independent and working and these products have always been here and the concepts have changed.
Six years later, the International Treaty to Protect the Sacred against Keystone XL and tar sands is strong and growing. Watch as more Indigenous Nations sign the treaty in a historic show of unity in South Dakota.

Water protectors give thanks for progress to halt pipelines

By Talli NaumanNative Sun News Today Contributing Editor

PICKSTOWN  Water protectors from far and wide gathered here in an all-day event on January 15 to celebrate and foster the 6-year-old International Treaty to Protect the Sacred from Tar Sands Projects

We do not own this land. We are Mother Earths children. We must stand together to protect her, pronounced tribal elder Duane Hollow Horn Bear, one of a host of speakers at the occasion, which took place at the Fort Randall Casino in the Yankton Sioux homelands.

On the anniversary of the first signatures on the 2013 treaty, participants in the wopida (Dakota for thanks) included representatives of the Oceti Sakowin tribes, the Ponca, Pawnee, and First Nations of Canada, treaty councils, grassroots traditional societies, environmental non-profits, non-native landowners, ranchers and farmers of South Dakota, such as members of Dakota Rural Action, as well as of Nebraska, among them members of the Bold Alliance and the Nebraska Easement Action Team, or NEAT.

With Beloved Relatives, giving Wopida Tanka for the Protect the Sacred Gathering, January 23-25, 2013, Ihanktowan... Posted by Phil Lane Jr on Wednesday, January 16, 2019

The Lake Andes-based Brave Heart Society did an amazing job with preparations and hosting, said water protector Cindy Myers. She lauded Ihanktonwan Treaty Committee Chair Faith Spotted Eagle for organizing the commemoration.

The ongoing treaty-adhesion process revived an historic Cowboy and Indian Alliance. It sparked the subsequent NOKXL Dakota Alliance. Some of the participants have been fighting KXL and the source of its proposed slurry, the Canadian tar sands, for the last decade.

In the wake of the unification consolidated during the Standing Rock Sioux uprising against the Dakota Access Pipeline, the KXL Pipeline remains a ghost pipeline, sponsors of the ceremonies commented.

They recalled the Reject and Protect encampment they led at the National Mall, featuring horseback riders who took the message of no pipelines to the White House.

Treaty alliance adherents have forged a movement on many fronts and in various locations. They represent frontline communities fighting the intrusion of tar-sands pipelines, uranium and fracking developments.

Several tribes and environmental groups obtained a reprieve from KXL construction in federal court, in November 2018, when Montana U.S. District Judge Brian Morris halted it in agreement with plaintiffs arguments that a 2014 environmental assessment fell short of National Environmental Policy Act and other regulatory standards.

Contact Talli Nauman at talli.nauman@gmail.com

Copyright permission Native Sun News Today

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Vodaone said it has seen encouraging trends in Italy and Spain (Dominic Lipinski/PA)

Vodafone has reported a drop in quarterly revenue but remained firm on its growth expectations for the full year.

Group revenue was 11 billion euros (9.52 billion) in the third quarter, down by 0.8 billion euros.

The company blamed the decline on new accounting standards, foreign exchange headwinds and the sale of its Qatar business.

It reiterated guidance of 3% growth in underlying earnings for the year.

European revenue was down by 1.1% but the company said it had seen improving consumer trends in Italy and Spain.

Chief executive Nick Read said: We have executed at pace this quarter and have improved the consistency of our commercial performance.

Lower mobile contract churn across our markets and improved customer trends in Italy and Spain are encouraging, however these have not yet translated into our financial results, with a similar revenue trend in Europe to Q2.

Rest of world revenue grew 4.9%, marking a slowdown on the 7.7% rate of the previous quarter.

A decline in the South African business Vodacom was offset by growth in other markets.

Earlier this week Vodafone announced its intention to extend a network sharing agreement with O2 in the UK to include 5G services, expanding the service to more customers over a wider area.

Shares in the company slipped 1.25% lower in early trading on Friday. The stock has seen its value decrease by over 35% versus the same time last year.

Neil Wilson, of Markets.com, said: In the last 12 months the shares have seen some big falls driven by concerns about the size of its debt as well as future costs with 5G licences coming up for bidding, while the company has found competition fierce in most of its markets in particular Italy and Spain. 
The FBI has arrested Roger Stone, a confidant of Donald Trump, in a pre-dawn raid in a criminal case that revealed that senior members of the Trump campaign sought to benefit from the release of hacked emails damaging to Hillary Clinton.

The seven-count indictment against Stone, a self-proclaimed dirty trickster with a long history with Mr Trump, is the first criminal case in months from special counsel Robert Mueller.

Stone appeared at court in shackles later in the morning and was released on a 250,000-dollar (190,000) bond. He did not enter a plea.

The indictment provides the most detail to date about how Trump campaign associates in the summer of 2016 actively sought the disclosure of emails the US says were hacked by Russia, then provided to the anti-secrecy website WikiLeaks.

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It alleges that unidentified senior Trump campaign officials contacted Stone to ask when stolen emails relating to Mrs Clinton might be disclosed.

The indictment does not charge Stone with conspiring with WikiLeaks or with the Russian officers Mr Mueller says hacked the emails. Instead it mirrors other Mueller cases in alleging cover-ups and deception, accusing Stone of lying to Congress about WikiLeaks, tampering with witnesses and obstructing the probe into whether the Trump campaign co-ordinated with the Kremlin to tip the election.

Some of those false statements were made to the House Intelligence Committee, prosecutors allege.

In referring to Trump campaign officials and their desire to leverage hacked emails, the criminal case brings Mr Muellers investigation into the presidents inner circle but it does not accuse the president of any wrongdoing or reveal whether he had advance knowledge of the WikiLeaks trove.

CNN aired video of the raid at Stones home in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, showing FBI agents in body armour using large weapons and night-vision equipment, running up to the home and banging repeatedly on the door, shouting: FBI! Open the door!

CNN producer @davidgshortell describes the moment Roger Stone was taken into custody by the FBI. The longtime Donald Trump associateA has been indicted by a grand jury on charges brought by special counsel Robert Mueller https://t.co/wUJEIkKDTw pic.twitter.com/AJ3JWWSHs3  CNN (@CNN) January 25, 2019

Stone could then be seen in the doorway in his nightwear before he was led away.

Stone later said he would plead not guilty and claimed he is being persecuted because of his friendship with Mr Trump.

He spoke to conspiracy theorist Alex Jones on his InfoWars radio show after his arrest, but did not provide any details to support his accusation that he is being persecuted.

He said he is innocent and will continue to fight  to clear my name against these politically motivated charges.

Mr Trump called the investigation the Greatest Witch Hunt in the History of our Country!

It is not uncommon for the FBI to make early-morning arrests of targets under indictment, but it is the first time Mr Mueller has used that tactic. Stone had been predicting his indictment for some time.

Hours later, he appeared in court in a blue polo shirt and jeans. In releasing him on the bond, Judge Lurana Snow told Stone he could not travel outside of south Florida, Washington DC and New York City, and ordered him to avoid contact with witnesses.

Stone is the sixth Trump aide or adviser charged in Mr Muellers investigation and the 34th person overall.

The near two-year probe has exposed multiple contacts between Trump associates and Russia during the campaign and transition period and revealed efforts by several to conceal those communications.

The case comes weeks after the presidents former national security adviser Michael Flynn was castigated by a judge in open court, and hours before Paul Manafort, his ex-campaign chairman, appeared in court on allegations that he lied to prosecutors.

Sarah Sanders, Mr Trumps press secretary, said the charges brought against Stone dont have anything to do with the president.

Mr Trumps lawyer Jay Sekulow said the indictment does not allege Russian collusion by Roger Stone or anyone else.
Roger Stone, a confidant of Donald Trump, has been arrested in special counsel Robert Muellers Russia investigation and charged with lying to Congress and obstructing the probe.

The seven-count indictment against Stone, a self-proclaimed dirty trickster, is the first criminal case in months from special counsel Robert Mueller and provides the most detail to date about how Trump associates were aware in summer 2016 that emails had been stolen from the Hillary Clinton campaign and wanted them released.

It alleges that unnamed senior Trump campaign officials contacted Stone to ask when the stolen emails might be disclosed.

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The indictment does not charge Stone with conspiring with WikiLeaks, the anti-secrecy website that published the emails, or with the Russian officers Mr Mueller says hacked them.

Instead, it accuses him of witness tampering, obstruction and false statements about his interactions related to WikiLeaks release.

Some of the false statements were made to the House Intelligence Committee, according to the indictment.

CNN recorded video of the pre-dawn raid at Stones home, showing FBI agents in combat gear using large weapons and night-vision equipment, running up to the home and banging repeatedly on the door, shouting: FBI! Open the door!

Stone could then be seen in the doorway in his nightwear before he was led away, CNN reported.

CNN producer @davidgshortell describes the moment Roger Stone was taken into custody by the FBI. The longtime Donald Trump associateA has been indicted by a grand jury on charges brought by special counsel Robert Mueller https://t.co/wUJEIkKDTw pic.twitter.com/AJ3JWWSHs3  CNN (@CNN) January 25, 2019

Stone later arrived in shackles at the federal courthouse in Fort Lauderdale dressed in a dark blue polo shirt and jeans.

He did not enter a plea and Judge Lurana Snow set a 250,000-dollar bond.

Judge Snow told Stone he could not travel outside of south Florida, Washington DC and New York City. Stone was also told he could not have contact with any witnesses.

Prosecutors also asked that Stone undergo a drug test and his lawyer did not object.

The indictment lays out in detail Stones conversations about stolen Democratic emails posted by WikiLeaks in the weeks before Republican Mr Trump beat Mrs Clinton in the presidential race.

Mr Muellers office has said those emails, belonging to Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta, were hacked by Russian intelligence officers.

It says the Trump campaign directed a senior campaign official to contact Stone after the WikiLeaks release on July 22 2016 of hacked emails from the Democratic National Committee and other groups.

That official, who is not named in court papers, asked Stone about additional releases and what other damaging information WikiLeaks had regarding the Clinton campaign, the indictment says.

Stone has said for months he was prepared to be charged although he has denied any wrongdoing. A grand jury for months heard from witnesses connected to Stone, and the intelligence committee last year voted to release a transcript of his evidence to Mr Mueller as a precursor to an indictment.

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Stone has publicly condemned the Mueller investigation and echoed the presidents descriptions of it as a witch hunt, but he has long attracted investigators attention, especially in light of a 2016 tweet that appeared to presage knowledge that emails stolen from Mr Podesta would soon be released.

Stone has said he had no inside information about the contents of the emails in WikiLeaks possession or the timing of when they would be released.

He has said he learned from Randy Credico, a New York radio host, that WikiLeaks had the emails and planned to disclose them. Stone has released emails that he says support that assertion.

Prosecutors had offered a plea agreement to Stone friend Jerome Corsi that would have required the conspiracy theorist and conservative author to admit he intentionally lied to investigators about a discussion with Stone about WikiLeaks, but he rejected the offer.

Rogersas time in the barrelaand itas headed over Niagara Falls. Roger Stone, Adviser to Trump, Is Indicted in Mueller Investigation via @NYTimes https://t.co/DuoT2FuF0B  John Podesta (@johnpodesta) January 25, 2019

In a tweet on Friday, Mr Podesta wrote that it was now Rogers time in the barrel.

That was a play on Stones own words. He had tweeted cryptically before the Podesta emails were disclosed that it would soon be Mr Podestas time in the barrel.
He hated black men. He wanted to kill one, and he did.

In a videotaped confession, James Harris Jackson, a white army veteran from Baltimore, told investigators that he spent several days two years ago stalking black men in Manhattan before he spotted a 66-year-old man sifting through rubbish for recyclables.

In an undeniable testament of his hate, Jackson said he pulled a short sword from his coat and repeatedly stabbed the man, Timothy Caughman.

The killing, Jackson said, was "practice" for a larger attack he had planned for Times Square, where he intended to murder young black men who were with white women because he loathed interracial dating.

Jackson (30) pleaded guilty on Wednesday to rare state charges of murder as terrorism and murder as a hate crime, accepting what is certain to be a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

His dramatic plea to all counts against him came four months after the video of his interview with police was presented at a pre-trial hearing in the state Supreme Court in Manhattan.

Jackson, who walked into the courtroom on crutches, wearing black slack trousers and a white button-up shirt, made no speech and expressed no remorse.

He answered a series of questions from Justice Laura A Ward in a matter-of-fact tone. The judge asked him if he had stabbed Mr Caughman because he was black and hoped the attack would incite "a racial war".

"Yes," he said.

The murder of Mr Caughman came at a time when hate crimes were rising throughout the country and in New York City. While New York has continued to be one of the safest big cities in the country, the number of reported hate crimes increased by 5pc last year.

Prosecutors in Manhattan say the number of cases in the borough has increased steadily since the 2016 election of President Donald Trump, whose rhetoric is often divisive.

Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R Vance Jr said Jackson's conviction was the first of a white supremacist on terrorism charges in New York, and one of several in the country. "This is an incredibly disturbed young man," Mr Vance said. "It was a cruel and completely planned attack with a broader political goal."

On St Patrick's Day in 2017, Jackson boarded a bus in Washington, DC, and rode it to New York City. He said he thought about going to another city, but settled on New York because he believed his attack would receive the most media attention there.
Call for change: People gather in support of Venezuelas opposition leader Juan Guaido in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Photo: Reuters

At least seven people have been killed during unrest in Venezuela following mass protests against the South American country's president Nicolas Maduro.

Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets across the country in a bid to topple the socialist leader, who is clinging onto power amid political and economic crisis.

Juan Guaido, the new leader of the opposition-controlled National Assembly, declared himself the country's interim president as he addressed cheering crowds in the capital Caracas on Wednesday.

The demonstrations had been planned by a newly invigorated opposition to coincide with the anniversary of the end of Venezuela's last military dictatorship in 1958.

Tensions have been escalating since Mr Maduro took office for a second six-year term on January 10 following a widely boycotted election, described by several foreign governments as a sham.

Russia accused the United States of trying to usurp power in Venezuela and warned against US military intervention there, putting it at odds with Washington and the EU which backed protests against one of Moscow's closest allies.

Mr Guaido declared himself interim leader on Wednesday, winning the support of Washington and parts of Latin America and prompting Mr Maduro, who has led the oil-rich nation since 2013, to sever diplomatic ties with the United States.

The prospect of Mr Maduro being ousted is a geopolitical and economic headache for Moscow which, alongside China, has become a creditor of last resort for Caracas, lending it billions of dollars as its economy implodes. Moscow has also provided support for its military and oil industry.

Last night Russia accused Washington of stoking street protests and of trying to undermine Mr Maduro, whom it called the country's legitimate president.

"We consider the attempt to usurp sovereign authority in Venezuela to contradict and violate the basis and principles of international law," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

He said Russia had not received a Venezuelan request for military help and declined to say how it would respond if it did.

Mr Maduro, who met Vladimir Putin in Moscow in December, was the legitimate president, said Mr Peskov.

The Russian Foreign Ministry weighed in too, complaining that Washington was seeking to determine the fate of other nations by using a well-tried strategy of trying to depose an undesirable government.

It told Washington not to intervene militarily, warning outside interference was the path to bloodshed.

"We warn against such adventurism which is fraught with catastrophic consequences," it said.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan offered support for Mr Maduro too.

"My brother Maduro! Stand tall, we stand by you!" presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin, writing on Twitter, quoted Mr Erdogan as saying.

China, a major lender to Caracas, also voiced its support for Mr Maduro, saying it opposed outside interference in Venezuela and supported efforts to protect its independence and stability.

The European Union, which has imposed sanctions on Venezuela and boycotted Mr Maduro's swearing-in for a second term earlier this month, took a different tack.

Although it stopped short of following Washington and recognising Mr Guaido as interim president, it called on the authorities in Venezuela to respect his "civil rights, freedom and safety" and appeared to support calls for a peaceful transition of power away from Mr Maduro.

"The people of Venezuela have massively called for democracy and the possibility to freely determine their own destiny. These voices cannot be ignored," the 28-nation bloc said in a statement.

French President Emmanuel Macron saluted the courage of Venezuelans marching for freedom and called Mr Maduro's 2018 election victory illegal. A spokesman for British Prime Minister Theresa May said the election has been neither free nor fair and expressed support for Mr Guaido as national assembly head.

Venezuela's military has shown no sign of leaving Mr Maduro's side. Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino reaffirmed his support in a tweet, saying Venezuela's armed forces disavowed any self-proclaimed president.

The Supreme Court, stacked with Maduro loyalists, has remained solidly behind the socialist leader, ruling earlier this week that all actions taken by the congress - led by Mr Guaido - are null and void.
Holding on: President Nicolas Maduro attends a ceremony to mark the opening of the judicial year at the Supreme Court of Justice in Caracas yesterday. Photo: Reuters

Juan Guaido says he is president of Venezuela. So too, of course, does Nicolas Maduro, the authoritarian leader who has ruled the crisis-ravaged country since the death of his mentor Hugo Chavez six years ago.

Guaido has the backing of the people, thousands of whom took to the streets Wednesday, along with a host of foreign governments, led by the US, Canada and Brazil, that recognised the congressman as the rightful head of state. But Maduro has control of the security forces, the military, the courts, the treasury coffers and the state oil giant.

This makes Guaido's claim to power, for now at least, largely symbolic - part of his bid to ratchet up pressure on Maduro to step down. The question is whether the military brass will finally break ties with Maduro and demand a transition.

"The name 'president' doesn't have meaning until you have control of the reins of government," said Gregory Weeks, a professor of political science at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. "And you do not have that until you have control of the military."

In many ways, this is the same question that has been hanging over the country since Chavez began the regime's descent into authoritarianism more than a decade ago. But now it comes with a new sense of urgency as the threat of greater foreign intervention builds.

The Trump administration has prepared to sanction Venezuelan oil exports, it is understood, though it hasn't decided whether to take that step. Such a move would cripple the finances of a country already mired in its worst economic collapse on record.

Oil slid below $53 a barrel yesterday as a darkening outlook for the global economy and signs of rising US inventories overshadowed the risks to Venezuela.

And Guaido, the 35-year-old head of the National Assembly, is seeking to win over military officers by offering amnesty to those who defect.

As he declared himself the interim president in front of thousands of supporters in Caracas, he said he will "hand in" the amnesty measure recently approved by the assembly that offers soldiers forgiveness for alleged corruption and human rights abuses if they join the opposition.

"We know this is going to have consequences, and we know its necessary to stay in the streets of Venezuela until we achieve democracy," Guaido said. The crowd cheered and sang the national anthem.

Before the masses scattered, US Vice President Michael Pence fired out a tweet announcing Guaido had the backing of President Donald Trump. Trump himself recognised Guaido as interim president in a statement promising to use the "full weight" of US economic and diplomatic power to "restore democracy," and encouraged other governments to follow suit.

Many did, including Canada and most of Venezuela's neighbours, 11 countries that make up the Lima Group. The EU called for the "immediate political process leading to free and credible elections".

Hours later, Maduro appeared in front of thousands of red-clad supporters at Miraflores Presidential Palace and defiantly broke relations with the US. He gave diplomats 72 hours to leave the country, an order Secretary of State Michael Pompeo said America would not heed because it doesn't recognise Maduro as president of Venezuela.

"No one throws in the towel here," Maduro said, flanked by his wife and confidants. "We're going to fight." Afterward, Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez tweeted the military rejected an "imposed president" and backed Maduro.

Russia, which has provided major financial and military support to Maduro, continued to support him.

Vyacheslav Volodin, speaker of the lower house of parliament, called the efforts to oust Maduro illegal. Another senior legislator called the events "a coup d'etat".

China's foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying called on "all parties to remain rational and keep calm, reaching a political settlement through peaceful dialogue."

 Bloomberg
Former Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke is escorted into the courtroom (Antonio Perez/AP)

The Illinois attorney generals office is to review the jail term given to former Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke over the 2014 shooting death of black teenager Laquan McDonald.

Van Dyke was sentenced to seven years but, with credit for good behaviour, is likely to serve only around three years for firing 16 bullets into McDonald in 2014.

Dashcam video of the shooting released in 2015 showed Van Dyke continued to fire as the 17-year-old crumpled to the street and laid on the ground.

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A jury convicted Van Dyke in October of second-degree murder and 16 counts of aggravated battery, one for each shot.

The case went largely unnoticed until the city was forced to release police dashcam video 13 months after it happened.

The video sparked large protests and led to the ousting of Chicagos top police official and some department reforms.

Activist William Calloway, who helped force the city to release the video, echoed the sentiment of many Chicago residents last week when he said the punishment imposed by Cook County Judge Vincent Gaughan amounted to a slap on the wrist.

Van Dykes lawyer Dan Herbert criticised Illinois attorney general Kwame Raoul for appearing to contemplate an appeal, saying his office could have weighed in before last Fridays sentencing and presented its views to the judge.

Now he suddenly has concerns after the sentencing in the wake of some public outcry, Mr Herbert said. This is about politics not the law.

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Lawyers acknowledged before sentencing that the judge was heading into unchartered waters, having to calculate the proper sentence for what is thought to be the first case in which a Chicago officer had been convicted of killing an African-American.

How Van Dyke was charged and his lack of a previous criminal record further complicated calculations.

Prosecutors had asked the judge to hand the 40-year-old a sentence of between 18 and 20 years, saying in an earlier written filing that there could be an argument for a sentence of up to 96 years.

The defence said giving Van Dyke no prison time and putting him on probation would have been appropriate.

An attorney generals office spokeswoman, Maura Possley, offered no details in her brief statement, including about potential lines of arguments in an appeal, saying only: We are going to do a careful review of the record and the law and make a determination based on our review.
The family of Charlotte Brown, father Graham Brown (left) sister Katie (2nd left) and mother Roz Wickens (right), who died following a speedboat crash. Yui Mok/PA Wire

Jack Shepherd, who was found guilty of killing his date, Charlotte Brown, in an accident on the Thames, may fight the extradition process, his lawyer has confirmed, despite handing himself in to police in Georgia.Steve Parsons/PA Wire

Jack Shepherd, who went on the run last year after killing a woman in a speedboat crash on the River Thames, is escorted by police officers in Tbilisi, Georgia January 23, 2019 in this still image taken from IMEDI TV footage. IMEDI TV/via REUTERS

Undated handout file video grab issued by the Metropolitan Police of Jack Shepherd, who was found guilty of killing his date, Charlotte Brown, in an accident on the Thames, has surrendered to police in Georgia, a spokesman for the countryOs embassy in London has said. Metropolitan Police/PA Wire

Undated handout file photo issued by the Metropolitan Police of the speedboat owned by Web designer Jack Shepherd who was found guilty of killing his date, Charlotte Brown, in an accident on the Thames Metropolitan Police/PA Wire

Jack Shepherd, who went on the run last year after killing a woman in a speedboat crash on the River Thames, is seen escorted inside a police station in Tbilisi, Georgia January 23, 2019 in this still image taken from IMEDI TV footage. IMEDI TV/via REUTERS

In this grab taken from video provided by RUSTAVI 2, British fugitive Jack Shepherd speaks to the media, at the police station, in Tbilisi , Georgia, Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2019. (RUSTAVI 2 via AP)

Fugitive Jack Shepherd is facing efforts to extradite him from Georgia back to the UK to face justice over the speedboat death of Charlotte Brown more than three years ago.

Here is a look back at key events since the tragic night the pair first met.

- December 8, 2015 - After connecting on a dating site Ms Brown, a 24-year-old business development consultant from Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, and Shepherd, a web designer originally from Exeter, meet in person for the first time. They have dinner at The Shard in central London, drinking two bottles of wine, before returning to Shepherd's Hammersmith houseboat. With a bottle of champagne they set off for a late-night speedboat ride towards Westminster. Police were called to reports of someone in distress near Wandsworth Bridge at around 11.45pm. Both were pulled from the water and Ms Brown died in hospital.

- September 20, 2017 - Shepherd is charged with with manslaughter by gross negligence.

Expand Close Undated handout file photo issued by the Metropolitan Police of the speedboat owned by Web designer Jack Shepherd who was found guilty of killing his date, Charlotte Brown, in an accident on the Thames Metropolitan Police/PA Wire / Facebook

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- October 18 - He appears at Wimbledon Magistrates' Court and is released on unconditional bail.

- January 26, 2018 - Shepherd pleads not guilty in person at the Old Bailey.

Expand Close Undated handout file video grab issued by the Metropolitan Police of Jack Shepherd, who was found guilty of killing his date, Charlotte Brown, in an accident on the Thames, has surrendered to police in Georgia, a spokesman for the countryOs embassy in London has said. Metropolitan Police/PA Wire / Facebook

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Whatsapp Undated handout file video grab issued by the Metropolitan Police of Jack Shepherd, who was found guilty of killing his date, Charlotte Brown, in an accident on the Thames, has surrendered to police in Georgia, a spokesman for the countryOs embassy in London has said. Metropolitan Police/PA Wire

- Mid-May - Shepherd tells his legal team he will not attend the trial.

- June - A week before the trial is due to begin, the Crown Prosecution Service is told Shepherd will not be attending.

Expand Close Jack Shepherd, who went on the run last year after killing a woman in a speedboat crash on the River Thames, is seen escorted inside a police station in Tbilisi, Georgia January 23, 2019 in this still image taken from IMEDI TV footage. IMEDI TV/via REUTERS / Facebook

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Whatsapp Jack Shepherd, who went on the run last year after killing a woman in a speedboat crash on the River Thames, is seen escorted inside a police station in Tbilisi, Georgia January 23, 2019 in this still image taken from IMEDI TV footage. IMEDI TV/via REUTERS

- July 3 - His trial opens, but the defendant is not in the dock. Judge Richard Marks QC tells jurors that they must not speculate about the reason for his absence nor "hold his absence against him". Shepherd was represented in court.

- July 9 - In a possible legal first, the speedboat is taken to the Old Bailey for jurors to inspect.

- July 10 - Shepherd is found guilty in his absence. It emerges he has skipped bail, although has been instructing his legal team by phone and has been receiving daily updates.

- July 27 - He is sentenced to six years' imprisonment in his absence and an international manhunt is launched by police.

- August 30 - Still a fugitive from justice, Shepherd launches an appeal against his conviction.

- December 19 - A judge at Court of Appeal gives him leave to challenge the conviction.

- January 7, 2019 - Downing Street expresses concern over the case following reports Shepherd has received 100,000 in legal aid despite being on the run.

- January 22 - Home Secretary Sajid Javid "underlines his personal commitment" to finding Shepherd during a meeting with Ms Brown's family.

- January 23 - Shepherd hands himself in to police in Tiblisi, the capital of Georgia, telling reporters it was a "tragic accident". The Crown Prosecution Service and the Metropolitan Police launch efforts to have him extradited back to the UK.
Mexican authorities made it clear they did not support the Trump administration's program, but they appeared reluctant to pick a new fight with the White House less than two months into the term of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.

The decision cleared the way for U.S. agents to begin the new protocols even as many migrants remained bottlenecked in Tijuana - just steps from the border - and officials in the teeming border city said resources were strained to the limit.

The spokesman for Mexico's Foreign Relations Department, Roberto Velasco, told reporters in Mexico City that the United States was prepared to send back the first group: Up to 20 migrants across the footbridge at the San Ysidro border crossing to await asylum hearings.

Velasco, however, outlined some ground rules. He said Mexico would not accept migrants appealing a denial of asylum, unaccompanied children or people with serious health problems. Unaccompanied minors would be exempt from the U.S. deportations.

"The Mexican government does not agree with the unilateral measure implemented by the U.S. government," Velasco said. "Nonetheless, and in line with our new migration policy, we reiterate our commitment to migrants and to human rights. Migration should be a choice, not a necessity."

The deported migrants would be the first group of people to have been affected by the U.S. policy, called "Remain in Mexico" and first announced in December. Wait times for migrants who are currently in the United States can be months, or even years, as a result of a backlog of more than 800,000 cases.

But a spokeswoman for the Department of Homeland Security said the asylum cases of those sent back to Mexico should be decided within a year, with an initial hearing within 45 days.

The plan would mark a massive change to the system of detention through which asylum seekers are processed.

On Friday, even municipal officials in Tijuana remained in the dark about the details.

Cesar Palencia, chief of migrant affairs in Tijuana, said he did not believe the city would be capable of attending to all of the asylum seekers, and that no new space had been set up to receive them.

"We don't see a strategy to attend to them," he said. "It's not in keeping with the law, and I consider it a violation of migrants' rights."

Palencia was also concerned that the strategy would cause more people to be forced to remain in Mexico for the long term, and further limit their options to reenter the United States.

"What happens if someone from Honduras goes in front of a judge and say, 'My life is at risk, but I've been living in Mexico for three years'?" he said. "It seems like a method of denying them."

Leopoldo Guerrero Diaz, the secretary general of Tijuana, said that it was the responsibility of the Mexican government to prepare spaces for the migrants.

He said El Barretal - a shelter built for 6,000 migrants who arrived en mass in October - had the space for more migrants, but that other shelters in the city were already at capacity.

"Tijuana has traditionally received thousands of migrants, but not in the manner they're arriving now. No city in the country has the capacity," Guerrero Diaz said.

Andrew Selee, president of the Migration Policy Institute, a Washington think tank, said it appears that the "various parts of the Mexican government aren't on the same page" about cooperating with the United States.

"My sense is that this is still in negotiation," Selee said. "You get the sense the Mexican government is making up its collective mind."

"Since there's nothing written down, there's no actual formal agreement, all of this is going to be in flux for a while," he said.

On Mexico's southern border, meanwhile, the country has been dealing with a different immigration issue: 13,000 people who left in a new caravan from Honduras last week are in line to enter legally. Though authorities have promised them they can stay anywhere in the country for at least one year, it has encouraged them to seek jobs in the country's southern states.

Yet many could attempt to make the trek north toward the U.S. border to request asylum.

Muzaffar Chishti, the director of the Migration Policy Institute's Office at the New York University School of Law, said the U.S. policy change is "intended to create a certain amount of order."

But it could have the opposite result.

"You need the infrastructure in place to house and feed people," he said. "If that's not provided, it's going to be a humanitarian crisis, or it's going to be an incentive for people to give up entering at ports of entry."

In Washington, neither Democrats nor Republicans on Capitol Hill appeared to have a grasp of when the Trump administration planned to roll out the program.

Democrats complained that even senior lawmakers found it easier to get information from the Mexican Embassy than from DHS or the White House, according to aides.

The Washington Post's Mary Beth Sheridan in Mexico City and Maria Sacchetti and Karoun Demirjian in Washington contributed to this report.
Former Scottish first minister Alex Salmond leaves Edinburgh Sheriff Court after he was arrested and charged by police. Photo: PA

Alex Salmond, Scotland's former first minister, has been charged with two counts of attempted rape as he faces 14 offences.

In total, he has been charged with two counts of attempted rape, nine counts of sexual assault, two of indecent assault and one breach of the peace, the Crown Office said.

After a hearing at Edinburgh Sheriff Court in front of Sheriff Frank Crowe, which lasted less than five minutes, a defiant Mr Salmond (64) talked outside court to insist he was "innocent of any criminality whatsoever".

He said: "I refute absolutely these allegations of criminality and I'll defend myself to the utmost in court. I've got great faith in the court system in Scotland, which is where I'll defend myself."

Saying he wanted to say more but was shackled by the legal proceedings, he repeated he will defend himself in court before he returned to the courthouse to talk to his legal team.

Mr Salmond had earlier appeared in private at the court before making a statement outside to the gathered media.

Having pulled up in a car, he shook hands with two men as he made his way into court amid a scrum of journalists.

Mr Salmond had been arrested on Wednesday night and a Police Scotland spokeswoman said: "We can confirm a 64-year-old man has been arrested and charged and a report will be sent to the procurator fiscal. Proceedings are now live under the contempt of court act."

A report had been sent to the procurator fiscal, Scotland's prosecution service.

Speaking after First Minister's Questions at Holyrood - the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh - Nicola Sturgeon, Mr Salmond's former deputy in the Scottish Government and SNP, said: "Obviously, this news will be a shock to many people. But as Police Scotland have made clear this morning these are now live criminal proceedings.

"That means now, more than ever, it would be completely inappropriate for me or anybody else for that matter to make any comment on the situation."

Ms Sturgeon added: "It will be a shock for many people but for the reasons I've just outlined I'm not going to comment further."

Ken Macintosh, the Scottish Parliament's presiding officer, told MSPs prior to First Minister's Questions: "Members will be aware of reports in the media this morning that the former first minister Alex Salmond has been arrested.

"As I hope members will also be aware, and as applies with all such matters, that means that parliamentary rules on sub judice apply as this case is now active."

Mr Salmond, from Linlithgow in West Lothian, was Scotland's first minister from 2007 to 2014 after leading the SNP to power for the first time. He led the party for 20 years in two stints but resigned his membership of the party in August 2018.

He guided the SNP to a narrow Scottish election win in 2007 and then led a minority government as he became the first SNP first minister.

In the 2011 election, he led the party to an unprecedented majority win, meaning the SNP's manifesto pledge to hold an independence referendum could be delivered. But voters rejected separation from the UK by a margin of 55pc to 45pc and he stepped down as first minister and SNP leader, with Ms Sturgeon succeeding him.

The news comes two weeks after Mr Salmond was at the Court of Session in Edinburgh, where the Scottish Government conceded its internal investigation of complaints against him was flawed.

He had launched a judicial review over how it had handled its inquiry, saying he had been treated unfairly. That case was focused on the government's processes, not the substance of the complaints, which Mr Salmond has denied.

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Amanda Knox, who spent years in an Italian jail for the murder of fellow student Meredith Kercher, a crime she was eventually cleared of, did not receive a fair trial for a related charge, the European Court of Human Rights ruled on Thursday.

The court ordered Italy pay the American 18,400 euros ($21,000) in damages and costs, well below the 2.7 million euros she had sought, for the way it had prosecuted her for maliciously accusing an innocent man of the murder.

Kercher, from Britain, was killed in her bedroom in the central Italian city of Perugia where both were studying in 2007.

Knox and her boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito were convicted of the murder in 2009.

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In a separate case, Knox was also convicted of falsely accusing Congolese barman Patrick Lumumba of the crime.

Lumumba spent two weeks in jail but was released after proving he spent the night of the murder in his bar.

Both Knox and Sollecito were acquitted of the murder in 2015 when Italy's top court ruled there was insufficient evidence.

However, the malicious accusation conviction was not overturned. Knox turned to the European Court of Human Rights, arguing that a combination of psychological pressure, exhaustion and ignorance had driven her to make a false statement.

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The panel of judges said Italy had not treated Knox fairly.

"In spite of her repeated complaints, no investigation into the alleged treatment had been forthcoming," the court, based in Strasbourg, France, said in a written ruling.

No lawyer had been present at one interview, said the judges who also questioned the role of the police interpreter, who had acted as a de-facto mediator.

"In the Court's view, that initial failure thus had repercussions for other rights and compromised the fairness of the proceedings as a whole," the ruling said.

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The court dismissed Knox's claim that police officers slapped her and applied extreme psychological pressure, saying there was no evidence.

The brutality of the attack on 21-year-old Kercher, alleged sex games and multiple trials provided years of fodder for tabloids on both sides of the Atlantic and inspired books and films.

Rudy Guede, from Ivory Coast, was charged alongside Knox and Sollecito, but was tried separately. His subsequent conviction was ultimately upheld by the appeals court but his original 30-year jail term was cut to 16 years. ($1 = 0.8814 euros)
A new year brings with it resolutions, fresh beginnings and, for those who love to travel, an exciting new batch of bucket-list destinations.

This year weve got our eye on a few noteworthy trips, each one promising adventure and something off the beaten track. From the uncultivated beauty of Patagonia to the rugged coastline of Montenegro and the Indian celebration of Diwali, weve handpicked the best adventure holidays of the year with the help of TD active Holidays, an Irish travel agency specialising in small group adventure tours and authentic experiences.

1. Transylvania

Romania is one of the most fascinating countries in Europe and a seven-night walking holiday through Dracula country will bring you to some of its most beguiling spots.

As part of this tour of Translyvania, youll spend five nights in the pretty Saxon town of Brasov. Over the course of five walking days, youll explore the mountain ranges that make up the Carpathian Mountains (home to one of the largest undisturbed forests in Europe and the majority of the continents brown bear population), trekking through lush green forests, wild flower meadows, rugged canyons and sparkling lakes.

Youll also get to visit Bran Castle, one of the homes of Transylvanias famous figures, Vlad the Impaler (aka Dracula), and the countrys charming capital city, Bucharest, where the beer is so cheap that two pints will set you back less than a fiver.

The tour will be divided into two walking routes on most walking days - leisurely and moderate, depending on your fitness levels.

2. Sri Lanka

The much-celebrated Sri Lanka has been on nearly every travel guides must-see destination for 2019, almost 10 years after the end of its civil war. Lonely Planet named it the best country in the world to visit this year, citing a growing number of activities and improved infrastructure as some of its reasons.

Get there ahead of the pack with TD active Holidays 13-night small group tour which brings you through ancient cities, temples and idyllic beaches. Youll take in a selection of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the ancient city of Polonnaruwa by bicycle, Dambulla Cave Temple and climb the spectacular Lion's Rock fortress in Sigiriya.

Adventure junkies will love the white water rafting experience on Kelani River and the chance to get up close with the countrys incredible wildlife on a safari game drive in the Udawalawe National Park. Some downtime is also promised with a trip to some of the countrys lesser known beaches.

3. Patagonia

Wind-swept and immense, Patagonia has been luring adventure travellers ever since Magellan set sail there in the mid-16th century. The landscape sparked the imagination of a young Charles Darwin and inspired author Antoine de Saint-Exupery.

The region continues to call out to intrepid travellers with its snow-capped peaks and great icefields, remnants of the last Ice Age. Located on South Americas southern triangle, the vast space is shared by Argentina and Chile and is ideal for any outdoors enthusiast. TD active Holidays offer a 14-night holiday that takes you through the wild and rugged landscapes, fitting in city stops in Argentinas sultry capital Buenos Aires and Chiles charming Santiago. The adventure portion of the trip will kick off with a hike through Mount Fitz Roy in Los Glaciares National Park (home to the only moving glacier in the world) before visiting El Calafate and El Chalten, as well as time spent trekking in the famous Torres del Paine National Park.

4. Montenegro

Montenegro is snapping at the heels of Croatia to become the next Balkans holiday hotspot and adventure travellers will love its looming seaside cliffs, historic charm and heady mix of eastern and western culture. The Adriatic gem is one of the most fascinating European countries to capture on camera.

TD active Holidays is offering a four-night photography tour in Montenegro where budding photographers can practice their landscape, documentary and street photography skills among its most photogenic landscapes. The tour will start off in the walled city of Dubrovnik, Croatia before travelling to the historic coastal town of Budva in Montenegro.

It includes a boat trip around the picturesque Boka Bay and UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kotor. The tour is in partnership with Dublin Photography School, wholl provide tips and tutorials on location, and is open to all levels of skill, from beginner to advanced.

5. India

India is an assault on the senses and is a must-see destination for any traveller. Explore Rajasthan with TD active Holidays and get off the beaten track through the regions most fascinating sights through Indias Golden Triangle.

The Golden Triangle tour will allow you to uncover some truly authentic Indian experiences, including the magical Diwali, the famed festival of lights celebrated by Hindus, Jains and Sikhs. All the iconic sights are included, such as Humayuns Tomb, the Taj Mahal and Amber Fort.

You will also enjoy a Bollywood movie screening and spend time at Sheroes Hangout Community Cafe - a cafe and exhibition space founded by female acid attack survivors which aims to remove the stigma that can surround survivors. Its a holiday that really gets to the heart of India.

All of the above tours include all flights and transfers, accommodation, excursions, local guides and some meals.

Be adventurous with your holiday and combine your passion for travel with an enriching experience with TD active Holidays.

Sponsored by:
When I studied metaphysics at university, the larger-than-life professor had a running gag about the widely held perception that philosophy is, well, useless.

He'd begin the lecture, then ostentatiously interrupt himself to instruct a student near the back of the theatre to ensure that the doors were fully closed.

"Otherwise," he'd laugh, "it'll confirm the worst suspicions of the science students about philosophy!" He'd then go on to enthral us with seemingly abstract discussions about being, knowing and identity and poke holes in the hapless arguments of undergrads.

It was a great training ground, and every assumption, claim and belief would be rigidly interrogated and subject to scrutiny. One of my abiding lessons of that time was the fundamental metaphysical law that, all else being equal, it's better to be than not to be.

At first glance, this seems like a fairly uncontroversial statement.

But what about when one considers quality of life? What about those who feel that they have had enough of living? Should people be allowed to end their lives at a time of their own choosing?

Lived experience has an uncanny ability to take abstract ideas and create real-world dilemmas out of them.

These are questions that Ireland will increasingly have to grapple with. An ageing population will inevitably mean more chronic illnesses. It doesn't take much of a stretch of the imagination to know that euthanasia and assisted suicide will, sooner rather than later, become the next big moral battleground. It's not implausible that people who fought for the right to contraception, divorce and abortion may well see choosing how and when they die as a natural step.

Currently, euthanasia and assisted suicide are illegal in Ireland and it is a crime to help someone to end their own life.

But, at least in some quarters, there is a push for change. Waterford-based TD John Halligan introduced legislation in 2015 in a bid to permit assisted dying, but his elevation to the post of Minister of State means he cannot progress the push while a member of the Government.

That won't stymie the debate. The Oireachtas Justice Committee last summer forwarded a report on the issue to both the Department of Health and the Department of Justice.

Revealing more than a little sympathy with a change in the law, the report used the highly emotive term "the right to die with dignity" rather than the factual and neutral euthanasia or assisted dying.

Currently, only a handful of countries permit doctors to kill their patients. The Netherlands was the first to cross this particular Rubicon. It legalised euthanasia in 2002 for people who the doctor judges to be experiencing unbearable suffering with no prospect of improvement.

Children as young as 12 are entitled to have their request to be killed considered. Parental consent is required up to 15, but parents have no veto once their child has reached age 16.

Latest statistics from the Netherlands show that more than 25pc of deaths in the country are now induced. In 2017, there were 6,600 cases of euthanasia, there were 900 suicides and some 32,000 people died through a practice called palliative sedation.

Euthanasia legislation began from a desire to deal with the most heartbreaking of cases. But, over time the definition of unbearable suffering was loosened.

In 2017, two Dutch government ministers revealed plans for a 'completed life' bill that would give anyone over 70 years of age the right to receive a lethal poison, cutting the doctor out of the equation completely.

The proposal was eventually withdrawn, but many expect it to re-emerge in one form or another.

Campaigners for euthanasia and assisted dying frequently dismiss arguments about a 'slippery slope' where it becomes more and more common.

But, Holland is a case in point. The law has expanded to include people who might otherwise live for many years, from patients with dementia to mentally ill young people.

Last year, Dutch doctors euthanised a 29-year-old woman who was suffering from depression. Her bouts of depression, she argued, made her life intolerable.

What kind of message does that send to people living with depression and mental ill-health?

How can anyone talk about turning the tide on suicide and prioritising resources for people experiencing suicidal ideation while accepting that euthanasia is an answer to depression?

In Belgium, which has also gone down the euthanasia road, deaf twins chose to die because they "had nothing to live for" after learning they would soon become blind. Yet, deaf and blind people live very fulfilled lives, despite the challenges.

Many proponents of euthanasia and assisted dying support the procedures out of a sense of compassion and not wanting to see people suffer unnecessarily.

But, as the continental example shows, it creeps and creeps until it becomes a lifestyle choice.

An article in the 'Guardian' this week claimed that almost everyone in The Netherlands knows someone who has died by euthanasia.

It's an appalling vista and inevitably puts pressure on people to end their lives. This could well be exacerbated as the growing older population feel the strain of limited health resources.

In Britain, Baroness Warnock - a prominent campaigner for euthanasia - provoked controversy when she claimed that pensioners in mental decline as a result of dementia are "wasting people's lives" because of the care they require and should be allowed to opt for euthanasia even if they are not in pain.

Where it is introduced, assisted dying and euthanasia cheapen life. What starts off rare soon becomes more and more common.

No one wants anyone to suffer, that's why excellent palliative care, pain relief and funding for hospice care must be top of the agenda.

We should learn the painful lesson from the continent and realise that world-class end-of-life care should be the priority, rather than snuffing out the lives of the inconvenient and bothersome.
One of the possible consequences of the continuing political deadlock at Westminster might be a snap general election in Britain.

In this scenario, it would be highly desirable to create some kind of anti-Brexit front on a cross-community basis in Northern Ireland.

A central point of any such arrangement would need to be a willingness, if elected, to attend Westminster and vote on Brexit-related issues affecting Northern Ireland.

Obviously, this could pose difficulties for Sinn Fein in view of its long-standing policy of abstention from Westminster, but it should be possible to find a way around this without asking Sinn Fein to compromise its principles.

In the early years of the civil rights struggle, Sinn Fein found it possible to support agreed 'Unity' candidates in Mid Ulster (Bernadette Devlin, as she was then), and Fermanagh and South Tyrone (Frank McManus) for Westminster elections.

This is not a call for a 'pan-nationalist front'. Opposition to Brexit and support for the Northern Ireland backstop go far beyond the nationalist community and the nationalist parties have already been able to work with the Alliance and the Greens, both in Brussels and Dublin, in support of the backstop.

This experience of working together could provide a foundation for a more organised anti-Brexit front and assist in the restoration of Stormont.

Willingness to co-operate should also extend to unionists such as Lady Hermon in North Down who is, at the moment, the only elected representative from Northern Ireland willing to articulate at Westminster what most people in Northern Ireland really think of the backstop, despite abuse from the DUP.

Ed Kelly

Merseyside, England

Highly paid consultants our solution to everything

Another day in the Irish Republic, another highly paid consultant appointed.

This new consultancy will examine the reason costs have overrun on the proposed new children's hospital before even a brick has been laid.

Can someone in this Gubu Cabinet explain to the electorate why they are ministers? Obviously not for their ability or intellect, which explains why they require innumerable outside consultants.

Is the 450,000 consultancy fee fixed or will it, too, end up in an over-run?

There is one certain thing about the Blueshirts of today. The health of the children of Ireland takes no priority, just as they did not matter in the days of Noel Browne.

The difference between 1948-51 and today - the Catholic Church is not the scapegoat.

The inanity of not one, but two Cabinets is the cause of the fiasco the children's hospital has become since 2011.

One has to wonder - in the centenary of Independence from the UK, has anything changed when it comes to rifling the taxpayers' pockets for white-elephants, sorry, paper reports?

Declan Foley

Berwick, Australia

Constables shot dead in ambush not forgotten

Joe O'Toole expresses concern about the two RIC constables shot dead in the Soloheadbeg ambush on January 21, 1919, and that there are no plaques for the two men who died and that they were unlikely to be included in centenary commemorations ('Why names of two RIC men shot at Soloheadbeg should be on memorial', Irish Independent, January 23).

He should be reassured that all 12 men present, the eight in the ambush party, the two constables and the two council workers, are all listed by name on the Heritage Information Board attached to the memorial erected by the people of Solohead and the Third Tipperary Brigade Old IRA Commemoration Committee, which was unveiled on Sunday and attached to the Memorial opened in 1950.

All the names and indications of their status were read out in alphabetical order as part of the ceremony, which was attended by family members on all sides. The RIC men, James McDonnell and Patrick O'Connell, were referenced by name in the course of a number of speeches over the weekend.

No one was forgotten.

Martin Mansergh

Friarsfield House, Tipperary

Brexiteers have declared economic war on the EU

The coverage of Brexit and the 'hard Border' in the Irish media is increasingly over the top in deference to the Brexiteers. Brexiteers in the UK (87pc of them English) have voted for Brexit.

Our former colonial masters thereby have declared economic war, not alone on this former colony but on the rest of Europe as well.

They have also torn up the Good Friday Agreement, which drew a line under nearly eight centuries of colonial exploitation.

Yet their spokespersons are given the 'yes, your honour' treatment by many spokespersons and interviewers in the Irish media.

One celebrity leader of the Brexit campaign was cheered to the rafters in a conference of the so-called Irish elite recently.

How pathetic is the fact that the only people the Irish media blame for the present situation are the Irish?

Many people in the Irish media are lining up to blame the people of this country for the fact that our former colonial masters have torn up the Good Friday Agreement and declared economic war on us.

How pathetic is that?

A Leavy

Dublin 13
IT'S a question I've pondered for some time: is it still too soon to make Famine jokes?

I never expect to find the answer in the rantings of an American rapper.

Azealia Banks touched down in Ireland this week amid a flurry of controversy. Except she didn't actually touch down because after an incident with a member of Aer Lingus cabin crew, she stormed off her flight from Gatwick. In the end, she decided to keep it old school and took the ferry.

Since then, the outspoken Banks has been letting fly with a litany of insults directed at the nation as a whole.

So far, she's called Irish women "f***in ugly", had a go at the reigning Rose of Tralee, called us a nation of inbred leprechauns and then, in a final blow, asked one Irish follower: "Don't you have a famine to go die in?"

Personally, it was all a welcome deviation from the usual sycophancy of visiting celebrities who patronisingly wax lyrical about what great craic we are as they post the obligatory Guinness selfie.

And to be honest, Azealia's rantings were so vile, they were hilarious, some of the best comedy I've heard in years. In fact, RTE could do worse than consider giving her a late-night slot so we can all tune in on a weekly for a dose of "you're all a shower of barbarians" denigrations.

Oh, and Banks also accused us of having "ZERO global influence and ZERO white privilege". Duh... hasn't she seen Jimmy Rabbitte's "blacks of Europe" rant in 'The Commitments'?

Anyway, her next gig is already lined up - special envoy to Theresa May's Brexit team. I'm sure she'd be welcomed with open arms.

Very ginger, very pale and gorgeously Irish

Any way, I have the perfect antidote to Azealia's Irish-bashing.

You need look no further than wonderful Donegal, home county of the gorgeously flame-haired Ferdia Gallagher whose very Irish look has made him the toast of Paris this week. The 19-year-old, who hails from Gweedore, was named one of the top 10 "breakout boys" of Men's Fashion Week in the French capital.

Take that, Azealia...

Party on, Leo - but think I'll be keeping it low-key

This week I experienced levels of sympathy for a politician I genuinely didn't believe I was capable of.

The pictures of Taoiseach Leo Varadkar's 40th birthday touched a long-exposed nerve for me. I've had a party phobia since childhood, when I would pull my mum into a room and plead that all those people playing pass-the-parcel on the living room floor be immediately evicted from the house.

It means most milestone birthdays have been marked with, at most, a few drinks with close friends.

For me, a "birthday bash" is about as appealing as having root canal - in the nip in a room full of acquaintances.

For a start, there are the weeks of internalised panic about no one showing up, and the oh-so-casual questioning of friends about whether or not they'll be able to "drop by".

There's the sad little space above a pub or dreaded hotel function room filled; the greasy aroma of batches of cocktail sausages frying away in the kitchen; the slightly under-inflated balloons and the sad-looking Happy Birthday sign strung across the bar.

I may or may not be facing into a significant birthday myself so it all feels frighteningly real. When pictures of Leo's bash emerged, I thought, poor Leo, quickly followed by, what was he thinking? If there's any time you can get away with low-key, surely it's when you're Taoiseach But at least it didn't appear to be a surprise party. Don't get me started on those...
The company - which says its 4 mph robots can make deliveries in 15 minutes or less - says the northern Virginia school is the first campus in the country to incorporate robots into its student dining plan and has the largest fleet of delivery roots on any university campus. The machines are much more than a novelty, campus officials said. As a growing number of students use delivery services like Uber Eats and DoorDash, the robots are the spearhead of an ambitious plan to keep some of that business on campus, a model that could be replicated elsewhere.
The EU has come back to us to reiterate that it means no harm to Ireland amid continuing Brexit confusion and awfulness.

The Brussels's kingpins undoubtedly continue to pass the "Irish attitude test" - but we must also know they also have a bigger job to do to cater for the economic welfare of 440 million citizens in 26 other member states.

So, as our Revenue services ominously continue to ramp up Brexit checking plans, the Irish Government continues its strange policy of "denial and postponement" about a hard Border. Leo Varadkar and colleagues are extremely reticent in accepting reality.

It has been long been clear that a no-deal Brexit means a "hard" Irish Border. The EU Commission and Parliament have made every effort to avoid bald pronouncements on this inevitable reality.

But with little more than two months left to the witching hour, "hardy-border has come to hardy-border".

Reacting to this brutal reality, the Government is trying to delay acknowledging political reality until the full brunt of no deal blame lands on London.

Let's get that blame issue out of the way right now: Up to this point the Irish Government, and especially its key diplomatic negotiators, have done a very good job.

They got the "backstop", an insurance policy which gave the North special status within the EU customs union, obviating prospective trade tariffs, and staying close to the single market, minimising product standard controls. We know the Democratic Unionist Party and eventually the uber-Brexiteers cried foul, and used it as their main reason to up-end the draft EU-UK draft divorce deal.

That deal was beaten by "two tonne-plus" in a vote in the British parliament. But Dublin cannot be blamed for this. Irish representatives cannot re-write centuries of British social, economic and political history.

It is political nonsense to blame Ireland pursuing her national interests for the fallout from Britain's long-standing problems about EU membership.

You could say that it is time our leaders spelled this one out. But in politics sometimes you may not, for many reasons, deploy your best arguments. Among the reasons for reticence in this instance is the inevitability of being accused of "stoking things up", and making Theresa May's impossible job that bit harder.

And any suggestion by Dublin that they could overcome Border controls in the wake of a no-deal Brexit would only encourage the radical Brexiteers. The already ear-dinning rhetoric would gain even more volume in those quarters.

So, we get this rather strange and potentially damaging stance by the Irish Government which is neither flesh, nor foul, nor good red herring. It is easier to ask probing questions on radio and television than it is to plot a way forward through this rather tricky minefield. In fairness to all the Opposition parties at Leinster House, they have totally recognised this reality. We have seen an encouraging version of "green jersey time" being played out over the past few days.

Eventually, in extremis, there will be scope to negotiate how and where controls North and south in Ireland will be applied in a no-deal Brexit. But in such a grim eventuality there must be controls.

So far, the Taoiseach's suggestion that Dublin would seek a kind of no-deal fallback, keeping the North in the EU customs union and close to the single market - a "backstop to the backstop" - is nothing short of risible. This was among the very reasons which led to such a serious Westminster defeat for Mrs May's draft EU-UK divorce deal.

The bigger worry is suggestions that product and tariff controls regarding Ireland North and south could happen on mainland Europe. The reality of that suggestion is that it could limit the Republic of Ireland's EU membership.

There is mounting evidence that a no-deal crash-out Brexit would also inflict huge economic harm on very many UK citizens as it cut jobs and threatened general economic disruption. But given the experience since the Brexit referendum result in June 2016, we cannot presume that this will change things dramatically and belatedly.

There are few options here beyond staying with the EU and avoiding quixotic suggestions that London-Dublin talks offer any remedy.
At Davos, being accused of operating a tax haven is practically a compliment - if you're not doing it, it's probably a sign that you're not as pro-business as you could be.

But the problem for Leo Varadkar yesterday was that he was publicly, brutally, undercut by his Polish counterpart in front of an audience of the world's most influential people.

To have it happen just when Ireland needs to be showing it has united EU support ahead of Brexit is the real blow. Right now, for Ireland, everything is about Brexit.

Ireland's defence of its regime has always centred on the idea that we are a small country that wants to compete for investment with big countries. It's an appeal to people's inherent sympathy for the underdog.

But given its history, Poland is well capable of playing the underdog card too.

"For 50 years, we couldn't develop," Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said, referring to Poland's history with communism.

"Now in terms of taxation, in terms of many other critical systems for the social and economic environment, we need to take this into account to have a real level playing field.

"There are tax havens in Europe which abuse their taxation systems to the detriment of other countries. And we should stop this because this is not helping the European Union to build trust towards each other."

It was the second time Poland has caused a problem for Mr Varadkar this week, with its foreign minister earlier suggesting a five-year limit on the backstop.

The events have left Irish politicians scratching their heads.

Fianna Fail's foreign affairs spokesman Niall Collins said it was "concerning that Poland has twice in one week sought to focus negatively on Ireland".

"We're at a loss to understand why," he told the Irish Independent.

Mr Collins rejected any inference that Ireland is a tax haven, saying it's "not true".

"I would remind him [the Polish PM] of the strong ties between Ireland and Poland, and the hundreds of thousands of Poles who have made Ireland their home," he said.

All of this serves to remind us of the challenges that lie ahead for Ireland in a UK-less EU.

With our biggest ally gone, new alliances need to be forged to help us advance our interests - in areas like tax, for example.

If this proves difficult, we leave ourselves exposed - what's to stop us being asked to give up tax sovereignty in return for EU support in some other area of policy like farming?

If European integration continues, Ireland will have difficult questions to answer. Do we want European leaders like Mr Morawiecki to have more say in our affairs?

To be sure, Poland has its own agenda and there's nothing wrong with that.

Hundreds of thousands of Poles live and work in the UK, and Britain is a reliable Nato ally. Both are sound reasons for wanting to defend Britain. But with Brexit looming, we have an agenda too, and we need our EU partners to help carry it through.
Could collecting be good for the brain? Ian Whyte, auctioneer, certainly hopes so. He's been collecting stamps since the age of seven and he's noticed that there's a particular type of mental effort involved in building a collection.

"There are certain types of collecting - medals and militaria, postcards, coins and stamps - where you need to study the thing quite closely. You have to observe, organise, and categorise. You learn to recognise patterns and to remember where you've seen something before." All of this, he argues, must surely be good for mental health.

Although the evidence for the mental health benefits of collecting is purely anecdotal, Whyte has observed a lot of very alert older people coming through his door over the years. "It's funny how many of our clients in the 70-to-90 age bracket are very active in the collecting of things that require research and knowledge," he says, admitting that not all areas of collecting require such mental agility. "The other type of collecting is just about acquiring nice things and putting them in your house. I don't imagine that does a lot for your brain."

Tomorrow's auction at Whyte's - the Seamus Kearns Postcard Collection - is a prime example of the type of collecting that would keep you sharp. The sale is entirely devoted to a collection of 100,000 picture postcards amassed by Seamus Kearns (1929-2014). With a total estimated value of 50,000 to 70,000, the collection is divided into nearly 500 lots, each containing between 10 and 3,000 cards. Estimates run from 50 to 3,000. Cataloguing them has been a labour of love. "I wish I'd had the time to break them down into smaller lots," says Whyte, who has spent around 300 hours sorting through the postcards. "Hopefully we'll find some nice homes for them."

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Postcard collecting, or deltiology, requires a particular type of mental acuity. That's because, unlike coins or stamps, picture postcards were produced in a completely unregulated manner. This can make it difficult to identify the time and place of production. "Imagine that you find an unidentified postcard," Whyte explains. "It's a streetscape and it looks Irish but you're not quite sure where it is. Sometimes the clue will be in the postmark - a card that was posted in Kilkenny is very likely of that place - so you have to try and find a place that matches up, bearing in mind that the landscape may have changed significantly since the picture was taken." (See Katy McGuinness's story above for more.)

Seamus Kearns began collecting picture postcards in the 1950s and never stopped.

"He was one of the last great collectors of that type," Whyte remembers. They first met in 1966 when Whyte joined the Irish Philatelic Society.

"He was once of my first customers when I started to deal in stamps. Then he moved on to postcards and automatically bought every album I could get for him." Kearns became a significant figure in the world of collecting. He was a founder member of the Irish Picture Postcard Society and his collection was used in exhibitions around the country, including a major show at The Guinness Hopstore in 1994. Like most collectors, Kearns began with topographical cards. He collected picture postcards of the Phoenix Park, in Dublin, where he loved to walk and a selection of 250 of these is included in the sale (Lot 107: est. 150 to 200). Kearns also collected postcards of his native Co Monaghan, potentially valuable because of their rarity. Obviously scenic destinations, like Killarney and Co Wicklow, generated many more postcards than Carrickmacross, Castleblaney and Clones.

Kearns also collected political postcards and the sale includes several lots relating to the 1916 Rising. A collection of real photographic cards (Lot 343: est. 200 to 300) includes one of Liberty Hall showing a banner: "JAMES CONNOLLY MURDERED MAY 12th 1916." Real photographic cards were printed in limited numbers on photographic paper and consequently rare. A selection of portraits of lesser known 1916 leaders (Lot 360: est. 120 to 180) has two triple portraits of Enniscorthy leaders and may fill a gap in someone's collection. There is also a collection of Unionist Anti-Home Rule postcards, showing a level of political vitriol that puts the Brexit in the shade.

Postcards were also used for advertising. A side-splitting card advertising Ambrine, a treatment for burns (in Lot 391: est. 250 to 350), shows an entire extended family who have each managed to injure themselves. Kearns liked humorous cards, ranging from the gentle paddywhackery of artists like John Carey (in Lot 317: est. 200 to 300) to British seaside smut. "Saucy postcards first emerged in the 1920s," Whyte explains. "There was always innuendo but it gets more blatant in the 1960s and 1970s. Some of them are quite funny but they'd all be outlawed now!"

Viewing continues at Whyte's Molesworth Street galleries today until 5pm. The auction begins tomorrow at The Freemasons Hall, 17 Molesworth Street at 1pm.

See whytes.ie.

In the salerooms

John Weldon Auctioneers

In 1914, Joseph Redmond Diver was too young to fight in the First World War. He lied about his age and enlisted under the name of Albert Wheeler. On July 14, 1916 he was killed in action, aged 19, and still using a false name.

His medals and a death plaque, all under the name of Wheeler (est. 200 to 300) go under the hammer at John Weldon Auctioneers on Tuesday. The auction begins at 2pm and includes a number of high value diamond rings, notably a fine diamond single stone set with diamond shoulders (est. 28,000 to 32,000) and a fine three stone diamond ring set in platinum (est. 14,000 to 18,000). There is also an 18ct gold John Donegan pocket watch (est. 400 to 600) hallmarked Dublin 1854. "This is one of those pieces that I would describe as rare as hens' teeth. It's in mint condition," Weldon says. Viewing is tomorrow. See jwa.ie.

Sheppard's

Nineteenth-century gentlemen were high maintenance, at least in terms of grooming. The gilded, fitted interior of a gentleman's travelling vanity case (Lot 630: est. 100 to 150) has an impressive array of bottles, brushes, combs, shaving accoutrements and unspeakable gadgets. It goes under the hammer on Tuesday at 10.30am as part of Sheppard's Decor Decoded auction in Durrow, Co Laois.

The sale includes some interesting pieces of furniture. On the fancy side, twin Italian carved four-poster single beds are painted in circus colours, each with a serpentine headboard (Lot 427: est. 1500 to 2500), while two 19th-century Louis XVI style gilt armchairs (Lot 495: est. 400 to 600) offer the gilded plush associated with the era. On the plain, an 18th-century oak farmhouse table (Lot 313: est. 800 to 1,200) nearly two and a half metres long. Viewing from tomorrow to Monday, 10am to 5pm. See sheppards.ie

Bonhams

Specialist valuation days at Bonhams continue with an Asian Art Valuation Day on Tuesday, where specialist Sing Yan will be available to provide valuations on any Asian art you might be considering selling. It's followed on Wednesday by an Islamic & Indian Art Valuation Day. The valuations take place at Bonhams Ireland, 31 Molesworth Street, Dublin 2. Valuations are free, and there's no obligation to sell, but you have to book. Contact ireland@bonhams.com or (01) 602 0990.
In Mornington, a new release of 12 three, four and five-bed semi-detached and detached homes is due to go on stream in April at Donacarney Wood, which is set on the grounds of the eponymous 19th-century Donacarney House.

Enquiries to: Savills New Homes (01) 618 1300 or Shane Black (041) 981 0848

In the commuter town of Dunshaughlin, some 34km from Dublin city centre, a second phase of Fairfield is scheduled to be released in February.

Fairfield was initially launched in August and will have 94 houses when it's finished. Prices for the upcoming release are expected to range from 300,000 for a three-bed semi to 357,000 for a four-bed version.

Enquiries to: Sherry FitzGerald New Homes (01) 6671888

Kilcarn Woods is due to be released in Navan by Kingscroft Developments in February.

The first phase will comprise 20 three and four-bed semis and four-bed detached houses.

Enquiries to: Hooke & MacDonald (01) 6610100 and REA T&J Gavigan (046) 902 3232
Go tropical: Say hello to my little trend: Create a scene around you - Tony Montana head office-style - with palm trees, beach, sunset and sea and maybe even a straw hatted cocktail bar

I once knew an ace salesman who had sold encyclopedias door to door in the 1970s. In those pre-internet days, collections of 32 chunky volumes containing the subtotal of humanity's knowledge, were published by firms like Britannica. A full set could cost as much as a car.

When they were training in a newbie, it was Ace that they were sent out to accompany, to "watch and learn".

Standing on a doorstep, he would tell the newbie about the power of an effective sales pitch. To prove his point he was not only going to sell these people a full set, but just to show he could do it, he, a stranger, would persuade said occupants to stand on their own sofas.

The introductory line was: "Excuse me, can I ask if you are concerned about your children's education?" Few said "no" to this. The crack salesman left with a hefty subscription signed up and the home's inhabitants standing on their sofas. Just for the hell of showing he could. Worse, he never told me just how he did that.

I wonder if the interiors fashion sector is doing that to us just now. "Hey watch this, let's make everybody colour their homes in the three most vomitous hues we can find. Just because we can."

As pushed by the trend managers in the global home fashion sector, dour grey has prevailed for years, along with mushrooms, beiges and taupes, collectively known as "greige". And we, the eejits have bought into it.

So as a sort of special New Year mission - a bit like a resolution, except I inflict it on you - I'm going to ask you to do one thing. I'm sending you on a treasure hunt. As an exercise in liberation.

Find yourself a specialist wallpaper shop and locate the craziest, most colourful and insane pattern you can. Throw perceived and acquired "taste" right out the window. You won't need it.

The type of thing includes:

1. Rolls which make a tropical island scene around you - Tony Montana head office-style - with palm trees, beach, blue sky and sea and maybe even a straw hatted cocktail bar.

2. Rolls which look like shelves filled with curios of the sort found in an explorer's study - mysterious coloured bottles, books, cameras, fossils and unusual scientific equipment with a purpose that is not immediately apparent (yes they sell that too).

3. Repeated patterns of large orange flamingos - over and over again against a canary yellow background. Elephants, penguins or sheep will do but you must find a wallpaper animal with a strong whiff of whimsy. Duck not owl. Pug not Poodle. Meerkat not muskrat.

Make a short list and pick the one that makes you smile most. Before cooling off, rush home and paste it floor-to-ceiling all around the interior of your downstairs loo. All the way round.

Add crazy touches like a novelty toilet seat, frivolous nonsense pictures and stand-alone visual trivia. A stuffed badger, a miniature traffic light, a giant framed picture of a tomato. Whatever catches your fancy.

I know someone who got seaside scene wallpaper, and hung red and white life belts on the wall with salvaged fishing nets from the ceiling. If you get this far, you're doing two things to break from the plodding herd of fashion compliant greigebeests: first you're introducing real colour to your home. Second, you're sticking two fingers up to dictated interiors fashion - to the firms, designers and the friends that too many of us traipse after when it comes to decorating and furnishing our realms.

We've got it so bad that for some, painting a hidden corner apple green is now somewhere akin to peeing in the swimming pool or farting at Mass. Ireland is today a bog-standard valley of the domestically colour blind, where greige and muchgloom are up all internal walls; where arctic winter whelped Scandinavian firms dictate our shelvish and dining functions with flat packed anorexic functional anaemia; where children's bedrooms are afflicted by trend rote - rather than concocted helter-skelter in joyful juvenile bedlam as they should be.

For the squeamish, the downstairs loo is the "safe" space to experiment. You're allowed go a bit mad in there. If it still makes you smile a week later, keep it. Consider your loopy loo to be your decorative equivalent of a weekend skite in Vegas, a splurge at the racetrack or a pina colada plunged through with a plastic rapiered cherry glace. Life needs that now and again. If you don't like it, repaint in gunmetal royal or mush souffle. No biggie.

Ireland's insides have never been more in need of gutsy, vibrant, loud, life affirming primary, primal and primeval colours.

In a land of sideways rain, street shades of wet cement with seeping damp rash and ashtray skies (an African taxi driver once described it to me as like "living under an elephant") having grey, beige or magnolia indoors for five years is going too long without a big bloody steak. If mother nature screams with it, we need it.

So if you've gotten into that wicked groove and you like it, go further. Get out of the (downstairs) closet and slather your hall and landing in deep primrose yellow or something bright and glowing. Don't chicken at the paint shop and water it down. Warm, deep dayglo yellow not watery Lemsip insipid. Or you're just making matters worse. What about tangerine orange? Make sun when there's none.

What's that? Rich colours make the room smaller? Well choose between a sprightly life-affirming little seeming space or stay ward-sized embalmed in the dud dead tones we've enveloped ourselves in for too many years. There's lots of misery to undo across the land.

Colour trends, as I mentioned, are based on the wisdom of highly paid global colour trend experts who proclaim a new colour for every year. It really is that daft and they do actually exist. The paint and furnishing firms follow, then the shops and, too often, the designers. Finally the underconfident home owner, the gimp in the deal.

Does that elite clique of chromic Yodas and Obi Wans collectively ascend a sacred mountain once a year to return with tablets of colour swatches? Well in October one of these internationally regarded colour cabals returned to pronounce 2019 to be the global year of what can only be described as a sludgy tone of brown! The paint companies will do their best, they'll call it 'spiced chocolate,' 'old walnut ale' or 'champagne truffle,' but there is just no getting away from the big fat bottom line: that 2019 interiors have been proclaimed for us in various shades of shite.

So will you stand with the herd on your settee to brown nose the global gurus in 2019? Or will you go full on loopy loo?
A woman suffered catastrophic fatal injuries after a midday collision on a Dublin motorway.

The accident happened yesterday around 11.30am on the M50 northbound near Finglas.

The woman, named locally as Jackie Griffin, from Tallaght, aged in her 30s, was pronounced dead at the scene and an investigation is underway into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Gardai were yesterday forced to appeal to people to stop circulating images from the crash out of respect for the victim's family.

There were four vehicles involved - however, an impact between two cars caused the most serious damage, including the loss of life.

"As far as we are aware, one car was in a collision with another car, which then collided with a crash barrier," a source told the Irish Independent last night.

"The woman in that vehicle which hit the barrier suffered catastrophic injuries. Local Tallaght councillor Louise Dunne said last night that her thoughts were with the crash victim's family and her friends.

Another family friend described Ms Griffin as "a gem of a person".

The driver of the other car, a man in his 50s, was taken to Connolly Hospital though he is not understood to have suffered life-threatening injuries.

A truck also suffered damage, but this was not involved in the initial collision, as was another car.

In a separate incident, a man in his 40s was killed by a 4x4 vehicle when he was struck on the Dublin Road, in Monasterevin, Co Kildare, at 6.50pm yesterday.

In Galway, shortly after 9am yesterday, a woman in her 80s was killed when the car she was a passenger in was involved in a collision on the R446 at Kilrickle, Loughrea.
Fianna Fail TD Eamon O Cuiv has spoken out about the partys partnership with the SDLP saying he is disappointed that a merger has been taken off the table.

Mr O Cuiv said a huge number of SDLP politicians and members of other political parties would run for Fianna Fail in the forthcoming local elections in Northern Ireland if the party decided to run candidates.

The Galway West TD was speaking to Independent.ies Floating Voter podcast as Fianna Fail ruled out a merger but announced a partnership with the SDLP in Belfast today.

I hope it is a stepping stone (but) that remains to be seen, Mr O Cuiv said

I am disappointed with the arrangement, I have to say. The SDLP is going down and down and down. It is becoming a smaller and smaller party.

If Fianna Fail did organise in the North - the SDLP has gone down so low - there would be a huge number of SDLP representatives who would have just transferred immediately to Fianna Fail, he added.

He said Northern Ireland elected representatives who are currently members of Fianna Fail are being told to run as Independent candidates in the forthcoming local elections.

The long-serving TD said he first learned a Fianna Fail/SDLP merger was off the table when it was revealed in last weekends Sunday Independent.

Mr O Cuiv was sacked from the partys frontbench for his role in unveiling Sorcha McAnespy as a Fianna Fails first candidate in the North.

He said he knew party headquarters would not be overly pleased with the decision to announce Ms McAnespys candidacy but insisted Fianna Fail needed the push to move North.

He insisted he accepted his punishment and hasnt run away from his involvement with the election stunt which also involved Fianna Fail senator Mark Daly.

Mr O Cuiv also discussed attempts by Galway County councillors to get him to run in the Presidential election and his work with dissident republicans.
THE Irish Ambassador to Israel has been reprimanded by the Israeli foreign ministry over legislation which seeks to ban Israeli goods produced in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

This week the Dail passed the Occupied Territories bill, originally proposed by Independent Senator Frances Black, and backed by Fianna Fail and opposition parties.

The Government has opposed the legislation and warned that it contravenes EU law as well as putting US investment here at risk.

Speaking in the Dail this week Tanaiste Simon Coveney said that despite being well intentioned, the proposed law "will do serious damage to Ireland and bring only momentary consolation to Palestinian citizens".

In a statement on Friday the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Jerusalem said it had summoned Irish ambassador Alison Kelly and she was reprimanded for the outrageous legislative initiative.

The impact of the proposed law on Ireland-Israel relations was outlined at the meeting.

A statement from the ministry said: At the meeting it was made clear to the ambassador that the hypocritical and anti-Semitic legislation will have severe ramifications on Israel-Ireland relations and Irelands standing in the region should the legislation be promoted.

The statement went on to claim It would be better if Ireland confronted dictatorships and terrorist organizations rather than Israel, the only democracy in the Middle East.

In a statement Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the legislation as a disgrace.

Instead of condemning Syria for slaughtering hundreds of thousands of civilians, Turkey for the occupation of northern Cyprus, and terrorist organizations for murdering thousands of Israelis, Ireland attacks Israel, the only democracy in the Middle East. What a disgrace, he said in a statement released via official social media.

A spokesperson for the DFA said: "Ambassador Kelly was asked to go in to the Israeli Foreign Ministry this morning. An officer of the Europe Directorate conveyed the Israeli Governments views on the Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill.

"Ambassador Kelly conveyed the position of the Irish Government in opposing the Bill."
An Irish doctor who committed a 1m (1.15m) insurance fraud demonstrated "pathological levels of dishonesty and arrogance," a judge has said.

Surgeon Anthony McGrath was given an eight-year prison sentence at Luton Crown Court yesterday after being found guilty of fraud offences and perverting the course of justice.

The court heard that McGrath, who is from Somerville in Co Meath, had spiralling debt and staged a robbery at his home and attempted to carry out a 180,000 (207,000) insurance fraud.

McGrath (46) staged a burglary in 2015 at the rental home his family were living in on the Luton Hoo Estate of St Albans.

Expand Close A19th century red marble rococo fire surround, with ormolu inserts that McGrath claimed had been stolen Photo: Bedfordshire Police / Facebook

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Whatsapp A19th century red marble rococo fire surround, with ormolu inserts that McGrath claimed had been stolen Photo: Bedfordshire Police

He told investigators that 100 items were taken during the alleged robbery, including a Persian rug worth 35,000 (40,000), jewellery, artwork, silverware and clocks.

Police found that he had shipped some of the items he had claimed were stolen in a van to his family's home in Meath. McGrath did not know that the vehicle had been fitted with a tracker.

The investigation into the staged burglary led police to uncover three counts of mortgage fraud worth over 1m (1.15m).

Copies of false tax returns which had been sent to their bank were found by police in their home, with McGrath's finger prints on them.

The jury heard that in a bid to cover his debts he lied about his finances to try to get money from people.

McGrath has a keen interest in antiques and the court heard he tried to get a better price for the sale of them by telling the dealer he had given extensive time and money to a Syrian children's refugee charity.

He also faked a salary report from a hospital he no longer worked at, and he lied to a potential buyer of a holiday home that the contract was late as he claimed he was working for a French medical charity in Jordan.

Following a trial that lasted more than four months at Luton Crown Court, McGrath was found guilty of fraud by false representation and committing acts with intent to pervert the course of justice. Yesterday he was sentenced to eight years in prison.

His wife, Anne-Louise McGrath, was found not guilty of all charges.

Judge Barbara Mensah said: "The offences were sophisticated, detailed, well planned and carried out over a long period of time.

"McGrath has demonstrated pathological levels of dishonesty and arrogance, and took every opportunity to attack and defraud his insurance company."

Detective Constable Dave Brecknock welcomed the verdict, saying it showed that nobody is above the law.

He said: "This was an incredibly complex three-year investigation and a lengthy court process, with the trial lasting more than four months, so Im really pleased we have now reached a conclusion, and finally can say that justice has been done.

"Despite the complexities of the case, the motive was simple  this conniving and deceitful man intentionally broke the law in order to gain hundreds of thousands of pounds. But this goes to show that no matter who you are, how clever you think you might be, you cannot get away with breaking the law.

"If you commit crime for your financial gain then you will naturally leave some kind of evidential trail behind you, as was the case with McGrath, and this result proves just how determined and thorough we will be in the pursuit of justice."

Judge Mensah also commended Detective Constable Brecknock for his professionalism in the investigation.
Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx announced her support for legalizing marijuana in Illinois on Jan. 24, 2019, at the City Club of Chicago. She also said her office plans to help expunge all misdemeanor marijuana convictions in an attempt to help those hurt by the criminal record. (Zbigniew Bzdak/Chicago Tribune)
HOSPITAL patients face major disruption next Wednesday as last ditch talks to avert a strike by over 40,000 nurses have collapsed.

Discussions between nursing unions and government officials at the Workplace Relations Commission ended without agreement just before 6pm, following three days.

General Secretary of the INMO Phil Ni Sheaghdha called on the Taoiseach to intervene and said no proposals were tabled.

She said no further talks are planned.

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation and the Psychiatric Nurses Association are demanding a 12pc pay rise to put their pay on a par with other healthcare professionals.

But Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe have warned that granting the increase at a cost of 300m would trigger knock on claims by other public servants.

Mr Donohoe pointed out that nurses are already in line for pay rises under the existing wage agreement, worth around 2,000.

The government has also offered a 20m package to nurses in specialised grades as the Public Service Pay Commission found there were retention issues.

However, the pay commission decided that there was no general recruitment and retention crisis among nurses..

Nurses face the threat of severe financial penalties if they go on strike.

These include a nine month delay to the pay rises already due and loss of a pay deal worth 3,300 each to recent recruits.

When asked if the talks had collapsed, Ms Ni Sheaghdha, said they were a non starter.

Disappointingly again, were no further on, she said. We believe now were very close to a national nurses dispute where 35,000 nurses will be on strike next Wednesday.

Theres absolutely no indication of intent to divert that from what weve seen from the government side and we firmly believe now its time for the Taoiseach to intervene.

The big question our members are going to ask us is where is the Taoiseach. Where is the minister for finance? And how come they are not intently trying to resolve the matters at stake here which are after all about patient care, about how we provide care to patients.

And are the nurses and midwives of this country the only group who are going to have to take a stand to make sure that our patients are safely cared for?

She said its a matter the government should be extremely concerned about, particularly the elected politicians whose job it is to make sure that the public health service provides safe care.

And currently there is no indication that there is any intent to put forward any proposal that would avert this dispute, she said.

The strike is scheduled to take place next Wednesday. We have had absolutely nothing to put to our members that would in any way indicate that anybody in government has any intention to divert.

She said no proposals were tabled over the last three days but there was ample opportunity to resolve the dispute within the current pay deal.

The union leader said her negotiating team had many ideas and costed some of them. They include an overspend on agency workers and the manner in which recruitment is carried out, she added.

General Secretary of the Psychiatric Nurses Association, Peter Hughes, said the gap between the parties has not narrowed.

We heard nothing new today and the government needs at this stage to intervene with intent to resolve this matter, he said.

He said his union is now proceeding to coordinate and plan its campaign of industrial action.

A statement from the HSE said that it "regrets that the talks have ended without agreement".

"We have made clear to the WRC that we remain available to resume talks should they wish to bring the parties back together.

"However, the HSE has to prepare for the possibility of industrial action and to this end services will be cancelled and restrictions will occur in some areas on the day of the proposed action.

"We regret that this action will affect patient services and apologise to all our patients, clients and their families for the disruption this will cause."
THE family and friends of a woman who died in a road crash yesterday have urged people not to share any videos or images from the scene of the collision.

Jackie Griffin, who was aged in her 30s, died in a multi-vehicle collision on the M50 northbound at around 11.30am yesterday morning.

Ms Griffin was pronounced dead at the scene a short time later and an investigation is underway.

The driver of a second car, a man aged in his 50s, was brought to Connolly Hospital by ambulance, his condition is not thought to be life-threatening.

A lorry and a third car were also involved in the collision, no other injuries have been reported.

Graphic videos and photos from the immediate aftermath of the collision were circulated on social media after the crash and loved ones of Ms Griffin have posted online urging people not to share these posts.

They have also requested that these images are reported to social media platforms.

Gardai issued a formal plea about the sharing of these images last night.

"Investigating Gardai are aware of images taken at the crash site currently being circulated online and are asking people not to share or circulate the images out of respect to the family of the deceased and those involved in the collision," they said in a statement.

Dublin GAA star Philly McMahon called the pictures an "absolute disgrace" and pleaded with people to think of Ms Griffin's grieving family and friends.

He said: "It's an absolute disgrace that someone in their right mind thinks it's ok to take pictures and videos of another human being after an horrific accident.

"Think of the person and his/her family. Would you like it. If you get sent it delete it out of respect."

The Ballymun Utd FC Twitter account cautioned people about the role of social media in tragic circumstances.

They wrote under McMahon's post: "Agree Philly 100% we live in an era when 'shares' and 'likes' is more important than basic human values- when social media is so wrong - humanity is failing - selfies and who is first with the 'news' is so important to those who dont really engage with humans."

Fine Gael TD Colm Brophy has called for regulations to prevent content like this being shared online.

"This week alone, family and friends who have to come to terms with the loss of a loved one should not have to hear that voyeurs are sending images through WhatsApp.

"We must have modern rules and regulations for social media that respect human decency and the privacy of other individuals. If traditional media can abide by this and have socially accepted boundaries in which they operate while still providing all with a public service, social media companies must also.

"They are publishers and have to be responsible as do those who use their products and services," the Dublin South-West TD said.

There were four vehicles involved - however, an impact between two cars caused the most serious damage, including the loss of life.

"As far as we are aware, one car was in a collision with another car, which then collided with a crash barrier," a source told the Irish Independent last night.

"The woman in that vehicle which hit the barrier suffered catastrophic injuries."

Local Tallaght councillor Louise Dunne said last night that her thoughts were with the crash victim's family and her friends.

Another family friend described Ms Griffin as "a gem of a person".

Anyone with information is urged to contact Finglas Garda Station 01-6667500 or the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111.
GPs are planning to protest at the Dail. Stock Image

Hundreds of angry GPs from every part of Ireland who say they are sick of saying sorry to patients are holding a mass protest outside Dail Eireann next month.

The family doctors say they are will be protesting on behalf of patients, as the family doctor service is, or has in some areas, completely collapsed.

The protest will take place on February 6.

The National Association of General Practitioners (NAGP), which is staging the protest, warned that this will mean that on the day, many GP practices maybe be closed to patients, or will have limited services available".

It added: There is likely to be significant disruption to the GP service around the country on the day of the national protest.

Announcing the protest, the doctors said they are are tired of having to say sorry to patients and tell them other excuses such as :

 Sorry we cant give you a same day appointment

 Sorry our nurse is only here part-time

 Sorry I can only give you a few minutes per consultation

 Sorry, you have to wait four years for your hip replacement.

A spokesman said: "We have not chosen this decision lightly but it is vital for us to make the Government and others fully aware that our health system is in crisis and has been so for years.

This is despite that fact that we have one of the most expensive health systems in the world.

Evidence from around the world confirms that community based health systems, like the family doctor system, are the most efficient, safe and effective.

Years of successive cuts in Government funding for general practice have created an inefficient unstructured health system which is collapsing.

Also, promised extra investment in developing the GP service, like the fairytale promises under Slaintecare, have not even been begun to be delivered, so that the family doctor service can be healthy and sustainable for the future.
The price of many popular food supplements, vitamins and minerals which people use to ward off winter colds and improve their wellbeing will cost up to 7 more from March.

The Revenue Commissioners will impose 23pc VAT on these items - and health food stores and pharmacies are expected to pass it on.

A zero-VAT rating has been applied to vitamins, minerals and fish-oil supplements such as Omega 3 for the last 47 years.

The new measure is being objected to by health food stores and pharmacists.

The Irish Health Trade Association claims it could threaten 25 businesses with closure and put 1,800 jobs at risk.

It warned it will affect vulnerable people like the elderly who use supplements to strengthen their bones.

And it points out VAT on a fast food burger is just 13.5pc.

Once the new rate comes into effect it will mean the Cleanmarine MenMin caps for menopause support would increase in price from 24.99 to 32.97.

Udo's Choice Ultimate Oil (500ml) will increase from 25.99 to 31.97.

Terranova Nutrition Glucosamine Sulphate (1,000mg) will rise from 15.92 to 19.58.

Nelson's Rescue Remedy - which people use for emotional support - will go up from 12.50 to 15.38.

However, the protein supplements favoured by image-conscious people who work out in the gym won't be affected as they have been subject to VAT for some time.

A spokesman for the Revenue Commissioners said that under the VAT Consolidation Act, the standard rate of 23pc applies to all food supplements which are not foods in the ordinary and everyday meaning of the word.

"Revenue published new guidance on December 27 concerning the rate of VAT that applies to food supplements.

"The new guidance withdraws the concessionary application of the zero rate to certain food supplements, vitamins, minerals and fish oils, provided for in previous guidance," he said.

"These products will be liable at the standard rate from March 1. Products, including folic acid and vitamin products licensed by the Health Products Regulatory Agency will continue to be liable at the zero rate."

Alan Martin, of the Irish Health Trade Association, said: "For the past 40 years food supplements have been sold at the zero rate."

He said the 23pc rate needed to be urgently revisited by Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe as it would have a major effect on the old, the elderly and the sick.

"It will push the cost beyond what many people can afford and seriously threaten the viability of health stores and pharmacies who strive to offer this important health service," he said.

"Health stores are at risk as many are small, independent businesses on the main streets of small towns."

Mr Donohoe said the proposed measure arose from "an interpretation of our tax code by the Revenue Commissioners who are, as everyone knows, independent of direction from me.

"I have to accept it."
Vow: Dr McKenna said the women would be contacted next week. Picture: Collins

The US-based laboratory used by CervicalCheck to carry out cervical screening was using the wrong protocol for three years to re-examine samples from women from Ireland, it was confirmed yesterday.

Quest Diagnostics in New Jersey was date-stamping a HPV virus test on samples showing low-grade abnormalities from the time they arrived in the lab instead of from the point they were taken at a GP surgery in Ireland, the HSE told the Irish Independent. This is not in keeping with the timescale recommendations for the test.

Dr Peter McKenna, of the HSE's Women and Infant's Health Programme, said yesterday the women involved would be contacted at the end of next week.

"Our clinical review has assured us this issue poses little risk," he said.

Since 2015, smear samples sent to the three labs used by CervicalCheck which screen positive for low-grade abnormalities on a standard test are re-examined in the lab to find out if the woman is positive for the HPV virus.

If she tests positive, she is advised to go for further investigation. The HSE said yesterday Quest was the only one of its three laboratories that was not following the proper protocol.

Quest brought it to the attention of CervicalCheck in November of last year and it has been doing a lookback since.

Asked why it took three years for this to come to light and why CervicalCheck had not discovered it through its own surveillance, a spokeswoman said it had "guidelines in place for all laboratories".

She said it also required labs to undertake and demonstrate their own quality assurance and Quest identified the problem through this process.

Dr Gabriel Scally, who carried out a scoping inquiry into CervicalCheck following the controversy which erupted last year, described quality assurance procedures by the screening programme as non-existent.

The revelations about Quest are separate to the rising concern about the ongoing backlog of tests which are leaving women waiting up to six months for results

CervicalCheck said 84,000 women availed of the offer of free tests, which were aimed at reassurance as the controversy raged.

A backlog of tests for about 82,000 women is still being processed.

Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin, who raised concerns about the backlog in the Dail earlier this week, said yesterday: "I asked a very basic question: Why did Minister Simon Harris go against official and expert advice at the time when he made the announcement that he was offering free smears to everybody?"

A spokeswoman for Mr Harris said he met with the HSE to discuss the latest issue regarding HPV testing yesterday. He was assured by the HSE the offer of a repeat smear test is a 'precautionary measure' and there is an 'exceedingly low clinical risk' to the women involved.

"The minister was made aware in December of a potential issue regarding HPV testing and that work was underway by the HSE to assess if there was action required," she said.

"He sought regular updates on all matters relating to Cervical Check but to date, a final report on the HPV testing issue has not been received."

The issue has been discussed at the CervicalCheck steering committee, which includes patient representatives, and referenced in weekly reports. However, it is important to state the full report from the HSE is not available and was not made available to the committee members.
The nurses' strike will affect 15,000 outpatients whose clinic appointment will be cancelled, the HSE said yesterday.

Thousands more patients will have their surgery cancelled if the threatened stoppage goes ahead on Wednesday.

The scale of disruption came as nurses' unions, the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) and the Psychiatric Nurses Association (PNA) met with the HSE for several hours again yesterday at the Workplace Relations Commission in a bid to resolve the dispute. They will re-convene for talks this afternoon.

"Outpatients are estimated at about 15,000 people in a day so it's the biggest single number impacted," said Liam Woods of the HSE.

Hospitals continued to contact patients yesterday to tell them of the cancellations if the strike goes ahead.

INMO general secretary Phil Ni Sheaghdha warned that community services would also be hit. Public health nurses and community general nurses will provide only an emergency service.

She said yesterday that the unions had comprehensive internal discussions following the first day's hearing on Wednesday, but they remained strong that there must be a pay rise to address the issues of recruitment and retention.

"We have to look at the conditions nurses and midwives are working under and we also have to look at their remuneration. Otherwise we are going to continue with the cycle of constant recruitment but no net increase in your workforce," she said.

Maternity hospitals will also be affected by the strike.

All outpatient clinics will be cancelled as well as other activities. Labour wards and neonatal intensive care units will continue to be staffed.
A man has been arrested after a woman was allegedly sexually assaulted at a hospital.

The woman, who is understood to be a patient at the Dublin hospital, was allegedly sexually assaulted on December 26 last.

Gardai have confirmed to Independent.ie that they arrested a man, aged in his late 40s, as part of the investigation into the alleged assault.

A garda spokeswoman said in a statement: "Gardai are investigating an alleged sexual of a woman at a hospital in the Dublin area on the 26/12/2018.

"As part of the investigation a man in his late 40s was arrested on 24th January 2019."

The spokeswoman said that he has since been released without charge and a file will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

The hospital, which cannot be identified for legal reasons, is co-operating with gardai but cannot comment as the matter is under investigation.
A JUDGE has told a father he should be jailed after he left the country while his son ran amok.

Judge John OConnor said a six-month custodial sentence was hanging over the 16-year-old defendant who appeared before the Dublin Childrens Court on a litany of theft charges.

The case resumes in February.

The boy, who cannot be named because he is a minor, has admitted stealing a phone worth 880 from a Three shop on Pearse St, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath on October 28, 2017; theft of a phone valued at 699 at DID in the Tullamore retail park and two phone together worth 868 from Expert electrical Cloncollig industrial estate in the same Co. Offaly town on November. 11, 2017.

The boy had pleaded guilty to theft of a 700 phone from an Eir shop on Blanchardstown in November 2017. He was stole 70 worth of fuel in a drive off theft at a petrol station on January 30 last year.

He also skipped court three times, resulting in two bench warrants from the Dublin Childrens Court and one from a court in Cork.

The court heard the teens parents spent months in Romania visiting a sick relative who later died.

Meanwhile their son had repeatedly ignored meetings he was supposed to attend with his probation officer who was asked to provide the court with a pre-sentence report on the youth who was aged 14 at the time of some the thefts.

Judge OConnor said reports in April and May 2018 said the probation officer received no communication from the family.

Further adjournments followed and the teen was warned again in November and December.

When the case resumed the latest report from January this year said there still had been no engagement from the boy or his family.

Four appointments with his probation officer were missed.

Pleading to be spared a sentence, the teen said his next report would be 100 per cent positive.

The teen was accompanied to court by his parents and his father begged the court to give his son another chance. He said that he would go to the meetings with his son.

Judge OConnor did not believe the man and said the there has been no remorse.

The father admitted he and his wife had been in Romania and claimed other family members were looking after his son who was left behind in Ireland.

You should be arrested and be in prison as a result of your behaviour, not looking after your son who has run amok in this country.

At the end of the lengthy hearing, Judge OConnor said he was giving the boy and his parents one chance and one chance only to engage with the Probation Service otherwise he will get a six month sentence.

The case resumes in February and he warned if there were any other issues in relation to the family the Child and Family Agency will be getting involved.

On the next date he will get a report to see if the boy and his parents turned up for the meetings with the teens probation officer, and I dont want any excuses.

If there was co-operation the case will be adjourned for four weeks for an updated report but, he warned, if they dont attend the meetings the case will be finalised with a six-month sentence for the boy.
They did not ask him about the nature of their relationship, Seimetz writes. They did not ask him if Senator Lightford played any role in his hire by CTA, if she had spoken to anyone at CTA on his behalf, or if she was even aware of his hiring by CTA.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 25)  Ride-hailing service Grab Philippines is facing another set of penalty-- this time for submitting "inaccurate" and "inconsistent" data on its operations.

The Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) on Friday confirmed to CNN Philippines that it fined Grab 6.5 million for submitting insufficient data on fare monitoring.

PCC Commissioner Amabelle Asuncion said Grab committed to submit data on pricing behavior after it got clearance for the merger with Uber in August 2018.

Part of the company's voluntary commitment to the antitrust body is that its pricing behavior should remain unchanged despite the merger.

"Based doon sa review ng ating third party monitor, kulang kulang po kasi yung mga naisubmit nilang data," Asunscion said in an interview with CNN Philippines' Balitaan.

[Translation: Based on the reviews of our third party monitory, what they submittered were insufficient data.]

"Noong sinubmit nila, kulang kulang po ang mga ito, yung iba ay inaccurate or inconsistent."

[Translation: When they submitted, the information were incomplete, the others were inaccurate or inconsistent.]

"Kaya napalitan na po kami ng magpataw ng fine," Asuncion added.

[Translation: That's why we were forced to issue a fine.]

It was not clear why the penalty amounted to 6.5 million.

The PCC earlier imposed seven conditions for Grab upon clearance of the merger. It said violations can result in fines up to 2 million per offense.

READ: Anti-trust body clears Grab-Uber merger subject to service, price conditions

The anti-trust body said Grab is required to pay their dues five days after receipt of the order.

"They are required to pay the fine at the same time meron din po kaming requirement doon sa order na 'yun na i-submit pa rin 'yung mga kulang na datos," Asuncion said.

[Translation: They are required to pay the fine at the same time, we have a requirement in that order for them to submit the lacking data.]

She said Grab can still appeal the fine.

The anti-trust body in October 2018 slapped Grab with a 4 million penalty for failing to maintain separate operations with Uber before the approved merger. The ride-hailing firm was also fined an additional 8 million for failure to comply with price and incentive policies.

Why maximum penalty?

Grab meanwhile said it will file a motion for reconsideration for PCC's penalty.

"While we fully respect the PCC and its mandate, Grab will file a motion for reconsideration for PCC's penalty," Grab said in a statement Friday.

The company said its officials were "working under very limited timelines" to meet the anti-trust body's deadline.

"During the Voluntary Commitment negotiations, Grab recommended various ways to present the requested data based on how the system can best provide them. Given enough time, we can reconcile our data structure with theirs," the statement read.

The firm also questioned the value of the imposed penalty, given that the PCC earlier set a 2 million fine per violation.

Grab also assured passengers that its pricing behavior and fare changes are being monitored by transport authorities.
A student who sued his school claiming he suffered a fracture to his knee doing a jump during PE class has lost his High Court action.

Mr Justice Anthony Barr said Mitchell Dunne, who was a 16-year-old transition-year student at the time of the incident, undoubtedly suffered a nasty injury.

However, such injuries occur when one was participating in a sporting activity, he said.

He did not accept Mr Dunne's evidence that he weighed 17 stone (108kg) at the time of the accident.

He accepted the PE teacher's evidence that she operated the principle of 'challenge by choice', but it was not compulsory for students to participate in each and every activity.

The judge was satisfied the injury was not caused by any negligence or want of care on the part of PE teacher Elaine Mahoney or the school authorities.

Who will pay the costs of the legal action will be decided next week.

Mr Dunne, who is now 20, with an address at Abbey View, Monasterevin, Co Kildare, through his mother Regina Dunne, sued the trustees and board of management of St Paul's Secondary School, Monasterevin, as a result of the accident on May 2, 2014.

It was claimed there was an alleged failure to adequately train or supervise Mr Dunne as to the manner in which and the methods by which he could safely perform the jump.

The claims were denied and the school contended the PE teacher demonstrated how to do the jump before students took part.

Mr Justice Barr said there was a direct conflict of evidence in the case between the account given by Mr Dunne and the account given by Ms Mahoney.

He was satisfied Ms Mahoney's account was the correct version.

"I do not think Ms Mahoney could have done any more to properly instruct the students," he said. "The fact Mr Dunne had done three successful jumps prior to the jump on which he injured himself showed he was more than able for the task at hand."
A man has told the trial of a retired surgeon accused of groping a number of boys in his care that he experiences "flashbacks" of being masturbated during an examination.

Michael Shine (86), of Ballsbridge, Dublin, has pleaded not guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to 13 charges of indecent assault allegedly committed during medical examinations at Our Lady of Lourdes hospital in Drogheda, Co Louth, and at two private clinics in Drogheda.

Yesterday, a man told Hugh Hartnett SC, defending, that Mr Shine assaulted him during an examination in 1975 when he was aged 13.

The court was told that examination took place following surgery by Mr Shine on his testicles.

The witness told Mr Hartnett that his father brought him to the examination, but he was not in the room with him while it was carried out.

The man said he began experiencing "flashbacks" to the incident after making a complaint to gardai. He said he had never told anyone about the incident aside from his wife until he gave a statement to gardai.

The man said the incident had never left his memory and he had "tried to get on with" his life.

He said that when he gave a statement to gardai, he had to bring the memories to the forefront of his mind and that it was a traumatic experience.

The trial continues today before Judge Martin Nolan and a jury.
Brian Rattigan once headed up a major heroin and cocaine dealing operation in Dublin's south city - but the gangland scene has changed significantly since he was locked up more than 15 years ago.

Back then, the young Drimnagh gang leader had about 40 loyal associates. Many are now dead, some of them wiped out in the bloody Crumlin/Drimnagh feud.

Born on July 20, 1980, Rattigan came to the attention of gardai from an early age. He and 'Fat' Freddie Thompson were among a group of young criminals who started out as joyriders and minor trouble-makers. They graduated to being drug dealers and hard men with a reputation for violence and making a lot of money, but a city centre drugs bust in 2000 changed everything.

It led to gang members turning on each other after two were jailed, while another, Declan Gavin, escaped without being charged. Sources say the 20-year-old Rattigan lost a fortune in the bust and was convinced some of his associates, especially Gavin, had betrayed him to gardai.

In August 2001, Rattigan stabbed Gavin to death in a frenzied attack outside an Abrakebabra in Crumlin.

Gavin was the first victim in a series of tit-for-tat killings that sparked Ireland's most deadly criminal feud - a gang war that continues to this day.

In the months after Gavin's murder, there were several non-fatal shootings. Rattigan himself was shot in March 2002, an attack for which Thompson was a chief suspect.

Rattigan's younger brother Joey (18) was the next fatality, shot dead near his home in July 2002.

Rattigan, now 38, has been in prison for most of his adult life. He has served time for numerous offences, including drug dealing, assaults, firearms offences and now manslaughter. Gardai believe 'King Ratt' will continue to control his massive drugs ring from behind bars, even though he will not be released from prison until 2025.

A senior source revealed last night that Rattigan was "sickened and shocked" that his sentence was backdated only to October last year, which means he will end up serving up to 22 years in jail.
Gardai at the scene where the body of Bobby Ryan was found near Tipperary town. Photo: Liam Burke/Press 22

The jury in the murder trial of a Tipperary man accused of killing his love rival will today visit the scene where the deceased's body was found.

Patrick Quirke (50) has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Bobby Ryan (52) on a date unknown between June 3, 2011, and April 13, 2013.

Mr Ryan, a DJ who also went by the name Mr Moonlight, was initially reported missing before his naked body was found in a run-off tank on a farm in Fawnagowan, Co Tipperary.

He was last seen leaving the home of Mary Lowry, with whom he was in a relationship, and whom the accused had been dating previously.

It is the prosecution's case that Mr Quirke, of Breanshamore, Co Tipperary, carried out the murder of his love rival after becoming angry over his relationship with Ms Lowry.

Opening the case for the prosecution earlier this week, Michael Bowman said that the accused started an affair in 2008 with Mary Lowry after the death of her husband Martin, Mr Quirke's best friend. Mr Quirke is married to Martin Lowry's sister, Imelda.

Michael Bowman said the accused "did what he felt compelled to do and got rid of his love rival".

The jury of six men and six women will today visit the farm where Mr Ryan's body was found to view buildings and land relevant to the trial.

At the Central Criminal Court yesterday, the jury was shown several images of the run-off tank where Bobby Ryan's body was found, as well as sheds, buildings and bedrooms on the farm.

A number of Garda witnesses gave evidence of taking pictures on different dates, including on the day the deceased's remains were found, and the following month when a number of items were recovered from the pit.

Det Sgt Stapleton, a crime scene investigator, gave evidence of erecting a blue screen at the scene on April 30, 2013. The following day he returned to receive a number of items from a garda colleague, which included bone fragments and nails recovered from the milking parlour overflow pit.

Det Sgt Stapleton said he returned the following day on May 2, and that other material including a woman's hair clip, springs and cable ties were recovered. These items were then shown to the jury.

Gda John Kavanagh also gave evidence relating to pictures he had taken of the scene on the day Bobby Ryan's remains were found. Gda Kavanagh agreed, when it was put to him by defence counsel Lorcan Staines, that one image shows a digger taking off a slab covering the right-hand side of the pit.

"Two slabs on the left-hand side could be manipulated by a human and the slab on the right-hand side needed mechanical intervention," Mr Staines said.

After two hours of photographic evidence being presented to the court, Justice Eileen Creedon informed the jury that they will travel to the farmyard in Fawnagowan, Co Tipperary, this morning.

Patrick Quirke had previously leased about 63 acres from Mary Lowry, but by April 2013 Ms Lowry had decided to terminate the lease on her land and he agreed to leave by July 1 of that year.

On April 13, Mr Quirke said he was trying to get water from a slurry tank when he came across Mr Ryan's naked, dead body buried in what Mr Bowman described as a "concrete sarcophagus" inside the tank. His clothes, car keys, phone and other belongings have never been found.

A post-mortem showed he had suffered blunt force trauma and sustained fractures to his skull, ribs and one leg.

The finding of the body, Mr Bowman said, was "carefully managed, orchestrated and staged" by Mr Quirke in circumstances where he knew he would soon be giving up control of the land where he had dumped the body.

He said the "innocent" explanation for finding the body at that time would not stand up to scrutiny.
The photographs shown to the jury displayed an unremarkable and rather familiar scene. It was that of an ordinary, tidy-looking farmyard in the Tipperary countryside, no different to countless similar farms around the country.

An aerial shot taken by gardai investigating this case showed the property to be a rather expansive appearance.

There were a number of outbuildings. A green tractor and an old car.

In the background, a mound of discarded tyres.

Images from inside the house showed it to be rather dishevelled, with opened drawers.

The only thing out of the ordinary that was shown to the jury, perhaps, was the image of a curious, rather miscellaneous, collection of objects gardai say they uncovered in the investigation of a small run-off tank on the farm at Fawnagowan, Co Tipperary.

On a sheet, the investigators had laid them out to be captured by the Garda photographer, for all the world like some archaeological artifacts.

Among them was a broken plastic tortoiseshell women's hair clip and a number of cable ties, as well as a spring.

The pieces of the hair clip were laid on the wooden plinth before the jury of six men and six women, for their examination.

They gazed at it, for now, uncomprehending, because the relevance of the item has yet to be made clear.

Also laid out before them on the plinth, by a garda wearing latex gloves, was a single blue button.

Crime scene investigator Detective Sgt Larry Stapleton was asked to describe it to the court, to put it on the record.

It was a blue button with a white centre, he explained.

Again, the relevance of this item has yet to made clear in the course of the trial.

There were a variety of other small items laid out on the sheet, as photographed by Garda Gerry Carthy.

The barrister asked Garda Carthy about an item that was pictured beside the collection of small items.

The Garda photographer craned his neck.

To observers in the benches of the courtroom, it seemed to have the appearance of a corroded black pipe.

But he thought it was of no relevance, Garda Carthy said, at last.

If it had, it would have been laid out on the sheet along with the rest, he explained.

Throughout it all, the defendant Patrick Quirke (50) sat listening to the evidence.

He was smartly dressed in a shirt and tie.

A number of members of the public and family members were in court on day two of this trial, before Judge Eileen Creedon.

Everybody listened to what was being said and digested, in silence, the news that the jury will travel today to the tidy Tipperary farm, the scene of this investigation.
A man who a court found had slapped his three year old daughter at a busy shopping centre has been charged with attempting to interfere with a witness.

The 46-year-old appeared before Cork District Court on a charge of assaulting his daughter on July 23, 2017.

Judge Olann Kelleher ordered a Probation and Welfare Service (PWS) report after deciding that, while he found the facts proven against the man, he wanted to consider alternatives to recording a conviction.

Judge Kelleher said he wanted to consider the PWS report on the man, who had no previous convictions, after hearing the facts of the case brought under Section 2 of the Non Fatal Offences Against the Person Act.

The man was further charged with attempting to interfere with a witness in the case contrary to Section 41 of the Criminal Justice Act.

The man became emotional when addressing the court on the latest charge.

"Our kid is suffering and no-one cares," he said. "Where is the heart?"

"I want my family safe. My family is not safe. My family is suffering. My kid is suffering... what do I have to do?" he asked.

The man's wife became extremely distraught during the court hearing.

Judge Kelleher recommended that the man, who initially insisted on representing himself, to accept a solicitor under the free legal aid scheme.

"I would recommend that you get a solicitor," he said.

Solicitor Eddie Burke was appointed, and applied for the matter to be adjourned and for his client to be allowed re-engage with the PWS.

Judge Kelleher adjourned both the witness interference and assault charges to February 15 next.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has already indicated that the witness interference charge can be dealt within before the district court.

Cork District Court was told by a female witness that she was near the Dunnes Stores outlet at the Bishopscourt Shopping Centre in Bishopstown, Cork on July 23, 2017.

Crying

The woman said her attention was drawn to the high-pitched sound of a child crying.

She saw a man struggling with a child by a shopping trolley.

He was trying to get the child's legs into the shopping trolley seat.

She was trying to get her legs out. But he was trying to get them back in, the woman said.

The woman noticed that the child was still crying and screaming as the man proceeded to do some shopping in the centre.

Later, she came across the pair back in the car park.

She said she saw the man standing by the rear of his car and swinging his hands into the back of the car.

The woman said she heard the child crying and noted that her voice was getting higher and louder in apparent distress.

A second woman at the complex said she also saw the man swinging his hands into the rear of the car - and heard a child crying.

The woman said, as she passed, she heard the man shouting in a loud voice: "Have you enough, now."

The female shopper said she was convinced the man had been slapping the child in the rear of the car.

Both women were upset about the incident.

Neither said they actually witnessed the child being struck - but were convinced about what was happening.

Photo

One said she didn't know what to do and was worried for the welfare of the child.

The woman discreetly took a photo on her smartphone of the car complete with its registration and contacted Togher Garda Station.

Garda Brian O'Connell told Judge Kelleher he identified the vehicle and its owner from the photograph.

Garda O'Connell went to the car owner's address and brought the witness testimony to his attention.

The car owner said he couldn't recall if he had been in that shopping centre three days earlier.

However, he vehemently rejected any suggestion of having struck or hurt his daughter.

CCTV footage obtained from the shopping centre did not show the man striking his child.

The man offered sworn evidence in which he denied ever hitting or slapping his daughter.

He told the court he believed the two women exaggerated or misunderstood what they had seen.

I have never resorted to violence, I have never hit my child and I never will, he insisted.

A doctor's report provided by the man and his family indicated the child was uninjured when examined days after the alleged Bishopstown incident.

Judge Kelleher said he had no doubt from the man's evidence that he was a good parent.

He described it as a very sad case but said the evidence of the two independent witnesses was both compelling and credible.

The case has since been referred to Tusla, the child protection agency.
Chinas imports of pork from the United States more than halved to about 263,000 tons in 2018, customs data showed on Friday, after Beijing imposed hefty tariffs on the meat as part of a trade war.

The 55oc fall was across both quality cuts and offal, where the United States has previously accounted for about a third of Chinas imports. US offal shipments fell 58pc to 177,041t, according to Reuters calculations based on data from the General Administration of Customs.

China is the worlds main buyer of pigs feet, as well as other items like ears, elbows and innards, providing a source of revenue for U.S. processors which can barely sell such products at home.

Nine out of every 10 pigs feet sold abroad by American processors in 2017 went to China, with total offal shipments to China generating about $874m that year, according to industry and customs data.

China is the worlds largest producer and consumer of pork, the countrys most popular meat, and the top global importer, boosting its supplies with cheaper pork from abroad. Its total imports were worth about $4 billion in 2017.

However, US pork sales to China fell after Beijing hit its pork products with two rounds of trade tariffs last year, taking total duties on frozen American pork to 62pc.

China boosted offal supplies from some smaller suppliers, while imports from Brazil of higher value pork meat - known in the trade as muscle cuts - soared to 150,116t, the customs data showed, more than triple the prior year.

Germany and Spain were the top suppliers in this category, both shipping more than 200,000t, while imports from the US fell 48pc to 85,650t.

Total muscle cut imports for 2018 came to 1.19m tons, a drop of 2pc on the year before.

Analysts believe Chinese demand for pork imports could rise in the second half of 2019, as an epidemic of African swine fever spreading through Chinese farms looks set to sharply reduce the countrys breeding herds.

The trade dispute has been a bonus for Brazil after major buyer Russia restricted pork shipments from the country in late 2017 amid a dispute over the presence of a banned feed additive.

Brazil is also benefiting from a much bigger share of Chinas soybean imports at the expense of the US.
Rapper Nelly is asking a US court to dismiss a British woman's lawsuit that alleges he sexually assaulted her after a concert in England.

The federal lawsuit was filed in November in St Louis, the rapper's hometown. The woman accuses Nelly, whose real name is Cornell Haynes Jr, of assaulting her in a dressing room at The Cliffs Pavillion in Essex in December 2017. Nelly has not been criminally charged and has denied the allegations.

The woman is identified only as Jane Doe in the lawsuit.

Nelly's lawyer, Scott Rosenblum, filed a response to the lawsuit on Thursday, arguing that the woman should not be allowed to remain anonymous and "avoid public scrutiny".

The woman alleges that she paid to have her photo taken with the 44-year-old rapper after the concert before he took her to a separate room and sexually assaulted her.

The woman's lawyer, Karen Koehler, said the woman reported the incident to police more than a year ago and she believes the investigation is ongoing.

Mr Rosenblum argued that a "cloak of anonymity" for the accuser invites people with personal vendettas "to use the federal court system as a tool to inflict calculated harm against others' reputations" while protecting themselves from scrutiny "that false accusations properly risk and invite".

The lawsuit is the second such case filed against the rapper. In September, Nelly settled a lawsuit filed by a woman who alleged he raped her on his tour bus in suburban Seattle.

Police in Washington arrested Nelly in October 2017, but prosecutors did not file charges, citing a lack of co-operation by the accuser. Mr Rosenblum said those accusations were fabricated.
Nick Carter has discussed the Backstreet Boys success as the band prepares for a world tour (Yui Mok/PA)

Backstreet Boys star Nick Carter has said fans are nostalgic for the 1990s as the band prepares to embark on a world tour.

The group, formed in Orlando, Florida, in 1993, was one of the biggest acts of the decade, selling millions of records worldwide thanks to hits such as I Want It That Way, Everybody and As Long As You Love Me.

Backstreet Boys are one of the few bands to enjoy success after their peak and their ninth studio album, DNA, is out now while they are nominated for a Grammy ahead of next months ceremony.

Expand Close (left to right) AJ McClean, Brian Littrell, Howie Dorough, Kevin Richardson and Nick Carter of the Backstreet Boys (PA/PA Wire) / Facebook

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Whatsapp (left to right) AJ McClean, Brian Littrell, Howie Dorough, Kevin Richardson and Nick Carter of the Backstreet Boys (PA/PA Wire)

Carter, who formed the Backstreet Boys with AJ McLean, Howie Dorough, Kevin Richardson, and Brian Littrell, said the bands continued success could partly be down to nostalgia.

He said fans can attend a concert or listen to an album to escape and relive some of the best times in their lives, late 90s early 2000s, great times, feel good times, with us.

He told the Press Association: Theres so many different facets to it and right now the 90s are coming back again, people miss those moments. People miss it.

Carter, 38, suggested the world was still in a phase of discovery during the 1990s, in an age before social media and the proliferation of mobile phones.

He said: Music during that time, from the pop standpoint, was really special. I might be biased but it was special because it was feelgood music.

Expand Close Nick Carter of the Backstreet Boys, who said nostalgia may play a part in the bands continued success (Ian West/PA) / Facebook

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Whatsapp Nick Carter of the Backstreet Boys, who said nostalgia may play a part in the bands continued success (Ian West/PA)

A lot of those teenagers during that time they were experiencing life, they were growing up. Everything was just happy and good and thats why all these bands and groups came from that time.

Were the biggest example of what was at that time and were still here. Thats why its coming back. It was just a good time.

Backstreet Boys picked up their eighth Grammy nomination for best pop duo/group performance, in recognition of their single Dont Go Breaking My Heart.

Carter said he and his bandmates were surprised but happy at the news and he thought that ship had sailed.

He added: Its a dream of ours to win a Grammy after eight nominations but if it doesnt happen, where we are right now and all were experiencing with our second coming, thats the reward and were proud of that.

The Backstreet Boys will embark on their DNA world tour in February, arriving in the UK and Ireland in June.

They will play six dates across Manchester, Dublin, Glasgow, Birmingham and London.

Carter, who has a two-year-old son, Odin Reign Carter with wife Lauren Kitt, said he is excited to return to the UK.

He said: The UK, people dont even realise, it gave the Backstreet Boys a career. Without the UK we would never have been the Backstreet Boys.

For me, its like a second home  it is home. Were so excited to see all of our old fans again ans those incredible faces and come back to the homeland that gave us everything.

DNA is out now while tickets for the world tour are also on sale.
Police responded to a call of shots fired about 2:35 a.m. in the 10700 block of South Eberhart Avenue in the Roseland neighborhood and found the unidentified woman lying in an alley, said Sgt. Cindy Guerra, a Chicago police spokeswoman.
Vodafone Group said its key revenue measure deteriorated in the third quarter, down 40 basis points quarter-on-quarter to 0.1pc, reflecting continuing price competition in Spain and Italy and a slowdown in South Africa.

Analysts had expected growth of 0.3pc.

The world's second largest mobile operator said competition in the Spanish and Italian markets had moderated through the quarter.

"Lower mobile contract churn across our markets and improved customer trends in Italy and Spain are encouraging, however these have not yet translated into our financial results," Nick Read, CEO of Vodafone, said.

He said the signs of improvement underpinned confidence in Vodafone's full-year guidance.

Vodafone expects around 3pc growth in underlying adjusted core earnings for the full year, with free cash flow before spectrum costs coming in at about 5.4bn.

In Ireland, its total service revenue in the third quarter increased to 238.3m. Organic service revenue grew 1.4pc over the quarter.

The companys mobile customer base increased by 5,200 in the quarter.

Meanwhile it increased its fixed broadband customer base by 3,300.

Anne OLeary, CEO of Vodafone Ireland said: "We are pleased with the sustained strong performance in the last quarter to the end of December 2018."

"It is doubly pleasing that the last quarter was marked by significant 5G innovation by the company."

(Additional reporting Reuters)
New Renault chairman Jean-Dominique Senard, left, shakes hands with Renault CEO Thierry Bollore after being appointed following a meeting of the board at Renault headquarters in Boulogne-Billancourt, outside Paris. Photo: AP

Renault has named a new dual leadership team, hours after Carlos Ghosn stepped down as chairman and chief executive officer of France's largest car-maker from a prison cell in Japan.

Michelin CEO Jean-Dominique Senard (65) was appointed chairman, with responsibility for managing the alliance with Nissan, Renault said. Thierry Bollore (55) was named CEO, a role he has held on an interim basis since shortly after Mr Ghosn's arrest in November.

Mr Ghosn's downfall has shaken not only Renault but also the partnership the globe-trotting executive held together for two decades. For Mr Senard, mending the relationship between the companies and navigating the political crosscurrents in France and Japan will be among the biggest challenges. Mitsubishi joined the partnership 2016.

"Nobody can imagine for the groups to act separately, it is just impossible," said Mr Senard. He described the alliance as essential, and pledged to strengthen trust in the partnership.

Nissan CEO Hiroto Saikawa welcomed his appointment and said he is pleased to open a new chapter in the partnership. "Renault naming new leadership is a positive step," he said. "We believe we can have positive discussions going forward."

The alliance members have said the pact is crucial to remaining competitive at a time of costly industry changes, from the decline of diesel cars to the enormous investment required for electric and autonomous vehicles.

For Mr Ghosn, the resignation completes a fall from grace that began when police boarded his private jet shortly after it touched down at Haneda airport. He has been in custody ever since, accused of financial misdeeds at Nissan that include understating his income by tens of millions of dollars and transferring personal trading losses to the company. Mr Ghosn has denied wrongdoing.

Bloomberg
Former Tesco UK managing director Chris Bush leaves Southwark Crown Court after being acquitted of charges of fraud and false accounting (Dominic Lipinski/PA)

A former Tesco boss who was cleared of wrongdoing over the supermarket's 250 million accounting scandal will pursue a claim of unfair dismissal, his lawyer said.

Chris Bush, the retailer's former UK managing director, was cleared of fraud and false accounting last month after a judge at Southwark Crown Court dismissed the case because it was too "weak".

The 53-year-old, of Four Acres, Green End Road, Radnage, High Wycombe, will now pursue the supermarket giant for unfair dismissal.

Clive Howard, employment solicitor from Slater and Gordon, said: "We can confirm that Chris Bush issued an employment claim against Tesco for unfair dismissal in April 2015.

"This was put on hold pending the criminal proceedings. Now, with the criminal proceedings all thrown out, the tribunal claim has recommenced.

"Mr Bush will be making no comment at this time."
A government TD says that Whatsapp should begin monitoring messages between users to make sure that fake news and shocking photos are not disseminated.

Dublin Fine Gael TD Colm Brophy said that Whatsapp, which is owned by Facebook, should start using technology to root out offensive and inappropriate images and messages before theyre reported.

Yes I do, he told Independent.ie.

Basically what it comes down to is that if the companies arent willing to do this, theres a need to look at a regulatory framework on a national or an EU level. But its difficult to accept anymore that the companies cannot build in the necessary safeguards against the widespread dissemination of such images. Are we prepared as a society to accept it?

The TD also said that there may be a case for encryption between private messages to be suspended to allow companies like Facebook prevent the resending of fake news or shocking imagery.

This is what we need to start thinking of as a society, he said. I think we need to look at the pros and cons. While there has to be a right for people to distribute information, there also has to be some type of regulation or consequences around it.

Whatsapps encryption prevents hackers from accessing the content of messages. It also prevents the company or authorities from monitoring content.

Mr Brophy was speaking after the Gardai requested that people stop sharing graphic images of a tragic accident on a Dublin road yesterday.

The TD said that Whatsapp should prevent graphic images from being resent.

Whatsapp should have made a quick decision to find a way of stopping the sending of such images, he said.

I also think that the company needs to look at the accounts of people sending images like that. People should be told when they sign up that if they disseminate such material that their accounts will be frozen.

Mr Brophy was speaking just says after Whatsapp introduced new rules limiting the number of chats that a Whatsapp user can forward a message or photo to.

All users on the latest versions of WhatsApp can now forward to only five chats at once, which will help keep WhatsApp focused on private messaging with close contacts, said the company in a statment.

Well continue to listen to user feedback about their experience, and over time, look for new ways of addressing viral content.

The company has introduced the rule following widespread reports of violence in India, Mexico and other countries linked to content passed on through mass-messaging on Whatsapp.

A spokesperson for Facebook was not immediately available to comment.
MARK Zuckerberg is getting more and more urgent. Facebook, he insists, does not sell your personal data. Nor does it get your data in shady ways. But it does somehow have to cash in on your use of its products to keep it 'free'.

Will the public believe him?

It's a message that Sheryl Sandberg repeated, publicly and privately, when she visited Dublin last week. Both of Facebook's top two executives know that there's more than reputation and headlines at stake.

In Dublin this week, Ms Sandberg met Data Protection Commissioner Helen Dixon.

The Irish watchdog has at least two major investigations under way into Facebook's data activities, and either could result in a very large fine under European GDPR privacy rules.

Ms Sandberg's meeting with Ms Dixon took place just 48 hours before French authorities fined Facebook's rival, Google, 50m, under the GDPR regime.

One challenge that Facebook still faces is a lack of clarity about what it does and how.

Earlier this month, a major US survey confirmed what we all suspected, that three-quarters of us don't even realise that we're categorised by Facebook for advertising purposes. Similarly, it's a fair bet that most of Facebook's three million Irish users still don't understand how and why Facebook collects and stores intimate personal details about them, despite all of the controversies and scandals around privacy and breaches.

This stuff matters. Facebook isn't just a niche online service, like Dropbox or Slack. It sways elections and controls huge swathes of the international population's everyday communications.

While it has simplified some of its privacy settings and controls, it still has substantial commercial interests in keeping much of it vague and opaque.

For example, this newspaper recently looked in depth at the question of whether Facebook records your voice conversations to serve you ads. With testimony from voice experts and our own testing, we concluded that it probably doesn't.

But one reason that the company still faces this widespread assumption is that it is reluctant to talk too loudly about how it does actually gather your data.

It doesn't want to advertise that when your friend looks something up, you often see an ad in your feed. Because if it tells you that clearly, you might tighten up your privacy settings. Ultimately, that makes it slightly less attractive for an advertiser.

"These companies know so much about our lives," industry expert and SoapBox Labs founder Patricia Scanlon told me.

"There's an expression, the creepy valley. This is where companies are trying to hold back on letting you know how much they actually know about you because they fear it will freak you out."

Mr Zuckerberg may be trying to throw open the doors of transparency. But there's a long way to go.
Adding value: Visit Cork destination manager Ursula Morrish says the Pure Cork logo avoids the shamrock kitsch of other destinations

Tourism marketing and the job of enticing people to holiday and do business at home has trended in recent years. After seeing how Wild Atlantic Way signage convinced people to visit everywhere from Donegal to Kinsale, other regions decided they wanted 'in' on the staycations front too. Failte Ireland duly rolled out the Hidden Heartlands brand for the midlands and the Ancient East, where we're told 'Great stories stay with you forever'.

Not to be outdone, counties, towns and cities have jumped on the marketing bandwagon circling the nation.

A few years ago, Ursula Morrish returned to Ireland with her young family, having emigrated in 1989 to work in marketing in London and Tokyo. Back in Cork, she felt rather anxious that her hometown may have changed beyond recognition.

Morrish landed the role of destination manager at Visit Cork, a private-public venture aimed at promoting Cork to leisure and business visitors. In 2014, Cork accounted for 18pc of Ireland's overseas visitors and 12pc of domestic trips, but the city and county was underperforming. The lack of a proper marketing plan was holding it back.

Cork wasn't best-placed to capitalise on projected visitor growth. Its message was confusing and incoherent.

There was a lack of awareness of what visitors could do in Cork. Kay McCarthy's MCCP agency was hired to produce a strategy to grow local tourism. It comprised four key plans and 28 different actions. Visit Cork took off.

Research and analysis, advisory groups, workshops and consultations got going. MCCP engaged 112 individuals from 58 stakeholders as strategic advisers. Design Works was given the task of creating a brand identity, endorsed by all 15 members of the Visit Cork board. 'Cork - Maritime Haven' was agreed as the brand proposition most likely to win the attention and curiosity of potential visitors, with Pure Cork as the campaign logo.

Morrish, who recently joined the Tyndall National Institute, says Pure Cork has a colloquial value. "It belongs to Cork and gives us a sense of ownership and community... unadulterated and far from the 'Disneyfied' shamrock kitsch of other destinations," she insisted.

The next Toolkit seminar hosted by the Association of Advertisers in Ireland (AAI) sees adland creatives Paudge Donaghy and Trista Vincent speak about brands, politics and the broader implications for corporate activism. In a talk entitled 'Yo, Propagandhi!', they will ask if marketers have been too hasty in embracing cause-aligned advertising? Has everyone become punch drunk on the Kool-Aid of brand purpose? The seminar gets under way at 8.30am in Core's offices at 1 Windmill Lane on February 5.

Media interest in the Aer Lingus refresh was high. The airline hired US agency Lippincott to handle the rebrand.

Lippincott's other clients include Delta, Southwest and Hawaiian Airlines. Dubliner Brendan Murphy, based in the New York office, was the project's lead designer. But not sure if that's enough to appease Irish designers who lost out on the lucrative contract.

More power to Energia and its agency Boys + Girls for taking a different tack with new ads highlighting its services across Ireland.

The ads focus on Energia being behind all the country's streetlights, the runways at Dublin Airport and classrooms and maternity hospitals. Hopefully, it will see the bright sparks at Energia confine the science lab gerbils to the dark.

Companies keen to engage in corporate social responsibility programmes have until February 15 to match funds of up to 7,500 to sponsor artists in residence around the country.

The Business to Arts programme is an extension to the pilot projects run in Dublin Docklands and is supported by Creative Ireland.

And finally... Where's Ireland's best brunch? Food writer Georgina Campbell and Failte Ireland want people to nominate their choice online between now and next Monday. The National Dairy Council have come on board as award sponsor for the 'Irish Dairy the Complete Natural Brunch'.

Quite a mouthful that.
Bjorn again: Willie Walsh (left) and Bjorn Kjos. Mr Walsh said this week that he admired the Norwegian brand and believes the airline will survive in some form

SHARES in Scandinavian airline Norwegian plunged as much as 26pc yesterday after Aer Lingus owner IAG confirmed it won't make an offer for the struggling low-cost carrier.

IAG's announcement comes nine months after it bought a 4.61pc stake in Norwegian and indicated that it was interested in buying the airline outright.

But IAG chief executive Willie Walsh had grown frustrated at the lack of progress on any talks. He stressed again just last weekend in Dublin that he didn't intend to get caught up in any bidding war for Norwegian.

Mr Walsh had also hinted that the decision on Norwegian was imminent, saying last Sunday that while he admired the brand, "our interest is time-limited and price-limited".

He added: "We have a choice we can grow organically, and that's what we're doing through Level [IAG's low-cost operation], or we can grow inorganically through an acquisition." IAG said it will dispose of its 3.93pc stake in Norwegian "in due course".

IAG's stake had been diluted after Norwegian raised equity in the last year. Norwegian, headed by chief executive Bjorn Kjos, insisted yesterday that its plans and strategy remain unchanged.

"The company's goal is to continue building a sustainable business to the benefit of its customers, employees and shareholders," said chairman Bjorn Kise.

Earlier this week, Mr Kjos' brother Tore, who's a shareholder in a vehicle that owns about 25pc of Norwegian, urged the chief executive in an interview with a Norwegian media outlet to seal a deal with IAG.

"Norwegian's finances are already under pressure, and a share sale [by IAG] will put pressure on the stock, making it hard for them to raise money," said analyst Per Hansen of Nordnet.

"They no longer have any margin of error," he added. "If they were to need cash, and no alternative buyers emerge, the stock price could end up looking like a jetliner running out of fuel."
France expects to have cut the use of weedkiller glyphosate by 80pc by early 2021, its agriculture minister said on Friday, less than previously anticipated due to the number of farmers who will qualify for an exemption.

In November 2017, President Emmanuel Macron pledged to ban glyphosate in France within three years, rejecting a European Union decision to extend its use for five years after a heated debate over whether the weedkiller, developed by Bayer-owned Monsanto, can cause cancer.

The proposed ban caused outcry among farmers who rely on glyphosate heavily and quickly became a prickly issue for the president. Within months of announcing the ban, Macron recognised that 10 percent of farmers would need an exemption.

A year on, that expected number is rising, as farmers say three years is too soon to find an economic and environmentally viable alternative.

Macrons goal of ending glyphosate use by Jan 1, 2021, is a political objective. I think well manage 80 percent, Agriculture Minister Didier Guillaume told France 2 television.

If we get there faster, so much the better. If we dont, the president has always said we shouldnt leave any one without a solution

Expand Close French farmer Herve Fouassier inspects his tractor with a pulveriser system in a mustard field treated with the weedkiller glyphosate during an interview with Reuters in Ouzouer-sous-Bellegarde, France, November 30, 2017. Picture taken November 30, 2017. REUTERS/Christian Hartmann / Facebook

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Whatsapp French farmer Herve Fouassier inspects his tractor with a pulveriser system in a mustard field treated with the weedkiller glyphosate during an interview with Reuters in Ouzouer-sous-Bellegarde, France, November 30, 2017. Picture taken November 30, 2017. REUTERS/Christian Hartmann

In a debate on Thursday with local residents in central France - part of a three-month long national debate Macron hopes will quell a popular rebellion against his liberal economic reforms - the president admitted it was impossible to guarantee there would be no glyphosate in use by 2021.

Adding to debate over the weedkiller, a French court last week struck down the licence for one of Monsantos glyphosate-based products, citing safety concerns.
The Irish premier has warned that soldiers may return to the border if Brexit goes very wrong.

Leo Varadkar said that in a worst-case scenario there could be a return of armed customs posts after the UK leaves the EU.

Mr Varadkar told Bloomberg TV the border at present was totally open but that if things went very wrong it would look like 20 years ago.

Asked to describe what a hard border would look like if the outcome of Brexit was a worst-case, Mr Varadkar said: It would involve customs posts, it would involve people in uniform and it may involve the need, for example, for cameras, physical infrastructure, possibly a police presence or army presence to back it up.

His comments have been criticised by Democratic Unionist Party MP Gregory Campbell who said the Taoiseach should dial down the rhetoric.

This is deeply unhelpful talk. Mr Varadkar knows full well the connotations of such statements and he knows its nonsense, he added.

Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald described Mr Varadkars remarks as reckless and irresponsible.

They are totally contrary to previous assertions regarding the Governments commitment to the backstop, she said.

The Taoiseach has consistently ruled out a border poll on Irish unity. Today he paints a doomsday scenario of a return of soldiers to the border in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

If that is the case then the only way to prevent such a scenario is by affording the Irish people their say in the form of a border poll on Irish unity.

A Government spokesman issued a statement after the interview to clarify that Mr Varadkar was not referring to the Irish Army.

The Irish Government has no plans to deploy infrastructure or personnel at the borderGovernment spokesman

The Taoiseach made it clear in the interview that the Government is determined to avoid a no-deal scenario and the consequent risk of a hard border, the spokesman said.

He was asked to describe a hard border, and gave a description of what it used to look like, and the risk of what it could look like in the worst-case scenario.

He was not referring to Irish personnel and the Irish Government has no plans to deploy infrastructure or personnel at the border.

The picture became further confused later on Friday when a senior Fine Gael politician indicated that Irish troops could be deployed to the border in the event of a crash-out Brexit.

When asked whether British or Irish troops would have to serve on the border in a worst-case scenario, Fine Gael senator and Brexit spokesman Neale Richmond said probably both.

He told BBC Radio Ulster: International obligations could see both the British and Irish governments forced to put customs posts and those custom posts might need to be protected by armed guards. That is something that is the worst-case scenario.

And unfortunately if we do allow the no-deal crash-out eventuality go to the worst-case scenario, thats what we are looking at.

People need to be fully aware when politicians or advocates go around saying it will be fine, there is a managed no deal  there isnt, there are consequences.

Mr Varadkar also said Ireland is being victimised in the Brexit process and the government would not be giving up on the backstop mechanism for promises that the border issue would be rectified at a later date.

It comes as the clock ticks down to the March 29 deadline for the withdrawal of the UK from the EU.

People who say they're against a hard border and also against a backstop - that's a contradiction.Leo Varadkar

The problem with that in the context of Irish politics and history is that those things become targets, and weve already had a certain degree of violence in the last few weeks.

He said Brexit discussions had been dominated by speculation on its potential impact on trade and the economy, but that for Ireland it was about ensuring continued peace on the island and that the progress made in 20 years since the Good Friday Agreement was not lost.

He said that Ireland had already compromised in the Brexit negotiations and that the withdrawal of the UK from the EU was potentially going to cause a lot of harm to other countries.

Were the ones already giving, Mr Varadkar said.

The UK wanted a review clause in the backstop and we agreed to that, the UK wanted a UK-wide element, so why is it the country that is being victimised is the one thats always asked to give?

The Taoiseach said he had not yet seen any technologies that could ensure that no hard border emerged between Ireland and Northern Ireland.

They dont exist and nobody has been able to show them to me, he said.

Why would we give up a legal guarantee and something we know will work in practice for a promise to sort it out later, or a promise to invent technologies? Thats just not a serious position.

He added that Brexiteers who were against the backstop, but also claimed that they were against a hard border, were being contradictory.

People who say theyre against a hard border and also against a backstop  thats a contradiction, he said.

Speaking from Davos where he is attending the World Economic Forum, Mr Varadkar said it was very unlikely that Brexit would not happen at all.

He said Ireland and the EU had already made concessions and that they would continue to help move the impasse forward.

We could work with a Norway-plus model. We could work with a Canada-model with special arrangements for Northern Ireland, Mr Varadkar said.
The Beef Plan Movement is looking for an apology from IFA after Padraig Joyce, IFA Connacht Regional Chairman, said the organisation was set up by 'large farmers in Meath a lot of whom expect to buy cheap stores from the West'.

Speaking on Mid West Radio, Padraig Joyce, IFA Connacht Regional Chairman said: "The beef group was set up by large farmers in Co Meath, that's where it originated from and a lot of those farmers, they expect to come down to the West of Ireland and buy store cattle as cheap as possible.

"They don't mind whether they come from the suckler or dairy herd, they don't mind as long as they can buy cheap store cattle and finish them in Meath."

One senior member of the Beef Plan Movement has called on IFA to apologise for the statement.

"I have a called on behalf of Meath beef farmers for an apology, none was forthcoming," Hugh Doyle, Vice Chairman of the Beef Plan Movement said.

Joyce went on to say that IFA looks after all farmers and will look after farmers all over Ireland. "Some organisations come and some go, but IFA has been there for the last 65 years and will continue to look after farmers.

"My job is to look after farmers in the West and bring their problems to Dublin and I'll continue to do that."

Joyce also said that when it comes to EU direct farm payments, there is only pot of money for farmers.

"There is still only one pot of money and it has to be divided out among farmers and we have to look after them.

"You have to look after the farmers on the low payment, but also those that are producing. Giving it to farmers getting up a night calving a cow or lambing a ewe, you have to look after them."
"It's important that the public understand that this does not mean that Mr. Davis is free to return to society," said Isabella County, Mich., prosecutor David Barberi. "Today's plea brings an end to a very tragic event that temporarily marred the safety and comfort that we all know and value in our community and at Central Michigan University."
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has warned of the prospect of troops on the border in a worst-case Brexit.

He said that a hard border could involve people in uniform and it may involve the need, for example, for cameras, physical infrastructure, possibly a police presence, or an army presence to back it up.

The warning came in an interview with Bloomberg TV at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

It comes after sources warned that some 600 gardai would be required to man the estimated 300 border crossings in a hard Brexit situation.

Ireland isn't getting any sense of alternative Brexit strategies from Britain, Leo Varadkar says https://t.co/KUFkGm9Gyx #wef19 pic.twitter.com/h4XHMNKS63  Bloomberg Brexit (@Brexit) January 25, 2019

However Garda Commissioner Drew Harris moved to deny that there was a plan to move 600 gardai to the border.

Mr Varadkar said the so-called backstop is needed to prevent a return of border infrastructure.

He also said: The problem with that in the context of Irish politics and history is those things become targets."

He said the onus is on the British government to find solutions and asked why a country victimised by Brexit should be asked to compromise.

The Taoiseach also hit out at British politicians who say they want to avoid a post-Brexit hard border in Ireland but also oppose the so-called 'backstop'.

Much of the opposition to British Prime Minister Theresa Mays Withdrawal Agreement with the EU among MPs is over the backstop which is effectively an insurance policy to avoid a hard border.

Brexiteers who oppose it fear that it would see the UK tied in to EU rules indefinitely.

Mr Varadkar expressed frustration with British politicians who say they dont want a hard border but also oppose to the backstop.

He told the Bloomberg news agency that the EU is open to compromise with the UK if it were to change its "self-imposed red lines".

But he insisted the objective is to avoid a hard border and said "the backstop is the means by which we achieve it".

He added: "So if there is another mechanism, if the UK can come forward with a proposal that avoids a hard border, then of course well listen to that but unfortunately thats not what Im getting.

"Im hearing from a lot of people, a lot of British politicians and British actors saying of course were against a hard border and were also against the backstop.

"But the only alternative they can offer to a backstop is a promise to sort it out later or a promise around technologies that dont exist yet.

"Were not going to give up a mechanism that we know will work, thats legally binding," Mr Varadkar said.

Asked he he had seen examples of the proposed technologies, Mr Varadkar replied: "They dont exist and nobodys been able to show them to me."
Ireland's corporate tax regime has come under siege as potential Brexit chaos looms.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe were yesterday forced in front of the world's most influential people at the World Economic Forum in Davos to defend how this country taxes big companies.

Criticism from world leaders highlighted how Ireland's international image has become inextricably linked with our tax regime.

Our low corporate tax rate, as well as loopholes that have allowed big companies to pay minuscule amounts of tax, have been denounced by critics as unfair to other countries that could be getting tax revenues instead.

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki made an emotive plea for reform - saying EU "tax havens" should be abolished in a thinly veiled swipe at Ireland. He linked his country's history with Communism to the issue, saying history made it even more important that there be a "level playing field" when it comes to tax.

The comments highlight the delicate diplomacy Ireland must perform it if wants to keep its tax sovereignty and get support on Brexit.

There are tax havens in Europe which abuse their taxation systems to the detriment of other countries. And we should stop this because this is not helping the European Union to build trust towards each other, he said, sitting beside Mr Varadkar for a panel discussion in Davos.

Mr Morawieckis comments at Davos came just a day after his foreign minister, Jacek Czaputowicz, suggested the backstop proposal could be limited to five years, a comment which reflected a significant departure from the EUs stance in Brexit negotiations.

Separately at Davos, the head of the influential Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) sharply criticised how Apple has been taxed here.

He [Mr Donohoe] says every country has to have the sovereignty to fix taxes. And I totally agree, the OECD has never said that there is a tax which everybody should adopt, OECD secretary general Angel Gurria said.

What we were against were the sweetheart deals...we just found out with the Apple case, 0.05pc. Not bad eh? Its a good low tax rate. So there you have a situation where you say: the system is being abused, the system is being gamed, and you basically do not want that either. You want companies to pay their fair share.

The impact of the criticism will be magnified by the fact the OECD, an international body with 36 member countries, is the forum where Ireland has consistently said that tax reform should take place.

Mr Gurria said, however, that changes to the Irish system meant that the Apple case could not happen again.

In 2016, the European Commission ruled that Apple got illegal state aid from Ireland, and ordered it to pay 13bn in back taxes, and another 1bn in interest. The Government has always denied giving Apple a sweetheart deal and is appealing the ruling, as is Apple.

We disagree with the assessment that the European Commission made... but we have played by the rules in relation to it. We were asked to put in place a process to collect 14bn. We have done that, all that money has been collected, Mr Donohoe said, referring to the 2016 ruling and the subsequent collection of the money which is being held in escrow account pending the outcome of both appeals.

Mr Donohoe said he would not be cutting Irelands corporate tax rate in response to a question about whether a cut by Donald Trump in the US rate could spark a race to the bottom. I will not be reducing our rate. Ive absolutely no plans to do it at all. Ireland will not be part of [a race to the bottom], he said.

Mr Varadkar said that Ireland was forever closing tax loopholes and would continue to do so. He said getting rid of loopholes has been a factor in the boom in corporation tax receipts.

I think big companies should pay their taxes... should pay them in full and should pay them where they are owed, he said.

The current debate on international tax reform focuses on whether companies should start paying tax according to where their products are consumed. That would hit Ireland because it has a small population of consumers.

Mr Varadkar said that the principle should be that a company is taxed where value is created, not where its products are sold. That principle benefits Ireland because tax can be levied on companies who are based here, but who sell the vast bulk of their products elsewhere.

Mr Morawiecki said this argument was an interesting intervention by Leo. We have to find out a common denominator, he said.
'The pound is rallying as investors bet that a no-deal Brexit - the worst case scenario for the currency - can be avoided if parliament exerts greater control over the process' (stock photo)

Sterling leapt to a 10-week high yesterday after Britain's opposition Labour Party said it would back an attempt by lawmakers to prevent a disorderly no-deal Brexit.

The United Kingdom is due to leave the European Union on March 29 but has no approved deal on how the divorce will take place.

Still, the pound is rallying as investors bet that a no-deal Brexit - the worst case scenario for the currency - can be avoided if parliament exerts greater control over the process.

"Overall the view is parliament doesn't want a hard Brexit and nor does the EU ... and if that's the case I don't see how it can happen," said Justin Onuekwusi, a fund manager at Legal & General Investment Management.

"We are neutral on sterling as you have to be quite nimble," he added.

But sterling is unlikely to continue rallying simply on the basis of a delayed Brexit, said Thu Lan Nguyen, an FX strategist at Commerzbank in Frankfurt.

"Delaying is far from finding a solution ... hard-line Brexiteers would never tolerate an indefinite delay of the EU exit," she said.

Elsewhere, global stock markets recovered from earlier losses as investors made a cautious return to riskier assets, with US futures and European stocks higher even as worries about corporate and economic growth lingered.

Trading was choppy as hopes of more stimulus measures from China to shore up its economy offset worries over progress between Washington and Beijing in resolving their trade spat.

The MSCI world equity index, which tracks shares in 47 countries, was back in positive territory around midday in London.

US futures pointed to a positive start for Wall Street after the heaviest losses in nearly three weeks in the wake of disappointing earnings.

Pan-European stocks were up 0.4pc at 13.22 GMT. In Dublin the Iseq was up 1.12pc, with AIB and Bank of Ireland both seeing very strong gains.

Global shares continue to see-saw on trade war fears.

The main driver of yesterday's early share sell-off was a 'Financial Times' report that Washington had rejected an offer from Beijing for preparatory trade talks ahead of high-level negotiations scheduled for next week.
Cutting it fine: Former Doctor Who actor Matt Smith in a Burberry ad campaign. The luxury brand says it would have to stock up on materials and finished goods if Brexit happens without a deal

Britain's premier luxury brand Burberry has said a no-deal Brexit would cost it tens of millions of pounds in tariffs and severely disrupt the movement of fabrics and finished products between its suppliers, manufacturing centres and stores.

Britain is due to leave the EU in 65 days, and with Prime Minister Theresa May failing to win support for her negotiated deal, companies are increasingly worried about the possibility of a chaotic Brexit.

"We are taking mitigating actions," said CFO Julie Brown after Burberry reported a 1pc rise in comparable store retail sales for the Christmas quarter.

"If we had a no-deal scenario we would be subject to WTO rules and absent any mitigating actions our duty costs would increase materially, in the low tens of millions of pounds," she said.

The disruption to the supply chain would be even more significant, she said, because Burberry needed to move materials, samples and finished goods quickly between Britain and mainland Europe.

Burberry manufactures its trademark trench coats in Yorkshire and sources some other products, such as Italian-made suits, from mainland Europe.

"We would ensure that we allocated additional stock to the relevant areas to ensure that customers were not adversely affected, but that would clearly have an impact on the company because we would have to run with higher inventory levels," she said.

Burberry is gearing up for the arrival in stores next month of the first products by its new designer Riccardo Tisci.

CEO Marco Gobbetti said he was pleased with progress in his plan to shift the brand further upmarket, driven by the arrival of more and more products designed by Tisci.

Reuters
Talk: Emily Logan, of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, and Les Allamby, of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. Photo: Gerry Mooney

Irish citizens in Northern Ireland could become "second class citizens" post-Brexit, a Belfast-based human rights organisation has warned.

Brian Gormally, director of the Committee on the Administration of Justice, outlined three potential outcomes Irish citizens in the North face in maintaining their rights to live, work, access health and social services and fully participate in social and political life.

None of the options is appealing, he told the Oireachtas Justice Committee.

"They all involve the implication that those who chose Irish identity are in some way second-class citizens," he said.

"The first possibility is that the [British] Home Office will regard Irish citizens as really British since UK nationality law decrees that most of those born in the UK have British citizenship," he said.

A second possibility is that the issue would be resolved under an agreement on the Common Travel Area.

"The third possibility is that under the withdrawal agreement, EU citizens living in the UK can retain many of their current rights by applying for settled status," he said.

Emily Logan, chief of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, said it believed EU citizenship should be extended to all citizens of Northern Ireland post-Brexit.
The Irish border backstop issue is "done" and the European Union has "nothing to give" the UK on the Brexit deal apart from "clarifications", the French finance minister has warned.

Bruno Le Maire said it was up to Theresa May's government to find a way out of the situation it found itself in, not EU member states.

He told BBC Radio 4's 'Today' show that there would be "concrete consequences" of leaving without a deal.

Speaking from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Mr Le Maire said: "I'm afraid we have nothing to give.

"An agreement is an agreement and the responsibility of Brexit is clearly on the shoulders of the British government, not on the shoulders of the governments of the EU member states.

"It is up to the British government to find the right way out, not us, the European governments.

"If there is a need for any further clarifications, of course we are always open to clarifications.

"But reopening the deal would mean weeks, months, of new negotiations between the UK and the European member states, that is exactly what we want to avoid."

Expand Close Philip Hammond giving evidence to the Treasury Select Committee (PA) / Facebook

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Whatsapp Philip Hammond giving evidence to the Treasury Select Committee (PA)

Asked whether it was possible to revisit the Irish backstop within the Withdrawal Agreement, Mr Le Maire added: "It is done. It is done and I think that we have to stick to the deal.

"I don't want to speculate on internal British policy because it is quite complicated and the UK is a sovereign country, but we don't have to speculate. It is up to the British Government to take its decisions now."

Asked about whether no-deal measures taken by the EU would be as bad as some groups have suggested, including border delays between Dover and Calais, Mr Le Maire said: "We are aware that a no-deal situation would have concrete consequences and would force us to take some decisions to reinforce the control at our borders.

"So, there are many concrete consequences that would be a consequence of a no-deal situation. But we are prepared to do that."

Asked to comment on reports that some EU states want rules to be relaxed in the event of a no-deal Brexit to allow UK lorries and aircraft to operate, he added: "You can't be out of the EU and getting all the benefits of the single market. That is a clear red line for France."

Meanwhile Chancellor Philip Hammond declined to rule out quitting if Theresa May decided to back a no-deal Brexit.

Asked repeatedly on 'Today' whether he would remain in the UK's top financial post in that scenario, he said: "I'm not going to speculate because a lot depends on the circumstances, what happens.

"The responsibility I have is to manage the economy in what is the best interests of the British people.

"I clearly do not believe that making a choice to leave without a deal would be a responsible thing to do, but I recognise that that is potentially a default that we could find ourselves in, and if we did find ourselves in that position then the responsible thing to do is to use every possible way of mitigating and minimising the impact."

Mr Hammond put some distance between himself and MPs including Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd - who has also declined to rule out quitting over no-deal - over the importance of Tuesday's Brexit vote.

"What Amber is doing is reflecting a view among some of my colleagues that somehow next Tuesday is high noon, the last chance to make a stand against no-deal.

"I don't think that is the case, I don't think next Tuesday has to be, or indeed will be the high noon of this debate.

"Parliament will want to be confident that it will have an opportunity to express its clear view and some of my colleagues, including some who are in Government, will want to be able to express their view.

"But I don't think next Tuesday is the point when this comes to a head."

Expand Close Anti-Brexit protesters demonstrate outside the Houses of Parliament on January 15, 2019 in London, England (Photo by Jack Taylor/Getty Images) / Facebook

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Whatsapp Anti-Brexit protesters demonstrate outside the Houses of Parliament on January 15, 2019 in London, England (Photo by Jack Taylor/Getty Images)

Damage

Mr Hammond showed the depth of the row inside the Cabinet over a no-deal Brexit, doubling down on his warnings about the damage it would cause to the economy.

He said: "What people were told in the referendum campaign, the majority who voted to leave, they were told that we would be able to get a deal with the European Union, that that would protect our jobs and our prosperity and that our exit could be smooth and orderly to a new relationship with the European Union.

"But it is absolutely clear that if we don't get a deal that is not the way it will work.

"There will be very significant disruption in the short term and a very significant hit to our economy in the medium to long term.

"Our job is to deliver the British people what they believe they were promised in that referendum, to make sure we respect the decision of the referendum but do it in a way that gives them the future prosperity they were promised."

Mr Hammond added: "The ... disruption that we would expect would happen around the no-deal exit will be short term.

"It will settle down, we will find ways of managing things like the additional time it takes for trucks to get through the border.

"But it might take us quite a while to sort that out. So there will be a short-term impact through disruption, there will be a long-term impact through a reduction in the size of our economy.

"That is not what people voted for. People did not vote to be worse off, they voted to be better off and they were told that was possible and it is our job to try to deliver on that for them."

Mr Hammond warned "I don't believe the European Union is simply going to remove the backstop", but added that, while some hardline Brexiteers demanded this, others took a more nuanced approach.

Red Lines

He added: "What I hear from European politicians and commentators that I have talked to here in Davos is that there is a process going on, of thinking very hard about where the EU had drawn its red lines, whether they really need to be in the place where they have been drawn."

Mr Hammond praised the queen after she spoke at an event in Sandringham about seeking "common ground" and "never losing sight of the bigger picture" in words interpreted as a reference to Brexit.

The Chancellor told 'Today': "I think there is huge wisdom in those words and I don't think anybody will be at all surprised to hear the Queen advocating the view that in all things controversial we should seek compromise, we should seek common ground and we should seek a way forward.

"That is actually what we do in this country, that is how we solve problems, by compromise and pragmatism.

"It's been our enormous strength over centuries that we have been able to find compromises that bring the nation together."
Airbus said it could be forced to move future investments out of the UK in case of a no-deal divorce from the European Union, slamming the "madness" of Brexit supporters who assume the plane-maker won't abandon Britain.

"If there is a no-deal Brexit, we at Airbus will have to make potentially very harmful decisions for the UK," said CEO Tom Enders, who has been one of the most outspoken business leaders on the topic.

"Please don't listen to the Brexiteers' madness which asserts that, because we have huge plants here, we will not move and we will always be here. They are wrong."

The comments, made in an unusual video message shared by the company yesterday, are the strongest yet since the 2016 referendum from the executive who has repeatedly warned of the fallout from a worst-case Brexit scenario.

It ramps up pressure on Theresa May, the British prime minister caught in the crossfire between pro-EU members of her Conservative Party who are seeking to force her to postpone the March 29 Brexit deadline, and staunch Eurosceptics who are threatening to bring down her government if she does.

Airbus, which is based in Toulouse, France, directly employs 14,000 people in the UK and supports another 110,000, Enders said in the video. The company has production sites in Filton, in the south-west of England, and in Wales, where it manufactures wings for its range of commercial aircraft.

Time for reaching a decision on Brexit is running out. If the UK can't agree a deal in the next nine weeks, the country will leave the EU in a disorderly split which British authorities warn will risk a recession, and a hit to the pound of as much as 25pc.

Next week, the UK parliament is slated to vote on a series of options for Brexit's next steps, including a proposal to force the government to ask the EU to extend the deadline.

Senior figures in the French and German governments said they would be open to agreeing to such a request, signalling receding risk of a no-deal Brexit.

"It is a disgrace that more than two years after the result of the referendum, businesses are still unable to plan properly for the future," Mr Enders said. "If you are really sure Brexit is best for Britain, come together and deliver a pragmatic withdrawal agreement."

While the squabbling lawmakers can't agree on a model for Brexit, many finance firms are moving money out of the City of London, a shift that may be irreversible.

Five of the largest banks looking to serve continental European customers intend to move 750bn of assets to Frankfurt.

The plane-maker has meanwhile been stockpiling parts at its plants in the UK and Germany to try to blunt any immediate impact of the hard borders that a no-deal Brexit would impose.

The company has said that while it expects to have enough stock to cover production for a month, it can't be fully prepared.

While the scale of Airbus's plants won't allow it to immediately vacate the UK, the manufacturer "could be forced to re-direct future investments" if the UK parliament doesn't avoid a no-deal exit that risks blocking up borders, restricting movement of workers and delaying its just-in-time production line.

"Make no mistake, there are plenty of countries out there who would love to build the wings for Airbus aircraft," Mr Enders said.

Bloomberg
Most of Britain is set to enjoy a welcome respite from wintry conditions, as temperatures rise on Friday and over the weekend.

Despite snow across much of the UK in recent days, Met Office forecasters are predicting milder weather is on the way.

Temperatures could be as high as 12C, Becky Mitchell, a Met Office meteorologist, said: Today its going to be on the milder side.

Rain is expected and a brisk breeze in Scotland and northern England, but for most it will be cloudy and dry on Friday through to Saturday.

But the respite will not last long, as a new weather front sweeps in on Sunday bringing heavier rain and clearing away the milder air.

Snow and icy conditions hit the UK  Winter weather in pictures Show all 62 1 /62 Snow and icy conditions hit the UK  Winter weather in pictures Snow and icy conditions hit the UK  Winter weather in pictures Snow covers houses in Gold Hill, in Shaftesbury, Dorset PA Snow and icy conditions hit the UK  Winter weather in pictures People enjoying a walk through Whitelee Windfarm in North Ayrshire, Scotland EPA Snow and icy conditions hit the UK  Winter weather in pictures Snow Rollers form in a field in Marlborough, Wiltshire. They are a rare meteorological phenomenon in which large snowballs are formed naturally as chunks of snow are blown along the ground by the wind. As they move they pick up snow on the way, in much the same way that the large snowballs used in snowmen are made. SWNS/Brian Bayliss Snow and icy conditions hit the UK  Winter weather in pictures Two men help a driver try to get his car moving, after snowfalls yesterday and overnight have brought widespread disruption PA Snow and icy conditions hit the UK  Winter weather in pictures Snow dusts the Angel of the North sculpture and covers the ground surrounding it in Gateshead PA Snow and icy conditions hit the UK  Winter weather in pictures A wintry scene at Nenthead in Cumbria after a band of wintry weather brought hill snow and a risk of ice to large parts of the country PA Snow and icy conditions hit the UK  Winter weather in pictures Children play in the snow in Hartley Wintney, in Hampshire AFP/Getty Snow and icy conditions hit the UK  Winter weather in pictures A dog walker in a street in Bristol PA Snow and icy conditions hit the UK  Winter weather in pictures The River Forth in Stirling PA Snow and icy conditions hit the UK  Winter weather in pictures A man walks past the Starbucks Coffee store at the Membury Services on the M4 PA Snow and icy conditions hit the UK  Winter weather in pictures A snowplough clears a road near in Shaftesbury, Dorset PA Snow and icy conditions hit the UK  Winter weather in pictures Ice crystals form on the windows of the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh PA Snow and icy conditions hit the UK  Winter weather in pictures A couple walk through a frosty landscape near Ashford in Kent PA Snow and icy conditions hit the UK  Winter weather in pictures Ducks on a frozen near Merthyr Tydfil in Wales PA Snow and icy conditions hit the UK  Winter weather in pictures A gate at the entrance to a farm near the village of Moscow in Ayrshire EPA Snow and icy conditions hit the UK  Winter weather in pictures People walk past the frozen Sefton Park Lake in Liverpool PA Snow and icy conditions hit the UK  Winter weather in pictures Partially frozen water on the River Clunie in Scotland Getty Images Snow and icy conditions hit the UK  Winter weather in pictures A frozen notice board at the allotments in Mudchute farm on the Isle of Dogs PA Snow and icy conditions hit the UK  Winter weather in pictures Snow on the hills around Buttermere in the Lake District PA Snow and icy conditions hit the UK  Winter weather in pictures A man snowboards at Solomon's Temple in Buxton, Derbyshire PA Snow and icy conditions hit the UK  Winter weather in pictures A couple walk through the Frost in Ashford, Kent PA Snow and icy conditions hit the UK  Winter weather in pictures A woman walks through snow covered trees in Buxton, Derbyshire PA Snow and icy conditions hit the UK  Winter weather in pictures Altrincham, Greater Manchester Reuters Snow and icy conditions hit the UK  Winter weather in pictures Braemar, Scotland Getty Snow and icy conditions hit the UK  Winter weather in pictures 3 wheel Reliant Robin in the snow off the A6 near the village of Shap in Cumbria PA Snow and icy conditions hit the UK  Winter weather in pictures A red deer grazes in the snow, in Glen Etive, Scotland Getty Images Snow and icy conditions hit the UK  Winter weather in pictures People skiing along a road in West Didsbury PA/Twitter/CTizzle27 Snow and icy conditions hit the UK  Winter weather in pictures A Shetland pony gallops in a field in Tingwall on the Shetland Islands PA Snow and icy conditions hit the UK  Winter weather in pictures Morning fog floats through the valley at Tingwall PA Snow and icy conditions hit the UK  Winter weather in pictures Clare Strode and her 4 year old son Alejandro enjoy sledging on Camp Hill, Woolton PA Snow and icy conditions hit the UK  Winter weather in pictures Sheep surrounded by snow-covered fields near Balado in Fife PA Snow and icy conditions hit the UK  Winter weather in pictures Liverpool Airport which had to temporarily halted flights due to the severe weather Darren Reece/PA Snow and icy conditions hit the UK  Winter weather in pictures A husky dog enjoys a walk on Camp Hill, Woolton PA Snow and icy conditions hit the UK  Winter weather in pictures Snowmen on the banks of the River Cam in Cambridge PA Snow and icy conditions hit the UK  Winter weather in pictures People walk along a snow covered road in Altrincham Reuters Snow and icy conditions hit the UK  Winter weather in pictures People walk through snow on the banks of the River Cam in Cambridge PA Snow and icy conditions hit the UK  Winter weather in pictures A train at Hunt's Cross station in Liverpool PA Snow and icy conditions hit the UK  Winter weather in pictures A couple walk through a snowy park, in High Wycombe Getty Snow and icy conditions hit the UK  Winter weather in pictures A horse in a snowy field in the Divis Mountain area of Belfast PA Snow and icy conditions hit the UK  Winter weather in pictures An out of service Ulsterbus travels along the Glenshane Pass in after heavy snowfall in Northern Ireland PA Snow and icy conditions hit the UK  Winter weather in pictures Network Rail on the railway in Kyleum, Scotland PA Snow and icy conditions hit the UK  Winter weather in pictures A worker uses a bobcat to clear snow from a sidewalk alongside Nantasket Beach in Hull Getty Snow and icy conditions hit the UK  Winter weather in pictures A man walks his dog through the snow in Whitley Bay, North Tyneside PA Snow and icy conditions hit the UK  Winter weather in pictures A snow plough CLEARING TRACKS PA Snow and icy conditions hit the UK  Winter weather in pictures Heavy snow fall in Glasgow's West End PA Snow and icy conditions hit the UK  Winter weather in pictures A woman walks through a snow shower in London EPA Snow and icy conditions hit the UK  Winter weather in pictures Snow covers the ground in Cheshire PA Snow and icy conditions hit the UK  Winter weather in pictures Walkers on a snow-covered path outside the Peak View tea rooms near Macclesfield PA Snow and icy conditions hit the UK  Winter weather in pictures A gritter from the Northern Ireland Department of Infrastructure clears the road during heavy snowfall on the Glenshane Pass PA Snow and icy conditions hit the UK  Winter weather in pictures Surfers take on the big waves at Tynemouth PA Snow and icy conditions hit the UK  Winter weather in pictures Frost covers the grass in Windsor Great Park, Berkshire while deer eat PA Snow and icy conditions hit the UK  Winter weather in pictures Snow fall on the beach at Whitley Bay, North Tyneside PA Snow and icy conditions hit the UK  Winter weather in pictures People traverse the frosty river banks at the base of Pen y Fan mountain in the Brecon Beacons PA Snow and icy conditions hit the UK  Winter weather in pictures Walkers make their way along the Long Walk near Windsor Castle PA Snow and icy conditions hit the UK  Winter weather in pictures Farmhouses in Teesdale PA Snow and icy conditions hit the UK  Winter weather in pictures Members of the public make their way through a snow shower in the West End in Glasgow Getty Snow and icy conditions hit the UK  Winter weather in pictures A dog walker makes her way along the Long Walk near Windsor Castle PA Snow and icy conditions hit the UK  Winter weather in pictures A car drives through a snow shower in London EPA Snow and icy conditions hit the UK  Winter weather in pictures Heavy snowfall on the Glenshane Pass PA Snow and icy conditions hit the UK  Winter weather in pictures Seagulls on a frozen Marden Quarry in North Tyneside PA Snow and icy conditions hit the UK  Winter weather in pictures Snow covers the Killhope lead mining museum in County Durham PA Snow and icy conditions hit the UK  Winter weather in pictures Snow showers along the sea front at Whitley Bay PA

It will be come colder across the whole country by Sunday afternoon, Ms Mitchell said. We will be back to a chillier feel of things.

We will probably be looking at max temperatures of six or seven and in some places colder than that.

We could see a return of minus double digits in some rural parts of northern Scotland.

Recommended Adverse weather could hit FA Cup fourth round weekend

Along with plunging mercury, the UK will see a return of all the wintry hazards, Ms Mitchell reported.

The Arctic conditions seen across Britain in recent days have wreaked havoc on the transport network, with cars skidding off the roads on black ice and some railway lines too frozen over for trains to run.

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By the start of next week there will be a risk of ice in many places, as well as sleet, snow and widespread frost.

And the freezing weather looks set to last a while, Ms Mitchell added. Once that weather front moves through that will bring a mixture of sleet, snow and rain. That colder air is likely to stay around for the whole week.
Im not talking to the FBI and if your [sic] smart you wont either. You are a rat. A stoolie. You backstab your friends  run your mouth my lawyers are dying [to] Rip you to shreds, reads an email that Roger Stone, one of Donald Trumps closest and oldest confidantes, allegedly wrote to a witness in the Russiagate investigation.

The email, which reads like a bad line from a gangster film, emerged in the indictments against Stone which were made public after his arrest in the early hours of this morning, with suitable dramatic footage supplied by the presence of CNN cameras at his home in Fort Lauderdale.

The arrest itself was not unexpected. Robert Mueller is coming for me, Stone had apparently told his friends back last August, saying that he was on the special counsels hit list of targets. He was innocent, he told his social media followers, asking for donations from them to help pay for his legal defence.

Nor was there particular surprise that 66-year-old Stone is caught up in the swirling intrigue surrounding the inquiry into whether Trump was the Muscovian candidate in US election. He had relished projecting himself as someone operating on the dark side, a self-described dirty trickster whose past had included working with Richard Nixons notorious CREEP (Committee to Re-Elect the President) when, according to evidence obtained during the Watergate investigation, he played a part in smearing a Nixon opponent by planting false stories.

Tricky Dicky has also played a part in his legal fundraising with T-shirts on sales for $33 each with his photo alongside that of Nixon with the words: If I werent effective you wouldnt hate me. He also enlisted the help of his pets to raise money, putting out a video of two small terriers mouthing Roger Stone did nothing wrong, apparently an echo of how Nixon, countering allegations of a slush-fund on TV, invoked his pet dog Checkers.

The question now, however, is not about Stones past. It is what effect his arrest will have on the future of Donald Trump  someone he had been encouraging to run for the presidency since the 1980s  as Mueller continues with his investigation and the House intelligence committee, reinvigorated under Democrat control and the chairship of Adam Schiff, restarts its investigation into the president and the Moscow connection.

The Stone indictments bring into focus another of the seam of British connections which runs through the Russia investigation. US intelligence, it is believed, first heard about the alleged Trump-Russia connection through a conversation the then-Australian High Commissioner to the UK, Alexander Downer, had with George Papadopoulos, a Trump foreign policy advisor, at a wine bar in London. Papadopoulos later went to jail for lying to the FBI about his contact with Russians.

Christopher Steele, a former MI6 officer based in London, wrote a dossier on Trump which became an important part of the Mueller inquiry.

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

And now we have one of the key allegations of Kremlin interference  the hacking of Democratic party emails  bringing together Stone, WikiLeaks and WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange in his bolthole at the Ecuadorean embassy in London.

The Mueller indictment states that during the presidential race, Stone talked regularly to Trump campaign officials about WikiLeaks and information it might have had that would be damaging to the Clinton campaign. "Stone was contacted by senior Trump campaign officials to inquire about future releases by Organisation 1, the indictment states. WikiLeaks is called Organisation 1 in the indictment. On multiple occasions, Stone told senior Trump campaign officials about material possessed by Organisation 1 and the timing of future releases.

In late July 2016, Stone allegedly began mentioning contacts with Assange. He reportedly told a then friend, the conservative author Jerome Corsi, to get to Assange in the Ecuadorean embassy in London and obtain the pending WikiLeaks emails. He allegedly instructed that Ted Malloch, a Trump supporter in London, should see Assange.

In August, Corsi allegedly emailed Stone describing what he claimed were Assanges plans: Word is a friend in embassy plans 2 more dumps. One shortly after Im back [from a European trip] 2nd in Oct. Impact planned to be very damaging.

That month, Stone reportedly emailed Sam Nunberg, another Trump advisor: I dined with Trump last night. He later said that this was a joke. But he went on to stress that he was communicating with Assange through an intermediary, who is a personal friend. On 5 August, Stone tweeted: Julian Assange is a hero. Three days later, he apparently said: I actually have communicated with Assange. I believe the next tranche of his documents pertain to the Clinton Foundation, but theres no telling what the October surprise will be.

 Roger Stone: 'As I have always said, the only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about'

In October, Stone claimed that a friend of his had met with Assange and learned the mother lode is coming Wednesday. When nothing appeared on that Wednesday, Stone tweeted: Libs thinking Assange will stand down are wishful thinking. Payload coming.... Assange published hacked emails from Clinton campaign manager, John Podesta, three days later.

Corsi and Nunberg, in Stones Assange correspondence, have now testified to federal investigators in the Russia probe. The rat...stoolie rant by Stone was apparently addressed to another witness, radio host Randy Credico, who Stone is alleged to have tried to persuade to give false testimony. He has been charged with witness tampering for allegedly trying to get Credico to tell lies to the inquiry and also indicted on five counts of false testimony to the House intelligence committee.

Stone has publicly vowed never to turn on Trump. But the same pledge was initially made by others arrested by the Mueller team; faced with possible heavy jail sentences, they started cooperating with the investigation. We await to see how steadfast Stone remains in his pledge of loyalty to the man he advised to run for the White House for two and half decades. We can, meanwhile, expect more to emerge about the shadowy London link to Russiagate.
Its not clear what will happen to the Holy Family church property, which is owned by the Society of Jesus, an order of priests also known as the Jesuits. The churchs function will be decided on by the leadership of the new parish as well as the Jesuits, according to a news release from the archdiocese.
It is always pleasing for authors to find out that they have readers in far flung places. It was therefore surprising but gratifying to see a picture of a battered copy of a French translation of a book I wrote called The Jihadis Return abandoned by Isis fighters, along with suicide vests and homemade explosive devices, as they retreat from their last enclaves in Deir ez-Zor province in eastern Syria.

The book was written in 2014 when Isis was at the height of its success after capturing Mosul, and was sweeping through western Iraq and eastern Syria. I described the Isis victories and tried to explain how the movement had apparently emerged from nowhere to shock the world by establishing the Islamic State, an entity which at its height ruled 8 million people and stretched from the the outskirts of Baghdad to the Mediterranean.

A picture of the book, Le Retour des Djihadistes, was tweeted by Quentin Sommerville, the intrepid BBC Middle East correspondent, who is travelling through the deserts of Deir ez-Zor and reporting what may be the last pitched battles fought by Isis. The book had presumably belonged a French-speaking Isis fighter: many Isis volunteers came from Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco, as well as from France itself, and may now be trapped in this corner of Syria.

But is this truly the last round for Isis? The Islamic State no longer controls territory, but will it live on as an ideology inspiring a core of fanatical believers who will seek to rise again? They know that the US wrongly declared that al-Qaeda in Iraq, the precursor of Isis, was dead and buried in 2007-08. Isis hopes to repeat its previous resurrection by waiting for its many enemies to relax their pressure and to fall out among themselves.

The book found in Deir ez-Zor tried to explain how Isis had escaped decisive defeat last time around, so an Isis fighter might have been interested in reading it in the hope of finding out how his movement might survive today. I wrote that al-Qaeda in Iraq was never quite as dead as people imagined: I had Iraqi business friends who were forced to pay it protection money in Mosul even when it was at the nadir of its fortunes. It was notorious that the Iraqi army of the day was a corrupt money-making racket with ghost battalions, from which money for non-existent soldiers, their fuel and supplies was siphoned off by crooked officers. I thought that Iraqi politicians were exaggerating when they told me that the army was never going to fight but they turned out to be right.

The most important factor reopening the door to Isis was the civil war in Syria after 2011, where the armed opposition was rapidly taken over by jihadis directed by battle-hardened commanders sent by al-Qaeda in Iraq. Well-organised fanatics willing to die for a cause and experienced in warfare will always dominate their own side when serious fighting gets under way. I portrayed Isis as an Islamic version of the Khmer Rouge and, like their Cambodian counterparts, they systematically committed atrocities to terrify and demoralise their opponents.

Could all this happen again, or are we looking at the final chapter of the Isis nightmare as the group is cornered in Syria and driven into the desert wastes of Iraq? Perhaps they will survive in small numbers, depending what resources in men and materials they preserve in their hideouts. Occupying armies almost invariably alienate local populations and a resurgent Isis might be able to exploit this. Their reputation for savagery was such that they can give the impression that they are still in business by carrying out a few limited attacks.

I was in Baghdad last year when there were some gruesome killings and kidnappings on the main road north to Kirkuk. These were pinpricks compared to the massacres of 2014, but they were enough to produce extreme nervousness in the capital, where people spoke with real fear of Isis being reborn.

I do not believe that this is going to happen because Isis no longer has the advantage of surprise as it did in the past. The surprise in 2014 was greater than it should have been because Isis had been winning local battles and taking territory for some time. I had made Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the Isis leader, the Independent Middle East man of the year for 2013. But a consequence of the unexpected emergence of Isis five years ago is that nobody is ever again going to underestimate them. The Iraqi army of today is very different from the old and recaptured Mosul after overcoming ferocious Isis resistance.

Isis could and probably will revert to guerrilla warfare and high-profile terror attacks to show that it is still an enemy to be feared. The pictures of the suicide vests studded with ball bearings from Deir ez-Zor show that suicide bombing is still an essential part of their tactics. But Isis no longer has the resources of the well-organised Islamic State to recruit, train and finance suicide bombers on the industrial scale of the past.

An invasion of northeast Syria by Turkey, which denounces the Kurdish YPG soldiers fighting Isis with American support as terrorists, could relieve the pressure on the jihadis. Another danger is that former Isis and al-Qaeda fighters will be absorbed into the Arab militia units allied to Turkey, which have already carried out ethnic cleansing of Kurds and Yazidis from the Kurdish majority Syrian province of Afrin that Turkish-led forces captured last year.

Governments have by-and-large learned about the threat posed by Isis and are not going to allow it to rise again. But, in another important sense, the US, UK and allied governments have learned nothing from their disastrous actions in the Middle East and North Africa over the past 20 years which opened the door to Isis. During this period, they repeatedly denounced dictatorial but powerful national leaders  Saddam Hussein, Muammar Al Gaddafi, Bashar al-Assad  as illegitimate and instead supported shadowy opposition figures with whom they were friendly as the true leaders of their countries.

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The result was invariably disastrous: in July 2011, to take but one example, the British government announced that it was recognising the rebel council in Libya as the sole governmental authority there. But the rebels turned out to have little real power other than that provided by Nato, making it inevitable that a post-Gaddafi Libya would collapse into criminalised anarchy.

Fast forward to Venezuela this week when the US, along with the UK, Canada and a bevy of South American states, declared that the opposition leader Juan Guaido is the countrys legitimate ruler, replacing President Maduro.

The UK foreign secretary, Jeremy Hunt, said the hitherto little known Guaido was the right person to take the country forward, though there is no obvious reason to think so. On the contrary, we are seeing the same sort of crude imperial overreach producing failed states and chaos that brought calamity to Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya and Yemen. The terrible lesson of the rise and fall of Isis has taught leaders in Washington and London very little.
For some time now, JD Wetherspoons has been serving up its cut price drinks right alongside the cut price opinions of its lager magnate turned TV camera magnet boss Tim Martin. But, here at The Velvet Coaster, right on Blackpool promenade, it is coming as something of a shock to see the former going down rather more easily than the latter.

It is, roughly, pub number 98 on Martins roughly 100 stop, Free Trade Tour, a kind of 19th-century Liberal tribute act with added Bud Light. As though the pro-Brexit leaflets, newsletters and beer mats that have been distributed with uncharacteristic generosity throughout his 900 boozers over the past three years were not enough, now Martin himself is coming to tell them all in person. And hes coming, specifically, to tell them no-deal Brexit is the best Brexit there is, and how this particular version of Brexit  which is more commonly described as either catastrophic or national suicide  is in fact the land of milk and honey, and absolutely, definitely, nothing for the kind of person who likes their drinks poured from behind the nations ruthlessly cheapest bars to worry about.

Microphone in hand, gilet over shoulders, and standing, as ever, beneath that cloud of electrified hair that would look more at home on the undercarriage of Matilda from Robot Wars, Martin is talking about his history lessons at school, when I was 15 years old. But it quickly becomes apparent that whoever marked his homework back then had a rather more permissive attitude towards reality than the Velvet Coasters gathered masses.

If you want to survive, you need democracy, he explains. Canada isnt under threat from the USA, because the USA is a democracy. New Zealand isnt under threat from Australia because Australia is a democracy.

But the European Union isnt a democracy. It is going backwards when the rest of the world is going forwards. And when theres less democracy, like in China, Russia, or North Korea, when there is less democracy, that is when wars start.

But a mouth at the back quickly disassociates itself from its pint glass in disgust. You talk about dictatorships? Russia? China? And you talk about the EU in the same breath? That is ridiculous. Ridiculous. The idea that Jean-Claude Juncker, or the EU, are going to start a war, is ridiculous, says a young man by the name of Christian Steele, a local taxi driver who, it turns out, is not here to drink unquestioningly from the font of knowledge that is pouring forth before him. And hes anything but alone.

Next Martin is on to how The FT, the Treasury and so on are always wrong about everything, that theres been no recession, no punishment budget as they all predicted. But within minutes, a local doctor called Rob Wheatley is telling him, Theres only one economist who agrees with you [about No Deal], and thats Patrick Minford from the Economists for Free Trade. And even he acknowledges that No Deal will have to involve reducing agriculture and manufacturing down to zero.

This, it turns out, is Wheatleys third bite at the cherry, having first turned up at the Free Trade Tour in a Wetherspoons somewhere in Manchester three weeks ago, and this afternoon hes followed Martin to Blackpool from his earlier stop in Preston.

Another man is shouting at Martin to: Watch what happens to the pound, on March 29th, watch what happens, if we leave without a deal.

But the plummeting pound is not a problem either. Its good for exports, we learn from Martin, and its good for inward tourism. People taking their holiday in Cornwall, or right here in Blackpool.

This goes down well, not least with a couple who run a B&B down the road. But thiss is a somewhat niche altar on which the nation is choosing to lay its wider economic wellbeing.

Then theres the stuff about cheaper car parts, from Japan, that we can import once weve left", Martin being only too glad to join the ever-lengthening queue of politicians and pro-Brexit voices only too happy to tell various multinational car manufacturers that they dont know the first thing about how to manufacture a car.

Naturally, theres plenty of cheers too. And it cant be ignored that his critics might be the most vocal but theyre not the most numerous. And, yes, its a Thursday afternoon in the middle of a cold, working January week, but it nevertheless also cant be ignored that the average age of the crowd would be a warm day in Farenheit, but certainly not in Celsius.

In any case, at some point, in the near future, theoretically, this country is going to have to start not hating one another. And if you cant stop a pro-Brexit rally in a Wetherspoons pub from a high speed Big Dipper style descent to internecine strife, then theres certainly a long, long, long way to go yet.
A flight from Lyon to Rennes in France was diverted after a hoax bomb threat was called in by a young man who wanted to avoid seeing his parents.

The student from Rennes made an anonymous call, which led easyJet flight EZY4319 on 18 January to turn around and land at Lyon.

The author of the facts has been identified, the public prosecutor of Rennes said in a statement, adding that it was a 23-year-old student based in Rennes who did not want his parents, onboard the plane, to visit him.

The man was placed in custody, according to Airlive, and will appear at criminal court on 21 May, charged with false news compromising the safety of an aircraft in flight.

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If prosecuted, he could be fined 75,000 and imprisoned for up to five years.

An easyJet spokesperson confirmed to The Independent that flight EZY4319 from Lyon to Rennes on 18 January returned to Lyon as a result of security related issue.

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The captain took the decision as a precaution only, they said.

The aircraft landed safely and was met by the fire brigade and the police in line with procedures. Passengers disembarked normally and were provided with information and refreshments.

The flight was operated on the evening of 18 January by a replacement aircraft and crew from London Luton. The aircraft was cleared by the authorities, although the crew were not fit to fly and no replacement crew were available in Lyon.

The easyJet flight returned to Lyon (AirNav)

The safety and wellbeing of our passengers and crew is easyJets highest priority, the spokesperson added.
A family who were thrown off an American Airlines flight for alleged body odour have accused the carrier of singling them out for being Jewish.

Returning home from holiday, Yossi and Jennie Adler and their 19-month-old daughter were due to fly from Miami to Detroit on 23 January, but after boarding the flight they were asked to leave the plane by crew and were not allowed back on.

Staff told them other passengers had been complaining about their odour.

I said: Excuse me? I need to get home. There is no body odour on me, Yossi told NBC News.

Theres no body odour that we have, theres nothing wrong with us.

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The Adlers filmed an altercation with ground staff after they were thrown off the flight.

During the video, the male staff member says: You told me for religious reasons you dont shower? Is that what you said?

Yossi, off camera, can be heard responding: No, I didnt! I shower every day, while Jennie agrees, Weve all had showers today.

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Yossi adds: I said you kicked me off because of religious reasons.

Theres a religious reason theyre kicking me off the plane.

He told ABC News: Im very frustrated. I want [American Airlines] to own up to what really happened and tell me the truth.

The Adlers also say crew assured them their bags would be removed from the flight, which they were not. This left the couple without their pushchair, car seat or anything other than the clothes they were wearing.

They were rebooked onto a flight the following day.

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Jennie said: We stopped several people in the airport and its embarrassing but we asked them, Do you think we smell? Because we just got kicked off a plane for smelling.

And they were like, Oh my God, were so embarrassed for you that somebody would do such a thing, no!

American Airlines said in a statement on Wednesday: Mr Adler and his wife were removed from the flight when several passengers complained about their body odour. They have been booked into a hotel for the night and given meal vouchers. They have been rebooked on a flight Thursday.

According to American Airlines company handbook, staff are allowed to remove passengers from a flight if they have an offensive odour not caused by disability or illness.

The Adler family have since been flown home and reunited with their luggage.
Young women are most at risk of the global sanitation crisis and girls are at particular risk of sexual violence when using unsafe toilet facilities at school, a report has warned.

The study, published by international NGO WaterAid, found that one in three schools around the world does not have basic sanitation.

The charity, which provides people with clean water, safe sanitation and hygiene education, found in Bangladesh alone, 40 per cent of girls miss an average of three days of school a month during their periods due to the lack of decent toilets.

Across South Asia, more than a third of girls miss school for between one and three days a month during their period.

The report warned that a dearth of safe and clean toilets is having a direct impact on millions of women and children across the globe.

Some 620 million children  10 times the population of the UK  are compromised by the lack of decent school toilets. According to the study, every day 800 children die from diarrhoeal diseases caused by dirty water and poor sanitation.

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The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. 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Savio Carvalho, Global Head of Campaigns at the charity which works with local organisations in 37 countries in Africa, Asia, Central America and the Pacific region, said: Open defecation means women and girls have to go away from a slum or a town.

"There is a risk of sexual violence when they are walking there and quite often women go in the dark for privacy.

The campaigner said that schools with mixed toilets also posed a great danger to girls and made them vulnerable to being sexually harassed or assaulted.

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It puts them at risk of abuse. Some toilets also dont have a latch meaning that girls are afraid to go to the toilet. If there is a lack of decent sanitation, girls prefer not to go to school.

He noted periods also caused girls to miss school  saying they might study hard all year but then miss their exams if their period happens to clash with the tests.

Researchers say the global sanitation crisis affects 2.3bn people around the world  with the report finding that one in five primary schools and one in eight secondary schools globally do not have any toilets.

Guinea-Bissau on the coast of West Africa tops the table for worst in the world for school toilets, while Ethiopia remains the nation with the highest proportion of people without household toilets.

Tim Wainwright, WaterAids Chief Executive, said it was unacceptable that one in three children around the world are being held back from fulfilling their potential because they dont have a decent toilet.

"All children need this basic essential at home and at school for their health, education and safety," he said.

The world has promised toilets for all by 2030, but despite some progress, this ambitious target is a long way off from being met. If we are serious about all children and young people having clean water and sanitation, we must take decisive and inclusive action now.
Female rights activists in Saudi Arabia have been sexually assaulted, tortured with electric shocks and flogged so hard they cannot stand, Amnesty has reported, as British MPs ratcheted up pressure on Riyadh to grant them access to the detainees.

At least 10 rights defenders have been tortured, including being made to kiss each other while interrogators watched, Amnesty said in a report released on Friday.

One woman activist was wrongly told by an interrogator that her family members had died, a lie she was made to believe for an entire month. Others held in the secret prisons were tortured with electric shocks, flogged so hard they could not stand, or waterboarded, the human rights group said.

Among the women, who have all been held since a wave of arrests in May, are prominent rights activists such as Loujain al-Hathloul and Aziza al-Youssef, who campaigned for womens right to drive and against the Kingdoms oppressive male guardianship system which controls its female citizens. None has been officially charged or referred to trial, and most have no legal representation.

The alarming reports come as a group of cross-party British MPs and international lawyers gave Saudi Arabia until the end of the month to grant them access to the women.

The group, which has formed a detainee review panel, has sent an official request to the Saudi ambassador to the UK, Prince Mohammed bin Nawwaf bin Abdulaziz, to obtain first-hand testimony from 10 women who are being held in a number of jails in the country.

They said if there was no positive response by 29 January a report detailing all the allegations of mistreatment gathered by rights groups including Amnesty would be published soon afterwards.

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The Saudi government has repeatedly denied the claims of mistreatment of the detainees.

We are extremely concerned about the wellbeing of these activists, who have been in arbitrary detention for around nine months simply for standing up for human rights, Lynn Maalouf, Amnesty Internationals Middle East Research Director, said on Friday.

The Saudi Arabian authorities have repeatedly proven themselves unwilling to effectively protect detainees from torture, or to carry out impartial investigations into claims of torture in custody. That is why we are calling on Saudi Arabia to give independent monitoring bodies immediate and unfettered access to the detained activists."

Amnesty said the fresh testimonies followed ones they gathered in November that detailed how several activists, including a number of women, had been repeatedly tortured by electric shocks and flogging, leaving some unable to walk or stand.

The group urged the UK government to call for the release of the women, saying that despite hailing reforms in Saudi Arabia for much of the first part of 2018, it had done little for the plight of the jailed activists.

Meanwhile in the UK, members of the cross-party group  including the Conservative MP Crispin Blunt, former chair of the foreign affairs select committee; Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran; and Paul Williams, the Labour member of the health and social care committee  warned they would push ahead with publishing the report if their requests were ignored.

They stressed that they were prepared to keep an open mind and listen to the Saudi governments case on the issue but it was imperative they be allowed to carry out their inquiries in Saudi Arabia.

The pressure comes as Riyadh reels from the catastrophic fall out of the murder and dismemberment of Saudi journalist and regime critic Jamal Khashoggi by Saudi officials at their consulate in Istanbul.

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Saudi Arabias powerful Crown Prince Mohamed Bin Salman (MBS) has faced mounting accusations that he ordered or at least oversaw the killing. The brutal murder also brought to light dozens of other cases of abductions of regime opponents, as well as instances of torture and mistreatment in jail.

Saudi Arabias top prosecutor has ruled out MBSs involvement and blamed specific intelligence officials who apparently went rogue.

On Thursday, Reuters revealed that Agnes Callamard, the United Nations special rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, would travel to Turkey next week to head an independent international inquiry into Khashoggi's death.

Earlier that day, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said it was time for an international investigation and that President Tayyip Erdogan had ordered preparations to be made.
Nearly four months after the murder of Jamal Khashoggi at the hands of Saudi operatives linked to the court of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the United Nations (UN) is launching an investigation into the killing of the journalist, potentially shining a new light on an explosive case.

Agnes Callamard, the UNs special rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, will travel to Istanbul on Monday to begin an examination of the murder. The 59-year-old Saudi journalist was abducted, brutalised, murdered and dismembered on the 2 October inside his own nations diplomatic facility in Istanbul during a routine consular visit.

Ms Callamard, director of Columbia Universitys Global Freedom of Expression project and a former Amnesty International investigator, will be joined by Helena Kennedy, a UK barrister, and Duarte Nuno Vieira, a Portuguese forensic pathologist.

The team will assess the steps taken by Turkish and Saudi authorities to grapple with the case, as well as the nature and extent of responsibility for the crime by governments and individuals ahead of a June meeting of UN officials.

The inquiry will also seek to identify ways by which states can strengthen fulfilment of their international commitments to protect the right to life, prevent violations and ensure accountability, Ms Callamard said in a statement posted to the website of the UNs human rights branch.

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Amnesty, Human Rights Watch and other human rights and press freedom advocacy groups have long called for an independent international investigation into the Khashoggi murder. The suspects in the case flew back to Saudi Arabia hours after the killing, aboard private jets operated by a company linked to the Saudi leadership.

Saudi judicial authorities claim they are prosecuting 21 suspects in the killing, which they insist was a rogue operation ordered and carried out by senior officials close to Prince Mohammed, de facto ruler of the kingdom,

A longtime supporter of the Saudi system, Khashoggi fled into exile during the rise of Prince Mohammed and became a contributor to The Washington Post and a frequent guest on Arab-language television shows where he criticised the 33-year-old heir-to-throne.

Saudi authorities have barred independent international observers from attending court sessions amid rumours that some of those allegedly behind the killing were living freely. Turkish foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, during a television interview on Thursday, welcomed an international inquiry into the Khashoggi affair, accusing countries of trying to cover up the murder to protect Prince Mohammed.

'Khashoggi Way' sign erected outside Saudi Embassy in Washington DC

Many of the billionaires, world leaders and corporate kingpins at the World Economic Forum in Davos this week said they were ready to put the Khashoggi affair behind them, and resuming normal business with Riyadh. Saudi economy minister Mohammad Al Tuwaijri said he and his colleagues met with dozens of western investors.

We have long since dealt with the Khashoggi case, the Swiss president, Ueli Maurer, said on Wednesday, according to the SDA news agency. We have agreed to continue the financial dialogue and normalise relations again.
Greek politicians have ratified an agreement to end a nearly three-decade-long dispute over neighbouring Macedonia's name, in a landmark vote that will see the small country renamed North Macedonia and clear its path to Nato membership.

The deal passed with 153 votes in the 300-member parliament, two more than needed. It has faced fierce opposition in both countries and recently cost Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras his parliamentary majority after a small right-wing party quit the governing coalition in protest. It passed with the support of independent MPs.

Mr Tsipras' left-wing Syriza party holds 145 seats in parliament, six short of a majority.

"Today is a historic day," he said. "Greece is safeguarding an important part of its history, its heritage of ancient Greek Macedonia. Today we are writing a new page for the Balkans."

Under the deal, Macedonia changes its name to North Macedonia, and Greece drops its objections to the country joining Nato and eventually the European Union.

"Congratulations my friend @tsipras_eu [Alexis Tsipras], together with our peoples we reached a historical victory," Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev tweeted.

The ratification was quickly welcomed by both Nato and the European Union.

The vote was "an important contribution to the stability and prosperity of the whole region", tweeted Nato Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg. "I look forward to the future Republic of North Macedonia joining #NATO."

The ratification came after three days of acrimonious parliamentary debate and numerous street protests, some of which turned violent. A rally last Sunday saw tens of thousands of people gather outside parliament, with clashes erupting between groups of demonstrators and riot police.

An opponent of the Macedonia agreement holds a flag with the Star of Vergina, the emblem of the ancient Greek kingdom of Macedonia and Alexander the Great (AP)

Torrential rain and driving wind kept many protesters away on the final day of the debate. Scores of demonstrators who braved the weather conditions outside parliament chanted "traitors" as politicians voted inside.

Senior European officials said the ratification had "written a new page of our common EU future".

European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker, the EU's top diplomat and the senior official supervising the bloc's enlargement, said it took political courage, leadership and responsibility on all sides to resolve one of the most entrenched disputes in the region.

Britain's Foreign Office congratulated Greece's parliament for ratifying the agreement, which it described as an historic moment.

"Both countries have demonstrated great courage and the will to work together to affect real change. The deal brings the prospect of increased stability and prosperity to the wider region," foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt said. "We look forward to continued working with two trusted allies in the interests of European security.

Greece has long argued use of the term Macedonia implied territorial claims on its own northern province of the same name. The issue has been a contentious one for decades, blocking repeated rounds of UN-mediated negotiations and whipping up nationalist and patriotic sentiment in both countries.

Opposition has been particularly fierce in the northern Greek region of Macedonia, which borders the republic that claimed the same name after declaring independence from the former Yugoslavia in 1991. Critics claimed the deal signed away their identity and a cultural heritage dating back to Alexander the Great more than 2,300 years ago.

More than 150 people have been detained for questioning this week following violence at demonstrations against the deal in Athens and two towns in northern Greece. Most were released without charge.

At least two politicians from the governing Syriza party have said their homes were targeted by violent demonstrators, while another was targeted in a firebombing that caused no injuries. Greece's tourism minister, an independent conservative who supports the government, said she had received multiple death threats.

Associated Press
MPs in Greece have narrowly voted to ratify an agreement with its northern neighbour state Macedonia that will see the latter formally change its name.

In return for rebranding itself the Republic of North Macedonia, the country will now be able to pursue its application to join Nato and the EU without opposition from Athens as relations between the two states return to normal.

The deal passed with 153 votes in the 300-member Greek parliament, two more than needed. It had faced heated opposition and cost prime minister Alexis Tsipras his parliamentary majority after a right-wing partner in the governing coalition quit in protest.

The vote came after three days of acrimonious parliamentary debate and numerous street protests, some of which turned violent.

Scores of protesters who braved torrential rain and driving wind outside parliament chanted traitors as the legislators voted inside.

In photos: Protests in Greece against Macedonia name change Show all 20 1 /20 In photos: Protests in Greece against Macedonia name change In photos: Protests in Greece against Macedonia name change Protesters clash with police near the Greek Parliament during a demonstration against an agreement with Skopje to rename neighbouring country Macedonia as the Republic of North Macedonia AFP/Getty In photos: Protests in Greece against Macedonia name change The proposal faced resistance in Greece because of what critics see as the implied claims to Greek land and cultural heritage. For most Greeks, Macedonia is the name of their history-rich northern province made famous by Alexander the Great's conquests AFP/Getty In photos: Protests in Greece against Macedonia name change Greek anti-riot police officers arrest a protestor AFP/Getty In photos: Protests in Greece against Macedonia name change Protesters clash with riot police AFP/Getty In photos: Protests in Greece against Macedonia name change rotesters take part in a demonstration near the Greek Parliament AFP/Getty In photos: Protests in Greece against Macedonia name change AFP/Getty In photos: Protests in Greece against Macedonia name change AFP/Getty= In photos: Protests in Greece against Macedonia name change AFP/Getty In photos: Protests in Greece against Macedonia name change AFP/Getty In photos: Protests in Greece against Macedonia name change AFP/Getty In photos: Protests in Greece against Macedonia name change AFP/Getty In photos: Protests in Greece against Macedonia name change AFP/Getty In photos: Protests in Greece against Macedonia name change AFP/Getty In photos: Protests in Greece against Macedonia name change AFP/Getty In photos: Protests in Greece against Macedonia name change AFP/Getty In photos: Protests in Greece against Macedonia name change AFP/Getty In photos: Protests in Greece against Macedonia name change AFP/Getty In photos: Protests in Greece against Macedonia name change AFP/Getty In photos: Protests in Greece against Macedonia name change AFP/Getty In photos: Protests in Greece against Macedonia name change AFP/Getty

More than 150 people were detained for questioning following confrontations at demonstrations against the deal in Athens and two towns in northern Greece. Most were released without change.

Macedonia fulfilled its end of the bargain regarding the motion on 11 January, when all 81 members present for its own parliamentary vote on the question backed the constitutional amendments. The remaining 39 opposition politicians in the 120-seat house stayed away in protest.

Greeks, particularly right-wing nationalist politicians, have long argued that only the northern Greek region of Macedonia, site of the ancient kingdom of Macedon, should be entitled to use the name and not the separate Slavic country to its north, which has been officially known as the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.

The debate has raged for 27 years and the signing of an initial agreement to consider the change on 12 June 2018 was hailed as an appointment with history by Mr Tsipras and by Macedonia prime minister Zoran Zaev as a chance for the pair to reset relations and become partners and allies.

The men also expressed hope their example would inspire other Balkan states to resolve their own post-Cold War regional disputes.

Macedonians subsequently voted 91 per cent in favour of making the name-change in a referendum on 30 September, with Mr Zaev saying the vote sent out a crystal-clear message even though only 37 per cent of registered voters turned out at the ballot box.

The people made a great choice and said yes to our future. It is time for lawmakers to follow the voice of the people and to provide support, the prime minister said.

Local resistance to the measure had been fierce, with many fearing it represents the first attempt by Greece to claim its territory and resent their countrys access to the security of the international community being dictated by a foreign power.

Rioting took place on the streets of the Greek city of Thessaloniki prior to the referendum, forcing police to use tear gas to disperse thousands of masked protestors demonstrating as Mr Tsipras arrived in town to make an address on his countrys economic prospects.

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Macedonia made its first concessionary moves over the issue last January by pledging to rename Skopjes Alexander the Great airport, the name a further annoyance to Greeks concerned about cultural appropriation and claims being made on its heroes of antiquity.

A motorway running to the border also named after the famous conqueror has been rechristened Friendship Highway in the same spirit of reconciliation.
Every January on Holocaust Memorial Day, the world remembers the millions of people who were murdered at the hands of the Nazis during the Second World War.

Observed on 27 January each year, the day itself marks the anniversary of the Red Armys liberation of Auschwitz in 1945.

What was uncovered on that bitter winter morning shook the world.

Gradually it would emerge that six million European Jews had been systematically executed in Nazi concentration camps like Auschwitz, as part of Adolf Hitlers Final Solution  the official code name for the murder of all Jewish people within reach.

The Allied forces fighting Third Reich totalitarian aggression in Western Europe since 1939 had little idea what had been taking place behind the gates of Auschwitz-Birkenau, Bergen-Belsen, Buchenwald, Dachau and the rest of the camps.

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It had been assumed they were merely conventional prisoner of war camps to which the Geneva Convention applied.

The truth of the Holocaust (or Shoah as it is known in Hebrew) is beyond comprehension.

Facts can be learned, statistics absorbed, survivors spoken to and testimony heard. It is possible to visit Auschwitz itself, but only the survivors can know the true horror of what took place behind the camps gates.

Today Holocaust Memorial Day also marks those who have died in subsequent purges in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.

But it was originally created to highlight the mass slaughter of Europes Jews between 1941 and 1945 - the worst act of genocide ever conceived and carried out by man - in the hope that people will heed the lessons of history and never repeat them.

However, even in those darkest of times, heroes emerged.

While the stories of Oskar Schindler and Sir Nicholas Winton are well known, here are the tales of three less-heralded saviours to whom thousands owe their lives.

Irena Sendler

Irena Sendler (Wikimedia Commons)

Polish nurse Irena Sendler (1910-2008), often known as Jolanta, served as head of the childrens department of Zegota, the Polish Council to Aid Jews. It was operated by underground resistance fighters in German-occupied Warsaw between 1942 and 1945.

She is credited with smuggling 2,500 Jewish children out of the Polish capitals ghetto.

Using her brief as a medical officer carrying out sanitary inspections as cover, she would conceal the children in prams, ambulances and even suitcases.

Sendler would hide the children with Polish Catholic families, giving each one a Christian pseudonym and false identity papers. She wore a yellow Star of David throughout her activities, in solidarity with the victims of Nazi tyranny, and kept meticulous records of the childrens whereabouts.

These documents had to be disposed of quickly when the Gestapo finally arrested her.

Brutally tortured by her captors and sentenced to death by firing squad, Jolanta managed to evade execution when fellow Zegota members bribed Nazi guards.

She would go on to survive the war and Polands subsequent occupation by the USSR. She died 10 years ago, aged 98.

Every child saved with my help is the justification of my existence on this earth and not a title to glory, she said.

Frank Foley

Frank Foley (Wikimedia Commons)

A British Secret Intelligence officer who became known as the Scarlet Pimpernel, Frank Foley (1884-1958) had a reputation for bending the rules while working undercover at a passport control office in Berlin and allowing Jews to escape Germany.

As an infantry captain with the Hertfordshire Regiment during the First World War, Foley proved himself adept at languages and was duly encouraged to join the Intelligence Corps by the War Office.

He organised and ran a small unit of secret agents in France, Belgium and the Netherlands and was subsequently dispatched to Germany to recruit and manage field agents there, a task he undertook with great skill and discretion throughout the Twenties and Thirties.

His insights into Hitlers Nazi government allowed Foley to foresee which way the wind was blowing.

So he stamped passports and issued visas allowing fleeing Jews to escape to Britain and Palestine in defiance of the authorities during the Kristallnacht pogrom.

He was tasked with questioning Rudolf Hess, Hitlers deputy, after the latters flight to Scotland in 1941 and was awarded the Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George that same year.

It was said at Adolf Eichmanns trial in 1961 that Foley, had died three years earlier at 74, was responsible for saving tens of thousands of lives.

Raoul Wallenberg

Raoul Wallenberg (Wikimedia Commons)

Swedish diplomat Raoul Wallenberg (born 1912) played a similarly pivotal role in rescuing Jews from Hungary.

There, he issued protective passports recognising them as Swedish citizens.

He also sheltered those victimised by the Nuremburg Race Laws (imposed by Germany in 1935) in 32 government buildings across Budapest, which he had designated Swedish territory.

Eichmann, one of the architects of the Holocaust, nevertheless deported over 400,000 Hungarian Jews to Auschwitz.

Wallenberg would later be arrested by the USSR following the Siege of Budapest on 17 January 1945 and charged with espionage.

He subsequently disappeared and the date of his death remains unknown, although it is thought he may have died while imprisoned by the KGB in Lubyanka in 1947.

The Swedish Tax Agency only officially recognised Wallenberg as legally dead in October 2016.

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Wallenberg was posthumously made an honorary citizen of several countries in tribute to his heroics, including Hungary, Israel, Canada and Australia.

He became the second man after Sir Winston Churchill to be made an honorary citizen of the US.
Prosecutors are the ones that decide whether to go forward, regardless of whether a victim wants to testify, Smith said. Those criminal charges should be based on the totality of the evidence. If furniture was broken, and there is other evidence, and other witnesses, they can choose to continue to pursue the case. What prosecutors should understand is this is their chance to intervene. If you can step in and take care of it earlier, youre less likely to see them again down the line.
A high-speed train carrying 500 passengers was evacuated in Frankfurt after a bomb threat.

The train was travelling from Zurich, Switzerland, to the German city of Kiel when it was halted by police at Frankfurt Sued station.

Police said they received the threat by phone at about 2pm local time (1pm GMT) on Friday.

Officers also cleared two platforms at the station, in the south of Germany's financial capital, before searching the train with sniffer dogs.

A police spokesman said officers did not find anything suspicious on board and had given the all-clear.

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Passengers then returned to the train, and were able to continue their journey.

The train had just left Frankfurt's main train station when police received the hoax call.
A teenage activist has told the global elite at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos that they are to blame for the climate crisis and that the house is on fire.

The Swiss summit is characterised as a discussion of momentous issues like Brexit, world trade and global warming.

Environmentalists have been complaining of alleged hypocrisy after reports that a record number of flights by carbon-spewing private jets would ferry rich corporate bigwigs to talk at the event this year.

Greta Thunberg, a Swedish 16-year-old, whose speech to a climate conference in December went viral, was speaking on a panel with musicians Bono and Will.I.Am when she brought up the issue.

"Some people say that the climate crisis is something that we will have created, but that is not true, because if everyone is guilty then no one is to blame. And someone is to blame," Greta 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

"Some people, some companies, some decision-makers in particular, have known exactly what priceless values they have been sacrificing to continue making unimaginable amounts of money. And I think many of you here today belong to that group of people."

Greta, who got a waiver from school to travel 32 hours from her home in Sweden - by train, to keep her carbon footprint down, said she wanted those in the audience to "panic".

"I want you to feel the fear I feel every day. We owe it to the young people, to give them hope. I want you to act ... as if the house was on fire. Because it is, she added.

There was apparently a short pause in the room before U2 front man Bono started clapping, according to CNN.

The conference centre in the ski resort of Davos is bustled with business executives, presidents and prime ministers, heads of non-governmental organisations, scientists, and artists.

Several hundred environmentalists and political activists have bene protesting and waving green and red flags to demonstrate their opposition to the WEF and capitalism.

Greta too is a keen activist and has been staging weekly sit-ins outside the Swedish parliament. She says she will not stop until her country is in line with the Paris Agreement.

The agreement, that aims to limit global temperature rise this century to 1.5 degrees Celsius, was signed by 195 countries.

In 2017, Donald Trump announced his intention to withdraw the US from the agreement.

Additional reporting by agencies
Indian voters are being urged to forego political bribes as the country gears up for the greatest exercise of democracy in the world.

With the country due to go to the polls no later than May, former election commissioner SY Quraishi said that chronic uncontrolled spending was the biggest threat to free and fair elections.

Mr Quraishi dismissed reports of concerns about the veracity of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), saying that trials in recent years had compared 1,500 machines against paper backups and found not one mismatch.

But the author of The Great March of Democracy said that issues of money-power and crony capitalism had plagued his tenure as the 17th Chief Election Commissioner of India, and continued to this day.

Mr Quraishi described one investigation where an unnamed political party organised a fake wedding party to bribe a village into voting. Election commission officials discovered the ruse, Mr Quraishi said, because they attended the event and realised there was no bride or groom present.

In another case, Mr Quraishi described party activists stuffing daily newspapers with banknotes as incentives for voters. He said officials found the circulation of the paper increased four-fold.

We set up an expenditure monitoring division, we started tracing money, but the commission can only do so much when the parties are always one step ahead, Mr Quraishi told a panel at the Jaipur Literature Festival in Rajasthan. The parties kept organising fake weddings, they just rented a fake bride and groom as well.

Whether you are being offered saris or gold, the response has to come from you, the voters, that you will not accept these bribes. Even if they are knocking down your door with offers, you must go out and vote with a clear conscience.

Mr Quraishi took issue with the government of Narendra Modi for introducing the concept of anonymous election bonds at its last budget, where donors names are kept secret, and for removing a cap on the amount businesses can donate to political parties.

India has long had an issue with election candidates paying their way to power. Christophe Jaffrelot, a French political scientist specialising in South Asia, estimated that successful candidates for assembly seats with a spending limit of Rs280,000 (3,000) typically spend a minimum of Rs 100m.

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

How do you get that kind of money? From businessmen, Mr Jaffrelot told the panel. Businessmen need politicians, for instance, to get loans from public banks  and who can twist the arm of a bank director? The person who appointed him  a politician.

Democracy is never a given forever, its a fragile regime. Across the world we see many challenges coming up  in Europe, in the US and here.

The election commission was forced this week to defend its use of voting machines ahead of the polls in spring, after a London-based hacker going by the name Syed Shuja claimed he knew how to tamper with Indias EVMs using a very low frequency  graphite-based transmitter.

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The claims caused a major stir in the Indian media, forcing the commissions leading technical expert to issue a statement clarifying that the EVMs were stand-alone machines with no capability of transmitting or receiving any data through any wireless communication of any sort.

The opposition Congress party has nonetheless demanded that the commission investigate the very serious claims made by the hacker. Mr Modis ruling BJP party called the hackers allegations a Congress-sponsored conspiracy designed to defame Indias democracy.
Donald Trump has ratcheted up his sabre-rattling over Venezuela, claiming that all options are on the table as the US seeks to divert crucial oil money from president Nicholas Maduro.

On a day when Venezuelas military leadership declared its support for Mr Maduro and denounced Americas interference, Mr Trump responded to a question about possible military intervention by saying: Were not considering anything, but all options are on the table.

Mr Trumps comments came a day after his administration recognised opposition politician Juan Guaido as the countrys president, after the 35-year-old held a symbolic swearing in for himself on the streets of Caracas.

Canada quickly followed, as did Britain, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Paraguay, Peru, Ecuador, Guatemala and the Organisation of American States.

In turn, Mr Maduro cut diplomatic ties with the US and gave its diplomats 72 hours to leave. He also ordered the closure of Venezuela's diplomatic facilities in the US.

Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Show all 18 1 /18 Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Protesters clash with the Bolivarian National Police during a demonstration against the government of the Venezuela and president Nicolas Maduro in Caracas on 23 January 2019 EPA Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Demonstrators cheer as Venezuela's National Assembly head Juan Guaido declares himself the country's "acting president" at a rally in Caracas AFP/Getty Images Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Opposition supporters take part in a rally against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government REUTERS Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Opposition supporters take part in a rally against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas REUTERS Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Juan Guaido, head of Venezuela's opposition-run congress, declares himself interim president of the nation until elections can be held during a rally in Caracas demanding leader Nicolas Maduro's resignation AP Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Opposition supporters carry letters to form the word "Democracy" while taking part in a rally against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government REUTERS Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Police watch over marching anti-government protesters in Caracas EPA Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government A vehicle is overturned as opposition demonstrators block a road during a protest against the Venezuelan government AFP/Getty Images Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government A National Police officer fires rubber bullets during a protest against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas REUTERS Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government A demonstrator throws back a gas canister while clashing with security forces during a rally against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas REUTERS Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Security forces look on after clashing with opposition supporters participating in a rally against Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro's government REUTERS Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Demonstrators during a protest against the government of Nicolas Maduro at Plaza Altamira in Caracas Getty Images Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Demonstrators during a protest against the government of Nicolas Maduro at Plaza Altamira in Caracas Getty Images Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government EPA Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government AFP/Getty Images Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government The remains of a statue of Venezuela's late President Hugo Chavez is seen hanging from a pedestrian bridge after it was destroyed in San Felix, Venezuela REUTERS Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Riot police on motorcycles clash with opposition demonstrators during protests in Caracas AFP/Getty Images Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Supporters celebrate Juan Guaido declaration that he is Venezuelan president EPA

Having earlier said it did not recognise the legitimacy of Mr Maduros order for US diplomats to leave, the US did on Thursday decide to call home all non-essential personnel. The secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, one of the most outspoken voices against Mr Maduros legitimacy, insisted the US embassy would remain open.

It remains unclear how important Mr Trumps decision to recognise Mr Guaido as president will be. Russia, China, Mexico and Turkey have said they still recognise Mr Maduro.

Mr Trumps national security adviser, the hawkish John Bolton, revealed the US was seeking to ensure Venezuelan oil revenue goes to Mr Guaido, and not Mr Maduro, who was sworn in for a second term just two weeks ago following an election most of the opposition boycotted. If the US were able to enact such a move it would add further pressure to the embattled Venezuelan leader, whose countrys already ailing economy heavily depends on its oil revenues.

What were focusing on today is disconnecting the illegitimate Maduro regime from the sources of his revenues, Mr Bolton told reporters at the White House, according to Reuters.

We think [it is] consistent with our recognition of Juan Guaido as the constitutional interim president of Venezuela that those revenues should go to the legitimate government.

Of potentially vital importance, earlier on Thursday, the nations military leadership declared its support for Mr Maduro and told the US not to interfere.

In a televised speech on Thursday, defence minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez said Mr Maduro was the countrys legitimate president and that the opposition was seeking to carry out a coup.

I warn the people that there is a coup underway against our democracy and our president Nicolas Maduro, Mr Padrino said, according to Telesur.

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As soldiers, we work for peace and not for war.

He added: Those of us who lived through the coup of 2002 have it etched into our minds, we never thought wed see that again, but we saw it yesterday.

The support of the military will be crucial if Mr Maduro, first elected in 2013 following the death of Hugo Chavez, sees off what is probably the sternest challenge yet to his rule, as his country reels from an economic crisis and financial sanctions.

Millions of Venezuelans have fled the country, while even former supporters of Chavez have criticised his successor and accused him of incompetence and increasing authoritarianism. Shortages of basic food and medicine have become drastic and health experts have warned about weight loss because of insufficient calories, especially among children.

The US, which has long interfered in the elected governments of Latin America, has been at odds with Venezuela for the best part of two decades. It has repeatedly sought to undermine the government of both Mr Maduro and his predecessor.

Many have objected to Mr Trumps decision to interfere in the domestic politics of Venezuela, which observers point out has never presented a security threat to Washington.

In New York, protesters gathered outside the Venezuelan consulate to show support for Mr Maduro.

A US-backed coup in Venezuela is not a solution to the dire issues they face. Trumps efforts to install a far right opposition will only incite violence and further destabilise the region, tweeted Democratic congresswoman Ilhan Omar.

We must support Mexico, Uruguay & the Vaticans efforts to facilitate a peaceful dialogue.
Venezuelas opposition leader has indicated he would grant amnesty to embattled president Nicolas Maduro if he cedes power.

Juan Guaido, who has declared himself interim president of the South American country amid mass demonstrations against Mr Maduro, said all those who are willing to side with the constitution could be offered reprieves.

Speaking from an undisclosed location, the 35-year-old National Assembly leader told the American Spanish-language TV channel Univison that an amnesty could also be offered to the president and his closest allies.

Given time it will be evaluated. Amnesty is on the table," he said. "Those guarantees are for all those who are willing to side with the constitution to recover the constitutional order.

Mr Guaidos whereabouts have been a mystery since he was symbolically sworn in as interim president before tens of thousands of cheering demonstrators at a rally on Wednesday.

Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Show all 18 1 /18 Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Protesters clash with the Bolivarian National Police during a demonstration against the government of the Venezuela and president Nicolas Maduro in Caracas on 23 January 2019 EPA Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Demonstrators cheer as Venezuela's National Assembly head Juan Guaido declares himself the country's "acting president" at a rally in Caracas AFP/Getty Images Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Opposition supporters take part in a rally against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government REUTERS Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Opposition supporters take part in a rally against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas REUTERS Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Juan Guaido, head of Venezuela's opposition-run congress, declares himself interim president of the nation until elections can be held during a rally in Caracas demanding leader Nicolas Maduro's resignation AP Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Opposition supporters carry letters to form the word "Democracy" while taking part in a rally against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government REUTERS Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Police watch over marching anti-government protesters in Caracas EPA Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government A vehicle is overturned as opposition demonstrators block a road during a protest against the Venezuelan government AFP/Getty Images Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government A National Police officer fires rubber bullets during a protest against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas REUTERS Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government A demonstrator throws back a gas canister while clashing with security forces during a rally against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas REUTERS Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Security forces look on after clashing with opposition supporters participating in a rally against Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro's government REUTERS Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Demonstrators during a protest against the government of Nicolas Maduro at Plaza Altamira in Caracas Getty Images Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Demonstrators during a protest against the government of Nicolas Maduro at Plaza Altamira in Caracas Getty Images Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government EPA Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government AFP/Getty Images Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government The remains of a statue of Venezuela's late President Hugo Chavez is seen hanging from a pedestrian bridge after it was destroyed in San Felix, Venezuela REUTERS Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Riot police on motorcycles clash with opposition demonstrators during protests in Caracas AFP/Getty Images Venezuela protests: thousands rally against government Supporters celebrate Juan Guaido declaration that he is Venezuelan president EPA

The young politician set up a potentially explosive struggle for power this week when he stood before thousands of protesters in the country's capital Caracas and swore himself in as interim president.

He told thousands of cheering supporters that he would end the countrys dictatorship, amid growing anger over Mr Maduro beginning a second six-year term as president after he claimed victory in widely boycotted elections.

His claim to be Venezuelas legitimate president has been backed by the US, the UK and numerous Latin American nations, who have called for free and fair elections to restore political order.

But a defiant Mr Maduro, who has received support from Russia, China, Mexico and Turkey, has refused to stand down and accused the opposition of attempting to stage a Washington-backed coup.

His government has cut ties with the US and so far retained the crucial backing of the military.

The majority of countries in the Americas have voiced support for Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guiado (Statista)

The elected National Assembly, which has an opposition majority, nonetheless passed a decree this week, intended to prevent the prosecution of military officials and civilians who help to restore democratic order.

Meanwhile United Nations human rights boss Michelle Bachelet called has for an independent investigation into alleged excessive use of force by Venezuelan security forces, citing reports of 20 people killed and more than 350 detained in protests this week.

"I am extremely concerned that the situation in Venezuela may rapidly spiral out of control with catastrophic consequences", the former president of Chile said in a statement.

Expressing support for Mr Guaido, US national security adviser John Bolton said the US was seeking to ensure Venezuelan oil revenue was funelled to the opposition leader, rather than Mr Maduro, although it unclear how this could be acheived.

Donald Trump meanwhile, has said all options are on the table, including possible military invervention, as the Venezuelan president clings to power.

Venezuela will need massive foreign help for years to come event if power is transferred peacefully, according to Oliver Stuenkel, professor of international relations at Sao Paolos Fundacao Getulio Vargas university.

He said: Many international observers are rooting for the protesters in Venezuela, partly because there is an implicit assumption that Maduros resignation would lead to free elections and the return of democracy. But that is only one of a large number of possible outcomes. Even in the best of all worlds, a peaceful transition, Venezuela will need massive foreign help for at least a decade.

Chavez and Maduro completely destroyed the countrys bureaucracy; itll take years for any new government to train technocrats, ranging from health to water management, security and diplomacy.
Political strategist Roger Stone, a longtime confidant of Donald Trump, has appeared in court on seven charges in connection with the investigation into Russian election interference.

Mr Stone, 66, was arrested on Friday in a pre-dawn raid by heavily armed FBI agents in night-vision goggles at his home in Florida and released on a $250,000 bond after a brief hearing in Fort Lauderdale. He declined to enter a plea.

A self-described dirty trickster, Mr Stone is officially the latest person to be ensnared by the Russia investigation looking into claims that senior members of the presidents campaign sought to benefit from the release of hacked emails damaging to Hillary Clinton.

Special counsel Robert Muellers office released a seven-count indictment against Mr Stone, which includes giving false statements and witness tampering.

Upon leaving the courthouse, Mr Stone  who worked on Richard Nixons presidential campaign and has a tattoo of the disgraced politician on his upper back  raised his arms in the infamous double V pose in which Nixon was once photographed.

Mr Stone said the special counsels Russia investigation was politically motivated and vowed to fight the charges, saying he was falsely accused of making false statements to the house intelligence committee. He said any error he made in his testimony wasnt intentional. I am troubled by the political motivations of the prosecutors, he added. I look forward to being fully and completely vindicated.

The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Show all 17 1 /17 The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Paul Manafort Mr Manafort is a Republican strategist and former Trump campaign manager. He resigned from that post over questions about his extensive lobbying overseas, including in Ukraine where he represented pro-Russian interests. Mr Manafort turned himself in at FBI headquarters to special counsel Robert Muellers team on Oct 30, 2017, after he was indicted under seal on charges that include conspiracy against the United States, conspiracy to launder money, unregistered agent of a foreign principal, false and misleading US Foreign Agents Registration Act statements, false statements, and seven counts of failure to file reports of foreign bank and financial accounts. Getty The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Rick Gates Mr Gates joined the Trump team in spring 2016, and served as a top aide until he left to work at the Republican National Committee after the departure of former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort. Mr Gates' had previously worked on several presidential campaigns, on international political campaigns in Europe and Africa, and had 15 years of political or financial experience with multinational firms, according to his bio. Mr Gates was indicted alongside Mr Manafort by special counsel Robert Mueller's team on charges that include conspiracy against the United States, conspiracy to launder money, unregistered agent of a foreign principal, false and misleading US Foreign Agents Registration Act statements, false statements, and seven counts of failure to file reports of foreign bank and financial accounts. AP The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation George Papadopoulos George Papadopoulos was a former foreign policy adviser for the Trump campaign, having joined around March 2016. Mr Papadopoulos plead guilty to federal charges for lying to the FBI as a part of a cooperation agreement with Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation. Mr Papadopoulos claimed in an interview with the FBI that he had made contacts with Russian sources before joining the Trump campaign, but he actually began working with them after joining the team. Mr Papadopoulos allegedly took a meeting with a professor in London who reportedly told him that Russians had "dirt" on Hillary Clinton. The professor also allegedly introduced Mr Papadopoulos to a Russian who was said to have close ties to officials at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Mr Papadopoulos also allegedly was in contact with a woman whom he incorrectly described in one email to others in the campaign as the "niece" to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Twitter The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Donald Trump Jr The President's eldest son met with a Russian lawyer - Natalia Veselnitskaya - on 9 June 2016 at Trump Tower in New York. He said in an initial statement that the meeting was about Russia halting adoptions of its children by US citizens. Then, he said it was regarding the Magnitsky Act, a US law blacklisting Russian human rights abusers. In a final statement, Mr Trump Jr released a chain of emails that revealed he took the meeting in hopes of getting information Ms Veselnitskaya had about Hillary Clinton's alleged financial ties to Russia. He and the President called it standard "opposition research" in the course of campaigning and that no information came from the meeting. The meeting was set up by an intermediary, Rob Goldstone. Jared Kushner and Paul Manafort were also at the same meeting. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Jared Kushner Mr Kushner is President Donald Trump's son-in-law and a key adviser to the White House. He met with a Russian banker appointed by Russian President Vladimir Putin in December. Mr Kushner has said he did so in his role as an adviser to Mr Trump while the bank says he did so as a private developer. Mr Kushner has also volunteered to testify in the Senate about his role helping to arrange meetings between Trump advisers and Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Rob Goldstone Former tabloid journalist and now music publicist Rob Goldstone is a contact of the Trump family through the previously Trump-owned 2013 Miss Universe pageant, which took place in Moscow. In June 2016, he wrote to Donald Trump Jr offering a meeting with a Russian lawyer, Natalya Veselnitskaya, who had information about Hillary Clinton. Mr Goldstone was the intermediary for Russian pop star Emin Agalaraov and his father, real estate magnate Aras, who played a role in putting on the 2013 pageant. In an email chain released by Mr Trump Jr, Mr Goldstone seemed to indicate Russian government's support of Donald Trump's campaign. AP images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Aras and Emin Agalarov Aras Agalarov (R) is a wealthy Moscow-based real estate magnate and son Emin (L) is a pop star. Both played a role in putting on the previously Trump-owned 2013 Miss Universe pageant in Moscow. They allegedly had information about Hillary Clinton and offered that information to the Trump campaign through a lawyer with whom they had worked with, Natalia Veselnitskaya, and music publicist Rob Goldstone. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Natalia Veselnitskaya Natalia Veselnitskaya is a Russian lawyer with ties to the Kremlin. She has worked on real estate issues and reportedly counted the FSB as a client in the past. She has ties to a Trump family connection, real estate magnate Aras Agalarov, who had helped set up the Trump-owned 2013 Miss Universe pageant which took place in Moscow. Ms Veselnitskaya met with Donald Trump Jr, Jared Kushner, and Paul Manafort in Trump Tower on 9 June 2016 but denies the allegation that she went there promising information on Hillary Clinton's alleged financial ties to Russia. She contends that the meeting was about the US adoptions of Russian children being stopped by Moscow as a reaction to the Magnitsky Act, a US law blacklisting Russian human rights abusers. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Mike Flynn Mr Flynn was named as Trump's national security adviser but was forced to resign from his post for inappropriate communication with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak. He had misrepresented a conversation he had with Mr Kislyak to Vice President Mike Pence, telling him wrongly that he had not discussed sanctions with the Russian. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Sergey Kislyak Mr Kislyak, the former longtime Russian ambassador to the US, is at the centre of the web said to connect President Donald Trump's campaign with Russia. Reuters The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Roger Stone Mr Stone is a former Trump adviser who worked on the political campaigns of Richard Nixon, George HW Bush, and Ronald Reagan. Mr Stone claimed repeatedly in the final months of the campaign that he had backchannel communications with WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and that he knew the group was going to dump damaging documents to the campaign of Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton - which did happen. Mr Stone also had contacts with the hacker Guccier 2.0 on Twitter, who claimed to have hacked the DNC and is linked to Russian intelligence services. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Jeff Sessions The US attorney general was forced to recuse himself from the Trump-Russia investigation after it was learned that he had lied about meeting with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Carter Page Mr Page is a former advisor to the Trump campaign and has a background working as an investment banker at Merrill Lynch. Mr Page met with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak during the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland. Mr Page had invested in oil companies connected to Russia and had admitted that US Russia sanctions had hurt his bottom line. Reuters The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Jeffrey "JD" Gorden Mr Gordon met with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak during the 2016 Republian National Convention to discuss how the US and Russia could work together to combat Islamist extremism should then-Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump win the election. The meeting came days before a massive leak of DNC emails that has been connected to Russia. Creative Commons The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation James Comey Mr Comey was fired from his post as head of the FBI by President Donald Trump. The timing of Mr Comey's firing raised questions around whether or not the FBI's investigation into the Trump campaign may have played a role in the decision. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Preet Bharara Mr Bahara refused, alongside 46 other US district attorney's across the country, to resign once President Donald Trump took office after previous assurances from Mr Trump that he would keep his job. Mr Bahara had been heading up several investigations including one into one of President Donald Trump's favorite cable television channels Fox News. Several investigations would lead back to that district, too, including those into Mr Trump's campaign ties to Russia, and Mr Trump's assertion that Trump Tower was wiretapped on orders from his predecessor. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Sally Yates Ms Yates, a former Deputy Attorney General, was running the Justice Department while President Donald Trump's pick for attorney general awaited confirmation. Ms Yates was later fired by Mr Trump from her temporary post over her refusal to implement Mr Trump's first travel ban. She had also warned the White House about potential ties former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn to Russia after discovering those ties during the FBI's investigation into the Trump campaign's connections to Russia. Getty Images

The indictment provides the most detail to date about how Mr Trumps campaign associates in the summer of 2016 actively sought the disclosure of emails the US says were hacked by Russia, then provided to WikiLeaks.

It reveals that unidentified senior Trump campaign officials contacted Mr Stone to ask when stolen emails relating to Ms Clinton might be disclosed.

Prosecutors did not charge Mr Stone with conspiring with WikiLeaks or with the Russian officers Mr Mueller says hacked the emails. Rather, the indictment mirrors other Mueller cases in alleging cover-ups and deception, accusing Mr Stone of lying to lawmakers about WikiLeaks, tampering with witnesses and obstructing a congressional probe into whether Mr Trumps campaign coordinated with Russia to tip the election.

The indictment does not accuse any campaign officials of wrongdoing or say that they coordinated directly with WikiLeaks. It also does not say that Mr Stone had any special knowledge of WikiLeaks plans.

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Mr Stone is the sixth aide or adviser to Mr Trump charged by the special counsel and the 34th person overall. The nearly two-year-old probe has exposed multiple contacts between the presidents associates and Russia during the 2016 campaign and transition period, and revealed efforts by several to conceal those communications.

Additional reporting by Associated Press
Roger Stone allegedly called an associate "a rat" and threatened to have his dog killed in a bid to stop him testifying to the special counsel investigating ties between the Trump campaign and Russia.

Mr Stone, a former adviser to Donald Trump, was arrested in Florida by the FBI on Friday on seven counts involving witness tampering, obstruction and false statements regarding interactions he had with Wikileaks ahead of the 2016 presidential election.

The indictment, brought by special counsel Robert Mueller, details extraordinary interactions between Mr Stone and senior officials in the Trump campaign, as well an two other unnamed high-profile individuals.

Prosecutors accuse the political provocateur of threatening one of the unnamed associates, who hosted a radio programme, in an apparent attempt to stop the unnamed person from testifying to investigators probing Russian influence in the 2016 US presidential election.

The 24-page indictment is peppered with alleged threats from Mr Stone to the unnamed associate:

"You are a rat. A stoolie. You backstab your friends-run your mouth my lawyers are dying Rip you to shreds," Mr Stone told the person in a 9 April email.

Recommended Former Trump adviser Roger Stone arrested by FBI

He also threatened to "take that dog away from you," and said, "I am so ready. Let's get it on. Prepare to die."

In a 1 December 2017 text message, Mr Stone told the person: "If you testify you're a fool. Because of tromp I could never get away with a certain my Fifth Amendment rights but you can. I guarantee you you are the one who gets indicted for perjury if youre stupid enough to testify."

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In a 21 May email, he wrote: "You are so full of. You got nothing. Keep running your mouth and I'll file a bar complaint against your friend.

Another 1 December 2017 message referred to a character in the mob movie The Godfather: Part II who declines to testify to Congress after mobsters bring his brother from Italy to the hearing in an apparent threat to the man's safety.

Court papers said Mr Stone told the person to "do a 'Frank Pentangeli.'"

Mr Stone, who has repeatedly said in interviews he was likely to be indicted, appeared at the federal courthouse in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Friday, where he was realeased on $250,000 bail.

Reuters
Jared Kushner obtained a top-level security clearance to work in his father-in-laws White House despite the advice of multiple specialist adjudicators, according to a new report.

How the 38-year-old senior White House adviser managed to obtain the coveted status has been a question among security experts and attorneys specialising in security clearance law ever since he joined the administration.

After having his application rejected by two White House security specialists, the report says Mr Kushners clearance was approved by Carl Kline, a man appointed by Donald Trump to serve as the head of the personnel security office at the White House.

The newly Democratic-controlled House Oversight Committee has launched an investigation into how the White House has handled security clearances under Mr Trump. Meanwhile, the NBC News report published on Thursday night provides a glimpse into how the administration has gone about the approval process for senior officials or members of the first family, with Mr Trumps appointee reportedly overruling the counsel of the White House specialists and approving the pass for Mr Kushner.

Mr Kushners clearance level provided him access to some of the nations top secrets at a time when investigators and clearance experts warned his familys massive international business debts and the senior advisers previously unreported contacts with Russian officials during the 2016 presidential election could make him a security risk embedded in the West Wing.

The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Show all 17 1 /17 The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Paul Manafort Mr Manafort is a Republican strategist and former Trump campaign manager. He resigned from that post over questions about his extensive lobbying overseas, including in Ukraine where he represented pro-Russian interests. Mr Manafort turned himself in at FBI headquarters to special counsel Robert Muellers team on Oct 30, 2017, after he was indicted under seal on charges that include conspiracy against the United States, conspiracy to launder money, unregistered agent of a foreign principal, false and misleading US Foreign Agents Registration Act statements, false statements, and seven counts of failure to file reports of foreign bank and financial accounts. Getty The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Rick Gates Mr Gates joined the Trump team in spring 2016, and served as a top aide until he left to work at the Republican National Committee after the departure of former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort. Mr Gates' had previously worked on several presidential campaigns, on international political campaigns in Europe and Africa, and had 15 years of political or financial experience with multinational firms, according to his bio. Mr Gates was indicted alongside Mr Manafort by special counsel Robert Mueller's team on charges that include conspiracy against the United States, conspiracy to launder money, unregistered agent of a foreign principal, false and misleading US Foreign Agents Registration Act statements, false statements, and seven counts of failure to file reports of foreign bank and financial accounts. AP The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation George Papadopoulos George Papadopoulos was a former foreign policy adviser for the Trump campaign, having joined around March 2016. Mr Papadopoulos plead guilty to federal charges for lying to the FBI as a part of a cooperation agreement with Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation. Mr Papadopoulos claimed in an interview with the FBI that he had made contacts with Russian sources before joining the Trump campaign, but he actually began working with them after joining the team. Mr Papadopoulos allegedly took a meeting with a professor in London who reportedly told him that Russians had "dirt" on Hillary Clinton. The professor also allegedly introduced Mr Papadopoulos to a Russian who was said to have close ties to officials at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Mr Papadopoulos also allegedly was in contact with a woman whom he incorrectly described in one email to others in the campaign as the "niece" to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Twitter The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Donald Trump Jr The President's eldest son met with a Russian lawyer - Natalia Veselnitskaya - on 9 June 2016 at Trump Tower in New York. He said in an initial statement that the meeting was about Russia halting adoptions of its children by US citizens. Then, he said it was regarding the Magnitsky Act, a US law blacklisting Russian human rights abusers. In a final statement, Mr Trump Jr released a chain of emails that revealed he took the meeting in hopes of getting information Ms Veselnitskaya had about Hillary Clinton's alleged financial ties to Russia. He and the President called it standard "opposition research" in the course of campaigning and that no information came from the meeting. The meeting was set up by an intermediary, Rob Goldstone. Jared Kushner and Paul Manafort were also at the same meeting. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Jared Kushner Mr Kushner is President Donald Trump's son-in-law and a key adviser to the White House. He met with a Russian banker appointed by Russian President Vladimir Putin in December. Mr Kushner has said he did so in his role as an adviser to Mr Trump while the bank says he did so as a private developer. Mr Kushner has also volunteered to testify in the Senate about his role helping to arrange meetings between Trump advisers and Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Rob Goldstone Former tabloid journalist and now music publicist Rob Goldstone is a contact of the Trump family through the previously Trump-owned 2013 Miss Universe pageant, which took place in Moscow. In June 2016, he wrote to Donald Trump Jr offering a meeting with a Russian lawyer, Natalya Veselnitskaya, who had information about Hillary Clinton. Mr Goldstone was the intermediary for Russian pop star Emin Agalaraov and his father, real estate magnate Aras, who played a role in putting on the 2013 pageant. In an email chain released by Mr Trump Jr, Mr Goldstone seemed to indicate Russian government's support of Donald Trump's campaign. AP images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Aras and Emin Agalarov Aras Agalarov (R) is a wealthy Moscow-based real estate magnate and son Emin (L) is a pop star. Both played a role in putting on the previously Trump-owned 2013 Miss Universe pageant in Moscow. They allegedly had information about Hillary Clinton and offered that information to the Trump campaign through a lawyer with whom they had worked with, Natalia Veselnitskaya, and music publicist Rob Goldstone. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Natalia Veselnitskaya Natalia Veselnitskaya is a Russian lawyer with ties to the Kremlin. She has worked on real estate issues and reportedly counted the FSB as a client in the past. She has ties to a Trump family connection, real estate magnate Aras Agalarov, who had helped set up the Trump-owned 2013 Miss Universe pageant which took place in Moscow. Ms Veselnitskaya met with Donald Trump Jr, Jared Kushner, and Paul Manafort in Trump Tower on 9 June 2016 but denies the allegation that she went there promising information on Hillary Clinton's alleged financial ties to Russia. She contends that the meeting was about the US adoptions of Russian children being stopped by Moscow as a reaction to the Magnitsky Act, a US law blacklisting Russian human rights abusers. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Mike Flynn Mr Flynn was named as Trump's national security adviser but was forced to resign from his post for inappropriate communication with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak. He had misrepresented a conversation he had with Mr Kislyak to Vice President Mike Pence, telling him wrongly that he had not discussed sanctions with the Russian. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Sergey Kislyak Mr Kislyak, the former longtime Russian ambassador to the US, is at the centre of the web said to connect President Donald Trump's campaign with Russia. Reuters The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Roger Stone Mr Stone is a former Trump adviser who worked on the political campaigns of Richard Nixon, George HW Bush, and Ronald Reagan. Mr Stone claimed repeatedly in the final months of the campaign that he had backchannel communications with WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and that he knew the group was going to dump damaging documents to the campaign of Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton - which did happen. Mr Stone also had contacts with the hacker Guccier 2.0 on Twitter, who claimed to have hacked the DNC and is linked to Russian intelligence services. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Jeff Sessions The US attorney general was forced to recuse himself from the Trump-Russia investigation after it was learned that he had lied about meeting with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Carter Page Mr Page is a former advisor to the Trump campaign and has a background working as an investment banker at Merrill Lynch. Mr Page met with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak during the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland. Mr Page had invested in oil companies connected to Russia and had admitted that US Russia sanctions had hurt his bottom line. Reuters The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Jeffrey "JD" Gorden Mr Gordon met with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak during the 2016 Republian National Convention to discuss how the US and Russia could work together to combat Islamist extremism should then-Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump win the election. The meeting came days before a massive leak of DNC emails that has been connected to Russia. Creative Commons The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation James Comey Mr Comey was fired from his post as head of the FBI by President Donald Trump. The timing of Mr Comey's firing raised questions around whether or not the FBI's investigation into the Trump campaign may have played a role in the decision. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Preet Bharara Mr Bahara refused, alongside 46 other US district attorney's across the country, to resign once President Donald Trump took office after previous assurances from Mr Trump that he would keep his job. Mr Bahara had been heading up several investigations including one into one of President Donald Trump's favorite cable television channels Fox News. Several investigations would lead back to that district, too, including those into Mr Trump's campaign ties to Russia, and Mr Trump's assertion that Trump Tower was wiretapped on orders from his predecessor. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Sally Yates Ms Yates, a former Deputy Attorney General, was running the Justice Department while President Donald Trump's pick for attorney general awaited confirmation. Ms Yates was later fired by Mr Trump from her temporary post over her refusal to implement Mr Trump's first travel ban. She had also warned the White House about potential ties former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn to Russia after discovering those ties during the FBI's investigation into the Trump campaign's connections to Russia. Getty Images

The presidents son-in-law wasnt the only one in the White House who raised red flags among security officials.

Mr Trumps appointees without typical political backgrounds and the presidents family members who joined his administration  a rarity in American politics  raised red flags among security clearance investigators due to their complicated financial and personal histories, the report states.

The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Recommended Democrats investigate White House security clearances of Trump admin

They said Mr Kushner was one of at least 30 cases in which Kline overruled career security experts and approved a top secret one of at least 30 cases in which Kline overruled career security experts and approved a top secret clearance for incoming Trump officials despite unfavourable information.

Mr Kushner has reportedly been prevented from receiving an SCI clearance, however, which would have provided him access to sensitive compartmented information, which includes the most sensitive government intelligence.

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Thats because the CIA is ultimately responsible for providing SCI clearances to White House officials.

According to the report, officials balked at Mr Kushners application and called the White House to understand how the presidents son-in-law received the clearance in the first place.
 Close Roger Stone: 'I am falsely accused of making false statements during my testimony to the house intelligence committee. That is incorrect, and any error I made in my testimony would be immaterial and without intent'

Donald Trumps former campaign adviser Roger Stone has been arrested by the FBI as part of Robert Muellers investigation into possible campaign links to Russia.

The FBI has charged Mr Stone on seven counts, invcluding witness tampering, obstruction and false statements about his interactions related to the release by WikiLeaks of hacked emails during the 2016 presidential election.

Stone disputed the charges while leaving a Florida courthouse on Friday, saying in a statement, "I look forward to being fully and completely vindicated."

"I am a fervent supporter of the president," he added, vowing to never testify against the president or pleading guilty to the charges.

He was released on a $250,000 bond.

The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Show all 17 1 /17 The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Paul Manafort Mr Manafort is a Republican strategist and former Trump campaign manager. He resigned from that post over questions about his extensive lobbying overseas, including in Ukraine where he represented pro-Russian interests. Mr Manafort turned himself in at FBI headquarters to special counsel Robert Muellers team on Oct 30, 2017, after he was indicted under seal on charges that include conspiracy against the United States, conspiracy to launder money, unregistered agent of a foreign principal, false and misleading US Foreign Agents Registration Act statements, false statements, and seven counts of failure to file reports of foreign bank and financial accounts. Getty The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Rick Gates Mr Gates joined the Trump team in spring 2016, and served as a top aide until he left to work at the Republican National Committee after the departure of former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort. Mr Gates' had previously worked on several presidential campaigns, on international political campaigns in Europe and Africa, and had 15 years of political or financial experience with multinational firms, according to his bio. Mr Gates was indicted alongside Mr Manafort by special counsel Robert Mueller's team on charges that include conspiracy against the United States, conspiracy to launder money, unregistered agent of a foreign principal, false and misleading US Foreign Agents Registration Act statements, false statements, and seven counts of failure to file reports of foreign bank and financial accounts. AP The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation George Papadopoulos George Papadopoulos was a former foreign policy adviser for the Trump campaign, having joined around March 2016. Mr Papadopoulos plead guilty to federal charges for lying to the FBI as a part of a cooperation agreement with Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation. Mr Papadopoulos claimed in an interview with the FBI that he had made contacts with Russian sources before joining the Trump campaign, but he actually began working with them after joining the team. Mr Papadopoulos allegedly took a meeting with a professor in London who reportedly told him that Russians had "dirt" on Hillary Clinton. The professor also allegedly introduced Mr Papadopoulos to a Russian who was said to have close ties to officials at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Mr Papadopoulos also allegedly was in contact with a woman whom he incorrectly described in one email to others in the campaign as the "niece" to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Twitter The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Donald Trump Jr The President's eldest son met with a Russian lawyer - Natalia Veselnitskaya - on 9 June 2016 at Trump Tower in New York. He said in an initial statement that the meeting was about Russia halting adoptions of its children by US citizens. Then, he said it was regarding the Magnitsky Act, a US law blacklisting Russian human rights abusers. In a final statement, Mr Trump Jr released a chain of emails that revealed he took the meeting in hopes of getting information Ms Veselnitskaya had about Hillary Clinton's alleged financial ties to Russia. He and the President called it standard "opposition research" in the course of campaigning and that no information came from the meeting. The meeting was set up by an intermediary, Rob Goldstone. Jared Kushner and Paul Manafort were also at the same meeting. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Jared Kushner Mr Kushner is President Donald Trump's son-in-law and a key adviser to the White House. He met with a Russian banker appointed by Russian President Vladimir Putin in December. Mr Kushner has said he did so in his role as an adviser to Mr Trump while the bank says he did so as a private developer. Mr Kushner has also volunteered to testify in the Senate about his role helping to arrange meetings between Trump advisers and Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Rob Goldstone Former tabloid journalist and now music publicist Rob Goldstone is a contact of the Trump family through the previously Trump-owned 2013 Miss Universe pageant, which took place in Moscow. In June 2016, he wrote to Donald Trump Jr offering a meeting with a Russian lawyer, Natalya Veselnitskaya, who had information about Hillary Clinton. Mr Goldstone was the intermediary for Russian pop star Emin Agalaraov and his father, real estate magnate Aras, who played a role in putting on the 2013 pageant. In an email chain released by Mr Trump Jr, Mr Goldstone seemed to indicate Russian government's support of Donald Trump's campaign. AP images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Aras and Emin Agalarov Aras Agalarov (R) is a wealthy Moscow-based real estate magnate and son Emin (L) is a pop star. Both played a role in putting on the previously Trump-owned 2013 Miss Universe pageant in Moscow. They allegedly had information about Hillary Clinton and offered that information to the Trump campaign through a lawyer with whom they had worked with, Natalia Veselnitskaya, and music publicist Rob Goldstone. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Natalia Veselnitskaya Natalia Veselnitskaya is a Russian lawyer with ties to the Kremlin. She has worked on real estate issues and reportedly counted the FSB as a client in the past. She has ties to a Trump family connection, real estate magnate Aras Agalarov, who had helped set up the Trump-owned 2013 Miss Universe pageant which took place in Moscow. Ms Veselnitskaya met with Donald Trump Jr, Jared Kushner, and Paul Manafort in Trump Tower on 9 June 2016 but denies the allegation that she went there promising information on Hillary Clinton's alleged financial ties to Russia. She contends that the meeting was about the US adoptions of Russian children being stopped by Moscow as a reaction to the Magnitsky Act, a US law blacklisting Russian human rights abusers. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Mike Flynn Mr Flynn was named as Trump's national security adviser but was forced to resign from his post for inappropriate communication with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak. He had misrepresented a conversation he had with Mr Kislyak to Vice President Mike Pence, telling him wrongly that he had not discussed sanctions with the Russian. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Sergey Kislyak Mr Kislyak, the former longtime Russian ambassador to the US, is at the centre of the web said to connect President Donald Trump's campaign with Russia. Reuters The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Roger Stone Mr Stone is a former Trump adviser who worked on the political campaigns of Richard Nixon, George HW Bush, and Ronald Reagan. Mr Stone claimed repeatedly in the final months of the campaign that he had backchannel communications with WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and that he knew the group was going to dump damaging documents to the campaign of Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton - which did happen. Mr Stone also had contacts with the hacker Guccier 2.0 on Twitter, who claimed to have hacked the DNC and is linked to Russian intelligence services. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Jeff Sessions The US attorney general was forced to recuse himself from the Trump-Russia investigation after it was learned that he had lied about meeting with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Carter Page Mr Page is a former advisor to the Trump campaign and has a background working as an investment banker at Merrill Lynch. Mr Page met with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak during the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland. Mr Page had invested in oil companies connected to Russia and had admitted that US Russia sanctions had hurt his bottom line. Reuters The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Jeffrey "JD" Gorden Mr Gordon met with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak during the 2016 Republian National Convention to discuss how the US and Russia could work together to combat Islamist extremism should then-Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump win the election. The meeting came days before a massive leak of DNC emails that has been connected to Russia. Creative Commons The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation James Comey Mr Comey was fired from his post as head of the FBI by President Donald Trump. The timing of Mr Comey's firing raised questions around whether or not the FBI's investigation into the Trump campaign may have played a role in the decision. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Preet Bharara Mr Bahara refused, alongside 46 other US district attorney's across the country, to resign once President Donald Trump took office after previous assurances from Mr Trump that he would keep his job. Mr Bahara had been heading up several investigations including one into one of President Donald Trump's favorite cable television channels Fox News. Several investigations would lead back to that district, too, including those into Mr Trump's campaign ties to Russia, and Mr Trump's assertion that Trump Tower was wiretapped on orders from his predecessor. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Sally Yates Ms Yates, a former Deputy Attorney General, was running the Justice Department while President Donald Trump's pick for attorney general awaited confirmation. Ms Yates was later fired by Mr Trump from her temporary post over her refusal to implement Mr Trump's first travel ban. She had also warned the White House about potential ties former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn to Russia after discovering those ties during the FBI's investigation into the Trump campaign's connections to Russia. Getty Images

The arrest comes as the White House is reportedly preparing a draft emergency declaration that would allow Donald Trump to circumvent Congress if lawmakers do not fund his southern border wall.

The president effectively announced an end to the government shutdown on its 35th day on Friday, agreeing to a temporary resolution that would open shuttered federal agencies for three weeks as negotiations over the border wall remain ongoing.

Recommended Roger Stone vows to fight Mueller and defend Trump to the end

The move arrived a day after a bill backed by Mr Trump to end the shutdown, which included $5.7 billion he wanted for the wall, and a separate bill supported by Democrats to reopen federal agencies without such funding, did not garner the votes required to advance in the Senate.

We do not need 2,000 miles of concrete wall from sea to shining sea, we never did, Mr Trump said at one point, walking back vows he made throughout the campaign to build a wall sprawling the entirety of the US-Mexico border.

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He added, We never proposed that. We never wanted that, because we have barriers at the border where natural structures are as good as anything that we can build.

Read below for our live coverage on the latest indictment from the special counsel

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Press write what they want to write. I suggest they only write about the fact there will be a trial Monday regarding the case of Anton Carter , and thats about it, said the 76-year-old Sacks, occasionally glancing at the Tribune reporter. Not about any evidence they might have heard or gleaned about Anton Carter.
As the fight continues over Donald Trumps demand to extend the border wall between the United States and Mexico, one thing is clear: Whatever the walls effect on immigration might be, it would have an impact on the environment of the borderlands.

About 650 miles of border wall already exist along the 2,000-mile boundary between the two countries. Most of it has been built on federal land where the terrain provides no natural barrier. Mr Trump has called for a 1,000-mile wall, which would extend farther across land that includes important habitats for wildlife.

A Customs and Border Protection policy says the agency will integrate environmental stewardship and sustainability practices into operations and activities. But Congress has given the agency the power to waive environmental protections like the Endangered Species Act. Such laws could require the government to produce an in-depth environmental impact analysis of a new project, develop less-damaging alternatives and perform environmental monitoring after construction.

A spokesperson for Customs and Border Protection was unavailable because of the partial government shutdown, a result of the political standoff over funding for the wall.

An article published last year in the journal Bioscience, which has been signed by more than 2,900 scientists, said the administrations plan would threaten some of the continents most biologically diverse regions by blocking free movement of many species and contributing to flooding. More than 1,500 native animal and plant species would be affected by the wall, the paper said, including 62 listed as endangered or vulnerable.

Here are some of the possible effects that an extended border wall could have on wildlife.

Animals would be cut off

An extended border wall would impede the movement of many species and would put creatures already under pressure in peril.

Aaron D Flesch, a research scientist at the University of Arizona, said he had no doubt endlessly inventive humans could scale a wall. But it would block many four-legged creatures, he said.

Even some low-flying birds like the ferruginous pygmy-owl could have trouble. You think a birds just going to fly over a wall, but thats not necessarily the case, Mr Flesch said.

Animals need to be able to move around, to find food and mates, among other things. An outbreak of fire or disease, or the pressures of climate change, can force them to seek new homes. And the pockets of the landscape that suit them can be widely dispersed.

Small populations of endangered animals  such as the Mexican grey wolf, or lobo, and the Sonoran pronghorn  may be stranded on either side of the border, leaving some species likelier to die out. For a critter thats nearly extinct in the US, you need to promote connectivity, not curtail it, Mr Flesch said.

Undocumented immigration across the US-Mexico border Show all 14 1 /14 Undocumented immigration across the US-Mexico border Undocumented immigration across the US-Mexico border Immigrant children, many of whom are separated form their parents, are housed in Texas' tent city Reuters Undocumented immigration across the US-Mexico border A two-year-old Honduran asylum seeker cries as her mother is searched and detained near the US-Mexico border Getty Undocumented immigration across the US-Mexico border Undocumented migrants ride on the top of a freight train referred to as the beast, or La Bestia Getty Undocumented immigration across the US-Mexico border A cage inside a US Customs and Border Protection detention facility in Texas Reuters Undocumented immigration across the US-Mexico border US Border Patrol Academy All new agents must complete a months-long training course at the New Mexico facility before assuming their posts at Border Patrol stations, mostly along the US-Mexico border Getty Undocumented immigration across the US-Mexico border US-Mexico border fence A group of young men walk along the Mexican side of the US-Mexico border fence in a remote area of the Sonoran Desert Getty Undocumented immigration across the US-Mexico border US-Mexico border fence in the US Man looks through US-Mexico border fence into the US in Tijuana, Mexico Getty Undocumented immigration across the US-Mexico border US-Mexico border fence US Border Patrol agent Sal De Leon stands near a section of the US-Mexico border fence while stopping on patrol on in La Joya, Texas Getty Undocumented immigration across the US-Mexico border US Border Patrol Academy US Border Patrol instructor yells at trainees after their initial arrival to the academy Getty Undocumented immigration across the US-Mexico border Memorial service in Guatemala Families attend a memorial service for two boys who were kidnapped and killed in San Juan Sacatepequez, Guatemala. Crime drives emigration from Guatemala to the United States, as families seek refuge from the danger Getty Undocumented immigration across the US-Mexico border Arrests on the border Undocumented immigrants comfort each other after being caught by Border Patrol agents near the US-Mexico border Getty Undocumented immigration across the US-Mexico border Detention holding facility A boy from Honduras watches a movie at a detention facility run by the US Border Patrol Getty Undocumented immigration across the US-Mexico border Mexican farm workers Mexican migrant workers harvest organic parsley at Grant Family Farms in Wellington, Colorado Getty Undocumented immigration across the US-Mexico border Mexican family in Arizona A Mexican immigrant family sits in the living room of their rented home in Tuscon, Arizona. The family that Arizona's new tough immigrant law had created a climate of fear in the immigrant community. Getty

Even insects and plants could be affected

Low-flying insects could be affected by a border wall, too. The University of Texas researchers named the endangered wildflower Zapata bladderpod and the threatened whiskerbush cactus as particularly at risk, and the National Wildlife Federation named the Quino checkerspot butterfly, among others.

Many pollinators are already in decline because of habitat loss, said Scott Hoffman Black, executive director of the Xerces Society, a conservation organisation with a focus on invertebrates. This is one more issue that is going to put stress on bees and butterflies, and theyre already stressed with many, many issues, he said. The long new stretches of a wall, with clear-cut enforcement zones to the south, could prove an impediment to many little flyers.

Another expert expressed doubt that the wall itself would prove much of a barrier to flying insects, but he said the wall would nonetheless present an enormous problem for some of them.

The expert, David L Wagner, a professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Connecticut, noted most insects can fly high enough to surmount a wall. But the array of lights that would be part of any such construction, he said, would disrupt the lives of nocturnal creatures like moths and even vertebrates that depend on darkness.

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Light pollution is turning out to be a real problem for nocturnal animals, he said. Youre pulling at the fabric of these ecosystems.

Of course, there are illuminated buildings in many places. But Mr Wagner said there was little difference between a border wall and a Walmart. Either way, he said, Its slaughter.

Wildlife refuges may be divided

Construction would disrupt several pieces of land that have been designated part of the National Wildlife Refuge System, as well as other treasures like the National Butterfly Centre, a private nature preserve along the Rio Grande in Mission, Texas. Construction into the 100-acre sanctuary could begin as soon as next month, splitting off some 70 acres from the American side of the site.

After an outcry from environmentalists and local officials, Congress voted last year to protect one environmental jewel, the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, a 2,100-acre ecological crossroads for migratory birds near McAllen, Texas, by refusing to appropriate money that would build the wall through it.

But environmental advocates say the areas that will go unprotected are vast, and the losses to biodiversity will stretch far beyond the thin line of the border. As Texas Monthly put it, Federal Border Wall Funding Spares Wildlife Refuge, but Not Much Else.

Tourism money could be lost

Because of the richness of the environment along many stretches of the border, the area draws tourists for hunting and fishing  and, to a great extent, ecotourism.

Birdwatchers have spotted more than 500 species in the four counties that make up the Lower Rio Grande Valley. A 2011 study from Texas A&M University estimated bird-watching and other forms of environmental tourism brought more than $344 million (263 million) in economic activity to the area, and some 4,400 jobs.

The authors of the article in Bioscience, including Mr Flesch, said the government should protect the cultural value of the borderlands. National security can and must be pursued with an approach that preserves our natural heritage, they wrote.

The New York Times
Three people are dead after a gunman opened fire at a bar and a home near the Penn State University campus, according to police.

Chief John Gardner said the suspected 21-year-old killer shot dead a girlfriend or ex-girlfriend at PJ Harrigans Bar & Grill in the Pennsylvania town of State College at around 10.30pm local time on Thursday.

Two other people at the bar-restaurant, located inside the Ramada Hotel, were shot and critically wounded.

The gunman then fled the scene, crashed his car on Waupelani Drive, before breaking into a nearby home and shooting dead a man inside.

The victims wife locked herself in the bathroom and called the police. The suspect shot himself in the face and was dead by the time officers arrived at the scene, according to Chief Gardner.

The shooter was a 21-year-old white male from the nearby town of Bellfonte. Police confirmed he was the only gun attacker on Thursday night.

Chief Gardner told reporters the two victims wounded at the bar-restaurant, one male and one female, were taken to Mount Nittany Medical Centre.

The suspect, the shooter, left this area in a car and subsequently crashed that vehicle up on Waupelani Drive, at that particular point up there. He then entered a residence on Tussey Lane up there and broke his way in, may even have shot his way in, were still trying to piece that together.

The police chief added: He shot a male individual  His wife was present, but she locked herself in a bathroom and called 911. By the time our officers got there, the perpetrator had shot himself in the face and was deceased.

Although Penn State University later acknowledged the incident in a tweet, some students expressed frustration the college had failed to alert them about an active shooter near the campus.

Earlier in the day the college had sent out an alert about snow when the wintry conditions caused afternoon classes to be cancelled.

The State College police force is investigating the circumstances around the shooting.
A homeless man who tried to use a counterfeit $20 bill to buy food and toothpaste has been sentenced to up to six years in prison.

Levi Mitchell, 53, was found guilty of criminal possession of a forged instrument after attempting to use the fake bill at a pharmacy in New York City and again at a nearby restaurant.

Cashiers at both establishments rejected the homeless mans note, before police officers later found him in possession of five counterfeit $20 bills, each worth around 15.

Mitchell was initially sentenced to up to eight years in prison following the March 2015 offence, but he had his sentence reduced to between three and six years by the New York Supreme Courts Appellate Division this week.

The court acknowledged Mitchell was trying to buy basic human necessities before his arrest.

The immediate object of defendants crime was to purchase basic human necessities, including food and toothpaste, the court noted in its report. In consideration of the fact that he was a 53 year-old, unemployed homeless man, with longstanding medical and substance abuse issues, a reduction of his sentence to three to six years is appropriate.

Associate Justice Peter Tom was the only dissenter to the panels majority ruling.

The judge said Mitchells crime deserved the longer sentence handed down in November 2015, partly because of the homeless mans previous convictions.

He also said Mr Mitchell had been actively engaged in a counterfeiting scheme in which he sought to obtain genuine currency as change for small dollar transactions.

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

Justice Tom added: He was not merely using a single counterfeit bill to purchase human necessities as the majority characterises it. Rather, it appears he was part of a counterfeiting scheme to change counterfeit bills for real currency.

The court said that Mitchells most recent convictions were nonviolent misdemeanours and were mostly related to his longtime drug addiction.

According to Vera Institute of Justice figures from 2015, it costs taxpayers an average of $69,000 (53,000) a year to incarcerate someone at New York state prison.
The superintendent of a small school district in Indiana was arrested and charged with felony insurance fraud after she took a sick student to the doctor and paid for his treatment with her son's insurance, police said this week.

Casey Smitherman, who runs the school district in Elwood, Indiana, a town of about 8,500, some 45 miles north of Indianapolis, was arrested and given charges last week, which included official misconduct and identity deception, before being released on bail, according to court records.

Ms Smitherman is being put on a pre-trial diversion programme, meaning if she is not charged in any other incidents, the charges will later be expunged from her record, Rodney Cummings, the county prosecutor told The Washington Post.

The incident occurred on 9 January, police said. Ms Smitherman noticed a 15-year-old student she had helped before - buying clothes for him and also helping clean his house, she told police according to an affidavit - had not shown up at school. She did not want to call the state's Department of Child Services because she was concerned the child would be placed in a foster home, the affidavit said.

She took the child, who had a sore throat, to a medical facility and checked him in by using her son's insurance, for an evaluation under her son's name. She then drove him to a pharmacy where she had an antibiotics prescription filled for the child, again under her son's name, court records said, and dropped him back at his house.

The total bill for the treatment was $233, the records said. The police, who did not return a request for comment, were alerted about the alleged fraud a week later.

It is not clear who alerted them. Anthem Blue Cross, the insurance Ms Smitherman had used fraudulently according to records, declined to comment through a spokesperson.

The story reverberated around the web this week after it was reported by local news outlets. For some, it served as an illustration of the United States' health-care woes, as political debates about how to improve insurance coverage continue to swirl.

In this world, Ms Smitherman was hailed as a hero by a few commenters online.

Still, she has expressed regret about the situation.

"I would love to go back to that moment and re-do it," she told a local TV station. "In that moment, I just was really worried. I knew he had strep, I'm a mom, and I knew how dangerous that was for him. And I was worried and I wanted to get him treatment."

In a statement published by Fox 59, Ms Smitherman said the first clinic she had taken the teen to had refused to treat him. It was after going to a second clinic that she had decided to tell them he was her son.

"I knew he did not have insurance, and I wanted to do all I could to help him get well," the statement said. "I know this action was wrong. In the moment, my only concern was for this child's health."

 Mayor Bill de Blasio introduces free healthcare for all New Yorkers

The district's school board released a statement in support of her as well.

"Dr Smitherman has tirelessly worked for the best interests of all students in Elwood Community Schools since she was hired. She made an unfortunate mistake, but we understand that it was out of concern for this child's welfare. We know she understands what she did was wrong, but she continues to have our support," the statement said, according to Fox 59.

Mr Cummings, the prosecutor, said he understood Ms Smitherman was trying to fix a problem.

"I think she's probably a woman with a big heart that saw a young man in need," he said. "We live in a couple communities in this county that really have some serious poverty. Elwood is one of those communities and there's a lot of students that don't have resources."

But he said he did not doubt she should have been charged with a crime. He said the urgent care centres she had taken the teen to would not treat him because she was not his guardian, before she tried to pass him off as her son.

"What kind of message is that to send to the students you're in charge of?" he said. "The police asked the charges to be filed. There is a violation of the law. Had I ignored that, I'd be criticised by people who'd claim that some people are above the law."

He said he did not share Ms Smitherman's feelings that the teen was in serious health risk, saying the teen had a cold.

Ms Smitherman did not respond to a voicemail left on a number for her listed in public records. Her lawyer, Bryan Williams, did not respond to a request for comment.

The Washington Post
The Mexican drug cartel boss Joaquin El Chapo Guzman personally got involved in killing his enemies, on one occasion burying alive a member of a rival cartel, a court has been told.

Isaias Valdez Rios, a former soldier who was recruited as a bodyguard for the notorious kingpin, said he shot dead two members of the Zetas cartel, who had been brought to him by his guards. After Guzman shot them, he ordered that their bodies be burned.

Put them in the bonfire. I dont want any bones to remain, the witness told the New York court, according to the Associated Press.

He also told the court that the Sinola cartel boss ordered his men to dig a grave before he shot another victim in a fit of rage.

When the gunfire stopped, the wounded man was still gasping for air. Thats how we dropped in the hole and buried him.

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

Guzman is charged with 17 criminal counts, including drug trafficking, conspiring to murder rivals, money laundering and weapons offences. He has pleaded not guilty.

During the early- and mid-2000s, he was allegedly a boss of the Sinaloa cartel, the world's largest drug-trafficking operation, according to prosecuors.

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They say say the enterprise imported tons of cocaine from South America into the US.

The 61-year-old has twice escaped from jail, most recently in 2015 when he fled from a maximum security prison in the Mexican city of Almoloya de Juarez, through a long tunnel.

He was captured and arrested for a third time in January 2016 and extradited to the US the same month.

He is being tried in the federal district court in the New York borough of Brooklyn. The trial, which began in mid-November, is expected to last four months.
Brazils first openly gay politician has said that he will not return to the country after receiving death threats since the election of far-right president Jair Bolsonaro late last year.

Jean Wyllys, who was due to begin his third political term next month as a congressman representing Rio de Janeiro, said he no longer feels safe in Brazil after the assassination of a political ally last year and the homophobic rhetoric surrounding Bolsonaros victory.

This environment isnt safe for me, Mr Wyllys, a congressman for the left-wing Party for Socialism and Liberty (PSOL), told Brazilian newspaper Folha de S Paulo.

I have to stay alive. I dont want to be a martyr, he said, adding that he has been targeted by death threats and a hostile social media campaign which accused him of promoting paedophilia.

Mr Bolsonaros victory in October 2018 sparked fear among Brazils LGBT+ community about a future under a leader who has frequently aired homophobic views.

Brazil election: far-right candidate Jair Bolsonaro wins Presidency Show all 8 1 /8 Brazil election: far-right candidate Jair Bolsonaro wins Presidency Brazil election: far-right candidate Jair Bolsonaro wins Presidency A man holds an inflatable figure of jailed former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva as supporters of far-right presidential candidate Jair Bolsonaro celebrate in front of the National Congress in Brasilia, after the former army captain won Brazil's presidential election AFP/Getty Brazil election: far-right candidate Jair Bolsonaro wins Presidency Supporters of the left-wing presidential candidate for the Workers Party (PT), Fernando Haddad, react in Rio AFP/Getty Brazil election: far-right candidate Jair Bolsonaro wins Presidency Police officers patrol the streets during a gathering of supporters of the left-wing presidential candidate for the Workers Party AFP/Getty Brazil election: far-right candidate Jair Bolsonaro wins Presidency Fernando Haddad, presidential candidate of Brazil's leftist Workers Party (PT), is kissed by his wife Ana Estela Haddad Reuters Brazil election: far-right candidate Jair Bolsonaro wins Presidency EPA Brazil election: far-right candidate Jair Bolsonaro wins Presidency AFP/Getty Images Brazil election: far-right candidate Jair Bolsonaro wins Presidency AFP/Getty Images Brazil election: far-right candidate Jair Bolsonaro wins Presidency REUTERS

In 2011, Mr Bolsonaro told a reporter that he would rather his son die in a car crash than be gay.

The far-right politician has also said in the past that he is homophobic, with pride.

Before entering politics, Mr Wyllys rose to fame after winning the Brazilian version of Big Brother as the shows first openly gay participant.

Mr Wyllys described Mr Bolsonaro as a a president who always vilified me, who always openly insulted me, who was always homophobic with me.

 Jair Bolsonaro speaks after winning Brazil presidential elections

He said that violence has increased in Brazil since Marielle Franco, another PSOL politician, was shot dead in Rio de Janeiro last March.

I never believed the death threats against me would actually be carried out. But when this execution of Marielle happened, I had a sense of the seriousness, Mr Wyllys said.

In the newspaper interview, he said that he decided to move abroad following revelations that Mr Bolsonaros son had employed relatives of a former police officer suspected of involvement in Ms Francos assassination.

To preserve ones threatened life is also a strategy to fight for better days, he said.

Mr Wyllys will be replaced by David Miranda, another gay politician from Rio de Janeiro who is married to American journalist Glenn Greenwald.

After the interview was published, Mr Miranda wrote in a tweet to the president: Check your emotions. One LGBT is leaving, but another is entering. See you in Brasilia.
At least seven people have died and a further 200 people are missing following a dam collapse at a mine in eastern Brazil that has triggered mudslides and chaos, emergency officials have said.

Brazilian iron ore giant Vale SA said the dam had burst at its Mina Feijao mining operation in the town of Brumadinho, in the state of Minas Gerais.

Authorities fear the death toll will continue to rise and a rescue operation is underway at the dam about 40 miles south west from the city of Belo Horizonte.

The dam and Feijao iron ore mine are owned by Brazils largest mining company, Vale.

Vale and local authorities said leaked tailings from the Corrego de Feijao mine had spread into the nearby community Vila Forteco, close to Brumadinho.

Footage broadcast on local television showed the mudflow sweeping over roads and destroying buildings in its path, according to the BBC.

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The accident comes three years after Brazils worst environmental disaster when a larger dam owned jointly by Vale and BHP Billiton broke in the same region, burying local homes and killing 19 people.

The Inhotim Institute, an outdoor contemporary art museum in a park three miles from Brumadinho, evacuated visitors and closed its doors out of safety precautions, reports said.

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On Friday morning, a statement from the fire brigades headquarters in the city of Belo Horizonte said crews were searching for 200 people still unaccounted for.

Vale said in a statement: The company deeply regrets the accident and is making every effort to provide relief and support to those affected.

The tailings have reached the administrative area where employees were working, indicating, the still unconfirmed possibility of victims. Part of the Vila Ferteco community has also been affected.

It added: Rescue and care of the wounded is being carried out on site by the fire department and civil defence. There is still no confirmation as to the cause of the accident.

Video footage showed helicopters plucking people covered in mud from the area, including a woman with a fractured hip who was among eight injured people taken to hospital, officials said.

Television reports also showed people running away as the dam broke, and nearby fields with bean crops destroyed by packed mud.

A government spokesperson told reporters the countrys environment minister, Ricardo Salles, is travelling to the scene.

It said president Jair Bolsonaro will visit the region on Saturday.
Philip Hammond has refused to rule out resigning from the government if Theresa May decides to pursue a no-deal Brexit.

Pressure is mounting on the prime minister to take a disorderly exit off the table, as the chancellor ramped up his warnings of a significant hit to the economy if the UK leaves the EU without an agreement.

It comes after Amber Rudd, the pro-EU work and pensions secretary, also hinted she could resign from the frontbench to thwart a no-deal exit from the bloc.

Asked repeatedly whether he would remain in No 11 under that scenario, Mr Hammond told the Today programme: Im not going to speculate because a lot depends on the circumstances, what happens.

The responsibility I have is to manage the economy in what is the best interests of the British people.

I clearly do not believe that making a choice to leave without a deal would be a responsible thing to do, but I recognise that that is potentially a default that we could find ourselves in, and if we did find ourselves in that position then the responsible thing to do is to use every possible way of mitigating and minimising the impact.

He doubled down on his gloomy forecasts for a no-deal Brexit, after telling UK business leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos, in Switzerland, that such an outcome would be a betrayal that would undermine prosperity and equally undermine the referendum.

The prime minister is under intense pressure to find a Brexit approach that can unite the Commons after her Brexit deal was overwhelmingly defeated by MPs last week.

Ms Rudd said she was going to wait and see if Ms May allows a free vote on amendments to her plan B on Tuesday, including a significant bid by Labours Yvette Cooper to delay Brexit if a deal is not reached by the end of February.

Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament Show all 11 1 /11 Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament Anti-Brexit protester Steve Bray (left) and a pro-Brexit protester argue as they demonstrate outside the Houses of Parliament Getty Images Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament A pro-Brexit protester argues Getty Images Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament Police surround the pro-Brexit protester after he confronted Steve Bray, a pro-European protester Getty Images Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament A leave supporter is spoken to by a police officer as he argues with a remain supporter, Steve Bray, outside Parliament PA Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament MPs in Parliament are to vote on Theresa May's Brexit deal next week after her December vote was called off in the face of a major defeat Getty Images Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament A leave supporter is spoken to by a police officer PA Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament Police look on as anti-Brexit protesters demonstrate outside the Houses of Parliament. Getty Images Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament Police hold back a leave supporter PA Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament A police officer speaks with anti-Brexit protester Steve Bray Getty Images Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament Police surround a pro-Brexit protester after he confronted a pro-European protester Getty Images Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament Conservative MP David Davies, wearing a gopro camera, speaks to anti-Brexit protester Steve Bray Getty Images

During a BBC Newsnight interview, Ms Rudd was asked three times whether she would quit the cabinet to support Ms Coopers cross-party bill, which aims to scrap the possibility of a no-deal scenario.

She said: At this stage Im going to stick to trying to persuade the government to allow it to be a free vote. There is a lot taking place and there are a lot of new amendments.

Well have to wait and see.

In a sign of deep divisions in the cabinet, Brexiteer international development secretary Penny Mordaunt suggested the public was shifting towards the idea of a no-deal scenario, so that Brexit can be carried out.

You see this shift to no-deal, she told the Financial Times.

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Its not because [voters] particularly want WTO terms, its because they want it done.

Thats not necessarily because thats their preferred option. But I think the public want to send us a message that, end of March, we expect you to leave the EU, and that is the most important thing. To them, no Brexit is worse than no-deal.
Jeremy Corbyn faces a revolt from Labour MPs backing a new Brexit referendum, who will launch a drive to rewrite his proposals for the next phase of withdrawal.

The move from three MPs to redraft his strategy, so it ties Labour unambiguously to giving Britain a Final Say referendum, once again thrusts the partys deep Brexit divisions into the spotlight.

Hours earlier four other Labour MPs had joined Tory counterparts at a press conference, with one accusing Mr Corbyn of standing in the way of a peoples vote.

While Mr Corbyns office declined to comment on Thursday, the leaders social media outriders launched a counter-attack on the Labour rebels whom they accused of dishonesty.

Meanwhile doubt has emerged over the viability of a cross-party push by MPs to delay the UKs withdrawal in order to avoid leaving the EU without a deal on 29 March.

And in Davos, chancellor Philip Hammond warned that a no-deal Brexit  something Theresa May has refused to rule out  would be a betrayal of the 2016 referendum result, underlining the split at the heart of the Conservative cabinet.

On Tuesday Ms May will give a statement and table a motion setting out the next steps of her Brexit plan, but because of previous measures approved in the Commons, all MPs will also be able to table amendments containing proposals for what they think the government should do next.

Mr Corbyn has already submitted the Labour Partys amendment, but it disappointed many backers of the Peoples Vote campaign for a fresh referendum because it failed to fully commit the party to backing one.

It would require ministers to find time for MPs only to consider and vote on options including renegotiating the withdrawal agreement and also then legislating to hold a public vote on any deal that successfully passes through the Commons.

But The Independent understands three Labour MPs  Ian Murray, Angela Smith and Mike Gapes  have now taken the unusual step of tabling amendments to their own party leaders amendment, in a bid to remould Mr Corbyns approach so it backs a new vote immediately.

Mr Murrays would commit the government to holding a referendum offering a choice between a Brexit deal that guarantees full participation in the single market, as previously promised by Labour, and remaining in the EU.

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The amendment submitted by Mr Gapes would allow the British public an opportunity to have a final say on leaving the EU, while Ms Smiths would see ministers legislate for a vote on whether or not the UK should leave.

The Independent has run its own Final Say campaign to try and secure a new referendum, with more than 1.1 million people having signed the petition.

While neither Mr Corbyns amendment, nor the three amendments to it, stand much chance of being passed in the Commons, the joint push from Labour MPs speaks to a growing frustration on the partys backbenchers over the ambiguity of the leaders position as the Brexit clock ticks down to 29 March.

At an event on the steps of parliament earlier in the day Labour and Tory MPs announced they would not table a cross-party amendment for a second referendum because it stood no chance of passing the Commons without Mr Corbyns support.

Luciana Berger said: Regrettably the Labour leadership wont commit to an achievable policy and yet we know that the majority of Labour voters, supporters and members want a final say on any Brexit deal.

Yet at a time when Labour should be championing a peoples vote, the leadership avoids answering that call.

She added: There are millions of young people in our country that supported the Labour Party at the last general election. Over two million of them were under the age of 18 in 2016. They would today now have a vote. And so many whom I speak to cannot understand why Labour is standing in the way of the younger generation having a say on this.

Chuka Umunna, who was also at the event, argued that party politics should take a back seat, saying: The choice is stark and there is no way of escaping from it or postponing making a decision because we are out of time  do you want to facilitate some form of Brexit or give people the power to stop it?

Meanwhile, Chris Leslie told The Independent: There really isnt any excuse now for Labour not fulfilling the conference promise for a peoples vote. An election hasnt been triggered, so we should be at that stage now.

Polling indicates Labour voters and members are in favour of a new vote, but the leadership has had to walk a fine line with many constituencies in heartland areas having heavily backed Brexit.

 'They are trying to frighten us into submission' Jacob Rees-Mogg says some MPS are doing 'everything they can' to stop Brexit

A separate group of Labour MPs strongly oppose a new referendum, including frontbencher Melanie Onn, who wrote to her constituents saying she would quit her role in Mr Corbyns top team if the leadership did back a new vote.

Following the event in the morning Corbyn-backing commentator Paul Mason said the intervention was daft, and accused the Labour rebels of preparing a doomed centrist party.

Columnist Owen Jones argued that a second referendum amendment would not get through because Labour MPs in Leave seats and Tory MPs would oppose it.

He added, addressing Mr Umunna on Twitter: You either dont know the facts or youre being dishonest. Which is it?

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The amendment that seems most likely to get thorough the Commons on Tuesday is that written by Labours Yvette Cooper, with cross-party backing, that seeks to extend Article 50, delaying Brexit to avoid a no-deal scenario.

But concerns have emerged that legislation it requires to enact its aim could get bogged down and even blocked outright in the House of Lords.
Senior Conservatives have offered Theresa May a glimmer of hope by rallying behind attempts to modify her Brexit plan, amid hints the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) could soften their opposition.

Sir Graham Brady, the influential Tory backbench organiser, has backed a bid to salvage the prime ministers deal by removing the controversial backstop element, a move also supported by Ms Mays long-time ally Damian Green and a group of Tory grandees.

The new amendment, which would see the backstop replaced with alternative arrangements, would compel Ms May to return to Brussels to seek changes to her deal, if backed by MPs in the Commons on Tuesday.

It comes amid reports the DUP has privately decided to support Ms May if there was a time limit on the backstop plan, with party sources suggesting to The Sun that their staunch opposition to her Brexit deal could be weakening.

Sir Graham, who voted against Ms Mays deal, told The Independent that removing the unacceptable backstop would leave a plan that the majority of Tory MPs could support.

He also said the DUP could live with the deal if the backstop was gone.

Sir Graham, the 1922 committee chairman, said: My main purpose is to try to demonstrate that the Conservatives and DUP, our confidence and supply partners, can support something and demonstrate there is a position that can command a majority in the House of Commons.

I think most MPs would like an agreement as we leave the EU, rather than no agreement and WTO [World Trade Organisation] terms.

This is the only agreement  as long as the backstop is removed  that can command a majority in the House of Commons.

DUP Westminster leader Nigel Dodds said the trap of the backstop was the main sticking point and suggested the EU was shifting towards a compromise on the issue.

Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament Show all 11 1 /11 Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament Anti-Brexit protester Steve Bray (left) and a pro-Brexit protester argue as they demonstrate outside the Houses of Parliament Getty Images Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament A pro-Brexit protester argues Getty Images Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament Police surround the pro-Brexit protester after he confronted Steve Bray, a pro-European protester Getty Images Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament A leave supporter is spoken to by a police officer as he argues with a remain supporter, Steve Bray, outside Parliament PA Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament MPs in Parliament are to vote on Theresa May's Brexit deal next week after her December vote was called off in the face of a major defeat Getty Images Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament A leave supporter is spoken to by a police officer PA Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament Police look on as anti-Brexit protesters demonstrate outside the Houses of Parliament. Getty Images Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament Police hold back a leave supporter PA Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament A police officer speaks with anti-Brexit protester Steve Bray Getty Images Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament Police surround a pro-Brexit protester after he confronted a pro-European protester Getty Images Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament Conservative MP David Davies, wearing a gopro camera, speaks to anti-Brexit protester Steve Bray Getty Images

He said: Whether it is the Lithuanian, Polish or indeed the EU Commissions chief spokesman, there have been several signals that people are prepared to look at other options. That is positive as it shows people are starting to be more realistic.

We continue to work with our government in an effort to reach a better deal which can command support in the House of Commons but also importantly in Brussels too.

Mr Dodds added: The trap of the backstop is the problem. There are ways forward which do not require this backstop and we need to see a willingness to explore such options.

The amendment was tabled on Thursday night by senior backbencher Andrew Murrison and it has been backed by a number of influential figures in the Tory party machine, including 1922 executive committee members Cheryl Gillan, Charles Walker, Bob Blackman and Nigel Evans.

MPs are scrambling to come up with amendments to the prime ministers Brexit blueprint after the Commons overwhelming rejected her deal by a record 230 votes earlier this month.

Labours Yvette Cooper has teamed up with Tory MP Nick Boles to try to rule out a no-deal Brexit, while former Conservative attorney general Dominic Grieve wants a series of indicative votes to test parliamentary support for different scenarios.

However Ms May will still have to convince Brussels to back whatever MPs support, which represents a major challenge.

French finance minister Bruno Le Maire warned that the Irish border backstop issue is done and would not be revisited.

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He said the EU has nothing to give the UK on the Brexit deal apart from clarifications and it was up to the UK government to find a way out of the situation it found itself in, not EU member states.

Mr Le Maire, who is at Davos, told the Today programme: Reopening the deal would mean weeks, months, of new negotiations between the UK and the European member states  that is exactly what we want to avoid.

Asked about whether no-deal measures taken by the EU would be as bad as some groups have suggested, including border delays between Dover and Calais, Mr Le Maire said: We are aware that a no-deal situation would have concrete consequences and would force us to take some decisions to reinforce the control at our borders.

So, there are many concrete consequences that would be a consequence of a no-deal situation. But we are prepared to do that.
While the allegations have a familiar ring, the details in the 37-page complaint hint that it could be the tip of the iceberg for Burke. According to the complaint, the FBI had won a judges approval to wiretap Burke's cellphone and was already recording his calls before the alleged shakedown at the center of the charge began to unfold in May 2017. Its unknown what other evidence federal prosecutors presented in the application for the wiretap because that filing is under seal.
The death of a Windrush migrant who died suddenly after being told he was living in Britain illegally should be investigated at a second inquest, the High Court has ruled.

Dexter Bristol, who came to the UK from Grenada in 1968 when he was eight-years-old, was 57 when he died last March after collapsing and suffering heart failure outside his home.

The original inquest into his death ended in a row between Mr Bristols family and the coroner, Dr William Dolman, after he refused to hear evidence on the role played by the Home Office and stress caused by the immigration status dispute.

In August he ruled Mr Bristol died of natural causes.

After challenging the ruling, Mr Bristols family have secured a High Court ruling quashing his verdict and ordering a second inquest.

Mr Bristol's mother, Sentina Bristol, welcomed the decision to hold a full and fearless investigation through a fresh inquest.

It was terrible what happened at the inquest into Dexters death, she told The Guardian. Im happy that the high court has quashed the decision and I hope that the new inquest will look at everything properly.

After the Home Office ruled he was living in the UK illegally, Mr Bristol lost his cleaning job and was denied benefits.

He did not use any NHS services for almost two years before his death because of concerns over his uncertain status.

A lawyer who was trying to secure Mr Bristol a passport before he died said in a witness statement he had often complained of feeling unwell because of the stress of contesting the Home Offices decision.

Windrush generation: threat of deportation from UK Show all 15 1 /15 Windrush generation: threat of deportation from UK Windrush generation: threat of deportation from UK The ex-troopship 'Empire Windrush' arriving at Tilbury Docks from Jamaica, with 482 Jamaicans on board, emigrating to Britain. Getty Windrush generation: threat of deportation from UK Jamaican immigrants being welcomed by RAF officials from the Colonial Office after the ex-troopship 'Empire Windrush' landed them at Tilbury. PA Windrush generation: threat of deportation from UK Alford Gardner who arrived in Britain in 1948 on the first Windrush ship to dock in Tilbury, Essex, speaking at his home in Leeds PA Windrush generation: threat of deportation from UK Alford Gardner in Leeds shortly after he arrived in Britain in 1948 on the first Windrush ship to dock in Tilbury, Essex PA Windrush generation: threat of deportation from UK Gardner was 22 years old when he boarded the ship in Kingston, Jamaica, with his brother Gladstone before they and hundreds of Caribbean migrants called on to rebuild post-war Britain disembarked the ship in Tilbury Docks PA Windrush generation: threat of deportation from UK Alford Gardner (right), during his RAF service in 1947 PA Windrush generation: threat of deportation from UK The son of Ruth Williams, a Windrush-generation immigrant, wants to the leave the country after threats of deportation. According to his mother, Mr Haynes applied for British citizenship in 2016 but was rejected, despite Ms Williams having lived in the UK almost permanently since arriving from St Vincent and the Grenadines in 1959. Ruth Williams, 75, said she felt "betrayed" by Britain after the Home Office twice turned down applications for her 35-year-old son, Mozi Haynes, to remain in the country. Ms Williams is understood to have cancer and said she relies heavily on her son for support. PA Windrush generation: threat of deportation from UK The British liner 'Empire Windrush' at port in 1954. Getty Windrush generation: threat of deportation from UK Ruth Williams, 75, with her British passport. "I feel betrayed and a second class citizen in my own country," she said. "This makes me so sad and the Home Office must show some compassion. "I am unwell and almost 75, I live on my own and I need my son to stay here. I need my family around me and I cant face being alone. He has applied to the Home Office and been refused twice." PA Windrush generation: threat of deportation from UK From the top, hopeful Jamaican boxers Charles Smith, Ten Ansel, Essi Reid, John Hazel, Boy Solas and manager Mortimer Martin arrive at Tilbury on the Empire Windrush in the hope of finding work in Britain. Getty Windrush generation: threat of deportation from UK Jamaicans reading a newspaper whilst on board the ex-troopship 'Empire Windrush' bound for Tilbury docks in Essex. Getty Windrush generation: threat of deportation from UK After half a century in Britain, Anthony Bryan decided it was time to go abroad. But the decision set off a nightmare that saw him lose his job, detained twice and almost deported to Jamaica. AFP/Getty Windrush generation: threat of deportation from UK Jamaica-born Anthony Bryan poses outside his home in Edmonton, north London. Now 60 and a grandfather, Bryan thought the issue could be resolved swiftly, as he legally moved to Britain with his family as part of the Windrush generation of Caribbean migrants after World War II. In 1948, the ship Windrush brought the first group of migrants from the West Indies to help rebuild post-war Britain, and many others followed from around the Commonwealth. A 1971 law gave them indefinite leave to remain, but many never formalised their status, often because they were children who came over on their parents' passports and then never applied for their own. AFP/Getty Windrush generation: threat of deportation from UK Three Jamaican immigrants (left to right) John Hazel, a 21-year-old boxer, Harold Wilmot, 32, and John Richards, a 22-year-old carpenter, arriving at Tilbury on board the ex-troopship 'Empire Windrush', smartly dressed in zoot suits and trilby hats. Getty Windrush generation: threat of deportation from UK Newly arrived Jamaican immigrants on board the 'Empire Windrush' at Tilbury in 1948. Getty

After Dr Dolman declined to include the Home Office as an interested party in the inquest, Mr Bristols mother and other relatives walked out of the hearing.

Speaking outside court at the time, Mrs Bristol said: The coroner was very rude... no sympathy for anyone... I feel disappointed. I feel same just like when I lost my son. The feelings I had then, I have them now.

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No date has yet been set for the second inquest, but Mrs Bristols lawyers have asked it be started as soon as possible.

The family recently met the home secretary Sajid Javid, who told them there were lessons to be learned from Mr Bristols case.
The parents of a teenager who died after suffering an allergic reaction to a Pret A Manger sandwich have welcomed government proposals to introduce tougher food labelling laws.

Fifteen-year-old Natasha Ednan-Laperouse died of anaphylaxis in July 2016 after eating a baguette containing sesame seeds, which was not listed as an ingredient.

The government launched a consultation into strengthening current food labelling laws in a bid to protect more than 2 million food allergy sufferers in Britain.

Under current laws, food companies are not required to list the ingredients of food packaged and sold on the same premises.

Natashas parents, Nadim and Tanya, welcomed the governments plan to introduce "Natashas Law".

As parents it is so important that something good comes out of this incredible tragedy that has happened. It is a sense of duty for all people with allergies in the country," Mr Ednan-Laperouse told the BBC's Today Programme. It is vital that action is taken to prevent this kind of tragedy happening to other people, he said.

His wife added that she hoped the consultation would lead to rules requiring food companies to list all allergens and ingredients on food packaging.

This is the beginning for a change of something that is good and will help so many people. Other countries are watching because they are having the same problem: theyve got rising allergies and their laws need to be tightened. Weve got an opportunity to spearhead something really amazing here, she said.

Environment Secretary Michael Gove said "Natashas Law" aimed to provide clearer and more consistent rules for businesses.

 The family of Natasha Ednan-Laperouse: 'If Pret A Manger were following the law, then the law was playing Russian roulette with our daughters life'

Natasha's parents have suffered a terrible loss, and I want to pay tribute to Nadim and Tanya for their inspirational work to deliver Natasha's law, he said. We want to ensure that labels are clearer and that the rules for businesses are more consistent - so that allergy sufferers in this country can have confidence in the safety of their food, Mr Gove added.

After the inquest into the teenagers death, Pret A Manger announced in October that it would list all ingredients on packaging.

Allergy UK chief executive Carla Jones said food companies need to do "more than just the bare minimum" when catering for allergy sufferers.
Japan will begin commercial whaling the day after it leaves the international body which has banned the practice for 33 years.

Having quit the International Whaling Commission (IWC) last month, the first fleets will depart on 1 July, the day after its membership ends.

A ship owned by a group of fisheries in Taiji  a town infamous for its tradition of controversial dolphin and whale hunts  along with four others will hunt minke whales off Japans north-eastern coast.

Unlike before the 1986 moratorium was imposed, there are no plans for Japanese fleets to go beyond coastal expeditions and hunt across international waters.

Quoting sources in the fisheries association, the Kyodo news agency repored that the whaling fleet would spend weeks hunting minke whales, Bairds beaked whales and black whales until late August.

Recommended Japan confirms plan to resume commercial whaling next year

The chief cabinet secretary Yoshihide Suga said Japan would pull out of the IWC because it is impossible in the IWC to seek the coexistence of states with different views.

Commercial whaling would only be permitted if it was in line with Japans basic policy of promoting sustainable use of aquatic living resources based on scientific evidence, he added.

Many whale populations which were facing extinction when the moratorium began have significantly recovered in the decades since.

Minke whales are listed as least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Nevertheless, Japans decision to quit the IWC and resume whaling provoked a storm of protest.

Australia remains resolutely opposed to all forms of commercial and so-called scientific whaling, the countrys environment minister, Melissa Price, and foreign minister, Marise Payne, said in a statement.

Troubled waters: Did we really save the whale? Show all 2 1 /2 Troubled waters: Did we really save the whale? Troubled waters: Did we really save the whale? 54794.bin Getty Images Troubled waters: Did we really save the whale? 54795.bin Getty Images

Sam Annesley, executive director at Greenpeace Japan, added: The government of Japan must urgently act to conserve marine ecosystems, rather than resume commercial whaling. The declaration today is out of step with the international community, let alone the protection needed to safeguard the future of our oceans and these majestic creatures.

A number of celebrities and environmentalists including Ricky Gervais, Joanna Lumley, Chris Packham, Stephen Fry and Ben Fogle have signed an open letter to the Japanese prime minister, Shinzo Abe, attacking the decision to begin whaling again.

To the utter disgust of the rest of the world, Japan intends to resume killing whales, it said. We dont need statements of disgust, we need sanctions that will hurt. If shame wont turn the Japanese then economic pain might.

Commercial whaling has been banned since 1986, but Japan continued hunting in controversial scientific expeditions (EPA)

A march on the Japanese embassy in London has been planned for Saturday.

Japan argues the IWC has been taken over by conservationists opposed to any form of whale hunting and was no longer working to simply manage global whale stocks.

By resuming commercial whaling, the Pacific nation joins Iceland and Norway in ignoring the ban on whaling.

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But some experts have suggested the decision may even benefit whale populations.

As well as resuming commercial whale hunts inside its waters, Japan announced it would cease its controversial scientific whale expeditions in Antarctica.

For years Japanese scientists caught thousands of whales a year, selling the meat after research had been completed. Critics claimed the scientific hunts were simply a cover to allow Japan to continue whaling for food.

Marine ecologists told Science magazine earlier this month that given the declining appetite for whalemeat in Japan, the commercial hunts in its coastal waters would probably be small in scale, whereas ending the yearly battles over Japans scientific expeditions would free up the IWC to focus on conservation.
A rare and endangered species of shark could have found a safe haven off the coast of Wales, scientists have announced.

The angel shark, a large flat species which resembles a stingray, is listed as critically endangered and was previously only reliably spotted around the Canary Islands.

But after a six month project led by the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and Natural Resources Wales, evidence has emerged which suggests the angel shark is living in UK waters.

A series of sightings by fishermen in Cardigan Bay, the Bristol Channel and north of Holyhead suggested the angel shark was regularly staying in Welsh waters, ZSL's Joanna Barker told the BBC.

What we really want to try and understand is what sort of numbers are we talking about and where are their important habitats, because there could be some really critical areas for angel sharks in Wales, she said.

Science news in pictures Show all 20 1 /20 Science news in pictures Science news in pictures Pluto has 'beating heart' of frozen nitrogen Pluto has a 'beating heart' of frozen nitrogen that is doing strange things to its surface, Nasa has found. The mysterious core seems to be the cause of features on its surface that have fascinated scientists since they were spotted by Nasa's New Horizons mission. "Before New Horizons, everyone thought Pluto was going to be a netball - completely flat, almost no diversity," said Tanguy Bertrand, an astrophysicist and planetary scientist at NASA's Ames Research Center and the lead author on the new study. "But it's completely different. It has a lot of different landscapes and we are trying to understand what's going on there." Getty Science news in pictures Over 400 species discovered this year by Natural History Museum The ancient invertabrate worm-like species rhenopyrgus viviani (pictured) is one of over 400 species previously unknown to science that were discovered by experts at the Natural History Museum this year PA Science news in pictures Jackdaws can identify 'dangerous' humans Jackdaws can identify dangerous humans from listening to each others warning calls, scientists say. The highly social birds will also remember that person if they come near their nests again, according to researchers from the University of Exeter. In the study, a person unknown to the wild jackdaws approached their nest. At the same time scientists played a recording of a warning call (threatening) or contact calls (non-threatening). The next time jackdaws saw this same person, the birds that had previously heard the warning call were defensive and returned to their nests more than twice as quickly on average. Getty Science news in pictures Turtle embryos influence sex by shaking The sex of the turtle is determined by the temperatures at which they are incubated. Warm temperatures favour females. But by wiggling around the egg, embryos can find the Goldilocks Zone which means they are able to shield themselves against extreme thermal conditions and produce a balanced sex ratio, according to the new study published in Current Biology journal Ye et al/Current Biology Science news in pictures Elephant poaching rates drop in Africa African elephant poaching rates have dropped by 60 per cent in six years, an international study has found. It is thought the decline could be associated with the ivory trade ban introduced in China in 2017. Reuters Science news in pictures Ancient four-legged whale discovered in Peru Scientists have identified a four-legged creature with webbed feet to be an ancestor of the whale. Fossils unearthed in Peru have led scientists to conclude that the enormous creatures that traverse the planets oceans today are descended from small hoofed ancestors that lived in south Asia 50 million years ago A. Gennari Science news in pictures Animal with transient anus discovered A scientist has stumbled upon a creature with a transient anus that appears only when it is needed, before vanishing completely. Dr Sidney Tamm of the Marine Biological Laboratory could not initially find any trace of an anus on the species. However, as the animal gets full, a pore opens up to dispose of waste Steven G Johnson Science news in pictures Giant bee spotted Feared extinct, the Wallace's Giant bee has been spotted for the first time in nearly 40 years. 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The bones belonged to two large rodent species and a small shrew-like animal New Mexico Museum of Natural History Science news in pictures Fabric that changes according to temperature created Scientists at the University of Maryland have created a fabric that adapts to heat, expanding to allow more heat to escape the body when warm and compacting to retain more heat when cold Faye Levine, University of Maryland Science news in pictures Baby mice tears could be used in pest control A study from the University of Tokyo has found that the tears of baby mice cause female mice to be less interested in the sexual advances of males Getty Science news in pictures Final warning to limit "climate catastrophe" The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has issued a report which projects the impact of a rise in global temperatures of 1.5 degrees Celsius and warns against a higher increase Getty Science news in pictures Nobel prize for evolution chemists The nobel prize for chemistry has been awarded to three chemists working with evolution. Frances Smith is being awarded the prize for her work on directing the evolution of enzymes, while Gregory Winter and George Smith take the prize for their work on phage display of peptides and antibodies Getty/AFP Science news in pictures Nobel prize for laser physicists The nobel prize for physics has been awarded to three physicists working with lasers. Arthur Ashkin (L) was awarded for his "optical tweezers" which use lasers to grab particles, atoms, viruses and other living cells. Donna Strickland and Gerard Mourou were jointly awarded the prize for developing chirped-pulse amplification of lasers Reuters/AP Science news in pictures Discovery of a new species of dinosaur The Ledumahadi Mafube roamed around 200 million years ago in what is now South Africa. Recently discovered by a team of international scientists, it was the largest land animal of its time, weighing 12 tons and standing at 13 feet. In Sesotho, the South African language of the region in which the dinosaur was discovered, its name means "a giant thunderclap at dawn" Viktor Radermacher / SWNS Science news in pictures Birth of a planet Scientists have witnessed the birth of a planet for the first time ever. This spectacular image from the SPHERE instrument on ESO's Very Large Telescope is the first clear image of a planet caught in the very act of formation around the dwarf star PDS 70. The planet stands clearly out, visible as a bright point to the right of the center of the image, which is blacked out by the coronagraph mask used to block the blinding light of the central star. ESO/A. Muller et al Science news in pictures New human organ discovered that was previously missed by scientists Layers long thought to be dense, connective tissue are actually a series of fluid-filled compartments researchers have termed the interstitium. These compartments are found beneath the skin, as well as lining the gut, lungs, blood vessels and muscles, and join together to form a network supported by a mesh of strong, flexible proteins Getty Science news in pictures Previously unknown society lived in Amazon rainforest before Europeans arrived, say archaeologists Working in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso, a team led by archaeologists at the University of Exeter unearthed hundreds of villages hidden in the depths of the rainforest. These excavations included evidence of fortifications and mysterious earthworks called geoglyphs Jose Iriarte Science news in pictures One in 10 people have traces of cocaine or heroin on fingerprints, study finds More than one in 10 people were found to have traces of class A drugs on their fingers by scientists developing a new fingerprint-based drug test. Using sensitive analysis of the chemical composition of sweat, researchers were able to tell the difference between those who had been directly exposed to heroin and cocaine, and those who had encountered it indirectly. Getty Science news in pictures Nasa releases stunning images of Jupiter's great red spot The storm bigger than the Earth, has been swhirling for 350 years. The image's colours have been enhanced after it was sent back to Earth. Pictures by: Tom Momary

The project has also turned up a number of photographs from the 1970s and 1980s of local fishermen who had caught angel sharks.

Since then the species has become protected and it is now illegal to catch it while fishing in British waters.

The unusual shark is especially valuable for scientists because it represents a completely different evolutionary process compared to other species.

Their bodies are broad and flat to allow them to linger on the ocean floor, half-buried in sand and mud, waiting for prey to swim near them.

If we lose the angel shark, we lose a really important lineage of evolutionary history that we cant get from any other shark species, Ms Barker said.

Its actually quite an ancient family of sharks  It has evolved particular traits no other family has done.

Once so common it was used only as crab bait, in recent years the angel sharks numbers have sharply dropped, leading to its classification as critically endangered in 2010.

But because it is now a protected species, researchers worry that fisherman and others who do come across it are reluctant to report sightings and accidental catches.

Ben Wray, a marine ecologist at Natural Resources Wales, said when the project was launched last year anyone could come forward without worrying about getting in trouble.

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We want to dispel that feeling and let people know that its fine to come forward and record these sightings, he said.

This data will be vital in building a clearer picture of the status and ecology of angel sharks in Wales as well as informing the Wales angel shark action plan, which we hope will help guide the project towards success.

The angel shark project is now touring coastal communities across Wales to raise awareness of the species and encourage locals to share any information and sightings with the team.

In particular, the scientists still want to find out if the sharks living off Wales are moving between there and their normal hunting grounds around the Canary Islands, or even an unknown third hotspot.
John Pedler, who has died aged 90, was a retired diplomat who wrote searing critiques of the Iraq war and the follies that followed in his blog, JP Diplomatic Consultancy (named after his business). He was very much a wise head in a foreign policy milieu where wisdom was not in demand.

In one post, titled Why they hate us in 2010, he wrote of the extraordinary hypocrisy of the west and how those who led us into the Gulf War cannot bring themselves to admit to so great an error.

Somewhat unfashionably, he didnt view the Obama administration with rose-tinted goggles. He wrote: It is too weak in congress, too beset with other top priorities, and it is faced with the immense power of the Israel lobby.

His coolly delivered, cutting views were in no danger of going mainstream. For instance, he was keen to highlight what he regarded as the root causes of Islamist extremism: Israel's treatment of the conquered Palestinians decades after the Arab nations' defeat is so shocking and inhuman that it is the first cause of anti-American and anti-Israeli bitterness  and thus the main motive for many young Muslims joining to fight a guerrilla or terrorist war.

Pedler regarded the media at large to be facilitators for the outrages of politicians. He did not become an octogenarian publishing sensation like Harry Leslie Smith, but his writing is packed with intellectual ballast.

Pedler loved flying but readily admitted he was not very good at it (Zelda B)

His taste of publishing came in a string of novels under the pen name Dominic Torr, with names such as Hoodwink (in which explored the world of freemasonry, an interest of his and a subject he believed deserved critique), Diplomatic Cover, The Treason Line and a Mission of Mercy.

Pedler was born in 1928 and grew up in the New Forest.

He was too young to fight in the Second World War, so his mother, Anne Isabel Stafford, an academic and author of Silver Street and The Great Mrs Pennington, sent him to America. Pedlers education was split between America and England. He took a degree in economics (with additional course in comparative religion) from the London School of Economics in 1948.

After graduating he took his national service as a cadet pilot in the RAFs volunteer reserve. Pedler loved to fly, but as he readily admitted was not the best pilot.

Following a crash he joined the RAF Intelligence Branch and was posted to Italy to the Trieste security office, during the US and UK occupation.

In 1951, he joined the Foreign Service (now Diplomatic Service) starting as a desk officer in the American department, covering the west coast and South America. Having established himself as a young diplomat he was posted to the British embassy in Vienna. He also served as commissioner-general of southeast Asia, and in the British embassies in Saigon, Laos and Phnom Penh. Eventually he became first secretary, British embassy in Paris.

In 1968 shortly after the death of his mother, Pedler took a leave of absence from the Foreign Office. Using his understanding of the political situation in southeast Asia, he became a war correspondent for The Sunday Telegraph in Vietnam during the Tet offensive.

Pedlers Vietnam press card carried his pen name, Dominic Torr (Zelda B)

He also visited China under the pretext of business to report on the Cultural Revolution for The Sunday Telegraph. He enjoyed the diversity and freedom of freelancing and decided to take early retirement.

He wrote a series of spy thrillers under the pseudonym Dominic Torr, and started a Chinese embroidery art and furniture business in London.

Pedler remained passionate about diplomacy and politics and freelanced as a diplomatic consultant.

In the late 1980s peace negotiator, Stan Windass and historian Peter Carey approached him about a charity they were in the process of forming to help landmine survivors in Cambodia.

Through his time in the diplomatic services, Pedler still had good relations with Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen and Prince Sihanouk, and he was able to help facilitate the relevant access and cooperation needed to operate in the region.

In 1989 the trio set up the Cambodia Trust, introduced a satellite telephone link, and opened a modern artificial limb and rehabilitation centre. The trust continues today and has helped transform the lives of thousands of disabled people in Cambodia; it has evolved from an emergency relief organisation to a major development non-governmental organisation, now called Exceed Worldwide.

Pedler lived in Italy, Croatia and for the past 15 years Sarlat in France. He was devastated by the Brexit result in 2016 and dedicated much of his time campaigning the case for the UK remaining in the EU.

He continued to write, corresponding with a wide array of Remain activists, produced a number of newspaper articles and self-published his final book, The Four Brexiteers and the Fracturing of the West. He was petitioning the government and the House of Lords right up to the eve of his death.

A few days before he died his local French newspaper, LEssor Sarladais, carried an interview with Pedler in which he emphasised how he hoped the centenary of the First World War would act as a reminded of the success of the EU as an agent of peace.

He spoke of how the world must work hard for a kinder politics for future generations. He was especially looking forward to seeing Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel make a symbolic united stand in remembrance.

Immensely inquisitive, Pedler  who is survived by his children, grandchildren and wife, Fere  had a thirst for knowledge. He spoke French, Italian, German, Spanish, Russian and some Chinese, Serbo-Croat and Khmer.

He loved the arts, with a special fondness for international poetry and world cinema. He had a fearless passion for life, was driven by a strong sense of duty to serve his country and help fight injustice and promote peace, hope and tolerance.

Pedler died on Armistice Day in Perigueux, a very fitting date for this intellectual, peace-loving, traditional English gentleman.

John Branfoot Simpson Pedler, diplomat, born 19 August 1928, died 11 November 2018
Japanese brewer Asahi has agreed to buy the beer business of London-based Fullers in a deal valuing the division at 250m.

The sale includes Fullers flagship London Pride, the Griffin Brewery, Cornish Orchards, Dark Star Brewing and Nectar Imports.

The Fullers brewery in Chiswick, where the company was founded in 1845, will also pass to Asahi.

Chief executive Simon Emeny said protecting the sites heritage was particularly important to the Fullers board when negotiating the sale.

Fullers will maintain ownership of its brand names but Asahi will have an exclusive global licence to use them.

Asahi chief executive Akiyoshi Koji said the London Pride brand has untapped potential that could be unlocked.

Fullers said it would focus on its core pubs and hotels business, which makes up three quarters of the companys revenues.

Mr Emeny said: We remain incredibly proud of the Fullers Beer Business, its history and the high quality premium beer and cider portfolio that we have developed.

Brewing has formed an integral part of our history and brand identity, however the core of Fullers and the driver of our future growth is now our premium pubs and hotels business.

The announcement came as Fullers revealed that like-for-like sales had grown 4.7 per cent in the pubs and hotels it manages over the 42 weeks to 19 January.

Jackie Parker of the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) expressed concern that the deal could reduce choice for beer drinkers.

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Were also wary of one company increasingly controlling a larger and larger share of the market, which is seldom beneficial for consumers, she said.

Fullers has been a family brewer in Britain for more than a hundred years, and its a very sad day to see such a well-known, historic and respected name exit the brewing business.

It would be very disappointing to see the character of Fullers beers change as a result of the deal.
No Theresa May. No Donald Trump. No Emmanuel Macron. No Xi Jinping. No Narendra Modi. No Justin Trudeau.

Davos 2019 was notably light on the political leader front.

Together these no-show leaders represent countries that account for around half of the global economy and 40 per cent of the planets population.
Eight members of staff at a hospital in Illinois, US have given birth within five months of one another.

Seven obstetrics nurses and one obstetrics technician at Anderson Hospitals Pavilion for Women in Maryville make up the group, which are now known as the Elite 8.

The women, who gave birth to their children from July to December 2018, announced the news earlier this month.

The Pavilion for Women had their own baby boom goingand it exploded! Pavilion officials wrote in a Facebook post alongside a photo of the new mums and their babies.

On hearing the news of the eight pregnancies last year, Kendra Howell, a labour nurse at the Womens Pavilion, tells The Independent: Everyone was ecstatic! We couldnt believe it.

Eight hospital co-workers give birth within five months of one another Show all 14 1 /14 Eight hospital co-workers give birth within five months of one another Eight hospital co-workers give birth within five months of one another Kendra Howell/Anderson Hospital's Pavilion for Women Eight hospital co-workers give birth within five months of one another Kendra Howell/Anderson Hospital's Pavilion for Women Eight hospital co-workers give birth within five months of one another Kendra Howell/Anderson Hospital's Pavilion for Women Eight hospital co-workers give birth within five months of one another Kendra Howell/Anderson Hospital's Pavilion for Women Eight hospital co-workers give birth within five months of one another Kendra Howell/Anderson Hospital's Pavilion for Women Eight hospital co-workers give birth within five months of one another Kendra Howell/Anderson Hospital's Pavilion for Women Eight hospital co-workers give birth within five months of one another Kendra Howell/Anderson Hospital's Pavilion for Women Eight hospital co-workers give birth within five months of one another Kendra Howell/Anderson Hospital's Pavilion for Women Eight hospital co-workers give birth within five months of one another Kendra Howell/Anderson Hospital's Pavilion for Women Eight hospital co-workers give birth within five months of one another Kendra Howell/Anderson Hospital's Pavilion for Women Eight hospital co-workers give birth within five months of one another Kendra Howell/Anderson Hospital's Pavilion for Women Eight hospital co-workers give birth within five months of one another Kendra Howell/Anderson Hospital's Pavilion for Women Eight hospital co-workers give birth within five months of one another Kendra Howell/Anderson Hospital's Pavilion for Women Eight hospital co-workers give birth within five months of one another Kendra Howell/Anderson Hospital's Pavilion for Women

In July, the then-pregnant women posed for a photo outside the hospital, showing off their baby bumps.

Months later, the new mums recreated their photo  this time, holding their babies.

When they came for their follow-up photo, everyone was so excited to see them all together and see how adorable they all are! says Howell.

This unit is one big family and those babies are our new additions.

Susan Lentz was the first in the group to give birth on 25 July and welcomed the arrival of her daughter, Anna Grace. The last of the eight to give birth, Michele Embick, welcomed her daughter Charlotte Rose on 19 December.

Howell adds that several of the women are back at work and three are currently on maternity leave.

The mothers pose for a photograph with their babies at Anderson Hospital's Pavilion for Women (Kendra Howell/Anderson Hospital Pavilion for Women)

They have met a few times to have play dates and will definitely continue to do that, she says.

They enjoyed sharing their pregnancy quirks and stories with each other and will continue with the fun and learning as their kiddos grow up together.
A woman's response to an unsolicited text from a car maintenance shop employee has gone viral after she explained why the man's behaviour was inappropriate and unwelcome.

Screenshots of the exchange were shared to the Instagram account Girl Boss and on Twitter by the womans sister, where she wrote: My sister got creeped on and sexually harassed by a Jiffy Lube guy via text from his personal phone and

The conversation begins with the man, who found the customers number in her file at Jiffy Lube, writing: You are gorgeous before identifying himself as your favourite oil change guy.

After confirming he was from the mechanic shop she frequents, the man then said: I couldnt help but to let you know, at which point the woman responds with a lengthy text message explaining why it is a teachable moment for the employee.

In addition to calling the compliment completely unnecessary and unsolicited, the woman informs the man of the inappropriateness of his actions considering he is a service provider and she is a customer.

The best, worst, and most unusual dating sites Show all 18 1 /18 The best, worst, and most unusual dating sites The best, worst, and most unusual dating sites Clown Dating "It's no fun looking for love when you're a clown, behind all the make-up and the red nose is a lonely heart. Clowns are unique entertainers loved by some yet feared and hated by others. Luckily Clown Dating is here to help." The best, worst, and most unusual dating sites Dead Meet "A dating networking site for death industry professionals" The best, worst, and most unusual dating sites Tinder "Tinder is the fun way to connect with new and interesting people around you. Swipe right to like or left to pass. If someone likes you back, its a match!" The best, worst, and most unusual dating sites Plenty of Fish The largest dating site has over 90 million users The best, worst, and most unusual dating sites Ashley Madison Ashley Madison "offers services to married folks looking for something on the side". It already has over a million members, as chief executive Noel Biderman said that British adults were most likely to have an affair than in other comparable countries The best, worst, and most unusual dating sites Sea Captain Date Sea Captain Date website claims to be the only place for Sea Captains to connect with men and women who share a love of the ocean The best, worst, and most unusual dating sites E-harmony Those on a more serious quest for love tend to choose the UKs largest dating site for professionals such as E-Harmony, which has a huge list of compatibility criteria on which it pairs its users The best, worst, and most unusual dating sites Feet Dating The cybersphere also boasts a plethora of dating sites for those who want to tailor their sexual fetishes like Feet Dating ("to please everyone who has a foot fetish") The best, worst, and most unusual dating sites Guardian Soulmates "Soulmates community features thousands of smart, modern, independent people who are worth getting to know" The best, worst, and most unusual dating sites Singles with Food Allergies The founder claims that dating can be a nightmare for those who suffer severe reactions, since popular venue choices so often include food and drink The best, worst, and most unusual dating sites Herpes Dating Service "Living with HSV is something that initially may take some psychological adjustment for some patients. It does not mean the end of your sex life or that you will need to remain unmarried for the rest of your life." The best, worst, and most unusual dating sites Match Probably one of the most popular choices for tech-dating newbies The best, worst, and most unusual dating sites Miss Travel Miss Travel website asks users to select from two options "attractive" and "generous", and pairs wealthy globe-trotters with hot companions The best, worst, and most unusual dating sites Pensioner Dating Pensioner Dating offers a forum for "older people who want to meet new friends and companions" The best, worst, and most unusual dating sites Singleparents.ie Singleparents.ie is "Irelands number one dating site for single moms and dads" The best, worst, and most unusual dating sites S&M Dating S&M Dating describes itself as a site for "beginners to the S&M and BDSM devotee" The best, worst, and most unusual dating sites Sugar Daddie On the site, it says: "Sugardaddie.com is a high quality dating site for successful men who have financial security and confidence and attractive single women." The best, worst, and most unusual dating sites Uniform Dating With more than 135,000 active users, Uniform Dating says each of their users receives an average of 22 winks and flirts each month

She then references the fact that she spoke of her husband during her visit to the car maintenance shop - which should have been taken as a clear sign she is not interested.

So it can be assumed that I am not interested in any compliments/advances from you, she wrote.

The unidentified woman also expresses the panic she felt over receiving the text from the employee because of the safety and privacy issues it raises.

She wrote: I have other personal information, like my address, saved there as well. It is a violation of my privacy for you to contact me from your personal phone with information that you got without my permission.

There are men who stalk, rape, and murder women by getting their information this way. For this reason, I assumed there is a Jiffy Lube company policy that you are to never contact a patron on your personal cell phone for personal reasons.

The woman concluded her message explaining that she is now in a predicament, as she can either find a new place to service her car and ignore the privacy violation, or she can report the employee to the companys human resources department.

Generally I am not in the business of ruining someones livelihood over something as simple as this, but it is very important to me that you understand why it was completely inappropriate for you to contact me, or any other woman, without explicit consent, she wrote, before reminding the employee that hed forgotten to tell her the tire pressure on her rear tire - and is not even in my top five favourite oil change guys.

The womans response has since gone viral and received more than 112,000 likes on Twitter.

This is ridiculous, so creepy. Good for her, one person wrote.

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Another said: So poised and articulate, this woman is impressive.

In addition to praising the womans response, the messages have also prompted other women to share their own experiences dealing with inappropriate behaviour from service providers.
Facebook is going to merge WhatsApp, Instagram and Messenger.

The shock announcement signals a major change for Facebook, one that could fundamentally alter how its products work.

The strategy is still in its early stages and there are still questions waiting to be answered, but it is clear that something very profound is about to change about how Facebook's many messaging apps work.

What's happening?

The three apps  which together are used by billions of people, and make up most of Facebook's most popular products  are going to change how their work in the most fundamental ways. There will still be three apps, but all of them will work together and each will changed to be integrated.

It will mean, in short, that the underlying infrastructure that powers the three apps will be brought together. Messenger, WhatsApp and Instagram's messaging tools will just be three different ways into the same conversations.

How to stop Facebook from revealing everything about you Show all 9 1 /9 How to stop Facebook from revealing everything about you How to stop Facebook from revealing everything about you Lock your profile down If you havent done this already, do it now. In Settings, hit the Privacy tab. From here, you can control who gets to see your future posts and friends list. Choose from Public, Friends, Only Me and Custom in the dropdown menu. How to stop Facebook from revealing everything about you Limit old posts Annoyingly, changing this has no effect on whos able to see your past Facebook posts. Instead, on the Privacy page, you have to click on Limit Past Posts, then select Limit Old Posts and finally hit Confirm on the pop-up. How to stop Facebook from revealing everything about you Make yourself harder to find You can stop completely random people from adding you by selecting Friends of Friends from the dropdown menu in the Who can send you friend requests? section of the Privacy page. Its also worth limiting who can find your Facebook profile with your number and email address. At the bottom of the page is the option to prevent search engines outside of Facebook from linking to your profile. How to stop Facebook from revealing everything about you Control access to your Timeline You can limit who gets to post things on your Timeline and who gets to see posts on your Timeline too. In Settings, go to Timeline and Tagging and edit the sections you want to lock down. How to stop Facebook from revealing everything about you Block people When you block someone, they wont be able to see things you post on your Timeline, tag you, invite you to events or groups, start conversations with you or add you as a friend. To do it, go to Settings and Blocking. Annoyingly, you have to block people on Messenger separately. You can also add friends to your Restricted list here, which means theyll still be friends with you but will only be able to see your public posts and things you share on a mutual friend's Timeline. How to stop Facebook from revealing everything about you Review tags One of Facebooks handiest privacy features is the ability to review posts youre tagged in before they appear on your Timeline. Theyll still be visible on the News Feed while theyre fresh, but wont be tied to your profile forever. In Timeline and Tagging, enable Timeline review controls. How to stop Facebook from revealing everything about you Clean up your apps You can view a list of all of the apps youve connected to your Facebook account by going to Settings and Apps. The list might be longer than you expected it to be. Its worth tidying this up to ensure things you no longer use lose access to your personal information. If you dont want to log into websites and apps with your facebook account, scroll down and turn Platform off. How to stop Facebook from revealing everything about you Change your ad preferences You can view a list of everything Facebook thinks youre into and tinker with your ad preferences by going to Settings and Adverts. A lot more information is displayed on the desktop site than the app, so wed recommend doing this on a computer. How to stop Facebook from revealing everything about you Download your data Facebook lets you download all of the data it has on you, including the posts youve shared, your messages and photos, ads youve clicked on and even the IP addresses that are logged when you log in or out of the site. Its a hell of a lot of information, which you should download to ensure you never over-share on the social network again.

It means in practise that, for instance, someone who only uses WhatsApp will be able to send an encrypted message to another person who only uses Facebook. That hasn't ever been possible before.

What's the situation now?

At the moment, the three are entirely separate. Though they are all developed by the same company, and so share some data between themselves and work together, they are in practise three different apps that can't talk to each other.

But this state of affairs has been gradually changing, even before this news. WhatsApp years ago started sharing data with Facebook, and the founders of both WhatsApp and Instagram have left the company in recent months amid suggestions they were concerned about their apps being subsumed into the parent company.

Why is it changing?

Mark Zuckerberg hopes the decision will make each of the apps more useful, according to the original New York Times report. That in turn should make people engage with them more  and potentially encourage them to stop using rivals, like Apple's iMessage.

We want to build the best messaging experiences we can; and people want messaging to be fast, simple, reliable and private," a Facebook spokesperon said. "We're working on making more of our messaging products end-to-end encrypted and considering ways to make it easier to reach friends and family across networks. As you would expect, there is a lot of discussion and debate as we begin the long process of figuring out all the details of how this will work.

In short, Facebook believes the combined infrastructure will make the apps better, and therefore more likely to be used; that, in turn, will help generate more of the data and advertising opportunities that Facebook relies on to make its money. But there might be other less obvious reasons to bring the three together, as well.

Why should I be worried?

Until now, the apps have been kept separate, and so the data they each collect has been partly compartmentalised too.

People have also been able to share different data with the companies themselves. WhatsApp only requires a phone number for people to use it, allowing them to stay relatively anonymous if they wish; on Facebook, people have to use their real name and are asked to give over far more personal information.

Many people choose to share more on WhatsApp or even entirely forego Facebook, because the latter has always had a more lax approach to people's personal data. WhatsApp has repeatedly stressed how important it is safeguard people's privacy  but that was largely led by its founders, who have left the company, and is thought to be getting eroded as it is subsumed by Facebook.

In short, the move could be a concern for anyone who prefers to keep their data separate  and away from Facebook. The sense of having some contacts, information or messages safe on WhatsApp and away from its owner, or vice versa, will be lost.

It's possible that same data will be used for advertising, and there have already been rumours about WhatsApp using information for marketing or showing ads within the app itself. No final decision on how the integrated services will be monetised has been decided yet, the New York Times reported.

Regulators are likely to share those concerns, and it's almost certain there will be yet more questions about whether Facebook should be more restrained than it is now.

When is it happening?

Facebook is still in the "early stages" of the work, according to the reports. But the plan is set to be finished by the end of this year or the beginning of 2020.

As with most Facebook projects, the rollout will probably be small at the beginning and gradually take place across users. It's likely that such a major update will be made available to a small number of beta testers initially before being added in stages.
A Chicago Tribune investigation launched in late August prompted an intense public debate about ethylene oxide emitted by a Sterigenics International sterilization plant in west suburban Willowbrook, where cancer risks from breathing toxic air pollution far exceed the national average. Tribune reporting also uncovered similar risks to communities near a Medline Industries plant in north suburban Waukegan and led federal investigators to take a closer look at Vantage Specialties, another large source of the highly toxic chemical in Gurnee.



Citing the newspaper's investigation, U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth, along with U.S. Reps. Sean Casten, Bill Foster, Brad Schneider, Dan Lipinski and Brad Schneider, have called for more stringent federal regulation of ethylene oxide. The Illinois Democrats also have demanded an independent investigation of the U.S. EPA's response in Willowbrook and Waukegan, and pressured the federal agency to conduct long-term air monitoring in the communities.



At the state level, former Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner has called for Sterigenics to be shut down after initially downplaying risks from a company owned in part by a private equity firm he co-founded. State Sen. John Curran and Rep. Jim Durkin, both DuPage County Republicans, have introduced legislation requiring sterilization companies to phase out the use of ethylene oxide in Illinois. In a bipartisan lawsuit, former Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan and Robert Berlin, the state's attorney of DuPage County, urged a state court to either shut down Sterigenics or enforce more stringent limits on its emissions of ethylene oxide.
Social media platforms have gained increasing prominence in recent years, becoming many peoples first port of call for news of current affairs and for staying up-to-date with the goings on of their friends lives.

With more than a billion users worldwide, Instagram has established itself as one of the worlds most powerful social networking sites, alongside other platforms such as Facebook and Twitter.

Everyone on the site is seemingly vying to boost their online presence, taking picturesque pictures wherever they go and using a plethora of popular hashtags in an effort to increase their followers.

While you may think you already have the art of being an social media influencer down to a tee, you may be missing some simple tricks that could help you raise your profile just a tad bit more.

As marketing expert Taylor Loren explains, Instagram users will often decide in seconds whether they think your profile is worth perusing or not.

Best celebrity Instagram posts from the 2019 Golden Globes Show all 23 1 /23 Best celebrity Instagram posts from the 2019 Golden Globes Best celebrity Instagram posts from the 2019 Golden Globes "I can't remember exactly, but I'm pretty sure the rule is to eat as much as humanly possible before squeezing into a formal dress. Right?" Kristen Bell wrote in an Instagram caption. Bell's husband, Dax Shepard, can be seen relaxing in bed in the background. Kristen Bell (@kristenanniebell) Best celebrity Instagram posts from the 2019 Golden Globes Following their delicious pre-Golden Globes meal, Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard looked sharp in their chic ensembles, which they accessorised with napkins. Naturally. Kristen Bell (@kristenanniebell) Best celebrity Instagram posts from the 2019 Golden Globes Golden Globes co-host Sandra Oh shared a photo on her Instagram story showing her getting ready before the big night. Oh won the Golden Globe for best actress in a television series drama for her leading role in thriller 'Killing Eve'. Sandra Oh (@iamsandraohinsta) Best celebrity Instagram posts from the 2019 Golden Globes Andy Samberg and Sandra Oh had a lot to prepare before hosting the Golden Globes together. Here, in a photo shared on Samberg's Instagram story, the pair appear deep in conversation, likely discussing the clever quips hiding under their sleeves. Andy Samberg (@thelonelyisland) Best celebrity Instagram posts from the 2019 Golden Globes Parenting is a time-consuming business, as Ricky Martin demonstrates in this photo posted on his Instagram account. "#Multitasking Getting ready for the @goldenglobes," he writes in the caption. In the picture Martin can be seen holding the pram of his daughter Lucia Martin-Yosef, whose birth he and husband Jwan Yosef announced in December 2018. Ricky Martin (@ricky_martin) Best celebrity Instagram posts from the 2019 Golden Globes Dax Shepard showed just how much effort he'd put into his Golden Globes preparations with a selfie that he posted on Instagram. "Even showered (last night) for this," he wrote in the caption. What a gent. Dax Shephard (@daxshepard) Best celebrity Instagram posts from the 2019 Golden Globes Melissa McCarty, who was nominated for a Golden Globe for her leading role in 'Can You Ever Forgive Me?', wore a purple, star-studded Reem Acra dress for the award ceremony. She showed her seven million Instagram followers the preparations that she undertook for the big night, which included applying a face mask and receiving help from a dedicated glam squad. Melissa McCarthy (@melissamccarthy) Best celebrity Instagram posts from the 2019 Golden Globes Thandie Newton had a team of people to thank for her breathtaking Golden Globes look, which she finished off with a stunning silver cut-out Michael Kors dress. The actor shared a Boomerang on Instagram of the final makeup touches being added, which included a smokey eye and a soft pink lip. Thandie Newton (@thandienewton) Best celebrity Instagram posts from the 2019 Golden Globes While the Golden Globes may be a glamorous affair for all the celebrities who attend, the early preparations are frequently decidedly less so. Alex Borstein, who stars in comedy-drama 'The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel', shared a photo on Instagram that showed her having an eye and neck mask applied while simultaneously having her hair curled. The definition of a multitasker. Alex Borstein (@alexborstein) Best celebrity Instagram posts from the 2019 Golden Globes Timothee Chalamet may not have won the Golden Globe for his supporting role in drama 'Beautiful Boy', but he was very excited to bring his mother along to the award show. Chalamet posted this picture on his Instagram account, alongside the caption: "momma!" The actor wore a custom Louis Vuitton suit designed by menswear artistic director Virgil Abloh for the event. Timothee Chalamet (@tchalamet) Best celebrity Instagram posts from the 2019 Golden Globes Jessica Chastain is typically very private about her personal life, choosing to keep her partner Gian Luca Passi de Preposulo and their baby daughter out of the spotlight. While getting ready for the Golden Globes, Chastain shared a photo of her daughter curiously holding a ruby Piaget ring, with the caption: "You've got good taste, kid." Jessica Chastain (@jessicachastain) Best celebrity Instagram posts from the 2019 Golden Globes Rachel Brosnahan has become a household Hollywood name thanks to her star-making turn as an aspiring stand-up comedian in 'The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel'. The actor shared a selfie on Instagram with her "girl gang" prior to the Golden Globes, for which she wore a floor-length yellow Prada gown. Rachel Brosnahan (@rachelbrosnahan) Best celebrity Instagram posts from the 2019 Golden Globes Catherine Zeta-Jones shared a behind-the-scenes glimpse of her Golden Globes preparations, posting a photo on her Instagram story showing her having her hair and makeup done. "Gold is for Globes," she wrote for the caption. Catherine Zeta-Jones (@catherinezetajones) Best celebrity Instagram posts from the 2019 Golden Globes Sarah Silverman showed just how well she and ex-partner Jimmy Kimmel still get on by sharing a selfie with the talk show host and his wife, Molly McNearney. Silverman and Kimmel dated for seven years between 2002 and 2009. Sarah Silverman (@sarahkatesilverman) Best celebrity Instagram posts from the 2019 Golden Globes Darren Criss epitomised elegance at the Golden Globes with his fiancee, producer Mia Swier. Criss, who won a Golden Globe for his chilling role as killer Andrew Cunanan in 'The Assassination of Gianni Versace', wore a floral Dior tux, and Swier wore a sleek Vera Wang gown. Darren Criss (@darrencriss) Best celebrity Instagram posts from the 2019 Golden Globes For her first ever appearance at the Golden Globes, actor and activist Jameela Jamil had a sneaky trick for ensuring she didn't feel the January cold. The star of 'The Good Place' revealed on social media that she wore jeans underneath her pink Monique Lhuillier gown. An experienced woman wears jeans under her Golden Globes gown because its forking COLD, she wrote in a tweet accompanying the video. Jameela Jamil (@jameelajamilofficial) Best celebrity Instagram posts from the 2019 Golden Globes 'The Big Bang Theory' actor Kaley Cuoco shared a candid snap on her Instagram account of her walking along a hallway hand in hand with her new husband Karl Cook, whom she married in June 2018. Cuoco wore a navy, black and white strapless Monique Huillier gown for the Golden Globes. Kaley Cuoco (@kaleycuoco) Best celebrity Instagram posts from the 2019 Golden Globes While last year's Golden Globes saw numerous stars wear black in solidarity with the Time's Up movement, this year celebrities chose to show their support by wearing bracelets and ribbons with the slogan "Time's Up X2" written across them. Julianne Moore shared this photo on her Instagram account, showing her wearing the accessory next to a beautiful Chopard bracelet. Julianne Moore (@juliannemoore) Best celebrity Instagram posts from the 2019 Golden Globes Jamie Lee Curtis's stunning Alexander McQueen dress received a lot of praise when the actor appeared on the Golden Globes red carpet. Curtis posted this photo on her Instagram account while taking part in rehearsals for the show. Jamie Lee Curtis (@curtisleejamie) Best celebrity Instagram posts from the 2019 Golden Globes 'A Star Is Born' didn't win as many Golden Globes as people expected, having been nominated for five accolades. Nonetheless, the film's win for best original song still proved very exciting for Lady Gaga, Mark Ronson, Anthony Rossomando and Andrew Wyatt, all of whom collaborated on the song 'Shallow'. "We're off the deep end," Ronson wrote in an Instagram caption accompanying a selfie of the group. Mark Ronson (@iammarkronson) Best celebrity Instagram posts from the 2019 Golden Globes Isla Fisher and Sacha Baron Cohen are known for their playful relationship, so much so that Fisher couldn't help but poke fun at her husband's Golden Globe loss for best actor in a musical or comedy for 'Who is America?' "My husband WON!... not," Fisher cheekily wrote on Instagram. Isla Fisher (@islafisher) Best celebrity Instagram posts from the 2019 Golden Globes With rumours rife that Idris Elba may still be in line to take over as James Bond when Daniel Craig decides to step down from the role, the 'Luther' actor fuelled the fire further when he posted this selfie with Craig on his Instagram story. "Awks..." he wrote, as Craig gives Elba a defiant stare. Idris Elba (@idriselba) Best celebrity Instagram posts from the 2019 Golden Globes One of the highlights of Julia Roberts's night came after the Golden Globes had ended, when she and husband Daniel Moder stopped off for a burger on their way home. "Fun night w my fella. Congratulations to all! And to all a good (burger) night," the actor wrote on Instagram. Julia Roberts (@juliaroberts)

Here are five easy ways for you to increase your Instagram followers, according to the experts:

1. Start using Instagram story Highlights

While you may show your followers what you get up to during your everyday life on your Instagram story, have you started utilising Instagram's story Highlight feature yet?

Doing so will provide people venturing onto your profile with some incentive to learn a bit more about your life and possibly even click the "follow" button.

"The Highlights on your Instagram profile give you an opportunity to court new followers with your best content," says Loren, head of marketing at Later.com.

Loren also adds that it's important to ensure that the pictures you use as icons for each Instagram story Highlight fall in line with the kind of pictures you'd usually post on your profile, in order to give your account an overall polished look.

2. Use location tags in stories and posts

This may seem like a simple suggestion, but if you don't do so already, adding location tags - otherwise known as "geotagging" - to your Instagram story and posts will enable people from around the world to find your profile.

Sometimes when you've travelled to a particular location and included it in your story, your picture or video may be added to the location's own story, Loren outlines.

Jayson DeMers, founder and CEO of marketing firm AudienceBloom also emphasises the importance of geotagging.

"Use geotagging, especially if you're a local business," he says.

"When you geotag your photos, others who post photos in your region will see your images on the location's page.

"This is a great way to catch the attention of local users."

3. Take selfies

Love them or loathe them, sharing selfies on Instagram is a bona fide way to increase your online following.

"Theres no denying that Instagram is still a very social place. And people want to follow accounts that they can relate to, regardless of whether thats a brand, influencers, or person they went to high school with," Loren states.

"So its important to make your Instagram account as personable and relatable as possible, and really show off what your business and brand is all about if you want to get more Instagram followers."

According to research conducted by the Georgia Institute of Technology and Yahoo Labs, pictures of faces are 38 per cent more likely to receive likes than those without.

So, if you're keen to increase the number of people following your account and liking your pictures, you could do well to follow in the footsteps of social media ace Kim Kardashian West who's been known to regularly share selfies with her followers.

Her following of 125 million people speaks for itself.

4. Promote yourself on other social media platforms

If you have an Instagram account, then we're going to hasten a guess that it's not the only social media platform you use.

Sharing your Instagram posts on other sites such as Twitter and Facebook could help new followers gain access to your profile.

DeMers also suggests mentioning what people can expect if they visit your Instagram profile.

So, if you love posting photos of your dog or you're particularly fond of avocado on toast, anyone else who shares you passions may be inclined to give you a follow.

5. Quality not quantity

When on a mission to boost your Instagram following, you may feel that posting as many pictures as possible is a surefire way to succeed.

Quite the contrary, as keeping an eye on the quality of your posts could prove more advantageous.

"Edit your account to leave only the best images," DeMers advises.

"No one wants to follow someone with thousands of pointless images of food or other random shots."

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Tech news outlet Gadgets360 also stresses the importance of quality over quantity.

"You can't get away with low-effort, half-hearted posts on Instagram," the company states.

"If your strategy revolves around photos, make sure you take great pictures of whatever you're trying to promote."
CVS has announced plans to stop digitally altering the majority of the photos in its beauty aisles in an effort to become more transparent with its customers.

The American pharmacy chain unveiled its Beauty Mark initiative in 2018, a scheme that strives to ensure that marketing materials for beauty products are not retouched or altered in any way.

A year later, the "Beauty Mark" initiative has officially come into effect, with 70 per cent of the beauty imagery in CVS stores either not being airbrushed or being labelled as digitally altered.

CVS hopes for all beauty imagery in its stores to be compliant with the initiative by 2020.

"We've made a commitment to not materially alter the beauty imagery we create for our stores, marketing materials, websites, apps or social media," the company states.

Natural makeup and skincare Show all 13 1 /13 Natural makeup and skincare Natural makeup and skincare Neals Yard Remedies Neals Yard Remedies Ella Rose Lime & Cucumber Moisturiser 25 Lime & Cucumber Facial Wash 16 nealsyardremedies.com Natural makeup and skincare Liz Earle Superskin Liz Earle Superskin Eyecream 35 lizearle.com Natural makeup and skincare Lavera Re-energising Sleeping Cream 16.90 pravera.co.uk Natural makeup and skincare Dr Hauschka Night Serum 38 drhauschka.co.uk Natural makeup and skincare Dr Bronner's Rose Castille Soap 5.99 theremustbeabetterway.co.uk Natural makeup and skincare Aveda Daily Light Guard SPF 34 aveda.co.uk Natural makeup and skincare Aesop Parsley Seed Aesop Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant Hydrator 43 aesop.com Natural makeup and skincare Yes to Yes to Tomatoes Detoxifying Charcoal Mud Mask 11.99 boots.com Natural makeup and skincare Weleda Skin Food 6.99 weleda.co.uk Natural makeup and skincare Tata Harper Nourishing Oil Cleanser 54 cultbeauty.co.uk Natural makeup and skincare REN Moroccan Rose Bath Oil 30 renskincare.com Natural makeup and skincare Rahua Body Shower Gel 35 naturismo.com Natural makeup and skincare Pai Skincare Rosehip Regenerate Oil 22 paiskincare.com

"We will not digitally alter or change a person's shape, size, proportion, skin or eye colour or enhance or alter lines, wrinkles or other individuals characteristics."

CVS is the first major company in the US to adopt a policy of this nature with regards to airbrushed images, Reuters reports.

Numerous cosmetics brands are working wtih CVS on the "Beauty Mark" campaign, including Revlon, Neutrogena and CoverGirl.

Neutrogena creative consultant Kerry Washington, most famous for her starring role in political drama Scandal, has praised the pharmacy company for the move.

"I know what it's like to wake up and look at my own face on the cover of a magazine and say, 'Wow, somebody at a computer changed the shape of my face because they weren't happy with what I look like'," Washington tells NBC News.

"It's really about saying we should stand behind the power and quality of our products to do what they do.

"We don't need digital transformations to misrepresent our products. Our products are strong, our spokespeople are proud, and we can just be out there in the world celebrating our beauty, using the products to put our best face forward without the help of computers."

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Photos that haven't been retouched in CVS stores will be labelled as "Beauty Unaltered", while pictures that have been edited will be labelled as "Digitally Altered".

In 2014, CVS became the first US pharmacy chain to stop selling tobacco products.
A spate of mysterious deaths among Britains hares has been linked to a deadly virus which is thought to have made the leap from rabbit populations.

Two cases of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus type 2 (RHDV2) have so far been confirmed, one in Dorset and one in Essex, suggesting it may already be spreading across the nation.

If it spreads, the disease poses a significant new danger to the countrys already threatened hares.

While RHDV2 normally only affects rabbits, it is known to have passed to brown hares in Italy, Spain, France and Australia.

Dr Diana Bell, a biologist at the University of East Anglia who is leading the investigation into the British hare deaths, said they were the first confirmed cases in the UK.

Recommended Brown hares face extinction after deaths identified as myxomatosis

Brown hare numbers have fallen 80 per cent over the past century, while populations of the closely related mountain hare have collapsed by up to 99 per cent in parts of its range.

Changes to farming practices have been blamed for killing off the creatures, while mountain hares have been culled by gamekeepers on grouse moors.

The decline of brown hares  which were originally introduced to Britain in the Iron Age  has been exacerbated in recent months when reports began flooding in of a mysterious spate of deaths across the country.

Some of these deaths have been attributed to myxomatosis another deadly rabbit virus and the two infections combined would place even more pressure on the remaining population.

British mammals fight for survival Show all 11 1 /11 British mammals fight for survival British mammals fight for survival The Mammal Societys assessment of Britains mammal populations is the first such review in over 20 years. The results reveal winners and losers, and highlight some of the key threats facing the countrys wildlife such as habitat loss, invasive species and the spread of diseases. British mammals fight for survival Hedgehogs Populations of the much-loved insectivore may have declined by as much as 73% Richard Bowler British mammals fight for survival Greater mouse-eared bats Only one of these flying mammals has been recorded in the whole country, in a railway tunnel in West Sussex Andrew Harrington British mammals fight for survival Rabbits Despite being a common sight across the countryside, rabbits have decreased in number by nearly 10% Danni Thompson British mammals fight for survival Black Rats Though not generally considered threatened animals, black rats number have collapsed in recent years due largely to pest control measures. However their far more common cousins, the brown rats, are thriving. Tim Melling British mammals fight for survival Red Squirrels Though it is difficult to measure changes in squirrel numbers, their range has shrunk considerably due largely to the spread of squirrel pox virus by invasive grey squirrel Alistair Marsh British mammals fight for survival Wildcats There has been a marked decline in wildcat populations, with only around 200 left in Scotland Rachel Profit British mammals fight for survival Badgers Due to legal protections badgers have recovered from past persecution and the density of their setts (holes) has increased by over 100% in recent decades Phil Mumby British mammals fight for survival Otters The banning of persistent organic pesticides has had a positive population effect on otters Allan Chard British mammals fight for survival Fallow Deer The 2018 review estimates a population size of fallow deer almost three times the size of that estimated in the 1995 review  a positive trend that is seen in other deer species. James Shooter British mammals fight for survival Eurasian Beavers These aquatic mammals were nearly extinct in Europe at the start of the 20th century, but their reintroduction to the UK have been largely successful Paul Scott

RHDV2 is one of several pathogens we are finding in dead hares and it is too early to say which is currently the primary cause of the hare die-off, said Dr Bell, who published the findings in the journal Vet Record. We are continuing to investigate other causes for the deaths.

Dr Bell praised the tremendous response of many members of the public who had come forward with reports of obviously sick or dead hares.

She urged people to continue reporting any sightings so that her team can understand what is behind the unusual hare die-off.
America's population in 1900 was 76 million. A century later, it had risen to 281 million. It's safe to say that 19 years later, the number has definitely risen even more.

Besides the population growing and evolving, there's another area of society rapidly growing and evolving and that's the workplace. The popularity of remote work, along with various other trends, has been discussed and brought to the forefront.

However, despite all of the discussions about improving the workplace, there's a crisis that is going unnoticed. That crisis is employee caregivers.

In a recent study titled "The Caring Company," two Harvard Business School researchers, Joseph B. Fuller and Manjari Raman, discovered that employers underestimate the struggle (and burden) that employees face in balancing their professional and caregiving roles.

The informal care economy is massive. A 2015 AARP report estimated that over the previous 12 months, more than 43 million adult Americans had administered unpaid care to an adult who needed support or to a child with special needs. To further expound on this, it was also discovered that six out of 10 family caregivers held a job while providing unpaid caregiving support.

Why Caregiving Must Be Addressed in the Workplace

The Census Bureau projects that for every 100 working-age Americans, aged 18 to 64, there will be 72 people outside that range in 2030, up from 59 in 2010. People may be living longer, but that doesn't guarantee a high quality of life to coincide with it. As these individuals get older, the burden falls on the employees who are going to work each and every day.

If companies want to retain top-end talent and high performance, then dedicating more attention to this issue is a must.

Also discovered in the study was that 73 percent of U.S. workers possessed some sort of caregiving role. Further exploration of these workers found that 32 percent left a job due to the difficulty of juggling their professional life with their caregiving life.

Eighty percent stated that caregiving duties prevented them from optimal performance at the workplace and 28 percent said that caregiving had hurt their careers.

To start generating some positive momentum toward this issue, here are three steps to begin with:

1. Assess your current workplace.

It's hard to alleviate an issue if you don't fully understand it. Yet many companies are attempting to do this. Some 52 percent of employers surveyed in this study don't track data on their employees' caregiving responsibilities.

If you don't track and collect data, you won't be able to get an accurate pulse of your workplace. Therefore, the first step in this process is to simply start gathering data and feedback from your employees. Sending online questions (that can be anonymous) is a simple and cost-effective way to get the ball rolling in the right direction.

2. Offer subsidies and more paid time off.

Besides underestimating the severity of the situation, employers are also not providing the key benefits that employees are looking for. In the study, employers discovered that paid time off was the most important. However, only 55 percent of eligible employees utilized the benefit, and only 59 percent of the employers surveyed offered this benefit.

To help this situation, offer more paid time off and also communicate this more clearly through various company channels.

3. Offer targeted education and training.

As someone who has personally dealt with caregiving over an extended period of time, it can be stressful, conjure up many difficult emotions to process, and lead to unintentionally neglecting personal well-being.

Simply put, caregiving can lead to you also becoming sick. And it's with that notion in mind that educating individuals in this arena is pivotal. Being a caregiver is a unique and discomforting situation to be in.

Providing access to stress experts and other individuals targeted specifically to help employees navigate the difficult terrains of caregiving is a high-yielding action that will provide immediate dividends to everyone involved.
If you have Millennials on your payroll, expect 43 percent of them to leave within 24 months. Think you'll replace them with Gen Zers? Be aware that 61 percent of them are likely to head out the door in the same time frame.

These numbers aren't hunches. They're straight from the mouths of more than 10,000 Millennials and 1,800 members of Generation Z who participated in The Deloitte Millennial Survey 2018. Respondents exhibited high degrees of dissatisfaction and cynicism across the board, especially when it came to loyalty.

In other words, you're in for a bumpy ride unless you start addressing workers' concerns before they hand in their resignations.

In 2019, the employer-employee connection is tenuous. No longer are employees giving the best years of their lives in exchange for a pension or stability. In fact, they're prepared to make for the exit at the first sight of a red flag.

And they're seeing a lot of red flags.

A few of the biggest complaints among Deloitte's survey participants focused on business's unethical practices, lack of diversity, inflexibility, and limited on-the-job education opportunities. Moreover, employees don't have to hang around at a company that only meets their needs halfway. In the U.S., unemployment is still at rock-bottom levels, so plenty of organizations are hiring. In addition, the gig economy offers major opportunities for talented workers willing to go it alone in an effort to make more money and have more control over their work-life balance.

Unless you enjoy constantly recruiting, hiring, and training employees, you should do all you can to keep your workers. Begin by understanding exactly what irks people the most about their employers. Then, initiate companywide reforms to address these very real problems before they cost you a bundle.

1. Your employees don't trust you.

Do you walk the walk and talk the talk? If so, according to Deloitte's respondents, you're one of a few: Belief in business ethics was down 17 percent for Millennials. Many companies are afflicted by unethical practices, and plenty have been outed via social media. As a result, employees assume that their employers will likewise make decisions based on profits, not people.

We learned from Google and others last year that if you don't give your employees a voice in corporate decisions, that doesn't mean they'll stay quiet. The tech giant ended up withdrawing from a lucrative military contract known as Project Maven because so many of its workers were offended and concerned by the contract's long-term ramifications. Although it might go against the typical corporate grain, you can foster serious street cred with employees if you take their worries to heart and act principle-first, not profit-first.

2. You operate with old-fashioned mentalities.

Is it possible that your company is stuck in a time warp, at least by employee standards? Employees are seeking modern work environments with flexibility and diversity, according to Deloitte. Certainly, some positions can't be flexible, such as call service representatives who must be available between certain hours. However, other roles may be conducive to alternative work arrangements.

A forward-thinking culture also includes a diverse work family. If you look around and find that all your employees come from the same background, bring the same ideas to the table, and fail to reflect the diversity of your customers or community, your hiring process may be biased. Aim to make your culture more inclusive by recruiting and developing people from underrepresented groups--and then listening to what they have to say.

3. You don't train your talent.

One of the biggest concerns mentioned by young workers in the Deloitte study is that they feel unready to take on what's around the corner. What they need is an infusion of consistent upskilling to improve their relevancy and give them a solid reason to stay at the company. AT&T is already taking this challenge on by pledging $1 billion to upskill and retrain its workers.

At our company, employee development is a constant. Books are a classic go-to for people who want to learn on their own time. We're also dedicated to peer-to-peer mentoring, a practice that encourages self-learning among teams. If you can, it's a solid investment to cover the cost of relevant conferences and/or online and offline courses. Being able to tout your internal education makes you more attractive to Millennial hires in particular, according to 87 percent of Gallup poll participants.
Google has asked the National Labor Relations Board to undo a 2014 precedent allowing employees to organize over workplace email without fear of punishment, according to a Bloomberg report on Thursday.

The protection has been used extensively by Google employees over the past year -- perhaps most leading up to the November walkouts.

"Sundar assured us that he and Google's leadership supported the Walkout. But the company's requests to the National Labor Relations Board tell a different story," an employee group who helped organize the November walkouts said.

According to the report, Google challenged these legal protections in defending itself against employee allegations unrelated to the November walkouts.

Google has asked the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to reconsider rules allowing employees to organize over workplace email without fear of punishment, according to a Bloomberg report on Thursday.

The Obama-era precedent restricts companies from disciplining employees who used internal email communication for actions such as circulating petitions, organizing walkouts, or trying to form a union, according to the report.

The protection has been used extensively by Google employees over the past year -- perhaps most leading up to the November walkouts where workers around the world left their desks to protest their company's handling of alleged sexual harassment cases involving company execs.

Internal email communication was a vital component in organizing the walkouts, according to an employee in Bloomberg's report.

At the time, Google's leadership supported employees who protested its policies. In a company-wide email one week after the walkouts, Google CEO Sundar Pichai said: "Even in difficult times, we are encouraged by the commitment of our colleagues to create a better workplace."

Yet three weeks later, as Bloomberg reported, Google attorney's put forth filings that urged the Labor Board to overturn the precedent that protected workers to organize.

According to the report, Google challenged these legal protections in defending itself against a case brought against it by the NLRB unrelated to the November walkouts.

"We're not lobbying for changes to any rules," a Google spokesperson told Business Insider on Thursday. "This was a legal defense that we included as one of many possible defenses in the response to a charge. This case is without merit and we are defending the claim vigorously."

The case, in part, involved its handling of an employee who made comments on the company's internal chat room in 2015 about workplace diversity and social justice issues. It is not uncommon for companies to object legal precedents being used in cases against them, according to the report.

The employee group who helped organize the November walkouts -- Google Walkout for Real Change -- responded to the report on Thursday, saying: "Sundar assured us that he and Google's leadership supported the Walkout. But the company's requests to the National Labor Relations Board tell a different story... We will continue to stand up for justice, equity, and a safe workplace, in solidarity with all workers."
(The Center Square)  The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency is warning residents keen on recreating in the water to look out for cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, in Illinois waters, which can be toxic to humans and pets.
Hernandez said he wanted to develop ways to transform more renters into homeowners so they would have more control over their destinies and to stabilize the community. He suggested that lower-income residents who live in the Barbara Jean Wright Court apartments on West 14th Street organize so they could form a cooperative and buy the building. He said that as a cyclist, he is looking forward to the El Paseo trail project  a 4-mile path that would connect Pilsen to Little Village whencompleted.
In January, Indonesian President Joko Widodo gave a pardon to I Nyoman Susrama, the convicted killer of Balinese journalist AA Gde Bagus Narendra Prabangsa. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliate Aliansi Jurnalis Independen (AJI) in condemning the decision by the President and calling for Susramas original sentence to be reinstated.

Based on the decree from President Jokowi, Susramas sentence was reduced from life to 20 years.

Anak Agung Narendra Prabangsa, 41, was a reporter with the Indonesian language daily Radar Bali. His family reported him missing on February 12, 2009. Prior to his disappearance Prabangsa was reporting on a corruption case in the education agency worth IDR 4 billion (approx USD 280,000). One of his stories covered Susramas project of the international school in Bangli. Prabangsa had been receiving threatening phone calls and text messages for several weeks before he disappeared.

Several days later, Prabangsa's motorbike was found in his hometown of Taman Bali, Bangli Regency. Prabangsas body was found floating on Bungsil Bay Karangasem by the farmers on February 16, 2009. An autopsy revealed injuries on his head and face, a broken wrist, and concluded that he had been thrown into the sea alive.

Following the police investigation, witness statements and evidence made to the court, Susrama was found to be the mastermind of the killing. Susrama had ordered several men kidnap and kill Prabangsa. A year after Prabangsas murder, in 2010, Susrama was sentenced to life in prison.

Data from AJI shows that Prabangsas case was one of the few cases of journalist killings in Indonesia was a successful prosecution of the mastermind. Impunity remains one of the main issues to journalist safety and press freedom in Indonesia. There are 8 cases of journalist killings which remain unresolved.

AJI chairman Abdul Manan said that AJI regrets the remission given by President Jokowi to the killer of a journalist. The pardon is not only violating the justice for Prabangsas family but also for journalists in Indonesia, Abdul said.

AJI demands that the President revoke or annul the remission. The pardon will spread a message that the country has not shown a strong commitment to ending the impunity.

The IFJ said: The remission given to Prabangsa has shown that the pursuit of justice in cases of journalists killing has been compromised. We must end impunity and bring the perpetrators to justice. We stand with AJI in demanding the President Joko Widodo to revoke or annul the pardon.

Read more on journalist safety, impunity and working conditions in Indonesia and South East Asia in the IFJs latest report here.
Yang Hengjun, an Australian writer, democracy advocate and former Chinese diplomat, was detained by security agents when he arrived at Guangzhou airport on Saturday, January 19, on a flight from New York. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) strongly criticize the detention of Yang and call for his immediate release and guarantee safe return to Australia.

According to Yangs lawyer, Yang is now in residential surveillance has been charged with espionage by Beijings State Security Bureau. On Thursday, January 24, Chinas foreign ministry said that Yang was been held on suspicion of engaging in criminal activities that endangered Chinas national security.

Yang has been an Australian citizen since 2002 and is a well-known activist, advocating for democracy and rule of law. He is prolific online, publishing fiction writing and commentary on politics.

The Australian Government has called on its Chinese counterparts to share all necessary information regarding Yangs arrest, and guarantee consular access.

The IFJ said: The arrest of Yang Hengjun shows the ongoing attempts by the Chinese Government to control the flow of information and free speech even beyond its borders. The fact that Yang, an Australian citizen is not safe to travel to China without detention is a warning for other critical voices. We strongly criticize this approach by the Chinese Government and call for the immediate release of Yang Hengjun.
Keeping a journal is often thought of as something that begins and ends in adolescence  the stereotype is a teen telling her secrets to a flowered diary with a lock on it. But artists who keep journals and psychologists who recommend it to patients say that it can be a way of relieving stress, moving past trauma, firing creativity and giving life meaning.
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At this point, 20 years in, I feel like we are such a well-oiled machine. I think we probably were saying that the first time around, little did we know. I think now it's even gone to the next level of knowing each other and understanding each other and knowing each others strengths and weaknesses. Even just in rehearsal or in a run-through, to laugh at each others jokes, laugh at each others punchlines. That's the only group of actors that I ever have worked with for that length of time and probably ever will.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 25)  After only two hearings, Senate Justice committee chair Richard "Dick" Gordon said he would recommend lowering the minimum age of criminal responsibility (MACR) to 12 years old.

Gordon plans to present his recommendation to senators in plenary next week.

Asked for his basis in lowering the age, Gordon said "that's what I feel."

"I'm the chairman, because that's what I see," he told reporters Friday, shortly after the panel concluded its hearings on the two bills seeking to bring down the MACR from 15. "The whole world is at 10, nine, seven. Why should I go to 15 just to satisfy the people who want to say we won?"

Gordon previously said he favors lowering the MACR to 12 because President Rodrigo Duterte requested it. In 2006, Gordon voted in favor of raising the MACR from 9 to 15.

"You have to make him win. Eh galit na galit 'yung tao eh. Kung makita niyo mukha ng Presidente, galit talaga siya sa drugs eh," Gordon said Tuesday. "The government wants nine years old, o sige, 15 years old, pero magbigay ka naman ng konti para tulungan mo 'yung sa kabila, eh kung 'di ko binigay 'yun, baka 'di na bigyan itong mga suporta na kailangan natin."

[Translation: You have to make him win. He's very angry. If you see the President's face, you would see that he's very angry at drugs  The government wants nine years old, fine, 15 years old, but you have to give some to help the other side because if I give that, we might not get the support that we need.]

Gordon made a similar pitch during Friday's hearing.

"Leave some to the other side, make them feel they won a little. Don't think that you can win," he said. "You want to win, you win. Tignan natin kung papayagan magbigay ng budget iba diyan [Let's see if they'll give funding for that.] I hope you can read between the lines of what I'm saying."

But the senator changed his tune when reporters asked him to clarify.

"Eh ni-request ni President Duterte 'yan eh. 'Di naman ako pasunod-sunod eh. Sabi pa nga nine eh. Eh sabi ko, hindi, 12 tayo," Gordon said.

[Translation: President Duterte requested that. I don't just follow. They even want it at nine. But I said, no, we go with 12.]

Senate justice panel to recommend lowering minimum criminal age to 12 | https://t.co/sDo55hwVGt pic.twitter.com/vA5uMJQRPp  CNN Philippines (@cnnphilippines) January 25, 2019

The House of Representatives on Wednesday passed on second reading House Bill No. 8858, which seeks to hold children as young as 12 years old responsible for crimes. Last minute amendments introduced to the plenary following backlash from rights groups and some lawmakers included lowering the age to 12 instead of the earlier proposed 9 and changing "criminal responsibility" to "social responsibility," with proponents saying that would make the bill more acceptable.

Senate President Tito Sotto had earlier said majority of senators would support the lowering of the MACR to 12, but not nine years old.

The Philippine National Police and the Department of the Interior and Local Government also agree that there is a need to lower the MACR to 12.

"Nagsa-spike 'yung pag-offend ng crime at the age of 10 and up, especially, even murder, and robbery and rape," Interior Secretary Eduardo Ano said.

[Translation: From ages 10 and up, there is a spike in those who commit crimes, especially, even murder, robbery and rape.]

But Police Senior Superintendent Angela Rejano, chief of the Philippine National Police's Anti Violence Against Women and Children division, told CNN Philippines' On the Record on Thursday that the number of crimes committed by minors decreased by 21 percent from 2016 to 2017.

Rejano added that theft is the most prevalent crime committed by minors aged 12 to 15.

But Dr. Liane Alampay, a director of the Psychological Association of the Philippines, said increasing the proposed MACR to 12 makes no difference.

"Nine, 12 or 15  all are still growing in brain development and are still learning how to make decisions and control impulses and regulate emotions," Alampay said during the Senate hearing.

She added that children as young as four could already determine what is right or wrong, but still have difficulties controlling behaviors and making decisions.

"So, to me, the age does matter because if we lower MACR to 12, this translates to thousands of children who are made vulnerable by all the implementation failures in our social welfare system," she said.

The Juvenile Justice and Welfare Center (JJWC), the executive agency that monitors the implementation of the current law, said only 55 of 113 Bahay Pag-asas required have been built.

The JJWC said during a Senate hearing last Wednesday that some Bahay Pag-asas  24-hour youth care facilities which should be staffed by child care experts where children who run in conflict with the law are placed in  are "worse than prisons."

With a lack of youth care facilities, some children actually end up in regular jails with adults, the Commission on Human Rights said.

"The law does not need to be changed. What needs to be done is strengthen the implementation of the law," Ateneo de Manila University President Fr. Jose Ramon Villarin said in his message to the university community.

"Let us spend more energy and resources on getting children educated, raised in homes of love and safety, capable of entering the workforce in adulthood. Let us invest ourselves instead in providing all Filipino children with what they need to flourish and succeed," Villarin said.

CNN Philippines' Xave Gregorio, Xianne Arcangel and Robert Veragara contributed to this report.
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Most of the theater people who make up the fictional Red Rex theater company  certainly the artistic director, Nicole (played by Amanda Powell) and the executive director, Greg (Chris Chmelik)  are white. Theyve hired an African-American actor, Nicole, played by Jessica Dean Turner, to tell their story, stolen from the hood in which they have set up shop, the advance party from an invading army of gentrifiers. Nicole, who went to high school nearby, is, in essence, self-protective cover for the company and much of the play deals with the legitimacy of her presence. By the end of the play, Holter seems to be saying that the possibility of a woman from this neighborhood doing well personally  getting out, so to speak  trumps whatever compromises she has to make to work within such a racist and morally bankrupt storefront scene in Chicago. This is a fascinating issue  and, given that Holter has chosen to stage the final play in his cycle at the Goodman Theatre, which is likely to swamp with publicity and marketing what has up to now been a collaboration of Chicago storefronts and off-Loop entities, not without meta implications. Holter could do to deal with that in more detail. Its only fair, as he leaves those of whom he is critical in the dust. As he surely will.
Moreover, it followed the formation of Fire and Emergency New Zealand in July 2017, which brought together 14,000 people, across nearly 40 different firefighting organisations with different cultures, identities and ways of doing things.

The safety, health and wellbeing of our people is of paramount importance to us, said Jones.

I have zero tolerance for bullying and harassment of any kind in this organisation, and we will be working together to implement change and be the organisation New Zealand expects us to be.

We do a really good job at protecting communities but we need to put more focus on looking after each other.

All of the reports 33 recommendations were accepted by Fire and Emergency, which include the need to adopt a new set of values, Code of Behaviour, and remove barriers to reporting bullying and harassment.
No jobs in the UK will be lost and its R&D facilities will remain in the country, with expansion plans in the books, reported the BBC. The move to Singapore reflects its investment in the region.

An increasing majority of Dyson's customers and all of our manufacturing operations are now in Asia, the company said in a press release. This shift has been occurring for some time and will quicken as Dyson brings its electric vehicle to market.

As a result, an increasing proportion of Dyson's executive team is going to be based in Singapore; positioning them to make the right decisions for Dyson in a quick and efficient way.

Late last year, the company chose to base its manufacturing facilities for a new electric car in Singapore. One of the reasons for the decision was the ready availability of engineering talent.

The company currently has over 1,100 employees in Singapore and about 3,100 spread across the rest of Asia.
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After the performance, fans lined up for autographs with the stars, and Jaiani, not satisfied with just one signature from Possokhov, ran back to the end of the line to get another. To me, he was the god of dance, she said. Ive never seen anyone jump higher or be freer on stage. So when, more than a decade later, Wheater announced Possokhov would be creating a work on the Joffrey, Jaiani recalls it feeling beyond a dream come true. Its something that I wouldnt have even dreamed about, she said.
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The Texas County Commission is asking an appeals court to review a lower court decision that allowed a Community Improvement District in Houston.
Its a good thing Canadians are so polite; they spend an unbelievable amount of time waiting in line.

In 2018, the typical Canadian patient faced a median wait of almost 20 weeks for treatment from a specialist after referral from a general practitioner, according to a new report from the Vancouver-based Fraser Institute.

Patients in some provinces faced especially long delays. Albertans waited a median of more than half a year between referral from their general practitioner and specialist treatment. The median wait in New Brunswick was 45 weeks.

Canada is hardly unique. Long waits and rationed care are hallmarks of all government-run health care systems. The same would be true under a Medicare-for-all system in the United States.

How does Americas current system stack up to Canadas?

Consider the wait for an appointment with a gynecologist. In Houston, patients waited an average of four weeks to schedule an appointment with a gynecologist in 2017, according to a study from Merritt Hawkins, a national physician search firm and a company of AMN Healthcare. The average wait time across 15 American cities was about the same  26.4 days.

Meanwhile, the median Canadian wait for an appointment with a gynecology specialist following referral by a general practitioner was nearly 11 weeks last year.

Or look at orthopedic surgery. Merritt Hawkins reported an average wait for an appointment in Houston of 10 days in 2017. Nationwide, the average wait was 11.4 days.

The median Canadian wait for an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon following referral from a general practitioner? Nearly 15 weeks in 2018.

Canadian patients have been waiting longer and longer for treatment over the past quarter-century. Median wait times in 2018 were more than twice as long as in 1993, the first year the Fraser Institute published its report.

Canadians have no choice but to wait in line. The government bans private insurance coverage for medically necessary procedures. So ordinary Canadians cant pay out of pocket for faster or better care  their only option is a lengthy wait for state-funded care.

As a Canadian native, Ive witnessed the destructive impact of these waits firsthand. My own mother died from colon cancer after doctors delayed her colonoscopy so younger people on the waiting list could go first.

Waiting is a big problem on the other side of the Atlantic, too. About 4.1 million Britons were waiting for a non-urgent operation through the United Kingdoms National Health Service as of September 30. Thats more than 6 percent of the countrys population.

To clear the backlog, the NHS would need surgeons to perform an additional 10,000 operations a week. Thats a nearly impossible target to meet. The NHS is short 10,000 doctors and 40,000 nurses. By 2030, the system could lack 350,000 medical professionals, according to The Kings Fund, a health policy think tank.

Things will likely get worse this winter. NHS facilities were so overburdened during last flu season that as many as 100,000 patients languished in ambulances for at least half an hour before they were admitted to emergency rooms.

This year, more than 300,000 patients may wait more than four hours on hospital trolleys before they receive care, according to predictions from the British Medical Association.

Delays of this sort arent merely inconvenient. They pose a serious threat to patients health. A previous Fraser Institute study found that long waits for necessary care caused up to 63,000 premature deaths among Canadian women between 1993 and 2009.

American proponents of Medicare for All ignore the failures of government-run health care abroad. On a recent trip to our northern neighbor, U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders asked rhetorically, How is it that here in Canada, they provide quality health care to all people? The Democratic Partys newest superstar, freshman Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., has said, Every other developed nation in the world does this  Why cant America?

Both Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez support legislation that would import the Canadian model to the United States  and outlaw private insurance coverage for medically necessary procedures. Thats more radical than even the United Kingdom, Germany and other developed countries in Europe, all of which allow for private health coverage.

Voters ought to ask themselves a different set of questions than Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez offer. How could nations as wealthy as Canada and the United Kingdom subject their populations to such abysmal medical care? And how can we prevent such a system from taking root here?

Pipes is president, CEO and Thomas W. Smith, fellow in health care policy at the Pacific Research Institute. Her latest book is The False Promise of Single-Payer Health Care (Encounter).
In a speech last Saturday afternoon, President Trump issued a plan to end the ongoing federal shutdown that was, for the most part, a recitation of his golden oldies  stoking fears based on an exaggerated threat to border security. His proposed deal included a three-year legal presence status for more than 700,000 existing recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program and more than 300,000 beneficiaries of Temporary Protected Status. In exchange, Trump would get $5.7 billion to construct a wall at the U.S.-Mexico border, along with a mixed bag of other proposals.

The Democratic low-key response  no negotiations until the government reopened  was understandable given that Trump created the crisis to begin with by terminating the existing lawful status for DACA and TPS beneficiaries and refusing to a sign a clean continuing resolution to keep the government open. What went unsaid was the fact that Democratic leadership is loathe to negotiate beyond ending the shutdown because it would allow Trump to claim that Democrats were preventing the government from reopening until their demands on behalf of immigrants were met.

Nevertheless, I reluctantly believe that the Democrats must push for the best compromise they can get under these dire circumstances.

Lets face it! Democrats only control the House, not the Senate nor the White House. While the current polls suggest that Americans overwhelmingly blame the president, the public is fickle and the blame could eventually shift.

Since the early days of the George W. Bush administration, I have worked on and supported a variety of immigration reform bills and the one constant has been failure. The White House and Congress have been unable to pass any meaningful immigration reform over the last 18 years, and there is no certainty that the nation can hold out for the passage of some kind of large, comprehensive deal.

On Tuesday the U.S. Supreme Court passed on the opportunity to review an injunction of Trumps attempt at rescinding DACA, but it is still likely the court will take up the case in the next term in addition to questions about the presidents authority to cancel TPS status. Legislative action would be an improvement over the tenuous status quo.

The Democrats have found the presidents proposal to be totally unacceptable, but the far-right of the Republican Party has labeled his plan as unacceptable amnesty. Consider that a sign of something passable in the middle.

Yes, the compromise bill offered up this week by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., contained several poison pills that restrict asylum and limit DACA and TPS eligibility. Yet within the bill, which is based on Trumps proposal, lies the essential seeds to give DACA and TPS recipients a three-year or longer lifeline until a better deal can be had  perhaps under a new administration.

Theres also no reason to think that hard negotiations by Democrats couldnt greatly improve the bill and eliminate the poison pill provisions. Most important , by getting Republicans votes and the presidents signature, Democrats will help break the hold of the presidents far-right base on immigration and create conditions for broader reform down the line.

To refuse to negotiate as a matter of principle simply because the president wants funding for his wall is nonsensical at this point and remains a fight over semantics. While Trump will continue to call for wall funding, everyone recognizes that these resources will be used to enhance existing steel fencing and expand it in key areas where it makes sense, as opposed to Trumps original 2,000-mile concrete border. In fact, plenty of Democrats have always supported funds for border enforcement, including repairing, enhancing and expanding the existing steel fencing  but usually in exchange for more immigration reform as part of a larger package.

Furthermore, Democrats should take advantage of legislation that would, for the first time, put DACA beneficiaries into statutory lawful status independent of President Obamas tenuous executive action. This lawful status could also arguably create a pathway for many DACA and TPS beneficiaries to become lawful permanent residents based upon a family relationship or employment sponsorship, which otherwise would not have been possible.

I have always firmly believed that in politics its better to get half a loaf than no loaf, especially after going nearly two decades without any immigration loaf at all. Eventually well need to pass a comprehensive immigration bill to deal with the more than 10 million undocumented immigrants living in the United States and bring our immigration system in line with a 21st century economy. For the time being, an interim solution can help stem some of the bleeding.

Therefore I urge my Democratic friends to  discreetly and behind the scenes  work out the best bill they can and show the nation who really is the master of the art of the deal.

Foster was immigration advisor to Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama. He is the past national president of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and is chairman of Foster LLP.
AUSTIN  State officials are planning to build a brand-new $320 million San Antonio State Hospital at its same South Side site, with construction set to start next year and doors opening in 2023.

Theres just one hitch: the money isnt there yet.

The Legislature dedicated $300 million in the 2018-19 budget, including $14.5 million to plan the replacement for the San Antonio psychiatric hospital. Texas lawmakers are in the early stages of writing the next state budget, and an early Senate proposal would again dedicate $300 million to state hospital projects.

This is a priority, said Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, who is on the Senate Finance Committee. Were talking about evolving our facilities in ways where they are designed for the patient.

San Antonios current 300-bed facility is a relic from an era where the mentally ill were essentially warehoused  out of sight, out of mind  often said to be for their own safety as well as that of the community. It includes numerous buildings, some that date back to 1892; on the west end of the 250-acre campus, the newest structure was built in 1946.

On ExpressNews.com: Lack of funding keeps shoddy buildings at state hospital

Living spaces are clean but the hallways are narrow with low ceilings and harsh artificial lighting. Weathered buildings are crumbling in places; sloping floors and sinking foundations are evident. There were a few buildings added in the 1970s, but a 2014 structural analysis found that, overall, 80 percent of the facility was in critical condition.

The new San Antonio State Hospital calls for grouping patients into smaller units, separated by open-air courtyards that let in natural light and allow patients to go outside. In the middle of the two-story, V-shaped building would be large rooms for occupational therapy and exercise, according to design plans released this week by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.

It's going to be a much better, healthier environment for our patients, said Vincent Creazzo, assistant superintendent at the psychiatric hospital.

Preliminary estimates put the cost of the proposed new 296-bed hospital at about $320 million, but that could change.

The new hospital is part of a sweeping state plan to update nearly half of the states 10 aging psychiatric hospitals and meet growing patient demand. This week, some 700 patients statewide waited for an open bed.

People are waiting in jail for access to inpatient services. People end up in the emergency room being held there, said Greg Hansch, with the National Alliance on Mental Illness Texas. Its a major drain on local resources.

For years, mental health advocates across Texas have sought to improve the states psychiatric facilities with little success. Word of the new state plans brought renewed hope.

We need a new hospital, said Martha Steczkowski, longtime volunteer and past president of the hospitals Volunteer Services Council. We are excited about this. We think its going to be great and were looking forward to seeing how it all turns out.

Other projects include replacing Austin State Hospital, renovating Kerrville State Hospital, building a 100-bed maximum security unit at Rusk State Hospital, and adding a 240-bed psychiatric hospital in Harris County. Together, the projects would add more than 300 beds, according to health commission officials.

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The state hospitals also house forensic patients who have been found temporarily incompetent to stand trial or not guilty of a crime by reason of insanity.

About 40 percent of the beds at San Antonio State Hospital are currently taken by forensic patients, Creazzo said. This week, 50 forensic patients were on the hospitals waiting list, officials said.

Once the new hospital is complete, there wouldnt be a dedicated number of beds for forensic patients, Creazzo said. New units would be smaller, he said, with 24 beds instead of the current 40, giving the hospital more flexibility to adjust to patient demand.

More beds are expected to come online, however, before the new hospital is complete. Construction is set to begin later this year on an $11.5 million project to convert a now vacant building at the state hospital campus into a new treatment unit with 40 additional beds. The renovation is expected to be complete by mid-2021, according to HHSC plans.

The structural analysis conducted by Cannon Design recommended that all of the buildings be demolished, noting it would cost more to improve and maintain the property than it would to pay for a new facility.

No decision has been made about demolishing the facilities; its possible some of the newer buildings could be repurposed.

Theres plenty of room for the new facility even if the old one isnt razed; most of the campus 250 acres are empty land previously used for a vegetable and dairy farm.

amorris@express-news.net
Middle Brow will continue to make most of its packaged beer under contract, but with Bungalow, it has a place to make and sell its own beer, too, operating as a bread bakery and coffee shop early in the day (pecan butter, wildflower honey and pecan nibs on whole grain toast, $6) and a pizza place (the opening menu will have five of them ranging between $13 and $17) thereafter.
Venezuelan expatriates living in Houston were cautiously enthusiastic Thursday over the startling developments in their oil-rich South American homeland, where a popular opposition leader claimed the presidency only days after socialist President Nicolas Maduro began a new term.

The bold move Wednesday by opposition leader Juan Guaido - who was quickly supported by President Donald Trump and a host of neighboring and European countries - caused Maduro to expel American diplomats and close consular offices, including the one in Houston.

After so many years fighting for democracy in Venezuela against the tyrant (Maduro), we are a wounded but triumphant people; we are full of hope for democracy in our country, said Fabiola Colmenarez, a Houstonian and a director of the Voluntad Popular (Popular Will) party led by Guaido.

However, the Venezuelan armed forces publicly backed the Maduro administration, an indication that the movement to wrest presidential power from the longtime leader could lead to more civil unrest and even widespread violence.

Even the few among the estimated 30,000 Venezuelans living in Houston who were previously supportive of Maduro are now disillusioned with socialist policies that have wrecked the Venezuelan economy, forcing millions to flee to neighboring Colombia and Brazil just to obtain food and other basic commodities. Maduro, a former bus driver, was an early supporter of President Hugo Chavez, who installed him as his successor before his death in 2013.

Courtesy of Fabiola Colmenarez

Ernesto Leon, a well-known artist who came Houston more than a decade ago, said in my opinion, whatever happens from now is not going to be good. I dont see the country in a good place any time soon.

Leon, who was perhaps the most notable of the relatively few Venezuelan supporters of the Chavez regime in Houston, said he now feels disillusioned about the Maduro government.

The government had a political philosophy to end inequality, but it lacked a financial model for the change they wanted, he said. They also ignored the hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans expressing disappointment.

Leon said he now views Venezuela as a country with a political concept that belongs to the 19th century.

Guaido has told supporters he is using the power given by the Venezuelan constitution where the leader of the parliament should take the mantle of the country in the absence of a president. He called Maduro a usurper, who took office after a 2018 election that has been declared illegitimate not only by the Venezuelan opposition, but other nations international organizations such as the Organization of American States and others.

And while the U.S. almost immediately recognized Guaido as the new president, a few nations still consider Maduro as the authentic president, including Russia, Turkey, Nicaragua, Cuba and Mexico.

Guaidos character Fabiola Colmenares, a resident of Houston and a director of Juan Guaido's party, said she has known him for years. Here is how she describes the personality of the opposition leader: "Guaido has the vocation of a public servant. His personal motto is 'In everything, to love and serve.' He is a genuine, articulate, conciliatory figure, and I think that is why he has gained so much support." "He is a level-headed man; without bombastic or demagogic speeches. At the same time, he has something very important to be a leader during this crisis that we are living now: A lot of aplomb and firmness." See More Collapse

This represents an immense joy, that this is happening after 20 years of my people suffering so much! ... This is big!, said Maria Eugenia Gonzalez, an activist with Unidad Houston (Houston Unity), a coalition of Venezuelan political organizations who oppose Maduro.

Gonzalez is part of a very active community of Venezuelans in Houston, mostly educated and professional expatriates, who found work in the oil and gas industries. Others arrived more recently as immigrants as economic conditions worsened, and essential products such as food and medicines were scarce while crime, political unrest and street violence became rampant.

Gonzalez moved to Houston three years ago with her two children and husband, who works in a petrochemical company.

Many of us are in limbo; my mother is visiting me, but her visa is expiring soon, and how could she live there alone in such conditions as an 81-year-old lady? Gonzalez asked.

The expatriate said she and her fellow expatriates want to return.

Venezuelans love our country; we want to go back to our country, we want to rebuild our democracy, she said, saying the regimes of Chavez and Maduro damaged the once wealthy nation. After 20 years, what we have is chaos in our political and economic system; none of their plans have produced results and they have become more and more corrupt in power.

Luis Duno-Gottberg, a Rice University professor who specializes in Latin America, notes that Venezuela has enormous wealth but is almost entirely dependent on its oil production and its derivative trade relation with the United States. The country enjoyed a great economic boom during the 1970s and part of the 1980s, enjoying a healthy flow of investment and productive developments.

However, as the oil and gas revenue began to drop and debt began to increase, the extensive poverty already in existence became more pervasive. Ex-President Chavez flourished as a savor of the poor, bringing popular educational and health programs, he said.

But the Venezuelan leader disenfranchised the middle class as he nationalized businesses and repealed foreign investments, attacked the private sector and created an organizational crisis by dismantling many institutions without offering functional alternatives, explained Duno-Gottberg.

Under Maduro, the economy further deteriorated as falling oil and gas prices marred a previously flourishing industry which was savaged by governing inefficiencies and corruption.

Social programs designed for the poor began losing funds, and with it, Maduro and his government are seeing the deterioration of support all across the board, including from his own base, said Duno-Gottberg.

The geopolitical dimension is very delicate, with tints of the Cold War era with the United States supporting the opposition and Russia, on the other hand, supporting Maduro, notes Duno-Gottberg. Any miscalculation could create a much bigger conflict.

He said that a possible scenario is that Maduro takes Guaido under arrest and launches a campaign of repression that could lead to one of the most violent civil unrest that Latin America has ever seen.

The difference in this popular movement is that significant segment of Maduros own base, the poor, took the streets on January 23 backing Guaido claim on the presidency, the professor said.

Activists such as Colmenarez, while feeling renewed enthusiasm for possible changes, recognizes that the immediate future is not very clear and the various scenarios could mean more violence in the South American nation. Most Venezuelans would like to see a peaceful transition, Colmenarez said. She imagines all the parties working together under Guaido and a call for new elections.

Other Venezuelans in Houston are much more concerned that a transition, if it occurs, wont go smoothly.

Please, pray for my country, said Maria Gonzalez.

Now Playing: Venezuelan nationals in Houston eager for change back home Video: Fox 26 Houston

olivia.tallet@chron.com

Twitter: @oliviaptallet
CARACAS, Venezuela - The United States and Venezuela remained in a standoff Thursday as the Trump administration ordered the evacuation of some embassy staff, but declined to remove all personnel despite a directive from President Nicolas Maduro that they leave, while Russia demanded that the Americans cease "intervention" in the teetering oil-rich nation.

Moscow and Beijing have propped up the socialist South American state for years, investing billions through loans and energy deals and setting up what is now a dramatic global power play over Venezuela's future. On Wednesday, Washington recognized Juan Guaido, head of the U.S.-backed opposition, as the rightful leader of Venezuela, describing Maduro - a former union leader and bus driver accused of turning Venezuela into a narco-state - as a usurper.

The move prompted Maduro to break diplomatic ties with Washington and order U.S. diplomats out of the country by this weekend. Arguing that Maduro had won reelection last year through fraud and is no longer Venezuela's rightful leader, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo rejected Maduro's order and indicated that U.S. personnel would not budge.

Maduro subsequently received the backing of a number of generals and senior officials, and he taunted President Donald Trump while vowing to hold onto power. He declared that he would recall all staff from the Venezuelan Embassy in Washington and seven consulates in the United States. He reiterated his demand that all U.S. Embassy personnel in Caracas leave Venezuela by this weekend, calling Washington "infantile" for rejecting his order. He pointedly sidestepped the consequences of U.S. personnel remaining.

"It's Donald Trump that wants to impose an unconstitutional de facto government," Maduro said. "There's no doubt it's him, with his craziness of believing he's the police of the world. This is a big provocation."

Russian President Vladimir Putin entered the fray Thursday, personally calling Maduro to offer his support, the Kremlin said, and referring to the situation in Venezuela as "a domestic political crisis intensified by outside forces."

"The destructive outside interference grossly tramples fundamental norms of international law," the Kremlin said.

The Chinese, who also have helped to prop up Maduro, offered more-tepid backing. Asked repeatedly whether China recognizes Maduro, Hua Chunying, a Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, simply stated that "on January 10 this year, President Maduro opened a new term, and many countries and international organizations including China attended the inauguration ceremony."

The rapid escalation of the crisis into a global issue suggested the strategic importance of the South American nation, which has the world's largest oil reserves and has been seen for two decades as a foothold for Russia in the region. Under Maduro, however, Venezuela - once the wealthiest country per capita in South America - has slipped toward the status of a failed state, with millions of starving citizens pouring out of the country in search of food, medicines and jobs. In a tweet sent Thursday, the United States requested a meeting of the U.N. Security Council on Saturday to discuss the Venezuela crisis.

Late Thursday, the State Department said it had ordered the departure of a number of embassy employees deemed nonessential and the families of all employees. It did not say how many or when they would leave.

The departure order was made on what a State Department spokesman said was the "current assessment of the security situation in Venezuela." There are no plans to close the embassy.

The U.S. Embassy is already working with a relatively small staff, since the Venezuelan government has not approved visas for additional diplomats for some time, officials said.

Among those staying behind would be the U.S. charge d'affaires, James "Jimmy" Story, a veteran Foreign Service officer, who has served in Brazil, Colombia and Mexico.

The embassy said it would remain open for U.S. citizens needing "emergency services" but canceled most visa appointments for Venezuelans.

Yet the Trump administration's decision to keep the embassy open in defiance of Maduro amounted to a gambit, effectively turning embassy personnel into pawns in what is an unpredictable international crisis.

Some U.S. officials expressed concern that by ignoring Maduro's demand that all Americans at the U.S. Embassy vacate Venezuela in 72 hours, Pompeo was putting the lives and well-being of U.S. personnel in jeopardy. "It's a volatile situation with a desperate man trying to cling to power. No one can presume to know how this will play out," said a State Department official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.

The State Department did not respond to a request for comment.

Experts said Pompeo's refusal to comply with Maduro's order is unique in State Department history. "I can't ever remember diplomats refusing an order to leave by the host government, which is sovereign," said Ronald Neumann, the president of the American Academy of Diplomacy.

Keeping U.S. diplomats in place was "conceptually understandable but pragmatically questionable," said a former senior administration official. Host governments are charged with providing security for diplomatic missions abroad, the official said. The small U.S. Marine contingent there is charged only with securing the embassy itself and an adjoining compound of buildings surrounded by a part-wall, part-metal fence on a hilltop in an upscale Caracas neighborhood.

Because the Venezuelan "armed forces have not sworn an oath of fealty to the new government, the interim president can make no guarantees," the former official said.

Pressure on Maduro from the United States and a host of regional neighbors has given new life to the opposition, which brought hundreds of thousands of protesters into the streets this week.

The crisis erupted with a speed that has shocked many observers, who saw Maduro as likely to cling to power after an election last year that was internationally condemned as a fraud. But his swearing-in on Jan. 10 brought a firmer response from Washington, which threw its backing behind Guaido's surprisingly formidable bid to unseat Maduro.

A 35-year-old industrial engineer, Guaido heads the National Assembly, which is widely recognized beyond Venezuela's borders as the only democratic institution left in the country. He has seemed to offer new hope to a rudderless and long-divided opposition, preaching amnesty for the military if it supports him in ousting Maduro.

In an interview late Thursday with Univision, Guaido left the door open to possibility of granting Maduro amnesty if he agreed to step down.

"In transitional periods, we've seen similar things happening," he said. "We can't discard any element. We have to be firm, to get humanitarian assistance. Our priority is our people."

The nonprofit Venezuelan Observatory of Social Conflict registered protests in 70 neighborhoods, all of which were met with tear gas and rubber bullets. One death overnight was added to the toll of 11 protesters killed Wednesday. All of the victims were hit by gunshots.

Yet there were signs that Maduro's inner circle may feel constrained from unleashing the full force of the nation's security apparatus. In comments to the media in Caracas, Maduro's defense minister, Vladimir Padrino Lopez, denounced Guaido as "dangerous" and said a coup was being launched to unseat the "legitimate" president, Maduro. But he also avoided bellicose statements against the opposition and called for a national dialogue.

Pompeo said the United States would provide an additional $20 million in humanitarian aid to Venezuela, to be delivered "as soon as is logistically possible."

A host of nations from Argentina to Peru sided with the United States and backed Guaido. Brazil's new, pro-Trump president, Jair Bolsonaro, not only hailed Guaido as interim president, but also ordered Brazilian Embassy staff in Caracas to ignore directives from Maduro.

Yet in Mexico, the government of leftist President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador maintained its backing of Maduro.

In Europe, where Trump and Maduro are both generally deeply unpopular, several leaders sought to defuse the crisis, calling for a path to new elections without formally recognizing Guaido's claim as rightful head of state.

In Brussels, European Union leaders proposed "an immediate political process leading to free and credible elections, in conformity with the Constitutional order," according to a statement from EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini. "The EU fully supports the National Assembly as the democratically elected institution whose powers need to be restored and respected."

U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Thursday appealed for calm.

- - -

Faiola reported from Rio de Janeiro and Krygier from Miami. The Washington Post's Anton Troianovski in Moscow, Michael Birnbaum in Brussels, Anna Fifield in Beijing, Mary Beth Sheridan in Mexico City and Missy Ryan, Carol Morello, Anne Gearan and John Hudson in Washington contributed to this report.

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Video: Venezuelans living in the U.S. gathered Jan. 23 in cities across the country to protest against Nicolas Maduro and back opposition leader Juan Guaido as the nation's interim president.(The Washington Post)

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Video: Venezuelans demonstrated against President Nicolas Maduro Jan. 23 as the U.S. recognized opposition leader Juan Guaido as the nation's interim president.(Mariana Zuniga, Javier Melero and Andres Blanco for The Washington Post)

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WASHINGTON  Roger J. Stone Jr., a longtime informal adviser to President Donald Trump, was charged as part of the special counsel investigation over his communications with WikiLeaks, the organization behind the release of thousands of stolen Democratic emails during the 2016 campaign, in an indictment unsealed Friday.

Stone was charged with seven counts, including obstruction of an official proceeding, making false statements and witness tampering, according to the special counsels office.

Before dawn on Friday, FBI agents arrested Stone at his home in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and he was expected to appear in a federal courthouse there later in the morning.

The indictment is the first in months by the special counsel, Robert Mueller, who is investigating Russias interference in the 2016 election and possible coordination with Trump campaign associates.

Stones lawyer, Grant Smith, dismissed the charges, calling them ridiculous, and said, this is all about a minor charge about lying to Congress about something that was apparently found later.

Stone, a self-described dirty trickster who has spent decades plying the dark arts of scandal-mongering and dirty tricks to help influence American political campaigns, has long maintained that he had no connection to Russias attempts to disrupt the 2016 presidential election. He sometimes seemed to taunt U.S. law enforcement agencies, daring them to find hard evidence to link him to the Russian meddling campaign.

According to the indictment, Trump campaign officials contacted Stone during the summer of 2016 about future releases from WikiLeaks, suggesting that Trumps campaign knew about the stolen emails before they were released.

His brash behavior made him less of a subject of news media scrutiny than other current and former aides to Trump  like the character in a whodunit whom readers immediately dismiss as too obvious to have committed the crime.

But the special counsels investigators spent months encircling Stone, renewing scrutiny about his role during the 2016 presidential race. Investigators interviewed former Trump campaign advisers and several of his associates about Stones fundraising during the campaign and his contacts with WikiLeaks.

Three senior Trump campaign officials have told Muellers team that Stone created the impression that he was a conduit for inside information from WikiLeaks, according to people familiar with their witness interviews. One of them told investigators that Stone not only seemed to predict WikiLeaks actions, but also that he took credit afterward for the timing of its disclosures that damaged Hillary Clintons candidacy.

In social media posts and numerous interviews before the 2016 election, Stone indicated that he had advance knowledge that a trove of information damaging to Clintons campaign might be about to spill into public view, and even suggested that he had personally spoken to the WikiLeaks founder, Julian Assange.

Stone has changed his story in the months since, saying that he was not actually speaking to Assange and that he had no direct knowledge that Russians were responsible for the Democratic hacking. Still, it was revealed last year that, in the weeks before the election, Stone was messaging on Twitter with Guccifer 2.0, a pseudonym used by one or more operatives in the Russian intelligence scheme to steal the emails and funnel them to WikiLeaks.

Stone himself has said publicly that he was prepared for the possibility that he could be indicted, but he has long maintained that he is innocent and has often echoed Trumps claims that Muellers investigation is a politically motivated witch hunt.

This was supposed to be about Russian collusion, and it appears to be an effort to silence or punish the presidents supporters and his advocates, he said last May on Meet the Press.

It is not inconceivable now that Mr. Mueller and his team may seek to conjure up some extraneous crime pertaining to my business, or maybe not even pertaining to the 2016 election, he said.

The tumultuous relationship between Stone and Trump goes back decades, with Stone acting as an informal adviser to Trump as he considered running for president several times. When Trump formally announced during the spring of 2015 that he was running for president, Stone was one of the first members of the team, but within months, he had a public dispute with Trump and left the campaign.

The two men have remained close, though, speaking often by telephone.

Stone revels in his public persona as a bete noire of American politics, and has taken credit for helping unearth scandals about Democratic politicians. In 2008, he played a role in revealing an affair between a prostitute and Eliot Spitzer, who was then the governor of New York. Spitzer immediately resigned from office.

This article originally appeared in The New York Times
Overall, Coco Pazzos menu provided four choices in its first course, five in its second course and two desserts. And Coco Pazzo went with the kitchens strengths; wood-fired pizzas have long been a highlight here, and Coco Pazzo does risotto as well as any restaurant in town, evidenced by a texturally flawless, saffron-hued risotto Milanese.
Standing in an icy river in the dead of winter getting ready to hike The Narrows in Zion National Park, I could feel the water on my toes inside my boots. Uh-oh.

We had just spent 20 minutes pulling on waterproof bib overalls, neoprene socks and waterproof boots at Zion Outfitter for this self-guided river hike. And by river hike, I mean the river is the route.

No problem, a veteran hiker reassured me. Your neoprene socks will keep you warm but not completely dry.

Well, I wouldnt call my toes warm, but the temperature was certainly bearable. And the overalls tight rubber seal at the ankle kept the suit from filling with water. It filled with air instead, which made us look like a pack of Pillsbury Doughboys, but at least we were comfortable.

We trudged through the Virgin River feeling no pain, only exhilaration. This was the highlight of a four-day winter road trip to three of Utahs stunning national parks, Zion, Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef.

Utah kept its three most-visited national parks, Zion, Bryce and Arches, open during the government shutdown, with the state underwriting the costs; a private company, Alsco Inc., stepped up to expand visitor and custodial services through Presidents Day weekend, if necessary.

Zion National Park

A paved path called the River Walk led us to this spot in the Virgin River where the trail turns to water. The canyon narrows, leaving little or no bank for most of the route.

Round rocks rest on the bottom of the clear, swift river. A walking stick helped me catch my balance more than once as I gazed up at the massive rusty-red canyon walls lining our path.

A half mile in at Mystery Falls, water flowed gently down over ferns and mosses, leaving black stripes on the red rock wall as it spilled into the river.

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When we hit a stretch of sandy bank, the dry-bag backpacks came off and the cameras came out to capture the dark, towering rock of the slot canyon, dotted by green Ponderosa pines and junipers growing improbably out of overhead nooks and crannies.

Roughly 2 miles in is the section known as Wall Street, where the canyon walls come in close and tower above like skyscrapers. This is the narrowest section of canyon and the deepest water on the trail.

Around each bend of the winding river stands an even more impressive fortress or a cave carved at waters edge. A white boulder popped against the iron-rich red rock. Here, the water was waist deep, but the rocky banks provided a bypass; some of us ventured in, the rest kept to the banks.

The river carved this stunning canyon more than 250 million years ago. Desert winds created the sand dunes that are now Zions 2,000-foot cliffs. As the waters cut into the rock layers, they carried sediment and rocks with them, forming deep and narrow sandstone canyons.

The Virgin River is still carving its path. Flash floods can increase water flow by 100 times; The Narrows is no place to be in a spring rainstorm.

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We had approached the hike from the bottom, pushing upstream. After 4 miles, we turned around and headed back. The whole 9 miles took about four hours  including photo stops. The water trail was thigh-high at the deepest point. Other spots were deeper, but the banks were an option in those areas.

Adventurers who are into canyoneering  the sport that includes hiking and technical rock climbing that some say was invented in Zion  start at the top and travel 16 miles through tight formations and deep pools; a backcountry permit is required. Orderville Canyon, an offshoot of The Narrows, is another favorite canyoneering spot.

With average high temperatures of 50 degrees and lows of 25, winter is the ideal time to visit Zion National Park. Youll have the park practically to yourself. In summer, the crowds are so thick that guests leave their cars outside the park and take shuttles to trailheads. Tripods have been banned from the park without a permit so photographers dont clog the trails.

But in winter, the parking lot at the Temple of Sinawava, the massive amphitheater that marks the beginning of the canyon, was nearly empty. The temple, named for the coyote spirit of the Paiutes, is one of Zions signature monuments.

Bryce Canyon National Park

The two-hour drive on U.S. 89 from Zion to Bryce Canyon National Park usually stretches to three hours, when you factor in all the stops for scenic overlooks. Take your time. The scenery changes from Zions red and black monoliths to the pastel hoodoos of Bryce.

While Zion is relatively warm, snow blankets Bryce. In February, the average high is 38 and the low is 13, so in Bryce youll need lots of layers.

The parks most popular hike is the 11-mile Rim Trail, which connects many of the parks spectacular views. Theres no better place to see the sun come up than Sunrise Point on the Rim Trail. The winter light bathes the salmon-colored hoodoos, white capped from the snow. The overlook offers a sweeping view of Boat Mesa and the Sinking Ship formation, rising above the hoodoos. Natures palette emerges as the sun saturates the pink cliffs with color. Its awe-inspiring.

Fairyland Point and Sunset Point are two more worthy photo opps on the Rim Trail. The path can be icy, so boots with good tread and a walking stick are advised.

After a day of hiking, a stop at Bryce Canyon Pines Restaurant is a must. With its vintage country playlist, you could be sitting in a West Texas barbecue joint. Only the local beers here are Polygamy Porter and Provo Girl Lager.

On our visit, the rainbow trout was perfectly cooked, the roast beef and gravy was better than Moms, and the pie was heavenly. The restaurant even has a separate menu for all its pie offerings: strawberry banana, blueberry banana, coconut Cream, lemon and apple. The raisin sour cream pie is old-fashioned goodness, but the boysenberry pie with ice cream takes the cake.

Capitol Reef National Park

The lure of Capitol Reef is its solitude. A two-hour drive from Bryce on Scenic Byway 12, this jewel is the least visited national park in Utah.

You wont find crowds, shuttles or tour buses here  even in summer. What you will find is slot canyons, natural arches and panoramic views. Its named for the white domes of Navajo sandstone, resembling the U.S. Capitol, that characterize the park.

Capitol Reef is part of an interesting geologic formation, a 75-mile-long up-thrust called the Waterpocket Fold. This rugged spine, which early settlers called the reef, extends from Thousand Lake Mountain to Lake Powell.

A large, elegant natural arch, Hickman Bridge, is just about a mile in from the trailhead on Utah Highway 24. Round trip takes about an hour, or hikers can continue on to the Rim Overlook Trail, a steep, 2-mile path that climbs farther up the cliffs to a summit at 6,900 feet with a panoramic view of the Fremont River valley.

Tapestry Wall looks like a man-made sandcastle with its turrets and buttresses. As we hiked up a ravine along the wall, blanketed in winters pastel colors, a lone juniper clung to the sandstone, its solitary stance surrounded by a fortress of rock.

melissa.aguilar@chron.com

twitter.com/MelissAguilar
Erica Smith is crouched on the floor of her West University Place home, staring into a plastic bin of more than 100 Easter eggs.

Look at this, she says as she rakes her fingers through her collection, accumulated over 11 years as a mom.

Small eggs and large ones. Polka-dotted, striped and solid. Pastel, glittery and neon. Its too much, Smith realizes, as she examines the stockpile in detail for the first time.

Oh, my gosh, she says as a defeated laugh bubbles from her lips. How does this happen?

Her task right now is one familiar to many in the Houston area, as the KonMari organizing craze returns to the public consciousness this winter, thanks to a new and utterly binge-able Netflix series starring spritelike organizer Marie Kondo. Smith needs to sit with each of her possessions, hold them and ask herself, Does this spark joy? before deciding whether to hang on to her things or discard them.

The KonMari method is nothing new. Kondo was already a household name with a six-month waiting list for her services in her native Japan when her book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, became a best-seller in America in 2014. This prompted a new cottage industry of certified KonMari consultants, who undergo hours of training to earn their positions.

Ashley Barber, who sits at Smiths right during the Easter-egg mission, is one of six certified KonMari consultants in Texas. And as the only one in Houston, shes seeing plenty of business these days.

Traffic has definitely picked up in terms of the number of emails I get for consultations and inquiries. Definitely lots more, Barber says as she stands in Smiths tidy white kitchen. I was pretty busy before this, but its definitely got a lot more interest since Netflix.

Though the original fanfare for KonMari rolled out among the barre and yoga set, many of whom first read about Kondo in the New York Times and high-brow magazines, and can afford Barbers $375 fee for a tidying session, this second wave, borne of Netflix, has a much more Everyman (OK, make that mostly Everywoman) feel.

Want proof? Check your neighbors trash piles on pickup day. Or head to a local thrift shop and size up the influx of clothes on the racks. As Houstonians clean out their own closets, all that stuff has to go somewhere.

Last week, the heaps of clothing dropped off at the Cottage Shop in Montrose reached such heights that the thrift store had to announce a rare move: It suspended donations for what shop manager Cheri Burleson says is just the second time in her long tenure at the store benefiting The Womens Home.

Definitely this month has been a massive amount of donations. And its not just maybe one or two bags. People are coming in with truckfuls, Burleson says.

And its not a coincidence.

I kept hearing donors saying when theyre donating that theyre watching this new series on Netflix, she says.

January has long been known as a perfect time for such a phenomenon, as Americans add life goals to their personal lists in an effort to finally make an honest phrase out of New year, new me! But the Kondo craze thats been sweeping through Houstons dresser drawers, folding everyones clothes so they stand upright, sells itself as something more permanently life-changing than other fads such as Whole 30, P90X or whatever new better-living mantra your cousin is hashtagging on her Instagram feed this week.

Kondo promises again and again, both in her books and in the series, that if you follow her method, youll never rebound to a life of clutter.

Its hard to believe that theres no rebound, Smith says, standing in her kitchen with Barber. I think the big fear for me is Im going to do all this, and then Im going to revert back. So when I finally read the book, and she said, My clients dont rebound. I was like, OK, Im going to trust that.

But it felt like a leap of faith  one that Smith first took last spring, and has been gently working through since, in what has now stretched to an eight-month process.

So far in my experience, no one has rebounded either, Barber tells her. If you finish. If you finish. And thats the caveat. If you truly go through the whole thing and get through it all, you wont go back.

This promise is part of what makes the KonMari method so appealing to people who casually tuned in to the show when it was released on New Years Day.

Well, that and science.

The feeling of control and autonomy, and confidence that you have when you go through this process, thats what makes so many people want to try it, says Rodica Damian, an assistant professor of social-personality psychology at the University of Houston.

On the show, normal people open their homes to Kondo, who guides her clients as they sort through everything they own in a five-step process, beginning with clothing, before moving on to books, papers, Komono (miscellaneous) and sentimental. They struggle, sure, but over the course of the episode, they tackle not only their mountains of things but a series of existential and emotional troubles in their personal lives. And you can do it, too, Kondo assures viewers, in how-to segments she peppers into each episode.

Of course, people watching from the comfort of their couch will want in on this magic, Damian says. Its human nature. Heck, she even tackled the KonMari method after stumbling upon the book back in 2015.

It comes down to personality traits, she says. Conscientiousness is the broader personality trait, and that is basically how self-controlled you are, how able you are to regulate impulse, to be organized, follow instructions, to be hardworking and responsible.

In our society, conscientiousness is a highly valued trait. Schools, the armed forces and employers all look for conscientiousness in recruits. People also seek this trait in their romantic partners and friends, whether they realize it or not.

One of the facets of this trait is orderliness. So people want to tidy their house to feel that theyre an orderly person, to improve their reputation, Damian says. And then, their sense of identity gains because they see themselves as a more conscientious person.

And heres where the KonMari method seems to stick better than other New Years schticks:

In cognitive behavioral therapy, if you want to change your personality, you follow a recipe of doing that behavior, Damian explains. To do that, you break down your goal into smaller goals and follow that recipe. And by doing that across time, thats one of the ways therapy works. So once youve done that behavior enough, it can change your sense of identity and your reputation. So, you are what you do.

So the five-step process, broken down into small stages, and implemented dutifully over an average of six months, is more than a Music Man pitch, if psychological reasoning is to be believed.

Armed with this kind of faith in the process, its no wonder Netflix bingers turn off their monitors and head straight to their closets.

Heidi Hoover had two bags of clothes ready to go before she even returned to work from the holiday, after watching the show in one super-sized serving on Jan. 1, when it launched, and immediately digging into the closets in her two-bedroom apartment near Memorial Park.

I finished bingeing, and it was time to get to work. Im like that. I get totally obsessed with something, and then I cant do anything else, she says on a Wednesday night as she readies her kitchen table to tackle the paper category, in which KonMari followers are told to gather every piece of paper in their entire home and sort through them, chucking all user manuals and instructions as well as paid bills, until all thats left is actionable items.

Clothes were the easiest. My clothes took like a day. I was like, OK, clear off the table. Everythings coming out, says Hoover, 45, who works in international trade and finance. I really enjoyed it.

Hoover watched only the Netflix special and has never read any of Kondos books, so her method was a little looser than the ones preached by Barber. After ditching the clothes she didnt find joy in, Hoover turned to furniture.

As a recent transplant from New York, where she spent the past several years in a 425-square-foot living space, Hoover moved to Houston drunk on the promise of room to stretch. She leased a two-bedroom unit, which she filled with furniture from the Ikea just a short drive from her place.

I have about 1,100 square feet here, and I feel like this is a luxury. And I went a little wild and had a two-bedroom that I didnt need for two years, she says, laughing as she points to an assortment of furniture shes posted on Facebook buy-and-sell pages and on flyers in her apartment complex.

Thats the beauty of going through the Kondo cleanse, she says. She now sees the real motivation behind her purchases. And now shes mindfully deciding what she really needs. Yes, it hurts to toss out things she spent her money on. But she chalks each item up to a lesson learned.

Kondo encourages people to hold an item in their hands and thank it before discarding it. And at first, thats weird  both for people on the show with cameras in their faces and for people like Hoover talking to their socks alone in a two-bedroom apartment.

At first, I kind of laughed about it. But now its very meaningful. Its about looking at what you own and recognizing that everything has a purpose, she says. Even if that purpose is just reminding you that just because you can have something doesnt mean you should buy it.

With this in mind, shes planning to downsize to a one-bedroom apartment when her lease ends in March. And shes not anxious about giving up her luxurious elbow room. In fact, the idea of downsizing actually sparks joy in her.

This makes sense. Vida Yao, an assistant professor of philosophy at Rice University, says the KonMari method actually ties in well to one of the most prominent contemporary views on finding meaning in life, argued by philosopher Susan Wolf.

Theres two important components to living a meaningful life, explains Yao, who has watched a couple of episodes of the Netflix show but hasnt become a Konvert herself.

The first component is a subjective attachment to something, meaning that you need to feel connected to something, whether it be a teddy bear or a dog leash. The second component is that this feeling of attachment needs to spark some kind of subjective response. For instance, joy.

By experiencing this two-part phenomenon, people can feel tethered to something. And thats fertile ground from which someone can derive meaning in life, Yao says.

Its not like the tidying is what people care about. Its the re-establishment of this subjective connection with things people already have, she says.

So, if something sparks joy, as Kondo calls it, theres a philosophical reason to keep it.

A lot of my work is focused on what would it mean to have the right kind of response to something of value, Yao says. And whats fascinating about the Marie Kondo phenomenon is, on the show, the people dont have a problem with having valuable things they care about in their lives. They have loving relationships and activities they enjoy. But for some reason, the clutter is getting in the way of them feeling connected to things they care about.

According to this theory, Smiths conundrum on the floor in her home was never about the decision to keep or toss a bin full of Easter eggs. It was about asking herself whether the Easter eggs matter.

And it turns out, they really dont. Normally, holidays are the kind of thing that spark joy for Smith. Before she dove into her binfull of eggs, she lovingly sifted through banners for birthday parties, candy accessories for gingerbread houses, her seasonal placemat stash and chose only her favorite birthday candles to keep. But this moment, right now, staring at the eggs, feels like a slog.

You know what? she announces after a few minutes of searching for matching egg tops and bottoms. Im just going to get rid of these.

Are you sure? asks Barber, who is squatting at Smiths right.

Yes, Smith tells Barber. This isnt  This doesnt spark joy.

She lets out a deep breath. That decision felt good. Theres joy in that.

maggie.gordon@chron.com

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If $keeta's single "Tears" sounds like it springs from a thorny life, well, the young Houston rapper took on seven bullets and came away from his near death experience with a different point of view.

"I see my life flashing right before my eyes"  those are the opening lines. And, well, things don't get gentler from this southwest Houston rapper tapped into the city's musical history, namechecking Missouri City legend Z-Ro on his breakout single, which is being released by RCA.

"I can't take credit for any of it," $keeta says. "It was all god. Just everything about the story and making the song, everything coming together, it all clicked."
Somewhere between the first and 17th draft of her novel, House of Stone, Novuyo Rosa Tshuma found a voice.

She started the story about her native Zimbabwe written from an omniscient point of view but slowly found more riches in the voice of a wily narrator named Zamani, a manipulative and cunning storyteller and person, who frames her epic tale with the panache of literatures great unreliable narrators. Which is to say, he treats history like a shattered platter, and pulls together the pieces and glues them together as he sees fit. Its no longer a platter, but it ends up a work of art.

Tshumas House of Stone is a devastating and inviting piece of fiction that is earning its raves as a beyond notable first novel. Tshuma, who is working on a Ph.D. in creative writing and literature at the University of Houston, has created a story that doesnt need the debut modifier. Her book slips like sand through fingers through time and voice, masterfully condensing the history of Zimbabwe to the point where the back story is informative and provocative but not cumbersome.

Admittedly, history in Zimbabwe is being written right this minute. But Tshuma deftly tells a story of colonization and decolonization both with a wide focus on the nation and the tight focus on a few people. The latter serves as a tragic microcosm of the former.

So early in the story one character asks another, What is truth? before interrupting the answer and then stating, Theres no such thing as truth. Truth is optics. And there are so many options there, these days its all about choosing your flavor.

Novuyo Rosa Tshuma When: 7 p.m. Tuesday Where: Brazos Bookstore, 2421 Bissonnet Details: free ($26.95 for book); 713-523-0701, brazosbookstore.com See More Collapse

Tshumas characters are the war debt when there is no truth. Theirs are lives with empty spaces about which they obsess, the paths their lives didnt take.

Orwell influence

Not surprisingly, Tshuma says she was reading George Orwell, an essay he wrote about literature and history.

It says in authoritarian spaces, history is never learned, she says. Its something to be created. Whether its individuals who are government figures or belief figures, it feels like they can defy facts. So I was interested in how people come to believe a thing thats incorrect.

She points out the early-1980s genocide in Zimbabwe as her portal. And it plays significantly into House of Stone, motivating some characters into action and leading others into an existence of passive defeat. Others flit between the two, with spells of inaction broken by moments of violence.

The tale is told by Zamani, a tenant in the home of Abednego and Agnes Mlambo. He found his way into their home and becomes a confidant when their son Bukhosi goes missing after attending a political rally.

His intentions are questionable from the beginning, as he plies the recovering alcoholic Abednego with drink and endears himself to Agnes. Yet hes a charming storyteller, disarming with his wit, seemingly a dim youth looking to fill a familial void with two parents similarly seeking to fill the absence of their son.

Tshuma likens Zamani and his story to a psychological study. About how much of our truths are constructed.

Hes a bold choice of narrator that required numerous rewrites, as Tshuma went from a third-person omniscient story with some Zamani influence into a full first-person account either seen through his eyes or filtered through his mind.

The effect creates a stirring amount of tension as the story unfolds. And a dark story it is, as Tshuma gently threads the colonization of the African region by Cecil Rhodes into her story, and then Zimbabwes fight for independence, and the internal strife that followed. Her balance between the tightest and broadest focus is admirable and efficient.

In some ways, she sees Abednego as a metaphor for Zimbabwe. Hes capable of both tenderness and horrific violence.

Those moments of violence are there for a reason, Tshuma says. For me, it gets to the question of what it is to love a nation, right? I love Zimbabwe. I was there in December, and I left nostalgic. Theres always an emotional attachment having grown up there. You smell the air, hear the voices.

Im glad I stuck with that character. Because I think he helps with presenting Zimbabwe and this fine line between victim and victimizer, she continues. And its such a fraught history. These ideas of guilt and shame and how to deal with that. After the genocide, there was this talk about forgiving each other. But to me, it wasnt genuine. It was too much, Lets move on. And that isnt dealing with what happened. So dormant things erupt.

She says even in her own family, pleasantly flowing conversations shut down at the mention of the genocide, the Gukurahundi, that started in 1983 and left thousands  possibly tens of thousands  dead. The Zimbabwe National Army wiped out a sizable population of Ndebele civilians. And as Tshuma points out in the book, Gukurahundi  a single word  has a devastating loose translation, referring to the rain which washes away the chaff before the spring rain.

Our narrator was conceived during this event, connecting him closely to the nations original sin. And the flashes to moments from the Gukurahundi in the book are not for the faint of heart.

At times, Tshuma thought the dark moments might be too much. Working through parts of the book at the Iowa Writers Workshop years ago persuaded her to take an unflinching approach.

I always felt like I needed to rush through the genocide section, she says. To push through these moments. But I was encouraged to stay in the moment. It was difficult to rewrite and work through.

From Zimbabwe to Iowa

Tshuma originally left Zimbabwe with her mother, a teacher, living in South Africa, where she went to college and studied economics and finance. But fiction called to her, and she found her way to Iowa, where she got her MFA.

I remembered the first snow, she says. Id never seen anything like that. A friend said, Just wait 

She left Iowa in 2015 and then moved to Houston to get her Ph.D. at the University of Houston. Here she continued working on the book.

It published in Europe late last year and comes out in the States this month. She reads Tuesday at Brazos Bookstore. The reading should be something akin to a dance, so light and deft is Tshumas prose. Hers is a novel without a wasted sentence, radiant with its descriptions of people and spaces and moments.

Beauty in repetition

Yet her dialog pulls back from the poetry to mimic a realistic sound. I ask Tshuma about one line of dialog, and she doesnt even recognize the wonder in the repetition she used as a writer.

The line was about Blooma: Blooma bread is the most tasteless tasting bread I have ever tasted, one character says.

The repetition is tantalizing yet, asked about it, Tshuma sidesteps any credit for the repetition and minimalism. Her face puckers up just a moment. Blooma, she says. You think tasteless wouldnt be bad. But it is.

The riches of House of Stone come in all sorts of packages, both flowery and, well, bready.

But mostly the book is a testament to love: of interconnectivity and how things can be tragic when connections are mad. But also how an absence of those connections can create spaces we seek to fill. That can apply to family as well as nation. Tshuma sees history as a circulatory system rather than a timeline, with interconnected parts reliant upon one another.

I wrote this book to try to understand our history, she says. We grew up in Zimbabwe knowing some of it, knowing there was this genocide. But it was not something we spoke about.

Living history

She started thinking about it in 2011, when she and her mother were living in South Africa.

Originally I studied the history and worked with it in this novel, that was chronological, she says.

But as one of her characters says, Always you must be looking over your shoulder to see what history is plotting for your future.

Mention of that line prompts her to mention Gunter Grass 1959 novel The Tin Drum, which she read and reread and cites as an influence. Without mimicking Grass work, she wanted to similarly parse Zimbabwes history the way Grass did Germanys.

History very much is living, Tshuma says, noting her family was more than happy to talk about Zimbabwes liberation from the enduring colonization of the Rhodesian government.

But the genocide brought conversations to a halt. Her hope is the book falls closer to reconciliation than retribution, but only by being honest about the past and narrowing the narratives.

Theres something in there about nature and nurture, she says. And theres a lot about an older generation having its story. But Ive heard from people who tell me that conflict represents their family. Different generations dealing with different sides of the same thing.

andrew.dansby@chron.com
WASHINGTON - Three months ago, Exxon Mobil was ready to drill a natural gas well in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, off the coast of Cyprus. Then Turkeys Foreign Ministry released a statement warning oil companies considering drilling in that area to to act with common sense and to duly consider the realities on the ground.

Although couched in diplomatic language, the message was clear. Less than a year earlier, Turkish naval ships forced the Italian oil company Eni to suspend drilling off the coast of Cyprus, part of which Turkey claims as its territory.

Massive gas discoveries off the coasts of Egypt, Israel and Cyprus, led by international oil companies including Houstons Noble Energy, Royal Dutch Shell and Exxon, are inflaming tensions in an already volatile region now facing the huge influx of wealth that comes with being the worlds next big energy play.

Cyprus itself has been geopolitical tinderbox for decades, sparking a Turkish invasion in the 1970s that divided the island nation between ethnic Turks and Greeks and led to a United Nations peacekeeping mission that has lasted nearly a half-century.

Turkey has shown a willingness to defend their interests even if it brings them into conflict with other countries, said Bulent Aliriza, a senior associate at the Washington think tank Center for Strategic and International Studies. This issue bears watching because I think theres going to be trouble.

Exxon Mobil, which went ahead with its plans, has so far avoided trouble. But the possibility of fighting breaking out in the Eastern Mediterranean has many in the oil sector worried.

On HoustonChronicle.com: In Guyana, Exxon project stirs international tensions

Charles Ellinas, the former CEO of the Cypriot National Hydrocarbon Co. and now a senior fellow at the Washington think tank Atlantic Council, said there is good reason for concern. Turkey is unlikely to interfere with American companies, lest it provoke the U.S. military. But it might disrupt the operations of the French oil company Total, which has partnered with Eni on its contract to drill in waters in the Cypriot waters claimed by Turkey, Ellinas said.

In addition, he said, the geopolitical uncertainty and potential for military action could make it difficult to find the financing needed to develop the offshore gas fields.

This sort of situation is not conducive, he said. We can talk about international agreements and the U.N. But when it comes to major projects and billions of dollars in investment, can you tell me a bank that will put the money in when there is a political threat? We need a political solution.

The boundaries of Cyprus, a 3,500-square-mile former British colony, have been under dispute since it won independence in 1960. Cypriots of Greek heritage and those of Turkish heritage battled for more than a decade before a coup detat by Greek Cypriot nationalists spurred the invasion by Turkey, which feared a union between Cyprus and Greece.

The invasion established the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which neither the United States, Europe nor the United Nations recognizes. The government, which is recognized only by Turkey, must operate under an international embargo that prevents flights from going anywhere but Turkey. Athletes from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus are unable to play in international competition.

Their Foreign Minister Kudret Ozersay traveled to New York and Washington earlier this month, as part of a diplomatic push to pressure oil companies to start negotiating with Turkish Cypriot officials. As it stands now, the official Cyprus government has agreed to split gas revenues with the Turkish Cypriots, but has not consulted with them on the development of the gas fields.

Ozeray said his government was considering legal action through international courts  though he declined to go into specifics  to force the Greek Cypriots and oil companies to bring them into the loop, but would prefer a more reasonable and pragmatic approach.

The [international] decision-making process may take time. Diplomacy is process, not one meeting, he said in an interview. We try to show everyone it is worth it to think twice. Causing instability in the region may have repercussions for the foreign policy.

Plenty is at stake for the oil sector as well.

At a time of middling natural gas prices and hesitation around large offshore projects, the huge volumes of gas in the Eastern Mediterranean have turned the region into one of the worlds hottest exploration areas, said Robert Morris, a senior energy analyst at the research firm Wood MacKenzie. Interest was sparked in 2009 with the Nobles discovery of Israels Tamar field, estimated to hold 11 trillion cubic feet of gas.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Israel comes to Houston seeking partners to develop gas reserves

Then in 2012 Noble announced its Aphrodite field off the coast of Cyprus, holding 4.5 trillion cubic feet of gas. Three years later Eni announced the Zhor field off the coast of Egypt, with an estimated 21.5 trillion cubic feet of gas.

A huge amount of gas has been discovered over the last 10 years, Morris said. They might be deep water wells, but in some of the fields you need to drill very few wells because the reservoir is so productive.

Right now, all eyes are on Exxons exploratory wells off Cyprus, the results of which are expected to be announced in the weeks ahead. The Texas oil giant has already floated the idea of building a LNG export facility on Cyprus, should the wells prove as prolific as hoped.

And Israel, Egypt and Cyprus announced earlier this month they had formed a joint group to develop the infrastructure necessary to move gas out of the eastern Mediterranean, a region lacking in the LNG terminals and pipelines necessary to move gas to markets in Europe and Asia.

But the political issues around Cyprus and Turkey continue to cloud that promise. And considering the long history of conflict in the region  stretching back not just decades but centuries to the days of the Ottoman Empire  finding a solution will be difficult, said Aliriza, of the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

You bring in the existing problems, a Syrian war, a Lebanese civil war, and then add energy, which always bring the potential for dispute, he said. The Eastern Med has a long history of dispute, and this is feeding off of that and adding new ones.

james.osborne@chron.com
Southwest Airlines will stop flying to Mexico City on March 30, the company said during its fourth-quarter earnings call.

Southwest began flying to Mexico City from Hobby Airport in 2015 when it opened its international concourse.
(Bloomberg) -- The young man walking back and forth from his seat to the packaged food section in the Starbucks store looked suspicious, recounted a store manager. In the past, she said she might have asked him to leave.

Instead of confronting him, or calling the police, the manager talked to the man -- who said he was hungry and homeless. She said she then gave him and a friend breakfast.

The anonymous incident was recounted in a much anticipated report released Wednesday as Starbucks Corp. seeks to mend its reputation after a highly publicized confrontation in Philadelphia last April where a store manager called police on two black patrons who later said they were waiting for a business meeting to start before ordering.

In response to the Philadelphia uproar, Starbucks now is training employees to treat anyone who walks in the door as a customer, whether they intend to make a purchase or not. The fresh take on Starbucks long-time goal of creating a third space -- a public place for interaction and leisure away from home and work -- offers a fresh set of challenges, employees said in the report prepared for Starbucks by a law firm to measure progress on diversity and inclusion.

In each of my listening sessions, partners shared how difficult it is to achieve this goal in communities that are deeply affected by addiction, mental illness, or homelessness, former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, who assisted with the study, wrote in a letter included in the 67-page report from Covington & Burling LLP. These conversations highlighted a powerful tension between Starbucks efforts to create a welcoming third place on the one hand, and the realities of life in our most vulnerable communities on the other.

Reports Findings

Overall, the report found that Starbucks has improved already robust diversity and inclusion policies since April. But it still has work to do to prevent an embarrassing repeat of what happened in Philadelphia -- mostly related to training and staffing in vulnerable areas where homelessness or mental illness may be more prevalent.

With more than 14,000 Starbucks cafes in the U.S., there are lots of opportunities for incidents to arise with an open-door policy. One group of employees -- which Starbucks calls partners -- had to call for emergency medical aid after a woman gave birth in their stores bathroom, Holder said in his summary, calling some of the stories of in-store experiences stunning to hear. Other partners shared equally disturbing, if less dramatic, examples of having to navigate highly charged, or potentially violent, interactions.

For some, the local Starbucks may be one of the only places where they can go to feel safe and warm, much less welcomed, wrote Holder, a Covington partner.

Like Libraries

Many of the tough issues facing Starbucks stores are also front and center for public libraries, said Amy VanScoy, who teaches library science at the University of Buffalo. Some are training staff to use Narcan, which can revive a person who overdoses on heroin. She offers a masters level course that helps librarians develop better cultural competency and identify their own biases.

Its not an easy situation for libraries, either; its definitely a challenge, said VanScoy, who was a librarian before becoming an associate professor. Customer service will only get you so far, and then its a matter of developing cultural competence. Were lucky, we have a masters level education for people who are going to be librarians.

Starbucks is putting together a task force to study the challenges and plans to work with community groups, advocacy organizations and other segments, including public libraries, with similar a need to accommodate a wide range of people, according to the report.

Mental Health

Still, some of the training will just be common sense, says Paul Gionfriddo, chief executive officer of Mental Health America, the 110-year-old mental health advocacy group. One in out of every five Starbucks customers probably has a mental illness of some kind, he estimates, though few will display obvious or disruptive behaviors.

People can change the comfort level simply by saying hello, treating them calmly, presuming that people are not going to be violent, said Gionfriddo, whose son has schizophrenia and has experienced homelessness.

Still, the very idea of a third place reflects the reality that most of its customers already have a first and second place, their home and job, said Susan Harmeling, associate professor of entrepreneurship at the USC Marshall School of Business and an expert in business ethics. Starbucks cant afford to have people taking advantage of the free space crowding out too many paying customers, she said.

The $64 million question is, Are they going to swing the pendulum so far in the other direction that that comes back to bite them somehow? Harmeling said.

Corporate Response

In May, the coffee giant had to clarify that while anyone can sit in a Starbucks store or patio or use the bathroom without buying anything, certain behaviors such as smoking, drinking alcohol and sleeping still arent allowed. The chain said at the time that disruptive behavior includes unreasonable noise, improper use of restrooms and panhandling.

The coffee company has held six employee training sessions on how to treat people in the stores since May, Roz Brewer, Starbucks chief operating officer, said in an interview Thursday. The company also agreed to hire a new diversity and inclusion executive who will report back regularly to CEO Kevin Johnson and the board.

New guidelines included in the Covington report are meant to make it easier for an employee to determine what appropriate action is in different situations and physical spaces.

Were looking at this very holistically and then empowering the store managers to make great decisions around customers, she said. We feel like we face a lot of the same issues that other retailers face.

--With assistance from Craig Giammona.

To contact the reporters on this story: Jordyn Holman in New York at jholman19@bloomberg.net;Jeff Green in Southfield, Michigan at jgreen16@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Anne Riley Moffat at ariley17@bloomberg.net;Janet Paskin at jpaskin@bloomberg.net

2019 Bloomberg L.P.
Southwest Airlines will stop flying to Mexico City near the end of March, saying its leisure markets are outperforming this business-heavy travel destination.

The Dallas-based airline started flying from Hobby Airport to a variety of Latin American and Caribbean destinations in 2015 when it opened an international concourse at the citys smaller airport. Hobby is currently the only airport offering Southwest flights to Mexico City, with four nonstops a day.

Mexico City was showing very nice improvement, Gary Kelly, Southwests chairman and CEO, said Thursday during the companys fourth-quarter earnings call. It's much more of a business market. And given where we are right now, we just have better business opportunities in terms of deploying that capacity. We'd love for us to be back in Mexico City one of these days.

He added that beginning service to Hawaii is a priority for Southwest. Its working to initially offer flights between California and four destinations in the islands.

The Mexico City news did not surprise Houston-based airline consultant Pete Garcia, who said Southwest doesnt understand Mexican travelers. They typically dont like to book their flight through an airlines website.

Theres still a lot of business that is booked through travel agencies, Garcia said. I would say at least 75 percent is still booked through travel agencies.

Southwest never did penetrate that market, so it missed a lot of Mexican travelers.

The airline also has stiff competition in Mexico City. Mexican travelers are more familiar with Aeromexico, which has a hub in Mexico City and provides a lot of connectivity. Interjet is a well-known lower-fare airline. Both fly nonstop to Bush Intercontinental Airport.

In the U.S., United Airlines at Bush Intercontinental offers six daily nonstop flights  except Saturday, which has four  to Mexico City and more than 40 daily flights across Mexico.

We are working on better commercial capabilities in terms of marketing in foreign countries, accepting foreign currency and all of those things, Kelly said,  which would support service to a place like Mexico City better than what we have today.

Southwest, which will end its Mexico City service on March 30, is not the only airline to pull out of this market. Volaris spent a brief four months flying between Bush Intercontinental Airport and Mexico City in 2017. Spirit Airlines tried flying from IAH to Toluca, outside Mexico City, for a stint in 2015.

And Southwest still flies to many tropical international locales from Hobby, including Cancun, Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas/Los Cabos in Mexico. Other countries include Belize, Costa Rica and Jamaica.

Those spots fare better, Garcia said, because there are enough U.S. travelers wanting to vacation at these destinations. And theyre loyal to Southwest.

andrea.leinfelder@chron.com

twitter.com/andrearumbaugh
Teairra Mari can't seem to catch a break. She's been getting publicly clowned by 50 Cent over his win in court over the past few weeks and it doesn't seem like he has any intention to stop. Unfortunately, she was just handed another L in court after the judge dismissed her claims against her ex-boyfriend.



Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

According to The Blast, Teairra Mari's case against her ex-boyfriend over claims he leaked her sex tape has been thrown out after she failed to appear in court. The judge and the court said that she failed to prosecute her case. The judge made note of the fact that 50 Cent was previously dismissed in the case, but since she didn't show up to court, the judge dismissed Akbar Abdul-Ahad form the battle and closed the case.

Teairra Mari initially sued both 50 Cent and Akbar after accusing them conspiring to leak a sex tape of hers. She claimed that Akbar and Fif had plans to sexually objectify, threaten, intimidate, humiliate and degrade her. She also accused of Akbar of hacking into her Instagram account and posting a sexually explicit photo of her with ejaculation on her face.

Fif did post the picture on his own page, but she claimed that he applied a black and white filter to contrast the color of the semen on her face. She also claimed that he suggested his fans harm her with his "get the strap" hashtag. Fif was ultimately awarded $30,618 after the judge dismissed him from the case.
The Mississippi Development Authority and Marshall County are offering more than $10 million in incentives. MDA spokeswoman Tammy Craft said the Mississippi Development Authority will give Corelle $3.25 million to relocate and install equipment and help with infrastructure needs, as well as $300,000 for worker training. Marshall County will provide the company a grant worth up to $600,000, plus property tax abatements. Craft said the estimated value of those abatements is not yet available.
If you're a big fan of Nike shoes, especially the more limited releases than you're probably well aware of the SNKRS app and its draw feature that randomly selects winners for limited quantity kicks. It can be a frustrating app if you lose, but the best app in the world if you consistently win. Nike is well aware of just how many people tend to miss out on these big releases and are giving some of you a bit of a second chance. From January 26th all the way to March, Nike SNKRS will be hosting a pop-up in Atlanta, Georgia where they will be restocking some popular releases from 2018.

According to Sole Collector, the pop-up is located at 711 10th Street NW and will be open every day from 11 a.m. EST to 7 p.m. EST. The report also stated some of the shoes that will be a part of this pop-up.

Image via Nike

Image via Nike

As of right now, Nike is teasing rereleases of the "Black/Cement" Air Jordan 3, Levis x Air Jordan 4 in black, "Shattered Backboard" Air Jordan 1 Satin, Atmos x Air Max 1 "Animal Pack," "Playstation" Air Force 1s, and the "NASA" PG 3 which is a shoe that has yet to release yet.

With All-Star Weekend coming up soon, there is potential for even more SNKRS app activations and potentially some restocks amongst all the new kicks.
The death of comedian Kevin Barnett, who died earlier this week, seemed to some suspicious, or at least worrying. The comedian went on a holiday to Mexico after the first season of his hit show aired and died there, due to unknown causes, which led some, like a commenter on this site, to describe the death as "so sus." In the end, there is no reason for speculation.

Tijuana's Chief of the Forensic Medical Service said in a statement to E! News that an autopsy was carried out, which determined that the cause of death was: Non Traumatic Hemorrhage, caused by pancreatitis." His body is waiting to be transported back to the States: "at the moment his body is still in facilities of the Forensic Medical Service of Tijuana, waiting to be delivered to his family members who are performing the legal proceedings.

The U.S. State department also confirmed the news and gave a brief statement: "We offer our sincerest condolences to his family on their loss, and we stand ready to provide all appropriate consular assistance. Out of respect to the family during this difficult time, we have no further comment."

Barnett shared his last post on Instagram not long before he died:
According to TMZ, Kanye West is being sued by a company who claims to have an arrangement in place to provide the rapper with 53,500 yards of fabric for his Yeezy production line. Toki Sen-I Co. had the material goods valued at $10.81 a yard for a total invoice of $624,000 before taxes - this according to the information provided by company reps in the official legal documents.

Toki Sen-I Co. is thereby claiming that Kanye West backed out of the deal without giving them much notice, forcing them to pawn the material off on new bidders. As a result of the hardship caused by Kanye's alleged "cold feet," Toki is not only seeking the $624,000 they agreed upon in principle, but the additional storage costs that arose from the "foreclosure."

Although Toki tried in vain to sell the fabric to other buyers, only a few buyers (if any) bit the bullet on the leftover goods. Apparently, the materials custom-ordered to fit Kanye's plans were far too specific to fit their needs, so no one wanted any part of it. Toki Sen-I Co. admitted that Kanye did inform them via e-mail of his plans to abandon their agreement, but at that point, the fabric was likely already in the process of being cut. Kanye West has yet to comment on the lawsuit - more on this later.
While Joe Rogan isn't the first observer to comment on the insensitivity displayed in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective's - but he might end up the public figure pushing back the tide, the whole way over.

Let me refresh your memory; Ace Ventura played by Jim Carrey rinses his mouth with an entire of Crest after realizing he'd kissed a transgendered woman who'd undergone a transition - the other men who'd also kissed "Lois" follow suit, puking and rinsing their mouths in the same manner. In relativist terms, the film stands its ground, otherwise.. not so much.

Joe Rogan came to the realization recently, after sitting down with his two young daughters to watch the film, having not seen in years. "I didn't realize how transphobic that f*cking movie is," Rogan says with New York Times reporter Bari Weiss his guest, on the most recent episode of his podcast. "It's off the charts!"

And though Weiss agrees with Rogan in principle, the New York Times reporter doesn't deem it necessary to force iTunes, or any streaming platform currently housing the 1994 film, to pull it off the shelves. "When I saw that movie, I was 10. Transphobia was not a thing. Now it is a thing. That's good. That's good news," she tells Rogan while affirming that films like Ace Ventura should remain "seeded" as placeholders for time, or in layman's terms: as a reminder of the full extent of social progression.
Diego, aka Jeezy, has teamed up with Boston George for a joint project. Jeezy signed George back in 2016, and the two make a great team. Aptly titled Boston George & Diego, their new project is for the streets. Jeezy is busy working on his final album Thug Motivation 104: Trust Ya Process, so we were completely shocked when he dropped a new project on Friday (January 25). Boston George & Diego runs for a brief nine tracks, but it has a high replay value.

The project features one guest appearance from Boo Rossin. Other than that, Jeezy (or Diego) and Boston George slaughter the project as a team. Boston George & Diego is a surprise drop that will satiate the streets and reinsert CTE World into the hip-hop conversation. Stream the new joint project on Apple Music and Tidal now.
While the stabby synths and finger snaps of Iggy Azalea's breakout hit single "Fancy" are still bumping on millions of playlists across the globe, it's been a staggering six years since the track made its debut on the Billboard Hot 100. Its near-instant success catapulted the Aussie-born rapper to Stateside celebrity status back in 2014, but ever since, Azalea has grappled with personal and professional demons that have continuously threatened to strip her of her relevancy once and for all.

Dragged for her on-wax "blaccent" and tone-deaf appropriation of a culture she seemed hell-bent on exploiting for commercial success, Azalea's status as an icon of crossover success soon proved to be short-lived at best, and at worst, a mistake made by the whims of the masses (or a couple of industry higher-ups). Going home empty-handed from the 2015 Grammy Awards after a year of incredible mainstream success, Azalea revealed that there was, in fact, chinks in her seemingly impervious armor. Once eager to beef with everyone from the press to Papa John's Pizza, Azealia Banks and Q-Tip, it soon became clear that Azalea overstayed her welcome.

Along with dealing with the implosion of her professional career, Azalea suffered a rather humiliating breakup with ex-fiance Nick Young in 2016, in addition to a public reveal of her struggles with both mental health and anger issues.

Now, far enough removed from the situation to look back at her decline with a level head, Azalea admitted in an interview with Billboard that she takes the highs and lows of her past in stride.

"There are moments that I loved, and there are moments where I cringe," said the "Black Widow" rapper. "I think its as simple as an outfit you wore at a party... or like when youre grown up and you look back at your college days. You look back at it with love, and there are other things you were like, 'Oh God, I was such an idiot."

Fully cognizant of the toxic behavior that contributed to her downfall, Azalea now possesses the self-awareness necessary to carefully pick up the pieces of her shattered image and rework her personal brand into something that is much more palatable for both her remaining/existing fans and the public at large.

"Im not on top anymore, honey," admitted the Mullumbimby native. "Im still here, cleaning up the mess now. At least now, though, I have some perspective on it. And I will say thats good, because its hard to resolve things with anything when youre still in the thick of it."

Comparing her sudden thrust into the limelight to "landing on Mars," it's evident that Azalea didn't possess the experience, knowledge or balanced worldview necessary to tackle what it means to be famous in our modern age. Shooting her own career in the foot time and time again, Azalea wound up distancing herself from both her fanbase and her industry peers, coming off as an uninformed outsider eager to piss off the greats who came before her, exploit the culture surrounding her genre, while offering seemingly half-assed apologies in response to the ensuing backlash.

Azalea's newfound authenticity, and realness, in owning up to the shade she cast upon her own rising star, is perhaps the single biggest reason why a comeback is even a possibility-- and appears to be picking up steam, at that. After a massive bout of self-reflection, which included a stay at an Arizona inpatient facility to focus on her mental health, Azalea is now the first one to admit where she went wrong, instead of immediately hopping on Twitter to fire shots at people genuinely attempting to steer her in the right direction.

Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images

During a 2018 interview on "The Cruz Show," Azalea offered a level-headed "both sides of the coin" argument to Kim Kardashian's controversial "Bo Derek braids."

"I can understand why some people feel hurt about it because braids are an African-American hairstyle. And I also understand that her inspiration was Bo Derek," said the rapper, willing to see both sides of the argument. "But I can understand why people feel like giving props to where it originates from too."

"That's something that I definitely made mistakes on in the past too, so I understand her making a mistake," continued Azalea, acknowledging her own messy past which included similar claims of cultural appropriation. "It's okay to be inspired by Bo Derek and that movie, but also I can understand why people feel like there should be an acknowledgment of where they originated from."

Shifting the attention from her personal image to her work behind the mic, the first indicator that Azalea was ready to toss her wig back into the rap game was the early 2018 release of her comeback track "Savior," featuring Migos hitmaker Quavo. Made for turning up on the club floor with its down-tempo house beat, the track is also a nod to a "new" Azalea more committed to crafting meaningful bars.

"It is not a record about you needing a man or a woman to come and save you in a relationship, it's about you being your own savior and finding your own strength within yourself to figure it the fuck out," Azalea said in a preview video for the single. "It's a really hard record for me to have written and I think it's going to be one I really struggle to perform, too, just 'cause I'll probably wanna cry every single time."

Driving home just how far "Savior" is removed from her former "Fancy" ode to materialistic glam life, Azalea hopped on Twitter to connect with her fans in a way she hasn't done for years.

"'Savior' was created at a time when I felt so stagnant & alone, but I just couldnt pick up the phone and admit to even my closest friends how hopeless I felt; so I hope I can connect with anyone else thats been/going thru it via this song. Cant wait for you to hear it," tweeted the crossover star.

Peaking at number 7 on Billboard's Bubbling Under the Hot 100 chart, "Savior" was a mild commercial success, it didn't necessarily break ground for her in any substantial way, but it planted the seed for something. Most importantly, the fact that Azalea was able to snag Quavo for the hook provided the rapper with a much-needed confidence boost after being systematically blacklisted by her former industry mates.

"He gains nothing for being on the song," admitted Azalea, proud that Quavo was willing to attach his name to her work. Everybodys probably just like, Oh, but she sucks, or Oh, he just did it for money. No, he hit me up and we sent music back and forth, and he wanted to do that song."

With over 18 million views on YouTube, the track's neon-tinged visuals are a much stronger representation of the rapper's creative integrity than the less-than-stellar video for 2015's "Pretty Girls" collaboration with Britney Spears.

Springboarding off of the reception of "Savior," Azalea dropped her "Kream" collaboration with Tyga, which debuted at number 96 on the Billboard Hot 100. Released alongside "Tokyo Snow Trip," a promotional single for her EP Surviving the Summer, "Kream" performed well enough (in both streams and video views) that Azalea's label sent it to impact radio, further signaling the Aussie rapper's continued ascent, as she attempts to inch her way back to the top.

After dropping STS in August of last year, Azalea proved once and for all that not only does she have a steady supply of new music after years of studio drought, she has a label that's willing to back her up, push her tracks and support her career in a way that Def Jam never did. Despite the fact that Island Records was seemingly standing behind Iggy this time around, she soon announced that the two had parted ways. Just three months after dropping her EP, Azalea announced to the world that she was once again, an independent artist.

"Im officially unsigned!!!!" tweeted the "Mo Bounce" rapper. "Wild you spend so long trying to get IN a record deal... never thought Id be so elated to be OUT of one. now Im free to release whatever kinda music I like, whenever Id like woooo!"

Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

Now ready to write and record without the pressure of a major label demanding a new release, Azalea made good on her social media promise that she's committed to churning out quality content-- and stan Twitter is more than ready for the drop.

Free from the angry self-preservation that previously rendered the rapper unable to take constructive criticism in stride, Azalea is now knocking her past discography in favor of her soon-to-be-released new music.

"Fuck. Im really proud of my album," the rapper humble-bragged. "It shits on 95% of everything Ive ever made & its only half done."

Happily beau'd up with Playboi Carti back "home" in Atlanta, Azalea's personal life is now mirroring her professional wins, similar to the way that her engagement to Nick Young crumbled alongside her 2015 downfall. She's back in the headlines quite often: for her music, her relationship and her celebrity status, Azalea now has the clout required to drop a studio-length album that someone might actually want to listen to in 2019.

Hate all you want, Azalea's sure-to-be surprising 2019 chart performance will speak for itself, and no amount of tossed drinks (looking at you, Bhad Bhabie) will stop her comeback train.
Eric Weddle has had a pretty lengthy career in the NFL. The Baltimore Ravens Safety was originally drafted by the San Diego (Now Los Angeles) Chargers back in 2007, where he played for nine seasons before moving on to Baltimore. Weddle has liked it so much with the Ravens, that he said if the team were to release him in the offseason, he would not come back to the league and just retire.

While speaking at the Pro Bowl this past week, Weddle backtracked on those comments but did say he hopes to come to a solution with the team.

Peter Aiken/Getty Images

"I'm not sure if things are going to get worked out with Baltimore. Obviously, I want to be back," Weddle explained, via the team's website. "[We'll] see if there's something to be worked out. If not, then I've had an unbelievable experience here and loved every second. So, if it does happen, we both move on, and we'll see if I'll play somewhere else or hang 'em up."

Weddle signed a four-year deal with the Ravens in 2016 and still has one year left on the contract. According to Sporting News, the safety will make $6.5 million in 2019.

The Ravens were eliminated in the Wild-Card round by the Los Angeles Chargers.
It's a great day for hip-hop. The legendary rapper DMX, who has contributed countless hits and a pair of classic albums to the culture, has officially been released from prison. According to TMZ, X left the West Virginia Gilmer Federal Correctional Institution earlier this morning, after spending the last year behind bars for tax evasion. Apparently, his family was there to pick him up, though X himself has issued no official comment as of yet.

Still, it has been reported that X is looking to hit the ground running. The rapper is looking to ready a new album, as well as return to the cinematic fold with a few projects, including a possible biopic. While it's great to see DMX back on his feet, he's not quite out of the woods yet. The rapper will have to pay $2.3 million in restitution, as well as partake in programs for substance abuse and mental health. Hopefully, X can find peace with himself, as he has often sought openly throughout his "Prayer" series.

There's little doubt that an outpouring of support will ensue, as X's status remains respected to this day. Expect more news on the Ruff Ryders icon to come in the imminent future. In the meantime, X is slated to appear at the Lotus Lounge on February 8th, to celebrate his return. Welcome home, DMX!
Meanwhile, another former residence of Corgans, the seven-bedroom, 5,750-square-foot Victorian painted lady-style house near the Southport Corridor in West Lakeview, remains on the market for $1.99 million. That home first was listed last May for $2.295 million. Corgan owned that home from 1993 until he sold it in 2001 for exactly $1 million.
2019 marks the 30th anniversary of the iconic Air Jordan 4 silhouette which means Jordan Brand will be releasing a ton of classic and all-new colorways over the course of the next 12 months.

Among the Air Jordan 4s slated to drop is a "Light Crimson" (aka "Pale Citron," aka "Hot Lava") colorway, which are reportedly scheduled to arrive on March 2nd. It is believed the kicks will be available in sizes for the whole family, with men's sizes retailing for $190.

The official color code is listed as: "White/Black-Light Crimson-Pale Citron."

As seen in the early images provided by sneaker source @Zsneakerheadz and @HanZuYing, the "Light Crimson" Air Jordan 4s are built on a white leather upper accompanied by a contrasting black that appears on the inner lining, heel tab, wings, mudguard and laces.

Additional details include vibrant light crimson accents that appear on the outsole and tongue lining, as well as the scribble design on the black wings and mudguard. Check out some more photos of the kicks in the IG posts embedded below.
50 Cent is a man of many talents. As it happens, waging online war is but one of the many tools in his arsenal. To call him internet savvy is an understatment, and those who find themselves in his crosshairs must brace themselves for an endless parade of ridicule. Recent foes Teairra Mari and Wendy Williams have come under fire of late, with Fif reserving spots on his IG page for many memes at their expense. Today, however, finds 50 Cent's devious cunning reaching cruel, yet darkly hilarious new heights. The rapper has managed to get two birds stoned at once, hitting both Mari and Williams alike with the elusive and catastrophic two-pronged fatality.

Using the viral "Ten Year Challenge" as a backdrop, 50 conjures a narrative in which Mari and Williams are one and the same, with the former destined to evolve, Pokemon-esque, into the latter. He makes sure to use images depicting both women in a state of exasperated terror, a terror in which he revels. "Bitches be like my God please tell him stop," he writes. "Nope you should have never started with me."

Lord have mercy.
Since joining Sage in 2014, Stambules has been an integral part of the company's acquisition team as the Director of Feasibility, during which time he played a key role in nearly all of Sage's new business-related acquisitions, developments, and third-party management contracts.

Sage Hospitality has announced the promotion of Dean Stambules to Vice President of Acquisitions. In this new role, Stambules will lead Sage's acquisition efforts, with a focus on ensuring the success of those investments throughout their life cycle.

"In his time with Sage, Dean has shown strong business acumen and the drive to take Sage's acquisition efforts to the next level," said Jason Altberger, Chief Investment Officer of Sage Hospitality. "His knowledge and dedication will allow us to continue to strategically grow our portfolio."

Since joining Sage in 2014, Stambules has been an integral part of the company's acquisition team as the Director of Feasibility, during which time he played a key role in nearly all of Sage's new business-related acquisitions, developments, and third-party management contracts.

"Sage Hospitality is truly a market leader within the hospitality industry, and I am excited to continue to grow my career here," said Stambules. "I look forward to the continued success of our efforts on the investments team."

In his new role, Stambules will assume significant responsibility for identifying value enhancement opportunities, optimizing capital structures and execution of the business plan through disposition. Prior to joining Sage, Dean was an Analyst at Hunter Hotel Advisors where he worked in the Capital Markets division and focused on the underwriting and placement of hotel real estate debt and equity. Prior to that, he served as an Associate at Welsh Chester Galiney Matone, a consulting firm in Northern New Jersey, where he developed a strong foundation in real estate valuation for all commercial property types.

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Initiative Includes Training, Placement for Opportunity Youth in High-Demand Markets

The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) announced yesterday the launch of the Hospitality is Working (HIW) campaign at the U.S. Conference of Mayors winter meeting. As part of the HIW commitment, AHLAs foundation, the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation (AHLEF), will award $500,000 to community-based organizations in six key markets where the labor market is tight.

Working in conjunction with community leaders, AHLEF will award funds this year to the communities of Orlando, Dallas, Baltimore, Chicago, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. to support the recruitment and placement of Opportunity Youth, 16-24-year-olds who are out of both school and the workforce, in the hospitality industry to fill the industrys critical labor shortage. Over the next five years, AHLA expects to train and certify 8,000 Opportunity Youth in these high-demand markets and connect them to potential employers in the hospitality sector.

When youre in the business of helping people, that starts with investing in your own, said Rosanna Maietta, president of the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation and executive vice president of communications at AHLA.

The Hospitality Is Working campaign underscores what the hotel industry is doing proactively to recruit and retain talent around supporting our workforce, protecting our employees and guests, and investing in our communities. Our commitment to investing in the next generation is stronger than ever. And along with AHLAs members, we are focused on advancing our mission to bridge the employment gap and make our communities even more vibrant.

Todays announcement builds on AHLAs decades-long investment in workforce development, including a commitment over the next five years to enroll 50,000 apprentices into new and existing AHLA apprenticeship programs, certify 125,000 job seekers and current employees with industry certifications, help 5,000 employees earn college degrees at no cost to them and award more than $5 million in scholarships.

On safety and security, AHLA recently announced the 5-Star Promise, a pledge to provide hotel employees with safety devices and commit to enhanced policies, trainings and resources aimed at enhancing safety. The industry also partners with national organizations to address issues such as harassment and human trafficking.

Hotels are a driving force in the U.S. economy and an integral part of the communities we serve. The industry supports eight million jobs across the country with ample room for advancement. Seventy percent of mayors surveyed in 2017 said hotel jobs provide the most opportunity, good benefits and wages within the tourism industry. A typical hotel supports more than 250 local jobs, and 61 percent of hotels are small businesses.

AHLA and Americas mayors have long recognized that a single hotel can make a huge difference to growing a community. For years, hoteliers have partnered with mayors to grow and strengthen our cities and make them even more vibrant.

We are excited to partner with AHLA to launch this program in Orlando, said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer. Hotels and the larger hospitality industry are the foundation of our strong, and increasingly diverse, central Florida economy. Hotels are a vital part of our economy because they offer an unmatched pathway for opportunity for our residents, whether as an escalator to the middle class or as a vehicle to learn vital skills or to earn money for higher education or other pursuits. We appreciate the hotel industrys commitment to creating quality jobs in our city, investing in our workforce and helping our neighborhoods grow and thrive.

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Performance

25 January 2019

HENDERSONVILLE, Tennessee  The Canadian hotel industry recorded mixed year-over-year results in the three key performance metrics during the week of 13-19 January 2019, according to data from STR.

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In comparison with the week of 14-20 January 2018, the industry reported the following:

Occupancy: -1.1% to 54.6%

Average daily rate (ADR): +3.0% to CAD146.36

Revenue per available room (RevPAR): +1.9% to CAD79.98

Among the provinces and territories, Saskatchewan reported the largest increase in RevPAR (+22.8% to CAD66.55), due primarily to the only double-digit rise in occupancy (+15.7 % to 55.6%).

British Columbia posted the largest lift in ADR (+7.8% to CAD174.07), which resulted in the only other double-digit jump in RevPAR (+10.0% to CAD104.70).

Prince Edward Island saw the second-largest lift in ADR (+7.4% to CAD117.69), but the second-largest drop in occupancy (-15.2% to 31.2%).

The Northwest Territories registered the steepest decreases in occupancy (-25.1% to 58.1%) and RevPAR (-25.8% to CAD97.38).

Newfoundland and Labrador reported the largest decline in ADR (-6.0% to CAD123.21) and the second-largest drop in RevPAR (-12.2% to CAD45.67).
Police said the shooting at Orland Square was an isolated incident. But its the latest in a series of attacks at malls across the country in recent years, bursts of violence that temporarily turn recreation and retail spaces into chaotic, dangerous crime scenes. Long a destination for teens to hangout on the weekends and a weekday haven for the retired, shopaholics and those with unorthodox schedules, malls are faced with the prospects of safeguarding both shoppers and retail workers without oppressing the carefree, family-friendly vibe. Its one more challenge for bricks-and-mortar malls fighting for relevancy in the era of online retailing.
Bloomington, IN (47401)

Today

Cloudy skies this morning followed by scattered showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon. A few storms may be severe. High 84F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Variably cloudy with scattered thunderstorms. Low near 70F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
Click here to find out where to get a COVID-19 vaccine or test.

To find out how many local residents have been vaccinated for COVID-19, click here. Use the map to find numbers for individual counties.

Find detailed statistics about COVID-19 tests, cases and deaths by county and for the state as a whole on the Indiana State Department of Health's online dashboard.
Lima, OH (45805)

Today

Partly cloudy. Risk of scattered storms. Isolated strong to severe storms. High 84F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Partly to mostly cloudy skies with scattered thunderstorms before midnight. Low 68F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
The Ohio Division of Wildlife is investigating a hunter getting shot in the arm. According to an Ohio Division of Wildlife officer, the man was taken to a St. Marys hospital due to a minor injury from a muzzleloader. EMS and law enforcement were called out to a home near the intersection of State Route 197 and State Route 116 just before 1 p.m. Monday afternoon.
In their lawsuits, both women allege that NorthShore should have done more to protect them, saying they were not the first to accuse him of inappropriate conduct. In the lawsuit filed this week, the woman alleges that NorthShore was aware of at least four patient complaints about Ortega but failed to take appropriate action. She says in the lawsuit that NorthShore failed to warn, investigate and protect patients.
Copyright  2019 at Sun Newspapers/ APG Media of East Central Minnesota. Digital dissemination of this content without prior written consent is a violation of federal law and may be subject to legal action.
While other warships circled each other off the Falkland Islands, a British submarine stalked the Argentine light cruiser

Late on the afternoon of May 2, 1982, the British nuclear-powered fleet submarine HMS Conqueror was running submerged in the South Atlantic Ocean some 230 miles almost due east of Cape Horn. Though designed and built to engage Soviet warships should the Cold War turn hot, that day the sub was stalking prey of a decidedly different kinda 44-year-old American-built light cruiser that had survived the Dec. 7, 1941, Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Commissioned into the U.S. Navy in 1938 as Phoenix, the warship had been struck and sold in 1951, renamed ARA General Belgrano and was the pride of the Argentine navy. Unfortunately for Belgrano and its crew, the cruiser would not survive the coming encounter with Conqueror.

Belgrano and Conqueror were present in the frigid South Atlantic that austral autumn of 1982 thanks to Argentinas April 2 invasion of the Falkland Islands, a British dependency some 300 miles from the Argentine coast. The nearly 1,000-man invasion force quickly overwhelmed the 100 or so Royal Marines, Royal Navy sailors and local militiamen defending the islands. That same day the British Cabinet ordered the formation of a naval task force to retake the islands. On April 3 Argentine marines captured South Georgia Island, another British dependency more than 800 miles southeast of the Falklands, after a brief firefight with a Royal Marines platoon. Meanwhile, the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 502, demanding an immediate cessation of hostilities and the complete withdrawal of Argentine forces from the islands. Also on April 3 British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher announced the dispatch of the naval task force. Two days later the lead element of the Royal Navy forcewhich included two aircraft carriers

departed Portsmouth.

On April 7 the British declared that a Maritime Exclusion Zone (MEZ), centered on the Falklands with a 200-nautical-mile radius, would go into effect on April 12. After that date any Argentine shipping entering the MEZ would be subject to attack without warning. On April 1 the British Admiralty had dispatched the nuclear-powered Swiftsure-class submarines Spartan and Splendid to the South Atlantic. Three days later the Churchill-class Conqueror had departed the Royal Navy submarine base at Faslane, Scotland, also bound for the conflict zone. On April 10 all three submarines received orders to patrol the Falklands and enforce the MEZ.

Through months end the opposing nations deployed their forces. On April 17 the Argentine navy sortied its major surface combatants, including Belgrano and the British-built light fleet carrier ARA Veinticinco de Mayo and their escorts. The first naval combat of the war took place on April 25 when Royal Navy Wessex, Wasp and Lynx helicopters badly damaged the Argentine Balao-class submarine Santa Fe off South Georgia Island. The submarines captain ordered the sub run aground and the crew to abandon ship. Later that day they and the Argentine marines on South Georgia surrendered to the British.

On April 28 the British government announced that a Total Exclusion Zoneessentially a total blockade of the islandswould go into effect two days later, just as the main British carrier group, designated Task Group 317.8, arrived to enforce the zone. The force comprised the Centaur-class light fleet carrier Hermes (the British flagship), with 12 British Aerospace Sea Harrier FRS.1 fighter-bombers and 18 Westland Sea King helicopters, and the Invincible-class light carrier Invincible, with eight Sea Harriers and 12 Sea Kings. Escorting the carriers were the County-class destroyer Glamorgan and the Type 42 destroyers Sheffield, Coventry and Glasgow. Also in the escort were the Type 21 frigates Arrow, Alacrity and Antelope, the Type 22 frigate Broadsword and the Type 12 frigate Yarmouth. Between them the ships could deploy nearly 40 Sea King helicopters configured for both anti-submarine and assault missions. The various surface combatants were armed with French-built Exocet anti-ship missiles and a variety of anti-aircraft missiles. TG 317.8 was stationed some 30 to 50 nautical miles east of East Falkland Island.

By April 30 Splendid and Spartan were already on station north of the islands, while Conqueror was to the south. The latter had already detected Belgrano and escorts and was maintaining contact.

The British naval mission broke down into four phases. The first was to enforce the TEZ using primarily the submarines, though depending on the target and range, the force could also employ the various aircraft and even detached surface combatants. The second phase was to use surface and air forces to establish sea and air superiority. The third phase was to land Royal Marines and British army ground troops to retake the islands. The final phase was to support the land forces with airpower and naval gunfire while protecting the sea lines of communication.

By April 30 the Argentine navy had completed its own final combat dispositions. Task Force 79 was charged with defending the Falklands and controlled three subordinate task groups. TG 79.1, the carrier battle group, was deployed northwest of the Falklands some 90 nautical miles outside the TEZ and included the flagship Veinticinco de Mayowith eight U.S.-built Douglas A-4P Skyhawk attack aircraft, six U.S.-built Grumman S-2E Tracker reconnaissance planes and five helicoptersand the escorting destroyers Comodoro Py, Segui, Hercules and Santisima Trinidad. TG 79.4 was some 50 nautical miles west of TG 79.1 and comprised the French-built corvettes Drummond, Guerrico and Granville, each of which carried four Exocet missiles. To the southwest of the islands and also outside the TEZ was TG 79.3, which consisted of Belgrano and the destroyers Piedra Buena and Hipolito Bouchard. Each destroyer carried four Exocets.

On May 1 the British launched a series of attacks against Argentine positions on the islands, including an extremely long-range raid by an Avro Vulcan bomber based on equatorial Ascencion Island against the airport just outside the Falklands capital of Stanleya 6,800-nautical-

mile round-trip. The carrier-based Sea Harriers followed up with strikes on the airport and the landing strip farther west at Goose Green. Meanwhile, the destroyer Glamorgan and frigates Alacrity and Arrow bombarded Argentine defensive positions around Stanley. The Argentines launched more than 50 sorties in hopes of finding and sinking British ships. But only one flight of three mainland-based Israeli-built IAI Dagger fighters found a target: the three ships bombarding Stanley. Though the jets inflicted only minor damage on two of the Royal Navy vessels, the air strike was enough to convince the British ships to break off and rejoin the main task group.

That same day the British detected and backtracked at least two S-2E Tracker recon flights. One of the Sea Harriers backtracking the propeller-driven Argentine planes detected radar emissions from Hercules and also spotted a formation of five unidentified enemy ships before turning back. The British then broke off combat operations for the day and moved south-southeast. Both sides knew roughly where the other was, and each made overnight preparations for the next days operations.

The British also had a set of radio intercepts that detailed the enemys plans for May 2. The Argentines intended to launch an air strike with A-4s from Veinticinco de Mayo, while the Exocet-armed ships of TG 79.4 would either act in conjunction with the air strike or attack isolated British units. Belgrano and its escorts were to remain south of the islands and continue traveling east, with open orders to exploit any favorable opportunity to attack the British. Those intercepted orders were provided in an intelligence summary to Rear Adm. John Forster Sandy Woodward, commander of the British task group.

The prospect of a coordinated Argentine strike was what Woodward most feared. As he reflected in One Hundred Days, his memoir of the war, Attacked from different directions, by different weapons requiring different responses[we] could probably shoot down five or six of the incoming Skyhawksbut it would be very bad news if 16 Exocets arrived from the southeast at more or less the same time.

Aside from the air threat, Woodward was also aware that with a bit of luck either one of the enemy surface groups might get within missile range of his ships. During NATO exercises a year earlier Woodward himself had managed to get one of his destroyers to within Exocet range of an alert and prepared American aircraft carrier. If the Argentines managed something similar, Woodward expected the British could all be swimming around in the South Atlantic, getting a bit cold and wondering where the hell those 16 Exocets just came from.

Overnight, the British lost contact with the two Argentine groups to the north, heightening the threat alert from that axis. Though the anticipated air strike didnt materialize the morning of May 2, Royal Navy forces remained on high alert the rest of the day. Meanwhile, to the south Belgrano and its escorts were approaching the Burdwood Bank. If the Argentine ships were to cross its relative shallows, Conqueror might be unable to follow, might lose track of the enemy and might in turn be detected. Furthermore, the bank was a logical place for the Argentine group to split up. If that happened, Conqueror could lose touch with any one or all three of the enemy ships.

Given the circumstances, Woodward resolved to clip at least one claw of the pincer closing on his force. He already had permission to attack the Argentine flagship Veinticinco de Mayo, if able, but the British had not contacted the carrier. On the other hand, Woodward had contact with Belgrano but lacked permission to attack the cruiser. He therefore requested a change in his task forces rules of engagement (ROE) and that Conqueror be permitted to attack Belgrano. In what British Secretary of State for Defense John Nott later called one of the easiest decisions of the whole war, Prime Minister Thatcher and her War Cabinet agreed to change the ROE and ordered Conqueror to sink Belgrano and any other Argentine ship it encountered, even outside the TEZ.

The cruiser and its escorts had changed course at 0811 Zulu time (the military equivalent of Greenwich Mean Time), heading west, in the direction of but not destined for the mainland. Conqueror duly reported its change of direction to London at 1400 Zulu. Then, despite problems with its communications equipment, at 1710 Zulu the British submarine received and acknowledged the new ROE and orders to attack. At the same time Cmdr. Chris Wreford-Brown, Conquerors captain, transmitted his intention to strike the enemy.

Over the next two hours Conqueror stalked Belgrano in weather described as indifferent, sea state 3 or 4, steadily worsening. During the pursuit Wreford-Brown took his ship up to periscope depth at least five times to get a good track on the target. It was still light, but lingering mist diminished visibilityat one point down to just 2,100 yards. After coming up for another look, the captain ordered Conqueror to dive and accelerate to catch the cruiser. Belgrano was doing a gentle zigzag at about 13 knots, and none of the Argentine ships was using sonar.

At 1813 Zulu the submarine took up a firing position on Belgranos port beam and went to action stations as it slowly closed on the target. Wreford-Brown ordered crewmen to load Conquerors tubes with three venerable, unguided Mark VIII torpedoes with impact fuses and 805-pound Torpex warheads. In service since 1927, the Mark VIII was a reliable bet for the close-range attack. Conqueror was also armed with modern, wire-guided Mark 24 Tigerfish torpedoes, but the captain and crew found them unreliable.

At 1857 Zulu Wreford-Brown ordered the torpedoes fired. The first struck Belgrano about 30 feet aft of its bow, forward of the ships side armor and internal anti-torpedo bulge. The explosion essentially blew off the bow, though the watertight doors and bulkheads behind the lost section held. The second torpedo hit seconds later, just to the rear of the armor plating, detonating in the machine room. The blast tore through the crews recreation and mess area, where many sailors had congregated at watch change, killing some 275 of its 1,093 crewmen. The explosion also deprived the ship of electricity to run pumps or send a distress call. The cruiser lost way and began listing to port. The third torpedo missed Belgrano entirely and struck Hipolito Bouchard, though it failed to explode.

Conqueror dove deep and evaded to the east as Hipolito Bouchard and Piedra Buena, out of contact with Belgrano and unaware the cruiser was badly damaged, reacted to the explosions by dropping depth charges. Without pumps, Belgrano was lost. Just 20 minutes after the attack, the cruisers captain ordered everyone to abandon ship, and Belgrano soon slipped beneath the waves. It took nearly three days for rescuers to pull the surviving crew from their flotilla of orange inflatable life rafts. Argentine and Chilean ships saved 772 men. In all, 321 sailors died, as did two civilian technicians aboard at the time of the sinking.

On May 3, after providing a detailed after-action report, Wreford-Brown was ordered to seek out and sink Belgranos surviving escortsthough he was not to engage ships engaged in rescue operations. Over the next two days Conqueror encountered a number of vessels but in each case determined they were searching for survivors and did not attack.

When later asked about the sinking of Belgrano, Wreford-Brown responded with typical British understatement: The Royal Navy spent 13 years preparing me for such an occasion. It would have been regarded as extremely dreary if I had fouled it up.

After the loss of Belgrano the Argentine navy withdrew all units to its nations coastal waters, where they remained for the duration of the war, leaving the fight against the Royal Navy to land-based air force and naval aviators. By June 14 the war was over, the British having retaken Stanley and ejected the Argentines from the islands.

In its wake controversy sprang up over the sinking of Belgrano, mainly from Argentine quarters and centering on the contention that Conqueror had attacked the Argentine cruiser outside the TEZ and without warning. At least one writer has called that contention humbug, as the Argentine navy was well aware the British would indeed attack without warning any ship they considered a threatand Belgrano presented a very real threat. In the years following the Falklands War several retired senior officers in the Argentine navy deemed the sinking justified, noting that at the time of the sinking Belgrano was not returning to port but maneuvering while awaiting further orders.

In the end, of course, controversy about the necessity or legality of the attack on Belgrano is irrelevant, for the cruisera survivor of Pearl Harbor and World War II in the Pacificlies entombed at the bottom of the South Atlantic.

U.S. Army veteran Patrick Baker holds a masters degree in European history and is a contributor to magazines in Europe and the United States.. For further reading he recommends The Official History of the Falklands Campaign, Vol. II: War and Diplomacy, by Sir Lawrence Freedman; Argentine Fight for the Falklands, by Martin Middlebrook; and Sink the Belgrano, by Mike Rossiter.
A Q&A with Harvard history professor Fredrik Logevall on what might have been between Vietnam and the U.S.

Fredrik Logevall, Laurence D. Belfer professor of international affairs at the Kennedy School and professor of history in Harvards Faculty of Arts and Sciences, has edited or written multiple books. Embers of War: The Fall of an Empire and the Making of Americas Vietnam, won the 2015 Pulitzer Prize for History. He is writing a biography of John F. Kennedy.

Vietnamese nationalist Ho Chi Minh attended the 1919 peace talks at Versailles. He hoped to meet President Woodrow Wilson, whose policy of political self-determination encouraged Ho and allies to try to get the French out of Indochina. What happened? Ho, 28, perhaps was naive to think Wilson, who stood center stage at the conference, would see him, but believed he had a chance; he even rented a morning coat for the occasion. His hopes were in vain; he met no world leaders at all. Little did anyone know that Ho would become one of the centurys great revolutionaries, more recognizable to more people than the leaders who snubbed him at Versailles.

During WWII, President Franklin Roosevelt argued that colonialisms day was done, and that France should quit Indochina. What did he see that others didnt? Roosevelt saw that the era of imperialism was ending. He wanted the United States to be on the right side of history. He blamed European colonialism as a factor in both world wars, and thought it stood to keep sparking global conflagrations. He was prepared to give colonial powers time to yield control, but, unlike some historians, I believe FDR went to his grave convinced the imperialist system was bankrupt and decolonization inevitable. Had Roosevelt lived into 1946 or beyond, he might have worked to keep France from reclaiming Indochina and might have succeeded. Its an enduring What If?

Ho worked with the U.S. Office of Strategic Services during WWII to oust the Japanese from Indochina. Its one of the ironies of this story that Ho Chi Minh, who before WWI lived in Boston and New York, had deep admiration for the United States and its institutions. At least until the late 1940swell into the Vietnamese insurrection against Francehe hoped that America would back his cause. OSS officers he met in 1945 liked him and supported him, which naturally encouraged his belief that he could gain American backing for Vietnamese independence.

But President Harry Truman tacitly endorsed returning Indochina to France. At wars end, the United States was preeminent in the world, particularly East Asia. A different tilt by Truman could have altered the path leading to the Franco-Viet Minh War. But hindsight can distort. In late 1945, Truman had bigger fish to fry, especially in Europe. He could not have known that Indochina would become the scene of a major world struggle. Its not entirely surprising that he would ignore Hos pleas.

Ho, a communist, stressed that he was a nationalist first. Did American officials ever consider embracing him and trying to nudge him to our side? Not really. From early on, mid-level American officials argued for precisely such a stance. This fact matters historically; it allows us to speak of genuine missed opportunities, of unrealized alternatives understood as such at the time. But these analysts never won support where it matteredin the White House.

Did the Domino Theory hold water? The image of rows of dominos collapsing had undeniable dramaand little practical validity. President Dwight Eisenhower articulated the theory at an April 1954 press conference, but as early as the late 1940s American and British officials were musing that if Country A fell, increased communist pressure could topple Countries B, C, and D. Had anyone asked Eisenhower for an example of one nations fall to communism triggering a sequence of collapses, he would have come up empty; there was none. When China, the worlds most populous country, went communist in 1949, no nearby nation did likewise. In time, American planners recognized this. By the early 1960s the Domino Theory no longer was driving policy, even if officials found it advantageous to pretend otherwise for public consumption.

Britain did not share Americas fear of communist aggression. What about France? The French very skillfully framed their Indochina struggle as a vital Cold War battle rather than a colonial conflict. Given communist domination of Ho Chi Minhs revolutionary government and its backing after early 1950 by Maos China, Frances claim was plausible enough. Eisenhower and Dulles maintained this outlook, supporting the French effort and after Frances 1954 defeat fatefully deciding to build up and sustain South Vietnams newly created noncommunist regime.

Was that the moment of no return? I wouldnt go that far. I argue in my book, Choosing War, that as late as winter 1965 President Lyndon Johnson had an opportunityunderstood as such at the time, including by people high in governmentto shift to a diplomatic plane and get the United States out of the conflict. Still, theres no doubt that Eisenhowers 1954 decision had fundamental importance. In effect he committed the United States to trying to thwart Ho Chi Minhs revolutionary forces, against whom the French had failed.

Decisions on Vietnam by Truman and Eisenhower boxed in Kennedy and Johnson. Yesto a degree. Years of their predecessors talking up the dangers of the Vietnamese revolution, of describing dominoes falling, and of insisting that events in Indochina mattered greatly to American security hobbled both Kennedy and Johnsonincluding in domestic political terms. But each had flexibility. The context was more fluid than many historical accounts suggest; those presidents could have taken other paths.

In his novel The Quiet American, Graham Greene portrays an American operative in 1950s Indochina as full of good intentionsinnocent but ignorantwhose zeal has a sinister side. That portrait rankled Americansbut is it fair? That characterization is perhaps overdrawn, but does have tremendous power, which is why the novel bears reading and re-reading. I assign it to undergraduates all the time. Long before Vietnam became a large-scale American war, Greene keenly sensed the flow of events, as at the novels evocative opening, when the narrator sees lamps burning where they had disembarked the new American planes.

This article was published in the April 2019 issue of American History.
United States President Donald Trump has agreed to deliver the State of the Union address, which was scheduled for next week, at a later date only after the partial government shutdown comes to an end.

Trumps climbdown marks a pitched battle with Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi.

Trump signalled the move in a late evening Tweet on Wednesday. As the Shutdown was going on, Nancy Pelosi asked me to give the State of the Union Address. I agreed. She then changed her mind because of the Shutdown, suggesting a later date. This is her prerogative - I will do the Address when the Shutdown is over, he wrote.

The US president added, I look forward to giving a great State of the Union Address in the near future!

Pelosi responded shortly after, also on Twitter. Mr. President, I hope by saying near future you mean you will support the House-passed package to #EndTheShutdown that the Senate will vote on tomorrow. Please accept this proposal so we can re-open government, repay our federal workers and then negotiate our differences, she posted.

The Republican-led Senate votes on Thursday on two competing bills, with neither expected to get the 60 votes needed to pass. One of them, backed by Republicans, encompasses Trumps proposal including the $5.7 billion funding for a wall in return for temporary relief from deportation for immigrants brought to the US illegally as children.

The second bill, backed by Democrats, is the package referred to by Pelosi. It funds the shuttered government departments till February 8.

Cohen cites threats from Trump, Giuliani

Michael Cohen, the US presidents one-time lawyer and fixer, has pulled out of - as of now - a commitment to testify before the Congress citing threats to his family from Trump and his lawyer Rudy Giuliani.
Two Sikh communities in the US state of Indiana will donate funds and food to Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers, as they remain unpaid due to the ongoing partial government shutdown.

The Sikh community of Fishers, Indiana, and Gurinder Singh Khalsa of SikhsPAC, a national Sikh political action committee, are coordinating with Mario Rodriguez, Executive Director of the Indianapolis Airport Authority, and Aaron Batt, TSA Federal Security Director, to support TSA agents, who are impacted by the shutdown, the American Bazaar news portal reported on Thursday.

The community has come forward and is keen to support the workers who are undergoing the crisis of missing their paychecks, Khalsa told the portal.

He said that $5,000 in gift/grocery cards and more than $5,000 worth of hot food will be delivered to the TSA agents at the Indianapolis Airport on January 28.

Leading the community efforts, Khalsa is currently working with several local grocery stores that are eager to offer foodstuff at discounted prizes.

We are looking at the places that can offer us good discounts so that we can deliver maximum stuff to workers affected, he said.

TSA official Batt said the communities efforts were overwhelming and amazing.

To ensure that the community is able to offer helping hands to federal workers until the shutdown ends, the Sikhs in Fishers have vowed to encourage more Sikh temples and faith-based organisations in the state to come forward in assisting in the coming weeks if needed.

Our community kitchen will continue serving every Sunday and we will deliver hot food weekly to our TSA public servants on a weekly basis until the shutdown is lifted, Khalsa said.

TSA falls under the Department of Homeland Security and has about 60,000 employees.

Its workers are one of the lowest paid employees and have been working without pay since the shutdown began on December 22.

TSA also has a much larger minority concentration of employees with about 22.9 per cent of them being African American employees, according to the Bureau of Labour Statistics.

The partial government shutdown continues as President Donald Trump demands $5.7 billion for a wall along the US-Mexico border and Democratic lawmakers decline to approve it.

Roughly 800,000 federal employees have been furloughed or are working without pay since then.
Pakistan received $1 billion from Saudi Arabia Friday, a day after the United Arab Emirates deposited the first installment of a $3 billion financial support package aimed at helping the South Asian nation tide over a balance-of-payment crisis.

The U.A.E. transferred $1 billion as part of an agreement between Pakistan and the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development this month, the central bank said in a statement on Twitter Thursday. The total transfers so far from the U.A.E and Saudi Arabia stand at $4 billion, and will boost Pakistans reserves that had fallen to $6.64 billion, or less than two months of import cover, in the week ended Jan. 18. Riyadh also has pledged to supply oil worth $3 billion on deferred payments.

Its a short-term relief, Mohammed Sohail, chief executive officer at Topline Securities Pakistan Ltd., said in Karachi. Pakistan will need more funding as the nations external account gap next fiscal year will again swell to as much as $20 billion, he said.

Pakistan has averted a balance-of-payment crisis this year and it is close to concluding an investment agreement with China, Finance Minister Asad Umar said Thursday. The Chinese aid is in addition to the support from Saudi Arabia and the U.A.E to help Pakistan bridge a $12 billion financing gap. The nations current-account deficit rose to an unprecedented $19 billion in financial year ended June.

The funding helped the benchmark Karachi stock exchange 100-index advance for a sixth straight day on Friday, taking its gain to 8.7 percent this year. The easing of funding concerns also made Pakistans sovereign bonds one of the top gainers among developing Asian countries so far this year.

Umar said the financial packages will help Pakistan negotiate better terms for a bailout loan from the International Monetary Fund, after talks hit an impasse in November over the funds proposed changes to currency and tax policy. The talks are ongoing, he said Thursday.

Last month, Fitch downgraded Pakistans credit score by a notch to B-, six levels below investment grade, citing heightened external financing risk from low reserves and elevated external debt.

Pakistan still needs a long term solution either through growth in exports or investment or a bailout from the IMF, Toplines Sohail said.
As India raised the issue of some anti-India elements planning to burn the Indian flag in London on Republic Day, the Foreign Office said the United Kingdom does not condone such activities, but fiercely protects the right to protest peacefully.

Indian officials have taken up the issue with London, particularly in the context of the Indian flag being mutilated during the April 2018 visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the Commonwealth heads of government meeting.

A Foreign Office spokesman said: We congratulate India on her Republic Day celebration, and look forward to deepening our relationship further as we prepare to leave the European Union and forge new partnerships with key global allies.

We are proud to be a country that fiercely protects the rights of individuals to peaceful protest and free speech as essential parts of a vibrant democracy, provided that demonstrators act within the law. We do not condone the burning of national flags, which is deeply offensive to most people.

Some elements have announced on social media plans to burn the Indian flag outside India House in the Strand. Similar plans have reportedly been announced in the United States and Canada.
Indian-American Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna has been appointed to several key Congressional committees, reflecting his growing stature within his party and the Congress.

In the current 116th Congress, Khanna has joined three influential committees -- Oversight and Reform, Armed Services and Budget. The 42-year-old Congressman, who represents Silicon valley, has also joined the House Armed Services subcommittees on Intelligence and Emerging Threats, and Strategic Forces, as well as the Oversight subcommittees of Government Operations and Economic Policy.

Im honoured to have the confidence of Speaker Pelosi to serve on these committees at such a critical time in our nations history, Khanna said.

He further said: I look forward to using these assignments to spark discussions around how we are going to grow the digital economy, forge a progressive foreign policy, hold the administration accountable and modernise government technologies.

The committee on Oversight and Reform serves as the primary investigative body for the US House of Representatives and plays a crucial role in holding the Trump Administration accountable for many of the outstanding questions over potential campaign, ethics and constitutional violations.

One of the first such investigations will focus on the ongoing issues of security clearance at the White House, a statement issued by the office of Khanna said.

The committee also has sweeping jurisdiction in many policy areas, allowing Khanna and his colleagues to conduct oversight over any matter it believes would serve the American people, it said.

Some of the first hearings will look at rising drug prices, campaign finance and lobbying reform.

The committee on the Budget drafts the annual budget resolution that sets the levels of revenue and spending expected each fiscal year. Pelosi has already committed to holding hearings before the Budget committee on Medicare for all, where Khanna plans to continue his fight for universal health care in the country.

Khanna has been a leading advocate in the movement for universal health coverage and for lowering prescription drug costs. With Senator Brown, he introduced the Grow American Incomes Now Act (GAIN) that expands the earned income tax credit by USD 1.4 trillion and will continue to fight for this policy on the committee. As a member of the committee on Armed Services subcommittees on Intelligence and Emerging Threats and Strategic Forces, Khanna will continue to provide a much-needed voice of restraint in our nations foreign policy, his office said.

Khanna is leading the effort in the house to end US involvement in the Yemen civil war, cautions against a new nuclear arms race with Russia, and supports bringing technologies from Silicon Valley to the Defence Department, it said.
Roger J Stone Jr, a long-time informal adviser to President Donald Trump, was arrested by the FBI Friday morning and charged by Special Counsel Robert Mueller with making false statements, witnesses tampering and obstructing official proceedings.

This is the first major arrest of anyone from Trumps inner circle. Stone has known Trump for decades and was among those who had been urging him to run for the White House for a long time. He was the Trump campaign briefly till late 2015 but had continued to remain in touch with senior officials till much after.

Stone, 66, was arrested by FBI agents in an early morning swoop from his home in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, parts of which were captured on video and ran on CNN.

Stone has been charged with one count of obstructing an official proceeding, five counts of making false statements and one count of witness tampering, according to an indictment from Muellers office unsealed on Friday.

Stones lawyers have said he is ready to contest the charges. He was schedule to a make a court appearance later in the day..

The indictments are about Stones interactions with WikiLeaks as it had released emails from Democrats National Committees head quarters and Hillary Clintons campaign chairman John Podesta, that were hacked by Russians, according to Muellers office, and handed over to the anti-secrecy group for release. WikiLeaks has denied it obtained them from Russians.

The hacking was conducted by Russians as part of a plan to influence the 2016 election to damage Hillary Clinton and help Trump win the White House race, according to US authorities. Mueller has handed out a bunch of indictments naming Russian individuals and entities such as GRU, the military intelligence, as among those involved.

Stone had been in touch with WikiLeaks head Julian Assange, who has been staying in the Ecuadorean embassy in London since 2012, through an intermediary and had advance knowledge of the release of the hacked material, which he had communicated to senior official of the Trump campaign.

During the summer of 2016, Stone spoke to senior Trump Campaign officials about Organization 1 (which is WikiLeaks but has not been named in the court filing) and information it might have had that would be damaging to the Clinton Campaign, prosecutors said n the indictment. Stone was contacted by senior Trump Campaign officials to inquire about future releases by Organization 1.

The indictment cites several communications between Stone and WikiLeaks through an intermediary, a New York city radio host, about the schedule of the document dumps and subject matter.

Please ask [the head of Organization 1] for any State (stte department) or HRC (Hillary Rodham Clinton) e-mail from August 10 to August 30particularly on August 20, 2011 that mention [the subject of the article] or confirm this narrative, Stone wrote in an email to the intermediary, identified in the indictment as Person 2, in September 2016.

When asked about these contacts, any material evidence in his possession of them by the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence in 2017 he denied flatly having advance knowledge and having documentary evidence of his contacts, such as letters, emails and phone texts.

Muellers indictment also detail Stones attempt to persuade the intermediary  a witness  to refuse to depose and when forced invoke his Fifth Amendment right to not implicate himself. Stone knowingly and intentionally corruptly persuaded and attempted to corruptly persuade another person, to wit: Person 2, with intent to influence, delay, and prevent the testimony of any person in an official proceeding.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 25)  The Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) is officially ratified.

Provinces under the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) except Sulu voted to ratify Republic Act 11054, which is envisioned to end the decades-long conflict in Mindanao, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced.

The poll body en banc, sitting as the National Plebiscite Board of Canvassers (NPBOC), confirmed this after the official tally was completed Friday night.

Despite Sulu's rejection, the law would still be ratified as majority of the residents in the ARMM-- which voted as one geographical area-- overwhelmingly voted in favor of the BOL.

The official tabulation revealed that a total of 1,540,017 voted "yes" to approve the BOL, while 198,750 residents rejected the law.

Cotabato City, which is not an official part of ARMM, will be part of the new Bangsamoro region after majority of its residents cast their votes in favor of the inclusion.

Cotabato City's final certificate of canvass reflected 36,682 "yes" votes and 24,994 "no" votes.

Meanwhile, Isabela City in Basilan will be excluded from the new autonomous region as 22,441 of its residents rejected inclusion. The "yes" votes for the city totaled at 19,032.

Approximately 1.7 million Mindanaoans participated in the first Bangsamoro plebiscite.

The new Bangsamoro region will take the place of the current ARMM. A second plebiscite is still scheduled on February 6 for Lanao del Norte excluding Iligan City, North Cotabato, and the 28 areas which petitioned for inclusion into the new autonomous region.

Following ratification, the BOL states that President Rodrigo Duterte should appoint members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) which will include incumbent officials of the regional government.

The BTA will have legislative and executive powers during the transition period. It will be considered the Bangsamoro government during the transition and will have exclusive powers over budgeting, justice, agriculture, human rights, and tourism, among others.

In a statement, Vice President Leni Robredo said that peace is now at hand for the people in the region.

"Sa matagal na panahon, marami marahil ang nagsabing mananatiling pangarap lamang ang kapayapaan sa Mindanao. Ngayon, pagkatapos ng ilang taon ng pagsisikap at pakikipag-usap, sakripisyo at paniniwala, sa wakas, ang pangarap na ito ay abot-kamay na rin natin," Robredo said.

[Translation: For a long time, many have said that peace in Mindanao might only be a dream. But now, after how many years of sacrifice and talks, sacrifice and belief, finally peace is at hand.]

She added that people should monitor the continued progress of this law.

The European Union (EU) also congratulated the Philippines on the ratification of the BOL.

"The EU is prepared to continue to support the implementation of the Bangsamoro Organic Law and to work closely with the relevant stakeholders towards long-lasting peace, development and prosperity for the benefit of Mindanao and the Filipino people," it said in a statement.
While domestic woes sidelined major figures like US President Donald Trump, this years gathering of the global elites in the Swiss ski resort of Davos showcased divisions on pressing issues like trade and the environment.

In the end, a spunky 16-year-old Swedish climate activist all but stole the show.

The World Economic Forum, which wrapped up Friday, was characterized by discord over momentous issues like Brexit and world trade. Many of the leaders closest to those questions  from Trump to Britains Theresa May and Chinas Xi Jinping  did not show up as they had in past years.

Environmentalists, meanwhile, howled about alleged hypocrisy after reports that a record number of flights by carbon-spewing private jets would ferry rich corporate bigwigs to talk at the event this year  including about global warming.

As the adults deliberated, Greta Thunberg, an environmentalist teenager, sounded the alarm.

I want you to panic. I want you to feel the fear I feel every day, said the student, who got a waiver from school to travel 32 hours from her home in Sweden  by train, to keep he carbon footprint down.

Since founder Klaus Schwab first gathered European business executives back in 1971, the World Economic Forum has defended globalization as a force for good that improves lives and boosts prosperity.

Now, advocates of closer economic and cultural ties are on the defensive. Trumps America First sloganeering, the Brexit-style self-interest, populist politics and the rise of strongman leaders in countries from the Philippines to Brazil have shaken confidence in the international rules and organizations set up since World War II.

The conference center in Davos still bustled with business executives, presidents and prime ministers, heads of non-governmental organizations, scientists, and artists. They met privately or sat on publicly broadcast discussions about world issues: Poverty, climate change, the rise of machines, diseases like Alzheimers and cancer, and trade disputes among them.

Organizers of the event trumpeted some achievements and commitments made in Davos.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Japan will push for global data governance when it hosts the Group of 20 leading industrialized and developing nations this year. Leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia held talks toward ending the long-standing conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh. Britains health secretary unveiled a five-year plan to tackle the global threat of antimicrobial resistance.

If it didnt exist, someone would have had to create it, because we cannot solve the most pressing global challenges without a unique partnership between governments, business and civil society, WEF President Borge Brende said Friday of the gathering.

Still, the WEF has struggled to shake off the impression that it hosts champagne-swilling executives more interested in their bottom line and power-hungry politicians more interested in polishing their global image than in the state of the world.

Brazils new president, Jair Bolsonaro, pledged to work in harmony with the world to cut carbon emissions. The nationalist leader has faced international concerns that his country could allow far more aggressive deforestation in the oxygen-rich Amazon. But he provided no details and was asked no probing questions by the WEF organizers about his policies.

Several hundred environmentalists and political activists waved green and red flags as they demonstrated their opposition to the WEF and capitalism in Davos snow-and ice-covered streets Thursday. One sign read: Let them eat money.

The forums organizers were already on the defensive after a charter-flight company cited estimates that a record number of private jet flights headed to Davos this year. They published a rebuttal, insisting they issue carbon offsets and labelled flying by private jet as the worst way to travel to Davos, which is merely two hours from Zurich by car. Christoph Kohler, who heads a company that tracks the aviation industry, said precise figures on business jet flights from the area werent yet available.

Thunberg, the teenager whose speech to a climate conference in December had gone viral and gave another to the World Economic Forum on Friday, did not mince her words amid concerns that nations wont meet their target of keeping global warming below 1.5-degrees Celsius (2.7-Fahrenheit).

We owe it to the young people, to give them hope, she said. I want you to act ... as if the house was on fire. Because it is.
Chinas Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) has said India is within its rights to set up a surveillance base in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands (ANI), playing down reports saying the bases focus will be to monitor the Chinese navys increasing activities in the maritime region.

The base is located close to the Malacca Straits, a narrow strip vital to China  and to world sea trade  as its navy expands its maritime influence, including sending warships and submarines to the Indian Ocean region and to Indias neighbourhood.

The naval air station (NAS) Shibpur was commissioned as INS Kohassa by Indian navy chief, Admiral Sunil Lanba, on Thursday.

Named after a White-Bellied Sea Eagle, endemic to islands, the Indian navy said the station operates Short Range Maritime Reconnaissance aircraft and helicopters. These aircraft undertake EEZ (exclusive economic zones in the maritime area) surveillance, anti-poaching missions, search and rescue and humanitarian aid and disaster relief missions within the ANC (Andaman and Nicobar Command) area of responsibility.

The close proximity of Coco Islands (Myanmar) and wide expanse of Indian EEZ makes the base a very vital asset. The airfield provides sustained detached operations of Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, and Coast Guard aircraft, the Indian navy said in a statement.

The PLAs website said with the setting up of the base, Some foreign media are provoking the situation, saying that India intends to confront China.

the Andaman and Nicobar islands, adjacent to the Straits of Malacca, are overseas territories of Dominion of India and that it is a normal move for the Indian military to establish military bases there, Ding Hao, deputy director of the Asian-African Military Affairs Office of the PLAs Academy of Military Sciences, said.

Ding added that China has always advocated enhancing strategic mutual trust with India at all levels, so it is not necessary to exaggerate Indian military use of their third naval base or Chinese Navys entering the Indian Ocean.

The China threat theory is repeatedly mentioned whenever Chinese ships appear in the Indian Ocean, the PLA expert said, adding that India regards the Indian Ocean as its own backyard and it is inevitable for India to have some negative views toward China.

Ding said that the main purpose of the Chinese Navys entering the Indian Ocean is to maintain the safety of the maritime channel.

Given that pirates are very active and Chinese ships sailing to and from Africa, the Middle East and South Asia all need to go through the Indian Ocean, the aim of the Chinese Navys entering the Indian Ocean is not only for its own interests. Instead, it also aims to protect the safety of ships from all countries, Ding said.

The facility, the third in the islands, will have a 1,000-metre runway for helicopters and Dornier surveillance aircraft. But eventually, the plan is for the runway to be extended to 3,000 metres to support fighter aircraft and longer-range reconnaissance aircraft, navy spokesperson Captain DK Sharma told Reuters.
High-pitched animated voices, laughter and chattering keep emanating from the first-floor home of the Rodrigues family thereby providing a lively and boyish aura to the building and immediate neighbourhood. Being Republic Day, Dominic Rodrigues, an energetic 14-year old student at one of Mumbais well known schools has invited his friends to come and spend the day-long holiday at his home playing videogames.

Dominic is passionate about videogames since it brings him immense joy. Hence, when his parents were considering purchase of a new television  they took Dominics suggestions and purchased a television with special suitability for playing video games. The parents might put time bound restrictions and conditions on Dominic as to the quantum of time spent playing videogames but they still consider his inputs while taking purchase decisions.

For every parent the most important mission in life is ensuring the healthy physical, mental, and emotional development of their children. While letting children be final decision-maker in all important discussions are not in anyones best interest, allowing them to participate certainly goes a long way in helping young kids find their own voice. This goes a long way in raising courageous and independent citizens who can contribute to the nation. Hence, todays young and new-age millennial parents are increasingly considering the suggestions of their children while taking decisions.

Gopal Shetty, a six-year old bubbly class one student might not be able to tie his shoe laces properly but can easily navigate the smartphone to catch his favourite cartoon online. Todays children are much more exposed to their surroundings and larger worldwide happenings due to increased access to media and other information avenues. This trend has also ensured that children are maturing faster, becoming more aware than ever before. A world of Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram has primed children so that they are eager to participate in discussions on relevant matter and this trend is evident even at home. Purchase decisions such as home furnishings are today taken by millennial parents post consideration of childrens viewpoints. In fact, Interio index, a light hearted survey by Godrej Interio revealed that amongst millennial parents in the age group of 25 to 35 years of age, 39.0% believe that their children have a say in the decision making for furniture at home for small pieces of furniture around the home; 27.3% would accept suggestions from their children for the kids room only; whereas 19.3% consider the opinion of their children in all furniture decisions at home. This clearly indicates that childrens suggestions are increasingly being considered by parents, especially in cases wherein it directly affects the child such as the kids room furnishing.

For example, Gopals parents intended to purchase a new refrigerator but would also seek Gopals suggestions. Post receiving inputs they decide to purchase a refrigerator that provides a larger chiller space since Gopal is extremely fond of ice-cream.

The well-known American novelist, Katie Kitamura had once stated that, One thing about having children is that even as it complicates many aspects of your life, it simplifies others. These words are especially true in todays context wherein childrens interests could complicate purchase decisions but their suggestions can also show the path ahead.

We now celebrate Indias Republic Day, a momentous occasion completing the countrys transition towards becoming an independent republic so that every citizen could have his or her rightful voice heard and empowered with robust protection guaranteed by the constitution. In the same spirit, todays millennial parents remain keen to empower children by seeking their opinions and considering the same while taking important decisions.

In conclusion, it would be right to point out that democracy begins at home and Indians household are teaching these principles to their children at an early stage. This Republic Day, let us acknowledge the millennial parents inclusive approach to decision-making within their household.

This article has been penned by Mr. Anil Sain Mathur, COO, Godrej Interio.

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Two skeletons, in all likelihood the remains of trapped miners, came out of the rubble on Wednesday during overburden removal operation at the Lalmatia open cast mine, within Rajmahal colliery of Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL) in Godda district. Post-mortem and DNA test would determine their identity.

These may be the skeletons of two of the five miners who remained buried following a mine disaster in the evening of December 29, 2016. On that day, altogether 23 miners, including the superviser of a private outsourced company running the Lalmatia operations, were buried alive under the rubble of overburden hills in the Lalmatia mines. The National Disaster Response Force team of Patna dug out 18 bodies in a week-long rescue operation. But five people could not be brought out, dead or alive  they were Parwez Alam (from Ramgarh in Jharkhand), Madhur Shyam Bhiwani (from Gujarat), Bhim Ram (from Madhya Pradesh), Gagan Singh (from Bhagalpur in Bihar), and Lalu Khan (from Madhya Pradesh).

Following the discovery of the two skeletons, executive magistrate Praveen Chaudhary said that they were sent for post-mortem to the Patliputra Medical College Hospital (PMCH) in Dhanbad. After that, the skeletons would be sent to Ranchi for a DNA test. Only on the basis of the DNA test reports could the identity be ascertained, he said.

Upon being informed that two skeletons had surfaced, Praveen Chaudhary reached the spot, along with Lalmatia police station in-charge Janardhan Singh; sub-divisional police officer R Mitra; Rajmahal colliery general manager and project officer DK Nayak; and personnel manager Rao Jadhav.

Relatives of Parwez Alam and Gagan Singh also reached Lalmatia mines on Thursday after getting information about the recovery of skeletons. But the district administration denied them access to the remains.

On the basis of a shirt and a pen, one of the skeletons was believed to be that of Madhur Shyam Bhiwani of Gujarat. He was the superviser in the outsource company (running the mine) and always kept a pen with it, said Randhir Singh, general secretary of Rashtriya Colliery Mazdoor Sangh (RCMS), ECL branch.

No compensation yet

The RCMS general secretary alleged that the Jharkhand government had betrayed the family members of deceased miners. The government had announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh for the family of each deceased miner. But, said Singh, even after more than two years, the family members of the missing five miners were still making the rounds of Godda district administration offices for compensation.

The relatives of the missing miners said that the government told them compensation would be paid only after the recovery of the bodies (which includes skeletal remains). Thats why I have come here after hearing about the recovery, said Shadab Alam, a relative of Parwez Alam.
Three years after work began on Metros Aqua Line that will connect Noida with Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will formally inaugurate the much-awaited corridor on Friday.

At 29.7 kilometres, this line will be the longest Metro corridor in the country to be inaugurated at one go. At 29km, officials said, the Hyderabad Metro held the earlier record.

Adityanath is scheduled to arrive in Noidas Sector 84 in a helicopter from where he will proceed to open the line from Sector 137 station. From there, he will take a Metro ride to the terminal station in Greater Noida.

There are several other specialties to this line. We are generating solar energy, have women drivers, and there are free water and toilet facilities for people, PD Upadhyay, executive director, Noida Metro Rail Corporation (NMRC), said.

Work on the Aqua Line started in May 2015 and was completed in a record time of three-and-a-half years. It has been constructed at a cost of Rs 5,503 crore.

Sector 137 station of the Noida-Greater Noida Aqua Metro Line (Virendra Singh Gosain/HT Photo )

Mass public transport has been mostly unavailable in both cities, except for a handful of buses, and informal services such as autos have also been few and far between, especially in Greater Noida.

This has caused a lot many traffic issues in the region. In fact, for the inauguration, Gautam Budh Nagar SSP Vaibhav Krishna on Thursday took to social media took to social media seeking traffic volunteers for the chief ministers visit.

Over 25 residents from various backgrounds and residential societies responded to the call to manage traffic near the Sector 137 and Depot Metro stations and supplement the traffic staff.

It is a community engagement initiative that we will push further in future. We have got a good response and will seek their help in managing traffic around Sector 137 and Depot Metro stations, the two points from where the chief minister will board and exit, Krishna said.

He added that the police department will initiate more community engagement activities to involve people in managing traffic and policing. He said the volunteers coming for Fridays event will be briefed at the spot by traffic police officers.

It is great that city authorities and citizens are working together to help each other out. We know that the traffic police is shortstaffed now. and people are happy to chip in. In Sector 137, we already have a group that takes up community initiatives, Vishnu Saini, a resident of Supertech Ecociti in Sector 137, said.

The Metro service is expected to benefit a large number of commuters, and the NMRC expects a daily footfall of over one lakh passengers.

Also read: UP Police will secure Aqua Metro line, a first for Metro in NCR

Delhi Metro cards wont apply

All stations on the Aqua Line have been decorated with artwork done for free by two private groups. Additionally, all stations will have free drinking water and toilet facilities.

The generation of solar power is also a huge advantage with the Aqua Line, and is an eco-friendly initiative. We will produce a huge surplus of electricity that will be returned to the grid. So, we are not paying for power to run the metro operations, we are also earning from it, Upadhyay said.

While the fares are comparable to the Delhi metro, there are many challenges too that make it different from the network.

The initial payment for a new mobility card will be Rs 300, as against Rs 200 for Delhi Metro. The Delhi Metro tokens and smart cards will not be valid on this line. This new transport mode will reduce commute problems between Noida and Greater Noida, but connectivity to Delhi is still a concern. Additionally, unlike the two- or three-minute frequency on busy Delhi Metro lines, the Aqua line will have a frequency of 15 minutes.

Adityanath will also inaugurate an electronic manufacturing cluster, expected to generate an investment of Rs 3,500 crore, of Tegna Electronics Private Limited in Greater Noidas Ecotech-VI industrial area.

Also read: Longest corridor, 21 stations: All you need to know about Noida Metros Aqua Line
A day after the state government sanctioned 100 crore for a memorial of late Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray, the Bombay high court on Thursday issued a notice to the Balasaheb Thackeray Rashtriya Smarak, a public charitable trust formed by the state government to look after memorial proposed to be constructed at the Mayors Bungalow in Shivaji Park.

A division bench of chief justice Naresh Patil and justice NM Jamdar issued a notice to the trust following PILs challenging the state decision to convert the sprawling bungalow in Dadar into the memorial. One of the petitions was filed by city activist Bhagwanji Raiyani. His lawyer, advocate Pradip Havnur, submitted that there was no reason to convert the public property into a memorial of a political leader and also provide public funds for it.

Havnur further submitted that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) does not own the property, it merely holds and protects as trustee on behalf of the citizens. He complained that the civic body had decided to transfer the prime property in favour of a private trust for 1 a year lease and this memorial is sponsored by sanctioning public funds of 100 crore for development of the memorial.

Advocate Uday Warunjikar, who represented another petitioner, Jan Mukti Morcha, said the municipal property could not be disposed in this manner, as a public property can be disposed only by inviting bids and granting opportunity to the public at large to bid. Senior advocate Milind Sathe, who represented the state,disputed the claim that the trust was a private one. He said the trust is formed by the government and is very much a public charitable trust. The senior advocate said merely because it had private individuals as some of its trustees, does not mean that the trust is not a government trust.
Khar police on Wednesday arrested six members of the Karni Sena who allegedly assembled outside the residence of actor Kangana Ranaut to protest against recent statements made by her regarding the outfit.

The incident took place a few days ahead of the release of the film Manikarnika, based on the life of queen of Jhansi, Rani Laxmibais life, starring Ranaut.

Police said they had received inputs that the accused were on their way to Ranauts Pali Hill residence around 3.15pm and a team was spent to stop them. We have arrested the accused, said Sanjay More, senior inspector. Another officer said they were granted bail by a Bandra magistrate court. The magistrate ordered them to be sent outside the city for eight days, he added.

Last week, seven other members of Karni Sena protested at the office of the films producer. They were detained under section 151 (3) of CrpC and externed from the city till January 25, the release date of the film.
By appointing Priyanka Gandhi as a Congress general secretary in charge of East Uttar Pradesh, the Congress has sprung a surprise before the 2019 elections. The move comes after the Congress was kept out of the Samajwadi Party (SP), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) alliance in the state.

If there can be one takeaway from this move, it is that the Congress has willingly raised the stakes for itself in Uttar Pradesh for 2019. Arithmetic suggests that this is not a good move.

Uttar Pradesh played a key role in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) getting a majority in the Lok Sabha in 2014. It won 71 out of the 80 seats in the state. The BJP repeated this performance in the 2017 assembly elections. The BJP had a vote share of 42.6% and 40% in the 2014 and 2017 elections.

Both in 2014 and 2017, the combined vote share of the BSP, SP and Congress was almost 50%. The Congress had the lowest vote share among these three parties; 7.5% in 2014 and 6.3% in 2017. What does the Congress expect to gain by not being a part of the BSP-RLD-SP grand alliance?

Will it not end up helping the BJP by lowering the combined vote share of what could have been an extremely formidable opposition alliance?

Congress president Rahul Gandhis statement after the appointment of Priyanka Gandhi and Jyotiraditya Scindia as the general secretary for east and west Uttar Pradesh gives an indication of what could possibly be the Congress strategy behind this move.

We have no enmity with Mayawati ji and Akhilesh ji, in fact I respect them a lot. We are ready to cooperate with them wherever possible. Ultimately the aim of all three of us is to defeat BJP, but yes our fight is to save Congress ideology, said Gandhi, according to ANI.

This statement, when read with statistics on the Congresss historical performance in Uttar Pradesh shows that the Congress might be planning to open a second front against the BJP in Uttar Pradesh and hopes to inflict further damage to the BJPs tally.

Let us first look at the performance of four key parties  BJP, BSP, Congress and SP  in Uttar Pradesh since the 1996 Lok Sabha elections. We choose 1996 as the cut-off year because this is the first time the SP contested a Lok Sabha election. Congresss performance in the state shows a pattern with the combined performance of the two national parties and regional parties against each other.

In elections where the combined vote share and seat share of the Congress and the BJP was higher than that of the BSP and the SP, the Congress performed particularly badly, whereas the BJP swept the state. In 2009, which was the Congresss best performance in Uttar Pradesh in terms of seat share after 1984, the BSP and SP won more than half of the seats in the state. The BJP on the other hand recorded its worst vote share in the state after the 1991 elections. In effect, it is the BJP, more than the SP and the BSP that have hurt the Congress in the state.

What explains this trend? Going further back in time can help us answer this question.

The Congress was the dominant party in Uttar Pradesh until the 1977 elections, when it could not win even one seat. It recovered from the setback in the 1984 elections, but has steadily lost ground since 1989. Chart 2 captures the Congresss growing irrelevance in Uttar Pradesh politics by plotting the percentage break-up of Congress candidates by their position in a Lok Sabha seat.

The period up to 1984, except 1977 has majority of Congress candidates who finished first. In 1989, although the share of first position candidates came down, majority of Congress candidates still finished second.

In the post-1991 period the party has seen a sharp increase in share of candidates who finished third or further behind in Lok Sabha elections. This basically shows that the Congress was not even in the fray in most seats in Uttar Pradesh during this period.

The Congresss reverses in the 1989 elections can be attributed to rebellion by VP Singh, an Uttar Pradesh politician who was a minister in the Rajiv Gandhi cabinet. Singh was expelled from the Congress over the Bofors controversy and fought the 1989 elections by forging a rainbow coalition with endorsement from both the left and the right sides of the political spectrum.

The VP Singh-led government implemented the Mandal Commission recommendations in 1990, which gave a big boost to already rising Other Backward Class (OBC) politics in the Hindi belt.

The Congress, which had a primarily upper caste leadership, could not adapt itself to the tectonic shift the rise of OBC politics brought in the states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. An even bigger blow for the Congress came after the demolition of the Babri mosque in 1992, leading to a large consolidation of Hindu votes including Congresss upper caste vote bank in favour of the BJP.

Seen as having lost a significant section of its Hindu vote bank, even the Muslims deserted the grand old party in favour of the BSP and the SP, who were in a better position to defeat the BJP.

How is this discussion relevant here? On January 21, 2019 Hindustan Times published a detailed field based report on the political situation in Uttar Pradesh. It said, From western UPs Jat-dominated terrain through the heart of central UP all the way to Purvanchal, the BJP swept the 2014 Lok Sabha and 2017 assembly elections. This was primarily because it won urban pockets; constructed multi-caste coalitions of upper castes (Brahmins and Thakurs), non-Yadav OBC groups and non-Jatav Dalits; and got the support of farmers. On the other hand, social groups loyal to the other parties, Yadavs, Jatavs and Muslims fragmented between SP and BSP, and to a limited extent in the case of Muslims, the Congress. With the SP and BSP formalising their alliance last week, the Opposition vote is set to consolidateBut the ground reality in the state indicates that the BJPs old coalition is cracking now. And so it will confront twin challenges. As groups antagonistic to it unite, key sections of its own vote base have, at best, lost their enthusiasm, or at worst, turned hostile.

The Congress, it seems, is hoping for the repeat of 2009 elections. A united SP-BSP-RLD has already dealt a body blow to BJPs aura of invincibility, which it had come to acquire after the 2014 and 2017 victories in the state. The Congress, on the other hand, has acquired fresh momentum after its victories in the three Hindi belt states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.

At a time when the BJP is vulnerable and the BSP-SP alliance looks all set to make large gains compared to their 2014 performance, Congress is hoping to inflict further damage to the BJP by what could be described as putting its best foot forward in Uttar Pradesh. Whether or not this strategy works, will only be known in May 2019.
The Yuvajana Sramika Rytu Congress (YSRC) on Friday accused Andhra Pradeshs ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) of tampering electoral lists to delete voters belonging to opposition parties.

A delegation headed by former state minister Botsa Satyanarayana met Andhra Pradesh chief electoral officer (CEO) Gopala Krishna Dwivedi urging him to rein in the ruling party and ensure a free and fair election for the state Assembly and Parliament scheduled in April/May.

Botsa said he had submitted a live case of electoral malpractices in Nellimarla assembly constituency in his native Vizianagaram district to the CEO.

Three persons armed with tablets were nabbed by his party activists and handed over to the police while allegedly collecting data from YSR Congress sympathisers with an intention to delete them from the lists, he alleged.

Instead of taking action against them, the police lodged five of his party workers in Poosapatirega police station for blowing the whistle, he said.

YSR Congress leaders also met director general of police RP Thakur in his chambers at Mangalagiri later seeking action against those behind the fraud and the release of his party workers.

Botsa alleged that the TDP is planning to delete 50 lakh voters identified as sympathisers and workers of the YSR Congress in constituencies considered critical to the ruling party across the state.

In the Nellimarla incident, the three persons identified as employees of Public Policy Research organisation, were hired by the TDP to carry out its alleged evil agenda, he alleged.

Earlier V Vijayasai Reddy, YSR Congress Rajya Sabha member, met Dwivedis predecessor RP Sisodia, charging the TDP with deleting over 34 lakh voters from the lists at the behest of the TDP during revision of electoral rolls. Sisodia promised to go into the complaints and set the record straight at the time of publishing final lists.

TDP lawmaker Bonda Umamaheswar Rao termed the allegations of YSR Congress baseless, saying the opposition leaders are preparing excuses for their defeat much before the elections. When the preparation of electoral rolls is within the domain of the election commission, how could the TDP tamper the lists and resort to deleting opposition voters? Rao asked.

In the Telangana state assembly election held in December 2018, the Congress has moved court seeking a direction to the state chief electoral office for acting on its complaints on alleged deletion of more than 35 lakh votes from the lists by the official machinery allegedly under the influence of the ruling Telangana Rastra Samithi (TRS).
Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Friday spoke at length about the timing of Priyanka Gandhi Vadras decision to take the political plunge and about his relations with his sister saying that they had been through hell together.

Speaking in Bhubaneswar during The Odisha Dialogue, his interaction with a group of intellectuals, Gandhi said the decision on the timing of Priyankas political debut was taken some years back. I kept on asking her to join politics, but her pushback to that was her children were young and she needed to be with them. The Congress president added that she decided to enter politics now that both her children were grown up.

Follow live updates here: Talk of Priyanka entering politics going on for years, says Congress chief

Recounting the assassinations and political upheavals the Gandhi family has endured, the Congress president said that the killings of his grandmother Indira Gandhi and father Rajiv Gandhi and political ups and downs had brought the siblings closer. We have been through hell together. Everybody thinks all is easy for us but we have seen some very hard situations. That has brought us together.

Putting in perspective his equation with his sister, Rahul Gandhi, who is one year older to her, said: If we are sitting in different rooms and you ask us the same question, 80% of the time you will get the same answer.

Watch: Photographer trips at Bhubaneswar Airport. Watch what Rahul Gandhi does

Gandhi said the siblings always believed in giving space to each other and there was a constant given and take between the two when it came to their personal relations. We have lot of conversation, he added.

Talking about her political role, Gandhi said her main job is to revive the idea of the Congress party in Uttar Pradesh. No decision has been taken about her role outside the state, he added.

Also watch: We give each other space: Rahul on relationship with Priyanka Gandhi

With just a few months to go for the general elections, Priyanka Gandhi was appointed the general secretary in charge of eastern part of Uttar Pradesh, the state that send 80 MPs to the Lok Sabha and plays a crucial role in who forms the government at the Centre.
Odishas remote control is with PM Modi: Rahul Gandhi

Taking at dig at both Modi government at the Centre and Odishas Patnaik government, Odishas remote control is with the corrupt chowkidaar. The state is run from New Delhi. The chowkidaar presses a button and Naveen Patnaik works accordingly.

You dont have to go out of Odisha to get jobs, Cong will get you jobs here: Rahul Gandhi

Raking up the issue of unemployment and alleging Modi and Patnaik govt failure on this regard, the Congress president asked the crowd whether there is any youth, who has been granted a job by Modi or Patnaik.

You dont have to go out of the state to get jobs, the Congress party will get you jobs here by the filling the vacant govt jobb posts in the state, said Rahul Gandhi.

If our party comes to power, we will install food processing plants in every district: Rahul Gandhi

If our party comes to power, we will install food processing plants in every district. We will install them in close proximity to your farm lands. We will connect those chains to the cities like Bhubaneswar through food chains, said Rahul Gandhi.

If Cong wins Odisha, farm loans will be waived within 10 days: Rahul Gandhi

If our party comes to power in Odisha, you just count to 10, not more than that. We will waive off the loans within 10 days, like we did in other stated were in power, said Rahul Gandhi.

Congress, recently, waived off farm loans in the states of Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh after emerging triumphant in recently concluded state assembly elections.

Naveen Patnaik, junior partner of PM hasnt done anything for farmers: Rahul Gandhi

Dubbing Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik as the junior partner of PM Modi, Rahul Gandhi said, Naveen Patnaik, the junior partner of PM Modi talks about farmers all the time, but doesnt do anything for them.

Your hard-earned money is being given to certain businessmen: Rahul Gandhi

This region is not wealthy, because you are not being given the money, youre entitled to. Your hard-earned money is being given to certain businessmen, said Rahul Gandhi.

BJP, RSS spreading hatred in country: Rahul Gandhi

Targetting the BJP and its purported ideological mentor RSS, Rahul Gandhi said, BJP, RSS are spreading hatred in country.

Wherever they go, they spread hatred, he added.

Modi govt and Patnaik govt has the same mindset: Rahul Gandhi

Modi govt and Patnaik govt has the same mindset. Their mindset is to give all the money to certain businessmen and whatever benefit there is to extract, it is just for their parties and certain businessmen,said Rahul Gandhi while addressing Parivartan Sankalp Samavesh in Bhubaneswar.

Feel like hugging Modi when he abuses me: Rahul

The best thing that happened to me as a politician and as a human being was the abuse I got from the BJP and RSS. It has been the biggest gift they could give me. I look at Mr Modi when he abuses me and I feel like giving him a hug: Rahul

Congress was not working as a team earlier: Rahul

Congress was not working as a team earlier. Since the new state unit chief has come and since the new AICC team took over, things have changed. Indiscipline was high earlier, that has changed; 1:26 pm

Modi has leverage over Patnaik due to corruption cases: Rahul

Connection between Modi and Patnaik. Modi has leverage over Patnaik due to corruption cases, and Patnaik tacitly supports Modi. Patnaik is autocratic, but he is not as hate-filled as Modi: Rahul

Primary job of Priyanka is to strengthen organisation in UP: Rahul

Primary job of Priyanka is to strengthen organisation in UP. I would recommend Modi to read Gita and Swami Nisarga Dutta: Rahul

Discussion to include Priyanka going on for years: Rahul

I appreciate the good points in my opponents. The discussion to include Priyanka was going on for years. She then said her children were young and she needed to take care of them. Now her children has reached an age that one has gone to university, another about to go: Rahul

Modi destroying NREGA: Rahul

NREGA was not a handout for poor. It was an attempt to revive rural workforce. It created an economic structure in rural India. It helped a large number of manufacturers. It was a labour market correction. Modi is destroying NREGA: Rahul

Whats the point of insurance cards when patient has to travel 200 km for hospital: Rahul

Out-of-pocket expenses in healthcare. No point in giving out insurance cards when the patient has to travel 200 km for a hospital: Rahul

Cant have insurance schemes without hospitals: Rahul

Naveen Patnaik has suddenly woken up to the fact that farmers need help. Cant have insurance schemes without hospitals: Rahul

Understanding between politicians and industrialists: Rahul

We have to compete with China, should accept Chinas ability to create jobs. The BJP model and BJD model are the same. Biggest industrialists of the state run the chief minister, and the chief minister hands over the state to the industrialists. Common people are not included in the conversation: Rahul

A large part of our education is not job-oriented: Rahul

Need transformation of agriculture. A farm loan waiver here and there wont help. A large part of our education is not job-oriented: Rahul

India far behind China in creation of jobs: Rahul

Met a couple of Chinese ministers when I went for Kailash trek. They said automation is not a problem, job creation is not a problem. Production dominated by Chinese. Modi ji talks about Make in India, but India far behind China in creation of jobs: Rahul

Loan waiver for industrialists but not for common people: Rahul

Most money in the banking system in the hands of richest industrialists. Loan waiver for industrialists but not for common people. RTI was the biggest weapon for the middle class, but today RTI is dead: Rahul

Need bigger amount of money into healthcare and education system: Rahul

Our policies of liberalisation created the middle class. Need bigger amount of money into healthcare and education system: Rahul

Judges speaking out, it is unprecedented: Rahul

Judges indicated that BJP chief was behind the murder of Justice Loya. It was unprecedented. Go to North Block, everyone will say their OSDs are under the direct employment of Nagpur: Rahul Gandhi

RSS wants to penetrate into every institution: Rahul Gandhi

RSS is the mother of BJP. It believes it should be the only institution in this country and the idea is to penetrate into every Indian institution: Rahul Gandhi

Institutions are being destroyed: Rahul Gandhi

There is massive centralisation of power. Institutions are being destroyed: Rahul Gandhi
Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav, who has often ducked questions on the Oppositions prime minister face, featured on posters that sprung up in Lucknow on Friday pitching him as the next PM.

Posters with slogans  We trust Akhilesh to lead the state and the nation, the country needs a new PM  could be seen at various places in Lucknow, reports ANI.

The posters also have a small image of former Samajwadi party chief and Mulayam Singh Yadav on the top corner.

With efforts for Opposition unity gaining pace ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, Akhilesh has often been asked who would he support for PM but he has so far refused to give a direct reply.

During his press conference to announce his partys alliance with Mayawatis Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Akhilesh neatly evaded the PM question.

You know my choice. Uttar Pradesh has given prime ministers in the past and trend will be repeated again, he said with the BSP chief sitting next to him.

Recently, when asked during a trip to Kolkata who his choice for PM would be  ally and BSP chief Mayawati or Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee  Akhilesh refused to give a direct reply and said efforts should be made to elect a new prime minister and some issues can be discussed after the polls.

To DMK chief MK Stalins pitch that Congress president Rahul Gandhi should be the oppositions presumptive prime minister in the 2019 elections Akhilesh Yadav, who had partnered with the Congress in the 2017 Uttar Pradesh elections, said: It is not necessary it (Stalins proposal) is the alliance opinion.
The decision to appoint Priyanka Gandhi Vadra as Congress general secretary for Eastern Uttar Pradesh was kept under wraps as several senior party leaders were taken by surprise after the move was made public on Wednesday.

Before Congress president Rahul Gandhi left for Dubai on a two-day visit to address the Indian diaspora from January 11, he was briefed by Ghulam Nabi Azad, who was the general secretary in-charge of Uttar Pradesh until Wednesday, and state chief Raj Babbar about the political situation in the state in the wake of a tie-up between Bahujan Samaj Party and Samajwadi Party.

During the meeting, Azad and Babbar proposed a series of rallies by Rahul Gandhi across Uttar Pradesh, starting in the first week of February, a Congress leader said on condition of anonymity. Rahul Gandhi, the leader said, accepted the proposal and told the two leaders to go ahead with the planning of the rallies.

To give a final shape to the Congress presidents proposed rallies, Azad had called a meeting of office-bearers in Lucknow on Thursday and a follow-up brainstorming session at the partys war room in Delhi on Friday.

However, the Congress president, in a surprise move, brought in Priyanka Gandhi and also elevated Guna Lok Sabha MP Jyotiraditya Scindia as the general secretary and gave him the charge of Western Uttar Pradesh.

During a speech in Dubai on January 12, Rahul Gandhi had dropped a few hints when he said a big surprise was in the offing but had not given any details. According to a party statement, Priyanka Gandhi will take charge in the first week of February. She will return from abroad on January 31.

Scindia will take over immediately and continue to be the partys chief whip in the Lower House of Parliament.

With the division of the party organisation into East and West units of nine divisions each with 42 and 38 Lok Sabha seats respectively, the Congress will soon have two chiefs in the state. A Congress functionary said Babbar will soon be eased out as part of the revamp.

The names of former union minister Jitin Prasada, the party in-charge for Chhattisgarh, PL Punia, Lalitesh Pati Tripathi, the great-grandson of former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Kamalapati Tripathi, former Lok Sabha MP Rajesh Mishra have emerged as front runners for the heads of the two units.

Once the new team is in place, the party will then appoint 130 district and city presidents, whose appointments have been pending since June last year. Though the names were submitted to Rahul Gandhi in June, the list could not be finalised so far in the absence of sufficient details.

At a meeting of the partys core group in the first week of January, all state units were asked to expedite setting up of different committees so that the Congress is battle ready for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Contrary to the Uttarakhand BJPs stand, its central leadership on Thursday stated that not all sitting parliamentarians will be renominated by the ruling party to contest this years Lok Sabha elections.

The party may not give tickets to all our sitting parliamentarians for the upcoming general election, BJPs Uttarakhand in-charge for the Lok Sabha elections and union minister Thawar Chand Gehlot told a news conference. He said the party had begun the process of candidates selection for the Lok Sabha polls.

Feedback is being gathered about all our sitting parliamentarians and other ticket aspirants; the party is also conducting internal surveys to check their winnability, which would be the main criterion for candidates selection, Gehlot said.

Incidentally, his statement is in contrast to the stand of the BJPs state unit that its sitting parliamentarians would be repeated from all the five Lok Sabha seats in the state.

Gehlots statement may also lead to rebellion in the party in view of some of its five sitting parliamentarians aspiring for tickets yet again.

In fact, the BJPs state unit president, Ajay Bhatt had been repeatedly maintaining at party functions or in press conferences that all its five sitting parliamentarians could again be given ticket for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

The statement could ruffle quite a few feathers in view of some of the sitting parliamentarians raising objections to the reports that they might not be given tickets for the coming general election. BJP parliamentarian from Tehri Mala Rajlaxmi Shah recently alleged that her rivals were conspiring to deny her a ticket.

Speaking at a closed-door meeting of BJP workers in Dehradun recently, she alleged that her parliamentary constituency had been categorised as B-grade in an internal survey conducted by the party.

We have reports that my constituency is being branded as B-grade, which is an attempt to deny me a party ticket, she is reported to have commented at the party meeting. Days later Shah said she had been constantly interacting with her constituents indicating that she was an aspirant for a ticket from Tehri in the Lok Sabha elections.

Shah was reacting to reports that the BJP had decided to field former Congress heavyweight Vijay Bahuguna from Tehri. The reports gained credence after the former chief minister recently hosted a dinner party for the recently elected BJP corporators of the Dehradun Municipal Corporations. He chose to host the party in Dehradun because the district has six of the seven assembly segments of Tehri parliamentary constituencies, which are represented by BJP legislators. Besides, several bigwigs of the ruling partys state unit including chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat attended the meeting.

Gehlot, however, claimed that the BJP would return to power in the coming Lok Sabha elections with a greater majority and would form the next government at the Centre with its alliance partners.

Our party won 282 seats in the last (2014) general election; this time we will return to power with a greater majority and shall form the government, he claimed. Gehlot was replying to a query about the BJPs electoral prospects in view of no wave being perceptible in its favour ahead of this years Lok Sabha polls unlike the 2014 parliamentary elections.

Gehlot said the ruling party would sweep the upcoming Lok Sabha polls on the basis of the partys election strategy and a number of pro-poor schemes implemented by the Modi government.

He also suggested that its decision to grant the economically backward 10% quota in government jobs besides a healthcare scheme like the Atal Ayushman Yojna would prove to be a game changer for the ruling party ahead of the Lok Sabha polls

To another query, Gehlot rubbished the reports that Priyanka Gandhis entry into politics would end up marring the ruling BJPs electoral prospects in the upcoming poll battle.
Youll wish your principal was as cool as this one from a school in China. A video thats gone crazy viral all over the Internet shows a principal dancing along with his students, leading them in a shuffle dance routine. The 10 second clip of the principal has brought a smile to many faces and made him something of an Internet celebrity.

Zhang Pengfei is the principal of Xiguan Primary School in Linyi County in north Chinas Shanxi Province. And the shuffle dance routine is now a regular feature at the school.

The Ministry of Education in China requires students of middle schools and primary schools to have at least 25 to 30 minutes of exercise time. Xiguan Primary School promoted the practice of calisthenics but Pengfei soon realised that students werent excited about the activity. So the principal decided to give calisthenics a miss and instead introduced shuffle dance into the students routine.

If I introduced [the shuffle dance] to our school, [I knew] the students will definitely love it because of the charm of the rhythmic background music. So I secretly learned the dance routine and technique, he said.

It took Pengfei less than two months to get the hang of the dance routine and he even conducted a survey at school to see how many students were interested in it. He also invited a professional shuffle dance group to perform at school to see the reaction of the students.

By December the whole school was practicing shuffle dance during their break and students now look forward to it. The principal and teachers believe the dance has also benefited the students.

Love this, a principal of a primary school, teaching his students the shuffle. Antidote to being on their digital devices, while promoting activity, writes one Twitter user. Why cant other school principals be as creative, open minded and progressive as him? wonders another.
The ministry of urban development is likely to get an 11% increase of in funds allocation in the upcoming budget, which would be presented on February 1 and would be the last during the National Democratic Alliance governments tenure.

It expects an allocation of around Rs 48,000 crore over its previous revised budget estimate of Rs 42,965 crore in 2018-19, officials aware of the development said. The ministrys budget estimate during 2018-19 stood at Rs 41,765 crore as against Rs 40,617 crore during 2017-18. It accounted for an increase of nearly 3% in gross budgetary support.

Among key projects under the ministry of urban development, Mass Rapid Transit System and metro projects are expected to get a 22% increase over the previous budget with an estimated amount of Rs 19,100 crore, a government official said requesting anonymity. The revised budget estimate for the same for the current financial year stood at Rs 15,600 crore.

Key schemes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government like Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana or PMAY (Urban), Urban Rejuvenation Mission-AMRUT, Smart Cities Mission, and Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) are also expected to get higher budgetary allocations of around Rs 6,850 crore, Rs 7,300 crore, Rs 6,550 crore, and Rs 2,750 crore.

PMAY or the Housing for All Scheme is aimed at providing housing for all by 2022 and is being implemented from June 2015. The Centre claimed to have built 68.5 lakh houses under the scheme until December 2018. So far, the government has spent 89% of the allocated budget for the current financial year for the scheme.

For AMRUT scheme, which Modi launched in June 2015 to develop infrastructure for adequate sewage networks and water supply by implementing urban revival projects, the Centre has spent 75% of the allocated budget.

According to the ministry, the Central Public Works Department of India is expected to be given the highest increase of about 23% over its previous allocation. The ministry has proposed Rs 1,000 crore over its previous allocation of Rs 847 crore.

This comes as CPWD has been tasked with constructing 44 strategically important roads along the India-China border at a cost of Rs 21,040 crore. The Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Urban Livelihoods Mission, which is aimed at reducing poverty and vulnerability of urban poor households, is likely to get a 10% decrease in budgetary allocation of Rs 500 crore over its previous allocation of Rs 510 crore. In terms of budget expenditure, the Centre has utilised only 57% for the scheme.
Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi reconstituted on Friday the bench hearing the Ramjanmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute. The new five-judge bench will start hearing the contentious, decades-long dispute on January 29.

A fresh notice uploaded on the Supreme Courts official website shows that justice Ashok Bhushan and SA Nazeer will be members of the new five-judge constitution bench that is expected to hear the volatile title suit on January 29. The bench continues to be headed by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi. Its other members will be Justices SA Bobde and DY Chandrachud.

The new bench has replaced the old one headed by the Chief Justice with probable chief justices of India as its members: justices SA Bobde, NV Ramana, UU Lalit and DY CHandrachud.

On January 10, when this bench heard the case, Justice Lalit recused himself after it was pointed to him that he had appeared in a case related to the Ram Janmabhoomi one in 1997. The reasons for Justice Ramanas exclusion from the new bench are not known.

Justices Bhushan and Nazeer were on the bench along with the then CJI Dipak Misra, that did not concede to a request made by Muslim parties to refer the Ayodhya title dispute to larger bench. That demand came in the context of its own observations in an earlier judgement by five judges in the 1994 Ismail Faruqui case where it was held that a mosque is not an essential part of the practice of the religion of Islam and namaz by Muslims can be offered anywhere, even in the open.

Muslim petitioners in the Ram Janmabhoomi case said that the Ayodhya title dispute could not be decided until that judgement was revisited. The three-judge bench of the Supreme Court in September ruled that the earlier observation was in the context of acquisition of land.

The case has been pending before the apex court since 2010 when 14 cross-appeals were filed against the Allahabad high courts judgement dividing the 2.77 acre land equally among the three parties - the Sunni Waqf Board, the Nirmohi Akhara, a Hindu religious denomination, and Ram Lalla, or infant Ram, represented by the Hindu Mahasabha.

The Supreme Court was originally supposed to hear the case in October, but deferred this to January, rejecting the Uttar Pradesh governments plea for speedy hearings with CJI Gogoi saying the court has its own priorities

The postponement led to demands from several right-wing groups affiliated to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party for a law or executive order to facilitate the building of a Ram temple at the disputed site in Ayodhya. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a recent interview that his government would wait for the courts to rule on the case.
A 38-year-old man who has killed 10 people over the past six months , all in Allahabad and its environs, and who was planning to kill two seers at the Kumbh Mela, was arrested from the fair area itself on Friday.

Three others who were attacked by the man are still fighting for their lives in hospital.

According to Special Superintendent of Police of Allahabad Nitin Tiwari, the accused, identified as Kaluwa aka Sai Baba alias Subhas, a resident of Basehara village under Lalapur police station of Allahabad district attacked sleeping individuals with sharp-edged weapons. He said that footage from CCTV cameras finally helped capture the serial killer.

He said that the 10 murders committed by the accused were in different localities of the city including the old city area, Kydganj, parade ground and the Kumbh mela area. These included the murders of two labourers sleeping in Durga Park in Bai-Ka-Bagh locality in Kydganj on July 4, 2018, the murder of a sleeping man in parade ground area under Daraganj police station on November 27, 2018 and of another labourer sleeping in Kotha Parcha locality under Kotwali police station on December 24, 2018, he added.

The motive for these killings wasnt immediately clear.

Police added that the accused also slit the throat of a man sleeping near Triveni Darshan hotel in Kydganj on January 10; attacked three persons sleeping on the footpath 150 metres before the Shastri Bridge under Daraganj police station with sharp edged weapons on January 18, 2019 resulting in the death of two; and more recently killed sleeping man in the Kumbh mela area near Akhada police station area and left two others seriously injured.

The SSP said that in all cases, the accused would cover the face of his victims with their own garments. The police recovered two sharp-edged weapons including an axe and a wooden bat used in the crimes from Kaluwas possession. ADG Zone SN Sabat has announced a cash reward of Rs 50,000 for the police team that managed to arrest the accused.
Priyanka Gandhis entry into politics was a decision taken long ago, her brother and Congress president Rahul Gandhi said at a meeting in Bhubaneswar on Friday.

The comments come two days after the party announced that Priyanka, the younger sibling, was appointed the general secretary in-charge of UP East, a political entry that had long been a subject of much speculation.

I have been reading in media that this decision was taken 10 days ago. Actually this was taken long ago. I have been discussing with my sister about her joining politics. Her pushback to me was that her children were young and she needed to spend time with them, he said at a town hall-style meeting organised by Odia daily Samaj.

Now, he added, her children are grown-ups. Therefore, she decided to join politics.

Gandhi gave more details about his bond with Priyanka. We have been through hell together. Everyone thinks we come from an illustrious family and everything is so easy for us. Its actually not easy, the Congress president said.

My grandmother and father were assassinated. We have been through a hard battle. That has brought us very close together, he added.

The two are often on the same page on issues, Gandhi added. Our way of operating is we give each other space. There is a give-and-take relationship between us.

The Congress president, who was on his first visit to Odisha since taking control of his party, criticised the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and state chief minister Naveen Patnaik.

There is massive centralisation of power. Institutions are being destroyed, he said, pointing to instances such as the press conference by four top Supreme Court judges a year ago. He also accused Modi of destroying the previous Congress governments rural employment scheme National Rural Employment Guarantee act (NREGA).

NREGA was not a handout for poor. It was an attempt to revive rural workforce. It created an economic structure in rural India. It helped a large number of manufacturers. It was a labour market correction. Modi is destroying NREGA, he said.

He accused Patnaik of believing in bureaucratic dictatorship. In Odisha, we are fighting a version of Mr Modi who tacitly supports all the decisions of the BJP. Mr Modi has leverage on Patnaik because of the latters corruption. The Gujarat and Odisha model run on the same lines, he added.

Gandhi also repeated his attacks on Modi and Patnaik at a public gathering at Tamando in Bhubaneswar.

Congress will waive off farm loans within 10 days if voted to power in Odisha. We will hike the paddy MSP (minimum support price) to Rs 2,600 per quintal and set up food processing plants in each districts of Odisha for the benefit of farmers, he said.

Senior BJP leader and Union minister for petroleum and natural gas, Dharmendra Pradhan accused Gandhi of trying to fool the people of Odisha. Rahul Gandhi is big liar. They had promised loan waivers in Punjab, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan but what they did is for everyone to know, said Pradhan.

BJD MP Kalikesh Singhdeo said Odisha was doing better under BJD than it had under Congress.

Under Congress rule, Odisha was dependent on rice from other states for its needs. Under BJD government we not only reached self-sufficiency in rice production by 2007, we became rice-surplus in 2011 and are now the third highest contributor of rice to the PDS system, he said.
Rajasthan deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot said Priyanka Gandhi Vadras entry in politics as the AICC general secretary ahead of the Lok Sabha polls will prove to be a game changer in the coming months.

Speaking at a session titled Democracy, Freedom and the Political Process: Looking to the Future on the first day of the Jaipur Literature Festival on Thursday, he said Priyanka Gandhi has a connect, which will help the party. She has been working for long in Amethi and Raebareli constituencies represented by Congress chief Rahul Gandhi and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, he said.

When asked about any quality that Priyanka has and Rahul doesnt, Pilot said, She is yet to perform and now she will be doing a full campaign as general secretary, in-charge of Uttar Pradesh east. Both Priyanka and Rahul have team spirit.

When asked by the audience if her entry into politics could replace the Congress president in future, Pilot said, Its Rahul Gandhi who has appointed her as the general secretary. Everyone in the Congress works as a team and as far as Priyanka is concerned, she has been handling (the party) war room for long and hence we should not prejudge her qualities and abilities. Rather, she should be given a chance to work.

Pilot added that her entry into active politics will help the party give a good fight to the opposition. Speaking on the team spirit in the party and refuting the allegations of BJP that Priyanka has been brought as Rahul failed, the deputy chief minister said, Both Priyanka and Rahul complement each other and together they can do wonders. After winning three states a month ago, how can BJP even think that Rahul has failed as party chief?

When asked about his equation with chief minister Ashok Gehlot, Pilot said it was going fantastically well.

Targeting the NDA, Pilot said it was losing its alliance partners and the ship was going to sink soon. In a lighter vein, Pilot said one thing he admires about Prime Minister Narendra Modi is that he doesnt get tired when he is travelling
The managing committee of Takht Sri Patna Sahib is drawing a roadmap for the renovation and beautification of gurdwaras in Bangladesh. Patna Sahib shrine is the birthplace of 10th Sikh master Guru Gobind Singh and second biggest shrine of Sikhs in the country. It looks after maintenance and development of gurdwaras in the east and south India, besides those in Bangladesh.

At a crucial meeting held last week, the shrine management committee decided to send a delegation to Bangladesh to study the condition of gurdwaras in the country and chalk out an effective plan to revamp them.

Committees general secretary Mahendra Pal Singh Dhillon, said, We have learnt that the gurdwaras in Bangladesh are in need of a revamp. One Dr Parmveer Singh, researcher and professor at Punjabi University, Patiala, has been given the responsibility on behalf of the Takht committee to travel to Bangladesh to study the prevailing condition of the historical gurdwaras in the country where the founder of Sikhism Guru Nanak and Guru Teg Bahadur had visited. Proofs of their footprints can be found in those gurdwaras.

He said Dr Singh will assess and submit a report on the work to be done for bringing back the shrines to their original grandeur. Bangladesh till the late sixties had in all 18 gurdwaras. Post 1971, only five remain, of which two are in Dhaka, two in Chittagong while the fifth one is located in Mymensingh, about 120 km north of Dhaka.

A few days back, head priest of the Takht Giani Iqbal Singh had constituted a team to look after the management of gurdwaras in Bangladesh but for various reasons, the team could not discharge its duties properly.

Dhillon said, There are evidence of the destruction of at least nine gurdwaras in Bangladesh during the 1971 war but no efforts were made by local authorities to reconstruct them.

Dhillon claimed that Dhaka University was constructed on gurudwaras land. The gurdwara that was demolished had a lot of vacant land on its premises. We will have to dig out the relevant documents from local authorities to reclaim the land. The government gave no compensation in lieu of the land taken away for construction of the university. Once the fact finding team returns, we will meet the state and Union government seeking their help to reclaim the land of gurdwaras in the neighbouring country, he added.
The Bombay high court (HC) on Thursday ruled that private entities such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, should not carry political advertisements within the 48 hours prior to voting in the general elections. The court has asked the Election Commission of India (ECI) and the Central government to inform it how they intend to implement this.

The division bench of chief justice Naresh Patil and justice NM Jamdar was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by advocate Sagar Suryawanshi. The PIL sought directions to the ECI to restrain social media from carrying political advertisements during the 48-hour window prior to voting in the general elections.

The PIL was filed under section 126 of the Representation of Peoples Act, 1951, which prohibits any public meetings and processions in connection with the election or display for the public any election matter during the 48 hours black-out period.

Advocate Pradip Rajagopal, responding to the PIL on Thursday, indirectly suggested that the ECI lacked the necessary powers to impose the. There is a legislative vacuum, Rajagopal said.

A committee appointed by the ECI had suggested amendments to section 126 empowering ECI to issue appropriate direction to the private entities, he added. Rajagopal pointed out that even otherwise, all election advertisements are subjected to ECI scrutiny before publication and no political advertisement can be given by any registered political party or contesting candidate without prior clearance from the ECI.

The judges, however, refused to accept the contention that the ECI lacked power to issue necessary directions. It insisted that there should be a regulatory regime to control political advertisements on social media, as the expert committed appointed by the ECI itself had expressed possibility of rigging elections by manipulative advertisements on social media.

The amendment will take its own time, what arrangement you have done in the meanwhile? the bench enquired with the ECI counsel. It is your constitutional duty to hold free and fair elections and if you lack the power, you will not be in a position to hold free and fair elections.

The bench said the ECI had to simply to issue a directive in public interest, as it has done several times before. The matter has been posted for further hearing on next Thursday.
More than 18 years after Canada-born Jaswinder Kaur Sidhu alias Jassi was killed for marrying against her familys wishes, her mother and uncle, both accused of the murder conspiracy, were handed over to Punjab Police by their Canadian counterparts in New Delhi on Thursday.

Canada had on Wednesday extradited Malkiat Kaur Sidhu and Surjit Singh Badesha to face justice in India for their alleged role in killing of Jassi, a resident of Maple Ridge in British Columbia. Jassis body was found with her throat slit in June 2000 in Sangrurs Narike village. She was 25 years old at the time of her death. Her husband, Mithu, a Jagraon resident, was also attacked but he survived.

The accused duo was handed over to a Sangrur police team that secured a one-day transit remand of the accused from Delhis Patiala House Court.

The court has granted a one day transit remand of the accused. We also got their medical examination done and both are physically sound, said Sangrur SSP Sandeep Garg.

The accused will be produced in Malerkotla court on Friday, said Amargarh DSP Palwinder Singh Cheema, who is part of the team, led by SP investigation, which is bringing Kaur and Badesha to Sangrur.

Jassi had married to Mithu in 1999 against the wishes of the family. After revealing her marriage to her family, the victim reportedly flew from Canada to India to reunite with her husband Mithu Sidhu. The couple was later attacked as they rode a scooter in Sangrur in June 2000.

The slain womans mother and uncle were accused of planning her murder. Around 14 persons were named in the FIR and eventually seven men were convicted of the crime.

A Sangrur court had declared Kaur and Badesha as proclaimed offenders (POs) in 2003. After the accused were declared PO, the police started the process of extradition. We took help from Interpol and the governments of both the countries played their role. The accused were in Canada jail since 2012, said DSP Cheema.

Kaur and Badesha, who have denied involvement in the killing, fought extradition all the way to the Canadian Supreme Court.
India and South Africa on Friday agreed on a three-year programme to boost their two-decade-old strategic partnership in key areas such as trade, defence, maritime security and information technology.

The strategic programme of cooperation was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa after delegation-level talks at Hyderabad House. Ramaphosa, who will be the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations, said his country is looking at a result-oriented partnership with India.

The strategic partnership was established in March 1997 and the two countries are key players in the Brics and IBSA groupings. Bilateral trade was worth more than $10 billion in 2017-18.

The two sides signalled their desire to play a greater role in the Indian Ocean, and a joint statement said Modi and Ramaphosa recognised the importance of increased bilateral naval cooperation and closer synergy to ensure unhindered passage for trade by keeping the sea lanes secure against illegal actors.

They also expressed satisfaction at the steady cooperation in defence, covering production, joint collaboration, research and development, training and joint exercises. The two sides announced the South African National Defence Force will join the first multinational India-Africa field training exercise at Pune in March.

If we look at the map of the world, it is clear both India and South Africa are located at very important places in the Indian Ocean, Modi said after his talks with Ramaphosa. The broad global outlook of both countries is quite similar to each other. Our mutual cooperation and coordination on many forums like Brics, G-20, Indian Ocean Rim Association (and) IBSA is very strong, he added.

Both sides agreed to explore solutions to boost trade and investment and Ramaphosa agreed to simplify and reform South Africas business visa regime. They also expressed concern at the slow pace of UN reforms and agreed to work together to secure representation in an expanded Security Council
Congress president Rahul Gandhi Friday said India should learn from the experience of China in creating job opportunities despite adopting large-scale automation and hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modis Make in India programme.

Modi ji talks about Make in India, what is the actual result? 24 hours and 15,000 jobs every day in China. But during the same 24 hours, India creates just 450 jobs. This is Government of Indias data placed in Lok Sabha, Gandhi said at an interaction with intellectuals here.

However, he added, India is the only country capable of taking up the challenge posed by China.

Gandhi said production in the present times is completely dominated and captured by the Chinese and India has to accept that China is extremely competitive and is ahead of everyone in the arena of production.

India as well as European countries are facing problems as they are not addressing the issue of automation as is being done by China, he said adding that automation does not actually restrict creation of job opportunities.

While China is creating 15,000 new jobs every 24 hours despite full automation, why is it a problem in Europe and India? Gandhi asked.

Referring to an interaction with some Chinese officials, the Congress chief said, When I had gone to Kailash (Mansarovar), I met a couple of their (Chinese) ministers. They said job creation is not a problem there at all. Infact, they said we have plenty of jobs, we have too many jobs. So the real issue is if you are producing ... In technological stream you do not have problems. You have problems if you are producing low-value added products, he said.

Gandhi had visited Kailash Mansarovar in September 2018.
A planned meeting between officials and foreign ministers of India and the Arab League states has been postponed because of scheduling conflicts and lack of cohesion among the Arab nations, people familiar with developments said on Thursday.

The second meeting of the Arab-India Cooperation Forum, created to boost cooperation with the 22-member Arab League, was to be held in New Delhi in late January. The meeting has been postponed, said an Arab envoy, who didnt want to be identified so that he could talk freely about the matter.

The people cited above said no fresh dates have been agreed on for the two-day meeting, which was to have capped the NDA governments outreach to West Asia, a key source of energy supplies and home to more than

7 million Indians. We are still in touch with all the stakeholders and it is now expected the meeting will be held after the elections, said a person.

India had initially proposed February 1 or 2 as the date for the ministerial meeting, which would have been preceded by a meeting of senior officials of the two sides. However, foreign ministers of several Arab League states had indicated they wouldnt be available on these dates, the people said.

India wanted maximum participation but when this wasnt possible, the meet was postponed. It was also difficult to work out alternative dates quickly, the first person said, adding the scheduling conflict was the main reason for the postponement.

A second person said lack of cohesion among Arab League states, including differences between Saudi Arabia and Qatar, too could have been a factor.
The investigation of the Punjab Police into the murder of Jaswinder Sindhu alias Jassi in 2000, and affidavits filed by the victim herself convinced the Canadian authorities and courts to extradite her mother Malkiat Kaur Sidhu and maternal uncle Surjit Singh Badesha to India.

Days before attack on her and Sukhwinder Singh Mithu, whom she married against the wishes of her family in March 1999, Jassi had filed an affidavit in the office of the Jagraon senior superintendent of police (SSP) that they faced threat to their life from her mother and uncle.

Jassi flew to India without informing her family when Mithu was arrested by police on the complaint of her Jagraon-based maternal uncle for kidnapping and forcefully marrying her.

Though we had strong evidence to prove that the conspiracy to kill Mithu and Jassi was hatched by Malkiat and Badesha, Jassis statements made the extradition case stronger. Besides filing a notary-certified affidavit before the Jagraon SSP, Jassi had also submitted a similar document in the court of Ludhiana additional sessions judge saying she and her husband could be killed by her family. This testimony by Jassi convinced the Canadian authorities as to who her killers were, said Swaran Singh Khanna, investigating officer (IO) in the case.

Khanna, who is now SP (detective), Bathinda, was posted as Dhuri station house officer (SHO) when he was asked to probe the case.

Daughter of millionaire parents based in Canadas British Columbia province, Jassi came on holidays in 1994 to her maternal uncles village Kaunke in Jagraon subdivision of Ludhiana district where she fell in love with Mithu, a kabaddi player from the same village.

After the two got married secretly, Jassi left for Canada. Her family came to know about the marriage and they kept her in confinement. In the meantime, Mithu was booked by the Jagraon police for kidnapping and forcibly marrying Jassi on the basis of a forged document purportedly signed by her. But Jassi flew to India and gave a statement in favour of Mithu and started living with him.

On June 6, 2000, Jassi and Mithu were attacked at Narike village of Sangrur district where they had temporarily shifted to his maternal uncles house, fearing a threat to their life.

As per the first information report (FIR), the actual plan was to kill Mithu and take Jassi to her relatives place and then to Canada. The contract killers thought they had killed Mithu, but he survived.

After attacking him, the hired killers called up Malkiat and made her talk to Jassi. But Jassi threatened her mother that she wont return to Canada and will narrate the entire story to police. Scared, Malkiat asked the killers to kill Jassi too, the FIR says. Jassi was taken to an abandoned place and was hacked to death with beer bottles. Next day, her body was found in a drain.

Khanna says the Canadian Mounted Police went through the case file and interrogated the contract killers nabbed by the Punjab Police.

The case file was shared with the Canadian cops at their Chandigarh consulate and they were fully convinced with our probe, he said.

Also, it was the call detail records running into over 300 pages that proved that the contract killers were in touch with mother and Badesha in Canada before and after her killing.

For the first six days, it remained a blind murder case as there was no clue about the killers. Mithu was not conscious enough to record his statement as he was attacked with sharp-edged weapons and had received 17 serious injuries. Once he gave his statement and shared Badeshas number, the call detail records helped solve the case, Swaran Singh Khanna said.

Surjit Badesha had talked as many as 147 times to the contract killers and other accused four days before the attack, the charge sheet says.
Hours after the officials of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) raided multiple locations related to former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, senior Congress leader Anand Sharma said the officials of the central agency may have to answer when the new government is formed at the Centre after the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

Officials must hear this.Governments do not have any permanency. There are few weeks left for the general elections to begin. It is certain this government is rattled. The prime minister is staring at an imminent defeat, thats why these actions, Anand Sharma was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

Watch:

When the new government resumes office, all such actions, officers and persons who have at the behest of their political masters of today tried to harass, intimidate, frame and defame the political opponents will be held to account and made to answer, Sharma added.

He reiterated the allegation that the present government is misusing the central agencies to target political opponents and this is why the credibility of the CBI stands compromised. He said that the raids on Hooda were an attempt to dissuade the Congress leaders from campaign for the Jind assembly by-poll scheduled for January 28.

The reaction from the senior Congress leader followed registration of a fresh case against Hooda and others in connection with alleged irregularities in a land allocation in Gurugram in 2009. The CBI officials carried out searches at 20 locations in Delhi,Haryana, Punjab and Chandigarh early in the day. A team of CBI officials reached Hoodas residence in Rohtak, Haryana early Friday morning.

The case pertains to acquisition of 1,407 acres in Gurgaon. The previous Congress government had issued a notification under Section 4 of the Land Acquisition Act June 2, 2009 for acquiring the land of Nagli Umarpur, Tigra, Ullhawas, Kadarpur, Maidawas, Badshahpur, Behrampur and Ghata in Gurugram for the purpose of development of residential Sectors 58 to 63 and residential-commercial Sectors 65 to 67.

In December 2011, the land acquisition collector finally passed the award for 87 acres. Thus, there was release of about 95% of the notified land for acquisition. In November 2017, the Supreme Court ordered a CBI probe into the acquisition process for 1,407 acre and subsequent release of 95% land.
President Ram Nath Kovind called upon all voters to cast their votes in the upcoming Lok Sabha poll, which, according to him, is only a milestone in the journey towards fulfilling peoples aspirations and building a developed India, even as he made a pitch for pluralism and gender equality.

In his address to the nation on the eve of Indias 70th Republic Day, Kovind also reminded people that the country is at the doorstep of eliminating extreme poverty for the first time in memory, a subtle reference to the NDA governments massive schemes for the poor. He also referred to the governments universal healthcare scheme Ayushman Bharat and said, A programme of universal and equitable healthcare has begun to be rolled out. Affordable medicines and medical devices and implants are becoming a reality for more and more sections of our people. A greater number of Indians than ever previously have access to proper housing, with modern sanitation and electricity.

The 17th Lok Sabha election is due in less than two months even as different parties are already in poll mode. The Narendra Modi government will be facing a resurgent Congress and a host of regional satraps in different states. The governments development schemes are a key part of the ruling BJPs campaign while the Opposition parties have accused the Modi government of being a failure in many fronts. This years general election will also see voters born in the 21st century participating in the formation of the next Lok Sabha for the first time.

While the President stated that who the voter chooses to vote for is up to him or her, I would only request all eligible voters to go out and vote he added that the country is at a key juncture, implying that who they voted for did matter. In some respects this is as critical and formative a period as the late 1940s and early 1950s. Decisions and actions of today will shape the India of the remainder of the 21st century. As such, this is not just a once-in-a-generation moment  it is a once-in-a-century moment, Kovind said in his address to the nation.

He spoke about the surge in connectivity  from upgraded railways, highways, rural roads to new metro rails, cost-effective air services and data access  and leapfrogging technologies and said, In my travels across the country and my engagements with all sections of our society, I have sensed appreciation for such efforts and such hard-won advance.

Kovind maintained that the best indicator of social change is change towards gender equity
The Jammu-Srinagar national highway remained closed for the sixth consecutive day on Friday as fresh snowfall and landslides hampered efforts of the authorities to clear the road for vehicular movement.

Around 2,000 Kashmir-bound vehicles were stranded at different locations on the highway due to the blockade.

The Banihal sector, including the area around Jawahar tunnel on the national highway, which connects the Valley to Jammu, received fresh spell of snow on Friday morning, while Ramban area received heavy rainfall till late afternoon.

The highway was closed late on Sunday evening after it was blocked due to accumulation of snow at Nowgam-Jawahar Tunnel-Qazigund sector and multiple landslides between Ramban and Banihal sections of the highway.

A portion of the highway has caved in Ramsoo area at Gangroo, around where a major landslide in 200m area blocked the highway.

Men and material of Hindustan Constriction Company (HCC), engaged in the four lane work of Ramban-Banihal sections of the highway, were pressed into service to remove the debris. However, fresh landslides in the area hampered their work.

Deputy commissioner (Ramban), Showkat Aijaz Bhat along with traffic officials visited the affected stretch on Friday afternoon to review the progress of highway clearance work.

We urge people not to venture in the area which is a landslide zone. Frequent shooting stones and landslides can be fatal for commuters and they must not cross the area until it gets stabilised, the DC said.

Two persons including a traffic cop were injured at Battery Chashma on Friday while they were crossing the area on foot.

No vehicular movement was allowed on the highway on Friday. The area between Panthyal and Maroog has become very dangerous as stones and heavy boulders are falling frequently. Landslides at Gangroo and Anokhi Fall has created major blockades. We are trying to clear the Gangroo slide. However, the work to remove debris from Anokhi Fall area can resume only on Saturday morning, said Suresh Sharma, deputy superintendent of police (traffic), Ramban.

 As and when the road is cleared of debris, the top most priority will be to clear the stranded vehicles, he added.

Meanwhile, passengers held up at Jammu bus stand area due to closure of highway staged protest urging authorities to provide relief.

It has been almost a week since we are stuck. We have run out of cash and local administration has not bothered to send any kind of aid. Arrangements must be made to airlift us, the protesters said.
Former Gujarat Chief Minister Shankarsinh Vaghela Friday confirmed he will soon join the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), starting a new political innings after stints in the Congress and the BJP.

Vaghela said he took the decision after discussion with NCP president Sharad Pawar and a formal announcement of him joining the party can be expected by Sunday from Mumbai.

I have discussed this issue with Pawar Saheb. I think it is a good thing. In public life a good platform is required to raise issues of people and nobody should say no to such things, he told reporters when asked about reports of him joining the NCP.

We are likely to make an official announcement regarding this thing by Sunday from Mumbai, said the former Congress leader.

On Thursday, Gujarat NCP chief Jayant Patel alias Boski had said Vaghela will join his party at a function in the presence of Pawar and another senior leader Praful Patel.

The function is likely to be held on January 29 in Ahmedabad, the NCP leader had said.

Vaghelas entry into the NCP can lead to a three-way fight on a few Lok Sabha seats in Gujarat if the Congress fails to enter into a pre-poll alliance with Pawars party.

The state has 26 Lok Sabha seats and all of them were won by the BJP in the 2014 general elections.

Vaghela had left the Congress before the 2017 state assembly polls, after he and a few MLAs supporting him voted against Congress candidate for the Rajya Sabha, Ahmed Patel and backed BJP nominee Balwantsinh Rajput.

Vaghela, however, did not join the ruling BJP and put up independent candidates in the state assembly elections held in December 2017. All his candidates had lost polls.

Recently, Vaghela had toured various places, including Delhi, and declared that he will fight for removal of the BJP-led government at the Centre in 2019.

In 2017, the Congress and the NCP had fought assembly elections separately. The NCP was able to win just one seat in the 182-member assembly.

Vaghela (78) is a prominent OBC leader, who started his political career with the BJP.

After the BJP came to power in 1995 in Gujarat and chose to make Keshubhai Patel chief minister instead of him, Vaghela engineered a split in the saffron outfit and became the CM in 1996 with outside support of the Congress.

Later, he joined the Congress and served as Textile Minister in the Manmohan Singh government.

While in the Congress, he also served as its state unit president and Leader of Opposition in the Gujarat assembly.
Two grenade attacks by suspected militants were reported in Kashmir on Friday even as multi-tier security arrangements have been put in place across the Valley ahead of Republic Day celebrations.

A police constable was wounded on his leg when suspected militants lobbed a grenade on a police party in the bus stand of Anantnag town late on Friday afternoon. He has been hospitalised, a police official said.

Another grenade was lobbed at a CRPF camp in Tahab area of Pulwama district which burst outside the camp with no loss of life or property.

A third blast happened near a CRPF bunker in north Kashmir Sopore town without any consequences. SP Sopore, Javid Iqbal said they are ascertaining the nature of the blast. Cant say whether it was a grenade or something else. We are checking if any nearby shops have been damaged, he said.

Authorities have tightened security across the Kashmir Valley particularly in capital Srinagar as police and CRPF have laid check points at a number of places.

There have been at least six grenade attacks in the Valley so far this month, including two in Srinagar, on January 17 and 18.

Adequate security arrangements have been made for the Republic Day celebrations, said inspector general of CRPF, Ravideep Sahi.

We have intensified area domination, doing speculative searches, checking and frisking. A multi-tier security has been put in place, he said.

Security officials will also be using technology to thwart any subversive activities. We will be using CCTV cameras and drones as well, Sahi said.

The situation in Kashmir has been far from normal. Over 252 militants and as many as 91 security personnel were killed in different encounters in 2018. In January, 2019 so far, 15 militants have been killed in different encounters  nine of them died since January 21 alone.

Separatists have asked people to observe a shutdown on Republic Day.

On Friday, chairman Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) Muhammad Yasin Malik was detained by police from his office at Abi Guzar and shifted to police station Kothi Bagh, a spokesperson of the leader said.

The police have already blocked a stretch of road on which the Republic Day venue Sher-i-Kashmir Stadium falls. They restricted traffic movement from Radio Kashmir Chowk up to Ram Munshi Bagh /Gupkar Crossing from January 19 due to security reasons.

We have to sanitise the road, which is why it is blocked. The restrictions will be lifted by the concerned authorities after January 26, Sahi said.

On Thursday, a full-dress rehearsal was held at the Sher-i-Kashmir Stadium where divisional commissioner, Kashmir, Baseer Ahmad Khan, unfurled the national flag, inspected the parade and took the salute at the march past.

The main Republic Day function, in which governor Satya Pal Malik will participate, will be held in the states winter capital, Jammu where the biannual Darbar currently resides.

The governors administration has ordered mandatory attendance of government employees during the Republic Day celebration, drawing attack of political parties. Such instructions have been issued in the past as well.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday said it has registered a fresh corruption case against former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda on the charges of helping at least 15 private colonisers to grab hundreds of acres of land in Gurgaon at cheap prices under a conspiracy, prompting the opposition Congress party, to which Hooda belongs, issue a veiled warning to the agency asking it not to take any action outside the ambit of the law of the land to carry forward the governments sinister agenda.

An agency spokesman said following the registration of FIR, searches were conducted at more than 20 places in Chandigarh, Rohtak, Delhi, Gurgaon and Mohali.

He added that the investigation has been taken up following a November 2017 directive from the Supreme Court in this regard. Hooda said the raids were part of political vendetta.

The government thinks it can suppress my voice through such raids, but that will never happen. I belong to a family of freedom fighters. I will fight them in court. I have full trust in this countrys judiciary and it will call out the CBI for this, he said outside his home in Rohtak, which was raided for the second time in 26 months.

The former CM said no documents related to him were seized. Besides Hooda, the agency has named the states Additional Chief Secretary Trilok Chand Gupta, who was then chief administrator, HUDA and unknown private persons and public servants as accused.

The 15 private colonisers named in the FIR are DLF New Gurgaon Home Developers Private Limited, Emaar MGF Land Ltd, Buzz Hotels, Ansal Properties and Infrastructure, RS Infrastructure, Martial Builcon, Marconi Infratech, Commander Realtors, SU Estates Pvt Ltd, Krrish Buildtech, JMD Ltd, Gupta Promoters, HS Realty, DSS Infrastructure and Sana Realtors.

Before registering the FIR, the CBI had conducted a preliminary enquiry into the matter.

The CBI in its FIR, seen by HT, said the Hooda-led Congress government in June 2009 had issued a notification under Section 4 of Land Acquisition Act to acquire 1,407 acres for developing residential sector 58-63 and commercial sector 65-67 in Gurgaon by the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA). The land sought to be acquired covered eight villagesBadshapur, Behrampur, Nangli Umarpura, Tigra, Ullahwas, Kadarpur, Ghatta and Medawas of Gurgaon. However, while issuing the declaration under Section 6 of the same act on June 2, 2010, the total area was reduced to about 800 acres. Finally, the award dated May 29, 2012 was passed for 87 acres only.

The purpose of acquisition for ensuring availability of developed land at affordable prices to the public at large but, the agency said, between 2007 and 2012, 15 real estate developers dishonestly and fraudulently entered into a criminal conspiracy with the former chief minister, the then Chief Administrator, HUDA and unknown public servants and private individuals with intent to cheat land owners and public at large.

The notifications for acquisition of land triggered panic sale by landowners to private developers at much cheaper rates than the prevalent market prices but ultimately the HUDA decided not acquire majority of land pockets at all.
Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi launched a vitriolic attack on Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday, a day after she entered active politics, saying the Congress was feeling happy over the induction of a woman with a tainted life partner.

In a tweet, the senior BJP leader also scoffed at Priyanka Gandhis resemblance with her grandmother and former prime minister Indira Gandhi.

If a person could become as capable as someone else merely by resembling him or her, by now we would have had many more Virat Kohlis and Amitabh Bachchans. Duplicates do not work in politics. Priyanka might resemble Indira, but there is a big difference, Modi said.

He also compared Priyanka Gandhis husband and businessman Robert Vadra with Indira Gandhis spouse Firoz Gandhi.

The deputy chief minister said Firoz Gandhi was a good orator and an upright parliamentarian who had the guts to speak against his powerful father-in-law, Jawaharlal Nehru.

Priyankas businessman husbands irregular land transactions are spread across two states and he is facing probes. If the Congress wants to exult over the induction of a woman with a tainted life partner, it is most welcome to do so, Modi said.

Earlier, talking to reporters here on the sidelines of a function, he had claimed that Priyanka Gandhis induction into the Congress was aimed at threatening the SP-BSP alliance.

Priyanka Gandhi formally entered politics on Wednesday with her brother and Congress president Rahul Gandhi appointing her as general secretary for Uttar Pradesh East.

Modi said her appointment would bring the alleged corruption scandals against Robert Vadra onto the centre-stage, which would benefit the NDA.

The BJP is not at all worried. Why should it be when her entry is only going to help us. The Congress has brought in Priyanka with a view to threaten the SP-BSP alliance, with the possibility of a split in their votes. It is a desperate attempt to make Akhilesh Yadav and Mayawati rethink their strategy, he said.
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party has asked its parliamentarians to remain in Delhi to attend Parliaments budget session from January 31, according to a senior party functionary.

The budget that would be presented during the session is seen as the most important among the budgets Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government has presented as its term nears an end ahead of the national polls this summer.

In a communication sent to members of both houses of Parliament on Wednesday, BJPs parliamentary party secretary, Balasubrahmanyam Kamarsu, said 10 sittings of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha will be held between January 31 and February 13 to pass several key legislation.

You are advised not to make any programme outside Delhi during this period, he wrote.

This is going to be the last session before parliamentary elections and several populist announcements are expected. Some key legislation needs to be passed and we want full attendance during the session, the BJP functionary said.

The government would present the budget for 2019-20 on February 1. It is expected to offer sops to farmers and the middle class ahead of the parliamentary election.

The national polls are being held months after the BJPs loss of power to Congress in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh, which account for 65 out of 543 Lok Sabha seats.

There will be something for everyone, another top BJP functionary said. He dismissed Oppositions criticism over the governments move to present a full-budget instead of a vote-on-account. There is no binding on presenting a budget. Every budget is a full budget, he said.

The Parliament session will set the tone for the Lok Sabha election, the first BJP leader quoted said. Relief for income-tax paying salaried class and distressed agrarian community is being discussed.

The pending laws related to the criminalisation of instant triple talaq and the bill to amend the citizenship to grant nationality to non-Muslim migrants from neighbouring countries will also be taken up.
A two-year old girl was allegedly sexually assaulted by an auto driver at Dundigul in Hyderabad, police said Friday.

Thirty-three-year old Moinuddin was arrested after he took the child to an isolated place Thursday night and sexually assaulted her, police added.

Local people who spotted the driver moving around in a suspicious manner, caught him and handed him over to the police.

Cases under relevant sections of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) have been filed against him, Dundigal police inspector Shankaraiah said.

The girl was taken to a government hospital for medical examination and treatment.

CCTV footage from the area was being verified as part of the investigation, a police official said.
The Prime Ministers Economic Advisory Council (EAC) on Friday advised the government to address challenges in the agricultural sector, support employment programmes and continue its emphasis on social sector interventions without losing focus on the fiscal consolidation target, according to a statement issued by the panel. The advice came a week ahead of the presentation of the interim budget in Parliament.

The councils advice came at a time when the Bharatiya Janata Party-led central government is under tremendous political pressure to take some concrete steps to ease the debt burdens of small and marginal farmers in the light of the 2019 general elections. Minister of state for agriculture Parshottam Rupala had said on Thursday that the government would soon announce a package for farmers to boost their income.

The EAC has, however, suggested that there should be no deviation from the fiscal consolidation target. The government must continue its emphasis on social sector interventions, an official statement issued by the council said.

The government has a target to tame the fiscal deficit at 3.3% of GDP in 2018-19 as compared to 3.5% in 2017-18. According to latest official data, the countrys fiscal deficit in April-November 2018 already exceeded Rs 92,349 crore  about 15% more than the budget estimate of Rs 6,24,276 crore for the current financial year.

According to economists, any largesse may, however, have an adverse impact on the countrys fiscal discipline.

Ranen Banerjee, PwC India Leader (Public Finance & Economics) said, the EACs advice is that the government should be cautious while announcing sops ahead of the interim budget. The council gives a hint that the governments social sector interventions should strike a judicious balance with available resources, he said. The signal is, you dont do something that would detail the economy from the fiscal consolidation roadmap. If the government gives subsidy in lieu of some of the existing schemes, it will not raise fiscal deficit abnormally, Banerjee said.

Stating that the macro-economic fundamentals of the country are sound, the council pointed at some global developments that could impact the Indian economy. While the prospects for world economic growth does not look very promising, particularly in the advanced economies, there is sufficient amount of growth momentum in emerging market economies. India is not insulated from global developments, it said.

The council is, however, confident about the faster growth of the Indian economy.
Our multiculturalism is what defines us and makes us invincible. It replenishes our soul with the faith that we will always be one, no matter how tough the tides get. As we applaud our beautiful diversity, we present a melange of cultures that make India special. In this shoot, we have Indians showcasing the outfits of a state they dont belong to. And yet, the state is embedded in their soul, as they put it. You have Punjabis in love with all things Bengali, a North Easterner who believes she has the soul of a Maharashtrian, an Andhra girl who swears by the charm of Kashmir. India, theres none like you!

Pinky Tamang hails from the kaleidoscopic Sikkim, known for its ethereal valleys and soulful shrines. Pinky has always been in love with the Maharashtrian culture. A red silk sari, a beautiful moti nath, the half moon bindi

and white gajra made her look every inch the Maharashtrian that she always wanted to be.

Flaming red chinar leaves, dreamy saffron flowers and the surreal valleys of Kashmir evoke imagination and stir deep emotions in her, says 26-year-old abstract artist Shravanti T Mamillapalli from Andhra Pradesh. As she shot for us wearing a lovely phiran, she soulfully sang the Kashmiri folk song, Bumbro Bumbro.

Model Renee Kujur from the beautiful tribal state of Chattisgarh is in love with all things Gujarati. I must have been a gypsy from Gujarat in my past life, she gushes as she shoots for us in her mirror-work choli and vibrant ghaghra teamed with silver jewellery. And of course, the 33-year-old is the undisputed queen of all the garba nights she religiously attends.

From its eclectic food to culture and jaw dropping scenic beauty, mass communication student Sheen Turki from Himachal Pradesh has always been a fan of Kerala. Sheen chose to represent the state wearing a Kasavu sari with mogra gajra in her hair.

Graphic designer Sunpreet Kaurs work is often inspired by the majestic Sunderbans, the quaint beauty of Shantiniketan, the joie de vivre of Kolkata. The 26-year-old wears a silk sari draped in atpoure style.

Let me not pray to be sheltered from dangers, but to be fearless in facing them, entrepreneur Minijit Singh from Punjab recited these lines from Rabindranath Tagores The Grasp Of Your Hand as we began the shoot. His words nourished my soul even as a child, says Singh. The 76-year-old showcased his love for Bengal with his attire  a white kurta, a shawl and dhoti draped in Bengali style.

Credits

Concept: Shara Prayag

Styling and text: Prerna Gauba Sibbal and Akshay Kaushal

Photos: Raajessh Kashyap/HT and Shivam Saxena/HT

Wardrobe: Asha Gautam, Weaverstory.com, Dhruv Vaish and Pawan Sachdeva

Hair and makeup: Naina Arora

Accessories: 1469 and Apala by Sumit
Ranveer Singh went incognito, as he arrived at the Gully Boy music launch with actor Alia Bhatt in Mumbai on Thursday. Just kidding  he was in head-to-toe neon green. The Simmba actor wore a track suit in the electric shade and accessorised the outfit with an oversize metallic jacket and baby blue high-top sneakers. Ranveers blindingly blingy jacket is by Adidas, while his sporty track suit is from designer label Noughtones spring/ summer 2019 collection. Ahead, watch a video and see pictures of Ranveer Singhs latest outfit that was absolutely eye-catching. Would you wear it?

You may not traditionally associate glittery silver jackets with your typical going-out ensemble, but this recent outfit choice by Ranveer Singh, during his appearance at Gully Boy music launch, will have you doing a double take. Want to try the fashion risk yourself? To keep the look casual, unlike Ranveer, pair a flashy jacket with simple distressed jeans and a white T-shirt. If you havent yet jumped on the puffer jacket bandwagon, theres no better time than the present. And as Raveer Singh shows, when it comes to puffer jackets, the puffier the better  wouldnt you agree?

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Setting all new fashion goals for men, Karan Johar is rocking winter fashion at the World Economic Forum 2019, being held in Davos, Switzerland currently. Hes been a successful filmmaker, producer, a talk show host, an actor and even a fashion guru for many. KJos Instagram handle is proof that hes the one to look out for in mens fashion and we sometimes, wish these clothes wouldnt be caught in a gender bias of any kind. We believe KJo understands the nitty-gritty of fashion and wears almost anything, with complete panache. The recent episode featuring Diljit Dosanjh and Badshah is proof that boys high on fashion sense can give even the best names a run for their money.

Actor Ranveer Singh even admitted that hes carried off everything that Karan Johar cannot, including a super-expensive tracksuit that cost over 3 lakhs, which was apparently a hand-me-down from KJo to Ranveer.

Karan Johar has posted his looks over the three day event on his Instagram account. Hes been styled by Nikita Jaisinghani for his appearances at WEF 2019. From a cape jacket thats high on drama to fur coats to a chequered jacket, there are options for everyone who is willing to experiment with different looks and colours for those Insta-worthy pictures thatll label you as the fashionable man to look out for. Take a dekko at the accessories KJo uses with his looks - from hexagonal shades to reflectors and bags to complement the complete look.

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If you are looking for government jobs, you are at the right place. This article will tell you the major recruitments going on this week and their details. Watch out for the major vacancies here:

1. Railway Recruitment Board: RRB JE Recruitment 2019- Vacancy: 1, 847 Last date to apply- Jan 31

RRB JE Recruitment 2019: Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) have released the official notification for the recruitment of Junior Engineer (JE) on its official websites. Only 10 days are left to apply for the 13, 847 vacancies . The last date to apply is January 31.

The recruitment process of RRB JE will involve two stages of exam: 1st stage Computer Based Test (CBT), 2nd stage CBT, and document verification/ medical examination as applicable. Selection will be as per merit, on the basis of CBTs.

Details here

2. Reserve Bank of India: RBI Junior Engineer Recruitment 2019- Vacancy: 24; Last date to apply- Jan 30

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has invited applications for the post of junior engineer civil and electrical branch in the bank. Candidates can apply online before January 30. The application window was opened on January 7, 2019.

There are a total of 15 posts for junior engineer civil and nine posts for junior engineer electrical.

Details here

3. National Defence Academy: UPSC NDA 2019: Posts- 392, Last date to apply February 4

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has already issued a notification announcing date and procedure for applying for National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (I) 2019 on its official website @ www.upsc.gov.in. The last to apply is February 4.

Approximately, 392 posts will be filled through this exam: 342 for the National Defence Academy (208 for the Indian Army, 92 for the Indian Air Force, 42 for the Indian Navy) and 50 posts for the Indian Naval Academy.

Details here

4. SSC Junior engineer: SSC JE Recruitment 2019, Notification to be issued on January 28

Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has issued a notice of recruitment of SSC junior engineer (JE) examination 2019. SSC JE application form 2019 will be uploaded on January 28. The last date to apply is February 25, 2019. The detailed advertisement about the exam will be available soon.

Candidates between 18 to 32 years with engineering diploma/degree are eligible to apply for SSC JE 2019 exam.

Details here

5. Indian Oil: IOCL Recruitment 2019, Vacancy- 420; Last date to apply- Feb 10

The Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL)has invited applications for 420 posts of technical, non-technical and technician trade apprentices under multiple trades for southern regions like Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karnataka, Kerala, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

The online application begins today, January 18, 2019 and last date for the same is February 10, 2019.

Details here

6. State Bank of India: SBI Senior Executive Recruitment 2019, Vacancy- 15; Last date to apply- Feb 11

The application process started from January 22 and the last day to submit the application online is February 11, 2019. Candidates can apply for the senior executive posts online at sbi.co.in

There are a total of 15 posts that will be filled through the selection process. Based on the application process, candidates will be called for interview round based on which a merit list will be created after shortlisting the candidates.

Details here

7. CISF Head Constable: Vacancy- 429 ; Last date to apply- Feb 20

Application for head constable in Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) started from January 21, 2019. There are 429 vacant posts of head constable through its official notification. The last date to apply is February 20, 2019.

Candidates can apply online through the official website at cisf.gov.in.

Details here

For more details of recruitments going on, click here
The Delhi Police special cell on Thursday announced the arrest of two alleged Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorists, who they said were planning to target three crowded markets, two important tourist destinations, a religious structure and a gas pipeline in Delhi with grenades during the Republic Day celebrations, .

The markets that were allegedly to be targeted are Lajpat Nagar, Palika Bazar and Jama Masjid, police said. The other places on their radar were India Gate and Rajpath and the gas pipeline that passes through north Delhis Wazirabad, police said.

Investigators said the two men, arrested from Delhi and Jammu and Kashmir, had conducted a reconnaissance of five of the seven alleged targeted spots. We arrested them before they could visit the gas pipeline site. They were also undecided about the religious structure they had in mind, said a senior officer, on condition of anonymity.

DCP (special cell) Pramod Singh Kushwah said Abdul Latif Ganaie, 29, was arrested from near Rajghat late Sunday. He was staying at a house in east Delhis Laxmi Nagar, said the DCP, adding a semi-automatic pistol, 26 cartridges and three rubber stamps with names of the some top JeM terrorists were allegedly recovered from him. Ganaie was previously arrested in two cases of stone pelting in J&K. His father was a surrendered terrorist who later helped security forces, said Kushwah.

The DCP said he is the JeMs district commander in Ganderbal, J&K. The officer accused him of being the mastermind of a series of recent grenade attacks in various parts of J&K, including Srinagar and Bandipora.

Ganaies questioning led police to the other suspect, 26-year-old Hilal Ahmad Bhat, who was arrested from Bandipora on Wednesday. A search of Bhats house allegedly led to the recovery of two hand grenades.

Police said the arrested men had procured more than a dozen grenades and improvised explosives from Ganaies Pakistani handler Abu Mauz alias Abu Bakar. Mauz had allegedly ordered Ganaie to throw grenades on armed and police forces in J&K and at vital places in Delhi to disrupt the Republic Day celebrations.

anaie has allegedly disclosed he was in touch with Mauz through mobile apps. He was radicalised while studying at a madrasa in Sopore five years ago, the DCP said.
Its hard to miss a hailstorm  unless, it would seem, one is the India Meteorological Department (IMD). And so, on Thursday evening, as Delhis citizens reported witnessing the unmistakable sights and sounds of hailstones  the clanking on car windshields and helmet visors; the feel of the cold hard ice on their bodies  in several parts of the city, IMDs monitoring stations inexplicably did not register any such occurrence.

IMD, which had predicted Thursday to be a clear day, first said none of its four stations across the Capital recorded the phenomenon but later added that other radar images indicated a hailstorm in parts of south Delhi.

Commuters and weather watchers among citizens also phoned in the citys weather monitoring stations to report rain and hail in Bhikaji Cama Place, Mahipalpur, and other locations. The department has forecast light rain and thundershowers in the city on Friday.

Whether that means Delhi should expect a sunny day remains to be seen.

Radar images indicated that some areas in south Delhi could have been hit by hail. The IMDs stations at Safdarjung, Palam, Lodhi Road, Ridge and Aya Nagar, however, didnt record any hailstorm, said BP Yadav, deputy director general, IMD.

Meteorologists suggested even though there was no forecast of rain until Wednesday night, the situation changed in unforeseen ways on Thursday morning.

There was a sudden change in the wind direction. Easterly winds brought in moisture from the Bay of Bengal, which helped to form local clouds and triggered rain. There are chances of light rain and thundershowers on Friday, too, said Yadav.

On Thursday, the Safdarjung area received about 3mm of rain, while Palam and Lodhi Road received around 1.2mm and 1.7mm, respectively. Aya Nagar and the Ridge areas received traces of rain. There are the only places in the city where IMD records rainfall. The department warned cold-wave conditions could grip the Capital early next week.
In a written reply to Delhi law minister Kailash Gahlot, principal secretary (law) AK Mendiratta has said the minister was not the competent authority in matters pertaining to prosecution sanctions, including in the JNU sedition case, documents accessed by Hindustan Times have revealed.

However, Gahlot rejected Mendirattas response, saying it did not answer why the law secretary was being selective about files being sent to him.

The three-page explanation furnished by Mendiratta was in response to a January 21 show cause notice issued to him by law minister Gahlot in connection with the JNU sedition case.

Hindustan Times had on Thursday reported how Gahlot in the notice said Mendiratta intentionally bypassed him and sent the file related to the sanction to prosecute former Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) students directly to the home department.

The case relates to anti-national slogans allegedly raised in February 2016 on JNU campus. Former JNU students union president Kanhaiya Kumar and research scholars Umar Khalid and Anirban Bhattacharya are among those named in the charge sheet.

Senior officials in the law department said Mendiratta, in his note, explained the state governments definition and mentioned how that the lieutenant governor was Delhis administrator. He stated how under the devolution of powers, subjects related to prosecution sanctions are supposed to be handled by the Delhi governments home department. He quoted parts of the code of criminal procedure to substantiate his argument, an official, who did not wish to be named, said.

Mendiratta did not respond to calls and messages.

Writing back to the law secretary, Gahlot said Mendiratta skipped the issue on which his explanation was sought. Not a word has been mentioned by Mendiratta as to why the standing orders issued in 2017 and 2018 have not been complied with only in one particular matter. Is it not a fact that all files of the law department are being routed through the law minster? How can Mendiratta send one file to the minister (law) and not send a similar file and then try to justify it? read the ministers note. He mentioned about a similar prosecution sanction file for a Delhi police sub-inspector that was sent to him. HT has a copy of the note.

Let me clarify that I am fully aware that minister (law) is not the competent authority for grant of prosecution sanction under Section 196 CrPC. The issue is simple: Home department has sought opinion/views of the law department on a matter and the opinion/views of the law department could not have been communicated to the home department without routing the file through the minister (law), the file read.

In his show-cause notice to the principal secretary, Gahlot had said Mendirattas act was not only insubordination but also appeared to have been done intentionally so that the ministers views are not recorded on the file.

Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday said the law department was examining granting of sanction to prosecute Kanhaiya Kumar in the sedition case. Reacting to HTs report, Leader of Opposition in the Delhi Assembly, Vijender Gupta, said the Delhi government was tacitly supporting JNU students charge sheeted by Delhi Police.

It is chalking out a political strategy in favour of those charged with sedition in the JNU case. The Delhi government is trying to derail the process of justice by giving contradictory statements. The statement of law minister Kailash Gahlot is shameful. AAP is putting blocks in the law and order system, he said.
A leprosy patient who moved court saying he was rendered homeless and forced to brave the harsh Delhi winter after being released from a government correctional centre because begging was decriminalised in the city last year, was given temporary relief by the Delhi high court, which directed the state government to let him and 40 other patients return to detention home for now.

The petitioner, Rajeev Kumar, and the 40 other leprosy patients were lodged at the Home for Leprosy and TB-affected patients (HLTB) in Shahdara after being caught for begging on the citys streets.

On August 8, 2018, begging was decriminalised by the Delhi high court on a petition filed by social activists Harsh Mander and Karnika Sawhney. The court had said the state cannot fail to do its duty to provide a decent life to its citizens and should not add insult to injury by arresting and imprisoning those who beg. It had observed that a person who is compelled to beg cannot be faulted. Under the Bombay Begging Act, a person convicted for begging could be sentenced to maximum imprisonment of three years.

On Thursday, justice Vibhu Bakhru said the leprosy patients could not be left homeless. The petitioner and other persons cannot be homeless at the mercy of the respondents [Delhi government]. In this view, the respondent is directed to accommodate the petitioner and similarly placed persons who have been removed from the home back in said premises, justice Bakhru said.

According to the plea, filed through advocate Manisha Bhandari, Kumar, who was convicted for begging in October 2017 and was to remain in the home October 11, 2018, alleged he and other inmates have to face severe hardship for their sustenance. Some of the patients, the plea said, are forced to pick up leftover food from dustbins.
Priyanka Gandhis dramatic, front-foot entry into politics has galvanised Congress cadres and thrown the BJP into sheer confusion. There is a certain audacity and boldness to her debut as general secretary of Uttar Pradesh, East, the political stomping ground of chief minister Yogi Adityanath and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

But now that Rahul Gandhi has decided to appoint his behen (sister) to this critical post, what will be the Congresss strategy to manage Behenji (as Mayawati is often called)? Is there a danger of the Priyanka announcement creating friction between the Congress and the Mayawati-Akhilesh gathbandhan (alliance)? Can the Gandhis bhai-behen jodi (brother-sister duo) work in tandem with the bua-bhatija (aunt-nephew) duo, or will they be at odds with each other?

While Rahul Gandhi was careful to underline that he had the deepest respect for both Mayawati and Akhilesh Yadav and insisted that the Congress was ready to cooperate wherever possible, sources confirm that the siblings have a better relationship with the Samajwadi Party (SP) chief than with the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader. In fact, the Congress believes that it is Mayawati who insisted on edging it out of the alliance in Uttar Pradesh, leaving only a token offer of two seats: Amethi and Raebareli. As one senior Congress leader told me: If she shuts us out, we cant roll over and play dead, can we?

Even if ticket distribution and candidate selection is done in tactical communication with the SP-BSP, Priyanka Gandhis entry could well eat into the Muslim-Dalit vote of the gathbandhan and not just the Brahmin/upper caste base of the BJP. While pundits dub this as a three-cornered contest that will suit the BJP, there is another way of looking at it.

While the main aim of the Congress would naturally be to dislodge Narendra Modi  and it knows the route to Delhi is via Uttar Pradesh  what if the strategy is also to simultaneously contain the rise of Mayawati? This certainly appears to be the hand the Congress is playing. Mayawati has also been scathing about the Congress in public, arguing that the Congress is unable to transfer its votes to allies, while benefiting from them.

The Congress tacticians wargaming UP would hope for a result closer to its 2009 performance when the party won 21 seats in the state. In the absence of an organisational cadre on the ground and now down to just two Lok Sabha seats (its worst ever tally), this is still a tall order at the moment.

But if the buzz around Priyanka Gandhi succeeds in transcending constituency-wise caste calculations and she picks up some votes across categories, among upper caste Hindus, women, Muslims, Dalits, non-Yadav OBCs, the party will aspire to 10-15 seats. Seats that fall within the eastern Uttar Pradesh area allotted by the party to Priyanka Gandhi include the family pocket boroughs of Amethi and Raebareli as well as constituencies such as Phulpur that have in the past voted for Jawaharlal Nehru and his sister, Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit. Though the Congress has not won a seat here since 1984, and the SP candidate won in the recent bypoll, the party believes that Priyanka Gandhis presence in what was once Nehru territory could trigger nostalgia and sentiment. Her managing the campaign in at least 40 Lok Sabha seats also frees her brother, the Congress president, to travel elsewhere and focus on other states. The party is also calculating that once she is at the helm, there will be a spillover impact on the politics of Bihar, which borders eastern UP. What is clear is that the organisational role for her is not about local politics; it is the launch of her as a mass leader. And it is about the national ambitions of the Congress party.

Any result that dislodges Modi but also limits the BSP chief to fewer than 20 seats will effectively nullify Mayawatis chances of pitching for the prime ministers post in a hung Parliament. In the estimation of the Congress, this will also stop the complete handing over of Indias most populous and politically important state to regional forces.

The Priyanka Gandhi-Jyotiraditya Scindia project (Scindia has been appointed in charge of west UP) is about the long term revival of the party in a state that has voted for three Congress prime ministers of the Nehru-Gandhi family. A respectable performance in UP, which can constrict the rise of non-BJP parties, will give the Congress the dominant position in any negotiation by opposition parties over who should be the next PM.

The Congress gamble is bold but also laden with risks. It needs almost perfectly controlled calibration. But in case it succeeds even partially, it isnt only the BJP that will be forced to regroup and re-strategise its UP campaign.

Mayawati will not be mighty pleased either.

Barkha Dutt is an award-winning journalist and author

The views expressed are personal
It is early days but already a troika of powerful women  Mamata Banerjee, Mayawati and, now, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra  is dominating the headlines. In a country that has been notoriously stingy in fielding women candidates as MLAs and MPs, this is a pleasant blip but nobody is counting on a New Deal for women with Elections 2019.

When women do manage to crack the glass ceiling it is often, such as Gandhi, on the strength of family ties. The depressing reality is that women comprised only 8% of all candidates in the 2014 general election and, as a result, the new Parliament had the old mens room stamp with just 11% women MPs  substantially lower than the already low global average of 23%.

Two interesting trends have taken place since the last election. The first is the emergence of the female voter. The gender gap in voter turnout in national elections in India is now down from 16.71% in 1962 to 1.55% in 2014. Women voters have outnumbered men in several recent elections, including significant constituencies in Himachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and even Mizoram where of the 209 candidates who contested the recent elections, only 16 were women, none of whom won.

The second follows the first: In a nod to the power of the emerging female voter, male politicians have sought to take ownership of so-called womens issues whether by way of the Beti Bachao campaign or the imposition of prohibition, a demand made by women self-help groups in Bihar.

Why does this lopsided representation matter? Parliament and the assemblies hold a mirror to what society looks like, says Tara Krishnaswamy, co-founder of Shakti, a non-partisan, citizen action group dedicated to enabling the election of more women as MLAs and MPs.

Since its founding in December 2018, the group has organised two rounds of calls: the first to MPs in the last session, asking them to support the Womens Reservation Bill; and the second to women MLAs across the country, asking them to tell their parties to give women half of all tickets for the 2019 general election.

The group has also begun meeting party leaders such DMKs MK Stalin and Karnataka Pradesh Congress president, D Gundu Rao, asking them to field more women. Most politicians have agreed in principle, says Krishnaswamy, but adds realistically, We are here to stay but nothing is going to change overnight. At the very least, the politicians are being made aware that women are watching, and counting.

Women and politics are no longer strangers. Not only are women exercising their franchise in larger numbers, but over the past 25 years, an estimated one million women have been elected at the village, block and district level in panchayati raj institutions where 33% of seats are reserved for them. Almost none graduate to Parliament or even the assemblies.

When citizens come together in a sustained fashion, says Krishnaswamy, whose day job is with an IT multinational, miracles happen.

Namita Bhandare writes on social issues

The views expressed are personal
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Abhijit Panse, director of the film Thackeray, was caught on camera having a discussion with the films writer and producer, Sanjay Raut, allegedly over the seating arrangements made for him and his family at the films premiere on Thursday. Panse was seen leaving the Mumbai theatre in a huff after he was given front row seats to the screening - he wanted to be seated in the last row.

The video shows Raut, a Shiv Sena leader, reportedly persuading Panse to stay back. After a brief discussion, the director is seen walking out of the hall, with his family in tow.

Mumbai Mirror reports that Panse arrived late for the premiere, and upon reaching the Wadala venue, was told that only front row seats were available. Panse, a member of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), left without watching the film.

According to NDTV, a source in the MNS said, There was no seat left for Panse to seat. Then he was offered a seat in the front row. At least the films director should get a seat to sit, right?

Panse, in an interview following the incident told a news channel that the movie was more important than the controversy. Let the film get released. I am happy it is gaining popularity...it is a good movie and everyone should see it.

Also read: This Nawazuddin Siddiqui dialogue from Thackeray is now a hilarious meme

Thackeray is a biopic on the life of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray. The film stars Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Amrita Rao in lead roles and has been released on Friday.

Follow @htshowbiz for more
Sixty-nine years ago, the adoption of the Indian Constitution was regarded, variously, as a reckless political experiment, a cause for celebration amid uncertainty, as India set out to be the worlds largest democracy, and of triumph amid tragedy, as it became a republic during the bloodbath of Partition. The first Constitution of a Commonwealth country to be drafted entirely by its own nationals, the Indian Constitution was, and remains, the longest written constitution in the world. The length of the Constitution is a reflection of the magnitude of problems facing the newly independent nation, including its very integration as a nation state; the need to reassure minorities following Partition; and the need to build a new social and economic order that would lift millions out of poverty, even as it sought to eliminate pervasive social and religious discrimination.

Some of these problems and uncertainties continue to resonate today. But as India enters the 70th year of the Republic, it has the new moniker of being the worlds largest stable democracy, a feat unique to India in the post colonial world. The resilience of the Constitution is a testament to the founders foresight in imbuing its text with the spirit of diversity amid unity. The Indian Constitution is not one constitution, but many. Though Article 370, for the state of Jammu and Kashmir, is the most well known exception to the Constitutions general provisions, the entirety of part XXI of the Constitution contains differentiated provisions for the states of Assam, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh. Part X of the Constitution creates a differentiated legal framework for Scheduled Areas within 14 states of India, that constitute 13% of Indias geographical area, including the entire state of Meghalaya, and more than half the states of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Tripura.

The Constitution is also resilient because it was wedded to the principle of incrementalism. The founders were deeply conscious that they were guaranteeing fundamental rights to life, liberty, equality, and property, to all citizens, in a society deeply divided on the basis of religion, caste, and gender. Therefore, in the chapters on Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles of State Policy, they provided pointers, not answers, for resolving tensions that would inevitably arise between the interests of the individual v. the collective.

Resolution of tensions between individual property and states power to take away property for the collective good of economic development and social redistribution, resulted in the abolition of the fundamental right to property in 1978. Tensions with respect to individual womens rights to equality v collective religious diktats have been playing out, with intermittent resolution, for many decades, for instance, in the case of Muslim womens rights to divorce and maintenance, from the Shah Bano case in the 1980s to the current bill criminalising triple talaq, and Hindu womens rights to inheritance of joint family property from the 1950s to equal religious right to worship in the context of the Sabarimala case today.

Despite our Constitutions resilience, we can never take its continued existence and the stability of Indias democracy for granted. In fact, the greatest threats to the Constitution come because we expect both too much, and too little, from our Constitution. The recent constitutional amendment on poor upper caste reservations, which has turned the concept of reservation based affirmative action on its head, is an example of how public disaffection with the states redistributive failures is sought to be temporarily assuaged through recourse to the Constitution. The constitutional amendment, while it exists (there are strong reasons to believe that it is unconstitutional), will momentarily camouflage the ineptitude and decay of our public institutions, and the failure of our economic development narrative, but will not resolve the crisis that threatens the social and economic, and, therefore, the political stability of the nation.

This deflection of public disaffection from our Parliament and executive towards the Constitution is a grotesque pantomime that we have seen played out previously in the context of the abolition of the fundamental right to property. The period since the abolition of the right has in fact seen a far greater increase in economic inequalities, and land grabs, than the one when the fundamental right to property was intact.

We also expect too little from our Constitution. The Pathalgarhi movement is an example of how provisions for tribal autonomy within the text of the Constitution and their ambiguities can be used to construct a narrative of demands for greater decentralisation and self-governance through gram sabhas in the Scheduled Areas.

It is not clear why We the People did not similarly use our fundamental rights to liberty and equality, and constitutional right to property, to hold the government accountable for its demonetisation exercise that has proved to be an economic disaster. Or why we remained silent when the Supreme Court, the self appointed highest guardian of the Constitution, winked at the unconstitutionality of passing the Aadhaar law as a money bill, or gave unsatisfying verdicts on recent public controversies, including the CBI directors removal and the legitimacy of the Rafale deal?

The founders took a leap of faith in imagining this magnificent Constitution for us, with the humility that even as they showed us the way forward, they didnt have all the answers, and the hope that we would use it wisely, to build a peaceful and prosperous nation in which everyone has the opportunity to develop according to their own genius. In the 70th year of the Republic, We the People must reward their imagination by emerging from the littleness and binaries of our current public discourse, and expanding our own political imagination of the possibilities for the future of India.

We must respect the founders faith in us by pledging to renew constitutional values of resolving tensions through dialogue even as we respect differences, and to strengthen the fabric of our public institutions that have the power to both build and break the Republic.

Namita Wahi is fellow at the Centre for Policy Research, and director of the Land Rights Initiative

The views expressed are personal
US President Donald Trump recently mocked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has promoted soft power policies in Afghanistan that benefit India and the US, about building a library and not doing enough to help stabilise the war-torn country. Some believe Trump mistook the Afghan parliament for a library, but whatever the intention, the perception was not welcomed by Afghans, Indians and US citizens. From an Afghan perspective, Indias soft power is effective in Afghanistan and the Indian government doesnt need to have direct military involvement in the country.

There are three reasons for these conclusions: historic India-Afghanistan links; a feeling of kinship due to Bollywoods popularity; and Indias support to rebuild Afghanistan.

The historic links form the bedrock of friendly relations. Afghan vice-president Mohammad Sarwar Danish highlighted this during the 70th Indian Independence Day celebrations at the Indian embassy in Kabul by saying, Afghanistan and India have 1,000 years of historic relationsAs a result, both countries history is nested together and cannot be divided. According to a study, there are countless Afghan-related monuments and historic and cultural items across India. Similarly, there are more than a dozen sites in Afghanistan with Indian artwork.

Indias film industry has nurtured a feeling of friendship among Afghans.

My own experiences helped me understand Bollywoods influence on Afghans. I was four months old when I left Afghanistan with my uncles family in 1984 to settle in Peshawar, Pakistan, because of the Soviet invasion. I was 12 years old when I watched the Indian movie Saajan. Watching Indian films was a family tradition and men and women gathered to watch them every Friday night.

In the 1990s, we returned home when the mujahidin took power in Kabul. Every Friday night, Afghan national television beamed Indian movies. In those days, the mujahidin forces, who defeated the Soviets with the help of the US and Pakistan, were fighting each other for power.

Despite bombings and gunfire from every direction, almost everyone waited for the little joy of Friday nights. Thanks to limited electrical power in Kabul, some nights in Kabul were dark. I still recall collective prayers by my family for the power to not go off before the movie ended. Like me, I am pretty sure most Afghans who speak Hindi have learned it by watching Indian movies.

In the past 17 years of the US involvement in Afghanistan, most TV and radio stations play Indian songs as part of their routine programming.

Indian support to the Afghan government is vital due to its soft power and influence on the population. India has influenced Afghans and gained their trust and respect for two reasons: India has helped economically to rebuild Afghanistan; and both countries face a shared threat from Pakistan.

India is the largest regional donor to Afghanistan, having provided $3 billion. The new parliament building, Salma dam in Herat province, and a highway to Irans Chabahar port, are a few prominent projects backed by India. Chabahar is of immense importance to Afghanistan because it provides access to the oceans and reduces dependence on Pakistan. Through an indirect military role, India trains Afghan security forces and supplies modest quantities of defence gear.

Economically and politically, these are the most beneficial options in Indias Afghanistan policy that strengthen the consensus that India should not deploy troops in Afghanistan. Our country has seen many foreign military involvements and, as a result, Afghans dislike many foreigners. But this dislike does not include India. In December 2015, when Modi visited Kabul to inaugurate the parliament building, people welcomed him and expressed their love for Indian people through social media.

Kabul has been a victim of Islamabads strategic depth policy that sees Afghanistan as the fifth state of Pakistan. India too has been a victim of Pakistans proxy wars. The shared threat from Pakistan, home to the Taliban and Lashkar-e-Taiba, has strengthened India-Afghanistan ties.

India, with the worlds second largest Muslim population, has suffered from the proliferation of radical Islamic ideologies in Afghanistan and Kashmir by Pakistan. India cannot mitigate these transitional threats without help from Afghanistan and a friendly relationship with a legitimate Afghan government is in Indias vital interest. Also, Indian support for an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process is very important for both countries.

Indias stability is directly related to Afghanistans stability. The great poet Allama Iqbal described Afghanistan as the heart of Asia, a country whose stability will ensure the stability of Asia. For an India safe from terror threats, India does not need boots on Afghan ground. India can achieve its goal by helping the Afghan government through economic aid and by strengthening its strategic relationship with the Afghan government and non-governmental institutions.

Abdul Rahman Rahmani is the founder of Noshaq: Afghanistans first defence strategic studies centre.

The views expressed are personal
The Western Piedmont Symphonys Maestro Challenge is hosting its third guest conductor and artist through early February.

Guest conductor Bruce Anthony Kiesling is currently the music director of the Adrian Symphony Orchestra in Michigan and the Sequoia Symphony Orchestra in California.

My favorite part of my job is working with musicians and getting to know members of the community that are interested in orchestral music and how it can be a part of the identity of their community, Kiesling said in a symphony video.

Kiesling made his first appearance in Hickory on Thursday and will attend a number of gatherings through next week.

Kiesling will head Story Time at Patrick Beaver Memorial Library at 11 a.m. and give a presentation Making a Living as a Musician at Catawba Valley Community Colleges Robert Paap Building room 143 at 1 p.m. on Tuesday. He will take part in a number of tours, events, meetings, dinners and more to learn about the Hickory area.

Public rehearsals are Thursday and Friday, Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 from 7:30-10 p.m. at P.E. Monroe Auditorium on Lenoir-Rhynes campus and Saturday, Feb. 2 from 2-4:30 p.m. at the P.E. Monroe Auditorium. They are open to the public.
Just past the Veterans Amphitheater at Arlington National Cemetery in the nations capital is a monument to seven Americans. My generation knows them well. I think about them every January.

The 1980s were a great time of growth and prosperity. It seemed technology and progress knew no limits. Personal computers became affordable. Communication satellites launched into space on rockets and space shuttles. Cell phones were just arriving.

On January 28 1986, the schools in Caldwell County were closed due to snow. My twin sister and brothers were at home watching a movie on the familys new VCR. We were happy to be out of school.

At the end of the movie, we ejected the VHS tape and turned on cable television in time to view the launch countdown for the space shuttle Challenger. Space shuttle launches were events in the decade because they were symbols of American ingenuity and progress. The fact that something the size of a World War II destroyer could launch into space carrying important scientific and military equipment in its payload and return to earth was incredible. Unfortunately, by 1986, space shuttle launches became commonplace. Americans were winning the Cold War and there was a hint of invincibility in the air.
District Attorney Scott Reillys home in Conover caught fire Wednesday night due to a gas line malfunction, according to Reilly.

Reilly said his wife, Beth, was cooking at the Rock Barn home when a fire ignited behind the stove around 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. A second and larger fire started in the basement along a gas line.

The heaviest charring and smoke damage is in the basement. No one was injured.

I thought it was going to be a lot worse. I was relieved when we went inside, Reilly said.

Deputy Fire Marshal Jennifer Lowrance said the fire is still under investigation, but there is no evidence of criminal involvement.

Officers from the State Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are also investigating.

What should I do if my gas line catches fire? 1. Call 911 and get out of the home safely. 2. If you know where the gas shutoff is and you can turn it off safely, do so.
NEW YORK (JTA)My dad, who grew up in a time and place where his Judaism only marked him as an outsider, never really got my professional fascination with all things Jewish. That all changed when nearly 20 years ago I got a job with the Forward, the English-language offspring of the venerable Yiddish daily.

He recalled how the Forverts would arrive at his familys home in New York states rural Orange County, one of his parents few links to the bustling Jewish community downstate and a window into a wider world.

My father learned to be American from reading the Forverts, Dad told me.

I came to the Forward in its second generation as a revived weekly dedicated to treating its subject matterthe Jewswith the seriousness and curiosity they deserved. Seth Lipsky had reimagined the paper as a quality Jewish journalistic enterprise a decade earlier. His successor, J.J. Goldberg, kept that spirit of inquiry alive, and as his managing editor I managed to work with an array of people far more talented than II am lucky to call more than a few of them my colleagues to this day.

Under Jane Eisner, the Forward remained an incubator and farm team for excellence in writing about North American Jewry in the post-immigrant, postmodern and, what some warn ominously, is a post-Zionist era. Some of the top Jewish media organizationsincluding the online magazine Tablet and 70 Faces Media, JTAs parent organizationand at least one national magazine are led by its alumni.

The news last night that the Forward, already reduced to a monthly magazine, is stopping its print operations altogether, and that key senior staffers, including Eisner, are being laid off, hit all of us in the industry hard. Personally, many of those let go are my friends. Professionally, it is an ominous sign of the state of Jewish journalism.

But you dont have to be a Jewish journalist to bemoan the diminution of a storied news enterprise. Love it or hate it (and many people do), the Forward represents the kind of serious conversation that Jews need to be having in turbulent times. Its reporters have held Jewish organizations and leaders accountable to the people they serve. Its opinion pages raise important questions that we might otherwise be reluctant to discuss in public, and give voice to thoseJews of color, Mizrachim, women, Jewish renegadeswho too often are left out of the communal conversation. Most of all, it reminds us to think like adults, and put aside the kitsch and pablum that sometimes defines the Jewish discourse.

This week I took part in a Muslim-Jewish dialogue sponsored by the Shalom Hartman Institute of North America. The focus was the medias treatment of our respective groups. I was reminded how lucky we are as Jews to have a mature and robust tradition of communal self-scrutiny. The Muslims in the room represented their communities critical thinkers, in all senses of that term, and more than a few quietly bemoaned the lack of outlets for an honest and often uncomfortable discussion of the challenges facing them and their coreligionists. Although the Jewish discourse can often be coarse, and the intramural fighting ugly, I am always proud as a Jewish journalist to be in the thick of it.

As an industry, Jewish journalism is on the ropesweekly newspapers have been shrinking, many dying, for more than a decade, the result of the double jeopardy of economic and ethnic upheaval. Readers dont expect to pay for the news they consume, and advertisers have fled to a cheaper online space where size is often all that matters. Jewish ethnic ties are famously frayed.

The Forward hopes its new digital strategy will help it survive these changes, but ultimately a journalistic enterprise is only as good, and as healthy, as its people. I wish the Forward, its staff and its alumni only good things. The Jewish world needs them. And if you doubt that, or are gloating over the Forwards financial woes, you are arguing for a community that cannot discuss its most pressing issues honestly. You are trusting professional and volunteer stewards of multimillion-dollar nonprofitsyour money, in other wordsto police themselves. You are okay with tuning out political and ideological views with which you dont agree. You are trusting the Jewish story to outsiders, and will not have the answers when others confront us with their versions of the truth.

The Forverts taught my Jewish immigrant grandparents how to be American. The revived Forward taught all of us how to think Jewishly in an era of assimilation and acculturation.

I hope a new Forward, and all of Jewish journalism, can rebound to teach us how to argue with one another, learn from one another and love one another.

Andrew Silow-Carroll is editor in chief of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of JTA or its parent company, 70 Faces Media.
(JTA)Filmmaker Steven Spielberg told NBC News he thinks society must take the possibility of genocide more seriously now than it has in the past generation. In an interview marking the 25th anniversary of Schindlers List, Spielberg referred to the massacre at Pittsburghs Tree of Life synagogue and warned that hate leading to genocide is as possible today as it was during the Holocaust.

He was behind the curve. The era of never again is ending in Western Europe, fading in North America and never penetrated the Middle East. Relentless demonization of the Jewish state renormalizes demonization of Jewish people.

Examples of post-Nazi genocide and attempted genocide abound, including Muslim Indonesias seizure of largely Christian East Timor, the auto-genocide perpetrated by Cambodias Khmer Rouge, suppression of southern Sudans Christian and animist Darfur region by the government of the Muslim north, the murder of much of Rwandas Tutsi minority by the Hutu majority and todays oppression by Myanmars Budhist majority of its Rohingya Muslim minority.

Two post-Holocaust mass murders of Jews already have been attempted.

In 1948, five invading Arab countries committed to the destruction of the fledgling Jewish state. The United States no sooner became the first nation to recognize Israel than it slapped an arms embargo on the region. Though intended to diminish general tensions, in practice the move undercut Israel, since the other side continued to receive British arms and advice.

In 1967, Israel preempted a potentially overwhelming attack by Egyptian, Syrian and Jordanian forces mobilized on its border. Afterward, the philosopher Eric Hoffer noted that had [Egyptian President Gamal Abdel] Nasser triumphed... he would have wiped Israel off the map and no one would have lifted a finger to save the Jews.

Today, Iran builds ballistic missiles and seeks to develop nuclear warheads for them, functionally asserting that the Holocaust never happened and we intend to finish it. The European Union, smarting at American insistence that it reimpose economic sanctions on Tehran at the expense of trade, has sought a way around potential penalties.

Nazism obsessed over racially inferior Jews destroying the German people. The accused Pittsburgh murderer fantasized that pro-immigration Jews threatened his people. The man charged with mailing letter bombs to prominent Americans reportedly wanted to go back to Hitler times. The U.S. alt-right also described as the alt-reichimagines the Israeli tail wags the American dog.

Not entirely dissimilar, leaders of the Womens March movement demand that Jewish activists check their white privilege and apologize for the Jews racist suppression of black and brown people.

From medieval allegations of Christ killers to contemporary indictments of Jews as killers of Palestinian Arabs, those who portray Jews and the Jewish state as demonicas Louis Farrakhan did yet again shortly after Pittsburghserve to reopen the Jewish question. As in, what shall be done with this never quite assimilated, always stubborn people?

Infinitely adaptable, ever-enduring Jew hatredtoday regressing to its pre-Auschwitz mean through the gateway drug of anti-Zionismretains its eternal answer: the elimination of Judaism and those who proclaim it. Among polite circles, like those who insist they are never anti-Semitic, only anti-Zionist, marginalization and social-cultural re-ghettoization will be sufficient.

The original ethical monotheism, with its damned thou shalls and thou shall nots, contradicts the Wests increasing secular fundamentalism just as it called into question Christianity and then Islams claims to supersession. Including this small chosen people with their tiny promised land in that now-you-see-it, now-you-dont multicultural rainbow remains one diversity too many.

The Holocaust must be understood not only as an event halted by the Allies defeat of Nazi Germany in 1945 but also as a process interrupted. As the survivor and author Primo Levi put it, It happened, and therefore, it can happen again. This is the core of what we have to say. The words are inscribed at the entrance to Berlins Holocaust memorial.

Twenty percent of French respondents between 18 and 34 tell CNN theyve never heard of the Holocaust. So does a similar proportion in the United States. A Labor Party unit in northern Britain rejected a proposed resolution condemning the Pittsburgh murders because theres too much talk of anti-Semitism this, anti-Semitism that.

Today the spread of neo-Nazism anti-Zionist anti-Semitism makes continued war against, and potential genocide of the majority of the worlds Jewsthat is, those living in Israela renewed possibility.

Eric Rozenman is communications consultant for the Jewish Policy Center.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of JTA or its parent company, 70 Faces Media.
(JNS)It may be that supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump and those who back the Israeli government led by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are now so closely aligned that the latter have no qualms about the Jewish state being dragged into one of the most contentious American political debates in living memory. But as much as Trump is popular in Israel for his support of the Jewish state, its likely that most of its citizens would be just as happy if their border-security policies were left out of the epic struggle over whether America should build what Trump has at times called a big, beautiful wall on its southern border.

The pro-Israel community already faces challenges from supporters of the BDS movement, as well as advocates of intersectional theory that falsely claims that the war against the Jewish states existence is morally equivalent to the struggle for civil rights in the United States. With a Democratic Party increasingly divided about the Middle East, the last thing Israels supporters need is for its practices to be used as a justification for Trumps demandsdemands that created a standoff with congressional Democrats and prompted the current government shutdown.

The dispute over whether or not to extend the barriers already in place along large sections of Americas southern border is rife with hypocrisy and hyperbole on both sides. Opponents who have supported funding for a barrier in the pastas long as it was not the 45th president asking for itnow deride Trumps insistence on a wall as foolish or even immoral. It is equally true that many of Trumps claims about a crisis at the border has been more a matter of political expediency than a true national emergency, which if he were to declare one and use it to get his way would be just as extra-constitutional as President Barack Obamas efforts going around the law to grant amnesty to illegal immigrants.

Reasonable people can disagree about how best to secure the border, but as with everything else in contemporary American politics, Trumps involvement turns the argument into one in which both sides feel compelled to defend extreme positions that turn into existential struggles that make compromise impossible. Trumps rhetoric and the ensuing responses from those who despise him have turned what ought to be a technical questionwhat measures can best secure the borderinto an existential political struggle involving positions that are falsely identified as the moral equivalent of good and evil.

Nevertheless, some of the extreme rhetoric about barriers being ineffective is wrong, and Israels use of them provides some insight as to how they can be made to work.

The plain fact is that the influx of tens of thousands of Africans who entered Israel illegally was ended by the erection of a fence along its border with Egypt. The security barrier that runs through parts of the West Bank and Jerusalem separating Palestinian Arab areas, and Israeli towns and neighborhoods, was similarly effective in stopping the wave of suicide bombers that poured into Israeli cities during the war of terrorist attrition known as the Second Intifada, which took more than 1,000 Jewish lives and the lives of many more Arabs. While the Palestinians and their supporters call the barrier an apartheid wall, its erection was an act of self-defense that saved human life.

Various kinds of barriers also play a part in separating Israel from terrorist forces in Gaza and Lebanon, as well as the chaos in war-torn Syria.

Israels fences or walls arent foolproof. Hamas dug tunnels under them in order to facilitate cross-border kidnapping and murder raids. In recent months, the Israel Defense Forces discovered that Hezbollah has been digging its own network of tunnels into the Jewish state with similarly murderous intentions. Both Hamas and Hezbollah have also shown that they can fire rockets and missiles over any fence in order to spread terror inside the Jewish state.

The scale of Israels fencing projects is not as vast as any project to extend existing fencing between the United States and Mexico. Moreover, while some who cross into America illegally are involved in criminal activity, not since the U.S. Cavalry chased Pancho Villa back into Mexico more than a century ago has the issue there been one primarily about defending the border from armed enemies, as it is for Israel.

Just as important, Israels borders are not so much defended by fences or walls as they are by smart technology in areas where the integrity of the barrier is put at risk by the designs of its enemies. Instead of just focusing on construction, theres a lot that America can learn from the way Israel uses high-tech expertise to monitor its barriers.

But as long as support for any sort of border barrier or wall is identified with Trumps attitudes about illegal immigration and opposition to it with those of his opponents, you can forget about a rational discussion about the merits of fences, whether in North America or the Middle East.

The real danger for supporters of Israel is not so much that the Jewish state is being dragooned into justifying Trumps plans as it is that the reaction to the presidents desire for a wall will wind up justifying those who attack Israels need for barriers.

Whether or not you think the flow of illegal immigrants into the United States is a crisis, there should be no patience for claims that Israel built its security fences for ideological purposes or to harm those on the other side. While any country has a right, and a duty, to control its borders and determine who may enter, Israels barriers are not about politics. If you find yourself claiming that all walls are immoral so as to make a rhetorical point about Trump, you might do well to remember that Israels fences are a matter of life and death, and not a referendum on your least favorite politician.

Jonathan S. Tobin is editor in chief of JNSJewish News Syndicate. Follow him on Twitter at: @jonathans_tobin.
(JNS)Over the past several weeks, much discussion has been made about the events last spring on the border between Israel and the Gaza Strip. Many have equivocated the actions of violent rioters inspired by Hamas (a terrorist organization) and those of Israels soldiers charged with defending the sovereignty of a liberal democracy. This abhorrent argument demonstrates a false moral equivalence and, above all, misses the context of the events.

Last spring, Hamas-inspired rioters gathered on the Gazan side of the border fence with Israel in what was billed as the Great March of Return. With such a provocative name, the question bears asking: a return to where?

The answer that much of the media believed is to their ancestral homelands. This is a politically correct euphemism for saying: to destroy Israel.

Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was more explicit: to tear down their [Israels] border and tear out [Israelis] hearts. In carrying out this directive, a group of rioters that briefly managed to infiltrate into Israel were brandishing butcher knives and shouting Jews, were coming to slaughter you!

And therein lies the blunt truth of Hamas: It is driven by a hatred of the Jewish people and seeks the destruction of the Jewish state. In short, it is one of the most anti-Semitic organizations in the world.

This statement is not hyperbole or intended for fear-mongering. It is a recognition of fact, both in word and deed.

In word, Hamass charter infamously calls for the destruction of Israel, and its leaders have regularly stated that they love death as the Jews love life.

In action, Hamas has turned the Gaza Strip into a launching pad from which to realize its genocidal ambitions. When Israel unilaterally pulled every soldier and civilian out of the Strip in the 2005 disengagement, the Palestinians had the opportunity to govern themselves and prove to Israel and the world that they could exist alongside the Jewish state in peace.

Yet Hamas seized power and increased its rocket attacks against Israel. In response, Israel, as well as Egypt, imposed a naval blockade to prevent the terror organization from acquiring weapons from foreign supporters such as Iran, its primary sponsor. Israel also constructed a fence along the border to protect its civilian communities in the south; Egypt would soon do the same to prevent infiltration from the Sinai Peninsula.

In the more than 10 years it has ruled the Gaza Strip, Hamas has done nothing to improve the lives of the Palestinians under its control. Instead, it has stolen international aid to fund its terrorist agenda, kidnapped Israeli soldiers and civilians, launched thousands of rockets and dug attack tunnels into neighboring Israeli communities, all while using the people of Gaza as human shields.

Which brings us to the riots.

Many try to claim that these were nonviolent protests, which is objectively false. Others try to paint the image that these events were another demonstration of Palestinian nationalismakin to something like a state fair in Americato suggest an innocent, care-free excursion, which is grossly misleading. Nonviolent protestors do not carry knives, wire-cutters and improvised firebombs. Hamas co-founder Mahmoud al-Zahar even said this characterization was intentionally deceptive as the riots were not a peaceful resistance.

Is there any clearer indication of intent? When a Hamas official publicly stated that more than 80 percent of the rioters killed in a two-day period were terrorist operatives, it became inexcusable to believe that these riots were peaceful demonstrations. The world could no longer ignore what Israel had known all along: These riots were simply a different tactic of the next battle in Hamass ongoing war against Israel and the Jewish people.

When faced with a similar situationin which tens of thousands of rioters inspired by a terrorist organization rush its border, wielding weapons and proudly proclaiming their intent to kill its civilianswhat nation would not take all necessary measures to defend its sovereignty and protect its people?

Maybe those who believe that these were simply protesters would have preferred hundreds of rioters had broken through the fence and massacred innocent Israelis before the Israel Defense Forces took action. If Israel has to choose between saving the lives of Israelis or appeasing morally bankrupt audiences, we will always choose life.

Danny Danon is Israels ambassador to the United Nations.
Rivkah Carl, a native of Teaneck, N.J., is one of the Jewish teachers at Pierce's unique Jewish high school program.

ATHENS-In a small, nondescript classroom in Greece's capital city, 10 Jewish eighth-graders study a biblical text about Jacob and Esau under the guidance of Rivkah Carl, a Jewish teacher from Teaneck, New Jersey.

The students chatter loudly in Greek among themselves, though the language of instruction is English. In an adjacent classroom, nine kids-each wearing headphones and sitting in front of computer monitors-listen as their Israeli instructor teaches them Hebrew.

But this is no Jewish school. In Athens' dwindling Jewish community, now at about 3,000 members, there simply aren't enough children to support a Jewish middle or high school.

So community leaders came up with a unique solution: a special Jewish track at the prestigious American College of Greece, a private school founded by Christian missionaries in 1875 with a middle school and high school division called the Pierce School.

"We are very happy to have this program here in Greece," said Nina Negrin, whose 12-year-old daughter, Melina, attends the school. "For many years there was no continuation of Jewish education after age 12. Anything to do with Judaism just stopped suddenly. Now they continue their Jewish education and they stay together. These things are very important to us, not only as parents but also as members of the Jewish community."

The project, known as the Pierce Jewish Studies Program, combines Jewish studies with informal educational activities like field trips to nearby synagogues. Melina and her class took a day trip recently to the synagogue in Chalkida, a charming town north of Athens on the island of Evia. Next up was a visit to Rhodes to learn about the island's rich Jewish history.

Now in its second year, the program represents an innovative approach to a problem faced by many small Jewish communities in Europe: how to keep Jewish education alive in cities where stand-alone Jewish high schools aren't practical or possible due to the small size or relative secularity of the local Jewish community.

"As Jewish communities like ours get smaller, there needs to be some way to continue Jewish education without necessarily having your own Jewish school," said Minos Moissis, president of the Jewish Community of Athens.

The need for the program in Athens was particularly acute. Economic hardship and violence-from the far left and the extreme right-have led growing numbers of Greek Jews to emigrate over the past decade. Moreover, Greek public schools require the study of Greek Orthodox Christian texts and prayers; Jews are excused only if they publicly declare their Jewish identity in the classroom. That's a tall order for 12-year-olds in a country with the highest levels of anti-Semitism in Europe, according to the Anti-Defamation League.

The Jewish track at Pierce both shields the students from this challenge and offers Jewish education beyond primary school.

The program, nicknamed the Athens Project, has 32 students enrolled.

"The Athens Jewish community only has a primary school. After that, kids lose their connections, so we're trying to find ways to keep them together until they're at least 18," said Iakovos Atoun, the community's director of Jewish studies.

The Jewish program would not have been possible without the impetus of businessman and philanthropist Ronald Lauder, the World Jewish Congress president who in 2017 challenged the Athens community to develop the program and then put up the money to support it.

The Ronald S. Lauder Foundation, which subsidizes tuition for the Jewish students at Pierce, also supports the Lauder Jewish Community School of Athens, a primary school located in the upscale suburb of Paleo Psichiko, and an online Jewish learning program with some 150 students of all ages.

"If this gift hadn't come through, the majority of our kids would have ended up going to public school," said Joanna Nahmias, a member of the Lauder School's board of directors. "There they would have to stand up in a class of 30 children, completely unprotected, say 'I'm Jewish' and explain why they're not going to say the morning prayers."

At Pierce, instead of Jesus or Virgin Mary portraits-common in Greek classrooms-there are portraits of famous American novelists like John Steinbeck and Ernest Hemingway.

The American College of Greece is the oldest and largest U.S.-accredited college or university in Europe. Its Pierce division, which starts in the seventh grade, is considered one of the country's best private high schools. It's also one of the few that does not hold classes on Saturdays.

Besides math, physics, chemistry, literature, Greek and English, the Jewish kids at Pierce study Hebrew, Jewish history and Jewish traditions. The Jewish subjects come in two hours of instruction twice a week at the end of the regular school day.

The program includes two subsidized Israel trips: an 11-day tour of the country the summer after sixth grade, and another one during high school to give Greek kids shopping for universities an opportunity to explore schools in Israel.

But emigration to Israel is not the ultimate goal, Nahmias says.

"Israel and Greece are becoming very strong business partners-in energy, defense and agriculture," she said. "If these children know how to speak Hebrew, they'll have an advantage over everyone else."

Greek Jews are going through a challenging period. The country is still reeling from the 2009 financial crisis, which pushed unemployment rates above 25 percent, nearly forced Greece out of the Eurozone and ravaged the life savings of millions of Greeks - including many previously wealthy Jews.

"Our community had always been self-sustaining," Nahmias said. "Over the years we've donated more than $40 million to Israel. But then suddenly wealthy, prominent Jews started needing aid because their businesses went bankrupt."

She recalled how widows would sell their late husbands' gold rings to raise money for the Jewish primary school.

The financial crisis coincided with a surge in nativist sentiment and anti-Semitism. The neo-Nazi Golden Dawn party captured 7 percent of the vote in the September 2015 parliamentary elections, and a 2014 ADL survey found that 68 percent of Greeks harbor anti-Semitic attitudes-the highest levels of any country in Europe.

Due to emigration, the Jewish primary school is now down to 98 students, from 141 in 2013.

To keep the school viable, the community voted 10 years ago to open enrollment to any child with at least one Jewish parent. Over half the school's students come from interfaith marriages.

Nevertheless, more than 90 percent of graduates from the Jewish primary school enroll in the Jewish track at Pierce-an astonishing rate given the highly assimilated nature of Greece's Jewish community. The special partnership between Pierce and the Jewish community ensures that the Jewish kids get spots at the competitive school, and tuition subsidies from the Lauder Foundation of 25 to 100 percent ensure they can afford it.

Larry Luxner Jewish middle and high school students in the Pierce Jewish Studies Program at the American College of Greece in Athens study Hebrew using online software.

"Before this program started, the Lauder Foundation told us, 'If you have a good idea about how to keep your youth connected, we're willing to invest money in that,'" recalled Atoun, the director of Jewish studies. "But it was very difficult to build a new high school only for Jewish children. The only other option was to incorporate the students into an existing, reputable school, but also give them some Jewish education."

Ultimately, Atoun said, the project is about ensuring a Jewish future in Greece.

"If we don't help our children to develop a strong, proud Jewish identity we will lose them, and that will be the end of our community," Atoun said.

"We didn't survive here in Greece for 2,000 years through challenges and tragedies only to have our Jewish future slip from our hands. We're working hard to make sure that Jews in Greece have not just a great past, but a great future."

This article was sponsored by and produced in partnership with the Ronald S. Lauder Foundation, which works to strengthen the future of Jewish life in Europe through supporting excellent Jewish schools. This article was produced by JTA's native content team.
The Roth Family Jewish Community Center of Greater Orlando and Writer's Block Bookstore of Winter Park present the Central Florida Jewish Book Festival on Feb. 10 and 12. These events are part of a national network of programming sponsored by the Jewish Book Council.

This highly popular community-wide event brings together prominent and emerging Jewish writers and non-Jewish writers with Jewish interest subject matter in literature, the arts, philosophy, theology, history and current events to speak during this multi-day literary experience.

The first guest of the Book Festival is Rabbi Leah Rachel Berkowitz, author of "The World Needs Beautiful Things." Story time with the author and children's craft will be at 11 a.m. at The Roth Family JCC. This event is sponsored by PJ Library.

Berkowitz is a graduate of Brandeis University and Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. She has written extensively for adults and teens about Judaism, spirituality, and women's experiences. This is her first book for children.

A panel discussion on historical fiction with authors B.A. Shapiro and Marie Benedict will be held Feb. 12, 7-9 p.m.

Shapiro will discuss "The Collector's Apprentice," a story set in 1922 Paris of intrigue, fake identity and murder. It is a story abaout how we see only what we choose to see, both in art and in life.

B. A. Shapiro

Shapiro is the author of seven novels, including the award-winning New York Times bestseller The Art Forger and The Muralist, a national bestseller. She has taught sociology at Tufts University and creative writing at Northeastern University. She lives in Boston with her husband, Dan, and their dog, Sagan.

Marie Benedict will discuss "The Only Woman in the Room," a story about Hedy Lamarr.

Benedict is a lawyer with more than 10 years' experience as a litigator at two of the country's premier law firms. She is a magna cum laude graduate of Boston College with a focus in History and Art History, and a cum laude graduate of the Boston University School of Law. She has written a narratively connected series of historical novels-"The Other Einstein," "Carnegie's Maid," and "The Only Woman in the Room."

Tickets to these events can be purchased at https://orlandojcc.org/arts-culture/book-festival.
Gov. Ron DeSantis appoints Judge Robert Luck to the Florida Supreme Court during an announcement at Scheck Hillel Community School in North Miami Beach.

(JTA)-A Jewish judge in Miami was named to the Florida Supreme Court at the Jewish day school where he attended kindergarten, finishing the ceremony by reciting a Jewish prayer.

The appointment of Robert Luck, 39, was announced Monday at the Scheck Hillel Community School in North Miami Beach. Luck's children attend the school.

Florida's new governor, Ron DeSantis, was on hand for the announcement, which featured a large Israeli flag displayed behind the lectern, The Associated Press reported.

Luck, who now serves on the 3rd District Court of Appeal, is the first Jewish justice appointed to Florida's highest court in 20 years, according to the Miami Herald.

Luck, known as a conservative, is a former Miami federal prosecutor and Circuit Court judge.

He recited a blessing from the Amidah prayer, Politico reported: "You grace humans with wisdom and teach humanity perception. Bestow upon us Your knowledge, insight and understanding. Blessed are you the grantor of wisdom."

The Zionist Organization of America praised the appointment, saying Luck "strongly respects the rule of law and will not be an 'activist' judge who ignores what the framers and legislators intended."
(JNS)-U.S. President Donald Trump's pick to become attorney general has elicited mixed reviews from Jewish groups.

William Barr, who served in the same role under the late President George H.W. Bush, is scheduled to face the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday and Wednesday.

"We endorse his nomination for attorney general. We know that he has exhibited sensitivity to protecting religious rights in the workplace," National Council of Young Israel president Farley Weiss told JNS. "He is clearly very well-qualified having previously been attorney general. We look forward to working with him."

Progressive groups such as Bend the Arc: Jewish Action and the Jewish Democratic Council of America expressed opposition.

"The attorney general must be an independent voice for the rule of law, a role that is more important today than ever before given President Trump's authoritarian behavior," Rabbi Jason Kimelman-Block, Washington director of Bend the Arc, told JNS. "William Barr's deeply troubling views on executive power, racial justice, immigrant rights, religious freedom, reproductive justice and LGBTQ rights raise serious doubts about his commitment to equality under the law."

"As the Senate begins confirmation hearings this week, JDCA has deep concerns with William Barr's nomination as U.S. attorney general," the organization told JNS. "Specifically, we are concerned about his lack of transparency with Congress and willingness to adhere to rule of law as it relates to holding President Trump fully accountable for possible violations of the law. The independence of the attorney general and the Department of Justice must be paramount."

However, organizations such as the Republican Jewish Coalition and Agudath Israel disagreed, and instead applauded the nomination.

"The RJC congratulates William Barr and the president on this fantastic choice," RJC spokesperson Neil Strauss told JNS. "Mr. Barr is highly qualified, having served with distinction as President George H.W. Bush's attorney general. Barr has received praise from Republicans and Democrats alike; Joe Biden even called Barr a 'heck of an honorable guy.'"

"Agudath Israel of America congratulates President Trump on his nomination of William Barr to serve as the next attorney general of the United States," the group said in a statement published by Baltimore Jewish Life.

"From 1991 to 1993, Mr. Barr served as attorney general in the administration of President George H.W. Bush, and Agudath Israel had occasion to work closely with him on issues of concern to the Orthodox Jewish community," they added. "He proved himself to be a great champion of religious liberty, as he took a leadership role in protecting the civil rights of Orthodox Jewish communities that were encountering harassment and discrimination."

Accepting an award from Agudath Israel in 1992, Barr said: "Freedom of religion requires not only freeing religion from undue government regulation and interference. It also requires freeing religion from discrimination and from vile acts of hatred and persecution. That is why I am so concerned by instances of anti-religious activities and hate crime, and particularly by the increasing level of anti-Semitic incidents in this country. The Anti-Defamation League reports that 1991 was the fifth consecutive year of increased anti-Semitic acts nationwide."

Although he is likely to be grilled by the Judiciary Committee about his remarks on Special Counsel Robert Mueller's probe of possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia in 2016, Barr is expected to be confirmed with bipartisan support.
Meir Malka (l) with Jordan Miles at the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem when they presented artwork from the Sister Cities to the embassy.

Workers busy with new road construction in Beit Shemesh, Israel, have uncovered remains of a city from the time of the first Temple. The Sister City program of Cocoa, Florida and Beit Shemesh invites the community to learn more about these exciting new finds at its annual membership gala, on Monday, Jan. 28 from 5:30-8 p.m. at the Central Life Church (behind Temple Beth Sholom), 5995 N. Wickham Road.

After a light supper of Israeli food and live Israeli music, guest speaker Meir Malka from Beit Shemesh will illustrate new archaeological discoveries at Tel Beit Shemesh, of the ancient city of Beit Shemesh from the time of the Kings.

"A three-hundred-member team is working hard over the next six months to excavate the ancient Beit Shemesh city," said Malka, a life-time resident of Beit Shemesh and retired director of the Keren Shemesh Foundation. He said another great discovery is a beautiful mosaic floor in a Byzantine church from the time of the Emperor Justinian.

"The stones do talk," said Malka. "You just have to listen very carefully. There are so many mysteries that I would like to share with you. I can't wait to tell you the stories that have been hiding for over 2000 years."

Malka has visited Brevard multiple times. He recalled his first visit in 2005 when he met with the Jewish Federation and others. A new video that salutes his efforts and outlines the history of the organization, "Why Sister City?" will be shown.

For 2019 Sister City plans a Purim celebration in March and will welcome Israeli scouts in June. Other activities include upcoming trips to Israel. The event is free and open to the public.
(JTA)The Southern Poverty Law Center and a major Reform synagogue in New York have disassociated themselves from this years Womens March.

Top leaders of the main organization have been accused of engaging in or condoning anti-Semitism, of not cutting ties with Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan and of failing to heed the concerns of its thousands of Jewish backers.

Jen Fuson, a spokeswoman for the Alabama-based SPLC, told the Daily Beast that other projects were a priority. She said the organization would be involved in local marches where they have offices, however.

SPLC has designated the Nation of Islam as a hate group, but did not specifically cite this as a reason for leaving the national march.

The Daily Beast also noted that EMILYs List does not appear on the list of Womens March 2019 partners and that the National Council of Jewish Women told The New York Jewish Week last week that it would not be a partner in this years march.

Stephen Wise Free Synagogue Senior Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch announced Friday that his New York-based congregation will disassociate from Womens March Inc., and that it will join the 2019 Womens March On NYC under the auspices of the Womens March Alliance.

As early as 2017 we heard rumblings of troubling accusations of anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism within and amongst the leadership of the Washington march, Hirsch said in a statement. At the time we pushed our discomfort aside in deference to what we considered the bigger issues threatening our country. But now, in the aftermath of Pittsburgh and mindful of the surge in anti-Semitic incidents in the past two years, anti-Semitism can no longer be a narrow concern. If you tolerate or are sympathetic to those who are prejudiced against Jews, we cannot stand with you. If you deny Israels right to exist, we cannot stand with you.
(JTA)Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Florida would take action against Airbnb for its decision to remove listings of rooms and homes for rent in West Bank Jewish settlements.

Airbnb announced in November 2018 that it would remove the listings of some 200 apartments and homes for rent in Jewish settlements in the West Bank, but not in Palestinian communities, and said that it consulted with experts to learn about the historical disputes in the region in order to make a decision about whether it should be doing business in the occupied territories.

DeSantis said on Tuesday that the state would suspend the use of Airbnb for state-paid travel, and would consider preventing the states pension fund from investing in Airbnb. The company is not currently publicly traded but reportedly is planning to go public as early as June 2019, or at least by 2020, according to trade publications.

We have a moral obligation to oppose the Airbnb policy; it does target Jews specifically, said DeSantis.

DeSantis announcement is part of a steady campaign to curry favor with the states large Jewish community. On Monday he announced a Jewish judge as his selection to sit on the States Supreme Court during a news conference at a local Miami Jewish day school, where he also announced that he would travel with a state delegation to Israel in May. He recently announced more money to pay for security at Florida Jewish schools.

Airbnb operates in 191 countries and regions and more than 81,000 cities. A brief check on its website on Wednesday shows that rentals in West Bank Jewish settlements remain listed.

Israelis Minister of Strategic Affairs Gilad Erdan praised DeSantis announcement, calling it an important decision that will embolden the fight against anti-Semitic boycott organizations. We will continue to act in all possible ways to nullify the bigoted decision discriminating against citizens of the State of Israel and harming them financially because of where they live.

Erdan, who heads a committee of Israeli government ministers charged with countering the Airbnb decision, last month sent letters to five governors in the United States, including DeSantis, urging them to express their opposition to the Airbnb decision and to take economic measures against the company.

The Christians United for Israel, or CUFI, Action Fund on Tuesday issued a statement supporting DeSantis announcement, saying in a statement that: State and local governments should continue to take decisive measures to limit Airbnbs ability to operate unless and until this bigoted policy is reversed.
WASHINGTON (JTA)-Kamala Harris, the junior senator from California, is reportedly set to announce her bid for the Democratic presidential nod.

Harris, 54, is a progressive on most issues who draws some ire from the left for her tough-on-crime posture when she was California's attorney general. She pleased Democratic hearts, meanwhile, with her tough treatment of President Donald Trump's second Supreme Court nominee, Brett Kavanaugh, during his Senate confirmation last year.

The daughter of a mother who immigrated from India and a father who immigrated from Jamaica, Harris has some Jewish nuggets in her history.

She smashed a glass at her wedding

She met her Jewish husband, Douglas Emhoff, on a blind date in San Francisco, arranged by friends. They married in 2014-Harris' sister Maya officiated-and smashed a glass to honor Emhoff's upbringing. It was her first marriage and his second-Emhoff has two children from his first marriage.

You thought Jews can be parochial? "Most eligible Indian American bachelorette marries fellow lawyer" is how one Indian American media outlet reported the story.

Emhoff took the Washington, D.C. bar exam in 2017 so he could work in the same city.

Emhoff's Twitter feed is pretty much "I love my wife" all the time (take that, Kellyanne and George Conway).

She did the blue box thing

"So having grown up in the Bay Area, I fondly remember those Jewish national fund boxes that we would use to collect donations to plant trees for Israel," she said at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee in 2017. "Years later when I visited Israel for the first time, I saw the fruits of that effort and the Israeli ingenuity that has truly made a desert bloom."

No mention why Harris was a blue box girl growing up-and Google was no help. JTA has put a query into her office.

She's more AIPAC than J Street

Since being elected in 2016, Harris has spoken twice at the annual policy conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. Her 2018 speech, with the California delegation, was off the record (itself not unusual, although critics of Israel were unnerved), but she gave a good picture of where she stands in her 2017 speech.

She's for two states-so is AIPAC, although, sometimes less than emphatically-but she doesn't believe in big-footing either side.

"I believe that a resolution to this conflict cannot be imposed," she said. "It must be agreed upon by the parties themselves."

More than half of the Democratic caucus in the Senate gets the endorsement of J Street, the Jewish liberal lobbying group that believes pressure is necessary to start peace talks. J Street did not endorse Harris. Her only association with the group was in November 2017, when she was one of 17 local and federal politicians on the host committee (i.e., "yes you can stick my name on the invitation") of a party thrown by J Street's Los Angeles chapter. She also met a year ago in her office with the group's director, Jeremy Ben-Ami.

Harris also co-sponsored a Senate resolution in early 2017 that essentially rebuked the Obama administration for allowing through a U.S. Security Council resolution condemning Israel's settlement policies.

She supported the Iran nuclear deal, although she was not a senator in 2015 when Congress voted on it, and is on the record opposing the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement targeting Israel.

Harris also digs Israel's Supreme Court building

"The beauty of the architecture and spirit of design left a lasting impression-the straight lines in the building represent the immutable nature of truth, while the curved glass and walls were built to represent the fluid nature of finding justice," she told the J. The Jewish News of Northern California in 2016. "The Court, like Israel, is a beautiful home to democracy and justice in a region where radicalism and authoritarianism all too often shape government."

She's big on tackling hate crimes

Harris created a hate crimes unit as San Francisco District Attorney and made hate crimes a focus of her work as the state's attorney general. (Harris reported that in 2012 anti-Jewish hate crimes were the most commonplace religion-based hate crime.)

One of her first successful Senate actions was to get passed a non-binding Senate resolution that named religious institutions as possible targets of hate crimes, and urged better hate crime reporting, a key demand of Jewish civil rights groups over the years.

Her big sisters are Jewish

Well, in political terms, anyway. In October 2016, she got key endorsements from the state's two Jewish senators-Barbara Boxer, who was retiring and whom Harris would replace, and Dianne Feinstein, the state's senior senator. This was important because in California's "jungle primary" system the two top vote-getters in the primaries get on the November ballot even if they are of the same party. Harris was facing a popular Democrat, Rep. Loretta Sanchez, in the general election.
Courtney Shapiro Photography In her welcome remarks, Loren London used an umbrella to illustrate the symbiotic relationship between the Federation, local Jewish organizations and the community.

For its 25th installment, Choices, the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando's signature women's philanthropy event, returned to the simple elegance that marked its beginning, with a festive cocktail hour followed by a seated dinner at Congregation Ohev Shalom in Maitland.

The 250 women and men in attendance were welcomed to Choices 2019 by Loren London, the woman who brought Choices to Orlando 25 years ago. London is also the first Harriet Ginsburg Woman of Choice Award winner.

London, the founder and director of the Federation's RAISE program for adults with special needs, kicked off her discussion by focusing on the evening's theme, Celebrating Women's Empowerment.

"To me, a conversation about empowerment begins with recalling the generations of women in Central Florida upon whose shoulders we stand," she told the crowd. "By attending tonight's 25th Choices, we honor those who paved the way as we exercise our strength in support as we continue to stand up for women."

London then asked various groups of women to stand up and remain standing based on their work, philanthropy, volunteerism and other involvement in Jewish causes. By the time she reached the end of her list, every woman in the room was standing, a testament to the contributions all have made to the Jewish community.

After dinner, attendees heard from Michelle Sheplan and Dori Gerber, both alumni of the Jewish Women's Renaissance Project Momentum trips to Israel, which are underwritten in part by the Federation in collaboration with SPARK. Both Sheplan and Gerber spoke passionately about how the Israel trips touched their lives and inspired them to get more deeply involved in the Greater Orlando Jewish community.

Sheplan said the personal connection she made with the other women on the trip is a testament to the common ideals shared by Jewish women.

"As the trip unfolded, each of the women in our group became more and more open and vulnerable... sharing bits and pieces of our personal stories of what makes us who we are," Sheplan said.

"And while we are all from different backgrounds with different experiences, we are ultimately so similar in that we, and all the women in this room, are the glue that binds our families as well as this Central Florida Jewish community together."

Gerber echoed that sentiment, characterizing the eight-day trip as a life-altering journey.

"The experiences I had on that trip helped to elevate the Jewish practices my family and I share in our home since my return," Gerber said. The trip "helped to change the trajectory of my career in education and my contribution to Jewish education and advocacy work."

As a result of the connections she made during the trip, Gerber got involved with, among other organizations, the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, which is the hub for 16 national Jewish agencies and more than 125 local Jewish Community Relations Councils, including the Orlando JCRC, which is a committee of the Federation. Gerber currently is the co-chair of the Orlando JCRC.

The evening's featured speaker, Lynn "Moira" Dictor, was a big hit with the audience, her trademark wit on full display while sharing her take on women's empowerment through the eyes of "Orlando's favorite Jewish mother."

Federation staff said Dictor's talk was pitch-perfect and made for a fitting end to the evening.

Courtney Shapiro Photography Lynn "Moira" Dictor kept the audience in stitches.

"The feedback we received after Choices was overwhelmingly positive," said Choices coordinator Marisa West, JFGO's office manager. "We really seemed to capture the right mix of socializing and fundraising, and Moira's presentation left the women smiling and laughing as they headed home."

The Presenting Sponsor for Choices 2019 was Orlando Health Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies, which provided healthcare literature and a few goodies for attendees to take home. President Kelly Nierstedt also spoke to the crowd, emphasizing the importance of preventive health care strategies for women.

Ruby Sponsors for Choices 2019 were Krise Wealth Management Group of Raymond James and Florida Cancer Specialists.

More photos from Choices 2019 can be viewed at http://www.jfgo.org/choices.
Executive director of the Palestine Right to Return Coalition Abbas Hamideh poses with Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) at a swearing-in ceremony and private dinner in Detroit on Jan. 12, 2019.

(JNS)-Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) met with Abbas Hamideh, a Palestinian activist who has said that Israel is a "terrorist entity," over the weekend.

"I was honored to be at Congresswoman @RashidaTlaib swearing in ceremony in #Detroit and private dinner afterward with the entire family, friends and activists across the country. #Palestine #TweetYourThobe #RashidaTlaib," Hamideh tweeted.

Hamideh, executive director of the U.S.-based Palestine Right to Return Coalition, has equated Zionists to Nazis, said Israel has a "delusional ISIS-like ideology" and labeled the nation's founding a "crime."

The meeting on Saturday sparked condemnation from the pro-Israel community.

"Unfortunately, we really aren't surprised. Tlaib is turning out to be the exact person we were warning she is. What is perhaps the worst part about this is, Democrats won't do a single thing about it, nor will Democratic Jewish groups," Republican Jewish Coalition spokesperson Neil Strauss told JNS. "And it's all because they're afraid to stand up to their rabidly anti-Israel, far-left base."

However, the Jewish Democratic Council of America slammed Tlaib and Hamideh.

"JDCA stands unequivocally against Abbas Hamideh's radical record and his extremist anti-Israel views which should be condemned by all," the organization told JNS. "Since August of last year, JDCA has repeatedly stated our strong policy disagreements with Rep. Rashida Tlaib and we urge her to make clear where she stands with regard to Abbas Hamideh."

Max Samarov, StandWithUs executive director of Research and Campus Strategy, told JNS: "It is disturbing that a member of Congress would pose with an extremist who glorified child murderer Samir Kuntar as a 'legendary Hezbollah martyr.' Political leaders should not associate with racists or supporters of terrorism."

Christians United for Israel "has decided that we are not going to dignify Rep. Tlaib's steady drumbeat of appalling statements and actions with a response," spokesperson Ari Morgenstern told JNS.

Zionist Organization of America president Mort Klein told JNS that his organization "condemns Rashida Tlaib for meeting with a fellow anti-Semite seeking Israel's destruction, Abbas Hamideh, founder of Al-Awda-The Palestine Right of Return Coalition. This [is] further evidence of her hatred of Jews and the Jewish state of Israel."

"Tlaib supports BDS and openly calls for the replacement of Israel by an Arab-dominated state, thus seeking to deny Jews the sovereign independence she demands for Palestinian Arabs," he continued. "She lies about Israel, claiming it discriminates against those 'darker skinned.'"

"The ZOA urges Democratic Congressional leaders Senator Charles Schumer (DN.Y.), Speaker of the House Rep. Nancy Pelosi (DCalif.) and other Democrats to condemn Tlaib for her vicious anti-Israel words and deeds," he added.

Last week, in response to a bill in the Senate that includes combating the anti-Israel BDS movement, Tlaib attacked Republican lawmakers and opponents of BDS by tweeting: "They forgot what country they represent."

She continued, "This is the U.S. where boycotting is a right & part of our historical fight for freedom & equality. Maybe a refresher on our U.S. Constitution is in order, then get back to opening up our government instead of taking our rights away."
(JTA)Manny Yekutiel opened his eponymous Mannys in November, calling the Middle Eastern cafe and restaurant in downtown San Francisco a civic social gathering space. His goal for the Mission District eatery was to create a central, accessible and affordable place to go to become a better informed and more involved citizen, he told the San Francisco Examiner.

Mannys has earned praise for hosting talks with speakers on issues ranging from Black Lives Matter to urban sustainability.

But Yekutiel, who is Jewish, is being protested weekly, accused of espousing racist, Zionist, pro-Israel ideals. His cafe has been vandalized and painted with anti-Semitic and anti-Israel slogans, according to reports.

The Lucy Parsons Project, a self-described radical black queer direct action group fighting anti-blackness in the Bay Area, in December called on the public to boycott Mannys and its woke-washing of the Mission.

In a letter to the media, the project said the proprietor of Mannys, Emmanuel Yekutiel, has unequivocally espoused racist, Zionist, pro-Israel ideals that we will not tolerate or accept in our community.  We will not tolerate gentrifiers and Zionists attempts at invading and destroying our community through woke-washing!!

Other groups that have participated in the anti-Mannys protests include the Black and Brown Social Club, Gay Shame and the Brown Berets.

Yekutiel reportedly has met nearly all the requirements of United to Save the Mission, a coalition of more than a dozen neighborhood nonprofits and activist groups. They include bilingual signage and staff, moderate prices (a cup of coffee is $1.75) and food prepared by a nonprofit employing homeless, formerly incarcerated and low-income community members, who earn all the food revenue. Community groups can use the space for free. He was asked to have awnings to make it more welcoming for Latino families, but has not installed them, according to The Mission Local.

Yekutiels belief in the Jewish States right to exist is, it seems, the only accurate allegation made against him, columnist Joe Eskenazi wrote Monday in the Mission Local.

While he supports Israels right to exist and celebrates the Jewish state, Yekutiel has said he does not support everything the Israeli government does and disagrees with its treatment of the Palestinians.

His father fled Afghanistan for Israel, according to the San Francisco Examiner.

The cafe has a mezuzah on the door, the Forward reported.
In 2005 a miracle happened in Israel, albeit with a technological assist. Sisters Hana Katz and Klara Bleier were reunited 61 years after being separated in the Budapest ghetto, each having survived the war thinking herself the only one.

Decades later they both deposited testimony with Yad Vashem and, with the help of a new computerized database, realized that they were in fact not alone. As fate would have it, Hana and Klara had both settled in Israel and raised families a mere 45 miles apart.

While most survivor reunion stories are not quite as dramatic as Hana and Klara's, postwar family reunions are an emblematic Holocaust narrative, weaving together the anguish of loss with the bittersweet shock of reunion.

I couldn't help but think of their reunion when I watched the hit 2018 documentary "Three Identical Strangers," now short-listed for an Academy Award in the Documentary category. The film tells the story of triplets separated at birth, raised by three different families, and reunited as young men. "Three Identical Strangers" is absolutely compelling, in part because it carries within it surprising, discomfiting echoes of stories like Klara and Hana's. I knew enough about the triplets that just putting in the DVD filled me with a sense of dread. What I wasn't prepared for was the disappointing way the film minimizes the deep Jewishness of the story.

(Spoilers ahead) In 1961, identical triplets were born to a single Jewish mother. The boys were placed in three different adoptive homes; none of the families were told about the existence of the other two brothers. A chance encounter at college in 1980 sparked a family reunion that made national headlines.

Even in the pre-internet age, it wasn't entirely unlikely the boys would find each other. The adoption agency had placed the boys within a 100-mile radius of each other, in part, one presumes, to facilitate psychiatrist Peter Neubauer's ongoing study of separated twins and triplets, a study in which the triplets had been placed without their consent.

Among the three fathers, it is David Kellman's who is portrayed as most unreservedly ecstatic about the discovery of two new biological brothers. In the words of Richard Kellman, also known as Bubala, "I have two more sons." Though it's only mentioned obliquely, we are made to understand that Richard Kellman is a Holocaust survivor, as are other members of the Kellman family. It's hard not to see Richard Kellman's joyful embrace of his two new "sons" as another iteration of postwar reunion, another chance to expand his family after decades apart, a point of view that might not be shared by the more American parents of the other boys.

And like those post-Holocaust reunions, this one, too, was haunted by the specter of Nazi cruelties, casting a shadow over what we usually think of as the safe, loving sanctuary of New York's very Jewish suburbs. Looking back on their placement in the study, triplet Robert Shafran is the one who says what the audience is thinking: "That's some Nazi shit." The thought that it was now Jews replaying this trauma on other Jews was what kept me from watching "Three Identical Strangers" until now.

The subjects of Neubauer's experiment were placed in the adoptive homes by Louise Wise Services, a social services agency founded in 1916 to connect Jewish orphans with new families. Louise Wise (nee Waterman) was educated at the Comstock Finishing School and even attended an Episcopalian Sunday school. Like other wealthy, educated women from highly assimilated, aristocratic German-Jewish families, Louise Waterman dedicated herself to improving the lot of the poor, especially her impoverished Eastern European coreligionists. These kinds of projects, while well meaning, also carried with them the paternalistic (or perhaps maternalistic) condescension of her class.

Unsurprisingly, when Louise Waterman started dating a young Hungarian-American rabbi named Stephen Wise, the Watermans did everything they could to thwart the match. They were unsuccessful, and Stephen and Louise Wise became the first co-equal Jewish power couple of the 20th century. In 1916 Louise revolutionized the care of Jewish orphans by founding the Free Synagogue Child Adoption Committee (later Louise Wise Services). Louise Wise Services would become so powerful that decades later, when the triplets' families were interviewing law firms to take on a potential lawsuit against them, the law firms turned them away, fearful that a suit against Louise Wise would sour the chances of any associates who wanted to adopt through them.

In one of the most haunting moments in the documentary, the families of the three boys descend on the offices of Louise Wise Services, the former Joseph Hodges Choate Mansion at 10-12 E. 94th St. in Manhattan. They demand information about the placements of the boys and the scientists who had been studying them for years. They get little in the way of answers and leave, dejected. By chance, one of the fathers runs back into the building to retrieve an umbrella. Doing so, he stumbles on the agency heads clinking champagne glasses, as if to toast their good luck at dodging a bullet.

This scene in particular shows how "Three Identical Strangers" is a story about power: the power of social service agencies to create, and destroy, families, as well as the power of the scientific establishment to turn human beings into subjects. One of the urgent questions raised by the movie is what, if anything, will it take to force the powerful to admit fault to the powerless?

That all the players in the triplets' story-social service agency, scientists, parents, babies, even the newspaper editor who broke the story-were themselves Jewish makes the whole thing even more disturbing. In this story, rather than conflict between Jews and non-Jews, the key distinctions fall along lines of social standing, education and class. Yet the filmmakers seemed reluctant to explore the deep, complicated Jewishness of the story.

Director Tim Wardle says in the commentary track that he's not Jewish, but his Jewish mother-in-law bought him a Yiddish dictionary to deal with the language he was encountering as he interviewed the families. Hearing that, I'm left to wonder what more we might have learned about the families had the story been told by someone from the inside-someone who spoke the language, as it were, of that time and place.

For a time the triplets ran a themed restaurant called Triplets Roumanian Restaurant in Soho. The restaurant is shown briefly in the movie, with clips of customers dancing raucously, the brothers at the center. It seems kind of bizarre, even for a novelty restaurant built around the triplets' sudden celebrity. What the movie doesn't tell you is that Triplets Roumanian Restaurant was based, almost note for note, on Sammy's Roumanian Steakhouse.

Sammy's Roumanian is an iconic Lower East Side restaurant that's still going strong today, "still loudly, raucously, endlessly, embracingly Jewish, a permanent underground bar mitzvah where Gentiles can act like Jews and Jews can act like themselves." The triplets had worked together at Sammy's before opening Triplets. According to an article written at the time, Triplets wasn't so much a throwback as ahead of the curve on the Jewish roots food movement.

"Syrup pitchers of schmaltz (rendered chicken fat) sit on each table, along with blue siphons of seltzer. The seltzer is essential for the egg creams diners with any appetite left mix up after dessert, using the traditional Fox's U-Bet chocolate syrup and milk."

One of the twins, Eddy Galland, is quoted saying, "I can't tell you how many times people say, 'I haven't eaten like this since my mother was alive, or since my grandmother was alive.'"

Knowing what we do about the trauma inflicted on the boys, and the way their real family and history was ripped away from them, their decision to open an Ashkenazi soul food restaurant is all the more poignant, if not heartbreaking. But the audience barely gets a peek inside the boys' complicated inner lives, especially the Jewish aspect. Instead of benefiting from an outsider's perspective, the story of "Three Identical Strangers" just feels incomplete, often frustratingly so.

Indeed, Wardle is clear that when it came to the inescapable comparisons to Nazi twin experimentation, "I didn't want to make it too explicit, I wanted the film to feel universal." Universality comes at a price. The audience is mostly left on its own to spin out the horrific implications of this very Jewish, ongoing, intergenerational trauma. I have to ask how a director can divorce a story like this one from its particulars and still do justice to its protagonists.

In 2019, when we're all so sensitive to who is entitled to use and profit from other cultures and stories, how is it still OK to whitewash a story as uniquely Jewish as the triplets?

This article originally appeared on Alma.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of JTA or its parent company, 70 Faces Media.
Almost every year during Passover, Rafi Layish's family would watch "The Prince of Egypt," an animated movie about the Exodus. He loved it.

"It was a really cool movie all around for animation, soundtrack," said Layish. It was also the inspiration for what he wanted to do with his future.

He loved the newspaper comics, too. "Pearls Before Swine" was one of his favorites. When he was a child, he and friends would spend hours drawing pages and pages of comics. And even today if he thinks of a funny gag that can be done in three or four panels, he'll draw it.

As animation changed from free-hand drawings in Disney cartoons to digital formats, Layish's interest grew.

"The movie 'Spiderman: Into the Spider-Verse' was a real game changer for me because it presents animation in a different way," he said. Now 21, Layish is in his fourth year at UCF, majoring in experimental animation. He hopes to one day be involved in the pre-production process-planning, sketching and story boarding for films and television.

It always helps to have a paying job doing what you love while on your way to your goal, or as Layish says it, "It's not the X on the map, but like the compass, something to follow, putting me on the track to where I'm going." Layish is the illustrator of a just published book, "Hidden Wings of the Time Keeper" by Briana R. Gilbert, the first in "the Contrary Collection" series.

Author Gilbert found him through Facebook. "She was looking for an illustrator for her book and I applied!" said Layish. "I like to create and enjoy creating characters and stories. But the thing is, I'm not a great writer. My strong suits are more toward the artistic side of it, so I'm always looking for people to collaborate with."

This collaborative team is working well. "She had solid ideas of art that she wanted," he said. So after several talks and many drawings they got on the same page (no pun intended). Layish plans to illustrate several more books with Gilbert in the Contrary Collection.

This isn't the first time Central Floridians have seen his work. Layish, who is the son of Nancy Layish of Maitland and Dan Layish of Orlando, grew up in Maitland. He attended the Hebrew Day School and Edgewater High School's engineering, science and technology magnate program. His family were members of Congregation Ohev Shalom. When Layish was in Scouting, his Eagle Scout project was to design a mural on a wall at Longwood Elementary School. An Eagle Scout project has to demonstrate qualities of leadership and management, so Layish couldn't just draw his mural. He recruited friends and family to help him with the project. He designed the work, sketched the outline on the wall and directed his helpers to "fill it in." The project was to raise money for Families in Transition, an organization the helps homeless children in Seminole County reach their educational potential.

Another Layish mural is on the wall on the second floor of the Hillel building on the UCF campus. According to Aaron Weil, CEO of Central Florida Hillel, it is a "one of a kind, iconic piece of art that is now the most photographed image in our building."

Rafi Layish

The iconic work came about because Rafi commented to Weil about the plain grey walls. "I asked him what he thought that we should do about it," Weil shared. "He answered that perhaps we could do a mural... It really encompasses the mission of Hillel through art, and specifically, through the eyes of student artist Rafi Layish."

The mural has been reprinted for holiday cards and email campaigns for Hillel.

Layish is currently working on his portfolio and would like to gain entry level professional experience and eventually move into the field of digital media. He is always looking for more "stuff to do" and posts his art through Instagram, @rafi.layish. His artwork can be seen at http://rafaellayish.foliohd.com

"Hidden Wings of the Time Keeper" is available at http://thecontrarycollection.com

"I'd like to see a movie come out with my name somewhere in the credits," Layish said with a big smile. It probably will happen.
By Moshe Phillips

Are you or a family member planning to go on Birthright in 2019? Are you looking for something more than the average Israel Experience? Here are some ideas on what to see if you chose to extend your trip and your mind. Dont give in to the critics of Israel who want you to leave Birthright and see the Palestinian point of view when you know almost nothing about the Jewish struggle to free Israel from British control in the first place.

Birthright may take you to the Kotel (Western Wall), the Sea of Galilee, the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial, and/or Masada and those are all worthwhile but there are other places to visit that will help you to understand the amazing history of the pioneers who fought the battles that allowed the modern State of Israel to be declared.

Below is a list of eight places to visit in Israel that will help you to develop a more accurate picture of the struggle to build the Jewish State.

Acre Prison

Acre Prison is where Zionist leader Zeev Jabotinsky and his comrades were imprisoned by the British in 1920 for defending Jewish neighborhoods in Jerusalem from Arab rioters. Later the British imprisoned Irgun and Stern Group underground fighters there. Several Zionist fighters were executed there by the British. The prison is perhaps best known for the 1947 escape of dozens of fighters during an underground raid that was depicted in Leon Uriss novel Exodus and the 1960 movie.

For more on Acre Prison go to http://www.akko.orgil/en/Old-Acre-The-Underground-Prisoners-Museum.

Museum of the Underground Prisoners

Another prison where the British held Irgun and LEHI soldiers was Jerusalems Central Prison in the Russian Compound. The museum there has significant exhibits that relate the stories of the heroes of the undergrounds. For more information go to http://allaboutjerusalem.com/museum/museum-underground-prisoner.

Etzel Museum

The Irgun was also known as the Etzel. This museum in Tel Aviv details the history the Irgun and the movements impact on the British decision to leave Eretz Israel as well as the groups combat role in the War of Independence.

For more information go to https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/etzel-museum.

LEHI Museum

The LEHI underground launched a campaign to force the British to leave Eretz Israel. Its founder Yair (Avraham) Stern had been a leader in the Irgun and formed the LEHI in order to fight the British at all costs. The LEHI museum is housed in the building where Stern was assassinated by the British in 1942. For more about the museum go to https://info.goisrael.com/en/lehi-museum-beit-yair-56971.

Menachem Begin Heritage Center

To better understand this founding father of Israel and leader of the Irgun there is simply no better place to visit than the Menachem Begin Heritage Center in Jerusalem.

For more about the center go to the centers website: https://www.begincenter.org.il/?lang=en.

Jabotinsky Institute

Zeev Jabotinsky was the Zionist leader that created a bold, new vision for Zionism after the death of Herzl The Jabotinsky Institute in Tel Aviv houses a museum dedicated to teaching about him (see http://en.jabotinsky.org/museum/about-the-museum/) and a intriguing special exhibit that spotlights the Af Al Pi illegal effort that rescued Jews from Nazi Europe and brought them Eretz Israel.

Tel Chai

Tel Chai was a settlement in the Galilee that was the site of a battle against Arab raiders in 1920. The Zionist hero Joseph Trumpeldor and seven other valiant defenders died in the defense of Tel Chai against a much larger force. Trumpeldor had been instrumental in forming the Jewish Legion during World War One. Jabotinsky named his Betar movement after Trumpledor. A large statue of a lion sits at the sight as does a museum at kibbutz Kfar Giladi.

Rosh Pina

Shlomo Ben Yosef is buried in Rosh Pina. Rosh Pina was an early Zionist settlement. In 1938 in response to attacks on Jews by Arab terrorists, Ben Yosef, a member of Betar and the Irgun, along with two companions organized a reprisal attack. They were subsequently arrested by the British. Ben Yosef was executed by the British at Acre prison.

A perfect book to bring along on your Birthright trip is Zev Golans Free Jerusalem Heroes, Heroines and Rogues Who Created the State of Israel (Geffen Publishing, 2003). Golans book will help to make your visits to the historic sights above much more meaningful.The book is well worth reading even if you have no plans to visit Israel anytime soon.

Moshe Phillips is the national director of Herut North Americas U.S. section. Herut is an international movement for Zionist pride and education. More information about Herut is available at https://www.herutna.org.
(JTA)J.B. Pritzkers great-grandfather slept in a train station on his first night in Chicago. Now his billionaire descendant is about to become the governor of Illinois.

Pritzker, a Jewish venture capitalist and Democrat, defeated the Republican incumbent, Bruce Rauner, in the November election. Pritzker was sworn in on Jan. 14.

He has an estimated net worth of more than $3 billion, but his family wasnt always rich. Appearing on David Axelrods podcast, The Axe Files, Pritzker said that his family fled pogroms in Ukraine in 1881 with the help of HIAS, the Jewish refugee aid group founded that year. HIAS made the news in October as the Jewish group vilified by the gunman in the Pittsburgh synagogue attack.

Pritzkers ancestors were sponsored by a family to settle in Clinton, Iowa, but quickly moved to Chicago.

But they arrived and then found out there were no jobs available in Clinton, Iowa, Pritzker said on the podcast hosted by Axelrod, a former Barack Obama aide. And so they said, Well, wheres the nearest big city so we can go find a job? And they pointed toward Chicago and so they got back on the train and came to Chicago.

Pritzker said that his great-grandfather, then around 9 years old, slept in the train station at first, then found a job selling the Chicago Tribune on street corners. His son and grandson, Pritzkers father, later became successful lawyers.
Uniontown, PA (15401)

Today

Scattered thunderstorms during the morning becoming more widespread this afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High near 75F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms likely. Low 67F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
Staff reports

The Herald-Mail

Paying for wall:

Someone stated in Feedback that if Trump wants his wall, then he should use the money the Democrats offered, then pay for the rest from his own bank account. He already donates his salary to government departments. However, using that callers logic, Pelosi, Schumer, Obama and Durbin voted for the Secure Fence Act of 2006 covering 700 miles. Durbin should have used his own money to cover the additional 300 miles he wanted, then the border would already be secured.

 Dawn Morrison, Hagerstown

Thanks for article on Dr. Allen Ditto:

Thank you, Janet Heim and The Herald-Mail, for a very interesting and ... well-written article about Dr. Allen Ditto.

 Eva Bihlear, Hagerstown

Let him give money to Trump:

I just read the comment by Kirk Blenard. I dont think I have ever been more angry in all my life. Today there are people being thrown out on the street with infants and small children because they cannot pay their rent. If this guy wants the wall so bad, then let him go and give money to Trump so Trump can build his wall. Youd have to build it 10 feet under ground and 10 feet above ground. You wake up.

 Sue Boyd, Hagerstown

Clinton not charged with collusion:

Chazz ... of course, Hillary wasnt charged with collusion, because collusion is not a crime. And, there are payoffs in Washington. It certainly is, when the media accuses the president of being mean when he serves McDonalds cheeseburgers. ... There are a lot of people who need to calm down in Washington  Youre right. Hillary wasnt charged with collusion because collusions not a crime.

 Shawn Moore, Chambersburg, Pa.

If the wall is bad:

To Mrs. Cummings: If the wall is bad, why did Obama, Pelosi, Schumer and Hillary vote for it in the past?

 Dennis Sanders, Hedgesville, W.Va.
Joel Shannon

The Herald-Mail

An Indiana school superintendent who allegedly used her own insurance to help a sick student faces multiple charges including insurance fraud.

Casey Smitherman  superintendent of Elwood Community Schools in Elwood, Indiana  was booked on charges of insurance fraud, identity deception and official misconduct on Wednesday and later released on bail, according to court records.

Smitherman says the charges come after she recently went to the home of a student who had missed school and saw he had symptoms of strep throat. After the student was refused treatment at a clinic, she took him to another one, this time saying he was her son.

"I am committed to this community and our students, and I regret if this action has undermined your trust in me," Smitherman said in a statement published by Fox 59. "From the beginning, my ultimate goal has been to provide the best environment for Elwood students growth physically, mentally and academically, and I remain focused on that purpose."

Smitherman had an Amoxicillin prescription filled for the 15-year-old student in her son's name, the station reports, citing court documents.

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Smitherman told police that she was concerned about the student when he was not at school earlier this month and that she had previously helped him by buying clothes for him and helping to clean his home, WISH-TV reports.

A claim for a medical visit where the boy was diagnosed with a sore throat was valued at $233, the station reports citing medical records.

In a Wednesday statement, Smitherman says she plans to enter a diversion program, which would allow for the dismissal of the charges if she avoids further arrests in the coming year.

Smitherman has received support from the school board's president.

Contributing: Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: School superintendent faces fraud charges for allegedly using own insurance to help ill student
Matthew Umstead

mumstead@herald-mail.com

MARTINSBURG, W.Va.  Valley Health announced Thursday that its new 40,000-square-foot medical building for Spring Mills in northern Berkeley County is expected to open early next year.

Estimated to cost a total of $17 million, the first floor of the two-story ambulatory care center will include urgent care and occupational health services, family medicine and medical imaging including womens imaging, the Winchester, Va.-based regional health care provider said in a news release.

The second floor will include office space and exam rooms for physician specialists in cardiology and surgical oncology.

The building is the first part of a three-phase project at the intersection of U.S. 11 and Campus Drive, where site preparation began in November. It will be across Campus Drive from the new WVU Medicine building.

Thirty percent of the patients that are served by Valley Health are West Virginia residents and 28 percent of the 5,600 employees who work at Valley Health are West Virginia residents, contributing millions of dollars to (the) West Virginia economy, Mark Merrill, Valley Healths president and CEO, told those gathered at a groundbreaking celebration on Thursday.

So, we consider West Virginia and Virginia our front and back yards, said Merrill, joking that he would never say which is which.

Brad Close, who serves as chair of Valley Health West Region Hospitals Board of Trustees, noted that the Spring Mills project joins significant investments that the not-for-profit health care provider already has made in eastern West Virginia.

Those investments include more than $34 million for the new War Memorial Hospital in Berkeley Springs and a $27 million critical access hospital in Hampshire County.

All told ... they have invested over $100 million in this great state that we all have the blessing of calling home, Close said.

Cardiologist Neal Gaither of East Mountain Health Physicians, which joined Valley Health in hosting Thursdays celebration, touted the physician groups collaboration with Valley Health to provide health care services in the Eastern Panhandle.

Were very honored to work with Valley Health on this, theyve been very good partners, said Gaither, who anticipates seeing patients at the new Spring Mills center by early next year.

Thursdays event also celebrated the growth of various Valley Health-affiliated providers, services and facilities in the Eastern Panhandle, including the addition of an urgent care center in Ranson in June 2017 and several physician practices  all in the last two years.

Valley Health said Thursday that in the past three years, more than 40 medical providers have chosen to join East Mountain Health Physicians and partner with Valley Health in providing medical care.

Altogether, Valley Health says its regional network of hospitals, urgent care centers, physician practices and other resources for rehabilitation, fitness and health serves a population of more than 500,000 people in the Eastern Panhandle and Potomac Highlands of West Virginia, the northern Shenandoah Valley of Virginia and western Maryland.

Chris Rucker, Valley Healths vice president of ambulatory services, said in a brief interview on Thursday that the approval process for the Spring Mills project took a little longer than anticipated after sketch plans were presented to the Berkeley County Planning Commission in October 2017.

Part of the property purchased for the project is where Barneys Restaurant operated for many years.

In concluding remarks, Rucker encouraged those who attended Thursdays celebration to take a sugar maple sapling in the lobby upon leaving the event to plant and grow with us.

The sugar maple is West Virginias state tree.
Joyce F. Nowell

jnowell@herald-mail.com

GREENCASTLE, Pa.  Greencastle-Antrim School District officials are hoping that increasing pay for substitute teachers will solve an immediate shortage while they assess long-term solutions.

Last month, superintendent Kendra Trail told the school board the district has been struggling from the start of the school year to find adequate substitutes. She is recommending the district increase the substitute pay rate to $100 per day from $90.

Its been quite a while since the rates have been increased, said Trail, who noted that the rate was increased from $80 per day in 2006-07 to the present $90 in 2007-08.

Jolinda Wilson, chief financial officer, said the $10 increase would cost the districts budget $38,000.

Board member Eric Holtzman said he supports the raise for a job that requires a tremendous amount of responsibility, however he doesnt think it will solve the problem.

Youre talking about people who have to have bachelors degrees and have to be certified as guest teachers, Holtzman said. Were paying them $13 an hour. Even a $10 increase per day is only putting it at $14 an hour.

I think the real problem is colleges are graduating half as many teachers as they were 5-6 years ago. Were running all of our schools leaner in terms of staffing than we did 10 years ago. Those two issues are having a dramatic effect on being able to put teachers into those spots.

Middle school principal Mark Herman said its been a daily challenge to arrange coverage for classrooms without substitutes. He often has to pull administrators or counselors from their regular duties.

We do have an immediate problem, but you have to look at the root of the problem, Herman said.

Holtzman called for help from state lawmakers.

We cant keep throwing existing staff into those positions, Holtzman said. I dont know if this teacher shortage is going to change in the next five to 10 years, but we need something.

The pipeline is not filling back up. I think our legislature needs to look at it with a different perspective, a day-to-day perspective.

Trail said in addition to having to use counselors and administrators to cover classes in the absence of a substitute teacher, the reading teacher added this year at the primary level is also being called upon.

These kids are at risk and they are not getting services because we have to pull that teacher to cover classes when we dont have enough subs, she said. Im leery of the data were going to bring you at the end of the year on the impact of the extra reading teacher. Im concerned.

Board member Paul Politis also questioned the cost effectiveness.

Financially, every time you have a counselor or administrator covering a class its costing us a lot more than $100 a day, he said.

Trail said all but one district in the region pays substitutes more. Waynesboro Area School District also pays $90 per day. Chambersburg, Tuscarora and Fairfield school districts are among those that pay $95 per day. York City and Washington Co. (Md.) pay $120 per day for certified teacher substitutes, according to Trail.
Joyce F. Nowell

jnowell@herald-mail.com

WAYNESBORO, Pa.  A behavior-support program for elementary school students in the Waynesboro Area School District will begin next school year under a contract approved this week by the school board.

On Tuesday, the board unanimously supported a one-year agreement with Laurel Life Services for $280,500 to provide specialized services to students having difficulties in their mainstream education. Officials are not yet sure in which elementary school the transitional classroom will be located.

The program is primarily based on kids experiencing trauma, said Sherri Sullivan, director of student services. This is another means of applying a therapeutic approach for our students in elementary school that we dont have in place at this time. Thats the biggest takeaway.

The Laurel Life program will support our staffing needs, administrative needs, all the needs of the building in terms of learning about trauma and how to better serve our students, Sullivan said. So its really a win-win for our community in general to have this. It will help all kids.

Board member Beth Reecher observed similar programs and sees the value.

If there was something that happened that the student could not process, the behavior had changed, Reecher said. This program will help the student figure out what that something was and how to process through that and to move on.

Its an expensive program, but I think its a program we need and it will be wonderful for our kids.

The program helps to return students to their mainstream education.

With that transition program the idea is to get students back in the classroom and doing what they need to and being successful, Sullivan said. This program can support not only those students, but it will support the other students who are in their current classrooms so that those adjustments  social, emotional, learning  (are) being supported for them in a proactive way.

Board member Bonnie Bachtell also observed one of the programs and saw students already transitioning back to their classrooms by December.

I just think its a wonderful program, Bachtell said. Instead of putting kids somewhere and they end up staying there forever, its a program that helps young kids do things in a better way and then they go back, one period at a time. They are told that they are here to learn so they can be back to their classroom.

This is something that is going to help young kids do a better job so we dont have them in middle school and high school having these problems.
Don Aines

daines@herald-mail.com

A former girlfriend of a Hagerstown man charged in a fatal 2017 drive-by shooting testified Thursday that Easton Blickenstaff told her he and another man shot up another car.

Blickenstaff, 21, is charged with first- and second-degree murder, assault and weapons offenses in the May 20, 2017, shooting death of Eddie Ragland and wounding of his cousin, Jaseye Stephens, at the intersection of Noland Drive and Sherman Avenue.

Two women in the front seat and an infant in the backseat next to Stephens were not injured in the shooting.

The state and the defense agree on the details of the crime. But Assistant Public Defender Thomas Tamm said in his opening statement on Wednesday that Blickenstaff did not drive Jason Scott Carter II to Noland Drive with the intent or knowledge that Carter planned to kill anyone.

Assistant States Attorney Sarah Mollett-Gaumer told the jurors Blickenstaff was a willing participant in a retaliatory shooting.

Kera Hollar testified Blickenstaff called on the morning of May 20, telling her that her Chrysler Pacifica was hit by gunfire, but gave her few details. Later, he called about a second shooting.

They had went back and did that ... shot up another car, Hollar testified. Blickenstaff told her he was driving and Carter did the shooting, she testified.

In answering a question from Mollett-Gaumer, Hollar testified Blickenstaff told her he thought someone in the car had been hit.

Carter, 20, formerly of Hagerstown, was tried last year and convicted of involuntary manslaughter, first-degree assault, reckless endangerment and use of a firearm in a crime of violence. A jury found him not guilty of first- and second-degree murder. His sentence was 40 years in prison.

Carter has appealed his conviction to the Maryland Court of Special Appeals, according to Deputy States Attorney Joseph Michael.

Carter is not being called by the state or defense to testify and his videoed statement to police about the shooting will not be seen by the jury.

Hagerstown police Detective Nick Varner testified Thursday that Carter admitted to the shooting and told him Blickenstaff was the driver.

The shooting of the Chrysler Pacifica off Main Avenue was called in to 911 by someone in that neighborhood at 3:51 a.m. and the fatal shooting on Noland Drive happened at about 4:15, Varner testified.

Sheyla Govkharova testified Thursday that she was with Blickenstaff and Carter when a car pulled up near the Pacifica and a man got out and fired into the vehicle. The three drove from there to Carters apartment, took another vehicle, and dropped her off at the shooting location to get her car, she testified.

When the trial resumes Friday, the jury will view a recording of Blickenstaffs videoed statement to police following his arrest.
Alexis Fitzpatrick

afitzpatrick@herald-mail.com

The Washington County Board of Education voted to approve the following purchases Tuesday:

 1,028 Apple iPads and cases, Apple Inc., $359,840; from the general fund.

 Design and build school signs at Boonsboro Middle School and North Hagerstown High School, Sign Here, $33,594; and H&M Signs Inc., $42,900; from donations and the general fund.

 Student information system, Edupoint Educational Systems, $132,177; from the general fund.

 Broadband service, Antietam Broadband, a recurring monthly charge of $8,474; from the general fund.

 Technology work-order system renewal, Samanage, $50,468; from the general fund.

 VMware licenses, Applied Technology Services, $181,830; from the general fund.

Board Vice President Stan Stouffer and members Jacqueline Fischer and Michael Guessford were absent.

 Alexis Fitzpatrick
Don Aines

daines@herald-mail.com

A Frederick, Md., man whom police tracked to a burglary scene by placing a GPS tracker on the stolen vehicle he was using pleaded guilty Thursday to three residential break-ins.

Assistant States Attorney Christopher McCormack told Washington County Circuit Court Judge Dana Moylan Wright that the state is seeking a 25-year sentence with all but 10 years suspended for Charles Taylor Gardner Jr.

Sentencing was delayed for a month to let Gardners family pay some of the $12,146.82 he owes in restitution to the victims. McCormack said payment toward restitution could affect the terms of Garnders probation after his release.

Gardner, 31, pleaded guilty to three counts of third-degree burglary. Other charges were dismissed, including those related to the theft of a Hagerstown-area womans Nissan Armada on Dec. 21, 2017, McCormack said, reading from the statement of facts.

Hagerstown police spotted the vehicle parked in the city on March 6, 2018, and alerted the Washington County Sheriffs Office. To find out who stole it, the sheriffs office got the owners permission to place the GPS tracker on the vehicle.

When the Armada began moving on March 7, the sheriffs office began tracking it through several neighborhoods, eventually coming to a residence on Old Forge Road, McCormack said.

Investigators saw Gardner come out a back door holding a bag, but he went back inside when he saw them, McCormack said. Gardner was apprehended when he came out the front door.

The bag contained a handgun from the house, McCormack said.

Inside the Armada, police found a womans shooting range identification, according to McCormack. That matched a Feb. 6, 2018, burglary on Brightwood Drive in which several handguns were stolen, he said.

On March 1, another victim saw the Armada in the driveway of her Stanford Road home and took a snapshot of its license plate, McCormack said. She found a man in her house who walked out when she confronted him.

The license matched the stolen Armada, McCormick said.

He said that victim lost 10 to 14 pieces of jewelry in the burglary, some of which were recovered from a pawn shop.

Gardner told police after his arrest that he traded the guns for heroin in Baltimore, the charging document said.

McCormack said before the plea hearing that the stolen handguns were never recovered.

Under the terms of the plea worked out with defense attorney Robert Kline, the state would not oppose a request by Gardner for a substance abuse evaluation.

However, the state would reserve its option to oppose a future modification of sentence to long-term drug treatment.
Alexis Fitzpatrick

afitzpatrick@herald-mail.com

Pamela Cole has been fortunate to have a job she enjoys, happy to get up and go to every morning for the past four decades.

I love it. I love the kids. I mean, it has its challenges, but its also very rewarding to see our kids grow and learn, she said.

The elementary special education teacher at Marshall Street School was one of more than 450 Washington County Public Schools employees honored Thursday at the districts annual Celebration of Service. Around 100 employees attended the event, which was held at Washington County Technical High School.

Cole, a Washington County native who lives in Williamsport, was one of five WCPS employees recognized for 40 years in the district. Martha Godlove-Ridenour and Clayton Anders could not attend.

Laurel Longnecker, a library media specialist at Boonsboro Middle School, and Meredith Phares, a speech and language therapist based at Clear Spring Elementary School, also were commended for having 40 years with the district.

Longnecker has been at Boonsboro Middle for 35 years after starting off at E. Russell Hicks Middle School. She said a lot has changed in four decades, namely the advances in technology that have become a big part of her job.

Her favorite part, however, is helping a student find just the right book  especially reluctant readers.

You give them something that will interest them, and then theyre hooked. Its the greatest feeling, she said.

Longnecker said she appreciates the annual Celebration of Service for WCPS employees, especially since there wasnt one until about 15 years ago.

Ive seen a lot of people come and go, she said.

For Phares, one thing that kept her coming back year after year is variety in her job.

Although she is based at Clear Spring Elementary, she said she travels to other schools and helps students from 3 to 21 years old. She has had former students become teachers at Clear Spring Elementary.

Washington County has a strong speech therapy team, who help each other all the time, Phares said. She said they are work toward making students lives better.

Phares said the special moments in her job come when she hears children call for their parents for the first time, which has happened several times over the years.

Thursdays Celebration of Service recognized 468 WCPS employees with at least five years at the school system. They were given a catered meal, a small gift bag with a certificate of recognition and a service pin.

Superintendent Boyd Michael gave his and the administrations thanks and congratulations to the employees, no matter their tenure or role at WCPS.

Whether its five years, or 10 or 15 or 25 or 35 or 45 years, we greatly appreciate all the work that youve done to help our students, Michael said. We appreciate your efforts. We know that were making progress with our children. We know that were affecting their lives forever with the work that youre doing.
Dan Dearth

ddearth@herald-mail.com

Smithsburg Market owner Bonnie Renard said she was dismayed when the Maryland State Fire Marshals Office told her to stop frying food on Nov 5.

The reason: She didnt have a compliant fire suppression system above the hot grease bins.

This was devastating, Renard said. Were known for our fried chicken.

The state fire marshals office said it gave Renard multiple chances, over several months, to fix the problem.

According to Deputy Chief State Fire Marshal Jason Mowbray, the final straw came on Dec. 21, when a fire inspector entered the market to buy a drink and saw Renard frying chicken. The inspector called a deputy fire marshal, who drove to the market that same day, unplugged the fryers and ordered the employees to remove them from the kitchen.

We were compelled to take action, Mowbray said.

After shopping around for vendors, Renard said, she spent nearly $3,000 to replace the outdated system and was given the green light to start frying again on Tuesday.

She said the delay cost her about $800 a day and forced her to lay off two full-time employees.

On Tuesday, Renard invited Smithsburg Mayor Jack Kesselring, and Washington County Commissioners Terry Baker and Wayne Keefer to watch a state inspector approve her new fire system.

She said she believed the fire marshals office gave her a raw deal. She wanted elected officials to know about it.

I also want the word out so small-business owners know theyre not alone, said Renard, noting that inspection costs totaled $350 and she had to pay a $1,000 fine.

She acknowledged that the fire marshals office gave her about two months to fix the problem before they caught her frying chicken on Dec. 21 and removed her fryers.

It was either lock my doors or fry, Renard said. ... I had to earn the money. I had to find ways of being able to put in a new system.

Mowbray said his agency gives small-business owners a reasonable amount of time to adjust because some cant afford to replace a noncompliant system.

Our ultimate goal is compliance; its not punishment, he said.

Mowbray disputed Renards timeline.

He said an inspector made the initial visit to Smithsburg Market on Aug. 10 and found a multitude of violations, including a burned-out exit light, outdated fire extinguishers laying on the floor and a noncompliant fire-suppression system over the fryers.

The fire marshals office gave Renard 14 days to fix the problems, he said, then returned more than two months later, on Oct. 16, to follow up.

She had corrected the emergency light, replaced a smoke detector and removed the extension cords, Mowbray said.

The problems persisted, he said, with the fire extinguishers and the fire-suppression system.

Mowbray said the fire marshals office gave her seven more days to work things out and warned her that she was subject to a fine.

After hearing nothing from Renard, Mowbray said, the fire marshals office returned again on Nov. 5, and found that the fire extinguishers were updated, but the fire-suppression system still did not comply.

She was notified she wasnt going to be able to use (the fryers), Mowbray said of the November inspection.

Renard said she had to use the fryer to stay in business. But Mowbray said she had plenty of time to comply with the order and made a dangerous decision to ignore the law.

She painted us in a corner, he said.

Baker and Keefer said they sympathized with Renard and other small-business owners across the county trying to make ends meet.

She should have the ability to make a living, Baker said.

Keefer said he isnt sure what role the commissioners have in cases like this.

Its possible the fire marshals office could have given Renard a little time, Keefer said, considering she bought the market 14 years ago and hasnt had any problems until now.

She lost a lot of money during this time period and had to lay off two employees, he said. ... It was let go this long, and there wasnt an immediate safety issue.

Renard disputed Mowbrays claim that an inspector first visited her business in August.

She said the first inspection occurred in October, and she bought three chemical fire hydrants as a temporary solution until she could raise enough money to install a new system.

Im glad to get back to business, she said. I just hope its not too little, too late.
Buena Vista, CO (81211)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun with a slight chance of thunderstorms this afternoon. High 79F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies. Low near 50F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph.
Manila (CNN Philippines Life)  Theres an infinite variety of cocktail mixes in the world, and its a good thing for a growing crowd with a thirst for new and exciting drinks. Whether its a simple or complicated cocktail, the best recipes call only for the best ingredients, such as GSM Premium Gin.

Made by the world's no. 1 selling gin, GSM Premium Gin is a homegrown brand with export quality. Its smooth finish makes it the perfect gin to accompany any cocktail that suits your mood and personality, whether youre an urban sophisticate, a curious traveler, a digital nomad, a kickstarter/ go-getter, a fun intellectual, or a daydreamer (or perhaps all of these things at the same time).

Read below to find whats the best cocktail for you.

Illustration by MIKA BACANI

For the urban sophisticate: Gin and Tonic

The gin and tonic is a classic and stylish drink, one thats easy to make. And while you may likewise be classy, you dont just make it look easy  for you, its effortless. In a world of fast trends and new things, you have an eye out for what will stay. Its not that you have no imagination or youre resistant to change. You just decided early on that there are things that will withstand the test of time, and that these are what the world will always fall back to  a bespoke suit, the little black dress, good manners, the least possible engagement on social media.

For you, to say or exude less means you have more room for what is essential, more space to make a quiet statement. But that doesnt mean you strip things down to the basics. The secret is restraint in just the right amount to elevate an experience.

You believe the more things are refined, the better they are. Or that a stone is only as smooth as the time you took to polish it. Just like a gin and tonic: while making it is simple, that very simplicity has elevated it to an understated drink, perfected throughout the years. To make one, all you need to do is fill a glass with ice, add GSM Premium Gin, fill it with tonic water, stir, and a lemon or lime. Quick, simple, but timeless.

Illustration by MIKA BACANI

For the curious traveler: Red Snapper

The red snapper is not a fish, but another version of the brunch-favorite Bloody Mary. Some may even argue theyre the same thing! It doesnt matter to you  the red snapper sounds weird, slightly familiar, and intriguing. But not too intriguing, like a drink with an actual fish. Nope. Not for you. Thats because you love adventure in the same way a person who cant swim loves the sea: Its great to breathe in the salty air by the beach, but by God, you will not get wet. And drown.

While some travelers go wild with experiences, youre a little bit more safe and Im just glad to be here. You want to see more of the world without the heart-stopping skydives or the risky back-alley tours. You want a glimpse of the Mona Lisa without squeezing in with the crowds. To experience the African safari from the safety of your guided tour. To get drunk in a foreign city, but to wake up comfortably the morning after. (Thank God for your amazing Airbnb.)

Only you can decide what your experience means for you. With the red snapper with GSM Premium Gin, you can have a cocktail adventure layered with exciting flavors to entice the taste buds. You can mix yourself one by filling a glass with ice, adding GSM Premium Gin, tomato juice and BBQ sauce, then following it up with Tabasco sauce and Worcestershire sauce. Mix using a stirrer, top with salt and pepper, then garnish with fried bacon, pitted olives, and a cocktail onion. Its your own exotic adventure in a glass.

Illustration by MIKA BACANI

For the digital nomad: Calamansi Surprise

The calamansi surprise is a mojito with an exciting twist. For bartenders, a mojito is supposedly a difficult drink to make, but one worth it when made right: slightly sweet and citrusy with a hint of mint, which makes it a refreshing option for the citizen of the world. Mixed with calamansi, its a drink perfect for you: a digital nomad with a purpose.

You live in the internet  and for you, its actually not a bad thing. You have taken shelter in its many spaces  LiveJournal, Blogger, Wordpress, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram  but youre not quite the selfie-taking millennial. You do have an enviable digital portfolio and/or a clean, well-maintained website, updated semi-regularly with actual content and high-resolution photos. Real people (not bots), visit your website out of their own accord. You cant count the number of friends you made online, as well as those you eventually met offline.

Youre not in it for the views: its just that the web is a fascinating and convenient place to speak out and document whatevers going on with you right now. You probably taught yourself how to code and Photoshop from there, which is ideally what the internet should be used for. (Aside from uploading cute cat and dog videos.)

Since youre so tech-savvy, you should try your hand at making the calamansi surprise with GSM Premium Gin. Heres how: In a glass, add calamansi, basil leaves, and white sugar, and muddle until the calamansi juice is extracted. Fill the glass with ice, pour in GSM Premium Gin, top with lime soda and stir lightly.

Illustration by MIKA BACANI

For the kickstarter/go-getter: Ginspresso

The ginspresso is what you think it is: a cocktail drink with espresso and gin. Its for people who silently nod to themselves when they read an article titled Successful people wake up at 4 a.m. Youre not just a go-getter; youre a kickstarter. You get the ball rolling, you light the fire, you make the sun go up if its feeling a bit lazy during the holidays.

Its people like you who build foundations, who inspire everyone with sunny energy, who move the rest of us into making the world better. After all, time is too short to spend ruminating on whats wrong with things  youd rather spend time brainstorming what could be done right. Its your winning strategy to overcome every obstacle, whether youre campaigning to save the seas, end discrimination, or support sustainable businesses (if youre not starting your own).

Theres little that demotivates you, and youre a master at motivating yourself. But that doesnt mean you arent up for a little pick-me-upper when you need it. Give yourself a jolt of excitement with the strong taste of coffee and the smoothness of GSM Premium Gin in the ginspresso. Combine GSM Premium Gin, sugar syrup, one whole egg, and one shot of espresso in a shaker and shake; add ice and shake again. Double strain, then enjoy.

Illustration by MIKA BACANI

For the fun intellectual: Very Berry Martini

A martini means business; after all, its supposed to be the king of cocktails, a category by itself. But who says you cant inject it with a little bit of fun? You finished college, got your masters, perhaps a Ph.D. (all with flying colors), then snagged a great job  but still you remain the life of the party. Very much like the very berry martini: respectable, but just a little bit off-kilter.

In a snap, you can go from arguing international human rights to the celebrity of Taylor Swift. Your Twitter feed? Equal parts nonsensical jokes, daily misadventures, and serious advocacy. And thats not supposed to be weird. Youve known all along that you should be your own, unpredictable self  smart-shaming and stereotypes be damned. What were all those years of post-graduate education for if not for endless nights of quick wit and banter?

While writing think pieces that everyone asks to share, youre also piecing together poems in secret. Or perhaps ordering the newest book about the Other and the fetishization of the subject  which you find yourself explaining to friends in the next barkada reunion. Mix a very berry martini to fire up the discussions: Muddle a strawberry, blackberry, and a blueberry in a shaker, fill with ice and GSM Premium Gin, shake well, strain into martini glass and garnish with berries. That should keep you stimulated through the night.

Illustration by MIKA BACANI

For the daydreamer: Mango Paradise

Is it the weekday again? A cheerful glass of mango paradise made with GSM Premium Gin should perk you up. Its reminiscent of the beach, the golden plaza, that amazing stay-in weekend, that retreat in the mountains  everything that isnt your cubicle on a too-early Monday morning  kidding! You love your job, but lets face it  you live for the weekend, and cherish the thrill of exciting things to come.

Its not that you dont live in the present, you just bask in the potential of things yet to be, of ideas yet to be realized, of roads you havent walked. You probably just graduated or youre at a crossroads in your life, and youre eager for all the things you have yet to do, all the places you have yet to see. Whos in a hurry to get to the future? Not you. Youll take your time ticking things off your ever-changing bucket list, thank you very much.

Despite its occasional drudgery, for you, life is sweet. Make it sweeter by treating yourself to a mango surprise (on a weekday, if you can manage it). In a cocktail shaker, add ice, GSM Premium Gin, fresh lime juice, and mango concentrate. Shake well. Strain a highball glass, and garnish with mango and lime slices. Did the weekend just come sooner?
The Herald-Mail

ANNAPOLIS  When a student enrolled in a Washington County public school is arrested for a reportable offense, law enforcement agencies must notify school officials.

More than 60 reportable offenses are defined by law, ranging from murder to cruelty to animals.

The school system also is notified if the charges are modified or theres been a judgement.

But if a student from another jurisdiction is charged with one of these offenses, goes through the juvenile justice system and is placed in a group home in Washington County, theres no legal requirement that school officials be told what the offense was or what the disposition of the case might be.

Sen. Andrew Serafini, R-Washington, attempted Thursday to persuade the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee to change that.

Serafini is sponsoring a bill on behalf of the Washington County Board of Education. Under the bill, when a student is in the Department of Juvenile Services custody, the department must notify school officials about the offense  or membership in a criminal gang  as well as the disposition of the charges.

Del. Paul Corderman, R-Washington, is expected to file a companion bill in the House.

The issue of the sharing of the information is to know, number one, what kind of services are they receiving before they came to that school, what were the offenses, so that we can design a curriculum and pathway that is appropriate for that student for them to receive that most adequate and free education, Serafini told the committee.

But theres also another element that maybe there is some safety concerns for other students, he added. And it is for those reasons, information is very valuable to be had by that school system.

Ardath Cade, the school systems legislative liaison, told the committee that in some cases, the courts call for certain things to be done for these juveniles.

The school system is not getting that information, she said, and it desperately needs that in order to provide appropriate placement for those students  that can respond to their needs, but also can be protective of the students who are in the school system.

School officials around the state support the bill, but the Maryland Office of the Public Defender opposes it.

Melanie Shapiro, the offices director of juvenile justice policy, told the committee that the bill was unnecessary, duplicative and confusing.

The information can be shared between school systems under current law, she said. Adding a requirement for DJS to also report information to the mix overlaps existing law, she said, as school systems can request the information.

But committee Chairman Bobby Zirkin, D-Baltimore City, said there seems to be a gap when a student in DJS custody is sent to a new school system.

Why put the onus on the school or school system to go jump through a bunch of hoops to find the information its its available? he asked.

The bill is similar to a measure that failed in committee last year. Washington County Public Schools Chief Legal Counsel Anthony Trotta told Herald-Mail Media the legislation was proposed because staff told him about the gap in information on these students.

They expressed to me that they needed this information, Trotta said, in order to meet the needs of that particular student  do they need extra support? Are they experiencing things that we should be aware of, so we can help them be successful? And also were concerned about safety of other students. And so thats why we have pursued this legislation.

The committee will later vote on whether to send the bill to the full Senate for consideration.
CJ Lovelace

clovelace@herald-mail.com

CLEAR SPRING  A mobile home fire that displaced two people Tuesday morning in Clear Spring remains under investigation.

In a news release Wednesday, the Maryland State Fire Marshals Office confirmed that the fire at 14-B Mulberry St. started in the master bathroom of the home at about 9:30 a.m.

The cause had not been determined.

The estimated damage was $12,500 to the structure and another $8,500 for the contents.

The fire, which took 20 firefighters about 10 minutes to control, was discovered by an occupant of the home.

Capt. Jeff Jenkins of the Clear Spring Volunteer Fire Co. said Tuesday that the initial dispatch was for an apartment fire. He said the residence was occupied by a mother and her son.

Jenkins said the fire was contained to the rear bathroom, but smoke filled the entire home and caused most of the damage.

No injuries were reported. The fire marshals office said the American Red Cross was helping the residents.

The fire marshals office identified the owner of the property as Petre Filip, who has a Clear Spring Road address, according to state property records.

Smoke alarms were present and active in the home, the fire marshals office said.

 C.J. Lovelace
BRISTOL, Tenn.  Lost State Distilling received a $30,000 grant from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture.

Grants were provided by the Agriculture Enterprise Fund, which is an incentive program that helps economic growth and job creation by facilitating agricultural development in Tennessee.

The grants were announced in December by Tennessee Agriculture Commissioner Jai Templeton and Economic and Community Development Deputy Assistant Commissioner Brooxie Carlton, according to a news release.

The Agriculture Enterprise Fund program has made an economic impact of more than $25 million for our state since we first began to award these grants one year ago, Templeton said. While we are proud of the successes so far, we are excited to see the continued opportunities and new jobs that will result from this program.

Successful grant recipients demonstrated a strong potential for impact on local farm income, access to markets, increased capacity or agricultural innovation, the release states.

A ceremony was held at Lost State Distilling on Wednesday. Owners Nick and Joe Bianchi were there, along with representatives of the Bristol Chamber of Commerce, the city and the state agriculture department.

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BREAKING: Kimball Sterling Auction announced this afternoon it is scheduled to auction off property of the former Virginia Intermont College on March 2.

A notice on the firm's Facebook page reads "We have just signed a contract to liquidate Virginia Intermont College. It will be the first Saturday in March.

Great art, computers pool tables, upscale exercise equipment, complete pottery studio with wheels and Kilns, theatre department with costumes and props, microscopes, office equipment, art wielding studio, uniforms, 1000's of items. More to come later as we catalogue.

The property is owned by a Chinese firm that was working late last year to secure approval to establish a business college on the site.

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Four dogs were seized and two people charged in an animal cruelty investigation in Lebanon, Virginia, Russell County Sheriff Steve Dye announced Thursday.

The Sheriffs Office received a complaint on Jan. 10 about a home on Gay Avenue, according to a news release from the sheriff.

A search warrant was obtained, and a search of the home resulted in the seizure of the animals by the countys animal control, the release states. The dogs were taken to the Southwest Virginia Veterinary Services for medical treatment.

One dog was actually found deceased on the premises, said Detective Craig McGlothlin. The other four dogs were malnourished, and a lot of feces were present  just a lack of being cared for.

Two dogs were found in a bedroom, one was crated and another was outside, McGlothlin said.

Joshua Phillips, 31, was charged with four counts of animal cruelty and one count of failing to bury a deceased dog. Kendra Kegley, 30, was charged with two counts of animal cruelty, according to the release.

Both have been arraigned and are awaiting a hearing in Russell County General District Court, Dye said.
The Lewis Center for the Arts at Princeton University announced more than $129,000 in awards to support the summer projects and research of 56 Princeton undergraduates. Although all first-, second- and third-year student-artists are eligible to apply, for many of...
BRISTOL, Tenn.  Despite rain and falling temperatures Thursday, surveyors with the Appalachian Regional Coalition on Homelessness did their best to take inventory of the sheltered and unsheltered homeless on the Tennessee side of Bristol.

Every year over a 24-hour period, ARCH has a point-in-time count of the homeless in Northeast Tennessee.

The counts provide a snapshot of homelessness and are done across the country. The data is used by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Developments for McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Grants. The deadline to submit point-in-time data to HUD is April 30.

The survey doesnt just count the number of homeless people, it also asks people what their current living situation is; if theyve been to jail; if they have a mental illness; whether they have a substance abuse problem; or are homeless due to domestic violence, among other questions.

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Doug Murray, ARCHs homeless programs outreach coordinator, led the interviewing team composed of Ivanna Stewart, a veterans outreach specialist with the Tennessee Department of Labor, and Lindsey Muller, a social work major at East Tennessee State University. Murray said the majority of their work happened on Wednesday night and Thursday was primarily focused on finding people they missed.
Anderson, IN (46016)

Today

Thunderstorms likely this morning. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 84F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%..

Tonight

Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Low 69F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
Shane Ragsdale, formerly of Greenville, beloved son of Sheila June Winters and father Sariah Vanderwal-Ragsdale, passed away May 31, 2021 in the ICU of Hilo Hawaii hospital of pneumonia. Hi memorial service was held June 12, in Makapala, Hawaii. His fellowship on Earth will be missed; antici
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A convicted murderer who was put back in prison thanks to the Herald now faces another 18 months behind bars.

Last July, we revealed how Michael McLoughlin (50) had been harassing a young cafe worker after his release from prison. Days later he was returned to jail.

In 1991, McLoughlin beat Bray teenager Jill Bishop to death after meeting her at a Halloween disco at a hotel in the town. Her naked body was found the next day.

McLoughlin also forced a 1 coin down Jill's throat during the attack.

He was arrested the day the 18-year-old's body was discovered, showed no remorse and pleaded not guilty when charged with murder.

He was released from jail in 2017 after serving life.

The Bishop family had campaigned for a copy of his photograph to be circulated prior to his release because they did not know what he looked like and were fearful he could be standing beside them in the street and they would not know it.

Violent

They were also concerned that other women could be approached by McLoughlin, but be unaware of his violent past.

However, the Irish Prison Service told them it could not supply such a photograph under the Data Protection Act.

It was only when the Herald published an image of him that an 18-year-old cafe worker in Dublin alerted her family that McLoughlin had been approaching her at work and trying to establish a friendship with her.

She did not realise who he was until the picture was published, and reacted with shock.

"In the cafe we would frequently get older men making comments like 'if I was 20 years younger' and that kind of thing, but it's generally harmless banter," said the teen.

"But this was different. There was something weird about him.

"It wasn't just casual conversation. It was like 'what do you do?' and 'what are your hobbies?' and 'where are you going to college?' and even 'where do you live?'

"My manager said I didn't have to serve him any more.

"Then, about two weeks later he was sitting in the lobby area and he called me over and said he didn't want to make me feel uncomfortable by giving me his number, but asked me to call him.

McLoughlin persisted, and gave the teenager a card at Easter time.

The cafe worker then noticed that she was spotting McLoughlin in other places, such as the city centre, where he would approach her and shake her hand and try to initiate conversation.

McLoughlin had been released on licence and had to sign on at Mountjoy on a weekly basis.

Safer

But after the Herald printed the story of him approaching a young woman the same age as his victim, he ended up back behind bars after going to sign on the next time.

"There would be concerns that his behaviour could be inappropriate," a source said at the time.

"He will now have to wait to go before the Parole Board again."

After he was put back in jail, the cafe worker said she felt safer and other young women could feel safe too.

"How can someone do that, go to prison for years and then come out and start linking up with young women the same age as his victim?" she said.

"What awful thing does he need to do to someone before gardai consider him a risk?"

Now it has emerged that McLoughlin will not be able to go before the Parole Board again for at least 18 months, and even then there are no guarantees he will be freed.

The news was welcomed by Jill's family.

"He should never be considered for parole again. He is a danger to society and a danger to young women," said her sister Karen.

"The Parole Board should be more diligent in their assessing of offenders for release," their father added.

Karen said the fact that McLoughlin was back behind bars proved that having his picture made public was important.

"If it wasn't for the media, the girl that McLoughlin was approaching would never have known who he was," she said.

Karen added that every serious criminal should be electronically tagged on release.
A man has admitted assaulting two Dublin Airport workers who tackled him as he ran towards a plane on the tarmac at Terminal One after missing his flight.

Ryanair staff and airport police stopped drunk Patrick Kehoe after he stormed on to the apron in a bid to flag down a plane to Amsterdam.

Kehoe (24), of Raheena- skeagh, Oulart, Co Wexford, will be sentenced in April.

He was late for his flight but got through the boarding gate and a door leading to the tarmac, close to the Ryanair plane, at about 7am last September 27.

Kehoe was restrained and held until gardai arrived and took him under arrest to Ballymun Garda Station.

Damage

He was originally charged with criminal damage to a magnetic door lock at Gate 106.

However, that charge was withdrawn yesterday when he faced his fourth hearing at Dublin District Court.

It was replaced with two counts of assaulting the Airport Police Service (APS) woman and a male aircraft ground handler who intervened as he ran after his flight, which was getting ready to take off.

Defence solicitor Peter Conn- olly told Judge Dermot Simms that his client, who did not address the court, was pleading guilty.

Kehoe made no reply when the new charges were put to him, said Gda David Cahill.

Kehoe, who previously worked as a carpenter's assistant, was at the airport with his girlfriend to go on holiday to Amsterdam, the court heard.

When he got to his boarding gate it was closed, but he proceeded out on to the apron of the airport and chased the aircraft.

Grounder handlers were marshalling the plane which was taxiing on to the runway.

The court heard Kehoe att-acked one of them by "pushing him and tripping him back on to the ground".

The APS woman went to stop him but he kicked her, causing he to suffer a swollen knee.

The court heard he had one previous conviction for assault.

Gda Cahill agreed with the defence solicitor that Kehoe was "a little bit intoxicated" at the time of the incident.

"By his own admission, he had a few pints before the flight and that may have something to do with missing the boarding call," he told the court.

Mr Connolly said his client "had not been out of the country for many years".

Kehoe acted stupidly and impulsively, and did not have a bad record, his solicitor said in pleas for leniency.

He had pleaded guilty without seeking disclosure of evid- ence, the court heard.

The garda agreed the door Kehoe got out of was normally secure and he had been apprehended in seconds.

Foolishness

Mr Connolly submitted that the plane and its passengers were not delayed by Kehoe's foolishness.

However, the garda said: "I believe there was a knock-on effect."

The accused sobered up after the incident and the garda conceded that Kehoe was not a problem to deal with.

However, he added that there had been "a significant amount of confrontation" during the incident.

Mr Connolly said his client had been diagnosed with ADHD and was taking medication.

Kehoe, who remains on bail, was apologetic. He very much regretted the incident and was willing to offer compensation.

Judge Simms held that it was appropriate to adjourn sentencing to allow the defendant time to complete a restorative justice programme.

The case resumes on April 25.
Gavin Scully (37) began hurling abuse at officers when they tried to help him. (stock pic)

A funeral-goer who later turned up at a garda station and began banging on the door was "overcome by the drama of the situation", a court heard.

Father-of-three Gavin Scully (37) lost the head and began hurling abuse at officers when they tried to help him.

Judge Michael Walsh put him on a one-year peace bond after he pleaded guilty to public order offences.

Scully, of Old County Road, Crumlin, admitted threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour and failing to follow garda directions.

Dublin District Court heard the incident happened at Sundrive Road Garda Station last December 22. It was 5.50am and Scully banged on the door, saying he wanted to make a complaint about something.

convictions

When gardai spoke to him he became abusive and failed to desist when directed. He was arrested and charged.

The accused had a number of previous convictions, the court was told.

Scully had gone to the station with "good intentions", said his solicitor, Michael Hanahoe.

He had attended a funeral earlier, was "overcome by the drama of the situation" and lost his head.

He now regretted his behaviour, Mr Hanahoe told the judge.

The court heard Scully was in employment and was supp- orting three children.

Mr Hanahoe asked the judge to be as lenient as he could.

Judge Walsh placed him on a bond to keep the peace and be of good behaviour for 12 months.
A put customer choked an- other man from behind until he passed out then threw him on to a table after he saw him talking to his girlfriend.

Matheus Bonora (32) "misjudged the situation completely" and attacked the man in a moment of rage, Dublin District Court heard.

The victim, who was with friends at a birthday party, said it was a terrifying experience.

Judge Michael Walsh adjourned the case for payment of 1,000 compensation.

Barman Bonora, of Camac Park, Bluebell, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to the man at the Czech Inn, Temple Bar, on June 10, 2016.

The victim said he had been working that night as a security guard in a casino and went to the bar after his shift finished.

There was a birthday party and he was talking to a friend when he felt someone come up from behind and start to choke him.

He became deprived of oxygen and remembered no- thing after that. He was thrown against a table and injured the back of his head, but could not recall what happened.

Terrified

He was "terrified" over what happened and told security.

The victim said he suffered bruising to his head which lasted for a couple of weeks, but he did not go for medical treatment and made a full recovery.

"It was a terrifying experience. I have never experienced anything like it," he said.

Bonora is a Brazilian national and had been living in Ireland for four years, the court was told.

He had no previous convictions and had never come to the attention of gardai before.

It was a "moment of madness" and he wished to convey his remorse to the victim, his lawyer told the court.

"He saw the injured party speaking to his girlfriend and thought he was harassing her," the solicitor said.

"He misjudged the situation completely and committed the offence in a moment of rage."

The accused wished to offer compensation.

Judge Walsh said the victim had been "locked into a choking position" and was fortunate not to have sustained more serious injuries.
Bungling Kinahan cartel goons put the wrong bullets in a handgun that detectives believe was primed to be used on its rivals in the capital's deadly gangland feud.

The revelation came at a hearing yesterday in which it was decided that a man linked through DNA evidence to a revolver found in a bloodstained plastic bag would be sentenced next month at the Special Criminal Court.

Sean Ruth (29), of Blacktrench, Rathangan, Co Kildare, had pleaded guilty on Tuesday to possessing a .38 special calibre Rossi revolver and a 9mm calibre round of ammunition at a place unknown within the State between January 1, 2016, and January 24, 2017.

Shambolic

Expand Close Armed gardai at Greenogue Business Park. / Facebook

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Det Insp Noel Browne, of the National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, summarised the facts of the case.

He revealed that a bloodstained Spar plastic bag containing a disposable glove was found on top of a timber box downstairs in a warehouse at a Dublin business park.

Inside the finger of this glove was a 9mm calibre round of ammunition, which was not suitable for the revolver.

Det Insp Browne also gave evidence that there were two rounds of ammunition in the Rossi revolver which would not have fired.

The evidence regarding this weapon has similarities to evidence given in a separate case in the Special Criminal Court last July when two cartel foot soldiers' "shambolic" plan to murder a Dublin man was foiled by gardai.

They received sentences totalling 24 years.

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When armed detectives pounced on Stephen Dunne (39) and Gary Gleeson (34), they found a loaded handgun in the front of their vehicle, though the bullets in the magazine had been loaded backwards and would not have fired.

In the completely separate cartel case, Det Insp Browne said yesterday that after receiving confidential information, gardai put a surveillance operation in place and raided a warehouse at Greenogue Business Park, on Grants Drive, Rathcoole, on January 24, 2017.

Jonathan Harding (45), of McNeill Court, Sallins, Co Kildare, and James Walsh (33), of Neilstown Drive, Clondalkin, both previously pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court to possessing nine revolvers, four pistols, a sub-machine gun, an assault rifle and various ammunition magazines.

Last January, Harding, who is also known as Rocket Man, was sentenced to 10 years in prison with one year suspended while Walsh was sentenced to nine years with one suspended.

Ruth is originally from a decent Kilkenny family but had been living in Kildare, the court heard.

Det Insp Browne said five firearms were found during the search and they were laid out on cardboard boxes in the loft area of the warehouse.

None of these firearms were connected to the defendant, he added.

Other firearms were found on two other cardboard boxes nearby, which were labelled "box 1" and "box 2".

Two assault rifles were on "box 2" as well as a bloodstained bag that contained a Rossi revolver, a Glock automatic pistol and various calibre ammunition.

The items were sent to Forensic Science Ireland and swabbed for DNA purposes.

A radio transmitter was also discovered on the mezzanine level of the unit, and it was found to have Ruth's DNA on it.

The witness told the court that a Ford Focus was also on the premises, and there was bloodstaining inside the passenger door which matched the defendant's DNA.

Ruth was arrested by gardai at the Amber Springs Hotel in Gorey, Co Wex- ford, on May 7, 2017, and detained at Clondalkin Garda Station.

Det Insp Browne said little evidence was provided during Ruth's interviews, but he told gardai that he had an accident when he was in the Ford Focus which had caused the blood.

Swabs

However, the defendant said he was not aware of the car being at Greenogue Business Park.

The DNA profile generated from Ruth's buccal swabs matched the DNA recovered from the revolver as well as the two plastic bags.

Ruth's DNA profile also matched the profile generated from the glove, the radio and the bloodstaining inside the Ford Focus.

The court heard that Ruth had 29 previous convictions.
Huntington, WV (25701)

Today

Clouds and some sun this morning with more clouds for this afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 87F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Mostly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low around 70F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.
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High bids force state to delay road projects

The widening of I-26 has been postponed to 2029.

Major road improvements in Henderson County have been pushed back by a year or more because construction bids are greatly exceeding projections, transportation planners said.



Delayed projects include the eastern-most 5-mile segment of the I-26 widening project and others that have drawn widespread opposition, such as the Kanuga Road widening and N.C. 191 multilane improvement. The widening of I-26 from the airport exit (40) to Four Seasons Boulevard (exit 49) remains on track to start construction this year.

A planner for the French Broad MPO and an NCDOT engineer told the Henderson County Transportation Advisory Committee last week that the DOT is delaying projects across the state.

DOT informed us that in order to maintain the fund balance they had to delay a large number of projects in our region, Tristan Winkler, the transportation planner for the French Broad MPO, told the committee. In Buncombe we have a large number also being delayed. This is something that is affecting projects throughout our state.

Lonnie Watkins, the top NCDOT engineer for Henderson County, said construction bids are far exceeding the budgeted construction costs.

Theyre 50 percent higher than what we estimated or even more because we flooded the market or we have only one bid and its 50 percent higher than our estimate, Watkins said. For some of the small projects, some were coming in over 100 percent more than what we were used to seeing a year or two years ago.

The projects delayed are:

 I-26 widening from Four Seasons Boulevard (exit 49) to the U.S. 25 connector (exit 54), delayed to 2029.

 I-26 interchange at Four Seasons Boulevard, from 2023 to 2025.

 N.C. 191 widening from N.C. 280 to Mountain Road, delayed from 2021 to 2022.

 Kanuga Road widening from Church Street to Little River Road, delayed from 2021 to 2023.

 Widening White Street and extending from Greenville Highway to Spartanburg Highway and replacing bridge over Mud Creek, delayed from 2021 to 2022.

 Replace the South Main Street bridge over Mud Creek, right of way delayed, construction remains scheduled for 2022.

Delays from one year to the next may be insignificant, depending on the month. A project delayed from 2021 to 2022, for instance, could mean that the work is postponed from the spring to summer of 2021. The states fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30.

A lot of these delays were needed to balance the budget across the state, said David Uchiyama, an NCDOT spokesman for Western North Carolina. What we find is that the delays are on the construction side. By keeping right of way the same, the affected property owners can move along with the exact same schedule. Theres no reason to panic, freak out or get excited, depending on your point of view.

Part of the reason for the overruns is that the cost estimates were made during the recession when contractors were hungry and the private sector offered few competing projects.

A lot of these projects were started when we were coming out of financial crisis of 2009, Uchiyama said.



No highway projects in 10-year plan

Henderson County also fares poorly in the new 10-year transportation plan the state Board of Transportation plan adopted earlier this month. The plan includes no major new projects in Henderson County, the largest county in the 10-county Division 14. The biggest project funded for the county was the South Grove Street sidewalks to Spartanburg Highway.

Henderson County Commissioner Bill Lapsley, the county boards liaison to the advisory board and the current chair of the French Broad MPO, said he did not think the lack of new projects was linked to the widespread public opposition homeowners have mounted against numerous road projects, including the Balfour Parkway, which the Board of Commissioners voted to kill. (Lapsley voted no on the motion.)

One reason for fewer projects now, he said, is that many priority projects  I-26 widening, Kanuga Road, N.C. 191 and others  have been funded and remain in the works.

Theres no shenanigans going on, he said. Weve got so many funded that scored well that pushed us high on the list. The remaining projects on the countys list just dont score as well.

Renee Kumor, the TAC chair, said she doesnt know why the state plan zeroed out Henderson County.

Were not the only community thats been up in arms about projects but we may have been the most vocal and the one that brought a stop to so many projects at one time, she said.

An improvement project for Duncan Hill and Signal Hill roads and North Main and the Blythe Street widening failed to make the NCDOTs new 10-year plan. The state ranks projects based partly on local input but also on safety, traffic volume and congestion.

The North Main project just doesnt score very well, county transportation planner Janna Peterson said. Blythe Street also didnt score very well. It wasnt super likely they would get funded. The eastern-most link of the I-26 widening, the four-mile stretch from Four Seasons Boulevard to Upward Road, was a high priority for the Transportation Advisory Committee. Its been delayed so far out that its designated as beyond committed.

Its still a viable project but for congestion reasons its really not just the biggest priority, Peterson said. Were just glad we got all the way to U.S. 64.

The draft 2020-2029 State Transportation Improvement Program includes 12 new highway projects in Division 14, which is made up of Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Polk, Swain and Transylvania counties. The draft STIP includes projects across all transportation modes and in all 100 counties in the state. The list includes 1,266 highway projects, 86 aviation, 235 bicycle and pedestrian, six ferry, 23 public transit and 47 rail projects selected on statewide, regional and division levels. The projects were prioritized based on technical data as well as input from local officials and residents.

* * * * *

Editor's note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly said that the widening from exit 40 to exit 49 had been delayed. It has not; it's scheduled to start in 2019.
The Mekong Delta at the very southern tip of Vietnam is not quite land and not quite river, but a soupy mix of the two. With its highest points still less than 10 feet above sea level, the entire delta sees annual floods that swallow towns and villages, regularly and to no ones surprise. The river and tributaries, along with manmade canals and flooded rice paddies, shape the land and the lives of all inhabitants. Elevated roadways are built to peek just above the annual floodwaters, and rice farmers rely on the huge nutrient-rich silt deposits brought in by the river to keep Mekong Delta soil productive enough to keep churning out enough rice to feed the entire country, plus some.

Women gather in front of a statue of Ho Chi Minh to exercise early in the morning in Can Tho City, Vietnam.

Boats have always been the main means of transportation in this region. But more than that, boats are, for many, home. Waterways bustle with houseboats where multiple generations of families live and work. Toddlers learn to paddle and swim at the same time theyre learning to walk.

Vendors and their families live on boats and sell their goods on land and over water.

The water is also a source of food, livelihood and waste disposal, although the government is working to curtail the latter. Visitors crowd in to see the interplay of all of these elements come together the Cai Rang Floating Market.

Fresh pineapple is a hot seller at the floating market outside Can Tho. This vendor's storefront is also his home, a standard set-up for these floating entrepreneurs.

Passenger boats launch throughout the morning from the boardwalks of Can Tho City, under the gaze of a giant golden statue of Ho Chi Minh. From 5 to 8 a.m., this section of the river splashes with parades of western tourists packed into canopied motorboats for the 45-minute commute to Cai Rang.

In addition to the wholesale floating food shops, women in flat-bottomed boats sell noodles, snacks and excellent coffee.

Traditional grocery stores and markets in Can Tho City are beginning to squeeze out the floating wholesale bazaar that clogs a half mile section of the river each morning. The market is much smaller than it was even a decade ago. But it still bustles with boats piled high with pineapple, mangos, durian and other tropical fruit. Vietnamese women in traditional conical hats paddle canoes-turned-cafes to customers eager to buy bowls of steaming noodles for breakfast. Other floating snack shops offer coffee and rice cakes.

Vendors display their goods atop tall bamboo poles, making it easy for shoppers to find what they're looking for.

By 9 a.m. the sun and heat drive the vendors away, and the tourist boats head back to Can Tho City.
Havre Police Department

A U.S. Highway 2 business reported finding a gun in a hotel room Thursday at 9:06 a.m.

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David Paul Patera of Columbia Falls, 54, was arrested on charges of possession of dangerous drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia after a U.S. Highway 2 caller reported possibly finding meth in a hotel room Thursday at 12:20 p.m.

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Havre High School reported Thursday at 12:41 p.m. a possible fight.

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Someone at the Havre Police Department Thursday at 2:00 p.m. asked to speak with an officer about parenting plan questions.

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Someone at the Havre Police Department Thursday at 3:18 p.m. asked to speak with an officer about identity theft questions.

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A Fifth Avenue caller reported Thursday at 3:23 p.m. a window being broken on a vehicle.

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Elizabeth April Dawn Caplette of Box Elder, 32, was arrested on charges of assaulting a minor, partner or family member assault and resisting arrest after a 10th Street West caller reported a fight between a mother and a daughter Thursday at 3:27 p.m.

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An arrest was made relating to a 10th Street West caller reporting a trespasser Thursday at 4:29 p.m. No other details on the arrest were provided.

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A First Street caller reported Thursday at 5:32 p.m. of their tires being slashed.

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Cody Tyler Sutherland of Havre, 27, was arrested on a charge of partner or family member assault after a Second Street caller reported a female and male fighting Thursday at 6:58 p.m.

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A First Street caller reported Thursday at 7:26 p.m. that their purse was stolen.

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A 10th Avenue caller reported a stolen vehicle Thursday at 12:01 a.m.

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Lindsey Marie Casebolt of Havre, 31, was arrested on a Justice or City court warrant after officers investigated suspicious activity on 11th Avenue at 1:35 a.m.

Hill County Sheriff's Office

A U.S. Highway 2 business reported Thursday at 1:29 p.m. of locks being cut.

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Verlas Reylynne Chiefstick of Box Elder, 59, was arrested on a state District Court warrant Thursday at 2:47 p.m. at the Hill County Detention Center.

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Joshua Daniel Kaupang of Havre, 35, was arrested on charges of resisting arrest, obstruction of a peace officer or other public servant and trespassing and five Justice or City court warrants after a U.S. Highway 2 caller reported believing someone was inside a storage unit Thursday at 7:47 p.m.

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A Rudyard area caller reported Thursday at 8:55 p.m. of a white truck driving recklessly all over town.

Havre Fire Department

Emergency medical personnel responded to one call Thursday.

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Firefighters responded to a reported gasoline spill Thursday at 6:23 p.m. on the 1000 Block of First Street. The spill was approximately 25 gallons of fuel, and crews at the site of the spill had already put some absorbent over the spill before firefighters arrived on the scene. When the firefighters arrived they added more absorbent and released the scene. Property owners said they would be contacting a construction company this morning to re-evaluate the spill.

Havre Animal Shelter

The Havre shelter this morning held two medium-hair cats, one long-hair 8-month-old kitten and two long-hair 6-month-old kittens of unknown gender, one medium-hair female cat and four medium-hair male cats, as well as nine cats for its trap-spay/neuter-release program.

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The Havre shelter also held this morning a male American bulldog, two female mixed-breed dogs, a female Labrador retriever dog, a female Weimaraner-dachshund dog, a male Australian cattle dog-blue heeler-corgi 8-month-old puppy, a male shepherd dog, a female Anatolian shepherd-husky 10-month-old puppy and a male pit bull-Labrador 9-month-old puppy.

Births

A girl was born Jan. 21, 2019, to Leanna Writing Bird and Chase Taveapont of Havre.

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A boy was born Jan. 22, 2019, to Autumn Harvey and Jaylen Crazy Boy of Havre.
We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on!

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Haiti - News : Zapping...





A new majority political bloc

A new majority political bloc with 65 members has just been born in the Chamber of Deputies. Called EPAN (Parliamentary Agreement for a National Alternative) it replaces the Parliamentary Alliance bloc for Haiti (APH).



Former Deputy convicted

The former Deputy of Leogane Jean-Baptiste Anthony Dumont, imprisoned in February 2017 for sexual assault and sexual abuse on a minor, is sentenced to four years in prison by the criminal court sitting without jury assistance. The lawyer of the former deputy will appeal in cassation against the decision. See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20211-haiti-justice-arrest-of-former-deputy-dumont-for-assault-on-minor.html



Education : Two strike days announced

The Haitian Teachers Unions Platform (PSEH) launched a two-day strike for Monday, January 28 and Tuesday, January 29, 2019 to denounce the state of mismanagement of the Haitian education system. The platform brings together several associations such as the National Confederation of Teachers (CNEH), the Teachers in Action Struggle Group (GIEL) and the National Union of Normaliens and Educators of Haiti (UNNOEH), among others. The platform, through its secretary, Magalie Georges, denounces the poor working conditions of teachers, the non-significant budget allocated to education from 16 to less than 12% for the fiscal year.



French Guiana : 2 compatriots lose their lives

It is with great emotion that the Consulate of the Republic of Haiti in French Guiana learned this Tuesday, January 22, 2019, the death of two compatriots, following a terrible fire that ravaged several houses located on the street Boudinot in Cayenne. The Consular Post sends its heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of these victims. As for the survivors, he assures them of the solidarity of the Haitian State in these painful circumstances.



NATCOM visit to the Chamber of Deputies

Thursday morning, Gary Bodeau received in the Chamber of Deputies, the courtesy visit of Mr. Ha The Duong, CEO of NATCOM SA, came to present his wishes to the new bureau of the Chamber and also to consider ways of collaboration between both institutions, including the provision of internet service to public schools.



Arms Act

Senator Carl Murat Cantave presided over his 2nd plenary session in the Senate of the Republic. Senators discussed around the Draft Law on the "Manufacture, Commercialization, Detention, Control, Carriage and Use of Firearms in the Territory of the Republic of Haiti."



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Politic : Future Corps of civil engineers and architects in the public service





Thursday at the National Palace, Jovenel Moise, the President of the Republic, proceeded to the official presentation of the future Corps of Civil Engineers and Architects (CICA) in the public service, they are 100 engineers who have succeeded the integration contest of the Public Administration, out of 700 candidates.



The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Jean-Henry Ceant, Jules Cantave, President of the Court of Cassation, parliamentarians, members of the government and the diplomatic and consular corps, mayors and advisers to the president.



In this circumstance, the Head of State welcomed the laureates, then congratulated the work of the jury and that of the Office of Management and Human Resources, which has been engaged since the last quarter of 2019 in the recruitment and the formation of this Corps of Engineers and Architects.



The President of the Republic who said he was happy to pay tribute, through this cohort of civil engineers and architects, to the youth of his country, recalled his commitment to his emancipation "You have overcome your apprehensions and are have become the happy ones elected as part of the modernization of the administration and the renovation of the public service [...] Haiti needs your competence, so you will give the best of yourselves and your capacity by posing a citizen action, that of integrating the municipalities of your country," also reminding these certified young people that they are now at the center of the construction and development of Haiti, adding "The road to the modernization of public administration Haitian is engaged because we have today set the objectives of providing it with the necessary skills. We are ready, and we are doing it," taking the opportunity to invite citizens to join the government in changing their behavior as part of their construction projects.



The President of the Jury, the former Minister of Culture, Monique Rocourt, thanked President Jovenel Moise for having thought to endow local and regional authorities with valuable assistance in the field of architecture and engineering, in its fight against favoritism and mediocrity. Rocourt took the opportunity to point out to the new members of CICA that they were recruited to enable the country to live better through this change initiated by the government and desired by all Haitians. "Learn to find solutions before looking for where the mistakes come from."



It should be remembered that these 100 laureates engineers and architects of this competition will benefit from initial training starting in January 2019 and will ultimately be offered access to the public service on the basis of the laws governing the subject. It should also be noted that, under the hierarchical authority of the Prime Minister, the Office of Management and Human Resources is responsible for leading and coordinating government action related to organization, operation, performance, development and the efficiency of administration and the public service.



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Social : 2nd Sunday of pre-carnival activities, many wounded





On January 20th, the 2nd Sunday of pre-carnival activities 2019, the 3 advanced medical posts (PMA) were very busy, many wounded were identified. The Communal Administration of Port-au-Prince has recorded a total of 24 cases of various injuries including 3 wounded with knives and four 4 wounded by bullets; two cases of beating and 15 other unclassified cases. 86 asthma attacks were also recorded in the 3 PMA this Sunday.



The Communal Administration of Port-au-Prince wishes to recall that the theme of the Carnival of Port-au-Prince is "Respekte Lavi"; it deplores the incidents of violence that occurred during this second Sunday and believes in the authority of the National Police to restore calm in the commune.



Also, the Communal Administration of Port-au-Prince wants to remind the DJs and animators accompanying them that obscene and foreign music is strictly prohibited on the carnival route. It is forbidden to play foreign songs even during the sound tests. In addition, DJs and presenters are asked to avoid any kind of comments aimed at devaluing women. Anyone who contravenes the rules defined beforehand by the Town Hall will be fined 50,000 gourdes which he must pay before his next outing.



The Communal Administration of Port-au-Prince reiterates its commitment to guarantee the smooth running of pre-carnival activities 2019.



S/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - FLASH : UN accuse DR of having deported 2,800 legitimate Dominicans in Haiti





The latest Human Rights Watch (HRW) report, released in early 2019, indicates that between June 2015 and March 2018, out of more than 6,000 people of Haitian descent deported in Haiti during this period, the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has revealed that 2,800 people had legitimate Dominican nationality.



HRW notes that after the completion of the National Plan of Regularization of Foreigners (PNRE) "many deportations did not meet international standards and many people were summarily and arbitrarily deported without a hearing" while others "have left the Dominican Republic under pressure or threat."



The report also states that "in the first six months of 2018, nearly 70,000 Haitians have been returned to their country."



HRW points out that after being renewed three times, the PNRE ended definitively in August 2018, leaving more than 200,000 Haitians in the Dominican Republic without a permanent status that risks deportation https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-25236-haiti-social-nearly-200-000-haitians-risk-being-expelled-from-dr.html



Reacting to this report, Miguel Vargas the Minister of Foreign Affairs rejects the statements on the deportations of Haitian descendants. He claims that before being expelled from Dominican territory, every foreigner detained by the Directorate General of Immigration (DGM) was duly identified and that none was of legitimate Dominican nationality.



Nearly 340,000 Haitians deported or sent back to Haiti in 3 years https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-26744-haiti-rd-nearly-340-000-haitians-deported-or-sent-back-to-haiti-in-3-years.html



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-25236-haiti-social-nearly-200-000-haitians-risk-being-expelled-from-dr.html

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-22762-icihaiti-flash-dr-denationalized-haitians-claim-their-rights-as-dominican.html

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-13994-icihaiti-dominican-republic-only-2-registered-foreigners-meet-the-requirements-of-pnre.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-12390-haiti-naturalisation-the-dominican-government-extends-by-90-days-the-registration-deadline.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-12316-haiti-politic-toward-an-extension-of-application-deadline-of-the-law-on-naturalization.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-11207-haiti-politic-the-law-of-regularization-voted-in-the-dominican-republic-and-after.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-9834-haiti-denationalization-audit-results-of-dominican-civil-state-registers.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-9724-haiti-denationalization-the-dominican-government-accepts-the-decision-of-the-constitutional-court.html



SL/ HaitiLibre






















MIDDLETOWN  Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz visited Middletown Wednesday to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Lt. Col. Stavros Mellekas, 51, who now leads Connecticut State Police.

Mellekas replaces retired Col. George F. Battle.

Gov. Ned Lamont nominated Mellekas in December, highlighting his experience in law enforcement and dedication to keeping Connecticut communities safe. Lamont said Mellekas is a service-oriented trooper who believes in treating everyone with dignity and respect, and holds people accountable for their actions, according to a press release.

Mellekas has served for nearly 25 years with the state police, and previously oversaw field operations for all three state districts, each of the three major crime squads, and the Bureau of Special Investigations, according to the release.

The colonel, who started as a patrol trooper and rose through the ranks, has been awarded several citations for outstanding police work and meritorious service.

He comes from a large, well-known Greek family, and has been married to his wife Kim for 25 years. They live in Bristol with their three children: two in college and one a senior in high school, according to the release.

Governor Lamont and I congratulate Col. Mellekas on his swearing in, and are confident that he will continue to be a great leader in the state police. Safety is very important to us, and we will continue to support the efforts of Commissioner James Rovella and the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection to keep Connecticut safe, Bysiewicz said during the ceremony.

We are grateful to DESPP for all that they do to protect and improve the quality of life for all our residents by providing a broad range of public safety services, including training, regulatory guidance, prevention and education programs, she said.

I know Col. Mellekas will do everything he can to ensure that our troopers are well-prepared to protect the people of Connecticut, and I look forward to seeing all the great things he accomplishes in this new role, Bysiewicz said.
In one of his final acts as state attorney general, George Jepsen sued OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma for allegedly deceiving patients and medical professionals about its top-selling drug.

New Attorney General William Tong, a former state representative for Stamford and Darien who was elected last November, said the lawsuit is one of his top priorities. It is one of hundreds filed in recent years against the Stamford-based company by local and state governments, as the plaintiffs seek accountability for the opioid crisis that continues to grip the country.

Connecticut has a very serious and sincere interest in this issue, Tong said in an interview this week.

Purdue has denied the lawsuits allegations, while saying it wants to work with public officials to tackle the causes of the crisis.

Trial or settlement?

The lawsuit made Connecticut the 20th state last year to sue Purdue, joining Arizona, Florida, Massachusetts, New York and others.

Paralleling claims filed by those states, Connecticuts litigation maintains Purdue and members of the Sackler family, which owns the company and holds several board seats, falsely marketed opioids, including OxyContin, which account for the majority of the companys revenues, estimated at more than $3 billion annually.

Connecticut claims Purdues aggressive marketing campaign misled doctors and downplayed the risks of addiction to the companys potent drugs. The Sacklers and other executives directed thousands of visits by sales representatives to doctors, encouraging inappropriate levels of opioid prescribing, the lawsuit states.

The Purdue sales force  which was disbanded last year  allegedly tried to get more patients on higher doses, for longer periods, and treated doctors who prescribed the drugs in large amounts to meals, gifts and cash.

Will (the lawsuits) result in formal litigation and a trial on the merits, or will it result in a settlement  I dont know, Tong said. But I think its important to note that a settlement can be every bit as effective in making sure that we have the resources for treatment and prevention (of opioid abuse), and may be even more effective than going to litigation and trial.

Going to trial would hardly guarantee a favorable verdict for the state.

On Jan. 9, state Superior Court Judge Thomas Moukawsher dismissed lawsuits filed against Purdue and several other opioid makers by about 20 Connecticut cities and towns  including Bridgeport, New Haven, New Britain and Waterbury.

A credible suggestion on measuring causation might have given this court some pause, Moukawsher wrote in his decision. But during the long hours  during which this motion was argued in court, it became apparent that the plaintiffs filed these lawsuits without first thinking of a way to sort out the causation conundrum.

In 2017, 1,038 people died of drug overdoses in Connecticut, according to the state Chief Medical Examiners Office. Nearly half of those deaths involved heroin  which has made a roaring comeback on the heels of widespread prescription opioid addiction. Many who first become addicted to doctor-provided pills turn to the cheaper and easier-to-get street drug.

Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim has said the city plans to appeal, and New Britain and New Haven are considering doing the same.

The decision will have a limited effect outside Connecticut, said Robert Bird, a professor of business law at the University of Connecticut. States have varying approaches to proving causation that will be applied in their own jurisdictions. Depending on state law, this case could have gone the other way.

Meanwhile, some critics of Purdue have suggested pursuing criminal charges against the company. Such an option is off the table for Tongs office, as its jurisdiction is all but limited to civil litigation.

The state Division of Criminal Justices work to tackle the opioid crisis includes the prosecution of individuals found to have contributed to others fatal overdoses, according to an agency spokesperson. But state law does not enable criminal prosecution of corporations, the spokesperson added.

Purdue also faces an investigation by the U.S. Attorneys Office in Connecticut, which is part of the U.S. Department of Justice.

A DOJ spokesman declined to comment on the inquiry.

Widespread litigation

To help manage the proliferation of lawsuits, a Cleveland-based federal judge, Dan Polster, is overseeing approximately 1,700 complaints filed by municipal and county governments in a process known as Multidistrict Litigation. A comprehensive settlement  which would probably be reached through the MDL proceedings  could take several more months, even years, to finalize.

These defendants need eternal peace, Paul Hanly, co-lead counsel for the MDL plaintiffs, said in a recent interview. Thats why this settlement is incredibly complex  because it has to be completely buttoned up.

While the MDL process moves forward, more lawsuits pour in against Purdue. A Jan. 3 complaint by Georgia marked the latest filed by a state.

A settlement is still a reasonable or viable possibility, Bird said. I dont think Purdue can wait these lawsuits out. Its just a matter of how the shifting public landscape will shape the climate for a settlement.

But the courts are not the only recourse for the plaintiffs.

Connecticut remains in a 42-state investigation of Purdue, and six other pharmaceutical firms, that it joined in 2016.

Like the complaint, the multistate inquiry could end with a settlement.

The overarching goal is to stop this epidemic from spreading and provide for treatment and long-term prevention to help Connecticut families and families across this country who suffer from this scourge and stop the abuse of these powerful, and, in many cases, lethal drugs, Tong said.

pschott@scni.com; 203-964-2236; twitter: @paulschott
Greensburg, IN (47240)

Today

Thunderstorms likely this morning. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. A few storms may be severe. High 83F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms. Low 69F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%.
John Newsom brought attention to an important topic in his recent column (Beyond the charts: College debt, continued, Jan. 21). Student loan debt is one of the biggest issues confronting higher education, especially for those pursuing a graduate or professional degree. That is why Elon Law is proud of its ongoing efforts to lower the cost of a legal education.

Since 2014, Elon Law has introduced a 2.5-year curriculum with a tuition guaranteed not to change once a student enrolls, and it has increased scholarship assistance and fellowship opportunities. This has led to a 20 percent reduction in the debt the typical Elon Law student accrues during her (yes, the future of the legal profession is female) studies.

So as North Carolina grows at one of the fastest clips in the country, we are equipping Elon Law students with the knowledge and skills they need to serve our burgeoning population, while making strides to help them leave in sound financial footing. Surely that is cause for celebration.

Luke Bierman

Greensboro

The writer is dean and professor of law, Elon University School of Law.
Thom Tillis, moderate?

Say hello to Thom Tillis, the centrist. Remember him?

He was the candidate who ran for one of North Carolinas U.S. Senate seats in 2014. He vowed then to be a moderate voice in polarized Washington. That sounded good to N.C. voters, who backed him over Democratic incumbent Kay Hagan.

That Tillis is back  at least in words. Hardly a week goes by now without the Tillis press shop announcing bipartisan bills the senator is sponsoring. He also is positioning himself at the center of significant issues, most notably this month with an op-ed in The Hill on immigration and the government shutdown.

In it, Tillis called for a 21st-century approach to border security that isnt a big, literal physical wall. He called for a merit-based path to citizenship for the DACA population. He decried the extreme elements on either side of the aisle.

We agree with much of that.


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In an interview with The Post last year about experimentation on dogs in federal research labs, a practice he has publicly opposed, Stone said he and his wife were "dog lovers and cat lovers." They owned three cats and two Yorkshire terriers - the latest of nine Yorkies they had owned over the years, he said. They'd also at one point taken in a Wheaten terrier they found injured on a roadside, he said; its leg was later amputated.

"We often refer to our place as Stone's Animal Farm," said Stone, whose coexistence with dogs goes back at least three decades: At age 33, he had two Dachshunds, according to a 1986 Post article.

So passionate is he about dogs, Stone said last year, that he'd encouraged candidates for office in his Florida district to rail against the local animal shelter's euthanasia rates. He said he'd also organized a small protest in 2018 outside what he described as a shady storefront "puppy mill" that sold ill dogs and offered dubious financing. (To spread the word, Stone said, he "printed out fliers and went into all the gay bars . . . and called all my friends in college Republican clubs.")

"It's just something I feel very strongly about," Stone said of animal causes.

In fact, he added, he had plans to retire from political life and devote his time to animal welfare.
NEW YORK - There had been signs for weeks: a growing number of TSA officers weren't showing up for work. Elected officials and union leaders warned the prolonged government shutdown was bad for the safety and efficiency of the nation's aviation system.

On Friday, those warnings played out with astonishing speed after the Federal Aviation Administration announced it was restricting flights into and out of New York's LaGuardia Airport because there weren't enough air traffic controllers to manage them safely.

Within hours, the White House weighed in.

"We are in regular contact with officials at the Department of Transportation and the FAA," White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said.

It was only one airport, but the impact rippled through the system. At one point, arrivals at LaGuardia were delayed for an average of nearly two hours; for departures, it was nearly an hour. Delays also were reported at airports in Newark, Philadelphia and Atlanta.

The FAA's action was the first time staffing shortages hit air traffic control centers during the shutdown. The TSA had struggled to keep security checkpoints operating amid a growing number of callouts, but while those shortages increased wait times at some airports, they didn't affect planes once in the air.
Hampton testified that Slade turned against her cousin when other gang members learned that Cuthbertson had for a second time lost a gun belonging to the gang.

She told jurors a man she called Little Rodney took the gun away from Cuthbertson and refused to return it to him.

Hampton testified she watched that day as her cousin paced, his anxiety over losing the gun growing. She told jurors that while sitting in a car with both cousins, Cuthbertson told her that he was done with the gang life and he was going to drop his flag, a red bandanna members of the Bloods carry to symbolize their membership.

His phone rang again and again that day. She could hear someone yelling on the other end, Hampton testified. She said her cousin tried to explain what happened to the gun but the other person kept hanging up.

When the final phone call ended, Hampton told jurors she saw Slade walk to the drivers side window, lean in and question Cuthbertson about the gun. Two other men stood next to the car.

Hampton said she knew Slade and Cuthbertson were friends so, despite her cousin sounding angry, she wasnt worried and decided to scroll through her phone. Thats when she said she heard multiple shots fired.
GREENSBORO  A Greensboro man has been arrested in connection with a series of robberies over the course of two days in the northern and eastern sides of the city, police said in a news release.

Justin Keith Muse, 34, was arrested without incident Thursday after an investigation by the department's robbery squad.

Authorities said Muse was wanted on charges of attempted robbery with a dangerous weapon at The Great Stops at 3901 N. Church St., and robbery with a dangerous weapon at the following businesses:

Walgreens, 300 E. Cornwallis Drive

Dollar General, 3109 Yanceyville St.

Subway, 1046 Summit Ave.

Great Stops, 2410 E. Market St.

Family Dollar, 4900 Summit Ave.

All of the robberies took place between Wednesday and today, police said. Muse also had two other outstanding warrants on charges of possession of a stolen car and misdemeanor larceny, police said.

Bond information was not immediately available.
GREENSBORO  Guilford County prosecutors announced Monday morning they will not pursue the death penalty against one of three people charged in a double homicide on Bragg Street on Dec. 2.

Elijah Naitro Valentin, 20, of Georgia faces two counts of first-degree murder in the shooting deaths of 44-year-old Jeffrey Devine Hampton and 22-year-old Ernest Lemark Cuthbertson.

Court officials scheduled Valentin to face Guilford County Superior Court Judge Stuart Albright on Monday for a Rule 24 hearing, which is when a prosecutor would announce whether he or she plans to pursue the death penalty.

During the calendar call Monday, assistant prosecutor Kelly Thompson told Albright the case would be continued to Wednesday. She said the state did not plan to seek the death penalty and that Valentins attorney plans to ask for bail.

Valentin is in the Guilford County jail without bail.

He was arrested by FBI investigators at his fathers home in Georgia on Christmas Eve.

Valentin lived in Greensboro the year before the double homicide but moved back to his home state.
In 1533, Englands King Henry VIII secretly married his second wife, Anne Boleyn, who later gave birth to Elizabeth I.

In 1890, reporter Nellie Bly (Elizabeth Cochrane) of the New York World completed a round-the-world journey in 72 days, 6 hours and 11 minutes.

In 1915, Americas first official transcontinental telephone call took place as Alexander Graham Bell, who was in New York, spoke to his former assistant, Thomas Watson, who was in San Francisco, over a line set up by American Telephone & Telegraph.

In 1924, the first Winter Olympic Games opened in Chamonix, France.

In 1945, Grand Rapids, Michigan, became the first community to add fluoride to its public water supply.

In 1961, President John F. Kennedy held the first presidential news conference to be carried live on radio and television.

In 1971, Charles Manson and three women followers were convicted in Los Angeles of murder and conspiracy in the 1969 slayings of seven people, including actress Sharon Tate.
By inadvertence or neglect Hamilton was not notified that during the War between the Northern and Southern States, Dec. 17, 1861, in Guilford County, Gilmer and Winbourne obtained an order in the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for said county directing and authorizing the then sheriff of said county, Caleb A. Boon, successor to the said Winbourne, to make title to the said John A. Gilmer Sr. for the three aforesaid tracts. Boone carried out the order the next day.

Plaintiff Hamilton had considered Gilmer to be his agent and believed the sale was an effort to prevent his property from being confiscated. He also believed that the deceased Gilmer and Sloan knew that the lands were his.

Gilmers widow, the former Juliana Paisley, and children said they were unaware of the transaction but acknowledged that they knew Gilmer was Hamiltons agent.

They stated that they did not desire to obstruct the plaintiffs rights in any way, as the lands if adjudged to be the property of John A. Gilmer, Sr., decd, they would have to be sold to pay his many debts.
My goal when I met with Mrs. Majette was to own my own home because there arent a lot of good options for Section 8 housing in High Point, Rolph said.

She said the Section 8 program is great but she found her choices as a single woman with pets to be very limited. She wanted a place to call her own.

I needed to stand on my own, and have a place to live, and I wanted a way to support myself, Rolph said.

She said the GWEN program helped because it was a group of women coming together to support each other and that was a good thing. She said without her self sufficiency counselor she would have never heard of the GWEN program. It was another step on her journey to her reach her goal.

The GWEN program was great because knowing other women are struggling even though we are all at different places, but we want the same things, to be successful and have things we need and to bounce ideas off each other, was a big help, Rolph said.

Rolph had set the goal and was taking the steps necessary to reach it, but she said it wasnt always easy. Even with the help of the great programs, she still had to advocate for herself, something she had learned to do when she cared for her mother.
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Bosch is now taking full control of EM-motive, one of Europes most successful manufacturers of electric motors. Bosch and Daimler set up EM-motive GmbH as a fifty-fifty joint venture in 2011. Since then, it has manufactured some 450,000 electric motors.





For Bosch, the complete acquisition of EM-motive is the next logical step on the path to becoming the market leader for electromobility. Its a chance to establish an even broader presence in the market. Dr. Stefan Hartung, member of the board of management of Robert Bosch GmbH and chairman of its Mobility Solutions business sector

Bosch secured an option to acquire the shares from Daimler of the JV at its formation. A complete takeover was thus already an option in the joint venture agreement. The change in ownership structure will not have any immediate effect on the roughly 340 EM-motive associates currently working at the locations in Stuttgart and Hildesheim, Germany.

The companys electric motors already feature in vehicles made by Daimler, Porsche, Fiat, Volvo, Peugeot, and StreetScooter, among others. With this move, Bosch above all intends to acquire new customers in the rapidly growing global market. Dr. Mathias Pillin, the member of the Powertrain Solutions executive management responsible for the electric-vehicle market segment

The existing company EM-motive GmbH will be transferred to Robert Bosch GmbH. The acquisition of the shares is subject to approval by the antitrust authorities.

The two parties have agreed not to disclose the purchase price or any further details of the acquisition. The EM-motive joint venture was set up to make it economical for the two partners to enter electric-motor manufacturing: given the initially small batch sizes, the two companies were able to share the high capital cost of developing and manufacturing electric motors. As a result, Bosch and Daimler were able to enter electric-motor production early.
The German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) has launched the Battery Cell Research Production Center, a new R&D and large-scale industrial manufacturing plant for lithium-ion cells; the center will receive an investment of 500 million.

The location of the new facility is to be selected by mid-2019, after which the construction phase will begin. Six German cell manufacturers have already pledged their support for the establishment and operation of research production: Leclanche, BMZ Group/ Terra E, Customcells, EAS and Liacon.

The center is part of a strategic drive to develop a German-based mass production of lithium-ion cells necessary to meet the demands of the electrification of transport and storage systems.

The objective of the facility is to act as an enabler for the development of mass industrial production based on state-of-the-art cell chemistry and cell design. The ultimate goal is building a European-based industry capable of minimizing dependence on Asian battery manufacturers.

The new center unites all previous promotion measures and programs for battery research under one roof and builds on existing competencies. The funding is bundled, realigned and coordinated in three modules: material; cells and processes; and battery cell production.

As the largest cell manufacturer within the Consortium, Leclanche will be playing a leading role by bringing industrial-scale cell manufacturing know-how.

Leclanche announced in December 2018 that it would triple current factory capacity to more than 3 million cells per year, or 1 GWh per year by 2020. The production of its proprietary cells, Lithium Titanate Oxide (LT)) and Lithium Graphite/NMC, is based in Willstatt, Germanycurrently the largest lithium-ion pouch cell production facility in Europe operating since 2012 with a capacity of more than 1 million cells.

The ramp-up of cell production comes on the back of significant orders in the e-transport sector including e-buses, 2-3 wheelers, and electric vehicles in India and Europe, and major breakthroughs in the marine sector with orders exceeding 45 MWh. Leclanche recently achieved the milestone of 100 MWh of projects around the world.

The BMZ Group is a global player in the production of lithium-ion system solutions. The group is headquartered in Germany and has production facilities in China, Poland and the USA as well as subsidiaries in Japan and France. In addition, there are research and development locations worldwide. Around 3,000 employees work for the BMZ Group worldwide.

Customcells is a worldwide operating high-tech company that develops and produces battery electrodes, lithium-ion battery cells and energy storage systems. Technology development, cell design and production are carried out on a small- and medium-scale.

EAS Batteries GmbH has been producing large-format lithium-ion cells and lithium-ion batteries at its Nordhausen site for more than 20 years. The EAS technology is characterized by above-average power densities and is mainly used in hybrid electrical applications. The high safety and performance of the EAS systems are particularly sought after in the fields of shipping, construction machinery, rail vehicles and mining vehicles as well as in the aerospace industry. Since 2017, EAS Batteries has been part of the MONBAT Group, the third largest battery manufacturer in the world.

Liacon GmbH is currently setting up a lithium-ion cell production facility near Dresden, in Ottendorf-Okrilla, with a production capacity of up to 300 MWh per year. Production will start in the first half of 2019. In addition, the company maintains a research and development group in Itzehoe.
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has adopted a plan that demonstrates to the US Environmental Protection Agency how the San Joaquin Valley air basin will attain each of four federal standards for fine particulate matter by regulatory deadlines.

Meeting standards for fine particle pollution, or PM 2.5 , is the San Joaquin Valleys most critical air quality challenge. The San Joaquin Valley has the worst particulate matter pollution in Californiaand the worst in the nation for annual federal standards. The newly adopted 2018 Valley PM 2.5 Plan is expected to result in significant improvement in air quality by 2024.

The plan features air pollution controls on important mobile, stationary and area-wide sources that will achieve the needed reductions of PM 2.5 and nitrogen oxides (n)ox emissions to reach attainment. NO x , produced in the air during combustion, is an important precursor for fine particle pollution.

Particulate matter, which can be made up of soot, soil, dust and sulfate particles, comes from a variety of sources, but primarily from the burning of carbon-based fuels, such as gasoline, diesel and wood. In the San Joaquin Valley, car and truck emissions make up about half of measured airborne PM 2.5 , and local sources, such as wood smoke and dust, make up the other half.

Despite progressexisting CARB strategies such as engine and fuels standards have reduced Valley NO x emissions by 60% and Valley Air District programs have reduced PM 2.5 emissions by nearly 40%PM 2.5 emissions are expected to rise as the population grows.

Currently, the Valley is designated non-attainment for the following federal health-based standards for PM 2.5 : the 1997 24-hour (65 micrograms per cubic meter) and annual (15 ug/m3) standards, and the 2006 24-hour (35 ug/m3) and 2012 annual (12 ug/m3) standards. Deadlines for attaining these standards are 2020, 2024 and 2025, respectively. (The 2020 deadline is for both 1997 standards.)

The plan relies on both regulations and financial incentives to accelerate emissions reductions. Securing approximately $5 billion in incentive funding by 2024 will be critical for implementing the plan. CARB said it is committed to working with the air district and stakeholders to help secure a steady stream of needed funding.

Measures for reducing emissions include:

New regulations targeting emissions from heavy-duty trucks, including an inspection and maintenance program, a low-NO x engine standard and a low-emission diesel fuel requirement.

Tightened controls on residential wood-burning stoves and fireplaces, and enhanced incentives for cleaner-burning alternatives.

Enhanced incentives for purchase of cleaner agricultural equipment and commercial underfired charbroilers.

A suite of measures to reduce emissions of NO x from flares, including flares at refineries, oil fields and landfills, internal combustion engines and boilers, among other sources.
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Goshen, IN (46526)

Today

Mostly cloudy this morning. Scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 83F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Some clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 61F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph.
Vancouver, January 25, 2019 - Japan Gold Corp. (TSXV: JG) (OTCQB: JGLDF) ("Japan Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of Murray Flanigan to the Board of Directors.

Mr. Flanigan is a management consultant providing financial advisory services to a number of public and private oil and gas, mining and technology companies in North America and abroad. Mr. Flanigan is a Chartered Accountant and a Chartered Financial Analyst with expertise in corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, international taxation, risk management, banking, treasury, corporate restructuring and accounting, and has served as Chief Financial Officer for various public and private companies. Mr. Flanigan is currently a Managing Principal of Kepis & Pobe Financial Group Inc. and a key member of its executive management team responsible for the negotiation and closing of numerous recent large scale oil & gas transactions in West Africa, offshore Guyana and the Middle East. Prior to founding his own consulting company, Mr. Flanigan served as Senior Vice President, Corporate Development and CFO of Qwest Investment Management Corp., where he was responsible for regulatory reporting and corporate filings for over 15 private and publicly listed companies and limited partnerships in Qwest's portfolio, as well as arranging and closing numerous equity and debt financings. Mr. Flanigan also served as VP Corporate Development for Adelphia Communications Corporation, overseeing the company's financial restructuring and ultimate sale to Time Warner Inc. and Comcast Corporation for approximately US$18 billion.

Japan Gold also wishes to provide an update on stock options (the "Options") that have been granted to certain directors, officers, employees and consultants pursuant to the Company's rolling 10% stock option plan. After careful consideration of the need to strike a balance between the interests of shareholders generally, and incentives to key individuals, Japan Gold:

- Is not re-pricing 4,549,950 existing Options from $0.40 to $0.16 as previously announced in a news release dated December 14, 2018.

- Has granted 5,280,000 new Options exercisable at a price of $.20 per share for a period of 10 years from the date of grant, of which 4,250,000 have been granted to directors and officers.

Including the new grant, the Company has the following Options outstanding: (i) 4,549,950 Options at an exercise price of $0.40 per share; (ii) 1,525,050 Options at an exercise price of $0.16 per share; and (iii) 5,280,000 new Options at an exercise price of $0.20 per share.

The Company's securities referred to in this news release have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act, 1933 and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements.

On behalf of the Board of Japan Gold Corp.

"John Proust"

Chairman & CEO

About Japan Gold

Japan Gold Corp. is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused solely on gold and copper-gold exploration in Japan. The Company has applied for 216 prospecting rights licenses in Japan for a combined area of 71,529 hectares over seventeen separate projects. Sixty-eight of these applications have been granted as Prospecting Rights. The applications cover areas with known gold occurrences and a history of mining, and are prospective for both high-grade epithermal gold mineralization and gold-bearing lithocaps, which could indicate the presence of porphyry mineralization. Japan Gold's leadership team has decades of resource industry and business experience, and the Company has recruited geologists and technical advisors with experience exploring and operating in Japan. More information is available at www.japangold.com or by email at info@japangold.com.

Japan Gold Contact

John Proust

Chairman & CEO

Phone: 778-725-1491

Email: info@japangold.com

Neither the TSX-V nor its Regulation Services Provider (as such term is defined in the policies of the TSX-V) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/42456
The report recommended a plan that includes establishing a formal education compact between the city and the school division and a focus on halting the decline in enrollment to preserve state funding and better serve students.

The decline has been by around 100 students per year, and must be limited to 50 students in 2019-20 and eliminated thereafter, according to the report.

A compact would encompass the citys ongoing financial commitment to the school system and the school divisions goals and metrics.

School Superintendent Stanley Jones said the recommendations are not going to resolve the biggest problem the school system faces: underfunding from the state.

The bottom line is that in Virginia, we have vastly underfunded public education since the Great Recession, Jones told the Danville Register & Bee on Thursday.

He added that it was too early to comment on the recommendations.

Its too early to get into the details of the recommendations because it ignores the fact that we are not funding public education like we need to, he said.

In 2009, 2010 and 2011, Danville was the highest performing high-poverty school division in the state, Jones said.
Gloucester, MA (01930)

Today

Sunshine and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 81F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 64F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.
US Completes 20-Year-Long Naval Nuclear Warhead Overhaul

Sputnik News

22:02 24.01.2019(updated 22:10 24.01.2019)

The US has completed a two-decade-long project to refurbish and update the W76 nuclear warhead in use on US Navy submarine-launched ballistic missiles, the US Department of Energy (DOE) announced Wednesday. However, the larger problem of its Trident missile delivery system remains.

The DOE's National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) noted completion of the project, begun in 1998, to update the W76-0 warhead to the W76-1. The nuclear warheads date to the 1970s, and the refurbishment adds new safety features and further extends their life by at least 20 years, a Wednesday DOE press release said.

"A great deal of teamwork and dedication went into this incredible achievement. People all across our country did their part to make the delivery of this refurbished warhead possible, and they did it ahead of schedule and under budget," US Secretary of Energy Rick Perry said at a ceremony at the Pantex Plant, the US' primary nuclear weapons assembly and disassembly facility in Amarillo, Texas.

"Today is a shining example of the crucial role NNSA plays in enhancing our nation's nuclear security," Undersecretary for Nuclear Security and NNSA Administrator Lisa Gordon-Hagerty said at the ceremony, according to Defense News.

"The success we've achieved on the W76-1 is a testament to our ability across the Nuclear Security Enterprise to deliver on commitments to the Department of Defense, Congress and the American people," Gordon-Hagerty said. "With this proven path forward, we will continue to make progress on our other modernization programs, including the B61-12, W80-4 and the W88 Alteration 370."

In 2010, then US-President Barack Obama began a $1.5 trillion modernization of the US' entire nuclear weapons program, a project expected to take 30 years to complete. That also includes new facilities, a new stealth bomber, a new nuclear armed cruise missile dubbed the Long Range Standoff weapon (LRSO) and the above-mentioned warhead overhauls, The Hill noted.

It also includes development of a new Trident submarine-launched ballistic missile, which carries the W-76 warhead. That new missile, the Trident D5 LE2, must also be developed and constructed, as the present Tridents were built decades ago.

While the W76 might be under budget according to Perry, modernization of the related W88 Trident II ballistic missile warhead and the B61-12 gravity bomb are way over budget, according to a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report released in November 2018. The GAO found the W88 life extension program was 11 percent over preliminary estimates, and the B-61-12 program was 1.2 percent over.

The Trump administration's Nuclear Posture Review, released on February 2, 2018, set further ambitions for the US nuclear weapons program, including a low-yield variant of the W76, dubbed the W76-2. The NNSA expects that program to deliver its first production unit in 2020 and be completed by 2024, to the tune of between $7.3 and $9.5 billion, Defense News noted.

Congressional Democrats have vowed to oppose the program, and Rep. Adam Smith, the new chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, has vowed to kill funding for it.

The W76 variants could also find use on the Navy's prospective submarine-launched hypersonic weapon being developed by the Strategic Systems Program (SSP).

"We just about tested everything that we need to test at one point or another for that program [W76], which is what gives us the confidence that when we go to do these, the system will work," Vice Admiral Johnny Wolfe said at the annual Naval Submarine League symposium last November. "We don't need to go do a test with this; we've got all the right models from all the years of operating the 76 and the 76-1, which we're deploying now."

Sputnik reported in November that because the US has already signed off on an international ban on testing new nuclear weapons, it's leaning on already-proven technology.

Despite this, US fidelity to international nuclear weapons treaties isn't what it used to be: Washington has announced its intention to withdraw from the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, an agreement signed with the Soviet Union that envisioned the destruction of all nuclear-armed, ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles with ranges between 300 and 3,400 miles, Sputnik reported. Russia, the successor state to the Soviet Union, has urged Washington to return to the confines of the INF and the related New Strategic Arms Reduction (New START) treaty, a 2010 bilateral accord on nuclear arms reduction.

 Sputnik
DOE AND NNSA Celebrate W76-1 Life Extension Program

January 23, 2019

Two decades of enterprise-wide collaboration leads to successfully extending the life of the W76 warhead for the U.S. Navy under budget and ahead of schedule

WASHINGTON  The Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA) celebrated the completion of the Program of Record for the W76-1 Life Extension Program (LEP) today at the Pantex Plant in Amarillo, Texas.

The W76-1 is a refurbished W76-0 warhead, which is a submarine-launched ballistic missile system first introduced into the stockpile for the U.S. Navy in 1978. This LEP has strengthened the safety and security of the United States by extending the warhead's service life from 20 years to 60 years.

"A great deal of teamwork and dedication went into this incredible achievement. People all across our country did their part to make the delivery of this refurbished warhead possible and they did it ahead of schedule and under budget," said U.S. Secretary of Energy Rick Perry.

The LEP has been underway since October 1998 and every one of the Nuclear Security Enterprise's labs, plants, and sites contributed to this major modernization program.

"The success we've achieved on the W76-1 is a testament to our ability across the Nuclear Security Enterprise to deliver on commitments to the Department of Defense, Congress, and the American people," said Undersecretary for Nuclear Security and NNSA Administrator Lisa E. Gordon- Hagerty. "With this proven path forward, we will continue to make progress on our other modernization programs, including the B61-12, W80-4 and the W88 Alteration 370."

In addition to Secretary Perry and Administrator Gordon-Hagerty, Department of Defense, state, and local dignitaries and representatives from across the Nuclear Security Enterprise attended the commemoration at the Pantex Plant.
Ex-Ukrainian President Yanukovich Sentenced to 13 Years in Prison in Absentia

Sputnik News

18:09 24.01.2019(updated 18:48 24.01.2019)

The court ruled that the former Ukrainian head of state, who was overthrown in a coup in 2014, was not guilty of a violation of Ukraine's territorial integrity, but had committed high treason.

The Court in Kiev ruled that Yanukovich, who fled the country during the violent coup in 2014, has to spend 13 years in prison. Yanukovich's lawyers announced that they would appeal to international organisations, urging them to appraise the controversial ruling.

The former president, who now resides in Rostov, Russia, has repeatedly denied all the accusations, stating that the cases against him were initiated by his political opponents.

Yanukovich lost power after a series of rallies that led to the deaths of over 100 people.

As a result, some parts of the country refused to recognize the new government, established after the coup, what led to a military conflict in the eastern part of Ukraine, where the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) and Lugansk People's Republic (LPR) proclaimed independence from Kiev.

At the same time, the Crimean peninsula decided to carry out a referendum and, as a result of it, reunited with Russia.

 Sputnik
Ukraine Sentences Ex-President Yanukovych In Absentia To 13 Years In Prison

By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service January 24, 2019

KYIV -- A Ukrainian court has found former President Viktor Yanukovych guilty of high treason and sentenced him in absentia to 13 years in prison over attempts to quash a 2014 pro-Western uprising.

"Yanukovych committed a crime against the foundation of Ukraine's national security," Judge Vladyslav Devyatko said in Kyiv's Obolon district court on January 24.

Yanukovych, 68, was also found guilty of "complicity in waging an aggressive war against Ukraine," Devyatko said, adding his prison term would begin "the moment he is detained."

However, he was acquitted of a third charge: taking deliberate actions that violated Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Yanukovych was pushed from power in February 2014 by a protest movement known as the Maidan, which erupted after he scrapped plans for a landmark agreement with the European Union and said he would pursue closer ties with Moscow.

More than 100 people were killed and 2,500 injured in clashes with security forces, some of them shot dead by snipers.

The former president fled to Russia shortly after his ouster and has not returned.

He has denied all three charges against him, contending that the case is politically motivated, and in November refused to give testimony by video, citing recent surgery.

Yanukovych's lawyer, Oleksandr Horoshinskyy, announced that the defense would appeal the verdict, saying the trial "has been conducted under pressure from the state from the start."

The prosecution had asked the court to sentence Yanukovych to 15 years in prison.

After Yanukovych abandoned his office and fled to Russia, Moscow moved swiftly to seize control over Ukraine's Crimea region.

Russian President Vladimir Putin's government sent troops without insignia to the peninsula, seized key buildings, took control of the regional legislature, and staged a referendum denounced as illegitimate by at least 100 countries at the UN.

Russia also fomented unrest and backed opponents of Kyiv in eastern Ukraine, where more than 10,300 people have been killed in the ensuing conflict since April 2014.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) ruled in November 2016 that the fighting in eastern Ukraine is "an international armed conflict between Ukraine and the Russian Federation."

With reporting by AFP, Reuters, Current Time, Unian, Meduza, AP, Kyiv Post, and TASS

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/kyiv-judge-says -yanukovych-s-guilt-proven-in-treason-trial-no -verdict-yet/29728084.html

Copyright (c) 2019. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.
Taiwan's efforts to expand international space continue: president

ROC Central News Agency

2019/01/24 15:57:55

Taipei, Jan. 24 (CNA) President Tsai Ing-wen () said Thursday that Taiwan is continuing to seek greater international space, particularly through the United Nations system.

As Taiwan tries to reach out to the wider world, its allies remain an important link, she said in a meeting at the Presidential Office with a delegation from allied countries, comprising permanent representatives and deputy permanent representatives to the U.N.

Tsai thanked the members of the delegation for consistently speaking up for Taiwan at U.N. meetings and events and said she had been working to strengthen cooperation and exchanges with their countries.

"We absolutely have the ability to make a bigger contribution to the world," she said.

Noting that she has visited several of Taiwan's diplomatic allies in the two years she has been in office, Tsai said all interaction helps cement bilateral relations.

She also told the delegation that she hoped their current visit would give them greater insight into Taiwan politics, economy and democratic society.

Taiwan's experience in the areas of green energy technology and sustainable development also allows opportunities for greater cooperation, she said.

In this era of globalization, trade and people-to-people exchanges between countries are growing and global cooperation is needed to tackle issues such as sustainable development, public health and aviation safety, Tsai said.

"Taiwan should not be excluded" from the international cooperation networks, she said.

Tsai said Taiwan is more than willing to work with its allies in the areas of sustainable development, green energy, medical and health care, agricultural technology and resilient cities.

(By Yeh Su-ping and Evelyn Kao)

Enditem/pc


US Syrian Pullout Pushes Syrian Kurds Toward Damascus

By Dorian Jones January 24, 2019

Talks between Syrian Kurdish forces and Damascus are seen as the latest repercussion from Washington's decision to pull troops out of Syria. The talks could force Ankara to end its freeze in diplomatic relations with Damascus. Both developments are key objectives of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Putin on Wednesday praised the Syrian Kurdish group, the PYD, for "establishing a dialogue between Damascus and representatives of the Kurds."

Moscow has been lobbying the PYD and its military wing, the YPG, to sit down with Damascus in a bid to pry away the Kurdish groups from Washington's influence.

Earlier this month, White House national security adviser John Bolton appealed to the YPG to refrain from dialogue with Damascus. "I think they know who their friends are," Bolton said, referring to the Kurds.

The YPG's allies in the U.S.-led war against Islamic State had largely resisted Moscow's overtures. With American military backing, the Kurdish militia had taken control of a broad swath of Syria. However, U.S. President Donald Trump's December decision to withdraw troops from Syria is seen as forcing the Kurdish militia to turn to Damascus.

"It's the main driver, Washington's decision to withdraw its military presence. It pushed the YPG or PYD to direct talks with Damascus," said former senior Turkish diplomat Aydin Selcen.

"We also see press reports one of the top YPG commanders flew to Moscow for talks," he added. "The decision by the U.S. to withdraw has changed the whole ball game. All [Syrian President Bashar] al-Assad has to do is to wait for the U.S. to leave for the YPG to fall into his lap."

With as much as one-fifth of Syrian territory under Syrian militia control, Damascus will be accommodating to Syrian Kurdish groups, according to international relations professor Huseyin Bagci of Ankara's Middle East Technical University.

"At the moment the Syrians have learned lessons from the past, of how counterproductive it is to crack down on the Kurds," said Bagci. "They will negotiate with the Kurds. The Russians are also there, putting the Syrian regime and the Kurds together. I think Turkey will be excluded."

Ankara considers the YPG and PYD terrorist organizations as linked to an insurgency inside Turkey. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is threatening to launch a military strike against YPG-controlled Syrian territory bordering Turkey. Turkish forces remain massed along the frontier.

Analysts say a deal between the YPG and Damascus could thwart a military strike. Putin appeared to make a gesture to Erdogan, though, at a joint press conference Wednesday after talks in Moscow. The Russian president claimed a 1998 Syrian-Turkish counterterrorism agreement was still active.

Adana agreement

The so-called Adana agreement allows Turkish counterterrorism operations in Syria against the Kurdish rebel group PKK, which has been waging a decades-long war against Turkey. Ankara claims the YPG and PYD are affiliated with the PKK.

"It's definitely a gesture by Putin. Many people will be surprised he [Putin] mentioned this," said Selcen. The catch for Ankara is that for the Adana agreement to work, it requires Turkey to restore diplomatic relations with Damascus.

"Putin is playing chess with Turkey, trying to get Ankara to start talking with Assad," said Bagci. Moscow is working to end Damascus' diplomatic isolation.

Erdogan severed ties with Syria at the start of the Syrian civil war and vowed diplomatic relations would not be restored while Assad remained in power. With Putin resurrecting the Adana agreement, however, that could facilitate a softening in Ankara's stance.

"Definitely for Adana to work, you need diplomatic ties," said Aydin. "Turkish Foreign Minister [Mevlut] Cavusoglu indicated there is indirect contact with Damascus and Ankara, and it may now realize it's high time to get in touch with Damascus directly. However, the problem is [that] in diplomacy, one should not paint oneself into a corner, and I am afraid Ankara did this with Syria."

Erdogan has heavily played the anti-Assad card in domestic politics to whip up his conservative Islamic base, which strongly backs the Syrian rebel opposition.

"Sooner or later, Turkey will have to have talks with Bashar al-Assad, but the problem is how to convince the Turkish public," said Bagci. "But Erdogan is a very pragmatic man. He can do this. He can say, 'Yesterday it was like this, but today we have changed our minds. Let us look to the future, and we can have economic and security gains,' and no one will oppose."

Complicating matters for Erdogan: In March there are key local elections across Turkey. In addition, restoring relations with Damascus could put Ankara on a collision course with Washington, which continues to lobby for Syria's isolation.

"To restart negotiations with Damascus is a difficult political step [for Turkey]," said Selcen.

"But the clock is ticking for Turkey, because the UAE, Saudi Arabia, are going back to Damascus, along with the Arab League, so that Turkey could find itself out of step. But Mr. Erdogan is a popular leader. Perhaps Erdogan might wait and see how his party does in March's local elections, and perhaps we could see a thaw in relations with Syria."
'Syria's Assad revokes multiple entry visas for European Union diplomats'

Iran Press TV

Thu Jan 24, 2019 04:46PM

Syria's President Bashar al-Assad has revoked multiple entry visas for European Union diplomats and officials traveling regularly to Damascus, senior EU diplomats say.

Three senior EU diplomats, speaking on condition of anonymity, said on Thursday that they believed the move was an attempt to make European governments and the bloc re-open their diplomatic missions in the Syrian capital.

"This is a measure that hits diplomats and staff of European government embassies and the European Union institutions," commented an EU diplomat.

The European Commission later confirmed that the Syrian government had suspended the visas.

"Yes, that is true," the commission's spokeswoman, Maja Kocijancic, said at a briefing, adding that the Bashar al-Assad government has "suspended multiple entry visas. In that context, we are continuing as the EU, in contact with member states, to do whatever we can to avoid it having an impact on the important work we are doing on the ground."

The EU has used the Lebanese capital Beirut as its diplomatic base while shuttering most embassies in Damascus ever since foreign-sponsored militancy broke out in Syria in March 2011.

The bloc imposed a fresh round of economic sanctions on the Damascus government on Monday, saying that it would not shift its policy until a political transition away from Assad was underway.

The EU slapped sanctions on Syria's state-run Scientific Studies and Research Center (SSRC) as well as five of its staff over what it calls the use of chemical weapons.

New batch of Syrian refugees return to homeland from Lebanon

Separately, hundreds of Syrian refugees returned on Thursday to their homeland from various areas in neighboring Lebanon.

The return of refugees took place under the supervision of Lebanon's General Security in cooperation with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

Refugees returned home using buses sent by Syrian authorities and arrived at al-Dabbousia and Jdeidet Yabous border crossings.

The refugees underwent medical checks and polio vaccines were administered to children. They were then transferred to Syria's central provinces of Homs and Hama in addition to areas on the outskirts of Damascus.

On Sunday, Lebanese President Michel Aoun urged world powers to "make all efforts" to help the repatriation of Syrian refugees as Damascus forces continue to liberate the country from the clutches of foreign-sponsored Takfiri terrorist groups.

"Lebanon calls on the international community to make all efforts possible and provide suitable conditions for a safe return of displaced Syrians," Aoun told an Arab economic summit in Beirut, noting that Lebanon would suggest solutions for safe refugee returns in the meeting's final statement.

More than one million Syrian refugees are registered with the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, in Lebanon.

The Beirut government estimates that the true number of Syrians in Lebanon stands at 1.5 million.
3 killed, dozens injured as bombing spree hits militant-held towns in northwest Syria

Iran Press TV

Thu Jan 24, 2019 05:46PM

A string of bomb attacks have stricken several towns in northwestern Syria, killing three people and injuring nearly a dozen others.

The blasts took place on Thursday after explosive-laden motorbikes were detonated, Reuters reported, citing a resident and witnesses.

They said the fatalities included a woman, a child, and a young man, who died after one device exploded near a public park at the heart of the city of al-Bab, north of Aleppo. The explosion also wounded at least eight others.

Three people were also injured in the nearby towns of Qabasin and al- Ghandurah by similar blasts.

On Wednesday, two explosive devices were detonated in the city of Afrin. Turkey-backed militants there accused the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) of carrying out the blasts.

There was no immediate comment from the YPG.

Turkey, which has been maintaining a military presence in northern Syria, without a Damascus permission, to push the militants back from the vicinity of its border, associates the YPG with the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militant group.

Also on Thursday, a car bomb went off in Syria's capital Damascus, inflicting material damage but causing no casualties.

The incident took place in the city's al-Adawi neighborhood just north of the central Old City district on Thursday, the official Syrian Arab News Agency SANA reported.

"A witness said the blast occurred near a hospital and security forces were examining a blown-up blue car in the street," Reuters reported.

The so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, based in the UK, claimed that the explosion had occurred near the Russian embassy, lightly wounding four people.

On Sunday, a bomb exploded near a highway at the edge of Damascus and authorities arrested one attacker. The Observatory alleged at the time that the attack had taken place near a military intelligence office, killing and wounding an unspecified number of people.

Syria's foreign-backed militancy has claimed thousands of lives, but has largely been warded off over the past three years with the help of Damascus' allies, Russia and Iran.

The Syrian government says the Israeli regime and its Western and regional allies are aiding Takfiri terrorist groups wreaking havoc in the country.

However, admissions have been trickling in from some of those same countries that the government of President Bashar al-Assad has regained control of the country.

Some regional Arab countries, including the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, have even reopened their embassies in Damascus.
Russian S-300s not active during attack in Syria

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, Jan 24, IRNA -- Head of Majlis (parliament) national security and foreign policy commission Heshmatollah Falahat-Pisheh said on Thursday afternoon that Russian air defense system of 'S-300', which are deployed in Syria, were inactive during the Zionist attack on Syria.

In the past days, the Zionist regime following attacks against Syrian infrastructures claimed that had damaged Iranian advisory forces in Syria.

Following his return from Ankara, Falahat-Pisheh told the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) that there is a serious criticism concerning Russia that during the Zionist regime's attacks its air defense 'S-300' system was inactive.

He added that if Russian S-300 system could operate correctly, the Zionist regime could not attack Syria easily.

The senior lawmaker noted that it seems that there is a kind of coordination between the Zionist regime's attacks and Russian air defense deployed in Syria.

Falahat-Pisheh added that in a few hours after the Zionist regime's attack, 'I reached to the area and I noticed that the statistics declared by the Zionist regime were not correct and they were bluffed.'

He said that the aim of military actions of the Zionist reime in Syria is to create disruption in stability creation process in the country and added that they want to force Iran for a series of reactions to form a new challenge in Syria.

The Zionist regime's claims that their actions are against Iran, while they are attacking Syrian infrastructures, security and defensive installations.

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Kalashnikov Concern Plans to Start Production of NATO-Standard Assault Rifle

Sputnik News

05:41 24.01.2019

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Kalashnikov Concern is planning to begin mass production of the AK-308 assault rifle with NATO-standard ammunition in 2019, the concern's General Director Vladimir Dmitriev said.

"The factory tests have been completed, and the preliminary tests are coming up. If everything goes well, then this year we will be able to start mass production," Dmitriev said in an interview with Sputnik and the Kommersant newspaper.

"The AK-308 is certainly interesting as a combat weapon, since assault rifles of this calibre are extremely rare, but at the same time we expect that it will have demand domestically as a civilian weapon, because this is one of the main calibres for hunting rifles," Dmitriev said.

The weapon was developed on the basis of the AK-103 assault rifle chambered for 7.62x51 mm rounds (standard rifle and machine-gun ammunition of NATO member countries) with elements and components of the AK-12 automatic rifle, according to the Kalashnikov Concern.

Vladimir Dmitriev also said that Russia and Armenia have signed a contract for the supply of the AK-12 assault rifles to Yerevan.

"For now, I can only say that Armenia will be the first country, other than Russia, which will buy AK-12. The contract has been signed, and we are preparing a first small batch, which consists of about 50 assault rifles," Dmitriev said in an interview.

It was reported earlier that the Russian Defence Ministry adopted into service the AK-12 and AK-15 assault rifles, developed by the Kalashnikov Concern, as part of the Ratnik "future soldier" gear.

The first shipment of these assault rifles was delivered to the Russian military at the end of 2018 in the framework of the state armament order for 2019.

 Sputnik
Russian Su-27 Jet Scrambled to Intercept Swedish Reconnaissance Aircraft

Sputnik News

07:34 24.01.2019(updated 09:07 24.01.2019)

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Russian airspace control equipment spotted the Swedish reconnaissance aircraft Gulfstream over the Baltic Sea close to the Russian border, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Thursday, adding that the Russian Su-27 jet was scrambled to intercept it.

"The Russian equipment controlling the airspace spotted an aerial target over the neutral waters of the Baltic Sea that was approaching the Russian state border. Su-27 jet was scrambled to intercept the target", the ministry's department of information and mass communications said in a statement.

The Russian jet approached the Swedish aircraft at a safe distance and identified it as the Swedish reconnaissance aircraft Gulfstream, which was flying with its transponder switched off.

This is not the first time Russian military reports it has to scramble jets to chase away foreign spy planes.

Previous week, Russian Defence Ministry reported that Russian jets had been scrambled five times in a week to prevent the foreign combat planes from crossing into the Russian airspace.

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Germany Claims Russia Lacks Transparency Despite Demostration of 9M729 Missile

Sputnik News

11:51 24.01.2019

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said on 23 January after meeting with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that Russia had "failed to provide enough transparency" on the 9M729 missile, which, according to Washington's claims, allegedly violated the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty.

"Russia so far has not been ready to provide full transparency. Expectations are on the table and the ball is still in Russia's court", Maas stated, as quoted by the DPA news agency.

Moscow's proposal to show the missile is not sufficient, he claimed.

Departing on 23 January to the United States, Maas told reporters that if the INF Treaty was terminated, it was necessary to continue close coordination on the security issues within NATO.

The statement comes after the Russian Defence Ministry presented at a briefing for foreign military attaches the 9M729 missile of the Iskander-M ballistic missile system, describing its features. According to the ministry, military attaches and representatives of CSTO, BRICS, EU and NATO military-diplomatic corps, as well as some other European and Asian countries, were invited to the briefing. However, US, UK, French and German, as well as EU and NATO representatives, did not attend the briefing.

In October, US President Donald Trump announced his country's intention to withdraw from the INF Treaty over alleged Russian violations of the agreement. On December 4, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that Russia had 60 days to start to comply with the agreement, or, otherwise, the United States could leave the treaty on February 2. The Russian authorities, in turn, have many times stressed that their country strictly complied with the obligations outlined in the treaty.

The United States has in particular repeatedly voiced concern over Russia's 9M729 missile, which, according to Washington, violates the provisions of the nuclear treaty. Moscow has refuted US accusations as unsubstantiated, insisting that the missile was tested at the range permitted by the agreement.

Moscow, in turn, has complained that launchers on US defence systems in Europe are capable of firing cruise missiles at ranges that are banned by the agreement.

The INF Treaty was signed in 1987 by then-leader of the Soviet Union Mikhail Gorbachev and then US President Ronald Reagan. The leaders agreed to destroy all cruise or ground-launched ballistic missiles with ranges between 500 and 5,500 kilometres (310 and 3,400 miles).

 Sputnik
Sweden Says Russian Military Planes Briefly Violated Airspace

January 24, 2019

The Swedish military says a Russian reconnaissance plane and two fighter jets briefly violated Sweden's air space on the country's Baltic Sea coast.

The lyushin Il-20 plane and two Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker aircraft flew on January 19 south of the southern Swedish town of Karlshamn, some 135 kilometers northeast of the coastal city of Malmo, the Swedish Armed Forces said in a statement on January 24.

It said the planes entered Swedish airspace without permission, and that the episode had been reported to the Swedish government.

In a statement, the Russian Defense Ministry denied the incident.

"All flights take place in strict accordance with the international rules governing the use of airspace, without violations of the borders of other states," the ministry said.

The incident comes at a time of growing military activity in the Baltic Sea region, with several reports of airspace violations by Russian military aircraft and an increased presence of Russian military vessels.

Based on reporting by AP and Interfax

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/sweden-says -russian-military-planes-briefly-violated -airspace/29728754.html

Copyright (c) 2019. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.
UN says new Myanmar curbs threatening 50,000 Rohingya

Iran Press TV

Thu Jan 24, 2019 03:50PM

The UN says new government curbs on aid activities are affecting at least 50,000 people in Myanmar's beleaguered Rakhine state, where persecuted Rohingya Muslims are mainly based.

Earlier this month, the so-called Rakhine State government blocked non-governmental organizations and UN agencies from travelling to rural areas in northern and central parts affected by conflict.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has circulated its findings on the impact of the curbs among UN officials and non-governmental organizations.

In its findings published by Reuters on Thursday, the UN agency has expressed alarm at the escalating violence in the two Rakhine townships of Kyauktaw and Ponnagyun.

OCHA said the restrictions have forced aid organizations to reduce or stop pre-existing programs, including the provision of healthcare, clean water, school construction and teacher training.

For example, mobile health services provided in 15 villages, totaling around 17,000 people, in Kyauktaw have now been put on hold, it said.

"In Ponnagyun, around 220 health consultations in rural areas of the township have been stopped, including emergency referral services," it added.

According to OCHA, the ongoing violence has forced about 5,000 people to flee their homes and take shelter in communal areas across the region since early January.

"We are currently working to assess the impact that recent access restrictions could have on the delivery of pre-existing and ongoing humanitarian program in the affected townships," UNOCHA spokesman in Myanmar Pierre Peron said.

The United Nations, he said, was "liaising closely with the authorities in Rakhine State, who have now invited humanitarian organizations to individually apply for travel authorizations for specific activities."

On Tuesday, the affected aid groups published a statement expressing "deep concern" about the restrictions.

"Along with most other organisations we do not currently have access to respond to the needs of the conflict-affected and displaced populations," one of them, the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), said.

Last week, the United Nations called on the Myanmar government to allow "rapid and unimpeded" humanitarian access to the area.

In August last year, a rights group said government restrictions on lifesaving aid for internally displaced people in northern Myanmar could constitute a war crime.

The latest developments come just months after UN-mandated investigators said Myanmar's military had carried out mass killings and gang-rapes of Muslim Rohingya with "genocidal intent".

The UN investigation team reported that Myanmar's top generals should face prosecution for crimes against humanity and war crimes in Kachin, Rakhine and Shan states.

Rakhine state -- once home to hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims -- has been the scene of successive rounds of violence against the Rohingya following a military crackdown in recent years.

The Rohingya, the world's most persecuted ethnic minority, have been attacked and driven out of their homes in what the UN investigators as well as international rights groups have denounced as "an ongoing genocide".

They have been subjected to a campaign of killings, rape, arbitrary arrests, and arson attacks by the military and Buddhist mobs, mainly between late 2016 and August 2017.

The brutal campaign forced over 700,000 Rohingya Muslims to flee their homes since August 2017 and seek refuge in neighboring Bangladesh. There, they are confined to squalid, overcrowded camps and face forced return to Myanmar.

Rohingya Muslims, who have lived in Myanmar for generations, are denied citizenship and branded illegal emigrants from Bangladesh, which likewise denies them citizenship.

Their former communities in Myanmar have been razed. Report say Buddhists have been shuttled and settled there in newly-built structures to repopulate the area.
Iron Dome Reportedly Set Up in Tel Aviv as Damascus Mulls Retaliatory Strike

Sputnik News

13:56 24.01.2019

Israel conducted airstrikes on Damascus International Airport on 20 and 21 January after it intercepted a missile over the Golan Heights. The IDF claims to have targeted Iranian military bases.

Israel deployed the Iron Dome short-range missile defence system in the Tel Aviv metropolitan area on 24 January, The Times of Israel reported citing the IDF statement. The deployment comes the day after Syrian Envoy to the UN Bashar Jaafari suggested that Syria might exercise its right to self-defence and launch an airstrike on Tel Aviv Airport in response to recent Israeli air raids on Damascus International Airport.

Also, earlier the Al-Jarida Kuwaiti newspaper reported, citing an anonymous source, that chief of Iranian Revolutionary Guard Quds Force, Qasem Soleimani, suggested conducting attacks deep within Israel ahead of elections slated for April. He reportedly said that such attacks will ensure Netanyahu's poor performance in the elections.

The situation recently escalated on both the southern and northern Israeli border. A Palestinian was killed and one Israeli soldier injured as the result of new clashes along the Gaza border in the south. The IDF also intercepted a missile over the disputed Golan Heights that reportedly came from Syrian territory. Israel responded to the launch by conducting airstrikes on Damascus International Airport for two consecutive days, claiming to be targeting Iranian military targets.

Israel has repeatedly accused Tehran of having a military presence in Syria. Iran has denied the claims on multiple occasions, insisting that its military presence in the country is limited to sending military advisors to help Damascus fight terrorists.

 Sputnik
Israel deploys 'Iron Dome' after Syria warns of retaliatory strike on Ben Gurion airport

Iran Press TV

Thu Jan 24, 2019 02:55PM

The Israeli military has deployed the so-called "Iron Dome" missile systems in Tel Aviv and other parts of the occupied territories after Syria warned of a retaliatory strike on the Ben Gurion airport if the UN fails to stop the regime's aerial acts of aggression against the Arab country.

In a statement on Thursday, the Israeli military said it had set up an "Iron Dome" battery in the Tel Aviv metropolitan area and others were stationed in the southern parts of the Israeli-occupied territories near the blockaded Gaza Strip, where tensions have been running high with Palestinian protesters.

A number of reservists from the regime's air force have also been called up to man the missile systems.

The announcement came after Syria's UN Ambassador Bashar al-Ja'afari delivered a strong warning to the Israeli regime, which has recently stepped up its air strikes against Syrian soil.

One of the Israeli strikes targeted a civilian international airport near the Syrian capital, Damascus, earlier this week.

Speaking at the UN Security Council meeting on the Middle East on Tuesday, Ja'afari blasted the US, France and Britain -- three of the council's five permanent members -- for providing "unlimited support" to their allies in Tel Aviv and thus emboldening them to act freely in Syria.

The senior Syrian diplomat warned that his country could use its right to respond in self defense to the recent Israeli air raids against the Damascus International Airport by striking Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion airport if the 15-nation council failed to shoulder its responsibilities and act against the regime's aggression.

On Wednesday, Russia -- which has been providing military support to Syria in its counter-terrorism operations -- also urged Israeli to stop its "spontaneous" strikes against Syria under the pretext of attacking Iranian military advisers, who are also in Syria at the request of Damascus on a mission similar to that of Russia.

Damascus repeatedly writes to the UN and its Security Council to brief the world body over illegal military actions that Israel, the US and their allies take against Syria.

According to RT, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that Israeli jets endangered two civilian aircraft while engaging targets in Syria on Christmas Day. It said the regime's F-16s flew in as civilian jets were landing at Beirut and Damascus airports.

In September 2018, a Russian aircraft was mistakenly shot down by Syrian air defense systems, which were responding to a wave of Israeli air raids. Fifteen Russian servicemen lost their lives in the incident, which Moscow blamed on Tel Aviv.

Israel's frequent air raids against Syria are considered as an attempt to prop up the Takfiri terrorist groups that have been suffering heavy defeats at the hands of Syrian government forces.

In a recent interview with The New York Times, Lieutenant General Gadi Eisenkot, the Israeli army's outgoing chief of staff, said that the regime had carried out "thousands" of aerial assaults in Syria in recent years.

In a rare acknowledgement during an interview with The Sunday Times, he also confirmed long-running reports of Israel's collaboration with anti-Damascus militants, admitting that it had provided weapons to them.
India Follows Chinese Footsteps in Africa With First Multi-Nation Military Drill

Sputnik News

12:11 24.01.2019(updated 12:20 24.01.2019)

The 10-day joint exercise named "India-Africa Field Training" will be conducted with a focus on anti-terror operations, humanitarian action, and joint peace operations at the Aundh Military station and College of Military Engineering in Pune, India.

New Delhi (Sputnik): The first ever field exercise between the armed forces of India and African countries have been scheduled for March this year. Twelve African nations, including Nigeria, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, Senegal, Sudan, Tanzania, Zambia, Namibia, Mozambique, and Uganda will join in the 10-day exercise to be hosted in the Indian city of Pune from March 18.

Announcing the first ever such exercise, the Indian Army on Thursday said that Indian Africa Field Training Exercise will be conducted at Aundh Military Station & College of Military Engineering from 18-27 March 2019.

"With more than a dozen African countries participating, it aims at synergising humanitarian action & joint peace operations", the Indian Army added.

Last week during the Africa Day event at the Vibrant Gujarat Summit in the Indian city of Ahmedabad, Henry Oryem Okello, Uganda's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs (International Affairs), sought to nudge India into forging stronger ties with Africa by saying, "Indians had arrived first but ignored a beautiful Africa  the Chinese came subsequently and took it over".

"We cannot continue talking, lamenting and complaining about the Chinese  you cannot The governments are stable and there are opportunities. There are 54 countries, and it is there for you for the taking. If you continue complaining and looking back, you will lose the opportunities  the train will leave, you will continue standing on the platform, and the train will not come back", Henry Oryem Okello, Uganda's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs (International Affairs) said at the event.

India's total investment in Africa stands at around $40 billion, far less than China's $100 billion. China continues to be Africa's largest trading partner since 2008 with goods worth $170 billion being traded in 2017. Furthermore, with the launch of the first ever China-Africa Defence and Security Forum 2018, Beijing further strengthened its military presence in the region besides operationalising the first-ever military base on foreign soil in Djibouti in 2017.

In March 2018, when the Indian government announced 18 new diplomatic missions in African nations by 2021; the Chinese side had already dispatched military attaches to most of the nations apart from holding joint drills and live-fire military exercises.

During the first-ever China-Africa Defence and Security Forum, representatives from over the 50 African nations visited multiple People's Liberation Army, Navy and Air Force sites which were considered as an attempt to showcase technical capacities of China thereby opening avenues to sell military equipment to African nations.

In 2015, Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged $100 million in free military assistance to the African Union to support the establishment of the African Standby Force and the African Capacity for Immediate Response to Crisis.

Meanwhile, Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa has been invited as State Guest of Honour for India's Republic Day parade on 26 January 2019. President Ramaphosa will be accompanied by a high-level delegation including nine ministers, senior officials of his government and a 50-member business delegation.

Last July, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made his first ever visit to Africa Uganda and Rwanda- and announced a $200 million line of credit for infrastructure projects. An agreement on capacity building in defence, industry, science and technology was also signed during the visit.

 Sputnik
North Korea's Kim says 'believes in' US President Trump ahead of 2nd summit

Iran Press TV

Thu Jan 24, 2019 10:43AM

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un says he "believes in" American President Donald Trump, expressing his satisfaction with the progress in talks between officials from the two countries about a second summit to be held between him and the US president.

"Kim Jong-un said that we will believe in President Trump's positive way of thinking, wait with patience and in good faith and, together with the US, advance step by step toward the goal to be reached by the two countries," North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said in a report on Thursday, without saying when Kim made the remarks.

It added that Kim also expressed great "satisfaction" at receiving a "great" letter from the US president and a briefing regarding the results of the talks held between a North Korean delegation  led by Kim's right-hand man, Kim Yong-chol  and American officials  headed by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo  in Washington last week, without giving further details.

Reports at the time said that the two sides were expected to finalize the date and location of a second summit between President Trump and leader Kim. They also said that Kim Yong-chol was likely to meet the American president as well during his two-day trip to the US capital.

The White House said last week that a second Kim-Trump summit would be held in late February but did not say where. According to unconfirmed reports, Vietnam is the likely venue for the summit.

Kim's praise of Trump came weeks after he warned that Pyongyang would take "a new path" if the US continued sanctions and diplomatic pressure on his country.

The American president has already said there is "no rush" and "no time limit" on denuclearization talks. However, Pompeo has given varying statements about the degree of the White House's patience.

Multilateral diplomacy led to the first summit between Trump and Kim in July last year, which was held in Singapore. There, Trump and Kim broadly agreed to work toward the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. But diplomacy has been sluggish since then.

The White House insists that harsh UN and US sanctions must remain in place until Pyongyang completely abandons its nuclear program, while Kim wants them immediately lifted.

Pyongyang has already taken several unilateral steps toward denuclearization, including suspending missile and nuclear testing, demolishing at least one nuclear test site, and agreeing to allow international inspectors into a missile engine test facility and another nuclear testing site.

Earlier this month, the North's leader said that he wanted to "achieve results" on the nuclear standoff on the peninsula in his second summit with Trump, stressing that his country would "make efforts for the second summit between DPRK (North Korea) and US leaders to achieve results that will be welcomed by the international community."
China Party-Backed Tabloid Warns of Protracted Battle Ahead Over Huawei

By Bill Ide January 24, 2019

A party-backed nationalistic tabloid in China has warned that the extradition battle over tech giant Huawei's chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou, is likely to be drawn out and complex. In a sharply worded editorial, the Global Times also said Beijing should make it clear that it will retaliate against both Washington and Ottawa if the request is approved.

China has already carried out what many see as retaliation against Canada for detaining Meng while she was transiting through the country in early December. Since then, Beijing has arrested two Canadian citizens and recently retried a Canadian facing drug charges, replacing a 15-year verdict with the death sentence.

Although the Chinese Foreign Ministry has denied the ruling and cases are connected to Meng, China's Ambassador to Canada has described the actions as self-defense. The United States is seeking to extradite Meng in connection with the company's alleged violations of Iran sanctions.

On Tuesday, the U.S. Justice Department confirmed it would submit a formal request for Meng's extradition before the January 30 deadline. After that, Canada has 30 days to review and approve the request. Meng can make appeals and the process could take months, if not years, until she is finally released or handed over to American authorities to face trial in court.

In the editorial, the Global Times said "anyone with a brain can clearly see Washington's intention to stop rising Chinese high-tech companies in the name of the law."

It also said that China should prepare for more complicated games.

"One thing should be made very clear: If Ottawa successfully assists Washington in the extradition of Meng, Beijing will retaliate against them without a doubt," the editorial said. "Any countries and forces that persecute Chinese citizens and infringe on China's interests will pay a heavy price."

Huawei has long been suspected of violating Iran sanctions, but it wasn't until recently that U.S. authorities reportedly obtained evidence allegedly linking Meng and others at Huawei to business dealings in Iran. Details of the allegations are likely to become clearer as the extradition process moves ahead.

And while China has accused Canada of being a pawn for Washington, arguing that the case is purely political, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau noted at a press conference that Meng will have ample opportunity to defend herself in court.

"Canada is a country with a rule of law, and we will make sure that the rule of law is properly and fully followed. That of course includes the opportunity for her to mount a strong defense," Trudeau said. "We are a country of the rule of law. We will stay grounded in that, the same time as we advocate and engage in serious efforts to support the Canadians who have been arbitrarily detained in China."

Washington's request to extradite the company's CFO comes amid a trade war and as the Chinese company is poised, along with others, to roll out and build the next generation or 5G networks.

At a press conference in Beijing Thursday, company leaders unveiled some of Huawei's newest technologies, including a 5G base station chipset called Tiangang. The company said Tiangang will increase computing power by 1.5 times.

"There is no doubt that the broad-based deployment of 5G has begun," said Ryan Ding, chief of Huawei's carrier business group. "As the corner stone of the digital economy and smart world (technology), the telecommunication industry is greeting a historic moment of development and opportunity."

None of the company's heads made any mention of the case against Meng at Thursday's showcase.

Huawei said it has already signed 30 agreements to build up 5G networks, making it a leader in the field. Despite growing concerns about security and the company's connections to the military and China's authoritarian party state, Huawei said consumer products saw a record $52 billion in sales last year.

Huawei denies the communist led government has any sway over the company and has said it puts its customer's interests first. Critics, however, find that hard to believe. It is unclear how much financial support the Chinese government has given Huawei.

According to an estimate from China's Center for Information and Industry Development, a government backed research institute, China will spend $170 billion between 2019-2026 on the development of 5G networks.

Still, even as the company highlights its progress, a growing number of countries and institutions are pulling the plug on Huawei or banning its equipment from soon to be built 5G networks. On Thursday, a youth charity funded by Britain's Prince Charles announced that "in light of public concerns," it would not accept any new donations from Huawei technologies.
Chinese Rocket Forces Simulate ICBM Launch From 'Underground Great Wall'

Sputnik News

22:12 24.01.2019(updated 23:07 24.01.2019)

China's strategic and tactical missile forces have practiced firing intercontinental ballistic missiles from a post deep underground, Chinese media reported.

China's People's Liberation Army Rocket Force simulated an ICBM strike against an "imaginary enemy," the Global Times reported Wednesday, underscoring that details such as the location of the exercise or when it was carried out remain undisclosed.

"Long-term survival training in closed environments" has become a new normal for troops in the Rocket Force, the report notes.

In 2011, students at Georgetown University claimed to have mapped out a 3,000-mile network of tunnels in northern China where the Rocket Force's missiles and nuclear warheads are kept  though China's state-run CCTV broke the news of the hardened tunnel network in March 2008, according to James R. Holmes, associate professor of strategy at the US Naval War College.

China's "underground Great Wall," as pundits have called it, is crucial for its nuclear deterrence strategy.

Chinese military doctrine places a strong emphasis on only using nuclear weapons in retaliation against a first strike on China. While China does not plan to use nuclear weapons unless it is attacked with them first, analysts told Global Times, the PLA Rocket Forces still want to be prepared for a potential doomsday.

Frequent Chinese military commentator Song Zhongping told Global Times that China stores long-range, strategic missiles in underground facilities. All three generations of Chinese ICBMS  the DF-5, DF-31 and DF-41  can strike targets farther than 6,000 miles away with a very high degree of precision, Song said.

Storing and training to fire missiles from underground safeguards Beijing's ability to conduct a counterattack, and it is that ability that will deter would-be adversaries from attacking, wrote Hui Zhang, senior research associate at the Project on Managing the Atom at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government.

The PLA Rocket Force, previously known as the Second Artillery, "conducts war planning and training under the assumption that China will absorb a first nuclear blow and use its forces only to retaliate," Hui said in his 2012 paper.

That China has even revealed the existence of the underground Great Wall "shows Beijing wants potential adversaries to know it has a real and reliable retaliatory counterattack capability and thus discourage thoughts of first strike," Hui wrote in a separate 2012 post, adding that "from a Chinese perspective" the underground Great Wall "consolidates the mutual deterrence between China and the US, and thereby enhances strategic stability."

For his part, in his report for The Diplomat, Holmes argued "the very scale of the underground network opens up new vistas for Chinese nuclear strategy" beyond just minimal deterrence.

 Sputnik
Xi presides over 6th meeting of central committee for deepening overall reform

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 07:20, January 24, 2019

BEIJING, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), presided over the sixth meeting of the central committee for deepening overall reform Wednesday.

Xi, also Chinese president, chairman of the Central Military Commission, and head of the central committee for deepening overall reform, called for "decisive results" in reforms in crucial areas and key links by 2020.

The country should continue to fight the tough battles and "crack hard nuts," ensure each undertaking is successful and lay a decisive foundation for fulfilling the reform tasks mapped out by the third plenary session of the 18th CPC Central Committee, he said.

Li Keqiang and Wang Huning, both members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and deputy heads of the reform committee, also attended the meeting.

The meeting reviewed and approved a series of official documents:

-- a plan and a guideline both on launching a science and technology innovation board at the Shanghai Stock Exchange and experimenting with the registration-based IPO system;

-- a guideline on establishing a system of protected natural areas with national parks as its mainstay;

-- a guideline on deepening educational and teaching reform and comprehensively improving the quality of mandatory education;

-- a guideline on encouraging and guiding the flow of personnel to remote areas with harsh conditions, local communities and the frontline;

-- a guideline on deepening overall reform in the domains of politics and law;

-- a guideline on advancing the reform of the property right system for natural resource assets;

-- a guideline on building a national territorial space planning system and supervising the implementation;

-- a guideline on setting up a market-oriented green technologies innovation mechanism;

-- a plan on the protection and restoration of natural forests;

-- a plan for building Hainan into a national ecological civilization pilot zone;

-- a plan for experimenting with the national park mechanism in the tropical forests in Hainan;

-- the key points of the reform committee's work in 2019;

-- a report summarizing the reform committee's work in 2018;

-- a report summarizing and assessing the implementation of deepening reform in all areas since the 18th CPC National Congress.

The move to launch the science and technology innovation board and experiment with the registration-based IPO system is a significant measure to implement the innovation-driven development strategy and deepen the capital market reform, according to a statement released after the meeting.

It urged for making the capital market more inclusive for science and technology innovation enterprises, with emphasis on support in key and core technology innovation and improving the capability of serving the real economy.

Steady efforts should be made to experiment with the registration-based IPO system, coordinate the reforms of stock offering, listing, information disclosure, trading and delisting regulations, and establish and improve a stock offering and listing system centered on information disclosure, said the statement.

The meeting stressed innovation in the management system for protected natural areas in accordance with the philosophy of taking mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes and grasslands as an ecosystem.

The protected areas should be designed in a unified manner and administered at different levels and zones, while natural ecological systems of national significance should be included into the national park system for strict protection.

A management system for protected natural areas should be formed with national parks as the mainstay, supported by nature reserves as the foundation and complemented with various natural parks.

The country should foster virtue through education, observe the laws of education, reinforce the basic role of teachers and enhance well-rounded student development.

Talent should be encouraged to work in remote areas with harsh conditions, in local communities and on the frontline, the meeting stressed, while noting it is imperative to follow the principle of the Party exercising leadership over talent administration.

To push forward reform in political and legal fields, the country must uphold the absolute Party leadership, enhance coordination and planning, and step up the creation of political and legal institutions with optimized, coordinated and efficient features.

While saying the property right system of natural resource assets played a fundamental role in strengthening ecological conservation and pushing forward ecological civilization, the meeting demanded efforts to clarify the ownership of related property rights and conduct uniform investigation and surveillance to promote intensive development of natural resources, ecological protection and restoration.

It also called for a unified planning for national territorial space integrating the plans for main functional zones, land use, and urban and rural development.

China should build a green technology innovation system in which enterprises are the main players and synergy is created through the joint efforts of enterprises, universities, and research institutes, and strive to advance integration of research and development, application and popularization, and industrial development of green technologies.

The meeting pointed out that it was of great significance to put all natural forests under protection for building a "Beautiful China" and promoting sustainable development, demanding more efforts in this regard.

It stressed that the CPC Central Committee's support for building Hainan into a national ecological civilization pilot zone and piloting the national park mechanism in the tropical forests in Hainan aimed to uphold and act on the philosophy that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets." It urged Hainan Province to carefully organize efforts, pinpoint tasks and shoulder due responsibilities, and told central authorities to strengthen coordination, guidance and policy support.

While noting China has generally established the main framework for reform in major fields and made breakthroughs in deepening reform in all areas since the 18th CPC National Congress, the meeting urged for greater efforts in carrying out major reform steps with fundamental, overall and institutional significance, and beneficial to keeping a healthy economic growth, social stability and people's livelihoods.

The meeting also called for emphasis on solving concrete problems, targeted measures and flexible policy implementation while pushing ahead with reforms.
Venezuela - 2019 Coup

Donald Trump told reporters on 11 August 2017 he was considering military action against Venezuela in response to its government tearing down democratic institutions. "We have troops all over the world in places that are very far away. Venezuela is not very far away and the people are suffering and they're dying," he said. "We have many options for Venezuela including a possible military option if necessary," Trump told reporters. Trump explained that he was "not going to rule out" a military option, adding that it was "certainly something that we could pursue."

Donald Trump had long been obsessed with the idea of seizing Iraqs oil as some kind of reimbursement for the money the U.S. had spent waging war in the Middle East. I still cant believe we left Iraq without the oil, he tweeted in 2013. It used to be, To the victor belong the spoils, he told Matt Lauer during a campaign forum in 2016. Now, there was no victor there, believe me. There was no victor. But I always said: take the oil. On Jan 26, 2017 Donald Trump said there would be no ISIS had the US kept Iraq's oil, following the US invasion into the country.

Russias Ambassador in Caracas Vladimir Zaemskiy on 26 December 2018 accused unnamed countries of plotting to overthrow the Venezuelan government. "An invasion cannot be ruled out, especially as some aggressive powers plan to overthrow the current government but cannot achieve this through sanctions alone".

The United States and its right-wing allies in Latin America have come out in support of a parliamentary right-wing coup against the Venezuelan government of socialist President Nicolas Maduro after they supported a decision by opposition lawmaker, named Juan Guaido, to declare himself an interim president of Venezuela on Jan. 23 in violation of the countrys constitution.

Washington, Canada and members of the so-called Lima Group, which include Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Peru, Paraguay, and others were quick to recognize Guaido as interim president with the government of Donald Trump and his advisors urging the countrys military to step in and rebel against Maduro. The military has repeatedly stated its full support for the Maduro government and rejected such calls as interventionist and a breach of the sovereignty of Venezuela.

In return, Maduro has repeatedly called for the restoration of talks between his government and the opposition in order to maintain peace and avoid a U.S.-backed coup, or even military intervention by the United States in favor of removing him and placing an unelected right-wing government.

Guiado and his allies Trump, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and his National Security advisor have so far responded to such calls by escalation and rejection of any dialogue. They continue to call for the military to intervene, while sources in the United States have revealed that Trump is seriously considering military intervention into Venezuela if Maduro does not step down.

To further the pressure, the United States imposed harsh economic sanction on the Venezuelan oil industry and its national oil company, while also blocking the bank accounts of the Venezuelan state in the United States, vowing to only remove such restrictions when Guiado achieves control of the state institutions.

David Smolansky became Venezuelas youngest-ever mayor when he was elected in 2013 in the affluent suburb of El Hatillo. Facing arrest, Smolansky shaved his beard, donned sunglasses and slipped into Brazil disguised as a priest with a bible in hand and rosary around his neck. He now lives in Washington, DC, where he was handpicked by Secretary of the Organization of American States Luis Almagro to lead the working group on the Venezuelan migrant and refugee crisis.

On 26 July 2019, Smolansky held what he called a cordial reunion with Elliot Abrams, the convicted Iran-Contra felon installed by Trump as special US envoy to Venezuela. Abrams is notorious for overseeing the US covert policy of arming right-wing death squads during the 1980s in Nicaragua, El Salvador, and Guatemala.

As the Reagan administrations assistant secretary of state for human rights in the 1980s, Abrams supported the US-backed dictators in Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras in their campaigns of repression, including death squads. He was also involved in working with Iran to arming the US-backed rebels in Nicaragua, the infamous Iran-Contra scandal. Abrams organized the illegal, covert financing of Contra rebels in Nicaragua behind the back of Congress, which had cut off funding. Abrams lied to Congress twice about his role with the Contras. Abrams did all this while casting aspersions on the motives of journalists and human rights workers who sought to tell the truth about these crimes. He pleaded guilty to both counts in 1991 but was pardoned right away by President George H.W. Bush. In the 1990s, Abrams became a founding member of the Project for a New American Century, a hawkish neoconservative think-tank.

Abrams returned to the corridors of power in 2001, as a director on the National Security Council for President George W. Bush. He played a key role in the 2002 attempted coup in Venezuela against President Hugo Chavez. Abrams enjoyed advance knowledge of, and gave a nod to, the (briefly successful) military coup. He was one of the architects of the 2003 Iraq war.

In February 2017, then-Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Trumps son-in-law and adviser Jared Kushner wanted to bring Abrams back to the State Department as deputy secretary, but Trump reportedly vetoed the proposal after reading what Abrams wrote about him during the 2016 presidential campaign, as part of the NeverTrump conservative camp.

Former U.S. diplomat Elliott Abrams, one of the masterminds behind the 2002 coup attempt against Hugo Chavez in Venezuela, was appointed to lead the U.S. interference in Venezuela, as announced by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo 25 January 2019.

On Jan. 8, 2018, the National Assembly paved the way for the coup by authorizing the creation of a trust fund to reclaim the assets of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Juan Guaido, the head of the Venezuelan opposition-led National Assembly, said he intended to use the support of the military and the international community to take over presidential power.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met personally with Guaido on January 10, according to the Wall Street Journal. However, Pompeo could not pronounce Guaidos name when he mentioned him in a press briefing on January 25, referring to him as Juan Guido.

On 11 January 2019 Guaido said he was ready to assume presidency on an interim basis, claiming that the Venezuelan constitution allowed him to call a snap election. Meanwhile, Luis Almagro, the secretary general of the Organization of American States (OAS), welcomed Guaido taking over presidential powers, like it was a fait accompli, and expressed his support to the opposition figure.

The political standoff in Venezuela escalated on 23 January, when opposition leader and President of the National Assembly Juan Guaido declared himself the interim president of the Latin American country. Shortly after the United States and its several allies recognised Guaido, Maduro, for his part, accused Washington of trying to orchestrate a coup in his country. Russia, China, Cuba, Bolivia and a number of other states reaffirmed their support for constitutionally elected Maduro as Venezuelas only legitimate president.

The brutal refusal by Venezuelan military forces loyal to the country's besieged President Nicolas Maduro to allow foreign aid into the country on 23 February 2018 increased the chance of Washington getting involved militarily in the conflict between Maduro and Juan Guaido. In the aftermath of the deadly clashes, Guaido, who has been recognized by the US as well by many European and Latin American countries as Venezuela's interim president, urged the global community to consider "all measures to free" the country.

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres said 25 February 2019 that military intervention no longer has a place in Latin America international politics. "The time for military interventions in Latin America has passed," Guterres said, adding that the region has a long democratic history "which makes authoritarian regimes no longer have a chance."

Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations Amina Mohammed insisted 26 February 2019 on the need for the Venezuelan government and the opposition to negotiate, avoid politicizing humanitarian aid and to find a peaceful solution to the conflict. The United States has also called for a special Security Council meeting. "We encourage both parties to sit down at the negotiating table for the sake of Venezuelans and seek a peaceful resolution," Mohammed said as she was visiting Spain to promote the United Nations' Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Two Russian Air Force planes carrying a Russian defense official and nearly 100 troops and amounts of equipment landed in Venezuela's main airport on 23 March 2019. These were a Russian Air Force Antonov-124 cargo plane and a smaller jet, apparently an Ilyushin Il-62. The US government believed the troops include special forces and cybersecurity experts.

Russia's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said 27 March 2019 "The Russian Federation develops its cooperation with Venezuela in strict compliance with the constitution of this country and with full respect to its legislative norms. Russian [military] specialists' presence on the territory of Venezuela is regulated by the defense cooperation agreement that the Russian and the Venezuelan governments signed in May 2001".

Donald Trump said Russia "has to get out" of Venezuela. The United States is not seeking to reach a military resolution of the crisis in Venezuela, US Acting Secretary of Defence Patrick Shanahan said in a congressional hearing on 26 March. "It's not my understanding", Shanahan said when asked whether the Trump administration intends to achieve a military resolution of the crisis in Venezuela.

The US president's National Security Advisor John Bolton warned countries "external to the Western Hemisphere" against deploying military forces in Venezuela in a statement made on 29 March 2019. He further underscored that the US would consider such military deployment to be provocations and "a direct threat to international peace and security in the region". "We strongly caution actors external to the Western Hemisphere against deploying military assets to Venezuela, or elsewhere in the Hemisphere, with the intent of establishing or expanding military operations", he said. He also accused Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro of trying to remain in power by using "Russian military personnel and equipment". Bolton further said that the US vows to continue protecting its interests in the Western Hemisphere.

Opposition leader Juan Guaido stunned the nation 30 April 2019 when he appeared on a video at dawn surrounded by a few dozen national guardsmen urging troops to abandon Maduro and join those clamoring for the socialist leaders ouster. While the call to action spurred protests around the nation, only a small group of soldiers left their commands. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo claimed Maduro had an airplane on the tarmac Tuesday morning and was ready to flee but was dissuaded by Russians. By the end of the day, it was clear that a quick end to the protracted standoff was still out of sight. Amid the unrest, Maduros military commanders went on state television to proclaim their loyalty. Flanked by top generals, Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez condemned Guaidos move as a terrorist act and coup attempt that was bound to fail like past uprisings. The oppositions hoped for split in the military didnt emerge, a plane that the United States claimed was standing by to ferry Maduro into exile never took off.

Three regime insiders backed out of a plan  allegedly at the last minute  to topple President Nicolas Maduro. Gen. Ivan Hernandez, head of both the presidential guard and military counterintelligence, Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez. and Supreme Court Chief Justice Maikel Moreno chose to stick with Maduro at the moment of truth: when opposition leader Juan Guaido appeared 30 april 2019 surrounded by a small cadre of armed troops ready for what he said was the "final phase" of a Operation Freedom.

Opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez said 02 May 2019 that he had been talking for weeks with military commanders while under house arrest. Elliott Abrams said there was even a document with the outlines of a transitional government that top officials had agreed to. "I am told the document is long 15 points, I think  and it talks of guarantees for the military, for a dignified exit for Maduro, and Guaido as interim president," he told Venezuelan online TV network VPItv. The three officials hadn't denied they were in talks with the opposition, but they reaffirmed their loyalty to Maduro and remained in their posts. A fourth, Gen. Manuel Figuera, head of the feared SEBIN intelligence agency, did break ranks and has since disappeared.

Maduro remained in power 03 May 2019, after opposition leader Juan Guaidos failure to inspire mass military defections earlier in the week. There were no immediate reports of violence in the capital Caracas after several days of unrest and a call Thursday by Guaido for the start of staggered industrial action leading to a general strike. Maduro clung to power, calling on the countrys armed forces to oppose any coup plotter after Guaido failed to win defections from military leaders. At a televised event with the military high command, the embattled Maduro urged the military to (K)eep morale high in this fight to disarm any traitor, any coup plotter.

Maduro appealed to the military on state television. "We're not a weak country but one with strong armed forces that has to show itself as united and cohesive as ever. Say no to traitors! Out, traitors! Unity and supreme loyalty to the constitution, the fatherland, the revolution and to its legitimate commander-in-chief!" he said, asking soldiers to raise their weapons in the air.

Guaido said he thought more troops would turn against President Nicolas Maduro during Tuesday's attempt to oust the embattled leader. In an interview with The Washington Post, Guaido said he expected Maduro to step down following major defections of members of the military. But, as Maduro and Guaido were vying for military support, there were no mass breakaways in the ranks. Distrust between Trump administration officials and Maduro's inner circle contributed to top Maduro aides' reluctance to abandon the embattled Venezuelan leader.

A plot for some of Maduro's top aides to defect to the opposition appeared to have come apart at the last minute, according to several news reports. Weeks of secret talks between the top aides and opposition leaders  including recently freed Leopoldo Lopez  culminated in a document that guaranteed Maduro loyalists like Gen. Ivan Hernandez, chief of military counterintelligence; Defense Minister Vladamir Padrino Lopez; and Supreme Court Chief Justice Maikel Moreno places in a post-Maduro interim government and a promise that they wouldn't be prosecuted. All three officials have remained publicly loyal to Maduro. A fourth top aide, who heads Venezuela's intelligence agency, Gen. Manuel Figuera, did break ranks and had disappeared, and the Trump administration lifted sanctions against the director of Venezuela's intelligence service.

The Venezuelan Supreme Court said 07 May 2019 that seven opposition lawmakers should be investigated for a range of crimes, including treason and conspiracy. A short time later, the pro-government Constituent Assembly voted to strip the lawmakers of their parliamentary immunity.






Venezuelan Foreign Minister Says Rules Out Start of War in Latin America

Sputnik News

00:20 25.01.2019

MONTEVIDEO (Sputnik)  Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza told Sputnik in an interview that from his point of view the start of war between Latin American nations was impossible.

"Despite some [foreign] governments' wish to engage us in a conflict, war, that will not happen. There is a great spirit of peace between the nations of Latin America," Arreaza said on Thursday.

At the same time, he is not ruling out foreign attempts to use mercenaries and armed units to escalate the situation.

Venezuelan Foreign Minister also added that the foreign countries that have recognized Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido as Venezuela's interim president were following US instructions.

"As the saying goes, you need to know who is the master of the circus. President [Nicolas] Maduro yesterday broke off relations with the owner of the circus, with the United States. Satellite governments, submissive governments are following the instructions of the master," Arreaza said.

The foreign minister went on to express hope that the leadership of those countries will start to respect their people and the people of Latin America.

"But if this does not happen, then it would be obvious to us who the main interlocutor speaking for everyone, that is the government in Washington," Arreaza noted.

Over the past few days, Venezuela has been witnessing mass anti-government protests. On Wednesday, the leader of the opposition-run parliament, Juan Guaido, declared himself the country's interim president.

The United States, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile and Colombia, among others, have recognized Guaido as Venezuela's interim president, while other countries, including Russia and Mexico, expressed support for incumbent President Nicolas Maduro.

 Sputnik
US Troop Numbers to Fluctuate During Syria Withdrawal - Pentagon

Sputnik News

02:14 25.01.2019

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - US troop numbers in Syria "will fluctuate" during the withdrawal process, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Robertson told Sputnik when asked to comment on reports that Washington has sent additional troops to the country.

"Troop numbers will fluctuate during this process," Robertson said on Thursday. "Out of concern for operational security, we will not discuss specific troop movements or timelines."

Earlier in the day, CNN, citing defence officials, reported that the United States has sent additional troops to Syria to ensure security during its withdrawal from the Middle Eastern country.

"The withdrawal is based on operational conditions on the ground, including conversations with our allies and partners, and is not be subject to an arbitrary timeline," Robertson said. He added that the US-led coalition is implementing "the orderly withdrawal of US forces."

In December, US President Donald Trump declared victory over the Daesh* terrorist group and said he would withdraw some 2,000 US troops currently deployed in the Middle Eastern country. Washington, however, said that it would not disclose a timeline for withdrawing its troops, and pledged that the US-led international coalition's fight against terrorism would continue.

*Daesh (ISIL/ISIS/Islamic State/IS), a terrorist group banned in Russia and a wide number of other countries.

 Sputnik
South Sudan Resumes Oil Production in Former Unity State

By Winnie Cirino January 24, 2019

Oil is again being pumped from fields in South Sudan's former Unity state, five years after production was halted because of fighting between government soldiers and rebels.

Awow Daniel Chuang, director general of the Petroleum Authority, which is part of the South Sudan Petroleum Ministry, said production resumed in parts of the state at the end of 2018, after workers repaired several oilfields that were damaged during clashes.

"We are also working to resume the rest of the fields, because we have five fields in that area. So now we have two fields that are already on and the rest of the field which are Amanga, Naar, and then Alhar will be coming on board very soon," Chuang told VOA's South Sudan in Focus.

He says production is still limited to around 20,000 barrels of oil per day in the state.

Oil exports were expected to make up most of South Sudan's foreign revenue when the country won independence from Sudan in 2011. But the civil war that broke out at the end of 2013 brought oil production to a near-complete halt.

Chuang said once a new power plant opens in Juba, it will enable the government to increase oil production to 60,000 barrels per day by year's end.

"If we have enough power, then we can open more, and when we open more, we should be expecting more oil from Unity," Chuang added.

Energy shortages along with a limited capacity at Khartoum's oil refinery affects the amount of crude oil being extracted in former Unity state according to Chuang.

"The crude oil quality being produced in block 5A is quite limited, not because it is technically limited, but it is being limited by Khartoum refinery, because Khartoum refinery does not accommodate a quality of crude oil that is very heavy," said Chuang.

South Sudan loses a significant amount of crude during the extraction process, but Chuang said the government plans to utilize "enhanced oil recovery technology" that should increase the oil recovery rate and production.

India's Oil and Natural Gas Corporation, Malaysia's Petronas and China National Petroleum Corporation or CNPC all have stakes in South Sudanese oil fields.
Cameroon Struggles to Aid IDPs in Anglophone Separatist Areas

By Moki Edwin Kindzeka January 24, 2019

Cameroon is struggling to get humanitarian aid to hundreds of thousands of people who fled areas of separatist unrest, some of them trapped by the fighting. Meanwhile, authorities' calls for separatists to disarm and be pardoned are failing as rehabilitation centers remain empty.

A group of twelve kids gather water in the early morning hours in Cameroon's capital.

Forty-five-year old Gwendoline Ndum took in the children a few weeks ago after they fled her home town of Mbengwi.

Many of the kids had walked for days in the bush to escape fighting between Cameroon security and anglophone separatists.

Ndum says some of the children can't find their parents, and she couldn't let them live on the streets, but the burden is becoming too much.

She says she can no longer afford to pay the water and electricity bills or buy chicken, meat or fish. A 50-kilogram bag of rice hardly lasts for two weeks, says Ndum, because they eat only rice for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Cameroon's government this week said it was assisting more than 60,000 internally displaced people in the separatist areas - the English-speaking northwest and southwest.

But the United Nations estimates that over 430,000 people have been displaced by the conflict.

Cameroon authorities say they are unable to reach most of the displaced in need because many have fled to remote areas and are trapped by ongoing fighting.

Most independent help is limited to government-controlled areas.

A woman prays for peace as about a hundred displaced people help the aid group Voice of the Voiceless collect donations of food, clothing, and bedding.

The group's Christian Chindo Ngong says the displaced are helping each other because they know what it's like to have nothing. He says Cameroon's government must also do more to help  it should end the conflict.

"The government should listen to the people, organize a dialogue, I mean an inclusive dialogue, so that we can see the end of this thing. Because no matter what we give the people, it can never make them happy. The only happiness that these people can achieve is to see their homes again."

Minister of Territorial Administration Paul Atanga Nji says rehabilitation centers set up for separatists who agree to disarm and be pardoned had opened their doors and were waiting.

"We have to respect the instructions from President Paul Biya that when you lay down your weapons, you are taken to the centers, you are provided health facilities, you have psychologists who are there to start educating the population, and we have training facilities in those centers."

But so far, not a single rebel has taken up the offer. The rehabilitation centers in the English-speaking southwestern town of Buea and in the capital Yaounde are empty.

In a WhatsApp interview with VOA, separatist fighter Edward Ngafin - who refused to say where he was - described the rehab centers as a trap.

He says he will not go to a government rehabilitation center and can never advise any separatist fighter to listen to any promise made by the government of Cameroon. Ngafin says he does not understand how a government that he describes as always tormenting English-speakers will suddenly claim that it cares and that it will recruit everyone.

Cameroon's separatist conflict broke out in 2017 amid protests against Francophone domination in English-speaking regions. Some took up arms and declared they would become an independent nation called Ambazonia.

President Biya sent in the military and vowed to crush all those who refuse to disarm, saying the country's unity cannot be negotiated.
Afghanistan's Ghani Ousts Public Official, Fuels Political Tensions

By Ayesha Tanzeem January 24, 2019

President Ashraf Ghani formally dismissed a deputy of Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah from office Thursday in a move that seems to have heightened political tensions at a critical time for the country.

Ghani's office said Haji Mohammad Mohaqiq was dismissed based on an article of the constitution that gives the president authority to hire or fire government officials.

However, Abdullah termed the removal "against the political agreement" that led to the formation of the National Unity Government in 2014.

"In this sensitive historic phase, any one-sided decision against the aspiration of the National Unity Government will weaken the spirit of the NUG, joint cooperation, and will provoke instability," the statement read.

Upcoming elections

Afghanistan is preparing for a presidential election later this year, and a U.S. team's negotiations with the Afghan Taliban to find a road map to end the 18-year-long war seem to be getting serious.

The Taliban has so far refused to directly negotiate with the Kabul regime. The U.S. and other regional countries are pressuring the group to engage with the current Afghan administration.A rift in the Unity Government can further complicate the situation.

The NUG was formed after the last presidential elections in 2014 resulted in a serious political crisis. Both Ghani and Abdullah claimed victory and alleged massive fraud in vote counting. Former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry helped negotiate a deal between the two sides.

Political bickering

Under the terms of agreement, electoral and constitutional reforms were supposed to lead to the chief executive post being formalized into the post of a prime minister. However, continuous political bickering led to delays in the process. The Afghan parliament held its elections in 2018  three years after its constitutional term had ended  after repeated renewals through presidential decrees.

Mohaqiq is running in the upcoming election as the second vice president of presidential candidate Mohammad Hanif Atmar. Ghani and Abdullah have filed nomination papers.

While the president has constitutional authority to hire and fire officials, said Subhan Misbah, a deputy at the Lawyers Union of Afghanistan, the entire office of the CEO, including the chief executive and his two deputies, was beyond the scope of the Afghan constitution and technically "illegal."

The matter, he said, was not legal, but political, and needed to be resolved politically between Ghani and Abdullah. Since someone was "illegally" appointed, it was a moot point to discuss whether he could be legally dismissed.

Muhaqiq's office said he would hold a press conference on this issue on Friday.
US-Taliban Talks Generate Hopes for Afghan Peace

By Ayaz Gul January 24, 2019

There are signs of progress in the ongoing peace talks between the United States and the Taliban in Qatar, leading some to think they could set the stage for a politically negotiated settlement to the 17-year-old war in Afghanistan.

The talks opened Monday with the U.S. team led by Washington's special representative for Afghan reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad. Pakistani and Qatari envoys also are present.

As the discussions entered a fourth day Thursday, highly placed sources told VOA the two sides have covered "significant" ground in their bid to reach an understanding on the two most difficult issues being negotiated in Doha, the capital of the Gulf state, where the Afghan insurgent group operates its political office.

The Taliban announced at the outset that its representatives would be seeking a timetable for withdrawal of U.S. and NATO-led foreign troops from Afghanistan, while the Taliban side would give assurances that Afghan soil would not be used to threaten the United States or any other country.

Sources anticipate the Taliban could announce a temporary cease-fire in the event of progress on its key demand of a foreign troop withdrawal from Afghanistan.

The peace dialogue started last summer and Pakistan reiterated Thursday it has brought the two sides to the table to help find a peaceful end to the increasingly bloody Afghan war. Islamabad insists it has convinced the Taliban to engage in a productive dialogue with the U.S. and the two negotiating teams would be solely responsible for its "success or failure."

A Foreign Ministry spokesman confirmed Pakistan is represented at the talks but gave no further details about any possible breakthrough.

"Pakistan, as part of its shared responsibility, is facilitating the ongoing round of talks between [the] U.S. and the Taliban in Doha. Negotiations are between the two parties, that is the U.S. and the Taliban. Pakistan and Qatar are providing the necessary support and are facilitating the talks," Mohammad Faisal noted.

Faisal insisted that "taking the Afghan peace process forward remained a shared responsibility." He went on to say that "ultimately the intra-Afghan dialogue would be vital to agree upon the contours of a future Afghan policy where Afghanistan becomes a stable and prosperous country and at peace with its neighbors."

It remains unclear whether U.S. negotiators have persuaded Taliban representatives to engage in direct talks with the government. The militants have long opposed recognizing the elected government, insisting it is illegitimate.

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates also have played their role in influencing the insurgents, and their representatives were present in the last round of U,S.-Taliban talks hosted by Abu Dhabi in December.

Diplomatic sources privy to the current negotiations tell VOA that because the U.S. has already shown willingness to draw down troops from Afghanistan, they believe "the Taliban will also have to concede something for an agreement" to move the process forward. If the Doha dialogue secures "even a limited conditional cease-fire," the sources say, it would be a major development because it will "practically make a political reconciliation process irreversible."

New head of Qatar office

Meanwhile, in what some observers call a significant development to win support of military commanders on the ground, the Taliban appointed its co-founder, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, as the new head of the Qatar political office conducting the meetings with Khalilzad.

A spokesman for the insurgent group, Zabihullah Mujahid, announced late Thursday that the induction of Baradar is meant to "strengthen and properly handle the ongoing negotiations" with the American side. Additionally, Baradar will also serve as the deputy political affairs to Taliban chief Hibatullah Akundzada, Mujahid wrote in a statement released to media.

"With the appointment of the esteemed Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the negotiation team of the Islamic Emirate (the Taliban) will continue their talks with the United States and will not bring about any change," noted the Taliban spokesman.

Baradar hails from southern Afghanistan and he is still believed to be highly respected among the Taliban. He had been under United Nations financial and travel sanctions since February 2001.

The Taliban spokesman claimed that besides Baradar's appointment, the Taliban leadership has made "multiple changes" in its military and civilian departments "so that the ongoing jihadi process and political efforts can develop positively."

Baradar, a former Taliban military commander and close associate of the Islamist group's founding leader Mullah Omar, had been in Pakistan's custody for more than eight years before he was set free last October at Washington's request, hoping his involvement in direct peace talks with the insurgent group would boost the peace process.

The senior Afghan insurgent leader was captured in 2010 in a joint raid by Pakistani and American security operatives against his hideout in Karachi, Pakistan's largest city. He was the group's second-in-command at the time of his arrest.
'Forgotten crisis' in Cameroon, with attacks on the rise, millions in need of 'lifesaving assistance'

24 January 2019 - Around 4.3 million Cameroonians, mostly women and children, are now in need of lifesaving assistance, the UN announced on Thursday, presenting it's 2019 Humanitarian Response Plan for the West African country, in coordination with the Government and aid partners.

UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Cameroon, Ms. Allegra Baiocchi, and Cameroon's Civil Protection Director, Ms. Yap Mariatou, warned at the launch in Geneva, that the was a drastic increase in humanitarian need across the country.

"Hundreds of thousands of people on Cameroon's territory need urgent assistance and protection," Ms. Baiocchi said, adding that "attacks against civilians have increased and many conflict-affected people are surviving in harsh conditions without humanitarian assistance due to the dramatic underfunding of the response. Cameroon today can no longer be a forgotten crisis; it needs to be high on our agenda."

With needs rising by 31 per cent in a year, the UN today estimates that around 4.3 million people in Cameroon  one in six people and mostly women and children - require lifesaving assistance.

The joint Humanitarian Response Plan 2019 seeks $299 million to assist 2.3 million vulnerable people, more than half of those in need. Last year, a $320 million response plan for Cameroon was only 40 per cent funded.

The aggravation of the conflict in western regions is the main driver behind the increase, with armed attacks in the far north, and new refugees coming from the Central African Republic also increasing demand for urgent aid.

Insecurity and violence in these regions have uprooted 437,000 people from their homes and forced over 32,000 to seek refuge in neighbouring Nigeria. Four million people are affected by the conflict in Cameroon's west, says the UN.

In addition, due to the deteriorating situation in northeast Nigeria, more than 10,000 new refugees arrived in Cameroon in 2018, bringing the number of Nigerian refugees to 100,000.

Needs 'likely to increase in coming years'

"The Government of Cameroon is responsible for the protection and wellbeing of its people and has been at the forefront of the response with its national and international partners," added Ms. Yap Mariatou. "We acknowledge the scale of the different crises we face, and we encourage all the actors to work in close partnership to address the needs of Cameroonians and of the people we host."

"Humanitarian needs are likely to increase in coming years," said Ms. Baiocchi, adding that budgets had failed in increase adequately in recent years.

"Underfunding means we cannot do all we can to make a difference in the life of most vulnerable people across Cameroon, whether it is the girl who is missing school due to violence, the displaced mother struggling to feed her children, or the father who has lost his entire family."
Foreign Secretary statement on situation in Venezuela, January 2019

Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt gave a statement to media on the situation in Venezuela during a visit to Washington.

24 January 2019

Speaking ahead of his meeting with US Vice President Mike Pence and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said:

"We are extremely concerned about the situation in Venezuela, but it is clear that Nicolas Maduro is not the legitimate leader of Venezuela."

"The election on 20th May was deeply flawed; ballot boxes were stuffed, there were counting irregularities and the opposition was banned. This regime has done untold damage to the people of Venezuela, 10% of the population have left Venezuela such is the misery they are suffering."

"So the United Kingdom believes Juan Guaido is the right person to take Venezuela forward. We are supporting the US, Canada, Brazil and Argentina to make that happen. I will be meeting Vice President Pence and Secretary of State Pompeo later this afternoon to discuss this further. But for anyone in the UK who thinks that Venezuela is an example, who thinks that we should be adopting the policies supported by the discredited Maduro regime, they need to look at their TV screens and think again. This regime has caused untold suffering to its people."
Remarks at the Organization of American States

Remarks

Michael R. Pompeo

Secretary of State

Organization of American States

Washington, DC

January 24, 2019

SECRETARY POMPEO: Thank you very much. The United States is a friend of Venezuela and of the Venezuelan people. We have watched Venezuelans suffer for far too long. We know what they know, that the tyranny of the now defunct Maduro regime has far too long  for far too long choked the country and its citizens.

Yesterday, in solidarity with the Venezuelan people, and out of respect for Venezuelan democracy, the United States proudly recognized National Assembly President Juan Guaido as the interim president of Venezuela. You've seen the statements from President Trump and from myself.

Many other countries, including a number of OAS states, have also recognized the interim president. We thank them for their support.

It's now time for the OAS as an institution as a whole to do the same. All OAS member states must align themselves with democracy and respect for the rule of law. All member states who have committed to uphold the Inter-American Democratic Charter must now recognize the interim president.

The time for debate is done. The regime of former president Nicolas Maduro is illegitimate. His regime is morally bankrupt, it's economically incompetent, and it is profoundly corrupt. It is undemocratic to the core. I repeat: The regime of former president Nicolas Maduro is illegitimate. We, therefore, consider all of its declarations and actions illegitimate and invalid.

In light of these facts, we call on Venezuelan security forces to ensure the protection of interim President Guaido's physical integrity and his safety. We've seen reports that a number of protesters were killed yesterday and that more than one hundred were arrested, so I reiterate our warning about any decision by remnant elements of the Maduro regime to use violence to repress the peaceful democratic transition.

The United States did not arrive at this conclusion overnight. We came to this conclusion after a long and bitter experience and following a considered assessment of the facts. And we're not alone. The OAS General Assembly has itself agreed to these facts. In June of last year, the OAS General Assembly declared the re-election of former president Maduro an invalid sham. This past January 10th, the OAS Permanent Council declared former president Maduro's second term illegitimate.

Venezuela's National Assembly became the only legitimate, duly and democratically elected body in the country. On January 23rd, National Assembly President Juan Guaido declared himself the interim president of Venezuela, pursuant to Article 333 and 350 of Venezuela's constitution. He made this declaration with the full support of the National Assembly and, most importantly, of the Venezuelan people.

In his public address, interim President Guaido also outlined the steps he plans to take to restore democracy to his country, including free, fair, transparent, and truly democratic elections.

The United States stands solidly behind him. We stand ready to support the efforts of the National Assembly, the Venezuelan people, and the interim president to restore democracy and respect for the rule of law in Venezuela.

We also stand ready to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Venezuela as soon as logistically possible. Today, I am announcing that the United States is ready to provide more than $20 million in humanitarian assistance to the people of Venezuela. These funds are to help them cope with the severe food and medicine shortages and other dire impacts of their country's political and economic crisis. Our announcement of aid is in response to a request from the National Assembly, led by the interim president.

As a friend of the Venezuelan people, we stand ready to help them even more, to help them begin the process of rebuilding their country and their economy from the destruction wrought by the criminally incompetent and illegitimate Maduro regime.

Our support for Venezuela's democratic hopes and dreams is in sharp contrast to the authoritarian regimes across the globe who have lined up to prop up former President Maduro. And there is no regime which has aided and abetted Maduro's tyranny like the one in Havana. Maduro's illegitimate rule was for years sustained by an influx of Cuban security and intelligence officials. They schooled Venezuela's secret police in the dark arts of torture, repression, and citizen control. Maduro was a fine student at the Cuban academy of oppression.

We call on the OAS and all its member states to act on basic, decent, democratic principles and the incontrovertible facts on the ground.

Each of us  each of us  must live up to our calling to promote and defend democracy, as expressed in the tenets of the Inter-American Democratic Charter, to which everyone in this chamber is a signatory.

And we call on all our partners and responsible OAS member states to show leadership and pledge support for Venezuela's democratic transition and for interim President Guaido's pivotal role in that.

We look forward to welcoming Venezuela back into the fold of responsible democratic nations and remaining in our inter-American community. We look forward to welcoming representation of the interim Venezuelan Government to the OAS at the earliest possible opportunity. And we look forward to working with all responsible OAS member states, with the Venezuelan people, our inter-American system, and with the interim government of President Guaido to restore democracy in Venezuela.

We  we each  have a critical opportunity to help the Venezuelan people live free once again. I ask my colleagues to reconvene a meeting of foreign ministers to continue our conversation on the peaceful democratic transition for Venezuela. History will remember whether we help them or not. The United States calls on all nations of the OAS to make the right choice and make that right choice right now. Thank you.
Venezuela Crisis: What We Know So far as US, Number of Countries Back Opposition

Sputnik News

08:47 24.01.2019(updated 09:15 24.01.2019)

On Wednesday, Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself the country's interim president at a mass rally in Caracas with the United States subsequently urging Nicolas Maduro to step down in favour of Guaido. Maduro has called Guaido "the US puppet" and said that Venezuela was severing diplomatic ties with Washington.

US President Donald Trump has stated that Washington recognises Juan Guaido, the president of the disempowered National Assembly, as the legitimate head of Venezuela.

"We continue to hold the illegitimate Maduro regime directly responsible for any threats it may pose to the safety of the Venezuelan people", Trump said.

Later, when asked if he was considering sending the US military to the country, the US president told reporters at the White House that all options were on the table for Venezuela.

"We're not considering anything, but all options are on the table", Trump said.

The United States has promised to take action against President Maduro and his supporters if they attempt to harm members of the National Assembly or other opposition officials.

However, some countries have expressed disagreement with Washington's policy.

"Firm Support and Solidarity"

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said that Cuba fully supports Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro amid attempts "to stage a coup d'etat" in the Bolivarian Republic.

"Firm support and solidarity of Cuba with constitutional President Nicolas Maduro in light of coup attempts", Rodriguez said on Twitter.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Thursday that current events in Venezuela show the real attitude of the West toward international law and the sovereignty of other states.

"The events in Venezuela clearly demonstrate the real attitude of the progressive Western community toward international law, sovereignty and non-interference in domestic affairs of states by manually changing power there", Zakharova said on Facebook.

Venezuelan Ambassador to Russia Carlos Faria, commenting on the current situation in the Latin American country, had told Sputnik that the Venezuelan Embassy in Russia will remain loyal to President Nicolas Maduro regardless of the circumstances.

"We will remain loyal to our President Nicolas Maduro as we did in the past regardless of the circumstances. Just as we will remain loyal to the heritage of Comandante Hugo Chavez and the ideals of liberator Simon Bolivar", Faria said.

According to the diplomat, the United States has never before promoted a state coup as openly as it is doing now.

"It is unacceptable that our government, our people could allow such an intervention by any state to happen. We have never seen the United States acting so openly to promote a coup as we see it now", he stressed.

There is no article in Venezuela's Constitution allowing someone to declare himself president, the ambassador underscored.

"Nicolas Maduro won the election last year on May 20. At least two opposition politicians were running in the election on the same conditions with Maduro but they failed to gather the majority of the vote", Faria underlined.

Additionally, the Mexican Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Mexico continues to recognise the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

"Based on our constitutional principles of non-interference, self-determination of peoples, peaceful resolution of international disagreements Mexico will not participate in the non-recognition of the government of the country which it has diplomatic relationship with", the statement read.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has also expressed support for his Venezuelan counterpart Nicolas Maduro, Erdogan's spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said on Thursday.

"Our president called Venezuelan President Maduro, conveyed to him Turkey's support", Kalin said on Twitter.

Still, some countries have expressed support for the opposition-controlled National Assembly.

Support for Opposition-Run National Assembly

So far, along with the United States, Canada, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, Paraguay and Peru have recognised Guaido as Venezuela's interim president.

European Parliament President Antonio Tajani has also expressed support for the Venezuelan opposition leader, recognising his legitimacy.

"I am closely following the situation in Venezuela. Unlike Maduro, Guaido has democratic legitimacy. It is necessary to respect demonstrations and freedom of expression of the people who are tired of suffering from hunger and abuse by Maduro", Tajani said on Twitter.

EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, when commenting on the situation in Venezuela, said that the European Union is calling for an immediate political process leading to free and credible elections in the country and expressed support for the opposition-run National Assembly.

Guaido, for his part, has expressed gratitude to the leaders of the countries that have supported him.

"On behalf of all of Venezuela, I thank you for your commitment to supporting the will of the people of Venezuela", Guaido tweeted responding to US President Donald Trump's message, in which he recognised Guaido as interim president of Venezuela.

Guaido also thanked the presidents of Chile, Brazil, Paraguay, the foreign ministries of Peru, Argentina and Colombia, as well as European Parliament President Antonio Tajani, European Council President Donald Tusk, and EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini for their support.

The number of people arrested during anti-government protests in Venezuela has risen to 218, Foro Penal tweeted Thursday.

Earlier reports indicated 175 people.

According to the organisation, nine people were arrested on January 21, 34 people were seized on January 22 and 175 people were placed in custody on January 23.

On 10 January, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was sworn in for his second presidential term, which will last until 2025. The Organisation of American States, members of the Lima Group  except Mexico  and the United States refused to recognise Maduro's new term.

 Sputnik
Brazil Rejects Possibility of Military Operation Against Venezuela - Reports

Sputnik News

09:49 24.01.2019

MEXICO CITY (Sputnik) - Brazilian Vice President Hamilton Mourao has rejected the possibility of Brazil taking part in any kind of a military operation against neighbouring Venezuela, which has recently seen an escalation of its months-long political crisis, the Global news outlet reported.

According to the Global news outlet, Mourao has stressed that interference into internal affairs of other countries was not among the policies pursued by Brasilia.

At the same time, Brazil has joined at least a dozen other countries that recognized the authority of Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido, who proclaimed himself the country's interim leader on Wednesday after the Venezuelan National Assembly  which he chairs  adopted a statement declaring the country's incumbent president, Nicolas Maduro, a usurper.

The United States urged Maduro to step down and let Guaido assume the presidency. Maduro responded that Venezuela was severing diplomatic ties with Washington and gave 72 hours to all US diplomatic and consular staff to leave the country.

Brazil has been one the states, including the United States and the other Lima Group countries, that initially opposed Maduro's re-election as president last year, expressing their doubts over the legitimacy and fairness of the vote.

 Sputnik
Things to Know About Venezuelan Opposition Leader Recognised as President by US

Sputnik News

11:18 24.01.2019(updated 15:36 24.01.2019)

US President Donald Trump has announced that Washington recognises Juan Guaido as the "rightful head" of Venezuela in a move that has been fiercely blasted by President Nicolas Maduro as a coup attempt.

In the context of the ongoing presidential crisis in Venezuela, opposition leader Juan Guaido took his own oath of office and declared himself the country's interim president at a mass rally in Caracas on Wednesday. Here are some key facts about the young opposition figure.

Family & Education

One of eight children, the 35-year-old was raised in the coastal town of La Guaira and studied industrial engineering at the Universidad Catolica Andres Bello in the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, in 2007.

Guaido, who has repeatedly been accused by the Venezuelan government of being promoted by the US, did postgraduate studies at George Washington University in DC.

In 1999, when Guaido was only 15, severe torrential rains caused flash floods and debris flows in the state of Vargas that left tens of thousands of people dead and thousands of others homeless, including his family.

According to his colleagues, Guaido's political views were largely influenced by former president Hugo Chavez's ineffective response to the natural disaster.

Guaido is married to Fabiana Rosales; their daughter Miranda was born at the height of the 2017 protests, during which he was hit in the neck by plastic buckshot and suffered hand fracture in clashes with police.

Getting Political

Guaido's political origins can be traced back to his time in college: he was part of a student-led movement that protested against the Chavez government's decision not to renew the broadcasting licence of private television network, Radio Caracas Television (RCTV).

Chavez accused the network of violating broadcast laws and supporting the 2002 coup attempt that saw him ousted from office for almost two days before he was restored to power. Chavez eventually replaced RCTV with a state-run broadcast station.

In 2009, Guaido, along with another opposition figure Leopoldo Lopez, became one of founding members of the political party Popular Will in response to alleged violations of individual freedom and human rights.

He joined the National Assembly in 2011, serving as an alternate until being elected in 2016 as representative for the state of Vargas  a position that he still holds.

3 Weeks In Maduro Opposition

While being sworn in as president of Venezuela's disempowered National Assembly on 5 January, Guaido pledged to oppose the country's president, Nicolas Maduro.

Having described Maduro's inauguration on 10 January 2019 as "illegitimate", he stated that he would challenge his claim and held a rally, where the National Assembly announced Guaido was ready to replace the president.

Following the announcement, Venezuela's Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza gave an interview to local media outlet, Democracy Now, in which he said that the US is trying to oust Maduro by pushing Guaido.

"And you see this man, who nobody knows in Venezuelayou ask in the streets, 'Who is Juan Guaido?' and nobody knows himbut he's being pushed to say that he is the new president, by the US", he said.

Just a few days after the National Assembly stated that Guaido was ready to replace Maduro, he was detained by Venezuelan government operatives on the way to La Guaira to attend a rally. Guaido was, however, released 45 minutes later.

On 15 January, he penned an article, headlined "Maduro is a usurper. It's time to restore democracy in Venezuela", for The Washington Post, in which described the "unprecedented" crisis in the South American country. A week later, the National Assembly accused Maduro of "usurping" power and declared all of his decisions void.

On the next day, Guaido took the oath of office, declaring himself interim president of Venezuela in a move immediately recognised by both US President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence.

The US government has been calling on Nicolas Maduro to step down "in favour of a legitimate leader reflecting the will of the Venezuelan people".

So far, the US, Canada, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Brazil, Costa Rica, Honduras, Panama, Paraguay, Guatemala, and Peru have recognised Guaido as Venezuela's interim president.

In the meantime, Nicolas Maduro has accused the US of attempting to stage a coup in the South American country. He also announced that Caracas was severing diplomatic and political ties with Washington, and gave American diplomats 72 hours to leave the country.

 Sputnik
Russia Warns US Against Military Interference in Venezuela's Affairs

Sputnik News

12:49 24.01.2019(updated 15:23 24.01.2019)

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russia warns the United States against military interference in Venezuela's affairs, it would be a disaster, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Thursday, noting that Moscow stands for the principle of non-interference in internal affairs.

"We warn against this. We believe that this would be a catastrophic scenario that would shake the foundations of the development model we see in the Latin American region", Ryabkov said in an interview with the International Affairs magazine.

The Deputy Foreign Minister stressed that Moscow would support Caracas on the matter, also regretting that the Organisation of American States "was to a large extent involved in this" and "added fuel to the fire".

"As we see how the situation in Venezuela develops, we note the willingness of a certain group of countries, including the United States, to use different platforms such as the Organization of American States, to increase pressure on our ally Venezuela under different pretexts But we have always supported and will support friendly Venezuela that is our strategic partner", he stated.

The official also underlined that Washington uses pressure, blackmail, and bribery in order to force other countries stop their cooperation with Russia.

Commenting on the situation, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called on the Venezuelan opposition "not to be pawns in someone else's dirty game".

At the same time, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov stressed Moscow's position on the legitimacy of Nicolas Maduro, ruling out the need to grant the rightful president any kind of political asylum.

"Mr Maduro is the legitimate president of Venezuela, therefore we consider the question inappropriate", Peskov said.

Nationwide anti-governmental protests have been shaking Venezuela since the beginning of the week, while supporters of the country's leader, Nicolas Maduro, have also held rallies.

On Tuesday, the opposition-run Venezuelan National Assembly adopted a statement declaring Maduro a usurper. On Wednesday, Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself the country's interim president at a mass rally in the Venezuelan capital.

Some foreign countries, including the US and Canada, have recognised Guaido as an interim president of Venezuela.

 Sputnik
EU Supports 'Re-Establishment of Democracy' in Venezuela - Macron

Sputnik News

13:14 24.01.2019(updated 16:24 24.01.2019)

The French president's statement comes amid a crisis in Caracas, where the head of the opposition-run National Assembly, Juan Guaido, has declared himself the country's interim president, with the US and several other countries recognising him.

"After the illegitimate election of Nicolas Maduro in May 2018, Europe has supported the re-establishment of democracy. I praise the courage of the hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans who are marching for their liberty", Macron said on Twitter.

The statement was echoed by spokeswoman for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Maja Kocijancic, who voiced hope that "political discussions" regarding ways to settle the conflict would soon be held.

"[The] EU strongly calls for the start of an immediate political process leading to free and credible elections in conformity with the constitutional order [We voice] full support to the National Assembly as the democratically elected institution", she noted at a press briefing.

President Nicolas Maduro previously accused Washington of fomenting a coup in the country and announced that Caracas was breaking diplomatic and political relations with the United States, giving American diplomatic staff 72 hours to leave.

Addressing the decision, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo claimed that Maduro's government is illegitimate, refused to take the diplomats back to the US and called on the Venezuelan military to protect American citizens. He went on to say that the United States would take appropriate action to hold anyone accountable who endangers the safety of American diplomatic personnel.

Washington also promised to take action against President Maduro and his supporters if they attempt to harm members of the National Assembly or other opposition officials.

 Sputnik
How US-Venezuela Escalation Unfolded From Sanctions to Backing Anti-Maduro Coup

Sputnik News

16:38 24.01.2019(updated 16:47 24.01.2019)

The Trump administration has officially recognised opposition figure Juan Guaido as the president of Venezuela and dismissed Nicolas Maduro's inauguration as "illegitimate". Maduro, on the other hand, hit back, saying that Washington has been trying to oust him.

Donald Trump, who once refused to "rule out a military option" in Venezuela, has been consistent with a hard-line approach towards the South American country under President Nicolas Maduro.

In light of the presidential crisis, Sputnik has summed up the key points of the escalated tensions between Washington and Caracas since Maduro's re-election in May 2018.

US Reacts to Maduro's Re-Election

Following Nicolas Maduro's re-election for a second six-year term on 20 May 2018, both US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Vice President Mike Pence slammed it as a "sham election".

"Venezuela's election was a sham - neither free nor fair. The illegitimate result of this fake process is a further blow to the proud democratic tradition of Venezuela", Pence said in a statement.

President Donald Trump, for his part, called for Maduro to "restore democracy, hold free and fair elections, release all political prisoners immediately and unconditionally, and end the repression and economic deprivation of the Venezuelan people".

In order to choke off the country's financing, President Donald Trump slapped another set of sanctions on Venezuela, having issued an executive order restricting its ability to liquidate state assets and debt in the US.

The South American country's foreign minister dismissed the restrictions as illegal, saying they were "madness, barbaric and in absolute contradiction to international law".

Crisis-Hit Venezuela is Threat to US Security  Pence

In June 2018, Vice President Pence said that the crisis in the South American country jeopardised US security and countries in the region, and that Washington would not stand "idly by while Venezuela collapses".

"It is remarkable to think that, once one of the most vibrant countries and economies in the Western hemisphere, Venezuela is now essentially a failed state and the Venezuelan people are suffering".

War of Words in Wake of Maduro Assassination Attempt

During a military event on 4 August, Maduro survived what government officials described as an assassination attempt. Several drones detonated close to the presidential podium during Maduro's address, and the explosions were later claimed by an obscure Caracas paramilitary group describing themselves as the "National Movement of Soldiers in T-shirts".

While Maduro called on Trump to reveal the perpetrators' links

"I want the US government and the new government of Colombia to unveil all the links of the accomplices in the attack, residing in the state of Florida, on the territory of the United States and Colombia. With faith in the goodwill of the government of President Donald Trump, and that he will not allow the killing of civil and military leaders of countries like Venezuela to be plotted on US territory".

US National Security Advisor John Bolton was quick to reassure the international community that Washington was not involved in the blasts. He also suggested that Maduro's government was behind the explosions as part of alleged efforts to consolidate power and clamp down on opposition, pointing to the country's wrecked economy and subsequent unrest.

"It could be a lot of things, from a pretext set up by the Maduro regime itself to something else. If the government of Venezuela has hard information that they want to present to us that would show a potential violation of US criminal law, we will take a serious look at it".

Two months later, Maduro claimed that the US had instructed Colombia to assassinate him:

"I am saying this to the entire world  the order to kill Maduro was given to the [Colombian] government in Bogota from the White House that wants to kill me".

In December, he also lashed out at Bolton, in particular, claiming that the White House adviser had spearheaded the plan:

"John Bolton leads the plan to unleash violence and conduct a coup to introduce a transitional government. Bolton is preparing a plan of my assassination. He is training, in various places, mercenary and paramilitary units' forces jointly with Colombia, whose president Ivan Duque is an accomplice of this plan".

More Sanctions, Calls to Restore Democracy

In September, Washington targeted Caracas with another round of sanction on Maduro's wife and six officials in his "inner circle", including the vice president and defence minister. The restrictive measures also included blocking a $20 million private jet identified as belonging to the front-man of a senior official.

Delivering his speech to the UN General Assembly, Donald Trump called on "the nations gathered here to join us in calling for the restoration of democracy in Venezuela".

"Today, socialism has bankrupted the oil-rich nation and driven its people into abject poverty", he said.

Maduro, in turn, has consistently said he Venezuela is the victim of an "economic war" led by the US and its allies, and that Washington is orchestrating attempts to oust him as part of a broader offensive against Latin American leaders challenging US hegemony.

US Backing Coup D'Etat

After Maduro was sworn in earlier this month, Pompeo slammed the inauguration as "illegitimate"

"The Maduro regime is illegitimate and the United States will continue to work diligently to restore a real democracy to that country. We are very hopeful that we can be force for good to allow the region to come together to deliver that".

while Bolton said that the May election was not "free, fair or credible:

"The United States does not recognize Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro's illegitimate claim to power. His 'election' in May 2018 was viewed internationally as not free, fair or credible. We hold the illegitimate Maduro regime directly responsible for the safety of all Venezuelans who cry out demanding to freely choose their leaders. We will continue to use the full weight of United States economic and diplomatic power to press for the restoration of a Venezuelan democracy that reverses the current constitutional crisis".

The Trump administration immediately supported the decision of Juan Guaido, president of Venezuela's disempowered National Assembly, to challenge Maduro's presidency.

As Guaido declared himself interim president of Venezuela on 23 January, both Trump and Vice President Pence recognised him as the "rightful" head of the country.

On top of that, US authorities have been urging Maduro to step aside in favour of Guaido, "reflecting the will of the Venezuelan people".

Maduro, on the other hand, didn't mince words when blasting Guaido as "an American agent", and accused the US of attempting to stage a coup.

"He is a puppet, an American agent, created by the US intelligence agencies, it is them who control him".

The Venezuelan president also announced that Caracas was breaking diplomatic and political relations with Washington, and gave US diplomats 72 hours to leave the South American country.

As of today, Chile, Canada, Argentina, Colombia, Brazil, Peru, Honduras, Costa Rica, Panama, Paraguay, Guatemala have followed the US' suit and recognised Guaido as Venezuela's interim president.

 Sputnik
Venezuela Leader Maduro Says Decided to Close Embassy and Consulates in US

Sputnik News

22:52 24.01.2019(updated 23:57 24.01.2019)

Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro said that he has decided to close the country's embassy and all consulates in the United States. Meanwhile, Caracas is not going to take any actions against US diplomats in Venezuela, Venezuela's ambassador said.

"I decided to close the embassy and all the consulates of Venezuela in the United States," Maduro said in an address to the country's Supreme Court broadcast by VTV8 television.

Nicolas Maduro also said that he agrees with Mexico and Uruguay call for dialogue, Reuters reported.

Earlier, the Venezuelan Embassy in the United States stopped consular services due to the severance of diplomatic relations between the countries.

Nicolas Maduro cut off diplomatic ties with the United States the day before, accusing Washington of attempting to stage a coup d'etat in Caracas. Wasington, in turn, urged him to step down, supporting opposition leader Juan Guaido.

Meanwhile, Venezuela's ambassador to Russia said that Caracas is not going to take any actions against US diplomats in Venezuela, who are going to lose their diplomatic immunity after the 72 hours given by Maduro to leave the country to avoid reciprocal reaction from Washington. Venezuelan Ambassador added that the US diplomats can stay if they want.

"The Americans are waiting even for a small excuse that could be created inside the embassy or around the US diplomats to provoke another action that is even tougher against our country. So we will not do anything. The [US] embassy, if they want, by all means, stay there. But we do not have political and diplomatic relations," Carlos Rafael Faria Tortosa said in an interview with Rossiya 24 television.

Previously, the US government recognized opposition leader Juan Guaido as interim president. Some countries made the same move, namely: Canada, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Georgia, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, Paraguay, and Peru.

Maduro said that Washington had attempted to stage a coup d'etat in Venezuela and announced his decision to cut off diplomatic relations with the United States.

 Sputnik
Interview: Russia's Ties To Venezuela Give It 'Nuisance Power' Over The U.S.

By Robert Coalson January 24, 2019

As the political standoff in Venezuela escalates, Moscow has become increasingly ardent in its support for embattled socialist President Nicolas Maduro since Washington and other capitals recognized opposition leader Juan Guaido's claim to being Venezuela's interim leader.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov -- whose country considers Caracas a "strategic partner" and which has some $20 billion in loans and investments in the country -- said on January 24 that the United States was "trying to act as the ruler of other people's destinies" by "meddling in their domestic affairs," while other Russian officials cautioned Washington not to intervene militarily.

RFE/RL senior correspondent Robert Coalson asked Mikael Wigell, a senior research fellow specializing in Latin America at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs, to outline what is at stake for Moscow in the unfolding crisis in Venezuela.

RFE/RL: Could you give us an idea of the main elements of the "strategic partnership" between Russia and Venezuela?

Mikael Wigell:

Historically, they don't have a very close relationship. It is really only in the last 15 years or so that they have started to develop this relationship. From Venezuela's side, it has to do with its leaders' anti-Americanism and accelerating authoritarianism, for which it sought support. [The late] Presidents Hugo Chavez and Maduro have generally been quite keen to ally themselves with authoritarian regimes that don't demand adherence to human rights and democracy -- and that oppose the United States.

For Russia's part, it has to do with balancing against the United States and also with certain economic interests. In practice, the relationship has revolved around Russia supplying Venezuela with arms and loans in exchange for assets, especially in Venezuela's oil and gas sectors.

RFE/RL: It sounds as if the relationship is really mostly an aspect of each country's relationship with the United States. Or are there direct mutual bilateral interests?

Wigell:

It is a bit of both. Certainly, Moscow's interest in Venezuela is driven by its quite tense relations with the United States and it wants to [provide a counterbalance to] the United States. Establishing close relations with Venezuela gives Moscow a certain nuisance power in relation to the United States, and that can be used as a bargaining chip in future dealings with the United States. It also can be kind of a showcase for Russia's aspirations to be considered a global power.

Oil, Loans, Military: Russia's Exposure to Venezuela

SOVEREIGN DEBT

In November 2017, Russia agreed to restructure Venezuelan sovereign debt of $3.15 billion, with repayments lasting 10 years.

ROSNEFT-PDVSA TIES

Rosneft, Russia's biggest oil producer and one of the largest globally, operates in Venezuela and has also issued loans to state oil and gas company PDVSA, backed by oil supplies.

According to Rosneft, PDVSA paid $500 million debt during the third quarter of last year, with the outstanding obligations standing at $3.1 billion then.

RUSSIAN OIL COMPANIES

Rosneft, whose chief executive Igor Sechin is a frequent visitor to Venezuela, has stakes in a number of oil projects in the country. Total oil production from those projects was 8 million tons in 2017, or 161,000 barrels per day.

Rosneft's share in that oil production was 3 million tons, according to the last publicly available Rosneft documents.

MILITARY

The first credit line for gun purchases was signed in Moscow in 2006 by former President Hugo Chavez and Russian leader Vladimir Putin. Since then, similar agreements have allowed Venezuela to buy Kalashnikov rifles, Sukhoi planes, tanks, and other military equipment.

-- Reuters

But Russia also has certain economic interests in Venezuela which have to do with its arms sales. Venezuela is a big purchaser of Russian arms, and Russia has also gained very favorable assets and contracts in Venezuela's oil-and-gas sector.

RFE/RL: Analysts have described the governments of both Maduro and Putin as "mafia states." Is this a useful prism for comparing the two countries and understanding their relationship and interaction?

Wigell:

Maduro's government is certainly kleptocratic. It is deeply implicated in the drug trade. It is deeply corrupted. In fact, its whole political-survival strategy is one of trying to tie criminal elements to itself, even giving key ministerial positions to criminals so that they would have an incentive to uphold the regime under any circumstances. These criminals know that if there is a democracy, they might end up in court, so they will do anything to prop up Maduro's strategy.

So it is kind of a mafia strategy of deliberately corrupting everyone in order to unite them against any regime change.

Now, there are some similarities to the regime in Russia regarding this sort of strategy. Certainly Russian criminal elements and criminal organizations are very much present on the ground in Venezuela. And they have ties to the Venezuelan regime, and they also have certain ties to Moscow. There are these ties that go via these criminal elements, forming a certain element in the Venezuela-Russia relationship.

RFE/RL: There have been many reports of Russia providing other forms of assistance for various friendly leaders around the world, in Syria and in Africa, for instance. I'm talking about reports of mercenaries, of Russian security firms serving as presidential bodyguards or coping with demonstrators. I'm talking about reports of the hacking of political enemies or the use of computer data and political consulting to help Moscow's friends, etc. Is there evidence that this sort of thing is happening in Venezuela?

Wigell:

That sort of technical support for the Maduro regime in Venezuela, so far, has mostly been provided by the Cubans. There are thousands of Cuban intelligence operatives in Venezuela helping with spying on opposition elements and internal policing. Russians are not that prominent in that sector in Venezuela, as far as I know. There are Russian elements in Venezuela that are implicated in illicit trade and corruption networks and the drugs trade. We know that Russian organized criminals are on the ground in Venezuela in those trades. But not so much on the security side with propping up the regime. The Cubans really account for that.

RFE/RL: And where does China fit in in all of this? China has much more financial investment in Venezuela and buys much more Venezuelan oil than Russia. Is China playing a shadow role in the current crisis?

Wigell:

In many respects, the Maduro regime's survival depends very much on China. Venezuela is currently economically extremely dependent on China. And China is currently sitting on the fence a bit. It is deeply worried about the future of Maduro's regime because it has so much at stake. It is specifically worried that if the opposition comes to power, will it honor the contracts and loan agreements and oil contracts that Venezuela has with China?

So far, the opposition has not been willing to give any guarantees of honoring those contracts, and that is why China is not willing to withdraw its support from the Maduro regime. But should the opposition give some guarantees to China that it will honor those contracts, then Maduro's position would be really precarious and China might actually switch sides.

RFE/RL: And finally, is there anything else that you think it is important for people to understand about the Russian interest in the Venezuela crisis?

Wigell:

What is happening in Venezuela is quite illustrative of what is going on in many parts of the world, with Russia actively trying to prop up autocrats and using them to disrupt the liberal, rules-based world order by all sorts of means -- from the economic to the corrupt to the clandestine.

It is also important not to exaggerate Russia's power in this. It is largely a nuisance. With an economy smaller than Italy's, Russia is not really that well-equipped to play the long game. China is by far the more relevant player, whether in Venezuela or in the region or in many other regions. Russia does not have the economic means to take on responsibility for the Venezuelan economy, that is clear.

Venezuela is still quite a big country and it is really in very bad shape for the time being. But Moscow is worried about its current contracts and current investments in Venezuela and what will happen with them should the regime fall.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/interview-russia-s -ties-to-venezuela-give-it-nuisance-power-over- the-u-s-/29728812.html

Copyright (c) 2019. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.
Clay Center, KS (67432)

Today

Clouds and some sun this morning with more clouds for this afternoon. Hot. High 96F. NNE winds shifting to ESE at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy. A stray severe thunderstorm is possible. Low around 75F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 24)  Do you have the right to love even if you know it is wrong from the start?

This is what the film Hanggang Kailan seeks to answer as it follows the story of Donnie (Xian Lim) and Kath (Louise delos Reyes) on their last trip as a couple before splitting up, apparently due to the formers affair with another person.

This is a love story and hindi maiiwasan [it cannot be avoided.] Of course, there is romance involved sa love story, but its something that happens eh, Lim told CNN Philippines The Source on Thursday.

Set in Japan, Lim said the beautiful scenery of the country would contrast the pains the characters would go through in the film, which he co-produced.

Hanggang Kailan comes out in theaters on February 6.

Watch Lim's full interview on The Source above.
Russia Confirms 'Private Security Companies' Operating Amid Unrest In Sudan

By RFE/RL January 24, 2019

The Russian Foreign Ministry says private Russian companies are training the army in Sudan, confirming their presence in the African country being shaken by mass street demonstrations by opposition forces.

Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on January 23 said that "according to our information, representatives of Russian private security companies, who have nothing to do with Russian state bodies, are operating in Sudan."

Zakharova's comments followed a story in the British press alleged that Russian mercenaries were helping Sudanese authorities crack down on the protests.

Zakharova denied the press reports and said the "task" of the private security firms "is limited to training staff for the military and law enforcement agencies of the Republic of Sudan," which is a close ally of Moscow.

Street protests have been carried out daily since December 19. The rallies were initially in protest against shortages of fuel and commodities, but they have turned into a call for an end to the 30-year rule of President Omar al-Bashir.

Britain's The Guardian newspaper on January 23 reported that Bashir's government was conducting an "alarming" crackdown on journalists covering the protests, with five reporters being held and dozens of others being detained before being released.

The unrest is one of the biggest challenges to Bashir's rule since he took power in a coup in 1989.

Reuters news agency reported that official statistics from the Russian Federal Security Service show a substantial increase in the number of the Russian citizens who left for Sudan in late 2017.

According to the data, some 200 Russians traveled to Sudan in the final three months of last year, far surpassing the previous peak of 76 in any three-month period.

Sudan's oil minister, Azhari Abdel Qader, said on January 23 that the country had received economic assistance from the United Arab Emirates and offers of support from Russia and Turkey during its economic crisis.

"We accepted it as a normal matter between friendly countries in light of the current circumstances that Sudan is going through," he said of the aid, adding that there were offers of "fuel, wheat, and other items" from Turkey and Russia.

He did not confirm whether Sudan, a country of 41 million people, would accept the offers from Russia and Turkey.

Private Russian military contractors have been reported in other countries, including Syria in support of President Bashar al-Assad's forces. Rights monitors said that dozens of them were killed in clashes with U.S.-led forces, although details remain scarce.

With reporting by Reuters, Tass, The Times, The Guardian, and Bloomberg

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-confirms -private-security-forces-sudan- demonstrations/29727768.html

Copyright (c) 2019. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.
Taliban Appoints New Political Leader Amid Peace Talks With U.S.

By RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal January 24, 2019

A co-founder of the Afghan Taliban who was released from detention by Pakistan last year has been appointed as the leader of the militant group's political office in Qatar.

The move comes as the talks with the United States on a potential deal to bring an end to Afghanistan's 17-year conflict gain momentum.

The Taliban announced Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar's appointment in a statement on January 24, saying the move was taken to "strengthen and properly handle the ongoing negotiations process with the United States."

Baradar, who was released from a Pakistani prison in October last year, has been authorized to lead the political team and take decisions, the Reuters news agency quoted two Taliban sources in Afghanistan as saying.

He will also hold the post of third deputy to Taliban leader Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada.

The United States said on January 22 that it had resumed talks with the militants in Qatar, where special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad was meeting Taliban representatives.

The discussions entered their fourth day on January 24 and it was not clear whether they were to continue on January 25, or how soon Baradar could join the talks.

A senior Taliban official told Reuters that Baradar "will soon fly to Qatar."

"He has been given the new position because the U.S. wanted senior Taliban leadership to participate in peace talks," the official added.

Khalilzad spent the weekend in Pakistan where he held talks with Prime Minister Imran Khan as part of a regional tour that saw the envoy shuttling between India, China, and Afghanistan.

The U.S. envoy has held at least four meetings with the Taliban representatives, but there has been no letup in the violence so far.

Baradar served as the Taliban's second-in-command under Mullah Omar and coordinated the group's military operations in southern Afghanistan before his arrest in the Pakistani city of Karachi in 2010.

His release was part of high-level negotiations, led by Khalilzad, with the Taliban, according to reports.

With reporting by Reuters and AIP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/taliban-appoints -new-political-leader-amid-peace-talks- with-u-s-/29729268.html

Copyright (c) 2019. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.
Pompeo: US to remain in Syria until Daesh defeated

Iran Press TV

Thu Jan 24, 2019 08:29AM

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says American military forces will remain in Syria until Daesh terrorists are defeated, in what seems to be yet another sign of disagreement in Washington over President Donald Trump's order to evacuate the Arab country.

Trump's surprise announcement in December triggered a huge backlash both in and out of the US, prompting then Defense Secretary James Mattis to quit.

The opponents of the decision argued that leaving the years-long Syrian conflict amounts to a victory for Iran and Russia, who have helped the Syrian government purge foreign-backed militants from most parts of the country.

"And so in Syria, President Trump has made a tactical decision," Pompeo told Fox News on Wednesday.

"We're going to withdraw our 2,000 uniformed military personnel from that country, but make no mistake about it: the defeat of the caliphate, the ISIS caliphate in Syria, is almost complete. We're going to stay there till it's done," he said, using another acronym for Daesh.

Upon unveiling his plans for Syria, Trump claimed that American troops were going back home because, with Daesh defeated, their mission there had come to an end.

He even suggested that Turkey could take on America's military responsibilities in Syria after US forces and their equipment left the country in a process that he said would take a few months.

However, Pompeo said Trump was open to extending the US military mission in forms of US-led coalition airstrikes or troops deployments to certain regions.

"I think what President Trump will do is he'll  we'll look at each situation and make the best decision on how to approach it. If it requires American forces to be someplace, we'll do that," he explained.

He rejected criticism that leaving Syria would play well into the hands of Iran and Russia, arguing that Washington would use sanctions and economic pressure to balance the situation.

"Let's talk about happiness in Iran and Russia. What is Russia seeing from the Trump administration? Hundreds of sanctions, an enormous military buildup by the United States of America," he argued.

"I don't think for one moment those two countries believe they're in a better place today with the Trump administration than they were with [former President] Barack Obama and [former State Secretary] John Kerry in charge of this country," the US top diplomat argued.

US deploys more troops to accelerate Syria pullout

Meanwhile, unnamed military officials revealed to CNN on Wednesday that the US had deployed more troops to Syria to speed up the withdrawal process.

The additional troops, deployed over the past few days, would provide security for US troops and equipment via land and air as they leave the country.

They would also provide additional security as the number of US forces across Syria dwindles, the officials said, adding the Pentagon was not going to discuss the exact number of the forces deployed and the length of their mission.
US, Taliban hold 4th day of talks in Doha; mechanism for ceasefire on agenda

Iran Press TV

Thu Jan 24, 2019 03:31PM

The United States special envoy for Afghanistan and representatives of the Taliban militant group meet for a fourth straight day in the Qatari capital, after the negotiations were extended.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed that "discussions are still ongoing," adding, "We will talk in detail later when we reach agreement."

The US announced resumption of its talks with the militant group earlier in the week. The talks were originally scheduled to take place over two days, but were allowed to continue in a development that some have called a "positive" sign.

"When talks take a long time, it means the discussion is in a sensitive and important stage, and the participants are getting close to a positive result," said Sayed Ehsan Taheri, the spokesman for Afghanistan's High Peace Council (AHPC), a body which oversees "peace" efforts, but does not represent the government.

The US invaded Afghanistan in 2001, which led to the fall of the Taliban. The group, however, has strengthened its grip over the past few years, with Kabul controlling over 55 percent of the country's expanse.

Meanwhile, Washington has stepped up its involvement in talks with the group since last year when it appointed the Afghan-born envoy Zalmay Khalilzad. The point man has ever since held at least four meetings with the Taliban representatives, and has been touring the region to sound out some of the countries, including Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates, on ways to put an end to the violence and militancy in the war-ravaged country.

The violence, however, has not subsided.

Major points of talks

The ongoing round of talks has reportedly focused on three major points, namely withdrawal of US troops, a pledge to prevent Afghan soil from being a base for attacks on other countries, and a potential ceasefire.

Citing a Taliban official, Reuters said the first two days featured discussions on a roadmap for the withdrawal of foreign forces and a guarantee that Afghanistan would not be used for hostile acts against the US and its allies.

"The mechanism for a ceasefire and ways to enter into an intra-Afghan dialog were the two other big topics that were supposed to be discussed on Thursday," he added.

Taliban militants have pledged to increase their attacks unless US forces fully pulled out of the country.

More than a month ago, US President Donald Trump ordered a halving of the 14,000 US troops in Afghanistan, although it was not clear if the announced drawdown had to do with the threat leveled by the Taliban.
Hamas turns down Qatari funds over Israel's change of conditions

Iran Press TV

Thu Jan 24, 2019 06:11PM

The Palestinian Islamic resistance movement, Hamas, says it would not accept a fresh tranche of Qatari funds to the Gaza Strip after the Israeli regime blocked its delivery over unrest along the border between the besieged costal enclave and the occupied territories.

"We refuse to receive the third Qatari grant in response to the (Israeli) Occupation's behavior and attempts to evade the agreement," the deputy Hamas leader in Gaza, Khalil al-Hayya, told journalists on Thursday.

Hayya did not elaborate on the specific conditions that were changed, but said Israel was playing politics with the funds ahead of upcoming legislative elections, which will be held on April 9.

Qatar has delivered $15 million a month into the Gaza Strip under an informal agreement struck in November. The funds to pay salaries of Hamas employees and support impoverished Gazans are in exchange for relative calm along the border fence between the strip and the Israeli-occupied land.

The third tranche had been expected to enter this week but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blocked it on Tuesday after an Israeli soldier was slightly injured near the fence.

Later in the day, at least one Palestinian was killed while four others were injured as Israeli forces shelled the Gaza Strip.

Palestinians have held weekly protests on the Gaza border, over the siege of the enclave and the right for refugees to return to their homes they fled during the 1948 creation of Israel.

Nearly 250 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces ever since anti-occupation protest rallies began in the Gaza Strip on March 30, 2018. Over 26,000 Palestinians have also sustained injuries.

The Gaza clashes reached their peak on May 14 last year, on the eve of the 70th anniversary of Nakba Day (Day of Catastrophe), which coincided this year with the US embassy relocation from Tel Aviv to occupied East Jerusalem al-Quds.

On June 13, 2018, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution, sponsored by Turkey and Algeria, condemning Israel for Palestinian civilian deaths in the Gaza Strip.

The resolution, which had been put forward on behalf of Arab and Muslim countries, garnered a strong majority of 120 votes in the 193-member assembly, with 8 votes against and 45 abstentions.

The resolution called on UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres to make proposals within 60 days "on ways and means for ensuring the safety, protection, and well-being of the Palestinian civilian population under Israeli occupation," including "recommendations regarding an international protection mechanism."

It also called for "immediate steps towards ending the closure and the restrictions imposed by Israel on movement and access into and out of the Gaza Strip."
Yemeni nation determined to withstand Saudi-led oppression: Houthi

Iran Press TV

Thu Jan 24, 2019 06:27PM

The leader of Yemen's Houthi Ansarullah movement says his country is determined to stand up to oppressive measures of Saudi Arabia and its regional allies, which are involved in an atrocious military campaign against the impoverished Arab country.

Addressing his supporters via a televised speech broadcast live from the Yemeni capital Sana'a on Thursday evening, Abdul-Malik al-Houthi said, "The honorable people of Yemen have decided to stand against oppression," calling upon Yemenis from all social strata to remain resilient in the face of existing challenges.

"We will continue our steadfastness until the aggression against us ceases. The enemy is doing its utmost because it is extremely frustrated after failure to occupy our country. Our armed forces have built great military capabilities at all levels -- land, sea and air," he said.

"The enemy launched an economic war against us in a bid to exert the maxim level of pressure. It, however, could not break the will of our people," Houthi said, adding, "The enemy seeks to use all methods to weaken the will of our nation in the face of its aggression."

He highlighted that those who chose to pledge loyalty to the Saudi-led military alliance stood with oppressors against the oppressed Yemeni nation.

"Such people are standing on the wrong side and against righteousness. They must give an account on the Day of Judgment for their deeds," Houthi concluded.

He added that "hypocrites and those who committed profoundly evil deeds" followed the schemes drawn up by arrogant powers.

Houthi then warned that "wicked forces" in the Muslim world were hell-bent on distancing people from their moral values.

"Takfiris will pay the price for their wrong choices both in this world and the hereafter. Believers in God have always been drawn against forces of the evil throughout history," the Ansarullah chief pointed out.

Saudi Arabia and a number of its regional allies launched a devastating military campaign against Yemen in March 2015, with the aim of bringing the government of former president Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi back to power and crushing Ansarullah.

According to a new report by the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED), a nonprofit conflict-research organization, the Saudi-led war has so far claimed the lives of around 56,000 Yemenis.

The Saudi-led war has also taken a heavy toll on the country's infrastructure, destroying hospitals, schools, and factories. The UN has already said that a record 22.2 million Yemenis are in dire need of food, including 8.4 million threatened by severe hunger. According to the world body, Yemen is suffering from the most severe famine in more than 100 years.

A number of Western countries, the US and Britain in particular, are also accused of being complicit in the ongoing aggression as they supply the Riyadh regime with advanced weapons and military equipment as well as logistical and intelligence assistance.
Essex Arrives in Phuket

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS190124-06

Release Date: 1/24/2019 10:56:00 AM

By MC2 William Phillips, ESSEX Public Affairs, Fleet Activities Essex Public Affairs

PHUKET, Thailand (NNS) -- The Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) and the embarked 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) arrived in Phuket, Thailand Jan. 24 for a port visit.

After almost five weeks at sea, the port visit was a chance for Sailors and Marines to relax and enjoy Thailand's culture, cuisine and tropical beaches while fostering relationships between the two nations.

"Our Sailors and Marines have been working tirelessly throughout the deployment, and this port visit gives them a chance to relax and strengthen the bonds between the U.S. and Thailand through firsthand cultural experiences and exchanges," said Capt. Brian Mutty, commanding officer of USS Essex. "We all understand that we are here to make an impression but also to enjoy our time in Phuket experiencing a different culture than what most of us are used to."

The Sailors and Marines of the ESSEX Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) will strengthen ties while hosting members of the Royal Thai Navy during a ship tour aboard Essex. The Royal Thai navy sailors will visit the ship's flight deck, well deck, bridge and the medical department to learn how Essex operates.

Essex and the 13th MEU are deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operation to support regional stability, reassure partners and allies and maintain a presence postured to respond to any crisis ranging from humanitarian assistance to contingency operations.
NATO Secretary General in Davos: the transatlantic Alliance is strong

NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

23 Jan. 2019 - 24 Jan. 2019

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stressed the importance of strong transatlantic cooperation and institutions at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland on Thursday (24 January 2019). The Secretary General took part in a panel session on the 'Future of the Transatlantic Alliance', together with German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen, Polish Foreign Minister Jacek Czaputowicz, former US Secretary of State John Kerry and Professor Kishore Mahbubani of the National University of Singapore.

Mr. Stoltenberg stressed that Europe and North America have stood shoulder-to-shoulder in NATO for over 70 years, protecting common interests and values. The Secretary General noted that Europe and North America are doing more together  modernising the NATO Command Structure, strengthening NATO's cyber defences and investing more in collective defence.

Since 2016, the Secretary General said, European Allies and Canada have spent an extra 41 billion dollars in real terms. Mr. Stoltenberg announced that by 2020, this figure is expected to increase to 100 billion dollars. "Based on the national plans coming in from all the Allies, they will add $100 billion by the end of next year," he said.

The Secretary General added that NATO Allies have also demonstrated unity on arms control, speaking with one voice on Russia's violation of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty. Allies have called on Russia to return urgently to full and verifiable compliance with the Treaty.

During his visit to Davos, the Secretary General also held bilateral talks with NATO Allies and partners, including Polish President Andrzej Duda, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen, and the Chairwoman of the CDU Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer.
South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa arrived on Friday in Delhi for his first state visit ahead of the Republic Day celebration parade, where he is the chief guest. Ramaphosa is second South Africa's President after Nelson Mandela to be the chief guest at the Republic Day parade.

Ramaphosa, who is accompanied by First Lady Dr Tshepo Motsepe and a high-level delegation of nine ministers and a large business delegation was received at the airport by Urban Development Minister Hardeep Singh Puri.

After a cermonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhawan, the South African President will address the India-South Africa Business Forum, with the objective to grow business ties between the two countries.

During his two-day visit, Ramaphosa will also deliver the Gandhi-Mandela Freedom Lecture organized by Indian Council of World Affairs under IBSA framework as a part of the celebrations of the 15th Anniversary of IBSA.

Ramaphosa will be the chief guest at the 2019 Republic Day parade and also attend the 'At Home' hosted by the President Ram Nath Kovind in the afternoon of January 26, 2019.

According to the Ministry of External affair, this visit by South Africa President is expected to further strengthen and enhance the close relationship between India and South Africa, which has shared "close and multifaceted strategic partnership since 1997, which is underpinned by historical, cultural and economic linkages".

It is worth noting, that bilateral trade has increased to the USD 10.65 billion in 2018-19 from the USD 9.38 billion in 2017-18. Both countries share close cooperation in the areas of vocational training, capacity building etc.

The two countries share a common vision on a range of global issues and closely cooperate in various multilateral fora: United Nations, BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa), G-20, Commonwealth, Indian Ocean Rim Association and the India, Brazil, South Africa dialogue forum.

Both Prime Minister Modi and President Ramaphosa have met thrice in 2018 since the latter assumed office in February 2018 - on the margins of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London, BRICS meeting in Johannesburg and the G20 summit in Buenos Aires in Argentina. .

-ANI
Officials get look at new port of entry
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British Columbians may have the longest life expectancy in Canada, but rank near the bottom for mental health, despite healthier lifestyles than most Canadians.

Women in B.C. can expect to live to 84, and men to 80, on average.

But a lot of that depends on where you live. And the gap in life expectancy between regional health authorities is widening, a new report by Medical Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry reveals.

Residents of the Vancouver Coastal Health Region have the longest life expectancy, followed by the Fraser Valley, Vancouver Island, Interior Health Region, and lastly Northern B.C.

More specifically, Okanagan residents can expect to live to an average of 82 years, roughly in the middle of the pack. Richmond has the highest life expectancy at 86 years, while Northwest B.C. has the lowest at just 79 years.

Between 2014 and 2017, life expectancy in B.C. decreased by 0.6 years  "a downward trend not seen in recent decades," she said.

Further analysis is need to determine the extent to which the overdose crisis is affecting those numbers, she added.

The report examines the progress made toward 36 performance measures of public health, and finds more people are experiencing mental health woes even though the province has one of the highest life expectancies in the world.

B.C. has the highest rate of physical activity, lowest rate of smoking, and lowest rate of heavy drinking. We have the second highest consumption of fruits and vegetables, but were rated second lowest among provinces for percentage of people who rate their mental health as very good or excellent and for those who feel satisfied with their life.

"It's concerning to me that the percentage of British Columbians who report positive mental health has gone down," Henry told a news conference. "This is one of the measures where we were are actually falling behind in Canada and the rest of the world."

Henry says smoke from wildfires, for example, affects health and the province must do a better job of assessing other impacts of climate change as well as putting more funding into health promotion programs.

Poverty, lack of early childhood education and low income are indicators of poor health, Henry said, adding early childhood development is an issue in some urban areas.

Read the full report here.

 with files from The Canadian Press
Scientists determine exact length of a day on Saturn News oi-Vishal Kawadkar We now know the exact length of a day on Saturn.

Scientists can determine the length of a day on a planet by looking at the geographical landmarks. But that's not the case with Saturn, which makes it tough figure out the length of a day on the planet.

Additionally, the magnetic field of the planet hides the speed at which it moves. This happens because the magnetic field is aligned perfectly with the rotational axis of the planet, preventing astronomers from measuring it properly.

But, NASA's Cassini probe has managed to determine that a day on Saturn is 10 hours, 33 minutes and 38 seconds. The previous estimate was 10 hours 39 minutes and 23 seconds, which was based on the data sent by Voyager.

NASA also said that the rings played a key role in the study. The scientists used waves in the rings to peer into the interior of Saturn. Christopher Mankovich, a graduate student in astronomy and astrophysics at UC Santa Cruz, monitored the data from Cassini and came up with results.

"Particles throughout the rings can't help but feel these oscillations in the gravity field, at specific locations in the rings these oscillations catch ring particles at just the right time in their orbits to gradually build up energy, and that energy gets carried away as an observable wave," explained Mankovich.

The data from Cassini also helped the astronauts estimate the age of Saturn's ring. The findings hint that the rings were formed between 10 million and 100 million years ago. This also means that Saturn's rings were formed during the dinosaur age on Earth.

Saturn has formed around 4.5 billion years ago. The scientists measured the mass of the rings or the amount of material the comprise of.

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Oppo to invest Rs 3,500 crores in manufacturing cluster News oi-Priyanka Dua The project is being set up by TEGNA Electronics Private Limited (TEGNA), an SPV of Taiwan Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers' Association (TEEMA), along with OPPO and a few Indian companies.

Chinese smartphone maker Oppo is setting up a Greenfield Electronic Manufacturing Cluster (EMC) in Greater Noida to manufacture electronics and support accessories locally in India.

The project is currently expected to be completed over a period of 18 months.

Tasleem Arif, Vice President, and R&D Head, OPPO India said, "The EMC in Greater Noida will help us implement innovative and exciting technologies in future products that we introduce in India as well as help us build a local ecosystem for smartphone devices. As India is an extremely important market for us, we aim to drive innovation locally through our industrial parks and R&D centers so that we can deliver an insightful, revolutionary and seamless smartphone experience for our consumers. We are excited about this partnership with some of the leading global electronic manufacturers and look forward to working closely with all these companies while also creating job opportunities for many in the state."

The project is being set up by TEGNA Electronics Private Limited (TEGNA), an SPV of Taiwan Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers' Association (TEEMA), along with OPPO and a few Indian companies.

The EMC will facilitate a common platform for existing electronic manufacturers and exporters to come together and establish an integrated hub for manufacturing electronics and hardware - primarily focused on smartphones.

The Cluster houses facilities like tool room, R&D lab for manufacturing electronic products along with other manufacturing and support services.

It will house some of the global leaders in manufacturing of electronics and support accessories. The EMC will also generate huge employment opportunities in the state, generating direct employment for around 25,000 - 30,000 persons.

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Redmi Note 7 now supports Super Night Scene Mode: Improves low-light photograpghy News oi-Vivek Redmi Note 7 is the first Redmi smartphone with a 48 MP camera

Redmi Note 7, the first Redmi smartphone with a 48 MP primary camera sensor has received a new software update to enhance the low-light photography further.

Just like the Xiaomi Mi MIX 3 and the Poco F1, the Redmi Note 7 is capable of capturing images with great details even in low light conditions, thanks to Super Night Scene Mode. The latest OTA update for the Redmi Note 7 has enabled Super Night Scene Mode, which captures images continuously with different explore and then stitch them back to create an image with improved clarity.

The Redmi Note 7 is the most affordable smartphone from the company to support Super Night Mode. This is good news for India users, as Xiaomi India head Manu Jain recently confirmed that the Redmi Note 7 will launch in India. As of now, there is information on the exact date of launch, considering the recent development, Redmi Note 7 is most likely to launch in the first two weeks of February.

Redmi Note 7 specifications

The Redmi Note 7 comes with a 6.3-inch IPS LCD screen with a resolution of 2340 x 1080p, protected by 2.5D curved Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection. The display has a tiny water-drop notch on the top with 19.5:9 aspect ratio, offering higher screen to body ratio compared to other Xiaomi Redmi smartphones.

The Redmi Note 7 in total has three cameras, two on the back, and one on the front. The primary camera unit consists of a 48 MP Samsung ISOCELL sensor with a 5 MP depth sensor. On the front, the device has a 13 MP selfie camera with support for AI.

Like most of the Redmi Note series smartphones, the Redmi Note 7 has a 4000 mAh Li-ion battery with support for Qualcomm Quick Charge 4.0 support via USB type C with a dedicated 3.5 mm headphone jack. The device runs on MIUI 10 based on Android 9 Pie and is expected to receive MIUI 11 update in the coming days.

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Lava Z92 with AI gaming mode to launch on 28th of January for Rs 9,999 News oi-Vivek Lava Z92 has a notch display

Lava, the Indian smartphone OEM is all set to launch a new entry-level smartphone in India on the 28th of January. Lava will announce, yet another smartphone with a notch display, the Lava Z92 with an interesting set of features.

The USP of the Lava Z92 is the AI gaming mode, which will free up the cache, RAM, and CPU, and GPU resources to improve the gaming performance of the smartphone while playing graphics intensive games. The Lava Z92 is the successor to the recently launched Lava Z91.

Lava Z92 price and availability

The Lava Z92 will be available across the country via offline stores and online e-commerce websites for Rs 9,999. As of now, there is no additional information on the offers associated with the Lava Z92 what so ever.

Lava Z92 specifications

The Lava Z92 comes with a 6.22-inch IPS LCD screen with an HD+ resolution, offering 19:9 aspect ratio with 2.5D curved tempered glass. The MediaTek Helio P22 SoC will power the smartphone with 3 GB LPDDR3 RAM and 32 GB internal storage with a microSD card slot for additional storage expansion.

The smartphone boasts a 13 MP primary camera on the back with a dual tone dual LED flash and an 8 MP selfie camera on the front. Both cameras are capable of capturing AI selfies and photos with bokeh effect. The Lava Z92 does feature a rear-facing fingerprint sensor, and in addition to that, the device also offers AI face unlock using the selfie camera.

The mobile phone will feature a 3260 mAh Li-ion battery with support for 10W fast charging via micro USB port with a dedicated 3.5 mm headphone jack. The Lava Z92 runs on Android 8.1 Oreo OS.

At the given price tag (Rs 9,999), the smartphone will be competing against the likes of the Xiaomi Redmi 6 Pro, Redmi U1, Redmi 2 Pro, Honor 10 Lite and other budget smartphones with similar specifications.

Via

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Balong 5000 Chipset: Start of the 5G era

Huawei Balong 500 chipset supports a broad range of 5G products in addition to smartphones, including home broadband devices, vehicle-mounted devices, and 5G modules. The next-gen. CPU is engineered to provide consumers with a brand new 5G experience across multiple scenarios. The chipset is said to provide high-speed connections needed for pervasive intelligence. Balong 5000 supports 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G on a single chip. As per Huawei, the CPU effectively reduces latency and power consumption when exchanging data between different modes, and will significantly enhance user experience in the early stages of commercial 5G deployment.

Staggering boost in Speeds

Huawei claims that Balong 5000 is the first chipset to perform to industry benchmarks for peak 5G download speeds. At Sub-6 GHz (low-frequency bands, the main spectrum used for 5G), Balong 5000 can achieve download speeds up to 4.6 Gbps. On mmWave spectrum (high-frequency bands used as extended-spectrum for 5G), Balong 5000 can achieve download speeds up to 6.5 Gbps - 10 times faster than top 4G LTE speeds on the market today. Balong 5000 can also flexibly meet different user and carrier requirements for connecting devices throughout different stages of 5G development.

Chipset to empower connected car ecosystem

Huawei's Balong 5000 will also play a major role in the connected car ecosystem. It is the world's first multi-mode chipset that supports Vehicle to Everything (V2X) communications, providing low-latency and highly reliable solutions for connected vehicles.

Huawei 5G Smartphones

It is worth mentioning that the same chipset is going to power Huawei's upcoming 5G smartphones. Huawei's 5G smartphones powered by Balong 5000 will be released at this year's Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. Notably, Huawei Mate 30 Pro is expected to be a 5G enabled smartphone. We will keep a close eye on the 5G enabled smartphones by Huawei so stay tuned on Gizbot.com.

Huawei 5G CPE Pro Router

The first product powered by Huawei Balong 5000- Huawei 5G CPE Pro router supports both 4G and 5G wireless connections. As per Huawei's testing on a 5G network, a 1-GB HD video clip can be downloaded within three seconds, and 8K video can be streamed smoothly without lag. This sets a new benchmark for home CPEs. In addition to homes, the Huawei 5G CPE Pro router can also be used by small and medium-sized enterprises for super-fast broadband access.
Gillette, WY (82718)

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Mostly sunny. High 92F. S winds shifting to NW at 15 to 25 mph..

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Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low around 55F. Winds NNW at 15 to 25 mph.
Photo: @UnistotenCamp

A company building a pipeline has stopped work in Northwestern B.C., where 14 people were arrested earlier this month.

Coastal GasLink says in a notice posted on its website on Thursday that it stopped work in an area south of Houston because traps had been placed inside construction boundaries and people were entering the site, raising safety concerns.

The company says it was working with the RCMP to address the issue.

Earlier this week, the Unist'ot'en Clan of the Wet'suwet'en Nation alleged on social media that pipeline contractors had driven a bulldozer through the heart of one of their traplines south of Houston, which they say violates the Wildlife Act by interfering with lawful trapping.

The company says its work in the area has been fully approved and permitted, and it reminded the public that unauthorized access to an active construction site where heavy equipment is being used can be dangerous.

The pipeline will run through Wet'suwet'en territory to LNG Canada's $40-billion export facility in Kitimat.

Opponents say Coastal GasLink has no authority to build without consent from Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs.

The company says it has signed agreements with the elected councils of all 20 First Nations along the route, including some Wet'suwet'en elected council members

Those council members say they are independent from the hereditary chief's authority and inked deals to bring better education, elder care and services to their members.

Hereditary chiefs say they have authority over 22,000 square kilometres of Wet'suwet'en traditional territory while elected band members administer the reserves.

Carolyn Bennett, the minister of Crown-Indigenous relations, says the dispute is an example of how the Indian Act, which imposed the band council system on First Nations, is still creating confusion and conflict over Indigenous governance.
January 25  birthday of the second president of Georgia - GeorgianJournal
For 2019, the European capital of culture is Plovdiv! If you dont already know about this place, there are lots of cultural events that would make you want to visit this ancient Bulgarian city right away!

Plovdiv is one of the oldest cities in Europe, but more impressively, THE oldest city in Bulgaria. Its origins go back more than 1200 years before the birth of Jesus Christ, which makes it a great place to go see the incredible remains of various different cultures and civilizations: the Thracians, the Romans, the Ottomans, the Communists, they all passed through here at some time or another in history. And this past is reflected as much in its architecture as it is in the various activities that still take place here.

Nowadays, Plovdiv has around 350,000 inhabitants and everything it needs to be the cultural capital of Europe. Proving this are the Roman theatres  dating back to the period when Plovdiv was known as Trimontium, or The Three Hills  a stones throw from its Ottoman churches. First, the capital of the Roman province of Thrace in 342BC, then a center for the national Bulgarian movement in the 19th century, its ancient history speaks for itself.

A full year ahead

On Saturday 12th January, the second largest city in Bulgaria, in terms of inhabitants and influence, launched its cultural events program. And the visitors who took part in this day were spoiled for choice. They were able to admire around thirty fragments of the Berlin wall around the remains of the old Roman stadium. Pieces of this famous wall measuring 1.2 meters high, all covered in street-art.

However, Plovdiv  which is already so impressive and popular because of its mix of history and culture - will become even more enchanting in 2019 because it will share the title of cultural capital of Europe with Matera, another ancient city located in the south of Italy which is famous for its cave-dwelling districts.

However, this wont stop the famous Bulgarian city from putting on dozens of exhibitions and shows in the up and coming months. In 2019, the only decision you need to make is whether youre going to visit Plovdiv or Matera!

Check out the video above to see more of what Plovdiv has to offer!
Welcome to my genealogy blog. Genea-Musings features genealogy research tips and techniques, genealogy news items and commentary, genealogy humor, San Diego genealogy society news, family history research and some family history stories from the keyboard of Randy Seaver (of Chula Vista CA), who thinks that Genealogy Research Is really FUN! Copyright (c) Randall J. Seaver, 2006-2021.
Photo: The Canadian Press Roger Stone

Shouting "FBI, open the door," authorities arrested Roger Stone, a confidant of President Donald Trump, before dawn Friday in a criminal case that revealed that senior members of the Trump campaign sought to benefit from the release of hacked emails damaging to Hillary Clinton.

The seven-count indictment against Stone, a self-proclaimed "dirty trickster" with a long history with Trump, is the first criminal case in months from special counsel Robert Mueller. Stone appeared at court in shackles later in the morning and was released on a $250,000 bond. He did not enter a plea.

The indictment provides the most detail to date about how Trump campaign associates in the summer of 2016 actively sought the disclosure of emails the U.S. says were hacked by Russia, then provided to the anti-secrecy website WikiLeaks. It alleges that unidentified senior Trump campaign officials contacted Stone to ask when stolen emails relating to Clinton might be disclosed.

Prosecutors did not charge Stone with conspiring with WikiLeaks or with the Russian officers Mueller says hacked the emails. Instead it mirrors other Mueller cases in alleging coverups and deception, accusing Stone of lying to lawmakers about WikiLeaks, tampering with witnesses and obstructing a congressional probe into whether the Trump campaign co-ordinated with Russia to tip the election.

Some of those false statements were made to the House intelligence committee, prosecutors allege.

In referring to Trump campaign officials and their desire to leverage hacked emails, the case brings Mueller's investigation into the president's inner circle but it does not accuse the president of any wrongdoing or reveal whether he had advance knowledge of the WikiLeaks trove.

CNN aired video of the raid at Stone's Fort Lauderdale, Florida, home, showing agents in body armour using large weapons and night-vision equipment, running up to the home and banging on the door.

"FBI open the door!" one shouts. "FBI, warrant!" Stone could then be seen in the doorway in his sleepwear before he was led away.

Though not uncommon for the FBI to make early-morning arrests of targets under indictment, it's the first time Mueller has used that tactic. Stone had been predicting his indictment for some time.

Hours later, he appeared in court in a blue polo shirt and jeans. In releasing him on bond, a magistrate judge restricted Stone's travel to South Florida, Washington and New York City and ordered him to avoid contact with witnesses.

Stone is the sixth Trump aide or adviser charged by Mueller and the 34th person overall. The nearly two-year-old probe has exposed multiple contacts between Trump associates and Russia during the campaign and transition period and revealed efforts by several to conceal those communications.

The case comes weeks after Trump's former national security adviser, Michael Flynn, was castigated by a judge in open court and just hours before Paul Manafort, his ex-campaign chairman, appeared on allegations that he had lied to prosecutors.

Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Trump's press secretary, said the charges brought against Stone "don't have anything to do with the president." Trump attorney Jay Sekulow said the indictment "does not allege Russian collusion by Roger Stone or anyone else."

Trump on Friday called the investigation the "Greatest Witch Hunt in the History of our Country!"

Well-known for his political antics and hard ball tactics, Stone has reveled in being a Washington wheeler-dealer dating back to the Nixon administration. He has also pushed several conspiracy theories and was an early and vocal supporter of Trump's candidacy.

Stone was one of Trump's earliest political advisers, encouraging both his presidential runs. He briefly served on Trump's campaign, but was pushed out amid infighting with then-campaign manager Corey Lewandowski. Stone continued occasionally communicating with Trump and stayed plugged into his circle of advisers, both formal and informal.

The indictment says Stone repeatedly discussed WikiLeaks with campaign associates and lays out in detail Stone's conversations about stolen Democratic emails posted in the weeks before Trump beat Clinton. Mueller's office has said those emails, belonging to Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta, were hacked by Russian intelligence officers.
Crime

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UPDATED: Medical examiner identifies homicide victim

Angela Major Janesville Police Chief Dave Moore, left, speaks Thursday afternoon to reporters about the Wednesday night shooting death of Clifford A. Grice, 41, of Janesville. Lucas Stuhr Angela Major Law enforcement officials explain details about Wednesdays homicide to reporters during a news conference Thursday at the Janesville Police Department. Angela Major Information about Wednesday's shooting victim, a 41-year-old Janesville man, is displayed on a screen Thursday during a press conference at the Janesville Police Department. Anthony Wahl Janesville police search a vehicle and the surrounding area outside a house near the intersection of Kellogg and Crosby avenues after a homicide Wednesday night. Clifford Grice

JANESVILLE

Clifford A. Grice, 41, of Janesville, was shot to death on the citys south side Wednesday in an incident police are calling a domestic-related homicide.

Lucas E. Stuhr, 39, of Browntown was taken into custody after a pursuit by Green County authorities and was being held on a charge of first-degree intentional homicide in the shooting, Janesville police Lt. Charles Aagaard said in a press conference Thursday at the Janesville Police Department.

The shooting occurred in the driveway outside Grices home in the 2600 block of Kellogg Avenue. It followed a verbal altercation between the two men over a relationship with a Browntown woman, Aagaard said.

Grice was shot multiple times, and he died, police said.

The woman, who had ended a relationship with Stuhr and had started a relationship with Grice, was present during the argument, and she was the person who called 911 after the shooting, Aagaard said.

Aagaard said police knew of a history of domestic violence between Stuhr and the woman, but they were not aware of any restraining order she had against Stuhr.

Stuhr and Grice had never met before, and police werent sure why Stuhr showed up at Grices home, Aagaard said.

Several shots were fired from a semiautomatic handgun, and several shots hit Grice, Aagaard said.

The Rock County Medical Examiners Office identified Grice as the victim at about 7 p.m. Thursday in a news release. Preliminary forensic results confirmed Grices death was the result of homicidal firearm related trauma, according to the release.

Stuhr gave police a statement after he was taken into custody Wednesday, but Aagaard declined to give any details pending the investigation.

An autopsy was conducted Thursday morning at the Dane County Medical Examiners Department, Aagaard said.

Police say Stuhr fled in his vehicle Wednesday night. Janesville police notified surrounding jurisdictions to be on the lookout for the vehicle, which later was spotted near Monroe. Green County sheriffs deputies and Monroe police were involved in a 20-mile pursuit of the vehicle from west of Monroe east on Highway 11.

Green County Sheriff Jeff Skatrud said police were waiting for Stuhr at his home in Browntown. When Stuhr arrived, he pulled into his driveway followed by squad cars. Stuhr pulled through the yard of his home, drove through fields and back onto Highway 11 before fleeing, Skatrud said.

The pursuit went through Monroe and through Brodhead. At one point, Stuhr managed to avoid stop sticks deputies had deployed across the road to deflate the vehicles tires, Skatrud said.

The chase ended at Crazy Horse Campground off County F west of Brodhead, where the vehicle was cornered by police, Skatrud said.

It was a dead end, and he really couldnt get any farther, Skatrud said.

According to a Green County Sheriffs Office news release, Stuhr was by himself, and when he got out of his vehicle, he threw a gun into a snowbank. Police recovered the gun.

Stuhr surrendered without incident, and no one was injured during the pursuit, police said.

Stuhr is being held at the Rock County Jail pending his initial court appearance.

Police had been dispatched to the Kellogg Avenue home at 6:15 p.m. for a report of shots fired and had cordoned off the area at Kellogg and South Crosby avenues for hours Wednesday night.

One neighbor said she had heard five or six gunshots and then heard a woman screaming. The woman said the gunshots sounded to her like they came from a small-caliber handgun.

The Kellogg Avenue neighborhood was mostly quiet Thursday.

One neighbor, a man who didnt want to give his name, said he lives near the house where the shooting happened, a duplex on the north side of Kellogg Avenue.

The man said he heard several gunshots Wednesday night and went outside to see what happened.

He said his neighbor, a man in his 40s whom he recognized, was lying in blood.

The man said he heard a woman say that after the shooting, someone had fled in a dark-colored SUV.

The man said that in the past, he had talked to the neighbor who was shot. He said the neighbor had a roommate and at least one child.

He said police were in the neighborhood until about 2 a.m. Thursday.

Police confirmed the man had a roommate, but they said the roommate didnt have any connection to the shooting and wasnt home at the time.

A Gazette reporter at the scene Thursday observed a woman crying in a parked car outside a duplex on the north side of Kellogg Avenue. A few people came out of the duplex and met the woman. They embraced, and then the group went back inside.

Several residents attended Thursdays press conference. Janesville Police Chief Dave Moore said they were family members of the victim.

Moore asked the family members to hold their questions, and he ended the press conference by asking the media to leave the room so police could speak with the family alone.

A Gazette reporter observed family members leaving the meeting with police, some of them in tears.

On Thursday morning, Rock County District Attorney David OLeary said he was recently talking with a young law student about how homicide cases were not as frequent when he started 30 years ago.

That has changed.

I was meeting with my deputy DA trying to figure out which of my attorneys doesnt have a homicide case on their desk, OLeary said, so I can assign them the volume of work thats coming at them for the latest homicide.

Its the third killing reported in Janesville since late 2017, according to Gazette reports.

At the press conference, Moore declined to characterize the shooting death as a domestic homicide but said it is related to a domestic relationship.

Moore said the city has relatively few homicidesabout two a year. He said about two-thirds of those killings are domestic related.

Unfortunately, when we have these homicides, there are many, many people affected, he said.

Moore said about 20 officers were assigned to handle the investigation and aftermath of the shooting, which he called significant resources.

Reporters Ashley McCallum and Jonah Beleckis contributed to this story.
What a curious opinion piece on Democrats lurching left by Steve Peoples in the Jan. 23 newspaper. He describes Democratic proposals as extreme, and spends a quarter of the article on the views of billionaires to make his point. But theres just one problem: the listed policy positions are not extreme; they are in fact very much in line with voters wishes:

 56 percent of Americans support national Medicare for All; 75 percent support incremental changes increasing access to Medicare (Kaiser).

 68 percent of Americans support investment in alternative energy over fossil fuels (Pew).

 67 percent of Americans support free universal preschool (Hart).

 62 percent of Americans support free college education (Bankrate).

 74 percent of Americans support raising the federal minimum wage, with 61 percent preferring it based on regional costs, and 51 percent favoring a blanket $15 per hour wage (Thirdway).

 76 percent of Americans thought the rich should pay higher taxes  this was before Republicans cut their taxes further in 2017 (Reuters); 59 percent currently support raising the top tax bracket to 70 percent, where it was in the 1950s (Hill-HarrisX).
The student at the center of the Covington Catholic High School controversy is quoted as saying: We could have walked away.

With abundant administrative experience supervising young students in Washington, D.C. and other major cities in the United States as well as abroad, this I know to be true: The onus of responsibility for protecting students and ensuring safe passage falls upon the school official in charge of the group. Thereafter, the task of properly trained adult chaperones on a field trip is to work with leadership to insulate students from potential threats and protect them at all times.

With this unfortunate situation, I immediately focus on adult leaders who clearly blundered by not disentangling their youthful charge from a volatile situation. With a group of impressionable teens wearing "Make America Great Again" hats, the stage was set for combustion to occur. With an absence of forethought and initiative, both assigned school leadership and adult chaperones clearly failed in their duty. They need to be held accountable for errors of judgment and lack of proper protocol.

This is a learning situation for the students and none should face disciplinary repercussions, rather, they should be led in conversation regarding time, place, and manner of proper conduct in public spaces.
Morales' book was published by the OSU Press, which has another entry among this year's nominees: Portland writer Kenneth R. Coleman's "Dangerous Subjects: James D. Saules and the Rise of Black Exclusion in Oregon" is in the running for the Frances Fuller Victor Award for General Nonfiction.

The awards ceremony will be held April 22 in Portland.

The nominations offer additional evidence as to the mid-valley's growing literary clout. Congratulations to all the nominees  and to all the area writers who are grinding out memorable work.

 ROSES, again, to the city of Corvallis' neighborhood empowerment grants, which are gearing up this year for another round. These small grants, typically in the range of $250 to $600, help fund projects that improve neighborhoods in some way  and these typically are projects in which a little bit of cash goes a long way. We have long thought this program is a terrific idea.

New this year are community empowerment grants, intended to help fund projects with a wider geographic scope  cultural events or outreach campaigns, for example. We are not yet sold on this particular idea, but we're willing to see how it works.
The discussion also left in the lurch nine community members who attended the meeting. And while it was not clear how many of them hoped to share their views with the council on the plan, the length of the discussion shut the door on any chance of public testimony. Many of those in attendance are actively involved in city climate action groups.

Traber noted at the beginning of the meeting the possibility that public testimony might be limited or eliminated while adding that community members will have another opportunity to speak when the council considers final adoption. Although it should be noted that the further along a project gets the harder it sometimes can be to slow down the train.

Traber opened the meeting by asking councilors for their SOP priorities. Things went forward in fits and starts, with Traber often breaking in to refocus the discussion and keep the discussion on schedule as councilors brought up issues such as turkeys in their neighborhood or items that involved spending less than $10,000.

Then, individual department heads gave presentations, but the pieces of the plan that affect the mayor and council as well as Shepards office had not yet been discussed by closing time.
Photo: The Canadian Press Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visits Origins Natural Learning Childcare Center in Quispamsis, N.B. on Thursday.

Justin Trudeau is warning voters to be wary of fear-mongering about immigration, suggesting the issue will be a hot-button topic during the federal election campaign this fall.

The prime minister made the prediction Thursday during a town hall meeting in northern New Brunswick, where a young Syrian refugee thanked him for allowing her family to come to Canada.

"I came all the way from Syria, and I came here to thank you," Tasmeen Ali told the prime minister in a soft voice, her words met with warm applause from the 250 people gathered inside a high school in Miramichi.

Trudeau reminded the crowd it was his Liberal government that granted asylum to 40,000 Syrian refugees in 2015-16.

He said his government was glad to help, but he stressed it was Canadians  those in church and community groups, neighbourhoods and families  who made the integration of Syrians a success.

"Welcoming people who are trying to build a better life is what built this country," he said.

But Trudeau's upbeat tone changed when he suggested the world has become increasingly fearful, insular and anxious about immigration.

"When we're faced with anxieties, it's very easy to have those fears drummed up and exacerbated  getting people to point fingers and lay blame," he said.

There are people trying to create fear, intolerance and misinformation about immigration across Canada, he said, though he did not name any individuals or groups.

"But the kind of fear-mongering, the kind of intolerance, the kind of misinformation going on across the country and around the world is something all of us have a responsibility to engage with a positive and a thoughtful way."

Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer recently accused Trudeau of being most divisive prime minister, saying he and his Liberal party routinely dismisses anyone who raises questions about Canada's immigration system.

Last month, Scheer said Trudeau's approach has been to label people with legitimate concerns as un-Canadian.

Scheer's accusations came after Trudeau told The Canadian Press that Scheer and the Conservatives were playing a dangerous game by lying to Canadians to drum up fear over immigration.

Scheer's stance against the recent United Nations Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration was one of the things that provoked anger in Trudeau, who said the Tories were lying when they said the agreement overrides Canada's sovereignty.

Last Friday, Trudeau repeated that assertion during a lively town hall meeting in Saint-Hyacinthe, Que., where was cheered and occasionally heckled.

When a woman wanted to know why Trudeau's government had signed the UN compact without consulting Canadians, the prime minister said the agreement would allow Canada to co-operate with other countries on immigration matters.

Trudeau had to raise his voice to be heard above shouts and booing as he blamed the criticism of the pact on the "politics of division."

The public meeting in New Brunswick was part of a cross-Canada swing aimed at boosting the fortunes of Liberal candidates in an election year. In the 2015 general election, Liberal candidates won every one of the 32 ridings in Atlantic Canada.

As expected, the crowd at James M. Hill High School in Miramichi was more than kind to the prime minister. There were a few other thank-yous, a few requests for photos during the question-and-answer session and no heated exchanges.
Photo: The Canadian Press Michael Cohen

A Senate committee investigating Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election has subpoenaed President Donald Trump's former personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, and Cohen intends to comply with the interview demand next month, his attorney said Thursday.

The development comes one day after Cohen postponed his public testimony to a House committee.

Lanny Davis, a lawyer for Cohen, disclosed the subpoena from the Senate intelligence committee in a one-sentence statement. He later said the two sides had agreed on a Feb. 12 interview.

Cohen, the president's onetime fixer, is set to begin a three-year prison sentence in March.

The Senate committee did not immediately confirm the subpoena, but any interview with Cohen would almost certainly take place in private, in keeping with how the panel generally conducts Russia-related hearings.

Cohen earlier this week delayed his Feb. 7 appearance before the House Committee on Oversight and Reform on the advice of his legal team, citing ongoing co-operation in special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation and threats against his family. Trump, along with his attorney Rudy Giuliani, has publicly urged the Justice Department to investigate Cohen's father-in-law , insinuating that Cohen's relative was part of some unspecified criminal activity.

"If he wants to criticize Cohen, he can," Davis said. "Obviously, picking on his family publicly is a way of silencing him or intimidating him. And certainly he has engendered great fear in his extended family, which is why we postponed it."

In an interview Thursday, Davis said the House should take an immediate vote on censuring Trump "as a step before an impeachment investigation," and he pushed for a criminal investigation of Giuliani involving allegations of obstruction, witness intimidation and witness tampering.

The decision to postpone the House interview pushed back the chance of a public airing on additional details of Cohen's relationship with Trump, including hush-money payments that Cohen has admitted helping arrange for two women who say they had sex with the president. Trump has denied the allegation.

Democrats have suggested they may subpoena Cohen to compel his testimony and the committee's chairman, Democratic Rep. Elijah Cummings of Maryland, said Cohen could be brought from prison to appear before Congress.

"We will get his testimony," Cummings said.

Cohen pleaded guilty in November to lying to the Senate intelligence committee about his role in a Trump business proposal in Moscow, acknowledging that he misled lawmakers by saying he had abandoned the project in January 2016 when he actually continued pursuing it for months after that and deep into the presidential campaign. He has also pleaded guilty to campaign finance violations for his involvement in payments to a former Playboy model and porn actress who had alleged affairs with Trump.
A celebration of life for Barabra Zackery, 79, of Gainesville, will be held at a later date. A full obituary will be published when service times have been scheduled. Barbara passed away on June 15, 2021 in Gainesville. You may sign the online registry at www.geojcarroll.com.
Fort Wayne, IN (46808)

Today

Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy this afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 84F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Partly cloudy skies after midnight. Low 66F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
OneVirginias redistricting proposal is better

It was disappointing that The Free Lance-Star decided that the independent redistricting commission proposed by Del. Mark Cole was better than the one developed by a bipartisan group of former legislators and experts organized by OneVirginia2021 (A Better Way to Redistrict, Jan. 18, 2019).

Rather than address the problem, Coles proposed constitutional amendment would only perpetuate the current system. A commission with an equal number of Democrats and Republicans, appointed by legislators, would inevitably deadlock. Their plans would then be turned over to the General Assembly, where the party in power would be free to choose the plan that best preserves its majority.

Coles amendment includes no requirements for transparency nor specific prohibitions against gerrymandering. The proposed OneVirginia2021 amendment does.

The Free LanceStar argues that it would be impossible to find people who dont have a political or ideological agenda. Although redistricting involves subjective decisions, one hopes that a bipartisan judges committee could identify 10 Virginia citizens who could be counted on to be fair.
But the nonprofit legal aid group says Virginia has some of the worst such laws in the nation: The government need only show by a preponderance of the evidence that property is related to criminal activity. Innocent owners also bear the burden of proving that they had nothing to do with the alleged criminal activity in which their property has been implicated. Worst of all, Virginia law provides a tempting incentive to seize property as it allows law enforcement to retain 100 percent of forfeiture proceeds: Participating agencies keep 90 percent of the bounty, while the balance goes to the states Department of Criminal Justice Services.

The department revealed under a Freedom of Information Act request filed by the institute that law enforcement agencies throughout the commonwealth seized property worth more than $34 million between 2000 and 2014.

The groups latest edition of Policing for Profit points out that civil asset forfeiture laws create a strong temptation for law enforcement agencies to seize property to enhance their budgets, even at the expense of other priorities. Meanwhile, it can take a year for owners who have not been convicted of any crimes to reclaim their seized property, and the legal costs sometimes exceed the propertys value.
The land has played host to commercial fishing and duck hunting ventures, and served as an active port and a private retreat for presidents. Today the park is an important link to the resources of the Chesapeake Bay, providing the public with much-needed access to both the river and the creek.

Widewater is comprised of five different tracts of land. Its trails will provide casual recreational opportunities to the public and the opportunity to target multiple user groups for a more individualized experience.

The trail network is vital to linking together multiple segments of the park and will tie the park to larger trail networks in turn. A central trunk line trail connected to a robust network of trails varying both in length and difficulty will facilitate the movement of users throughout the park, allowing them to seek experiences tailored to their own desires. The park is also in the unique position to connect to three national scenic trails.

Widewater serves as a catalyst for outdoor education and outreach experiences that will leave an impactful impression and an understanding and appreciation of environmental stewardship. It will be a cornerstone partner in enhancing education for future generations of students.
Morgan Goodman, an environmental specialist at the Virginia Department for Environmental Quality, announced this week that she will again challenge incumbent Republican Del. Hyland "Buddy" Fowler for the 55th District seat this November.

Goodman last ran against Fowler in 2017.

Goodman will kick off her campaign at Ashland Coffee and Tea on Feb. 6. She will follow the event with a listening tour across the district, which includes parts of Spotsylvania, Caroline and Hanover counties.

"We need to get back to grassroots and reach out to the communities, asking people what they want to see happening in their General Assembly," Goodman said in a press release issued Wednesday. "Im running for office because I believe we need legislators who will unite us for a change. We need people that will do more listening and less talking so we can find our common ground and move forward."

Goodman is a lifelong Virginian who has worked for the federal government, the nonprofit sector and now the state government. She holds a bachelors degree in Marine Biology and a masters degree in Environmental and Natural Resource Policy.
I believe the need for a second lake crossing can be delayed indefinitely by visionary decisions by West Kelowna, the WFN and residents of the Westside.

Ninety per cent of us commute into Kelowna every day, and are solely responsible for congestion on the bridge. Studies show that 80 per cent of residents are using vehicles for their daily activities  10 per cent more than the provincial average. Residents of West Kelowna are also the loudest voices in demanding a second crossing.



What can be done to reverse this growing pressure on the bridge and Highway 97?

With thoughtful planning, it is council's responsibility to grow our community in a way that encourages employment opportunities, recreational and shopping opportunities on the Westside. Is it not possible to develop our city so residents have no desire to cross the bridge every day? I believe that it is indeed possible.

Council should look at the situation that has evolved over the last 50 years on the North Shore of Vancouver. In the 1960s, the Lions Gate Bridge and the Ironworker's Bridge had terrible southbound congestion in the mornings and severe northbound congestion in the afternoon.

Now, years later the reverse is true. They did not build a third crossing or bore a tunnel to alleviate the congestion. The communities grew, but attitudes and driving patterns changed.

Exploring the causes and effects of this situation can help us in our quest to make West Kelowna a better place to live.

The city should encourage the province to four-lane Dobbin Road and cut and fill exchanges at Butt Road, Westlake and Boucherie so that Highway 97 traffic can flow smoothly in both directions.

A second crossing will cost in excess of a $1 billion. A good proportion of this will be spent carving up our community through the creation of new highways, cloverleafs and approaches. This will be catastrophic for our community! Just like the speculation tax, beware of unexpected consequences.

Alleviating congestion in the Highway 97 corridor would enable residents to move freely in the community and allow visionary development throughout the city. If council could concentrate on developing a desirable downtown Westbank, then a revitalized Highway 97 would encourage more people to move in a westerly direction so that they can frequent a revitalized town centre.

Council and the WFN should visit the Village at Park Royal in West Vancouver to understand how an attractive and well-planned shopping centre can add to the community. I'm sure that the Squamish Nation would be only too happy to share their success with the WFN.

It is up to council to control growth and direct development so we can enhance our community. Previous councils have not performed up to their full potential, and too many shortsighted decisions have been made. This fixation on short-term tax revenues and attracting more commuters to live in the bedroom community will denigrate our lifestyle and destroy the reason people settled on the Westside.

Scott Rowland, West Kelowna
A man who was part of a wild shootout in North Stafford in 2017 became a free man Thursday, the same day he was ordered to serve nine months in prison.

Quanze L. Todd, 20, of Stafford was sentenced in Stafford County Circuit Court to a total of six years in prison, with all but nine months suspended. Because he has already served the nine months, he was taken back to the Rappahannock Regional Jail after court and released.

Todd pleaded guilty in November to a felony charge of shooting from a vehicle and a misdemeanor charge of reckless handling of a firearm. Numerous other charges were dropped.

The charges stem from a May 26, 2017, incident in which witnesses reported seeing toward men exchanging gunfire on Garrisonville Road (State Route 610). Todd was in a Chrysler and the other shooter, Anthony Ingram of Alexandria, was in a Mercedes. No one was struck and no property damage was reported that was attributed to the gunshots.

The Chrysler that Todd was shooting from ended up in an unrelated collision a short time later at the intersection of Garrisonville and Shelton Shop roads. Todd and the 16-year-old driver were eventually charged; the teenager's case was handled in juvenile court.
Going out to eat with dad and the family

Enjoying this nice weather outside with pops

Watching sports  either in person or on TV  with dad

Doing whatever he wants. (Which is probably nothing. Hes not one for fanfare.)

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#SHUTDOWN Bonjour, ou en est-on du cote des USA et du "shutdown" ? Merci
Photo: Facebook Leslie McCulloch and Rebekka Rae White.

Just a week before he was scheduled to be sentenced, a man who was making fake prescription pills with an analogue of fentanyl in his West Kelowna shop appears to have jumped bail.

Leslie McCulloch and his girlfriend Rebekka Rae White were arrested March 2, 2016, after McCulloch's home and business on Auburn Road were raided by police after several months of investigation.

Police found more than 1,300 fake prescription pills, two industrial pill presses and more than eight kilograms of a powder believed to be drugs.

Eleven months later, McCulloch pleaded guilty to production of a controlled substance and possession for the purpose of trafficking. While he was initially denied bail, he was released following a plea to allow him to get his affairs in order.

Following the plea, an analysis of the seized substances found only four grams of acetylfentanyl, while the vast majority was caffeine and a binding agent.

Crown prosecutor Clarke Burnett said the purity of the seized drugs shouldn't impact the length of the sentence, and the Crown would still be seeking a sentence north of 10 years.

After the analysis came back, McCulloch applied to take back his guilty plea, but Justice Cathaline Heinrichs dismissed the application, noting the purity of the drugs has no bearing on McCulloch's guilt, but could affect sentencing.

On Monday, McCulloch was scheduled to appear in court, one week before his scheduled sentencing date, but he didn't show up. A B.C.-wide warrant for his arrest was issued, and he has yet to be apprehended. He is currently on the Central Okanagan Crime Stoppers' Most Wanted list.

The Crown had planned to drop charges against White, McCulloch's co-accused in the case, once McCulloch's sentencing was complete. It's unclear how McCulloch's failure to appear in court will impact White's charges.

This isn't the first time McCulloch has been convicted of trafficking-related offences. In 2013, he was handed a 4.5-year sentence for possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking. He was described as a middleman who transported drugs for the Hells Angels.

A year and a half after his conviction, he was released on accelerated full parole, but the raid on his business came just 20 months later.
TARRYTOWN, N.Y. (AP)  The road to this years Westminster Kennel Club dog show passed through a pandemic and a major change of date and venue. The road also proved dangerous for one of the nations best known dog handlers. His wife and fellow star handler said Saturday that Bill McFadden wa
ANDERSON, SC (FOX CAROLINA) -The Anderson County Sheriff's Office says a man threw about 80 grams of meth out of the window while he was trying to flee from deputies during a traffic stop.
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A man was found dead with an apparent gunshot wound in the northeast valley on Jan. 25, 2019.
Photo: Contributed

First Canada and the Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 1722 have begun preliminary discussions on a new contract.

The two sides got together Wednesday for what union president Scott Lovell called an information exchange.

The meetings are very preliminary and very exploratory, Lovell told Castanet.

"We're just literally going through all the packages right now and trying to explain them," said Lovell. "It's more of an issue of 'what are you guys wanting,' and how would that affect this, that and the other thing."

While in many instances, talks between companies and unions don't begin until after the contract has expired, these talks are beginning more than two months before the current deal expires on March 31.

"In our history, both sides have found a way to not really address the issues ahead of time before the expiration of the contract. But, due to what occurred last time, we wanted to make sure we had a positive situation going forward, so we're all on the same mark."

The union and First Canada reached agreement on their current contract in November 2016, putting an end to a contentious two-week strike.
LAS VEGAS (FOX5) -- Las Vegas Metropolitan police have identified a suspect who attempted to abduct a 12-year-old girl in the northwest valley Thursday afternoon.

Antwon Perkins, 35, was identified as the suspect and police said they were working to take him into custody.

Las Vegas police said the girl was kidnapped on her way to Cadwallader Middle School when she walked past a convenience store near Farm and Cimarron roads. After she passed the store, Perkins drove past in his black dually pickup truck and her forced the girl inside the vehicle.

Perkins drove to a different location where Las Vegas police said he sexually assaulted the girl. Perkins eventually dropped off the girl near the area where she had been abducted.

Police investigating girl's attempted abduction in northwest Las Vegas Las Vegas Metropolitan Police said officers are investigating an attempted kidnapping in northwest Las Vegas.

The girl ran to the school and immediately reported the incident to school officials and police at around 11:20 a.m.

Las Vegas police located Perkins's vehicle at his place of employment later in the day.

Anyone with any information was urged to call 911 or contact Crime Stoppers at 702-385-5555.
A young pit bull is on the road to recovery after being severely beaten, spray-painted and tied to a fence. Though she's been through unimaginable pain, the wounded puppy is already learning to trust again.
ELWOOD, Ind. (AP)  A central Indiana school superintendent is free on bail after surrendering to police to face charges alleging she used her insurance to help a sick student receive treatment.

Casey Smitherman of the Elwood Community Schools about 40 miles northeast of Indianapolis released a statement Wednesday saying she'll enter a diversion program allowing dismissal of the charges if she avoids further arrests in the coming year.

She was charged Jan. 15 with insurance fraud, identity deception, and official misconduct.

She says she recently went to the home of a student who had missed school and saw he had symptoms of strep throat. After one clinic refused to treat him, she took him to another and said he was her son.

The president of the school board says Smitherman has its support.
(Meredith) -- A man living in the U.S. illegally was arrested in California this week after authorities said he impregnated a 15-year-old girl he met on Facebook.

Hector Montez, a 31-year-old from Honduras, was booked into the Kings County Jail on suspicion of rape, kidnapping and false imprisonment. His bail is set at $5.2 million.

Deputies were called to a hospital in December after the teen gave birth, the Hanford Sentinel reports. The hospital contacted authorities because they were concerned about the girl's age.

The teen reportedly told investigators that she contacted Montez and asked him to pick her up from school in March, even though they only knew each other through social media.

"She had missed the bus she didn't know who else to call so she communicated with Montez and he picked her up from school to give her a ride home," said Mark Bevens with the Kings County Sheriff's Office.

But instead of taking her home, Montez allegedly drove her to a secluded area and raped her.

The 15-year-old reportedly hid her pregnancy for months. Montez, who appeared in court Tuesday, denied knowing the girl.

Authorities are still awaiting DNA results to determine the baby's paternity, according to KFSN-TV.

Kings County is about 200 miles north of Los Angeles.
MOBILE, Ala. -- Today the public got the chance to pay their respects and honor Mobile Police Officer Sean Tuder who was killed in the line of duty Sunday, January 20.

The fallen officer's patrol car will be parked in front of police headquarters on Government Boulevard until 5 p.m.

Visitors may leave flowers and prayer cards.

A statement on the MPD Facebook page Thursday reads: "Thank you all who have stopped by police headquarters to pay tribute to our fallen Officer Sean Tuder and have placed beautiful flowers, wreaths, balloons, candles and condolence cards on his patrol car. We find strength and comfort in knowing that we have your prayers and support."

A public visitation will be at Dauphin Way Baptist Church from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. tonight. There will be another public visitation Friday, from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m.
MOBILE, Ala. -- Shipbuilder Austal USA says it is cooperating with the U.S. Navy in an investigation.

Employees say federal agents came to the Mobile facility Thursday morning, and the company would only confirm it was part of an open investigation by the Navy but wouldnt say why.

The company sent the following out to news media via email late Thursday morning:

"Austal USA is working with the US Navy on an open investigation. "We are unable to provide additional details due to the nature of the investigation. "We are continuing business as usual, executing our existing and recently awarded contracts."

FOX10 News is reaching out to the Navy for information about the nature of the investigation. We will have more on this developing story.

Austal builds ships for the Navy at its Mobile facilities.

The company employs more than 4,000 employees at in Mobile and said last year it has created or supported more than $383 million in annual wages since 2009.

In Alabama's Port City, Austal builds its variant of littoral combat ships as well as expeditionary fast transport ships for the Navy.

A newspaper website in Australia on Thursday published a report detailing an investigation into Austal by the ASIC, or Australian Securities and Investments Commission. The West Australian reports that, "The corporate regulator is investigating Austal over market disclosures linked to a cost blow-out on its $4 billion US Navy ship-building program three years ago."

Meantime USNI News, an online site presented by the United States Naval Institute, reports Australian authorities are said to be focusing on statements issued by Austal regarding the sudden increase in costs associated with finishing the USS Jackson.

The USS Jackson is a littoral combat ship that was built in Mobile and launched in 2013.
MOBILE, Ala. -- The U.S. Navy awarded Austal USA a $16.3 million contract Thursday to perform extended industrial post-delivery availability work at its Mobile, Alabama manufacturing facility  a first for Austal USA and the Navy, the company announced Friday.

The announcement comes a day after it was also revealed that Austal is cooperating with the U.S. Navy in an investigation.

According to the company's announcement Friday morning, Austal USA will perform post-delivery work on Littoral Combat Ship 20, the future USS Cincinnati, at its Vessel Completion Yard along the Mobile River. This work will include engineering, management, and production services in support of prefabrication efforts, material procurement and execution of work items for the LCS 20 Extended Industrial Post Delivery Availability, a news release states. Typically, this type of work is performed in San Diego, but through efforts to streamline production, support and sustainment for the Littoral Combat Ship program, Austal USA and the Navy are teaming to reduce post-delivery cost and increase efficiency by performing additional work at Austals facility in Alabama, the company says.

This is an important step in the growth of our post-delivery business, said Austal USA President Craig Perciavalle, for a news release. We are excited to continue to expand our relationship with the Navy to do new post-delivery work in Mobile.

Also from the Austal news release: Established in 1999, Austal USA has grown to become the fifth largest shipbuilder in the United States through innovative practices. The companys moving modular assembly line revolutionized the shipbuilding industry and helped the company capture the U.S. Navys Expeditionary Fast Transport contract and the INDY variant Littoral Combat Ship contract, now a critical part of the shipbuilding industrial base supporting nearly 10,000 suppliers across the country.

Today, as the company continues to invest in its workforce and facilities, Austal USA is expanding its offerings in small surface combatants, auxiliary support ships, autonomous vehicles and worldwide post-delivery support and sustainment, the company says.

Were appreciative of the recognition and confidence the U.S. Navy has displayed in us through continuous contractual awards in ship construction and post-delivery, including the recent award as prime contractor for the drydocking of LCS 14, said Perciavalle. But I can tell you, weve only scratched the surface on what Austal USA can provide.

On Thursday, Austal USA said it is cooperating with the Navy in an investigation. Employees said federal agents came to the Mobile facility Thursday morning, and the company would only confirm it was part of an open investigation by the Navy but wouldnt say why.

A newspaper website in Australia on Thursday published a report detailing an investigation into Austal by the ASIC, or Australian Securities and Investments Commission. The West Australian reports that, "The corporate regulator is investigating Austal over market disclosures linked to a cost blow-out on its $4 billion US Navy ship-building program three years ago."

Meantime USNI News, an online site presented by the United States Naval Institute, reports Australian authorities are said to be focusing on statements issued by Austal regarding the sudden increase in costs associated with finishing the USS Jackson.

The USS Jackson is a littoral combat ship that was built in Mobile and launched in 2013.
Photo: Contributed Jaswinder Sidhu

The federal government says two B.C. residents have been extradited to India to face conspiracy charges after they allegedly hired men to kill a young woman and her new husband in that country nearly 20 years ago.

The Justice Department says Malkit Kaur Sidhu and her brother Surjit Singh Badesha were escorted to India by the RCMP and arrived there Thursday morning.

It says the pair met with Canadian consular officials in Delhi before being turned over to police in Punjab.

Sidhu and Badesha are accused of conspiracy in the murder of Sidhu's daughter Jassi Sidhu in June 2000 after she went to India to marry a man they disapproved of.

Sidhu's husband was severely beaten but survived the attempt on his life.

In a unanimous decision in 2017, the Supreme Court of Canada set aside a B.C. Court of Appeal ruling that stopped extradition proceedings over concerns the mother and uncle would be poorly treated or even tortured in India.

The B.C. Appeal Court halted the extradition last year when the pair's lawyers filed a last-minute court application, bringing them back to B.C. from Toronto before they were to be escorted to India.
Most investors tend to fall into one of two camps: those seeking income and those looking for growth. Some of the best returns, however, come from companies that provide their investors with a growing income stream. Because of that, investors should focus their attention on companies that can deliver growth and income.

Three companies that could provide both in spades over the coming years are Noble Midstream Partners (NASDAQ:NBLX), Hess Midstream Partners (NYSE:HESM), and Oasis Midstream Partners (NASDAQ:OMP). All three midstream companies offer high yields currently ranging between 7% and 9.5% that they expect to increase at a more than 15% annual rate going forward. To stay on track with those lofty goals, these master limited partnerships (MLPs) need to accomplish a few things in 2019, which is why investors should keep an eye on them this year.

Look for it to extend its reach in 2019

Check out the latest Noble Midstream Partners earnings call transcript.

Noble Midstream currently yields 7% and expects to increase that payout at a 20% annual rate through 2022. The main factor driving that fast-paced growth is an anticipated increase in oil and gas production from its parent, Noble Energy, as well as third-party producers in the Delaware and DJ Basins where the company operates oil-, natural gas-, and water-gathering systems that support newly drilled wells. As volumes grow, Noble Midstream can expand its assets, enabling it to generate more cash so that it can increase distributions to investors.

Because Noble Midstream's focus is at the wellhead, the company is highly dependent on drilling activities, which can ebb and flow with oil prices. That's why it has been working to diversify further downstream to reduce this dependence. Noble Midstream took a step in that direction recently by signing a letter of intent to form a joint venture with a privately held midstream company to build a new pipeline system in the Delaware Basin that would bolster its growth prospects.

In addition to that, the company holds options to acquire stakes in two long-haul pipelines that are currently under construction and has until next month to decide whether to participate in these projects. Investors should watch if the company moves forward with these opportunities, since they would significantly bolster its growth prospects, providing further support to its dividend growth plan.

See if it secures new opportunities

Hess Midstream's current yield is slightly higher at 7.1%, though the company anticipates slower distribution growth of 15% annually going forward. The main growth driver in the near term will be rising volumes flowing through its systems, driven primarily by its oil-producing parent, Hess. Overall, Hess expects to grow its production in the Bakken shale region of North Dakota at a 20% annual rate through 2021, which supports Hess Midstream's distribution growth plan.

One of Hess Midstream's goals for 2019 is moving forward with an expansion of its Tioga gas plant to support the growth of not only Hess but third-party producers, with hopes of placing it into service in the 2020 to 2021 time frame. Expanding its third-party capabilities is important because Hess plans to turn the Bakken from a growth engine into a cash flow machine after 2021.

While Hess Midstream will still have some internal growth opportunities beyond that point, including acquiring additional midstream assets from its parent, it needs to diversify its customer base in the future so that it can continue growing its payout at a high rate. That's why investors should keep an eye on its diversification progress this year.

Keep an eye on a move to the Permian

Check out the latest Oasis Midstream Partners earnings call transcript.

Oasis Midstream Partners is the highest yielder in this group at 9.5% and ties Noble Midstream with the highest growth rate at an anticipated 20% annual pace through at least 2021. Like Hess Midstream, the main driver is the company's relationship with its oil-producing parent, Oasis Petroleum, which expects to grow its volumes in the Bakken at a fast pace over the next several years. That will enable Oasis Midstream to build additional gathering pipelines and processing plants to support this growth.

While Oasis Midstream has been working to secure third-party customers for its systems -- which it needs to continue doing -- an equally important part of its diversification strategy is to start building midstream assets in the Delaware Basin where its parent set up shop a few years ago. Getting a toehold in that region could provide the company with a second growth engine in the future, which makes it an area that investors should keep an eye on this year.

Diversification would de-risk these plans

This trio of MLPs promise investors not only lucrative income streams today but high-growth rates over the next several years. If they achieve that aim, then they could generate market-beating total returns. However, each company is highly reliant on the anticipated fast-paced growth of their producing parents, which makes their plans a bit risky. That's why investors should keep an eye on their diversification efforts in 2019, as that would de-risk their strategies, making it more likely that they can achieve their lofty goals of delivering high-octane income growth.
15 Jun 2021 --- While sustainability and planetary health are key considerations for the modern, conscious individual, there can be regional differences among what consumers are... Read More
Apple has announced that Microsoft Office 365 for the first time is available on the Mac App Store, thus making it easier for Mac users to download Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote and the whole suite of Microsofts popular apps. Users can also purchase a subscription for Office 365 from within the apps.

Office 365 for Mac has been designed specifically for Mac to support features like Dark Mode and Continuity Camera in macOS, as well as the MacBook Pro Touch Bar and Macs Trackpad. With Office 365 on the Mac App Store, these apps can now be easily distributed to employees using Apple Business Manager. Office 365 provides experiences tailored to the Mac and macOS including OneDrive Files on Demand support on the MacBook Pro. And its connected to the cloud, so you can access your content from any device.

Phil Schiller, Apples senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing said:

We are excited to welcome Microsoft Office 365 to the all-new Mac App Store in macOS Mojave. Apple and Microsoft have worked together to bring great Office productivity to Mac users from the very beginning. Now, with Office 365 on the Mac App Store, its easier than ever to get the latest and best version of Office 365 for Mac, iPad and iPhone.

Jared Spataro, corporate vice president at Microsoft said:

We are excited to announce that today Office 365 is arriving in the Mac App Store. We have worked closely with Apple to provide Mac users with the very best productivity experience  one that offers everything they know and love about Office through an experience uniquely designed for the Mac.

Source
Photo: The Canadian Press

Tony Magi, a businessman with reported links to organized crime in Montreal, has been shot dead, according to multiple media reports.

Police said they received a call shortly before noon today about an unconscious man lying on the ground at the entry to a garage in west-end Montreal.

Officers who arrived on the scene found the man suffering from at least one gunshot wound. Police say the victim, a man in his 50s, died in hospital. No arrests have been made.

Magi was known to police and survived an assassination attempt in 2008. He was also kidnapped in 2005. Both of those crimes are unsolved. His wife was also shot at while she was driving near the family home in 2011. She was unharmed.

Magi's name came up during Quebec's public inquiry into corruption in the province's construction industry.

Wiretaps played at the inquiry revealed that Magi was involved in real estate development with members of the notorious Rizzuto crime family.
Geneva, NY (14456)

Today

Partly cloudy this morning, then becoming cloudy during the afternoon. A stray severe thunderstorm is possible. High 86F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy early with some clearing expected late. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 62F. Winds light and variable.
CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuela will close its embassy and all consulates in the United States, President Nicolas Maduro said on Thursday, one day after he broke off diplomatic relations in response to U.S. recognition of an opposition leader as interim president. In a speech, Maduro added that he agreed with a call by Mexico and Uruguay for dialogue between Venezuela's government and opposition for a resolution to the South American country's political crisis.

CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuela will close its embassy and all consulates in the United States, President Nicolas Maduro said on Thursday, one day after he broke off diplomatic relations in response to U.S. recognition of an opposition leader as interim president.

In a speech, Maduro added that he agreed with a call by Mexico and Uruguay for dialogue between Venezuela's government and opposition for a resolution to the South American country's political crisis.

(Reporting by Caracas Newsroom; editing by Jonathan Oatis)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
The US state department in a notice said it had 'ordered non-emergency US government employees to depart Venezuela'. 'The US government has limited ability to provide emergency services to US citizens in Venezuela,' it said.

Washington: The United States on Thursday ordered non-emergency embassy staff to leave Venezuela but stopped short of complying with a full expulsion demanded by Nicolas Maduro, who Washington says is no longer the president.

The US state department in a notice said it had "ordered non-emergency US government employees to depart Venezuela". "The US government has limited ability to provide emergency services to US citizens in Venezuela," it said.

Amid deadly political clashes in the crisis-torn country, the state department said that US citizens "should strongly consider departing Venezuela".

Maduro on Wednesday gave US diplomats 72 hours to leave the country after President Donald Trump, backed by major Latin American nations, said the leftist firebrand was no longer Venezuela's legitimate president.

The United States said it was ignoring the order as it did not believe Maduro was still president and instead recognised as interim leader Juan Guaido, the Opposition head of the National Assembly.

But Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in an interview Thursday that Maduro  to whom the military leadership is still loyal  bore responsibility for the safety of US diplomats. "There's no higher priority for the state department than to keep all the people in our missions safe and secure. And we've made clear to the Maduro regime that it is our expectation that they will be safe and secure," he told conservative talk show host Laura Ingraham.

"What we want to make sure that former president Maduro knows is that he doesn't have the right to make the decision about whether or not we stay there," Pompeo said.

State department officials have not answered questions on how many US personnel remain in Venezuela. Maduro has also shuttered US missions in the United States.
By Brendan Pierson NEW YORK (Reuters) - A former bodyguard for accused Mexican drug lord Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman testified at Guzman's U.S. trial on Thursday that he watched his boss personally carry out three gruesome murders of rival drug cartel members.

By Brendan Pierson

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A former bodyguard for accused Mexican drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman testified at Guzman's U.S. trial on Thursday that he watched his boss personally carry out three gruesome murders of rival drug cartel members.

The killings described by Isaias Valdez Rios in federal court in Brooklyn, New York, were the first in the three-month-old trial to be attributed to Guzman himself, rather than underlings following his orders.

Guzman, 61, was extradited to the United States in 2017 and has been on trial since November on charges of trafficking vast amounts of cocaine, heroin and other drugs into the country as leader of the notorious Sinaloa Cartel. His lawyers have claimed he was framed by another powerful drug trafficker, Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada.

Valdez, a 39-year-old former member of the Mexican army's special forces, said he began working for Guzman as a guard in one of his mountain hideouts around 2004. He was arrested in 2014 on U.S. charges and is cooperating with prosecutors.

Valdez said that, around 2006 or 2007, Zambada delivered a member of the rival Arellano Felix drug cartel to Guzman. Valdez said Guzman was displeased to find that the prisoner had already been tortured with a hot iron.

Valdez said Guzman kept the prisoner with him for several days, interrogating him twice. Eventually, he ordered his workers to dig a grave for the man, according to Valdez.

Guzman then shot the prisoner with a handgun and ordered him buried, though he was still "gasping for air," Valdez said.

On another occasion around the same time, Valdez said, an associate delivered two members of the Zetas, another rival cartel, to Guzman.

After torturing the prisoners for about three hours, Valdez said, Guzman ordered his underlings to dig a pit and light a fire in it. He then shot each of the Zetas in the head and ordered the bodies thrown in the flaming pit, according to Valdez.

"He said, 'I don't want any bones to remain,'" Valdez testified.

Guzman later ordered Valdez himself killed because he wrongly thought he was stealing money, but was persuaded to drop the order, Valdez said. Valdez testified that he went on to pilot drug planes for the cartel.

Prosecutors have said they expect to wrap up their case on Monday. Guzman's lawyers will then have a chance to call their own witnesses. It is not yet clear whether Guzman will testify himself.

(Reporting By Brendan Pierson in New York; Editing by Tom Brown)

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By Marcos Ascanio CARACAS (Reuters) - The United States on Friday intensified its push to drive Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro from power, as U.S. diplomats left the embassy in Caracas, while Russia vowed to back its socialist South American ally. U.S.

By Marcos Ascanio

CARACAS (Reuters) - The United States on Friday intensified its push to drive Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro from power, as U.S. diplomats left the embassy in Caracas, while Russia vowed to back its socialist South American ally.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is set to brief the United Nations Security Council on Saturday and urge members to recognise opposition leader Juan Guaido as the oil-rich nation's legitimate head of state, the U.S. State Department said in a statement.

The meeting of the 15-member council was requested by the United States after Washington and a string of countries in the region said they recognised Guaido, the leader of Venezuela's National Assembly, as head of state and urged Maduro to step down.

Russia opposes the request and has accused Washington of trying to usurp power in Venezuela. Moscow will insist on compliance with international law, Russia's RIA news agency cited Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov as saying on Friday.

Private military contractors who do secret missions for Russia have flown into Venezuela in the past few days to beef up security for Maduro, who has been in power since 2013, sources said.

Earlier, American diplomats left the U.S. embassy in Caracas in a convoy of sport utility vehicles and with a police escort en route to the airport, according to a Reuters witness. Their departure came after Maduro broke off relations with Washington and ordered the U.S. personnel out.

A video circulating on social media showed the same caravan leaving the embassy, a fortified compound overlooking the centre of the Venezuelan capital.

The State Department has ordered some U.S. government workers to leave Venezuela and said U.S. citizens there should consider leaving as well.

It did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the movement of embassy personnel on Friday.

U.N. human rights boss Michelle Bachelet called on Friday for an independent investigation into alleged excessive use of force by Venezuelan security forces or allied militia, citing reports of at least 20 people killed this week.

LATIN AMERICAN SUPPORT

Guaido, who has galvanized Venezuela's opposition, proclaimed himself interim president on Wednesday. He is considering making a request for funds from international institutions including the International Monetary Fund, two sources said on Friday.

However, he still has no control over the Venezuelan state and the military, which appears to still be loyal to Maduro despite a deep economic and political crisis.

Most Latin American nations have swiftly joined the United States in supporting Guaido's claim on the presidency, although Mexico's new leftist government has said it would not take sides. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said on Friday his administration would be willing to mediate.

Maduro, in a fiery speech on Wednesday, said he was cutting off diplomatic relations with the United States for instigating a "coup" against him. U.S. President Donald Trump's administration said its relations would be with Guaido.

To ratchet up pressure on Maduro, who began a second term on Jan. 10 following an election last year widely considered to be a fraud, the United States is seeking to cut off funds for his government, U.S. officials said on Thursday.

Both Guaido, who has not appeared in public since mass anti-government protests on Wednesday, and Maduro were scheduled to hold news conferences on Friday.

In an interview with broadcaster Univision on Thursday, Guaido described the recent events as "the beginning of the end" for Maduro, who has presided over Venezuela's worst ever economic crisis. Guaido said he would work to guarantee humanitarian aid and take new measures to pressure Maduro.

He is also readying a new board to run state-run oil firm PDVSA's U.S. unit Citgo Petroleum, sources said.

Oil prices edged higher on Friday as the political turmoil threatened to tighten the global supply of crude. Washington has signalled that it could impose new sanctions on Venezuela's vital oil sector.

"Our challenge is to secure free elections, and we want them as soon as possible. But we are living in a dictatorship," Guaido said from an undisclosed location.

(Writing by Angus Berwick and Rosalba O'Brien; Editing by Brian Ellsworth and Paul Simao)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
The Taliban has appointed a co-founder of the movement as the new head of their political office in Doha, where talks have been ongoing since Monday with US officials. Baradar, formerly a number two of the Islamist group, helped Mullah Omar, who died in 2013, to found the Taliban movement.

Kabul: The Taliban has appointed a co-founder of the movement as the new head of their political office in Doha, where talks have been ongoing since Monday with US officials seeking to end 17 years of conflict in Afghanistan.

"The esteemed Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar has been appointed ... head of the political bureau," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement released late Thursday. "This step has been taken to strengthen and properly manage the ongoing negotiations process with the United States."

The announcement comes as the insurgents said Thursday they had held four straight days of talks with US officials in Doha. It was not immediately clear if the negotiations were ongoing Friday.

The duration of the talks, described as "unprecedented" by analysts, has raised hopes of an imminent agreement that could pave the way to peace talks. But Washington, which confirmed on Tuesday that talks were being held in Qatar between its envoy for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad and representatives of the Taliban, has made no comment since.

Afghan officials, who have complained previously about being cut out of the talks, also warned that any agreement would need their endorsement.

Baradar, formerly a number two of the Islamist group, helped Mullah Omar, who died in 2013, to found the Taliban movement. Arrested in Pakistan in 2010 in an operation then considered to have dealt a fatal blow to the movement, he was released last October after the first meeting in Doha  never confirmed by the United States  between the Taliban and Khalilzad.

In addition to the appointment of Mullah Baradar, "many changes have also occurred in the military and civilian departments", the Taliban in their statement.
US president Donald Trump's associate Roger Stone, a veteran Republican operative, was arrested in Florida on charges of obstruction, witness tampering and making false statements, according to several reports.

Washington: Roger Stone, a confidant of President Donald Trump, was arrested Friday morning on several criminal charges stemming from the special counsel's Russia investigation.

Stone is charged in a seven-count indictment with witness tampering, obstruction and false statements about his interactions related to the release by WikiLeaks of hacked emails during the 2016 presidential election. Some of those false statements were made to the House intelligence committee, according to the indictment.

The indictment brought by special counsel Robert Mueller does not accuse Stone of coordinating with the Russian government's election interference in 2016, the key matter under investigation in the probe.

But the indictment lays out in detail Stone's conversations about stolen Democratic emails posted by WikiLeaks in the weeks before Trump beat his Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton. Mueller's office has said those emails, belonging to Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta, were hacked by Russian intelligence officers.

Stone is scheduled to appear in court in Florida later Friday. The indictment had been expected. Stone has said for months he was prepared to be charged, though he has denied any wrongdoing. A grand jury for months had heard from witnesses connected to Stone. And the intelligence committee last year voted to release a transcript of Stone's testimony to Mueller as a precursor to an indictment.

Stone has publicly denigrated the Mueller investigation and echoed the president's descriptions of it as a witch hunt. But he has long attracted investigators' attention, especially in light of a 2016 tweet that appeared to presage knowledge that emails stolen from Podesta would soon be released. Stone has said he had no inside information about the contents of the emails in WikiLeaks' possession or the timing of when they'd be released.

He has said he learned from Randy Credico, a New York radio host, that WikiLeaks had the emails and planned to disclose them. Stone has released emails that he says support that assertion.

Prosecutors had offered a plea agreement to Stone friend Jerome Corsi that would have required the conspiracy theorist and conservative author to admit that he intentionally lied to investigators about a discussion with Stone about WikiLeaks. But he rejected the offer.
The US policy, dubbed the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), will return non-Mexican migrants who cross the US southern border back to wait in Mexico while their asylum requests are processed in US immigration courts.

Mexico City/New York: The US government will return the first group of migrants seeking asylum in the United States to the Mexican border city of Tijuana on Friday, US and Mexican officials said, marking the start of a major policy shift by the Trump administration.

The policy dubbed the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) and first announced on 20 December will return non-Mexican migrants who cross the US southern border back to wait in Mexico while their asylum requests are processed in US immigration courts.

The plan is aimed at curbing the increasing number of families arriving mostly from Central America who say they fear returning to their home countries due to threats of violence. The Trump administration says many of the claims are not valid.

The program will apply to arriving migrants who ask for asylum at ports of entry or who are caught crossing illegally and say they are afraid to return home.

Children travelling on their own and some migrants from "vulnerable populations" could be excluded on a case-by-case basis, the Department of Homeland Security said in a fact sheet.

"The MPP will provide a safer and more orderly process that will discourage individuals from attempting illegal entry and making false claims to stay in the US, and allow more resources to be dedicated to individuals who legitimately qualify for asylum," the DHS said.

Illegal crossings at the southern border have dropped dramatically since highs reached in previous decades, but in recent years more families and unaccompanied children from El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala are migrating to the United States and asylum applications have ballooned.

Last year, about 93,000 people sought asylum at the southern border, up 67 percent from 2017, according to US government data.

Asylum seekers are typically granted the right to stay in the United States while their cases are decided by a US immigration judge, but a backlog of more than 800,000 cases means the process can take years.

Now, the US government says migrants will be turned away with a "notice to appear" in immigration court. They will be able to enter the United States for their hearings but will have to live in Mexico in the interim. If they lose their cases, they will be deported to their home countries.

Mexico has said it will not accept anybody facing a credible threat in Mexican territory.

But immigration advocates fear Mexican territory is not safe for migrants who are regularly kidnapped by criminal gangs and smugglers, and have raised concerns that applicants will not be able to access proper legal counsel to represent them in US courts.

It is unclear how Mexico plans to house what could be thousands of asylum seekers for the lengthy duration of their immigration proceedings. Some Mexican border towns are more violent than the cities the Central Americans left behind.

The Trump administration says it is relying on a US law that allows migrants attempting to enter the United States from a contiguous country to be removed to that country. But the policy will likely be challenged in court since claiming asylum is protected under both international and US law.

Several of Trumps signature immigration policies, including some attempting to reduce asylum applications, have been halted by US federal courts.

Trump argues that the asylum system is abused, calling a process by which many migrants are freed in the United States to await immigration trial catch and release.

Trump is demanding $5.7 billion in funding for a wall along the Mexican border, triggering a US partial government shutdown that stretched to its 34th day on Thursday and has left 800,000 federal workers without pay.
By Richard Cowan WASHINGTON (Reuters) - On the 34th day of a partial U.S. government shutdown, President Donald Trump and congressional Democrats remain at odds over his demand for funding for a wall on the border with Mexico.

By Richard Cowan

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - On the 34th day of a partial U.S. government shutdown, President Donald Trump and congressional Democrats remain at odds over his demand for funding for a wall on the border with Mexico.

Trump has refused to sign any legislation to fund an array of government agencies, including the departments of agriculture, commerce, justice, interior and homeland security, unless it includes $5.7 billion for his long-promised wall.

The Democrats, who control the House of Representatives, have rejected the wall as ineffective and immoral and want the government to be reopened before any further talks about border security.

As long as the stalemate continues, 800,000 federal employees are on furlough or working without pay.

The following are some possible ways the standoff might end:

GLIMMERS OF COMPROMISE

The Senate is due to vote on two measures on Thursday: Trump's proposal to fund government agencies through Sept. 30 while paying for a wall and also providing some temporary protections for some undocumented immigrants ("Dreamers"), and a Democratic plan to reopen the government through Feb. 8 while border security negotiations continue.

Both measures are expected to be defeated. If they are, that could clear the way for a new round of negotiations between Congress and Trump.

The fact that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is willing to allow the votes suggests he may be trying to persuade lawmakers of both parties to compromise. The speaker of the House, Democrat Nancy Pelosi, told reporters on Thursday that she was willing to meet face-to-face with Trump.

POSSIBLE WAYS TO BREAK THE IMPASSE

* Congress and Trump find a way to temporarily re-open the government under a promise of serious border security negotiations over the next month or so.

* Democrats agree to more than the $1.3 billion in border security funding they have been backing, but less than the $5.7 billion Trump wants. If Trump faces a public opinion backlash or there are signs Republican lawmakers may be abandoning him, he might have to settle for less.

* Democrats and Republicans agree on $5.7 billion in border security funding this year, but the language allows both sides to claim victory by including different ways of securing the border. Democrats insist the money will not be used to build a wall; Trump and his fellow Republicans tout the money that will include funding for various types of barriers and other tools to discourage illegal immigration and drugs.

* A "grand bargain" emerges that reopens the government, bolsters border security and also provides protections from deportation for "Dreamers," who were brought to the United States illegally by their parents. Other changes to immigration law also could be included. Such a deal would fund federal programs through Sept. 30, the end of the fiscal year, add funds for an array of border security tools without imposing tough new constraints on immigration that Trump has previously attempted.

TRUMP DECLARES 'NATIONAL EMERGENCY'

While the possibility that this might happen has faded recently, Trump could revive his threat to declare a national emergency at any time. His rationale would be that illegal immigration jeopardizes U.S. security and he is empowered to act by redirecting existing federal funds to build the wall. Defense Department accounts could be targeted for use on the border.

Under the Constitution, Congress holds the power to make decisions about spending U.S. taxpayers' money and using presidential powers to move funding around is almost certain to face legal challenges.

Taking this step would probably lead to prompt enactment of legislation reopening the government under the belief that Trump would sign it into law, without the $5.7 billion.

(Reporting by Richard Cowan; Editing by Tomasz Janowski and Sonya Hepinstall)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Chelsea Powrie

Linda Pilon remembers her son Scott's final days, when he had enough strength to play and exercise.

"He learned to bike again," Pilon said through tears.

Scott died at age 12 in 1985. Ever since, Penticton mother Pilon has been working to raise funds and awareness for mitochondrial disease, the rare but deadly illness that took her son.

"There's no cure for this disease. There is treatment, vitamin treatments, but it's been a long time and there's a lot of children that have this," Pilon said.

She and her daughter went on a cross-Canada bike ride to raise funds for research in 2012 from B.C. to Toronto.

"You'd get to the hard points and you'd think, okay, I'm doing this, I'm doing this for Scott, for the other kids that have it," Pilon said. "It helped us get through Rogers Pass. Even [my daughter] said 'I could feel him pushing us up.'"

Scott started having strokes and other symptoms when he was only five. Pilon said the lack of resources and understanding of the disease crippled their ability to care for him.

"They had nothing for him. He went blind and they didn't know why," Pilon said. "It was horrible. You don't know where to go, you don't have no help, I ended up carrying him around because I didn't have a wheelchair for him."

Now, she is holding a fundraising spin class at City Centre Fitness in Penticton, in honour of the last activity Scott undertook, hoping that no other families will need to go through the same tragedy. The class costs $20 but additional donations are welcome, all of which will go toward MitoCanada for research into a cure for the disease.

"It should try to get more Team Mito members, people who are interested in helping us raise research and awareness through sport," Pilon said. "They can sign up and help us get research money for this. It really needs a lot of awareness and it needs a cure."

To sign up for the Feb. 3 class or learn more about the cause, click here.
By Frank Jack Daniel MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - The United States will return the first group of migrants seeking asylum in the United States to the Mexican border city of Tijuana on Friday, a spokesman for Mexico's president said on Thursday. In a major policy change, U.S. President Donald Trump's administration said on Dec.

By Frank Jack Daniel

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - The United States will return the first group of migrants seeking asylum in the United States to the Mexican border city of Tijuana on Friday, a spokesman for Mexico's president said on Thursday.

In a major policy change, U.S. President Donald Trump's administration said on Dec. 20 it would send non-Mexican migrants who cross the U.S. southern border back to wait in Mexico while their U.S. asylum requests are processed.

The spokesman for President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador's office did not specify the nationalities of those to be returned to Mexico, although the policy was aimed at helping cope with rising numbers of Central Americans seeking asylum in the United States.

The two countries have held two meetings to work out details of the plan to return migrants seeking U.S. asylum across the shared border. Mexico has said it will not accept anybody facing a credible threat in Mexican territory.

Serious doubts exist over whether Mexico can keep Central American asylum seekers who are fleeing poverty and crime safe, especially in border towns that are often more violent than the cities they left.

It is unclear how Mexico plans to house what could be thousands of asylum seekers for the months - or years - it takes U.S. immigration cases to be heard. A backlog of more than 800,000 cases is pending in immigration courts.

(Reporting by Frank Jack Daniel; writing by Anthony Esposito; editing by Daina Beth Solomon and Jonathan Oatis)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
The US Senate blocked a bill backed by President Donald Trump that would have ended the federal government shutdown by funding the US-Mexico border wall

Washington: The US Senate on Thursday cast sufficient votes to block a bill backed by President Donald Trump that would have ended a record-long partial federal government shutdown by funding the wall he wants to build on the US-Mexico border.

Even as voting continued, enough senators had voted against the measure to deprive it of the 60 votes needed for it to advance in the 100-member chamber.

Upon completion of the tally, the Senate was set to vote on a competing measure from Democrats that would reopen government agencies until 8 February, giving Trump and Congress more time to negotiate over border security funding.

The Senate is also expected to block that bill.
Roger Stone, a longtime Donald Trump aide and Republican operative with a reputation for dirty tricks and political dark arts, was indicted and arrested in special counsel Robert Muellers investigation in a 4 a.m. raid at his Florida home Friday, adding to the long trail of breadcrumbs in the alleged Russia collusion that may have influenced the 2016 election result.

Roger Stone, a longtime Donald Trump aide and Republican operative with a reputation for dirty tricks and political dark arts, was indicted and arrested in special counsel Robert Muellers investigation in a 4 am raid at his Florida home Friday, adding to the long trail of breadcrumbs in the alleged Russia collusion that may have influenced the 2016 election result. Former federal prosecutors are unanimous in saying this proves "beyond any reasonable doubt" the Trump campaign's "conspiracy, collusion and cover-up" with generous help from external powers to break the back of the Hillary Clinton campaign, which they succeeded in doing and pulling off the most stunning victory in American political history. Republican strategists are saying Trump should be "remarkably worried".

At least "29 FBI agents and 17 vehicles" reached Stone's house before the crack of dawn Friday.

In short, Mueller's latest blow to the White House is making the case that people in the Trump campaign were part of a wider conspiracy allegedly run by the Russians to get WikiLeaks to cough up more.

The message in the 4 am arrest: Mueller is serious about this

Soon after the Stone arrest came the Trump tweet: "greatest witch hunt in the history of our country". The White House is predictably distancing itself from this arrest but the latest bombshell has less to do with the White House reaction and everything to do with the message that the Mueller probe is sending to the White House with the timing and the style of the arrest: armoured cars, under the cover of darkness. Were serious, Mueller is telling Team Trump. Mueller is connecting the dots here between Wikipedia leaks on the Hillary Clinton campaign and the deep connections and night owl text messages between Assanges team, the most powerful folks in the Trump campaign and the timing of the email dumps before the stunning election results.

Mueller has all the proof

Robert Mueller's court filing makes it clear that he has documents and texts to prove all his claims. The latest document identifies four people at the heart of the information warfare that changed the 2016 election result: Roger Stone and his immersive involvement with Organisation 1 ( Julian Assange), Person 1 and Person 2. Here are key extracts from the indictment. The first one explains how it began, the others give us a fairly good idea about the other star players.

During the summer of 2016, STONE spoke to senior Trump Campaign officials about Organization 1 and information it might have had that would be damaging to the Clinton Campaign. STONE was contacted by senior Trump Campaign officials to inquire about future releases by Organization 1.

Who could "senior" Trump campaign officials refer to? Steve Bannon, maybe?

Why Organisation 1 means WikiLeaks and Julian Assange

From in or around July 2016 through in or around November 2016, an organization (Organization 1), which had previously posted documents stolen by others from U.S. persons, entities, and the U.S. government, released tens of thousands of documents stolen from the DNC and the personal email account of the chairman of the U.S. presidential campaign of Hillary Clinton (Clinton Campaign).

Who is Person 1? Jerome Corsi?

Person 1 was a political commentator who worked with an online media publication during the 2016 U.S. presidential campaign. Person 1 spoke regularly with STONE throughout the campaign, including about the release of stolen documents by Organization 1.

Who is Person 2?

Person 2 was a radio host who had known STONE for more than a decade. In testimony before HPSCI on or about September 26, 2017, STONE described Person 2 (without naming him) as an intermediary, go-between, and mutual friend to the head of Organization 1.

The fascinating backstory of the email dumps that may have changed the 2016 election results is contained on Page 9 of the indictment

- On or about October 3, 2016, STONE wrote to a supporter involved with the Trump Campaign, Spoke to my friend in London last night. The payload is still coming.

Also on or about October 3, 2016, STONE received an email from a reporter who had connections to a high-ranking Trump Campaign official that asked, (the head

of Organization 1)  whats he got? Hope its good. STONE responded in part, It is. Id tell (the high-ranking Trump Campaign official) but he doesnt call me back.

- On or about October 4, 2016, the head of Organization 1 held a press conference but did not release any new materials pertaining to the Clinton Campaign. Shortly afterwards, STONE received an email from the high-ranking Trump Campaign official asking about the status of future releases by Organization 1. STONE answered that the head of Organization 1 had a [s]erious security concern but that Organization 1 would release a load every week going forward.

- Later that day, on or about October 4, 2016, the supporter involved with the Trump Campaign asked STONE via text message if he had hear(d) anymore from London. STONE replied, Yes - want to talk on a secure line - got Whatsapp? STONE subsequently told the supporter that more material would be released and that it would be damaging to the Clinton Campaign.

- On or about October 7, 2016, Organization 1 released the first set of emails stolen from the Clinton Campaign chairman. Shortly after Organization 1s release, an associate of the high- ranking Trump Campaign official sent a text message to STONE that read well done. In subsequent conversations with senior Trump Campaign officials, STONE claimed credit for having correctly predicted the October 7, 2016 release.
Four people were killed and two injured when a helicopter collided with a light aircraft in the Alps in northern Italy, mountain rescue officials said

Five people were killed and one injured when a helicopter collided with a tourist aircraft in the Alps in northern Italy, The Associated Press reported.

#ValledAosta, ghiacciaio del #Rutor: le vittime accertate sono 5. Proseguono le operazioni. Qui la prima foto aerea dal luogo dell'incidente. Seguono aggiornamenti. pic.twitter.com/cHpaVe0PBJ  Corpo Nazionale Soccorso Alpino e Speleologico (@cnsas_official) January 25, 2019

The Corpo Nazionale Soccorso Alpino e Speleologico (CNSAS), Italy's mountain rescue service, reported on Twitter that "a crash between a helicopter and a light aircraft" above Rutor glacier, in the Aosta Valley near France, and sent two helicopters to help.

According to the latest tweet from the mountain rescue service, the total number of victims in the helicopter-plane crash is five.

The mountain rescue service also tweeted that rescue operations are on and that the two injured were transported to a nearby hospital.

"Mountain Rescue technicians were on the spot along with medical personnel and emergency evacuation team with teams specialised in cutting sheet metal," the mountain rescue service tweeted.

According to AP, Alpine rescue corps spokesman Walter Milan said the accident occurred at an altitude of around 3,000 meters (9.843 feet) on Friday afternoon and the two aircraft carried six people.
The Conversation

Recent reports have delivered sobering messages about climate change and its consequences. They include the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Changes Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5C; the fourth installment of the U.S. governments National Climate Assessment; and the World Meteorological Organizations initial report on the State of the Global Climate 2018.

As these reports show, climate change is already occurring, with impacts that will become more intense for decades into the future. They also make clear that reducing greenhouse gas emissions from human activities to a level that would limit warming to 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) or less above preindustrial levels will pose unprecedented challenges.

Today, however, there is a large and growing gap between what countries say theyd like to achieve and what they have committed to do. As scholars focused on climate risk management and adaptation, we believe it is time to think about managing climate change damage in terms of triage.

Hard choices already are being made about which risks society will attempt to manage. It is critically important to spend limited funds where they will have the most impact.

Triaging climate change

Triage is a process of prioritizing actions when the need is greater than the supply of resources. It emerged on the battlefields of World War I, and is widely used today in fields ranging from disaster medicine to ecosystem conservation and software development.

The projected global costs of adapting to climate change just in developing countries range up to US$300 billion by 2030 and $500 billion by mid-century. But according to a recent estimate by Oxfam, just $5 billion to $7 billion was invested in projects specific to climate adaptation in 2015-2016.

Triaging climate change means placing consequences into different buckets. Here, we propose three.

The first bucket represents impacts that can be avoided or managed with minimal or no interventions. For example, assessments of how climate change will affect U.S. hydropower indicate that this sector can absorb the impacts without a need for costly interventions.

The second bucket is for impacts that are probably unavoidable despite all best efforts. Consider polar bears, which rely on sea ice as a platform to reach their prey. Efforts to reduce emissions can help sustain polar bears, but there are few ways to help them adapt. Protecting Australias Great Barrier Reef or the Brazilian Amazon poses similar challenges.

The third bucket represents impacts for which practical and effective actions can be taken to reduce risk. For example, cities such as Phoenix, Chicago and Philadelphia have been investing for years in extreme heat warning systems and emergency response strategies to reduce risks to public health. There are a variety of options for making agriculture more resilient, from precision agriculture to biotechnology to no-till farming. And large investments in infrastructure and demand management strategies have historically helped supply water to otherwise scarce regions and reduce flood risk.

In each of these cases, the challenge is aligning whats technically feasible with societys willingness to pay.

What triage-based planning looks like

Other experts have called for climate change triage in contexts such as managing sea level rise and flood risk and conserving ecosystems. But so far, this approach has not made inroads into adaptation policy.

How can societies enable triage-based planning? One key step is to invest in valuing assets that are at risk. Placing a value on assets exchanged in economic markets, such as agriculture, is relatively straightforward. For example, RAND and Louisiana State University have estimated the costs of coastal land loss in Louisiana owing to property loss, increased storm damage, and loss of wetland habitat that supports commercial fisheries.

Valuing non-market assets, such as cultural resources, is more challenging but not impossible. When North Carolinas Cape Hatteras lighthouse was in danger of collapsing into the sea, heroic efforts were taken to move it further inland because of its historic and cultural significance. Similarly, Congress makes judgments on behalf of the American people regarding the value of historic and cultural resources when it enacts legislation to add them to the U.S. national park system.

The next step is identifying adaptation strategies that have a reasonable chance of reducing risks. RANDs support for the Louisiana Coastal Master Plan included an analysis of $50 billion in ecosystem restoration and coastal protection projects that ranked the benefits those projects would generate in terms of avoided damages.

This approach reflects the so-called resilience dividend  a bonus that comes from investing in more climate-resilient communities. For example, a recent report from the National Institute of Building Sciences estimated that every dollar invested in federal disaster mitigation programs - enhancing building codes, subsidizing hurricane shutters or acquiring flood-prone houses - saves society $6. Nevertheless, there are limits to the level of climate change that any investment can address.

The third step is investing enough financial, social and political capital to meet the priorities that society has agreed on. In particular, this means including adaptation in the budgets of federal, state, and local government agencies and departments, and being transparent about what these organizations are investing in and why.

Much progress has been made in improving disclosure of corporate exposure to greenhouse gas reduction policies through mechanisms such as the Task Force on Climate-Related Disclosures, a private sector initiative working to help businesses identify and disclose risks to their operations from climate policy. But less attention has been given to disclosing risks to businesses from climate impacts, such as the disruption of supply chains, or those faced by public organizations, such as city governments.

Finally, governments need to put frameworks and metrics in place so that they can measure their progress. The Paris Climate Agreement calls on countries to report on their adaptation efforts. In response, tools like InformedCity in Australia are emerging that enable organizations to measure their progress toward adaptation goals. Nevertheless, many organizations  from local governments to corporate boardrooms  are not equipped to evaluate whether their efforts to adapt have been effective.

There are many opportunities to manage climate risk around the world, but not everything can be saved. Delaying triage of climate damages could leave societies making ad hoc decisions instead of focusing on protecting the things they value most.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Press Trust of India

India successfully launched Microsat-R, a military satellite onboard its Polar rocket PSLV C44, from the spaceport here on 24 January, in the first mission for the ISRO in 2019.

The Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) workhorse Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) blasted off from the first launchpad of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at 11.37 pm at the end of a 28-hour countdown.

In a textbook launch, the 44-metre tall, four-stage PSLV-C44 soared into the clear and starry night sky majestically and injected the 740-kg Microsat-R into orbit precisely 13 minutes and 30 seconds later.

ISRO scientists broke into celebration at the mission control centre here, about 130 km from Chennai, as the Microsat-R was released in a 274-km polar sun synchronous orbit, marking another success story for the space agency.

Former ISRO chairmen Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan and AS Kiran Kumar were among those who witnessed the launch.

The fourth stage of the rocket with co-passenger Kalamsat, a students' payload, would now be moved to a higher circular orbit, around 450 kms from earth, so as to establish an orbital platform for carrying out experiments.

The ISRO said it would take about 90 minutes for the fourth stage to reach the desired orbit.

Microsat-R, an imaging satellite, is meant for military purposes, but the ISRO did not give any details about it.

Built at a cost of around Rs 12 lakh, the Kalamsat is an experimental satellite for studying the communication system of nano satellites, which can be useful in many fields, predominantly disaster management.

The PSLV C44 is the first launch for the country's space agency in 2019.

Heartiest congratulations to our space scientists for yet another successful launch of PSLV. This launch has put in orbit Kalamsat, built by India's talented students.  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 25, 2019

The PSLV-C44, assembled in 30 days, was the first mission of a new variant of the PSLV, called the PSLV-DL, as it was equipped with two strap-on configurations, the ISRO said.

Usually, PSLVs were launched without any strap-ons (boosters) or were equipped with six strap-ons fixed around the rocket, but the ISRO, for the first time, used only two boosters for the mission, an official of the space agency said.

He added that for the first time, the ISRO placed a satellite  Microsat-R  in a lower orbit, at around 274 kms from earth.

Contributed by college students and the members of a Chennai-based organisation -- Space Kidz India -- Kalamsat is the first to use PS4 (the fourth stage of the vehicle) as a platform to orbit around the earth.

"We have been working on the project for over six years now. These students are from various backgrounds and the youngest one is studying B.Sc Physics," Space Kidz India CEO Srimathy Kesan told PTI.

Kesan said Kalamsat was the lightest ever satellite to be launched by India.

Space Kidz India aims to nurture young scientists.

With this, the PSLV, basically a four-stage vehicle with alternating solid and liquid stages, has launched 54 Indian and 269 satellites of international customers.
tech2 News Staff

Android Pie is now finally available for the Nokia 5! The budget-friendly smartphone was launched way back in 2017 for Rs 12,890. While the rollout of Android Pie has been slow for smartphones of most other companies, Nokia has been rolling out the Android Pie update even for its non-flagship phones.

Juho Sarvikas, HMD's Chief Product Officer announced on Twitter about the rollout of Android Pie for the Nokia 5 smartphone.

At launch, the Nokia 5 went on sale with Android 7.1.1 Nougat on board. It then received an update to Android 8.0 Oreo last year and now its users can also get a taste of Android Pie.

Nokia has already updated quite a few of its devices to Android 9.0 Pie. The most recent addition to the Android Pie club would be the flagship Nokia 8 Sirocco.

HMD Global has even released a fresh roadmap for the remaining eight devices giving out details about when the firmware update will arrive.

It gives me immense pleasure to announce that Nokia 5 (2017) has just been updated to Android 9 Pie! Nokia Phones truly get better over time! pic.twitter.com/HbwKxilXc8  Juho Sarvikas (@sarvikas) January 24, 2019

On this roadmap, the Nokia 5 was first in the line to get the update and the company didn't fail to complete it.

Like all software updates, expect the Nokia 5's Pie release to roll out in stages.
Reuters

Alphabet Incs Google on Thursday asked the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse a ruling that resurrected a billion-dollar copyright case brought by Oracle Corp that dates to 2010.

Google urged the high court to rule its copying of Oracles Java programming language to create the Android operating system was permissible under U.S. copyright law. A jury cleared Google in 2016, but the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit reversed that verdict in March 2018 and set the stage for a jury trial to determine monetary damages.

Google said the Federal Circuits ruling in favour of Oracle was a devastating one-two punch at the software industry that would chill innovation.

Oracle general counsel Dorian Daley said in a statement that Google is rehashing arguments that have already been discredited.

The fabricated concern about innovation hides Googles true concern: that it be allowed the unfettered ability to copy the original and valuable work of others for substantial financial gain, Daley said.

The litigation involves how much copyright protection should extend to Oracles Java programming language, which Google used to design the Android operating system that runs most of the worlds smartphones.

Oracle is seeking royalties for Googles unauthorized use of portions of the Java language known as application programming interfaces (APIs), which are tools that allow different computer programs to talk to each other.

Google has said copyright protection should not extend to APIs because they are essential tools for creating software. Google has also argued that it's copying of them is permissible under the fair-use defence, which allows unlicensed use of copyrighted works for purposes such as research.

The litigation has already produced several reversals of fortune. Following a deadlocked jury verdict in 2012, a federal judge in San Francisco sided with Google and said the APIs were not copyrightable.

The Federal Circuit disagreed in 2014, leading to a second jury trial in 2016 on whether Google was shielded by the fair use defence.

Oracle argued during the 2016 trial that Google copied Java because it was desperate to enter the smartphone market and that internal emails showed company representatives believed they needed to pay for a license.

Google countered that the APIs were written for personal computers and it transformed them for use in smartphones in a manner that caused no economic harm to Oracle.

The jury sided with Google, denying Oracles bid for about $9 billion in damages. The Federal Circuit said in its 2018 decision that Google could not invoke the fair use defence because it copied the Java APIs verbatim and for an identical function and purpose.
Reuters

The Canadian government will provide C$40 million ($30 million) in funding to telecom network equipment maker Nokia for research on 5G wireless technology.

The funding to Finland-based Nokia will help understand how data is routed, how optical networks are managed and cybersecurity, a spokeswoman for the office of minister of Innovation, Science & Economic Development said in an email on Thursday.

The deal will be announced on Friday.

Canada is currently studying the security implications of 5G networks, but unlike some allies has not announced that equipment from Chinas Huawei Technologies Co Ltd will be excluded.

Ottawa is also locked in a bilateral dispute with China after Canadian authorities arrested Meng Wanzhou, chief financial officer of Huawei, on a U.S. extradition request.
The Shiv Sena in its editorial mouthpiece Samaana said that Priyanka Gandhi will emerge as the 'queen' if she plays her cards well. The party also refuted the BJP's claim that she had been inducted to hide Rahul Gandhi's 'failure'.

Mumbai: The Shiv Sena on Friday said that Priyanka Gandhi will emerge as the "queen" if she plays her cards well, and held that with her induction Congress chief Rahul Gandhi has shown he will do whatever it takes to win the upcoming general elections.

The BJP ally also said that comments by ruling party leaders, stating Priyanka was formally inducted due to the Congress president's "failure", had no substance. It added that the Congress chief had increased the problems of the government by raising the Rafale fighter jet purchase issue.

Even if Rahul's attacks on the Modi government over corruption in the Rafale deal are ignored, not giving him credit for the Congress' wins in three states (in the recent Assembly polls) would show a closed mindset, it said.

"In Uttar Pradesh, the SP and BSP tied up not giving space to the Congress. However, Rahul Gandhi, with a lot of patience, kept his cool," it said in an editorial in party mouthpiece Saamana.

It said Gandhi played his cards well by announcing that the Congress would fight on all seats in Uttar Pradesh, while helping the SP and BSP wherever possible, and at the same time bringing Priyanka into mainstream politics. "This will help the Congress. Even the Prime Minister had to speak over this (Priyanka's foray into politics). Even people have accepted a family, why does the stomach of some have to ache?" the editorial asked sarcastically.

It said the BJP harbours ill feelings towards the Nehru-Indira family because the former sees it as formidable competition.

The editorial said the BJP was scared of a stiff challenge to it (from the Congress) as it tries to retain power. "Priyanka bears an uncanny resemblance to her grandmother Indira Gandhi in looks and manner of speaking. Therefore, the Congress will surely benefit in the Hindi heartland," the Sena said, lauding her for agreeing to join active politics not worrying about cases against her husband Robert Vadra.

Priyanka, like Indira Gandhi, will emerge as the "queen" if she plays her cards well, the Sena said.
This year is also the first filing season under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that went into effect at the beginning of 2018. The changes to the tax code doubled the standard deduction and limited a number of itemized deductions. If its not clear which way doing your taxes will net you a larger refund, you may want to seek the help of a tax professional. Others might be thinking along the same lines, and demand for these services could be higher this year. Getting your taxes done by a professional early might save you some money, too, before demand picks up as the April deadline approaches.
Congress president Rahul Gandhi reiterated the party's narrative for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls at the Odisha townhall on Friday, saying that education and healthcare institutions would be few of the priorities of the Congress if it came to power at the Centre.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi reiterated the party's narrative for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls at the Odisha townhall on Friday, saying that education and healthcare institutions would be few of the priorities of the Congress if it came to power at the Centre.

"The monopolisation and capture of the healthcare system and the idea that a middle-class person has to pay lakhs to send their children for education abroad should be challenged," Rahul said.

Attacking the Narendra Modi-led government, Rahul said, "Ours is a dynamic process, we listen to the people. Not like the prime minister who thinks he knows everything, there is no scope for feedback. This is the basic difference between us and BJP." He added that Modi had also "destroyed" the country's institutions over the last four and a half years.

Rahul Gandhi in #Bhubaneswar: Ours is a dynamic process, we listen to the people. Not like Mr.Narendra Modi who thinks he knows everything, there is no scope of feedback. This is the basic difference between us and BJP pic.twitter.com/76lSDcIv7i  ANI (@ANI) January 25, 2019

The Congress president also slammed the government over the scams carried out by fugitive bankers Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi. "There is also a complete capture of the banking system. Small businesses are grappling with GST and demonetisation, but are not forgiven their loans. Meanwhile, rich bankers are being given loans worth crores and not being held accountable," Rahul said.

Addressing the issue of unemployment, Rahul said that India should be "run" by its 1.2 billion people, and "not by an ideology". He slammed Modi over the 'Make in India' programme, saying that there was a lack of production in the country.

Rahul also drew attention to job creation in China. He said, "We have to compete with China. We have to accept that the single biggest challenge is China's ability to produce jobs after jobs." He added, "No one is talking about jobs in India, and that is the problem."

Rahul said, "We need a new paradigm, but the current government is trying to make the old paradigm work. The central problems are: How do we deal with agriculture, how do we deal with the job crises, and how do we align healthcare and education system to provide protection to citizens."

With inputs from agencies
From giving cryptic responses to outright denials, Priyanka Gandhi has always been non-committal about her entry in politics. But what is undeniable is her steady interest in politics.

Days after Priyanka Gandhi's formal induction in the Indian National Congress, her supporters are already rooting for her to take the electoral plunge.

While many are demanding she contest the Lok Sabha election from the high-profile Varanasi seat, directly challenging Prime Minister Narendra Modi, odds are that if UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi's health does not improve in the coming weeks, she might have to take up her mother's traditional seat, Rae Bareli. Considered a pocket borough of the Gandhi family, Rae Bareli was also Indira's preferred seat as she fought numerous elections from this eastern Uttar Pradesh constituency. Given the similarities people draw between Indira and Priyanka, and her familiarity with the constituency, it might just be the prudent choice to make, if indeed she is planning to make her electoral debut.

However, just like her entry in politics, her electoral debut may come in its own time.

Priyanka's entry into politics have been around the corner for a long time, even if she ruled out the possibility time and again. As recently as on 16 December, 2017, when Rahul finally took over as Congress president, Priyanka told journalists that Sonia will very much retain her traditional constituency. "There is no question of me contesting from Rae Bareli.. my mother will contest from there."

But what is undeniable is her steady interest in politics. Priyanka had been accompanying her parents, Rajiv Gandhi and Sonia to Amethi and Rae Bareli constituencies since early childhood. Her parents were only too aware of her strong political leanings. Congress leader Janardan Dwivedi confirmed that Rajiv had told him about Priyanka's interest in politics as far back as in 1990. It is for this reason that in all these years she has chosen to keep in touch with the people of these two constituencies, even when she was not actively involved in the party's campaign in any other part of the country. The poorest of poor residents of these constituencies have access to Priyanka's house all through the year, a practice that is followed by both Rahul and Sonia as well. In fact, in 2012, she used to hold a regular weekly durbar in Delhi for the people from Rae Bareli and Amethi.

During the campaign for 2004 election, it was obvious that Priyanka knew practically every nook and corner of these two constituencies. As she travelled through different segments of the two constituencies, she would stop and chat with the people, ask them about their problems and promise to help wherever she could. It was her first full-fledged campaign, but she went about like a seasoned campaigner.

At the Jama Masjid crossing in Amethi, she surprised many Congress workers by stopping at a BJP supporters sweet shop. "Bhaiya, kya khilayenge aap? What will you offer me to eat?" she asked the man smiling and then graciously accepted the jalebis he offered her. After finishing the sweets, she spoke to him about his family and asked about his well-being, ending the interaction with a simple request: "This time please vote for the Congress." Those were the days when BJP was led by stalwarts like Atal Bihari Vajpayee and LK Advani, when the present day animosity between Congress and BJP was only restricted to political rallies.

Perhaps it is because of her composed demeanour and the ease with which she connects with people that Congress old-timers compare her to Indira.

Furthermore, in Uttar Pradesh, her biggest advantage is that she speaks fluent Hindi extempore, while liberally sprinkling her speeches and conversations with Awadhi. At Baghipur village, she surprised voters by asking them to vote for "Rajiv Bhaiya ki mehraroo aur meri maa Sonia ji (Rajivs wife and my mother Sonai.)"

She later told reporters, who were curious to know where did she pick up the language of the masses, that she learnt it from Amitabh Bachchans mother, Teji Bachchan, who was a close friend of the Gandhis.

Another quality she possesses is her sharp and candid speeches. In 1999, when she was campaigning for Satish Sharma, who was contesting elections from Rae Bareli against BJP candidate Arun Nehru, she lambasted the latter in her election rally. "I have a complaint against you," she told the voters. "A man who committed treachery while he was in my father's ministry. He stabbed a brother in the back  answer me  how did you let such a man in here? How did he dare come here?" She added: "I spoke to my mother before coming here. She told me not to speak ill of anyone. But I am young; who shall I speak my mind to if not to you?"

Her words created such an impact that Arun lost that election even when no member of the Nehru-Gandhi clan was contesting against him.

Her campaigning skills were also at display when she was canvassing for Sonia in 1999. Her mother was contesting from Bellary against BJP's Sushma Swaraj. Priyanka clambered onto a jeep, dressed in a white and yellow kanjivaram sari, right after landing in Bellary. Campaigning beside her mother, she managed to leave her mark.

When a reporter had then asked her about her plans to join active politics, she replied, "Youll have to wait a long, long time for that."

What made her change her mind?

The Gandhis are extremely tight-lipped and seldom speak their mind before others. RK Dhawan, one of Indira's most trusted aides once told this reporter, "The Gandhis never reveal their minds to an outsider. Never." They also remain a very close knit family. From the start, Priyanka did not want to emerge as a power centre in competition with Rahul. The two are very close and share a warm bonding. In fact, after losing their grandmother and father in quick succession, all three of them work as a team. They are each other's confidantes and closest aides. Sonia's failing health has brought the brother and sister only closer.

Priyanka also realises only too well that her family is fighting with their backs to the wall. The BJP-led government, with the Modi-Amit Shah duo, is keen to have a Congress-mukt, Gandhi-mukt nation. As Modi warned during his Rajasthan Assembly campaign, that he had brought the Congress family's razdaar ( confidante),Christian Michel, to India only with the intention to unmask them. He said that Michel could finally be extradited because of the persistence and courage shown by the chowkidar (a moniker often used for Modi). The BJP government has also re-opened I-T cases against both Sonia and Rahul, while also following up on a slew of corruption allegations against Priyankas husband, Robert Vadra.

The general mood in the two Congress bastions has never been in favour of the BJP; even when BJP swept the rest of Uttar Pradesh and Congress was decimated, the Gandhis managed to retain these two seats. Furthermore, ever since some key projects like the Shaktiman Mega Food Park, the Hindustan Mill project in Amethi and the launch of the first Central University for Women in Rae Bareli were cancelled, the people have been angry with the BJP. The general perception is that these were all politically motivated decisions.

The Gandhi family has always had two members in active politics with the younger generation taking over a full-fledged role in their 30s and 40s. Indira became president of the party at age 42; Sanjay won Amethi at 34 and Rajiv joined the party at 37. At 33, Rahul made his political debut while Priyanka has entered big time at the age of 47. True, she is a tad bit delayed in entering politics, but the added years in the background have added much to her experience.

Likewise, the senior position given to her is also because she has been working tirelessly behind the scenes and has been sitting in on key strategy sessions. Even when Sonia Gandhi made her failed attempt at forming a government, claiming before then president KR Narayanan that she had the required number of seats to form the government, it was Priyanka who was helping her from behind the scenes.

Priyanka realises only too well that she is embarking on a high-risk mission as Uttar Pradesh has proven to be one of BJP's strongest support-base in 2014 election. Many of the top BJP leaders contest election from the region. If she succeeds in improving the Congress' game here, she will help catalyse massive changes in the party's organisational structure. However, reviving this moribund organisation, which has been lying dormant since 1988 in the region, in such a short time will be no mean feat.
Speaking in Amethi, his Lok Sabha constituency, on Thursday, Congress president Rahui Gandhi targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi over a spate of issues including the Rafale deal, demonetisation, the ongoing CBI row and promises of 'acche din'.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi, while speaking in his Lok Sabha constituency of Amethi on Thursday, targetted Prime Minister Narendra Modi over a spate of issues plaguing the Centre, including the Rafale deal, demonetisation, the ongoing CBI row and promises of "acche din".

He began his address by asking the gathering where Modi's "acche din" were, saying that the prime minister has instead only spent his time waiving loans for his "industrialist friends".

Rahul also said he has given his sister Priyanka Gandhi, newly entrusted with eastern Uttar Pradesh, the target of ensuring that the party forms the next government in the state.

The Congress will also fight the coming Lok Sabha polls with full strength, he said at a public meeting in his constituency.

He added that by appointing Priyanka and Jyotiraditya Scindia to lead the Congress in Uttar Pradesh, the party will work "harder than ever before" in the state. He added that Priyanka will also address the Amethi and Raebareli when she is formally appointed.

"Priyanka and Scindia have been given a target. That is to form a Congress government in Uttar Pradesh in the next election by defeating and wiping out the BJP, the Congress president said.

The Congress chief reiterated his slogan of 'chowkidaar chor hai' and said that Modi has stolen money from the people to feed industrialists like Nirav Modi, the key accused in the Punjab National Bank scam. He also spoke about the Rafale deal, and said that the Modi government decided to go around the then defence minister Manohar Parrikar to buy 36 Rafale fighter jets from France and gave the account to Reliance Defence, "putting Rs 30,000 crore in Anil Ambani's pocket".

In addition, he called demonetisation the "nation's biggest scam," adding that while "hard-working citizens such as farmers, labourers and women had to stand in line in harsh conditions, India's biggest thieves such as Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi did not."

In addition, he also called out the BJP government over the ongoing CBI row, and said that the prime minister fired CBI Director Alok Verma overnight because he was scared that the investigation agency would "find out the truth about (the prime minister's) robbery".

Attacking the Centre over the ongoing farmers' crisis, Rahul promised to set up food processing factories near agricultural land across Uttar Pradesh, same as the Congress did in Madhya Pradesh. "Where potatoes grow, we will set up factories to make potato chips. Where tomatoes grow, we will set up a factory to make ketchup," he said amid cheers.

In a move to emphasise the Congress' promise to waive farm loans within 10 days, Rahul said: "The farmers have given everything to the country. But Modi has refused to waive their loans. See how the chowkidar has become a chor in four-and-a-half years. Gali gali mein shor hai, chowkidar hi chor hai."

Rahul addressed the newfound alliance between the Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and the Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party (SP), and said, "I respect Mulayam Singh Yadav, Akhilesh Yadav and Mayawati. But Congress should carve out a space of its own, and has to fight for its beliefs."
Addressing MNF workers at Aibawk village near Aizwal, Zoramthanga said that the party and his government had been making all-out efforts to ensure the defeat of the bill.

Aizawl: Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga said on Thursday that the ruling Mizo National Front would not hesitate to snap ties with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) if the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill is not revoked.

Addressing MNF workers at Aibawk village near Aizwal, Zoramthanga said that the party and his government had been making all-out efforts to ensure the defeat of the bill.

"The ruling party would withdraw its support to the NDA if situation arises," he said.

The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, passed by the Lok Sabha on 8 January, seeks to grant Indian nationality to non-Muslims who fled religious persecution from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan, and entered India before 31 December, 2014.

"The state cabinet adopted a resolution opposing the proposed legislation and I have met both the prime minister and the Union Home minister to inform them about our opposition to the legislation," the MNF chief said.

The party would be at the forefront of the movement against the proposed bill, Zoramthanga asserted.

"The bill should not be enacted as it does not value the historic Mizo accord signed between India and the erstwhile underground MNF in 1986," he added.

The Mizo National Front was formed in 1950s to protest against the inaction of the central government towards the famine situation in the Mizo areas of Assam.

Following years of underground activities, it signed the Mizoram Accord with the Union government in 1986, renouncing violence. The party cruised to an absolute majority last year, winning 26 of the 40 seats in the Mizoram Assembly.
Unless a last-minute cosmic intervention takes place, the grand alliance will remain a non-starter.

From the ramparts of Brigade Parade ground with leaders of 23 parties on the stage, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee last week sounded the death knell for the BJP. Before lakhs in attendance, she declared that the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is past its expiry date. She also posed for a customary picture with all leaders to flaunt the unity of grand alliance in the United India rally. Mamatas effort was to prove that grand alliance, or mahagathbandhan, was as much about chemistry as it was about arithmetic.

These churnings are not new to Indian politics. When one leader at the helm of a dominant political force becomes strong, or is perceived to be strong enough to pose a challenge to political rivals, the countervailing forces of multi-party democracy kick in. Regional forces and even traditional rivals bury their differences (or attempt to do so) to address the larger crisis at hand. It isnt surprising to see, therefore, that BJPs electoral dominance and prime minister Modis popularity have caused the fragmented Opposition to band together and challenge BJPs hegemony.

If the mahagathbandhan materialises, the BJP will have a problem. Surveys indicate that BJPs fortunes in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls may take a huge hit. The saffron unit may retain the tag of single largest party but it could fall well short of the 272-mark, clouding Modis bid to remain in 7, Lok Kalyan Marg.

The BJP-led National Democratic Allience may slump to 233 in the 543-seat Parliament, according to a poll by ABP News-CVoter. Another survey, done by India Today-Karvy Insights, puts the BJP and its allies at 237 seats. Both opinion polls put NDA well short of the halfway mark. ABPs poll was based on interactions with 22,309 voters across all 543 seats in December to January period, while India Todays was based on face-to-face interviews with 13,179 voters across 97 parliamentary constituencies.

Interestingly, these surveys predict a scenario where a united Opposition is taking on Modi. The basic assumption behind the opinion polls is that these disparate political forces will forge a pre-poll seat-sharing arrangement and may also thrash out a common minimum programme. The question of prime ministerial candidate will be kept open. This, in a nutshell, is the 1 vs 1 formula floated by Mamata Banerjee, a strong advocate of mahagathbandhan.

But what happens if the grand alliance doesnt materialise? The banding together of a fragmented Opposition to transfer their vote share and reduce the Lok Sabha election to a collection of 543 local contests is a plausible theory, but theories have a nasty habit of being impracticable. For all the hype and hoopla around the mahagathbandhan and the rosy picture of a united Opposition painted by opinion polls, the proposed grand alliance is yet to take off in reality. With less than three months to go, in many states the mahagathbandhan has either been a non-starter or has been aborted.

Lets look at a few examples: In Uttar Pradesh, the flagship state as it were of Indian democracy, which sends 80 lawmakers to Lok Sabha, key players Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party ignored Congress to form their own seat-sharing arrangement. BSP supremo Mayawati said experience taught her that our votes get transferred to the Congress, but not vice-versa. We do not gain from alliance with Congress, whereas vote transfer is perfect in SP-BSP tie-up.

SP chief Akhilesh Yadav sad poll arithmetic forced him to keep Congress out of the alliance. A miffed Rahul Gandhi has since fielded Priyanka Gandhi Vadra from eastern Uttar Pradesh, but SP-BSP leaders say her inclusion will not have any impact on the gathbandhan.

What we are about to see in Uttar Pradesh is a triangular fight between BJP, SP-BSP and Congress. It is too early to say whether that will impact BJP positively or negatively, but the point is that there will be no mahagathbandhan in Uttar Pradesh. There has been a similar case in Andhra Pradesh. After getting a sound thrashing at the hands of K Chandrasekhar Raos TRS in the recently held Telangana Assembly polls, the TDP-Congress alliance has fallen apart.

Ironically, just a day after TDP chief and Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu met Rahul Gandhi in Delhi, the Congress decided that it would walk alone in Andhra and field all 25 Lok Sabha seats and 175 Assembly seats in the simultaneous elections. In Karnataka, the Congress-JD(S) alliance was supposed to be the epitome of unity and efficiency, instead it has become a test case of all that is wrong with such a power-sharing arrangement. Disgruntled Congress lawmakers are busy beating up each other while chief minister HD Kumaraswamy is busy swinging between expressing his anguish and denying it.

Earlier this month while addressing a meeting of JD(S) MLAs, the chief minister reportedly said that he was functioning like a clerk and not like a chief minister because of Congress interference in everything and Congress leaders always expect him to behave like their subordinate. This alliance may not survive beyond the Lok Sabha polls.

Across the spectrum in West Bengal, the Trinamool Congress chief might be a grand alliance enthusiast, but her party will have no truck with the (almost non-existent) Congress in the elections. In fact, one of the reasons why Rahul and Sonia skipped Mamatas United India rally was that their appearance on stage would have robbed the local Congress unit of the last vestiges of legitimacy.

There are murmurs of discontent in Bihar too, one of the few places where Congress hopes to ride on the coattails of its regional ally. Recent reports suggest that RJD-Congress seat-sharing talks have hit a roadblock and any announcement on this front has been postponed for now.

In Odisha, Naveen Patnaik has nothing to do with the grand alliance. He is disinterested in national politics and is expected to comfortably hold on to his reign. Since JD(U) is not reliant on Muslim votes, Patnaik could emerge as a likely NDA partner in a post-poll scenario. Similarly, in Telangana, KCR, who harbors prime ministerial dreams, is rooting for a non-Congress, non-BJP alliance of federal forces. He also has nothing to do with the grand alliance.

The grand alliance is based on a mathematical possibility of defeating a hegemonic force. The arithmetic, however, is subservient to chemistry on the ground. There are other considerations too. To play the role of a fulcrum in such an alliance, the Congress must have acceptance among regional forces, be able to pull its weight and show the right attitude. In all three metrics, so far, it has fallen short.

SP, BSP consider it as superfluous in Uttar Pradesh. It is too weak a power in a state like West Bengal to have bargaining power. And in some cases, like Karnataka, it behaves like the proverbial big brother. Unless a last-minute cosmic intervention takes place, the grand alliance will remain a non-starter. That changes  or should change  quite a bit of the calculations.
'The BJP and its 'allies', comprising multiple government agencies, (are) harassing all allies of Opposition from Kolkata to Delhi and beyond,' Mamata Banerjee said on Twitter

Kolkata: Describing the CBI as one of the "allies" of the BJP-led central government, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday alleged that the Centre was using the agency to harass the Opposition parties across the country.

She called the CBI, which was yet to get a new director, "headless" and said it has now become a "spineless BJP"."So political vendetta continues. BJP and its 'allies', comprising multiple government agencies, (are) harassing all allies of Opposition from Kolkata to Delhi and beyond," Banerjee tweeted.

She also doubted whether the saffron party was "scared" and using the agencies in a "desperate" move.

"From Akhilesh Yadav to 'behen' Mayawati ji, nobody is spared. From north to south. From east to west. Political vendetta by BJP. Are they scared? Are they desperate? One headless agency has now become spineless BJP," she added.

The CBI registered a new case against former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and others over alleged irregularities in land allocation in Gurgaon in 2009 and carried out searches at 20 locations in Delhi-NCR Friday.

The CBI on Thursday arrested renowned Bengali film producer Shrikant Mohta in connection with the Rose Valley chit fund scam, sources said. Mohta, considered close to the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal, allegedly duped Rose Valley of Rs 25 crore.

The CBI is without a full-time director as the meeting of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led selection committee to decide on the next CBI chief remained inconclusive Thursday.
The ruling Congress-JD(S) coalition in Karnataka will take a decision on seat sharing for the coming the Lok Sabha elections in three or four days, coalition coordination committee chairman Siddaramaiah said on Thursday.

Bengaluru: The ruling Congress-JD(S) coalition in Karnataka will take a decision on seat sharing for the coming the Lok Sabha elections in three or four days, coalition coordination committee chairman Siddaramaiah said on Thursday.

Ruling out any threat to the HD Kumaraswamy-led government amid alleged attempts by the BJP to topple it, the former chief minister said both parties will face the polls together. Preliminary discussions have been held on Lok Sabha elections and a meeting will be held in three or four days to decide on the constituencies, he said.

"..keeping in mind the situation in the constituencies, we will decide," Siddaramaiah told reporters after the coordination committee meeting.

Former prime minister and JD(S) supremo HD Deve Gowda will also be part of that meeting, and it has been decided both parties will go together for the polls, he said. On seats demanded by JD(S), Siddaramaiah said it has not been discussed.

"...we will decide on seats and other things in the next meeting," he said.

Responding to a question about the opinion within the Congress to not give up seats where the party has sitting MPs, he said "We have not discussed it."

JD(S) secretary general Danish Ali said "We only started a preliminary discussion on seat sharing, the process will continue and it will take many rounds to have a pre-poll alliance for Lok Sabha seats. It will take some time.

There is no demand, our common motive is to get the maximum seats to the coalition in Karnataka and reduce the BJP to minimum. We will nominate a winning candidate and make him contest," he said.

Their expectation is that JD(S)-Congress will win more than 25 out of 28 seats in Karnataka, he said. JD(S) has already expressed its desire to contest in 12 seats, on which the Congress party has some reservations. The Congress has said seat sharing will be on 'candidate-merit' basis.

Also, several senior Congress leaders and MPs, including Veerappa Moily, have reportedly asked the leadership not to cede nine seats where the party has its sitting MPs, to JD(S). There are also voices within the party to not field sitting MPs in certain constituencies. In the 2014 polls, the BJP had won 17 seats in the state, the Congress nine and JD(S) two seats.

Siddaramaiah said the meeting also discussed recent political developments in the state. "There is no situation that will cause any threat to the government," he asserted.

Pointing out that as CLP leader he had called a legislature party meeting and four MLAs  Ramesh Jarkiholi, B Nagendra, Umesh Jadhav and Mahesh Kumatahalli, had skipped the meeting to whom notices were issued, he said, "out of them, three have responded."

"Nagendra has sent his response yesterday, today Ramesh and Mahesh have responded, one more Umesh Jadhav is yet to respond. Nagendra's response I have seen, he has said he is loyal to the party and because of some case hearing in court, he could not respond. He has not met BJP leaders among other things."

"Other two responses Im yet to see.. after seeing the other replies, we will decide on what action is to be taken," Siddaramaiah added. Terming the alleged brawl between two MLAs Ganesh and Anand Singh at a resort as "unwanted incident", Siddaramaiah said it will not reflect on the whole government.

"Im not defending this quarrel between two MLAs, I have said let law take its course. Our party has also taken action already. An inquiry committee has also been formed under the Chairmanship of Deputy Chief Minister. Both disciplinary and criminal action have also been initiated," he said.

Ruling out any 'operation lotus', the former chief minister said it was only a creation of the BJP "because of their illusion, by offering power and money." On reports about BJP planning to bring no-trust motion against the coalition government during the coming assembly session, he said, "let them do whatever they want, we are ready to face. They have already failed miserably once."

Noting that the meeting also discussed the budget that is slated to be presented on February 8, Siddaramaiah said, "There is common minimum programme, keeping it as the base budget will be prepared."

On appointment of Chairmans to few boards and corporations that has been held back like Venkataramanaiah to KRDCL, Sudhakar for Pollution Control Board and Gopala Swamy as parliamentary Secretary, Siddaramaiah said "We have asked the Chief Minister to issue the orders, he will consider it."

"There are few more MLAs whom we will recommend to boards and corporations, we have requested the Chief Minister to issue the orders to them at the earliest, he said, adding that issues of some MLAs on constituency and development related works have also been discussed.

The coordination committee discussed the drought situation in the state and steps being taken by the government to manage the situation, Siddaramaiah said.
Union minister and BJP leader Manoj Sinha said her appointment as Congress general secretary of Uttar Pradesh-East may have generated a buzz in media but it has drawn no response from the region of which she has been made in-charge by her party.

New Delhi: Asserting that Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's formal entry in active politics will have no impact on Lok Sabha polls, the BJP on Thursday said her appointment as Congress general secretary of Uttar Pradesh-East may have generated a buzz in media but it has drawn no response from the region of which she has been made in-charge by her party.

Union minister Manoj Sinha, who is a Lok Sabha MP from Ghazipur in eastern Uttar Pradesh, said Priyanka's appointment is an attempt by the Congress to gain some importance in the state as it was in a "bad shape" after being left out of the SP-BSP alliance.

At a BJP press conference, he also lashed out at Congress president Rahul Gandhi for using "impolite and foul" words against Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Amethi, saying "this kind of language is not even used in Panchayat elections".

"Rahul Gandhi is seeing clear defeat for his party in the coming elections and a decisive victory of the BJP under Modi's leadership. That is why he is using such kind of language. It is condemnable," he said.

To questions about Priyanka's entry in active politics, he said, "Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was made a general secretary in Delhi and you people have been discussing it here. But it seems that people of the region of which she has been made in-charge of are not noticing it. The curiosity about her is only in media, not among the people".

He also played down ally Shiv Sena's praise for Priyanka, saying it is the party's "personal opinion".

He said that Lok Sabha election will be fought on a "different plane", stressing that the Modi government has "changed the lives of 22 crore families with its development policies".
Bihar deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi launched a vitriolic attack on Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday, a day after she entered active politics, saying the Congress was feeling happy 'over the induction of a woman with a tainted life partner'.

Patna: Bihar deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi launched a vitriolic attack on Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday, a day after she entered active politics, saying the Congress was feeling happy "over the induction of a woman with a tainted life partner".

In a tweet, the senior BJP leader also scoffed at Priyanka Gandhi's resemblance with her grandmother and former prime minister Indira Gandhi.

"If a person could become as capable as someone else merely by resembling him or her, by now we would have had many more Virat Kohlis and Amitabh Bachchans. Duplicates do not work in politics. Priyanka might resemble Indira, but there is a big difference," Modi said.

He also compared Priyanka Gandhi's husband and businessman Robert Vadra with Indira Gandhi's spouse Firoz Gandhi.

The deputy chief minister said Firoz Gandhi was a good orator and an upright parliamentarian "who had the guts to speak against his powerful father-in-law", Jawaharlal Nehru.

"Priyanka's businessman husband's irregular land transactions are spread across two states and he is facing probes. If the Congress wants to exult over the induction of a woman with a tainted life partner, it is most welcome to do so," Modi said.

Earlier, talking to reporters on the sidelines of a function, he had claimed that Priyanka Gandhi's induction into the Congress was aimed at "threatening the SP-BSP alliance".

Priyanka Gandhi formally entered politics on Wednesday with her brother and Congress president Rahul Gandhi appointing her as general secretary for Uttar Pradesh East.

Modi said her appointment would bring the alleged corruption scandals against Robert Vadra onto the "centre-stage", which would benefit the NDA.

"The BJP is not at all worried. Why should it be when her entry is only going to help us. The Congress has brought in Priyanka with a view to threaten the SP-BSP alliance, with the possibility of a split in their votes. It is a desperate attempt to make Akhilesh Yadav and Mayawati rethink their strategy," he said.
At Jaipur, notable author Markus Zusak of the bestselling novel, The Book Thief and Nobel laureate Sri Venki Ramakrishnan are among the many notable figures in literature and science who will be present on the second day of the annual literary extravaganza

Author Markus Zusak (of The Book Thief fame) and Nobel laureate Venki Ramakrishnan are among the many notable figures in literature and science who will be present at the Diggi Palace in Jaipur on the second day of the annual literary extravaganza. The ZEE Jaipur Literature Festival that kicked off yesterday is set to go into Day 2 with a diverse group of panelists and conversations that range from philosophy to science to novels and history.

The second day of the fest will kick off with a discussion between the former member of parliament and the National General Secretary and National Spokesman of Janata Dal (United), Pavan K Varma and Makarand Paranjpe, on the philosopher and thinker Adi Shankaracharya at Charbagh. Simultaneously, the author of Daughters of the Sun: Empresses, Queens and Begums of the Mughal Empire, Ira Mukhoty and historian Ruby Lal will engage in a conversation with Parvati Sharma as part of the J Paul Getty Trust Series and Women Uninterrupted Series on Empress Nur Jahan and the Women of the Mughal Empire. The Mughal tent will host a discussion at the same time on the conflict in Egypt, titled The Battle for Egypt: Dispatches from the Revolution, with the Egyptian writers Ahdaf Soueif, Yasmine El Rashidi and filmmaker Omar Hamilton, moderated by Max Rodenbeck.

Activists Aruna Roy and Harsh Mander will also engage in a conversation with Urvashi Butalia titled The Right to Know. Booker Prize-winner Ben Okri is also set to attend the event this year and will discuss Where Does Fiction Come From? alongside Sebastian Barry, Tania James and the author of Sacred Games, Vikram Chandra, along with Chandrahas Choudhary.

The fest will also feature Zusak in conversation with author Rana Dasgupta in the afternoon session, In Search of Miracles and historian Sven Beckert will engage in a conversation titled The Empire of Cotton with Patrick French. The British writer will host yet another talk with the Italian journalist Andrea di Robilant, British biographer Jenny Uglow and author and professor Zachary Leader, On Literary Biographies, at Samvad on the second day.

Ramakrishnan will discuss the Gene Machine and the Culture of Science with astrophysicist Priyamvada Natarajan, in keeping with the festival's aim to engage in more conversations on science, technology and artificial intelligence to match step with younger audiences. At the same time, the French political scientist Christophe Jaffrelote, author Ornit Shani and former election commissioner of India SY Quraishi will be in conversation with Nikhil Kumar on India's upcoming elections in India Decides: The Great March of Democracy.

Also part of the second day of Jaipur's literary carnival is a talk on translations moderated by Anupama Raju with a panel full of essayists, writers and critics, including Daniel Hahn, Manjushree Thapa and Pushpesh Pant. Towards the close of the day, audiences can also attend on the front lawn a conversation with the talk show host Suhasini Haider on South Asia: Walls and Bridges with Hussain Haqqani, a journalist from Pakistan, Thapa and Prasenjit Basu among others.

After back to back sessions featuring eminent authors, journalists and educators, the second day of the annual literature festival will draw to a close with discussions with several prominent figures such as Amitabha Baghchi, Jeremy Paxman, Malashri Lal and a panel discussion with Dan Jones, Richard Evans and Lal, to name a few titled In Defence of History.

The Zee Jaipur Literature Festival will go on from 24 January to 28 January 2019 at the Diggi Palace in Jaipur, Rajasthan. More details here.
I always tell professionals, you will hear about these things before we do, because the con artists are really good at getting people to not call anybody in charge, she said. At some point, investors typically realize something is going on, but the con artists can keep them going and say, yeah, you really cant go to the SEC or the government or whoever because we may not be able to get your money back, because it will blow the whole thing up.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has given strong indication that he would like to present a full budget instead of a vote-on-account which is traditionally called for in an election year, by an outgoing government, triggering outrage by the Congress.

Finance Minister Piyush Goyal will present interim budget for 2019-2020 on 1 February. Goyal has additional charge of the finance ministry since Arun Jaitley is in the US for medical treatment. The country, though, will go to elections shortly afterwards. Yet on 17 January, Jaitley gave strong indication that his budget will not be an interim one but will instead aim to handle the whole financial year's plans.

Traditionally, in situations where a government may not be in power for the full duration of the budget period, a full Union Budget is not presented. Instead, the finance minister announces what is called a vote-on-account  a much simpler plan with no major tax or scheme announcements in it.

Should BJP-led government indeed decide to announce a full-fledged budget, the idea would be implicit that the NDA government is confident of making a return. The Congress, therefore, has been thoroughly critical of the possibility and has said that the move would only "hoodwink" people.

"Centre's move to present a regular budget few months before the elections is against all norms, rules and established parliamentary practices. The term of the government is five years, which ends in May 2019. The government presented five full budgets and can only present a vote-on-account," senior Congress leader Anand Sharma told PTI.

Difference between full and interim budget

A key point of difference between a vote-on-account and a full-fledged Union budget is that the former is only valid for two months (until the new government presents its budget) while the latter is for a whole year.

The Economic Times reports that the vote-on-account traditionally avoids announcing new schemes, sops or taxes as the new government's stance on these financial issues could differ from that of the outgoing government. A pre-poll projection of income and expenses for a whole year is traditionally considered improper as it imposes policy changes or budgetary constraints on a government which may not be open to them.

To the average citizen, a vote-on-account means no significant shift in the existing tax structure, as that would require amendments to the Appropriation Bill. There will, therefore, be no decrease or increase in the income tax you pay. There may be minor changes to indirect taxes.

What is a vote-on-account?

A vote-on-account is a formal request by the government to the Parliament, to allow it to utilise the Consolidated Fund of India for meeting its expenses till the time of the elections, says Business Line.

According to the Constitution, the earnings of the government are the Consolidated Fund of India. Before each election, the Parliament votes to allow the outgoing government to meet regular government expenses, including the salaries of government employees, loan interest payments, subsidies and pensions.

Because the government would be in transition soon after a vote-on-account is sought, such a budget announcement does not present a full picture of expected income and expenditure for the whole financial year, but only a list of expenditures.

What will Jaitley be flouting if he presents a full budget on 1 February?

It is not mandatory for an outgoing government to present a vote-on-account, so technically, Jaitley would be well within his rights to present the government's fiscal plans for the next 12 months.

He had said such a departure from custom might be necessitated to address the "worries confronting the economy". The Economic Times quoted him as having said, "Convention has always been that election year budget is an interim budget. However, the larger interest of the nation dictates what will be a part of the interim budget."

Amidst clamours for financial policies that will make the lives of farmers easier, including a farm loan waiver, the government may be looking to extend its poll plank by announcing sops for farmers. In a full budget announcement, the finance minister may also seek to push the Ayushman Bharat healthcare scheme and announce tax discounts for those in the middle class.

Livemint quoted a source as saying that the government would also be publishing an Economic Survey, essentially the economic report card for 2018-2019, though normally, this task is left to the next government. Earlier, the government had advanced the presentation of the Union budget to 1 February so as to let government departments undertake spending from the beginning of the fiscal.

Why does the Congress have a problem with a full budget?

The Congress has pointed out that a Finance Bill following a budget must be adopted within 75 days. The government, said All India Congress Committee spokeman Manish Tewari, would have very few days to get its decisions vetted by the various parliamentary standing committees, reported The Times of India. The deadline would put pressure on the Parliament and cut short discussions on the budget, argued the Congress.

"If the NDA-BJP government presents a full-fledged budget, then it will be a flagrant violation of parliamentary conventions and norms followed over seven decades. The Modi government has neither the electoral mandate nor electoral legitimacy to present its sixth full budget in five years," Tewari said.

With inputs from PTI
With the Opposition raising concerns over alleged manipulation of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), the Election Commission is facing one of the toughest challenges in the last seven decades.

Since 2011, the Election Commission of India 25 January has been marked as National Voters Day to promote electoral participation among citizens. It was on 25 January, 1950 that the Election Commission of India was established, with Sukumar Sen as the inaugural Chief Election Commissioner. Since then, the apex election body has successfully been conducting elections on all levels, ensuring the India's pre-eminence as a multi-cultural democracy.

As India readies itself to elect the members of the Lok Sabha, the Election Commission has a herculean task of executing the world's biggest electoral exercise in the coming months. However, with the Opposition raising concerns over alleged manipulation of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), the Election Commission is facing one of the toughest challenges in the last seven decades.

Former Chief Election Commissioner VS Sampath, however, has been backing the EC to do yet another fantastic job in 2019. For Sampath, the ECI remains the 'gold standard' in conducting free and fair elections. The 1973-batch Andhra Pradesh cadre IAS officer spoke on Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), proxy voting for Non-Resident Indians, NOTA, simultaneous elections and much more. Here are the edited excerpts from the interview:

You were the CEC when India voted in 2014. What were the challenges you faced organising the biggest electoral exercise so far?

It was a major logistical challenge for us. Like any general elections, it required over a years preparation. We needed the cooperation of the entire electoral machinery to pull it off. There were other challenges too, like security. We have different terrains in India, many of which are very sensitive  politically as well as in terms of security. We had many political party delegations asking for deployment of central security forces in their states. But constraints meant that we had to conduct elections in several phases in states like Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Bihar. Despite the issues, I have the satisfaction of having conducted the polls successfully.

We also saw the highest voting percentages in 2014 elections. What did your team do to encourage this change?

Taking advantage of the summers, we kept the election timing between 7 am and 6 pm  11 hours. Before the elections, we made sure that the revision of electoral rolls was done in a systematic manner. We ensured proper security arrangements in Naxalite areas, which I believe helped achieve highest vote percentages there. Generally, it is a difficult task to ensure high voter turnouts in several parts of India. But these measures surely played a role in enhanced voter participation.

Many in Opposition have been demanding that Ballot papers be re-introduced in 2019 polls. Whats your take?

CEC Sunil Arora has already made it clear that we will only be using EVMs in the upcoming polls. I think that is the right decision and I support it. There has been no one so far who has been able to decisively or convincingly prove that our EVMs can be manipulated. People have been casting aspersions on EVMs but these machines continue to be fool-proof. However, elections involve a lot of stakeholders. To assure them, I am told that the ECI will be using VVPATs at poll stations to ensure there are no misgivings. However, that said, EVMs are here to stay and there is no question of going back to ballot papers.

In Haryana municipal polls, NOTA was considered a fictional candidate. Do you think that NOTA should be given more power in future?

NOTA came out of a Supreme Court directive when I was the CEC. When the Supreme Court sought our opinion on NOTA, we said we were ready but had been waiting for change in the rules. The court also asked our legal counsel if the EC could implement NOTA and we answered in the affirmative. Thereafter, the Election Commission has implemented NOTA in every election. Nevertheless, whether NOTA should be given more power is a matter which is up to the lawmakers. As far as I know, NOTA usually garners one to two percent of the total votes in various Assembly and Parliamentary elections. Given its miniscule share in total votes, we have not yet reached a stage where there is a need to give more powers to NOTA. If such a situation arises in future, it is for the lawmakers to decide.

Leaders like Varun Gandhi and Anna Hazare have been pitching for the right to recall a representative. Do you believe such a law is feasible?

These demands have been raised from time to time. This prospective law has fascinated many educated voters. However, the size of the country is huge, both in terms of population as well as land. Additionally, different elections are held at regular intervals in every part of India. Given such a scenario, this law does not seem feasible. One must understand that right to recall technically means a referendum on the sitting representative. If someone passes a motion seeking a recall of the lawmaker, it would entail a cost to exchequer. We would be in a state of perpetual elections. This would create uncertainty in the minds of candidates, elected governments as well as the voters. With governments having slender majorities, this law could certainly lead to political instability.

The Centre is mooting simultaneous elections to state legislatures and the Parliament. Can this be happening in the next few years?

This requires a lot of structuring and constitutional amendments. However, there needs to be some political consensus on the issue. There is no feasibility under the existing laws so amendments are required. Even in the case of NOTA, I have seen that the track record of the Legislative in passing amendments to rules and laws for electoral reforms has been poor. So, the question of simultaneous elections will remain unanswered till the time the Parliament takes some action on the issue. Till then, it will remain only a matter for theoretical discussion.

Concerns have been raised over privacy and secrecy of proxy votes by NRIs. What do you expect from the proposed law?

The matter is now in the Rajya Sabha. Let the lawmakers take a call now. I believe secrecy of the vote is sacred. This must not be infringed by the Bill. The independence of the voter is equally important. In some Gulf countries, many workers are kept in poor conditions; even their passports are taken away. In such a scenario, will they be even allowed to freely exercise their adult franchise? Lawmakers must seriously consider such cases before passing this law.

Estonia has a robust internet voting system. Is digitally resurgent India ready for such a change?

Electronic voting can be a fascinating idea. It was even tried for municipal elections in Gujarat but had very few takers. Even if voting takes place in sanitised condition in a polling booth, we often receive complaints of political intimidation. If we consider internet voting in poor areas in the absence of election officers, what will be the fairness of the polling? There could be inducement as well as intimidation during such a vote. Unless, we develop some maturity as a polity, I dont think internet voting will work.

What is the one major reform that you want the Election Commission to contemplate on?

Due to rapid economic development, there is a lot of mobility. A resident of Bihar may be working in Maharashtra and a resident of Maharashtra may be working in Tamil Nadu. Hence, many miss out on voting as they were registered somewhere else. The Election Commission must work towards solving this problem. The rules do allow people to vote in their place of ordinary residence. However, this law must be constructively interpreted. Citizens must be empowered to vote in their place of work, without any hassle or malpractices. This will surely enrich democracy in India.
Republic Day 2019 will see a tribute to the departed soldiers by PM Narendra Modi and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa as chief guest

On India's 70th Republic Day on Saturday, New Delhis Rajpath will see a grandiose display of Indias defence capabilities and cultural heritage. The day will begin with a tribute to the departed soldiers when Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay a wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti, possibly the last time that this ceremony will be performed at the historic venue at India Gate. A senior defence ministry official told Hindustan Times this ceremony may be moved to the National War Memorial from next year.

This will be followed by the arrival of President Ram Nath Kovind at Rajpath, along with his bodyguards, who are mounted on horses. Kovind and Modi will welcome this years chief guest South African president Cyril Ramaphosa.

After the hoisting of the National Flag and a 21-gun salute, gallantry awards  Ashok Chakra, Kirti Chakra and Shaurya Chakra  will be conferred upon defence personnel with outstanding achievements. Militant-turned-soldier Lance Naik Nazir Ahmed Wani will be posthumously honoured with the Ashok Chakra.

Children who will be given the National Bravery Award will ride past the president, dignitaries and spectators in open jeeps.

These honours will be followed by the part of the celebrations that most look forward to: the 90-minute parade. The parades five-kilometre-long route starts from Raisina Hill, moves past Rajpath and India Gate and concludes at Red Fort.

The might of the country's defence forces  Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force  will be on display, as will be the skills of their marching bands, who will salute the president. Among the highlights: the Border Security Forces camel-mounted regiments and a contingent from the National Cadet Core.

An all-women contingent of the Assam Rifles will be among the many firsts. Major Khushboo Kanwar, who will lead this contingent, told PTI, "I am a daughter of a bus conductor from Rajasthan and if I can accomplish this any girl can fulfil her dream.

Four veterans belonging to Subhash Chandra Bose's Indian National Army, aged between 90 and 100 years, will take part in the parade for the first time. Twenty-two colourful tableaus by states and government departments will display the countrys cultural heritage, festivals, noteworthy achievements and projects. As 2019 marks the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the Delhi governments float will depict the life of the Father of Nation.

Daredevils on motorcycles will begin drawing the parade to a close. Another first in the offing: A woman member of the BSFs motorcycle stunt team will perform a standing salute on a motorbike. The parade will culminate in a dramatic flypast by the Indian Air Force and tri-colour balloons will be set free.

Three days after the parade, the Beating Retreat ceremony will be held on 29 January to mark the end of Republic Day festivities. The three wings of Indias defence forces and their bands will perform this at Vijay Chowk, situated between the north and south blocks of the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Traffic restrictions are applicable on the route of the parade and Delhi Metro services will be available for commuters at all stations on Republic Day. However, there will be no boarding and de-boarding at Central Secretariat and Udyog Bhawan stations from 5 am till 12 pm. The parade will be broadcast on television and radio. Around 25,000 security personnel, CCTV cameras, mobile hit teams, anti-aircraft guns and sharpshooters will keep a vigil on the parade route and nearby localities.

With inputs from PTI
In 2002, when Ikhwan was disbanded by the state government led by late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, Lance Naik Nazir Ahmad Wani was among thousands of Kashmiris who struggled to find a livelihood.

Chake-Hajin, Jammu and Kashmir: In the early 90s, he was a young boy who weaved Kashmiri carpets like an expert artisan for a monthly salary of few hundred rupees. Then, armed insurgency broke out in the Kashmir Valley and soon, like most of the villagers of this south Kashmir area, Nazir Ahmad Wani and his friends struggled to find work.

Across the valley those days, every village would send dozens of its boys across the border to Pakistan for arms training. However, no one took that path in Chake-Hajin village of this south Kashmirs Kulgam district. It was, and still remains, an island of peace untouched by the violence around its borders.

Nazir, instead of becoming a militant like many teenagers those days, joined a pro-government militia led by Javed Ahmad Shah, a notorious, government-backed commander of a private militia, in late 1994 out of his free will, and that of God, nothing else, his younger brother, Mushtaq Ahmad Wani, 38, who works at a band sawmill, said at his home on Thursday.

It was the same time when three former militia groups merged and formed Ikhwan-ul-Muslimoon, a dreaded militia that evoked fear among people for their brazen and often deadly ways. The militia was created to break the back of the militancy.

But in 2002, when Ikhwan was disbanded by the state government led by late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, Nazir was among thousands of Kashmiris who struggled to find a livelihood. He was now married with two children. Two years later, he joined 162 Infantry Battalion of Territorial Army of Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry in 2004, like most of his friends.

A resident of Chak-e-Ashmuji, Nazir lived with his wife, Jabeena, a school teacher. He had moved out of his village to the well-protected Ikhwan colony at the Kulgam district headquarters after he joined the counter-insurgency force Ikhwan two decades ago. One of his sons is studying outside the state while another is enrolled in a local institution. Residents said he got adjusted in the army when it offered jobs to a number of local Ikhwan cadres.

They had to fight for getting into the army. One of his friend from Ikhwan time, Mukhtar Ahmad Malik, who was killed by militants last year, also joined the army. They both have to leave their villages. He was struggling before landing the army job, Mansoor Ahmad, a resident of Kulgam and a friend of Wani, remembered. In Ikhwan time, he was the most feared but he was also courageous.

That trait of courage made Nazir, 42, run towards one corner of the house of Basher Ahmad Ganai in Batgund on 25 November last year where six militants had taken refuge. Nazir was part of 162 Territorial Army but was deployed with the 34 Rashtriya Rifles of the Indian Army for some time.

It was pitch dark. An army officer said at around 12:25 am, a soldier was hit by a bullet and he lay facedown near the parking garage of the house. Nazir tried to pull the soldier out while others hiding behind a walnut tree gave him cover fire. The firing continued and militants changed positions from one house to another, separated by a wall. When he reached the injured soldier, a militant peeped out of a window and fired a volley of bullets.

He managed to enter the house and killed a district commander of Lashkar-e-Taiba and a foreign terrorist, before being hit by bullets. He also managed to injure a third militant before we stormed the building and killed the remaining militants. He was taken to a military hospital, where he died, the army officer said.

On Thursday, a press release from President of India's Secretariat said Nazir has been chosen for the Ashok Chakra, the country's highest peace-time gallantry award. "Lance Naik Nazir Ahmad Wani exhibited the most conspicuous gallantry in eliminating two terrorists before making the supreme sacrifice in the highest traditions of the Indian Army."

His extraordinarily fearless and courageous personage was reflected in getting the Sena Medal for gallantry twice in 2007 and 2018. Throughout his active life he always willingly faced grave potential threats and was a source of inspiration for others, the statement said.

The officer said Nazir killed two militants inside one room. The others fired back and he was hit, but he pulled out the wounded soldier, said the army officer.

Six militants, a civilian and Nazir were killed in the encounter. Nazirs body, draped in the tricolour, was buried after a 21-gun salute in his village on 26 November.

But in Chake-Hajin, a village of around 125 households, no one seemed to have any idea what the award means and Mushtaq, the younger brother of Nazir, said no one came to their home to offer compliments. The family also did not expect anyone. Curious residents, majority of them daily wagers, know nothing about the award. All of them knew he was a good carpet weaver. Most of them are also aware that he was an ikhwani. But few admitted to knowing how he was killed and why he was being awarded.

People have no idea what this award means because all of us are illiterate, that is why no one came to our home, Mushtaq said. When he was alive, we prayed that he is not killed. Now, what purpose will these awards serve?

Since late 90s, residents here took up jobs of daily wage labour. Hardly anyone has attended school here because of which the literacy rate is the lowest in the state.

What is this award Nazir is getting? a young boy asked visiting reporters from Srinagar, Most of us are illiterate and we have no idea what it is. Can you explain please?

Indeed an explanation celebrating Nazir's bravery and achievement is due.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with politicians across party lines, former government position holders and journalists, took to social media to encourage more people to take part in India's electoral process on the country's ninth National Voters' Day.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with politicians across party lines, present and former government position holders and journalists, took to social media to encourage more people to take part in India's electoral process on the country's ninth National Voters' Day.

The exercise to sensitise would-be voters, organised by the Election Commission of India, will be taken up at more than six lakh locations covering around 10 lakh polling stations across the country.

Modi issued greetings on Twitter for the day and wrote, "This is a day to reaffirm our commitment towards further strengthening our democracy by unfailingly participating in democratic processes at the local, state and national levels. Your doing so will go a long way in building a New India."

With the country going into the general elections soon, Modi also urged people "from all walks of life" to create awareness on voter registration. "...especially request my young friends to register themselves as voters if they have not done so already. Every vote cast enhances our democratic fabric," he added on Twitter.

Former chief election commissioner SY Quraishi included a bit of trivia in his tweet on when and where the idea to celebrate a National Voters' Day was hatched. "The idea was born in a civil society meeting in Bhubaneswar in 2010. It has proved to be the biggest youth empowerment programme. And the biggest reason for the highest turnout of voters ever since," he wrote.

Websites Facebook and Google have requested voters to register themselves as well, reported Moneycontrol.

Sand artist and Padma Shri awardee Sudarsan Pattnaik tweeted a sculpture he made on the Puri beach on the occasion.

While several BJP leaders, including Union ministers Smriti Irani, Babul Supriyo, Piyush Goyal, Ravi Shankar Prasad and Dharmendra Pradhan, and state unit handles tweeted using the #NationalVotersDay, the Bihar wing of the party (#BJP4Bihar) notably used a dialogue from the film Newton to get the message across.

The sentiment that the time is ripe for voters to register themselves pervaded among opposition party leaders as well, with Trinamool Congress chief and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee tweeting on the importance of "being able to cast a vote" and asking people to exercise their franchise. "[The ability to] elect a person of our choice is what makes us the worlds largest democracy. It is extremely important that the voters, specially the new, young voters, exercise their franchise in the upcoming general elections," she wrote.

Among other BJP state chief ministers who tweeted on the day were Maharashtra's Devendra Fadnavis who wrote, "Voting is not only a right to elect a government of our own choice but also (to) remember that it is our duty too! Every vote counts and has power to create wonders for progress of our Nation!" Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar appealed to all citizens to create awareness on the need to vote and build a strong nation, as did Manipur chief minister Nongthombam Biren, Odisha's Naveen Patnaik and Gujarat's Vijay Rupani.

Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot, whose Congress government was recently voted to power, focused on the necessity of strong democratic institutions. "On this #NationalVotersDay, let's pledge to strengthen the democratic institutions of country which have played a key role in strengthening the roots of democracy. Let's salute the indomitable will of Indian voters, which has kept the democratic spirit alive and thriving," he tweeted.

Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi took the opportunity to point out the significance of voting in a country of plurality, tweeting that this was the value enshrined by the writers of the Constitution of India who were, "were militant in their idea of India being a plural and democratic nation. Let us hope that the same is carried forward by the next generation as well".

Former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah emphasised in his tweet that "a person who doesn't vote loses the moral right to condemn the inefficiencies and injustices." Among others who stressed on the necessity for a free electoral process involving all were journalist Abhijit Majumdar and JSPL head and former Congress MP Naveen Jindal.
In view of the upcoming Lok Sabha election, 'No Voter to be Left Behind' is the theme for this year's celebrations. For first-time voters, the registration process is easy and doesn't involve a visit to any government office.

Lok Sabha elections will begin on 11 April and continue for over a month till 19 May across seven phases, followed by counting of votes on 23 May, the Election Commission announced Sunday, kick-starting a mega electoral battle where the BJP will pitch for a re-election of the Modi government amid the Opposition's efforts for a united fight to unseat it.

The polling will be held on 11 April, 18 April, 23 April, 29 April, 6 May, 12 May and 19 May for 543 Lok Sabha seats across the country in which nearly 90 crore voters would be eligible to vote, Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora said. Assembly elections will also be held in Andhra Pradesh, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and Odisha simultaneously with the Lok Sabha polls, the CEC said.

However, elections for Jammu and Kashmir assembly have been deferred, the EC said citing security reasons. The state has been under President's Rule after the ruling alliance between the BJP and Peoples Democratic Party fell apart last year. The EC is pulling all stops to make new voters register themselves on the electoral roll. For the first-time voters in India, the registration process doesn't involve visiting any government office.

Here is how you can register to vote in Indian elections by simply filling a form on the National Voters Service Portal (nvsp.in):

1. Visit (nvsp.in) and click on the link for 'Form6'. This application is also meant to be filled by those wanting to shift the constituency.

2. Choose the language preference by selecting either English, Hindi or Malayalam from the section on the upper-right side of the page. Fill the mandatory fields like name, date of birth, gender. Additional important details such as the area of domicile and your current and permanent address should also be filled.

3. Upload the voter's photograph and documents for age and address proof. Before filling the form, you should ensure that you have the scanned copies of the photograph and supporting documents on your computer.

4. The last part is on the declaration of the authenticity of the details filled in the form. Fill in the details and hit the submit button.

5. On completion of the steps, the user will receive a unique acknowledgement number through which they can track their voter registration or the status of their request to alter their constituency or address.

For already registered voters, there's an option to check their name on the electoral rolls. On the left side of the homepage, click on 'Search Your Name in Electoral Roll'.

If one needs to make corrections to the details related to them on the electoral rolls, they can click on the link for form 8 on the homepage.

Who can register to vote in India?

All Indian citizens who are 18 years of age and above on the qualifying date are eligible to vote in India. The qualifying date is 1 January of the year of revision of electoral roll. And the voters are divided in three categories of electors: the general electors, the overseas (NRI) electors and the service electors

When is the National Voter's Day?

India celebrated the 9th National Voters' Day on 25 January as the Election Commission handed over the new voters their voter identity cards. The National Voters Day is celebrated all over the country on 25 January every year to mark the foundation day of Election Commission of India, which was established on 25 January, 1950.
Minister for Relief and Rehabilitation Chandrakant Patil, speaking to reporters at Mantralaya after chairing a meeting on drought relief measures, said the government has directed the district collectors to start one or more fodder camps at mandal levels.

Mumbai: In view of the severe drought conditions prevailing in several parts of the state, the Maharashtra government Thursday announced disbursement of Rs 2,900 crore for relief measures in the affected areas.

Minister for Relief and Rehabilitation Chandrakant Patil, speaking to reporters at Mantralaya after chairing a meeting on drought relief measures, said the government has directed the district collectors to start one or more fodder camps at mandal levels. Each camp will house around 300-500 animals, he said.

"Those 'gau rakshan' institutions that have been provided with government aid have been already asked to start fodder camps in their premises.

"In accordance with it, five fodder camps have already been started in drought-hit regions," he said.

Patil said the state government had already sent a proposal to the Centre, demanding Rs 7,900 crore for drought relief measures. However, considering the gravity of the situation, the state government will distribute Rs 2,900 crore from its own treasury for relief measures in the affected areas.

Meanwhile, the state government will hold a Disaster Management Conference at the IIT Bombay, in which over 1000 people from 56 nations are expected to participate. Patil said the 4-day conference will start on 29 January and will deliberate on 'Building the Future We Want: Bridging Gaps between promises and Action'.
Yogesh Shelke, former employee of Bajaj Allianz and a resident of Beed in Marathwada, blew the whistle on the nexus between Bajaj Allianz and Maharashtra Gramin Bank. They had a tie up, which meant the bank could sell Bajaj Allianz policies to its customers.

Thirty-five-year-old Baliram Sangale applied for a crop loan in June 2018 with the local branch of Maharashtra Gramin Bank. The manager told him the disbursement is temporarily stalled. "I had submitted the required paperwork," said Sangale, a farmer based in Latur's Gutti village in Jalkot Taluka. "The sowing season had arrived, and I needed the money."

In October 2018, Sangale got a call from the local branch of Nalgir late evening. "They told me I would get the crop loan the next day," he said. "By midnight, I gathered the documents they had asked me to, and met the branch manager, Chaudhary saheb."

By October, the crops in Maharashtra's agrarian region of Marathwada  under which Latur falls  had dried up. The receding monsoons expected around the time of harvest had deserted the region, resulting in an underwhelming produce. Sangale was no exception. The sugarcane and soyabean he sowed in his four acres of farmland barely had any yield. In a decent year, two acres of soyabean amounts to at least 15 quintals of harvest. "I harvested about 3-4 quintals," he said. "I thought if I got the crop loan, it would be of some help in covering the losses in my farmland, and I could use the money to sow for the rabi season."

But Sangale was in for a rude shock. "Chaudhary started talking about a policy of Bajaj Allianz when I met him," he said. "I was told I would get the crop loan of Rs 1 lakh if I buy the policy with a premium of Rs 30,200 a year. I said it was idiotic to go for a policy when you are drowning in debt. How can a farmer afford to pay premiums?"

But Chaudhary said Sangale's crop loan was predicated on the policy. "I finally budged under pressure, and agreed," he said. "They cut the premium amount from my loan. Another bank official also got his cut, and I got Rs 65,000 in hand as crop loan."

Sangale had wondered why the bank suddenly called him up in October after denying him the crop loan since June. The suspense ended last week. On 16 January, 2019, Yogesh Shelke, former employee of Bajaj Allianz and a resident of Beed in Marathwada, blew the whistle on the nexus between Bajaj Allianz and Maharashtra Gramin Bank. They had a tie up, which meant the bank could sell Bajaj Allianz policies to its customers. But an overwhelming majority of the Maharashtra Gramin Bank's customers are farmers, who would not go for the policy for obvious reasons.

Chairman of the Maharashtra Gramin Bank, MA Kabra, said the tie up happened around March 2018, but the business "hadn't picked up, so Bajaj Allianz infused manpower since October." Shelke, in an emotional video which lasted over seven minutes, and has gone viral since, explained how the farmers are being looted. "If a farmer asks for a loan of Rs 1 lakh, he is compelled to take policies of Rs 20,000," he said in the video. "The manager would say so in as many words. And if the farmer refuses to budge, his signature is to be forged."

To prove this, Shelke reproduced a call recording between him and his manager Bhimsen Chandel, in which he is heard asking Bhimsen what to do about farmer's signature. "Manage it" is Bhimsen's instruction, "Cant you sign?"

"I was forced to forge the signature," said Shelke, holding up 10 forms where he has forged signatures of farmers. "When I complained to my senior, Abhijit More, he asked me to go for the incentives. I am also a farmer's son. What if my father had to go through this? In today's times, Rs 20,000 is a big amount for farmers."

Shelke gave out his phone number and implored the viewers to share it as much as possible.

After an email requesting clarity on the internal investigation by Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance on 23 January, 2019, the company responded with an official statement the next day, confirming that Bhimsen Chandel's employment 'was terminated', admitting he indulged in fraudulent activities as claimed by Shelke. "Yogesh Shelke resigned on his own accord from Bajaj Allianz Life on 14 November, 2018. He did not raise any of the malicious issues he mentioned in the said video, during his employment or during the time of his resignation in November, the statement added.

In the video, Shelke said he complained to the authorities at Bajaj Allianz. "I called Prerna Kalyani from Ahmedabad, who is the Zonal Manager at Bajaj Allianz. 'If Maharashtra's farmers commit suicide, it is not my concern,' she replied. Then I complained to the HR. We talked about farm suicides but how would the farmers live if we treat them like this?" he said.

The Bajaj Allianz statement said, "The Company has investigated and found no basis in the allegations made in the viral video that has been circulating. Bajaj Allianz Life sells life insurance policies through the retail branches of Maharashtra Gramin Bank and only offers savings and protection solutions to the retail customers of the Bank. These policies are not linked to any kind of loans. Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance will take appropriate action against people involved in the video, which appears to have been made with a malicious intent.

In a telephonic interview, Shelke, who stopped being Bajaj Allianz employee since 17 December, 2018 when his resignation was accepted, said the company officials got in touch with him after he made the video viral. "They told me I would get all the incentives plus my salary up to 30 April without having to work in exchange of withdrawing my allegations against the company, he said. I refused to do it."

Responding to Shelke's allegations of a settlement offer, Bajaj Allianz's statement read, "Once the video emerged, Bajaj Allianz Life had initiated a detailed enquiry and also met with Mr. Shelke at our office, where he broke down while speaking about the video and was apologetic for his actions. During this discussion between the Company and Mr. Shelke, a mob barged in, and got Mr. Shelke to go with them. Since then, the company has tried to connect with Mr. Shelke, however, there has been no response from him or any other correspondence from him.

Shelke, who earned a salary of Rs. 17,500, said he has been receiving threat calls since he made the video, and is scared. I do not know who those people are, he said. I had sent the proof to the Gramin Banks Resident Manager in Latur, Ashok Gattani. He didnt even ask me the details behind it."

Kabra said the bank has sent Shelke a legal notice for defaming Maharashtra Gramin Bank.

Speaking to Marathi channels, Gattani, in an attempt to defend himself and his branch manager Chaudhary, said Shelke is making baseless claims because he lost his job. "The customers have signed up for the insurance policy because they wanted to," he said. "Nobody forced them."

ABP Marathi's reporter, Rahul Kulkarni, asked Gattani which struggling farmer would go for an insurance policy when he is looking for a crop loan. "The farmers opt for crop loans every year, he replied. Those who liked the policy went for it."

The banks in rural areas have been under pressure to maintain non-performing assets. Most of the banks  cooperative and nationalised  in rural areas are financial skating on thin ice because the farm loan waivers and their inability to take on influential wilful defaulters, worsening their NPAs. Thrusting policies down the throat of its customers is one way of recovering bad debts.

Kabra said that the Maharashtra Gramin Bank has sold around 400-450 policies of Bajaj Allianz across 410 branches in 17 districts of the state, totalling around Rs 3 crore. "But there was no coercion," he said. "We have a tie up with LIC and Oriental as well. Our job is to educate our customers about a policy, and explain its benefits. It is not possible to compel anyone to buy the policy. Because we do the E-KYC, after which the head office of Bajaj Allianz gives the customer a call to verify the details, and only then the policy goes through."

But the farmers who bought the policy say the bank officials delay what their requirement is if they refuse to go for the policy, compelling them to play along. Thirty-seven-year-old Jaiprakash Kapse wanted to start a business of his own so that he can stop relying on his 2.5-acre farmland in Nalgir village of Laturs Udgir taluka. "Farming has no future," he said.

"In 2016, I applied for a loan of Rs 25 lakh to start a mineral water plant through the Prime Minister Rojgar Yojana. It was approved by the Zilla Task Force Committee in October 2017, and the Gramin Bank received the proposal the following month."

Chaudhary asked Kapse about the security. He offered the fixed deposit of Rs 5 lakh he already had with the bank. "I was asked to make another FD of Rs 5 lakh," said Kapse. "I said it would be tough, but I will borrow money and do it."

Fifteen days later, the bank told Kapse he would have to make a third FD of Rs 5 lakh. "I said if I had that much money, why would I be standing here, Kapse said. "After which the bank asked me go for a policy of Rs 5 lakh with a premium of Rs 1 lakh per year. I told them I couldn't afford it. Eventually, we settled for the policy with a premium of Rs 50,506 per year for a period of five years."

The loan still did not come through. Kapse kept running from pillar to post, when he was eventually told to re-apply for the loan by restructuring the quotation to Rs 10 lakhs instead of Rs 25 lakhs. "I did that too, but I have still not received any money," he said. "However, I am stuck with the policy."

In the meantime, after Shelke's video went viral, officials from the Nalgir branch of Maharashtra Gramin Bank are frequenting the villages of farmers who were deceived into buying the Bajaj Allianz policy. A bank official landed up at my doorstep at 6 in the morning the other day, said Sangale. He asked me to write that I got the policy because I wanted it. I offered him tea, and told him I would not give anything in writing. I did not want that wretched policy. And I am not going to lie.
Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a petition seeking a CBI probe into the Kodanad estate case, in which two men were allegedly asked by Tamil Nadu chief minister EK Palaniswami to steal from the late Tamil Nadu CM's house.

New Delhi: Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a petition seeking a CBI probe into the Kodanad estate case.

The petition was filed by social activist KR Ramaswamy.

On 14 January, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) chief MK Stalin urged Governor Banwarilal Purohit for an investigation into the controversial Kodanad estate robbery case.

"We have met the Governor and have given a petition. We have demanded that an investigation team should be set up and there should be an unbiased investigation. We have also urged the Governor to bring the issue to the notice of President," Stalin said.

A court in Tamil Nadu's Udhagamandalam on Thursday directed two accused in the Kodanad heist and murder case to appear before it on 29 January on a plea by the police to cancel their bail.

When the petition by the investigating officer came up for hearing before district Judge P Vadamalai, the government pleader argued that the accused, Sayan and Manoj were hampering the probe by giving statements on the case.

Samuel Mathew, former Tehelka managing editor had on 11 January released a 16-minute video in which the two accused in the case, had allegedly linked chief minister K Palaniswami to the case.

The Madras High Court on Wednesday issued an interim injunction restraining a former magazine editor and six others from making any statement linking Tamil Nadu chief minister K Palaniswami to the Kodanad estate break-in case.

On 23 April, 2017, the security guard of the Kodanad estate, the late chief minister J Jayalalithaa's retreat home in Nilgiris district, was murdered in a robbery attempt by a 10-member gang.
Congress MLA JN Ganesh, in a post on a Facebook page titled 'Kampli Congress' accused MLA Singh of trying to finish him off politically besides threatening his family. The absconding MLA claimed it was Singh who first attacked him and also passed derogatory remarks against his family members and also his caste.

Bengaluru: Congress MLA JN Ganesh, facing an attempt to murder case after allegedly assaulting his lawmaker colleague Anand Singh, Thursday purportedly came out with his account, blaming the latter for the turn of events.

Ganesh, in a post on a Facebook page titled "Kampli Congress" addressed the people of his Kampli constituency, accused Singh of trying to finish him off politically besides threatening his family. The absconding MLA claimed it was Singh who first attacked him and also passed derogatory remarks against his family members and also his caste.

Ganesh said he later retaliated and that three other party MLAs were witness to the incidents. "I had no intention to hit Anand Singh, who spoke ill about my cast. If I had to do that I could have done it when I was with him in the room for two to three hours. There was no such intention," Ganesh said in the post.

"All this is known to all party leaders. The leaders said there were mistakes on both our parts and both of us have embarrassed the party and called doctors for give me first aid," he added.

Singh and Ganesh, both from Ballari district, had a heated argument and came to blows at the resort where the Congress MLAs were herded together amid alleged poaching attempt by the BJP. Police have registered an FIR charging Ganesh with attempt to murder on a complaint by Singh, who is convalescing in a hospital in Bengaluru.

A red-faced Congress on Monday suspended Ganesh, who claimed he was also injured in the incident. Karnataka Congress president Dinesh Gundu Rao on Thursday had asked Ganesh to surrender and face the law. "One has to surrender and face the law, nothing should be done illegally, and there is no question of Congress interfering. No one is above law; every one should function under the law," he told reporters.

Meanwhile, a group of supporters of Kampli MLA met Rao and requested him to revoke Ganesh's suspension from party.
I love the Preakness where it is right now. The proposal is simply razing the Preakness and putting it back in place without doing anything for the community, Miller said. Whats our priority? Is our priority horse racing? Or is our priority schools and education? Right now, my priority for Baltimore city is education and police protection. If we get those resolved, Im happy to build a new Preakness in Baltimore.
In incidents of hate crimes in Uttar Pradesh, in 2017, 60-year-old Mohammed was lynched. Hindu Yuva Vahini claimed responsibility for the crime. The outfit was created by Adityanath in 2002

Editor's Note: This is fourth article of a six-part series from 13 recent hate crime hotspots in Uttar Pradesh; read Part I and Part II and Part III. Next: How A Mish-Mash Of Politics, Gender Issues And Economics Foments Hate Crime In Uttar Pradesh

***

Soi village, Bulandshahr: Baba loved the village, said Vakeel Ahmad, a year and a half after his father Ghulam Mohammed was lynched outside Soi village of Bulandshahr district in Uttar Pradesh, where the family had lived for generations.

He always said there can be no better place than the village, Ahmad said, on the phone from Aligarh, where the family have relocated, reflecting on the irony of his father having refused to leave the village even for the promise of a better life.

It was in this village that Mohammed, 60, was lynched on 2 May, 2017. His neighbour, a Muslim youth named Younus, had eloped with a Hindu girl from an adjoining village. An enraged mob, which the police later said had belonged to the Hindu Yuva Vahini (HYV), a right-wing militia founded in 2002 by current chief minister Yogi Adityanath, had been responsible.

The lynching, and the happenings before and after, convinced Ahmad and his family that they had no option but to leave. Ahmad, along with all three of his brothers and their families, left the village in May 2018, exactly a year after Mohammeds death.

Mohammeds lynching was among the numerous hate crimes recorded from Uttar Pradesh in Hate Crime Watch, a database of religious identity-based hate crimes across India from 2009 to 2018. Indias most populous state, Uttar Pradesh accounts for the largest number of such crimes in the database.

This story is the fourth installment of a six-part series (you can read the articles here, here and here) based on reporting from the site of many of these crimes, which found numerous families who have left their villages in the aftermath of a hate crime, hoping to find safety elsewhere and start life again. In interviews, people spoke of fear as well as a newfound suspicion of neighbours, friends and acquaintances, which had compelled them to keep their final destination secret. Many cited inadequate police support as a reason, too.

Communal hatred on slow boil

"Across Uttar Pradesh, we now see an everyday, low-simmering communalism which a full-blown communal pogrom is not, civil rights activist Teesta Setalvad, secretary of Citizens for Justice and Peace, which works to combat hate speech and hate crimes, said. This low-boil communalism instills fear in the minority communities and prevents them from going about their daily life, she said, So, people start worrying if they can travel by trains, what kind of food they can carry"

In the weeks following the attack on Mohammed, Ahmad said, the village became communally charged, so that he and his family constantly felt pushed into a corner.

When FactChecker visited Soi a year and a half later, neither Mohammed's family nor other villagers were able to explain just why Mohammed had been killed. The family blamed it on Hindu villagers, who, they said, had told the mob that Mohammed was the eloped boys father.

The police investigations found that the accused had believed Mohammed had helped the couple elope, but many villagers told FactChecker there was no way that Mohammed was linked to the elopement.

After the elopement, the village had been tense and the local cops had paid several visits. HYV activists had come along, villagers told FactChecker. Along with some locals, these activists would visit the Muslim neighbourhood, abuse the Muslim families and threaten them, Ahmad said. "We would not respond, thinking that they are angry and just venting their feelings," he added.

Six days after the elopement, on 2 May, some men wearing saffron scarves to hide their faces lynched Mohammed close to a mango orchard where he worked. Minutes later, they went to his house and assaulted the women in the neighbourhood.

Ahmad said he knew which way the police investigations would go.

Political connections

The HYV link, if proved, would be an embarrassment for Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. A month before the lynching, 80 km away in Meerut, HYV activists had barged into the home of an interfaith couple and assaulted them, among many such assaults before and after the Soi lynching. Their acts had reportedly caused friction within the chief ministers Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the larger Hindu nationalist Sangh Parivar, which the BJP represents in electoral politics.

Ahmad specifically named some HYV activists, including some from the village, in his statement to the police. The police initially dithered, but made the HYV link a week later.

We told them, the elopement became such a major issue only because of the HYVs intervention, Pyare Khan, a villager from Pahasu, 3 km from Soi and an acquaintance of Mohammed, told FactChecker. Everyone in the neighbouring villages knew that this couple were in love and would get married at some point.

In six months, the accused were out on bail. Around 20 young men from the upper-caste, land-owning Thakur community hired a DJ and some loudspeakers to welcome back an accused, Gavendra (police records contained only his first name), and the crowd garlanded him, Ahmad said.

Ahmad saw celebratory posts from villagers on his Facebook. I wanted to pack my bags and leave right then, he said, adding, Ghrina hone lagi mujhe [I felt a sense of loathing].

Pappu Khan, Mohammeds 45-year-old brother, and some family members approached some village elders, who were upper-caste Hindus, asking for help and protection, Ahmad told FactChecker. The elders said there would be no attack on them in their presence, but they couldnt guarantee there would be no attack in their absence.

We were just four Muslim homes in a village of 5,000 Hindus, Khan said. We started thinking, even though most HYV activists were not villagers, someone in the village must have helped them. This could not have happened without insider help.

How would they know where we lived? People in the village must have showed them the way here, neighbour Chidda Khan chipped in.

Finally, a suspicion took root in their minds, Ahmad recounted.

Ever since news of the elopement had broken out, the police had made many rounds of the village in the hope of finding the couple. They would routinely pick up Muslim men and ask them to accompany them in their search. I had even accompanied the police to Mathura and Aligarh, Ahmad said.

The morning of Mohammads lynching had seen one such round. The police had asked all the Muslim men of the four families to accompany them. The only man who did not go was Mohammed, because he had already left for his mango orchard.

They lynched him to death and assaulted the women in our homes only because they knew there was no other man around to stop them, Khan said, asking why the police had taken all men with them.

They decided to leave the village, for good.

Many villagers came to see them leave. The village Pradhan (head) also came; no one said anything, no one asked us to stay back, Ahmad said.

The remaining Muslim families are pondering a move too, but do not have the wherewithal. For us to leave, we need to sell this house. No Muslim would want to buy it and no Hindu would want to give us a good price, Khan said.

No easy options

Another family compelled to leave was that of Zeeshan, a 55-year-old cattle-trader of Kadhli village in Muzaffarnagar district in western Uttar Pradesh, who was released from prison in April 2017.

On 30 July, 2016, a mob had attacked his house on the suspicion that a cow was being slaughtered there. The mob had consisted of some local villagers and a large contingent of people from outside the village, eyewitnesses told FactChecker, claiming the outsiders had belonged to Hindu right-wing organisations such as the Bajrang Dal.

Zeeshan was away when the mob attacked, but his family were hurt. His wife, Shehnaz, managed to free herself from the mob and flee from the spot with her children, a neighbour said, adding that the children were bleeding.

The police did not register a case against the mob. Finding a slaughtered calf in the house, the police booked Zeeshan, his wife and his nephews for cow slaughter under Sections 3, 5 and 8 of the Uttar Pradesh Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act, 1955.

Zeeshan and his nephews Saddam and Parvez were all jailed for nine months.

Neighbours remembered the family always struggling to put food on their plates. They used to live on one meal a day. Zeeshan, with his poor health, would try and do daily-labour and trade in cattle but that wasnt enough, said Zakir, 55, a neighbour.

After his release, Zeeshan found his work in the cattle trade all but finished, and he started remaining ill. He was afraid for his familys safety now, Zakir said. Left with little choice, the family left shortly after the release, as did Saddam, Parvez and their families. He was a very nice man, who didnt want to leave the village, said Sabila Begum, who lives opposite Zeeshans now empty house, "He went away crying."

Indiaspend.org is a data-driven, public-interest journalism non-profit/FactChecker.in is fact-checking initiative, scrutinising for veracity and context statements made by individuals and organisations in public life.
The rescue operations in the Gurugram building collapse incident has been called off by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) on Friday. Seven bodies have been recovered after a four-storey building collapsed at Ullawas.

Gurugram: The rescue operations in the Gurugram building collapse incident has been called off by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) on Friday.

Seven bodies have been recovered after a four-storey building collapsed at Ullawas in Haryana's Gurugram, adjoining the national capital. The incident occurred around 5 am on Thursday.

Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar announced financial assistance of Rs 3 lakh to the family members of the victims of the building collapse incident.

Three NDRF teams were rushed to the site to rescue those trapped under the rubble. State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) personnel were also at the spot to assist in the rescue operation.
Parents of missing Indian sailor Akshay Jadhav, who was on board one of the ships in Kerch Strait off Russia, hope for his return to Maharashtras Kolhapur

Pune: The parents of Akshay Jadhav, one of the Indian sailors who went missing after two vessels caught fire off Russia, are still hopeful of receiving a positive news about their son and said he was supposed to return home in Kolhapur district after spending one year on the sea.

At least six Indian sailors died and an equal number of them went missing after two fuel ships carrying Indian and Turkish crew members caught fire in the Kerch Strait, where the blaze was still raging following the accident on Monday.

Akshay Jadhav (23) is from a Kodoli village, 30 kilometers from Kolhapur, who had gone gone to work in merchant navy through a Mumbai-based recruitment service firm that caters to maritime and offshore industry worldwide.

While talking to PTI from Mumbai, Baban Jadhav, father of Akshay Jadhav, said his son joined the maritime firm and started his job as a seaman on January 25 last year. "Since then he had not returned home. His contract with the firm was to get over on January 25 and he was supposed to come home on February 1," he added.

Baban Jadhav, along with his family, is at the Mumbai-based maritime firm through which Akshay Jadhav had gone to do the job on ship. "The company officials are in touch the authorities and getting updates about the search operations and we are hopeful that Akshay, along with other missing sailors, would return safely," he said.

Baban Jadhav said Akshay Jadhav, after completing his Class XII, did some course in Chennai and later went on to work on the ship.

"I was not convinced about his decision to join this job on ship, but he was quite determined and told me that since his elder brother could not get through the army, he would like to do something different to support the family," said Baban Jadhav, who works in Warana milk in Warananagar.

He said they are hopeful of receiving a positive news. "We are hoping to receive a positive news and we are praying to god that all the missing sailors should return safely."
The point is not to justify the exclusion of Australia, but to emphasise that Indias Malabar exercises not only predate the Quad by decades, but are part of a naval segment, not a diplomatic one

Recent reports in the The Hindu quoting an unnamed defence source raised the possibility that Australia will once again be barred from the annual Malabar naval exercises held between the US, Japan and India. The exercises are usually scheduled for mid-year, and are directed towards some specific core tasks. In 2017, it was targeted at anti-submarine operations, which happened to coincide with increased sightings of Chinese submarines in the Indian Ocean. The 2018 iteration was held off Guam in the Philippines Sea for the first time, and also included the Nimitz class US aircraft carrier the USS Ronald Reagan, and its accompanying fleet while Japan sent a helicopter carrier and destroyers. That exercise was focussed on maritime patrol and reconnaissance operations, surface and anti-submarine warfare, according to the US Navy bulletin. Australia was not invited then either.

Media reports both from India and earlier from Australia tended to focus on Indian weak knees under supposed Chinese pressure, as the main reason why New Delhi refused to expand the exercise to include Australia. According to these commentators, that would have seemed much too much like an exercise by the Quad  the grouping revived in 2017 after a long hiatus  which comprises Japan, India, the US and Australia. There is no doubt that China has pronounced reservations on this coming together of four powers, which is unsurprising. At the time of its formation, commentators prone to large speculations had wondered whether this heralded the beginning of a new Indo-Pacific NATO. It did not, primarily because it was never intended to be anything of the sort, and certainly not in New Delhi.

Why the Quad is seen in the same bracket as the Malabar exercises remains a mystery. India has its own sets of military or maritime exercises with different countries originating usually from a strategic agreement signed at different times. Thus the Malabar exercises started in 1992, and Japan joined in 2015. Japan and the US have their own sets of exercises under different heads, bilaterally and including through NATO and separately the prestigious exercise RIMPAC where India is an observer. India and Australia have a separate AUSINDEX a biennale event  which was held last September  first started in 2015. The exercise Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2019 with the Australian Defence Forces is due to take off soon. India holds exercises with more than 14 countries, with each tailored to the needs of that particular relationship or capability. For instance, an exercise with Thailand is focussed on coordinated patrolling while one with Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is on combating terrorism.

The Quad on the other hand is a diplomatic exercise which as Tanvi Madan writes, began originally with a disaster management through a Tsunami Core Group in 2004-05 with the four countries participating as an ad hoc response team. Subsequently, it was primarily Japans Shinzo Abe who pushed an idea of a concert of democracies, a security diamond and so on. Then prime minister Manmohan Singh also showed interest, but the idea died a more or less natural death. India-Australia relations have, however, progressed by leaps and bounds.

Following a civil nuclear deal, Australian uranium arrived in India in 2017, marking a huge breakthrough in relations. As Madan point out, Australia is one of the few countries with whom there is a 2+2 dialogue format: though this is at secretaries-level rather than at the ministerial-level as with the US and Japan. That in itself marks an important difference. Indias relations with Australia or with other important countries are simply at different speeds.

For instance, Australia ranks 22 in the list of export destinations while the US is the second. The US and India are dialogue partners on a range of issues, from culture to space. There are far fewer such platforms with Australia. There are important initiatives in the pipeline to ramp up trade and investment through the Australia India Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement. However, Australian interest seems to rise and fall rather rapidly. A landmark report on the potential for India-Australia trade by former High Commissioner to India Peter Verghese, which presented India as a natural ally of Australia and built up the Quad was rather more than quietly launched without any fanfare by the Turnbull government in July.

Nothing has been heard of it thereafter. The Australia-India relationship may get there sooner than later, but it's not on a par with Japan or the US. Meanwhile, a public data base from a department of the Australian National University marks a Chinese investment of more than $40 billion over 2014-2017. Another statistic is interesting. Australian news sources reported that thirty percent of international students in Australia bring in about $10 billion to the economy, a third of total income. Those are just two statistics, but they tell their own story.

The point here is not to justify the exclusion of Australia, but to emphasise that Indias Malabar exercises not only predate the Quad by decades, but are part of a naval segment, not a diplomatic one. To conflate the two as media editorials have done is to miss the point entirely. India and Australia have their own bilateral and multilateral paths of diplomacy which sometimes overlap, as in an Australia-Japan- India trilateral, which are often far more important in terms of a deliverable than a naval exercise.

Moreover, it is as well to remember that Indias pattern of diplomatic activity shows a reluctance to sidle up to either trade blocks or security clubs. Sitting astride an increasingly important Indo-Pacific, that is likely to be the preferred path for which ever government comes to power. Safety doesnt always lie in numbers, especially when one is reluctant to roundly label anyone as the enemy or the other. Until that happens it's better not to stir the waters.
Day's top stories: Hearing in Supreme Court on plea challenging Nageswara Rao's appointment; Ram Nath Kovind to address the nation on the eve of the 70th Republic Day; rains along with thunderstorms and hail are expected in Delhi; and more.

Hearing in Supreme Court on plea challenging Nageswara Rao's appointment

Justice AK Sikri had on Thursday recused himself from hearing a plea challenging the Centre's decision to appoint M Nageswara Rao as the interim CBI director. A bench headed by Sikri then listed the matter for hearing on Friday before a different bench.

Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi on Monday, too, had recused himself from hearing the plea, saying he would be part of the selection committee to choose the agency's new chief.

As soon as the matter came up for hearing on Thursday, Sikri told senior advocate Dushyant Dave, appearing for petitioner NGO Common Cause, that he would not like to hear the matter and was recusing himself. Sikri was also part of the high-powered panel which had removed CBI director Alok Verma.

Ram Nath Kovind to address the nation at 7 pm

President Ram Nath Kovind will address the nation on Friday, the eve of the 70th Republic Day. "The address will be broadcast from 7 pm on the entire national network of All India Radio (AIR) and telecast over all channels of Doordarshan in Hindi followed by the English version," the Rashtrapati Bhavan said.

This will be followed by broadcast in regional languages by regional channels of Doordarshan.

Rahul Gandhi in Bhubaneswar

Congress president Rahul Gandhi is set to address a rally in Bhubaneswar, where he is also scheduled to hold a public meeting. He will also meet farmers, civil society members and employees of HAL.

Rain, thunderstorm lash Delhi

Heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms and strong winds hit the national capital again on late Thursday night. People took refuge at night shelters as heavy rain lashed the national capital.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), rains along with thunderstorms and hail are expected on Friday as well. The weather department has predicted that on Friday the maximum and minimum temperatures will be around 19 degree Celsius and 10 degree Celsius, respectively.

Toll rises to seven in Gurugram building collapse

Seven bodies have been recovered so far after a four-storey building collapsed at Ullawas locality in Haryana's Gurugram, adjoining the national capital.

The incident occurred around 5 am on Thursday. Several others are feared trapped under the debris. Rescue operation is underway to pull out safely those trapped. Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar announced financial assistance of Rs 3 lakh to the family members of the victims.

Three National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams were rushed to the site to rescue those trapped under the rubble. State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) personnel are also at the spot to assist in the rescue operation.

Meghalaya mine rescue operation continues after miner's body retrieved

The Indian Navy and the NDRF on Thursday retrieved the body of one of the 15 miners trapped since 13 December inside a 370-foot deep coal mine in Meghalaya's East Jaintia Hills district, officials said.

They said that a search operation for the other missing miners continued using an underwater robotic vehicle.

The body of the miner was detected by an unmanned remotely controlled vehicle (ROV) on 16 January during a routine search mission.

The body will be kept in cold storage to allow the relatives to come and identify.

Dont want to restrict myself to one genre: Kriti Sanon

Actress Kriti Sanon, who has three comedy films in the pipeline, says she does not want to get comfortable in one genre and wants to explore more. The actress was present at the trailer launch of the upcoming entertainer Luka Chuppi in Mumbai on Thursday. She said, "I do not want to get comfortable in one space or genre of film. Yes, it is true that I have associated with a happy film, as my last was Bareilly Ki Barfi, which was a success. Coincidentally, my next two films  Arjun Patiala and Housefull 4 are also happy films. But I am not looking at these things that way. For me, the connection with a film happens through a story. I want to explore.

Vivo's button-less, port-less concept smartphone to be announced today

Vivo had showcased its Vivo Apex concept smartphone with a full-screen display at Mobile World Congress (MWC) last year, which had around 98 percent screen-to-body ratio. The company later launched the Vivo NEX. This year, Vivo is all set to launch yet another experimental smartphone called the Vivo Apex 2019. As far as teasers go, this time, Vivo plans to not only go bezel-less but also port-less and button-less.

Maruti Suzuki, L&T results to be announced today

Maruti Suzuki, the country's second largest IT services provider, will announce its October-December quarter earnings today. Rising fuel prices, higher inventory at dealers level is expected to have an impact on results.

Stocks of Maruti Suzuki shed 0.07 percent during trading hours on Bombay Stock Exchange yesterday (24 January).

L&T Q3 results: A meeting of the Board of Directors of Larsen & Toubro Ltd will be held today to consider and approve the unaudited financial results of the Company for the quarter and nine months period ended 31 December 2018.

The companys shares were at Rs 1,296.60 per share, down by 0.24 per cent at the closing bell on Thursday.
Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi on Friday reconstituted the Constitution Bench hearing the Ayodhya land dispute case.

Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi on Friday reconstituted the Constitution Bench hearing the Ayodhya land dispute case.

According to ANI, Justice Ashok Bhushan and Justice Abdul Nazeer have now been included in the bench. The case will be heard on 29 January.

Justice UU Lalit, who was earlier part of the bench to hear the case, had on 10 January recused himself, prompting the Supreme Court to reschedule the hearing on 29 January by setting up a fresh bench.

Senior advocate Rajeev Dhavan, appearing for a Muslim party, had told a bench headed by CJI Gogoi that Justice Lalit appeared for former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Kalyan Singh in 1994.

Though Dhavan had said he was not seeking recusal of Justice Lalit, the judge opted out of hearing the matter.

The new bench will hear a batch of cross petitions challenging the Allahabad High Court judgment on the Ayodhya issue. In 2010, the Allahabad High Court had divided the disputed land in Ayodhya into three parts for each of the parties  the Sunni Waqf Board, the Nirmohi Akhara and Ram Lalla.

The apex court on 29 October last year had fixed the matter in the first week of January before the "appropriate bench". Later, an application was moved for according an urgent hearing by advancing the date, but the top court had refused the plea, saying it had already passed an order on 29 October relating to the hearing of the matter.

The plea for early hearing was moved by the Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha (ABHM) which is one of the respondents in the appeal filed by legal heirs of M Siddiq, one of the original litigants in the case.

Various Hindutva organisations have been demanding an ordinance on early construction of Ram Temple at the disputed site. Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had suggested that any decision on an ordinance on Ram Temple in Ayodhya can happen only after the completion of the judicial process. Modi's comments had come amidst heightened demands by Hindutva organisations, including the RSS, for an ordinance for an early construction of the temple.

"Let the judicial process take its own course. Don't weigh it in political terms. Let the judicial process be over. After the judicial process is over, whatever be our responsibility as government, we are ready to make all efforts," the prime minister had said during an interview.

With inputs from PTI
For dominant Assamese-speaking groups in the Brahmaputra Valley, particularly, who have been opposing illegal immigration from Bangladesh for decades now, this is a downright unacceptable prospect and a turnaround of the BJPs election agenda to expel all illegals from Assam.

Editor's Note: The two-part series on the Joint Parliamentary Committee report on the Citizenship Amendment Bill is a detailed political-legal analysis of the report, the Bill, and the surrounding sociopolitical context around it. This is the second part of the series.

***

The Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB), 2019, which currently awaits a vote in the Rajya Sabha, might have been a much-awaited pet project of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government. But, for many others, it is a threatening piece of legislation that challenges their very identity.

The CAB, which selectively picks out six religious denominations for the legislative purpose, has been criticised for violating the equality before law principle enshrined in Article 14 of the Indian Constitution. In Part 1 of this series, the authors explained why this criticism holds strong ground.

The CAB has also drawn vehement criticism from ethnopolitical groups in North East India, particularly Assam. These groups argue that the Bill would open the floodgates to Hindu Bangladeshi immigrants into the region, thus resulting in demographic changes, erosion of the indigenous cultures and straining of local resources.

For dominant Assamese-speaking groups in the Brahmaputra Valley, particularly, who have been opposing illegal immigration from Bangladesh for decades now, this is a downright unacceptable prospect and a turnaround of the BJPs election agenda to expel all illegals from Assam.

The specific charge is that the CAB invalidates the 1985 Assam Accord, which prescribed the lawful detection, deletion and expulsion of foreigners who came to Assam on or after March 25, 1971 and the provision of constitutional, legislative and administrative safeguards to protect, preserve and promote the cultural, social, linguistic identity and heritage of the Assamese people.

They also allege that by considering persons from the six communities as legal migrants, the CAB would contravene Section 6A of the Citizenship Act, which was derived from the Assam Accords provisions and stipulates the political disenfranchisement for 10 years of every person of Indian origin who entered Assam from Bangladesh between 1 January 1966 and 25 March 1971 and are detected as foreigners by the established Foreigner Tribunals.

Further, they allege that the CAB, by selectively allowing Hindu Bengali immigrants to stay on in Assam, contravenes the core intent of the ongoing National Register of Citizens (NRC) updation exercise that seeks to identify all illegal immigrants living in Assam. The lists final draft, released in July 2018, had identified 40 lakh applicants (out of 3.29 crore) as illegals, out of which a significant chunk is claimed to be Bengali Hindus.

A minute reading of the JPC report shows that the conclusions that the Committee draws on the immigration issue and Assam Accord are incoherent, contradictory, and even perplexing.

The Committee faces a visible dilemma in building a case for offering citizenship to immigrants of the six religious communities from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan while, at the same time, redressing the apprehensions of indigenous populations in Assam. This dilemma, in most parts of the report, remains unreconciled.

Does the Bill violate Assam Accord and Section 6A of the Citizenship Act 1955?

Section V of the JPC report, titled Proposed Amendments vis-a-vis Assam Accord, addresses concerns about the CAB potentially invalidating the Assam Accord and the special citizenship regime legislated for Assam under Section 6A of the Citizenship Act 1955 that flows from it.

The government seems to be divided from within on this issue.

While the Ministry of Law and Justices (MoLJ) Department of Legal Affairs (DoLA) believes that the CAB does violate the Assam Accord and could challenge Section 6A, its Legislative Department (LD) argues to the contrary. Despite this critical divergence, the JPC ultimately endorses the CAB.

In Clause 5.4 (page 61), the DoLA clearly submits that the CAB is contrary to the Assam Accord. In the next Clause, the DoLA cites the case of Assam Sanmilita Mahasangha vs. Union of India (2015) in which the Supreme Court validated the constitutionality of Section 6A, but raised 13 crucial questions regarding the foundation basis of the provision and referred the matter to a larger Constitution Bench.

The LD, on the other hand, strongly argues in subsequent clauses of the report that the CABs provisions do not violate Section 6A. The Departments key argument is:

Section 6A of the said Act (pertaining to the Assam Accord) only deals with foreigners who entered India (from Bangladesh to Assam) between 1-1-1966 And before 25-3-1971. It does not provide for any form of detection, deletion or expulsion of foreigners beyond the said date. [Clause 5.8, page 65].

This is a legally sound argument. Section 6A is silent on the exact legal status of post-1971 immigrants from Bangladesh, unlike the Assam Accord, which clearly calls for the lawful expulsion of immigrants who came to Assam after 1971 [Clause 5, Assam Accord]. The Accord, however, does not enunciate any institutional or legal mechanism for dealing with the post-1971 immigrants.

Hence, even though the LDs argument has legal merit, it appears to defeat the spirit of the Assam Accord and the demands of large sections of the population of the state which resulted in the signing of the accord in the first place.

Any subsequent redefinition of foreigners within the Section 6As ambit by the legislature should ideally consider not only the legal possibilities but also the socio-political situation of the affected areas. The LDs primary preoccupation, however, seems to be only to identify legal loopholes between the accord and the Section to assert CABs validity.

What is particularly glaring is the overwhelming opposition that the JPC encountered from political and public groups in the North East. In its visit to Guwahati, Shillong, and Silchar, the JPC received a total of 37 points of input, out of which, 29 are in vehement opposition to the CAB.

Strangely, the committee  which otherwise sought clarifications from the government on several issues of contention in other sections of the report  conveniently avoided seeking assurances and clarifications regarding much of the concerns raised in these points of opposition  such as that of potential demographic change, religious and linguistic polarisation, dilution of linguistic basis of states, and lack of data on religious persecution in Bangladesh.

Besides, the difference with which the Committee treats the two contrasting legal opinions from within the MoLJ is self-evident. While it also allows the pro-CAB LD to make lengthy arguments in its defence, running almost five pages, the DoLAs critical position remains unprobed.

However, in its conclusion, the report does warn the government to tread with caution and take recourse to all legal precautions lest it causes embarrassment at a later date given that the Section 6As full validity remains sub judice in the apex court. The report further says:

The Committee are also of the firm opinion that the primary objective of the Assam Accord viz. to protect the cultural, social and linguistic identity of the Assamese people has to be fulfilled and the onus lies with the Government to ensure that the proposed legislation does not impede the process of implementation of the Assam Accord. [Clause 5.47, page 79]

The Committees anxiety in this regard is revealed further when it says:

[...] that in view of the anxieties and concerns expressed by the civil society groups in Assam and other North-Eastern States, the State and Central Governments should formulate rules and regulations under this Clause (6A) to ensure that the identities of indigenous peoples are not threatened in any way by unintended consequences of the Citizenship Bill. [Clause 5.47, page 79]

Clearly, the JPC not only believes that Section 6A is still in legally ambiguous territory, but also that the CAB could contravene the Assam Accord. One wonders why then the Committee put its stamp of approval on the proposed legislation.

Demographic change or not?

On the charge that the CAB would perpetuate demographic change in Assam by regularising Hindu Bangladeshi immigrants, the JPC and the government appear to disagree. The BJP governments position on this, particularly, reveals its Hindutva-driven distinction between Muslim and non-Muslim migrants.

The report, right in the introductory section, cites the landmark Sarbananda Sonowal vs Union Of India & Anr (2005) case, in which the Supreme Court says:

As a result of population movement from Bangladesh, the spectre looms large of the indigenous people of Assam being reduced to a minority in their home State. Their cultural survival will be in jeopardy, their political control will be a weakened and their employment opportunities will be undermined.

When asked by the JPC about these concerns, the MHA says:

"There is no specific report on whether the refugee migrant population from Bangladesh is causing unexpected demographic changes of certain North-Eastern States. The amendments are applicable to specific class and these people have been living in these areas since long. Further a cut-off date of 31 December, 2014 has been decided for determination of eligibility and to prevent the possibilities of vested interests in the neighbouring countries taking advantage of this provision for further influx into India. [Clause 5.13, page 67]

The Intelligence Bureau (IB), too, argued that the CAB would have no security implications as all these persons are already staying in the country for decades." [Clause 5.30, page 73]

Here, interestingly, the government uses the term refugee migrant population to denote the specific class of people who have been living these areas since long and havent caused any demographic change. By this, the ministry clears means all non-Muslim immigrants from Bangladesh who cannot be termed as illegal immigrants since they are refugees. The Muslims, however, are the real infiltrators who cause demographic change.

This assertion that Hindu (and other non-Muslim) migrants from the post-partition countries are refugees isnt new and is rooted in the core belief of the ruling party and its ideological mothership -- the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.

But, the JPC seems to hold a different view. It says:

[...] the Committee are not convinced with the MHAs statement that there is no specific report on expected demographic changes of certain North Eastern States, particularly Assam due to influx of migrants from Bangladesh. In fact, demographic changes have been indicated in successive census but the illegal migrants claim that they are original residents of India as they have been able to obtain documents including ration card, driving license, passport etc. [Clause 5.49, page 79]

This is not just a sweeping denial of the ruling governments position, but also a scathing indictment of the countrys administrative apparatus, which allowed immigrants to acquire citizenship documents without due process. Instead of addressing this lapse, the Committee simply resorts to the logic of having a cut-off date:

Therefore [in light of evidence indicating demographic change], in the Committees opinion, the cut-off date of 31 December 2014 assumes greater significance as it has been intended to determine eligibility and prevent further influx into India, negating thereby the possible malafide design of the vested interests in the neighbouring countries.

While this might address potential demographic changes in the future, it neither tackles perceptions of such changes that might have already happened till the said cut-off date nor does it do anything to make the current citizenship regime more robust. If anything, it only sharpens the sociopolitical divide between Assams ethno-nationalists and the pan-Indian, Hindutva nationalist dispensation at the centre.

The JPC further goes on to endorse the governments submission that re-settlement packages and compensation to State Governments may be given to encourage State Governments to help settle such foreign nationals especially in places in the State which are not densely populated." [Clauses 5.14 and 5.49]

By emphasising on economic aid to state governments to resettle the legalised migrants, the Central government is clearly diverting attention from the political and social roots of the anti-CAB sentiments in Assam (and the North East). In fact, re-settlement packages and compensation seems to be the central governments only targeted policy solution to address the overwhelming demographic change concern amongst constituencies in the North East.

On the CABs possibility of invalidating the NRC exercise, the governments submissions prove that the Bill indeed dilutes the NRCs mandate. The MoLJs Legislative Department, in concurrence with the MHA, suggests the following amendment to the Citizenship Act to remove any probable ambiguity on the CABs stipulations and the Assam Accord:

"Provide further that on and from the date of commencement of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2016, any proceeding pending against any person referred to in the first proviso shall be abated and such person shall be eligible to apply for naturalisation under Section 6." [Clause 5.12, page 67]

This essentially means that an illegal immigrant identified in the NRC will not be treated as such by the state and will be able to apply for Indian citizenship if she belongs to one of the six religious communities designated in the CAB. In Assams case, this would include large numbers of Hindu immigrants from Bangladesh.

This vindicates the concerns of political and civil society groups in Assam about the CABs negating impact on the NRC. Despite this, the JPC found it fit to approve the Bill.

Given all the fundamental differences in opinion, gaps in understanding, and vague conclusions, the JPCs green light to the CAB in its current form speaks of agenda-driven politics, rather than evidence-based and context-sensitive policymaking. This is, at best, sloppy legislative assessment by a high-level parliamentary committee and at worst, arbitrary and vested decision-making by the days government.

Also Read: Citizenship Bill: JPC report shows how proposed law violates constitutional principles of equality before law

Angshuman Choudhury is a senior researcher at the Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies, New Delhi. and Jonmani Das is an MPhil student of History at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.
Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram Friday slammed the BJP for alleged encounter killings in Uttar Pradesh, saying the country's most-populated state is the victim of 'muscular' policies of the saffron party after Jammu and Kashmir

New Delhi: Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram Friday slammed the BJP for alleged encounter killings in Uttar Pradesh, saying the country's most-populated state is the victim of "muscular" policies of the saffron party after Jammu and Kashmir.

In a series of tweets, the former home and finance minister said during the last 16 months, 78 people were killed in encounters by Uttar Pradesh Police.

"Is this the rule of law under the Constitution of India? It is the rule of law under the 'muscular' model of governance offered by the BJP. After Jammu and Kashmir, it is UP that is the victim of muscular government," he said.

Reports say the UP Police, in the first 16 months of the Yogi Adityanath government, recorded more than 3,000 encounters in which at least 78 criminals were gunned down.

Quoting officials, the reports say, the data in question was recorded between March 2017, when the BJP government came to power in Uttar Pradesh, and July 2018.
Indian authorities are imposing a new fees and stricter laws to rein in groundwater use, as the worlds biggest extractor struggles to find ways to conserve the fast dwindling resource.

Mumbai: Indian authorities are imposing a new fees and stricter laws to rein in groundwater use, as the worlds biggest extractor struggles to find ways to conserve the fast dwindling resource. The Water Conservation Fee for use for drinking, and domestic and commercial purposes is due to take effect from 1 June, even as several states tighten laws around extraction.

But conservationists and campaigners say these efforts will fail unless the government also separates water rights from land ownership, and empowers communities to manage and use groundwater, and recharge aquifers.

The approach so far has been: this is my land, so the water below it is mine, and I can use as much of it as I want, said Himanshu Kulkarni of the Advanced Center for Water Resources Development and Management, an advocacy group. But we need to think of groundwater as a common pool resource and look at it from a rights perspective, he said.

India is the worlds largest user of groundwater, drawing about 250 cubic kilometres per year, or more than a fourth of the global total, according to the World Bank. More than 60 percent of the countrys irrigated agriculture and 85 percent of drinking water supplies are dependent on groundwater, the World Bank estimates.

With a growing population, rising demand from agriculture and industry, and increasingly erratic monsoon rains, India is suffering the worst water crisis in its history, according to NITI Aayog. About 600 million people  nearly half Indias population  face acute water shortage, with close to 2,00,000 dying each year from polluted water, NITI Aayog said in a report last year.

A draft Groundwater Bill, 2017 proposed a new regulatory framework that recognised the fundamental right to water, the need for decentralised control and protection of aquifers, and sought to give control to local users. But the legislation was not passed by Prime Minister Narendra Modis government, and with national elections due by May, it has been relegated to the backburner.

Availability of water is an issue everywhere. But water management  which should be a raging election issue  is not, because we dont pay a meaningful price for it, said Mridula Ramesh, founder of the Sundaram Climate Institute in Madurai. The Water Conservation Fee is a necessary first step, she told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

Canals, tanks

With its dependence on seasonal rainfall, India has long managed water with an elaborate network of canals, tanks and wells. Water was regarded as a communal resource that was managed by the community.

This approach changed with the British, who imposed a centralised system, and the common law principle in the late 1800s, emphasising the rights of landowners to access water, according to Kulkarni.

The conflation of the right to water with property ownership led to landowners treating groundwater as a private resource with no thought of its conservation, said Kulkarni, who helped draft the 2017 bill.

The Green Revolution, launched by the government in the 1960s to increase food production, led to the widespread use of tubewells, which were heavily subsidised, resulting in faster depletion of groundwater for irrigation. India has built dams and plans to link rivers to ease availability, measures that are opposed by conservationists.

The country is also entangled in disputes across the border, with its eastern and western neighbours Bangladesh and Pakistan, accusing it of monopolising water flows. To the north and northeast, India fears a loss of water to upstream China, which plans a series of dams over the Tsangpo river, called the Brahmaputra as it flows into eastern India.

A groundwater law was first introduced in India in the 1970s, and about a dozen states began introducing measures to control use from the 1990s. But the legislation has failed to tackle falling water tables, and lacks provisions to protect and conserve groundwater at the aquifer level, said Philippe Cullet, a professor of environmental law at the University of Londons SOAS.

Access to a source of groundwater has progressively become a source of power and economic gain, said Cullet, who also helped draft the 2017 bill. Groundwater is essentially a local resource, yet the present framework remains mostly top-down, and is incapable of addressing local situations adequately, he said.

Village councils

Groundwater reserves are under pressure worldwide, with warmer temperatures affecting how quickly they replenish, resulting in an environmental time bomb for future generations, according to a study published this week. In India, the worlds second-most populous country, the crisis has serious implications for food security.

Nearly 600 million people are at high risk of being unable to rely on surface water  including in the northwest and south, where much of Indias staple wheat and rice are grown, according to Washington DC-based World Resources Institute.

Some states including Maharashtra are enacting tougher laws to regulate tubewells, prevent pollution, and limit the type of crops that can be grown in water-deficit areas. The conservation fee will charge users based on the amount of water extracted in resource-scarce areas. But the fee exempts agricultural users  the largest consumers of groundwater, and a key voter base.

Helping farmers manage water can help limit crop failures from failed monsoons, said Kulkarni, whose organisation helped establish pani panchayat, or water village councils, that were popular in the 1970s.

In these projects, farmers delinked land and water rights, and collectively managed harvesting and distributing surface water and groundwater. Individual wells were banned, as were water-intensive crops such as sugarcane and bananas.

A similar farmer-led project in seven drought-prone districts of nearly one million people in Andhra Pradesh state was described by the World Bank as the first global example of large-scale success in self-regulation of groundwater use.

Ensuring the rights of the landless, community participation, equitable distribution, and sustainability of the resource is key, said Kulkarni.

It is a fairer, more democratic way to manage water, and prevents the kind of conflicts we now see over surface water.
The CBI on Friday registered a new case against former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and others over alleged irregularities in land allocation and carried out searches in 30 locations in Delhi-NCR, officials said.

New Delhi: The CBI on Friday registered a new case against former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and others over alleged irregularities in land allocation. The agency carried out searches in 30 locations in Delhi-NCR, officials said.

A team of officials from the agency arrived early on Friday at Hooda's residence in Rohtak, Haryana, they said. According to the officials, 30 locations in the Delhi-NCR region are part of the probe.

The agency is tight-lipped about the details of the case as the search operation is underway. The case is understood to be related to alleged irregularities in land allotment, sources said. Hooda, along with his son and MP Deepinder Singh, were present in the house.

Congress MLA Kuldeep Sharma slammed the BJP government and charged that the action was intended to stop Hooda, who is a senior Congress leader, from attending a poll rally to be held on Friday in the run-up to the Jind bypoll.

The Jind bypoll, which has turned out to be a multi-cornered contest, will take place on 28 January. "The Jind by-election is going to take place and today, a poll rally was organised. It (CBI raid) was to happen and it was carried out with an intention of political ill will in order to influence the by-election," Sharma said while talking to reporters in Rohtak.

"The BJP government got this despicable act done in order to stop Hooda from going to the rally," alleged Sharma, who is MLA from Ganaur.

Hooda was to address the poll rally in favour of Congress nominee Randeep Singh Surjewala in Jind. He, along with other senior leaders, have been campaigning for Surjewala for the crucial bypoll.

The Congress has fielded Jat leader and All India Congress Committee communication in-charge Surjewala, a sitting legislator from Kaithal, while the ruling party BJP has nominated Krishan Middha, son of INLD legislator Hari Chand Middha, whose death necessitated the bypoll.

The Indian National Lok Dal has fielded local Jat leader Umedh Singh Redhu, while the newly-floated Jannayak Janta Party, a breakaway party from the Chautala family-led INLD, nominated political greenhorn Digvijay Singh Chautala.
For a short while in early 1776, Good held the rank of colonel in Frederick Countys 3rd Battalion while Bruce served under him. Their roles were quickly reversed however, with the reason a matter for speculation. Good, though a prosperous businessman, was new to Frederick Countys political life, while the Bruce family was related to the Keys and Scotts who held positions of power in Annapolis.
Justifying its decision to allocate Rs 100 crore for the proposed Bal Thackeray memorial, the Maharashtra government on Thursday told the Bombay High Court that it was within its discretion to allot land or money for a monument for a prominent person and it cannot be questioned in court.

Mumbai: Justifying its decision to allocate Rs 100 crore for the proposed Bal Thackeray memorial, the Maharashtra government on Thursday told the Bombay High Court that it was within its discretion to allot land or money for a monument for a prominent person and it cannot be questioned in court.

The government made the submission before a division bench of Chief Justice NH Patil and Justice NM Jamdar which was hearing two petitions challenging the state's decision to convert the mayor's bungalow in central Mumbai into a memorial for Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray.

The petitions were filed by activist Bhagwanji Rayani and NGO Jan Mukti Morcha in April 2017 when the government had proposed to set up the memorial.

When the petitions came up for hearing on Thursday, petitioners' advocates Pradeep Havnur and Uday Warunjikar sought to amend the pleas so as to also challenge the decision of the BJP-led government to allocate Rs 100 crore for the memorial. The decision was taken earlier this week.

Havnur argued that the amount could be used for other important issues facing the state, while Warunjikar claimed the entire machinery was being mobilised for a private individual. Senior counsel Milind Sathe, appearing for the government, opposed the petitions, saying it was the state's discretion how much land or money should be allotted for a memorial.

"Whether a person deserves a memorial or statue is up to the state government. Such state actions cannot be questioned in a court of law," Sathe maintained. The bench, while agreeing to this, however, said the court could question the manner in which a decision has been taken.

It allowed the petitioners to amend their pleas to challenge the Rs 100-crore allocation and directed the government and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to file their affidavits by 12 February.

The court also issued a notice to a government trust, 'Balasaheb Thackeray Rashtriya Smarak Samiti', set up in September 2016 to carry out work for the memorial, seeking its reply on the issue. The petitioners also raised objections to the setting up of the trust and said of its 11 members, six are private persons.

"The six permanent members include Uddhav Thackeray (Shiv Sena chief) and (his son) Aaditya Thackeray. If it is a government trust, how can private persons be made permanent members?" Warunjikar asked.

The petitions also challenged a recent amendment to a provision in the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act by which the civic body chief was permitted to lease any immovable property, owned by the BMC, to any person at a nominal rate of Re 1 per year.
In Andhra Pradesh, a 40-year-old government school teacher was taken into custody on Thursday evening for allegedly sexually assaulting an eight-year-old girl student at Agiripalli Elementary School in Krishna district, police said.

Machilipatnam: A 40-year-old government school teacher was taken into custody on Thursday evening for allegedly sexually assaulting an eight-year-old girl student at Agiripalli Elementary School in Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh, police said.

On Tuesday evening, the girl complained to her mother of physical pain and told her about the incident. Doctors in Nuzvid provided first aid to the girl and referred her to Vijayawada Hospital for further treatment.

The girls mother on Thursday lodged a complaint at Agiripalli Police Station, following which the accused, K Venkateswara Rao, was arrested.

"Rao is in our custody. The investigation is on," said Agiripalli Sub-inspector V Esubu. Cases under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act and SC and ST Atrocity Act have been registered against Rao.

"The accused has been suspended from service with immediate effect. A departmental inquiry into the incident has also been ordered," said District Education Officer MV Rajya Lakshmi.
The Supreme Court issued a notice to the Central government after hearing a PIL challenging the recent law enacted to provide 10% quota in government jobs and higher education to economically weaker sections of the general category.

The Supreme Court on Friday issued a notice to the Central government after hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) challenging the recent law enacted to provide 10 percent reservation in government jobs and higher education to economically weaker sections of the general category.

A bench of Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi and Justice Sanjiv Khanna heard the petition filed by the NGO Youth for Equality which contended that the Constitution (103rd) Amendment Act, 2019, violated the "basic structure" of the Constitution, reported LiveLaw.

The Bill was passed by both Houses of Parliament on 8 and 9 January. It was approved by the President on 12 January. On 14 January, the Act came into force.

The government was given four weeks to respond to the notice. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who was present at the hearing, requested the bench to assert that there was "no stay" on the law yet, reported NDTV. However, the Chief Justice said, "We are only issuing a notice now."

The petition cited a Supreme Court order by a nine-judge bench in 1992 Indra Sawhney case stating economic backwardness cannot be the basis of reservation in jobs and education where the basis should instead be on social background, reported Hindustan Times. "Such an Amendment is hence, vulnerable and ought to be struck down as it merely negates a binding judgment," said the PIL.

Further, the petition argues that the 50 percent ceiling limit for reservation which has been laid down in the "M Nagaraj versus Union of India & Others" case cannot be breached as the same has been engrafted as a part of the basic structure of the Constitution of Indias equality code, reported Bar and Bench.

The PIL has also challenged the 10 percent quota law on the grounds that the amendment also provides for reservation in private and government unaided educational institutions, where reservations have been barred by the top court through two previous judgments.

A separate petition, filed by Tehseen Poonawalla, further sought a stay in implementing newly inserted Articles 15(6) and 16(6) in the Constitution of India which empowered the government to grant quota to the poor of the general category candidates.

Among state governments that have approved the quota law are Gujarat, Assam and Uttar Pradesh. Opposition parties had labelled the quota law an "election gimmick" by the ruling BJP.
Swiss President Ueli Maurer said on Wednesday his country has moved on, and wanted to build strong relations with Riyadh

Davos: If you somehow missed the news about the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi by Saudi agents and the global outcry that ensued, you might think Saudi Arabia is the darling of the World Economic Forum in Davos.

The kingdom has sent one of its strongest delegations ever to the Swiss mountain resort and packed its top executives agendas with meetings with international peers.

It has managed to secure top Western businessmen for a panel debate on Next Steps for Saudi Arabia, where French oil major Totals chief executive Patrick Pouyanne and Morgan Stanleys boss James Gorman spoke alongside the Saudi finance and economy ministers.

The Davos gathering in the Swiss Alps is a chance for the Saudis to try to put behind them months of intense criticism over the murder of Khashoggi, a critic of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October.

His killing by a team of Saudi operatives provoked widespread revulsion and tarnished the image of the crown prince, previously admired in the West for pushing deep changes including tax reform, infrastructure projects and allowing women to drive.

At Davos, the signs are that the damage control is working.

Swiss President Ueli Maurer said on Wednesday his country has moved on, and wanted to build strong relations with Riyadh, a rich, oil-producing kingdom that is itself a major global investor.

We have long since dealt with the Khashoggi case... We have agreed to continue the financial dialogue and normalise relations again, Maurer told Swiss news agency SDA.

'Listen to investors'

Western allies including some US politicians have called on Riyadh to hold those responsible for the Khashoggi murder accountable. The Saudi public prosecutor is seeking the death penalty for five suspects, as the kingdom tries to contain its biggest political crisis for a generation.

So there had been doubts about Saudi Arabias status at Davos. After all, a number of A-list global investors stayed away from the Crown Princes annual Future Investment Initiative conference in October, overshadowed by the Saudi journalists death.

Then, at a summit of the G20 big economies in Buenos Aires, leaders appeared to ignore Prince Mohammed on stage during the family photo, even if many went on to have closed-door bilateral meetings with him afterwards.

But at Davos, the Saudi delegation had dozens of meetings and no Western investor pulled out, Saudi economy minister Mohammad Al Tuwaijri told Reuters on Wednesday.

On a day-to-day basis in Saudi Arabia, it is business as usual. Our job as government is to make sure infrastructure, legal in particular, is stable. This transformation journey hopefully will attract investors, Tuwaijri said.

He said the probe into the killing needed time. The message he would take back to the crown prince was to listen to the investors feedback.

Finance minister Mohammed al-Jadaan said it was absolutely sad, what happened to Jamal Khashoggi but also suggested to wait for the probes results and the trial. He also said the fact that a $7.5 billion Saudi bond was heavily oversubscribed earlier this month showed investors were regaining confidence.

Mohammed El Kuwaiz, Chairman of the Saudi Capital Market Authority, said the murder of Khashoggi caused investors to pull back, but only temporarily.

Speaking not just as a government employee but as a Saudi citizen, everyone in Saudi has been absolutely horrified by what happened... But a country of 30 million people should not be held hostage by an event, no matter how heinous, particularly at this point in time when we have been working very hard to set a new course for the country, Kuwaiz told Reuters.

New deals

Latest Saudi data will show new foreign direct investment licenses doubled last year from 377 in 2017, a Saudi government source said. The World Economic Forum has chosen two state Saudi companies  Aramco and Sabic - to be among its 100 strategic partners in 2019.

Oil giant Aramco also plans to issue a mega bond this year and is looking to acquire gas assets in the United States, its chief executive told Reuters.

In the future, Aramco still plans to list its stock sometime in 2021 in what could become the worlds largest initial public offering.

Pouyanne said he was carrying on with a $5 billion refining and petrochemical investment in Saudi Arabia and would also soon announce a new venture for petrol stations.

What is the alternative for a company like Total? To boycott Saudi Arabia? We are always against sanctions and boycotts. Who suffers from boycott and sanctions? Its the normal people, the people on the street, Pouyanne told the panel.

Morgans Gorman also said investors wanted clear light and transparency about the murder which was utterly unacceptable.

You have to decide what process you play in a country which has had an incident versus the 30 million people who are going through an extraordinary reform, said Gorman, whose bank has been present in Saudi Arabia for more over 40 years.

Bill Browder, a critic of Vladimir Putin, who successfully pushed through some of the harshest US sanctions against Russia for the killing of his lawyer, known as the Magnitsky Act, said the same sanctions should be applied to Saudi Arabia.

Until Mohammed bin Salman bears responsibility for this crime, there cannot be business as usual with Saudi Arabia, Browder told Reuters.

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The Vedanta group chief said that the company was also looking to expand its zinc business in India and Africa to produce two million metric tons of zinc, said the report.

Vedanta group chairman Anil Agarwal has said that his company plans to invest Rs 55,000-Rs 60,000 crore in India in the next three years of which about Rs 21,000 crore will be invested in oil and gas sector, said a media report.

"We are planning to invest Rs 55,000-60,000 crore in India over three years. I am looking forward in Assam, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. We have already made a plan to invest about $3 billion in oil and gas sector," Agarwal was quoted as saying in an interview to The Economic Times.

The Vedanta group chief said that the company was also looking to expand its zinc business in India and Africa to produce two million metric tons of zinc, said the report.

In December 2018, Vedanta had said it would set up a new steel plant in Jharkhand with a capacity of 4.5 million tonne (MT) per annum at an investment of $3-4 billion, said a PTI report.

The plant would be part of the company's newly-acquired Electrosteel Steels Ltd (ESL) at Bokaro, Agarwal said.

"This would be a new steel plant under ESL and in the same location at Bokaro... so it's a brownfield investment per se. The amount is likely to be to the tune of $3-4 billion for a capacity of 4.5 MT," chairman of the metals and mining company said.

Vedanta would initially invest about $300 million to augment the capacity of ESL to 2.5 MT from the existing 1.5 MT.

In November 2018, Agarwal had announced that his company would inject Rs 15,000 crore to raise the alumina refinery capacity at Lanjigarh three-fold to six mtpa and firm up the downstream sector in Odisha in three years.

The expansion of the Lanjigarh plant in phases would increase the capacity of the refinery from the existing two million tonnes per annum (mtpa) to four mtpa and then to six mtpa in the next three years, Agarwal said.

Vedanta has already invested over Rs 50,000 crore in Odisha projects, he said adding that fresh investment of Rs 15,000 crore would be made in the next three years for the expansion of Lanjigarh refinery and strengthening of downstream sector.

 With PTI inputs

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The policy has dealt a blow to Walmart, which just last year invested $16 billion in buying 77 percent of Indias Flipkart

New Delhi/ New York: The United States government is concerned about Indias revised e-commerce regulations and has told officials in New Delhi the policy will hinder the Indian investment plans of Amazon.com and Walmart Inc, three sources familiar with the talks told Reuters.

The tussle marks the latest in a number of US protests over Indian government policies which impact American companies and comes at a time when the two countries are trying to iron out other trade irritants. In 2017, the US lodged a written protest against Indias decision to cap medical device prices, which upset American companies.

Indias e-commerce investment rules, which kick in from 1 February, ban companies from selling products via firms in which they have an equity interest and also bar them from making deals with sellers to sell exclusively on their platforms.

The policy has dealt a blow to Walmart, which just last year invested $16 billion in buying 77 percent of Indias Flipkart, and Amazon, as it would force them to change their business structures in the country and raise their operational costs.

There is a very strong undercurrent as to how this should be made a bilateral issue, said a Washington-based industry source aware of the companies thinking.

This has gone way beyond being a local (India) tussle.

A US government official earlier this month told Indian officials to protect Walmart and Flipkarts investments in the country, an Indian trade ministry official told Reuters.

The US government cited good relations between the two countries and stressed that American companies should be given concessions in the larger interest of bilateral trade, but India gave a non-committal response, the source added.

But Prime Minister Narendra Modi is unlikely to delay the revised rules or amend them in any meaningful way as he is seeking the support of the tens of millions of small retailers and traders in India ahead of a general election that must be held by May. The small firms see Walmart and Amazon as a threat to their businesses.

An Indian industry source said Walmart, Amazon and lobbying groups were coordinating efforts with the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) and the local embassy to express their discontent about the policy.

The USTR did not respond to a request for comment. The US Embassy in New Delhi, and Indian trade ministry spokeswoman Monideepa Mukherjee, declined to comment.

Asked about the Indian policys implications, Walmart spokesman Greg Hitt said: We certainly, as you would expect, have engaged the (United States) administration on this issue. He declined to share further details.

Amazon India said it was committed to complying with local laws but it needed adequate time to understand the policy.

Global vs Local

Amazon and Walmart have both made bold bets to tap Indias booming e-commerce market, which Morgan Stanley had estimated, before the latest government move would grow 30 percent a year to $200 billion in the 10 years up to 2027.

The companies have targeted a growing population of tech-savvy shoppers in India, luring them with deep discounts on everything from dishwashers to smartphones.

Indias small traders and shopkeepers had for years complained that e-commerce companies were engaging in predatory pricing and hurting the businesses of brick-and-mortar retailers.

They alleged that the online retailers used their control over inventory from their affiliates to create an unfair marketplace that allowed them to sell some products at lower prices. Such arrangements would be barred under the new policy.

We are disappointed more than surprised. It makes it harder to plan things, a US-based Walmart source told Reuters.

It is a serious issue. We are doing our best to work with Indian authorities and trying to explain why this is bad for business.

The Confederation of All India Traders, which has supported tougher scrutiny of large e-commerce players, said the companies were acting desperate by pressurising the Indian government.

Any deferment or change (in the policy) will adversely affect millions of small businesses, said the groups secretary general, Praveen Khandelwal.

Politics, deadline risk

Both Walmart-owned Flipkart and Amazon have requested the government to delay implementation of the policy, but India is unlikely to relent.

Indian officials have told Reuters no relief was likely as the policy was seen helping the small trader community, who form a critical voter base for Modi.

The idea is just to win over the trading community ahead of elections and on that point the government will not budge from the deadline, a second Indian trade ministry official said.

At stake are big ticket investments. When Walmart bought Flipkart last year, it said the decision underscored its long-term commitment to India.

Amazon has committed to investing $5.5 billion in the country and Modi has in recent years met its founder Jeff Bezos multiple times. In 2017, Bezos said he was excited to keep investing and growing in the country.

That investment climate has turned sour with sudden policy changes. Prasanto Roy, a New Delhi-based consultant who closely tracks Indias technology policy landscape, said the government should provide stable policies to attract investment.

You cant change policies overnight without consultation and tell companies who have invested billions to go fly a kite, Roy said.

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Punjab National Bank had accused the individuals and companies in question of breach of contract, misrepresentation and deceit

London: The High Court of England and Wales on Thursday dismissed a $45-million deceit claim brought by the UK subsidiary of Punjab National Bank (PNB) against seven individuals and two companies, based in India and the US.

London-based Punjab National Bank International Limited's (PNBIL) claim concerned eight loans it made between 29 March, 2011, and 1 December, 2014, for oil re-refining and wind energy generating projects in the US.

PNBIL had accused the individuals and companies in question of breach of contract, misrepresentation and deceit.

In his judgment at the High Court's Chancery Division, Chief Master Marsh concluded that the bank had failed to make an "arguable case in deceit against the defendants".

"[The] core components of a claim in deceit are absent; or if they are present, they are provided as such a high level of abstraction as to be totally inadequate," he notes.

Referring to the case as having "an unfortunate history", the judge also pulls up PNBIL for a lack of "frankness" with the court.

"It is disturbing that the US claim was not brought to the attention of the court in a plain and direct manner from the outset. It is equally disturbing that the claimant's intention to bring proceedings in Chennai was not investigated and details of the claim was not revealed to the court," the judgment order states.

The judge further observed that the failure to draw to the attention of the court the existence of the foreign claims was a "serious breach" of the claimant's duty to the court.

UK-based law firm Zaiwalla & Co represented eight of the defendants against PNBIL  Ravi Srinivasan, Trishe Resources INC (USA), Vathsala Ranganathan, Pesco Beam Environmental Solutions INC (USA), Pesco Beam Environmental Solutions Private Limited, Anantharaman Shankar, Luke Staengl and Anantharam Subramamium.

The court noted that it was common ground that none of the defendants have any connection with England. However, the contracts were executed in England, the loans were negotiated here and the loan accounts are all held and operated in London.

PNBIL had relied on these facts and the willingness of the borrowers and their directors to travel to London for the purposes of arranging the loans as part of its case.

"The decision serves as a reminder that serious allegations of fraud have to be supported by cogent facts and evidence: speculative claims will not be permitted to proceed to trial," Zaiwalla & Co said in a statement.

"The decision of the court has saved everyone concerned a great deal of time and money by being dismissed at an early stage, although the bank will still face claims for substantial costs as well as having to pay its own costs," it adds.

PNB International Ltd had claimed that it had been misled and defrauded by the actions of the defendants following the granting of loans amounting to USD 45 million to companies in the US and India controlled by the individual defendants.

The bank also alleged that money had been siphoned off and payments due had not been made under the loan facilities and guarantees.

All the defendants, except one who is US-based, are resident in India and PNBIL, represented by UK-based Cubism Law, had served the proceedings by email on the defendants in India and the US.

PNBIL is the wholly-owned subsidiary of Punjab National Bank (PNB) in India, which started its UK operations in 2007 and operates through seven branches around the country.

It is yet to officially comment on the ruling.

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While Amazon's strong 'Prime' membership growth has been a key pillar of its business, Reliance has similarly built a strong telecom subscriber base

New Delhi: Oil-to-telecom conglomerate Reliance Industries is evolving from an integrated energy company into a consumer giant like China's Alibaba and potentially could rival likes of Amazon and Walmart, says a report Thursday.

India's No.1 oil refining and petrochemical company plans to roll out its online shopping platform that will combine its retail arm's nearly 10,000 stores in over 6,500 towns as well as neighbourhood retailers with its fast expanding mobile phone network that already has 28 crore subscribers.

"Our analysis suggests RIL can become a market leader in telecom and media, while gaining significant share in retail/e-commerce.

"Its success could be built on an ecosystem or bundling strategy, and home-court advantage, similar to Alibaba's success in China, beyond explicit or implicit policy support," brokerage firm UBS said.

While Amazon's strong 'Prime' membership growth has been a key pillar of its business, Reliance has similarly built a strong telecom subscriber base.

The company has already surprised investors by reaching a market-leading position in telecom within a short span of two-and-a-half years. Its edge in fixed broadband (FTTH) derives from low penetration, high capital intensity, a fibre roll-out lead, and content tie-ups.

"In retail/e-commerce, despite competition from well-funded global companies, RIL's wide footprint of physical stores along with its omnichannel focus, subscriber reach and regulations governing foreign e-commerce entities could help it gain a 300 basis point market share in high-growth, modern retail," it said.

The company's traditional energy businesses have funded the consumer segment and remain key to its market-leading position.

RIL, it said, can potentially become a unique quadruple play by bundling connectivity, carriage, content and commerce to gain higher share of consumers' wallet.

Listing some comparables between Alibaba and Reliance, it said pursuing an ecosystem or a bundling strategy in a high-growth fragmented retail sector with lower online penetration and home-turf advantage are common to both.

Amazon's core value proposition to customers is its 'Prime' subscription, which offers free shipping and video and music content. "Our assessment of the capital framework, regulations, business positioning and emerging trends in each of its consumer-facing business indicates RIL can lead in telecom and media and gain significant share in retail/e-commerce," it said.

"Can RIL evolve into India's Amazon/Alibaba/Walmart?," UBS asked and answered it with a "Yes."

Currently, the company's energy business contributes 75 percent of its EBITDA. Consumer business accounts for the remaining 25 percent.

"We think there are many similarities between the India of today and the China of 10 years ago. India's retail landscape is fragmented, and there are significant demographic and socioeconomic differences from top to low-tier cities.

"Online penetration is low in India, with e-commerce accounting for 2.3 percent of retail sales in 2018; in comparison, China's e-commerce penetration is over 20 percent currently. This means India is still not at the sweet spot for e-commerce adoption, where mainstream adopters shift rapidly to online spending and platforms experience hyper-growth," UBS said.

Reliance also has a 'home court' advantage.

"There are now more supportive policies in India. India's e-commerce law should be supportive of domestic companies, including RIL. In China, Alibaba was also able to overtake a dominant eBay in the early days because it invested more both to sign up merchants and to acquire customers.

"Beyond any explicit or implicit policy support, we believe this home court advantage is important. Companies that have to justify years of heavy investments in a foreign market often at times will be less aggressive than a domestic one that has nowhere to go if it fails to gain traction," it added.

(Disclaimer: Reliance Industries Ltd. is the sole beneficiary of Independent Media Trust which controls Network18 Media & Investments Ltd which publishes Firstpost)

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District collector Vijay Suryawanshi issued demolition orders for the bungalow after the Enforcement Directorate handed over the property in connection with the Rs 13,000 crore alleged PNB fraud case.

Authorities will demolish the bungalow belonging to fugitive diamond merchant Nirav Modi situated in the coastal town of Alibag in Maharashtra after the Bombay High Court ordered to raze the illegal building, said media reports.

Raigad district collector Vijay Suryawanshi issued demolition orders after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) handed over the property to the district authorities in connection with the Rs 13,000 crore alleged Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case, said a report on CNN-News 18.

#NewsAlert -- Raigad Collectorate to start demolishing Nirav Modis sprawling seaside mansion in Kihim, Alibaug. District Collector Dr. Vijay Suryawanshi issued demolition orders after Enforcement Directorate handed over the property. | #BringBackNiravpic.twitter.com/zGQMhQDS8I  News18 (@CNNnews18) January 25, 2019

On 14 January, the Bombay High Court had questioned the ED request to stay the demolition order for Modi's illegal bungalow at Alibaug in the adjoining Raigad district.

A division bench of Chief Justice NH Patil and Justice NM Jamdar was hearing public interest litigation (PIL) filed in 2009 by Shambhuraje Yuvakranti of the Akhil Bhartiya Maratha Seva Sangha on the issue.

The Raigad district collector had last month ordered demolition of 58 unauthorised structures, including one of Modi, built along the beach at Alibaug, a coastal town popular with weekend tourists. The demolition order was passed following rebuke from the high court for failing to initiate action against the illegal structures.

The ED had earlier this month filed an application before the high court, informing it that the said structure was attached by the agency as part of its money laundering probe against Modi. The agency in its application informed the court that the tribunal set under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) had permitted it to attach the property long before the Raigad collector ordered its demolition.

According to ED, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has sealed the property. The ED sought a stay on the Raigad collector's order of demolition and requested the court to give the agency a hearing. The bench, however, sought to know why the agency was seeking a stay on the demolition order.

"What is illegal needs to go. What is your problem with those structures that are illegal?" Chief Justice Patil said.

In December 2018, the Maharashtra government had informed the high court that it had ordered the demolition of Modi's illegal bungalow.

Government counsel advocate PB Kakade told a bench of Chief Justice Naresh Patil and Justice MS Karnik that it had served demolition notices to another 58 private properties in the area constructed in violation of the state's rules and coastal zone norms.

He made the submissions in compliance with a previous order of the bench which had directed the government to submit details of action taken and pending litigation concerning the illegal private constructions along the beaches in Alibaug.

In October 2018, the Enforcement Directorate had attached assets worth Rs 637 crore of absconding jeweller Nirav Modi and his family, including two apartments in New York's iconic central park.

The agency said it has issued as many as five provisional orders, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), for attachment of assets in London, New York, bank balances in Singapore and other countries, a flat in Mumbai and diamond studded jewellery that was shipped to India from Singapore.

In February 2018, the Income Tax Department had provisionally attached 29 properties and 105 bank accounts of the diamond merchant, his family and firms as part of its tax evasion probe, officials said.

 With PTI inputs

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The submission was made before Justice Sunil Gaur who was hearing the plea of Chidambaram seeking anticipatory bail in the corruption and money laundering cases relating to the INX Media scandal.

New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate on Friday asserted before the Delhi High Court that custodial interrogation of Congress leader and former Union minister P Chidambaram was required in the INX Media cases.

The submission was made before Justice Sunil Gaur who was hearing the plea of Chidambaram seeking anticipatory bail in the corruption and money laundering cases relating to the INX Media scandal.

The high court reserved its order and the interim protection from arrest granted to Chidambaram will continue till the decision is passed on his plea for anticipatory bail.

On January 7, the former Union finance minister had appeared before the Enforcement Directorate for questioning in the INX media money laundering case. Earlier, he was called on 19 December by the ED for questioning in connection with the same case.

Chidambaram's alleged role has come under the scanner of investigating agencies in connection with the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance of Rs 305 crore given to INX media - a venture promoted by former media baron Peter Mukerjea and his wife Indrani.

Last year, the ED had attached Karti, Chidambaram's son's properties collectively valued at Rs 54 crore. Besides his properties in India, properties in London, and Spain have been attached, too, media reports said.

The central probe agency issued a provisional order under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) for attachment of Indian assets in Kodaikanal and Ooty in Tamil Nadu and a flat in Delhi's Jorbagh.

Karti was arrested on 28 February by the CBI for allegedly taking money to facilitate the FIPB clearance to INX Media in 2007 when his father was the Union Finance Minister in the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government. Later, Karti was granted bail.

 With PTI inputs

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But after a letter from Olszewski to the school board, White said she was slashing the budget by $85 million, including eliminating raises for all employees and some teaching positions she had hoped to add to lower class sizes. She also eliminated a proposal to add 15 minutes to the school day, as the state has been urging the county to do for many years. That would cost about $23 million because it would require teachers to be paid for that time.
(Reuters) - Intel Corp forecast current-quarter revenue and profit below analysts' estimates and missed on fourth-quarter revenue expectations on Thursday, as a slowdown in China hit demand for its data centre chips. The company's shares fell 7.7 percent in extended trading and also undid part of a chip stock rally earlier in the day due to better-than-feared quarterly results from a clutch of chipmakers such as Texas Instruments Inc, Xilinx Inc and Lam Research Corp. Intel forecast first-quarter revenue of $16 billion and adjusted earnings of 87 cents per share.

(Reuters) - Intel Corp forecast current-quarter revenue and profit below analysts' estimates and missed on fourth-quarter revenue expectations on Thursday, as a slowdown in China hit demand for its data centre chips.

The company's shares fell 7.7 percent in extended trading and also undid part of a chip stock rally earlier in the day due to better-than-feared quarterly results from a clutch of chipmakers such as Texas Instruments Inc, Xilinx Inc and Lam Research Corp.

Intel forecast first-quarter revenue of $16 billion and adjusted earnings of 87 cents per share.

Analysts on average were expecting revenue of $17.35 billion and a profit of $1.01 per share, according to IBES data from Refinitiv.

Intel has turned to the server chips it supplies data center operators for growth in recent years. However, fourth-quarter revenue in that higher-margin business came in at $6.07 billion, below expectations of $6.35 billion, according to financial and data analytics firm FactSet.

The company said data center missed expectations "on softer China demand" and "cloud deceleration".

Intel reported net income of $5.20 billion, or $1.12 per share, for the fourth-quarter ended Dec. 29, compared with a loss of $687 million, or 15 cents per share, a year earlier.

Net revenue rose to $18.66 billion from $17.05 billion, but missed estimates of $19.01 billion.

Excluding items, the company earned $1.28 per share, above expectations of $1.22.

(Reporting by Sonam Rai in Bengaluru and and Stephen Nellis in San Francisco; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
India and Mauritius will sign at any moment a comprehensive economic cooperation agreement which will stimulate trade and investment in the region.

Mumbai: India and Mauritius are very close to signing a comprehensive economic partnership very soon to deepen ties, prime minister of the island nation Pravind Jugnauth said Thursday.

India and Mauritius will sign at any moment a comprehensive economic cooperation agreement which will stimulate trade and investment in the region, he said at a State Bank of Mauritius (SBM) event here.

It is also proposed to have a Mauritius-India Infrastructure Investment Fund for the mutual benefit of both the countries, he said. Jugnauth said the Indian Ocean country can serve as a bridge between India and Africa specifically.

He said Mauritius is developing special economic zones (SEZs) with many African countries and urged Indian investors to invest in such zones. His countrys long-term objective is to develop a international finance centre which will act as a bridge between India or Asia and Africa, he said.

Jugnauth said there are a slew of investor-friendly initiatives which are offered by the country, including a three percent corporate tax on export-oriented companies and also an eight-year tax holiday.

SBM is the first foreign lender to start operations as a wholly owned subsidiary and has four branches at present. India is the second country after Kenya where it has expanded into and will be going next to Seychelles.

Union commerce minister Suresh Prabhu said India is looking forward to a new relationship with Mauritius, knowing well that the future is Asias. He also alluded to the economic partnership agreement, saying the pact is in advance stages of preparation.

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By Jan Wolfe (Reuters) - Alphabet Inc's Google on Thursday asked the U.S. Supreme Court to free it from a billion-dollar copyright case brought by Oracle Corp that dates to 2010.

By Jan Wolfe

(Reuters) - Alphabet Inc's Google on Thursday asked the U.S. Supreme Court to free it from a billion-dollar copyright case brought by Oracle Corp that dates to 2010.

Google urged the high court to rule that its copying of Oracle's Java programming language to create the Android operating system was permissible under U.S. copyright law.

(Reporting by Jan Wolfe; Editing by Leslie Adler)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Goyal is scheduled to meet chiefs of the state-owned banks on Monday to review the financial performance of the banks

New Delhi: Finance minister Piyush Goyal will meet the heads of public sector banks next week to discuss a host of issues including credit offtake and bad loan position of lenders, according to sources.

Goyal, who has been given an additional charge of the finance ministry on Wednesday in the absence of Arun Jaitley, is scheduled to meet chiefs of the state-owned banks on Monday to review the financial performance of the banks.

Among the key issues, the meeting will take up the matter of credit flow to MSMEs, agriculture and retail sectors.

Besides, sources said, the meeting will also review the financial performance of the banks for the nine months ended December 2018.

Non-performing assets (NPAs) would also come up for deliberation, they added.

Public sector banks (PSBs) have seen a decline in bad loans by over Rs 23,000 crore from a peak of Rs 9.62 lakh crore in March 2018 due to various initiatives taken by the government.

At the same time, PSBs have also made a record in recovery of Rs 60,726 crore in the first half of the current financial year, which is more than double the amount recovered in the corresponding period last year.

According to the latest finance ministry data, non-NPA accounts overdue by 31 to 90 days (Special Mention Accounts 1 & 2) of PSBs have declined by 61 per cent over five successive quarters - from Rs 2.25 lakh crore as of June 2017 to Rs 0.87 lakh crore in September 2018.

In his first stint as finance minister for 100 days last year, Goyal was instrumental in setting up a committee headed by non-executive chairman of Punjab National Bank Sunil Mehta to examine whether creation of an asset reconstruction company or asset management company would help in faster resolution of stressed assets.

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In the quarter ending in December 2018, the unemployment rate among all occupation groups stood at 6.6 percent.

Very recently, the Center for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE)  a private business information company  made headlines when it released data on Indias unemployment.

As per CMIEs estimate, India lost 11 million jobs in 2018. Most of us would not disagree that numbers that make headlines in this 24X7 sensational breaking news era, perhaps dont guarantee to narrate the whole story.

Before going into details, the serious efforts that CMIE is doing by putting all their data in the public domain for analysts to analyse and draw conclusions from needs appreciation. The purpose of this article is not to question the authenticity of CMIE exercise, but to present an analytical perspective in the wake of Indias realities.

Lets start at a conceptual level. When does unemployment rate in a country fall? When people who are looking for jobs are finding them at a pace faster than the time of reference. So how has India performed on this critical parameter?

CMIE data on annual unemployment is available for only two financial years 2016-17 and 2017-18. Between these two years, unemployment rate decreased from 7.5 percent to 4.7 percent. Now thats a noteworthy improvement and good news for job-seekers.

Further, CMIE data says that in the immediate period post demonetisation, often blamed as a dark phase for job creation (as economic activity slowed down), the unemployment rate showed a downward trend. Remember demonetisation was announced in November 2016 and CMIE data suggests that the unemployment rate for the quarter ending December 2016 stood at 6.5 percent. This rate decreased to 4.8 percent in March 2017 and further fell to 4 percent in June 2017.

The inference here is that employment levels significantly increased in India in the seven months that followed demonetisation. Counter-intuitive, isnt it? Even the ardent supporters of demonetisation have argued that it may have hurt informal jobs and businesses with low working capital in the short term.

Experts have argued that post demonetisation, a huge number of women actually opted out of labour force. If a significant number of working women lost jobs and decided to not look for work anymore, the unemployment rate should have actually gone up. But the opposite happened.

Also, think about it from a practical sense, if you are right out of your job due to an external shock and starved for cash, would you try harder and look for another job or just sit back at home and lead a life of despair? To expect the aspirational Indian to just give up employment without even a six-month fight appears unfair. The fact is that female labour force participation has been consistently declining in India (again as per CMIE) and post-demonetisation period shows no blip. If such is the case, then why should unemployment rates be seen with a different lens?

Lets move to employment among different occupation groups. In the quarter ending in December 2018, the unemployment rate among all occupation groups stood at 6.6 percent. Out of the various groups, major ones such as Businesses, Salaried employees and Small traders & wage labourers, all saw a reduction in unemployment levels. Further, if we compare monthly unemployment rates for various occupation groups in the first and last month (January & December) of 2018, Businesses, Salaried Employees, and Framers, all saw a dip in unemployment rates. Again, a happy story.

Another observation is that if you analyse quarterly CMIE data, the unemployment rate for almost all categories follows a typical range across time. Only for one occupation category unemployment levels for December 18 quarter broke the ceiling- Retired/Aged. For this group, the unemployment rate increased from 38 percent to 93 percent in two successive quarters. Thus, either a big chunk of retired Indians wanted to join the workforce between September-December 2018, or a lot of them were fired in this period.

Mind you, this effect was even more pronounced in rural areas, where the unemployment rate for Retired/Aged increased from 32 percent to 95 percent from one quarter to the next. Also, important to note that rural Retired/aged arent same as farmers, which fall in a separate occupation group. These erratic variations fail the basic common-sense test and thus, need to be consumed with a pinch of salt.

The only comparison to CMIEs unemployment data can be made using Labor Bureau data and that too for only one common year: 2016-17.

As per recent media reports, Labor Bureau has estimated Indias unemployment rate at 3.9 percent in 2016-17 (as against 7.5 percent by CMIE).

The sample size and methodology used by both these agencies arent too different. However, such a stark difference in rates suggests only one thing- In a heterogeneous country such as India, such surveys will have considerable limitations and possibilities of differences.

This doesnt mean that we should do away with employment surveys, but that we should go into the fine details and make a reasoned judgment that matches data with ones qualitative experiences and sensibilities about the peculiarities of India. Broader conclusions from sensational headlines need to be taken with a pinch of salt.

The writer is a Public Policy Professional.

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The statement has come amid speculations that the government may announce packages for farmers and poor and sops for middle class in the budget ahead of general polls.

New Delhi: Days ahead of presentation of the interim budget, the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) on Friday cautioned the government against deviating from its fiscal consolidation target.

The council, however, observed that there must be a continued emphasis on social sector interventions.

"The council strongly feels that there should be no deviation from the fiscal consolidation target but there must be continued emphasis on social sector interventions", an official release said after a meeting of the EAC-PM on Friday.

The statement has come amid speculations that the government may announce packages for farmers and poor and sops for middle class in the budget ahead of general polls.

Junior agriculture minister Parshottam Rupala said on Thursday that the government will soon announce a package for farmers to boost their income.

Moody's Investors Service on Friday pointed out that steps announced by the government to aid MSMEs and the measures being planned to support farmers will increase the risk of fiscal slippage and push deficit to 3.4 percent of GDP in the current financial year.

The government had budgeted the fiscal deficit for the current financial year at 3.3 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP). However, in the April-November period, the deficit touched 114.8 percent of the budget estimates.

Railways Minister Piyush Goyal is likely to present the interim budget on 1 February as he was on Wednesday given the additional charge of finance ministry.

The council said India's economic growth is expected to remain in the range 7-7.5 percent in the next few years.

The panel noted that the macro-economic fundamentals of the economy are sound but challenges remain, several of which are structural in nature.

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Ahead of the interim budget, CEAMA has suggested to increase the basic customs duty on import of finished goods such as TV, AC, refrigerators and washing machines.

New Delhi: The Consumer Electronics and Appliances Manufacturers Association (CEAMA) Friday urged the government to raise customs duties on imported finished goods while lowering the same on components in order to promote domestic manufacturing.

Ahead of the interim budget, CEAMA has suggested to increase the basic customs duty (BCD) on import of finished goods such as TV, AC, refrigerators and washing machines.

CEAMA also called for a reduction in BCD on critical components such as compressors, open cell and display panel used by the industry to 5 percent from the existing 10 percent, to boost domestic manufacturing.

"This would help local manufacturers produce goods at competitive prices and promote exports as well with tax benefits on exports of ACE goods," said CEAMA president Kamal Nandi.

According to the industry body, contrary to the 'net zero import in electronics' objective of the government, finished goods are often imported at a lower duty than parts in the country, on account of various free-trade agreements.

It has also asked for subsidies on locally manufactured products, which "will act as a stimulus" for the development of the components manufacturing base and boost 'make-in-India' initiatives.

Besides, CEAMA has requested the government to look on the issues on import of other intermediaries and segments such as security and surveillance cameras and related products, which are largely imported.

"We propose a hike in the BCD for CCTV camera and CCTV recorders from 15 percent to 20 percent, to promote local manufacturing and discourage imports, further supporting its indigenous production," said Nandi, who is also Godrej Appliances' business head and executive vice-president.

According to CEAMA, the industry, which is struggling for growth for the past two years, largely imports critical components such as open cells, display panels and compressors and China alone contributed 59 percent in that.

"Even though the consumer demand may have grown over the years, local manufacturing has not been able to keep pace with growing consumer demand. When it comes to components, China enjoys the advantage of scale which has led to their exports as well much to the disadvantage of Indian manufacturers," said CEAMA.

Some components are still not manufactured in India, as it is cheaper to import as factors such as "high cost of investment, infrastructure and logistics" are acting as deterrents for investors.

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Auto industry body SIAM on Friday sought an increase in customs duty for imported fully-built commercial vehicles to 40 percent from the current 25 percent as part of its wish list ahead of the Budget

New Delhi: Auto industry body SIAM on Friday sought an increase in customs duty for imported fully-built commercial vehicles to 40 percent from the current 25 percent as part of its wish list ahead of the Budget.

Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) has also suggested the government to not change customs duty on completely built units (CBU) of cars and two-wheelers.

Customs duty on two-wheeler and cars currently ranges from 50-100 percent.

"With respect to customs duty, SIAM has suggested to the government that for CBU of cars and two-wheelers, rates should remain at the same level. But, for commercial vehicles CBUs, rates should be increased from 25 percent to 40 percent, which is the bound rate committed by India in WTO," SIAM Deputy Director General Sugato Sen said in a statement.

However, 40 percent rate should not be applicable to completely knocked down units (CKD) and semi-knocked down (SKD) units.

Import duty on CKD units currently ranges between 15 percent and 30 percent, depending upon the type of the vehicle.

SIAM has also asked the government to bring back 200 percent weighted deduction of research and development (R&D) expenses, as it was before, as the direct tax rates have not been reduced as originally outlined by the government while linking the two.

"R&D incentive is more important for the automobile industry today as we have to invest a significant amount of money over the next few years for R&D to meet various emission and safety improvements in India," Sen said.

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Airbus also expressed growing frustration over Prime Minister Theresa May's faltering Brexit strategy

Airbus chief Tom Enders warned Thursday that a no-deal Brexit could prompt the European aerospace giant to make "very harmful decisions" for Britain, branding the government's handling a "disgrace".

The aircraft manufacturer currently employs 14,000 people in Britain, including sites at Filton in southwest England and Broughton in north Wales, designing and manufacturing wings.

"If there is a no-deal Brexit, we at Airbus will have to make potentially very harmful decisions for the UK," Enders warned in a video published on the group's website.

Airbus, which has repeatedly warned that Brexit could mean pulling investment out of Britain, also expressed growing frustration over Prime Minister Theresa May's faltering Brexit strategy.

"It is a disgrace that more than two years after the result of the 2016 referendum, businesses are still unable to plan properly for the future.

"We, along with many of our peers, have repeatedly called for clarity.

"But we still have no idea what is really going on here." Enders also urged Britons not to listen to "Brexiteers' madness" that Airbus would always be in Britain.

"Please don't listen to the Brexiteers' madness which asserts that, because we have huge plants here, we will not move and we will always be here.

"They are wrong.

"Of course it is not possible to pick up and move our large UK factories to other parts of the world immediately.

"However, aerospace is a long-term business and we could be forced to re-direct future investments in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

"Make no mistake, there are plenty of countries out there who would love to build the wings for Airbus aircraft.

Enders acknowledged there would be no immediate change in its industrial presence, due to the aerospace industrys long cycles, but issued his sharpest warning yet that future jobs are at risk.

The UKs aerospace sector now stands at the precipice, Enders said .

British Brexit minister Stephen Barclay said on Thursday he took a warning from Airbus chief over the risks of a no deal Brexit very seriously.

I take very seriously the warning from the chief executive of Airbus, Barclay told parliament when asked about the comments, adding that Enders supported Prime Minister Theresa Mays deal, which was last week rejected by parliament.

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LONDON, January 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ --

In December, Dominica's Energy Minister, Ian Douglas, addressed the Government's plans to build a geothermal plant in the third quarter of 2019. Construction will be set on the outskirts of the capital city of Roseau. It hopes to power 23,000 homes with clean geothermal energy, which represents approximately 90% of the entire population.

Funding for the geothermal project was partly acquired through Dominica's Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programme. Additional funds came from the World Bank, Caribbean Development Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank.

Though small in size, Dominica is considered the best second citizenship to invest in, according to an independent study by the Financial Times' publication, PWM. After they pass the due diligence checks, citizenship hopefuls then choose to either invest in real-estate or a contribute to a government fund. The latter is called the Economic Diversification Fund (EDF) and it sponsors public and private sectors in Dominica that need the financial support or have economic potential. Each eligible person to become a citizen of Dominica adds at least USD 100,000 to the EDF. If they apply jointly as a family, which is possible under Dominica's CBI Programme, these contributions amount to USD 175,000 for a couple, USD 200,000 for a family of four, and another USD 25,000 for any additional dependents. Eventually, the money goes towards modernising the local infrastructure, schools, hospitals, and even develop thriving industries like tourism and IT.

UN predicts that Dominica will have the greatest GDP growth in 2019 in the Caribbean region. Considering the constant flow of foreign investment, Dominica is prepared to set long-term goals that exceed sustainability expectations on a global scale. After Hurricane Maria in 2017, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerritt pledged to make Dominica "world's first climate resilient nation." He immediately launched the Climate Resilient Execution Agency of Dominica, otherwise known as CREAD. It aims to consolidate sustainability efforts, raise funds and provide essential services.

The geothermal plant will have a substantially positive impact the island's national advancement and the lives of its citizens. "With the commissioning of this plant, we will be in a position to benefit from clean, reliable, low-cost, renewable, high-quality energy supply in the future, which will benefit all sectors of productive activity in Dominica," said Minister Ian Douglas.

In addition to exploring the benefits of renewable energy, the island's plastic ban has been in operation as of January 1st. It was described by National Geographic as one the world's most comprehensive plastic bans. This follows the island's "Housing Revolution" initiative, which builds new homes that can withstand most known weather events. Like the geothermal project, the scheme is funded by the CBI programme.

About CS Global

CS Global Partners is an international, award-winning, industry-leading, legal consultancy firm specialising in citizenship and residence solutions. Headquartered in the heart of London with ten offices worldwide, CS Global Partners offers tailored, strategic advice to both the clients and the countries it represents. Driving economic prosperity and transforming lives in the process, CS Global Partners transcends the traditional investment immigration industry framework, supporting the governments of Dominica, Saint Lucia and St Kitts and Nevis to promote their CBI programmes. In doing so, CS Global Partners leads by example, providing investors and governments alike with unparalleled, intelligent citizenship solutions.

Visit www.csglobalpartners.com - for more information.
The Rite Aid, a longtime tenant in the mall, was one of the stores acquired by Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc., when Walgreens reached a $17 billion deal in 2015 to take over nearly half of Rite Aids stores. Representatives of Walgreens could not be reached on Thursday.
In December, Dominica's Energy Minister, Ian Douglas, addressed the Government's plans to build a geothermal plant in the third quarter of 2019. Construction will be set on the outskirts of the capital city of Roseau. It hopes to power 23,000 homes with clean geothermal energy, which represents approximately 90% of the entire population.

Funding for the geothermal project was partly acquired through Dominica's Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programme. Additional funds came from the World Bank, Caribbean Development Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank.

Though small in size, Dominica is considered the best second citizenship to invest in, according to an independent study by the Financial Times' publication, PWM. After they pass the due diligence checks, citizenship hopefuls then choose to either invest in real-estate or a contribute to a government fund. The latter is called the Economic Diversification Fund (EDF) and it sponsors public and private sectors in Dominica that need the financial support or have economic potential. Each eligible person to become a citizen of Dominica adds at least USD 100,000 to the EDF. If they apply jointly as a family, which is possible under Dominica's CBI Programme, these contributions amount to USD 175,000 for a couple, USD 200,000 for a family of four, and another USD 25,000 for any additional dependents. Eventually, the money goes towards modernising the local infrastructure, schools, hospitals, and even develop thriving industries like tourism and IT.

UN predicts that Dominica will have the greatest GDP growth in 2019 in the Caribbean region. Considering the constant flow of foreign investment, Dominica is prepared to set long-term goals that exceed sustainability expectations on a global scale. After Hurricane Maria in 2017, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerritt pledged to make Dominica "world's first climate resilient nation". He immediately launched the Climate Resilient Execution Agency of Dominica, otherwise known as CREAD. It aims to consolidate sustainability efforts, raise funds and provide essential services.

The geothermal plant will have a substantially positive impact the island's national advancement and the lives of its citizens. "With the commissioning of this plant, we will be in a position to benefit from clean, reliable, low-cost, renewable, high-quality energy supply in the future, which will benefit all sectors of productive activity in Dominica," said Minister Ian Douglas.

In addition to exploring the benefits of renewable energy, the island's plastic ban has been in operation as of January 1st. It was described by National Geographic as one the world's most comprehensive plastic bans. This follows the island's "Housing Revolution" initiative, which builds new homes that can withstand most known weather events. Like the geothermal project, the scheme is funded by the CBI programme.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190125005378/en/

Contacts:

Thomas Kohn

pr@csglobalpartners.com

+(44)2073184343

www.csglobalpartners.com
Twenty14 Holdings (T14H), the hospitality investment arm of Abu Dhabi-based LuLu Group International, has entered into a forward purchase contract with Swiss real estate developer Necron AG for the upcoming IntercityHotel Zurich Airport in Rumlang, Switzerland.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190125005334/en/

Adeeb Ahamed, Managing Director, Twenty14 Holdings signing the agreement with Necron AG CEO Gerard van Liempt to develop the IntercityHotel Zurich Airport, in the presence of Yusuff Ali MA, Chairman and Managing Director, LuLu Group International, Thomas Willms, CEO, Deutsche Hospitality and other dignitaries in Zurich, Switzerland. (Photo: AETOSWire)

The addition of the IntercityHotel marks Twenty14 Holdings' entry into mainland Europe and joins a portfolio of $750m worth of luxury property across the UK, the Middle East, and India.

The purpose-built, 260-room, 4-star hotel will be located close to the Rumlang station, A1 motorway and offers fantastic transport links, including access to Zurich International Airport in ten minutes, while the city centre is just 15 minutes away. The property will include meeting and event spaces, a restaurant, an indoor fitness centre, and spa area as well as underground and outdoor parking facilities. The property is scheduled to open in 2020.

The hotel will be operated by Deutsche Hospitality (Steigenberger Hotels AG) under a 20-year lease contract. The design of the property will be based on the new Intercity Hotels Matteo Thun design standards, and keeping in mind business travellers and tourists, the property will feature modern guestrooms and public spaces.

The hotel is the first of many development projects planned by Necron AG in cooperation with Deutsche Hospitality. HVS Hodges Ward Elliott acted as exclusive advisers to Necron.

Commenting on the acquisition, Adeeb Ahamed, Managing Director, T14H said, "We are excited to mark our entry into mainland Europe with our first property in Zurich. It is an important milestone in our group's portfolio as we work towards becoming a billion-dollar investment firm by 2020."

"This is an exciting hotel development and we are delighted to be working in partnership with both Twenty14 Holdings and Deutsche Hospitality. We very much hope this is the start of a successful long-term partnership with both," said Gerard van Liempt, CEO, Necron AG.

"The IntercityHotel Zurich Airport launches our brand in Switzerland and adds a highly attractive location to the portfolio," said Thomas Willms, CEO, Deutsche Hospitality. "This hotel is symbolic of our growing international presence at strategically important locations and we are delighted to have such a reliable partner as Twenty14 Holdings on our side."

This is Twenty14 Holdings' second property to be operated by Deutsche Hospitality. The German hospitality firm currently operates T14H's Steigenberger Hotel Business Bay in Dubai, UAE.

International law firms Trowers Hamlins, and Thouvenin Rechtsanwalte acted as legal counsel for Twenty14 Holdings with ADB as their Swiss tax counsel.

About Twenty14 Holdings

Twenty14 Holdings is the hospitality investment arm of LuLu Group International, founded in 2014 to capitalize on the growth in the global hospitality industry. The company currently has assets worth more than $750m spread across Europe, Middle East, and India. In Europe, the group owns the historic Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh The Caledonian in Scotland and has also made a 110m agreement with property developer Galliard Homes to create a luxurious five-star hotel at 1-5 Great Scotland Yard, the former headquarters of London's Metropolitan Police. The firm co-owns the landmark Sheraton Oman Hotel in Muscat, a 230-room five-star architectural marvel, which was re-opened in 2016. The company also owns the Steigenberger Hotel Business Bay in Dubai and three properties in India.

About Deutsche Hospitality

Deutsche Hospitality brings together four separate hotel brands under a single umbrella. Steigenberger Hotels and Resorts has 60 hotels housed in historic traditional buildings and lively city residences and also offers health and beauty oases set at the very heart of nature. MAXX by Steigenberger is a new and charismatic concept which places the focus on the essential in accordance with its motto "MAXXimize your stay." Jaz in the City branded hotels reflect the metropolitan lifestyle and draw upon the local music and cultural scene. And IntercityHotel offers 40 upper mid-range urban hotels, all of which are located within an easy walking distance of railway stations or airports. A further 30 hotels are currently at the development stage. This means that the Deutsche Hospitality portfolio currently encompasses a total of over 130 hotels on three continents.

About Necron AG

Necron AG (Necron) is a Swiss-based real estate Development and Investment company with a focus on commercial real estate in Switzerland, Netherlands, and Germany. Necron's strategy is to secure plots and or buildings for the development of Hotels, Offices, secured storage, and commercial buildings. Necron is currently working on the development of four hotels for the Deutsche Hospitality Group.

*Source: AETOSWire

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190125005334/en/

Contacts:

Twenty14 Holdings

Ajit Johnson, Head of Strategic Business Relations, +971506623786

ajit.johnson@luluexchange.com
Ratings Drop for Pfizer and Merck

PRINCETON, New Jersey, Jan. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ --Indegene, the leading global healthcare solutions provider, today released its 2018 Digital Savvy HCP Survey Report through its knowledge platform, PharmaFuture. The survey reports that the highest jump so far in digital adoption by healthcare practitioners (HCPs) was seen in 2018, compared to the corresponding surveys done in the last three years from 2015 to 2017, signaling a growing move towards physicians' digital preference. Medical journals for clinical data and Medical Service Liaisons scored a distinct second rank in providing specific scientific information to physicians when deciding patient treatment plans. Face-to-face detailing continued to be a preferred channel for interaction, although recording minimal incremental ratings over the last three years. Among digital channels, brand websites were the first go-to source for information for physicians, followed by emails, webinars, and podcasts.

The survey revealed that physicians are increasingly seeking clinical data and real-world evidence (RWE) for formulating treatment plans in addition to the drug safety and efficacy information provided by the pharma companies. One of the related findings on RWE was the design gaps in pharma brand websites that make it difficult for physicians to find such information.

According to Gaurav Kapoor, EVP, Indegene, "The pharma industry's endeavor toward a swift digital transformation in the latest edition of the HCP Survey augurs well for the healthcare ecosystem. While there are several gaps that need to be addressed before the industry becomes truly digital like its consumer cousins, the willingness to provide omnichannel on-demand data is an indicator of the industry's participation in improving patient outcomes."

HCPs rated GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and AstraZeneca (AZ) as the top two companies that provide content in a channel mix that work well for them. Pfizer and Merck slipped to the third place in this rating compared to their pole positions in the last three years.

The survey also evaluated the channels preferred by physicians for engaging with their patients. While doctors in the US prefer to use web portals and emails to share information or updates, text and social messaging are more widely used in the other parts of the world. The use of video chats to share information with patients was limited among physicians across the globe. Medical specialists from Urology, Emergency Medicine, Pulmonology, Immunology, and Dermatology were leading in digital interaction with patients in the US, compared to other specialties.

In addition to Oncology, Neurology, and Emergency Medicine, specialists from Immunology and Ophthalmology were seen as the highest adopters of digital channels for their content needs.

About PharmaFuture

PharmaFuture is a brand-agnostic knowledge sharing platform created by Indegene for discussing the latest trends and developments in the digital pharma world. Launched in 2011, PharmaFuture hosts a series of events in different parts of the world, inviting visionaries from deep tech and the pharma industry to evolve on the digital maturity index every year. Annual surveys undertaken by PharmaFuture cover topics such as digital adoption by HCPs, marketers, and medical representatives and digital maturity of pharma company assets like websites, content, and channels. Whitepapers and case studies relevant to the industry are also available in the website's resource repository.

About Indegene

Indegene (www.indegene.com) enables global healthcare organizations to address complex challenges by seamlessly integrating analytics, technology, operations, and medical expertise and drive better health and business outcomes. Indegene's IP-based solutions help clients drive revenues and productivity by making transformational leaps in digitalization of customer engagement, health reform, healthcare cost reduction, and health outcomes' improvement.

Media Contact:

Arun Natarajan

arun.natarajan@indegene.com

+91-9986673986
TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / January 25, 2019 / Grid Metals Corp. (TSX-V: GRDM | USOTC: MSMGF) ("Grid" or "the Company") today added additional disclosure to the January 24, 2019 news release made by the Company.

The January 24, 2019 news release referred to a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA, April 2014 prepared by RPA Inc.) completed by the Company and metallurgical work being undertaken as a result of the recommendations of the PEA.

The Company wishes to add cautionary disclosure to the January 24, 2019 press release relating to the PEA. The PEA is preliminary in nature and includes inferred mineral resources considered too speculative geologically to have the economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves and there is no certainty that the PEA will be realized. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.

All other disclosure in the January 24, 2019 remains unchanged.

On Behalf of the Board of Grid Metals Corp.

Robin Dunbar - President, CEO & Director

Telephone: 416-955-4773

Email: rd@gridmetalscorp.com

David Black Investor Relations

Email: info@gridmetalscorp.com

We seek safe harbour.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulations 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

SOURCE: Grid Metals Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/533539/Additional-Disclosure-Relating-to-January-24-2019-News-Release
Redevelopment of the Madison Avenue building marks a milestone in Giorgio Armani's journey into interior design

Reimagined property will include luxury residences as well as a new Flagship Giorgio Armani boutique

The Armani Group andSL Green, New York's largest commercial property owner, announced plans to redevelop the Giorgio Armani boutique at 760 Madison Avenue in New York City. The fully reimagined 97,000-square-foot building will be home to a new flagship Giorgio Armani retail boutique and 19 luxury residences designed by Giorgio Armani. Giorgio Armani will conceive the residential interiors and the designer intends to take up residence within the building upon its completion. Renowned New York architecture firm COOKFOX will serve as architect on the project and redesign the new building to reflect the evolution of the Armani brand which has become a perfect complement to the Upper East Side.

The same philosophy and love for the essential, a hallmark of Armani's style, are found in the interior design that translates the ideas of comfort and functionality into elegance. This sensitivity, teamed with awareness of the cultural factor, is what enhances the close ties this project will have with its surroundings. Iconographic elements of places and cultures, the appeal of new materials and unusual chromatic ranges have become the key style inspirations for individual interior design projects since 2004, when Giorgio Armani signed a partnership for the first Armani Hotel inside the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. This initiative was then repeated in other cities, from Miami to Istanbul, from Mumbai to Manila, from Tel Aviv to Beijing and London and now New York.

The proposed project is designed to be in harmony with Madison Avenue's world-famous streetscape while reflecting the history of the district. The building's natural stone materials, including brick and limestone, will contribute to and balance the existing neighborhood. The new building will include a series of setbacks and outdoor terraces that break up the massing, create definition from the street and provide a visual connection to Central Park.

"New York is one of the world's major fashion capitals, and Madison Avenue is by definition an iconic luxury location. In the 1980s, when I opened my first Giorgio Armani boutique in Manhattan, I chose this exclusive and refined area because it was perfect for the timeless elegance and attention to detail I wanted to communicate. Today, thirty years later, I still believe this place reflects my philosophy and my aesthetic vision. With this special project, I continue the journey I began over ten years ago with my Armani/Casa Interior Design Studio, through which I look for innovative creative solutions that express my personal concept of luxury and refinement, while respecting the local culture and spirit," said Giorgio Armani

SL Green Realty Corp., which took control of the building in 2012, will lead the development in collaboration with Armani. "The Armani brand is synonymous with Madison Avenue and we are thrilled to partner with Armani to solidify its lasting presence along one of the world's most recognized retail corridors while also introducing the timeless Armani lifestyle to the residences above," said SL Green CEO Marc Holliday. "Armani's commitment to Madison Avenue and New York City is unwavering and the brand's leadership will preserve all that we, as New Yorkers, love about the Upper East Side of Manhattan."

"This special project is an opportunity to design a modern home for the next generation of Armani's presence on Madison Avenue," said Rick Cook, Principal at COOKFOX. "Our approach is to reinterpret the design sensibility of classic Madison Avenue building, like The Carlton House at 21 East 61st Street and 45 East 66th Street, to create a contemporary and iconic residence and retail building for both the Upper East Side Historic District and the Armani brand."

The team also includes New York's premier historic preservation consultants, Higgins, Quasebarth and Partners, and zoning consultants, Greenberg Traurig, LLP,to help ensure that each aspect of the building design will be appropriate for the Upper East Side Historic District. The plan will require approval of the Landmark Preservation Commission. Construction is expected to begin in 2020 and be complete in 2023.

About the Armani Group

The Armani Group is one of the world's leading fashion companies. The Group designs, manufactures, distributes and directly retails apparel, accessories, eyewear, watches, jewelry, cosmetics, perfumes, furniture and home decor. The Group is headed by Giorgio Armani, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. A keen observation of contemporaneity, coupled with a flexible business model, has marked the success and growth of the Group.

Synonymous with lifestyle and elegance, the Armani/Casa line is linked to the Giorgio Armani luxury universe and, through its Interior Design Studio, provides a service fully tailored towards private individuals and property developers, from the conceptual phase to the supervision of the project execution.

About SL Green

SL Green Realty Corp., an S&P 500 company and New York City's largest office landlord, is a fully integrated real estate investment trust, or REIT, that is focused primarily on acquiring, managing and maximizing value of Manhattan commercial properties. As of December 31, 2018, SL Green held interests in 101 Manhattan buildings totaling 46.0 million square feet. This included ownership interests in 27.8 million square feet of Manhattan buildings and 18.2 million square feet of buildings securing debt and preferred equity investments. In addition, SL Green held ownership interests in 7 suburban properties comprised of 15 suburban buildings totaling 2.3 million square feet in Brooklyn, Westchester County, and Connecticut.

To be added to the Company's distribution list or to obtain the latest news releases and other Company information, please visit our website at www.slgreen.com or contact Investor Relations at (212) 594-2700.

About COOKFOX

COOKFOX Architects, DPC is a New York City based architectural and interior design studio founded in 2003. COOKFOX has built a studio focused on high-performance, environmentally responsive design and is most well-known for innovative design at the highest standards of environmental performance. COOKFOX focuses on biophilic design to create architecture that supports physical health and mental wellness. With a portfolio of diverse residential, workplace, and education projects, COOKFOX seeks to pursue architecture that restores, regenerates, and elevates our collective experience of the urban environment.

SLG-DEV

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190125005078/en/

Contacts:

Investors:

Matt DiLiberto

Chief Financial Officer

SL Green Realty Corp.

(212) 594-2700



Press:

BerlinRosen

slgreen@berlinrosen.com

(646) 452-5637
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 25, 2019) -Nano One Materials Corp. (TSXV: NNO) (OTC Pink: NNOMF) (FSE: LBMB) is pleased to announce that the company will be presenting at a series of investor conferences between January 27th and February 2nd.

January 27-28, 2019: NobleCon15 - Noble Capital Markets' Fifteenth Annual Investor Conference at the W Hotel, Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Mr. Dan Blondal, CEO of Nano One, will present on Monday, January 28th at 09:00 am Eastern Standard Time.

For more information visit. https://www.nobleconference.com/NobleCon15/about.htm

January 29-30, 2019: Cantech Investment Conference at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Toronto, Ontario. Mr. Blondal will present on January 30th at 11:40 am Eastern Standard Time.

For more information visit. https://cambridgehouse.com/cantech-investment-conference

February 1-2, 2019: World Outlook Financial Conference at The Westin Bayshore, Vancouver, BC. Mr. Blondal will present on February 1st at 7:05 pm and Saturday February 2nd at 10:15 am Pacific Standard Time.

For more information visit. https://moneytalks.net/world-outlook-conference-2019/

"We look forward to returning to these conferences," said Mr. Blondal, "and updating audiences on our progress over the last year. We have made significant advances on our technology and economics, and we recently announced two Joint Development Agreements, one with cathode producer Pulead Technologies and another with global materials leader Saint-Gobain. We are executing effectively on our business plan and these collaborations strengthen our commercialization efforts."

Nano One Materials Corp.

Dan Blondal, CEO

For information with respect to Nano One or the contents of this news release, please contact John Lando (President) at (604) 420-2041 or visit the website at www.nanoone.ca.

About Nano One

Nano One Materials Corp ("Nano One" or "the Company") has developed patented technology for the low-cost production of high performance lithium ion battery cathode materials used in electric vehicles, energy storage and consumer electronics. The processing technology addresses fundamental supply chain constraints by enabling wider raw materials specifications for use in lithium ion batteries. The process can be configured for the full range of cathode materials and has the flexibility to shift with emerging and future battery market trends.

Nano One has built a pilot plant to demonstrate high volume production and to optimize its technology across a range of materials. The pilot plant is being funded with the assistance and support of the Government of Canada through Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) and the Automotive Supplier Innovation Program (ASIP) a program of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada ISED). Nano One also receives financial support from the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP). Nano One's mission is to establish its patented technology as a leading platform for the global production of a new generation of battery materials. www.nanoone.ca

Certain information contained herein may constitute "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, the execution of the Company's plans. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as 'believe', 'expect', 'anticipate', 'plan', 'intend', 'continue', 'estimate', 'may', 'will', 'should', 'ongoing', or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made and they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that is incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws.

NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS NEWS RELEASE

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/42451
Focus on Complexity and Variability of Solid Tumors, and How DCVax-L Addresses Them

BETHESDA, Md., Jan. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Northwest Biotherapeutics (OTCQB: NWBO) -- ("NW Bio"), a biotechnology company developing DCVax personalized immune therapies for solid tumor cancers, announced that its CEO, Linda Powers, presented at the Phacilitate Leaders World 2019 Conference in Miami, Florida. The slide deck from this presentation can be found on the Company's website at www.nwbio.com.

Ms. Powers noted that although immune therapies have made great progress on blood cancers, the key challenge for immune therapies lies in treating solid tumors because solid tumors comprise at least 80% of all cancers and they are much more complex and variable. Ms. Powers noted that there is extensive variation (i) among solid tumor cancers, (ii) between patients with the "same" cancer, (iii) within a single patient over time and (iv) even within a single solid tumor in a single patient at a single moment in time. (Biopsies taken from different locations within a single tumor can yield different results.) Ms. Powers described how DCVax-L is tailored to address these challenges.

Focusing on Glioblastoma brain cancer, Ms. Powers noted that the standard of care was established 14 years ago in 2005, when chemotherapy was approved to be added to surgery and radiation based upon adding 10 weeks of survival. She reviewed the enormous expansion of scientific knowledge in the years since then, with extensive knowledge today about the disease and relevant patient characteristics - but without this expanded scientific knowledge translating into any meaningful improvement in median survival times of patients. Median survival was about 14.6 months in 2005, and today is still only about 15-17 months.

Ms. Powers described the results of an academic review of the clinical trials for Glioblastoma which were conducted between 2005 and 2016:417 clinical trials were conducted, involving approximately 32,000 patients; only 16 of those trials were Phase 3 trials, and only one of the Phase 3 trials reached a positive result extending patient survival. (That trial involved a medical device.) [1]

It is noteworthy that, contrary to the approach taken by DCVax-L, these failed cancer treatments typically used a "silver bullet" approach: a single active agent aimed at just one target on the cancers or just a few targets (e.g., bi-specific, tri-specific or a half-dozen or so targets). It is a real question whether such narrow approaches are realistic against the enormous complexity and variability of solid tumors.

Ms. Powers described the large publicly funded Cancer Genome Atlas project that analyzed and profiled solid tumors, starting with Glioblastoma. Their initial findings, published in 2008, reported that analysis of 91 tumor tissue samples, looking at just 601 genes, found 453 mutations in 223 unique genes. [2] Their broader findings, published in 2013, reported that analysis of 291 tumors found 21,540 mutations, including a variety of different types of mutations. [3]

Building upon the Cancer Genome Atlas findings, the NIH commented that "it is now evident that glioblastoma growth is driven by large signaling networks that have a functional redundancy that permit adaptation of the tumor in response to targeted molecular treatments". [4]Ms. Powers pointed out that such redundancy and adaptation provide escape routes that help tumors escape from treatments.

The Company believes that a "silver bullet" treatment approach is unlikely to be effective against such enormous variation in tumors and such escape mechanisms. Ms. Powers noted that, in addition to Glioblastoma, other types of solid tumors also involve extensive variations and corresponding treatment challenges. To date, only limited numbers of patients (e.g., 5-30% for various cancers) have been reported to respond to immune therapies for solid tumors, including checkpoint inhibitors. In light of the extensive variation among solid tumors, a patient's version of a cancer may or may not express a particular single target or couple of targets.

Ms. Powers explained that the approach taken by the Company's DCVax therapies uses Nature's system and is the opposite of a "silver bullet" approach: i.e., many active agents against many targets, rather than a single active against just one or a few tumor targets. DCVax-L is designed to achieve this through 3 key characteristics:

Uses the master cell of the immune system: dendritic cells (DCs)

Mobilizes the overall immune system, both T cells and other active agents

DCs have a large multiplier effect, mobilizing both large numbers of T cells and diverse T cells (diverse both as to tumor targets and as to types of T cells - helper T, killer T, etc.)

Mobilizes the overall immune system, both T cells and other active agents DCs have a large multiplier effect, mobilizing both large of T cells and T cells (diverse both as to tumor targets and as to types of T cells - helper T, killer T, etc.) Is fully personalized

Avoids Russian roulette at the outset, as to whether the patient's tumor expresses the treatment target -- fits the patient's version of the cancer.

Avoids Russian roulette at the outset, as to whether the patient's tumor expresses the treatment target -- fits the patient's version of the cancer. Uses ALL tumor antigens (i.e., targets), not just one or a few targets

Minimizes tumor escape after treatment. (When treatments target just one or a few antigens, tumors stop expressing those.)

The Company has been testing this approach in its Phase 3 trial of DCVax-L for newly diagnosed Glioblastoma, and is now working on various stages of preparations towards completion and unblinding of the trial. As previously reported, the blinded interim data (i.e., data from the treatment and placebo arm of the trial combined) through October 2018 indicate that:

Median survival of all 331 patients in the trial, from surgery, was 23.1 months.

The top 100 patients - 30% of all patients in the trial - have a Kaplan Meier median survival of 58.4 months.

median survival of 58.4 months. Apparent survival extensions are seen across the range of patient demographics and characteristics, both in patients with favorable prognostic factors and patients with unfavorable prognostic factors (age, physical condition, number of immune cells, full or partial surgical removal of tumor, status of MGMT gene, etc.)

The safety profile has been excellent: with the DCVax-L product administered over 2,000 times, only 7 of the 331 patients (2%) experienced any "serious adverse event" that was deemed at least "possibly related" to the treatment. DCVax-L does not involve any hospital inpatient or ICU stays, as some other immune therapies do, and does not require additional drugs to manage side effects.

The presentation concluded with a review of the practicality of DCVax-L for commercialization. Ms. Powers noted that all doses for a patient are manufactured in a single batch and stored frozen, that this enables repeated dosing of patients over a multi-year period, and that such doses are all "off the shelf" after the initial manufacturing.

[1] Neuro-Oncology. 20(8) 1034-1043, 2018

[2] Nature. 2008 Oct 23; 455(7216):1061-8

[3] Cell. 2013 Oct 10; 155(2): 462-477

[4] NIH News Release, October 28, 2013, Genomic Understanding of Glioblastoma Expanded

About Northwest Biotherapeutics

Northwest Biotherapeutics is a biotechnology company focused on developing personalized immunotherapy products designed to treat cancers more effectively than current treatments, without toxicities of the kind associated with chemotherapies, and on a cost-effective basis, in both North America and Europe. The Company has broad platform technologies for DCVax dendritic cell-based vaccines. The Company's lead program is a 331-patient Phase III trial of DCVax-L for newly diagnosed Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). GBM is the most aggressive and lethal form of brain cancer, and is an "orphan disease." The Company is also pursuing a Phase I/II trial with DCVax-Direct for all types of inoperable solid tumor cancers. It has completed the 40-patient Phase I portion of the trial, and is preparing for Phase II portions. The Company previously conducted a Phase I/II trial with DCVax-L for metastatic ovarian cancer together with the University of Pennsylvania.

Disclaimer

Statements made in this news release that are not historical facts, including statements concerning future treatment of patients using DCVax and future clinical trials, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "expect," "believe," "intend," "design," "plan," "continue," "may," "will," "anticipate," and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. We cannot guarantee that we will achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in our forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements. Specifically, there are a number of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated, such as risks related to the Company's ability to complete its clinical trials on a timely basis, uncertainties about the clinical trial results and data, uncertainties about the timely performance of third parties, risks related to whether the Company's products will demonstrate safety and efficacy, risks related to the Company's ongoing ability to raise additional capital, and other risks included in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") filings. Additional information on the foregoing risk factors and other factors, including Risk Factors, which could affect the Company's results, is included in its SEC filings. Finally, there may be other factors not mentioned above or included in the Company's SEC filings that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statement. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or developments, except as required by securities laws.

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CALGARY, AB / ACCESSWIRE / January 25, 2019 / International Cannabrands Inc. (CSE:JUJU) (the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has closed the fourth tranche of its previously announced brokered private placement (the "Offering") pursuant to an engagement letter with Gravitas Securities Inc. and Canaccord Genuity Corp. (collectively, the "Agents").

The Company sold an additional 31,280,000 units (each, a "Unit") at a price of $0.10 per share. Each Unit consisted of one (1) common share (a "Common Share") and one (1) common share purchase warrant (a "Warrant") for gross proceeds of $3,128,000. Each Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one additional Common Share at a price of $0.15 per share for a period of 36 months. Together with the first three tranches which closed December 7, 14 and 21, 2018, the Company has achieved total aggregate gross proceeds of $4,830,000 under the Offering.

CEO Steve Gormley commented: "We are elated to have successfully completed this financing given the current market conditions. We have completed the acquisition of 51% of La Vida Verde, a highly respected branded cannabis product manufacturer and distributer based in Santa Cruz, California. The proceeds of the financing will enable International Cannabrands to continue to execute its mission in acquiring middle market cannabis brands with profitable operations."

The Agents were paid a cash commission equal to 7% of the gross proceeds of the Offering and will also receive warrants to purchase such number of common shares as is equal to 7% of the Units sold under the Offering (the "Broker Warrants"). The Broker Warrants will be exercisable for a period of 36 months following closing of the Offering at an exercise price of $0.10 per share.

All of the securities issued under the private placement are subject to a hold period expiring four months and one day from the date hereof.

About International Cannabrands (ICI)

The Company's business model is to generate revenue from cannabis cultivation, brands ranging from flower to edibles and from THC to CBD, oil extraction, ancillary products and apparel in the United States. ICI markets products with THC content where that practice has been legalized at the state level through either medicinal or full recreational use. ICI also markets products containing CBD in the US and internationally. ICI's strategy centers on acquiring micro brands, distribution and specific manufacturing/cultivation companies in the cannabis space. ICI has acquired the exclusive rights to Julian Marley's JuJu Royal brand. The Company believes as the legal cannabis market evolves, high-quality, unique products will increasingly capture market share and provide a valuable platform for growth.

About JuJu Royal

Julian Marley conveys his message of legalization, freedom, and love through the JuJu Royal brand, a line of naturally produced medicinal herbs. Our vision is to realize the opportunity to become one of the largest brands in the Marijuana industry. The synergy between the Rastafarian culture, music, natural products and an "Irie" experience is a powerful foundation for our business. JuJu's strategy is to develop and grow a complete cannabis line based on an international appeal to a millennial lifestyle seeking a luxurious and premium experience. JuJu will capitalize on the unparalleled opportunity to position itself with unique, innovative, high quality brands that meet and exceed our customer's expectations. More information about the brand and various products can be obtained at www.jujuroyal.net.

International Cannabrands Contact:

Steve Gormley

Chief Executive Officer

1045 Lincoln Street, #106

Denver, Colorado 80203

Ph: (323) 828-4321 or steve.gormley@intlcannabrands.com

Media Inquiries: media@jujuroyal.net

THIS PRESS RELEASE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL SECURITIES OR A SOLICITATION FOR PURCHASERS TO BUY SECURITIES. THIS PRESS RELEASE IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS A PUBLIC OFFERING IN ANY PROVINCE IN CANADA UNLESS A PROSPECTUS RELATING THERETO HAS BEEN ACCEPTED FOR FILING BY A SECURITIES COMMISSION OR SIMILAR AUTHORITY IN SUCH PROVINCE.

NEITHER THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER HAS REVIEWED OR ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities of International Cannabrands Inc. in the United States, nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities offered have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any U.S. state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. Persons unless registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and applicable state securities laws or unless an exemption from such registration is available.

Disclaimer concerning Forward-looking Statements

Certain statements included herein constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management at this time, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Additional risks and uncertainties regarding the Company are described in its publicly-available disclosure documents filed by the Company on SEDAR (www.sedar.com). The forward-looking statements contained in this news release represent the Company's expectations as of the date of this news release, or as of the date they are otherwise stated to be made, and subsequent events may cause these expectations to change. Except as required by law, the Company does not intend, and undertakes no obligation, to update any forward-looking statements to reflect, in particular, new information or future events.

SOURCE: International Cannabrands Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/533540/International-Cannabrands-Announces-Fourth-and-Largest-Closing-of-Brokered-Financing-Co-Led-by-Gravitas-Securities-and-Canaccord-Genuity
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 25, 2019) -Japan Gold Corp. (TSXV: JG) (OTCQB: JGLDF) ("Japan Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of Murray Flanigan to the Board of Directors.

Mr. Flanigan is a management consultant providing financial advisory services to a number of public and private oil and gas, mining and technology companies in North America and abroad. Mr. Flanigan is a Chartered Accountant and a Chartered Financial Analyst with expertise in corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, international taxation, risk management, banking, treasury, corporate restructuring and accounting, and has served as Chief Financial Officer for various public and private companies. Mr. Flanigan is currently a Managing Principal of Kepis & Pobe Financial Group Inc. and a key member of its executive management team responsible for the negotiation and closing of numerous recent large scale oil & gas transactions in West Africa, offshore Guyana and the Middle East. Prior to founding his own consulting company, Mr. Flanigan served as Senior Vice President, Corporate Development and CFO of Qwest Investment Management Corp., where he was responsible for regulatory reporting and corporate filings for over 15 private and publicly listed companies and limited partnerships in Qwest's portfolio, as well as arranging and closing numerous equity and debt financings. Mr. Flanigan also served as VP Corporate Development for Adelphia Communications Corporation, overseeing the company's financial restructuring and ultimate sale to Time Warner Inc. and Comcast Corporation for approximately US$18 billion.

Japan Gold also wishes to provide an update on stock options (the "Options") that have been granted to certain directors, officers, employees and consultants pursuant to the Company's rolling 10% stock option plan. After careful consideration of the need to strike a balance between the interests of shareholders generally, and incentives to key individuals, Japan Gold:

- Is not re-pricing 4,549,950 existing Options from $0.40 to $0.16 as previously announced in a news release dated December 14, 2018.

- Has granted 5,280,000 new Options exercisable at a price of $.20 per share for a period of 10 years from the date of grant, of which 4,250,000 have been granted to directors and officers.

Including the new grant, the Company has the following Options outstanding: (i) 4,549,950 Options at an exercise price of $0.40 per share; (ii) 1,525,050 Options at an exercise price of $0.16 per share; and (iii) 5,280,000 new Options at an exercise price of $0.20 per share.

The Company's securities referred to in this news release have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act, 1933 and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements.

On behalf of the Board of Japan Gold Corp.

"John Proust"

Chairman & CEO

About Japan Gold

Japan Gold Corp. is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused solely on gold and copper-gold exploration in Japan. The Company has applied for 216 prospecting rights licenses in Japan for a combined area of 71,529 hectares over seventeen separate projects. Sixty-eight of these applications have been granted as Prospecting Rights. The applications cover areas with known gold occurrences and a history of mining, and are prospective for both high-grade epithermal gold mineralization and gold-bearing lithocaps, which could indicate the presence of porphyry mineralization. Japan Gold's leadership team has decades of resource industry and business experience, and the Company has recruited geologists and technical advisors with experience exploring and operating in Japan. More information is available at www.japangold.com or by email at info@japangold.com.

Japan Gold Contact

John Proust

Chairman & CEO

Phone: 778-725-1491

Email: info@japangold.com

Neither the TSX-V nor its Regulation Services Provider (as such term is defined in the policies of the TSX-V) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/42456
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.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 25, 2019) - Eurocontrol Technics Group Inc. (TSXV: EUO) (OTCQB: EUCTF) ("Eurocontrol") and Sable Resources Ltd. (TSXV: SAE) ("Sable") are pleased to announce that they have entered into an asset purchase agreement (the "Purchase Agreement") dated January 24, 2019, pursuant to which Eurocontrol has agreed to acquire Sable's mineral resource properties located in the Province of British Columbia and certain related assets (the "B.C. Properties") all as further set forth therein (the "Transaction"). The completion of the Transaction is subject to regulatory approval and certain other conditions as described below.

The B.C. Properties

The B.C. Properties consist of several early to advanced stage projects. The Toodoggone projects include the past producing Baker Gold/Silver Project; the Shasta Mine and Baker mill infrastructure and equipment; the Chappelle (Baker and Multinational Mines) Property; the Mets Lease and the Bot Property. South-central B.C. projects include the Tulox Property, the WCGG Properties, and the Spences Bridge Regional Program. Upon completion of the Transaction, Eurocontrol would commence carrying on business as a mineral resource exploration company, initially focused on advancing the exploration of the Baker (Toodoggone) Gold/Silver Project. Following completion of the Transaction, Sable will be focusing its exploration on its various projects located in Latin America.

Baker and Multinational Mines

The Baker Project is located in the Toodoggone region of the Omineca Mining Division, 430 km northwest of Prince George, British Columbia. The Baker Project is situated 35 km northwest of the former Kemess South open pit gold-copper mine and consists of 54 mineral claims, and two mining leases covering 6,601 hectares of land that encompass the past-producing Dupont-Baker 'A' and Multinational 'B' underground gold-silver mines and the past-producing Shasta open pit/underground gold-silver mine, and the Baker mill and tailings storage facility.

Shasta Mine & Baker Infrastructure and Equipment

The Shasta Mine is located 9 km east from Sable's processing and camp facilities. Production began in 1989 and has been operated by Sable intermittently until 2012 when the mine was put on care-and-maintenance. Historical production from the Shasta mine primarily occurred during the periods 1989-1991 (JM and D zones), and 2008-2012 (Creek zone). The mine production was processed at Sable's Baker mill, commonly at rates of 200-250 ton/day, where gold and silver dore was produced for sale. There are two Production Leases, one at the Chappelle Property (P.L. No. 13, Lot 1048) and one at Shasta Mine (P.L. No. 48). Permitted tailings and waste facilities are used.

Chappelle (Baker and Multinational Mines) Property

The Chappelle ground covers the historically mined Dupont/Baker 'A' vein mine, and the Multinational 'B' vein mines. The Baker Mine (referred to as the Dupont/Baker 'A' deposit) was operated by Dupont Canada during the period 1981-1983 as an underground and open pit gold - silver mine. The Dupont operation included a 90 tons per day whole ore cyanidation plant using the Merrill-Crowe process. Historical production from the Dupont/Baker miner totalled 81,878 tonnes producing 1,283,973 grams (41,285 ounces) gold, 23,812,572 grams (765,677 ounces) silver and 13,076 kilograms copper. Sable acquired the Baker site including the processing facility in 1989 and subsequently modified it to a flotation circuit with optional concentrate cyanidation.

Mets Lease

The Mets Lease is located approximately 20 km north of the Baker and Multinational Mines. The mining lease covers 2 km2 and is subject to a 1% NSR which can be purchased at any time for Canadian $500,000. Historical work performed on the property dating back to the discovery of mineralization in the mid 1980's consisted of 8,784m of diamond drilling, geological and geochemical surveys.

Bot Property

The Bot Property consists of 3,273 ha of mineral tenure in the Toodoggone district and is located approximately 35 km north of Sable's Baker milling facilities in northern British Columbia. Previous work completed in 2004 and 2006 outlined significant mineralization on the property.

Tulox Property

The Tulox Project is located in south-central British Columbia and consists of 18 contiguous mineral claims that encompass an area of 14,753.4 hectares. Mineralisation occurs along the contact of the intrusive and is interpreted to be of Intrusion Related type (IRGS). A robust soil anomaly defined by numerous multi-line, multi-station values above 80ppb is coincident with the contact of 2 felsic intrusive bodies, distinguished by differing Thorium-Potassium gamma ray spectrometer signatures.

WCGG Properties

WCGG Properties consist of early stage exploration projects in southern and central British Columbia (Tulameen South, New Bluejay and Sauchi Creek Projects). The projects were staked directly by WCGG based upon ongoing review of the B.C. Minfile, ARIS, geological, geophysical and land tenure database. Each of the properties contains composite mineral occurrence and geochemical-geophysical anomalies that support potential for the properties to host exploitable mineral resources.

Spences Bridge Regional Program

The Spences Bridge Regional Program consists of a 189,197-hectare land packaging of the Spences Bridge Gold Belt in southern British Columbia. A strategic alliance has been formed with Westhaven Ventures Inc. ("Westhaven") who owns the Shovelnose Project contiguous to Sable's claims. Under the strategic alliance, Sable entered into an agreement whereby any ground staked by Sable within 5 km of Westhaven's existing projects will be subject to a 2.5% net smelter royalty. Additionally, Westhaven has a 30 day right of first refusal for a three-year period for any properties within the same 5 km radius.

The Transaction

As of the date hereof, Eurocontrol has 92,450,238 common shares ("Eurocontrol Shares") issued and outstanding. Prior to the closing of the Transaction, Eurocontrol plans to consolidate the outstanding Eurocontrol Shares on the basis of one post-consolidation Eurocontrol Share for each four Eurocontrol Shares as constituted immediately before the consolidation (the "Consolidation") and change its name (the "Name Change") to "Talisker Resources Ltd."

Eurocontrol plans to apply to the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE") to have the Eurocontrol Shares listed and posted for trading on the CSE and apply to the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV") to have the Eurocontrol Shares delisted from the TSXV upon completion of the Transaction. The completion of the Transaction is subject to the approval of shareholders of Eurocontrol ("Eurocontrol Shareholders") of certain matters related to the Transaction as detailed below, and is expected to close no later than April 30, 2019. Matters to be approved by Eurocontrol Shareholders will be described in further detail in a management information circular (the "Circular") of Eurocontrol relating to a special meeting of Eurocontrol Shareholders expected to be held in March 2019. Eurocontrol and Sable are arm's length parties except that Andres Tinajero, the current Chief Financial Officer of Eurocontrol is an independent director of Sable. Eurocontrol has received voting agreements from the holders of 15,991,660 Eurocontrol Shares (or 17.3%) of the current number of issued and outstanding Eurocontrol Shares) to vote in favour of all matters to be considered by Eurocontrol Shareholders at the shareholders meeting.

Private Placement Financing

Eurocontrol also announces that it intends to complete a private placement financing (the "Private Placement"), on a non-brokered private placement basis, of a minimum of 7,500,000 units (each, a "Unit") of Eurocontrol and a maximum 10,000,000 Units, at an issue price of $0.20 per Unit, for gross proceeds of not less than $1,500,000 and not more than $2,000,000. Each Unit will be comprised of one Eurocontrol Share, issued on a post-Consolidation basis, and one common share purchase warrant (each a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one additional post-Consolidation Eurocontrol Share at an exercise price of $0.30 for a period of two years from the date of issuance of the Units. If, during this two year period and after the expiry of the four month hold period on the Eurocontrol Shares and the Warrants, the closing price of the Eurocontrol Shares is at least $0.50 for a period of 10 consecutive trading days, Eurocontrol may, at its option, accelerate the expiry date of the Warrants by issuing a news release and giving written notice thereof all holders of Warrants, and, in such case, the Warrants will expire on the earlier of: (i) the 30th day after the date on which the news release is disseminated by Eurocontrol; and (ii) the original expiry date. The net proceeds from the Private Placement are intended to primarily be used to fund its initial planned exploration program at the Baker (Toodoggone) Gold/Silver Project and for general working capital purposes.

Terms of the Transaction

Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, Eurocontrol will acquire the B.C. Properties by paying to Sable the sum of $500,000 at the time of closing; issuing to Sable 30,000,000 Eurocontrol Shares, issued on a post-Consolidation basis at the time of closing; and granting to Sable, on the closing date, a 1.0% net smelter return royalty on each of the B.C. Properties and assuming certain liabilities relating to the B.C. Properties.

The Purchase Agreement contains customary representations, warranties, covenants, conditions precedent and other terms and conditions. Following the completion of the Transaction and subject to receiving shareholder approval, Sable intends to distribute up to 80% of the Eurocontrol Shares that it receives in connection with the Transaction to its shareholders. There can be no assurance that the Transaction will be completed as proposed, or at all.

Conditions to the completion of the Transaction include, but are not limited to:

the approval of Eurocontrol Shareholders of certain related matters in connection with the Transaction and the completion of the Private Placement;

the delisting of Eurocontrol Shares from the TSXV and the approval of the CSE for the listing of Eurocontrol Shares on the CSE;

no order having been issued that would prevent the Transaction or the trading of the Eurocontrol Shares;

the reconstitution of Eurocontrol's board of directors and management as described below; and

the completion of the Private Placement.

Board of Directors and Management

Upon completion of the Transaction, the proposed board of directors and management of Eurocontrol will include:

Thomas Obradovich - Director

Terence Harbort - Director, President and Chief Executive Officer

Andres Tinajero - Director, CFO

Brent Gilchrist - Director

Paul Wood - Director

Trading Halt

Trading in the Eurocontrol Shares has been halted effective today and will remain halted until the delisting of the Eurocontrol Shares from the TSXV.

Scientific and Technical Information

All scientific and technical information set forth herein has been prepared under the supervision of William Yeomans, a "qualified person" as defined under National Instrument 43-101.

About Eurocontrol

Eurocontrol is a company incorporated under the laws of Ontario and has been actively seeking a strategic transaction and a business for its future operations. Eurocontrol is listed for trading on the TSXV under the symbol "EUO".

About Sable Resources

Sable is a well-funded junior grassroots explorer focused on the discovery of new precious metal projects through systematic exploration in endowed terrains located in favourable, established mining jurisdictions. Sables' main focus is developing its large portfolio of new greenfields projects to resource stage utilizing their Upper Level Epithermal Strategy. Sable is actively exploring the San Juan Regional Program (35,000ha) incorporating the Don Julio Project in San Juan Province, Argentina, the Mexico Regional Program (1.5Mha), incorporating the Margarita, Vinata and El Escarpe drill ready projects.

For further information on this press release, please contact Paul Wood, Interim President and CEO of Eurocontrol at (416) 361-2808 or pwood@eurocontrol.ca; or Tom Obradovich, President & Chief Executive Officer of Sable at (416) 985-7140 or tobradovich@sympatico.ca.

Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the management information circular or filing or listing statement to be prepared in connection with the transaction, any information released or received with respect to the transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities of Eurocontrol should be considered highly speculative.

The TSX Venture Exchange Inc. has in no way passed upon the merits of the proposed transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could", "intend", "expect", "believe", "will", "projected", "estimated" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on Eurocontrol and Sable'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, among other things, the completion of the Transaction, the Private Placement (including the proposed use of proceeds thereof), the Name Change, the Consolidation, the number of securities of Eurocontrol that may be issued in connection with the Transaction, the distribution by Sable of Eurocontrol Shares and the ownership and board of directors of Eurocontrol following the Transaction, shareholder and regulatory approval, the anticipated timing of the meeting of Eurocontrol Shareholders, and the parties' ability to satisfy closing conditions and receive necessary approvals. Various assumptions or factors are typically applied in drawing conclusions or making the forecasts or projections set out in forward-looking information. Those assumptions and factors are based on information currently available to Eurocontrol and Sable. Although such statements are based on reasonable assumptions of both Eurocontrol and Sable's management, there can be no assurance that the Transaction will occur, or that if the Transaction does occur, it will be completed on the terms described above.

Forward-looking information contained in this news release is based on certain factors and assumptions regarding, among other things, the receipt of all necessary regulatory and shareholder approvals and satisfaction of other conditions to the completion of the Transaction, availability of necessary financing, potential mineralization on the B.C. Properties, and other similar matters. While Eurocontrol and Sable consider these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available to them, they may prove to be incorrect. Forward looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors include risks inherent in the exploration and development of mineral deposits, including risks relating to changes in project parameters as plans continue to be redefined, risks relating to variations in grade or recovery rates, risks relating to changes in mineral prices and the worldwide demand for and supply of minerals, risks related to increased competition and current global financial conditions, access and supply risks, reliance on key personnel, operational risks regulatory risks, including risks relating to the acquisition of the necessary licenses and permits, financing, capitalization and liquidity risks, title and environmental risks and risks relating to the failure to receive all requisite shareholder and regulatory approvals.

The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof, and Eurocontrol and Sable are 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.

This announcement does not constitute an offer, invitation or recommendation to subscribe for or purchase any securities and neither this announcement nor anything contained in it shall form the basis of any contract or commitment. In particular, this announcement does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, securities in the United States, or in any other jurisdiction in which such an offer would be illegal.

The securities referred to herein have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), or under the securities laws of any state or other jurisdiction of the United States and may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, within the United States, unless the securities have been registered under the Securities Act or an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act is available.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/42448
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 25, 2019 / Renaissance Gold Inc. (TSX-V: REN) (OTCQB: RNSGF) ("RenGold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has signed a definitive earn-in agreement with OceanaGold U.S. Holdings Inc. ("OceanaGold"), a subsidiary of OceanaGold Corporation (TSX:OGC;ASX:OGC) on its Spring Peak Project. Upon signing the definitive agreements, OceanaGold paid the Company US$15,000.

Robert Felder, President and CEO, states, "We are very pleased to have a company of the caliber of OceanaGold as our partner on Spring Peak in Nevada, and look forward to a successful working relationship. RenGold continues to maintain a very active exploration program throughout Nevada, and with the addition of this agreement, the Company currently has seven active exploration agreements in Nevada funded by six different partners."

Spring Peak: OceanaGold has the option to earn up to a 51% interest in the Spring Peak Project by spending US$4,000,000 over a five-year period, and making payments to the Company totaling US$215,000. In addition, OceanaGold must spend US$150,000 (committed expenditure) within 12 months of signing the definitive agreement. Upon earning the initial 51% interest, OceanaGold has a one-time option to elect to earn an additional 24% interest on the Spring Peak Project by spending an additional US$6,000,000 over a four-year period from the date of exercise of the Phase II earn-in option.

The Spring Peak Project, Mineral County, Nevada hosts a low-sulfidation epithermal gold system with significant gold (many multi-gram samples, up to 35 g/t) associated with an anomalous pathfinder geochemical signature on surface. The system is fully preserved from surface sinters to basement, contains classic banded veins and quartz after calcite boiling textures. Historic drilling from the 1980s and 1990s consisted of shallow, mostly vertical drill holes, but consistently encountered anomalous gold mineralization, with assays from drill chips up to 1.9 g/t Au. Several targets exist on the property to test for high-grade bonanza veins associated with boiling horizons.

About OceanaGold Corporation

OceanaGold Corporation is a mid-tier, high-margin, multinational gold producer with assets located in the Philippines, New Zealand and the United States. The Company's assets include: the Didipio Gold-Copper Mine on Luzon Island in the Philippines; the Macraes Goldfield Mine on the South Island of New Zealand; the Waihi Gold Mine on the North Island of New Zealand; and the Haile Gold Mine located in South Carolina, United States of America. OceanaGold also has a significant pipeline of organic growth and exploration opportunities in the Americas and Asia-Pacific regions.

About Renaissance Gold Inc.

Renaissance Gold Inc. is a western US focused prospect generator utilizing a joint venture business model. RenGold applies the extensive exploration experience and high-end technical skills of its founders and team members to search for and acquire high quality precious metal exploration projects that are then offered for joint venture to industry partners who provide exploration funding. RenGold maintains a large portfolio of gold and silver exploration properties and has entered into over 70 exploration agreements including those as its predecessor, AuEx Ventures Inc., and those from Kinetic Gold. RenGold's objective is to place its projects into exploration agreements, testing as many drill targets as possible and providing maximum exposure to success through discovery.

Qualified Person

All technical data disclosed in this press release has been verified by RenGold's Qualified Person, Robert Felder, M.Sc. and Certified Professional Geologist as recognized by the American Institute of Professional Geologists (AIPG).

By: Robert Felder, President & CEO

For further information, contact:

Robert Felder 775-337-1545 or bfelder@rengold.com

Ronald Parratt 775-337-1545 or rparratt@rengold.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 certain statements that may be deemed "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 Renaissance Gold Inc. 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 Renaissance Gold Inc's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by law, Renaissance Gold Inc. undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

SOURCE: Renaissance Gold Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/533542/Renaissance-Gold-Executes-Earn-in-Agreement-with-OceanaGold-on-Its-Spring-Peak-Project
DOHA, Qatar, Jan. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Alfardan Group has ventured into Qatar's medical services sector with the launch of the Alfardan Medical with Northwestern Medicine. Alfardan Group unveiled the new project at a press conference held at Northwestern University, Qatar.

The Alfardan Medical with Northwestern Medicine will offer patients a wide variety of ambulatory care services later this year - a first-of-its-kind in Qatar. This is the first of the Alfardan Group's investments in the health sector, as part of its social responsibility towards the State of Qatar and its vision to develop projects that will contribute to the realization of the Qatar National Vision.

Chicago-based Northwestern Medicine is one of the United States' premier academic health systems, anchored by Northwestern Memorial Hospital, one of the top ranked hospitals in the United States. The Northwestern Medicine health system is affiliated with Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, ranked as one of the best research-oriented medical schools.

Mr. Omar Hussain Al Fardan, President & CEO of Alfardan Group, said: "The Alfardan Group has built its reputation on offering our clients a lifestyle in keeping with the quality, luxury, and premium services that they value. A sustained focus on meeting those needs and aspirations has seen the company reach tremendous heights of success in business."

Al Fardan added: "With the opening of Alfardan Medical with Northwestern Medicine, our ambition is to enhance Qatar's medical system and reach global standards in healthcare. We are capable of delivering the most advanced integrated healthcare by leveraging our strengths in this venture, Northwestern Medicine, and their expertise in medical services, combined with the Alfardan Group's renowned capacity for service excellence. I am confident that these merits will truly differentiate Alfardan Medical with Northwestern Medicine as a premier healthcare provider."

Alfardan Group carried out a rigorous assessment of health care systems with the appropriate medical expertise and reputation prior to selecting Northwestern Medicine to provide the guidance, oversight and advice for both the construction and operation of the new Facility.

"Northwestern Medicine is committed to providing high-quality, compassionate care to patients that is informed by breakthrough research. We are pleased to have the opportunity to assist Alfardan in its new project to bring world-class care to Qatar," said Dean M. Harrison, President and Chief Executive Officer, Northwestern Memorial HealthCare. "With this collaboration with the Alfardan Group, we have the unique opportunity to extend our Patients First mission to the Qatari people."

Alfardan Medical with Northwestern Medicine will be located at the Burj Alfardan in Lusail, and will occupy 11,000 sqm over six dedicated floors. The clinic's medical staff and clinicians will be a specialized team of multinational professionals including many from the U.S. The new and valuable addition to private healthcare services in Qatar will also enhance Qatar's position in the field of medical tourism in the region.

Experienced, high-caliber physicians will provide the best levels of health care at the ambulatory care center in various medical specialties, including: ophthalmology, orthopedics, reproductive endocrinology, sleep medicine, dentistry, internal medicine, gastroenterology, ENT, dermatology as well as cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, physical medicine and rehabilitation, and diagnostic services.

Alfardan Group's entry into the medical sector marks the opening of a new chapter in the Group's success as one of Qatar's pioneering business leaders for over 60 years, which has seen Alfardan Group grow to become one of the premier family-owned conglomerates for several business lines in the region.

Alfardan Group continuously pursues growth opportunities that contribute to national interests and the Qatar National Vision to diversify the economy and promote sustainable development.

For more information on Northwestern Medicine, visit NM.org. To learn more about Alfardan, visit www.alfardan.com.qa. To learn more about AMNM visit www.amnm.com.

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Company's Open Eyes charity fund creates comfortable space for children to spend free time during treatment

AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- SoftServe, a leading digital authority and consulting company, announces its Open Eyes charity fund opened Ukraine's first 'Positive Room' for children at the Ivano-Frankivsk Regional Phthisiopneumology Center (RPPC). The room-in cooperation with the doctors of the child department of pulmonary, tuberculosis, and meningitis-creates a comfortable and vivid space where children can spend free time during treatment.

Every year nearly 200 children in the Ivano-Frankivsk region become patients at the RPPC's department of pulmonary tuberculosis and meningitis. During prolonged treatments-which can last two months or more-the children cannot attend school and are often isolated from friends and family. Additionally, the department designed to host 30 hospital beds is often overcrowded.

"We urgently needed the 'Positive Room' as many children stay with us for six to 12 months," said Oksana Golubchak, head of the department of pulmonary, tuberculosis and meningitis for children at the RPPC. "Being a long-term patient confined to a hospital bed can negatively influence the emotional well-being of the children. They need a positive experience to temporarily distract them from their illness."

The 'Positive Room' gives the children a place to spend their free time to have fun, read, catch up on school curriculum, and develop creative skills. The room is split into four zones-creative, playful, reading, and educational-all filled with selected toys and materials to boost the child's development.

"We wanted to create a space for the children to have a positive experience and we tried to reflect it in the design, planning, and functionality of the room," said Ulyana Budenkevych, director of SoftServe's Open Eyes charity fund. "The room has a full-time teacher to educate the children and local volunteers arrange leisure activities and creative workshops."

The 'Positive Room' at RPPC is the first of four planned projects in Ukraine. The goal is to create similar spaces in Kharkiv, Dnipro, and Rivne. The project is financed by donations from SoftServe, its associates, and other donors to the charity fund. Project partners include design-studio Dnes and Ikea-Mania store.

The Open Eyes fund opened its first 'Positive Room' in October 2017, with the cooperation of the association 'Pozytywne.com' and other patners, at child clinic of endocrinology and diabetes in Wroclaw, Poland. The idea for the 'Positive Room' was originally submitted to the Open Eyes charity fund by associates of SoftServe's development center in Wroclaw.

About SoftServe

SoftServe is a digital authority that advises and provides at the cutting-edge of technology. We reveal, transform, accelerate, and optimize the way enterprises and software companies do business. With expertise across healthcare, retail, media, financial services, software, and more, we implement end-to-end solutions to deliver the innovation, quality, and speed that our clients' users expect.

SoftServe delivers open innovation-from generating compelling new ideas, to developing and implementing transformational products and services.

Our work and client experience is built on a foundation of empathetic, human-focused experience design that ensures continuity from concept to release.

We empower enterprises and software companies to (re)identify differentiation, accelerate solution development, and vigorously compete in today's digital economy. No matter where you are in your journey.

Visit our website , blog , LinkedIn , Facebook , and Twitter pages.

SoftServe Media Contact

Paul Jones

Senior Manager, Analyst and Public Relations

pjone@softserveinc.com

512-796-7358

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LONDON, January 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ --

Built on Microsoft Dynamics 365, the system forms part of the university's portfolio of transformation initiatives

Pythagoras, a leading Microsoft Gold Partner and Inner Circle member, is delighted to announce a partnership with London Metropolitan University to deliver a customer relationship management platform as part of a suite of transformation initiatives across the university.

(Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/813571/Pythagoras.jpg )



Built using Pythagoras' Evolve HE, which accelerates the deployment and benefit realisation time of Microsoft Dynamics 365, the solution will replace the universities legacy admissions, marketing and alumni platforms, enabling London Metropolitan University to deliver improved, proactive communications with prospective, current and former students.

Colin Charlton, Business Development Manager for Higher Education at Pythagoras commented; "London Metropolitan University is the latest university to develop a portfolio of transformation initiatives. We're pleased to be the partner enabling their digital-first programme, which will enhance the student experience, optimise resources and transform services across the university."

Artur Vogt, Marketing Manager, Student Conversion & Insight at London Metropolitan University commented; "As the most diverse university in England with an extremely complex target audience, we required a state-of-the-art CRM solution to manage the relationships with our prospective, current and former students. The cutting-edge technology provided by Pythagoras is sophisticated, highly customisable and scalable. The system was tailored to fulfil all our requirements, allowing us to improve our customer service and drive student engagement across all channels.

"The introduction of Microsoft Dynamics 365 with Evolve HE is anticipated to improve staff utilisation, saving the team 780 hours a year through extending automation and allowing the reduction of manual input tasks."

Further expected benefits include:

Removal of silo data and creation of a single student view, enabling a more proactive approach to student engagement through better understanding of customer needs.

Significantly enhanced student experience as a result of new multi-channel marketing automation, advanced audience segmentation and enquiry routing capabilities.

Extended ability to analyse, report and act upon data interrogated by advanced business intelligence tools allowing the creation of accurate ROI insights and forecasts.

Capacity to create seamless integrations with numerous third party apps and plugins in order to extend the system capabilities.

Versatility, allowing a number of departments to embrace the new technology and employ it as part of their systems and daily processes.

Delivery of increased brand awareness and value thanks to an integrated approach across the University.

Improved privacy and GDPR compliance.

About London Metropolitan University

London Metropolitan University has been providing education to people from all backgrounds since 1848. The University offers courses in a wide range of subjects, including art, architecture, design, computing, digital media, business, law, human sciences, social professions and social sciences.

London Met's focus is on preparing its students for the working world, providing career-focused courses and a wide range of initiatives that can help enhance their employability. In 2018, London Met recorded its highest ever graduate employment score, with 96.7% of all graduates in work or further study six months after graduation.

The Accelerator - London Met's specialist business incubator - also helps graduates get their enterprises up and running. Since its conception, it has helped more than 1,000 businesses grow.

London Met is ranked the most socially inclusive university in England and has students from 142 nationalities.

About Pythagoras

Pythagoras has worked with over 30% of UK universities to redefine their approach to student recruitment, engagement and retention using the Microsoft Cloud.

Our dedicated Higher Education team understands the challenges of recruiting and retaining the highest calibre of students and the pressure that universities are under to ensure student satisfaction and wellbeing. Our solutions are specifically designed to give you a holistic view of each student from their first enquiry, throughout their time on course and after graduation, by pulling in disparate data sources, connecting departments and tracking communications and data trends.

https://www.pythagoras.co.uk/higher-education/
Davos (ots) - Please find below a statement by Dr. Frank Appel, CEO of Deutsche Post DHL Group, wrapping up his attendance at the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting in Davos:



"In view of the still confusing geopolitical situation, which is expressed in sporadic increasing demands for protectionism, for example, globalization was at the top of the agenda of this year's World Economic Forum meeting. As one of the most global companies in the world, we are committed to international cooperation and trade, because no country has ever benefited from nationalism and separation. After many discussions here in Davos, I feel that business leaders and politicians of most countries share this view. Now is the time to set the right course for the future, for example with a view to the European elections in May. This election is a forward-looking decision with long-term implications. It will decide the future of a united Europe, its institutions and its values. In essence, it is about whether we want to take another step towards isolation and nationalism, or whether we want to continue international cooperation in an increasingly complex world. The European Union is one of the greatest political achievements of modernity, with more than 500 million people living in freedom, peace and prosperity - it cannot survive without active democratic participation".



Deutsche Post DHL Group is the world's leading mail and logistics company. The Group connects people and markets and is an enabler of global trade. It aspires to be the first choice for customers, employees and investors worldwide. The Group contributes to the world through responsible business practice, corporate citizenship and environmental activities. By the year 2050, Deutsche Post DHL Group aims to achieve zero emissions logistics.



Deutsche Post DHL Group is home to two strong brands: Deutsche Post is Europe's leading postal service provider. DHL offers a comprehensive range of international express, freight transport, and supply chain management services, as well as e-commerce logistics solutions. Deutsche Post DHL Group employs approximately 520,000 people in over 220 countries and territories worldwide. The Group generated revenues of more than 60 billion Euros in 2017.



Die Post fur Deutschland. The logistics company for the world.



Originaltext: Deutsche Post DHL Group digital press kits: http://www.presseportal.de/nr/30097 press kits via RSS: http://www.presseportal.de/rss/pm_30097.rss2 ISIN: DE0005552004



Contact: Deutsche Post DHL Group Media Relations Christina Neuffer Phone: +49 228 182-9944 E-mail: pressestelle@dpdhl.com On the Internet: www.dpdhl.de/presse Follow us: www.twitter.com/DeutschePostDHL

Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de
LONDON, January 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ --

ICIS, the world's largest petrochemical market information provider, has published its 2019 Global Chemical Outlooks. This series of in-depth, analytical stories has been compiled by experts across the globe to provide a comprehensive understanding of the sector, as well as the potential challenges and opportunities for key chemical markets.

(Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/619935/ICIS_Logo.jpg )



(Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/813330/ICIS_Infographic.jpg )



Download the Global Outlook 2019 for a deeper view of the current state of play and a detailed overview of the recent key trends.

The outlooks cover key regions including America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East, providing insight on over 60 commodity markets, including:

Acids

Aromatics

Base Oils

Intermediates

Fertilizers

Olefins

Plastics/ Polymers

and more.

As uncertainty continues to shake the petrochemical industry, coupled with the aftermath of 2018 political news and events, understanding the current market is key to making better informed business decisions.

Download the Global Chemical Outlooks from ICIS to find out more.

About ICIS

ICIS is the world's largest petrochemical market information provider, with divisions spanning energy and fertilizers. Our aim is to give companies in global commodities markets a competitive advantage by delivering valuable information and analytics tools, which enable our customers to identify and react to opportunities in markets which are constantly evolving. We have more than 30 years' experience of providing pricing intelligence and news, forecast data, market analytics and independent consulting to buyers, sellers and analysts.

With a global staff of more than 600, ICIS has employees based in London, Houston, New York, Singapore, Dubai, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Beijing, Mumbai, Tokyo, Karlsruhe, and Milan. ICIS' team of journalists is engaged in reporting market prices and news, and ICIS is fully committed to upholding the highest journalistic principles of verification, corroboration and authentication. ICIS has a compliance framework that along with its methodologies and business processes adheres to the requirements of the IOSCO PRA Principles.

ICIS is a division of Reed Business Information, part of RELX Group.

About Reed Business Information

Reed Business Information provides information, analytics and data to business professionals worldwide. Our strong global products and services hold market-leading positions across a wide range of industry sectors, including banking, petrochemicals and aviation, where we help customers make key strategic decisions every day. RBI is part of RELX Group, a global provider of information and analytics for professional customers across industries.

About RELX Group

RELX Group is a global provider of information and analytics for professional and business customers across industries. The Group serves customers in more than 180 countries and has offices in about 40 countries. It employs about 30,000 people of whom almost half are in North America. The shares of RELX PLC, the parent company, are traded on the London, Amsterdam and New York Stock Exchanges using the following ticker symbols: London: REL; Amsterdam: REN; New York: RELX. The market capitalisation is approximately 32.2bn, 37bn, $42bn.

For further information, please contact:

Graeme Paterson

Global News Editor

+44-20-8652-3335

Graeme.Paterson@icis.com


Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 25, 2019) - Explorex Resources Inc. (CSE: EX) (FSE: 1XE) (OTC Pink: EXPXF) (the "Company" or "Explorex") provides guidance to Vulcan Hautalampi Oy, principally owned by three private Finnish companies (Alandra Oy, Kiviralli Oy and Tetra Ekberg Oy) (a.k.a. "FinnCobalt" or the "Vendor"), regarding the proposed acquisition of the Hautalampi project in eastern Finland ("Hautalampi").

The Amended Letter of Intent ("LOI"), detailed in a press release dated Nov 15, 2018, afforded Explorex with a staged option to earn a 100% interest in Hautalampi over a 4-year period subject to certain cash disbursements, share issuances and work expenditures.

In consideration for the 100% acquisition of Hautalampi, the Company is required to deliver to the Vendor $1,990,003 in cash payments and $3,050,001 value in shares of the Company over the four year term; and perform $3 million in exploration expenditures prior to the second year anniversary (all amounts quoted in US dollars). In addition, upon completion of the earn-in the Vendor shall receive a 1.5% net metals royalty and upon declaring commercial production shall receive a share issuance having a value of $1,500,000.

To provide security to the Company's shareholders towards fulfilling the required US$3 million exploration expenditures, the Company planned to secure the total funding in advance. However, Explorex was recently informed by its strategic partner that a large investment in support of the Hautalampi acquisition will not be forthcoming at this time due to their internal considerations. Therefore, the Company has informed FinnCobalt that in the immediate term it does not foresee sourcing adequate funds to move forward in a corporately prudent manner.

Explorex will continue to seek alternate sources of funds to satisfy the requirements of the LOI. Meanwhile the Company acknowledges that FinnCobalt is open to proceed with the advancement of the Hautalampi project on a non-exclusive basis.

"We recognize the merits of Hautalampi and will continue to pursue avenues to support the acquisition. We appreciate FinnCobalt's patience and understanding in this matter.", states Gary Schellenberg, CEO. "On the home front, we remain quite confident in the potential of the Co-Mn-Base Metals Kagoot Brook project in New Brunswick and will focus on revealing the source of the prevalent and high grade cobalt mineralization observed there."

About Explorex Resources Inc.

Explorex is an exploration company focusing on Cobalt and metals critical to rechargeable battery technology. Explorex is earning a 75% interest in the Co-Mn-Base Metals Kagoot Brook project in New Brunswick, has 100% interest in the early stage Handlebar Co-Cu-Ni Project northeast of Kamloops BC and is actively sourcing additional projects to increase its property portfolio.

On behalf of the Board,

Gary Schellenberg,

CEO

For further information, please contact Gary Schellenberg, CEO or Mike Sieb, President at 604-681-0221

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 press release.

This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially and there are no assurances that the transaction described in this news release will close on the terms described or at all. Except as required pursuant to applicable securities laws, the Company will not update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof. More detailed information about potential factors that could affect financial results is included in the documents filed from time to time with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities by the Company. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward looking statements.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/42445
LONDON, January 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ --

The CEO and Chairman of Better Globe Group, Rino Solberg, was celebrating this week, having being named Business Worldwide Magazine's (BWM) Man of the Year 2018.

(Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/813162/BWM_Rino_Solberg.jpg )



Solberg was the unanimous choice of the judging panel thanks to his extensive work in corporate sustainability; a global movement which has become increasingly popular over the past twenty years.

Now in its third year, the BWM 'Man of the Year' accolade recognizes those individuals in business whose proven leadership, strategic planning, customer and market focus has not only stimulated their company to continually grow, develop and innovate, but also whose vision and enterprise has helped shaped the conceptual landscape of their industry for the better.

Better Globe Group plans to help in the fight of eliminating poverty in Africa by planting trees. Solberg, a successful serial entrepreneur, made a conscious decision to change focus from heading up profit-making businesses to making a real difference in the world. He chose to focus on Africa, where poverty has been well-documented for many years, aiming to help approximately 70% of the indigenous population, who are poor farmers. Instead of living season by season, he encourages farmers to plan for long term sustainability. The tree planting programme enables farmers to enjoy long term profits, and Solberg has also written two books and publishes a forestry magazine to educate African farmers on a new, more profitable way of working.

"Anyone can tell that Africa is going to be the next booming continent," said Solberg. "Six of the ten fastest growing economies in the world in 2018 are in Africa. That means there are many opportunities there for people who want to invest their money in the coming years.

Better Globe Forestry is in the lead to eradicate poverty and corruption in Africa, in a sustainable way and we believe we have found the key to do this, as well as the tools to make it happen."

More information on the Better Globe Group can be found at http://www.betterglobegroup.com/

Rino Solberg was interviewed in London by BWM, here is a link to that video https://www.bwmonline.com/2018/10/25/business-worldwide-interviews-better-globe-groups-chairman-rino-solberg/

An article on the company can be found on BWM website

https://www.bwmonline.com/2019/01/23/corporate-sustainability-delivers-anti-poverty-action-in-africa/

For more details about Business Worldwide Magazine and its various awards programmes, visit https://www.bwmonline.com/awards

About Business Worldwide Magazine

Business Worldwide Magazine is the leading source of business and dealmaker intelligence throughout the world. Our quarterly magazine and online news portal enables an established audience of corporate dealmakers to track the latest news, stories and developments affecting the international markets, corporate finance, business strategy and changes in legislation. This readership includes of CEO/CFO - Banks, Corporate Lawyers and Venture Capital/Private Equity Companies to name a few.

https://www.bwmonline.com/about-us/

Contact

Robert Weinberg

Awards Department

E: robert.weinberg@bwmonline.com



W: www.bwmonline.com


It was the offhand comment heard round the world: Asked by Anderson Cooper on 60 Minutes how she would pay for ambitious proposals such as a Green New Deal, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the freshman phenom from a Bronx-Queens district, offered higher taxes on the very rich, such as a 60 or 70 percent marginal rate on incomes at $10 million and above. That triggered think tank and op-ed page responses from left and right, local and national, and weeks later its still being actively discussed. On Tuesday, CNBC reported from Davos, The elite financiers attending the World Economic Forum are worried, about Ocasio-Cortezs proposal. Ocasio-Cortez hasnt backed down from the fight, swiftly rebutting misleading arguments from prominent Republicans who appear not to understand that a marginal tax rate kicking in at $10 million does not apply to incomes below that threshold nor to the first $10 million per year that people like Bill Gates and Tom Brady make.

Why, unlike the average young activist promoting investment in renewable energy and Medicare for All, does Ocasio-Cortez want to talk not only about the popular public investments and social safety net expansions but also how to pay for them? Perhaps its because shes from New York and she has seen the downsides of the accumulation of great wealth amid a sea of poverty and stagnant middle-class wages.

The income disparity has grown for over 40 years throughout the United States, thanks to a wave of corporate deregulation and consolidation, while offshoring, outsourcing and automation have decimated the ranks of unionized private-sector workers and reduced wages for less-skilled employees. According to a 2017 study by the Economic Policy Institute, from 1965 to 2016, CEOs went from making 20 times a typical workers pay to 271 times as much.

Aside from corporate executives, the beneficiaries are the proliferating ranks of ancillary profiteers: lawyers who protect corporations from the claims of mistreated employees or customers, accountants who minimize a firms tax liabilities, management consultants who recommend how to wring more productivity from the worker bees, private equity investors who load up firms with debt, lay off employees and walk away with a fat bonus, hedge fund managers who help the rich get richer, and brokers of stocks and securities who are paid to gamble with other peoples money. All of these hangers-on are heavily concentrated in a few metropolitan regions, including Boston, Chicago and San Francisco. But nowhere have they agglomerated in greater number than in New York City and its suburbs.

At the same time, New York has seen its once-mighty manufacturing economy dwindle to a tiny nub. Between 1970 and 2014, New York state lost 75 percent of its manufacturing jobs, the largest share of any Rust Belt state, and the New York City region lost 80 percent of its employment in manufacturing, the worst attrition of any urban area in the state.

New York now has the largest income gap of any state. The New York City area has the second-highest of any metro region in the country, after its neighbor, Bridgeport, Connecticut.

In 2016, according to the Brookings Institution, a household at the 20th percentile in the New York City area had an income of $25,391 per year, while a household at the 95th percentile made $304,292. Notwithstanding all the hype about gentrification, the city is less affluent than the suburbs, especially at the bottom. In New York City proper, which ranks eighth most unequal among inner cities, the 20th-percentile income was $19,144 while the 95th-percentile income is $282,125.

Ocasio-Cortez knows firsthand the inequity between city and suburb. As she recalled on her campaign website, the state of Bronx public schools in the late 80s and early 90s sent her parents on a search for a solution. She ended up attending public school in Yorktown, which is an upper-middle class town in suburban Westchester County. The 40-minute drive represented a vastly different quality of available schooling, economic opportunity, and health outcomes, she wrote.

Contrary to former New York City Mayor Michael Bloombergs contention that an influx of billionaires would be a godsend, Ocasio-Cortez sees downsides of such extraordinary wealth. As the rich get richer, they have bid up the cost of housing in once-middle-class and working-class neighborhoods to astronomical sums, straining and displacing the existing communities. According to a 2016 study of the 414 most populous counties by real estate data company ATTOM Data Solutions, Brooklyn is the most unaffordable, with Manhattan coming in fourth and Queens in eighth. Unaffordability was determined by the discrepancy between incomes and the cost of housing. As MarketWatch put it, A person earning the average salary in Brooklyn cannot afford the average home there  even if he or she could spend his entire salary (and then some) on housing.

Where once New York City was filled with middle-class neighborhoods, its now starkly divided between rich and poor. The former have bid up the price of housing in Manhattan astronomically  it is still more expensive than any of the outer boroughs, but it also has higher incomes  and now they are pushing into Brooklyn and Queens and sending prices soaring past the means of longtime residents.

Some critics of Ocasio-Cortezs proposal argue a very high tax rate would discourage those who make $10 million per year from reaching for their 11th million. What they fail to appreciate is that Ocasio-Cortez and her fans see that as a feature, not a bug. Like a tax on climate pollution or cigarettes, higher taxes on the super-rich is not just a way to raise revenue; its a tax on a perceived social ill  in this case inequality  with the explicit purpose of adjusting corporate incentives so that pre-tax income would have a flatter distribution. (And if they forgo that extra million by choosing not to boost their bonus by wringing more savings out of the workforces wages, so much the better.)

During the 1950s and 1960s, when the highest income tax bracket ranged from 70 to 92 percent and the U.S. economy grew at a healthier clip than it has ever since, executives were paid substantially less. This didnt mean they couldnt afford to live in New York City. It just cost a lot less. Reducing incomes at the very top might help bring New Yorks housing costs back to earth and mitigate the inequity between gold-plated suburban school districts and their poorer counterparts. And so, while other liberals might shy away from talking about big tax hikes on top earners, Ocasio-Cortez embraces it.

Besides the drawbacks of huge inequality, Ocasio-Cortezs hometown also shows that higher taxes dont necessarily hinder economic growth. As The Atlantics Derek Thompson notes, the two most important hubs of innovation in the United States are the Bay Area and New York City. But according to the Tax Foundation, California and New York have the 48th and the 49th most favorable business-tax climates in the country. Sky-high tax rates in Mountain View and Manhattan havent blunted their advantage.

Why is it that entrepreneurs and companies like Amazon choose regions with high taxes? One reason is that the public services they support provide substantial benefits to corporations and foster economic growth. For example, it is no coincidence that the regions with the strongest economies are often those with the most extensive mass transit systems. There also are productivity benefits to being in a city with a robust social safety net, like how New York Citys universal pre-K reduces stress or time constraints for parents.

The most successful tech companies believe that a healthy, happy and highly educated workforce produce and innovate more, which is why they offer perks like free organic meals and gym memberships. Its also why they locate in the creative capitals where workers want to live, which often feature many first-rate publicly supported amenities like parks, museums or performing arts centers. According to urban policy experts such as Alan Mallach at the Center for Community Progress, universities and hospitals  two institutions that are usually nonprofits, always publicly subsidized, and often are publicly run  are among the strongest assets that post-industrial cities can have.

So Ocasio-Cortez argues higher taxes to provide free universal health insurance and college tuition would ultimately benefit the economy, even if it means  as Fox News Sean Hannity warned  that demand for recreational boats will decline. To many New Yorkers, less opportunity for the rich to indulge themselves would be a good thing.
European payments provider myPOS has today announced the re-launch of its Mobile Checkout solution for accepting in-app payments.

The service, first developed in 2016 as part of the online checkout integrations, has been improved to ensure seamless in-app integration. It enables merchants to accept payments within their apps, meaning that customers have a simple buying experience and aren't redirected to external sites. In addition, a dedicated technical support team is now available to help merchants with integration.

The myPOS in-app payments gateway accepts the most popular card schemes - VISA, Mastercard, UnionPay International, JCB, Bancontact and will onboard more in the coming years.

Merchants can integrate the solution directly into their apps, minimizing the number of redirects the end user needs to go through before paying, all the while remaining in a secure and seamless environment. The cardholder is guided during the payment process while myPOS checks the card-sensitive data and processes the transaction, without storing any data on the merchant's app platform. End users can optionally save their card information into myPOS, where it remains encrypted, yet easily brought up at a tap.

Christo Georgiev, the founder of myPOS, said: "Customers are looking for convenience, whether they are shopping in-store, online or via mobile phone. Besides offering them different means of payments, we also want to catch them right where they are on their smartphones. Shopping for products or services on the phone is an essential part of many people's lives, and I'm proud to say that thanks to technology advancements and in-house innovations, myPOS has provided a fantastic solution for both customers and merchants.''

"We forecast that mobile apps on both the App Store and Google Play Store, which offer customers the ability to pay through myPOS Checkout, will more than double by the end of 2019, due to active marketing efforts as well as the organic demand from consumers for secure mobile payments."

More details about myPOS Mobile Checkout integration can be found on the myPOS Developers page or by contacting dev.rel@mypos.com

About myPOS Europe Ltd

myPOS Europe Ltd is a payments provider and processor, registered at Level 33, 25 Canada Square, Canary Wharf London E14 5LB, UK and licensed by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

The myPOS package includes a mobile POS device, free myPOS account with business VISA card and access to additional merchant services.

www.mypos.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190125005010/en/

Contacts:

Irina Stefanova

PR manager myPOS AD

pr@mypos.com
All patients in the phase 2 trial with GKT831 in PBC have completed a 12-week treatment and approximately 75% have completed the full 24-week treatment period

No dropouts or treatment interruptions due to pruritus have been reported to date

Regulatory News:

Genkyotex (Paris:GKTX) (Brussels:GKTX) (Euronext Paris Brussels: FR0011790542 GKTX) a biopharmaceutical company and the leader in NOX therapies, today announced that its Board of Directors is implementing a 10-for-1 reverse stock split of Genkyotex's common shares, as approved by Genkyotex' shareholders at the Extraordinary General Meeting on January 24, 2019. The reverse stock split operations will begin as from February 27, 2019 in accordance with the terms of the reverse stock split notice to be published in the Bulletin des Annonces Legales Obligatoires (BALO) on February 11, 2019.

This technical adjustment is purely arithmetical and has no impact on the value of Genkyotex shares held by the shareholders.

"I would like to thank our shareholders who have shown once again their support for Genkyotex with the approval of this reverse stock split," said Elias Papatheodorou, Chief Executive Officer of Genkyotex. "We believe that the reverse stock split is a critical step in our larger strategic initiative to increase global visibility for Genkyotex. We continue to be involved in a number of activities to increase the exposure of Genkyotex to the international markets.

The Company also confirms that the final results of the ongoing Phase II trial with GKT831 in patients with Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC) will be published in the spring of 2019. To date, all patients have completed at least 12 weeks of treatment while 82 of the 111 randomized patients have already completed the full 24-week treatment period. Importantly, there have been no treatment interruptions or premature patient dropouts due to pruritus. It is anticipated that the last patients will complete the 24-week treatment period by mid-March.

About Genkyotex

Genkyotex is the leading biopharmaceutical company in NOX therapies, listed on the Euronext Paris and Euronext Brussels markets. A leader in NOX therapies, its unique therapeutic approach is based on a selective inhibition of NOX enzymes that amplify multiple disease processes such as fibrosis, inflammation, pain processing, cancer development, and neurodegeneration.

Genkyotex's platform enables the identification of orally available small-molecules that selectively inhibit specific NOX enzymes. Genkyotex is developing a pipeline of first-in-class product candidates targeting one or multiple NOX enzymes. The lead product candidate, GKT831, a NOX1 and NOX4 inhibitor is evaluated in a phase II clinical trial in primary biliary cholangitis (PBC, a fibrotic orphan disease) and in an investigator-initiated Phase II clinical trial in Type 1 Diabetes and Kidney Disease (DKD). A grant from the United States National Institutes of Health (NIH) of $8.9 million was awarded to Professor Victor Thannickal at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) to fund a multi-year research program evaluating the role of NOX enzymes in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a chronic lung disease that results in fibrosis of the lungs, the core component of the program will be to conduct a Phase 2 trial with the GKT831 in patients with IPF. This product candidate may also be active in other fibrotic indications. Its second product candidate, GKT771, is a NOX1 inhibitor targeting multiple pathways in angiogenesis, pain processing, and inflammation, currently undergoing preclinical testing.

Genkyotex also has a versatile platform well-suited to the development of various immunotherapies (Vaxiclase). A partnership covering the use of Vaxiclase as an antigen per se (GTL003) has been established with Serum Institute of India Private Ltd (Serum Institute), the world's largest producer of vaccine doses, for the development by Serum Institute of cellular multivalent combination vaccines against a variety of infectious diseases. This partnership could generate approximately 150 million in future revenues for Genkyotex, before royalties on sales.

For further information, please go towww.genkyotex.com

Disclaimer

This press release may contain forward-looking statements by the company with respect to its objectives. Such statements are based upon the current beliefs, estimates and expectations of Genkyotex's management and are subject to risks and uncertainties such as the company's ability to implement its chosen strategy, customer market trends, changes in technologies and in the company's competitive environment, changes in regulations, clinical or industrial risks and all risks linked to the company's growth. These factors as well as other risks and uncertainties may prevent the company from achieving the objectives outlined in the press release and actual results may differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements, due to various factors. Without being exhaustive, such factors include uncertainties involved in the development of Genkyotex's products, which may not succeed, or in the delivery of Genkyotex's products marketing authorizations by the relevant regulatory authorities and, in general, any factor that could affects Genkyotex's capacity to commercialize the products it develops. No guarantee is given on forward-looking statements which are subject to a number of risks, notably those described in the registration document (document de reference) registered by the French Markets Authority (the AMF) on 27 April 2018 under number R.18-037, and those linked to changes in economic conditions, the financial markets, or the markets on which Genkyotex is present. Genkyotex products are currently used for clinical trials only and are not otherwise available for distribution or sale.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190124005718/en/

Contacts:

INVESTORS

NewCap

Dusan Oresansky, Tristan Roquet Montegon and Emmanuel Huynh

+33 1 44 71 94 92

genkyotex@newcap.eu



MEDIA

NewCap

Nicolas Merigeau, Arthur Rouille

+33 1 44 71 00 15

genkyotex@newcap.eu



US

LifeSci Advisors, LLC

Brian Ritchie

+1-212-915-2578

britchie@lifesciadvisors.com
Leaders from business and academia brought together by SK Group and BCG discuss social value and its positive impact on business sustainability

SK Group Chairman, Chey Tae -won encourages global leaders to adopt business management that is conducive to social value

DAVOS, Switzerland, Jan. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Chey Tae-won, Chairman of SK Group, the third largest conglomerate in South Korea by asset size, today presented 'social value' as a methodology for sustainable growth, while attending the World Economic Forum 2019 held in Davos, Switzerland. In the age of 'globalization 4.0', this innovative methodology suggests that global issues can be solved by creating social value through new business models as opposed to zero-sum games and competition.

During the 2019 Annual Meeting at Davos, SK Group hosted a private session titled "Shedding light on the hidden value of business" in partnership with Boston Consulting Group (BCG). The session brought together prominent social value experts from the worlds of business, academia and the investment community, including Joe Kaeser, CEO of Siemens, Hans-Paul Burkner, Chairman of BCG, George Serafeim, Professor at Harvard Business School, and Kevin Lu, Partner and Chairman of Asia at Partners Group. Panelists discussed their experience in creating social value and the major obstacles in bringing impact investment to the mainstream.

In today's business environment where 'connectivity' driven by digital technology forges relationships between corporations and society, corporations are expected to play a bigger role as social citizens in addition to their role as economic value creators. As such, SK Group has implemented transformative corporate objectives to create social value. It is a proactive vision that utilizes corporate resources and capabilities to solve social issues and problems.

As a panelist, Chey Tae-won, who has led the SK Group since 1998, shared his vision and provided an update on the progress the company has made in generating social value. Engaging with the other panelists and the audience, he made a strong case for a 'deep change' to make businesses sustainable and presented social value as the cornerstone of this new strategy.

As an example of an innovative approach to generate social and economic value simultaneously, Mr. Chey introduced a new accounting methodology, the 'Double Bottom Line' (DBL). This methodology is currently being implemented across the SK Group, and it incorporates a host of indicators pertaining to the environment and social well-being. It is based on Chey's belief that economic value and social value are mutually re-enforcing. SK Group plans to report all its 17 affiliates' contribution to social value alongside net income on its income statement. Receiving a wide range of public support and interests, SK Group has also signed 8 MoUs on DBL with state-owned companies in South Korea.

SK Group has pioneered the approach by increasing its efforts to build a new measurement methodology that is flexible and can be applied to a variety of contexts, projects and stakeholders. The comprehensive pilot scheme developed by SK Group called 'Social Progress Credit' (SPC) is grounded on collaboration and consensus and seeks to reward social enterprises cash incentives for their social outputs.

"SK Group is running an experimental pilot scheme that measures social value and provides incentives in proportion to social value generated. The objective is to support the growth of social enterprises," said Mr. Chey. "Interestingly, the financials of many enterprises also improved. The number of participating entities where operating profit returned to positive territory rose by 30%. The employment of the disabled and the elderly also increased."

Experts who participated in the session shared the need for creating social value as a means to drive sustainable business. In particular, they discussed how social value can be measured and incentivized, and how pursuing social value can be made mainstream for companies.

During the opening remarks, Hans-Paul Burkner, Chairman of BCG said, "BCG has been helping our clients expand the positive societal impacts that they create through their products, services and how they operate as a business". George Serafeim, Professor at Harvard Business School who leads the Impact Weighted Accounts Initiative (IWAI) added, "In the transition to impact economy, it is critical to accelerate the practice of considering social and environmental factors alongside financial performance in corporate management and investment decision-making".

Some of SK's recent initiatives aim at maximizing the social value of its tangible and intangible assets through new collaborative frameworks. For example, SK Group launched the shared infrastructure initiative, where the firm opened its domestic network of SK gas stations to external stakeholders. This initiative received more than a thousand proposals for shared-space utilization and SK's competitors have also joined the initiative and contributed facilities of their own.

Mr. Chey said, "We live in a shared economy, and must challenge our traditional way of thinking. If we adopt the view that our assets, as an infrastructure, can be shared with our consumers, stakeholders and wider society, we can develop new business models and create more social value".

About SK Group

SK Group (www.sk.com/en) is the third-largest conglomerate in Korea by asset size. It was founded in 1953 and has 101 subsidiary companies in energychemicals, ICT, semiconductor, and biopharmaceutical sectors. SK Group has 16 companies listed on the Korea Exchange (KOSPI and KOSDAQ), including SK Holdings, SK Innovation, SK Telecom, SK Hynix, and SK Chemical. The Group has two subsidiaries in 2018 Fortune 500 list - SK Holdings (95) and SK Hynix (442).

Chey Tae-won has increased SK Group's assets to US$121.7 billion in 2017, a 500% increase since he came to office as Chairman in 1998. In 2017, SK Group participated in the consortium led by Bain Capital acquiring a significant stake in Toshiba's memory chip business. In July 2018, the group also acquired a 100% stake in a US-based biopharmaceutical company AMPAC Fine Chemicals and announced the investment of US$1.67 billion in November to build a new electric vehicle (EV) battery manufacturing facility in Georgia, USA.

Media Contact

Shirley Zhao, Senior Account Executive BCW Korea +82-10-7124-0725 Shirley.Zhao@bcw-global.com

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/813356/SK_Group_WEF_Davos.jpg
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 24, 2019) - InvestorIntel Corp. would like to cordially invite you to visit us at Booth #303 at the Cantech Investment Conference to be held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (255 Front St. West, Toronto) on Tuesday January 29 - Wednesday January 30, 2019.

The Cantech Investment Conference opened the floodgates of capital to Canada's innovation companies. The Conference has grown every year since its inception in 2013 and has been host to every major player in Canadian technology and finance.

This is the hallmark event, that attracts the interest of investors, funds and media from both sides of the border to meet with Canadian innovation entrepreneurs.

For more information and/or to register for the conference please visit: https://cambridgehouse.com/cantech-investment-conference

We look forward to seeing you there.

About InvestorIntel.com

InvestorIntel.com is a leading online source of investor information that provides public market coverage for both investors and industry alike. Offering coverage of emerging markets and investment opportunities to discerning investors, InvestorIntel is considered an online influencer in market coverage, analysis, videos and podcast reports and is based in Toronto, Canada.

For further information:

InvestorIntel Corp.

Tracy Weslosky

6472897714

tracy@investorintel.com

InvestorIntel Corp.
The Show Will Be Available On Hotstar & Netflix

After its premiere on television, the show will stream on Hotstar. After three months, it will be streamed on Netflix. The Bollywood actor revealed that Netflix wanted to acquire the show, but he chose television.

Why Aamir Chose TV Over Netflix?

The actor told the leading daily, "Netflix was keen to acquire it, but I wanted people across the country to see it first, and then the world. I chose to premiere it on TV due to the wide reach of the medium."

Why Aamir Chose Republic Day To Air The Show?

On why he chose Republic Day to air his show, he said, "It is a national holiday, so everyone can watch it." The show is emotionally stirring and thought-provoking, which will leave viewers with a lump in the throat. Aamir said, "When I saw the film, I cried."

The Show Is Available In 7 Languages!

Aamir says that the film is close to his heart. He added, "We have translated the film into seven different languages. I am looking forward to you all watching the film. The film will release in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Hindi, Bengali, Marathi and English along with subtitles on respective Star regional networks."
Mohanlal is one of the most popular and respected stars in the Malayalam film industry today. He is loved by all and sundry courtesy his remarkable range as an actor, good looks and simple nature. Now, here is some good news for all you 'Lalettan' fans out there. In an exciting development, Mohanlal has been conferred with the Padma Bhushan. The announcement was made a short while ago and it has created a buzz in the industry.

Mohanlal was been honoured with the Padma Shri in 2001 and the latest honour proves his mettle. The veteran has been a part of the Malayalam film industry for nearly four decades. And, during this time he has acted in several classics . His most noted Mollywood films include Manichitrathhazu, Kireedam and Bharatham.

The 'Complete Actor' has also acted in a few Tamil, Hindi and Telugu films as well. He has also done a Kannada movie.

His recent releases include Drama, Pulimurugan, Neerali and the magnum opus Odiyan. He currently has Lucifer in his kitty. It is a major release and marks Prithviraj's directorial debut.

On a related note, while Mohanlal has been conferred with the Padma Bhushan, the Tamil actor-director Prahhudeva and the Telugu lyricist Sirivennela Seetaramasastry have been honoured with the Padma Shri.

We congratulate these stars and wish them good luck.
Rating: 3.0 /5 Star Cast: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Amrita Rao, Sudhir Mishra, Satish Alekar, Abdul Quadir Amin Director: Abhijit Panse

'Main artiste hoon, majdoor nahin,' shoots back Nawazuddin Siddiqui's Bal Thackeray at his editor when asked to tone down his humorous cartoons which take a dig at the big-shots. The resignation follows soon in the form of his self-caricature kicking the said-editor's behind and Thackeray storms out of the newspaper office with his head high.

Abhijit Panse's Thackeray traces his journey from a cartoonist at Free Press Journal to becoming one of the most important leaders who changed the politics in Maharashtra. He begins with how Balasaheb Thackeray brought a stir in the state with his 'Marathi Manoos Jaaga Ho' in response to the growing influx of migrant jobbers especially the South Indians. Through his self-publication Marmik, he fanned the flame of Marathi ire and slowly became their messiah with his political party, Shiv Sena.

In the narrative, writer Sanjay Raut also squeezes in relevant political events like the Morarji Desai episode in 1969, the crushing of Communist trade unions, Thackeray's meeting with Indira Gandhi during the Emergency period, Javed Miandad's courtesy visit to the Sena chief's residence along with Dilip Vengsarkar and the Babri Masjid demolition.

Speaking about the film as a whole, Thackeray focusses more on the political aspect rather than giving us a sneak-peek into the lesser known side of the man. There are many times when the filmmaker succumbs to the temptation of constructing a self-righteous man out of Thackeray and even gets Nawaz's character to mouth dialogues like, "Mere liye desh pahle hain, Rajya baad mein" and "Maine pehle kalam uthaya tha, par kuch nahin hua" to justify the violence his party endorsed during certain periods.

However, the makers soon pull up the strings with him saying, "Main sahi hun, yaa galat...Iska faisla..Aap nahin...Desh ki Janta karegi...Kyunki sabse upar ek hi adaalat ko manta hu...woh hai janta ki adalat hai."

Speaking about the performances, Nawazuddin roars loud as Balasaheb Thackeray. Rather than resorting to mimicking the late leader, the actor brings in his own interpretation but retains the soul and spirit of the original man. Amrita Rao as Meenatai Thackeray is likeable in her part though one wished she had more to do in the film.

Sudeep Chaterjee's camerawork is effective and the film scores well on the production values. Having the first half of the film in black and white works in its favour. The editing goes in tune with the narrative though one feels that the film could have been snipped short by few more minutes to make it more razor-sharp.

Thankfully, the makers do not throw in unneccessary songs which could have deviated your focus from the story-telling.

Thackeray as a bopic may not tick all the boxes, but it does entertain with its crowd-pleasing dialogues and Nawazuddin Siddiqui's superlative performance. I am going with 3 stars.
Prateik & Sanya Hosted A Vintage Theme Reception

Prateik Babbar and Sanya Sagar hosted a unique, Irish vintage themed wedding reception in Mumbai. The two looked smoking hot, twinning in black outfits. Sanya donned a sexy sheer black gown with fringe detailing. She wore dark red lips and accessorized with silver jewelry and a feather headband. Prateik, on the other hand, was equally a spectacle in a black pin striped tuxedo, accessorized with a scarf around his neck, a hat, a snazzy pair of glasses, and a vintage walking stick!

They Have A Blast At Their Reception

Prateik and Sanya had a blast at their wedding reception which was honestly more like a party! The two got hitched in Sanya's hometown Lucknow a few days back in a two day private wedding ceremony.

The Lovebirds Share A Kiss

The lovebirds share a kiss at their wedding reception as the shutterbugs clicked away. Talking about their engagement last year to Mumbai Mirror, Prateik had said, "Sanya and I, along with our families, decided that something as pure as love should be solemnised on an auspicious day and what better day than Basant Panchami. She's the best partner I could have asked for. It didn't take me long to figure out that she was the one for me. I know it sounds cliched but I can't stop counting my blessings and thanking God for all the good that is happening in my life."

Father & Son Puff Away

Prateik Babbar posed for photos with his dad Raj Babbar at the reception. The father and son duo can be seen puffing away at cigar and pipe! Raj Babbar looks classy in a grey plaid blazer over a black vest and pants.

Siddhanth Kapoor Looked Suave At The Party

Shraddha Kapoor's brother Siddhanth Kapoor was also at the wedding reception of Prateik and Sanya. Siddhanth was wearing an all black ensemble with a black tee, black denims, and a black leather jacket. He sported a pair of vintage sunglasses.

Ayesha Takia & Her Family Graced The Reception

Ayesha Takia was also at the reception, accompanied by her husband Farhan Azmi and their son. She looked beautiful in a peach coloured ensemble and a statement neck piece, whereas Farhan wore a traditional black kurta with navy blue pyjamas. Their son also wore an ethnic ensemble.
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Roofers work last week on the N.C. Shellfish Mariculture Demonstration Center being built behind the Howard Aquaculture Building at Carteret Community College in Morehead City. (Cheryl Burke photo)
Bold and unconventional like her movie choices, Bhumi Pednekars latest cover shoot reflects on her free and feisty side. Right from her debut movie, Bhumi unabashedly picked up out-of-the-ordinary scripts. But despite her girl-next-door vibes, everything about her personality exudes exclusivity.



In this latest cover interview for Femina, Bhumi talks about love, dating apps, crazy things she has done for love, and more. Watch this video to explore her unapologetic, fun and candid side. And, don't miss her elaborate interview in our print edition. Grab your copies now!
"I was always the kid who would entertain relatives with my dance performances, and skits."

"In the times were living in, films need to have a much greater purpose."

"I love the fact that with every role I play, theres a metamorphosis of Bhumi thats happening."

She may not have numerous movies in her kitty, but the ones she does have are all successes. Starting out just four years ago with Dum Laga Ke Haisha, where she played an overweight girl marrying a school dropout, Bhumi Pednekar has, today, won peoples hearts with her relatable and real performances in consequent films. She has proven time and again that the success of a film doesnt just depend on it featuring an all-star cast; it needs a magical story and an actor who can bring the character to life on screen. And bringing characters alive is something the actor is well-versed in. With films like Sonchiriya, Dolly Kitty Aur Woh Chamakte Sitare, and Bala lined up for release in 2019, it looks like its the year of Bhumi Pednekar. Over to the actor.I did many odd jobs; I did everything from casting and writing to production. Being in front of the camera was a childhood dream. But I didnt particularly work towards becoming an actor; I was only 17 when I started working. I was passionate about my job and dedicated to what I was doing. I always knew, however, that I would become an actor some day.I cant point to a single thing, but Ive grown up watching Hindi films. I was exposed to all genres of cinema. I watched Hrishikesh Mukherjees films, and films such as Baazaar, Shree 420, Mother India, while growing up. Then it was another world with Rangeela, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, and Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, that I was exposed to. I was always the kid who would entertain relatives with my dance performances and skits. I think I was born with it. I didnt think there was anything else I would ever do.Honestly, the fact that I was getting launched was enough for me to say yes. And, of course, it was a phenomenal script. I was nervous, because I was to play a character that had a different body type than mine, and I was asked to gain weight, but it was a golden opportunity since I dont come from a film family. When I read the script, I could see that it wasnt a regular film, but I figured that maybe thats what I needed to do.Not really. I think the films you choose have a lot to do with your personality and the kind of cinema you like watching. The films you mentioned have all been beautiful love stories with a message. In the times were living in, films need to have a much greater purpose.Its a great compliment to my work. Its good to be a part of cinema that has tried to bring about change. I may be breaking stereotypes, but the real heroes are the writers and filmmakers who have made me a part of their films. I think theres been a shift in power where films are concerned; from actors, the power has come back to writers and directors, and thats how it should be. Thats the only way our fraternity can flourish. I feel extremely honoured that these storytellers felt like I could do justice to their stories.Its that I get to do so many things. I get to live lives that are so different from my real one. Im not like any of the girls that I have portrayed in my past films. Theyre brought up in different circumstances from mine; I, for one, am a true-blue Mumbai girl. I developed several skills for my films and Ive become a nicer person. I love the fact that with every role I play, theres a metamorphosis of Bhumi thats happening. Im growing and I think its for the best.Im a happy, friendly person. I get along with all my co-stars. But working with Konkona (Sen Sharma) on Dolly Kitty Aur Woh Chamakte Sitare was a different kind of fun. It was my first time working with a female co-star and we had an amazing time.It affects me, but I like thinking of it as constructive criticism. Thats the best way to deal with it. You dont always have to agree with what people say, but sometimes, you see your work and realise that maybe what some people have said makes sense. So you work on it and do better the next time.You know, for me, just being on set is a stress buster. I enjoy everything about my profession. Im a true workaholic.Well, Im nothing like the characters I play. Obviously, there are some core values that resonate with me, but apart from that, Im an everyday girl. Im obsessed with makeup, I love dressing up, dancing, reading, and watching movies. I travel a lot. Im very close to my friends and family.It has to be my mother and my sister. Im blessed to have them in my life. Both of them are such strong personalities and have been amazing role models in their own ways. Where actors are concerned, there are a whole bunch of them who inspire me, like Priyanka Chopra , Waheedaji (Rahman), and Rekha maam.I always remove my makeup before going to bed. I may have shot for 20 hours, but I make sure I come back and remove every last bit of makeup from my face. I try keeping my skin hydrated, and detoxifying my body as much as possible.I just go meet my friends. I also travel quite a bit with them; we love exploring new places. I like watching movies with my girlfriends. Im a complete couch potato when Im at home; I love binge-watching television shows. Right now, Im hooked on to the show The Marvellous Mrs Maisel.I had a blast. The styling was lovely; the team did a phenomenal job. The best part is that its the most different I have looked. Ive been exploring my fashion game for the past two years, and I think this cover added a lot to it. The team had a vision, and I, despite being nervous at the start, went with the flow. And Im extremely happy that I did. Its strong, edgy, high-fashion, and glamorous.One is Sonchiriya, which will be out in February 2019. Its a hard-hitting story. Ive had to learn and do many new things for itI learnt how to milk a cow, walked barefoot for seven kilometres, fetched water from a well, and also changed my workout routine. Then, of course, theres Dolly Kitty Aur Woh Chamakte Sitare. The director, Alankrita Shrivastava, has a very unique voiceshes quirky and she empowers women. Im also doing a film with Ayushmann (Khurrana) called Bala. Its an exciting year for me.
Oak Hill, WV (25901)

Today

Partly cloudy this morning, then becoming cloudy during the afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 82F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low around 65F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.
The Fauquier Times is honored to serve as your community companion. To say thank you, we are excited to offer 4 weeks FREE Digital & Print access to all subscribers new and returning alike.

We are dedicated to continuing providing reliable, high quality journalism. This is possible with the trust and support of our subscribers in the community we are proud to serve.
The value of farmland is being supported by strong interest from lifestyle buyers, investors and high net worth individuals, with farmers accounting for less than half of all purchases in 2018.

According to the Strutt & Parker Farmland Database, the average price of arable land in England rose by 2% in 2018 to 9,400/acre.

This is down by 1,300/acre from its peak in Q2 2015, but only a little below the five-year average.

The farmland market has proved more resilient than many might have predicted considering the Brexit-related uncertainties and practical challenges posed by the weather over the past 18 months.

Strutt & Parkers head of estate and farm agency Michael Fiddes, said: The Agriculture Bill, published in September, confirmed the governments intention to phase out support payments over a seven-year period and much has been made of the negative impact this could have on land prices.

However, farm profitability is only one of a number of factors that determine farmland prices, not least because farmers are not the only people who buy land. Our data confirms that over the past two years non-farmers have played an increasing role in the market.

Land in the right location remains in considerable demand for capital investment for many non-farming reasons, including development potential, privacy, tax reasons, or amenity. For many of these investors, generating profits from farming is not their primary focus, he said.

'Less than half'

Mr Fiddes said while this non-farmer demand continues to be strong, the percentage of land bought by existing farmers has decreased, creating a wide range of values achieved which are not immediately apparent from average prices.

The price of arable land in England during 2018 ranged from a low of 4,575/acre to a high of 15,000/acre. Location rather than quality of land continues to be the key driver of the price achieved.

For the first time since we started compiling detailed records in 1996, farmers accounted for less than half of the buyers in 2018, he said.

Conscious of the likely squeeze on farm profitability going forward, farmers are finding it more difficult to justify buying land funded by borrowings so are taking a more cautious approach.

However, the most entrepreneurial farmers remain in the market for more land if it is in the right location and at the right price.

'Lack of supply'

Mr Fiddes says in the immediate future lack of supply is anticipated to support values.

Whilst the amount of land available rose sharply in Q3 2018 this was, to some degree, due to one or two large sales and relatively little has been marketed since. History shows that in times of uncertainty around CAP reform supply of land in the market has tightened.

In the short- to medium-term the expectation is a widening in the range of values achieved.

He added: Bare land in areas where there is little interest from non-farming buyers is where there is greatest downside risk, but it is likely to be a different story for land with strong appeal to non-farmers, or for land with strategic development potential.

Overall, we expect that in 2019 and 2020 we could see a decrease in average farmland prices, but that growth will return from 2021 onwards.
The government has launched its 5-year action plan to set new targets on containing and controlling antimicrobial resistance in the farming industry.

Farmers will reduce antibiotic use in animals by 25% between 2016 and 2020, with objectives to be refreshed by 2021.

Since 2014, the UK has cut the amount of antibiotics it uses by more than 7% and sales of antibiotics for use in food-producing animals have dropped by 40%.

But the number of drug-resistant bloodstream infections have increased by 35% from 2013 to 2017.

The government has also published its 20-year vision for how the UK will contribute to containing and controlling AMR by 2040.

To promote animal husbandry that prevents endemic diseases, the UK will develop plans with the livestock sector to improve animal health and address endemic disease issues through disease control schemes, veterinary advice and health planning, and tools for promoting knowledge transfer.

The plan will also evaluate the impact of changes in animal husbandry practices and antibiotic use on farm economics and use the findings to promote best practice.

It also calls for more encouragement of regular monitored animal health planning as a key strategy for infection prevention and control in farmed animal enterprises.

NOAH, a group which represents the UK animal health industry, said the plans will ensure 'real progress' is made.

NOAH Chief Executive, Dawn Howard said the group welcomes opportunities to explore options for a co-ordinated research programme to develop novel and improved vaccines, strategies and diagnostics for livestock, fish, companion animals and horses, based on identified market gaps.

She added: But UK Government must deliver a regulatory environment to encourage innovation, investment, productivity and the development of new veterinary medicines, including vaccines, to help drive innovation and encourage a thriving UK animal health sector.
A farming union has highlighted how the 'disastrous' impacts of leaving the European Union, customs union and single market are 'already being felt'.

Speaking at the Welsh Assembly, the Farmers' Union of Wales (FUW) said the impact will 'hit home more and more' over the coming weeks.

FUW President, Glyn Roberts told the Assembly: Contracts will be lost, prices will be affected and Welsh businesses will suffer.

He also highlighted the uncertainty in the food sector regarding possible changes, which he said would hit home in a little less than ten weeks time.

The food served here today is from produce stamped with the oval EU ID and health marks we are all familiar with, said Mr Roberts.

With just weeks to go before Brexit, our eighteen or so Welsh abattoirs, and other producers, do not know what they will need to stamp their produce with for it to be legal here or elsewhere in just a few weeks time.

Exporters packing and shipping products now do not know whether the health and export certificates that accompany those shipments will be legal when it arrives on the other side of the world in just a few weeks time.

'Additional costs'

The union warned that companies reliant on EU supply chains have no experience of dealing with health and export certificates required for third countries - which the UK will become - to import into the EU.

Companies now only have just weeks to train and become familiar with rules relating to hundreds of different export destinations.

Mr Roberts added: We do not know what tariff rates will be charged on imports from other countries after March, as the draft tariffs will not be published until the end of February and need to be approved by parliament - so deals with importers must be reached with no knowledge of the additional costs likely to be incurred at ports.

And as Scottish agriculture minister Fergus Ewing pointed out in a letter last week to Michael Gove, setting tariffs too low risks opening the floodgates to cheap food produced to different standards and causing considerable harm to our farmers and food industry, while also giving away negotiating capital for future trade negotiations.

'Nightmare scenario'

Mr Roberts warned that the implications for the Welsh sheep industry were particularly stark.

With tariffs, sheep farmers fear a nightmare scenario. For example, around a third of Wales lamb crop is exported each year, with 90% of that going to the EU.

For Welsh lambs born now and over coming months, and other Welsh products destined for EU and other markets, the same obstacles apply: Those essential customers wishing to place orders for Welsh lamb do not know what tariffs or barriers will apply in ten weeks time, he told the Welsh Assembly.

Our competitors are already making the most, by gearing up their businesses to take over supply chains that UK companies have taken decades to build up.

The FUW called for Article 50 to be withdrawn altogether - a move which would not require negotiation with the EU 27.

Earlier this month, the NFU said that many British farms will struggle to survive if the United Kingdom leaves the European Union with 'no deal'.
SALEM, Ohio  When Dwight Roseler travels back to Kenya this year, he hopes to help dairies with hundreds of cows, large staffs and automation  but also small farmers, like Mr. Mugo.

Mugo has a handful of milking cows and generates enough income to live on a small subsistence farm near Nakuru, a city of roughly 2 million, located northwest of the capital city of Nairobi. Mugo purchases fodder and buys grain. Every day, he milks by hand and hauls the milk into town to a creamery.

Over the next few years, it will be Roselers job to create dairy feed rations in Kenya for Land OLakes, Inc.,  ideally, a role that will benefit not only large dairies, but small farmers like Mugo, Roseler said.

It has the potential to improve production in a country that has more cows than the U.S., according to Roseler, in an area only slightly smaller than Texas.

Estimates compiled by various organizations, including the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization, are broad, but the consensus is that there are more cattle there than in the U.S.

According to a U.N. report on Kenya, grade cattle breeds account for less than 30 percent of the total cattle population, but contribute about 70 percent of estimated annual milk production and almost all the formally marketed milk.

To Africa

Kenya dairy at a glance Location: Eastern Africa, bordered by the Indian Ocean, Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan and Somalia. Size: 224,000 square miles (slightly smaller than Texas) Population: 49.7 million people (double the population of Texas) Milk production: 898 million gallons Milk price: $14-20 per cwt. (equivalent to) Number of dairy cattle: 9+ million; estimated to be more than U.S. (includes exotic breeds) Breeds of dairy cattle: Friesian, Ayrshire, Guernsey and Jersey. Exotic breeds are part of some estimated dairy cattle numbers, and include East African Zebu and Sahiwal. Global position: Sub-Saharan dairy production is 18% of global industry; Kenya accounts for 3% of that production. Sources: Dwight Roseler; Kenya Ministry of Livestock Development; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations; Kenyas National Farmers Information Service.

Roseler, based in Wooster, Ohio, is the dairy technical manager for part of the Great Lakes region of the Purina Animal Nutrition arm of Land OLakes. He works with 200,000 cows across the Midwest. Starting in August 2018, he began a three-year commitment that will take him to Kenya a couple of times a year.

Several years ago, Land OLakes partnered with Bidco, a Kenyan grain processor. Roselers task will be to formulate dairy feed rations from the byproducts of Bidcos grain processing at its mill in Nakuru. He will also do forage testing, and run training sessions on how to improve cow health. (Teaching is not new for him. He is also an adjunct professor for The Ohio State University.)

The farms are very much interested in learning how to improve, Roseler said.

Chance to improve

According to Land OLakes, the demand for meat and dairy products is increasing in Kenya, but only about 5 percent of farms are commercialized enough to meet even a portion of the demand.

The production model in Kenya is different, Roseler said. It relies on less machinery and automation; conversely, hourly wages are cheap. One 200-cow dairy he visited had dozens of employees. In visits to 25 dairies, Roseler said he saw a wide variety of management styles, sizes and levels of automation.

While farmers might harvest silage, Roseler said its often made of elephant grass, a high dry-matter yielding grass that grows well in tropical climates and is drought resistant, but produces only a moderate quality forage, according to a 2016 article in Livestock Research for Rural Development. Even at large dairies, heifers dont start milking until about 3 years old, Roseler said.

The infrastructure there is not anything like what we have in the U.S., Roseler said, adding, Its very much in the infancy, in terms of the industry.

It reminds me of back when I first started in the early 80s, Roseler said. There were a lot of small farms then. There has been a lot of consolidation (in the U.S.).

He added that Land OLakes sees an opportunity to help improve calf nutrition and, in turn, help growth rates.

There is also opportunity on the processing side of the dairy business, Roseler said. Small farmers will load their milk into large, metal jars and haul it to their town or village creamery for payment. It is not uncommon to see bicycles whiz down roads, jars strapped to the back.

Kenya by the numbers

Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for 18 percent of global milk production. Kenya makes up 3 percent of that amount, with roughly the equivalent of 898 million gallons of milk produced, according to a 2017 report from the Kenya Ministry of Livestock Development.

The milk price (in Kenya), surprisingly, wasnt that different than ours per hundredweight, Roseler said.

August was the first time Roseler traveled to Kenya, but he enjoyed it.

He first tasted chai na maziwa (tea with milk, which is a Kenyan staple) at Mr. Mugos .

Its wonderful, he said.

Details

To learn more about the project, contact Dwight Roseler at dkroseler@gmail.com.
Established by the National Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow (NACT) in 1993 and adopted by the American Agricultural Editors Association (AAEA) in 2004, AAEA Agricultural Communicators Network scholarships are awarded to outstanding members of ACT for their achievements in leadership, career-related experiences, academics and service.

Scholarships

Four scholarships will be awarded in 2019. The James Evans Scholarship is the top scholarship offered, in the amount of $3,000. Dr. Evans continues to have a tremendous impact on the establishment and growth of agricultural communications programs, and he serves as a mentor for hundreds of former and current students. The recipient of the James Evans Scholarship is recognized for excellence in academics and leadership, and for exemplifying the dedication and commitment of the outstanding individual for whom this is named.

In order to be eligible for the James Evans Scholarship, the top four applicants will be required to take part in an in-person interview during Ag Media Summit. The Summit will be held in Minneapolis/Bloomington, Minnesota from July 27 to July 31, 2019.

The remaining three students will be awarded the Past Presidents Scholarship in the amount of $1,500 each.

A luncheon to honor all four students will be held on July 29, 2019, during the Agricultural Media Summit. The student chosen to receive the Dr. James Evans Scholarship will be announced at the luncheon.

Apply

Applications and information are available at http://agcommnetwork.com/ scholarships/.

Applicants must be current members of ACT and enrolled as an undergraduate student at a university or college during the time of their application (Applicants may be graduating seniors.). Although funded by AAEA and PIF, the scholarship is available to any ACT member, regardless of his/her specific communication career path. Recipients will be selected based on the following criteria:

ACT involvement, leadership activities and other campus organizational involvement

Academic achievements

Internships and career-related experiences

Reference recommendations

The scholarship selection committee will consist of members of the AAEA Future Agricultural Communications Committee, including at least one representative of ACT.

Applications for the 2019 AAEA scholarships are due on or before February 18, 2019.

All four scholarships are made possible through a grant from the AAEA Professional Improvement Foundation (PIF). The Dr. James Evans Scholarship is sponsored for a second year, in part, through the generosity of CoBank.

The Past Presidents Scholarships are sponsored, in part, through the generosity of AgCareers.com.
This is the first real test of leadership on policy for the board, which includes elected members for the first time. The outcome may set a pattern for how much the board will make decisions that make sense for everyone, and how much they will listen to those who talk loudest in public debates.
Fairfield, MT (59436)

Today

Partly cloudy skies this morning will become overcast during the afternoon. High 77F. Winds NW at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Showers this evening, becoming a steady rain overnight. Low near 50F. Winds N at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch.
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The following companies are subsidiares of Laboratory Co. of America: 1957285 Ontario Inc. dba Quality Underwriting Services, 2089729 Ontario Inc., 2248848 Ontario Inc., 3065619 Nova Scotia Company, 3257959 Nova Scotia Company, 896988 Ontario Limited, 9279-3280 Quebec Inc., Accupath Diagnostic Laboratories Inc., Alpha Medical Laboratory LLC, Assets of Pathology Inc, Beacon LBS IPA Inc., Beacon Laboratory Benefit Solutions Inc., CannAmm GP Inc., CannAmm Limited Partnership, Center for Disease Detection International, Center for Disease Detection LLC, Centrex Clinical Laboratories Inc., Clearstone Central Laboratories (U.S.) Inc., Clearstone Holdings (International) Ltd., Clipper Holdings Inc., Colorado Coagulation Consultants Inc., Colorado Laboratory Services LLC, Correlagen Diagnostics Inc., Covance Inc., Curalab Inc., Cytometry Associates Inc., Czura Thornton (Hong Kong) Limited, DCL Acquisition Inc., DCL Medical Laboratories LLC (DE), DCL Medical Laboratories LLC (FL), DCL Sub LLC, DIANON Systems Inc., DL Holdings Limited Partnership, Decision Diagnostics L.L.C. (aka DaVinici/Medicorp LLC), Diagnostic Services Inc., DynaLifeDX, Dynacare - Gamma Laboratory Partnership, Dynacare Company, Dynacare G.P. Inc., Dynacare Holdco LLC, Dynacare Laboratories Inc., Dynacare Laboratories Limited Partnership, Dynacare Northwest Inc., Dynacare Realty Inc., DynalifeDX Infrastructure Inc., Endocrine Sciences Inc., Esoterix Genetic Counseling LLC, Esoterix Genetic Laboratories LLC, Esoterix Inc., Execmed Health Services Inc., FirstSource Laboratory Solutions Inc., GDML Medical Laboratories Inc, Gamma Dynacare Central Medical Laboratories GP Inc., Gamma Dynacare Central Medical Laboratory Limited Partnership, HHLA Lab-In-An-Envelope LLC, Health Trans Services Inc., Home Healthcare Laboratory of America LLC, IDX Pathology Inc., Impact Genetics Corp, Impact Genetics Inc., Kaleida LabCorp LLC, Lab Delivery Service of New York City Inc., LabCorp BVBA, LabCorp Belgium Holdings Inc., LabCorp Central Laboratories (Canada) Inc., LabCorp Central Laboratories (China) Inc., LabCorp Central Laboratories (Singapore) Pte., LabCorp Development Company, LabCorp Employer Services Inc., LabCorp Health System Diagnostics LLC, LabCorp Indiana Inc., LabCorp Japan G.K., LabCorp Limited, LabCorp Michigan Inc., LabCorp Nebraska Inc., LabCorp Neon Ltd., LabCorp Neon Switzerland S.a.r.l., LabCorp Specialty Testing Billing Service Inc., LabCorp Specialty Testing Group Inc., LabCorp Staffing Solutions Inc., LabCorp Tennessee LLC, LabCorp UK Holdings Ltd., LabWest Inc., Laboratoire Bio-Medic Inc., Laboratory Corporation of America, Lifecodes Corporation, LipoScience Inc., Litholink Corporation, MEDTOX Scientific Inc., Medical Neurogenitics LLC, Medtox Diagnostics Inc., Medtox Laboratories Inc., Monogram Biosciences Inc., Monogram Biosciences UK Limited, NWT Inc., National Genetics Institute, New Brighton Business Center LLC, New Imaging Diagnostics LLC, New Molecular Diagnostics Ventures LLC, Orchid Cellmark Ltd., Orchid Cellmark ULC, PA Labs Inc., Path Lab Incorporated, Pathology Associates Medical Lab LLC, Pee Dee Pathology Associates Inc., Persys Technology Inc., Pixel by LabCorp, Princeton Diagnostic Laboratories of America Inc., Protedyne Corporation, ReliaGene Technologies Inc., SW/DL LLC, Saint Josephs-PAML LLC, Sequenom Biosciences (India) Pvt. Ltd., Sequenom Center for Molecular Medicine LLC, Sequenom Inc, Sequenom Inc., Southern Idaho Regional Laboratory, Tandem Labs Inc., The LabCorp Charitable Foundation, Tri-Cities Laboratory LLC, Viro-Med Laboratories Inc., and Yakima Medical Arts Inc..
Abortion should not be made illegal, because it would just become more dangerous for those who would have them, regardless of it being legal or not. They should be included in our love  as well. But society should definitely speak all of the truth, and other options, to those who would decide to end a human life before it has a chance to be born.
Vocera Communications, Inc. provides secure, integrated, and intelligent communication and workflow solutions that empowers mobile workers in healthcare, hospitality, retail, energy, education, and other mission-critical mobile work environments in the United States and internationally. The company's communication solution integrates with other clinical systems, including electronic health records, nurse call systems, and patient monitoring, as well as to provide critical data, alerts, alarms, and clinical context that enable workflow. It also offers Vocera Communication and Workflow System, a software platform, which connects communication devices, such as hands-free, wearable, and voice-controlled Smartbadge and badges, as well as third-party mobile devices; and Vocera Care Experience, a hosted software suite that coordinates and streamlines provider-to-patient and provider-to-provider communication and clinical rounding to enhance quality of care, patient and staff experience, reduce care provider's risk, and improve reimbursements, as well as Vocera Ease, a cloud-based communication platform and mobile application to enhance the patient experience by enabling friends and family members to receive timely updates about the progress of their loved one in the hospital. In addition, the company provides professional, software maintenance, and technical support services; and classroom training, distance learning, or customized courseware for systems administrators, IT and industry-specific professionals, and end-user educators. As of December 31, 2020, the company provided its solutions to approximately 1,900 healthcare facilities, including large hospital systems, small and medium-sized local hospitals, clinics, surgery centers, and aged-care facilities. It sells its products through direct sales force, resellers, and distributors. The company was incorporated in 2000 and is headquartered in San Jose, California.

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HARTFORD  On Election Day, only one voter spoke up about the Stratford ballot error that has sparked a court case, the formation of a little-used legislative committee, and will possibly lead to a new election in the 120th House District.

At 2:35 p.m., the man waved over election officials to his voting booth in the gymnasium at Bunnell High School, wondering why the 120th District candidate he wanted to vote for was not on his ballot.

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Moderator Mal Starratt looked at the ballot, intended for voters in the 122nd District, whose voters were casting ballots elsewhere in the Bunnell gym.

Starratt, 80, testified to these events Thursday before the General Assemblys Committee on Contested Elections. The four-member panel heard nearly five hours of testimony from five key witnesses with firsthand knowledge of Election Day events in Stratford, including the towns Democratic and Republican registrars of voters.

It was the panels first day hearing from witnesses, none of whom disputed a pivotal fact: 76 voters who cast ballots at Bunnell High School in the 120th District were wrongly given ballots for the 122nd District.

The committee is charged with deciding whether a new election should be held in the 120th District. State Rep. Phil Young, D-Stratford, who was sworn in two weeks ago, won the election by 13 votes over Republican Jim Feehan.

We know those ballots went in incorrectly, said Rick Marcone, Stratfords Democratic registrar.

The clerk who gave the man who raised the red flag the incorrect ballot  and likely handed out the others too  was a 16-year-old high school student, too young to vote herself. State law sets 16 as the minimum age to serve as an election official.

Starratt, the moderator at Bunnell on Election Day, said the teen handed out the wrong ballots. The girl was not subpoenaed to testify.

Ballot clerk Peter Rusatsky, 61, testified Friday he saw the girl on the verge of tears that afternoon.

Starratt testified that only he and Democratic Assistant Registrar Joseph Collier had access to the blue cabinets in which the ballots for the 120th and 122nd Districts were stored. The ballots for each district were in packets in side-by-side boxes.

Therefore, it seems only Starratt or Collier  who will testify Friday  could have handed the girl the incorrect packet of ballots, which she then distributed. Starratt speculated that a printing error could have also caused the problem.

Regardless of who is at fault, Starratt told Hearst Connecticut Media he took responsibility.

I feel bad about it. Its on my watch, he said. However, there are some things that you cant control.

In their testimonies, Starratt and Rusatsky disagreed over whether the clerks were given any instructions to check the district number located at the top of each ballot.

Starratt, who has been a moderator since 2000, said he gave specific directions to all the clerks in a group meeting before polls opened on the morning of Election Day.

I emphasized that we had ballots that were not different colored (for each district) and they might get mixed up, said Starratt. We emphasized look at the top of the ballot, look which district it is: 120 or 122.

Rusatsky testified that he was the first to arrive at the polling place that morning and he received no training of any kind on Election Day or before.

I didnt even understand there were two separate districts, he said. I was just told what my job was. Thats what I did. There was zero  no instruction  to the ballot clerks to check any numbers in the corner of that ballot.

This election marked the first time in many years that ballots were not color coded by district, said Lou Decilio, Stratfords Republican registrar of voters. He said thats because ballots had to be reprinted after a minor party gubernatorial candidate withdrew his running mate days before the state had to start printing ballots.

The committee has until Feb. 4 to issue their recommendation on whether a new election should be held.

emunson@hearstmediact.com; Twitter: @emiliemunson
BRIDGEPORT  There were no tears from Laura Ramos.

The eyes of the former Central High School teacher, who pleaded no contest to sexually assaulting two special education students, widened as she was sentenced Friday to five years in prison  but no tears.

Senior Assistant States Attorney Ann Lawlor told Superior Court Judge Robert Devlin that the 32-year-old Ramos showed no remorse for what she had done, in fact continuing to sexually abuse one of the victims while the case was pending.

Ramos lawyer, Edward Gavin, countered that the mother of a 3-year-old daughter is no pedophile.

This is not a situation where we have an adult who has an inappropriate relationship with a 12-year-old, Gavin continued. These were two young men, one nearly 18 and the other almost 19, he said.

The red began rising from the judges collar.

These were not two valedictorians, the judge retorted. These are special education students and they need more support. Teachers need to know that if they cross those boundaries the court is going to take a firm stand.

On the charges of two counts of second-degree sexual assault and one count of violating a protective order, Devlin sentenced Ramos to 10 years, suspended after she serves five years in prison and followed by 10 years of probation. He also ordered her to register as a sex offender.

Ramos, of Ansonia, was first charged with sexually assaulting an 18-year-old special education student between December 2016 and April 2017 and then later charged again after police claimed she sexually assaulted another student on many occasions including in a Shelton restaurant.

Ramos resigned her teaching post after her arrests. Gavin said she has been working as a waitress at a local diner to support herself and her daughter.

Police said in a video recorded statement following her first arrest, Ramos admitted having sex with the 18-year-old student a handful of times, beginning Dec. 23, 2016. She said most of the time they had sex in her car.

Police said a second special education student at the high school said on June 23, 2017, that he had also had sex with Ramos.

The student said that in April 2017 he went with Ramos to a Fairfield restaurant. After having dinner, the two went to Ramos car in the parking lot and had sex, police said the student told them.

On another occasion in April, police said, Ramos complained to the teen that her husband didnt want to have sex with her and then took him to a restaurant in Shelton. While at that restaurant, the teacher and her student went into the restaurants electrical room, where they had sex, police said.

They said the teen told them he later received a text from Ramos saying it was the best sex she ever had.

Following her first arrest, Ramos was issued a court order barring her from having any further contact with the first victim.

But Lawlor said Ramos violated that order when on June 22, 2017, she was pulled over by police in Waterford while driving the first victim to the beach.
GREENWICH  A small group of protestors with signs displaying their opposition to tolls gathered outside the Greenwich Library Cole Auditorium on Thursday night.

They greeted passersby and attendees of a community conversation with state Sen. Alex Bergstein and Chairwoman of PepsiCo Indra Nooyi. A Greenwich Police Department cruiser idled across from the group as they expressed their disdain for Bergsteins stance on reimplementing tolls on Connecticuts highways. The new senator, in one of her first moves in Hartford, introduced a bill to bring tolls back to Connecticut.

Though the discussion inside the auditorium was focused on bringing new business to the state, the group of protestors said they targeted the event because Bergstein would be present.

Its an opportunity to let her know how we feel, said Lindy Urso, a Cos Cobb resident.

Greenwich resident Hillary Gunn said she didnt come for the discussion on economic growth. She came to let her opposition to tolls be known.

I came here because I dont think its fair to put another tax on Connecticut families through tolls, she said. I think that Alex is the one herself who introduced the bill is ridiculous. We dont all have deep pockets like her.

As Bergstein began the discussion with Nooyi, she implored the audience to listen.

Lets all be civil to each other, regardless of our views, she said.

As the talk started, the packed audience didnt appear to include any protestors.

Toll opponents also attended similar Bergstein evens in Stamford and New Canaan this week.

Bergsteins proposed bill would install tolls on the main highways and set per-mile fees for cars and trucks that are comparable to surrounding states. It would require that the money be deposited in the Special Transportation Fund and in a proposed infrastructure bank.

(I-)95 is actually our biggest asset in the state and we havent capitalized on it, she said at the Stamford meeting. If and when ... we install electronic tolls, we can start to bring in revenue from other sources from out-of-state drivers, from people who are willing to pay, who actually want to pay, to get to their destinations faster.

Her idea is to use funding from the tolls to improve train infrastructure, including the 30-30-30 plan, which seeks to decrease the travel time between Stamford and New York City to 30 minutes, while also decreasing commuter time to 30 minutes from Stamford to New Haven, and from New Haven to Hartford.

It is entirely feasible for about $5 billion, she said.

A state panel reported two years ago that Connecticut drivers spend $1.6 billion a year in repairs and $3.5 billion in lost productivity because of traffic delays.

A recent state Department of Transportation analysis estimated that, by 2023, tolls could bring about $950 million a year to the states coffers, with the possibility that about 40 percent of that could come from out-of-state motorists. The money raised could be used on long-delayed transportation projects that could ease congestion.
STAMFORD  A city man convicted nine years ago of having sexual contact with at least one juvenile has been released from jail after serving six months for violating his probation.

Franklin Hilario, 45, appeared at the Stamford courthouse and was given an eight-year suspended sentence and five more years of probation by Judge Richard Comerford.

Stamford States Attorney Richard Colangelo said in July that Hilario admitted to violating his probation and he will be required to wear a GPS monitor for a year.

In light of the potential jail exposure of my client in this case, the sentence he received of six months was equitable and just in light of the attendant circumstances, said Stephen DeLeo, Hilarios criminal defense attorney. He looks forward to moving on with his life and getting back to work and his family.

Hilario could have to serve some or all of the eight-year suspended jail sentence if he continues to violate his probation.

Hilario was convicted in 2010 of illegal sexual contact with a juvenile and received an eight-year suspended sentence and 12 years probation. During his probation, he was required to register as a sex offender for 10 years and participate in sex offender evaluation and treatment.

He was also ordered by the Office of Adult Probation to abstain from the use of any alcoholic beverages or drugs, except as prescribed by a physician.

But in 2012 and 2015, his urinalysis was positive for alcohol, according to the probation affidavit that detailed his violations.

When his probation officer went to Adams Grocery, the bodega Hilario owned and managed, he was seen drinking a can of beer while at work. Hilario was placed on GPS monitoring and referred for substance abuse treatment.

A few months later, empty beer cans were found strewn around his backyard during a home visit, the affidavit said.

In January 2017, his probation officer found a laptop, iPhone, several Viagra pills, one bottle of rum and two bottles of beer during a field visit.

On the phone, police said they found photographs of Hilario that appeared to have been taken out of state with minors in the presence of alcohol along with sexually explicit images, videos and text conversations, the affidavit said.

Hilario was not allowed to possess a smartphone without the permission of adult probation and he was not allowed to be in possession of any sexually explicit or sexually stimulating material, the affidavit said.

Correction: An earlier version of this story stated Franklin Hilario violated his parole. Hilario violated his probation.

jnickerson@stamfordadvocate.com
SEYMOUR  There were no serious injuries after a driver crashed into a telephone pole Thursday afternoon, officials said.

The Ansonia Fire Department and Ansonia Rescue and Medical Services helped Seymour first responders with the crash on Clinton Road.
ANSONIA  The Board of Education is seeking a $37.8 million budget  an increase of nearly 21 percent, or $6.5 million, over the current budget  to restore 17 positions cut last year and bring teacher salaries on par with those of neighboring Derby as the two citys study school regionalization.

Thats absolutely not going to happen, Mayor David Cassetti said of the school boards requested budget increase, which could require a nearly 8-mill increase in the citys tax rate.

The mayors position is no surprise to Chris Phipps and Vinnie Scarlata, school board members assigned to its Finance Committee.

This budget was submitted with the expectation that it will be drastically reduced, Phipps said.

What we did is put real numbers out there so Ansonia residents will get the real story on how much it costs to run our schools properly, added Scarlata. This budget shows what we need, what we should be working with and what resources our children should have after six years of cost-cutting by the mayor.

Hes wrong, Cassetti said as to the cost-cutting accusation. Ive given the Board of Education more money than any mayor.

Cassetti said when he came into office in 2013, the school boards budget was $27.4 million. Its current fiscal years budget is $31.26 million.

And aldermanic President Lori Vaccaro said such a large increase is a burden thats not sustainable by our taxpayers.

The Board of Education approved a budget $2 million higher than the superintendent of schools recommended.

It must now go to the Board of Apportionment and Taxation, which then would submit its recommendation to the Board of Aldermen for final approval in an overall city budget.

Nearby comparisons

Vaccaro pointed to several surrounding communities and what their school boards are asking  Seymour is seeking a 1.9 percent increase; Milford has proposed 1.89 percent more; and Sheltons school board has requested a 2.99 percent increase.

But Tarek Raslan, the citys Democratic Town Committee chairman who challenged Cassetti for the mayors seat in 2017, said Connecticut municipalities spend an average of $16,245 per student while Ansonia currently spends 17 percent less than that. The Board of Educations budget proposal shows how far Ansonias education spending is below the state average.

He said the Ansonia school board received no increase last year despite the average city resident seeing a $427 property tax increase because of the state required revaluation.

We need more economic growth to adequately fund our school system, Raslan said.

Corporation Counsel John P. Marini said the city has not yet seen the specific details of the school boards requested 2019-20 budget.

Working on a budget cant be done in the dark, Marini said. We are ready and willing to work with the Board of Education. We want to take at look at whats requested  increases in labor, transportation, equipment. ... The days of the city and the Board of Education working in isolation have to be over. We need to work together.

Thats a start, Phipps said.

Were willing to sit down and talk, he said. I dont want this divide to keep getting deeper and deeper. Its time to end that.

The rift deepened last year when the Board of Aldermen removed $600,000 from the school boards approved 2017-18 budget because the state provided more educational grant money then expected. The city likened the $600,000 to a loan given to help the system through the lengthy, delayed state budget process.

But the school board, along with the State Board of Education, said that reduction violated state law. The local school board sued the city in Superior Court and the state board opened an investigation.

In the meantime, an independent auditor determined the local board overspent its 2017-18 budget by $225,694 because it underestimated self-insurance costs. The school board must file a corrective action plan with the state Office of Policy and Management.

Wanted: middle school money

Retiring Superintendent of Schools Carol Merlone has submitted a request to aldermen for $20,000 to apply to the state Commission of Administrative Services for a grant to help build a new $37 million middle school. The state would fund around 65 percent of that cost, if approved. The existing middle school was built in 1936.

The $20,000 supplemental appropriation is just to get the process underway, Scarlata said. Its probably going to take three or four years.

The request is expected to be considered during the Board of Aldermens Feb.12 meeting. Any funding to build a new middle school would have to be approved in a referendum.

All this comes against the backdrop of an ongoing study committee attempting to determine whether it is feasible for the Ansonia and Derby school systems to regionalize into one district. That study committee will meet Feb. 11 at Ansonia High School. Any regionalization would have to be approved in a referendum vote by both Derby and Ansonia residents.

Governor (Ned) Lamont and state Senate President Martin Looney are advocates for regionalization, said Vaccaro, who also is an Ansonia representative on the study committee. Shouldnt we wait for the study to be completed?

Widespread requests

Speaking of the Ansonia school boards budget increase request, Phipps said, The majority of the requested amount is to reinstate the multitude of positions that have been cut in recent years. This includes teachers (17 teaching jobs were eliminated this fiscal year), administrative positions, and support staff. The Board of Education has also requested $120,000 in funding for four security officers, one for each school, as student safety is imperative.

We have also requested funding ($320,000) for four much-needed clinical social workers to provide some of our students with the mental health interventions that they desperately need, Phipps said.

He said $994,000 is being sought to raise Ansonias teacher salaries to make them comparable with those of Derby.

Other proposed increases in the budget include $89,474 for a middle school dean of discipline, $90,000 for a full-time special education supervisor, $60,000 for a full-time planning and placement team chairperson and $40,000 for a full-time PPT secretary.
As she relates in The Heritage Foundation documentary Let Me Rise: "William was able to attend a school that I chose, that was in his best interest...In a couple of months I saw this child being a child who hated to go to school, (who) was failing everything, to this kid (who) was just totally engaged in learning. And when I asked him why, he said that for the first time in his educational experience, he felt like people really cared about whether he learned or not.
STAMFORD  The Bedford Street evolution continues.

As one of the citys main restaurant rows, the downtown thoroughfare has added several new restaurants in the past year. The management at the latest arrival, Hudson Social at 128 Bedford, report that the establishment has made a strong start since its opening last November in the same location as the former Hudson Grille.

Were building the clientele, and its been going really well, co-manager Michael Slocum said this week at the restaurant.

Hudson Social succeeded Hudson Grille after the sale of the latter restaurant. The approximately 5,000-square-foot space then underwent a number of improvements, including the installation of new, larger booths in the dining room, a remodeled bar and a brick oven in the kitchen.

The menu focuses on small plates  including Brussels sprouts, fish tacos, grilled octopus, macaroni and cheese, sauteed shrimp and tuna tartare. Other offerings include pizzas, sandwiches, soups, salads and large plates such as clam linguine and seared salmon.

People can eat and be on the go, said Executive Chef Vincent Rennie, who belongs to a team of 20 who work at the restaurant. No one really sits down for an hour-and-a-half anymore. Its more like a 30-to-40-minute situation And you can taste four or five things at one time. I think that really broadens the spectrum of what people see on the menu.

The restaurant seats about 160 inside, with plans to add 20 to 25 seats on its street patio during the outdoor dining season.

The feel on the street, with people walking, everywhere is great, co-manager Miguel Sanchez said.

Private parties, including corporate functions, make up a large share of the restaurants business.

Among other culinary arrivals in the past year on the street, Roasted Sandwich Co., opened last February at 148 Bedford and Bedford Hall Craft Kitchen and Bar debuted last May at 135 Bedford.

Bedford Street is a unique place in our city, Sandy Goldstein, president of the Stamford Downtown economic and community development agency, said in a recent interview. Its a fabulous scale. You dont have skyscrapers. You have four-five story buildings and buildings on the historic register. It makes it very conducive to sitting out and dining.

A few blocks away, the restaurant corridor around Columbus Park and on Summer Street has seen a number of changes in the past year. Recent arrivals there include Adyar Ananda Bhavan, at 1033 Washington Blvd., and La Perle , at 15 Bank St.

With the dynamic on the street, were all different, Sanchez said. Thats the beauty of it.

pschott@scni.com; 203-964-2236; twitter: @paulschott
Croatia Airlines has been advised to resume operations between Zagreb and Podgorica following talks between the Croatian Ambassador to Montenegro, Veselko Grubisic, and the Mayor of Podgorica, Ivan Vukovic. Last year, Croatia Airlines' CEO Jasminko Bajic and the head of operator Airports of Montenegro, Danilo Orlandic, met to discuss the matter . "A nonstop service between Zagreb and Podgorica would go towards strengthening cooperation between our two countries and the public. I intend to bring this up in talks with Croatia Airlines' management", Ambassador Grubisic said. The Croatian carrier discontinued flights between the two capitals in February 2012. At the time, the service was maintained three times per week with the Bombardier Dash 8 turboprop aircraft.
Air Serbia has announced the introduction of seven new year-round routes and two seasonal destinations, which will be introduced from June onwards. The national airline will commence year-round flights from Belgrade to Kiev, Madrid, Barcelona, Rijeka, Krasnodar, Helsinki and Cairo, as well as seasonal operations to Nice and Zadar. In addition to the new routes, Air Serbia will add more depth to its network with an additional one weekly frequency to Zurich (eighteen per week), Paris (double daily) and Dubrovnik (daily). The carrier faces no direct competition on any of its new services with exception to Barcelona, which is served seasonally by Vueling. The new additions will also require the Serbian airline to take on more aircraft, although it is still to specify its fleet plans.



As a result of the expansion, Air Serbia's route network to Croatia will grow to six cities, two of which will be served year-round (Zagreb and Rijeka). The carrier will also resume operations to Kiev, which were operated seasonally during the summer of 2016. Furthermore, the airline returns with scheduled flights to Spain after some twenty years and to Egypt after fifteen years. Initially, Air Serbia planned to commence flights to Cairo in 2014 but cancelled such plans due to deteriorating security in the country at the time. On the other hand, Nice will mark the airline's second destination in France, while Helsinki will be served out of Belgrade for the first time. Krasnodar, in southern Russia, becomes the carrier's third gateway to the country and was initially to launch in 2017, but such plans never materialised. Air Serbia currently codeshares on Aeroflot's flights between Moscow and Krasnodar.




The State of the Union address used to mean something.

That is, it used to represent something more than a political bargaining chip, which is what it has been reduced to over the past week and a half, as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and President Donald Trump feuded over the timing of this years speech.

In 1823, James Monroe used the State of the Union to unveil the Monroe Doctrine. In 1848, James K. Polk set off the California gold rush with a single sentence confirming an abundance of gold had been found out west.

Teddy Roosevelt launched his trust-busting initiative in his 1901 address, while Woodrow Wilson laid out his 14-point plan in 1918 for a post-war world order.

These moments marked eras and signaled new paths forward. They told us where we were and where we needed to go.

They were what the framers of the Constitution had in mind when they stipulated that the president of the United States shall from time to time give Congress information on the state of the Union.

At this point, however, its worth asking whether the State of the Union offers anything but nostalgic comfort food for political obsessives, whether this tradition holds any relevance at a time when the president can weigh in on the state of the Union several times a day in 280-character bites.

Pelosi seemed to address that question Thursday, less than 24 hours after shutting the door on any possibility that Trump would be allowed to deliver a SOTU address during the current federal government shutdown.

It is so unimportant in the lives of the American people, in terms of especially those who are victims of the shutdown, Pelosi said.

The speaker initially had offered the dubious excuse of security concerns as her reason for postponing the SOTU speech, but her motivations were transparently political.

She knew the puffed-up pageantry of the SOTU would irritate Americans suffering during the shutdown and she also knew Trump would use his hour of prime-time television to argue for a border wall that Pelosi and her fellow Democrats regard as anathema.

Its hard to pin down exactly when the SOTU went from agenda setter to infomercial, but a turning point came in 1913 when Wilson broke 112 years of tradition by delivering the speech in person, rather than sending it to Congress in printed form.

Its telling that the three finest presidential orators of the TV era  John Kennedy, Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama  delivered 17 State of the Union addresses between them without producing a single memorable line (although Obamas 2010 speech did offer a dramatic moment from Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, who shook his head and mouthed the phrase not true when Obama criticized the courts Citizens United decision).

By January 1962, when Kennedy delivered his second SOTU address, it had become common for members of the opposition party to grumble that the speech amounted to nothing more than a laundry list of accomplishments and unrealistic goals. (Connecticut Sen. Prescott Bush, the father of future President George H.W. Bush, called Kennedys address unimpressive and said it offered little that was new.)

At that time, the SOTU was a midday affair, broadcast live at 12:30 p.m. Eastern time. It took Kennedys successor, Lyndon Johnson, to push the annual speech into prime time and complete its transformation from policy wonkery to political theater.

Only Gerald Ford, with his 1975 declaration that the state of the Union is not good, subsequently put honesty ahead of self-aggrandizement. Of course, Ford also got voted out of office the following year.

I spoke this week to two recent representatives from U.S. District 23, the sprawling congressional district that stretches from South San Antonio to El Paso County.

Francisco Quico Canseco was a tea party Republican whose only SOTU experiences were with Obama, a Democratic president. I expected him to hold a negative view about the SOTU, but he surprised me.

Its extremely relevant, Canseco said. Its an opportunity to get the policy direction, where the White House is going and why he did the things he did the year before. It gives guidance to the American people.

Pete Gallego, Cansecos Democratic successor, has attended three SOTU addresses, one by Reagan and two by Obama. Gallego said the SOTU hasnt changed much in his lifetime.

What absolutely has changed is the nature of the relationships between Democrats and Republicans, Gallego said. They were professional and often cordial. Thats no longer the case.

While its debatable how much we learn from any SOTU speech these days, Gallego said Pelosis ability to make Trump back down on the speechs date tells us a lot about how the federal government will function for the next two years.

Mrs. Pelosi has competed against and dealt with men all of her career, Gallego said. My money is on her.

Gilbert Garcia is a columnist covering the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read him on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | ggarcia@express-news.net | Twitter: @gilgamesh470
An undocumented Mexican immigrant who lived for years in a rural San Antonio suburb was sentenced Thursday to 30 months in prison for using a stolen identity to vote in U.S. elections.

Enrique Salazar Ortiz, 75, of Elmendorf pleaded guilty in October to charges of making a false statement in a passport application, unlawful voting by an undocumented immigrant and aggravated identity theft.

Salazar would not tell federal agents how many times he had voted using the name of former San Antonio resident Jesse H. Vargas Jr., but Salazar did admit casting a ballot in the 2016 general election, according to his plea agreement.

But Bexar County records show a man with Vargas name and date of birth voted in every general election for the past 24 years, county elections administrator Jacque Callanen previously said.

Hes been voting since at least 1994, Callanen has said. Vargas also voted in the 2008 Democratic primary, she said.

On ExpressNews.com: Undocumented immigrant voted in San Antonio for more than 20 years

Vargas hasnt lived in Bexar County since he was in his teens, when his family moved to California, a relative said in an interview. Vargas, who could not be reached, now lives in Arizona and told federal agents that he did not know Salazar nor give permission to use his name and date of birth, according to court documents.

Salazars lawyer, assistant federal public defender Molly Roth, told U.S. District Judge Fred Biery that three other men had used Vargas identity. She said Salazar began using Vargas name years ago after buying a birth certificate from a man at a bar for $20. During a traffic stop, Salazar gave the officer his true name. But the officer, who found the birth certificate in Salazars vehicle, maintained that Vargas was his real name; so Salazar continued using it, Roth said.

While the judge noted Salazar has three drunken-driving convictions and served jail time for it, Roth argued that Salazar has straightened up after marrying a U.S. citizen in 1997 and raising a daughter who is now in the Navy. He worked for more than 30 years as a concrete finisher and even earned a pension under Vargas name.

In the 1990s, he did turn his life around as far as drinking and every other way except using this ID, Roth said.

Salazars scheme was discovered by the State Department when he mailed an application in December 2016 to renew a passport he had been using over the prior 10 years, court documents say. A fraud prevention manager referred the application to the State Departments Diplomatic Security Service because the Social Security number being used had been issued later in life, which is unusual, a criminal complaint affidavit said.

During the investigation, agents determined there were two people with the same name and date of birth but with different appearances, including the real Vargas, who had previously lived in San Antonio.

The agents raided Salazars home in Elmendorf on Aug. 24, 2017, and arrested him.

Salazars plea deal said Salazar admitted that he used Vargas information to get a passport in 2006 and used it to travel several times. The plea agreement said the voting records also showed Salazar had registered to vote multiple times.

Biery sentenced Salazar to six months for the passport-lying charge and the illegal voting count and ordered them run concurrently. He then stacked two years on top of that (which is mandatory) for the aggravated ID theft charge.

Salazar said he hoped for the best when he is deported back to Mexico once his prison sentence is done, though at age 75 and without a penny, its hard to find a job. Oh well, I take pride that I leave my daughter here.

As part of the deal, Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Moore dismissed two other charges, including false representation of U.S. citizenship and being an alien in unlawful possession of a firearm.

Guillermo Contreras covers federal court and immigration news in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read him on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | gcontreras@express-news.net | Twitter: @gmaninfedland
Mayor Ron Nirenberg said Thursday that he plans to make public the proposed employment agreement with Erik Walsh, the deputy city manager whos been tapped to replace retiring City Manager Sheryl Sculley, before the City Council votes on the matter next week.

The council is expected to appoint Walsh during a meeting next Thursday.

Its unclear when Walsh will officially become San Antonios top executive, but Nirenberg confirmed that it will coincide with Sculleys retirement.

Well have only one city manager, Nirenberg said, suggesting that there would not be overlap with the two sharing the title.

Nirenberg also said the council does not intend to play games of semantics with Proposition B, the voter-approved charter amendment that places a term limit and salary cap on new city managers.

The amendment caps the citys chief executive at 10 times the salary of the citys lowest-paid full-time employees, who currently make $15 an hour. That means the salary cap for Walsh is $312,000.

Related: City manager finalist wants San Antonio to be the best - by any measure

After a closed meeting Thursday, Nirenberg said the financial details of Walshs employment agreement are yet to be solidified, and its unclear whether the council intends to offer him the maximum possible in his first year. But the $312,000 figure sets the confines of contract negotiations.

Were not going to play games with the language of Proposition B. Base salary and incentives are included in that figure of $312,000, he said. Theres no desire on anyones part to flout that. So the attorneys been going with that guidance.

The cap places San Antonio in a position where it cant pay its top executive their market worth, either in San Antonio or the nation, Nirenberg said.

Councilman Greg Brockhouse, who was the only elected city official to support the charter amendment, said he believes that the $312,000 cap doesnt and shouldnt include bonuses and acknowledged that the proposition may have gone too far.

Ive been clear from the beginning  if it hinders the city, then well need to fix it next charter election, he said. These are things that are very measurable if we get them right. Im not opposed to coming back and fixing what doesnt work  in 2021.

Brockhouse said he would back a proposal that offers a bonus structure as long as the metrics were detailed and the bonus were paid for achieving big goals above and beyond the regular duties of the city manager.
The main goal of this is to help keep student-parents in school and moving toward graduation and their goals, said Janet Klenkel, director of the colleges Child Development Center. They can use the childcare for an evening class, or even to just get some quiet study time in.
Frustration among Coast Guard families over the continued government shutdown erupted into outrage Thursday after U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross told an interviewer that those who havent been paid could seek low-interest loans rather than seek help at food pantries.

Asked about stories of families getting free food, he told CNBC, I know they are, and I dont really quite understand why.

Erin Picou, 37, of Texas City, called Rosss comments ridiculous. Other Houston-area Coast Guard wives, Ashley Totten and Robyn Reyes, said they knew of many such families who were getting free food at pantries, through professional organizations and from individuals passing along H-E-B gift cards.

The idea: save your money until you absolutely need it.

I think Im definitely angry that someone in Washington  with a pretty padded bank account  thinks its OK to even try to tell others, who work very hard for their money, to take a loan, Totten, whose 4-month-old son, Maddox, has a heart condition that includes high blood pressure and fluid on his lungs, said of Ross.

The 42,000 active duty members of the Coast Guard, who will miss their second paycheck on Jan. 31, are among 800,000 federal workers affected by the shutdown, the longest ever at 34 days and counting.

The service, part of the Department of Homeland Security, watches the Texas coast from stations at Lake Charles, La., to South Padre Island, including air stations in Houston and Corpus Christi. A spokesman couldnt say how many uniformed personnel the Coast Guard has in Texas and Lakes Charles. Some civilians still perform mission-essential tasks.

The stations support operations ranging from marine environmental protection and port security to law enforcement, drug and migrant interdiction, and search and rescue.

As Coast Guardsmen work without pay, donations continue to pour in.

Picou said the Coast Guards Marine Science Unit in Texas City is running a running a food bank. The Golden Triangle Chapter of the Chief Petty Officers Association has a photo of bread, diapers and baby food, among other items, on its Facebook page, with a donate button just below it.

Totten said her husband, Petty Officer 2nd Class Terence Totten, 29, brought home a large package of macaroni and cheese.

I do know plenty of people who are definitely taking the assistance from USO Houston, she said.

Told by CNBC that some federal workers were going to homeless shelters to get food, Ross, whose fortune was estimated last year at $2.9 billion by Forbes, appeared mystified, noting that a loan from a bank or credit union would be in effect, federally guaranteed.

So the 30 days of pay that some people will be out, there's no real reason why they shouldn't be able to get a loan against it and we've seen a number of ads from financial institutions doing that, Ross said.

Totten, Picou and Reyes have been unnerved by the bitter partisan politics fueling the shutdown, but now say theres a growing sense of frustration  and desperation  as it goes on with no end in sight. The women said loans arent an option for many who simply cannot qualify for them.

Its just ignorance. Thats how I see it - just straight up ignorance. Reyes, 31, of Nederland, said of Rosss comments.

Hes an idiot, said Picou, who was given a basket of food and cleaning supplies while attending a Chief Petty Officers Association-sponsored barbecue Sunday. Im glad he has a billion dollars and he doesnt have to worry about this issue.

A real estate agent married to a 17-year Coast Guard chief petty officer, Picou said her family has great credit and still was unable to obtain a $5,000, low-interest loan.

We were told no, Picou said.

Reyes and her husband, parents of three children ranging from 2 to 7 years old, covered their bills last month but will start having trouble if he doesnt get paid next week. They havent had to go to a food pantry, but a stranger insisted on covering Reyes grocery bill recently after noticing she was wearing her husbands Coast Guard sweatshirt.

Reyes husband, a petty officer first class who has been in the Coast Guard 10 years, will spend six weeks training in North Carolina starting this Sunday. Hell deploy for a yearlong overseas tour later this summer.

For me, Im freaking out, she said.

Totten said shes horrified by having to choose which bills to pay.

I just cant believe that this is still happening, she said. And I know that people live that way every single day. The difference is that my husband signed a contract to do a job that he loves to do  and because some people in Washington cant get their act together, our life is now - its like theyve literally put 800,000 people on the backburner over a disagreement.

Picous husband has decided to retire rather than re-enlist.

When it first started  we figured, OK, we can make it, but now that were being told this could drag on past February, now its panic mode, she said. Its full on panic. Weve got two months worth of bills that are about to be due.

Sig Christenson covers the military and veterans and their impact on San Antonio, Bexar County and the nation. Read him on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | sigc@express-news.net | Twitter: @saddamscribe
Harlandale Independent School District Superintendent Rey Madrigals contract will be extended an additional year, trustees voted Thursday, in the wake of a critical report from the state that recommended taking over the district and outlined possible criminal activity.

After meeting in closed session for nearly 3 hours, the board voted 4-1, with one abstention, to approve a one-year extension. Madrigals contract now runs through June 30, 2021.

Board members Juan Mancha, Ricardo Moreno, Zeke Mendoza and Christine Carrillo approved the extension. Jesus Tejeda opposed it, and David Abundis abstained.

Mancha said after the meeting that the board discussed extending Madrigals contract in June but chose to wait until academic accountability ratings were released in August. Discussing an extension was something that was promised to Madrigal this summer, Mancha said.

OnExpressNews.com: Edgewood fielding questions on proposed partnership with Pre-K 4 SA

Trustees Moreno and Abundis said superintendents typically receive three-year contracts and that the extension approved Thursday would get back on to the regular three-year cycle.

The board evaluates the superintendent twice annually, typically once in June and once in January.

Madrigal last received a raise June 26, when the board voted to increase his salary by 3 percent to $216,346.35. That motion passed 6-1, with only Moreno voting against it.

In July 2017, the end of his contract was extended from June 30, 2019, to June 30, 2020, and in July 2016, the board approved a raise of $1,045, according to amendments to his contract posted on the districts website.

Im very disappointed, said Elizabeth Limon, one of a small group of community members who waited throughout the meeting for the decision. She said Madrigal has not been transparent with the community and has not worked to make the district outstanding.

What are yall thinking? You see where yall are out and youre really going to give the superintendent a raise? An extension? said Gina Castaneda, a frequent critic of the board who spoke at a meeting Tuesday ahead of Thursdays discussion. Dont you see the mess that were in, and yall want to entertain that?

OnExpressNews.com: South San Antonio ISD board resolves to weigh reopening of shuttered campuses

The district is waiting for a final decision from the Texas Education Agency, which opened an investigation in August 2017 in response to complaints about governance, contract procurement, alleged nepotism and conflicts of interest.

A preliminary report sent to the district last month, which has not been released publicly, called its governance dysfunctional and recommended replacing the elected trustees with an appointed board of managers.

The agency also recommended lowering the districts accreditation and criticized its financial practices, according to copies of the report obtained from two individuals who were not its initial recipients. The report found that trustees and Madrigal might have violated state laws related to contracts and open meetings.

In a response asking the agency to review its decision, Harlandale ISD said it disagrees with all of TEAs findings and recommendations and called the proposed corrective measures and sanctions unwarranted, unlawful and unnecessary.
Americans have no shortage of opportunities to display outrage these days, no matter what part of the political spectrum they inhabit. Justified or not, this flaming outrage reveals much about the countrys state of mind, which is angry and seemingly becoming angrier.

A prime example emerged when a federal judge in New York City threw out the Commerce Departments plan to add a question to the survey for next years census.

Questions for the census come and go through the years, reflecting changes in society during the 10 years since the previous population count.

When the country was largely rural, for instance, the census asked about the acreage of specific crops. The first national headcount in 1790, which found 3.9 million people in 13 states, also inquired how many white women and slaves lived in the household.

On its face, the proposed new census question is quite simple really, asking if the respondent is a U.S. citizen. It was a short-form census question until 1950.

Citizenship does seem reasonable enough to document because each states counted population is used to apportion its fair share of the 435 members elected by citizen voters to the House of Representatives, adjusted every 10 years.

Nothing, however, is simple in this age of contention.

Various groups sued Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and his department, claiming the question was intrusive and would likely intimidate and deter many noncitizens from answering, especially if theyre among the estimated 22 million (as projected by a new Yale University study; 11.3 million is the generally accepted number) illegal residents.

Some of us would suggest this is fine: Theyre not supposed to be here anyway. You have the right to remain silent. You do not have the right to vote and, as an illegal resident, you certainly should not have the right to be represented in Congress.

As you may have noticed, such people tend to congregate in areas governed by elected Democrats, who often champion their causes, including drivers licenses and sanctuary cities, and oppose things such as voter ID based on proof of citizenship.

So, a dramatic under-counting of people, those here legally and illegally, would likely reduce a states potential shares of federal monies based on population and House representation (of Democrats).

Heres a little-known twist: The census is indeed required by the Constitution. But it mandates counting only Whole people, as opposed to slaves, who counted as just 60 percent of a person back then, and Native Americans, who didnt count at all.

Since so many residents of the 13 new United States had originated elsewhere anyway, the question of immigrants and citizenship was not enumerated. Court rulings since have interpreted Whole people as everyone, regardless of citizenship.

Plaintiffs in the New York case also suggested Ross is likely racist, an eyeball-rolling charge routinely leveled by the left at people or things it doesnt like. The judge tossed that claim. He did rule that the Commerce Department settled on the citizenship question without dutifully following statutory procedures.

Speaking of this district court judge, hes Jesse Furman, a native New Yorker and another of those Ivy League lawyers who seem able to flock so easily to perches of power and authority in the East.

You may have read in the media that he was appointed in 2011 by Obama. Thats true. You likely did not read that Jesse Furman is the brother of Jason Furman, another Harvard guy who was  wait for it  chairman of Obamas Council of Economic Advisers.

Thats how these lifetime appointments are routinely distributed out of Washington. Someone knows someone of like mind who once clerked for someone else of like mind. Perhaps you noticed the Bush links during Brett Kavanaughs Supreme Court confirmation last fall.

Thats how those established interests prolong their power.

This all helps explain the singular focus of former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and now Mitch McConnell on pushing the confirmations of federal judges through that chamber.

Those judges are the ones whose legal interpretations end up making or unmaking laws the rest of us will live under. Judge Furman is only 46.

During his 417 weeks in office, Obama appointed 329 federal judges at all levels, a number of whom like Furman have ruled adversely on President Trumps initiatives.

During his 104 weeks in office, Trump has appointed 84 federal judges of all kinds. Thirty-one more Trump judicial nominees await Senate action.

Now, back to the census case. Without a time-consuming appeal, the citizenship question is dead. But coincidentally, the Supreme Court had already scheduled a Feb. 19 hearing on a now-moot part of the same case.

Administration lawyers, citing the summer deadline to begin printing census questionnaires for the countrys estimated 325 million current residents, will likely ask the court to consider its New York appeal then instead.

If its about an administrations right to draft census questions, Trump will likely prevail. If its about the question-drafting process, maybe not. Despite social media outrage, citizenship will not matter, even if determined.

But wait. One of the liberal Supreme Court justices, 85-year-old Ruth Bader Ginsburg, remains at home after cancer surgery. And Trump appointed two of the other eight for their strict constructionist histories.

So, what likely ends up mattering most in this controversial case that could determine congressional representation for the next decade is a census of just nine whole people.

Special to McClatchy

Andrew Malcolm is a veteran domestic and foreign correspondent. Twitter: @AHMalcolm

(Editors note: This column was corrected on Jan. 24, 2019. The citizenship question was eliminated from the short-form version in 1950, but retained in the long-form questionnaire through 2000. The long-form questionnaire itself was eliminated in 2010.)
A San Antonio federal judge Thursday expressed concerns about potentially suspicious transactions involving a Shavano Park estate where Carlos Uresti co-defendant Gary Cain resided before going to prison.

Senior U.S. District Judge David Ezra denied a request by 414 Bentley Manor Holdings, a company that holds title to the estate and is owned by Cains daughters, to terminate a restraining order that prevents the property from being sold.

The property, at 414 Bentley Manor, is valued at $1.3 million by the Bexar County Appraisal District.

Ezra granted the restraining order at prosecutors request in September after they said Cain was using friends and family to shield assets rather than pay restitution to victims of his crimes. The various transactions appear designed to strip the equity from the property, prosecutors said.

During a court hearing, Ezra said prosecutors should have more time to conduct an investigation into whether anything improper has occurred.

Theres some really complex, what I would call suspicious, or potentially suspicious, transactions going on here that I think really need to be fully flushed out, Ezra said. Theres some very interesting transfers, back and forth and around  all kinds of things going on here that, as they would say, raise red flags.

The judge added, There are very serious allegations, which, if proven true  and I dont know whether theyre true or not  could actually rise to obstruction of justice.

Cain and Uresti, the former San Antonio state senator, in February were convicted on a combined 20 felonies for their roles in an oil-field services company that defrauded investors.

Cain, 62, is serving a 68-month prison term at a low-security prison in Seagoville. He is appealing his conviction.

Uresti, 55, received a 12-year prison sentence and has been free on bail pending his sentencing next month in an unrelated case. They and four other defendants were all ordered to pay $6.3 million in restitution. The government recorded liens against each in the amount of the restitution.

Prosecutors say almost $1.1 million in liens were encumbered on 414 Bentley Manor in June, about three weeks before Cain was sentenced on nine felonies, including various money-laundering and wire-fraud charges.

In one of the transactions, 414 Bentley Manor Holdings, which took title to the house June 8, conveyed a deed of trust to Michael LaHood, the father of then-Bexar County District Attorney Nico LaHood, for $850,000 that same day. A deed of trust is essentially evidence of a debt.

Prosecutors want to investigate the legitimacy of the LaHood loan, among other transactions, they said in a Jan. 14 court filing.

LaHood and his brother, George LaHood, a disabled Army veteran, made the loan to 414 Bentley Manor Holdings as an investment, according to their lawyer, Ricardo Cedillo.

The LaHoods lien is superior to the governments lien, which is unenforceable against the LaHoods because it did not exist at the time the LaHoods acquired a secured interest in the property, Cedillo said in an email.

Nico LaHood, described by prosecutors as Cains close friend, is listed as the trustee on the deed of trust, according to the document. A trustee in a deed of trust has authority to take back a property on behalf of a lender in the event of a default.

Before he became district attorney, Nico LaHood successfully defended Cain against criminal charges that he had defrauded Rackspace Hosting Inc. in a 2007 land deal. The pair were business partners in a company that did work for FourWinds Logistics, the oil-field services company that defrauded investors before it went bankrupt in 2015.

Prosecutors say Cain once had an interest in the 414 Bentley Manor residence through a partnership, and placed title to the property into 414 Bentley Manor Holdings. The companys owners are Cains daughters, Nicolette Cain and Keana Cain Herrera. The sisters have disputed that their father has any ownership interest in the property, saying he was its care-taker.

The sisters want to be able to sell the property so the LaHood loan and taxes can be paid.

The problem with lifting the restraining order now is that if the property is sold, the money from the sale could end up in the ether where we may or may not ever see it again, Ezra said.

However, Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristy Callahan told Ezra she wasnt opposed to the sale of the property as long as the proceeds were placed in escrow. It could then be determined who has an interest in the money.

We could do that, too, Ezra responded. Why dont (the parties) get together and see if you can come to an agreement on that? Im more than happy to see that done.

The house has been vacant since Cain was incarcerated in November.

Eric Sherer, a lawyer for 414 Bentley Manor Holdings, told the judge that part of the money from the LaHood loan was supposed to go for improvements to the property so it it could be sold. Taxes also cant be paid if the property isnt sold, Sherer said.

Patrick Danner is a San Antonio-based staff writer covering banking and civil courts. Read him on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | pdanner@express-news.net | Twitter: @AlamoPD
Virginia-based Pentagon Federal Credit Union, the third largest credit union in the country, said Friday it will launch a regional center and create nearly 600 jobs in San Antonio, and could receive more than $3 million in city, county and state incentives.

On ExpressNews.com: Virginia tech company may expand operations in San Antonio

The center represents a $48 million capital investment by PenFed, which has nearly $25 billion in assets. The Alexandria institution expects to occupy existing offices of about 300,000 square feet on 20-plus acres, which would provide it room for expansion. It expects to announce the location in about a month, PenFed CEO and President James Schenck said Friday.

The proposed San Antonio facility will house several executive management positions in research, information technology, mortgage and loan operations, service center operations, collections and human resources, and employ 571 workers.

Its a great news story that really highlights the strength of the pro-business, pro-military state of Texas and the amazing community of San Antonio, Schenck said. We ultimately chose San Antonio because the city and the surrounding area provide a highly skilled, diverse talent pool and world-class amenities to support PenFeds leading position as a destination employer.

Officials plan to give at least $3.1 million in incentives to PenFed to establish the San Antonio operation. Gov. Greg Abbott has promised more than $2.5 million from the Texas Enterprise Fund, often referred to as the states deal-closing fund for landing new businesses.

PenFed's decision to expand their reach in San Antonio serves as yet another testament to what makes Texas great  our talented workforce and robust economic climate, Abbott said in a statement.

On ExpressNews.com: City Council gives $500K to Ohio company to move HQ to San Antonio

City Council members will vote Thursday on a package that includes a $221,000 grant and a 15-year, 60-percent rebate on real and personal property taxes, said Sarah Esserlieu, special projects manager at the city.

Bexar County officials have proposed an economic development grant of more than $130,000 and a skills development grant of up to $250,000 based on PenFed creating 250 jobs that pay at least $50,000 annually, county spokesman Eric Maldonado said.

PenFed began a national search to determine the best location for a regional center about 18 months ago, Schenck said. He credited PenFeds amazing pricing on various savings deposit products and its low-cost loans for driving business to PenFed, necessitating the expansion.

The institution started its search with more than 100 cities in all 50 states. The list was then cut to about 30 cities in 12 states before it was narrowed to a final handful of cities, Schenck said. He declined to name the other cities.

Among the factors taken into account by PenFed in its decision were the supply of college graduates, the presence of financial services employees, quality of life, cost of living, taxes, incentives and military friendliness, Schenck said.

San Antonio rose to the top, he said.

Other cities were as competitive, if not more competitive in offering incentives, Schenck said. The economic incentives were very helpful when youre trying to get down to the final five of where you want to locate. They make a difference, he said.

The PenFed center is the latest addition to the citys expanding business and financial services sector, which grew 29 percent from 2010 and 2017, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. The industry employs more than 71,000 people in and around San Antonio and includes the headquarters of USAA and Cullen/Frost Bankers Inc.

Major companies have targeted San Antonio for expansions in recent years. Ernst & Young opened a client service center that promises to employ 600 full-time workers in the Farinon Business Park on the Northwest Side and plans to make room at the facility for an additional 300.

Earlier this month, Cleveland investment management company Victory Capital Holdings announced it would relocate its headquarters here after agreeing to buy USAAs investment management arm in November, keeping 300 positions from the acquisition and adding at least 50 new jobs paying an average salary of $96,000 in the coming years.

The deal came with the promise of $750,000 in local tax incentives. City Council members unanimously approved $500,000 in economic incentives for Victory Capital at their Jan. 17 meeting. Two days earlier, Bexar County commissioners voted to direct county economic development officials to begin negotiating a separate $250,000 grant.

On ExpressNews.com: Texas leads in job imports but figures show a mixed bag

PenFed will further elevate a base of innovative, community-focused, strong corporate citizens here in San Antonio, Jenna Saucedo-Herrera, CEO of the San Antonio Economic Development Foundation, said in a statement.

The only two credit unions larger than PenFed are Navy Federal Credit Union of Vienna, Va., with $95.3 billion in assets, and State Employees Credit Union of Raleigh, N.C., with $38.6 billion in assets, according to the website Credit Unions Online.

San Antonios largest credit union, Security Service Federal Credit Union, is the countrys ninth largest credit union with almost $9.6 billion in assets. Live Oak-based Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union has $9.1 billion in assets and is the 12th largest in the country .

PenFed has about 1.8 million members, who include active-duty and retired military personnel.

It has two San Antonio branches, at 14603 Huebner Road and 2503 SE Military Drive. They employ about 20 to 25 employees.

In 2011, PenFed had closed its lone San Antonio branch as part of a strategy to move its members to online and mobile banking services. But the credit union reversed course in 2015 and brought back branch operations to the Alamo City.

A PenFed spokesman at the time said it decided to re-establish a presence in San Antonio based on feedback from its members, who wondered why the credit union wouldnt have a branch presence in San Antonio given the citys large population of current and former military members.

As of Sept. 30, the credit union reported $20.1 billion in loans and leases and $18.3 billion in total shares and deposits.

PenFed posted interest income of $690.5 million and non-interest income of $329 million in the first nine months of last year.

BauerFinancial, a Florida company that evaluates banks and credit unions financial results, awarded PenFed the companys highest rating, five stars, which is considered superior, for the quarter ended Sept. 30.

Patrick Danner is a San Antonio-based staff writer covering banking and civil courts. Read him on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | pdanner@express-news.net | Twitter: @AlamoPD

Joshua Fechter is a San Antonio-based staff writer covering real estate, economic development and philanthropy. Read him on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | jfechter@express-news.net | Twitter: @JFReports
Friday, January 25, 2019

The partial shutdown of the US government is now on day 34, with 800,000 employees still not getting their paychecks.

TSA agents and air traffic controllers are calling in sick. The FBI, Secret Services and IRS are all cutting back on their normal services. The USDA and FDA have halted inspections of food and drugs. For the first time ever, US military personnel are not being paid, as they defend our country.

While the stalemate between Congress and the President continues, there's been a heartwarming outpouring of support for the government employees caught in the middle. Companies across multiple industries are providing discounted or free services to those affected. Restaurants, chefs, and food banks are offering free meals. Banks are suspending interest on loans; PayPal is offering cash advances to its federal employee customers.

Helping those in need crosses party lines and political affiliations. It brings out the best in all of us. It also exposes just how many functions that we rely on every day are performed by government employees.

Let's hope that this situation is resolved sooner rather than later, but also that once these people go back to their jobs and their normal lives, we don't lose the compassion and caring that brought people together to help those who were down, but not out.

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We do not know what was going on in the mind of the individual who committed this atrocious act, but we do know he was influenced by the darkness in this world, Williams said. We will not try to understand the darkness, but we will with Gods help overcome it.
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Cooperation will start in the private label business

Global supply chains offer increased opportunities for growth to the distributors and industrial partners involved retail customers benefit from a larger assortment variety

Pfffikon, Switzerland /News Aktuell : The European Marketing Distribution AG (EMD) welcomes a new partner: Homeplus Co. Ltd, Koreas second largest retailer, is from now on closely cooperating in the sourcing of private label products with the leading European associated group. The agreement signed on Wednesday 23 January in Zurich by Homeplus CEO Lim Il-Soon provides also for the option of cooperation in other areas of intercontinental cooperation.

- Cross reference: Picture is available at AP Images ( http://www.apimages.com) -

Homeplus, founded in 1997, is the second largest company in the South Korean retailer market with a turnover of 9.7 billion US dollars (2017). The Homeplus Group owned by the Asian private equity firm MBK Partners operates currently 752 retail outlets and eight logistics centres. More specifically, the branch network comprises 351 supermarkets, 140 hypermarkets, 261 convenience shops, various shopping malls and bakeries operated in the checkout areas. The Homeplus Group offers its food and non-food assortments also online and owns a delivery company.

Homeplus CEO Lim Il-Soon about the partnership with EMD: We cannot imagine a better cooperation partner than the successful and worldwide well-connected EMD. The close cooperation in the private label business opens for us new and interesting purchasing channels in Europe with an immediate benefit for our customers. Additional growth opportunities will also result for our South Korean suppliers, for which new sales channels in the large distribution area of the EMD members will be made available.

EMD managing director Philippe Gruyters also points out the considerable advantages of a transnational trading business: The integration of procurement volumes in high demand brings to all distributors and industrial partners involved higher marketing dynamics and therefore a more secure turnover. In addition, a better and more competitive assortment offer will be created, a result that is in the interest of our retail customers.

Through this now beginning partnership, EMD deepens its commitment in the Asia-Pacific area, after Woolworths Australia and New Zealand joined in early 2016.

About EMD

European Marketing Distribution AG, with headquarters in Pfffikon, Switzerland, has been acknowledged since 1989 as an efficient and high-performing partner for Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) by the consumer goods industries. The associated group operates now together with its member companies in 20 countries in the continents of Europe, Oceania and Asia.

These are the member companies of European Marketing Distribution (EMD):

For further information, please contact:

Rosmanith & Rosmanith

The Art of Communication

Uwe Rosmanith

Unter den Eichen 7

D-65195 Wiesbaden

Phone: + 49/611/716 547 920

uwe@rosmanith.de
VTT coordinates the EU-funded Forest Flux project, launched in 2018, which creates commercial services for the estimation of forest carbon storage and assimilation. The services are based on computerised interpretation of satellite data acquired by the Sentinel-2 satellite, which is part of the European Copernicus Programme. The customers of the global service include forest companies, authorities and NGOs.

Using a cloud-based service platform maintained by VTT, the satellite data is refined into map products describing the forest biomass and carbon assimilation. The interpretation is supported by ground data that allows the estimation of the reliability of computed maps. The cloud service also enables dissemination of the products to the customers. There is no need for the service users to transfer vast amounts of data as the images are readily available in the cloud service. Provided in a format that does not require much storage space, the final data is quick to download by the customers.

"This is a whole new product, since this kind of service entity being developed in the Forest Flux, with its computing platform and map products, has not been available before. The forest inventory and carbon data provided by the service can be integrated into the decision-making processes of selected users. The web-based services are also provided to customers without any geographic restrictions," says Research Professor Tuomas Hame, who acts as project coordinator.

The Sentinel-2 satellites gather data on the same area of the Earth every five days, which guarantees the provision of a cloudless image of most areas on the Earth every year, Finland included. Therefore, the carbon estimations can be computed on an annual basis. The resolution of the images, provided to the project by the European Space Agency (ESA), is ten metres.

Forest Flux is based on an earlier EU project, North State led by VTT, which developed the analysis methods being used. In addition to VTT, the other members of the Forest Flux consortium include the University of Helsinki, Simosol Oy, UNIQUE Forestry and Land Use GmbH (Germany), Instituto Superior de Agronomia (Portugal) and Institutul Na?ional de Cercetare-Dezvoltare in Silvicultur? "Marin Dr?cea" (Romania). The total budget of the project is slightly over two million euros.

VTT is also involved in the preparation of a project which aims to provide tools based on the forest inventory and carbon estimations based on satellite data free of charge. This project also uses the same cloud service platform as Forest Flux.

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Further information

Tuomas Hame

Tuomas.Hame@vtt.fi

Research Professor

+358 40 587-0631

Further information on VTT:

Kirsi Jaatinen

Specialist, Communications

+358 20 722 6757, kirsi.jaatinen@vtt.fi

http://www. vtt. fi

VTT is a visionary research, development and innovation partner. We drive sustainable growth and tackle the biggest global challenges of our time and turn them into growth opportunities. We go beyond the obvious to help the society and companies to grow through technological innovations. We have over 75 years of experience of top-level research and science-based results. VTTs turnover and other operating income is 258 M. VTT is at the sweet spot where innovation and business come together. VTT - beyond the obvious. Twitter @VTTFinland, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube and Instagram. For photos and videos, please visit our Image Bank.
Researchers at VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland have developed a new and more accurate method for estimating the probability of extreme events, such as storms, floods and earthquakes. The new method will be used in updating building codes and land-use regulations, and is applicable also in developing artificial intelligence, as well as in economics and medical data analysis.

Extreme events, such as storms, floods and earthquakes have always been disastrous to civilizations. Communities prepare for them by rigid constructions, flood banks, drainage channels and avoiding building at hazardous locations. For all such preparations, being able to estimate the probability of hazardous extremes is crucial. The estimation is based on the statistics of previously observed extremes, studied by so-called extreme value analysis. Many extreme value analysis methods exist and it has not been clear which of them should be preferred.

Researchers at VTT, Lasse Makkonen and Maria Tikanmaki, developed a new more accurate extreme value analysis method. The problem of how to appropriately evaluate the goodness of such methods was also solved in this connection.

Makkonen and Tikanmaki showed, by numerical Monte-Carlo simulations, that their new extreme value analysis method is much more accurate than the methods that are currently widely used. The difference is significant particularly when the number of available previously observed extremes is small. Typically, the current methods underestimate the probability of the most hazardous extreme events.

The new method, developed at VTT, will improve the estimation of the probability of extreme events and will thus contribute to preparation for natural hazards in an economically optimal but safe manner. This will happen via updating building codes and land-use planning regulations. The new method will have wide applications, because extreme value analysis is also in use e.g. in the development of artificial intelligence, in economics and in the analysis of medical data.

"Extreme value analysis of natural phenomena aims at appropriate preparation against hazardous extreme events. Therefore, it forms the foundation of all regulations that aim at securing the safety of buildings and infrastructure. Stronger constructions and protection arrangements increase costs, so that economic optimation is another issue here. Good estimation of the probability of extreme events is particularly important for those constructions for which indirect damage caused by a rare extreme event is exceptionally heavy, such as in the case of nuclear power plants and large dams", says Lasse Makkonen.

The study by Makkonen and Tikanmaki was published in the Journal of Hydrology and can be read at https:/ / www. sciencedirect. com/ science/ article/ pii/ S2589915518300129 .

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The research was funded by the Ministry of Environment, Finland and Academy of Finland.

Further information:

VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd

Maria Tikanmaki, Research Scientist

maria.tikanmaki@vtt.fi, tel. +358 40 5279359

Lasse Makkonen, Principal Scientist

lasse.makkonen@vtt.fi, tel. +358 40 5932457

Further information on VTT:

Paula Bergqvist

Specialist, External Communications

+358 20 722 5161

paula.bergqvist@vtt.fi

http://www. vtt. fi

VTT is a visionary research, development and innovation partner. We drive sustainable growth and tackle the biggest global challenges of our time and turn them into growth opportunities. We go beyond the obvious to help the society and companies to grow through technological innovations. We have over 75 years of experience of top-level research and science-based results. VTTs turnover and other operating income is 258 M. VTT is at the sweet spot where innovation and business come together. VTT - beyond the obvious. Twitter @VTTFinland, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube and Instagram. For photos and videos, please visit our Image Bank.
The present case investigated at Vetmeduni Vienna is the first clinical report on this form of listeriosis in fattening pigs. In their study, researchers from the Institute of Microbiology, the Institute of Pathology and the Institute of Milk Hygiene, under coordination by Lukas Schwartz from the University Clinic for Swine, showed that the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes, as the causative agent of listeriosis, should - contrary to current practice - form part of the list of differential diagnoses when fattening pigs suffer from bloody diarrhoea and septicaemia.

Fatal listeriosis in Lower Austria

The study was motivated by an episode of fatal listeriosis in fattening pigs in a pig farm in Lower Austria with an integrated fattening unit with space for 450 pigs. Clinical symptoms such as anorexia, bloody diarrhoea and an increased body temperature up to 40C were observed in about 10% of the fattening pigs, mostly in well-fed animals with a bodyweight of 40-100 kg. In total, 35 fattening pigs died in a period of about 3 weeks.

A real crime thriller: evidence from DNA fingerprinting

Two fattening pigs with clinical symptoms as well as fed maize silage samples were investigated for further diagnostics. Molecular biological characterization isolated identical L. monocytogenes strains from samples taken from the pigs and in the maize silage. Additionally, a high content of deoxynivalenol was found in the maize silage. Deoxynivalenol is a mycotoxin found above all as a metabolic product in affected grains with potentially negative effects for the immune system. "The feeding of maize silage contaminated by listeria, which survive under poor ensilaging conditions, was the most likely source of infection of the fattening pigs," says first author Heiko Stein.

Ensilaging under anaerobic conditions provides reliable protection

The researchers were able to show with their study that L. monocytogenes can cause clinical disease in fattening pigs that may be the result of immunosuppression due to high deoxynivalenol exposure. Stein therefore formulates the following appeal: "When feeding silage, it is important that all ensilaging procedures occur under appropriate anaerobic conditions to guarantee suppression of listerial growth."

Important new insights for food safety

Listeria are rod-shaped bacteria that naturally occur in many different places. Most are harmless for people. The species L. monocytogenes, however, is anything but harmless for humans and animals. An infection caused by these bacteria can result in serious diarrhoea and encephalitis in humans and may even be fatal.

It is known from cattle and sheep that feeding silage of poor quality can lead to L. monocytogenes transmission causing encephalitis or bloody diarrhoea. In the scientific literature, however, only a few older case reports have dealt with L. monocytogenes transmission in pig herds despite the fact that L. monocytogenes contamination of pork products is of great concern for public health.

"Whenever bloody diarrhoea combined with increased mortality occurs in fattening pigs, L. monocytogenes should be part of the list of differential diagnoses, especially if silage is part of feeding. Since in our case therapeutic and prophylactic measures led to a fast recovery of diseased animals, antimicrobial therapy is indicated as soon as possible to avoid further shedding of L. monocytogenes via faeces and to prevent additional fatal cases," says Stein in conclusion.

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Tsukuba: While fighting over females for the right to breed is common among male animals in the wild, these fights rarely result in death. You can't pass on your genes when you're dead, or badly injured. So why do the males in some colonies of the tiny spider mite (Stigmaeopsis miscanthi) display aggressive, and sometimes deadly, behavior against rival males, while the males in other colonies do not, and how did this behavior evolve? Recent research in the journal Ecology and Evolution, led by Professor Yukie Sato of the University of Tsukuba, Japan, shows that if you are a male Stigmaeopsis miscanthi mite, where you live is likely to determine your level of aggression.

These social spider mites infest Chinese silver grass, producing silk to create woven shelters that protect the colony on the underside of leaves. They raise their young collectively, and the males fight to protect their fellow mites when predatory mites invade the shelter. In some places, male mites in the same colony kill each other, dominate the colony, and create a harem. Aggressiveness between males within the same colony is low in colder regions, high in warmer regions, and mild in subtropical regions of Japan. Prof. Sato believes that this can be explained by an evolutionary theory called kin selection theory, in which individuals have evolved to favor those who are genetically related to them. She predicts that mother-son mating occurs in colder regions much more than in warmer regions. Females enter diapause, a type of hibernation, and can overwinter. Males do not enter diapause, but some males overwinter in the warmer regions. Virgin females who overwinter must mate with males to produce daughters. If there are no males, females produce haploid sons from unfertilized eggs. The females then mate with their sons, producing diploid daughters from fertilized eggs, to establish their spring nests. So, in the colder regions, males only encounter other related males. In warmer regions, overwintering females can avoid mother-son matings because some males overwinter, therefore the males encounter both related and unrelated males. In the subtropical regions, the males only encounter unrelated males. The theory predicts that, when related and unrelated males exist together, males are more likely to kill an unrelated stranger than their brother or uncle, therefore, male-killing frequently occurs in the warmer regions.

To test this theory and to work out how these mites evolved their unique behavior, Prof. Sato and her colleagues investigated the aggressiveness and phylogenetics (evolutionary relationships) of different populations of mites distributed along two land bridges between the Japanese archipelago and the eastern Eurasian continent.

Because male aggressive behavior is likely to vary depending on experimental conditions, they took advantage of the fact that males use their first pair of legs in the fights: males with longer first legs usually win. The researchers measured the relative length of the first leg in 42 mite populations and categorized the mites into three distinct forms of aggression: low, high, and mild. As expected, these forms of aggression corresponded to the geographical origins of the mite populations, with the low form inhabiting the colder regions, the mild form in the subtropical regions and the high form in the hotter regions.

So how have the mites evolved this geographic variation in aggressiveness? To answer this question, the researchers developed sophisticated and advanced computer simulations of different hypothetical migration history scenarios. They also considered the historical expansion in the geographical location of the host plant, Chinese silver grass (Miscanthus sinensis), since the evolution of herbivores such as the spider mite is often associated with their host plants. In one scenario, the researchers hypothesized that if the mite shared the same geographical expansion as the grass, the populations with mild aggressiveness in the subtropical region are expected to be the ancestor group, and the two forms with low and high aggressiveness will have emerged during its migration into the north. Their simulations showed that this scenario is indeed the most likely and that the low form was split from the mild form during the last glacial period (20,000-40,000 years ago), and subsequently, the high form was split from the mild form at the end of or after the last glacial period (5,494-10,988 years ago). This suggests that the high form is quite new and emerged in Japan at the end or after the height of the last glacial period (about 21,000 years ago); that is, when a warmer and moister climate returned, and the Japanese archipelago was completely isolated from the Eurasian continent and Taiwan Islands. The results also suggest that the mite invaded Japan more than once, resulting in the present, partially overlapping distribution of low and high forms in eastern Japan.

Thus, it appears that aggressiveness in male spider mites is related to geographical location and the resulting climate: as the temperature rises, so do their tempers.

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A landmark study by experts at the University of Stirling will help health professionals improve the identification of severe and problematic anxiety in pregnant women.

Antenatal anxiety can be difficult to identify and current guidance recommends that health professionals apply the same screening tool used to detect anxiety disorders in the general population. Such generic tools cite physical symptoms - such as palpitations or sleep difficulties - which can also be common experiences of pregnancy.

However, the new, multidisciplinary study - from the Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professions Research Unit (NMAHP-RU) at Stirling - has now identified a number of symptoms that are reliable indicators of antenatal anxiety.

Andrea Sinesi, who led the work as part of his PhD, said: "Previous research clearly shows that antenatal anxiety considerably increases the risk of postnatal depression and can negatively affect child development, both in the short and long term. We also know that existing anxiety scales developed for the general population are not reliable in screening for problematic anxiety in pregnant women.

"Our research looked at all of the studies conducted over the last 30 years - that were of good or excellent methodological quality - which used anxiety scales with pregnant women. We examined all of the questions included within each of the scales. It is the first time that both the content and psychometric properties of such studies have been systematically examined and evaluated.

"Through this analysis, we were able to identify a number of symptoms consistently shown to be reliable and valid indicators of antenatal anxiety. These include elevated levels of worry; symptoms of panic; fear of childbirth; and excessive worries about the baby's health."

Many women experience some anxiety during pregnancy, but 15 percent of all pregnant women suffer symptoms severe enough to impact negatively on their day-to-day lives. Evidence suggests that a substantial proportion of women experiencing antenatal anxiety are going undetected and, consequently, not receiving any support.

Currently, the National Institute for Clinical Excellence recommends using a generic anxiety-screening tool, which may not be sensitive enough for women during pregnancy.

The symptoms identified by the review as being robust indicators in the diagnosis of antenatal anxiety will form part of a new scale, currently being developed by Mr Sinesi and colleagues.

"The overall aim of the research is to develop a screening scale for antenatal anxiety that can be used by midwives and other health professionals to identify women with elevated levels of anxiety during pregnancy," Mr Sinesi said. "The symptoms identified are now being used to develop a short and easy-to-complete screening tool to identify women experiencing more serious antenatal anxiety - and rule out women who are experiencing normal pregnancy-related anxiety."

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Mr Sinesi was supported in the study by Professor Helen Cheyne, Deputy Director at NMAHP-RU and Royal College of Midwives (Scotland) Professor of Midwifery; Professor Margaret Maxwell, Director of NMAHP-RU; and Professor Ronan O'Carroll, a clinical and health psychologist based in Stirling's Faculty of Natural Sciences.

The paper, Anxiety scales used in pregnancy: systematic review, is published in the British Journal of Psychiatry Open and was funded through a Doctoral Training Fellowship from the Chief Scientist Office, part of the Scottish Government Health Directorates.
Over the past 40 years, there has been a dramatic decline in fishery landings of an iconic Baltic Sea fish: the flounder. In the 1980s, the landings of the flounder fishery in the Gulf of Finland dropped by 90 per cent, a trend that was later confirmed by fishery-independent surveys.

There are two cryptic (i.e. morphologically very similar) species of flounder in the Baltic Sea: the European flounder (Platichthys flesus), which spawn pelagic eggs in high-salinity offshore basins, and the recently described Baltic flounder (Platichthys solemdali), the only endemic fish of the Baltic Sea.

The latter lays demersal eggs and is well adapted to the low salinities of the coastal waters of the Gulf of Finland and northern Baltic Proper. It was long assumed that only the demersal-spawning species occurs in the Gulf of Finland, where salinity is too low for P. flesus's reproduction.

Researchers from the University of Helsinki developed a simple genetic test to distinguish the two species. By analyzing the DNA from flounders' ear bones collected over the past four decades, they discovered that European flounders were in fact once the most abundant species in the Gulf of Finland. However, they have almost completely disappeared.

"We discovered that the decline in fishery landings closely mirrors in time the near-complete disappearance of the pelagic-spawning European flounder - a species that was not supposed to occur here. This species - not the Baltic flounder - dominated local assemblages until three decades ago, but has since disappeared as a result of worsening environmental conditions," says researcher Paolo Momigliano from the University of Helsinki.

European flounders cannot reproduce in the Gulf of Finland; their northernmost spawning ground is east of Gotland, in the eastern Gotland Basin. However, larvae and juveniles can be transported to the Gulf of Finland by deep water currents.

Eutrophication and climate change have contributed to the worsening of environmental conditions in the eastern Gotland Basin. This, in turn, has likely greatly reduced the supply of larvae to the Gulf of Finland, explaining the near-complete disappearance of European flounders from the Finnish coast.

Revealing the contribution of each species to flounder stocks is essential for the appropriate management of this marine resource. The test developed by the authors also provides the means to monitor the contribution of each species to the local flounder assemblages in real-time, and for the first time will allow estimations of demographic changes, resilience to climate change and exploitation, as well as each species' response to management.

"But perhaps more importantly, our study demonstrates that cryptic species could become locally extinct before we even notice their presence," Momigliano points out.

DNA was extracted from 480 otoliths (ear bones), sampled from a collection containing over 29 000 flounder otoliths. These were collected annually from 1975 to 2011 as part of the routine sampling conducted by the Finnish Natural Resources Institute and its predecessor, Finnish Game and Fisheries Research Institute.

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Glacial retreat in the Canadian Arctic has uncovered landscapes that haven't been ice-free in more than 40,000 years and the region may be experiencing its warmest century in 115,000 years, new University of Colorado Boulder research finds.

The study, published today in the journal Nature Communications, uses radiocarbon dating to determine the ages of plants collected at the edges of 30 ice caps on Baffin Island, west of Greenland. The island has experienced significant summertime warming in recent decades.

"The Arctic is currently warming two to three times faster than the rest of the globe, so naturally, glaciers and ice caps are going to react faster," said Simon Pendleton, lead author and a doctoral researcher in CU Boulder's Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research (INSTAAR).

Baffin is the world's fifth largest island, dominated by deeply incised fjords separated by high-elevation, low-relief plateaus. The thin, cold plateau ice acts as a kind of natural cold storage, preserving ancient moss and lichens in their original growth position for millennia.

"We travel to the retreating ice margins, sample newly exposed plants preserved on these ancient landscapes and carbon date the plants to get a sense of when the ice last advanced over that location," Pendleton said. "Because dead plants are efficiently removed from the landscape, the radiocarbon age of rooted plants define the last time summers were as warm, on average, as those of the past century"

In August, the researchers collected 48 plant samples from 30 different Baffin ice caps, encompassing a range of elevations and exposures. They also sampled quartz from each site in order to further establish the age and ice cover history of the landscape.

Once the samples were processed and radiocarbon dated back in labs at the Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research (INSTAAR) at CU Boulder and the University of California Irvine, the researchers found that these ancient plants at all 30 ice caps have likely been continuously covered by ice for at least the past 40,000 years.

"Unlike biology, which has spent the past three billion years developing schemes to avoid being impacted by climate change, glaciers have no strategy for survival," said Gifford Miller, senior author of the research and a professor of geological sciences at CU Boulder. "They're well behaved, responding directly to summer temperature. If summers warm, they immediately recede; if summers cool, they advance. This makes them one of the most reliable proxies for changes in summer temperature."

When compared against temperature data reconstructed from Baffin and Greenland ice cores, the findings suggest that modern temperatures represent the warmest century for the region in 115,000 years and that Baffin could be completely ice-free within the next few centuries.

"You'd normally expect to see different plant ages in different topographical conditions," Pendleton said. "A high elevation location might hold onto its ice longer, for example. But the magnitude of warming is so high that everything is melting everywhere now."

"We haven't seen anything as pronounced as this before," Pendleton said.

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Additional co-authors of the study include Scott Lehman, Sarah Crump and Robert Anderson of CU Boulder; Nathaniel Lifton of Purdue University; and John Southon of the University of California Irvine. The National Science Foundation provided funding for the research.
Scientists from the Royal NIOZ Netherlands Institute for Sea Research have uncovered how the sponges hollow out and take over reef skeletons

Coral reefs are demolished from within, by bio-eroding sponges. Seeking refuge from predators, these sponges bore tunnels into the carbonate coral structures, thus weakening the reefs. Scientists from the Royal NIOZ Netherlands Institute for Sea Research have uncovered how the sponges hollow out and take over reef skeletons. This finding, published in Scientific Reports on Thursday January 24th, helps to explain why sponges erode reefs faster as atmospheric CO 2 levels rise.

With their three-dimensional structures, coral reefs provide ecosystem building blocks, hotspots for living organisms and natural coastal protection against waves. Worldwide, coral reefs are under pressure of the consequences of climate change, such as ocean acidification. NIOZ-first author Alice Webb explains why and how sponges contribute to the collapse of coral reefs.

Why and how do sponges excavate coral reefs?

An affected coral reef may seem intact on the outside, while on the inside looking like a complex of mining shafts with galleries and cavities that are completely filled with sponge tissue.

Bio-eroding sponges bore into coral skeletons, not to feed on the calcium carbonate, but to protect their own tissue from predators by hiding in the hard coral structure. To make the tunnels, they use a combination of chemical and mechanical demolition techniques. First the sponge pumps acidified fluid onto the coral to dissolve and chip off calcium carbonate pieces; then it removes the chips from the boring pit by contracting its tissue, resembling smooth muscle tissue. Sponges filter huge amounts of water constantly for feeding and breathing. They suck in water, take all the food particles and then spit the filtered water out. Chips of coral reef are expelled by the same route through these filtering canals, and out of the sponge through the so-called osculum.

How does ocean acidification help sponges break down coral?

We knew from previous research that bio-erosion is facilitated by higher CO 2 levels, but we didn't know why. Bio-eroding sponges alter the chemical composition of the water at the etching interface by pumping protons from the surrounding seawater into this interface. By doing so, they make the surface of the skeleton more acidic, which helps to dissolve the skeleton. If more CO 2 is dissolved in the seawater, the proton concentration rises and the sponge will simply have to spend less energy on lowering the pH at the sponge/coral interface.

Why was the breaking-down mechanism still unknown?

The sponge-coral interface is extremely hard to localise and observe as it is surrounded by layers of coral skeleton. Research on boring mechanisms of bio-eroding sponges really started in the 1970s, but the technology to look at differences in pH was not available. In the last decade, researchers have tried to localise the etching site using microelectrodes (pH probes) but this approach did not succeed. We combined a number of 'tricks' to open up the sponge-carbonate boundary. We grew sponges on small pieces of calcite minerals that we could manipulate to observe the sponge-carbonate interface directly. The actual observation was done using fluorescence microscopy by visualising pH (acid) and the way the pH was controlled by the sponge.

What are the implications of your findings?

These sponges are abundant on reefs of the Caribbean such as Curacao, Saba bank or Florida keys, but also on the Great Barrier Reef. Taking ocean acidification into account, our sponge findings make it possible to make better predictions of future coral reef conditions.

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Article
Nees explained resilience as the ability to return to form after a stressful event like a ball might after being squished under pressure. For a city to be resilient in the face of climate change, it has to invest in the things that will allow it to bounce back  protective infrastructure, secure utilities and an effective communication system among other things. And for Annapolis to do that, it needs two things: a plan and money.
CHICAGO --- Quitting smoking can significantly improve the effectiveness of cancer treatment, according to the U.S. Surgeon General, yet almost half of cancer patients continue to smoke after they've been diagnosed.

A new study from Northwestern Medicine and the Abramson Cancer Center at the University of Pennsylvania found cancer patients have better success quitting and are not as prone to relapsing one year later if they undergo counseling sessions for 24 weeks and take the smoking cessation medication varenicline (e.g. Chantix) for 24 weeks, compared to the routine 12 weeks.

"With the stress cancer patients are under, they tend to be at higher risk of relapsing for a longer period of time," said senior author Brian Hitsman, associate professor of preventive medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. "So we thought providing treatment for longer would be more effective."

The findings will be published Jan. 25 in the journal Psycho-Oncology. Patients in the study had a variety of cancers, ranging from breast to skin to lung cancer. Forty percent of patients actively had cancer while others had had cancer in the past five years.

For Billie Green, 70, smoking while undergoing cancer treatments was the result of a combination of her 50-year smoking history and the stress of her life-altering lung cancer diagnosis that made it difficult to quit.

"When someone tells you that you have cancer, you get scared," said Green, who lives in Chicago. "Smoking used to be my best friend when I was upset, after I ate. But I knew it didn't make any sense to keep smoking, if I'm going in for treatment all the time."

Green's daughter learned about the Northwestern Medicine smoking cessation study specifically aimed at cancer patients - one of the largest smoking cessation trials ever conducted with cancer patients - and asked her to enroll. Green did so a month later.

Today, Green is in remission from her cancer. She still smokes but has dramatically cut back from one pack a day to one cigarette every other day. Green said the treatment - a combination of medication and behavioral counseling sessions - made her aware of what she was doing to her body.

The higher success of quitting, though was true only for the 43 percent of patients who took varenicline as directed for the full 24 weeks. For the other 57 percent of participants who did not take the medication as prescribed, there was no significant difference in quit rates or susceptibility of relapsing compared to the control group, who only received varenicline for the first 12 weeks.

Both groups received the same behavioral therapy - counseling sessions to set quit dates, learn coping skills and manage withdrawal symptoms - over the course of 24 weeks. Many of the study participants in the control group and experimental group continued with the full counseling regimen, despite not always adhering to the medication regimen.

"While the behavioral therapy wasn't the focus of this study, we will need to study this part more closely because it can be a very powerful tool for cancer patients to quit smoking," Hitsman said. "You can imagine how someone going through a severe or significant disease and treatment process could benefit from the support we provided in this study."

This was only the second study to examine the use of varenicline for cancer patients. It was the first smoking cessation study -- for any population of smokers, not just cancer patients -- to double the length of the standard course of 12 weeks of varenicline and include behavioral therapy in the treatment.

Because varenicline treatment had never been given to a cancer population for longer than 12 weeks, the scientists wanted to assess its safety. The study found taking an additional 12 weeks of the medication did not increase the side effects for patients.

"We hear from cancer patients and oncologists that varenicline may cause serious side effects or that managing the stress of the disease makes addressing tobacco use among patients inappropriate," said first author Dr. Robert Schnoll, associate professor in the department of psychiatry and associate director for population science at the Abramson Cancer Center.

"But the results from this study show that this leading FDA-approved medication is effective for cancer patients, doesn't increase patient risk and yields increased benefits for those who take the medication as prescribed."

"We need now to focus on how we can get more patients who smoke to use the medication and use it sufficiently if we are to see broader population-level gains," Schnoll said.

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The study was funded by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) of the National Institutes of Health. Northwestern University and the Abramson Cancer Center at the University of Pennsylvania are involved in the NCI's Cancer Center Cessation Initiative (C3I), funded by the NCI Cancer Moonshot Program. This new initiative aims to make tobacco cessation treatment a core component of comprehensive cancer care throughout the United States.
Gender matters when it comes to smoking cessation.

Women are 31 percent less likely to quit smoking successfully, according to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, in part because nicotine replacement therapy is thought to be more effective in male smokers. In contrast, laboratory-based studies suggest that women crave cigarettes more when they experience stress. However, that finding has not been clearly replicated in a real-world setting.

In an article published online by Nicotine & Tobacco Research, researchers at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) report the findings of a real-world study in 177 smokers. In the study, female smokers experienced more stress and craving than male smokers after viewing stress cues. Stress cues are images that induce stress, similar to news images of violence or war. However, no gender differences in craving were noted after viewing cellphone-delivered smoking cues. Smoking cues are images that suggest smoking behavior, such as a photograph of a cigarette or a person smoking.

These findings suggest that improving quit outcomes in women may require gender-specific cessation strategies.

"We know that not all existing treatments are equally effective for men and women," says Rachel L. Tomko, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at MUSC and first author on the article. "That could be because they find different aspects of smoking rewarding and relieving, and there are different things that maintain their smoking. Our findings suggest that stress may be one thing that maintains smoking more for women than for men."

"This research helps us understand what drives smoking behavior and what really may create barriers to treatment that we didn't think were there," explains Kevin M. Gray, M.D., professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at MUSC and senior author on the article. "If smoking were all about the nicotine, then everyone would respond beautifully to nicotine replacement therapy. But it's more nuanced and complex than that. The better we can get at it, the better we will be able to create the right kinds of treatment for each individual."

Participants in the real-world study viewed eight images each day (four sets of two) for two weeks. These included smoking cues, stress cues and neutral images. Each time they received a pair of images, they completed a form assessing their stress, negative emotion and craving levels before viewing the images (their baseline value) and after viewing each image. They also tracked the number of cigarettes they smoked each day.

These data were recorded via a smartphone app (status/post; Infinite Arms; Charleston, SC) that integrates with the research tool RedCap (Vanderbilt University), and these RedCap data were hosted by the South Carolina Clinical and Translational Institute, an NIH Clinical and Translational Science Awards Program Hub.

As already noted, female smokers reported experiencing more stress, negative emotion and craving after viewing stress cues, but not smoking cues, than male smokers. Regardless of gender, smokers with higher baseline levels experienced more stress, negative emotion and craving after viewing stress cues. Because women smoke more in response to stress and environmental triggers, their smoking patterns could be expected to vary more than men's. However, the MUSC team found no difference in the number of cigarettes smoked per day for male and female smokers.

"Fortunately, showing smokers stress and smoking cues did not result in an overall increase in cigarettes smoked," says Tomko. "This is likely because smokers are already exposed to similar images on a daily basis. However, it is surprising that women did not have more day-to-day fluctuations in their number of cigarettes than men. It is possible that minor, everyday stressors result in women smoking a cigarette a bit sooner than they would have otherwise but does not impact the overall rate of smoking. We hope to test this in future research."

With other colleagues at MUSC, Gray and Tomko plan to analyze the daily hormone level data collected during the study to explore how hormones affect stress and smoking. Using a special lighter that can record time, they will also conduct studies to see how long it takes for different smokers to light up after experiencing stress. This could, for example, provide more evidence that stress leads to smoking in women. More broadly, they will continue to map out the gender and other differences that affect how smokers respond to treatment and use that knowledge to better craft cessation therapies.

"The really good news - and we can say this both as clinicians and researchers - is that we have effective treatments for smoking cessation," says Gray. "The challenging news is that, even with effective treatments, most smokers who try still struggle to quit smoking. We can try to make improvements by using the blunt instrument of a bigger, better treatment for everybody. However, I think we should also try to think what is different between individuals -- either gender or other characteristics -- and whether those differences help us better tailor our treatments."

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About MUSC

Founded in 1824 in Charleston, The Medical University of South Carolina is the oldest medical school in the South. Today, MUSC continues the tradition of excellence in education, research, and patient care. MUSC educates and trains more than 3,000 students and residents, and has nearly 13,000 employees, including approximately 1,500 faculty members. As the largest non-federal employer in Charleston, the university and its affiliates have collective annual budgets in excess of $2.2 billion. MUSC operates a 700-bed medical center, which includes a nationally recognized Children's Hospital, the Ashley River Tower (cardiovascular, digestive disease, and surgical oncology), Hollings Cancer Center (a National Cancer Institute-designated center) Level I Trauma Center, and Institute of Psychiatry. For more information on academic programs or clinical services, visit musc.edu. For more information on hospital patient services, visit muschealth.org.

About the South Carolina Clinical and Translational Research Institute
Bombs exploding, hostages taken and masked gunmen firing machine guns are all types of terrorist attacks we've seen. According to new Michigan State University research, it's the attacks we don't see - cyberattacks - that happen more often and can cause greater destruction.

"Little work has been done around the use of the internet as an attack space," said Thomas Holt, professor of criminal justice and lead author. "The bottom line is that these attacks are happening and they're overlooked. If we don't get a handle understanding them now, we won't fully understand the scope of the threats today and how to prevent larger mobilization efforts in the future."

Holt's findings, published in Terrorism and Political Violence, underscore his concern for awareness and action: ideological cyberterrorist attacks are outpacing physical attacks among far-left groups.

To understand these attacks, Holt analyzed the scope, growth and impact of ideological cyberterrorist incidents from far-left groups, such as the Animal Liberation Front, Earth Liberation Front and the hacker conglomerate group Anonymous. These groups, Holt explained, don't necessarily want to physically harm humans; rather, they're motivated by animal and environmental activism and feel passionate about attacking companies, organizations and government entities that go against their beliefs. Unfortunately, everyday consumers get caught in attack aftershocks from data breaches and information loss.

"These kinds of ideologically motivated attacks are devised to have an emotional and economic impact on groups that go against their beliefs," Holt explained. "If you visit a company's website expecting to see one thing and this group has instead hacked the website and posted customers' personal information, that's a huge issue for both the company and the consumers."

Organizations in Holt's research that have fallen victim to these attacks range from Dow Chemical to the federal government, and in industries ranging from meat production to fashion. He explained that the high-profile nature of the internet - on which these ideological groups can manipulate traffic - is the ideal platform to attack.

"If you're a consumer and you bought a product from one of the victim companies, these attackers would target your data as being associated with something that goes against their ideological beliefs," Holt said. "In another case, the group attacked the federal government by releasing passwords for government agencies."

Holt's research examined physical and cyber terror attacks committed by these far-left groups between 2000 and 2015 in the United States, United Kingdom and Canada.

"The number of physical attacks by these groups was steady for the first few years of our study and then declined over time," Holt said. "At the time, cyberterrorist incidents began increasing and peaked at nine attacks in 2015. While we can't speculate as to why physical attacks have declined, we believe that the cyber component increased because these attacks generate an economic and emotional impact, draw attention to their cause from the public and may be less likely to lead to arrest."

Holt and his team, which included MSU criminal justice colleague Steven Chermak, focused on attacks following four forms of cyber crime: denial of service, or taking a certain resource offline; web defacements, when criminals remove content of a website and replace it with content of their own; data breaches, during which the criminals steal sensitive information about individuals or an organization; and doxing, where the criminals acquire personal information about people and release it online to be used for harassment.

Whether acting as a mobilized organization or an individual, ideological cyberterrorists are as dangerous as the violent extremists seen across the globe. In fact, only one of the incidents Holt observed resulted in an arrest, meaning the actors are still at-large. The mask of the internet makes them harder to catch and easier for them to hide, Holt said.

"These groups might strike domestically, but their damage on the web can be widespread and a concurrent risk for companies and consumers alike. It could be even greater," Holt said.

Next, Holt will examine the radicalization process of online attackers, whether they were cyber-oriented actors first, or whether their ideological beliefs led to cyberattacks. He will also examine attacks attributed to other ideologies, such as jihadist organizations.

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Researchers at LSTM and Imperial College London have designed drugs which could help combat any potential new flu pandemic, by targeting the receptors of the cells by which the virus gains entry to the human body.

In a paper published today(link is external) in the Journal of Immunology the team, led by LSTM's Professor Richard Pleass, show that by engineering a part of an antibody they can target the viral proteins that allow flu to mutate and become so deadly to humans.

Last year marked the centenary of the 1918 influenza pandemic that claimed nearly 100 million lives worldwide, thus becoming the deadliest disease outbreak in recorded history. Global annual influenza outbreaks account for 300,000-650,000 respiratory deaths, mostly in children and the elderly.

Professor Pleass explained: "Influenza vaccines have limited public health impact during pandemics, and current influenza vaccines are less efficacious than vaccines for many other infectious diseases. This is because influenza viruses that circulate in human and animal populations mutate two key viral surface proteins, haemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA), thus allowing them to escape from protective antibodies produced through natural infection or vaccination"

Both HA and NA target a sugar called sialic acid, that is found in abundance on the receptors of cells lining the mammalian respiratory tract, which the virus uses to gain entry into the body. The sialic acid-binding contacts on HA and NA do not mutate readily, otherwise the virus would not be able to infect human cells.

The team has engineered antibody Fc fragments with enhanced sialic acid that target these conserved parts of both HA and NA, binding influenza viruses and thus blocking their interactions with human cells.

By targeting sialic acid, these engineered biologicals may also be useful in the control of other pathogens, such as group B streptococci, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Mycoplasma genitalium, and Newcastle Disease Virus.

"Better anti-influenza therapeutics are urgently needed." Continued Professor Pleass: "The transfer of antibodies from people recovering from influenza during the 1918 and 2009 pandemics reduced mortality from influenza by 50% and 26% respectively. However, to be useful, these antibody medicines (also called FLU-IVIG) need to be manufactured in advance of future epidemics, which is obviously problematic as there may be modest or little neutralising activity against newly emerging strains. Therefore, combinations of existing medicines, including FLU-IVIG, with sialic acid blockers could increase their efficacy while future-proofing against the next pandemic."

Professor Sara Marshall, Head of Clinical and Physiological Sciences at the Wellcome Trust, who provided funding for this work, said: "This is a fascinating project, and one which could have really far-reaching impact not only for influenza but as a platform technology to develop new medicines for many other diseases that are currently treated by antibodies."

The technology described is available for licensing.

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Patients undergoing long-term treatment with steroids may suffer from metabolic side effects. Researchers at the Helmholtz Zentrum Munchen and the Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich (LMU), partners in the German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), have now pinpointed a mechanism that leads to so-called steroid diabetes. Their findings have been published in Nature Communications.

"Glucocorticoids such as cortisone have been used to treat inflammatory diseases such as asthma or rheumatism for many decades, and they are the most commonly prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs," explains Prof. Henriette Uhlenhaut, Group Leader at the Institute for Diabetes and Obesity (IDO) at the Helmholtz Zentrum Munchen and the Gene Center of the LMU. "They are also frequently used in autoimmune diseases, organ transplantations and cancer. It is estimated that between one and three percent of the Western population are currently receiving these drugs - which corresponds to more than one million Germans alone."

However, although glucocorticoids are prescribed for a wide range of conditions, their use is limited by the various side effects - including unwanted metabolic effects* - that can occur during treatment. Once the glucocorticoids bind to their receptor inside the cell, the receptor starts switching numerous genes on and off. "These include various metabolic genes, which can consequently cause so-called steroid diabetes," Henriette Uhlenhaut explains.

In the current study, her team - together with colleagues from the Max Delbruck Center for Molecular Medicine in Berlin, the Salk Institute in San Diego and the University of Freiburg - set out to identify the exact sequence of events that occurs once the steroids bind their receptor.

"What struck us most was the E47 transcription factor, which - along with the glucocorticoid receptor - is responsible for the changes in gene expression, particularly in liver cells," explains Charlotte Hemmer, a doctoral candidate at the IDO and first author of the current study. "We were able to identify the underlying pathway by conducting genome-wide analyses and genetic studies."

In order to corroborate their findings, the scientists then proceeded to examine a preclinical model lacking the E47 gene. "The loss of E47 actually protected against the negative impact of glucocorticoids, while an intact E47 gene led to metabolic changes such as high blood sugar, elevated blood fat levels or a fatty liver as a response to steroid treatment," Charlotte Hemmer adds.

Since the components of the newly discovered mechanism are also conserved in humans, Henriette Uhlenhaut and her team, along with their clinical cooperation partners, would now like to find out whether their results can be translated to human studies. "If this is the case, it could open up new opportunities for therapeutic intervention and the use of safer immuno-suppressants in order to combat the side effects of steroid therapy."

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Further Information

* Glucocorticoids are a type of steroid hormones produced by the adrenal cortex. The name is derived from their role in glucose metabolism, where they promote the production of glucose to provide energy in response to stress or fasting.

** Transcription factors are proteins that determine whether certain genes are transcribed or not. As a rule, they influence (positively or negatively) the way in which the RNA polymerase binds to the DNA sequence that is coded for the specific gene.

Background: The current project was funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG). In 2014, Henriette Uhlenhaut also received a Starting Grant from the European Research Council (ERC) for her work on the processes regulated by the glucocorticoid receptor.

Original Publication: Hemmer, MC et al. (2019): E47 modulates hepatic glucocorticoid action. Nature Communications, DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-08196-5

The Helmholtz Zentrum Munchen, the German Research Center for Environmental Health, pursues the goal of developing personalized medical approaches for the prevention and therapy of major common diseases such as diabetes, allergies and lung diseases. To achieve this, it investigates the interaction of genetics, environmental factors and lifestyle. The Helmholtz Zentrum Munchen is headquartered in Neuherberg in the north of Munich and has about 2,300 staff members. It is a member of the Helmholtz Association, a community of 18 scientific-technical and medical-biological research centers with a total of about 37,000 staff members. http://www. helmholtz-muenchen. de/ en

As one of Europe's leading research universities, LMU Munich is committed to the highest international standards of excellence in research and teaching. Building on its 500-year-tradition of scholarship, LMU covers a broad spectrum of disciplines, ranging from the humanities and cultural studies through law, economics and social studies to medicine and the sciences. 15 percent of LMU's 50,000 students come from abroad, originating from 130 countries worldwide. The know-how and creativity of LMU's academics form the foundation of the University's outstanding research record. This is also reflected in LMU's designation of as a "university of excellence" in the context of the Excellence Initiative, a nationwide competition to promote top-level university research. http://www. en. lmu. de

The German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD) is a national association that brings together experts in the field of diabetes research and combines basic research, translational research, epidemiology and clinical applications. The aim is to develop novel strategies for personalized prevention and treatment of diabetes. Members are Helmholtz Zentrum Munchen - German Research Center for Environmental Health, the German Diabetes Center in Dusseldorf, the German Institute of Human Nutrition in Potsdam-Rehbrucke, the Paul Langerhans Institute Dresden of the Helmholtz Zentrum Munchen at the University Medical Center Carl Gustav Carus of the TU Dresden and the Institute for Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases of the Helmholtz Zentrum Munchen at the Eberhard-Karls-University of Tuebingen together with associated partners at the Universities in Heidelberg, Cologne, Leipzig, Lubeck and Munich. http://www. dzd-ev. de/ en/ index. html

Contact for the media: Department of Communication, Helmholtz Zentrum Munchen - German Research Center for Environmental Health, Ingolstadter Landstr. 1, 85764 Neuherberg - Tel. +49 89 3187 2238 - E-mail: presse@helmholtz-muenchen.de

Scientific contact: Prof. Dr. Henriette Uhlenhaut, Helmholtz Zentrum Munchen - German Research Center for Environmental Health, Institute of Diabetes and Cancer, Ingolstadter Landstr. 1, 85764 Neuherberg - Tel. +49 89 3187 2052 - E-mail: henriette.uhlenhaut@helmholtz-muenchen.de
Boulder, Colo., USA: One of the major issues when studying ore deposits formed in surficial or near-surface environments is the relationship between ore-forming processes and bacteria. At a first glance, these environments appear to be a preferred place for the growth of microbial ecosystems because they potentially have large amounts of nutrients. However, studies have been restricted because of the low likelihood of microbe fossilization and because biomarkers are not always definitive.

This contribution to Geology by Fernando Tornos and colleagues tries to solve the long-standing debate on the control of microbes on secondary sulfide formation. They predict that future multidisciplinary studies will prove that microbes have a key control on the precipitation of metals in these shallow environments.

Their case study is based on the unusual Las Cruces deposit in southwest Iberia, where a significant part of the high-grade copper ore occurs as thick, massive veins of copper sulfides. Tornos and colleagues have direct evidence that the mineralization is currently being formed there in relationship with active aquifers and in an area isolated from the surface by a thick layer of marl. Thus, the place is ideal for tracking for anaerobic microbes.

With the help of the mining company, First Quantum, the team was able to extract pristine samples that had never been in contact with the atmosphere.

Different microbiological techniques and detailed electron microscope studies have shown that copper sulfides are precipitating today in relationship with colonies of sulfate-reducing microbes. The nanometer-sized crystals of covellite are embedded in the polymeric compounds that encapsulate bacteria. These crystals coalesce, later forming the big veins. However, much more work is needed in order to know to which extent these processes are global and if microbes control most of the formation of the secondary copper deposits.

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FEATURED ARTICLE

Do microbes control the formation of giant copper deposits?

Fernando Tornos and colleagues. Contact: f.tornos@csic.es, Instituto de Geociencias (CSIC-UCM), Dinamica Terrestre y Evolucion de la Tierra, Madrid. GEOLOGY, https:/ / doi. org/ 10. 1130/ G45573. 1 .

GEOLOGY articles are online at http://geology. geoscienceworld. org/ content/ early/ recent . Representatives of the media may obtain complimentary articles by contacting Kea Giles at the e-mail address above. Please discuss articles of interest with the authors before publishing stories on their work, and please make reference to GEOLOGY in articles published. Non-media requests for articles may be directed to GSA Sales and Service, gsaservice@geosociety.org.
I am a retired Naval Officer and small business owner, outside of my work at the News & Eagle. My wife Tammy and I enjoy serving together at church and attending Gaslight and ESO. We have two daughters, three dogs and little free time.

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Right now, we have a fair process for both charter schools and traditional public schools to request facilities funding from their school district, Johnson said. The last thing we want to do is rig that process by creating a separate fund just for charters and therefore take $30 million away from traditional public school facilities.
September 19, 1938 - June 1, 2021 Franklin Dee Crabtree, 82, of North Fort Myers, FL, died peacefully, surrounded by love, on Tuesday, June 1, 2021. Dee was born September 19, 1938, and grew up in the small town of Golden City, Missouri, the youngest child raised by his mother. He met his sw
I was born near Denver, later moved to Selah, Washington and then attended the University of Kansas, graduating in May 2017. Prior to Enid News, I interned with the Yakima-Herald Republic and wrote arts and features for the University Daily Kansan.

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Cars wait in traffic in January 2019 on Pryor Street, just before the intersection of U.S. 31. Athens Police Chief Floyd Johnson believes congestion should ease by early next week as drivers going to the new Athens High School learn where to go.
Dunlop to remain with BMW Tyco

Michael Dunlop will return to the Isle of Man TT Races with Tyco BMW.

The Ballymoney rider has not competed since his brother William was killed in practice at the Skerries 100 last July.

Dunlop added three more wins to his tally at TT 2018, riding a combination of Tyco machinery and his own MD Racing bikes, to take him to third place on the all-time winners board behind legends John McGuinness and Joey Dunlop.

The rider's full programme of events for Tyco BMW will be announced in the coming weeks.
The Fort Myers Beach Library family is mourning the loss of their beloved director, Dr. Leroy Hommerding. Dr. Hommerding was fatally stabbed by a vagrant shortly after opening the library doors to welcome people who were waiting to attend the librarys book sale. Dr. Hommerding was hired as the library director in 2000. During his tenure, he oversaw the building of our state of the art library. He made certain the design included the most current environmentally sound building practices. The librarys heating and cooling system is fueled by solar power. Rainwater is used in the plumbing system. Much of the architectural design includes subtle references to the beach environment. For example, there are waves on the ceiling and canoe bookshelves. The childrens area has a tree and ceiling tiles with whimsical toy representations. Dr. Hommerding understood that many of our patrons are on vacation when they visit our town. He made sure that our collection included reading and audio video materials that would appeal to visitors. Recognizing that our town includes many retirees, he included in our collection the largest selection of large print books in the state. Our director also wanted people to view the library as fun, educational and welcoming. He collected unique bookends for the library shelves. Usually the bookends tied in with the books on that particular shelf. He put flowers and beach related items on display on top of the bookshelves. Puzzles for patrons and visitors to piece together are always out on a large table on the second floor. Our monthly event calendar includes daily classes, weekly movies and monthly book discussions. Dr. Hommerding wrote a weekly column for two of our island newspapers informing readers of library events and new library acquisitions. He also served on the Board of the Friends of the Library and was instrumental in growing its membership. Dr. Hommerding was also very active in our community. He was Treasurer of the Estero Island Historic Society. Most recently, he successfully submitted a grant to the Florida Humanities Council. The Historic Society was awarded enough money to fund a speakers series for the community. He was an enthusiastic and regular volunteer at the Kiwaniss Thrift store. In the past, he served on the Board of Directors for the Mound House. Dr. Hommerding is survived by seven brothers and sisters. They are Joyce (Ken) Bertram, Roger (Terri) Hommerding, Janet (Mark) Eisenschenk, Doris Hommerding, Linda (Mark) Donnay, Vernon (Cathy) Hommerding, Laura (Leonard) Nordmann, twenty-two nieces and nephews and his colleague and friend, Cletus Poser. He was predeceased by his parents, Ervin and Lonie Hommerding. A memorial service is planned for Saturday, January 26, 2019 at 1 PM in the Library garage. Memorials may be made to the Fort Myers Beach Library.
Elkhart, IN (46516)

Today

Some sunshine with a thunderstorm or two possible this afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 83F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low around 60F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph.
Mexico City, Jan 25 (efe-epa).- Mexican writer Miguel May is one of the recipients of this year's Italia Morayta awards for translating and interpreting, picking up the prize for community interpreting in indigenous languages.

He received the honor during a ceremony that took place on Thursday night at the Simon Bolivar Amphitheater, a facility located at the Former College of San Ildefonso, a museum and cultural center in Mexico City's historic downtown.

The ceremony was held as part of Lenguas 2019, an international forum for translators and interpreters that began on Thursday and will run through Saturday.

May is a writer, editor, Mayan-language translator and cultural promoter. He is the author of a half-dozen books and has served as editor of Mayan-language newspapers and held a cultural position in the government of the southeastern Mexican state of Yucatan.

Laura Zocchi, for her part, was awarded the Italia Morayta career prize for her work as an Italian-Spanish interpreter and for her book "Manual on Consecutive Interpreting," considered a basic training guide in the field.

Professor Arturo Vazquez Barron, a trainer of literary translators, also received an Italia Morayta award in recognition of his career achievements in the field of translation.

In the research category, Lucia Christen y Gracia took the prize for a Master's thesis she wrote in Spain.

The study, titled "Incidencia del genero de la voz del interprete en la percepcion de la calidad de la interpretacion simultanea de conferencias," examined whether the gender of interpreters has an impact on the perception of the quality their interpreting.

The Lenguas forum, which in 2019 is being held in a year designated by the United Nations as the International Year of Indigenous Languages, is a biennial event that brings together interpreters and translators of foreign and indigenous languages.

The forum, an initiative of the Italia Morayta Foundation, is aimed at promoting the development and recognition of translation and interpreting in Mexico through forums and research projects.

The prize is named after Italia Morayta, who became Mexico's first professional simultaneous interpreter during UNESCO's Second General Conference, an event held in Mexico City in 1947.

She went on to forge a career as an official interpreter for Mexican presidents from 1946 to 2000.

Relacionados Un traductor mexicano del maya recibe el premio Italia Morayta
Effingham, IL (62401)

Today

Mostly cloudy this morning. Scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. A few storms may be severe. High 89F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Low around 70F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
On Sept. 5, 2017, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the termination of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, a policy providing temporary protections to undocumented immigrants who arrived in this country as children. In the wake of the announcement, many wondered how these young people would navigate post-DACA lives. I had been studying DACA and its impacts on young adult beneficiaries since the programs inception and had generated a significant amount of relevant data.

Over the next several months, I spent much of my time responding to inquiries about the programs termination and what it would mean for the young beneficiaries and their families. During that September alone, I spoke to 31 reporters. In the months that followed, I provided expert testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee, wrote declarations for legal actions, penned op-eds, and advised my universitys administration. I briefed elected officials, foundation officers, university presidents, school leaders, teachers, counselors, and social workers. For nearly a year, my academic productivity slowed down significantly. But my studies and my ideas were centrally shaping the public debate.

About This Section Education Week Commentary teamed up with Frederick M. Hess to ask four accomplished scholars a simple question: Whats the best advice youve ever gotten on how to be a public scholar? Read the full package , along with original analysis of this years new Edu-Scholar data by the Education Week Research Center.

I am now at the stage of my career where I am comfortable being a public scholar. I have been very fortunate to find diverse outlets for my work, and my research has provided me an evidence base that is sought after by a varied group of national and local actorspolicymakers, community and school leaders, and practitioners. But in my early years in academia I struggled to find my voice as a public scholar.

In my early years in academia I struggled to find my voice as a public scholar."

Prior to my academic career, I was a youth organizer in an immigrant community in Chicago. In that role, I lived in the neighborhood, and I was embedded in community life. That experience fundamentally shaped my political orientation.

After more than a decade in Chicago, I made a difficult decision to trade activism for training as a social scientist. The early years of graduate school were challenging, as I reoriented myself to engage the world around me from the perch of a scholar. As I worked to find my voice in academia, my field research placed me in communities, schools, and social spaces of young people who lacked citizenshipenvironments not too different from my community in Chicago. Meanwhile, the circumstances of undocumented young people were increasingly made worse by policy, an observation I had empirical evidence to support.

But I worried that I was not doing it right. I was putting my training into practice and growing as a scholar. Yet I still felt a strong inclination to advocate for my respondents and those like them.

I needed advice. I scheduled an appointment with my adviser, Ruben Rumbaut, an internationally renowned expert on immigration. He had been researching immigrant communities for several decades and was a central figure in American sociology. If anyone could set me right, it was he.

I confessed to him that I was having difficulty maintaining an objective distance, that I was affected by what I felt was an injustice, and I wanted to fix it. I expected him to lecture me on the need to avoid these kinds of traps. His reply was an emphatic: Good!

He explained to me that these trajectories need not be mutually exclusive. Doing good scholarship and having a public voice could go hand-in-hand. The key to this, he told me, was to produce methodologically rigorous, theoretically compelling, and empirically driven work that met the highest standards of the discipline. If I could do this, I would have a solid foundation from which to establish myself as an expert and leverage my expertise to inform the public debate.

Rubens advice and validation buoyed my efforts through graduate school and served as a guide for how I would conduct myself as a scholar. It has also shaped my career and influenced how I mentor younger scholars. While I remain critical of policies that negatively impact immigrant students, I now have a body of work that allows me to respond expertly.
Taxpayers who support Lee Countys 20/20 Conservation program  and that, literally, is most of us- may see another 660 acres or so of environmentally fragile land added to the nearly 30,000 purchased thus far for preservation.

The Lee County Board of County Commissioners agreed last Tuesday to pursue the purchase of seven additional parcels, most abutting current preserves.

Four of the proposed sites are primarily mangroves within state preserves known as the Pine Island Sound Aquatic Preserve and the Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve, according to a Lee County release issued after the commission action.

The other three are adjacent to the states Yucca Pens Unit of the Fred C. Babcock/Cecil M. Webb Wildlife Management Area, located on the east side of Burnt Store Road north of Cape Coral.

The vote means that county staff will seek appraisals on the parcels, which were recommended for purchase late last year by the Conservation Land Acquisition and Stewardship Advisory Committee.

We thank our county commissioners for moving forward and we re-emphasize our support for the taxpayer-funded program approved not once, but twice, by voters.

Since Lee Countians first agreed to tax themselves in 1996, the county has acquired 131 properties among 47 preserves.

The intention?

To protect drinking water, reduce flood risk, protect native wildlife and plant communities, and provide spaces to enjoy nature-based recreation, according to Lee Countys website.

The preserves, scattered throughout Lee County, include multiple sites in Cape Coral, North Fort Myers, Pine Island, Sanibel and Captiva, Fort Myers Beach, and outside Lehigh Acres.

While some have argued that the Cape does not get enough bang for its collective buck, we do benefit directly through the continued countywide commitment to watershed and environmental protection.

While South Floridas water-quality issues have only now become a political priority at the state and federal level, Lee property owners have put their money where their mouth is for more than two decades, with more than $350 million spent to date to buy land and another $4.97 million earmarked annually for site management efforts.

Nor has the county shied away from ambitious acquisitions.

In December 2017, the program acquired its second-largest site  the 4,000-acre Edison Farms land, an integral part of the Lee Plans designated Density Reduction/Groundwater Resource area  for $42.5 million.

Properties within the DRGR not only mark the regions aquifer recharge area and so protect the sources of Lee Countys drinking water, they also serve to protect the water quality conditions in Estero Bay and the Estero River by providing filtration for stormwater runoff.

A kind of microcosm of the Lake Okeechobee pollution correction plan that also is intended to recharge the Everglades.

Conservation 20/20 is a good program.

Its one voters agree is important.

It continues to move forward, for the most part, as envisioned.

For government initiatives this long in existence thats rare, rarer, and rarer still.

Carry on.

 Breeze editorial
By Simon Davis-Cohen

When the incumbent Democratic Governor Kate Brown defeated Republican Knute Buehler in a contentious race for Oregon's governorship, many in the state's climate movement let out a momentary sigh of relief. Brown had promised to "lead on climate" while Buehler had pledged his support for new fossil fuel infrastructure.

Now, residents are working to hold Governor Brown to task over what they see as the most pressing climate issue facing the state: the proposed Jordan Cove liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminal and its Pacific Connector Gas pipeline. Backed by the Canadian company Pembina Pipeline Corporation, the project would transport natural gas extracted via hydraulic fracturing (fracking) from Colorado to Oregon's coast, where it would be super-cooled into liquid form and loaded on ships to international markets.

Thousands, Including Several Tribes, Voice Opposition

More than 1,500 people showed up at a hearing in Jackson County, Oregon, to oppose Jordan Cove LNG and the Pacific Connector pipeline. Allen Hallmark

Gov. Brown has remained neutral on Jordan Cove, prompting a range of efforts from activists to sway her against it. For example, Jordan Cove opponents interrupted her 2019 swearing in ceremony and took to the streets with protests. In addition, since the new year, thousands of residents have flooded Department of State Lands regulatory hearings to oppose the project, which they say would jeopardize major fresh waterways and marine areas in the state.



According to Rogue Climate, which has helped mobilize opposition to the project, more than 3,000 residents, including landowners, ranchers, tribal members, youth, local businesses and representatives of the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations, attended hearings in opposition.

Klamath Tribal Council Chairman Don Gentry told DeSmog that the tribal council believes "we need to exhaust every administrative opportunity that we have to express our opposition to the project and hopefully the permits and licensing will be denied."

The Tribe has participated in the regulatory process throughout, he says, and brought up a host of concerns at the most recent hearings. Those concerns include the pipeline's "potential to disturb human remains and cultural sites" (such as a historic village on the Klamath River), "risks to the [Klamath] River itself," the Tribe's effort to rehabilitate the river's salmon run, risks to wildlife and generally, the perils the pipeline in particular poses for tribal aboriginal territory, as protected by U.S. treaty.

Hannah Schroeder, chair of the Klamath Tribes Youth Council, speaking to Jordan Cove LNG and pipeline opponents the night of the Department of State Lands hearing in Klamath County Sherri Kies

Klamath Tribal Council is not alone. The Yurok and Karuk tribes in Northern California are staunchly opposed, while the Oregon-based Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians are neutral.



Jordan Cove's Many Ups and Downs

Map of the proposed Pacific Connector pipeline's path in Oregon, starting in Malin and ending at the Jordan Cove LNG terminal sited for Coos Bay

Since the $10 billion project was initially proposed in 2007, it has hit several obstacles which threatened to derail it. In 2016, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) denied a permit, key politicians including U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley have come out against it, and in late 2018, the Oregon Department of Energy recommended against the export facility going forward as proposed. And just this week, a county judge in Oregon reversed a decision to extend a permit for the pipeline.



But the fight is far from over. In 2017, not long after FERC denied the project a permit the year prior, Don Althoff, then-CEO of the parent company Veresen (now Pembina), met with President Donald Trump and the founding director of Trump's National Economic Council, Gary Cohn, of Goldman Sachs.

Shortly thereafter, Cohn announced: "The first thing we're going to do is we're going to permit an LNG export facility in the Northwest."

Support from the fossil fuel industry spans the length of the pipeline, from Colorado to Oregon. Pac/West, a major pro-fracking lobbying and communications firm active in Colorado has also been operating in Oregon. The firm has gone so far as to have Oregon state legislation proposed officially on its behalf, which would have blocked local governments from interfering with fossil fuel infrastructure projects, such as Jordan Cove.

This legislation was in response to a 2017 county "Community Bill of Rights" ballot initiative in Coos County, Oregon, the site of the proposed Jordan Cove LNG terminal. If passed, the local law would have outlawed industrial fossil fuel projects and established legally enforceable rights for local ecosystems. Jordan Cove LNG spent an unprecedented $596,155 in cash and in-kind contributions to help defeat the measure, according to the Oregon Secretary of State website.

Jordan Cove LNG campaign contributions from 2015 to 2018 Oregon Secretary of State website

Jordan Cove's contributions to a variety of political campaigns have continued to flow. In 2018, Jordan Cove LNG gave $216,500 to campaigns, according to the Oregon Secretary of State website. But it wasn't enough to stop the election of some politicians, like new state Senator Jeff Golden, from campaigning and winning on an explicit platform to oppose the project.



What's Next

The current comment period for the Oregon Department of State Lands permitting process ends on Feb. 3. Allie Rosenbluth of Rogue Climate says the department may make a decision on whether to give its approval, as soon as March 5, but expects an extension.

Also on the horizon are the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's Draft Environmental Impact Statement coming as soon as Feb. 15 and Oregon Department of Environmental Quality decision on whether to grant the project a Clean Water Act permit, expected Sept. 25.

Murals opposing the Jordan Cove LNG terminal and Pacific Connector pipeline hang near the site of the Jackson County Department of State Lands hearing. Allen Hallmark

And that means more hearings.



"The bottom line is we want to stop the project," said Klamath Tribal Council Chairman Gentry, "so whatever tools are available to do thatso I'm not ruling out anything."

Reposted with permission from our media associate DeSmogBlog.


North Andover, MA (01845)

Today

Sun and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 89F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy skies this evening will become partly cloudy after midnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low around 65F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.
Fuccillo Automotive Group surprised the Harry Chapin Food Bank with a $100,000 donation Tuesday night to help fight hunger.

We made everyone happy last night, said Billy Fuccillo, CEO of the Fuccillo Automotive Group.

The donation was made because they knew the food bank was short of hitting its goal, he said.

I read a couple of articles pertaining to children. When I think about a child not being able to eat and so many kids homeless, it doesnt set so good with me. It was a proper time to make a donation, Fuccillo said. It makes me feel really good. Its a necessity. I think about children in a time of being helpless.

The $100,000 donation helped push the Harry Chapin Food Bank exceed its fundraising goal of $300,000 for the 11th annual WINK Feeds Families Hunger Walk. The walk was held at Miromar Outlets on Saturday, Jan. 19.

The donation will help the food bank provide nearly 28,000 individuals and families it serves from Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry and Lee Counties each week. For each $1 donated, the food bank can distribute $8 worth of food and grocery items.

Twenty-four million pounds of food, valued at $41.5 million, was provided during the fiscal year 2017-2018, to more than 150 partner agencies. Approximately 20 million meals were provided for people in need.

Fuccillo said he was told that the $100,000 donation would allow the food bank to buy $800,000 in food, which he described as tremendous.

That really made me feel good. I love to give back to the community that we do business in, especially the community that supports us like Cape Coral, he said of having the Kia dealership in Cape Coral for seven years. Its a win-win situation for the community and for us.

The donation also comes at a time when people are hurting due to the government being shut down, Fuccillo said.

I know the food bank is helping the people that are working for the government and are not getting paid, he said.
Claremont, NH (03743)

Today

Clouds and some sun this morning with more clouds for this afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High near 85F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Considerable clouds this evening. Some decrease in clouds late. Low 59F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.
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Not a single resident in Florida lives more than 20 miles from an impaired waterway, said John Cassani, Calusa Waterkeeper, at the first Florida Water Policy Summit last Monday.

Organized around the idea that clean water is a basic human right, the event on Martin Luther King Jr. Day featured six speakers from local conservation groups who spoke about actionable water policy that can improve Floridas impaired waters.

And Florida has a lot of impaired waters  currently 12 million acres under Best Management Action Plans, or BMAPs, which are 15-year restoration plans required by the federal government when a waterbody is not meeting quality standards.

The Federal Clean Water Act requires each state to compile a list of waterbodies that arent up to snuff.

Then, the Department of Environmental Protection conducts watershed assessments.

Any waterbody that doesnt meet standards for pollution is scheduled for a Total Maximum Daily Load, which is a limit for the amount of a particular pollutant that a waterbody can handle.

The state of Florida currently has 416 TMDLs, with 80 waterbodies on a waiting list to receive one, according to Maria Carrozzo, senior environmental policy specialist at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida.

The next step after establishing a TMDL is writing up a BMAP to restore the waters.

How did we get to the point where almost a third of our state is under water quality restoration plans? said Carrozzo.

The answers to her question are long and complicated.

A combination of harmful agricultural run-off, insufficient urban stormwater treatment, and fertilizer use have mixed up a cocktail of toxic water.

Under Florida water law, farmers can sign a notice of intent to implement best management practices  essentially promising to comply with water quality standards.

This grants a presumption of compliance, regardless of whether theyre actually meeting standards or not.

Carrozzo said doing away with that presumption of compliance, updating stormwater run-off standards to remove more nutrients, and strengthening local fertilizer ordinances can all help improve water quality.

And then theres Lake Okeechobee.

The Army Corps of Engineers created the Lake Okeechobee Regulation Schedule in 2008, and it was intended as an interim measure until repairs to the Herbert Hoover Dam were completed.

Those repairs still arent done.

The Corps expects them to be finished in 2022, but they have said they will not change the LORS until the dam is completed.

According to Jaclyn Lopez, Florida director of the Center for Biological Diversity, the LORS didnt consider cyanobacteria and red tide, claiming it was unlikely that discharges from the lake caused harmful algal blooms, and didnt analyze them any further.

But discharges from the lake do cause problems.

Rae Ann Wessell, natural resource policy director at the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation, refers to the issue of balancing the lakes flow levels as The Goldilocks Condition.

Propelled by gravity, Lake Okeechobees discharges travel across 75 miles of freshwater river and estuary and three lock and dam systems to reach the Gulf of Mexico.

Too much flow from the lake washes valuable fish and oyster nurseries out into the Gulf, decimating the ecosystem.

Too little flow chokes these habitats with salt.

When we dont get enough flow into the system through the western lock, the water that is fed by tidal action from the Gulf up the river brings much more salinity than some of these habitats can tolerate, Wessell said.

Habitats like tapegrass, which provide a home for crab, fish, and oysters that filter feed and clean water naturally, are destroyed.

Not only do we lose the tapegrass, we also lose 100 percent of the oyster reef that is downstream, and those are filtering water for free. 50 gallons a day for a single oyster is a huge contribution to our water quality, she said.

In 2001, the South Florida Water Management District set a minimum flow level of 300 cubic feet per second.

Scientists realized this forgot to account for inflows to the estuary coming downstream from Telegraph Creek and Orange River, so they adjusted the number to 450, Wessell said.

Thats important, because it shows up in the LORS, and every habitat analysis for every state and federal Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan project as a habitat metric. So if youre meeting 450 cubic feet per second for the Caloosahatchee, it says youre golden and we know thats just not true, she said.

A more ideal number is closer to 800, all the way up to 1000 cubic feet per second, according to Wessell.

The SWFMD recently set the flow level to 400 cubic feet per second, and the city of Sanibel gathered three other neighboring municipalities, including Cape Coral, to challenge that rule in administrative court, asking for more flows.

That case is still awaiting a ruling.

Were doing oyster restoration and tapegrass restoration, trying to keep ahead of the damage, but its not accounted for in the Districts analysis. They say the tape grass is doing fine, but thats because we keep going in and planting it, Wessell said.

With all of this in mind, Lopez said its important for citizens to ask the Corps to address the regulations schedule as soon as possible, and to finish repairs to the dam by June 2020.

It can be done by then, and we need to demand it, Lopez said.

Wessell reminded everyone that its not just Lake Okeechobee to blame for all our problems, because the watershed the discharges flow through to reach the gulf is almost two Lake Okeechobees in size.

There are many times when we are getting no discharges from the lake, and were having harmful flows just from that estuary and river watershed. So keep in mind that when we talk about where the problems start, and where the solutions lie, its important to recognize that its all of us, we all contribute to it, she said.

One researcher shared some hope at the summit.

Dr. William Mitsch, director of the Everglades Research Park at Florida Gulf Coast University, is working on a project he calls wetlaculture.

Its a plan to restore wetlands that can build up nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus over several years, and then flip the use of the lands to agriculture, using those natural nutrients instead of adding fertilizer.

Mitsch called manufactured fertilizer the opiate we have on our landscape.

Weve just got to get off of it, he said.

Mitsch partnered with the University of Notre Dame to create an economic plan that shows how farmers could actually make money in wetlaculture by utilizing government programs that pay to remove nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus from wetlands.

His team has created three different test sites for this project, two in Ohio and one in Naples, that have shown promising water quality results.

Florida would need to install 94,000 acres of these treatment wetlands in the Everglades Agricultural Area to ensure clean water in the Everglades, he said, but it could be a sustainable answer to excess fertilizer use.

Daniel Andrews, cofounder of Captains for Clean Water, is encouraged by Governor DeSantis recent water policy order and his request that all SFWMD board members resign.

The fact that we have a governors office thats cooperative is a good thing, he said.

The most important thing you can do is take an hour out of your day, call everybody up, and let them know this issue is not resolved. Weve set a stake in the ground that enough is enough and were not going to take it anymore.
Met Eireann have issued a status yellow wind warning for County Louth.

The warning comes into effect from Saturday at 8pm and lasts until Sunday at 9am.

Other counties impacted include: Dublin, Wexford, Wicklow, Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo, Clare, Cork, Kerry and Waterford.

Met Eireann say they expect "a period of strong and blustery northwest winds will develop later Saturday, starting along the Atlantic Seaboard and extending to other coastal counties overnight. High seas expected also."

The updated continued: "Northwest winds, mean speeds 55 to 65 km/h, giving gusts between 90 and 110 km/h. The strongest of the winds will be in exposed coastal locations, where winds may temporarily exceed these values."
A Maltese, Irish-headquartered offshoot of the company The Arizun Group - the Arizun Mortgage Arrears Resolution Scheme, is targeting homeowners in Louth who are unable to repay their mortgage payments.

Arizun offers a distressed mortgage workout programme that provides solutions to banks, governments and distressed mortgagors. The company is currently establishing a series of regulated funds to acquire the underlying property assets associated with non-performing residential mortgages and securitise them while keeping the mortgagor in their home on a long term lease.

A spokesperson for the company said: "To date, there are ca. 6,100 mortgages in arrears in Irelands border counties, which include Louth, Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan and Sligo. However, many of these distressed mortgage-holders cannot avail of any government programme or social housing as they earn slightly more than the income threshold or their house is worth just a little too much.

"The Stay In Your Home Solution from Arizun offers a way out of mortgage arrears for those hard-pressed families who do not qualify for government assistance. The Arizun Stay In Your Home Solution keeps distressed mortgage-holders and their families in their own homes by taking over the title of their property, clearing their mortgage and forgiving their debt.

"In return, they are given a guaranteed long-term lease, which can be extended every 6 years, at a reasonable market rent based on the value of their house. Within the first 6 years of their tenancy, they have the option of repurchasing their home with a 40% share in any capital appreciation to go towards their new mortgage deposit."

The company spokesperson also added: "There are a total of ca. 48,000 Irish mortgages in arrears, the majority of which do not qualify for the government Mortgage to Rent (MTR) scheme. Any family earning more than 30,000 p.a. between two people in Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan and Sligo, and 36,000 p.a. in Louth does not normally qualify for government assistance despite having significant mortgage arrears. Yet, many of these families can afford to pay market rent, not however the mortgage they took up when their house was worth far more than it is worth now. Hence, they are in danger of losing their home.

"Up until now, these squeezed-middle families who are able to pay their day-to-day expenses but will never be able to pay off their mortgage arrears have had nowhere to turn until now. Arizuns Stay In Your Home solution is specifically directed at families with large mortgage arrears and no opportunity to receive government support. While the number of home repossessions to date has been low, this will certainly change with the increase in sales of portfolios of distressed mortgages from banks that are under direction to get their balance sheets cleaned up.

"With the Arizun Stay In Your Home solution, families in mortgage arrears can simply hand over their problems to Arizun, who will take care of everything, from working with them on their possible options to negotiating with the bank on their behalf. These families now have the chance of focusing on the promise of the future instead of being afraid of what it is going to bring."

John McDaniel, an Arizun founder, and the Arizun team including experienced financial service and property professionals such as Cathal OLeary, Ray Murphy and Ciaran MacCriostail say they are passionate in their belief that "building a sustainable business and helping people can go successfully hand in hand".

We are solving a serious problem for a group of families which nobody else has taken on, John, an American who made his home in Ireland, explains, To us, the most important thing is to keep families in their homes and communities, to keep their children in the same school, and to allow them to focus on the future instead of being suffocated by their mortgage debt.

For more information please visit www.stayinyourhome.ie.
Which prominent Dundalk family once owned Rockview Farm?

This substantial land holding in South Marsh, between the Rock Road and the Sea Rampart, was farmed by the Cox family of Lisnawilly, seed merchants in Clanbrassil Street for over a century and racehorse owners and trainers. They also held the lease of the 170 acres that was formerly part of Lord Roden's Demesne west of the Dublin-Belfast railway which was sold to the Dundalk Urban District Council in 1950 for the development of housing in that part of Dundalk.

The Rockview Farm lands included the Army Rifle Range and stretched over to the Loakers. It was once one of the best kept agricultural holdings in the urban area and included a tree plantation that was cut down for fuel during the World War 11 Emergency. The substantial house and farm buildings were badly damaged by disastrous fire about 70 years ago and the farm declined afterwards.



Where is St. Margaret's House?

This is the large house at Cambrickville, off the Ardee Road, which once was the home of Edward Henry MacArdle who founded the Macardle, Moore Brewery, along with his cousin Alderman Andrew T. Moore, Dublin, in 1863. It was subsequently where senior members of the staff of the Brewery resided.

Where is Carlton House?

This is the large house on the right-hand side of the entrance to the Byrne & Maguire garage in Dublin Street which was used by the company as offices until it became an estate agent's office. The name can still bee seen in the fan-light of the front door.

In the late nineteenth century it was the home of Edward Manisty, an English railway engineer who came to Dundalk in the 1860s in connection with the building of the railway line between Newry and Greenore and became involved in a number of local business enterprises. In 1878 he purchased the Sheckleton Foundry at the Market Square which was to become famous under his management for manufacturing engineering machinery. He was also involved in the shipbuilding slipway at Soldiers Point and a brickworks at Castletown.

Where was Murphy's Court?

This was one of many cul-de-sacs off Dundalk's main streets in the nineteenth century where a large proportion of the town's population dwelt. The houses in them were mainly single storey, two roomed, houses, demolished by the Dundalk Urban Council in the first half of the twentieth century as part of 'slum clearance'.

Murphy's Court was one of the smallest of these streets, with only four or five houses along it. The narrow entrance to it was off Bridge Street, about opposite the top of the Castletown Road, until it was closed about 1908.

When was the first railway company formed in Dundalk?

The first railway company was formed at a meeting on May 17, 1836 'to discuss the propriety of establishing a railway from Dundalk to Cavan'. This company had a venture capital of 330,000 and aimed 'To connect the Western and North-Western Counties of Ireland with the Port of Dundalk'.

The first list of subscribers was published in March 1837, by order of the House of Commons, with shares valued at 50 each purchased. One of the biggest subscribers was civil engineer John MacNeill of Mountpleasent, who held 50 shares.

What was the name of this company?

Called the 'Dundalk Western Railway' it later became the Dundalk and Enniskillen Railway Company, with its head office at Jocelyn Street. They built a terminus off Barrack Street where the present H.S.E. Health Centre is located.

When did the first passenger train service from Drogheda reach Dundalk?

This first train carrying railway officials and local dignitaries from the Newfoundwell Station, on the north side of the River Boyne, arrived in Dundalk, amid scenes of great excitement, on the morning of February 15, 1849. Its arrival co-coincided with the first train service from the Barrack Street terminus to Castleblayney by the Dundalk-Enniskillen company.

Who built the line between Drogheda and Dundalk?

This was the work of the great railway engineer William Dargan, son of a farmer from Graighuecullen, County Laois. Dargan constructed over 1,000 miles of rail track throughout Ireland and became known as 'The Founder of Irish Railways'.

Dargan had co-operated with John MacNeill in the building of the line between Dublin and Drogheda, completed in May 1944. The line to Dundalk was commenced at Dunleer in April 1846 with two gangs working south to Drogheda and north to Dundalk. The line was completed just before the first train ran in February 1849. It was reputed to have cost over 0.75 million, an enormous amount for the time but it gave invaluable a employment to thousands and probably saved many from death by starvation during the Great Famine!

Where was the town's first railway station?

This was built off the Ardee Road while the line from Drogheda was being constructed, at a place that was to become known as Traffic Place.

At the same time the track bed through Marshes Lower was being constructed for the Dundalk-Enniskillen company to their station at Barrack Street. The Traffic Place Station was the property of the Dublin and Belfast Junction Railway but shared by both companies.

Where did the De la Salle Brothers reside when they first came to Dundalk?

Michael and Albert, the first De la Salle Brothers to arrive in Dundalk, stayed in a house in St. Mary's Road owned by the Marist Fathers.

They had come here from Rome and were known to the Marist Fathers, as both orders had originated in France. As their community increased, they moved to St. Leonard's at Chapel Lane and then, in 1902, moved to the monastery that had been built for them behind the Castletown Schools.

When did Dundalk Technical Schools move to Hoey's Lane?

This secondary school, the first such sex integrated institution in Dundalk, moved from Chapel Street to the site behind the Dundalk Regional College in 1971. It became O Fiaich College in 1990, named in honour of Cardinal Tomas O Fiaich, the Archbishop of Armagh who died in May of that year.

When did the Battle of Courtbane take place?

This engagement between the British Army and the I.R.A. was sparked off by the crossing of the Border between Armagh and Louth near Sheelagh Church by two British armoured scout cars around noon on Sunday August 29. 1971. Young men returning from last Mass in the Church attacked the vehicles and set them alight. The soldiers manning the cars got out and, when British Army re-enforcements turned up, they were fired on by, from a near-by hill, by a unit of the I.R.A. who had left Belfast earlier that month because of the Internment Without Trial order by the Northern Ireland administration.

Two British soldiers died as a result and the incident was only prevented from becoming a much larger engagement by the arrival of an Irish Army unit from the Dundalk Military Barracks. The incident became international news and led to a deterioration of relations between the U.K. and Irish Governments.

When was the Battle of Dungooley fought?

This was a much larger engagement than the incident at Courtbane just five months earlier. It began around 8 am on the morning of Thursday January 27, 1972 and lasted for about three hours.

In fact it was the largest engagement between the Provisional I.R.A. and the British Army during the course of the Troubles along the Border.

It was estimated that over 3,500 rounds of ammunition, from a variety of weapons, were exchanged between the two factions but, surprisingly, there were no reported casualties, except to livestock belonging to local farmers, hit by stray bullets.

Where was Moyle Castle?

This was a fortification built by Sir Richard Bellew of Castletown in the late 15th century in the Lower Seatown area. While it appears on a number of early maps of the town its exact location is unknown but it probably stood somewhere near the Mill Stream which is now the Rampart River. Paul Gosling, using a Robert Richardson map from about 1600, places it on the west bank of the Mill Stream near the present Windmill licensed premises but, as this stream changed its course several times, it could have been located anywhere between the old Windmill stump and the Military Barracks Gate at the end of Barrack Street. The Castle was destroyed during the rebellion of 1641 and the stones from the ruin were used by Lord Limerick for Harbour works in the mid-eighteenth century.

Where was the business premises known as the 'Hibernian House'?

This was a men's drapery shop at 9, Clanbrassil Street, opposite the General Post Office, owned by Frank McParland, from Newry, during the first half of the 20th Century. A great nationalist, he had his name inscribed in the old Gaelic scrip over the premises as 'Prionsios MacParthalon' and displayed his goods with notices in Irish. In the Nineteen Forties his opposition to the Border earned the premises the nickname 'The Anti-Partition House'.

Where was the Hesse shirt factory in Dundalk?

James Hesse from Armagh City, established his shirt factory at St. Helena Quay, at the end of the then Quay Road (now St. Mary's Road) in 1852. He had a considerable export business of hand-made shirts to England and employed a staff of both men and women. The business was taken over by his son Max and he also had a drapery shop in Crowe Street run by a daughter for the firm of P. & P. Campbell, dryers and cleaners of Perth Scotland.



Where was the Hesse Laundry?

This was a dry cleaning business that was set up by Max Hesse when the shirt making enterprise declined with advent mechanical sewing machines. This business, latterly known as the 'Dundalk Steam Laundry', lasted for over 100 years in a re-brick building in Castle Road, beside McDonald's builder's yard. Readers may remember the name 'Hesse Laundry' engraved in stone over the front of the building. These premises became a shoe factory, owned by a workers' co-operative, for a short while after the laundry closed in about 1960.

Where in Dundalk can you find a monument sculpted by the father of the 1916 Pearse Brothers?

This is a headstone which marks the grave of the Collins family in old Castletown Cemetery at the side of the Castleblayney Road. James Pearse (or Pearce) father of the 1916 Rising executed leaders Padraig and Willie, was born in London in 1839 and came to Dublin in 1860s where he married and established a monumental sculpture business in Great Brunswick Street, renamed in honour of his sons after the establishment of the Irish State.

The monument was commissioned by James Collins, a prominent victualler in Clanbrassil Street. The marble headstone is an elaborate crucifixion scene erected as a memorial to ''Maggie', his wife, who died in in November 1881, aged just 24 years. She was a daughter John and Mary Connick, who died in 1904 and 1905 and are also interred in the same plot.

Where in Dundalk was the 'French Church'?

This was the local name of a hall that was acquired by the Wesleyan Methodist congregation in about 1800. It got its name from the fact that Methodists loaned this place of worship to the Huguenot weavers and their families came to Dundalk in the late eighteenth century to escape religious persecution in France. They established a cambric factory at Parliament Square which was later to become the site of the Dundalk Military Barrack. The ruin of the old 'church' remained until the late 1950s.

Where was the Wesleyan 'Primitive' Chapel in Dundalk?

This was small chapel that was built by the Methodists congregation at Wellington Place in the late eighteenth century. It was acquired by the Marist Fathers in the 1960s and the building still stands at the St. Mary's Road entrance to the new College buildings. The hall was known as the 'Gospel Shop' to students of St. Mary's and those living in the area as the Methodists continued to hold Sunday School there after they moved their place of worship to Jocelyn Street in the 1830s.

How is Richard Fitzralph known locally?

The was a pre-Reformation Archbishop of Armagh who became famous as St. Richard of Dundalk. He was a Norman cleric who is reputed to have been born in Dundalk shortly before the Edward Bruce invasion of Ireland. He studied at Oxford and became Chancellor of the famous University where he was consecrated Archbishop of Armagh in 1346. He died at Avignon in France in 1460 while on a visit to Pope Innocent VI who resided there at the time. His body was brought back to Dundalk in 1370 and his tomb in St. Nicholas Cemetery was a place of pilgrimage up to the time of the Reformation. A chapel in the Green Church was dedicated to his memory in 1954.
ADA [ndash] Wanda Lee Brewer, 91, of Ada, Oklahoma passed away Sunday, June 13, 2021, in Ada. Services for Wanda will be held Thursday, June 17, 2021, at 10 a.m. at the Estes-Phillips Funeral Home Chapel, with Bro. Roger Arter officiating. Interment will follow at New Bethel Cemetery. For up
Families eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit will have the opportunity to receive free tax preparation services this year thanks to a local partnership.

Wallace College, Wiregrass 2-1-1, and Impact Alabama will pool resources to offer free tax preparation for qualified families.

The free services are available to working families making $55,000 or below per year with children in the home or $20,000 per year without children in the home.

The tax returns will be completed by IRS-certified preparers.

Students at Wallace College have been receiving IRS-certified tax preparation training and will assist residents who qualify for the preparation.

The tax preparation will take place at the Saliba Center for Families, 301 West Lafayette St., in Dothan. Those interested can call 1-888-99-TAX-AL to schedule a free appointment.

The Earned Income Tax Credit is a tax benefit for working people with low to moderate income. The free service has been offered for several years. Last year, between 750 and 800 local families took advantage of the service.
In an effort to promote regionalism and boost a project in Abbeville, the Houston County Commission could vote Monday to include Henry County in its Industrial Development Authority.

Matt Parker, Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce president, presented the request to the commission Thursday during its administrative meeting. The idea stemmed from some infrastructure needs for Abbeville Fiber, a sawmill that could provide about 100 jobs as the company prepares to open in the former West Point Pepperell building.

We have an economic development project in Abbeville, Parker said. We have an infrastructure gap to address. If this gains approval, we will be coming to you with a request to assist us with the rebuilding of railroad infrastructure.

Last year, local officials announced a company that needed some railway and a rail spur would be locating to the West Point Pepperell building, which had been vacant since 2008. While state and federal resources have assisted with portions of the project, some local resources  which could be conveyed through the expanded industrial board  could be used to ensure the company receives everything it needs.
Rehobeth Elementary School Principal Greg Yance boasted about the schools teachers and community involvement as credit for its A report card grade, issued by the state of Alabama.

One of the main things I think is excellent instruction in every classroom, Yance said.

Yance said his teachers maintain high expectations in each classroom. That is the key, he said. Good parenting -- parents that support their children. That really helps us.

Rehobeth Elementary earned a 95 grade for 2017-2018 academic year, up from the 91 score assigned for 2016-2017, the first year the state began issuing grades for academic achievement, academic growth, and chronic absenteeism.

Rhonda Outlaw, a fifth grade reading teacher at Rehobeth, credited the familial relationship among teachers, staff, administration and an involved Parent Teacher Organization. Collaboration among these cohorts and students, she said, is the reason for success in the Houston County school.

Ive got a great class, Outlaw said. We put so much into our kids out here without having a lot of things that other schools have.

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Joshua Steven Nance, one of four people charged in the 2016 fatal shooting of 23-year-old Paxton Wayne Kennedy, is scheduled to have his case heard by a jury beginning Feb. 4.

The trial is set for Houston County Circuit Judge Butch Binfords courtroom.

If convicted, Nance could face the death penalty or a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. He is charged with capital murder-shooting into an occupied vehicle.

Houston County Sheriff deputies charged Nance and his girlfriend, Dama Clark, with capital murder for shooting into an occupied vehicle. Officials believe the shooting was drug-related. Investigators previously testified during a hearing that Nance was the shooter in the killing, and the other three people charged with the crime were accomplices. According to previous testimony, Kennedy owed one of the defendants money for drugs.

Clarks trial is scheduled for March 4, in Houston County Judge Larry Andersons courtroom. Clark also faces capital murder-shooting into an occupied vehicle charge.

Court records show, Clark has an extensive history of drug arrests.
A career path that attracted him as a teenager has come full circle for Paul Beattie, who is celebrating 10 years of owning a successful business in Cape Coral.

Beattie said back when he was about 12 years old, he and his father designed and built their own home in upstate New York from scratch.

We worked over several years and built our house up there, he said.

Knowing he wanted to pursue a career in construction science, he started looking at colleges that offered the degree. He attended Clemson University where he earned a four-year degree.

I come from a background of family restaurants, Beattie said. My parents worked for themselves most of their life. That was my long-term goal, owning my own business and working for myself.

His story is like many others when it comes to how his family stumbled across Southwest Florida. Beatties grandparents were the typical snowbirds who started visiting the area in the 70s, which brought his family down as well.

While in college, he got a job offer in Southwest Florida, as well in Las Vegas in 2002. Beattie decided to take the job here because he had free rent at his grandparents place.

I knew the area and fell in love with the area. I moved down here after graduation, he said.

Before his senior year in college, he was offered a full-time job with a production builder before joining another team with a small residential builder. When the market began falling, Beattie had his contractors license and decided to go off on his own, so he could control his own destiny during the recession.

In 2009, Beattie started his own business, Beattie Development, and worked with a subcontractor. At the time, he started doing remodels.

He was doing most of my work as a subcontractor, he explained, adding that in 2009 they went out and started doing old fashioned networking to build his business.

Ten years later, Beattie has more than 45 employees.

That was my goal. I knew I could have done this by myself, but I wanted to create a legacy, not only for my family, but for my employees families, he said.

Beattie Development is comprised of a remodel division and a new home division. Remodeling, he explained, ranges from small bathrooms to the addition of outdoor kitchens. The new home division currently has a model located at 4402 Chiquita Blvd. in Cape Coral.

We have a few different collections of homes, he said, ranging from $190,000 to multi-million dollar homes. We can do everything from the small home to a custom home.

In 2011, Beattie built his first new homes with his Premiere Collection of seven classic traditional designs, which were primarily built on owner lots around Cape Coral. The Simple Elegance Collection of higher-end, sleek, contemporary homes, popular with European buyers, were added a few years later. Two years ago, the RRB Collection of affordable homes were launched.

This year, a line of Old Florida-style homes on one-acre lots in the Remington Oaks neighborhood in Buckingham are being added. The first model is scheduled for completion in February.

In addition, Beattie recently opened B&C Granite and acquired Bergau Plumbing, a company established 45 years ago. He is also expanding his remodeling services in Collier County.

We are expanding and always looking for qualified employees, Beattie said, adding that employment opportunities can be found on the company website.

For more information, visit www.beattiedev.com, or call 239-980-4730. The headquarters and real estate office are located at 857 S.E. 47th St.
Traffic HomA four year-old girl from Georgia passed away earlier in the week as a result of injuries sustained in a traffic crash close to State Docks Road and Meadow Drive on North Eufaula Avenue (Highway 431) in Eufaula. The tragic death of Josie Chrystler marks the first traffic related death for Eufaula for 2019.

According to a press release from Eufaula Police Department Chief Steve Watkins, On Friday, January 11, a traffic crash occurred on Eufaula Avenue near Meadow Drive when a 2011 Toyota Camry ran into the back of an 18-wheeler.

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The child, Josie Chrystler, was a passenger in the Toyota Camry and was air lifted from Medical Center Barbour to Childrens Hospital in Birmingham with severe injuries. She died on Saturday, Jan. 19, as a result of her injuries.

Chief Watkins would give no other details concerning the accident other than the crash is still under investigation by the Eufaula Police Departments Traffic Homicide Unit.

Funeral services for Josie were held on Friday, Jan. 25 at 11 a.m. at Chapman Funeral Home chapel with burial in the Georgetown Cemetery. Visitation was held before the service at the funeral home.
A Donegal community activist has found a novel way of highlighting the issue of dog fouling in her area.

Valerie McNulty has taken to writing messages in chalk to highlight dog fouling in Ballyshannon.

She said she spent over three hours writing messages in chalk where she found dog fouling in the town.

The messages noted how prams, children, and others had been forced to walk through the dog droppings across the town.

It's disgusting that streets are left like this and it's unbelievable you have to tell grown adults to clean up after their dogs, she said.

It is the owners who need to be more responsible. Not only is it unsightly for the entire community, but also it can have negative health consequences, especially for children."

She said her action has gathered a lot of support from the local community and on social media.

The candidate in the local elections said supporters of the action are commenting from counties around Ireland and noted the problem was not unique to Donegal.

More should be done in order to discourage irresponsible dog owners from simply walking away from their responsibilities, she said.

Ms McNulty has called on dog owners to respect all in the community, be responsible and clean up after their dogs.

There are various community groups that have organised clean-ups of their area and I commend them for their hard work and dedication. However, it should not be left to others to literally pick up others s***. What has happened to personal responsibility, love of our beautiful surroundings and basic cop on?
Donegal and the Finn Valley are mourning the death of former Donegal County Councillor and businessman JJ Reid this morning.

The former Fine Gael Councillor from Knockfair, Stranorlar passed away on Thursday night in Letterkenny University Hospital. He was in his 80s and had been ill for some time.

He will be laid to rest on Sunday with his remains leaving the family home on Sunday morning at 10.20am for 11am requiem Mass in the Church of Mary Immaculate, Stranorlar with burial afterwards in Drumboe Cemetery.
Friday, January 25, 2019 at 4:19AM

Chrome on Windows is getting a feature Edge doesnt currently support: the use of its hardware media keys. Google Chrome Engineer Becca Hughes announced on chromium.org that Chrome 73 will be adding support for Media Session API in Windows and Chrome OS. In theory, this means you can control sites like YouTube using the hardware keys available on some keyboards as well as possibly Windows 10 pop-up media bar. This feature isnt currently available to Edge, but Microsofts browser should get it too once it switches its rendering engine to Chromium.

Source: MSPowerUser
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[enlarge] Unlocking McNeils Past: The Prison, The Place, The People runs through May 26 at the state history museum in Tacoma.





TACOMA  Unlocking McNeil's Past: The Prison, The Place, The People is a new exhibit at Washington State History Museum in Tacoma that examines McNeil Island's history through accounts by prison staff, people formerly incarcerated there, and residents of the island.





. . .
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The owners of restaurants, hotels and gift shops near federal agencies and national parks around the country are bearing the brunt.



By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER

AP Economics Writer

WASHINGTON  From power restaurants in Washington and a belt-buckle maker in Colorado to a brewery in California, businesses that count heavily on federal employees as customers are feeling the punishing effects of the government shutdown.

In many cases, it's forcing them to cut workers' hours and buy less from suppliers  measures that could ripple through the larger U.S. economy.





. . .
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Highlights:

ISRO successfully delivered two satellites into space yesterday

The first satellite was built with the help of students by a Chennai-based organisation

The second satellite was built by DRDO for imaging

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully delivered two Indian satellites into space at 1:01 PM IST yesterday. The space agency announced the news on its Twitter account shortly after. The first payload was Microsat-R, an imaging satellite developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The second payload was Kalamsat, a satellite built by students and members of an organisation based in Chennai. Kalamsat was the first to use PS4, the fourth stage of the vehicle, as a platform to orbit the earth.

ISRO used its trusted PSLV-C44 (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) to put the two satellites in space. The launch marked the 46th flight of the PSLV-C44 and the first flight of the PSLV-DL unit, which was built with two strap-on boosters. The rocket was launched from the first launch pad of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. The fourth stage of the vehicle attained a maximum altitude of 450 kilometres before completing the mission.

According to a report by India Today, Kalamsat is named after the late and former president, APJ Abdul Kalam, and cost a total of Rs 12 lakh to build. It was reportedly built by students and members of Space Kidz, an organisation based in Chennai, to study the communication system of nanosatellites in space. The study is believed to be useful in a variety of fields, including disaster management. Microsat-R, on the other hand, is reported to have been built for military purposes.

The Indian space agency is expected to launch its second rocket to the moon sometime in the first quarter of this year. Chandrayaan-2 is expected to land in the lunar south pole and perform onsite chemical analyses. Data collected will be relayed to our planet with the help of the Chandrayaan-2 orbiter, which will be sent along with the rover. The rover will depend on solar power for energy and move around on its six wheels.

Related Read: ISRO successfully launches two British satellites
Statement by Tanaiste -Dail Debate on Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018

Speech

Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018 (Private Members Bill)

Dail Second Stage Debate, 23 January 2019

Speech by Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Coveney T.D.

CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY

I am glad to be able to speak to this Bill today. The Bill merits very careful consideration, in all its aspects.

I have addressed this Bill already in the Seanad. I will not therefore repeat what I have already said about my activities on the issue of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. I trust Deputies will recognise the priority I have attached to this issue, and the time I have devoted to it. This has included work on the political process, on Gaza, and keeping up consistent pressure at EU and international level against the expansion of settlements.

Ireland has also been to the fore in shaping EU policies on settlements, including the exclusion of settlement products from normal tariff levels, preventing EU research funding being spent in settlements, preventing misleading labelling of settlement goods, and providing for the specific exclusion of settlements from future EU agreements with Israel. Ireland also supports Israeli, Palestinian and international NGOs which defend Palestinian communities under threat from settlements.

No Member of this house attaches greater importance than I do to bringing Irelands influence to bear to help end the occupation of the Palestinian territory, to promote a two-state solution that works for Israel and Palestine, and to deliver a sustainable peace after decades of conflict.

However, speaking on behalf of the Government, I am unable to agree that the Bill is the right way forward. I wish to set out carefully for the Dail why this is so. There are three broad reasons: legal, political and the practical effects.

The overriding point that frames the Government's view is that the Bill asks the State to do something that is not within our power. Ireland is part of a single unified EU market. Trade is an exclusive competence of the European Union.

We are not in a position to raise a barrier and declare that it is prohibited to bring to Ireland, for sale or personal use, goods which enter the EU legally, and are freely circulating elsewhere in the Single Market.

This is the meaning of the Single Market  the defence of which is something which the EU takes very seriously, as we have seen in the context of Brexit. The integrity of the Single Market is in Irelands overall interest.

The formal advice to the Government of the Attorney General on this matter has confirmed that passage of the Bill would put Ireland in breach of EU law and expose Ireland to legal action by the European Commission, as guardian of the Treaties.

Some supporters of the Bill have put forward legal opinions which highlight a public policy exception, which states that provisions on free circulation of goods do not preclude, prohibitions, quantitative restrictions or surveillance measures on grounds of public morality, public policy or public security.

However, I am strongly advised that the European Court of Justice has shown in previous cases that it will not allow this term to be interpreted broadly.

A broad interpretation of the public policy exemption would so obviously have implications for the EUs exclusive competence on trade, that it is entirely foreseeable that a challenge by the European Commission would follow. Our informal soundings do indeed lead us to consider that extremely likely.

And should Ireland be found to have breached EU law, as we would expect, the State would be exposed to potentially very significant fines, as well as legal costs. Fines recommended by the Commission in such cases can include lump sums of over 1.5 million, plus daily fines. Cumulative annual costs of these fines can range from hundreds of thousands of euros per year at the lower end of the scale, up to tens of millions of euros per year at the highest end. No Government, nor any responsible opposition, could support intentionally breaking EU law, and exposing the State to such significant penalties.

The Bill could also be challenged by companies or individuals claiming to be adversely affected by it. And in addition to legal costs arising in these circumstances, a finding against Ireland in favour of a private party could give rise to damages being awarded against the State.

In addition, costs would also arise for the relevant authorities in the implementation of the law, which would create new offences, the investigation, enforcement and potential prosecution of which would have resource implications for the customs authorities, An Garda Siochana and the criminal justice system more broadly, including the prison system. Additional costs will also arise from voted funds for certain Irish diplomatic missions abroad should this Bill be enacted.

I should state clearly at this point that because of these costs across a wide range of areas, there can be no doubt that the Bill will require a Money Message in order to proceed to Committee Stage.

I should also mention briefly some other legal and constitutional difficulties identified with the Bill, including the use of Ministerial regulations to extend the scope of the Bill, aspects of the extraterritorial application of this Bill, and constitutional difficulties around the legal certainty and capability of enforcement of some criminal offences contained in the Bill.

The political effects of the Bill are also an important consideration. Ireland has a stronger voice, and greater influence on Middle East issues generally at UN and EU level, than our size alone would justify. That is where we are able to be of most help to the Palestinian people  indeed, both the Israeli and Palestinian people  in achieving peace.

My fear is that if Ireland adopts this Bill, we would be choosing to be a principled voice in the wilderness, satisfied in the righteousness of our course, but largely unable to influence the real action.

I am in no doubt, from my experience of discussions on this issue at EU level, that a unilateral move by Ireland on this matter would weaken our ability to influence overall EU policy, not strengthen it. If we allow ourselves to be discounted in the calculations that other states make, about where the centre of gravity on Middle East policy lies, then we cease to shape that political centre of gravity.

The third basis on which the Government must oppose the Bill is the assessment of its practical effects, including practical challenges and costs of compliance for Irish companies which trade internationally.

For example, US companies in Ireland, and Irish companies in the US, could be placed in an impossible conflict of jurisdictions. Legislation was under discussion in the United States Congress in 2018 to forbid companies based in the US from cooperating with trade bans on Israel and Israeli settlements. Such proposals have enjoyed strong cross-party support in the US, so such legislation may well be passed into law. Similar legislation already exists at state level in many US states. Irish Missions and state agencies in the US have already received queries from companies concerned about this impact of the Bill, and the lack of clarity on their legal obligations.

Ceann Comhairle,

This Bill is a sincere attempt to address a real issue. If enacted, it would provide a moment of solace for Palestinians at a difficult time. But the solace would only be momentary.

Legislation must be designed by the head as well as the heart. And it is the job of any Government to assess the balance of positives and negatives of any policy option.

The Bill before us will not significantly impact on Israeli settlements.

Conversely,

- It will place Ireland in breach of EU law. That alone should be enough to make it impossible to vote for it. But it will also:

- Lead to Ireland facing legal challenge and the strong likelihood of very significant penalties, as well as being obliged to repeal the law, and possibly pay damages to those with economic interests in settlements;

- It will diminish Irelands influence on behalf of the Palestinians at EU level;

- And it will create difficulties for Ireland and for companies in Ireland with compliance, including with US legislation.

Ultimately, despite being well and sincerely intentioned by its original authors, this Bill will do serious damage to Ireland and bring only momentary consolation to Palestinians. For these reasons, no responsible party of Government could support this Bill and this Government must and will oppose it. Thank you.

ENDS

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America Movil is acquiring Telefonicas Movistar units in El Salvador and Guatemala for $648 million.

The announcement follows speculation from local media that America Movil was interested in obtaining Telefonicas operations in these markets, and indeed it has already closed its acquisition of 100% of Movistar Guatemala. It will acquire 99.3% of Telefonicas El Salvador unit once it receives regulatory clearance.

Equivalent to around 570 million, the total sum is around 9.7x the estimated 2018 EBITDA of the two units. The deal values the Guatemala unit at 293 million and the El Salvador business at 277 million. Telefonica anticipates that the units will see capital gains of 120 million before taxes and minorities, although it acknowledged that this would largely be due to the El Salvador business.

Telefonica is seeking to manage its assets based on a strategy of value creation, improving return on capital and strategic positioning, but it is also looking to reduce its net debt, which was 42.6 billion at the end of September last year.

Last year, reports surfaced indicating that Telefonica was considering selling all of its Central American units. In addition to El Salvador and Guatemala, the group also has a presence in Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Panama.

Combining its El Salvador unit with Telefonicas operations in the market will see America Movils Claro become the largest operator in the market, surpassing the previous market leader, Millicoms Tigo. In the past week, a possible acquisition of Millicom by Liberty Latin America was revealed and then scrapped.
MTN Uganda is considering selling an undisclosed amount of shares to the countrys National Social Security Fund (NSSF) as part of a drive to increase local ownership.

At the World Economic Forum in Davos, MTN Group CEO was told by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni: It is important that you float shares on the local stock exchange to allow for local ownership now that the licence has been renewed, and noted that one was of doing this would be disposing shares to NSSF.

In addition to pressure from the countrys government to increase local shareholding, MTN Uganda also faces three of its executives being arrested and deported over national security concerns. CMO Olivier Prentout, head of sales and distribution Annie Bilenge Tabura and MFS chief Elsa Muzzolini have all been detained, interrogated and deported back to their respective home countries of France, Rwanda and Italy.

Regarding the arrests, the operator stated: MTN Uganda, together with all its employees, remains fully committed to operating within, and respecting, the laws of the country.

These are not the only issues facing MTN in Uganda, with Museveni expressing outrage at the regulator allowing MTN to renew its operating licence for $58 million rather than $100 million after it pledged to meet high-speed internet requirements in line with Ugandas new national broadband goals. MTN holds an interim licence in Uganda.

Reuters quoted Museveni as saying that MTN has reaped vast profits, most of which have obviously been repatriated. The government has voiced suspicions that MTN Uganda underreports its call volume in order to avoid tax.
Manikarnika Review: The Queen Of Jhansi Would Impress You For Maybe 1/5th Of Its Runtime!

Movie: Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi Rated: 2.0/5.0 Cast: Kangana Ranaut, Atul Kulkarni Director: Krish

Before I begin writing anything, I would like to give out a fair deal of warning. I have been a big Kangana Ranaut fan and it is partly because of this reason that this review might be less of a review and more of a rant.

Manikarnika begins with a voiceover of Amitabh Bachchan talking about how a crude force of foreigners came to India under the garb of businessmen but had bad intentions all throughout to rule, and I had a strange feeling that this is inching closer to Thugs Of Hindostan. As much as you want it to get better, something will not leave your head- the fact that a special thanks have been given to Sadhguru. Anyway, I get ahead of this and there comes the intro sequence for Kangana Ranaut. A woman standing there confidently with a bow and an arrow- hair flying and with a magnificent flying pallu- is standing there aiming at a tiger. She shoots the arrow, the tiger is maimed, but it rises again and comes for the lady- who stands there looking on the eye fearlessly. She doesnt kill, she has merely maimed the animal and will be releasing it deep inside the jungle. This is a simple scene to show how compassionate this lady is, and how fearless and perfect a warrior she is. It was an excellent sequence- except for the over-glamorization of Kangana Ranaut instead of her character Manikarnika. You just cannot get over the fact that this flying hair and pallo was so off and unnecessary that it probably ruined the entire feel of the sequence and just made it look like an extended photo shoot, one that almost borders on the absurd.

The film takes a turn for the bad and the worse from there. The entire first half was centred around the development of Manikarnika and Laxmi Bai post marriage- what an excellent warrior she is, her carefree spirit and the brilliance of her mind as well. The intent is good- but the execution is shoddy. You do not need a flying Kangana to show her valor, or a sequence where she is drying her mehendi by horse-riding. Why would you make a character as strong as Laxmibai look so unreal?

Till interval, it was flying that mattered. First Manikarnika flew while fighting and then her husband also referred to how she is made to fly. So much so that by the mid second half, Laxmibai was not the only one who flew- but even her horse was kind of flying. At one point, I even pondered on whether a flying Salman in Race 3 was better than this!

First half is slow, to a point that you would feel irritated. There is what not in this half- all useless to be honest. At one point there is food politics that is also introduced into the narrative. The Britishers take away a small calf and decide to cook it. Enter Laxmibai, who eloquently says how uncultured they are. Connect the dots and there you are.

But then there was this second half. When you have lost all hopes from the first half, the second half comes as a breeze. The second half suddenly catches pace and there is a terrific fight sequence and you just begin to feel your faith being reinstated on Kangana Ranaut and the film. There is particularly a sequence where this widow queen inspires a young window to take kumkum and this particular scene will make you laud.

But with the high, it spirals down and how. The film again goes to the realm of illogical and this time iot heads over your head. It takes the sensibilities of the audiences for granted. How else would you justify the scene where one of the characters sacrifice herself by blowing a gunny full of gun powder. Not to give spoilers, but one of the officers there should have been blown up, like everyone. But there he emerges in the very next scene, wanting Laxmibai alive!

I can go on about the loopholes of that the film had, with Laxmibai appearing as Kaali, or how she threw out Scindia from Gwalior or how she even dies! I really want to know who directed what part in the film, and with kanganas name appearing first on the end credits as director, I really think it is more of her deed in over glorifying a person who could have just been there without the absurd antics given to her.

The film also falters at developing the other characters. It is so invested into the central character that you see none even close to her persona and it diminishes her stature. Whatever was left of the film was killed by the editing.

Coming to the performances, Kangana is earnest but falters at many parts. There are a plethora of good actors in the film who are wasted, including Zeeshan Khan. He isnt the friend in this film and the film makes us wish that he should go back to the role of the friend!

Overall, after watching the film, I believe that the most intelligent person who would be laughing right now is Sonu Sood. Yes, you escaped bro, we should have taken the cue!
Here Is What The Story Of Bharat Could Be Based On The Korean Film Ode To My Father

As 2019 picks up in Bollywood, it is a good time to take a look at what the year has in store for us. Like every year, this year also Salman Khan will keep his Eid release tradition alive. Directed by Ali Abbas Zafar, this years Eid release Bharat has already garnered a crazy fan base like every other Bhai film.

As the social media and Bhai fans rejoice the teaser release of Bharat, let us help you to piece together what the story of the film is going to be. The film, although not an official remake, is inspired by the Korean film Ode To My Father. Even though the Salman Khan starrer is not going to be the exact same movie, knowing the story of Korean film might give us a little bit direction is terms of what to expect from the film.

The Korean film, Ode To My Father starts during the at the Hungnam Evacuation which happened in 1950 during the Korea War. As Koreans are being transported to what would later become South Korea, a young boy Deok-soo loses her sister Mak-soon in the crowd. The family moves to Busan where Deok-soos aunt runs a store that sells imported goods. However, Deok-soos father stays back in Hungnam to look for his lost daughter and makes a young Deok-soo promise that he will take the entire responsibility of the family as the elder son.

Once in Busan, Deok-soo starts doing odd jobs at a very young age to provide for the family. During 1960, Deok-soo along with his best friend Dal-goo migrates to Germany to work in the mines. There he meets and falls in love with another migrant worker Young-ja. After a mining accident and the expiration of his visa, he returns to Busan. However, a few months later Young-ja comes to Korea and announces that she is pregnant. The two get married and start a new life and eventually become parents to two kids.

A few years pass and Deok-soos aunt dies and his uncle wants to sell the store which is losing money. However, Deok-soo vehemently opposes the decision. In order to fulfill his sisters wife for a nice wedding, he again leaves Korea, this time to work in war-torn Vietnam. Young-ja tries to stop her but he along with his trusted friend Dal-goo. Young-jas fears are realized when he comes back lame after trying to rescue people from Vietcong.

After coming back to Korea again, he again keeps working at the store when a television program broadcasts a program where they try to unite South and North Korean relatives who were separated during the partition. The showrunners contact Deok-soo saying that there is an elderly man in Hungnam province who might be his father. However, it is finally revealed that the man is not ultimately his estranged father. The family is distraught when the show contacts them again saying that there is a woman who might be Mak-soon. Deok-soon talks to the woman on the show and it turns out that she is indeed Mak-soon. A tearful reunion ensues finally. However, Deok-soons mother passes away soon after.

Finally, in the present day, Deok-soon finally agrees to sell the store that he has protected all his life vehemently. A flashback shows that his father said that the family will unite at the store and thus Deok-soon have been holding on to the store so dearly. After the store is sold, Deok-soon tells Young-ja that he finally decided to sell the store saying his father, even if alive, would be too old to come and unite with the family at the store.
OREM  Utah students of limited means would pay no tuition or fees for two years to attend state colleges, universities and technical colleges under a legislative initiative dubbed the "college access scholarship."

The scholarship program would be patterned after existing initiatives at Weber State University and Salt Lake Community College that cover costs of tuition and general student fees where federal financial aid falls short for low-income students who take full academic loads.

The access scholarship would extend the effort statewide, supported by $30 million in ongoing state support.

Regent Patricia Jones, a former state senator, said this proposal  paired with an initiative to place a college adviser in every public high school in Utah within the next few years  will be a game changer for many students.

"I really feel like were on the cusp of something really great here for higher education," Jones said during a meeting of the Utah State Board of Regents Friday at Utah Valley University.

Rep. Derrin Owens, R-Fountain Green, a retired school counselor, will carry the legislation, supported by Senate Majority Leader Evan Vickers, R-Cedar City.

"Sen. Vickers and I are first-generation college graduates and we have a passion for students helping students who dont have access," Owens said.

The college access scholarship would also be available to qualifying adults returning to college and in public-partnerships with industry, Owens said. Applicants must complete the application for federal financial aid.

Other state scholarship programs, such as merit-based the Regents Scholarship, would be phased out and state funding would go toward the access initiative. The Regents' Scholarship encourages Utah high school students to prepare for college academically and financially.

Owens acknowledged that phasing out state scholarship programs might be politically unpopular but he said he is aware of students awarded the Regents' Scholarship and others who have been "pocketing a lot of money every semester."

"I dont think thats what the Regents' Scholarship was meant to be," Owens said. "I'd like to see it change to a target of children in need."

Utah's Commissioner of Higher Education Dave Buhler said Regents' Scholarships that have already been awarded need to be honored.

One other significant change Owens is considering is limiting the access scholarship to state institutions. Presently, 40 percent go to students attending private colleges and universities, he said.

While the presidents of state college and universities were supportive of the initiative, University of Utah President Ruth V. Watkins said the system needs to consider the needs of students who receive two years of support for tuition and fees "so they dont go off a resource cliff" as they further their education.

Weber State University President Brad Mortensen said the Weber Dream program, launched in 2010, provides free tuition and general student fees to students whose annual household incomes are $40,000 or less.

The program is supported by federal and state financial aid and private giving.

SLCC's Promise program requires students to take a full class load and maintain at least a 2.0 GPA. Qualifying students must also meet with an adviser to develop a two-year degree plan.

SLCC Promise encourages students to take full class loads so they are more likely to complete their degrees, complete them sooner and at less expense. The aid encourages students to concentrate on their studies but at a school like SLCC where many students work to support families, taking at least 12 credit hours "is difficult for some of our students," said SLCC President Deneece Huftalin.

Another legislative proposal supported by the regents is the $6 million request for an eventual statewide expansion of the Utah College Advising Corps.

The program helps high school students make successful transitions to higher education under the guidance of "near peer" college access advisers who work in their high schools.

Buhler said $1 million of the projected $7 million ongoing cost of placing a college access adviser in every public high school in Utah will come from a reallocation of existing funds in the Utah System of Higher Education's budget.

The goal of the plan is to scale the advising program statewide by the 2021-22 school year. However, it is anticipated that the 33 high schools will have full-time college access advisers for 2019-20 school year.

Ogden School District Superintendent Rich Nye supports the expansion, which will include two schools in his school district, Ogden and Ben Lomond.

"Having a person on the ground, full time, helping students navigate college admissions and the financial aid process will be instrumental to getting more of our students connected to college opportunities. Our students, particularly those who are underserved or would be first in their family to go to college, will especially benefit from this effort," Nye said in statement.

Another legislative proposal that would represent a significant sea change in past practice is a bill sponsored by Senate Assistant Minority Whip Ann Millner, R-Ogden, that would establish ongoing funding for college and university buildings.

The bill would curb the competition among state colleges and universities for state funding for projects on their respective campus. Or as Harris Simmons, chairman of the board of regents, put it, "A lot of oxygen in the room is spent on capital facilities."

In many respects, the state's higher education system stands united on most issues, said regent Bob Marquardt, "except for this one area."

But he sees some value from the legislative debate because the process stirs support and interest in the system from lawmakers.

Southern Utah University President Scott Wyatt said SUU does not enjoy the same legislative support because fewer legislators represent rural Utah. In 10 years, SUU has been appropriated $8 million for capital facilities, he said.

"Some of us have not fared as well when its the political process," Wyatt said.
SALT LAKE CITY  Roger Stone, a longtime political adviser to President Donald Trump who worked on his 2016 campaign, was arrested Friday morning following an indictment in the ongoing Russia investigation. The indictment charges that Stone lied about the Trump campaigns communication with WikiLeaks, the organization that released thousands of hacked emails from the Democratic campaign during the 2016 election.

Special counsel Robert Mueller has charged Stone on seven counts, including obstruction of an official proceeding, making false statements and witness tampering, The New York Times reported.

CNN released a video of Stone's arrest outside of his Fort Lauderdale, Florida, home.

According to Axios, Stone expected that he would be indicted.

Stone has publicly admitted that he had back channel communications with Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, CBS reported, but denied any prior knowledge of the organization's plans to release the emails. Stone has also acknowledged that he communicated directly with Guccifer 2.0, the online account traced to Russia that claimed responsibility for hacking the Democratic National Committee, CNN reported. Stone insisted the messages did not amount to collusion.

In 2017, Stone spoke before the House Intelligence Committee, testifying that he didn't know anything about WikiLeaks' plans and that Trump's campaign did not direct him to get in touch with the organization. Mueller charged him on five counts for giving false statements during that testimony, along with encouraging another witness to stick to his false story and obstructing investigations into what really happened, Vox reported.

Stone appeared before a federal judge Friday morning in Fort Lauderdale, and was released after posting $250,000 bail. According to CNN, Stone said he would not testify against the president and that he is innocent.

So, who is Roger Stone?

1. A self-described dirty trickster, Stone has been working in Republican politics for more than 40 years.

Stone's name became known on the national political scene when, at just age 19, he donated in the name of the Young Socialist Alliance to the campaign of Pete McCloskey, Richard Nixons challenger for the 1972 Republican presidential nomination. He made the donations using the pseudonym Jason Rainier and then sent the contribution receipt to a newspaper to demonstrate that McCloskey was a left-wing candidate, The New Yorkerreported. After Nixon was elected president, Stone joined Sen. Robert Doles staff. But the job was short-lived: he was fired after the 1973 congressional hearings on the Watergate investigation, when his "high jinks" toward McCloskey's campaign were revealed, according to The New Yorker.

He later worked on the presidential campaigns of Ronald Reagan, Dole and George Bush, according to The New Yorker.

2. Stone has close ties to Paul Manafort, Trumps former campaign manager who has also been indicted in the Russia investigation.

Stone worked on Reagans 1980 presidential campaign with Manafort and Charlie Black. After the campaign ended, the three men formed a political consulting and lobbying firm originally called Black, Manafort, and Stone that eventually developed an international consulting and lobbying arm, according to Politico. BMS played a key role in getting Reagan re-elected in 1984 through its consulting work. After the campaign, the firm began developing a portfolio of lucrative contracts with prominent companies and overseas clients  and several with Trump.

The firm became known for representing controversial authoritarian regimes, which earned it the moniker The Torturers Lobby, according to the Center for Public Integrity.

3. Stone has been involved with Trump since the early 1980s.

Trump hired BMS to fight the expansion of Indian casinos that could compete with his Atlantic City gambling business, and to change the flight path of planes at West Palm Beach International Airport, which he said disturbed guests at his newly purchased Mar-a-Lago club, Politico reported.

Stone also suggested that Trump run for president in 2000, according to CNN, and he served as Trumps adviser when he considered running that year, The New Yorker reported. When Trump entered the 2016 presidential campaign, Stone reprised his role as adviser, but eventually left. Stone claimed he was the one who decided to leave, although Trump maintained that Stone was fired, according to The Washington Post. Nevertheless, the Post reported, Stone has continued to support Trump.

4. Stone has been involved with numerous scandals over the years.

A 1996 National Enquirer story revealed that Stone and his wife had run personal ads in a magazine called Local Swing Fever looking for other couples to engage in sexual activity with them, The New Yorker reported. The scandal cost Stone his job as a consultant in Doles presidential campaign.

Stone also was involved in the Brooks Brothers riot, a Republican protest in Floridas Miami-Dade County against the recount in the 2000 election between then-Texas Gov. George Bush and then-Vice President Al Gore, The New Yorker reported.

In 2007, Stone was working as a consultant for New York State Senate Republicans when he implicated himself in another scandal. Stone was accused of leaving threatening messages on the voicemail of Bernard Spitzer, the father of Eliot Spitzer, New Yorks Democratic candidate for governor, The New Yorker reported. This cost him his job. Stone may have also had a role in exposing Eliot Spitzers involvement with a prostitution ring, causing Spitzer to resign from the governorship, according to The New Yorker.

5. A documentary was made about Stone.

In 2017, Netflix released "Get Me Roger Stone," a documentary that explores Stones past and his involvement in Trumps 2016 presidential campaign. It includes interviews with Stone, Manafort and Trump, Page Six reported.

In the film, Stone shows off the tattoo of Richard Nixon that he has on his back, which was also photographed by The New Yorker. "Women love it," he told the magazine.

Thinking a lot today about Roger Stones VERY REAL semi-photorealistic back tattoo of Richard Nixon. pic.twitter.com/diUfsnwA9m  Leila Brillson, First of Her Name (@leilaclaire) January 25, 2019

He told MSNBC he got the tattoo because he "admired Nixon's resilience" and it served as "a daily reminder that 'when you got knocked down, when things don't go your way, when you're defeated, you got to get up and fight again. It's simply that.'"
SALT LAKE CITY  Roger Stone, a longtime associate of President Donald Trump, was arrested Friday morning in an early-morning raid of his Florida home.

Stone was indicted on seven different counts.

The indictment accuses him of witness tampering, obstruction and false statements about his interactions related to WikiLeaks' release, according to The Associated Press. Some of those false statements were made to the House intelligence committee, prosecutors allege.

This is the first criminal case in months from special counsel Robert Mueller.

A number of columnists throughout the media landscape shared their thoughts on the Stone indictment in opinion pieces and columns Friday morning.

Weve collected a few of them and shared them below.

The Washington Posts Jennifer Rubin asks what this means for President Donald Trump and the Mueller investigation.

Regardless of the luridness, no one  including Trumps dead-enders in the right-wing media  should fail to recognize how serious this is. We have collusion between Stone and WikiLeaks about a crime, stealing emails, and between Stone and a Trump campaign senior official about that activity. We will see which characters, if any, committed which crimes. But the president is a hairs breadth from being implicated in collusion (or knowledge of collusion). His efforts and all these associates' lies now make more sense.

CNN editor-at-large Chris Cillizza called the indictment a huge moment in the Russia probe.

Bottom line: The indictments and arrests just keep piling up. And with each new one, it becomes clearer and clearer just how many ties members of Trump's orbit had to the Russian effort to sway the election for their candidate.

The Washington Posts Greg Sargent wrote that the new Stone indictment connects deep into Trumps inner circle.

So we cant yet know the full legal significance of this latest news. But its obvious the notion there was NO COLLUSION! is becoming tougher and tougher to sustain.

In an analysis piece, Nicholas Carlson of Business Insider asks why Stone would lie to Congress about the existence of such written communication?

Is it because he has delusions of grandeur? Does he think he's a character in some mob film playing out in his head?

Bloombergs Timothy L. OBrien wrote in an opinion piece that the indictment raises questions about who allegedly directed Bannon and Stone to seek information about Hillary Clintons campaign from WikiLeaks.

It was likely someone in the very upper reaches of the campaign  possibly a member of the Trump family or Trump himself. Regardless, the indictments 24 pages offer one of law enforcements most thorough descriptions to date of how intimately Trumps closest advisors worked with WikiLeaks and Russian-sponsored hackers during the 2016 campaign. The indictment also draws a very full portrait  via testimony, public statements, email and other evidence  of just how readily and actively the Trump campaign colluded with a foreign power in its bid for the presidency.

Alan Dershowitz, a Harvard Law School professor emeritus, told Fox News on Friday morning that such large arrests  FBI officials knocked on Stones door with guns drawn  are done to intimidate a witness.

Normally, the situation is you call the lawyer and you tell the lawyer, Look, hes been indicted. Please show up at the federal court tomorrow at 10 o'clock. And maybe they can keep an eye on him and make sure he doesnt run away.' In cases like this you dont typically see arrests of this kind.

He added, This is something that prosecutors do a lot in order to intimidate a witness. When they want to get people to testify, theyre very heavy handed. They make the point very clearly: its not about you. You can save yourself, your family, your friends. Just give us what we want hear about the president. Thats why the president always has to be a little nervous.

Becket Adams wrote for The Washington Examiner that the media romanticized Stone as a trickster even though this indictment proves hes a liar.

Why reporters have spent the last decade or so giving Stone, a ruthlessly dishonest actor, the kid-glove treatment is anyones guess. Its not that the press has a difficult time calling a liar a liar (see: Medias coverage of Alex Jones and President Trump). Its that newsrooms for some reason love themselves some Roger Stone.

Adam Davidson of The New Yorker wrote that there are plenty of questions to answer about the indictment.

"Who did this directing? Why did Mueller avoid naming the person? Could it possibly have been Trump? Or  as one must still allow  was Trump, somehow, an innocent dupe surrounded by scheming scoundrels?"

CNNs Elie Honig wrote that there might be an ugly political brawl on the way with all of these indictments surrounding Mueller.
SALT LAKE CITY  The parents of slain University of Utah student-athlete Lauren McCluskey reiterated Friday that their daughter's death was "absolutely" preventable.

Matt and Jill McCluskey sat down with "Good Morning America" to give their first TV interview since their daughter's killing on Oct. 22.

Lauren McCluskey, 21, had gone out with Melvin Shawn Rowland, 37, for about a month until she discovered that he had been lying to her about his name and age. When she learned that he was a convicted sex offender who spent several years in the Utah State Prison, she immediately tried to cut off contact with him.

From Oct. 10 until her death, Lauren McCluskey made multiple calls to the University of Utah Department of Public Safety informing them about Rowland's attempts to extort her and the bizarre texts she was receiving, either from him or his friends.

Investigators later determined Rowland was sending all the texts himself, but was "spoofing" some of them to make it look like someone else was contacting McCluskey.

"I think theyre trying to lure me somewhere, she told dispatchers in a recording of one of her 911 calls. "Im dealing with a situation where Im being blackmailed for money. A photo of me and my ex, theyre threatening to send it out to everyone and hes asking for $1,000.

At one point, McCluskey called Salt Lake police to see if they could do anything to help. Because of department jurisdictions, dispatchers could only transfer her back to the U.

Jill McCluskey said her daughter told her she felt like she was pestering police.

"One thing she did tell me is, she said, It feels like Im bothering them because she was calling so much. And then I remember telling her its their job to listen to you if youre complaining," Jill McCluskey told "Good Morning America." "They werent taking her seriously.

She continued: "I have the phone records.  For one officer, there were 22 calls back and forth and none of them are recorded because it's on the cellphone."

Despite acknowledging that numerous mistakes were made, U. President Ruth Watkins stated that according to the final report from an independent panel assigned to look into how U. police handled the McCluskey case, it was impossible to say whether her death could have been prevented.

"I just had a sick stomach for days after that, Jill McCluskey told the ABC show upon hearing that statement.

McCluskey, 21, was walking back to her dorm on the University of Utah campus at night on Oct. 22 when she was grabbed by Rowland, 37, dragged into the back seat of her car and shot to death. Rowland was later found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound after being chased by Salt Lake police.

One of the mistakes the university panel found was that no officer from the U. conducted a proper criminal background check on Rowland.

"They should have investigated. They would have very quickly found his parole status, and one call and we wouldnt be sitting here today, Matt McCluskey, Lauren McCluskey's father, told "Good Morning America."

The independent report also found at least 30 other areas that could use improvement on campus and with the police department to help protect students. Matt McCluskey believes if his daughter's death wasn't preventable, then there wouldn't be the need for so many changes.

When the ABC program asked the McCluskeys if they are still angry over what happened, they said they are mostly just sad.

"The sadness is so complete, I dont have room for anger, Matt McCluskey said.

The couple said one way they are moving forward is by creating the Lauren McCluskey Foundation to help prevent something like this from happening again to another young woman on a college campus.

The foundation, Matt McCluskey said, will focus on three areas: Campus safety  "research and education into ways to protect our daughters"; celebrating her life, noting it will support youth and college track and field athletes; and reflecting Lauren McCluskey's love of animals by supporting animal shelters.

"If we can make a difference going forward," Jill McCluskey told the morning show, "it will at least take our minds off the sadness."

Friday afternoon, the U. updated a prepared statement on its website regarding the McCluskey case, and "added answers to some of the questions raised by the McCluskey family" in light of the "Good Morning America" interview, according to U. spokesman Chris Nelson.

"The parents of Lauren McCluskey have raised important questions and understandable concerns about campus safety and whether the universitys public safety, student housing and other departments did everything they could to prevent the crime that took their daughters life," the statement begins.

It goes on to emphasize the 30 recommendations that were made to improve campus safety that have either already been implemented or are in the process of happening.

"Work is underway to implement every one of the 30 recommendations made by the review team. It is the universitys position that we must give our leadership and staff the training and resources to learn from this tragedy and work as a team to make our campus as safe as we possibly can for our students, staff, faculty and visitors," it says.

Rep. Andrew Stoddard, D-Sandy, said Friday he has completed a bill nicknamed "Laurens Law" and has approved it for numbering for the upcoming session of the Utah Legislature. The bill would hold a gun owner strictly liable in a civil suit if they loaned a gun which was used to commit a felony. The gun that Rowland used to kill McCluskey was borrowed.

What I hope to do with this bill is to make it kind of an education piece so that just gun owners will think twice before they loan them out, Stoddard said.

Contributing: Emily Ashcraft
| BY Lynchy |

New Zealand has weighed in on the debate as to whether they do, in fact, do Australia better than Australia following MLAs proposed merger that would see Aussies and their Kiwi cousins unite to form a new nation  New Australia-Land, and the proof is in the pav.

Developed by Tourism New Zealand and TBWA\Sydney, 100% Pure New Australia-Land is a website that brings together all the best parts of New Australia-Land but with a cheeky twist.

Says Andrew Waddel, general manager, Tourism New Zealand: We felt the people of New Zealand needed to respond to such a proposition, so we packaged all of the best bits of New Australia-Land into one place. They all just happen to be in New Zealand.

100% Pure New Australia-Land features just some of the world class experiences available in New Zealand, from trekking through thousand year old glaciers to enjoying one of the hundreds of locally brewed craft beers to securing front row seats at a light show like no other.

Says Waddel: There is no limit to what you can experience when you make the trip across the ditch, which for our friends on the eastern seaboard is as quick as two movies and a meal.

Says Andy DiLallo, chief creative officer, TBWA\Sydney: Aussies seem to think Kiwis are all about Phar Lap and Flat Whites, but NZ has so much more to offer; exciting art and culture, a great food and wine scene and a rich history of one-upmanship. We realised this was the perfect creative opportunity to share all this awesome stuff with the rest of the world.

Says Katrina Alvarez-Jarratt, creative director, TBWA\Sydney: There are just so many signs pointing to the fact that New Zealand has all the best bits of New Australia-Land, not forgetting the lamb it even looks like a chop.
SANDY  An act of kindness may have ultimately led to the death of South Jordan real estate agent David Stokoe, according to the president of a real estate company who disputes the suspected gunman's version of events.

"Dave, being Dave, had been the nice guy and really tried to help, and then started to feel like he was getting taken advantage of," said Britt Sharp, president of Ranlife Real Estate, where Stokoe worked as an agent.

In late December, Sharp said Stokoe agreed to rent the upstairs apartment of a home he owned at 878 E. Princeton Ave. in Salt Lake City.

In court documents, police state that 38-year-old Jessica Reese, who also goes by Jessica Miller, and Manuel Velasquez, 31, moved into the unit.

"I think she had come on some hard times and had kind of given him a story of distress," Sharp said, "and Dave, just being the kind of guy he was, tried to accommodate her."

Sharp said there were problems with the rent being paid and that Stokoe was concerned that more people might be living in the apartment than was agreed upon.

Police say Stokoe, 40, was shot and killed Jan. 17 when he went to the apartment. His body was found the next day hidden in a crawl space.

"My understanding is he showed up there for rent or to have a conversation about their continuing to rent there," said Salt Lake City police detective Greg Wilking.

Three people have been arrested in connection with Stokoe's death. Velasquez was booked into jail for investigation of murder, obstruction of justice, transaction of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person and felony discharge of a firearm.

Diana Hernandez, 30, and Reese were booked into jail on suspicion of obstruction of justice. Jail documents state that the two women assisted with the cleanup of the apartment and hiding the body.

Sharp questions Velasquez's version of events listed in the affidavit of probable cause filed to support his arrest. In the document, police wrote that Velasquez claimed Stokoe kicked in the door of the apartment and put him in a chokehold.

"(Velasquez) stated that he was able to free the handgun and fire several rounds into (Stokoe), causing his death," the document states.

"We just know that that's not who Dave was," Sharp said. "It's totally not something that would be in his nature or in his character."

Sharp said that Stokoe's wife was out of town on the day he went to the apartment, leaving him to care for the couple's children, and that he would not have put himself at risk.

"Dave's just not an aggressive guy," Sharp said. "I highly doubt that he would have gone and destroyed his own property."

Wilking also disputed Velasquez's story, saying there was no evidence of the apartment's door being kicked in or of a chokehold.

"There are two sides of the story, and we really only have one side," Wilking said. "We won't have David's side of the story, ever, because his voice has been silenced."

Formal charges against the three have not yet been filed.
SALT LAKE CITY  For the thousands of federal workers who haven't seen a paycheck this year, it's tough to see a silver lining to Thursday's vote in the U.S. Senate, where two proposals to reopen the government failed to pass.

But many lawmakers and political observers agree that the predicted rejection of the competing GOP and Democrat proposals was actually a step forward to ending the record-long shutdown, which was in its 34th day when senators officially showed where they stood on solving the stalemate.

While both bills failed on a largely party-line vote, there were some signs of a willingness to compromise. Six Republicans, including Sen. Mitt Romney from Utah, broke ranks and voted yes on both the GOP and Democrat proposals. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va, was the sole Democrat to vote yes on both bills.

Romney said his double yes votes reflected what he heard from Utah voters: to open government and secure the border. He said President Donald Trump's proposed compromise would have achieved both goals.

"When that measure failed, I also voted for an alternative proposal that would open the government and give the Democrats two weeks to put up or shut up  come to the table and agree to a final deal on border security and enforcement," he said in a statement.

Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, and Tom Cotton, R-Ark., voted no on both proposals. Lee expressed frustration that senators weren't given the chance to debate, amend or vote on the merits of the proposals.

If this had been a vote to begin debate on a deal to end the shutdown, I would have happily voted yes, Lee said. But this was a vote to end debate on a bill that I believe is fundamentally flawed. In fact, after specifically asking for assurances that we would be allowed to offer amendments, no assurances were given. This bill as is simply does not do enough to reform our immigration system or address the crisis at our southern border.

But some said the so-called test votes were an intentional signal to the public and recalcitrant lawmakers, as well as the Trump administration, that further negotiations are needed to close a deep divide, explained Jim Curry, an assistant professor of political science at the University of Utah.

"To resolve this kind of impasse requires votes from both parties, which means that you need to have things in a final deal that both sides can point to and claim victory on," he said.

Some senators sounded hopeful Thursday's vote begins that process.

Is this the beginning of the end, or is it just the end of the beginning? We shall find out, Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala., said in The New York Times.

The Associated Press reported that shortly after the vote Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., huddled in the office of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., for 30 minutes as senators from both parties took to the Senate floor to advocate reopening agencies for three weeks while bargainers seek a solution.

"We're talking," Schumer told reporters, one of the most encouraging statements either side has made since the shutdown began.

Behind the curtain

The shutdown saga that stretches back to Dec. 22 has revealed the political dynamics of Washington, where partisan divisions, procedural rules and power ceded to a select few make it difficult to get things done.

"Political incentives are not aligned right now to promote bipartisanship," said Frances E. Lee, a University of Maryland political science professor and author of several books on the political dynamics of Congress. "It's pretty sharply distinct demographically and geographically. Split ticket voting is very low."

She explained there have been parallel periods in American history and democracy survived. "It doesn't have to destroy the functioning of the system of government. In fact, I think we'll get through this as we've gotten through similar impasses."

Not even having unified control of the executive and legislative branches of government ensures a president will get his highest priorities through. She pointed out that President Barack Obama's climate change initiative failed, as did President George W. Bush's Social Security reform and President Bill Clinton's health care reform.

"There's nothing unusual about presidents going down in total defeat in Congress," professor Lee said. "Donald Trump doesn't have a lot of experience in politics, so for him I think he takes this harder. But it's a very normal thing in Washington politics."

As Curry explained, the way to break an impasse is to find ways where all parties can save face and come away saying, "We won."

Given that the Senate in December had passed a proposal similar to what was defeated Thursday is an indication that there is room for compromise. And there has been some movement toward that in the past week.

The GOP bill rejected by the Senate was essentially the offer Trump made to Democrats over the weekend, which the Times said "was loosely modeled after an idea that was the centerpiece of quiet bipartisan talks to strike a compromise over the past several weeks to end the shutdown."

The bargaining chips appear to be permanent protection for recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA, which Democrats want, and $5.7 billion to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, which Trump wants.

The fact that Trump offered a temporary reprieve for Dreamers and that Democrats have in the past approved funding for border walls are more indications there is room to negotiate, observers agreed.

"It seems like they're getting closer," Curry said. "You have weeks of essentially no movement on actual negotiating, literally a standoff with both parties sort of appealing to the electorate on their specific position."

But with shutdown's impact reaching beyond the beleaguered 800,000 federal workers into the broader economy, as PBS reported, the pressure is building for a solution.

Polls are showing that public sentiment on the shutdown and security along the U.S. Mexico border is increasingly against Trump, The New Yorker reported, indicating Democrats may have the advantage in negotiations.

But while there seems to be room to negotiate on money and policy, there is no easy compromise on what has turned into battle over symbolism.

"The wall is very important symbolically for the president. It's his most visible campaign promise," professor Lee said. "And for Democrats is a symbol of xenophobia."

News reports Thursday gave an indication of the importance of that symbolism, with stories about House Democrats discussing a proposal to spend more than $5.2 billion on a "smart wall" with drones, sensors, some additional fencing, "but no wall from the Pacific to the Gulf of Mexico."

And Trump tweeted early in the day, he has no plans to change what he means by a wall: "Without a Wall there cannot be safety and security at the Border or for the U.S.A. BUILD THE WALL AND CRIME WILL FALL!"

Without a Wall there cannot be safety and security at the Border or for the U.S.A. BUILD THE WALL AND CRIME WILL FALL!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 24, 2019

The negotiators

The negotiations from here will be handled by Republican and Democratic leaders, four people that the rank-and-file have delegated power to cut deals and negotiate directly with the White House.

Curry, author of Legislating in the Dark, which examines how congressional leadership operates, explained that delegating those powers to leadership is an efficient way to get work done, but it doesn't always work for those members who "aren't in step with the orthodoxy of the party all the time."

That dynamic revealed itself this week when centrist Democrats, including Utah Rep. Ben McAdams, signed a letter criticizing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and other leaders for their "brinkmanship" that is "punishing families, destabilizing our economy, weakening our national security, and embarrassing our great country on the world stage."

While it was a letter and not legislation, it can have influence, Curry said.

"If they can hold together on that demand that gives them leverage because now there's 30 of them and she probably needs a large chunk of that 30 to get whatever deal she cuts passed," he said.

Correction: An earlier version incorrectly stated the partial federal government shutdown was in its 35th day when the U.S. Senate voted on two bills to end it. It was in its 34th day.
OREM  An Orem father who police say was living in deplorable conditions and dealing drugs out of his apartment was charged Thursday with physically abusing his young son.

Colten Jacob Allridge, 20, is charged in 4th District Court with child abuse and possession of psychedelic mushrooms with intent to distribute, second-degree felonies; child endangerment and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, third-degree felonies; and possession of drug paraphernalia, a class B misdemeanor.

About 11 p.m. on Jan. 11, police say Allridge picked up his 20-month-old son from a baby sitter. Because it was so late, the baby sitter offered to just let the toddler sleep over, but Allridge insisted on taking the boy, according to charging documents. The baby sitter also noted that Allridge "arrived at her apartment visibly upset and crying."

Likewise, Allridge's neighbor told police that on the night of Jan. 11, "he heard Mr. Allridge 'having a meltdown' in the hallway. He heard Mr. Allridge say, 'I cant handle him right now,'" the charges state.

The next night, police say Allridge asked his neighbor if he would watch his son.

"When he picked (the boy) up from Mr. Allridges apartment around 5 p.m. on the 12th, he immediately observed bruising on (his) face and his fat lip," according to the charges.

When he got back to his own apartment, the neighbor's wife asked, What the hell happened to him? according to the charges. The neighbor later told detectives "he regrets not calling police right away."

The neighbor was originally considered a suspect because he was not upfront with officers or the boy's mother, police say. But unlike the neighbor or the boy's mother who were concerned about the toddler's welfare, police concluded that Allridge "appeared concerned only with whether he might be a suspect," the charges state.

At the hospital, police observed that the child "was screaming, unable to sit still, and appeared to be in 'an enormous amount of pain,'" according to the charges.

A doctor documented numerous injuries, including "trauma to his liver; missing hair on the back of his head, possibly from being dragged with his head contacting the floor; multiple contusions along his spine, back, head and right elbow," the charging documents say. "The treating doctor explained that none of (the boy's) injuries would be 'naturally' occurring in a small boys normal stumbles, falls or roughhousing."

Upon further investigation, police learned from that prior to dropping his son off at his neighbor's apartment, "Mr. Allridge had been bragging about how he had gotten a new load of marijuana and would be selling it all weekend," the neighbor told investigators, the charges state.

When police searched Allridge's room, they noted that the apartment and Allridges bedroom "were in deplorable condition: open, dirty diapers lying randomly on the floor; trash and old food scattered everywhere, mold in the window sills; feces on the kitchen floor; a clogged and filthy toilet; and baggies of marijuana and drug paraphernalia lying on tables in the open, among other things," according to the charges.

Allridge was also investigated on Jan. 6 by Orem police for alleged child abuse, the charges state.
VERNAL  Police say charges have been filed against a boy accused of fatally stabbing a man during a home invasion last year.

According to a news release from Vernal Police Department, the boy, whose age and name were not released, was charged Thursday in 8th District Juvenile Court in Vernal with aggravated murder.

On Sept. 13, the boy allegedly "forcibly entered" the home of 84-year-old CalDee Reynolds near the Ashley Regional Medical Center, 150 W. 100 North, and stabbed Reynolds and the home's two other occupants.

Reynolds was flown to a hospital and later died from his injuries in November, police said. The two other victims were also treated for "extensive injuries."

Police said the boy was "incarcerated on unrelated charges shortly after the incident."

"Law enforcement has been certain that our community has been safe, and has remained quiet until formal charges were filed to maintain the integrity of the criminal case," according to the release. "Law enforcement will have no further comment on this case until the time is appropriate."

The boy was also charged with two counts of attempted aggravated murder and aggravated burglary, police said.
The Utah Constitution dictates that public education be free for all kids, but parents know well the sting of dishing out money to cover costs of registration, lockers, extracurricular activities and other things that can add up to a chunk of the household budget. Now, the Legislature is poised to address the tricky subject of school fee assessment, which should be based on policies that are reasonable, consistent and understandable.

Currently, theyre not.

An audit last year revealed a hodgepodge of extracurricular fee assessments from school to school, some in the range of unreasonable, as defined by the courts. It also found a lack of transparency in how some fees are levied, a lack of accountability on how some of the money is spent and a lack of oversight by administrators on how, when and where a fee might be required for participation in various outside-the-classroom programs.

A task force is working on how best to sort out the current potpourri of fees, which should lead to policy changes by state-level administrators, or in statutory changes by lawmakers to make sure districts operate under transparent and consistent rules.

Separately, the Legislature will consider a measure this year that would have the state pick up the costs of curricular fees charged to students for things like registering for attendance, obtaining a locker and in some cases, acquiring supplies needed for required courses. Those fees could add up to a couple of hundred bucks per kid per year, or more. Analysts estimate it would cost upwards of $30 million annually for the state to cover the fees, which are said to be generally higher than those typically charged by schools in other states.

But whether the state should give families a break on fees is dependent on another question: Is there a better place to put state money into an education system that ranks low nationally in per-pupil appropriations? In recent years, the Legislature has advanced the cause of raising teacher pay to curb rising dropout rates among educators. Its also invested more in programs to advance STEM curricula and to create formalized criteria to grade individual schools on performance.

These are all worthy efforts that should continue, which will require continued funding. The bill that would have the state cover fees, as proposed by Rep. Adam Robertson, R-Provo, is well-intentioned and would clearly be welcomed by families with school-age kids. But the argument the bill is necessary to comply with constitutional precepts seems like a weak underpinning given that no court has thus far deemed fee assessment unconstitutional. And there are plenty of other education initiatives that could put that $30 million or so to good use.

Fees, whether curricular or extracurricular, should not be burdensome and should not be widely disparate from school district to school district. Its important the Legislature keep watch over fee policies, but not to the distraction of its fundamental mission to make sure schools are properly funded, staffed and equipped to deliver a first-rate education.
TOOELE  The Utah Department of Transportation said Thursday that eastbound I-80 will close at the state Route 201 interchange at 7 p.m. Friday through noon Saturday while crews complete pavement repairs on the bridge over the Union Pacific railroad tracks.

During the closure, all eastbound drivers will be detoured onto S.R. 201, then to S.R. 202 and back to eastbound I-80. UDOT recommends motorists plan for heavier-than-normal traffic and delays.

UDOT said the overnight closure will allow crews to repair the pavement with new concrete and provide it ample time to cure, ensuring the repair holds up to the heavy traffic.

Construction schedules are weather-dependent and subject to change. For the latest information on traffic restrictions during construction, visit the UDOT Traffic website at udottraffic.utah.gov or download the UDOT Traffic app for iPhone or Android.
SALT LAKE CITY  A Salt Lake-based international linen and uniform rental company is forking out $100,000 to keep Utah's busiest national parks open through President's Day weekend.

"It is the 'Utah way' for public and private partners to come together and solve Utah's problems," Vicki Varela, director at the Utah Office of Tourism, said Thursday. She said the actions of Alsco Inc., are unprecedented throughout the United States during the also unprecedented, 35-day federal government shutdown, which began Dec. 22.

Alsco, which has numerous clients in the hospitality and restaurant industry that serves tens of thousands of Utah's park visitors, is the first private corporation to step forward with so much for the good of national parks. Delta Air Lines paid $83,000 to open its headquarter city of Atlanta's Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park on Martin Luther King Jr. Day last week.

We are taking a different path than most other states by bringing public and private partners together to solve a hard problem  a problem that is big enough to see and small enough to solve.  Sen. Dan McCay, R-Riverton

"Days like this make me proud to be a Utahn," said Sen. Dan McCay, R-Riverton, who helped coordinate Alsco's donation. "We are taking a different path than most other states by bringing public and private partners together to solve a hard problem  a problem that is big enough to see and small enough to solve."

The donation from Alsco  which has offered linen, towel and uniform rental and cleaning services since 1889  will cover expanded services, including for visitor experience and additional custodial services, at Zion, Arches and Bryce Canyon national parks through at least President's Day weekend, and through March 9 at Zion National Park.

"The national parks staff have been operating at bare-bones levels for more than a month," said Bob Steiner, co-CEO at Alsco, who wants the donation to help keep the parks clean and free of trash.

"This will help maintain the natural resources and pristine experience," Steiner said.

The fourth-generation, family-owned business leader had read that the parks were struggling and he wanted to help.

"With all the fighting they're doing about the wall, it feels unifying to do something good," Steiner said. The parks, though far from Alsco headquarters, he said, "are a prominent part of Utah."

The $100,000 contribution will be distributed to three nonprofit foundations that support the national parks. The largest portion, $62,300, will go to the Zion National Park Forever Project, supporting Zion National Park. Canyonlands National History Association, which supports Arches National Park, will get $19,600, and the Bryce Canyon Natural History Association will receive $18,100 for Bryce Canyon National Park.

The money ensures that "these parks will continue to be clean and welcoming to visitors," McCay said.

During February 2018, visitation was 127,900 at Zion, 40,325 at Arches and 37,132 at Bryce Canyon. Visitation to the state's "hot spots" starts to pick up for the year during the holidays in February, according to the state Office of Tourism.

Tourism, including visitors to Utah's five national parks, contributed $9.1 billion to Utah's economy last year, McCay said, including $1.35 billion in state and local tax revenues, which he said is "critical."

When federal officials couldn't balance their budget on Dec. 22, federal services throughout the country were halted, as workers and facilities haven't been supported since and all non-essential employees are furloughed. State and local governments have stepped in to fund basic services (a skeleton crew) at various national parks in Utah, including the parks Alsco is opting to help.

Varela said that the Utah parks and the famous vistas throughout them have, so far, been spared from the bad behaviors and resulting damages seen at other parks, including at Joshua Tree National Park in California. She said that, thankfully, the country's beautiful national parks will exist long after "the dysfunction in Washington," and therefore must be cared for.

She said Alsco's donation and others are helping to "patchwork" for the federal government.

"National Parks folks are on the front lines doing the hardest work they've ever done to keep the parks operating as they should," Varela said.

But a lack of sufficient funding has caused park operations to fall further and further behind, Lyman Hafen, executive director with the Zion National Park Forever Project, said.

"This is a wonderful gift from Alsco," he added. "It will make a great difference in our ability to continue to welcome visitors to Utah and to protect the state's precious national parks."

Under the shutdown, Zion National Park is mandated to remain open, but federal funds are not available for operations and no fees are being collected at the gates. The visitor's center is open, as are a limited number of restrooms throughout the park, Hafen said.

His group has been working tirelessly to maintain park operations at Zion.

"It's been exasperating," Hafen said, "but it's also been encouraging to see how much people care, and this tremendous contribution from Alsco puts a huge exclamation point on that support."

Varela said Alsco's donation will permit facilities to reopen at Zion's popular Angel's Landing trail, further preserving visitor experience as well as the environment.

If the federal government shutdown ends before Alsco's donation is used at the designated national parks, Alsco will work with the nonprofit groups to apply remaining funds toward high-priority park programs.
| BY Ricki Green |

Bringing the local community together over interesting art, food and wine, Chapter One Cafe and Wine Room, owned and operated by Simone and Justin Drape, co-founder of The Monkeys, is set to present its latest exhibition next Saturday, February 2nd, showcasing the work of globally-awarded local photographers, Simon Harsent and Ingvar Kenne of The POOL COLLECTIVE.

The intimate exhibition presents Harsents personal and enchanting series of otherworldly New Zealand glaciers, entitled The Tears of Hinehukatere, along with Kennes work from series, Landscape Deconstructed, featuring raw compositions of stormy coastal images.

Harsents The Tears of Hinehukatere was shot over a period of four days at a place known as Franz Josef Glacier, on the West Coast of New Zealands South Island. The inspiration behind the shoot follows the folklore of a Maori legend used to explain the beautiful geological anomaly of Ka Roimata o Hine Hukatere (The Tears of Hine Hukatere).

For Kennes Landscape Deconstructed, the rich tradition of landscape photography is explored, but sets out to distance itself from its legacy of perfectionism, unspoken guidelines and aesthetic formalism. Instead, it seeks alternative ways of looking at and approaching the image of land, investigating acts of damage inflicted and subsequent restoration, with all its imperfections and misguided intentions. The result is a jagged resemblance of times past.

Chapter One hosts regular exhibitions with world-class local artists. A creative space with views overlooking Bondi Beach, Chapter One has showcased the work of high-profile photographers, including Paul Blackmore and Stuart Miller.

On Saturday 2nd February 2019, all are welcome to view the new landscapes and sample Chapter Ones gourmet platters and boutique wines.
SALT LAKE CITY  Over his 31 years, William Kamkwamba has experienced things he never dreamed of. But seeing an actor play him as a 13-year-old on the big screen might top the list.

"Its a little bit weird and interesting at the same time," the subject of the Sundance Film Festival's Salt Lake opening film, "The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind," said in a recent phone interview.

It's no wonder that Kamkwamba has conflicting emotions about seeing his early years played out on-screen. Kamkwamba, who grew up in a small, impoverished village in Malawi in southeastern Africa, is a pioneer and real-life hero for his community, but his achievements didn't come without difficulty.

The film  directed by Oscar-nominated actor Chiwetel Ejiofor ("12-Years a Slave") in his directorial debut  and the 2009 book, "The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind," which Kamkwamba wrote with Bryan Mealer, detail his young curiosity, his battle to gain an education and eventually, learning about and building a windmill out of scavenged junk and household items to harness wind energy for his family farm. But as the first person in his small corner of the world try something so ambitious, his ideas didn't immediately impress his family and neighbors  including his father.

"I think the reason why he wasnt very happy at the beginning  (was because when) I was very much younger, like between 4 and 6 years old, I took apart his radio, because I thought there were small people who speak (inside of it) and I wanted to say hi to them," Kamkwamba said. "I completely messed up that radio."

He soon figured out that it wasn't tiny people who made his father's radio work and became adept at fixing the broken ones. But radios were only the start for the young boy. Although his family lacked the money to send him to the local school, he was able, through some ingenuity, to gain access to the school's small library. It was there that he found the two books that would change his life.

"One was a usable energy book, thats the one that inspired me for the windmill, but there were also a physics book.  It was exciting to understand the physics," Kamkwamba remembered. "Growing up I was very curious, so I just wanted to understand the physics part and how things work, and being able to go to the library and find the books and being able to read and to learn about them, it was very, very exciting to me."

Once Kamkwamba learned about using the wind as a power source, he obsessively worked to harness it, despite his neighbors mocking and his dad's initial hesitation.

"One thing that made me think that I could do it, I told myself that if this windmill exists somewhere else, that means that a human being made it  its not something that was formed out of nature. It was made by somebody," he said.

Kamkwamba's struggles  through poverty, drought, the ignorance around him and his own inexperience and lack of know-how  might have put off others, but he remembered thinking that if it didn't work out, "I am not going to be the first person to fail. People have failed before," he said.

That wise thinking is one of Kamkwamba's many mature and level-headed traits that the new film highlights. With a cast that includes Ejiofor as his father and newcomer Maxwell Simba as the young Kamkwamba, the film was shot on location in Malawi and depicts the difficulties the country's average farmers face, from government corruption to lack of education to local violence. It also shows Kamkwamba's first triumph: creating a workable windmill that brought power to his village, a moment he hasn't forgotten.

"It was the happiness not necessarily to prove to people that what I was working on was useful  proving that I wasnt crazy, the way that people were thinking  but I was happy because it worked," he said.

From that first windmill, things began to improve for Kamkwamba and his community. In time, he was able to go to school, eventually giving a TED Talk when he was 19, then touring with his book and attending Dartmouth University, where he earned a degree in environmental science.

He started the nonprofit Moving Windmills Project in 2008 and is currently working to start what he calls an "innovation center" Malawi, which he hopes will connect young people with professionals, give them a space to create and provide them with resources. He's full of ideas about improving farming in Malawi and is working on making available a machine that locals can use to drill their own wells and access clean water.

I am not going to be the first person to fail. People have failed before.  William Kamkwamba

It's inspiring to hear about Kamkwamba's goals and see all that he's done  something he hears often from those who read his book or hear him speak. And while this new film will help more people hear his story, it will also give viewers, many of whom will be American, a glimpse into a world very different from our own  a view that might help us appreciate what we have.

"I think that you take (education) for granted (in America), and the opportunities that people have here, they are higher than the opportunities people have in Malawi," Kamkwamba said.

"I have come to understand that you dont think you are taking (education) for granted because you havent experienced what some other people are lacking. Until you  see what other people dont have, (then can) you appreciate what you have."
OGDEN  Residents, property owners and business owners are invited to an open house on Thursday, Jan. 30, to give input on an update on the Southeast Ogden Community Plan.

The plan, which hasnt been updated for nearly 32 years, will be incorporated into the citys general plan and act as a guide for future development and improvements in the community.

The open house will be held from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Weber State Universitys Hurst Building, 1265 Village Drive in Ogden.

Interested parties are also being asked to complete an survey at southeastplan-ogden.opendata.arcgis.com before Thursdays meeting.
SALT LAKE CITY  Good luck seeing Roma if youre not a Netflix subscriber.

AMC Theatres and Regal Cinemas announced Wednesday that they will only show movies that had a traditional theatrical release in their runups to the 91st Academy Awards, Deadline reports.

Roma  which earned 10 Oscar nominations on Tuesday  wont be shown at these theaters since it was first released on Netflix.

AMC released a statement: For more than a decade, movie-lovers have enjoyed the AMC Best Picture Showcase to catch up on the nominated films that played at AMC throughout the prior year. This year, Academy members nominated a film that was never licensed to AMC to play in our theatres. As such, it is not included in the AMC Best Picture Showcase.

Regal Cinemas wont add Roma to its Oscar best picture run of films, either. The theater chain will have a Best Film Festival from Feb. 15 to 24. Interested parties can buy passes to the festival for $35.

According to Deadline, Cinemark is also opting out of airing the movie in theaters. But there hasnt been confirmation.

Megaplex: I reached out to Megaplex for comment on if the theater chain will show the movie at their locations. I have yet to receive a response.

Why not?: The slight could be attributed to Netflix's break with theatrical release tradition, according to CNBC.

Heres what happened: Roma did hit some theaters. That is, after all, a requirement to be added to the Oscar nomination list, according to CNBC.
Email questions to the Rev. Christy Thomas to thoughtfulpastor@gmail.com, like her Facebook page at Christy Thomas or message her on Twitter at @christythomas, or by mail to: The Thoughtful Pastor, 3555 Duchess Drive, Denton, TX 76205.
Dakota graduated from Bret Harte in 2013 and went to Davidson College, NC where she earned a bachelor's degree in Arab studies. After spending time studying in the Middle East and Europe, she is happy to be home, writing about the community she loves.

Comment Policy Calaveras Enterprise does not actively monitor comments. However, staff does read through to assess reader interest. When abusive or foul language is used or directed toward other commenters, those comments will be deleted. If a commenter continues to use such language, that person will be blocked from commenting. We wish to foster a community of communication and a sharing of ideas, and we truly value readers' input.
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A teachable moment: What we can learn from Covington
Harris, who is the first Indian-origin US Senator, is the fourth Democratic woman leader to enter the presidential race. (Photo: AP | File)

Washington: A prominent CNN host has apologised for a tweet which appeared to suggest that Kamala Harris, the first Indian-origin Senator, needs to prove that she was born in the US and is eligible to be the president.

Harris, 54, last week officially launched her campaign for the US presidential election in 2020 to take on President Donald Trump.

If elected, she would be the first woman and woman of colour to be the president of the United States.

Chris Cuomo said during an appearance on ABC's "The View" that he "screwed up" and that the tweet, which he sent Tuesday, was misinterpreted.

"I screwed up. I wrote a tweet, while I was doing my radio show," Cuomo told The View after he was slammed by the Harris campaign and her supporters for supporting such a birther controversy about the US Senator from California who was born in Oakland to parents who immigrated from India and Jamaica.

The tweet drew swift criticism on Twitter, with some saying that Cuomo was giving weight to the false claim that Harris - who was born in Oakland - is not eligible to run for president because her parents are immigrants.

Cuomo said that his tweet was intended to make the point that Harris should not have to defend herself against those accusations. He added that he made his point "poorly."

Responding to a question, Cuomo said he was simply trying to "get ahead" of the latest "birther" conspiracy after letting similar rumours about former president Barack Obama devolve to the point where he had to prove he was a citizen.

It all started Tuesday with a tweet from Cuomo.

Cuomo said he was responding to a tweet from CNN contributor Ana Navarro who slammed a far-right conspiracy theorist for falsely insisting that Harris could not legally be president because her parents had lived in the US for less than five years before having her.

"Kamala Harris is NOT eligible to be President. Her father arrived from Jamaica in 1961-mother from India arrived in 1960. Neither parent was a legal resident for 5 years prior to Harris's birth, a requirement for naturalization," one Jacob Wohl wrote.

"Here we go again with the 'birther' crap. Same drummed-up charge used against Obama to question his citizenship and legitimacy. Hmmmmm.....I wonder what Obama and Kamala Harris have in common?" Navarro tweeted slamming the conspiracy theorist.

Cuomo weighed in. "And hopefully there will be no games where the issue keeps changing for righty accusers...and...the legit info abt Harris comes out to deal with the allegation ASAP. The longer there is no proof either way, the deeper the effect," he tweeted.

Harris's press secretary Ian Sams was quick to slam Cuomo.

"There's no 'both sides', there's no lack of proof or competing facts, there's no mystery about the 'legit info'. This is ridiculous -- just like the birther smear was a decade ago," he tweeted adding that she was born in Oakland.

Cuomo deleted his original tweet.

"Deleted my original tweet because it was taken literally the opposite way that I intended it. Sen Harris has no duty to justify any such accusation, let alone a birtherism attack. You accuse, you prove. That was my point. Apologise for confusion," the popular CNN anchor said in his new tweet.

Harris, who is the first Indian-origin US Senator, is the fourth Democratic woman leader to enter the presidential race.

The others being Senator Elizabeth Warren from Massachusetts, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand from New York and Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard from Hawaii.

Former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro has also announced to enter the 2020 race.
Two of the passengers complained of "vomiting, dizziness and sore eyes," and five of them were sent to hospital for tests and treatment, she said. (Represenational Image | File)

Montreal: Five passengers on an Air Transat vacation flight to Florida were hospitalized on Thursday after falling ill just before takeoff from Quebec City, which an official blamed on a ventilation breakdown during the plane's de-icing.

The jetliner immediately returned to the airport gate and 185 passengers and six crew disembarked from the Airbus A321 bound for Fort Lauderdale, airline spokeswoman Debbie Cabana told AFP.

Two of the passengers complained of "vomiting, dizziness and sore eyes," and five of them were sent to hospital for tests and treatment, she said.

The rest were scheduled to board another Air Transat flight in the late afternoon.
The population of scheduled tribes and scheduled castes and other backward classes has increased but the limit (for quotas) is 50pc. The only data we have on this is from 1931 (census), Bihar CM Nitish Kumar said. (Photo: Twitter | ANI)

Patna: Ahead of the forthcoming general elections, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has called for a caste-based census in 2021, citing that the population of the scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and other backward classes had gone up from the previous estimates recorded in the last census in 1931.

"The population of scheduled tribes and scheduled castes and other backward classes has increased but the limit (for quotas) is 50 per cent. The only data we have on this is from 1931 (census). In such a situation the best solution is caste-based census, it should be done and all will become clear," Kumar said.

"The reservation in Bihar by Karpoori Thakur ji divided backward classes into two categories, extremely backward and backward. We want the Centre to do so too," Kumar added referring to the reservation policy for the backward classes, brought by the former Chief Minister of the state, which included provisions for a sub-quota for the most backward classes (MBCs).

The next census scheduled in 2021 will see for the first time, the collection of data on OBCs. The use of maps or geo-referencing at the time of house listing is also being considered for this census.

Around 25 lakh enumerators have been trained and engaged to ensure accurate collection of data in the Census 2021.
Government employees demanding scrapping of new pension scheme protest in front of Ezhilagam Building in Chepauk at a protest organized by Jactto-Geo. (Photo: DC)

Chennai: Toughening its stand against striking teachers, the Tamil Nadu

government has directed all the district collectors to pay special attention to the recruitment of temporary teachers and to ensure smooth functioning of schools while Chief Minister Edappadi K.Palanisami asked them to return to work.

I appeal to the striking teachers end their protest and return to the work immediately, Chief Minister Edappadi K Palanisami said.

Stating that the protest was instigated by opposition parties, he said that whoever be the Chief Minister, salary hike and more incentives could be given only if there are adequate funds.

Chief secretary Girija Vaidyanathan on Friday directed all the district collectors to pay special attention to the recruitment of temporary teachers and to ensure smooth functioning of schools.

Despite the court order, a majority of striking teachers failed to show up on Friday.

Tamil Nadu toughens its stand against striking teachers

Following that, the school education department has enhanced the consolidated pay from Rs.7,500 to Rs.10,000 for temporary teachers and also instructed to take disciplinary action against teachers if they absent for Republic Day celebrations.

Teachers and government employees under the banner of Joint Action Council of Tamil Nadu Teachers Associations and Government Employees Organisations (JACTTO-GEO) placing various demands including the continuation of old pension scheme resorted to indefinite strike since Tuesday.

Due to strike, a large number of government primary schools remain closed for the last few days.

To overcome the situation, the state government has directed the school education and elementary education directors to appoint temporary teachers through Parent Teachers Association (PTA) from January 28.

In a letter to directors of school education and elementary education, school education secretary Pradeep Yadav has said the entire expenditure on the engagement of new teachers through PTAs would be borne by the government.

He further said at least one teacher per school should be in place by January 28 so that the schools are opened and run smoothly without any break for students.

Meanwhile, the school education department assigned districts to joint directors to monitor the functioning of the government schools.

The representatives of Jactto-Geo have alleged that the state government is arresting their district representatives to suppress their protest.

R.Doss, one of the state co-ordinators of Jactto-Geo urged the government to release all the representatives.

It would further strengthen our resolve to protest. The state government should come forward to discuss our demands, he said.

He further said the Jactto-Geo had already instructed all the teachers to take part in the Republic Day celebrations at their schools on Saturday.

When asked about the court direction, he said, A majority of teachers continued their strike on Friday. We will present our side on January 28 when a case related to strike comes up for hearing at Madurai Bench of Madras High Court.
The government had earlier given an undertaking before the National Green Tribunal that it would not take up any work pertaining to irrigation on forest land, while continuing with drinking water supply work.

Hyderabad: The Union ministry of environment, forest and climate change has provided final forest clearance to the second phase of the Palamuru-Ranga Reddy Lift Irrigation Project, in a relief to the Telangana state government.

Central forest deputy inspector general Sravan Kumar Varma communicated this through a letter to the special chief secretary of the state forest department.

This clearance will enable the government take up works pertaining to irrigation too. The government had earlier given an undertaking before the National Green Tribunal that it would not take up any work pertaining to irrigation on forest land, while continuing with drinking water supply work.

The forest clearance seems to have come at an opportune moment, close to the conclusion of Chief Minister K. Chandrase-khar Raos Sahasra Chandi Yagam.

Mr Rao expressed his happiness over the development and conveyed his gratitude to Union minister Dr Harsh Vardhan. He appreciated the efforts by officials of the irrigation and forest departments.

After the TRS came into power, Mr Rao had decided to redesign the Palamuru-Ranga Reddy project, designed by the erstwhile Andhra Pradesh government to draw water from the Jurala Project to irrigate 10 lakh acres in Mahabubnagar, Ranga Reddy and Nalgonda districts.

Mr Rao had asked authorities to redesign the project, as it would increase the load on the Jurala project, which is small and may not be able to pump 1.5 tmc ft of water every day from the reservoir.

The state government then changed the water source from Jurala to the foreshore of the Srisailam reservoir and linked it to new reservoirs to increase pumping capacity from 1.5 tmc ft to 2 tmc ft.

According to the CMO, after the redesigning, the ayacut was increased from 10 lakh acres to 12.30 lakh acres and submerging of areas was significantly reduced.

After redesigning it, the state government requested the Centre, in May 2017, to accord permission for allocating 205.48 hectares of forest land to the irrigation department in Achampet forest division of Nagar Kurnool district.

The forest advisory committee issued a first stage permission in April 2018. As the state government has completed all required formalities, after seeing its committed efforts, the Centre issued final clearance.

The CMO said that forest land was required for construction of first stage pumphouse of the project, of Anjana Giri reservoir at Narlapur and to construct a tunnel between Narlapur and Anjana Giri reservoir.

The CMO said that as far as environmental clearance is concerned, stage 1 permission has been obtained and the irrigation department is preparing a report for a final environmental clearance.

The CMO said former minister Dr Nagam Janardhan Reddy had approached the High Court to stop the project, alleging some irregularities in the project tenders. However, the court had dismissed it, calling the allegations baseless.

The CMO said that Opposition leaders and Andhra Pradesh leaders, including Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, had worked hard to block project works.

Stating that administrative sanction was given by the government on June 10, 2016, at an estimated cost of Rs 35,200 crore, the CMO disclosed in a press release that in this tenure the government has taken all steps to take up project works on priority.
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With Kerala being the last bastion of the CPI(M), the central leadership is keen to send a couple of heavyweights to the Lok Sabha from the state.

CPM politburo member Brinda Karat is one of the top leaders who could contest from one of the party's strongholds in the state. The party has the capability of ensuring the victory of any candidate from some of its strong turf. Kasargod, Kannur could be in the list.

Though party leaders here have ruled out the possibility of importing candidates, the CPM has the precedent of fielding leaders from outside. Subhashini Ali, the former Kanpur MP, was sent to West Bengal in 2014 to bolster partys electoral prospects. She contested from Barrackpore constituency and was defeated by TMC candidate by a margin of over 2 lakh votes.

Ali had contested form Kanpur thrice and won in 1989.

Given the current political situation in West Bengal, the CPM knows that securing victory in ensuing Lok Sabha polls is a daunting task. Even firebrand leader like Mohammad Salim who led from the front in attacking both BJP and Congress in Parliament, might find the going tough from his sitting seat Raiganj this time. In the last elections Salim had scraped through by a slender margin of 1634 votes. Trinamool Congress candidate had come fourth in the constituency which usually witnesses a direct fight with Congress.

The CPM is looking for a leader who can lead the partys charge in next Lok Sabha. Many say Brinda Karat who is a firebrand speaker in English as well as Hindi, fits the bill. The 71 year old leader is a politburo member and has the qualification to lead CPM parliamentary party in future.

Ms Karat also has parliamentary experience having been a member of the Rajya Sabha for six year term in 2005. Sources said in the current situation where the CPM is campaigning hard on equal rights for man and woman, gender justice in the backdrop of Sabarimala issue, fielding a top woman leader might earn goodwill of the people and their votes in a big way. More over it will also send a strong message.

Ms Karat was the last person at the Women Wall organised by Rennassance Protection Committee with the support of LDF on January 1.
Duluth, MN (55816)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun. High 66F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Mostly clear early followed by cloudy skies overnight. Low 52F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph.
Posted 1/24/19

Ozarks author Synova Cantrell, a leading writer of real crime cases, will be the featured guest speaker at the Springfield Writers Guild meeting Saturday, Jan. 26. With a passion for helping 
South Africa: SA, India take bilateral relations to new level

While South Africa and India enjoy good relations, there is scope to grow bilateral economic relations, says President Cyril Ramaphosa.

During our deliberations, the Prime Minister and I were in agreement that considerable scope exists for our two countries to grow our bilateral economic relationship. While trade has increased significantly over the last few years, and India is currently our second largest trading partner in Asia, there are a number of areas of future cooperation, said President Ramaphosa on Friday.

The President accompanied by a delegation of Cabinet Ministers and senior officials, is in India on a State visit to the South Asian country.

The two countries, said the President, can cooperate in areas including agro-processed goods, defence procurement, mining equipment and technology and cooperation in the financial services sector.

During his talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the President also reviewed the existing cordial bilateral relations between South Africa and India, as well as the close cooperation within a number of multilateral groupings including BRICS, IBSA, the Indian Ocean Rim Association and the G20.

In order to ensure concrete deliverables, the Prime Minister and I concluded this morning a Three-Year Strategic Programme of Cooperation aimed at deepening the bilateral engagement between India and South Africa and ensuring that a result-orientated partnership benefits the people of both countries, he said.

The two leaders have instructed Ministers and officials to commence immediate implementation of this programme to take SA and Indias bilateral relationship to a new level.

President Ramaphosa is the chief guest at Indias 70th Republic Day celebrations on Saturday.

India is currently South Africas second largest trading partner in Asia and ranks among South Africas top 10 trade partners.

The President is due to address a business forum later this afternoon. - SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2019-01-25. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
A few minutes later, she found something amiss in his behaviour and asked the man to stop the auto, When the man allegedly attacked and sprinkled chloroform in her face. (Representational Image)

Chennai: A 25 -year-old school teacher had a traumatic experience on Thursday night while getting back home from school.

An auto driver allegedly kidnapped her and sprinkled chloroform on he face. she eventually managed to escape, but in the process, she was attacked by the kidnapper. The police have filed an FIR and launched a search for the abductor.

According to the Police, Emalda( 25) a resident of Iyya Street in Chetpet works as a teacher in a reputed private school in Vepery. The incident happened on Thursday night around 8 pm outside the school.

Sources said, On Thursday night, Emalda boarded an auto outside the school and asked him to drop in her house in Chetpet. A few minutes later, she found something amiss in his behaviour and asked the man to stop the auto, When the man allegedly attacked and sprinkled chloroform in her face.

After a few minutes, Emalda regained consciousness and found she was near Porur. As the auto was taking a U-turn at a signal, the woman jumped out leaving her handbag in the auto. The driver fled the spot.

Meanwhile, Emalda on Friday lodged a complaint with the Vepery police. Police have launched a search for the man

The Kidnapper is said to be in the age group of 20 to 25 years. The entire attack happened within thirty minutes. Were looking at CCTV images from the school and launched a hunt for the man, said a police officer investigating the case.
CHENNAI: Tremours and unsupported gait should not be a bother to Parkinsons patients, as a path-breaking treatment developed at the Kings College Hospital London, can rid the problem within six minutes of administering the injection, says India-born Dr Vinod Metta, consultant interventional neurologist & movement disorders specialist, Kings College and Imperial Hospitals, London, who has been part of the medical team that researched the breakthrough.

I would say the Apo Pen and Apo Pump offers a new lease of life for Parkinsons patients in India. The Apomorphine therapy is alternate option for the patients in India, as it revolutionises, transforms the patients health and care besides significantly impacting overall quality of life, Dr Vinod who was on a consultation visit to the Vijaya Hospitals said.

Explaining with video presentation, he said a patient who could not even stand or move his limbs properly due to continuous tremors, got up and walked merely after six minutes of administering the injection. Of course, not all patients require this treatment. This would apply to those not responding to oral medicines. As surgery in this case is very expensive and result unfavo-urable, this alternate therapy would ensure a new lease of life for Parkinsons patients in India, he said.

The Apo Pen, which resemble an insulin injection, costs around `1,500 while Apo Pump would cost about Rs 40- 45,000. These and other medicines would be imported. The pump can be fixed outside or kept in pocket. Asked about its efficacy, he replied, this will treat the symptoms and stop the progression of the disease. There is no complete cure in neurology. The patients can go back to work, return to normal life.

Both professor K. Ray Chaudhuri, chief of kings parkinsons research team and Dr Vinod Metta in conjunction with Kings College London and the Parkinson Foundation Centre of Excellence at Kings College Hospital had recently launched the advanced therapy for Parkinsons Disease in the form of Apomorhine injection and infusion, for India.

The Apomorphine treatment is a key unmet need for thousands of PD sufferers in India.
Patna: Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi launched a vitriolic attack on Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday, a day after she entered active politics, saying the Congress was feeling happy over the induction of a woman with a tainted life partner.

In a tweet, the senior BJP leader also scoffed at Priyanka Gandhis resemblance with her grandmother and former prime minister Indira Gandhi.

If a person could become as capable as someone else merely by resembling him or her, by now we would have had many more Virat Kohlis and Amitabh Bachchans. Duplicates do not work in politics. Priyanka might resemble Indira, but there is a big difference, Modi said.

He also compared Priyanka Gandhis husband and businessman Robert Vadra with Indira Gandhis spouse Firoz Gandhi.

The deputy chief minister said Firoz Gandhi was a good orator and an upright parliamentarian who had the guts to speak against his powerful father-in-law, Jawaharlal Nehru.

Priyankas businessman husbands irregular land transactions are spread across two states and he is facing probes. If the Congress wants to exult over the induction of a woman with a tainted life partner, it is most welcome to do so, Modi said.

Earlier, talking to reporters here on the sidelines of a function, he had claimed that Priyanka Gandhis induction into the Congress was aimed at threatening the SP-BSP alliance.

Priyanka Gandhi formally entered politics on Wednesday with her brother and Congress president Rahul Gandhi appointing her as general secretary for Uttar Pradesh East.

Modi said her appointment would bring the alleged corruption scandals against Robert Vadra onto the centre-stage, which would benefit the NDA.

The BJP is not at all worried. Why should it be when her entry is only going to help us. The Congress has brought in Priyanka with a view to threaten the SP-BSP alliance, with the possibility of a split in their votes. It is a desperate attempt to make Akhilesh Yadav and Mayawati rethink their strategy, he said.
The poster was titled 'Democracy in Telangana' shows voters as Draupadi being 'disrobed' by the Election Commission of India (ECI), which is shown as the Kauravas and Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao and Asaduddin Owaisi, standing on either side as silent spectators. (Photo: ANI | Twitter)

Hyderabad: The BJP has demanded an apology from Congress president Rahul Gandhi after a cartoon put up by his party in Telangana used Draupadi's Vastraharan from Mahabharata as an analogy during the protests on Thursday in Hyderabad.

The poster was titled 'Democracy in Telangana' shows voters as Draupadi being 'disrobed' by the Election Commission of India (ECI), which is shown as the Kauravas and Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao and Asaduddin Owaisi, standing on either side as silent spectators.

The Congress held a protest against the alleged failures of the poll panel to ensure a free-and-fair Assembly elections in the state.

Krishna Sagar Rao, Telangana BJP spokesperson, questioned whether the newly-appointed Congress general secretary, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra would "approve" of women and Hindu mythological characters being used in cartoons.

Owaisi, the AIMIM chief, who also features in the cartoon, said that though it is everyone's right to protest, the way Congress workers used Draupadi in the poster "was completely wrong."

"What if someone creates a cartoon of Sonia, Priyanka and Rahul Gandhi. How would the party react? I respect Sonia Gandhi a lot. The Congress party can protest for their rights but not in such a way that insults women," Owaisi added.

However, the Telangana Congress election committee chief, Marri Shashidhar Reddy said that he found nothing wrong in the posters.

"The BJP must be out of their mind for seeking an apology from Rahul Gandhi and local Congress leaders. I will take complete responsibility for this poster. It has nothing to do with Hindu sentiment as it is a depiction showing what democracy in Telangana is being subjected to...The Election Commission is silent and they have failed to identify the mistakes in the electoral rolls. I being a Hindu will never do anything to hurt Hindu sentiments," Reddy said.
Chennai: Consul General, Republic of Singapore in Chennai, Roy Kho said that Singapore based companies were interested in investing in projects in India. Addressing 'Country Seminar-Singapore' in the second edition of Tamil Nadu Global Meet 2019, on Thursday the Consul General said Singapore companies were interested in sectors like IT, hospitality, telecommunications, real estate, and engineering.

Singapore and India have multifaceted bilateral relations. Both countries have strong economic, political and cultural linkages. Singapore has recorded a growth of 3.3 per cent and manufacturing sectors play a vital role in Singapore's economy. More than 8000 Indian companies are operating in Singapore. He also lauded the State Government for organizing the GIM.

Regional Director, Enterprise Singapore, Mr Timothy Sun said "We have very small land, only 710 sq km, making Singapore the smallest country in the world. Over the last fifty years, Singapore's economy has grown rapidly and the country's GDP has grown hundred times over. We focus on economy and job creation. Singapore offers very conducive environment for doing business."

Mr Sun added said that Singapore ranks as the 4th global centre in the world and it is home to 1,200 local and foreign financial institutions. Banking and financial services, real estate, aerospace, chemicals, energy, education, engineering service, environment and water healthcare, IT, biotechnology and lifestyle medical technology are some of key industries in Singapore. The country was also known for its infrastructure expertise in city development and was supporting the development of Amaravati capital city in Andhra Pradesh.

Lauding the efforts made by the state government for holding GIM he said Tamil Nadu will always be the favourite destination for Singapore companies. More than 4 lakh engineering and polytechnic students graduate from educational institutions in Tamil Nadu every year.

Managing director, Sipcot, K. Srinivasan and Partner and Head, Asean corridor (Tax) KPMG, Mr Pradeep Narayanan spoke on the occasion.
'I have seen B Nagendra's reply who said he is loyal to party and they never met any BJP leaders. I haven't seen replies by the other two MLAs. We will take action accordingly after looking at all replies,' the former CM said. (Photo: ANI)

Bengaluru: All the four legislators who did not turn up at a recent Congress legislature party meeting in Bengaluru have been served notices, former Karnataka chief minister and Congress leader Siddaramaiah said.

Speaking to media he said, "The situation is not like it is being portrayed in the media. Notice has been served to all four MLAs (Ramesh Jarakiholi, Mahesh Kamatihalli, B Nagendra and Umesh Jadhav). There is no problem to the government, Siddaramaiah said.

Siddaramaiah also said three of the MLAs had responded to the notice with the exception of Umesh Jadhav, the MLA from Chincholi who has not replied yet.

I have seen B Nagendra's reply who said he is loyal to party and they never met any BJP leaders. I haven't seen replies by the other two MLAs. We will take action accordingly after looking at all replies," the former CM said.

Four Karnataka Congress MLAs on January 18 abstained from the CLP meeting, which decided to move rest of the 76 legislators to a resort. The meeting was convened by the party to assess whether its flock was intact amid speculation that some of the party MLAs had switched over to the BJP.

The Congress, which shares power with JD-S, has 80 MLAs in the 224-member Assembly, including the Speaker. Accordingly, 79 MLAs were expected to attend the CLP meeting held under the supervision of central leaders K C Venugopal and Mallikarjun Kharge.
Sharma also said the "ill-will" in the mind of the prime minister and BJP chief Amit Shah is clear and the timing is also very clear. (Photo: ANI | Twitter)

New Delhi: The Congress on Friday hit out at the government over CBI raids at former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda's residence and accused it of acting out of vendetta.

The party also warned officials of various agencies to be ready for accountability for working at the best of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to target his political opponents.

Senior spokesperson of the Congress Anand Sharma said such actions when the prime minister and the ruling dispensation "target its political opponents by using agencies against them are dangerous for democracy in our country".

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi has a mindset of targeting his political opponents by defaming them with the objective of muzzling the voice of the opposition and to tarnish the image of their tall leaders. We condemn in the strongest terms the action today in the form of raids on former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda with the sole purpose of defaming him," he told reporters.

Sharma also said the "ill-will" in the mind of the prime minister and BJP chief Amit Shah is clear and the timing is also very clear.

"They are converting India into a police state," he alleged, adding that the prime minister has used probe agencies to target former chief ministers be it in Rajasthan or Uttar Pradesh. The senior Congress leader said democracies do not function like that and only fascist governments take such actions.

"We are warning all concerned not to exceed their brief or act above the law. All officials must hear this that governments do not have permanency and they keep changing....They will be held accountable and they will have to answer once the government changes," he said.

"It is certain that this government is rattled and prime minister is facing an imminent defeat and that is why such actions," the Congress leader said.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered a new case against former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and others over alleged irregularities in land allocation in Gurgaon in 2009 and carried out searches at 20 locations in Delhi-NCR on Friday, officials said.

A team of officials from the agency arrived early morning at Hooda's residence in Rohtak in Haryana. The case is understood to be related to the alleged irregularities in land allotment in 2009, agency sources said.

The Congress is alleging that the action has come at a time just ahead of the January 28 Jind by-election. Sources close to Hooda said he was about to go to Jind for campaigning in favour of the party candidate Randeep Surjewala, when the CBI raided Hooda's residence in Rohtak.
The 8-year-old is said to have gone home crying, with injuries and blood on her clothes. (Representational Image)

Hyderabad: A 42-year-old school headmaster in Andhra Pradesh was arrested after he allegedly raped a class 2 student in his school earlier this week.

The incident took place on Tuesday when the headmaster of a government school allegedly took the girl to an empty room and raped her.

The 8-year-old is said to have gone home crying, with injuries and blood on her clothes. She complained of the pain and narrated her ordeal to her mother. Later, mother took her to the hospital where doctors informed the family that the girl was sexually assaulted.

The girl reportedly had to get four stitches to stop bleeding.

However, parents did not report the incident fearing the repercussions for the child and the family.

Social activists, who got to know about the incident, convinced the family to file a complaint on Thursday.

Andhra Pradesh's Human Resource Development Minister Ganta Srinivas took note of the incident and ordered the school commissioner to suspend the headmaster and investigate the incident.
The CBI is carrying out searches at 30 other locations in New Delhi and NCR. (Photo: File)

New Delhi: The CBI on Friday carried out searches at the residence of former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda in connection with a land allocation irregularities case, officials said.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is carrying out searches at 30 other locations in New Delhi and NCR, they said.

The CBI has registered a new case against former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and others over alleged irregularities in land allocation and carried out searches at 30 locations in Delhi-NCR, officials said.

The agency is tight-lipped about the details of the case as the search operation is underway.

More details are awaited.
Pope Francis, Panama's President Juan Carlos Varela and first lady Lorena Castillo pose for a photo at entrance of the presidential palace in Panama City. (Photo: AP)

Panama City: Pope Francis insisted Thursday that public officials live simply, honestly and transparently as he opened a visit to Central America that has been rife with corruption scandals and is now coping with political upheaval in nearby Venezuela.

Francis didn't mention the Venezuela crisis during his first remarks in Panama after a meeting with President Juan Carlos Varela at the presidential palace. But his spokesman said he was following the situation closely, was praying for the Venezuelan people and supported "all efforts that help save the population from further suffering."

Francis stuck to his script in Panama, celebrating the country's location as the bridge between oceans and cultures and holding up the region's newest saint, slain Salvadoran Archbishop Oscar Romero, as a model for a humble church that accompanies the poor.

He welcomed tens of thousands of young people to World Youth Day, the Catholic Church's big youth rally, and urged them to be builders of bridges of encounter, not "builders of walls that sow fear and look to divide and box people in," a clear reference to the proposed US-Mexico border wall.

Francis' visit is taking place against the backdrop of both the turmoil in Venezuela and the ongoing migrant standoff in the United States, where the government is partly shut down over President Donald Trump's demand for congressional funding for a wall at the US-Mexico border.

History's first Latin American pope, who was born to Italian immigrants to Argentina, Pope Francis has made the plight of migrants a cornerstone of his papacy and denounced how fear of migrants was driving populist and nationalist sentiment across the globe.

Francis said that young people today have few opportunities and face dangerous, difficult challenges, citing "domestic violence, the killing of women - our continent is experiencing a plague in this regard - armed gangs and criminals, drug trafficking, the sexual exploitation of minors and young people, and so on."

Francis has frequently urged young people to resist easy temptations of drug dealing and gang membership, and to especially avoid the lure of corruption. It is a message that will likely resonate with the youth of the region.
Members of the Builders Merchants Federation attending the BMF Brexit Forum this week had a clear message for Theresa May  go back to Brussels and renegotiate the exit deal.

More than 80 delegates from merchant and supplier companies attended the event. They were briefed on the impact of Brexit on the UK Economy, on VAT & Customs & Excise, on UK Timber supply, and on UK building materials manufacturers before taking part in animated open forum discussions.

Delegates were asked to vote on their preferred way forward. A clear majority, 55%, favoured renegotiation of the current exit deal, with 35% opting for a second Peoples Referendum to determine the way forward. Only 10% wanted a No Deal exit.

Speaking after the event, John Newcomb BMF CEO, said: The sheer number of members attending demonstrates the need for clarity on our relationship with the EU to plan for the future.

Unclear doesnt begin to describe the current situation, but Im sure everyone took some reassurance from the various presentations, and I would like to thank all the speakers for their contributions.

Three clear themes emerged from the day. If you are not already preparing for a no deal, then start to plan now.

Be agile, one of the presenters identified a completely new supplier as a result of their Brexit planning.

Finally, dont believe everything you read in the media  we are in the midst of a high stakes negotiation after all.

Presentations at the event were given by the CBI, West Midlands Economic Forum, the Timber Trades Federation, accountancy firm Mazars and BMF supplier member, ACO Technologies.
There are several sword fight, battle scenes in Manikarnika and all are choreographed beautifully. Kangana is often at the centre of these and shes ferocious, nimble and believable.

Rating:

Cast: Kangana Ranaut, Richard Keep, Danny Denzongpa, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, Jisshu Sengupta, Atul Kulkarni, Suresh Oberoi, Kulbhushan Kharbanda

Director: Kangana Ranaut & Radha Krishna Jagarlamudi

Its a crying shame, really, that Bollywood has finally made a movie about the only female sangrami considered worthy of the epithet Mardani, but its come in this season of shameless gratification and appeasement.

Rani Laxmi Bai deserved better. At the very least she deserved not to become yet another accessory in the fictitious narrative being spun to burnish the haughty claims of valour and patriotism of a political party in pursuit of power. But then, Bollywood has often dived to crawl on all fours when asked to smile and take a selfie.

Despite that, despite the fact that this film does disservice to a very special episode of our history, Rani Laxmi Bai nee Manikarnika, as played by Kangana Ranaut, stands fierce and tall in a film whose sets have a warm, glamorous, seductive glow, but whose story and screenplay are like a catalogue of trite Bollywood cliches, complete with stock characters.

If all the characters around Laxmi Bai in the movie had been replaced by cardboard cutouts, the viewing experience would be no different.

Manikarnika, as written by K.V. Vijayendra Prasad (of Baahubali: The Beginning fame), and Prasoon Joshi (Censor Board chief), does its best to reduce Jhansi to a political metaphor for a very saffron Akhand Bharat, but Kangana, with her power-packed swag, keeps grabbing the film, making it her own.

Kangana plays her character here  as she does often  with a tinge of very real, very feminine vulnerability. She begins by projecting latent courage as Manikarnikas primal, driving force till it begins to exude from every gesture and pore of Rani Laxmi Bai.

Kangana walks through the film, at times in slow-mo, at times with the camera glancing at her reverentially from below, with stirring authority and control. Even while delivering long, difficult dialogue, she creates definitive, iconic cinematic moments that will remain ingrained in your brain forever.

As will, sadly, the films penchant for propaganda, solely for the benefit of the incumbents of Raisina Hill.

Manikarnika, born in a Marathi Brahmin family in Varanasi in 1828, is introduced by The Voice, and then by creatures big and small  a pandit, a lion, aam janta They speak of her key traits as she aims her bow at a tiger.

Though we are distracted by the long, flowing pallu of her saree, we get the drift: Shes fierce, but just. Shes a warrior, but wont kill without reason. Shes a protector and destroyer. Shes destined to be a legend.

One of Jhansis mantris, Dixitji (Kulbhushan Kharbanda), sees in her all the qualities required of the maharani of his princely state around which the men of East India Company are circling, sniffing for a way in. He takes the marriage proposal to Peshwa of Bithor (Suresh Oberoi), who is like her father, and both men watch with doe-eyed admiration as she beats her teacher, Tatya Tope (Atul Kulkarni), and two others in a round of talwar-baazi.

The man she is to marry, Gangadhar Rao (Jisshu Sengupta), the maharaj of Jhansi, is more of an arts and crafts guy who wears choodiyan (bangles) as a mark of his shameful weakness for failing to confront the Brits.

He also seems clueless that his cousin, Sadashi (Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub), is conniving with angrez log for a shot at his throne.

Rani Laxmi Bai begins to chart Jhansis course as soon as she arrives, first by taming a paglet horse, and then by confronting a badtameez East India official.

Given that the Brits are nasty, greedy, corrupt, malevolent, the film now turns into a series of clashes, including bloody battles, where even if Rani Laxmi Bai loses, she emerges as the winner  morally.

General Hugh Rose (Richard Keep) is specially summoned to fight her and capture Jhansi. But he is so shaken by her bravely that he wakes up sweating and screaming at night because she gives him darshan in his dreams as the angry, blood-thirsty Kali Ma.

In between happy times and personal tragedy, Rani Laxmi Bai established her political leanings  shes a cow rakshak, is loathe to the idea of English becoming our matra bhasha  as well as her feminist credentials. She shuns not just the cruel rituals of widowhood, but even smears a young widow with red kumkum while getting women battle-ready.

At least in this, Kangana Ranauts Manikarnika beats Sanjay Leela Bhansalis Padmavati hollow. This one would rather die fighting, than lead a battalion of women to Sati.

Manikarnika takes its time to wind its way to the 1857 mutiny in Barrakpore over greased cartridges, to finally arrive at the battle of Kotah-Ki-Sarai in 1858. By this time fight fatigue had set in...

2019 may well be the year in which we have to start rating movies not on their cinematic worth, but on their loyalty to the Hindutva agenda.

Its impossible to miss Manikarnikas political leanings and agenda. In fact there are times when it becomes rather crassly obvious, like when some characters abuse Maharaj Scindia, with the emphasis being on the royal surname.

The film keeps going to bizarre lengths to embroider around Manikarnika a Naya Bharat where all that is Hindu is good, worthy, patriotic, and all that is not Hindu is alien, antagonistic, and must be destroyed.

So, beef eating and talking in English is bad. And not the royal Hindu gaddar, but a much lower-down-the-ladder Muslim gaddar is read out instructions of how those who are not Hindus must behave.

The film is so devoted to its cause that it assumes we all are mildly stupid.

Manikarnika repeatedly talks of how doing raj is bad, but doing seva is good, despite the fact that these platitudes come from kings and queens who are not democratically elected, but pass on the throne from one generation of the family to another like an heirloom.

Of course as a nation we must celebrate and take pride in our heroes. But when the stories of their sacrifice get turned into a hollow Trojan horse, hiding insidious political messaging in its belly that is let out bit by bit, we should be alarmed.

We should be alarmed as hell when a nations mainstream, popular cinema devotes itself with new-found vigour and zeal to spend its monies and creative energy on stitching together a story just so it can unleash propaganda thats so obviously slanted to one party, one ideology.

We must be alarmed. And we must see whats brewing.

Visually, Manikarnika is stunning. Its art direction, lighting department, costume designer all come together to conjure a royal, rich world.

There are several sword fight, battle scenes in Manikarnika and all are choreographed beautifully. Kangana is often at the centre of these and shes ferocious, nimble and believable.

Yet, after a while, these battle scenes become dreary because they are outlandish and without human drama. They are introduced with hyperbole and are executed in the same vein. We admire them, but remain untouched.

The problem is in the films writing, and direction. There is no fluidity to the story-telling. The films screenplay is episodic, with each scene highlighting a milestone in the life of Laxmi Bai.

Its almost as if Prasoon Joshis screenplay arrived in smart bullet points, with each scene having an accompanying stand-out dialogue.

While the good guys all speak in jingo, of swabhiman and Hindustan, all the negative characters talk and behave like the burly, hairy, cigar-puffing smugglers and their minions of 1970s Bollywood and are encased in rather idiotic scenes.

Since Manikarnika has very little interest in any other character except that of Rani Laxmi Bai, they are used as props  to establish the superiority of Bharatiya sanskriti, and to express either shock or awe at Rani Laxmi Bai.

Manikarnika is insanely prescriptive. Its dialogue and supporting characters exist only to instruct audiences what to feel about the main character. This is the hallmark of B-grade, middle brow cinema, and is the default mode when the cinematic skills of the team are wanting.

While its impressive that Kangana Ranaut has directed Manikarnika, along with Radha Krishna Jagarlamudi, sometimes its good to stick to what you do best, and let others do their job.
I was a hypocrite all these days and it was a question mark whether I would be able to follow up what I address in my films till Peranbu happened. An acquaintance in a train inspired me to make a film on those who suffer from spastic paralysis, which is not a disease but a disorder. But I call it nature, remarked national award winning filmmaker Ram on his upcoming flick Peranbu.

The film, with the celebrated actor Mammootty and Anjali, Sadhana in the lead, won critical acclaim when it premiered at prestigious film festivals in Rotterdam, Shanghai and Goa. Ram speaks to DC about the film that is gearing up for Indian theatrical release on February 1.

Peranbu is all about compassion and resurrection. I didnt know anything about the disorder called spasticity until I met a co-passenger in a train in 2003, who was narrating a few incidents. It was like an eye-opener for me about how spastics either seclude themselves from others or we in society dont notice them. Thats when I decided to make a film on it, Ram reveals.

The film documents the life of a spastic child and the struggles that the child and her father face and how the latter rediscovers himself.

Even as I wrote the script, I wanted only Mammootty to perform the role of the father Amudhavan as it was my dream to work with a versatile actor like him. I approached him as a performer, rather than a star. I didnt know how to reach him then. I moved on to Thanga Meengal and actress Padmapriya did a special cameo in it. Since she is also a popular name in Malayalam, I asked her help to reach Mammookka. She put me on to a person called Vivek, but nothing happened for two years. I then started my film Tharamani, when I got a call from Vivek asking me to meet Mammootty. I just narrated the line for 20 minutes and he loved it.

Mammootty and Sadhana in Peranbu

I waited for four years for Sadhana who did the schoolgirl in Thanga Meengal to grow up for Peranbu, he adds. I felt Sadhana could do justice to the role of Pappa, the daughter character. She has done a great job.

On Anjali who plays a crucial role he says, She debuted with my film Kattradhu Tamizh. Because of love and respect for me she would be part of my films. She essays a vital role of a tricky character that any other actress would have hesitated to touch.

On reactions of international audiences, he says, It was an overwhelming response from audiences across the film fests. In Rotterdam, I was getting all the attention. I travelled free on the local train and food and wine was served free at the hotel where I stayed. In China, the people who watched the film were so happy that they were taking me to their homes for lunch and dinner (smiles).

So, whats the takeaway from the film, we ask. After watching the movie, every audience would feel blessed and relaxed. They will have positive energy levels. It would make them approach life in a better manner.

The cast includes Samuthirakani, Vadivukkarasi, Livingston, Aruldoss and a townswoman in Anjali Ameer. Bankrolled by PL Thenappan, the film released simultaneously in Tamil and Malayalam has musical score by Rams regular Yuvan Shankar Raja.
Mumbai: King Khan Shah Rukh Khans decision to play astronaut Rakesh Sharma in latters biopic made headlines. And, while there were reports of the film going on the floors this February, three months earlier than the schedule, there came a twist in the tale. Apparently, Shah Rukh Khan is not doing the project for reasons best known to him, and the makers- are in talks with other actors.

While an official announcement from the makers is yet to come, we hear that the film has now gone to Sushant Singh Rajput.

Sushant has been approached for this project and he is yet to give his nod. Sushant who had earlier begun his prep work for Chanda Mama Door Ke has a wide knowledge of science and technology and space, says a source close to the team. Whether the actor will come on board for this project continues to remain a question.

Former Indian Air Force pilot Rakesh Sharma was the first Indian citizen to travel in space. His biopic will be helmed by Mahesh Mathai, a well-known ad filmmaker who has also made films like Bhopal Express and Broken Threads. The film has not got an official title yet.

Before Shah Rukh Khan, actor Aamir Khan was cast as the lead in Rakesh Sharmas biopic but he later backed out of the project.
Mumbai: An unfortunate accident happened yesterday on the sets of the film Kabir Singh, starring Shahid Kapoor and Kiara Advani, in Mussoorie, Uttarakhand.

Ram Kumar, 35 years old and a resident of Uttar Pradesh, lost his life in a freak accident at the five-star hotel where the films unit is staying. The incident took place before the commencement of the shoot.

Kumar was among the local crew and was working with the film unit from Dehradun as a generator operator. He was checking the water level in the generator when his muffler got entangled with the generators fan and in the process, Kumar too was pulled in. Kumar sustained serious injuries on his head. He was immediately rushed to Max Hospital in DehraDun where he was put on the ventilator for a few hours before he passed away.

Ram Kumar is survived by three brothers and a sister. The producers of the film, Cine1 Studios and T Series Films, have issued a joint statement: We are deeply saddened by the loss. We are extending our deepest sympathies to the family of Mr Ram Kumar. We are offering support to the family in the immediate aftermath of this tragic event."
Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra in behind the scene picture of Mere Pyare Prime Minister

Mumbai: Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's Mere Pyare Prime Minister is all set to release on 15th March 2019.

The film that deals with the social issue of open defecation represented not just India but Asia at the Rome Film Festival. The Official Selection of the Rome Film Fest presented three productions from three different continents. From Asia, Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra directorial Mere Pyare Prime Minister was screened in Sala Petrassi.

The film garnered an exceptional response with a standing ovation as well as 4-star reviews at the event.

Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra attended the screening along with his wife Bharathi Mehra who is also the producer of the film.

Producer Jayantilal Gada says, "The distributors of 'Mere Pyare Prime Minister' are feeling that 15th March 2019 is an ideal date for the film to hit the theaters."

Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra has always explored stories that are rooted in nature dealing with issues catering to the nation. With the upcoming film, the director focuses on the open defecation issue and sanitation problems in the country.

The film is shot at real locations which were finalized after the recce of 1 month of Mumbai and highlights the mother-son relation who's will is to achieve the impossible.

Mere Pyare Prime Minister stars the national award-winning actress Anjali Patil who is playing the role of the mother.The music of the film is given by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy and lyrics by Gulzar.
Mumbai: Kriti Sanon will be performing 90s song Ye Khabar Chapwado Akhbar Mein alongside.

The actress who has four films releasing this year will be performing a 90s song for the first time alongside Kartik Aaryan in her upcoming romantic-comedy Luka Chuppi.

Delhi girl Kriti, who grew up in 90s is really excited to perform the iconic number from 1997 release Aflatoon starring Akshay Kumar and Urmila Matondkar. And, what doubles her excitement is the fact that she also has Housefull 4 releasing this year which will see her alongside the said actor. The diva is eagerly waiting to watch Akshays reaction to her performance on the song.

Ye Khabar Chapwado Akhbar Mein is my most favourite song from the movie Aflatoon. I never thought that I would be dancing to it on the big screen. I was so excited when I got to know that we were recreating the song for one of my films. I had a blast shooting it, she says and adds, Whats also amazing is that I am in the midst of shooting another film with Akshay sir, Housefull 4. I cant wait to see Akshay sirs reaction to the song when he sees it.

Luka Chuppi, the fastest film shot in a period of 45 days, will see Kriti Sanon essaying a local girl who has gone to study in Delhi. The film has been extensively shot in Mathura and Gwalior but the songs will show the glimpses of Mumbai. It releases on March 1, 2019.

Besides Luka Chuppi, Kriti will be seen in four other films this year namely Arjun Patiala, Panipat, Housefull 4 and a song in Kalank.




NEW DELHI (PTI): India and Maldives on Thursday resolved to deepen their maritime security cooperation and give a new momentum to overall military ties during talks between Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and her Maldivian counterpart Mariya Ahmed Didi, officials said.



In a statement, the defence ministry described the talks as "substantive" and said that the two countries will continue their counter-terror cooperation.



"India and Maldives held substantive discussions on further strengthening bilateral defence cooperation here today. Both side agreed that the two countries would continue their traditionally close cooperation on issues of maritime security, counter-terrorism," it said.



In the talks, Sitharaman reiterated India's commitment to contribute towards capacity building and training requirements of the Maldives national defence forces, the officials said.



The issue of maritime security cooperation figured prominently during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's talks with Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in New Delhi last month.



The two countries had agreed to remain mindful of each other's concerns and aspirations for the stability of the Indian Ocean region and not allow their respective territories to be used for any activity inimical to their interests.



India is concerned over China's efforts to expand influence over Maldives.



Chief of Army Staff General Bipin Rawat, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal B S Dhanoa and Vice Chief of the Naval Staff Vice Admiral Ajit Kumar P called on the Maldivian Defence Minister.



It is Didi's first visit to India after becoming Defence Minister around four months back.



The second round of the India-Maldives Defence Cooperation Dialogue was also held on Thursday.



The Indian delegation was headed by Defence Secretary Sanjay Mitra and Maldivian side was led by Chief of Defence Forces of Maldives Maj. Gen. Abdulla Shamaal.



Didi will witness the 70th Republic Day Parade at Rajpath as well as visit various Indian defence institutions such as the Indian Maritime Analysis Centre in Gurugram and Army Training Command in Shimla.


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DARIEN  A car was reported stolen on Birch Road, police said.

On Jan. 17 at 9:03 a.m., a complainant told officers they had parked their 2008 Volvo XC90 in the driveway the day prior around 7 p.m.

At 8 a.m. the following morning, the complainant observed the vehicle was gone, and told police the keys were not left inside.

There were no signs of forced entry, according to police.

dj.simmons@hearstmediact.com, 203-842-2568
Isnt this space amazing?



Thats how Oxford Junior High Grade Eight student Eve Wedderburn described Imhoteps Legacy Academys new learning centre and makerspace on Dals downtown Sexton campus at a grand opening event Wednesday.



Eve is one of more than 700 elementary, junior high and high school students across Nova Scotia served each year by Imhotep's Legacy Academy (ILA), a Dal-based organization that helps steer more youth of African heritage into science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields through engaging activities and meaningful mentorship.



As an aspiring dentist, Eve (pictured below) said ILA has been a fun way to learn about science and a great way for her to stay a step ahead in math and sciences and realize what is possible for her in the future.





It is so inspiring to see other Black Nova Scotians in STEM fields as I hope to be like that one day, she said, referencing her mentors. Im so happy to have access to this new incredible space that will provide more tools to support my love and learning of STEM even more.

Designed to inspire



ILAs new home on Sexton Campus provides the group with more physical space (they were previously located in the Killam Memorial Library), more flexibility over scheduling, and will enable even bigger, better, more engaging programs.





Now in its 16th year, ILA will be using the new spaces to shift the way it operates slightly to increasingly bring participants into the university environment to be mentored, said Pemberton Cyrus, president of Imhoteps Legacy Academy and Dals (acting) associate vice-president academic.



"Every aspect of this space is designed to inspire," he said, remarking on the lights, wave motifs and images of students on the windows. "As you go around here and also in the makerspace, you'll see there's a lot of STEM symbolism."





Dr. Cyrus (shown above centre), also a professor in the Faculty of Engineering, said the increase in the number of students of African heritage in STEM programs at Dal and other post-secondary institutions in Nova Scotia in recent years can be tied partly to ILAs work. He noted that his home faculty alone has at least six current students who came through the program.



While ILA previously relied on borrowed space in schools, libraries, and labs, it can now book activities at times that are more convenient to students and provide more resources for learning. The new 725-square foot makerspace features a designated 3D printing room, soldering stations, wet lab, and collaboration workstations.



Calling ILAs track record inspirational, Dals interim president and vice-chancellor Peter MacKinnon said the groups work supports the universitys larger strategic priorities around equity, diversity and inclusiveness (EDI).



The representation of traditionally marginalized students in STEM studies and careers is critical to the EDI initiatives at Dalhousie, said MacKinnon (pictured below).





He said ILAs success is an example of what can be achieved when universities, communities and other partners work together in pursuit of shared goals. Partnership is not a buzz word; its an essential feature of successful initiatives, he said, noting that ILA also provides other benefits such as employment for current student mentors and a path for more students to come to Dal.

Empowering changemakers



Funding for the new spaces came largely from the federal governments Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund (SIF) through Dals $64-million IDEA Project, which was mostly completed last fall and added two new buildings and other upgrades to Sexton Campus.



Andy Fillmore, member of parliament for Halifax and parliamentary secretary for Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism, applauded Dal, ILAs co-founders, staff, mentors and other partners for their passion and hard work.



Youve helped a generation of African Nova Scotians become leaders in STEM fields. And standing here today, I have a feeling that were only just beginning to see the positive impact of ILA on these extraordinary individuals and on our community overall, he said.



The Honourable Tony Ince, MLA and minister responsible for African Nova Scotian Affairs, said ILA helps African Nova Scotian youth build the skills and confidence necessary for future academic success and bridge the educational achievement gap, which unfortunately is a reality in many communities.





Today is a great day, said Minister Ince (pictured above). It reminds us that our communities are resilient and strong thanks to ingenuity, hard work and leadership of African Nova Scotian youth. You are our changemakers.

Advancing the progress of African Canadians



ILAs more than a decade of achievement owes much to its three co-founders: Kevin Hewitt, Barb Hamilton-Hinch and Wayn Hamilton (who also provided a libation ceremony with words and the pouring of water in honour of descendants of Africans). The trio ended the event by speaking a bit about their early vision for the organization and its growth over the years.





Dr. Hamilton-Hinch, an assistant professor in the School of Health and Human Performance, said she has seen more diversity in Dals medical school, in the health professions, in science programs and in faculty and staff as a result of ILA and other initiatives at Dal. She also spoke about the importance of young people seeing others who look like they do in the institution and the inspiration those mentors can provide.



ILA doesnt only support and encourage scientists, she said. We support and encourage greatness in Blackness.



Attendees at the launch event, emceed by ILA executive director Sidney Idemudia, also heard from first-year Science student Jasmine Desmond, an ILA graduate and recipient of an ILA-TD Opportunity Scholarship. Desmond said ILA taught her how interesting science can be and that it was something she wanted to learn more about.



Dr. Hewitt described ILAs tri-mentoring system as the main ingredient of ILAs success, referencing the Dal professors of African descent who mentor the university students who then mentor the students in schools across Nova Scotia.



He said taking that idea and turning it into reality required respectful relationships and a lot of hard work and dedication from the co-founders and others.



Everyone up here is interested in the future of African Canadian people, he said. Weve worked our day jobs and our nights jobs and our weekend jobs in other capacities to advance the progress of African Canadian people.

Left to right: Plaque unveiling with Peter MacKinnon, Jasmine Desmond, Pemberton Cyrus, Andy Fillmore, Eve Wedderburn, Tony Ince, and Sidney Idemudia.


A Southfield family wants to know the real reason they were asked to deplane an American Airlines flight from Miami to Detroit. The airline said in a statement that other passengers and crew members were complaining about body odor.
Here is a look at some of the top local stories from recent days.
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Ferndale

Attorney for man Ferndale police say tricked woman to feel her feet challenges evidence
Rendering of new retail center planned in the parking lot of the 901 Tower office building in Troy. Courtesy of Dominion Real Estate Advisors.
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Development of the 13-acre site will be in three phases with phase one scheduled to begin soon with phase two estimated to be completed in mid-2022.
LOVINGSTON  Plans for Walton-themed lodging in Schuyler are now set to go to the Nelson County Board of Supervisors after the county Planning Commission recommended approval of rezoning and special-use permit requests for the construction of a bed and breakfast.

The commission voted unanimously Wednesday to recommend approval to the supervisors for a rezoning request from business to residential and a special-use permit request from Carole Johnson, owner of the Walton Hamner House and the Waltons Mountain Museum.

Johnson hopes to construct a replica of the Waltons home from the Hollywood set of the TV series The Waltons to run as a bed and breakfast for people coming to Schuyler for Waltons events.

The request is generally consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and could be considered an expansion of the existing use of the Walton Mountain Museum, Sandy Shackelford, director of planning and zoning, told the commission.

Johnson said the bed and breakfast, set to be constructed at 6483 Rockfish River Road across from the museum, would consist of five bedrooms and five bathrooms. Johnson said two people will live in the bed and breakfast full time.
It was a difficult day but the most disappointing part of it was the president of the United States had the opportunity to put an end to this fear, this division, this hatred, this racism, he said. And he failed to do it.

McAuliffe did not say whether he will run for the Democratic nomination in the 2020 presidential primary, but said he has been considering it. He plans to make an announcement by March 31.

Both McAuliffe and Rove said they expect a crowded race for the Democratic nomination and even said they wouldnt be surprised to see a Republican run against Trump for the GOP nomination.

Rove, who closed out the event following a panel discussion, said that though the U.S. political system is broken and divided, Trump is more of a symptom than a cause.

Theres a tendency, particularly now, to blame it all on one person but its a more systemic problem than that, in my opinion, he said. Hes an expression of the problem, not necessarily the problem all by himself.
In 2018, approximately 9,820 renter households in Charlottesville and the urban area of Albemarle, excluding student households, were paying more than 30 percent of their income for housing costs and 4,040 were paying half or more of their income for housing.

In the rural areas, which includes all six of the localities in the planning district, 2,000 renters were paying more than 30 percent of their income for housing costs and 940 were paying half or more.

By 2040, those numbers are expected to grow to an estimated 11,920 renter households in the urban area, still excluding student households, paying more than 30 percent of their income for housing costs and 5,330 paying half or more of their income for housing.

In the rural area, 2,660 renters will be paying more than 30 percent of their income for housing costs and 1,320 will be paying half or more.

Almost 2,600 urban-area homeowners needed financial assistance in 2018, according to the preliminary numbers. That number is projected to grow to 2,930 by 2040.

Homeowners needs are somewhat higher in the rural areas, with more than 2,900 who need financial assistance currently, which is projected to grow to 3,750 by 2040.
At least two flights at Charlottesville-Albemarle Regional Airport were delayed Friday after massive flight delays related to the federal shutdown.

Six of the 13 controllers who normally staff a critical air traffic center in Virginia didn't come to work Friday. That center handles air traffic in and out of the Mid-Atlantic region and the New York City area.

Their absence contributed to a slowdown in air traffic and massive delays along the East Coast. LaGuardia Airport in New York and Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey were particularly affected, and delays rippled outward from there  about 3,000 late flights by midafternoon.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the slowdown caused about 15-minute delays to impacted departures and arrivals at CHO.

A spokesman told The Associated Press that the FAA had adjusted to meet available staffing by, among other things, rerouting flights and putting more space between planes in the air.

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The first woman to be Albemarle Countys chief sheriffs deputy will announce a campaign Tuesday to succeed outgoing Sheriff Chip Harding.

Chan Bryant will run for sheriff as a Democrat in November, according to a Friday news release. The Charlottesville native has worked in public safety in Charlottesville, Scottsville and Albemarle and Madison counties since 1995.

Bryant joined the Albemarle County Sheriffs Office as a full-time deputy sheriff in 2006 and became the first woman to rise to the rank of sergeant, according to the release. She was promoted to chief deputy in 2015.

Bryant, who was raised in Greene County, received an associates degree of applied science in police science from Piedmont Virginia Community College and a bachelors degree in business administration from James Madison University.

Bryant is an executive board member for the Stonewall Jackson Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America. She also served on the Arbor Board, an organization dedicated to services and shelter for human trafficking survivors, prior to its dissolution in 2016. She lives in Scottsville with her husband, Earl, and their 9-year-old son, Cameron.
I was really surprised, and surprised in the same way that it turns out  all of my neighbors were when I began to ask them if they knew anything about this, because literally nobody knew anything about this new Comprehensive Plan and the new Future Land Use Map.
Zayo Group Holdings, Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides bandwidth infrastructure solutions for the communications industry in the United States, Canada, and Europe. The company operates in six segments: Fiber Solutions, Transport, Enterprise Networks, Zayo Colocation (zColo), Allstream, and Other. The Fiber Solutions segment provides dark fiber, and fiber-to-the-tower and small cell mobile infrastructure services for carriers and other communication service providers, Internet service providers, wireless service providers, media and content companies, large enterprises, and other companies. The Transport segment offers lit bandwidth infrastructure solutions comprising wavelength, Ethernet, wholesale IP services, and SONET services through its metro, regional, and long-haul fiber networks for carriers, content providers, financial services companies, healthcare, government entities, education institutions, and other medium and large enterprises. The Enterprise Networks segment provides connectivity and telecommunications solutions comprising Internet, wide area networking products, managed products, and cloud based computing and storage offerings to medium and large enterprises. The Zayo Colocation (zColo) segment offers data center infrastructure solutions consisting of colocation space, and power and interconnection services to a range of enterprise, carrier, cloud, and content customers. The Allstream segment provides cloud VoIP and data solutions, such as voice offerings; and unified communications, as well as telecommunications services, including Ethernet, and IP/MPLS VPN solutions. The Other segment provides network and technical resources to customers in designing, acquiring, and maintaining their networks. Zayo Group Holdings, Inc. was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in Boulder, Colorado.

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To Any American Who Owns a Cell Phone

If you own a cell phone, then mobile service providers hope you never get to see this video that could soon go viral. His experiment could strike a bad chord with mobile phone companies. But youve got to see what this man discovered and what it means for phone users in the weeks ahead.
AAR Corp. provides products and services to commercial aviation, government, and defense markets worldwide. The company operates in two segments, Aviation Services and Expeditionary Services. The Aviation Services segment offers aftermarket support and services; inventory management and distribution services; and maintenance, repair, and overhaul, as well as engineering services. This segment also sells and leases new, overhauled, and repaired engine and airframe parts, and components; and provides inventory and repair programs, warranty claim management, and outsourcing programs for engine and airframe parts and components, as well as performance-based supply chain logistics programs in support of the U.S. department of defense and foreign governments. In addition, it offers airframe inspection, maintenance, repair and overhaul, painting, line maintenance, airframe modification, structural repair, avionic and installation, exterior and interior refurbishment, and engineering and support services; and repairs and overhauls components, landing gears, wheels, and brakes. The Expeditionary Services segment provides products and services supporting the movement of equipment and personnel by the U.S. and foreign governments, and non-governmental organizations. This segment also designs, manufactures, and repairs transportation pallets, and various containers and shelters, as well as composite materials for commercial, business, and military aircraft; and provides engineering, design, and system integration services for command and control systems. The company serves commercial, government, and defense aircraft fleet operators; original equipment manufacturers; and independent service providers, as well as various other domestic and foreign military customers. It primarily markets and sells products and services through its employees and foreign sales representatives. The company was founded in 1951 and is headquartered in Wood Dale, Illinois.

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Teledyne Technologies Incorporated provides instrumentation, digital imaging, aerospace and defense electronics, and engineered systems in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Denmark, France, the Netherlands, and internationally. The company's Instrumentation segment offers monitoring and control instruments for marine, environmental, industrial, and other applications, as well as electronic test and measurement equipment; and power and communications connectivity devices for distributed instrumentation systems and sensor networks deployed in mission critical and harsh environments. Its Digital Imaging segment provides image sensors and digital cameras for use in industrial, scientific, academic research, and medical applications; and hardware and software for image processing and automatic data collection in industrial, academic research, and medical applications, as well as manufacturing services for micro electro-mechanical systems. This segment also offers light detection and ranging systems; focal plane arrays, sensors, and subsystems; and geospatial software products. The company's Aerospace and Defense Electronics segment provides electronic components and subsystems, as well as communications products, such as defense electronics; environment interconnects; data acquisition and communications equipment for aircraft; components and subsystems for wireless and satellite communications; and general aviation batteries. Its Engineered Systems segment offers systems engineering and integration, technology development, and manufacturing solutions for defense, space, environmental, and energy applications; and designs and manufactures electrochemical energy systems and electronics for military applications. The company markets and sells its products and services through sales forces, third-party distributors, and commissioned sales representatives. Teledyne Technologies Incorporated was founded in 1960 and is headquartered in Thousand Oaks, California.

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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.
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Provident Financial Services, Inc. operates as the bank holding company for Provident Bank that provides various banking products and services to individuals, families, and businesses in the United States. The company's deposit products include savings, checking, interest-bearing checking, money market deposit, and certificate of deposit accounts, as well as IRA products. Its loan portfolio comprises commercial real estate loans that are secured by properties, such as multi-family apartment buildings, office buildings, and retail and industrial properties; commercial business loans; fixed-rate and adjustable-rate mortgage loans collateralized by one- to four-family residential real estate properties; commercial construction loans; and consumer loans consisting of home equity loans, home equity lines of credit, marine loans, personal loans and unsecured lines of credit, and auto and recreational vehicle loans. The company also offers cash management, remote deposit capture, payroll origination, escrow account management, and online and mobile banking services; and business credit cards. In addition, it provides wealth management services comprising investment management, trust and estate administration, financial planning, tax compliance and planning, and private banking. Further, the company sells insurance and investment products, including annuities; operates as a real estate investment trust for acquiring mortgage loans and other real estate related assets; and manages and sells real estate properties acquired through foreclosure. As of December 31, 2020, it operated 99 full-service branch offices in northern and central New Jersey, as well as in Pennsylvania and New York counties. The company was founded in 1839 and is headquartered in Jersey City, New Jersey.

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The following companies are subsidiares of Prudential Financial: 210-220 E. 22nd Street SSGA Owner LLC, 49-51 avenue George V Holdings SAS, 49-51 avenue George V SCI, AIG Edison, AIG Star, AREF Cayman Co Ltd., AREF GP Ltd., ASPF II - Feeder Fund GmbH, ASPF II - Verwaltungs - GmbH & Co. KG, ASPF II Management GmbH, ASPF III (Scots) L.P., ASSURANCE, AST Investment Services Inc., Adlerwerke CB Investment LLC, Administradora de Fondos de Pensiones Habitat S.A., Administradora de Inversiones Previsionales SpA, Aoba Life Insurance Company, Asia Property Fund III GP S.a.r.l., BSC CP LP, Braeloch Holdings Inc., Braeloch Successor Corporation, Broad Street Global Advisors LLC, Broome Street Holdings LLC, CB German Retail LLC, CLIS Co. Ltd., COLICO INC., Campus Drive LLC, Capital Agricultural Property Services Inc., Chadwick Boulevard Investment Holdings Co. LLC, Cibecue LLC, Coconino LLC, Colico II Inc., Columbus Drive Partners L.P., Commerce Street Holdings LLC, Commerce Street Investments LLC, Coolidge LLC, Coral Reef GP, Coral Reef L.P., Coral Reef Unit Trust, Cottage Street Investments LLC, Cottage Street Orbit Acquisition LLC, DHFL PRAMERICA LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY LIMITED, DHFL Pramerica Asset Managers Private Limited, DHFL Pramerica Trustees Private Limited, Don Cesar Investor LLC, Dryden Arizona Reinsurance Term Company, Dryden Finance II LLC, EUROCORE MARTY PROPCO SCI, EVP II GP S.a r.l., Edison Place Senior Note LLC, Essex LLC, EuroCore GP S.a r.l., EuroPRISA Management Company S.A., European Value Partners GP S.a.r.l., Everbright Pramerica Fund Management Co. Ltd., Flagstaff LLC, GA 1600 Commons LLC, GA 333 Hennepin Investor LLC, GA Bay Area GP LLC, GA Bay Area Investor LLC, GA Belden LLC, GA CLARENDON LLC, GA Cal Crossings LLC, GA Collins LLC, GA E. 22nd Street Apartments Holdings LLC, GA East 86 Street LLC, GA JHCII LLC, GA MENLO PARK INVESTOR LLC, GA Manor at Harbour Island LLC, GA Metro LLC, GA Mission LLC, GA TRITON INVESTOR LLC, GA W Paces LLC, GA/MDI 333 Hennepin Associates LLC, GIBRALTAR BSN HOLDINGS SDN BHD, GIBRALTAR INDIA SOLUTIONS LLP, Gateway CDE LLC, Gateway Holdings II LLC, Gateway Holdings LLC, German Retail Income CP LP, Gibraltar BSN Life Berhad, Gibraltar International Service LLC, Gibraltar Reinsurance Company Ltd., Gibraltar Universal Life Reinsurance Company, Glenealy International Limited, Global Portfolio Strategies Inc., Graham Resources Inc., Graham Royalty Ltd., Green Tree GP, Green Tree L.P., Greenlee LLC, Halsey Street Investments LLC, Hirakata LLC, IVP Fund GP LLC, Impact Investments Bridges UK S.a.r.l, Inversiones Previsionales Chile SpA, Inversiones Previsionales Dos SpA, Ironbound Fund LLC, Jennison Associates LLC, Kyarra S.a r.l., Kyoei Annuity Home Co. Ltd. (Kabushiki Kaisha Kyouei Nenkin Home), Kyoei do Brasil Companhia de Seguros, LINEUP LLC, Lake Street Partners IV L.P., MC GA COLLINS HOLDINGS LLC, MC GA COLLINS REALTY LLC, MC Insurance Agency Services LLC, Manor at Harbour Island LLC, Maricopa LLC, Market Street Holdings IV LLC, Mulberry Street Holdings LLC, Mulberry Street Investment L.P., Mulberry Street Partners LLC, Mullin TBG Insurance Agency Services LLC, MullinTBG Insurance Agency Services, New Savanna, Orchard Street Acres Inc., PAI Bayrock Groves LLC, PAI Delano 1500 Ranches LLC, PAI Good Hope Farm LLC, PAI Holly Hill Groves LLC, PAI Hunt Farm LLC, PAI Lake Placid Groves LLC, PCP V Cayman AIV GP L.P., PEREF II Co-Invest 1 GP S.a r.l., PEREF II GP S.a r.l., PEREF II PV S.r.l, PFI IBH (UK) Holdings Limited, PG Business Service Co. Ltd, PG Collection Service Co. Ltd., PG Insurance Service Co. Ltd. (PG Insurance Service Kabushiki Kaisha), PGA Asian Retail Limited, PGA European Limited, PGIM (Australia) Pty Ltd, PGIM (Hong Kong) Ltd., PGIM (Scots) Limited, PGIM (Shanghai) Company Ltd., PGIM (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., PGIM AVP IV GP S.a r.l., PGIM Agricultural Investments GP LLC, PGIM Agricultural Investors LP, PGIM Broad Market High Yield Bond Fund L.P., PGIM Broad Market High Yield Bond Partners LLC, PGIM European Financing Limited, PGIM European Services Limited, PGIM Financial Limited, PGIM Foreign Investments Inc., PGIM Fund Management Limited, PGIM Holding Company LLC, PGIM ITH (UK) Holdings Limited, PGIM Inc., PGIM International Financing Inc., PGIM Investments LLC, PGIM Japan Co. Ltd., PGIM Korea Inc., PGIM LTIF GP S.a.r.l., PGIM Limited, PGIM M Campus GP S.a r.l., PGIM Management Partner Limited, PGIM MetaProp Investor LP LLC, PGIM Netherlands B.V., PGIM Overseas Investment Fund Management (Shanghai) Company Ltd, PGIM REF Europe GP LLP, PGIM REF Europe L.P., PGIM REF Europe Member LLC, PGIM REF Intermediary Services Inc., PGIM Real Estate (Japan) Ltd., PGIM Real Estate Asia Value Partners IV SCSp, PGIM Real Estate Brazil Investimentos Imobiliarios Ltda., PGIM Real Estate CD S.a.r.l., PGIM Real Estate Carry & Co-Invest GP LLC, PGIM Real Estate Carry & Co-Invest GP S.a r.l., PGIM Real Estate Carry & Co-Invest L.P., PGIM Real Estate Carry & Co-Invest SCSp, PGIM Real Estate Co-Invest Holdings LLC, PGIM Real Estate European Core Diversified Property Fund, PGIM Real Estate Finance Holding Company, PGIM Real Estate Finance LLC, PGIM Real Estate France SAS, PGIM Real Estate Germany AG, PGIM Real Estate Global Debt GP LLC, PGIM Real Estate Inmuebles S. de R.L. de C.V, PGIM Real Estate Luxembourg S.A., PGIM Real Estate MVP Administradora IV S. de R.L. de C.V., PGIM Real Estate MVP Inmuebles IV S. de R.L. de C.V., PGIM Real Estate Management Luxembourg S.a.r.l., PGIM Real Estate Mexico S.C., PGIM Real Estate S. de R.L. de C.V., PGIM Real Estate U.S. Debt Fund GP LLC, PGIM Strategic Financing LLC, PGIM Strategic Investments Inc., PGIM USPF VI Manager LLC, PGIM Warehouse Inc., PGLH of Delaware Inc., PIFM Holdco LLC, PIM KF Blocker Holdings LLC, PIM KF Blocker V Holdings LLC, PIM USPF V Manager LLC, PLA Administradora Industrial SRL, PLA Administradora LLC, PLA Administradora S. de R.L. de C.V., PLA Asesoria Profesional II S. de R.L. de C.V., PLA Asesoria Profesional S.de R.L. de C.V., PLA Co-Investor LLC, PLA Mexico Industrial Manager I LLC, PLA Mexico Industrial Manager II LLC, PLA Mexico Residential Manager I LLC, PLA Residential Fund III Aggregating Manager LLC, PLA Residential Fund III Limited Manager LLC, PLA Residential Fund III Manager LLC, PLA Residential Fund IV Aggregating Manager LLC, PLA Residential Fund IV Manager LLC, PLA Retail Fund I Blue LP, PLA Retail Fund I LP, PLA Retail Fund I Manager LLC, PLA Retail Fund I Red LP, PLA Retail Fund II Aggregating Manager LLC, PLA Retail Fund II LLC, PLA Retail Fund II LP, PLA Retail Fund II Manager LLC, PLA Retail Fund II U.S. Carry/Co-Invest LP, PLA Services Manager Mexico LLC, PMCF Holdings LLC, PMCF Properties LLC, PPPF General Partner LLP, PR GA SCP Apartments LLC, PRAMERICA PRECAP VI GP (SCOTS FEEDER) LLP, PRAMERICA PRECAP VI GP LLP, PRECO ACCOUNT III LLC, PRECO ACCOUNT PARTNERSHIP III LP, PRECO Account IV LLC, PRECO Account Partnership IV LP, PRECO III GP LLP, PREFG Hanwha Manager LLC, PREI Acquisition I Inc., PREI Acquisition II Inc., PREI Acquisition LLC, PREI HYDG LLC, PREI International Inc., PRIAC Property Acquisitions LLC, PRICOA Management Partner Limited, PRISA Fund Manager LLC, PRISA II Fund Manager LLC, PRISA III Fund GP LLC, PRISA III Fund PIM LLC, PRREF II Fund Manager LLC, PRU 3XSquare LLC, PRUCO LLC, PRUDENTIAL CAPITAL ENERGY PARTNERS MANAGEMENT (FEEDER) LLC, PRUDENTIAL MORTGAGE SKP MEMBER LLC, PRUDENTIAL MORTGAGE SKP REIT LLC, PRUDENTIAL MORTGAGE SKP VENTURE 2 LLC, PRUDENTIAL MORTGAGE SKP VENTURE LLC, PT Asuransi Jiwa Mega Indonesia, Passaic Fund LLC, Pine Tree GP, Pine Tree L.P., Pramerica (Hong Kong) Holdings Limited, Pramerica (Luxembourg) CP GP S.a.r.l., Pramerica (Scots) CP GP LLP, Pramerica Business Consulting (Shanghai) Company Limited, Pramerica EVP CP LP, Pramerica Europrisa Feeder GP LLP, Pramerica Financial Asia Headquarters Pte. Ltd., Pramerica Financial Asia Limited, Pramerica Fixed Income Funds Management Limited, Pramerica Fosun Life Insurance Co. Ltd., Pramerica General Partner LLP, Pramerica Holdings Ltd, Pramerica Life S.p.A., Pramerica Marketing S.r.l., Pramerica PRECAP I GP LLP, Pramerica PRECAP II GP LLP, Pramerica PRECAP III GP LLP, Pramerica PRECAP IV GP LLP, Pramerica Pan European Real Estate (Scots) LP, Pramerica Property Partners Fund (Scotland) Limited Partnership, Pramerica Real Estate Capital I (Scotland) Limited Partnership, Pramerica Real Estate Capital I GP (Scots Feeder) LLP, Pramerica Real Estate Capital II (Scots) Limited Partnership, Pramerica Real Estate Capital III (Scots) Limited Partnership, Pramerica Real Estate Capital IV (Scots) Limited Partnership, Pramerica Real Estate Capital IV GP (Scots Feeder) LLP, Pramerica Real Estate Capital IV GP Limited, Pramerica Real Estate Capital V (Netherlands) GP LLP, Pramerica Real Estate Capital V (Scots) Limited Partnership, Pramerica Real Estate Capital VI (Scots) Limited Partnership, Pramerica SGR S.p.A, Pramerica Systems Ireland Limited, Pramerica of Bermuda Life Assurance Company Ltd., Preco III (Scotland) Limited Partnership, Preco IV (Scotland) Limited Partnership, Pricoa Capital Group (Ireland) Limited, Pricoa Capital Group Limited, Pru 101 Wood LLC, Pru Alpha Partners I LLC, Pru Fixed Income Emerging Markets Partners I LLC, Pruco Assignment Corporation, Pruco Life Insurance Company, Pruco Life Insurance Company of New Jersey, Pruco Securities LLC, Prudential 900 Aviation Boulevard LLC, Prudential Affordable Mortgage Company LLC, Prudential Agricultural Property Holding Company LLC, Prudential Annuities Distributors Inc., Prudential Annuities Holding Company Inc., Prudential Annuities Inc., Prudential Annuities Information Services & Technology Corporation, Prudential Annuities Life Assurance Corporation, Prudential Arizona Reinsurance Captive Company, Prudential Arizona Reinsurance Term Company, Prudential Arizona Reinsurance Universal Company, Prudential Asset Resources Inc., Prudential Bank & Trust FSB, Prudential Brasil Servicos de Consultoria em Gestao Empresarial Ltda., Prudential Capital Energy Opportunity Fund L.P., Prudential Capital Energy Partners L.P., Prudential Capital Energy Partners Management Fund L.P., Prudential Capital Group L.P., Prudential Capital Partners Management Fund IV L.P., Prudential Capital and Investment Services LLC, Prudential Chile II SpA, Prudential Chile SpA, Prudential Commercial Property Holding Company LLC, Prudential Customer Solutions LLC, Prudential Equity Group LLC, Prudential Financial Securities Investment Trust Enterprise, Prudential Fixed Income Global Liquidity Relative Value Partners LLC, Prudential Fixed Income U.S. Relative Value Partners LLC, Prudential Funding LLC, Prudential General Services of Japan Y.K., Prudential Gibraltar Agency Co. Ltd. (Prudential Gibraltar Agency Kabushiki Kaisha), Prudential Global Funding LLC, Prudential HYDF Carry/Co-Invest L.P., Prudential Holdings of Japan Inc., Prudential Home Building Investment Advisers L.P., Prudential Home Building Investors Inc., Prudential Huntoon Paige Associates LLC, Prudential IBH Holdco Inc., Prudential Impact Investments Mortgage Loans LLC, Prudential Impact Investments Private Debt LLC, Prudential Impact Investments Private Equity LLC, Prudential Industrial Properties LLC, Prudential Insurance Agency LLC, Prudential International Insurance Holdings Ltd., Prudential International Insurance Service Company L.L.C., Prudential International Investments Advisers LLC, Prudential International Investments Cayman, Prudential International Investments Company LLC, Prudential International Investments LLC, Prudential Investment Management Services LLC, Prudential Japan Holdings LLC, Prudential Latin American Investments Ltd., Prudential Legacy Insurance Company of New Jersey, Prudential Life Insurance Company of Taiwan Inc., Prudential Mortgage Asset Holdings 1 Japan Investment Business Limited Partnership, Prudential Mortgage Asset Holdings 2 Japan Investment Business Limited Partnership, Prudential Mortgage Capital Asset Holding Company LLC, Prudential Mortgage Capital Funding LLC, Prudential Mortgage Capital Holdings LLC, Prudential Multifamily Mortgage LLC, Prudential Mutual Fund Services LLC, Prudential Newark Realty LLC, Prudential Private Placement Investors Inc., Prudential Private Placement Investors L.P., Prudential QOZ Investment Fund 1 LLC, Prudential Real Estate Management Co. Ltd. (Prudential Real Estate Management Yugen Kaisha), Prudential Realty Securities Inc., Prudential Retirement Financial Services Holding LLC, Prudential Retirement Holdings LLC, Prudential Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company, Prudential Securities Secured Financing Corporation, Prudential Securities Structured Assets Inc., Prudential Seguros Mexico S.A. de C.V., Prudential Seguros S.A., Prudential Servicios S. de R.L. de C.V., Prudential Structured Settlement Company, Prudential Systems Japan Limited, Prudential Term Reinsurance Company, Prudential Trust Co. Ltd., Prudential Trust Company, Prudential U.S. Real Estate Debt Fund GP LLC, Prudential Universal Reinsurance Company, Prudential Workplace Solutions Group Services LLC, Prudential do Brasil Seguros de Vida S.A., Prudential do Brasil Vida em Grupo S.A., Prudential/TMW Real Estate Group LLC, Pruservicos Participacoes Ltda., Quantitative Management Associates LLC, Quartzsite LLC, Residential Services Corporation of America LLC, Rio CP LP, Rock City MC LLC, Rock European Real Estate Holdings S.ar.l., Rock George V S.a. r.l., Rock Global Real Estate LLC, Rock Hamburg North S.a r.l., Rock Kensington Limited, Rock Marty GP S.a r.l., Rock Marty Holding S.a r.l., Rock Marty PropCo A S.a r.l., Rock Marty PropCo B S.a r.l., Rock Marty SCSp, Rock Meguro LLC, Rock Oxford S.a r.l., Rock Rhine S.a r.l., Rock Rossmarkt S.ar.l., Rock UK Real Estate Holdings S.ar.l., Rock UK Real Estate II S.a.r.l., Rockstone Co. Ltd., Rosado Grande LLC, Ross Avenue Energy Fund Holdings LLC, Ross Avenue Minerals 2012 LLC, SCP Apartments LLC, SENIOR HOUSING PARTNERS VI GP LLC, SENIOR HOUSING PARTNERSHIP FUND VI GP LLC, SHP IV Carried Interest LP, SHP V Carried Interest L.P., SMP Holdings Inc., SVIIT Holdings Inc., Sanei Collection Service Co. Ltd. (Kabushiki Kaisha Sanei Shuuno Service), Senior Housing Partners IV L.L.C., Senior Housing Partners V LLC, Senior Housing Partnership Fund IV L.L.C., Senior Housing Partnership Fund V LLC, Sterling Private Placement Management LLP, Stetson Street Partners L.P., Strand Investments Limited, TBG Insurance Services Corporation, TENSATOR HOLDINGS LTD, TMW ASPF I Verwaltungs GmbH & Co. KG, TMW ASPF Management GmbH, TMW Management LLC, TMW Real Estate Group LLC, TMW Realty Advisors LLC, TMW USPF Verwaltungs GmbH, TRGOAG Company Inc., The Gibraltar Life Insurance Co. Ltd., The Prudential Assigned Settlement Services Corp., The Prudential Brazilian Capital Fund LP, The Prudential Gibraltar Financial Life Insurance Co. Ltd., The Prudential Home Mortgage Company Inc., The Prudential Insurance Company of America, The Prudential Life Insurance Company Ltd., The Prudential Life Insurance Company of Korea Ltd., The Prudential Real Estate Financial Services of America Inc., The WMF Group, Thurloe Commercial Guernsey Limited, Times Square Center Associates, USPF V - Verwaltungs - GmbH & Co. KG, USPF V Carry LLC, USPF V Co-Invest LLC, USPF V Investment LP, United States Property Fund VI GP S.a r.l., Vailsburg Fund LLC, Vantage Casualty Insurance Company, Wabash Avenue Holdings V LLC, Wabash Avenue Partners V L.P., Yamato Life, and Yavapai LLC.
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..
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The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., a financial institution, provides range of financial services for corporations, financial institutions, governments, and individuals worldwide. It operates through four segments: Investment Banking, Global Markets, Asset Management, and Consumer & Wealth Management. The company's Investment Banking segment provides financial advisory services, including strategic advisory assignments related to mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, corporate defense activities, restructurings, and spin-offs; and middle-market lending, relationship lending, and acquisition financing, as well as transaction banking services. This segment also offers underwriting services, such as equity underwriting for common and preferred stock and convertible and exchangeable securities; and debt underwriting for various types of debt instruments, including investment-grade and high-yield debt, bank and bridge loans, and emerging- and growth-market debt, as well as originates structured securities. Its Global Markets segment is involved in client execution activities for cash and derivative instruments; credit and interest rate products; and provision of equity intermediation and equity financing, clearing, settlement, and custody services, as well as mortgages, currencies, commodities, and equities related products. The company's Asset Management segment manages assets across various asset classes, including equity, fixed income, hedge funds, credit funds, private equity, real estate, currencies, and commodities; and provides customized investment advisory solutions, as well as invests in corporate, real estate, and infrastructure entities. Its Consumer & Wealth Management segment offers wealth advisory and banking services, including financial planning, investment management, deposit taking, and lending; private banking; and unsecured loans, as well as accepts saving and time deposits. The company was founded in 1869 and is headquartered in New York, New York.

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AutoZone, Inc. retails and distributes automotive replacement parts and accessories. The company offers various products for cars, sport utility vehicles, vans, and light trucks, including new and remanufactured automotive hard parts, maintenance items, accessories, and non-automotive products. Its products include A/C compressors, batteries and accessories, bearings, belts and hoses, calipers, chassis, clutches, CV axles, engines, fuel pumps, fuses, ignition and lighting products, mufflers, radiators, starters and alternators, thermostats, and water pumps. The company also offers maintenance products, such as antifreeze and windshield washer fluids; brake drums, rotors, shoes, and pads; brake and power steering fluids, and oil and fuel additives; oil and transmission fluids; oil, cabin, air, fuel, and transmission filters; oxygen sensors; paints and accessories; refrigerants and accessories; shock absorbers and struts; spark plugs and wires; and windshield wipers, as well as air fresheners, cell phone accessories, drinks and snacks, floor mats and seat covers, interior and exterior accessories, mirrors, performance products, protectants and cleaners, sealants and adhesives, steering wheel covers, stereos and radios, tools, and wash and wax products. In addition, it provides a sales program that offers commercial credit and delivery of parts and other products; and towing and tire repair services. Further, it sells automotive diagnostic and repair software under the ALLDATA brand through alldata.com and alldatadiy.com; and automotive hard parts, maintenance items, accessories, and non-automotive products through autozone.com. As of August 29, 2020, it operated 5,885 stores in the United States; 621 stores in Mexico; and 43 stores in Brazil. AutoZone, Inc. was founded in 1979 and is based in Memphis, Tennessee.

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Since 2016, Teeka Tiwari has trumped the stock market. His investment recommendations have each averaged 281%. Thats 17 times the S&P. And 112 times the average investor, according to JPMorgan! However, one investment Teeka just uncovered could top them all It involves former President Biden, billions of dollars, several large banks, and a super-rich family. As well as a MAJOR potential upgrade to our credit cards. Teeka, who ended up correctly picking the last investment of the decade, is declaring this his top pick for the 2020s.

DXC Technology Company, together with its subsidiaries, provides information technology services and solutions primarily in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. It operates in two segments, Global Business Services (GBS) and Global Infrastructure Services (GIS). The GBS segment offers a portfolio of analytics services and extensive partner ecosystem that help its customers to gain rapid insights, automate operations, and accelerate their digital transformation journeys; and software engineering and solutions that enable businesses to run and manage their mission-critical functions, transform their operations, and develop new ways of doing business. This segment also uses various technologies and methods to accelerate the creation, modernization, delivery, and maintenance of secure applications allowing customers to innovate faster while reducing risk, time to market, and total cost of ownership. In addition, it offers business process services, which include digital integration and optimization of front and back office processes, and agile process automation. The GIS segment adapts legacy apps to cloud, migrate the right workloads, and securely manage their multi-cloud environments; and offers security solutions help predict attacks, proactively respond to threats, and ensure compliance, as well as to protect data, applications, and infrastructure. It also provides IT outsourcing services support infrastructure, applications, and workplace IT operations, including hardware, software, physical/virtual end-user devices, collaboration tools, and IT support services. In addition, this segment offers workplace and mobility services to fit its customer's employee, business, and IT needs from intelligent collaboration; and modern device management, digital support services, Internet of Things and mobility services. The company has a strategic collaboration with Microsoft. DXC Technology Company was founded in 1959 and is headquartered in Tysons, Virginia.

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Koninklijke Philips N.V. operates as a health technology company in North America, Greater China, and internationally. It operates through Diagnosis & Treatment, Connected Care, and Personal Health segments. It provides magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, advanced molecular imaging, diagnostic X-ray, and imaging components as well as integrated clinical solutions; integrated interventional systems, including interventional diagnostic and therapeutic devices; imaging products focused on diagnosis, treatment planning and guidance for cardiology, general imaging, obstetrics/gynecology, and point-of-care applications; proprietary software to enable diagnostics and intervention; and enterprise diagnostic informatics products and services. The company also offers monitoring and analytics solutions; sleep and respiratory care solutions; emergency care and resuscitation, and patient management solutions; data, analytics, and actionable workflow solutions; and connected care informatics solutions. In addition, it provides power toothbrushes, brush heads, and interdental cleaning and teeth whitening products; infant feeding and digital parental solutions; male grooming and beauty products and solutions; and kitchen appliances, home care, and garment care products, as well as coffee machines. Koninklijke Philips N.V. has a partnership with openDoctor to deliver an integrated radiology patient engagement platform that leverages openDoctor's real-time online appointment scheduling services as part of its patient management solution; and a strategic collaboration with Ibex Medical Analytics Ltd. to jointly promote the digital pathology and AI solutions to hospitals, health networks, and pathology laboratories worldwide. The company was formerly known as Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. and changed its name to Koninklijke Philips N.V. in May 2013. Koninklijke Philips N.V. was founded in 1891 and is headquartered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

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Gaborone High Court Judge Michael Mothobi says President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi is untouchable in as far as Section 41 (1) of the Constitution of the Republic of Botswana is concerned.

Justice Mothobi stated this in his judgement this week Wednesday in the case in which Dr Masisis immunity was tested in a case in which his legitimacy as President of Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) was challenged by Kamal Jacobs.

Jacobs has argued that Dr. Masisi is not the substantive President of the BDP and as such did not and does not have powers to appoint committees of the Central Committee including the BDP Appeals Board Committee chaired by Kinsley Sebele in terms of Article 33 of the BDP Constitution.

Jacobs is one of the losers in the Lobatse Constituency which was won by economist Thapelo Matsheka. Matsheka was up against Ahmed Shabbeer Ishael, Kamal Jacobs, Patrick G. Kebailele, Sadique Kebonang (incumbent) and Lone Lincoln Bome. In the 25th August 2018 Bulela Ditswe results Sadique Kebonang got 1073, Lone Bome 66 votes, Ahmed Shabeer Ishmail 317 votes, Patrick Matlhodi 218 votes, Kamal Jacobs 1219 votes and Thapelo Matsheka won with 1376 votes. Jacobs attorney Kagisano Tamocha argued before Justice Mothobi that Section 41 (1) of the Constitution of Botswana is not applicable in their case because they are talking about the presidency of the BDP.

Section 41(1) states whilst any person holds or performs the functions of the office of President no criminal proceedings shall be instituted or continued against him or her in respect of anything done or omitted to be done by him or her either in his or her official capacity or in his or her private capacity and no civil proceedings shall be instituted or continued in respect of which relief is claimed against him or her in respect of anything done or omitted to be done in his or her private capacity.

Justice Mothobi said the Gomolemo Motswaledi 2009 case sets a good precedent and he had to apply it in the current case. The judge agreed with the respondents in the case that the sitting president is immune in both criminal and civil proceedings. He also agreed with the respondents that both the current case and that of Motswaledi are similar because they involved an action by the president in his or her private capacity.

I agree entirely with the reasoning of the respondents. The Motswaledi case holds good precedence and I apply it here. The objection raised by the respondents in point in law is accepted. The decision by the High Court followed by the Court of Appeal in the Motswaledi case speaks the same language, said the judge.

Bogopa of Bogopa, Manewe, Tobedza and Company representing Dr Masisi, BDP, BDP Electoral Board, Appeals Board and BDP Southern Region told the court earlier that in accordance with the section Dr Masisi is immune from the suit and he should have not been cited in the case.

He said it is not disputed that Dr. Masisi is the sitting president and as such no criminal or civil suit should be instituted against him. The interpretation of this section has been done by both the High Court and the Court of Appeal in the 2009 Gomolemo Motswaledi case. The two cases are not distinguishable.

The current case is a civil application in which a relief is sought against Dr Masisi about something he has done in his private capacity as a member of the BDP. Both High Court and Court of Appeal have proved that actions taken by the president in his or her private capacity- no civil proceedings could be instituted against him or her, said Bogopa.
The following companies are subsidiares of Exxon Mobil: AKG Marketing Company Limited, Aera Energy LLC, Al-Jubail Petrochemical Company, Ampolex (Cepu) Pte Ltd, Ancon Insurance Company Inc., Barnett Gathering LLC, Barzan Gas Company Limited, Caspian Pipeline Consortium, Celtic Exploration Ltd., Coral FLNG S.A., Cross Timbers Energy LLC, Ellora Energy Inc., Esmeroon Oil Transporta Imperial Oil Limited, Esso (Thailand) Public Company Limited, Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd, Esso Deutschland GmbH, Esso Erdgas Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, Esso Exploration Angola (Block 15) Limited, Esso Exploration Angola (Block 17) Limited, Esso Exploration and Production Angola (Overseas) Limited, Esso Exploration and Production Chad Inc., Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited, Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria (Deepwater) Limited, Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria (Offshore East) Limited, Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited, Esso Exploration and Production UK Limited, Esso Global Investments Ltd., Esso Italiana S.r.l., Esso Nederland B.V., Esso Norge AS, Esso Petroleum Company Limited, Esso Raffinage, Esso Societe Anonyme Francaise, Exxo Holdings Inc., Exxon Azerbaijan Limited, Exxon Chemical Arabia Inc., Exxon International Finance Company, Exxon Luxembourg Holdings LLC, Exxon Mobile Bay Limited Partnership, Exxon Neftegas Limited, Exxon Overseas Corporation, Exxon Overseas Investment Corporation, ExxonMobil (China) Investment Co. Ltd., ExxonMobil (Taicang) Petroleum Co. Ltd., ExxonMobil Abu Dhabi Offshore Petroleum Company Limited, ExxonMobil Alaska Production Inc., ExxonMobil Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., ExxonMobil Australia Pty Ltd, ExxonMobil B Resources Company, ExxonMobil Capital Finance Company, ExxonMobil Capital Netherlands B.V., ExxonMobil Central Europe Holding GmbH, ExxonMobil Cepu Limited, ExxonMobil Chemical France, ExxonMobil Chemical Gulf Coast Investments LLC, ExxonMobil Chemical Holland B.V., ExxonMobil Chemical Services (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., ExxonMobil China Petroleum & Petrochemical Company Limited, ExxonMobil Development Africa B.V., ExxonMobil Development Company, ExxonMobil Egypt (S.A.E.), ExxonMobil Exploracao Brasil Ltda., ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Malaysia Inc., ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Norway AS, ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Romania Limited, ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Tanzania Limited, ExxonMobil Finance Company Limited, ExxonMobil Financial Investment Company Limited, ExxonMobil France Holding SAS, ExxonMobil Gas Marketing Europe Limited, ExxonMobil General Finance Company, ExxonMobil Global Services Company, ExxonMobil Golden Pass Surety LLC, ExxonMobil Holding Company Holland LLC, ExxonMobil Holding Norway AS, ExxonMobil Hong Kong Limited, ExxonMobil International Services SARL, ExxonMobil Iraq Limited, ExxonMobil Italiana Gas S.r.l., ExxonMobil Kazakhstan Inc., ExxonMobil Kazakhstan Ventures Inc., ExxonMobil LNG Services B.V., ExxonMobil Lubricants Trading Company, ExxonMobil Oil Corporation, ExxonMobil PNG Limited, ExxonMobil Petroleum & Chemical BVBA, ExxonMobil Petroleum & Chemical Holdings Inc., ExxonMobil Pipeline Company, ExxonMobil Production Deutschland GmbH, ExxonMobil Production Norway Inc., ExxonMobil Qatargas (II) Limited, ExxonMobil Qatargas Inc., ExxonMobil Ras Laffan (III) Limited, ExxonMobil Rasgas Inc., ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company, ExxonMobil Russia Kara Sea Holdings B.V., ExxonMobil Sales and Supply LLC, ExxonMobil Technology Finance Company, ExxonMobil Ventures Finance Company, ExxonMobil Ventures Funding Ltd., Fujian Refining & Petrochemical Co. Ltd., Golden Pass LNG Terminal Investments LLC, Golden Pass LNG Terminal LLC, Gulf Coast Growth Ventures LLC, Imperial Oil Limited, Imperial Oil Resources Limited, Imperial Oil Resources N.W.T. Limited, Imperial Oil/Petroliere Imperiale, Infineum Italia s.r.I., Infineum Singapore Pte. Ltd., InterOil Corporation, Jurong Aromatics Corporation Pte Ltd, MPM Lubricants, Marine Well Containment Company LLC, Mobil Australia Resources Company Pty Limited, Mobil California Exploration & Producing Asset Company, Mobil Caspian Pipeline Company, Mobil Chemical Products International Inc., Mobil Corporation, Mobil Equatorial Guinea Inc., Mobil Erdgas Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH, Mobil Exploration & Producing Australia Pty Ltd, Mobil International Petroleum Corporation, Mobil Oil Australia Pty Ltd, Mobil Oil Exploration & Producing Southeast Inc., Mobil Oil New Zealand Limited, Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited, Mobil Producing Texas & New Mexico Inc., Mobil SerLimited, Mobil Venezolana De Petroleos Inc., Mobil Yanbu Petrochemical Company Inc., Mobil Yanbu Refining Company Inc., Mountain Gathering LLC, Mozambique Rovuma Venture S.p.A., Palmetto Transoceanic LLC, Papua New Guinea Liquefied Natural Gas Global Company LDC, Permian Express Partners LLC, Phillips Exploration LLC, Qatar Liquefied Gas Company Limited, Ras Laffan Liquefied Natural Gas Company Limited, Ras Laffan Liquefied Natural Gas Company Limited (II), SPI Limited, Saudi Aramco Mobil Refinery Company Ltd., Saudi Yanbu Petrochemical Co., SeaRiver Maritime Inc., South Hook LNG Terminal Company Limited, Tengizchevroil LLP, Terminale GNL Adriatico S.r.l, Trend Gathering & Treating LLC, Wolverine Pipe Line Company, XH LLC, XTO Delaware Basin LLC, XTO Energy Canada, XTO Energy Inc., and XTO Holdings LLC.
AGCO Corporation manufactures and distributes agricultural equipment and related replacement parts worldwide. It offers high horsepower tractors for row crop production, soil cultivation, planting, land leveling, seeding, and commercial hay operations; utility tractors for small- and medium-sized farms, as well as for dairy, livestock, orchards, and vineyards; and compact tractors for small farms, specialty agricultural industries, landscaping, equestrian, and residential uses. The company also provides grain storage bins and related drying and handling equipment systems; seed-processing systems; swine and poultry feed storage and delivery; ventilation and watering systems; and egg production systems and broiler production equipment. In addition, it offers round and rectangular balers, loader wagons, self-propelled windrowers, forage harvesters, disc mowers, spreaders, rakes, tedders, and mower conditioners for harvesting and packaging vegetative feeds used in the beef cattle, dairy, horse, and renewable fuel industries. Further, the company provides implements, including disc harrows leveling seed beds and mixing chemicals with the soils; heavy tillage to break up soil and mix crop residue into topsoil; field cultivators that prepare smooth seed bed and destroy weeds; drills for small grain seeding; planters and other planting equipment; and loaders. Additionally, it offers combines for harvesting grain crops, such as corn, wheat, soybeans, and rice; and application equipment, such as self-propelled, three- and four-wheeled vehicles, and related equipment for liquid and dry fertilizers and crop protection chemicals, and for after crops emerge from the ground, as well as produces diesel engines, gears, and generating sets. The company markets its products under the Challenger, Fendt, GSI, Massey Ferguson, and Valtra brands through a network of independent dealers and distributors. AGCO Corporation was founded in 1990 and is headquartered in Duluth, Georgia.

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I only buy one kind of stock. 37 of these cash cows are in my portfolio right now... and for every dollar invested in them they are sending us 69 cents in dividends. That's an effective yield of 69% a year-every year. All without leverage, options, or gimmicks.

CIBT Education Group Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates as an education and student housing investment company in Canada and China. The company engages in education, media communications, and real estate development businesses. It offers accredited programs, which include general English, college pathway, business English, medical English, English language test preparation, vacation English, online English, TESOL teacher training, automotive technical training, business management, customer service, English teacher preparation, and accounting, as well as junior and high school preparation programs for overseas study, and other career/vocational training; and interpreting and translation for Koreans and online English teacher training. The company also provides private career and technical training diplomas and certificates in health care, tourism, hospitality, business, administrative, technical trades, and international studies; and English as a Second Language, and accounting programs in China. In addition, it recruits international students and on-ground concierge services for various kindergarten, primary and secondary schools, universities, and colleges in North America; and offers web design and advertising services to the real estate industry. Further, the company invests in, develops, and manages education related real estate projects, such as student hotels, serviced apartments, and education super centers in Canada, as well as develops and manages real estate projects for technology workers and working professionals. The company was formerly known as Capital Alliance Group Inc. and changed its name to CIBT Education Group Inc. in November 2007. CIBT Education Group Inc. was founded in 1986 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.

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BT Group plc provides communications services worldwide. Its Consumer segment sells telephones, baby monitors, and Wi-Fi extenders through high street retailers, online BT Shop, and Website BT.com; and offers home phone, copper and fiber broadband, TV, and mobile services in various packages. The company's EE segment offers 2G, 3G, and 4G mobile network services; broadband, fixed-voice, and TV services; and postpaid and prepaid plans, and emergency services network. This segment also sells 4G mobile phones, tablets, connected devices, and mobile broadband devices from various manufacturers. Its Business and Public Sector segment provides fixed voice, mobility, fiber and connectivity, and networked IT services to retailers, utilities, public sector, healthcare, sports, construction, finance, and educational sectors. The company's Global Services segment offers business communications and ICT services comprising BT Connect, BT Security, BT One, BT Contact, BT Compute, BT Advise, and BT for financial markets. This segment serves approximately 5,500 customers in 180 countries. Its Wholesale and Ventures segment enables communications providers and other organizations to provide fixed or mobile phone services. Its ventures provide mass-market services, such as directory enquiries and payphones; and enterprise services comprising BT Fleet and BT Redcare. This segment also provides broadband and Ethernet, voice, hosted communication, mobile virtual network operator, managed solutions, machine-to-machine, roaming, and media services. The company's Openreach segment engages in the provision of services over the local access network; and installation and maintenance of fiber and copper communications networks that connect homes and businesses. The company was formerly known as Newgate Telecommunications Limited and changed its name to BT Group plc in September 2001. BT Group plc was incorporated in 2001 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom.

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The following companies are subsidiares of Accenture: 2nd Road, 2nd Road Pty Ltd., ?What If!, ?What If! China Holdings Ltd, ?What If! Holdings Limited, ?What If! Innovation Singapore Holdings Pte, ?What If! Limited, ?What If! Shanghai Co. Ltd, ?What If! USA LLC, ACN Consulting Co Ltd, AD Dialeto Agencia de Publicidade SA, AD.Dialeto (Digital Agency acquired by Accenture), AGS Business and Technology Services Limited, ASM Research Inc., ASM Research LLC, ATAN, Accenture (Beijing) Mobile Technology Co Ltd, Accenture (Botswana) (Proprietary) Limited, Accenture (China) Co Ltd, Accenture (Shenzhen) Technology Co. Ltd., Accenture (South Africa) (Proprietary) Limited, Accenture (South Africa) Pty Limited, Accenture (UK) Ltd, Accenture 2 Business Process Services S.A., Accenture 2 LLC, Accenture A/S, Accenture AB, Accenture AG, Accenture AS, Accenture Africa Pty Ltd, Accenture Australia Holding B.V., Accenture Australia Holdings Pty Ltd, Accenture Australia Pty Ltd, Accenture Azerbaijan Ltd, Accenture BPM Operations Support Services S.A., Accenture BPM S.C.R.L., Accenture BV, Accenture Branch Holdings B.V., Accenture Bulgaria EOOD, Accenture Business Services for Utilities Inc, Accenture Business Services of British Columbia Limited Partnership, Accenture Business and Technology Services LLC, Accenture C.A, Accenture CAS GmbH, Accenture Canada Holdings Inc., Accenture Capital DAC, Accenture Capital Inc, Accenture Central Europe B.V., Accenture Chile Asesorias y Servicios Ltda, Accenture Cloud Services GmbH, Accenture Cloud Software Solutions Ltd, Accenture Cloud Solutions Australia Pty Ltd, Accenture Cloud Solutions LLC, Accenture Cloud Solutions Ltd, Accenture Cloud Solutions Pty Ltd, Accenture Co Ltd, Accenture Co Ltd., Accenture Communications Infrastructure Solutions Ltd, Accenture Company Ltd, Accenture Consulting Services Ltd Tanzania, Accenture Consultores de Gestao S.A., Accenture Consultoria de Industria e Consumo Ltda, Accenture Consultoria de Recursos Naturais Ltda, Accenture Credit Services LLC, Accenture Customer Services Distribution SAS, Accenture Customer Services Limited, Accenture Danismanlik Limited Sirketi, Accenture Defined Benefit Pension Plan Trustees Ltd, Accenture Defined Contribution Pension Plan Trustees Ltd, Accenture Delivery Poland sp. z o.o., Accenture Dienstleistungen GmbH, Accenture Digital France Holdings SA, Accenture Digital Holdings GmbH, Accenture East Africa Limited, Accenture Ecuador S.A., Accenture Egypt LLC, Accenture Enterprise Development (Shanghai) Co Ltd., Accenture Federal Services LLC, Accenture Finance (Gibraltar) III Ltd, Accenture Finance GmbH, Accenture Finance GmbH in liquidation, Accenture Finance II GmbH, Accenture Finance II GmbH in liquidation, Accenture Finance II Ltd, Accenture Finance Limited, Accenture Finance and Accounting BPO Services S.p.A., Accenture Finance and Accounting Services Srl, Accenture Flex LLC, Accenture GP LLC, Accenture Ghana Limited, Accenture Global Holdings Ltd., Accenture Global Services Ltd, Accenture Global Solutions Ltd, Accenture GmbH, Accenture HR Services Ltd, Accenture HR Services S.p.A., Accenture Healthcare Processing Inc., Accenture Holding GmbH, Accenture Holding GmbH & Co. KG, Accenture Holding GmbH in liquidation, Accenture Holdings (Iberia) S.L., Accenture Holdings B.V., Accenture Holdings France SAS, Accenture Holdings plc, Accenture Hungary Holdings Kft, Accenture Inc, Accenture Industrial Software Limited Liability Company (Accenture Endustriyel Yazylym Cozumleri Limited irketi), Accenture Industrial Software Limited Liability Company (Accenture Endustriyel Yazlm Cozumleri Limited Sirketi), Accenture Industrial Software Solutions Kft, Accenture Industrial Software Solutions SA, Accenture Insurance Services LLC, Accenture Insurance Services SAS, Accenture Insurance Services SpA, Accenture International BV, Accenture International Capital SCA, Accenture International LLC, Accenture International Limited, Accenture International Sarl, Accenture Japan Ltd, Accenture Korea BV, Accenture LLC, Accenture LLP, Accenture Lanka (Private) Ltd, Accenture Limited, Accenture Ltd, Accenture Ltda, Accenture Maghreb S.a.r.l., Accenture Managed Services SRL, Accenture Managed Services SpA, Accenture Management GmbH, Accenture Middle East B.V, Accenture Middle East BV, Accenture Minority I BV, Accenture Minority III Ltd, Accenture Mozambique Limitada, Accenture Mzansi (Pty) Ltd, Accenture NV/SA, Accenture NZ Limited, Accenture Newco LLC, Accenture Nova Scotia Unlimited Liability Co., Accenture OOO, Accenture Operations Sp. z o.o., Accenture Outsourcing SRL, Accenture Outsourcing Services, Accenture Outsourcing Services S.A., Accenture Oy, Accenture Panama Inc, Accenture Participations BV, Accenture Participations II Limited, Accenture Peru S.R.L, Accenture Peru S.R.L., Accenture Post Trade Processing SAS, Accenture Post-Trade Processing Limited, Accenture Process Ltd, Accenture Product Lifecycle Services, Accenture Properties, Accenture Pte Ltd, Accenture Puerto Rico LLC, Accenture S.A., Accenture S.C., Accenture S.L., Accenture S.R.L., Accenture SAS, Accenture SG Services Pte Ltd, Accenture SRL, Accenture Saudi Arabia Limited, Accenture Sendirian Berhad, Accenture Service Center SRL, Accenture Services (Mauritius) Ltd, Accenture Services AB, Accenture Services AG, Accenture Services AS, Accenture Services GmbH, Accenture Services Ltd, Accenture Services Morocco SA, Accenture Services Oy, Accenture Services Pty Ltd, Accenture Services S.r.l., Accenture Services SRL, Accenture Services Sp. z o.o., Accenture Services Sp. z.o.o., Accenture Services and Technology Srl, Accenture Services fur Kreditinstitute GmbH, Accenture Services s.r.o., Accenture Servicos Administrativos Ltda, Accenture Servicos de Suporte de Negocios Ltda, Accenture Solutions Co Ltd, Accenture Solutions Private Limited, Accenture Solutions Pte Ltd, Accenture Solutions Pty Ltd, Accenture Solutions Sdn Bhd, Accenture Sp. z o.o., Accenture Sp. z.o.o., Accenture SpA, Accenture State Healthcare Services LLC, Accenture Sub II Inc., Accenture Sub Inc, Accenture Sub LLC, Accenture Systems Integration Limited, Accenture Sarl, Accenture Tanacsado Kolatolt Felelossegu Tarsasag, Accenture Tanacsado Kolatolt Felelossegu Tarsasag KFT, Accenture Technologia, Accenture Technologia Consultoria e Outsourcing S.A., Accenture Technology Infrastructure Services Pty Ltd, Accenture Technology Solutions (Dalian) Co Ltd, Accenture Technology Solutions (HK) Co. Ltd., Accenture Technology Solutions (Thailand) Co. Ltd, Accenture Technology Solutions - Solucoes Informaticas Integradas, Accenture Technology Solutions - Solucoes Informaticas Integradas S.A., Accenture Technology Solutions GmbH, Accenture Technology Solutions Oy, Accenture Technology Solutions Pty Ltd, Accenture Technology Solutions S.A. de C.V., Accenture Technology Solutions SAS, Accenture Technology Solutions SRL, Accenture Technology Solutions Sdn. Bhd., Accenture Technology Solutions Slovakia s.r.o., Accenture Technology Ventures BV, Accenture Technology Ventures S.P.R.L., Accenture Uruguay SRL, Accenture Vietnam Co., Accenture Vietnam Co. LTD, Accenture Zambia Limited, Accenture do Brasil Limitada, Accenture plc, Accenture s.r.o., Acceria, Acquity Customer Insight Limited, Acquity Group, Adaptly LLC, Adaptly UK Limited, AddVal Technology, Adqptly, Advantium Inc., Agave Consultants Limited, Agilex Technologies Inc., Allen International, Allen International Consulting Group Ltd, Alnova Technologies Corporation S.L., AlphaBeta Advisors, Altima, Altima Asia Ltd., Altima SAS, Altitude, Altitude LLC, Analytics 8 LP, Analytics 8 Pty Ltd, Analytics8, Aorui Advertising (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Apis, Appaloosa Technology SAS, Arca, Ariba - BPO, Arismore, Aspiro Solutions (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Avanade, Avanade (Guangzhou) Computer Technology Development Co. Ltd., Avanade (Thailand) Co Ltd, Avanade Asia Pte Ltd, Avanade Australia Pty Ltd, Avanade Belgium SPRL, Avanade Canada Inc., Avanade Denmark A/S, Avanade Denmark ApS, Avanade Deutschland GmbH, Avanade Europe Holdings Ltd, Avanade Europe Services Ltd, Avanade Federal Services LLC, Avanade Finland Oy, Avanade France SAS, Avanade GZ Computer Technology Development Co. Ltd. (SH), Avanade Guangzhou, Avanade Holdings LLC, Avanade Hong Kong Ltd, Avanade International Corporation, Avanade Ireland Limited, Avanade Italy SRL, Avanade KK, Avanade Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Avanade Netherlands BV, Avanade Norway AS, Avanade Poland Sp. z o.o., Avanade Poland Sp. z.o.o., Avanade Schweiz GmbH, Avanade South Africa, Avanade South Africa Pty Ltd, Avanade Spain SL, Avanade Sweden AB, Avanade UK Ltd, Avanade do Brasil Limitada, Avanade Osterreich GmbH, AvantBiz Consulting Limited, Avenai, Axia Ltd., BABCN LLC, BCT Solutions, BCT Solutions Pty Ltd, BPO Servicos Administrativos Ltda, BRIDGE Energy Group, Beacon Consulting Group Inc., Beijing Genesis Interactive Technology Co. Ltd., Boomerang Pharmaceutical Communications, Boomerang Pharmaceuticals Communications Ireland Limited, Bow & Arrow, Brand Learning, Brand Learning Group Limited, Brand Learning LLC, Brand Learning Ltd, Brand Learning Partners Limited, Brand Learning Pte Limited, Bridge Energy Group LLC, Brightstep AB, Byte Prophecy, CAS, CRMWaypoint, CadenceQuest Inc., Capable Marketer Limited, Capgemini - North American health practice, Capital Consultancy Services Inc., Certus Solutions Consulting Services Ltd, Certus Solutions Ltd, ChangeTrack Research Pty Ltd., Chaotic Moon Studios, Chengdu Mensa Advertising Co. Ltd., Cimation, Cimation UK Limited, Cirruseo, Cirruseo SAS, Clarity Insights, Clearhead, Clearhead Group, Clearhead Group LLC, ClientHouse GmbH, Cloud Sherpas, Cloud Sherpas (GA) LLC, Cloud Sherpas (SN) (PTE.) Limited, Cloud Sherpas New Zealand Ltd., Cloud Talent Limited, Cloudsherpas, Cloudsherpas Inc., Codagenic Pty. Ltd., Computer Research and Telecommunications LLC, Concrete Desenvolvimento de Sistemas Ltda., Concrete Solutions, Concrete Solutions Ltda., Context Information Security, Coritel S.A., Corliant Inc., CreativeDrive, CustomerWorks Europe SL, Cutting Edge Solutions Ltd, D5 Global Holdings LLC, DAZ Systems Inc, DAZ Systems LLC, DAZSI Systems (India) Pvt. Ltd., DMA Solutions Limited, Davies Consulting, DayNine Consulting, DayNine Consulting (Australia) PTY LTD, DayNine Consulting (Deutschland) GmbH, DayNine Consulting (New Zealand) Limited, DayNine Consulting France SAS, DayNine Consulting Japan K.K., DayNine Consulting LLC, Declarative Holdings, Declarative Holdings LLC, Defense Point Security, Deja vu Security, Design Strategy and Research de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Designaffairs LLC, Digiplug S.A.S., Digiplug SAS, Digital Consulting & Software Services LLC, Droga5, Droga5 LLC, Droga5 Studios LLC, Droga5 UK Ltd., Duck Creek Technologies, Duck Creek Technologies LLC, Deja Vu Security LLC, ESR Labs, Elcurator SAS, Enaxis Consulting, Enaxis Consulting L.P., End-to-End Analytics, Energuia Web, Energuia Web S.A., Energy Management Brokers Ltd., Energy Quote Private Ltd., EnergyQuote JHA, EnergyQuote JHA Ltd., EnergyQuote Trading Ltd., Enimbos, Enkitec, Enterprise System Partners, Enterprise System Partners B.V. , Enterprise System Partners Bilisim Danismanlik Ticaret Anonim Sirketi, Enterprise System Partners Global Corporation, Enterprise System Partners Limited, Enterprise System Partners PR LLC, Enterprise System Partners S.A.S., Epylon, Evopro Group, Exactside Limited, Fairway Technologies Inc, Fairway Technologies LLC, Filmproduction ApS, First Annapolis Consulting, First Annapolis Consulting Inc., First Annapolis Consulting LLC, First Annapolis International, Fjord, Focus Group Europe, Focus Group Europe Limited, Formicary, Formicary Holdings Limited, Formicary Limited, FusionX, FutureMove Automotive, Gapso Servicos de Informatica Ltda., Genfour, Genfour Limited, George Group Consulting L.P., Gestalt LLC, Gestion Altima Canada Inc., Global Public Firm S.L., GlobalView SAS, GoodFilm GmbH Filmproduktion Stuttgart, H.B. Maynard and Co. Inc., Hagberg Consulting Group, Hangzhou Aiyunzhe Technology Co. Ltd., Happen, Hjaltelin Stahl, Hjaltelin Stahl K/S, Hytracc Consulting AS, Hytracc Consulting Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., Hytracc Consulting UK Limited, Hytracc Holding AS, I-Faber S.p.A., IBB Consulting, IMJ Corp, IMJ Corporation, INCAD, INSITUM, IT One Company Limited, ITBS Servicios Bancarios de Tecnologia de la Informacion SL, Icon Integration, Imagine Broadband (USA) Ltd, Imagine Broadband USA LLC, Imaginea Inc, Industrie&Co, Infoman AG, Infoman Schweiz AG, Informatica de Euskadi S.L., Infusion Development Inc., Infusion Development UK Limited, InfusionDev LLC, Innoveer Solutions India Pvt Ltd, Insitum Consultoria Argentina SRL, Insitum Consultoria Brasil LTDA, Insitum Consultoria Colombia SAS, Insitum Consultoria Europa SL, Insitum Consultoria Peru SAC, Insitum Consultoria S.A. de C.V., Intrepid, Intrigo Systems Inc, Intrigo Systems India Pvt. Limited, Intrigo Systems LLC, Inventor Advertisement (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Inventor Technology Limited, InvestTech, Investtech Systems Consulting LLC, Javelin Group, Javelin Group (Bulgaria) EOOD, Javelin Group Limited (UK), Javelin Group SASU, K Comms Group Limited, KCS.net AG, KCS.net AG West, KCS.net Deutschland GmbH, KCS.net Holding AG, KCS.net Osterreich GmbH, Kaper Communications Limited, Karma Communications Debtco Limited, Karma Communications Group Limited, Karma Communications Holdings Limited, Karmarama, Karmarama Comms Limited, Karmarama Limited, Knowledge Rules Inc., Knowledgent, Knowledgent Group LLC, Kogentix, Kogentix LLC, Kogentix Ltd, Kogentix Singapore Pte. Ltd, Kogentix Technologies Private Limited, Kolle Rebbe, Kolle Rebbe GmbH, Kream Comms Limited, Kunstmaan, Kunstmaan NV, Kurt Salmon, Kurt Salmon Canada LTD, Kurt Salmon UKI, Kurt Salmon UKI Ltd., Kurt Salmon US LLC, LINKBYNET, LabAnswer, LabAnswer Government, LemonXL Limited, Logistics Market Place Limited (UK), Loud & Clear Creative Pty Ltd, MAXIM Systems Inc., MCG US Holdings LLC, Mackevision CG Technology and Service (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Mackevision Corporation, Mackevision Japan Co. Ltd., Mackevision Korea Ltd, Mackevision Medien Design, Mackevision Medien Design GmbH, Mackevision Singapore Pte. Ltd., Mackevision UK Ltd, Maglan, Maglan Information Defense Technologies Research Ltd., Maihiro, Matter, Matter Llc, Maud Corp Pty Limited, Maxamine International, Media Audits Ltd., Media Hive, Mediasenz Pty Ltd., Meredith Specialty LLC, Meredith Xcelerated Marketing, Meredith Xcelerated Marketing Corporation, Meridian Informed Purchasing Ltd., Mindtribe, Mindtribe Product Engineering LLC, MobGen, MobGen Technology S.L, Moonrise NV, Mortgage Cadence, Mortgage Cadence an Accenture Company, Most Champion Ltd, Mudano, N3 LLC, NBS Marketing Inc., NYTEC, Nanjing Demeng Advertising Co. Ltd., Nashco Consulting, NaviSys Inc., Neo Metrics Analytics S.L., Neo Metrics Chile, Neo Metrics Chile S.A., New Content, New Content Chile SpA, New Content Editora e Produtora Ltda., New Energy Aborda, New Energy Associates Ltd, New Energy Group, New Energy S.r.l., NewsPage, NewsPage (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, NewsPage China Ltd., NewsPage Pte Ltd, Nice Agency Limited, Northstream, Northstream AB, Northstream Holding AB, OCTO Technology, OPS Rules Management Consultants, Octagon Research Solutions Inc., Octo Technology LTDA, Octo Technology Pty Ltd, Octo Technology SA, Octo Technology SPRL, Octoman SAS, Odgaard ApS, Olikka, Operaciones Accenture S.A. de C.V., OpusLine, Orbium, Orbium Consulting Ltd, Orbium GmbH, Orbium Holding AG, Orbium Inc., Orbium International AG, Orbium International sp. z o.o., Orbium Licences AG, Orbium Limited, Orbium Pte. Ltd., Orbium Pty Ltd, Orbium Services sp. z o.o., Orbium Sarl, Origin Digital, PCO Innovation, PCO Innovation Canada Inc., PCO Innovation EURL, PIXO PUNCH Limited, PLM Systems S.r.l, POC Holdings, PRION GmbH, PT Accenture, PT Asta Catur Indra, PT Kogentix Teknologi Indonesia, Pach Invest SARL, Pach Invest SAS, PacificLink Group, PacificLink iMedia Ltd., Paja Finanssipalvelut Oy, Parker Fitzgerald Inc, Parker Fitzgerald Inc., Parker Fitzgerald International Limited, Parker Fitzgerald Limited, Parker Fitzgerald PTY Ltd, Parker Fitzgerald Services Limited, Parker Fitzgerald Solutions Limited, Partners Technology Mexico Holdings BV, Pecaso Ltd., Pegasus Production K/S, Perseroan Terbatas. Accenture, Phase One Consulting Group, Pillar Technology, Pollux, Pragsis Bidoop, Pragsis Bidoop UK Ltd, Pragsis Technologies S.L, PrimeQ, PrimeQ Australia Pty Ltd, PrimeQ Ltd, PrimeQ NZ Pty Ltd, Procurian Germany GmbH, Procurian Inc., Procurian International I LLC, Procurian International II LLC, Procurian LLC, Procurian Singapore Pte. Ltd., Procurian Switzerland GmbH, Procurian USA LLC, Proquire LLC, PureApps Ltd., Qi Jie Beijing Information Technologies Co Ltd, Radiant Services, Radiant Services LLC, Random Walk Computing Inc., Reactive Media Limited, Reactive Media Pty Ltd., Real Protect, Realworld OO Systems Ltd., Redcore, Redcore (Asia) Pte Ltd, Redcore (India) Private Limited (India), Redcore (New Zealand) Limited, Redcore Group Holdings Pty Ltd, Redcore Pty Ltd, Renacentis IT Services, Revolutionary Security, RiskControl, Rothco, Rothco Holdings Designated Activity Company, Rothco Unlimited Company, S.C. EnergyQuote S.r.l., S3 TV Technology Limited, S3 TV Technology Ltd., SALT Solutions GmbH, SEC Servizi, SEC Servizi S.p.A., SOPIA Corp., Sagacious Consultants, Sagacious Consultants LLC, Sanchez Capital Services Pvt Ltd, Schlumberger Business Consulting, Seabury Airline Planning Group, Seabury Aviation & Aerospace (UK) Limited, Seabury Aviation & Aerospace Asia (Hong Kong) Limited, Seabury Aviation Consulting LLC, Seabury Cargo Advisory B.V., Seabury Consulting, Seabury Corporate Advisors LLC, Seabury Human Capital LLC, Seabury Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., Seabury Structured Finance LLC, Search Technologies BPO, Search Technologies BPO Inc., Search Technologies GmbH, Search Technologies International LLC, Search Technologies LATAM, Search Technologies LATAM S.A., Search Technologies LLC, Search Technologies Limited, Sente Partners LLC, Sentelis, Servicios Tecnicos de Programacion Accenture S.C., Shackleton, Shackleton Barcelona S.L., Shackleton Chile S.A., Shackleton Madrid S.L., Shackleton S.A., Shanghai Baiyue Advertising Co. Ltd., Shun Zhe Technology Development Co. Ltd., Silveo, Simian Pty Limited, SinnerSchrader AG, SinnerSchrader Commerce GmbH, SinnerSchrader Content GmbH, SinnerSchrader Deutschland GmbH, SinnerSchrader Praha s.r.o., SinnerSchrader Swipe GmbH, Sinnerschrader, Sistemes Consulting S.L., Solutions IQ, Solutions IQ LLC, SolutionsIQ, SolutionsIQ India Consulting Services Private Limited, Storm Digital, Storm Digital B.V., Structure Consulting Group, Structure Consulting Group LLC, Sutter Mills, Systor AG, TQuila Limited (UK), Tadata Creative Unlimited Company, Tara Insurance DAC, Tara Risk DAC, TargetST8, TargetST8 Consulting LLC, Tech - Avanade Portugal Unipessoal Lda, Tecnilogica Ecosistemas S.A., Tecnilogica Ltd., Tecnilogica, The Brand Learning Partners Limited, The Callisto Integration Corporation, The Monkeys, The Monkeys Pty Limited, The Myrtle Group, Total Logistics, Total Logistics Supply Chain Consultants Limited, Tquila, Troop Studios Pty Ltd, VanBerlo, Verax Solutions, Verax Solutions Corporation, Vertical Retail Consulting (Shanghai) Ltd., Vertical Retail Consulting Hong Kong, Vertical Retail Consulting Hong Kong Ltd., Vertical Retail Consulting Ltd., Vivere Brasil Servicos e Solucoes SA, Vivere Brasil Solucoes De Credito Ltda., Weblinc Pty Ltd, Wire Stone, Wire Stone LLC, Wire Stone Sarl, Wolox, Yesler, Zag, Zenta, Zenta Global Philippines, Zenta Global Philippines Inc., Zenta Mortgage Services LLC, Zenta Recoveries Inc, Zenta US Holdings Inc., Zielpuls, Zielpuls (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Zielpuls GmbH, avVenta, designaffairs, designaffairs Business Consulting (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., designaffairs GmbH, designaffairs group China Co. Ltd., dgroup, i4C Analytics, iDefense, and solid-serVision.com GmbH.
Cementos Pacasmayo S.A.A., a cement company, produces, distributes, and sells cement and cement-related materials in Peru. The company operates in three segments: Cement, Concrete and Precast; Quicklime; and Sales of Construction Supplies. It produces cement for various uses, such as residential and commercial construction, and civil engineering; ready-mix concrete used in construction sites; concrete precast, such as paving units or paver stones for pedestrian walkways, as well as other bricks for partition walls and concrete precast for structural and non-structural uses; and cement based products. The company also produces and distributes quicklime for use in steel, food, fishing, chemical, mining, agriculture, and other industries. In addition, it distributes other construction materials manufactured by third parties, such as steel rebars, cables, and pipes. As of March 31, 2021, the company operates a network of 269 independent retailers and 405 hardware stores. It also sells its cement products directly to other retailers, private construction companies, and government entities. The company was incorporated in 1949 and is headquartered in Lima, Peru. Cementos Pacasmayo S.A.A. is a subsidiary of Inversiones ASPI S.A.

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Robert Half International Inc. provides staffing and risk consulting services in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. The company operates through three segments: Temporary and Consultant Staffing, Permanent Placement Staffing, and Risk Consulting and Internal Audit Services. It places temporary services for accounting, finance, and bookkeeping; temporary and full-time office and administrative personnel consisting of executive and administrative assistants, receptionists, and customer service representatives; full-time accounting, financial, tax, and accounting operations personnel; and information technology contract consultants and full-time employees in the areas of platform systems integration to end-user technical and desktop support, including specialists in application development, networking, systems integration and deployment, database design and administration, and security and business continuity. The company also offers temporary and full-time employees in attorney, paralegal, legal administrative, and legal secretarial positions; and senior level project professionals in the accounting and finance fields for financial systems conversions, expansion into new markets, business process reengineering, business systems performance improvement, and post-merger financial consolidation. In addition, it is involved in serving professionals in the areas of interactive media, design, marketing, advertising, and public relations; and placing freelance and project consultants in various positions, such as creative directors, graphics designers, Web content developers, Web designers, media buyers, brand managers, and public relations specialists. Further, the company provides business and technology risk consulting, and internal audit services. It serves clients and employment candidates. Robert Half International Inc. was founded in 1948 and is headquartered in Menlo Park, California.

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Valero Energy Corporation manufactures, markets, and sells transportation fuels and petrochemical products in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Refining, Renewable Diesel, and Ethanol. The company is involved in oil and gas refining, marketing, and bulk selling activities. It produces conventional, premium, and reformulated gasolines; gasoline meeting the specifications of the California Air Resources Board (CARB); diesel fuels, low-sulfur and ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuels; CARB diesel; other distillates; jet fuels; blendstocks; lube oils and natural gas liquids; and asphalts, petrochemicals, lubricants, and other refined petroleum products. As of December 31, 2020, the company owned 15 petroleum refineries with a combined throughput capacity of approximately 3.2 million barrels per day. It sells its refined products through wholesale rack and bulk markets; and through approximately 7,000 outlets under the Valero, Beacon, Diamond Shamrock, Shamrock, Ultramar, and Texaco brands. The company also produces and sells ethanol, dry distiller grains, syrup, and inedible corn oil primarily to refiners and gasoline blenders, as well as to animal feed customers. It owns and operates 13 ethanol plants with a combined ethanol production capacity of approximately 1.69 billion gallons per year. In addition, the company owns and operates crude oil and refined petroleum products pipelines, terminals, tanks, marine docks, truck rack bays, and other logistics assets. Further, it owns and operates a plant that processes animal fats, used cooking oils, and other vegetable oils into renewable diesel. The company was formerly known as Valero Refining and Marketing Company and changed its name to Valero Energy Corporation in August 1997. Valero Energy Corporation was founded in 1980 and is headquartered in San Antonio, Texas.

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Wall Street analysts have given iShares Edge MSCI Multifactor USA 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 Multifactor USA ETF wasn't one of them. MarketBeat thinks these five companies may be even better buys.

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The following companies are subsidiares of Tenet Healthcare: 1 Subsidiaries of this entity in which Tenet Healthcare Corporation directly and indirectly held a 95% ownership interest at December 31 2020 are set forth in the table below., 25 East Same Day Surgery L.L.C., 300 PBL Development LLC, 45th Street MOB LLC, 601 N 30th Street I L.L.C., 601 N 30th Street II L.L.C., 601 N 30th Street III Inc., AHM Acquisition Co. Inc., AIG Holdings LLC, AIGB Global LLC, AIGB Group Inc., AIGB Holdings Inc., AIGB Management Services LLC, AMC/North Fulton Urgent Care #1 L.L.C., AMC/North Fulton Urgent Care #2 L.L.C., AMC/North Fulton Urgent Care #3 L.L.C., AMC/North Fulton Urgent Care #4 L.L.C., AMC/North Fulton Urgent Care #5 L.L.C., AMI Information Systems Group Inc., AMI/HTI Tarzana Encino Joint Venture, APN, ARC Worcester Center L.P., ASC Old Co. LP, ASC of New Jersey LLC, ASJH Joint Venture LLC, Abrazo Health Network EP Clinical Services LLC, Abrazo Surgical Outpatient Center LLC, Advanced Ambulatory Surgical Care L.P., Advanced Center for Surgery  Vero Beach LLC, Advanced Regional Surgery Center LLC, Advanced Surgery Center of Metairie LLC, Advanced Surgery Center of Sarasota LLC, Advanced Surgery Center of Tampa LLC, Advanced Surgical Care of St Louis LLC, Advanced Surgical Concepts LLC, Advantage Health Care Management Company LLC, Advantage Health Network Inc., AdventHealth Surgery Center Celebration LLC, AdventHealth Surgery Center Mills Park LLC, AdventHealth Surgery Center Wellswood LLC, AdventHealth Surgery Center Winter Garden LLC, AdventHealth Surgery Centers Central Florida LLC, AdventHealth Surgery Centers West Florida LLC, Adventist Midwest Health/USP Surgery Centers L.L.C., Alabama Cardiovascular Associates L.L.C., Alabama Digestive Health Endoscopy Center L.L.C., Alabama Hand and Sports Medicine L.L.C., Alamo Heights Surgicare L.P., All Star MOB LLC, Allegian Insurance Company, Alliance Surgery Birmingham LLC, Alliance Surgery Inc., Alvarado Hospital Medical Center Inc., Ambulatory Surgical Associates LLC, Ambulatory Surgical Center of Somerville LLC, American Institute of Gastric Banding Ltd., American Institute of Gastric Banding Phoenix Limited Partnership, American Medical (Central) Inc., Amisub (Heights) Inc., Amisub (Hilton Head) Inc., Amisub (North Ridge Hospital) Inc., Amisub (SFH) Inc., Amisub (Twelve Oaks) Inc., Amisub of California Inc., Amisub of North Carolina Inc., Amisub of South Carolina Inc., Amisub of Texas Inc., Anaheim Hills Medical Imaging L.L.C., Anaheim MRI Holding Inc., Anesthesia Partners of Gallatin LLC, Arizona Care Network  Next L.L.C., Arizona Health Partners LLC, Arlington Orthopedic and Spine Hospital LLC, Arrowhead Endoscopy and Pain Management Center LLC, Asia Outsourcing US Inc., Aspen Healthcare, Atlanta Medical Center Inc., Atlanta Medical Center Interventional Neurology Associates L.L.C., Atlanta Medical Center Neurosurgical & Spine Specialists L.L.C., Atlanta Medical Center Physician Group L.L.C., Atlantic Coast Surgical Suites LLC, Atlantic Health-USP Surgery Centers L.L.C., Avita/USP Surgery Centers L.L.C., BBH BMC LLC, BBH CBMC LLC, BBH DevelopmentCo LLC, BBH Imaging Jasper LLC, BBH NP Clinicians Inc., BBH PBMC LLC, BBH SBMC LLC, BBH WBMC LLC, BCDC EmployeeCO LLC, BHC-Talladega Pediatrics LLC, BHS Accountable Care LLC, BHS Affinity LLC, BHS Integrated Physician Partners LLC, BHS Physician Performance Network LLC, BHS Physicians Alliance for ACE LLC, BHS Physicians Network Inc., BHS Specialty Network Inc., BT East Dallas JV LLP, BW Cardiology LLC, BW Cyberknife LLC, BW Hand Practice LLC, BW Office Buildings LLC, BW Parking Decks LLC, BW Physician Practices LLC, BW Retail Pharmacy LLC, BW Sports Practice LLC, Bagley Holdings LLC, Baptist Accountable Care LLC, Baptist Diagnostics LLC, Baptist Health Centers LLC, Baptist Physician Alliance ACO LLC, Baptist Physician Alliance LLC, Baptist Plaza Surgicare L.P., Baptist Surgery Center L.P., Baptist Womens Health Center LLC, Baptist/USP Surgery Centers L.L.C., Bartlett ASC LLC, Baylor Surgicare at Baylor Plano LLC, Baylor Surgicare at Blue Star LLC, Baylor Surgicare at Granbury LLC, Baylor Surgicare at Mansfield LLC, Baylor Surgicare at North Dallas LLC, Baylor Surgicare at Plano LLC, Baylor Surgicare at Plano Parkway LLC, Bear Creek Surgery Center LLC, Beaumont Surgical Affiliates Ltd., Bellaire Outpatient Surgery Center L.L.P., Berkshire Eye LLC, Bloomington ASC LLC, Blue Ridge/USP Surgery Centers LLC, Bluffton Okatie Primary Care L.L.C., Bluffton Okatie Surgery Center L.L.C., Bon Secours Surgery Center at Harbour View LLC, Bon Secours Surgery Center at Virginia Beach LLC, Bozeman Health/USP Surgery Centers L.L.C., Bozeman MOB LLC, Briarcliff Ambulatory Surgery Center L.P., Bristol Ambulatory Surgery Center LLC, Broad River Primary Care L.L.C., Brookwood - Maternal Fetal Medicine L.L.C., Brookwood Ancillary Holdings Inc., Brookwood Baptist Health 1 LLC, Brookwood Baptist Health 2 LLC, Brookwood Baptist Health 3 LLC, Brookwood Baptist Imaging LLC, Brookwood Center Development Corporation, Brookwood Development Inc., Brookwood Diagnostic Imaging Center LLC, Brookwood Garages L.L.C., Brookwood Health Services Inc., Brookwood Home Health LLC, Brookwood Occupational Health Clinic L.L.C., Brookwood Parking Associates Ltd., Brookwood Primary Care - Homewood L.L.C., Brookwood Primary Care - Inverness L.L.C., Brookwood Primary Care - Mountain Brook L.L.C., Brookwood Primary Care - Oak Mountain L.L.C., Brookwood Primary Care - Vestavia L.L.C., Brookwood Primary Care Cahaba Heights L.L.C., Brookwood Primary Care Hoover L.L.C., Brookwood Primary Care The Narrows L.L.C., Brookwood Primary Network Care Inc., Brookwood Specialty Care - Endocrinology L.L.C., Brookwood Sports and Orthopedics L.L.C., Brookwood Womens Care L.L.C., Brookwood Womens Diagnostic Center LLC, C7 Technologies LLC, CGH Hospital Ltd., CHIC/USP Surgery Centers LLC, CHN Holdings LLC, CHRISTUS Cabrini Surgery Center L.L.C., CHVI Tucson Holdings LLC, CML-Chicago Market Labs Inc., CRNAs of Michigan, CS/USP General Partner LLC, CS/USP Surgery Centers LP, California Joint & Spine LLC, Camp Creek Urgent Care L.L.C., Camp Lowell Surgery Center L.L.C., Captive Insurance Services Inc., Cardiology Physicians Associates L.L.C., Cardiology Physicians Corporation L.L.C., Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Associates L.L.C., Cardiovascular Clinical Excellence at Sierra Providence LLC, CareSpot of Austin LLC, CareSpot of Memphis LLC, CareSpot of Orlando/HSI Urgent Care LLC, Carmel Specialty Surgery Center LLC, Carondelet St. Marys-Northwest L.L.C., Cascade Spine Center LLC, Castle Rock Surgery Center LLC, Catawba-Piedmont Cardiothoracic Surgery L.L.C., Cedar Hill Primary Care L.L.C., Cedar Park Surgery Center L.L.P., Centennial ASC LLC, Center for Advanced Research Excellence L.L.C., Center for the Urban Child Inc., Central California Healthcare Holdings LLC, Central Carolina Physicians - Sandhills L.L.C., Central Carolina-IMA L.L.C., Central Jersey Surgery Center LLC, Central Texas Corridor Hospital Company LLC, Central Valley Quality Alliance LLC, Central Virginia Surgi-Center L.P., Centura Ventures Surgery Centers LLC, Centura/USP Colorado Springs Surgery Centers L.L.C., Chalon Living Inc., Chandler Endoscopy Ambulatory Surgery Center LLC, Charlotte Endoscopic Surgery Center LLC, Chattanooga Pain Management Center LLC, Chesterfield Ambulatory Surgery Center L.P., Chesterfield Anesthesia Associates of Missouri LLC, Chico Surgery Center L.P., Childrens Hospital of Michigan Premier Network Inc., Citrus Heights ASC RE LLC, Clarkston ASC Partners LLC, Clarksville Surgery Center LLC, Coast Healthcare Management LLC, Coast Surgery Center L.P., Coastal Carolina Medical Center, Coastal Carolina Medical Center Inc., Coastal Carolina Physician Practices LLC, Coastal Carolina Pro Fee Billing L.L.C., Coastal Endo LLC, Colorado GI Centers LLC, Commonwealth Continental Health Care Inc., Community Connection Health Plan Inc., Community Hospital LLC, Community Hospital of Los Gatos Inc., Conifer Care Continuum Solutions LLC, Conifer Ethics and Compliance Inc., Conifer Global Business Center Inc., Conifer Global Holdings Inc., Conifer Health Solutions LLC, Conifer Holdings Inc., Conifer Patient Communications LLC, Conifer Physician Services Holdings Inc., Conifer Physician Services Inc., Conifer Revenue Cycle Solutions LLC, Conifer Value-Based Care LLC, Conroe Surgery Center 2 LLC, Coral Gables Hospital Inc., Coral Ridge Outpatient Center LLC, Corpus Christi Surgicare Ltd., Covenant/USP Surgery Centers LLC, CreAtiv Management Company Inc., Creekwood Investors LLC, Creekwood Surgery Center L.P., Crown Point Surgery Center LLC, DH/USP SJOSC Investment Company L.L.C., DH/USP Sacramento Pain GP LLC, DMC Detroit Receiving Hospital Premier Clinical Co-Management Services LLC, DMC Education & Research, DMC Harper University Hospital Premier Clinical Co-Management Services LLC, DMC Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital Premier Clinical Management Services LLC, DMC Imaging L.L.C., Dallas Surgical Partners LLC, DeTar/USP Surgery Center LLC, Delray Beach ASC LLC, Delray Medical Center Inc., Delray Medical Physician Services L.L.C., Denton Surgicare Partners Ltd., Denton Surgicare Real Estate Ltd., Denville Surgery Center LLC, Des Peres Physician Network LLC, Desert Cove MOB LLC, Desert Regional Medical Center Inc., Desert Ridge Outpatient Surgery LLC, Desoto Surgicare Partners Ltd., Destin ASC RE LLC, Destin Surgery Center LLC, Detroit Education & Research, DigitalMed Inc., Dignity/Abrazo Health Network LLC, Dignity/USP Folsom GP LLC, Dignity/USP Grass Valley GP LLC, Dignity/USP Las Vegas Surgery Centers LLC, Dignity/USP Metro Surgery Center LLC, Dignity/USP NorCal Surgery Centers LLC, Dignity/USP Phoenix Surgery Centers II LLC, Dignity/USP Phoenix Surgery Centers LLC, Dignity/USP Redding GP LLC, Dignity/USP Roseville GP LLC, Dignity/USP/John Muir East Bay Surgery Centers LLC, Doctors Hospital of Manteca Inc., Doctors Medical Center Neurosciences Clinical Co-Management LLC, Doctors Medical Center Orthopedics Clinical Co-Management LLC, Doctors Medical Center of Modesto Inc., Doctors Outpatient Center for Surgery LLC, Doctors Outpatient Surgery Center of Jupiter L.L.C., EPHC Inc., EPIC ASC LLC, East Atlanta Endoscopy Centers LLC, East Cobb Urgent Care LLC, East Cooper Coastal Family Physicians L.L.C., East Cooper Community Hospital Inc., East Cooper Hyperbarics L.L.C., East Cooper OB/GYN L.L.C., East Cooper Physician Network LLC, East Cooper Primary Care Physicians L.L.C., East Portland Surgery Center LLC, East West Surgery Center L.P., Eastgate Building Center L.L.C., Effingham Surgical Partners LLC, Einstein Montgomery Surgery Center LLC, Einstein/USP Surgery Centers L.L.C., El Mirador Surgery Center L.L.C., El Paso Center for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy LLC, El Paso Day Surgery LLC, El Paso Urology Surgery Center Curie LLC, Emanate/USP Surgery Centers LLC, Emanuel Medical Center, Emerson Surgery Center LLC, Encinitas Endoscopy Center LLC, Endoscopy Center of Hackensack LLC, Endoscopy Center of South Sacramento LLC, Endoscopy Consultants LLC, European Surgical Partners Ltd., Eye Center of Nashville UAP LLC, Eye Surgery Center of Nashville LLC, FMC Medical Inc., FMCC Network Contracting L.L.C., FPN  Frisco Physicians Network, FREH Real Estate L.L.C., FRS Imaging Services L.L.C., FSC Hospital LLC, FSH IT Services LP, First Choice Physician Partners, Flatirons Surgery Center LLC, Folsom Outpatient Surgery Center L.P., Fort Bend Clinical Services Inc., Fort Worth Hospital Real Estate LP, Fort Worth Surgicare Partners Ltd., Foundation Bariatric Hospital of San Antonio LLC, Foundation San Antonio Borrower Sub LLC, Fountain Valley Regional Hospital and Medical Center, Fountain Valley Surgery Center LLC, Franklin Endo UAP LLC, Franklin Endoscopy Center LLC, Fresno Surgery Center L.P., Frisco Medical Center L.L.P., Frontenac Ambulatory Surgery & Spine Care Center L.P., Frye Regional Medical Center Inc., FryeCare Boone L.L.C., FryeCare Morganton L.L.C., FryeCare Physicians L.L.C., FryeCare Valdese L.L.C., FryeCare Watauga L.L.C., FryeCare Womens Services L.L.C., GCSA Ambulatory Surgery Center LLC, Gamma Surgery Center LLC, Gardendale Surgical Associates LLC, Garland Surgicare Partners Ltd., Gastric Health Institute L.L.C., Genesis ASC Partners LLC, Geneva Surgical Suites LLC, Georgia Endoscopy Center LLC, Georgia Gifts From Grace L.L.C., Georgia Musculoskeletal Network Inc., Georgia North Fulton Healthcare Associates L.L.C., Georgia Northside Ear Nose and Throat L.L.C., Georgia Physicians of Cardiology L.L.C., Georgia Spectrum Neurosurgical Specialists L.L.C., Georgia Spine Surgery Center LLC, Glen Echo Surgery Center LLC, Golden Ridge ASC LLC, Good Samaritan Medical Center Inc., Good Samaritan Surgery L.L.C., Grapevine Surgicare Partners Ltd., Grass Valley Outpatient Surgery Center L.P., Graystone Family Healthcare - Tenet North Carolina L.L.C., Great Lakes Surgical Suites LLC, Greater Dallas Healthcare Enterprises, Greater Northwest Houston Enterprises, Greenville Physicians Surgery Center LLP, Greenwood ASC LLC, Greystone Internal Medicine - Brookwood L.L.C., Gulf Coast Community Hospital Inc., HCH Tucson Holdings LLC, HCN Emerus Management Sub LLC, HCN Emerus Texas LLC, HCN Laboratories Inc., HCN Physicians Inc., HCN Sunnyvale Holdings LLC, HCN Surgery Center Holdings Inc., HDMC Holdings L.L.C., HMA/Solantic Joint Venture LLC, HMH-USP Surgery Centers LLC, HMHP/USP Surgery Centers LLC, HNMC Inc., HNW GP Inc., HNW LP Inc., HPI Holdings LLC, HPI North LLC, HPI Physicians LLC, HSRM International Inc., HSS Palm Beach Ambulatory Surgery Center LLC, HSS/USP Surgery Center LLC, HUG Services Inc., HUMC/USP Surgery Centers LLC, Hacienda Outpatient Surgery Center LLC, Hagerstown Surgery Center LLC, Hardeeville Medical Group L.L.C., Hardeeville Primary Care L.L.C., Harlingen Physician Network Inc., Harper-Hutzel AHP Services Inc., Harvard Park Surgery Center LLC, Haymarket Surgery Center LLC, Hazelwood Endoscopy Center LLC, Health & Wellness Surgery Center L.P., Health Horizons of Kansas City Inc., Health Horizons of Murfreesboro Inc., Health Horizons/Piedmont Joint Venture LLC, Health Services CFMC Inc., Health Services HNMC Inc., Health Services Network Care Inc., Health Services Network Hospitals Inc., Health Services Network Texas Inc., HealthCorp Network Inc., Healthcare Compliance LLC, Healthcare Network Alabama Inc., Healthcare Network CFMC Inc., Healthcare Network DPH Inc., Healthcare Network Georgia Inc., Healthcare Network Holdings Inc., Healthcare Network Hospitals (Dallas) Inc., Healthcare Network Hospitals Inc., Healthcare Network Louisiana Inc., Healthcare Network Missouri Inc., Healthcare Network North Carolina Inc., Healthcare Network South Carolina Inc., Healthcare Network Tennessee Inc., Healthcare Network Texas Inc., Healthcare Partners Investments LLC, Healthmark Partners Inc., Healthpoint of North Carolina L.L.C., Heart and Vascular Institute of Michigan, Heritage Park Surgical Hospital LLC, Hershey Outpatient Surgery Center L.P., Hialeah Hospital Inc., Hialeah Real Properties Inc., Hickory Family Practice Associates - Tenet North Carolina L.L.C., Hill Country ASC Partners LLC, Hill Country Surgery Center LLC, Hilton Head Health System L.P., Hilton Head Regional Healthcare L.L.C., Hilton Head Regional OB/GYN Partners L.L.C., Hilton Head Regional Physician Network LLC, Hilton Head Regional Physician Network  Georgia L.L.C., Hinsdale Surgical Center LLC, Hitchcock State Street Real Estate Inc., Holston Valley Ambulatory Surgery Center LLC, Holy Cross Hospital Inc., Home Health Partners of San Antonio LLC, Hoover Doctors Group Inc., Hoover Land LLC, Horizon Ridge Surgery Center LLC, Hospital Development of West Phoenix Inc., Hospital RCM Services LLC, Hospital Underwriting Group Inc., Houston Northwest Partners Ltd., Houston PSC L.P., Houston Specialty Hospital Inc., Houston Sunrise Investors Inc., Hyde Park Surgery Center LLC, ICNU Rockford LLC, Imaging Center at Baxter Village L.L.C., InforMed Insurance Services LLC, Integris/USP Health Ventures LLC, International Health and Wellness Inc., Irving-Coppell Surgical Hospital L.L.P., JFK Memorial Hospital Inc., JFP UAP Sugarland LLC, Jackson Surgical Center LLC, Jacksonville Endoscopy Centers LLC, Journey Home Healthcare of San Antonio LLC, KHS Ambulatory Surgery Center LLC, KHS/USP Surgery Centers LLC, Kingsport Ambulatory Surgery Center LLC, Laguna Medical Systems Inc., Lake Endoscopy Center LLC, Lake Health Care Facilities Inc., Lake Lansing ASC Partners LLC, Lake Surgical Hospital Slidell LLC, LakeFront Medical Associates LLC, Lakewood Regional Medical Center Inc., Lakewood Surgery Center LLC, Lancaster Specialty Surgery Center LLC, Lansing ASC Partners LLC, Lawrenceville Surgery Center L.L.C., Lebanon Endoscopy Center LLC, Legacy Warren Partners L.P., Legacy/USP Surgery Centers L.L.C., Leonardtown Surgery Center LLC, Liberty Ambulatory Surgery Center L.P., Lifemark Hospitals Inc., Lifemark Hospitals of Florida Inc., Lifemark Hospitals of Louisiana Inc., Lone Star Endoscopy Center LLC, Longleaf Surgery Center LLC, Los Alamitos Medical Center Inc., Lubbock ASC Holding Co LLC, MASC Partners LLC, MCSH Real Estate Investors Ltd., MH Memorial City Surgery LLC, MH/USP Bay Area LLC, MH/USP Brazoria LLC, MH/USP Kingsland LLC, MH/USP Kingwood LLC, MH/USP Kirby LLC, MH/USP Main Street LLC, MH/USP North Freeway LLC, MH/USP North Houston LLC, MH/USP Richmond LLC, MH/USP Sugar Land LLC, MH/USP TMC Endoscopy LLC, MH/USP West Houston L.L.C., MH/USP Woodlands Parkway LLC, MSH Partners LLC, MSV Health/USP Surgery Centers LLC, MVH/USP Surgery Centers LLC, MacNeal Management Services Inc., MacNeal Medical Records Inc., MacNeal Physicians Group LLC, Magnetic Resonance Imaging of San Luis Obispo Inc., Magnolia Surgery Center Limited Partnership, Manchester Ambulatory Surgery Center LP, Maple Lawn Surgery Center LLC, Marion Surgery Center LLC, Mary Immaculate Ambulatory Surgery Center LLC, Mason Ridge Ambulatory Surgery Center L.P., Mayfield Spine Surgery Center LLC, McLaren ASC of Flint LLC, Meadowcrest Hospital LLC, Medical House Staffing LLC, Medical Park Tower Surgery Center LLC, Medplex Outpatient Medical Centers Inc., Medplex Outpatient Surgery Center Ltd., Memorial Hermann Bay Area Endoscopy Center LLC, Memorial Hermann Endoscopy & Surgery Center North Houston L.L.C., Memorial Hermann Endoscopy Center North Freeway LLC, Memorial Hermann Specialty Hospital Kingwood L.L.C., Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Surgical Hospital L.L.P., Memorial Hermann Surgery Center Brazoria LLC, Memorial Hermann Surgery Center Cypress LLC, Memorial Hermann Surgery Center Katy LLP, Memorial Hermann Surgery Center Kingsland L.L.C., Memorial Hermann Surgery Center Kirby LLC, Memorial Hermann Surgery Center Main Street LLC, Memorial Hermann Surgery Center Memorial City L.L.C., Memorial Hermann Surgery Center Northwest LLP, Memorial Hermann Surgery Center Pinecroft LLC, Memorial Hermann Surgery Center Preston Road Ltd., Memorial Hermann Surgery Center Richmond LLC, Memorial Hermann Surgery Center Southwest L.L.P., Memorial Hermann Surgery Center Sugar Land LLP, Memorial Hermann Surgery Center Texas Medical Center LLP, Memorial Hermann Surgery Center Woodlands Parkway LLC, Memorial Hermann Surgery Center  The Woodlands LLP, Memorial Hermann Texas International Endoscopy Center LLC, Memorial Hermann West Houston Surgery Center LLC, Memorial Hermann/USP Surgery Centers II L.P., Memorial Hermann/USP Surgery Centers III LLP, Memorial Hermann/USP Surgery Centers IV LLP, Memorial Surgery Center LLC, Memphis Urgent Care #1 L.L.C., Memphis Urgent Care #2 L.L.C., Merced Ambulatory Surgery Center LLC, Mercy/USP Health Ventures L.L.C., Metro Specialty Surgery Center LLC, Metro Surgery Center LLC, MetroWest HomeCare & Hospice LLC, Metrocrest Surgery Center L.P., Metropolitan New Jersey LLC, Michigan ASC Partners L.L.C., Michigan Pioneer ACO LLC, Michigan Regional Imaging LLC, Mid Rivers Ambulatory Surgery Center L.P., Mid State Endo UAP LLC, Mid-State Endoscopy Center LLC, Mid-TSC Development LP, Middle Tennessee Ambulatory Surgery Center L.P., Midland Memorial/USP Surgery Centers LLC, Midland Texas Surgical Center LLC, Midwest Digestive Health Center LLC, Midwest Pharmacies Inc., Midwest Specialty Surgery Center LLC, Millennium Surgical Center LLC, Mobile Imaging Management LLC, Mobile Technology Management LLC, Modesto Radiology Imaging Inc., Monocacy Surgery Center LLC, Mountain Empire Surgery Center L.P., Munster Specialty Surgery Center LLC, Murdock Ambulatory Surgery Center LLC, NHSC Holdings LLC, NICH GP Holdings LLC, NKCH/USP Briarcliff GP LLC, NKCH/USP Liberty GP LLC, NKCH/USP Surgery Centers II L.L.C., NKCH/USP Surgery Centers LLC, NMC Lessor L.P., NMC Surgery Center L.P., NME Headquarters Inc., NME Properties Corp., NME Properties Inc., NME Property Holding Co. Inc., NME Psychiatric Hospitals Inc., NME Rehabilitation Properties Inc., NSCH GP Holdings LLC, NSCH/USP Desert Surgery Centers L.L.C., NUCH of Georgia L.L.C., NUCH of Massachusetts LLC, NUCH of Michigan Inc., NUCH of Texas, Nacogdoches ASC-LP Inc., Name of Entity, National ASC Inc., National Ancillary Inc., National Diagnostic Imaging Centers Inc., National HHC Inc., National Home Health Holdings Inc., National ICN Inc., National Imaging Center Holdings Inc., National Medical Services II Inc., National Outpatient Services Holdings Inc., National Surgery Center Holdings Inc., National Urgent Care Holdings Inc., National Urgent Care Inc., Network Management Associates Inc., New Dimensions LLC, New England Physician Performance Network LLC, New H Acute Inc., New Horizons Surgery Center LLC, New Medical Horizons II Ltd., New Mexico Orthopaedic Surgery Center LLC, New Salem ASC RE LLC, Newhope Imaging Center Inc., North Anaheim Surgery Center LLC, North Atlantic Surgical Suites LLC, North Campus Surgery Center LLC, North Carolina Community Family Medicine L.L.C., North Central Surgical Center L.L.P., North Denver Musculoskeletal Surgical Partners LLC, North Fulton Cardiovascular Medicine L.L.C., North Fulton Hospitalist Group L.L.C., North Fulton Medical Center Inc., North Fulton Primary Care - Willeo Rd. L.L.C., North Fulton Primary Care - Windward Parkway L.L.C., North Fulton Primary Care - Wylie Bridge L.L.C., North Fulton Primary Care Associates L.L.C., North Fulton Pulmonary Specialists L.L.C., North Fulton Womens Consultants L.L.C., North Garland Surgery Center L.L.P., North Haven Surgery Center LLC, North Miami Medical Center Ltd., North Shore Medical Billing Center L.L.C., North Shore Medical Center Inc., North Shore Same Day Surgery L.L.C., North Shore Surgical Suites LLC, North State Surgery Centers L.P., NorthPointe Surgical Suites LLC, NorthShore/USP Surgery Centers II L.L.C., Northern Monmouth Regional Surgery Center L.L.C., Northridge ASC RE LLC, Northridge Surgery Center L.P., Northwest Ambulatory Surgery Center LLC, Northwest Georgia Orthopaedic Surgery Center LLC, Northwest Regional ASC LLC, Northwest Regional Surgery Center LLC, Northwest Surgery Center LLP, Northwest Surgery Center Ltd., Novant Health/USP Surgery Centers LLC, Novant/UVA/USP Surgery Centers LLC, OCOMS Imaging LLC, OCOMS Professional Services LLC, OLOL/USP Surgery Centers L.L.C., Okatie Surgical Partners L.L.C., Oklahoma Center for Orthopedic and Multi-Specialty Surgery LLC, Old Tesson Surgery Center L.P., Olive Ambulatory Surgery Center LLC, Olive Branch Urgent Care #1 LLC, Ophthalmology Anesthesia Services LLC, Ophthalmology Surgery Center of Orlando LLC, Optimum Spine Center LLC, OrNda Healthcorp, OrNda Hospital Corporation, Orlando Health/USP Surgery Centers L.L.C., OrthoArizona Surgery Center Gilbert LLC, OrthoLink ASC Corporation, OrthoLink Physicians Corporation, OrthoLink Radiology Services Corporation, OrthoLink/ Georgia ASC Inc., OrthoLink/Baptist ASC LLC, OrthoLink/New Mexico ASC Inc., Orthopedic Associates of the Lowcountry L.L.C., Orthopedic South Surgical Partners LLC, Orthopedic and Surgical Specialty Company LLC, PAHS/USP Surgery Centers LLC, PDN L.L.C., PHPS Inc., PHPS-CHM Acquisition Inc., PHS/USP Health Ventures LLC, PM CyFair Land Partners LLC, PMC Physician Network L.L.C., PPRE LLC, PSS Patient Solution Services LLC, Pacific Endo-Surgical Center L.P., Pacific Endoscopy and Surgery Center LLC, Pain Diagnostic and Treatment Center L.P., Paley Institute Global LLC, Palm Beach Gardens Community Hospital Inc., Palm Beach International Surgery Center LLC, Palm Valley Medical Center Campus Association, Palos Health Surgery Center LLC, Paramus Endoscopy LLC, Park Cities Surgery Center LLC, Park Plaza Hospital Billing Center L.L.C., ParkCreek ASC LLC, Parkway Recovery Care Center LLC, Parkwest Surgery Center L.P., Patient Partners LLC, Peak Gastroenterology ASC LLC, Pediatric Surgery Center  Odessa LLC, Pediatric Surgery Centers LLC, Physician Performance Network L.L.C., Physician Performance Network of Arizona LLC, Physician Performance Network of Detroit, Physician Performance Network of South Carolina LLC, Physician Performance Network of Tucson LLC, Physicians Performance Network of Houston, Physicians Performance Network of North Texas, Physicians Surgery Center at Good Samaritan LLC, Physicians Surgery Center of Tempe LLC, Physicians Surgical Center of Ft. Worth LLP, Physicians Surgery Center of Chattanooga L.L.C., Physicians Surgery Center of Knoxville LLC, Piccard Surgery Center LLC, Piedmont ASC LLC, Piedmont Behavioral Medicine Associates LLC, Piedmont Cardiovascular Physicians L.L.C., Piedmont Carolina OB/GYN of York County L.L.C., Piedmont Carolina Vascular Surgery L.L.C., Piedmont East Urgent Care Center L.L.C., Piedmont Express Care at Sutton Road L.L.C., Piedmont Family Practice at Baxter Village L.L.C., Piedmont Family Practice at Rock Hill L.L.C., Piedmont Family Practice at Tega Cay L.L.C., Piedmont General Surgery Associates L.L.C., Piedmont Internal Medicine at Baxter Village L.L.C., Piedmont Physician Network LLC, Piedmont Pulmonology L.L.C., Piedmont Surgical Specialists L.L.C., Piedmont Urgent Care Center at Baxter Village L.L.C., Piedmont Urgent Care and Industrial Health Centers Inc., Piedmont/Carolinas Radiation Therapy LLC, Placentia-Linda Hospital Inc., Pleasanton Diagnostic Imaging Inc., Point of Rocks Surgery Center LLC, Practice Partners Management L.P., Premier ACO Physicians Network LLC, Premier ASC LLC, Premier Adult and Childrens Surgery Center LLC, Premier Endoscopy ASC LLC, Premier Health Plan Services Inc., Premier Medical Specialists L.L.C., Prince William Ambulatory Surgery Center LLC, Professional Anesthesia Services LLC, Professional Liability Insurance Company, Pros Temporary Staffing Inc., Providence/UCLA/USP Surgery Centers LLC, Providence/USP Santa Clarita GP LLC, Providence/USP South Bay Surgery Centers L.L.C., Providence/USP Surgery Centers L.L.C., Pueblo Ambulatory Surgery Center LLC, R.H.S.C. El Paso Inc., RE Plano Med Inc., RHC Parkway Inc., RLC LLC, Reading Ambulatory Surgery Center L.P., Reading Endoscopy Center LLC, Reagan Street Surgery Center LLC, Redmond Surgery Center LLC, Renaissance Surgery Center LLC, Republic Health Corporation of Rockwall County, Resolute Health Physicians Network Inc., Resolute Hospital Company LLC, Resurgens East Surgery Center LLC, Resurgens Fayette Surgery Center LLC, Resurgens Surgery Center LLC, Rheumatology Associates of Atlanta Medical Center L.L.C., Richmond ASC Leasing Company LLC, Rio Grande Valley Indigent Health Care Corporation, River North Same Day Surgery L.L.C., Riverside Ambulatory Surgery Center LLC, Rock Bridge Surgical Institute L.L.C., Rock Hill Surgery Center LLC, Rockwall Ambulatory Surgery Center L.L.P., Rocky Mountain Endoscopy Centers LLC, Roseville Surgery Center L.P., Roswell Surgery Center L.L.C., SCNRE LLC, SFMP Inc., SFMPE - Crittenden L.L.C., SL-HLC Inc., SLH Physicians L.L.C., SLH Vista Inc., SLPA ACO LLC, SLUH Anesthesia Physicians L.L.C., SMSJ Imaging Company LLC, SMSJ Tucson Holdings LLC, SPC at the Star LLC, SRRMC Management Inc., SSI Holdings Inc., Sacramento Midtown Endoscopy Center LLC, Safety Harbor ASC Company LLC, Saint Agnes/Dignity/USP Surgery Centers LLC, Saint Agnes/USP Surgery Centers LLC, Saint Francis Cardiology Associates L.L.C., Saint Francis Cardiovascular Surgery L.L.C., Saint Francis Center for Surgical Weight Loss L.L.C., Saint Francis Hospital Billing Center L.L.C., Saint Francis Hospital Medicare ACO LLC, Saint Francis Hospital Pro Fee Billing L.L.C., Saint Francis Hospital-Bartlett Inc., Saint Francis Medical Partners East L.L.C., Saint Francis Medical Partners General Surgery L.L.C., Saint Francis Physician Network LLC, Saint Francis Quality Alliance LLC, Saint Francis Surgery Center L.L.C., Saint Francis Surgical Associates L.L.C., Saint Francis-Arkansas Physician Network LLC, Saint Francis-Bartlett Physician Network LLC, Saint Thomas Campus Surgicare L.P., Saint Thomas Surgery Center New Salem LLC, Saint Thomas/USP Surgery Centers II L.L.C., Saint Thomas/USP Surgery Centers L.L.C., Saint Thomas/USP  Baptist Plaza L.L.C., Saint Vincent Physician Services Inc., Salmon Surgery Center LLC, Same Day Management L.L.C., Same Day SC of Central NJ LLC, Same Day Surgery L.L.C., San Antonio Endoscopy L.P., San Fernando Valley Surgery Center L.P., San Gabriel Valley Surgical Center L.P., San Martin Surgery Center LLC, San Ramon ASC L. P., San Ramon Ambulatory Care LLC, San Ramon Network Joint Venture LLC, San Ramon Regional Medical Center LLC, San Ramon Surgery Center L.L.C., Santa Barbara Outpatient Surgery Center LLC, Santa Clarita Surgery Center L.P., Savannah Endoscopy Ambulatory Surgery Center LLC, Schertz Surgery Center LLC, Scripps Encinitas Surgery Center LLC, Scripps/USP Surgery Centers L.L.C., Seaside Surgery Center LLC, Shands/Solantic Joint Venture LLC, Shelby Baptist Affinity LLC, Shelby Baptist Ambulatory Surgery Center LLC, Shore Outpatient Surgicenter L.L.C., Shoreline Real Estate Partnership LLP, Shoreline Surgery Center LLP, Shrewsbury Surgery Center LLC, Sierra Pacific Surgery Center LLC, Sierra Providence Health Network Inc., Sierra Providence Healthcare Enterprises, Sierra Vista Hospital Inc., Silicon Valley Outpatient Surgery Centers LLC, Silver Cross Ambulatory Surgery Center LLC, Silver Cross/USP Surgery Centers LLC, Sinai-Grace Premier Clinical Management Services LLC, Siouxland Surgery Center Limited Liability Partnership, Solantic Corporation, Solantic Development LLC, Solantic Holdings Corporation, Solantic of Jacksonville LLC, Solantic of Orlando LLC, Solantic/South Florida LLC, South Carolina East Cooper Surgical Specialists L.L.C., South Carolina Health Services Inc., South Carolina SeWee Family Medicine L.L.C., South County Outpatient Endoscopy Services L.P., South Denver Musculoskeletal Surgical Partners LLC, South Florida Ambulatory Surgical Center LLC, South Fulton Health Care Centers Inc., SouthCare Physicians Group Neurology L.L.C., SouthCare Physicians Group Obstetrics & Gynecology L.L.C., Southeast Ohio Surgical Suites LLC, Southern Orthopedics and Sports Medicine L.L.C., Southern States Physician Operations Inc., Southwest Ambulatory Surgery Center L.L.C., Southwest Childrens Hospital LLC, Southwest Endoscopy LLC, Southwest Orthopedic and Spine Hospital LLC, Southwest Orthopedic and Spine Hospital Real Estate LLC, Southwestern Ambulatory Surgery Center LLC, Spalding Regional Medical Center Inc., Spalding Regional OB/GYN L.L.C., Spalding Regional Physician Services L.L.C., Specialty Surgery Center of Fort Worth L.P., Specialty Surgicenters Inc., Spinal Diagnostics and Treatment Centers L.L.C., Spine & Joint Physician Associates, Springfield Service Holding Corporation, St. Augustine Endoscopy Center LLC, St. Christophers Pediatric Urgent Care Center - Allentown L.L.C, St. Josephs Hospital Surgical Co-Management LLC, St. Josephs Outpatient Surgery Center LLC, St. Josephs Surgery Center L.P., St. Louis Physician Alliance LLC, St. Louis Surgical Center LLC, St. Louis Urology Center LLC, St. Lukes/USP Surgery Centers LLC, St. Marys Ambulatory Surgery Center LLC, St. Marys Hospital Cardiovascular Co-Management LLC, St. Marys Hospital Surgical Co-Management LLC, St. Marys Levee Company LLC, St. Marys Medical Center Inc., St. Vincent Health/USP LLC, St. Vincent/USP Surgery Centers LLC, Stockton Outpatient Surgery Center LLC, Subsidiaries of USPI Holding Company Inc., Suburban Endoscopy Center LLC, Summit View Surgery Center LLC, Sun View Imaging L.L.C., Sunrise Medical Group I L.L.C., Sunrise Medical Group II L.L.C., Sunrise Medical Group IV L.L.C., SurgCenter Camelback LLC, SurgCenter Northeast LLC, SurgCenter Pinellas LLC, SurgCenter Tucson LLC, SurgCenter at Paradise Valley LLC, SurgCenter of Deer Valley LLC, SurgCenter of Glen Burnie LLC, SurgCenter of Palm Beach Gardens LLC, SurgCenter of Plano LLC, SurgCenter of Southern Maryland LLC, SurgCenter of St. Lucie LLC, SurgCenter of White Marsh LLC, Surgery Affiliate of El Paso LLC, Surgery Center at Mount Pleasant LLC, Surgery Center at University Park LLC, Surgery Center of Atlanta LLC, Surgery Center of Canfield LLC, Surgery Center of Columbia L.P., Surgery Center of Coral Gables LLC, Surgery Center of Okeechobee LLC, Surgery Center of Pembroke Pines L.L.C., Surgery Center of Peoria L.L.C., Surgery Center of Richardson Physician Partnership L.P., Surgery Center of Santa Barbara LLC, Surgery Center of Scottsdale LLC, Surgery Center of Tempe Real Estate II L.L.C., Surgery Center of Tempe Real Estate L.L.C., Surgery Centers of America II L.L.C., Surgery Centre of SW Florida LLC, Surgical & Bariatric Associates of Atlanta Medical Center L.L.C., Surgical Clinical Excellence at Desert Regional LLC, Surgical Elite of Avondale L.L.C., Surgical Health Partners LLC, Surgical Institute Management LLC, Surgical Institute of Reading LLC, Surgical Specialists at Princeton LLC, Surgicare of Miramar L.L.C., Surginet Inc., Surgis Inc., Surgis Management Services Inc., Surgis of Chico Inc., Surgis of Phoenix Inc., Surgis of Redding Inc., Surgis of Victoria Inc., Sutton Road Pediatrics L.L.C., Sylvan Grove Hospital Inc., TENN SM LLC, TFPS IV L.L.C., TH Healthcare Ltd., TH International Services Florida LLC, THV Park Cities LLC, THVG Arlington GP LLC, THVG Bariatric GP LLC, THVG Bariatric L.L.C., THVG Bedford GP LLC, THVG Bellaire GP LLC, THVG DSP GP LLC, THVG DeSoto GP LLC, THVG Denton GP LLC, THVG Fort Worth GP LLC, THVG Frisco GP LLC, THVG Garland GP LLC, THVG Grapevine GP LLC, THVG Irving-Coppell GP LLC, THVG Lewisville GP LLC, THVG North Garland GP LLC, THVG Park Cities/Trophy Club GP LLC, THVG Rockwall 2 GP LLC, THVG Valley View GP LLC, TLC ASC LLC, TMC Holding Company LLC, TOPS Specialty Hospital Ltd., TPG Hospital LLC, TPR Practice Management LLC, TPS VI of PA L.L.C., TRMC Holdings LLC, TSPE LLC, Tamarac Surgery Center LLC, Tempe New Day Surgery Center LP, Templeton Imaging Inc., Tenet Business Services Corporation, Tenet California Inc., Tenet Central Carolina Physicians Inc., Tenet EKG Inc., Tenet El Paso Ltd., Tenet Employment Inc., Tenet Finance Corp., Tenet Florida Inc., Tenet Florida Physician Services II L.L.C., Tenet Florida Physician Services III L.L.C., Tenet Florida Physician Services L.L.C., Tenet Fort Mill Inc., Tenet Global Business Center Inc., Tenet HealthSystem Bucks County L.L.C., Tenet HealthSystem Graduate L.L.C., Tenet HealthSystem Hahnemann L.L.C., Tenet HealthSystem Medical Inc., Tenet HealthSystem Nacogdoches ASC GP Inc., Tenet HealthSystem Philadelphia Inc., Tenet HealthSystem Roxborough LLC, Tenet HealthSystem St. Christophers Hospital for Children L.L.C., Tenet Hilton Head Heart L.L.C., Tenet Hospitals Limited, Tenet Network Management Inc., Tenet Patient Safety Organization LLC, Tenet Physician Resources LLC, Tenet Physician Services - Hilton Head Inc., Tenet Rehab Piedmont Inc., Tenet Relocation Services L.L.C., Tenet SC East Cooper Hospitalists L.L.C., Tenet South Carolina Gastrointestinal Surgical Specialists L.L.C., Tenet South Carolina Island Medical L.L.C., Tenet South Carolina Lowcountry OB/GYN L.L.C., Tenet South Carolina Mt. Pleasant OB/GYN L.L.C., Tenet Unifour Urgent Care Center L.L.C., Tenet Ventures Inc., TenetCare Frisco Inc., Terre Haute Surgical Center LLC, Teton Outpatient Services LLC, Texan Ambulatory Surgery Center L.P., Texas Endoscopy Centers LLC, Texas Health Venture Arlington Hospital LLC, Texas Health Venture Baylor Plano LLC, Texas Health Venture Carrollton LLC, Texas Health Venture Centennial LLC, Texas Health Venture Ennis LLC, Texas Health Venture Fort Worth L.L.C., Texas Health Venture Granbury LLC, Texas Health Venture Heritage Park LLC, Texas Health Venture Keller LLC, Texas Health Venture Las Colinas LLC, Texas Health Venture Mansfield LLC, Texas Health Venture Plano Endo LLC, Texas Health Venture Plano LLC, Texas Health Venture Plano Parkway LLC, Texas Health Venture Texas Spine LLC, Texas Health Ventures Group L.L.C., Texas Orthopedics Surgery Center LLC, Texas Regional Medical Center LLC, Texas Regional Medical in Sunnyvale, Texas Spine and Joint Hospital LLC, The 6300 West Roosevelt Partnership, The Ambulatory Surgical Center of St. Louis L.P., The Healthcare Insurance Corporation, The Healthcare Underwriting Company a Risk Retention Group, The Huron Corporation, The Outpatient Center LLC, The Southeastern Spine Institute Ambulatory Surgery Center L.L.C., The Surgery Center at Jensen Beach LLC, The Surgery Center at Williamson LLC, The Tresanti Surgical Center LLC, Theda Oaks Gastroenterology & Endoscopy Center LLC, Titan Health Corporation, Titan Health of Chattanooga Inc., Titan Health of Hershey Inc., Titan Health of Mount Laurel LLC, Titan Health of North Haven Inc., Titan Health of Pittsburgh Inc., Titan Health of Pleasant Hills Inc., Titan Health of Princeton Inc., Titan Health of Sacramento Inc., Titan Health of Saginaw Inc., Titan Health of Titusville Inc., Titan Health of West Penn Inc., Titan Health of Westminster Inc., Titan Management Corporation, Titusville Center for Surgical Excellence LLC, Toms River Surgery Center L.L.C., Total Joint Center of the Northland LLC, Tower Road Real Estate LLC, Tower/USP Surgery Centers LLC, Treasure Coast ASC LLC, Trophy Club Medical Center L.P., True Medical Weight Loss L.P., True Medical Wellness LP, True Results Georgia Inc., True Results HoldCo LLC, True Results Missouri LLC, Tucson Digestive Institute LLC, Tucson Hospital Holdings Inc., Tucson Physician Group Holdings LLC, Turlock Imaging Services LLC, Turlock Land Company LLC, Tuscan Surgery Center at Las Colinas LLC, Twin Cities Ambulatory Surgery Center L.P., Twin Cities Community Hospital Inc., UAP Las Colinas Endo LLC, UAP Lebanon Endo LLC, UAP Nashville Endoscopy LLC, UAP Scopes LLC, UAP of Arizona Inc., UAP of California Inc., UAP of Missouri Inc., UAP of New Jersey Inc., UAP of Oklahoma Inc., UAP of Tennessee Inc., UAP of Texas Inc., UCC Tucson Holdings LLC, UMC Surgery Center Lubbock LLC, UMC-USP Surgery Centers LLC, USC/Norris Cancer Hospital, USP 12th Ave Real Estate Inc., USP Acquisition Corporation, USP Alexandria Inc., USP Assurance Company, USP Athens Inc., USP Atlanta Inc., USP Austin Inc., USP Bariatric LLC, USP Beaumont Inc., USP Bergen Inc., USP Bloomington Inc., USP Bridgeton Inc., USP Cedar Park Inc., USP Chesterfield Inc., USP Chicago Inc., USP Cincinnati Inc., USP Coast Inc., USP Columbia Inc., USP Connecticut Inc., USP Corpus Christi Inc., USP Creve Coeur Inc., USP Denver Inc., USP Des Peres Inc., USP Destin Inc., USP Domestic Holdings Inc., USP Effingham Inc., USP Encinitas Endoscopy Inc., USP Fenton Inc., USP Festus Inc., USP Florissant Inc., USP Fort Lauderdale Inc., USP Fort Worth Hospital Real Estate Inc., USP Fredericksburg Inc., USP Fresno Inc., USP Frontenac Inc., USP Gateway Inc., USP HMH Surgery Center at Shore LLC, USP Harbour View Inc., USP Houston Inc., USP Indiana Inc., USP International Holdings Inc., USP Jersey City Inc., USP Kansas City Inc., USP Knoxville Inc., USP Little Rock Inc., USP Long Island Inc., USP Louisiana Inc., USP Lubbock Inc., USP Maryland Inc., USP Mason Ridge Inc., USP Mattis Inc., USP Michigan Inc., USP Midland Inc., USP Midland Real Estate Inc., USP Midwest Inc., USP Mission Hills Inc., USP Montana Inc., USP Morris Inc., USP Mt. Vernon Inc., USP Nevada Holdings LLC, USP Nevada Inc., USP New Hampshire Inc., USP New Jersey Inc., USP Newport News Inc., USP North Carolina Inc., USP North Kansas City Inc., USP North Texas Inc., USP Northwest Arkansas Inc., USP OKC Inc., USP OKC Manager Inc., USP Office Parkway Inc., USP Ohio RE Inc., USP Oklahoma Inc., USP Olive Inc., USP Orlando Inc., USP Philadelphia Inc., USP Phoenix Inc., USP Portland Inc., USP Reading Inc., USP Richmond II Inc., USP Richmond Inc., USP Sacramento Inc., USP San Antonio Inc., USP Santa Barbara Surgery Centers Inc., USP Securities Corporation, USP Silver Cross Inc., USP Siouxland Inc., USP Somerset Inc., USP South Carolina Inc., USP Southlake RE Inc., USP St. Louis Inc., USP St. Louis Urology Inc., USP St. Peters Inc., USP Sunset Hills Inc., USP TJ STL Inc., USP Tennessee Inc., USP Texas Air L.L.C., USP Texas L.P., USP Torrance Inc., USP Tucson Inc., USP Turnersville Inc., USP Virginia Beach Inc., USP Washington Inc., USP Waxahachie Management L.L.C., USP Webster Groves Inc., USP West Covina Inc., USP Westwood Inc., USP Winter Park Inc., USP Wisconsin Inc., USP-HMH Surgery Center at Central Jersey LLC, USP/Carondelet Tucson Surgery Centers LLC, USP/SOS Joint Venture LLC, USPI Group Holdings Inc., USPI Holding Company Inc.1, USPI Holdings Inc., USPI Physician Strategy Group LLC, USPI San Diego Inc., USPI Stockton Inc., USPI Surgical Services Inc., Ulysses True Results NewCo LLC, Underwood Surgery Center LLC, United Anesthesia Partners Inc., United Real Estate Development Inc., United Real Estate Holdings Inc., United Surgical Partners Holdings Inc., United Surgical Partners International, United Surgical Partners International Inc., Universal Medical Care Center L.L.C., University Surgery Center Ltd., University Surgical Partners of Dallas L.L.P., Upper Bay Surgery Center LLC, Upper Cumberland Physicians Surgery Center LLC, Urgent Care Centers of Arizona LLC, Utica ASC Partners LLC, Utica/USP Tulsa L.L.C., VB Brownsville LTACH LLC, VBOA ASC GP LLC, VBOA ASC Partners L.L.C., VHM Services Inc., VHS Acquisition Corporation, VHS Acquisition Partnership Number 1 L.P, VHS Acquisition Subsidiary Number 1 Inc., VHS Acquisition Subsidiary Number 11 Inc., VHS Acquisition Subsidiary Number 12 Inc., VHS Acquisition Subsidiary Number 3 Inc., VHS Acquisition Subsidiary Number 4 Inc., VHS Acquisition Subsidiary Number 5 Inc., VHS Acquisition Subsidiary Number 6 Inc., VHS Acquisition Subsidiary Number 7 Inc., VHS Acquisition Subsidiary Number 8 Inc., VHS Acquisition Subsidiary Number 9 Inc., VHS Arizona Heart Institute Inc., VHS Brownsville Hospital Company LLC, VHS Chicago Market Procurement LLC, VHS Childrens Hospital of Michigan Inc., VHS Detroit Businesses Inc., VHS Detroit Receiving Hospital Inc., VHS Detroit Ventures Inc., VHS Harlingen Hospital Company LLC, VHS Harper-Hutzel Hospital Inc., VHS Holding Company Inc., VHS Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital Inc., VHS Imaging Centers Inc., VHS New England Holding Company I Inc., VHS Outpatient Clinics Inc., VHS Phoenix Health Plan Inc., VHS Physicians of Michigan, VHS Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan Inc., VHS San Antonio Imaging Partners L.P., VHS San Antonio Partners LLC, VHS Sinai-Grace Hospital Inc., VHS University Laboratories Inc., VHS Valley Health System LLC, VHS Valley Holdings LLC, VHS Valley Management Company Inc., VHS West Suburban Medical Center Inc., VHS Westlake Hospital Inc., VHS of Anaheim Inc., VHS of Arrowhead Inc., VHS of Huntington Beach Inc., VHS of Illinois Inc., VHS of Michigan Inc., VHS of Michigan Staffing Inc., VHS of Orange County Inc., VHS of Phoenix Inc., VHS of South Phoenix Inc., Valley Baptist Lab Services LLC, Valley Baptist Physician Performance Network, Valley Baptist Realty Company LLC, Valley Baptist Wellness Center LLC, Valley Health Care Network, Vanguard ASC LLC, Vanguard Health Financial Company LLC, Vanguard Health Holding Company I LLC, Vanguard Health Holding Company II LLC, Vanguard Health Management Inc., Vanguard Health Systems, Vanguard Health Systems Inc., Vanguard Holding Company I Inc., Vanguard Holding Company II Inc., Vanguard Medical Specialists LLC, Vanguard Physician Services LLC, Ventana Surgical Center LLC, Veroscan Inc., Victoria Ambulatory Surgery Center L.P., Virtua-USP Princeton LLC, WHASA L.C., Walker Baptist Affinity LLC, Walker Street Imaging Care Inc., Warner Park Surgery Center LLC, Watermark Physician Services Inc., Webster Ambulatory Surgery Center L.P., Wellington Endo LLC, Wellstar/USP Joint Venture I LLC, Wellstar/USP Joint Venture II LLC, West Boca Health Services L.L.C., West Boca Medical Center Inc., West Boynton Urgent Care L.L.C., West Bozeman Surgery Center LLC, West Palm Healthcare Real Estate Inc., West Suburban Radiation Therapy Center LLC, Westgate Surgery Center LLC, Westlake Hospital LLC, Westlawn Surgery Center LLC, Westminster Surgery Center LLC, Westminster Surgery Centers LLC, White Fence Surgical Suites LLC, Willamette Spine Center Ambulatory Surgery LLC, Wilmington Endoscopy Center LLC, Wilshire Rental Corp., Winter Haven Ambulatory Surgical Center L.L.C., Wisconsin Specialty Surgery Center LLC, Wymark Surgery Center LLC, and YNHHSC/USP Surgery Centers LLC.
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Since 2016, Teeka Tiwari has trumped the stock market. His investment recommendations have each averaged 281%. Thats 17 times the S&P. And 112 times the average investor, according to JPMorgan! However, one investment Teeka just uncovered could top them all It involves former President Biden, billions of dollars, several large banks, and a super-rich family. As well as a MAJOR potential upgrade to our credit cards. Teeka, who ended up correctly picking the last investment of the decade, is declaring this his top pick for the 2020s.

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., a financial institution, provides range of financial services for corporations, financial institutions, governments, and individuals worldwide. It operates through four segments: Investment Banking, Global Markets, Asset Management, and Consumer & Wealth Management. The company's Investment Banking segment provides financial advisory services, including strategic advisory assignments related to mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, corporate defense activities, restructurings, and spin-offs; and middle-market lending, relationship lending, and acquisition financing, as well as transaction banking services. This segment also offers underwriting services, such as equity underwriting for common and preferred stock and convertible and exchangeable securities; and debt underwriting for various types of debt instruments, including investment-grade and high-yield debt, bank and bridge loans, and emerging- and growth-market debt, as well as originates structured securities. Its Global Markets segment is involved in client execution activities for cash and derivative instruments; credit and interest rate products; and provision of equity intermediation and equity financing, clearing, settlement, and custody services, as well as mortgages, currencies, commodities, and equities related products. The company's Asset Management segment manages assets across various asset classes, including equity, fixed income, hedge funds, credit funds, private equity, real estate, currencies, and commodities; and provides customized investment advisory solutions, as well as invests in corporate, real estate, and infrastructure entities. Its Consumer & Wealth Management segment offers wealth advisory and banking services, including financial planning, investment management, deposit taking, and lending; private banking; and unsecured loans, as well as accepts saving and time deposits. The company was founded in 1869 and is headquartered in New York, New York.

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To Any American Who Owns a Cell Phone (Ad)

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Wall Street Legend Who Picked Bitcoin in 2016 Shares #1 Pick for the 2020s (Ad)

Picking the right investment of the decade can transform your life



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Wall Street analysts have given iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth 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 Growth ETF wasn't one of them. MarketBeat thinks these five companies may be even better buys.

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The following companies are subsidiares of Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft: 87 Leonard Development LLC, ABFS I Incorporated, ABS MB Ltd., Acacia (Luxembourg) S.a r.l., Accounting Solutions Holding Company Inc, Alex. Brown Financial Services Incorporated, Alex. Brown Investments Incorporated, Alfred Herrhausen Gesellschaft mbH, Amber Investments S.a r.l., Ambidexter GmbH, Ambidexter GmbH i.L., Argent Incorporated, BHW - Gesellschaft fur Wohnungswirtschaft mbH, BHW Bausparkasse Aktiengesellschaft, BHW Holding GmbH, BHW Kreditservice GmbH, BNA Nominees Pty Limited, BT Globenet Nominees Limited, BTAS Cayman GP, BTD Nominees Pty Limited, Baincor Nominees Pty Limited, Bainpro Nominees Pty Ltd, Baldur Mortgages Limited, Bankers Trust Investments Limited, Barkly Investments Ltd., Bayan Delinquent Loan Recovery 1 (SPV-AMC) Inc, Bayan Delinquent Loan Recovery 1 (SPV-AMC) Inc., Berkshire Mortgage Finance, Betriebs-Center fur Banken AG, Biomass Holdings S.a r.l., Birch (Luxembourg) S.a r.l., Blue Cork Inc, Blue Cork Inc., Borfield Sociedad Anonima, Breaking Wave DB Limited, Cape Acquisition Corp., CapeSuccess Inc., CapeSuccess LLC, Cardales UK Limited, Cardea Real Estate S.r.l., Career Blazers LLC, Career Blazers Management Company Inc, Career Blazers Management Company Inc., Career Blazers Personnel Services Inc, Career Blazers Personnel Services Inc., Career Blazers Personnel Services of Washington D.C. Inc. Washington D.C., Caribbean Resort Holdings Inc, Caribbean Resort Holdings Inc., Carpathian Investments Designated Activity Company, Cathay Advisory (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Cathay Advisory (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Cathay Asset Management Company Limited, Cathay Capital Company (No 2) Limited, Cedar (Luxembourg) S.a r.l., Centennial River 2 Inc., Centennial River Corporation, Chapel Funding, Charlton (Delaware) Inc, China Recovery Fund LLC, China Recovery Fund LLC, Cinda - DB NPL Securitization Trust 2003-1, City Leasing (Thameside) Limited, City Leasing Limited, Consumo S.p.A., Consumo Srl in Liquidazione, Cyrus J. Lawrence Capital Holdings Inc., Cyrus J. Lawrence Capital Holdings Inc., D B Investments (GB) Limited, D&M Turnaround Partners Godo Kaisha, D.B. International Delaware Inc., D.B. International Delaware Inc., DAHOC (UK) Limited (in members' voluntary liquidation), DAHOC Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, DB (Barbados) SRL, DB (Malaysia) Nominee (Asing) Sdn. Bhd., DB (Malaysia) Nominee (Tempatan) Sendirian Berhad, DB (Pacific) Limited, DB (Pacific) Limited New York, DB (Pacific) Limited New York, DB Abalone LLC, DB Alex. Brown Holdings Incorporated, DB Alps Corporation, DB Aotearoa Investments Limited, DB Asia Pacific Holdings Limited (in voluntary liquidation), DB Asset Finance I S.a r.l., DB Asset Finance II S.a r.l., DB Aster II LLC, DB Aster III LLC, DB Aster Inc., DB Aster LLC, DB Beteiligungs-Holding GmbH, DB Boracay LLC, DB Capital Investments Sarl, DB Capital Markets (Deutschland) GmbH, DB Capital Partners Inc., DB Capital Partners Inc., DB Cartera de Inmuebles 1 S.A.U., DB Cartera de Inmuebles 1 S.A.U., DB Chestnut Holdings Limited, DB Commodity Services LLC, DB Consorzio S. Cons. a r. l., DB Corporate Advisory (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., DB Covered Bond S.r.l., DB Credit Investments S.a r.l., DB Delaware Holdings (Europe) Limited, DB Direkt GmbH, DB Elara LLC, DB Energy Commodities Limited (in members' voluntary liquidation), DB Energy Trading LLC, DB Enfield Infrastructure Holdings Limited, DB Equipment Leasing Inc., DB Equipment Leasing Inc., DB Equity Limited, DB Finance (Delaware) LLC, DB Finance (Delaware) LLC, DB Finance International GmbH, DB Ganymede 2006 L.P., DB Global Markets Multi-Strategy Fund I Ltd., DB Global Technology Inc., DB Global Technology Inc., DB Global Technology SRL, DB Group Services (UK) Limited, DB HR Solutions GmbH, DB Holding Fundo de Investimento Multimercado Investimento no Exterior Credito Privado, DB Holdings (New York) Inc., DB Holdings (New York) Inc., DB Holdings (South America) Limited, DB IROC Leasing Corp., DB Immobilienfonds 1 Wieland KG, DB Immobilienfonds 2 KG i.L., DB Immobilienfonds 4 KG i.L., DB Immobilienfonds 5 Wieland KG, DB Impact Investment (GP) Limited, DB Impact Investment Fund I L.P., DB Impact Investment Fund I L.P., DB Industrial Holdings Beteiligungs GmbH & Co. KG, DB Industrial Holdings GmbH, DB Intermezzo LLC, DB International (Asia) Limited, DB International Investments Limited, DB International Trust (Singapore) Limited, DB Investment Managers Inc., DB Investment Managers Inc., DB Investment Partners Inc., DB Investment Partners Inc., DB Investment Resources (US) Corporation, DB Investment Resources Holdings Corp., DB Investment Services GmbH, DB Io LP, DB Litigation Fee LLC, DB London (Investor Services) Nominees Limited, DB Management Support GmbH, DB Managers LLC, DB Municipal Holdings LLC, DB Nexus American Investments (UK) Limited (in members'voluntary liquidation), DB Nexus Investments (UK) Limited (in members' voluntary liquidation), DB Nominees (Hong Kong) Limited, DB Nominees (Singapore) Pte Ltd, DB Omega BTV S.C.S., DB Omega Holdings LLC, DB Omega Ltd., DB Omega S.C.S., DB Operaciones y Servicios Interactivos Agrupacion de Interes Economico, DB Overseas Finance Delaware Inc., DB Overseas Finance Delaware Inc., DB Overseas Holdings Limited, DB PWM, DB Portfolio Southwest Inc., DB Print GmbH, DB Privat- und Firmenkundenbank AG, DB Private Clients Corp., DB Private Wealth Mortgage Ltd., DB RC Holdings LLC, DB Re S.A., DB Service Centre Limited, DB Service Uruguay S.A., DB Services Americas Inc., DB Services Americas Inc., DB Servizi Amministrativi S.r.l., DB Strategic Advisors Inc., DB Strategic Advisors Inc., DB Structured Derivative Products LLC, DB Structured Derivative Products LLC, DB Structured Finance 1 Designated Activity Company, DB Structured Finance 2 Designated Activity Company, DB Structured Holdings Luxembourg S.a r.l., DB Structured Products Inc., DB Structured Products Inc., DB Trustee Services Limited, DB Trustees (Hong Kong) Limited, DB U.S. Financial Markets Holding Corporation, DB UK Bank Limited, DB UK Holdings Limited, DB UK PCAM Holdings Limited, DB USA Core Corporation, DB USA Corporation, DB Valoren S.a r.l., DB Value S.a r.l., DB VersicherungsManager GmbH, DB Vita S.A., DBAB Wall Street LLC, DBAH Capital LLC, DBAH Capital LLC, DBCIBZ1, DBCIBZ2, DBFIC Inc., DBFIC Inc., DBNZ Overseas Investments (No.1) Limited, DBOI Global Services (UK) Limited, DBOI Global Services Private Limited, DBR Investments Co. Limited, DBRE Global Real Estate Management IA Ltd., DBRE Global Real Estate Management IB Ltd., DBRE Global Real Estate Management IB Ltd., DBRE Global Real Estate Management US IB L.L.C., DBRMS4, DBRMSGP1, DBUK PCAM Limited, DBUKH No. 2 Limited, DBUSBZ1 LLC, DBUSBZ1 LLC, DBUSBZ2 S.a r.l., DBUSBZ2 S.a r.l., DBX Advisors LLC, DBX ETF Trust, DBX Strategic Advisors LLC, DBO Vermogensverwertung GmbH, DEBEKO Immobilien GmbH & Co Grundbesitz OHG, DEE Deutsche Erneuerbare Energien GmbH, DEUFRAN Beteiligungs GmbH, DEUKONA Versicherungs-Vermittlungs-GmbH, DEUTSCHE BANK A.S., DG China Clean Tech Partners, DI Deutsche Immobilien Treuhandgesellschaft mbH, DIB-Consult Deutsche Immobilien- und BeteiligungsBeratungsgesellschaft mbH i.L., DISCA Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, DNU Nominees Pty Limited, DSL Portfolio GmbH & Co. KG, DSL Portfolio Verwaltungs GmbH, DTS Nominees Pty Limited, DWS Alternatives France, DWS Alternatives Global Limited, DWS Alternatives GmbH, DWS Asset Management (Korea) Company Limited, DWS Beteiligungs GmbH, DWS CH AG, DWS Distributors Inc., DWS Distributors Inc., DWS Far Eastern Investments Limited, DWS Group GmbH & Co. KGaA, DWS Group Services UK Limited, DWS Grundbesitz GmbH, DWS International GmbH, DWS Investment GmbH, DWS Investment Management Americas Inc., DWS Investment Management Americas Inc., DWS Investment S.A., DWS Investments Australia Limited, DWS Investments Hong Kong Limited, DWS Investments Japan Limited, DWS Investments Shanghai Limited, DWS Investments Singapore Limited, DWS Investments UK Limited, DWS Management GmbH, DWS Real Estate GmbH, DWS Service Company, DWS Trust Company, DWS USA Corporation, De Heng Asset Management Company Limited, De Meng Innovative (Beijing) Consulting Company Limited, DeAM Infrastructure Limited, Deloraine Spain S.L., Delowrezham de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Deposit Solutions, Deutsche (Aotearoa) Capital Holdings New Zealand, Deutsche (Aotearoa) Foreign Investments New Zealand, Deutsche (Mauritius) Limited Port, Deutsche (New Munster) Holdings New Zealand Limited, Deutsche Access Investments Limited, Deutsche Aeolia Power Production Societe Anonyme, Deutsche Alt-A Securities Inc., Deutsche Alt-A Securities Inc., Deutsche Alternative Asset Management (France) SAS, Deutsche Alternative Asset Management (UK) Limited, Deutsche Asia Pacific Holdings Pte Ltd, Deutsche Asset Management (India) Private Limited, Deutsche Asset Management (Japan) Limited, Deutsche Asset Management (Korea) Company Limited, Deutsche Asset Management S.A., Deutsche Asset Management S.G.I.I.C. S.A., Deutsche Australia Limited, Deutsche Bank (Cayman) Limited, Deutsche Bank (Chile), Deutsche Bank (China) Co. Ltd., Deutsche Bank (China) Co. Ltd., Deutsche Bank (Malaysia) Berhad, Deutsche Bank (Suisse) SA, Deutsche Bank (Uruguay) Sociedad Anonima Institucion Financiera Externa, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft, Deutsche Bank Americas Holding Corp., Deutsche Bank Bauspar-Aktiengesellschaft, Deutsche Bank Capital Finance LLC I, Deutsche Bank Capital Finance Trust I, Deutsche Bank Europe GmbH, Deutsche Bank Financial Company, Deutsche Bank Holdings Inc., Deutsche Bank Holdings Inc., Deutsche Bank Insurance Agency Incorporated, Deutsche Bank Insurance Agency of Delaware, Deutsche Bank International Limited, Deutsche Bank Investments (Guernsey) Limited, Deutsche Bank Luxembourg S.A., Deutsche Bank Luxembourg S.A. - Fiduciary Deposits, Deutsche Bank Luxembourg S.A. - Fiduciary Note Programme, Deutsche Bank Mutui S.p.A., Deutsche Bank Mexico S.A. Institucion de Banca Multiple, Deutsche Bank Mexico S.A. Institucion de Banca Multiple, Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, Deutsche Bank National Trust Company Los, Deutsche Bank Nominees (Guernsey) Limited, Deutsche Bank Nominees (Jersey) Limited, Deutsche Bank Polska Spolka Akcyjna, Deutsche Bank Representative Office Nigeria Limited, Deutsche Bank S.A. - Banco Alemao, Deutsche Bank S.A. - Banco Alemao Sao, Deutsche Bank SPEARs/LIFERs Series DBE-8011 Trust, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Deutsche Bank Securities Limited, Deutsche Bank Services (Jersey) Limited, Deutsche Bank Sociedad Anonima Espanola, Deutsche Bank Sociedad Anonima Espanola, Deutsche Bank Societa per Azioni, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Delaware, Deutsche Bank Trust Company National Association, Deutsche Bank Trust Company National Association, Deutsche Bank Trust Corporation, Deutsche CIB Centre Private Limited, Deutsche Capital Finance (2000) Limited, Deutsche Capital Hong Kong Limited, Deutsche Capital Management Limited, Deutsche Capital Markets Australia Limited, Deutsche Capital Partners China Limited, Deutsche Cayman Ltd., Deutsche Colombia S.A.S., Deutsche Custody N.V., Deutsche Domus New Zealand Limited, Deutsche Equities India Private Limited, Deutsche Finance Co 1 Pty Limited, Deutsche Finance Co 2 Pty Limited, Deutsche Finance Co 3 Pty Limited, Deutsche Finance Co 4 Pty Limited, Deutsche Finance No. 2 Limited, Deutsche Foras New Zealand Limited, Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Immobilien-Leasing mit beschrankter Haftung, Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Immobilien-Leasing mit beschrankterHaftung, Deutsche Global Markets Limited, Deutsche Group Holdings (SA) Proprietary Limited, Deutsche Group Services Pty Limited, Deutsche Grundbesitz Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, Deutsche Grundbesitz Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH i.L., Deutsche Grundbesitz-Anlagegesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung, Deutsche Holdings (BTI) Limited, Deutsche Holdings (Grand Duchy), Deutsche Holdings (Luxembourg) S.a r.l., Deutsche Holdings (Malta) Ltd., Deutsche Holdings Limited, Deutsche Holdings No. 2 Limited, Deutsche Holdings No. 3 Limited, Deutsche Holdings No. 4 Limited, Deutsche Immobilien Leasing GmbH, Deutsche India Holdings Private Limited, Deutsche International Corporate Services (Ireland) Limited, Deutsche International Corporate Services Limited, Deutsche International Custodial Services Limited, Deutsche Inversiones Dos S.A., Deutsche Inversiones Limitada, Deutsche Investments (Netherlands) N.V., Deutsche Investments India Private Limited, Deutsche Investor Services Private Limited, Deutsche Knowledge Services Pte. Ltd., Deutsche Leasing New York Corp., Deutsche Mandatos S.A., Deutsche Master Funding Corporation, Deutsche Mexico Holdings S.a r.l., Deutsche Morgan Grenfell Group Limited, Deutsche Morgan Grenfell Group Public Limited Company, Deutsche Mortgage & Asset Receiving Corporation, Deutsche Mortgage Securities Inc., Deutsche Mortgage Securities Inc., Deutsche Nederland N.V., Deutsche New Zealand Limited, Deutsche Nominees Limited, Deutsche Oppenheim Family Office AG, Deutsche Overseas Issuance New Zealand Limited, Deutsche Postbank, Deutsche Postbank Finance Center Objekt GmbH, Deutsche Postbank Funding LLC I, Deutsche Postbank Funding LLC II, Deutsche Postbank Funding LLC III, Deutsche Private Asset Management Limited, Deutsche Securities (India) Private Limited, Deutsche Securities (Proprietary) Limited, Deutsche Securities (SA) (Proprietary) Limited, Deutsche Securities Asia Limited, Deutsche Securities Australia Limited, Deutsche Securities Inc., Deutsche Securities Israel Ltd., Deutsche Securities Korea Co., Deutsche Securities Mauritius Limited, Deutsche Securities Menkul Degerler A.S., Deutsche Securities S.A., Deutsche Securities S.A. de C.V. Casa de Bolsa, Deutsche Securities S.A. de C.V. Casa de Bolsa, Deutsche Securities Saudi Arabia, Deutsche Securities SpA, Deutsche Securities Venezuela S.A., Deutsche Securitisation Australia Pty Limited, Deutsche Services Polska Sp. z o.o., Deutsche StiftungsTrust GmbH, Deutsche Strategic Investment Holdings Yugen Kaisha, Deutsche Trust Company Limited Japan, Deutsche Trustee Company Limited, Deutsche Trustee Services (India) Private Limited, Deutsche Trustees Malaysia Berhad, Deutsche Wealth Management S.G.I.I.C. S.A., Deutsches Institut fur Altersvorsorge GmbH, Durian (Luxembourg) S.a r.l., EC EUROPA IMMOBILIEN FONDS NR. 3 GmbH & CO. KG i.I., Elba Finance GmbH, Elizabethan Holdings Limited, Elizabethan Management Limited, Emerald Asset Repackaging Designated Activity Company, Erste Frankfurter Hoist GmbH, European Value Added I (Alternate G.P.) LLP, Exinor SA, FARAMIR Beteiligungs- und Verwaltungs GmbH, FRANKFURT CONSULT GmbH, Fiduciaria Sant' Andrea S.r.L., Finanzberatungsgesellschaft mbH der Deutschen Bank, Franz Urbig- und Oscar Schlitter-Stiftung Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung, Freddie Mac Class A Taxable Multifamily M Certificates Series M-037, Freddie Mac Class A Taxable Multifamily M Certificates Series M-039, Freddie Mac Class A Taxable Multifamily M Certificates Series M-040, Freddie Mac Class A Taxable Multifamily M Certificates Series M-041, Freddie Mac Class A Taxable Multifamily M Certificates Series M-043, Freddie Mac Class A Taxable Multifamily M Certificates Series M-044, Freddie Mac Class A Taxable Multifamily M Certificates Series M-047, Funfte SAB Treuhand und Verwaltung GmbH & Co. Suhl "Rimbachzentrum" KG, G Finance Holding Corp., G.O. IB-US Management L.L.C., G918 Corp., GAC-HEL Inc., GWC-GAC Corp., Galene S.a r.l., Gemini Technology Services Inc., German American Capital, German American Capital Corporation, Gladyr Spain S.L., Global Markets Fundo de Investimento Multimercado, Global Markets III Fundo de Investimento Multimercado - Credito, Greenwood Properties Corp., Grundstucksgesellschaft Frankfurt Bockenheimer Landstrae GbR, Grundstucksgesellschaft Kerpen-Sindorf Vogelrutherfeld GbR, Grundstucksgesellschaft Leipzig Petersstrae GbR, Grundstucksgesellschaft Wiesbaden Luisenstrae/Kirchgasse GbR, HTB Spezial GmbH & Co. KG, Hollandsche Bank-Unie, IOS Finance EFC S.A., ISTRON Beteiligungs- und Verwaltungs-GmbH, IVAF I Manager S.a r.l., IVAF I Manager S.a r.l., Immobilienfonds Buro-Center Erfurt am Flughafen Bindersleben I GbR, Immobilienfonds Buro-Center Erfurt am Flughafen Bindersleben II GbR, Immobilienfonds Mietwohnhauser Quadrath-Ichendorf GbR, Immobilienfonds Wohn- und Geschaftshaus Koln-Blumenberg V GbR, J R Nominees (Pty) Ltd, Joint Stock Company Deutsche Bank DBU, Jyogashima Godo Kaisha, KEBA Gesellschaft fur interne Services mbH, Kidson Pte Ltd, Konsul Inkasso GmbH, Kradavimd UK Lease Holdings Limited, LA Water Holdings Limited, LAWL Pte. Ltd., Latitude Australia Secured Personal Loans Trust, Leasing Verwaltungsgesellschaft Waltersdorf mbH, Leonardo III Initial GP Limited, Lindsell Finance Limited, London Industrial Leasing Limited, MEF I Manager S. a r.l., MEF I Manager S. a r.l., MHL Reinsurance Ltd., MIT Holdings Inc., MIT Holdings Inc., MPP Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, Maher Terminals Holdings (Toronto) Limited, Morgan Grenfell & Company, MortgageIT, MortgageIT Inc., MortgageIT Inc., MortgageIT Securities Corp., Motion Picture Productions One GmbH & Co. KG, NCW Holding Inc., Navegator - SGFTC S.A., Navegator - SGFTC S.A., New 87 Leonard LLC, Nordwestdeutscher Wohnungsbautrager Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung, OOO "Deutsche Bank TechCentre", OOO "Deutsche Bank", OPB Verwaltungs- und Beteiligungs-GmbH, OPB Verwaltungs- und Treuhand GmbH, OPB-Holding GmbH, OPB-Nona GmbH, OPB-Oktava GmbH, OPB-Quarta GmbH, OPB-Quinta GmbH, OPB-Septima GmbH, OPPENHEIM Capital Advisory GmbH, OPPENHEIM Flottenfonds V GmbH & Co. KG, OPPENHEIM PRIVATE EQUITY Manager GmbH, OPPENHEIM PRIVATE EQUITY Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH, OPS Nominees Pty Limited, OVT Trust 1 GmbH, OVV Beteiligungs GmbH, Opal Funds (Ireland) Public Limited Company, PADUS Grundstucks-Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH, PARTS Funding LLC., PB Factoring GmbH, PB Firmenkunden AG, PB International S.A., PB Spezial-Investmentaktiengesellschaft mit Teilgesellschaftsvermogen, PBC Banking Services GmbH, PCC Services GmbH der Deutschen Bank, PT Deutsche Sekuritas Indonesia, PT. Deutsche Verdhana Sekuritas Indonesia, Pan Australian Nominees Pty Ltd, Peruda Leasing Limited, Plantation Bay Inc., Plantation Bay Inc., Postbank Akademie und Service GmbH, Postbank Beteiligungen GmbH, Postbank Direkt GmbH, Postbank Filialvertrieb AG, Postbank Finanzberatung AG, Postbank Immobilien GmbH, Postbank Immobilien und Baumanagement GmbH, Postbank Immobilien und Baumanagement GmbH & Co. Objekt Leipzig KG, Postbank Leasing GmbH, Postbank Service GmbH, Postbank Systems AG, QR Tower 2 LLC, Quantiguous, R.B.M. Nominees Pty Ltd, REO Properties Corporation, RREEF, RREEF America L.L.C., RREEF China REIT Management Limited, RREEF European Value Added I (G.P.) Limited, RREEF Fund Holding Co., RREEF India Advisors Private Limited, RREEF Management L.L.C., RTS Nominees Pty Limited, Reference Capital Investments Limited, RoPro U.S. Holding Inc., RoPro U.S. Holding Inc., Route 28 Receivables LLC, Route 28 Receivables LLC, SAB Real Estate Verwaltungs GmbH, SAGITA Grundstucks-Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH, SAPIO Grundstucks-Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH, SCUDO Grundstucks-Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH i.L., SEDO Grundstucks-Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH i.L., SENA Grundstucks-Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH & Co. Objekt Kamenz KG, SIFA Grundstucks-Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH, SOLIDO Grundstucks-Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH, SP Mortgage Trust, SPINO Grundstucks-Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH i.L., SPV I Sociedad Anonima Cerrada, SPV II Sociedad Anonima Cerrada, STATOR Heizkraftwerk Frankfurt (Oder) Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, Sal. Oppenheim, Sal. Oppenheim Alternative Investments GmbH, Sal. Oppenheim jr. & Cie. AG & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft auf Aktien, Sal. Oppenheim jr. & Cie. Beteiligungs GmbH, Sal. Oppenheim jr. & Cie. Komplementar AG, Sechste Salomon Beteiligungs- und Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH, Sechste Salomon Beteiligungs- und Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH i.L., Service Company Four Limited, Sharps SP I LLC, Singer Island Tower Suite LLC, Somkid Immobiliare S.r.l., Stelvio Immobiliare S.r.l., Structured Finance Americas LLC, Structured Finance Americas LLC, Swabia 1. Vermogensbesitz-GmbH, Suddeutsche Vermogensverwaltung Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung, TAKIR Grundstucks-Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH, TELO Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, TEMATIS Grundstucks-Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH i.L., TERRUS Grundstucks-Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH i.L., TESATUR Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH & Co. Objekt Halle I KG i.L., TESATUR Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH & Co. Objekt Nordhausen I KG i.L., TOSSA Grundstucks-Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH, TRIPLA Grundstucks-Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH, TRS Aria LLC, TRS Leda LLC, TRS Maple II LTD, TRS Oak II LTD, TRS SVCO LLC, TRS Scorpio LLC, TRS Tupelo II LTD, TRS Venor LLC, TRS Walnut II LTD, Tagus - Sociedade de Titularizacao de Creditos S.A., Tasfiye Halinde Deutsche Securities Menkul Degerler A.S., Tempurrite Leasing Limited, Thai Asset Enforcement and Recovery Asset Management Company Limited, Tianjin Deutsche AM Fund Management Co. Ltd., Treuinvest Service GmbH, Triplereason Limited, UKE Beteiligungs-GmbH, UKE Grundstucksgesellschaft mbH, UKE s.r.o., Ullmann - Esch Grundstucksgesellschaft Kirchnerstrae GbR, Ullmann - Esch Grundstucksverwaltungsgesellschaft Disternich GbR, Ullmann Ullmann Krockow Krockow Esch GbR, VCJ Lease S.a r.l., Vesta Real Estate S.r.l., VOB-ZVD Processing GmbH, WEPLA Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, WEPLABeteiligungsgesellschaftmbH, Wealthspur Investment Ltd., Whale Holdings S.a r.l., World Trading (Delaware) Inc., World Trading(Delaware)Inc., Zumirez Drive LLC, db PBC, and norisbank GmbH.
Adaptive Medias, Inc., a programmatic audience and content monetization company, provides digital video and mobile solutions for Website owners, app developers, and video publishers for optimize content through advertising. The company provides programmatic and real time bidding advertising solutions across mobile, video, and display, as well as a business-to-business digital video content management platform SaaS. Its platform provides a video player for publishers to offer supplement video libraries. The company provides a foundation for publishers and developers to engage brand advertisers through a multi-channel approach that delivers ads in various devices. The company was formerly known as Mimvi, Inc. and changed its name to Adaptive Medias, Inc. in November 2013. Adaptive Medias, Inc. was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in Irvine, California.

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comScore, Inc. operates as an information and analytics company that measures advertising, consumer behavior, and audiences across media platforms worldwide. The company offers ratings and planning products and services, including Media Metrix Multi-Platform and Mobile Metrix, which measure Websites and apps on computers, smartphones, and tablets; Video Metrix that delivers measurement of digital video consumption; and Plan Metrix, which offers understanding of consumer lifestyle. Its ratings and planning products and services also comprises TV Essentials that combines TV viewing information with marketing segmentation and consumer databases; StationView Essentials to understand consumer viewing patterns and characteristics; Cross-Platform Suite, which integrates person-level linear TV viewership with digital audience data; and OnDemand Essentials that provides transactional tracking and reporting. In addition, its ratings and planning products comprise Comscore Campaign Ratings for verification of mobile and desktop video campaigns; validated Campaign Essentials, which validates whether digital ad impressions are visible to humans, identifies those that are fraudulent, and verifies that ads are shown in brand safe content and delivered to the right audience targets; and Total Home Panel Suite, which capture OTT, connected TV, and IOT device usage and content consumption. The company also offers analytics and optimization products and services that provide solutions for planning, optimization, and evaluation of advertising campaigns and brand protection. In addition, it offers movies reporting and analytics products and services to measure movie viewership and box office results by capturing movie ticket sales in real time or near real time. It serves digital publishers, television networks, movie studios, content owners, brand advertisers, agencies, and technology providers. The company was incorporated in 1999 and is headquartered in Reston, Virginia.

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I only buy one kind of stock. 37 of these cash cows are in my portfolio right now... and for every dollar invested in them they are sending us 69 cents in dividends. That's an effective yield of 69% a year-every year. All without leverage, options, or gimmicks.

CoreLogic, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides property information, insight, analytics, and data-enabled solutions in North America, Western Europe, and the Asia Pacific. The company operates in two segments, Property Intelligence & Risk Management Solutions (PIRM) and Underwriting & Workflow Solutions (UWS). The PIRM segment combines property information, mortgage information, and consumer information to deliver housing market and property-level insights, predictive analytics, and risk management capabilities. It also offers proprietary technology and software platforms to access, automate, or track the information and assist its clients with decision-making and compliance tools in the real estate and insurance industries. This segment primarily serves commercial banks, mortgage lenders and brokers, investment banks, fixed-income investors, real estate agents, MLS companies, property and casualty insurance companies, title insurance companies, government agencies, and government-sponsored enterprises. The UWS segment combines property, mortgage, and consumer information to provide comprehensive mortgage origination and monitoring solutions, including underwriting-related solutions, and data-enabled valuations and appraisals. This segment also provides proprietary technology and software platforms to access, automate, or track the information and assist its clients with vetting and onboarding prospects, and meeting compliance regulations, as well as understanding, evaluating, monitoring property values. It primarily serves mortgage lenders and servicers, mortgage brokers, credit unions, commercial banks, fixed-income investors, government agencies, and property and casualty insurance companies. The company was formerly known as The First American Corporation and changed its name to CoreLogic, Inc. in June 2010. CoreLogic, Inc. was incorporated in 1894 and is headquartered in Irvine, California.

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CNX Resources Corporation, an independent oil and natural gas company, acquires, explores for, develops, and produces natural gas properties primarily in the Appalachian Basin. It operates through two segments, Shale and Coalbed Methane. The company produces and sells pipeline quality natural gas primarily to gas wholesalers. This division owns rights to extract natural gas in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ohio from approximately 524,000 net Marcellus Shale acres; and 610,000 net acres of Utica Shale, as well as rights to extract natural gas from other shale and shallow oil and gas positions from approximately 1,017,000 in Illinois, Indiana, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. It also owns rights to extract coalbed methane (CBM) in Virginia from approximately 283,000 net CBM acres, as well as 1,896,000 net CBM acres in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, and New Mexico. In addition, the company owns, operates, and develops natural gas gathering and other midstream energy assets in the Marcellus Shale and Utica Shale in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. CNX Resources Corporation also offers gas gathering and water delivery solutions to third-parties. The company was formerly known as CONSOL Energy Inc. and changed its name to CNX Resources Corporation in November 2017. CNX Resources Corporation was founded in 1860 and is headquartered in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania.

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MPLX LP owns and operates midstream energy infrastructure and logistics assets primarily in the United States. It operates in two segments, Logistics and Storage, and Gathering and Processing. The company is involved in the gathering, processing, and transportation of natural gas; gathering, transportation, fractionation, exchange, storage, and marketing of natural gas liquids; transportation, storage, distribution, and marketing of crude oil and refined petroleum products, as well as other hydrocarbon-based products; and sale of residue gas and condensate. Its pipeline network located throughout the United States and Alaska; storage caverns consist of butane, propane, and liquefied petroleum gas storage with locations in Neal in West Virginia, Woodhaven in Michigan, Robinson in Illinois, and Jal in New Mexico; and marine business owns and operates boats and barges, including third-party chartered equipment, as well as a marine repair facility located on the Ohio River. The company also transports light products, heavy oils, crude oil, renewable fuels, chemicals, and feedstocks in the Mid-Continent and Gulf Coast regions. In addition, its refining logistics assets operates 619 tanks with a storage capacity of approximately 56 million barrels; and 32 rail and truck racks, 18 docks, and gasoline blenders. Further, the company operates terminal facilities for the receipt, storage, blending, adultization, handling, and redelivery of refined petroleum products located throughout the continental United States and Alaska. MPLX GP LLC acts as the general partner of MPLX LP. The company was incorporated in 2012 and is based in Findlay, Ohio. MPLX LP is a subsidiary of Marathon Petroleum Corporation.

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Afghanistan is investigating reports that at least 16 civilians including women and children were killed in an air strike in southern Helmand province, the defence ministry said in a statement on Friday.

The reports come as civilian deaths from air strikes have risen sharply in the past year, after the Afghan and US forces intensified their aerial bombardment of Taliban and Islamic State group militants.

Afghan forces backed by US air power were conducting counter-terrorism operations in Sangin district late Wednesday when the air strike was carried out, the ministry and NATO said.

Some reports have been published that civilians were killed and wounded, and the defence ministry formed a delegation to conduct a serious investigation into the civilian casualties, the ministry statement said.

NATOs Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan said the large Afghan-led, multi-day operation... Supported by US advisors and coalition air strikes was ongoing, and that it was still looking into the claims. But the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said the reports of civilian casualties, including children, were credible, and that it was also investigating.

I have got reports from the residents of the area where the strike took place. Sixteen people  ten children, four women, two men, all civilians  were killed, Afghan senator Hashim Alkozay told AFP.

Helmand provincial governor Mohammad Yasin said the strike also hit an adjacent civilian house.

A number of Afghans were killed and wounded, he added. The strike came as Taliban representatives were meeting with US officials in Qatar this week, with four straight days of discussion raising expectations as both sides seek a way out of the 17-year Afghan conflict. Civilians continue to pay a disproportionate price in the fighting.

UNAMA says the number of Afghan civilians killed by aerial bombings from January until October 2018 reached a record high of 313, with a further 336 wounded. The figures represent an increase of 39 per cent compared to the same time period in 2017.

UNAMA data shows that in total, 2,798 civilians were killed and 5,252 wounded in the first ten months of 2018.

The Taliban are responsible for about half of civilian casualties, with the remaining deaths attributed to the

Islamic State group and coalition strikes, according to the report.
The much awaited three-lane flyover in Mayur Vihar was thrown open to the public by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday. The newly inaugurated three-lane flyover with one kilometre long is an extension of the Barapullah Phase III flyover is expected to decongest traffic from Noida to Akshardham.

I congratulate all the staffs and workers of PWD and Larsen and Tourbo (L&T) who put their 100 percent effort to complete this project. Now, travel will be easy and people will save their time. In the past 70 years, no Government has done work and created facilities for the welfare of the people as the present Government did, said Arvind Kejriwal.

The inauguration was also attended by the Deputy Chief Minister and local MLA Manish Sisodia and Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Satyendar Jain.

Mayur Vihar flyover is the part of Barapullah elevated road corridor under phase III extension from Mayur Vihar to Sarai Kale Khan in Delhi. This three lane flyover was an essential project of Delhi Government which was planned and executed by PWD Delhi. The cost of the project is approximately Rs Rs. 45 crores.

Commuters will also save time as earlier it took one hour but now the travel between Noida and Akshardam will be just 15-20 minutes. The project was proposed in 2015 and has been constructed and was expected to start in 2017.

But there was so much hurdles from the Opposition and the Lieutenant Governor but then also we faced challenges and completed the project, said Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia.

The New Flyover will facilitate signal free movement in the area. Further, two loops connect the flyover in the middle part to facilitate the traffic movement for Mayur Vihar. The deck width of flyover is 12 m at the approaches and at the merging part (with loops), the width is 15.5 m.

In order to overcome the bottlenecks caused by traffic coming from NOIDA and Mayur Vihar, will be solved now.
India is surging ahead in the area of renewable energy. Renewable capacity has reached 73 gigawatt (GW), which is 20 per cent of the countrys total energy capacity.

Generation has increased, and solar energy has made tremendous strides. But still, it is not easy for the county to meet its ambitious 175-GW renewable capacity target by 2022, unless the policy gaps are not filled soon, says a new analysis released by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE).

The new report which was released at a two-day National Conference on renewable energy organised by CSE, and attended by some of the key stakeholders of the sector  regulators and policymakers, industry representatives and sector experts , formulated the roadmap to maintain the momentum.

Some favourable policies, combined with good market conditions, have seen the renewable energy sector emerge as a sunshine industry. Solar, in fact, has made considerable progress. Over the last four years, large-scale solar has seen an average annual growth rate of over 70 per cent. The installed solar capacity has increased from 2.6 GW in March 2014 to 23.1 GW in June 2018  large-scale solar comprises over 94 per cent of this. At under Rs 3 per unit on an average, wind and solar energy is now cheaper than coal power.

However, 2018 witnessed a slowdown triggered by financial difficulties being faced by distribution companies, import tariffs, and subsequent tariff increases. The CSE report lays bare some of the key concerns the sector faces today. Inconsistent policy has been the bane of the sector.

A classic example is that of the solar module manufacturing industry. The Government had reserved auction capacity for domestic manufacturers, but this drew a World Trade Organization censure.

Import duties have been applied and then removed; currently, a safeguard duty of 25 per cent is being levied on imported modules. The wind industry has been caught unawares as well, by the introduction of an auction-based regime to award bids from the feed-in tariff (FiT) process.

Distribution companies are under-performing; the most recent attempt to reform them, the Ujjwala Discom Assurance Yojana, has not yielded desired results. The financial stress that discoms are facing has meant payment delays for developers, cancellation of auctions, and lack of enforcement of contracts -- this dampens investors confidence and developers interest.

Solar rooftop has failed to make any headway in the current market which is skewed towards large-scale renewable energy. The country is aiming for a 40-GW capacity by 2022, but till November 2018, only 1,334 megawatt (MW) of grid-connected solar rooftop systems had been installed. Also, the preference has been for commercial and industrial installations  residential consumers, who hold immense potential, account for less than 20 per cent of the total installed capacity.

Distributed energy has been pushed to the back-burner. Almost all the schemes that have been floated for ensuring access to energy for the people, such as Saubhagya, are tied to extending the grid and connecting un-electrified households to centralised distribution and transmission networks. But the CSE analysis shows that grid connectivity does not lead to availability of electricity or consistent supply.

The CSE report puts forth a few key recommendations like charting an ambitious low-carbon growth pathway; looking beyond the INDCs (Intended Nationally Determined Contributions), increasing the share of distributed renewable generation  solar rooftops and mini-grids, encouraging smart grids that use communications infrastructure, control systems and information technology for efficient delivery and rethinking the discom model.
Governor, Droupadi Murmu today called upon people of the State, especially the urban residents to use their universal adult franchise in the upcoming Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. The Governor was speaking during the State level programme organised on the occasion of 9th National Voters Day here in the State Capital.

Emphasising on the National Voters Day theme 2019 -- No Voter to be left behind, the Governor said, It is very disheartening to see low urban voters turnout during the polls. Often those residing in big towns hardly register their presence during elections. The trend must be changed. On the contrary, the participation of rural populace during elections has shown a massive increase, depicting that the governments schemes are reaching there.

Voting rights being one of the fundamental rights must be used by one and all as it a primary tool in the decision making process. Also, one must acknowledge the role of Election Commission of India (ECI) including the State Election Commission (SEC) in spreading the words about the importance of election in a democratic nation. By conducting a series of activities beginning from rectification of voter lists to organising awareness drives, the Commission is doing a commendable job, the Governor added.

Chief Electoral Officer, L. Khiangte announced that the final rectified voters list will be released on January 30, 2019. As per the data, 2,19,81,479 voters are found to be eligible to cast their votes. The data covers 57.85 per cent of the total population of Jharkhand. As per the bifurcation, the State has 1,15,07,697 male voters while the total strength of female electors are 1,04,73,475 here. As many as 307 transgender are registered in the voters list. In addition, the number of million voters has increased significantly. At present, there are 1,01,606 young voters - million voters in the age group 18-19 years in Jharkhand, stated Khiangte.

Further sharing the details of the initiatives taken up at the State level to link the eligible voters in electoral roll, Khiangte said, Through Voters Awareness Forums (VAFs), establishment of Electoral Literacy Club at 1,246 high schools, 141 colleges and universities across the State, creation of Chunav Pathshala at 7,202 polling booths, introduction of android based mobile app -- CVIGIL to deal with the citizens grievances, launch of VVIP & DDC programme to rectify the voter lists of eminent persons, the Commission is trying to ensure the participation of each individual in the elections.

The other dignitaries present appealed to the citizens to strengthen the democratic setup and have equal say in the policy making. Ranchi DC asserted that Jharkhand is the first State in the country where the ECI team will come for inspection to verify the arrangements being ensured ahead of the two elections. The visit is slated on January 30.

The event saw the participation of State Election Commissioner NN Pandey, Ranchi University (RU)  VC, Dr. Ramesh Kumar Pandey, Ranchi DC Rai Mahimapat Ray, Subra Verma - Divisional Commissioner- South Chotanagpur division, District Election Officer Geeta Choubey including others.
Former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Friday termed the CBI raids at his Rohtak residence as political vendetta and said that he has complete faith in the judiciary.

The CBI on Friday registered a fresh case against the two-time former CM Hooda and several others in connection with the alleged irregularities in allotting over 1,417 acres of land during 2009-12 in Gurugram.

Apart from Hooda, the agency has booked Trilok Chand Gupta, the then Chief Administrator, HUDA and Director of the Urban Estate Town and Country Planning, and others, including 15 private builders, on charges of criminal conspiracy, cheating, pecuniary advantage and criminal misconduct.

Raids were carried out at over 20 places in Haryana, Delhi and Punjab including Hoodas residence in Rohtak.

Reacting to the CBI raids, Hooda, while talking to the mediapersons at his Rohtak residence said, Its nothing but political vendetta. They want to suppress my voice and defame me. But they will not succeed.

I am from a family of freedom fighters, even the British could not suppress us, he added.

The CBIs raid at Hoodas residence came barely hours before he was to travel to Jind in Haryana, where he was scheduled to address an election rally.

The voting for the Assembly bypoll in Jind will take place on January 28. It is a high stakes prestige battle, in which the Congress has fielded its national spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala, who is also sitting MLA from Kaithal.

Hooda said, He fully cooperated with the CBI officials.

I have full faith in the judicial system, he added.

Rohtak MP Deepender Singh Hooda, who is the son of the two-time former CM, was also present in the house during the raid.

Deepender also accused the BJP Government of working with political vendetta for the past five years.

Congress legislator and former Speaker Kuldeep Sharma also alleged that the CBI raids were meant to stop Bhupinder Singh Hooda from attending the election meeting at Jind.

Hooda is already facing CBI investigations in two cases that related to Manesar land aquisition and allotment of an institutional plot to Associated Journals Ltd (AJL), the publisher of National Herald, in Panchkula. In both the cases, charge sheets have been filed in the Court.

The third case against Hooda and others was registered on the directions of the Supreme Court on

November 1, 2017 when the CBI was entrusted with the probe into alleged irregularities in the process of acquisition of 1,417.07 acres of land between 2009 and 2012 for sector 58 to 63 and 65 to 67 in Gurugram.
For peaceful conduct of Assembly elections in insurgency-infested regions of Chhattisgarh, State Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Subrat Sahoo and Bijapur District Superintendent of Police (SP) Mohit Garg received National Award at a function held in the national capital on Friday.

President Ram Nath Kovind conferred the officers with the awards on the occasion of National Voter's Day at a function held at Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi.

Union Minister for Law, Ravishankar Prasad and Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sunil Arora were also present on the occasion.
Gearing up to counter the Bahujan Samaj Party-Samajwadi Party alliance and re-emergence of Congress after appointment of Priyanka Vadra Gandhi as national general secretary incharge of east Uttar Pradesh, the Bharatiya Janata Party has chalked out a strategy that centers around booth level management and placating angry workers.

A senior BJP leader told The Pioneer that partys national president Amit Shah would hold meetings with booth in-charges on regular basis and give them pep talk about importance of partys victory this time around.

The beginning will be made from January 30 when Shah will have a meeting with BJP workers in Lucknow.

In view of the BSP-SP alliance and Priyanka factor in UP, the BJP has taken up the challenge to strengthen party at booth level. The booth-level leaders will be given the task to meet voters regularly, the leader said.

As per the guidelines, the booth incharges will meet the heads of families in his areas at least five times till election and twice with voters. They will tell them about the good work being done by the Narendra Modi and Yogi Adityanath governments.

Another task of these booth-level leaders will be to identify angry party workers and placate them.

Every ruling party faces the problem of angry workers. The booth-level leaders have been asked to prepare a list of such workers and talk to them. The list will also be sent to Amit Shahs office, he said.

On Priyankas entry into active politics, the BJP leader said it would help his party.

Now it is clear that there will be a triangular fight in UP and this will help BJP. Our target is to get over 50 per cent votes in UP. If we achieve this target we will win over 74 seats in UP in the Lok Sabha elections, he said.

In the 2014 parliamentary elections, the BJP had won 71 seats on its own, which was 88 per cent of the seats, in UP. Its vote share was 43 per cent while the combined vote share of SP, BSP and Congress was over 50 per cent.
Three labourers were killed and over dozen others were injured in an accident at a ACC cement plant at Sindri in Dhanbad district on Thursday, police said.

The incident took place at around 5.30 pm when repairing work on a conveyer belt was going on while the cement begs were loaded on the belt. After some maintenance work at least 20 labourers went inside the section for its examination when suddenly the conveyer belt started operating, sources said. Three of the workers who died in the incident were identified as Gopal Singh, Ajit Gorai and Himai Mandal. They came in contact with the machine and then bags started falling on them and killing them on the spot leaving others critically injured, sources added.

The injured persons were immediately rushed to a local Asian Jalan Hospital, Dhanbad of the company from where they were being shifted to other place after treatment, sources added.

Soon after getting information, local police team was rushed to the spot and the investigation was underway in this connection. SSP Dhanbad Kishore Kaushal said that three persons lost their lives due to malfunction of machine at the plant. Investigation is going on. We shall take appropriate action after initial probe is done, he added.
Capital sellers unaware of high content of formalin, heavy metals in Andhra, WB imports

Fish lovers are a worried lot after wholesale traders and vendors in the national Capital continue to sell fish import from West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh without tests. This is being done despite the fact that laboratory tests confirmed presence of high content of formalin and heavy metals like lead and cadmium in the consignments in Bihar faling which the State has recently banned fish sale while Jharkhand has issued alert on fish supply from these two coastal States.

Interestingly, fish vendors and wholesale traders in Ghazipur fish market and Sarojini Nagar in the national Capital appear to be ignorant about the ban on fish sale in Bihar. Traders say they have not been sounded about the formalin content found in fish from Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal.

It is estimated that 30-40 per cent supply comes to Delhi from these two coastal States. According to an estimate, Delhi consumes 15-20 tonnes daily.

Most are brought here from Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Gujarat Western UP and Odisha. And given the Capitals distance from these States, preservation is a necessity since supplies take over a week to reach the city markets. Used for preserving fish and dead bodies, formalin is a carcinogenic substance, while heavy metals such as lead, mercury and cadmium affect human kidneys, bones, liver, brain and reduce immunity.

Tarak Sinha, who runs a fish stall in Ghazipur, said most household consumers check the gills for indication of freshness. Fresh fish have red gills, while those that are older exhibit maroon gills.

A fish vendor at Sarojini Nagar market said despite the dangers posed by formalin, the Delhi Agriculture Marketing Board (DAMB) has not yet taken any action, unlike Bihar and Jharkhand.

Ghazipur Fish and Poultry Market chairman Nasir Alvi told The Pioneer that he was not aware about the formalin content found in the fish import from Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal.

Alvi also claimed that only small quantity of fish comes from these two coastal States and fish were tested by the sellers before being sold to retailers. Authorities issues advisories from time to time but traders do not abide them, Alvi added. But traders said 30-40 per cent fish comes to Delhi from Andhra and West Bengal.

When asked, Delhi Chief Secretary Vijay Dev said panic would be created if advisory is issued. The issue has come into my knowledge, I will take up the issue with the Health Ministry, Dev added.

As per reports from Bihar, excess level of formalin was found in seven out of 10 fish samples sent to a central laboratory in Kolkata in October. The test report received by the department last week also found heavy metals like lead, cadmium and mercury in all the samples. Six out of the 10 samples were of fish from Andhra Pradesh, two each from West Bengal and local ponds and rivers.

On the other hand, rejecting the allegations that fish from Andhra contain formalin (a toxic chemical substance) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu requested his counterpart in Bihar Nitish Kumar to revoke the ban on the sale and transportation of fish from the State.

India is the third largest fish producer in the world. Indias share of global fish production is 6 per cent.
Even after seven decades of Independence, the actual reason that drove the British out of India remains unknown. We must revisit history and recognise the INAs role in the freedom struggle

After prolonged indifference to the contribution of the Provisional Government of Free India (PGFI) and its armed wing, the Indian National Army (INA), on October 21, 2018, the Prime Minister hoisted the tricolour from the Red Fort in recognition of their contribution to the freedom struggle. But that action per se coming so late, and essentially symbolic, is not helpful to enable Indians appreciate the enormity of their role. It is imperative, therefore, to revisit the contemporary political activities in mainland India, where their contributions were buried deep due to various political interests, motivated by insecurity and partisan gains.

The Cambridge dictionary defines revolution as a change in the way a country is governed usually to a different political system and often using violence or war. The INA alone can be credited to have brought the only revolution in India. No previous attempt, including the 1857 mutiny, succeeded. Having begun with the INA trials and ended with the announcement of the Cabinet Mission, its duration can be considered between August 1945 and February 1946. It spanned across India to unite religious denominations, civilians and military against the British rule.

How the INA revolution worked: The rebellion was born from patriotism and sacrifice of the INA that fought a four-month gruelling war along in the Assam border in 1944. Subhas Chandra Bose fervently hoped this would lead to a massive uprising in India. Instead, either a stony silence or opposition from Indian political parties greeted them; while the masses were kept unaware. After thousands of INA soldiers sacrificed their lives, the joint force had to retreat to Burma. However, the very next year, the INA spirit arrived in India with war prisoners and quickly transformed into a revolution. The spirit connected directly with the masses and political parties were rendered irrelevant. In such circumstances, instead of using the revolution for broader national interest, individual parties sought to use it for narrow gains .

In several communiques, Viceroy Wavell wrote to the Secretary of State (SoS) how leaders of the Congress were delivering violent anti-British speeches by leveraging mass sympathy for the INA. On October 9, 1945, he wrote: There were talks that Jawaharlal Nehrus plan was to make use of the INA and the large quantities of arms smuggled into India from Burma, to train Congress volunteers and use them against the Government. On October 22, 1945, he communicated his aggravated fear that the Congress may suborn the Army, which would be the most dangerous development in the near future.

Governor of Central Provinces and Berar, Joseph Twynam, felt that the campaign against the Government was like the Irish revolution in the UK. On November 16, 1945, Bertrand James Glancy, the Governor of Punjab, wrote to the Viceroy noting rising sympathy in favour of the INA men in Punjab and suggested that trials in the future should be reduced only to a few. On November 27, North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) Governor George Cunningham advised the then Government to not initiate any further proceedings against anyone as he felt that Indian opinion was clearly against the INAs trial.

Remission of the transportation for life sentence in the Red Fort trial was followed by large-scale Naval mutiny and then a series of sympathy strikes in the Air Force and the Army. Hints that Britain was considering leaving India were reflected in Lord Halifaxs statement on February 2, 1946: Indias best interests demand that complete transfer of responsibility from the British to Indian hands should be made in good order if that is humanly possible. Decision of the imperial Government on February 19, 1946, to send a team of three Cabinet ministers was the formal admission of British inability to continue to rule India. This marked the victory of the INA revolution.

The revolution and domestic politics: The INA revolution not only mortally wounded the British regime but also challenged both the Congress and the Muslim League. It presented a golden opportunity to secure freedom for undivided India from the falling grasp of the British. This, however, challenged the Leagues idea of a separate homeland for Muslims. The party strove to communalise the INA issue in every possible manner to tackle this challenge. On the other hand, the Congress faced an additional and existential challenge to its claim of the ideology of non-violence as the sole driver of Indias freedom. This made the party engage in a process of ideological engineering. The process began institutionally in the Bombay AICC session on September 1945.

The AICC, in a resolution expressing sympathy for the INA men, berated their method as: and in view of the termination of the war, it would be a tragedy if these officers, men and women, were punished for the offence of having laboured, however mistakenly for the freedom of India. They can be of the greatest service in the heavy work of building up a new and free India. This indicated the partys plan to exploit the INA issue by subjugating it to the ideology of non-violence.

Ideological engineering: Congress leaders found the 1942 movement as the only one which could be claimed as their own while possessing attributes of revolutionary character. It was significant that in the same AICC session, leaders paid glowing tributes to 1942 and called it the real revolution. Incongruity of its violent character with non-violence was rationalised citing self defence.

Nehru defended the 1942 violence saying: The people organised themselves, found their own leaders and own methods The events in Satara, in Bihar, in Midnapore and elsewhere in Bengal and in the united Provinces, have added a glorious chapter to the history of the peoples fight for independence. Sardar Patel compared 1942 with 1857 showing the will of the people to be free. He said that the country in general rose in self defence: I cannot see anything wrong in this. We are after all human beings.

The party seemed to bring a distinction between violence for self defence and violence for liberation of the motherland. It put its seal of approval for the former but dubbed the latter as mistaken. The ideological engineering reached a crescendo in the Meerut annual session of the party in November 1946, when the primacy of 1942 was established irrevocably. In his presidential address JB Kripalani said: I believe that if the Congress had not taken up the challenge of British imperialism in August 1942, we would not be occupying the position we do todayour representatives and leaders have broken into the citadel of power. This is not the end of foreign domination but it is surely the beginning of the end A resolution in the Subjects Committee also gave a vaunted place to the constructive work of Mahatma Gandhi. In a nutshell, the Congress ideology of non-violence was rehabilitated without any acknowledgement to the real revolution that the INA had brought.

Meek surrender: Despite usurping the contribution of the INA revolution, the Congress faced a crisis on the issue of freedom for undivided India. Through mischievous provisions, the Cabinet Mission proposals intended to facilitate greater Pakistan. There were repeated stalemates in the transfer of power on Constitutional issues, following which the League indulged in a series of communal riots with the complicity of the British to bully others on the issue of Partition. The Congress needed courage and acceptability among all sections of Indians  Muslims in particular  to challenge this British League conspiracy. Here, the party appeared vulnerable. This was in sharp contrast to the indomitable courage and unflinching commitment to the cause of undivided India which was the hallmark of the INA. Top Congress leaders spoke spiritedly but failed to live up to the expectations.

In the Meerut session, Nehru declared, I am not afraid of bloodshed. The present civil strife in the country has no doubt moved me but it has to be faced with a brave heart The Congress has faced many a danger in the past and will not shirk its responsibilities in a crisis like this even though some of us may have to lose our lives. Kripalani said: It is quite possible that to avoid immediate trouble we may accept principles that cut at the root of nationality and democracy. If we do so, we shall not only be betraying the nation, but ultimately, the Muslim and other communities However, belying countrywide expectations, the party easily surrendered to the British League intrigue and settled for Partition of India.

INAs rightful place: It has been a national tragedy that the Congress, being the leader of the nationalist forces, not only failed to prevent Partition but also did not acknowledge the contribution of the INA revolution to the freedom struggle of India. Thus, the true reason for the British winding up their rule over India remains unknown to many Indians even after seven decades of Independence.

Rather, powers and resources of the rulers of independent India have been used to reinforce and perpetuate the theme of the non-violent struggle having fetched freedom. Such perceptions cannot be removed by acts of symbolism or token gestures such as hoisting of tricolour at the Red Fort on the anniversary day. It is necessary to revisit history without a preconceived mindset, re-assess and recognise the impact of the INA revolution on Indias freedom struggle.

(The writer is a columnist and an author)
Agency launched the worlds lightest communication satellite by students free

For once, the launch of DRDOs imaging satellite didnt steal the limelight except the drama of a midnight launch at Sriharikota and its military uses. That we are told was to make sure that the satellite traverses the Indian subcontinent when there is maximum sunlight on it and the launch time decides its diurnal rhythms. But along with it, Isro also launched KalamSat, the lightest communication satellite, almost as heavy as a chair at 1.2 kg, developed by students, free. Built at a cost of Rs 12 lakh, the 10-cm cube satellite has a life span of two months and will be the first to use the PSLV rockets fourth stage as an orbital platform and conduct experiments. Its utility? This one will study the communication systems of nano satellites, which can be applied in disaster management. While the next lunar mission and preparations for Gaganyaan or the manned mission, intended for 2022, make news, the significance of ISROs latest launch lies in the fact that besides cost-effectiveness, it is also looking at developing the scientific temperament among our youth, encouraging education satellites and piloting their trial modules in real time. Soon it will be launching its TV as an interface platform with millennials.The most noteworthy aspect of the student initiative is that the young scientists came from remote corners of the country. This will further embolden young Indians to commit themselves to the Indian space programme and conduct experiments that may result in breakthrough technological solutions for our lives on earth. The multiple applications of ISROs projects already have demonstrable spin-offs. For example, the lithium ion battery for our rockets and spacecraft is finding very good application in electric vehicles. Similarly, now that the Gaganyaan space suits are being developed in a cost-effective manner with fire-resistant chemicals, the fire-retardant technology can be used in hazardous industries to protect workers. ISRO is perhaps these days the best example of the Governments Make in India programme. In fact, the Gaganyaan mission will be a national project in the true sense because it wont just be confined to ISRO but will include research institutions and private industry.

Space, therefore, is quickly turning into not just our final frontier, but a profitable, multi-dimensional one. ISRO has, in a quick spurt of a decade or so, emerged as one of the key players in the global space market, particularly as a low-cost carrier of surveillance and communication satellites. Ever since we launched 104 satellites in a single rocket (PSLV-C37), 96 of which were from the US, even the big space-probing nations have acknowledged our credibility. The New York Times commended ISRO for the high-risk launch because the satellites, released in rapid-fire fashion every few seconds from a single rocket as it travelled at 17,000 miles an hour, could collide with one another in space if ejected into the wrong path.

With many of our landmark missions too now costing much lesser than equivalents in Russia, Europe and the US, India can now proudly proclaim to have shifted the axis of the space race to Asia. And by now partnering with altruistic missions, ISRO has shown that space programmes are not just about extra-terrestrial influence but an Elysium for Earth itself.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday said India is on the way to becoming the fifth largest economy in the world and the government is taking reform measures on a "daily basis" to further improve investment climate in the country.

Speaking at the India-South Africa Business Summit here, he said India is the world's fastest-growing major economy and the government is committed to building a 'New India' with next generation infrastructure.

At USD 2.6 trillion, the Indian economy is currently ranked sixth in the world behind the US, China, Japan, Germany and the UK.

The prime minister listed out some of the government flagship initiatives like boosting domestic manufacturing through Make in India and digitising the economy through Digital India.

"We are on our way to becoming the fifth largest economy globally...We are one of the top FDI destinations listed by UNCTAD. But, we are not satisfied. On a daily basis, we are making necessary changes and reforms in important sectors of the economy," he said.

Modi also informed the local and South African businesses that India has jumped to the 77th position in the latest edition of World Bank's Ease of Doing Business Report, which is an improvement of 65 places in the last four years.

"We are committed to building a 'New India' with next generation infrastructure and with emphasis on speed, skill and scale," he said.

Talking about bilateral economic relations between the countries, Modi said trade between India and South Africa is on the upswing and has crossed the USD 10 billion mark in 2017-18.

"However, there is great potential still. I call upon all Indian and South African government agencies, investment promotion organisations as well as business leaders of both countries to work pro-actively to realise the true potential," he said.

India's investment into South Africa is constantly growing and this has approached USD 10 billion, creating over 20,000 jobs locally.

"As a brotherly nation, India will be happy to share its experience in policy reforms and setting up ground level agencies. We encourage even more investment by Indian companies in South Africa and are confident that more South African companies will also enter the Indian market," he added.

The Indian prime minister assured that the 'New India' would welcome the South African businesses to look at all available opportunities in areas such as food, agro processing, deep mining, defence, insurance and infrastructure.

"Likewise, India could also partner with South Africa in startups, healthcare and pharma, biotech, IT and IT enabled sectors," Modi added.

Further, the prime minister said gems and jewelery sector holds huge potential for enhancing collaboration between the countries.

"Both countries could explore avenues for direct procurement of diamond. It will ensure economies of scale, and also reduce the cost for both buyers and sellers," he said adding South Africa could also join hands with India in the new and renewable energy sector through the International Solar Alliance.

Simplification of the existing visa regime for businessmen and tourists, and direct connectivity would further ease business and people-to-people exchanges, he added.

Speaking at the summit, organised by CII, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said that huge opportunities exist for businesses of both countries to increase cooperation in areas such as agriculture, ICT, aerospace and energy.

He said over 150 Indian companies including Tata, Cipla and Mahindra have presence in India.

The USD 1.6 billion investment by Vedanata Resources in mining minerals has triggered a new wave of industrial and economic development in South Africa.

"Untapped opportunities still remain in sectors such as agri, agro processing, auto, pharma, aero space, defence industries, infrastructure, energy, ICT, mining, and creative industries," he said.

The president said that a number of South African companies have shown interest to invest in india.

There are 29 South African companies engaged in different businesses in India and "we wish to double this number in the coming years", he added.

On bilateral trade relations between the two nations, Vikramjit Singh Sahney, consul general of South Africa, said that immense scope is available in areas like deep minning, diamond, food processing, and seed development bank.

"There should be a direct air connectivity between Delhi and Johannesburg to increase movement of people," he added.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is by definition a mental health condition that is triggered by a terrifying event  either experiencing it or witnessing it.

Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event.

Decades of violence has left Kashmir in tears. (Source: Reuters)

Most people who go through traumatic experiences may have temporary difficulty adjusting and coping, but with time and good self-care, they usually get better. If the symptoms get worse, last for months or even years, and interfere with your day-to-day functioning, you may have PTSD.

Getting effective treatment after PTSD symptoms develop can be critical to improving functioning.

Kashmir and PTSD

According to a recent study published by Doctors Without Borders (MSF) in the British Medical Journal, the estimated prevalence of mental distress in adults in the Kashmir Valley was 45 per cent.

Researchers had identified 41 per cent of adults with probable depression and/or probable anxiety  and 19 per cent with probable PTSD.

It is high time something is done to address the mental health issues ailing Kashmir. (Source: Reuters/Photo only for representation)

In yet another study from April 2017, Rayees Mohammad Bhat et al, from the department of Psychology, Government Degree College Baramulla, Kashmir, surveyed 1,000 young college students from Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipora districts of the northern region of the Kashmir Valley.

The fact is that these districts are being reported as the most affected with violence as a result of armed conflict.

In the study, the authors argued that these three districts are the most violence-prone regions of the Kashmir division because they include the LoC (line of control) hemming neighbouring Pakistan Occupied Kashmir  an important point is that this part of Kashmir comprises densely forested areas that make it a fertile terrain for terrorist hideouts.

Areas that have dense forests see greater militant presence, and hence more encounters with the armed forces. (Source: India Today)

Quite obviously, it then sees a greater presence of personnel from the armed forces too  this leads to more encounters between militants and the armed forces. Sometimes, the civilians get caught in the skirmish, thereby inviting more fear and intense protests.

The findings of this study demonstrated the significant role of conflict exposure in increasing the risk for PTSD.

The study showed a high prevalence of PTSD symptoms (49.81 per cent) among the respondents.

No Civilian Zone: The heavy deployment of security personnel and the frequency of encounters has left Kashmiri civilians traumatised. (Source: Reuters)

The results also suggested that direct or perceived exposure to armed conflict was associated with an increased risk of developing PTSD symptoms  this heightened risk was significantly associated with both the nature and frequency of traumatic events experienced by the respondents.

Factors such as the feeling of living in conflict, a family member being killed or missing, the perceived risk to life, media coverage of the violence, and higher level of personal exposure to conflict emerged as key predictors of post-traumatic distress.

Children of conflict

Although traumatic events find varied prevalence in most societies, the prevalence is higher in industrialised societies.

Living behind bars? Children were found be the worst sufferers of the violence in Kashmir. (Source: Reuters/Photo only for representation)

Over the last three decades or so, Kashmir has been a chronic conflict zone, leading to the deaths of thousands of people, family instability, sexual abuses and deep damage to property. Added to this have been various natural disasters such as earthquakes, snowstorms and a ravaging flood.

All these factors have contributed to the trauma people in the region have been consistently undergoing.

A majority of children diagnosed with PTSD were in the age group of 11-15 years.

The problem has led to marked deterioration in the academic performance of these students.

Natural disasters have left people even more vulnerable to mental health problems. (Source: Reuters)

In all the studies, it was found that most of the cases were from rural areas as compared to urban areas. The reason for this was attributed to violent and traumatic events occurring at a higher frequency in the hinterland.

About 75 per cent children suffering from PTSD belonged to the lower socio-economic strata, 25 per cent from the middle class.

The alleviation

A review of the literature on resiliency and recovery following traumatic events identified the following as protective factors for developing PTSD, meaning those who engaged in these did not endure long-term suffering:

a) Continuous contact with and support from important people in your life

b) Disclosing the trauma to loved ones

c) Identifying as a survivor as opposed to a victim

It can be done: Steps should be taken to return the smiles to Kashmiri faces. (Source: Twitter/@ANI)

d) Use of positive emotion and laughter

e) Finding positive meaning in the trauma

f) Helping others in their healing process

g) Holding the belief that you can manage your feelings and cope

It is thus time for Kashmiri society to get together to fight and help others battling PTSD. It can be done. We must only take heart.

Also read: Non-lethal weapons are turning Kashmir into a psychiatric hell
The only British rocket to launch a satellite into orbit is going on display after almost 50 years languishing in the Australian Outback.

The Black Arrow programme completed four rockets between 1969 and 1971, with the third flight marking the first and only successful UK-led orbital launch.

A six-metre section of the projectile crash-landed in South Australia where it has lain for 48 years.

The rocket has travelled 10,000 miles to return to the UK from Australia (Skyrora/PA)

Space industry figures are expected to attend its unveiling in Midlothian on Friday following a 10,000-mile journey back to the UK.

There will be speeches by representatives from the UK Space Agency, the Royal Air Force, and the London Science Museum.

The rocket, which is being exhibited in a storage facility in Penicuik, was returned by Edinburgh space company Skyrora to be used for educational purposes.

Skyrora director Daniel Smith said: With the UK governments aim to make us a launch nation again, it seemed like the perfect time to bring Black Arrow back.

We hope its a reminder not only to our own team, but to everyone thats part of the new commercial space race of whats been accomplished before.

It has been some journey  we wouldnt have been able to do it without the support of the William Creek Progress Association and the Australian Government, so were extremely grateful to both.

We really hope the rocket will help to inspire current and future generations of scientists and engineers.

In July last year the UK Space Agency announced 2.5 million of funding for a proposed vertical launch spaceport in Sutherland.
Bing is back online in China, but Microsoft says it is still trying to figure out why it suddenly became inaccessible

Microsoft is still trying to figure out why its Bing search engine temporarily went offline in China, the company's president said following speculation that it could have been blocked by censors.

The US firm's Chinese website, cn.bing.com, was accessible again late Thursday, one day after it suddenly went offline, temporarily taking away the most prominent foreign search engine in China.

The disruption raised fears among social media users that it was the latest foreign website to be blocked by China. Sites such as Facebook and Twitter have long been blocked by authorities using a censorship apparatus known as the "Great Firewall".

"This is not the first time it's happened. It happens periodically," Microsoft president Brad Smith told Fox Business News at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

"There are times when there are disagreements, there are times when there are difficult negotiations with the Chinese government, and we're still waiting to find out what this situation is about," he said.

Bing's temporary disruption came as a surprise because the search engine has followed China's censorship rules.

On Friday, for example, a Bing search for Liu Xiaobo, the dissident and Nobel Peace Prize laureate who died of cancer while still in custody last year, returned one message: "Results are removed in response to a notice of local law requirement."

Smith said it was understood that Bing did not have the same legal freedoms in China that it enjoyed in other countries.

"But at the same time, we stick to our guns. There are certain principles that we think it's important to stand up for, and we'll go at times into the negotiating room and the negotiations are sometimes pretty darn direct," he said.

While its rival Google shut down its search engine in China in 2010 after rows over censorship and hacking, Bing has continued to operate in the country, along with Microsoft-owned Skype.

Bing, however, has struggled to catch up to China's own Baidu search engine, which dominates the market even though many people in the country complain about the quality of its search results.

Smith said Microsoft took seriously its obligations to customers regarding censorship.

"I think what is interesting today is technology and sort of human rights, free expression, these issues are really intersecting and on certain days colliding more than in the past," he said.

"There's deals that we've turned down for things like facial recognition technology because we felt that people's rights will be put at risk.

"And I think more than ever, tech companies really need to think about these things, they need to be principled and you have to have a little moral courage, in my view, if you're going to be in this business and really take care of your customers."
Vietnam is a one-party state, with severe restrictions on any criticism of the ruling Communist Party

Australia on Friday said it was seeking access to a Vietnamese-Australian pro-democracy activist detained by security services on his return to Ho Chi Minh city.

Colleagues of Chau Van Kham in Australia told AFP on Friday they believed he was arrested on January 13.

The Australian Department of Foreign affairs confirmed it had "sought consular access to an Australian man detained in Vietnam" in response to query about Kham.

"For privacy reasons we are unable to provide further details," a statement said.

Kham's detention comes just days after an Australian blogger and author was arrested in China.

Kham, a retired businessman, was on a "fact-finding" mission to the country, entering via Cambodia, according to colleague Phong Nguyen.

Both men are members of the Viet Tan, an anti-government group that Hanoi considers a terrorist organisation.

Vietnamese authorities have accused the Viet Tan of "instigating violence", a charge the group rejects.

Colleagues said they did not know where Chau was being held. His wife and immediate family remain in Sydney.

Chau Van Kham's detention comes just days after an Australian blogger was arrested in China

"At the moment we don't know where he is," said Phong Nguyen. "He was aware of the risk, but he was determined to go on this fact-finding trip."

The visit was designed to assess human rights in the country, Phong Nguyen added.

"We are mindful that the Vietnamese police have a history of framing peaceful activists with fabricated charges," he said.

Vietnam is a one-party state, with severe restrictions on any criticism of the ruling Communist Party.

Freedom House -- a rights watchdog -- ranks the country as "not free" and Human Rights Watch has accused the government of recently intensifying a crackdown.

"During 2018, the Vietnamese authorities sought to break up several key dissident networks," HRW said in a recent overview.

"At least 42 people were convicted for expressing opinions critical of the government, peacefully participating in public protests, or joining pro-democracy groups."
Nasser al-Kidwa, a nephew of late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, addresses a news conference to comment on an Israeli court's decision to grant a temporary lien for a plot of land partly belonging to Arafat in east Jerusalem

An Israeli court has seized a Jerusalem property partly owned by late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, holding it as collateral against a civil suit for damages against the Palestinian Authority.

A copy of the ruling by the Jerusalem district court made available to AFP on Wednesday named "the estate of the late Yasser Arafat" as respondent.

"A temporary lien is granted on property owned by the respondent," said Tuesday's judgement.

It said any future request to lift the order would be given a fresh court hearing and that the Arafat estate had 30 days to appeal.

Israeli NGO Shurat Hadin requested the lien so the Arafat asset in Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem could serve as collateral for a pending civil claim for damages against the Palestinian Authority (PA), the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) and the Arafat estate, by eight families of victims of Palestinian attacks.

"This move is one step closer towards justice for the victims and their families," Shurat Hadin head Nitsana Darshan Leitner said in a statement.

She said that the lien was necessary because if the suit succeeds, collection of damages was likely to be difficult.

"We will not allow a situation in which the Arafat estate can own land in the heart of Jerusalem while avoiding paying damages to his victims," she said.

"Yasser Arafat was the grandfather of modern terrorism, responsible for the murder of thousands of innocent men, women and children."

Arafat, who led both the PA and the PLO, died aged 75 in a French hospital on November 11, 2004, with Palestinians accusing Israel of having poisoned him.

The Israeli government firmly denies the allegation.

His body was exhumed in 2012 for tests but a subsequent French investigation found no proof of poisoning.

Swiss experts, however, said they found high levels of radioactive polonium on his personal effects.

Arafat's nephew, Nasser al-Qudwa, said on Wednesday that the Jerusalem court ruling was "unacceptable."

The property in question covers about 2,700 square metres (29,000 square feet) on the Mount of Olives, overlooking Jerusalem's walled Old City and its Al-Aqsa mosque complex.

Qudwa told a news conference in the West Bank city of Ramallah that Arafat and his brothers owned only a small part of the property placed under lien.

He said the ruling was the work of "raiders and thieves".
Keeping Up With The Kardashians Reunion part 2 teaser: Kourtney would still be with Scott if it wasn't for his 'substance abuse' as he jokes he wants to 'kill' Travis Barker
She gave birth to her second child three months ago.

And Hilary Duff continued shine with that new mother glow when she stepped out in Los Angeles on Friday.

The 31-year-old actress stunned in skintight blue jeans as she took a call while walking through a parking lot.

Happy lady: She gave birth to her second child three months ago. And Hilary Duff continued shine with that new mother glow when she stepped out in Los Angeles on Friday

Glowing: The 31-year-old actress stunned in skintight blue jeans as she took a call while walking through a parking lot

She tucked a flowing white poet shirt into the front of her denim pants and let the back half fall out.

Her long blonde tresses were parted down the middle and flowed unencumbered in elegant waves across her shoulders.

The 5ft 2in star added a couple inches to her frame with edgy orange heels while carrying her wallet in her right hand and her phone in her left.

She kept accessories to a minimum, opting for two gold bracelets, and she painted her lips a nude pink.

Busy busy: Her long blonde tresses were parted down the middle and flowed unencumbered in elegant waves across her shoulders

Mother-and-son date! The mother-of-two was also spotted in the day spending some quality time with her son, Luca, six

The mother-of-two was also spotted in the day spending some quality time with her son, Luca, six.

Changing outfits, Hilary stunned in a casual shirt and a pair of tights as they ran errands before ending their trip at the ice-cream parlor.

Hilary had her blonde tresses styled out still and appeared to be wearing a minimal amount of makeup.

Funny guy: Luca appeared to be making mom Hilary laugh while they were out and about

Gorgeous: Changing outfits, Hilary stunned in a casual shirt and a pair of tights as they ran errands before ending their trip at the ice-cream parlor

Outing time: Luca was also dressed casually in a T-shirt and pair of cargo style trousers

Luca was also dressed casually in a T-shirt and pair of cargo style trousers.

The mother-and-son outing saw the pair have plenty of laughs together as they enjoyed their time whilst out in Studio City.

On Tuesday, Hilary took a moment to celebrate the hardworking moms before stepping out to breakfast with a pal in Los Angeles.

'This is the first day I had two kids on my own on a school morning,' she began a lengthy post to her Instagram.

Ice-cream treat: The mother-and-son outing saw the pair have plenty of laughs together as they enjoyed their time whilst out in Studio City

Out and about: She tucked a flowing white poet shirt into the front of her denim pants and let the back half fall out

'Breastfeeding and making breakfast, getting 2 kids and myself dressed and packed and out the door while tripping over 4 dogs and feeding the damn fish was not easy.

'But I did it. And Im proud of myself! Im proud of every mom out there who MAKES IT FREAKIN HAPPEN. All day! Everyday! You are the sh**! Bad a**, super goddess , world taker oner and you deserved to be praised.'

Hilary ended her encouraging post with a few helpful tips for getting her family ready in the morning.

'Laying outfits out for me baby and Luca was essential lol I even got 5 minutes to do some make up ..... then turned around to see Luca had used my lipstick as warrior paint on his face,' she wrote.

Stroller-ing: The day before she was seen in a brown sweater and white boots as she took her baby out

Hilary and her musician beau Matthew Koma welcomed their daughter Banks on October 25.

They have been together since January 2017, after working together heavily on her album Breathe In. Breathe Out. in 2015.

Her six-year-old son Luca (with ex-husband Mike Comrie) regularly shows up on her social media accounts, most recently showing quite the disdain for vegetables.

'Luca is not happy about this broccoli, kale and cucumber situation tonight,' Hilary said as the little guy sadly stared at his mom.
She is known for showing off her hourglass curves in gorgeous outfits.

And Kelly Brook cut a typically chic figure as she left the Global Radio Studios in London on Friday.

The model, 39, showed off her toned figure in a printed copper and black satin shirt dress which cinched it at her slender waist with a black belt.

Stroll: Kelly Brook cut a typically chic figure as she left the Global Radio Studios in London on Friday

The dress featured a soaring thigh-high split which flashed her toned legs.

She layered up in a black leather jacket and accessorised with a leather bag.

The star added height to her look with black stiletto ankle boots.

Her brunette tresses were styled in soft waves while her pretty features were enhanced were a radiant dusting of make-up.

Her appearances comes after Kelly admitted she was body-shamed by a school teacher at the age of 11, as they accused her of wearing clothes that were too 'flirty'.

Chic: The model, 39, showed off her toned figure in a printed copper and black satin shirt dress which cinched it at her slender waist with a black belt

She told the Mirror's Notebook magazine: 'The Head Of Year sent me to her office and said: "You can't come to school looking the way you do, flirting with every boy that comes past.' I was 11.

'I didn't know what the word 'flirt' even meant. I dressed the same as everyone else, but my curves made me different.

'After that realisation I felt very uncomfortable with my looks.'

During a recent interview with Femail, Kelly revealed that her weight started creeping on after she returned to the UK from a stint in LA two years ago.

And resorting to using editing tools to change the way she looked in her Instagram photos helped her realise she wasn't happy.

Opening up about her past weight loss struggles Kelly, who has always been renowned for her curves, explained: 'I'm a curvy girl and I like my natural shape. It's who I am after all.

'But I'm aware that over the last few years, I've been gradually gaining weight. It didn't really start to bother me until I couldn't get into my skinny jeans anymore.'

She added: 'Suddenly I realised at aged 39, I was beyond my healthy BMI. My wardrobe had became very limited and I wasn't feeling at my best anymore.'

Since starting her weight loss journey back in October, she has lost 15lbs and 4 inches from her hips.
90 Day Fiance's Elizabeth Potthast Castravet and husband Andrei Castravet revealed on Friday that they are 'blessed' to celebrate the arrival of their daughter.

'We are so blessed to finally meet our baby girl, Eleanor Louise!' the new parents dished in a statement to E! News.

They also said they 'are looking forward to our bright future as a family of three.'

New parents: 90 Day Fiance's Elizabeth Potthast Castravet and husband Andrei Castravet revealed friday that they are 'blessed' to celebrate the arrival of their daughter Eleanor

'We welcomed her on Jan. 23 at 6:13 a.m., weighing in at 6 lbs., 11 oz.

'This is such joyful and amazing moment for us. We have never felt this rewarded in our lives and we are looking forward to our bright future as a family of three.'

The couple appeared on season five of the TLC series that follows couples who have applied for, or received, a K-1 visa allowing foreign fiances of American citizens to enter the country.

Public display of affection: Elizabeth, from Florida, kissed her beau, who hails from Moldova, underneath the mistletoe in this Instagram snap she shared at Christmas

They're expecting: The proud papa, 31, took this snap of his 27-year-old wife having a sonogram of their baby, which she shared on Instagram

They have just 90 days to marry before the visas expire and they must leave the United States.

Elizabeth, 27, who hails from Tampa, Florida, met Moldovian Andrei, 31, in Dublin, Ireland, where he worked as a club bouncer.

They tied the knot on December 18, 2017.

And baby makes three: Elizabeth showed of her burgeoning belly in this bikini shot with her topless husband

Meanwhile, it's the second new baby of this year for the TLC series that bowed in 2014.

Alums Russ, 32, and Paola Mayfield, 31, welcomed their first child, son Axel, three weeks ago.

TLC renewed the popular show for a seventh season earlier this month.
He will reprise his role as James Bond in the upcoming 25th flick in the franchise.

And Daniel Craig proved he'd learnt a few tricks from his on-screen alter ego when he disguised himself during a frosty shopping trip in New York City on Friday.

As the 50-year-old actor went about his day-to-day life, reports emerged claiming the latest flick Bond 25 will be shot in Norway.

Unrecognisable: Daniel Craig, 50, embraced his 007 alter ego's tricks as he went incognito in New York City on Friday as it's claimed Bond 25 will be filmed in Norway

The 007 star was swamped with gift bags on his lavish spending spree, while he kept a low-profile in shades and a beanie hat.

Daniel's shopping trip comes amid whispers on the grapevine that the film is going to be shot in Norway.

An unofficial site for James Bond shared their insight: 'The Norwegian Film Institute (NFI), the body which handles the incentive scheme, has yet to publicly announce the projects that have been awarded with a grant. We've been told by the institute that it'll be done by the end of January - so this could be tomorrow's news. #Bond25.'

Another site staked claims: 'BREAKING NEWS: Bond 25 will be shot in Norway. Today, the 25th James Bond movie received 47 million kroners from the Norwegian Film Institutes incentive scheme.'

Mystery: Bond 25 has confirmed to star Daniel, alongside returning Bond girl Lea Seydoux as Dr. Madeleine Swann, with True Detective's Cary Fukunaga set to direct

MailOnline has reached out to Daniel Craig's representatives for further comment.

Bond 25 has confirmed to star Daniel, alongside returning Bond girl Lea Seydoux as Dr. Madeleine Swann, with True Detective's Cary Fukunaga set to direct.

The star-studded cast are just two months away from filming as the shooting is set to start filming on March 4 this year in Canada.

Original director Danny Boyle left the project due to creative differences which set the release date back for the latest in the film franchise back until February 2020.

Home time! The 007 star was swamped with gift bags on his lavish spending spree, while he kept a low-profile in shades and a beanie hat

Secrecy: Daniel's shopping trip comes amid whispers on the grapevine that the film is going to be shot in Norway

Excitement is brewing over who is going to be the next James bond after Daniel hands down the baton.

Golden Globe winner and Bodyguard hunk Richard Madden is in the mix as well as Luther's leading actor Idris Elba and War and Peace's James Norton.

Idris cheekily fueled rumours once again when he jokingly took an 'awkward' selfie with Daniel at the Golden Globe Awards night.

Amid all the drama that comes with taking on the role of the hero, Daniel has also been playing dad to his first child with his 48-year-old wife Rachel Weisz.

Funny: Idris Elba, 46, continued to fuel rumours he could play the next 007 as he jokingly took an 'awkward' selfie with the current James Bond actor, Daniel, 50, during the 76th Annual Golden Globe Awards at California 's Beverly Hilton Hotel on Sunday

The couple, who first started dating in 2010, were delighted to welcome a little girl into their lives in September last year.

Rachel, who married Daniel in 2011, shared on the Late Late Show that their child looks like her dashing husband.

'She does look very like him,' the British actress said. 'She really does.'

Rachel shares son Henry, 12, with former fiance, director Darren Aronofsky, while Daniel, 50, has a daughter Ella, 26, with ex-wife Fiona Loudon.
Ben Affleck appeared to be in a light mood as he walked int he Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles on Friday.

The Argo actor smiled as he strolled next to his his mother Christine Anne Boldt while holding a cup of takeout coffee.

This comes the day after the father-of-three appeared to have a serious conversation with his ex-wife Jennifer Garner by their cars.

Laughing with mama: Ben Affleck appeared to be in a light mood as he walked int he Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles on Friday. The Argo actor smiled as he strolled next to his his mother Christine Anne Boldt while holding a cup of takeout coffee

Ben wore a fuzzy knit hat with a pom pom on top that made him look ready for the snow.

The ex-fiance of Jennifer Lopez added a puffy black jacket over a hoodie over a T-shirt.

Long slacks were sensible and his greeen shoes stood out.

His mother was chic in a blue-and-black striped top under a cardigan and black slacks with black shoes. She wore her blonde hair down and carried a long red purse.

Her background: Christine is often seen in Los Angeles, not just with Ben but also with Jennifer. They seem to be on good terms. The single mom - a Harvard-educated elementary school teacher - raised Ben in Massachusetts after splitting from her husband

Casual customer: Ben wore a fuzzy knit hat with a pom pom on top that made him look ready for the snow. The ex-fiance of Jennifer Lopez added a puffy black jacket over a hoodie over a T-shirt

Christine is often seen in Los Angeles, not just with Ben but also with Jennifer. They seem to be on good terms.

The single mom - a Harvard-educated elementary school teacher - raised Ben in Massachusetts after splitting from her husband.

Next Ben's brother Casey was born.

Ben and Jen are co-parenting their three young children: Violet, 13 Seraphina, 10, and Samuel, six.

On Thursday the actors seemed to have a more serious conversation as they stood outside a building in Los Angeles.

The Daredevil co-stars were face to face as they stood by their cars.

Talk it out: This comes the day after the father-of-three appeared to have a serious conversation with his ex-wife Jennifer Garner by their cars

Jennifer had on a black coat and black sunglasses with her hair down as she held onto a coffee cup and her cell phone. The Alias vet added on-trend white sneakers.

Ben was stylish in a grey blazer with dark slacks and funky sneakers that looked fresh out of the box.

Earlier they were seen walking side by side as Ben showed off a thicker beard than usual.

It's being reported that Jennifer is happier than she's been in years thanks to new boyfriend John Miller, 40.

A source told Life & Style this week that Miller 'is the man of her dreams - stable, intelligent, successful, funny and he treats her like a princess.'

Apparently the star is so into her new man that she is even talking marriage.

The fellow who has her heart: It's being reported that Jennifer is happier than she's been in years thanks to new boyfriend John Miller, 40. A source told Life & Style this week that Miller 'is the man of her dreams - stable, intelligent, successful, funny and he treats her like a princess'

'Shes already given pals the heads-up that she wants to tie the knot,' the source continued.

Jennifer has been dating John, who is the CEO of Cali Group, for around eight months and the romance took the Pearl Harbor star by surprise.

'Shed said she never thought shed find love again,' the insider dished.

In an 2017 interview Jennifer said she wasn't interested in a new relationship.

'I havent been on a date and I am not interested in dating. People want to set me up and I am just like, "No thank you!"
His fans are waiting anxiously for Game Of Thrones to kick off its eighth and final season on HBO on April 14.

But Kit Harington is also starring in The Death And Life of John F. Donovan, which dropped its first trailer on Friday.

The 32-year-old Brit plays Hollywood TV star Donovan in the movie directed by Canadian Xavier Dolan, 29, that follows the events that lead up to his untimely demise.

Looking great: Kit Harington plays the title character in Canadian director Xavier Dolan's The Death And Life of John F. Donovan, which dropped its first trailer on Friday

The fast-moving trailer kicks off with a lonely boy, Rupert Turner, played by Jacob Tremblay, 12, writing a fan letter to his hero, as his older self, played by Ben Schnetzer, 28, narrates.

To his surprise, Donovan replies - kicking off a stream of correspondence landing them both in controversy. The exact details surrounding the scandal remain shrouded in mystery during the trailer.

Twelve years after the star's death, Rupert, now an actor himself, gives an interview to a reporter (Thandie Newton) to explain when and why they had become pen pals and why he had hidden the letters for so long.

His pen pal: A lonely boy, Rupert Turner, played by Jacob Tremblay, 12, writes a fan letter to his actor hero and, to the lad's surprise, that kicks off a regular correspondence

Scary implications: Donovan finds himself in the middle of a scandal about his relationship with his much younger fan

He kicks off: 'I had just turned 11, kids at school were mocking me for being the new guy, my Mom and I were barely speaking any more, all my dreams had disappeared.

'The only one that had survived was...John.

'He, on the other hand, had everything - fans, fame, love. That's the time when people started to wonder, was it all a lie?'

Tough school life: Older Rupert, played by Ben Schnetzer, 28, reveals, 'I had just turned 11, kids at school were mocking me for being the new guy, all my dreams had disappeared. The only one that had survived was...John'

On the trail: Thandie Newton plays the replorter, Audrey Newhouse, asking why Rupert has chosen to release the letters 12 years after Donovan's death

The trailer cuts to scenes of young Rupert being accused by his mom, Natalie Portman, of being a liar then later changing her tune when she warns him 'never to write to that man again.'

Meanwhile Donovan's worried manager, played by Kathy Bates, asks: 'Did you, or did you not, write letters to that kid?'

The reporter breaks into Rupert's stream of consciousness to ask: 'So why release the letters now?'

Concerned mom: Young Rupert is first accused by his mom, Grace, played by Natalie Portman, of being a liar before changing her tune to warns him 'never to write to that man again'

He replies: 'It's been 12 years and, frankly, have things really changed? What should an artist reveal of himself and why does it matter to us?'

Susan Sarandon plays older Rupert's mother Grace with Michael Gambon doling out advice.

A premiere for the US has yet to be set but the movie hits theaters in Italy on March 7 and in France on March 13.

Checking it out: As rumors hit Hollywood about the relationship, Donovan's manager Barbara, played by Kathy Bates, asks Donovan, 'Did you, or did you not, write letters to that kid?'
Khloe Kardashian loves to dote over her little girl True, dressing her in the latest baby fashions.

For months the 34-year-old Revenge Body star has put the child in turbans and various other hats.

But on Friday the girlfriend of Tristan Thompson took a different path by adding a white bow to the little one's hair.

A new look: Khloe Kardashian added a white bow to True Thompson's hair in this photo shard on Friday

Her look: True was in a white outfit as she sat on the floor alone as mama was most likely the one behind the camera

True was in a white outfit as she sat on the floor alone as mama was most likely the one behind the camera.

Her little mini me was looking at a light grey elephant as she sat next to a white basket.

The child had her arms out as if she was about to hug the toy. She then grabbed it and put the stuffed animal on her toy.

Playing around: Her little mini me was looking at a light grey elephant as she sat next to a white basket

The mini me was also wearing jewelry - a pair of diamond earrings as well as a thin gold bracelet.

So far Khloe has gone heavy on the hats for baby True.

Last week True was in a grey hat as mom Khloe held her for a stunning Instagram portrait.

Two cute! Last week True was in a grey hat as mom Khloe held her for a stunning Instagram portrait

Family fun: The TV star shared a photo of baby True in front of a classic Airstream trailer parked on the Malibu Pier on Thursday morning

And on Thursday True was in a similar hat as she sat outside a classic Airstream trailer parked on the Malibu Pier.

The entrepreneur cooed over her daughter after the little one enjoyed learning Spanish with her cousins Stormi, Chicago and Dream.

True relaxed on a wooden rocking chair outside of the vintage aluminum trailers.

She captioned the photo, 'Lets go camping Baby True.'

Fun! The 34-year-old entrepreneur cooed over her daughter after the little one enjoyed learning Spanish with her cousins Stormi, Chicago and Dream

Earlier this week, True was in a turban.

In between Spanish songs, she laughed and played with her friends wearing a little elephant hat.

She captioned one Instagram story 'The Triplets' as the little girls played with drums during one song.

Khloe watched on with a big smile stretched across her face and her blonde tresses pulled into a loose bun.

Nice hat: At one point she wore an extra adorable elephant hat on her head

True seemed to know her music as she danced along to Wheels on the Bus while her mother played along.

The Good American jeans co-founder welcomed daughter True Thompson on April 12, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio with Tristan, 27.

She reportedly wants a second child with Tristan because daughter True 'changed her life,' a source told People magazine.

Looking back: Two days prior to Khloe giving birth, Tristan's cheating scandal came to light, exclusively revealed by Dailymail.com




She runs her own posh lifestyle brand.

Gwyneth Paltrow was spotted stepping out to a business meeting in Los Angeles on Thursday dressed in a funky olive green jumpsuit.

The 46-year-old looked all business as she headed in to talk shop while holding an oversized brown leather tote in the crook of her arm.

Stylish: Gwyneth Paltrow opted for a funky olive green cropped jumpsuit to head to a business meeting in Los Angeles on Thursday

The founder of Goop rocked a coveted pair of cut heal Fendi cowboy boots with her short-sleeve, cropped jumpsuit.

Notorious for going out with little to no makeup on and letting her hair air dry, the star was the epitome of a Southern California gal with a natural look and big sunglasses.

A former actress, the blonde beauty has pivoted solely to running her aspirational and sometimes controversial lifestyle company.

Later on Thursday, Gwyneth headed out in Beverly Hills to sign copies of her latest clean eating cook book, The Clean Plate.

Trendy! The Goop founder stepped out in a coveted pair of cut heal Fendi cowboy boots

Promotions: Gwyneth was busy this week at a book signing for her latest cookbook The Clean Plate

It was back to work this week for Paltrow as she got back into the swing of things following a Mexican vacation.

The Iron Man star got a little rest and relaxation in with her new husband Brad Falchuk and children Apple, 14, and Moses, 12 whom she shares with ex-husband Chris Martin.

Gwyneth and Falchuk, a 47-year-old Emmy winner - who wed in September - first met when she guest starred in five episodes of Fox's Glee back in 2010.

Pivoting: For the most part, the 46-year-old has left acting behind, focusing more on authoring books and running Goop

As for whether or not the newlyweds are looking to expand their family, Gwyneth recently said in an interview that it was not in the cards.

'Good lord, no. I'm too old,' the Brentwood blonde just told ES Magazine of having more children.

'It's great that women are able to have babies late into their forties, but, I mean, pfffff. I don't think I could be up all night. I wouldn't survive.'
Ex On The Beach star Becca Edwards has hit back at Twitter trolls who have criticised her changing looks, insisting she can 'do what she wants' to her face.

The 26-year-old reality star, who recently announced she's pregnant, has been blasted on Twitter by people accusing her of ruining her face with plastic surgery  but she has shot down such speculation, insisting it's just 'heavy makeup'.

After one Twitter user wrote about the 'madness that women do their faces' alongside two contrasting snaps of the star, Becca blasted back on Thursday: 'Your entitled to your own opinion but your nothing but a sketty bully!' [sic]

Hitting back: Ex On The Beach star Becca Edwards has hit back at Twitter trolls who have criticised her changing looks, insisting she can 'do what she wants' to her face

The model claimed that contouring, a heavy makeup trend made famous by reality stars such as the Kardashians and beauty bloggers alike, was in part responsible for the difference in her looks.

She continued: 'It's my face al do what I want. Having heavy eye make up and heavy contour obv gonna make me look completely different ya radged c**t.' [sic]

Fans of the Ex On The Beach star were quick to jump to her defence on social media. One tweeted: Gonna say bl**dy hell its only make up!!!! People need to stop worrying themselves so much #Troll. [sic]

Changing looks: The 26-year-old reality star has been blasted on Twitter by people accusing her of ruining her face with plastic surgery  but she insists it's just 'heavy makeup'

Lock: The Twitter user she responded to eventually deleted her tweet and locked her account

Model Becca, who once dated Geordie Shore star Aaron Chalmers, was also quite open in admitting shed had her lips plumped up since the first picture was taken.

She tweeted: Anno man and yeh I have bigger lips wooo, that first picture was over 2 year ago man like nearly 3 xx.

The star was open about her breast augmentation and lip fillers when she originally appeared on Ex And The Beach.

At the start of the month, Becca revealed she is four months pregnant and in a loving relationship with her boyfriend  whose identity she has yet to publicly unveil.

The ex factor: The Geordie beauty was previously in a relationship with Aaron Chalmers. Pictured together on Ex On The Beach

Positive response: The reality star responded positively to one fan, who tweeted in her defence

Speaking to The Sun Online about the news, she admitted it came as a shock, describing the news as 'Our beautiful baby surprise.'

She added: 'My boyfriend and I are over the moon to share the news that we are expecting a baby and we are so excited to start a family together.'

Becca has not disclosed the identity of her new beau, but previously dated Geordie Shore star turned MMA fighter Aaron Chalmers.

She found fame when she appeared alongside her former flame on Ex On The Beach, and now works as a glamour model - boasting 408,000 Instagram followers.

Yummy mummy-to-be! Becca recently revealed she is expecting her first child. The 26-year-old reality star is currently four months pregnant and in a loving relationship

Becca, who emigrated from Newcastle to Australia in 2014, entered the show in episode five of the series, in which she stunned her ex-beau with her emergence from the sea - an instance which led to constant arguments.

While Aaron was enjoying a fling with co-star ZaraLena Jackson, he soon forgot about the Preston-based fashion designer as he locked horns with Becca.

Dismissing her reality star former love, the buxom beauty soon set her sights on Jack Devlin, the cheeky Essex chap who counted former TOWIE star Nicole Bass and Harriette Harper as exes, as she later bedded the hunk.

Becca's pregnancy news will no doubt come as a shock to her fans as she has hidden her baby bump online, instead continuing to post a slew of sizzling throwback bikini shots.

Open: The star was open about her breast augmentation and lip fillers when she originally appeared on Ex And The Beach

The star recently spoke to the Daily Star about the downside of internet fame, as she discussed dealing with trolls.

She explained: 'Because I am a reality TV star and have a bigger following, people expect me not to react to these people, but hang on a minute, how can they not expect me to not react?

She then addressed the trolls directly, stating: 'You are the one starting it, you are the one commenting on nearly every picture and there is only so much you can take.

'Because you think why are you doing this to me? You know I don't know you, you don't know me and there really is no need for it.'
It's been three years since he was thrown off Bachelor In Paradise for his drunken bad behavior.

But it seems Chad Johnson still hasn't forgiven the host for his unseemly exit.

The Bachelor bad boy was seen wearing a white T-shirt with the words 'F*ck you, Chris Harrison' in black capital letters on the front as he walked in a leafy area of Los Angeles on Thursday.

Not over it yet: It seems Chad Johnson hasn't forgiven host Chris Harrison for throwing him off Bachelor In Paradise for drunken bad behavior when he was seen in this T-shirt on Thursday

The 31-year-old, who sported his usual beard and mustache, teamed his insulting T-shirt with grey jogging pants and black sneakers.

The hunky reality star first appeared on JoJo Fletcher's season of The Bachelorette in 2016 where he was portrayed as the villain and earned the nickname Bad Chad.

He was invited back to Bachelor In Paradise the same year but was given the boot after he got drunk and slung violent threats at fellow cast members.

Now Chad appears to be dating Kendra Wilkinson.

Making his point: The 31-year-old teamed his insulting T-shirt with grey jogging pants and black sneakers for a walk in a leafy area of Los Angeles

Does he deserve the insult? Harrison is the longtime host of The Bachelor franchise; seen here in September in NYC

The new couple were spotted holding hands as they left Rocco's in Los Angeles on Monday evening.

And on Wednesday the TV villain was grilled about spending time with the former Playboy cover model, who is divorcing Hank Baskett, on The Tomorrow Show.

But he wasn't able to give a firm answer about the state of his new relationship.

Possible new love: Chad was seen holding hands with Kendra Wilkinson, 33, as they left Rocco's in Los Angeles on Monday evening; here she is seen in 2015

The handsome bad boy said it was 'too soon' to comment but he did say she is 'cool.'

Unlike his time on Bachelor In Paradise, Chad was very careful with his words, fending off questions by saying: 'I don't, I don't know. I just, not right now. Not yet.'

Meanwhile, after appearing in Celebrity Big Brother in 2017 and TV series Ex On The Beach in 2018, he is making his first movie, Your Eyes Only.
He rose to fame as Serena van der Woodsen's love interest Dan Humphrey, a.k.a 'Lonely Boy', in Gossip Girl.

And Penn Badgley, 32, has finally touched upon the similarities between his character in the CW series and his portrayal of Joe in the hit Netflix show You.

Speaking to The New York Times, the American actor confessed: 'Any part of me that was resisting the Dan Humphrey comparison has stopped because Ive come to recognise how much of this is a surreal progression of Dan Humphrey.'

'Surreal progression': Penn Badgley, 32, has finally touched upon the similarities between his character in the CW series Gossip Girl and his portrayal of Joe in the hit Netflix show You

Throughout Gossip Girl, which began airing in 2007, viewers were left on tenterhooks as they tried to figure out the identity of the titular blogger, who often referred to outsider Dan as 'Lonely Boy'.

Dan was ultimately revealed to be the titular blogger in Gossip Girl in the show's finale in 2012 - leaving fans in complete shock at having the wool pulled over their eyes when it came to the core morals of his character.

And speaking of the parallels, Penn revealed: Hes (Dan) the very special white man who somehow thinks that hes an outsider, and its like, Bro, youre not an outsider  you are the inside; everyone else is on the outside".'

'It would all be so comical, if it wasnt also the generating impulse for so much prejudice which can get translated into violence,' he continued.

Having his say: Addressing similarities: Speaking to The New York Times, the American actor confessed that he has now 'stopped resisting' the comparisons between his two popular roles

Stardom: Penn rose to fame as Serena van der Woodsen's love interest Dan Humphrey in Gossip Girl (Pictured 2007)

Plot: Throughout Gossip Girl viewers were left on tenterhooks as they tried to figure out the identity of the titular blogger, who often referred to outsider Dan as 'Lonely Boy'

Penn has left viewers gripped over his new chilling series You, in which he plays an unhinged stalker called Joe.

And the talented actor recently admitted he was horrified after Netflix fans took to social media to beg the star to kidnap them.

Penn took to his Twitter to respond to one show watcher who tweeted him saying: 'Kidnap me pls', to which he bluntly replied with: 'No thx.'

Shocking: Dan was ultimately revealed to be the titular blogger in Gossip Girl in the show's finale in 2012 - leaving fans in complete shock at the core morals of his character

Penn has left viewers gripped over his new chilling series You, in which he plays an unhinged stalker called Joe

A different fan took to the social media site and said: 'Said this already but @PennBadgley is breaking my heart once again as Joe. What is it about him?'

To which Penn simply (and hilariously) replied with: 'A: He is a murderer.'

While he re-tweeted another follower who revealed that she's scared about the amount of fans who are romanticising over his stalker character.

Hilarious: The talented actor recently admitted he was horrified after Netflix fans took to social media to beg the star to kidnap them

Hitting back: While he re-tweeted another follower who revealed that she's scared about the amount of fans who are romanticising over his stalker character

To which he jokingly added: 'Ditto. It will be all the motivation I need for season 2.'

In the series, which is currently streaming on Netflix, Penn's character Joe becomes obsessed with a girl called Guinevere, nicknamed Beck, after meeting her in the bookshop he works in.

The bookseller goes on to stalk her, break into her home and murder any rivals that get in the way of him being with her, including her best friend Peach Salinger - played by Pretty Little Liars' Shay Mitchell.

You ends with Joe kidnapping Beck and keeping her locked away in the basement of the bookshop after she discovers his twisted behaviour.

Creepy: In the series, which is currently streaming on Netflix, Penn's character Joe becomes obsessed with a girl called Guinevere, nicknamed Beck, after meeting her in his bookshop

It concludes with Joe killing Beck as she tries to escape his clutches, but the bookseller is soon left stunned as another ex-girlfriend, who he thought he had killed off, Candace, shows up.

The 10-episode series is based on Caroline Kepnes' novel You, while it has since been announced that there will be a second series.

You available now to stream on Netflix.
Dancing on Ice star Gemma Collins admits her gruelling rehearsals have reduced her to tears as she endeavours to win a positive response from acid-tongued judge Jason Gardiner.

In a short Instagram video posted by professional skate partner Matt Evers, the pair revealed they were putting in the hours after receiving low scores from the panel  and a scathing critique from Gardiner  on Sunday night.

Looking exhausted after a three-hour session on the ice, Gemma, 37, told followers: Im absolutely working my butt off, Im mastering the steps. Theres been tears because Im just so determined to get it right.

Hard at work: Dancing on Ice star Gemma Collins admits her gruelling rehearsals have reduced her to tears as she endeavours to win a positive response from acid-tongued judge Jason Gardiner

Matt added: 'Im actually very proud of Gemma this week. We have put in extra time. Her skating is coming along, we have taken on what the judges have said in terms of the skills we need to work on and we are doing that.

'I really hope you enjoy this weeks routine, its very emotional and it means a lot to both of us.'

Dancing On Ice Associate Creative Director Daniel Whiston - who was formerly a professional skater on the show - also gave her a ringing endorsement by revealing she's been hard at work on the ice.

Confrontation: Gemma and skate partner Matt Evers revealed they were putting in the hours after receiving low scores from the panel  and a scathing critique from Gardiner  on Sunday night

Done in: Looking exhausted after a three-hour session on the ice, Gemma, 37, told followers she was 'absolutely working her butt off'

Delighted: Matt revealed he was proud of Gemma's progress after a difficult second week on the long-running sho

He told Sun Online: 'Gemma has been working really hard this week, putting in the training hours and really concentrating on improving her skating skills and learning her routine.

'I think she wants to go out and she wants to go out and show everyone what she's made of, and put on the best performance she can.'

Gemma's performance on Sunday evening was overshadowed by a fiery confrontation with show judge Gardiner, who she accused of selling stories about her.

Drama: Gemma's performance on Sunday evening was overshadowed by a fiery confrontation with show judge Gardner, who she accused of selling stories about her

Opening up: Matt later explained that all Dancing On Ice press is organised via the ITV PR team, but that Gardner's appearances, during which he verbally attacked Gemma, were set up off his own back

Matt later explained that all Dancing On Ice press is organised via the ITV PR team, but that Gardiner's appearances were set up off his own back, externally.

Chatting on Heart radio, Matt addressed the Australian judge's comments, which saw him brand Gemma 'a disgrace to humanity' among other equally nasty remarks.

'When it comes to Dancing On Ice, you have a choice to go through the ITV press office to release interviews and statements. Its in house,' Matt said. 'On Thursday, the story came out that she was a disgrace to humanity.

Third time lucky: Gemma and Matt will be hoping to win unanimously positive comments from the judges on Sunday evening's show

'ITV came to us, as she was really upset by it, to say that it came from Jason himself. It sounds like [he has been selling stories on her].'

Matt later apologised on Twitter, saying: 'Always own up to your mistakes! I just want to say sorry to Jason as today on Heart FM I intimated he sold stories to a newspaper. I totally got my wires crossed and I apologise. Its been one hell of a 24 hours!'

The judging panel, including Gardiner, told Gemma she didn't dance enough in her routine on Sunday, which Matt also responded to.

He said: 'There wasnt a lot of content... we didnt have a lot of rehearsal time with her this week. She respected that [but] word has it [Jason] sold some stories and she went for gold.'




Bros stars Matt and Luke Goss have been propelled back into the spotlight following their hit documentary, After The Screaming Stops.

The show followed the twins ahead of their 2017 reunion gig at London's o2 and viewers saw them have terrible rows but they also witnessed their close bond.

While it was well-received, others branded the show cringe-worthy, as Matt, 50, said things like, he refused to be superstitious because of Stevie Wonder's lyrics.

'Without the cameras there would have been blood': Bros's Matt and Luke Goss discussed their rows on This Morning on Friday as they defended their 'uncomfortable' documentary

As they were: Bros were a global success in the 80s with hits such as When Will I Be Famous? (pictured in 1988)

Memes surfaced on social media mocking some of his 'David Brent' style sayings.

Talking to G2, the twins said they relinquished editorial control over the programme and admitted the cameras weren't to blame for the tensions.

On the contrary, Matt said: 'Without the cameras, there would have been blood.'

Light-hearted: The men told G2 they haven't been fazed by some of the comments calling the programme 'cringeworthy,' as they can take a joke

Luke also said: 'Of course they were laughing at us. It's inevitable' as he said he was taking all the comments in his stride

The boys also said that they haven't been fazed by some of the comments calling the programme 'cringeworthy,' as they can take a joke.

Luke said: 'Of course they were laughing at us. It's inevitable.'

Matt added: 'We made a conscious decision that we knew there were going to be some uncomfortable moments. In life there are. It isn't contrived.'

More to come: Bros appeared on This Morning on Friday to talk about their documentary and their new gig in Brixton, which is happening this summer

Raising a glass: 'We hadnt spoken and addressed so many issues, some of them very serious about our loss and mum. It was also about the band'

Bros also appeared on This Morning on Friday to talk about their documentary and their new gig in Brixton, which is happening this summer.

Eamonn revealed he had no idea about their bust-up on their previous This Morning interview, which features documentary and happened before they sat on sofa.

Luke replied: The crazy side is weve become closer through this whole process. Its like therapy through the nation, Ive got my brother back!'

Conkers: The film followed the brothers as they prepared for their emotional sell-out reunion gigs at London's O2 Arena, nearly 30 years after they last took to the stage together, while simultaneously trying to repair their bond after a decade of minimal contact

When will I be (Twitter) Famous? Viewers went wild at the screening of Bros documentary After The Screaming Stops, with fans comparing the film to The Office and rolling in the aisles over its absurd and hilarious one-liners

Lol: Fans couldn't help but compare Matt to hapless salesman David Brent in The Office

Matt added: 'We hadnt spoken and addressed so many issues, some of them very serious about our loss and mum. It was also about the band.

'Bros didnt do much when we broke up, we had to go America, so did Luke to carve new careers. I was overly apologising for being the main man, I didnt know when setting up I would be signer, what dynamic would be.

'The movie has allowed us to have a conversation as we feel as men. I dont think any great meal needs spice, we are two separate ingredients, what is essential for what we do for a band.'

During the documentary, Matt expressed his upset over the fact that conkers have been banned in schools - another meme-worthy conversation.

He said: 'I like speaking in analogies and metaphors, its a descriptive way of speaking I realise now. I love conkers now and I still feel passionate about the conkers.'

No idea: Eamonn had said he had been unaware of the boys' previous argument which took place after the last time they were on This Morning and was shown in the documentary

Looking good: Bros looked incredibly dapper in their smart suits as they posed backstage for snaps
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He has won critical acclaim for his part in comedy drama Can You Ever Forgive Me?

And Richard E Grant revealed on Friday's This Morning he was in a restaurant with his daughter Olivia, 30, when he discovered he had been nominated for his first ever Oscar in his three-decade career.

The Spice World actor, 61, shared that the duo received free food and drink after bursting into tears over the accolade.

Scroll down for list of nominees

Ecstatic: Richard E Grant revealed on Friday's This Morning that he was in a restaurant with his daughter Olivia, 30, when he discovered he had been nominated for his first ever Oscar

He said: 'I was in a restaurant with my daughter who had a live stream on her phone, they announced my name, and we burst into tears.

'Everyone around thought we had received deadly news, it was great news, we had a free lunch and free drinks. It was a win-win!'

He added: 'If you're as old as I am, and never had an Oscar award nomination, it arrives this late, it feels great!'

Richard was left mortified when the ITV daytime show aired a clip of his role in Can You Ever Forgive Me? because he hates watching himself back.

Critical acclaim: The Spice World actor, 61, shared that the duo received free food and drink after bursting into tears over the accolade (pictured in the film with co-star Melissa McCarthy)

Tears: He said: 'I was in a restaurant with my daughter who had a live stream on her phone, they announced my name, and we burst into tears.' (pictured together earlier this month)

Covering his eyes and ears, show host Eamonn Holmes joked: 'He actually held that pose there, do you not like watching yourself back?'

To which Richard admitted: 'Not if I can help it, no, it just feels wrong! I know many actors who feel the same way!'

The actor stars alongside Melissa McCarthy in the American biographical film and he revealed that they just clicked on set.

He said: 'Never met her, we met on a Friday a year ago for two hours, to talk through the script, to see if there was a comedy element for Melissa weve come to know and love.

Win-win!: 'Everyone around thought we had received deadly news, it was great news, we had a free lunch and free drinks. It was a win-win!,' he added

'It felt like lightening in bottle, an instant connect with her,' he joked: 'We're having twins in august!'

Richard then revealed the Oscar-nominated film took 26 days to shoot and had a low budget as it was all shot on location in NYC - filming the bars and bookshops.

The actor added he only got the script six weeks before shooting and had 24 hours to decide if he wanted the role.

Finally: He added: 'If you're as old as I am, and never had an Oscar award nomination, it arrives this late, it feels great!'

He said: 'I thought it was so well-written, witty and well-observed. A true story, stranger than fiction.

'It was a quick decision, we were starting shooting in six weeks time, I don't know who died or dropped out [over the role], but I had 24 hours to decide!'

Richard is currently filming for Star Wars, with his role and character name being kept top secret.

Talking about the 'huge secrecy' surrounding the franchise, he said: 'I can't even tell my wife or daughter the name of my character. We have security, we arrive in plain clothes, we use a cloak to get to the studio as there's drove above.

Red-faced: However, Richard was left mortified when they aired a clip of his role in Can You Ever Forgive Me? as he hates watching himself back

'We read the script in a guarded room, the pages you're doing you get on the day, you have to sign in and out for them each day.'

Richard's interview comes after he revealed to Zoe Ball on The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show on BBC Radio 2 on Wednesday that the nomination brought him to tears.

The actor said it was a 'surreal' moment when he learned he had been recognised in the Best Supporting Actor category for his performance as Jack Hock in the forgery drama.

The Swaziland born star said: 'It feels completely surreal; I was sitting with my daughter in a restaurant in Notting Hill Gate just round the corner from where this happened.

Impressive: Richard then revealed that the Oscar-nominated film took 26 days to shoot and had a low budget as it was all shot on location in NYC - filming the bars and bookshops

'It was where I lived in this bedsit in 1982 when I first came to England and it was when I got the news, she was watching this live feed on her phone and we had earpieces in, we both just burst into tears and people around us thought we had some terrible news. '

The Withnail and I actor took to his Twitter account to express his joy after receiving the happy news on Tuesday, and shared a video shot in front of the first bedsit he ever lived at in London.

He said: 'I'm absolutely overwhelmed, 36 years ago I rented this bedsit here which was one room in Notting Hill Gate which was 30 pounds a week, about 50 dollars, and I cannot believe that 36 years later I'm standing here as nearly a 62-year-old man having an Oscar nomination.'

The Jack and Sarah star went on to thank the Academy, as well as co-star Melissa McCarthy and the film's director Marielle Heller.

Emotional: Richard's interview comes after he revealed to Zoe Ball on The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show on BBC Radio 2 on Wednesday that the nomination brought him to tears

Richard will go up against Adam Driver for BlacKkKlansman, Mahershala Ali for Green Book, Sam Elliott for A Star Is Born and Sam Rockwell for Vice.

His co-star Melissa has been nominated in the Best Actress category while the film has also been given a nod in the Best Adapted Screenplay category.

Also on the red carpet, Richard discussed the close bond he forged with Melissa as he revealed the pair got on 'extraordinary well' on the movie set.

He told MailOnline: 'Its astonishing because we made this film in January last year for 28 days over 6 weeks and for such an intimate story, Melissa and I got along so extraordinarily well.

Acclaimed: The Withnail and I actor took to his Twitter account to express his joy after receiving the happy news on Tuesday, and shared a video shot in front of the first bedsit

'It was a true story as well. It was shot in the Julius bar, the oldest gay bar in Manhattan and in the bookshops where they did all these literary scams - you were authentically walking where these people live.

'Youre honouring them in some proper way. It was an amazing experience I loved it.'

Can You Ever Forgive Me? sees Melissa step into the stilettos of celebrity biographer Lee Israel who makes her living profiling A-listers in the dramatic thriller film.

The writer chronicles the lives of stars including Katharine Hepburn, Tallulah Bankhead, Estee Lauder and journalist Dorothy Kilgallen.

Yet in a shocking twist, Lee turns her art form into deception when she falls on hard times and her work is no longer able to get published.
She welcomed her first child in November with boyfriend Norman Reedus.

And Diane Kruger has now dished all on her journey to motherhood in a candid interview with NET-A-PORTERs digital magazine, PorterEdit, claiming that she initially thought she was 'too selfish' for children.

Upon coming to the realisation that she did in fact want children, the German actress, 42, revealed it was a waiting game to find the right person before going on touch on the subject of not needing marriage to have financial security.

Candid: Diane Kruger, 42, dished all on her journey to motherhood in an interview with PorterEdit, claiming that she initially thought she was 'too selfish' for children

It has been nearly three months since Diane, who will soon be seen in thriller The Operative, welcomed her daughter, whose name is unknown, into the world.

The baby is a second child for Walking Dead star Reedus, who has 19-year-old son Mingus with ex-partner Helena Christensen.

Speaking about his parental abilities, Diane admitted: 'Norman is so calm, and he teaches me a lot, because hes done it before. Theres definitely something to be said for being with someone who is doing it for the second time.'

Diane spoke candidly about not rushing to have a baby, stating: 'I think as you grow older, you learn that things come to you when youre ready for them. Im glad I waited to have a baby.'

'At 35, I thought I probably do want one': Upon coming to the realisation that she did in fact want children, the German actress, 42, revealed it was a waiting game to find the right person

Happy family: Diane welcomed her first child in November with boyfriend Norman Reedus

However, the former model confessed she initially didn't want children: 'I was too selfish. But by the time I got to about 35, I thought, yes, I probably do want one. But then you have to wait for the right person to come along.'

Diane first met Norman in 2015 during the filming of Sky, but the couple didn't make their public debut until over a year later.

While they are very much in love, Diane is taking it slow when it comes to getting married again.

'Never say never [to marriage]. I would have a party. Id like to wear a nice dress. But Im not religious, so that aspect of marriage doesnt mean anything to me.

'Norman is so calm, and he teaches me a lot': The baby is a second child for Walking Dead star Reedus, who has 19-year-old son Mingus with ex-partner Helena Christensen

Work it: Diane's photoshoot accompanying the open and honest interview saw the star use her early modelling success to good use in a number of sensational poses and stylish looks

'Theres obviously a financial security that comes with marriage, but Im financially independent  I dont need anyone for that,' she defiantly confessed.

Diane was married from 2001 to 2006 to French film star Guillaume Canet, who is now with Marion Cotillard, but the two never had children.

The beauty was also in a decade long romance with Joshua Jackson from 2006 to 2016.

Meanwhile, Diane's photoshoot accompanying the open and honest interview saw the star use her early modelling success to good use in a number of sensational poses and stylish looks.

To see the full interview, read PorterEdit and/or download the Net-A-Porter app for iPhone, iPad and Android.
Good Morning Britain made a shocking rude subtitles gaffe during a Burns Night segment on Friday.

Richard Arnold came on set wearing a kilt and speaking in a Scottish accent, saying: 'Not bad, eh? Does that put you in the mood for some cock-a-leekie soup or what?'

However, the presenters were unaware that the subtitles simply wrote: 'Does that put you in the mood for some c***'.

Major cock-up: Good Morning Britain suffered an epic RUDE subtitle fail which saw the words cock-a-leekie soup get a little lost in translation on the show on Friday

That wasn't the only shock in store, though, as TV hosts Kate Garraway and Charlotte Hawkins were left shocked after Richard flashed them.

The presenters were joined by Ben Shephard as they discussed Burns Night before the showbusiness correspondent, 49, cheekily lifted his kilt.

'There's just things you can't un-see,' Kate shrieked in horror, before Ben cheekily added: 'One way to wake you up on a Friday morning, although something hasn't quite woken up yet, has it Rich?'

'Can't un-see it': Kate Garraway, Ben Shephard and Charlotte Hawkins were also left shocked after Richard Arnold flashed them in his kilt

Dicking around: Showbusiness correspondent, Richard, 49, walked in front of his camera and lifted his kilt, much to everyone's shock and (maybe) horror

The studio proved to be utter disarray when Richard stepped in front of live video link.

Good Morning Britain lost out the Best Daytime show gong to This Morning at the National Television Awards on Tuesday night.

But that didn't stop the show's weather girl Laura Tobin for 'drinking herself into oblivion' at two after-parties before making an incredibly hungover appearance at work on Wednesday morning.

The 37-year-old cut a far cry from usual morning glamour as she attempted to fulfil her work obligations, however her struggles prompted extreme ridicule from host Piers Morgan.

Ben cheekily responded: 'One way to wake you up on a Friday morning, although something hasn't quite woken up yet, has it Rich?'

Good night? This comes after GMB's weather girl Laura Tobin 'drunk herself into oblivion' at two after-parties before making a hungover appearance at work on Wednesday morning

Piers cheekily announced: 'Let's go to Laura who decided to drink herself into oblivion last night' - before the camera panned to a worse-for-wear Laura.

The broadcaster added: 'For any viewers who think she has flu or she's ill, no, she just took it very badly that we lost and she went on a bender.'

Adding to Laura's misery, Piers asked her what time she went home, to which she replied: 'I don't remember.'

It then came to the attention of viewers that she went to 'two afterparties', while Susanna Reid added: 'She came to work this morning, walked past my room with makeup running down her face and went "don't drink, just don't drink".

Hungover: The 37-year-old cut a far cry from usual morning glamour as she attempted to fulfil her work obligations, however her struggles prompted ridicule from host Piers Morgan

Piers cheekily announced: 'Let's go to Laura who decided to drink herself into oblivion last night' - before the camera panned to a worse-for-wear Laura

'I don't remember': Adding to Laura's misery, Piers asked her what time she went home

Adding to the hilarious nature of her circumstances, Laura admitted she still owed a man called Paul Thomas some money for the taxi ride home.

Clearly not in the mood to take her job seriously, Laura also doodled a phallic looking shape on her map.

Meanwhile, Piers told Good Morning Britain viewers on Wednesday that he was 'livid' with Ant and Dec picking up their 18th gong the night before.

He said: 'It was Ant McPartlins speech that really cemented it for me. You mean, seriously, he hasnt been on TV for a year. The only time he gets out of bed in the morning is to walk the dog!

'Make-up running down her face': It then came to the attention of viewers that she went to 'two afterparties'

Financial woes: Adding to the hilarious nature of her circumstances, Laura admitted she still owed a man called Paul Thomas some money for the taxi ride home

Doing her best: Laura still managed to make a style statement in a striped jumper and black leather pencil skirt

Angry: Piers told Good Morning Britain viewers on Wednesday that he was 'livid' with Ant and Dec picking up their 18th gong the night before

Calling the public 'gullible', he said: 'Im still annoyed, I cant lie. Im still annoyed. You saw people win who barely worked last year!'

Piers also addressed Good Morning Britain losing the Daytime gong to This Morning, he said: 'All the best people lost.'

He added: 'The NTAs have become a bit of a joke. Holly and Phil have won for nine years. It must be as boring for the viewers.

Its the same old people, theyve all got the same management company. Ant and Dec, Holly and Phil, same management company.
She's best known for her role as Cersei Lannister in Game Of Thrones.

But Lena Headey looked worlds away from her HBO fantasy character as she headed to a taping of Jimmy Kimmel Live on Thursday in Los Angeles.

The actress, 45, looked elegant in a black semi-sheer polka dot dress by cruelty-free brand Hiraeth Collective that featured a flowing skirt.

Elegant: Lena Headey looked worlds away from her Game Of Thrones character as she headed to a taping of Jimmy Kimmel Live on Thursday in Los Angeles

The screen star paired her chic ensemble with purple suede heels, while showing off her bold arm tattoos.

The mother-of-two wore her hair in cascading waves and opted for natural makeup to appear on the hit US chat show.

Not forgoing jewellery, Lena showed off a selection gold bracelets as she stopped to wave at waiting fans.

Prior to filming, host Jimmy Kimmel shared a picture of the duo on Instagram with the caption: 'Jimmy's mission tonight: get #GameOfThrones spoilers out of Lena Headey'.

Chic: The actress, 45, looked elegant in a black semi-sheer polka dot dress by cruelty-free brand Hiraeth Collective that featured a flowing skirt

Inked: The screen star paired her chic ensemble with purple suede heels, while showing off her bold arm tattoos

Natural beauty: The mother-of-two wore her hair in cascading waves and opted for natural makeup to appear on the hit US chat show

The actress has played the Queen of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros since Game Of Thrones began in 2011.

Lena married director Dan Cadan, her childhood friend, last year and the couple are parents to daughter Teddy, three, together.

The star had a brief romance with her fellow GOT actor Jerome Flynn, 55, but split after a few months with reports suggesting they had to be kept apart on set.

Lena was previously married to musician Peter Loughran from 2007 until 2011, and the pair have son Wylie, eight, together.

Spoilers: Prior to filming, host Jimmy Kimmel shared a picture of the duo on Instagram and said he was hoping to wangle a few spoilers out of the actress

Last summer, it was claimed Peter was forced to busk on the streets of Leeds after the pair's bitter divorce battle.

A source also told The Sun: 'Peter has been wiped out financially over the last few years. It has been very tough on him and he is struggling.

'He has gone from living the life of a millionaire in Hollywood to living in Leeds on benefits. His friends are worried about how he is coping.'
This Morning hosts Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford came under fire on Friday for interrogating child star Mark Lester over his friendship with Michael Jackson.

Speaking in the wake of a documentary on the musician, which is premiering at the Sundance Film Festival on Friday, the Oliver! actor, 60, once again discussed the subject of the sperm donation he gave to Michael, who passed away in 2009.

While chatting about the scenario, Eamonn grilled Mark over his claims that he is the biological father to Michael's daughter Paris while Ruth asked Mark if the late singer was 'infertile' - leading to a furious reaction from fans on Twitter.

Shocking: Grilling: This Morning hosts Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford came under fire on Tuesday for interrogating child star Mark Lester over his friendship with Michael Jackson

Mark found fame at the age of eight when he played the title role in the film of the Lionel Bart musical Oliver! in 1968. He became good friends with Jackson in London in 1978 when the singer was performing with the Jackson 5.

Since then Mark, who is now an osteopath and lives in Cheltenham with his second wife Lisa and the four children from his first marriage, has repeatedly discussed his friendship with Michael and the sperm donation he gave the star.

His appearance on This Morning comes ahead of the release of Leaving Neverland, which has exposed fresh sex abuse claims as one-time Michael Jackson fans Wade Robson and James Safechuck have made accusations against the late hitmaker

On Tuesday morning's show, Eamonn asked Mark about the sperm donation stories, to which Mark countered: 'I did give a sperm donation to MJ, I had four children, he said: How do you do it?...

Candid: Mark's interview was widely discussed on Twitter after his grilling from the couple

'Well, yeah, I think again, expanding on his naivety, I think he knew how to do it but was going on the fact of why I was so fertile and what was the secret.'

While he had previously claimed he is Paris' father, he said to the couple: 'Regardless of who the biological father is-was, whatever, MJ raised them as his own'.

In 2017, Mark discussed the possibility of fathering Paris as he said of his donation: I was just helping out a friend. I think he had a problem with actually doing the physical act of sex and a very low sperm count as well.

During Friday's interview, Ruth and Eamonn pushed: 'Do you ever look and see similarities between yourself and Paris? Is that not strange, if you realised you were the biological father of that child? Not weird?'

Weighing in: While chatting about the scenario, Eamonn grilled Mark over his claims that he is the biological father to Michael's daughter Paris while Ruth asked Mark if the late singer was 'infertile' - leading to a furious reaction from fans on Twitter

Mark countered: 'It was something given and discarded, Michael brought those kids up. He told me he had thrown it all away.'

Taking to Twitter, viewers penned: 'Regardless of how we feel about MJ, the way Mark Lester is being grilled about sperm donation is so outdated! I would find anyone asking myself questions like this when we have children so offensive...

'What the hell kind of interview was that?!! The talk with Mark Lester was meant to be about the bogus full of sh*t "Documentary" on @thismorning so what has sperm do at ion got to do with it!! #Disappointed...

Shocking: Ruth and Eamonn were scolded by viewers for the chat

Shocking: Speaking in the wake of a new documentary on the music legend, which is being premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, the Oliver actor once again discussed the widely-publicised subject of the sperm donation he gave to Michael

'He totally ballsed that opportunity for the #truth up!... Please ask Mark Lester about Paris Jackson, how it came about that Michael asked him to be a sperm donor.'

Ruth was heavily criticised for asking if Michael was infertile, with a Twitter user writing: 'I havent been a fan of this guy, Mark Lester, w/the whole im Paris father malarkey, but dya know what in this moment fair f**king play to him, publicly defending MJ like this...

'Hes got some loyalty & hopefully will shine light Taj as a result.. #ThisMorning #MichaelJackson. Ruth: was he infertile? - what kind of disrespectful f**king question is that...

'And Im annoyed Mark Lester wont just say im not talking about this boom done. Youre there to talk about the documentary ffs... Hes feeding their questions'.

Happy days: While he had previously insisted he is Paris' father, he said to the couple: 'Regardless of who the biological father is was whatever, MJ raised them as his own' (Paris pictured at a Las Vegas party in August)

Weighing in: Speaking about the new documentary, Mark said: 'I know neither of those guys, I cant comment on that, I can only tell you about my experience with Michael and my family visiting Neverland several times'

The damning new documentary - said to prove that Michael was a sexual predator of young boys - has its world premiere on Friday. The four-hour film Leaving Neverland previews under unprecedented levels of security at the Sundance Film Festival.

It is said to document how James Safechuck, from the age of ten, and seven-year-old Wade Robson, were befriended and eventually sexually assaulted by the singer, who died aged 50 in 2009.

The film features detailed corroborative evidence - gathered by filmmaker Dan Reed and his researchers  that the star performed unspeakable acts on the two boys - who are the latest accusers following decades of claims against the star.

In the Sundance Film Festival programme, Leaving Neverland is said to have gut-wrenching interviews with Safechuck and Wade and their families, and documents the power of celebrity that allowed a revered figure to infiltrate the lives of the boys.

Harrowing: It is said to document how James Safechuck, from the age of ten, and seven-year-old Wade Robson (pictured in 2005), were befriended and eventually sexually assaulted by the singer, who died aged 50 in 2009

Speaking about the new documentary, Mark said: 'I know neither of those guys, I cant comment on that, I can only tell you about my experience with Michael and my family visiting Neverland several times, spending Christmases and lots of time when he came London. This awful allegation its just not the man I knew...

'I find that quite hard to believe [the allegations], having testified before, it's an element of you have to tell the truth, I suggest that was the truth. I dont know why its now come forth...

'I understand what you're saying about sexual abuse it is an awful thing, a lot of things that are going to come out about other people , with MJ there is a genuine naivety and innocence about Michael, its very hard to explain...

'He was naive... He didnt understand, in todays society it is not acceptable to behave in the manner he did...

'He was deeply disturbed by the 2005 court case that affected him deeply, it was a trust betrayed a friendship destroyed he saved a boy from cancer. The whole thing was turned around.'

BAZ BAMIGBOYE: Four-hour documentary film Leaving Neverland that 'PROVES' Michael Jackson sexually abused young boys has its world premiere

A damning new documentary said to prove that Michael Jackson was a sexual predator of young boys gets its world premiere today.

The four-hour film Leaving Neverland previews under unprecedented levels of security at the Sundance Film Festival.

It is said to document how James Safechuck, from the age of ten, and seven-year-old Wade Robson, were befriended and eventually sexually assaulted by the singer, who died aged 50 in 2009.

Michael Jackson and Wade Robson, right, leaving the Netherland ranch. This photograph is taken from a movie which will premiere at the Sundance Film Festival which alleges that the entertainer abused Robson and another youngster, James Safechuck

Wade Robson, pictured in 2005, claims Jackson abused him as a child

The film, which I will be viewing at the first public screening at the Egyptian Theatre in Park City, Utah, features detailed corroborative evidence  definitive, apparently, and gathered by film-maker Dan Reed and his researchers  that the so-called King Of Pop performed unspeakable acts on the two boys.

The film festival, in its programme, said Leaving Neverland has gut-wrenching interviews with Safechuck and Wade (now adults) and their families, and that the picture documents the power of celebrity that allowed a revered figure to infiltrate the lives of the two boys.

Allegations of sexual abuse by Jackson have been around for decades, but I gather this film contains startling, irrefutable proof.

Jacksons estate has denied all the allegations, though they have not yet been shown Leaving Neverland.

Safechuck and Wade will be at todays screening, as will representatives from Channel 4 and HBO, who produced the film. Leaving Neverland will be broadcast on C4 this winter.

A Broadway-bound musical backed by the Michael Jackson Estate, Dont Stop Til You Get Enough, about the singer, scrambled to announce itself on Wednesday ahead of the Sundance screening.

It will open in Chicago in October and head to Broadway on December 1.
She made her show debut in season two as Lady Isabella Fitzwilliam.

And Liv Tyler looked unrecognisable as she transformed into her character for series three filming of Harlots on Thursday in Hertfordshire.

The Lord of the Rings star, 41, looked every inch the aristocrat as she wore a dramatic dark pink mantua dress with a champagne coloured corset and lace sleeves.

She's back! Liv Tyler looked unrecognisable as she transformed into her character for series three filming of Harlots on Thursday in Hertfordshire

Liv appeared to wear a wig which boasted an almost statuesque brunette beehive with one long ringlet left loose at the back.

She completed her period look with diamond pendant earrings and a slick of camera-ready make-up.

Liv appeared in her element as Lady Isabella Fitzwilliam as she playfully posed on the stairs of her dressing room and trailer for the ITV Encore/Hulu production.

Unrecognisable: The Lord of the Rings star, 41, pictured out of character at The British Fashion Awards in December

Harlots is based in 1763 and aired for eight episodes in March 2017, with the second series airing in July 2018.

The show boasts an all-star cast with Samantha Morton and Lesley Manville appearing as leading roles.

Following brothel owner Margaret Wells, played by Samantha, the series follows her character and her struggle to raise her daughters in London during the 18th century.

Despite filming for series three being well underway, there is still no official release date for the third season of Harlots.

Lady Isabella Fitzwilliam: Liv looked every inch the aristocrat as she wore a dramatic dark pink mantua dress with a champagne coloured corset and lace sleeves

Leading ladies: The show boasts an all-star cast with Samantha Morton and Lesley Manville (pictured in character) appearing as leading roles

Aside from Harlots, Liv rose to fame in the Lord of the Rings trilogy as half-elven Arwen.

On the personal front, Liv has been with her current partner, Dave Gardner, since 2014 and they have two children together - Lula, two, and Sailor, three. She also has son Milo, 14, with ex-husband Royce Langdon.

But back in the early 2000s rumours swirled that Liv Tyler and her Lord Of The Rings co-star Orlando Bloom were getting close on set.

Smitten: On the personal front, Liv has been with her current partner, Dave Gardner, since 2014 with the attending several star-studded events together (pictured at Meghan Markle's wedding in May)

Sweet: They have two children together - Lula, two, and Sailor, three (pictured) she also has son Milo, 14, with ex-husband Royce Langdon (not pictured)

According to the actress, however, it was all gossip and they 'never, ever ever' dated.

Recently, Liv was making an appearance on Andy Cohen's Watch What Happens Live!, when a fan called in to ask her about the rumours.

'No, never ever, ever,' responded the Empire Records star, 'He is one of my oldest friends. Obviously, we grew up together and we're in Lord Of The Rings together, but no we never dated.'

She added she was about 21-years-old at the time but felt so young. 'We all flirted,' admitted Steven Tyler's daughter.
She plays bodyguard Sam Carlson in new movie, Close, and Noomi Rapace has said she hurt herself filming.

Talking to Graham Norton on his BBC show, the 39-year-old said: 'There was no stunt double, I did them all myself. It was very intense and I hurt myself.'

Asked if, like the character she plays, she is able to blend into the background and go unrecognised, she said she can quite often get away with it.

Brave feat: Noomi Rapace told Graham Norton she hurt herself filming new bodyguard movie Close as 'there was no stunt double' - the show will air on Friday

Role: She plays bodyguard and counter-terrorism expert Sam Carlson, (right) who takes a job protecting Zoe a rich young heiress

She told Graham: 'I was at a dinner party and two guests started discussing Prometheus and saying that the alien creature coming out of Elizabeth Shaw's stomach was CGI.

'I said that is definitely wasn't and when they asked how I knew I said, "I was there. It was my tummy."

'Not being recognised happens a lot. I kind of like it. I am an actor not a celebrity.'

Talking to Graham Norton on his BBC show, the 39-year-old said: 'There was no stunt double, I did them all myself. It was very intense and I hurt myself'

All stars: Host Graham Norton, Dame Judi Dench, Sir Kenneth Branagh, Noomi Rapace, Greg Davies and Claire Richards during the filming of the Graham Norton Show

Close tells the story of a bodyguard and counter-terrorism expert called Sam, [Noomi], who takes a job protecting Zoe a rich young heiress.

Neither party is keen on the arrangement until a violent kidnap forces them to go on the run.

The actress was in good company on the show as Judi Dench, Kenneth Branagh, Anthony Joshua, Greg Davies and Claire Richards were also present.

Hollywood royalty: The actress was in good company on the show as Judi Dench and Kenneth Branagh were also on the show to talk about their strong working relationship

Charismatic: Anthony Joshua enthralled Judi with his words

Judi and Kenneth, talking about working together so often, and asked how much persuasion Judi needs, she says, 'All the films I have done with Ken is the same story.

'He just says, "I wonder if you would be interested"... and I say "Yes," and for this one (All is True) I got a call from my agent to say Ken wanted to come down and talk to me about something, and I said, "Tell him not to come, I'll do it." Kenneth interjects, "It is absolutely true". She said, "Don't waste the petrol.'"

Asked which of them knows more Shakespeare, Kenneth says, 'Of course she does. When I started paraphrasing his words in the film, she just laughed and finished the end of the scene properly. We kept that in. She definitely knows more than me.'

The Graham Norton Show, BBC One, Friday 25th January 10.35pm.
Charlotte Crosby has revealed she plans to start a family with boyfriend Josh Richie, 24, ahead of turning 30 next year.

In recent weeks, the 28-year-old star has been hit with pregnancy rumours which she was grilled on during an appearance on Good Morning Britain.

Chatting on the show, the reality personality said: 'Next year, me and Josh. I would like a baby, Im 30 next year and ready to start a family. Josh is four years younger. We talk a lot about it, it seems he is on board.'

Oh! Charlotte Crosby has revealed she plans to start a family with boyfriend Josh Richie, 24, ahead of turning 30 next year

Late last year, Charlotte and Josh set tongues wagging when images emerged showing the EOTB star cradling her stomach and leading to wonderment from fans.

The happy couple make no secret of their romance on social media and fans will watch their life unfurl on the upcoming second season of The Charlotte Show.

Charlotte revealed in May 2016 that she suffered an ectopic pregnancy, after falling pregnant with ex-flame and co-star Gary Beadle's child.

She opened up in an interview with Heat magazine confessing that the devastating incident happened while he was away filming Ex On The Beach, and that she was rushed to hospital for an operation.

Posing up a storm: In recent weeks, the 28-year-old star has been hit with pregnancy rumours which she was grilled on during an appearance on Good Morning Britain

Having a chat: Charlotte divulged the news on the breakfast show

The reality TV star, who had been filming Geordie Shore: Big Birthday Battle at the time, said she wasn't even aware she was pregnant at first, and that she though the pain was down to a heavy period.

She also explained that things were also going really well between herself and Gaz, despite the on-off nature of their tempestuous relationship.

'We'd had a couple of fall-outs, but we were the closest we'd ever been,' she claimed, as she revealed he was due to jet off to Thailand to film the programme after the pain began, which came with - she said - bleeding that was not at all like a normal period.

On board: Chatting on the show, the reality personality said: 'Next year, me and Josh. I would like a baby, Im 30 next year and ready to start a family. Josh is four years younger. We talk a lot about it, it seems he is on board'

Open and honest: She glammed up for her turn on the show

Charlotte then divulged that she had actually come off her contraceptive pill - not by choice, but because she hadn't had the time to renew the prescription - and took a morning after pill, but too late.

It was when she arrived at the St John and Elizabeth Hospital in London, after being rushed to their A&E department that she found out she was pregnant, and doctors told her she was lucky to be alive.

'I didn't know what the hell was going on and I was in so much pain,' she explained. 'Then the X-ray showed how much damage had been caused...

Heartbreaking: Charlotte revealed in May 2016 that she suffered an ectopic pregnancy, after falling pregnant with ex-flame and co-star Gary Beadle's child

'Because I'd left it a week, it'd torn open my fallopian tube and I was bleeding internally. He said: "If you'd have left it any longer, you could have died"'

Charlotte had to be rushed for an emergency operation after testing positive for pregnancy, adding that she 'collapsed' after being put into a wheelchair to be taken to theatre.

An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilised egg implants itself outside of the womb, usually in the fallopian tube, meaning a baby is unable to develop and leaving the mother's health in danger.

While there is a chance of conception again, it is advisable for the woman to wait a while due to damage caused in the fallopian tube.
They've been in a relationship for over three years and often take to social media to share loved-up snaps.

And Taylor Hill, 22, and boyfriend Michael Stephen Shank, 33, packed on the PDA as they appeared on Extra at Universal Studios in Hollywood on Thursday.

The Victoria's Secret beauty and her model beau shared a sweet kiss as they puckered up in front of the cameras for all to see.

Kiss me quick: Taylor Hill, 22, and boyfriend Michael Stephen Shank, 33, packed on the PDA as they appeared on Extra at Universal Studios in Hollywood on Thursday

The lingerie model showed off her style in a white Victoriana-style blouse tucked into baggy khaki pants.

Taylor teamed her ensemble with brown leather cowboy boots with floral embroidery and a dangling pendant.

The pretty brunette wore her dark locks poker straight and accentuated her striking features with low-key make-up.

Michael looked dapper in a denim Ralph Lauren shirt and jeans, which he styled with brown shoes.

Romantic: The Victoria's Secret beauty showed off her style in a white Victoriana-style blouse tucked into baggy khaki pants

Model material: Taylor teamed her ensemble with brown leather cowboy boots with floral embroidery and a dangling pendant

It was a busy day for the pair, who later headed to the Ralph Lauren pop up store in Los Angeles after fronting the brand's latest campaign.

Michael is said to be good friends with the rest of the Victoria's Secret Angels and has even been previously linked to Gigi Hadid, 23, in the past.

Taylor and Michael aren't afraid to openly declare their love for one another on Instagram with their combined following.

On her boyfriend's birthday, Taylor wrote: 'I LOVE YOU SO MUCH

Couple: The pretty brunette wore her dark locks poker straight and accentuated her striking features with low-key make-up

Dapper dude: Michael looked dapper in a denim Ralph Lauren shirt and jeans, which he styled with brown shoes

'HAPPY BIRTHDAY thanks for putting up with me for so long, my life wouldn't be the same without you you're my best friend, my boyfriend, and my world thank you for all you do for me (did I already say I love you because I do) also you're cute.'

Taylor was discovered by a model scout when she was just 14, and two of her three siblings, sister Mackinley, 21, and brother Chase, 19, are also models.

The beauty became the youngest model on the Victoria's Secret rotation when she hit the catwalk for the lingerie brand for the first time in 2014 she was 18.

The model got her 'wings' and became a VS Angel the following year in 2015.
EastEnders' Jean Slater is set to be diagnosed with ovarian cancer in a harrowing new storyline, which will coincide with the return of her troubled son Sean Slater to Albert Square.

The bubbly character, played by Gillian Wright, will begin to see symptoms of the disease next month before eventually being diagnosed.

In a statement, actress Gillian, 58, said of the plot: 'Im aware of the impact such stories can have. Its important that we treat the issue of cancer diagnosis and treatment with huge sensitivity, dignity and respect.

Heartbreaking: EastEnders character Jean Slater, played by Gillian Wright, 58, is set to be diagnosed with ovarian cancer in a devastating new storyline

'I hope the story helps awareness of the disease and is supportive to those affected.'

Meanwhile, series producer Kate Oates told The Mirror: 'I know an actor of Gillians calibre will approach the story with great truth and depth. The Slaters are an amazing ensemble family and this story is a completely fresh subject for them to tackle.

'I know they will do it justice and raise awareness of such an important issue that affects so many people.'

Shock comeback: Jean's cancer heartbreak is set to coincide with the return of her troubled son Sean Slater, played by Rob Kazinsky (pictured in 2008)

Devastated: Jean will begin to see symptoms of the disease next month before eventually being diagnosed

Kate previously teased the upcoming storyline for Jean, who has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and admitted that the character has a huge 'challenge' coming up.

She revealed: 'Weve got a big story coming up for Jean.

'Shes going to have a challenge coming her way where we look at her mental health through the lens of her physical health. So Im excited about that one too.'

Hard-hitting: Series producer Kate Oates said of Gillian (pictured as Jean): 'I know an actor of [her] calibre will approach the story with great truth and depth' (pictured with onscreen niece Hayley Slater)

The BBC soap will work with charity Macmillan Cancer Support for the hard-hitting storyline.

Jean's illness, is set to coincide with her son Sean's return to Walford later this year.

The character, played by Rob Kazinsky is set to make a huge comeback, 10 years after his dramatic exit which saw him plunge into a frozen lake and survive.

Speaking at the time of the announcement, Rob declared: 'I have always been proud of what EastEnders has done for social awareness throughout my lifetime, and that is why I'm back  to tell a story that means something to me with the family that I know can tell it right.

'I can't wait to see my Slaters again and see what's in store for Sean as he brings an evolved animal to Albert Square.'

Cleaner Jean Slater, also mother to Stacey Fowler, first appeared in EastEnders in December 2004.
Armie Hammer was all smiles with his wife Elizabeth Chambers at the Los Angeles Confidential Awards Celebration on Thursday.

The 32 year old actor was on hand at the event, held at the Waldorf Astoria in Beverly Hills, after appearing on the cover of The Awards Issue of Los Angeles Confidential Magazine.

The happy couple, who have been married since 2010, also posed on the red carpet with Joe Manganiello.

On the red carpet: Armie Hammer poses on the red carpet of the Los Angeles Confidential Awards on Thursday

Hammer cut a stylish yet casual figure, donning a black and brown checkered sweater, with dark brown pants and light brown work boots.

His wife Chambers wore an elegant and sparkly black gown with black heels and stylish clamshell earrings.

Armie and Elizabeth have been spotted on several red carpets as of late, with Armie promoting his new film On the Basis of Sex.

Cover man: The 32 year old actor was on hand at the event, held at the Waldorf Astoria in Beverly Hills, after appearing on the cover of The Awards Issue of Los Angeles Confidential Magazine

Hammer stars as Martin Ginsburg, the wife of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (Felicity Jones) in On the Basis of Sex.

He also starred in a pair of critically-acclaimed indie films, Hotel Mumbai and Sorry to Bother You earlier this year.

He's shaping up for a big year in 2019 as well, with a new thriller hitting theaters and production ramping up on two more films.

Armie and Elizabeth: His wife Chambers wore an elegant and sparkly black gown with black heels and stylish clamshell earrings

Hammer will next be seen on the big screen in Wounds, where he plays a bartender who strange things happen to after he answers a phone left behind in his bar.

The Golden Globe nominated actor leads a cast that also includes Dakota Johnson and Deadpool 2 star Zazie Beetz.

Annapurna Pictures has set the thriller for release on March 29, 2019.

Red carpet veterans: Armie and Elizabeth have been spotted on several red carpets as of late, with Armie promoting his new film On the Basis of Sex

Hammer will also star as Simon Doyle in Death on the Nile, 20th Century Fox's follow-up to Murder on the Orient Express, with Kenneth Branagh returning as Hercule Poirot.

Gal Gadot has also been attached to star as Simon's socialite wife Linnet Ridgeway Doyle, with Branagh also directing this adaptation of the 1937 Agatha Christie novel of the same name.

Hammer is also attached to star in an adaptation of Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca, alongside Lily James, for director Ben Wheatley.

New movie: Hammer stars as Martin Ginsburg, the wife of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (Felicity Jones) in On the Basis of Sex
Matt LeBlanc shared an interesting anecdote about his iconic sitcom Friends, revealing that a young kid called him, 'Joey's dad.'

Now that Friends, which ran for 10 seasons from 1994 to 2004, is available to watch on Netflix, LeBlanc stated that, 'it seems like every year theres a new generation that watches it,' before sharing a humorous story.

'I was walking down the street one day, this was a few years ago, this kid, he must have been 13, 14, hes like, "Oh my god, youre Joeys dad!"' LeBlanc said on Live with Kelly and Ryan on Thursday.

Joey's Dad: Matt LeBlanc reveals a young fan once called him 'Joey's dad' on the street

LeBlanc, 51, added, 'And, my response was Scram!" Like an old guy would say.'

While the show has certainly been widely beloved throughout the years, one beef fans have had was been the size of the massive New York City apartment.

Many have questioned how these young twentysomethings living in New York could afford, which host Kelly Ripa questioned as well.

Scram: LeBlanc, 51, added, 'And, my response was Scram!" Like an old guy would say'

Like LeBlanc's character Joey Tribbiani, Ripa was also working on a soap opera at the time and said that while he lived in a 'palatial loft,' her place could, 'arguably be considered a shoebox with a hot plate and a shoilet, like a shower toilet.'

LeBlanc acknowledged it has been a 'point of contention' because a lot of people have brought it up, before revealing how they 'dealt with it' on the show.

'It was Ross and Monica's grandmother's apartment that was rent-controlled, maybe even their great-grandmother,' LeBlanc said with a laugh.

Calling out: Like LeBlanc's character Joey Tribbiani, Ripa was also working on a soap opera at the time and said that while he lived in a 'palatial loft,' her place could, 'arguably be considered a shoebox with a hot plate and a shoilet, like a shower toilet'

While Friends has been off the air for nearly 15 years, it made headlines earlier this month when it was reported that Netflix had shelled out $100 million to keep the sitcom on the streaming service.

Netflix had previously been paying $30 million a year to WarnerMedia since 2015 for the show, but when fans noticed the show was set to leave on January 1, Netflix responded.

'The Holiday Armadillo has granted your wish: Friends will still be there for you in the US throughout 2019,' Netflix announced Monday via Twitter.

Friends on Netflix: While Friends has been off the air for nearly 15 years, it made headlines earlier this month when it was reported that Netflix had shelled out $100 million to keep the sitcom on the streaming service

The series turned LeBlanc and co-stars Courteney Cox, Jennifer Aniston, Matthew Perry, David Schwimmer and Lisa Kudrow into household names, with 65.9 million viewers tuning into the series finale in 2004.

Even 15 years later, fans have been clamoring for a reunion or a revival, but series creators Marta Kaufman and David Crane insist a revival will never happen in a 2016 interview with The Hollywood Reporter.

'That show is about a time in your life when your friends are your family,' Kaufman said. 'Once you start having a family, that time of your life is over.'

'We finished the show exactly the way we wanted to finish it,' Crane said. 'To revisit those characters just seems like a bad idea  you don't want to see them hanging out in the coffeehouse now.

Household names: The series turned LeBlanc and co-stars Courteney Cox, Jennifer Aniston, Matthew Perry, David Schwimmer and Lisa Kudrow into household names, with 65.9 million viewers tuning into the series finale in 2004
The second half of the fourth and final season debuts on Netflix tomorrow.

And to celebrate the end of the award winning series, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, the stars all lined up for a press conference at the Paley Centre in New York City on Thursday night.

Leading lady, Ellie Kemper, led the stars, stunning in a black and floral striped satin frock.

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Gorgeous: Ellie Kemper led her Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt co-stars Tina Fey and Jane Krakowski ahead of the show's final season debut on Thursday at the Paley Centre in New York City

Ellie's ensemble was cinched in at the waist before flaring out into a bell skirt.

She teamed the sleeveless look with a pair of black pumps for the evening.

Her auburn tresses were kept short and behind her ears, giving a hint of her dainty earrings.

Chic: Ellie's ensemble was cinched in at the waist before flaring out into a bell skirt

Dazzling! Her auburn tresses were kept short and behind her ears, giving a hint of her dainty earrings (pictured with Carol Kane)

Ellie's glam featured a soft burgundy eye with blushed cheeks for the evening.

She was joined on the carpet by show creator and writer Tina Fey.

Tina opted for a grey power suit with a fitted black sweater worn underneath.

She's means business: Show creator and writer Tina Fey opted for a grey power suit with a fitted black sweater worn underneath

Casual: The Mean Girls star also wore black pumps and had her hair styled out into loose waves

Standing out! Jane Krakowski was a lady in red when she stepped out in a bright and bold mini number

The Mean Girls star also wore black pumps and had her hair styled out into loose waves.

Jane Krakowski was a lady in red when she stepped out in a bright and bold mini number.

She added nude pumps and kept her glam simple and dewy with a sweep of blush, lash extensions and a nude lip.

Always beautiful: Jane added nude pumps and kept her glam simple and dewy with a sweep of blush, lash extensions and a nude lip

The stars: The trio was also joined by co-star and veteran actress Carol Kane and actor Titus Burgess

Premis: The Netflix series follows '29-year-old Kimmy Schmidt as she adjusts to life in New York City after her rescue from a doomsday cult in the fictional town of Durnsville, Indianna, where she and three other women were held by Reverend Richard Wayne for 15 years'

The trio was also joined by co-star and veteran actress Carol Kane.

The 66-year-old kept warm with a long sleeved velour style dress and her blonde hair was left out in their signature curls.

Comedic and lovable Tituss Burgess was also at the press conference with his co-stars.

The Netflix series follows '29-year-old Kimmy Schmidt as she adjusts to life in New York City after her rescue from a doomsday cult in the fictional town of Durnsville, Indianna, where she and three other women were held by Reverend Richard Wayne for 15 years.'
Lala Kent says she was the victim of a burglary to her vehicle on Thursday.

The 29-year-old reality star took to Instagram Stories on Thursday evening to tell the public about the upsetting incident.

'So I go downstairs to my car, cleaning it out, and by the time I made the second run I ... had been robbed,' Kent said.

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Had a bad day: Lala Kent, 29, says she was the victim of a burglary to her vehicle on Thursday

Kent, who got engaged to boyfriend Randall Emmett last year, said that 'all of [her] Christmas presents' - that had 'thousands of dollars' in value - 'were just taken' out of the vehicle.

She noted that the goods were 'taken from behind double-guarded gates,' rattling her faith in the community where she resides.

'Do I feel safe where I live?' Lala asked, her voice cracking with emotion. 'Not really!'

She had mixed wishes for the person who robbed her of her stuff.

Losses: Kent said that 'all of [her] Christmas presents' - that had 'thousands of dollars' in value - 'were just taken' out of the vehicle

Kicks: Lala earlier showed off a pair of Gucci sneakers she received; it was not immediately clear if they were among the pilfered items

In love: Lala posed with her fiance, producer Randall Emmett, this past weekend in Las Vegas

'I hope whoever took my fabulous stuff enjoys but what I hope even more that we catch you, because you can't take other peoples things that we work hard to pay for.

'I hope everyone has a phenomenal Thursday - lock your doors and don't trust anybody!' she said.

Kent thanked the officers with the Los Angeles Police Department for responding to her call.

Despite the costly incident, Kent's personal life has been seemingly going well as of late, as she continues to gush over her fiance Randall Emmett, who she got engaged to last year during a getaway in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

'He's really hard not to love,' she said in a segment for Bravo's The Daily Dish Thursday. 'He's like such a big personality but he would give the shirt off his back for anybody. He just has this way of making you feel important.

'He was always so nice and made me feel like I was the most beautiful person on the planet.'
The Sundance Film Festival is one of the largest gatherings of celebrities in the world.

So perhaps it's no surprise that Jada Pinkett Smith joined a plethora of A-listers at the Artist at the Table Dinner and Program on Thursday night.

The 47-year-old Girls Trip actress kept things simple but chic for the tiny affair.

Constellation of stars! Perhaps it's no surprise that Jada Pinkett Smith joined a plethora of A-listers at the Artist at the Table Dinner and Program on Thursday night

Jada opted for a black short sleeve tunic which sported white lace accents on the arms and around the neck.

A pair of heels with diamond-encrusted straps completed the sophisticated outfit.

She accessorized with some small loop earrings and a diamond bracelet, while her caramel locks were cropped short and parted on the right.

A smokey eye, subtle blush and crimson lipstick ensured the talk show host was ready for her turn on the red carpet.

Elegant: She opted for a black short sleeve tunic which sported white lace accents on the arms and around the neck

Beauty! A smokey eye, subtle blush and crimson lipstick ensured the talk show host was ready for her turn on the red carpet

Shiny! The Office stalwart Mindy Kaling, 39, no doubt caught some glances thanks to her silvery metallic dress which fell all the way to her ankles

Right at home! Hollywood legend Glenn Close, 71, close kept things dapper in an oversized black double breasted suit and tuxedo pant combination

Low-key: Crazy Rich Asians star Awkwafina, 30, opted for a very demure all black suit under which she layered a black crew neck top

Of course Jada was only one of many famous faces at the ritzy event.

The Office stalwart Mindy Kaling, 39, no doubt caught some glances thanks to her silvery metallic dress which fell all the way to her ankles.

Some impressive black leather high-heeled boots rounded out the shiny ensemble.

Ski area chic! Billions actress Malin Akerman, 40, kept warm in a long knit shirt dress, a pair of black leggings and tall black platform boots

Starlet! Storm Reid, 15, known for her work in 12 Years a Slave, definitely turned some heads in a Native American-inspired frock featuring large lacing down the front and frilly sleeves

Ready for action! Interstellar actor David Oyelowo, 42, looked dashing in what appeared to be a thick denim jacket, and denim cargo pant combo

Always in a good mood! Silver screen icon Jackie Chan, 64, looked to be in good spirits in his two town tunic-style suit and black glossy combat boots

Not Sorry To Bother You! The multi-talented Boots Riley, 47, arrived in a cozy-looking plaid overcoat boasting a giant collar

Super good taste! Spider-Man: Homecoming star Tony Revolori, 22, looked relaxed in a tan overcoat, burgundy sweater and wrinkly navy blue trousers

Flashing the flesh! Sheila Vand, 33, of Argo fame chose to make a statement in a blue, white and yellow striped crop top and midnight blue trousers held up with integrated suspenders

Hollywood legend Glenn Close, 71, close kept things dapper in an oversized black double breasted suit and tuxedo pant combination.

Black combat boots and a white button down with a delicate pattern finished off the Fatal Attraction star's look.

Crazy Rich Asians star Awkwafina, 30, opted for a very demure all black suit under which she layered a black crew neck top.

Looking good: Modern Family's Ty Burrell, 51, looked woodsy in a black vest layered over a plaid shirt, classic jeans and beefy hiking boots

Musical legend: Rocker David Crosby, 77, attended with wife Jan Dance and a friend

Beauties; Mindy looked delighted as she posed with Canadian actress Nisha Ganatra

Together: Scott Z. Burns and Annette Bening smiled for the camera as they attended the event

Billions actress Malin Akerman, 40, kept warm in a long knit shirt dress, a pair of black leggings and tall black platform boots.

Storm Reid, 15, known for her work in 12 Years a Slave, definitely turned some heads in a Native American-inspired frock featuring large lacing down the front and frilly sleeves.

Interstellar actor David Oyelowo, 42, looked dashing in what appeared to be a thick denim jacket, and denim cargo pant combo.

Silver screen icon Jackie Chan, 64, looked to be in good spirits in his two town tunic-style suit and black glossy combat boots.

Loving it: Awkwafina took to the stage to deliver a speech

Having her say: The actress was in her element as she spoke on stage

Her turn: Ava DuVernay was also on stage to speak to the crowd

Talented: Oscar contender Glenn couldn't wipe the smile from her face

Incoming: Elsewhere, Jon Hamm was seen arriving in style to Salt Lake City International Airport

Low-key: Clara Rugaard-Larsen cut a casual figure as she arrived at the airport for the popular festival

The multi-talented Boots Riley, 47, arrived in a cozy-looking plaid overcoat boasting a giant collar.

Spider-Man: Homecoming star Tony Revolori, 22, looked relaxed in a tan overcoat, burgundy sweater and wrinkly navy blue trousers.

Sheila Vand, 33, of Argo fame chose to make a statement in a blue, white and yellow striped crop top and midnight blue trousers held up with integrated suspenders.

Modern Family's Ty Burrell, 51, looked woodsy in a black vest layered over a plaid shirt, classic jeans and beefy hiking boots
She is in the midst of a new relationship off the screen.

But Kristen Stewart is set to be fully ready to commit in her upcoming role in Happiest Season.

Mackenzie Davis, 31, is currently in talks to star opposite the 28-year-old Clouds of Sils Maria star.

New role: Kristen Stewart is set to be fully ready to commit in her upcoming role in Happiest Season

According to The Hollywood Reporter, 'The movie centers on a young woman whose plan to propose to her girlfriend while at her familys annual holiday party is upended when she discovers her partner hasnt yet come out to her conservative parents.'

While the studio has not commented on Mackenzie's casting at this time, the outlet has revealed that, 'Davis and Stewart will be playing the film's romantic leads.'

Clea Duval, 41, known for her roles in The Faculty, 21 Grams, and Argo, is set to make her debut in the director's chair for the movie.

She also co-wrote the script along with Mary Holland.

Plot: According to The Hollywood Reporter , 'The movie centers on a young woman whose plan to propose to her girlfriend while at her familys annual holiday party is upended when she discovers her partner hasnt yet come out to her conservative parents'

It is set to be a busy 2019 for Stewart, who is appearing in three movies that will premiere over the course of the year.

She will star alongside Naomi Scott, Ella Balinska, Elizabeth Banks, Patrick Stewart, and Djimon Hounsou in the Charlie's Angels reboot - due out November 1.

She will also star as famed actress Jean Seberg in Against All Enemies, and will also appear in Underwater.

Keeping busy: It is set to be a busy 2019 for Stewart, who is appearing in three movies that will premiere over the course of the year

Off the screen, Stewart has been spotted with new girlfriend Sara Dinkin.

The rumored couple have been seen over the last few weeks packing on the PDA during errand runs, lunch dates, trips to the spa and hikes.

The Panic Room star broke up with her supermodel girlfriend Stella Maxwell in December after being together since 2016.
My Kitchen Rules' Andy and Ruby have said they would love nothing more than to serve up a traditional Peruvian guinea pig dish on the hit cooking show.

Appearing on Gold Coast radio station Hot Tomato on Friday, the Queensland-based best friends spoke about their heritage, including usual local cuisines.

In an interview with breakfast hosts Flan, Emily Jade & Christo, the conversation quickly turned to the kind of food Andy, 31, and Ruby, 39, would eat in Peru.

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'We wanted to but we'd get in trouble with the RSPCA': My Kitchen Rules stars Andy and Ruby (pictured) planned to cook a GUINEA PIG dish on the show

Host Emily Jade O'Keefe recounted a one-month trip she took to Peru with her husband, and admitted they ate guinea pig while in the South American country.

After Emily Jade pointed out that Peruvians 'eat pets', Andy and Ruby happily admitted they were fans of guinea pig, too.

'We eat guinea pigs. They're delicious. It's like a crispy chicken mixed with a duck, and it's a delicacy back in Peru,' they explained.

Food for thought: After Emily Jade pointed out that Peruvians 'eat pets', Andy and Ruby happily admitted they were fans of guinea pig, too

Pet food: 'We eat guinea pigs. They're delicious. It's like a crispy chicken mixed with a duck, and it's a delicacy back in Peru,' they explained

'In Peru, guinea pigs were never domesticated. They run wild and they roam free.'

According to Andy and Ruby, the popular street food is often served on a skewer, 'full head, full tail, everything'.

But they added many restaurants in Peru have also added the popular dish to their menus, serving it with a spicy sauce and potatoes.

Cultural differences: According to Andy and Ruby (pictured), the popular street food is often served on a skewer, 'full head, full tail, everything'

Not happening: While Andy and Ruby (pictured) were hoping to serve up some guinea pig of their own on My Kitchen Rules, they had their hopes dashed by animal rights groups

They continued, saying while guinea pigs have crispy skin, there's not a lot of meat, and lots of little bones.

And while Andy and Ruby were hoping to serve up some guinea pig of their own on My Kitchen Rules, they had their hopes dashed by animal rights groups.

'We wanted to, but we'd get in trouble by the RSPCA, I think. In Australia, we would never,' they admitted.

Courting controversy: 'We wanted to, but we'd get in trouble by the RSPCA, I think. In Australia, we would never,' they admitted

Although they've never actually cooked the dish themselves, both Andy and Ruby said they'd be keen to try their hand at it, branding it an 'adventure'.

They said they wanted to appear on the Channel Seven show to help raise the profile of South American cuisine, believing it's underrated.

And while they were both fans of the show, they admitted appearing on it was one of the hardest things they've ever done.
The stars were out in force for the Broadway opening of the revival of Sam Shepard's True West on Thursday, with Jake Gyllenhaal and Kate Walsh among the stars in attendance.

The official opening at the American Airlines Theatre comes after nearly a month of previews, which started on December 27.

The production's four cast members, Ethan Hawke, Paul Dano, Gary Wilmes and Marylouise Burke also took a bow at the curtain call on opening night.

Jake and Tom: Jake Gyllenhaal and Tom Sturridge pose for photographers at the opening night of True West on Broadway

Gyllenhaal, 38, was spotted a black undershirt under a black and brown dress shirt and a knee-length black coat.

He was also wearing black pants and black shoes, while posing with fellow actor Tom Sturridge.

Sturridge, 33, was wearing a royal blue hoodie under a black jacket and black shoes during the premiere.

Stylish Kate: Walsh, 51, stepped out in style, wearing a low-cut black top under a black and white blazer under a light blue coat

Walsh, 51, stepped out in style, wearing a low-cut black top under a black and white blazer under a light blue coat.

She also wore a black knee-length dress and black heels with a black chapeau over her flowing red locks.

She was also spotted posing with actor Tommy Dorfman, who was wearing a light blue sweater under a dark blue coat with black pants, black shoes and a grey Nike winter cap.

All smiles: Sturridge, 33, was wearing a royal blue hoodie under a black jacket and black shoes during the premiere

True West was written by playwright/actor/filmmaker Sam Shepard, which attracted a number of top actors throughout its run.

The play debuted at the Magic Theatre in San Francisco in 1980, starring Peter Coyote as Austin, a Hollywood screenwriter.

It's Off-Broadway production just months later in 1980 starred Tommy Lee Jones as Austin and Peter Boyle as Lee, a drifter and thief who's also Austin's brother.

Then-unknown actors Gary Sinise and John Malkovich starred in the Steppenwolf Theater production in 1982, with the play finally heading to Broadway in 2000, starring Philip Seymour Hoffman and John C. Reilly.

Broadway style: She also wore a black knee-length dress and black heels with a black chapeau over her flowing red locks

Other attendees at the play include Jessica Lange, Shepard's wife from 1982 to 2009.

Ethan Hawke plays Lee, with Paul Dano playing Austin while Marylouise Burke plays Austin and Lee's brother and Gary Wilmes plays Saul, a Hollywood producer.

The play is scheduled to run through March 17 at the American Airlines Theatre.

Kate and Tommy: She was also spotted posing with actor Tommy Dorfman, who was wearing a light blue sweater under a dark blue coat with black pants, black shoes and a grey Nike winter cap

Opening night: Other attendees at the play include Jessica Lange, Shepard's wife from 1982 to 2009

Take a bow: The production's four cast members, Ethan Hawke, Paul Dano, Gary Wilmes and Marylouise Burke also took a bow at the curtain call on opening night
In Westworld he portrays an artificially intelligent host who instills inevitable feelings of empathy despite being a soulless automaton.

But James Marsden may have taken on his most complex role yet  in a nacho fries ad.

The 45-year-old stars in the 'trailer' for Retrieval, which in fact is a Taco Bell commercial.

Complex role: James Marsden stars in hyper-dramatic 'trailer' for Taco Bell's nacho fries Retrieval

The hyper-dramatic clip is set in a world plunged into chaos when the admittedly-delicious nacho fries mysteriously disappear without a trace.

The Interstellar parody sees military officers arrive at the home of Dr. Conrad (Marsden) and summon him to a research facility.

'This kind of deliciousness doesn't just... disappear,' a very attractive scientist and probable love interest tells him.

'Where did you go?' he whispers to one of the fries (it is never explained how this one still exists)

Nacho lies: The 'film' is set in a world plunged into chaos when the admittedly-delicious nacho fries mysteriously disappear without a trace

Looks familiar: The trailer seems to be an Interstellar parody

Act one: military officers arrive at the home of Dr. Conrad (Marsden) and summon him to a research facility

'What if they were in another space time continuum?' the attractive scientist extrapolates. 'Another...'

'Dimension,' Conrad dramatically finishes.

'There are fries seasoned in Mexican spices, trapped somewhere out there... and I'm going to bring them home,' he announces to his team.

General confusion: 'This kind of deliciousness doesn't just... disappear,' a very attractive scientist and probable love interest tells him

Plot hole: 'Where did you go?' he whispers to one of the fries (it is never explained how this one still exists)

Speech: 'There are fries seasoned in Mexican spices, trapped somewhere out there... and I'm going to bring them home,' he announces to his team

A moving final montage shows the thespian in tears, while his space shuttle flies into a wormhole.

'When Taco Bells Nacho Fries vanish, one man must go further than any man has gone before to bring them back,' the synopsis reads.

'James Marsden is Dr. Conrad, a retired astronaut who has resigned himself to a normal life when hes offered a chance to bring back Nacho Fries seasoned in Mexican spices that you dip in nacho cheese for all humanity.'

A moving final montage shows the thespian in tears, while his space shuttle flies into a wormhole

Plot: 'When Taco Bells Nacho Fries vanish, one man must go further than any man has gone before to bring them back,' the synopsis reads
The Sundance Film Festival began on Thursday, with many of what will become the year's most talked about flicks set to make waves over the coming week and a half.

But Robert Redford grabbed all the initial headlines as he announced the he was moving on from the film festival he helped found, reported Deadline.

The 82-year-old actor told those in attendance at Park City's Egyptian Theatre, 'Bye bye.'

See ya: Robert Redford grabbed all the initial headlines as he announced the he was moving on from the film festival he helped found, reported Deadline

Donning a black leather jacket, The Sting star said, 'Having done this for God, 34 years now, since the festival started.'

'I think we are at a point where I can move on to a different place,' he continued.

'I've been spending a lot of time introducing things but I don't think that the festival needs a lot of introduction any more.'

Later: The 82-year-old actor told those in attendance at Park City's Egyptian Theatre, 'Bye bye.'

The news of Redford stepping away from the festival comes on the heels of last year's announcement that his appearance in The Old Man & The Gun would be his last.

The film premiered at the Telluride Film Festival on August 31, 2018 and immediately garnered award buzz.

Redford ended up being nominated for Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy at the Golden Globes, but did not take home the award.

Buh bye: Donning a black leather jacket, The Sting star said, 'Having done this for God, 34 years now, since the festival started

The Sundance Film Festival opened on Thursday and will run for 10 days through February 3.

The festival began in Salt Lake City in August 1978 and was co-founded by Sterling Van Wagenen.

The event moved to Park City in 1981.
Anne Hathaway took to Instagram on Thursday to defend her new movie Serenity after critics excoriated the neo-noir thriller.

The 36-year-old Oscar-winning actress posted a photo of herself from Wednesday at the New York City premiere of the film.

'We keep it real around here: some critics get @serenityfilm and, like me, find it interesting, moving, ambitious and different, and for some it just doesn't work,' she wrote in the Instagram caption for her roughly 13.1 million followers.

Movie endorsement: Anne Hathaway, shown on Wednesday at the New York City premiere of Serenity, took to Instagram on Thursday to defend the neo-noir thriller

'That's cool- there is no failure, only learned events, not everyone has to like everything, and the critical response doesn't change my feelings about the movie,' she continued.

'However, other people's time and money are not to be taken for granted, so I just want to be clear: I endorse the movie, many critics don't,' Anne concluded.

'Anyway, wasn't my @givenchyofficial skirt for the premiere rad?,' she added.

Serenity also stars Oscar-winning actor Matthew McConaughey, 49, and Oscar-nominee Diane Lane, 54.

Being clear: The 36-year-old Oscar-winning actress made it clear that she endorses the film

Oscar winners: Matthew McConaughey is shown in a still from Serenity with co-star Anne

The film by English director Steven Knight, 60, opens Friday and some of the reviews have been harsh.

The review-aggregation site Rotten Tomatoes gave it a Tomatometer score of 24 pecent and a green splat display, which is given when less than 60 of reviews are positive.

The Rotten Tomatoes critics consensus read: ' A high-concept mystery with a twist, Serenity isn't what it appears to be at first -- unfortunately, it's also not anywhere near as clever or entertaining as it thinks.'

Harsh reviews: Jason Clarke and Anne are shown in a still from Serenity, which has been excoriated by some critics

Talented actress: Anne is shown in February 2013 after winning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her work in Les Miserables

Critical acclaim: The actress starred as Fantine in the critically acclaimed 2012 musical drama Les Miserables

The New York Times review published on Thursday featured the headline: 'Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway and One Very Bad Mess'.

The review also mocked the film's twist describing it as 'a big reveal that's like the worst of Christopher Nolan, M. Night Shyamalan and the condolence-card section at Walgreens.'

Serenity also drew generally unfavorable reviews on Metacritic with a score of 39 based on reviews by 26 critics.

The Hollywood Reporter in its review wrote: 'Like a long fishing day without a bite, Serenity invites impatience rather than excited anticipation, and the eventual payoff provokes a big 'huh?''

Fan favorite: Anne is shown with Meryl Streep in a still from The Devil Wears Prada
Comedian Kevin Barnett, 32, died from pancreatitis, it has been revealed

Comedian Kevin Barnett's shock death earlier this week was caused by pancreatitis, it has been revealed.

The 32-year-old was taken to the hospital in Tijuana on Tuesday.

He was vacationing in Mexico at the time.

Pancreatitis is the condition which ensues when the pancreas becomes inflamed.

In severe, acute cases, it can become fatal if part of the pancreas - a gland which sits behind the upper abdomen - dies and causes infection and sepsis.

There are a number of possible causes including gallstones, misuses of alcohol, cystic fibrosis and hereditary conditions. It remains unclear what caused Barnett to become afflicted.

Around 200,000 people in the US are diagnosed with pancreatitis every year. Of that, five per cent are likely to die.

In a statement on Thursday, Tijuana's Chief of the Medical Forensic Service said in a statement: 'The corresponding autopsy was carried out, which determined that the cause of death was: Non Traumatic Hemorrhage, caused by pancreatitis.

'At the moment his body is still in facilities of the Forensic Medical Service of Tijuana, waiting to be delivered to his family members who are performing the legal proceedings.'

Authorities with the U.S. Department of State previously confirmed to the outlet that the New York City native died in Tijuana Tuesday.

Unexpected: Barnett did not indicate any health issues when he took to Instagram Saturday with a shot of himself in Mexico

Forensic officials said that Barnett's body was submitted to them at 5:50 a.m. local time from Tijuana's Avenida Revolucion.

Barnett was best known as the co-creator of the Fox comedy Rel.

WHAT IS PANCREATITIS? Pancreatitis is caused by inflammation of the pancreas. The pancreas, a small, flat gland which sits behind the upper abdomen, is crucial for our digestive health and for regulating our bodies' blood sugar content. Pancreatitis is often difficult to diagnose. It occurs when pancreatic enzyme secretions build up and start to cause the organ to digest itself. In acute cases, symptoms include persistent stomach pain, nausea, vomiting and fever. Often, it is treatable with fasting, fluids and painkillers. If part of the pancreas has died by the time a patient presents, however, they are at increased risk of sepsis and death. Every year in the US, 220,000 people are diagnosed. 11,000 are likely to die, according to The Pancreas Foundation. Advertisement

He did not indicate any health issues when he took to Instagram Saturday with a shot of himself in Mexico.

He wrote in the caption: 'In mexico. Bought myself a sweater.

'Been accused of appropriation several times.

'In my head I just gave a lady some money so I aint cold.

'Either way. Swag heavy. Mixtape comin.'

Barnett, a regular on the New York City comedy circuit, was a co-creator and executive producer on the Fox comedy Rel.

The network hailed Barnett as 'an incredibly funny, wildly talented man who had so much more to do and so many more stories to tell' in a statement mourning his loss.

'Our hearts are broken, as are those of everyone at Rel, at the news of Kevin Barnetts passing,' the network said.

'We send our thoughts and prayers to his friends and family during this difficult time.'

Pete Davidson, who was among his friends, was rattled by the news as he performed in New York City on Tuesday night.

'Im in a weird mood,' he said at the start of the performance at Caroline's on Broadway.

Later, sources told US Weekly that he said: 'My head hurts. How ong have I been up here? Sorry, my brain is mush.'

Barnett's other writing credits included The Carmichael Show, The Eric Andre Show and the animated Lucas Bros Moving Co, and he was a co-host on The Roundtable of Gentlemen podcast on the Last Podcast Network.

Barnett's life will be celebrated at Brooklyn's The Bell House on Friday, with all proceeds going to his memorial fund, according to the venue.
Just one week after confirming she had undergone a breast augmentation, Home And Away star Ada Nicodemou, 41, showed off her cleavage in a sexy white dress at the My Kitchen Rules launch party on Thursday.

Fresh from the Maldives where she flaunted her eye-popping figure in a series of skimpy string bikinis, the brunette bombshell also showcased her deep golden tan.

The 41-year-old donned a spaghetti strap dress that was cut above the knee and cinched in at the waist with a white belt.

An eye-popping display: Ada Nicodemou showed off her ample cleavage in a white low-cut dress at MRK launch party in Sydney on Thursday evening just a week after revealing she DID have a boob job

Jazzing up the ensemble, the actress added a pair of tasseled lilac heels and appeared to be in high spirits as she beamed for the camera.

Ada was joined by her boyfriend Adam Rigby at the event, and chatted amiably with various guests, including various Seven stars and MKR favourites from past shows.

The mother-of-one previously told Daily Mail Australia in November last year that she supported the use of cosmetic enhancements, but did not reveal whether she has gone under the needle.

White hot: The 41-year-old donned a spaghetti strap dress that was cut above the knee and cinched in at the waist with a white belt

'I just think everyone should do whatever makes them feel good... I have no judgement on [Botox] whatsoever,' she said.

But Ada recently confirmed her breast augmentation for the first time while responding to an Instagram troll who implied she was 'fake'.

Fringe benefits: Jazzing up the ensemble, the actress added a pair of tasseled lilac heels and appeared to be in high spirits as she beamed for the camera

Confirmation: Ada recently confirmed her breast augmentation for the first time while responding to an Instagram troll who implied she was 'fake'

'I don't use fillers and I rarely use Botox and the only surgery I've done [that] is "fake" is breast augmentation, which I have every right to do,' she wrote on Instagram earlier this month.

Ada has just returned from a well-deserved holiday in the Maldives with her partner Adam Rigby.

The 10th season of My Kitchen Rules premieres on Channel Seven, Monday 28 January at 7:00PM
She replaced Diane Kruger as the leading star in the new Sundance Film Festival movie, After The Wedding.

And attending the premiere on Thursday evening, Michelle Williams showcased her effortless style.

The 38-year-old hid her trim physique underneath a floral maxi dress and accessorised with a black clutch at the Park City, Utah, venue.

Gorgeous: Michelle Williams stunned in a floral maxi dress for the After The Wedding premiere on Thursday evening

Michelle's gorgeous ensemble features sleeves that reached her elbow and was cinched in at the waist.

The actress' blonde locks were styled to one side and her she also kept her makeup simple.

Her glam was dewy with a seep of blush and a nude glossy lip to complete the look.

Leading role: She replaced Diane Kruger as the leading star in the new Sundance Film Festival movie, After The Wedding

Chic display: The 38-year-old hid her trim physique underneath a floral maxi dress and accessorised with a black clutch at the Park City, Utah, venue

Trim and fit: Michelle's gorgeous ensemble features sleeves that reached her elbow and was cinched in at the waist

Co-star Julianne Moore was also at the premiere and opted for a black power suit.

She teamed the look with pointed toe boots that had a silver cap and buckles on the side.

The Still Alice star styled her auburn tresses out straight and left behind her ears off of her face.

Friends and co-stars: Co-star Julianne Moore was also at the premiere and opted for a black power suit

Clean and simple: The Still Alice star styled her auburn tresses out straight and left behind her ears off of her face

Fashionista: She teamed the look with pointed toe boots that had a silver cap and buckles on the side

Pals: At one point she was seen photographed next to Director Bart Freundilch

Julianne's glam was dewy with rosy cheeks and a subtle smokey eye.

At one point she was seen photographed next to Director Bart Freundilch.

Actress Abby Quinn also stunned at the premiere on Thursday evening.

Pretty: Actress Abby Quinn also stunned at the premiere on Thursday evening

Stylish: Abby opted for a sheer black dress that had a nude slip underneath for modesty

Abby opted for a sheer black dress that had a nude slip underneath for modesty.

The stunning lace number had red flowers throughout and she kept things casual with a pair of lace up combat boots.

Actor Alex Esola also stepped out in a comfortable ensemble of a navy shirt underneath a biker jacket.

The Orange Is The New Black star completed his look with tan shoes and ensured his voluminous locks took centre stage

Actor Alex Esola also stepped out in a comfortable ensemble of a navy shirt underneath a biker jacket.

Casual: David Oyelowo also attended in a casual three piece suit ensemble for the carpet

The Orange Is The New Black star completed his look with tan shoes and ensured his voluminous locks took centre stage.

David Oyelowo also attended in a casual three piece suit ensemble for the carpet.

Child star Tre Ryder was also at the premiere and walked the carpet in an adorable blue velour suit.

According to IMDb, the movie sees Isabel, 'a manager of an orphanage in Kolkata, (Michelle Williams) travel to New York to meet a benefactor.'
MasterChef judge Matt Preston is known for giving his honest opinion on contestants' dishes as one of the show's judges.

But My Kitchen Rules judge Colin Fassnidge claims the cravat-wearing TV host doesn't always take criticism well himself.

The Irish chef recalled an intense exchange with Matt on Nova's Fitzy and Wippa on Friday, claiming Matt 'blew up' after he joked about his cooking abilities.

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'He came down the table after me!' MKR's Colin Fassnidge (L) reveals secret feud with MasterChef's Matt Preston (R) after he critiqued his dish while cooking together

Colin explained his feud with Matt occurred after the duo decided to make spaghetti bolognese at 11pm after drinking at the Melbourne Cup.

'Preston is dicing these carrots, it's taken him about half an hour and he's starting to fry them and I'm over asking "Are you happy with this? Does the sauce taste alright? Are you sure? Are you going to get through to the next round?"'he explained, painting a picture of the evening.

Colin claimed Matt was 'getting a little antsy' in the kitchen, and eventually told him to go away as he continued to cook over the stove.

'I'm sitting at the table with a food face saying the carrots are a bit crunchy, and he blows up!' Colin claimed his feud with Matt occurred after he jokingly judges his abilities to make spaghetti bolognese when the pair had decided to cook after drinking at the Melbourne Cup

It was when the pair sat down at the table to eat when things truly got heated.

'I start judging him on the spaghetti bolognese and I'm sitting at the table with a food face saying "the carrots are a bit crunchy", and he blows up and comes down the table after me. I go "calm down, I'm only joking!"'

Colin claimed Matt still hasn't forgotten the late night feud: 'I met him at a function a few weeks ago and he's like "you and those f***ing carrots". The carrots killed him.'

Nova claimed to have asked Matt to join the show for a right of reply on the issue, but he apparently denied the request.

'The carrots killed him': Colin claimed Matt still hasn't forgotten the late-night feud, saying he brought up his comments about his carrots at a recent function they attended

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Matt Preston for comment.

MKR will premiere its tenth anniversary season next week, while MasterChef is likely to return in May for its eleventh season.

My Kitchen Rules returns to Channel Seven on Monday January 28 from 7.30pm
Channel Nine's new-look Today show is suffering from dismal ratings.

And as executives scramble for answers, one TV expert has claimed that co-host Georgie Gardner should have been sacked at the same time as Karl Stefanovic so the program started 2019 with a 'clean slate'.

Kevin Perry, the Media Editor at TV Blackbox, told Daily Mail Australia on Friday: 'Nine has made changes to the cast, but the problem is they haven't gone far enough. Georgie lacks warmth in the hosting role and there is a perception from some viewers that she has stabbed Karl in the back.'

'Georgie lacks warmth and viewers think she stabbed Karl in the back': TV expert Kevin Perry has slammed the new Today show amid dwindling ratings - and reveals who Channel Nine should've hired instead. Pictured: Deborah Knight (left) and Georgie Gardner (right)

Karl and Georgie hosted the Today show together for 12 months, but it is understood they strongly disliked each other behind the scenes.

Karl was axed from the program on December 19, before fellow Today stars Sylvia Jeffreys and Tim Gilbert were also shown the door.

Georgie remained as the sole survivor of what Channel Nine insiders described at the time as a 'bloodbath'.

But Kevin claimed this was a mistake, saying: 'Nine had the opportunity to completely reboot Today with new people and they failed to do that.'

Gone! Karl was axed from the Today show on December 19, with Georgie staying on as co-host

Should she have been sacked too? Kevin told Daily Mail Australia 'Nine had the opportunity to completely reboot Today with new people'. Georgie is pictured in 2018 with Karl Stefanovic

The media analyst added that Sarah Harris and Basil Zempilas 'would have made an excellent alternative to the current lineup'.

Sarah, 37, currently co-hosts Studio 10 on Channel 10, while Basil, 47, is an anchor on Weekend Sunrise.

Kevin further claimed that producers should be worried 'there is a real perception problem that Today is a Sydney show that only reports Sydney news'.

Missed opportunity? The media analyst added that Sarah Harris (right) and Basil Zempilas (left) 'would have made an excellent alternative to the current lineup'

For the past two weeks, Today has been broadcasting from Melbourne - but Kevin said the show's poor ratings indicate that the city is not responding to the program.

Thursday's edition of the Today show garnered just 194,000 metro viewers, according to OzTam overnight figures.

Breakfast rival Sunrise was way out in front, with 255,000 people tuning in from the five capital cities.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Channel Nine for comment.
The Whisperers are not a group you want to make an enemy of.

But it looks like that's exactly what the Alexandrians did by kidnapping their leader's daughter in the brand new teaser for The Walking Dead, released on Thursday.

The brief 30-second clip gives a first look at Lydia, played by Love, Simon's Cassady McClincy.

First look: The Walking Dead has unveiled Whisperer leader Alpha's daughter Lydia

The trailer shows Daryl and Michonne about to stab a Whisperer, but tearing off her mask to reveal a young girl.

'What we did means Alexandria survives,' Michonne can be heard saying. 'But now its about doing whatever it takes.'

They lead her back to Alexandria, blindfolded on horseback, before throwing her in a cell.

Ominously, she warns Daryl: 'My mom... you don't mess with her.'

New character: The brief 30-second clip gives a first look at Lydia, played by Love, Simon's Cassady McClincy

Mask: The trailer shows Daryl and Michonne about to stab a Whisperer, but tearing off her mask to reveal a young girl

Prisoner: They lead her back to Alexandria, blindfolded on horseback, before throwing her in a cell

'Where is she?' he asks. 'Be glad you don't know.'

The trailer closes with her mother Alpha, played by Samantha Morton, gruesomely draped in the skin of a dead walker, pointing a sawn-off shotgun.

In the Robert Kirkman comic, Lydia strikes up a romance with Rick Grimes's son Carl after defecting from the Whisperers.

Trouble: Ominously, she warns Daryl: 'My mom... you don't mess with her.'

Threat: 'Where is she?' he asks. 'Be glad you don't know.'

Enemy unseen: The Whisperers are a group who skin the dead and sew the skin into wearable disguises, to mask themselves from the dead

However with both Rick and Carl no longer in the show, it is unclear what arc Lydia will follow.

The Whisperers are a group who skin the dead and sew the skin into wearable disguises, to mask themselves from the dead.

They speak in whispers  hence the name  as the walkers to not react to the sound.

Dangerous woman: Carol can be seen rocking her new longer hair look, drawing a bow

Trouble: A group of walkers burst through a barrier

Trapped: Unsuspecting members are surrounded by Whisperers

Second-in-command: Beta, played by 6'4" Sons of Anarchy star Ryan Hurst is also glimpsed

They have mastered the ability to steer massive herds of walkers, which they use to devastating affect on other groups they encounter.

November's mid-season finale ended with Daryl, Eugene and Aaron surrounded by the group after an ambush in which fan favorite Jesus (Tom Payne) was stabbed to death.

The Walking Dead returns to AMC on February 10.

Mom: The trailer closes with her mother Alpha, played by Samantha Morton, gruesomely draped in the skin of a dead walker, pointing a sawn-off shotgun
With the classic ingredients of class, sex and politics, it is the scandal that still fascinates nearly 60 years later.

So it is perhaps no surprise that the BBC is retelling the Profumo affair, about the liaison between a teenage showgirl and a married Tory cabinet minister.

Sophie Cookson plays Christine Keeler, whose affairs with War Secretary John Profumo and a Russian spy in 1961 rocked the Establishment. Miss Cookson, 28, best known for the Kingsman films, was pictured filming in Bristol for the six-part BBC1 miniseries The Trial Of Christine Keeler.

Sophie Cookson, 28, looked the spitting image of model Christine Keeler on the set of a film about the scandalous Profumo Affair

Ms Cookson is best known for her role in Kingsman: The Secret Service (pictured)

James Norton, 33, with under-eye wrinkles and greying hair, plays 50-year-old society osteopath Stephen Ward, who introduced Miss Keeler to Profumo. Ward died from an overdose in 1963 while awaiting sentence for living off the immoral earnings of Miss Keeler and her fellow showgirl Mandy Rice-Davies.

Ellie Bamber is Miss Rice-Davies, while Emilia Fox plays Profumos wife, actress Valerie Hobson. Miss Cookson says Miss Keeler was vivid, complex, misunderstood.

The BBC will be hoping to repeat the success it had last year with A Very English Scandal, a dramatisation of the Jeremy Thorpe affair starring Hugh Grant.

The Profumo affair also inspired the 1989 film Scandal, starring Joanne Whalley and John Hurt.
Patton Oswalt helped a man who trolled him on Twitter Thursday, donating his dollars and rallying his followers to help the man deal with his health problems.

The comic, who turns 50 next week, had an empathetic turn after delving into the profile of the man - an Alabama native named Michael Beatty - after Beatty sent a pair of negative posts at the comic for mocking President Donald Trump.

Oswalt wrote on the social media site: 'Aw, man. This dude just attacked me on Twitter and I joked back but then I looked at his timeline and he's in a LOT of trouble health-wise.'

Stand-up guy: Patton Oswalt, 50, helped a man who trolled him on Twitter Thursday, donating his dollars and rallying his followers to help the man deal with his health problems. The comic was snapped in Santa Monica, California in October

In Oswalt's post was a link to Beatty's GoFundMe, which had a $5,000 goal amid his battle with a sepsis infection.

'Hes been dealt some sh**y cards - lets deal him some good ones,' Oswalt wrote. 'Click and donate - just like Im about to.'

Not only did Oswalt donate $2,000 of his own, the encouragement to his 4.45 million Twitter followers helped Beatty more than triple his initial goal, as he was closing in on $17,000 as of Thursday evening.

The effort from Oswalt moved Beatty, who expressed his gratitude to the entertainer in a series of tweets amid the financial windfall.

Trigger: Beatty posted a series of responses after Patton's jab at the president

'Patton. You have humbled me to the point where I can barely compose my words,' Beatty wrote in a tweet. 'You have caused me to take pause and reflect on how harmful words from my mouth could result in such an outpouring.

'Thank you for this and I will pass this on to my cousin who needs help. A cascade.' (It was not immediately clear if Beatty was going to help one of his relatives or if a cousin of Beatty's had set up the page, which was penned in the first person.)

Beatty continued: 'I want to thank everyone who came to my aid with generous outpourings- and also to @pattonoswalt without whom I would not be the recipient of so much love and support. I'm not a man who ever cries but I had to wait to send this.'

Oswalt responded with a tongue-in-cheek approach to Beatty's humbled remarks: 'See, THIS is why compassion and forgiveness are the best - wait, you CRIED?!? You f***in pussy! Donation CANCELLED.'

Beatty replied, 'Ok I didn't cry! A gnat flew in one eye and made it tear up!!'
She made headlines after her unconventional exit from Kylie Jenner's extravagant 21st birthday bash last year.

But Tammy Hembrow, 24, is still on good terms with her sister Khloe Kardashian.

On Thursday, she helped cast new models for the next global campaign for the reality star's brand, Good American.

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No hard feelings here! Tammy Hembrow helped cast models for Khloe Kardashian's Good American label on Thursday

The casting call offers models a chance to feature in the next Good American campaign and feature alongside the reality star.

In a photo posted to Instagram, the fitness entrepreneur shared her excitement to be a part of the judging panel.

'Bonjour. So much fun on the panel with Good American yesterday. Met so many incredible women,' she wrote.

The blonde beauty donned a pair of the label's skinny-leg jeans, showing off her peachy posterior.

Strike a pose! The casting call offer's models a chance to feature in the next Good American campaign and feature alongside the reality star (pictured: Tammy with Jamie Girdler and Rachel Lee Tyler)

In another photo, the the mother-of-two was accompanied by Good American's brand director Jamie Girdler and Australian blogger Rachel Lee Tyler.

The trio posed in front of the large mirrored wall in the studio, after the casting call wrapped-up.

Tammy has maintained a good relationship with the Kardashian clan after she made international headlines when she was carried out on a stretcher of Kylie Jenner's 21st birthday.

Birthday drama: Tammy has maintained a good relationship with the Kardashian clan after she made international headlines when she was carried out on a stretcher of Kylie Jenner's 21st birthday

She was loaded into the back of an ambulance as Kylie's father Caitlyn Jenner, 68, and rumoured girlfriend Sophia Hutchins, 21, watched on in horror.

Caitlyn looked extremely concerned in photos taken of the carnage on Thursday night, as Sophia spoke with the security detail.

Following the incident, she took to YouTube to post a tearful apology video.

On the mend: She was loaded into the back of an ambulance as Kylie's father Caitlyn Jenner, 68, and rumoured girlfriend Sophia Hutchins, 21, watched on in horror (pictured in recent Instagram post)

'Firstly I want everyone to know that I'm ok...So yeah I pretty much collapsed. Honestly I'm already like super super embarrassed about it,' she said.

Tammy claimed she was 'super embarrassed' by what happened, adding that she should not have drank alcohol because she was so jet-lagged.

Boasting over 8.6 million Instagram followers and 1.2 million subscribers on YouTube, Tammy began her rise to social media fame in 2014 when she started documenting her pregnancies and fitness regime.

Tammy - who is the daughter of Australian director and screenwriter Mark Hembrow - has two children of her own, daughter Saskia, two, and three-year-old son Wolf, who she shares with her ex-fiance Reece Hawkins.
Britain's Got Talent judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon were brought to tears as a Grenfell survivor took to the stage during the series' audition stages.

According to The Sun, Leanne Mya, who survived the tower fire in June 2017, captivated the audience as she delivered an emotional rendition of Sam Smith's Lay Me Down track at London's Palladium theatre on Wednesday.

Music mogul Simon, 59, praised the contestant for her bravery as he described her performance as a 'moment with a capital "M'.

Emotional: BGT judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon were brought to tears as a Grenfell survivor took to the stage during the series' audition stages (pictured in May 2018)

During the audition, Leanne revealed she lived in the North Kensington block with her partner Joseph and her young son.

Following her performance, Simon raved: 'You should be very proud. Its really important what you just did because its easy to forget something like that with everything thats going on in the world.

'For everyone who lost their lives and had all this crap thrown at them, youve had the courage to come out here and pay tribute. You did something very special for them and for you.'

Passionate: According to The Sun, Leanne Mya captivated the audience as she delivered an emotional rendition of Sam Smith's Lay Me Down track at London's Palladium theatre on Wednesday

Tragic: 72 people were killed and over 70 injured in the fire at Grenfell Tower in West London on June 14 2017

TV presenter Amanda, 47, added: 'You were so terrified and so nervous but you delivered that song and it was effortless. You have a massive future ahead of you, that was stunning.'

MailOnline has contacted ITV representatives for further comment.

72 people were killed and over 70 injured in the fire at Grenfell Tower in West London on June 14 2017.

Days after the tragic incident, Simon broke down in floods of tears as he listened to the official charity single, featuring the likes of Jessie J, Rita Ora and Robbie Williams.

A source exclusively told MailOnline that the TV personality broke his steely facade and openly wept while the star-studded cover of Simon & Garfunkels 1970 classic Bridge Over Troubled Water played in a studio.

The source said: 'Simon broke down in floods of tears when he thought about the victims. It was really unlike him to show that side of him.'

Simon revealed he'd donated 100,000 of his own money to the victims of the Grenfell fire, after revealing he was left feeling 'angry and upset' when he saw footage of the shocking inferno.

Discussing the inspiration behind his charity track at the time, he told The Mirror: 'I felt how everyone felt when they saw the news. I was angry, upset, thinking what the hell do you do?

Moved: Music mogul Simon, 59, praised the contestant for her bravery as he described her performance as a 'moment with a capital "M'

'It's not far from where I live, so when I drove up there, and you saw this tower, it wasn't great. And that's when you decide that maybe we could do something to help.

'You kind of think, what can I do? Do you donate some money and I was thinking, well maybe we could do a little more than that and that's how the record came about.

'I have to put my money where my mouth is. In all the years of doing this I have never felt so emotional. It was unbelievably powerful and sincere.'

Auditions for the long-running talent show kicked off in January, with presenter Ant McPartlin returning to work seven months after his second spell in residential rehabilitation, where he received treatment for substance and alcohol abuse issues.
She rose to fame in the '90s as the host of Changing Rooms.

But Suzie Wilks looks like she's hardly aged a day in the past two decades, if her flattering Instagram photos are anything to go by.

On Friday, the 48-year-old TV star shared a photo of herself in a bikini, highlighting her sensational, gym-honed figure.

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Remember her? Changing Rooms host Suzie Wilks, 48, looks like she's hardly aged a day since the '90s. Pictured in a bikini in a photo shared to Instagram on Friday

In the photo, Suzie showcased her ageless physique in a black two-piece and stylish polka dot cover-up.

'Rise and shine Melbourne... over 35 degrees already,' she wrote in the caption.

Suzie's followers were quick to leave compliments below the photo, with The Biggest Loser's Tiffiny Hall even showing her support.

What's her secret? Last weekend, Suzie also showed off her flawless complexion in a selfie

She hasn't changed! Suzie is pictured back on Changing Rooms

Last weekend, Suzie also showed off her flawless complexion in a selfie shared to Instagram.

In the photo, she could have easily passed for a woman in her mid twenties.

Suzie is best known for hosting Changing Rooms on Channel Nine from 1998 to 2005. She also presented Guess Who's Coming To Dinner for one season in 2001.

Familiar face: Suzie is best known for hosting Changing Rooms from 1998 to 2005. She is pictured in Melbourne on August 16, 2007

In September, it was confirmed that Changing Rooms would be returning to television after a 14-year hiatus.

The revamped show, which is being billed as 'fun, bright, energetic and great family viewing', will air on Channel 10.

It remains unclear if Suzie will be involved in the new series.
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West recently revealed they are awaiting the arrival of their fourth child via surrogate.

And while the famous family are certainly excited about the news, it seems Kim's mum Kris Jenner was feeling reflective about the arrival as the 63-year-old spoke to Australia's The Kyle and Jackie O Show on Friday.

On the show, she joked that she's turned on a baby "faucet" while preparing to welcome her 10th grandchild, as she quipped that she is responsible for her kids - Kim, Khloe, Kourtney, Rob and Kylie - showering her with grandchildren.

Happy days: Kris Jenner was feeling reflective about the new arrival in her family as the 63-year-old spoke to Australia's The Kyle and Jackie O Show on Friday

Kris is set to become a grandmother again in May, as her 38-year-old daughter Kim and her rapper husband are expecting their fourth child, a baby boy - their second via surrogacy after daughter Chicago was born in January last year.

While Kris admitted she can't wait for the couple's forthcoming addition to the family to arrive, and quipped that she is responsible for her kids' influx of grandchildren.

The star, who also shares Kendall Jenner with ex-husband Caitlyn Jenner, who was known as Bruce before undergoing gender reassignment - said: 'Isn't that exciting It's number 10. My tenth grandchild!...

'I used to complain, like, "Isn't somebody going to have a baby? A grandchild?" And then all of a sudden there was a whole bunch of them. What have I done? I've turned on a faucet?'

Happy days: Kim Kardashian and Kanye West (pictured with their eldest daughter North) recently revealed they are awaiting the arrival of their fourth child via surrogate

As well as Chicago, Kim and Kanye already have daughter North West, five, and three-year-old son Saint West.

Khloe, 34, gave birth to her only daughter True - whom she has with basketball player Tristan Thompson - in April. Kylie, 21, has 11-month-old daughter Stormi Webster with rapper Travis Scott.

Kourtney Kardashian, 39, has Mason, nine, Penelope, six, and Reign, four, with ex-partner Scott Disick. While Rob Kardashian, 31, has two-year-old daughter Dream with ex-fiancee Blac Chyna.

Bouncing along nicely! Khloe, 34, gave birth to her only daughter True - whom she has with basketball player Tristan Thompson - in April. Kylie, 21, has 11-month-old daughter Stormi Webster with rapper Travis Scott

'Isn't that exciting?' On the show, she joked that she's turned on a baby "faucet" while preparing to welcome her 10th grandchild, as she quipped that she is responsible for her kids - Kim, Khloe, Kourtney, Rob and Kylie - showering her with grandchildren

'It's number ten. My tenth grandchild!' Kris, who is a mother-of-six, currently has a total of nine grandchildren, with her tenth due this year

Kris, who is a mother-of-six, has four children from her first marriage to the late Robert Kardashian, and two children from her second marriage to Caitlyn Jenner.

She currently has nine grandchildren in total from all of her children, with the exception of Kendall Jenner.

In early January, Us Weekly reported that Kim, 38, and husband Kanye, 41, were expecting their fourth child together.

The couple have reportedly used the same surrogate who carried their daughter Chicago, who was born one year ago, on January 15.

Baby on board: In early January, it was reported that Kim, 38, and husband Kanye, 41, were expecting their fourth child together

The publication claimed that Kim and Kanye had one more fertilised embryo left and the baby boy is due in May.

In an episode of Keeping Up with the Kardashians last October, Kim was seen talking to her friend Larsa Pippen about her future family plans.

She said: 'Kanye wants to have more. He's been harassing me. He wants like seven. He's like stuck on seven.'

Happy family: Kim and Kanye are already parents to North, five, Saint, three, and baby Chicago

She added she was reluctant, however, pointing out: '[Seven kids is] crazy. I could never, especially in like the world we live in.

'I've been kinda hesitant about having more kids because it literally keeps me up at night, thinking about how my kids will survive in a crazy world like this.'

Kim previously revealed her dream is to have four children, telling E! News last year: 'I don't think I could handle more than that.'
After nearly 20 years in the public eye, Robin McGraw says she still gets a little camera shy.

However, the 65-year-old lifestyle entrepreneur looked as confident and glowing as ever on the new cover of Genlux Magazine, despite her nerves.

The luxury magazine shot the star at the beautiful Beverly Hills home she shares with husband Dr. Phillip McGraw, better known as television's favorite talk show host, Dr. Phil.

Stunning: Robin McGraw was glamorous on the cover of Genlux Magazine and exclusively opened up to DailyMail.com about the shoot and her charity When Georgia Smiled and her luxury lifestyle brand

'It was a learning experience,' Robin told DailyMail.com of her recent cover shoot. 'Or, I should say a growing experience.'

The best-selling author admitted that as a bit of a 'controller' she had a hard time relinquishing the reigns to the magazine for the shoot.

Genlux, she explained, made all the decisions (down to needing to know 'my bra size').

'I like to be in control of whats happening,' the brunette beauty admitted. 'I kind of freaked out.'

Genlux: The philanthropist invited the magazine into her palatial Beverly Hills home for the photo shoot - which she shares with her husband, Dr. Phil

When it was all said and done the Southern belle shared that giving up control was 'a lesson I needed to learn.'

'I had so much fun,' the mother of two admitted. 'It was one of the most pleasant days with this group of people.'

What began as an inside piece quickly became the cover story for the fashion and philanthropy focused outlet when Robin opened up about her charity, When Georgia Smiled.

Named for her mother Georgia, Robin launched her philanthropic arm in 2013 with the goal of aiding victims of abuse and sexual assault.

Lesson learned: Robin admitted she had a hard time giving the outlet control but it was all worth it in the end after she found herself having 'so much fun'

When Georgia Smiled, 'set out to enact real change by creating and advancing programs that help victims of domestic violence and sexual assault live healthy, safe and joy-filled lives.'

The charity does so through various partnerships and programs as well as bestowing numerous grants to those advancing the same causes.

While Robin shared that her mother was 'never a victim of domestic violence or sexual assault' herself, she was still responsible for holding their family together while alcoholism 'took hold' of her father.

Robin's family lived a 'life of uncertainty,' not knowing when their patriarch would go off on a binge.

Making a difference: Named for her mother Georgia, Robin launched her philanthropic arm, When Georgia Smiled, in 2013 with the goal of aiding victims of abuse and sexual assault

'He never wanted to drink around us,' the author recalled. 'He would do it in binges. It would just happen.'

'We were very poor,' she added.

Robin's father would often gamble during his binges with 'nothing to gamble with' and would sometimes take items from the family home.

The uncertainty left a young Robin asking: 'When is this ever going to end? Is this the day daddy would not come home?'

Humble beginnings: Robin shared that her mother was 'never a victim of domestic violence or sexual assault' herself, she was still responsible for holding their poor family together while alcoholism 'took hold' of her father

'One thing that comforted me and told me everything was okay was when I looked at my mother,' she said.

Robin warmly recalled that her mom's smile relaxed and comforted her.

'I knew she would move heaven and earth to make sure we were okay.'

It was that sense of comfort during tumult that lead Robin to create her charity.

One particular facet that the philanthropist is proud of is their free app that allows victims to secretly reach out to loved ones for help.

When Georgia Smiled: One particular facet that the philanthropist is proud of is their free app that allows victims to secretly reach out to loved ones for help; The app is hidden on a victims phone and masquerades as a news app, and is equipped with a GPS tracker

'Isolation is the number one step than an abuser will start with,' Robin explained.

The app is hidden on a victims phone and masquerades as a news app, even delivering live content to throw off a potential abuser.

Equipped with a GPS tracker, the app allows a user to reach out to pre-set contacts who can communicate with each other to find and rescue someone if the need arises.

'I'm really proud of that,' Robin said through her light twang.

Adding: 'Education is probably the most important step to take at learning what to do to help someone being abused.'

Busy! In addition to her charity, Robin runs her lifestyle brand Robin McGraw Revelation, is featured daily on the Dr. Phil Show, has authored several best selling books and co-hosted The Talk in December

While Robin has been an advocate for victims of sexual assault for years, she said that the conversation around the topic has changed in the post #MeToo world.

The business mogul explained that she's seeing a positive shift away from the antiquated response of blaming the victim 'for having been assaulted.'

'I think that people are not afraid to speak up and speak out [now],' she shared. 'Before, I feel that a lot of people would think that women especially, and some men as well, would be instantly blamed [for coming forward].'

Her husband of 42 years, Dr. Phil, who she affectionately calls Phillip also as served as some inspiration for their now joint-charity.

'I never question anything as our lives have turned. I know God has a plan for everyone. I believe that we are both doing what we are supposed to be doing.'

In love: 'I never question anything as our lives have turned. I know God has a plan for everyone. I believe that we are both doing what we are supposed to be doing.'

Robin, who has been featured on the Dr. Phil show daily from her chair on set where she provides her own brand of social commentary and advice, said that seeing victims of violence on the show touched her profoundly.

'It's the courage that the guests show when they come there and they tell their story. They're not afraid to step out and say "I need help."'

Speaking of her husband, four decades of marriage hasn't remotely diminished their love.

'I'm so proud of Philip. I think he is brilliant,' she quipped. 'After 46 years together and 17 on the show I will sit there every day and just listen as if it's the first time Ive ever heard him speak.'

The happy couple will be celebrating another Valentine's Day together next month.

Gift giving: This season Robin was inspired by her mom once more for her Georgia gift box from her popular luxury lifestyle brand Robin McGraw Revelation

'I love the holidays,' Robin exclaimed. 'And, Valentine's Day is one of my favorites.'

This season Robin was inspired by her mom once more for her Georgia gift box from her popular luxury lifestyle brand Robin McGraw Revelation.

'Perfect for celebrating a holiday that is all about love, relaxation and pampering.'

The star said she filled the boxes with everything someone needs to 'prep for the evening or stay in for the evening.'

The beautiful box holds five scented gifts like body butter and chic black candle, and it available on her website just in time for the holiday..
He's a man who is not afraid to 'get lit' as he calls it.

And on Thursday night, MAFS' Dean Wells proved he is just as able behind the bar as he is in front of it.

Dean, 41, played celebrity bartender at Planar Bar & Restaurant at the ICC in Sydney so convincingly, he could have been an extra in Tom Cruise's movie Cocktail.

MAFS star Dean Wells (pictured) played celebrity bartender at the ICC on Thursday... and was briefly assisted by Tziporah Malkah before staff stepped in

Dressed appropriately in a black T-shirt, dark pants and black trainers, Dean was spotted whipping up espresso martinis for an eager crowd of punters at the swish drinking hole.

With his ginger hair freshly cut and his beard neatly clipped, the MAFS lothario entertained the crowd of thirsty onlookers with witty banter as he mixed drinks.

And there was no shortage of women keen to try out Dean's boozy handiwork.

And judging by the way the icy beverages were enjoyed, it appeared that the reality star's concoctions made the grade.

Order up! He's a man who is not afraid to 'get lit' as he calls it. And on Thursday night, MAFS' Dean proved he is just as able behind the bar as he is in front of it

Dishing it out: Dean, 41, played celebrity bartender at Planar Bar & Restaurant at the ICC in Sydney so convincingly, he could have been an extra in Tom Cruise's movie Cocktail

Cheers, big ears! Dressed appropriately in a black T-shirt, dark pants and black trainers, Dean was spotted whipping up espresso martinis for an eager crowd of punters at the swish drinking hole

With the new season of MAFS due to hit TV screens on January 28, Dean will no doubt be wondering where his next gig will be.

If not on the small screen, then he could always turn his hand to the responsible serving of alcohol.

Indeed, Sydney's bars are in need some pep and the self-described 'alpha male' could be the man for the job.

Service with a smile! With his ginger hair freshly cut and his beard neatly clipped, the MAFS Lothario entertained the crowd of thirsty onlookers with witty banter as he mixed drinks

Silver service: Dean mixed up espresso martinis like a pro

For the ladies: And there was no shortage of women keen to try out Dean's boozy handiwork

Taste test! Judging by the way the icy beverages were enjoyed, it appeared that the reality star's concoctions made the grade

He had a helping hand though in the form of Tziporah Malkah, no less.

The 45-year-old brunette, formerly known as Kate Fischer, happily joined Dean behind the bar as the drinks orders rolled in.

Dressed in a see-through white collared shirt and black pants, Tziporah gave Dean a hug before reaching for fresh glasses along the bar.

Called to the bar? With the new season of MAFS due to hit TV screens on January 28, Dean will no doubt be wondering where his next gig will be

Celebrity assistance: Dean had a helping hand though in the form of Tziporah Malkah (pictured), no less. The 45-year-old brunette, formerly known as Kate Fischer, happily joined Dean behind the bar as the drinks orders rolled in

Top tipples: If not on the small screen, then he could always turn his hand to the responsible serving of alcohol

The former model appeared amused by Dean's cocky bartender style, happy to let him take the reins when it came to pouring the drinks.

The duo got along very well, having both shared the highs and lows of being reality TV stars in recent years.

Tziporah appeared on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! in 2017.

Fill 'er up! Dressed in a see-through white collared shirt and black pants, Tziporah gave Dean a hug before reaching for fresh glasses along the bar

Learning curve: The former model appeared amused by Dean's cocky bartender style, happy to let him take the reins when it came to pouring the drinks

It was a return to the spotlight for the former socialite, who at one time appeared on the covers of fashion magazines and appeared in films such as Sirens.

At the peak of her public life, the brunette beauty was engaged to billionaire businessman James Packer, 51.

Double the fun: The duo got along very well, having both shared the highs and lows of being reality TV stars in recent years

Reality bites! Tziporah appeared on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! in 2017, but that seemed to be far behind her on Thursday night as she whooped it up with Dean behind the bar

But all of that seemed to be far behind her on Thursday night as she whooped it up with Dean behind the bar.

After a short while playing being bar hand, Dean gave Tziporah another hug and a kiss before she disappeared outside.

Dean was later spotted relaxing on grass outside the busy watering hole, enjoying a much needed beer after his brief tenure as celebrity bartender.

Star struck? After a short while playing being bar hand, Dean gave Tziporah another hug and a kiss before she disappeared outside

Staffies already! Green thumb: Dean was later spotted relaxing on grass outside the busy watering hole, enjoying a much needed beer after his brief tenure as celebrity bartender




The air quality on cruise ships is as polluted as the smog-ridden cities of Beijing and could endanger human health, a new study has claimed.

Researchers monitored pollution levels on the decks of four different cruise liners over a two-year period.

And they found that the air quality was 'comparable to concentrations measured in polluted cities' and when inhaled it could 'damage the heart and lungs'.

A new study has claimed that the air quality on cruise ships is as polluted as Beijing

The research was carried out on behalf of campaign group Stand.earth by Dr Ryan David Kennedy of John Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore.

Dr Kennedy boarded four Carnival cruise ships and took air quality readings on each of them.

The ships were Carnival Liberty sailing from Florida to the Bahamas; Carnival Freedom sailing from Texas to the Caribbean; Holland America MS Amsterdam travelling from Vancouver to Los Angeles; and Princess Cruises Emerald Princess en route from Los Angeles to Mexico.

Working undercover, Dr Kennedy measured the levels of particulate matter (PM) - a term used to describe the mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets in the air. It can be either human-made or naturally occurring.

He took readings on different parts of the ship, including the bow, stern and track, using a P-TRAK Ultrafine Particle Counter.

And the report claimed they showed the highest readings were often at the back of the ship, where outdoor pools are usually located.

Dr Kennedy wrote: 'The average PM readings in the stern areas of each ship were significantly higher than the average readings measured fore of the smokestacks (towards the bow).

'The findings of this study demonstrate that a source of PM  likely, in part from the ship's exhaust system  is contributing to poorer air quality in the stern areas of these cruise ships.

Researchers found that the air quality on cruise ships was 'comparable to concentrations measured in polluted cities' and when inhaled it could 'damage the heart and lungs'

'Concentrations of PM on the decks of these ships are comparable to concentrations measured in polluted cities, including Beijing and Santiago.

'Despite being on the open water and in open air, vacationers and cruise ship staff may be exposed to elevated concentrations of PM.'

After analysing the finished study Kendra Ulrich, a senior shipping campaigner at Stand.earth, said: 'Extremely high levels of air pollution measured on these Carnival Corporation ships suggest this pollution could pose serious health risks to passengers, staff, and people living in port and coastal communities.

'The most shocking finding from this study is that pollution was often highest near the stern of the ships, where passengers are encouraged to exercise.

'This study should be a warning sign for anyone considering booking a cruise, but especially for vulnerable groups such as the elderly and young children or anyone with cardiovascular problems.'

Cruise Lines International Association hit back at the report and said cruise ship are an 'easy target' when it comes to air pollution

However, a spokesperson for Carnival criticised the report and told MailOnline Travel: 'These so-called fly-by tests are completely ridiculous, inaccurate and in no way represent reality.

'We test the air quality of our ships and they meet or exceed every requirement.

'The air quality on our ship decks when in port compares favorably with a typical urban or suburban environment. Independent testing on our funnels - which is the area where the exhaust originates- further validates our claims.

'This particular organization, for fund raising purposes, is constantly in search of a problem in our industry.

'The safety of our guests is our top priority and we undertake our cruises in close coordination with national and international regulatory bodies like the EPA to insure the utmost safety of our guests and crew.'

Meanwhile Megan King, spokesperson for Cruise Lines International Association, added: 'Cruise ships are one of the more high-profile and easy-to-target flashpoints when air pollution and emissions are discussed.

'The cruise industry is only a small part of this issue, an issue which is facing the wider tourism and shipping sector; but we want to be a large part of the solution.

'Globally, the cruise industry has already invested $1billion in new technologies and cleaner fuels, to significantly reduce ships air emissions.

'Looking ahead, the industry has committed more than $8billion to construction of highly advanced LNG-fueled cruise ships, which will have even lower emissions and higher energy efficiency.

'The cruise industry remains committed to continual improvement and is constantly innovating to identify and install new technologies.'
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From the natural beauty of the beaches abutting the Black Sea to the crumbling relics of Communism and with everything in between - including evidence of ancient civilizations - Bulgaria has it all.

Something that's even more apparent when the country is viewed from above, as an avid photographer with an eye for the unusual and the use of a drone has shown.

Amos Chapple skilfully commandeered one to uncover the most unusual offerings during a recent eight-day trip, helped by the fact that Bulgaria is one of the few places on earth a drone's use is not licensed.

There is everything from fishing villages with 'vampire graves' to a fortress nestled into a gnarly rock formation - the stuff of fables - from which the Romans ruled the region. And there are spectacular statues, including 'The Forgotten Communist' - who lives up to his name, his face obscured by overgrown vegetation - which is a nod to a previous era of Soviet influence in the region.

Aside from the Russians and the Romans, Bulgaria has also served as a base to the wine-guzzling Thracians, pals of the Trojans, and the Ottomans - all of whom have left their indelible mark on the landscape.

'Massacre after massacre' is how Radio Free Europe photographer Chapple describes the Bulgarian history his work documents. 'It shocked me just how much the country had suffered at the hands of the Ottomans,' he said, before moving on to discuss later dynasties, culminating in the era of Soviet oppression. 'There was a level of religious brutality that was all the more shocking for how recently it took place.' Scroll down to take in the photographer's enchanting aerial pictorial tour.

The remains of a Thracian burial area near the town of Ardino. Bulgaria is dotted with remnants of the ancient, wine-guzzling Thracian tribes. Famous Thracians include the poet Orpheus and Spartacus, the rebel slave

Sozopol, an ancient fishing village, made headlines in 2012 when a medieval 'vampire grave' was unearthed. Archaeologists uncovered the skeleton of a man whose teeth had been torn out and had had a metal stake hammered through his chest, apparently to stop him rising from the dead - just to be on the safe side

Kaliakra, a headland that juts into the Black Sea. The long peninsula gave rise to the legend that God stretched a finger of land ahead of a favourite saint who was fleeing from the Ottomans

'The Forgotten Communist', a roadside monument, lives up to his name, as vegetation reclaims him in northeastern Bulgaria

This gilded statue of a strident woman, supporting a black bird of prey, overlooks a typical urban scene

A stone bridge links two isolated neighbouring hills, with visitors seen approaching and crossing it (left)

An Eastern Orthodox structure, featuring elements reminiscent of Italian bell tower, borders road and ravine

The Aleksandr Nevsky Cathedral, a gem in Bulgaria's capital, Sofia

A gulag-style concrete monument shows opposing soldiers in relief. A Bulgarian Banksy has daubed the monument's interior

The Vitosha Mountain TV tower with Sofia sparkling in the background

A vast concrete lion (top right) clambering from the Founders Of The Bulgarian State Monument on a hill above Shumen

An aerial view of a restaurant showing al fresco dining by a less than picturesque functional corrugated iron structure

An orange-roofed chapel perched on the edge of a hill is a nod to the survival of Christians persecuted under the Soviets

A fisherman watches the reef roll by beneath him by Pomorie as his colleague steers out into the Black Sea

A cross above Momchilovtsi in the Rhodope Mountains. The settlements of the region are a jumble of Christian and Muslim villages, after many were forcibly converted to Islam by the Ottoman authorities in the 16th and 17th centuries

A remote crumbling village house near Kardzali in a small encampment of typical dachas. Such scenes are a common sight in rural Bulgaria. Since 1990, the country has lost two million residents. A steadily declining population now stands at 7.1 million

A fishing boat slides into the Black Sea from the village of Shabla

The Rila Monastery nestled in its valley, glowing gold in autumn

Varna's Dormition Of The Mother Of God Cathedral in the gloom of an overcast morning

Sharp contours of one of Bulgaria's mountain ranges tower over a valley-based village

Bulgarian watery terrain - a patchwork of green and black - shown in all its glory from a bird's eye perspective

The Assens Monument in Veliko Tarnovo, built to mark 800 years since its crowning as the capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire

A goatherd leads his flock down a dirt road near Kazanluk

A Soviet-style monument above the highway running past Blagoevgrad

Veliko Tarnovo's fortress on a misty morning. The town was once dubbed a 'third Rome' (after Constantinople) for its cultural influence on Eastern Europe

A typical example of classical Eastern Orthodox architecture nestled in the Bulgarian hills

The abandoned monument of Buzludzha in the Central Balkan Mountains looks like a spacecraft about to take off in the mist. The peaks witnessed several furious battles during the war that would eventually free Bulgaria from Ottoman rule

The Belogradchik Fortress, nestled into a gnarly rock formation, is reminiscent of Middle-earth. The fortified watchtower was built when Romans ruled the roost

Hills and scrub recede from hinterland into town and sea in a spectacular view across the topography to Bulgaria's coast

Night descends in Bulgaria moving through an iridescence of hues of pink, purple and blue

A woman clings to a horse on the hillside in another example of a forgotten monument tucked away in Bulgaria's countryside

A sculpture of hand-held torches beneath the previously shown UFO-style monument

Alyosha, Plovdiv's monument to Soviet soldiers, under a gunmetal sky. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, there have been two attempts to remove the monument, which at one stage had a band of volunteers guarding it by night
A grandstand seat, an invitation to a horse blessing, a private visit to a contrada museum and the chance to attend a pre-race banquet.

These are all on the menu as I arrive in Siena to immerse myself in the Quattro Giorni del Palio di Siena  the four days running up to and including Siena's bareback horse race.

It's been the heartbeat of this Italian city for centuries and sits at the centre of its culture and history.

On your marks: The horses from the competing contrade round a bend in the Piazza del Campo

So many visitors come only for the actual day of the Palio  but they are missing out.

I am here with Hedonistic Hiking, which has the knowledge and contacts to make this week unforgettable. First, I am introduced to Alexandra, who proudly shows us round the Museum of the Contrada of the Chiocciola (snail).

There are 17 districts in Siena, each known as a contrada, and they compete against each other in the Palio twice a year, in July and August. Each has its own traditions, church, museum and fountain.

Each contrada has a name  sometimes it's a type of creature, sometimes not. There are Pantera (panther), Lupa (she-wolf) and Nicchio (seashell), to name but a few. Alexandra regales us with anecdotes about the history of the contrada Chiocciola while showing us medieval costumes, old photographs and Palio banners.

Local pride: Flags of Siena's contrade line the streets in the days building up to the race

I join the crowds in the Piazza del Campo to see the horses being allocated to the various contrade.

Half the population of Siena seems to be here, and the crowds are noisy, but when the announcements are made, you can hear a pin drop.

The atmosphere intensifies as the day of the race approaches. Locals are out and about sporting the colours of their contrada by wearing scarves around their necks or attached to their bags.

For a break from all the pre-race fervour, we take a look around the private art collection of the Monte dei Paschi, one of the oldest banks in the world, which is only open to the public once a year.

To get away from the heat, we venture into the nearby countryside to hike and enjoy a picnic of local produce.

We also visit Podere Patrignone, an agriturismo (a farm offering local food and accommodation), where we learn to make pasta and then sample the fruits of our labour.

A view of Siena, a Unesco world heritage site, from outside the city

On our return to the city, we watch the penultimate trial race, then set off to the pre-race dinner of the contrada Valdimontone, where we sit at trestle tables positioned outside in the street.

There are more than 1,500 of us munching away amid the drumming, flag waving and singing of contrada songs. I decide to cheer for Valdimontone, as they have given us such a good time.

The day of the Palio dawns and those of us who are not too delicate from the previous night's partying venture down to the Piazza del Campo to watch the Bishop of Siena leading Mass in the chapel for the jockeys who are riding that day.

After that, it's off to the outdoor blessing of the horse of the contrada Oca (goose). Many contrade bless their horses inside, so this is a chance to join in with the locals.

Sand is put down around the square in preparation for the big event

It's taken very seriously and be warned about making the mistake of talking while it is going on.

Finally, we take our seats for the race. Some locals have camped out all day in the heat to get a good spot.

It's preceded by a parade, with contrada members dressed in medieval costumes, waving flags and beating drums.

The race consists of three laps around the edge of the Campo. The winner is the first contrada whose horse completes the course, with or without the rider. They win the silk banner, or Palio, after which the race is named.

There is jubilation from the winning jockey representing the Lupa Contrada in August 2018

We watch carefully as the competition starts, but it's over before we know it. After all the waiting, it's a blur of hooves, dust and noise  but what an experience!

The winning jockey is dragged from his horse and carried aloft on people's shoulders. The cheers of the winning contrada, Onda (wave), are tremendous.

Later, we dine in the Campo amid their ecstatic celebrations. As for the members of the other contrade, they slink away to lick their wounds  and, no doubt, to start planning their strategy for the next year.
Virgin Galactic boss Richard Branson says he hopes to travel to space 'in the middle of the year'.

The 69 year old says he is training hard for the mission, and told CBS This Morning 'my aim is to have the body of a 30 year old when I go to space.'

He also revealed the firm is finalizing plans to move to a 'spaceport' in New Mexico where its flights will operate.

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The 69 year old (center) says he is training hard for the mission, and told CBS This Morning 'my aim is to have the body of a 30 year old when I go to space.'

'I hope to go up in the middle of this year myself, we have another test flight taking place in a few weeks, then another one, and another one, then we move to New Mexico where we have a beautiful spaceport,' he said.

As the company prepares to transition from its test programme, it laid off around 40 employees earlier this month, it has been revealed.

Employees at both Virgin Galactic and partner The SpaceShip Company, which builds the vehicles that Virgin flies, were let go.

'Recently we separated a small number of our team in order to position our organization for the drive to commercial operations following our successful recent spaceflight, and make room for new skill sets that we need to bring in over the course of this year,' a spokesperson for Virgin Galactic said.

Ahead of the move, Virgin also announced a deal with Under Armour to develop space apparel and footwear for astronauts, engineers and fans.

It will also create an astronaut training program that includes fitness and nutrition advice.

Last month Virgin Galactic reached the edge of space for the first time, in a milestone accomplishment for Richard Branson's space tourism endeavors.

The aerospace firm's SpaceShipTwo craft reached a boundary more than 50 miles above Earth on Thursday morning for the first time, after blasting off on a critical flight test in the Mojave Desert.

To do this, the company had to push its rocket motor to the longest burn duration yet, 'resulting in us going higher than we have before.'

In addition to its pilots, the aircraft carried NASA payloads for the first time, in effort to bring it as close as possible to commercial weight.

SpaceShipTwo safely touched back down to Earth less than 15 minutes after achieving its highest flight yet and hitting speeds of nearly three times the speed of sound.

Virgin Galactic has reached the edge of space for the first time, in a milestone accomplishment for Richard Branson's space tourism endeavors. The aerospace firm's SpaceShipTwo craft reached a boundary more than 50 miles above Earth on Thursday morning after blasting off on a critical flight test in the Mojave Desert

'Today, for the first time in history, a crewed spaceship, built to carry private passengers, reached space,' Virgin Galactic founder Richard Branson said from the flight line after the successful flight.

'Today we completed our first revenue generating flight and our pilots earned their Commercial Astronaut Wings. Today, we have shown that Virgin Galactic really can open space to change the world for good.'

Over the course of just under an hour after taking off, the tandem aircraft climbed higher and higher before eventually separating at more than 50,000 feet above the surface.

Pilots Mark 'Forger' Stucky and CJ Sturckow fired up SpaceShipTwo's rocket motor at 11 a.m., bringing the craft to Mach 1.4 speed seconds later.

In less than a minute, it achieved Mach 2.9 - or 2.9 times the speed of sound. And, within a matter of seconds, the craft was at '250,000ft and rising,' hitting the 50-mile mark just 2 minutes after separation.

'SpaceShipTwo, welcome to space,' Virgin Galactic tweeted.

'This is a momentous day and I could not be more proud of our teams who together have opened a new chapter of space exploration,' Branson said afterwards.

'Today, for the first time in history, a crewed spaceship, built to carry private passengers, reached space,' Virgin Galactic founder Richard Branson said from the flight line after the successful flight. One of the pilots can be seen in the cockpit above during the flight

Virgin Galactic's SpaceshipTwo can be seen as it takes off for a suborbital test flight of the VSS Unity on December 13, 2018, in Mojave, California

HOW HIGH DID IT GO? Virgin Galactic uses an altitude of 50 miles (80 km) to designate the boundary of space. This is used by NASA and the U.S. Air Force for awarding astronaut wings. 'For Virgin Galactic, the major milestone that we perceive is the altitude at which NASA and Air Force folks get their astronaut wings, which is 50 miles,' George Whitesides, chief executive of Virgin Galactic, said last month. The long-held view, however, is that the edge of space begins higher than this, at an altitude of 62 miles (100km). Advertisement

Branson shared a photo of himself 'on the flightline' as he watched from below. The founder has previously said his space tourism firm will carry passengers beyond orbit 'not too long after' this milestone - with him on the first flight.

Virgin Galactic was guarded about the details of its flight test ahead of takeoff.

But, shortly after 10 a.m., the firm tweeted that its WhiteKnightTwo cargo craft had launched carrying SpaceShipTwo.

From then on, the two craft sailed smoothly upward for several thousand feet before separation.

The Dec. 13 test marks SpaceShipTwo's longest burn duration yet, at 60 seconds.

This, as hoped, pushed the craft to a point Virgin considers to be the edge of space, at around 50 miles above the surface.

With that milestone completed, the firm is now hoping to push its craft even farther.

'We will now push on with the remaining portion of our flight test program, which will see the rocket motor burn for longer and VSS Unity fly still faster and higher towards giving thousands of private astronauts an experience which provides a new, planetary perspective to our relationship with the Earth and the cosmos,' Branson said after the flight.

'Ever since I watched the moon landings as a child I have looked up to the skies with wonder,' Branson said. 'Today, as I stood among a truly remarkable group of people with our eyes on the stars, we saw our biggest dream and our toughest challenge to date fulfilled.' The founder couldn't hold back tears as the craft reached new heights

Virgin Galactic founder Richard Branson shared a stunning look from the cockpit a few hours after the successful test flight, showing the pilots' view of Earth from miles above

Branson says the achievement marks the first time a crewed craft designed to carry private passengers has made it to space. The company's definition of the edge of space, however, sits lower than the widely accepted space boundary said to be at 62 miles high

Pilots Mark 'Forger' Stucky and CJ Sturckow fired up SpaceShipTwo's rocket motor at 11 a.m., bringing the craft to Mach 1.4 speed seconds later. In less than a minute, it was at Mach 2.9 - or 2.9 times the speed of sound

WHAT EXPERIMENTS IS NASA SENDING ON BOARD THE VIRGIN GALACTIC SPACE TRIP? The fledgling space firm owned by billionaire Richard Branson will carry four research payloads that are part of the NASA Flight Opportunities Program. These include looking at hoe dust swirls on asteroids and in space, looking into the feasibility of life support systems for deep-space habitation, growing food in space and reducing the impact of vibrations on payloads going into space. The formal names and an explanation of what they aim to find are outlined below: Collisions Into Dust Experiment (COLLIDE) One of the experiments on-board the Virgin Galactic flight, known as COLLIDE, will help further refine the understanding of dust particles on planetary surfaces. The microgravity of suborbital flights will allow the researchers to gather data useful for designing exploration architectures at the Moon, Mars and beyond. COLLIDE will simulate the dusty surface of an asteroid and a surface impact and collect high-quality video of the dust dispersing. Microgravity Multi-Phase Flow Experiment for Suborbital Testing The interactions of gases and liquids are essential in biological processes and more information is needed to understand how these different phases interact. This experiment will delve into how gas and liquid in microgravity react and how this can be applied. Validating Telemetric Imaging Hardware for Crew-Assisted and Crew-Autonomous Biological Imaging in Suborbital Applications This project from the University of Florida will look into how plausible it is to grow food for long-term deep-space habitation. Microgravity affects plant growth and the experiment uses a biological fluorescent imaging instrument to collect data on the biological response of a plant. Vibration Isolation Platform Spacecraft and payloads are subject to intense launch environments. This experiment uses a mounted system which is designed to lessen disturbances on payloads during launch, re-entry and landing. Advertisement

Branson says the achievement marks the first time a crewed craft designed to carry private passengers has made it to space.

The company's definition of the edge of space, however, sits lower than the widely accepted space boundary said to be at 62 miles high.

Virgin instead uses the altitude of 50 miles (about 80 kilometers), which is used by NASA and the U.S. Air Force for awarding astronaut wings.

In any case, the achievement puts Virgin well ahead of its competitors - Elon Musk's SpaceX and Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin - who have yet to carry crew to a point so high using their passenger craft.

Richard Branson celebrates with pilots Rick CJ Sturckow (left) and Mark 'Forger' Stucky (right) after the successful flight test Thursday morning

Sir Richard Branson celebrating the Virgin Galactic test flight of SpaceShipTwo, VSS Unity, which took off in the early morning sunshine at the Mojave test centre in California

After separating from WhiteKnightTwo (pictured), the passenger craft accelerated to Mach 2.9. And, within a matter of seconds, the craft was at '250,000ft and rising,' hitting the 50-mile mark just 2 minutes after separation

'Many of you will know how important the dream of space travel is to me personally. Ever since I watched the moon landings as a child I have looked up to the skies with wonder,' Branson commented after the flight.

'We started Virgin nearly 50 years ago dreaming big and loving a challenge.

'Today, as I stood among a truly remarkable group of people with our eyes on the stars, we saw our biggest dream and our toughest challenge to date fulfilled.

'It was an indescribable feeling: joy, relief, exhilaration and anticipation for what is yet to come.'

The Virgin Galactic founder echoed sentiments expressed prior to the flight by CEO George Whitesides.

Virgin Galactic marked a major milestone when Unity made it to a peak height, or apogee, of 51.4 miles (82.7 kilometres), after taking off attached to an airplane

The aircraft completed a 'victory roll' after reaching the planned test point. SpaceCraftTwo flipped completely upside down while soaring high over Earth

Branson shared a photo of himself 'on the flightline' as he watched from below. The founder has previously said his space tourism firm will carry passengers beyond orbit 'not too long after' this milestone - with him on the first flight

Over the course of roughly an hour after taking off, the pair climbed higher and higher in tandem, before eventually separating at more than 50,000 feet above the surface. WhiteKnightTwo and SpaceShipTwo can be seen above taking off

'For Virgin Galactic, the major milestone that we perceive is the altitude at which NASA and Air Force folks get their astronaut wings, which is 50 miles,' Whitesides said last month.

'For us and our customers, I think we'll be focused on 50 miles, at least at the start.'

Branson is in a race with SpaceX founder Elon Musk and Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos to be the first to send paying tourists into space.

Virgin Galactic, which is charging 190,000 ($250,000) for a spot on one of its commercial flights, has previously said it would send passengers to space in 2019.

The multi-millionaire admitted earlier this year that the number of spurious claims he has made about Virgin Galactic flight dates was 'embarrassing'.

The aerospace firm's SpaceShipTwo craft reached a boundary more than 50 miles above Earth on Thursday morning after blasting off on a critical flight test in the Mojave Desert. To do this, the company had to push its rocket motor to the longest burn duration yet, 'resulting in us going higher than we have before'

'Incremental flight test programs are by definition open-ended and, to a great extent, each test depends on the data from the test that precedes it,' Galactic said regarding this week's test.

'There is no guarantee that everything will work perfectly first time and, like all programs seeking to take bold steps, we will inevitably have times when things don't go as planned.'

The fledgling space firm also carried four research payloads that are part of the NASA Flight Opportunities Program.

This was Virgin Galactic's first mission for NASA, and the space agency purchased flight services, the accommodation and ride, from Virgin Galactic for the payloads.

WHAT ARE THE TOP ALTITUDES REACHED BY VIRGIN GALACTIC, BLUE HORIZONS AND SPACEX? Three companies are leading the charge in commercial space travel as they race to get tourists beyond orbit. Tesla CEO Elon Musk's firm SpaceX, Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin are all vying to be the first companies to send up the first commercial space flight. But while Sir Richard believes Musk is 'doing fantastically well' in getting cargo into space - including his own car - the real tussle is between the Virgin boss and Bezos. Musk has reached dizzying heights with his numerous private space deliveries to the International Space Station at an altitude of around 1.4 million feet (408,000 metres), but is yet to fly any of his planned passenger-carrying craft. Blue Origin flew its New Shepherd spacepod, which launches aboard a traditional rocket capsule, to an altitude of 351,000 feet (107,000 metres) during a test flight near Van Horn, Texas, on April 29 (pictured) Virgin Galactic reached a top altitude of 170,800 feet (52,000 metres) during a test of its VSS Unity spacecraft, which has room for six passenger and is lifted toward space on a huge carrier aricraft, on May 29. Eventually, the company wants to fly space tourists to an altitude of 360,890 feet (110,000 metres) going beyond the 328,000 feet (100,000 metres) defined boundary of space. Blue Origin flew its New Shepherd spacepod, which launches aboard a traditional rocket capsule, to an altitude of 351,000 feet (107,000 metres) during a test flight near Van Horn, Texas, on April 29. The reusable New Shepard rocket and spacecraft is intended to carry up to six space tourists, researchers and/or experiments on brief suborbital flights, the company has said. Advertisement

Virgin Galactic, founded by Branson in 2004, is working to carry tourists on a brief journey to space, dozens of miles above the Earth's surface.

Tourists will spend several minutes floating in zero gravity, aboard a spaceship that approaches or passes through the Karman line, the boundary of Earth's atmosphere and space, some 62 miles (100 kilometers) high.

For comparison, astronauts at the orbiting International Space Station fly some 250 miles (400 km) above Earth.

The company first promised to fly tourists into space by the start of 2009, but multiple delays and a fatal test flight crash in 2014 have pushed its first spaceflight back numerous times.

SpaceShipTwo safely touched back down to Earth less than 15 minutes after achieving its highest flight yet and hitting speeds of nearly three times the speed of sound

The fledgling space firm also carried four research payloads that are part of the NASA Flight Opportunities Program. This was Virgin Galactic's first mission for NASA, and the space agency purchased flight services, the accommodation and ride, from Virgin Galactic for the payloads

Virgin Galactic completed its first supersonic flight since the infamous crash, which killed one test pilot and severely injured another, earlier this year, bringing it closer to its goal of offering commercial spaceflight to the 600 patrons who have paid $250,000 for a ride.

Branson said 'ultimately' he would like to see the price fall to around 30,000 ($40,000) or 38,000 ($50,000) over the next ten years.

Plans call for six passengers and two pilots to ride the SpaceShipTwo VSS Unity, which resembles a private jet.
A new study supported by NASA has shed worrying light on the effects of space travel on the human brain.

Brain scans of astronauts from before and after spaceflight revealed changes typically associated with long term processes such as aging, including deterioration in areas responsible for movement and the processing of sensory information.

The results, however, also suggest an astronauts brain may be able to adapt to these changes over time.

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A new study supported by NASA has shed worrying light on the effects of space travel on the human brain. Brain scans of astronauts from before and after spaceflight revealed changes typically associated with long term processes such as aging. File photo

WHY DO YOU GET TALLER IN SPACE? Astronauts can grow up to three inches (seven cm) taller in space, because of how microgravity affects the human body. Imagine that the vertebrae in your back form a giant spring. Pushing down on the spring keeps it coiled tightly. When the force is released, the spring stretches out. In the same way, the spine elongates by up to three per cent while humans travel in space. There is less gravity pushing down on the vertebrae, so they can stretch out. Stretching of the spine also happens every night to some degree as, when you lie down, gravity isn't pushing down on your vertebrae. Advertisement

We know that fluid shifts toward the head in space, said Rachel Seidler, a professor with the College of Health and Human Performance at the University of Florida.

When you see photos and video of astronauts, their faces often look puffy, because gravity isnt pulling fluids down into the body.

These gravitational effects arent just worn on the surface  according to the new study, spaceflight directly affects the brains white matter in the regions that control movement and process sensory information.

And, the team found that spaceflight causes fluid around the brain to pool at the base of the cerebrum, as if the brain is floating higher in the skull.

This could play a key role in a condition called Spaceflight Associated Neuro-Ocular Syndrome, which causes visual changes and flattening in the back of the eye.

It could be slower fluid turnover, it could be pressure on the optic nerve or that the brain is sort of tugging on the optic nerve because its floating higher in the skull, Seidler said.

But, the researchers say, the white matter problems dont appear to be permanent.

Typically, these changes fix themselves in a matter of weeks after the astronauts return to Earth.

Some changes, however, could last months.

Moving forward, the team plans to include scans from six months after spaceflight as well.

The study revealed changes including deterioration in areas responsible for movement and the processing of sensory information. The results, however, also suggest an astronauts brain may be able to adapt to these changes over time. File photo

The findings arent just important for astronauts, but for future space tourists as well, especially as inactive lifestyles continue to be common.

Upon returning to Earth, an astronauts body isnt sending as much sensory input to the brain, the researchers note.

We have an increasingly sedentary lifestyle, Seidler notes.

Its not the same as the effects on limbs in space, but if were laying around and not using our bodies, could the integrity of white matter pathways in the brain be affected?

Another reason for an active lifestyle.
Amazon's controversial facial recognition software, Rekognition, is facing renewed criticism.

A new study from the MIT Media Lab found that Rekognition may have gender and racial biases.

In particular, the software performed worse when identifying gender for females and darker-skinned females.

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Amazon's controversial facial recognition software, Rekognition, is facing renewed criticism. A new study from the MIT Media Lab found that Rekognition may have gender and racial biases

When the software was presented with a number of female faces, it incorrectly labeled 19 percent of them as male.

But the outcome was much worse for darker-skinned women.

Of the dark-skinned women it was presented, Rekognition incorrectly labeled 31 percent of them as men.

By comparison, Rekognition made no errors in its attempts to identify pale-skinned men.

MIT found that similar software developed by IBM and Microsoft performed better than Rekognition.

Specifically, Microsoft incorrectly labeled 1.5 percent of darker-skinned women as men.

When software was presented with a number of female faces, it incorrectly labeled 19 percent of them as male. Rekognition incorrectly labeled 31 percent of dark-skinned women as men

MIT researcher Joy Buolamwini conducted a similar study last February that found facial analysis software created by IBM, Microsoft and Chinese firm Megvii struggled with racial and gender biases.

The study generated major backlash for the companies, with Microsoft and IBM pledging to retool their software so that it would be more accurate.

Amazon, meanwhile, hasn't made any changes following the report.

In a statement to the Verge, the company said the researchers weren't using the latest version of Rekognition.

'It's not possible to draw a conclusion on the accuracy of facial recognition for any use case - including law enforcement - based on results obtained using facial analysis,' Matt Wood, general manager of deep learning and AI at Amazon Web Services, said in a statement.

Experts, as well as the authors of the report, warn that should facial recognition software continue to present gender and racial biases, it could lead to racial profiling and other injustices.

Amazon shareholders are calling for CEO Jeff Bezos to stop selling Rekognition to government agencies, such as local law enforcement, the FBI and Immigrations and Customs Enforcement

HOW DOES AMAZON'S CONTROVERSIAL RECKOGNITION TECHNOLOGY WORK? Amazon Rekognition gives software applications the power to detect objects, scenes and faces within images. It was built with computer vision, which lets AI programs analyse still and video images. AI systems rely on artificial neural networks, which try to simulate the way the brain works in order to learn. They can be trained to recognise patterns in information - including speech, text data, or visual images. Rekognition uses deep learning neural network models to analyse billions of images daily. Updates since it was created even allow the technology to guess a person's age. In November 2017, its creators announced that Rekognition can now detect and recognise text in images, perform real-time face recognition across tens of millions of faces and detect up to 100 faces in challenging crowded photos. Advertisement

Buolamwini and Deborah Raji, the authors of the study, believe more needs to be done than just fixing biases in the software in order to ensure they're used fairly.

'Consequently, the potential for weaponization and abuse of facial analysis technologies cannot be ignored nor the threats to privacy or breaches of civil liberties diminished even as accuracy disparities decrease,' they wrote.

'More extensive explorations of policy, corporate practice and ethical guidelines is thus needed to ensure vulnerable and marginalized populations are protected and not harmed as this technology evolves.'

Amazon has faced repeated calls for it to stop selling Rekognition to police.

The FBI is believed to be testing the controversial facial recognition technology, while Amazon was found to be selling the service to law enforcement agencies in the city of Orlando and Washington County, Oregon.

It's also believed to have proposed the technology to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Earlier this month, Amazon shareholders penned a letter to CEO Jeff Bezos

demanding he stop selling the company's controversial facial recognition technology to police.

The shareholder proposal calls for Amazon to stop offering the product, called Rekognition, to government agencies until it undergoes a civil and human rights review.

It follow similar criticisms voiced by 450 Amazon employees, as well as civil liberties groups and members of Congress, over the past several months.

The tech giant has repeatedly drawn the ire of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and other privacy advocates over the tool.

First released in 2016, Amazon has since been selling it on the cheap to several police departments around the US, listing the Washington County Sheriff's Office in Oregon as one of several customers.

The ACLU and other organizations are now calling on Amazon to stop marketing the product to law enforcement, saying they could use the technology to 'easily build a system to automate the identification and tracking of anyone'.

Police appear to be using Rekognition to check photographs of unidentified suspects against a database of mug shots from the county jail.
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Astronomers have spotted a huge new impact crater on Mars.

Formed between July and September 2018, the huge impact smashed through the ice at the planet's southern ice cap, sending debris into a unique pattern.

This revealed a unique 'two tone' blast impact.

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Formed between July and September 2018, the huge impact, believed to be caused by a meteorite, smashed through the ice at the planet's southern ice cap, sending debris into a unique pattern.

'When an impactor hits the ground, there is a tremendous amount of force like an explosion,' said HiRISE co-investigator Ross Beyer.

The larger, lighter-colored blast pattern could be the result of scouring by winds from the impact shockwave, he believes.

'When an impactor hits the ground, there is a tremendous of force like explosion.

The darker inner blast pattern is because the impactor penetrated the thin ice layer, excavating the sand underneath and threw it out in a directions

The larger, light colored blast pattern could be the result of scouring winds by the impact shockwave, researchers believe

Formed between July and September 2018, the huge impact smashed through the ice at the planet's southern ice cap, sending debris into a unique pattern. Pictured, a wide view of the area

'The larger, light colored blast pattern could be the result of scouring winds by the impact shockwave.

'The darker inner blast pattern is because the impactor penetrated the thin ice layer, excavating the sand underneath and threw it out in a directions.

The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter's High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) camera snapped the amazingly detailed pictures of the fresh craters

A 2013 study found there are more than 200 asteroid impacts on the Red Planet every year.

Asteroids and comet fragments are usually no bigger than 3 to 6 feet (1 to 2 meters) across  about 10 times smaller than the meteor that exploded over Chelyabinsk, Russia, in February.

The holes gouged out by these asteroids are typically at least 12.8 feet (3.9 meters) wide, the researchers say.

The 200-per-year space rock impact rate for Mars was based on a portion of the 248 new Martian craters that have been identified in the past decade using images from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, a NASA spacecraft that has been circling the Red Planet since 2006.

'The impact hit on the ice layer, and the tones of the blast pattern tell us the sequence,' explained HiRISE co-investigator Ross Beyer, in a statement.

'When an impactor hits the ground, there is a tremendous amount of force like an explosion.

'The larger, lighter-colored blast pattern could be the result of scouring by winds from the impact shockwave.'
A species of ancient, flat shark that survive on sea beds has been spotted off the Welsh coast.

Sightings around Cardigan Bay, the Bristol Channel and to the north of Holyhead have encouraged scientists that the elusive and critically endangered angel sharks are thriving once more.

Numbers of the unique animal plummeted in the 20th century thanks to commercial fishing and pollution.

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Sightings around Cardigan Bay, the Bristol Channel and to the north of Holyhead have encouraged scientist that elusive and critically endangered angel sharks are thriving once more (stock)

Angel sharks are believed to stem from an ancient lineage of sharks that have changed very little over its evolutionary history.

Spain's Canary Islands, just west of Africa has emerged as the long stronghold for the animal after its demise in the latter half of the 1900s.

Sightings from fishermen off the coast of Wales has provided new hope for the conservation hopes of these rare sharks.

It poses little threat to humans, despite the shark's fearsome appearance and stealthy approach to hunting, as they survive on smaller prey such as crabs and fish.

'If we lose the angel shark, we lose a really important lineage of evolutionary history that we can't get from any other shark species,' Joanna Barker, of the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), told BBC News.

Numbers of angel sharks plummeted after they became a prize catch for fishermen.

Despite the shark's fearsome appearance and stealthy approach to hunting on the sea floor poses little threat to humans as they survive on smaller prey. It is believed to stem from an ancient lineage of sharks that have changed very little over its evolutionary history (stock)

Researchers are now hoping to understand if Wales is a second endemic location or if it is part of a migration for the sharks.

It lies in wait at the bottom of the ocean and waits for small fish or crab strays to wander in its vicinity.

'What we really want to try and understand is what sort of numbers are we talking about and where are their important habitats,' Joanna said.

'There could be some really critical areas for angel sharks in Wales.'

Scientists hope that genetic swabs from the sharks could reveal if the sharks seen in the Canary Islands and those believed to be In wales ae the same animals or distinct populations.

Dives are already scheduled to take place to find direct evidence of the presence of Angel sharks.
Elon Musk's plans of easy travel between Mars and Earth have taken a significant hit after his Starship prototype known as 'Hopper' was toppled by a stiff Texan breeze.

The spacecraft's entire hollow nosecone broke off, fell to the ground and was damaged by the gusts of wind.

Hopper is a prototype that will test and prove the take-off and landing systems of Starship at altitudes ranging from 1,500 feet to 16,400 feet.

It is never designed to go outside of Earth's atmosphere and the final version, the one destined for Mars, will be taller, heavier, sturdier and more robust, experts say.

Scientists say it is possible the machine would be able to fly without the now-damaged fairing as all essential machinery is in the base.

The nosecone fairing was hollow and simply welded on top to improve aerodynamics and provide the appearance and aesthetic of a completed rocket.

Experts say failure of the prototype was 'inevitable' as SpaceX continues to break new ground in the quest to conquer commercial space flight.

Starship's final incarnation will eventually ferry cargo and passengers to and from the red planet, according to SpaceX's maverick billionaire founder.

Musk's rocket suffered significant damage after its nose cone crashed to Earth in the 50mph (80kph) winds - 10mph (16kph) less than the top wind speed possible on Mars, Starship's future destination.

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Aftermath: The nose cone of Elon Musk's Mars rocket prototype known as 'hopper' was knocked off on Wednesday by strong winds rolling through Texas. Experts say failure of the prototype is 'inevitable' as SpaceX continues to break new ground in the quest to conquer commercial space flight

Musk's rocket suffered significant damage after its nose come crashed to Earth in the 50mph winds - 10mph less than the top wind speeds on Mars

'This vehicle is a demonstrator comprising the base with the engines and fuel tanks, and the fairing on the top,' Professor Gary Page, chair of computational aerodynamics at Loughborough University, told MailOnline.

'It could probably fly without the fairing. The fairing has the benefit that it creates an aerodynamic force when being tested and so will give better data to the engineers.

'It also makes the vehicle look more like a spacecraft. The fairing is very light which explains why it was easily blown over when not attached to the base.'

Hopper was once a svelte rocket that resembled the contraption Tintin used in the 1954 adventure 'Explorers on the Moon' but has since been amputated by the catastrophe.

It received the nickname as a result of the prototype's goal to 'take off, ascend vertically to a low altitude, and then descend back to its original landing spot,' according to Federal Communications Commission documents.

Musk said the orbit-capable spacecraft will be made around June.

A short protective half-dome cap has been added to the top of the rocket to prevent any further damage.

The fairing that blew off is believed to have been detached from the base where the fuel tanks reside.

Rocket scientists remain unphased by the hiccup.

Dr Viktor Fedun, a solar physicist at the University of Sheffield's Department of Automatic Control and Systems Engineering (ACSE), told MailOnline: 'We follow the developments of SpaceX enthusiastically, and we're really amazed by their achievements.

'The idea to build a big Falcon rocket is amazing. The failure of the prototype is just part of the design process.

'We too recognise that failure is an inevitable part of the road to success, as is true of Musk's latest venture.

'Musk has great vision and he's on the right track. We're really looking forward to his continued success  developing innovations in rocket travel in space, between planets, and on earth between cities.'

Elon Musk said the damage is easy to repair and should be fixed in a matter of weeks.

Construction operations resumed yesterday and a half-dome cap was put on top of the rocket until a new nose cone will be placed on top. The nose cone was hollow and welded into place on the base with fuel tanks

Twitter users pointed out the similarities of Musk's creation with the contraption Tintin used in the 1954 adventure 'Explorers on the Moon' (left) and the arcade space ship in Toy Story (right)

WHAT IS ELON MUSK'S 'BFR'? The BFR (Big F***ing Rocket), now known as Starship, will complete all missions and is smaller than the ones Musk announced in 2016. The SpaceX CEO said the rocket would take its first trip to the red planet in 2022, carrying only cargo, followed by a manned mission in 2024 and claimed other SpaceX's products would be 'cannibalised' to pay for it. The rocket would be partially reusable and capable of flight directly from Earth to Mars. Once built, Musk believes the rocket could be used for travel on Earth - saying that passengers would be able to get anywhere in under an hour. Advertisement

'The rocket in subject is a prototype intended to fly to probably a few hundred meters altitude and then return and land,' Zsombor Sapi, PhD student at the materials and structures research centre at the University of Bath, told MailOnline

'It will be used for the validation of the new engine and its landing capabilities.

'For such a structure, which doesn't have to experience the same loads as the final version that will reach orbit, it is acceptable not to have the same flight-ready structural integrity.

'Also that is why we can see wrinkles on the steel panels.

'Moreover, this prototype currently doesn't have all the internal components assembled in it, such as avionics and a filled fuel tank.

'These parts change the centre of gravity of the rocket, and therefore it will become much more stable.

'A rocket staying on the launch pad and about to be launched is nowhere near to be able to be blown over by wind.'

WHAT IS THE 'HOPPER' PROTOTYPE? The prototype, known as a 'hopper', is set to be used to test the propulsion systems in the rocket before a full scale prototype is built. It is shorter and has a thinner outer layer than the final version will. It received the nickname as a result of the prototype's goal to 'take off, ascend vertically to a low altitude, and then descend back to its original landing spot,' according to a SpaceX's application with the FCC prior to testing. SpaceX is planning tests of the prototype at both low and high altitudes. Low altitude tests will take place up to three times a week and reach no higher than 1,500 feet (500 metres) on flights lasting no more than 100 seconds. High-altitude tests will take place weekly and reach heights of up to 16,400 feet (5,000 metres). These will last for up to six minutes at a time, the FCC application revealed when filed back in November. Advertisement

Last month Elon Musk revealed images of the 120-foot tall Starship hopper test rocket prototype.

The maverick billionaire entrepreneur unveiled his retro-styled spacecraft which has drawn comparisons to sci-fi films from the 20th century.

Twitter users pointed out the similarities of Musk's creation with the contraption Tintin used in the 1954 adventure 'Explorers on the Moon'.

Others said the sleek design and prominent fins closely resemble spaceships depicted in 1950s/60s films, Wallace and Gromit and even Toy Story.

SpaceX founder Musk shared the first real images of the prototype from its Texas launch site and reassured his followers it is 'not a rendering'.

'This is for suborbital VTOL (vertical take-off and landing) tests,' Mr Musk explained.

'Orbital version is taller, has thicker skins (won't wrinkle) & a smoothly curving nose section.'

This particular model will be used to test short launches and landings.

Earlier this month, the billionaire said SpaceX was aiming to carry out test flights within four weeks, but admitted it could be as long as eight weeks when unforeseen issues are factored in.

Responding to questions from space enthusiasts, Mr Musk said that the first orbital prototype should be ready by June.

The SpaceX founder also added that the real, finished version would '[obviously] have windows, etc.'

This work is taking place at both SpaceX headquarters in Hawthorne, California, and the company's test site in South Texas, near the border city of Brownsville, where the first flights will take place.

Musk may have been inspired by the 1950 film 'Destination Moon', where a group of actors discuss a model space rocket (pictured). The films surprisingly accurate prediction of space travel won an Academy Award for Best Special Effects

Atomic illustration of a man and woman riding a rocket in space from the 1940s bears a striking similarity to Musk's 2019 rocket which he says will reach space later this year

After its unveiling on social media the tech tycoon's Starship drew immediate comparisons to fictional rockets. One twitter user said: 'I love SpaceX and their people are amazing but it does look like a Wallace and Gromit rocket but I'm sure it will be immense' (pictured)

After its unveiling on social media the tech tycoon's Starship drew immediate comparisons to fictional rockets.

One user, known as John Drury, pointed out the similarities to the Toy Story rocket which is hope to 'the claw' and, briefly, Buzz and Woody.

He tweeted: 'Lol wow. Reminds me of the rocket ship in Toy Story'

One twitter user also said: 'I love SpaceX and their people are amazing but it does look like a Wallace and Gromit rocket but I'm sure it will be immense.

The latest images provide a clearer view of the two components previewed by Musk at the end of last month, showing engineers in cherry-pickers at work on the nose cone and another large piece of the system.

A large American flag can be seen plastered on the side of one of the huge metal cylinders.

The progress comes as SpaceX ramps up work on the test hopper ahead of planned flights later this year.

A closer look at the damaged nose cone pictured above on Thursday in Brownsville, Texas

The massive nose cone pictured lying on its side after it crashed to the ground in the wind

Before the fall: The SpaceX prototype Starship hopper stands at the Boca Chica Beach site in Texas on Saturday, Jan. 12, 2019, seen from Texas Highway 4.

Starship  previously known as BFR, Big Falcon Rocket, or the Big F***ing Rocket  is key to Musk's plans to send humans to Mars.

Musk tweeted out the first photo at the end of December, captioning it simply, 'Stainless Steel Starship.'

In a series of tweets that followed, however, the CEO elaborated on the plans for the test vehicle.

The first crewed Red Planet mission for the rocket and 100-passenger Starship could come as early as the mid-2020s if development and testing go well, Musk has said

Just last month, the SpaceX boss doubled down on his earlier claims that he would likely be among the interplanetary travellers who make the trip to Mars, despite there being a 'good chance' that he'll die there.

Tickets on Elon Musk's spaceship to Mars will cost around $200,000 per person.

SpaceX shared new details about the 387ft rocket in September, saying it hopes to begin unmanned launch tests of the spacecraft in late 2019.

In the future, Starship will be able to carry out lunar missions as well as long-distance flights to Mars and beyond.

The firm hopes to stage an uncrewed flight to Mars in 2022, then a manned flight in 2024.

In between those missions, SpaceX has planned for a private mission with a passenger on board in 2023.

'We would like to put large cargo on the surface of the moon by 2022,' SpaceX chief operating officer Gwynne Shotwell said recently.

'And we have our eyes on the prize to send people to Mars in 2024.'
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NASA has released the clearest image yet of the 'space snowman' Ultima Thule, the most distant known world in our solar system at four billion miles (6bn km) away from Earth.

The new image was acquired when the New Horizons spacecraft was just 6,700 km (4,200 miles) away from the target and shows sharper detail of the rock's surface including what appears to be a dent on the left object.

Because of its distance from Earth, it takes six hours and nine minutes for the data, which was transmitted between January 18th and 19th, to start reaching us. Since then, experts have been using software to sharpen it.

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NASA has released the clearest image yet of the Ultima Thule, the most distant known asteroid in our solar system. The 25 mile long space rock is located more than one billion miles beyond Pluto

The picture was obtained using New Horizons' wide-angle Multicolor Visible Imaging Camera (MVIC) which gives a resolution of 5000 x 32 pixels seven minutes before the spacecraft's closest approach to the snowman.

Ultima Thule's detail is now sharpened for us to see the outline of a number of pits, including a deep depression in the left object.

The NASA craft first captured images of the dual-lobed space rock, located more than a billion miles from Pluto, when it reached it on New Year's day.

It continues to perform several flyby's of the 25 mile (33km) long asteroid and beam data back to Earth for the next 20 months to shed light on how the solar system was created.

Ultima Thule, formally known as 2014 MU69, got its name from a medieval term for anywhere beyond the known world.

The NASA craft first captured images of the dual-lobed space rock, located more than a billion miles from Pluto, when it reached it on New Year's day. It continues to perform several flyby's of the 25 mile (33km) long asteroid and beam data back to Earth for the next 20 months to shed light on how the solar system was created

New Horizons has spent more than a decade hurtling through the Solar System since it launched on January 19, 2006 and passed Pluto in 2015. New Horizons is so far adrift of planet Earth now that its messages take up to six hours to reach us, despite them travelling at the speed of light

Nasa tweeted after the flyby on New Year's Eve confirmation of the signal from the spacecraft. Right, The green segment of the line shows where New Horizons has travelled since launch in 2006

The project has spent more than a decade hurtling through the Solar System since it launched on January 19, 2006 and passed Pluto in 2015.

'Ultima Thule will be the most primitive planetary object explored, and will reveal what conditions were like in this distant part of the solar system as it formed from the solar nebula,' Nasa said.

The probe is powered by a plutonium core and when it reached Pluto its sensors were working fine so NASA sent the probe on towards Ultima Thule.

Due to its original formation in the dust that also birthed Earth, scientists hope to find clues about how our planet came to be.

Evidence from the probe led NASA scientists to believe they have found new evidence of the mysterious 'wall' that surrounds all the planets and objects in our solar system.

The project has spent more than a decade hurtling through the Solar System since it launched on January 19, 2006 and passed Pluto in 2015 (pictured)

This mysterious bubble marks the boundary between the solar system and interstellar space and provides a marker for the edge of the sun's influence.

According to the latest findings, the barrier is actually a vast amount of trapped hydrogen atoms caught up in the solar wind of our star.

These produce waves of ultraviolet light in a very distinctive way, which have been detected by the sensors aboard the New Horizons interplanetary space probe.

Ultima Thule orbits the Sun in a sparsely populated and low-energy environment known as the Kuiper belt, a circumstellar disc in the outer Solar System, extending from the orbit of Neptune.

Because it is so sparsely populated, the chance of a collision with other objects is exceedingly low, but experts say that as it was probably created at the start of the solar system, it would have faced collision with other rocks.

Horizons' principal investigator Prof Alan Stern said: 'Everything that we're going to learn about Ultima - from its composition to its geology, to how it was originally assembled, whether it has satellites and an atmosphere, and that kind of thing - is going to teach us about the original formation conditions in the Solar System that all the other objects we've gone out and orbited, flown by and landed on can't tell us because they're either large and evolve, or they are warm. Ultima is unique.'
Hoping to impress its mate, this elegant waterbird offers it a present.

What the great crested grebe cannot know is that its gift is nothing more than a piece of discarded plastic.

This heartbreaking image, captured at a lake in Derbyshire, demonstrates the impact that rubbish is having on our environment.

Great crested grebes are well-known for their elaborate courtship displays. Pairs shake their heads at each other during a dance on the water, and dive down to collect bits of weed and plants to offer to their partner.

This grebe, however, surfaced with only a piece of potentially choking plastic abandoned by thoughtless humans.

Photographer Mary Wilde captured this depressing shot of a great crested grebe, which are known for their courting rituals, passing a discarded piece of plastic to its mate at a lake in Derbyshire

Photographer Mary Wilde, who took the picture on a lake near Clay Cross, south of Chesterfield, last Sunday, said of the ritual: Its usually a beautiful sight. The birds dive down to offer each other bits of weed and flick their heads back and forth.

It dropped the plastic back into the water afterwards. It was very sad and I thought its a current issue with people chucking rubbish.

The image is the latest in a string of upsetting pictures showing how plastic is blighting our seas and oceans. Typically these are in far away climes, with exotic creatures dying after eating plastic or becoming entangled in it.

But this latest example shows how the impact is also felt by animals much closer to home. The Daily Mails Turn The Tide On Plastic campaign has highlighted how plastic pollution is clogging up waterways and destroying wildlife habitats.

The great crested grebe, of which there are 4,600 breeding pairs in Britain, prefers swimming to flying and its ornate head plumes meant it was once hunted for its feathers, causing numbers to plummet.

Kaite Helps, from Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, said the birds often offered each other anything beautiful when attempting to win their partner over.

She added: Plastic pollution has been big news recently thanks to programmes such as the BBCs Blue Planet, but the problem is so close to home, not just in far-away oceans, and this photo is a stark reminder of that.

Pairs shake their heads at each other during a dance on the water, and dive down to collect bits of weed and plants to offer to their partner - but this bird could only find plastic (file photo)

In Derbyshire, plastic is clogging up our rivers and places that should be havens for wildlife.

We have all contributed and we all need to make changes in order to prevent plastic waste. Plastic in the environment poses such a huge threat to wildlife because it doesnt just disappear, it simply breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces.

Aside from the dangers of becoming trapped or injured, animals often ingest plastic fragments, with the potential to build up in the bodies of animals higher up the food chain.

The Mail has campaigned tirelessly over the blight of litter in our towns and countryside. Last year our Great Plastic Pick Up was hailed a triumph by Prime Minister Theresa May after 20,000 volunteers removed tons of rubbish the length and breadth of the country.

In only three days they collected enough litter to fill 17,000 wheelie bins and 120,000 bags of bottles, aluminium and waste.

Tomorrow the Mail will relaunch the campaign with Keep Britain Tidy to urge people to give the nation a spring clean from March 22 to April 23.
MoviePass is giving its unlimited plan another go.

The beleaguered ticketing company claims it has found a 'break-even model' that will allow it to reintroduce an unlimited plan, where users can see as many movies as they want to each month, according to Variety.

It's unclear how much subscribers would pay per month for the unlimited plan.

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MoviePass is trying to win back its angry customers once again. Starting January 1st, 2019, the beleaguered e-ticketing company will offer users three different subscription plans

The company believes it has 'turned a corner' and that the unlimited plan could help bring more customers back to the service.

'Our new business strategy is stabilize, optimize and grow,' Khalid Itum, executive vice president of MoviePass, told Variety.

When MoviePass launched, it attracted waves of consumers on the proposition that they could watch unlimited movies per month for just $9.99 per month.

But that business model eventually proved futile as the company found that it could no longer sustain it, lest it declare bankruptcy.

In July, MoviePass temporarily went out of service after the company ran out of money, forcing it to borrow an emergency $5 million loan from a hedge fund.

Since then, the company has made strides after it rolled out three new subscription plans this month for users to choose from.

The three plans are 'Select,' 'All Access' and 'Red Carpet.' They're more expensive than previous MoviePass subscription services, with the entry level plan starting at $10 to $15

The first plan, called 'Select,' ranges from $10 to $15 and lets users watch three movies per month.

MoviePass will announce the available titles a week ahead of time and users are excluded from seeing films during their opening weekends.

They're also limited to 2D movies, plus monthly rates may be cheaper depending on where you live - users in NYC and LA are expected to pay higher rates.

The second tier, 'All Access,' costs $15 to $20 - again, depending on where you live.

'All Access' subscribers can see any three movies they want, except for those that are in 3D.

The top tier, called 'Red Carpet,' ranges between $20 to $25 per month. Users have access to three movies per month, but one of them can be IMAX, 3D or any other large-format screening.

The CEO of Moviepass parent Helios & Matheson, Ted Farnsworth (far right), claims the firm 'isn't going anywhere,' and is looking to mergers and acquisitions as a way to stay afloat

So, the plans are becoming more expensive, and they're still limited to three films per month that can be watched at participating MoviePass theaters.

Additionally, the plan pricing fluctuates depending on where users' live, so plans are going to be cheaper if you live in South Dakota vs. if you live in New York.

Itum told Variety that the company is also considering creating a 'red label' service where theaters can create their own subscription plans.

MoviePass had been bleeding subscribers as it faced financial troubles, with many expressing frustration over the unreliable service and increasing subscription prices.

But with the new plans in place, MoviePass said consumers are more satisfied than before, with 59 percent of users having a positive view of the company vs. 49 percent before the new subscription plans, according to Variety.
Scientists observing a young sun-like star 450 light-years away have spotted a molecule that may have played a key role in the emergence of life on Earth.

Its the first time researchers have detected the molecule glycolonitrile, which existed before life itself, in this type of protostar.

The discovery could put us closer to understanding how the solar system and life on Earth formed long ago.

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The new research led by Queen Mary University of London focused on a solar-type protostar called IRAS16293-2422 B (circled) in search of such materials. This protostar sits inside the star-forming region rho Ophiuchi, in the constellation Ophiuchus

Glycolonitrile is said to be a precursors to the formation of adenine, which is fundamental in both DNA and RNA.

The new research led by Queen Mary University of London focused on a solar-type protostar called IRAS16293-2422 B in search of such materials.

This protostar sits inside the star-forming region rho Ophiuchi, in the constellation Ophiuchus.

According to the researchers, the conditions inside the star formation region are much like those that existed in the early years of our solar system.

Using data from the Atacama Large Millimeter/ submillimetre Array (ALMA) telescope in Chile, the team investigated IRAS16293-2422 B for evidence of the pre-biotic molecule in the interstellar medium.

This material is a cocoon of dust and gas from which stars form.

The ALMA data revealed the chemical signatures of the molecule glycolonitrile (HOCH2CN).

Through further modelling, they were able to better constrain the chemical processes that may have led to its creation, the researchers say.

Scientists observing a young sun-like star 450 light-years away have spotted a molecule that may have played a key role in the emergence of life on Earth. Its the first time researchers have detected the molecule glycolonitrile, which existed before life itself, in this type of protostar

DNA AND RNA EXPLAINED: THE MOLECULES THAT CONTAIN THE GENETIC INFORMATION FOR LIFE DNA - deoxyribonucleic acid - is widely known as the molecule found in the nucleus of all our cells that contains genetic information. It is shaped like a double-helix and made of small sections called nucleotides. Each nucleotide contains a nucleobase, a sugar, and a phosphate group. The sugar component in this particular molecule is called deoxyribose and makes up the D in DNA. This is a cyclic carbon-based chemical with five carbon atoms arranged as a pentagon. At the second carbon atom there is an attached singular hydrogen atom in deoxyribose. This can also have an additional oxygen attached as well. In this case, the oxygenated chemical then forms what is simply known as ribose - the R in RNA. The deoxy prefix literally means without oxygen. Shape of RNA and DNA RIbose can do almost everything deoxyribose can and also codes for genetic information in some cells and organisms. When the oxygen is present it drastically alters how the chemicals bonds and sits alongside other molecules. When oxygen is present - in RNA - it can take a variety of shapes. When oxygen is not present in this specific location - in DNA - the molecule forms as the iconic double helix. Uses of RNA DNA is often broken down into RNA and read by the cells in order to translate and transcribe the genetic code in order to make proteins and other molecules essential for life. RNA uses three of the same base pairs as DNA: Cytosine, Guanine, Adenine. The othe base pair, Thymine, is swapped out in RNA for Uracil. RNA is also often found in simpler organisms, such as bacteria. It is often also a virus, with Hepatitis, flu and HIV all forms of RNA. Mitochondrial RNA All animal cells use DNA, with one notable exception: the mitochondria. Mitochondrian are the powerhouses of the cell and turn glucose into pyruvate and then into Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) via the Krebs cycle. This process is all done in this one organelle in the cells and ATP is the universal form of energy and used throughout every aerobic organism. In the mitochondria there is a small strand of RNA which is unique in the animal kingdom. It is passed down from the mother exclusively (the father's lives in the sperm but is dissolved during fertilisation) and allows humans to trace their maternal lineage back throughout time. Advertisement

We have shown that this important pre-biotic molecule can be formed in the material from which stars and planets emerge, taking us a step closer to identifying the processes that may have led to the origin of life on Earth, said lead author Shaoshan Zeng, from Queen Mary University of London.

The team previously detected methyl isocyanate  an isomer of glycolonitrile  in the same celestial object.

According to the researchers, the discovery hints at the processes that took place during the formation of our solar system, suggesting planets around such a star could have access to the chemical building blocks of life from the very beginning.
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A report has found companies waste billions of dollars in wasted hours as a result of forcing staff into pointless meetings.

It found that, on average, a working professional spends around 13 total work days a year in meaningless meetings.

This, the report claims, will cost the UK economy 45billion in 2019 alone and is considered by employees to be more irritating than a stubbed toe, delayed commute, running out of toilet roll and getting caught in the rain without an umbrella.

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Scheduling platform Doodle interviewed over 6,500 professionals across the UK, Germany, the USA and Switzerland, and examined 19 million meetings arranged through its platform in 2018.

It found more than a third (37 per cent) of professionals consider unnecessary meetings to be the biggest cost to their organisation and nearly half say they create confusion in the workplace and negatively impact their ability to actually do their work (43 and 44 per cent, respectively).

Of all the time invested in meetings in the workplace, a third of people (33 per cent) revealed they felt unable to contribute to the wider group.

Researchers did find that face-to-face meetings are still preferred to many other alternatives despite their flaws.

Seventy-six per cent of professionals surveyed said it is their favoured format, with other methods scoring poorly.

Conference calls were favoured by a mere seven per cent of people whereas video calls and instant messaging were favoured by only five and four per cent of the study participants.

An overwhelming majority (95 per cent) also feel that an in-person meeting was an effective way of building relationships at work, with instant messaging scoring less than half of this (47 per cent).

An overwhelming majority (95 per cent) feel that an in-person meeting is an effective way of building relationships at work, with instant messaging scoring less than half of this (47 per cent). Seventy-six per cent also say a face to face meeting is the preferred meting method

Of all the time invested in meetings in the workplace, a third of people (33 per cent) revealed they felt unable to contribute to the wider group. Experts say: 'The secret of a successful and time-efficient meeting is preparation. The agenda mustn't be too long'

Steven Rogelberg, professor of management at the University of North Carolina and author of 'The Surprising Science of Meetings' said: 'Research on meetings is just so critical. There is perhaps no other work activity that is just so common, and yet so complained about.

'Although technology has made it easier and easier to meet remotely, and that is a good thing, there is something particularly powerful associated with individuals coming together to meet face to face.

'Communication tends to be more rich and nuanced given that verbal and non-verbal cues readily abound.

'These additional layers not only can promote deeper understandings, but can help actually foster relationships as communication intent is easier to see and empathise with, and misunderstandings are a bit easier to avoid.

'Unlike a virtual meeting where it is easier to hide in the background and multi-task, face to face meetings tend to have more accountability and engagement.'

HOW MUCH TIME AND MONEY IS WASTED IN MEETINGS? Country Financial cost ($) Hours lost Days lost Years lost UK 45,494,580,370 3,369,600,000 140,400,000 384,657 US 399,011,952,191 16,640,000,000 693,333,333 1,899,543 Germany 64,718,268,518 4,690,400,000 195,433,333 535,433 Switzerland 32,725,000,000 58,500,000 7,312,500 29,018 Total 541,949,801,079 24,758,500,000 1,036,479,166 2,848,651

Dr Sankalp Chaturvedi, associate professor of organisational behaviour and leadership at Imperial College London comments on what makes a good meeting: 'The secret of a successful and time-efficient meeting is preparation. The agenda mustn't be too long.

'Otherwise there's a risk of spending too much time on the first items and later items are rushed.

'The agenda should be circulated well in advance, including the goals of what is expected from the meeting, and specific detail on the subjects and time allocation.'
What is happening?

Because Theresa May's Brexit deal was defeated, the law says she must tell Parliament what her Plan B is.

This has to be done in a motion to the Commons, which will be voted on by MPs on Tuesday night.

That motion can be re-written by MPs if they table amendments and win a vote in favour of them.

Some amendments have already been tabled and MPs can keep producing them until Monday night.

What does May's plan say?

It promises more cross-party working, renews commitments to protecting workers' rights after Brexit and says the PM will ask Brussels for more concessions on the backstop.

It it based on the current deal that was crushed by 230 votes last week.

What do the main amendments say?

Jeremy Corbyn's amendment says Parliament should vote on 'options' including a renegotiation of the deal to get a permanent customs union and for a second referendum.

A cross party amendment from Yvette Cooper and Nicky Morgan seeks to block no deal by giving time to a draft law that would require the Government to delay Brexit if a deal has not been agreed by February 26. It upturns normal convention by putting a backbench MP's Bill ahead of Government plans.

An amendment from Tory rebel Dominic Grieve seeks to set up weekly debates that would mean regular votes on what to do in the absence a deal. His amendments sets aside six named days for the debates - including as late as March 26.

The Government also appears to be encouraging MPs to back amendment from two senior Tory MPs.

One from Andrew Murrison would effectively set a time limit on the backstop of December 31, 2021.

Another amendments tabled by Sir Graham Brady, chair of the powerful 1922 committee, would effectively eradicate the backstop and demand the EU and UK find other solutions.

Some ministers hope that if these amendment receive strong support it will pile pressure on the EU to make concessions on the backstop - which Brexiteers fear the UK will be stuck in forever, and the DUP believes risks splitting the union.

What would the vote do?

Legally nothing - but if the Commons votes in favour of a clear way forward by a majority it will be a major political signal of what might happen.

Is it a new 'meaningful vote' that can approve May's deal?

No. At some point, the PM will have to stage a repeat of last week's vote to get explicit approval from MPs to go ahead with her deal if she wants it to survive.
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Jeremy Corbyns appeal to the young is waning because they dont want to pay higher taxes, Liz Truss said yesterday.

The chief secretary to the Treasury said the perception of 18 to 24-year-olds as sandal-wearing Corbynistas was wrong as she made a pitch to younger voters to back the Conservatives.

Speaking in Leeds, she said: Young people are going off Jeremy Corbyn even faster than his own MPs are.

Chief secretary to the Treasury Liz Truss has said 'young people are going off Jeremy Corbyn' as all the Labour leader, pictured, is 'offers is high taxes and more state control'

'This is the most self-starting, business-minded generation ever and all Corbyn offers is high taxes and more state control.

'Its Conservatives, not Labour, that will help young people fulfil their ambition and turbocharge the economy as we leave the EU.

Polls suggest 60 per cent of the 18-24 age group backed Labour at the 2017 election compared with around 20 per cent who voted Conservative.

Calling for greater investment in superfast broadband and new houses, Mrs Truss also cited an 85 per cent jump in the number of entrepreneurs aged 18 to 24 compared to 2015.

We now have an army of high achievers brimming with ambition and with the drive to shape their own futures, she said.
Hers has been one of the most welcome  and unusual  contributions of the entire Brexit debate. Not only were the Queens words a badly-needed dose of common sense but they were supremely understated, too.

Her speech was neither delivered to Parliament nor to some shiny corporate congress. There is no recording of this weeks address to the Sandringham Womens Institute, let alone any camera footage.

There was not a single reporter or politician in the room.

Queen Elizabeth, pictured left in West Newton, Norfolk on Thursday afternoon addressed a meeting of the Women's Institute which was hosted by TV personality Alexander Armstrong

The Queen, pictured right, has attended this event since 1943 and normally stays several hours

The Queen told the meeting about the need for 'tried and tested recipes like speaking well of each other and respecting different points of view; coming together to seek out the common ground; and never losing sight of the bigger picture'

But let no one in be in any doubt. The Queen was talking about Brexit.

And as the only person in public life today who was personally  and sometimes painfully  embroiled in every stage of Britains entry in to what we now call the European Union, she speaks with peerless authority as we leave.

It could hardly have been a more low-key event. The only man inside West Newton Village Hall for this traditionally all-female affair was guest speaker Alexander Armstrong, the TV presenter. Her Majestys private secretary, Edward Young, was not present.

The Queen has attended this event since 1943  staying a couple of hours, enjoying a proper catch-up with familiar faces, some of whom she has known all their lives.

However, this year, it was announced that she would say a few words, too, ostensibly because the Sandringham WI was celebrating its 100th birthday. She is its longest-serving stalwart.

It has been claimed that the Queen has made a subtle intervention

She began by paying tribute to Madge Watt, the formidable founding mother who established the branch in the aftermath of the First World War. And then she switched to a more general theme.

Reflecting on a century of change, she said, it is clear that the qualities of the WI endure. The continued emphasis on patience, friendship, a strong community-focus, and considering the needs of others, are as important today as they were when the group was founded.

Of course, every generation faces fresh challenges and opportunities. As we look for new answers in the modern age, I for one prefer the tried and tested recipes, like speaking well of each other and respecting different points of view; coming together to seek out the common ground; and never losing sight of the bigger picture.

To me, these approaches are timeless, and I commend them to everyone.

This was not an official engagement  it was not even mentioned in the Court Circular yesterday. Buckingham Palace would normally treat it as an entirely private affair.

The Palace press office released the text of her speech to news organisations. Evidently, the Queen wanted her plea for unity to reach a wider audience. And with good reason

As such, her words were entirely personal, not on advice as official speeches are known. Yet no sooner had the Queen returned to Sandringham than something unusual occurred.

The Palace press office released the text of her speech to news organisations. Evidently, the Queen wanted her plea for unity to reach a wider audience. And with good reason.

In times of trouble, it is the monarchy which has been expected to reassure, to stabilise, to keep calm and carry on.

Politicians govern and the monarch leads, usually by example.

The Queens parents were exemplars of that in the Second World War.

She herself has been here before, as with her plea for the Scottish people to think very carefully before the 2014 independence referendum. As it happens, those were also private remarks  to a handful of people outside Crathie church.

There was also Brexit code in last months Christmas broadcast. Even with the most deeply held differences, treating the other person with respect and as a fellow human being is always a good first step, the Queen said.

Every side in this saga has tried to claim the Queen at some point.

Some argued that she was a closet Brexiteer on the back of a third-hand story of a private lunch conversation years before the referendum had been called. Remainers, on the other hand, embraced her as one of their own when she opened Parliament in 2017 wearing a hat in EU blue with yellow stars.

This weeks words could be construed as an attack on Jeremy Corbyn for not coming together with the Prime Minister. Alternatively, they could be a coded attack on No Deal Tories in her reference to the common ground. Take your pick, for, in fact, these words lean in no political direction.

Crucially, she well remembers how Britain ended up in the EU in the first place. It was a very turbulent journey for her and she has not forgotten it.

In the early Sixties, when the Government first voiced its intention to join what was then known as the European Economic Community (EEC), there was dismay around the Commonwealth.

Countries such as Australia and New Zealand depended on exports to Britain. It was less than 20 years since a war in which thousands of their young men had fought and died at Britains side. Yet, in the eyes of many, the mother country was turning her back and canoodling with the old enemy.

What made it particularly difficult for the Queen was that she was their monarch, too. Researching my new book, Queen Of The World, I unearthed many classified files which reveal the impact on the Queen herself. Take her 1963 tour of Australia and New Zealand. Unlike her triumphal Coronation tour of 1953-4, the crowds were much less enthusiastic.

The New Zealand government was initially reluctant to invite the Queen at all. The British High Commissioner, Francis Cumming-Bruce, reported back to London that the small crowd in the capital was mainly silent and there was little waving. The Queen herself looked drawn and very tired.

The Commonwealth Office was appalled and demanded an urgent report from British diplomats in Canberra and Wellington. Cumming-Bruce was blunt. Eighteen months of negotiations of British membership of the EEC shook New Zealand opinion profoundly, he wrote. It had been a severe shock.

As the British government pressed on with its EEC plans, previously loyal subjects started to question their devotion to the Queen. Australias deputy prime minister, Doug Anthony, renounced a lifetimes loyalty and joined the republican movement.

There was also Brexit code in last months Christmas broadcast. Even with the most deeply held differences, treating the other person with respect and as a fellow human being is always a good first step, the Queen said

Frances President Charles de Gaulle had been the main barrier to Britains EEC membership, but his successor, Georges Pompidou, was keen on the idea.

By 1972, a deal was almost complete. Pompidou and Prime Minister Edward Heath wanted the Queen to pay a spectacular state visit to France ahead of Britains formal accession on January 1, 1973. The crowning moment would be a banquet at Versailles where Heath wanted the Queen to deliver (in French) a rousing eulogy to the EEC.

I have seen confidential papers showing how the Government wanted her to hail the EEC as a partnership speaking on great matters with one voice and gathering the genius of many. That was one of the lines chopped by the Palace.

For the fact was that Parliament was every bit as divided on the issue then as it is today. Yet ministers repeatedly urged the Royal Family to trumpet the joys of Europe. Prince Charless diaries reveal that Heath had assured him personally that the EEC would make no impact on the Commonwealth at all.

The Queen spoke similarly in her 1972 Christmas broadcast, saying: Britain is about to join her neighbours in the European Community and you may well ask how this will affect the Commonwealth.

Reassuringly, she went on: The new links with Europe will not replace those with the Commonwealth. Old friends will not be lost. Except everything did change.

Europeans no longer had to queue with the rest of the world at British customs posts, whereas loyal Kiwis and Australians did. Within a year, Australia had binned God Save The Queen as the national anthem. A republican bandwagon was under way. So is it any wonder that the Queen wants everyone to be nicer to each other?

As our political class is paralysed by our departure from the EU, our wise head of state still recalls the rancour and pain of going in.

We should heed her words.

Queen Of The World by Robert Hardman (Century, 25)
Jack Shepherd yesterday claimed to have spent the past few months living in a high-rise Soviet-era block of flats in a popular district of Tbilisi.

The fugitives lawyers said he had been most recently staying in a rented apartment in the middle-class residential area of Saburtalo, but residents of the eight-storey building said they had never seen him.

One mother said: There is no way, I know everyone in the block and I would have noticed a foreigner.

Another resident said: I spotted him on the TV but dont think he could have lived here. I am always in and out, Im sure I would have seen him.

But an elderly woman running a street bakery just outside the building said she was adamant that Shepherd had bought khachapuri, traditional Georgian bread, from her three months ago.

Jack Shepherd's lawyer claimed he had most recently been living in this high-rise Soviet-era block of flats in a popular district of Tbilisi - but residents say they've never seen him before

I am sure it is him, she said.

He came alone a couple of times and he bought khachapuri. I have good eyesight and memory so Im sure it is him.

I dont know what building he came from. I didnt pay too much attention at the time but I remember him.

The exterior of the grey building looks tired and dishevelled  clothes hang on washing lines attached to the apartments and it is covered in graffiti.

Windows in the stairwells have been smashed and left unrepaired.

The flats in the building cost about 250 a month to rent and can be bought for 30,000.

One resident said: I spotted him on the TV but dont think he could have lived here. I am always in and out, Im sure I would have seen him. Pictured: Shepherd being escorted to a court hearing

Speedboat killer Jack Shepherd was working as a web designer in Georgia and saving for a new life in Thailand or Indonesia

Jack Shepherd was working as a web designer in Georgia and saving up for a new life in Thailand or Indonesia.

His plans to make a permanent home in the Far East were revealed in court yesterday by a prosecutor who argued there was a risk he would flee again if not locked up.

Ketevan Gurashuili said Shepherd had been planning to go to Thailand or Indonesia where he had friends. She added: He is a clever man and he has contacts who could help him.

A friend, who is also a web designer, is said to have already flown out to the Far East to be near Shepherd.

Thailand has long been a favoured destination for those who want to disappear. With its no-questions-asked atmosphere, a fugitive can live under the radar for years.

Shepherd was saving up money he earned from working in Georgian capital Tbilisi.

During his time in the former Soviet republic, he learnt to ski and dating new women, despite having a wife back home.
One of London's oldest and most iconic breweries has been sold to a Japanese corporation as part of a 250million deal.

Fuller's have sold their brewing arm - including the Griffin Brewery in Chiswick - to the Asahi Group, which real ale fans fear could lead to the end of brewing at the site.

Brewing has taken place continuously on the river-front site since 1654 - long before Fuller's was founded in 1845.

Fuller's has sold its beer business - including its iconic Griffin Brewery in Chiswick, west London to Japanese company the Asahi Group

The deal also include Fuller's brands such as the iconic London Pride brewed in Chiswick

The Campaign for Real Ale expressed concern over the deal, which includes the Griffin Brewery, pictured here in the late 1960s

Fuller's said the sale would protect the heritage of the brewery, but the Campaign for Real Ale, CAMRA said they were concerned by the proposal.

Camra chairman Jackie Parker said: 'CAMRA is always concerned about any consolidation in the brewing industry as it could result in a reduction in choice, value for money and quality for beer drinkers.

'We're also wary of one company increasingly controlling larger and larger shares of the market, which is seldom beneficial for the consumers.

'Fuller's has been a family brewery in Britain for more than a hundred years, and it's a very sad day to see such a well-known, historic and respected name exit the brewing business.

'It would be very disappointing to see the character of Fuller's beers change as a result of the deal. While the Fuller's family has stressed it has sought to protect the heritage of the Griffin Brewery, we'd call on the new owners to pledge to continue brewing operations at the Chiswick site as well as show a commitment to not only continuing cask beer production, but preserve the full range of Fuller's, Dark Star and Gale's beers.'

Beer has been brewed on the Griffin site continuously since 1654 - long before the Fuller family established their business in 1845

Asahi said they wanted to buy the brewery to expand their market share in Europe

Akiyoshi Koji, CEO of Asahi said there was 'untapped international potential' for London Pride

The deal was announced this morning and will see the Japanese company take control of the brewing business and the associated brands while Fuller's will concentrate on their hotel and pub portfolio.

The deal includes Fuller's brands such as London Pride, Frontier and Cornish Orchards cider. They will be added to the Japanese firm's portfolio which includes Peroni and Grolsch.

While Asahi vowed to continue brewing beer on the site, the pub groups best-known pints  including London Pride, Frontier and Cornish Orchards cider  will fall into the hands of the Asian lager specialist.

Fuller's chief executive Simon Emeny tried to allay the fears of real ale fans. He said: 'This deal secures the future of both parts of our business including protecting the heritage of the Griffin Brewery in Chiswick, which was particularly important to the Fuller's Board. We remain incredibly proud of the Fuller's Beer Business, its history and the high quality premium beer and cider portfolio that we have developed. Brewing has formed an integral part of our history and brand identity, however the core of Fuller's and the driver of our future growth is now our premium pubs and hotels business.'

'I am delighted that this transaction maintains Fuller's long association with the Beer Business and that we will continue to enjoy a strong relationship with Asahi as a key supplier. We look forward to continuing our alliance and developing a mutually beneficial partnership that will see both businesses flourish in the future. Asahi, as a company recognised for brewing excellence, is an appropriate custodian of our rich brewing history and the Griffin Brewery, and will ensure the Fuller's Beer Business brands will reach an even wider global audience.'

Although Fuller's will retain ultimate ownership of its brand name, Asahi will hold the global licence to use the trademark.

Akiyoshi Koji, chief executive of Asahi, said there was 'untapped international potential' in the London Pride brand which the company can use its global scale to unlock.

Asahi is best known for its super dry lager which is very different to the Fuller's products

Neil Wilson of Markets.com said beer fans will not notice any difference when at the pub

The announcement came as Fuller's released a trading update showing a 4.7 per cent rise in like-for-like sales in its managed pubs and hotels over the 42 weeks to January 19.

Neil Wilson, of Markets.com, said the sale of the beer business would help Fuller's to focus on investing in its pub estate.

'Punters won't notice much difference at the bar,' he said.

'Pubs may be closing at a hell of a clip these days but consumers still want experiences and dining out is one of those. Therefore, investing in pubs and hotels is essential as consumers demand more from their pub experience.'

The British brewer, which was founded in 1845, is famous for its flagship ale London Pride. Asahi has said it will use its global scale to bring Fuller's brands to a new audience.

Fuller's is one of the oldest beer businesses to be sold to new owners, but it is not the only UK brewery to prove attractive to overseas buyers of late.

International beer giants have invested in a string of British businesses in the past few years, especially as the craft beer boom produced several new players.

These are some of the most recent sales and investments:

Asahi already owns this British brand, having bought it from SAB Miller in 2016. The purchase was part of a wider deal struck to remedy competition concerns over AB InBev's acquisition of SAB and also included UK rights to Peroni Nastro Azzurro and Groslch. It was originally founded in 2000 by Alastair Hook and still has a brewing site in Greenwich.

The East London outfit was sold to Copenhagen-based Carlsberg in 2017. It first opened in 2011, making it the first commercial brewery in Hackney since the 19th century. It relaunched under its new ownership last year, with production due to be moved back to the original site by this year.

The brewer of Hells Lager, which was founded in 2010, was sold to Belgium's AB InBev in 2015 for about 85 million. Australian founder Jasper Cuppaidge is still involved with the business and has overseen the purchase of a new 30 million brewing site in Enfield.

Beavertown, known for its Neck Oil and Gamma Ray brews, was founded in 2011 by Logan Plant, the son of Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant. Although it is still majority-owned by its founders, the brewery sold a minority stake to Dutch firm Heineken last year.

While the Scottish brewer remains fiercely independent, it took a 100 million investment from US private equity firm TSG Consumer Partners in 2017 in exchange for around 23 per cent of the company. Brewdog's equity crowdfunding investors  or 'punks'  voted to approve the deal.
A Tennessee teacher who was on the run for weeks with a 15-year-old student is appealing his 20-year prison sentence.

An attorney for Tad Cummins filed a notice of appeal on Wednesday, a week after Cummins was sentenced in federal court in Nashville for transporting a minor across state lines for sex and obstructing justice.

The girl's disappearance in March 2017 set off a national manhunt that ended when she was recovered in California more than five weeks later.

Prosecutors had asked for a 30-year sentence. The 52-year-old Cummins argued that was the equivalent of life in prison. He asked for the minimum sentence of 10 years.

In splitting the difference, the judge said Cummins committed a "pretty despicable crime" but also had no criminal record and was unlikely to reoffend.
An UberEats rider has lost sight in one eye after he was brutally attacked by a gang while making a delivery.

Ivan Jonatahir was riding his scooter on Davy Street in Booragoon, Western Australia, on Saturday when he was confronted by the group.

His wife, Natalia Widjaja, told PerthNow the gang of youths were standing in the street when Mr Jonatahir attempted to pass through.

Ivan Jonatahir was on his scooter delivering food on Davy Street in Booragoon, Western Australia on Saturday, January 19, when he was attacked

They tried to stop him by shining a flashlight in his eyes  then he was hit with a blunt object.

The 37-year-old managed to get away, unaware his left eye was swollen and bloody.

He was forced to stop riding when he realised he was unable to see and called an ambulance.

His wife, Natalia Widjaja, said a gang of young people were standing in the street when Mr Jonatahir attempted to pass through (pictured together)

Mr Jonatahir was rushed to the Royal Perth Hospital, where doctors told him his eyeball had collapsed.

'They have tried to stitch it together but at the moment he cannot see anything, just dark and light,' Ms Widjaja said.

Ms Widjaja said police have been notified of the attack.

The Daily Mail has approached Uber for comment.
Hummus, garlic bread and pesto are under threat from strict new calorie limits, the food industry has warned.

Dozens of other products popular with middle-class shoppers including hollandaise sauce, sweet potato chips and guacamole also face being changed beyond recognition.

There is a growing backlash in the industry against the calorie guidelines, first announced by the Governments health agency last spring.

They are among a raft of measures to tackle obesity and call for the calories of 15 categories of food to be cut by 20 per cent over five years.

The only way for some foods to meet the calorie guidelines is to remove a crucial ingredient. Products under threat include hummus, top left, and olive and basil focaccia, top right

But manufacturers and retailers say the guidelines are unworkable and the wrong response to the nations obesity crisis.

They have accused Public Health England (PHE) of basing the targets on an oversimplified mathematical model which does not work in practice.

For some products, the only way to reduce the calorie content to comply with the guidelines is to remove a crucial ingredient.

They include the bread with additions category, which has a proposed limit of 254 calories per 100 grams.

Garlic bread typically contains 374 calories per 100g and the same portion of an olive and basil focaccia loaf has 300 calories.

Only if the garlic butter was removed from the garlic bread or the olives from the focaccia would the calories be sufficiently reduced, manufacturers claim.

Hummus, left, typically has about 278 calories per 100g and guacamole, right, about 228 calories. However the new guidelines impose a 193 calories per 100g limit (file pictures)

There are similar problems for hummus and guacamole, which are classed as meal accompaniments, with a 193 calories per 100g limit.

Hummus typically has about 278 calories per 100g and even a reduced calorie version is 219 calories. Guacamole is about 228 calories.

Pesto, meanwhile, contains 453 calories per 100g, five times the 79 calories guideline for the cooking and serving sauces category.

Manufacturers say the calorie content of these products cannot easily be reduced without radically altering their taste and consistency.

Other items that fall outside the limits include microwavable rice and quinoa pouches, which would need to be stripped of their flavourings to comply.

Grissini breadsticks, polenta chips and korma curry sauce are also above the guidelines and would be very difficult to alter.

Manufacturers say the calorie content of some products, such as Grissini breadsticks, pictured, cannot easily be reduced without altering their taste (file picture)

The guidelines are not compulsory but the Government has threatened to use other levers against the food industry  such as a sugar tax on confectionery  if it is deemed not to be taking sufficient action against obesity.

Two thirds of adults and one third of children in the UK are either overweight or obese. Britains rates are the third worst in Europe.

The guidelines were first announced by PHE last March alongside advice for adults to eat only 400 calories for breakfast, 600 calories for lunch and 600 calories for dinner.

Further details emerged over Christmas when draft calorie limits were drawn up for each of the 15 categories of foods and circulated within the industry.

PHE is expected to publish final guidelines this spring and the food industry will be expected to have met them by 2024.

Tim Rycroft, of the Food and Drink Federation, which represents manufacturers, said: FDF and its members welcomed the calorie reduction programme when it launched. But we have reservations about how achievable the targets are in reality.

A collective 20 per cent calorie reduction guideline across all food categories is unfeasible, particularly given the range of food types that this blanket guideline covers. We hope industrys concerns will be considered.

Andrew Opie, director of food and sustainability at the British Retail Consortium, the trade body for retailers, said: While we support the Governments aim of reducing calorie consumption, some of the calorie targets are simply not realistic.

Our members continue to reformulate products by removing sugars, fats and salts. However, they must also take account of the tastes and preferences of their consumers.

Coffee shops and restaurants will also have to comply with the limits. Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UK Hospitality, which represents them, said: We are wary that the targets are unworkable.

Dr Alison Tedstone, chief nutritionist at PHE, said: Consuming too many calories is the root cause of obesity. The Government has a clear ambition to halve the number of children becoming overweight and obese by 2030 and prevent them becoming obese adults.

The food industry has a responsibility to act where it can make products healthier. Our draft proposals set out how the food industry can help tackle excess calories. We encourage industry feedback to help shape this work.
Glamorous: Maiko Tchanturidze was wined and dined by Jack Shepherd

Married speedboat killer Jack Shepherd was in a romantic relationship with a glamorous TV journalist while on the run in Georgia, the Mail can reveal.

The father-of-one wined and dined Maiko Tchanturidze for months. He is understood to have given her his version of what happened to his 24-year-old victim Charlotte Brown.

Miss Tchanturidze, also 24, encouraged the 31-year-old killer to hand himself in and was with him when he was driven to the police station.

The amateur model sat by Shepherds side on Wednesday night when he told a Georgian TV station that Miss Browns death was a tragic accident.

Shepherd married his unnamed fiancee just two months after killing Miss Brown. It is thought she was pregnant at the time of the death. She is now raising their child, three, alone. His wife threw him out after discovering he had cheated on her.

Last night a source told the Mail of the Georgian romance: They have become close in recent months and have made no secret of their relationship.

Maiko is very supportive of him and feels that he has been treated unfairly by the British legal system. But it got to the point when she felt that he could no longer live as a fugitive and had to hand himself in. She wanted to be with him when he did it, so he had someone to support him.

Miss Tchanturidze, right, encouraged 31-year-old Jack Shepherd, left, to hand himself in and was with him when he was driven to the police station

Finally in the dock: Shepherd shakes hands with his lawyer, former model Mariam Kublashvili, in Tbilisi yesterday

Smile: Miss Tchanturidze in photo posted on Facebook. She was raised in the city of Kutaisi in the west of Georgia and moved to the capital Tbilisi to embark on a TV career

Miss Tchanturidze was raised in the city of Kutaisi in the west of Georgia and moved to the capital Tbilisi to embark on a TV career.

She worked for one of the main TV networks called Rustavi 2 before moving to an organisation called Europe for Georgia last year.

The journalist has also worked at Bassiani  a controversial techno club favoured by men in latex which Shepherd was fond of.

Photo shoot: The TV journalist poses online

Her Facebook page is littered with glamorous photographs of herself  including some provocative poses.

Others show her in European cities, including Rome, Istanbul, Hamburg and Salzburg.

During their romance, Shepherd worked as a computer designer and web designer in Tbilisi.

He opened a Georgian bank account where he received payment for the work.

It remains unclear how he met Miss Tchanturidze but has previously used internet dating.

Shepherd, who is originally from Exeter, Devon was on a first date with Miss Brown after meeting through the OkCupid website, when he killed her in December 2015.

During his time on the run he took to the ski slopes of Georgia and was seen dining with a blonde English woman at a restaurant in Tbilisi twice two months ago.

Shepherd was also spotted enjoying some of Tbilisis most popular nightclubs and bars.

Last night Miss Tchanturidze refused to comment on the relationship. She said: Im not going to talk about it  Im sorry.

Speedboat killer could lose his 93K legal aid as probe is launched into whether he fraudulently claimed the public money to fund his defence

By Ian Drury, Home Affairs Editor for the Daily Mail

A probe was launched last night into whether Jack Shepherd fraudulently claimed public money to fund his defence.

The fugitive faces serious questions over how he can afford a 15,000 extradition battle in Georgia while apparently pleading poverty in the UK.

The Legal Aid Agency is reviewing whether he illegally applied for up to 93,000 from the public purse for his original defence.

A probe was launched last night into whether Jack Shepherd fraudulently claimed public money to fund his defence

It is understood Justice Secretary David Gauke has asked the agency, which is overseen by his ministry, to get to the bottom of the legitimacy of the claim. Applications for criminal legal aid are subject to strict assessments of an individuals financial circumstances, including with credit check agencies.

Anyone found to have deliberately moved assets to qualify for legal aid will be ordered to pay back the money granted.

After the Mail raised concerns about Shepherds eligibility for help, the agency began a probe into funding for his defence in the crown courts.

Funding for his appeal is determined by the Court of Appeal, which can recover costs of a case at its conclusion if an individual is believed to be able to pay.

Shepherd was convicted of killing 24-year-old Charlotte Brown (pictured) during a speedboat date on the Thames

Under a European Court of Human Rights precedent, being on the run is no bar to an appeal.

The Ministry of Justice is also understood to have notified the Court of Appeal about reports of Shepherds resources.

Legal aid is not available for those fighting extradition cases overseas.

A Whitehall source said: It is possible he applied perfectly legitimately but the fact that he is paying for lawyers in Georgia suggests he might have private funds. It could be that someone is bankrolling him but this raises further questions and its right the Legal Aid Agency investigates.

If he is found to have secured the money by deceit, and he is thumbing his nose at justice, we will claw it back.

There was outrage when it emerged that despite being a fugitive Shepherd was exploiting a loophole to claim even more legal aid to fund an appeal.

The case echoes that of a rogue breast cancer surgeon who received 216,000 in legal aid  despite building a property empire.
A renowned Sydney beach has banned a popular surf trend amid claims it is too dangerous.

Waverley City Council moved to outlaw foil surfing at Bondi Beach in Sydney's east as it was 'too dangerous' in crowded waters, Daily Telegraph reported.

'Due to their high speed and the metal-like keel that raises it out of the water... lifeguards have determined it was too dangerous to allow these boards,' a council spokesperson said.

Waverley City Council moved to outlaw foil surfing at Bondi Beach in Sydney's east as it was 'too dangerous' in crowded waters ( stock photo)

Foil surfing involves the use of a board fitted with an aerodynamic hyrdofoil.

The conspicuously longer fin suspends the board way above the surface of the water and lends greater speed.

Surfers can use the aerodynamically superior board to catch waves in flat seas or trail the back of a boat.

Professional surfer James Casey has hit back against claims the boards pose a danger.

He said the boards were safe in the hands of a seasoned surfer.

'You can't just grab one and try to go and catch waves.

'It is hard.'
The American tourist suspected of decapitating his date then putting her severed head in a bag and scattering the rest of her body in the woods while on vacation in Japan has been sentenced to just eight years in prison.

Yevgeniy Vasilievich Bayraktar, 26, of Long Island, New York, admitted to having killed Saki Kondo, 27, dismembering her and then dumping her body parts around several Japanese cities in 2018.

He met Kondo on a dating app, either Tinder or Matchapp, according to reports.

Scroll down for video

US tourist Yevgeniy Vasilievich Bayraktar, 26, (left) was sentenced to eight years in prison after admitting he murdered Saki Kondo, 27 (right), after they met online and had a date in 2018

The last time Kondo was seen alive was in security footage showing her entering Bayraktar's vacation rental property on February 15, 2018. Although she was never seen again, he was spotted exiting the rental with several bags.

Bayraktar was arrested on February 22 in a different rental after Kondo was reported missing. Police found the woman's head in a bag in a short-term lodging room in Osaka.

Afterwards, Bayraktar led police to her severed torso and the rest of Kondo's body, which he had scattered in the woods in Shimamoto, 25 miles away.

Bayraktar was said to have strangled Kondo to death, according to his indictment.

Bayraktar was tried for manslaughter and destruction and abandoning a corpse, instead of murder, because it was unclear whether he had purposely set out to kill her, according to the Tokyo Reporter.

Japanese prosecutors had asked for a 13-year prison sentence because he had attempted to conceal evidence, including deleting the dating app, while the defense had said a five-year sentence was enough since he had shown remorse for his crime and told investigators where to find Kondo's body parts.

'I will be burdened with this crime until the day I die,' Bayraktar was reported to have said during the trial, adding, 'I am so sorry.'

Bayraktar was ultimately sentenced to eight years in prison.

Kondos father said that 'the sentence is too light and the truth remains unknown,' according to Japan Today.

Bayraktar is seen hiding his face as he leads Japanese officials out of jail to take them to the places where he had scattered Kondo's dismembered body parts in February 2018

Kondo was last seen alive on February 15, entering Bayraktar's vacation rental. He was later filmed leaving the apartment afterwards with bags

After the woman's head was found, Bayraktar led police to Shimamoto, 25 miles from Osaka, where her severed arms and torso were discovered

Bayraktar lives in Long Island and grew up in the US after moving when he was nine with his mother Regina when she married Texan Benny Dacy, who she had met online.

Dacy told The New York Post that Bayraktar was spoiled by his 'selfish' mother who abandoned her husband after he brought her and her son into the country and financed her nursing studies.

'He was a mama's boy. If we were having dinner and he didnt like the food, his mother would get up in the middle of the meal to cook him something special, and this was at a time when we didnt have a lot of money,' Dacy, Bayraktar's former stepfather, said.

'He and his mother were very close. He and I were not,' Dacy said.

Bayraktar briefly served in the Air Force before being discharged in 2012. It is not known why he was left but he was there for just 11 months.

He lives in Long Island in Mastic Beach with his mother and her third husband.

Their home is quaint and is adorned with several US flags outside.

The vacation rental in Osaka, Japan, where the woman's head was found in a bag. Bayraktar was arrested in a different rental, where he's thought to have spent time with Kondo

Bayraktar lives on Long Island, in this home with his mother Regina and her third husband

Regina works as a nurse in the Hamptons.

According to her first American husband, she and Yevgeniy were living modestly in Odessa, Russia, when he met her online.

He traveled there to meet her in person then brought the pair to the US to live with him in Texas.

They spent several years together while she studied to become a nurse but once she received her qualifications she and her son disappeared, he said.

'She called once to ask me for a divorce but I had no idea where they were until the news hit.

'It was the most traumatic time of my life when she just left me. She is a very selfish woman,' he said.

According to Japanese officials cited by The Japan Times, Bayraktar had met several Japanese women online and taken them to various vacation rentals around Japan before he met Kondo.

All of those women are safe.
Impress Your Valentine with Dinner at The River Cafe

Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico - Looking for a romantic way to celebrate Valentine's Day? The River Cafe will help you make a memorable impression on that special someone that will last a lifetime!

Nestled on the banks of the Rio Cuale in downtown Puerto Vallarta, this elegant restaurant has been delighting diners with the sights and sounds of nature, live music and innovative cuisine since 1996, but on February 14th, they'll also be serving a spectacular five-course Valentine's Day Tasting Menu that will seduce even the most passionate foodie.

Valentine's Day Tasting Menu

 Octopus Tiradito

 Tomato Soup with Confit garlic and homemade pesto

 Sonora Beef Tenderloin with a red wine reduction and shallots

 Seared Tuna Caprese over roasted tomato and goat cheese with basil pesto

 Chocolate Souffle

The River Cafe will be serving up this special tasting menu on February 14th from 4:00 to 11:00 pm for just $800 pesos per person. Add to that a creative a la carte menu, live music and the natural ambiance of one of Puerto Vallarta's favorite fine dining restaurant, and the memory of this romantic Valentine's Day celebration will last a lifetime.
Warren Christopher Clark, 34, also called Abu Muhammad al-Ameriki, of Sugar Land, Texas, was charged with providing material support to the Islamic State

A former substitute teacher from Texas has been indicted on federal charges alleging he tried to provide material support to the Islamic State, the Justice Department said Friday.

Warren Christopher Clark, 34, of Sugar Land, Texas, appeared in court in Houston on Friday and was ordered held without bail.

An indictment that was unsealed on Friday charges Clark with attempting to provide himself as material support to the Islamic State but did not provide any additional details.

'The FBI continues to aggressively pursue individuals who attempt to join the ranks of ISIS's foreign fighters or try to provide support for other terrorist organizations. This fight against terrorism is not one we can combat alone,' said Perrye Turner, the special agent in charge of the FBI's office in Houston.

Clark claimed he traveled to Syria to become an English teacher for ISIS, in an interview with NBC News before his transfer last week.

'I wanted to go see exactly what the group was about, and what they were doing,' said the former substitute also known as Abu Muhammad al-Ameriki.

Clark worked for the Fort Bend Independent Schools District outside of Houston up until 2010

The Houston-native worked as a substitute teacher for two years, before moving to Saudi Arabia and then Turkey in 2015. It's then he's believed to have joined ISIS

'Of course I saw the videos. I think with the beheadings, that's execution,' he added. 'I'm from the United States, from Texas. They like to execute people, too. So I really don't see any difference. They might do it off camera, but it's the same.'

If convicted, Clark could face up to 20 years in prison. He's due back in court next week.

In the prospective application, Clark wrote: 'I was born and raised in the United States and have always loved teaching others and learning from others as well.

'My work background is largely in English and I consider working at the University of Mosul to be a great way of continuing my career.'

Written under the pseudonym Abu Muhammad, Clark's prospective application was sent in the hope of securing employment within ISIS as an English teacher

Zaid Abed al-Hamid, 35, is also from the US

According to his resume which was found during a raid of an ISIS safe-house in Iraq, Clark obtained a bachelor's degree from the University of Houston and worked as a substitute teacher for two years in Sugar Land, Texas.

Clark was a substitute teacher for Fort Bend Independent Schools District as late as 2010, according to KHOU.

He then moved to Saudi Arabia to work as an English teacher, before undertaking the same role in Turkey for three months.

Concluding in 2015, it's believed Clark joined ISIS around that time.

Clark was captured recently by the Syrian Democratic Forces and was transferred into the custody of U.S. law enforcement officials this week, the Justice Department said.

Caught along with Zaid Abed al-Hamid, 35 - also originally from the US, but of a location not yet released - the pair were seized alongside other foreign fighters from Pakistan and Ireland.

Their capture came as part of Operation Jazeera Storm, a ploy to decimate the Islamic State's last foothold in northern Syria, according to a statement from the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces.

According to the New York Times, only four other Americans are known to have been captured alive on the battlefield in both Syria and Iraq.

Clark was captured as part of Operation Jazeera Storm, which is targeting ISIS' last foothold in northern Syria

Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces have been fighting the Islamic State group with the help of the US-led coalition.

Only 14 Americans have returned back to the US after leaving to fight for the terrorist organization, and the capture of Clark and al-Hamid brings the total to just 16.

In contrast, Britain has seen 'hundreds' of ISIS soldiers successfully extradited back to the country for sentencing, according to a study at George Washington University.





Few details have been released so far about al-Hamid, who is said to be 35.





Speaking to Fox News , Pentagon spokesperson Sean Robertson said: 'We are aware of open source reports of reportedly American citizens currently in custody who were believed to be fighting for ISIS.





'However, we are unable to confirm this information at this time. The incident is under investigation.'

Trump announced last month that US soldiers would withdraw from Syria under the pretense that ISIS had been 'defeated' in the region

White House national security adviser John Bolton revealed the exit plan is subject to a number of conditions before it can commence

On December 19, President Trump announced that US soldiers would be withdrawn from Syria under the pretense that ISIS had been 'defeated' in the region.

Trump's initial claims of an immediate withdrawal have now appeared to stall, after the president's national security adviser, John Bolton, admitted that there's no timeline in place for the exodus and there's a number of conditions that must to be met first before the exit can commence.

Earlier today Mazloum Kobani, chief of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, told AFP that the last remaining Islamic State jihadists will soon be flushed out and military operations against the extremists wrapped up.

Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces have been fighting the Islamic State group with the help of the U.S.-led coalition.
The Civil Guard has released footage showing rescue workers trying to reach the body of a two-year-old boy who fell into a 250ft deep well nearly two weeks ago - as it is revealed his parents are still grieving the death of their firstborn.

During the video, specialist miners work frantically to reach the body of Julen Rosello- who was found at 1.25am local time on Saturday after rescuers dug out a 13ft horizontal tunnel by hand.

The Civil Guard thanked those from all over Spain 'chasing a dream that unfortunately could not come true'.

A message on The Civil Guard's Twitter page read: 'Our thanks to all those who from all over Spain and from all areas have given the best of themselves chasing a dream that unfortunately could not come true.

'Your example of effort, determination and courage in the search for #Julen will remain forever.'

Parents Jose and Vicky Rosello, both 29, kept their hopes up during the 12-day ordeal, saying they were praying for their son after he plunged down a borehole on a private estate in Totalan, southern Spain, on January 13.

The Civil Guard released footage showing rescue workers trying to reach the two-year-old boy

The specialist miners work frantically to reach the borehole and find Julen Rosello

Jose and Vicky Rosello lost their firstborn Oliver (thought to be pictured with brother Julen) to a sudden heart attack - just two years before his younger brother fell down a 250ft-deep well

The parents - both 29 - in floods of tears yesterday as they waited painfully for updates on Julen. Rescuers found the two-year-old's body at 1.25am today

The couple maintained hope throughout the 12-day ordeal, saying they were praying Oliver is looking down on Julen from heaven and keeping him safe

Julen Rosello, pictured, fell into the bore hole while out with his family near Totalan

Earlier today, a minute of silence was held for the toddler on the steps of Malaga town hall.

Hundreds of people had been working round-the-clock to try to reach Julen Rosello, who plunged down a narrow shaft which is more than 100 metres (330 feet) deep on January 13 while his parents prepared a lunch in Totalan, a southern town near Malaga.

'Unfortunately at 1.25am the rescue team reached the spot where they were looking for Julen and found the lifeless body of the little one,' the central government's representative in the southwestern region of Andalusia, Alfonso Rodriguez Gomez de Celis, wrote on Twitter.

A hearse arrived at the site shortly after the news broke to take his body to a funeral home.

There had been no sign of life from the boy but rescuers believed they knew where he was inside the illegal well.

The only evidence of the boy's presence were some strands of hair that matched his DNA and a bag of candy that he had been holding when he fell into the well.

'All of Spain feels the infinite sadness of Julen's family. We have followed closely every step to reach him,' Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez wrote on Twitter.

Jose Rosello (left), father of Julen, cries as rescue efforts continue to find the boy. He told Julen 'Daddy loves you and your brother is going to help us'

Julen's parents, Jose Rosello (in the grey coat) and Vicky Garcia (wearing a yellow scarf), pictured, have been keeping a vigil awaiting news of their missing son

'We will always appreciate the tireless effort of those who searched for him during all these days.'

The complex search-and-rescue operation had been fraught with complications that caused delay upon delay as Julen's distraught parents and relatives stood by.

Rescuers were not able to get to Julen via the well he fell down because it was blocked by a layer of earth, sand and stones believed to have been dislodged when he tumbled into the shaft.

They decided to dig a vertical shaft parallel to the well, 60 metres deep, which was finished late on Monday.

The idea was to secure the shaft with tubes then take elite miners down in a specially made cage to start digging a horizontal tunnel to the site where they believe the child was.

But the tubes designed to secure the shaft did not fit, so they had to widen it, which delayed the operation still further.

Pictured: The digger near the town of Totalan in Malaga, Spain, trying to reach the trapped two-year-old boy

A helicopter transporting explosives at the Totalan site two-year-old Julen child fell down a well

Julen's mother (left) after hearing the devastating news that rescuers had found the body of her two-year-old boy

Julen's parents (mother Victoria pictured left) had lost another child, Oliver, aged three, in 2017

Eventually, they succeeded and expert miners on Thursday began painstakingly digging a four-metre tunnel to join both channels and hopefully reach Julen with the help of four small, controlled explosions.

The miners worked in teams of two and were equipped with oxygen tanks.

Each small explosion took about two hours, which slowed down the rescue attempt.

Two miners had to first go down the shaft and bore a few holes. They were then followed by two specialised officers who set up the explosives.

Once they returned above ground, the explosives were detonated and then the rescue team had to wait half an hour to clear the shaft of polluted air.

Despite the passage of time, the boy's relatives held out hope that he had somehow survived the fall and would be found alive.

Jose Rosello, Julen's father, told reporters that 'we have an angel that will help my son come out alive as soon as possible.'

The well was unmarked at the time of the accident and regional authorities in Andalusia said the necessary permission had not been sought before it was dug.

It's yet more heartbreak for the family after their first child Oliver suffered a sudden heart attack in May 2017 and died instantly.

Julen had barely turned seven months old when his older brother passed.

This is the small hole Julen fell down on January 13 after wandering off from his family

His mother Vicky held Oliver for three hours after his death in the children's hospital, according to Spanish media.

The parents - who 'dreamed of one day having a big family' - visit Oliver's grave every week and talk to him for hours.

They say they're now praying Oliver is watching over his little brother from heaven and keeping him safe.

Fighting back tears in an emotional message to his son last week, Jose said: 'Stay calm Julen. Daddy loves you and your brother is going to help us.'

'Oliver, don't forget your brother, Julen,' his mother wrote on social media,

'You know we've been waiting for him for many hours. I know you protect him a lot, my little King.'

Julen's father, who lives in the Malaga neighbourhood of El Palo, recalled the moment he realised Julen had disappeared down the borehole on a family-owned property as he prepared lunch with friends and relatives including a cousin.

He told a Spanish TV programme: 'I was putting some more wood on for the fire and ran towards him.

'My cousin was a bit nearer and threw herself on the ground as I reached the orifice.

'He had already gone. I heard him cry at first but then I didn't hear him cry anymore.'

Rescue experts resorted to using explosives to break through the 10ft wall of hard rock separating rescuers from the narrow shaft where the toddler was trapped.

More than 100 workers spent 11 days sinking a 300ft relief shaft beside the original well after the toddler disappeared 12 days ago.

Rescue experts, lowered into the new shaft in a capsule, yesterday completed the first 3ft of a horizontal tunnel as they looked to bridge the 13ft gap.

The government's office in the southern province of Malaga said yesterday it had taken around 16 hours to dig through the first half.

As rescuers burrowed down, they discovered no signs of life since he fell into the well, aside from a few strands of his hair and the bag of sweets he was carrying.

Rescuers searching for the two-year-old boy used explosives to reach the space where he was stuck (pictured, the rescue site yesterday)

Pictured: the rescuers being lowered to the bottom of the shaft in this cage before beginning the delicate task of tunnelling into the borehole yesterday

Teams of two rescuers dug a 13ft tunnel between the relief shaft to find Julen Rosello

Members of the public have been holding vigils across Spain praying for Julen

The rescue bid has cost at least 500,000, but authorities were determined to find the boy and bring him back to the surface in a rescue mission that has gripped Spain.

Alfonso Celis, regional government representative, said on Wednesday: 'Members of the Mines Rescue Brigade sent from Asturias (region) have just accessed the vertical well to start excavation in the search for Julen.'

Miners working in rotating shifts will dig a four-metre passage with picks, pneumatic hammers and explosives from the bottom of the shaft towards the borehole, which is 300ft deep and just 10ins wide.

Teams equipped with oxygen masks will work for 40 minutes each in conditions so tight they can only dig kneeling or lying down.

The process of crossing the divide between the two shafts could take up to 24 hours, emergency services chief, Angel Garcia Vidal, has said.

Meanwhile children and families have been holding candlelight vigils across Spain in support of the missing boy and of the massive rescue operation, even as hopes of finding him alive have faded with each passing day.








Lovily Johnson, 22 (pictured), from Wyoming, Michigan, has been sentenced to between 20 and 80 years in prison, after pleading guilty for the second-degree murder of six-month-old Noah Edward Johnson

A Michigan mother-of-two has been sentenced to at least 20 years behind bars after she pleaded guilty to the second-degree murder of her six-month-old son.

Lovily Johnson, 23, left her baby, Noah, in a sweltering attic strapped in his car seat for several days without air conditioning, food or water, while she was away partying with friends.

Sentencing her to between 20 and 80 years in prison on Thursday, Kent County Circuit Court Judge Mark Trusock lambasted Johnson, describing her actions as 'outrageously disturbing'.

'And what did you chose to do?' Judge Trusock asked Johnson. 'You went out with your friends, you partied, you sought out a place that had air conditioning and you used drugs.'

Police said the infant was ignored for about 32 hours spread over three days in July 2017, where temperatures in the attic bedroom reached 90 degrees.

'I hope you think every day of how you killed your own child, ma'am,' Trusock added.

Lovily Johnson, 23 (pictured in court in September, left), left her son, Noah Johnson (right), in an 90 degree attic across a period of three days as she partied with friends

The judge also told Johnson he hopes she never has the opportunity to care for another child again.

Her other child, a four-year-old girl, has been taken into foster care.

When Johnson took her son to Helen DeVos Children's Hospital in Grand Rapids on July 19, 2017, Noah's decomposing body was still in the same car seat Johnson had left him in days earlier.

The 23-year-old was arrested hours later.

On July 19, Johnson (pictured with Noah) arrived at about 2.35pm at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital in Grand Rapids with her baby, according to police. She admitted to authorities that she was Noahs sole caregiver in the days before he died, and that she was home several times a day during that time but had not fed the child since

An autopsy of the boy discovered he only weight 12 lbs, had severe diaper rash and was severely dehydrated.

It's believed he'd been left in the Wyoming attic across a period of three days.

'This was an outrageously disturbing set of facts,' Trusock said. 'This was your own child, who was six-months-old, and you killed him.'

Attempting to mitigate his client's sentence, Johnson's attorney Johnathan Schildgren said the single mother endured a difficult childhood.

He also detailed how she was overwhelmed looking after two children in addition to her younger sister.

'Shes a young kid who probably had her heart broken when she was born,' Schildgren said.

'So do I think she has the heart and soul of someone who wanted to torture and sadistically murder her baby? No, she doesnt.'

Judge Trusock told Johnson (left and right) that he hopes she never gets to care for children again

Johnson (pictured) is also mother to a four-year-old daughter who has since been placed under the supervision of the state Department of Health and Human Services

Schildgren instead offered a different hypothesis, instead saying Johnson suffered from a 'generational curse', insisting troubles in her childhood have repeated in her motherhood.

Johnson entered a guilty plea to second-degree murder in November after her previous trial collapsed two months before.

A Kent County judge declared a mistrial in September 2018 because jurors were unable to reach a verdict after five days of deliberations.

Speaking to the court, Johnson said: 'I understand justice has to be served for him today but I also plead for your mercy.

'If I could give my life for his, I would have done that.'
A migrant diagnosed as having a flesh-eating bacteria has been detained at the US-Mexico border.

The man was transported to a hospital in New Mexico after telling an agent that he had a growing rash on his leg.

Officials said in a statement Friday that the unidentified migrant will require extensive treatment.

Flesh-eating bacteria is a rare condition called 'necrotizing fasciitis' that spreads quickly and can be fatal.

The bacteria usually gets into the body through a minor cut or scrape and can cause a serious infection that can destroy muscle, skin and other tissue.

The man was detained near the small city of Lordsburg and it is thought he was detained at the border patrol station there

Migrants are pictured climbing a platform truck for a lift during their journey towards the United States, in Acayucan, Mexico on January 25

Sometimes surgery is needed to remove the infected area. It is rare for the infection to spread to other people. The man was detained near the small city of Lordsburg and it is thought he was detained at the border patrol station there.

The mans home country was not disclosed. Meanwhile, officials say shelters in Mexico's northern border city of Tijuana are filled to overflowing with Central Americans fleeing poverty and violence.

They are also unable to cope with an expected influx of asylum seekers due to be dispatched to the city from the United States.

The policy dubbed the Migrant Protection Protocols first announced on December 20 by the administration of President Donald Trump will return non-Mexican migrants who cross the U.S. southern border back to wait in Mexico.

They will stay there indefinitely while their asylum requests are processed in U.S. immigration courts.

Mexican Foreign Ministry spokesman Roberto Velasco said the United States was to send the first group of 20 asylum seekers back to its territory later on Friday through Tijuana.

Asylum seekers have traditionally been granted the right to stay in the United States while their cases were decided by a U.S. immigration judge, but a backlog of more than 800,000 cases means the process can now take years.

Now, the U.S. government says migrants will be turned away with a 'notice to appear' in immigration court.

A family of migrants squeeze on a platform truck for a lift during their journey to Tijuana on January 25

Migrants walk on a highway during their journey towards the United States, in Acayucan, Mexico, January 25

El Barretal migrant shelter (pictured) in Tijuana is winding down operations ahead of its closure. Officials in the city say the are filled to capacity with Central American migrants

They will be able to enter the United States for their hearings but will have to live in Mexico in the interim. If they lose their cases, they will be deported to their home countries.

'Shelters are at capacity and we can't receive migrants that are being deported or (Mexican) nationals that are passing through the city.

'Let's hope this doesn't happen,' said Jose Maria Garcia, who runs the Juventud 2000 shelter in Tijuana.

The U.S. policy shift is aimed at curbing the increasing number of families arriving mostly from Central America who say they fear returning to their home countries due to threats of violence.

Donald Trump (right) signed off on a new order sending 20 Central American migrants daily back to Mexico to assess their application. The decision was criticized by Mexican Foreign Ministry spokesman Roberto Velasco

More than 100 Central American migrants tried to scale a border wall on Monday

The Trump administration says many of the claims are not valid.

The program will apply to arriving migrants who ask for asylum at ports of entry or who are caught crossing illegally and say they are afraid to return home.

Immigration advocates fear Mexico is not safe for migrants who are regularly kidnapped by criminal gangs and smugglers, and have raised concerns that applicants will not be able to access proper legal counsel to represent them in U.S. courts.

It is unclear how Mexico plans to house what could be thousands of asylum seekers for the lengthy duration of their immigration proceedings. Some Mexican border towns are more violent than the cities the Central Americans left behind.

'Asylum seekers from Central America are fleeing unspeakable violence and their journeys to the United States are dangerous and harrowing,' said Betsy Fisher, policy director for the International Refugee Assistance Project. 'For many of them, Mexico is not a safe place to stay."
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed a bill on Friday that will extend protection against discrimination to transgender New Yorkers, as well as banning conversion therapy on children.

The measure, which was signed at the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Center in Manhattan, will add gender expression and identity as protected clauses in the state's human rights and hate crime laws.

Legislation was also signed to prohibit conversion therapy being used on minors to change their sexual orientation.

Before signing the GENDA bill and conversion ban, Cuomo took a moment to denounce the Supreme Court's decision to uphold the Trump administration's ban of Transgender Americans serving in the military last week.

'The Supreme Court says you can discriminate against transgender in the military,' he said.

'We say today no you can't. You can't discriminate against people by gender identity, period.'

Gov. Andrew Cuomo (middle) signed a bill on Friday extending protections for transgender and non-gender conforming New Yorkers, under the GENDA bill

The bill will add gender expression and identity as protected clauses in the state's human rights and hate crime laws, as well as banning conversion therapy among children

Both of the bills were passed last week, after being blocked for several years by Republicans in the Senate.

Democrats took control of the chamber in November and the two bills were among the first passed.

'This, my friends, is New York at is best,' Cuomo said as he prepared to sign the measure.

He went on to describe the moment as an 'emotional day'.

The bill had been blocked for several years by Republicans in the Senate. However, the bills come as some of the first passed since Democrats took control in November

The measure was signed at the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Center in Manhattan, on January 25

Cuomo (middle) called the moment an 'emotional day'

With the bills' signing, New York has become the 15th state to prohibit the practice of conversion.

Believing it to be harmful to young people, the practice has been widely condemned by leading psychiatric and psychological associations.

'These laws will literally save lives, and their passage would not have been possible without the tireless work of advocates and allies across New York over the last decade,' said Chad Griffin, president of the Human Rights Campaign.

The new laws aim to prevent discrimination against transgender New Yorkers.

A US Transgender Survey found 30 percent of transgender or non-conformed Americans were denied a promotion, harassed or fired from their jobs because of their gender identity.

In a survey, 30% of transgender Americans said they'd experienced workplace discrimination

Gov. Cuomo denounced the Supreme Court's decision to uphold the Trump administration's ban on transgender military members

250,000 of the respondents said they also faced discrimination when trying to secure housing.

'Legal protection from violence and discrimination is part of building an inclusive society where everybody can thrive, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity,' Sam Brinton, head of advocacy and government affairs for The Trevor Project, said.

In 2011, New York became the first state to legalize same-sex marriage during Cuomo's first year in office.
Police are hunting a gang armed with large knives who ambushed four people stabbing three at a busy McDonald's restaurant in north London.

The victims were attacked by a group of about six or seven men who entered the restaurant on Fore Street, Edmonton at around 17.15 on Thursday.

Police said the attackers were all armed with large knives.

A group of six or seven youths and young men ambushed four people inside this McDonald's restaurant on Fore Street in Edmonton yesterday stabbing three victims. An elderly gentleman narrowly avoided serious injury amid the major fracas

Three men, aged 20, 21 and 25 suffered stab wounds. A fourth man who was with the three victims escaped uninjured.

The victims were all treated at a north London hospital. The attackers all escaped from the scene.

Two men were attacked at the same restaurant several weeks ago.

Police have launched a major stop-and-search operation following the incident to prevent any reprisal attacks.

Police have imposed a Section 60 order on the Edmonton area allowing them to stop and search people who may be carrying knives. The order will be in place all evening until 3am tomorrow.

The suspects are all described as black males aged between 16 and 20. Officers said they were all wearing dark clothing and had their faces partially covered with scarves and masks. Several

An elderly man who was near the fracas escaped injury.

Detective Inspector Paul Ridley from North Area CID who is heading the investigation said: 'This was an extremely concerning incident which took place in the middle of a bustling restaurant.

Fore Street in Edmonton, north London, where three youths were stabbed yesterday evening

'Terrified young families and elderly people were forced to flee from the disorder as the males were indiscriminately wielding these lethal weapons and attacking the victims.

'It is crucial that any witnesses in the restaurant at the time come forward to my investigation team. I particularly want to hear from the elderly gentleman who was caught in the middle of the disorder and was very close to being seriously injured by one of the knifes.

'He was smartly dressed wearing a three quarter length coat, spectacles, with balding grey hair and grey beard.

'As a result of this violent incident a commander has agreed to authorise a Section 60 in the area for this evening and the early hours of tomorrow morning. I am acutely aware of the community concerns and the public can expect to see increased police visibility patrols in the area this evening and upcoming days.'

Anyone with information about the attack or those responsible is asked to contact North Area CID on 101 or via Twitter @MetCC quoting CRIS: 5202194/19.

DI Ridley added: 'If you are aware of any knife carriers then report to police or anonymously via Crimestoppers - you will almost certainly save a life.'

It comes after new figures revealed that killings in England and Wales rose by 14 per cent to 739 last year, and knife crime rose by 12 per cent - with nearly 40,000 reported to police according to the Office for National Statistics.

More than 100 knife crimes A DAY in Wild West Britain: Crime stats reveal offences with blades rose by 12% in 2018, killings were up 14% and robberies jumped 17%

Killings rose by 14 per cent to 739 last year, and increase of 90 homicides recorded in England and Wales than in the previous 12 months.

Knife crime rose by 12 per cent as nearly 40,000 were reported to police according to shocking new crime statistics released by the Office for National Statistics today. That brings the average daily total to more than 100.

Rape increased by 16 per cent to 56,698 offences and other sex offences rose 13 per cent to 101,464. About 20 per cent of those were against children.

As crime statistics reveal an increase in homicides in the capital, 54 of last year's victims of London murders are pictured above

This graph shows how homicides increased not just last year, but have been increasing over the last four

Knife crime hit nearly 40,000 incidents in shocking new crime statistics released by the Office for National Statistics today

Knife crime was on the up in the year to September 2018, according to the the figures released by the ONS today

Police found an eight per cent rise in offences with knives or other sharp instruments.

Paedophiles using the web to groom children Paedophiles are increasingly exploiting the web, with 9,543 crimes recorded in the last year. Rape, sexual assault and grooming are included in the crimes committed after child abusers contacted their victim online. Cyber-related crimes made up 16 per cent of the total number of child sexual offences recorded by police in the year to September 2018. The NSPCC says this may not reveal the true extent of the problem due to wide variation and under-recording of the role of online in these crimes. A 10-year-old girl told the charity that a man claiming to be 21 convinced her to send naked pictures of herself online. At the age of 12 she met him in person and he was in his late 30s. What began as online grooming morphed into physical, sexual abuse. She said: 'I couldn't get away from him. I didn't want to be involved with him anymore but he would always blackmail me. 'He would make it seem like I was the one doing something wrong. The sexual abuse lasted three years. It impacts everything in your life.' Advertisement

Robbery is up by 17 per cent and there has also been a 24 per cent climb in public order offences, with a total of 427,134 recorded.

There was a three per cent rise in vehicle offences to 457,433, largely due to a 10 per cent jump in 'theft or unauthorised taking of a motor vehicle'.

More than 20 per cent of the population fell victim to crime, according to the survey.

The homicide figures do not include victims of terror attacks. Statisticians said this continues an upward trend since March 2014, indicating a change to the long-term decrease over the previous decade.

The data show that overall crime rose by seven per cent, with a total of 5,723,182 offences recorded.

This is the highest number in a 12-month period since the year ending March 2004, when there were 6.01 million offences recorded.

Crimes involving violence against the person are up by 19 per cent, which includes a 41 per cent increase in stalking and harassment offences.

Figures released by the British Transport Police (BTP) this week suggest knife crime on Britain's rail network has more than tripled in the last three years.

Many of the higher-harm types of violence are concentrated in London and other metropolitan areas, 128 homicides in the capital last year - the highest level in a calendar year this decade.

Prime Minister Theresa May's official spokesman said: 'These statistics show that your chance of being a victim of crime remains low, but we recognise that certain crimes - particularly violent crime - have increased, and we are taking action to address this.

'The Offensive Weapons Bill will give police extra powers to tackle knife crime and to get weapons off the street. The serious violence strategy puts a greater focus on early intervention and stopping young people from being drawn into crime in the first place.

'We have also put forward the biggest increase in police funding since 2010. It's encouraging to see the first signs of police officer numbers rising in the statistics today.'

Commenting on the figures, Helen Ross, from the ONS Centre for Crime and Justice, said: 'In recent decades we've seen the overall level of crime falling, but in the last year, it remained level.

'There are variations within this overall figure, depending on the type of crime.

'Burglary, shoplifting and computer misuse are decreasing but others, such as vehicle offences and robbery are rising.

'We have also seen increases in some types of 'lower-volume, high-harm' violence including offences involving knives or sharp instruments.'

Alex Mayes, policy and public affairs adviser at charity Victim Support, said: 'These figures starkly highlight the devastating human cost of the recent rises in serious violence that we've seen across the country.

'Working with bereaved families through our national homicide service we know just how destructive these shocking crimes are.'
A teenager who gunned down an innocent electrician outside a petrol station laughed as he was sentenced to life in prison - with a minimum term of 22 years.

Bradley Blundell, 19, fatally shot John Pordage, 34, in the early hours of August 5 2017 at a BP garage because he said his friend Ella Colgate had a 'nice bum'.

The teenager appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court today before an emotional public gallery filled with family and friends of Mr Pordage.

John Pordage's family cheered as Judge Gratwicke sentenced Blundell to 22 years in prison - and the teenager laughed in response.

Bradley Blundell, 19, left, fatally shot John Pordage, 34, right, in the early hours of August 5 2017 at a BP garage in Essex and has been jailed for 22 years

Blundell was also sentenced for a number of other charges which will run alongside his sentence.

Mr Pordage was shot twice in the chest by Blundell before he left the scene after the incident.

While filing up a car, Ella Colgate exchanged words with Mr Pordage and his friend Jamal Samuels, who van was also on the forecourt.

Tracy Ayling QC, prosecuting, said during the trial in December one of the men shouted 'nice bum', as they went to buy cigarettes at the garage's kiosk.

Blundell, who was described by the other men as looking like 'the Milky Bar Kid', pulled out a .32 calibre revolver and shot Mr Pordage in the chest

Electrician Mr Pordage, a former William De Ferrers school pupil was rushed to Broomfield Hospital where he died from his injuries.

Blundell, seen on CCTV after he went on the run after the attack, was said to have reacted to comments about Ella Colgate (pictured, right)

Blundell travelled to Maldon after the incident to destroy evidence that would connect him to the killing.

He later fled the country for seven months before he handed himself over to police in Amsterdam and agreed to be extradited back to the UK.

Blundell, 19, of Cromwell Close, Boreham, was convicted of murder by a jury at Woolwich Crown Court, London in December last year.

He has since been remanded in custody at Chelmsford Prison.

Ella Colgate, of Chelmsford, Essex was sentenced to 12 months in prison.

She was found guilty in December of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice, a charge she had denied.

John Pordage's grieving mother Sue Wilson spoke of her relief and heartbreak after a teenager was jailed for murdering her son.

CCTV from the petrol station showed Blundell's friend going into the shop before the attack

Victim Mr Pordage exchanged words with those in the car minutes before the shooting

She said: 'About 30 seconds was all it took for my entire world to be thrown into turmoil on August 5, 2017 when a 16-year-old boy and Bradley Blundell - armed with a cosh and a gun - attacked my son John.

'Since that day I have been so consumed with the twisted feelings of anger and hatred that I have struggled to function, let alone grieve for my son Johnny.

'Blundell and his pathetic little "gang" have even stolen my memories of John, as I have not been able to think about him without thinking of them, all their planning, escapes and covering their tracks, making me feel the bitterness I've become so familiar with.

'Since the word "guilty" was repeated for all of the indictments against Blundell and Colgate, I have felt an overwhelming sense of relief.

'I will never again be able to feel the brightness that he brought to this world.

'My family and I will never be able to move on from this, but I am hopeful that we leave court today feeling that we have achieved justice for John.'

John's sister Teri Pordage said: 'My life will truly never be the same after losing my brother. It's not just my brother Blundell killed, he killed a part of me'.
A college student has broken down in tears in her mugshot after she was arrested on suspicion of stabbing her best friend 30 to 40 times in the apartment where they both lived.

Luisa Ines Tudela Harris Cutting, 21, was charged with second-degree murder on Thursday in western Virginia in the death of her Radford University classmate Alexa Cannon, 20.

Police were called to the students' apartment complex at 7.45am on Thursday, with the dispatcher reporting that a female caller was screaming something about a knife.

When they arrived, officers were greeted by Cutting, who was covered and blood, and turned around placing her hands behind her back saying 'arrest me', according to an arrest warrant.

When asked why they should arrest her, the warrant states that Cutting replied: 'I killed her.'

Luisa Cutting, 21, was charged with second-degree murder on Thursday in Virginia

Cutting was found standing over the bloody body of her roommate Alexa Cannon. The two young women are seen together above on a 2017 vacation to Mexico, with Alexa on the right

Alexa (above) was a psychology major from nearby Roanoke, and was planning to graduate next May. She was stabbed 30 to 40 times and was found with a knife in her mouth

Police were called to the students' apartment complex (above) at 7.45am on Thursday, with the dispatcher reporting that a female caller was screaming something about a knife

Inside the apartment, officers found a grisly scene. Alexa lay on the floor suffering from up to 40 stab wounds.

A butcher knife was sticking out of her mouth, the search warrant said. She was pronounced dead on the scene.

Police found Alexas cellphone under her left hand and they took a black, serrated knife off her body.

Search warrants indicate that officers took the phone and knife. Cops also seized pills, smoking devices and grinders from Cutting's bedroom, and a brown chalk-like substance from the kitchen.

Friends of the young women said they were mystified by the murder, and could not imagine what the motive may have been.

'I'm lost for words, to be honest,' Shelton Lewis, a Radford University junior, told WDBJ-TV. He lives just a few doors down and said he knew both girls.

'I really wanna know what was the motive behind it because they were best friends since freshmen year, and that was in 2016. Now it's 2019 and this has happened,' he said. 'I thought that we were all gonna graduate next year.'

Alexa (left) and Cutting (right) were both active on social media leaving an ample record of their close friendship - and a chilling hint at the dark turn it apparently took

Cutting (left) and Alexa (right) had known each other since freshman year, but were living together for the first time this academic year

Alexa (left) often professed her close friendship with Cutting (right) on social media

Both girls were extremely active on social media, leaving an ample record of their close friendship - and a chilling hint at the dark turn it apparently took.

'I met this girl two years ago online and somehow we ended up living across from each other for a year, this summer she was equivalent to my mom,' Alexa wrote of Cutting in an Instagram post last March.

She continued: 'Unimaginably she still puts up with me and now we're living together next year. Love you more Lu and everyone pray that we don't kill each other this year.'

In June, Alexa wrote in another Instagram post: 'Exactly a month now we're gonna be living together.....pray for us please and thank you.'

In July, Alexa congratulated Cutting on becoming president of the Latino Student Alliance. 'I know you're going to be amazing with everything you do! Love you more!!' she wrote.

Alexa (above) is seen in late October. A motive in the murder has not been made clear

Alexa (right) wrote this Instagram post in March, saying: 'now we're living together next year. Love you more Lu and everyone pray that we don't kill each other this year'

Alexa (left) again wrote 'pray for us' in this post about moving in together on June 26

Meanwhile, Cutting appeared to be highly active on a Twitter account that was semi-anonymous, but included a her face picture.

The account retweeted many jokes about marijuana use and included occasional dark musings.

'I know death is coming but I still cant wrap my head around it,' Cutting wrote on January 10.

Two days later, she wrote: 'My roommate forgot to pay the gas bill and they wont come turn it on until Monday and now theres a snow storm on the way well thank god Ill be drunk all day.'

On January 20, four days before her murder, Alexa posted an uncharacteristically cryptic message on Facebook, an image that read: 'I stopped venting and started praying because I don't need sympathy, I need strength.'

The following day, Cutting wrote on Twitter: 'Dreams getting wilder and wilder.'

Alexa snapped this photo of her roommate Cutting in October. The two girls lived together and had been best friends since freshman year, before Cutting allegedly murdered Alexa

Cutting appears to be the author of these tweets, from an account using her photo

Alexa was from nearby Roanoke and was pursuing a degree in psychology, with plans to graduate next May.

Cutting lived in Jeffersonton in Northern Virginia but also appears to have roots in Texas. Radford University has said that she is on interim suspension, but refused to say whether the suspension resulted from the murder charge or predated it.

University President Brian Hemphill sent a campus-wide email Thursday saying that 'this is a difficult day for our campus and our community,' according to the Roanoke Times.

'The days and months to come will also be difficult as we extend our deepest sympathies, as well as our thoughts and prayers, to the family and loved ones of our student,' Hemphill continued.

On Friday, Hemphill sent out another email, writing: 'Alexa ... was very involved on campus and was a proud member of several organizations.

'Like every Highlander, Alexa had a full life ahead of her, a life poised to make a great impact on those she would have encountered, the career she was pursuing and the communities in which she would have lived.'

The university has called in grief counselors who will be available to speak to anyone who needs them.

Cutting was due to be arraigned on Friday. It was unclear whether she had an attorney to speak on her behalf.

The case is Radfords first murder charge in eight years, the city prosecutor said.
The rapper Nelly is asking a US court to dismiss a British woman's lawsuit that alleges he sexually assaulted her after a concert in England because the individual shouldn't be allowed to remain anonymous and 'avoid public scrutiny'.

His lawyer Scott Rosenblum argued that a 'cloak of anonymity' for the accuser invites people with personal vendettas 'to use the federal court system as a tool to inflict calculated harm against others' reputations'.

In the Thursday filing he continues that accusers like Jane Doe can do so while protecting themselves from scrutiny 'that false accusations properly risk and invite'.

Nelly is asking the federal court in his hometown St. Louis to dismiss a British woman's lawsuit alleging that he sexually assaulted her .The lawsuit filed in November 2018 accused Nelly, whose real name is Cornell Haynes Jr., of an assault in December 2017

The federal lawsuit was filed in November in St. Louis, the rapper's hometown.

The woman accuses Nelly, whose real name is Cornell Haynes Jr., of assaulting her in a dressing room at the Cliffs Pavilion concert venue in Essex in December 2017.

Nelly, 44, hasn't been criminally charged and has denied the allegations from the woman identified only as Jane Doe in the lawsuit.

The woman alleges that she paid to have her photo taken with the rapper after the concert before he took her to a separate room and sexually assaulted her.

Doe claims Nelly masturbated then forced her to perform oral sex.

The incident was said to have taken place after a concert at Cliffs Pavilion in Essex

TMZ reported from court documents Nelly whispered for her to stay behind after the event and allegedly said: 'You want this d**k don't you.'

After an alleged request to ejaculate on her, she claims she said: 'You may have more quid in your bank than I do. But this doesn't make you any more special. Pull your trousers back up and f**k off.'

Doe adds in the lawsuit that the music artist clenched his fist in anger and forced his penis into her mouth after telling her: 'No I'm just frustrated. I'm not used to not getting my way, just do it.'

The filing

At the time Nelly said in a statement: 'The truth will come out, and I will be vindicated. These types of false allegations undermine real claims of sexual abuse/harassment by real victims.'

The lawsuit is the second such case filed against the rapper.

His lawyer Scott Rosenblum argued that a 'cloak of anonymity' for the accuser invites people with personal vendettas 'to use the federal court system as a tool to inflict calculated harm against others' reputations'

In September, Nelly settled a lawsuit filed by Monique Greene who alleged he raped her on his tour bus in suburban Seattle, two months before the Doe incident.

Rosenblum said those accusations were fabricated.

That suit included details from two other women with claims including Jane Doe.

Police in Washington arrested Nelly in October 2017, but Nelly later sued her for defamation and said what happened between them was consensual.

Prosecutors ended up going against charges for the hitmaker citing a lack of cooperation on her part and Nelly drops his charges under the settlement agreement.

Jane Doe's attorney, Karen Koehler, said the woman reported the incident to police more than a year ago and she believes the investigation is ongoing.

Essex police didn't immediately respond to an after-hours phone message from The Associated Press seeking information Friday.
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Historical actors dressed in military uniforms and traditional costumes have recreated the bloody Battle of Isandlwana where 20,000 Zulu warriors attacked 1,300 British soldiers.

The battle, which was the first clash of the Anglo-Zulu war 140 years ago, saw the entire British force wiped out - with 3,000 Zulus also killed.

The event saw UK-based re-enactment actors join the Dundee Diehards and local Zulu warriors on the scene of the battle in Dundee in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Despite being Victorian Britain's worst military defeat, the battle of Rorke's drift on the same day proved far more successful for British troops, and was even turned into the 1964 film Zulu, starring Michael Caine.

At Rorke's drift, 150 British and colonial troops repelled an assault by between 3,000 and 4,000 Zulu warriors.

The Anglo-Zulu war lasted nearly six months between January and July 1879, and started when the Zulu king Cetshwayo refused to cede to demands by the British High Commissioner, who decided to invade the kingdom.



Historical actors and local Zulu warriors re-enacted the bloody Battle of Isandlwana where 20,000 Zulu warriors wiped out 1,300 British and colonial soldiers

The battle, which took place 140 years ago, was Victorian Britain's biggest military defeat, and was the first conflict in the Anglo-Zulu war

The event saw UK-based re-enactment actors join the Dundee Diehards and local Zulu warriors on the scene of the battle in Dundee in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Zulu troops were equipped with a shield and a stabbing spear (pictured), and attacked in 'buffalo horn' formations

The 'horns' would attack from the sides on both the left and right, before the 'chest', or main body of the army, would attack straight ahead, before the 'loins', or reserves, would follow and deliver fatal blows

The British troops, dressed in red coats, were armed with single shot Martini-Henry rifles and bayonets

Pictured: Zulu women sing during the 140th anniversary reenactment in Dundee, South Africa, earlier today

Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu (pictured) was among the guests at the re-enactment in Dundee, South Africa, today

Despite being Victorian Britain's worst military defeat, the battle of Rorke's drift on the same day proved far more successful for British troops, and was even turned into the 1964 film Zulu, starring Michael Caine

Pictured: Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu watches the re-enactment earlier today

The Anglo-Zulu war lasted nearly six months between January and July 1879, and started when the Zulu king Cetshwayo refused to cede to demands by the British High Commissioner

After the Zulu king refused to give in to his demanded, the British High Commissioner decided to invade the Kingdom

Pictured: historical actors dressed as British troops prepare for the start of the re-enactment battle against the Zulu warriors

The Battle of Ulundi, on July 4, was the last engagement of the war, and signalled the breaking of the Zulu army
'Roma' Grabs 10 Oscar Nominations, Mexico Celebrates

Mexico City - Mexicans celebrated Tuesday as "Roma" grabbed 10 Oscar nominations - none more exuberantly than the film's breakout star, Yalitza Aparicio, who melted hearts and went viral with her ecstatic reaction to her best actress nomination.

Aparicio, an indigenous schoolteacher with no acting experience who landed the part when she accompanied her sister to the audition, posted a video on Twitter of the moment she got the news.





Watching the announcements on a laptop in what appeared to be her hotel room in Tijuana - where she had traveled for a photo shoot at the US-Mexican border fence - Aparicio let out a scream when her name popped up, then pressed her hands to her face, choking back tears, in a gesture of pure joy no actress could feign.

The video went viral, garnering tens of thousands of likes and countless replays on Mexican TV. "I'm so happy. I was not expecting this news when I woke up so early today," Aparicio wrote.

Filmed in Spanish and the indigenous Mixtec language, set in Mexico City in the 1970s and filmed in black and white, "Roma" is not supposed to be the kind of movie that finds huge success in the United States - especially not in the Mexico-bashing era of President Donald Trump.

But Alfonso Cuaron's intimate portrait of his childhood and the two women who raised him - his nanny, played by Aparicio, and his mother, played by best supporting actress nominee Marina de Tavira - garnered the most Oscar nominations of any film this year, together with Greek director Yorgos Lanthimos's "The Favourite."

"Roma" scored several firsts in the process: first Spanish-language film nominated for best picture, and the first nominations for streaming giant Netflix in the directing, original screenplay, foreign language film and best picture categories, among others.

For Mexico - where the film triggered a national conversation on race, class and the traumas of the past - the news was celebrated by figures from the president on down.

Cuaron "is a first-rate filmmaker, a source of pride for Mexico. I congratulate him and all the actors and production team.... We should all see the film," said President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador - admitting that he himself had not watched it yet.

'Viva Alfonso!'

"We're all happy! What can I say? It's been a very intense morning," said Eugenio Caballero, the production designer on "Roma" who famously recreated Cuaron's boyhood home and street in minute detail for the film. "I'm so happy to see the nominations for Yalitza, Marina, Alfonso and the entire team," he told AFP.

Mexican filmmakers have racked up an impressive string of successes at the Academy Awards in recent years. The trio of Mexican directors known as the "Three Amigos" - Cuaron, Guillermo del Toro and Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu - have won the best director award four of the past five years. Cuaron, who won in 2014 with "Gravity," now stands to make that five of the past six.

The Mexican film community was jubilant.

"VIVA ALFONSO!!" tweeted del Toro, whose film "The Shape of Water" won the most statuettes at last year's Oscars with four, including best picture and best director.

"I can't believe it!! I can't take the excitement," tweeted Gael Garcia Bernal, one of Mexico's best-known actors, who became a Hollywood heartthrob after starring in Cuaron's last Spanish-language film, "Y Tu Mama Tambien" (2001).

"'Roma' is making history for Mexican film, on an international level," said the president of the Mexican Academy of Film Arts and Sciences, Ernesto Contreras.

Mexicans will no doubt be watching in droves when the Oscars ceremony is held on February 24.

"The great value of 'Roma,' besides its visual beauty, lies in the questions it asks us as Mexicans, about who we are, where we come from and our shared wounds," said Maria Novaro, head of the Mexican Film Institute (IMCINE).
A STUDENT union has been condemned for holding a poll on whether to remove the 'Alex Salmond stone' from its campus.

A rock in the grounds of Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, is engraved with a quote from Salmond opposing tuition fees north of the border.

The student union is polling members on whether to get rid of the rock in the wake of numerous sex crime charges laid against the former First Minister, which he strongly denies.

Since it was posted last night, there have been more than 350 votes, 60 per cent of which opposed removing the stone.

The former First Minister posing with the 'Salmond Stone' in a photograph posted by the Heriot-Watt University Student Union on its Facebook page

Euan Ross commented: 'Deeply concerning that the union has chosen now tovdiscuss this matter. This really isn't an appropriate time to be having this discussion.'

Gavin Richardson said: 'These charges are unproven and the presumption of innocence should be upheld.

'Secondly, will the university and/or Student Union for example, be cancelling all references to Burns Night celebrations given his reputation as a philanderer, womaniser and alcoholic?

Online responses to the poll were mixed but six out of ten students said the stone should stay

'Please remember that you can't pick and choose, you have to apply the same standard to all aspects.

'Please show some common sense here.'

Mireille McNutt said: 'Surely he is innocent until proven guilty. HW Student Union should wait until then to decide what to do.'

Lee Haywood said: 'Not appropriate to seriously consider removing the stone until the truth comes out in court proceedings. Innocent until proven guilty.'

Robyn Milligan commented: 'Bit of an extreme knee jerk reaction.'

And Beccy Mckay commented: 'He's innocent until proven guilty. The stone should remain until then.'

Former Scottish first minister Alex Salmond leaves Edinburgh Sheriff Court with his legal team after he was arrested and charged by police in Edinburgh, Scotland. He denies all charges

Among the 40 per cent to vote for the stone's removal was James Clark, who wrote: 'I personally volunteer myself to attack it with a pickaxe.'

The Salmond quote engraved on the stone, installed in 2014, states: 'The rocks will melt with the sun before I allow tuition fees to be imposed on Scotland's students.'

Yesterday, the Student Union posted on their Facebook page: 'Recently, we've received a number of messages from students regarding the Alex Salmond stone that stands by the loch.

'It has come to our attention that the message, while originally well-intentioned, may not now represent our truly global Heriot-Watt student community.

'In addition to this, today's news regarding the former First Minister has prompted the Executive Committee, which includes the Student Union President, Vice Presidents and Officers to consider whether or not it is appropriate for the Stone to remain on campus.

'We would like to hear from you, our members on the matter. Please take a moment to complete our poll and help guide us in making the decision of whether to keep the Stone or have it removed.'

SU President Rahul Singh said it was an appropriate question to ask before 'entering into any decision making process'

Heriot-Watt Student President, Rahul Singh said it was 'appropriate' to consult the students on this issue.

He said: 'As a member led organisation Heriot-Watt University Student Union celebrates the diversity of our student population and indeed the diversity of student opinion of all students on our campuses.

'The Student Union Executive Committee met on Thursday to discuss a number of concerns raised by students relating to the content of messaging on a commemorative stone and ongoing legal proceedings involving the former First Minister.

'Given the various views raised at this meeting, the Executive deemed it appropriate to consult the wider student community on their opinions before entering into any decision making process.

'Heriot-Watt University Student Union enjoys an excellent working partnership with the university and in this spirit, the Student Union makes representations to the university based on the feedback received from our membership.'
Iowa teenager Corey Brown (pictured) has been missing from home since Tuesday night

A teenager from Iowa has been missing since Tuesday night after he left home following a fight with his parents during a snowstorm.

Corey Brown, 13, was last seen wearing a Seattle Seahawks cap, a red shirt and black pants around 11.15 pm in an area near Marshalltown where he lives.

Police Chief Mike Tupper said he is growing increasingly concerned due to the length of time Corey has been missing and because of adverse weather conditions.

He asked property owners to check garages, sheds and vehicles in case the teen sought refuge from the snowstorm, which moved into the area earlier this week.

Footage from the family's security system shows Corey walking away from their home Tuesday night after he was scolded and his parents took away his cellphone as punishment.

His parents Michelle and Craig Brown, along with investigators, held a news conference locally to raise awareness about their missing son.

His mother told KCCI: 'Corey, you know how much we love you. And Im not going to stop until we find you. If youre out there, please come home.

'We love you more than youll ever know. Please, please just come home.'

Tupper said runaways are investigated often in his town, but they are usually back home before too long.

He added: 'There had been a disciplinary discussion and his phone was taken away from him as a punishment.

Corey's parents Craig (left) and Michelle (right) issued an emotional appeal for information to help find their son

Corey ran away from home after having a fight with his parents who confiscated his phone

'It's a typical interaction with a 13-year-old child, nothing extraordinary. But he reacted emotionally to that.'

Search efforts for Corey were hampered late Thursday by subfreezing temperatures and blustery winds.

'We are concerned with the amount of time that has passed,' Tupper said during the conference.

'The search continues Friday, the chief said, urging the public to report any and all tips.'

Corey's family (pictured) held a pres conference along with authorities who are increasingly concerned at the amount of time that has passed

The teenager's mother fought back tears as she told the public she just wants her son home

Corey is described as being 5 feet tall and weighing approximately 98 pounds with brown hair.

At the conference, His father, Craig said: 'Corey, if youre out there, bud, youre not in trouble. Just come home.

'And if anybody has any information, youre not going to get in trouble either. Just call the Marshalltown Police Department. I love you, bud.'

Tupper said there was no evidence to suggest that there was any foul play involved in Corey's disappearance but they 'are looking at all scenarios.'

Police say search efforts have been hampered by a snowstorm which moved in early this week

He said the police department has received calls with possible sightings of Brown that turned out to be inaccurate, but he isn't ruling out any possibilities.

'That's why we're checking every place, quite frankly,' Tupper said.

Counselors have been made available for students at Marshalltown High School, where Corey is in the eighth grade, KCCI reported.

'The school district has contacted all of our parents through email, saying if you see him, contact the police department,' school district spokesman Andrew Potter told the station.

'Were trying to do our part to help out in any way we can. He has a big smile, and we want to see that again.'

Anyone with information about the boys whereabouts is asked to call police at (641) 754-5725.
At least seven people have been killed and around 200 people are missing after a dam collapse caused devastation in southeast Brazil, authorities say.

There are fears the disaster, which unleashed a torrent of mud towards the town of Brumadinho, caused a number of deaths, with a fire services officer saying there have been reports of 'several' fatalities.

The dam, controlled by Vale mining company, broke early Friday afternoon, and houses in Brumandinho, in the state of Minas Gerais, were evacuated.

Aerial view taken after the collapse of a dam which belonged to Brazil's giant mining company Vale, near the town of Brumadinho

Firemen looking for people in heavy machinery (L and R) and a locomotive (C) after the collapse

Responders survey the damage on the edge of the collapsed dam that unleashed torrent of mud

Helicopters plucked people covered in mud from the disaster area, including a woman with a fractured hip who was among eight injured people taken to hospital, officials said.

A statement from the fire brigade issued in Belo Horizonte city said scores of people were trapped in areas by the river of sludge released by the dam failure.

According to the fire service and the civil defense corp, residents living in the lower part of the city have been removed from their houses.

Aerial footage reveals extent of flooding after Brazil dams collapse, pictured are nearby fields

There are fears the disaster, which unleashed a torrent of mud towards the town of Brumadinho, caused a number of deaths

A state of emergency has been declared after a dam burst in Brumadinho, southeastern Brazil (pictured: Aftermath of the mud slide)

Pictured: Brumadinho before the mud slide

A state of emergency has been declared, and an emergency task force along with political leaders from the Minas Gerais government are already at the site of the disaster in Brumadinho.

A spokesperson said: 'The government of Minas Gerais has already designated the formation of a strategic crisis office to closely monitor the actions.

'Every state apparatus has been mobilised and moved to the Brumadinho region where the disruption occurred, to closely follow the actions and collaborate in what is necessary. We emphasise that, in this first moment, the main concern is to provide all the assistance to the victims.'

President Jair Bolsonaro has already convened an emergency meeting.

Alexandre Lucas, national secretary for Civil Defence, said: 'The entire federal government is already mobilised to act in the relief and response to the rupture of the dam in Brumadinho. A National Civil Defence team headed by me is already moving to the region to support state and municipal operations.'

Rescue crew work in a tailings dam owned by Brazilian miner Vale SA that burst

President Jair Bolsonaro has already convened an emergency meeting as a result of the collapse

According to the fire service and the civil defense corp, residents living in the lower part of the city have been removed from their houses after the mud slide

It has been reported that two victims have been taken to hospital and are in a stable condition and undergoing evaluation

Vale is Brazil's largest mining company. Two hours after the accident, Vale stocks fell 10 percent on the New York Stock Exchange.

President Jair Bolsonaro sent a tweet saying he lamented the incident and was sending the three cabinet ministers to the area.

Vale Mining Company issued a statement lamenting the accident, saying: 'Vale reports that, at the beginning of this afternoon, Dam 1 of Feijao Mine was broken in Brumadinho (MG).

President Jair Bolsonaro has already convened an emergency meeting

'The company deeply regrets the accident and is making every effort to help and assist those affected.

'There were employees in the administrative area, which was hit by the (mud slide), indicating the possibility, not yet confirmed, of victims. Part of the Vila Ferteco community was also hit.

'Rescue and care of the wounded are being carried out on site by the Fire Department and Civil Defence. There is still no confirmation as to what has caused the accident.

'The top priority of the company right now is to provide support and to help preserve and protect the lives of employees and local communities.

'Vale will continue to provide information as soon as it is confirmed.'

Vale said there were employees in the administrative buildings of the dam that were covered by the surge of mud and water and there could be casualties in that area.

The mud hit parts of the local community Vila Forteco, near the town of Brumadinho, where families were told to evacuate their homes in low-lying areas, authorities said.

Brazil's environmental protection agency Ibama said the dam that burst on Friday held 1 million cubic meters of tailings, much less than the 50 million cubic meters in the 2015 disaster.

Brazil's environmental protection agency Ibama said the dam that burst on Friday held 1 million cubic meters of tailings

A general view of damage caused by the breakage of a dam containing mineral waste from Vale, the world's largest iron producer

Rupture of the dam of the mining company Vale left at least 7 fatalities and around 150 missing

'The company deeply regrets the accident and is making every effort to help and assist those affected,' said a Vale spokesman

Former environmental minister and presidential candidate Marina Silva said Brazilian authorities and private miners had not learned anything from the 2015 disaster and called it unacceptable.

'Three years after the serious environmental crime in Mariana, with investigations still ongoing and no-one punished, history repeats itself as tragedy in Brumadinho,' she said in a Twitter post.
GUILTY: MICHAEL FLYNN

Pleaded guilty to making false statements in December 2017. Awaiting sentence

Flynn was President Trump's former National Security Advisor and Robert Mueller's most senior scalp to date. He previously served when he was a three star general as President Obama's director of the Defense Intelligence Agency but was fired.

He admitted to lying to special counsel investigators about his conversations with a Russian ambassador in December 2016. He has agreed to cooperate with the special counsel investigation.

GUILTY AND JAILED: MICHAEL COHEN

Pleaded guilty to eight counts including fraud and two campaign finance violations in August 2018. Pleaded guilty to further count of lying to Congress in November 2018. Sentenced to three years in prison and $2 million in fines and forfeitures in December 2018

Cohen was investigated by Mueller but the case was handed off to the Southern District of New York,leaving Manhattan's ferocious and fiercely independent federal prosecutors to run his case.

Cohen was Trump's longtime personal attorney, starting working for him and the Trump Organization in 2007. He is the longest-serving member of Trump's inner circle to be implicated by Mueller. Cohen professed unswerving devotion to Trump - and organized payments to silence two women who alleged they had sex with the-then candidate: porn star Stormy Daniels and Playboy model Karen McDougal. He admitted that payments to both women were felony campaign finance violations - and admitted that he acted at the 'direction' of 'Candidate-1': Donald Trump.

He also admitted tax fraud by lying about his income from loans he made, money from taxi medallions he owned, and other sources of income, at a cost to the Treasury of $1.3 million.

And he admitted lying to Congress in a rare use of the offense. The judge in his case let him report for prison on March 6 and recommended he serve it in a medium-security facility close to New York City.

GUILTY AND JAILED: PAUL MANAFORT

Found guilty of eight charges of bank and tax fraud in August 2018. Sentenced to 47 months in March 2019. Pleaded guilty to two further charges - witness tampering and conspiracy against the United States. Jailed for total of seven and a half years in two separate sentences. Additionally indicted for mortgage fraud by Manhattan District Attorney, using evidence previously presented by Mueller

Manafort worked for Trump's campaign from March 2016 and chaired it from June to August 2016, overseeing Trump being adopted as Republican candidate at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland. He is the most senior campaign official to be implicated by Mueller. Manafort was one of Washington D.C.'s longest-term and most influential lobbyists but in 2015, his money dried up and the next year he turned to Trump for help, offering to be his campaign chairman for free - in the hope of making more money afterwards. But Mueller unwound his previous finances and discovered years of tax and bank fraud as he coined in cash from pro-Russia political parties and oligarchs in Ukraine.

Manafort pleaded not guilty to 18 charges of tax and bank fraud but was convicted of eight counts in August 2018. The jury was deadlocked on the other 10 charges. A second trial on charges of failing to register as a foreign agent due in September did not happen when he pleaded guilty to conspiracy against the United States and witness tampering in a plea bargain. He was supposed to co-operate with Mueller but failed to.

Minutes after his second sentencing hearing in March 2019, he was indicted on 16 counts of fraud and conspiracy by the Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr., using evidence which included documents previously presented at his first federal trial. The president has no pardon power over charges by district and state attorneys.

GUILTY AND GOING TO WEEKEND JAIL: RICK GATES

Pleaded guilty to conspiracy against the United States and making false statements in February 2018. Sentenced to 45 days weekend jail and three years probation, December 17, 2018

Gates was Manafort's former deputy at political consulting firm DMP International. He admitted to conspiring to defraud the U.S. government on financial activity, and to lying to investigators about a meeting Manafort had with a member of congress in 2013. As a result of his guilty plea and promise of cooperation, prosecutors vacated charges against Gates on bank fraud, bank fraud conspiracy, failure to disclose foreign bank accounts, filing false tax returns, helping prepare false tax filings, and falsely amending tax returns.

GUILTY AND JAILED: GEORGE PAPADOPOLOUS

Pleaded guilty to making false statements in October 2017. Sentenced to 14 days in September 2018, and reported to prison in November. Served 12 days and released on December 7, 2018

Papadopoulos was a member of Donald Trump's campaign foreign policy advisory committee. He admitted to lying to special counsel investigators about his contacts with London professor Josef Mifsud and Ivan Timofeev, the director of a Russian government-funded think tank.

GUILTY AND JAILED: RICHARD PINEDO

Pleaded guilty to identity fraud in February 2018. Sentenced to a year in prison

Pinedo is a 28-year-old computer specialist from Santa Paula, California. He admitted to selling bank account numbers to Russian nationals over the internet that he had obtained using stolen identities.

GUILTY AND JAILED: ALEX VAN DER ZWAAN

Pleaded guilty to making false statements in February 2018. He served a 30-day prison sentence and was deported to the Netherlands on his release

Van der Zwaan was a Dutch attorney for Skadden Arps who worked on a Ukrainian political analysis report for Paul Manafort in 2012.

He admitted to lying to special counsel investigators about when he last spoke with Rick Gates and Konstantin Kilimnik. His law firm say he was fired.

GUILTY: W. SAMUEL PATTEN

Pleaded guilty in August 2018 to failing to register as a lobbyist while doing work for a Ukrainian political party. Sentenced to three years probation April 2019

Patten, a long-time D.C. lobbyist was a business partner of Paul Manafort. He pleaded guilty to admitting to arranging an illegal $50,000 donation to Trump's inauguration.

He arranged for an American 'straw donor' to pay $50,000 to the inaugural committee, knowing that it was actually for a Ukrainian businessman.

Neither the American or the Ukrainian have been named.

CHARGED: KONSTANTIN KILIMNIK

Indicted for obstruction of justice and conspiracy to obstruct justice. At large, probably in Russia

Kilimnik is a former employee of Manafort's political consulting firm and helped him with lobbying work in Ukraine. He is accused of witness tampering, after he allegedly contacted individuals who had worked with Manafort to remind them that Manafort only performed lobbying work for them outside of the U.S.

He has been linked to Russian intelligence and is currently thought to be in Russia - effectively beyond the reach of extradition by Mueller's team.

INDICTED: THE RUSSIANS

Twenty-five Russian nationals and three Russian entities have been indicted for conspiracy to defraud the United States. They remain at large in Russia

Two of these Russian nationals were also indicted for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and 11 were indicted for conspiracy to launder money. Fifteen of them were also indicted for identity fraud.

Vladimir Putin has ridiculed the charges. Russia effectively bars extradition of its nationals. The only prospect Mueller has of bringing any in front of a U.S. jury is if Interpol has their names on an international stop list - which is not made public - and they set foot in a territory which extradites to the U.S.

INDICTED: MICHAEL FLYNN'S BUSINESS PARTNERS

Bijan Kian (left), number two in now disgraced former national security adviser Mike Flynn's lobbying company, and the two's business partner Ekim Alptekin (right) were indicted for conspiracy to lobby illegally.

Kian, an Iranian-American was arrested and appeared in court charged with a conspiracy to illegally lobby the U.S government without registering as a foreign agent. Their co-conspirator was Flynn, who is called 'Person A' in the indictment and is not charged, offering some insight into what charges he escaped with his plea deal.

Kian, vice-president of Flynn's former lobbying firm, is alleged to have plotted with Alptekin to try to change U.S. policy on an exiled Turkish cleric, Fethullah Gulen, who lives in Pennsylvania and who is accused by Turkey's strongman president Recep Tayyip Erdogan, of trying to depose him.

Erdogan's government wanted him extradited from the U.S. and paid Flynn's firm through Alptekin for lobbying, including an op-ed in The Hill calling for Gulen to be ejected. Flynn and Kian both lied that the op-ed was not paid for by the Turkish government.

The indictment is a sign of how Mueller is taking an interest in more than just Russian involvement in the 2016 election.

GUILTY AND AWAITING SENTENCE: ROGER STONE

Roger Stone, a former Trump campaign official and longtime informal advisor to Trump, was indited on seven counts including obstruction of justice, witness tampering, and lying to Congress about his communications with WikiLeaks in January 2019. Convicted on all counts November 15, 2019, awaiting sentence

Stone was a person of interest to Mueller's investigators long before his January indictment, thanks in part due to his public pronouncements as well as internal emails about his contacts with WikiLeks.

In campaign texts and emails, many of which had already been publicly revealed before showing up in Mueller's indictment, Stone communicated with associates about WikiLeaks following reports the organization had obtained a cache of Clinton-related emails.

Stone, a former Nixon campaign adviser who has the disgraced former president's face permanently tattooed on his back, has long been portrayed as a central figure in the election interference scandal.

'They got nothing,' he said of the special counsel's investigation.

Stone gave 'false and misleading' testimony about his requests for information from WikiLeaks. He then pressured a witness, comedian Randy Credico, to take the Fifth Amendment rather than testify, and pressured him in a series of emails. Following a prolonged dispute over testimony, he called him a 'rat' and threatened to 'take that dog away from you', in reference to Credico's pet, Bianca. Stone warned him: 'Let's get it on. Prepare to die.'

CLEARED: GREG CRAIG

Greg Craig, President Barack Obama's White House counsel, was indicted for failing to register as a foreign agent. Mueller's investigators uncovered Craig's work on behalf the government of Ukraine while probing Manafort, who did business with Craig.

Prosecutors released a grand jury indictment of Craig in April 2019, after Craig's law firm of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP agreed to pay more than $4.6 million as part of a settlement. The prominent firm also acknowledged it had failed to register, and placed much of the blame on Craig, a senior partner there.

Craig's lawyer blasted the decision as an abuse of prosecutorial discretion, and prepared to argue that omission of information during an interview is not tantamount to making false statements.

The charges stem from a 2012 report Craig and the firm produced on behalf of the Ukrainian government on opposition figure and former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko. She was an opponent of Manafort's client , former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych.

Craig was cleared on September 9 2019.
Andrea Leadsom said the UK's departure could be put off for a 'couple of extra weeks' so legislation can go through Parliament

The Brexit date might need to be extended beyond the end of March even if Theresa May gets a deal passed, a Cabinet minister admitted today.

Andrea Leadsom said the UK's departure could be put off for a 'couple of extra weeks' so legislation can go through Parliament.

But she insisted the Article 50 process should not be extended beyond March 29 if there is no agreement reached with the EU.

There has been mounting speculation at Westminster that a delay will be needed to implement a deal.

However, Mrs May has repeatedly stated that the UK will be leaving the bloc on schedule.

A handful of Bills, including the Withdrawal Agreement Implementation Bill, need to make it through Parliament before the Article 50 process comes to an end.

Speaking to the BBC's Newsnight, Mrs Leadsom said the EU would allow the UK more time to pass laws if it was needed.

'We can get the legislation through,' she said.

'In spite of everything we have a very strong relationship with our EU friends and neighbours.

'I am absolutely certain that if we needed a couple of extra weeks or something that that would be feasible.'

But Mrs Leadsom also stressed that the UK would leave on time if there is no deal agreed.

'The legal default is we leave the EU on 29 March without a deal unless there is a deal is in place,' she said.

'That has not changed. That is the Prime Minister's view and that's my view.

'Of course it is also very important that we continue to prepare for all eventualities because we do need to make sure that in all circumstances the UK can continue to thrive and do well in a post EU environment.

'I do encourage my colleagues in Cabinet to get behind that sentiment and to make sure that we are all on the same page. We are now in the really final days.'

Ms Leadsom also accused the EU of failing to understand the anger in the UK over the Irish border backstop.

'Keeping the UK in an unlimited, in time terms, backstop that we can't unilaterally exit from under any circumstances is a real problem for many,' she said.

'The EU needs to be listening very carefully to that. They are slightly in denial saying that that is not the issue.
He has a tattoo of Richard Nixon on his back, a collection of 400 suits and describes himself as a 'try-sexual' because he has tried everything in bed.

Now Roger Stone has become the latest person to be indicted by Special Counsel Robert Mueller  one accessory he could very well do without.

It would be an understatement to call Stone, who has been accused by Mueller of lying to Congress, one of the most colorful people in politics.

He has moved in Republican circles for 40 years  perpetually creating a stir, notorious for spreading conspiracy and smear, always immaculately dressed, never backing away from a fight and never, ever wearing socks.

In the 1970s he was an adviser to Nixon and testified during the Watergate hearings before earning a fortune from his lobbying company dubbed the 'Torturer's Lobby' because of their work for brutal dictators.

Stone takes pride in calling himself a 'dirty trickster' and has long been a friend to Donald Trump and worked on his 2016 election campaign.

Roger Stone - one of the most colorful people in politics - has moved in Republican circles for 40 years earning a reputation for his love of fine suits, conspiracy theories, and his bodybuilding physique. He is pictured at Alan Flusser Boutique in New York City in 1987

Stone was hired to work on Nixon's re-election committee in 1972. He explains he is a 'Nixonite' because of his indestructibility and resilience saying the former president 'never quit'

He even went as far as to get a tattoo of Nixon smiling on his back which Stone claims 'women love'

He is a prolific writer of conspiracy theories, political commentary and fashion advice and calls himself a 'bodybuilding dandy' because of his muscled physique and love of fine clothing.

Stone, 66, attends swingers clubs near his home in Fort Lauderdale, Florida where he lives with his second wife Nydia, including Miami Velvet, which tells patrons: 'If sexual activity offends you in any way, do not enter the premises.'

Stone and his wife have also put adverts in a magazine called Local Swing Fever to find potential mates.

One of them read: 'Hot, insatiable lady and her handsome body builder husband, experienced swingers, seek similar couples or exceptional muscular...single men.'

Stone was born Roger Jason Stone Jr in 1952 in Norwalk, Connecticut, the descendant of Hungarian and Italian immigrants.

He became interested in politics aged eight by backing John F Kennedy at school but he became a conservative after reading Barry Goldwater's book The Conscience of a Conservative.

Stone rose through the Republican party so fast that in 1972 he was hired to work on Nixon's Committee to Re-Elect the President, nicknamed CREEP.

Stone's love for Nixon is such that he got the tattoo of his smiling face on the top of his back.

Stone insists that 'women love it' and he is also fond of putting his hands up in a V for victory like Nixon used to.

Stone has described himself as a 'try-sexual' because he's 'tried everything' and even admits to attending swingers clubs

Stone is pictured with wife Nydia (pictured in blue) donning a hippie costume

During his arrest, Stone said a total of 29 agents 'terrorized' his wife and his dogs (pictured)

Stone has said: 'The reason I'm a Nixonite is because of his indestructibility and resilience. He never quit.'

Stone became the youngest person to be called to testify before the Watergate grand jury where it emerged he had hired a Republican operative to infiltrate Democratic candidate George McGovern's campaign.

He also sabotaged a Republican challenger to Nixon and the revelations led him to be fired from his job with Senator Bob Dole.

Stone insisted he did not break the law and it did little to impede his career as he served as an adviser to Ronald Reagan in 1980.

After that Stone founded Black, Manafort & Stone (BMS), a lobbying company with Paul Manafort, Trump's former campaign chairman who is now facing jail after being convicted in a case brought by Special Counsel as well, and their partner Charlie Black, who is dead.

BMS became infamous for representing the likes of Zaire's Mobuto Sese Seko and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos who paid vast fees to polish their reputations despite being murderous despots.

Stone and his first wife at the time lived the high life off the profits and had a chauffeur-driven Mercedes.

Since then Stone has always been a wealthy man and has claimed at one point to own five Jaguar cars and five Yorkshire Terriers - he says that two were poisoned.

Birds of a feather: Stone founded Black, Manafort & Stone (BMS), a lobbying company with Paul Manafort, Trump's former campaign chairman who is now facing jail after being convicted in a case brought by Special Counsel as well, and their partner Charlie Black

He would move on to serve as an adviser to Ronald Reagan in 1980. He is pictured with the former president at the Chrysler Plant in Detroit in September 1980

Stone is often throws his hands up in a V for victory shape like Nixon used to

Stone has said that his youthful appearance is down to Chinese herbs and regular tai chi sessions though he dyes his hair blonde because he hates the natural brown color. How natural his hairline is, however, undisclosed.

His broad shoulders are the result of years of lifting weights and working out at the gym.

Stone has always maintained close ties to the Republican party and worked as a senior consultant to George H.W. Bush's election campaign in 1988.

But in 1996 Stone was formally banished from the GOP when it emerged he and his wife had been placing adverts for partners for swinging, a scandal that he initially denied.

In a 2008 profile for the New Yorker magazine he admitted it was all true.

Stone said: 'When that whole thing hit the fan in 1996, the reason I gave a blanket denial was that my grandparents were still alive. I'm not guilty of hypocrisy. I'm a libertarian and a libertine.'

The profile featured details about sex club Miami Velvet, the leading swinger's club in the city, which was described as being like a '1980s disco' but with porn playing on the flat screen TVs on the walls.

Stone, whose political pedigree dates back to the Nixon administration, is accused of feeding information from WikiLeaks about an email hack to the Trump campaign during the 2016 election

A veteran Republican political operative, Stone has worked on multiple campaigns and calls himself a 'dirty trickster.' He is pictured posing with a poster of close friend Donald Trump from 2000 in 2017

There was a lounge, jacuzzi room and half a dozen private rooms to have sex.

In a Netflix documentary about Stone called 'Get Me Roger Stone', he described himself as ' try-sexual. I've tried everything.'

Nowadays Stone runs a website, StoneColdTruth.com, and appears on sites like InfoWars where he talks about conspiracy theories, often relating to the Clintons. He is also a father of two adopted children and a grandfather of five.

Another of his websites is StoneOnStyle.com, that he uses to publish his fashion advice.

Earlier this month Stone released his annual best and worst dressed list on website the Daily Caller, the 13th edition of the column.

Passion for fashion: Stone prides himself on his impeccable taste and even releases his own annual best and worst dressed list

Stone is friends with fellow conservative firebrands Ann Coulter and Milo Yiannopolous

Its worst dressed targets included Michael Cohen, noting  perhaps ironically if his own plea of innocence does not work out  that 'He won't need civilian clothes after pleading guilty to multiple counts.' He also took aim at Steve Bannon, who features in his indictment as 'senior Trump campaign official,' saying:'Bannon looks like he chases down hobos for their clothes or was up free-basing all night.'

In a 2017 interview Stone he claimed an entire room his apartment in Harlem - he splits his time between New York and Florida - was needed to show off his 400 suits, most of which were tailor made. The apartment was raided Friday morning and FBI agents were seen removing computers, but not tailoring.

He told Yahoo in 2017 that his tailors include Alan Flusser in New York and Anderson & Sheppard of Savile Row in London, whose other clients include Prince Charles.

He also had 80 winter sport coats and 35 summer jackets, and a morning suit and top hat which he wore to Trump's inauguration.

Speaking to Ivy Style, Mr Stone said that 'Look good feel good' is one of my rules' - he has been featured in GQ and Penthouse magazines.

His others include no socks.

He once told the New York Times: 'If life is a stage, then you should always be in costume. And if you are trying to connote a certain authority in your business life, I think being well dressed is part of that.'

Stone was dragged into Mueller's probe after he was suspected to have been in contact with Russian operatives during the 2016 presidential campaign. He invoked his Fifth Amendment right during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing last month

As Stone was being processed after his arrest, his home in Fort Lauderale, Florida was shown in aerial footage on CNN

Following his arrest, Stone appeared outside the Federal Courthouse on Friday afternoon to announce he will plead not guilty

Stone's friendship with Trump dates back to the 1990s when he worked as a lobbyist for his casino business advised him on a possible run for the Presidency with the fringe Reform party, after Stone's own defenestration from the GOP.

He served as an official adviser of his 2016 election campaign until August 2015 but, if the Special Counsel is to be believed, he stayed in close contact with them long after that.

After leaving the House Intelligence Committee in 2017 where he allegedly lied repeatedly about his contacts with WikiLeaks, Stone took time to pause in front of the waiting journalists.

Wearing an immaculate, tailor-made suit he said: 'I wanted to give you an opportunity, all, to see fine English tailoring.'

It was a typical Stone flourish - but the kind of arrogance that could now see him sent to jail for lying to exactly that hearing.
A male flight attendant has tragically died while working on a Hawaiian Airlines flight from Honolulu to New York City on Thursday night.

Emile Griffith, who had more than 30 years of service, suffered a suspected heart attack while the plane was flying over the Pacific Ocean.

Hawaiian Airlines Flight 50 left Honolulu at 4.20pm from Daniel K Inouye International Airport and was headed to John F Kennedy International Airport.

But just a few hours into the non-stop flight, passengers were told the plane was being diverted to San Francisco because of a 'medical emergency'.

Flight attendant Emile Griffith has tragically died while working a Hawaiian Airlines flight from Honolulu to New York City on Thursday night. The plane where he died is pictured here after it diverted to San Francisco International Airport

Passenger Andrea Bartz tweeted from the plane that the crew asked if there were any doctors on board the aircraft.

'It's been a long time since they asked for doctors to come to first class so I hope they're okay,' she wrote.

'So many doctors came forward they had to make a second announcement like "never mind, all set!"'

Crew members and doctors on board tried to save Griffith for several hours.

'They were doing CPR pretty much the whole way until we got there,' one passenger told CBS 13.

Passenger Andrea Bartz tweeted from the plane that the crew asked if there were any doctors on board the aircraft, then revealed that so many people volunteered to help they had to send some back. She also tweeted after the coroner and police came on board

SFO spokesperson Doug Yakel confirmed Griffith experienced a suspected heart attack and that 'qualified medical personnel' attempted CPR.

The efforts were suspended before the plane landed at SFO around 11pm local time, Yokel added.

Passengers were held on the runway for two hours. They were initially unaware that Griffith had died.

'There are cops too, and no one's moving with any urgency and they just had an elderly man with a yamulke come up the front,' Bartz tweeted. 'Did someone die?'

The San Mateo County Coroner then arrived on board and declared Griffith was deceased.

Passengers were informed of Griffith's death over the intercom.

Hawaiian Airlines told DailyMail.com it was 'deeply saddened' by Griffith's death, who had been with the company for more than 31 years.

Hawaiian Airlines Flight 50 left Honolulu at 4.20pm on Thursday from Daniel K. Inouye International Airport and was headed to John F Kennedy Airport, but diverted to SFO after the flight attendant suffered a heart attack over the Pacific Ocean

'We are forever grateful for Emile's colleagues and good Samaritans on board who stayed by his side and provided extensive medical help,' the statement read.

'Emile both loved and treasured his job at Hawaiian and always shared that with our guests. Our hearts are with Emiles family, friends and all those fortunate to have known him.'

Hawaiian Airlines said it has made counseling available for his fellow employees.

All 300 passengers had to find different flights, as Hawaiian Airlines does not operate from SFO to JFK.

Hawaiian Airlines assured the passengers they would be fully reimbursed for their new flights.

The aircraft departed from SFO at 5am. Its destination was not disclosed.
Donna Ball, 53, is seeking 400,000 from Coutts bank

The executive director of the Queen's bank Coutts denied it was an 'old boys' club' amid a 400,000 sexism claim.

Donna Ball, 53, says a 'glass ceiling' meant she was the only senior woman among 47 executives in the bank's commercial department.

In the latest alleged case of 'sexism in the City' Miss Ball said that she was blocked from promotion to director level because of 'unspoken sexism' at the 300-year-old private bank - which has served the Royal Family since the days of George IV.

Central London Employment Tribunal was told that female staff earn more than a quarter less than men on average.

Coutts' executive director of commercial banking David Waters said there were several factors for the apparent disparity.

He said: 'The gap is large because there is a high number of women in clerical levels, these alignments feed into the gap.

'I have been aware that there are more men in senior positions. Senior members of staff earn more money at the company.

'There will be a combination of factors, partly due to the fact that many stay in their role until more roles become available.'

Mr Waters explained that instead of similar roles being compared for pay disparity, the numbers instead concern a total average.

The tribunal was launched after Miss Ball felt she missed out on a promotion, and was subject of lower bonus pay at Coutts.

Coutts' figures show that women staff earn more than a quarter less than men on average, an employment tribunal heard (pictured: Coutts' headquarters in London)

Miss Ball, of Stevenage, Hertfordshire, is seeking 400,000 for gender discrimination, equal pay and victimisation at the bank.

She worked at the company for nine years, receiving a salary of more than 60,000, plus bonuses of up to 10,000.

Coutts & Co, owned by Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), reject the tribunal and insist Miss Ball was not yet qualified for a promotion.

Miss Ball claims she was invited to meetings to 'ensure that there was a female' to lessen the image of 'an exclusive gentleman's club'.

Last year Harry Keogh, managing director of its private wealth department, pictured, had to quit after allegedly outraging women colleagues with lewd comments and groping

But Mr Waters said: 'There are other female staff members who are senior. She is not the only one of her level within the company.

'There is a 37 per cent gender representation within the whole of Coutts. We have had diversity training in place for some time.'

Mr Waters, who has worked at the firm for 33 years, claimed he had a 'good relationship' with Miss Ball before her claim.

He added: 'I have known Donna since she joined, I was her line manager between Jan 2013 to Jan 2018 - my relationship was good.

'I have seen she is a self-starting, outgoing, active networker, willing to look for business - all positive qualities necessary to build a pipelines of new business opportunities.'

Coutts has previously been involved in claims of sexism, with managing director Harry Keogh quitting after groping accusations.

The tribunal continues.
Chicago has been hit with a wave of gunpoint muggings targeting people wearing expensive Canada Goose coats, with surveillance cameras capturing one of the latest attacks.

The surveillance footage shot on Wednesday at around 8.30pm shows a trio of armed thugs accosting a 53-year-old man on the 2100 block of China Place in Chicago's South Loop neighborhood.

'Take it off!' one of the muggers shouts after jumping from a white Mercedes, yanking at the arm of his Canada Goose parka, many of which run over $1,000.

'Ok, ok,' the victim says as two crooks rip the coat off him and steal his wallet while a third partner waits behind the wheel of the car.

A 53-year-old man was walking in the South Loop on Wednesday when thugs jumped from a white Mercedes and stole his Canada Goose coat at gunpoint

The vicious crooks ripped the coat off the man's back at gunpoint. It is the latest in a wave of similar crimes to hit Chicago

Police say at least one of the thieves displayed a gun during the attack, WGN-TV reported.

Then about 20 minutes later, a 23-year-old man was assaulted just a block away, also by two men who jumped out of a white Mercedes and demanded his coat.

If follows a rash of other attacks with the same signature during morning rush hour last week in various parts of the city.

In those robberies, three men in a stolen Audi attacked two victims for their Canada Goose coats in the River North area on Tuesday around 7.50am - in one case making off with a mere knock-off of the pricey parka.

Minutes later, the crew robbed a man for his Canada Goose coat at gunpoint in Wicker Park, also snatching his laptop bag.

Canada Goose parkas are seen in a file photo. Many of the coats cost more than $1,000, and thieves in Chicago have been stealing them right off the back of pedestrians at gunpoint

Chicago's lakefront is seen frozen over Friday. The National Weather Service had a wind chill warning in effect until 12pm Friday for counties in northwestern and north central Illinois

Overnight lows are forecast to plunge as low as minus-20 next week, with even lower wind chill

Police said in a community alert that the same men are suspected in three similar robberies last week in Hyde Park, the South Side home of the University of Chicago.

Investigators haven't said whether the attacks on Wednesday are linked to the robberies last week, but the surveillance shows suspects who resemble the description given last week: three black males in their late teens or 20s dressed in dark clothing, with a gun.

The wave of attacks comes as Chicago faces bitter cold as bad as or worse than the 2014 polar vortex outbreak.

Overnight lows could dip as low as minus-20 next week, with wind chills plunging down to a sickening minus-47.
A man arrested twice for illegally entering the U.S. allegedly raped and impregnated a teenager he met on Facebook.

Honduran national Hector Montez, 31, was jailed for the alleged sexual assault of a girl, 15, he met in California.

The Kings County Sheriffs Office said they were called to a hospital after the girl gave birth to a baby girl, Frezno's KSEE-TV reported.

After speaking with the minor, deputies said she told them she had been sexually assaulted by a man she had met on Facebook.

Honduran national Hector Montez, 31, is accused of raping a teenager, 15, he met online who then gave birth to a baby girl

She identified the suspect as Montez and showed deputies a picture from his Facebook profile.

The girl told deputies Montez picked her up from school because she needed a ride.

After she got into the vehicle, they said he drove her to a rural area near Jackson and 18th Street, just south of Lemoore.

She repeatedly told him to take her home. However officials said Montez refused and after he stopped the car he held her down and sexually assaulted her.

Information was gathered in regards to the whereabouts of Montez and deputies said they located him at his place of work.

Commander Mark Bevens said police went to the hospital as it is a standard procedure any time a person under the age of 18 delivers a baby.

'The minor victim in this case, stayed late from school, she had missed the bus she didn't know who else to call so she communicated with Montez and he picked her up from school to give her a ride home,' Bevens claimed.

Authorities said Montez was arrested without incident and was later booked into the Kings County Jail on suspicion of rape by force or fear of bodily injury, great bodily injury, kidnapping and false imprisonment. His bail was set at $5.2 million.

Montez apparently brought the girl to a rural area near Jackson and 18th Street, just south of Lemoore, where he sexually assaulted her

The Kings County Sheriff's Office said Montez was arrested twice for illegal entry, once in Texas in 2012 and the other in 2015 in Arizona.

It's unclear how long Montez lived here in the Valley, but right now he is booked at the Kings County Jail and his bail is set at nearly $6 million.

Bevens said the teen told them that she hid her pregnancy from her parents as long as she could and did not say anything until weeks before she was due.

Montez has been arrested twice for illegally entering the country.

Officials said U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has sent a request that Montez be detained, KSEE-TV reported.
To begin, the assertion that we have had open borders until now or that anyone, Democrat or Republican, advocates for open borders is a bald-faced lie concocted by our ever truth denying president and his acolytes at Fox News. Actually, our borders have been tightly controlled for the last 50 years or so, and far more effectively and compassionately than at present. To illustrate, 1.6 million people were arrested trying to cross the border illegally in 2000 compared to just 400,000 last year. In other words, there were more arrests and more effective border control 20 years ago than at present.
Furious shoppers have taken to the streets to protest the closure of their local Marks & Spencer shop described as the 'heartbeat' of their town.

Around 40 people stood outside the supermarket in Felixstowe, Suffolk, in the rain and more than 3,200 people have signed an online petition to save the store.

Locals have described the shop in the seaside town as a 'lifeline' for older people and said its closure would be 'devastating' on the community.

Save Felixstowe: Around 40 people stood outside the supermarket in Suffolk in the rain to protest the closure of their local M&S

Locals say the shop is the 'heartbeat' of their town and its closure would have a 'devastating' effect on the community

More than 3,200 people have also signed an online petition to save the supermarket from shutting

The Felixstowe shop is one of 17 stores set to close in the coming months as M&S commits to its plan to shut more than 100 by 2022.

Mike Titchener, chairman of the Felixstowe Town Centre Residents Association, told the BBC: 'It's always a really busy store, it's the flagship store of the high street, it's the heartbeat of the town.

'The demographic of Felixstowe is elderly. It's a lifeline for them. If we lose it, it will be devastating.'

Shoppers will need to travel 10 miles to nearest M&S once the closure goes ahead - which locals say is 'too far', especially for those who can't drive.

The Felixstowe shop is one of 17 stores set to close in the coming months as M&S commits to its plan to shut more than 100 by 2022

Mike Titchener, chairman of the Felixstowe Town Centre Residents Association, organised the protest

Grace McManus is one of thousands who would have to travel 10 miles to the next closest M&S

An M&S spokeswoman said: 'Proposing to close stores is never easy, for our colleagues, customers or the local community, but it is vital for the future of M&S.'

Therese Coffey, MP for Suffolk Coastal, said she would urge M&S bosses to keep the shop open when she meets them in Parliament next week.

The 16 other stores set to to close are: Ashford, Barrow, Bedford, Boston, Buxton, Cwmbran, Deal, Huddersfield, Hull, Junction One Antrim Outlet, Luton Arndale, Newark, Northwich, Rotherham, Sutton Coldfield and Weston-super-Mare.
A woman who was abducted by her father as a young girl and taken to Yemen has been reunited with her mother 34 years later.

Jackie Morgan, 57, was heartbroken when her three daughters were snatched from her by their father, Sadek Saleh, in 1986.

Her daughter Safia Saleh was just 18-months-old at the time and did not know who her real mother was.

Jackie Morgan, 57, (pictured) as heartbroken when her three daughters were snatched from her by their father, Sadek Saleh, in 1986. She has now been reunited with the youngest, Safia

Safia's father Sadek Saleh (right) abducted his children and took them to Yemen in 1986. Pictured left: Safia Saleh

Jackie, middle left, in Porthcawl, the last time she saw two of her daughters, Rahannah, left, and Nadia, middle right. Also pictured is her other daughter, Lucy, right

Ms Morgan married Sadek Saleh in 1983 and converted to Islam in the same year, but their marriage soon began to deteriorate.

Ms Morgan went to a women's refuge with her three daughters, but said: 'Conditions were so bad I went crawling back home to try and make my marriage work for the sake of the children.'

On May Bank Holiday 1986, Sadek said he was taking the girls to stay overnight with friends in Cardiff - but it would be years until she saw them again.

By the time she had called police, he had already flown from Heathrow to Saudi Arabia, taking the children with him.

'It's still a mystery how he got them all out of the UK,' Ms Morgan said.

But thanks to a crowdfunding campaign which raised 7,500, the mother and daughter have been reunited in Cardiff.

Ms Morgan said: 'I am very overwhelmed and so, so happy to be reunited with my daughter Safia after 34 years.

'I have also gained four grandchildren and a son-in-law. I never gave up fighting for my children.'

Ms Saleh was raised by another woman in Yemen along with her sisters Rahannah, five, and Nadia, four.

She only found out who her real mother was when Ms Morgan flew to Yemen with their birth certificates.

Ms Saleh, 34, is now married with four children and fled to Egypt with her family on Christmas Eve due to the war in Yemen.

Safia, middle left, with her four children, left to right, Mohammed, aged 12, Jacqueline, aged 11, Lucy, aged 10, and Asalah, aged two, at the front

Her husband Labeb and their children Mohammed, 12, Jacqueline, 11, Lucy, 10, and Asalah, 2, all travelled together to Cardiff.

Ms Saleh said: 'It was so difficult in the Yemen. We had no money, no house and no school for the children. There was no security.

'I have a feeling I cannot express with words. I feel safe now with my mother. I feel better.'

Ms Morgan gave special thanks to Assembly Member Neil McEvoy for organising the campaign.

Mr McEvoy added: 'There are moments in life when it seems that all hope is lost. But Jackie and her family kept going for 34 years.

'She never gave up and has always fought for her daughters, even when they were thousands of miles away in a war zone. It just shows that anything is possible.'
President Donald Trump responded to the arrest of longtime advisor Roger Stone by attacking the Mueller probe Friday saying drug dealers and human traffickers are treated better  and suggesting CNN got improperly tipped off about an FBI raid.

The president renewed his denial of collusion with Russia hours after agents swooped in on the Florida home of his informal advisor, and attacked the Russia probe that has now ensnared a number some of his closest campaign advisors.

'Greatest Witch Hunt in the History of our Country! NO COLLUSION!' Trump wrote, after White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders appeared on CNN and sought to put distance between Trump and Stone while also denying any collusion.

President Trump asked who 'alerted' CNN about the FBI's arrest of longtime informal advisor Roger Stone

'Border Coyotes, Drug Dealers and Human Traffickers are treated better,' Trump fumed. Then the president asked: 'Who alerted CNN to be there?'

The network was outside Stone's Fort Lauderdale home to witness the dramatic early-morning raid, and witnessed agents yelling 'FBI! Open the door!'

It also obtained exclusive video footage of the raid.

CNN host John King shot down the claim that his network had been tipped off.

'Not true,' he told viewers Friday. He said reporters had 'reason to believe, based on other clues, that things could come.'

According to the network, law enforcement vehicles arrived at Stone's home with sirens flashing just after 6 am. A dozen officers with heavy weapons and protective gear then spread out on Stone's lawn before agents knocked on the door, which Stone opened when asked.

Trump blasted the Mueller probe, denied collusion, said drug dealers were treated better, and suggested CNN got improperly tipped off to Roger Stone's arrest

Roger Stone was charged in an indictment Friday with lying to investigators and witness tampering

However the network reported on air that it positioned a crew outside Stone's house after noticing the federal grand jury in Washington that has been hearing Special Counsel Robert Mueller's evidence met on Thursday.

The only other time it met on a Thursday preceded the indictment of a group of Russians who were part of a troll farm that prosecutors say conducted the hacking operation of Clinton-related emails.

Stone himself has said for months that he expected to be indicted.

Former Trump campaign aide and Stone protege Michael Caputo told the network that Stone had been adjusting his schedule to prepare for a possible indictment.

'There was a time when Roger didn't make plans on Fridays,' Caputo said in a CNN story that aired Thursday, in reference to the days with the Mueller grand jury typically meets.

But Caputo said Stone had gone back to spending Friday nights at a favorite pizza parlor.
Sir Philip Green's Arcadia Ltd has admitted breaking health and safety laws after a incorrectly installed barrier at a Topshop store fell onto the head of a 10-year-old girl.

The schoolgirl, now 12, who cannot be named, was with her mother at Silverburn Shopping centre in Glasgow's Pollok area when a queue barrier swung and fell on her.

The child suffered a fractured skull plus cuts and bruises and has been left with a scar on her right temple.

The schoolgirl was with her mum at Silverburn Shopping Centre when the barrier fell

Yesterday at Glasgow Sheriff Court, Arcadia Group Ltd, bought by tycoon Sir Philip in 2002, pled guilty to flouting health and safety laws.

They admitted they failed to make sure that the queue barrier was fixed to the floor or properly secured, between January 2016 and February 2017.

Their failure to secure the barrier led to it falling on the girl, the court heard.

The court heard the barriers were usually only used in 'flagship stores' and Silverburn wasn't one.

They had been removed from the Argyle Street store and at some stage between January and March 2016.

They were then moved to Silverburn, but not correctly installed.

Procurator fiscal depute Catriona Dow said the items were used in stores near the till area to guide customers and often displayed smaller items people can buy.

Mrs Dow said they 'required to be fixed to the floor'.

She said: 'On February 7, 2017 the 10-year-old accompanied her mother and her friend shopping at Silverburn.

'The entered Topshop around 8pm. The girl and her mother had been looking at hats and trying them on.'

Yesterday at Glasgow Sheriff Court, Arcadia Group Ltd, bought by tycoon Sir Philip (pictured) in 2002, pled guilty to flouting health and safety laws

Around 8.15pm the girl's mother 'heard a scream' and turned to see her daughter lying on the floor 'with a queue barrier on top of her'.

Staff immediately removed it and an ambulance was called, and the girl was taken to hospital.

Mrs Dow said she was treated for a skull fracture and cut, and she had bruises on her arms.

The court heard the shop was shut for investigations and CCTV was checked.

Mrs Dow added 'It appears (the girl) has swung on the queue barrier at which time it fell on top of her.'

Enquiries revealed that that barrier, and a second that had been brought to the shop were both insecure and not attached the floor properly and removed.

The child was treated for her head injury at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow and was off school for eight weeks.

In June last year she was asked about her injuries and was aware of a scar on her right temple that she covers with makeup.

The firm will be sentenced at a later date.
Philip Hammond today insisted the EU will compromise on its Brexit red lines - as he blamed France for taking the 'hardest' line in negotiations.

The Chancellor said the bloc was 'thinking hard' about its position, as he urged Remainers to hold back from a revolt that could force Theresa May to delay Brexit.

And he played down unbending words from Emmanuel Macron, saying other EU nations were being much more constructive.

The comments came as as Mrs May desperately scrambles to fend off a Remainer revolt and win over the DUP and hardline Tory Eurosceptics ahead of a Commons showdown on Tuesday.

Amber Rudd has hinted she might quit if Mrs May orders Tory MPs to vote against a cross-party amendment intended to extend the Article 50 process.

As tensions between ministers broke into the open, Mr Hammond admitted some of his colleagues in Cabinet viewed the votes next week as as 'high noon' to avoid crashing out of the EU.

But in a thinly-veiled plea for them to hold off, Mr Hammond said he thought there was still time to defuse the crisis.

Chancellor Philip Hammond (pictured in Davos today) warned of huge economic damage from crashing out, saying it would be 'irresponsible' for the government to press ahead

Rubbishing the June 2016 referendum in which a majority of the British voted to exit the EU, Emmanuel Macron said: 'Be aware of people who sell you dreams, that tell you all your anger can be solved by a referendum. I'm scared of people who manipulate you with miracle ideas'

Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Mr Hammond said the EU was not going to change its 'fundamental position around the backstop'.

But he added: 'What I hear from European politicians and commentators that I have talked to here in Davos is that there is a process going on, of thinking very hard about where the EU has drawn its red lines, whether they really need to be in the place where they have been drawn.'

The DUP 'WILL back May's Brexit deal if she puts a time limit on the Irish border backstop' Theresa May was given hope of saving her Brexit plan today - amid claims the DUP could support it if the Irish backstop is time limited Theresa May was given hope of saving her Brexit plan today - amid claims the DUP could support it if the Irish border backstop is time limited. There are signs the Prime Minister's desperate scramble to win over her Northern Irish allies and hardline Tory Eurosceptics ahead of crunch votes next week could be making progress. Previously staunch critics appear to be rallying behind amendments that would water down the backstop - effectively dropping opposition to the wider deal. According to The Sun, the DUP has indicated it is ready to 'help' Mrs May by accepting a package as long as there is a 'short time limit' to the Irish border provisions - which they fear risk splitting the UK. A number of senior Tories, including 1922 chair Graham Brady, have signed a change proposed by former minister Andrew Murrison that would end the backstop in December 2021. However, hard-line Brexiteers such as Jacob Rees-Mogg have yet to show their hand. The shift could open the door for Mrs May to return to Brussels with a clear mandate in the wake of the Commons showdown on her 'Plan B' on Tuesday. But Mrs May is still struggling to fend off Remainer efforts to delay the Brexit date and take no-deal off the table. Advertisement

He suggested European politicians were coming round to the view that it is 'not reasonable' to demand the UK accepts a permanent backstop when EU membership could be cancelled with two years' notice.

Emmanuel Macron launched another extraoardinary attack on Brexit last night  saying 'it can't be delivered' and had 'torn society apart'.

But Mr Hammond dismissed that and hardline comments from his French counterpart Bruno Le Maire.

'I would just observe that the French have always been the hardest in this debate,' he said.

Asked whether he would stay in No11 if Mrs May backed no deal, Mr Hammond repeatedly dodged the question.

'I'm not going to speculate because a lot depends on the circumstances, what happens,' he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

'The responsibility I have is to manage the economy in what is the best interests of the British people.'

He added: 'I clearly do not believe that making a choice to leave without a deal would be a responsible thing to do.

'But I recognise that that is potentially a default that we could find ourselves in, and if we did find ourselves in that position then the responsible thing to do is to use every possible way of mitigating and minimising the impact.'

Treasury sources tried to play down the incendiary comments, insisting Mr Hammond had never threatened to resign.

During an interview with BBC Two's Newsnight, Ms Rudd was asked three times whether she would quit the Cabinet to back a bid by Labour's Yvette Cooper to extend Article 50 unless a deal is reached by the end of February.

She said: 'At this stage I'm going to stick to trying to persuade the Government to allow it to be a free vote.

'There is a lot taking place and there are a lot of new amendments.

'We'll have to wait and see.'

Mr Hammond admitted some of his colleagues viewed next week's vote as 'high noon' - but said he thought there was still time to defuse the crisis.

He also argued that seems to be movement

'What Amber is doing is reflecting a view among some of my colleagues that somehow next Tuesday is high noon, the last chance to make a stand against no-deal,' he said.

'I don't think that is the case, I don't think next Tuesday has to be, or indeed will be the high noon of this debate.

'Parliament will want to be confident that it will have an opportunity to express its clear view and some of my colleagues, including some who are in Government, will want to be able to express their view.

'But I don't think next Tuesday is the point when this comes to a head.'

The depth of divisions in Mrs May's team was underlined today with Aid Secretary Penny Mordaunt insisting public opinion was moving towards support for a no-deal departure.

She told the Financial Times that Brexit looked a 'bit grim' at the moment, but she believed the nation would eventually look back with 'pride'.

Ministers praise the Queen's 'wise' call for calm on Brexit Using barely coded language in a speech to her local Women's Institute in Norfolk, the Queen said she preferred 'respecting different points of view' Ministers praised the Queen today after she urged people to seek 'common ground' in an apparent plea for compromise on Brexit. Speaking at an event in Sandringham, the monarch stressed the importance of 'respecting' other views and said everyone needed to keep the 'big picture' in mind. The comments have been endorsed by a slew of senior politicians amid the bitter wrangling over relations with the EU. Theresa May's spokesman echoed the remarks, while Chancellor Philip Hammond said Britons had always been 'pragmatic' in solving problems. Advertisement

There are faint signs today that the PM's efforts to win over the DUP and hardline Tory Eurosceptics could be making progress.

Previously staunch critics appear to be rallying behind amendments that would water down the backstop - effectively dropping opposition to the wider deal.

According to The Sun, the DUP has indicated it is ready to 'help' Mrs May by accepting a package as long as there is a 'short time limit' to the Irish border provisions - which they fear risk splitting the UK.

A number of senior Tories, including 1922 chair Graham Brady, have signed a change proposed by former minister Andrew Murrison that would end the backstop in December 2021. However, hard-line Brexiteers such as Jacob Rees-Mogg have yet to show their hand.

The shift could open the door for Mrs May to return to Brussels with a clear mandate in the wake of the Commons showdown on her 'Plan B' on Tuesday.

Ministers praised the Queen today after she urged people to seek 'common ground' in an apparent plea for compromise on Brexit.

Speaking at an event in Sandringham, the monarch stressed the importance of 'respecting' other views and said everyone needed to keep the 'big picture' in mind.

The comments have been endorsed by a slew of senior politicians amid the bitter wrangling over relations with the EU.

Mrs May's spokesman echoed the remarks, while Chancellor Philip Hammond said Britons had always been 'pragmatic' in solving problems.

'I think there is huge wisdom in those words and I don't think anybody will be at all surprised to hear the Queen advocating the view that in all things controversial we should seek compromise, we should seek common ground and we should seek a way forward,' he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

'That is actually what we do in this country, that is how we solve problems, by compromise and pragmatism.

'It's been our enormous strength over centuries that we have been able to find compromises that bring the nation together.'

Meanwhile, furious Tories turned on Mr Macron after he launched a on Brexit  saying 'it can't be delivered' and had 'torn society apart'.

Eurosceptics demanded the French president apologise over his extraordinary rant at an event last night - urging him to focus on his own domestic woes.

MPs pointed out that the referendum was a 'democratic decision' and unlike France, the UK was not suffering any 'rioting on the streets'.

The rebuke came after Mr Macron - one of the biggest Brexit hawks among EU leaders - rubbished the result of the national vote in June 2016, saying it showed how the public could be manipulated.

'Be aware of people who sell you dreams, that tell you all your anger can be solved by a referendum. I'm scared of people who manipulate you with miracle ideas,' he said.

Mr Macron was speaking to an audience in Bourg-de-Peage, south of Lyon, in a 'people's debate'.

Some were so-called Yellow Vest anti-government campaigners who themselves want France to leave the EU.

The incendiary comments came after Amber Rudd hinted she could quit to back a rebel amendment that is designed to extend Article 50 beyond March
An autopsy has revealed that the Florida man who died after falling down the stairs on a cruise ship during his own bachelor party had been drinking heavily prior to his fall.

Christopher McGrory, 29, of Palm Beach County, Florida, was aboard the Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line's Grand Classica ship in October 2018, celebrating his upcoming wedding, when he fell 45 feet down a stairwell and died from his injuries.

McGrory's autopsy showed that his blood alcohol level was 0.256, about three times Florida's legal limit for declaring a driver impaired, according to the Palm Beach Post.

Christopher McGrory, 29, (pictured with fiancee Jessica Arnett) was celebrating at his bachelor party when he fell to his death aboard a Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line ship in Florida

An autopsy revealed that McGrory's blood alcohol content was three times Florida's legal limit for declaring a driver impaired at the time of his fatal fall

The autopsy report, which was released Thursday, stated that a nurse at the hospital where McGrory was taken after the incident, had said that McGrory had been 'drinking heavily, when he attempted to reach up and jump to the next stair and fell backward.'

McGrory was said to have lost his balance on the stairs, according to the autopsy report, which also noted that the medical devices attached to McGrory showed that first responders had worked hard to save McGrory's life before the Coast Guard airlifted him to the hospital, where he would later be declared dead.

McGrory was said to have been with about six friends on the cruise ship, which was heading to the Bahamas.

The boat was 13 miles east of the port when the US Coast Guard received a call for help on October 19 at around 8pm and arrived with a crew from the Riviera Beach Fire-Rescue.

McGrory was brought to shore and taken to St Mary's Medical Center in West Palm Beach, where he was pronounced dead.

Marcia Lehmann, a passenger on the ship, said she thought someone had a heart attack when she first heard the 'code blue' alert over the intercom.

Then, as a crowd of people gathered around a stairway, she looked down to a horrifying sight.

McGrory was brought to shore and taken to St Mary's Medical Center in West Palm Beach, where he was pronounced dead

McGrory - who worked as an analyst for Wells Fargo - was engaged to be married to Jessica Arnett, who he met four years ago in Tallahassee

The boat (pictured in file photo) was 13 miles east of the port when the US Coast Guard received a call for help around 8pm and arrived with a crew from the Riviera Beach Fire-Rescue

Arnett wrote a heartbreaking tribute to her fiance after his death, calling him her 'true love'

'All we could see was pools and pools of blood and a white sheet,' she told The Palm Beach Post.

'He fell above us, so it had to have been either the 10th or 11th deck.'

The autopsy stated that a nurse said that McGrory had been 'drinking heavily, when he attempted to reach up and jump to the next stair and fell backward'

McGrory was said to have lost his balance on the stairs, according to the autopsy report

McGrory - who worked as an analyst for Wells Fargo - was engaged to be married to Jessica Arnett, who he met four years ago in Tallahassee.

Arnett wrote a heartbreaking tribute to her fiance on Monday.

'With a heavy, heavy broken heart, it kills me to write this as it all seems surreal,' she wrote on Facebook.

'But I should tell you all my sweet sweet Chris was in a tragic accident and has passed away.'

'I'm at a loss for words. That man was my true love and my best friend. Please keep us all in your prayers.'

Arnett's grandmother Jean said McGrory was 'the love of her life'.

The couple had planned to marry in Yulee, where Arnett was raised, she told the Palm Beach Post.

Jean does not know what happened at the bachelor party.

She said one member in attendance was McGrory's brother.

The Coast Guard said it will not release any information about what happened on the ship while the investigation is ongoing.

A spokesman for Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line would only say that the Coast Guard evacuated a passenger 'due to a medical emergency'.

The boat continued to Grand Bahama Island following the tragic accident.

'Our thoughts and prayers go out to the guest's family at this time,' the cruise line's statement read.

'We commend the crew and US Coast Guard for their swift response.'
A beloved K9 suffering from bone cancer and two detached retinas got a final salute at the Pennsylvania veterinarian's office where he was euthanized Wednesday.

Newberry Township Police discovered nine-year-old German Shephard, Tazer, not only had a broken hind leg but he was suffering from bone cancer in both back limbs on Tuesday.

After his handler Sergeant Chris Martinez started noticing the pooch wasn't well after his Saturday shift he took him for a check-up but an animal doctor was astonished at how he had continued working normally despite being ill.

Newberry Township Police Sergeant Chris Martinez and his K9 partner Tazer were saluted before the dog was euthanized Wednesday

Police stood outside the Valley Green Veterinary Hospital in two rows to salute Tazer who has received two Medals of Valor, a Meritorious Service Medal, and four Chief Commendations

NTPD posted on Facebook: 'K9 Tazer was a true warrior to the very end and will be missed by many. We would like to thank K9 Tazer for his dedicated and selfless service'

'He was not limping, he was not showing any indication he had bone cancer, and bone cancer hurts,' Dr. Lewis Hartman of Valley Green Veterinary Hospital said to York Daily Record.

After deciding the humane thing to do was put the K9 to sleep, the partner of eight years got the best send-off from surrounding departments as approximately 40 cars gathered in a convoy and 18 fellow K9 showed up to pay respects.

The Associated Press reported 70 officers were present to say farewell to the dog that specialized in patrol, narcotics detection, and tracking while working with numerous agencies across the state.

Newberry Township Police said the nine-year-old German Shephard Tazer didn't seem well after his last shift on Saturday night so Martinez (right), his handler, took him to the vet

An officer who wasn't Tazer's handler was pictured with tears streaming down his face

Hartman added about the animal's walk into the exam room: 'It was incredible the level of Tazer's strength, stamina, spirit. For him to walk when he had bone cancer in both rear legs, that was incredible.'

Tazer was served a final meal of his favorite chicken treats before being sedated and he passed away with Martinez at his side.

The dog's end of watch announcement was made over police radio.

Hartman called the euthanization 'peaceful' and 'calm'.

As police stood outside the building in two rows to salute, at least one officer who wasn't Tazer's handler, was pictured with tears streaming down his face.

For the dog that received two Medals of Valor, a Meritorious Service Medal, and four Chief Commendations, it was a ceremony that very much resembled one for a human police officer.

Tazer was served a final meal of his favorite chicken treats before being sedated and he passed away with Martinez at his side

Tazer, not only had a broken hind leg but he was suffering from bone cancer in both back limbs

Tazer specialized in patrol, narcotics detection, and tracking during his eight-year career

NTPD posted on Facebook: 'K9 Tazer was a true warrior to the very end and will be missed by many. We would like to thank K9 Tazer for his dedicated and selfless service to the residents of Newberry Township and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.'

Police Chief Steven Lutz said they'll wait until the department has had ample grieving time before they consider replacing him: 'Right now, we just want to focus on Tazer and the memories of him, and try to heal as an agency because he was a huge part of us.'

But in the meantime they have teamed up with an apparel company to sell Tazer merchandise of which all proceeds will help fund their K9 program.

Items available online at tazerendofwatch.com for the next 16 days include T-shirts, long-sleeve tops and a hoodies.

Police said they'll wait until the department has had ample grieving time before they consider replacing him

NTPD has teamed up with an apparel company to sell Tazer merchandise of which all proceeds will help fund their K9 program
A British-born chimpanzee who is being bullied by his fellow apes in a German zoo should be brought back home to England, animal rights activists say.

Bili the bonobo was born at Twycross Zoo in Leicestershire in 2008, but was rejected by his mother and sent to a zoo in Frankfurt before ending up in Wuppertal, in eastern Germany.

The other apes at Wuppertal Zoo have not accepted Bili, and their attacks have left him with horrific open, bleeding wounds.

Images published by a campaign group fighting to have him sent back to Britain, show the poor ten-year-old ape with bites to his head and hands and a chunk missing from his ear.

Bonobo Bili who is being bullied by his fellow apes at a German zoo and has even had his ear bitten off

The campaign to bring British chimpanzee Bili home started after heartbreaking images were released showing him with bites on his head and hand

The petition 'Save Bonobo Bili from Wuppertal Zoo' was started by animal lover Petra Bente, who says he has been severely traumatised since being sent to the zoo in western Germany

Bili was brought to Wuppertal Zoo for as part of a conservation programme as Bonobos are an endangered species but can be seen here nursing open wounds

Bonobos are also known as pygmy chimpanzees, but are technically a separate species. They are, as their nickname alludes, smaller than chimpanzees and highly endangered.

In the wild they can only be found in one country, the Democratic Republic of Congo, where it is feared only a few thousand specimen remain.

Bili was sent to Germany from Twycross Zoo after his mother Maringa failed to care for him.

He was first flown to Frankfurt in January 2009, where he was adopted by loving female chimps who had previously brought up orphaned youngsters.

He reportedly integrated well in the group, but despite this he was sent to Wuppertal Zoo in autumn last year, where he is being bullied by the other apes.

Aged just three months, Bili was a happy-looking adorable baby chimp when he was photographed taking the flight to Germany

The little ape looked relaxed before snuggling in amongst other passengers on the flight from Birmingham to Frankfurt

Grasping his 'passport' excitedly Bili and his keepers looked forward to him finding a better life in Germany

This adorable mock-up 'passport' records the bonobo as having - perhaps unsurprisingly - brown hair and brown eyes

A promising start: Four-month old Bili was in Frankfurt settling in well, but life has taken a darker turn since he was ostracised and attacked by his fellow great apes

The 'Save Bonobo Bili from Wuppertal Zoo' campaign, launched by animal lover Petra Bente, wants to see him sent to the Wales Ape and Monkey Sanctuary in South Wales.

The group's pleas have so far been rejected by Wuppertal Zoo, who say they are still hoping that Bili can be integrated with their own ape family.

The zoo's Deputy Director Severin Dressget said that Bili was not allowed to breed by the Frankfurt Zoo he was living in, and as a result had been sent to them.

He said: 'This was done with the aim of integrating him into the existing group and thus to contribute to the preservation of the highly endangered bonobos by breeding.'
A 'confused' widow who went missing was found dead four days later tangled in barbed wire outside an RAF base where her husband once served, an inquest heard.

Jean Lloyd, 77, vanished after setting off on a doctors appointment in Neston, Chester, on April 17 last year.

Her son Edward became concerned after his mother, who was diagnosed with schizophrenia in 1989, did not return home to Thornton Hough, Wirral.

The inquest in Mold, north Wales, heard Mrs Lloyd headed nine miles away to the Sealand Army Rifle Range on the site of RAF Sealand, where late husband Derek was once based.

The 77-year-old pensioner had been missing for four days after she vanished on the way to a doctor's appointment in a neighbouring town, it was a tragic ending as her story unfolded

Assistant Coroner for North Wales East and Central, Joanne Lees, recorded an open conclusion this week.

She said: 'Following a search she was located near a cycle path between two rings of barbed wire fencing.

'There was no evidence or natural explanation for her cause of death. There was nothing suspicious and we can't say if it was natural or unnatural.'

At her inquest, a mental health worker who saw Mrs Lloyd earlier that month said she appeared to be coping well. After being diagnosed with schizophrenia 30 years ago after hearing voices, she started receiving injections every three weeks to treat it.

A post-mortem by Dr Mared Owen-Casey found 'no significant findings' to explain how she died.

Jean had been seen on CCTV leaving a bus a few stops too early, left. Later she was spotted walking past a local pub on a path leading down to some marshland area, right, and an MOD base. Her story was told on Reported Missing on Monday night, leaving viewers in tears

One theory is that she may have become entangled in the barbed wire fence and died of hypothermia.

CCTV had shown her getting on a bus and footage was released by Cheshire Police showing her arriving in Neston shortly after 1pm the same day.

Paramedics were called and she was pronounced dead at the scene on Aprill 21. There were no suspicious circumstances.

Her death featured on the BBC show 'Reported Missing', leaving viewers in tears.

Members of the public also got to work in order to help police search for Jean, with dozens of local residents giving up their free time to search for her.

Viewers were devastated by the episode with many of them taking to Twitter to discuss it and one saying: 'That episode has me in a pool of tears.'

After she was found her son told the documentary: 'She just got trapped somewhere and her automatic thought was handbag down, used as a pillow, coat off and curl up in a ball, coat over her and just went off to sleep and never woke up from it.'

He tearfully added: 'I prefer to remember her how she was, in the kitchen. Just baking, baking scones or fairy cakes.'
The Council of Europe has named Britain in a resolution highlighting how sharia law conflicts with universal human rights.

A measure adopted by the 47-nation body, which oversees the European Convention on Human Rights, raises concerns about the role of sharia councils in family matters.

It also said it was 'greatly concerned' that sharia is applied either officially or unofficially in member states.

The Council of Europe has named Britain in a resolution highlighting how sharia law conflicts with universal human rights (file picture)

According to The Law Society Gazette, the resolution said that in Britain 'sharia councils attempt to provide a form of alternative dispute resolution, whereby members of the Muslim community, sometimes voluntarily, often under considerable social pressure, accept their religious jurisdiction mainly in marital and Islamic divorce issues, but also in matters relating to inheritance and Islamic commercial contracts.'

The resolution, passed at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, also said Muslim couples getting married in the UK should be legally required to civilly register their union before or during the Islamic ceremony.

It raised concerns about the role sharia councils play in the areas of family, inheritance and commercial law.

'The assembly is concerned that the rulings of the Sharia councils clearly discriminate against women in divorce and inheritance cases,' it added.

In February last year, a government-ordered review of Sharia law concluded that Muslim couples should be legally required to have a civil marriage in addition to an Islamic ceremony.

The assembly said it was concerned that the rulings of sharia councils 'clearly discriminate against women in divorce and inheritance cases' (file picture)

The measure would mean more women had protection under family law and would face 'less discriminatory practices', the independent assessment said.

It would bring Islamic weddings into line with religious Christian and Jewish weddings, the review said.

The Government has refused recommendations that would formalise Sharia councils in Muslim communities.

The report said banning Sharia councils was not 'viable' because they were fulfilling an important role and called for them to be regulated instead.

But ministers have said they will not do anything to formalise a secondary legal system in Britain.

The exact number of Sharia councils operating in England and Wales is unknown but estimates vary from 30 to 85.

The Council of Europes new resolution welcomed the 2018 recommendations and called on Britain to ensure councils operate within the law 'especially as it relates to the prohibition of discrimination against women, and respect all procedural rights'.

According to the Independent, a Home Office spokesperson said of the resolution: 'Sharia law does not form any part of the law in England and Wales. Regardless of religious belief, we are all equal before the law. Where Sharia councils exist, they must abide by the law.

'Laws are in place to protect the rights of women and prevent discrimination, and we will work with the appropriate authorities to ensure these laws are being enforced fully and effectively.'

Albania, Azerbaijan and Turkey were also named in in Council of Europe's resolution.

These three countries have all endorsed the 1990 Cairo Declaration on Human Rights in Islam which is a declaration of Human Rights compatible with sharia.

The declaration does not contain a right to freedom of religion. According to sharia, a Muslim does not have the right to change his religion or become an atheist.

This is a key difference from the Human Rights declaration, reports the European Centre for Law and Justice.
It is striking that on the same day that The Sun published an op-ed claiming that the state of Maryland was unconstitutionally punishing companies who boycott Israel (Md. lawsuit: Punishing companies for boycotting Israel violates First Amendment rights, Jan. 22), a federal court in Arkansas issued a ruling dismissing a constitutional challenge to that state's law forbidding state agencies from investing in or contracting with companies that boycott Israel. The court ruled that engaging in a boycott of Israel is "neither speech nor inherently expressive conduct," and therefore is not protected by the First Amendment.
A New Jersey man has been ridiculed on social media for attempting to carve a peace sign on a giant ice disk formation a river in Maine.

A perfectly rounded ice floem, which was roughly 100 yards wide, formed in the middle of Presumpscot River in Westbrook last week when temperatures hit a bitter low of 8 degrees.

The frozen spectacle, which appeared to move in an anti-clockwise direction, was the subject of much commentary on social media with the public posting pictures of it on the city's Facebook page.

Christopher Angelo (pictured) was mercilessly mocked on social media for trying to carve a peace sign into an ice disc which formed on a river in Maine

Angelo made his way into the middle of the disk and started hacking into the ice with an ax. At one point he fell into the river and pulled himself out to continue his work

It attracted crowds of curious locals and been the subject of worldwide media attention.

And New Jersey man Christopher Angelo was so impressed that he traveled to Maine with a chainsaw and decided he wanted to carve a peace sign into the ice disk.

Angelo, 44, from Lavallette, was spotted in the middle of the river cutting into the ice with a chainsaw on Thursday.

He later told WGME that he was an arborist and 'wanted to send a message of positivity to the world' from Maine.

He said: 'I'm an arborist, Im a tree climber, it makes me uniquely qualified to do this because I use chainsaws, ropes, I'm making a giant peace sign and I want it to spin around so bad, and create that visual for people to see of peace making the world go around in Westbrook.'

His bizarre stunt caused a large crack in the ice disk, which is beginning to melt and becoming slushy in parts as temperatures increase.

The disk formed last week and rotated freely in the Presumpscot river until air temperatures plummeted and it froze into the river ice Tuesday

The eye-pleasing spectacle has attracted crowds of curious locals and been the subject of worldwide media attention

Angelo said he had set up underwater cameras, and planned to take core samples of the disk.

Decked out in a neon yellow lei, Angelo carried a pickax, hatchet and chain saw on his inflatable raft and told the paper that he wanted to get a masters degree in ice disks.

He reportedly fell into the river at one point and was soaked up to his waist, but managed to quickly pull himself out and get back to work.

Brown University researchers even set up a webcam overlooking the ice sheet to record its movements and eventual demise

Westbrook city officials flew a drone over the river on Monday and captured mesmerizing aerial footage of the slowly rotating ice formation

Angelo eventually gave up on Thursday afternoon. The Press Herald reported that the ice disk was 'still intact though somewhat scarred' when he left.

Angelo has previously been arrested in 2013 and 2014 for climbing and planting an American flag on top of storm-damaged rides at a New Jersey amusement park hit by Hurricane Sandy, according to the Press Herald.

Unsurprisingly his risky stunt was criticized and ridiculed on social media, with people questioning why he had traveled from New Jersey to Maine to spread the message of peace.

Angelo's antics didn't go down well, with many taking to social media to criticize the stunt

One Twitter user said Maine should 'build a wall to keep these nuts' or 'deport people back to New Jersey.'

An anonymous Twitter account claiming to be the voice of the ice disk wrote: 'I always felt the message of peace and unity was implied. Im really not into body art.'

The city of Westbrook said it strongly discourages people from going out on the ice, due to safety concerns.

Angelo posted a picture of him carving a tree on an unknown date on his Facebook page

Westbrook police received calls about the man Thursday, but said in a written statement to the Press Herald that Angelo was breaking no laws.

'It isnt against the law to chop river ice,' wrote Westbrook police Captain Sean Lally.

'Unusual? Yes. Why someone would come here from New Jersey to chop up an ice disk is beyond me.

'I do know that the river will continue to flow and the Maine winter is far from over, so Mr. Angelo might want to seek long-term accommodations if he intends to defy Mother Nature.'

The citys marketing manager, Tina Radel, had flown a drone over the river on Monday and captured mesmerizing aerial footage of the slowly rotating ice formation.

Researchers from Maine and far away have been intrigued by the ice disk, an unusually large example of a phenomenon that has been documented in rivers in North America and Europe but is not entirely understood.

Brown University researchers even set up a webcam overlooking the ice sheet to record its movements and eventual demise.
This is the heart-stopping moment a police officer narrowly escapes being hit by a out of control car.

The dash-cam footage released by Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Office and captured in Wisconsin, U.S., shows Deputy Jason Fabry run out of the way of the spinning SUV as it skids along an icy road.

Mr Fabry had been assisting a driver who had fallen into a ditch before the incident occurred.

Deputy Jason Fabry walks back onto the highway in Wisconsin, U.S., after assisting a driver who had fallen into a ditch

The dash-cam footage released by Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Office shows the SUV lose control as Mr Fabry continues walking along the icy road

As the car swings out of control, Mr Fabry is alerted to its presence and spins around

During the clip, the car hurtles down the snowy road before swinging to the side and losing control.

The police officer, who has his back turned to the car, is soon alerted to the oncoming vehicle and quickly spins around.

Realising that the oncoming vehicle is heading his way, Mr Fabry successfully runs to the side of the road and out of harms way.

The police quickly runs to his right in an effort to avoid the out of control car heading his way

Mr Fabry manages to get off the road as the SUV driver spins out of control on the icy road

Following the incident, Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Office decided to release the footage from the police officer's car in a bid to remind drivers to slow down and driver safely on icy roads.

A message on their Facebook page reads: 'This spinout could have been deadly for Deputy Fabry, or for an oncoming vehicle.

'Thankfully, no one was struck or injured, but this video serves as a great example of people driving too fast for conditions and putting the life of a deputy at great risk.

'Unfortunately, this is an all too common event that just happened to be captured by a squad camera.'
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Time stands still at a bustling market in old Hong Kong: A worker heaving bulky baskets with a bamboo shoulder pole, grubby children without trousers waiting for their mother to finish her shopping and street vendors chattering away under billowing laundry on washing lines.

Such was everyday life in Hong Kong in the 1950s and 60s - without a single skyscraper or neon sign in sight - as captured by prominent photographer Fan Ho in his final project, 'Portrait of Hong Kong'.

These simple yet mesmerising images of the city's old streets, dark alleyways and quaint corners are set to appear in an upcoming exhibition in March in Hong Kong, three years after Ho's death.

The above photo, named 'Recollection of Wan Chai', shows the district in the 1950s. Today, Wan Chai is a busy commercial area filled with office workers and shoppers. The photo is part of Fan Ho's final project, 'Portrait of Hong Kong'

Titled 'Balance', a worker is pictured heaving bulky baskets with a bamboo shoulder pole near a building in old Hong Kong

'Dancing Canopies' shows a mother and her child walking through a bustling open market in old Central district

Three children smiling candidly into the camera, grinning from ear to ear, which Ho had adorably named 'The Musketeers'

Celebrated for his distinctive monochrome images, Ho was best known for being a master in documenting Hong Kong's distinctive street life in the 1950s and 60s, when the city was undergoing an economic transformation including a rapid expansion in the manufacturing sector as well as a population boom.

Sarah Greene, Ho's long-time collaborator and director of the Blue Lotus Gallery - where the exhibition will be held from March 22 to April 28, said this particular selection of 40 never-before-seen images have a more natural, straight forward approach rather than the highly stylised street photography that fans of Ho's work are familiar with.

In his own manifesto 'Thoughts on Street Photography' which Ho wrote at the age of 28, he explains: 'My realistic street photos are rarely selected. Pictorial aesthetics and images with a sense of humour are still the key for salon photos but I expect changes to happen soon. In the meantime, I will just keep trying.'

In 'Mystic Alley', an elderly woman walks towards the sunlight in a dark alleyway on a smoggy day in Hong Kong in the 50s

This portrait, 'Waiting for Mom' shows three children without trousers waiting for their mother to finish her shopping

'Master Craftsman' shows a worker carrying his tools on a busy street in Hong Kong's Central district

'Four': Women take a stroll together on a sunny day. Celebrated for his distinctive monochrome images, Ho Fan was best known for being a master in documenting Hong Kong's distinctive street life in the 1950s and 60s,

Greene started working with Ho on the project in 2015, selecting and cropping his favourite images. When the artist died of pneumonia at the age of 84 in June 2016, Ho's family helped the gallery complete the project.

Ho's daughter, Claudia, said the project was a healing process and gave the family a chance to be close to their father and honour him.

'I knew and loved Ho Fan as my father,' she said. 'I was never that much involved with his artistic career but this opportunity made me get to know him as "the artist."'

The sequence of the city's portraits travels loosely from West to East Hong Kong, starting from the old boat-people communities and moving through the start of modern Hong Kong society.

'Surreal Sai Wan' shows a barren Sai Wan district in the 50s. Today, it is a bustling residential area with high-rise buildings

'Obedience' shows three children sitting quietly on concrete steps in front of a shop. Ho's daughter, Claudia, said the project was a healing process and gave the family a chance to be close to their father and honour him

'Strolling to Tai Ping Shan Street' shows two women talking a walk. The historic street, located at the north slope of Victoria Peak in Sheung Wan, marks the early colonial history in Hong Kong

'Whitty Street Diary': Named after R.C. Whitty, the first manager of Hong Kong and China Gas Company, the street in Shek Tong Tsui district is well known as one of seven terminals of the Hong Kong Tramway

Some of the most striking pictures include an elderly woman walking towards the approaching sunlight in a dark alleyway on a smoggy day and three children smiling candidly into the camera, grinning from ear to ear, which Ho had adorably named 'The Musketeers'.

Viewers would be surprised by the occasional colour photograph, but Greene noted that vivid colours were not Ho's favourite medium as it was 'too close to reality' and 'not very stable as a material at that time'.

Born in Shanghai in 1931, Ho delved into photography at the early age of 14 when he started taking pictures with his Father's Kodak Brownie camera. When he was 18, his father brought him a twin lens Rolleiflex camera with which he took all his award-winning images.

'Thriving Market' shows a bustling urban life in the 60s, when Hong Kong was undergoing an economic transformation including a rapid expansion in the manufacturing sector as well as a population boom

'Five Little Ones' with their mother. Born in Shanghai in 1931, Ho delved into photography at the early age of 14 when he started taking pictures of Hong Kong's street scenes with his Father's Kodak Brownie camera

'Age of innocence in Sheung Wan' shows children playing together in the old district. Sheung Wan was one of the earliest settled places by the British, and belonged to the historical Victoria City.

'Market Promenade': Viewers would be surprised by the occasional colour photograph, but Greene noted that vivid colours were not Ho's favourite medium as it was 'too close to reality' and 'not very stable as a material at that time'.

Dubbed the 'Henri Cartier-Bresson of the East', Ho's compelling images of the intriguing life around him earned him close to 300 local and international photography awards and titles.

Ho was elected a fellow of the British Royal Photographic Society in 1956 and ranked the best photographer in the world by the Photographic Society of America two years later.

One of Ho's photographs, 'Approaching Shadow,' sold at auction for HK$375,000 (36,300) in 2016 - the highest price tag for one of the photographer's prints to date.

'The Young Punter' is part of the sequence of the city's portraits that travels loosely from West to East Hong Kong, starting from the old boat-people communities and moving through the start of modern Hong Kong society

'Can't Wait': Children rush to grab sweet snacks cut by a vendor. Dubbed the 'Henri Cartier-Bresson of the East', Ho's compelling images of the intriguing life around him earned him close to 300 local and international photography awards

'Kids and Cat' is a rare colour photograph by the artist. Ho did not trust colour as a medium as it was 'too close to reality'

Ho later moved onto the silver screen business, first as an actor then a director, before retiring in America at the age of 65.

For many who were inspired by Ho's work, the photographs were much more than art. The works were a collective memory of Hong Kong's culture, identity and soul, a reminiscence of a bygone era.

'Portrait of Hong Kong' by Fan Ho will take place at Blue Lotus Gallery Hong Kong from 22 March to 28 April. Details here on the gallery's website and Facebook page.

'Quarter to Four' shows a scene at a market in Central. Today, Central is Hong Kong's main financial and business district

'The Last Beam' depicts a mesmerising sunset case on the side of an old apartment building in Hong Kong

'In Deep Thought': For many who were inspired by Ho's work, the photographs were much more than art. The works were a collective memory of Hong Kong's culture, identity and soul, a reminiscence of a bygone era

'Opposites': Born in Shanghai in 1931, Ho delved into photography at the early age of 14 when he started taking pictures with his Father's Kodak Brownie camera

'Mom's Second Kitchen' shows a boy waiting patiently as his mother in a cheongsam cooks a dish in an open kitchen
A hotel has hilariously rebuffed a customer's claims that he was deliberately 'poisoned' by staff because he was rude to them.

The visitor, Brian C, posted on TripAdvisor, his suspicions about a meal he had at the Tongadale Hotel in Portree on the picturesque island of Skye.

Brian's wild allegations sparked the manager of the family-run hotel into a response that has now gone viral.

'I'm pretty sure I was deliberately served tainted food by a staff member after a curt comment I made about waiting in line,' wrote Brian.

The manager of the Tongadale Hotel on the Isle of Skye spoke out against the review

'Of course I can't prove this, but I know I spent the next day throwing up all over Skye. My meal was specifically served to me by someone other than our waiter, which should, I suppose, have made me wonder.

'Anyway, I lived on fruit for the next few days, which is not a bad thing, and I did love visiting Scotland.

The hotel manager responded to the review in spectacularly witty and forensic detail starting with: 'Dear Brian, I am disappointed to hear that you feel that one of our staff members deliberately tried to poison you.'

Laura Maclean, the manager of the hotel, quipped that she was 'equally saddened and disappointed' that it took Brian three months to 'regain the strength to comment on your illness and otherwise make no contact with our restaurant or the hotel.'

Laura then dubbed the manner in which Brian brought the issue to light like that of a 'cyber warrior'.

Brian C wrote his review at the end of last year. He claimed he was deliberately poisoned

She defended her staff and added: 'I would dread to think what sort of curt comment you would require to make in order for such an incident to occur in any establishment.'

She also assured the disgruntled customer that a wait in any popular or busy restaurant is normal.

'Might I suggest that possibly a MacDonald's or KFC drive-through may be a more appropriate choice going forwards if you are unwilling to wait for restaurant service?' she added.

She said a wait in a restaurant does not constitute a 'food based conspiracy'.

'I would also advise, simply for your future reference, given that you are clearly an avid fan of the bad review a brief summary of the differences between a stomach bug and food poisoning.

'This is just in case you wish to cast unfounded aspersions on any other establishments going forwards,' she added before giving a detailed run through of the symptoms of the two, disproving that he had food poisoning and sarcastically offering advice if he ever does it it, including scientific reasons for not eating fruit.

The harbour in Portree, the capital of the Isle of Skye. Brian said he generally enjoyed visiting

'We trust that having spent the next day driving around various points on the island and vomiting all over it this was disposed of in a responsible manner so as not to pose a health hazard to wildlife or other visitors.

'We are however glad to hear that you did love Scotland, and clearly the fruit.

'All the best,

'Tongadale Hotel,' she ended the rebuttal.

Miss Maclean said it was believed that Brian had not been staying as a guest but had popped in for a meal when he visited in September.

'We don't normally respond to TripAdvisor reviews but in this case because the allegation was so serious we did. I wasn't having it,' she said.

'We are not five star hotel, we are a family and pet friendly, home from home. The vast majority of our guests are very happy.

'We have never had a case of food poisoning - and our staff are so friendly and caring they will go the extra mile for guests. The hotel has been in the same family for over 60 years, the Matheson family, and we have never had a guest like Brian.'
Tory Brexiteer Mark Francois today launched an extraordinary attack on the German head of Airbus for threatening to pull the firm out of the UK.

Mr Francois accused Tom Enders of 'Teutonic arrogance' for warning about the consequences of a no-deal Brexit.

And invoking his father Reginald's part in the D-Day landings, the MP said: 'He never submitted to bullying by any German. Neither will his son.'

Mr Francois' father Reginald was an engineer who served in the Royal Navy during the Second World War, and a minesweeper on D-Day.

The furious rebuke - which culminated with Mr Francois ripping up a copy of Mr Enders' words live on television - came as politicians continued to clash over Brexit.

Theresa May is struggling to find a way through the Parliamentary deadlock, with Conservatives split over whether to go for no deal if the EU will not compromise.

Mark Francois (pictured today) accused Tom Enders of 'Teutonic arrogance' for warning about the consequences of no deal

Yesterday Mr Enders stepped up warnings about the consequences of crashing out, branding the government's handling of Brexit a 'disgrace'

Yesterday Mr Enders stepped up warnings about the consequences of crashing out, branding the government's handling of Brexit a 'disgrace' and suggesting Airbus might need to pull out of the UK if close ties to the EU do not carry on.

Ministers praise the Queen's 'wise' call for calm on Brexit Using barely coded language in a speech to her local Women's Institute in Norfolk, the Queen said she preferred 'respecting different points of view' Ministers praised the Queen today after she urged people to seek 'common ground' in an apparent plea for compromise on Brexit. Speaking at an event in Sandringham, the monarch stressed the importance of 'respecting' other views and said everyone needed to keep the 'big picture' in mind. The comments have been endorsed by a slew of senior politicians amid the bitter wrangling over relations with the EU. Theresa May's spokesman echoed the remarks, while Chancellor Philip Hammond said Britons had always been 'pragmatic' in solving problems. 'I think there is huge wisdom in those words and I don't think anybody will be at all surprised to hear the Queen advocating the view that in all things controversial we should seek compromise, we should seek common ground and we should seek a way forward,' he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. 'That is actually what we do in this country, that is how we solve problems, by compromise and pragmatism. 'It's been our enormous strength over centuries that we have been able to find compromises that bring the nation together.' Advertisement

Interviewed on BBC New this afternoon, Mr Francois vented his anger at the intervention.

He said: 'It's a classic example of the sort of Teutonic arrogance which is one of the many reasons why people voted to leave the European Union.

'If he thinks because he runs a big company he can bully British MPs how to vote he is going to be sorely mistaken.

'My father Reginald Francois was a D-Day veteran. He never submitted to bullying by any German. Neither will his son.'

Tearing up a copy of the Airbus chief's letter, he added: 'So if Mr Enders is watching this is what he can do with his letter.'

His furious rebuke came as Mrs May faces a fresh Cabinet meltdown after Philip Hammond refused to rule out quitting if there is a no-deal Brexit.

The Chancellor underscored his warnings about the huge economic damage from crashing out of the EU - after causing a storm yesterday by saying it would be a 'betrayal' of the British people.

As tensions between ministers broke into the open, Mr Hammond admitted some of his Remainer colleagues in Cabinet viewed Tuesday's Commons votes, which could pave the way for a Brexit delay, as 'high noon'.

Despite Amber Rudd hinting she might quit if Mrs May orders Tory MPs to vote against a cross-party amendment intended to extend the Article 50 process, Mr Hammond said he thought there was still time to defuse the crisis.

However, asked whether he would stay in No11 if Mrs May backed no deal, Mr Hammond repeatedly dodged the question.

'I'm not going to speculate because a lot depends on the circumstances, what happens,' he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

'The responsibility I have is to manage the economy in what is the best interests of the British people.'

Yet, in a glimmer of hope for the PM's Brexit deal, there were reports today that the DUP will back her plan if the Irish backstop is time limited.

According to The Sun, the DUP - whose ten MPs are propping the Tories up in Downing Street - has indicated it is ready to 'help' Mrs May by accepting a package as long as there is a 'short time limit' to the Irish border provisions - which they fear risk splitting the UK.

A number of senior Tories, including 1922 chair Graham Brady, have signed a change proposed by former minister Andrew Murrison that would end the backstop in December 2021. However, hard-line Brexiteers such as Jacob Rees-Mogg have yet to show their hand.

DUP could back May's Brexit plan if she gets a time limit to the backstop Theresa May was given hope of saving her Brexit plan today - amid claims the DUP could support it if the Irish border backstop is time limited. There are signs the Prime Minister's desperate scramble to win over her Northern Irish allies and hardline Tory Eurosceptics ahead of crunch votes next week could be making progress. Previously staunch critics appear to be rallying behind amendments that would water down the backstop - effectively dropping opposition to the wider deal. According to The Sun, the DUP has indicated it is ready to 'help' Mrs May by accepting a package as long as there is a 'short time limit' to the Irish border provisions - which they fear risk splitting the UK. A number of senior Tories, including 1922 chair Graham Brady, have signed a change proposed by former minister Andrew Murrison that would end the backstop in December 2021. However, hard-line Brexiteers such as Jacob Rees-Mogg have yet to show their hand. The shift could open the door for Mrs May to return to Brussels with a clear mandate in the wake of the Commons showdown on her 'Plan B' on Tuesday. But Mrs May is still struggling to fend off Remainer efforts to delay the Brexit date and take no-deal off the table. Advertisement

The shift could open the door for Mrs May to return to Brussels with a clear mandate in the wake of the Commons showdown on her 'Plan B' on Tuesday.

While, in a rare public intervention, the Queen last night urged people to seek 'common ground' in an apparent plea for compromise on Brexit.

In a speech to the Women's Institute in Sandringham, the monarch stressed the importance of 'respecting' other views and said everyone needed to keep the 'big picture' in mind.

The comments have been endorsed by a slew of senior politicians amid the bitter wrangling over relations with the EU.

Asked this morning about the Queen's rare foray into politics, Mr Hammond told the BBC Radio 4 Today Programme 'I think there is huge wisdom in those words and I don't think anybody will be at all surprised to hear the Queen advocating the view that in all things controversial we should seek compromise, we should seek common ground and we should seek a way forward.'

'That is actually what we do in this country, that is how we solve problems, by compromise and pragmatism.

'It's been our enormous strength over centuries that we have been able to find compromises that bring the nation together.'

Conservative MPs and ministers took to Twitter to express their support for the Queen's words.

Sharing lines from her speech, Health Secretary Matt Hancock tweeted: 'I agree with the Queen.'

Ms Rudd, Work and Pensions Secretary, said: 'Wise words from the Queen.'

While Bim Afolami, MP for Hitchin and Harpenden, wrote: 'The Queen is right.'

Philip Hammond refuses to rule out quitting if the UK leaves the EU without a deal Theresa May is facing a fresh Cabinet meltdown after Philip Hammond today refused to rule out quitting if there is a no-deal Brexit. The Chancellor underscored his warnings about the huge economic damage from crashing out of the EU - after causing a storm yesterday by saying it would be a 'betrayal' of the British people. As tensions between ministers broke into the open, Mr Hammond admitted some of his Remainer colleagues in Cabinet viewed Tuesday's Commons votes, which could pave the way for a Brexit delay, as 'high noon'. Despite Amber Rudd hinting she might quit if Mrs May orders Tory MPs to vote against a cross-party amendment intended to extend the Article 50 process, Mr Hammond said he thought there was still time to defuse the crisis. However, asked whether he would stay in No11 if Mrs May backed no deal, Mr Hammond repeatedly dodged the question. 'I'm not going to speculate because a lot depends on the circumstances, what happens,' he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. 'The responsibility I have is to manage the economy in what is the best interests of the British people.' Advertisement

Meanwhile, furious Tories turned on Emmanuel Macron after he launched an all-out attack on Brexit  saying 'it can't be delivered' and had 'torn society apart'.

Eurosceptics demanded the French president apologise over his extraordinary rant at an event last night - urging him to focus on his own domestic woes.

MPs pointed out that the referendum was a 'democratic decision' and unlike France, the UK was not suffering any 'rioting on the streets'.

The rebuke came after Mr Macron - one of the biggest Brexit hawks among EU leaders - rubbished the result of the national vote in June 2016, saying it showed how the public could be manipulated.

'Be aware of people who sell you dreams, that tell you all your anger can be solved by a referendum. I'm scared of people who manipulate you with miracle ideas,' he said.

Mr Macron was speaking to an audience in Bourg-de-Peage, south of Lyon, in a 'people's debate'.

Some were so-called Yellow Vest anti-government campaigners who themselves want France to leave the EU.

But Mr Macron told them: 'Take the British. They voted for Brexit. There were people who, in good faith, were sometimes as angry as you are, and they said that the source of all their ills was Europe. It's rubbish!'

Tory MP Nadine Dorries told MailOnline: 'I think Macron should apologise. He should be looking to his own problems.'

Fellow backbencher Peter Bone said he is not sure the French people would back Mr Macron in a referendum.

'The first thing the president ought to consider is this was a democratic decision reached by the British people,' he said.

'There was a massive debate and we had a massive turnout. We don't have rioting on the streets. We don't have people in yellow jackets.'
New documents reveal that accused Florida bank shooter Zephen Xaver, 21, had dreams of killing his high school classmates and once talked of wanting to take hostages and commit suicide by cop.

Xaver has been charged with five counts of premeditated murder after he allegedly stormed into the SunTrust bank in Sebring and killed five women 'execution-style' on Wednesday.

Cynthia Lee Watson, 65, Marisol Lopez, 55, Debra Cook, 54, Ana Pinon-Williams, 38, and Jessica Montague, 31, have been identified as the victims.

The documents were released as new footage emerged showing the SWAT team ramming the front door of the bank with a truck after Xaver refused to surrender.

In 2014, Xaver, who was 16 at the time, told a school counselor he had 'a dream last night of killing students in a classroom'.

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New documents have revealed that accused Florida bank shooter Zephen Xaver, 21, had dreams of killing people and once talked of wanting to take hostages

He told the counselor he then had the same dream again during an afternoon nap at the school.

Xaver was briefly sent to a behavior health center and the investigation was closed, according to documents obtained by CNN.

Bremen Public Schools Superintendent Jim White confirmed Xaver attended Bremen High School for part of the 2012-2013 school year and part of the 2013-2014 school year. He did not graduate high school.

In March 2017, the Bremen Police Department was contacted by the Michigan State Police regarding Xaver.

A female student at the university reported getting messages from Xaver, who still lived in Indiana.

He told the woman he was 'possibly thinking of suicide by cop' and 'taking hostages', according to the police report.

The documents were released as new footage emerged showing the SWAT team ramming the front door of the bank with a truck after Xaver refused to surrender

Footage shows the armored vehicle briefly backing up to get momentum before it heads straight for the front door

The SWAT truck then rams right into the front of the building, allowing agents to run inside after Xaver had locked the front doors and refused to surrender

Bremen officers contacted Xaver's mother, who said she would speak with him and declined assistance from police.

Alex Gerlach, who dated Xaver on and off for three years, said she has long tried to warn people about the ex-boyfriend who she said 'wanted everyone to die'.

'He always hated people,' Gerlach told WSBTV. 'He got kicked out of school for having a dream that he killed everybody in his class.'

Gerlach said her ex-boyfriend had been 'threatening this for so long', but that people ignored her warnings.

'His mother just completely denies everything and I've been scared for years and every single person I've told has not taken it seriously and it's very unfortunate that it had to come to this,' she added.

Gerlach said she first met Xaver at a psychiatric hospital in Plymouth, Indiana - where he grew up and attended high school - in 2013.

Officers can then be seen leading Xaver out of the bank, more than an hour after he allegedly shot and killed five woman inside

Xaver has been charged with five counts of premeditated murder after he allegedly stormed into the SunTrust bank in Sebring and killed five women 'execution-style'

'Since the time we met, he had this fascination with death,' she told the Washington Post.

'It got worse as we broke up. We got back together on and off for awhile. Then I decided it was too much for my mental health.'

But Gerlach would check in with her ex-boyfriend every few months. Just last week, he told her he had purchased a gun and showed her a picture of the firearm.

Gerlach said 'no one thought anything of it' because Xaver had always liked guns.

Another friend, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said Xaver once told her he wanted to join the military 'because he wanted to kill people'.

Xaver did enter US Army basic training in March 2016, but left just three months later.

Xaver allegedly opened fire on SunTrust Bank around 12.30pm on Wednesday. Six minutes later, he called 911 and said 'I have shot five people'

Xaver refused to surrender when police descended on the scene of the mass shooting with a SWAT team

The extent of the damage could be seen as investigators remained at the crime scene well into Wednesday night

He also briefly worked as a corrections officer trainee weeks before the shooting.

Xaver allegedly opened fire on SunTrust Bank around 12.30pm on Wednesday. Six minutes later, he called 911 and said 'I have shot five people'.

Authorities said Xaver, who was wearing a bulletproof vest, made all five of his victims lie down on the lobby floor before shooting them in the back of their heads.

Xaver refused to surrender when police descended on the scene of the mass shooting with hostage negotiators, still hoping that people were alive inside.

They then discovered that the doors of the bank were locked.

After more than an hour, Sebring Police Chief Karl Hoglund Hoglund ordered a SWAT team into the building.

Samantha Romney captured video of the SWAT truck ramming into the front door of the bank.

Officials initially flocked to the scene with hostage negotiators, thinking people were still alive in the bank

Four of the women killed inside the bank were employees. One was a customer. Another employee managed to escape out the back door when they heard gunshots

Footage shows the armored vehicle briefly backing up before it heads straight for the front door, ramming into the bank.

SWAT agents can then be seen bringing Xaver out of the bank and into a patrol car.

'They got him!' one man can be heard yelling off-screen.

Romney said she could see SWAT agents lining up and down the road before they captured Xaver.

'They had all their guns out,' she told Inside Edition. 'I've never seen anything like that and I've lived here all my life. I've never seen all of that going on.'

Authorities initially said that Xaver killed everyone inside the bank.

Marisol Lopez, 55, (left) and Ana Pinon-Williams, 38, (right) have both been identified as victims of the horrific mass shooting

Debra Cook, who worked as a teller at SunTrust, was a grandmother. She had been married to her husband Michael Cook since 1984 and had two sons

Cynthia Lee Watson, 65, had only just gotten married weeks ago to the 'love of her life' Tony Watson (pictured together left). Jessica Montague had been excitedly planning to celebrate her one-year wedding anniversary with her husband Jermaine (pictured right) next week

But one employee managed to escape out of a back door after they heard gunshots ring out. They ran to safety outside and immediately called 911

Hoglund said investigators have found no connection to the suspect and any of the five victims.

Among the victims were a newlywed, a mother-of-seven, a Sunday school teacher, and a grandmother. Four were employees of the bank and one was a customer.

Authorities believe it was a random act and that no one was specifically targeted.

It remains unclear if Xaver chose the SunTrust Bank 'for any particular reason' but police said there is no evidence he was trying to rob it.

Shell casings from Xaver's 9mm handgun were scattered on the floor. It remains unclear if the firearm was obtained legally.

SunTrust banks will observe a moment of silence Friday to honor the five women.

Alex Gerlach, who dated Xaver on and off for three years, said she has long tried to warn people about the ex-boyfriend who she said 'wanted everyone to die'

Florida Gov Ron DeSantis has also ordered flags to be flown at half-staff throughout the state in honor of the victims

State Attorney Brian Haas has said he will seek the death penalty.

Meanwhile, Josh Xaver said reports that it was his own son who was behind the mass shooting came as a 'total shock'.

'I'm heartbroken for my son,' he told CNN. 'I'm heartbroken for the victims.'

'He wasn't raised to be like this. He's always been a good kid. He's had his troubles, but he has never hurt anyone ever before.'

Josh Xaver did not elaborate on what exactly those past 'troubles' were.
James 'Whitey' Bulger's estate has been left in the hands of his siblings after his murder

The siblings of slain mobster James 'Whitey' Bulger have declared themselves his heirs, even as a court battle looms with the families of his victims.

Bulger's two brothers and three sisters filed probate court documents listing themselves as his beneficiaries, although at present the records claim his estate is worth nothing, according to the Boston Herald.

However, the estate stands to gain from the family's pending wrongful death lawsuit, which will accuse the federal government of negligence in the murder of Bulger, who was killed on October 30 just hours after he was transferred to USP Hazelton in West Virginia.

Bulger's brother William M. Bulger, an attorney who was formerly president of the Massachusetts state Senate, was designated as the estate's executor last month, court dockets show.

Bulger's brother William M. Bulger (above at his funeral) was designated as the estate's executor last month, court dockets show

At his death, Whitey Bulger was serving a life sentence following his conviction for involvement in 11 murders while he ruled the South Boston underworld with an iron fist in the 1970s and 80s.

Since 2013, he had been doing relatively comfortable time at UPS Coleman II, which is known to be a so-called 'special needs' facility, designed to keep ex-cops, informants and gang defectors safe from inmate retaliation.

The 89-year-old Bulger was wheelchair-bound, but prison officials claimed that his health had improved, prompting his transfer to Hazelton. Just hours after his arrival, he was bludgeoned to death in his unlocked cell with a padlock in a sock and his eyes were gouged out.

Authorities have said two inmates with mafia ties are under suspicion in the 89-year-old's killing. No charges have been filed.

Paul J. DeCologero and Fotios 'Freddy' Geas were among the four Hazelton inmates immediately placed in solitary confinement after the murder.

The first two suspects identified in Bulger's murder were Paul J. DeCologero (left) and Fotios 'Freddy' Geas (right). Both have mafia ties

Bulger was transferred to USP Hazelton (above) on October 29 and initially assigned to bunk with Paul DeCologero, one of the murder suspects, before a cell assignment change

Questions have lingered over Bulger's transfer, and last month his family's attorney, Hank Brennan, told The Wall Street Journal that he will bring wrongful death and negligence claims on behalf of Bulger's estate in an effort to discover exactly why he was sent to Hazelton.

The Bureau of Prisons has declined to comment on the case.

The families of Bulger's victims have spoken out though, insistent that the mobster's family doesn't deserve a dime.

'They can put in all the claims they want but it ain't gonna happen. I don't care how powerful Billy Bulger is because all the money should be divided up between the families of all his victims,' Steve Davis, whose sister, Debra, was an alleged Bulger victim, told the Herald.

'My mother filed the first lawsuit against Bulger and her attorneys are watching this.'

Debra was strangled to death in 1981 after learning that Bulger was an FBI informant, though a jury issued a 'no finding' verdict in her death.

Steve Davis, whose sister Debra (above) was an alleged Bulger victim, believes any money from the gangster's estate should go to the families of his victims

The FBI recovered $822,198 (above) from the wall inside Bulger's Santa Monica bolthole when he was arrested. Families of his victims believe there may be more hidden cash

Davis also believes the gangster likely had cash stashed in safe deposit boxes, noting that the FBI recovered $822,198 from the wall inside Bulger's Santa Monica bolthole when he was apprehended in 2011 after decades on the run.

Mary Callahan, whose husband, John, was killed by the Bulger gang in 1982, also told the Herald that any settlement should be divided up among victims' family members.

'We're entitled as victims,' she said. 'Because of Whitey's death, we were deprived a death-bed confession. Any money should come our way.'

Bulger was buried St. Joseph's Cemetery in the West Roxbury neighborhood of Boston on November 8 in a private ceremony attended by about a dozen people.
Zimbabwe's security forces are going house-to-house raping women, despite the president condemning deadly clashes with protesters, human rights groups claim.

Zimbabweans say horrific abuse has continued even after President Emmerson Mnangagwa denounced the violence as 'unacceptable' and said that 'heads will roll' on Tuesday.

Rights groups accused Mnangagwa's security forces of raping women during house-to-house searches, arresting young children, as well as carrying out beatings and harassment.

The unrest which began last week has left 12 dead and more than 300 wounded as protests erupted over a prohibitive rise in fuel prices that made their gasoline the world's most expensive.

President of Zimbabwe Emmerson Mnangagwa seen during a visit to Moscow last week before he was forced to call off his five-nation visit to Europe to spare his blushes as condemnation rang out across the globe

People run at a protest as barricades burn during rainfall in Harare last Monday in protests over the steep rise in fuel prices

The ruthless response to the protests from the army and police shattered Mnangagwa's claims he would usher in reform after Robert Mugabe's violent reign was ended 14 months ago.

The president was forced to cut short a five-nation tour of Europe to spare his blushes as international condemnation rang around the world.

Mnangagwa - nicknamed the crocodile - cited an 'economic situation' to brush over abuses which some have claimed are worse than Mugabe's.

'Violence or misconduct by our security forces is unacceptable and a betrayal of the new Zimbabwe,' Mnangagwa said on Twitter.

'Chaos and insubordination will not be tolerated. Misconduct will be investigated. If required, heads will roll.'

Soldiers and police direct motorists as they queue for petrol in Harare, Zimbabwe on Tuesday

Soldiers and police try to control traffic forming around a petrol station in the capital earlier this week

The army asserts that uniformed perpetrators of abuses are 'bogus elements' out to tarnish its image.

The government accuses the opposition of stirring up trouble.

Fearful residents in poor and working-class suburbs of the capital, Harare, and second city, Bulawayo, are locking themselves in at night.

'We have received very disturbing reports of a number of cases of women allegedly raped by members of security forces,' said Dewa Mavhinga, southern Africa director for Human Rights Watch.

He added: 'Beatings, harassment and other abuses have continued after Mnangagwa's return and there are no clear actions from the government to hold accountable those committing the abuses.'

Armed police carrying out patrols on the weekend in the Zimbabwean capital as they cracked down on protestors

Protestors gather on the streets during demonstrations over the hike in fuel prices in Harare, Zimbabwe last week

Police spokeswoman Charity Charamba said she had not received any reports of rape.

Vendors in the city center were being routinely rounded up by the military, beaten and dumped at police stations, human rights lawyer Doug Coltart said.

Dozens of civil society leaders, opposition figures and activists have gone into hiding, fearing for their lives, Amnesty International said in a statement on Friday.

It noted reported rapes, 'lethal force' against protesters and the targeting of health workers who treat victims.

'Children as young as 11 years old have been detained on frivolous charges,' said Deprose Muchena, Amnesty's southern Africa director. 'The authorities must immediately stop this merciless crackdown.'

Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights said arrests of suspected protesters continued, with many denied bail.

On Friday the High Court in Harare said it would rule on Tuesday on an application by well-known activist and pastor Evan Mawarire to be released on bail.

He has been held for a week and is charged with subversion, which carries a 20-year prison sentence. He is accused of inciting the unrest online. His lawyer rejects the allegations.
A New York chicken restaurant co-owned by rapper Nas is offering free meals to furloughed federal workers until the partial government shutdown ends.

With an estimated 800,000 people effected after President Donald Trump ordered the closure 35 days ago, the music artist  real name Nasir Jones  and Sweet Chick business partner John Seymour are helping out the best way they know how.

Extending a Martin Luther King Jr. Day initiative to visitors of their four locations in the Big Apple and one owned by a franchisee in Los Angeles, California, the restaurants started serving up the complimentary plates on Monday and haven't stopped since.

Sweet Chick restaurants co-owned by Nas (left) and John Seymour (right) started giving free meals to government workers impacted by the partial shutdown this week

The rapper - real names Nasir Jones - said they had extended their chicken and waffles offer

'Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?' -MLK ..... ,' Nas posted on Instagram January 21.

'Starting today at all @sweetchicklifelocations we honor the words of Dr King, and in support of our Government Employees we are offering FREE Chicken & Waffles Mon-Friday 11am-4pm to all Federal Employees impacted by the shutdown...Please have Federal ID and we hope to serve you as you have served us. LOVE.'

The caption accompanied an image of chicken and waffles drizzled in syrup and a dusting of powdered sugar.

Some government employees and contractors who have received no wages after Trump tried to strike a deal for funding a $5.7billion Mexico border wall, have struggled to pay rent and even feed their children.

'We wanted to do something positive,' Seymour told the New York Daily News on Thursday. 'There are a lot of hard working people out there not getting a paycheck. We wanted to take care of the people who take care of us.'

Sweet Chick has branches in the Lower East Side, Long Island City in Queens, as well as Prospect Heights and Williamsburg in Brooklyn.

They have branches in LA (West Hollywood pictured), on New York's Lower East Side, Long Island City in Queens, as well as Prospect Heights and Williamsburg in Brooklyn

The latter location had 60 patrons claim free meals on Thursday, manager Wilmer Reyes told NYDN, and it could be a long time until the shutdown ends.

On Thursday, a bill backed by Trump to end the shutdown by including $5.7 billion he wants for the wall and a separate bill supported by Democrats to reopen shuttered agencies without such funding did not get the votes required to advance in the 100-member Senate.

Afterward, a bipartisan group of lawmakers said they were introducing an amendment in the Senate to temporarily reopen the roughly one-quarter of the federal government affected by the longest shutdown in U.S. history.

The Williamsburg, New York location (pictured) had 60 patrons claim free meals on Thursday

Senator Ben Cardin, one of the Democratic co-sponsors, said he did not think it contained any wall funding.

Trump said that if Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer reached an agreement to end the shutdown, he would support it but it was 'not going to work' unless it included 'a wall or a barrier.'

He said one suggestion was 'a pro-rated down payment for the wall'.

Sweet Chick CEO and Creative Director Seymour said they hope to provide for those who could be struggling until the government is fully open once more.

'These folks go unnoticed for the work they do. In their time of need we want to be part of the solution,' Seymour added. 'It's less about the politics than it is about the people.'
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Two brothers who are high-ranking members of a Utah polygamous group The Order were hit with 50 additional charges in their ongoing tax fraud case earlier this week.

A superseding indictment filed on Tuesday and obtained by DailyMail.com reveals new fraud and money laundering charges against Jacob and Isaiah Kingston as well as their mother Rachel and Jacob's wife Sally.

Jacob and Isaiah are the sons of John Daniel Kingston, who is the highest-ranking member of The Order. Rachel is one of his 14 wives, as well as his second cousin.

John has not been linked to his sons' illegal tax scheme, but did spend seven months in prison for child abuse after he violently beat Jacob and Isaiah's sister when she tried to escape the group after being forced to marry her uncle.

That uncle, David Ortell Kingston, spent four years in prison on charges of incest and unlawful sex with a minor as his niece was just 15 when she became his 15th wife.

Jacob and Isiah are accused of committing a number of offenses, including lying to government officials, threatening witnesses, and falsifying documents in a $1.1 billion scheme that allowed them to claim $511 million in renewable fuel tax credits for their company, Washakie Renewable Energy.

And with that money the two men went on a shopping spree, snapping up compounds across Utah for their families, buying flashy cars and even purchasing a waterfront mansion in Turkey.

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Mister wives: Jacob (left) and Isaiah Kingston (right) are charged with submitting $1.1 billion in false records to obtain $511 million in profit for Washakie Renewable Energy

Big-amy: Jacob and Isiah used the money they made off their scheme to buy over $20M worth of property in Utah (Jacob's massive home in Sandy, Utah, where-he erected two additional dwellings after purchasing the property and expended the driveway)

Build that wall: A more modest home in Salt Lake City (above), surrounded by a wall that was quickly erected around the property after the purchase

Lots of lot: The massive parking space, which was added by paving over the grass, at the Salt Lake City home (above)

Britney-approved: The most notable of the cars purchased by the pair was a 2010 Bugatti Veyron, which cost $1.72 million (file photo above)

Jacob was first arrested back in August as he and Sally tried to board plane to Turkey with their family, where the brothers had allegedly been promised safe harbor by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Court document saw that Jacob had funneled $135 million into the country, with some being put into an account in his name and the rest going to the government, who in turn promised to not honor any request for extradition by the United States.

That is why both men have remained in jail without bail since August, with the judge in the case agreeing that with their money and ties to Erdogan, the men are a flight risk.

On Tuesday, Rachel was indicted on five charges including: conspiracy to commit mail fraud; conspiracy to launder money; two counts of money laundering; and destroying records.

Sally was indicted on one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and one count of money laundering.

The two women were allowed to return home that day after agreeing to surrender their passports.

The extent of the brothers' holdings were revealed in the indictment filed earlier this week, which detailed the property that would be forfeited by the family if Jason and Isaiah were convicted.

That list started of with two commercial and 18 residential properties, including two massive compounds.

One, located in Sandy, is a 6-bedroom, 5.5-bathroom megamansion worth $4.5 million that measures more then 10,000 square feet.

Aerial views show that a large perimeter fence and additional dwellings have been built on the property in the years since it was sold.

There is also a parking-lot sized driveway that could easily fit 20 cars running alongside the property, which is situated between another mansion and an upscale wedding venue.

There is also a more modest home worth just over $1 million in Salt Lake City.

That property is also surrounded by a large perimeter wall and has a massive parking lot that runs alongside the property.

The 10-bedroom, 6-bath dwelling measures 7,234 square feet and was purchased by the family in 2013, who then commissioned the wall surrounding the property and expanded the driveway.

California love: The brothers also spent $4 million on a beachfront property in Huntington Beach (above)

Laguna day saints: The four-bedroom, five-bath home is just up the coast from Laguna Beach and framed by custom windows in the front that offer views straight through the home to the harbor

Southern border: A large plot of land was purchased by he brothers in Brownville, Texas (above) but has never been developed

Fast and felonious: The men also splashed out $7 million on a number of luxury cars, including a 2007 Ferrari (file photo above)

White power: The laundered money also allowed the two members of the white supremist group to purchase a 2015 Lamborghini Aventador (file photo above) and a 2008 Lamborghini Murcielago

The other properties are far more modest and scattered throughout Utah with the exception of two.

There is a large plot of land in Brownsville, Texas that the brothers own, and an oceanfront pied-a-terre on the very exclusive Gilbert island in Huntington Beach, California.

That property is worth $4.5 million, and is a far cry from the more traditional homes the two own back in Utah.

The four-bedroom, five-bath home is framed by custom windows in the front that offer views straight through the home to the harbor.

Inside, there are polished, travertine-stone floors, 11-foot high ceilings and a ven a courtyard.

There is also a dock slip out back for a boat.

Dad: Jacob and Isaiah are the sons of John Daniel Kingston and his cousin Rachel, two of the highest-ranking members of The Order (John and his wife Heidi in 2004)

Cousin: Jeremy Kington (with wife Benny above) was convicted of incest after marrying his cousin and aunt LuaAnn, who was just 14 at the time

Uncle: David Kingston (above in 1999) served time in jail for forcing his neic to marry and have sex with him, a decision that was supported by Jacob, Isaiah and their father

It was not just real estate that the men dropped millions on either, with court documents showing that the two also spent a fortune on cars.

The most notable of these was a 2010 Bugatti Veyron, which cost $1.72 million.

The laundered money also allowed the two to purchase a 2015 Lamborghini Aventador, a 2008 Lamborghini Murcielago, a 2007 Ferrari 599 and six Kenworth T660 trucks.

There has been no word from The Order since the arrests, which is not a surprise given the secrecy of the group.

Jacob and Isaiah were two of he most visible members due to their executive positions at the clan's biodiesel company.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for Utah has stated that the men are also incredibly connected, and employed mafia-like tactics to silence victims.

It is also suggested that the men had a network of informants in court docs, which reveal Jacobs and Isaiah were tipped off before a 2016 raid by federal agents.

They have pleaded not guilty to charges alleging they created false production records to obtain renewable-fuel tax credits and then laundered the proceeds.

Meanwhile, The Order continues to find ways around the law that allow for cousins to marry one another and brides to be wed at 15.

All the marriages between cousins in the group have been performed in Colorado, where the practice is legal, and teenage brides who are not yet 16 wed in Missouri, where 15 is the age at which an individual can marry.
Justice John Paul Stevens, in his dissent in the Citizens United case, wrote of the Founders, When they constitutionalized the right to free speech in the First Amendment, it was the free speech of individual Americans that they had in mind.
The British gypsy 'family from hell' accused of leaving a trail of destruction across New Zealand have threatened to sue the mayor of Auckland who called them 'a*******' and said that they were 'worse than pigs'.

Auckland Mayor Phil Goff made the comments to a local radio station after the group were caught dumping rubbish on Takapuna Beach and allegedly threatening to mow down a witness.

The four adult Dorans were served with 28-day deportation liability notices by New Zealands immigration service.

But they show no signs of leaving yet and have checked into a hotel near Auckland airport.

The family were seen checking into another airport motel in Auckland and getting cash from a cash point, showing no signs that they are leaving New Zealand

One member of the group, Joe Doran was pictured standing outside the front of a motel smoking and spitting

Photographs show various family members standing on the street with their belongings smoking and spitting; some are sipping red bull and others are carrying a six pack of beer.

The clan, who have lived in caravan parks across the East Midlands in the UK, are now so notorious that a hire car they crashed and abandoned in Auckland has been stripped by souvenir hunters.

They ditched their rented seven-seater Honda Odyssey after crashing it into a curb on Thursday so hard the airbags popped and two tyres burst.

Joe Doran, who also goes by the name Miley, said his father crashed the vehicle because he was distracted by people calling them 'gypsy scum' while reversing in Mangere.

But as the travellers fled the crash scene, souvenir hunters stripped their car of its number plates, tax sticker and keys, apparently left in the ignition.

The Dorans, including matriarch Barbara Doran, 55, her husband Larry, their son Joe and his wife Eileen, have caused mayhem since arriving in New Zealand last month.

The Dorans, including matriarch Barbara Doran, 55, her husband Larry (pictured) are accused of trashing a beach and leaving restaurants without paying

Joe Doran, who earned the nickname 'Honest John' in New Zealand for lying about his real name, is pictured with his wife Eileen

Barbara Doran (left) and Joe Doran are threatening, with other family members, to sue the mayor of Auckland who called them 'a*******' and said that they were 'worse than pigs'

Joe Doran picks up his baby daughter, as his family were on the best behaviour following accusations that they damaged their apartment and allegedly stole a journalist's phone

Although the family have been accused of running from restaurant without paying, a manager who served the family yesterday said he had no problems and that they paid in full in cash and said it had been a lovely meal

The Doran family, who have lived in caravan parks across the UK, do not seem ready to leave New Zealand as they checked into another hotel

The tourists face claims they trashed a beach, left a cafe without paying, damaged their apartment and allegedly stole a journalist's phone.

One of the family's children was filmed threatening to 'knock the brains out of locals who challenged their behaviour during a fortnight of chaos.

They also left a hotel room in Wellington strewn with cans of Red Bull, spaghetti and cigarette butts and smelling of poo, it has been claimed.

One woman in the group was caught on security cameras stealing sunglasses, rope and drinks from a service station.

Tina Cash, 26, pleaded guilty at Hamilton district court and was fined 29. On several occasions the group ordered meals at restaurants and then claimed that the food was contaminated with ants or hair and refused to pay for it.

Eileen, Larry and Joe Doran are pictured outside a hotel in Auckland, despite being slapped with deportation orders

Joe Doran, stripped to the waist in 25 degree heat (left) and his wife Eileen were spotted in Auckland yesterday with their baby daughter, heading to a curry house

Another member of the group, 26, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is charged with assault with a weapon, reckless driving fraud by dishonestly using a document. He appeared at Auckland District Court and was bailed until February.

Last night they enjoyed a relatively quiet night by having curry at an Indian restaurant near their hotel.

Stripped to the waist in 25 degree heat Joe, who earned the nickname 'Honest John' in New Zealand for lying about his real name, was seen spitting and often smoking and swigging from a can of Red Bull as he cradled his baby daughter.

His wife Eileen helped him push the little girl's pram as family went on their sole outing of the day, walking to the curry house as they were joined by a younger, blonde girl.

Barbara Doran, 55, and her son Joe, were spotted withdrawing cash in Auckland where they have checked into another hotel, despite saying they were going to sue the city's mayor

While other restaurants have claimed the family have run off without paying or claimed about hair or flies in their food to avoid payment, yesterday the Dorans were on their best behaviour.

'We knew exactly who they were as soon as they appeared,' said the manager. 'Everyone in the shopping precinct knew, and the family knew we knew. But perhaps they have learned a lot because they were quiet and polite.

'I didn't try to talk to them because I sensed they didn't want to communicate but they paid in full in cash and said it had been a lovely meal.'
Jack Shepherd would rather be locked up in a prison once nicknamed Georgia's Abu Ghraib than face the music in Britain, MailOnline can reveal today.

The fugitive speedboat killer has been remanded to spend the next three months in Tblisi's Gldani maximum security prison - but it is likely to be at least nine months until the case is finished.

The speedboat killer, 31, who faced six years behind bars in the UK, says he has had death threats so cannot return to serve time in a British jail.

He plans to use the European Convention's 'humanity' clause that blocks extradition if a criminal's life is in danger.

Yet the convict is now starting life in a jail where in 2012 inmates were filmed being beaten and raped by guards, many of whom were also corrupt.

The staff punched and kicked prisoners to the ground and were also filmed carrying out sexual humiliation and even abused with police truncheons and broom handles.

Jack Shepherd would rather be locked up a prison nicknamed Georgia's Abu Ghraib - the Gldani prison in Tbilisi (pictured)

Mobile phone videos from inside the jail (pictured) showed prisoners being repeatedly kicked and punched by guards and even being raped, sparking mass street protests in Georgia in 2012

Speedboat killer Jack Shepherd (left today) will spend the next three to nine months in the maximum security jail rather than go back to the UK

Gldani prison pictured around 15 years ago before it was refurbished following the abuse of inmates by criminal gangs and guards

Timeline: How speedboat fugitive killed his date and fled for Georgia December 8 2015: Jack Shepherd and Charlotte Brown meet for a date where he takes her to the Shard for dinner, before taking a taxi back to Shepherd's home, a houseboat in Hammersmith, where they took champagne on board his speedboat for their ride past parliament. March 2018: Shepherd was charged with GBH following an incident in which he allegedly knocked a barman unconscious with a vodka bottle in a pub while 'blind drunk'. He then failed to appear at a hearing for that case at the Old Bailey regarding Miss Brown's manslaughter. July 2018: An international arrest warrant is issued for Shepherd July 26 2018: Shepherd, despite being absent from court was found guilty of manslaughter by gross negligence July 27 2018: Shepherd is sentenced to six years' imprisonment  Shepherd's wife is then said to have told police that the 33-year-old had travelled to Georgia. January 22 2019: Family of Charlotte meet with Savid Javid before making a television appeal for Shepherd to 'do the right thing' January 23 2019: Shepherd hands himself in to police in Georgia Advertisement

The staff punched and kicked prisoners to the ground and were also filmed carrying out sexual humiliation and even abused with police truncheons and broom handles.

One juvenile prisoner was stripped down to his pants and beaten for failing to join one of the jail's criminal gangs,

Parts of one of the videos showed a half-naked man pleading for mercy while other prisoners are forced to line up and await their own beating.

At one point, an inmate is reported to have said: 'Please don't film this, I'll do anything.'

It was nicknamed Georgia's Abu Ghraib - a nod to the prison in Iraq famous for the harsh treatment of detainees in US custody.

There was national and international outrage over the abuses inside the Georgian prison, which houses thousands of inmates including the country's most violent criminals.

Mikheil Saakashvili, who was then Georgian President, said the abuse at Gldani revealed the nation's penitentiaries had suffered a 'systemic failure'.

Hundreds of prison guards in all Georgian prisons were suspended and immediately replaced by police officers.

Thousands flooded the streets carrying placards declaring 'rape me' while parents sobbed clutching pictures of loved-ones attacked inside the prison, which was swiftly reformed.

Today, amid extraordinary scenes in a Tblisi courtroom, the self-pitying speedboat killer claimed that the Old Bailey jury that convicted him of manslaughter made a mistake because they didn't hear his defence - even though he fled to Georgia via Turkey to avoid his trial.

A guard opens the gates at the Gldani prison in Tbilisi in 2013, when guards had to be replaced by the police and army

Guards had allowed the ritual abuse of inmates either by themselves or other prisoners

Shepherd is likely to be sharing with three other prisoners unless he is able to secure special treatment

Before conditions improved inmates slept in large dorm-like cells (pictured)

Shepherd, who has spent the past ten months partying, learning to ski and dating new women, said: 'The decision to go out on the boat is my greatest regret. Not a single day passes when I dont think about the loss of Charlottes life'.

Shepherd's new wife told Met he was in Georgia six months ago - so why did it take them so long to act? Scotland Yard detectives last night faced questions about why they failed to act when Jack Shepherds wife told them at least six months ago that he was in Georgia. When he did not appear for his Old Bailey trial, officers told Charlotte Browns family they questioned Shepherds wife about his whereabouts and were told he had travelled to the former Soviet republic. Officials in Georgias interior ministry insisted the first they knew of the fugitive was last Monday, when the Metropolitan Police made an official request for help. It is now known that Shepherd had been hiding in Georgia since March 21 last year after arriving in the capital Tbilisi at 3.31am. But it emerged last night that Scotland Yard did not ask for an international arrest warrant until January 11. On that date the force contacted the National Crime Agency for the first time about the case and asked it to place a red letter alert with Interpol. This means the earliest that Georgia or any other country would have been officially notified about the fugitive would have been that day. Sources say it is highly unlikely that the Scotland Yard officers in the case would have been allowed to go to Georgia to catch Shepherd. Forces in the UK have to seek permission from the appropriate authorities in other countries before they are allowed to travel for investigative purposes. This can be a lengthy and complicated bureaucratic process, taking many months before the relevant permission is granted. Even relatively simple requests such as getting criminal records, fingerprints or intelligence from foreign judicial authorities can take a long time with countries outside the European Union. Last night a Met Police spokesman said officers had been working with the CPS to get on an Interpol red letter since Shepherds conviction. The spokesman added: It is obviously a very complex legal process. She refused to say when officers received information that he was in Georgia. Advertisement

He claimed he has depression, is suicidal and an alcoholic, and said: 'I wish Id sat down with Charlottes family and explained what happened. I know its caused them even more suffering and thats why I handed myself in to draw to a close this horrible accident and the terrible consequences.'

His 15,000 legal team, led by star lawyer and Georgian Strictly Come Dancing contestant Mariam Kublashvili, are helping him block extradition by claiming he had an unfair trial and his human rights have been breached.

Shepherd says he had received a phone call telling him he could be murdered if he goes to a UK jail - meaning he plans to use the European Convention's 'humanity' clause that blocks extradition if a criminal's life is in danger.

The convict fled to Georgia via Turkey ten months ago and has spent his time on the run learning to ski, hanging out in glitzy bars and clubs and dating new women, despite having a wife back home.

The Foreign Offices legal team said today he must not be granted bail because there is evidence he 'will flee again' with Indonesia or Thailand his planned destination.

Two days after he grinned as he was arrested in Tblisi, the court heard that he had entered the country in March last year after travelling via Turkey.

Shepherd is paying up to 15,000 to Georgian lawyers to fight extradition to Britain  while still claiming legal aid.

The fugitive sparked outrage by taking thousands of pounds in UK taxpayers money to fund an appeal against his conviction for manslaughter while on the run.

It has emerged that he is continuing to get legal aid in Britain  while privately paying for two top Georgian lawyers, including a glamorous former model who appeared on Georgia's version of Strictly.

Today Shepherd is facing Georgian judge Roman Khorova, and first spoke in English to confirm his name, date of birth and that he entered the country in March last year.

His victim Charlotte Browns father Graham said last night: Hes a man who has clearly stuck two fingers up to the judiciary and legal system, and has no respect for the law.

It sounds like hes been living his life to the full out in Georgia, while my daughter is dead and he is responsible.
Nathan Harrison, 20, has been charged with aggravated assault, disarming a police officer, failure to stop at the command of law enforcement, disorderly conduct, failure to obey signs and interfering with an officer

A Utah skier has been arrested after he allegedly assaulted a policeman at a ski resort when learning that the parking lot was full.

Nathan Harrison, 20, was charged with aggravated assault, disarming a police officer, failure to stop at the command of law enforcement, disorderly conduct, failure to obey signs and interfering with an officer.

Officer Mark Curley with the Unified Police Department had been working on a 'secondary assignment' at Brighton Ski Resort on January 19, when the incident occured.

Curley added that he was easily identifiable as an officer as well, FOX13 reports.

The officer said that by 10am on that day, the ski resort was extremely crowded and had a full parking lot. Attendants were even turning vehicles away.

As he approached the turning point, Harrison allegedly would not stop honking his horn.

Harrison, seen above in a Facebook photo, is said to have tried to snatch an officer's gun while the two fought near his vehicle

When Curley asked Harrison why he was honking his phone, he appeared irate and claimed that 'he had a season pass to ski.' Harrison then demanded that he still be let inside.

Harrison is currently being held at Salt Lake County Jail

But after Curley tried to explain that he would need to turn around, Harrison rolled up his window and continued driving towards the signs and cones blocking the road.

He didn't stop until a parking attendant slapped his vehicle.

The officer then opened Harrison's door and instructed him to turn around. Harrison is said to have then grabbed Curley, pulling him inside the vehicle.

At this point, Curley yelled at Harrison to get out the car but the man was 'swinging his arms around' and repeatedly hitting the officer.

Curley managed to pull Harrison out of the vehicle but the man was 'swinging closed fists' and 'screaming something unintelligible'.

The officer said that he struggled restraining Harrison to the ground and added that he continued swinging at him. Curley delivered 'multiple distractions blows' to Harrison's jaw and face, to no avail.

The 20-year-old was irate that he couldn't get a parking space at the crowded Brighton Ski Resort (pictured) on January 19, claiming 'he had a season pass to ski'

Harrison kept trying to force his way onto the parking lot (pictured) so that he could ski

When Curley was finally able to restrain Harrison, he allegedly tried to grab for the officer's gun. Witnesses confirmed that this happened.

Harrison managed to also push Curley's head into snow, making it difficult for him to see and breathe.

'I covered my firearm with one hand and was able to kick [Harrison] off of me,' Curley said in his report.

Curley eventually pulled his gun out and instructed the man to lie on the ground but Harrison chose to squat.

Harrison was said to have continued struggling as backup came to assist in the arrest.

He is currently being held at Salt Lake County Jail.
A porn star in Mexico is looking to fulfill a lucky fan's fantasies with a special February escapade.

Annie Lopez, who goes by the screen name of Annie Sex Teen, is raffling off a one-time encounter on Valentine's Day - February 14 - which will be videotaped.

The raffle is free to enter and Lopez is asking her fans to simply follow her on her social media accounts and repost her risky raunchy photographs and send screenshots to a Whatsapp number as proof.

Annie Lopez, who is also known as Annie Sex Teen in the adult film industry, is raffling a one-time encounter on Valentine's Day

The Mexican porn actress promotional flier offers the following: first place gets to record a sex scene with her; second place wins a FIFA 2019 video game and third place takes home a poster and t-shirt

Second prize is the latest FIFA 2019 video game and the third place winner will take home a poster of Lopez and a t-shirt.

It is not clear if the footage of the winner having sex with Lopez will be made available for others to watch. The contest is open to men and women.

It's not the first time that Lopez has pulled off such a stunt.

In October 2018 Lopez held a contest in which she was looking for a male participant to film a XXX session.
A somber mother hopes the power of social media will help find a lost cell phone that contains countless images of her 10-month-old son who died last year.

Carla Romano was shopping for groceries Sunday in the northwestern Argentine city of Tucuman while her husband Maxi waited outside on his motorcycle.

Romano, who also has a four-year-old son named Nahuen, accidentally left her backpack with her phone inside at the cash register counter.

She left with her shopping bag and hopped back on the motorbike before making a quick stop at a local church where she noticed half hour later that her backpack was missing.

Romano took to her Facebook account Monday, posting a heartfelt message asking friends and family members for help in retrieving her missing Lenovo mobile phone.

Carla Romano (left) is seeking assistance on social media to recover her lost cell phone which contain pictures of her son Patricio (right), who passed away in 2018

Patricio was diagnosed with a congenital heart disease at the time of his birth. The 10-month-old baby died after a third surgery

Carla (left) pictured with Patricio (second from left) and her husband Maxi (second from right) who is holding the couple's four-year-old son Nehuen

She said she just wants the memory card back that contains snaps of son Patricio who died in 2018 after being born with congenital heart disease.

'I just need the memory [card] as you have been able to see that it has many photos of a baby that is also on the screen. It is my son who died 10 months ago,' Romano wrote.

'For me it has great value since there are photos that I won't be able take again. I ask you to give me the opportunity to take out the memory [card]. I will gift you the cell phone. I just need my photos.'

Romano told Argentine news outlet Contexto Tucuman that Thursday marked the one year anniversary of baby Patricio's second operation.

Thursday marked the one year anniversary of baby Patricio's second operation

Patricio went through three surgeries to correct a heart condition before he died last year

A third operation overwhelmed Romano's second son before he passed away five months later.

'With Nehuen, I can take the photos again. Can't do it with Patricio,' a saddened Romano said.

'All of the photos are in the cell phone's memory [card]. The phone doesn't represent anything. The only thing I want are the photos of him. It's all I have left.'
This is the gut-churning moment a python is forced to regurgitate two chickens it has just swallowed - much to the anger of wildlife activists.

The footage shows snake rescuer Aramanganathu Muhammed in Kasargod district, Kerala, southern India, after he responded to a phone call from a farmer who saw the 5ft python in his backyard.

Muhammed promptly went to the farmer's house and captured the snake, which had consumed the birds after raiding a chicken coop in Tamil Nadu.

Snake rescuer Aramanganathu Muhammed forces a python to regurgitate two chickens - by pushing his leg down on its stomach - after he received a phone call from a farmer in Kasargod district, Kerala, in southern India

Muhammed eases one of the birds from the mouth of the 5ft snake, which had eaten them after raiding a chicken coop in Tamil Nadu. The incident has enraged animal activists, who have complained to the forest department that the rescuer violated Indian wildlife laws

Instead of catching and then immediately releasing the snake in a forest, Muhammed forced it to regurgitate the two chickens. To do so, he put pressure on its stomach with his legs.

The incident has angered wildlife activists, who have complained to the forest department that the rescuer violated Indian wildlife laws.

A non-profit organisation Animal Legal Force has also filed a petition in the High Court to ensure officials take serious note of the alleged crime.

One snake expert said that Muhammed could have damaged the python's internal organs as a result of his actions

Snake expert Subhendu Mallik said: 'The snake's vertebrae system is delicate and he is seen putting too much pressure on it with his leg.

'He could have easily damaged its vital internal organs.

'The government should ensure all rescuers are trained and certified before they are allowed to work,' added Mallik.

Most snakes normally swallow prey whole - birds, bird's eggs, fish, frogs and lizards - before lying in the sun to slowly digest their meal.

One meal can in fact last a snake a very long time and they can survive for months without food while they live off fat stored in their extensive tissues.
The parents of a University of Utah student who was killed by her criminal ex-boyfriend after having her dozens of calls to police ignored have spoken out to slam the college's claims that her death was unpreventable.

Lauren McCluskey, 21, was shot dead in October by her ex-boyfriend, Melvin Brown, in a parking lot.

She had reported Brown to the police for extorting her with revenge porn after they broke up.

Lauren was on the phone to her parents when he grabbed her and dragged her into a car to kill her.

Lauren McCluskey's parents Jill and Matt appeared on GMA on Friday to discuss her October murder and how it could have been prevented

Lauren, 21, was shot dead by her sex offender ex-boyfriend Melvin Brown in October. He killed himself afterwards

Brown, a registered sex offender who was on parole at the time, shot himself afterwards.

The university conducted an investigation but its president initially said Lauren's death could not have been prevented.

Brown had been extorting Lauren with revenge porn. She reported him to the police dozens of times but nothing was done

It has since admitted there were 'deficiencies' on its part which contributed to the student's killing.

Now, Lauren's grieving parents Matt and Jill are speaking out in the hope that no other young woman's calls for help go ignored.

In an interview with Good Morning America on Friday morning, they described the horror of listening as Rowland grabbed Lauren and calling 911 immediately.

'I was on the phone with her....she was coming home from class. All of a sudden, she yells, "No, no, no!"'

'And then the line was still open. And then Matt called 9-1-1. I ... I yelled to him and he called 9-1-1,' Jill said.

She said that in the weeks beforehand, Lauren had told her she felt like she was 'bothering' the local and campus police with her complaints about Brown.

He was attempting to extort her and blackmail her with revenge porn.

Jill, who has records of all the times her daughter called the police about him, said she encouraged her to keep pursuing it.

'She said, "It feels like I'm bothering them," because she called ... she was calling so much.

This was the scene in the parking lot of the University of Utah campus after she was shot

Lauren was on the phone with her mother as she walked through the parking lot when Brown attacked her. Above, the scene after he dragged her into a car, shot her and then killed himself

'I remember telling her, "It's their job to listen to you."

Lauren's parents say the university could have prevented her death

'They weren't taking her seriously. For one officer, there were 22 calls back and forth and none of them are recorded, because it's on the cell phone.'

Lauren's father believes that if the university had performed a background check on Brown, who was also a student, his daughter's death would not have happened.

'They seemed to show no curiosity about his person who had lied about his age, his name, his ... he was a sex offender.

'And then they found out that he's also a felon. They should've investigated.

'They would've very quickly found his parole status in one call and it would ... we wouldn't be sitting here today,' he said.

The university said it had identified 'areas of deficiency in the universitys systems and processes and made 30 recommendations for ways to improve them.

'The university is acting immediately to correct the deficiencies identified in the report,' it added in a statement.


A learner driver fined for killing one of his passengers in a car crash has had his punishment increased - but still won't spend a day in jail.

Che Tyson Curyer killed Joanna Taylor, 21, and injured her fiance Michael Nunez when he veered off a remote highway in Balladonia, Western Australia in December 2016.

The 22-year-old was functioning on just a few hours sleep and was driving unsupervised because his passengers were asleep.

Tragic: Joanna Taylor, 21, was killed in a car crash in Western Australia in December 2016

Che Tyson Curyer (pictured) killed Joanna Taylor, 21, and injured her fiance Michael Nunez when he veered off a remote highway in Balladonia

The ute rolled and when Curyer saw Miss Taylor's lifeless body, he ran off into the bush.

Months later he was arrested in his home state of South Australia and extradited to Western Australia to face court.

Last year he pleaded guilty to careless driving causing death but was only handed a $2,500 fine, much to the disgust of Miss Taylor's parents who campaigned for an appeal.

On Friday, a judge ruled the original sentence was 'manifestly inadequate' and increased Curyer's punishment to nine months jail, suspended for one year.

The judge took into account Curyer's age, early guilty plea, clean record, stable job and the fact that he has a baby son - but Miss Taylor's parents still believe the sentence is not harsh enough, reported the West Australian.

'He has walked again for taking a life,' said Miss Taylor's mother Jeannette.

Miss Taylor (pictured) died in the crash in 2016. Her parents say the driver's sentence is far too lenient

'He has got away with it once again. I have got no faith in the WA legal system.'

Miss Taylor's father agreed and called the WA legal system 'a crock of s***'.

Mrs Taylor said she has been contacted by other families who have lost children due to careless or dangerous driving and that she would campaign for a change in the law.

She said several families 'have all had the same low sentences that have meant nothing'.

'We shouldn't have to go through all this,' she said.
A Missouri man has been sentenced to 33 years in prison after pleading guilty to killing his ex-girlfriend, her son and boyfriend.

Joseph Nelson, 26, from Kansas City was scheduled to go to trial this week for the killings of ex-girlfriend Bianca Fletcher, 17, her current boyfriend Shannon Rollins Jr., 18 and Fletcher's son Joseph, 1.

Instead, he pleaded guilty Thursday to three counts of second-degree murder, armed criminal action and witness tampering.

Joseph Nelson, 26, (pictured) was sentenced to 33 years in jail for killing three people in 2015

Nelson fatally shot his ex-girlfriend Bianca Fletcher, 17, (left) her son Joseph, 1, (center) and boyfriend Shannon Rollins (right) in 2015

Nelson was sentenced to 33 years, with three of those years added because he tampered with Shellana Davis, a potential witness, by trying to persuade her to say someone else killed the victims.

According to court documents, Nelson told Davis that 'he lost it' after his ex-girlfriend Bianca Fletcher threw a diaper box at him which hit him in the head.

He then shot Fletcher, her son and new boyfriend in an attempt to eliminate witnesses to his crime.

The court documents indicate Nelson said after the murders: 'I did something bad. I did something I don't think I can live with. I killed them. I killed them.'

Nelson reported to police that two firearms and ammunition had been stolen from his vehicle .

But Davis told police that Nelson sold the gun the same day on the same day as the shootings, according to court documents.

During questioning, Nelson said he was home asleep most of the day the shooting occurred and had nothing to do with the deaths.

Bianca Fletcher, 17, (right) and boyfriend Shannon Rollins, 18, (left) were shot by Fletcher who was angry that Bianca was interfering in his new relationship

Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker said it was unclear if baby Joseph (pictured) was Nelson's son

Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker previously said Nelson and Fletcher, a high school senior, had been in a long-term relationship. She would not say if Nelson was the toddler's father.

Shellana Davis, who allegedly was with Nelson at the time and told police what happened, married him in December 2016 while he was in jail, Kansas City Star previously reported.

Jackson County prosecutors believe the marriage was intended to exempt Davis from having to testify against Nelson under Missouris spousal privilege statute.

'It is alleged that (her) actions were intentional efforts to hinder the prosecution of a triple homicide,' the state said in a court motion.

In another filing, prosecutors said: 'The state is unaware of any other witnesses to the subject event.

Shellana Davis (pictured) was Nelson's girlfriend and was the only witnesses to the murders

'As such, Shellana Victoria A. Davis is a necessary and an essential witness for the state.'

According to court documents, Davis told police that she and Nelson drove to the home of Fletcher, 17, because he wanted to upset her for creating drama between him and her new boyfriend.

Davis said Nelson walked in unannounced and then summoned her to also come inside.

Davis said Nelson displayed a gun and told the victims to sit down.

She said Nelson and Fletcher argued and Fletcher threw the diaper box at his head.

She said Nelson then shot Fletcher and the other two victims. She then instructed Davis to help him collect the shell casings. They found 14 of them.

In announcing charges against Nelson, Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker praised witnesses 'that told us what happened.'

Nelson told Davis that he went home, showered several times and washed his hand with bleach before selling the gun and burning his clothes on a grill.

In a court filing, the state said: 'In her statement to police Shellana Davis detailed her eyewitness account of the events that form the basis for the felony charges filed in this matter.'
We live in a world of illusion. Nothing is ever as it seems. Our thoughts and perceptions are continually generating the minds narrative, which creates our shifting sense of reality (as confirmed by the science of quantum physics). Social media is a reflection of this collective consciousness. It especially can play tricks on our sense of what is real. What lens (or video angle) is capturing our story? Who are we allowing to write the narrative? What assumptions do our conclusions draw? We have a duty as the observer to be curious, ask questions and seek truth. And with this duty comes the responsibility of conducting our inquiry with honor, honest self-reflection and integrity.
A psychic to the stars has won additional royalty income from her author ex-boyfriend, concluding an eight year case in which he claimed she duped him into signing over his rights.

A judge on January 16 ordered Princeton Review co-founder Adam Robinson to pay psychic Laura Day an additional $200,000 on top of the $3.2 million in royalties he was previously order to fork over, the New York Post reported.

Robinson, 63, first met Day, 59, in 1994, at which time he has claimed in court documents that she 'did not have a career or source of income, though she occasionally offered 'intuitive' readings to a few clients, including celebrities.'

Day, who has offered her services as an 'intuitive' to the likes of Demi Moore and Jennifer Aniston, allegedly persuaded the chess Life Master Robinson to ghostwrite her best-selling books, and then to sign over the royalties to his own books.

A judge on January 16 ordered Adam Robinson (left) to pay psychic Laura Day (right) an additional $200,000 on top of the $3.2 million in royalties he was previously order to fork over

His books, SAT prep guides such as What Smart Students Should Know, sold in the millions.

After the couple split, Robinson sued in Manhattan Supreme Court, arguing that Day preyed on his 'psychological infirmities' to get him to sign over his royalty income.

'Robinson, as Day fully knew, had a psychological infirmity in handling his personal finances. Day capitalized on this weakness in order to profit personally,' he claimed in the suit.

A judge disagreed, however, finding that Robinson was merely a smitten lover who had made poor financial decisions.

'Mr. Robinson may now regret his actions in dealing with Ms. Day, but [his legal] complaint tells the story of an enamoured man pleasing his lover or ex-lover,' a judge said in 2011.

Robinson, 63, first met Day, 59, in 1994, at which time he has claimed in court documents that she 'did not have a career or source of income'

The case dragged through appeals for seven years until a February 2018 deal that was supposed to give Day 100 per cent of Robinson's royalties.

But Robinson has allegedly refused to tell his publisher to redirect the royalties in the meantime, so Day brought him back to court to demand payment.

A judge gave Robinson 21 days to tell his publisher to release the funds.

Robinson's lawyer says he does not plan to appeal, and looks forward to putting the matter behind him.
A Thai family has told police they believe a woman thought to have been murdered and dumped in a Yorkshire Dales stream could be their relative.

Cold case detectives investigating the death of an unknown woman found in a stream in 2004 near Pen-y-ghent have confirmed they have received a possible name and inquiries are ongoing.

Her half-naked body was found by walkers on the Pennine Way and investigators believe she may have been killed and taken to the stream in a 4x4.

A police artist's impression of the woman who came to be known as the Lady of the Hills (pictured)

The gravestone of the woman in Horton-in-Ribblesdale parish churchyard, North Yorkshire, where she was buried in 2007

Cause of death for the woman, dubbed 'the Lady of the Hill's, was not established and a 2007 inquest recorded an open verdict.

A press conference in north east Thailand revealed a family had come forward to say the missing woman could be their family member, the BBC reported.

Photographs of the missing woman along with an artist impression released by the British police were published as part of an attempt to trace the victim's family.

North Yorkshire Police said last year they believed the woman was a 'Thai bride' who had come to England to marry a local man.

The stream near Sell Gill Holes caves where the unnamed woman was found. A cause of death was never registered

Retired detective chief Inspector Adam Harland, who is leading the cold case investigation, pictured at the stream near Sell Gill Holes caves, where the body was found

Advanced tests revealed the woman lived in north Lancashire or south Cumbria.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said: 'The Cold Case Review Unit has received a name regarding the unknown South East Asian woman who was found dead on Pen-y-Ghent in 2004.

'Inquiries are ongoing to establish the identity of the woman.'

The force appealed for anyone with information to call 101.
Pinon-Williams leaves behind seven children, while Cook had two grandchildren

All five women who were horrifically killed 'execution-style' during a mass shooting at a Florida bank have now been identified.

Cynthia Lee Watson, 65, Marisol Lopez, 55, Debra Cook, 54, Ana Pinon-Williams, 38, and Jessica Montague, 31, were all brutally murdered at SunTrust Bank on Wednesday.

Among the victims were a newlywed, a mother-of-seven, a Sunday school teacher, and a grandmother. Four were employees of the bank and one was a customer.

Zephen Xaver, 21, has been charged with five counts of premeditated murder after he allegedly stormed into the Sebring bank and killed the women. He is being held without bond.

Xaver, who was wearing a bulletproof vest, made all his victims lie down on the lobby floor before shooting them in the backs of their heads, according to an affidavit.

Jessica Montague, 31, was one of five women killed 'execution-style' during a mass shooting at the SunTrust Bank in Sebring, Florida on Wednesday afternoon

Montague was a mother-of-five who had been excitedly planning to celebrate her one-year wedding anniversary with her husband Jermaine (pictured) next week

Watson, the sole customer in the bank at the time of the shooting, has just gotten married earlier this month to the 'love of her life'.

She tied the knot with Tony Watson, her partner of five years, and excitedly announced the news on her Facebook on January 3.

Watson was known as an animal lover, caring for two Shih Tzus, chickens, and goats at her home in Venus.

She also made her own jewelry and often sold them at flea markets and auctions with her best friend Marilyn Martin, who called her 'one of the absolutely nicest people I've ever met'.

'She's the first real true friend I ever had,' Martin told Highland News-Sun. 'She was one of those people who would do anything for anybody.'

Cynthia Watson, 65, was the sole customer at the bank at the time of the shooting. She had just gotten married earlier this month to the 'love of her life' Tony Watson (pictured together)

Watson was known as an animal lover, caring for two Shih Tzus, chickens and goats at her home in Venus

Jessica Montague was a mother-of-five who had been excitedly planning to celebrate her one-year wedding anniversary next week before she was killed.

Montague, who worked as a teller at SunTrust Bank, shared a three-year-old child with her husband Jermaine Montague.

Jose Sanchez, a regular customer at the bank, said she was 'always happy'.

'She loved her family and the life she lived,' Sanchez told Inside Edition.

'That smile on her face, you can't miss that smile on her face because that smile will make you smile. She was totally awesome. Totally awesome.'

Ana Pinon-Williams was a mother-of-seven who loved her job at the bank and her co-workers.

'We will never forget Ana, she will forever live in our hearts and minds,' Tim Williams, her brother-in-law, said in a statement on Thursday.

Ana Pinon-Williams, 38, was a mother-of-seven who loved her work at the bank and her co-workers. She was one of four SunTrust employees killed in the shooting

'We do not know what was going on in the mind of the individual who committed this atrocious act, but we do know he was influenced by the darkness in this world.'

'We will not try to understand the darkness, but we will with God's help overcome it.'

Marisol Lopez was a mother-of-two who taught Sunday school and sang choir at her church Nuevo Pacto.

Nearly 200 people gathered at the church on Thursday for a candlelight vigil to honor her memory.

Shelley Speight Lopez, who had interviewed Marisol for her first job at a SunTrust Bank in Lake Placid in 1998, paid tribute to her on social media on Thursday.

'It only took about five minutes for me to know that she had the job,' Lopez recalled.

'What always stood out about Marisol was her kindness, her giving heart, her sweet spirit, and her willingness to help everyone. She never complained, never lost her temper, and had a work ethic second to none!'

Marisol Lopez, 55, was a mother-of-two who taught Sunday school and sang choir at her church Nuevo Pacto

Nearly 200 people gathered at the church on Thursday for a candlelight vigil to honor her. Lopez is pictured left with her husband Victor

'Yesterday, the world lost this amazing lady in a senseless tragedy. I am deeply saddened by the loss of Marisol and her co-workers. But I am forever grateful to have known her. She was a special person who will never be forgotten.'

Debra Cook, who worked as a teller at SunTrust, was a grandmother-of-two. She had been married to her husband Michael Cook since 1984 and also had two sons.

'Zephen Xaver knowingly and intentionally took the lives of our sisters, our mothers, our daughters, and our co-workers,' Sebring Police Chief Karl Hoglund said during a press conference on Thursday morning.

'Perhaps most unfortunate is that now we refer to them as victims of a senseless crime.'

Hoglund said investigators have found no connection to the suspect and any of the five victims.

Debra Cook, who worked as a teller at SunTrust, was a grandmother. She had been married to her husband Michael Cook since 1984 and had two sons

Authorities believe it was a random act and that no one was specifically targeted. It remains unclear if Xaver chose the SunTrust Bank 'for any particular reason' but police said there is no evidence he was trying to rob it.

The lone survivor of the shooting was an employee who had been in the bank's break room just before Xaver walked in.

Zephen Xaver, 21, has been charged with five counts of premeditated murder after he allegedly stormed into the bank and killed the five women

They escaped out the back door when gunshots first rang out and, after getting outside, called 911.

Shell casings from Xaver's 9mm handgun were scattered on the floor. It remains unclear if the firearm was obtained legally.

SunTrust banks will observe a moment of silence Friday to honor the five women.

Florida Gov Ron DeSantis has also ordered flags to be flown at half-staff throughout the state in honor of the victims

The moment of silence will begin at 12.36pm, the time that Xaver called 911 on Wednesday and said 'I have shot five people'.

'We now begin the healing process,' Hoglund said. 'We attempt to make sense of a senseless act. We mourn the loss of our peers, our mothers, and our daughters.'

Xaver allegedly opened fire on SunTrust Bank around 12.30pm on Wednesday.

But Xaver refused to surrender when police descended on the scene of the mass shooting with hostage negotiators, still hoping that people were alive inside. The doors of the bank were locked.

After more than an hour, Hoglund ordered a SWAT team into the building. They had to use an armored vehicle to break through the front doors.

Xaver, who was wearing a bulletproof vest, made all his victims lie down on the lobby floor before shooting them in the backs of their heads. He is pictured here after his arrest

Authorities believe it was a random act and that no one was specifically targeted. Xaver is seen here being taken into custody

Alex Gerlach, who dated Xaver on and off for three years, said she has long tried to warn people about the ex-boyfriend who she said 'wanted everyone to die'

By then, all the victims were already dead. Xaver, who was wearing a beige was T-shirt depicting the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, surrendered and was placed under arrest.

Following the shooting, Xaver's ex-girlfriend revealed he had always been fascinated with death.

Alex Gerlach, who dated Xaver on and off for three years after they met at a psychiatric hospital, said she has long tried to warn people about the ex-boyfriend who she said 'wanted everyone to die'.

Gerlach also revealed that Xaver had bought a gun just a week before the shooting and showed her a picture of the firearm.

She said 'no one thought anything of it' because Xaver had always liked guns.

State Attorney Brian Haas has said he will seek the death penalty.

A witness said authorities drove a SWAT machine right through the door of the bank after the shooting. The extent of the damage to the bank can be seen here on Thursday morning
Few would believe how old Chinese actress Xu Qing is.

With her wrinkle-free skin and teenage-girl-like smiles, the gorgeous Beijing-born performer has long impressed the Chinese public with her incredibly youthful looks, and is reported to be the No. 1 dream lover in a vote by middle-aged Chinese men.

One of the most prominent actresses in the Far East, Ms Xu said she felt like a 25-year-old as she celebrated her birthday this week. Her birthday message on social media has sparked a trending topic as net users debate how old she really is.

Beijing-born Xu Qing has long impressed the Chinese public with her incredibly youthful looks. The 5ft 5in star is seen in a picture from 1992 (left) and in an event in 2018 (right)

The gorgeous star turned 50 this week and her birthday message on social media has sparked net users to debate how old she really is. The actress is seen on the cover of a television magazine (left) in 1992 and on the red carpet of the Golden Horse film awards in 2018

The fact is, the award-winning star has just turned 50.

Ms Xu has been an A-lister in the country for around three decades, having appeared in some of the most popular films, TV series and theatre plays in China.

She is best known for a pair of dimples which her fans describe as her 'trademark of beauty'.

One of the most prominent actresses in the Far East, Ms Xu said she felt like a 25-year-old as she celebrated her 50th birthday on Tuesday. Ms Xu has been an A-lister in the country for around three decades. She is seen in a film festival in 2017 (left) and a road show in 2018 (right)

Ms Xu thanked her fans for their support hoping they would like her films, before saying she would carrying on enjoying her life as the second half century starts. She is seen at the 14th Changchun Film Festival in 2018 (left) and a commercial event on January 19, 2019 (right)

In a trending social media post Ms Xu uploaded on her birthday on Tuesday, she described how she still felt like a young woman despite having been born 50 years ago.

She wrote: 'When I was 20, I was like a 10-year-old. To the others, I was outstanding and luckily, but to me I was just finishing my homework.

'I spent my 30 year old feeling a bit lost and nervous like a 15-year-old teenager: I would throw tantrums when I was angry and I would cry when I felt wronged.

'As I turned 40, I had just experienced the challenge faced by 20-year-olds: to leave the school and enter the real world...'

She then added: 'Today I turned 50, and I am more calm, honest and responsible just like a 25-year-old.'

Ms Xu appears in 2017 science fiction thriller '24 Hours to Live', which features American actor Ethan Hawke. In the film, the award-winning actress portrayed an Interpol agent named Lin

One showbiz journalist from Chinese news site Sina commented in a column has praised Ms Xu for her 'free' and 'liberating' manners, slim figure as well as a life attitude like that of a teen girl

In the message to her 16 million followers on Weibo, the Chinese equivalent to Twitter, the sentimental actress said she appreciated the 'magic of life' after living through 'half a century'.

She said her secret of leading a youthful life is to be kind, which she described as her armour.

Ms Xu thanked her fans for their support hoping they would like her films, before writing 'the sun has come out, I will put on my armour and step out of the castle to carry on enjoying the warn and sunny (life)...'

Her post has sparked a discussion among Chinese net users and media over her ageless looks and elegant life attitude.

A trending topic quickly emerged on Weibo under the hashtag 'how old is Xu Qing'.

One showbiz journalist from Chinese news site Sina commented in a column: 'Xu Qing has been living in a free and liberating way. (She) keeps a slim figure and glowing skin on her face, just like a teenage girl.'

Another author praised in a blog that middle-aged Xu lived like a vibrant young girl.

Ms Xu's performance in 2016 Chinese drama 'Mr. Six' (pictured) earned her the Best Actress title from the Hundred Flowers Awards, or Baihua Awards, billed as the Chinese Oscar

The 5ft 5in beauty enrolled into the Beijing Film Academy in 1988 and had her first major breakthrough in 1990, at the age of 21.

At the time, she starred in drama 'Life on a String' by acclaimed Chinese director Chen Kaige, whose 'Farewell My Concubine' would move on to snap the Golden Palm at the Cannes Film Festival three years later.

In 2016, Ms Xu was crowned the Best Actress by the Chinese Oscar, the Hundred Flowers Awards, for her performance in action-packed Chinese thriller 'Mr. Six'.

Ms Xu has rarely appeared in international films.

In 2017, she portrayed an Interpol agent named Lin in science fiction thriller '24 Hours to Live', which features American actor Ethan Hawke.
The 12-year-old girl who gave birth in Australia didn't know she was pregnant and the father is a child himself, it has been revealed.

The young girl went into labour at a Perth home, where the baby was delivered, before being transferred to King Edward Memorial Hospital with her healthy child at 2am on Sunday, 7 News reported.

When she arrived at the facility, the 12-year-old, who has since been discharged, reportedly told staff she didn't realise she was pregnant at the time.

A 12-year-old Perth girl who gave birth at home has revealed she didn't even know she was pregnant and the father is a child himself

Police later revealed that the baby's father is also a child himself and known to the young mother, who is believed to have been 11 years of age when she got pregnant.

A police spokeswoman on Friday told the publication they are working with the Department of Communities and the Health Department.

'There are complex social issues, which are being managed by all agencies, and the current priority is to ensure appropriate support is provided to the family,' the spokeswoman said.

News of the 12-year-old giving birth sparked a coordinated response from health authorities.

There have been 12 registered births to mothers aged 12 since 1980 - the youngest to ever give birth - according to WA Health Department records.

In 2017 there were three registered births to girls aged 13 or younger, seven to 14-years-olds, and 21 to 15-year-olds.

The young girl has become one the youngest mothers in the state's history.

The young girl gave birth at home before being transferred to King Edward Memorial Hospital with her healthy baby at 2am on Sunday

The Department of Communities would not comment on the specific case, but confirmed the case required a joint support effort.

'A coordinated response is required from a range of State Government and external support agencies both in the short and long term in order to make a lasting difference to the wellbeing of all affected parties,' a spokesperson told the Midland Reporter.

'The Department of Communities, the WA Police and Department of Health work together intensively in the best interests of all concerned.'

Spokeswoman Jackie Tang said it was being investigated as to whether sexual abuse of the girl led to her pregnancy, of if she was likely to be abused.

'Where necessary, the matter will be referred to the WA Police for further investigation and referrals to appropriate supports are provided,' she said.
A man accused of threatening to saw his love rival in half has erupted in court when he was denied bailed after allegedly chasing the man through a shopping centre.

Jason Cooney, 47, is accused of engaging in a violent argument with his ex-partner Donna, 42, before tracking down her new boyfriend on Tuesday.

He then allegedly chased the man with a chainsaw and threatened to cut him in half at a shopping centre in Kingsgrove, south-west Sydney.

Jason Cooney (pictured) who is accused of threatening to saw his love rival in half has erupted in court after he was denied bailed after allegedly chasing the man through a shopping centre

He allegedly chased the man with a chainsaw and threatened to cut him in half at a shopping centre in Kingsgrove, south-west Sydney

After being denied bail for the string of charges, Cooney erupted in court and refused to stand for the magistrate when she quashed he pleas for freedom.

The groundsman then kicked the dock in rage as he begged the judge to grant him bail, the St George Shire Standard reported.

Police believe Cooney was involved in a domestic-related argument with his 42-year-old ex-partner in the early hours of Tuesday when he allegedly assaulted her and left her with facial injuries.

Two days later, he allegedly went to a nearby house where the woman was visiting a 48-year-old man and the men became embroiled in an argument.

Police believe Cooney was involved in a domestic-related argument with his 42-year-old ex-partner (pictured) in the early hours of Tuesday

Police allege Cooney followed the older man from the home through a nearby shopping centre and then threatened him with the chainsaw.

He was charged with intentionally choking a person with recklessness, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, using an offensive weapon with intent to commit an indictable offence, and stalking or intimidating intending fear or physical harm.

Cooney is also accused of threatening police officers while in custody and is due to re-appear at Sutherland Local Court on February 11.
A stray dog taken in as a puppy on the streets of India has repaid her owner 16 years later - by saving his life.

Dr Ramesh Sancheti took the dog into his care in Pune, India, in 2003 and named her Brownie.

But the 65-year-old's kindness has been repaid years later after he collapsed in his home and the dog helped to raise the alarm.

Neighbour Amit Shah saw Brownie looking agitated and pacing up and down outside her master's ground-floor window, according to reports in India.

Dr Ramesh Sancheti (right) took a puppy into his care in Pune, India, in 2003 and named her Brownie (left with Sancheti's neighbour) . But the 65-year-old's kindness has been repaid years later after he collapsed in his home and the dog helped to raise the alarm

She could be seen stretching out her paws to reach the window sill - prompting Mr Shah to take a closer look.

Inside, he saw Dr Sancheti slumped on the floor and called for immediate medical assistance.

The patient was rushed to hospital and was diagnosed as having suffered minor cardiac arrest.

His wife was away in Mumbai and his children away from home when the drama unfolded.

Son Amit Sancheti told Pune Mirror: 'It was only the dog who alerted Shah and saved my fathers life.'

Neighbour Amit Shah (pictured playing with a group of dogs) saw Brownie looking agitated and pacing up and down outside her master's ground-floor window, according to reports in India

Mr Shah who raised the alarm seemed certain that Brownie was showing gratitude for being cared for by Dr Sancheti for so many years.

'Some two years ago, Brownies health was critical after suffering from kidney ailments.

'After her treatment, the Sanchetis took special care of her, helping her recover from a 50 per cent kidney failure,' Mr Shah said.

'Her senses made her aware of sounds of heavy breathing and and collapse despite not being inside the house. Canines also have an extremely advanced sense of smell.'
Ethiopia is set to ban street begging by Syrian nationals, who have appeared in growing numbers around hotels and mosques in major cities.

Around 560 Syrians entered the country on tourist visas between mid-August and mid-December last year, the deputy head of Ethiopia's immigration office Yemane Gebremeskel said.

He said that while the act of street begging is not illegal - it is against the law to enter the country as a tourist and then beg.

Around 560 Syrians entered Ethiopia on tourist visas between mid-August and mid-December last year (file photo)

'We are now coordinating our security services to effectively ban Syrian citizens from begging,' Mr Gebremeskel said.

'We have tolerated them for some time but we have now decided to ban the illegal practice. They are becoming a burden'.

Nearly 120 Syrians who applied for refugee status in the East African nation were provided with support equaling around 55 ($73).

'We gave them what we could afford but they are still begging,' Mr Yemane said.

Many Ethiopians were confused when Syrians began appearing on the streets of Addis Abab displaying signs written in the local Amharic language.

One Syrian refugee said his family had fled the war and moved from place to place as life in other countries became too expensive.

Khalid Youssef said he, his wife and three children first sought refuge in Lebanon, then a year ago moved to Sudan with the help of the United Nations.

They have now moved to Ethiopia as there 'was no work in Sudan'.

The deputy head of Ethiopia's immigration office Yemane Gebremeskel said the country is 'now coordinating our security services to effectively ban Syrian citizens from begging' (file photo)

'We don't have any money,' Mr Youssef said.

'Besides, there was no work in Sudan even though people were generous. Here, people are even more generous and they help us a lot.'

To survive, he said, the family asks for charity during the day and sleeps at the mosque at night.

Ethiopia currently hosts 900,000 refugees mainly from neighboring Somalia, South Sudan, Eritrea and Sudan.

Earlier this month the U.N. praised the government for a new law which will allow refugees to obtain work permits, go to primary schools and open bank accounts.

Ethiopia's refugee law is now 'one of the most progressive refugee policies in Africa,' it said.
Marco Pierre White Jr leaving court where he admitted charges of being drunk and disorderly

The tattooed model son of celebrity chef Marco Pierre White was 'drunk as a skunk' at a train station and called police officers 'f******' and n****s', a court heard.

A witness said that the social media influencer appeared ragged, with no shirt underneath a suit jacket and with a black eye as he went on an expletive laden rant at a bar in Paddington Station.

After saying 'f*** these n****s' while being arrested, his own girlfriend called him an 'idiot', adding: 'No wonder they have arrested you'.

A police officer confirmed in court that when officers arrived the son of the world famous chef called him a f***** before adding: 'you like touching me don't you' and 'you must have been sexually abused when you were a child'.

Marco Pierre White Jr, 23, admitted charges of being drunk and disorderly and using racially aggravated language last November when he appeared in court today.

He appeared without a solicitor at Hendon Magistrates' Court for the trial and outside afterwards he told reporters that he used the derogatory racial term because he was rapping lyrics by controversial rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine.

Lyrics in the gangsta rap song include 'All my n****s really gang bang, talk that damn slang, rap about it, do the same thing, let your nuts hang.'

The prosecutor told the court Pierre White Jr was at the Cabin Bar pub in Paddington Station in west London with three women at the time of the incident in which he unleashed abuse at staff.

He and his group were heard 'shouting and swearing' and upset a barmaid when she told them they needed to buy something to be able to sit in the bar.

Pierre White Jr was said to have had a black eye, slurred speech and a glazed over expression. Bar staff also said he 'smelt bad'.

Pierre White Jr wore a Barbour jacket with his tattoos his exposed to court, pictured outside

He pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly and using racially aggravated threatening language

In a witness statement, Sandra Goncalves said at 10:30 am Pierre White came into the bar with two women when she was working and were 'rude and sarcastic' when asked if they were ready to order.

Ms Goncalves said that Pierre White Jr, who had a black eye, then asked to order a pint of Peroni before things escalated and the model's verbal onslaught towards police started.

'He did not appear particularly drunk, but he was slurring his words and his eyes were glazed and red. He seemed like he was on something.

'He also smelt really bad. He was wearing a black jacket with no shirt underneath so his body was exposed.

'He had a black eye like someone had punched him in the face,' she said.

Pub general manager Henriette Lohonya said: 'Staff attempted to serve the group, but a member of staff said to me 'can you serve them because they are taking the p*** out of me?'

'The male began to behave disruptively, saying he wants a pint of Peroni. I said if he wants to talk to us in a proper manner he will be served.

'I saw him pay for the product. Two minutes later he places both feet on the table.

'I went over and he immediately stated to swear and shout 'f*** off' and 'shut your f****** mouth'.

He didn't turn up for his last scheduled court appearance before Christmas. Pictured today

'The females were shouting as well. I felt this was not nice, and upsetting. I said I had no issues giving the money back for the beer, but they could leave.

'They seemed not to be listening and were shouting what they had said previously.

'I decided to call the police. I could see they did not believe me and they stayed seated.'

Ms Lohonya said she called over two PCSOs from the British Transport Police.

PCSO Thomas Collins said in a witness statement that when they attended the group were 'being abusive' in the bar.

He said Pierre White Jr had said to his friends: 'Don't worry they are fake f****** police. They can't f****** do anything.'

He was handcuffed and another officer was called, the court heard.

PC Ryan Townsend said in a witness statement that he attended and started to search Pierre White before he called him a 'f*****' continually.

PC Townsend said: 'He was using the word 'f***' and was arrested for being drunk and disorderly.

'He said: 'you like touching me don't you' and 'you must have been sexually abused when you were a child' when I started to search him.

'His girlfriend approached and gave him 40, He began to argue about this. We took the money off him, he looked at me and said 'f*** these n****s'. It was completely unnecessary and racist.

PCSO Karina Denley also backed up the account Pierre White Jr had called the officer the derogatory term and added: 'He wanted money from the female with the black coat as he had no money or bank card on him.

'When she did, he started to swear and refuse to give the money to us and said 'f*** these n****s'.

'His girlfriend said: 'You're a f****** idiot, no wonder they have arrested you'.

Pierre White said he had said the word 'n****' because he was rapping.

He added that he was currently in rehab for alcohol addiction and before the incident in November had been sober 'for a year and a half'.

Pierre White Jr appeared without a solicitor at Hendon Magistrates' Court for the trial

He has previous offences, including one count of using threatening abusive language in 2011 - when he was a teenager - being drunk in charge of a car while drunk in 2016 and fraud by false representation for which he was handed a community order.

Judge Coleman said: 'It's quite clear the racial language 'n****' was used more than once. It was not used in the course of a song but language.

The judge added that Pierre White was 'drunk as a skunk' and brought shame on himself and his family.

Pierre White, of Horsham, Surrey, was fined 200 for being drunk and disorderly and using racially aggravated language and must pay a further 115 in costs, totalling 315.

The expletive-laden onslaught took place in the Cabin Bar inside Paddington Station

The former Celebrity Big Brother star did not turn up for his last scheduled court appearance before Christmas, so a trial was due to go ahead in his absence.

He claimed any post that does not include 'Junior' at the end of his name gets redirected to his famous father in Singapore and asked for a further adjournment of the case because he had not seen the witness statements.

But a District Judge said the hearing would go ahead after hearing he signed the witness statements while in bed at his father's luxury three star country hotel after two police officers personally attended.

Judge Margot Coleman told him: 'I'm sure this a problem you have encountered for 23 years.'

Simon Maughan, prosecuting, said: 'The police took it upon themselves to personally attend his address on more than one occasion.

'On the last occasion on December 23 at 10am, they attended the Rudloe Hall Hotel and were accompanied to the room of Marco Pierre White Jr.

'Pierre White was in bed, but was awake. He asked what it was and then accepted a collection of statements from witnesses relating to the incident he was due in court for.

'He signed them and there is a note of this in the officer's note book.'

Pierre White Jr said: 'I don't recall getting any letters.'

Judge Coleman said: 'I'm satisfied police officers went to an address, spoke to you and gave you the documents and you signed.'
Leo Varadkar has today hinted that he could send the Army to the Irish border if there is a no-deal Brexit.

The Irish PM warned that a hard-border could see a return to the bloody violence which scarred the region during the Troubles.

In a heavy hint that soldiers could be deployed, he said it would 'involve people in uniform'.

It comes just a day after Irish police chiefs were forced to deny they had drawn up secret plans to send 600 officers to beef up border security if Britain crashes out of the EU on March 29.

And he also lashed Theresa May's stance in the negotiations, accusing Britain of victimising Ireland in the talks.

Leo Varadkar (pictured) has today hinted that he could send the Army to the Irish border if there is a no-deal Brexit

Speaking to Bloomberg TV in Davos today, Mr Varadkar warned of the dangers of a return to a hard border.

What is Tuesday's Plan B vote and what will it mean? What is happening? Because Theresa May's Brexit deal was defeated, the law says she must tell Parliament what her Plan B is. This has to be done in a motion to the Commons, which will be voted on by MPs next Tuesday night. That motion can be re-written by MPs if they table amendments and win a vote in favour of them. Some amendments have already been tabled and MPs can keep producing them until Monday night. What does May's plan say? It promises more cross-party working, renews commitments to protecting workers' rights after Brexit and says the PM will ask Brussels for more concessions on the backstop. It it based on the current deal that was crushed by 230 votes last week. What do the main amendments say? Jeremy Corbyn's amendment says Parliament should vote on 'options' including a renegotiation of the deal to get a permanent customs union and for a second referendum. A cross party amendment from Yvette Cooper and Nicky Morgan seeks to block no deal by giving time to a draft law that would require the Government to delay Brexit if a deal has not been agreed by February 26. It upturns normal convention by putting a backbench MP's Bill ahead of Government plans. An amendment from Tory rebel Dominic Grieve seeks to set up weekly debates that would mean regular votes on what to do in the absence a deal. His amendments sets aside six named days for the debates - including as late as March 26. What would the vote do? Legally nothing - but if the Commons votes in favour of a clear way forward by a majority it will be a major political signal of what might happen. Is it a new 'meaningful vote' that can approve May's deal? No. At some point, the PM will have to stage a repeat of last week's vote to get explicit approval from MPs to go ahead with her deal if she wants it to survive. Advertisement

He said: 'It would involve customs posts.

'It would involve people in uniform and it may involve the need, for example, for cameras, physical infrastructure, possibly a police presence, or an army presence to back it up.

'The problem with that in the context of Irish politics and history is those things become targets - and we've already had a certain degree of violence in the last few weeks.

'I just don't want to see that come back.'

Turning his ire on Number Ten, he said Ireland has already compromised in the talks to fit Mrs May's red lines.

He said: 'We're the ones already giving.

'The UK wanted a review clause in the backstop and we agreed to that, the UK wanted a UK-wide element, so why is it the country that is being victimised is the one that's always asked to give?'

And he insisted the Irish backstop must stay in any Brexit deal, dismissing suggestions that state of the art technology could be deployed to keep a soft border.

He said: 'They don't exist and nobody has been able to show them to me.

'Why would we give up a legal guarantee and something we know will work in practice for a promise to sort it out later, or a promise to invent technologies?

'That's just not a serious position.

'People who say they're against a hard border and also against a backstop. That's a contradiction.'

In another interview with Channel 4 News, he blamed the Brexit crisis on Britain.

He said: 'I think that we should never forget that Brexit is problem created by Britain, so the onus is on them to come up with solutions, they're the ones that have created this problem. We feel we've compromised a lot already.

'Does that mean you won't compromise, someone's got to compromise here?'

His intervention comes after an Irish police commissioner denied the force had drawn up plans to send hundreds of officers to the border if there is a no-deal Brexit.

Police Commissioner Drew Harris, said: 'Reports of 600 gardai to be moved to the border are entirely incorrect.

'I have not discussed this matter, neither have I considered this proposal.

'The increasing deployment of gardai to all policing regions including the northern region is commensurate with a growing organisation.

'We continue to prepare for Brexit in line with government policy.'

Mrs May is battling to try to drum up support for her Brexit stance after her deal was overwhelming voted down by MPs.

But she is facing a fresh Cabinet meltdown after Philip Hammond today refused to rule out quitting if there is a no-deal Brexit.

The Chancellor warned of huge economic damage from crashing out, saying it would be 'irresponsible' for the government to press ahead.

Mr Hammond admitted some of his colleagues - including Amber Rudd - viewed next week's Commons votes that could pave the way for a Brexit delay as 'high noon' - although he said he thought there was still time to defuse the crisis.

Asked repeatedly whether he would stay in No11 in that scenario, Mr Hammond said: 'I'm not going to speculate because a lot depends on the circumstances, what happens.

'The responsibility I have is to manage the economy in what is the best interests of the British people.

'I clearly do not believe that making a choice to leave without a deal would be a responsible thing to do.

'But I recognise that that is potentially a default that we could find ourselves in, and if we did find ourselves in that position then the responsible thing to do is to use every possible way of mitigating and minimising the impact.'
Among young people generally, Mr. Trump's approval rating hovers at around 30 percent. Last year, an Axios survey found that more than 80 percent of Republicans and Republican "leaners" between the ages of 18 and 24 wanted to see Mr. Trump challenged in a primary, compared with 74 percent of Republicans over the age of 65. According to the NPR-PBS-Marist poll, a majority of Republicans under the age of 45 would like to see a Republican challenge Trump.
Ministers praised the Queen today after she urged people to seek 'common ground' in an apparent plea for compromise on Brexit.

Speaking at an event in Sandringham, the monarch stressed the importance of 'respecting' other views and said everyone needed to keep the 'big picture' in mind.

The comments have been endorsed by a slew of senior politicians amid the bitter wrangling over relations with the EU.

Theresa May's spokesman echoed the remarks, while Chancellor Philip Hammond said Britons had always been 'pragmatic' in solving problems.

Using barely coded language in a speech to her local Women's Institute in Norfolk, the Queen said she preferred 'respecting different points of view'

'I think there is huge wisdom in those words and I don't think anybody will be at all surprised to hear the Queen advocating the view that in all things controversial we should seek compromise, we should seek common ground and we should seek a way forward,' he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

'That is actually what we do in this country, that is how we solve problems, by compromise and pragmatism.

'It's been our enormous strength over centuries that we have been able to find compromises that bring the nation together.'

Mrs May's official spokesman said: 'The Prime Minister's own view is that we should always show great respect for the point of view of others.'

As head of state, the Queen remains publicly neutral when it comes to political matters and does not express her views on issues.

But her words were seen as a clear reference to the toxic national debate around Britain leaving the EU.

Conservative MPs and ministers took to Twitter to express their support for the Queen's words.

Sharing lines from her speech, Health Secretary Matt Hancock tweeted: 'I agree with the Queen.'

Amber Rudd, Work and Pensions Secretary, said: 'Wise words from the Queen.'

While Bim Afolami, MP for Hitchin and Harpenden, wrote: 'The Queen is right.'

The Queen made her comments in a speech to mark the centenary of the Sandringham Women's Institute, of which she is president.

Speaking in Davos, Chancellor Philip Hammond endorsed the monarch's remarks and said Britons had always been 'pragmatic' in solving problems

'Reflecting on a century of change, it is clear that the qualities of the WI endure,' she said.

'The continued emphasis on patience, friendship, a strong community focus, and considering the needs of others, are as important today as they were when the group was founded all those years ago.

'Of course, every generation faces fresh challenges and opportunities.

'As we look for new answers in the modern age, I for one prefer the tried and tested recipes, like speaking well of each other and respecting different points of view; coming together to seek out the common ground; and never losing sight of the bigger picture.

'To me, these approaches are timeless, and I commend them to everyone.'

In her Christmas address the Queen touched on the same theme, telling the nation: 'Even with the most deeply held differences, treating the other person with respect and as a fellow human being is always a good first step towards greater understanding.'
Roger Stone, a former longtime confidant of Donald Trump, insisted Friday afternoon that he is innocent of a string of criminal charges brought by Special Counsel Robert Mueller  and said he would never turn on the president.

Then he lounged in the sun and ate pizza with his attorneys.

He walked out of federal court in Fort Lauderdale, Florida after appearing in front of a judge, hours after FBI agents raided his home with guns drawn and arrested him on charges including lying to Congress and witness tampering.

Stone was sprung from jali on a $250,000 bond and called the InfoWars conspiracy theory radio program to proclaim his innocence. he emerged from the federal court building flashing a V-for victory with both hands raised, Richard Nixon-style.

He addressed scores of reporters outside the court to say: 'I am falsely accused' while protesters around him shouted 'lock him up' and supporters chanted 'Roger! Roger!'

'I will plead not guilty to the charges,' Stone said, shouting over the protests. 'I will defeat them in court. I believe this is a politically motivated investigation.'

He added: 'There is no circumstance whatsoever under which I will bear false witness against the president, nor will I make up lies to ease the pressure on myself. I look forward to being fully and completely vindicated.'

Attorney Robert Buschel, appearing with the defiant Stone, added: 'Hes leaving, so its a good day.'

The media spectacle on the courthouse steps came after FBI agents in tactical bulletproof vests arrested Stone on Friday morning with guns drawn.

They acted after Special Counsel Robert Mueller unsealed a seven-count indictment from a grand jury impaneled in his sprawling probe of Russian election meddling.

Released: Roger Stone walked out of court flashing V for victory signs in the manner of Richard Nixon

Defiance: Roger Stone first called InfoWars then walked out of the federal courthouse in Fort Lauderdale to say he would fight the charges, which include lying to Congress and witness tampering

Stone's post-release presser was the biggest media scrum of the day as reporters showed up to cover him as though he were a political candidate

Fighting talk: A defiant Roger Stone said he would fight and defeat the charges brought by Robert Mueller that he lied to Congress and interfered with a witness

Support: Roger Stone appeared upbeat as he called the Mueller investigation 'politically-motivated' in front of scores of reporters and a crowd that included protesters and supporters

Indicted: Despite the smile, Roger Stone - whose attorney Robert Buschel stood beside him - faces a long fight against the Mueller indictment and the possibility of prison

President Trump didn't skip a beat, returning on Twitter to his consistent theme that the Mueller probe is the 'Greast Witch Hunt in the History of our Country'  and raised suspicion that CNN's camera crew was tipped off by someone in federal law enforcement

Courtroom sketches from Friday morning show Roger Stone in handcuffs as he was led in, and then standing behind a podium next to his lawyer

The self-described political dirty trickster answered his front door during a dramatic pre-dawn raid with a lead agent shouting: 'FBI! Open the door! We have a warrant!' With tactical flashlights shining in his face, Stone confirmed his identity to the agents and was led away in his pajamas.

He said after being freed that a total of 29 agents 'terrorized' his wife and his dogs, and that he would have surrendered himself if asked.

As he stood in court, agents were still at his property with a tented tarp erected outside the front door, forming a covered corridor for moving evidence to waiving trucks and vans.

A few hours later, Stone ate pizza and lounged in the sun outside a friend's house.

In photos obtained exclusively by DailyMail.com, the veteran political operative looked relaxed and completely unfazed as he reclined on a wicker chair and chatted casually with a female acquaintance.

The career GOP strategist also ordered pizza delivery for himself and his legal team as they plotted behind closed doors to clear his name.

The silver-haired Stone was still wearing the same navy blue polo shirt he wore to court hours earlier.

Stone is charged with five counts of making false statements, one of witness tampering and one of obstruction of official proceedings.

The FBI also raided Stone's Manhattan apartment, seizing hard drives and other materials.

Hours after Stone posted bail and left the courthouse, he was spotted at a friend's house chatting with his attorneys

Stone appeared to have not a care in the world despite a global swirl of intrigue surrounding his cloak-and-dagger political history

Stone also ordered pizza delivery for himself and his lawyers

Roger Stone was a Richard Nixon devotee and assisted the disgraced former president in his final declining years; he later got Nixon's face tattooed on his upper back

Mueller asked a judge Thursday to keep Stone's indictment sealed until his arrest, aguing that 'law enforcement believes that publicity resulting from disclosure will increase the risk of the defendant fleeing and destroying (or tampering with) evidence.'

The indictment does not charge him with crimes directly related to Russia or with conspiracy to skew the 2016 election, but with what legal experts call 'process crimes'  lying to investigators and trying to tamper with their work after being asked about contacts he claimed to have with WikiLeaks around the temt the anti-privacy group published thousands of stolen emails that embarrassed Hillary Clinton's campaign.

President Donald Trump blared hours after the arrest to his Twitter audience: 'Greatest Witch Hunt in the History of our Country! NO COLLUSION! Border Coyotes, Drug Dealers and Human Traffickers are treated better. Who alerted CNN to be there?'

Stone gave his first post-arrest interview to the conspiracy theory radio program 'InfoWars,' saying in a phone call that he did nothing wrong and his arrest was 'politically motivated.'

CNN aired dramatic video o nFriday morning that showed the pre-dawn raid that resulted in Stone's arrest

Agents wearing body armor and drawing their weapons swarmed Stone's home in a posh south Florida neighborhood

Stone, whose political pedigree dates back to the Nixon administration, is accused of feeding information from WikiLeaks about an email hack to the Trump campaign during the 2016 election

He appealed for cash saying he expected his defense costs to reach $2 million, saying he was going to fight the charge.

'I predicted for many months that I would be framed on a process charge,' he said.

'They are criminalizing political activities.'

When his phone cut out Alex Jones suggested it was the work of 'them' because 'they tap all the phones.'

Grant Smith, an attorney for Stone, said in a statement that the indictment is 'a clear attempt at silencing Roger. This was an investigation they started as about Russian collusion and now they're charging Roger Stone with lying to Congress about something he honestly forgot about, and as Roger has stated publicly before, he will fight the charges.'

He said separately that prosecutors 'found no Russian collusion or they would have charged him with it. Roger stone is vindicated by the fact that there was no Russian collusion. ... Roger Stone received no materials from WikiLeaks ahead of the public release.'

Smith added that 'Stone's misstatements were due to forgetfulness and were immaterial.'

Media circus: Cameras staked out the federal courthouse in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on Friday as an SVU said to be carrying Stone arrived

White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders insisted Friday morning on CNN that the Stone indictment has 'nothing to do with the president and certainly nothing to do with the White House'

Familiar: Roger Stone's defiant double V-for victory as he walked out of court was a nod to his first political mentor, Richard Nixon

White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders insisted Friday morning in a CNN interview that the Stone indictment 'has nothing to do with the president and certainly nothing to do with the White House.'

Sanders suggested that prominent Democrats and Obama administration officials have been guilty of the crimes for which Stone was charged.

'I think the bigger question is if this is the standard, will the same standard apply to people like Hillary Clinton, James Comey, Clapper? Will we see the same people we know have also made false statements, will that same standard apply?' she asked.

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Rep. Jerold Nadler, a New York Democrat, tweeted: 'Roger Stone, Paul Manafort, Michael Cohen, Rick Gates, Michael Flynn... What did the President know and when did he know it?'

There was no Russian collusion, it's a clear attempt at silencing Roger. This was an investigation they started as about Russian collusion and now they're charging Roger Stone with lying to Congress about something he honestly forgot about, and as Roger has stated publicly before, he will fight the charges. Roger Stone attorney Grant Smith

His counterpart in the Senate, ranking Judiary Committee Democrat Dianne Feinstein of California, said in a statement that 'the phrase "Trump campaign" appears in the indictment 24 times, with specific details about a senior Trump campaign official reaching out to Stone regarding leaked emails.'

Muller's work 'has been thorough and objective, and he must be allowed to complete his job without interference,' Feinstein said.

Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia, the senior Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee: said separately that the Stone indictment makes clear that his contacts with WikiLeaks 'happened at least with the full knowledge of, and appear to have been encouraged by, the highest levels of the Trump campaign.'

President Trump tweeted an encouraging message to Stone in December as news spread that Mueller's team was putting pressure on him.

'"I will never testify against Trump." This statement was recently made by Roger Stone, essentially stating that he will not be forced by a rogue and out of control prosecutor to make up lies and stories about "President Trump." Nice to know that some people still have "guts!"' he wrote.

Loyal: Stone said Wednesday in a Fox news Channel interview: 'No matter how much pressure they put on me, no matter what they say, I will not bear false witness against Donald Trump'

Mueller's team asked a judge to keep Roger Stone's indictment sealed because they feared he might try to flee or destroy evidence if he knew he was being charged with federal crimes

Trump tweeted in May 2017, four months after taking office, that CNN was mistaken in reporting that he still had a close relationship with Stone.

'Fake News. Have not spoken to Roger in a long time,' he said then.

Roger Stone, Paul Manafort, Michael Cohen, Rick Gates, Michael Flynn... What did the President know and when did he know it? House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerold Nadler, a New York Democrat

Stone renewed his pledge of loyalty to Trump on Wednesday, appearing on the Fox News Channel's 'Tucker Carlson Tonight.'

'No matter how much pressure they put on me, no matter what they say, I will not bear false witness against Donald Trump. I will not do what Michael Cohen has done and make up lies to ease the pressure on myself,' he said.

Stone also told Carlson that Mueller is 'a runaway special prosecutor who is accountable to no one.'

'My testimony is both accurate and truthful, but I'm not even allowed to have a copy of it,' he protested.

Jay Sekulow, an attorney who represents the president in matters related to the Mueller probe, said Friday in a statement that the Stone indictment 'does not allege Russian collusion by Roger Stone or anyone else. Rather, the indictment focuses on alleged false statements Mr. Stone made to Congress.'

As Stone makes his court appearance another Trump ally  former campaign chairman Paul Manafort  will also be appearing in a Virginia courtroom.

Manafort, who has already been jailed for conspiracy, is facing new allegations that he lied to members of Mueller's team while cooperating as part of his plea deal.

As Stone was being processed after his arrest, his home is shown in aerial footage on CNN

FBI agents continued to process the scene after the sun came up Friday, searching Stone's home for evidence supporting the Mueller indictment and hiding their findings from cameras with tents that led to waiting trucks

News crews were kept away from Stone's house after his arrest, but police couldn't stop helicopters from capturing the scene

President Trump defended Stone less than two months ago, but denied in mid-2017 that

Stone, a Richard Nixon devotee who has the disgraced former president's face permanently tattooed on his back, has long been portrayed as a central figure in the election interference scandal, but as recently as January 4 told Dailymail.com that he doesn't expect to be indicted.

'They got nothing,' he said of the special counsel's investigation.

'They've tried hard, but I didn't do anything illegal. That's why I'm not worried and I'll do a public appearance like tonight's without a problem.'

The Nixon Foundation tried to distance itself from Stone on Friday following his arrest.

'This mornings widely-circulated characterization of Roger Stone as a Nixon campaign aide or adviser is a gross misstatement. Mr. Stone was 16 years old during the Nixon presidential campaign of 1968 and 20 years old during the reelection campaign of 1972,' the foundation said in a statement.

'Mr. Stone, during his time as a student at George Washington University, was a junior scheduler on the Nixon reelection committee. Mr. Stone was not a campaign aide or adviser. Nowhere in the Presidential Daily Diaries from 1972 to 1974 does the name "Roger Stone" appear.'

Mueller's federal grand jury met on Thursday, a Justice Department source told DailyMail.com. That's unusual, given the typical schedule of such grand juries.

The indictment today does not allege Russian collusion by Roger Stone or anyone else. Rather, the indictment focuses on alleged false statements Mr. Stone made to Congress. President Trump's lawyer Jay Sekulow

The Justice Department source said the grand jury also met on a Thursday last July, the day before Mueller unsealed an indictment against a dozen Russian agents.

The grand jury had been hearing for months from witnesses linked with Stone. And the House Intelligence Committee, then run by Republicans, voted last year to release a transcript of Stone's testimony to Mueller.

The indictment says that during the summer of 2016 Stone spoke to senior Trump campaign officials about information held by WikiLeaks that might by damaging to Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.

That came as the Trump campaign shifted gears from a bruising primary season to months of general election fights against

The campaign official replied to Stone asking him to inquire about potential future release by WikiLeaks, the indictment alleges.

The indictment against Stone was unsealed Friday morning, just before he was arrested at his house

Rep. Jerold Nadler is chairman of the House Judiciary Committee; he asked the Nixon-era question 'What did the President know and when did he know it?'

On CNN, Sanders refused to address whether Trump 'directed' Roger Stone to contact WikiLeaks

Thousands of emails had been stolen from a Gmail account belonging to Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta. Other records had been stolen from the Democratic National Committee's computer servers.

The indictment directly quotes a Stone email to Breitbart News Washington Editor Matthew Boyle on October 3, 2016 in which he complains that he 'would tell [the high-ranking Trump Campaign official]' about his contacts with WikiLeaks, 'but he doesnt call me back.'

That matches, word-for-word, a Stone email cited by The New York Times in November 2018, which cites former Trump campaign CEO Steve Bannon by name instead of 'the high-ranking Trump Campaign official.'

Messages sent Friday morning to Bannon, then a future White House senior adviser Steve Bannon, and his public relations adviser Alexandra Preate, who worked alongside him in the White House, went unanswered.

Manafort, now languishing in jail and facing a lengthy prison term for tax and bank fraud, may play a role in the Stone indictment.

It describes the aftermath of 'the July 22, 2016 release of stolen DNC emails' by WikiLeaks, and recounts how 'a senior Trump Campaign official was directed to contact Stone' to see if more releases were coming.

Bannon is widely understood to be that official. As the campaign's CEO, he reported directly to Manafort.

Only Manafort and Donald Trump himself likely had the authority to 'directed' his actions.

The question of who gave that order will set off a new round of speculation about whether the president himself could be a Mueller target.

Breitbart News Washington Washington Political Editor Matthew Boyle makes a cameo in the Stone indictmenr, in an email from the dirty trickster complaining that Steve Bannon wouldn't return his phone calls about back-channel contacts with WikiLeaks

2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton was targeted by WikiLeaks, which released tens of thousands of emails stolen from her campaign chairman John Podesta

Stone allegedly had a back-channel connection with WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, giving him advance infformation

CNN legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin speculated Friday morning that it 'could be Donald Trump himself.'

On MSNBC's 'Morning Joe' program, former CIA director John Brennan said the indictment shows 'an extensive effort to influence the election' that 'may have gone to the very top of the Trump campaign.' The question now, Brennan said, is whether that crossed 'the threshold from collusion to criminal conspiracy.'

On CNN, Sanders stopped short of denying Trump was involved.

'I'm not going to be able to provide you some type of insight or legal analysis,' she said. 'What I can tell you is that these specific charges that have been brought against Mr. Stone don't have anything to do with the president.'

Democratic National Committee chairmam Tom Perez said Friday in a statement that '[t]he Trump campaign was a willing and active participant in a conspiracy with Russia and WikiLeaks to influence the 2016 election. There are more conspirators yet to be held accountable  and at least one of them is named Donald Trump.'

The indictment indicates that Stone tasked someone referred to as 'Person 1' with contacting WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange for him.

Breitbart News Washington Political Editor Matthew Boyle did not respond to an email Friday morning. Friday's indictment quotes an email exchange between Stone and Boyle, referred to only as a 'reporter.'

Boyle was granted an Oval Office interview with President Trump during the first weeks of his administration.

Another Stone associate with a cameo in the indictment is New York radio host Randy Credico, who Stone has claimed told him that WikiLeaks had obtained a collection of Podesta's emails and planned to release them.

Steve Bannon was Trump's campaign CEO beginning in August 2018; the indictment refers to him as a senior campaign official

Conspiracy theorist and suthor Jerome Corsi is referred to in the indictment as 'Person 1'

In email from April 2018, cited in the indictment, Stone appeared incensed that Credico had spoken to investigators.

'You are a rat. A stoolie. You backstab your friends-run your mouth my lawyers are dying [to] Rip you to shreds,' Stone wrote. 'I am so ready. Lets get it on. Prepare to die [expletive].'

'You should have just been honest with the house Intel committee . . . youve opened yourself up to perjury charges like an idiot,' Credico wrote a month later. 'Stone responded: 'You are so full of [expletive]. You got nothing.'

Credico's attorney confirmed Friday to CNN that his client is 'Person 2' in the indictment.

Stone is accused of making 'multiple false statements' about his contacts with Wikileaks, and wrongly denying having records of those conversations.

He is also accused of trying to persuade a witness 'to provide false testimony to and withhold pertinent information from the investigations.'

Mueller's final tally: Trump's inner circle of convicts and turncoats - and 25 wanted Russian trolls GUILTY: MICHAEL FLYNN Pleaded guilty to making false statements in December 2017. Awaiting sentence Flynn was President Trump's former National Security Advisor and Robert Mueller's most senior scalp to date. He previously served when he was a three star general as President Obama's director of the Defense Intelligence Agency but was fired. He admitted to lying to special counsel investigators about his conversations with a Russian ambassador in December 2016. He has agreed to cooperate with the special counsel investigation. GUILTY AND JAILED: MICHAEL COHEN Pleaded guilty to eight counts including fraud and two campaign finance violations in August 2018. Pleaded guilty to further count of lying to Congress in November 2018. Sentenced to three years in prison and $2 million in fines and forfeitures in December 2018 Cohen was investigated by Mueller but the case was handed off to the Southern District of New York,leaving Manhattan's ferocious and fiercely independent federal prosecutors to run his case. Cohen was Trump's longtime personal attorney, starting working for him and the Trump Organization in 2007. He is the longest-serving member of Trump's inner circle to be implicated by Mueller. Cohen professed unswerving devotion to Trump - and organized payments to silence two women who alleged they had sex with the-then candidate: porn star Stormy Daniels and Playboy model Karen McDougal. He admitted that payments to both women were felony campaign finance violations - and admitted that he acted at the 'direction' of 'Candidate-1': Donald Trump. He also admitted tax fraud by lying about his income from loans he made, money from taxi medallions he owned, and other sources of income, at a cost to the Treasury of $1.3 million. And he admitted lying to Congress in a rare use of the offense. The judge in his case let him report for prison on March 6 and recommended he serve it in a medium-security facility close to New York City. GUILTY AND JAILED: PAUL MANAFORT Found guilty of eight charges of bank and tax fraud in August 2018. Sentenced to 47 months in March 2019. Pleaded guilty to two further charges - witness tampering and conspiracy against the United States. Jailed for total of seven and a half years in two separate sentences. Additionally indicted for mortgage fraud by Manhattan District Attorney, using evidence previously presented by Mueller Manafort worked for Trump's campaign from March 2016 and chaired it from June to August 2016, overseeing Trump being adopted as Republican candidate at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland. He is the most senior campaign official to be implicated by Mueller. Manafort was one of Washington D.C.'s longest-term and most influential lobbyists but in 2015, his money dried up and the next year he turned to Trump for help, offering to be his campaign chairman for free - in the hope of making more money afterwards. But Mueller unwound his previous finances and discovered years of tax and bank fraud as he coined in cash from pro-Russia political parties and oligarchs in Ukraine. Manafort pleaded not guilty to 18 charges of tax and bank fraud but was convicted of eight counts in August 2018. The jury was deadlocked on the other 10 charges. A second trial on charges of failing to register as a foreign agent due in September did not happen when he pleaded guilty to conspiracy against the United States and witness tampering in a plea bargain. He was supposed to co-operate with Mueller but failed to. Minutes after his second sentencing hearing in March 2019, he was indicted on 16 counts of fraud and conspiracy by the Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr., using evidence which included documents previously presented at his first federal trial. The president has no pardon power over charges by district and state attorneys. GUILTY AND GOING TO WEEKEND JAIL: RICK GATES Pleaded guilty to conspiracy against the United States and making false statements in February 2018. Sentenced to 45 days weekend jail and three years probation, December 17, 2018 Gates was Manafort's former deputy at political consulting firm DMP International. He admitted to conspiring to defraud the U.S. government on financial activity, and to lying to investigators about a meeting Manafort had with a member of congress in 2013. As a result of his guilty plea and promise of cooperation, prosecutors vacated charges against Gates on bank fraud, bank fraud conspiracy, failure to disclose foreign bank accounts, filing false tax returns, helping prepare false tax filings, and falsely amending tax returns. GUILTY AND JAILED: GEORGE PAPADOPOLOUS Pleaded guilty to making false statements in October 2017. Sentenced to 14 days in September 2018, and reported to prison in November. Served 12 days and released on December 7, 2018 Papadopoulos was a member of Donald Trump's campaign foreign policy advisory committee. He admitted to lying to special counsel investigators about his contacts with London professor Josef Mifsud and Ivan Timofeev, the director of a Russian government-funded think tank. GUILTY AND JAILED: RICHARD PINEDO Pleaded guilty to identity fraud in February 2018. Sentenced to a year in prison Pinedo is a 28-year-old computer specialist from Santa Paula, California. He admitted to selling bank account numbers to Russian nationals over the internet that he had obtained using stolen identities. GUILTY AND JAILED: ALEX VAN DER ZWAAN Pleaded guilty to making false statements in February 2018. He served a 30-day prison sentence and was deported to the Netherlands on his release Van der Zwaan was a Dutch attorney for Skadden Arps who worked on a Ukrainian political analysis report for Paul Manafort in 2012. He admitted to lying to special counsel investigators about when he last spoke with Rick Gates and Konstantin Kilimnik. His law firm say he was fired. GUILTY: W. SAMUEL PATTEN Pleaded guilty in August 2018 to failing to register as a lobbyist while doing work for a Ukrainian political party. Sentenced to three years probation April 2019 Patten, a long-time D.C. lobbyist was a business partner of Paul Manafort. He pleaded guilty to admitting to arranging an illegal $50,000 donation to Trump's inauguration. He arranged for an American 'straw donor' to pay $50,000 to the inaugural committee, knowing that it was actually for a Ukrainian businessman. Neither the American or the Ukrainian have been named. CHARGED: KONSTANTIN KILIMNIK Indicted for obstruction of justice and conspiracy to obstruct justice. At large, probably in Russia Kilimnik is a former employee of Manafort's political consulting firm and helped him with lobbying work in Ukraine. He is accused of witness tampering, after he allegedly contacted individuals who had worked with Manafort to remind them that Manafort only performed lobbying work for them outside of the U.S. He has been linked to Russian intelligence and is currently thought to be in Russia - effectively beyond the reach of extradition by Mueller's team. INDICTED: THE RUSSIANS Twenty-five Russian nationals and three Russian entities have been indicted for conspiracy to defraud the United States. They remain at large in Russia Two of these Russian nationals were also indicted for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and 11 were indicted for conspiracy to launder money. Fifteen of them were also indicted for identity fraud. Vladimir Putin has ridiculed the charges. Russia effectively bars extradition of its nationals. The only prospect Mueller has of bringing any in front of a U.S. jury is if Interpol has their names on an international stop list - which is not made public - and they set foot in a territory which extradites to the U.S. INDICTED: MICHAEL FLYNN'S BUSINESS PARTNERS Bijan Kian (left), number two in now disgraced former national security adviser Mike Flynn's lobbying company, and the two's business partner Ekim Alptekin (right) were indicted for conspiracy to lobby illegally. Kian, an Iranian-American was arrested and appeared in court charged with a conspiracy to illegally lobby the U.S government without registering as a foreign agent. Their co-conspirator was Flynn, who is called 'Person A' in the indictment and is not charged, offering some insight into what charges he escaped with his plea deal. Kian, vice-president of Flynn's former lobbying firm, is alleged to have plotted with Alptekin to try to change U.S. policy on an exiled Turkish cleric, Fethullah Gulen, who lives in Pennsylvania and who is accused by Turkey's strongman president Recep Tayyip Erdogan, of trying to depose him. Erdogan's government wanted him extradited from the U.S. and paid Flynn's firm through Alptekin for lobbying, including an op-ed in The Hill calling for Gulen to be ejected. Flynn and Kian both lied that the op-ed was not paid for by the Turkish government. The indictment is a sign of how Mueller is taking an interest in more than just Russian involvement in the 2016 election. GUILTY AND AWAITING SENTENCE: ROGER STONE Roger Stone, a former Trump campaign official and longtime informal advisor to Trump, was indited on seven counts including obstruction of justice, witness tampering, and lying to Congress about his communications with WikiLeaks in January 2019. Convicted on all counts November 15, 2019, awaiting sentence Stone was a person of interest to Mueller's investigators long before his January indictment, thanks in part due to his public pronouncements as well as internal emails about his contacts with WikiLeks. In campaign texts and emails, many of which had already been publicly revealed before showing up in Mueller's indictment, Stone communicated with associates about WikiLeaks following reports the organization had obtained a cache of Clinton-related emails. Stone, a former Nixon campaign adviser who has the disgraced former president's face permanently tattooed on his back, has long been portrayed as a central figure in the election interference scandal. 'They got nothing,' he said of the special counsel's investigation. Stone gave 'false and misleading' testimony about his requests for information from WikiLeaks. He then pressured a witness, comedian Randy Credico, to take the Fifth Amendment rather than testify, and pressured him in a series of emails. Following a prolonged dispute over testimony, he called him a 'rat' and threatened to 'take that dog away from you', in reference to Credico's pet, Bianca. Stone warned him: 'Let's get it on. Prepare to die.' CLEARED: GREG CRAIG Greg Craig, President Barack Obama's White House counsel, was indicted for failing to register as a foreign agent. Mueller's investigators uncovered Craig's work on behalf the government of Ukraine while probing Manafort, who did business with Craig. Prosecutors released a grand jury indictment of Craig in April 2019, after Craig's law firm of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP agreed to pay more than $4.6 million as part of a settlement. The prominent firm also acknowledged it had failed to register, and placed much of the blame on Craig, a senior partner there. Craig's lawyer blasted the decision as an abuse of prosecutorial discretion, and prepared to argue that omission of information during an interview is not tantamount to making false statements. The charges stem from a 2012 report Craig and the firm produced on behalf of the Ukrainian government on opposition figure and former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko. She was an opponent of Manafort's client , former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych. Craig was cleared on September 9 2019. Advertisement

Robert Mueller's team accused Stone of trying to hide evidence of his contact with Wikileaks from investigators and trying to convince a witness to lie

The indictment accuses Stone of lying to a congressional panel in September 2017, telling House Intelligence Committee members that he had never asked an intermediary to contact Assange on his behalf.

'I did not,' he replied.

According to the indictment, he had by then asked two people to 'get to' Assange, forwarding a request for documents that could damage the Hillary Clinton campaign.

News reports have established that Stone sent similar emails to Jerome Corsi, a well-known conspiracy theorist whose relationship with Stone goes back decades.

Corsi said in November that he had declined a plea agreement from Mueller that would involve a guilty plea to lying about his discussions with Stone.

Corsi confirmed Friday afternoon that he is the Stone associate described in the indictment as 'Person 1.'

'I am person number one,' Corsi told CNN. 'The statements in the indictment about me are accurate. ... They're consistent with the testimony I gave to the special counselor.'

'What is contained in the indictment confirms I did nothing wrong.'

Corsi is suing Mueller, the Department of Justice, the FBI, the CIA and the National Security Agency for $1.6 billion, claiming the government violated his Fourth Amendment rights by planting negative information about him in various media outlets.

This week he added the Washington Post, one of the famed newspapers reporters and its owner, Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos, as defendants.
Iceland has removed its labeling from some of its own-brand goods rather than removing palm oil as the supermarket cannot yet remove the ingredient from some of its range.

The retailer promised to remove palm oil from all its own-brand products by the end of 2018, and did so for may of its products but in respect of 17 items, having found it harder than they expected, has removed its names from own-brand goods which contain the ingredient.

So far, Iceland has removed palm oil from hundreds of its products but its bid to not pass any of the cost onto consumers or suppliers has led to delays on a handful of products.

Iceland cited deforestation in Asia as one of the main reasons for trying to get rid of palm oil in its products, but admitted palm oil remains in 32 product lines, including in a popular cheesecake.

The Iceland logo was previously visible on its Strawberry cheesecake (left) but the brand name has now been removed from its latest packaging (right) as it still contains palm oil

Richard Walker, the joint managing director of Iceland and son of its founder, Sir Malcolm Walker, said Iceland has spent 5million in a bid to get rid of the controversial ingredient from its products.

He visited the Indonesian Borneo in 2017 and witnessed the destruction caused by palm oil plantations first-hand. Mr Walker said Iceland was trying to find alternatives for 17 of the 32 lines. The other 15 would no longer carry the Iceland branding.

Iceland added they expected to find a solution by April this year, which could see a return of the 'Iceland' name on the own-range goods.

On a blog on Iceland's website, he admitted: 'There are a further 15 chilled lines where we and our suppliers have reluctantly concluded that it simply isn't technically feasible to replace palm oil with another ingredient.'

The Iceland branding was also present on the sticky toffee cheesecake (left, ringed) but has now been taken away from the latest brand

He said the products would still be sold 'along with hundreds of other branded lines containing palm oil'.

He told MailOnline: 'We weren't to know on the removal process that these 17 lines would be an issue and some suppliers could not meet the deadline.

'We are working with the suppliers and they can absolutely get there but we took the Iceland name off the products.'

Iceland claimed it had been 'transparent' with customers about its pledge to remove palm oil - even though they had not informed consumers of the removal of its own-brand labeling.

On Wednesday, Iceland blamed a 'website issue' after the BBC found 28 own-brand products for sale online containing palm oil.

Many products were removed by the retailer, but own-label products containing palm oil were still available to buy in stores that day.

Iceland said there were no own-label fresh items available that still contained palm oil and that it was committed to its pledge.

The rasperry Eton mess cheesecake has had Iceland labelling taken off it

Iceland has announced plans to remove palm oil from its own brand foods
Eight male students in Hong Kong have been arrested for common assault after they were filmed cornering a classmate and tormenting him.

Shocking footage posted on a Facebook group on Wednesday showed a male student in school uniform being pinned down under two chairs by a group of students as they removed his underwear and began slapping his buttocks.

The school insisted that the incident was not a case of bullying. Instead, the students, who were aged between 17 and 19, just went 'too far when playing', according to local reports.

Video posted on Facebook on Wednesday showed a male student in school uniform being bullied by a group of students at Yan Chai Hospital Tung Chi Ying Memorial Secondary School

Shocking video showed a male student in school uniform being pinned down under two chairs by a group of students as they removed his underwear and began slapping his buttocks

The 38-second clip also showed the student bullies pinching the victim's ears and shaking his head as they laughed.

The boys are identified to be Form Six students from Yan Chai Hospital Tung Chi Ying Memorial Secondary School in Ma On Shan, New Territories, according to Ming Pao Daily.

The incident took place in March 2018 and neither the alleged victim nor the school alerted the authorities. The boys were later released on bail and must report back in February.

The school said the boys' act could constitute misconduct and it had lectured the involved students to ensure no such incidents would happen again.

The incident took place in March and neither the victim nor the school alerted the authorities

The school has also initiated a crisis management protocol and said it will coordinate with social workers and the Education Bureau and police to follow up on the case

The school has also initiated a crisis management protocol and said it will coordinate with social workers and the Education Bureau and police to follow up on the case amid investigations.

However, a graduate from the school told Apple Daily that bullying occurred on almost a daily basis on the campus.

An Education Bureau spokesperson told South China Morning Post that said the authority was concerned about the incident and had contacted the school.

It also issued a circular requiring all schools to take the matter seriously and implement proactive measures to ensure the safety of students.

The student bullies are identified to be Form Six students from Yan Chai Hospital Tung Chi Ying Memorial Secondary School (pictured) in Ma On Shan, New Territories, Hong Kong

Bullying is a serious problem in the city's schools. According to a 2015 Programme for International Student Assessment (Pisa), 32.3 per cent of 15-year-olds in Hong Kong said they were bullied at least a few times a month, exceeding numbers recorded in Singapore (25.1 per cent), Britain (23.9 per cent), the United States (18.9 per cent) and South Korea (11.9 per cent).

In a recent court case, two girls aged 12 and 15 admitted being part of a group which attacked a 14-year-old girl by slapping and burning her pubic hair.

Social workers and educational psychologists say bullying is often underreported, due to victims' fears and bystanders not speaking up.
Eight youths have been jailed for gang-rape in Germany after their 13-year-old victim tracked them down on Facebook.

The teenager was attacked after spending a day with friends at a swimming pool in Velbert, a town in the Western German state of North Rhine-Westphalia.

She was ambushed while walking home along a forest path before being dragged into the bushes where the youths - Bulgarian nationals - filmed as they took turns raping her.

Eight youths have been jailed for gang-rape in Germany after their 13-year-old victim tracked them down on Facebook

The teenager was attacked after spending a day with friends at a swimming pool (pictured) in Velbert, a town in the Western German state of North Rhine-Westphalia

A family friend who went searching for the girl when she did not arrive home stumbled across the horrific scene and the schoolboys fled.

The brave victim later found the perpetrators on Facebook after recognising one of them. She gave police the boy's picture and the suspect was arrested in town later that day.

Police found footage of the rape on his phone and could easily identify the other seven perpetrators.

Six of the schoolboys, aged between 14 and 17, were found guilty in October last year despite claiming that the 13-year-old victim consented.

The main suspect, aged 15, was sentenced to four years and nine months in prison after the court proved he raped the girl twice.

Six of the schoolboys, aged between 14 and 17, were found guilty in October last year despite claiming that the 13-year-old victim consented

Another schoolboy was handed four years in a juvenile detention centre for also raping the girl twice.

Two others were sentenced to two years and 20 months in a youth prison, while two walked free after receiving suspended sentences.

One 15-year-old boy was sentenced to two years and nine months in a youth prison, while another 15-year-old only received a 15-month suspended sentence for aiding the others.

This week, the seventh and eighth schoolboys were found guilty by a court in Wuppertal after they fled to their native Bulgaria to escape punishment but were picked up and extradited back to Germany.

Prosecutors used the self-incriminating footage to prove their guilt.
Kellyanne Conway insists that her childhood growing up with a single parent means she can empathize with unpaid government workers after Wilbur Ross said he 'can't understand' why staff are using food banks.

Conway shot back at CNN's Chris Cuomo after he said President Trump and those around him 'have given every indication that they don't get the pain' of 800,000 staff who have now missed two paychecks.

The White House adviser, whose parents divorced when she was three, retorted: 'I have great compassion for them.

Kellyanne Conway: "The physical barriers are important. It is a centerpiece of overall border security"@ChrisCuomo: "For you, it's a centerpiece"

Kellyanne Conway: "No, no, no. For many Democrats who voted in 2006 for the Secure Fence Act..."@ChrisCuomo: "Never a centerpiece" pic.twitter.com/AsfVBEZ5iP  Cuomo Prime Time (@CuomoPrimeTime) January 25, 2019

Kellyanne Conway says growing up as the child of a single mom who 'used to put clothes on layaway' means she has compassion for unpaid government workers

Federal staff have been forced to attend food banks to make ends meet as 800,000 workers have gone without two paychecks since the shutdown began

'I was raised by a single mom who used to put clothes on layaway, I wasn't raised in privilege, of course I have compassion.'

Conway was raised by mother Diane Fitzpatrick, her grandmother and two aunts in Atco, New Jersey, after father John abandoned the family when she was young.

She has previously described her experiences of working on a blueberry farm as a teenager for teaching her a strong work ethic.

Speaking to Cuomo, Conway then went on to blast House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for dragging out the shutdown, saying she 'insulted' the President by offering just $1 for his border wall.

Conway also accused Pelosi of refusing to take a reasonable negotiating position after repeatedly shooting down spending bills that include funding for Trump's wall.

President Trump, she said, has made attempts to meet the Democrats 'where they are' in negotiations but insisted on the need for a 'centerpiece' wall.

Cuomo, meanwhile, accused her of being disingenuous - saying Trump has not compromised as much as she made out and that the Democrats have offered Trump much more than $1.

Conway's comments came after commerce secretary Wilbur Ross said he 'couldn't understand' why workers needed food banks, and suggested they get loans instead

Trump appeared to stand by Ross's sentiment that workers can get low-interest loans to ease their pain, though admitted that he should have phrased it better

Her comments come after Democrats savaged commerce secretary Wilbur Ross, who is worth an estimated $700million, after he suggested that unpaid workers should get loans to cover their missing pay.

Asked whether he was aware workers are going to food banks, he told CNBC: 'I know they are, and I don't really quite understand why.

'Because, as I mentioned before, the obligations that they would undertake, say borrowing from a bank or a credit union are in effect federally guaranteed.'

'So the 30 days of pay that some people will be out, there's no real reason why they shouldn't be able to get a loan against it, and we've seen a number of ads of financial institutions doing that.

'Banks and credit unions should be making credit available to them. There is really not a good excuse why there should be a liquidity crisis.

True, people will have to pay a little interest,' he told 'Squawk Box' on Thursday morning, '[but] there is no reason why some institutions would not be able to lend.'

Senate Minority leader Chuck Schumer led the charge against Ross, describing his remarks as the 21st century equivalent of Marie Antoinette's infamous 'let them eat cake' line.

President Trump then found himself dragged into the controversy when he stood by Ross during a question and answer session, saying that workers should make arrangement with their grocery stores and banks to make ends meet.

Both men appeared to be pointing out that banks and credit unions have offered low or no-interest loans to workers to help them through the crisis.

However, the President did admit that Ross had phrased his advice badly, and said Ross 'has done a great job, I will tell you that', using the past tense.
A woman who left her fiance fighting for his life after slashing his arm open with a samurai sword told Queens Supreme Court, 'accidents happen.'

Karla Barba, 40, - the former flame of disgraced New York Senator Hiram Monserrate - said Franklin Larrea, had thrown her to the floor in Jackson Heights, New York during an argument in June 2016.

Larrea came at her again so she got hold of 'the first thing I found,' she told the judge, which happened to be a full-sized katana sword.

She claims the rest was all a blur and that she next saw her lover covered in blood pouring from deep wounds to his arm.

Karla Barba (then Karla Giraldo) is escorted from court by her lawyer at the trial of disgraced former New York Senator Hiram Monserrate in 2009

Blood covering the floor and walls of Karla Barba and Franklin Larrea's Jackson Heights apartment in June 2016

'It's such a small thing, it was an accident that could happen to anyone,' the New York Post reported.

But Larrea - who is standing by his lover throughout the trial - called 911 crying, 'I'm dying here,' in a harrowing clip played to the court last week.

He described how his lover whacked him on the head with the sheathed sword before the scabbard came loose and Barba slashed him twice across the arm with the naked blade.

Barba had first gone to Larrea's 12-year-old son and then to neighbors as her fiance grew faint trying to stem his bleeding.

The 12-year-old was the first to call 911, with Barba alleging she did not realize the severity of the injuries.

Prosecutor Mary Kate Quinn previously told the court how Barba nearly killed her man.

The first cut she inflicted severed muscle, while the second caused the skin on his wrist to flap over so the bone was exposed, the Post previously reported.

She told the court events had moved too fast for her to call them herself, 'In two minutes the police was there,' the Post reported.

Their infant daughter was also in the property at the time of the attack, the Queens Daily Eagle said.

Barba was cautioned by Judge Deborah Stevens Modica when she invoked the memory of her own famous domestic violence case with former NY Senator Monserrate, saying: 'I had an accident before in my face.'

Barba is now the one on trial for domestic violence after she attacked her lover with a katana sword

Karla Barba (left) leaving court in December 2009 after she was the victim of domestic abuse by former NY Senator Hiram Monserrat (right)

The judge has barred any mention of the case in which Barba (then known as Karla Giraldo) received 40 stitches when Monserrate cut her face with a beer bottle in 2008.

At the time of Monserrate's trial Barba had stood beside him, as her own fiance stands beside her today.

Barba's lawyer has said she and Larrea remain 'in love.'

Larrea previously testified how he and his fiance relaxed and had sex earlier in the day before the argument broke out over whether his son - who he has raised with Barba - could visit his aunt and uncle.

The couple became furious and Larrea threw Barba to the ground which prompted her to grab hold of the sword.

If convicted of the brutal attack she faces up to 25 years in prison.

Barba maintains that she believed the katana was a decorative piece and had no idea it could inflict such wounds.
Lau Ho-chi, 64, was found unresponsive by a passer-by at about 10am on Wednesday along the waterfront in Tsim Sha Tsui

An amateur actor has frozen to death after falling asleep on a bench in Hong Kong, local media reported.

Lau Ho-chi, 64, was found unresponsive by a passer-by at about 10am on Wednesday along the waterfront near Tsim Sha Tsui Center, where temperatures dropped to about 13.7C overnight.

Lau was reported to be an occasional television extra and had been working several part time jobs.

He had been having financial problems and was unable to afford to rent a flat in Hong Kong, one of the world's most expensive cities for tenants, according to Apply Daily.

He was pronounced dead after paramedics arrived on scene.

Authorities have ruled out foul play but will confirm the cause of death after an autopsy.

According to the report, Lau finished filming on set for a tv series at about 4am and decided to sleep on the bench for several hours before his next job.

Authorities have ruled out foul play but will confirm the cause of death after an autopsy

Lau was reported to be an occasional television extra and had been working several part time jobs. He had having financial problems and was unable to afford to rent a flat in the city

Lau finished filming for a tv series at 4am and decided to sleep on the bench

Television extras in Hong Kong earn about HK$34.50 (3.36) per hour, an agent told Apple Daily, which is the statutory minimum wage.

More than 156,000 employees in the city were earning less than HK$37.50 per hour, according to the 2017 survey on annual earnings and hours.

In early January, Hong Kong's executive council approved to raise the hourly wage by HK$3 to HK$37.50 (3.66), starting from May 1.

Despite the increase, Hong Kong's minimum wage is still far lower than many other developed countries', according to South China Morning Post. Australia has the highest minimum wage in the world, at A$18.93 an hour (10.29). The minimum wage in Germany is the equivalent of about 7.72 an hour.

At the same time, Hong Kong is one of the most expensive cities in the world to be a tenant. A prime, 750 sq ft apartment in Hong Kong rents for HK$66,507 a month, or 6,484, according to Knight Frank data.
Security guards at the Taj Mahal have armed themselves with catapults after a spate of incidents in which tourists were bitten by monkeys.

Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel will carry 'gulels' - a type of slingshot - while patrolling the East and West gates of India's most famous landmark.

The measure is intended to protect tourists, who are often attacked by the macaque monkeys that roam freely there.

Rhesus macaques are also renowned for stealing food and other items from visitors, as well as causing damage to the historic mausoleum, built in the 17th century by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan for his favourite wife.

CISF Commandant Brij Bhushan told the Times of India that guards may not even need to use the catapults, as the mere sight of them can frighten the simians away.

Macaques monkeys gather near the Taj Mahal in India's Uttar Pradesh state. Indian authorities have deployed slingshot-armed guards to protect tourists from being attacked by hordes of marauding monkeys

The monkey menace at the Taj Mahal in the northern city of Agra has worsened in recent years, as their numbers have multiplied.

Bhushan said tourists dumping food in dustbins rather than leaving it lockers is a contributing factor to the recent increase in attacks.

Security guards do not allow visitors to take food inside the monument and many people simply throw it away, causing the monkeys to gather there.

In May last year, two French tourists were bitten while walking to the monument's main mausoleum and in July an Australian woman was also attacked by a monkey on the premises.

In September, after a monkey pounced on another French female tourist, a local district official told Xinhua that such incidents occur every other day.

Questions were raised about the abilities of the authorities and the heritage site's management to find a lasting solution which would secure the area and keep both monkeys and tourists safe.

Agra Tourist Welfare Chamber's president Prahlad Agarwal told Xinhua in September that the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the government agency responsible for the upkeep of the monument, had failed to tackle the problem.

A monkey looks for food on the polluted banks of the Yamuna river next to the historic Taj Mahal in Agra, India

'Tourists, including the foreigners, are attacked by apes every other day,' he said.

'This is a matter of grave concern and a concrete action plan to check the menace is the need of the hour.'

Other officials worried that the reputation of the Taj Mahal could suffer and hit tourism revenues.

But under India's Wildlife Act the monkeys cannot be rounded up without strict safeguards to make sure they are not harmed.

A senior official at the Archaeological Survey of India, a government agency, told the Times of India that plans to move the monkeys to other areas fell through because no district wants to take them.

Secretary of Tourism Guild Association Rajiv Saxena said that the authorities 'only want the tourists' safety while they are enjoying the beauty of Taj Mahal.'

The white marble 'monument of love' attracts around eight million visitors every year and is considered one of the seven wonders of the modern world.

India has an estimated monkey population of 50 million and roughly 15,000 are believed to roam Agra, all of them macaques, a common species with reddish-pink faces.
A Queensland mother who gave birth to her son 12 days prematurely was forced to leave hospital just six hours later due to a bed shortage.

Shani Lea Wallace, 26, gave birth to her 5lb 15oz son Lincoln at 2.38am on January 9, but by 9am, the Slacks Creek mother was told to give up her bed at Logan hospital.

'The head midwife came in and said ''look do you mind going to Redlands, we don't have any beds'',' Ms Wallace told The Courier Mail.

Shani Lea Wallace (pictured), 26, gave birth to her 5lb 15oz son Lincoln at 2.38am on January 9, but by 9am, the Slacks Creek mother was told to give up her bed at Logan hospital

The new mum said she was one of four women who were asked to leave the hospital to accommodate other women who were in labour in the waiting room.

'I felt guilty because I was told there were four people in labour in the waiting room,' Ms Wallace said.

Despite her son's early arrival, Ms Wallace said she was asked to go to Redland Hospital before Lincoln received a full medical examination.

The 26-year-old claimed she wasn't even offered an ambulance to the hospital but rather she was given two paracetamol tablets and sent packing with her partner.

What's more, when she arrived at Redland Hospital, the hospital staff had no information about her or her son's delivery, it was claimed.

She said while it was extremely traumatic, she is grateful her son is healthy.

Ms Wallace said she doesn't blame the staff at Logan Hospital, but believes there is a lack of resources that needs addressing.

She also lodged a complaint to Office of the Health Ombudsman on January 9.

Ms Wallace said she doesn't blame the staff at Logan Hospital, but believes there is a lack of resources that needs addressing

Ms Wallace claimed she had to travel 30km to Redland Hospital before her son received a full medical examination

Ms Wallace's story is the latest scandal to hit the troubled hospital, which has previously come under fire for reports of patients being dumped in corridors.

The lack of beds at the facility also made headlines last week after it was revealed patients were allegedly being treated in corridors.

Logan Hospital nursing and midwifery director Jacqueline Smith told The Courier Mail the pressure at the hospital was growing every year.

'In 2018 there were 3542 births at Logan which is an increase of 197 births on the previous year,' Ms Smith said.

She said a planned $21.9 million refurbishment of the maternity ward would provide additional beds, delivery rooms and special care cots for the community.
Amid all the confusion, rancor and even bias in the coverage of Donald Trump the past 19 months, finally there appears to be some good news about the state of the press today. It looks like there is at least one legacy value most mainstream news organizations won't abandon in reporting on the president-elect: verifying information before publishing it, no matter how eminently clickable it might be.
An eight-year-old girl was left with bloodied clothes after she was allegedly raped by her teacher in an empty classroom in India.

The primary school teacher, 42, reportedly took the young girl into an empty room and sexually assaulted her in Andhra Pradesh in the Krishna district on Tuesday.

She then arrived home in tears, with blood on her clothes and injuries which reportedly required four stitches.

The girl was taken to hospital after she told her mother what happened. Here, doctors confirmed she had been sexually assaulted, NDTV reported.

An eight-year-old girl was left with blood on her clothes after she was allegedly raped by her teacher in an empty classroom (file photo)

Her parents did not initially report the attack to authorities as they feared their daughter would face repercussions.

But the eight-year-old's mother eventually filed a police report and a teacher has since been suspended.

'The accused has been suspended from service with immediate effect. A departmental inquiry into the incident has also been ordered,' education officer Rajya Lakshmi said.

This latest incident is just one in a series of sex attacks to have recently plagued India.

In July, a teenage girl was left fighting for her life after she was raped, doused with kerosene and set on fire in the Pakur district of eastern India's Jharkhand state.

Young girl was allegedly raped in Andhra Pradesh in the Krishna district of India on Tuesday

The teenager, 17, was left with 70 per cent burns after the brutal attack and a 19-year-old living in the same neighbourhood was arrested.

In the same state on the same day, a village chief was arrested over the gang-rape murder of a 16-year-old.

Dhanu Bhuiyan was the main suspect in the murder of the teenager, who was torched to death after being subjected to a sex attack in Chatra district.

Police said Bhuiyan became enraged after the local village council ordered him to do 100 sit-ups and pay a 50,000 rupee (550) fine following the rape.

In July, a teenager was left fighting for life after she was raped, doused with kerosene and set on fire in the latest shocking sex attack in India. Police were later seen parading a suspect with his head covered (pictured)

Bhuiyan and his accomplices then allegedly attacked the girl's parents before setting their house on fire with the girl inside.

The local village chief, who was found hiding at a relative's house, was also among 15 people detained in the case while the victim's family were given special police protection.

Earlier in the year, five men held on suspicion of raping and murdering two teenage girls who were found hanging from a mango tree were told they would not be charged with any offences.

A village chief was arrested over the gang-rape murder of a 16-year-old in the same state and on the same day. Pictures have emerged of the building where the crime was carried out in Raja Kundra Village

Young cousins, Murti and Pushpa, aged 14 and 15, were found dead in the village of Katra in northern Uttar Pradesh state in May 2017.

Their killings provoked national outrage after it emerged that police in the village initially refused to investigate due to the girls' low-caste status.

Indian authorities faced renewed pressure to act over sexual assault after the recent gang rape and murder of an eight-year-old Muslim girl by a group of Hindus in Jammu and Kashmir state.

Amid mounting outrage, the government changed the law to allow execution for child rapists.
Police have arrested a couple after a toddler's tongue was split, his scrotum swollen and his body covered in multiple bruises in Indiana.

Scott Edwards and Holly Cota were hauled into the Virgo County Jail after police in Terra Haute said they were investigating child abuse.

Cota showed up to the Union Hospital in Terre Haute on January 14 claiming her 14-month-old toddler had bit his tongue while falling in his crib multiple times.

But police were called when doctors noted the laceration did not run in a direction consistent with biting.

Scott Edwards (left) has been charged with aggravated battery neglect of a dependant and and Holly Cota (right) has been charged with obstruction of justice

In addition they were unconvinced by Cota's notion that the child had injured his scrotum while straddling a toy box, according to an affidavit obtained by WTHI.

The toddler was covered in bruises, according to the court document.

The affidavit states: 'She said that the cut appeared clean and was not torn which indicated that some type of tool, possibly scissors, were used,' according to Fox News. 'She also said that a piece at the tip of the tongue was missing.'

The child was transported to Riley Children's Hospital in Indianapolis around 80 miles away, to receive expert pediatric care.

He was taken into care by the hospital.

The toddler was transported to Riley Children's Hospital in Indianapolis (pcitured) to receive expert pediatric care

Cota took the child to the Union Hospital in Terre Haute on January 14 before she was arrested and the child transported to Indianapolis

The mother told authorities that the injuries were caused when her boyfriend, Edwards, was minding the child.

Chelsie Loose, who has been a family friend for more than 20 years told WTHI that she was heartbroken, appalled and disgusted by the news.

Edwards is facing charges of aggravated battery and neglect of a dependent, while Cota is charged with obstruction of justice.
A schoolboy has been credited with 'summing up the mood of the nation' with his hilarious commentary on Brexit.

William Colledge from Nuneaton, Warwickshire, described Brexit as 'coo coo' and as 'adult bla bla' in a letter as he practised his handwriting.

The 10-year-old also slammed politicians for 'being rude and talking over one another' and said his mother was a 're-moaner' who shouts at former UKIP politician Nigel Farage when he is on the television.

William Colledge, 10, described Brexit as coo coo in his witty note

The 10-year-old also slammed politicians for 'being rude and talking over one another' and said his mother was a 're-moaner'

'Brexit is coo-coo. I don't like it one bit': Boy's note sums up the mood of the nation William's note said: 'Brexit is coo-coo. I don't understand it one bit. 'I wonder why all the people shout out while someone else is talking. RUDE! 'My mum says this is history in the making, I say this is what I call 'adult bla-bla' but she says it's my future. 'Mum is having a mental breakdown because she wants 'the people to vote' (I don't have a foggiest of clues what that means). 'Mum is a re-moaner. 'P.s. She hates Nigel Farage and keeps shouting at the TV.' Advertisement

William's mother Kirstie Colledge, 46, said: 'I think he's reflecting what the nation is feeling.

'There's so many people who don't understand the importance of the vote or crashing out without a deal.

'If the adults can't understand, to a child it's impossible and William's summed it up in what he's written.'

The mother-of-one, who runs a PR company, and husband Gregg, 47, who works in the automotive industry, bought William a new fountain pen for Christmas so he'd be able to practise his handwriting.

Mrs Colledge added: 'He was sat at the table and I told him to choose what to write about and that's what he came up with.

'I'd put the TV on because I was interested in what was going to happen with the vote and he could hear it.

'They were all shouting at each other and now his opinion of a debate in the house of commons is that they shout out like that.

Gregg Colledge, 47, Kirstie Colledge, 46, bought William a new fountain pen for Christmas so he'd be able to practise his handwriting

'When I saw what he'd written it did make me howl with laughter. I sent it to his dad who thought it was really funny.

'I didn't have a nervous breakdown like William said. He's exaggerating about that. I also don't hate anyone but I was shouting at the television when Nigel Farage was on.

'I think he's listened to the news while we're on the school run which is where he's picked up terms like 're-moaner'. We do chat about Brexit and he asks me all sorts of questions about it.

'He's very funny. I shared it on social media and the consensus is it sums up what everybody thinks.'
A former Catholic schoolgirl turned drug lord has said she thought cannabis trafficking would be an 'easy way of making money.'

Alina Antal, 31, pleaded guilty to being second in command of a drugs ring in western Sydney.

She wrote a grovelling letter to court which was read out at a sentencing hearing this week, saying she had thought drug dealing was a 'victimless crime' and she was 'ashamed of herself.'

A former Catholic schoolgirl turned drug lord has said she thought cannabis trafficking was an 'easy way of making money'

The gang had two bases in Cabramatta and Fairfield where they would package and store cannabis. Pictured: Police make arrests after raids

Antal ran her syndicate with her on-off lover Oliver Merza, reported the Daily Telegraph.

The 28-year-old was in charge of the ring despite being locked up in Silverwater prison.

He used a contraband mobile phone to run the operation involving 12 gang members including four minors.

The gang had two bases in Cabramatta and Fairfield where they would package and store cannabis.

During raids in 2017, investigators seized cannabis, cash, mobile phones, SIM cards, clothing and drug paraphernalia in raids of seven homes in Fairfield, Cabramatta West, Smithfield and Elizabeth Hills.

Violence and associated criminal activity, including public shootings, had led police to investigate the Fairfield area and uncovered a cannabis supply syndicate.

Antal was charged with supply prohibited drug, direct criminal group, recruit child to carry out/ assist criminal activity, knowingly deal with proceeds of crime and act with intent to pervert the course of justice.

She will be sentenced next month.
A diabetic electrician on a dream holiday to New York died after his GP failed to inform him of a serious condition and a medic in the US gave him expensive pills when he needed urgent medical care.

Sean Dobinson, of Washington, Tyne and Wear, died in New York in June 2016 after suffering from fatal cardiac arrests after collapsing in his hotel.

An inquest heard his GP in the UK, was 'reckless' with Shaun's life, having not administered a 'simple' urine test to determine the strain of his diabetes before he went on his trip.

On 13 May, before he left, Shaun was prescribed a medication usually given to patients with the less urgent type 2 and referred to a diabetic clinic.

Shaun Dobinson, aged 21, died on 3 June, 2016, while on his dream trip to New York City

Shaun then suffered 'appalling' care after seeking help from a doctor in New York when his health worsened.

The doctor, who police are still unable to locate, should have rushed Shaun straight to hospital for intravenous fluids and insulin that would have 'without a doubt' saved his life, according to an independent expert.

Instead, Shaun was told he was suffering from a stomach bug and dehydration, and told he could pay over $4,000 (3,059) upfront (to be claimed back on insurance later) or treat himself.

Dr Nandu Bhatt, Shaun's GP, who should have warned him against travelling to the USA

On Thursday, Mr Winter heard evidence from Professor Ian Wall, called in as an independent GP expert by Northumbria Police, he said it should have been clear that Shaun needed immediate, emergency treatment.

He died a day after collapsing in his hotel, on June 3, 2016, at New York-Presbyterian Hospital, after growing more and more ill after travelling to the USA on May 26.

After a three-day inquest, senior Sunderland coroner Derek Winter on Thursday concluded Shaun had died of 'natural causes, contributed to by neglect'.

Diabetic ketoacidosis Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a serious problem that can occur in people with diabetes if their body starts to run out of insulin. This causes harmful substances called ketones to build up in the body, which can be life-threatening if not spotted and treated quickly. It is caused by a lack of insulin in the body, which causes the body to break down fat for energy. Ketones are released into the body as the fat is broken down. DKA mainly affects people with type 1 diabetes, but can sometimes occur in people with type 2 diabetes. If you have diabetes, it's important to be aware of the risk and know what to do if DKA occurs. Symptoms usually develop over 24 hours, but can come on faster. DKA is an emergency and needs to be treated in hospital immediately. Advertisement

GP Dr Nadu Bhatt, of Washington was 'reckless' with the life of the 21-year-old, having not warned him against travel or given the urine test.

The inquest earlier heard from a pathologist who said cardiac arrests were associated with type 1 diabetes.

In her evidence, Mr Dobinson's sister, Kirsty, said he had not been warned how serious his condition could be and was not advised against travel by Dr Bhatt.

His death was caused, Mr Winter found, by a condition called diabetic ketoacidosis, as his body was forced to break down the fat in his blood, turning it to acid, because he didn't have the insulin he needed to process vital sugar.

Prof Wall said based on the evidence he had seen, Dr Bhatt, who Shaun had first contacted on April 28, had not provided adequate care.

Issues included the amount of time he took to contact Shaun to tell him he had diabetes, and his failure to ensure he was seen 'urgently' by a specialist.

Warned by a diabetes expert to perform a 'simple' test on Shaun's urine but having failed to do so, Prof Wall said of Dr Bhatt: 'Not only did he fall seriously short of the standards expected of a GP, he behaved recklessly in relation to Mr Dobinson's care and put his life at risk because there was a serious and obvious risk of death.'

Prof Wall called the care Shaun was then offered, by the unknown American doctor contacted by Shaun's hotel, 'appalling'.

Mr Winter concluded that Dr Bhatt had indeed been told Shaun planned to travel to New York, despite the doctor's claims to the contrary, and that he had been advised to carry out the urine test which could have indicated how serious his condition was, but did not do so.

He was told, the coroner said, that Shaun had been offered what should have been an 'urgent' appointment with a diabetes specialist six weeks after he was referred, but failed to change that date.

Sean was a recently-qualified electrical engineer, loved cars and dreamed of joining the RAF

'On the evidence I have heard it was clear to me that Shaun was going to tell everyone he met that he was going to New York, whether they wanted to hear about it or not... I have no doubt Shaun did mention the holiday to Dr Bhatt' said the judge.

'I do not believe Dr Bhatt deliberately put this information out of his mind but he did not give it the significance it deserved.

'There were many opportunities to provide Shaun with timely and appropriate care in this country before he set off on holiday,' he added.

He said aspects of Shaun's care raised 'concerns' including what advice was given to diabetic patients at the former Victoria Road Health Care Centre and what forms were used.

He said he left it to Dr Bhatt what exact new training or procedures should be introduced. He made a 'prevention of future death order', highlighting his worries.

He also said he would pass details of this inquest on to the General Medical Council if asked to do so.

He also pledged to write to the Foreign Office as well as travel agencies and insurers, asking for something to be done to prevent patients who have medical insurance from having to hand over cash upfront on trips abroad.

Julie Dobinson attends inquest of her son's death, supported by her husband Fred Dobinson

He said: 'Shaun became a hostage to his condition, and it should be ensured that anybody in Shaun's position gets the best possible treatment to stop this sort of tragedy happening again.'

Speaking after the coroner reached his verdict, Shaun's mum Julie Dobinson said: 'The whole family remains completely devastated regarding Shaun's death and we all miss him daily. He didn't deserve what happened.

'It has been very difficult to relive the events again during the inquest. It is awful to think how he suffered as a result of issues which, we will always believe, should simply never have happened.

'While nothing will ever bring Shaun back, we are committed to honouring his memory and urge all medical professionals to take steps to ensure no other family endures this kind of nightmare in the future.'

Shaun had been a fit, healthy young man with dreams of joining the RAF.

A recently-qualified electrical engineer, he loved cars, and had a close circle of friends.

Thrilled about a 21st birthday shopping and sightseeing holiday to New York with best friend Matthew Folley, Shaun had 'told everyone' about the trip.

Posting on Facebook after the verdict, Shaun's sister Kirsty said: 'We fought our hardest and got justice for you Shaun Dobinson just like we promised! Hopefully me, Mam and Fred can grieve properly for you.

'Just 2 more steps to go now! Love and miss you more every second of every day. Hope we did you proud.'
The parents of a 15-year-old girl who died from an allergic reaction after eating a Pret sandwich have welcomed the chain's plans to list full ingredients and allergens on packets, saying 'this is about saving lives'.

Nadim and Tanya Ednan-Laperouse, whose daughter Natasha died on a British Airways flight from London to Nice in July 2016, met with Environment Secretary Michael Gove last night to discuss the proposals.

Mr Ednan-Laperouse told Good Morning Britain: 'This will allow people with serious allergies to see the ingredients and not buy the products. That could save their life - it's what this is about, saving lives.'

Nadim and Tanya Ednan-Laperouse meeting Environment Secretary Michael Gove a previous time on October 23

Natasha died in 2016 following an allergic reaction to sesame in a baguette from Pret A Manger. The ingredient was not listed on the label.

In the wake of her death her parents have been calling for a new so-called 'Natasha's Law' to require all pre-packaged food clearly display allergen information.

A Government consultation has since been launched into food labelling laws focusing on overhauling the labelling of pre-prepared foods which are made, packaged and sold in-store.

Speaking to GMB, Natasha's father, Mr Ednan-Laperouse, said the family are asking for labels to list the 14 well-known allergens as well as the full ingredients.

Natasha Ednan-Laperouse died from an allergic reaction after eating a Pret sandwich. Seen in an undated family handout photo with her father

'Because, particularly people today more than ever, have allergies, severe allergies to many things, not just those 14 particular things,' he told the programme.

'So it allows people who may have an allergy to something else to see the ingredients and not buy that product; therefore save their life.

'This is life-saving issues, it is not just a convenience or a fashion, or a trend or a fad, it is about lives, and lives really, really matter.'

Under current rules, food prepared on the premises in which it is sold is not required to display allergen information on the package.

But under the proposed reforms, published on Friday by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, outlets selling pre-packaged food could be required to follow new labelling rules, including a full list of ingredients required by law.

The department said the consultation was designed to give the UK's two million food allergy sufferers greater confidence in the safety of what they are eating.

Mr Ednan-Laperouse today backed the proposed new law, which they said was about 'saving lives'

Appearing alongside her husband, Natasha's mother, Tanya, said what happened was the 'biggest fear a parent ever has for their child when they have allergies'.

Q&A How does law work now? Under current legislation, there are different rules for pre-packaged foods depending on whether they are produced on the premises or elsewhere. Sandwiches and salads packaged off-site and transported to shops need to carry ingredients labels. But food packed by staff on the same premises as they are sold are not required to carry labels. Instead, it relies on customers asking staff for information about allergens and being told what is in them  a glaring loophole. What is Mr Gove proposing? The plans published today by Environment Secretary Michael Gove offer several options to address the issue. Shops could be required to list the full ingredients on the label or just allergens contained in the product. Both the family of Natasha Ednan-Laperouse and Mr Gove are thought to back the more rigorous full-ingredients option. What does the industry say? Many food companies already publish allergen information on their food. Pret a Manger announced after the inquest into Natasha's death that it would move to 'full-ingredient labelling', meaning that all ingredients, including allergens, appear on products. But not all firms follow the same standards. The family's lawyers argue that 'voluntary measures' in the industry have not worked and so a change to the law is essential. But a move to listing full ingredients could face resistance from the industry, particularly from smaller outlets. What happens next? The consultation will last for nine weeks, during which allergen charities, food producers and the wider public can have their say. Once it has concluded and the responses have been considered, the law can be changed. Mr Gove has privately indicated he wants the new rules to come into force by the summer. Advertisement

She said that, as parents, they understand how those who have children with allergies live their lives every day, how they feel and how frightening it is.

'We couldn't not do this,' she said of the drive to push for food labelling reform.

'This is in Natasha's name and it is what she would want; because she lived with it, she knew how hard it was.'

Environment Secretary Michael Gove, who has discussed the consultation with Natasha's parents, said he wanted to ensure food labels were clearer and rules for businesses more consistent.

He added: 'Natasha's parents have suffered a terrible loss, and I want to pay tribute to Nadim and Tanya for their inspirational work to deliver Natasha's law.

'We want to ensure that labels are clearer and that the rules for businesses are more consistent - so that allergy sufferers in this country can have confidence in the safety of their food.

'Many businesses are already bringing changes on board independently, and in the meantime they should continue doing all they can to give consumers the information they need.'

The proposed reforms cover labelling requirements for foods that are packed on the same premises from which they are sold - such as a packaged sandwich or salad made by staff earlier in the day and placed on a shelf for purchase.

Currently, these foods are not required to carry labels, and information on allergens can be given in person by the food business if asked by the customer.

The department is urging businesses and allergy sufferers to have their say on four options being put forward to change the way allergy advice is provided on these foods.

Proposals include mandating full ingredient listing, allergen-only labelling, 'ask the staff' labels on all products, or promoting 'best practice around communicating allergen information to consumers'.

The consultation on proposed amendments to the domestic Food Information Regulations 2014 will run for nine weeks.
Donald Trump savaged former biographer Michael D'Antonio over Twitter on Thursday night after the author made unkind comments about him on CNN.

D'Antonio spoke to Don Lemon after Trump yielded to Nancy Pelosi over finding an alternative venue for the State of the Union Address, saying he would wait until the government shutdown was over before delivering it in the House.

The author accused Trump of being 'politically afraid' because poll numbers show he is being blamed for the impasse in Washington, prompting the President to hit back.

Michael D'Antonio, Trump's former biographer, appeared on CNN Thursday night to criticize the President after he backed down to Nancy Pelosi over the State of the Union Address

That prompted Trump to lash out at D'Antonio, calling him a 'third rate conman', a 'broken down hack' and saying he makes up stories 'night after night' for CNN

Trump tweeted: 'A third rate conman who interviewed me many years ago for just a short period of time has been playing his biggest con of all on Fake News CNN.

'Michael DAntonio, a broken down hack who knows nothing about me, goes on night after night telling made up Trump stories. Disgraceful!'

D'Antonio also pondered whether daughter Ivanka or son-in-law Jared Kushner had been writing Trump's tweets, because they were unusually coherent and respectful.

'This sounds like something Ivanka wrote or Jared Kushner, it really doesn't sound like Donald Trump's language,' he said.

'This is a fellow who has trouble stringing three words together in the right order and he's also being respectful.'

The tweets that D'Antonio was referring to came late on Wednesday, hours before two bills to reopen the government were shot down in the Senate.

Trump wrote: 'As the Shutdown was going on, Nancy Pelosi asked me to give the State of the Union Address. I agreed.

She then changed her mind because of the Shutdown, suggesting a later date. This is her prerogative - I will do the Address when the Shutdown is over.

D'Antonio told Don Lemon that the President was 'scared' of his falling poll numbers as the government shutdown drags into its fifth week

The author also pondered whether Ivanka or husband Jared had been writing his tweets, because they were unusually coherent and respectful

'I am not looking for an alternative venue for the SOTU Address because there is no venue that can compete with the history, tradition and importance of the House Chamber.

'I look forward to giving a great State of the Union Address in the near future!'

Speaking about what prompted the President or his aides to pen those tweets, D'Antonio theorized that Trump had taken note of negative polling data.

'The President is sensitive to polls, he understands what the polls are showing him, and he understands he's losing the battle,' he said.

He later added: 'Senate Republicans are probably telling him this is a disaster, he sees that people are suffering, that Americans are fed up with this.

'Maybe he's going to act presidentially because he's been forced to act presidentially.'

The government shutdown began more than a month ago after President Trump vetoed a Senate-approved government spending bill because it did not include $5.7billion for a wall he wants to build along the southern border.

Since then he has been locked in a political stalemate with Democrats who have refused to hand over the money, arguing that a wall would do little to reduce crime or stop illegal migration, despite Trump's claims to the contrary.

The tweets D'Antonio was talking about are these two, in which Trump announced he is not looking for another venue for the State of the Union Address

On Thursday night two spending bills - one backed by the President and another by Democrats - were both shot down in the Senate.

Trump's plan to reopen the government failed 50-47 and the Democrats' proposal failed 52-44, more 'yes' votes that the president's bill netted.

The bills had needed more than 60 votes to pass a filibuster.

Trump has since suggested that he could reopen the government in return for a 'down payment' on the wall, though has not said how much this would be.

But Nancy Pelosi has already shot down that idea, calling it 'not a reasonable agreement.'

Meanwhile CNN reported that Trump was preparing to declare a national emergency over migration at the southern border, along with $7billion in emergency funds which could be used for the wall.

Senior adviser Kellyanne Conway told DailyMail.com that Trump has the 'option' of issuing such a proclamation but he has not 'executed on that option' to this point.
The devastated father of twins who were allegedly murdered by their mother just after Christmas has posted a heartbreaking tribute to them on what would have been their second birthday.

Steven Ford tweeted today, 'I can celebrate all the times we had together' next to a photo of Jake and Chloe in a moving tribute.

The children were found by police at the end of last month in the early hours of the morning at their home in Margate, Kent. They were taken to hospital and later declared dead by doctors.

Steven Ford tweeted today, 'I can celebrate all the times we had together' next to a photo of Chloe and Jake in a moving tribute

Mr Ford posted on Twitter: 'Daddy's twins are two today. Today is your birthday and will always be, a day to be thankful of our memories, a day I can celebrate all of the times we had together, a day that's yours and mine forever.

'Happy birthday Chloe x Happy birthday Jake x.'

The devastated father's friends offered their support.

One said: 'So much love to you and your family today. Thinking of you and your angels.'

Mr Ford (right) with the twins and Samantha Ford (left) who has been charged with their murder. Image taken in August last year

Another wrote: 'Thinking of you all today Steve xx'

And someone else added: 'I'm sending you all my love and big cuddles too.'

The twins' mother, Samantha Ford, 37, has appeared in court charged with their murder.

She has been remanded in custody.

Their bodies were discovered after Ford was involved in a collision with a lorry on the London-bound carriageway of the A299 Thanet Way at 2.50am on December 27.

She was treated for minor injuries at hospital and discharged but police officers who went to the property in Castle Drive due to concerns for the occupants found the youngsters at 3.35am.

They were taken to hospital by the South East Coast Ambulance Service but were confirmed as deceased.

Ford was arrested by detectives from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate and charged with the double murder on December 28.

She is believed to have moved into the rented house with her twins just a few weeks earlier.
Japan will resume commercial whaling for the first time in three decades, just one day after it formally withdraws from the International Whaling Commission.

The Fisheries Agency said whalers in six Pacific coast towns are expected to bring five vessels to form a fleet to hunt along the country's north-eastern coasts on July 1.

Japan's decision to hunt whales for profit comes after it formally withdrew from the IWC last month after years of disagreement with pro-conservationist members.

Japan will resume commercial whale hunting immediately after it leaves the International Whaling Commission in July (Pictured, a minke whale is lifted from a ship at Kushiro port in Hokkaido, northern Japan)

A ship owned by the fisheries association in Taiji - known for its annual dolphin hunts - will contribute one vessel to the fleet which will hunt minke whales near Hachinohe or Kushiro in northern Japan.

Each vessel will then head south to Chiba, near Tokyo, while making several stops before heading back to Kushiro for more hunts later in the year, Japan's national broadcaster NHK said.

Exact locations and hunting plans will be decided based on the results of research planned by the end of June, said Shigeki Takaya, a Fisheries Agency official.

Japan's decision to resume whaling for profit was widely criticised, with Britain's environment minister Michael Gove saying he was 'extremely disappointed'.

But while conservationists have condemned Japan's move, the scope of operation will be much smaller than the country's 'research hunts' in distant waters.

These annual hunts took place in the Antarctic and north-west Pacific oceans after the IWC imposed a moratorium in the 1980s.

Japan faced widespread criticism for its decision to leave the IWC in December, with Britain's environment minister Michael Gove saying he was 'extremely disappointed'

Expeditions will now be limited to Japan's territorial waters and its 200-mile exclusive economic zone along the country's coasts.

Fisheries officials plan to start with a modest plan to carefully gauge a market size, a former IWC negotiator, Hideki Moronuki, said.

The withdrawal from the IWC may be a face-saving step to stop Japan's ambitious Antarctic hunts and scale down the scope of whaling to around the Japanese coasts.

Expeditions will be limited to Japan's territorial waters and its 200-mile exclusive economic zone along the country's coasts

Japan, which is joining Iceland and Norway in openly defying the ban on commercial hunting, annually consumes 5,000 tons of whale meat from 'research hunts'.

This is a fraction of the country's previous whale meat consumption of around 200,000 tons in the 1960s.

But critics say they doubt commercial whaling could be a sustainable industry if Japanese young people do not see whales as food.
He was very straightforward and in his sermons would tell it like it is and made sure you.heard the Gospel, she said. Everywhere he went, he talked to people and would talk about Jesus. He was easy to get to know and was beloved not only at church but everywhere. It just goes on and on and on.
Fiona Bruce has come out fighting in the wake of the Diane Abbott furore which saw her inundated with vitriolic abuse from hard-left campaigners.

The Question Time host faced a backlash from viewers who claimed she 'picked on the Labour frontbencher' during a broadcast from Derby last Thursday.

Ms Abbott claimed she was interrupted twice as much as Tory MP Rory Stewart and was not allowed to respond to a 'blatantly abusive remark' from the audience.

In last night's Question Time Bruce attempted to set the record straight, telling the audience she and Ms Abbott had been discussing different opinion polls and 'should have made that clearer.'

But the clarification seemed to do little to appease the baying mob, who are still calling for an apology and threatening to boycott the show.

The Question Time host faced a backlash from viewers who claimed she 'picked on the Labour frontbencher' during a broadcast from Derby last Thursday (pictured)

Bruce said last said: 'I just want to pick up on something from last week's programme.

'There was some discussion about opinion polls - you may be aware of this.

'I was talking about a poll that came out on the day of the programme, which suggested the Conservatives were ahead  and the Shadow Home Secretary mentioned some other, earlier polls which showed Labour in the lead.

'We should have made that context clearer, and Im really happy to do that now.'

The presenter then joked: Look whats going on here why would you not want to join in?! Dont you think everybody?

After last week's show, Labour supporters subjected Ms Bruce to horrific abuse on social media.

The hard-left campaign group Momentum set up a petition demanding an apology from the BBC presenter.

But hundreds piled in on the comments section, with some labeling the Antiques Roadshow host 'racist' and 'disgraceful'.

On last night's Question Time, host Fiona Bruce addressed the Diane Abbott row she became embroiled in last week

A spokesman for Diane Abbott (pictured on the programme) said it was 'clear that a hostile atmosphere was whipped up' against the Labour frontbencher

The clarification failed to appease Labour, Momentum and other campaigners who took to Twitter after the show

On Twitter, one user even noted how it was 'easy to get her address and hound her', while another labelled her a 'right nasty Tory b****'.

To protect herself from the torrent of abuse, the 54-year-old has reportedly been told to ensure she protects herself from 'the online hate mob'.

The Labour Press Team tweeted: 'This is inadequate from Question Time. They should correct their false claim about the polls during tonight's programme and apologise to Diane Abbott for remarks about her to the studio audience during the warm-up.'

Momentum tweeted: 'After the amount of abuse that [Diane Abbott] has endured, Fiona Bruce's non-apology just doesn't cut it. The simple truth: Diane was right, the BBC was not. An apology is now long overdue.'

The left-wing campaign group Momentum tweeted about Ms Abbott's appearance on Question Time (above). Since then, a number of people have taken to Twitter to criticise the Question Time host

Bruce was joined on the show filmed in Winchester last night by Suella Braverman, former Brexit Government minister who quit in light of Theresa May's deal, Labour's Shadow Secretary for Housing John Healey, journalist Sonia Sodha, Iain Anderson, CEO of the Cicero Group and LBC presenter Nick Ferrari.

Dimbleby stood down from Question Time at the end of last year after 25 years at the helm.

BBC newsreader and Antiques Roadshow host Fiona Bruce become the first female presenter of the current affairs panel show when she took over this month.

Dimbleby first presented Question Time on January 14 1994, and was the longest serving presenter of the show.

The BBC has been contacted for comment.
Theresa May was given hope of saving her Brexit plan today - amid claims the DUP could support it if the Irish backstop is time limited

Theresa May was given hope of saving her Brexit plan today - amid claims the DUP could support it if the Irish border backstop is time limited.

There are signs the Prime Minister's desperate scramble to win over her Northern Irish allies and hardline Tory Eurosceptics ahead of crunch votes next week could be making progress.

Previously staunch critics appear to be rallying behind amendments that would water down the backstop - effectively dropping opposition to the wider deal.

According to The Sun, the DUP has indicated it is ready to 'help' Mrs May by accepting a package as long as there is a 'short time limit' to the Irish border provisions - which they fear risk splitting the UK.

A number of senior Tories, including 1922 chair Graham Brady, have signed a change proposed by former minister Andrew Murrison that would end the backstop in December 2021. However, hard-line Brexiteers such as Jacob Rees-Mogg have yet to show their hand.

The shift could open the door for Mrs May to return to Brussels with a clear mandate in the wake of the Commons showdown on her 'Plan B' on Tuesday.

But Mrs May is still struggling to fend off Remainer efforts to delay the Brexit date and take no-deal off the table.

Pressure mounted today as Chancellor Philip Hammond refused to rule out resigning if the UK leaves the EU without a deal.

His comments came after Amber Rudd hinted she could quit to back a rebel amendment that is designed to extend Article 50 beyond March.

During an interview with BBC Two's Newsnight, Ms Rudd was asked three times whether she would quit the Cabinet to back a bid by Labour's Yvette Cooper to extend Article 50 unless a deal is reached by the end of February.

She said: 'At this stage I'm going to stick to trying to persuade the Government to allow it to be a free vote.

'There is a lot taking place and there are a lot of new amendments.

'We'll have to wait and see.'

DUP leader Arlene Foster (right) and her deputy Nigel Dodds are key players in the Brexit drama that has been unfolding

Ms Rudd told the programme she is 'committed to making sure we avoid no-deal', which she described as 'the worst possible outcome'.

The wrangling came as the Queen urged people to seek 'common ground' and see the 'bigger picture', in comments interpreted as a veiled reference to the toxic tone of the public debate on Brexit.

The monarch, in a speech to mark the centenary of the Sandringham Women's Institute, also extolled the virtues of 'respecting' the other person's point of view.

She said: 'Every generation faces fresh challenges and opportunities.

'As we look for new answers in the modern age, I for one prefer the tried and tested recipes, like speaking well of each other and respecting different points of view; coming together to seek out the common ground; and never losing sight of the bigger picture.

'To me, these approaches are timeless, and I commend them to everyone.'

Jeremy Corbyn faced a revolt by his backbenchers who support a second referendum, as three Labour MPs tabled amendments to his amendment to the Prime Minister's Brexit 'plan B'.

Angela Smith confirmed that she had tabled her own amendment calling for a second referendum to his plan, saying it would move the party on in the way it agreed at conference in September.

'Given that the no confidence vote has taken place there's absolutely no reason now why we shouldn't be moving forward to this position,' she said.
A top military commander has said ISIS will be defeated in Syria within a month - five weeks after Donald Trump said the terror group had been eliminated in the country.

Mazloum Kobani, chief of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, said the last remaining jihadists will soon be flushed out and military operations against the extremists wrapped up.

It comes five weeks after the US President tweeted: 'We have defeated ISIS in Syria, my only reason for being there during the Trump Presidency.'

There was widespread concern after his shock announcement on December 19 that he was withdrawing all 2,000 American troops from the conflict-wracked Middle Eastern country.

Mazloum Kobani (pictured), chief of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, has said ISIS will be defeated in Syria within a month - five weeks after Donald Trump said the terror group had been eliminated in the country

In December, US President Donald Trump tweeted: 'We have defeated ISIS in Syria, my only reason for being there during the Trump Presidency'

There was widespread concern after the shock announcement on December 19 that Trump was withdrawing all 2,000 American troops from the conflict-wracked Middle Eastern country

But Kobani told AFP: 'The operation of our forces against IS in its last pocket has reached its end and IS fighters are now surrounded in one area.'

With backing from the US-led coalition, the SDF are in the last phase of an operation started on September 10 to defeat the jihadists in the Euphrates Valley in eastern Syria.

'We need a month to eliminate IS remnants still in the area,' said Kobani, who spoke to AFP on Thursday near the northeastern Syrian city of Hasakeh.

A few hundred ISIS fighters are defending a handful of hamlets near the Iraqi border, the last rump of a 'caliphate' which the jihadist organisation proclaimed in 2014 and once covered territory the size of Britain.

'I believe that during the next month we will officially announce the end of the military presence on the ground of the so-called caliphate,' Kobani said.

A U.S. soldier, left, sits on an armoured vehicle behind a sand barrier at a position near the front line in Manbij, north Syria in April last year

Intense fighting in the area known as 'the Hajin pocket' has left hundreds of fighters dead on both sides, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor.

ISIS lost the town of Hajin late last year and the subsequent collapse of its defences saw the Kurdish-led SDF conquer one village after another.

Kobani said their battle had been complicated by the jihadist group's shifting strategy after the fall of their de-facto Syrian capital of Raqqa in 2017.

New tactics include 'sleeper cells everywhere, secretly recruiting people again, and carrying out suicide operations, bombings, and assassinations', he said.

'We expect there will be an increase in the intensity of IS operations against our forces after the end of their military presence,' Kobani said.

ISIS has retained a presence in Syria's vast Badia desert and has claimed a series of attacks in SDF-held territory.

Colonel Sean Ryan, spokesman for the U.S.-coalition fighting ISIS, said earlier this month that the U.S. had started 'the process of our deliberate withdrawal from Syria.'

The UK-based monitoring group Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said a convoy of about ten armored vehicles, in addition to some trucks, pulled out from Syria's northeastern town of Rmeilan into Iraq.
Danielle Grimshaw (pictured) arriving outside court. She had tried to contest her three-year driving ban at Minshull Street Crown Court in Manchester

An ex-policeman's daughter caught four times over the drink-drive limit with her 10-year-old niece in the car has moaned her three-year driving ban is too long - because she needs to drive for the school run.

Danielle Grimshaw, 29, from Chadderton, near Oldham, was disqualified from driving until 2021 and fined 200 last October after she was stopped behind the wheel of her Peugeot 207 while drunk on vodka lemonades.

But an appeal judge at Minshull Street Crown Court in Manchester rejected the single mother's plea - and even accused magistrates of being too soft on her.

Grimshaw was pulled over while trying to parallel park near her sister's home after police received a tip-off.

She said the 36 month driving ban imposed by magistrates in Tameside, Greater Manchester, should be less because her daughter, 11, was to start secondary school in September and would now have to use public transport to get there.

Grimshaw added she was the 'main driver' and that the ban would 'impact' her, her daughter and her father who is in a care home.

Judge Mark Savill said: 'This was a very serious offence and in all circumstances the magistrates could have been more severe with their penalty against the appellant.

The mother-of-one said the ban was unfair as it would 'impact' her daughter and her father, who is in a care home

'In all circumstances we feel she was offered considerable leniency in her sentence and therefore we decline to alter the disqualification ban of 36 months. Therefore the appeal is dismissed.'

Grimshaw was caught drink-driving on July 27 last year after she had a few drinks at her sister's house.

Grimshaw was caught nearly four times the legal limit

During the evening, Grimshaw called her daughter's father to pick up the child but then an argument broke out with her sister, who asked her to leave.

At 10.30pm, police received a tip-off and found Grimshaw's vehicle blocking the road. It was unclear why her niece was in the car.

Tests showed Grimshaw had 132 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath - well above the legal lime of 35 mg.

She was later found guilty of drink driving after a trial and was also fined 200 with 705 in costs and surcharges. She was also ordered to complete a community order for 12 months with rehabilitation activity requirements.

She denied the charge claiming she was not driving the vehicle and had been making phone calls from the driver's seat.

Her lawyer Charlotte Johnson said: 'I accept this was a very high reading and was in the presence of a child. The appellant accepts the aggravated features of the high amount of alcohol in the blood and the feature of the child being present - but she states she travelled a very short distance.

She added: 'She understands the aggravated feature of having a child present. Her most significant mitigation is her personal mitigation. The ban will affect not only her, but her father and her daughter for a considerable period of time. She feels the magistrates did not fully take account of her personal mitigation.'
A young woman got a nasty surprise when she found a large huntsman spider hiding behind her car door handle.

Madeline Mullett, from the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, warned others to beware of the furry arachnid following her terrifying encounter.

'Friendly reminder to always, always check your door handles,' she wrote in a Facebook post.

A young woman has been left startled after finding a huntsman hiding behind her car's door handle

While some commenters predicted the spider may have actually been deathly still, Madeline was quick to debunk that possibility too.

'Yes, he's alive,' she wrote.

Following the find, Madeline also jokingly pledged to sell her Hyundai i30, in a bid to distance herself from the huntsman.

'Or I'll burn it to the ground,' she wrote.

The spider inspired others into a similar state of fear, with one adding she would 'burn the car too' (file image)

The spider inspired others into a similar state of fear, with one adding she would 'burn the car too'.

However, another woman spoke out in defense of the eight-legged animal reminding others of how harmless huntsmen typically are.

'How can spiders seriously bother you someone? It's more scared of you,' she said.
A high-ranking Finks bikie member has been denied a shot at freedom over an alleged nude photo revenge home invasion, days after fellow bikies were bailed.

Victorian chapter vice-president Corey Wanakore-Moeke, 33, was refused bail in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Thursday.

He allegedly joined fellow bikies in a Hampton Park home invasion on orders of gang kingpin Brent 'BJ' Reker, as a revenge attack over leaked photos of a naked woman.

The Hampton Park home invasion was allegedly on orders of gang kingpin Brent 'BJ' Reker (pictured), as a revenge attack over leaked photos of a naked woman

Reker allegedly arranged for Finks bikies to target the home of Nick Gold, whom another co-accused, Tara Egglestone (pictured), claimed he posted naked photos of her online

Reker allegedly arranged for Finks bikies to target the home of Nick Gold, whom another co-accused, Tara Egglestone, claimed he posted naked photos of her online.

Wanakore-Moeke and seven others are charged with conspiring to commit an aggravated home invasion targeting Mr Gold on September 7.

The bikies allegedly didn't go ahead with the planned attack after police, who learned of the plans through covert surveillance, swarmed the area.

The group then went ahead on September 9, assaulting Mr Gold's father Peter before storming in to find Mr Gold and his girlfriend in bed, it's alleged.

Wanakore-Moeke is alleged to have used a tyre iron in the attack.

He was on bail and serving a community corrections order at the time.

Magistrate Michelle Mykytowycz said she had to consider the facts and circumstances before her, not that others had been bailed.

'I am not satisfied the matters put before me do qualify him for bail,' she Magistrate Mykytowycz said.

She scorned the prosecution for not stating how the accused had been identified in a conversation and on entry to a property, making her decision harder.

Ms Egglestone (pictured left and right), had allegedly reached out to Reker for retaliation after a Facebook account in her name was set up, featuring naked photos

His lawyer Allan Sharp said Reker's word was the only thing linking Wanakore-Moeke to the crime.

He argued he should be bailed to allow his partner to continue cancer treatment, and because a trial may not occur until 2020.

Police opposed bail for all five accused, concerned for the safety of the alleged victim who they believe is in hiding.

Those already released have been banned from contacting each other as part of their bail conditions, The Herald Sun reported.

Magistrate Michael McNamara barred the alleged offenders he bailed from contacting each other.

The case was adjourned to March.
An Australian woman has been given a $400 fine after flying to New Zealand with three nectarines in her handbag.

Sally Hill, 86, arrived at Wellington Airport to enjoy a holiday with her grandsons but was delayed when a biosecurity x-ray showed three forgotten nectarines in her bag.

'I admitted I had forgotten the nectarines and I apologised for not eating them at Sydney Airport for breakfast,' she told NZ Herald.

'There was no room for negotiating at all. My bag went through x-ray and I was shocked myself, I just completely forgot'.

An Australian woman has been given a $400 fine after flying to New Zealand with three nectarines in her handbag (stock image)

Ms Hill said the Ministry for Primary Industries staff were 'pleasant' but there was also no 'room for leniency'.

She added that the nectarines had also slipped her mind when she was filling out a biosecurity declaration form before arriving in New Zealand.

Her son, John Hill, who was speaking from Sydney, said the $400 fine was 'outrageous' and it was 'Draconian legislation' that raised a significant amount of revenue for the Ministry of Primary Industries.

'It's a full week's pension payment for my mother, cash that she won't have available to spend in New Zealand to the benefit of the tourist industry or the local economy,' Mr Hill said.

However, Biosecurity New Zealand spokesman Steve Gilbert said New Zealand takes on a tough stance on travellers even if their actions were not deliberate.

Sally Hill, 86, arrived at Wellington Airport (pictured) to enjoy a holiday with her grandsons but was delayed when a biosecurity x-ray showed three forgotten nectarines in her bag

Unwanted pests and diseases could easily enter into the country if not for the country's strict biosecurity rules, Mr Gilbert said, adding that nectarines could be carrying fruit flies.

'We issue infringement notices when we believe a passenger has unintentionally failed to declare a risk item,' he said.

'If we believed the passenger had intentionally tried to smuggle the fruit into New Zealand, she could have faced prosecution'.
A tracking feature on a smartphone helped lead to the rescue of a woman who had allegedly been kidnapped and held against her will for two and a half days in Boston.

Olivia Ambrose, 23, was found on Tuesday afternoon in an apartment rented by Victor M. Pena, 38, located in the Charleston.

The general location of Ambrose's whereabouts had been revealed when her sister, Franny, used 'Find my iPhone' to show that at least her mobile device was near the intersection of Corey Road and Walford Way, late on Saturday and early on Sunday morning, the Boston Globe reported.

From there, a combination of surveillance camera footage and eye witness accounts led authorities to free the woman from Pena's home in the Bunker Hill development at that exact intersection on Tuesday.

Location services were first mandated to be added to wireless phones in 1996 by the Federal Communications Commission so that 911 operators could locate people making emergency calls from their mobiles phones.

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A tracking feature on a smartphone helped lead to the rescue of Olivia Ambrose, 23 (right), who had allegedly been kidnapped and held against her will for two and a half days in Boston by Victor M. Pena, 38 (left).he general location of Ambrose's whereabouts had been revealed when her sister, Franny, used 'Find my iPhone' to show that at least her mobile device was near the intersection of Corey Road and Walford Way, late on Saturday and early on Sunday morning

Franny tracked her phone to Walford Way at the intersection of Corey Road. Police canvassed the area, and eventually two people who also lived in Pena's building (pictured) pointed authorities to his apartment

'I want to thank you all for all the sharing and work you did to help liv be found,' her sister, Franny wrote on Facebook.

'[A]ll the words of love and encouragement are more than welcome! If you have something you wish to tell Liv, let me know and I can add you to a FB group where I am gathering messages of love for her.'

Ambrose was seen leaving Hennessy's Bar at 25 Union Street in Boston at 11.04pm on Saturday, January 19.

Surveillance footage then recorded her near the State Street Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority station at 11.45pm.

About 15 minutes later, another security camera had her pinpointed at Community College MBTA station in Charlestown.

Later that night, Franny tracked her phone to Walford Way at the intersection of Corey Road.

Police canvassed the area, and eventually two people who also lived in Pena's building pointed authorities to his apartment.

Ambrose was finally freed from captivity at around 3pm on Tuesday, when police burst into Pena's apartment, located at the corner where Franny had tracked her phone two days earlier, and found her in tears.

A combination of surveillance camera footage and eye witness accounts led authorities to free Ambrose from Pena's home in the Bunker Hill development on Tuesday

Ambrose was found on Tuesday inside Pena's apartment. He is the same man seen in photos obtained exclusively by DailyMail.com who led an intoxicated Ambrose out of a subway station

Pena was arrested on the spot and arraigned on a kidnapping charge on Wednesday in Charlestown District Court.

Pena was led into the courtroom in handcuffs and shackles, and wearing a white jumpsuit. A court psychologist who examined Pena said he acted in a 'bizarre' manner during their conversation, including sucking his thumb and praying for forgiveness.

Authorities say he may face additional charges as the case progresses.

A not-guilty plea was entered on behalf of the man with a history of mental health issues, who has also been known to have a track record of menacing behavior toward women.

Pena is currently being held at Bridgewater State Hospital for a 20-day competency evaluation, and the Bunker Hill development where he's lived for the past 10 years is working to evict him from the property.

A court psychologist who examined Pena said he acted in a 'bizarre' manner during their conversation, including sucking his thumb and praying for forgiveness

Pena was led into the courtroom in handcuffs and shackles, and wearing a white jumpsuit. Authorities say he may face additional charges as the case progresses

Ambrose's family had launched an aggressive social media campaign after her disappearance. Franny asked people who had shared posts and commented on things to delete what had been shared, 'just so when Liv decides to return to FB she does not have to be consistently met with reminders'

Pena was 'appropriately screened' with a criminal background check at the time that he moved in, having been given homeless priority as he was coming from staying in a shelter, Boston Housing Authority administrator Bill McGonalge said.

While restraining orders had been filed against Pena, none had resulted in criminal charges, so housing officials were not made aware of them.

In 2013, Pena was arrested for violating a restraining order, but that was dropped, records show.

Ambrose's family had launched an aggressive social media campaign after her disappearance. Franny asked people who had shared posts and commented on things to delete what had been shared, 'just so when Liv decides to return to FB she does not have to be consistently met with reminders.'

It remains unclear how Pena was able to hold Ambrose against her will from late Saturday night to Tuesday afternoon, but a police incident report showed Pena had installed his own lock on the apartment door, in addition to those provided by the building. Such an addition is a violation of the terms of his housing.

A public defender assigned to Pena's case could not immediately be reached for comment.
New images of Elon Musk's damaged Mars 'Starship' prototype show the extensive damage the rocket suffered after it fell due to strong winds.

It was supposed to reach the stars, but the nose cone of the Mars-bound rocket tumbled down to Earth on Wednesday instead thanks to the fierce winds that whipped through Texas, where the prototype is held.

The rocket, known as the 'hopper', was once a gleaming bullet shaped rocket, but ended up looking like a stump after the nose cone was knocked off.

On Thursday operations resumed to fix the rocket and a protective half dome cap was put on top of the rocket.

Aftermath: The nose cone of Elon Musk's Mars rocket prototype known as 'hopper' was knocked off on Wednesday by strong winds rolling through Texas

On Thursday USA Construction operations resumed and a half-dome cap was put on top of the rocket until a new nose cone will be placed on top

The severely damaged nose cone section of the hopper pictured above at the Boca Chica Beach site where Elon Musk's SpaceX prototype Mars rocket is held

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Whoops. Starship Hopper nosecone has been blown over in high winds.



NSF's BocaChicaGal https://t.co/liIk970sm5 pic.twitter.com/6rgGtZmAE2  Chris B - NSF (@NASASpaceflight) January 23, 2019

The crushed nosecone of the Starship 'hopper' prototype in a picture posted to Twitter

The upper section of the rocket was already detached from the booster when it blew it over, it is believed.

However, Musk said the damage is easy to repair - as the nose-cone was simply a hollow structure welded together to give the craft the appearance of a real rocket.

'I just heard. 50 mph winds broke the mooring blocks late last night & fairing was blown over. Will take a few weeks to repair,' Musk said in a tweet.

'Actual tanks are fine,' he later added.

A closer look at the damaged nose cone pictured above on Thursday in Brownsville, Texas

The massive nose cone pictured lying on its side after it crashed to the ground in the wind

A zoomed out view of the Brownsville, Texas space site shows the rocket after a half-dome cap was put on top of it

Before the fall: The SpaceX prototype Starship hopper stands at the Boca Chica Beach site in Texas on Saturday, Jan. 12, 2019, seen from Texas Highway 4.

One space enthusiast for Spadre.com who saw the damage wrote on a YouTube video showing the damage: 'Starship upper fairing was completely destroyed in an overnight windstorm at SpaceX South Texas launch site at Boca Chica.

'Winds gusting in excess of 50mph toppled the nose cone, crushing it upon impact.

'The lower portion including fuel tanks were undamaged.

'The nose cone fairing contained no critical components and should be re-constructed quickly, little if any delay in launch tests are expected.'

'I just heard. 50 mph winds broke the mooring blocks late last night & fairing was blown over. Will take a few weeks to repair,' Musk said in a tweet.

Last month Elon Musk revealed images of the 120-foot tall Starship hopper test rocket prototype.

The maverick billionaire entrepreneur unveiled his retro-styled spacecraft which has drawn comparisons to sci-fi films from the 20th century.

WHAT IS THE 'HOPPER' PROTOTYPE? The prototype, known as a 'hopper', is set to be used to test the propulsion systems in the rocket before a full scale prototype was built. It will be used for suborbital vertical takeoff and landing test flights, reaching around 16,400 feet, known as hops. SpaceX used a similar hopper to develop its Falcon rockets. Advertisement

Twitter users pointed out the similarities of Musk's creation with the contraption Tintin used in the 1954 adventure 'Explorers on the Moon'.

Others said the sleek design and prominent fins closely resemble spaceships depicted in 1950s/60s films, Wallace and Gromit and even Toy Story.

SpaceX founder Musk shared the first real images of the prototype from its Texas launch site and reassured his followers it is 'not a rendering'.

'This is for suborbital VTOL (vertical take-off and landing) tests,' Mr Musk explained.

'Orbital version is taller, has thicker skins (won't wrinkle) & a smoothly curving nose section.'

This particular model will be used to test short launches and landings.

Twitter users pointed out the similarities of Musk's creation with the contraption Tintin used in the 1954 adventure 'Explorers on the Moon' (pictured)

The undamaged nosecone on Jan 2nd at the Boca Chica Beach site, near Brownsville, Texas

Earlier this month, the billionaire said SpaceX was aiming to carry out test flights within four weeks, but admitted it could be as long as eight weeks when unforeseen issues are factored in.

Responding to questions from space enthusiasts, Mr Musk said that the first orbital prototype should be ready by June.

The SpaceX founder also added that the real, finished version would '[obviously] have windows, etc.'

Musk also later retweeted this video filmed by a passer by showing the prototype rocket

Elon Musk has revealed images of his fully-assembled 120-foot tall Starship hopper test rocket (pictured)

This work is taking place at both SpaceX headquarters in Hawthorne, California, and the company's test site in South Texas, near the border city of Brownsville, where the first flights will take place.

After its unveiling on social media the tech tycoon's Starship drew immediate comparisons to fictional rockets.

One user, known as John Drury, pointed out the similarities to the Toy Story rocket which is hope to 'the claw' and, briefly, Buzz and Woody.

He tweeted: 'Lol wow. Reminds me of the rocket ship in Toy Story'

One twitter user also said: 'I love SpaceX and their people are amazing but it does look like a Wallace and Gromit rocket but I'm sure it will be immense'

After its unveiling on social media the tech tycoon's Starship drew immediate comparisons to fictional rockets. One twitter user said: 'I love SpaceX and their people are amazing but it does look like a Wallace and Gromit rocket but I'm sure it will be immense' (pictured)

Atomic illustration of a man and woman riding a rocket in space from the 1940s bears a striking similarity to Musk's 2019 rocket which he says will reach space later this year

Musk may have been inspired by the 1950 film 'Destination Moon', where a group of actors discuss a model space rocket (pictured). The films surprisingly accurate prediction of space travel won an Academy Award for Best Special Effects

The latest images provide a clearer view of the two components previewed by Musk at the end of last month, showing engineers in cherry-pickers at work on the nose cone and another large piece of the system.

A large American flag can be seen plastered on the side of one of the huge metal cylinders.

The progress comes as SpaceX ramps up work on the test hopper ahead of planned flights later this year

Musk says this spacecraft will perform suborbital flights and a taller version with 'thicker skins' will take passengers to Mars

The maverick billionaire entrepreneur continues to explore ways of one day sending people to places as far as Mars. he previously posted this mock-up image

SpaceX's prototype starship that is being called 'test hopper' stands at the Boca Chica Beach site, near Brownsville, Texas on January 2

The svelte 120-foot-tall Starship design is similar to that of 1950s sci-fi favourite Destination Moon

Starship  previously known as BFR, Big Falcon Rocket, or the Big F***ing Rocket  is key to Musk's plans to send humans to Mars.

Musk tweeted out the first photo at the end of December, captioning it simply, 'Stainless Steel Starship.'

In a series of tweets that followed, however, the CEO elaborated on the plans for the test vehicle.

The first crewed Red Planet mission for the rocket and 100-passenger Starship could come as early as the mid-2020s if development and testing go well, Musk has said

WHAT IS ELON MUSK'S 'BFR'? The BFR (Big F***ing Rocket), now known as Starship, will complete all missions and is smaller than the ones Musk announced in 2016. The SpaceX CEO said the rocket would take its first trip to the red planet in 2022, carrying only cargo, followed by a manned mission in 2024 and claimed other SpaceX's products would be 'cannibalised' to pay for it. The rocket would be partially reusable and capable of flight directly from Earth to Mars. Once built, Musk believes the rocket could be used for travel on Earth - saying that passengers would be able to get anywhere in under an hour. Advertisement

This particular model will be used to test short launches and landings. Earlier this month, the billionaire said SpaceX was aiming to carry out test flights within four weeks

Elon Musk revealed his 'hopper' spaceship that could one day take man to the moon earlier this week and claims it could eventually take people to Mars

Just last month, the SpaceX boss doubled down on his earlier claims that he would likely be among the interplanetary travellers who make the trip to Mars, despite there being a 'good chance' that he'll die there.

Tickets on Elon Musk's spaceship to Mars will cost around $200,000 per person.

SpaceX shared new details about the 387ft rocket in September, saying it hopes to begin unmanned launch tests of the spacecraft in late 2019.

In the future, Starship will be able to carry out lunar missions as well as long-distance flights to Mars and beyond.

The firm hopes to stage an uncrewed flight to Mars in 2022, then a manned flight in 2024.

In between those missions, SpaceX has planned for a private mission with a passenger on board in 2023.

'We would like to put large cargo on the surface of the moon by 2022,' SpaceX chief operating officer Gwynne Shotwell said recently.

'And we have our eyes on the prize to send people to Mars in 2024.'
A man has been charged with the alleged murder of his blind cheerleader girlfriend, who died after she was allegedly thrown from a high-rise balcony.

Breeana Robinson, 21, fell 11 storeys from the balcony of boyfriend Dan Shearin's luxury apartment at Southport, on the Gold Coast, in January 2013.

Shearin, 45, was arrested on Friday and charged with murder, fraud, and damaging evidence with intent.

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Breeana Robinson, 21, (pictured) fell 11 storeys from the balcony of boyfriend Dan Shearin's luxury apartment at Southport, on the Gold Coast, in January 2013

Shearin, 45, was arrested on Friday and charged with murder, fraud, and damaging evidence with intent

Ms Robinson, who was legally blind, was allegedly thrown from the balcony of the H20 Broadwater complex at 10.35pm on January 29, 2013, after returning from cheerleading practice

Shearin, who now goes by the name Jayden Moorea, spent 10 days after in jail after pleading guilty to harassing Ms Robinson during their relationship.

He bombarded her with 1,439 text messages in the month before she died.

He was later given a good behaviour bond.

Ms Robinson, who was legally blind, was allegedly thrown from the balcony of the H20 Broadwater complex at 10.35pm on January 29, 2013, after returning from cheerleading practice.

Just ten minutes earlier she had received her final text message from Shearin, who she'd been dating for only 38 days.

The court heard evidence that the text message sent to Ms Robinson before she died read: 'You're more interested in TV, food and everything else but your partner. That's why everything's ruined. Your priorities are f***ed up'.

The former Gold Coast Titans cheerleader's death was subject to a coronial inquest in 2017.

Police reopened the case in late 2017, almost three years after Sheain was jailed for harassing her prior to the tragedy

Shearin, who now goes by the name Jayden Moorea, spent 10 days after in jail after pleading guilty to harassing Ms Robinson during their relationship

Ms Robinson, who was legally blind, was allegedly thrown from the balcony of the H20 Broadwater complex (pictured) at 10.35pm on January 29, 2013, after returning from cheerleading practice

The inquest was set to look at the 'specific circumstances surrounding Breeana's death, particularly how she came to fall to her death and whether any recommendations could be made to prevent deaths from occurring in similar circumstances'.

Police reopened the case in late 2017, almost three years after Sheain was jailed for harassing her prior to the tragedy, at the coroners request.

Relatives of Ms Robinson supported the decision to reopen the investigation, and said at the time they 'were anxiously awaiting the outcome'.

Detective Inspector Brendan Smith said the arrest on Friday was the culmination of years of hard work by detectives.

'The investigative team has left no stone unturned in identifying the circumstances of Breeana's death demonstrating the passage of time is no escape for offenders,' he said.

'Whilst investigations are ongoing, it is hoped Breeana's family get some small comfort in seeing someone been brought to account for her death.'

Ms Robinson's mother, Elaine Robinson, and aunt, Janine Mackney, spoke with A Current Affair following Breeana's death, but say they were paid 'not one cent'
Margaret was well known in her profession, but she was adored by her family, said her niece. She spent vacations and holidays with us in California. She was an inspiration to all of us. She was a mentor to all of us in education and was always interested in our achievements.
Two men and two women have been shot dead in a 'targeted' attack on a home and apartment just three blocks apart.

Police are now hunting a gunman after a fifth person was shot in the face in northwest Georgia and airlifted to Atlanta Medical Center.

The Polk County Sheriff's Office says the shootings occurred Thursday night in Rockmart.

Two of those killed have been named locally as 23-year-old Dadrain Cummings and Arkeyla 'Key' Perry, also 23. They are believed to have been killed at the apartment.

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Dadrain Quimmin Cummings, left, and Arkeyla 'Key' Denise Perry, right, were named by family members as two of those killed Thursday evening in a shooting in Rockmart

The Polk County Sheriff's Office says the shootings occurred Thursday night and that the victims were targeted

Police were called around 8pm to the first shooting. Upon arrival they got the call about a second shooting, 11 Alive reports.

WXIA-TV reports investigators believe the incident was related to drugs.

The sheriff says the two crime scenes include a house and an apartment, which are just yards away from each other.

Authorities initially said six people had been shot but later corrected that information.

Keith Sorrells, Chief of the Cave Springs Police Department, said: 'They were targeted, but I don't know why.

'It's pretty evident that when you shoot these three people and then - if in fact it's the same shooter and then go right there - they're targeted for some reason. But we don't know why at this time.

'When we got the first shooting and our officers responded. And just as they got to the first shooting, we got the call to dispatch to the second shooting.

'There was a black Ford Ranger parked in the area of the first shooting, but we're not sure they're involved. We're just not sure about that.'
A married professor who sexually assaulted an 82-year-old dementia patient in a nursing home has narrowly avoided a prison sentence.

The 55-year-old New Zealand man was instead on Friday ordered to serve to eight months detention at his Wellington home.

The man initially denied abusing the woman and said it was 'two friends who just had an intimate moment together.'

He later confessed but insisted the interaction was consensual and that the victim had enjoyed it.

The man finally pleaded guilty to indecent assault late last year, and in a statement read out in court said 'I was mentally unwell when I offended'.

The married professor sexually assaulted an 82-year-old women with dementia in a nursing home (stock image)

The assault took place at a rest home in May 2018 when the man approached the 82-year-old women and started a conversation while visiting a relative.

When the victim returned to her bedroom, the man followed her, shut the door and began touching and kissing her.

At this point, the dementia sufferer tried to push him away but he was 'too forceful'. He then closed the curtains of her room and continued the assault.

The assault was interrupted after a caregiver had come in, and seeing the pair in darkness together, had asked what was going on.

Not receiving a reply, the caregiver left to find a manager.

The 55-year old Wellington academic returned to assaulting the victim, who again tried to push him away.

He then exposed himself to the victim before pulling down her pants and underwear. He left soon afterwards.

The caregiver and a male nurse found the victim alone leaving wearing different pants.

In a victim impact statement, the daughter of the women, who has vascular dementia after suffering a stroke, said her mother has struggled since the assault.

The 55-year-old was sentenced to a sentence of eight months home detention at the Wellington District Court (pictured) on Friday

'Sadness enveloped her body,' she said.

'Our mum as she was has slowly drifted away' she added, and described how her mother had started having more falls since the attack.

The man was initially charged with the more serious crime of unlawful sexual connection, but this was downgraded to indecent assault by prosecutors in an attempt get him to plead guilty.

Judge Stephen Harrop called the offending 'unbelievable' at a sentencing hearing last year.

'It is difficult to understand and rationalise and it is really completely out of character,' he said.

Judge Harrop sentenced the man to a sentence of eight months home detention and 100 hours of community work, and ordered him to pay $3000 emotional harm reparation.

Adopting a starting point for sentencing of two year and nine months in prison, Judge Harrop allowed discounts for factors such as the guilty plea, remorse and the man's previous contribution to the community.

The man, who has had name suppression since his arrest, was denied it in court today.

An interim order suppressing his name will extend until midnight so he has time to inform friends and family of his offending.
A pervert businessman has admitted to secretly recording men urinating in his firm's toilets before taking detailed notes of whether they were circumcised or not.

Christchurch man Bryan Gibbs Eder, 37, used covert cameras to take the close-up footage of his colleagues going to the toilet.

Eder appeared in the Christchurch District Court heard on Friday and admitted 14 charges of 'intentionally making an intimate visual recording', Stuff reported.

The court heard how the 37-year-old bought several small hidden cameras and would secretly install them in the toilets, using white tape to conceal them.

Over the course of about 14 months he filmed the men, taking the footage home and organising the footage in individual folders for each person.

Bryan Gibbs Eder, 37, of Wigram in Christchurch New Zealand, admitted to filming men as they urinated in his firm's toilet the Christchurch District Court heard on Friday (file photo)

'Due to the short recording time on each SD card, the defendant replaced the cameras throughout the day, increasing the amount of people who were recorded,' a police prosecutor said.

After replacing the SD cards each day Eder would upload the footage to his personal hard drive before creating folders to store each victim's footage in.

While the men's faces were not visible in the footage the court heard Eder was still able to identify each victim based on the clothes they were wearing.

In 2018, a worker finally noticed a flashing light near the toilet and informed a colleague who removed the camera and went to management.

Eder bought small hidden cameras and would secretly install them in an office building in Christchurch and would then use white tape to conceal them even further (file photo)

However the court heard that when Eder became aware of the discovery he retrieved the camera and SD card before throwing the camera in a bin, the SD card with the last footage has never been found.

When police searched Eder's computer they found each folder which had been titled with each victim's name, date of birth and whether they were circumcised or not.

Eder's application for bail was granted and he will face court for sentencing on May 10.
Former Israeli soldier Avi Yemini (left) and far right activist Neil Erikson (right)

Police are investigating an offensive text message calling a former Israeli soldier a 'dirty Jew' and a 'kike' amid claims it was sent by a prominent far-right activist.

Melbourne gym owner and activist Avi Yemini received the offensive text on January 23, which said: 'You dirty jew. Kike.'

The text was quickly followed by: 'Omg! I'm so sorry. That was not me. That was Neil.'

The messages came from the phone of a female friend of far right activist Neil Erikson, Dia Beltran.

Mr Yemini alleged Mr Erikson sent the message and claimed it was proof of Mr Erikson's anti-Jewish views and that he was 'no Aussie hero'.

But Mr Erikson said he is a 'reformed neo-Nazi' and strenuously denied sending the message.

He said Mr Yemini was 'acting like a hysterical woman' by going to the police.

Mr Yemini, 33, made a statement to Victoria Police on Friday, after first publishing the text message to social media.

Victoria Police are investigating this text message calling Avi Yemini a 'dirty Jew'

Far right activist Neil Erikson (in hi-vis) denied sending the text and said Mr Yemini was acting 'like a hysterical woman'

The text divided right wing activists who variously slammed Mr Erikson as 'immature' and others who questioned whether the text was authentic.

'People need to see him for what he is and he's no Aussie hero,' Mr Yemini told Daily Mail Australia.

'He's no Aussie hero.'

'He does say some things that are right and that's where people get confused'.

'He says some things that are right, that's how he's sucking people in, by saying the things our politicians and ruling class are refusing to address.

'Someone like Neil walks in and says it and the undertone on many of those issues are anti-Jewish because that's really what he's about,' he claimed.

Mr Erikson said: 'What I've heard is one of his (Avi's) mates grabbed Dia's phone and texted Avi off the phone and basically said "this is Neil".

'I don't know if Avi's trying to get some media attention or drag me down but it definitely wasn't me.

'He's been making false allegations about me for a long time now.

The offensive text message was sent from the phone of Dia Beltran (pictured) who did not 'want to be dragged into' the issue

A police line at St Kilda amid dueling demonstrations between right and left-wing activists earlier this year which Mr Erikson was prominent at

'I wouldn't deny it if I did it... the police are investigating.' Ms Beltran said she didn't 'want to be dragged into' the issue.

A Victoria Police spokeswoman confirmed officers are investigating a report of an 'offensive' text message, but could not comment further as the investigation is ongoing.

'All Victorians have a right to feel safe and secure in their community. Victoria Police does not tolerate discrimination or victimisation, including that which is motivated by prejudice, racism or discrimination,' she said.

'Anyone who witnesses or is subject to victimisation on the basis of ethnicity or religious beliefs is urged to report the matter to police.'
Colin Powell has told how a hero war veteran who lost his leg in Afghanistan stopped to help him change a flat tire and 'reminded him about what this country is all about'.

The former Secretary of State, 81, posted on Facebook about the incident after breaking down in Maryland on the way to a hospital appointment.

Powell said he is a 'car guy' but admitted he was struggling as 'it was cold outside and the lug bolts were very tight'.

He said that Anthony Maggert stopped to help him after recognizing the retired four-star general by the side of the road on the Interstate 495.

Colin Powell, right, shared the touching story of war veteran Anthony Maggert, left, who helped him change a flat tire as he headed to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center

The former Secretary of State posted on Facebook about the incident after Maggert, pictured, 'reminded him about what this country is all about and why it is so great'

The touching Facebook post has been shared more than 130,000 times

Retired general Powell, 81, wrote: 'I jacked the car up and got several of the bolts removed when a car suddenly pulled up in front of me. As the man got out of his car I could see that he had an artificial leg.

'He said he recognized me and wanted to help me. We chatted and I learned that he lost his leg in Afghanistan when he worked over there as a civilian employee.'

Mr Powell, on his way to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, said he didn't get the man's name or address at the time but that Mr Maggert later wrote to him, calling the former politician 'an inspiration, a leader and statesman'.

Anthony wrote: 'Gen. Powell, I hope I never forget today because I'll never forget reading your books. You were always an inspiration, a leader and statesman. After 33 years in the military you were the giant whose shoulders we stood upon to carry the torch to light the way and now it is tomorrow's generation that must do the same.'

Colin Powell, left, is a retired four-star general and was the 65th United States Secretary of State. Anthony, right, lost his leg in Afghanistan when he worked as a civilian employee

Powell said: 'Let's stop screaming at each other. Let's just take care of each other'

In his Facebook post, which has been shared more than 130,000 times, Powell added: 'Thanks, Anthony. You touched my soul and reminded me about what this country is all about and why it is so great. Let's stop screaming at each other. Let's just take care of each other. You made my day.'

Anthony also posted their selfie to Facebook, writing: 'When General Colin Powell has a flat and he only has a one legged guy to help fix the flat on I-495.'
A British 'gypsy' who is accused of assault and reckless driving at a beach his family allegedly trashed has been slapped with another charge.

The 26-year-old man, whose name has been released, appeared in the Auckland District Court on Friday charged with dishonestly using a document.

He was granted name suppression when he appeared in court on Thursday facing assault and reckless driving charges over an incident that happened on Sunday, January 13.

A British 'gypsy' who is accused of assault and reckless driving at a beach his family allegedly trashed has been slapped with another charge

The 26-year-old man, whose name has not been released, appeared in the Auckland District Court on Friday facing fraud charges

The alleged assault took place on the same day a group of British travellers were filmed leaving beer bottles and piles of rubbish on the city's Takapuna beach.

Krista Curnow witnessed the incident unfold and alleged the group of about 12 tourists turned violent when she asked them to clean their mess as they left the beach.

She also alleged a car veered towards her as she attempted to take a picture of the vehicle's number plate.

The man's next court appearance is February 8, when he is expected to plea, the New Zealand Herald reported.

The British family has been causing trouble in New Zealand since arriving before Christmas.

Their antics have made headlines across the world. They have been accused of trashing an apartment, leaving restaurants without paying and stealing from shops

The British family has been causing trouble in New Zealand since arriving before Christmas

Their antics have made headlines across the world.

They have been accused of trashing an apartment, leaving restaurants without paying and stealing from shops.

A member of the group, Tina Maria Cash, 26, pleaded guilty in court to stealing Red Bull from a Hamilton service station.

She was ordered to pay $55 in reparation.
A pair of aggressive dogs that critically injured a man and bit a mother and her 10-year-old daughter have been put down.

The 40-year-old man suffered multiple bites and went into cardiac arrest following an attack on Thursday afternoon at a home in Tregear in Sydney's west.

The two American Staffordshire terriers were put down on Friday afternoon after the shocking mauling, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.

A pair of aggressive dogs that critically injured a man and bit a mother and her 10-year-old daughter have been put down

The 40-year-old man suffered multiple bites and went into cardiac arrest following an attack on Thursday afternoon at a home in Tregear in Sydney's west

The two American Staffordshire terriers were put down on Friday afternoon after the shocking mauling

Following the attack, the man, woman, 40, and the girl were all rushed to hospital.

The man suffered injuries to his face, abdomen and chest, and had to be resuscitated before being placed in a coma.

He remains in a critical condition fighting for his life at Westmead Hospital.

NSW Ambulance Inspector Phil Templeman said all three patients needed 'clinical intervention' before being taken for treatment at hospital, and described it was a 'horrific and distressing scene'.

'Everybody who was on scene, at such a horrific and distressing scene, should be commended for their efforts to try and bring these animals under control and essentially save (the) lives of these victims,' he told reporters.

The girl suffered a bite to her back, and her mother injured herself while trying to defend her daughter.

Paramedics and police were called to a home in Tregear at 1pm on Thursday after reports of a dog attack

The girl had been playing with one of the animals when it attacked her, before it turned on her mother when she tried to save her.

The man then stepped in and was attacked. At some point, a second dog became involved.

Her mother, 30, tried to protect her daughter and was also attacked.

A 10-year-old girl and her 30-year-old mother (pictured centre) are also being treated for bite injuries

The council spokesman said the dogs were sedated then taken to a local veterinary clinic for examination. They'll spend the night in the council's animal holding facility.

From there, the registered owner can decide to have them euthanised before police and council engage in further discussions about their future.

An RSPCA NSW spokeswoman said the animal welfare group was called in by police to help tranquillise the medium-sized dogs before the council removed them.
A four-bedroom house has been listed for sale at $1.7million - but pictures of the property are not available to view online.

The home is in Redfern, 3km south of the CBD, with the Telopea St address boasting four bedrooms and two bathrooms.

Advertised on real estate website Domain, images of the living room and main bedroom are blacked out as they 'would not do the room justice.'

Potential buyers were unable to see the living room at the house listed for sale in Redfern

Images of the main bedroom were also off limits, as the real estate agent felt they 'wouldn't do the room justice'

The potential new owner is advised to be in a position to 'create a whole new version'

After pointing out nearby cafes, a Coles supermarket, the yet to be completed Light Rail, the train station and the Australian Technology Park, the home reportedly 'needs someone who wants to create a whole new vision.'

The property is described as the 'worst house in the best street' before the agent goes onto explain why they are 'unable' to display photos to potential buyers.

'It is in desperate need of someone with imagination to create a whole new possibility,' the description reads.

'Positioned in one of Redfern's finest streets, the benefits offered by this property will reward the effort of transforming the potential.'

The house which was listed on January 15, is currently rented to long term tenants for $900 a week.

Telopea St in Redfern has been described as the best 'finest street' in the Sydney suburb

Another attraction for buyers are the numerous cafes and shops within walking distance

Barry Liddle, from Ozway Realty, confirmed there has been 'significant interest' in the property.

'We wanted our campaign to stand out, and people are curious, so it has worked,' he said.

'It is fair to say we have some interested buyers and we have also had some interest from overseas.'
A three-year-old boy who has been missing for two days in freezing temperatures has been miraculously found alive and in 'good health' near the North Carolina home he disappeared from.

Casey Hathaway was found caught up in thorn bushes in Craven County in eastern North Carolina on Thursday night following an extensive two day search of a wooded area.

Search crews said the little boy was soaking wet and calling out for his mother when they found him. He was found about a quarter mile from where he was last seen and authorities believe he had been moving around during the time he was missing.

Casey, who has since been reunited with his parents and older sister, suffered a few scrapes and cuts. He is currently being evaluated at a local hospital but authorities said he was 'very well' and in 'good health' given the conditions.

Three-year-old Casey Hathaway was found by professional search and rescue crews in Craven County in eastern North Carolina on Thursday night after an extensive two day search

Casey had been missing for more than 48 hours by the time he was found and authorities had raised concerns about the extremely cold temperatures.

Casey was only wearing a coat and sweatpants when he vanished. He was still wearing the coat when he was found, authorities said.

'The little fella is happy and his parents are very happy as well,' Craven County Sheriff Chip Hughes said.

His mother Brittany Hathaway said her son was up and talking and had already talked about watching Netflix.

She thanked the search teams and locals who had been out searching for her son.

Casey had been playing with his sister and cousin in his great-grandmother's backyard on Tuesday but didn't come back inside with them.

His great-grandmother and family members searched the woods behind her home for 45 minutes before she frantically called 911.

'We lost my two-year-old grandson. He was walking in the woods back there and we can't find him. 3-year-old grandson,' says the panicked great-grandmother in the audio, which was obtained by DailyMail.com.

She told the operator that Casey had been playing with his sister and cousin at the time.

'The other ones come through the house but left him there and he walked off somewhere and we can't find him.'

The boy's parents, Brittany and Chris Hathaway (above) said their son was up and talking and had already talked about watching Netflix since he was found

The sheriff's office launched an extensive search for the little boy that involved multiple law enforcement agencies and also Marines who were trained to operate in difficult conditions

Hundreds of locals had volunteered to help search for the boy but they had to be turned away on Thursday due to 'challenging weather conditions'

The sheriff's office launched an extensive search for the little boy that involved multiple law enforcement agencies and also Marines who were trained to operate in difficult conditions.

Divers also joined the search to help look in ponds and sinkholes spread throughput the dense woods where Casey was last seen.

Hundreds of locals had volunteered to help search for the boy but they had to be turned away on Thursday due to 'challenging weather conditions'.

The sheriff's office said only professional searchers were being used at the time because of safety concerns.

The locals gathered in a nearby church waiting until it was safe to join the search.
The trial of Pennsylvania adult dancer Jennifer Morrisey, 34 (pictured), accused of murdering her wealthy lover, Michael McNew, 64, after he broke up with her and threatened to shoot her, began on Thursday

The trial of an adult entertainer accused of murdering her wealthy lover, after he broke up with her and threatened to shoot her, began in Pennsylvania on Thursday.

Testimony has begun in the case against Jennifer Morrisey, 34, who is said to have fatally shot pharmaceutical executive Michael McNew, 64, between the eyes just shy of 18 months ago.

Prosecutors argued in opening statements on Thursday that things had taken a turn for the worse in the pair's five-year relationship, during which time McNew had 'taken care' of Morrisey.

McNew was shot and killed on August 6, 2017, Matt Weintraub, Bucks County District Attorney said during a news conference at the time of Morrisey's arrest.

McNew was found dead in his Washington Cross home days later by a co-worker from his company, AbbVie Pharmaceuticals, and her daughter, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported.

Morrisey was arraigned on charges of criminal homicide, burglary, tampering with or fabricating physical evidence, and possessing instruments of crime on September 29, 2017.

Prosecutors argued in opening statements on Thursday that things had taken a turn for the worse in the pair's five-year relationship. McNew was shot and killed on August 6, 2017. Morrisey (left) and McNew (right) are pictured together in a photo shared to social media

'You dont have to like the fact that there is a big age difference, and you dont have to approve of the type of relationship they had,' Assistant District Attorney Kristin McElroy said to jurors in the case. 'But he didnt deserve to die because of it.'

The two met while Morrisey was performing as an exotic dancer, and their relationship developed from there, until the day he died.

It took authorities nearly two months to arrest the one-time motorcycle mechanic related to McNew's death, after receiving help from confidential informants.

'It's not always immediate when you catch a killer, and in this instance it took a lot of cooperation, colaboration and just good old-fashioned detective work to connect all those dots to link Ms. Morrisey to the murde,' Weintraub said at the time when she was first taken into custody.

Her defense team said McNew (right) was accidentally shot in a struggle over a firearm, and Morrisey (left) then staged the scene because she didn't think anyone would believe her.

Prosecutors said Morrisey deliberately killed McNew, and then tried to make it look like a robbery gone wrong.

'The crime scene, the forensic evidence, and actions of the defendant all point to one thing: She went there, she pointed a deadly weapon at him, and she shot him once between the eyes. That is murder,' McElroy told the court.

But attorneys for Morrison explained away any deliberate actions taken by the defendant as steps taken by a woman who felt no one would believe that McNew was shot accidentally in a struggle over the gun that killed him.

Attorney S. Philip Steinberg said his client had gone to McNew's home to pick up her personal property, and then turned to 'panic mode and ultimately stupidity mode' when the situation turned deadly.

'She does everything she possibly can to make this justified shooting look justified,' Steinberg said, 'because she thought no one would believe her.'

Text messages found on Morrisey's phone from the night of McNew's death paint a picture of a woman engaged in violent conversation with the man who would later be found dead.

Text messages found on Morrisey's (pictured) phone from the night of McNew's show a violent conversation between her and the man who would later be found dead

In the text exchange, McNew waffled between inviting Morrisey (at left and right) over and telling her he loved her, with her saying, 'I already told you that I'll be there tonight,' and McNew at one point threatening to shoot her.

In the text exchange, McNew waffled between inviting Morrisey over and telling her he loved her, with her saying, 'I already told you that I'll be there tonight,' and McNew at one point threatening to shoot her.

DA Weintraub read more quotes from those texts at the time of Morrisey's arrest coming from her phone, including, 'Get the gun then because I'm coming,' and, 'Guess you're just going to have to shoot me.'

Others read, 'You have a choice. Touch my stuff and I cut your throat,' 'I'm gonna stab you,' and 'I'll gut you like I'm field-dressing an [expletive] deer.'

At the time of McNew's death, Morrisey also had a boyfriend other than McNew, named Charles 'Ruthless' Kulow.

'Our family is deeply saddened that our father was tragically taken from us,' McNew's family said at the time of Morrisey's arrest in September of 2017.

'We are hopeful that justice will be served on our father's behalf.'
The indictment provides the most detail to date about how Trump campaign associates in the summer of 2016 were actively seeking the disclosure of emails the U.S. says were hacked by Russia, then provided to the anti-secrecy website WikiLeaks. It alleges that unidentified senior Trump campaign officials contacted Stone to ask when stolen emails relating to Clinton might be disclosed.
A GoFundMe campaign to build a replica pirate ship and sink an replica of James Cook's Endeavour has been taken down.

Comedian Jordan Raskopoulos kick-started the humorous campaign on Tuesday in a bid to raise the needed $6.7million - the same price it will cost to sail the Endeavour.

'That wretched land lubber Scott Morrison is funding a replica of the Endevour [sic] to circumnavigate Australia,' the campaign read at the time.

'Help me raise funds to build a great pirate ship, hire a fearsome crew and purchase many a cannon and cutlas so that I might take to the seas and sink The Endevour (sic).'

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Comedian Jordan Raskopoulos kick-started the humorous campaign on Tuesday in a bid to raise the needed $6.7 million - the same price it will cost to sail the Endeavour (pictured, stock photo)

A GoFundMe campaign to build a replica pirate ship and sink an imitation of James Cook's Endeavour ship has been taken down (pictured, Jordan Raskopoulos)

Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced he would spend $6.7million to send a replica of Captain Cook's famous ship on a 14-month trip around Australia.

The voyage will take place ahead of the 250 year anniversary of Cook's voyage to Australia in 1770.

His announcement came as the debate to change the date of Australia Day from January 28 rages on.

Soon after Ms Raskopoulos set the fundraiser live to build the 'Brown Pearl', GoFundMe tore down the campaign.

'GoFundMe cannot process payments for 'knives, explosives, ammunition, firearms or other weapons or accessories,' the online fundraising site said.

The website went on to say the contraband listed in the campaign violated its terms and conditions.

A disappointed Ms Raskopoulos only managed to raise $682, well short of her intended multi-million dollar target.

She did point out she did not actually plan to buy an antique cannon or actually try to sink The Endeavour.

'I have no intention to purchase genuine knives, explosives, ammunition, firearms, or other weaponry or accessories,' she posted on Twitter.

'These funds will be used to acquire a sea vessel and pirate props or costumes so that a pirate themed theatrical protest performance may take place.'

Daily Mail Australia contacted Ms Raskopoulos for comment.
Two White House security specialists reportedly rejected Jared Kushner's application for top secret clearance but the decision was overruled by the head of President Trump's personal security office.

Carl Kline, who is the director of the personnel security office in the Executive Office, was the one to approve Kushner's clearance despite the recommendation, two sources told NBC News.

Kushner's application was initially denied by the specialists because his FBI background check flagged concerns about his foreign contacts and overseas travel given the potential influence it could have on him.

Two White House security specialists reportedly rejected Jared Kushner's application for top secret clearance but the decision was overruled by the head of President Trump's personal security office. Kushner is spotted leaving his home on Thursday

The president's son-in-law was among 30 incoming Trump officials who were given the clearance after Kline overruled the career security experts.

Kushner's clearance was downgraded in February last year but it was restored last May after the completion of his background check.

After Kline gave him top security clearance, Kushner's application was then sent to the CIA who have the authority to grant access to 'sensitive compartmented information' (SCI).

Kushner was not granted SCI access, according to a Washington Post report in July.

Trump has the power to override the CIA's decision.

It comes just days after a House committee now led by Democrats revealed it was opening an investigation into how security clearances have been handled in Trump's administration and the 2016 presidential transition.

The inquiry by the House Oversight and Reform Committee, which was announced Wednesday, takes direct aim at some of those closest to the president over the past two years, including Kushner, former national security adviser Michael Flynn and former White House aide Rob Porter.

Rep. Elijah Cummings of Maryland, the committee chairman, said in a letter to the White House that he was undertaking the investigation in response to 'grave breaches of national security at the highest level of the Trump administration' involving Flynn and others.

Cummings said his committee is looking to scrutinize how the White House and transition team safeguarded classified information and 'evaluate the extent to which the nation's most highly guarded secrets were provided to officials who should not have had access to them.'

It comes just days after a House committee now led by Democrats revealed it was opening an investigation into how security clearances have been handled in Trump's administration, including in regards to former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn

The inquiry by the House Oversight and Reform Committee takes direct aim at some of those closest to the president over the past two years, including former White House aide Rob Porter

The White House hasn't commented. A lawyer for Kushner directed questions to the White House.

Flynn maintained his security clearance - and access to highly sensitive information - even after the White House learned he lied to the FBI about his conversations with Russia's ambassador.

Flynn, a retired three-star Army general and former director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, was appointed as national security adviser while he was under investigation for failing to register as a foreign agent for previous work benefiting the Turkish government.

Flynn, who pleaded guilty to a felony and is awaiting sentencing, has been a key cooperator in special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation of whether Trump associates coordinated with Russian election interference.

In addition to scrutinizing Flynn, the committee also is seeking information about Kushner, who failed to initially disclose some of his foreign meetings, and Porter, who had high level access with an interim security clearance even though the FBI repeatedly told the White House of past allegations of domestic violence lodged against him by two ex-wives. Porter resigned in the wake of the allegations becoming public.

The White House's handling of Porter's case drew scrutiny of the Trump administration's security clearance process and how many officials were allowed to have access to classified information while their background checks were pending. FBI background checks for security clearances routinely examine an applicant's financial holdings, foreign contacts and any past derogatory information or acts.

After Porter's resignation, then-presidential chief of staff John Kelly said the White House did not 'cover ourselves in glory' in how it handled the allegations. Kelly also cut off access to some classified information for officials who had been working on interim clearances for more than nine months at the time.

That move resulted in Kushner having his access downgraded, though it was restored last May after the completion of his background check.

In addition to investigating specific security clearances granted to White House officials, Cummings is asking the White House to explain why it has failed to provide Congress with information about its security clearance process as required by a law passed last year. The law required the White House to provide Congress a report on its security clearance procedures by last August.
Brazil's first openly gay congressman has quit and announced he is moving abroad, after receiving death threats which have made his life 'unbearable'.

Jean Wyllys, 44, was re-elected to his Brasilia seat at the country's general election in October, which saw far-right populist Jair Bolsonaro - dubbed the 'Trump of the Tropics' - win the presidency.

But on Thursday, just days before the swearing-in of the 56th Congress, Wyllys sent a letter from overseas explaining that he will not take up his position as a congressman in February.

Jean Wyllys, Rio de Janeiro federal deputy for the Socialism and Liberty Party (PSOL), has left Brazil and will not take up his congressional seat following death threats

But the Socialism and Liberty Party (PSOL) to which Wyllys belongs have said his seat will go to a substitute lawmaker who is also gay: Rio councilman David Miranda, the husband of Pulitzer Prize-winning U.S. journalist Glenn Greenwald.

In the letter to the PSOL and released by the party, Wyllys said death threats had made his life unbearable and he hardly left his Rio home.

His siblings and his mother had also been threatened, he said.

Wyllys said in a newspaper interview that the climate of violence in Brazil, which had one of the world's worst murder rates last year, had worsened since Bolsonaro swept to power.

Wyllys, who is openly gay, said his family have been threatened and he has to live with bodyguards

The new President and former army captain has disparaged gay people and women. In a 2013 BBC documentary 'Out There', Bolsonaro told Stephen Fry that 'no father is ever proud of having a gay son,' and that 'we Brazilians do not like homosexuals.'

Councilwoman Marielle Franco, who was killed on March 14 last year, while returning from an event focused on empowering young black women

He is a vocal opponent of same-sex marriage, as well as other socially liberal policies including abortion and secularism, and has disparaged women and minorities.

Wyllys, a staunch advocate for gay rights, also fought religious discrimination and violence against women during his two terms in Congress.

The said he was tired of living with bodyguards since the execution-style murder in March last year of popular Rio de Janeiro councilwoman Marielle Franco, a fellow PSOL member.

'It was not Bolsonaro's election itself. It was the level of violence that has increased since he was elected,' Wyllys told the Folha de S.Paulo newspaper.

A legislative aide in Brasilia confirmed that Wyllys, who rose to fame after winning the fifth season of Big Brother Brasil, will not return to the country from his current travels in Europe.

The presidential press office declined to comment.

Wyllys (left) told a Brazilian newspaper that the climate of violence in the country had worsened since the Jair Bolsonaro (right), a far-right populist who has openly disparaged gay people, was elected President in October

Wyllys told Folha that he was the target of constant death threats and defamatory campaigns on social media and got pushed in the street even with bodyguards.

'I don't want to sacrifice myself,' he told Folha. 'I want to take care of myself and stay alive.'

The last straw, he said, were revelations that Bolsonaro's son Flavio had employed on his Rio state assembly staff relatives of a fugitive former police officer suspected of involvement in Franco's assassination.

'To preserve one's threatened life is also a strategy to fight for better days,' Wyllys said in the newspaper interview.
A Bronx man who was wrongfully convicted of murdering his mother when he was just 16 has his name cleared as the grisly charges are dropped 30 years later.

Huwe Burton, now 46, was accused of stabbing his mother Keziah Burton to death and staging a scene to make it look like an intruder entered, sexually assaulted her, then murdered her.

He was convicted for the January 3, 1989 murder and spent 19 years behind bars, and the last 10 years on parole.

But he was finally exonerated on Thursday when the charges against him were dismissed and he was given a second chance at life.

Bronx man Huwe Burton, 46, (second left) was exonerated on Thursday after he was wrongfully convicted of murdering his mother on January 3, 1989 when he was just 16

Burton wiped tears as a judge apologized for the wrongful conviction that saw Burton spend 19 years in jail and the last 10 on parole

'When my mother was murdered the investigation was 48 hours. Had they taken a longer look...they may have not rushed the judgement,' Burton said to reporters on Thursday after his charges were dismissed and his name cleared

Burton wiped tears from his eyes as Bronx Supreme Court Justice Steven Barrett apologized for the 'system that failed him'.

'Certainly it is a tragedy that Mr. Burton spent some 20 years in jail for a crime that he did not commit. For this, I want to apologize to Mr. Burton for a system that failed him,' Judge Barrett said.

'To hear that there's been public acknowledgement of what was done to me  that's when I get a bit emotional,' Burton said according to Pix11.

'It just felt like a weight was officially lifted,' he added.

Burton's name was cleared following an exhaustive two-year investigation led by the Bronx District Attorneys Conviction Integrity Unit and Burton's legal team with lawyers from the Innocence Project.

Bronx Supreme Court Justice Steven Barrett said: 'I want to apologize to Mr. Burton for a system that failed him'

'It just felt like a weight was officially lifted,' Burton said after he was exonerated

They stated that detectives used interrogation techniques to coerce a false confession out of Burton for murdering his mother.

Officials say the real killer is believed to be neighbor Emmanuel Green, a 22-year-old felon, who lived below the Burtons, according to the New York Post.

He was seen days after the murder driving Burton's mother's stolen car and had information only the killer would know.

Despite evidence pointing towards the neighbor, investigators pursued young Huwe.

Burton pictured above arrested for his mother's murder in 1989 when he was just 16. Detectives coerced him to make a false confession that he stabbed his mother to death to get money to buy crack - he later recanted the confession and said he never tried the drug

The murder took place at the Burton's family row apartment in the Bronx (above)

On the day of his mother's murder, Burton said he returned to his family's Bronx row house after school and found his nurse mother, 59, stabbed to death in the bedroom and her car stolen.

His father Raphael, a building contractor, was visiting relatives in Jamaica at the time.

Burton's lawyers said that detectives with a history of coercing false confessions got him to say he killed his mother to get a sum of $200 to pay a crack dealer.

Burton later recanted the confession and said he never used the drug.

Burton was released on parole in 2009 and works in elevator construction

On social media he actively shares the stories of other people who are wrongfully imprisoned. His charges were dismissed following a two-year investigation by the DA's office and his lawyers with the Innocence Project

He was charged as an adult and convicted of second-degree murder, weapons possession charges and given a 15 years to life sentence.

Burton was released on parole in 2009 and works in elevator construction.

'My mother was one of the strongest people Ive ever known  one of the things that she did was respect the law and respect law enforcement. But at the time of her death, she wasnt respected by the law or law enforcement,' he said to the judge on Thursday.

'When my mother was murdered the investigation was 48 hours. Had they taken a longer look, a more analytical look, they may have not rushed the judgement,' he added.

Despite his wrongful conviction he said he never gave up hope and is dedicating the rest of his days to helping other wrongfully imprisoned inmates.

He urged other prisoners who might be in his position: 'don't give up, don't stop the fight'.
Teu, 30, wants to see stalking charges dropped on the grounds of mental health

A married real estate agent accused of staring through the bedroom window of a 13-year-old girl has applied to have stalking charges dropped on the grounds of mental health.

Isaac Teu, 30, from Wheeler Heights on Sydney's northern beaches, will formally apply under Section 32 of the Mental Health Act in an attempt to see the charges dismissed.

Police allege he was the person in security camera footage peering through windows at a 13-year-old girl in a house at Collaroy Plateau in early October.

Isaac Teu (pictured), 30, was a a real estate agent on Sydney's northern beaches before he was arrested by police at his former workplace on December 7

A man was allegedly captured on CCTV peeping through a 13-year-old girl's bedroom window last month

Teu was arrested at his former real estate workplace on December 7, a week after police released CCTV footage of the alleged act to the public.

He was charged with five offences, including peep/pry and stalk/intimidate on October 4 and was then slapped with additional charges in relation to offences at the same property on November 30.

Teu was also charged with prying of a woman aged in her 20s at her Collaroy home on November 17, the Manly Daily reported.

Northern Beaches Crime Manager Detective Inspector Michael Boutouridis said police always treat 'Peeping Tom' reports seriously.

'Families have the right to feel safe in their own homes but incidents such as these can be extremely distressing, especially when children are involved,' he said.

Magistrate Christopher Longley was told in Manly Local Court Teu will be meeting a psychiatrist for a mental health assessment as part of a Section 32 application.

As part of his bail conditions, Teu must report to Dee Why Police Station three times a week, not go within 500 metres of the teenage girl, cannot leave the country and must not be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

He is back in court on March 27.
The national side was led out by captain and star striker Harry Kane as they came face to face with the Auld Enemy for the first time in the competition in a rainy north London. They were cheered on by 22,500 supporters - 2,800 being Scots - under the iconic arch ahead of the must-win game. But there were concerns among football bosses that both sets of fans would boo the two teams when they take the knee in a show against racism before kick off. It comes after 20,000 Scottish fans turned the English capital into mayhem over the last two days, with punters fighting, stripping naked outside and swimming in public fountains. Police admitted they had to 'flexibly' manage the huge swathe of Scotland fans who took over the West End earlier today with no social distancing, showering any England supporters brave enough to go near them with beer. Fans parted to allow the Three Lions fans walk through - then tossed booze over them as they hurried by and let off blue and white smoke flares chanting: 'I'd hate to be English'. The Tartan Army had been in the pub at 10am, trashing central London and leaving the capital's landmarks strewn with detritus having completely ignored pleas from Mayor Sadiq Khan and the Met Police to stay away. They flouted a Scotland Yard two-day order warning them not congregate in the West End from 3pm yesterday - and instead they partied in Leicester Square where they danced in fountains they filled with foam into the night. On Friday afternoon, officers admitted defeat in trying to move on the fans and said they would implement a 'flexible policing plan... to reduce the likelihood of crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour'.
Three men were stabbed in a street brawl in North London yesterday evening.

The victims, who are in their 20s, were taken to hospital where one remains, in a stable condition. The other two men were treated for superficial wounds and discharged.

It comes after new figures revealed that killings in England and Wales rose by 14 per cent to 739 last year, and knife crime rose by 12 per cent - with nearly 40,000 reported to police according to the Office for National Statistics.

Police were called to Fore Street in Edmonton at around 5.30pm on Thursday following reports of a group of youths carrying weapons.

Fore Street in Edmonton, north London, where three youths were stabbed yesterday evening

The knifeman could still be at large. According to the latest statement issued by the Metropolitan Police, no arrests have yet been made in connection with the attack.

Officers put a Section 60 order in place after the incident, empowering themselves to carry out searches in a specific area and during a specific time window when they have good reason to believe someone may be carrying a weapon.

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: 'Police were called on Thursday, 24 January at around 17:30 hours to reports of a disturbance and a group of youths in possession of weapons in Fore Street, N18.

'Officers attended and were then informed that three men, in their 20s had attended hospital with stab injuries.

'Two of them have now been discharged after treatment for superficial injuries. The third man remains in hospital but his condition is stable.

'No arrests have been made at this stage and enquiries are ongoing.

'Following the incident, a Section 60 order was authorised for Enfield Borough wards east of the A10. Officers remain on scene.'

More than 100 knife crimes A DAY in Wild West Britain: Crime stats reveal offences with blades rose by 12% in 2018, killings were up 14% and robberies jumped 17%

Killings rose by 14 per cent to 739 last year, and increase of 90 homicides recorded in England and Wales than in the previous 12 months.

Knife crime rose by 12 per cent as nearly 40,000 were reported to police according to shocking new crime statistics released by the Office for National Statistics today. That brings the average daily total to more than 100.

Rape increased by 16 per cent to 56,698 offences and other sex offences rose 13 per cent to 101,464. About 20 per cent of those were against children.

As crime statistics reveal an increase in homicides in the capital, 54 of last year's victims of London murders are pictured above

This graph shows how homicides increased not just last year, but have been increasing over the last four

Knife crime hit nearly 40,000 incidents in shocking new crime statistics released by the Office for National Statistics today

Knife crime was on the up in the year to September 2018, according to the the figures released by the ONS today

Police found an eight per cent rise in offences with knives or other sharp instruments.

Paedophiles using the web to groom children Paedophiles are increasingly exploiting the web, with 9,543 crimes recorded in the last year. Rape, sexual assault and grooming are included in the crimes committed after child abusers contacted their victim online. Cyber-related crimes made up 16 per cent of the total number of child sexual offences recorded by police in the year to September 2018. The NSPCC says this may not reveal the true extent of the problem due to wide variation and under-recording of the role of online in these crimes. A 10-year-old girl told the charity that a man claiming to be 21 convinced her to send naked pictures of herself online. At the age of 12 she met him in person and he was in his late 30s. What began as online grooming morphed into physical, sexual abuse. She said: 'I couldn't get away from him. I didn't want to be involved with him anymore but he would always blackmail me. 'He would make it seem like I was the one doing something wrong. The sexual abuse lasted three years. It impacts everything in your life.' Advertisement

Robbery is up by 17 per cent and there has also been a 24 per cent climb in public order offences, with a total of 427,134 recorded.

There was a three per cent rise in vehicle offences to 457,433, largely due to a 10 per cent jump in 'theft or unauthorised taking of a motor vehicle'.

More than 20 per cent of the population fell victim to crime, according to the survey.

The homicide figures do not include victims of terror attacks. Statisticians said this continues an upward trend since March 2014, indicating a change to the long-term decrease over the previous decade.

The data show that overall crime rose by seven per cent, with a total of 5,723,182 offences recorded.

This is the highest number in a 12-month period since the year ending March 2004, when there were 6.01 million offences recorded.

Crimes involving violence against the person are up by 19 per cent, which includes a 41 per cent increase in stalking and harassment offences.

Figures released by the British Transport Police (BTP) this week suggest knife crime on Britain's rail network has more than tripled in the last three years.

Many of the higher-harm types of violence are concentrated in London and other metropolitan areas, 128 homicides in the capital last year - the highest level in a calendar year this decade.

Prime Minister Theresa May's official spokesman said: 'These statistics show that your chance of being a victim of crime remains low, but we recognise that certain crimes - particularly violent crime - have increased, and we are taking action to address this.

'The Offensive Weapons Bill will give police extra powers to tackle knife crime and to get weapons off the street. The serious violence strategy puts a greater focus on early intervention and stopping young people from being drawn into crime in the first place.

'We have also put forward the biggest increase in police funding since 2010. It's encouraging to see the first signs of police officer numbers rising in the statistics today.'

Commenting on the figures, Helen Ross, from the ONS Centre for Crime and Justice, said: 'In recent decades we've seen the overall level of crime falling, but in the last year, it remained level.

'There are variations within this overall figure, depending on the type of crime.

'Burglary, shoplifting and computer misuse are decreasing but others, such as vehicle offences and robbery are rising.

'We have also seen increases in some types of 'lower-volume, high-harm' violence including offences involving knives or sharp instruments.'

Alex Mayes, policy and public affairs adviser at charity Victim Support, said: 'These figures starkly highlight the devastating human cost of the recent rises in serious violence that we've seen across the country.

'Working with bereaved families through our national homicide service we know just how destructive these shocking crimes are.'
Two longtime theater professors are being fired from a Connecticut university following an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct.

Joshua Perlstein, 61, and Thomas Delventhal, 58, are both believed to have engaged in sexual activity with multiple students over a period of at least two decades, according to a statement from Central Connecticut State University.

Perlstein, who was hired by the school in 1992, had been placed on administrative leave since last April following an array of allegations of sexual misconduct and harassment by students.

Those allegations were first reported in an article in the university newspaper, The Recorder, which also accused the administration of failing to act on reports of the misconduct.

The university responded by hiring outside counsel to investigate Perlstein's alleged misconduct.

It was during that investigation that additional claims against Delventhal were uncovered. He was placed on leave last week.

Two longtime theater professors, Thomas Delventhal (left) and Joshua Perlstein (right), are being fired from Central Connecticut State University after an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct revealed evidence that they'd engaged in inappropriate behavior with multiple students dating back to the 1990s

A damning report from the nine-month investigation, obtained by DailyMail.com, details information from thousands of documents, emails and texts as well as interviews with university faculty, staff, current students and alumni.

CCSU's theater department is painted in the report as devoid of professional boundaries between students and professors.

Those interviewed by investigators described frequent parties where students and faculty socialized over free-flowing alcohol.

'It appears as though the informality of the department has led to a climate in which personal space and boundaries are not respected,' the report said.

At the center of the drama department's latest drama is Perlstein, who according to investigators had a 'history of questionable interactions' with female students.

The report claims he had engaged in sexual misconduct with 'several' students, including a lengthy, manipulative relationship with one student that continued after her graduation.

The report also says Perlstein was untruthful to investigators and tried to cover up his problematic conduct to save his job.

The allegations were first reported in the university newspaper, The Recorder, which also accused the administration of failing to act on reports of the misconduct (file photo)

Perlstein was described by students as 'creepy' and sex-obsessed. During class, he would routinely conduct warm-up exercises, improvisations and visualizations in which he asked students to imagine themselves naked or act out sexual activities such as 'sex' and 'orgasm'.

Several students told investigators they caught Perlstein looking at them in ways that made them feel uncomfortable during sex-related exercises.

They also said Perlstein would make comments about students' weight, body parts and sexuality.

He allegedly told one student: 'You walk into a room and your tits are like bam.'

Some students said they thought Perlstein deliberately assigned plays that included sexual themes or nudity.

In one specific instance described in the report, Perlstein allegedly approached a female student from behind and tried to kiss her on the lips outside CCSU's Black Box Theater in the 1990s.

The student turned her head so that the kiss landed on her cheek, which prompted Perlstein to whisper in her ear that she should not 'attempt to pull away when [he is] trying to kiss her', according to the report.

The alleged victim confronted Perlstein a few weeks later and told him he was uncomfortable, and he allegedly got very concerned about whether she had reported the incident to university officials.

When speaking to investigators, Perlstein called the incident a 'misunderstanding'. and said he was 'merely trying to congratulate her after she allegedly told him that she was getting married'.

Investigators said his explanation was not credible because the student had already been married for several years prior to the incident.

Another student, Anna Kelly, accused Perlstein of kissing her, hugging her and touching her buttocks - an account he disputes.

Perlstein claimed he had been having an 'emotional' not 'sexual' conversation with the student in question and that he merely kissed her on the cheek.

Anna Kelly, of the students who accused Perlstein of making unwelcome advances, is pictured above in an interview after this week's report was released

Digital records detailed a relationship between Perlstein and a student he taught and advised that took place from 2013 until the summer of 2014, when the student graduated.

Perlstein was disciplined for that relationship by the university in 2013, but the report claims that their involvement continued on for months after.

The student, Ashley Malloy, allegedly told investigators that she felt the relationship was not 'fully consensual on her part' because Perlstein's advisement was integral to her completing her degree.

'She claims that she felt as though she had no choice but to capitulate to his demands,' the report said.

'The extensive communications demonstrate that he engaged in a long-term sexual relationship significantly beyond what any reasonable person would view as appropriate between a professor and student,' the report said.

After the report was released, Malloy said she was feels 'some relief that the truth is finally coming out but the fact that its this long overdue definitely doesnt take the sting out of what has happened'.

She added: 'To just read in no uncertain terms the extent to which the administration was aware of what was going on is so disheartening and destroyed whatever little bit of faith I had left in the institution.'

Delventhal allegedly admitted to investigators that 'over the years' he had kissed five students on the neck and/or forehead, but said that was his way of expressing endearment and was not meant to be sexual or inappropriate.

Investigators concluded that Delventhal 'knew or should have known that such contact was inappropriate and not in compliance with university policies,' the report states.

It also says that Delventhal, who was hired in 1998, was untruthful during his investigatory interview.

Rumors about relationships between professors and students within the theater department circulated for years but were never properly addressed, according to faculty, administrators and students interviewed by investigators

Rumors about relationships between professors and students circulated for years but were never properly addressed, faculty, administrators and students told investigators.

The report says that Human Resources officials failed to interview complainants or witnesses when misconduct claims were made.

The lack of attention to allegations extended above the Human Resources department and into the senior ranks of the university, according to investigators.

The report claims that a former dean and provost, Susan Pease, told theater faculty to 'stop sleeping with students' in an email about department's goals for 2014.

'Despite the fact that she was aware of these complaints, she did not effectively address them,' the report said.

Pease, who retired last February, said in an email to the CT Post on Tuesday that the 'goals' were sent 'in an informal email to the acting chair of Theater I had recommended for appointment and represented my frustration with the department'.

CCSU President Zulma R Toro issued a statement after the report was released on Tuesday, saying: 'I am disgusted and disheartened by the new findings indicating two of our professors repeatedly engaged in sexual misconduct and inappropriate behavior with their students'

CCSU President Zulma R Toro issued a statement after the report was released on Tuesday, saying: 'I am disgusted and disheartened by the new findings indicating two of our professors repeatedly engaged in sexual misconduct and inappropriate behavior with their students.

She continued: 'Also disturbing are the apparent failures by administrators who, over the years, did not protect our students. The findings pinpoint vital changes that are needed to ensure past misbehaviors, mistakes and inaction are not repeated at this university.'

'To those who bravely shared their stories with out investigators, I am immensely grateful. This has been a painful process for all of those involved. I am resolved to take the actions necessary to ensure our campus is a safe environment for all and to restore faith and pride in Connecticuts oldest public institution of higher education.

'It is a sad day for the survivors, but at the same time I think its the beginning of a process that will help them heal and I think that will be positive at the end of the day.'

The process of removing Perlstein and Delventhal could take as long as a year because it requires collective bargaining and 'a number of faculty panels', Toro said.

However, she said she does not expect the professors to be paid their three-figure salaries for the entirety of the dismissal process.

In the wake of the investigation, Toro announced plans to reorganize CCSU's human resources department and to appoint new leadership for the university's Office of Diversity & Equity.

The most recent chief diversity officer, Rosa Rodriguez, left the job last Friday for 'personnel' reasons.

Toro also said wants to explore a new model for investigating sexual harassment and misconduct on the CCSU campus and to create a new system that would make it easier for victims to report incidents.

President of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities Mark Ojakian praised Toro 'for taking prompt and decisive action to make CCSU - and the theatre department in particular - a better, more welcoming learning environment.'

He added: 'I am beyond confident in the Presidents ability to oversee and implement the necessary cultural and policy changes in a thoughtful and transparent manner.'
The Queen highlighted the need for respect yesterday and seeking out common ground in an address that will be seen as a veiled reference to the bitterness over Brexit.

Using barely coded language in a speech to her local Womens Institute in Norfolk, she said she preferred respecting different points of view.

As Head of State, Her Majesty has to remain politically neutral, but her remarks  made to mark the centenary of Sandringham WI  come weeks after she used her Christmas message to the nation to preach a similar message of unity.

Using barely coded language in a speech to her local Womens Institute in Norfolk, the Queen said she preferred respecting different points of view

She said: Every generation faces fresh challenges and opportunities. As we look for new answers in the modern age, I for one prefer the tried and tested recipes, like speaking well of each other and respecting different points of view, coming together to seek out the common ground, and never losing sight of the bigger picture.

During her visit, the Queen captained the winning team in a live round of the BBC1 quiz show Pointless  one of her favourite programmes  because Sandringham WI was also hosting a talk by its presenter, Alexander Armstrong.

The hall was divided into two teams, one headed by the Queen and the other by Yvonne Browne, vice-president of Sandringham WI. The Queens team won a best-of-five match by three to one.

Mr Armstrong, who has described the Queen as our most distinguished viewer, said: Her Majesty and the team can go back covered in glory.

He added that the Queen gave some answers herself and had some deft, silky Pointless skills. He presented Sandringham WI with a Pointless trophy, gave a talk about his journey on to television and sang with piano accompaniment.

Everyone dreams theyve had tea with the Queen, and it was the most lovely experience, he said.

Each winter the Queen visits WI members at West Newton village hall on the Sandringham estate.

She arrived in a Range Rover  notably refusing to wear a seatbelt again, following her husbands high-profile crash last week just a mile away. The 92-year-old monarch had been criticised for not wearing a seat belt as she drove on a public road a day after the accident.

Miss Browne said the Queen posed for a group photograph, unveiled the branchs centenary plaque and was given a celebratory cake.

Her Majesty, who joined the branch in 1943 when she was still Princess Elizabeth, will remain at Sandringham until nearly next month.

French president Macron BLASTS Brexit saying UK's bid to leave Europe 'can't be delivered' and had 'torn society apart'

French President Emmanuel Macron yesterday launched a furious attack on Brexit  saying it cant be delivered and had torn society apart.

Rubbishing the June 2016 referendum in which a majority of the British voted to exit the EU, the head of state said: Be aware of people who sell you dreams, that tell you all your anger can be solved by a referendum. Im scared of people who manipulate you with miracle ideas.

Mr Macron was speaking on Thursday evening to an audience in Bourg-de-Peage, south of Lyon, in a peoples debate.

Rubbishing the June 2016 referendum in which a majority of the British voted to exit the EU, the head of state said: Be aware of people who sell you dreams, that tell you all your anger can be solved by a referendum. Im scared of people who manipulate you with miracle ideas

Some were so-called Yellow Vest anti-government campaigners who themselves want France to leave the EU.

But Mr Macron told them: Take the British. They voted for Brexit. There were people who, in good faith, were sometimes as angry as you are, and they said that the source of all their ills was Europe. Its rubbish!

Attacking Brexit poster campaigns that in 2016 promised more money for the NHS and other good causes, Mr Macron said: There were lots of buses passing by reading that you were going to save something like 36 billion pounds if you get out of Europe.

And it will be done in 15 days, and then people voted. There were people who voted for Brexit, who did it in good faith, they were angry, and they thought their situation was impossible, because the system was unjust.

In a clear reference to former Conservative politicians including Prime Minister David Cameron, who resigned after losing the Brexit referendum, Mr Macron whistled as he mocked their departures.

The result is, its in fact been going on for two years now and those who promised a Brexit literally left within two weeks. They didnt even want to govern!

It follows Mr Macron saying that Britain leaving the EU without a deal would be a disaster for everyone, and especially the British.

Instead, he believes the UK will now ask for more time to negotiate a new trade deal.

Speaking more widely about the issue of referendums, Mr Macron said they were a poor form of democracy, that could be manipulated by fake news, and that parliamentary government should be respected at all times.

Amber Rudd warns May she could quit to block a no-deal Brexit

Amber Rudd warned the Prime Minister she could quit the Cabinet to back a plan to block no deal.

The Work and Pensions Secretary said she would 'wait and see' what the orders to Tory MPs were on Tuesday night - insisting she wanted a free vote.

Tuesday sees the next stage of the Brexit drama come to a head as MPs vote on Theresa May's Plan B and a raft of amendments on what to do next.

In a Newsnight interview Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd said she would 'wait and see' what her marching orders from the PM were

Who will back

One of the rival plans is from senior Labour MP Yvette Cooper and would upend Commons rules to try and change the law to block a no deal exit on March 29.

Ms Rudd - a May loyalist who returned to the Cabinet just two months ago - wants to vote in favour of the plan despite it undermining Government policy.

She told yesterday's Newsnight: 'At this stage I'm going to stick to trying to persuade govt to allow it to be a free vote. We'll have to wait and see'

She added: 'There is no doubt that No Deal would be bad for prosperity and bad for our security.

'But at the same time, I want to make sure that people realise that the best way for us to avoid No Deal is to vote for the deal.'

Her warning to Newsnight comes after Chancellor Philip Hammond warned a no deal Brexit would be a 'betrayal'.
Very seldom can publishers and editors turn themselves into competent authors. Diana Athill, who started writing in earnest after her retirement, was a splendid exception.

Her book about old age, for example, Somewhere Towards The End, sold 80,000 copies after being published in 2008, when she was in her 90s. Readers enjoyed her forthright discussions about the hideousness of having to give up sex, though she said being forced to pretend to be still enjoying it was, in fact, more depressing than doing without it.

Diana was born 101 years ago into a family of Norfolk gentleman farmers, doctors, professors and Army officers. She graduated from Oxford in 1939, and enjoyed drinking whisky in bed with the universitys young socialites. This is wonderful! she remembered thinking. This is life!

She never expected to have to work for a living, and the news that there was to be no inheritance or allowance, the family loot having vanished, was like being faced with a bucket of cold porridge.

Diana Athill, pictured in 2009, has died at the age of 101 following a short illness, her publisher has said

During the war, she was given a nudge towards working for the BBC Overseas News Service, and befriended Andre Deutsch, a Hungarian who had been interned as an enemy alien on the Isle of Man, but had plans to become a publisher. We ate an omelette and went to bed together, remembered Diana.

Although the sex was not a success  the pair were rather distracted by the V2 bombs that Hitler kept dropping on London  they became friends and business partners for the next half-century.

In 1952, Diana was a founding director of Andre Deutsch Ltd, finding herself in charge of copy editing and proof-correcting. She tidied up spelling, italics, quotation marks and errors of fact, composed the blurbs and met booksellers, librarians and reviewers.

Her book about old age, for example, Somewhere Towards The End, sold 80,000 copies after being published in 2008, when she was in her 90s

One of the firms early offerings was a history of dancing called Memorable Balls. Oh, what a tempting title! exclaimed the Queen Mother, reaching for a copy at a trade fair.

Deutsch was renowned for spotting new literary talent  V.S. Naipaul, Philip Roth, Jean Rhys, John Updike, Margaret Atwood and Norman Mailer. It was Dianas job to go through the typescript of Mailers The Naked And The Dead and change the f-word to fugging.

Dianas own first book after retirement, in 2000, was her memoir of this period, called Stet  which is the proofreaders note to the printer meaning dont alter. Never before had an editor been quite so candid about how horrible authors mostly are in person  demanding, drunken, egotistical, insecure.

Jean Rhys, for example, was a mad alcoholic whom people had assumed was long dead, until Diana found her in a damp, mouse-infested Devon cottage.

Under the bed, in plastic bags, was the chaotic manuscript of what, once Diana had taken her blue pencil to it, became the classic Wide Sargasso Sea.

The other sacred monster whom Diana ushered into print was V.S. Naipaul, who she said insisted on being taken to expensive restaurants and was a tyrant about money. Naipaul was cruel to his wife, she said  Vidia doesnt like me to come to parties because Im such a bore  and resorted to prostitutes. In his writings, he pretended to be single.

Diana grew fed up with his tantrums and phone calls, when he would spend hours spilling out his anxieties.

Dianas own first book after retirement, in 2000, was her memoir, in which she was incredibly candid about how horrible authors mostly are in person  demanding, drunken, egotistical, insecure

She gratefully retired in 1993 and was as surprised as anyone when her own modest writings found a big audience  she was beloved at literary festivals, for example, and earlier books of hers such as Instead Of A Letter were reissued.

But her memoirs recalled a fascinating life. There had been lots of men, lots of blighted love affairs. I kept them trivial, she said. I was frightened of intensity because I knew I was going to be hurt.

She shared her flat for 40 years with a Jamaican, though she only slept with him for eight. Another partner, an Egyptian, moved in and committed suicide. She had an affair with a cousin of the U.S. black rights activist Malcolm X.

Although she never married or had children  she suffered a miscarriage at the age of 43  Diana ruefully reflected that I think being the other woman suited me, it was what I was best at.

By her late 80s, she was famous. Her books Somewhere Towards The End, After A Funeral and Life Class were eagerly snapped up. She was recognised in the street. Asked, when she moved into a nursing home at 91, if she thought about death, Diana said: I have thought about it a fair amount, but I dont now.

She discovered the Kama Sutra in her sixties and had affairs with married men: In her own words DIANA ATHILL writes about ageing with life affirming joy

Her life-affirming memoirs celebrated the wonders of old age and laughed in the face of its tribulations. Diana Athill never missed an opportunity to enjoy herself  as these extracts from her memoir reveal . . .

So here I go, into advanced old age, towards my inevitable and no longer distant end. I turn for enlightenment to the people I know who have gone ahead of me  and I receive a good deal of reassurance, of a slightly wobbly kind.

There cannot be many families in which so many people have been lucky in the actual process of dying as mine has been. Even the least lucky were spared the worst horrors of it.

My uncle, a lucky man whose luck held to the very end, was on his horse at a meet of the Norwich Stag-hounds at the age of 82, talking with friends, when flop! and he fell off his horse stone dead in the middle of a laugh.

My brother was not afraid of death. His trouble was that he resented it because he loved his life so passionately. Aged 85, he knew death was coming, but he still longed to be out messing about with his boats  he lived on the Norfolk coast in a place he adored, and to have to leave that place and its occupations seemed to him the worst possible fate.

Sharp to the last: Diana Athill, pictured as a young before, has died aged 101

He was filled with grief at having to say goodbye to what he could never have enough of. Such a grief, it seems to me, is proof of a good, or at least an agreeable, life, and ought therefore to be something for which one is grateful.

So: I have inherited a good chance of going fairly easily, and I have found it easy to think myself into a reasonable attitude towards death. It is not surprising, therefore, that I spend no time worrying about it.

WE HAD LITTLE IN COMMON BUT SEX

There are things I used to like doing that I dont now  like sex. This was not a sudden event; its early stages occurred in my late 50s. Our household was invaded by a ruthless and remarkably succulent blonde lodger in her mid-20s, and my partner Barry fell into bed with her.

There was one sleepless night of real sorrow, but only one night. What I mourned was not the loss of my loving old friend Barry, who was still there, but the loss of youth: What she has, God rot her, I no longer have and will never, never have again.

My romantic and sexual relationships with men had always played an important part in my life. I hate possessiveness and consequently have never married.

Instead, Ive had quite a number of relationships and affairs  some long-lasting, others short  some with married men.

Barry was not the last man in my life as a sexual being. In my late 50s, I met Sam. He accompanied me over the frontier between late middle-age and being old.

Her life-affirming memoirs celebrated the wonders of old age and laughed in the face of its tribulations

Originally from Grenada, Sam had joined an RAF regiment in the war, and when I met him at a party in the early Seventies he was an impressive-looking man, very tall, with pleasant manners.

When he made a stately swoop for me, I was pleased: it was both funny and revivifying to be seen as attractive by this agreeable and sexy person. For the next seven years I spent a night with him at his flat near Putney Bridge in South-West London about once a week.

We rarely did anything together except make ourselves a pleasant little supper and go to bed, because we had very little in common apart from liking sex. The Kama Sutra was among the books permanently entangled in his bedclothes.

To be urgently wanted at a time when I no longer expected it cheered me up and brought me alive again  no small gift.

Our relationship ended gently when I was in my late 60s. The next thing I heard about him, not very much later, was that he had died suddenly of a heart attack. After his death I saw Sam with photographic clarity  his gestures, his expressions, the way he walked and sat, his clothes. Perhaps because he carried into the beginning of my old age something belonging to younger days, he is still alive in my head, and I am glad of it.

HOW NOT TO LOOK LIKE A VAMPIRE BAT

Nowadays, an old woman would obviously be daft if she dressed like a teenager, but I have a freedom of choice undreamt of by my grandmothers.

There have been days when I went shopping in my local Morrisons wearing something a bit eccentric and wondered whether I would see any raised eyebrows, only to conclude that I would probably have to wear a bikini before anyone so much as blinked.

Modern cosmetics help me look, and therefore feel, less old. They are much better made and more subtle in effect than the older types. Until quite recently, make-up could be a danger, because women who had always worn a lot tended to continue to do so, blind to the unfortunate effect it could have on an elastic and crepey skin.

One of my dearest old friends could never get it into her head that if, when doing herself up for a party, she slapped on a lot of scarlet lipstick, it would soon come off on her teeth and begin to run into the little wrinkles round the edge of her lips, making her look like a vampire bat disturbed in mid-dinner.

Writing in her memoirs, she spoke about meeting a man named Sam in her 60s, saying: 'We rarely did anything together except make ourselves a pleasant little supper and go to bed, because we had very little in common apart from liking sex. The Kama Sutra was among the books permanently entangled in his bedclothes'

I'M NOT GIVING UP MY WHEEL'S... YET

During my early 70s, I made a resolution: When I am 82, I must start thinking about giving up the car. That decision was the result of a visit made to my mother by her local policeman (we still had them then) when I happened to be staying with her.

I opened the door to him and he almost embraced me, so glad was he to find an intermediary for his embarrassing message. Could I please try to persuade my mother that the time had come for her to stop driving?

No one had liked to say anything to her face, but three people in the village had told him that they had witnessed, or almost been a victim of, her driving, which had recently become . . . well, he didnt want to offend, but it had become a little bit erratic.

I passed the message on, she dismissed it huffily as nonsense, and about six weeks later, much to my relief, announced: Oh, by the way  I have decided to get rid of the car.

I now understand her reluctance only too well. When I turned 82, I remembered the resolution I had made but, while walking more than a quarter-of-a-mile had become impossible, my driving showed no sign of being any different from what it had always been. Therefore I decided: No, not quite yet. Now, many years on, I probably ought to think again. My legs have almost given out.

When you reach that point, your car begins to represent life. You hobble towards it, you ease your unwieldy body laboriously into the drivers seat  and lo! you are back to normal. Off you whizz just like everyone else, restored to freedom, restored (almost) to youth. I always liked my car. Now I love it.

But, of course, this increased love and dependence coincides with the deterioration of other things besides your legs, so the postponed thinking about it does need to be done. Maybe next year.

LAUGHTER IN THE CARE HOME

Another milestone along the path of old age has been accepting that I should move into an old persons home. Rationally, I knew it was a good idea  in your 90s, things such as cooking and bills become more difficult.

It was hard closing down my old life. I had a flat I had lived in for 50 years. When it came to getting rid of my 2,000 books, it was quite awful  painful beyond belief.

The move has brought me great happiness, however. When I arrived at the home before Christmas, I was shown into a delightful bed-sitting room, and from that moment I have been very happy here and have made friends. I intend to make more.

Speaking about moving to a care home, she joked that a friend had told her there was no waiting list because 'we're dying all the time'

I found out about the place from a friend, who had to move in here. I thought, The poor old dear, and went to visit her.

She said: Darling, youve got to come and live here, it is wonderful  they do everything for you. I said that I supposed there must be an enormous waiting list, and she said: Oh no dear, were dying all the time.

When I tell that story here in the home, there are hoots of laughter from the residents.

THE SHEER BEAUTY OF MY NAKED MODEL

Last week, I signed up to a new life-drawing class. Of course, at 92 I was the oldest person there, but it was lovely. We had a splendid model, an African dancer about 70 years my junior. He was absolutely beautiful, and a good model, too  great at holding his poses. Youll be pleased to know we had two little electric fires to keep him warm.

Im telling you this story because on my way to the first class, I took a little tumble. I was hurrying along the pavement and stupidly stubbed my toe and fell down. Within minutes, a young woman driver had stopped to help and gently got me to my feet. Soon, I was on my way again. That evening encapsulated two of the good things about old age.

First, it has been a great bonus to discover new pursuits. Ordinary things are enjoyed with increasing intensity because of the knowledge I shant be able to enjoy them for much longer.

Second, it has been a lovely surprise to receive unexpected kindnesses nearly every day. People rush to help me with my shopping, for instance, and young people are almost universally sweet and kind.

Ive been surprised by how much I enjoy being old  but Ive been lucky. There are too many old people who have a wretched time, and sometimes the British treat their old worse than they treat animals.

A good old age largely comes down to luck. If youre ill, its ghastly. But if you keep your wits and health about you, Im pleased to report that it is OK. I continued working as a literary editor, publishing some of the most important novelists of the 20th century, until I was 75: one does eventually go off the boil, but you shouldnt take the pan off the hob too early.

After retiring, I began writing. By the time I was 80 I had written one book, and now I have written two more. That has elevated me into the class of old person about whom people say: Isnt she wonderful?

The luckiest elderly people of all are those who have something in their own heads that they want to do, such as writing or painting. That is a gift

One of the lovely things about old age is that you are praised for doing so little. As Alan Bennett wrote in his diary: Once youre over 80, you only have to eat a soft-boiled egg and everyone thinks youre marvellous.

But even if you have your health, attitude is all-important. You wake up in the morning and you dont really feel like getting up, but its important to make yourself do it.

You should never utter the words: I am too old for that. Last October, I was asked to go to a literary festival in Canada. I had been rather ill, and declined  then I realised that was the wrong attitude. One must always try to overcome feebleness if one feels feebleness coming on.

I went, and would not have missed a moment of it. I got to see Niagara Falls and shared a stage with the author Alice Munro. We were given a standing ovation. She wrote to me: Do you think its too late for us to travel as a double act?

LESSONS IN LIFE FROM A HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR

The luckiest elderly people of all are those who have something in their own heads that they want to do, such as writing or painting. That is a gift. If you dont have that gift, you must look for it and find something that interests you.

The most important thing of all is to fight depression. Of course, it can be miserable, with your friends dying and health failing. Moving through advanced old age is a downward journey. But you have to look for the good things.

I always think of the Jewish concert pianist Alice Herz-Sommer, who lived to be 110. She endured the miseries of the Prague ghettos and was sent to Theresienstadt concentration camp, where nearly 35,000 prisoners perished. Her husband was moved to Auschwitz in 1944. She never saw him again. Yet she remained the most optimistic person you could come across.

She said: It isnt that I dont know about the bad, but I think about the good. Almost to the end, she played the piano for three hours a day.

If I ever feel a little down, I think of her. I know about the bad, but I think about the good  that life is beautiful. Because, in so many ways, it is.

Extracted from Somewhere Towards The End, by Diana Athill, (Granta Books, 8.99). Diana Athill 2008.

To order a copy for 7.19 (20% discount) visit www.mailshop.co.uk/books or call 0844 571 0640. p&p is free on orders over 15. Spend 30 on books and get FREE premium delivery. Offer valid until February 1, 2019.
Im just afraid that we have to make some cuts in order to get the budget balanced, McIntosh said. Im afraid theres some overspending. Its amazing to be in this position. The budget grew bigger and faster than our Spending Affordability Committee wanted.
A woman has slammed Jetstar for demanding she pay $700 to change her flights after her mother died from a terminal illness.

Ashlee Brown, 22, told the airline the two would have to cancel their flight because her mother Pauline's liver cancer had got worse and she had significantly deteriorated.

The pair were given vouchers by Jetstar which needed to be used in six months to make-up for the flight they couldn't make from Newcastle to the Gold Coast.

Ashlee Brown has slammed Jetstar after she was given a voucher rather than a refund by the airline despite her mother being unable to fly because of a terminal illness (right with friends Teeghan and Jess pictured left and centre, who ran into difficulty trying to use the voucher)

Ms Brown told staff, who she had already liaised with for a 'prolonged period', her mother would likely be unable to use the vouchers because of her declining health.

Pauline Brown passed away in August and three months later her daughter and friend Jessica Carson remembered the expiration date on their vouchers was fast approaching.

Their next experience added insult to injury, Ms Carson said.

Pauline Brown passed away in August and three months later her daughter and friend Jessica Carson remembered the expiration date on their Jetstar vouchers was fast approaching - but when they had to make changes to the voucher they ran into trouble (stock image)

Jessica said the dates they then rebooked did not work with their work schedule, and Jetstar would only offer them changes with a hefty fee.

'We contacted them to see if we could change the dates and were told it was going to cost over $700 on top of everything that had already been paid for,' Ms Carson said.

Jessica, Ashlee and their friend Teeghan were planning to go on a holiday together if they were able to change the dates.

Ms Carson said the alternative option was to change the names so another family member could use the tickets, but that too would cost a fee of $160 per person.

Ms Brown's friend, who has taken on her friend's battle with the company during her time of mourning, said the treatment she had received was 'unfair and heartless'.

'I will never fly with Jetstar again. Let this be a warning to anyone using the company,' she wrote in a lengthy post on Jetstar's official Facebook page.

Ms Carson said after posting the complaint to the airline's social media channel, she received a message from one of their team saying 'sorry to hear about the current health of your friend's mum'. 'Did they even read the post,' she said. (her comment pictured)

Ms Carson said after posting the complaint to the airline's social media channel, she received a message from one of their team saying 'sorry to hear about the current health of your friend's mum'.

'Did they even read the post,' she said.

Other commenters on her post were also critical of the company's perceived inflexible polices.

'There needs to be a sensible flexible approach using sensitivity,' one user wrote.

Other commenters on her post were also critical of the company's perceived inflexible policies

'Close the rule book and go and speak to higher management for a compassionate response.'

The grieving daughter appears to have finally achieved a good outcome with the company, though.

Ms Brown has now booked a new flight with the voucher and confirmed different travel dates.

'We were very sorry to hear about Ms Browns loss, and we provided the family with a voucher refund which they requested when they could no longer travel last year,' a Jetstar spokesman said in a statement.

'While there are fees that usually apply to change bookings, we reached out to Ms Brown directly to assist with these changes at no cost given the circumstances.

'We have a range of options in place to assist customers who are no longer able to travel due to injury, illness or loss of an immediate family member,' the spokesman said.
Stroke victims will have to travel for up to 45 minutes to receive treatment under NHS plans to close specialist units.

Officials are considering shutting a third of the stroke centres in England in the hope of ending the postcode lottery of care.

There are currently 126 stroke units in the country but the plans would see this number reduced to just 86 highly specialised units, where patients would be more likely to receive advanced procedures which significantly lower their chances of disability and death.

The plans will be highly controversial and are likely to be opposed by campaigners and the NHS staff who stand to lose their jobs.

Patients will have to travel much further for treatment, at a time when every extra minute counts against their recovery.

Stroke victims will have to travel for up to 45 minutes to receive treatment under NHS plans to close a third of specialist units (file photo)

Currently 90 per cent of adults are a 30-minute drive from their nearest stroke unit. Under the plans, 90 per cent would be a 45-minute drive from their nearest unit.

Strokes are the fourth biggest killer in the UK and two thirds of victims are left with disabilities.

The proposals were briefly outlined in NHS Englands Long-term Plan, launched by the Prime Minister two weeks ago, which stated that stroke services would be reconfigured into specialist centres. But research uncovered by the Health Service Journal shows the full extent to which stroke units would be reduced.

According to figures obtained by the journal from the Stroke Association, the number of specialist neuroscience centres would actually increase from 24 to 30 across England.

The proposals were briefly outlined in NHS Englands Long-term Plan, launched by the Prime Minister two weeks ago

These units provide highly specialised care and would ensure more patients were offered mechanical thrombectomies which remove blood clots from the brain to prevent lifelong disabilities.

The remaining 102 stroke units would be reduced to 50 hyper-acute stroke units, or HASUs, which provide world-class treatment.

Juliet Bouverie, the chief executive of the Stroke Association who was involved in NHS Englands Long-term Plan, said: It is a significant reconfiguration [but] given the delays and non-starters over the last few years in attempts at reconfiguring stroke care, we would want this plan implemented quickly.

We know changes to or reductions in numbers of units can sound worrying but evidence tells us it will save lives by ensuring more people are able to access the treatment they need.
Senior British officers have risked upsetting troops stationed 8,000 miles from home with a new ban on inappropriate pictures of naked women on the walls of their barracks.

Troops in the Falklands had plastered their rooms - in some cases, every inch of walls and ceilings - with pictures of naked topless, and scantily clad women torn from the pages of magazines and newspapers.

Photographs in the Sun show one room with literally hundreds of images covering every inch of wall and ceiling.

Military chiefs were apparently unimpressed with 'graphic' wallpaper on some barrack-room walls (stock photo)

Now soldiers sailors and airmen stationed on the South Atlantic islands, site of the British defeat of the 1982 Argentine invasion, have been told to take the pictures down, the paper reported.

An order states: 'COS [Chief of Staff] was not happy with the more graphic wallpaper in some of the rooms.

'It all needs to come down as per direction straight from the top.'

The British military base on the Falklands, Mount Pleasant, has new rules for graphic wallpaper

An aerial view of the runway and airport complex at Mount Pleasant in the Falkland Islands

Troops at the RAF Mount Pleasant base were told they could display a few photos of scantily-clad models but only if they would look 'appropriate on a family beach'.

One said: 'Some of it was getting a bit out of hand but to have zero nudity might be taking it a bit far.'

A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said: 'It is right we provide guidance to personnel on the appropriate decoration of living quarters.'
If your morning rail commute leaves you feeling anxious and irritable, it seems youre not alone.

Almost half of those who travel to work by train are frequently stressed by delayed journeys, a survey shows.

Issues caused by disrupted services include missing time with family and friends, being told off at work for tardiness and additional childcare costs.

The poll conducted by consumer group Which? found 4 per cent have moved house as a result of rail disruption.

Almost half of those who travel to work by train are frequently stressed by delayed journeys, a poll by Which? has found (file picture)

Alex Hayman, of Which?, said: It is shocking that a modern transport system is allowed to have such a negative impact on the people who rely on it every day.

'Its failures are affecting peoples health and employment, and some are even forced to move home as a result.

Train punctuality slumped to a 13-year low last year because of strikes, new timetables, signal failures and bad weather.

One in seven trains were delayed by at least five minutes in the 12 months to December 8  the worst performance since September 2005.

Separate research indicated that, over the last year, distrust of the rail industry has grown from 27 per cent to 32 per cent.

Despite increasing frustration with the industry, rail bosses insist they are improving the network to reduce delays.

Train punctuality slumped to a 13-year low last year because of strikes, new timetables, signal failures and bad weather. Pictured are commuters at Waterloo Station in London

Robert Nisbet, of industry body the Rail Delivery Group, said: We want people to have punctual, stress-free journeys.

Were rebuilding key parts of the network and putting thousands of new and refurbished carriages on track to make journeys more comfortable.

The Department for Transport has commissioned a review by former British Airways chief executive Keith Williams to consider all parts of the rail industry.

Mr Hayman said the Government review must listen to passengers who have too often been an afterthought if it wants to restore faith in the system.
John Mark Wilson, 55, of Sedalia, Missouri has been taken into custody for allegedly trying to hire a hit man to have an adult who has brought child molestation charges against him killed

A Missouri man who is accused of molesting a child 15 years ago has now been taken into custody for allegedly trying to hire a hitman to have that complainant, who is now an adult, killed.

John Mark Wilson, 55, has been charged in federal court with solicitation of murder.

Officials said he paid a $2,000 deposit and promised $5,000 more to an undercover agent to have his alleged victim 'taken out,' according to court filings obtained by DailyMail.com.

Wilson was charged with two counts of statutory sodomy in Pettis County Circuit Court last year, in connection with allegedly assaulting a child victim in 2004.

Officials said they were tipped off on January 11 that Wilson, who is from the city of Sedalia, was trying to hire someone to commit a murder.

Wilson was charged with two counts of statutory sodomy in Pettis County Circuit Court last year, in connection with allegedly assaulting a child victim in 2004. Officials said he paid a $2,000 deposit and promised $5,000 more to an undercover agent to have his alleged victim 'taken out,' according to court filings obtained by DailyMail.com

After receiving the information, a meeting was arranged between Wilson and the tipster by investigators with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Missouri Highway Patrol.

Following that meeting where the tipster said he knew a person in Ohio who could do what Wilson was asking, an undercover ATF agent posing as a hit man met with Wilson at his home on January 16.

At that meeting, Wilson allegedly told the uncover agent, 'Im looking at maybe life in prison,' seemingly referencing his outstanding child molestation charges. He then mentioned a woman, saying it was her son who had made allegations against him.

'Shes extorted five thousand dollars out of me already. Yeah, she showed up a year ago at my front door. Shes just a f**kin b***h, man, this, this chick is hard,' officials said Wilson told them.

'And she showed up wanting money from me and when I wouldnt give it to her she came back and said if you wont give me money Im going to tell them you molested my son.'

According to the document, Wilson said he paid the woman $5,000 and then ran into her one year later, when she demanded more money.

'When I turned her down the next time she had me f**kin arrested,' Wilson allegedly said.

Officials said they were tipped off on January 11 that Wilson, who is from the city of Sedalia, was trying to hire someone to commit a murder

After receiving the information, a meeting was arranged between Wilson and the tipster by investigators with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Missouri Highway Patrol. Following that meeting where the tipster said he knew a person in Ohio who could do what Wilson was asking, an undercover ATF agent posing as a hit man met with Wilson at his home on January 16

At that point, the underover officer asked, 'So what cha you want done?' and Wilson is said to have responded, 'Im afraid, Im want her kid taken out, because hes the one whos putting a complaint against me.' 'You want him dead? the agent asked, and Wilson is said to have replied, 'Yeah. I dont know what else to do. I dont have any other choice. My lawyers not give me a whole lotta hope with all this shit, this me too crap thats going on'

At that point, the underover officer asked, 'So what cha you want done?' and Wilson is said to have responded, 'Im afraid, Im want her kid taken out, because hes the one whos putting a complaint against me.'

'You want him dead? the agent asked, and Wilson is said to have replied, 'Yeah. I dont know what else to do. I dont have any other choice. My lawyers not give me a whole lotta hope with all this shit, this me too crap thats going on.'

At that time, the agent and Wilson agreed on a $2,000 down payment and a later payment of $5,000 after the murder was complete, the document said.

Then, at a follow-up meeting on January 22, Wilson is said to have given the agent, who he thought was his hired hit man, a picture of the alleged victim and the $2,000 deposit. Wilson is also said to have bought the shotgun shells the supposed 'hit man' was to use in the killing.

Wilson left after the exchange, and he was followed by investigators, who eventually pulled him over and arrested him in Pettis County.

Wilson exercised his right to remain silent and asked for an attorney the document stated.

He remains in custody at this time, with a detention hearing and preliminary hearing scheduled in the case on January 28 in US District Court for the Western District of Missouri, in Jefferson City.
John Manley, 35, ploughed the plant hire vehicle into the Travelodge budget hotel

The ex-girlfriend of a workman who smashed his digger into a hotel over unpaid wages lashed out after a GoFundMe page was set up in his honour.

The unnamed woman, claimed 'people shouldn't feel sorry' for John Manley, 35, after he ploughed his vehicle through a Travelodge in Netherton, Merseyside earlier this week.

Manley carried out the damaging stunt after he claimed he was owed 600 by his employers, and a GoFundMe page has since raised 5,000 for the digger driver.

But, according to The Sun, his ex said in a social media post on Thursday: 'people shouldn't feel sorry for him or be paying into this GoFundMe.

'He doesn't deserve a second thought off anybody let alone sympathy!'

The post has since been deleted and most of its content can't be published for legal reasons.

Earlier this week it was revealed Manley had been trying to get mental health treatement for weeks before his rampage, his family say.

One person needed treatment by paramedics after the wrecking spree in Liverpool on Monday afternoon - and a police investigation has been launched.

Mr Manley's cousin Jason Pellegrini, 43, told how he was desperate for the wages to be paid following his work on the site at Liverpool Innovation Park.

He told the Liverpool Echo: 'He's had a very, very bad life. He's not an angel; we don't want to portray him as an angel.

'We have been trying to get him help but there's such a long waiting list. It's not down to the health care professionals, but it's a lack of resources in Sefton.

'We are not condoning what he did at all; someone could have been seriously hurt and he's not a national hero like some people have been making out.

'He is very troubled and it's something when he has had to do what he did to get the kind of help he needs.

The digger smashes into the Travelodge hotel in Liverpool, breaking the front doors

'He told me he does not want any money, he just wants his mates to get paid and he wants to get well.'

Mr Pellegrini denied reports that his cousin had been paid when he trashed the hotel, but had not checked his bank account, saying he does not have an account.

He said that Mr Manley, originally from London, but who has been living in the Sefton area for several years, had been displaying worrying symptoms in recent months and his family had been worried.

Mr Pellegrini said: 'He would ring the GP at 8am when it opens, and there would already be 37 people in the waiting line for an appointment.

The determined driver rolls up the steps for a second time after smashing the glass doors

'We wanted to get him to a psychiatrist in Crosby but the waiting list is so long.'

He said Mr Manley had experienced a 'traumatic' childhood and had worked sporadically.

He said: 'I know he was technically of no fixed abode and could not claim benefits, so when he didn't work he literally had nothing.

'He had no money for gas, electric or food. He had not been paid on the Friday and he was trying to call his boss all weekend. His boss would not answer the phone.

'I think in the end he just snapped. He said to me he would not have done it if he'd had an explanation.'

In astonishing video footage of the rampage, colleagues of the man - named only as 'John' - appeared to cheer him on, with one shouting, 'That's what happens when you don't get paid.'

The destroyed reception of the Travelodge on Edge Lane, Liverpool, pictured yesterday

But other workers seemed to be trying to stop the destruction.

The vehicle could be seen mounting the steps in front of the hotel at Liverpool Innovation Park on Edge Lane, between the city's Wavertree and Fairfield suburbs.

After reaching the top of the steps, the arm of the digger was sent crashing through the glass at the top of the door before tearing through the entrance.

A few moments later, the digger briefly rolled back out of the entrance and down the steps, but the determined operator headed back up and through the front door.

Once inside the reception of the hotel, the digger driver then proceeded to crash into walls and the front desk, and swing his bucket around, ripping down part of the ceiling.

Once the digger came to a standstill, a worker could be seen going over to the driver and shaking his hand.

Parts of the ceiling and the entire front door can be seen broken and laying on the floor

The driver could be heard swearing and telling a colleague he is owed 600.

Last night, it was claimed the workman who rampaged with the digger had been paid but did not realise.

It wsa said that he was among workers at the site employed by subcontractor MF Construction, who were meant to receive their wages last Friday but a banking glitch meant they were not paid until Monday.

It was claimed the labourer tried but failed to track down his boss and 'became increasingly frustrated', before climbing into the digger.

One fellow workman told The Sun: 'The money was supposed to go into his bank on Friday. But there was some kind of glitch and it didn't go in until Monday.

'He didn't check his bank account and didn't realise he'd actually been paid. That's why he went mental and wrecked the place.'

Travelodge's website says the hotel is 'opening soon' but the damage could set back plans

Some of the ceiling panels are ripped off during the incident, left and pictures of the damage, right, show the extent of the damage

Another builder said: 'I've been told the lad thought he'd not got his money. But it just went into his bank account late and he didn't check his account on the Monday.'

Samuel White, 24, who had worked on the wrecked ceiling, said yesterday: 'We'd put the last tile in, cleaned up and made sure everything was perfect.

'Then some idiot in a mini digger decided to drive through the middle of the building.

'There were loads of workers outside all gobsmacked, jaws to the floor wondering what's going on.'

MF Construction's owner, Neil Freeman, was unavailable for comment.

On the Travelodge website, the hotel is listed as 'opening soon', but the extensive damage could now set back their plans.

Police were called to the scene at 3pm on Monday but the digger driver had already left the vehicle and ran from the area.

Metal fences can be seen around the steps leading to the reception as workers checked the site after the incident

Michael Parkinson, managing director of Triton Construction, which is building the Travelodge, said of the incident: 'It's an act of madness, really.

'The individual concerned was employed by one of our subcontractors and had worked for them for a couple of weeks.

'The damage will be covered by insurance and is limited to one room only. There is no structural damage.'

Merseyside Police were yesterday trying to trace the digger driver.

A spokesman said: 'A report was received that the digger was being driven into the entrance of the Travelodge building in the Liverpool Innovation Park.

'The driver then left the vehicle and made off on foot. One man experienced eye irritation due to exposure to diesel and was treated at the scene by North West Ambulance Service.'

The force has not yet reported making any arrests.

Travelodge said it was unable to comment due to the live police investigation, adding that it has not yet taken possession of the site, which is still in the hands of developers.
Four men have been arrested after $77million worth of heroin was allegedly smuggled into Sydney from Malaysia.

The consignment, marked as gym equipment and supplements, arrived in the country via air cargo in early January.

Australian Border Force officers spotted anomalies in the packed crates, and allegedly found 400 blocks of heroin weighing 154kg.

The drugs were allegedly hidden in three of four crates containing various handicraft items and timber souvenirs.

Heroin worth $77million (pictured) was allegedly smuggled into Australia from Malaysia

In raids across Sydney related to the heroin smuggling, police allegedly seized a further 7.5kg of heroin, methylamphetamine worth more than $26millions, weapons and $200 000 in cash (pictured)

After the alleged seizure a police strike force made a series of arrests, and carried out raids at homes across Sydney, allegedly netting a trove of drugs and cash.

During the searches, police allegedly seized a further 7.5kg of heroin, and 35kg of methylamphetamine, or ice.

The ice has a potential street value of more than $26million.

Police also found more than $200,000 cash, a money counter, safes, heat sealers, scales, drug paraphernalia, knuckle dusters, computers, electronic items, mobile phones, and financial documents.

'Basically, over $107million worth of drugs would've hit the streets,' New South Wales Police Acting Assistant Commissioner Stuart Smith told 2GB radio.

The raids came after Strike Force Roath delivered the heroin to a home at Arncliffe on Wednesday, where they were allegedly accepted by a 31-year-old man on Thursday.

The drugs were then allegedly split and on-supplied to a 26-year-old man and a 29-year-old man.

All three men were arrested soon after, while a fourth man, 26, was arrested at Newcastle.

Methylamphetamine with a street value of $26million (pictured) was allegedly seized in raids conducted across Sydney and related to the alleged drug smuggling operation

The four men are all foreign nationals, according to Mr Smith.

They have been charged with a number of offences including commercial drug supply, knowingly direct activities of criminal group, and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.

'We will allege in the investigation that people travelled to our country to distribute a large quantity of drugs,' Mr Smith said.

'We will allege they were in the act of breaking that down and distributing it into the Sydney market.'

All four men were refused bail to appear at local courts today.
Tom Kalaris, 63, pictured, is on trial with three others at Londons Southwark Crown Court charged with conspiracy to commit fraud

A Barclays boss said the bank would collapse without a multi-billion-pound bailout from Qatar, a court heard yesterday.

As the 2008 financial crisis raged, the banks executives were desperate to avoid a Government bailout and protect their salaries and very large bonuses, prosecutors said.

To keep the bank afloat, four top executives agreed to funnel 322 million in secret fees to Middle Eastern investors, it is claimed.

The Qataris had the bank by the b****, meaning they could drive a hard bargain, a senior banker told colleagues.

The court heard that Tom Kalaris, former chief executive of wealth management, told the banks then-finance boss Richard Boath that he did not want anyone from the bank to go to jail over the deal because the food sucks and the sex is worse.

In June 2008, Boath said of a Qatari negotiator: What he doesnt realise is that if he doesnt come through with his money, were f*****.

Boath, Kalaris, ex-Barclays chief executive John Varley and fellow former banker Roger Jenkins are on trial at Londons Southwark Crown Court charged with conspiracy to commit fraud.

They are accused of hiding commission fees paid to Qataris to sweeten the multi-billion-pound investment deal from shareholders and other investors.

It is claimed that to keep the bank afloat, four top executives at Barclays agreed to funnel 322 million in secret fees to Middle Eastern investors (file picture)

Prosecutor Edward Brown QC told the jury that in the lead-up to the deal, Kalaris remarked in an email that the Qataris played frankly a little harder ball than expected.

He read from a communication in which Boath said: Without 1billion, at the very least, from [Qatar] we are basically dead.

Mr Brown said that by early June 2008 the defendants knew the Qataris wanted to be paid substantially more than the fee other investors were getting.

He added: The conspirators agreed to use the advisory services agreement [ASA] as the dishonest mechanism to get around the problem of how to pay the Qataris a greater fee than the others and entered into, the Crown say, the conspiracy.

The prosecution said that, while other investors were paid 1.5 per cent in commission fees, the Qataris ended up getting more than double that.

Investment bankers working under the quartet said they could not find a structure that would look acceptable to an ordinary shareholder, so the ASA structure was devised, the prosecution claimed.

Varley, 62, Jenkins, 63, Boath, 60, and Kalaris, 63, deny conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation in relation to Barclays June 2008 capital raising (file picture)

The Qataris, through Qatar Holding and the Qatar Investment Authority, eventually made investments in Barclays of approximately 1.9 billion in June 2008 and 2.05 billion in November 2008, the court has heard.

Varley, 62, Jenkins, 63, Boath, 60, and Kalaris, 63, deny conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation in relation to Barclays June 2008 capital raising.

Varley and Jenkins, a former executive chairman of investment banking for Barclays Capital, also deny a second fraud count in relation to the second capital raising.

The trial, expected to last four to six months, continues.
New photos reveal how a British sailor murdered his wife while on their honeymoon in the Caribbean by intentionally sinking the small ship they were on.

British-Australian man Lewis Bennett has pleaded guilty to killing his new wife Isabella Hellman, 41, at sea and prosecutors are now seeking a maximum sentence.

Prosecutors have released photos of the damage Bennett allegedly inflicted on the ship's hull in an effort to sink it and make Hellman's death look like a tragic accident.

The FBI has accused Bennett, from Poole, Dorset, of intentionally sinking the ship in a bid to inherit his wife's estate in the horrific plot which unfolded on May 15, 2017.

The photos became crucial because they showed the portholes below the waterline of the vessel had been opened and the damage was inflicted from the inside.

Honeymoon murder: New photos show how British sailor Lewis Bennett (left) deliberately opened escape hatches and damaged the hull of a catamaran he and his wife Isabella Hellman (right) were sailing on in May 2017, in a plot to kill her

Escape hatches located at the bottom of the couple's catamaran were found wide open in pictures taken by the U.S. Coast Guard after the vessel sunk

The same vessel view above water shows the escape hatches wide open when they should have been closed

An ajar escape hatch on the vessel is pictured on the left after the ship sunk

Bennett allegedly opened escape hatches and damaged the twin hulls of the catamaran he and Hellman were travelling on for their honeymoon, reported CBS12.

After the two went out sailing, the vessel then sank and Bennett made an SOS call saying the boat called Surf into Summer was sinking and his wife was missing.

He claimed the ship struck an unknown object while he was in a cabin inside the vessel. When he came up he did not see Hellman and the ship was taking on water.

He was rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard between Cuba and the Bahamas and was found on a life raft stuffed with his luggage, stolen silver coins, and provisions.

Hellman's body was never found and Bennett said he had no idea what happened to her but suspected she was swept off and into the sea when the ship submerged.

A giant hole is pictured on the side of the catamaran the couple were traveling in when Isabella Hellman drowned in May 2017

The Coast Guard pictured above finding the vessel (underwater on the right) Bennett allegedly deliberately sunk in a bid to kill his new wife to inherit her estate

This photo shows the sunken ship called Surf into Summer after it submerged in May 2017

The photos prosecutors have unveiled include Bennett's sunken damaged 37ft catamaran and photos of the life raft he was rescued on.

According to FBI, the ship's portholes below the waterline of the vessel had been opened and the damage on the ship was inflicted from the inside.

After returning to the US, Bennett immediately took the couple's toddler daughter Emilia to the UK where his family lives, refusing to let Hellman's family see the child.

Then he filed a motion with Florida courts asking for his wife to be declared dead and possession of the Delray Beach apartment in her name be given to him.

A judge rejected the motion. Prosecutor Kurt Lunkenheimer has asked a judge to go above the sentencing guidelines of 41 months for Bennett.

The couple were on their honeymoon in May 2017 when Bennett allegedly deliberately sunk the catamaran they were sailing on. He was later rescued by the Coast Guard when he was found on a life raft. Hellman's body was never found

'The fact that the defendant would pack all of these items into a life raft, but not actively and diligently look for his wife' was one of the reasons the prosecution sought an eight-year prison sentence for Bennett.

Bennett was at first charged with second-degree murder.

That charge was then whittled to involuntary manslaughter in a guilty plea deal, which carries a maximum sentence of eight years.

Bennett pleaded guilty after investigators determined he intentionally sunk the vessel after they found evidence of holes made intentionally from inside the boat.

After the incident he went to Florida to ask courts to declare Colombia-born Hellman as dead so he could inherit her estate, which a judge declined to do

The two shared a young daughter named Emilia together. After Hellman was never found he took their daughter to the UK

Bennett's sentencing is scheduled for next Tuesday in Miami, Florida. Before her murder, things were becoming rocky for the couple.

Text messages from the Colombian-born Hellman said she noticed a change in Bennett's behavior after their daughter Emilia was born in 2016 and he became very angry with her.

Prosecutors claim the couple's 'marital strife' was a motive for the alleged murder.

'Hellmans murder would remove the marital strife from the defendants life, allow the defendant to live his life as he pleased, and would enable him to inherit money from Hellmans estate,' a prosecutor previously said.
Britain will ramp up security at its ports using night-vision goggles, drones and number plate recognition cameras to tackle the migrant crisis as part of a 6million deal with France.

Home Secretary Sajid Javid and French interior minister Christophe Castaner signed off on the action plan today which commits both countries to sending migrants who illegally cross the Channel back to France.

The agreement was penned following talks at Westminster, one day after the first handful of migrants were returned as the plan came into immediate force.

Britain's Home Secretary Sajid Javid and French Interior Minister Christophe Castaner sign the 6m agreement which will ramp up security at UK ports

The ministers shake on the deal, which will see more than 6 million invested in new security equipment including night vision goggles and number plate recognition cameras

Immigration minister Caroline Nokes (pictured today with French interior minister Christophe Castaner, in France) has said Britain will step up pressure on France to take back more migrants crossing the channel in dinghies to the English coast

The Home Office said a group of fewer than five migrants who crossed the Channel last month were returned to France yesterday.

Both ministers committed to tackling the issue after a sharp rise in the number of migrants attempting to cross the 'dangerous shipping lane' in small boats.

They said it was vital to stop vulnerable migrants attempting 'treacherous crossings' and to tackle the people smugglers who are putting their lives in danger.

Meanwhile, Immigration Minister Caroline Nokes was in France today where she signalled that Britain will heap more pressure on France to take back more migrants who are caught trying to cross the Channel in dinghies.

She said: 'We've already returned a small number of migrants and we are going to continue working going forwards to make sure that pressure is stepped up.'

The new UK-France plan will see more than 6m invested in new security equipment as well as a mutual commitment to carry out return operations as quickly as possible under the Dublin Regulation.

The Dublin Regulation is an EU law that determines which EU member state is responsible for the examination of an application for asylum.

The plan comes as a 'small number of migrants' who made the illegal journey at the end of last year were returned to France on Thursday morning, the Home Office said.

A family of migrants wait to be rescued off Calais on Christmas day after their boat broke down trying to cross the Channel

The French Patrolman of Gendarmerie boat, the Athos, rescues 11 migrants 15 miles off Calais over Christmas

Mr Javid and Mr Castaner also agreed that migrants encountered in the Channel will be taken to the nearest safe port, in accordance with international maritime law.

The Home Office said this will build on the success of the French authorities in preventing attempted departures from French ports and beaches which has seen 44 successful disruptions covering 267 people since January 2018.

It said the UK will continue to work closely with France and other countries to return more migrants who have entered the UK by small boat in order to provide a strong deterrent against the dangerous crossings.

Both governments have stressed that all criminals will be prosecuted.

Mr Javid said the plan increases joint action to secure both borders and discourage the 'dangerous' attempts to cross the Channel in small boats.

He added: 'It is vital we continue to work closely with our French partners to stop vulnerable migrants making these treacherous crossings and tackle the people smugglers who are putting their lives in danger.'

Mr Castaner added: 'By combating illegal Channel crossings by migrants, we're saving lives and deterring new migrants from coming to Hauts-de-France.'

Mr Javid cut short his Christmas break last month to deal with what he described as a 'major incident' unfolding in waters off the south coast and pledged to do more to tackle the issue.

Both ministers said the deal was vital to stop vulnerable migrants attempting 'treacherous crossings' in small boats like this one off Calais

Migrants are brought about a Navy boat by officials after being found in the Channel over Christmas

The UK has agreed to allocate more than 6 million to support France's regional action plan to bolster surveillance and security on French beaches and ports which has been in place since early January.

Just over half of the investment will come from 44.5 million already allocated under the Sandhurst Treaty on UK-France cooperation signed by Prime Minister Theresa May and President Macron in January 2018.

An additional 3.2 million of new funding will be used for equipment and measures to tackle illegal migration by small boats, such as CCTV, night goggles and number plate recognition capability.

Additional security cameras will be installed at French ports and in areas where migrants may attempt to embark boats which will be fed live to the UK-France Coordination and Information Centre in Calais.

British Ambassador to France Edward Llewellyn, Mr Javid, Mr Castaner and Ambassador of France to the UK Jean-Pierre Jouyet after talks at Westminster today

There will be increased surveillance of the Channel by air and boat patrols, with shared intelligence between UK and French authorities.

Foot patrols across beaches and coastal areas by the French police will be ramped up, and attempted crossings will be disrupted.

Dover MP Charlie Elphicke said: 'Everyone knows that the best deterrent is for traffickers to know that migrants will never succeed in entering the UK.

'This action plan is an encouraging step forward.

'Returning migrants to France will clearly have a powerful deterrent effect.

'And the plan to disrupt traffickers on departure beaches is also essential.

'Yet the 24/7 aerial surveillance we have been calling for is also vital, and we need to know more about these plans, as well as when the cutters will return from the Med to make our borders more secure.'
This was never about the city having more risk to liability from lawsuits, Scott said. The state doesnt pay out a dime when the city Police Department is sued. I hope the mayor and city solicitor have come to terms that in order for Baltimores Police Department to be truly reformed, it, like every other police department in the country, has to be locally controlled.
Universities must stop pressuring applicants into accepting unconditional offers, the higher education watchdog has warned.

Unconditional offer-making  where applicants receive a place regardless of their A level results  has risen rapidly over the last five years, from 3,000 in 2013 to 117,000 in 2018.

The Office for Students (OfS) said this means admissions tutors are pushing youngsters to accept places on courses which may be wrong for them.

OfS research found students who take these offers are more likely to miss their predicted grades by two or more grades.

Education Secretary Damian Hinds said the rise in these offers is disturbing and not in the best interests of students.
A five-month-old Michigan baby boy survived against overwhelming odds after police say a vacant home where he had been staying with his parents filled with carbon monoxide, killing the young couple.

Battle Creek Detective Sgt. Todd Elliott said on Thursday that 20-year-old Brandon Bull, of Bronson, and 19-year-old Cylie Jo Canniff, of Coldwater, had been using a gas-powered generator to operate a portable kerosene heater inside the house.

The residence in the 2200 block of Capital Avenue SW did not have electricity, heat or running water.

Tragic family: Brandon Bull, 20, and Cylie Jo Canniff (pictured left), 19, died of carbon monoxide poisoning on Wednesday, but their five-month-old son, Mason (right), somehow survived

Investigators wait outside a home in Battle Creek, Michigan, where the young parents were found dead after carbon monoxide filled the house from a generator and portable heater

Elliott says the couple was helping a contractor remodel the home but was not supposed to be staying in the house at night.

The contractor was assured by the couple that someone had planned to pick them up Tuesday and take them to a different location, according to the detective.

The contractor found them dead just after 8am on Wednesday.

Elliott says Canniff and Bull spent the night on an air mattress in the family room with their son, Mason Lee Bull, reported WOOD-TV.

According to police, the infant was breathing and responsive when he was taken to a Kalamazoo hospital to be treated for exposure to carbon monoxide.

During a press conference on Wednesday, Elliott attributed the baby's survival to 'the grace of God.'

'Talking with medical personnel, with the levels of carbon monoxide that were in that house, the baby shouldve died,' he said.

Canniff and Bull (pictured at their baby shower last year) were helping a contractor remodel the home but had no permission to spend the night there

A detective said baby Mason (pictured on the day of his birth, left) survived 'by the grace of God,' given that the levels of carbon monoxide were twice the lethal amount

The Battle Creek Fire Department's sensors showed carbon monoxide levels on the first floor were 700 parts per million and were above 900ppm on the second floor, which is more than twice the lethal amount.

Investigators have found no evidence to suggest foul play, with Elliott calling the death a 'tragic accident.'

A City building inspector was called out to the scene and found no violations.

Child Protective Services is looking for relatives of Canniff and Bull to release the orphaned baby boy into their custody.
A heroic police dog has braved scorching conditions to chase down and nab a gang of teenage muggers - and rewarded himself with a well-earned dip.

Rocky, a long-haired German shepherd helped his handlers arrest five teenagers in Essendon, northern Melbourne, on Thursday night.

Officers were called to a house about 7.30pm after a 25-year-old man was reportedly assaulted and robbed of his phone and credit cards by five boys.

Rocky, a long-haired German shepherd helped his handlers arrest five teenagers in Essendon, Melbourne on Thursday night

He enjoyed a swim in the Maribyrnong River, cooling off for 25 minutes after his action-packed evening

The gang allegedly arrived at the house on Rose Street in a stolen Subaru Impreza, later found by police after it was ditched.

All five teenagers left the car and sprinted down Riverside Avenue in nearby Keilor.

Rocky was unleashed in an attempt to catch them, and chased four down with ease despite Melbourne reaching a high of 40C on Thursday.

He found one hiding in long grass more than 1km from the Subaru, while another three were sniffed out hiding in nearby bushes.

The fifth teenager was arrested beforehand after a short pursuit on foot with police officers.

Rocky was unleashed in an attempt to catch them a gang of teenagers who allegedly stole credit cards

Rocky then enjoyed a swim in the nearby Maribyrnong River, cooling off for 25 minutes after his action-packed evening.

The dog's efforts have been recognised with a 'well-deserved rest' and he will be 'inundated with treats', a police spokeswoman said.

All five of the youngsters aged between 16 and 18 have been charged with offences including theft and assault, and were scheduled to appear in court.
The Illinois attorney general is reportedly reviewing former cop Jason Van Dyke's six year sentence for killing teen Laquan McDonald after his supporters called it a 'slap in the face'.

Spokeswoman Maura Possley told The Chicago Tribune: 'We are going to do a careful review of the record and the law and make a determination based on our review.'

White Chicago cop Van Dyke broke down in tears after he sentenced to six years and nine months in prison and two years supervised mandatory release for second-degree murder

It is unclear exactly what the attorney general Kwame Raoul and his office are reviewing but it may force a re-sentencing before the Illinois Supreme Court or recommendations for clearer guidelines.

Legal experts say it is unheard of for the attorney general to take the case higher without the trial prosecutor's say so.

Scroll down for video.

Jason Van Dyke, left, was sentenced to six years and nine months in prison and two years supervised mandatory release for second-degree murder. He broke down in tears, right, after sentencing and: 'The last thing I wanted to do was shoot Laquan McDonald'

Former Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke reads a statement at his sentencing hearing at the Leighton Criminal Court Building

McDonald was seen crumpling to the ground in a hail of 16 bullets as he walked away from officers in shocking dashcam footage that stoked outrage nationwide

Special prosecutor Joseph McMahon had sought a prison term of 18 to 20 years for Van Dyke but he had not indicated he would challenge the sentence.

He told DailyMail.com: 'The law does not allow a prosecutor the right to appeal a sentence. The propriety of a sentence may be challenged by filing a petition for a Writ of Mandamus.

'However, the granting or denial of that petition is subject to the discretion of the Illinois Supreme Court. We are currently reviewing the trial court's ruling in conjunction with the relevant case law and statutory authority that bears on the sentence imposed on Jan. 18.

'The unique facts of this case require consideration of the complex principles of Illinois law.'

Daniel Herbert, one of Van Dyke's attorneys, said Raoul was exploiting 'the tragic death of Laquan McDonald for his own political gain'.

Judge Vincent Gaughan had said at sentencing: 'I assume 100 percent of people will be disappointed.'

With good behavior Van Dyke, 40, could be released in three years due to the second-degree nature of the charge.

Laquan's great-uncle Marvin Hunter said it was the sentence for a 'second-class citizen'.

'That's a slap in the face, to us, and a slap on the wrist to him,' activist William Calloway said.

Van Dyke's attorney Daniel Herbert, said after the sentencing it was the first time he'd seen his client 'happy'. He explained: 'He was happy about the prospect of life ahead of him.'

Van Dyke - the first Chicago officer to be charged with murder for an on-duty shooting in about 50 years - got off lightly after the 16 counts of aggravated battery for each time he shot McDonald, were given less weight.

If the aggravated battery counts were given as much weight Van Dyke was expected to be sentenced anywhere from 18 to 20 in prison. But the state could have allowed up to 96 years, six years for each gunshot.

Van Dyke said minutes before his sentencing: 'The last thing I wanted to do was shoot Laquan McDonald.'

Activist William Calloway speaks to reporters after former Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke was sentenced to six years for the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald

Protesters stand outside the Leighton Criminal Courts Building during the sentencing of former Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke

Illinois attorney general Kwame Raoul is said to be 'reviewing' the six year sentence after supporters of slain black teen called the jail time a 'slap in the face'

The 17-year-old was seen crumpling to the ground in a hail of 16 bullets as he walked away from officers in shocking dashcam footage that stoked outrage nationwide.

The video appeared to show the teen collapsing in a heap after the first few shots and moving in large part because bullets kept striking his body for 10 more seconds.

Police were responding to a report of a male who was breaking into trucks and stealing radios on the city's South Side.

City Hall released the video to the public in November 2015 - 13 months after the shooting - and acted only because a judge ordered it to do so. The charges against Van Dyke were not announced until the day of the video's release.

a different judge acquitted three officers accused of trying to conceal what happened to protect Van Dyke.

Cook County Judge Domenica Stephenson cleared former officer Joseph Walsh, former detective David March and officer Thomas Gaffney on charges of obstruction of justice, official misconduct and conspiracy.
An elderly junkyard owner has become the first person to be jailed under Worksafe Victoria duty laws after a man was crushed to death by steel poles at her business.

Maria Jackson, 72, from Foster, 174km east of Melbourne, was jailed for six months after being found guilty of recklessly endangering a worker leading to their death.

The worker, Robbie Blake, was cleaning scrap metal from a bin when Jackson used a forklift to pick it up, causing the man to plunge three metres to the ground when the bottom of the bin gave out, before being crushed by a load of steel poles.

Maria Jackson, 72, (pictured) is the first person to be jailed under the Worksafe Victoria duty laws after a man wash crushed to death by a load of steel poles

Jackson pleaded guilty to breaching the Occupational Health and Safety Act in which, as the owner, she has a duty of care to keep her employees safe, ABC News reported.

Jackson was also fined $10,000 and ordered to pay $7336 in court costs in the Latrobe Valley Magistrates' Court.

WorkSafe Health and Safety Executive Director Julie Nielsen said Ms Jackson had shown an 'abhorrent disregard for the health and safety of people in her workplace'.

'The consequences for operating plant and equipment such as forklifts without a license or the proper training were catastrophic,' Ms Nielsen said.

'All business owners and employers are responsible for the health and safety of everyone in their workplace, including employees, customers and anyone else who might be affected by their actions.

'WorkSafe will not hesitate to prosecute companies that fail to maintain a safe workplace and seek the maximum penalties available to the courts.'

The worker, Robbie Blake, was cleaning scrap metal from a bin when Jackson used a forklift to pick it up, causing the man to plunge three metres after the bottom of the bin gave out before being crushed by the steel poles

One Foster local, Anne Roussac-Hoyne, told ABC News that jailing Jackson would achieve little but it seemed the only course to take.

'Is it going to change anything to put a 72-year-old woman in jail? Probably not, but Maria had her own often colourful and harsh way of doing things and Robbie Blake has died needlessly,' she told the publication.

Jackson had been running the scrapyard for more than four decades before the death of Mr Blake.

She was originally granted bail and appealed the sentence but withdrew the appeal on January 19 and was taken into police custody sometime this week.
Thanks to its geographic diversity, Australia has some of the most beautiful scenic drives on Earth.

Towering mountain ranges, lush rainforests, jaw-dropping ocean roads, and arid deserts make for incredible experiences.

From the Great Ocean Road, in Victoria, to the the Great Eastern Drive, in Tasmania, we look at some of the most breathtaking road trips in Australia.

Great Ocean Road

The Great Ocean Road is a popular choice for tourists and Aussies alike and its not hard to see why.

The twisting 243-kilometre long road from Torquay, south of Melbourne to Warrnambool, provides spectacular ocean views and is perhaps Australia's most famous road trip.

Along the way motorists can expect to see the 12 Apostles, London Arch, Loch Ard Gorge and the Grotto.

The Great Ocean Road is a popular favourite for anyone looking to enjoy spectacular coastal views and breathtaking scenery

Along the way motorists can expect to see the 12 Apostles, London Arch, Loch Ard Gorge and the Grotto

If you're looking to cool down, you'll be spoilt for choice and could try popular spots like Bells Beach (Torquay), Johanna Beach, Black Nose Pont (Portland) and Easter Reef.

Point Addis, Anglesea Hill, Loveridge Lookout, Mt Defiance, Teddys Lookout and Cape Patton are also big hits with travellers.

The road can get busy with families travelling with children during the school holidays so if you're looking to beat the crowds we recommend planning a trip around those times.

Great Eastern Drive

Tasmania's east coast is a picturesque mix of farmland, rock-formations, vineyards and coastal views.

Next on the list is the Great Eastern Drive - Tasmania's pride, and picturesque east coast

Farmland, rock-formations, vineyards and coastal views make for a perfect mix on a this relaxing drive

Along the way you'll drive through Freycinet National Park, which is home to dramatic pink granite peaks, secluded bays and white, sandy beaches.

If you're in the mood for a walk with incredible views, Maria Island National Park is also only a short boat trip from Triabunna, and is well worth a visit.

The island is home to the World Heritage-listed Darlington convict probation station as well as stunning wildlife and more beautiful beaches.

Nullarbor Crossing

If you're had your fill of ocean drives, Western Australia's inland Nullarbor Crossing could be the one for you.

If you're had your fill of ocean drives, Western Australia's inland Nullarbor Crossing could be the one for you

The long stretch of road between Perth and Adelaide cuts through the Nullarbor National Park - home to some of Australia's beautiful native fauna and flora.

Along the way, geologists and rock mineral lovers can check out Kalgoorlie and explore the mining history of the town.

This drive also includes the longest straight road in Australia, a 146.6 kilometre stretch from Balladonia to Caiguna.

Take a slight detour off the Nullarbor Crossing and you can see the rugged coastline known as the Great Australian Bight.

Travellers are warned to carry enough fuel, food and water shops are few and far between and some places will even charge you a fee to refill your water bottle.

Cairns to Cape York

More adventurous among types will adore the Cairns to Cape York drive, not least because it requires a 4x4.

For those who like to live dangerously among the crocodiles, the trip from Cairns to Cape York is up there with the must-travel roads

Anyone wishing to take on the Cairns to Cape York coastal drive must also be driving a four-wheel drive - anything smaller and you just might become stranded, with rainforests and crocodiles surrounding you

The way between Cairns and Cape York has as many characters to it as it does varying roads along the way

Follow the coastal route via Cape Tribulation, the Daintree and the Bloomfield Tracka and you'll be treated to crocodile sightings, ancient rock art, dense rainforest and views of the Great Barrier Reef.

Great Alpine Road

If you're looking for a real adventure, then head out on the twisting Great Alpine Road.

Drive for 340 kilometres through awesome mountain ranges and steep valleys.

On the way you'll pass forests, farms and beautiful wine country between Wangaratta and Metung.

Looking for a real adventure then take the great twists and turns that is the Great Alpine Road

For 340 kilometres drivers can dip between the picturesque mountain ranges and steep valleys

Perth to Ningaloo

The rusty-red desert of the outback opens onto the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean on the incredible coastal drive from Perth to Ningaloo.

Take in the beautiful Red Bluff Quobba Station and you might even spot a kangaroo

Vlamingh Head in Ningaloo is the perfect spot to take in the incredible panoramic views of the beach

Along the 1,200km drive is the pretty fishing town of Cervantes, the coastal city of Geraldton and Monkey Mia, where tourists can see bottlenose dolphins.

Go to Ningaloo reef to get up close and swim with whale sharks, turtles, manta rays and other sea creatures.

Coral Bay a perfect place to go to the beach, go diving or ride a quad bike over the sand dunes.
Donald Trump publicly slapped down Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross Thursday after the 81-year-old multimillionaire said he 'can't understand' why furloughed federal employees are going to food banks and said they should borrow money instead.

About 800,000 federal workers on Friday will experience their second pay period without a check when the partial government shutdown goes into Day 35.

When pressed about the hardships these workers were facing Ross, 81, said 'I don't really quite understand why' they had to go to food banks.

'I know they are, and I don't really quite understand why,' he told CNBC's 'Squawk Box' on Thursday morning. 'Because, as I mentioned before, the obligations that they would undertake, say borrowing from a bank or a credit union are in effect federally guaranteed.'

'So the 30 days of pay that some people will be out, there's no real reason why they shouldn't be able to get a loan against it, and we've seen a number of ads of financial institutions doing that,' he said.

'Banks and credit unions should be making credit available to them. There is really not a good excuse why there should be a liquidity crisis. True, people will have to pay a little interest,' he told 'Squawk Box' on Thursday morning. 'There is no reason why some institutions would not be able to lend.'

Hours later at the White House Trump was asked about the gaffe during a freeewheeling question and answer session with reporters and said: 'Perhaps he should have said it differently.'

Slap down: Trump rebuked Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross who said he doesn't understand why furloughed federal workers can't get loans and why they are visiting food banks

Furloughed federal workers protested on Capitol Hill Wednesday

Hundreds of furloughed federal workers line up outside the World Central Kitchen on Tuesday in Washington, DC to receive a meal

Trump then said Ross 'has done a great job, I will tell you that', framing it in the past tense, which will inevitably raise questions in Washington D.C. over whether the former Wall Street corporate raider may be about to leave the Cabinet.

Trump claimed that 'grocery stores' and banks would 'work along' with furloughed workers, and said he believed that was what Ross was trying to say.

The commerce secretary's remarks earned outrage at a time when the Trump administration was already battling a perception that it doesn't care about furloughed federal workers.

Later on Thursday, Ross went on Bloomberg TV to try to clean up his earlier remarks.

'We're painfully aware that there are hardships inflicted on the individual workers,' he said. 'There are people experiencing hardship,' he noted.

Ross had suggested on CNBC that workers should get loans from banks to cover them until the shutdown ends - even if that means paying interest.

He told Bloomberg TV he was trying to give workers resources to use with his suggestion.

'Part of my purpose in what I said this morning is to try to make sure the workers who are experiencing liquidity crises know that may be a source they could go to,' Ross said.

Hundreds of banks and credit unions have offered low or no-interest loans to workers.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi criticized Ross on Thursday morning for having a 'let them eat cake' attitude at her weekly news conference.

'They have Wilbur Ross saying he just doesn't understand why when he was asked about people going into food lines and pantries and the rest, he said he doesn't understand why they have to do that. I don't know if this the let them eat cake kind of attitude or call your father money or this is character building for you, it's all going to end up very well,' she said at the Capitol on Thursday morning.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer also said that Ross' comment was 'unreal' in a tweet that qualified the Trump administration official as a 'billionaire.'

Ross was once thought to be a billionaire, but Forbes reported in 2017 that he is not. Forbes said that he 'lied' about his net worth. He has $700 million in assets, it estimated.

He acknowledged those in a government filing last year.

His gaffe capped a series of missteps by Trump officials including the president himself.

The president claimed that a 'lot of the people that aren't getting their checks are letting us know we don't care, you've got to solve the crisis at the border' earlier in January.

Lara Trump, a daughter-in-law to the president and a spokesperson for his reelection campaign, said Wednesday in an interview with BOLD TV, 'It is a little bit of pain but it's going to be for the future of our country and their children and their grandchildren and generations after them will thank them for their sacrifice.'

She and her husband Eric's net worth is not known, but her father-in-law is a billionaire.

At the White House, the president's chief economic adviser, Larry Kudlow, tried not to make the same mistake as his colleague. He said that he is fully aware of the 'hardships' that furloughed workers are facing

At the White House, the president's National Economic Council director, Larry Kudlow - who is worth between $2 million and $25 million, according to his government filings - tried not to make the same mistake as his colleague.

He said that he is fully aware of the 'hardships' that furloughed workers are facing. Kudlow noted that he has young staffers who are working without pay.

'Nobody, including myself, likes the hardship caused, the temporary hardship caused, by the government shutdown. Nobody, I have said this, I have young people on my staff, devoted young people,' he said.

'You know when you're 28-years-old, you don't save a lot. I get that. And I think a lot of people will have to get through this.'

Responding to a question from DailyMail.com about Ross, and charges that his comments on food bank and loans were 'out of touch,' Kudlow said he could speak only for himself.

'I fret about the hardship,' he said. 'Am I out of touch? I don't think I'm out of touch, I'm addressing the problem.

'I've met with my individual staff members, and god bless 'em, they're working for free, they're volunteering. But they do it, because they believe government service is honorable, and they believe in President Trump, and they're working as hard as ever. I just hope we get this thing done, you know, ASAP.'

Another reporter noted that other federal workers are not 'volunteering,' in some cases, as they are being compelled to come to work during the shutdown.

Kudlow said he was sympathetic to their plight. 'I've become a great fan of the millennials,' he said as he walked out of the impromptu briefing he was giving in the press room of the White House in front of the podium.

Ross' tenure in President Trump's Cabinet has been marked by reports that he's both on the way out and in favor.

. @CommerceGov Secretary Wilbur Ross on federal workers going to homeless shelters for food during #shutdown: Well I know they are and I don't really quite understand why suggesting gov't employees take out loans through banks or credit unions pic.twitter.com/QFs4UySNcH  Squawk Box (@SquawkCNBC) January 24, 2019

A protestor on Capitol Hill on Wednesday

Philabundance volunteers distribute food to furloughed federal workers and their families who are affected by the partial government shutdown in Philadelphia on Wednesday

Speaker Nancy Pelosi joined chef Jose Andres to distribute meals to furloughed workers on Tuesday

Reporters have expounded on TSA workers calling in sick as they take side jobs to fill their bank accounts while their pay checks are blank.

Other furloughed workers, including members of the Coast Guard, have turned to food banks and food pantries to feed their families, several organizations across the country, told CNN.

More than 2,400 people showed up at five pop-up markets in Washington D.C. for out-of-work federal employees this past weekend.

The attendance was more than double expected at the event organized by Capital Area Food Bank.

Most of the food was done early, the group's president and CEO Radha Muthiah told CNN.

Hundreds of furloughed workers protested on Capitol Hill Wednesday as there is no sign of the shutdown coming to an end anytime soon.

'Will work for pay,' one of the signs read.
Millions of Australia Day revellers hoping to beat the heat with a few beers at the beach or park could be slapped with a huge fine for breaking a new law that's creeping in across Australia.

Councils from Sydney to Melbourne and Brisbane will be enforcing total alcohol bans on Australia Day.

The booze ban, which one Sydney councillor even described as 'un-Australian', will be in place at most major beaches and parks across the entire weekend.

NSW Police confirmed officers would help councils enforce the dry zones, with penalties of up to $2,200 for revellers who refuse to dispose of their alcohol when they are caught drinking on the beach.

Australia Day revellers on Sydney's northern peninsula who drink in adjacent beach parks on Saturday face a fine of up to $2,000. Pictured is Manly Beach

Sydney's Northern Beaches council, which stretches from Palm Beach to Manly, quietly approved an exhaustive 24-hour drinking ban in November.

Rory Amon was the only councillor to oppose the ban when it went to vote last week, taking to Facebook to slam the council for 'penalising a few idiots'.

'This Australia Day, rather than penalise a few idiots, council will penalise the sensible 99.99 per cent and outlaw the consumption of alcohol on every beach and every adjacent park,' he wrote online, sparking public outcry from furious locals.

The ban on drinking across all of Sydney's northern peninsula beaches has been expanded to waterfront parks on Saturday, with extra police patrols in place.

There will also be sober celebrations at Melbourne's St Kilda foreshore and other City of Port Phillip Council beaches after a recently-enforced booze ban.

Celebrations at Brisbane's Southbank precinct will also be alcohol-free.

Sydney's iconic Bondi Beach (pictured) has been an alcohol free zone since 2003

Unruly revellers forced summer long alcohol ban on Melbourne's St Kilda foreshore

Randwick Council declared Coogee Beach and its beachside parks alcohol-free in 2017 after Coogee was trashed by drunk Christmas Day revellers two years ago.

Sydney's iconic Bondi Beach has been an alcohol-free zone since 2003.

Unruly Christmas Day revellers also prompted a trial ban at St Kilda last year.

A summer season ban until March 31 was adopted by Port Phillip Council in December after police and local businesses lobbied for it.

An alcohol ban has been extended across the entire of Victoria's City of Port Phillip this weekend from 8pm Friday until midday Sunday.

'This includes all beaches, parks and streets,' the council posted on Facebook.

Alcohol will be off limits at Brisbane's South Bank precinct on Australia Day

Brisbane City Council also bans the consumption of alcohol outside licensed premises in the popular South Bank precinct during national and state holidays.

The precinct has three licensed wet areas throughout the year  River Quay Green, Picnic Island Green and Riverside Green, which are licensed from 10am-8pm daily, except during major events such as Australia Day, when the entire parklands becomes an alcohol-free zone.

'Keeping Australia Day at South Bank an alcohol-free celebration is part of a long-standing arrangement with the Queensland Police Service to keep the event safe and family-friendly,' a Brisbane Council spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia.

Coogee Beach (pictured) will host its second Australia Day celebration on Saturday

In NSW, it's understood that revellers drinking alcohol would likely only be fined heavily if they refused to comply with police directions to empty or remove their alcohol.

One reveller said the new drinking restrictions on Sydney's northern beaches forced him to cancel his birthday party this weekend.

'Nice family day at the park with the kids out the door. Next time punish the culprits, not the whole community,' he posted.

One Melbournian expressed disappointment about the new laws enforced by City Of Port Phillip Council.

'Shame a minority of w*****s has ruined it for the majority of good self respecting residents in our community,' he wrote on the council's Facebook page.
The remains of Captain Matthew Flinders, the first person to circumnavigate Australia, have been found under a London train station 200 years after his death.

The English navigator and cartographer's coffin was found at the St James's Burial Ground at Euston Station by archaeologists working on the High Speed 2 rail project.

Capt. Flinders sailed the HMS Investigator around Australia with fellow Englishman George Bass and indigenous man Bungaree between July 1802 and May 1803.

The remains of Captain Matthew Flinders, the first person to circumnavigate Australia, have been found under a London train station

There are more than 40,000 people interred at the site in Euston, where workers are trying to excavate the area

Capt Flinders is famous for sailing the HMS Investigator around Australia with Englishman George Bass and Indigenous man Bungaree between July 1802 and May 1803

Those voyages proved that Australia was a single continent, rather than two separate landmasses previously called New Holland and New South Wales.

Capt Flinders was also widely credited with popularising the name Australia as well, even though he was not the first to coin the term.

He died in 1814 but his headstone was removed from St James' during the expansion of Euston Station soon after, and his remains were effectively lost until his inscribed coffin was uncovered on Thursday.

He is one of tens of thousands of skeletons that will be removed from the burial ground in Euston where the HS2 rail route will be built.

Archaeologists identified Capt Flinders' remains by a lead plate on top of his coffin.

HS2 Head of Heritage Helen Wass said Captain Flinders put Australia on the map thanks to his tenacity and expertise as a navigator and explorer.

His voyages proved to the Europeans that Australia was a single continent, rather than two separate landmasses previously called New Holland and New South Wales

Archaeologists working on the HS2 project in St. James's burial ground, Euston, looking over the discovered remains of Captain Matthew Flinders

Archaeologists identified Capt Flinders' remains by a lead plate on top of his coffin

'Given the number of human remains at St. James', we weren't confident that we were going to find him.

'We were very lucky that Cpt. Flinders had a breastplate made of lead meaning it would not have corroded.

'We'll now be able to study his skeleton to see whether life at sea left its mark and what more we can learn about him.'

Flinders left Australia soon after the circumnavigation as a passenger on HMS Porpoise in 1803.

But the ship was wrecked on the Great Barrier Reef and he ended up sailing a cutter more than 1000km back to Sydney to arrange for a rescue of the crew.

Capt Flinders again tried to sail back to England later that year, this time in command of HMS Cumberland, but he ended up being imprisoned by French officials on Mauritius for six years.

Australia's High Commissioner in London George Brandis said the rediscovery of the explorer's remains means he can have a proper memorial

His surname is associated with many places in Australia, including Flinders Station in Melbourne, Flinders Ranges in South Australia and the town of Flinders in Victoria

He finally made it back to England in 1810 where he began preparing his circumnavigation voyage journal for publication.

Captain Matthew Flinders Matthew Flinders was among the worlds most accomplished navigators He proved Australia was a single continent through voyages between July 1802 and May 1803 Capt Flinders is also widely credited with popularising the name Australia The explorer died at the age of 40 His headstone was removed in the 1840s, sparking fears his remains were lost Advertisement

By then he was in very poor health.

Capt Flinders finally published A Voyage to Terra Australis on July 18, 1814. He died the following day aged 40.

Australia's High Commissioner in London George Brandis said the rediscovery of the explorer's remains means he can have a proper memorial.

The memorial will mark his 'significance in the Australian story and also his heroic place in the great age of adventure and navigation in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries'.

Capt Flinders' remains will be reinterred at a new location that is yet to be decided.

His surname is associated with many places in Australia, including Flinders Street and Flinders Street Station in Melbourne, the Flinders Ranges in South Australia and the town of Flinders in Victoria, while Port Lincoln is named after his birthplace of Lincoln in England.
A fit and able woman has shared an offensive note she received which questioned her right to use a disabled car park - revealing she has a legitimate need despite not being handicapped.

Rita Dembo parked her car in a handicap spot at Noranda Shopping Centre in northern Perth on Thursday, and when she returned to her vehicle she noticed a handwritten note under her windscreen wipers.

'You don't look very disabled,' the note read.

Rita Dembo (pictured) parked her car in a handicap spot at Noranda Shopping Centre in northern Perth on Thursday

When she returned to drive away she noticed a handwritten note (pictured) slipped under her windscreen wipers

Ms Dembo took to social media to point out that she had her physically-disabled mother with her in the car.

'This is a f**k you to whichever a**hole left me this on my windshield today at Noranda Shopping Centre,' she posted to Facebook group Perth - Have A Whinge.

'I was parked in a disabled car bay today at the shopping centre with an [Australian Council for Rehabilitation of Disabled] permit clearly on my dashboard because my mum is physically disabled and uses a walker,' she said.

'We did some shopping and I told her to wait inside while I quickly go put the shopping in the car so we could continue on.

'After we were done and came back to the car I noticed this under my windscreen wipers.'

Ms Dembo said the note upset her mother, and she was personally offended that someone would assume she was taking advantage of the ACROD parking permit system.

Ms Dembo took to social media to point out that she had her physically-disabled mother with her in the car

'Who the f**k thinks they can make such assumptions? My mum felt like absolute shit and said she should have come back to the car with me so people dont think such things,' she said.

'No. I dont need my mum to come back to the car with me which only took one minute just so people dont think Im faking being disabled.

'Next time say it to my face.'
A 3-by-5-foot concrete slab came loose while being moved by a crane inside a building, Terrell said. Two people were injured as they jumped out of the way because they saw the slab was coming loose, he said.
The Queens 82-year-old bootmaker was one of the victims of a gang of Rolex thieves who terrorised wealthy Londoners as they stole watches worth 280,000.

Rudolf Schnieder was set upon by four of the vicious nine-strong gang as he unloaded bags from his car into his Mayfair office.

While one grabbed him around the neck another covered his mouth to suffocate him as his 9,500 Rolex was ripped from his wrist.

The gang  all from London  have now been sentenced to a total of 54 years in prison after their crime spree, targeting wealthy areas in the West End, Knightsbridge and Mayfair, saw them carry out 15 robberies between May and November 2017.

Other victims were dragged to the floor and repeatedly kicked in the face.

Rudolf Schnieder (pictured) was set upon by four of the vicious nine-strong gang as he unloaded bags from his car into his Mayfair office

The men  including an 18-year-old who was jailed for five years and three months  all appeared during a trial at Isleworth Crown Court before being sentenced at Kingston Crown Court.

Serewo Gwanzura, 23, from Southwark, was given the longest sentence  11 years  while Ziyad Al-Daher, 28, from Lewisham, was jailed for ten and a half years.

Prosecutor Ben Temple told the court that Mr Schnieder had been specifically picked out by the gang as a vulnerable victim, and was left lying on the ground after they struck.

The victim was subjected to a group attack in which one male tried to suffocate him, applying pressure around his neck, while another placed his hands over his mouth, he said. The victim thought the men may be armed with a knife and was frightened of being left for dead.

Gwanzura Serewo, left, and Ziyad Al-Daher, right, and their six accomplices got a total of 54 years jail time for their parts in a string of luxury watch robberies in London

Police Sergeant Annie Yau, who led the investigation, said: There was a shocking level of violence used, with some victims being grabbed around the neck and thrown to the floor, often being kicked and punched when on the ground.

'They were all intimidate and threatened by these despicable individuals whose sole objective was to steal high-value items for their own greed.

While the attacks were mostly at night, one took place in daylight when some of the gang mistook a cheap Rolex copy for the real thing.

One incident saw members of the gang storm a house in Knightsbridge after befriending the residents on their way home after a night out. They assaulted them with their fists and a belt buckle.

While they didnt manage to steal anything, the gang returned at around 5.20am, forced their way in and stole two watches.
Attorneys for an Indiana man accused of sexually assaulting, fatally stabbing and partially cannibalizing his ex-girlfriend plan to argue at trial he was insane at the time of the killing.

Newly filed court documents reveal that two psychiatrists will examine 37-year-old Joseph Oberhansley to determine whether he was legally insane at the time of the grisly attack four years ago.

The same psychiatrists are required to testify at Oberhansley's trial, which is scheduled to begin on August 19.

Attorneys representing Joseph Oberhansley, 37 (left), accused of murdering and cannibalizing Tammy Jo Blanton, 46 (right), are panning to mount an insanity defense

Oberhansley is accused of breaking into Blanton's home in September 2014 and brutally attacking his ex-girlfriend

Prosecutors say Oberhansley broke into the Jeffersonville home of 46-year-old Tammy Jo Blanton pn September 11, 2014, raped her, fatally stabbed her and ate parts of her body, including her heart and brain, reported Louisville Courier Journal.

He has been charged with murder, burglary and rape. If convicted, he could face the death penalty.

A judge ruled last November that Oberhansley was competent to stand trial following a 21-month stay at a state psychiatric hospital.

In October 2017, Oberhansley was found mentally incompetent after his attorneys said he wasn't able to participate in his own defense or fully understand the court proceedings.

'He is suspicious, paranoid, uncommunicative, and agitated,' they wrote, saying there is a 'complete breakdown' in communication between them and Oberhansley.

Previously, he had been classified as having a severe psychological disorder.

Two psychiatrists will examine Oberhansley to determine whether he was legally insane at the time of the killing (pictured in 2015)

During his initial hearing in days after his arrest, Oberhansley interrupted the proceeding by announcing his name was 'Zeus Brown' and told the judge, 'You have the wrong guy.'

On September 11, 2014, Blanton called 911 at around 3am to report that her former boyfriend was outside her Locus Street home and would not leave, according to the probable cause affidavit cited by the Louisville Courier Journal.

Officers arrived on the scene and ordered Oberhansley to leave after Blanton spoke to him outside.

At around 10am that morning, police got another call, this time from Blanton's co-worker, asking them to perform a welfare check after the 46-year-old woman failed to show up for work at a billing and coding firm.

When police returned to Blanton's house, they found that the back door had been forced open. Inside, officers discovered Blanton dead under a tarpaulin in the blood-soaked bathroom of her home, with fatal injuries to her head, neck and torso.

'The front of the victim's skull appeared to have been crushed and brain tissue appeared scattered around the bathtub,' the affidavit stated.

Prosecutors say Oberhansley broke down Blanton's door, raped the woman, then stabbed her more than a dozen times before using a saw to open her skull

Police found a grisly scene inside Blanton's home on Locus Street in Jeffersonville, Indiana (pictured)

The statement added that police found a plate covered in blood and bone, as well as bloodied cooking utensils, the Louisville Courier-Journal reported.

When questioned by police, Oberhansley confessed to breaking down the door to the bathroom, where Blanton had locked herself, and repeatedly stabbing her.

A family friend later revealed that Blanton was stabbed 12-to-14 times in the chest and three times in the forehead, and had her throat slashed.

Oberhansley told police he used an electric jigsaw to open Blanton's skull and ate parts of her brain, heart and lungs.

Oberhansley was convicted of manslaughter in the 1998 shooting death of his then-girlfriend, 17-year-old Sabrina Elder, in suburban Salt Lake City just days after the birth of their son.

Utah discharged him from parole on July 23, and on July 31, Blanton posted $500 bond for him on charges of criminal recklessness and resisting law enforcement stemming from a car chase.
Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rossello (pictured) has said the US territory's local government will help federal employees based on the island who are not being paid because of the government shutdown

Puerto Rico's governor has announced several measures to help federal employees based in the US territory who are not being paid because of the government shutdown.

Gov. Ricardo Rossello said on Thursday that he will place a moratorium on water and power bills and any debt owed to the local government, in addition to noting federal workers can seek unemployment benefits.

President Donald Trump, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer remain at odds over Trump's requested $5.7 billion to fund a border wall, which has delayed the passing of a spending bill that would reopen government, which has been partially shut down for over one month.

More than 14,000 federal employees work in Puerto Rico, and as a result of the shutdown, nearly 4,500 of them have not been paid since it began on December 22.

On Thursday, Trump said: 'Many of those people that are not getting paid are totally in favor of what were doing.'

But according to poll analysis by CBS News, the majority of people say the abstract issue of securing funding for the wall is not worth the government remaining shut down.

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President Donald Trump, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer remain at odds over Trump's requested $5.7 billion to fund a border wall, which has delayed the passing of a spending bill that would reopen government, which has been partially shut down for over one month. Trump is pictured in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington, DC on Thursday

In a written statement on Thursday, Rossello announced the moratorium on bill collections by the Electric Power Authority and Aqueducts and Sewers Authority for federal employees.

'Given the reality that this closure of the federal government continues and that the impasse that has caused it does not show immediate signs of resolution, our administration has taken a series of measures to extend help to affected employees.' Rossello said.

Puerto Rico had already halted tax collections for furloughed federal workers and those who had missed paychecks, and Rossello announced a 90-day extension to that program, as well as reminding those individuals they can get help from a nutritional assistance program.

The Nutrition Assistance for Puerto Rico program, however, is run through the US Department of Agriculture, which is one of the agencies affected by the shutdown, so local officials are concerned the program may run out of funds.

The local government in Puerto Rico is also working with nonprofit organizations to distribute food and other necessities.

Public buses are offering federal workers free transportation, and Puerto Rico's development bank is looking to potentially making low-interest loan available to federal workers.

The complete list of agencies currently affected by the shutdown includes the Environmental Protection Agency, the IRS, and the departments of State, Housing and Urban Development; Treasury; Agriculture; Commerce; Interior; Justice; and Homeland Securitt.

For now, the military (aside from the US Coast Guard) and the departments of Veterans Affairs; Labor; Education; and Health and Human Services are not impacted, as they are being funded by a spending bill that doesn't expire until September 30.

Funding for food stamps will run out in March.

Democrats say they will discuss border security once the government has reopened, but Pelosi is refusing money for the wall that Democrats view as ineffective and immoral. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (left) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (right) are pictured listening during an event to introduce a bill to raise the minimum wage to $15, on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC on January 16

Democrats say they will discuss border security once the government has reopened, but Pelosi is refusing money for the wall that Democrats view as ineffective and immoral.

The federal government has been partially shut down since December 22, making Thursday the 34th day that approximately 800,000 federal employees have been either required to work without pay for the time being, or have been furloughed.

Trump said on Thursday that those going without pay are on board with the shutdown, 'because they know the future of this country is dependent on having a strong border, especially a strong southern border.'

Trump went on to say, 'We have tremendous violence and crime coming through that border,' which is a statement that has been debated by experts.

Congress has already passed a bill that guarantees that federal workers who are still showing up to their jobs without pay will be paid for their work once the shutdown ends.

The previous longest-lasting government shutdown in history happened at the end of 1995 and beginning of 1996, lasting 21 days under President Bill Clinton.
The fiance of Catwoman has unveiled his new face exclusively to DailyMailTV after undergoing a facial rejuvenation procedure following his years-long battle with cancer.

Jocelyn Wildenstein's longtime beau Lloyd Klein was diagnosed with lymphoma in 2013. He had a tumor the size of an orange removed from his armpit and underwent three rounds of grueling chemotherapy.

In 2017, he was told the cancer had spread to his spine and liver and he only had six months to live. But Klein revealed to DailyMailTV that he is currently in remission with no signs of the disease.

The French fashion designer said the intense chemotherapy destroyed his face, so he turned to Wildenstein, his girlfriend of 15 years and who is known for going under the knife to achieve her feline features, to help look for a way to restore his face.

The 51-year-old said both he and Wildenstein, 78, are overjoyed with the results of the procedure, feeling younger and more natural looking.

Lloyd Klein, 51, unveiled his new face to DailyMailTV after undergoing an aesthetic facial balancing procedure in Miami

Klein, who is engaged to Jocelyn Wildenstein, recently declared himself cancer-free after being told he had six months to live during his battle with lymphoma

The French fashion designer said the intense chemotherapy destroyed his face, so he turned to Wildenstein to help look for a way to restore his face

Klein turned to Miami-based Dr Rian Maercks (pictured) of The Maercks Institute after discovering his Instagram page and was impressed with the 'natural-looking' rejuvenation and balancing Dr Maercks showcases on his account

Klein told DailyMailTV: 'I'm happy, very happy with the procedure. It's revolutionary.

'You go in and have the procedure done, 15- 20 minutes then you go home. As days go by you see the results. It's incredible.'

Klein turned to Miami-based Dr Rian Maercks of The Maercks Institute after discovering his Instagram page and was impressed with the natural-looking rejuvenation and balancing Dr Maercks showcases on his account.

Dr Maercks explained to DailyMailTV that he performed an aesthetic facial balancing on Klein that is done using fillers, which are 'very different from types of injectable procedures' done outside his practice.

He said Klein's cancer treatment and other cosmetic work that he had done in the past left him with a 'face he wasn't very happy with'.

Dr Maercks said he adjusted the area around Klein's eyes to harmonize his face and make him look younger.

He added: 'He came to me to get his face back. Lloyd is a young, glowing happy person. You want to see that in the mirror.

'He's been through a lot. That was kind of gone in his opinion and that led to some discord in how he felt and saw himself.'

Dr Maercks explained he performed an aesthetic facial balancing on Klein that is done using fillers, which are 'very different from types of injectable procedures' done outside his practice. Pictured: Computer generated images with a blue screen in the background of before and after (right) of Klein's procedure

Dr Maercks said he adjusted the area around Klein's eyes to harmonize his face and make him look younger. Pictured: Computer generated images with a blue screen in the background of before and after (right) of Klein's procedure

Klein said he is pleased with the results, adding: 'I feel very good. I'm very happy with the results right now'

Klein explained he is planning on going back to Dr Maerck for more treatments. He said: 'We are starting a whole journey. I'm looking to get back the face that I had.

Klein said he is pleased with the results, adding: 'I feel very good. I'm very happy with the results right now.

'I'm very happy with the results of getting back a normal face and getting back the look I used to have before the cancer treatment. I lost my hair, my eyebrows. I had a different face. It kills all your cells, it destroys.'

Klein explained that he is planning on going back to Dr Maercks for more treatments.

He said: 'We are starting a whole journey. I'm looking to get back the face that I had.

'I'm looking to have the youth and years I lost with chemotherapy. You get older when you have those types of treatments, you get older faster, actually.

'Dr Maerck has a secret of getting back those years that you lost or giving you a great fresh look. It's going very well.'

Klein said the results were 'like magic' and hinted that Jocelyn, who he proposed to in July of 2017 with a 32-carat diamond ring 'worth millions', is considering the same treatment.

He said: 'She's known for going under the knife, she loves this technique, she actually approved of it.

'Jocelyn loves the result... she is considering to use the secret.'

Klein said is still undergoing chemo treatments, which will continue on for the next two years.

Klein said the results were 'like magic' and hinted that Jocelyn, who he proposed to in July of 2017 with with a 32-carat diamond ring 'worth millions', is considering the same treatment

Wildenstein and Klein's 15-year romance appeared to be over in December 2016 when Jocelyn sank her claws into his face in a now-notorious catfight. Klein escaped by bundling her into a closet before Wildenstein, famed for her feline features, called the police herself only to be arrested when they saw her partner's wounds

Klein didn't give any clue when the couple will finally make it down the aisle.

The French fashion designer said he was terrified upon learning he could just have six months left to live.

Speaking to DailyMail.com last summer, he said: 'I knew at that moment I had to focus on what it is most important in my life - and that's Jocelyn. For me it was so important to recognize that commitment by making her my wife.

'She has always been there for me, throughout our ups and downs. I cannot imagine living a single day of my life without her.'

Wildenstein and Klein's 15-year romance appeared to be over in December 2016 when Jocelyn sank her claws into his face in a now-notorious catfight.

Klein escaped by bundling her into a closet before Wildenstein, famed for her feline features, called the police herself only to be arrested when they saw her partner's wounds.

Klein would face the ignominy of arrest himself just days later when police accused him of pushing Wildenstein when he went back to collect his belongings.

The loved-up pair reconciled when the charges were dropped and said the headline-grabbing tussle only made them realize how much they couldn't bear to be apart.

However, Klein believes the stress of being thrown behind bars and splashed across the papers triggered his devastating relapse.

Klein said is still undergoing chemo treatments, which will continue on for the next two years. The designer, pictured at the hospital, said the news of his cancer pushed him to focus 'on what it is most important' and pop the question to Jocelyn

The French fashion designer said he was terrified upon learning he could just have six months left to live

'I think the fights put me under a lot of stress. The scandal hurt me. I started to lose a lot of weight and I knew something was wrong. I was covered in weird bruises,' he told DailyMail.com.

'They did their tests and said it was a disaster. The medication wasn't working. The doctor told me that I may not survive.

'It's not something I like to talk about. I don't like to think of myself as a sick person. So I carried on doing the things I'm passionate about, like my work.

'I also knew it was the perfect moment to propose. It gave me the strength to get better again.'

DailyMail.com revealed in July 2017 how Klein proposed to Wildenstein at the Versace mansion in Miami, Florida by presenting her with a bespoke, serpent-shaped diamond ring he designed himself.

Plastic-surgery loving Wildenstein was the world's most infamous divorcee when they first met, having landed a then-record $2.5 billion settlement in 1999 from her late ex-husband, the art dealer Alec Wildenstein.

In recent years she has not been on speaking terms with their children, Diane and Alec Jnr, after accusing her ex-husband's family of cutting off her multi-million dollar annual maintenance.

Despite owning three adjoining apartments in the Trump World Tower worth close to $12 million, Wildenstein claimed in a recent bankruptcy filing that she's been forced to live on $900 a month in Social Security income.
Jurors have been shown photos of the bathtub where a high-flying New York financier was found dead as her estranged husband is accused of murdering her in a bid to get her $5 million fortune.

Backgammon buff Rod Covlin, 45, is accused of strangling his then 47-year-old wife Shele Danishefsky in her Upper West Side apartment back in 2009.

Shele was found dead in her bathtub on New Year's Eve - just one day before prosecutors say she had planned to write her estranged husband out of her will and $5 million fortune.

Covlin's defense attorneys showed the jury photos of the bathtub on Thursday in Manhattan Supreme Court.

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Jurors were shown photos of the bathtub where Shele Danishefsky was found dead in her New York apartment on New Year's Eve in 2009. Her husband Rod Covlin is accused of breaking her neck and leaving her in the tub to be found by their nine-year-old daughter

It was initially believed that Shele slipped and fell in the bathtub after her estranged husband told police he thought she had ripped the cabinet (pictured) in a bid to stop herself from falling

UBS executive Shele Danishefsky (pictured) was in the midst of divorcing her much younger husband Covlin when she was killed on New Year's Eve in 2009

The photos, which were taken by Shele's family two weeks after she was found dead, show the deep bathtub and a cabinet above it that had been partially torn from its hinges.

There is no blood present in the bathtub in the photos.

It was initially believed that Shele slipped and fell in the bathtub after her estranged husband told police he thought she had ripped the cabinet in a bid to stop herself from falling.

Prosecutors have previously told the jury that Covlin broke Shele's neck and left her bloodied body in the bathtub. The couple's nine-year-old daughter was the one to find her body.

Covlin had been living across the hall at the time as their divorce unfolded.

Shele's sister Eve Karstaedt testified on Thursday as the defense presented the series of photos and a video of the interior of the apartment.

Backgammon buff Rod Covlin, 45, is accused of strangling his then 47-year-old wife Shele Danishefsky in her Upper West Side apartment back in 2009. He is pictured in Manhattan Supreme Court on Wednesday

Karstaedt told the jury of six women and six men that she and other family members had gone to the apartment to pick up clothes for the two Covlin children and to search for Shele's iPhone, which had not been recovered after her death.

The family was accompanied by their lawyers, the children's law guardian, a police officer and a family-hired private detective, Karstaedt said.

At the time of her death, Rod was 36 and Shele, a UBS executive from a wealthy background, was 47. She was the sole breadwinner and he was pursuing his backgammon passion

She said the family was free to move throughout the apartment and that they were free to touch items within the flat.

'Nobody said you couldn't touch anything,' she said. 'No one said that.'

Karstaedt became emotional when she described the Orthodox Jewish family's decision to waive an autopsy on Shele's body.

An autopsy would have revealed  as a later one showed  that Shele had a fractured hyoid bone, a signature of strangulation that called into question the initial assumption Shele had slipped in the tub and drowned.

Karstaedt said her brother had already signed a waiver of the autopsy before the family met to discuss whether to do so.

'I was thought 100 percent it was not an accident,' she said. 'It was foul play.'

She stayed silent about her misgivings, she said, because of the 'laws of Judaism and respecting my father.'

Covlin's defense attorneys showed the jury photos of the bathtub on Thursday in Manhattan Supreme Court

The photos, which were taken by Shele's family two weeks after she was found dead, show the deep bathtub and a cabinet above it that had been partially torn from its hinges

The couple were in the midst of a bitter divorce battle and Shele was trying to write her husband out of her will. They were living in separate apartments on the same floor of this Upper West Side apartment building

On re-direct examination, she also dismissed an earlier defense question about whether she had, during the Covlins' marital flare-ups, spoken to her brother-in-law about his side of the story.

'I'm not going to ask him why he threw Shele to the floor,' she said, adding later, 'I don't need to hear his side of the story. My sister is not a liar.'

The court heard earlier this week that Shele was in the midst of divorcing her much younger husband when she was killed.

Prosecutors claimed the backgammon player killed his wife out of 'pure unadulterated greed' to get access to her $5 million fortune.

Meanwhile, the court also heard on Thursday that Covlin had called his estranged wife's boss prior to her murder to say that she was on drugs.

Covlin also told Shele's boss John Alex at financial powerhouse UBS that his employee was draining the family bank account.

Shele's boss at UBS, John Alex, testified at Manhattan Supreme Court on Thursday saying Covlin had called him prior to the murder to claim that she was on drugs

Shele's sister Eve Karstaedt testified against Rod Covlin today at Manhattan Supreme Court on Thursday

Alex testified that Shele 'basically collapsed' in the office when he called her to his office and informed her of her husband's allegations.

'She became very emotional, she started to cry,' Alex said. 'She basically collapsed.'

But, Alex said, it was Covlin who was draining the account, his withdrawals far outstripping those of recent UBS hire Shele.

Alex said during May 2009, seven months before her death, Covlin withdrew more than $7,200 from the couple's brokerage account in 13 transactions on six separate days while Shele withdrew a mere $800 in a single transaction.

'Shele Covlin was not draining the account of money I determined Roderick Covlin was taking out $8 for ever $1 Shele took out.'

Shele had been tested for drugs when she was hired a few months earlier and had come back clean, Alex said.




A family-of-six have been forced to leave their home after an infestation of mould spread through their entire house and affected their lungs.

Brisbane mother Rose Singh had been living in public housing with her five children when water began leaking through her walls and windows.

She told Yahoo 7 that the Queensland Housing Commission (QHC) failed to properly fix the leaks and consequently mould began to spread into a number of rooms.

Within months she was forced to send all of her furniture to the tip, blaming the QHC for not dealing with the mould in her Manly West house.

Brisbane mother Rose Singh (pictured) and her five children were forced to leave their home after mould spread throughout their entire house causing them to become ill

'It doesnt matter how many times they fixed it, it would still come down through and flood, I had mould in my lungs, growing in my lungs, I was that ill,' she told the publication.

Ms Singh claims she now needs daily medication as a result of the mould, while her children are suffering serious health issues of their own.

'I had aches, pains, headaches, sinuses,' Ms Singh's 13-year-old daughter Rabia told Yahoo 7.

'Shes only 13 and shes had to have many days off school,' Ms Singh added.

Ms Singh claims she is still being asked to pay rent, despite moving her family out to live on the floor of her mother's house last month.

A spokesperson for the Department of Housing and Public Works told Yahoo it was 'committed to ensuring all public housing is maintained to a standard consistent with community expectations.'

Daily Mail Australia has contacted the Department for further comment about Ms Singh's allegations.
Sun exposure during a short walk to the bus stop, or while hanging out the washing can be a killer, new research has shown.

A revised sun safe policy to be released today by Queensland experts recommends Australians apply sunscreen every morning, just as they would brush their teeth or have a shower.

The recommendations are important to Queenslanders in particular, with residents of the sunshine state constantly exposed to UV levels of three or above.

The new guidelines were voted in at a National Sunscreen Summit at QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute in Brisbane last year, by delegates from Australia's peak health bodies.

New research finds that sun exposure for as little as 10 minutes can cause skin cancer

After examining the available evidence, the Summit delegates recommended Australians apply sunscreen every day when the maximum UV level was forecast to be three or higher.

This was in response to the latest evidence on sunscreen use and the dangers of repeated small doses of the sun's rays.

The Summit delegates recommended Australians apply sunscreen every day when the maximum UV level was forecast to be three or higher.

The sun safe policy is also part of an article by Professor Rachel Neale and Professor David Whiteman, out today in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health.

A revised sun safe policy to be released today recommends applying sunscreen everyday when the maximum UV level is forecast to be three or higher

'Up until now, most public health organisations have recommended applying sunscreen ahead of planned outdoor activities but haven't specifically recommended applying it every day as part of a morning routine,' Professor Rachel Neale told the Courier Mail.

'In Australia, we get a lot of incidental sun exposure from everyday activities such as walking to the bus stop or train station, or hanging out washing.'

'In recent years, it has become clear that the DNA damage that causes skin cancer and melanoma accumulates with repeated small doses of sunlight.'

According to Victorian skin cancer prevention organisation Sunsmart, two in three Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer by the age of 70, while more than 2,000 Australians die from the disease each year.
Investigators confirmed a 2017 wildfire that killed 22 people in Northern California wine country was caused by a private electrical system, not equipment belonging to embattled Pacific Gas & Electric Corp, as had initially been suspected.

The long-awaited findings of Cal Fire's investigation into the Tubbs Fire were released on Thursday. The state firefighting agency concluded that the blaze started next to a residence and said no violations of California law were found.

'I eliminated all other causes for the Tubbs Fire, with the exception of an electrical caused fire originating from an unknown event affecting privately owned conductor or equipment,' CalFire Battalion Chief John Martinez wrote in the release.

Some details about the property, including its owner and address, were blacked out of the report. It said the Napa County property about 3 miles north of Calistoga was built in 1946 on about 10.5 acres with a wine cellar, pool and several outbuildings.

The fire was one of more than 170 that torched the state in October 2017. It destroyed more than 5,600 structures over more than 57 square miles in Sonoma and Napa counties.

Investigators confirmed that the deadly Tubbs Fire, which killed 22 people in Northern California wine country in October 2017, was caused by a private electrical system, not equipment belonging to embattled Pacific Gas & Electric Corp, officials announced Thursday. Pictured: A firefighter holds a water hose while battling blazes during the Tubbs Fire

PG&E previously said it plans to file for bankruptcy protection next week, citing billions of dollars in potential damages from lawsuits linking its equipment to other deadly blazes for which it has been determined to be at fault - including the Camp Fire that became the deadliest in history last fall.

The company said in a statement that despite Thursday's finding, PG&E 'still faces extensive litigation, significant potential liabilities and a deteriorating financial situation.'

A state senator said that just because a private electric line caused the wine country fire does not let the utility off the hook for the role of its equipment in other devastating fires in the state.

State Sen Bill Dodd, a Napa Democrat, said the finding doesn't negate system-wide issues plaguing California's largest utility.

Lawmakers are under pressure to find a solution that addresses utility reform and compensates wildfire victims.

'This underscores the idea that we all have a role to play in wildfire prevention,' said Dodd a frequent critic of PG&E, who noted that the company has already been found at fault for more than a dozen other Northern California wildfires.

PG&E said in a January 2 court filing that it believed a handyman performing unlicensed electrical work started the wine country fire.

In the report released Thursday by the state, one witness reported seeing a transformer explode. Another reported seeing the fire approach a PG&E power pole.

One witness, Charlie Brown Jr. of Calistoga, said the electrical wiring leading from the property where investigators concluded the fire started had not been used in years.

The Tubbs Fire destroyed more than 5,600 structures over more than 57 square miles in Sonoma and Napa counties in October 2017. The photo above shows the devastation in a neighborhood in Santa Rosa after the fire tore through
Two activists imprisoned in Saudi Arabia were reportedly forced to kiss each other as interrogators watched, while others were tortured with electric shocks - it has been revealed.

An investigation by human rights charity Amnesty International found that a group of activists detained in the country since last May had reported being tortured and abused repeatedly.

Testimonies collected by Amnesty revealed a total of ten human rights campaigners were tortured by Saudi authorities.

Several activists imprisoned in Saudia Arabia have reported incidents of torture and sexual abuse

While several reported being sexually abused in the first three months of their incarceration as they were held in an informal detention facility in an unknown location.

In one case, an activist was allegedly told by an investigator his family had died and allowed to believe the lie for over a month.

Another pair of demonstrators were reportedly forced to kiss one another while their interrogators watched.

The activists also reported severe torture methods such as waterboarding and electric shocks.

It comes after similar reports in November last year of a group of women being repeatedly tortured by Saudi officials using electricity and flogging - leaving some unable to walk.

After Amnesty and others reported on the claims of torture and sexual harassment in November, the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Media dismissed the claims as 'baseless'.

Loujain al-Hathloul (right) was arrested over her human rights work last year. She is pictured after befriending Megan Markle at a summit in Ottawa in 2017. It is not known if she is among the detainees reportedly being tortured

In December, Amnesty received information that Saudi Arabia's government-aligned Human Rights Commission had met with the detained women and questioned them about the claims of torture.

Following the commission's visit, officials from the country's Public Prosecution also reportedly visited the detained activists in prison to investigate the claims of torture.

Last month, Amnesty wrote to the Saudi authorities requesting that independent monitoring bodies, including international organisations such as Amnesty or the UN, be given access to the detainees.

Amnesty has received no response to this request but continues to call on the Saudi authorities to allow for independent monitors to fully investigate the claims.

Lynn Maalouf, Amnesty International's Middle East Research Director, said: 'We are extremely concerned about the wellbeing of these activists, who have been in arbitrary detention for around nine months simply for standing up for human rights.

'The Saudi Arabian authorities have repeatedly proven themselves unwilling to effectively protect detainees from torture, or to carry out impartial investigations into claims of torture in custody.

'That is why we are calling on Saudi Arabia to give independent monitoring bodies immediate and unfettered access to the detained activists.'
A Senate committee investigating Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election has subpoenaed President Donald Trump's former personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, and Cohen intends to comply with the interview demand next month, his attorney said Thursday.

The development comes one day after Cohen postponed his public testimony to a House committee.

Lanny Davis, a lawyer for Cohen, disclosed the subpoena from the Senate intelligence committee in a one-sentence statement. He later said the two sides had agreed on a February 12 interview.

Cohen, the president's onetime fixer, is set to begin a three-year prison sentence in March.

The Senate committee did not immediately confirm the subpoena, but any interview with Cohen would almost certainly take place in private, in keeping with how the panel generally conducts Russia-related hearings.

Cohen earlier this week delayed his February 7 appearance before the House Committee on Oversight and Reform on the advice of his legal team, citing ongoing cooperation in special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation and threats against his family.

Trump, along with his attorney Rudy Giuliani, has publicly urged the Justice Department to investigate Cohen's father-in-law , insinuating that Cohen's relative was part of some unspecified criminal activity.

Michael Cohen, a former personal attorney to president Donald Trump, has agreed to appear before the House Oversight and Reform Committee on February 12, his lawyer said Thursday. Cohen was subpoenaed by the committee investigating Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election earlier this week

'If he wants to criticize Cohen, he can,' Davis said. 'Obviously, picking on his family publicly is a way of silencing him or intimidating him. And certainly he has engendered great fear in his extended family, which is why we postponed it.'

In an interview Thursday, Davis said the House should take an immediate vote on censuring Trump 'as a step before an impeachment investigation,' and he pushed for a criminal investigation of Giuliani involving allegations of obstruction, witness intimidation and witness tampering.

The decision to postpone the House interview pushed back the chance of a public airing on additional details of Cohen's relationship with Trump, including hush-money payments that Cohen has admitted helping arrange for two women who say they had sex with the president. Trump has denied the allegation.

Democrats have suggested they may subpoena Cohen to compel his testimony and the committee's chairman, Democratic Rep Elijah Cummings of Maryland, said Cohen could be brought from prison to appear before Congress.

'We will get his testimony,' Cummings said.

Cohen pleaded guilty in November to lying to the Senate intelligence committee about his role in a Trump business proposal in Moscow, acknowledging that he misled lawmakers by saying he had abandoned the project in January 2016 when he actually continued pursuing it for months after that and deep into the presidential campaign.

He has also pleaded guilty to campaign finance violations for his involvement in payments to a former Playboy model and porn actress who had alleged affairs with Trump.

CNN was first to report the existence of the subpoena.
Pugh adviser Greg Tucker said Friday that Harrisons house-hunting went more quickly than expected, so he decided to hold a few meetings Thursday. Harrison spoke with police department commanders and the City Council president, as well as the community organizers. And before heading back to his hometown of New Orleans, Harrison met Friday with U.S. District Judge James Bredar, who is overseeing the court-ordered consent decree to reform the Baltimore Police Department and provide law enforcement that is constitutional.
Years after his infamous drug-fueled meltdown that saw him hit rock bottom, Charlie Sheen is opening up on his miraculous recovery from addiction, telling DailyMailTV: 'I got so tired of letting everyone down.'

In an exclusive interview the former Hollywood wild man, who celebrated one year of sobriety in December, says he has ditched his hard partying ways, is tucked up in bed by 9pm most nights and vows never to go near a porn star again.

The superstar actor, who starred in hit movies Wall Street, Platoon and Major League, also hopes to reinvigorate his successful film and TV career and is moving out of his $10million mansion and 'downsizing.'

'I feel good, I've made some significant changes and I'm on the right track,' he said.

Explaining the moment he had an epiphany, he recalled: 'I got so tired of letting everyone down, and ultimately myself down, that I made the decision the very morning of December 10, 2017, to embrace a newly unearthed direction and path.

'Now I can say I haven't had drinks since 2017, which is cool.'

Reformed: Charlie Sheen, 53, pictured at his Beverly Hills mansion, has opened up about his road to recovery in an exclusive interview with DailyMailTV

Winning: Sheen, who at one point became more famous for his love for partying and drug-fueled antics than his acting career, made the decision to get on the straight and narrow on December 10, 2017 and marked one year of sobriety last month. Pictured is his one year chip

Sheen said he also hated being a 'burden' to those around him following alcohol and drug binges.

'Every night would start out with the best intentions, (it would) always wind up with good and decent people having to clean up my mess,' he said.

'And the other side of that is I got tired of apologizing for things I couldn't remember doing.

'To be engaged in a fantasy that it's gonna be different or it's gonna be more fun...it's all fiction.'

Sheen, 53, is as famous for his decades-long dance with hard drugs, booze and scores of women as he is for his glittering acting career.

His legendary partying has been well chronicled, and even spoofed in TV and film.

But the star hit the headlines again in December when he announced he was celebrating a year of sobriety.

'So, THIS happened yesterday,' he tweeted alongside a photo of his sobriety coin. 'A fabulous moment, in my renewed journey. #TotallyFocused.'

Reflecting on why he had plunged so deeply into an abyss of substance abuse in the first place, Sheen pinpointed a key moment in his life.

He was diagnosed with HIV in 2012 - a shocking revelation which he revealed to Matt Lauer on the Today Show three years later in 2015.

Old Sheen: The actor's (pictured left in 2012) infamous downward spiral was heavily publicized for years. Sheen is seen in 2011 chugging from a bottle labeled 'Tiger Blood' which he bizarrely claimed he had

Trouble: Sheen also had a brush with the law and was arrested for allegedly assaulting his then-wife Brooke Mueller in 2009

It was that grim diagnosis, he has since admitted, which sparked his relapse into alcohol and drugs after 11 years of sobriety.

But today Sheen says he's back, feels 'amazing' and his health is 'better than ever'.

'I work out every day, I hit the treadmill, eat well, read scripts, watch the news and I'm in bed most nights by 9. I'm feeling better than ever.'

Sheen, who once referred to Alcoholics Anonymous as a 'cult', says he's helped in his recovery by a 'little bit' of therapy and he attends a 'very private' group to discuss his addiction problems.

I got tired of apologizing for things I couldn't remember doing. To be engaged in a fantasy that it's gonna be different or it's gonna be more fun...it's all fiction

But he added: 'Outside of that it's me, but it's also drawing on a lot of the stuff that I learned over the years and finally embracing those tools and knowing them to be very useful.'

Sheen also said he's changed up the meds he takes for HIV which he says has had a significant impact to his health.

The change in Sheen is palpable.

He speaks calmly and articulately during our interview and gone are the often strange turns of phrase, lengthy monologues and forceful rants.

He hasn't quite kicked smoking yet - currently on two packs a day - but he's working on that too.

And those close to him are amazed at his transformation.

'I only yelled at two people all of last year, both of them were my children,' Sheen said with a laugh.

'I don't break s**t anymore. I don't lose stuff. I'm extremely punctual.

'And my kids are really seeing this guy, this like super reliable guy and that's such a gift that they can just depend on me, even if I become their Uber driver for the day, you know, they've got the best version of me possible.'

Sheen has a daughter Cassandra, 34, with high school sweetheart Paula Profit, daughters Sam, 14, and Lola, 13, with ex-wife Denise Richards and twin sons Bob and Max, nine, with ex-wife Brooke Mueller.

At his lowest point, shortly after being fired by CBS and Warner Bros following his derogatory comments about Two and a Half Men creator Chuck Lorre, Sheen had a highly publicized 'meltdown'.

Clean Sheen: The star tells DailyMailTV the lifestyle change has left him feeling 'better than ever' but admits he hasn't quite kicked smoking yet

Sheen, who is selling his $10M Beverly Hills mansion, says he is excited to 'downsize' to a much more 'contained living space'

He made a string of bizarre statements in TV interviews, claiming he was a 'warlock' with 'tiger blood' and 'Adonis DNA', and that he was 'winning'.

YouTube videos he posted showed him smoking cigarettes through his nose, and berating his former employers in surreal rants.

He said in one interview: 'I'm tired of pretending I'm not special. I'm tired of pretending I'm not a total bitchin' rock star from Mars.'

But Sheen says that that strange behavior is 'absolutely' in the past.

The star admits he's now too 'embarrassed' to watch the videos back.

'I need to be kinder to myself. I need to be more patient with myself. I can't be defined or ruled by my past, but still learn from mistakes and learn from certain situations and avoid them, you know, and just make better decisions

'I can't even watch a video or anything that documented that whole moment in time,' he said.

'I don't really know what happened. I really don't. I don't even think it was about the show (Two and a Half Men). I think it was about just so many years of feeling frustrated about a lot of different stuff and it just kind of all came out at the wrong time. But I can't change it, I can't be ruled by it, you know? I can't beat myself up for it, it happened, all I can do is what I'm doing every day and just keep moving forward.'

Last year Sheen went to Australia on a speaking tour and has attended various charity events in California to keep busy.

'I've been out and about and available and hopefully leaving situations better than I found them,' he said.

The multi-award winning actor also credits his recovery on fans and well-wishers he meets on the street.

'It's pretty cool... I'll be in the supermarket or at a sporting goods store, you know, getting gas and I can tell the way people approach me and interact with me and how they feel when they walk away - I can see that they sense a different energy, a different focus.

'And that's pretty cool that someone walks away and you know that maybe you made their day a little bit brighter just for that moment.'

Sheen admits he is now 'embarrassed' to watch videos of his infamous 'meltdown' in which he publicly claimed he was a 'warlock' with 'tiger blood' and 'Adonis DNA', and that he was 'winning'

Sheen, who dated pornstar Bree Olson (far left) while living with model Natalie Kenly (far right) says he's ditched his enablers and called adult film actresses 'nothing but trouble'

Sheen said his HIV diagnosis sparked his relapse into alcohol and drugs after 11 years of sobriety. He was diagnosed in 2012 but did not publicly reveal he had the disease until 2015

Sheen was once the highest paid TV star earning $1.8M an episode for his long-running role on CBS's Two and Half Men (pictured) until his wayward behavior got him fired in 2011

He added: 'You can't do that when you're freakin' sideways and hammered all the time.'

Sheen admits he surrounded himself with 'enablers' for years - people who drained him of money and encouraged his wayward behavior.

And after his HIV diagnosis things went from bad to worse as the vultures circled.

[It's] pretty cool that someone walks away and you know that maybe you made their day a little bit brighter just for that moment.' You can't do that when you're freakin' sideways and hammered all the time.

The star tortured himself as he tried to deal with the secret burden of carrying the virus and confided in only a handful of his 'inner circle' while being bombarded by threats of lawsuits from girls desperate to cash in on his dark secret.

Asked if he has managed to get rid of his 'enablers' - specifically the phalanx of porn stars that regularly frequented his home, he replied: 'Absolutely. I don't give any of my time to any of those characters anymore. And it's just so much better sometimes just to be alone, watch a movie, read a script, read a book, watch a sporting event. 'There's far less variables involved and much less wreckage.'

Sheen added that the porn stars were 'nothing but trouble' and after his legendary blow-outs he said he would often get the blame for things others around him had done.

As part of his transformation the star has sold his $10million seven-bedroom mansion in the ultra exclusive Mulholland Estate enclave above Beverly Hills, and is hoping to 'downsize', possibly to an apartment in Malibu.

'It's time to downsize,' he said. 'I don't want to be held hostage by a bunch of stuff. I'm feeling so much lighter on my feet these days that I'm really excited about having a much more contained living space.

'I don't know where I'm going. I'd like to go back to Malibu, get an apartment, a condo. Stay in a motel... it doesn't really matter.

'I think it would fit in really nicely with where my head is at.'

Sheen was married to Denise Richards, who later filed for divorce in 2006 alleging he threatened her. He later married third wife Brooke Mueller, who he divorced in 2011

The father-of-five gushed that his kids now 'got the best version of me possible.' Sheen has twin sons Bob and Max (left) nine, with Mueller, and daughters Sam, 14, and Lola, 13, (pictured right) with ex-wife Denise Richards

Sheen's downsizing comes amid well documented money troubles, which include the star asking a judge to reduce his monthly $55,000 child support payments to ex-wife, Brooke Mueller, for their twin sons Bob and Max, nine and $20,000 to ex-wife Denise Richards for his daughters Sam, 14, and Lola, 13.

It's also been reported he has had to fork out millions of dollars to the IRS.

For now the star is desperate to get back to what he does best - acting.

He says he has a project in the pipeline which starts shooting this summer.

'There's a show, I don't want to talk about it too much, it's looking really good,' Sheen explained.

'Something that someone very close to me wrote. It's terrific. It's a series. 'It's about redemption and it's pretty special.'

The Golden Globe winning actor says that despite his troubles he's still getting plenty of offers to work, including movie roles.

But he says he hasn't yet found a script that 'leaps off the page.'

'I would rather not work than do stuff that people don't really care about,' he added.

Moving forward Sheen hopes to be a better version of himself.

'I need to be kinder to myself. I need to be more patient with myself. I can't be defined or ruled by my past, but still learn from mistakes and learn from certain situations and avoid them, you know, and just make better decisions,' he said.

'Going to bed at night I want to always say, I hope people treat me tomorrow as I treated everyone today. If I can say that every night then it's been a pretty good day.'

Sheen appeared in a slew of hit movies in the late 80s and early 90s including Platoon, Wall Street, Young Guns, Eight Men Out, Major League and Hot Shots!

He later earned multiple Golden Globe and Emmy nominations on the popular sitcom Two And A Half Men from 2003 to 2011 and most recently starred in the drama film 9/11 in 2017, alongside co-stars Whoopi Goldberg, Gina Gershon and Luis Guzman.

The actor was the highest paid TV star - earning $1.8million an episode - before being booted off Two and a Half Men and replaced by Ashton Kutcher in 2011.
Since the Duke and Duchess of Sussex left Australia last year, Australians have been wondering when the next royal visit will be.

The Royals have made more than 50 visits to Australia since 1867 and celebrated Australia Day on some of those occasions.

The Queen, Prince Philip, Princess Diana and Prince Charles all famously celebrated the 1988 Australian Bicentenary that marked the two-hundredth anniversary of the arrival of the first fleet.

Princess Diana, Princess of Wales, chats with lifeguards at a surf carnival at Terrigal beach as part of the Bicentenary celebrations

Glowing in green: The Princess of Wales looked radiant as she smiled at the crowd wearing an emerald green dress by Catherine Walker and a matching hat by Philip Somerville

More than 2.5 million people gathered at Sydney Harbour, the biggest crowd to ever attend an Australian event.

The Princess of Wales waved to the masses wearing an emerald green dress by Catherine Walker & a matching hat by Philip Somerville.

Our current and future monarchs, the Queen and Prince Charles, led the celebrations.

Charles and Diana, the Prince and Princess of Wales, waving to a crowd of 2.5 million Sydney-siders during bicentenary celebrations at the Sydney Opera House

Not quite the first fleet: Sydney Harbour was filled with ships, ferries, yachts and dinghies

In a speech at Sydney Cove, the Prince of Wales said: 'As history goes, 200 years is barely a heartbeat. Yet look around you and see what has happened in that time - a whole new free people and a whole new free country, Australia.'

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh had kicked off bicentenary celebrations the previous year in Portsmouth to mark 200 years since the First Fleet set sail from the UK.

They inspected the HMS Sirius frigate, named after the original flagship that carried Captain Arthur Philip.

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh on the bridge of HMS Sirius in the Solent. Kicking off Australian Bicentenary Celebrations a year before the 1988 bicentenary year

The Princess of Wales inspects the period-dressed soldiers at the Bicentennial celebration held at Sydney Opera house on Australia Day

The 1988 bicentenary celebrations took place throughout the year, unlike standard Australia Days.

The festivities took the Royals across the country including the Central Coast.

Diana met a group of lifeguards who won a surf carnival at Terrigal Beach in what has become an iconic picture of the Princess of Wales.

Pretty in pink! Princess Diana inspects her sunglasses in a bright pink ensemble on Australia Day Eve, 1988

Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh (background) with Lord Mayor of Sydney Emmet McDermott (1911 - 2002) in Sydney during their tour of Australia, May 1970. They are there in connection with the bicentenary of Captain Cook's 1770 expedition to Australia

Going even further back, Queen Elizabeth II made a visit to Australia in 1970 to celebrate a different bicentenary - the bicentenary of Captain Cook's voyage to Australia.

In recent years the Royals have also made an effort to celebrate Australia Day, even from the UK.

The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall celebrated Australia Day from London at the Australian High Commission in 2011.

The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall attend the Australia Day celebrations at Australia House, in London, on January 26, 2011

Starry eyed: Prince Charles attends the Australia Day celebrations at Australia House, in London, on January 26, 2011

Prince William laughs as an Aboriginal elder wafts smoke in his face during a visit to Redfern Community Centre on the first day of his Australian visit in 2010

The Australia Day visits by their elders were followed by trips to Australia by Prince William and Prince Harry.

William visited Australia in 2010 prior to his marriage to Kate Middleton. He returned the following year to visit flood damaged areas in Queensland and Victoria.

Last year's trip down under by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex marked another Australian event, the Sydney Invictus games.

The newest Royal couple met a mother koala Ruby who had just given birth to a joey.

Coincidentally, the couple announced they were expecting a baby during the same trip. It must be the Australian effect.
Archie Day from Hertfordshire took his own life at his university halls

A university student was found hanged in his room just hours after 'sobbing uncontrollably' after he had lost his mobile phone.

Keen video blogger and journalism student Archie Day, 20, was so upset after a night out in Manchester he was comforted by eight other students on October 5 last year.

The day after the drunken night out at an Arctic Monkeys themed club night, Archie was found dead by a duty manager at Peel Park halls of residence at Salford University in Greater Manchester.

An inquest into his death said he had been upset at the loss of his Apple iPhone.

Mr Day, who struggled with depression had told his parents at home in Bishop Stortford, Hertfordshire, he had been feeling much better.

In a statement read at Bolton Coroner's Court Archie's flatmate Kane Markham said broadcast journalism student Mr Day had not shown signs he would take his own life after the night out at 'Venue' in Manchester.

He said: 'I knew that he suffered from depression, but I didn't realise how bad it was as he was so outgoing. His Instagram page said 'Should have died already' and he was into musicians who rapped about depression - but I think he got comfort from those artists.

'He was a loud and charismatic character and he always seemed to be a bit of a ringleader. That night he had least four drinks of Stella there and was also sipping out of other people's drinks. He did seem to talk to anyone and at 2.30am he sent a message to our WhatsApp group asking where we were and, as a joke, we said that we went home.

'We booked a taxi and got in to leave and when we got to it, we noticed that Archie wasn't there. I tried to call Archie but there was no answer but as we got back, we spoke to another student who was talking about Archie and he said that he Archie was in his room and he had been mugged. There was a security guard in the room with Archie and was sobbing uncontrollably.'

Twenty-year-old Mr Day was studying for a degree in broadcast journalism but killed himself after a night out after struggling with mental health issues

Mr Day was living at Salford's Peel Park halls of residence when he took his own life in 2018

Mohammed Zafar, a security guard at Peel Park said he could hear Archie crying from the other side of the door when he was called up.

The device was later located 220 miles away in Romford, Essex but was never recovered.

Archie's family believe he did not intend to kill himself - blaming excessive drinking for contributing to him 'not thinking rationally.'

Since his death family and friends have raised more than 5,000 for charity.

Paying tribute to him, his friend wrote on the Just Giving page: 'Archie was the most loving and kind-hearted individual I have ever had the honour to meet, and I will cherish all the amazing times we have had together for the rest of my life.

'From his expressive eyebrows to his frantic hand gestures Archie truly was one in a million.'

Tests showed Archie had 225 milligrams per 100 millilitres of blood in his system. The alcohol limit for driving is 80mg.

However, police do not believe he was robbed due to there being no CCTV evidence from the club, the halls or witnesses on the streets.

Police Coroners Officer, Alison Parks, who said: 'We looked at the CCTV of the Venue nightclub and he can be seen in the smoking area at 2:36am and he is holding his mobile phone at that time. Then, he was seen at 2:41am leaving with no mobile phone in his hand. I think it was in this period that his phone went missing.

'At 3:23am on October 5, he is seen on the university CCTV on his own coming into the courtyard at Peel Park where he bumped into some other students. He was stumbling and appears to be unstable on his feet. The other students were talking to him outside in the courtyard and then they escorted him inside. I think it was shortly after this that security was alerted.'

Mr Day had been heard crying from the other side of his bedroom door and was comforted by friends after the night out

His mother Heather Maxwell, said: 'He was anxious about joining university, but he had made good friends and his flatmates were lovely.

'I last spoke to him on October 4 and he seemed in good spirits. He told me he was going to a comedy club with flatmates. We ended the call as we always did, by telling each other that we love one another. I did not hear from him again.

'He was a loving son who had a very kind heart and a had a larger than life personality.

'The family were very proud of him.'

Archie's father Kenneth Day said: 'The last time I spoke to him was on October 4 and he explained how happy he was with university. I don't think Archie would have taken his own life and I wonder if drink may have influenced this.'

Recording a narrative conclusion assistant coroner, Rachel Galloway said: 'I accept he was extremely upset about losing his phone. The blood alcohol level was high, and, in my view, that could have played a role in his decision. I have to consider the level of alcohol; how upset he was and that he wasn't thinking rationally at the time.'

For confidential support call the Samaritans in the UK on 116 123 at any time or visit a local Samaritans branch or click here for details.
A transgender woman who tried to murder three strangers with an axe had a privileged upbringing and was a high achiever in school.

Evie Amati's life took a downward spiral after having gender reassignment surgery, culminating in the horrific attack at a Sydney convenience store in January 2017.

Named Karl as a child by her well-off trade union representative parents, the 26-year-old topped Western Australia in English in 2009.

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A transgender woman who tried to murder three people with an axe had a privileged upbringing and was a high achiever in school (pictured is Evie Amati after gender reassignment surgery)

Evie Amati's life took a downward spiral after having gender reassignment surgery, culminating in the horrific attack (pictured) at a Sydney convenience store in January 2017

She graduated from Perth's progressive Shenton College in the top one per cent in the state, and moved to Sydney for university, News.com.au reported.

Still known as Karl at the time, Amati landed a union job thanks to family connections while studying sociology and US politics at the University of Sydney.

While at university Amati became involved in student activism, joining radical far-left group Sydney Resistance and writing for Green Left Weekly.

She also played drums in a punk band she formed in 2011, Everything I Own is Broken, and performed on stage as a woman in 2013 and 2014.

Amati first broached the idea of a gender transition on social media in 2012, and flew to Thailand in 2014 with family and friends for reassignment surgery.

On her return to Australia she began taking recreational drugs to deal with the pain, her defence lawyer Charles Waterstreet told a Sydney court last week.

Still known as Karl at the time, Amati (pictured, left, as Karl, right, after transition) landed a union job thanks to family connections

Amati (pictured) graduated from Perth's progressive Shenton College in the top one per cent in the state, and moved to Sydney for university

Mr Waterstreet said his client's state of mind 'deteriorated' in 2015 after a break-up and she became suicidal.

She talked of wanting to jump in front of trains, and 'twisting people's necks on the bus'.

The court heard Amati began to have violent fantasies, and in 2016 bought a long-handled axe which she used to destroy an old sofa.

After a Tinder date on January 6 during which she took a capsule of the drug MDA, believing it was MDMA, she sent several chilling messages to her new acquaintance.

The court heard Amati began to have violent fantasies, and in 2016 bought a long-handled axe which she used to destroy an old sofa (pictured is the 2017 attack)

Hours later, after changing her Facebook status to read 'Humans are only able to destroy to hate so that is what I shall do,' Amati (pictured) left home in a murderous rage

Having ended the date because she believed the woman found her unattractive because she was transgender, Amati told her 'some people deserve to die'.

'One day I will kill a lot of people and it will be your fault', she told her date, and later called her a 'psychopath'.

Hours later, after changing her Facebook status to read 'Humans are only able to destroy to hate so that is what I shall do', Amati left home in a murderous rage.

Holding the axe and with a knife in her pocket, Amati walked to a 7-Eleven store in Enmore in Sydney's inner west while listening to her favourite rap song.

Pictured is axe attack victim Sharon Hacker, who Evie Amati tried to kill at a Sydney convenience store

Amati pleaded not guilty to attacking Benjamin Rimmer (pictured being treated after the attack), Sharon Hacker and Shane Redwood in the early hours of January 7, 2017

She then attempted to hack two other customers to death with the axe before trying to kill a homeless man outside moments later.

Amati pleaded not guilty to attacking Benjamin Rimmer, Sharon Hacker and Shane Redwood in the early hours of January 7, 2017.

Mr Rimmer feared he would bleed to death after being struck in the face, and Ms Hacker lost 25kg afterwards and continues to suffer nerve pain.

Mr Waterstreet argued drug use and dating rejections combined with her hormonal drugs and anti-depressants to trigger mental illness.

However, the New South Wales District Court rejected the mental illness defence and found her guilty of all three charges laid against her.

Amati will be sentenced on September 12.
The movie star wife of the so-called 'Hugh Jackman of China' was flanked by no fewer than five security guards when she arrived at court to support her husband against allegations of sexual assault.

Chinese actress Xuan Dong showed up to the NSW Supreme Court on Thursday ahead of a bail hearing for husband Yunxiang Gao.

Gao remains in custody over the alleged sexual assault of a female film production worker at Sydney's Shangri-La hotel in March, The Daily Telegraph reports.

The superstar wife of the so-called 'Hugh Jackman of China' was flanked by no fewer than five security guards when she arrived at court to support her husband against allegations of sexual assault

Chinese actress Xuan Dong (pictured) showed up to the NSW Supreme Court on Thursday ahead of a bail hearing for husband Yunxiang Gao

Chinese actress Xuan Dong (left) arrived in support of Gao (right) who remains in custody over the alleged sexual assault of a female film production worker at Sydney's Shangri-La hotel

Xuan - whom married Gao in 2011 and is, in the eyes of the Chinese media, the more famous of the pair - previously released a statement insisting that she believed her husband was innocent.

'Sorry for making everyone worry. I believe in him,' she declared.

Gao has pleaded not guilty to the two counts of aggravated sexual assault in company that have been levelled against him.

Xuan - whom married Gao in 2011 and is, in the eyes of the Chinese media, the more famous of the pair - released a statement insisting that she believed her husband was innocent

Gao has pleaded not guilty to the two counts of aggravated sexual assault in company that have been levelled against him (Xuan pictured)

He and producer Jim Wang, both 35, were arrested in March after they were accused of sexually assaulting a 36-year-old woman following a 'wrap up' party for a television series they'd been filming in Sydney.

The series was titled Love in Aranya, and the wrap-up party saw the actors and crew dining at the Red Chilli Sichuan restaurant in Chinatown before heading to the Gala KTV Karaoke Club, police claim.

The sexual assault allegedly took place at the Shangri-La hotel room in the early hours of March 27.

Xuan (pictured) - who married Gao in 2011 and is, in the eyes of the Chinese media, the more famous of the pair - previously released a statement insisting that she believed her husband was innocent

During an earlier bail application for Gao in April, a Local Court heard that the victim had sustained severe bruising and that blood and semen had been found in the room.

One man was taken into custody from inside his Shangri-La hotel room the day after the alleged incident, while the other was arrested shortly thereafter at Haymarket, in the city's CBD.

Gao's barrister at the time of April's bail hearing insisted that his client was not a flight risk, stating that 'It would be, in effect, Hugh Jackman committing an offence in China and fleeing.'

Gao and producer Jim Wang, both 35, were arrested in March after they were accused of sexually assaulting a 36-year-old woman (Xuan pictured)

Magistrate Sharon Freund nonetheless formally refused that bail appeal, noting that the police allegations made for a 'very sobering read'.

Justice Lucy McCallum told the court on Thursday that she expected to deal with Gao's bail application after ruling on other cases.

Gao has acted in three movies - including the 2012 hit Drug War - and 12 Chinese television series.

He and wife Xuan had a daughter, who's nickname is 'Little Dimple', in June of 2016.
A Palestinian man who was charged with terror related charges told investigators that his family was paid by Hamas' leader to falsely tell the media his baby cousin died of tear gas inhalation.

The story of Leila al-Ghandour's death due to tear gas sprayed by Israeli forces at Gaza border protesters made global headlines last month. It added to criticism on Israel's handling of Hamas orchestrated violence.

Her cousin Mahmoud Omar,20, made the revelation about his family being paid to lie about her death as he was being interrogated after being arrested by IDF forces on May 28, according to The Times of Israel.

Mr Omar told authorities that he was one of the 40,000 Gazans taking part in protest protests at the border two weeks before his death. He said that while at the border his mother called to inform him that his eight-month-old cousin had died.

The mother of Leila al-Ghandour weeps as she holds the body of her eight-month-old baby

Mr Omar said that when he arrived home he was informed, Layla had died of a blood disease similar to the one that her deceased brother died of in 2017.

But Omar made a claim to authorities that Yahya Sinwar, the Hamas leader paid Layla's parents 8,000 NIS (around 1700) to tell the media his cousin died due to tear gas inhalation at the Gaza protests.

Leila was believed to be the youngest victim of 58 Palestinians killed in demonstrations.

Missiles from the Iron Dome air defence system, designed to intercept and destroy incoming short-range rockets are seen from Gaza city on June 20, 2018

It was the deadliest day since the 2014 Gaza War. At least 2,700 were said to be injured.

Leila's mother, Mrs al-Ghandour said in an interview after her daughter's death: The Israelis killed her.

Mr Omar was arrested along with another member of Fatahs armed wing, the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades.

The group had tried and failed to torch an unmanned IDF post.

Omar acted as a lookout while two other members of his squad attempted to cut through the fence and cross into Israel.

The group did not manage to carry out the attack as they came under IDF fire. Israeli forces captured Omar and one other accomplice, while the third attacker managed to flee, according to the indictment.

IDF troops found wire-cutters as well as a bottle of gasoline and a video camera at the scene.

During questioning, Omar told interrogators details of the planned attack and detailed his involvement in other terror-related activities.
Organised crime is considered as a likely motive behind Monday's armed robbery of a Melbourne gun shop.

Four masked men are still on the run after they stormed the High Street store in Thornbury just after 11am armed with a sledgehammer, ransacked it and stole a number of firearms.

They fled in a stolen white SUV that was found dumped a short time later in nearby Clapham Street.

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The armed men entered the High Street store in Thornbury just after 11am on Monday and stole a number of firearms. Detectives remained at the scene for most of the day.

O'Reilly's Firearms describes itself on its website as Australia's largest gun dealer. Pictured above are guns on display at the store.

Of the 2310-odd guns stolen in Victoria in the past three years, 760 of them were in 2016-2017, the Herald Sun reported.

The guns stolen on Monday are estimated to retail for $700 to $1800, but could fetch up to $10,000 on the black market.

Described as Australia's largest gun dealer on its website, OReillys Firearms stock many firearms that are popular in the underworld.

Police haven't ruled out links to similar robberies.

The South Morang Hunting, Fishing and Camping was targeted by thieves almost a year ago.

A staff member at that shop told the Herald Sun that Monday's robbery seemed similar.

Store security had since been upgraded with an electronically operated bulletproof door and an entry limit of one person at a time.

'You have to rethink your whole security ... They can't come in unless we let them in,' he said.

'The staff from our store empathise with them (Monday's victims). Having experienced it we understand how they are feeling.'

One gun industry source described O'Reilly's as a professional and well-run gun shop that was rarely robbed.

Armed Crime Squad detectives said a large number of handguns were stolen in Monday's robbery.

'We do not know the exact number of firearms stolenbut we do know they were handguns,' Assistant Commissioner Stephan Fontana said at Monday's press conference.

'We're putting all our resources into recovering these weapons and charging the offenders responsible.

Victorian detectives remained at the High Street scene in Thornbury for most of the day.

'The offenders have done their planning and knew what they were looking for,' Assistant Commissioner Stephan Fontana said.

'We think there may be more than a dozen (guns stolen)  but I think it's premature (to state a number) until we've done our full audit.

'The offenders have done their planning and knew what they were looking for.

'They were targeting that shop to get those weapons.'
Paul Davies (pictured), the ex-husband of one of Cliff Richard's songwriters, rented his ten-bedroom stately home to gang who transformed it into a 5m cannabis farm

A drugs gang including the ex-husband of one of Cliff Richard's songwriters turned a ten-bedroom stately home in a picturesque Cumbrian village into a 5m cannabis farm.

Paul Davies, 64, had rented out the secluded Georgian mansion on the outskirts of Maulds Meaburn, near Appleby, for 5,000-a-month to London-based criminals who transformed it into a secret drugs factory.

With the isolated mansion, Flass House, set in 15 acres of parkland the enterprise went unnoticed until neighbours became suspicious at the sound of humming generators coming from the property.

When police raided the house they discovered equipment including ducting and cabling, which they believe had been used to cultivate more than 260kg of cannabis.

Davies, of Southport, Merseyside, had been awarded the 1.3million mansion in a divorce settlement after splitting from Christine Holmes - who co-wrote Cliff Richard's 1976 hit Devil Woman.

He has now been jailed for three years and eight months after he admitted conspiracy to supply drugs between May 1, 2011, and May 31, 2012 to Carlisle Crown Court.

Fellow gang members Dean Cameron, 53, of London, and David Lawrence, 32, of Ilford, were each jailed for eight years.

Mark Gallagher, 49, of Wolverhampton, and Philip Branigan, 32, of Banstead, Surrey, were jailed for seven years and Charles Neophytou, 47, of Banstead was sentenced to five years and six months in jail. Each were either convicted of or pleaded guilty to conspiracy.

Tim Evans, prosecuting, told the court: 'This was cannabis growing on a massive scale. It is not the self-amateurish cultivation of cannabis on a window ledge or in the converted loft of a house. This was growing in a stately home. Flass is a beautiful house, Grade II-listed because of its historical and architectural significance. It is a secluded house - no doubt why it was chosen for this criminal enterprise.

With the isolated mansion, called Flass, set in 15 acres of parkland on the outskirts of Maulds Meaburn, near Appleby, the enterprise went unnoticed until neighbours became suspicious at the sound of humming generators coming from the property

Although only one cannabis plant was discovered, along with a small quantity of the class B drug in a glass jar, officers who searched the first floor discovered evidence showing drugs had been grown there over a 13 month period

Davies, of Southport, Merseyside, had been awarded the 1.3million mansion in a divorce settlement after splitting from Christine Holmes (left, in 2004) - who co-wrote Cliff Richard's 1976 hit Devil Woman. Miss Holmes played no part in the cannabis growing operation

'Indeed you could drive through Maulds Meaburn every day of your life without ever seeing it or knowing it was there. It sits deep in the valley, surrounded by trees and therefore hidden from prying eyes. No doubt it was the lack of income from this huge house - coupled with the huge bills for its upkeep that would necessarily follow - that led Paul Davies into this conspiracy.'

The house had previously been used by Miss Holmes as a performing arts school and had featured on a BBC television show.

But the school began to flounder and the couple separated. Miss Holmes moved to France while Davies was awarded the Cumbria property, which is just outside the Lake District National Park in the Lyvennet Valley. Miss Holmes played no part in the cannabis growing operation.

The Palladian-style house was built in the 19th century by tea and opium traders Lancelot and Wilkinson Dent of Dent & Co, and had also been run as a care home until the early 1990s. In 1973 a secret haul of 16th century treasures were found in a loft which were subsequently sold for 220,000.

Fellow gang members Dean Cameron, 53, (left) of London, and David Lawrence, 32, (right) of Ilford, were each jailed for eight years

Mark Gallagher, 49, (left) of Wolverhampton, and Philip Branigan, 32, (right) of Banstead, Surrey, were both jailed for seven years. Branigan organised the installation of a diesel generator at Flass, which powered the cannabis factory

Davies had rented out the property in the early 2010s, and it was advertised as being 'totally private and hidden away, with an unmatched seclusion and charm'.

Police swooped on the property in May 2012 after a tip off from suspicious neighbours.

Although only one cannabis plant was discovered, along with a small quantity of the class B drug in a glass jar, officers who searched the first floor discovered evidence showing drugs had been grown there over a 13 month period.

Experts said three full crops would have been grown and harvested - which could have been sold wholesale, in bulk, for up to 1.3 million, or at street level for between 2.6 million and 5.26 million.

Charles Neophytou, 47, (pictured) of Banstead was sentenced to five years and six months in jail

Police then discovered that large sums of money had been paid by Cameron and Neophytou to Davies, totalling 53,170 and 14,280, respectively, in the 13 months up to May, 2012.

Lawrence took on a prominent organisational position, providing transport and recruiting one of the other gang members. He was assisted by Branigan, who organised the installation of a diesel generator at Flass, which powered the cannabis factory.

Ian Harris, mitigating for Davies said the performing arts school at Flass had not been a success and following the divorce Davies needed money to meet mortgage payments.

'He blames nobody but himself for getting involved in this criminal business,' said Mr Harris.

'He has gone from experiencing a quasi celebrity lifestyle to the prospect of a prison sentence. It is clear he was motivated by finance and was aware of the scale of the operation.'

Sentencing, Judge Paul Batty QC told Davies the house he owned was 'now steeped in debt' and added: 'You led police on a merry dance and pretended to be an innocent abroad but you were anything but.'

He told all the gang: 'You were members of an organised criminal gang and you were all involved in a conspiracy to produce cannabis on an industrial scale. You selected this property carefully and with precision with this criminal enterprise in mind.

'Given the scale of this operation, that it had the real hallmarks of organised crime - a gang coming from London, selecting a suitable building in a rural location in Cumbria - I regret to say that a deterrent sentence is unavoidable.'

After the hearing, Detective Sergeant Patrick McDonnell, of Cumbria Police said: 'The sentencing of these men concludes a lengthy and complex investigation which has successfully identified and prosecuted those involved in a highly organised and large-scale cannabis cultivation operation.

When police raided the house they discovered equipment including ducting and cabling, which they believe had been used to cultivate more than 260kg of cannabis

Experts said three full crops would have been grown and harvested at the property - which could have been sold wholesale, in bulk, for up to 1.3 million, or at street level for between 2.6 million and 5.26 million

'The Flass was seen as an ideal location for their criminality due to the unsuspecting nature of the building and the surrounding area. The house is surrounded by trees making it easier to conduct criminal activity away from the eyes of members of the public.

'I hope that the sentences passed in court send out the message that anyone who thinks that getting involved in drugs or serious crime can pay should think again. Cumbria Constabulary will target you and bring you to justice.'

Isla Chilton, Senior Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West said: 'This was a professional set up, whereby cannabis was being grown in at least ten rooms in the house. A large diesel generator was bought in to power the electricity needed to maintain the plants in order to avoid unusually high utility bills.

'The owner of the house, Paul Davies, was paid handsomely for renting it out to the other gang members specifically for the purpose of growing cannabis.

'The CPS and Police are dedicated to bringing to justice those involved in producing and supplying drugs and will continue to work together using the proceeds of crime act to trace and recover any profits they have made from this illicit enterprise.'
Frank Field, chairman of the Work and Pensions Select Committee, said workers were 'roundly failed' by the regulators

British Steel pensioners are being 'sold short' over compensation for pension losses after they were 'mis-advised' to transfer their savings into unsuitable investments, an MP has warned.

Frank Field, chairman of the Work and Pensions Select Committee, said workers were 'roundly failed' by the regulators who were supposed to protect their life savings from scammers when the scheme was overhauled.

He called for the pensioners to be given the 'maximum possible compensation for the grievous losses they have suffered'.

The Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) said it would revisit 15 claims it has already dealt with, but it ruled out the Financial Conduct Authority's (FCA) advice it should regard the case as 'unique' and waive FCA rules on calculating redress.

British Steel Pension Scheme (BSPS) members who lost their savings can be entitled to compensation of up to 50,000.

Field said it seems that British steelworkers, after being targeted by scammers looking to snatch their pensions, 'are being sold short again on what even the FCA calls 'rightly deserved compensation'.

'The FCA has ridden to their defence and urged the FSCS to be more generous, but the FSCS is clinging to rules the FCA says needn't apply.

'The FSCS must think again.'
Salesforce believes the UK will remain a top destination whatever happens with its departure from the European Union

Britain will thrive after Brexit, the boss of one the worlds biggest technology firms has declared.

Salesforce, which sells software to businesses and has more than 30,000 staff across the world, believes the UK will remain a top destination whatever happens with its departure from the European Union.

The firm is creating an extra 900 British jobs over the next five years with a 1.9billion investment.

Speaking to the Mail in Davos, international sales chief Miguel Milano said he was very optimistic about Britains future.

It is a vote of confidence after warnings about the risk of a No Deal Brexit from businesses such as Airbus, Siemens and Goldman Sachs.

Milano said: No matter what happens, we will continue investing in the UK. Its a great opportunity and a great market for us, with amazing companies we can serve.

Were not seeing anything negative. Brexit doesnt keep me up at night  nothing keeps me up at night other than our ability to hire top talent.

Milano said European revenue at Salesforce had been growing by 31 per cent a year and the picture was the same in the UK.

It believes Britain is likely to thrive because it has a large number of fast-growing firms with excellent leadership.

He added: We have analysts who provide us with an estimate of the total market for a firm like Salesforce in every country. The UK is among the largest in the world  one of the top three or four.
I have an ethical obligation to only put cases in front of the grand jury that I believe are supported by probable cause, Riley told The Sun. It would be unethical of me to put a case in front of the grand jury without probable cause, believing that they would not return [an] indictment simply to remove pressure on myself or this office.
Vodafone has decided to 'pause' using further Huawei kit in the critical parts of Vodafone's telephone networks

Vodafone has stopped the roll-out of some Huawei equipment in its networks in Europe amid fears the Chinese company could use it for spying

As the British mobile giant updated investors on its last three months of trading, which saw revenue slip, chief executive Nick Read said he had decided to 'pause' using further Huawei kit in the critical parts of Vodafone's telephone networks.

The decision was due to the 'noise' around Huawei rather than any particular issues, Read said, noting Vodafone had been speaking to governments across Europe about their concerns.

He added: 'We need to get the facts on the table and make clear what the plan of action should be.'

Firms such as Vodafone have been buying equipment from Huawei as they revamp their 4G networks into faster 5G.

Many countries have pushed to keep Chinese suppliers out of critical parts of their infrastructure, but governments including the US, Australia and New Zealand have gone a step further and banned Huawei from supplying the technology attached to radio towers.

Huawei denies it is involved in spying.

A statement from a Huawei spokesperson has said: 'Vodafone and Huawei are long-term strategic partners that have worked together since 2007. Huawei is focused on supporting Vodafone' s 5G networks rollouts, of which the core is a small proportion. We are grateful to Vodofone for its support of Huawei and we will endeavour to live up to the trust placed in us.'




Marks & Spencer has teamed up with a group of 'influencers' on social media in a desperate bid to arrest declining sales.

The High Street stalwart is working with seven Instagram bloggers to promote its clothes as it seeks to attract younger customers  and it is also launching a range of shoes designed by the women.

The shoes will go on sale online next Tuesday, priced between 35 and 49.50.

Style stars: Holly Willoughby selects ranges for M&S and now she'll be joined by seven Instagram bloggers

The collaboration is the latest attempt by M&S chairman Archie Norman and chief executive Steve Rowe to boost sales at the struggling store.

M&S has already joined forces with television presenter Holly Willoughby, who selects a range of clothes for a Holly's Must-Haves collection.

It has also beefed up its board, bringing in respected City figures including former Dixons Carphone executive Katie Bickerstaffe and ex-Sainsbury's boss Justin King.

However, M&S suffered a dismal Christmas, with food sales falling 2.1pc and clothing and home sales down 2.4pc in the 13 weeks to December 29.

It is closing 100 stores, with plans to shut even more, as it tries to cut costs and reinvigorate the brand.

So to reverse the sales fall, bosses have turned to social media 'stars'.

Sole sister: M&S blogger Emily Jane Johnston

Jill Stanton, director of womenswear and kidswear, said: 'At M&S we sell over seven million pairs of women's shoes per year and we work hard to deliver our customers stylish footwear that doesn't compromise on comfort or quality.

'Working with the influencers on this project has allowed them to bring to life their interpretation of next season's footwear trends.'

The footwear collection, which includes brightly coloured pom-pom sandals and 1970s-style platform shoes, will be updated every two weeks.

The latest Instagram tie-up is part of a wider plan at M&S to shake off its old-fashioned image amid soaring demand for products sold by online-only firms such as Asos and Boohoo.

M&S admitted it needed to make its clothes more fashionable and stylish for both older and younger customers.

It is stocking a larger amount of smaller sizes and also targeting men in their 50s who want a younger look by offering slimmer and skinny-fitting trousers.

Speaking in November, Norman said: 'Of course we value older customers, but most of the older customers I talk to may be 55 but they want to look 35.

'They want to look stylish, they want to dress well, they want good-quality clothing.'

Just this week it launched an online photo search on its website, allowing customers to take a photo of an outfit they like from a magazine to find similar items available at M&S.

Richard Hyman, an independent retail analyst, said: 'We're in a retail market now where it's less about what you do and more about the way you do it.

'Directionally, it's not really going to do any harm and might actually do a bit of good.

'Women do, when they get to a certain age, want to look younger than they actually are. But there's a limit to the possibilities around that need to be sensibly interpreted.

If this is ever really going to be a turnaround, before you can start recovering you have actually got to arrest the decline. And that has to be done by securing your core business, the people that do really like you.'
Vodafone has reported a drop in quarterly revenue but remained firm on its growth expectations for the full year.

Group revenue was 9.52 billion in the third quarter, down by 0.7 billion.

Vodafone blamed the decline on new accounting standards, foreign exchange headwinds and the sale of its Qatar business.

Vodafone is blaming the decline on new accounting standards, foreign exchange headwinds and sale of its Qatar business

The company reiterated guidance of 3 per cent growth in underlying earnings for the year.

European revenue was down by 1.1 per cent, but Vodafone said it had seen improving consumer trends in both Italy and Spain.

'Lower mobile contract churn across our markets and improved customer trends in Italy and Spain are encouraging, however these have not yet translated into our financial results, with a similar revenue trend in Europe to Q2,' said chief executive Nick Read.

'We have executed at pace this quarter and have improved the consistency of our commercial performance,' added Read.

Rest of world revenue grew 4.9 per cent, marking a slowdown on the 7.7 per cent rate of the previous quarter.

'In the last 12 months the shares have seen some big falls driven by concerns about the size of its debt as well as future costs with 5G licences coming up for bidding, while the company has found competition fierce in most of its markets in particular Italy and Spain,' said Neil Wilson of Markets.com.

Vodafone said it had seen improving consumer trends in both Italy and Spain

Earlier this week Vodafone announced its intention to extend a network sharing agreement with O2 in the UK to include 5G services, expanding the service to more customers over a wider area.

Shares in the company slipped 1.25 per cent lower in early trading on Friday. The stock has seen its value decrease by over 35 per cent versus the same time last year.
Shares are on the up as we head into the weekend as investors buy up this week's dip.

Meanwhile brewing company Fuller's has struck a deal to sell its beer business to the European arm of Japanese company Asahi, and telecoms giant Vodafone has reported a slip in sales.
Ambulance oxygen tanks are likely to carry the 'superbug' MRSA, a small US study suggests, pointing to the need for regular disinfection of medical equipment.

Researchers tested nine oxygen tanks carried by three ambulances based at an emergency medical services (EMS) station in Alabama. They found MRSA, or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, on all nine tanks.

They also swabbed oxygen tanks in a storage area, finding MRSA on 96 percent of the stored cylinders.

MRSA infections are difficult to treat because the bacteria are resistant to common antibiotics. Although usually mild, MRSA infections still cause thousands of deaths each year.

Most ambulance equipment is disinfected after each patient because of company protocol or as directed by regulatory authorities, but oxygen cylinders could oftentimes be overlooked

Other equipment on the ambulances, such as heart monitors and blood pressure cuffs, tested negative for MRSA contamination. But the floor of all three ambulances and a door handle in one ambulance tested positive.

'Oxygen cylinders are exchanged pretty rapidly between facilities, they (need) to be refilled, they're not like normal pieces of medical equipment or supplies, which are disposable,' study author Cody Gibson, who was with Calhoun Community College when the study was conducted, told Reuters Health over the phone.

Because oxygen tanks are exchanged between facilities, the bacteria could spread across large areas, Gibson notes in the Emergency Medicine Journal.

The presence of MRSA on the tanks could be due to a lack of universal disinfection protocols for oxygen equipment, said Gibson, who is now at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Most ambulance equipment is disinfected after each patient because of company protocol or as directed by regulatory authorities, but oxygen cylinders could oftentimes be overlooked.

Gibson interviewed EMS personnel and found the staff was not aware of when the oxygen cylinders were last disinfected, while other surfaces that patients contacted were regularly decontaminated with disinfectants.

Dr. David Tan of Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, who is President-Elect of the National Association of EMS Physicians, told Reuters Health, 'While it would be safe to say there is no 'universal' protocol for disinfection of an ambulance, there are a number of guidelines available for agencies to develop their own policy and procedure for ambulance disinfection.'

'MRSA exists in firehouses and EMS stations as well,' Tan said, 'and the challenge is finding universally effective disinfection procedures and techniques that are both effective and efficient, especially in busier EMS services where there is constant system pressure to get back in service to answer the next call for help.'

Dr. Michael David, assistant professor of Medicine and Epidemiology at the University of Pennsylvania's Perelman School of Medicine in Philadelphia, said contamination of ambulance oxygen cylinders is not widely discussed.

'This paper raises the problem of these specific objects being contaminated by MRSA and resulting in a previously unaddressed reservoir of MRSA in ambulances,' he told Reuters Health. 'This observation importantly may result in new standard procedures to clean these objects with an antiseptic between uses.'

The study didn't look at actual transmission rates, so it's unclear whether anyone actually became infected from bacteria on these tanks. Also, Gibson points out, the samples only came from a single EMS station, and at only one point in time.

Still, he concludes, 'Oxygen cylinders appear (likely to carry) MRSA. The development of universal disinfection protocols for oxygen equipment could help reduce the risk of patient infection due to cross-contamination.'
A woman got a plaited hair extension stuck in her eye socket after her sister stabbed her in the face with a shard of glass and blinded her.

The gruesome injury ended up with a doctor having to tug out the weapon and the strand of hair with a pair of forceps.

The unnamed 37-year-old, from the Delta State in Nigeria, was in an 'anxious state', doctors said, because of the gaping wound in her cheek.

She was given local anaesthetic and surgeons pulled out the shard which had left her unable to see, then stitched up the cuts on her eyelids.

Doctors used forceps to tug out the hair extension and shard of glass from the eye socket of the 37-year-old woman, whose name is unknown  she was left permanently blinded in her right eye after the ordeal, which caused 'irreversible' damage to her cornea

A doctor from the Delta State University, near Lagos on the southern coast of the African nation, reported the woman's predicament in the journal BMJ Case Reports.

Her right eye was producing excessive amounts of fluid and intensely red, the report said, but her eyeball was mostly intact.

However, she suffered 'irreversible' damage to her cornea  the front of her eye  leaving it blinded and useless.

The section of hair  believed to have been sliced off the woman's weave during the attack  were sticking out of a diagonal slash beneath her eye.

The doctor did not include any details of the woman's argument with her sister or any other injuries sustained in the vicious fight.

Dr Mabel Okiemute Etetafia's report suggests the woman's hair was hanging in front of her face and the plait became caught on the end of the glass during the stabbing.

It was then driven into the flesh beneath her eye and pinned there by a piece of glass which broke off what is presumed to be a bottle or drinking glass.

'The cause of the retention of the woven artificial hair on the face was not initially clear,' Dr Etetafia wrote.

'Although the patient had similar strands on her hair the flexible nature of the strands further posed a challenge to the cause of the retention.

'The mechanism that introduced the woven artificial hair strands ... is not clear but it is most likely that the hair was on the path of penetration of the broken glass at the time of the stab injury.'

Doctors struggled to work out how deep the wound was and how much glass was left in because the woman could not afford a high-tech CT scan.

Dr Mabel Okiemute Etetafia, who treated the woman, said it wasn't immediately clear how the hair had become embedded in the woman's face, but said it was likely caught on the end of the piece of glass when she was being stabbed

The plaited hair matched those on the woman's head, the report in BMJ Case Reports said, and appeared to have been sliced off the woman's weave during the vicious attack

The patient was given local anaesthetic before doctors clamped down on the hair to tug it out of her eye. She suffered no further complications but was blinded in her right eye

Instead they used X-rays to examine her skull, which was considered a less accurate way to diagnose the injury.

And doctors filmed the removal process in a stomach-churning video in which forceps were used to forcibly lever out the hair and piece of glass.

Injuries of this kind can be life-threatening, Dr Etetafia added, because they are so close to vital body parts like blood vessels and the brain.

However, the woman's wound was considered to be in a 'superficial' location and not posing any immediate threat to her life.

And after the glass and hair were removed and the cuts stitched up, the woman did not have further complications besides being blinded in the affected eye.

Dr Etetafia said: 'Retained foreign bodies following penetrating trauma may pose a difficult diagnostic problem.

'[This is] due to several factors such as the difficult access, the inflammatory response of the tissues around, the size of the object and a close anatomic relationship to vital structures, which may put patients lives at risk.'
An infertile woman is 27 weeks pregnant with a 'three-parent baby' in the first ever clinical trial to test the controversial procedure.

The 32-year-old Greek woman had four failed IVF attempts before she heard about the trial by Spanish doctors.

The Barcelona-based team used a technique called maternal spindle transfer (MST) to put DNA from one of her eggs into a donor's egg before it was fertilized with sperm.

Experts say, 'if true', the move - the third time MRT has produced a pregnancy - could be 'really big news in terms of reproductive medicine and biotechnology'.

But a University of Oxford ethics professor questioned the ethics of toying with genes for infertility rather than to treat genetic disorders.

The 32-year-old Greek woman had four failed IVF attempts before hearing about the trial in Spain. Experts warn it raises questions about using the technique for fertility rather than disease

'The main ethical issue (or one of the main issues) that will arise from this Spanish/Greek enterprise is whether using MSTs for treating infertility that is not related to mitochondrial disease is morally permissible,' said Professor Cesar Palacios-Gonzalez.

The trial's leader Dr Nuno Costa-Borges, cofounder of Barcelona-based Embryotools, insists the procedure is far less sinister than critics fear.

He says it is like egg donation, but in this case 99 percent of the baby's genes come from its mother and father, and just one percent from a third party.

For some patients, its very hard to accept that they cannot get pregnant with their own [eggs],' he said.

Spindle transfer may represent a new era in the IVF field, as it could give these patients chances of having a child genetically related to them.

Legal experts warn the trial puts more pressure on the US to think again about its ban on mitochondrial replacement as more countries open the door to aspiring parents around the world.

I. Glenn Cohen, a Harvard health law professor, warned American parents may well seek the treatment elsewhere, and it won't be clear how many three-parent babies are in the country.

'There is simply no way for any country to truly insulate itself from alterations through mitochondrial replacement therapy entering a country's gene pool,' Cohen told STAT.

Two three-parent babies have been born using MRT since the procedure was invented, one in Mexico and one in Ukraine - both sparking global controversy.

Mitochondrial replacement therapy was first invented at Oregon Health and Science University in 2009 in animal experiments.

But in 2015, the US banned its use for human pregnancies fearing that it could be a slippery slope to genetic modification.

That same year, the UK gave the procedure the green light, publishing guidelines on how it could be used.

And last year, scientists in Newcastle were granted permission to create Britain's first three-parent babies for two women with heritable genetic diseases.
Oolong tea extract has 'great potential' in the prevention of breast cancer, scientists believe.

Labvoratory tests showed the Chinese tea, used for centuries for its supposed health benefits, stopped the growth of breast cancer cells

Researchers found the extract hampered the DNA of the cancer cells, inhibiting the growth and progression of tumours.

Green tea showed similar promise, the scientists said. However, black and dark tea had little effect on the cells.

Oolong tea extract has 'great potential' in the prevention of breast cancer, scientists believe after positive study findings

Scientists at St Louis University, Missouri, also analysed the rates of breast cancer and deaths from the disease across China.

Their analysis found regions with high oolong tea consumption had generally lower rates of the disease.

The team now say the tea offers promise as a non-toxic approach to prevent breast cancer, which one in eight women will develop in their lifetime.

Researchers, led by Dr Chunfa Huang, examined the effect of oolong tea extract on six breast cancer cell lines.

Cancer cells lines are used in research, and are cancer cells that keep dividing and growing over time under certain conditions in a laboratory.

The team tested two ER-positive and PR-positive lines, one HER2-positive line, and three triple-negative cell lines.

Green and oolong tea extracts prohibited breast cancer cell growth in all six breast cancer cell lines.

Whereas cells treated with black and dark tea extracts showed no or very weak effect.

The team said: 'From our results, oolong tea, much like green tea, plays a role in inhibiting breast cancer cell growth, proliferation and tumor progression.

WHAT IS OOLONG TEA? You may not be familiar with oolong tea, which originates from China. Any tea that has been oxidized between eight and 85 per cent (semi oxidised) can be considered an oolong tea. Tea oxidation is one of many steps in the production of oolong tea. As soon as you pluck a tea leaf, it starts to oxidize. Black teas are fully oxidized whereas green teas are hardly oxidised at all. Oolong, also known as 'black dragon tea' falls into the middle. A cup would contain caffeine, vitamins, minerals, amino acids and beneficial tea polyphenol antioxidants, according to USDA Food Composition Databases. These properties all have potential for health benefits including weight loss, brain function, heart health and diabetes prevention. But their efficacy in tea needs more research. Advertisement

'Oolong tea, same as green tea, can induce DNA damage and cleavage, play an inhibitory role in breast cancer cell growth, proliferation, and tumorigenesis, and [it has] great potential as a chemopreventive agent against breast cancer.'

Green tea has shown anti-cancer benefits in studies before, but oolong tea has been researched less.

Just two per cent of the world's tea production is oolong tea, compared to about 78 per cent black tea, and 20 per cent green tea, the authors said.

It is mostly produced in China, where people have been using it for its supposed medicinal purposes for a historic period of time.

Therefore, the scientists also looked at 2014 data from the Chinese and Fujian province cancer registry annual report.

They found that the incidence of breast cancer in the Fujian province was 35 per cent lower than the national average.

Those who drank the most oolong tea had a 25 per cent lower incidence compared to the average Fujian, and 50 per cent lower than the national average.

They also appeared to have a lower mortality rate - the death rate of high consumers of oolong tea in Fijian was 68 per cent lower than the national average, according to the findings published in the journal Anticancer Research.

Although the results are significant, more research is required, the authors said.

'It is clear that more study is needed,' Dr Huang said. 'The lower incidence and mortality in regions with higher oolong tea consumption indicate that oolong tea has great potential for its anti-cancer properties.'

More than 250,000 women in the US were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2018, and around 41,000 die from the illness each year.

Although survival rates have been improving - doubling in the past 40 years in the UK - the treatment is gruelling.

A Breast Cancer Care survey found that women 26 per cent of women found the end of treatment the hardest part of breast cancer.

Ongoing side effects of treatment such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy can make people feel like they are not moving forward after treatment.

Prevention and early diagnosis is key to improving future health prospects, with screening being offered to all women between the age of 50 and 70 in the UK.
A bed-bound woman whose brain is 'slipping from her skull' is desperately trying to raise 300,000 to pay for life-saving surgery abroad.

Sarah Jackson, 30, had just realised her dream of moving to Australia in 2013 when she became struck with such severe vertigo she could barely stand.

After returning to Essex, the hairdresser was diagnosed with chiari malformation, which causes the brain tissue to extend into the spinal canal.

Ms Jackson now lives in 'excruciating pain' and only leaves the house for medical appointments in a wheelchair.

She feels she is in a race against time to raise enough money to go to the US for a series of life-saving operations

Ms Jackson claims medics in the UK - both in the NHS and private hospitals - refuse to operate due to the surgery being 'too risky'.

Sarah Jackson - whose brain is 'slipping from her skull' - is desperately raising 300,000 to pay for life-saving surgery abroad. The hairdresser is pictured left at Moto GP before she became unwell. Pictured right recently, she is virtually bed-bound and suffers 'excruciating pain'

Ms Jackson had not been living in Brisbane long when she started to feel unwell.

'About four months after arriving, all of a sudden I started to feel vertigo and I couldn't really stand anymore without feeling very faint,' she said.

'I had a lot of neck pain. I just didn't feel right. I had to stop working because obviously as a hairdresser you've got to stand.'

Her symptoms became so severe she was eventually forced to move back in with her parents in the village of Eight Ash Green, with her mother Julie, 54, now being her full-time carer.

'I was just about to get sponsorship to stay out there,' she said. 'It was a life-long dream to live in Australia, so it was absolutely devastating.

'Getting on that plane back was just awful.'

Ms Jackson's father John, 58 - a builder - is reportedly working seven days a week to support his family.

Ms Jackson (pictured before she became unwell in Australia) had only been living in Brisbane four months when she developed such severe vertigo she could barely stand

Forced to return home to her parents' house in the village of Eight Ash Green, Essex, Ms Jackson only leaves the house - in a wheelchair - to attend medical appointments

Ms Jackson first became ill in 2016 when she was diagnosed with postural tachycardia syndrome (PoTS) - an abnormal increase in heart rate that occurs after sitting up or standing.

'I couldn't really even stand up for long enough to make a cup of tea,' Ms Jackson said.

That same year she was diagnosed with Lyme disease and had open heart surgery.

In July 2017 'a big seizure caused massive damage, leaving her basically bed bound, [and] needing speech and occupational therapy,' she wrote on her GoFundMe page.

After being diagnosed with chiari malformation, she discovered she had the related condition Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) - which causes tissues to weaken and also affects Ms Jackson's mother.

As if that was not enough, Ms Jackson was later diagnosed with craniocervical instability - deformation of the brainstem - and atlantoaxial instability - excessive movement at the top of the spine.

Speaking of her conditions, Ms Jackon said: '[They] cause me an excruciating amount of pain. I'm either stuck in bed or in a wheelchair if I have to go out.

'My brain is slipping into my spinal cord.

'I have to get these three operations as soon as possible and get my life back so I can start living again like a normal person.'

Ms Jackson is desperate to get her life back but fears she is facing 'organ failure, paralysis, and a slow and painful death'. She claims doctors in the UK - both in the NHS and private hospitals - refuse to operate due to her case being too risky. But a medic in the US has agreed to help her

Ms Jackson claims a private upright MRI scan - not available on the NHS - in July last year revealed her brain has slipped by 10.2mm.

'I spoke to an American specialist [and] they said they would operate immediately,' she said.

'If anyone had anything over 5mm, he said that would be an emergency.

'My neck is also crumbling and pushing onto my spine, and that's life-threatening.

'It's a very dangerous operation but I think it's a risk worth taking.'

Writing on her fundraising page, Ms Jackson claims her EDS 'means no surgeon will touch her in this country as it makes surgery extra dangerous'.

Ms Jackson - who is still taking oral antibiotics for her Lyme disease - hopes to have decompression surgery to remove a bone at the back of her skull, which will create more space for the brain.

Spinal fusion surgery that joins vertebrae into a single structure should also stop her backbone moving.

'Without treatment, theres no doubt that at any time - organ failure, paralysis, and a slow and painful death lie ahead,' she said.

Ms Jackson claims the money raised will go towards hospital fees, as well as paying for her flights and accommodation. Donate here.
A sales executive who has been bullied all his life because of huge cysts on his face has embraced his differences after finding love.

Alexander Marti, 27, from Brisbane, Australia, was born with a condition called lymphatic malformation, giving him a mass on his face called a cystic hygroma.

The mass was operated on numerous times, but it hasn't been possible to remove it entirely.

Mr Marti needed a tracheotomy to assist his breathing as a young child, and had speech impediments due to having a tongue bigger than normal.

His childhood was tainted by the taunts of bullies poking fun at his appearance, which landed him in physical fights.

But it was the strength from his father to 'fight back', his friends, and a new romance, that has helped Mr Marti to pull through a confident man.

Alexander Marti was born with a condition called lymphatic malformation, giving him a a cystic hygroma - a collection of fluid-filled cysts

The 27-year-old, pictured with his girlfriend, Sarah Hill, has learnt to embrace his differences

As a child, Mr Marti was bullied in three different schools in Australia for his appearance, as well as speech difficulties due to his tongue being abnormally large

Mr Marti has learnt to accept his look with the support of his friends, family and girlfriend

Mr Marti's cystic hygroma is a collection of fluid-filled cysts that results from a blockage in the lymphatic system.

The lymphatic system is a network of vessels within the body which form part of the immune system.

Cystic hygromas, which can affect up to one per cent of newborns in the UK, can develop anywhere in the body, but are commonly found in the neck and armpits.

WHAT ARE CYSTIC HYGROMAS? Cystic hygromas are a collection of fluid-filled cysts. They affect up to one per cent of newborns in the UK. Their US prevalence is unknown. Cystic hygromas most commonly form on the neck and armpits. They occur when the lymph vessels fail to form correctly during the first few weeks of pregnancy. Due to them occurring so early on in pregnancies, they cannot be prevented. Cystic hygromas can be detected during pregnancy scans. Most are visible during birth or early infancy and appear as painless, translucent, soft lumps. Treatment is not always required but may involve surgical removal or injection sclerotherapy. Sclerotherapy causes an inflammatory reaction that makes cystic hygromas shrink. Cosmetic surgery may be performed in later life to reduce scarring. Source: Great Ormond Street Hospital Advertisement

Growing up, Mr Marti always knew felt different to his peers - and they made him feel that way, too.

But Mr Marti's father, Carlos Enrique Marti, encouraged him to 'never take anyone's rubbish'

Mr Marti said: 'Coming from an ethnic background [South American] and with my hygroma more severe than now, in year five there was this one Aussie kid who used to verbally bully me a great deal.

'My parents did the right thing and went to the school to tell the teachers in the hope that they could sort it out, but nothing was done.

'My parents, being a bit old school, told me to stand up for myself and if he did it again, don't hold back.

'So, our class was standing outside our classroom in two lines, waiting for our teacher to let us in; that's when this kid said something about my cheek again and I just snapped, pinned him up against the wall with my forearm, gave him a headbutt and pushed him to the ground. He never bullied me again.

'I got into a few physical fights.'

Mr Marti grew up in Sydney, but the family moved twice - the second time because the bullying had become too severe.

Mr Marti said: 'Growing up in Sydney, I was lucky enough to make a best friend, Gabriel Vivo, who made me feel like every other normal kid running around the school yard even through my many operations.

'From Sydney, I moved to Central Coast of New South Wales, which was to be honest the hardest two years I had. Because of the many surgeries in those couple of years, my face and tongue would flare up and down.

Mr Marti said: 'Coming from an ethnic background and with my hygroma more severe than now, in year five there was this one Aussie kid who used to verbally bully me a great deal'

Mr Marti grew up in Sydney, but moved to Brisbane and Queensland for a fresh start, having a hard time settling in with new people

Mr Marti, pictured with a friend who also had the condition, Tamara, was taught to 'fight back' the bullies by his father Carlos Enrique Marti

'I was being bullied a fair bit and found it difficult to adjust to my new surroundings.

'After two years of living in Central Coast, we moved up to Queensland; again it was a rocky start with bullying beginning again and some altercations.'

Mr Marti underwent numerous surgeries including one to remove 80 to 90 per cent of the cysts on the right side of his cheek, therefore reducing the size.

He has had laser treatments on de-bulking of his tongue and 15 rounds of a drug from Japan called OK-432 to shrink his cysts.

Even after a cystic hygroma has been removed or shrunk, there is a chance that it could return.

Mr Marti said: 'When I was going to primary school my hygroma was still very large. I had a tracheotomy [during primary school] and had some speech problems due to the size of my tongue.

'Cystic hygroma has affected me emotionally and most of all physically; you go through so many high and lows.

'I was worried about whether I would make friends like my parents did or be in a relationship like any other teenagers in high school.'

But that all changed when he met life-long friends Stuart Fishwick, Joseph Logan and Jackson Downie.

Mr Marti had numerous surgeries as a child which removed 80 to 90 per cent of his cysts

Mr Marti, on the far left, said he met a group of friends in his school in Queensland who helped him through thick and thin

Mr Marti said he had a religious experience with a truck driver, who said he would pray for Mr Marti. This had a comforting effect on Mr Marti and helped him become more positive

Mr Marti, pictured at a comic-con dressed up as anime character (left), feels like 'every other person walking in the streets

Mr Marti said: 'I'm extremely grateful for this group of friends, as they stuck by me through thick and thin.'

Since meeting his girlfriend, Sarah Hill, 27, online, Mr Marti is a changed man.

He said: 'I now have a UK-born girlfriend and she has been there for me ever since, including accompanying me to hospital appointments and supporting me through it.

'Now I believe I feel like a very grounded man; I'm confident, happy, humble and extremely grateful for the life I'm living.'
As advocates for civic engagement in our local government we often search the county website archive of minutes when researching the history of various issues. In addition, we believe that video or audio archive is insufficient for citizens with hearing or other impairments. However, if the county produced transcriptions or closed captioning for these recordings, then perhaps these accessibility issues would be solved and fuller transparency accomplished.
A former insurance broker suffers from a condition that causes her to dislocate her wrist every time she picks up the kettle to make a cup of tea.

Claire Simpson, 24, of Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire, was fit and healthy until she lost control of her bowels while at work in June 2016.

Although humiliated, Miss Simpson struggled into the office the next day only to collapse on the tube and have to 'pop' her joints back into place.

For almost a year doctors were baffled as to what was causing Miss Simpson's symptoms - until her masseuse suggested she may have the tissue-weakening disorder Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) in March 2017.

With her diagnosis confirmed two months later, Miss Simpson was forced to give up work and moved back in with her parents - along with her boyfriend James Kanter, 29 - last November.

Claire Simpson suffers from a rare condition that causes her to dislocate her wrist every time she picks up the kettle. She first became ill when she lost control of her bowels at work in June 2016 but doctors were baffled as to what the problem was. She is pictured left having tests in hospital before her diagnosis and right with her boyfriend James Kanter before the ordeal

Miss Simpson had never been seriously ill before she suddenly experienced severe abdominal pain and diarrhoea while at work.

'I was in the office late one night, about to go out to the theatre with James,' she said.

'I'd had a bit of a funny tummy all day but didn't think anything of it, but then suddenly I felt a surge down there and completely lost control of my bowels, releasing before I was able to get to the toilet in time.'

Although embarrassed, Miss Simpson did not think much of the incident and commuted with Mr Kanter - a management consultant she met online in 2014 - from their flat in Maida Vale, north London.

'I was feeling very faint and my heart was beating very weakly,' she said.

'I don't remember much but James tells me I collapsed on the tube and was then rushed by ambulance to University College Hospital in Euston.'

Doctors told Miss Simpson - then 21 - she likely had gastroenteritis and sent her home to rest.

Miss Simpson is pictured left in hospital - where she underwent cancer screenings, bowel tests and heart examinations - which all came back negative, before eventually being diagnosed. Pictured right before the ordeal

Despite all she has been through, Miss Simpson smiles through her hospital stays and refuses to let her condition hold her back. She hopes medical advances will one day find a cure

Miss Simpson was signed off work while she recovered but medics were unable to get to the bottom of the problem.

'It was incredibly frustrating because I just wanted to go back to work,' she said.

'I felt like I was both letting people down and making a big fuss when actually the doctors couldn't see that there was anything wrong with me.

'I had basically become an invalid within the space of just days and couldn't leave the house. It all happened so quickly.'

Miss Simpson's symptoms gradually got worse and eventually became a way of life.

'My joints - in my fingers, wrists and knees - would pop out so often that after a while, it just became part of daily life and I would click them back in myself, not thinking too much of it,' she said.

'I was often making hot water bottles to ease my frequently upset stomach and just picking up a kettle would sometimes pop my wrist out of place, which would look quite horrifying as it would become bent all the way back to my forearm.'

Pictured before the ordeal, Miss Simpson and Mr Kanter met online in 2014. She calls her boyfriend 'amazing', with him supporting her even she loses control of her bowels in public

The couple are pictured left on an exotic holiday and right at the Leaning Tower of Pisa before Miss Simpson suddenly became ill. She was fit and healthy before the ordeal began

Miss Simpson's colon has been significantly damaged by her condition, causing her to experience frequent bouts of diarrhoea, constipation and bloating (pictured)

Miss Simpson would repeatedly visit her GP to try and get to the bottom of the problem.

But numerous tests - including cancer screenings, bowel inspections and heart examinations - all came back clear.

It was not until she visited a masseuse for joint pain that Miss Simpson was diagnosed with the rare and incurable condition hypermobile EDS at the London Clinic on Harley Street.

Although the disorder typically runs in families, Miss Simpson's case occurred spontaneously.

'I actually cried with happiness when I was eventually diagnosed because I felt like my life was being eaten away by this illness, even though I knew it meant it was going to change my life forever,' she said.

But she refuses to let the condition hold her back and hopes medical advances will one day lead to a treatment.

'I'm not going to just roll over and accept my illness, so I'm constantly looking for new treatments and trying to find new ways of coping with this,' she said.

'There are of course times though when it can all get a bit much and when I consider how I was before I developed EDS, it can be a bit like looking at a totally different person's life.

'But then I remember that there have been some positives from this too. My family have been amazing but in particular my boyfriend James.'

Miss Simpson added: 'There are not many boyfriends in their 20s who have to help their girlfriends when they lose control of their bowels in public or fall over because their knee has dislocated.

'But despite all that, we are still together because I know that he loves me for who I am and not what EDS has done to me.'

Mr Kanter continues to work full time, with the couple living with Miss Simpson's parents to help them save their one-person salary.

She has adapted her life around her condition by using an at-home bowel irrigation system and a light kettle that is easy for her to lift.
Nearly a dozen people have died in a rat-borne disease outbreak in Argentina.

Hantavirus has infected at least 29 people in the South American country, a majority of them female, and it has killed 11 of them so far, authorities say.

Earlier this month a judge ordered 85 people to stay in their homes to stop the virus, believed to have first broken out at a party, from spreading.

Although rare among people, hantavirus cannot be cured and kills up to 50 per cent of people who catch it.

'Potential human-to-human transmission is currently under investigation,' the World Health Organization said.

The outbreak is happening in Epuyen, a remote town of around 3,000 people near the Chile-Argentina border. The virus is believed to have spread after the first person to become infected went to a party and six other guests developed symptoms

The outbreak of the virus, spread by rats and other rodents, is happening in the remote town of Epuyen in the Chubuta province, around 900 miles (1450km) south-west of Buenos Aires.

Hantavirus affects the lungs, causing flu-like symptoms to begin with, and is usually spread by contact with the droppings or saliva of infected animals.

More serious symptoms can appear with four to 10 days and include the lungs filling with fluid, causing coughing and shortness of breath.

One survivor described the sensation as feeling like 'a tight band around my chest and a pillow over my face,' according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Epuyen's outbreak began in October 2018, and the 29 lab-confirmed cases so far happened between then and January 20, 2019.

Some 50 per cent of the patients' symptoms happened within the past three weeks, and 59 per cent of them have been women or girls.

The first person to become infected is thought to have caught it from an animal then attended a party in Epuyen, after which another six people developed symptoms.

A local judge recently ordered 85 residents of the remote town, which has a population of around 3,000, not to leave their homes for at least 30 days.

A fruit harvester wearing a face mask looks out the window of his car in Epuyen, Argentina, where a judge ordered dozens of people not to leave their homes because of a virus outbreak

A woman works at her shop, which has a warning sign about the hantavirus as an outbreak in the town has killed at least 11 people and infected another 18, the WHO reports

A man in Epuyen wears a mask and waits for clients at his shop, with a sign that says in Spanish 'We are all family in Epuyen  be supportive, use a mask'

Some had refused to isolate themselves voluntarily as authorities tried to contain the outbreak.

The WHO is advising local health officials to try harder to detect, investigate and control cases of the disease.

And it said they should pay particular attention to travellers returning from affected areas.

Officials in Epuyen have temporarily banned gatherings in public buildings, including funerals, as a precaution.

Everyone who has caught hantavirus so far has had some form of contact with another of the patients, suggesting it is spreading between people.

But the WHO said it is still investigatin whether this is the case. A further 98 contacts are being monitored in case they start to show signs of illness.

Between 2013 and 2018, there were 114 confirmed deaths from hantavirus in Argentina  an average fatality rate of 18.6 per cent, although it was close to 40 per cent in some areas, the WHO said.

Community outbreaks of hantavirus are not commonly recorded but there were isolated cases in which people died of it in the US last year.

Nine-year-old Fernando Hernandez, from Bloomfield, New Mexico, died after he caught the disease and suffered a stroke.

And Kiley Lane, a 27-year-old mother from nearby Farmington, died after contracting the illness and mistaking it for flu, then dying of organ failure.
A student with severe nut allergies claims she was left fearing for her life after a suffering a potentially deadly reaction to a lip balm.

Amy Brown, from Middlesbrough, was careful to read the set of ingredients on the outer packaging of a NIVEA gift set she received for Christmas.

However, she claims she did not recognise sweet almond oil labelled under its chemical name Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis.

The 19-year-old tried not to panic as her lips tingled, throat became itchy, and a rash appeared on her hands, and took medication to relieve the symptoms.

NIVEA claim it has not broken any laws - almond oil was listed on the individual lip balms contained within the pack. But Miss Brown did not think she would need to check.

Miss Brown, who has been allergic to all nuts and sesame seeds since the age of four, is now urging cosmetic and food industries to be clearer, as the ingredients could have led to fatal consequences.

Amy Brown, 19, from Middlesbrough, has had nut allergies since she was four years old. She managed to control her reaction to the NIVEA Blueberry Blush Lip Butter immediately

Miss Brown said she checked the gift set packaging - but not the lip butter itself - for ingredients. She thought the product was safe before applying

Sweet almond oil was 'hidden' under its chemical name Prunus Amygadulus Dulcis

On the lip butter product, sweet almond oil is labelled in brackets. Miss Brown has urged cosmetics to be more clear, as her reaction could have been fatal

She said: 'Not stating it properly has made me anxious - what other products don't have clear labels? It was a terrifying experience but one that I wanted to turn it into something positive.

'I want to alert NIVEA to the fact that not clearly stating that nuts are in their products could be extremely dangerous for thousands of people who suffer from nut allergies like myself.

'We have standards for food labelling in regards to allergies, but cosmetic appear to be lagging far behind and I think it's time that more is done about it.'

Miss Brown received the NIVEA Luscious Lips gift tin containing two Lip Butters and two Lip Balms for Christmas from her parents.

On January 7, after having carefully inspected the ingredients on the tin, with the help of her mother, Carolyn, 47, a nurse, Miss Brown applied some of the Blueberry Blush Lip Butter.

Within seconds, Miss Brown began to feel her lips tingling and saw a rash on her hands due to touching the application of the lip balm.

She calmly wiped off the NIVEA lip balm, took anti-histamines, her inhaler and throat lozenges to try and counteract the terrifying symptoms before they escalated.

Miss Brown was on her own at the time, but a family member was able to rush home to be by her side.

Speaking of her ordeal, she said: 'I knew how to deal with it but it panicked me. My breathing went quite quick at the time and I was shaky.

'I'm really careful. I've lasted my whole life not having a reaction until a reaction last year. There are quite a lot of makeup products I dont use because I know what to look for.'

Thankfully, by catching the reaction quickly, Miss Brown did not need to use her lifesaving EpiPen or steroids which she carries with her at all times.

Miss Brown was alone when she suffered her allergic reaction. She remained calm, knowing that previous reactions had led to hospitalisation

In an email, NIVEA confirmed that the lip balm contained sweet almond oil

Her tingling lips and scratchy throat eased within two hours, but she had a sore throat that lasted for the rest of the day.

She said: 'When I had the reaction, when I swallowed it felt like a had blisters on the back of my throat that I wanted to scratch.

After I took the anti histamines it just felt sore, like blisters that burst. It's a strange feeling to explain.'

It was only when Miss Brown and her mother subsequently checked the back of the individual tin of the Blueberry Blush Lip Butter that they discovered it contained sweet almond oil.

Although its chemical name - which they did not recognise - had been written on the main gift tin, the 'sweet almond oil' had not been.

When the mother and daughter contacted NIVEA to make them aware of the potentially life-threatening problem, their response was that legally they have complied with European Law by listing the INCI (International Nomenclature for Cosmetic Ingredients) names on the exterior gift box.

Although on this occasion Miss Brown didn't require hospital attention, her allergies have led to terrifying situations in the past.

She has two carry two EpiPens, incase the first one does not work, because she is at such a high-risk.

While on holiday in Turkey with her family on in August 2018, she ate a tart which she didn't know had nuts in and was rushed by ambulance to intensive care.

'It was the most terrifying experience of my life,' Miss Brown said. 'My heart rate went up to 180 and I was vomiting, my ears swelled and I was covered in hives.

'My mum called an ambulance and I spent 24 hours having adrenaline, antihistamines and steroids administered in intensive care.'

A NIVEA spokesperson said: 'We always appreciate feedback from our consumers and take any concerns with regard to our products very seriously.

'As stated in our conversation with the consumer, the INCI labelling of the Lip Butter gift box and the Lip Butter balm tin itself is in full compliance with the EU Cosmetic regulation provisions.

'In this case, the contained almond oil has been indicated by the respective INCI name Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis  both on the exterior gift box, as on the individual balm tin.'
A Canadian cat who loves to sit in the window of his owner's apartment has become an online star thanks to a woman who works in the building across the street.

Erika Strong, a marketing employee at Shopify in Toronto, first caught a glimpse of the cat while staring out the window of her office. She became so smitten with the feline that she and her co-worker Alison Fleming concocted a plan to find out his name.

Using individual sticky notes, she and Alison spelled out 'What is your cat's name?' and stuck them to their office window in the hope that the cat's owner would see the message and respond.

Going all out: Erika Strong, an employee at Shopify in Toronto, took to Twitter to reveal the cat that lives in the apartment building across the street from her office is named Marshall

Plan: Erika and her co-worker Alison Fleming used individual sticky notes to spell out 'What is your cat's name?' on their office window

Erika took to Twitter a few weeks later to announce her wish had come true, sharing a photo of the adorable white cat sitting next to a sign hanging in the window that revealed his name is Marshall.

She also posted an image of the sticky notes she and Alison had placed on the window in their office building.

'Every day I stare out the window @shopify at a cat in someones apartment. Weeks ago @_myles and I asked what its name was,' she tweeted. 'Today they obliged and we've never been happier.'

Erika was extremely empathetic while reflecting on the possible reason why the owner took so long to share Marshall's name with them.

Success: Erika took to Twitter a few weeks later to announce her wish had come true, sharing a photo of the adorable white cat sitting next to a sign stating his name

Just a hunch: Erika hypothesized that the owner kept forgetting to bring home the sign with Marshall's name written on it

Loving it: Erika revealed she wanted to know even more about the cat

Winning question: People clearly wanted to know if Marshall was named after the rapper Eminem, whose real name is Marshall Mathers

Success: Alison retweeted Erika's message, calling it 'the best day' of her life

'I like to imagine that the reason it took them so long to respond is because they had to print it out at work and remember to bring the piece of paper home. And every day they would say "Today's the day" but they would still forget. It's lightly crumpled so it checks out,' she explained.

Erika's original post quickly went viral, receiving more than 56,000 retweets and nearly 200,000 likes in just a few days.

Alison was among those who retweeted the message, adding: 'This is the best day of my life.'

Erika single-handedly turned Marshall into an online star, and it seems that only fueled her desire to learn more about the cat.

'What's the next question we should ask Marshall? cc @_myles,' she asked, providing a poll for Twitter users to vote. 'Here are some options for a follow-up question. Plz vote.'

You're famous Marshall! Erika returned to Twitter the next day to share another photo, revealing she added a sign with a website link to the window

Loving it: One Kansas native revealed the story made him want to move to New York City

Curiosity: Someone else wondered if the Toronto-based cat has a Canadian accent

Possibilities: Many people were delighted by the story and hoped that something similar would one day happen to them

Big wish: Mike Sharp hoped the cat's last name is Meowthers

Dark humor: Rachel de Morales joked about the cat looking to be rescued

'What's your middle name,' 'Do all cats hat Mondays,' and 'Mew?' were among the questions, but 'Like, after Eminem?' won with 41 per cent of the vote after a whopping 65,896 people weighed in.

People clearly wanted to know if Marshall was named after the rapper, whose real name is Marshall Mathers.

Erika returned to Twitter the next day to share another photo, revealing she added a sign with a website link to the window.

'Patiently waiting for Marshall to return to the window and find out that hes finally made it,' she tweeted.

People were delighted by the story and shared their thoughts in the Twitter thread, with one Kansas native saying it makes him want to move New York City.

'I want to believe I live in a world where this is a possibility,' someone else tweeted.
The Queen wrapped up warm as she headed out on a shoot with some close friends on Friday.

The monarch was on the Sandringham estate, trussed up in a khaki cagoule with her hood up as she followed the action.

Joined by a bevy of local friends, as well as her daughter Princess Anne and her husband Tim Laurence, the 92-year-old led the way, using a walking stick to negotiate the rough terrain.

Prince Philip, who was spotted in London yesterday, did not attend.

Sir Jackie Stewart was also among the shooting party, well known for being a keen marksmen.

The 79-year-old was a prize-winning member of the Scottish clay pigeon shooting team before he became a racing driver and competed in the UK and abroad.

The monarch headed out on the Sandringham estate trussed up in a khaki cagoule wearing her hood up as she took part in the sport

Princess Anne (seen in the background) also joined her mother on the shoot today

It is no surprise to see the former F1 racing driver among the party today having firmly established himself in the royal fold from a young age.

He enlisted Princess Anne to write the foreword for his biography and his wife Helen, who is now battling dementia, is godmother to Zara Tindall, the Queens granddaughter.

Her Majesty was also joined by several canine pals, sure to be a welcome addition for the monarch who lost the last of her beloved corgis last year.

The Queen herself did not appear to get to grips with a gun but appeared instead to offer encouragement from the sidelines. Earlier in the day, she enjoyed lunch with the shooting party.

She also took the role as royal chauffeur getting behind the wheel of her Range Rover to transport her guests - though it is unclear whether or not she was wearing a seat belt.

Joined by a bevy of local friends, the 92-year-old lead the way using a walking stick to negotiate the rough terrain

Taking a detour the Queen braved a thorny thicket during a hack across the grounds

Princess Anne and her husband Tim Laurence (seen centre with Jackie Stewart, far right) were among those to join the Queen this afternoon

Her Majesty got behind the wheel of her Range Rover in order to make the short journey from her home to the hunt

She faced criticism for going without a seat belt following the Duke of Edinburgh's crash just over a week ago and it is unclear whether or not she was wearing one today

The Queen herself did not appear to get to grips with a gun but appeared instead to offer encouragement from the sidelines as her friend Sir Jackie Stewart (seen with gun) took a shot

The 79-year-old (seated) was a prize-winning member of the Scottish clay pigeon shooting team before he became a racing driver and competed in the UK and abroad

The hunt appeared to be a successful one with members seen toting pheasants

SIR JACKIE STEWART REVEALS HIS WIFE'S BATTLE WITH DEMENTIA The racing legend revealed last week how he's transformed his idyllic Swiss home to make life for his wife Helen, who has dementia, safer and more comfortable. The Scottish racing star, 79, who won 99 Grands Prix during his illustrious driving career has described Lady Stewart's battle with the devastating illness as the 'biggest challenge of my life'. Sir Jackie Stewart, 79, pictured with his wife Lady Helen, 77, at Wimbledon in 2016. Helen was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia five years ago and Stewart has described her illness as the 'biggest challenge of my life' Stewart has also invested 2million into academic fellowships in a bid to help scientists find a cure for the cruel disease, which 225,000 people in the UK are diagnosed with every year. Helen was first diagnosed five years ago after she couldn't remember how a car accident happened in the grounds of the couple's lavish Chiltern Hills estate. Lady Stewart's short-term memory and mobility are impaired by the condition and day-to-day tasks are a struggle, with the 77-year-old frequently awake throughout the night. Now based full-time in Geneva, Lady Helen is cared for around the clock by a team of eight neuroscience nurses and the four-storey house the couple share on the banks of Lake Geneva has been kitted out with state-of-the-art sensors to ensure Helen doesn't stumble when she's awake at night. The racing legend also keeps his wife's social life going, ensuring she dines twice a week with family members. Advertisement

This comes following the news that the Duke of Edinburgh was not wearing a seat belt during his crash in Norfolk just over a week ago.

Following the incident the Queen faced criticism for making a similar journey without wearing one last Friday.

However, it appears that the royal has remained vigilant since having been spotted wearing a seat belt on Tuesday.

Police have spoken to the Duke after he was pictured driving a new Land Rover alone and without a belt just 48 hours after his crash.

The royal family is well known for its love of shooting with a Boxing Day shoot an annual tradition.

The Queen is now in the final weeks of her time in Norfolk, expected to return to Buckingham Palace in the first week of February

While the Queen is not thought to have taken part in the shoot herself she did enjoy a lunch with those who attended earlier today

In years gone by, the Queen would be joined by royal wives during the festive shoot, following the gunmen and often wringing the necks of injured birds.

But during the last hunt the 92-year-old monarch and her 97-year-old husband turned up in a Range Rover just to watch for a while and eat a lunch.

The shoot today comes a day after the Queen visited the Sandringham branch of the Womens Institute in Norfolk, where Pointless quizmaster Alexander Armstrong was guest speaker.

Her Majesty was also joined by several canine pals, sure to be a welcome addition for the monarch who lost the last of her beloved corgis last year

Her Majesty, who is known to be a superfan of the BBC quiz show, enjoyed tea and cakes with the ladies and took part in a live version of the quiz, which her team won.

The Queen is now in the final weeks of her time in Norfolk, expected to return to Buckingham Palace in the first week of February.

She will mark the 67th anniversary of her accession to the throne on February 6, normally done privately on her Norfolk estate.

The longest-reigning sovereign in British history became queen on February 6 1952 on the death of her father King George VI.
Marla Maples and her daughter Tiffany Trump recently enjoyed some time backstage at a Broadway show, and the mom couldn't resist pointing out that one ornate costume looked just like a gown she had donned in the early '90s.

Donald Trump's second ex-wife took to Instagram on Thursday to post a photo collage featuring two images: one of herself modeling a red and gold strapless gown during a photo shoot and another of Tiffany, 25, holding up a similar frock while posing with Anastasia star Christy Altomare.

'Tiffany & I were backstage with the effervescent & talented @christyaltomare (Anastasia on #Broadway) admiring the beautiful costumes and I couldnt help but see the similarities between this dress that Christy performed in and the one I wore in a British photo shoot years ago' the 55-year-old mom wrote.

Then and now: Marla Maples shared a throwback photo of herself modeling a red frock along with a snap of her daughter Tiffany Trump, 25, holding a similar gown

Fun times: In her post, the 55-year-old revealed she and her daughter were backstage at the Broadway show Anastasia when the new photo of Tiffany was taken

'Long before Tiffany was born [smiley face emoji] early 1990s now vintage days,' she added. '#LindaCho won the Tony for best costume design #tbt.'

In the top image, Marla is posing on top of a piano while a male suitor in a red hat tips his hat to her.

The actress is wearing a scarlet taffeta Bellville Sassoon gown from the late 1980s-early 1990s that she owned before it went up for auction five years ago.

The figure-hugging rushed dress features gold beading as well as pearl and red rhinestone embellishments.

Marla was able to show her legs off in the frock, which had a long butterfly overskirt with a graduated hem.

Glitz and glamour: The top picture shows the mother-of-one donning a Bellville Sassoon gown (pictured) during a photo shoot in the early 1990s, before Tiffany was born in 1993

Going once, going twice, sold! Marla owned the embellished red gown before it was auctioned off for $384 in 2013

Julien's Live auctioned off the gown for $384 in November 2013, but Marla clearly has fond memories of wearing it before she and her former husband welcomed Tiffany in 1993.

The second photo taken at the Broadhurst Theatre in New York City shows Tiffany and Christy, 32, smiling for the camera while holding up a similar red and gold gown that was designed by Tony winner Linda Cho.

Christy appeared to be getting ready for the show; she was sporting curls and red lipstick but was wearing a casual flannel button-down.

Tiffany, meanwhile, looked ready for a night on Broadway in a fitted black blazer. She wore her straight blonde hair center-parted and loose around her shoulders.

Stunning: The Broadway costume Tiffany was holding was designed by Tony winner Linda Cho. Christy is pictured wearing the gown during the opening night of Anastasia in 2017

Close in heart: Marla was in Indianapolis, Indiana, with friends on Thursday, while Tiffany was enjoying the sunset in Washington, D.C.

It's unclear when the mother-daughter duo enjoyed the show together. They both shared Instagram Stories on Thursday that revealed they were in different states.

Tiffany, a law student at Georgetown University, posted an image of a beautiful sunset, tagging Washington, District of Columbia as her location.

While Tiffany was on the East Coast, her mom was braving the freezing winter weather in Indianapolis, Indiana, with friends.

The two may have headed to Broadway over the holidays. Tiffany spent Christmas in New York City with her mother before flying to Hong Kong.

Like her daughter, Marla has also had the travel bug as of late.

Mother and daughter: The two may have headed to Broadway over the holidays. Tiffany spent Christmas in New York City with her mother before flying to Hong Kong

Living it up! Marla shared photos of herself doing yoga on a yacht in the Caribbean earlier this month

Limber lady: The mom looked trim and toned in a sporty two-piece as she stretched in the sun

The mother-of-one escaped the brutal New York winter and went island-hopping earlier this month, enjoying the sun, the beach, and the scenery in such places as St. Lucia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

One of the highlights was surely her yacht yoga, which she performed on a blue mat while wearing a sporty two-piece swimsuit by Live!, a Brazilian brand.

'Ok so honestly...the best natural lighting ever...' she gushed while sharing photos of herself performing a series of poses on a yacht in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. 'Thanks to the magical sea and sunlight of Caribbean.

'So after the 4 1/2 mile hike straight up and down Gros Piton my quads were so sore, and my toes and most everything else, but this pose, I believe called Swan in #Yoga and the others to follow were so helpful to stretch out the soreness, especially the quads.

'#yoga works and breathing deep into any pain we may feel allows the oxygen to flow and healing and relief to come. Try it,' she concluded, adding a smiley face.
Some would say Olivia Palermo is the original 'influencer' and the title is well deserved.

The business woman, entrepreneur and designer began her career in 2008 as part of MTV's television show, The City, and her impeccable and unparalleled approach to style quickly catapulted her to fashion icon status.

Olivia is a front row fixture at fashion week and the 32-year-old wowed us in Paris at the haute couture shows. She shares her secrets to looking tres chic with FEMAIL.

Original 'influencer': Olivia Palermo is a front row fixture at Fashion Week and the 32-year-old wowed us in Paris at the haute couture shows

Front row ready: The business woman shares her secrets to looking tres chic with FEMAIL. Pictured here in a jacket, shirt, pants, and belt all by Christian Dior

Olivia's European itinerary is unpredictable. Her dance card is full with fashion shows, business meetings, press engagements and social functions. This season, the trendsetter even took over Dior's Instagram feed.

'While I admire those who can plan their outfits to only pack what is needed for their travel itinerary, my schedule is always evolving so it is important to have a little bit of everything as a result,' she said.

'And the weather can be so unpredictable, so it's best to be prepared  like this past week for instance, where we had snow in Paris!

'My outfits are only as planned as I need them to be in order to pack, but I always have various options for styling.'

Pro traveler: 'My outfits are only as planned as I need them to be in order to pack, but I always have various options for styling,' she said. Pictured in a Schiaparelli sweater

Styling options requires space, making traveling light not really an option. The brunette beauty admits to flying with upwards of nine luggages.

'Lets just say its more than one but less than ten,' she reveals.

Throughout her career she's become a jet-setting pro.

'Having attended so many show seasons throughout the years and travelling all over the world, I have my science to the perfect art of packing.'

This involves bringing a little bit of everything, including several key all-year-round pieces and statement accessories to restyle outfits.

Options needed: 'Lets just say its more than one but less than ten,' said Olivia regarding the amount of suitcases she travels with

Mixing it up: For the Elie Saab show, she wore a cape by the Lebanese designer, Salvatore Ferragamo sunglasses, J Brand pants and Dior shoes

While celebrities traditionally wear the looks of the designer whose show theyre attending, Olivia provides additional eye candy and outfit inspiration by adding her own flair. This influencer doesn't follow trends, she sets them.

'I always try to show my support for the designers whose shows I am attending by wearing pieces from their collection,' she said.

'But I always stay true to my own personal style and you will rarely ever see me in one designer from head-to-toe.'

It's this approach that sets her apart from the rest and could very well be the secret to her enviable ensembles.

Runway to real way: 'I always try to show my support for the designers whose shows I am attending by wearing pieces from their collection,' she said. 'But I always stay true to my own personal style and you will rarely ever see me in one designer from head-to-toe'

Coordinated set: At the Giambattista Valli show Olivia wore a plaid jacket and matching pants from the luxury label paired with a sheer ruffled blouse

Night out: Heading off to Balmain she sported a white dress and sparkly blazer from the luxury brand's Creative Director, Olivier Rousteing

Olivia wore a red Valentino pre-fall look on Wednesday (January 23) to the Parisian label's couture catwalk.

The red jacket and pants originally came down the runway with coordinating socks and shoes on 17-year-old superstar model, Kaia Gerber.

Leave it to the 32-year-old to belt the top and team the sporty set with black hosiery and patent leather Dior combat boots.

At the Elie Saab presentation, she paired a floral embroidered cape by the Lebanese designer with a pair of J.Brand leather leggings and Dior high-heel booties.

Style comes so natural to Olivia that she can create a mesmerizing outfit without much preparation or thought.

'We coordinate fittings with each of the brands when scheduling allows, in the days leading up to the shows if not during the actual week itself.'

But last minute meetings don't fluster her. 'It's always really nice to reconnect with friends that you dont have a real opportunity to stop and say hello to during the frenzy of the shows.'

Go with the flow: 'We coordinate fittings with each of the brands when scheduling allows, in the days leading up to the shows if not during the actual week itself' she revealed

Power dressing: 'I choose what to wear based on what makes me feel like the best version of myself in that moment  and that stands true for every day, not just Fashion Week'

Beautiful couple: Even on a lunch date with husband Johannes Huebl, she looks polished and perfect in a Longchamp coat and Analeena handbag

The paparazzi captures Olivia's every move while traveling between shows, but the added attention does't influence her wardrobe decisions.

'I choose what to wear based on what makes me feel like the best version of myself in that moment  and that stands true for every day, not just Fashion Week.

'I am a person who often changes multiple times a day regularly and Fashion Week is no different.'

Even on a lunch date with husband Johannes Huebl, she looks polished and perfect. It's no wonder the style icon has become a mainstay feature on any best-dressed list.

But the star let us in a little secret: 'I am very fortunate to receive a lot of beautiful things both gifted and lent to me, so sometimes a look you will see photographed will actually be going back to the designer once the event is over.'

She's a real life Cinderella!
The Duchess of Sussex's best friend Jessica Mulroney is said to be masterminding her maternity wardrobe from behind the scenes, and it looks like Meghan could be in line for some more style advice for the final stages of her pregnancy.

Jessica, 38, who was an 'unofficial' maid of honour for Meghan when she married Price Harry in Windsor on 19 May 2018, revealed she's in London by posting a snap of herself on Instagram last night.

The fashion stylist, who met former actress Meghan, 37, on the set of Suits, is believed to have flown in to give the royal style advice on previous occasions but usually keeps her visits low-key.

Posing in the bathroom of the plush Park Chinois Chinese restaurant in Mayfair, Jessica wore a tailored black jacket, from Soia & Kyo - a label Meghan's also been spotted in.

Jessica Mulroney, Meghan Markle's best friend, shared a photo of herself in Mayfair's Park Chinois last night - her first trip back to the UK since she attended the royal wedding in May

The 'Fabriana' mid-length double-breasted blazer, from the American brand, costs $425 (322) although it's current on sale for $298 (226).

The brand is loved by stars like Reese Witherspoon and Taylor Swift and Meghan herself is a fan of the brand, too.

Most recently, she wore the Adelaida classic wool coat in grey for the Royal Variety Charity's Brinsworth House in Twickenham in December.

Jessica also sported skinny patent pants, a statement waist belt and a co-ordinating black handbag. She accessorised with a slick high ponytail and her signature stiletto heels - this time in the form of pointed metallic courts.

Meghan and her fashion stylist friend Jessica (pictured at a dinner in Canada in 2015) met on the set of Suits which saw Meghan play the role of Rachel Zane for six years

Jessica (pictured in blue) took a starring role in Meghan's wedding to Harry in May escorting her flower girls with her sons acting as page boys

Jessica didn't reveal why she had made the trip to London although she'll no doubt be paying Meghan a visit at Kensington Palace.

The stylist attended Meghan and Harry's glittering wedding in Windsor in May when her twin sons, Brian and John, were pageboys for the royal bride.

A source previously described Jessica and Meghan's bond as more than a friendship, and has claimed Meghan has 'modelled' herself on the mother-of-three.

Speaking previously to The Mail On Sunday, a source said: 'Meghan adores Jessica, not just as a friend but also as someone whose taste and style are impeccable.

For her trip to London, Jessica wore a blazer by Soia & Kyo - a label loved by Meghan, too. The pregnant Duchess of Sussex wore the brand's grey Adelaida coat for an appearance in Twickenham in December 2018

'Meghan looks up to Jessica and has, to a certain degree, modelled herself on her.'

Their friendship blossomed when the pair met on the set of Suits, which saw Meghan play the role of Rachel Zane in the series for six years.

It was reported that Jessica quietly flew into London to help Meghan prepare for her first overseas visit as a royal when she and Harry travelled to Dublin in July last year.

She was also spotted in Sydney during the first leg of Harry and Meghan's high profile royal tour in October.

It's believed that the influence of her best friend may be the reason for Meghan's loyalty to little-known Canadian labels such as House of Nonie and Judith & Charles, which are closely associated with the Canadian stylist.

She's typically stuck to American and Canadian brands for her royal wardrobe, rather than championing British labels.
She is related to one of greatest fashion icons of all time and it seems that good style runs in the family as Lady Kitty Spencer proved last night.

The niece of the late Princess Diana showcased her sartorial prowess as she attended the Town & Country Jewelry Awards in Manhattan, New York.

The model and fashion muse took to the red carpet in a black satin dress, which hugged her curves perfectly.

The 28-year-old put on a regal display, dripping with jewels in the form of her statement necklace and matching earrings.

Lady Kitty Spencer showcased her sartorial prowess as she attended the Town & Country Jewelry Awards in Manhattan, New York on Thursday

She added some extra height to her ensemble in the form of some pointed black suede stilettos.

Her iconic blonde locks were slicked back for the occasion and Kitty had highlighted her dazzling blue eyes with eyeliner making them pop.

It was no surprise to see the Bulgari brand ambassador at the annual awards which sees the style elite gather to celebrate the biggest names in the jewelry industry.

The model and fashion muse took to the red carpet in a black satin dress, which hugged her curves perfectly

The 28-year-old put on a regal display, dripping with jewels in the form of her statement necklace and matching earrings

It is the second time the magazine has run the awards which recognises talent at work in the contemporary jewelry world.

Award categories include Red Carpet Award of the Year, Fashion House High Jewelry of the Year, and Innovators of the Year.

Lady Kitty is Charles Spencer's eldest child from his first marriage to Victoria, with partnerships with Dolce & Gabbana as well as Bulgari under her belt.

Kitty boasts also 440,000 followers on Instagram, where she posts endless photos showcasing her glamorous modelling career and glitzy social life.

Her iconic blonde locks were slicked back for the occasion and Kitty had highlighted her dazzling blue eyes with eyeliner making them pop

The socialite grew up in South Africa, reading psychology, politics and English at the University of Cape Town.

And she could be set to make up to 2million a year if she continues to secure lucrative contracts with fashion brands, a branding expert recently revealed.

She is on warm terms with William and Harry, and is an ambassador for homelessness charity Centrepoint (of which William is patron), but is not in their inner circle.
Australian parents are rejoicing knowing their children will be returning to school next week.

But perhaps even more excited are the dedicated primary school teachers spending days preparing their new classrooms ahead of time.

Taking to social media, a group of passionate educators are sharing images of their themed reading nooks, welcome back cards and desks to inspire their students to work hard and enjoy themselves while they do it.

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For year 3 and 4 teacher Cailin Melinda (pictured), from the NSW Central Coast, decorating is all part of the process - and she's a huge fan of incorporating colour

The young teacher also built a 'wow work' wall to display some of her student's excellent writing efforts

For year 3 and 4 teacher Cailin Melinda, from the NSW Central Coast, decorating is all part of the process - and she's a huge fan of incorporating colour.

She created a donut wall to encourage kindness between students.

'This is our kindness display that has blank doughnuts. Apart of our kindness challenge is the students will write down something they have seen another student do that is kind and that student gets a 'sprinkle',' she explained.

She created a donut wall to encourage kindness between students (pictured)

Prep school teacher Miss D from Tropical North Queensland has built a comfortable reading nook in her room, with the youngsters able to sit on a host of comfortable pillows while they indulge

The reading nook (pictured) has a large selection of stories to choose from

The young teacher also built a 'wow work' wall to display some of her student's excellent writing efforts.

Prep school teacher Miss D from Tropical North Queensland has built a comfortable reading nook in her room, with the youngsters able to sit on a host of comfortable pillows while they indulge.

Meanwhile Miss Turner, who will be teaching prep in Central Queensland this year, has made cupcake-themed happy birthday signs and a sweet sign that reads 'Do not stress just do your best'.

Meanwhile Miss Turner, who will be teaching prep in Central Queensland this year, has made cupcake-themed happy birthday signs and a sweet sign that reads 'Do not stress just do your best'

These nifty ideas - including a kindness wall and reading tent - will entertain the kids

Reading corners making children actually want to sit down and learn

'My first banner to display in my class. I implemented this motto with the prep class I had at the end of last year,' she wrote online.

'It was super sweet to hear the kids reminding each other of it when they were frustrated or having a hard time. Now I have a visual reminder to put above the whiteboard.'

And for Kat Totman, who is in charge of year 4 on the NSW South Coast, it was an eco-friendly approach she decided on for her pupils.

'BIG classroom reveal on my insta story today. Such a good feeling being finally done,' she wrote.

'I have loved my summer project of classroom renos and am feeling so happy with the finished space.'

Dr Seuss' space: 'I have loved my summer project of classroom renos and am feeling so happy with the finished space'

And for Kat Totman, who is in charge of year 4 on the NSW South Coast, it was an eco-friendly approach she decided on for her pupils (left)
I dont know if they knew at the time, I dont know if it was deceptive, but it was wrong, he said. People got the pills from the doctors and then they became addicted. If the information that came out was correct in the first place, I wouldnt be in favor of doing this litigation in the first place  but it wasnt.
Australian transport authority NRMA teamed up with partner organisations to test nine car seat options on the market.

Using the Child Restraint Evaluation Program, they tested nine varieties, based on safety and ease of use.

While all models met the Australian standard, they did not receive a five star rating.

Results showed that price is not indicative of safety, with some cheaper options providing a better level of safety.

Which car seat is the safest? NRMA tested nine options on the market and some of the results may shock you

The latest results on the safety of Australian car seats on the market released Thursday, revealed that price is not relative to safety.

Results proved that some cheaper options on the market, are a safer choice than some pricier options.

Road Safety Expert Dimitra Vlahomitros said on Thursday that parents should take great consideration when it comes to choosing a car seat.

'A car seat is one of the first and last pieces of baby equipment a parent will purchase that will be used every day for several years, and can be one of the most important,' Ms Vlahomitros said.

How did it rate? The lowest-ranked in the rear-facing car seat category was revealed to be the Infasecure Neon II, retailing for $199

RESULTS

Rear-facing car seat

The safest rear-facing car seat was revealed to be the Britax Safe N Sound Graphene, retailing for $438.

The lowest-ranked in the rear-facing car seat category was revealed to be the Infasecure Neon II, retailing for $199.

Forward-facing car seat

Ranked: The safest forward-facing car seat on the market was revealed to be the Infasecure Rover Convertible Booster Car Seat, retailing for $149

Proving that price doesn't necessarily equal quality, the safest forward-facing car seat on the market was revealed to be the Infasecure Rover Convertible Booster Car Seat.

This variety sells for just $149 on the market.

In comparison, the lowest-ranked forward-facing car seat was revealed to be the Britax Safe N Sound Graphene car seat, which costs parents $438.

Forward-facing: The lowest-ranked forward-facing car seat was revealed to be the Britax Safe N Sound Graphene car seat, which costs parents $438

Booster

Again, the cheaper options proved to be the safest, with the highest-ranked booster car seat being the Mother's Choice Trinity Unharnessed Booster Seat, retailing for $99.

The lowest-ranked was the Safety 1st Solo at $179.

Poorly-ranked: The lowest-ranked booster was the Safety 1st Solo at $179

What are NRMA's tips for purchasing a car seat? * Don't simply purchase based on price * Be wary of purchasing second-hand * Read through the national Child Restraint Laws Source: NRMA Advertisement

NRMA's Road Safety Expert Dimitra Vlahomitros shared her top tips for parents when it comes to choosing a car seat.

Ms Vlahomitros recommended parents do their research, and not just choose a car seat based on price.

She also warned against purchasing a second-hand variety, and said to read through the national Child Restraint Laws so you're aware of what's deemed the most safe.
For many parents, the task of packing a creative and nutritious school lunch for their child is both exhausting and time-consuming.

But for one Australian mum, it is far more than a monotonous morning chore; it's a hobby.

Enter Nancy Du, a stay-at-home mother-of-one from Melbourne whose overflowing bento lunchbox and accessory collection requires two cupboards and four separate shelves.

Ms Du, 43, uses her eye-popping collection to complement the imaginative lunches she prepares for her son Jack, four, and partner, 32, every morning.

Nancy Du, a stay-at-home mother-of-one from Melbourne, has an overflowing bento lunchbox and accessory collection that requires two cupboards and four separate shelves

Ms Du, 43, uses her eye-popping collection to complement the imaginative lunches she prepares for her son Jack, four (pictured) and partner, 32, every morning

Pictured is Ms Du with her partner, 32, and four-year-old son Jack

'Jack is starting kinder this year and that is how the bento collection started, he is my inspiration behind all this,' Ms Du told FEMAIL, admitting she had and still has no budget for the shop.

'I wanted to make him yummy lunches for kinder. Growing up in a big family of seven children and both parents working, my lunches back then consisted of a stale sandwich and some home brand Strassburg if we were lucky.

'I would always look at other kids lunches and envy the yummy lunches they had so I guess I am making up for my lost childhood and want to provide my son and partner with healthy, varied and yummy lunches.'

Ms Du, the founder of Come Bento With Me, did some research and came across online stores with lunchboxes she loved the look of before her collection really took off.

'Between the three of us I currently have about 70 bento boxes and about 10 snack boxes that I accumulated in the last two months and they are all varied in shapes and sizes,' she said

Pictured is one of the creative lunches she puts together for Jack

'I came across stores like Bento and Co and Dokodemo and Rakuten Global - that's where 85 per cent of my collection started. I am kind of obsessed with Japanese made goods and I love Japanese foods so one click to 'add to cart started' an avalanche of clicking and clicking.'

'Between the three of us I currently have about 70 bento boxes and about 10 snack boxes that I accumulated in the last two months and they are all varied in shapes and sizes.

'Depending on what I make for lunch, I choose a box accordingly. My son loves the bento boxes that I have bought for him and he thanks me for them.'

Ms Du also has 250 food picks, vegetable cutters, silicon cups, sauce bottles, nori cutters and egg shapers as part of her enormous collection which she groups into categories

Jack also has 22 drink bottles and half of them are stainless steel for insulation in summer

Ms Du also has 250 food picks, vegetable cutters, silicon cups, sauce bottles, nori cutters and egg shapers as part of her enormous collection which she groups into categories and stores in stackable trays.

'In one tray I have all the silicon cups, in another tray I have all the nori cutters and tools. I stack them in the cupboard in accordance to usage - the silicon cups and vegetable cutters I will be using more often than the nori cutters so they go on top,' she said.

'The bento boxes I store in my cupboard with their lids on, so that all I need to do is to grab the bento box and it's all there. I have cleared two cupboard spaces for my collection and ideally I would like to have more space but this will do for now.'

'I want to incorporate our dinners that are good to eat cold into his lunchbox and the main thing is to be able to eat rice cold,' she said

Jack also has 22 drink bottles and half of them are stainless steel for insulation in summer.

'He has a Mario stainless steel drink bottle, Minions, Lightning Mcqueen and Shinkansen trains. Some of his drink bottles have insulated carry case, so when we go shopping he carries his own drink bottle over his shoulder,' she said.

Ms Du also makes elaborate meals for her family and has been practicing making creative bento box meals on her partner so her son's are perfect by the time he starts school.

'I want to incorporate our dinners that are good to eat cold into his lunchbox and the main thing is to be able to eat rice cold. When we were in Japan, a lot of the bento boxes in convenience stores came cold,' Ms Du said.

'I would make vegetables in a pork roll and then make a few sides like Japanese potato salad and sauteed mushrooms and spinach and have enough left over for lunches,' she said

'When my son starts kinder, I would make a kiddy version with the vegetable pork roll by cutting them into three and putting them on a skewer,' Ms Du said

'I had the cold rice there before and it still tastes delicious so I looked online for a Japanese rice supplier. I found Ichiban Junction and was over the moon. Their prices are very competitive and they have great selection of Japanese products.

'At dinner time when I make dinner make extra to put in my partner's lunch so for example I would make vegetables in a pork roll and then make a few sides like Japanese potato salad and sauteed mushrooms and spinach and have enough left over for lunches.

'When my son starts kinder, I would make a kiddy version with the vegetable pork roll by cutting them into three and putting them on a skewer. For the rice, I would make little round rice balls or nigiri and then add some fruit.'

Ms Du said her partner's colleagues were so impressed with the lunches she has made food for them as well.

While some may think the collection is over the top, Ms Du says she is simply providing for her family what she could only dream of having as a child

'I sometimes make lunches in the morning and bring them to my partner's work for him. Most of the time I make lunches for his colleagues too as they all love his lunches,' Ms Du said.

While some may think the collection is over the top, Ms Du says she is simply providing for her family what she could only dream of having as a child.

'I was born in Vietnam during the Vietnam War and our family was lucky to escape and flee to Finland,' she said.

'From there we stayed for about seven years and then we were sponsored to go to Australia by our cousins.

'It brings me great joy to feed the people that I love and see them enjoy my food.'

Ms Du can be found on Instagram and on Facebook and regularly shares her amazing lunches and lunch recipes
Dyson items have long been the main competitor in the vacuum space, creating innovative products that homeowners swear by.

So when a baby product company that sells soothers and sippy cups are labelled the 'Dyson of baby items', parents listen.

Particularly when that same brand becomes available in Australia.

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MAM is a cult label around Europe, supplying parents with child-proof cutlery, developmental toys, teethers and bottles for 40 years

MAM is a cult label around Europe, offering parents child-proof cutlery, developmental toys, teethers and bottles for the past 40 years.

Founder Peter Rohrig, from Germany, has been using science-based creation to give the products a cutting edge design for babies between the ages of 0 and three.

And now happy customers can get in on the action at Chemist Warehouse stores.

'MAM Anti-Colic bottles are the best choice for every mother,' one woman wrote online

Specialising in the eco-friendly space, MAM has pure and natural latex teats on all their bottles to reduce the company's carbon footprint.

And it's the kind of thing that's boosting sales with the brand reaching 50 countries worldwide and selling 60 million units a year.

'MAM Anti-Colic bottles are the best choice for every mother,' one woman wrote online.

Bottles are fairly priced at $7.69 and soothers are $8.39 for a pack of two

'I have two children and both use the MAM bottle from birth. Easy to maintain and wash as it completely disassembled and each piece is a perfect wash, so as not to retain the smell of milk, juice and more. The price is affordable too.'

As for the rubber dummies: 'My little girl would stop crying with this soother put on her mouth. It's super soft and natural as a real nipple so she loves it so much. Highly recommended.'

Bottles are fairly priced at $7.69 and soothers are $8.39 for a pack of two.
The year was 1963 and the Beatles hit single She Loves You was top of the charts. I may have been only 11 years old, but I felt it was written for me.

I was too young to have a boyfriend, but that didnt stop me from being in love with Paul McCartney.

He was so cute and unthreatening  the cheeky grin, the slightly chubby face and most of all the gorgeous, shiny mop top that marked him out as my favourite of the Fab Four.

In my bedroom, with its frilly blue nylon bedspread, my walls were plastered with posters of Paul, he of the shiny, oh-so strokeable hair.

And when I wasnt staring at his posters, I queued for hours for his autograph at the Abbey Road studios where the Beatles recorded their albums.

Call me fickle, but I fell out of love with Paul around the same time as he started dyeing his hair.

Call me fickle, but I fell out of love with Paul around the same time as he started dyeing his hair, says Linda Kelsey. Early Sixties: the glossy mop top that conquered the world

1. Love my do... the mop top's natural years. 1968: a groovy shaggy Sixties look with Janes Asher

1973: Still naturally dark in Wings (left), and 1981: no sign of grey yet

It was 1989 and the mop top had long given way to a mullet. That, I could forgive. What I could not was the mysterious disappearance of the discreet but distinguished greys that had lately begun to show around his temples.

Let It Be, Let It Be, I wanted to plead with him as he hit the (hair dye) bottle with abandon.

It was a phase that, unfortunately, has lasted 30 years, right up until now when he has finally decided to embrace the grey. At 76, Macca has unleashed his inner silver fox. And, boy, how much better he looks for it.

Over the years its been hard not to cringe at Pauls ever-changing colour palette, which ranged from Fergie red to bafflingly blonde via awful auburn and practically purple.

2. A grey in the life. The Eighties: As Macca approached middle age, his still luxurious hair started to show glints of silver from 1984 (left) and 1988

The thing is, for the past three decades Ive been living in an area near McCartneys London home and Ive seen him so often, in cafes, on the street, at various neighbourhood haunts, that Ive been able to chronicle his horrendous hair days up close.

Its a curious conundrum that while women (mostly) abhor going grey themselves and will reach for the tint the second a first grey hair appears, they loathe it just as much when a man tries to cover up his silvery strands.

For when a man dyes his hair it always looks fake. And it becomes the first thing you notice about him.

With women we are so used to the artifice of coloured hair that we are rarely even aware of it. But a man with dyed hair stands out a mile, and not in a good way.

3. We can rinse it out - the dodgy rainbow experiment begins. 1993: a shockingly vivid hue of ginger (left), and 1999: this mauve shade is no better

2002: a tamer colour, but still obviously fake brunette (left), and 2002: a smooch with Heather Mills, but that auburn hair fools no one

It may not be fair of us women to mock men for wanting to hold back the years. But neither should men complain when we offer to relieve them of the awful, interminable faff of colouring their hair to conceal their age. If only we could do the same without being written off as past our prime.

They should be grateful that we dont see signs of grey hair in a man as off-putting. It suggests maturity, and if the man in question is lucky enough to have a considerable head of hair, which Macca does, its even more attractive.

If my own silver-haired partner started dyeing his, I might have to swap him for a greyer model, and I dont know any woman who would encourage her partner to go along to her colourist for a consultation.

Those celebrities who have gone gracefully grey, and are even more attractive as a result, include Richard Gere, George Clooney, Pierce Brosnan and Matt LeBlanc. Barack Obama gets better looking the greyer he gets.

4. He still can't let it be. 2005: this ginger tint looks worse as he ages

2006: going lighter, or even blonde, is no help (left), and 2012: the cover-up continues with this auburn dye job

And while it could be argued that the music industry mostly relies on a youthful audience, there can be no one labouring under the illusion that Macca is a new kid on the block. His dodgy hair colour has neither helped him retain fans nor gain new ones. So why on earth a rock legend with his talent still felt he couldnt cut it as a silver fox is something of a mystery.

Since meeting Nancy Shevell, herself coming up for 60 and incredibly attractive, McCartney seems happier than ever.

I suspect she has been gently encouraging him to return to his roots. After all, his career is still going strong  in 2018 he launched his 17th solo album, Egypt Station, which went to No 1 in the charts, and he embarked on an international tour.

Perhaps the real key to Maccas willingness to finally embrace his age, and his natural hair colour, is that this year the grandfather of eight will publish his first book for children. Called Hey Grandude, his grandchildrens nickname for him, it suggests hes entered a new age of contentment . . . and acceptance.

So a big welcome to silvery grey Grandude, whos actually gone back to looking great for the first time in decades.

Do we still love you Paul McCartney, now youre 76? Will we still be sending you a Valentine? Now youve revealed your silver lining, we certainly will.

5. And finally... Paul says 'yes-to-grey'. In July 2018 his natural colour had been allowed to spread further

Get Back... to grey: it starts with a few flecks in 2015 (left), and silver temples in March 2018 (right)
Another is frequently mistaken for being her 23-year-old's younger sister

One parent told how she often gets chatted up by guys her daughter's age

While the daughters don't mind the comparisons - their mums love them!

While they may be decades apart in age, these lookalike mother-and-daughter duos are frequently mistaken for being sisters - and with their uncanny resemblance it's not hard to see why.

Many youngsters would hate being compared to their elders but these youthful-looking parents, who have all been blessed with strong genes, agree it's the biggest compliment they could receive.

Wedding planner Natasha Clarke is 17 years older than her daughter Kailey, but they are the spitting image of one another and often go clubbing together in Oxford.

And you'd be mistaken for thinking you're seeing double looking at photographs of stay-at-home mum Kristal Napodano, 37, and her daughter Olivia Nelson, 20, from Northamptonshire, who many people assume are twins.

Here we reveal the four amazing lookalike mother and daughter pairs. Scroll down to read their stories below.

Kristal, 37, from Northamptonshire (right) took her daughter Olivia, 20, to a university careers talk. When the spokesperson asked them both which courses they were thinking of applying for, Kristal explained she was her mother. She explained: 'the spokesperson thought we were twins'

Stacie Levison, 48 (right) has been compared to her daughter Harlie, 24 (left) from when her daughter was a teenager. Speaking of the comments they receive, mother Stacie said: 'I am certainly flattered when people mistake me for her sister'

High-flying lawyer Sheela Mackintosh-Stewart, 49 (right) is mother to Alexandra Mackintosh, 23 (left) and has even been mistaken for her younger sister

Natasha Clarke, 37 (left) and her daughter Kailey Clarke, 20 (right) are both from Summertown, Oxford. The pair are often mistaken for sisters, especially when they go clubbing together

'Someone thought we were twins'

Stay-at-home mum Kristal Napodano, 37, and her student daughter Olivia Nelson, 20, are both from Wootton, Northamptonshire

While being mistaken for sisters may be the ultimate compliment, stay-at-home mum Kristal Napodano and Olivia Nelson are more specifically confused for being twins.

'When I took Olivia to a university careers talk, a spokesperson asked us both which courses we were thinking of applying for,' explained 37-year-old Kristal.

'Through my laughing, I explained that I wasnt Olivias sister, but her mother. Unbelievably, the spokesperson thought we were twins.'

Olivia, who is studying for a degree in Media Production, added: 'If my relationship to Mum ever comes up in conversation, we are met with confused faces. Its quite funny watching them try to accept that she isnt my sister or twin.'

Despite their age difference, mother and daughter duo Kristal Napodano, 37, (right) and her daughter Olivia Nelson, 20, (left) both from Wootton, Northamptonshire look uncanny. The pair aren't just mistaken for sisters - but also twins

While Kristal (left) thinks Olivia hates being called her sisters, the twenty-year-old said: 'I actually dont mind. Shes such good fun that I really like going out with her'

Describing how their mirror image appearance can prove useful at times, Kristal recalled one particular occasion when they both went wedding dress shopping.

'The owner of the shop assumed we were sisters and when I told her that Olivia was her daughter, she was gobsmacked,' explained Kristal.

'At the end of my appointment I was torn between two dresses, so Olivia put one on alongside the one I was wearing so I could compare them and picture how I'd look in them both. So our likeness has proved useful at times!

And there have also been instances where mother Kristal has been asked for ID, rather than her daughter.

When mum Kristal (right) was trying on her wedding dresses, she was torn between two. She asked her daughter Olivia (left) to put one on alongside her so she could compare them. She said: 'So our likeness has proved useful at times!'

Olivia said her mum can keep up with her and her mates when they're drinking and said that they think she's very cool.' She added: 'When were out clubbing I would much rather people assume shes my sister than my Mum anyway!'

'One time, Mum had to prove she wasnt underage when buying a bottle of wine,' said Olivia. 'But when I bought some vodka, I wasnt even questioned! Mum didnt let that one go for a long time, and I let her enjoy the glory!'

While many girls might balk at the idea of being compared to their elders, Olivia insists she doesn't mind - especially because her friends think her mum is 'cool.'

'Mum thinks I hate being called her sister because Im always rolling my eyes,' said the 20-year-old. 'But I actually dont mind. Shes such good fun that I really like going out with her.'

'She can keep up with me and my mates drinking  just about! And they all think shes very cool. When were out clubbing I would much rather people assume shes my sister than my Mum anyway!'

On one occasion, Kristal (left) hand to prove that she wasn't underage to a shopkeeper, while her daughter, 17 year her junior, wasn't even questioned

'Mum gets chatted up by guys my age'

Counsellor Stacie Levison, 48 and daughter Harlie, 24, a special needs teacher, are both from Shenley, Hertfordshire

Youthful mother Stacie Levison, 48, began receiving comments on how alike she looked to her daughter from the minute Harlie, a special needs teacher, hit her teens.

'We have similar mannerisms, were both tall, and now we have the same long blonde hair,' said Stacie, describing their similarities. 'I am certainly flattered when people mistake me for her sister.'

While Harlie admitted she now likes the comments and is inseparable from her mother, it was a different story when she was younger.

Stacie with daughter Harlie (right). While Stacie used to 'roll her eyes' and 'act all stroppy' when the comparisons were made, that has now changed - because it happens so often

'When people used to ask if I was her sister, she would roll her eyes and act all stroppy,' Stacie, who works as a counsellor, said. 'Thankfully thats changed now, because we get it all the time!'

Daughter Harlie added: 'I used to get embarrassed when people thought Mum was my sister, but not anymore.'

'We go to the same nail salon and for months, the women that worked there assumed we were sisters. Every time I called her Mum, they laughed, thinking I was joking.'

She added: 'Another time, we were on a night out when a group of guys approached us. We were chatting for ages when it came up that we were mum and daughter.'

The mother and daughter on holiday, While Stacie is 24 years her daughter's senior, the smiley duo both look uncanny with their long, straight blonde hair and matching sunglasses

'The men refused to believe it until I showed them some family and baby photos. Then one of them had the cheek to ask Mum for her number, so I said: Ill pass that onto my dad. The look on his face was priceless!

But while she may me mistaken for Harlies sister, Stacie confessed she can't keep up with her on a night out.

'One night we went out together and after a few hours she begged me to stay out with her, her boyfriend and their mates,' explained Stacie.

'I had to tell her that I couldnt keep partying through the night  I was exhausted and all I wanted was to be tucked up in bed!'

While Stacie thinks that her daughter sees the comparisons as an 'insult,' Harlie is actually 'honoured' because her mum 'looks incredible.'

Stacie added: 'Neither me or Harlie has a sister, so perhaps thats what makes out relationship so special. I just hope people still think were sisters in years to come!'

Harlie (right) admitted that while she used to get 'embarrassed' about her mother (left) being mistaken for her sister, those days are now long gone

Harlie with her mother Stacie (right). Speaking of their comparisons, Harlie said: I'm honoured that mum is often mistaken for my sister because she looks incredible'

'I've been mistaken for the younger sister'

Family lawyer Sheela Mackintosh-Stewart, 49, and her student daughter Alexandra Mackintosh, 23, are both from Buckinghamshire

Sheela Mackintosh-Stewart, 49 (right) said that while she and her daughter Alexandra Mackintosh, 23 (left) are both outgoing and sociable - they look similar, too

Family lawyer Sheela and her daughter Ally are both outgoing and sociable - but its not just their personalities that are similar.

'A waiter once handed Ally the bill instead of me, thinking she was the eldest of us both - even though Im more than double her age,' explained Sheela, highlighting their almost identical appearances.

'When weve gone for dinner with my husband James, people have asked him where his wife is, thinking he is dining with a couple of young sisters!'

Student Ally loves the fact that she and her mother are mistaken for sisters - particularly because they have a good laugh about it.

'Its something we are quite used to in the family - my grandma looks fantastic, and she and my mum are often thought to be sisters too!' said the 23-year-old.

'I like to tease Mum about it and jokingly introduce her to people as grandma, just to see the looks on their faces! They dont believe shes my grandmother, but they cant believe shes my mother either!'

But while they may look the same age, Ally still sees Sheela as her mum - and would never do anything to cross that boundary.

Mother Sheela (right) explained that once she went to dinner with her husband James, he was asked by people where his wife was - because they thought he was dining with a couple of young sisters!

'I respect her enormously for her views and advice and for more or less single-handedly raising my me and my sister Elisabeth,' said Ally.

'Mum is also excellent at listening, and all of my friends tell her things they dont even tell their own mums!'

Speaking of their close relationship, Sheela is thrilled that her daughter's friends enjoy spending time with her, too.

'Ally and I are very close,' she explained. 'She borrows my clothes, make-up and jewellery, and she tells me her friends enjoy spending time with me too.'

She added: 'We even have a joint blog together - being a matrimonial consultant and relationship expert we teamed up to offer contrasting relationship advice. Now we are the go-to people when our friends of all ages have issues with their life and relationships. We may look alike, but we often have quite different opinions!'

And Ally hopes that the strong youthful genes will be passed down for generations to come.

'I am delighted to have such a youthful looking mum, and I am hoping to have the same problem with my own kids when I reach her age,' said Sheela. 'The only downside is, if we are being mistaken for sisters does that mean I look old?'

Despite looking the same age, Ally said she still sees Sheela as her mum and parental figure - so would never do anything to cross that boundary

'We go clubbing together'

Wedding and events planner Natasha Clarke, 37, and her daughter Kailey Clarke, 20, are from Summertown, Oxford

Kailey Clarke is used to her mother being the one to receive the compliments, and says they can't go anywhere without being mistaken for sisters - which is just as well, as the pair are so close, they even work together in the wedding business.

'Mum and I have been mistaken for sisters for as long as I can remember,' said the 20-year-old hair and makeup artist. 'Its something Ive grown up with and Im used to Mum always being the one given compliments.

'At parents evenings, the teachers have always been surprised that the woman with me is my mother!'

Kailey enjoys going out with her mother and said her friends (above) think she's 'quite fun to be around.' Natasha (far right) is often asked what the secret is to looking so youthful

As Kailey has got older and the pair have got closer in age, it is happening all the most frequently - something which Natasha, a wedding planner, loves.

'I have to admit, I love it. I dont know any mother who wouldnt,' she said, before describing a particularly memorable occasion. 'When we went on holiday to Cyprus, Kailey shouted me from across a gift shop.

'As she did, the shop assistant looked confused and came over to ask me if she had really just called me Mum. I told her shed heard right and the rest of the staff came over to look at me in amazement - asking me my secret to looking so youthful.'

Twenty-year-old Kailey said that at parents evening, the teachers are always surprised that the woman with her is her mother. Above, Natasha also looks the same age as Kailey's friends

And despite being 17 years older than her daughter, Natasha has no problem keeping up with her daughter when it comes to hitting the clubbing scene.

'When Kailey and I go clubbing together, if she shouts "Mum" across the dance floor, I ignore her then jokingly say: If you want to go clubbing with me, call me Natasha,' explained the 37-year-old.

'That said, if a guy tries to chat Kailey up, I have no problem reverting back to my maternal role  then Im the mum from hell!'

Speaking of her strict mother, Kailey added: 'I enjoy going out with Mum and her friends because they are all quite fun to be around. But there also places I would never let Mum join me!'

But while the pair who bear and uncanny resemblance are often bale to joke together, Natasha has also got a strict side.

'Even if we look like sisters, I would never be able to forget that Im the daughter in our relationship,' revealed Kailey. 'Im sure well be getting the same surprised looks and comments for years to come.'
A former Royal Editor has slammed the Duchess of Sussex's family - claiming that their behaviour throughout her relationship with Prince Harry has been 'tacky'.

Journalist Duncan Larcombe, the author of Prince Harry: The Inside Story, also says that he believes there may be something to the reports that Prince Harry's pregnant wife, Meghan, does not get on with her sister-in-law Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge.

In an explosive new interview, the writer slammed Meghan's father, Thomas, and half-sister Samantha, saying: 'They have reduced the commentary of the Royal family to something from the Jerry Springer Show, you know it's tacky.'

Former Royal editor Duncan Larcombe has revealed that Prince Harry and Prince William are 'very, very defensive' of their wives - and that he and Harry once nearly had a fight

In stark comparison, he praised Meghan's mother, Doria Ragland, for her quiet presence next to her daughter on her wedding day, adding: 'She's maintained a dignified silence, she has done everything right.'

The writer also revealed that Prince Harry and Prince William are 'very, very defensive' of their wives - and that he and Harry once nearly had a fight.

He said: 'I've found that with Harry and William as well, that if you write a story about them that's true, and that's fair, they don't have a problem with it.

'Where they start getting angry or defensive is when you get something wrong, they're also very, very defensive of their other halves.'

Larcombe also says that he believes there may be something to the reports the Harry's pregnant wife, Meghan, does not get on with her sister-in-law Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge

He added: 'Harry and I very nearly had a fight once. It was fine, we had a bit of a heated argument, but Harry is a passionate guy and if he's angry he'll tell you. Good on him, he's honest.'

On rumours of a rift between Meghan and Kate, the former Royal Editor at The Sun said: 'I think it's very interesting that the Palace have come out and denied certain stories but, others they haven't actually denied at all.'

He also spoke about what it was like reporting on the young royals during their wilder years - especially in light of him reporting on the infamous 'Nazi-gate' incident which saw a 19-year-old Prince Harry being pictured wearing a Swastika at a fancy dress party.

He said: 'There were real concerns [in the royal family] that Prince Harry was here imploding publicly, and what was that going to do to the reputation of the Royals?

On rumours of a rift between Meghan and Kate, the former Royal Editor at The Sun said: 'I think it's very interesting that the Palace have come out and denied certain stories but, others they haven't actually denied at all'

'As it turns out it was the best thing that could have happened to them, this wild and rebellious prince has now become the Jewel In The Crown of the British Royal Family.'

The interview airs on Yahoo's series, the Royal Box, which focuses around Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

Hosted by Kate Thornton, the popular series brings a range of experts and guests to deliver insider tips and analysis on the latest royal family news and events.
A father who threatened to call the police after his son's gloves were stolen from school has been labelled a 'moron' by incredulous parents on Netmums.

Writing anonymously on the parenting forum, a British woman known only as Miranda told how she overheard a father at her daughter's secondary school threaten to involve the police if the school didn't find the missing 35 gloves.

Many users slammed the father for sending his son to school with such expensive items and argued it was not the school's responsibility to replace every item that went missing.

Others suggested the youngster may have simply lost his gloves and claimed that they were stolen to avoid getting into trouble.

A Netmums user sparked division after sharing that she overheard a father demand his son's school should take responsibility for missing items (file image)

The user outlined in her post that her own daughter had experienced theft at the school, she told how the father demanded assurance from the school to replace stolen items

Writing under the handle 'Miranda E', the mother asked others for their thoughts on sending their children to school with expensive possessions.

One person replied: 'Firstly, I wouldn't send my child to school with clothes that cost a ridiculous amount of money, but obviously there's peer pressure to wear certain brands so in a way I can understand it.

'Secondly, if my child had had something stolen, be it gloves costing 1 or 35, it's theft. I'd expect the school to talk to the pupils about the seriousness of it and the consequences, perhaps check any CCTV, and discipline any child involved.

'I wouldn't expect the school to replace any items, but I would certainly expect them to investigate it. I'd be more polite though, and wouldn't go in ranting and raving.'

A flood of responses to the thread slammed the father for sending his son to school in expensive items and said all theft should be treated the same regardless of the value of items

Another added: 'Lol! If he can't afford to replace them, then he shouldn't have sent them into school. The value of the items shouldn't matter, if another child had their 1 gloves stolen it's still theft and should be treated the same.

'He seems to think that because he's spent more money that he's of more importance. I don't think so. He should be annoyed at his son for not taking better care of them, not the school.'

A flood of responses to the thread argued the gloves were most likely lost rather than stolen and the son should take responsibility.

A user speaking under the handle 'Debbie W' claimed children always say things have been stolen to avoid getting in trouble.

Others accused the son of losing his gloves and claiming they were stolen to avoid getting in trouble with his father

She wrote: 'Kids always say things are 'stolen' when they've lost them. 'Stolen' gets you sympathy. 'Lost' gets you into trouble! And let's face it, kids lose things all the time. And their parents have to buy new ones. End of.

'Besides, even if the police were called, how on earth would they investigate? The very best they or the school could do would be to lecture all the kids on not stealing.

'Even if a crime did take place they'd never be able to get to the bottom of it. They'd just issue Daddy with a crime number for his gloves and that would be the end of it.'

Another added: 'I don't buy it for ONE second! LOL that sounds like something he's told daddy to keep daddy from shouting at him.'
From using the right cutlery to curtsying for the Queen, there's a whole world of pomp and protocol for royal women to navigate.

However the 'correct' way of sitting down is the subject of much debate, and leading ladies of The Firm have each developed their own unique way of positioning their legs for the cameras.

Meghan famously adopted the 'Sussex sit' for one of her first major royal engagements last summer, with her unusual position causing a social media storm.

And she's not the only royal with her own signature pose; as etiquette expert Myka Meier noted on Instagram this week, there is also Kate's Cambridge Cross and the 'slant' favoured by Princess Diana.

According to leading body language and etiquette experts, while there is no 'right' way to sit down, their poses reveal much about their approach to public duty.

Etiquette expert William Hanson told MailOnline: 'All royal women seem to sit differently and have their own ways of sitting elegantly and comfortably depending on what they are wearing and the occasion.'

The Spencer Slant: 'Postural informality'

Diana favoured the Spencer Slant which saw her sitting with her knees and ankles together and feet on the floor, slanting her calves at a 45-degree angle (pictured with Prince Harry at a parade to commemorate the 50th anniversary of V-J Day in London, 1995)

The Princess of Wales, displaying the Spencer Slant as she posed outside the Taj Mahal in 1992

Princess Diana used her favourite posed to elegantly accentuate her legs when seated. Pictured: During a trip to Pakistan in 1991

As noted by Meier, the late Princess of Wales would often sit with her knees and ankles together and feet on the floor, slanting her calves at a 45-degree angle.

William Hanson explains this 'elegant' pose 'accentuates the legs without being too obvious. Again, this one works nicely in heels'.

Body language expert Judi James adds: 'Dianas relaxed and slightly slumped torso is at odds with her formal outfit, but this air of postural informality shows strong maternal instincts are overriding her desire to look regal and aloof.

'Her focus here is her son Harry, and her warmth is reflected in her overall pose. Despite this though shes putting a lot of effort into her leg positioning.

'Diana was tall with long legs and the way shes slewed them together at an angle but is still keeping her feet neatly together on the ground shows an intense, underlying desire to get things right.

'Shes also showing her press-aware side here too; by not crossing her legs she also could have created a glimpse up her skirt but shes discreetly placed one hand over her knee as a barrier.'

Effort rating: 'A very natural top-half but her aristocratic breeding shows from the more careful and traditional leg position,' says Judi.

The Sussex Sit: 'Demure and elegant... with intense effort'

The Duchess of Sussex has adopted the signature Sussex Sit, which sees Meghan 'elegantly' crossing her legs at a 45 degree angle and resting one leg on top of the other (pictured at the Queen's Young Leaders Awards Ceremony at Buckingham Palace, June 2018)

Although she's not put one leg on top of the other on this occasion (with the Queen in Cheshire in June 2018), Meghan's Sussex Slant always involves keeping knees and ankles firmly locked together

Meghan's pose of choice involves crossing one's legs at a 45-degree angle and resting one leg on top of the other, while keeping the ankles and knees firmly locked together.

'This position is sometimes termed a breach of royal protocol, but generally, women (royal or not) avoid crossing their legs in public when wearing a shorter skirt,' says William Hanson.

'It is not a hard and fast rule, however, just best practice. With longer legs and when wearing heels, the Sussex Slant is very elegant, although not the most comfortable for longer periods of time.'

Judi comments: 'From her super-upright posture and her perfect smile, Meghan shows shes cracked the regal look here with the most demure and elegant pose of them all.

Even before she joined the royal family, former Suits star Meghan was perfecting her signature pose. Pictured at the Herve Leger By Max Azria show with model Petra Nemcova in New York in September 2013

'Her arm is draped over her lap with her hand lightly touching the clutch bag that is carefully placed at her side and her legs are crossed and then angled out to ensure her legs look long and shapely.

'I wouldnt underestimate the amount of intense effort being put into this pose, though, and theres a hint she might be using a modelling trick with the leg positioning.

'When legs are crossed they can often look squashed but models and actresses will often subtly lift the upper leg away from the lower to create a photogenic shape.'

Effort rating: 'The swan going through water here: looking elegant, radiant and beautiful, but potentially the most effort being put in to achieve it.'

Queenly Composure: 'Relaxed and comfortable'

The Queen (pictured at a ceremony to open the new Mersey Gateway Bridge in Chester, June 2018) adopts a straightforward' pose with her knees aligned but not quite touching

Her Majesty, pictured with Anna Wintour at London Fashion Week in February 2018, has decades of public duty under her belt and is surprisingly the most relaxed in her posture

The Queen sits with 'perfect symmetry' according to body language expert Judi James: Pitured: Her Majesty with the then President Francois Hollande in Paris in June 2014

The Queen, a 'front row pro', prefers sitting with her feet on the floor and knees aligned, but not quite touching.

'This is the most basic and straightforward,' says William. 'Note in the photographs that their skirts always fall just below the knees - a trick of the trade for front row pros!'

Judi adds that this is 'the most symmetric pose, suggesting the highest levels of confidence and status that emerge in a relaxed but still elegant look.

'Symmetry like this is usually a sign of a well-balanced and uncomplex personality. The Queen sits straight but not tense, with her hands clasped lightly in the middle of her lap and her legs straight and uncrossed.

'Her pose looks comfortable and authentic and the least self-conscious. With her bag on the floor and feet side-by-side she looks like the one most likely to enjoy the event shes attending.'

Effort rating: 'Very little, the Queen clearly adopted this seating position decades ago and looks relaxed and comfortable using it.'

The Cambridge Cross: 'Formal and traditional'

The Duchess of Cambridge (pictured during a visit to Leicester with the Queen as part of her Jubilee Tour in March 2012) has fine-tuned a pose now known as the Cambridge Cross

The Duchess pictured at the first annual Royal Foundation Forum in February 2018 crosses her legs at the ankles to look refined and composed

Kate opts to keep her knees together and centred while crossing her legs at the ankles and planting her heels firm on the floor.

William says: 'The Cambridge Cross, deployed by the Duchess of Cambridge, is  to my mind  the most elegant and easiest to perfect of the seated royal styles. It keeps the knees and ankles together while looking refined and composed.'

Judi notes: 'The very long-limbed Kate uses what is probably the most formal, traditional and tense-looking pose, with the legs crossed discreetly at the ankles in true royal protocol style and her hands clasped over her bag on her lap.

'As future queen, Kate is always very careful to get her body language right on public outings and although the torso and leg shapes plus the elongated neck look prim she always tops the look with a radiant and friendly smile.'

Effort rating: 'Kate has perfected this more traditional look over the years, meaning it looks relatively natural for her.'

The Sophie Side Saddle: 'Easy-going and fun'

The Countess of Wessex (pictured watching teams compete at the Wessex Cup in Fareham in June 2014) sits with her legs to the side, as though she was riding a horse side saddle

Sophie's casual seated stance points to her 'easygoing and fun' personality. Pictured on a visit to LA in 2002

The Countess of Wessex, pictured on a visit to Qatar in November 2017, conveys the fact that she's open and sociable through her relaxed seated position

The Countess of Wessex adopts a 'side saddle' stance during public events, which sees her legs slanted to one side with her body facing forward.

'The Countess of Wessexs "side saddle" seating position is good for more informal events and pulls the focus to the upper body and face rather than the legs - which is really where we should all be looking anyway,' says William.

Judi adds: 'This very relaxed look suggests a sociable personality with a strong desire to communicate or listen. The sideways lean looks easy-going and fun even though the forward-pointing legs suggest a more formal approach when necessary.'

Effort-rating: 'Sophie looks very much as though she is being herself rather than posing here. She seems to be a great friend and confidant of the Queen and this discreetly sociable pose might fit the bill perfectly.'
Scarfed against the wintry chill, rigid with glumness, the Peoples Vote lot called a mid-morning outdoors press conference to announce that they were not going to put their vote to a vote  because they might lose, and you dont want to risk putting something to a vote unless you know its in the bag.

For goodness sake, look what happened last time! Electorates are not to be trusted until a stitch-up has been agreed.

Do you not find that following the various positions in opposition to Brexit is a bit like following a single noodle in a bowl of spag bol and trying to work out where it ends?

The only clear one is Leave means Leave  which is the one option we are not being offered by the Westminster mummies and daddies.

Anyway, there stood the anti-Brexiteer Second Referendumites yesterday outside the St Stephens entrance to the Commons: Sarah Wollaston, Luciana Berger, Chuka Umunna, Chris Leslie, Phillip Lee, Mike Gapes.

Someone must have told them to wrap up. Correction: lots of us have been telling them that ever since they started agitating that another plebiscite was needed because the first one had gone against their wishes.

But yesterday they were nearly all wearing scarves. I meant wrap up in that sense. Dress code: Rupert Bear.

The Peoples Vote lot, pictured, stood outside St Stephen's entrance to the Commons to announce that they were not going to put their vote to a vote  because they might lose

Happy, they were not. Remainers are seldom excessively merry but yesterdays little platoon was jaw-clenched and grim. Word had it that there had been blazing rows behind the scenes.

The Peoples Front of Judea and the Judean Peoples Front had been unable to resolve their differences. That rumoured new Centrist party may not prove much fun.

Mr Umunna (Lab, Streatham) was wearing the pout we saw from him on the TV coverage of referendum night, when he almost started blowing bubbles. He did not speak to the cameras yesterday. It might have come out all acidic had he done so.

The desperadoes frontwoman was Dr Wollaston (Con, Totnes), face pale with tragedy, hair swept to one side, eyes watery.

We will not be laying the amendment, she announced. Now we know the tone of voice in which she tells loved ones that grandpa just pegged it in the consultancy room.

Dr Lee (Con, Bracknell) stood behind her, bleak with tragedy, swaying in the breeze, or maybe to stay in camera shot. Miss Berger (Lab, Liverpool Wavertree) was given a chance to speak.

She seized it, as she always will. Drawn to a camera lens as a spaniel to the smell of sausages is that one.

The desperadoes frontwoman was Dr Wollaston (Con, Totnes), face pale with tragedy, hair swept to one side, eyes watery

She was jolly cross with Jeremy Corbyn for not caving in to their second referendum idea  even though Labours manifesto promised to respect the result of the 2016 vote.

Regrettably, she said, steaming with pique, the Labour leadership wont commit to an achievable policy. This, she thundered, was not good enough. Ah, the authentic, patronising terminology of our quailing elite on its eroding island of influence.

Reporters started to hurl a few questions. Dr Wollastons face darkened. Miss Berger snapped that democracy didnt stand still in 2016. But this, arguably, is exactly what it has done, at least at Westminster.

Parliamentarians have refused to accept that the British people gave them a spanking and told them that the European Union no longer had their assent.

A few minutes later, I saw Dr Wollaston slink into the Commons Chamber, accompanying Justine Greening (Con, Putney).

Miss Greenings policy stand on Brexit may be just as anti-democratic but she at least has a certain vim and twinkle about her. In Dr Wollaston that is lacking. She looks pretty thoroughly miserable.

Having come to politics quite late in her career via an open primary (ie. less party political), she was once pro-Brexit but switched for under-examined reasons. Now she seems adrift, hunched, disorientated. Might her abilities not be better used back in the health service?
When I saw Len McCluskey posing for pictures outside No 10 yesterday, my life flashed before me. Suddenly, it was 1978 all over again.

Union barons trooping into Downing Street for beer and sandwiches was part of the daily ritual.

As a young labour and industrial correspondent, I spent days standing on the pavement opposite waiting for the leaders of the TUC to emerge and scatter their pearls of wisdom.

(OK, so I actually spent more time in the Red Lion pub over the road, but you get the general idea.)

When I saw Len McCluskey posing for pictures outside No 10 yesterday, my life flashed before me. Suddenly, it was 1978 all over again. Union barons trooping into Downing Street for beer and sandwiches was part of the daily ritual

Back then, the unions were a real force in the land. Jack Jones, leader of the TGWU, which boasted two million members, was often referred to as the real Prime Minister.

Hugh Scanlon, of the engineers, Joe Gormley, of the miners, and the TUCs Len Murray were household names, wielding more power than most Cabinet ministers.

Under Labour Prime Ministers Harold Wilson and Jim Callaghan, they had an effective veto on government policy, which they werent scared to exercise.

Mrs Thatcher put a stop to all that, after the unions overplayed their hand  first with the Winter of Discontent, when reckless industrial action in support of ruinous pay demands plunged the country into anarchy, and again during the miners strike, when Barmy Arthur Scargill tried and failed to bring down a democratically elected Tory government.

Union membership has halved since the glory days of the late Seventies. Len McCluskey is the Last Man Standing, about the only union leader anyone has heard of. There were others in the delegation to Downing Street yesterday, but even Id be hard pressed to put a name to any of their faces.

Most of the once-mighty unions have been absorbed into McCluskeys Unite through a series of mergers.

Today, the unions can still cause occasional havoc, especially when they call strikes in essential public services, where the majority of their members work.

But McCluskey is no Jack Jones. His main sphere of influence is bankrolling the hard-Left Momentum organisation and acting as Jeremy Corbyns puppeteer.

(When I first came across Red Len, he was running with Derek Hattons Militant Tendency, the prototype for Momentum.)

McCluskey is no Jack Jones. His main sphere of influence is bankrolling the hard-Left Momentum organisation and acting as Jeremy Corbyns puppeteer

So why was Mother Theresa giving McCluskey the red carpet treatment?

Superficially, it was to reassure him that her risible Brexit deal will guarantee workers rights if and when we leave the EU.

Primarily, though, it was to plead with him to knock some sense into the thick heads of Corbyn and his Labour colleagues.

In the Seventies and early Eighties, the threat to our democracy came from trades union leaders, drunk on power. (And often drunk, full stop.) Sadly, today the real wreckers are to be found in Parliament.

It doesnt matter which side of the Brexit divide youre on, we can only watch the increasingly deranged antics in Westminster with mounting, impotent rage.

I promise Im not going to drone on about the gory details of every amendment and manoeuvre designed to derail Brexit in one form or another.

Frankly, like most people outside the Bubble, Ive lost track of the latest developments.

Just as the unions once believed they were invincible, most of our current elected representatives seem to believe they can behave as irresponsibly as they like, and to hell with the consequences.

It doesnt matter which side of the Brexit divide youre on, we can only watch the increasingly deranged antics in Westminster with mounting, impotent rage. I promise Im not going to drone on about the gory details of every amendment and manoeuvre designed to derail Brexit in one form or another

Some of them appear to have gone clinically insane. Others have become so consumed with their own rabid obsessions that they have forgotten all about the voters who put them there.

From the outside looking in, Parliament resembles one of those weird religious cults which crop up from time to time in America. For Westminster, read Waco, Texas.

(Its a pity we cant solve this in the same way the Americans would. Surround the place with armed SWAT teams and keep blasting away until they hoist the white flag and give themselves up, or set fire to the building in a final defiant act of mass suicide.)

Corbyn and his Labour colleagues. In the Seventies and early Eighties, the threat to our democracy came from trades union leaders, drunk on power. (And often drunk, full stop.) Sadly, today the real wreckers are to be found in Parliament

The Speaker, who is supposed to uphold parliamentary propriety, is up to his neck in this disgraceful conspiracy against not only the 17.4 million who voted Leave, but also millions more who voted Remain yet accepted the result with good grace and just want the politicians to get on with it.

As I have said consistently, even those hardline Leavers like me who, in a perfect world, would favour a full-on, no-deal Brexit now accept, however reluctantly, there will have to be some kind of watered-down deal if we are going to get out alive and on time.

Ive always thought there would be a shabby stitch-up, agreed in secret months ago and unveiled at the last minute.

just want the politicians to get on with it. As I have said consistently, even those hardline Leavers like me who, in a perfect world, would favour a full-on, no-deal Brexit now accept, however reluctantly, there will have to be some kind of watered-down deal if we are going to get out alive and on time.

Now Im not so sure. While even the likes of Jacob Rees-Mogg are making emollient noises, fanatical Remainers determined to prevent Brexit happening at any cost have set the controls for the heart of the sun, warp factor nine.

Of course, The Prime Ministers intransigence doesnt help.

No matter how many times her deal is defeated, she keeps bringing it back. Plan B is the same as Plan A.

Shes like the typical British tourist 50 years ago, who would speak to puzzled foreigners in English, very slowly, very loudly, in the vain hope that they would understand what he was saying.

Mrs May seems to think that if she keeps repeating the same thing over and over again, eventually enough people will get the message and capitulate.

Mrs May seems to think that if she keeps repeating the same thing over and over again, eventually enough people will get the message and capitulate

It is a sign of her desperation that she is now reduced to asking a trades union godfather to persuade the Leader of the Opposition to give the support her own party is denying her

It is a sign of her desperation that she is now reduced to asking a trades union godfather to persuade the Leader of the Opposition to give the support her own party is denying her.

Fat chance of that happening. Although Corbyns constantly shifting position is as outrageous as it is cynical, his job is to oppose the Government.

He wants to force a General Election, which Labour stands a very realistic chance of winning.

True, Labour Remaniacs are doing their worst to destroy Brexit, in defiance of millions of voters in their own constituencies. But, like it or not, this is a Conservative crisis.

And unless they snap out of their Waco-style trance and deliver some semblance of what the British people voted for  and MPs agreed to honour  two and half years ago, theyre toast.

Not just for one electoral cycle, but for many years to come.

The way things are shaping up, Jeremy Corbyn, a neanderthal Marxist throwback who should never be allowed anywhere near high office, will be our next Prime Minister.

And wed better get used to the sight of Len McCluskey coming and going at No 10.
The closure, between Seminary and Padonia roads, will remain in effect through at least Friday until utility crews can remove the tree. The road will remain open to local traffic only, but various detours will be in effect for through traffic:
While speaking in Davos this week Prince William, pictured, blamed his grandmothers generation and its stiff upper lip mentality for an epidemic of mental health problems

Like so many of my fellow OAPs, I find myself watching a lot more TV these days  including programmes I wouldnt have bothered with before I gave up full-time work at the end of November.

One such, which Ive been watching this week, is the Netflix comedy drama Sex Education, which has won rave reviews in some quarters.

I should say at once that I wouldnt recommend it to readers  least of all to those who think they see more than enough gratuitous sex on mainstream TV, without seeking out more through a streaming service.

Indeed, there are plenty of scenes in Sex Education that wouldnt look out of place on a soft porn channel.

But although the show has its amusing moments (at least for those of us with a liberal attitude to the subject matter), my chief objection is that the plot is so wildly improbable. For a comic drama to work, if you ask me, it must feature believable characters and have at least some connection to real life.

Unless todays teenagers  boys in particular  belong to a completely different species from those of my own generation, growing up in the Sixties, the show seems to lack any such link with reality.

For those wise enough to have given Sex Education a miss, I should explain that the story concerns a geeky 16-year-old, Otis Milburn, who is acutely embarrassed by his mothers profession as a sex therapist.

So far, so believable. But then young Otis is persuaded by the school glamour puss, on whom he has a crush, to set up a nice little earner offering sex therapy to his fellow pupils, using the jargon of the psychiatrists couch, picked up from his mother, played by Gillian Anderson.

There are plenty of scenes in Sex Education that wouldnt look out of place on a soft porn channel. Pictured are Asa Butterfield, left, and Gillian Anderson, right, in the show

The Netflix show follows geeky 16-year-old, Otis Milburn, who is acutely embarrassed by his mothers profession as a sex therapist. Pictured are Asa Butterfield, left, and Emma Mackey

At this point, the script seems to me to part company from the real world of teenagers, as one after another of Otiss schoolmates approach him for counselling on their highly embarrassing sexual problems.

These range from addiction to what used to be called the solitary vice, to difficulties with intercourse and other troubles I wouldnt dream of committing to print in a family newspaper.

In the real world, would todays youths really be so willing to open up to a fellow pupil about such delicate matters  and risk gossip and ridicule among their peers? If so, teenage attitudes must have changed beyond recognition since my day.

I particularly remember one afternoon in the late Sixties when a group of us 15-year-olds at Westminster School were summoned to a talk about sex, which was to be given by a visiting monk. (Yes, we thought it odd, too, that the school should have chosen a young man committed to a vow of chastity to advise us on this, of all subjects. But he seemed well informed, and spoke without any visible show of embarrassment.)

What sticks in my mind is that at the end of his talk, he gave us all pieces of paper, on which he invited us to write down questions about anything we wanted to know about sex, and any sexual anxieties we might be suffering. He promised to answer them all as best he could, anonymity guaranteed.

We wrote, or pretended to write, then folded our papers and handed them in as instructed. One by one, he opened them up, finding that most were blank and the great majority of the rest were facetious.

To my shame, I recall that at least half a dozen in class  among whom I fear I must count myself  had been struck by the same unoriginal thought and written: Do you have any dirty habits? Oh, how witty and sophisticated we thought ourselves. Monks. Habits. Geddit?

It is clear that His Royal Highness Prince William, pictured in Davos, Switzerland, would side firmly with the Otis Milburn approach, believing that openly discussing any anxieties or problems is the first step towards putting them right

If my memory serves me right (a big if these days), only one of the 20 or so pieces of paper contained what might be called a genuine inquiry, from a boy wondering if any harm might come from his weakness for pleasuring himself.

When the monk read it out, we sniggered and looked round the classroom  to see one of our number turning a bright, beetroot red. He couldnt have identified himself as the questioner more clearly if hed had a flashing beacon on his head. So much for anonymity, poor chap. It wouldnt surprise me if he had nightmares about it to this day.

As for the rest of us, brought up to keep our troubles to ourselves, we would rather have died than confess any ignorance of sexual matters  let alone unburden ourselves of an embarrassing problem to be shared with the group.

Then again, nor would we have dreamed of passing around photographs of our private parts, even if wed had the technology to do it. Yet an extraordinary number of young people today seem to do little else on social media. So perhaps there may, after all, be a grain of truth in Sex Educations depiction of an unembarrassed generation, happy to let it all hang out, as it were.

Ah, well, whatever the facts, it is clear that His Royal Highness Prince William would side firmly with the Otis Milburn approach, believing that openly discussing any anxieties or problems is the first step towards putting them right.

Indeed, in Davos this week he went further, blaming his grandmothers generation and its buttoned-up, grin-and-bear-it stiff upper lip mentality for an epidemic of mental health problems in Britain today.

I take it as far back as the war, he said. It was very, very difficult for everybody, losing so many loved ones and dealing with such horrendous circumstances, that no matter how much you could talk, you were never going to fix the issue.

Completely by accident, they passed that on to the next generation. We all learn from our parents, how they deal with things. So this whole generation inherited that this is how we deal with problems  we dont talk about them. Now theres a generation realising this is not normal and we should talk about them.

Now, I must tread carefully here, since the Prince clearly has some knowledge of what hes talking about.

Indeed, his brother Prince Harry revealed in 2017 that hed sought counselling after struggling to come to terms with the death of their mother, herself one of the great public emoters of our time (there were three of us in this marriage, so it was a bit crowded). Presumably, he found that discussing his problems with a therapist helped him, as it has certainly helped others.

But I cant help wondering if the modern mania for letting it all hang out may have gone too far, in this emotionally incontinent age when hiring a therapist seems to come as naturally to, say, the average Californian millionaire as visiting the hairdresser or dry cleaners.

I dont know about you, but rich Californians have often struck me as among the maddest people on the planet (and certainly a lot madder than our buttoned-up Queen, or most of her generation of stoical Britons).

Do they go to the therapist because theyre mad  or could it be that theyre mad because they spend so much of their time lying on the therapists couch, dwelling on their problems and possibly dreaming up new ones? I reckon that sometimes theres a lot to be said for keeping a stiff upper lip.

Whatever the truth, I certainly cant agree with this weeks advice from Nice, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, which recommends that schoolchildren suffering from depression  of whom there are said to be at least 260,000, aged five to 18  should be offered cognitive behavioural therapy via apps on smartphones and computers.

I cant claim any special expertise, but I reckon that step one towards banishing childrens depression should be confiscating their smartphones to spare them the horrors of social media.

Meanwhile, step two should be cracking down hard on dealers in cannabis, with its proven links to psychosis and other mental health problems. And while the police are at it, they could also cheer everyone up by catching criminals, instead of merely offering counselling to victims.

Oh, and I have one more prescription for the mental health of the nation, of which I pray legislators will take heed: for Gods sake get a move on with Brexit, before you drive the whole lot of us mad!
He has never been a man to take defeat lying down.

No sooner had former SNP leader Alex Salmond lost his seat in the 2017 snap general election than he decided to rebrand himself as a one-man act at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

It didn't take long for the politician to develop a taste for the spotlight. Later that year, he launched The Alex Salmond Show on the Kremlin-funded channel RT for an undisclosed fee.

Former Scottish first minister Alex Salmond is pictured leaving Edinburgh Sheriff Court yesterday after he was arrested and charged with, among others, multiple counts of sexual assault and two of attempted rape

Deaf to the protestations of former colleagues who pointed out he was working for Vladimir Putin's propaganda channel  and unbothered by Ofcom's ruling that the very first instalment breached its regulations  the show still goes on air every week.

If any of Salmond's friendly image still remained, it finally collapsed last year when details were leaked of a Scottish government investigation into allegations of sexual harassment made against him by two women civil servants when he was First Minister.

While Scottish politicians distanced themselves from him, Salmond was robust in fighting to clear his name.

During his legal battle he twice refused to answer questions about whether he had been drinking at the time of the alleged incidents.

But when he set up a crowd-funding appeal to cover his legal costs, supporters rallied to him and donated more than 100,000 in a few days.

It didn't take long for the politician to develop a taste for the spotlight. Later that year, he launched The Alex Salmond Show on the Kremlin-funded channel RT for an undisclosed fee [File photo]

A street fighter, he won his judicial review on technical grounds when the courts ruled the government's inquiry had been 'procedurally unfair' and 'tainted with apparent bias'.

With this victory, no doubt Salmond had hoped he could go back to his budding television career.

But yesterday, an ashen-faced Salmond returned to court, where he now faces charges of, among others, multiple counts of sexual assault and two of attempted rape.

He looked a different person from the man who, on losing his Commons defeat in the SNP's worst electoral defeat in years, declared: 'You've not seen the last of my bonnet and me.'

Not even Salmond, one of the most dominant figures in British politics for more than two decades, could have predicted how those few words would return to haunt him in such spectacular fashion.

Salmond displayed a gambler's instinct when it came to politics, which came as no surprise to those who knew him as a child. He made his first wager on the horses aged nine and for several years was racing tipster for a Scottish newspaper

Few politicians, with the exception of Ukip's Nigel Farage, have done so much to mould the image of the party they led.

In his two terms as leader of Scottish Nationalists, Salmond was instrumental in orchestrating the party's dominance in the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood, where it became the country's premier political force for the first time in 50 years.

But not all his colleagues talk fondly of his time in charge. Many in the SNP recall his ferocious temper, his arrogance and his intolerance of mistakes. There are also mutterings that he relies on a tiny cabal of advisers  as well as having admitted to liking gambling and drinking.

It's unsurprising, therefore, that his time as First Minister wasn't without controversy.

An avid fan of Indian food, he liked to be driven in his ministerial limousine to visit his favourite Edinburgh curry house up to three times a week. His chauffeur would wait outside while the First Minister ate, before dropping him off at Bute House, his official residence.

Salmond was fond of his chauffeur-driven car, even using it in 2009 to travel the 150 yards between the Scottish Parliament and Holyrood Palace to meet the Queen. The next day the Queen, then aged 83, made the same journey on foot.

Salmond led a crusade against Scotland's drinking culture, lowering the drink-drive limit and introducing minimum pricing and a ban on multi-buy promotions.

'There is something deep about Scotland's relationship with alcohol that is about self-image  lack of confidence, maybe, as a nation  and we do have to do something about it,' he said in 2014.

Yet when he was asked if he used to drink too much as First Minister, he replied: 'I try to pursue my life as best as I am able. I'm not a paragon of virtue by any means whatsoever and I've never claimed to be.'

Patrons of Westminster's bars would probably agree. Salmond was a regular on the Commons terrace, often ordering pink champagne during lunchtime interviews. He was even once spotted drinking champagne with his breakfast in the first class lounge at Heathrow.

The Scottish independence referendum in 2014 should have been the high point of his career. But it ended in defeat and he resigned the next day. He was replaced by his protege, Nicola Sturgeon, who made it clear from the outset that she had no use for Salmond as a back seat driver.

Indeed, their relationship became increasingly fraught, often clashing on when the SNP should call for another Scottish independence vote.

But it was the 2017 snap general election that marked the start of his downfall. After he mocked the Tories for suggesting they could unseat him after 30 years as an MP, he lost by almost 3,000 votes.

Overnight, he was cast out into the political wilderness. And he didn't go quietly.

For Salmond, it had all started so auspiciously. Salmond was born on Hogmanay, Scotland's special night, and in the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots, Linlithgow.

After St Andrews University, where he studied economics and medieval history, he became an economist at the Government's Scottish Office in London where he met his wife Moira, who was his boss.

The Scottish independence referendum in 2014 should have been the high point of his career. But it ended in defeat and he resigned the next day. He was replaced by his protege, Nicola Sturgeon, who made it clear from the outset that she had no use for Salmond as a back seat driver [File photo]

Having joined the SNP as a teenager, he became an MP in 1987 and was propelled to party leader within three years.

Salmond displayed a gambler's instinct when it came to politics, which came as no surprise to those who knew him as a child. He made his first wager on the horses aged nine and for several years was racing tipster for a Scottish newspaper.

As leader of the SNP, he was a key figure in the successful 1997 referendum which supported the establishment of a Scottish government with devolved powers.

He resigned as leader in 2000 for unexplained reasons, but returned in 2004.

Three years later he became the first SNP First Minister in a close fought election  after which he led the SNP to a landslide victory in the 2011 Holyrood elections and campaigned tooth and nail for a referendum.

Even when he left public office, Salmond continued to fight his corner so publicly and belligerently that he effectively declared war on the SNP government and Nicola Sturgeon.

And now Sturgeon herself might yet pay a price for her past relationship with Salmond, whom she saw five times during the government investigation.

The SNP has now irrevocably split over the issue, and faces serious political damage when it next faces an election.

And that was before Scotland's former First Minister appeared in a criminal court yesterday, charged with a litany of sexually related offences.
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Education

West Chester graduates will now wear the same color
Paoli Fire Company firefighters will be able to fight fires more effectively with state-of-the-art flashlights.
After having gone through two cars in three years, Bridgeford wrote earlier this month on Facebook, her latest vehicle is on its last legs. Poverty and bad credit prevented her from getting another one, and she wanted advice from friends on what to do.
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Scattered clouds with the possibility of an isolated thunderstorm developing this afternoon. A few storms may be severe. High 87F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%..

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Rain ending this evening. Partial clearing overnight. Low 62F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch.
Ashland, KY (41101)

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Kentucky prison staff protest payless work but stay on job ASHLAND, Ky.  Employees of the federal prison here protested the government shutdown Friday, carrying placards and voicing concern that 35 days without pay has left them in a financial crisis.

ASHLAND  Federal employees have temporary relief as President Trump agreed to sign a bill Friday to temporarily re-open the government, putting 800,000 back to work and receiving pay.

Over the next 21 days I expect all Democrats and Republicans to work in good faith, President Donald Trump said during the initial press conference.

The bill reopens the government for the next three weeks, until February 15. During a press conference the president said that federal employees will receive back pay soon.

However, local prison employees are still hesitant about the temporary opening, as there is not a guarantee the shutdown will not occur again after February 15.

We still have great concern, Rick Brewer, president of the local union of the Ashland Federal Correctional Institution said. The political parties haven't worked well together in the past, but hopefully they'll put something together so that we don't have to worry about this anymore.

The local prison employees will be receiving two checks, their back pay and regular pay during that three week period. Brewer said that many of the workers are intending on saving their back pay, and budgeting tight in case the government shuts down again. We're not optimistic.

The local federal employees spent earlier Friday protesting outside the Carl Perkins Federal Building, asking the community to set politics aside and understand that they are working without pay, and have families to provide for.

The employees were met outside the building by state Sen. Robin Webb, who said she was here to support federal workers and spoke about the current government shutdown.

It's affecting families; it's affecting public safety; it's affecting the civil court system and justice, and now we've got cold months and people's electric bills are due, Webb said. These people deserve more than that.

The next three weeks should be enough time for the federal government to come to a resolution, Webb said.

The shutdown resolution will be up to Congress, and the federal government, but where it becomes an issue for the Commonwealth of Kentucky is the influx of individuals applying for assistance and the strain on funding and resources that the state has to offer, she said.

Our food banks are already strained in many places, Webb said. Dollars aren't circulating in communities as they were, so we're also feeling the pressure and strain as a state.

If families are displaced again during another shutdown, those that qualify can apply for state services, Webb said.

Webb said that she was hopeful that the temporary re-opening of the government can provide some relief to the federal employees residing in the state of Kentucky.

These people lay their lives on the line for the public. That's why I'm here, Webb said. It's time to resolve the conflict so it doesn't affect them.
The following items are based on information provided by officials in law enforcement and the criminal justice system.
We have wanted to bring all of our activities together into one facility and also have increasingly wanted to be able to bring some of our programs and research activities that are currently in Baltimore and elsewhere to Washington, Daniels said. We are hoping that with this new facility well be able to offer more opportunities for undergraduates to do, for instance, internships and policy-related seminars and other activities in Washington. This becomes a wonderful portal for us to bring undergraduate and graduate students who are currently in Baltimore to Washington for relatively discrete periods of time.
RHINEBECK, N.Y.  The Town Board on Friday will interview at least five people, including one of its own members, who are interested in being 
Town of Rochester

Cancer hasn't slowed desire to help others
Diane Pineiro-Zucker has been a reporter at the Daily Freeman since April 2013. Pineiro-Zucker worked as a reporter in the Freemans Rhinebeck bureau in the early 1980s, left to become executive editor at Taconic Newspapers in Dutchess County.
U.S. Rep. Antonio Delgado, D-Rhinebeck, right, attends an interfaith breakfast in Kingston, N.Y., on Monday, Jan. 21, 2019.
Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Michael is the Daily Emerald's Editor-in-Chief. He started at the Emerald as a reporter in 2017 and has held the roles of senior news reporter and associate news editor. He has bylines in The Wall Street Journal, The Portland Tribune and Eugene Weekly.

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Encantada was one of three restaurants conceived by chef Robbin Haas, according to the release, along with Birrotecca, which remains open on Clipper Road in Druid Hill Park, and the Nickel Taphouse in Mount Washington, which closed last fall.
Charles Elsberry, beloved father and grandfather, age 80, of Dalton, passed away Thursday, June 17, 2021 in the company of his family at his residence. He was preceded in death by his wife; Phyllis Elsberry, parents, William Henry Elsberry, Sr. and Stella Gladstone, brother and sister-in-law
OUR TOWN

The Daily American

A downtown Johnstown restaurant owner who served in mortuary affairs positions with the U.S. Army is running for coroner.

Gregory M. Jones  who was born in Jersey City, New Jersey and was raised in Johnstown's Prospect neighborhood  announced his candidacy Jan. 24 at his business, Carrie's Kitchen. He is a Republican.

The position of county coroner is currently held by Jeffrey Lees, a Democrat who ran unopposed in 2015.

According to a biography provided by the Cambria County GOP, Jones joined the Pennsylvania Army National Guard in November of 1987, where he became a light-wheeled vehicle mechanic. In 1989 he was honorably released from the National Guard to go active duty. Eleven years later he earned the title of mortuary affairs adviser.

Jones's military assignments included: Fort Lewis, Washington; Mannheim, Germany; Fort Hood, Texas; Fort Dix, New Jersey; Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Fort Lee, Virginia; Camp Wolf, Kuwait; Fort Sill, Oklahoma; and others. He became the non-commissioned officer in charge of Casualty and Mortuary Affairs for Hawaii, Guam and America Samoa before retiring July 1, 2015 after 27 years of combined service.

As for education, Jones has attended taken the following military classes: Primary Leadership Development Course (PLDC), Basic Non-Commissioned Officers Course (BNCOC), Mortuary Affairs Senior Leaders Course (SLC), First Sergeants Course, U.S. Army Inspector General Course, Warrior Transition Training and Triad Course. Civilian school certifications include a Pennsylvania Department of Education GED, a Greater Johnstown High School Diploma in 2009, an associate's in general studies from Columbia Southern University and a bachelor's in health care administration from Columbia Southern University. He is pursuing a masters in public administration from Liberty University.

His awards include Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Joint Meritorious Unit Award with Army Frame, Army Meritorious Unit Citation, Army Superior Unit Award, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army NCO Professional Development Medal, Army Service Medal and Army Overseas Service Medal.

Gregory is married to CW3 Katrina U. (Goodwin) Jones. They have nine children  two who were lost to gun violence  and 10 grandchildren.
NANCY STOPPE

The Daily American

1 John 3:18, Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

Many years ago a woman, working as a volunteer at a hospital, got to know a little girl named Liz who was suffering from a rare & serious disease. Her only chance of recovery appeared to be a blood transfusion from her 6-year old brother, who had miraculously survived the same disease and had developed the antibodies needed to combat the illness.

The doctor explained the situation to her little brother, and asked the little boy if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister.

She saw him hesitate for a moment before taking a deep breath and saying, OK. Ill do it if it she will be alright.

As the transfusion progressed, he lay in bed next to his sister and smiled, as they all did, seeing the color returning to her cheeks. Then his face grew pale and his smile faded.

He looked up at the doctor and asked with a trembling voice, Will I start to die now?

Being young, the little boy had misunderstood the doctor; he thought he was going to have to give his sister all of his blood and die in order to save her.

I heard this story a few years ago and cant confirm if its true or not. Sometimes we have to see things, or hear them, in a worldly way so we can relate to them with spiritual understanding.

As I read this story again it brought tears to my eyes, as it did for some of you. It didnt matter if it was true or not; its the understanding of it that matters. Someone was willing to give his own life in order to save someone they loved.

And thats just what Jesus did.

Jesus spoke to people many times in parables (stories) in order for them to understand. In His parables He used people and things that were familiar to them; things they could relate to in order for them to comprehend what He was trying to explain.

Most of the world has heard the story of Jesus. Weve heard about His birth, His teachings, how He suffered a horrible death and rose again to assure us of a life after we leave this world. But many just dont get the impact of what He did, or what it stood for. Many dont see the importance of the cross and the cross is the foundation upon which our salvation is available to us. Without the cross and His sacrifice there would be no hope for a future without sadness, sickness, loneliness, or any of the horrible things many people face on a daily basis.

What do you see when you look at the cross? I see the cross as the world. Jesus offered Himself as our perfect sacrifice. I see Jesus on the cross as His precious blood flowed and covered the cross (the world). He made it possible for anyone to live with Him forever if they would only believe in Him. He did that, because He loved us.

Oh, how He suffered! But He loved us so much that He willingly gave His life so we might live free of sin and destruction. How are you living the new life He gave to you?

Last weeks answer: Solomon, which means peace. He succeeded his father, David, as king of Israel. (2 Samuel 12:24-25 & 1 Kings 1:28-37)

This weeks question: Who killed Absalom and what did they do with his body? (2 Samuel 18:9-18)

(Nancy Stoppe of Jenners is affiliated with Jenner Township Baptist Church, Boswell. She can be contacted at stoppe123@comcast.net)
The Daily American

In the wake of numerous mass shootings at schools and other public places, a new state-funded program is aimed at helping to stop the problem before it starts.

The Safe2Say Something program officially went into effect Jan. 14 in all Pennsylvania schools. The program, which is funded through the state attorney generals office, allows students, parents and others to report startling behavior anonymously through an app, hotline or website. The tips are then assessed by a state team to evaluate the seriousness, and, if found credible, can be forwarded to school officials and law enforcement.

Pennsylvania students deserve a safe place to learn, free from the threat of violence from classmates or other individuals, Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro said earlier this week in a press release. Im proud my office was entrusted by the legislature to run this new program focused on school safety. Working together with local law enforcement and school officials, we can make Pennsylvania safer for families, teachers and, most importantly, our students.

Somerset Area School District Superintendent Krista Mathias said the idea behind the program is to be able to intervene with students who pose a harm to themselves or others.

Mathias said Safe2Say can allow law enforcement, school authorities and the tip reporter to all communicate online to work any problem out.

Its really an effective way to put all of the pieces of the puzzle together, she said. Our job would be to get the pieces.

She said that when reporting, a person can remain anonymous but must indicate a connection to the situation, such as being a parent or a friend.

The program is being rolled out in partnership with Sandy Hook Promise, a national nonprofit founded by family members who lost loved ones in the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. In that shooting, 20 children and six adults were killed at the Connecticut school.

Mathias said so far Somerset hasnt received any tips, but after some more training, that may change. She said she doesnt think malicious reporting will be a problem.

This isnt for small concerns, she said. These are for concerns that could lead to someone hurting themselves or others.

Shade-Central City High School Principal Sean Wechtenhiser said that students in grades six through 12 will receive training on the program today.

Wechtenhiser said it is too early to know how implementation is going.

Quite honestly, he said, as far as implementation goes, were starting (today) with our students being trained and then parent training after that.

I went to the training and with it still in the early stages, its kind of early to see.

He said it is positive that Safe2Say gives students and parents another outlet for reporting.

Rockwood Area School District Superintendent Mark Bower said that since last summer the district has had its own internal online reporting system. Bower said that Safe2Say goes a step further, bringing law enforcement into the equation.

This is more thorough because it involves law enforcement, if needed, he said. So it adds a layer of protection, I think, and response.

Bower, like Wechtenhiser, said time will tell on the programs success.

For us to be able to judge the effectiveness of it, well probably have to wait until we get a call into it and us having to respond, he said.

At Somerset, Mathias said the most important aspect of Safe2Say is student and staff safety.

Anything that can be done to prevent school violence or a student from hurting themselves or others is a step in the right direction, she said.

Since being launched a week ago, Safe2Say has received 615 tips statewide with several hundred being referred to law enforcement, according to a press release Thursday from Shapiros office. The program has been implemented in 3,774 public and private schools in the state.

For more information or to report a concern, go to www.safe2saypa.org. To report over the phone call 844-723-2729.
by Melani Manel Perera

The army still occupies land in Kepapilavu, a village Mullathivu district. The authorities had promised to return it by today. Tamils ask for southern support.

Colombo (AsiaNews)  A group of Tamils has been camping out for 700 days in front of a military area in northern Sri Lanka, demanding the return of their land, which was taken over by soldiers during the civil war.

Residents complain that the land was supposed to be returned to its legitimate owners by today. Instead the army is still occupying it and for now has not said when it will depart.

Locals claim to have been deceived for years by false promises. For Tamils, they are "all empty words". This is why they are protesting, asking for support from southern Sri Lanka and the international community.

On Tuesday, a delegation attended a press conference at Colombo's Centre for Society and Religion to highlight their demands.

The event was organised by the People's Alliance for Right to Land (PARL). On that occasion, Tamil representatives also met with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe in Parliament.

The land they claim is located in the northern and eastern provinces, the regions most devastated by the countrys civil war, which lasted almost 30 years.

President Maithripala Sirisena had promised that the land in Kepapilavu, a village in Mullathivu district, would be handed back by 31 December 2018.

Later, at meeting with a delegation in early January, some government officials had assured them that the land would be returned by today. Instead the legitimate owners are still camped outside the occupied area.

Their hopes had been rekindled in December 2017, when the army returned part of the area. Since then, there is nothing about the other parts.

In Colombo, two women talked about what Tamils have had to endure for almost two years, surviving all sorts of hardships, including bad weather like wind, rain, dust, heat. In their plea, S. Adhiyakala and B. Sivabalapushpam insisted that "if our lands are not returned, we will reclaim them".

For activist Ruki Fernando, "700 days are endless. It is the longest protest ever carried out by a community in Sri Lanka. People have been living out in the open since 1 March 2017. They have resisted intimidation and harassment by the army, police and intelligence agencies.

"They have struggled to survive and yet have continued to send their children to school and take care of the elderly.

Last but not east, They have organised protests in Colombo and other parts of the country, as well as met with political and religious leaders, media and representatives of the international community."
Kankakee, IL (60901)

Today

Considerable clouds this morning. Some decrease in clouds later in the day. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 86F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 63F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph.
STORY LINK Pound Sterling Australian Dollar (GBP/AUD) Exchange Rate Slides as Hammond Says No-Deal Brexit could Cause ?Significant Disruption?

Pound Sterling Australian Dollar (GBP/AUD) Exchange Rate Slides despite DUP Lending Conditional Support to Plan B

Yesterday: Pound (GBP) Rallies Despite Barniers Comments on the Backstop

Australian Dollar (AUD) Weighed Down as US and China Reported to be Miles and Miles away from Resolution

GBP/AUD Outlook: Will the Parliamentary Vote on Brexit Plan B Drag Down Sterling?

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This morning the Pound Australian Dollar (GBP/AUD) exchange rate slipped despite reports that the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) said they would support Theresa Mays Brexit Plan B.Their support would be on the provision that the Irish backstop is time-limited, despite comments yesterday from the European Union that this was not possible.This saw the GBP/AUD slide, and the pairing is currently trading at an inter-bank rate of AU$1.8392.Chancellor Philip Hammond has warned this morning about a no-deal Brexit, saying:There will be very significant disruption in the short term and a very significant hit to our economy in the medium to long term.These comments also likely caused the pairing to continue to slip after reaching highs of AU$1.8506.Yesterday afternoon saw the Pound Australian Dollar (GBP/AUD) exchange rate push higher, despite comments from Michel Barnier, the EUs Chief Brexit Negotiator.Barnier stated the European Parliament would not approve a withdrawal agreement that did not have an Irish backstop which will avoid a hard border in Ireland, insisting that it would be legally impossible for the UK to forge a separate treaty with Ireland.Barnier, when questioned about whether he would be receptive of Theresa Mays requests for concessions on the Irish backstop stated:This security net is part of the withdrawal treaty [] It is a guarantee for the preservation of peace and stability on the island of Ireland, the guarantee that in all hypotheses we will not rebuild a hard border, that we will preserve the Good Friday Agreement and the Common Travel Area.Thursday saw Australias unemployment rate fall to a better-than-expected 5% in December, its lowest level since June 2011.Australia saw an increase in part-time employment, which rose by 24,600, although this did mask a 3,000 decline in full-time workers, the second month in a row that full-time employment slipped.US-Sino tensions likely caused the Aussie to take a further hit, as US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said:Were miles and miles from getting a resolution. Trade is very complicated. There are lots and lots of issues.Speaking about the Chinese Vice Premier Lius scheduled visit to Washington next week, Ross stated:People shouldnt think that the events of the next week are going to be the solution to all of the issues between the United States and China. Its too complicated a topic. I believe that China would like to make a deal. I believe that we would like to make a deal. But it has to be a deal that works for both parties.Meanwhile, US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin was more upbeat, saying that the US and China were making a lot of progress, although he failed to elaborate on the areas in which they had made progress.As there is a lack of UK or Australian economic data releases towards the end of this weeks session and the beginning of next it seems likely that the pairing will fluctuate as a result of political factors.For the Aussie the likely catalyst to spark movement is going to be the continuation of the trade tensions between the US and China, and if there are any further signs that there could be further tension such as the US beginning the process to extradite Huaweis CFO, Meng Wanzhou.The start of next weeks session will likely see fluctuations in Pound exchange rates as the UK parliamentary vote on Mays Plan B is scheduled for Tuesday, so any signs that she will fail to get Parliament to approve her plans, or that a no-deal Brexit is likely, could see the Pound fall from the highs that have been seen this week.

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The House and Senate are pursuing various options to end the partial government shutdown that is now in its 34th day. Credit unions around the country have stepped up to support members whose pay has been affected; NAFCU is providing credit unions with a direct way to contact their lawmakers to share how the shutdown is hurting their communities and how their institution is helping members, and to urge an end to it.

Contact your representative and senators through NAFCUs Grassroots Action Center.

The House Ways and Means Committee had scheduled a hearing to examine the shutdowns impact on taxes and the IRS. However, the hearing was canceled last night as Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin declined the invite to testify. NAFCU sent a letter to Committee Chair Richard Neal, D-Mass., and Ranking Member Kevin Brady, R-Texas, to share how credit unions and their members are impacted by the shutdown.

Congress and the administration remain at odds over a solution to the lapse in funding that has shuttered nine federal departments and various agencies. President Donald Trump continues to press for full funding to construct a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.
The final keynote speaker for CUNA Governmental Affairs Conference (GAC) has been announced: Dana Perino, political commentator for Fox News, co-host of The Five and Ill Tell You What will lend her political expertise to GAC attendees.

Dana is a top-notch communicator, said CUNA President/CEO Jim Nussle. I know from our time at the White House together that she has an impressive ability to take on tough issues with resolve and focused attention to detail. We are excited for her to join us as the final GAC keynote speaker, and appreciate the opportunity to hear some of her insights.

Perino has previously served as the first Republican woman in the role of White House Press Secretary during the George W. Bush Administration, and was appointed by President Obama to the Broadcasting Board of Governors. Today, she hosts two of Fox News most successful programs and is the author of two books on The New York Times Best Sellers list. Outside of her professional world, Perino started Minute Mentoring and serves on the board of Companions for Heroes, which matches rescue animals with first-responders and veterans managing post-traumatic stress.
by Nirmala Carvalho

Holy Cross Convent High School is located in Kolhapur. This is a women's school, where most female students are not Catholic. Archbishop of Pune: "We are grateful to the sisters for the educational apostolate".

Mumbai (AsiaNews) - As an Indian citizen, "I am very saddened by the attack on the Catholic school in Maharashtra. India is a land of peace and we should always affirm and promote peace, despite our differences", says Msgr. Thomas Dabre, Archbishop of Pune, denouncing the attack a few days ago against the Holy Cross Convent High School in Kolhapur, devastated by a group of radical Hindus. The bishop emphasizes that the school "serves people from all the communities and the Catholic students who study here are a minority".

The female institute run by the nuns of the Holy Cross was vandalized on January 22nd. The fundamentalists of the Yuva Sena, a youth wing of the ultra-nationalist movement Shiv Sena, broke into the campus shouting slogans against the school leadership and complaining about school fees. Then they ransacked the office, destroying the windows and damaging the religious symbols, including the cross and the statue of the Virgin.

Monsignor Dabre emphasizes that "India is a great country, and there are civil and loyal means to discuss, debate and find solutions on management decisions. Violence is never one of these. Peace must always be our goal ".

Regarding the work of the school, he says: "I am truly grateful to the Holy Cross sisters for their contribution to the construction of the nation through the educational apostolate. The school serves everyone and [education] is offered to students of all faiths without any discrimination. In classes, which include students of any religion, [foster] encounters for inter-religious harmony and dialogue. This serves to build social harmony and mutual coexistence for the good of India, our beloved homeland ".

Finally, the archbishop points out that India "is a country with many religions, where religious differences are respected and supported. We must live in peace with people of all religions and work for tolerance and harmony ".
NEW HAVEN  Jon Nowinski, of Milford, was known as an animal lover.

Together with other volunteers, he regularly used his vetererinary skills to help animals after disasters and provided training to emergency departments on how to help animals in need.

Nowinski, 37, formerly of Westport and the operations director of the Westport-based Emergency Animal Response Service, died this week at Yale New Haven Hospital, friends and family said.

Your passion for working dogs is amazing and you will be forever missed, John Michael wrote on Nowinskis Facebook page on behalf of the Brookfield Police Departments canine unit.

Mickayla Vitali wrote that she hopes Nowinski continues to care for all the animals in heaven.

You were and are a special person and friend, Julie Zaffis Marron wrote.

Diana Autumn Skye said in her Facebook post that Nowinski was one of her heroes.

He was always there for anyone, especially animals, when they needed him., Skye wrote. He was funny, smart and passionate about what he did. The world seems so much sadder this morning knowing that he isn't in it.

In an interview with Connecticut Magazine last year, Nowinski talked about how much it meant for EARS to be able to buy a used ambulance and modify it in order for his group of volunteers to help transport animals and also be a mobile clinic during power outages.

We had never thought about actually operating an ambulance, Nowinski told the magazine. But we figured, at the very least for the ability to get supplies and things where they needed to go, it would be great.

Whatever steps he took, it was always with the animals in mind. And despite his passing, his own cats and his dog, Coyote, are being well taken care of, his sister Lisa Price assured people on Facebook.

Jon was such a spirited person with so much brightness and determination, Heidi Matos wrote on Facebook.

Friends said the loss of Nowinski is a loss to the world.

You have been an inspiration for many many people Jon and your life will be celebrated more than you could have ever imagined, Kim Warner wrote on Facebook. Now its your turn on the other side!

Nowinski was also the founder of the Smoking Gun Research Agency, through which he investigated ghosts and UFO sightings.
by Padre Peter

According to Fr Peter, a priest who belongs to the official community, many fellow clergymen feel "betrayed" by the Vatican, especially after the interim agreement between Beijing and the Holy See on the appointment of bishops. The Patriotic Association (CPCA) is still working to set up a Church that is "independent" (from the Holy See). Its role should be addressed in future talks between Vatican and Chinese delegations.

Beijing (AsiaNews)  Several priests in the underground community are giving up on their mission because they are in conflict with the Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association (CPCA), this according to Father Peter, a priest in the official community who sent a message to AsiaNews, and a friend of underground priests.

Fr Peter defends the choice of "conscience" of his friends, noting that they feel "betrayed" by the Vatican, especially after the interim agreement between Beijing and the Holy See on the appointment of bishops.

In fact, whilst the agreement amends the CPCA's work at least with respect to episcopal appointments (Pope Francis has said that "the last word belongs to me"), it does not clarify the relationship with this supervisory body of the Chinese Communist Party, whose goal is to build a "self-sufficient" Church, one that is "independent" (from the Holy See).

In his 2007 Letter to Chinese Catholics, Benedict XVI had said that the CPCAs status was "incompatible with Catholic doctrine". On several occasions, Pope Francis reiterated that Pope Benedicts Letter "is still valid"; however, he has de facto accepted that bishops and priests may belong to the CPCA as a sort of "lesser evil". In fact, CPCA membership is still a precondition for government recognition.

In his letter, Benedict XVI said that recognition by the government can take place "on condition that this does not entail the denial of unrenounceable principles of faith and of ecclesiastical communion", citing precisely "certain bodies that force people involved to adopt attitudes, make gestures and undertake commitments that are contrary to the dictates of their conscience as Catholics (n.7).

An example of the CPCAs domination over bishops was the celebration of 60 years of the "independent" Church, in which 48 bishops participated and praised one of the most painful events in the history of the Church in China.

In light of the situation, some Vatican insiders believe that the role of the CPCA should be addressed in future talks between the Vatican and China. Meanwhile, the members of underground communities feel "abandoned".

Another priest goes home

I remember what Cardinal Joseph Zen (Chen Ri Jun) said: if the Holy See and the Chinese government really reach an agreement, allowing illegitimate bishops to lead their dioceses, the priests of the unofficial Church could freely follow their consciences. If unable to proclaim the Gospel, they could go home and work in the fields. I did not expect Card Zens prophecy to come true.

Not long ago, a priest from my town phoned me, asking me to go with him to visit another priest, because he had gone home from his mission. During the meeting, after the initial joy of seeing each other again after a long time and sharing our stories, we could not fail to mention the many problems faced by the Chinese Church after the signing of the agreement. During the conversation, we discovered that the reason our fellow priest decided to go home was because he could not accept to become the assistant of a parish priest from the Patriotic Association.

The priest went on to explain that "For more than 30 years I have fought against the Patriotic Association, and now they want me to become the assistant priest of a Patriotic Association priest. I can not accept it, I have no choice but to go home." Hearing these words, I felt indescribable pain in my heart. What can we still say about the Holy See? I still respect the conscience of this brother of mine. He has the right and the moral obligation to obey his faith and his conscience.

I recently heard from a friend that another priest, who was working in Henan, had gone back home. I know him well. He is a very enthusiastic and very humble young priest, but he too has become a victim of the Sino-Vatican agreement.

in addition to the two cases that I mentioned there are others. I fear that throughout China there are many priests living the same situation: they have been faithful and have defended their Catholic faith, but suddenly they have been betrayed by Rome. They cannot violate their conscience, but even more they cannot go against their faith. The important thing is that they dont lose their missionary vocation.

If the secular power deprives them of their divine power, if they do not receive any support or comfort from the Church, then they truly are like the crucified, "suffering" Christ. Like Jesus on the Cross, the only thing they can do is cry out in utter powerlessness: "Father, why have you forsaken me?"

Wednesday, January 23, 2019
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) compared President Donald Trump and congressional leaders to "a bunch of 2-year-olds" on Thursday and said they should stop playing "stupid political games" amid the longest-ever partial closure of the federal government.

"It's crazy. 'If I don't get my wall, I'm going to shut down the government.' 'If we don't open the government, you can't speak in our chamber,' " Hogan said, mocking the postures the president and House Speaker Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., have taken.

"It's a bunch of 2-year-olds, you know? Let's figure out border security, and let's get people to work, and let's let the State of the Union take place like it always does."

A moderate Republican just elected to a second term in Maryland, Hogan has taken to the national stage in recent weeks to call for an end to the bitter polarization of Washington politics. He has also been vocal in demanding an end to the shutdown, citing its strong negative impact in his state.

On Thursday, Hogan greeted Transportation Security Administration agents, Homeland Security workers and air traffic controllers at Baltimore Washington International-Thurgood Marshall airport and unveiled new efforts to help the more than 150,000 federal employees from Maryland who have now gone four weeks without a paycheck.

Hogan said those workers can now get free fares on state mass transit, discounts on gas and late-fee waivers from utility providers.

As he walked from checkpoint to checkpoint, Hogan told bag screeners and security officers the state would "back you up in whatever way we can."

"This shutdown is impacting the security of our nation," the governor said. "It is impacting the economy of Maryland, and most importantly, it's impacting the lives of tens of thousands of our Maryland citizens."

The state is also organizing a food drive with nonprofit partners, Maryland Food Bank and the Capital Area Food Bank, to help federal workers feed their families. Hogan called on all state employees and the private sector to donate to the food drive and support the workers. Public utility companies and the petroleum industry also vowed to waive certain fees and give gas card discounts to federal workers.

The governor said the state is working with banks, lenders and insurance companies to give workers relief from payments or deferral until the shutdown ends and paychecks are issued.

Asked what he was doing to continue communicating his concerns to political leaders in Washington, Hogan said he would be attending the annual Alfalfa Club dinner for political insiders in Washington Saturday night and expected to sit at a table with the president.
HARTFORD  Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont has re-appointed nine state state agency commissioners, but doesnt plan on reappointing Department of Social Services Commissioner Roderick Bremby.

Appointed in March 2011 by former Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, Bremby came from Kansas where he was head of that states Department of Health and Environment. He was appointed to that position by former Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, who then served as Secretary of the U.S. Health and Human Services Department under former President Barack Obama.

Bremby was touted as a systems expert and was tasked in Connecticut with computerizing a mostly paper-based benefits eligibility system in order to accept benefit applications online. He was also involved in the creation of Connecticuts health insurance exchange.

As the DSSs longest serving commissioner who never sought the spotlight, Bremby guided the agency through a monumental transition that wasnt always smooth and wasnt without its critics.

His tenure kicked off with the discovery of 125 boxes of unprocessed benefits applications in the regional Hartford office. The discovery highlighted the need to transition to a paperless system.

In July 2013, the department transitioned from the old eligibility management method to ConnectCT, which included an interactive phone system and a document scanning service. In August 2016, they began replacing ConnectCT with ImpaCT, a new web-based eligibility management system. ImpaCT replaced the outdated mainframe computer whose software was written in Cobol, a code created in the 1960s.

The agency Bremby inherited handled 5 million pieces of paper and 900,000 phone calls per month.

The department still maintains 12 regional offices and launched the call center, which acts like a 13th office. While its not an application line, the phone option is designed to offer eligibility-related services. People call to change their address, cancel benefits, or make sure their paperwork is being processed or has been received.

There are 800,000 residents who receive Medicaid benefits and 400,000 with food stamps.

The new system is still a work in progress.

Wait times that clients were experiencing on DSSs phone system this past summer were nearing two hours.

According to advocates, the long telephone wait times have caused more people to show up at DSS offices  a trend the department was hoping to eliminate when it instituted the new system five years ago. DSS notes that local offices are always an option for the public and the new system added alternatives to, not the replacement of, in-person visits.

Another bright spot during Brembys tenure was his ability to turn around the processing times for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps. The federal government even awarded Connecticut funding bonuses as a result of its performance in handling SNAP applications.

The Lamont administration is conducting a national search for Brembys successor and is consulting with people like Andy Slavitt, the former acting commissioner of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, who was also instrumental in solving problems with the rollout of the Affordable Care Act.

Governor Lamont thanks Rod Bremby for his leadership at DSS, Maribel La Luz, Lamonts communications director, said. As its longest serving commissioner, Bremby was integral in the launch of the departments self-insured Medicaid program, which leads the nation in cost stability and improved quality health outcomes. In addition, he led efforts to modernize the agency to better serve its clients and enhance partnerships with supporting organizations. DSS is better positioned for future success, thanks to Commissioner Brembys leadership.

Bremby said hes grateful for the opportunity.

I am deeply grateful to Governors Malloy and Lamont for the opportunity to serve the residents of Connecticut, Bremby said. Further, I am grateful to have had the privilege to serve with colleagues at DSS who come to work each and every day focused on customers, over self.

Bremby will remain commissioner until the end of February.
BRIDGEPORT The city school board has finally accepted its five year old Fairchild Wheeler campus as complete, clearing the way for the city to collect up to $5 million in bonding held back by the state.

The approval, came on a 6-0 vote by the board on the condition that a number of flaws  from roof issues to settlement cracks be attended to by April.

John Ricci, the citys public facilities director, told the board he could live by that deadline.

The $115 million interdistrict magnet school was opened in 2013 but there was not movement to officially close out the project until last fall. The school board refused to do so until it could fully inspect the facility, and School Board Member Chris Taylor came back with a laundry list of issues he said needed to be addressed.

Taylor noted numerous problems that to him spelled poor workmanship. Others called the problems cosmetic.

Taylor was not at the meeting on Thursday.

Some of the items to be fixed may be covered by funding not used from the project grant or by warranty. Most of the items will have to be handled by the school boards facilities department.

Most parts of the building came with only a one-year warranty which is said to be the industry standard. Board member Maria Pereira suggested the city bargain for a longer guarantee when it puts the new Bassick High School out to bid.

Among the issues are air bubbles on the walking pads that sit on the schools roof, leaks in patio windows and doors, exterior ceiling tile damage, an improperly set guard rail at the main entrance, settlement cracks and modifications to air conditioning units to make sure there is appropriate air flow.

The school boards facilities committee will be tasked with revisiting the punch list in May.
MILFORD  A judge denied a request from a New York woman awaiting sentencing on an arson charge to release her from custody as she fights for her parental rights.

The woman, 27-year-old Speciale Rose Morris, is one of four people charged with conspiring to burn down a home on Route 67 in Oxford July 29, 2016.

Morris pleaded guilty last March to conspiracy to commit second-degree arson and has agreed to testify if any of her co-defendants cases go to trial. She has been held on $350,000 bond in the case since her arrest in August 2017.

Morris became pregnant before her arrest and gave birth to a son who is now 1 year old and being cared for by a foster family. She sees the boy once a month during visits supervised by the Department of Children and Families.

In court Friday, Public Defender Susan Brown asked Judge Peter Brown to release her on a promise to appear in court so she can attend a March hearing at which she said DCF is seeking to terminate Morris parental rights.

Her lawyer in that case does believe her parental rights would probably be maintained if she was not incarcerated, Public Defender Susan Brown said.

She said her family will help her rent an apartment in Connecticut while her case is pending.

She is not going anywhere, Brown said.

Brown noted a probation official who prepared a sentencing report in the case recommended Morris, who has no prior record, receive probation. The lawyer also said her client called police less than six hours after the fire and repeatedly met with police voluntarily to give them information during the investigation.

Ms. Morris has not been fighting this, she said. Ms. Morris has been doing everything to provide explanation and assistance since day one.

The prosecutor in the case, Howard Stein, didnt object to Morris request, but didnt support it either, since doing so could be viewed as compensation for her testimony against her co-defendants.

The judge said he read the arrest warrants in the case and noted the differing degrees of culpability contained in the statements each of the co-defendants gave to police.

I am very much concerned about the allegations concerning Ms. Morris participation in the conspiracy, Brown said. At this time Im going to deny the motion for bond reduction.

After issuing the ruling, the judge said a continuance to late February  before Morris parental rights trial  would be appropriate. She is scheduled to return to court Feb. 22.

According to an arrest warrant, the owner of the home, Delores Lee, wanted to burn the house down because a tenant owed her back rent.

After the tenant allegedly told a marshal serving an eviction notice that she didnt plan on leaving, the marshal told police Lee said No one ever pays me. Maybe Ill burn it down.

The warrant says Morris drove two other suspects in the case  Martina Brandy Jackson and Leon Pops Carson  from New York to the home on the night of the fire.

Morris implicated Jackson with setting the fire, but Jackson blamed Carson, telling police Lee had offered $800 in exchange for setting the blaze.

Lee is awaiting trial in the case. Carson and Jackson are due back in court Feb. 14 and March 14, respectively.

ethan.fry@hearstmediact.com
Saudi Arabia and Iran are stepping up repression. In the Islamic Republic those who protest against poverty and corruption are jailed. Anti-hijab activists are also targeted. In the kingdom torture and abuse against dissident religious leaders.

Riyadh (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Non-governmental organizations and human rights groups point the finger at Saudi Arabia and Iran, for strengthening the mesh of repression against activists, dissidents, critical voices and religious minorities of the two countries over the past year. This morning, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have appealed to Riyadh to allow access to independent observer prisons to assess the conditions of detainees.

Those detained include women's rights activists, dissident religious leaders and prominent personalities imprisoned in the anti-corruption campaign launched by hereditary prince Mohammed bin Salman (Mbs). The Arab state, an absolute Sunni wahhabite monarchy, does not allow street protests and denies there are political prisoners or prisoners of conscience. For Riyadh, the control of activism is fundamental to ensure social stability.

However, the Saudi repressions have attracted the attention of the international community and activist groups, targeted for their criticism of violence in Yemen with the death of civilians, even children, and the killing of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

A group of British parliamentarians also threatened to publish a report, in which evidence of ill-treatment and abuse in prison would emerge. If a visit is not authorized within the next week, the crown deputies warn, the British media will be allowed to spread the document's contents.

Amnesty International says it has documented 10 cases of torture and abuse against human rights activists. Reuters reported sexual violence, including electrocution and whipping, to four others. Human Rights Watch also calls for access to prisons holding princes and businessmen detained since November 2017 on the orders of Mbs.

The situation does not seem better in Iran, where in 2018 (source Amnesty) at least 7 thousand pro-human rights activists were arrested in the context of a "shameful campaign of repression". Protesters, students, lawyers, journalists, environmentalists, trade unionists and women's rights activists were targeted, especially those who struggle against the compulsory veil.

Hundreds of people were sentenced to prison and flogging. At least 26 demonstrators died in the context of street protests or in prison.

The repression wanted by the Iranian authorities has been thwarted by those who took to the streets before demonstrating against poverty, corruption and the lack of civil and social liberties. Chief among the causes that are pushing the country towards an increasingly widespread poverty are the US sanctions wanted by the Trump administration, following the cancellation of the nuclear agreement.
A problem with a natural gas transmission line that has left thousands of Rhode Island residents without access to the fuel is being attributed, in part, to a high demand for natural gas.

Marylee Hanley, a spokeswoman with the Canadian company that owns the Algonquin Pipeline, said the pressure problem in the transmission line that forced suspension of natural gas service to National Grid customers in Newport and Middletown, R.I., Monday likely was caused by a variety of factors. Hanley works for Enbridge, the Canadian company that operates the Algonquin transmission line.

Our initial analysis indicates that the primary causes of the loss of natural gas service ... were an unusually high demand for natural gas on the Algonquin pipeline due to cold temperatures that exceeded the systems supply capability, coupled with an equipment malfunction, which temporarily restricted available natural gas supplies, Hanley said. There appears to be a number of other contributing factors that may have exacerbated the conditions leading to the loss of service. We continue to collaborate with the local gas company and assist in any way we can with gas service restoration efforts.

Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo declared a state of emergency in the Newport area Monday after the problem occurred. The Associated Press reported Wednesday that National Grid repair crews were going door to door in the area restoring customers natural gas service.

The 1,130-mile natural gas transmission pipeline runs through Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York and New Jersey.

A trade group representing Connecticuts home heating oil dealers is calling on Gov. Ned Lamont to shut down an ongoing expansion of the natural gas distribution network in the state.

Chris Herb, president of the Connecticut Energy Marketers Association, sent a letter to Lamont Tuesday urging Lamont to issue an Executive Order that would halt all efforts to expand the natural gas distribution network and connecting of new residential and industrial customers.

David Bednarz, a spokesman for Lamont, said the governor is reviewing Herbs request.

A disaster in Massachussets last year killed an 18-year-old and injured about two-dozen other people. It also left thousands without heat and hot water, in some cases for months. A pressure buildup in the natural gas distribution of Columbia Gas caused explosions and fire that impacted 8,600 customers across three eastern Massachusetts communities.

Connecticuts Public Utilities Regulatory Authority in late 2013 gave the go-ahead for the states three natural gas utilities to expand 900 miles of mains to 280,000 customers over a 10-year period.

luther.turmelle@hearstmediact.com
Citing demand, Carnival Cruise Line has added five more cruises to its San Francisco program with the Carnival Miracle in 2020.

Including the five new voyages, Carnival Miracle will now offer a total of 27 voyages within the wide-ranging program which includes four-day long weekend sailings to Ensenada, Mexico, 10-day cruises to Alaska and 15- and 16-day voyages to Hawaii from March to September 2020, according to a statement.

These newly added sailings are part of Carnivals ongoing expansion in the West Coast.

Other Carnival moves on the West Coast include the new Carnival Panorama, sailing from from Long Beach in December 2019 and new cruise programs from San Diego beginning in December 2019 and San Francisco in 2020.

After seeing the incredible reaction to Carnival Miracles initial San Francisco sailings announcement last month, we knew we had to continue to Choose Fun and bring even more options to the West Coast, said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. And what better time to announce this amazing news than while the Carnival AirShip is flying over the city.

Carnival Miracles five new voyages from San Francisco include:

Aug. 20, 2020 and Sept. 3, 2020: four-day sailing to Ensenada, Mexico;

Aug. 24, 2020 and Sept. 7, 2020: 10-day sailing to Alaska throughout the Last Frontier calling at Juneau, Skagway and Icy Strait Point;

Sept. 17, 2020: 16-day Carnival Journeys sailing to Hawaii calling at Maui (Kahului), Honolulu, Hilo, and Kauai.
The major cruise companies may have turned some of their attention toward the European river business, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Eyeing new-to-(ocean)-cruise passengers with strong demographics, an acquisition of an established European river brand may be in the cards in the near future.

A buyout would provide a new market segment of primarily wealthy North American passengers that could then graduate to a premium, luxury or expedition ocean cruise brand.

The European river business is known to have capacity for just under 1,000,000 passengers per year, and is a highly seasonal and competitive business environment.

Among the challenges would be the fact that few river operators in Europe actually own and operate their own riverboats. Most vessels are chartered from owners by tour operators, with hotel and marine operations outsourced. A new owner, however, could lend its established marine and hotel expertise to a river operation.

Viking Cruises has successfully managed the transition from the river to ocean business, going from a huge fleet of river vessels to now a quickly growing ocean cruise ship fleet that will number some 18 ships by 2027.

Fred. Olsen has done the opposite, going from a fleet of four niche cruise ships into the river market with one vessel.

Crystal Cruises has done similarly, expanding its luxury cruise product and adding air, expedition and river programs.

In addition is Scenic, which has been a major player on the rivers in European and is now entering the traditional cruise business with the introduction of the 228-guest Scenic Eclipse this April, with a sister vessel also on order.

Earlier this month, Scylla announced it had acquired the 155-guest Bremen from Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. Scylla owns 31 river vessels that are chartered to various tour operators, and will bring the Bremen under its banner in 2021.

Nicko Cruises is another operator in both segments, as the Mario Ferreira-owned brand has successfully been turned around, and will launch and ocean product this year with the 200-guest World Explorer.
Some people only walk this earth for a short time. Their departure reminds us that angels are watching over us. Last week, Aggie Reed rejoined her heavenly family and gained her wings. Agnes Lee "Aggie" Wilson-Reed passed away unexpectedly in Cookeville on June 11, 2021, at the age of 83. Ag
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by Vladimir Rozanskij

The Ukrainian parliament approved a law on church properties in favor of the new autocephalous Church. For Filaret, "the Cavre Lavre and the Pochaev Lavra must be handed over to the patriarchate of Kiev". A symbol for all Orthodox.

Moscow (AsiaNews) - There is strong apprehension among the monks of Pochaevskaja Lavra, one of the main holy places of Russian Orthodoxy in Ukraine. This ancient monastery could in fact pass under the jurisdiction of the new autocephalous Ukrainian Church.

Last week the Ukrainian parliament passed a new law on church properties, which could put at risk different churches and shrines currently under the ecclesiastical administration of the Moscow Patriarchate in Ukraine.

The monastery of Pochaev, in the Ternopyl region, was founded in 1240 by the monks of the Great Lavra of the Kiev Caves, fleeing from the Mongol invasion that razed the capital of the ancient Rus' to the ground. Some time after the opening, according to the ancient chronicles, the Mother of God appeared in the monastery, who even left traces known as "The Sacred Ormes of Pochaev", still visible today in the church of the Assumption inside of the Lavra. These and other relics made the monastery particularly dear to the devotion of all Orthodox, Russian and Ukrainian believers.

Despite the strict rules of the monastery, vocations continue to be abundant decades, after the end of communism: at Christmas last 10 novices were welcomed. All together, the members of the monastery pray with very long litanies belonging to the Typikon of Pochaev, in which invocations are often repeated "so that the Lord does not allow the enemies of the monastery to profane our sanctuary", evidently linked to the ancient Tatar-Mongol threat.

Today these prayers take on a particularly current meaning. On November 28th a commission of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine annulled the agreement with the Church of the Patriarchate of Moscow for the usufruct of the Lavra buildings. Since then, the 200 monks and 50 novices of the monastery (almost all Ukrainians), led by the enlightened metropolitan Vladimir (Morozov), occupy their cells without legal certainty. The "patriarch emeritus" Filaret, the inspirer of the new autocephalous Ukrainian Church - together with President Poroshenko - continues to repeat that "the Lavra of the Caves and the Lavra of Pochaev must be handed over to the patriarchate of Kiev", as he continues to call the new ecclesiastical structure.

The monks of Pochaev made a public appeal denouncing the authorities and their "attempt to destroy monasticism on the territory of western Ukraine". One of the Lavra's monks, interviewed by Ogonjok magazine, said that "so far we try to remain calm, in January many pilgrims arrive in Pochaev, who come only to pray and celebrate Christmas and the Baptism of Jesus. We sing with wonderful choirs , who gather from all over Ukraine. We are afraid that after the holidays the problems will begin ".

Pochaev's lavra has often changed masters in its history, being right on the edge of the western part of the country, on the river Ikva, which was an embankment to the Mongol invasion. For over 100 years it was led by the unified Greek-Catholics, then devastated by the Austrian army during the First World War, and then reconquered by the Russians in 1916. During the Soviet persecutions, the then Ukrainian secretary Nikita Khrushchev opened a Museum of Atheism, along with a psychiatric hospital and army laundry in the monastery. Yet despite convictions and arrests, a group of monks led by the holy starets Amfilokhij and supported by the citizens of Pochaev, managed to keep some areas open for prayer, so that the monastery remained active without interruption.

The monks work continuously, also because they have no gas supply (consequence of the conflicts with Russia), so that all of last summer was spent collecting wood for the stoves. Electricity is also rationed, and in the church the central candles are lit only during the proclamation of the Gospel. Before the conflict in 2014, tens of thousands of pilgrims came from Russia; today, says the interviewed monk, "only women can arrive; men from Russia are made get off the train ". Yet at the feast of the Assumption there were almost 30 thousand pilgrims, even from deep Russia, but above all from all over Ukraine, to pray that the Lavra remain a home for all the Orthodox.
The primary task before Goyal is to present the interim Budget 2019 on February 1 in the Lok Sabha, where the BJP has a brute majority.

The BJP is known for three tactical approaches. First, taking bold decisions as per its brand image  witness the swift rollout of the Goods and Services Tax by 2017. Second, it takes risks big time  consider the sudden November 2016 move on demonetisation, which has paid off only partially. Third, it under-informs the public. Consider the sudden appointment of Piyush Goyal as minister of finance and corporate affairs. Arun Jaitley, the previous finance minister, who is unwell, was extended the courtesy of being made a minister without portfolio.

The primary task before Mr Goyal is to present the interim Budget 2019 on February 1 in the Lok Sabha, where the BJP has a brute majority. He had similarly stepped in around the middle of last year when Mr Jaitley had been hospitalised. This 54-year-old is clearly slated for higher office if the BJP returns to power this year. A first-time minister in the present government, he was the czar of the energy portfolio. In September 2017 he was elevated as a Cabinet minister. Like Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he is a workaholic and operates like a corporate CEO; takes quick, informed decisions and then rams them through the usual bureaucratic kerfuffle.

He displayed this talent by auctioning the 204 coal licences which had been cancelled by the Supreme Court in August 2014, soon after the Modi government took charge. The bids were well short of the estimated loss to the government caused by the previous government after a non-transparent first-come-first-served rule. But the auction of natural resources as a market-based, transparent, relatively efficient instrument, has since been embedded as a best-fit practice.

He has championed the Prime Ministers impossible target of renewable energy capacity of 175 GW (gigawatt) by 2022  announced soon after the government assumed charge in May 2014. Affirming this at the December 2015 Paris climate meet, he branded low-middle income India as an improbable climate evangelist.

In September 2015  within a year of taking charge, Mr Goyal shepherded UDAY, a voluntary scheme to reduce the crippling debt of the state government-owned electricity distribution utilities  the Union governments third such attempt. Interested state governments were to assume 75 per cent of the `3.95 trillion debt of their distribution utilities; float state bonds to pay back lenders in return for the Union governments support for improving billing, collection and reduction of high technical loss of energy. The objective was to reduce the stressed assets of public sector banks and reduce the interest payments for distribution utilities.

Expectedly, the aggregate fiscal deficits of the participating states increased by 0.7 percentage points relative to the non-participating states, which were at 2.9 per cent of GDP, in exchange for uncertain gains from operational efficiencies. Spectacularly successful was the National LED programme. Bulk purchase of LED bulbs and their resale though a quasi-public sector procuring entity, Energy Efficiency Services Ltd, slashed prices to affordable levels. The public responded by buying 281 million LED bulbs in 2016, reducing emissions by 33 million tonnes of CO2 through saved energy use along with levelling out the peak load for electricity.

Piyush Goyal has set a scorching performance record since 2014. It would be characteristic for him to do so again in the finance ministry. Expect savvy strategising on Big Brand items.

Mr Goyal does not have much leeway. Aggregate revenue receipts are lower than target this year because of lower GST collections and low non-tax revenues, while expenses on recapitalising publicly-owned banks have sapped `2 trillion of public resources since the last fiscal year. Indias public debt to GDP ratio is in danger of crossing the 60 per cent mark.

Simultaneously, farmers, agricultural labourers and small businessmen are disgruntled by their diminishing incomes  the former due to continued depressed growth in agriculture and the latter because of broken business revenues caused by having to factor in tax payments on purchase and sales.

Mr Goyal, the CEO, should avoid the political noise and bombast of an interim Budget with just one objective  assuaging the 150 million-strong entrepreneurial families (agrarian, business or informal  gig-economy  workers). Nothing speaks like money in the bank. He must assure them that, if it is voted back to power, the BJP will put `24,000 per family directly into the bank account of the seniormost female member. He will need `3.6 trillion per year for this purpose, or around three per cent of GDP. Fiscal conservatives would want him to finance this largesse by ending non-merit subsidies and tax deductions. But ending subsidies is a medium-term plan, while affirmative action is needed right now. But Mr Goyal should play to the BJPs strengths  thinking big, taking risks and surprising tax dodgers.

Mr Goyal has the drive and expertise to compel better direct tax compliance, including through extensive use of big data. Till November 2018, direct tax collections are 16 per cent higher than over the same period last fiscal, making the target of `11.5 trillion reachable. A further 25 per cent increase in FY 2020 can fetch an additional `2.8 trillion. Second, he should seek to raise an additional `0.8 trillion by redistributing the tax burden progressively amongst the four million income-tax payers who earn more than `1 million per year. Rearranging the tax rates and slabs and suitably capping tax deduction benefits for this category can ensure that the wealthiest  with annual incomes above `10 million  pay the most.

The news from frosty Davos this year is not cheery. Global growth is down from 3.7 to 3.5 per cent in 2019. China  Indias bete noire  will slow down to 6.2 per cent. India in comparison will grow at 7.4 per cent.

The income of the top one per cent in India grew by an explosive 39 per cent in 2018. More of that extra income should be taxed and redirected into the bank accounts of the 80 per cent others whose incomes have either stagnated or grown below the nominal growth rate of 11 per cent per year. If Piyush Goyal can pull off this miracle, he will have reaffirmed that he is a political administrator extraordinaire.


David Langham Horace, 44, passed away June 9, 2021 in Lufkin. Viewing will be held on Friday, June 18, 2021 at Emanuel Funeral Home of Crockett from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Funeral will be held on Saturday, June 19, 2021 at Antioch Baptist Church in Pennington at 12 p.m. with burial to follow in A
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The sequence of events is as follows. First, earlier this week, Margaritis Schinas, the EU Commissions chief spokesman, said: If you push me to speculate what will happen in Ireland after a no deal Brexit I think it is pretty obvious, there will be a hard border. Next, Michel Barnier, in seeking to calm the troubled waters that Schinas had stirred, succeeded only in lashing them up even more: my team have worked hard to study how controls can be made paperless or decentralised, which will be useful in all circumstances, he said.

This sounds remarkably like the maximum facilitation plan that David Davis advanced on behalf of the Government during the summer of 2017 in a position paper  and which has been floated by him and others since, including the European Research Group. Readers will remember that it was dismissed last year, apparently by Sabine Weyand, as magical thinking. She may also be responsible for describing it as a hunt for the unicorn. Now Barnier has mounted this mythical beast himself, and galloped off into the distance.

Its important to add that he also did so quite some time ago  arguing that customs, tax and regulatory checks wouldnt need to be done at the border between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. (For the deal that the Government has reached with the EU, of course, posits precisely such a border in regulatory and arguably customs terms.) If a Northern Ireland border with Great Britain can be other than hard, why cant a border between Ireland and Northern Ireland? When is a unicorn not a unicorn?

Furthermore, the Irish Government knows perfectly well that there will be a hard border between the United Kingdom and Ireland in the event of No Deal. Simon Coveney, the Tanaiste, was caught out admitting so recently. Or rather, we should say, a harder border. After all, there is a tax, VAT, currency, excise and security border already. But checks are not usually done on it: given its 300 crossing points, that would not be possible as a rule. Instead, they tend to be done away from it. So could customs checks, given a bit of time.

What has happened since the Brexit negotiation began is that no-one has wanted to take responsibility for admitting that the border will be harder  not the Irish Government, not our own, not the Commission. None the less, the stark fact is that the EU, led in this matter by France and the Commission itself, is not going to allow an unpoliced land border to open up between itself and the EU, into which a mass of unregulated goods and products could pour into the Single Market unchecked.

Now it is important not to assume that customs is the only contentious issue relating to the borders future  and that if it could be solved, everything else could be solved, too. There is also the question of future sanitary and phytosanitary arrangements on animals and plants, product compliance, and cross-border arrangements on transport, healthcare, and other matters. It is all this and more that gave rise to the proposal for a border in the Irish Sea  and, of course, the backstop.

As March 29 draws closer and the possibility of No Deal lingers, there is rising concern  even a touch of panic  not just in Downing Street, or on Labours front bench, or among the drawers-up of the Cooper/Boles amendment, but in Ireland and Brussels, too. Leo Varadkar knows that his gamble could backfire: that Brexit may not be revoked or even postponed but take place on the due date, whether a deal is in place or not. And if even a deal would be damaging to Ireland, compared to the status quo, No Deal could be devastating.

This rising pressure on Ireland  its central bank is reported today as saying that No Deal could lead to food shortages  may explain the Taoiseachs weird suggestion yesterday that there would have to be full alignment on customs and regulations in the event of No Deal. This is precisely the wrong way round. There will not be full alignment in the event of No Deal  because No Deal means No Deal. And if No Deal happens, it may well be precisely because of the proposal in the deal for full alignment: i.e, the backstop.

We apologise to our readers. The spectacle of Barnier astride his unicorn has distracted us from the end of the story we began. The Irish Government was straightaway on the blower after Schinass original remarks, and he was duly forced to issue a clarification. The EU is determined to do all it can, deal or no deal, to avoid the need for a border and to protect peace in Northern Ireland. The EU is fully behind Ireland and has expressed, on numerous occasions, full solidarity with Ireland, he then said, perhaps through gritted teeth.

But yesterday, James Crisp of the Daily Telegraph quizzed Schinas about Barniers remarks, making precisely the same point as we seek to do today. He writes: I asked the commission why the backstop was needed at all if it is possible to carry out checks and controls without putting a hard border in place, as Mr Barnier suggested. At which point, Schinas appears simply to have given up: Write what you like, he replied. Crisp has duly taken up the invitation.

We are about to find out, as the EU ponders Brexit, whether theology or politics will win out. If the former, the EU will make no move on the backstop, wait hopefully for a second referendum and revocation, and be inclined only to extend the deadline briefly, in the event of a request being received. If the latter, it will make a meaningful concession on the backstop, and May will then have a fighting chance of getting her deal through the Commons.

If the Government had paid Ireland proper attention; if Downing Street were better versed in Northern Irelands affairs; if DexEU had been more engaged with the island, and if the Northern Ireland Office had more collective expertise, we might not be where we are now. Number Ten would have spotted the significance of the backstop. It would have called in David Trimble and other veterans of the Belfast Agreement. It might have nipped the problem in the bud: instead, no-one is now in a position from which they want to back down.
Iain Dale presents the evening show on LBC Radio and is a commentator for CNN.

As sure as night follows day, collective responsibility within the Government is seeping away. Its this that is likely to lead to a general election rather than anything else.

Ed Vaizey is encouraging ministers to vote against their own government on the Yvette Cooper amendment next week, saying that the Government is so weak that they can do so without fear of being sacked. One Cabinet minister (anonymous, natch) briefd that up to 40 ministers could do so. Ludicrous, of course  but political journalists swallow it up and report it as fact.

Tobias Ellwood says he could well quit. Richard Harrington did an interview with me this week in which he said he would resign as a business minister in the event of No Deal. He described the Prime Minister as inflexible, said we should look at remaining in the Customs Union and that he thought Article 50 should be extended. Three days later hes still in his job  thus proving Vaizeys point.

          

I had the displeasure of interviewing A C Grayling once. He was on my programme with Jacob Rees-Mogg, who I am sure remembers it as well as I do.

A ruder man I have rarely met. He refused to acknowledge Jacobs existence, and seemed to take great delight in being as obnoxious towards Jacob as he could. He is another one who is suffering from BDS  Brexit Derangement Syndrome: a condition which seems to make people lose their reason and become totally obsessed with it, to the exclusion of everything else.

Since that he is seen by some as one of the countrys leading philosophers, youd think we might all want to take notice of what the good Professor says, but this week hes demonstrated again why we should all ignore him.

A now deleted tweet declared it was outrageous that EU citizens had to register their details with the state. He likened the arrangement to Germany in the 1930s, and ended by wondering how long it would be before EU citizens would be forced to wear gold stars on their sleeves. And he tweeted it in the week that we mark International Holocaust Memorial Day

When I criticised his action on Twitter, someone said I clearly didnt understand nuance. I suggest that Professor Grayling reflects on his tweet and consider whether a period of silence on his part might be a good idea. Oh, and get a bloody haircut.

         

Theresa May is clearly determined to pursue her Nothing. Has. Changed strategy. Shes like a train running on tracks  but with no ability for the signalman to pull the lever so that the train can veer off to the left or right. Well soon see how that strategy ends.

There are certainly indications that some of those who voted against her last week, and inflicted the biggest defeat on a government in modern times, are peeling off and will support her deal in a second vote. But she needs to persuade 116 Conservative MPs to change their minds. Ive said for weeks that the DUP is the key. If its MPs can be won over, most of the ERG might then follow. Might.

But even that might not be enough. There are probably enough irreconcilables on both extremes of the debate to ensure that, however many times MPs vote, the Prime Minister can never win. It seems to me inevitable that all this will lead to an application to extend Article 50, just as the hardline Remainers have always wanted, on the basis that the move could well lead to Brexit being cancelled altogether.

I copped a lot of flack at the weekend for a piece I wrote for the Mail on Sunday in which I took ERG MPs to task for putting Brexit in jeopardy. I dont take back a word of it. Im as committed to Brexit as the day I voted for it on June 23 2016. I want to see us leave in 63 days time. If we dont, there will be many Conservative MPs who wont be able to look themselves in the mirror. They should think about that.

         

Michel Barniers latest wheeze is to suggest that Britain should cough up 39 billion even in the even of no deal. As someone once said: No. No. No. Im sure, though, that Olly Robbins will be advising May to comply on the basis that we dont want to upset Brussels at this stage in the negotiations  which is his usual mantra, I gather, whenever he returns to London from Brussels.
Alastair Thompson is reading Politics and Economics at Bath University.

Venezuela, the poster child for a nation gone to ruin, is at a precipice. The former jewel of South America has been crippled by a form of typical socialist tyranny  a dictatorship. One whose origins have routinely been praised by not only odious backbenchers within the Labour Party, such as Chris Williamson, but even the Leader of the Opposition himself, Jeremy Corbyn.

Yet earlier this week, Venezuela took a step back from tyranny and a step towards freedom. Juan Guaido took a public oath swearing himself in as the acting President of Venezuela. A move was recognised as legitimate by the Organisation of American States, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and the United States. Yet his move has not been accepted by some within Venezuela itself.

Nicolas Maduro, the dictator who has overseen the mass murder of protestors and who has overseen political opponents detained, remains in power. His legitimacy lies under the faux authority of the Supreme Tribunal of Justice. This tribunal is the highest court of law within Venezuela: its authority cannot be challenged. Yet Venezuelas judicial system is so barren of legitimacy that it was declared by the most corrupt in the world by Transparency International in 2014. This corruption was exceptionally apparent when, in early 2016, three lawmakers were stripped of their seats, preventing a challenge to Maduros dictatorship.

The United Kingdom should take a stand. The motto of the Conservative Party relating to Brexit has been a global Britain. What could be more global than standing for the democratic rights of oppressed peoples abroad? Let us stand with the people of Venezuala, as we would hope they would stand for us under tyranny.

But let us not simply denounce Maduro, as Jeremy Hunt rightly did yesterday, and have the Government praise Guaido. Lets not just have Theresa May announce that the Government recognises his legitimacy. If we wish to announce our support for democracy, we should do so democratically. Lets have our representatives, our Parliamentarians, vote on the matter. Jeremy Corbyn and his cabal of appeasers should be challenged on their record, in Parliament  so lets have them vote. Lets see if the Labour Party stand with the many oppressed in Venezuela, or the few who oppress them for reasons of ideology and corrupt self-benefit.

Across the pond, Senator Lloyd Bentsen famously said to Senator Dan Quayle Senator, I served with Jack Kennedy. I knew Jack Kennedy. Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. Senator, you are no Jack Kennedy. It is time for the Conservative Party to step forward and show that Corbyn is no Clement Attlee, no Harold Wilson. Rather, he is besotted with whichever left-wing dictator is in fashion amongst the Hard Left. He is not the friend to human rights that the other Attlee and Wilson were. He is simply the friend of tyrants.

Lets see that truth demonstrated in Parliament itself. If Corbyn is challenged on this matter, the likely outcome is that will he vote, in effect, for Maduros dictatorship, and show his support for tyranny in law. How then, could moderate Labour MPs stand with a man who prioritises ideology over innocent life? How can these MPs support a leader who stands by as lives are sacrificed on the altar of socialism?

So lets bring forward a bill to recognise Venezuelas rightful president. Let us help to save a country where even such basics as food are so devoid of supply that hard-working citizens have turned to eating their pets. And let us demonstrate to the people of the UK that we are seeing the death of any Labour Party worthy of the name. For what party could truly say that it supports labour, while lending support to the butchery of labourers?
Last month I reported on the deteriorating relationship between Conservative Association and MP in Nick Boless constituency of Grantham and Stamford.

Following Boless threat to resign the whip rather than support No Deal, Philip Sagar, the association chairman, wrote to local members saying the comments amounted to political suicide and were not patriotic. Boles replied, arguing that he must prioritise what he thinks best for the country ahead of what his party might desire.

Things dont seem to have improved since then  particularly following his very prominent work with Yvette Cooper to try to prevent No Deal or facilitate a postponement of Article 50.

Tonight Boles will address a meeting of local Conservative members. In his own words, many of them are unhappy about the things I have been saying and doing in Parliament in relation to Brexit and want me to be deselected. He has published a statement laying out the messages he intends to communicate about his views.

The meeting is informal, in that it doesnt hold any official standing in terms of deselection, but it is a symptom of a fraught local environment. I have spoken to various people closely acquainted with the dispute, on all sides, and can reveal that more formal proceedings are set to follow shortly.

The Partys constitution does not make mention the words deselection or no confidence, despite the common use of both terms. Instead, the process is one of re-adoption:

A sitting Member of Parliament shall be required to make a written application to the Executive Council should he wish to seek re-adoption to stand again for Parliament or submit such an application if requested by the Executive Council.

If an MP does want to be re-adopted, then the Association Executive will vote on the application between two weeks and two months after receiving it. The MP has a right to attend and speak before that vote if they wish.

Normally, associations are content to leave the timing of a re-adoption application to the MP. On rare occasions they will use their power to request that an application be made, normally if they suspect the MP intends to retire and they want to get on with selecting a successor in good time.

In Grantham and Stamford, however, Im told the executive intends to use this power at their next meeting in order to demand Boles apply for re-adoption or confirm his intention not to do so. Effectively, that means the association is accelerating the process, with an implicit intention to swiftly vote not to re-adopt their MP. We know what we have to do, as one executive member told me.

A ballot of members

It is not known how Boles would reply to such a request, or to losing a vote of the executive if one was held. The constitution grants certain rights to a sitting MP, which are intended to prevent a clique simply getting rid of their Member by the means of dominating an association executive. So if Boles was to lose a re-adoption vote, he would have the right to either insist on a full postal ballot of the associations membership, or alternatively to be automatically placed on the shortlist at the subsequent candidate selection meeting.

Those options can work in an MPs favour. In 2013, the Reigate Association Executive rejected Crispin Blunts application for re-adoption, only for Blunt to then win the postal ballot of members by a clear majority. A few weeks later, however, Anne McIntosh and Tim Yeo both lost ballots in their respective constituencies, so they are no guaranteed Get Out Of Jail Free card for an incumbent.

Boless local opponents mostly seem quite confident that they would win a ballot if it came to one. Im told that of the 500 or so members of the association, 200 have written to the executive about their MPs position on Brexit. That is a remarkable number, given Conservatives natural dislike for deselections and the current association of such action with Momentum, and suggests both deep and widespread unhappiness. It goes way beyond the activists, its the elderly lady whos been a member for 70 yearsand is taking the trouble to write a letter to say how unhappy she is, as one senior volunteer put it.

An update sent by Sagar to the membership in early January echoed that impression. After reporting over a hundred messages, he wrote that: In all of my 4 years as your Chairman I have never received so many emails and letters about Nicks actions. Over 99% of you are calling for his deselection as our MP; although in fairness there have been a few in support of his stance.

One ward chairman, Councillor Robert Foulkes, has written to the association chairman calling for a No Confidence vote on the grounds that: The referendum was democracy at its purest, a direct answer from the people. Nick is using his privileged position as our MP, elected in good faith, to actively subvert it. A No Confidence vote at an association meeting would not hold any formal power, but would still be a serious blow.

Why him?

In short, things look quite tough for Boles. As one executive member told me: In my view he is coming to the end of his time as our MP.

But this development has baffled many observers in Westminster, where he is well-liked, admired for his personality, brains and manner. Out of all the turbulent Brexit rebels, some of whom have been far more vocal and disloyal, how come it is Boles who might be facing deselection?

The issue of Brexit is evidently the flashpoint. He has made little secret of his views and his dead-set opposition to No Deal  though he evidently feels he is unfairly being painted as an opponent of Brexit entirely, hence his statements headline: What I really think about Brexit.

The constituency voted Leave, and the Conservative grassroots broke heavily in favour of Leave, too. The timing of Boless intervention against No Deal, coming later in the process, closer to Brexit Day, and smack in the middle of the Governments troubles in the Commons, certainly hasnt helped, making the MP a topical focus for Leavers anger.

There are some suggestions that the Grantham and Stamford association has become even more firmly anti-EU since the referendum, too. It has reportedly enjoyed one of the largest rises in membership of any Conservative association, and the MPs defenders note that at least some of those newer members are former UKIP supporters, activists and even candidates. Cllr Foulkes, the branch chairman calling for a No Confidence vote, was a defector from UKIP  in an ironic turn of events, he was welcomed by Boles at the time to his new home.

Some movement of that sort has happened in many parts of the country as the Conservative Party has come to formally support Brexit. Boles notably challenged Arron Banks to make my day by attempting to get rid of him through infiltration yesterday, thereby framing the local row in that context, but it should be noted that there is little serious suggestion that Granthams influx is the product of Leave.EUs much-touted but little-evidenced claims.

Beyond simply the issue of Brexit itself, some local members argue that the MPs handling of his campaign has undermined his position. The threat to resign the whip alienated some who consider themselves moderates on the EU question, who might ordinarily have defended him, and even those who share his concerns about No Deal fret that his approach could aid Labour. It is hard, they say, to make a case for loyalty to a party colleague when that colleague also threatens to withdraw support for the government.

A difficult relationship

Even that doesnt fully explain how the situation in Grantham and Stamford became so bad, however. MPs and their associations often disagree on questions of policy or tactics, and there are more troublesome MPs who are not facing such a serious situation. The difference is that this is a seat where the relationship between MP and association was already weakened by some long-standing issues.

If feeling towards him was warmer generally in the association, people would say oh, move on', one experienced activist argues, but instead, he doesnt have that electoral goodwill in the bank.

Various members of the association cite a perceived absence from the constituency, not least as his home is in London. The refusal to move to the constituency has been a frustration for some since his selection  it upset people almost beyond words, one association member says. Boles has always argued that he, not his husband, does the job of MP, and therefore that his home life should not have to move to follow his work, but some local Tories still feel snubbed by the fact they have never even met their MPs other half, for example.

More generally, while the MP can point to regular constituency surgeries, that physical absence has long frustrated his association. Hes never here and really London-centric were two criticisms made to me, while a councillor and agent in a neighbouring constituency was openly joking on Twitter this morning that it has been about 50 days since he last visited his constituency. When I put that number to a source in Boless association, the person replied Im surprised its that recently.

Perhaps the reasons why Boles is liked in Westminster  his energy, his presence and his work propagating ideas  correlate with the reasons some in his association are less warm about him. Seeing their MP on the national stage underscores for some their annoyance at what they feel to be less enthusiasm for the more humdrum business of raising money and rallying the troops locally. A portion of the grassroots membership feel that when he does attend local events he is itching to get away. All this plays into the far wider feeling of tension between London and not-London in the country at large.

Will he hang on?

Its still not certain that Grantham and Stamford will actually deselect its MP. Deselections are still quite rare; there were three in the 1990s, one in the 2000s, and there have been two so far this decade, and incumbency still has its benefits. A number of factors could offer Boles some hope.

In some cases, CCHQ has deployed the weight of the party itself to try to smooth things over between MPs and their associations. From what I can gather, however, those levers have not been pulled in this case; the leadership is leaving him to fight on his own.

It is possible that Boless critics will overplay their hand. Any sign of bullying or ganging up on him could win him some sympathy, and people like an underdog. Furthermore, any suspicion that this is a case of a Tory being driven out by UKIP interlopers would certainly strengthen Boless position. Arron Banks can be relied upon to produce an approach that backfires, presumably hence Boless tweet highlighting threats from Leave.EU yesterday. And if anyone ambitious appears to be pushing for deselection in order to take the seat for themself, that too would aid his cause; at least one other deselection campaign in another seat has failed recently for exactly that reason.

Finally, of course, the outcome can be influenced by Boles himself. Playing for time might defuse a bit of the anger. While the association executive is pressing for a swift process, he would probably also benefit if he was able to delay proceedings, but ultimately it will come down to old-fashioned campaigning. Described to me as a people person who doesnt meet people, if he turns the charm and abilities which have won fans in Westminster onto his local Party members, its not impossible that he could persuade enough of them to win a ballot, although the number of complaints suggests that would be an uphill struggle. Tonights meeting will be the first test of whether he can quell the criticism and assuage the concerns sufficiently to get through.

The big question, which nobody but he knows the answer to, is whether he intends to fight against deselection or not.
Cllr Robert Alden is Leader of the Conservative Group on Birmingham City Council.

Out with the old, in with the new. Or so the start of a new year is meant to signify. Sadly, for residents of Birmingham the new year merely sees the escalation of industrial action and the continuing Birmingham Labour bin dispute.

The bin dispute, now over 630 days and counting, since the first notice of industrial action was declared, has seen residents suffer months of strikes over the last two years  and often more missed collections than actual collections.

The latest chapter in Birmingham Labours bin saga came about when secret payments to members of one union came to light causing first one and then a second union to go on strike demanding similar payments. Sadly as is often the case in Birmingham, residents have been left trying to piece together what has happened from snippets in the press. The Labour administration never produce any public reports nor did they brief opposition councillors about the payments that were made, prior to them appearing in the papers, and claims have been made that only the Labour Leader was aware from the administration itself.

The Conservative Group has been demanding that all papers relating to these payments and the latest chapter of the industrial action are released to the public. We tabled a motion calling for these to be released at this weeks full Council meeting.

Since news of the payments broke, the Cabinet Member for Cleaner Streets, new to this role in May but in another cabinet portfolio before May, even joined our calls for the Council to release the documents relating to the payments. He then resigned in protest at Birmingham Labours handling of the current industrial action during this weeks full Council meeting.

With industrial action that has been on and off for more than two years, those not familiar with Birmingham Labour would no doubt think this is as bad as it could get; they are wrong.

Just before Christmas, Birmingham Labour brought a report to cabinet about the need to procure a new waste contract. Normally this would not seem out the ordinary. However the previous waste disposal contract was a 9,131 day contract that commenced in January 1994. Which meant the cabinet report for the re-procurement came forward just 36 days before the end of the current contract and was finally approved one day before the current contract expired. This report, due to its late nature, simply calls for an extension of the current contract rather than a full procurement process that would be able to ensure taxpayers got the best value.

To top it all off, days before Christmas the Labour Council slipped out a damning report into the waste dispute  but that is a story for another day.

Many Labour people like to claim Birmingham City Council is a testbed for policies a Labour Government would bring in. Residents of Birmingham wondering when they may finally get their Christmas waste collected will be able to vouch for the failure of Birmingham Labours testbed.
President Ram Nath Kovind handed over the awards to the men and women from various state and central police force and organisations.

Presidents Police Medals for distinguished service will be awarded to 74 personnel while 632 personnel will receive the Police Medal for Meritorious Service. (Photo: Pixabay)Presidents Police Medals for distinguished service will be awarded to 74 personnel while 632 personnel will receive the Police Medal for Meritorious Service. (Photo: Pixabay)

New Delhi: Every Republic Day is a celebration of the people of the nation, of their dedication for the nation. The 70th Republic Day celebrations too acknowledged the bravery of men and women whose commitment towards the nation and keeping its citizens safe is commendable. This included the twenty-five police personnel from Jammu and Kashmir and Naxal affected areas in the country, who were among the total 146 police personnel decorated for gallantry this time around. A total of 855 police and paramilitary personal were awarded police medals the day before, ahead of the Republic Day.

Presidents Police Medals for distinguished service were awarded to 74 personnel while 632 personnel received the Police Medal for Meritorious Service.

President Ram Nath Kovind handed over the awards to the men and women from various state police and central police forces and organisations in the ceremony on January 26. Three Presidents Police Medal for Gallantry have been awarded to CRPF personnel, an official statement said.

Among the 146 personnel who received the police medals for gallantry, 41 are from CRPF, 26 from Odisha Police, 25 from J-K Police, 14 from Chhattisgarh Police, 13 from Meghalaya, 10 from Uttar Pradesh, eight from BSF, four from Delhi, three from Jharkhand and one each from Assam Rifles and Indo-Tibetan Border Police.
Western Union partners with Travelex to expand money transfer services in Singapore

For sending money to family and loved ones from Singapore to more than 200 countries including India, Western Union, a leader in cross-border, crosscurrency money movement, is collaborating with Travelex, a leading independent foreign exchange and remittance business.

This joint colloboration will help in co-locating Western Union money transfer services within worker dormitories across Singapore in the areas of Simpang, Mandai, Choa Chu Kang, Penjuru and Jalan Papan, providing choice for customers to send money directly into billions of bank accounts across the globe or receive in person via the companys more than half a million retail Agent locations.

With the addition of Travelex locations, Western Unions retail agent network will increase to 80 locations, facilitating convenient access across Singapore.

Molly Shea, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Global Money Transfer, Asia Pacific, Western Union and Lakskmi Narayan S, Travelex's Global Head of Remittances sealing the deal on behalf of the two companies which will help co-locating Western Union money transfer services within worker dormitories across Singapore. Photo courtesy: Western Union

Talking to Connected to India, Molly Shea, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Global Money Transfer, Asia Pacific, Western Union, said, Our strategy is about bringing finger-tip or door-step convenience to our customers. We are delighted to collaborate with Travelex, to bring unparalleled convenience and access to our money transfer services for our customers in Singapore.

With reference to the Indian customers, Molly Shea, said, In Singapore, majority of our customers are international workers and this includes individuals from India, working and living across Singapore. India is the largest recipient of international remittances globally according to the World Bank and therefore represent an important group of customers globally, as well as here in Singapore.

Our payout network in India is our largest in the world and collocating Western Unions money transfer services in worker dormitories affirms our commitment to bring door-step convenience for our customers here in Singapore who wish to send money home swiftly with convenience, she added.

It needs to be mentioned that Western Union has recently launched online money transfers in Singapore via the Western Union mobile app, connecting customers to their families and loved ones around the world, 24/7. The activation of the app in Singapore has given Western Union a digital trifecta in Asia this year, as Singapore now joins Hong Kong and Malaysia in benefiting from Western Unions digital acceleration of major regional economic centers across the world.

Customers have the choice to send money directly into billions of bank accounts across the globe, mobile wallets where available or to Western Unions more than half a million Agent locations in more than 200 countries and territories, anytime and anywhere.

Western Union has provided money transfer services in Singapore for more than 15 years.

According to a report by IFAD titled RemitSCOPE  Remittance markets and opportunities  Asia and the Pacific published last year, Singapore was highlighted as one of the key major destination countries for migrant workers and the fourth largest remitter country in Asia after Hong Kong, Japan and Malaysia  remitting more than USD6.1 billion (SGD8.29 billion) in 2017.

India has topped the list with USD68 billion of remittance inflows in 2018, followed closely by China with USD63.93 billion. Now, the rupee remittances have become easier with online transactions and the spread of remittance points in Singapore.

Interestingly, India-Singapore remittance corridor worth is worth SGD1.16 billion and many banks including SBI has made strategies to tap this corridor.

These statistics highlight the importance of creating multiple remittance points in Singapore to meet the demand for remittance services from migrant workers.

There are multiple modes of money transfers in Singapore including Rupee Remittance App for Rupay-NETS which was launched by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 31 during his visit to Singapore last year.
Kiwi-Indian businessman among the recipients of top diaspora award

Indian government has conferred the highest Indian diaspora award-Pravasi Bhartiya Samman Awards (PBSA) on 30 NRIs this year. It includes successful New Zealands businessman Bhav Dhillon who is also the Honorary Consul of India, overseeing New Zealand-India diaspora issues in Auckland.

Indian President Ram Nath Kovind gave the award to Dhillon on January 23, final day of the three-day biennial diaspora conclave of India (Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas) organised at Varanasi in the State of Uttar Pradesh.

Indian President Ram Nath Kovind giving the highest Indian diaspora award-Pravasi Bhartiya Samman to New Zealands businessman Bhav Dhillon on January 23 at Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas organised at Varanasi. Photo courtesy: Consulate of India, Auckland

The full list of all 30 Pravasi Bhartiya Samman Awardees is as follows

Conferment of PBSA award help the successful Auckland based businessman Bhav Dhillon join the elite company of eminent New Zealanders of Indian origin such as Rt. Honourable Sir Anand Satyanand, the former Governor General of New Zealand, Sukhi Turner (Mayor of Dunedin) and Judge Ajit Swaran Singh (Manukau District court Judge), and Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi (Member of Parliament)  to be honoured with Indian governments highest Indian diaspora award  Pravasi Bhartiya Samman (Overseas Indian Award).

Talking to Connected to India, Bhav Dhillon, said, 30 million people of Indian origin live overseas and many of them are excelling in their respective fields. These awards are about recognising these individuals who help in promoting a positive image of India in their respective countries

For me personally, this award is a big morale booster and motivator for me to continue my work in the India-New Zealand space and I dedicate this award to the numerous other community leaders in New Zealand who help me on a daily basis in helping other people of Indian origin and also helping further the already blossoming bilateral relation between India and New Zealand, he said.

It is indeed great honour and privilege to receive this award and I thank the Indian government for recognising my work, he added.

Bhav Dhillon has been honoured in the category of excellence in business and services to the Indian diaspora. Photo courtesy: Consulate of India, Auckland

The award is given to acknowledge significant contributions made by global citizens of Indian-origin in the specific areas including better understanding abroad of India, support to Indias causes and concerns in a tangible way and building closer links between India, the overseas Indian community and their country of residence.

Dhillon is honoured in the category of excellence in business and services to the Indian diaspora.

The award also puts Dhillon in the elite league of eminent global citizens of Indian-origin to have received this prestigious award including Satya Nadella (CEO, Microsoft) Lord Meghnad Desai (British economist and Labour politician), Lord B. C. Parekh (political theorist and Labour member of the House of Lords), Shashi Tharoor ( Renowned Author, former career international diplomat and Indian politician), Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi (New Zealand Member of Parliament) Sam Pitroda, Prof Jagdish Bhagwati (Economist, Professor of Law and Economy at University of Columbia), and Prof C. K. Prahalad (Management Guru, rated as world's most influential business thinker).

Bhav Dhillon is the managing director of CEMIX, the iconic Kiwi-brand that has been in New Zealand for over three decades, and is a market leader in manufacturing and innovation of construction products, with a nationwide presence. Cemix has been part of the Deloitte Fast50 in 2011 and a finalist in the Green Ribbon Awards.

He is also the Chair of There's a Better Way Foundation which works alongside New Zealand Police, Auckland Council and other like-minded organisations for creating pathways for positive change among kiwi youth at risk of gang culture and drugs.

Pravasi Bhartiya Samman award has put Bhav Dhillon in the elite league of eminent global citizens of Indian-origin to have received this prestigious award including Satya Nadella, Lord Meghnad Desai, Shashi Tharoor and others. Photo courtesy: Consulate of India, Auckland

Dhillon is also passionately involved in the India-New Zealand relationship and is on the Board and Treasurer of India-New Zealand Business Council and has accompanied the Prime Minister twice on his trips to India.

Since 2017 Dhillon has been appointed by the President of India as the Honorary Consul of India, overseeing Kiwi-India diaspora issues in Auckland, Northland and Waikato region apart from assisting the office of the Indian High Commission on bilateral relations, trade and welfare of Indian international students in the country.

He is Publisher/Managing Director of the Indian communitys only English language weekly newspaper The Indian Weekender.

On the community front, he is the Chairman of the Kiwi Indian Hall of Fame Honours, which has created a special niche for being the biggest formal event of the Indian community whereby celebrating the role models within the Indian community in a manner that also highlights the aspirations and vibrancy of this fastest-growing immigrant group in New Zealand
Microsoft had a very special gift for the Mac platform which celebrated its 35thbirthday yesterday  Office 365 apps are now available for purchase and download from the Mac App Store. What does this new option mean to IT administrators?

Summary

Microsoft wants to help enterprise users migrating from antiquated legacy Windows 7 kit to new platforms  but wants to make sure they keep using its cloud-based business solutions when they do.

(Microsoft will gladly trade a Windows user for a cloud user, Jam,f CEO, Dean Hager, recently said).

Mac users now have three ways to get hold of Office 365: Online directly from Microsoft, in a retail package, or directly from Apples Mac App Store. You can purchase the complete Office 365 collection. Individual installs of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote and OneDrive are available (The latter two apps have been available for a little longer).

Office loves the Mac, said Rob Howard, senior director of Office 365 Marketing. Were committed to the Mac as a first-class endpoint and have made significant investment in the platform over the past year.

The Office apps provide the very latest production version of Office on the Mac. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook require an Office 365 subscription to activate. Microsoft Teams and Skype for Business are not available through the Mac App Store.

Are there any differences?

The code used for the Mac App Store installation is slightly different than that used in other distributions. These differences are principally to support distribution via the App Store, which means that Software Updates are also distributed via the store, rather than using Microsofts slightly clunky Auto Updater.

This also means Mac users will be presented with new Office 365 features more often, with the company planning to introduce new features every month for Office 365 subscribers.

How might this affect my business?

Some enterprise users may want to explore tying their Office 365 licenses in with the Mac App Store and their own existing computer and device deployment systems.

In part this is because it makes it very easy for busy admins to provision multiple Macs remotely  computers simply download the software from the Mac App Store during initial set-up, and permissions can be managed in the console.

This wont suit everyone, of course, and it is still possible to provision Microsofts productivity suite from internal CDN servers or other existing methods of distribution.

What are the limitations?

Microsoft has updated its Office 365 deployment guide to reflect that its Office suite is now available from the Mac App Store.

The document may contain additional information relevant to your unique enterprise deployment, but this is some of the most salient information.

There are a few limitations.

The first snag is that perpetual licenses wont work: Perpetual licenses, including Office 2019 and Office 2016, are not supported with Office apps available from the Mac App Store, Microsoft explains.

The second limitation is that while consumers can acquire Office as a bundle from the Mac App Store with a single click download, IT administrators must deploy Office apps on an individual basis.

You cannot distribute Office apps through redeemable codes.

How do I deploy Office 365 from the Mac App Store?

In order to deploy the apps you need to use an enterprise mobility management (EMM) tool that works with one of the following:

Jamf Pro is a good example of an EMM that can handle this task. As an additional bonus, Jamf Pro using admins can now provision and login to Macs using Microsoft Azure AD credentials, which makes Apples platforms even easier to integrate into existing ecosystems.

The Microsoft note explains that Office supports managed distribution, which means your MDM system can install Office even in the absence of an Apple ID from the end user.

How will software updates work?

Office apps installed via the Mac App Store will be updated via the App Store.

Microsoft recommends using content caching in order to expedite software updates when managing large numbers of seats.

You can tell which version of the software (Mac App Store or from Microsoft) you have by finding the Office app in your Applicatoins folder, control-click the app icon and choosing Show Package Contents. In the Contents folder look for an item called _MASReceipt (Mac App Store Receipt). If you find it then you know that this installation comes from Apples store.

What about Insider builds?

If you are part of the Office Insider program then youll be used to receiving regular updates and new features via Microsofts own updating systems. However, the Office apps sold via the Mac App Store do not support the Office Insider program, so this wont work for you if you need Insider access.

Can I convert to Mac App Store version of the apps?

There is no automated process for performing a CDN to Mac App Store conversion, Microsoft explains.

For further information

Please follow me on Twitter, and join me in the AppleHolics bar & grill and Apple Discussions groups on MeWe.
Danville, IL (61832)

Today

Cloudy early with scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 86F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Isolated thunderstorms this evening, then skies turning partly cloudy after midnight. Low 69F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
The comments made by the senior BJP leader snowballed into a controversy as grand alliance leaders demanded his removal from the Nitish Kumar cabinet.

Patna: A Bihar ministers comments against Priyanka Gandhis entry into the Congress party have landed him in trouble. Vinod Narayan Jha, BJP spokesperson and a minister in Bihar on Friday said that Priyanka Gandhi cannot influence voters by her pretty face. She is beautiful but has no political experience.

The comments made by the senior BJP leader snowballed into a controversy as grand alliance leaders demanded his removal from the Nitish Kumar cabinet.

The statement made by Mr Jha is shameful. Chief minister must immediately remove him from his cabinet for insulting women, Congress MLC Prem Chand Mishra said.

Mr Jha was not the only BJP leader in Bihar to attack Priyanka Gandhi who was inducted into the Congress as general secretary and in charge of partys campaign in eastern Uttar Pradesh for the 2019 general elections.

In a tweet earlier, deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi had said, If Congress wants to be happy over the entry of a woman whose husband has a tainted background, then they are welcome to do it. Everybody knows that her businessman husband has been facing probe in cases related to his land deals and transactions spread across two states.

He also criticized Congress leaders for comparing Priyanka Gandhi with her grandmother and former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. In a tweet, he said, Duplicates do not work in politics. She might resemble Indira Gandhi but there is a huge difference between both of them and if resemblance worked then we would have many Amitabh Bachchan and Virat Kohli in our country.

Congresss decision to induct Priyanka into the party was welcomed by the opposition parties in Bihar. Sources claim that her entry would only energize the Congress workers.
Columbia, MO (65201)

Today

Mixed clouds and sun this morning. Scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. High 93F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy this evening with more clouds for overnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 74F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.
In a statement published on Thursday, the Council of Commonwealth Student Government said it will no longer support Penn State's new tobacco and smoke-free policy.

Posted on CCSG's Instagram page, the council's statement expressed various concerns about the policy, calling it "too broad" and "unenforceable." The council also said the policy lacks "real discipline."

The statement called for various revisions to the policy. CCSG suggested a ban solely on traditional cigarettes rather than all forms of tobacco which includes e-cigarettes and vapes.

The council argued the policy is unjust in banning all forms of tobacco because it claimed not all types of tobacco are harmful to others.

Another revision suggested that the university should restrict tobacco products rather than totally prohibiting them. The council proposed the implantation of designated smoking areas to combat campus-wide smoking.

The statement by CCSG comes just a day after Laura McKinney, vice president of the University Park Undergraduate Association, discussed her ongoing involvement in the adoption of the tobacco-free policy.

Penn State announced in April 2018 that the university's 20 campuses were adopting a tobacco and smoke-free policy. The university began enforcing the policy during the fall 2018 semester.

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Penn State professor Marc Friedenberg has another shot at a U.S. Congress seat.

After losing in November's general election, Friedenberg, an assistant professor in the Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology, announced he will run for Pennsylvania's 12th Congressional district seat in a special election. The seat opened up after long-time incumbent Tom Marino announced his resignation last Thursday.

Friedenberg's campaign, which kicked off at the Fraser Centre on Thursday, was filled with support and hopeful declarations for the future.

The perseverance and spirit of the people in this room is going to do wonders in 2019, Friedenberg said.

While Marino defeated Friedenberg by 80,000 votes in the entire 12th district, the Penn State alumnus won 63 percent of the vote in Centre County.

Youve been abandoned, by the person who formally held this seat, who broke every promise that he made and is now leaving you without representation, Friedenberg said. Youve been abandoned.

Marino previously served two decades in office as the U.S Attorney General of Pennsylvania and a member of the House of Representatives for Pennsylvania.

We knew as soon as Marino announced his resignation, it was go time," Margie Swoboada, the event coordinator, said.

Now, Friedenberg plans on picking up right where he left off in the 2018 election.

The energy and dedication that I promised to bring to this campaign [in 2018], remains unchanged," he said.

At Friedenberg's campaign kickoff, support was loud and clear from community members and students. Katierose Epstein, the president of the College Democrats, voiced her support.

I really believe that this will work, and I believe that we will make Marc Friedenberg our next congressmen, Epstein (senior-political science, and women, gender and sexuality studies) said.

While Epstein said voter turnout on campus has increased by 500 percent, only 30 percent of students voted in the past election.

The timing of the special election may impede votes.

Polls will open two weeks after students leave campus after the spring semester on May 21st. Students looking to cast their ballot should fill out an absentee ballot.

During the kickoff, Friedenberg also discussed the current government shutdown, which is the longest in American history.

The people in the 12th district are suffering, he said. Penn State, an economic engine for the district, is in danger of losing grants and students rely on federal loans for their education. If you felt ignored by career politicians you're right, you are ignored.

Jack R. Hirsh contributed to this report.

RELATED
After Thursday nights shooting in State College that took the lives of four individuals, including the shooter, many students are talking about the reaction  or lack thereof  from Penn State.

Penn State did not release a text/email alert, but released a tweet late Thursday night to inform followers that they were aware of the situation.

We understand the concerns and safety is a priority. The University is looking into the alerts and will share an update.  Penn State (@penn_state) January 25, 2019

On Friday morning, Penn State released a longer statement regarding their decision to not release an alert. The statement read, in part, After careful consideration based on the circumstances known to law enforcement at the time, location of the incidents, and the lack of an imminent threat to Penn State students or the campus, it was decided that an alert would not be sent.

Some students who live at The Retreat, an off-campus housing just over a block away from both shootings, think an alert should have been provided.

Its just so that were informed of whats happening, so that we can lock our doors and stay inside, Sara Kelly (junior-english) said. I think that we have a right to know whats happening, especially something that dangerous.

Justin Trinkley, a fifth-year student, was not a fan of Penn State's response on Friday morning.

The Clery Act is supposed to protect students on and off campus, Trinkley said. Theres students that live off campus too. A lot of people didnt lock their doors because they didnt know.

The university cited the Clery Act as to why it did not send an alert, but for Trinkley, who was at the nearby Taco Bell when the event occurred, he thinks that the law was violated.

Thats a violation of the Clery Act. I get warnings that theres people who steal stuff but not when theres a shooter, Trinkley said. The only reason I knew was that I was right there when it happened I have friends that go to Temple that gets updates for murders six or seven miles away.

Some students were a little more hesitant to throw blame onto Penn State and thinks the town should have been the one to step up.

It technically wasnt on Penn States campus so I dont really think its their responsibility Jordan Martin (junior-aerospace engineering) said. Its more of a town situation. If there was a student involved, they should have, but it wasnt necessary.

While George Massie (sophomore-energy, business and finance) agreed that there was no obligation on the school, something should have been done.

During the time, I had no idea until he already past us. I tuned into the police scanner when they already found him dead. Obviously its scary because he drove right past us Massie said. We didnt know what was actually happening.

Ali Adderrahmane (senior-political science) witnessed the confusion of students first hand.

Everyone downtown was like, Oh my god should we go home? Adderrahmane said. Im like, I dont know.

Vigil for those killed in shooting to be held Monday at Allen Street Gates A public vigil for those killed during the Jan. 24 shooting will be held from 4 p.m. to 5:30
The South African President will be the state guest of honour for the Republic Day 2019 celebrations.

New Delhi: Visiting South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks in New Delhi on Friday to increase cooperation between the two nations following which an agreement on a three-year strategic programme of cooperation from 2019-21 was inked between the two nations. PM Modi said all aspects of the strong bilateral ties were discussed.

Describing India as a strategic partner and the talks as fruitful, the South African President said he wants to extend the relationship with India to a higher level and spoke of cooperation in sectors such as defence procurement, technology, financial services, agro-processing and mining.

Mr Ramaphosa hailed the contributions of both Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela, whom he described as great icons of our two nations. The South African President will be the state guest of honour for the Republic Day 2019 celebrations.

In his address, PM Modi pointed out that President Ramaphosas visit is taking place in a year when Mahatma Gandhis 150th birth anniversary is being celebrated, while Mandelas 100th birth anniversary was celebrated last year. Mr Modi also spoke about the strong trade ties between the two nations, with more than $10 billion of bilateral trade. He also mentioned that Indian companies are increasing investment in South Africa and that a Gandhi-Mandela Skills Institute would soon be established there at Pretoria.
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Workers listen during a briefing inside the Congress Center, the venue for the World Economic Forum (WEF), in Davos, Switzerland, on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019. Stefan Wermuth | Bloomberg | Getty Images

From comments on global growth, the U.S.-China trade conflict and the prospect of higher taxes, the World Economic Forum has made headlines once again. CNBC takes a look at the most memorable quotes over the past few days from the snowy Swiss Alpine resort of Davos.

Angela Merkel

German chancellor Angela Merkel delivers a speech during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting, on January 23, 2019 in Davos, eastern Switzerland. Fabrice Coffrini | AFP | Getty Images

In a veiled swipe at President Donald Trump, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she had "grave doubts" about a changing approach to global affairs in which compromise and multilateralism seemed to be lacking. "There is a new approach that we see in the world today, an approach that harbors doubts as to the validity of the international system, they say 'shouldn't we look after our own interests first' and then out of that develop an order that is good for all," she told an audience on Wednesday. "I have my grave doubts that this is the right way to go about it," she said via a translation.

Ray Dalio

Ray Dalio, founder of investment firm Bridgewater Associates, speaking at the WEF in Davos, Switzerland on Jan. 22, 2019. Adam Galica | CNBC

Ray Dalio, the founder of the world's biggest hedge fund, said that raising taxes on wealthy Americans in response to income inequality could have huge and unintended consequences on markets. "How tax rates are changed will have a huge effect on incentives and could have a huge effect on capital flows, and that will have big effects on markets and economies," Dalio said in an interview on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos. Dalio made the comments in response to a question about Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's proposal to roughly double the top tax rate.

John Kerry

US Secretary of State John Kerry addresses the assembly at the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos, on January 22, 2016. Fabrice Coffrini | AFP | Getty Images

John Kerry had a one-word answer when asked his message for President Donald Trump: "Resign." The former secretary of State and Democratic U.S. senator from Massachusetts made the declaration while speaking on a CNBC panel. Kerry, who lost in his bid to become president in 2004, first hesitated to answer the question, lamenting that Trump "doesn't take any of this seriously" before calling for his resignation.

Wang Qishan

Wang Qishan, China's vice president, speaks during the Bloomberg New Economy Forum in Singapore, on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. Justin Chin | Bloomberg via Getty Images

The Chinese vice president's eagerly-anticipated speech came ahead of a March 2 deadline for the U.S. and China to strike a new trade deal. "For the Chinese and U.S. economies, I believe they are in state of (being) mutually indispensable," Wang said, according to a WEF translation. "This is a reality, either side can't do without the other side. So, the conclusion is that there has to be a mutual benefit and win-win (relationship)," he added.

Matt Damon

Matt Damon at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. David A. Grogan | CNBC

Award-winning actor Matt Damon talked politics, revealing which Democrats he would like to see in the White House. "There's going to be a huge Democratic field. I love Joe Biden and especially now, particularly with our institutions under such attack," he told CNBC Wednesday. "I think it would be a great signal to the world if we put somebody who was established and very stable and very wise back in charge."

George Soros

George Soros, billionaire and founder of Soros Fund Management LLC Jason Alden | Bloomberg | Getty Images

Billionaire investor George Soros launched a blistering attack on Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday, describing him as the "most dangerous" opponent to those who believe in open society. His comments come as the Chinese state continues to set up a broad ranking system to monitor its citizens, giving them a social credit score. "I want to call attention to the mortal danger facing open societies from the instruments of control that machine learning and artificial intelligence can put in the hands of repressive regimes," Soros said.

Mark Rutte

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte Getty Images

President Donald Trump found support from an unlikely source in Europe  Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte  who told CNBC that the president could be a catalyst for much-needed reforms. "The U.S. has voted and Trump is the president and maybe he will be re-elected ... So we have to work with him, and I think he is an opportunity," he said. "He is an opportunity to make changes to some of those multilateral institutions that we hold dearly, like the World Trade Organization (WTO) which is not functioning very well. Or take the United Nations or European Union  there are many issues to solve," he added.

Jair Bolsonaro

Jair Bolsonaro, Brazil's president, delivers a speech during a special address on the opening day of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, on Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019. Jason Alden | Bloomberg | Getty Images

Brazil's newly-elected populist President Jair Bolsonaro addressed the world's business elite, vowing to transform Latin America's largest economy into a more investment-friendly country. "Brazil's economy is still relatively closed to foreign trade and to change that situation is one of my administration's major commitments," Bolsonaro said Tuesday. "You can be sure that by the end of my term in office, our economic team, led by Minister of Finance Paulo Guedes, will position in the ranking of the 50 best countries in the world to do business," he added.

Christine Lagarde

Christine Lagarde, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) attends a news conference on the world economic outlook during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland January 22, 2018 . Denis Balibouse | Reuters

The International Monetary Fund's Managing Director, Christine Lagarde, said that the current slowdown in China's economy is "legitimate," but warned it could pose a major risk if the downtrend started to accelerate. "Should the slowdown be excessively fast, it would constitute a real issue both domestically and probably on a more systemic basis," Lagarde told a CNBC-hosted panel.

Marc Benioff

Marc Benioff, Co-CEO of SalesForce speaking at the WEF in Davos, Switzerland on Jan. 22, 2019. Adam Galica | CNBC
Wells Fargo President and CEO Tim Sloan responded Friday to Sen. Elizabeth Warren's repeated calls for his firing after a 2016 scandal in an interview on CNBC.

"She can have that opinion," Sloan, a frequent target of the Massachusetts senator and longtime Wall Street watchdog, told Jim Cramer on "Mad Money." "I think, if I'm not doing my job, as opposed to someone having an opinion about me that isn't always an informed opinion, then, of course, it would be appropriate that I'm not in this role."

Warren, who is exploring the idea of a 2020 bid for president, asked the Federal Reserve in October to maintain its growth cap on Wells Fargo until the bank fires Sloan for his implication "in the bank's repeated and egregious misconduct."

The scandal involved Wells Fargo employees opening millions of unauthorized bank accounts and has resulted in numerous penalties and millions of dollars in settlements.

Warren responded to Sloan's comments in a thread on Twitter on Monday morning:

Tweet

Sloan confirmed that the Fed's growth cap will remain in place until the end of 2019 in Wells Fargo's most recent earnings report. Still, in the Friday interview, he argued that he was the best man for the CEO job.

"I think I'm the right person to run this company today," he told Cramer. "I care deeply about this company. I've been there for 31 years. I know how the company operates. I've taken responsibility. I don't think you should be criticized for taking responsibility, acknowledging mistakes you've made, which we've done, and then moving the company forward. Judge me on what I said we would do and what we've done."

Sloan, who has also been Wells Fargo's chief financial officer and led its wholesale banking division during his three-decade tenure, reiterated that he would understand calls for his resignation "if I'm not getting things done."

But, he added, "I work for our shareholders and I work on behalf of the board. They have high expectations for me and I'm exceeding those expectations."

The CEO cited some of his company's recent earnings results to support that claim: not only has Wells Fargo regained momentum in prime checking account growth  a metric that tracks consumers who bank with Wells Fargo  since it "ground to a halt" in 2016, but deposit, loan and earnings per share growth are also turning, he told Cramer.

"We made $6.1 billion in the quarter. And when you look at our earnings per share for 2018  $4.28  it was the highest earnings per share in 166 years," Sloan said. "You see that deposit growth [was] up year over year from a consumer standpoint, and [...] you also see loan growth. Our loan growth in the fourth quarter was the strongest that we'd seen in two years. Two years. And it was across the board."

Shares of Wells Fargo inched up in the second half of Friday's trading session after initially falling at the open. The stock has gained 8.79 percent year to date.

Sloan is one of several banking executives expected to testify before the House Financial Services committee in March, CNBC reported Thursday, citing sources familiar. J.P Morgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon and Goldman Sachs' David Solomon are also expected to testify.
There are concerns at the heart of Brussels that upcoming elections could radically change the make-up of the EU.

Amid a wave of anti-EU sentiment across many of the 28 member states, it's expected that the upcoming elections in May  which elects representatives to the European Parliament  will see support for parties that have railed against the institution.

"We might be the last (European) Commission that really is made up of people, who really believe in Europe," Cecilia Malmstrom, the European commissioner for trade, said at a panel at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Thursday.

"Yes, I am very worried," Malmstrom added.

The European Parliament, once formed, has a say on who will be the next president of the Commission and what their team will look like. Thus, the next Commission will be a reflection of what happens in the election. Typically at the EU, the Commission would propose and enforce the laws for members states and the Parliament would approve or reject those laws.

Separately, former Finnish Prime minister Alexander Stubb told CNBC in Davos that the vote would be "as messy as the national elections have been."

"It will be difficult to master compromises. We will probably need a coalition of three, maybe four or five parties," he added.
Davos may not have welcomed Brazil's newly-elected president with open arms, but the world's business elite are cautiously optimistic about his plans for reform. Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro delivered the keynote address at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland this week, touting a "new Brazil" that's open for business. The far-right leader vowed to transform Latin America's largest economy into one of the most investment-friendly places in the world. "I think he did make his case for why Brazil could be the country to invest in," Robin Niblett, director of the Chatham House think tank in London, told CNBC on Tuesday. "He was incredibly disciplined I thought, on message (but) the mood in the room was totally different. I mean, he came on stage to almost no applause at all  and at the end of his speech, a little grudging applause."

Stark contrast

A rise of populism has been a pressing concern for those at the Forum, with nationalist and far-right parties making significant electoral gains worldwide in recent months. Brazil's president arrived in snow-clad Davos less than three weeks after his inauguration. His sweeping electoral victory late last year marked a dramatic swing away from the left in Brazil. Critics of the so-called "Trump of the Tropics" have expressed deep concerns about his brazen praise of the country's former dictatorship and by his comments concerning women, race and human rights.

Jair Bolsonaro, Brazil's president, delivers a speech during a special address on the opening day of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, on Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019. Jason Alden | Bloomberg | Getty Images

Chatham House's Niblett pointed out that Bolsonaro's keynote address at WEF was in stark contrast to this time last year, when French President Emmanuel Macron came off the Congress Center stage "like a rock star surrounded by the crowds." Macron was widely considered the European leader to watch 12 months ago, with the world's business leaders audibly excited to hear his ambitious plans to reform the country. However, the French premier is currently struggling to appease a momentous backlash against his administration. The so-called "yellow vest" uprising, named after the high-visibility jackets protesters wear during demonstrations, has prompted Macron to stay away from the annual meeting this week. And he is not alone. Several world leaders have chosen not to attend the January get-together, choosing to fight domestic crises rather than be seen socializing with the rich and famous. The absence of some of the biggest names in Davos has thrust Bolsonaro firmly into the spotlight.

Social security reform

"We think Jair Bolsonaro has a big chance to reform the country," Francesco Starace, chief executive at Enel, told CNBC on Tuesday. "His agenda is a reform agenda. If it is populist or not populist, we don't care  it is a reform agenda that we think is good for the country and the country needs it," he added.
Vodafone, the world's second largest mobile operator, said it was "pausing" the deployment of Huawei equipment in its core networks until Western governments resolve concerns about the Chinese firm's activities.

Huawei faces increasing scrutiny over its ties with the Chinese government and has denied allegations that its technology could be used by Beijing for spying.

Vodafone's Chief Executive Nick Read said on Friday after reporting third-quarter results that the debate was playing out at a "too simplistic level", adding that Huawei was an important player in an equipment market dominated by three companies.

"Given that, we have decided to pause further Huawei in our core whilst we engage with the various agencies and governments and Huawei just to finalize the situation, of which I feel Huawei is really open and working hard," he said.

Read said Huawei's equipment was used in Vodafone's core  which he described as the intelligent part of the network - in Spain and some other smaller markets.

Huawei overtook Sweden's Ericsson to become the world's biggest telecoms equipment maker earlier this decade, despite being shut out of the U.S. market. The third major player is Nokia.

A Huawei spokesman said it had been a long-term strategic partner to Vodafone since 2007, adding that Huawei understood Vodafone was only pausing deployment in its core networks in Europe.

"Huawei is focused on supporting Vodafone's 5G network rollouts, of which the core is a small proportion," he said.

"We are grateful to Vodafone for its support of Huawei and we will endeavor to live up to the trust placed in us."
Roger Stone, a longtime political advisor to President Donald Trump, was arrested during a predawn raid Friday on his Florida home in special counsel Robert Mueller's probe into election interference in 2016. Heavily armed FBI agents swarmed Stone's property, according to CNN footage, and after a knock on the door, an agent yelled "FBI, open the door!" Stone faces seven counts, including witness tampering, obstruction of justice and making false statements to Congress. Stone, a veteran Republican operative who has described himself as a dirty trickster, has consistently denied collusion with Russia during the campaign. He was released on $250,000 bond after appearing at a late morning hearing at the federal courthouse in Fort Lauderdale.

A courtroom sketch of Roger Stone who appeared in court today after being arrested on Jan. 25th, 2019. Artist: Daniel Pontet.

"I will plead not guilty," Stone declared to a swarm of reporters outside the courthouse, where hecklers chanted "Lock him up!" "There is no circumstance whatsoever in which I will bear false witness" against President Trump," Stone added. The indictment alleges that Stone had been in contact with top-ranking Trump campaign officials about efforts to leak damaging information about Hillary Clinton just before the 2016 election. According to a person with direct knowledge of the matter, the "high ranking Trump campaign official" who reached out to Stone in October 2016 was Steve Bannon, who served as CEO of the Trump campaign during the election's final stages. Bannon's attorney declined to comment. Bannon, who worked as Trump's chief strategist in the White House for less than a year, has not returned repeated calls for comment. Trump, in a tweet posted shortly after Stone's court hearing began, lashed out at the special counsel's investigation and the news media. Tweet Trump was referring to the presence of a CNN's camera at Stone's house when FBI agents knocked on his door. CNN has said it was staking out several people's homes because the grand jury investigating the case had met Thursday, its usual day off. The indictment describes repeated contacts between Stone and high-ranking members in Trump's campaign organization. During the summer of 2016, STONE spoke to senior Trump Campaign officials about Organization 1 and information it might have had that would be damaging to the Clinton Campaign. STONE was contacted by senior Trump Campaign officials to inquire about future releases by Organization 1. The indictment does not identify "Organization 1" or its head, but it clearly refers to WikiLeaks and Julian Assange because it says the head of the organization was at the Ecuadorian Embassy in London. Assange has been living in the embassy since 2012, initially taking refuge there while facing sexual offense allegations in Sweden. Sweden has dropped the investigation, but Assange still faces a British arrest warrant for skipping bail. The group leaked thousands of Clinton campaign emails during the final month of the 2016 campaign. At a campaign rally in Pennsylvania on Oct. 10, 2016, Trump praised the group, saying "WikiLeaks! I love WikiLeaks." In addition, Trump's oldest son, Donald Jr., acknowledged he head been in private communications with WikiLeaks.

Wikileaks founder Julian Assange raises his fist prior to addressing the media on the balcony of the Embassy of Ecuador in London on May 19, 2017. Justin Tallis | AFP | Getty Images

The indictment also says a senior official in the Trump campaign "was directed" to talk to Stone about potential future releases by Organization 1, following a release of stolen Democratic National Committee emails in July 2016: After the July 22, 2016 release of stolen DNC emails by Organization 1, a senior Trump Campaign official was directed to contact STONE about any additional releases and what other damaging information Organization 1 had regarding the Clinton Campaign. STONE thereafter told the Trump Campaign about potential future releases of damaging material by Organization 1. The indictment says a high-ranking Trump campaign official, whom CNBC identified as Bannon, asked Stone about whether the organization would release more material in October, with about a month left to go in the campaign. Clinton was considered the favorite to win the election at the time, leading Trump in national polls. On or about October 4, 2016, the head of Organization 1 held a press conference but did not release any new materials pertaining to the Clinton Campaign. Shortly afterwards, STONE received an email from the high-ranking Trump Campaign official asking about the status of future releases by Organization 1. STONE answered that the head of Organization 1 had a "[s]erious security concern" but that Organization 1 would release "a load every week going forward." The special counsel alleges that an associate of a high-ranking Trump campaign official texted Stone to praise him after an initial load of stolen Clinton campaign emails was released Oct. 7. On or about October 7, 2016, Organization 1 released the first set of emails stolen from the Clinton Campaign chairman. Shortly after Organization 1's release, an associate of the highranking Trump Campaign official sent a text message to STONE that read "well done." In subsequent conversations with senior Trump Campaign officials, STONE claimed credit for having correctly predicted the October 7, 2016 release. Oct. 7 also marked the release of the "Access Hollywood" tape from a decade earlier, which included Trump boasting about grabbing women's genitals. At the time, it appeared to be a mortal wound for Trump's presidential ambitions. The indictment also says Stone Made multiple false statements to [The House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence] about his interactions regarding Organization 1, and falsely denied possessing records that contained evidence of these interactions; and attempted to persuade a witness to provide false testimony to and withhold pertinent information from the investigations. Bruce Rogow, a lawyer for Stone, slammed the special counsel's office. "I am disappointed in the grandstanding with an early morning arrest. I would have expected better from the SCO. Roger was not hiding from anyone; quite the opposite," Rogow said in a statement to CNBC. "A phone call and he would have appeared voluntarily." Rogow also said he would work on getting Stone released from custody following his court appearance. The White House did not respond to CNBC's request for comment. On CNN, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Stone's arrest has "nothing to do with the president." Stone, who acted as an informal advisor to Trump's presidential campaign after years of advising Trump himself, has been under scrutiny for months but has maintained his innocence. He is one of the top subjects of the investigation into potential collusion between Moscow and the Trump campaign.

Stone is also a former business associate of Paul Manafort, who headed up Trump's campaign for several months in 2016. Manafort himself has been convicted of several federal crimes stemming from Mueller's investigation. The special counsel is investigating potential links between the Trump campaign and the Kremlin. Trump has repeatedly denied that he colluded or obstructed justice. Stone had predicted that he could face charges in the probe. He said he did nothing wrong, but contended to The Guardian that Mueller "may frame me for some bogus charge in order to silence me or induce me to testify against the president." Legal scrutiny of Stone, who as a young operative helped to boost President Richard Nixon's re-election bid, appeared to focus on what he knew about the leak of Democratic emails during the 2016 campaign. Clarification: This story was revised to clarify the circumstances about Assange's residency in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London. Read the full indictment here:
President Donald Trump speaks to the media as he departs the White House in Washington, DC, on January 14, 2019 en route to New Orleans, Louisiana to address the annual American Farm Bureau Federation convention.

President Donald Trump lashed out Friday at Robert Mueller's investigation after the indictment of longtime Trump associate Roger Stone.

The president tied the arrest to the ongoing fight over U.S. immigration policy, and accused investigators of colluding with CNN.

Trump Tweet

CNN said its reporters were not tipped off, they merely made an educated guess because the special counsel's grand jury does not typically meet on Thursdays, but did this week.

The last time that happened, the meeting of the grand jury was followed by an indictment the following day. CNN said its reporters deduced that there might be one coming on Friday, so they sent cameras to the homes several suspects.

"CNN's ability to capture the arrest of Roger Stone was the result of determined reporting and interpreting clues revealed in the course of events," the network replied to Trump's tweet.

Stone was arrested during a predawn raid Friday at his home in Florida. He faces seven counts, including witness tampering, obstruction of justice and making false statements to Congress. He was released on a $250,000 bond.

Stone's attorney Grant Smith also questioned the FBI's decision to arrest Stone at his home Friday. "There was no need to have the FBI show up with a SWAT team," Smith told NBC News.

Smith also emphasized that Friday's indictment did not explicitly charge Stone with coordinating or colluding with the Russian government.

Stone has "been very public for the last two years about where he was and what he was doing" during the election, Smith said. "If they'd found any collusion they would have charged him with it."

Stone plans to "fight vigorously" against the charges, Smith said.

The indictment alleges that Stone had been in contact with top-ranking Trump campaign officials about efforts to leak damaging information about Hillary Clinton just before the 2016 election.

In criticizing the actions of law enforcement in Stone's case, Trump linked his complaints to the fight over a border wall. The refusal of House Democrats to meet Trump's demand for $5.7 billion to build a border wall has resulted in the longest partial government shutdown in modern history.

Trump has repeatedly argued that the United States is not harsh enough in its treatment of people who cross the southern border without papers. The president argues that these migrants bring illegal drugs, traffic in human beings, and mistreat the migrants they smuggle.

Trump's use of "border coyotes" refers to the English translation of a Spanish slang term for someone who transports migrants across the Mexican border, often on foot.

In the Stone charging documents on Friday, Mueller described repeated contacts between Stone and high-ranking members in Trump's campaign organization.

During the summer of 2016, STONE spoke to senior Trump Campaign officials about Organization 1 and information it might have had that would be damaging to the Clinton Campaign. STONE was contacted by senior Trump Campaign officials to inquire about future releases by Organization 1.

The indictment does not identify "Organization 1" or its head, but it clearly refers to WikiLeaks and its founder, Julian Assange, because it says the head of the organization was at the Ecuadorian Embassy in London. Assange has been living there since 2012 while avoiding sexual offense charges in Sweden.

The group leaked thousands of Clinton campaign emails during the final month of the 2016 campaign. At a campaign rally in Pennsylvania on Oct. 10, 2016, Trump praised the group, saying "WikiLeaks! I love WikiLeaks." In addition, Trump's oldest son, Donald Jr., acknowledged he'd had private communications with WikiLeaks.
Former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort departs from U.S. District Court in Washington, U.S., February 28, 2018.

Former Trump campaign chief Paul Manafort appeared in federal court in Washington on Friday morning, hours after his former lobbying partner Roger Stone was arrested in a predawn FBI raid as part of special counsel Robert Mueller's ongoing investigations of people in the orbit of President Donald Trump.

Manafort's previously scheduled hearing relates to Mueller's claims that the Republican operative repeatedly lied to the special counsel's office after pleading guilty to multiple crimes related to his work for pro-Russia politicians in Ukraine.

Mueller says those lies violated Manafort's plea agreement with the special counsel's office. The alleged lies included Manafort's communications with a longtime business associate, Konstantin Kilimnik, who is allegedly a Russian agent.

Lawyers for Manafort say he did not intentionally mislead Mueller's team.

At Friday's hearing, a prosecutor, Andrew Weissmann, said the special counsel's office does not currently intend to have Manafort tried on criminal charges that were set aside after he pleaded guilty last year.

However, Weissman said that Mueller's office no longer believes that Manafort should get any credit for cooperation with that office when he is sentenced.

Judge Amy Berman Jackson did not make any ruling at the hearing. Instead, she said she would hold a sealed hearing on Feb. 4 to discuss Mueller's evidence that Manafort breached his plea agreement. A redacted transcript of that hearing will be released afterward.

Four days after that hearing, on Feb. 8, Manafort is scheduled to be sentenced in a related case in federal court in Virginia.

Manafort is being held without bail as he awaits sentencing. He walked into court Friday morning with the aid of cane. Manafort is suffering from gout, according to court documents.

As Manafort's hearing began, Stone was awaiting his presentment in U.S. District Court in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Stone and Manafort had previously run a Washington lobbying firm, Black, Manafort, Stone and Kelly, in the 1980s and '90s.

A seven-count indictment accuses Stone of witness tampering, obstruction of justice and making false statements to Congress.

The indictment says Stone was in contact in 2016 with high-ranking officials in Trump's presidential campaign about efforts to leak damaging information about Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton that had been obtained by the activist group Wikileaks. That information had originally been illegally obtained by Russian agents, Mueller has previously said.

Stone is also accused of lying to Congress about his interactions with Wikileaks, falsely claiming he did not possess records about his contacts with the group and trying to persuade a witness to give false testimony.

White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Stone's arrest had "nothing to do with the president."
Stone, 66, was released on a $250,000 signature bond hours after being arrested on charges brought by Mueller . His remarks in front of the courthouse were met with a mix of boos, chants of "lock him up" and scattered messages of support from the crowd.

There are "no circumstances whatsoever under which I will bear false witness against the president, nor will I make up lies to ease the pressure on myself," Stone told a throng of reporters, hecklers and supporters outside of U.S. District Court in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Roger Stone, a longtime confidant and former political advisor to President Donald Trump , vowed Friday not to testify against the president, and said he would plead not guilty to a new indictment lodged by special counsel Robert Mueller.

A courtroom sketch of Roger Stone who appeared in court today after being arrested on Jan. 25th, 2019.

The court appearance came a day after Stone was hit with seven criminal counts lodged by Mueller as part of his investigation into Russia's meddling in the 2016 election. Stone was charged with five counts of making false statements, one count of obstructing another probe of Russian interference conducted by the House Intelligence Committee, and one count of witness tampering.

Stone was arrested Friday in a predawn raid by FBI agents at his Florida home, which his lawyer decried as a "spectacle" that was "completely unnecessary."

CNN tweet with video of Stone raid

Immediately after the hearing, Stone spoke to Infowars, the pro-Trump conspiracy website led by Alex Jones, in a phone interview apparently conducted from within the courthouse itself.

"I intend to fight for my life," Stone told Jones. "I think I am being persecuted for being a 40-year friend and supporter" of Trump's.

Stone, who prides himself on his sartorial taste, appeared in court in Broward County sporting a dark polo shirt and jeans and wearing handcuffs.

Trump, without mentioning Stone by name, vented rage against the special counsel in a tweet Friday morning after the scheduled start of Stone's court appearance.

"Greatest Witch Hunt in the History of our Country!" Trump said.

Trump tweet

The 24-page indictment alleges that Stone had contacted, and had been contacted by, an array of Trump campaign associates about leaking Democratic officials' stolen information on the eve of the 2016 election to sway the contest against Hillary Clinton.

The organization that coordinated the document-dumping campaign is unnamed in the indictment but clearly refers to WikiLeaks and Julian Assange. That whistleblowing site dumped tranches of emails from the Democratic National Committee and Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta that were allegedly hacked by Russian operatives.

Stone has repeatedly denied colluding with Russia. His lawyer, Grant Smith, told NBC News on Friday that if the special counsel had "found any collusion, they would have charged him with it."

Stone's court appearance began as his former associate and ex-Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort, another target of Mueller's probe, appeared in court in Washington.

Manafort's hearing related to Mueller's allegation that the Republican operative repeatedly lied in breach of his plea deal with the special counsel. Manafort had pleaded guilty to multiple crimes related to his work for pro-Russia politicians in Ukraine.

"This has nothing to do with the president," White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said of Stone's indictment. "The president did nothing wrong. There was no collusion on his part."

Trump's counsel, Jay Sekulow, said: "The indictment today does not allege Russian collusion by Roger Stone or anyone else. Rather, the indictment focuses on alleged false statements Mr. Stone made to Congress."

But the special counsel does implicate multiple top-ranking Trump campaign officials in Stone's indictment. CNBC reported Friday that one such person, referred to as a "high-ranking Trump Campaign official" in the indictment, is former White House chief strategist and Trump campaign CEO Steve Bannon.
The Congress as well as Hooda, 71, hit out at the Centre over the CBI action, calling it political vendetta.

New Delhi: In more trouble for senior Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda, the CBI booked the former Haryana chief minister on cheating and corruption charges in connection with land acquisition in Gurgaon that favoured private builders and also conducted searc-hes at 20 locations including his Rohtak residence.

The Congress as well as Mr Hooda, 71, hit out at the Centre over the CBI action, calling it political vendetta.

As part of its probe into irregular acquisition of 1,417 acres land in Gurgaon between 2009 and 2012, the CBI on Friday conducted searches in Delhi and Gurgaon, apart from the residence of Mr Hooda in Rohtak.

The CBI has also named Haryanas additional chief secretary Trilok Chand Gupta, who was the then chief administrator of Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA), along with 15 builders in the case, including DLF, Emaar MGF, Buzz Hotels, Ansals, among others. The builders official premises were also searched during the operation.

The central probe agency booked Mr Hooda, Mr Gupta and the builders for alleged criminal conspiracy and cheating under the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act in connection with alleged irregularities in the acquisition of land.

The agency alleged that private builders entered into a criminal conspiracy with Mr Hooda and Mr Gupta with an intent to cheat land owners.

In pursuance of the conspiracy, notifications for acquisition of land were issued by the government triggering panic sale of land to private developers at a much cheaper rates than the prevalent market prices, they said.

Mr Hooda is already facing CBI probes in two cases that relate to Manesar land acquisition and allotment of an institutional plot to Associated Journals Ltd (AJL), the publisher of National Herald, in Panchkula. In both the cases, charge sheets have been filed.

The third case against Mr Hooda was registered following directives from the Supreme Court on November 1, 2017, to probe alleged irregularities in the acquisition process of 1,417 acres of land between 2009 and 2012 for sector 58-63 and 65-67 in Gurgaon.

The state government had issued the notification on June 2, 2009. Mr Hooda was the chief minister at that time., CBI spokesperson Nitin Wakankar said.

Another notification was issued for acquisition of 850.10 acres of land on May 31, 2010, officials said.

The CBI claimed that during the notification period approximately 616.40 acres of land was released in favour of developers.

It emerged during the preliminary enquiry that the objective of the HUDA for acquiring the land to ensure availability of developed land at affordable prices to the public at large and to the economically weaker sections of the society has not been achieved.
Washington, D.C. has been crowned as the city that's leading the way in talent competitiveness, thanks to its ability to attract and nurture entrepreneurs, whilst meeting the needs of being a strongly-connected, "global" city.

"Its steady economy, dynamic population, outstanding infrastructure and connectivity, highly-skilled workforce and world class education are all characteristics which contribute to making the city such a talent hub," a statement released alongside the Global Cities Talent Competitiveness Index (GCTCI) said this week. Last year it ranked sixth, with Zurich taking the top spot.

Following the U.S. capital, several Western European cities ranked high in the 2019 list, with Copenhagen, Oslo, Vienna and Zurich all filling out the top five places for talent-competitiveness. New York and Boston also made an appearance in the top 10, bolstering the U.S.' entrepreneurial status.

To collate its findings, the GCTCI looked at five different pillars: the ability cities have to enable, attract, grow and retain talent, along with an ability to "be global."

Washington, D.C. ranked in the top 10 for three of the five pillars, while many other cities that ranked highly overall, featured in the top 10 for at least two of the pillars. Each pillar had its subsections with variables to take into account, such as environmental quality, airport connectivity and internet access.

The GCTCI ranking was released to coincide with the World Economic Forum in Davos and forms part of this year's Global Talent Competitiveness Index (GTCI) report.

The report covered 114 cities from around the world, which highlighted that talent performance is becoming an increasingly significant factor for companies, cities and countries in regards to prosperity and growth.

The overall report looked at competitiveness in terms of countries too, with Switzerland coming in first place, followed by Singapore in second place, and the U.S. in third.
President Donald Trump signed legislation Friday to temporarily end the record long government shutdown, resolving the grueling 35-day closure but not the fight over his proposed border wall.

The measure funds the government for three weeks, until Feb. 15, while lawmakers try to reach a wider deal on immigration. Both the House and Senate passed the plan by voice vote on Friday.

Trump had demanded $5.7 billion to build his border wall before he agreed to end the partial closure  but relented on Friday. Congress will set up a bipartisan, bicameral conference committee to try to strike a deal on border security.

Trump again argued for a border wall Friday  and threatened to let funding lapse or even declare a national emergency if Congress does not craft an immigration deal he likes. The president agreed to end the shutdown as the pain from the wall impasse sharpened.

Trump left the political fight battered, faced with flagging approval ratings, an unfulfilled campaign promise and most of the blame for an episode that disrupted millions of American lives. As some conservatives criticized him for supporting a plan he originally planned to veto, Trump defended his decision to reopen the government on Friday.

"This was in no way a concession," the president wrote in a tweet. "It was taking care of millions of people who were getting badly hurt by the Shutdown with the understanding that in 21 days, if no deal is done, it's off to the races!"

Trump tweet

About 800,000 federal workers started to miss their second paychecks Friday since funding lapsed last month. Many had to scramble to cover meals and bills during the closure. If the plan becomes law, they are expected to get back pay in four to five days, an administration official told CNBC on Friday.

The Trump administration had faced backlash for a perceived lack of empathy toward the government workers. The president repeatedly claimed many federal employees agreed with his tactics  though union officials and the vast majority of government workers denied that. His wealthy Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross also sparked criticism when he said he did not "understand why" workers went to food banks instead of taking out loans.

Democrats pounced on every perceived misstep. They had repeatedly urged Trump to reopen the government before lawmakers had a border security debate. Speaking after the president announced a deal to fund the government on Friday, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said that "we can never hold American workers hostage again."

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., echoed Schumer after the House approved the funding measure Friday.

"I hope the experience of the last 35 days has taught us that we should never repeat this exercise of shutting down government again," he said.

The deal only temporarily delays another shutdown  or a potential constitutional fight over the president's power to declare a national emergency. Lawmakers may still fail to reach an immigration deal that satisfies Trump.

Meanwhile, Republicans hinted at more conflict to come. In a tweet, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Trump "is moving forward building the wall with or without the Democrats."

Rep. Mark Meadows, a North Carolina Republican and Trump ally, also tweeted that "compromise is important, but not required, to secure our border and protect American families."

The Senate chose seven members, all on the Appropriations Committee, to send to the conference committee on Homeland Security spending:

Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala. (Appropriations Committee chairman)

Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo.

Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.V.

Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D.

Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt. (Appropriations Committee vice chairman)

Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill. (Senate Minority Whip)

Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont.

House Democrats chose six members from the House Appropriations Committee for the conference. It was not immediately clear who would represent the Republican side.

Rep. Nita Lowey, D-N.Y. (Appropriations Committee chairwoman)

Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard, D-Ca.

Rep. David Price, D-N.C.

Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Ca.

Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas

Rep. Pete Aguilar, D-Ca.

 CNBC's Eamon Javers contributed to this report.

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A general view of the Novokuibyshev Refinery owned by Rosneft oil company on March 15, 2012 in Novokuibyshevsk, Samara region, Russia.

Russia came in as China's largest crude oil supplier in December, cementing the top spot for all of 2018 for a third year in a row ahead of rival Saudi Arabia, customs data showed on Friday.

Imports from Russia reached 7.04 million tonnes, or 1.658 million barrels per day, in December, up 40 percent from 5.03 million tonnes a year earlier, according to the data from the General Administration of Customs.

For the full year, Russian imports rose to 71.49 million tonnes, or 1.43 million bpd, up 19.7 percent from 59.7 million tonnes in 2017.

Demand for Russian crude was supported by a rise in throughput by China's private refiners, who favour Russian grades such as ESPO, while geopolitical uncertainties also forced China to import less from countries such as Iran and Venezuela.

Russian oil giant Rosneft has also marketed its ESPO grade more aggressively, signing new long term supply deals with state oil companies such as ChemChina and PetroChina.

Saudi Arabia supplied China with 6.97 million tonnes in December, or 1.64 million bpd, up 48 percent from 4.71 million tonnes a year earlier.

For 2018, OPEC's top supplier boosted shipments to China by 8.7 percent to 56.73 million tonnes, or 1.135 million bpd.

That means Russia's lead over Saudi Arabia in supplying China almost doubled to 295,000 bpd in 2018 from 150,000 bpd a year earlier.

U.S. shipments to China  which have been hit by a trade war between the two countries  came in at zero in December. Imports for 2018 were up 24.8 percent from 2017 at 245,616 bpd.

Chinese oil trader Unipec plans to resume U.S. crude shipments to China by March, Reuters reported in December.
Randy Credico leaves with his dog Bianca from the U.S. District Court, September 7, 2018 in Washington, DC.

President Donald Trump's longtime advisor and confidante Roger Stone allegedly told an associate to "do a 'Frank Pentangeli'" and later threatened to take away the man's dog. The warnings came in messages obtained by the special counsel and revealed on Friday in an unsealed indictment alleging witness tampering and other charges.

The man on the receiving end of those messages was Randy Credico, a radio personality who Mueller said served as the intermediary between Stone and WikiLeaks, the anti-secrecy website that the United States has said was used by the Kremlin to disseminate documents stolen from Trump's 2016 rival Hillary Clinton.

The indictment says the threatening messages to Credico came after Stone told the House Intelligence Committee in September 2017 that he and Credico had not exchanged any texts or emails. In fact, the two had texted and emailed frequently during the course of the 2016 presidential campaign, including about WikiLeaks, special counsel Robert Mueller alleges.

After learning three months later that Credico had been subpoenaed to testify before the committee, Stone allegedly urged him to "do a 'Frank Pentangeli'"  a reference to the mobster in "The Godfather"  in order to avoid revealing that Stone had perjured himself.

In "The Godfather: Part II," which Mueller notes Credico and Stone had discussed, Pentangeli lies to a congressional committee to avoid incriminating mob leader Michael Corleone.

In response to Stone's plea, Credico urged Stone to "amend your testimony before I testify on the 15th," the indictment said.

Stone allegedly responded: "If you testify you're a fool. Because of tromp I could never get away with a certain [sic] my Fifth Amendment rights but you can. I guarantee you you are the one who gets indicted for perjury if you're stupid enough to testify."

Later that month, Credico, who is referred to as Person 2 in the indictment, texted Stone to "be honest" with the FBI, according to the indictment.

Stone allegedly responded that he was not talking to the FBI and if Credico was smart "you won't either."

Credico told the committee that month that he would assert his 5th Amendment rights and not testify. Credico has not been charged with any wrongdoing in connection with Mueller's probe. He declined to comment to CNBC on Friday.

The White House said Friday that the charges brought by the special counsel had nothing to do with the president. Stone's attorney vowed to vigorously contest the charges.
ccording to Opposition parties here, Raghubar Rai was the sixth political leader to have been killed in Bihar within a span of few months.

Patna: An RJD leader was shot dead early on Thursday in Samastipur district, prompting a scathing attack by Opposition parties against chief minister Nitish Kumars good governance.

Reacting sharply over the incident RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav said, The chief minister has been maintaining silence while Rashtriya Lok Samta Party (RLSP) and RJD leaders are being killed here. It seems that by maintaining silence on the issue you are protecting these criminals. The latest crime statistics show the situation of lawlessness in Bihar.

According to Opposition parties here, Raghubar Rai was the sixth political leader to have be-en killed in Bihar within a span of few months.

Earlier five RLSP leaders were murdered in the state. Foll-owing the incident, RJD chief Lalu Yadav, who is serving a jail term in connection with the fodder scam case, also expressed his concerns over rising cases of murders in the state.

In a tweet, he said, While people are being killed like insects but he (Nitish Kumar) is playing the same old record and saying that rule of law exists in Bihar.

According to the police here, Raghubar Rai an influential RJD leader was on a morning walk when two unidentified motorcycle-borne gunmen shot at him near his residence in Samastipur district on Thursday morning.

He was rushed to Darbhanga Medical college hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. Angry over the murder, his supporters blocked the Darbhanga-Patna route and demanded action against the murders.

Unidentified gunmen escaped from the scene of the crime after firing at him. We are trying to trace the vehicle and all those who have been involved in the murder of RJD leader, Samastipur superintendent of police Harpreet Kaur told reporters.
A Japanese submarine and destroyer arrive at Subic Bay, on April 3, 2016. TED ALJIBE/AFP/Getty Images

In the Philippines, a major corporate bankruptcy has sparked national security concerns about whether a port near the disputed South China Sea could fall under Beijing's control. Philippine officials are currently exploring ways to take over a shipyard located at a former U.S. naval base known as Subic Bay to prevent Chinese companies from buying the site. Officials, including the defense secretary, have expressed concerns of a Chinese presence in the area, even if it's a commercial one. Those worries come against the backdrop of China's growing aggression in the South China Sea and Beijing previously seizing neighboring islands in the area that are claimed by Manila.

Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Philippines has been operating an industrial shipyard in Subic Bay for years. But the company, a shipbuilding unit of South Korean firm Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction, declared bankruptcy in January after defaulting on loans of over $400 million from Philippine banks. It is believed to be one of the largest corporate defaults in Philippine history and puts thousands of local jobs at risk. Hanjin Philippines has asked the Manila government to help find investors willing to take over its shipyard operations and help its staff, according to the official Philippine News Agency. The company also has outstanding loans of $900 million from South Korean banks.

Fears of a Chinese takeover

Subic Bay, which lies around 100 kilometers northwest of Manila Bay, is an area around the size of Singapore. It was previously operated by the navies of Spain and the United States, and was one of the world's largest U.S. naval facilities. After closing in the early 1990s, it was transformed into a special economic zone by the Philippine government. Two Chinese firms have expressed interest in taking the shipyard off Hanjin Philippines' hands, prompting swift action from Manila officials who indicated they were unsettled by that idea as Beijing continues to flex its muscles in the South China Sea. Senator Grace Poe has called for an inquiry to determine whether there needs to be legal and regulatory frameworks for foreign ownership of such a strategic national asset, local media reported. Last week, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said he had met with President Rodrigo Duterte to discuss the prospect of the Philippine Navy acquiring the shipbuilding business. "The Philippine Navy suggested that, why not the Philippines take over so that we'll have a naval base there? Then we'll have shipbuilding capabilities," international media quoted Lorenzana as saying during an event at the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines last week. That's an entirely realistic scenario, analysts said. "It would be consistent with political initiatives to increase domestic industrial development," said Zoe Stanley Lockman, associate research fellow specializing in defense and security at Singapore's Nanyang Technological University. She said there's currently a bill on the country's Senate floor that, if passed, would increase support for the defense industry, large parts of which are already government owned and operated.

Others, however, said China-related security concerns are overblown. "We shouldn't overstate the importance of a Chinese company operating Hanjin," said Zack Cooper, a research fellow specializing in U.S. defense strategy in Asia at the American Enterprise Institute. "Just because a Chinese company operates the port and shipyard does not mean that Chinese military vessels can dock there  the same is true with Darwin Port in Australia, which is now operated by a Chinese firm."

Unclear what Duterte wants

The Philippine Navy taking over the shipyard may not bode well for Duterte, who has advocated a pro-Beijing stance even as the Asian superpower ignores Manila's contesting territorial claims in the South China Sea. "It is unclear what the government wants to do" in the case of Subic Bay, said Anwita Basu, Southeast Asia analyst at the Economist Intelligence Unit. The armed forces seem more concerned than the president about a potential Chinese presence and national security breaches, she told CNBC: "Indeed, were Chinese companies to take over the commercial lease of the shipyard, it would play well into the president's desire to attract investments from China."
Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro attends a rally in support of his government and to commemorate the 61st anniversary of the end of the dictatorship of Marcos Perez Jimenez next to his wife Cilia Flores in Caracas, Venezuela January 23, 2019.

Private military contractors who do secret missions for Russia flew into Venezuela in the past few days to beef up security for President Nicolas Maduro in the face of U.S.-backed opposition protests, according to two people close to them.

A third source close to the Russian contractors also told Reuters there was a contingent of them in Venezuela, but could not say when they arrived or what their role was.

Russia, which has backed Maduro's socialist government to the tune of billions of dollars, this week promised to stand by him after opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself president with Washington's endorsement.

It was the latest international crisis to split the global superpowers, with the United States and Europe backing Guaido, and Russia and China urging non-interference.

Yevgeny Shabayev, leader of a local chapter of a paramilitary group of Cossacks with ties to Russian military contractors, said he had heard the number of Russian contractors in Venezuela may be about 400.

But the other sources spoke of small groups.

Russia's Defence Ministry and Venezuela's Information Ministry did not respond to requests for comment about the contractors. But Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: "We have no such information."

The contractors are associated with the so-called Wagner group whose members, mostly ex-service personnel, fought clandestinely in support of Russian forces in Syria and Ukraine, according to Reuters interviews with dozens of contractors, their friends and relatives.

A person believed to work for the Wagner group did not respond to a message asking for information.

Citing contacts in a Russian state security structure, Shabayev said the contingent flew to Venezuela at the start of this week, a day or two before opposition protests started.
World-renowned conservationist Jane Goodall's work takes her around the world  and she always travels with a special companion to remind her of the "indomitable human spirit."

That companion is a stuffed monkey named "Mr. H," given to her by Gary Haun, a blind magician. Mr. H has been with Goodall for 28 years and has traveled to 64 countries.

Haun "thought he was giving me a stuffed chimpanzee, and I took his hand and made him hold the tail," Goodall said in a "Squawk Box" interview Friday from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Monkeys have tails, while chimps do not.

"He said, 'Never mind. Take him with you, and you know my spirit's with you.' So he symbolizes the indomitable human spirit," she said.

Goodall has taken that message with her in her travels, invoking Haun's name in speeches.

"Gary Haun went blind, decided to be a magician, was told it was impossible," she told CNBC. "If something goes wrong with you, he says, 'Don't give up.'"

In addition to being a magician, Haun climbed Mount Kilimanjaro and swam with great white sharks. He also wrote the book, "Diary of a Blind Magician."

Goodall first went to what is now Tanzania in 1960 at the age of 26. It was her work in Gombe National Park that led to the groundbreaking discovery that chimpanzees experienced emotions that had been believed to be unique to humans.

Now 84, she still travels about 300 days a year to raise awareness of the plight of wildlife and their habitats, as well as poverty in local communities. She's the founder of The Jane Goodall Institute and is a United Nations Messenger of Peace.

This week, she was in Davos to launch the Jane Goodall Legacy Foundation. Its purpose is to continue Goodall's work and values "in perpetuity to benefit future generations," according to the press release announcing the foundation.

Goodall told CNBC she realized in 1986 that chimpanzee numbers were dropping and that the people in the surrounding communities were "cripplingly poor."

The foundation is essentially an endowment for the 34 Jane Goodall Institute locations around the world and the youth programs she has in 80 countries.

"All of these groups are choosing projects  they choose them  to make the world a better place for people, animals [and the] environment," Goodall said.

She's looking to raise $250 million for the new foundation.
Walgreens Boots Alliance shareholders have instructed the company to explain how it's monitoring and managing risks related to the opioid crisis, according to preliminary results announced Friday at Walgreens' annual shareholders meeting.

The measure requires Walgreens to prepare a report by June 30 detailing any changes the company has made to its corporate governance since 2012 in response to the opioid crisis. Investors want more specifics, including how Walgreens' board oversees opioid-related programs and whether executive bonuses consider any opioid-related objectives like promoting ethical conduct.

Investors for Opioid Accountability, a coalition that includes state treasurers, comptrollers, asset managers, labor funds and faith-based groups, submitted the proposal. It has filed similar ones with nearly a dozen companies, including drug distributors AmerisourceBergen and Cardinal Health and drug companies Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer.

Walgreens' board opposed the proposal, saying it already discloses how it's handling the issue. Preliminary results showed shareholders voted in favor of the measure, though the company said final results will be released in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. CEO Stefano Pessina is Walgreens' largest shareholder, holding about 15 percent of the company's stock, according to FactSet.

Drugmakers, distributors and pharmacies have all come under scrutiny for their role in the crisis that has killed scores of Americans. Lax prescribing and monitoring of prescription painkillers is widely seen as fueling opioid addiction. Now these companies face lawsuits from thousands of state and local governments.

Two influential proxy advisory firms, Glass Lewis and Institutional Shareholder Services, recommended shareholders vote in favor of the proposal. In its analysis, ISS said despite a proliferation of lawsuits, subpoenas and investigations related to the opioid crisis, Walgreens "does not seem to have taken steps at the board level related specifically to managing risks stemming from the opioid epidemic."

Glass Lewis in its analysis said a "more thorough discussion is warranted at this time."

They cite the immediate financial and legal risks to the company, as well as the additional threats. Walgreens owns about one-fourth of AmerisourceBergen, which is also embroiled in opioid litigation.
When it comes to working at Zappos, CEO Tony Hsieh isn't just thinking about a candidate's skills and past experience. He's also trying to find personalities that fit well within his company's culture.

To make that match, Hsieh has been known ask candidates this quirky interview question: On a scale of one to 10, how weird are you?

The founder isn't looking for an exact number, but for a cultural fit with one of the company's core values: "Create fun and weirdness." Even the most skilled employee won't be successful if they don't mesh with a company's values and culture.

"Our whole belief is that everyone is a little weird somehow," he explained in a 2010 New York Times interview. "It's really more just a fun way of saying that we really recognize and celebrate each person's individuality, and we want their true personalities to shine in the workplace."

If you're ever asked this sort of question, let your personality shine, says TopInterview career expert Amanda Augustine. It's clear they're trying to meet the "real you" behind the perfectly scripted responses most applicants provide. Give your interviewer a sense for what it would be like to work with you.

Avoid being someone you're not, adds Augustine. If you'd rate yourself a "1" on the weirdness scale, let them know.

That approach might not snag you the job, says Augustine, but it's the the only way you'll figure out if the company is also the right fit for you.

As Hsieh himself said, "If you're a one, you probably are a little bit too straight-laced for the Zappos culture. If you're a 10, you might be too psychotic for us."

Lastly, consider your delivery. How you respond is just as important  if not more important  than your actual answer.

While you can't predict every interview question, there are ways to be prepared, says Augustine. Review a company's corporate website and social media accounts for tone and mission. In some cases, questions real candidates have been asked are even listed on sites like Glassdoor.

You should also review the social accounts of any hiring managers you'll be interviewing with to get a sense for how they think and what you can expect. You might also review if the execs from your company have discussed hiring in the media.

"Once you have a better idea of what traits the company values in its employees, you can determine if this is a good match for you, and anticipate what questions they might ask to assess your cultural fit," said Augustine.

Whatever you do, don't freeze. "If you look shocked or take a long time to answer such a question," said Augustine, "it's going to be a red flag."

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Jim Hackett of Ford Motor speaks at an event during the 2018 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, Michigan, U.S., on Jan. 14, 2018.

Ford is restructuring its global operations, including recent plans to make cuts in Europe . It also has announced an alliance in commercial vehicles with Germany's Volkswagen, with plans to jointly develop electric and self-driving vehicles, in moves meant to save billions of dollars.

Hackett made his comments in an email to employees that was seen by Reuters.

Ford Motor Chief Executive Jim Hackett told employees late on Thursday the No. 2 U.S. automaker would not accept last year's "mediocre" results and said the company was aiming to nearly double its annual operating profit.

Ford announced its fourth-quarter results on Wednesday, reporting a 2018 operating profit of $7 billion with a profit margin of 4.4 percent, down from 6.1 percent in 2017. Ford said last week that its target for operating margin was more than 8 percent.

"2018 was mediocre by any standard," Hackett said in the email. "Yes, we made $7 billion last year. But think of it this way: this represents a 4.4 percent operating margin, about half what we believe is an appropriate margin. So we are aiming for much closer to $14 billion."

Hackett did not give a timetable for hitting the $14 billion target. A Ford spokesman said Hackett was simply doing the math to show employees how the margin target translated to overall profit.

Hackett, who has been on the job for 20 months, also said that it was "time to bury the year (2018) in a deep grave, grieve over what might have been and become super focused on meeting, and, in fact, exceeding this year's plan."

Ford did not provide Wall Street with a specific financial forecast for 2019. It simply said it had the potential to improve earnings and revenue.

That was in contrast to Ford's larger U.S. rival, General Motors, which on Jan. 11 forecast higher 2019 earnings that far surpassed analysts' estimates.

Hackett also said in looking at Ford's 2018 results: "I become mad for a short time. Likely mad at myself, but also because I know we are better than that. ... I know that our competition hasn't been better than us by magic."

He said Ford had been considering moving up its time frame to electrify its product portfolio since he took over and asked how the company could learn from the trends it missed in China, the world's largest auto market, where it is losing money.

WATCH: Ford has profits in N. America, losses in Europe, Asia, South America
As the markets rally off of the ugly end to 2018, some of the most influential names in global business are exchanging ideas and sharing their concerns at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

Despite the S&P 500 jumping 13 percent off the recent lows, some of these titans are beginning to see more and more cracks develop in the global economy, and those concerns  though not yet overwhelming  are starting to weigh a little more heavily on their minds.

Five experts weigh in on where the global economy stands:
As the U.S. government shutdown enters its 35th day and federal workers grow increasingly frustrated, many may be contemplating a switch to the private sector.

Since Jan. 11, when government workers missed their first paycheck, the number of federal employees actively searching for jobs rose 10 percent, data from job site Glassdoor shows. That increase equates to about 400 additional workers leaving federal employment every month.

For the 800,000 federal workers who are either furloughed or working without pay, missing multiple paychecks means financial hardship.

Many workers were already living paycheck to paycheck before the shutdown and are now scrambling to make up the missing income by dipping into savings, swiping credit cards, crowdfunding, and in some cases, visiting food banks. Some have tried to replace their salaries with freelance work, selling furniture and other household items online, taking on side gigs, and, as the Glassdoor data indicates, by finding a new employer.

The shutdown isn't just driving current employees away, though. It is also deterring other job seekers from applying to open positions within federal agencies. The number of applications Glassdoor received for federal government roles fell 46 percent compared to this time last year.

It's a trend the company expects to continue to worsen. Part of that drop off in interested applicants likely stems from the fact that candidates know they won't be hired as long as the shutdown continues, but Glassdoor also thinks workers are wary of facing a similar predicament in the future.

"Not only has the shutdown put a temporary pause on hiring, but it also hurts the federal government's reputation as an employer and its ability to attract top talent," writes Daniel Zhao, part of Glassdoor's economic research team, on the company's blog. "Although current workers may ride out the storm in order to keep their benefits, the highly-publicized shutdown isn't a good recruiting moment for prospective workers and may discourage aspiring candidates from applying to government jobs in the first place."

That could be a big problem for the government down the line, as it typically needs to hire around 30,000 workers a month, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and is already having to compete fiercely for talent in this era of record-low unemployment.

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Don't miss: The government shutdown spotlights a bigger issue: 78% of US workers live paycheck to paycheck
And in most of Facebook's offices, engineers and salespeople rarely interact. At the headquarters in Menlo Park, California, for example, the two work in completely separate buildings.

Most engineers can go their entire Facebook careers without ever meeting a salesperson, while only the best sales employees take the time to build relationships with engineers (who can come in handy whenever a client runs into a technical problem).

Engineering is the domain of CEO Mark Zuckerberg. Sales is COO Sheryl Sandberg's. Engineers like to work comfortably and quietly. Sales is loud. Engineering is young and very male. Sales skews older and more diverse.

There are two wings to the Facebook empire: sales and engineering.

But there are times when the two cultures clash. These clashes are rare, but highlight the tension Facebook faces every day: It must build products that users love and want to use, while simultaneously providing enough value to advertisers to keep the lights on.

One such clash came in 2015 at Facebook's New York offices, one of the most densely populated in the company. Although sales and engineering were kept on separate floors in New York, the two departments shared a common cafeteria.

Facebook's New York sales employees often brought big clients into the office for visits, taking them to lunch while on their visits. In that same space, engineers flexed their predilection for comfort.

"Engineers were going to cafeteria without their shoes on, and a sales person wrote, 'Hey, we have clients. Please keep in mind this is a professional environment,'" a former Facebook sales employee told CNBC.

"Everyone just treated it like a living room," said one former contractor. "That's pretty much what they encouraged  you wouldn't bat an eye if someone was walking around in slippers or socks."

"It was bizarre," said another former contractor.

The former sales employee recalled seeing engineers walk barefoot into the bathroom and then barefoot into the cafeteria.

The salesperson's post caused "a flare up" on the company's internal social network and in the New York office, according to five former employees and contractors who remember the incident, now known as "shoegate."

Sales and engineering employees left hundreds of comments defending both sides of the shoeless debate, and debating which side of the company was more important. The crux of the debate came down to: engineers build the product, but the salespeople keep the lights on.

Despite the battle of words, none of the former employees recall the company implementing any changes to the policy regarding shoes.

In 2016, Facebook leased space at another location in New York, giving the two divisions more breathing room to coexist, but at that moment in time, it was "a clash of cultures," a former employee said.

Facebook declined to comment.

WATCH: A first look inside Facebook's epic headquarters expansion that includes a redwood forest and a botanical garden
The bungalow is worth over Rs 100 crore, according to Enforcement Directorate estimates.

Nirav Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi who is co-accused in the fraud is also the co-owner of the property. (Photo: File)

Raigad: Jeweller and fraud accused Nirav Modis sea-facing bungalow in Maharashtras Alibaug is being demolished after it was declared illegal by state authorities.

The bungalow was illegally built, violated coastal regulation zone (CRZ) norms and the state's regulations as well, Raigad Collector Suryawanshi said.

The mansion, situated at Kihim beach over 90 km from Mumbai, was declared illegal along with 58 other structures that flouted all environmental norms.

The demolition was taken up following a Bombay High Court order on public interest litigation (PIL) filed by NGO Shamburaje Yuva Kranti in 2009, demanding action against illegal bungalows, hotels and resorts violating the high tide and low tide zones in tiny villages dotting the beaches of Raigad.

The investigative agency, Enforcement Directorate had initially approached the Bombay High Court to stop the demolition as the bungalow was among the properties attached after the PNB scam came to light.

Later, the agency handed over the bungalow to district administration after removing valuable items.

The bungalow is worth over Rs 100 crore, according to Enforcement Directorate estimates.

Nirav Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi who is co-accused in the fraud is also the co-owner of the property.
Mark Zuckerberg, chief executive officer and founder of Facebook, holds his phone after the morning session at the Allen & Co. Media and Technology Conference in Sun Valley, Idaho, July 13, 2018.

Facebook is planning to integrate the messaging functions of Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp, in a streamlining move that could drag Facebook's sister apps into the same privacy hot water as its core platform.

The New York Times first reported the change and said CEO Mark Zuckerberg is personally behind the move to integrate. The three messaging services  currently independent offerings  would remain standalone apps, but would allow for communication between the apps for the first time, the Times reported. A Messenger user could ping a friend on WhatsApp, for example.

All three apps will offer end-to-end encryption, a company spokesperson confirmed to CNBC.

"We're working on making more of our messaging products end-to-end encrypted and considering ways to make it easier to reach friends and family across networks. As you would expect, there is a lot of discussion and debate as we begin the long process of figuring out all the details of how this will work," the spokesperson said in a statement.

An integration of this size could raise questions of antitrust action. The company's family of apps sees north of 2.5 billion users each month and dominates mobile traffic. Zuckerberg said in October that Facebook considers Apple and its iMessage services its biggest competitor. The Times report said the integration between WhatsApp, Messenger and Instagram is being developed in part to keep users from migrating to another, rival messaging service.

EU lawmakers have previously dinged Facebook for approaching a monopoly on mobile messaging. Zuckerberg at the time argued that users have choice because the average American uses eight social apps. Facebook controls three of those eight, in addition to WhatsApp, and it now plans to integrate them.

Facebook bought Instagram in 2012 and WhatsApp in 2014, adding to its growing family of apps. The companies were intended to operate independently under the Facebook umbrella. But the primary founders of Instagram and WhatsApp have all left the company over the last two years, amid reports of power struggles and disagreements about advertising strategy.

WhatsApp co-founder Brian Acton tweeted last year that users should delete Facebook, a sentiment that gained popularity alongside widespread backlash against the company's data and privacy policies. Acton's co-founder Jan Koum left Facebook a month later, and Instagram co-founders Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger abruptly announced their departures in September.

Read the full report at The New York Times.

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WATCH: Mark Zuckerberg defends Facebook business practices in WSJ op-ed.
An increase in sick leave among air traffic controllers delayed hundreds of flights at several major airports in the eastern U.S. on Friday, the Federal Aviation Administration said.

Flights at New York's LaGuardia Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport and Philadelphia International Airport were delayed on Day 35 of the partial government shutdown. More than 14,000 air traffic controllers and thousands of other federal aviation workers have been deemed essential employees and ordered to work without pay due to the impasse between lawmakers and President Donald Trump over funding for a wall along the U.S. border with Mexico that the president had proposed.

On Friday afternoon, Trump and lawmakers reached a temporary solution that would to reopen and fund the government for three weeks, without the funding for the border wall that Trump wanted.

The shutdown infuriated the aviation industry, derailed airlines' plans to launch new planes and routes, and prevented new employees from getting their federal certifications. Increased absences of Transportation Security Administration officers, who were told to work despite not receiving regular pay, led to a spike in waits at some of the country's biggest airports throughout the month. The TSA has said the unscheduled absences are a result of the unpaid officers' financial strain.

The stations affected by the air traffic controller shortages on Friday  in Jacksonville, Florida and near Washington D.C.  oversee en route flights in a large swath of the eastern U.S.

"We have experienced a slight increase in sick leave at two facilities," an FAA spokesman said. "We've mitigated the impact by augmenting staffing, rerouting traffic, and increasing spacing between aircraft when needed. The results have been minimal impacts to efficiency while maintaining consistent levels of safety in the national airspace system."

The FAA had briefly halted flights into LaGuardia and some arriving flights were delayed almost an hour and a half, the agency said. By early afternoon, delays had moderated at Philadelphia and Newark, but had picked up at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the world's busiest and a hub of Delta Air Lines, according to the FAA.

Airline executives and aviation workers have warned that the partial government shutdown would roil air travel, causing longer lines, delays and flight cancellations.

JetBlue Airways CEO Robin Hayes said on an earnings call on Thursday that "we are close to a tipping point" with federal aviation workers set to miss a second paycheck.

Aviation workers -- including air traffic controllers, pilots and flight attendants -- in a joint statement earlier this week said they were worried about safety and security risks as a result of already stretched resources at federal aviation departments.

On Thursday, an FAA spokesman said the agency had seen "no unusual increased absenteeism and there are no operational disruptions due to staffing" because of the government shutdown.
Following are excerpts from a CNBC interview with Prime Minister of Estonia, Juri Ratas and CNBC's Nancy Hungerford.

NP: We'll have to leave it there for now, Joumanna, because I do have another guest who I'm sure has a thought or two about Brexit himself, that is Juri Ratas, who is the Prime Minister of Estonia. Sir, thank you for joining me. My colleague, Joumanna, and I were just discussing the interview I had with Liam Fox around Brexit, I mean, he seems to think that a deal will be reached. Are you confident that European leaders are willing to give a bit more here, to ensure that a no deal, a hard crash scenario, is avoided?

JR: I am sure that, if we are talking to 27 European countries, then we made our proposal in the end of November, it was, I think, 25th of November last year. And of course, I could say that the main-, this kind of goal, is to have the deal between United Kingdom and the European Union, and of course, we are working with that, forward, and I really hope that, also, Prime Minister May will find this balance, inside the UK, as well, because I think both sides understand it very well, that it is so important to have the deal, and to have very good relations between the UK and the 27, as well.

NP: It does seem as though some leaders in Brussels don't want to give any more, in terms of their talks with Prime Minister May, because they're still holding out hope that maybe there will be a second referendum, maybe the whole process will be reversed. Is that a dangerous gamble?

JR: I think we have, today, so many maybes, but actually, what we have today, we have a very concrete proposal on the table by the 27 countries-,

NP: Mm.

JR: And what is so important, the last two and a half years, we are acting very strongly as a team, and we have only one negotiations, between the EU and United Kingdom. If we are talking to give something more, I couldn't see any this kind of room today here, to give something more-,

NP: Mm.

JR: I-, I understand that we have, in the air, the question, is it possible to have a little bit longer period, but it isn't the question today from EU, European Union, 27 countries, side, it's the question the-, the Parliament, in London, and also the government in London. But I actually really hope that we could find very good, uh, contract, and deal, both sides, because, uh, I don't see that this kind of situation, what we have today, that we could say that it-, it's good. It isn't good, actually. I-, I-, my personal opinion is that Brexit isn't good-,

NP: Mm.

JR: It's much more better when 28 is, uh, staying together.

NP: Economically, how bad could it be? Because we often hear that the economic toll will be-,

JR: Mm.

NP: So severe for the UK, but what about the European bloc, I mean, how concerned are you about the impact of that?

JR: It's a very important aspect and topic, we-, we must protect our citizens, but at the same way, we must protect our businesses-,

NP: Mm.

JR: And that is the reason why I said that we must find also very good, and close, and strategic relations between the UK and the EU, after the Brexit, as well.

NP: On the security situation, too, that doesn't often seem to get as much attention, but is that something you worry about, given how closely the UK has worked with the broader EU, on issues of national security?

JR: Uh, if we are talking the security, first of all the NATO, we-,

NP: Yeah.

JR: I think, the majority of EU countries, we are under the NATO, as well, for example, the UK troops are today in Estonia-,

NP: Mm.

JR: That-, and under the NATO, we have Enhanced Forward Presence, and it is all the three Baltic states, plus Poland, and that is so important-,

NP: Mm.

JR: For us, and I don't see any of these kind of problems, if we are talking the security and defence, and that is very positive-,

NP: Mm.

JR: That we have so close relations, in security field, between UK and-, and other countries.

NP: On NATO, there is some renewed concerns, though, that President Trump may take tougher action, even talk about withdrawing, again, from NATO, especially now that some of his top Generals have left the White House. Does that worry you?

JR: We had, last summer, the NATO summit in Brussels-,

NP: Mm.

JR: And after the summit, all 29 countries, they said, and also the United States, that NATO is now much more stronger-,

NP: Mm.

JR: NATO is much more untied, and NATO is much more closer. Of course, there is also the question about 2%-,

NP: Right.

JR: But, for example, our country, my country, Estonia, we-, we-, we promised what we-, we-, we said, uh, more than ten years ago, and last four, five years, we-, we are investing more-,

NP: Mm.

JR: Than 2%.

NP: Was President Trump right to force the issue, then?

JR: I think that's the question, that all the members, they must be active, and they must be-, they must keep their promises, it's so important-,

NP: Mm.

JR: But actually, we-, we see that all European countries are, today, increasing their defence expenditures.

NP: It comes at a time where some NATO members have expressed increasing concerns over Russia, as well. You recently said you would like to improve relations with Russia. Is Russia's involvement, recent actions they've taken in Ukraine, though, making this difficult for you?

JR: No, on the-, on the one hand, I think Estonians, we-, we know Russia, and Russian behaviour, very well, because we lived more than, uh, 50 years under occupation, Russia is today our neighbour, but it's so important, for us, to be active member, inside the NATO-,

NP: Mm.

JR: But also in the EU. If we are talking to Ukraine, then there is only-, that is the most important thing, that we all understand, to support Ukraine's territorial integrity-,

NP: Mm.

JR: And sovereignty. It is a question about Crimea, and it is a question about East Ukraine, as well.

NP: Sir, I'm afraid we have to leave it there, but fascinating discussion, thank you so much-,

JR: Thank you.

NP: For your time, and for speaking to CNBC. That is Prime Minister Juri Ratas, the Prime Minister of Estonia.

ENDS
Malaysia's young government  which came into power less than a year ago  has taken a tough stance against imports of plastic waste that flooded the country after a similar move from China. China, once the world's largest importer of waste, stopped 24 types of scraps from entering its borders starting January last year. The Asian economic giant reportedly has plans to add 8 more categories of solid waste to that ban. China's decision uprooted the global order in waste management, resulting in the world's refuse being diverted to Southeast Asia  and Malaysia was turned into a new favored dumping ground. In the first seven months of 2018, Malaysia imported 456,000 tonnes of plastic waste from its 10 largest source countries  exceeding the 316,600 tonnes recorded for the whole of 2017 and 168,500 tonnes in 2016, Singaporean media Channel NewsAsia reported.

But, just a few months after winning a historic election in May last year, the new Malaysian government announced in October it's banning the import of plastic scrap and cracking down on factories that process such waste illegally. The country is not alone in taking a tougher stance against plastic scrap imports: Thailand also announced last year that it plans to ban such waste from 2021. "China's ban on plastic waste has actually opened up the eyes of Malaysia and many other countries," Yeo Bee Yin, Malaysia's minister of energy, technology, science, climate change and environment, told CNBC's "Squawk Box" on Friday. In addition to efforts at home to better manage plastic waste, Yeo said she's taking part in talks internationally to explore different ways to handle such scrap. Malaysia also has plans to stop taking in all types of plastic from overseas in three years. While an increasing number of countries are taking steps to clean up their air, land and sea, the U.S.  the largest economy in the world  under President Donald Trump has not prioritized such efforts. Shortly after taking office, Trump announced his intent to pull his country out of the Paris climate agreement and roll back other pro-environment policies.
Stephanie Buscemi, the chief marketing officer at Salesforce Salesforce

The World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, has become a must-attend occasion for C-level business people beyond the CEO, according to one senior executive. Chief marketing officers (CMOs) ought to be attending the event, according to Salesforce executive VP and CMO Stephanie Buscemi, because they can help tackle societal issues that affect consumers. "It's so clear there's a steel thread throughout every day here, you're starting to really be able to see and surface what are the issues and then, from the business community, everyone's getting aligned around  what's our point of view, what do we need to do," Buscemi told CNBC's Nancy Hungerford, speaking on a panel at WEF on Wednesday. "I think that's really why CMOs need to be here now. I mean if you look at consumers, 90 percent of consumers want their businesses, the products and services they engage with to have a point of view on these issues," she added. One issue that Salesforce has a point of view on, Buscemi said, is equality, something that the company's chief executive Marc Benioff has been outspoken on, telling CNBC at WEF on Tuesday: "San Francisco is kind of a train wreck, we have a real inequality problem."

Buscemi warned against communicating messages without backing them up. "You see a lot of people who will 'wash' a brand with equality messages or something, but then you don't see them walking the walk, following suit. And I think it's really critical that  for every single message you're putting out there tied to a social issue, an environmental issue, you better be able to back that up," she said. Gillette made headlines with a marketing campaign earlier this month that asked: "Is this the best a man can get" and challenged "toxic masculinity." Asked for his view of the commercial by CNBC's Hungerford, Unilever's outgoing chief marketing and communications officer Keith Weed said it was a "good example" of a brand having a broader purpose. "The bigger point that we are all engaging, is brands with purpose, and I think this is a good example, I think you could equally talk about Dove and the work that Dove's done on real beauty or even stuff that Axe has been doing on bullying and of course the latest one is the one everyone focuses on," he said. Dove and Axe are made by Unilever, while Gillette is owned by rival Procter & Gamble.
U.S. government debt yields rose on Friday after President Donald Trump announced that he had reached a deal with congressional lawmakers to reopen the federal government for three weeks.

The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note was up at 2.755 percent at 1:11 p.m. ET, while the yield on the 30-year Treasury bond rose, trading at 3.06 percent. Bond yields move inversely to prices.

The short-term resolution would leave open the possibility that lawmakers fail to come to terms and end up at another impasse in mid-February.

The remarks on the 35th day of the closure came amid calls from senators of both parties to temporarily fund the government while they try to strike a wider immigration deal. Lawmakers have floated a three-week continuing resolution to reopen nine unfunded U.S. departments.

Until now, Trump has insisted that any funding bill include cash for a U.S.-Mexico border wall, representing a longstanding campaign promise to crack down on immigration. Prices of Treasurys often move in the opposite direction of stocks, as investors shift money between riskier and safer assets.

The U.S. Senate blocked bills on Thursday to fund the government.

A Republican-backed proposal and a measure supported by Democrats didn't acquire the 60 votes they needed to be cleared. The Democratic plan to reopen the government without funding for the president's border wall, received more votes in the GOP-held chamber.
Billionaire tech investor Robert Smith is urging American business leaders and economists not to talk the U.S. economy into a recession.

"There's still massive productivity being introduced in every industry, and a lot of it is driven by technology," said Smith, founder, chairman and CEO of Vista Equity Partners, a venture capital firm focused on software and technology-enabled start-ups.

Smith was interviewed Friday by CNBC's Andrew Ross Sorkin on "Squawk Box" from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland amid investors worries about a serious economic downturn. The world's business elite at the annual meeting agreed that economic growth is slowing. But when it comes to a possible recession, the consensus ends.

Economists see on average a 25 percent chance of a recession within the next 12 months, according to a recent Wall Street Journal survey, the highest level since October 2011 and up from just 13 percent last year.

Smith, who has a net worth of $4.4 billion, according to Forbes, said he thinks we're in the middle of the economic cycle, adding there's a lot of "tech efficiencies" not included in the economic numbers. "We're focused on continuing to drive growth," he said.

Bridgewater Associates' Ray Dalio, founder of the world's biggest hedge fund, told CNBC on Tuesday there was a "significant risk" of a U.S. recession in 2020. "It's going to be globally a slow up. It's not just the United States; it's Europe; and it's China and Japan," the billionaire investors said.

J.P. Morgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon joined the economic downturn chorus on Wednesday, telling CNBC that "geopolitical noise," including the U.S. trade war with China, could lead to a recession.

Smith acknowledged that there is some pessimism, but he blamed the U.S-China trade war and the government shutdown, now approaching its sixth week. "Let's not talk ourselves into a recession," he said.
"This is a great time to make a forever mark in the memory of so many in need," Moore wrote on the campaign's GoFundMe page. "Honestly, I know that we have all prayed about it however now it's time to do something about it."

Many organizations and community leaders have been pitching in to do whatever they can to help the thousands of families impacted, offering payment assistance, discounts and food to those in need. On Jan. 11, Atlanta radio show host Willie Moore Jr. launched a GoFundMe campaign to assist federal workers and their families with paying their bills and buying groceries. In just two weeks, the campaign that Moore created with the staff of his eponymous radio show raised more than $60,000, surpassing the campaign's initial $50,000 goal.

This week, roughly 800,000 federal workers missed a second paycheck as a result of the longest partial government shutdown in history.

Earlier this week, Moore used funds from the campaign to surprise a furloughed employee with more than $1,000 to help pay her bills, according to local Atlanta station 11Alive.

"Bill collectors, they don't want to hear about the shutdown," said Monica Davis, who said she's worked for the IRS for seven years. "It has been absolutely torturing."

Davis said she planned to use the money to make a car payment and pay her rent. She's also launched her own GoFundMe page to help other families make ends meet.

"I set it up with the hopes of just helping in any way for anybody, whether it be to get gas in your car, whether it be to pay a bill or two or even three," she told 11Alive.

Earlier in January, GoFundMe spokesperson Katherine Cichy told CNBC that since the start of the government shutdown on Dec. 21, roughly 1,800 campaign pages had been created by federal workers looking to raise money for rent, food and student loan payments. As of Jan. 16, she said the campaigns had raised over $400,000.

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Don't miss: Canceling autopay, skipping the doctor, selling a car: Federal workers share how they're making ends meet during the shutdown
The former CEOs of two major U.S. airlines slammed the government over the shutdown Friday, warning passenger safety could be at risk.

"This whole thing is both asinine and irresponsible. It just makes absolutely no sense," former American Airlines CEO Robert Crandall said on CNBC's "Squawk Alley," before President Donald Trump announced a deal with congressional leaders to end the shutdown and temporarily reopen the government.

Flights were disrupted at several East Coast airports after an increase in sick leave among air traffic controllers on Friday. Delays were seen at New York's LaGuardia Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport and Philadelphia International Airport. At one point earlier in the day, the FAA briefly halted flights into LaGuardia.

"There will be a call on the margin of safety," argued Crandall. "The reality is if we don't have full staffing then we can't do the full job. If you are going to squeeze in one more flight, if you want to say 'yes' one more time and maybe you make a mistake then you are eroding the margin of safety."

The partial government shutdown entered its 35th day on Friday. Just a day earlier, the Senate blocked two dueling bills that would have temporarily funded the government. The hope was that a short reprieve might help produce a deal to end the standoff over President Donald Trump's demand for border wall funding and the refusal by Democratic leaders to allocate any money for additional barriers along the U.S.-Mexico boundary lines.

On Friday afternoon, Trump said he expects Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to bring the new measure to restart government operations to the Senate floor "immediately," which the president said he would sign.

Gordon Bethune, former CEO of Continental Airlines, agreed with Crandall's assessment, saying, "This is the craziest thing I've ever seen in my life." (Continental merged with United in 2010 to create United Continental Holdings in 2010.) "You have to restore the operations and you have to end this ludicrous shutdown," he added.

"I can't imagine why anybody would hold anybody except the president and the government responsible for this," Crandall said. "The government's willingness to shut down the economy, to have the profound adverse impact that this is going to have on the economy, just staggers the imagination."

The ongoing disruptions in airports around the country prompted air travel workers to issue a warning on Thursday. "In our risk averse industry, we cannot even calculate the level of risk currently at play, nor predict the point at which the entire system will break," said a joint statement from unions representing U.S. pilots, flight attendants and air traffic controllers. "It is unprecedented."

Asked whether the shutdown will affect the way airlines plan for the future, Crandall said Friday that it won't  because it should never happen again. "This is no way to run a government, a railroad or an airline," he said. "You can't do long-term planning in any area, certainly in aviation, unless you have the anticipation of stability."

Crandall also praised air traffic controllers, pointing out that the bulk of them are going to work despite not being paid. And the fact they are doing so "entitles them to accolades," he said.

 CNBC's Leslie Josephs contributed to this report.
A whopping 91 percent of residents in the Bay Area, including parts of Oakland and San Jose, say the cost of living there is either "somewhat" or "very" high, according to a recent poll from data firm YouGov. That includes about two-thirds of residents, 62 percent, who say it's very high.

Data backs them up. Essential costs there, such as housing, are among the most extreme in the country. In San Francisco, the median home value is more than $1.3 million, according to real-estate website Zillow, and the median monthly rent is about $4,500.

That's compared to the national median home value of $223,900 and median monthly rent of $1,625, respectively.

"Majorities in 19 out of 20 cities consider their cost of living to be high," YouGov reports, but housing prices in the Bay Area way exceed even those in the other cities residents complain most about. For comparison, in Boston, the No. 2 city residents are most likely to call expensive, the median home value is $598,000 and median monthly rent is $2,895.

In Portland, the No. 3 city, it's $424,800 while the median monthly rent is $1,950.

YouGov: Cities where residents think the cost of living is high

It isn't just high housing costs that can cause residents to feel strapped, either. Other factors, like taxes, can come into play, too. San Francisco and San Jose have some of the most expensive sales taxes in the country, according to the Tax Foundation.

And California ranks No. 10 in the top 15 states with the highest tax burdens overall, according to financial site WalletHub.

California residents recently said their primary financial stressor was the overall cost of living in the state, according to a report from financial site GOBankingRates, which aimed to "pinpoint what's causing the worst financial fears and stress among Americans."

Respondents could choose between "debt," "health care," "housing," or "taxes," as well as "education," including college expenses, "everyday costs," including groceries and utilities, or "family," including child care and divorce.
Cong warned officials of various agencies to be ready for accountability for working at the best of Modi to target his political opponents.

Sharma also said the "ill-will" in the mind of the prime minister and BJP chief Amit Shah is clear and the timing is also very clear. (Photo: ANI | Twitter)

New Delhi: The Congress on Friday hit out at the government over CBI raids at former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda's residence and accused it of acting out of vendetta.

The party also warned officials of various agencies to be ready for accountability for working at the best of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to target his political opponents.

Senior spokesperson of the Congress Anand Sharma said such actions when the prime minister and the ruling dispensation "target its political opponents by using agencies against them are dangerous for democracy in our country".

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi has a mindset of targeting his political opponents by defaming them with the objective of muzzling the voice of the opposition and to tarnish the image of their tall leaders. We condemn in the strongest terms the action today in the form of raids on former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda with the sole purpose of defaming him," he told reporters.

Sharma also said the "ill-will" in the mind of the prime minister and BJP chief Amit Shah is clear and the timing is also very clear.

"They are converting India into a police state," he alleged, adding that the prime minister has used probe agencies to target former chief ministers be it in Rajasthan or Uttar Pradesh. The senior Congress leader said democracies do not function like that and only fascist governments take such actions.

"We are warning all concerned not to exceed their brief or act above the law. All officials must hear this that governments do not have permanency and they keep changing....They will be held accountable and they will have to answer once the government changes," he said.

"It is certain that this government is rattled and prime minister is facing an imminent defeat and that is why such actions," the Congress leader said.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered a new case against former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and others over alleged irregularities in land allocation in Gurgaon in 2009 and carried out searches at 20 locations in Delhi-NCR on Friday, officials said.

A team of officials from the agency arrived early morning at Hooda's residence in Rohtak in Haryana. The case is understood to be related to the alleged irregularities in land allotment in 2009, agency sources said.

The Congress is alleging that the action has come at a time just ahead of the January 28 Jind by-election. Sources close to Hooda said he was about to go to Jind for campaigning in favour of the party candidate Randeep Surjewala, when the CBI raided Hooda's residence in Rohtak.
An Indiana superintendent is facing three felony charges, including insurance fraud, after allegedly claiming that a sick student was her own child in order to get him medical treatment.

Superintendent Casey Smitherman, of the Elwood Community School District, said that, in hindsight, she would love to go back and redo that moment.

I am not saying it was right, Im really sorry, Smitherman said in a television interview that aired on WABC. I was scared for him. I would love to go back to that moment and redo it.

It seems Smithermans intentions were entirely benevolent, and we know educatorsteachers, principals, and superintendentsoften go out of their way to help students in need.

Teachers, principals, and superintendents regularly dip into their pockets to buy food, clothing, school supplies, and other necessities for students.

Sometimes their good will goes even further.

So, how far should educators go to help students?

Other than breaking the law, there are no limits, said Daniel Domenech, the executive director of the AASA, the School Superintendents Association.

There are people who will write checks, who will take kids in, who will bring food home, who will take them to games, who will do all kinds of things because its in the best interest of the kids, Domenech said. I love that about my colleagues and educators. They truly are there for the kids. You just have to be careful that you dont break the law, and that you dont go overboard...because thats not going to help.

But there are gray areas, and educators should be careful to avoid them, Domenech said.

They should be wary about getting too close to students or building emotional ties to the point where they think of students as their adopted children, Domenech said.

And in addition to drawing the line at illegality, they should also make sure their actions to help kids do not violate district policies, he said.

In the Indiana case, Smitherman said she was worried about a student who had missed school. When she checked in on him at home, she noticed what she thought were symptoms of strep throat, Smitherman said in a statement posted on Fox 59.

She took the 15-year-old student to a clinic and was initially denied care, she said. At a second facility, she said he was her son and used her insurance card to cover the students medical care.

I knew he did not have insurance, and I wanted to do all I could to help him get well, she said in the statement. I know this action was wrong. In the moment, my only concern was for this childs health.

Although Domenech was not familiar with all the details in the Indiana case, he said he understood Smithermans motivation, though he does not agree with breaking the law.

I can see her doing what she did at the moment, fearing that perhaps a childs life was at stake and he needed attention, he said.

The superintendent could have handled it differently, Domenech said, like paying for his medical expenses herself.

Smitherman was charged with official misconduct, insurance fraud, insurance application fraud, and identity deception, according to Fox 59.

She is working on entering a diversion program with the Madison County Prosecutors Office, meaning that she will likely have no criminal conviction if she does not get arrested within a year, according to the Indianapolis Star.

The county prosecutor told the Indianapolis Star that while Smitherman was attempting to do a good deed, she didnt go about it the right way.

The other side of it is you have a school superintendent who is demonstrating through her actions that its OK to be dishonest and falsify your name, Cummings told the paper. That was more troubling. I think she realizes that.
Senator from California, Kamala Harris, addresses the media January, 21 2019 at Howard University in Washington, DC after announcing earlier in the day that she is seeking to become the first African American woman to hold the office of US president, joining an already-crowded field of Democrats lining up to take on Donald Trump.

Democrats seeking their party's nomination for president tread lightly on Friday after President Donald Trump's longtime confidant Roger Stone was indicted by special counsel Robert Mueller on charges of lying to Congress and witness tampering.

The charges were the first brought by Mueller since the Democratic primary kicked off in earnest at the start of the year with a slate of new entrants announcing either exploratory committees or formal bids for the nomination. Mueller, a former FBI director, is investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election.

In the first hours after the indictment was unsealed, candidates remained silent on the matter.

Three candidates, Sen. Kamala Harris of California, John Delaney, a former U.S. representative for Maryland, and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York issued statements calling for the special counsel to proceed after receiving requests for comment from CNBC. Trump has said the investigation should be halted.

"This morning's news is yet another sign that Special Counsel Mueller must be allowed to complete his investigation free of interference - and his report must be made public," Harris wrote in a post on Twitter from her Senate account, @SenKamalaHarris.

Her tweet came shortly after her campaign received a request for comment from CNBC, which it did not respond to. Shortly after that tweet, her campaign account, @KamalaHarris, called for legislation to be "brought to the Senate floor immediately to protect his investigation." That plea was repeated on her Facebook page.

Delaney's press secretary, Michael Starr Hopkins, told CNBC in a statement that the indictment is the "latest evidence that we must allow the Independent Counsel's investigation to continue."

"As my mom has always said, tell me who your friends are and it will tell me who you are," he said.

In 2016, Hopkins served on Hillary Clinton's voter protection team in Colorado.

"This is another deeply troubling indictment," Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York said in a statement after this story was originally published. "Special Counsel Mueller's investigation is critical to our democracy, and he must be allowed to complete his work unimpeded, so that he can present all of the facts to Congress and the American people. Then we can make a decision on how to proceed."

The indictment comes as most Democratic contenders are visiting the early states of Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada. They have largely refrained from taking the president head on as they seek to introduce themselves to the country.

Online, the candidates have been somewhat more direct, with both Harris and Gillibrand running ads Friday on Facebook directly targeting the president. Those ads are not related to the Stone indictment, which does not mention Trump but does refer to senior officials on his campaign. CNBC identified one of those officials as Steve Bannon.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass. did not respond to a requests for comment from CNBC on Friday.

The relative quiet from the candidates on Friday was in contrast to comments made by those who worked for Clinton in 2016, as well as some senior lawmakers.

Emily Bengtson, a Gillibrand staffer and former social media operative for Clinton's 2016 campaign, wrote in a post on Twitter following the indictment that Clinton "tried to tell you."

"[She] was right about everything, and all it would have taken to stop all of this was just listening to the woman," Bengtson wrote.

Phillip Reines, one of Clinton's longtime aides who played the role of Trump during her mock debate practice sessions in 2016, said in a tweet that Stone was a "gutless traitor."

John Podesta, Clinton's former campaign chairman, said in a post that it was "Rogers's time in the barreland it's headed over Niagara Falls." (In August 2016, two months before WikiLeaks published Podesta's stolen emails, Stone tweeted that it would soon be "Podesta's time in the barrel.")

Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, said in a statement that the "indictment of Roger Stone, released today by the Special Counsel, provides new and important detail about the Trump campaign's effort to acquire dirt on Hillary Clinton."

The special counsel's counterintelligence investigation into Russian hacking is expected to take on new significance headed into the 2020 race as law enforcement seeks to prevent foreign actors from interfering in a second consecutive presidential election.

The U.S. intelligence community has accused the Kremlin of interfering in the race in favor of Trump, though the president has questioned that assessment.

The White House on Friday said the charges brought against Stone have no bearing on the president or his administration. In a tweet, the president repeated his claim that the Russia probe is a "witch hunt," and suggested without evidence that law enforcement had leaked news of Stone's arrest to CNN, one of Trump's frequent targets, in advance.

Tweet

CNN said its reporters were not tipped off ahead of time.

Attorneys for Stone said Friday they plan to vigorously contest the charges. Stone said he would plead not guilty.
Mark Zuckerberg (R), founder and CEO of Facebook, and wife Priscilla Chan arrive on the red carpet during the 2nd annual Breakthrough Prize Award in Mountain View, California November 9, 2014.

Facebook and the nonprofit Chan Zuckerberg Initiative are among the participants in a new group that's promising to commit hundreds of millions of dollars to expanding the availability of affordable housing in the Bay Area.

The group  the Partnership for the Bay's Future  said on Thursday that it's creating two funds. The first is an investment fund that will focus on protecting up to 175,000 households and producing thousands more homes in the five main counties in and around San Francisco. The second fund will work on policy issues, expanding housing and "strengthening low-income tenant protections," the group said.

The announcement follows a similar effort by Microsoft, which said last week that it was pledging $500 million toward addressing homelessness and developing affordable housing in the Seattle region. Seattle and the Bay Area are home to the world's most valuable tech companies and have among the biggest homeless populations in the country.

CZI, the foundation started by Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, is launching the group alongside Facebook, Genentech, Kaiser Permanente, the Ford Foundation, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, the David and Lucile Packard Foundation and other organizations.

"This is a problem that exists that impacts the greater community," Chan told Bloomberg's Emily Chang in an interview on Thursday. Tech companies "want to be able to be part of building Seattle or the Bay Area into a place that people from all different backgrounds can come and be successful."

The investment fund has secured more than $260 million of the $500 million that it's targeting. The policy fund has secured close to $20 million and aims to reach $40 million. The group said in the press release that two full-time workers making a combined $62,000 a year can only afford to live in 5 percent of neighborhoods in the area.

The dearth of affordable housing is "limiting growth by driving middle- and low-income families out of the region," the group said in the statement.

WATCH: A first look inside Facebook's epic headquarters expansion that includes a redwood forest and a botanical garden
Cal Fire previously found PG&E at fault for 17 other fires in 2017, including the Redwood Fire , which resulted in nine fatalities. The state agency also found PG&E responsible for the Cascade Fire that killed four in Yuba County in October 2017.

On Thursday's news, PG&E stock soared more than 74 percent in trading on the New York Stock Exchange.

The Tubbs Fire destroyed 5,636 structures in Northern California and was the deadliest of a series of wine country wildfires in October 2017. However, Pacific Gas & Electric still faces uncertainty and billions of dollars in potential liability over the Camp Fire in November 2018 that killed 86 people and destroyed nearly 14,000 homes in Butte County.

LOS ANGELES  Cal Fire said a 15-month probe into the Tubbs Fire that killed 22 people in California's Sonoma County has concluded that "a private electrical system" was to blame, not PG&E .

Earlier this month, the San Francisco-based utility disclosed that it plans to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on or about Jan. 29, saying it "faces extensive litigation and significant potential liabilities" in connection with Northern California wildfires in 2017 and 2018." The company estimated its liability for the wildfires "could exceed $30 billion," according to an SEC 8-K filing from Jan. 13.

Gov. Gavin Newsom said his office estimates that $17 billion of that $30 billion figure is from the Tubbs Fire in the wine country. The new governor said the figure raises questions about whether PG&E would file for bankruptcy.

"They [PG&E] will make that determination," Newsom said. "The state of California cannot make that determination for them. They have the right to make that determination, and we will respond accordingly."

The governor said his goal is to make sure victims are made whole, that the state has "safe, reliable and affordable service," and that ratepayers "are not paying the price of the neglect" by PG&E established in past wildfires.

Utilities in California face liability under what's known as inverse condemnation as well as for negligence claims for wildfire and other damaging incidents caused by such things as power lines or other utility equipment. There are state regulations requiring strict vegetation management practices by utilities, and they include standards for keeping vegetation clear of power lines.

The Camp Fire  the deadliest wildfire in state history  remains under investigation, although PG&E has previously acknowledged it had electrical equipment problems the day the Northern California fire started. The fire destroyed most of the town of Paradise and led to a flood of lawsuits against the utility.

"Cal Fire has completed its investigation of the 2017 Tubbs Fire and concluded that PG&E facilities did not cause the fire," PG&E said in a statement Thursday. "Regardless of today's announcement, PG&E still faces extensive litigation, significant potential liabilities and a deteriorating financial situation, which was further impaired by the recent credit agency downgrades to below investment grade."

The utility added, "Resolving the legal liabilities and financial challenges stemming from the 2017 and 2018 wildfires will be enormously complex and will require us to address multiple stakeholder interests, including thousands of wildfire victims and others who have already made claims and likely thousands of others we expect to make claims."

The Tubbs Fire burned a total of 36,807 acres and caused destruction to entire neighborhoods in the city of Santa Rosa. The city and hundreds of residents have sued PG&E in connection with the disaster.

In all, the October 2017 fires in Northern California involved more than 170 blazes and charred at least 245,000 acres. Nearly 11,000 firefighters were involved in battling the blazes, and help came from more than a dozen other states as well as Australia.
CLINTON [mdash] George E. Kunau, Jr. age 78 of Clinton, passed away Thursday, June 10, 2021 at his home. In following George's wishes cremation rites have been accorded. Private services will be held at a later date. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers will be Mark Ho
On Indias 70th Republic Day, we decode why patriotic films still manage to tug at the hearts of its citizens.

Patriotism might not be an easy feeling to define, but it is definitely a powerful one. Over the years, Bollywood has paid tribute to our Nation in varied ways, and it because of the diverse understandings locked in the term that patriotic films have always been intriguing offerings.

Over the decades, patriotic films have been as much about social reform, (as seen in films made in the aftermath of Independence, like Do Ankhen Barah Haath, Mother India, Naya Daur), as it has been about registering discontent and disillusionment with the times (Ardh Satya, Aakrosh, Krantiveer, Roti Kapada Aur Makaan). Narratives that champion victorious Indian soldiers have drawn applause (Deewaar: Let's Bring Our Heroes Back, Haqeeqat, Border, Lakshya) as have those that see a wicked and dangerous Pakistani ploy being outwitted (Gadar: Ek Prem Katha, Sarfarosh, Zameen, 16 December) Sometimes, they have excavated a freedom fighter from the forgotten annals of history (Mangal Pandey: The Rising, The Legend of Bhagat Singh, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: The Forgotten Hero), while at other times, the emotion has been personified by a single individual, who dares to go the extra mile to make his country proud (Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, Dangal, Swades).

Talking about the healthy exploration of the genre, actor Paresh Rawal feels that it is because cinema itself is changing and that there is a demand for diverse themes. He says, Its a positive sign in Indian cinema because political and patriotic films are getting the space to showcase things as it is. Its a good phase to make such films and it is healthy for our country. According to me, we are entering the golden period of Hindi cinema.

Kangana Ranaut in Manikarnika.

Despite these varied understandings, the fact remains that patriotic films never fail to strike a chord in the audiences hearts. The genre itself is a crowd puller and of late, one sees an increase in films that fall under this banner. Last year saw movies like Raazi, Parmanu, Paltan, Gold, Vishwaroop 2, Satyameva Jayate among others, while 2019 has seen already seen URI: The Surgical Strike become a thundering success, Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi become a talking point and will see movies like Batla House, Saare Jahan Se Achha and the Vikram Batra biopic hit theatres later this year. Alia Bhatt who starred in Meghna Gulzars Raazi feels that this exploration of patriotism stems from the need to give voice to emotions and that cinema isnt the only place where this is happening.

It is not just about deshbhakti or patriotism. It is more about emotions. In todays times, we need to intensify emotions for it to seem true. But then, if you do that, it sounds a bit muffled. People are trying to find a voice to express their sentiments and that is why it seems like that. And why target films? It is there on television and on social media as well, she says.

Akshay Kumar in Gold

Juhi Chawla points out how patriotism can mean different things to people and says, For me, it's the story and to be honest. Films like Bhaag Milkha Bhaag and Dangal are also patriotic in their own way. Whenever you see India winning, you get tears in your eyes and goosebumps. So the patriotism comes from that. Its a different feeling, watching these kinds of films. But the actress warns that the genre itself doesnt guarantee success as she adds, I loved the way URI was made. Now, Manikarnika is also looking promising. Whether it will do well or not is something only the audience will decide. Its not that all patriotic films work, as there is no formula for success.

For actor John Abraham, patriotism makes one want to make a difference. He says, Patriotism to me is not just sitting and talking within the four walls, but being a part of cinema, which is the best medium for us to showcase stories with a good message that can bring about a change in society. In this way, I do my bit. I am obsessed with the Indian Army. I love my Country; with a hand on my heart I say this.

This fervour is shared by actor Vicky Kaushal too, who, recollecting his role in URI says, As an actor, I got goosebumps when I was shooting for URI. Such films leave a strong impact within you and you feel proud to be associated with patriotic films. When I read the script for URI it ticked many boxes. And also this film truly is a humble tribute to the Indian Army. I also feel it's just about the story. If the story is intriguing and engaging then whether it is a patriotic film, love story or RomCom, it will resonate with the audience. It is a beautiful phase to be an actor at this point in time as you can explore so much.
Beachwood, OH (44122)

Today

Cloudy skies this morning followed by thunderstorms during the afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 77F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms during the evening will give way to partly cloudy skies after midnight. Low near 65F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%.
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Ohio members of Congress expressed relief and recriminations on Friday after President Donald Trump announced a deal to reopen the government for three weeks while border security funding is negotiated.

The House and Senate swiftly approved the measure to fund the government through Feb. 15 without providing the money Trump sought for a border wall. After Trump signed it, some 800,000 federal employees who were furloughed or labored without pay for more than a month could return to work. Trump pledged theyd quickly receive all back pay theyre due.

After 36 days of spirited debate and dialogue, I have seen and heard from enough Democrats and Republicans that they are willing to put partisanship aside, I think, and put the security of the American people first, said Trump, adding that if Democrats dont agree to adequate border security improvements, hell try declaring a national emergency.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York claimed victory in the showdown, saying that opening the government without preconditions would allow the border security negotiations to happen without holding hundreds of thousands of American workers hostage. Pelosi said shes optimistic there wont be another shutdown after Feb. 15.

The American people do not like it when you throw a wrench into the lives of government works over an unrelated political dispute, said Schumer, faulting Trump for thinking Democrats would give into his demands. After three weeks, as the toll mounted, we helped make it clear to the public that the president was the one in charge of the shutdown. He knew it was a lost cause.

I think I'm having deja vu. Wasn't this the same deal proposed 35 days ago?  Congressman Tim Ryan (@RepTimRyan) January 25, 2019

Ohio Republican Sen. Rob Portman, who had worked with a bipartisan group of U.S. Senators to advocate funding the government for three weeks while negotiations are underway, noted Trumps announcement is consistent with his recommended approach. He said he believes Democrats will give Trumps request for border security funding fair consideration, and that Republicans are committed to relieving the plight of undocumented Dreamers whose parents brought them to the United States as minors.

Ive said repeatedly throughout this process that government shutdowns are a bad idea," said Portman, who has introduced a bill that would stop government shutdowns for good. They hurt federal employees and their families, disrupt critical government services and increase the cost to taxpayers.

Ive said repeatedly throughout this process that government shutdowns are a bad idea & introduced legislation to end government shutdowns for good. Weve already gained 18 cosponsors for my legislation & I will strongly push for its inclusion in any final government funding bill  Rob Portman (@senrobportman) January 25, 2019 Sample HTML block

Ohio Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown said Trump decided to do his job 35 days too late, after inflicting a world of unnecessary pain on workers across the country - all for a border wall he promised Mexico would pay for. Brown said all workers hurt by the shutdown, including janitorial, food service and other contract workers, should get the paychecks theyre owed.

Democrats and Republicans agree we need to work together to secure our borders, and we should work together to fix our broken immigration system, said a statement from Brown. I hope the President has learned that he cannot hold the paychecks of American workers hostage in that process.

Enough is enough. We need to put aside partisanship, re-open the government and enhance our border security. My full statement on the agreement reached today  pic.twitter.com/mKtW0hr8i5  Dave Joyce (@RepDaveJoyce) January 25, 2019

Niles Democratic Rep. Tim Ryan said Trump could have agreed to the three-week extension before triggering the pain and heartache of shutting down the government. He pledged that taxpayers wont foot the bill for a vanity project the President has endlessly bragged that Mexico would pay for, referring to Trumps promised border wall. Ryan said any border security measures that are approved must be bipartisan and evidence-based.

It took President Trump 35 days to finally come to his senses and put people back to work and get them paid, said a statement from Ryan. This three week-funding bill is a brief sigh of relief, but we need a long term solution.

Democrats and Republicans agree we need to work together to secure our borders, and we should work together to fix our broken immigration system. I hope the President has learned that he cannot hold the paychecks of American workers hostage in that process. -SB  Sherrod Brown (@SenSherrodBrown) January 25, 2019

Toledo Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur criticized Trump for using "the suffering of 800,000 hardworking government employees and 1.2 million contractors as a bargaining chip to force the American people to pay for an ineffective border wall.

Todays action is identical in form and function to what was suggested to the President back on December 21st, 2018," said a statement from Kaptur. At a cost of tens of millions of dollars a day, the unnecessary, tragic, and dangerous Trump Shutdown accomplished nothing except to inflict great misery and pain upon Americans across the country, including in northern Ohio.

I look forward to working closely with my colleagues to pass a long term funding agreement that will keep the government open and honor our promise to treat our public servants with the dignity and respect they deserve.

Democrats have said for over a month theyll negotiate when the government opens.



Its open. Your move @SpeakerPelosi @SenSchumer. Time to negotiate. Time to build the border security wall.



If not, the President should use his lawful emergency powers. #DoWhatWeSaid  Rep. Jim Jordan (@Jim_Jordan) January 25, 2019

In a statement on Twitter, Champaign County GOP Rep. Jim Jordan called on Pelosi and Schumer to negotiate to build the border wall, and said Trump should use his emergency powers if they dont.

Its your move, he told the Democrats.

Holmes County GOP Rep. Bob Gibbs said Pelosi had better be serious about actually providing money for border security.

The American people are watching," said Gibbs. "If Nancy Pelosi goes back on her word of addressing border security, she will be exposed for only caring about opposing President Trump. We absolutely need to ensure our national security by addressing the crisis at our border, and constructing barriers where appropriate.

Glad to see the #TrumpShutdown coming to a close, but we have a long way to go before we are out of the woods. This agreement is through Feb 15th. We cannot let this happen again in three weeks. Read my full statement below. pic.twitter.com/OXPP6BTHH0  Marcy Kaptur (@RepMarcyKaptur) January 25, 2019

Newly-seated Rocky River GOP Rep. Anthony Gonzalez said his first three weeks in Congress confirmed everything I thought about Washington: our government needs serious change to make it work for the people again.

I am encouraged to see our nations leaders finally ready to come to the table, but our government should never have entered this shutdown in the first place, said a statement from Gonzalez that pledged to "continue fighting to change the way Washington works.

Bainbridge Township GOP Rep. Dave Joyce criticized politicians for refusing to negotiate in good faith for more than a month while government workers suffered through an unnecessary shutdown. He said he met with President Trump, Democrats and Republicans "to get federal workers back on payroll, fully fund the government and enhance our border security.

Over the next three weeks, my colleagues on both sides of the aisle need to move past their single-minded approach that kept us in this mess for far too long and come to a bipartisan agreement on addressing the crisis at our border," Joyce continued. "If they dont, we will be back in this same place on February 15th and that is not something America can afford.
ELWOOD, Indiana  A schools superintendent is facing charges after she used her insurance to help a sick student get treatment, according to reports.

Elwood Community Schools Superintendent Casey Smitherman, 48, has been charged with felonies of insurance fraud, identity deception and official misconduct and another misdemeanor count of insurance fraud, the Indianapolis Star reports.

WTTV Channel 4 reports that court documents show Smitherman took the 15-year-old student to St. Vincent Immediate Care in Elwood on Jan. 9 to be treated for a possible strep throat. She signed the student in using her sons name so the treatment would be covered under her insurance.

She had a prescription for Amoxicillin filled at CVS, also under her sons name, The Herald Bulletin reports. The insurance claim was for $233.

I know this action was wrong, Smitherman said, according to The Star. In the moment, my only concern was for this childs health.

Smithermans lawyer, Bryan Williams, tells The Star the student lives with an elderly family member who doesnt own a car. Williams says Smitherman and her husband previously have helped the teen with food, clothes and Christmas gifts.

The Herald Bulletin reports Smitherman on Wednesday signed an agreement for withheld prosecution and entered a diversion program, meaning charges will be dismissed if there are no other incidents during the rest of the year. Details on the agreement were still being worked out, reports say.

Madison County Prosecutor Rodney Cummings Cummings tells The Star that Smitherman was wrong despite her good intentions.

The other side of it is you have a school superintendent who is demonstrating through her actions that its OK to be dishonest and falsify your name, Cummings tells The Star. That was more troubling. I think she realizes that.

To comment on this story, please visit Thursdays crime and courts comments page.
CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio -- In the 34th day of the longest U.S. government shutdown on record, city officials finalized a partial relief package that will defer utility payments for furloughed federal workers and affected landlords.

And with the federal government announcing on the 35th day (Jan. 25) that it would be reopening, city officials said Monday their plan would remain in effect -- and might have to be revisited if another threatened shutdown occurs in three weeks.

"The City of Cleveland Heights understands this may be a difficult time for some of our residents who (had) been furloughed because of the federal government shutdown," a Jan. 24 press release stated.

As a result, the city announced its plans to support impacted residents and landlords by offering deferred payment on local sewer and landfill utility bills prior to the shutdown being lifted.

"We have established a three-month subsequent payment plan, if needed, to help ease any difficulties they may be experiencing," Cleveland Heights Communications and Public Engagement Director Mary Trupo added.

Throughout the shutdown, landlords had not been getting paid on government contracts for housing they rent to qualifying tenants.

Some of those contracts may have even expired, since the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development did not renew them last month with the shutdown looming.

"The city also recognizes the financial hardship the shutdown placed on some of our landlords who receive federal assistance or possibly rent from a furloughed worker," the Cleveland Heights press release said.

Impacted landlords will also be able to make payment arrangements on their local sewer and landfill bill for the affected rental unit.

At the same time, this should not be considered an "amnesty" or forgiveness on utility billing.

"Customers will continue to accrue their normal balances for these services, but will not be penalized (with late fees) by the city during this difficult time," officials said.

To qualify, federal employees must live in Cleveland Heights and provide a pay stub or federal employment identification badge.

Landlords should provide proof of a federal subsidy on the unit for which they are seeking relief.

For more information, contact the City of Cleveland Heights Utilities Department at 216-291-5995 or visit the office, located at 40 Severance Circle.

Columbia Gas, Dominion Energy and First Energy all announced similar plans on Thursday (Jan. 24) to waive late fees and offer other payment options for furloughed customers.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- If you have lost a job, have been laid off, are a furloughed government worker or working without pay, you wont have to choose between paying your utility bills and buying groceries.

Columbia Gas of Ohio, Dominion Energy Ohio and FirstEnergys Ohio companies are willing to offer special payment options.

Columbia Gas of Ohio this week announced it would waive late payment fees and offer extended payment arrangement to government employees directly affected by the federal government shutdown.

We know this may be a challenging time for some of our customers, especially those affected by the federal government shutdown, said Dan Creekmur, president and COO of Columbia, in an announcement.

We would like to offer some payment solutions and reduce some of the stress during this already difficult time.

Dominion Energy Ohio similarly announced it is offering flexible winter bill payment options to customers facing economic disruptions such as plant closings as well as those affected by the federal shutdown.

No customer should have to be cold this winter because they can't afford to pay their heating bill," said Jim Eck, Dominion Energy vice president and general manager, Ohio & West Virginia Distribution, in a statement accompanying the announcement.

We encourage those who may be facing financial hardship, including those impacted by the federal government shutdown, to learn more about special payment arrangements and take advantage of our energy assistance programs.

FirstEnergy on Thursday said it too would offer special payment options and urged furloughed customers to immediately contact their local companies.

We know the income uncertainty faced by federal workers due to the government shut down is a major added stress in their lives, said Gary Grant, vice president of customer service at FirstEnergy, in a release accompanying the announcement.

Our call center representatives can walk through the various payment options with furloughed federal employees, or any other FirstEnergy customer who is having trouble paying their electric bill.

All three companies suggested customers consider budget billing, which averages out monthly payments so that they are the same every month of the year. FirstEnergy also suggested that customers who are not already in arrears should consider a makeup agreement, which would spread their current bill over the next several months, minimizing the current bill and eliminating late payment fees.

Here are contact numbers:
William Russell Allton was born in Dewey, Oklahoma on April 25, 1931 to Russell Frank and Alice Mae (Steffens) Allton. He attended school in Claremore and graduated with the class of 1948. On August 26, 1949 Bill married Jimmie Louise Reed and the couple made Tulsa home for the first 25 year
Small business owners who want to use independent contractors need to be sure these workers really arent employees.

Federal and state government agencies are on the lookout for businesses that use independent contractors, or freelancers, to evade Social Security, Medicare and unemployment taxes and workers compensation and disability insurance. Companies that are audited and determined to be using employees misclassified as independent contractors face fines.

The penalties for non-compliance can be significant, warns Wendy Silver, owner of Beyond the Workplace, a human resources consultancy based in Needham, Massachusetts. She suggests owners consult an attorney to before classifying a worker as an independent contractor.

The IRS has criteria by which it measures whos an employee and who isnt. Much of the criteria has to do with control over the employee. For example, who determines where and when the worker is at work? How closely is the worker supervised? Who purchases tools and supplies? Can the worker do work for other people or companies? Is the worker paid by the hour, weekly or other time period, or instead receives a flat fee?

The IRS, as it does in many issues, looks at the totality of circumstances. So if all the criteria point toward the worker, for example a graphic artist, being an independent contractor, the fact that the worker is paid by the hour wont necessarily turn this into an employer-employee relationship.

The relationship itself is another key factor. Are the services the worker provides a key aspect of the companys regular business? Officials might look to see how the workers assignments compare to those of a companys full-time staffers.

But make sure theyre not doing the same thing as your employees, suggests Michael Boro, a consultant with PwC whose expertise is in workplace issues.

Owners can find out more about the governments criteria on the IRS website, www.irs.gov.

Companies can be audited randomly, or federal or state officials could be tipped off to possible misclassification in other ways. If theres something suspicious about the 1099 forms sent to independent contractors, the IRS might want to investigate further. State officials often look at unemployment tax payments. If an independent contractor sues the company, the government might want to investigate.

Some owners might want to use an independent contractor rather than temporary employee. But the two are not interchangeable, warns Kyle Lawrence, owner of Berkshire Payroll Tax, a Sandisfield, Massachusetts, company that helps businesses comply with employment tax laws. If the worker fits the governments criteria for an employee, a business cant call the worker an independent contractor.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
A Chicago, Ill., suburb has tentatively agreed to pay a former doctoral student $1.25 million to settle a lawsuit alleging police officers tackled him to the ground and arrested him for stealing a car that turned out to be his own, his attorney said.

Evanston City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz confirmed a settlement was reached with Lawrence Crosby, who was 25 and an engineering doctoral student at Northwestern University in 2015 when the incident occurred.

Bobkiewicz declined to provide the amount of the settlement pending final approval by the City Council next week. Crosbys attorney, Timothy Touhy, told the Chicago Tribune that the amount was $1.25 million.

The incident was one of several high-profile cases in the Chicago area in recent years involving violent, sometimes deadly encounters between police officers and black men. Last week, a judge sentenced a former Chicago police officer to nearly seven years in prison for the fatal shooting of Laquan McDonald, whose death was seen on a graphic dashcam video.

Touhy said Crosby was trying to repair loose molding on his car when a woman called police to report a black man trying to steal a car.

When he drove off, the woman followed Crosby in her car as he drove from his apartment to Northwesterns science building, giving police his location.

Crosby got out the car with his hands raised after being stopped by police but was tackled when he failed to immediately obey orders to get on the ground. Police later determined the car belonged to Crosby but charged him anyhow with disobeying officers and resisting arrest.

At the time of Crosbys arrest, an Evanston Police Department spokesman said the use of force by police was justified as officers were responding to what they thought was an auto theft. The spokesman said officers delivered knee strikes and open-handed strikes.

A judge later threw out the charges, Touhy said.

The lawsuit asked the city of Evanston and the arresting police officers to pay at least $50,000 for compensatory and punitive damages and other relief.

Its his hope that as a result of this case, that all of us begin a discussion on implicit bias and begin to recognize it and begin to discuss it between yourselves and your friends, said Steven Yonover, who represented Crosby in the case.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
A wide-ranging traffic safety proposal filed Tuesday by Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker would ban drivers from using handheld cellphones and give police increased power to enforce the states seatbelt requirements.

The bill also calls for mandatory speed limit reductions in highway construction zones, new measures to curb drunken driving and the use of equipment that could better protect bicyclists and pedestrians from deadly crashes involving heavy trucks.

The Baker administration cited figures showing that 1,820 people died and 15,662 people suffered serious injuries on the states roadways between 2012 and 2016.

Keeping the Commonwealths networks of roads as safe as possible for everyone using them is one of our administrations top public safety priorities, Baker, a Republican, said in a statement.

Massachusetts currently outlaws texting by all motorists and cellphone use of any kind by teen drivers. But all other motorists are allowed to hold their cellphones while driving  as long as theyre not sending text messages.

The state Senate approved a handheld cellphone ban in each of the past two legislative sessions, but the bills never came up for final votes in the House of Representatives.

Under the governors legislation, drivers could use hands-free technology to talk on their phones or perform other functions but would not be allowed to touch their devices except to perform a single tap or swipe to activate, deactivate, or initiate hands-free mode.

Proponents say the hands-free imperative would not only reduce distracted driving crashes but also make it easier for police to enforce the existing ban on texting, as its often difficult for officers to distinguish whether a motorist is actually texting or doing something else with their phones, such as punching in a phone number.

Sixteen other U.S. states ban drivers from holding cellphones, including the neighboring states of Connecticut, New Hampshire, New York and Vermont.

Bakers proposal envisions what is known as a primary seatbelt law, which would allow police to stop a car solely on the basis of a driver or passenger not wearing seatbelts.

Under current law, police can only ticket for a seatbelt violation if a vehicle is pulled over for some other reason, such as speeding.

Thirty-four states have primary seatbelt laws, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association.

The bill additionally calls for eliminating inconsistencies in state law by extending rules for ignition interlock devices, which prevent a car from starting until the driver passes an alcohol breath test, to include people who have only one drunken driving conviction.

Baker would require first offenders who apply for hardship licenses so they can continue driving after their license was suspended to use an interlock device for at least six months  a mandate that now applies to people with two or more convictions for operating under the influence.

Noting that 14 road workers have been killed in crashes at highway construction sites in recent years, the legislation would also enable state transportation officials to impose temporary, but mandatory, speed limits in work zones.

Yet another provision would require all state-owned trucks weighing over 10,000 pounds (4,536 kilograms) to be equipped with side guards, convex mirrors and cross-over mirrors by Jan. 1, 2020, and for the same devices to be installed on heavy trucks operated by state and municipal contractors by 2022. The equipment reduces the risk of a bicyclist, motorcyclist or pedestrian being caught in the drivers blind spot and being pulled under the rear wheels of a truck.

MassBike, an advocacy group, says nearly 30 percent of bicycle fatalities in Massachusetts since 2010 have involved large trucks.

The Massachusetts Vision Zero Coalition, an organization that advocates for policies that make roads and highways safer, praised the governors bill Tuesday as an important first step in reducing crashes that result in death or serious injury.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
This week, the crisis in Venezuelaafter years of economic decay, food and drug shortages, mass emigration, violent political unrest, and corruptionreached an inflection point. Juan Guaido, head of the countrys opposition-controlled National Assembly, declared President Nicolas Maduros government illegitimate and declared himself president instead. The United States government quickly backed Guaido, as did Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Argentina, Paraguay, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Cuba, Bolivia, Russia, Turkey, and China continue to support Maduro; the European Union is staying on the fence for now. Maduro has demanded that the US withdraw its diplomats. The State Department says it will not, although The New York Times reports that some personnel are being evacuated from the US embassy in Caracas.

Venezuelas media is also in distress. Between 2014 and 2018, the country slid 27 places on the Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom Index; as of last year, it sat 143rd out of 180 countries. Since 2002, when private news outlets backed a coup against President Hugo Chavezthe attempt failed; Maduro, Chavezs chosen successor, took office upon his deaththe Venezuelan government has inhibited freedom of speech and of the press. That includes a 2010 law aiming sanctions at critics of the regime, and a 2017 law criminalizing the promotion of fascism, intolerance, or hate on social media; a new government proposal would further state control of the internet. The government frequently discredits negative reporting as propaganda invented by a hostile world media, pushing counter-narratives that flat-out deny the existence of many of the countrys problems.

ICYMI: What is Fox News? Researchers want to know.

Much of Venezuelas independent press has simply disappeared. The state has actively shut down some outletsaccording to the countrys press institute, the regime closed 40 radio stations in 2017while a crippling recession has forced others to close. Last summer, Reuters reported that, since 2013, three-quarters of the countrys newspapers had shuttered. In December, El Nacional, Venezuelas last nationally circulated anti-government newspaper, went out of print, and blamed the government for restricting the supply of newsprint. It vowed to continue publishing online, but web-based outlets in Venezuela have long reported blockages. Last June, Maduro remarked that only the debris of the bourgeois media is left. He was speaking on national journalists day.

Physical threats to journalists have intensified. According to Venezuelas National Press Workers Union, the first four months of 2017 brought more than 200 attacks on reporters. That summer, civil unrest escalated, and four journalists were detained by state authorities. Sustained violence and harassment has driven some journalistssuch as Elyangelica Gonzalez, a long-time radio reporterto flee the country. Senior reporters at Armando.info, an investigative website, left after exposing widespread corruption at a state-run food program, fearing legal threats. They continue to report from neighboring Colombia.

Venezuelan outlets and journalists have suffered the most. Still, the country has become a hostile environment for foreign reporters, too. In 2017, the government barred Nicholas Casey, a correspondent for the Times, from re-entering the country after he left to take a vacation. Late last year, Billy Six, a German freelance journalist, was reportedly imprisoned there on charges including espionage and rebellion. And just this week, airport security agents detained Kristoffer Toft, a Danish freelancer, then deported him.

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Even without infringements on the press, Venezuela is a complicated story to tellit can be hard, in particular, to convey the extent of Maduros authoritarian grip and at the same time interrogate the legitimacy of US intervention behind the opposition. Venezuelas journalistsand its citizensare paying a very great price for their attempts to get at the truth.

Below, more on Venezuelas press climate:



Other notable stories:

ICYMI: BuzzFeeds TrumpCohen scoop is not dead yet

Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today

Jon Allsop is a freelance journalist. He writes CJRs newsletter The Media Today. Find him on Twitter @Jon_Allsop.
As the longest-standing government shutdown in United States history comes to a tentative, temporary pause, the nonstop coverage can feel dizzying and sometimes contradictory. On the one hand, outlets emphasize the impact the shutdown has had on many furloughed workerswho are working without a paycheckwhich led to protests on January 23 at the Senate Office Building. On the other, the neverending stalemate, which began on December 22, is depicted, per Mark Landler in The New York Times, as partisan squabbling.

As Maggie Astor and Michael M. Grynbaum wrote in the Times, Americans following local and national media coverage would be forgiven for thinking they had fallen into a parallel universewith the episode being presented both as a moment of crisis and hardship, and a curiosity that mostly registered as a politically motivated annoyance.

The blame game is par for the course when it comes to coverage of a shutdown, but the news media is signaling to the public that the US is more polarized than evera claim that does not necessarily reflect the reality. Katie Rogers, a White House correspondent at the Times, suggested, If we turned off cable and internet for one day this shutdown would end.

RELATED: The challenges of covering a shutdown marked by lies

This certainly feels like the case when it comes to medias focus on right-wing commentators such as Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh, and Ann Coulterall of whom have become players in the shutdown by backing Trump and reminding him of his campaign promise, relayed via cable news networks and Twitter, to to build a wall. When these commentators criticized a compromise package Trump proposed on December 20which didnt include wall fundinghe backpedaled, saying that he wouldnt sign the deal hed settled on with Congress after all. This sequence of events became a churn of even more hyper-focused news stories about right-wing media, and their sway over Trumps political decisions, as seen in CNN, Politico, and The Washington Post.

When media magnifies the antics of partisan players, consequential facts about the repercussions for furloughed workers and budget negotiations take a backseat. Last week, when Nancy Pelosi asked Trump not to deliver his State of the Union address in Congress while the government was shut down, and Trump responded by grounding a military fight to Afghanistan she planned on taking, news organizations like HuffPost and NBC pounced at the opportunity to highlight the clasha relatively banal onein their headlines.

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Pinpointing public opinion in the news coverage, specifically how Trump voters feel about the shutdown, has proven thorny. Outlets appear to be amplifying a small group: on January 20, for instance, USA Today published a piece on Republicans in a northern Colorado coal town who arent bothered. (Lucky them!) The following day, The Washington Post came out with a story about Trump voters in Michigan who were angered by the presidents hardline approach on the border wall. Matt Viser, the Posts national political writer, reported, The shutdown fight, as it has played out over the past month, is further eroding the presidents support among voters who like the idea of beefing up border securitybut not enough to close the government.

Just last week, Vox published a story with the headline Poll: Americans are becoming more polarized on the border wall, based on a survey by the Pew Research Center. When you look at the Pew survey, the topline results show that 58 percent of Americans oppose the wall, and oppose ending the shutdown by funding it. But rather than focus on the persistent lack of support for a wall, the Vox headline zeroed in on partisan opinions. Its true that polarization between Republicans and Democrats may be increasing in the short term; a Gallup poll released Wednesday, the number of Americans who cited the government and poor leadership as the most important problem facing the country today went up from 19 percent in December to 29 percent in January. But, according to Gallups polling data, the nation is no more politically divided than it was in the 1970s.

Americans actually agree with each other more often than not, according to Morris Fiorina, a political scientist and author of the book Unstable Majorities: Polarization, Party Sorting, and Political Stalemate (2017). He says that the polarization we so often hear about is limited mostly to political activists and elites who use media as a way to tout their own extreme views and mistake those of common citizens. You can look at the usual right wing and left wing sites, Fiorina says. People like Ann Coulter, who is an idiot, are doing the usual in trying to hype their ratings.They are sort of hyping this whole polarization thing.

From what Fiorina gathers, the public perceives the shutdowns key players as behaving like children. Hyping up the coverage on what commentators are saying, as he points out, can erode the already low trust the public has in the government.

Matthew Levendusky, a political scientist and author of How Partisan Media Polarize America (2013), says that the difference between this shutdown and the one during the Obama administration, in October 2013, can be attributed to the fact that an incentive to compromise seems to be missing. Much of the public would accept a compromise solutionborder security, not a wallbut especially for the Republican base, this has become a potent symbol, he says. Likewise, activists Democrats make it hard for Pelosi to give on the wall.

Levendusky believes this is an example of Trump taking advantage of the medias affinity for conflict. Hes figured out a way to drive the conversation. I think Trump knows hes losing in the status quo framing of the shutdown, with the public blaming him, hence the pivot to missile defense, he says, referring to the president unveiling a Pentagon report on the morning of January 17th outlining what officials there believe to be a growing missile threat.

Because the news media has the ability to tell the public what matters most, should we be giving more weight to timely topicssuch as the effort in several states to ease limitations on child sex abuse cases or that the Pentagon said it would not implement any changes to its transgender policy, despite last weeks Supreme Court ruling? Its hard to imagine a time when partisan bickering wont dominate the news cycle.

RELATED: A maddening shutdown story turns silly

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Natalie Pattillo is a multimedia journalist based in New York City.
How reporters do their jobsincluding how and whether their work is fact checkedhas repeatedly made appearances in our hectic news cycle. Weve seen commentary and criticism of it from politicians like Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who on January 7 raised questions about how the fact-checking process works, and from the subjects of stories that contain errors, such as journalist and activist Noor Tagouri, who was misidentified in a photo caption in the February issue of Vogue.

That conversation continued last week, ahead of the release of former New York Times Executive Editor Jill Abramsons new book, titled Merchants of Truth: The Business of News and The Fight for Facts. On Twitter, Arielle Duhaime-Ross, a science and environmental reporter at Vice, detailed what she called six errors and false implications about her from a galley version of Abramsons book. Another Vice employee says a section of the book falsely described him as not wearing protective gear at an Ebola clinic. (Abramson addressed the fact-checking issue in an interview with CJR and said that while she regretted the errors, In a 500-page book I fear its inevitable that there are going to be some.)

~ THREAD ~ I dont usually do this  and honestly never imagined Id need to  but I have to do a bit of clarifying about myself and my professional qualifications. 1/21  Arielle Duhaime-Ross (@adrs) January 14, 2019

While many legacy magazines have robust fact-checking departments to guard against errors, they are essentially nonexistent at newspapers and digital outlets. The rules of reporting, of course, come with a number of safeguards that journalistswho by and large conduct their work in pursuit of accuracy to the best of their abilitiesfollow carefully. One of the primary reasons for this is a lack of time; it is virtually impossible to rigorously report the days news, edit a story, and then hand it over to a fact checker to be verified in time to print a paper the next dayor an article the next hour. Knowing this, one might reasonably expect that books by journalists, which are not confined by such tight deadlines and are often touted as reliable sources of information, are fact checked. Except, thats totally wrong.

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ICYMI: The New Yorkers chief fact-checker on how to get things right in the era of post-truth

Fact-checking is not built into the editing process at publishing houses, and it never has been. Book agents point to practical concerns: publishing houses spend most of their money on advances paid directly to authors, and so cant afford to hire fact-checking departments. And if fact-checking rests on the authors, publishing houses are protected, legally. When books are fact-checked, authors often pay for the service themselves. Costs can range from a few hundred dollars for minor work up to several thousand for more substantive checking.

Veteran education reporter Sarah Carr doesnt recall whether fact-checking came up when she discussed her first book, Hope Against Hope: Three Schools, One City, and the Struggle to Educate Americas Children, with Bloomsbury. The book, which chronicles a 14-year old high school student, a charter school teacher fresh out of Harvard, and a veteran public school principal in post-Katrina New Orleans, was copyedited and indexed by Bloomsbury and cleared by lawyers, but Carr says she always understood that I would be fact checking the book.

Carr described the task as overwhelming, but it was one that eight years of experience at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and New Orleanss The Times-Picayune prepared her for. If you were lucky, an editor served as a second line of defense. So you learn to do your own fact checking quickly, she says, noting that after long days spent with sources, she would type her notes and fill in details while they were fresh in her memory. I tried to go over scenes with people involved to make sure their memory squared with my notes. I did as much due diligence as I could, she says.

Carr estimates that she paid an assistant a few hundred dollars, out-of-pocket, for what she estimates was between five and ten hours worth of fact-checking work. What I had her do was email people specific things I hadnt been able to nail down and had her forward me email transcripts, she says. But much of the work she did herselfoften during the reporting process itself.

Once the full manuscript was in place, I remember having a long list of things I needed to check on, she says. I remember long emails back and forth with subjects where I was paraphrasing [parts of the book] to make sure I had them right.

New Yorker writer Evan Osnoss book, Age of Ambition: Chasing Fortune, Truth and Faith in the New China, is a combination of new material and reporting that had previously appeared in the magazine and in the Chicago Tribune. Reporting that had previously run in The New Yorker had already been subject to the magazines famously rigorous fact-checking process.

But for the rest, I wanted to do as much as I could to try to match that level of checking. I hired an independent fact checker to [verify] parts of the book that had not been checked previously for publication. I paid out of pocket, Osnos says. He hired Amy Qin, a New York Times reporter who speaks Chinese, and handed over a footnoted manuscript, contact information for sources who appear in the book, and a number of subject area experts who were not named in the book but could review assertions about complicated things such as Chinese economic history.

There is no institutional fact-checking, aside from a legal review to see if youre slandering someone in the book world, science journalist Charles C. Mann says. Mann, who has written a number of books, most recently a double biography of scientists Norman Borlaug and William Vogt, sent sections of the book to subject area experts for review.

If you write for The Atlantic, its uncommon to send a manuscript out for review. In the world of nonfiction, its quite common. You give it to an expert or send chapters to someone. There are tools that are less available to you as a magazine writer, where they want to keep the entire thing in-house, Mann says.

Mann sent a hideously complicated section on plant physiology to a plant biologist, for example, who caught a reference to a plants ovaryits called an ovule. He estimates that he sent sections of the book to some 25 experts.

Chris Parris-Lamb, a literary agent at The Gernet Company, encourages all his writers to invest in fact checking. But he acknowledges that many books that are published are never checked by anyone. He attributes this to the fact that publishing houses have fundamentally different relationships with authors than newspapers and magazines do. No one subscribes to, at least not yet, Jane Mayers stories. They subscribe to The New Yorker. The New Yorker is the entity that people are placing their trust and faith in and therefore, it is in the publications interest to make sure that trust is not misplaced, Parris-Lamb, who represents many journalists, says. Where sales of a magazine benefit its owners, an author is paid for every sale of the book that happens, Parris-Lamb adds. Few readers can name who publishes their favorite writers. Its the writer and the book that brings the reader in. In that wayIm not going to say its appropriate[but] its understandable that publishers see [fact checking] as something that falls onto the author.

Parris-Lamb says it isnt likely that publishing houses will begin offering the service to authors any time soon, even as journalism confronts a decline in public trust. But there is one thing hed bet on.

Right now, checking, when it does happen, there isnt a hard and fast protocol for when it happens. It really happens at whatever stage the author is ready to do it, he says. I wonder if, even if authors are still responsible, if a publisher [will soon] say, If you want to engage a fact checker, we need to build in time to do that before a manuscript goes into copy editing and before galleys are printed.

Despite the extra time and money it costs, journalists should feel obliged to have their books fact checkedwhether that means hiring someone to do it, or doing it themselves. But even this kind of due diligence comes with limits. What fact-checkers cant do is save you from super calamitous errors in judgment, where every sentence is right but the whole thing is wrong, Mann says. Everyone can think of examples where the entire gist of an article is off even though every single fact is right. Theres a limited amount they can do to save you from yourself.

Controversial stories like Jesse Singals cover story for The Atlantic, on how parents of transgender teens approach their desire to personally or medically transition, come to mind. The story was fact checked, but according to many readers, journalists, and activists in the trans community, was transphobicand all wrong. The difference between fact and truth is yet another example of why newsrooms, and publishing houses, desperately need to invest in employing and representing diverse writers, editors, agents, and fact checkers alike.

I hope that we can, as journalists, hold in our heads the difference between an isolated fact like the color of someones shoes and the whole thrust of the story which is. . . to communicate to average people what the heck is going on to the best of our ability. And its important to get the first thing right, but the second thing is even more important, Mann says.

RELATED: Jill Abramson and the search for journalisms future

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Alexandria Neason is CJR's Staff Writer and Senior Delacorte Fellow. Previously, she was a reporter at the Village Voice and covered education for the Teacher Project, a partnership between Columbia Journalism School and Slate. A team she worked on won the 2016 Education Writers Association award for news features. Follow her on Twitter @alexandrianeas.
Update: The dynamic duo of state Sen. Liz Krueger and Assemblywoman Deborah Glick were voted the week's biggest winners, as the state Legislature passed their bill strengthening abortion protections in New York. Trailing them - but still garnering 30 percent to Krueger and Glick's 37 percent - were Westchester County Executive George Latimer and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., who celebrated a deal to connect their constituents directly to Penn Station via commuter rail. There was less disagreement about the week's biggest loser, however: Rudy Giuliani notched 62 percent of the vote for his bizarre performance as the president's lawyer.

Its not all that hard to find agreement in politics. The legislators in Albany and City Hall pass bills unanimously all the time. But in baseball? Fuhgeddaboutit. Hizzoner wont even put on a Yankees cap. So lets all  Yankees fans, Mets fans, Sox fans  tip a cap to Yankee legend Mariano Rivera for being the first player unanimously elected to the baseball Hall of Fame. If only choosing a winner of the week was that easy.
27880

Matt Scholl, General Manager, Americas

There are several problems with environmental management such as too many reports are available for too few actions, excessive expertise without change, and too many unreleased data. There were not many solutions on the market to put data into effect in real time. This gave Envirosuite a new market place. Envirosuite is an environmental management technology developer with a strong scientific, engineering, and consultancy background. The firm combines recognized innovative technology innovators in the fields of environmental science with a technology development team that has brought them at the top of todays marketplace.

Envirosuite has recently created a new contract in Kuwait to provide a citywide odour monitoring and management system. As per the contract, the company provides a network of 90 E-nose sensors for defining client-specific categories of odour that supply information into the environment and intelligence solutions of Envirosuite. This three-year contract with the Kuwait Environment Public Authority (K-EPA) amounts to a total of $1.2 million, including $265,000, which is expected to be added to the groups recurring annual revenue through ongoing hardware and software provision and maintenance. This should enable the K-EPA in Kuwait and its surrounding regions to identify, analyze, and react to issues concerning odour and air quality management generally.

"Envirosuite is in an excellent position to become a leading supplier of air quality solutions to smart-city projects globally, and we are already receiving inbound inquiries from other regions, including South America, for similar smart-city projects"

For Envirosuite, this smart city" project in Kuwait continues to trend customers seeking a full end-to-end service, including a software platform with suitable hardware.

Envirosuite is in an excellent position to become a leading supplier of air quality solutions to smart-city projects globally, and we are already receiving inbound inquiries from other regions, including South America, for similar smart-city projects, says Peter White, Envirosuites chief executive officer. Governments and customers in the mining, oil refining, transportation, and water management industries currently use the companys environmental management platform globally.

Envirosuite sent its client, Latin Americas largest coal mining company Carbones del Cerrejon (ASX: BHP) and its Glencore (LSE: GLEN) and Anglo American (LSE: AAL). A significant upgrade was made to the new company by its current customer. Two additional solutions, along with equipment, installation and maintenance services, worth a total of $600,000, were included in the upgrade. Other recent customers who joined the board are Chiles biggest pork producer Agrosuper, an agricultural giant, as well as a new Middle East public works agency.

Check out: Top Sensor Technology Companies
WASHINGTON  Senators on Thursday embarked on fresh behind-the-scenes negotiations to end the longest-ever government shutdown, and House Democrats struggled to finalize a new border security plan after the failure of two competing Senate bills forced renewed efforts to find some other way out.

It was unclear, though, whether any of the activity would produce a solution, as the fundamental dynamics that produced the shutdown remained unchanged: President Donald Trumps demands for new funding for his U.S.-Mexico border wall, and Democrats refusal to give it to him.

Meanwhile, it was announced late Thursday that U.S. officials at the southern border will begin sending some asylum applicants back to Mexico on Friday as the Trump administration implements new measures prohibiting migrants from waiting in the United States while their cases are processed.

The plan, announced by the Department of Homeland Security, follows high-level talks between the two governments late last year as U.S. border officials struggled to handle a surge of Central Americans fleeing violence and poverty. It will be introduced in California, at the San Ysidro port of entry south of San Diego, and eventually expanded throughout the nearly 2,000-mile border, a DHS official said earlier Thursday, speaking on the condition of anonymity because the plan had not yet been finalized.

In Congress, a plan newly floated by a bipartisan group of senators to reopen the government for three weeks while negotiating over border security seemed to collapse almost as soon as it emerged, with the White House insisting Trump would accept such a proposal only if it included a down payment on his wall  and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., calling that a non-starter.

And the plan House Democrats are working to roll out, while expected to match or exceed the $5.7 billion Trump has put forward for his wall, will specifically exclude funding for it, instead directing the money toward technological improvements and other changes along the border  probably making it unacceptable to the president.

Speaking at the White House after the Senate blocked his proposed border solution and a competing Democratic plan, the president said that if Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and Minority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., could come up with a reasonable agreement, he would support it.

Asked if he could support a plan that didnt include wall funding, Trump said: I have other alternatives if I have to  we have to have a wall in this situation. Trump has suggested declaring a national emergency to circumvent Congress and use the military to build the wall, a possibility that remains on the table if the impasse continues.

The shutdown hits day 35 on Friday, and 800,000 federal employees face the harsh reality of a second missed paycheck. The urgency to reach a solution was plain among lawmakers of both parties, as horror stories from the shutdown multiplied. These included fresh warnings about dangers to air travel as agents go unpaid, and a report from NASAs Johnson Space Center that custodial services have been canceled for employees working without pay to keep the International Space Station running, and theyve been asked to volunteer to clean bathrooms.

Exasperated GOP senators complained to Vice President Mike Pence at a closed-door lunch, according to senators, but Pence offered few specifics while seeking to reassure lawmakers that there were other options under consideration.

There was a lot of frustration expressed about the situation we find ourselves in, said Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas.

During the lunch with Pence, McConnell quoted a favorite saying that he often uses to express his displeasure with government shutdowns: There is no education in the second kick of a mule, according to two Republicans familiar with the exchange.

Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., confronted McConnell during the same lunch, telling him regarding the entire situation: This is your fault, according to one of those same Republicans and another person who witnessed the exchange, also speaking on the condition of anonymity.

McConnell responded: Are you suggesting Im enjoying this? the people said.

As he left the Capitol around 7 p.m. Thursday, McConnell struck a somewhat optimistic tone, telling reporters: Well, were at least were talking, and I think thats better than it was before.

Democrats railed over the ongoing impasse and its effect on their constituents.

This is a joke! Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., shouted on the Senate floor. How ludicrous is it that this government is shut down over a promise the president of the United States couldnt keep, and that America is not interested in having him keep  this idea that he was going to build a medieval wall across the Southern border.

The first bill the Senate defeated was a proposal from Trump to reopen the government through Sept. 30 while spending $5.7 billion to erect more than 200 miles of new border walls. Trumps plan also would clamp down on asylum seekers and provide temporary deportation relief to about 1 million unauthorized immigrants whose protections Trump previously had sought to end.

The vote was 50 to 47, short of the 60 votes needed to advance. Conservative Republican Sens. Mike Lee of Utah and Tom Cotton of Arkansas voted with the majority of Democrats against the plan, saying that it didnt offer the immigration changes needed, while Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., joined Republicans in supporting it.

The second vote was on a short-term spending bill from Democrats that would have reopened the government through Feb. 8 without any additional wall money, to allow for negotiations on border security with the government open. Both bills contained billions of dollars for hurricane and wildfire disaster relief, although the figure in the Democratic bill was higher, partly because it included aid to Puerto Rico that Trump has opposed.

The vote on the Democrats bill was 52 to 44, also short of 60, with Republican Sens. Susan Collins (Maine), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), Cory Gardner (Colo.), Lamar Alexander (Tenn.), Johnny Isakson (Ga.), and Mitt Romney (Utah) defying Trump to join all Democrats in voting in favor.

Afterward, a bipartisan group of more than a dozen senators began to take turns speaking on the Senate floor to call for reopening the government for three weeks while finding a compromise on border security  a solution the White House had already rejected.

One of these lawmakers, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., described speaking with Trump on the phone just after the votes to tell him senators were coalescing behind the short-term spending deal, and he indicated Trump had shown some openness to him and told him some conditions he would require.

Graham said he had never been more optimistic than I am now that we can find a way to open up the government. But then Trump said he would need some sort of prorated down payment on the wall to agree to the plan, and Pelosi rejected that idea, saying it would not be a reasonable agreement.

McConnell and Schumer met briefly after the Senate votes, but Schumer refused to answer questions as he returned to his office, saying only: Were talking, were talking.

Senators remained uncertain about whether a deal would emerge  and if it did, what it would look like.

There are all kind of discussions, said Sen. John Neely Kennedy, R-La Youve got, you know, people running around, I dont mean this in a pejorative sense, but like sprayed roaches. Theyre everywhere.

In the House, Pelosi and Democratic leaders were working to finalize legislative proposals that would represent their pro-active description of what they support when it comes to border security. It comes amid growing agitation among lawmakers, particularly some freshmen, that they must stand for something  not just oppose the wall Trump long claimed Mexico would pay for.

Details remained in flux, but Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, said it would meet or exceed Trumps $5.7 billion figure. The money would be spent on drones, sensors, retrofitted ports of entry, more border agents, and other improvements.
Texas officials have launched a purge of 95,000 people from the voter rolls, saying they do not appear to be U.S. citizens  just the beginning of a wider, more frequent purging that will happen monthly from now on.

Texas Secretary of State David Whitley said working with the Department of Public Safety, his office has been able to identify the potential non-citizens among those registered to vote, including 58,000 who have cast ballots before in Texas elections.

Integrity and efficiency of elections in Texas require accuracy of our state's voter rolls, and my office is committed to using all available tools under the law to maintain an accurate list of registered voters, Whitley said.

Voter advocacy groups pointed out Friday that none of the states suspicions have been confirmed yet, and objected to the method used to identify the suspected non-citizen voters. They noted that 50,000 Texans become naturalized citizens each year.

The Secretary of State cannot remove the voters from the rolls. That is up to county elections officials. But Whitley has recommended counties take action by sending notices that would give the people who have been flagged 30 days to prove they are eligible to vote by presenting a birth certificate, passport, or certificate of naturalization. If they fail to respond, their registrations will be canceled by the county voter registrar.

The Secretary of States Office said Friday it was not prepared to release a list of how many voters per county are affected, but verified that Harris County has the most.

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Already, the list of 58,000 people suspected to have voted despite being non-citizens is being forwarded to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton for potential legal action. It is a felony to vote in Texas when you know you are not eligible.

Nothing is more vital to preserving our Constitution than the integrity of our voting process, and my office will do everything within its abilities to solidify trust in every election in the state of Texas, Paxton, a Republican, said in a statement to the media.

The news is almost certain to buoy conservatives from President Donald Trump to Gov. Greg Abbott who have alleged illegal voting and voter fraud are rampant.

Abbott, who made voter fraud a priority item for the Texas Legislature in 2017, said Friday that illegal voting in Texas will not be tolerated, and as governor, I will continue root it out and punish it.

If the 58,000 voters in fact turn out to have wrongly cast ballots, Texas would give Trump his clearest backing yet on claims of mass voter fraud that he says cost him the popular vote in the 2016 presidential election. Though Trump won the Electoral College, he lost the popular vote by a wide margin.

"In addition to winning the Electoral College in a landslide, I won the popular vote if you deduct the millions of people who voted illegally," Trump said in a November 2016 tweet.

After being elected, Trump set up a voter fraud commission that ultimately disbanded with no clear evidence of widespread wrongdoing.

It took little time for Republicans to cite the states preliminary findings in fundraising pleas: We knew it was happening and now we have proof, said an email blast sent three hours after Paxtons press release.

But voter advocacy groups warn that Fridays announcement is an attempt to intimidate voters, and the contention that voter fraud is rampant has been repeatedly discounted.

There is no credible data that indicates illegal voting is happening in any significant numbers, and the Secretarys statement does not change that fact, said Beth Stevens, Voting Rights Legal Director with the Texas Civil Rights Project.

Stevens said she is concerned about how the state identified the suspected non-citizen voters.

The Secretary of States office relied on documents that the voters themselves submitted to DPS when they were trying to obtain drivers licenses. Non-citizens, such as temporary residents, asylum seekers and refugees, are eligible to get a Texas drivers license, but they are not allowed to register to vote unless they become U.S. citizens.

It is important to note that we are not using information self-reported by the person regarding citizenship status; rather, we are using documents provided by the person to show they are lawfully present in the United States, wrote the states director of elections, Keith Ingram, in a notice to registrars in all 254 Texas counties.

Stevens said that could be a problem. About 50,000 Texas residents become naturalized citizens every year.

Shes not alone in that concern.

I hope that the Secretary of State and the Attorney General are extremely careful to ensure that they make accurate matches and do not unnecessarily alarm the public or falsely accuse people who are eligible to vote, said state Sen. Jose Rodriguez, D-El Paso. For example, a legal permanent resident with a driver's license who becomes a citizen is not required to go back to DPS and change their status. So just because someone is listed as a non-citizen in DPS records, that does not mean they still are.

On Monday, counties are expecting a list from the state of suspected non-citizens on their voter rolls, said Williamson County Voter Registration Supervisor Julie Seippel.

Seippel said Williamson County will then review the list, looking for possible errors, before sending letters to registered voters giving them 30 days to prove their citizenship. Those that don't, or can't, will be removed from the rolls.

"If they get a letter and they are a citizen, it's important they provide documentation or mail it out to us. That way we can keep them on our rolls," she said.

Bexar County Elections Administrator Jacque Callanen said typically the county is alerted to possible non-citizen voters through the jury summons process, though it's not a frequent occurrence.

The state flags a few dozen voters a month statewide who are disqualified from jury duty because they declare they are non-citizens, said Sam Taylor, a spokesman for the Secretary of States Office. The state then compares those names to the voter rolls and forwards the information to counties.

But the new purge is part of larger effort as the states technology allows it to better compare voter rolls with drivers license records. The state now can compare names, Social Security numbers, dates of birth and election ID numbers to identify potentially ineligible voters.

This is just the beginning. Taylor called the 95,000 names the initial backlog. Going forward, the Secretary of States office will use information from DPS on a monthly basis to cross reference the voter registration database to identify potential non-citizens who have registered to vote.

Stevens said the latest efforts  and the overzealous celebration from Paxton and others  are concerning because the next step will be that the state is going to use this highly suspect investigation to try to pass laws that will make it harder for eligible Texas voters to cast a ballot that counts.

Texas has already been aggressive in passing laws aimed at alleged voter fraud over the past decade, many of which critics say have reduced access to the ballot box. For instance, the state has adopted voter ID laws and restricted voter registration drives. More recently, in 2017, it passed tougher penalties for people who wrongly handle absentee ballots.

Austin Bureau reporter Allie Morris contributed to this report.
The Guadalupe County Commissioners Court voted on Thursday to deny a permit for Float Fest, just days after a study commissioned by organizers of the annual music festival showed it generated $12.3 million in total economic impact last year.

Without a permit, which is required for gatherings of more than 5,000 people, the event cannot be legally held.

Commissioners voted 3-2 during a special meeting that lasted more than three hours to deny the request by festival promoter Marcus Federman. He had asked for a maximum attendance of 25,000 people per day, a 25 percent increase from the 20,000 allowed in 2018.

Those voting to deny the permit cited congestion, river cleanliness and safety as their biggest concerns.

Float Fest organizers could not be reached for comment on their decision or their plans moving forward.

RELATED: Date for San Antonio's 2019 Barbacoa & Big Red Festival revealed

The festival, which would be in its sixth year, was scheduled to take place July 19-21 at Cool River Ranch along the San Marcos River. Attendees often camp near the river overnight and float it during the day. Big-name musicians such as Snoop Dogg and Lil Wayne have been among the performers in previous years.

The event has proven controversial, however, and for many residents of the 1,300-person town of Martindale where the festival takes place, even 20,000 people was too many.

Several residents addressed the commissioners at the meeting to request the permit be denied. The music was too loud, they said, and the words too profane. The traffic congestion was unsafe and would severely hinder any emergency vehicles coming through. The portable toilets smelled bad, the beer cans trashed the river and that $12.3 economic impact didn't go to Guadalupe County, residents told commissioners.

After a traffic engineer said at the meeting that while the sharp increase in vehicles caused some minor delays it was not substantial enough to cause major safety concerns, residents and some commissioners questioned whether the traffic study was thorough enough to come to that conclusion.

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Beer cans and other trash in the river has long been one of the biggest sticking points between residents and the festival and some proposed a can ban. Federman said he also loves the river and wants it clean, but doesn't believe a can ban for this event is the right way to go about eliminating river trash.

"It's got to be a process where you can change their mindsets and make them think it's their idea," Federman said during the meeting. "It's not just at my festival, but over the course of the summer there's thousands of people and thousands of opinions, and how do you get all of those people to like one thing? You have to come at them in a way they can understand and relate."

Ultimately, the commissioners' decision came down to whether or not the Float Fest application met the occupations code. Three commissioners voted that Section 5 posed too serious a concern to ignore. The section reads, "The times of the festival and the festival location create a substantial danger of congestion and the disruption of other lawful activities in the immediate vicinity of the festival."

The commissioners voting against denying the permit said there was not a preponderance of evidence to prove substantial danger of congestion.

RELATED: Cleaning crew collected 40,000 beer cans during Float Fest

In 2018, Federman faced a similar battle with the commissioners. He had applied for a permit to host up to 30,000 people  more than double the previous year's attendance  and was denied. Commissioners cited the same concerns and the same section of the occupations code in denying the permit as they did this year.

Federman filed a lawsuit in March 2018 to appeal the decision. Before the state district court took any action, the commissioners reconsidered their denial. Later that month, they came to a compromise with Federman to move forward with a 20,000 person cap.

It's wasn't clear on Thursday whether the commissioners would be willing to approve the festival with 20,000 attendees or whether Federman intends to sue again.

S. M. Chavey is a breaking news and general assignment writer. Read her on our breaking news site, mySA.com and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com | sarah.chavey@express-news.net | @smchavey
A former Conroe priest cried in front of Cardinal Daniel DiNardo and one of his accusers while delivering an apology for the sexual abuse with which he has now been charged, the accuser said Thursday.

The woman, who has asked not to be publicly identified, told survivors of priest abuse gathered Thursday night that the meeting took place after Manuel La Rosa-Lopez was allowed to continue his priestly duties.

La Rosa-Lopez has been charged with four counts of indecency with a child in connection with two accusers, a man and the woman who shared their stories at the Freed-Montrose Neighborhood Library in Montrose.

He is accused of molesting the woman while assigned to the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Conroe. She was a teenager when the abuse is said to have taken place.

I know a lot of people who attend Sacred Heart in Conroe, she said. That parish is on fire for justice. That means a lot to me.

She is among three accusers who claim La Rosa-Lopez inappropriately touched them. The third accuser, who came forward in October, said he was abused as a 12-year-old altar boy at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Houston.

The meeting  hosted by Houstons Survivors Network of Those Accused by Priests chapter  comes a week before the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston is slated to make public a list of priests with credible child sex abuse accusations.

Michael Norris, who heads the Houston chapter, is keeping his expectations low.

It wont be complete, Norris told about two dozen people in the audience.

SNAP President Tim Lennon and researcher Siobhan Fleming said that if the ratio of accused priests in Houston is comparable to what was uncovered in a sweeping Pennsylvania grand jury report in August, there could be 180 to 343 clergy members accused locally. The number is a startling estimate beyond what former Bishop Joseph Fiorenza revealed in 2004.

He said that from 1950 and up until that point, only 22 diocesan and religious order priests, and four deacons, had been accused of molesting children. During that time, the diocese had also distributed $3.6 million in settlements.

The Houston Chronicle has independently identified up to 20 priests who could be on the list, according to court records, police reports and interviews.

The Pennsylvania report that inspired the latest wave in the decadeslong Catholic Church sex abuse scandal accounted for 300 priests who had sexually assaulted more than 1,000 children in six dioceses.

The lists are coming out. I think its a good step, but its not the end-all, Norris said. The attorney general needs to get off his rear end and investigate these priests just like they did in Pennsylvania.

Both Norris and Lennon took the Catholic Churchs definition of credibly accused to task. In Houston, the archdiocese has declined to elaborate on its definition of credibly accused and the method into deciding which priests will make the upcoming lists.

Its a bogus argument. For them to decide what is credible or not credible is just plain wrong, Lennon said.

nicole.hensley@chron.com
Houston-area state Rep. Ron Reynolds disbarment proceedings were delayed Friday, the latest development in a disciplinary case in which e he served almost four months in jail on charges he illegally solicited clients for his law firm.

Reynolds is currently in Austin to represent his Missouri City district. He was convicted of five counts of misdemeanor barratry  the legal term for illegally signing up clients  and sentenced to one year in jail for a scheme prosecutors called ambulance chasing for profit.

Im confident that I will not be disbarred, the Democratic lawmaker told the Chronicle in an email Friday. In fact, Im still fighting my unjust misdemeanor conviction. However, for now, my total focus and energy are on the 86th legislative session.

Reynolds ran unopposed in the November midterm elections and won a fifth term despite being jailed during the voting. Convicted of taking part in an illegal scheme to solicit victims of auto wrecks, Reynolds was released Jan. 4 and had been in custody since he turned himself in Sept. 7. If disbarred, he could never again practice law in Texas.

His disciplinary hearing in Austin was scheduled for Friday before being pushed back to July 26.

In Texas, lawyers are generally disbarred if they are convicted of intentionally committing a crime.

Jeffrey Wagnon, a defense attorney for Reynolds, has argued in court filings that because Reynolds is still appealing his conviction, he should be allowed to continue practicing while the appeals are pending.

He also argued that Reynolds, who is currently suspended from practice, was the victim of selective prosecution. He said Reynolds allegedly approached fewer than 10 crash victims, while other lawyers who took part in the scheme were not prosecuted even though they had contacted more than 100 potential clients.

According to court records, Reynolds teamed up with a convicted felon, Robert Valdez, to obtain client referrals for his personal injury law firm.

Under the scheme, Valdez obtained police reports immediately following vehicle crashes, contacted the drivers who werent at fault, referred them to Reynolds, and took payment from Reynolds in exchange, the documents say. Valdez was also convicted in a Montgomery County court.

Texas law prohibits lawyers, among others, from soliciting clients for accident or disaster claims until at least 30 days after an incident. The rule is meant to protect victims from fraud and swarms of attorneys.

The Board of Disciplinary Appeals is made up of 12 attorneys appointed by the Supreme Court of Texas.

Reynolds represents District 27, which covers Missouri City and small portions of Houston and Sugar Land. He has served in the Texas House since 2011 and was the first African-American since Reconstruction to be elected to that chamber from Fort Bend County.

Paul Cobler contributed to this report.

brian.rogers@chron.com
A man was taken to the hospital in stable condition after he was shot while wrestling over a gun during a robbery attempt in the Gulfgate area, Houston police say.

The suspect was arrested, but charges were still pending during a press briefing about the incident. He has not been identified.
Automation driven by advances in artificial intelligence will likely have a far-reaching impact on the U.S. labor market, but the effects will vary by occupation, geographic region, gender, race, and more, according to a new analysis by the Metropolitan Policy Program at the Brookings Institution.

The findings indicate that automation could hit young workers especially hard, and Brookings offers advice on how K-12 schools might best prepare their students for the uncertain future ahead.

To develop a workforce prepared for the changes that are coming, educational institutions must de-emphasize rote skills and stress education that helps humans to work better with machinesand do what machines cant, reads the report, titled Automation, AI, and the American Worker: Recent and Future Impacts on People and Places .

This means more focus on developing students digital skills, as well as increased emphasis on experiential learning, the report says.

For their analysis, Brookings researchers Mark Muro, Rob Maxim, and Jacob Whiton looked both backwards, examining the impact of IT-era automation beginning in the 1980s, and forward, projecting the impact of new technologies in the coming decades. They drew on multiple datasets, including information from the U.S. Census and federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, as well as a recent analysis by the McKinsey Global Institute looking at the extent to which current technologies can take over the various tasks required in a wide range of existing occupations.

A quarter of American jobs are likely to be seriously disrupted, Brookings predicts. But more than 60 percent of jobs will likely be only mildly disrupted, and just 4 percent are vulnerable to being almost entirely automated.

Here are seven big points from the report for K-12 audiences to consider:

1. Occupations that involve non-routine activities, creativity, and social intelligence are the least vulnerable to automation. Those skills are fundamental in both high-skill jobs, such as software developers (where just 8 percent of job-based tasks can be automated with existing technologies) and low-paying positions such as home health aides (8 percent.)

2. Young workers are dramatically overrepresented in jobs that are vulnerable to automation. This is mostly because there are so many 18 to 24 year-olds working in food preparation and food service. Nearly 30 percent of such young workers are in jobs at high risk of automation, Brookings estimated.

Schools, employers, and government need to work to broaden paid opportunities for students and begin exposure to careers as early as possible, Muro wrote in an emailed response to questions from Education Week. Colleges and universities should be bolstering co-ops, paid internships, and other forms of skill development that provide students a wage. This will not only help young people make ends meet, but will also make skill development more equitable. Currently many students are shut out of unpaid internships because theyre not financially feasible, or they lean on these type of food-service jobs to pay bills while theyre in unpaid work.

3. Theres a good chance that automation will continue to hollow out the middle class. The first era of digital automation in the U.S. economy, beginning with the rise of the personal computer in the 1980s, had the effect of concentrating job and wage gains at the low and high ends of the skill distribution (i.e., service-sector and professional jobs.) That our forward-looking analysis projects more of the same in the next decade-plus will not, therefore, be comforting, the new report says.

4. A college degree offers significant protection against automation. The typical worker without a bachelors degree is currently in a job in which roughly half of required tasks could be automated with existing technologies, Brookings reports. The typical work with such a degree is in a job in which just 29 percent of required tasks are vulnerable to automation.

5. Teaching is among the occupations least vulnerable to automation. Just 27 percent of the current tasks required in educational services professions are automatable with existing technologies, Brookings estimates. Thats far lower than the 42 percent of tasks in finance and insurance occupations that are automatable, or the 59 percent of tasks in manufacturing occupations.

Every job will have some task change, Muro wrote. But ultimately, positions like teachers, school counselors, and psychologists are suited to uniquely human qualities; they are unpredictable on a day-to-day basis, and they are grounded in interpersonal communication and emotional intelligence.

6. Digital-skills exposure and experiential learning opportunities could be key for students. Mid- to high-level digital skills are already needed to secure higher-wage jobs, and that trend is only likely to continue. (For an inside look at what this looks for real people up and down the employment ladder, see Education Weeks recent digital-skills profiles of workers at Delawares Christiana Care Health Sytem.) And experiential learningproject-based instruction, school-business and school-community partnerships, internships and apprenticeshipscan help develop students develop qualities like creativity, mental flexibility, and cultural agility that will be resistant to automation, Brookings contends.

How to make it happen? Muro (who is far from alone in this stance) wants to see more computer science education in K-12, and he wants it to be more relatable to real-world applications and more accessible for girls and students of color.

Skills-based hiring could be a solution, but it would mean big changes in K-12 (and elsewhere.) The basic idea is that in a rapidly-changing labor market, a static credential earned at a single point in time, such as a high school diploma or college degree, may be less valuable to employers than a more flexible collection of certifications through which workers can demonstrate the specific skills theyve acquired over time.

Lets allow Muro to explain this one in his own words:

Initiatives such as badging and the move towards competency- and mastery-based progressions are exactly the types of efforts that will be needed across the U.S. labor market. But a shift to skill-based hiring is going to also require a fundamental cultural change in how Americans view credentials in hiring. We have had decades of the diploma/degree as a standard credential, and skill-based hiring will be a significant, wholesale rethink of how American culture handles education...It will likely take large, high-visibility organizations like companies, government agencies, and non-profits to shift their hiring policies to value skills over credentials.

Image: Getty

See also:

for the latest news on ed-tech policies, practices, and trends.
As the partial government shutdown continues with no end in sight, emotions are clearly running high even on the floor of the U.S. Senate.

During debate on a pair of bills to re-open the government (both of which failed), U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz found himself in an unusually testy exchange on the usually stately floor of the Senate with fellow Sen. Michael Bennet, a Colorado Democrat.
ISTANBUL - A Turkish court has ordered the release pending trial of a lawmaker from the pro-Kurdish HDP Party, Leyla Guven, on her 79th day of a hunger strike to protest against the solitary confinement of PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan, jailed since 1999 in the prison of the Imrali island on the Marmara Sea.



Guven has been in pre-trial custody for a year on "terrorism" charges over statements criticizing Ankara's military offensive against the Kurdish enclave of Afrin in Syria. She will be released with a ban on travel.



According to the HDP, hear health has deteriorated to a "critical stage" and her daughter had recently appealed for her release. During the protest, the 55-year-old's only form of nourishment were sugary and salted fluids and a vitamin B complex. Over 250 detainees over the past few weeks had also gone on hunger strike as a sign of solidarity. In the past, this type of protest in Turkish jails has caused strong tensions, including deadly clashes.
AUSTIN  Democratic state Rep. Poncho Nevarez, who shoved a Republican lawmaker during a heated exchange over immigration protests in the House gallery two years ago, was appointed this week as one of the most powerful voices in state government on the Texas-Mexico border and public safety.

Nevarezs appointment to lead the House Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee comes as the border remains at the center of national political debate. He may be outnumbered by the Republicans in the Texas House, but he sees his post as an opportunity to gather data that will be a counterpoint to President Donald Trumps rhetoric about a border wall.

What I did was wrong, but Id do it again, Nevarez said of the 2017 melee between himself and a North Texas Republican who threatened to call immigration authorities on people protesting the states so-called sanctuary cities law. The confrontation between the two lawmakers ended with threats and cursing. It was about those people up there. You cant let anybody get away with that.

House Speaker Dennis Bonnen, a Republican from Angleton, has promised bipartisanship this year and delivered by appointing Democrats including Nevarez to lead several influential House committees, although Republicans continue to hold a 83 to 67 majority in the chamber.

Republicans lead 22 committees, including public education and the House Committee on Ways and Means, both of which will play a major role in the Legislatures goal of providing more money for public schools and placing limits on future property tax increases. Bonnen named Democrats to 12 committee chairmanships, including criminal jurisprudence, higher education and public health.

Texas Take: Get political headlines from across the state sent directly to your inbox

Nevarez lives on the border in Eagle Pass, a town with two international bridges to Mexico. His district hugs about 800 miles of the border, stretching to just outside El Paso. Its the largest state legislative district on the border and Texas spends big money there. Lawmakers are poised to spend $800 million over the next two years toward border security and Nevarez said his goal is to get a grasp of what Texas has been able to accomplish and whats left to do.

An outspoken critic of the wall, Nevarez said he wants the committee to use metrics to judge whats happening on the border to address the presidents inaccurate statements.

Im tired of listening to a president just spout off what are just flat out lies and inconsistencies about how we live. I dont know any other way to combat this (than) with facts, said Nevarez. Normally I wouldnt care, but its personal to me because of where I live.

His committee has five Republicans and four Democrats, and will also handle bills regarding Texas gun laws that have been filed since the mass shootings at a church in Sutherland Springs and a high school in Santa Fe.

Ultimately what I think we have to do is we have to take guns away from the people who shouldnt have guns, he said, adding its not a real solution to arm teachers in schools and voters are demanding change. If my colleagues have not heard that based on the last election, then I think they have to listen a little better.

Bonnen promised bipartisanship in the House this year after a bruising 2017 legislative session when Democrats were ostracized and divisions grew within the Republican Party.

That animosity was best on display on the last day of the 2017 legislative session when Nevarez charged at Rep. Matt Rinaldi after the Dallas-area Republican said he called immigration authorities to arrest protesters carrying signs saying I am illegal and here to stay. The sanctuary cities law requires local law enforcement officials in Texas to cooperate fully with federal immigration authorities, and includes a provision allowing police to inquire about the immigration status of anyone they detain.

For subscribers: Texas legislator threatens to shoot colleague in altercation

Rinaldi lost his bid for re-election in November. Democrats picked up 12 seats that election.

Democrats are pleased with the tone of bipartisanship this year as evidenced by the committee assignments, said Rep. Chris Turner, chairman of the Texas House Democratic Caucus. He will also chair the higher education committee. Democrats will also chair other important committees, including those dealing with insurance, transportation and licensing.

It signals that the House will be working on a bipartisan basis to tackle big issues. Thats essentially what I think most members want to see happen here, he said. I think Democrats are well-positioned. When Democrats have the opportunity to serve on or lead key committees, that certainly increases our voice in the process. That could be felt in passing legislation or in some cases, putting the breaks on other legislation.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro accuses the United States of trying to orchestrate a coup against him. While the U.S. says it's trying to rescue Venezuela's democracy, Washington has a long history of interventions  military and otherwise  in Latin American politics.

Since the advent of the Monroe Doctrine in the early 19th century, the United States has involved itself in the daily affairs of nations across the hemisphere, often on behalf of North American commercial interests or to support right-leaning forces against leftist leaders.
As the rates of suicides and attempted suicides rise in The Woodlands yet again, township elected officials have increasingly sounded the alarm for more suicide awareness and prevention education.

On Wednesday, Jan. 23, The Woodlands Township Board of Directors received a sobering report from Montgomery County Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace Wayne Mack on the rising rates of suicides and attempted suicides in the township. There were a total of 115 suicides or attempted suicides in The Woodlands in 2018, a 44 percent increase from 2017, when there were 80 reported suicides or attempted suicides.

Mack advocated for more suicide awareness education for children and adults, and also called for mental health first aid careplan to be developed to help identify people who are struggling and may commit suicide. The suicide rate in the entire Montgomery County, he reported, has increased by 80 percent since 2011.

Along with Precinct 3 Justice of the Peace Matt Beasley, Mack helps deal with death inquests and responds to suicide cases in his jurisdiction, something he said is eye-opening for both himself and Beasley.

We see first hand the impact every day, Mack told the board.

Also in attendance was Kim Hess, a local suicide awareness and education advocate whose daughter  Cassidy  died by suicide around Christmas in 2015. Mack thanked Hess for her work on the issue, including founding the Cassidy Joined for Hope, a nationally known 501(C)(3) nonprofit that is focused on teen suicide prevention in the schools and community.

Showing a series of slides, Mack illustrated the depth of the suicide epidemic that is ongoing across the nation, reporting that an average of 44,965 people die per year from suicide in America. Included in those statistics was data on veteran suicides  an average of 20 to 22 veterans die by suicide every day according to several studies  and that Montgomery County saw an 80 percent increase in suicides from 2011 to present.

If we had an 80 percent increase in death by heart diseaseif we had an 80 percent increase in death by cancer, what would be the response from our community, Mack asked. What we can do as a community is care. Part of that is mental health needs to become a priority. Mental health first aid is something our community needs to start doing.

Mack said Texas may be known as being the top ranked state in many quality of life categories, but when it comes to mental health spending per capita, it ranks a dismal 49th in the nation. He said in addition to a lack of state funding for mental health care, many people without health insurance cannot afford mental health care.

There is a stigma that goes with mental health isues, Mack explained as one reason why those who need help do not seek it out.

Hess also spoke to the board, describing how her daughter had died by suicide in 2015, despite leading a productive teenage life where she was popular and had success in school. Losing Cassidy to suicide, Hess said, had made her more aware of the issue and how suicide knows no boundaries.

It is affecting so many more people than I could imagine, Hess said. This has got to stop. It does not discriminate. We are doing our best (with Cassidy Joined for Hope) to spread the message in our schools. Students need to help each other. Save each other. Todays world is hardyour whole life unfolds on social media.

All seven of the board members thanked Hess and Mack for the presentation, some recounting personal stories with suicide or how they had become more aware of the epidemic in recent years.

I wanted to say what a difference youve made, said Director Ann Snyder, who had first inquired about the rising rates of suicide and attempted suicide in January, 2018. Life is not perfect, none of us are. You have made an amazing difference.

Director John McMullan, the latest board member to raise concerns about suicide rates, said that when he reads the monthly law enforcment reports and sees the plethora of suicides, it is just staggering to see how many occur.

Ours is not the first community or the only community struggling with this, McMullan said.

Mack finished his presentation by issuing a call to action to anyone in the community who can help, asking for analysis of reasons why suicide is occurring as well as catching it before it leads to death.

Lets start peeling back the onion on this and explore the reasons. The key here is reducing the attempts. This is a great starting point, Mack added. Starting right here in this room is the key to reducing these numbers.

jeff.forward@chron.com
Christmas was fast-approaching and Tomball Emergency Assistance Ministries had a freezer filled with donated turkeys, ready for distribution to families in need. About a week before the scheduled distribution, the freezer shut down.

We showed up and all of the turkeys were hot and drippy and it was just a mess, so we had to throw them all away, said Becky Loving, who was the executive director of TEAM at the time.

Out of the blue, she said, the Latter Day Saints group that had donated the original batch of turkeys called TEAM and announced they had raised more money than anticipated. The group asked whether TEAM had any additional needs.

Not only did the group re-supply TEAM with turkeys for 100-plus individuals, but also arranged to fix the pantrys broken freezer. It was just one of the many instances Loving points to when describing her faith in God and the community.

Tomball shoppers may see the TEAM storefront at the corner of North Cherry and West Main Street, and assume its just a typical thrift shop. They may not realize that in the same building there is a large pantry filled with donated goods and just a room away is a ministry office space with two rows of cubicles from which volunteer case workers help clients through financial burdens.

TEAM is a nonprofit organization that began in 1985 as an initiative between 13 churches. Since its inception, TEAM has grown its network of community partners to carry out its mission of helping Tomball residents in need of a variety of resources, including food, living expenses and emergency assistance.

After four years of serving as the executive director, Loving has passed the torch to Barry Hart who looks forward to bringing his blend of knowledge in both the business and community service realms to the TEAM organization.

Loving sat with Hart in the ministry office on Monday, Jan. 21, recounting her experiences at TEAM.

A golden age

TEAM saw several significant advancements under Lovings leadership.

Shortly after Loving started as executive director in 2015, TEAM assembled a group of community leaders for the purpose of better defining the organizations role in the community and finding ways to progress TEAM forward.

The result of this committees efforts was the Tomball Benevolence Network. TBN focused on filling previously unmet needs of financially struggling community members, such as providing auto and home repair services; and helping with the medical and dental expenses of people who may not qualify to receive aid from other organizations.

TBN is able to connect clients to many of these services through local businesses that agreed to donate time and resources.

Another need identified by the committee was the computerization of TEAMs case files.

We had several case workers, two computers, and none of our case files were computerized, so we just kept adding more and more filing cabinets in here, Loving said.

Soon after their decision to computerize, TEAM received a donation of eight computers. The organization got to work programming customized software called GRACE.

Now, client case documents are filed electronically for efficient retrieval and updates.

The other part of GRACE is a program that connects service providers that will help meet the unmet needs, Loving said. We have auto repair shops, we have electricians, counselors, just a variety of services that just werent being offered here.

TEAMs Good Eats Program is entering its third year in May. Through the program, low-income Tomball ISD students are provided with food during the summer break.

Up until that time there were no programs to provide food to them during the summer break, so that either meant that they went without, which was just a horrifying idea to me, or their parents were really, really strapped for funds, especially if they had three or four kids, Loving said.

One of Lovings biggest goals upon entering TEAM was to build community awareness of the organizations existence and the resources it offered.

Last year, TEAM hosted its inaugural fundraising event, which raised $70,000.

Now, the organization is preparing for their second annual fundraising event, which Loving sees as a platform to build awareness and recruit more volunteers.

Tickets are selling fast for this years fundraiser, which features Jim McIngvale  Matress Mac  as the guest speaker. The In the Heart of Tomball annual fundraiser and dinner will start at 6 p.m. on Friday, March 22, at La Tranquila Ranch in Tomball.

For information and tickets, visit teamtomball.com/tickets.

Weve begun to call them annual fundraisers, which is exciting, Loving said. Itll be good to see that continue.

Today, with 21 member churches, 20-plus community partners, and hundreds of volunteers, TEAM was able to serve 12,887 people in need during the 2017-2018 fiscal year.

As TEAMs ability to serve a greater number of people has grown, so too have the number of people needing assistance, said Loving. Even in the past four years that she has served as executive director, she witnessed an influx in people seeking help through TEAM.

I came during the time when Tomball was booming, and with construction projects on (Highway) 99 and (TX) 249, there were a lot of kind of transient workers moving to Tomball and when it rained, they couldnt work and didnt get paid, Loving said. So, weve seen a lot of that. Also, with any increase in population, theres an increase in people that have needs.

To keep up with growing demands, Loving said the in the future, TEAM may have to consider expanding its footprint with an additional, or larger, facility. Additionally, she hopes TEAM can grow its volunteer base so that the organization can also expand the breadth of services it provides.

Continuing the momentum

As the new executive director, Hart is up for the challenge of picking up where his predecessor left off and bringing the nonprofit to the next level.

Harts resume includes 21 years of experience working in Fiesta Marts corporate office, as well as a 20-plus year commitment to faith-based service as an adult Sunday School teacher.

One of his priorities will be to grow the Tomball Benevolence Network by seeking out more member churches and continuing to reach out to businesses who want to participate in TBNs mission.

Additionally, he hopes to expand resources that help a person attain self-sufficiency, such as the jobs program that began under Lovings leadership. The jobs program provides underemployed individuals with career guidance.

A lot of folks are not just looking for a handout; theyre looking for ways to help themselves be self-sufficient, Hart said. So, were looking at ways, like with the jobs program, that we can counsel folks to help them think about, How do I manage my finances so that I dont get in this situation again? And, What does it mean to work for someone? What does that process look like?

Ultimately, Hart said, the ability to serve the growing need will require more community partnerships and volunteers.

Thats going to be important to us  finding ways to generate that interest and getting folks to come in and serve, Hart said.

Thats some of the vision that I have for where we take this now that Beckys built a foundation.
3 1 of 3 Harris County Sheriff's Office Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Google Maps Show More Show Less 3 of 3





A gunman is on the run after critically injuring a 29-year-old woman near Tomball, according to the Harris County Sheriff's Office.

The shooting occurred around 6:50 a.m. in the 8600 block of Cedar Walk Drive by Kuykendahl Road. Authorities said the woman was setting items out for a garage sale when someone in a dark-colored truck drove up, exited the vehicle, walked up the driveway and shot her multiple times.
Mayra Cruz

The Spring Historical Museum will showcase the history of Old Town Spring Heights in a new exhibition throughout February as part of Black History Month.

The Spring Historical and Genealogical Society partnered with the Old Town Spring Heights Community Association to host the special exhibit, which highlights the history of Old Town Spring Heights as one of north Harris Countys long-established African American communities.
GAZA - Qatar has decided to continue to financially assist the Gaza Strip by supporting works of public interest in full cooperation with the United Nations, rather than by providing funds in cash as in recent months, said Qatari Ambassador to Palestine Mohammed al-Amadi.



Al-Amadi held a press conference following a lengthy meeting with Hamas leaders in Gaza.



He said in the coming days an accord will be signed for investments by Qatar totaling 20 million dollars in projects tied to electric utilities and healthcare.



Al-Amadi's mission in Gaza began in a climate of tension, after Hamas rejected new conditions placed by Israel regarding the introduction of 15 million dollars in cash to Gaza.



Growing tension has been felt at the border between Gaza and Israel since Thursday.
NASA scientists, engineers and other employees working without pay at Johnson Space Center are being asked to do something else for free: clean the bathrooms during the federal government shutdown.

A NASA manager, whose work involves developing requirements for spacewalks to maintain the International Space Station, tweeted Thursday a copy of a sign posted at JSC asking workers to volunteer for bathroom cleanup duty once a week until the shutdown ends.

"This is our reality at the Johnson Space Center," the manager tweeted. "We now have no custodial services while we work without pay to keep the International Space Station operating."

She ended her tweet with an angry-face emoji.

BRAIN DRAIN? Postdocs at NASA's Johnson Space Center latest to lose funding under shutdown

Anger and frustration over the shutdown has reached a boiling point in Houston, where 94 percent of the 3,055 federal employees at Johnson have been forced out of work since the government was shuttered Dec. 22 because of a political battle over the proposed border wall.

With Johnson employees set to miss their second paycheck of the shutdown Friday, about 50 people took to the streets last week to protest, begging Congressional leaders to reopen the government so they could get back to work  and get paid.

Even postdoctoral fellows at NASA, who were assured the shutdown wouldn't affect them, have found themselves out of funding and therefore out of work because of the budgetary impasse. Four of the 203 NASA postdocs work out of the Houston center.

'HELPLESS:' About 50 people protest government shutdown at NASA's Johnson Space Center

Custodians may be next. Byron Williams, Houston-area labor representative for the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, said Thursday that only about 20 of the 50 or so custodians he represents currently are working on site.

"They're operating at a 50 percent reduction right now," he said. "If they don't reopen the government by [Jan.] 29th or 30th, they're no longer going to be able to fund it and they'll furlough the entire crew."

'Wipe Toilet Seats'

Johnson is home to the nation's astronaut corps, where human space flight research and training take place. It also is home to the space station's mission operations and the Orion program. About 200 federal employees still working at Johnson are there primarily to ensure the astronauts aboard the space station remain safe. Those employees are not getting paid.

The manager who tweeted the photo could not be reached for comment Thursday.

The notice posted asks workers to sign up to help "clean toilets, wipe toilet seats, handles, and sink faucet handles with disinfectant wipes."

It also asks employees to pick trash up from the floors and take out their own garbage.

"Please bring your personal desk-side trash to the brown bin (across from the men's bathroom) so we don't attract ants or rodents," the sign read.

Gloves will be provided, the sign says.

EXPERTS: Shutdown may drive NASA workforce to the private sector

The tweet was directed at Texas' Republican Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, and U.S. Rep. Brian Babin, a Republican whose district includes the Johnson Space Center.

When asked for a comment, a spokeswoman for Cornyn pointed to the senator's vote Thursday to end the shutdown by supporting funding for President Trump's proposed border wall.

"This shutdown may have begun as a battle over border security, but it's affecting men and women in all 50 states whose jobs have nothing to do with border security," Cornyn said in a news release distributed after the vote.

Cruz also voted for the bill to reopen the government, a spokesman said in a statement, and is "committed to finding a solution to pay federal workers and fund common-sense border security."

"Sen. Cruz believes that NASA employees and all federal workers deserve good working conditions and a reliable paycheck," the statement said.

Out of work

A representative of Native Resource Development, the New Mexico-based company that holds Johnson's custodial contract, told the Houston Chronicle last week that they would begin accepting voluntary layoffs last Friday because of the shutdown, though he could not provide an exact number needed. Some individuals, he added, are exempt and will continue working.

"The task has been reduced because there's buildings that are not occupied," he said.

He directed more specific questions to company President Steven Cammack, who declined to comment Thursday. Cammack referred all questions to NASA personnel who were unavailable because of the shutdown.

UNPAID: Workers at NASA's Johnson Space Center brace for first missing paycheck

Shaun Azimi, a robotics engineer at Johnson who is working part-time during the shutdown, said Thursday he and his colleagues are less concerned about dirty bathrooms than they are about the welfare of the custodial staff themselves.

"Frankly, I wouldn't mind cleaning all the bathrooms on site if it meant the custodial staff could keep getting paid," Azimi said. "We are like a family here at JSC, and we just want to keep everyone, including our contractor team members, safe and employed. We're all just trying to do our jobs and support NASA's mission."

Alex Stuckey writes about NASA and the environment for the Houston Chronicle. You can reach her at alex.stuckey@chron.com or Twitter.com/alexdstuckey.

NEWS WHEN YOU NEED IT: Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message | Sign up for breaking news alerts delivered to your email here.
A viral video of a college student apparently seizing in a North Texas police officer's squad car earlier this week has been viewed almost two million times in four days, sparking outrage on social media.

Witnesses said they heard the student yell "stop choking me" in a struggle with officers, but the University of North Texas Police Department in Denton says the video doesn't show the full story.

Police say the man appeared to be faking a seizure after he was taken into custody on a theft charge, and they have since released the full 39-minute body camera video of the incident.

The video covers the time he was taken into custody until his booking at the Denton County Jail. It shows the inside of the vehicle when the suspect, identified as UNT student Peyton Long, appeared to be convulsing. It also shows a police officer grab his neck  a move that police say prevented him from hitting his head against the safety cage.

HPD BODY CAMS: HPD to revise policy on body cam video release

"The officers grasped the suspect below his jaw to control his head movements and prevent him from biting," the police department said in a press release issued Thursday, two day after the incident. "His airway remained clear as he continued to talk to the officers. The suspect then began to shake his entire body, mimicking the symptoms of a seizure."

They department goes on to say that based on the officers' training, the man appeared to be faking the seizure.

Long was booked into Denton County Jail on a misdemeanor charge of theft between $100 to $750, according to university officials speaking on behalf of the police department. He has not yet retained an attorney, according to misdemeanor court records, and he did not immediately respond to a phone call and message requesting comment.

The bystander who originally posted the video on Twitter, who goes by the handle @pleasehelp420, could not immediately be reached for comment. Her caption on the post reads "always record the police if ur white."

Since the video was posted Tuesday, the police department has responded to an ongoing flood of criticism on the post, referring viewers to its full-length video on the university website.

In a press release, UNT police said the incident started when they responded to multiple theft reports at the university library. Police said they located and arrested Long at the top level of a nearby parking garage.

After police detained the man in the squad car, the bystander started filming as police officer asked her to back away from the scene.

"I'm not interfering whatsoever," the bystander says in the video.

Police said the video "misrepresents the professional actions our officers took to prevent the suspect from seriously harming himself."

Their body camera video shows Long asking officers what he was accused of stealing. Long then appears to slam his head multiple times against the safety cage in front of him. At that point, one officer grabbed his neck and told him to stop.

"You just choked me out," Long can be heard saying in the video.

Long speaks to officers about his charge as they explain to him he's going to jail. He appears to strike his head once more against the safety cafe. An officer again grabs him by the neck while asking him to stop.

"Why do y'all keep choking me?" Long says in the video, which also shows him fall back and close his eyes as his body shakes in the back seat.

Chunks of the video did not have sound. Police said Texas common-law privacy protects the suspect's individual rights when it comes to comments he made while in custody. As a result, they muted some of the audio.

Police said they transported him to the jail and immediately requested medical support. Paramedics evaluated and cleared him before releasing him to jail staff, police said.

Court records show he bonded out of jail Wednesday after posting his $1,500 bail.

Julian Gill is a digital reporter in Houston. Read him on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and on our subscriber site, houstonchronicle.com. | julian.gill@chron.com | NEWS WHEN YOU NEED IT: Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message | Sign up for breaking news alerts delivered to your email here.
Houston Police arrested 48 drivers on felony alcohol charges during the month of December, according to records obtained by Chron.com.

Some were charged with driving while intoxicated with a child in the vehicle, and many were charged with their third DWI.
A former Fort Bend substitute teacher, captured recently in Syria as a suspected ISIS combatant, was brought before a federal magistrate in Houston Friday on a charge he attempted to support the Middle East terrorist organization notorious for posting videos of American journalists being beheaded by its militants.

Warren Christopher Clark, 34, appeared Friday on a single-count indictment alleging he tried to provide material support to a foreign terrorist group between 2011 and October 2015. Others convicted of this charge in recent years have been sentenced by federal courts to an average of 10 years in prison, according to a George Washington University scholar who closely tracks homegrown terrorism investigations into people suspected of becoming self-radicalized on U.S soil.

That researcher, Seamus Hughes, revealed evidence last year that Clark formally inquired about becoming an English teacher for ISIS. However, the public documents, as yet, do not specify whether this alleged cover letter and a resume that ends in the summer of 2015 are the focus of the allegations.

The one-paragraph indictment was returned under seal Wednesday, and officials said that Clark made the international journey in the custody of FBI officials, arriving in the Houston area Thursday. Federal law enforcement agencies declined to provide further details about Clarks transfer from the custody of his captors from the Syrian Democratic Front to U.S. officials.

PROFILE: Accused terrorist known in Fort Bend County for big ol smile

Seated in a wheelchair in a maroon track jacket with one arm looped through a crutch and the other cuffed to the chair, Clark appeared calm and sleepy. He rested his forehead on the crutch pad and moved moving his lips slightly as he read through a packet of court papers before the hearing. His defense lawyer said he understood Clark injured his leg in a personal conflict in Syria.

The suspects father, Warren A. Clark, seated nearby him at the front of the courtroom gallery, declined to talk to a reporter. Family members have avoided interviews in the weeks following Clarks capture.

Clark, a U.S. citizen who was raised in Sugar Land by parents who taught in the Houston Independent School District, was reported to have been captured by Kurdish rebels in Syria on Jan. 6. Following his capture, Clark granted an interview in Syria to Richard Engel, a foreign correspondent for MSNBC and NBC News, where he discussed how he spent time side-by-side with many engaged with the conflict.

AMERICAN CAPTURED: Former Fort Bend substitute teacher reportedly captured among ISIS militants in Syria

Clark appeared at an undisclosed location without his rebel captors in the room on Jan. 15, Engel said. The Sugar Land man entered on crutches with his left leg elevated. In a steady voice, Clark told Engel, I saw some people being executed. I saw crucifixions, you know? Thats just normal life thereThings like this happen. He went on to say that as a Texas native, public executions did not shock him.

Clark said in the Jan. 15 interview that he went abroad because wanted to understand more about Islamic culture, but he said he did not take up arms with the group. Clark explained that he had been imprisoned by ISIS police for not supporting the fight.

After a U.S. Magistrate Judge Peter Bray called Clarks case Friday, a federal marshal wheeled him forward and Clark identified himself in a soft voice. The judge went through a basic inquiry, as Clarks criminal defense attorney, Mike Degeurin, stood at his side.

The judge asked whether Clark understood the charge against him, that he faced a sentence of up to 20 years and he had a right to remain silent.

Clark told the judge he did have a question.

Before I was interviewed in Syria by MSNBC and the FBI, I was very lost, very lost. I was   Clark said.

Bray interrupted and advised Clark not to talk to anyone but his lawyer about the consequences of his prior statements.

Starting here, right now, you understand you have the right to remain silent? Bray asked. For example, what you did right there? Dont do that, OK?

Its a very serious matter, added Bray, a former federal public defender. Dont talk to your family. Dont talk to your friends. Dont talk to MSNBC. Make sure that anybody you do talk to is sanctioned by your lawyer.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark McIntyre said Clark posed a flight risk and asked the judge to detain him pending a detention hearing. Bray agreed, setting the hearing for Wednesday afternoon in Houston. The trial against Clark, however, is on the docket of the federal court in Galveston, likely because of Clarks lifelong connections in Sugar Land.

A Twitter account that matches an email handle used by Clark debunks a series of myths about ISIS. The account, which was active between August 2014 and February 2015, includes a September tweet stating, ISIS are only fighting soldiers that have been oppressing Muslims for years. They are liberators.

Clarks father told the New York Times on the day his capture was announced that his son was peaceful and he did not believe he would do anything violent.

Degeurin, his defense lawyer, offered a similar perspective.

He is a very polite, articulate, well-educated person and we are seeking that he be released to the custody of his parents pending trial, Degeurin said, in a courthouse hallway following the proceeding. His lawyer said he didnt know anything about his clients mental state, but his impression is that Clark is smart, gentle and worldly.

His attorney explained that the family had hired him in 2018 after evidence became public that Clark may have applied to work overseas as an English teacher for ISIS.

Degeurin said he had been working with the family since February 2018 trying to track Clark down through the U.S. State Department and the FBI when the family learned that Clark had been captured by Kurdish rebels. His lawyer said his client was trying to get away from ISIS.

We understand he was trying to get to the embassy, Degeurin said. We finally learned that he was in Kurd custody, and then somehow Richard Engel of MSNBC goes and gets an interview with him.

But the top law enforcement officer in the region said prosecuting terrorism cases are vital to national security.

The arm of American justice has a lengthy reach, U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick said, in the wake of Fridays hearing. The number one priority of the Southern District of Texas, along with the FBI and our other national security partners, is to keep America safe. The protection of life is the most sacred job law enforcement has.

Clark graduated in 2007 from the University of Houston, where he majored in political science and minored in global business. He went on to work as a substitute in Fort Bend ISD. He was a practicing Muslim in high school and showed no signs of radicalization, said people who knew him during his years at William P. Clements High School in Sugar Land.

He is the fourth person in Houston accused of associating with ISIS to face federal charges in Houston for attempting to support the group.

Two of those defendants were convicted and sentenced for providing material support and the third is awaiting trial.

TERROR IN TEXAS: Homegrown plots now focus of anti-terror investigators

In all, 174 individuals living in the U.S. have been charged with ISIS-related offenses, according to Hughes, deputy director of the Program on Extremism at GWU. Clark is the 16th person to return from Syria or Iraq after joining a jihadist group, Hughes said.

The GWU scholar, who was the first to report Clarks alleged interest in ISIS in 2018, said Clarks arrest represents the culmination of a multiyear investigation.

His time within the Islamic State may give a unique insight into the structure of one of the worlds most deadly terrorist organizations, Hughes said. Federal courts have proven time and time again to be well situated to address these cases. It will likely be a long process but the intelligence gained should have long lasting implications for law enforcement, the public, and scholars studying this phenomenon.

Gabrielle Banks covers federal court for the Houston Chronicle. Send her tips at gabrielle.banks@chron.com and follow her on Twitter.
BEIRUT - Leaders of the Kurdish-Syrian forces allied with the US-led anti-ISIS coalition said ISIS in Syria will be defeated in a month, according to reports by pan-Arab media sources.



Leaders of the Syrian Democratic Forces announced on Friday morning that the battle against ISIS militants in Syria's southeast is nearly over.



"The militants are surrounded, and in a month they will be eliminated," said a written statement shown on pan-Arab television stations.



The Kurdish-Syrian forces are a local branch of the PKK, which is hostile towards Turkey.



They launched an offensive on September 10 against the last pocket of territory still in the hands of ISIS in southeast Syria, between the Euphrates and the Iraq border.



The US-led coalition has supported the offensive with repeated airstrikes.



In recent days, Syrian government sources and local sources spoke of two different "massacres" of civilians fleeing combat zones, attributing them to the coalition air force.



One month ago US President Donald Trump announced the withdrawal of about 2,000 American troops from eastern Syria and said ISIS had been defeated.
Two workers are recovering from serious burns suffered during a fire at an industrial facility in Conroe on Thursday.

Around noon, emergency crews responded to a fire at Aegion Coating Services, at 10655 Jefferson Chemical Road, which is located southeast of the city of Conroe.

Two workers were transported to the (Texas) Medical Center with burn injuries, but were reported to be in stable condition, the Montgomery County Fire Marshals Office stated in a release.

MCFMO said the fire was quickly contained and there were no reported hazardous releases and no evacuations needed.

The Montgomery County Fire Marshals Office and the Montgomery County Sheriffs Office are on scene securing the area and the public is advised to avoid the area, MCFMO stated. Fire and Explosion Investigators from the Fire Marshals Office will be leading the investigation into the cause of the fire and further details will be released as the investigation proceeds.

DO YOU KNOW HER? New photos released on ID theft suspect in Spring

Employees on the scene were unable to comment, however a restoration company who responded reported the fire and Hazmat crews responded to a scene with heavy smoke and contained the fire in the west wing of an industrial building located at the back of the company.

Resident Phil Adams, who lives across the street, was returning to his house where his relatives were staying when he noticed the emergency vehicles.

There was an explosion and a fire, Adams said.

According to the Aegion Coating Services website, the company is a part of Aegions Corrosion Protection platform, and is headquartered in Conroe. It serves the United States, Canada, the Middle East, South Africa and South America. Aegion Coating Services combines a variety of pipeline coating and rehab technologies for both onshore and offshore installations.

No further information was available.

mellsworth@hcnonline.com
Katy parents now have more emergency facility choices for round-the-clock care for their feverish children.

Memorial Hermann Katy, located at 23960 Katy Freeway, has opened a new 24-hour Pediatric Emergency Center where Katy area parents can take their children who might be feeling unwell.

The emergency center, which is open seven days a week, complements the hospitals new dedicated pediatric inpatient unit and helps meet the need for specialized, round-the-clock pediatric emergency care in Katy and the greater west Houston area, according to a new release.

Heath Rushing, senior vice president and CEO of Memorial Hermann Katy and Memorial Hermann Cypress Hospital. said the pediatric center is needed to keep up with the growth in the Katy area.

As Katy continues to grow, it needs more access points for round-the-clock care, available for all ages, closer to home, Rushing said in a statement. Emergency medical situations occur at every hour of the day and how those are addressed can differ between adults and children. We are able to provide emergency care for all ages at all hours.

Related: Memorial Hermann Katy receive A for patient safety

Parents may need to take their children to an emergency center for a myriad of reasons, including if the child is having trouble breathing, has a bone fracture, lost consciousness, the child is burned or if the child has uncontrollable bleeding.

In some instances, high fevers, allergic reactions, ingested objects, severe prolonged headaches, coughing, and vomiting and/or diarrhea may require emergency care, but typically can be addressed by an Urgent Care or pediatrician, the release said.

Pediatric primary care is available on the Memorial Hermann Katy campus through Memorial Hermann Medical Group and Blue Fish Pediatrics Katy, and in the surrounding area through Memorial Hermann Convenient Care Center in Katy and Memorial Hermann Medical Group Firethorne, the release said.

To learn more about services at Memorial Hermann Katy, call 713-222-CARE (2273), or locate a physician near you and conveniently schedule an appointment online.

michelle.iracheta@chron.com
New colorful playground equipment at Bellaires Ware Family Park will give area children a place to have fun, learn and just be kids for years to come.

The city of Bellaire and PATRONS for Bellaire Parks plan to host a celebration and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new equipment at 800 Jacquet Drive from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 26.

The event will include interactive park activities including parachute games, sack races, sidewalk chalk art and temporary tattoos. The Optimist Club of Bellaire will be grilling hotdogs and offering other refreshments provided by Randalls and H-E-B.

Karl Miller, Bellaires director of parks, recreation and facilities, said he was excited about the new playground because it will give the community an improved space for children to grow as they play.

Its very important that kids have that opportunity to, you know, run and play and be creative, imaginative and [have] the social interaction that comes from that, he said. With the different equipment we have, it will help develop not only gross motor skills but fine motor skills with the kids. Its designed to help with balance.

The nearly $70,000 in new play pieces originated from the citys 2015 parks master plan that pointed out Wares aging equipment and how replacement parts were growing more difficult to find.

Miller said some of the goals of the new fixtures were imagination, sensory, learning and promoting play for children of differing abilities.

All of our playgrounds meet [Americans with Disabilities Act] standards. This park though weve put a little bit of extra attention to providing play amenities that provide a more enhanced play experience for people with disabilities in regards to a few extra play features: low-level play features that make it more accessible for kids, Miller said.

He said the space is purposefully splashed with a theme of color, including one piece that has different shades of Plexiglas, casting colorful shadows when sunlight shines through them.

Since it started, the nonprofit PATRONS for Bellaire Parks has raised almost $2 million to better and improve Bellaires parks. PATRONS President Winfred Frazier looks forward to area residents coming out and celebrating their wonderful new playground.

We hope that you will join PATRONS in celebrating parks and green space by supporting our efforts to raise funds for park enhancements that will improve the quality of life of Bellaire and the surrounding Houston residents, Frazier said.

tracy.maness@hcnonline.com
Area schools and law enforcement agencies will be required to have established response plans to active shooter situations if legislation introduced by State Rep. Steve Toth, R-District 15, becomes law.

According to Toths office, the bill calls for law enforcement agencies to conduct annual drills while also requiring law enforcement to immediately contain or eliminate a threat.

The bill would require, among other things, that the first arriving officer at a reported incident enter the site immediately, make an assessment and act to eliminate the threat.

Weve seen all too many tragedies where lives couldve been saved if local law enforcement agencies had coordinated plans in place, Toth said.

Reps. Will Metcalf (R-District 16) and Cecil Bell (R-District 3) are joint-authors of the bill.

Bells district includes Waller County, which includes the western portion of Katy.

NO BIG PAYOUTS: State Rep. Gina Calanni's first bill takes aim at payments to outgoing superintendents

Montgomery County has been a leader in implementing a coordinated response plan for school safety, Bell said. HB 1042 will allow other schools in the great state of Texas to benefit from the success found in this plan.

According to the bill, plans must include protocols for the first officer arriving at the scene to immediately:

(1) enter the premises where the emergency is occurring;

(2) identify and evaluate the threat; and

(3) take action to eliminate the threat, if feasible, or contain the threat to prevent further injuries and protect the public while additional law enforcement officers are summoned.

rkent@hcnonline.com
A horrific accident claimed the lives of three family members in a two-vehicle crash on FM 163 in the Tarkington area of Liberty County.

Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) troopers responded to the fatal crash around 6:46 p.m. on Wednesday night, Jan. 23.

A preliminary crash investigation indicates that a 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe was traveling northbound on FM 163, and a 2011 Dodge Avenger was traveling southbound before they collided, said Sgt. Erik Burse of the Texas DPS. The family was on their way to church when the accident occurred.

The two vehicles suffered tremendous damage to the sides of the vehicles.

The driver of the Tahoe, 82-year-old George Woodrome of Cleveland, was transported to Conroe Regional Medical Center and is in stable condition.

The driver of the Avenger, 24, year-old Brianna Henson of Midlothian, was transported to Conroe Regional Medical Center in serious condition.

Mark Henson, 57, and his daughter Jesse Henson, 16, were pronounced dead at the scene while Lily Protain, 4, died while being airlifted to Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston.

A fifth family member, 15-year-old Jordan Henson, was also life flighted to Memorial Hermann where she remains in serious condition from her injuries.

A GoFundMe account has been set up by family friends Buba Crye and Kevin Ward to raise $30,000 for funeral expenses for the family. To contribute, visit https://www.gofundme.com/love-and-help-for-the-families-in-need.

This is an active investigation and no additional information is available, and no charges have been filed at this time.

dtaylor@hcnonline.com
ROME - A ship run by the Sea-Watch NGO with 47 rescued asylum seekers aboard has entered Italian territorial waters and is anchored a mile off the coast of the Sicilian city of Siracusa, Italian coast guard sources said Friday. The ship was allowed into Italian waters because of bad weather conditions to guarantee the safety of the people on board, the sources said.



The asylum seekers were rescued on Saturday and the ship has not been allocated a port of safety yet.



Deputy Premier and Labour and Industry Minister Luigi Di Maio said Friday that he thinks the Dutch ambassador to Italy should be summoned over the case of the Sea-Watch ship.



"The Sea-Watch 3 ship will have medical and sanitary support from the Italian government if necessary but I invite it to point the bow towards Marseilles," 5-Star Movement (M5S) leader Di Maio said via Facebook.



"As you can see in the photos, this ship is flying the Dutch flag and it is now a few kilometres from the Italian coast.



"For this reason, I consider it opportune to immediately call the Dutch ambassador and ask him what his government's intentions are". Deputy Premier and Interior Minister Matteo Salvini on Thursday said the decision by a ship to head towards Italy was an "umpteenth provocation". On Friday he reiterated that the government's stance of refusing access to NGO-run migrant rescue ships to Italian ports was not changing. "I can't wait to have them arrive, safe and sound, in another European country," Salvini said.



"There's no space (for them) in Italy". On Friday Transport Minister Danilo Toninelli said the Netherlands should receive the migrants as the ship is flying the Dutch flag.
Oil closed higher for the third day in a row as a deal to reopen the U.S. government eased investor fears while political turmoil in Venezuela roiled one of the world's biggest suppliers of heavy crude.

Futures in New York rose 1.1 percent, gaining steam on reports President Donald Trump agreed to a three-week pause in the government shutdown to pursue border-security talks with Democrats. In Caracas, President Nicolas Maduro and Juan Guaido, the opposition leader, gave dueling speeches while the United Nations Security Council prepared to meet tomorrow on the crisis.

"There's some optimism now that the government shutdown, at least temporarily, may be behind us," said Brian Kessens, who helps manage $16 billion in energy assets at Tortoise in Leawood, Kansas. "That's got markets feeling a little bit better."

PREVIOUSLY: Oil climbs as Venezuelan unrest shoves aside U.S. supply surge

West Texas Intermediate crude for March delivery climbed 56 cents to $53.69 a barrel at the close of trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent for March settlement advanced 55 cents to $61.64 on the London-based ICE Futures Europe exchange, and traded at a $7.95 premium to WTI.

Despite those gains, both grades finished lower for the week, enduring their first weekly loss in 2019. Prices leaped about 20 percent to start the year, buoyed by output cuts by OPEC, Russia and other major producers. But the rally has faltered amid shaky economic forecasts and record production of U.S. crude.

Troubles in Venezuela, owner of the world's biggest oil reserves, provided a boost as the week wound to a close. The Latin American nation could see crude production drop by a third this year, analysts at Fitch Solutions said Friday.

"There's an upward bias here, considering there's supply-side outages and potential ones lurking," Michael Tran, an RBC Capital Markets LLC commodity strategist, said by telephone. "The market could be tighter than what people previously anticipated."

FORECAST: U.S. oil production is 23 years ahead of schedule

In a news conference, Guaido, who declared himself acting president this week, said he's preparing to dismiss the head of state-run oil company Petroleos de Venezuela SA as well as the board of its Houston-based refining arm, Citgo Petroleum Corp., taking on two of the power centers that help to bankroll the Maduro government.

The OPEC member has already seen its output drop 50 percent in five years as a spiraling economic crisis takes its toll on the oil industry. Even without new U.S. sanctions, Venezuela's production -- currently about 1.2 million barrels a day -- may lose a further 300,000 to 500,000 barrels a day, RBC estimates.

Internal conflict could result in a much bigger and longer-lasting disruption. Even if Maduro's government is replaced, "the road back for Venezuela will be extremely arduous given the depths of the economic and humanitarian crisis," Tran and fellow RBC analyst Helima Croft wrote in a note.

--With assistance from Heesu Lee, Sharon Cho, Tsuyoshi Inajima, Javier Blas, Michelle Kim and Grant Smith.

2019 Bloomberg L.P.
McDermott International

Houston oil field service company McDermott International has landed an engineering contract to help build a component for an ethylene plant in the southeast Asian nation of Indonesia.

In a statement released Thursday, the company that it has been awarded a technology contract by PT Chandra Asri Perkasa to build ethylene cracking heaters in Cilegon, Indonesia.
Eddie Seal / Bloomberg

The U.S. added nine oil and gas rigs this week, indicating activity in the nation's shale fields may have slightly recovered after last week saw the biggest drop in total rigs since 2016.

The nation added 10 oil rigs and lost one gas rig, the Houston oilfield services company Baker Hughes reported. Texas, home to 517 oil and gas rigs, lost four this week. New Mexico, which has 112 rigs, led the increase, adding four. In all, there were 1,059 active rigs in the U.S. this week.
To mark the first 99 days of the school year as being in the books, Martha Pulido, school principal at Sundown Elementary in Katy, wanted to do something special. And what better way to celebrate the occasion than with a theme day centered around Houston Texans star, No. 99, J.J. Watt?

"We all love J.J. Watt. We chose him because he's a great role model," Pulido tells Chron.com. "He uses his resources to help children, and we think it's important to show the kids it's great to help others in need," she adds.

On Thursday, the students showed up for school dressed in Texans No. 99 attire, including jerseys and T-shirts.

RELATED: Texans' J.J. Watt, DeAndre Hopkins named All-Pro

Special activities throughout the day included photos with a large cardboard J.J. Watt picture frame and with a giant Texans helmet. Arts and crafts time included a coloring page of the defensive lineman sporting a Mohawk.

"The kids researched his foundation and found out what he does to help children. For the Mohawk pic, they colored it and wrote a line about what they like about Watt," Pulido says. The answers included "J.J. Watt is strong. He is brave. He is cool."

The children also stood together along a template made of tape to form the number 99 in the grass of the school's playground. In the video above, you can see the kids posing in formation as they shout, "We love you, J.J. Watt!"



The fun-filled day couldn't have ended with more of a thrill than when J.J. Watt, himself, responded to a tweet by kindergarten teacher, Ms. Henson.

Tagging Watt, Henson posted three photos from J.J. Watt Day, along with the caption: "Sundown's #99! Happy 99th day of school, JJ Watt day! @JJWatt"

"Haha this is awesome! Much love to everyone over there at Sundown!! I hope you had a great 99th day of school!!! (and let's all be thankful that mohawk was a one time deal. Definitely not my best look!)" Watt retweeted.

"We were so excited for the school and for the kids that he would take notice," says Pulido.

ON HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM: J.J. Watt - Houston's superhero is a regular guy

As for next year, Pulido says the second annual J.J. Watt Day will be even better. "The kids will be ready. And maybe, hopefully, J.J. will even come."

Like many school kids in the Houston-area, students at Katy's Sundown Elementary are celebrating the first 100 days of the school year on Friday by dressing as 100-year-old elderly adults.

Click through the photos above to see the kids at Sundown Elementary dressed up both on J.J. Watt Day and on the 100th day of school as they don silver-hair powder, canes, and fake wrinkles.

Marcy de Luna is a digital reporter specializing in social media, the famous, and food. You can follow her on Twitter @MarcydeLuna and Facebook @MarcydeLuna. Read her stories on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and on our subscriber site, HoustonChronicle.com. | Marcy.deLuna@chron.com | Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message
It's probably best to think of La Vista 101 as an entirely new restaurant, even though it opened in the Timbergrove neighborhood eight months ago.

Because, as owner Greg Gordon concedes, the original opening of La Vista 101 in May  launched with a high-profile partners he hand selected  took the restaurant on a path to obscurity.

"We disappeared off the radar. It was a ghost town," Gordon said. "It seemed like we fell off the planet."

It was most definitely not the outcome he predicted for his second act of La Vista, a restaurant he operated in the Briargrove neighborhood for nearly 20 years before closing it in 2017. For the relaunch of La Vista Gordon said he wanted to create an entirely new concept and evolve as a restaurateur with 30 years of experience under his belt. He brought in J.D. Woodward (now overseeing Star Fish) as executive chef and Jeb Stuart as general manager and sommelier  both well known and respected in the Houston restaurant community. But within two months both Woodward and Stuart were no longer part of operations, a crippling blow to a new business trying to get a foothold in a new neighborhood. The restaurant has struggled since.

ALL HAIL THE KING CAKE: Popular pastry reigns during Mardi Gras season

Looking back, Gordon said he would still do the same thing, such was his desire to create a new La Vista identity. But he also acknowledges that it was not the right path. While he wishes the best to both Woodward and Stuart, Gordon has had to start anew.

And that begins this week. La Vista 101 (maybe it should be called La Vista 201?) is relaunching with a new menu that goes back to La Vista's beginnings as a "value-driven" neighborhood restaurant with a Mediterranean- and Italian-inspired menu. While there are a few items on the menu he worked on with Woodward (such as the grilled Spanish octopus, shishito peppers appetizer and the corn flake-crusted calamari), much of La Vista 101's menu hearkens back to the time when La Vista was a simple, BYOB spot on Fountain View. Gordon has brought back dishes such as his signature mussels, pasta dishes (tortellini with prosciutto peas and cream; fettuccine with venison Bolognese; cheese ravioli in vodka cream; rigatoni with sausage, fennel, peas and tomato cream), prosciutto-wrapped shrimp and grits, beef tenderloin with horseradish mashed potatoes, roasted chicken with potatoes and grilled vegetables, and the original La Vista lasagna.

With Gordon as chef, fans of La Vista may be happy to see a menu that begins with appetizers such as beef carpaccio with fried capers and bearnaise; fried oysters with Bloody Mary reduction; Asian-style beef tenderloin skewers; smoked deviled eggs with house guanciale and Caesar dressing; and fried cauliflower with pickled currants, orange and mint. There are crispy salads (wedge, kale salad, house greens, Caesar) and thin-crusted pizzas. And entrees in the original La Vista vein: pappardelle with wild mushrooms, shrimp Diavolo over angel hair; spinach fettuccine with jalapeno chicken and spicy lime butter; grilled salmon with sage polenta and spinach; New York strip steak with lemon and rosemary potatoes; bone-in pork chop with sweet potato tamale corn pudding; boneless whole fried fish with fennel and orange salad; grilled rainbow trout with rosemary potatoes and grilled asparagus; and grilled turkey meatloaf with horseradish mashed potatoes.

All along, Gordon said, he wanted La Vista 101 to be a comfortable, unpretentious place where guests feel at home. He wants them to leave they had a "pretty damn good meal for what they paid," he said (he also has lowered menu prices significantly). And he wants to re-establish the restaurant as a place customers want to return to over and again.

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"I'm much more confident in the food we're producing," he said. "I was not a smart businessman. I rectified my mistakes."

So how would Gordon characterize the "new" La Vista 101?

"What La Vista is is Greg Gordon," he said. It's my food. I know what I am now and I'm very proud and very happy, and I finally have the restaurant I want."



La Vista 101, 1805 W. 18th St., 713-787-9899; lavista101.com. Open for Lunch Monday through Friday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; dinner Monday through Friday 5 to 9 p.m., Saturday 5 to 10 p.m.; closed Sunday. Dinner prices: Appetizers $9-$15; salads $9-$11; pizza $14-$16; pasta $14-$16; entrees $17-$30.

Greg Morago writes about food for the Houston Chronicle. Follow him on Facebook or Twitter. Send him news tips at greg.morago@chron.com. Hear him on our BBQ State of Mind podcast to learn about Houston and Texas barbecue culture.
Liragraphy

If $keeta's single "Tears" sounds like it springs from a thorny life, well, the young Houston rapper took on seven bullets and came away from his near death experience with a different point of view.

"I see my life flashing right before my eyes"  those are the opening lines. And, well, things don't get gentler from this southwest Houston rapper tapped into the city's musical history, namechecking Missouri City legend Z-Ro on his breakout single, which is being released by RCA.

"I can't take credit for any of it," $keeta says. "It was all god. Just everything about the story and making the song, everything coming together, it all clicked."
Matthew McConaughey and Anne Hathaway in 'Serenity' Photo: Aviron Pictures

Let it be stipulated that the movie Serenity is about a battered woman (Anne Hathaway) who is trying to persuade her ex-husband (Matthew McConaughey) to murder her current one (Jason Clarke). And let it also be stipulated that the movie Serenity is absolutely not about that.

At first glance, the film is a contemporary film noir so pulpy, steamy and  most regrettably  cheesy that it has all the appeal of microwaved nachos. The dialogue is bad, to the point of self-parody. The performances are cartoonish, especially that of Hathaway, whose femme fatale comes across as a kind of live-action Jessica Rabbit from Who Framed Roger Rabbit.

And the scenario abounds with cliche and lazy shorthand: McConaugheys Baker Dill  a traumatized war veteran and captain of a chartered fishing boat for wealthy tourists  drinks rum to excess from a mug labeled Worlds Greatest Dad. That tells us that he has a child somewhere, and that their relationship is fraught.

ON HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM: New Films - 'The Kid Who Would Be King," "Stan & Ollie"

More Information 'Serenity' Rated R: for strong language throughout, sexual material, some bloody images Running time: 103 minutes * (out of five)

On closer inspection, however, these defects reveal themselves not to be flaws of execution but deliberate stylistic choices by writer-director Steven Knight (Locke). To use a term from computer programming, Serenitys problems arent bugs  theyre features. Put another way, the entire story takes place inside invisible air quotes. It isnt a bad movie. Its a bad one.

Allow me to explain, to the extent that I can.

Any reviewer of Serenity is likely to struggle not to spoil its humongous plot twist. Like the earliest symptoms of the flu, it begins dropping hints of its existence from the get-go, but it breaks out in full fever only gradually, until it consumes the narrative.

The very first frame, in fact, tells you something is not quite kosher. Whose eye does Serenity open with, in close-up? Why are the characters all so caricatured? Baker has embarrassing sex scenes with a neighbor (Diane Lane) that play like the fantasies of a 13-year-old boy. Who is this business-suited nerd (Jeremy Strong) who keeps showing up, without explanation, tromping through the surf in his leather dress shoes? And why, if the story is set in the Caribbean, as it seems to be, is the islands name, most improbably, Plymouth? (It was actually filmed in Mauritius.)

You will, no doubt, have a few head-scratchers of your own.

All will be revealed in the fullness of time  assuming you dont get so annoyed that you walk out after 15 minutes and slip into a screening of, say, If Beale Street Could Talk. (If it could, it might say, Dont watch Serenity.)

Allow me to make one further stipulation: The twist is, yes, audacious, even daring. Its full of risk and defiance of expectation. Steven Knight, youve got some nerve.

ON HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM: Houston's Movie Exchange survives streaming revolution (so far)

But none of those things mean that the movie works.

Do you see my conundrum? I cant say why Serenity fails without ruining it. But then again, it also does that all on its own.
BEIRUT - The head of the UN ceasefire-monitoring team in Yemen, retired Dutch general Patrick Cammaert, is stepping down from his post, according to pan-Arab and Saudi media citing UN diplomatic sources.



The position will be taken up by Cammaert's Danish counterpart Michael Anker Lollesgaard, who previously headed the UN mission in Mali in 2015 and 2016.



In recent days Cammaert left the contested port city of Hudaydah, where he had led a team of 20 UN observers since December 24.



At the Sanaa airport he boarded a flight to Geneva together with UN special envoy to Yemen Martin Griffiths.



The sources did not specify the reason for the change.



Some sources said it was a planned decision, given that Cammaert's mission was supposed to last 30 days.



Other sources said the Dutch general and Griffiths had disagreements over how to lead the observer mission in the port of Hudaydah, which is being fought over by the pro-Iran Houthis and pro-Saudi loyalist forces.
The Houston liquefied natural gas company Tellurian recently advanced in the race to build liquefied natural gas export terminals along the Gulf Coast when a federal agency released a 523-page study of the proposed $15 billion LNG complex in Lake Charles, La.

The study, called a final environmental impact statement, is an important milestone in the permitting process for any new terminal because federal agencies use the findings to decide whether to give proponents the green light to build the project. Tellurian will still need a final order from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission before it can build the terminal.

We look forward to receiving the agencys order granting authorization to site, construct and operate our Driftwood project, President and CEO Meg Gentle said in a prepared statement. Tellurian will then stand ready to make a final investment decision and begin construction in the first half of 2019, with the first LNG expected in 2023.

Tellurian is one of several companies seeking to develop LNG processing-and-export complexes along the Gulf Coast to take advantage of abundant supplies of natural gas from Texas shale formations and growing demand for cleaner-burning fuels to replace coal. Cheniere Energy of Houston is already exporting from the Sabine Pass terminal in Louisiana and the Corpus Christi complex in Texas.

Freeport LNG is expected to begin exporting from its Quintana Island terminal later this year. Other projects are proposed from the Louisiana coast to Brownsville. Analysts say as many as three new developments, including Tellurians, could get the final go-ahead from companies this year.

The others are Golden Pass LNG, a joint venture of Exxon Mobil, ConocoPhillips and Qatar Petroleum, on the Texas side of Sabine Pass; and Calcasieu Pass LNG in southwestern Louisiana, developed by Venture Global of Arlington, Va.

Tellurians proposed project, called Driftwood LNG, would process 27.6 million metric tons of liquefied natural gas annually  enough to fill up an LNG tanker every day.

The scale of Tellurians Driftwood terminal is massive: Its bigger than the entire capacity of U.S. LNG exports, which is just over 20 million metric tons now, according to an analyst at S&P Global Platts.

The project would include five liquefied natural gas plants, three storage tanks, and offloading and loading facilities, and would require the construction of about 96 miles of pipeline, plus three new compressor stations and 15 new meter stations in Calcasieu, Jefferson Davis, Acadia, and Evangeline parishes in Louisiana to deliver natural gas to the LNG Facility.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the agency leading the study, found the terminal would have significant adverse environmental effects. However, the agency said the impact could be reduced to a less than significant level if Tellurian implements several measures to reduce and minimize it.

For example, construction of the terminal would trigger the permanent loss of about 320 acres of wetland, and pipeline construction would permanently remove 78 acres of wetlands. To compensate for wetland loss, the federal commission recommended that Tellurian purchase wetland mitigation credits and contribute dredged sand materials to a state program that restores wetlands, habitats and shorelines. Final mitigation measures will be approved by state and federal agencies issuing permits.

Because the terminal would be built on an industrial shipping channel, the federal agency concluded the barges carrying the LNG may affect, but is not likely to adversely affect a number of marine species.

marissa.luck@chron.com

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Luncheon. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., H.E.S.S. Club, 5430 Westheimer. Speaker: Eric Desaulniers, chief executive, Nouveau Monde Graphite. Cost: Free for members; $40 preregistered guests; $50 at door. Information: www.energyprospectus.com or 281-435-8874.

Houston Entrepreneurs Forum:

Monthly breakfast meeting. 7-8:30 a.m., Ouisies Table, 3939 San Felipe. Speaker: Steve Ragiel, owner of Independent Texas Recyclers. Cost $27 members; $35 non-members; $40 walk-ins. Information: Tracy Park at 713-822-7260 or Tracyspark@aol.com

Conroe Job Fair:

Presented by the Conroe Economic Development Council and the Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber of Commerce. 1-5 p.m., Lone Star Convention Center, 9055 Airport Road, Conroe. Job seekers will be able to browse careers in education, manufacturing, sales, finance, fitness, law enforcement and real estate. Information: www.conroeedc.org.

The Houston Business Cabinet:

Meeting. 7-8:30 a.m., Marriott Hotel, 1750 W. Loop South at San Felipe. Speaker: Rob Todd, founder of Amplified Solutions. Topic: The complexity of erecting and maintaining towers in Houston. Cost: $25. Information: www.houstonbusinesscabinet.com.

QuickBooks Online:

9 a.m.-1 p.m., UH Bauer College SBDC, 2302 Fannin, Suite 200. Cost: $79. Information: www.sbdc.uh.edu.

Getting To Know Your Market Using the Houston Public Library:

9:30-11:30 a.m., UH Bauer College SBDC, 2302 Fannin, Suite 200. Cost: Free. Information: www.sbdc.uh.edu.

Wednesday

Grow Your Business with Women Business Enterprise Certification:

Conducted in Spanish. 9:30-11:30 a.m., UH Bauer College SBDC, 2302 Fannin, Suite 200. Cost: Free. Information: www.sbdc.uh.edu.

Protecting Your Company from Legal Pitfalls During Employee Discipline and Termination:

9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., UH Bauer College SBDC, 2302 Fannin, Suite 200. Cost: $29. Information: www.sbdc.uh.edu.

WordPress.org for Beginners:

9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., UH Bauer College SBDC, 2302 Fannin, Suite 200. Cost: $49. Information: www.sbdc.uh.edu.

Thursday

Greater Houston Partnership 2019 Annual Meeting:

10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Marriott Marquis Houston, 1777 Walker. Speakers: Marc Watts, president, Friedkin Group, and outgoing partnership chair; incoming Chair Scott McClelland of H-E-B; and Partnership CEO Bob Harvey. Cost: $90 for members. Information: Amber Margraves at amargraves@houston.org or 713-844-3651.

Association of Commercial Real Estate Professionals:

Economic update luncheon. 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Junior League of Houston, 1811 Briar Oaks Lane. Speaker: Ray Perryman, chief executive of The Perryman Group. Cost: Free for members; $75 guests. Information: www.acrp.org.

Small Business Intensive:

9 a.m.-2 p.m., UH Bauer College SBDC, 2302 Fannin, Suite 200. Cost: $79. Information: www.sbdc.uh.edu.

It All Begins with a Clear Desk:

9:30-11:30 a.m., UH Bauer College SBDC, 2302 Fannin, Suite 200. Cost: $29. Information: www.sbdc.uh.edu.

7 Habits of Highly Effective Online Marketing Strategies:

10 a.m.-noon, UH Bauer College SBDC, 2302 Fannin, Suite 200. Cost: $29. Information: www.sbdc.uh.edu.

Saturday

Coins Under the Couch Cushion:

Seminar on business financing hosted by SCORE Houston. 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Fort Bend County Library - Sienna Branch, 8411 Sienna Springs Blvd, Missouri City. Information: www.houston.score.org.

Financial Workshop for Small Business Launch & Growth:

Hosted by SCORE Houston. 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Houston Community College, 5601 W. Loop South, Room C142. Information: www.houston.score.org.

Texas Lunar Festival:

10 a.m.-5 p..m, Southern News Group, 11122 Bellaire Blvd. Cost: Free. Information: www.texaslunarfest.net.

katherine.feser@chron.com

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Lubys shareholders rejected an activist investor's attempt to wrest control of the restaurant company from the Pappas brothers on Friday, ending a 43-day proxy fight over the Houston chain.

Shareholders elected all the company's candidates for its nine-member board at its annual meeting, rejecting four nominees pushed by New York hedge fund Bandera Partners, according to preliminary results issued by the company.

Luby's did not release the voting count but said it was a close contest. Bandera said the election had a voter turnout of more than 85 percent.

Chief Executive Chris Pappas said in a statement that the company will look to improve its operating results.

"With this annual election now completed, our full focus returns to executing our turnaround plan for the business and ensuring that we have our right board composition to oversee our strategy," he said.

Jeff Gramm, a Bandera co-founder, said he accepted the preliminary results, which were reviewed by Lubys proxy solicitor and will later be certified by an independent inspector of elections and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

"Although it is early and we have not seen official results, we believe we won the vast majority of votes from non-affiliated shareholders," he said. "It is clear to me that Luby's shareholders are very frustrated with the company and desperate for change in the boardroom."

Fridays election caps a bitter boardroom dispute between two prominent Texas families fighting for control of the iconic but struggling Houston restaurant chain known for its comfort foods, such as the LuAnn Platter. The company operates 82 Luby's Cafeterias and 59 Fuddruckers restaurants. It franchises another 104 Fuddruckers locations nationally.

Gramm, the son of former U.S. Sen. Phil Gramm of Texas, was seeking to oust Chris Pappas and his brother Harris Pappas from Lubys board, which they have helmed for nearly two decades. The brothers also own and operate popular Houston restaurants Pappasitos Cantina, Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen and Pappas Bar-B-Q.

Bandera, which has been a Luby's shareholder for more than a decade, was lobbying fellow investors to replace the Pappas brothers, Chairman Gasper Mir III and board member Frank Markantonis with its own slate of candidates, which included Gramm and his father.

Bandera faced an uphill battle to pry control of Luby's from the Pappas brothers, who own 36.8 percent of the company's stock. Bandera has a 9.8 percent stake.

Gramm, who flew in from New York to attend the annual meeting, said he did not regret the proxy fight, which tested his close friendship with fellow activist investor and business associate James Pappas, Chris Pappas son. In a prepared statement to Lubys board, Gramm encouraged it to listen to shareholders and wished it success in the coming year.

I dont regret my decision to take this vote to Lubys shareholders, Gramm said in an interview. I really do believe that if I hadnt done this, the company wouldnt have committed to bringing some change to the boardroom in the coming year.

Luby's last week announced plans to make some changes to its board in a bid to appease Bandera and other shareholders concerned with the company's stock performance.

Among the moves, Mir announced he would relinquish his leadership position to another independent board member later this year. The board said it is also looking to replace two incumbent members, several of whom are approaching retirement age, with independent directors. Luby's did not say who would step down but said the changes will take place later this year.

David Littwitz, the owner of Houston restaurant brokerage Littwitz Investments, said little has changed as a result of the proxy fight, however. Lubys restaurants are unprofitable, the companys stock is down and the company is still forced to sell off real estate to pay down its debt, he said.

Its still a tough situation for the current management to operate, he said. All this has done is give Chris Pappas some breathing room for the moment, but not by much.

Ed Wulfe, the chairman of Houston retail brokerage Wulfe & Co. and a Lubys shareholder, said he voted in favor of Lubys slate of candidates.

Im very pleased Lubys is staying in the hands of the Pappas, who are proven restaurateurs with years and years of experience, he said. I think in the long term, this is in the best interest of Lubys and shareholders.

After rising briefly midday, shares of Luby's fell 13.8 percent Friday to $1.56. The company is set to report fiscal 2019 first quarter earnings Monday.

paul.takahashi@chron.com

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President Donald Trump is reopening the federal government for three weeks, making his announcement the same day that a shortage in air traffic controllers caused a one-hour ground stop for flights arriving at New York's LaGuardia Airport.

CNN, citing a White House official, reported that air traffic delays on Friday played an important role in Trump's decision to reopen the government.
The state-run Texas Veterans Land Board has placed a temporary freeze on loan payments to help furloughed federal employees who are veterans during the ongoing partial government shutdown.

The board, which falls under the Texas Land Commission, finances land, home loans and home improvement loans for Texas veterans and active members of the military.
Firmspace, the Austin coworking company now in the final stages of building out its first Houston location, is going for a sophisticated atmosphere thats more conducive to working than playing pingpong.

The family-owned coworking provider, which will get its name on three sides of the 22-story BBVA Compass Plaza in Uptown, aims to lease its brand of fully-furnished, glassed-in offices to oil and gas companies, law firms, financial services professionals and corporate executives working remotely. The offices, which take 32,000 square feet on the 10th and 11th floors of the 326,200-square-foot building at 2200 Post Oak Blvd., are accessible only after getting cleared after checking in at a reception desk.

Our whole space is secured, much like a law firm, said Houston native Matt Ferstler, Firmspaces co-founder and chief executive. We have somebody at the front desk thats going to be able to provide you the service you need.

Firmspace joins other coworking companies, including Spaces, CommonGrounds and Bond Collective expanding in Houston. Industry giant WeWork has a pair of locations in town.

As the latest entrant into the Houston coworking space, Firmspace is seeking to build on the appeal it has cultivated in its hometown, where it has lured national law firms and entrepreneurs in growing to 150 members since opening in late 2017. The Houston outpost will be its third location after Denver.

Monthly membership rates start at about $700 per desk climb to about $2,700, with a discount of 10 percent for 12-month commitments, Ferstler said. About 95 percent of the firms members are on 12-month plans.

Firmspace signed a 10-year-plus lease for previously unleased space at BBVA Compass Plaza, which opened in 2013. The company is targeting businesses that want flexibility in the size and duration of their lease with an all-inclusive price that doesnt require long-term commitment or the expense of building out their own offices.

Guests and members can congregate in the common areas, including a lounge with free-flowing kombucha and cold brew on tap near the reception desk. The individual offices are designed with modular glass walls that are covered with film to nearly 6 feet high for privacy while still allowing in natural light. The offices, which will be outfitted with high-end furniture, including six-foot wide adjustable desks, can be configured to accommodate up to eight desks.

Multiple conference rooms and gathering areas are part of the plan, which was designed by the Page architecture firm. Materials such as felt walls add texture and visual interest while dampening noise.

We do everything we possibly can so that two folks who are working for two different companies arent always hearing each other, Ferstler said. Thats something that makes us a little bit different.

Firmspace, which likes to go into newer buildings on high floors with city views, is targeting Atlanta, Dallas, Miami, New York, Salt Lake City and Washington, D.C., for further expansion.

The companys 35,000-square-foot Austin location has drawn customers from tenants in the same building needing extra space, among them Google and Brown Advisory.

To break even, Firmspace needs to lease about 60 percent of the space, Ferstler said. The Houston location, which could accommodate 160 members, will open in the first quarter.

katherine.feser@chron.com

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Queen sends Brexit message to UK politicians  end your bickering

Queen Elizabeth has sent a delicately coded message to Britain's factious political class over Brexit, urging lawmakers to seek common ground and grasp the big picture to resolve the crisis.

With the clock ticking down to March 29, the date set in law for Britain to leave the European Union, the United Kingdom is in the deepest political crisis in half a century as it grapples with how, or even whether, to exit the European project it joined in 1973.

While Elizabeth, 92, did not mention Brexit explicitly in an annual speech to her local Women's Institute in Norfolk, the monarch said every generation faced 'fresh challenges and opportunities'.

'As we look for new answers in the modern age, I for one prefer the tried and tested recipes, like speaking well of each other and respecting different points of view; coming together to seek out the common ground; and never losing sight of the bigger picture,' the queen said.

Though steeped in the conventional language the queen has made her hallmark, the remarks in the context of Britain's crisis are a signal to politicians to sort out the turmoil that has pushed the world's fifth largest economy to the brink.

Buckingham Palace declined to comment though the British media was clear about the significance of her remarks. The Times' headline read: 'End Brexit feud, Queen tells warring politicians'.

As head of state, the queen remains neutral on politics in public and is unable to vote, though ahead of the 2014 referendum on Scottish independence she made a delicately crafted plea for Scots to think carefully about their future.

The future of Brexit remains unpredictable with options ranging from a disorderly exit that would spook investors across the world to a new referendum that could reverse the process.

Prime Minister Theresa May is engaged in a last-ditch bid to win support for a tweaked divorce deal after parliament this month crushed the original plan in the biggest defeat in modern British history.

The Northern Irish party which props up May's minority government has decided to back her new deal if it includes a time limit to the Irish backstop, The Sun newspaper reported.

France and other European powers said they were preparing for the worst.

British finance minister Philip Hammond said the economy would suffer severe damage if the United Kingdom left the EU without a deal.

'There will be very significant disruption in the short term and a very significant hit to our economy in the medium to long term,' Hammond told BBC radio.

Goldman Sachs will invest less in the United Kingdom if there is a difficult or hard Brexit, Chief Executive Officer David Solomon said.

'Our headcount in the UK over the last couple of years has not gone down but it hasn't gone up either  we have added head count you know on the continent,' Solomon told the BBC in Davos.

'But I would say that, over time, if this is resolved in a difficult way or a hard way, it'll have an impact on where we invest and where we put people,' he said.
Pope says killing of women has become 'plague' in Latin America

Pope Francis urged Latin America's leaders on Thursday to shun corruption and tackle gang violence, drug trafficking and the killing of women, which he said had become a 'plague' in his native continent.

Francis also addressed migration for the second straight day, saying more had to be done to overcome fears and suspicions because migrants were seeking a better life.

In a meeting with bishops from Central America, Francis said many young people found themselves 'boxed in and lacking opportunities, amid highly conflictual situations with no quick solution: domestic violence, the killing of women  our continent is experiencing a plague in this regard  armed gangs and criminals, drug trafficking...'

At least 2,795 women were victims of femicide in Latin America and the Caribbean in 2017, according to government data provided to the UN's Latin American economic commission, ECLAC.

In El Salvador this phenomenon is particularly acute, with a rate of 10.2 femicides per 100,000 women in 2017, ECLAC said.

The pope said families had been 'broken by an economic system that did not prioritise persons and the common good but made speculation its "paradise"'.

On Thursday evening, several hundred thousand young people took part in the opening ceremony of the Catholic Church's World Youth Day  the reason for the pope's visit  and heard Francis tell them to have the courage to change things.

In a morning address to Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela and the diplomatic corps, Francis said the continent's young people were demanding that their political leaders live honestly, transparently, simply, and 'be opposed to all forms of corruption'.

Last year, a Transparency International report on corruption in Latin America showed that more than half of people surveyed in 20 countries believed their government was failing to address corruption and one in three said they had to pay a bribe for public services.

Francis praised those in the Latin American Church, who, like assassinated Salvadoran Archbishop Oscar Romero, had tried to keep the truth alive 'in the face of injustice, the spread of poverty, and the abuse of power'.

Romero, a champion of the poor, became a human rights icon in Latin America when he was killed by a right-wing death squad in 1980 while he was saying Mass. He was made a saint last year.

Romero's path to sainthood had stalled under two previous popes, reflecting concerns by some bishops in Latin America and the Vatican that he was overly political. But Francis speeded it up after his election as the first Latin American pope in 2013.

In the past, Francis criticised bishops who spoke badly of Romero even after his assassination, saying they had defamed and slandered him. On Thursday, Francis said Romero's name had become 'a dirty word' for some.

Francis told Reuters in June he had wanted to make a stop in nearby El Salvador during his Panama visit to pray at Romero's tomb. Francis later decided to make a longer trip to El Salvador at some point in the future.
(ANSA) - Rome, January 25 - France and Germany are "taking the mickey" out of Italy on assigning France's United Nations Security Council seat to the European Union, Premier Giuseppe Conte told Corriere della Sera Friday.

The recent Franco-German Aachen Treaty said Germany had a priority interest in getting a seat, he said.

Germany said Friday a UN seat had been "our goal for some time" and this should not come as a surprise.

The Aachen Treaty is not against any other members but in favour of the EU," said Chancellor Angela Merkel's spokesman Steffen Seibert.


Open letter urges CofE bishops to 'revise, postpone or withdraw' transgender services guidance

An open letter to the Church of England's House of Bishops signed by more than 1500 people  including senior members of the clergy  has called on them to 'revise, postpone or withdraw' their controversial guidance on services of welcome for transgender people.

Among the signatories are the former Bishop of Rochester, Rt Rev Michael Nazir-Ali, Rt Rev Graham Dow, Assistant Bishop of Chester, Ven Dr Edward Dowler, Archdeacon of Hastings and the Archdeacon of Bath, Ven Dr Adrian Youings.

The bishops issued the guidance under the chairmanship of the Bishop of Blackburn, Rt Rev Julian Henderson, who later confirmed that he personally opposed it.

It encouraged clergy to be 'creative and sensitive' in using liturgy to enable people to mark a major transition in their lives and formally commends the incorporation of the existing rite for the Affirmation of Baptismal Faith into services which mark gender transition.

It details how elements including water and oil can be incorporated into the service and makes clear that trans people should be addressed publicly by their chosen name.

However, the letter  which has not yet been widely publicised  says the bishops' guidance fails to take account of the contested nature of gender dysphoria and of the harm that premature intervention has done. It says their document is 'undoubtedly well intentioned but lacks the serious theological analysis required to address the philosophical, anthropological and social issues in play in public discourse'.

It stresses that signatories are 'unreservedly committed to welcoming everyone to our churches and communities of faith', but says that 'we do not believe that the Guidance is the right way to do this, since it raises some significant issues for the Church's belief and practice'.

Among these are an apparent contradiction of a previous bishops' statement that no new liturgy would be offered for transgender people, a 'misuse' of baptismal liturgy, an apparent 'rejection of physical differentiation between male and female' which as well as being an 'almost universal biological reality' is also 'the basis of the Church's understanding of Christian marriage, is seen as an important feature of God's work as creator, and is a symbol of God's covenant relationship with humanity'.

It also says the guidance lacks consideration of the 'often traumatic' impact of gender transition on family members or of discussions in wider society about gender transition.

The letter argues that the guidance is a 'new policy statement' by the House of Bishops and ' if it stands will be appealed to in the future as signifying a change in liturgical and therefore doctrinal understanding, whether or not that was intended.'

Rev Dr Ian Paul, a member of the General Synod and of the Archbishops' Council  and a signatory of the letter  told Christian Today: 'This is an area of debate that people are very cautious about commenting on. The fact that so many, from a wide range of traditions in the Church, have been prepared to 'put their heads above the parapet' is an indication of the strength of concern expressed here.

'The letter has been signed by 800 clergy, including area deans, archdeacons and retired bishops, as well as 700 lay members, including members of Synod, Church wardens and PCC members. But the most important thing here is not simply the numbers, but the fact that the letter highlights really important doctrinal, liturgy and pastoral issues that have not been adequately addressed. 'The bishops really need to think again and consider these things properly.'

He added: 'This is just the start, before the letter has been given any open publicity. Once it is more widely known, many more will sign.'
Italy's Protestants and Catholics hit back at hardline anti-migrant movement

Catholics and Protestants in Italy have signed a joint declaration on migrants urging a spirit of humanity and solidarity.

Tens of thousands of migrants have crossed the Mediterranean to Italy and the Italian government is putting increasing pressure on Italy-based rescue missions, accusing them of encouraging the dangerous crossing. Under interior ministry Matteo Salvini's anti-migrant rules, the authorities have closed Italy's second-largest reception centre, near Rome and withdrawn two-year 'humanitarian protection' residency permits.

According to The Local, the Italian Refugee Council has said it was 'seriously concerned' by the new legislation which 'will put thousands of people outside the law and only a very few can be repatriated'.

Salvini is facing trial for refusing to let 150 migrants disembark last year from a rescue ship docked in Sicily, the far-right leader said on Thursday. He was placed under investigation last August for alleged abuse of power and holding people against their will after he denied permission for the Italian coastguard ship Diciotti to let a group of mainly Eritrean migrants disembark.

The migrants were eventually allowed to land, but since then Salvini has tightened the screws and is refusing to let any rescue ships into Italian ports, saying other European states should pick up the strain.

The Federation of Protestant Churches in Italy, Italian Episcopal Conference, Waldensian Board and Community of Sant'Egidio signed a joint declaration, entitled 'Let's remain human' during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

The appeal is subtitled 'On immigration, it's time to change our language and act: save those who are in danger, extend humanitarian corridors and open new legal pathways for entry.'

It says: 'We regret and are dismayed by the superficial and repetitive rhetoric which, for months now, has been used in relation to the theme of global migration, and which loses sight of the fact that, behind the migrant flows, landings and statistics, there are men, women and children who are denied their fundamental human rights: in the countries from which they are fleeing and, indeed, in the countries through which they transit, such as Libya, where they end up in detention camps where they struggle to survive.

'To point the finger at them as though they were a threat to our wellbeing, to define them as potential criminals or freeloaders in our reception system is to betray the story of immigrants Italians included  who, by contrast, have contributed to economic, social and cultural growth in so many countries.'

It calls on European countries to replicate or expand 'humanitarian corridors', opened for the first time in Italy at the beginning of 2016, arguing that these protect migrants against exploitation and people-traffickers.
Planned Parenthood reports killing 332,757 babies last year, most since 2011

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Abortion procedures performed at Planned Parenthood clinics nationwide increased to 332,757 last year, as the company's new president, Dr. Leana Wen, called abortion a human right.

The figure highlighted in the business' latest annual report shows an increase of 11,373 abortions over the previous years report.

Planned Parenthood's report shows that it received $564.8 million in federal grants and reimbursements in 2017-'18 and received $100 million more in private donations in 2018 than it did in 2017; and has net assets of nearly $1.9 billion.

The business' adoption referrals also "decreased by 1,000 last year to around 2,800 "which means that Planned Parenthood clinics performed 118 abortions for every one adoption referral," The National Review noted.

Wen, who's the first physician to lead the company in its 50-year history, described abortion as being part of standard medical care and a fundamental human right in her message accompanying the annual report.

Through all our work, we will continue to assert what we know to be true: Planned Parenthood services  from birth control to cancer screenings [Planned Parenthood does not offer mammograms] to abortion  are standard medical care. Reproductive health care is health care. Womens health care is health care. And health care is a fundamental human right, Wen wrote in part.

The report showed abortion services provided by Planned Parenthood accounted for 3.4 percent of the medical services at the clinics, a 0.4 percent increase over the previous year.

In a previous interview with The Christian Post, Abby Johnson, a former Planned Parenthood director, explained how the company bills its services to claim that abortions only account for 3 to 10 percent of what they do.

"All of it boils down to how they bill for services," Johnson said. "For example: an annual exam, Pap smear, gonorrhea and chlamydia tests, and seven packs of birth control account for one visit and are billed as 10 services. They unbundle for abortion, and count all services provided as one. We don't really know what the true numbers are because of the bundling and unbundling."

The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank in Washington, D.C. noted in a report published in 2015: "The calculation counts each 'discrete clinical interaction' as a separate 'medical service,' meaning simple tests or routine provision of birth control are given the same weight as surgical or chemical abortions. For example, if a woman in the course of a year receives a free condom, a pregnancy test, a sexually transmitted infection test, and an abortion, Planned Parenthood would say abortion was only 25 percent of the services provided."

Wen, who emigrated from China with her parents as child, said her parents depended of food stamps and Medicaid and Planned Parenthood for health care.

When I was 8, my parents brought me here from China. We came to the U.S. with $40 to our name. We depended on Medicaid and food stamps and also on Planned Parenthood for health care, she said last fall.

Lila Rose, president and founder of national pro-life organization Live Action, dismissed the notion that Planned Parenthood is a health care organization. "Planned Parenthood is not a health care organization  the corporation is Americas largest abortion chain, and its own numbers prove it, Rose said in a statement.

Planned Parenthood President Leana Wen admitted this month that Planned Parenthoods core mission is providing, protecting and expanding access to abortion, and it recently published a plan to expand its abortions in 2019. Poll after poll shows a majority of American taxpayers are opposed to funding abortions. When taxpayers subsidize nearly 40 percent of Planned Parenthoods budget and the abortion chain readily admits its core mission is abortion, taxpayer money is supporting abortions, period, she added.

Last year, the abortion rights group Center for Reproductive Rights argued in a report that if Roe was overturned, then 22 states would likely ban abortion in response.

In a recent interview with Bustle, Wen addressed pro-choice advocates' concerns, saying, "Especially now with the Supreme Court, were dangerously close to a world that looks much like the one before Roe was decided in 1973," Wen said. "We are, though, optimistic because we know what the American people want."

But Pro-Life Action League Executive Director Eric J. Scheidler, told CP last July that claims like 22 states immediately banning abortion are exaggerated "fear mongering."

"At most, only a couple of states with extremely conservative legislatures might even attempt something like a total ban on abortion," Scheidler told CP. "[It's] far more likely that states would seek to further restrict abortion, in line with the view of most Americans, with measures like banning late-term abortion and holding abortion facilities to the highest health and safety standards," he said.

He added that the Supreme Court could uphold greater restrictions on abortion than we've seen so far, such as the bans on abortion after 20 weeks that have been passed in some states.
Supreme Court allows Trump's transgender military ban go into effect

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The U.S. Supreme Court will allow President Donald Trumps ban on transgender service members in the military to go into effect in a 5-4 decision that did not rule on the merits of the case.

The nations high court on Tuesday granted stays requested by the Trump administration in two cases challenging its policy banning transgender service members from serving in the military. The court has effectively allowed the policy to go into effect while lawsuits move forward in lower courts.

The Trump administration policy reversed an Obama administration policy allowing those who suffer from gender dysphoria to serve in the U.S. military and even receive funding for gender transition procedures and therapies.

The five conservative justices on the court voted to grant the stay of the policy while the lower courts rule on the merit of the case. Meanwhile, the courts four liberal justices would have denied the Justice Departments application for stay in the cases.

The decision has received praise from conservative evangelicals and has been criticized by LGBT activists.

Trump first promised a ban on military service members in a July 2017 tweet in which he stated that the military would not allow transgender individuals to to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military.

While a longstanding ban on transgender military service members was lifted by the Obama administration in 2016, the Trump administrations policy lets transgender service members continue to serve if they have already begun to transition.

However, the Trump administration policy released by then-Defense Secretary James Mattis prohibits service members from the beginning transition and would disallow people who have already transitioned to their preferred gender from being able to join the military ranks. It would also disallow people diagnosed with gender dysphoria.

The policy was created after Mattis established a panel of experts comprised of senior civilian and uniformed military leaders. Mattis concluded that there were substantial risks associated with allowing the accession and retention of service members who suffer from gender dysphoria or who have begun to transition to their preferred gender.

According to The Washington Post, the court ruled that the Trump administration policy did not constitute a blanket ban on transgender service members because not all transgender individuals have transitioned or are diagnosed with gender dysphoria.

Allowing Donald Trump & [Vice President] Mike Pence's transgender troop ban to go into effect harms both transgender service members & our national security, the pro-LGBT Human Rights Campaign tweeted in response to the ruling. As this critical matter makes its way through the courts, brave trans patriots deserve to have their constitutional rights protected.

The American Civil Liberties Union claimed in a tweet that the ruling still doesnt lift the nationwide block secured in our case, Stone v. Trump, which is before a court in Maryland.

Sharon McGowan, the legal director for the LGBT law firm Lambda Legal, told PrideSource.com that the Maryland case is on the only remaining nationwide injunction in place against the policy. However, she suspects that the Justice Department will apply for a stay in that case too, given the Supreme Courts decision in the other two cases.

Shanon Minter, a legal director for the National Center for Lesbian Rights, told the outlet that it is correct to interpret the courts ruling as meaning that the transgender policy can go into effect.

The court declined to hear the cases now, which permits our challenges to proceed in the lower courts, but it also is allowing the Trump administration to enforce the ban in the meantime, Minter said.

Kamala Harris, a Democrat senator from California who recently announced her candidacy for president, called on liberals to fight back to reverse the decision.

Social conservatives have long spoken out against plans to allow transgender individuals to openly serve in the military.

One of the most vocal groups has been the Family Research Council, which is headed by retired service members such as Tony Perkins and Jerry Boykin. The group has warned that the push to allow transgender individuals to openly serve in the military is more about a social agenda than improving military readiness.

Its refreshing to see the U.S. Supreme Court rein in lower court judges who are bent on telling the commander-in-chief how to run the military, FRC President and Marine veteran Tony Perkins said in a statement. Those charged with the difficult and complex work of keeping our nation safe cannot do their job with rogue judges injecting their personal opinions into every social issues case which reaches their courts.

Perkins had previously spoken out against lower court decisions barring the Trump administration from putting the policy into effect, calling the rulings judicial activism.

With different judges issuing these different opinions all over the country, our nation will quickly become paralyzed, Perkins said Tuesday. There is a reason the Constitution so clearly explains that the president is the final authority on military policy. The Constitution grants judges no power to divert military resources away from preparing to fight wars and into social engineering.

Perkins pointed out that there are hundreds of conditions or physical limitations that disqualify people from being able to serve in the military.

Does that make the military exclusionary? Yes. But the Pentagon isn't in the business of equality, Perkins asserted. It's in the business of fighting and winning wars. Either the military's priority is protecting America  or it's helping people on the path to self-actualization. It can't do both.

The U.S. Supreme Court is right to leave the responsibility for keeping our military strong and country safe where it belongs: with our commander-in-chief, Perkins concluded.

Last year, FRC was subpoenaed by LGBT groups suing the Trump administration over the transgender military ban and demanded that FRC leaders turn over all communication they have had on the issue with the Trump administration.
NY Catholic bishop questions Gov. Cuomo's faith over death star abortion law

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New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo's faith is being questioned after he signed a bill into law that legalizes abortion up to birth for any reason.

Section 2 of the controversial Reproductive Health Act states that an abortion May be performed by a licensed, certified, or authorized practitioner within 24 weeks from the commencement of pregnancy, or there is an absence of fetal viability, or at any time when necessary to protect a patient's life or health.

In an open letter Saturday to the governor in The Evangelist, the official publication for the Diocese of Albany, the Most Rev. Edward B. Scharfenberger called into question Cuomo's Catholic faith, arguing that what the bill permits is contrary to the teachings of the Catholic faith he professes.

Although in your recent state of state address you cited your Catholic faith and said we should stand with Pope Francis. Your advocacy of extreme abortion legislation is completely contrary to the teachings of our pope and our Church. Once truth is separated from fiction and people come to realize the impact of the bill, they will be shocked to their core. By that time, however, it may be too late to save the countless lives that will be lost or spare countless women lifelong regret, wrote Scharfenberger.

Today I signed the #ReproductiveHealthAct  codifying Roe v. Wade into state law and protecting women's reproductive rights no matter what the federal government does.



This is a victory for all New Yorkers. pic.twitter.com/90oMDDnCwV  Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) January 23, 2019

Cuomo signed the controversial Reproductive Health Act into law at a reception in the Executive Mansion immediately after legislators voted to approve it on the 46th anniversary of the 1973 Roe v. Wade Supreme Court ruling.

Today I signed the #ReproductiveHealthAct  codifying Roe v. Wade into state law and protecting women's reproductive rights no matter what the federal government does. This is a victory for all New Yorkers, Cuomo said in a tweet Tuesday.

The New York State Catholic Conference said in a statement after the vote Tuesday that it was a tragic chapter in the states history.

Many of the state Senators and Assembly Members who voted for this abortion expansion are mothers themselves, who felt their child toss, turn and kick in their womb, and delighted in the progress of their pregnancy. Many others, as well as our governor, are fathers, who held their partners hand as they viewed the ultrasound videos, watched their child squirm and rejoiced at the first sound of a heartbeat. Many of these same officials were themselves born into less-than-perfect conditions  poverty, health problems, disabilities, broken families. All overcame these issues to rise to leadership in our state, because their parents chose life for them, it said.

We thank all of our partners in the 12-year-long fight to stop this horrendous policy, and all pro-life New Yorkers who made their voices heard in an effort to stop it. Let us all pray for the conversion of heart for those who celebrate this tragic moment in the history of our state. And we pray in a special way for the lives that will be lost, and for the women of our state who are made less safe under this law, the statement ended.

The Reproductive Health Act that abortion advocates have been trying to get passed for 12 years and has been vehemently opposed by religious and conservative groups, passed with a 38-28 vote and thunderous applause in the state Senate chamber Tuesday. The bill codifies federal abortion rights guaranteed under the 1973 Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision and removes abortion from the state's criminal code.

"We have a president who's made it very, very clear that he wants to overturn Roe v. Wade," state Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said at a news conference ahead of the vote Tuesday, according to the Albany Times Union. "Today, here in New York, we are saying no. We are saying no, not here in New York. And we're not just saying no. We're saying that here in New York, women's health matters. We're saying here in New York, women's lives matter. We're saying here in New York, women's decisions matter."

Scharfenberger, however, called it a Death Star and insisted that support for the bill cannot be reconciled with the values of the Catholic faith.

The so-called Reproductive Health Act will expand abortion under the pretenses of choice and progress, which, in fact, it will do little to enhance. At the same time, this legislation threatens to rupture the communion between the Catholic faith and those who support the RHA even while professing to follow the Church, something that troubles me greatly as a pastor, he said.

He then argued that the RHA is more destructive than Roe v. Wade because of its aggressive extremism.

Contrary to what its proponents say, the RHA goes far beyond Roe v. Wade in its aggressive extremism. Granting nondoctors permission to perform abortions does nothing to advance the security and health of women. Condoning coerced or involuntary abortions by repealing criminal sanctions even in cases where a perpetrator seeks to make his partner un-pregnant through an act of physical violence does not represent any kind of progress in the choice, safety or health of women, he said.

Removing protection for an infant accidentally born alive during an abortion is abject cruelty, something most people of conscience would deem inhumane for even a dog or cat. Finally, allowing late-term abortions is nothing less than a license to kill a pre-born child at will. It is very difficult to understand how you can align yourself with Pope Francis and so vehemently advocate such profoundly destructive legislation, the bishop argued.

Even though he is divorced, supports same-sex marriage and abortion rights, Cuomo still considers himself a practicing Roman Catholic but wouldnt go as far as to say he is devout, The New York Times previously reported.

A statement from the Catholic Bishops of New York State last Thursday said the church would continue to support pro-life efforts in the state:

With an abortion rate that is already double the national average, New York law is moving in the wrong direction. We renew our pledge to offer the resources and services of our charitable agencies and health services to any woman experiencing an unplanned pregnancy, to support her in bearing her infant, raising her family or placing her child for adoption. There are life-affirming choices available, and we aim to make them more widely known and accessible, the group said.

Our Governor and legislative leaders hail this new abortion law as progress. This is not progress. Progress will be achieved when our laws and our culture once again value and respect each unrepeatable gift of human life, from the first moment of creation to natural death. Would that not make us truly the most enlightened and progressive state in the nation? the bishops asked.
New York passes bill allowing abortion up to birth, for any reason

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After an intense debate for and against the proposal, the New York state Legislature passed a bill Tuesday that makes it legal for doctors and other health care professionals, such as midwives and physician assistants, to perform abortions up until birth for any reason in the state.

The so-called Reproductive Health Act that abortion advocates have been trying to get passed for 12 years and has been vehemently opposed by religious and conservative groups, passed with a 38-28 vote and thunderous applause in the state Senate chamber. The bill codifies federal abortion rights guaranteed under the 1973 Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision and removes abortion from the state's criminal code.

"We have a president who's made it very, very clear that he wants to overturn Roe v. Wade," state Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said at a news conference ahead of the vote Tuesday, according to the Albany Times Union. "Today, here in New York, we are saying no. We are saying no, not here in New York. And we're not just saying no. We're saying that here in New York, women's health matters. We're saying here in New York, women's lives matter. We're saying here in New York, women's decisions matter."

Abortion was legalized in New York some three years before the Roe v. Wade decision, but remained on the states criminal code, making it a felony to perform late-term abortions according to the Democrat & Chronicle.

The law defined homicide as "conduct which causes the death of a person or an unborn child with which a female has been pregnant for more than 24 weeks."

The Reproductive Health Act removes abortion from the penal code, and further notes in part that: "Every individual has the fundamental right to choose or refuse contraception or sterilization. Every individual who becomes pregnant has the fundamental right to choose to carry the pregnancy to term, to give birth to a child, or to have an abortion, pursuant to this article."

The New York State Catholic Conference said in a statement on Facebook that Democrat New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo was expected to sign the controversial bill at a reception in the Executive Mansion immediately after legislators voted to approve it. And Cuomo appeared ready as he celebrated Sarah Weddington, the lawyer nationally known for successfully arguing the winning side of the Roe v. Wade case before the U.S. Supreme Court. Weddington was recognized in the chamber during the vote.

Sarah Weddington made history in 1973 when she won the Roe v. Wade case at the age of 27. I am so thrilled that this incredible woman is joining us at the bill signing of the #ReproductiveHealthAct, which will protect Roe v. Wade in the State of New York, Cuomo tweeted before the vote Tuesday.

As the debate over the bill was underway Tuesday, supporters chanted, "Free abortion on demand, can we do it, yes we can." Those who opposed the proposal chanted back while holding posters with images of babies and signs reading messages such as I regret my abortion.

Religious groups such as the Office of Adult Faith Formation of the Archdiocese of New York, called on the faithful Tuesday to pray in anticipation of the bills passage.

New Yorkers, join us tonight, it is important more than ever to pray as we expect that the Reproductive Health Act - Abortion Expansion will become law in the state of NY making late-term abortion legal in NY, the group noted in a tweet.
Iowa judge rules heartbeat abortion law unconstitutional

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A district court judge has ruled that an Iowa law banning abortion once a baby's heartbeat can be detected is unconstitutional.

Polk County District Judge Michael Huppert released a decision on Tuesday, citing the Iowa Supreme Court and its previous striking down of a law mandating a 72-hour waiting period for women seeking abortions.

The Iowa Supreme Court held that a womans right to decide whether to terminate a pregnancy is a fundamental right under the Iowa Constitution, and that any governmental limits on that right are to be analyzed using strict scrutiny, wrote Huppert in his decision.

ACLU of Iowa Legal Director Rita Bettis said in a statement released Tuesday that the decision was a victory that was essential to the rights and safety of women in Iowa.

It follows in the footsteps of the Iowa Supreme Court decision on abortion in 2018 that recognized the fundamental right to a safe and legal abortion for Iowa women, which cannot be legislated away, said Bettis, according to the Des Moines Register.

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, who signed the bill into law last year, told The Daily Iowan that she was disappointed by the decision.

I am incredibly disappointed in todays court ruling, because I believe that if death is determined when a heart stops beating, then a beating heart indicates life, said Reynolds.

Last year, Iowa passed Senate File 359, which sought to forbid doctors from performing abortions after a heartbeat is detected, which can come as soon as six weeks into a pregnancy.

Republican state Senator Rick Bertrand of Sioux City explained last year that the bill was meant to challenge the 1973 United States Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortion nationwide.

Pro-Life groups expressed mixed reactions toward the legislation, with some taking issue over it having exemptions for rape and incest.

Last May, Reynolds signed the bill into law, saying in a statement that by signing SF 359, she was verifying her pledge to protect all innocent life.

For me, it is immoral to stop an innocent beating heart. For me, it is sickening to sell fetal body parts. For me, my faith leads me to protect every Iowan, no matter how small, the governor said at the time.

I understand and anticipate that this will likely be challenged in court, and that courts may even put a hold on the law until it reaches the Supreme Court. However, this is bigger than just a law. This is about life.
'What if every word of the Bible is true?' Author Charles Martin explores Jesus life and ministry

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Author Charles Martin, who's behind the novel-turned-movie The Mountain Between Us, has written a book on Jesus life and ministry through a storytelling perspective.

What If It's True?: A Storytellers Journey with Jesus, which will be released on Jan. 29, explores the fundamental question: What if every single word of Scripture is absolutely true and I can trust it?"

Martin, who has released 14 books in his career that spans more than 20 years, uses a storytellers imagination to place the reader in some of the most gripping and important scenes of the New Testament  from Jesus crucifixion to His miracles.

The reasons for why he undertook this endeavor is something he explores not only in one of the first chapters, but throughout the entire book, sharing numerous moments from his own life where he could feel Jesus Words at play.

Martin, 41, told The Christian Post in a phone interview that he grew up in a house where my mom and dad loved the Lord.

I dont ever remember not knowing Jesus as Lord, he said of his background as a Christian.

I have known the Lord a long time. It doesnt mean I have always been obedient, but Ive known Him, he added.

The author said that the inspiration to write a book like this, one that immerses the readers in striking detail in the life and ministry of Christ, came to him two novels ago.

He explained that for many years in his career, he had simply been moving from one novel to the next, and he was known by everyone for his day job as a writer.

Martin told CP that for over 10 years now he has also been leading a Bible study group.

Once a week I meet these guys and try to unpack Scripture for them. And so part of my life for the last decade or so has been teacher, somebody who spent a lot of time in the Word, he noted.

Two novels ago I am sitting there and I thought Lord, I would really like to put some of these teachings together in a book, if I could just figure out how to do it."

He said he wanted to write a book about why he walks with Jesus, because he has seen what the Lord has done through His Word as weve studied it for the past decade, for the past 12 years.

He reflected that his past novels have often raised deep and profound questions. When it comes to What If Its True, Martin said that he thinks it answers most, if not all of the questions that have arisen in my fiction.

His books have reached millions, with the 2011 romance-disaster novel The Mountain Between Us turned into a movie in 2017, featuring major Hollywood stars Idris Elba and Kate Winslet.

Martin positioned that the success of the novel has not changed anything about what he writes or how he writes it.

Im still writing love stories with a character who is very much broken, he said, with the story arks exploring how do I get this character from broken to not broken? That is my question; that is why I write the fiction that I do.

What If It's True begins with what Martin described as the single most important event in the history of mankind, namely Jesus being led through the streets by the Roman soldiers to Calvary, where He is crucified on the cross.

The author noted that the crucifixion and the resurrection of Jesus is the pin upon which everything hinges.

He said that it's not correct to say that Jesus was just a good moral teacher.

A man like Jesus, who did the things that He did, He is either a nutjob, or He really is the Son of God, he said.

The author added that he begins the book with the crucifixion as a means of having a conversation with the readers in front of the cross with Jesus, where we need to be.

As for how he was able to put himself in a mindset to describe in vivid detail such major biblical scenes, he said he did it with fear and trembling.

Maybe this is why it took so long for this book to come out, because I had to ask the Lord is it OK for me to write these things in this way? he revealed.

At the same time, he felt that God gave him the freedom to write it as best I could, given what I could find in the Scriptures.

As Martin admits, he didn't write the book as a theological exercise, and has no formal training in theology.

Speaking of whether he has concerns about how people will interpret the book, he noted that after 14 novels, he knows that he has no control over how people respond to his work.

I didnt really spend a lot of time worrying about how folks would respond to it. I did spend a lot of time wondering OK, I didnt go to seminary, I dont have training in theology. Have I written something that is not true? Is there something in my book that is blasphemous? he said.

Martin revealed that before ever giving his work to the editor, he handed it to seven other people who did go to seminary, or have been pastors for decades.

And I said, Read this please, and tell me if I'm wrong. Have I written something that's just blatant blasphemy? And they came back with some suggestions about how to say things differently. But nobody came out and said this is flat out wrong, he shared.

One particularly powerful scene of Jesus healing a woman who was hemorrhaging, found in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, Martin relates to an experience years ago in Africa when he met up with doctors while working on a book.

The doctors were treating women who had obstetric fistula, a condition caused by prolonged obstructed labor, which leaves women with uncontrolled leakage of blood, urine, and feces.

In the biblical story, Jesus not only heals the woman, who believed He could help her even before He did so, but calls her "daughter," something which Martin says is very significant.

He said it's an important story because the woman was bleeding through no fault of her own.

For us, we all carry wounds, often times that are not our fault. Granted, we are quite good at causing our own troubles. But with regards to her, she somehow represented the wounds that we all carry. All of us are bleeders. Only at the feet of Jesus is that wound made whole. Not only is the physical wound made whole, but deeper ones as well, he observed.

When Jesus calls the woman daughter, He not only heals her physically, but also heals her soul, Martin said, because she realizes she is a child of God.

Stepping back, Martin reflected on how his audience has changed over the past 20 years.

Early on, it was probably mostly Christians. [But] today, I think there are those who are attracted to my fiction but are not necessarily believers. They like my storytelling, he offered.

Some nonbelievers even became angry when they realize that Martin is listed as a Christian writer, with the author sharing one such exchange, and the response he had for the individual, in a blog post he wrote last March.

The reader says in part, "Problem is, you seem to have a lot of storytelling talent but when you start in with the Xtian crap, you lose most of your more educated, and open minded readers."

Martin begins in his reply: "First, can I just say that I'm sorry. It sounds like some Christian somewhere wounded you. Please forgive us. We don't always get it right. Loving people like Jesus is not easy. I fail here often."

As he continues later, and as he told CP, he has learned that his novels tend to shake stuff loose in people.

They pick at old wounds, because I think thats the way the Lord works. He likes to heal wounds. So in order to heal them, we have to get at them first. I feel that a lot of times, my fiction picks at wounds, and people are upset at me for doing that. [But] my heart behind my fiction is to really show them how there is healing for that, he continued.

In my nonfiction it is far more easy to draw that out, I can be far more specific. In my fiction, I have to raise emotions, and try to lead people to recognize those emotions without beating them over the head with it, he said.

Going back to What If It's True?, Martin revealed that the reason he didn't write a prayer in the last chapter is because he felt like he has done his job, and led readers to wanting to pray themselves.

I feel like I'm the guy who met them at the door or on the streets, I walk all the way across to the throne, and introduce them to Jesus, telling them that He wants to spend time with you.

If His word is true, and I believe that it is  every word is absolutely true  then we ought to live somehow differently, it has to shake stuff loose in us, the author concluded.

My hope is that I have encouraged folks, both believers and nonbelievers, and that I have introduced them to Jesus in a way that maybe they havent been introduced before.
Tim Keller: Christians should ask this 1 question before choosing a career

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Before choosing a career path, believers should ask themselves, What gifts do I have, and how can I be useful to other people through my work? pastor and author Tim Keller has advised.

During a recent desiringGod.org podcast, Keller, founding pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York, said that in this consumeristic age, people find their identity in the products and brands they consume  and jobs are like that too.

There is just no doubt, he said. I see plenty of people taking jobs that really dont fit. They dont fit their talents very well, and very often the jobs dont necessarily fulfill them because the jobs arent really helping people very much. But the jobs are high status, and people feel like I need to be in that job so I can feel good about myself. It is an identity marker.

Keller contended that when choosing a career path, many people ask themselves, How do I take a job that gives me the same kind of sense of self-worth I get when I am driving a particular kind of car?

Instead, he advised people to choose a job on the basis of vocation and ask themselves, What gifts do I have, and how can I be useful to other people through my work?

TheEvery Good Endeavor: Connecting Your Work to Gods Work author stressed that God created people to work  and all good work done well is Gods calling.

Seeing your work as a calling is not a problem if youre stuck in a job you dont like, he said. You need to say that right now it is still Gods calling and that gives you a lot of peace. You can say, Hey, I can still answer Gods calling in this job even when I am looking for a job that I think fits my gifts better.

Earlier, Keller explained that the Christian understanding of vocation is if you produce a product that makes peoples lives better, even if it's a rather boring process to do it, you are doing Gods work.

You are caring for Gods creation. You are serving peoples needs, he said.

Unfortunately, secular culture promotes the idea that work is about personal fulfillment, excitement, and a paycheck.

Why does it have to be so incredibly fulfilling when you know that you are doing something that helps people? he asked. I do think that is part of what I mean when I say that we have lost the idea of calling, and we are looking now at work as a way of fulfillment, and that actually, in the end, crushes you.

Grumpiness, anger, or only doing what I have to do to get by when it comes to work demonstrates a lack of a Gospel character, Keller warned.

The Gospel helps make you grateful, make you humble, gives you inner peace, makes you generous in your spirit, he said. If you just dont show all those things at work, it means that you are not really letting the Gospel change the heart the way it ought to.

In the long run, a Gospel-changed heart usually makes you a pretty good worker, he concluded. It makes people want to work with you. It makes people want to be on your team. It makes employers happy with your work. In the long run, having a Gospel-changed heart is pretty practical in the field of work.

A 2018 survey conducted by the Barna Research Group in collaboration with Abilene Christian University in Texas found positive indicators that people who profess faith in Christ are living their convictions while at work.

The study found that of 1,459 self-identified working American Christians polled, 82 percent "are rooted in a conviction that Christians should act ethically, speak the truth (74 percent) and demonstrate morality (72 percent).

Additionally, the respondents indicated that "working Christians should make friends with non-Christians (66 percent), withstand temptation (59 percent) and do excellent work in an effort to bring glory to God (58 percent)."

Millennial Christians are the most likely group to say it's completely important for Christians to mold their workplace culture and serve others, polling higher than Gen X and Baby Boomers in that category.

"This could be a wake-up call for church leaders to equip the largest generation in the workforce with a deep vocational understanding," the Barna report concluded.
PCUSA pastor lists anti-gay conversion therapy movie 'Boy Erased' in 'top 10 films for believers' to watch

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The controversial film Boy Erased is one of the 10 movies of 2018 that Christians should watch, according to the Rev. Edward McNulty, pastor of Blue Ball Presbyterian Church in Middletown, Ohio.

In a piece published by the denomination's Presbyterian Mission site, McNulty listed Boy Erased, a film based on the memoir of Garrard Conley that portrays Christian sexual orientation conversion therapy in a negative light, at No. 8 on his list.

The boy soon learns that the tactics at the center include spiritual bullying and instilling fear into the patients, even turning them against the family member who purportedly caused them to choose the gay lifestyle, McNulty wrote.

His mother slowly changes her view of the Bible, her love for her son overcoming her theology. But what about the father back home? This is a good companion film to The Miseducation of Cameron Post, which is about a girl forced into a similar clinic.

While McNulty has given Boy Erased a positive review, others, including Peter Sprigg, senior fellow for Policy Studies at Family Research Council, have been more critical.

In a column published by The Christian Post last year, Sprigg said the movie and the memoir it was based off "represent only one anecdote about sexual orientation change efforts."

"The claim that [sexual orientation change efforts therapy] in general has been shown to be ineffective and harmful is not supported by the scientific research," wrote Sprigg.

"Boy Erased is not particularly entertaining, and not at all informative for making policy regarding sexual orientation change efforts."

Former LGBT-identified persons have also taken issue with the movies portrayal of conversion therapy.

"[W]e don't think we've seen all that God offers for people questioning their sexuality. And we don't believe that Hollywood's representation of Christian faith is accurate," explained Ken Williams and Elizabeth Woning, ex-gays with the group Equipped to Love, in an essay last year.

We don't have everything figured out, but we do know the craziness of blame and accusation needs to stop. We are resolved to walk humbly together, celebrating Jesus and His love, and pursuing all God has for us. We expect God to do incredible things.

Gabriel Pagan, pastor at Love Revolution Church in Columbus, Georgia, who left homosexuality years ago, told The Christian Post in an interview last year that he considered the film divisive and not seeking the heart of both communities equally.

[Boy Erased will] cause more of a bad taste in the mouths of both the Christian and LBGT communities because it doesn't bring us to a place of connection. It mentions a wound but no place for reconciliation, Pagan added.

McNutty's article also linked to his more in-depth review of the film last November, wherein he gave the R-rated film a four-and-a-half-star rating out of five and said his only criticism of the film was its lack of pro-LGBT Christians.

Unchurched viewers might be led to believe that all Christians believe this, the film never suggesting that a great many Christians no longer accept those passages as authoritative, just as they also no longer regard certain other as authoritative  passages that support slavery, male domination of women, or pre-scientific views of astronomy and biology, McNulty wrote.

Despite the above shortcoming, this is a good film for discussing a major problem  the film points out just before the end credits that it is still legal in 36 out of 50 US states to send children to conversion camps, despite the possibility that the often undertrained therapists can inflict psychological damage on its young inmates  as happens in the film.

No. 1 on McNultys top 10 list was First Reformed, a film about a disillusioned upstate New York pastor who becomes influenced by a violent environmental activist.

Other films on the list include the Mr. Rogers documentary Wont You Be My Neighbor? (No. 3), If Beale Street Could Talk (No. 6), On the Basis of Sex (No. 10), and Unbroken: Path to Redemption (No. 9).

Though I am no fan of Grahams theology, I am persuaded by this film that Christ can reach out to lost persons and change their lives through a person whose theological views are very different from my own, wrote McNulty regarding the Unbroken film.
Unschooling is a style of home schooling that puts students in charge of their education. Rather than adhering to a specific curriculum, unschoolers believe learning happens naturally and should be driven by a students interests, life experiences, and the natural world around them.

Although this educational philosophy may sound like a new outcropping of todays expanding school choice movement, it actually dates back decades.

The Matica family of Worthington, Mass., belongs to the most recent generation of unschoolers. Father Daniel Matica, who was born in Romania and educated in its rigid school system, was a skeptic at first. His wife, Erin Matica, embraced the unschooling ethos and has supported all five of her children as theyve mostly pursued their specific interests in learning.

I feel like almost everything I do in the day, I am always learning something from it, said the Hannah Matica, 13, and the youngest of the Matica children. I feel like people are always learning even if thats playing video games or going for a walk, youre getting something out of everything you do.

Hannah and her 16-year-old brother, Sam, are still in school. Of the three oldest Matica siblings, one has already graduated from college and two are currently attending colleges.

Education Week profiled the Maticas as the final part in its special video series, Home Schooling In America: Why Families Teach at Home .

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Former Village Church childrens minister charged in assault of minor

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Just months after he was quietly removed from his role last June, the Matt Chandler-led Village Church in Texas has revealed that a former childrens minister, Matthew Tonne, has been charged with sexual assault involving a minor from his church.

The assault reportedly took place at a camp for kids in 2012.

We have an update regarding the 2012 Kids Camp situation that we communicated publicly last September. The Dallas County District Attorney filed charges in this case against a former employee of The Village Church, Matt Tonne, who was indicted by the Dallas County Grand Jury and is being prosecuted by the District Attorney's office. Matt turned himself in and is now out on bond. The outcome is pending trial, the church said in a statement this week.

The admission comes after Chandler declined to say if any person of interested in the case was ever affiliated with the church after revealing the assault last September. He also said that "no persons of interest" in the investigation have access to children at The Village Church.

Information from court documents reviewed by The Christian Post shows that Tonne, 35, was charged with indecent child contact and released on a $25,000 bond. He was ordered to have no contact with the complainant in the case against him or her family.

Tonne was also ordered to have no contact with children 17 years or younger except his own children. He is expected to answer to the charge at 9 a.m. on Jan. 29.

On Sunday, Pastor Chandler updated the congregation and commented, "This whole thing is a mess. I have personally felt thin and exhausted and worn out and heartbroken."

"We want truth  we want justice  and we want healing," he stressed.

Before he was removed from his post at The Village Church last June, Tonne, a longtime church employee, was known as a beloved leader and family man with a wife and three children of his own.

A former colleague, Courtney Hofmann, described Tonne in a 2013 blog post as a humble and devout leader who loves children.

Matt loves the Lord and is marked by humility, wisdom and patience (he works with a staff of all women for goodness sakes and yet somehow he puts up with all our emotions and craziness on a never ending basis). He loves and shepherds the children, families and volunteers of our ministry and is a great asset to our church body. He likes YouTube videos, internet memes, and is pretty consistently rocking out to the most recent pop hits while cranking out Children's curriculum from his office. He speaks in moderate language and has a bandwidth that is unreal, Hoffman wrote.

In his statement on the investigation last September, Chandler said the minor began recalling the alleged 2012 assault at Mount Lebanon Kids Camp that The Village Church attended. The Cedar Hill Police Department in Texas, which investigated the case, could not immediately reveal any additional details about what happened when contacted by CP on Friday.

Chandler noted in his statement that even though the assault took place in 2012, it was only in early 2018 that she came to a place where it was possible to verbalize the memory of what happened for the first time through ongoing therapy.

The church has cautioned that the charge against Tonne does not mean he is guilty.

This indictment is not a declaration of guilt or innocence; it is only the next step in the process. When a person is indicted, they are formally charged with a crime, but like any citizen in our country, they are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law, the statement said.

It also noted that when Tonne was removed from his post last June, it was not connected to the investigation against him.

We anticipate and understand questions about why Matt Tonne left staff and whether this case had anything to do with his transition. We removed Matt from The Village Church staff in June of 2018 for other reasons, and we communicated those specific issues to our staff, as well as to members and volunteers in his ministry department at that time, the church said. We have been and will continue to be in close contact with those directly involved in this situation and will continue to do all we can to assist with any request that authorities have for us.

Church officials also asked for prayers for all involved in the situation.

There are no adequate words that can express the pain, sorrow and grief that are wrapped up in this whole situation. We are committed to pursuing healing and justice and will continue to follow the lead of the authorities and experts involved in the case. As we all wait for updates, we ask for you to pray for everyone involved, as we look to Christ for hope in such a dark situation, church leaders noted.
Conservatives protest NY law allowing abortion up to birth for any reason

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A day after the New York state Legislature passed a bill Tuesday that made it legal for abortionists and other health care professionals to perform abortions up to birth for any reason, conservative anti-abortion advocates have ramped up criticism of the measure as liberals defend it.

"They have no idea the damage this will cause," Jim Harden, president of CompassCare Pregnancy Services, told WHAM about the controversial "Reproductive Health Act."

Hardens organization works with pregnant women considering abortion and encourages them to have their baby by providing them with baseline medical services. It was not immediately clear how the newly passed RHA will directly affect his work.

For 12 years, the RHA had been blocked from passing the Legislature until this week when a Democrat majority in the New York Senate passed it with a 38-28 vote, much to the chagrin of those who oppose it. The RHA codifies federal abortion rights guaranteed under the 1973 Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision and removes abortion from the state's criminal code.

Some critics of the law argue that it's a much more sinister attack on the unborn and have started a White House petition calling for RHAs repeal.

At this point, those who align themselves with the Democrat Party advocate for the murder of children, right up to the very moment before they take their first breath. It's an abomination, the petitions creator wrote at the launch of the campaign Wednesday.

Section 2 of New Yorks controversial Reproductive Health Act, signed into law by Democrat Gov. Andrew Cuomo, states that an abortion May be performed by a licensed, certified, or authorized practitioner within 24 weeks from the commencement of pregnancy, or there is an absence of fetal viability, or at any time when necessary to protect a patient's life or health.

While there have been many on the Left who have argued that the RHA does not allow for aborting pregnancies up to the point of birth for any reason, Lila Rose, president and founder of the national pro-life organization Live Action, argued in a statement Wednesday that the scope of language used in the law opens it up to abortion for any reason.

Last night, New York passed a law allowing abortions during all nine months of pregnancy, right up until moments before birth. The Reproductive Health Act, signed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, permits abortions at any point during pregnancy if the abortionist deems it necessary for the mothers life or health. As determined by the U.S. Supreme Court, health not only includes physical health, but encompasses emotional, psychological, familial, and the womans age considerations, effectively allowing abortion for virtually any reason, Rose said.

Convicted criminals arent subjected to the death penalty in New York state, but now children up until the ninth month of pregnancy can be given lethal injections and poisoned to death. This is no different than infanticide, she added.

Liberty Counsel, an international nonprofit, litigation, education, and policy organization dedicated to advancing religious freedom, the sanctity of life, and the family since 1989, agreed with Roses interpretation of the RHA.

Governor Andrew Cuomo immediately signed the Reproductive Health Act and then celebrated by lighting the One World Trade Center's 408-foot spire, the Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge, the Kosciuszko Bridge, and the Alfred E. Smith Building in Albany in pink. Ironically, the One World Trade Center was built as a monument to the 3,000 people who died on 9/11. Sitting with Cuomo as he signed the bill was Sarah Ragle Weddington, the lawyer who represented Jane Roe in Roe v. Wade, a statement from the nonprofit noted.

I am sickened by the scene of adults celebrating the killing of helpless children, Mat Staver, founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel, added. A child can be tortured and killed seconds before it is born. Instead of lighting up New York with pink, it should have been red for the shedding of innocent blood. I pray that this death agenda will stop soon. Each human life is sacred. The right to life is the right of all rights, and that inalienable right includes the unborn.

Medical experts, such as Dr. Omar L. Hamada, who is also a theologian, have publicly denounced the RHA, noting that there is no need to legalize abortion beyond 24 weeks.

I want to clear something up so that there is absolutely no doubt. Im a Board Certified OB/GYN who has delivered over 2,500 babies. Theres not a single fetal or maternal condition that requires third trimester abortion. Not one. Delivery, yes. Abortion, no. There is absolutely no medical reason to kill a near term or term infant, for any reason, Hamada wrote in a post on Facebook Wednesday that has since gone viral.

Since going public with his medical opinion, Hamada, who previously spent time living in New York, revealed that he began getting death threats.

This whole NY abortion thing exploded yesterday, including my post that there is no medical reason for a third trimester abortion. Twitter also exploded as I posted a similar message there. Ive been getting all sorts of nice messages including death threats and threats of physical harm, he noted in part.

Hamadas position appears to echo earlier sentiments shared by California obstetrician-gynecologist Dr. Lawrence Koning, who argued in 2016 that there is "no medical" situation that requires aborting a child.

"As an ob/gyn physician for 31 years there is no medical situation that requires aborting / killing the baby in the third trimester to 'save the mother's life,'" Koning reportedly wrote. "Just deliver the baby by c/section and the baby has 95+% survival with readily available NICU care even at 28 weeks. C/section is quicker and safer than partial birth abortion for the mother."

Prior to Tuesdays passage of the law, local organizations, such as New York State Right to Life Committee, opposed it on several points, including that it would repeal New Yorks Penal Law to remove the criminal act of abortion, preventing prosecution of illegal abortions, including those performed by any self-proclaimed provider, or ones resulting from intentional violence committed against a pregnant mother and her child.

This is the opposite of pro-woman. Abortion is a tragedy, even more so resulting from interpersonal violence. Illegal abortion should remain on the books to allow prosecution in these cases, the organization noted in a statement shared with CP.

On Tuesday, in a bid to protect pregnant women from violence, state Senator Cathy Young and members of the Senate Republican Conference joined by Livia Abreu, an Army veteran from the Bronx who lost her baby in a vicious domestic violence attack last May, introduced the Liv Act.

Abreu was 26 weeks pregnant when her ex-boyfriend stabbed her six times and caused the loss of her unborn daughter, a release from Young said.

The Reproductive Health Act is, in my opinion, extreme and filled with gaps. It does not codify Roe v. Wade in the state of New York. In fact, what it does is decriminalize abortion in all aspects, including abortion as a product of an assault on a pregnant female, Abreu said in a statement ahead of the laws passage.

Oscar Alvarez is currently facing abortion charges in the first and second degrees. The passing of RHA will likely exonerate him from those charges. Which will in turn lessen his sentence now that a judge has decided the case is going to trial and the new law will take effect prior to that date. Let that sink in. He will likely be convicted of the crimes he committed against me, but the loss of my daughter will be a non-factor to the law because she wasnt born and alive, Abreu continued.

I cannot imagine living in a world where harming and/or killing an unborn child as a product of an attack on a pregnant woman is not a crime. ... A world where mothers have been stripped of and have to bury and mourn their unborn child but the person responsible is not held accountable for it. Read the bill if you havent already, Abreu warned.

New York State Right to Life told CP that the RHA was sold to the public, saying it merely "updates" the law by codifying Roe v. Wade into state law, but that is not true.

RHA has made abortion a fundamental right and prohibits all limits on abortion, which Roe v. Wade did not do, NYSRL wrote in a statement Wednesday after the RHA became law.

Roe referred to a trimester view toward protecting life, whereas RHA has expanded abortion-on-demand in New York past 24 weeks  well past when unborn children feel pain, are viable, and suffer during the course of an abortion  and up to birth. This is inhumane.

Rose agreed in her statement that the RHA is barbaric and inhumane because it rejects modern science.

New Yorks law is barbaric and inhumane and rejects modern science and medical advancements that reveal the development and humanity of life in the womb. Millions of Americans are waking up to the barbaric reality of abortion and rejecting it, she said. A recent Marist poll showed 75 percent of Americans believe abortion should be limited to  at most  the first three months of pregnancy. This includes 61 percent of those who identify as pro-choice, 60 percent of Democrats, and 78 percent of independents.

Despite protests from interest groups and conservative politicians across the state Thursday, unlike the Catholic Church which has been speaking boldly against the law, very few churches contacted by CP were willing to speak publicly on the matter.

A director at one large umbrella church organization representing hundreds of churches in the state said that the organization would not be issuing any public statement on the matter because the denominations are not all in agreement on issues like abortion and same-sex marriage.
Conservative Protestant fertility has declined dramatically, study finds

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Conservative Protestants aren't making many babies these days.

While conservative Protestants have historically been associated with high rates of fertility, dramatic declines in recent generations now make them indistinguishable from mainline Protestants and Catholics, according to a new study.

The study used General Social Survey data from 1972 to 2016 to compare fertility patterns for Protestants and Catholics of childbearing age. Conservative Protestants (which includes both black Protestants and white evangelicals) used to have the highest birth rates overall, but the study found they had the largest decline in birth rates during the period studied.

The research also found that high church attendance stabilizes, or boosts, fertility for Catholics and mainline Protestants, but makes no difference for conservative Protestants.

"Are the faithful becoming less fruitful? The decline of conservative protestant fertility and the growing importance of religious practice and belief in childbearing in the US," by University of Oklahoma sociologists Samuel Perry and Cyrus Schleifer, was published in the Feb. 2019 edition of Social Science Research.

In 1972, conservative Protestants who went to church monthly or more had on average 2.89 children. The conservative Protestants who went to church less often had 2.83 kids, a statistically insignificant difference. By 2016, both of those numbers dropped the same amount, about 16 percent, putting churchgoing conservative Protestants at around 2.5 births on average.

Mainline Protestants began with lower fertility than conservative Protestants, at 2.48. And, their birth rate also decreased 16 percent by 2016. But, the birth rate for mainline Protestants who went to church monthly or more remained mostly stable, and may even increase.

For Catholics, the church attendance difference was even more stark. The birth rate dropped 9 percent for Catholics who don't attend nass often, from 2.54 to 2.31. But for Catholics who go to Mass monthly or more, the birth rate increased 4 percent, from 2.62 to 2.72.

So now, high attending Catholics have the highest birth rate, and conservative Protestants, regardless of how often they go to church, have about the same birth rate as high attending mainline Protestants.

While conservative Protestants tend to evangelize more and their children tend to remain in their faith tradition at a higher rate than Catholics and mainliners, the decrease in fertility "may portend significant future losses for conservative Protestants in the future," Perry and Schleifer concluded.

Another possible explanation for the differences, the authors suggested, is that the high attending mainline Protestants and Catholics are a more exceptional group to begin with, since both of those groups saw declines in attendance during the period studied. Among conservative Protestants, on the other hand, high attendance has been the norm, not the exception.

Birth rates have continued to drop in recent years, raising many concerns.

An August 2018 report by the Centers for Disease Control found that the total fertility rate in 2017 hit a new low (60.3 births per 1,000 women ages 15 to 44) and has been below replacement level since 1971.

A similar December report by the American Enterprise Institute found that the decline was not due to couples not wanting to have kids, but to barriers to childbearing, such as high student debt and housing costs, staying in school longer, and changing cultural expectations.

As author Jonathan Last detailed in 2013's What to Expect When No One's Expecting: America's Coming Demographic Disaster, nations suffer when their birth rate drops below replacement level (2.1 babies per female).

As resources shift from raising the young to caring for the elderly, economies suffer. The U.S. will be challenged in particular because the two biggest parts of the federal budget, Medicare and Social Security, are funded by current workers for the benefit of current retirees. As the workforce shrinks, proportionally to the number of retirees, those programs will be harder to fund.
Christian missionary could be tried for genocide after mistakenly entering land of remote tribe

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A Christian missionary may be charged with genocide by Brazillian authorities after he illegally came in contact with a remote tribe.

Steve Campbell of Greene Baptist Church in Maine is being investigated by officials from FUNAI, the Brazilian governments Indigenous Affairs Department, after traveling deep into the southern Amazon jungle with the intention of sharing the Gospel with the ancient tribespeople.

The missionary allegedly entered an area occupied by the remote and protected Hi-Merima tribe sometime last month while attempting to evangelize a neighboring tribe. The Hi-Merima is one of a few dozen isolated communities in Brazil that have had almost no contact with the outside world and have limited immunity to outside diseases.

As a result, Campbell is accused of putting the ancient tribe in grave danger by making contact with them after being led to their area by his GPS. He reportedly entered the area by mistake while teaching Indians from the neighboring Jamamadi tribe to use the device.

Its a case of rights violation and exposure to risk of death to isolated indigenous population, a Funai spokesman said in a written statement to Thomson Reuters Foundation.

Even if direct contact has not occurred, the probability of transmission of diseases to the isolated is high.

Campbell could be charged with genocide as a result of his actions, UNAIs general coordinator, Bruno Pereira, said, as reported by the Fraser Coast Chronicle.

If it is established in the investigation that there was an interest in making contact, using his relationship with other [tribespeople] to approach the isolated [Hi-Merima tribe], he could be charged with the crime of genocide by deliberately exposing the safety and life of the Merimas, said Pereira.

According to the Greene Baptist Church website, Campbell works as a missionary alongside his wife, Robin, and their two children.

Steve and Robin work with the Jamamadi Indians in the Brazilian state of Amazonas, notes the family's bio. Their work is to help with medical, mechanical and countless other ministry opportunities with the Indians and missionary families. This frees up Jon so he can focus on translating God's word into their language.

The case comes just a few months after 26-year-old missionary John Allen Chau was killed by members of the uncontacted Sentinelese tribe after trying to approach them on their Indian Ocean island to share the Gospel.

Chau had admitted in his diary that he knew of the dangers but continued his efforts due to his eagerness to tell the tribespeople about Jesus Christ. Making contact with the tribe is illegal under Indian law.

Chaus death sparked debate even among evangelicals as to extreme missionary work, with some calling his approach reckless and unjustifiable while others praised his faith and courage.

But in an op-ed written for desiringGod.org, Garrett Kell, an author and pastor of Del Ray Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia, suggested Chaus death could be used by God to light a missionary fire around the world.

We cannot know for sure what God is doing. But might He be stoking the hearts of His church with a fresh fire to reach the unreached peoples of the world? Could God be using the death of John Chau to stir the souls of more missionaries to take the Good News of Jesus to the Sentinelese people? he wrote.

Is it possible that God might be working to bring them the message of forgiveness for killing the missionary as well as healing from the injustice done to them generations ago? Could God be plotting a reunion of forgiveness in months, years, even centuries from now that will magnify His mercies before the world? Can you picture that moving ceremony on the shores of North Sentinel Island?
How can moms fight feelings of failure in a Pinterest perfect era?

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In todays social media-obsessed culture, the old adage comparison is the thief of joy" has never been truer  especially, it seems, for moms.

Scrolling through Instagram photos of Pinterest-worthy projects, HGTV homes, and perfectly dressed children can make even the most confident mother question her abilities.

Studies show that social media use among most new mothers has become ubiquitous  and unsurprisingly, mothers who are more frequent visitors to Facebook report higher levels of parenting stress.

With everyone presenting the heavily-filtered Facebook version of themselves, mothers are bombarded with perfectionism at every turn. It doesnt take long for comparison to creep in, creating a messy environment of dissatisfaction and discontentment.

In a culture that idolizes perfection, how can mothers show themselves grace and fight the pressure to compare themselves to others?

Ruth Schwenk, who's an author, founder of The Better Mom blog, and mother of four children, told The Christian Post that it all begins with a proper understanding of identity.

It comes down to where we find our worth, she said. My identity, first of all, isnt in motherhood, its in that Im a child of Christ. As a mom, I need to remember that my value doesnt come from what I do or dont do, but from the fact that Im a daughter of God and created in His image.

Its important to understand that God made us the mom of our child for a reason, Schwenk stressed, adding: Im the perfect mom for my child, and youre the perfect mom for your child. God doesnt make mistakes when He gives us the children we have.

Viewing other mothers as competition, she said, only isolates us from what could be a life-giving, mutually beneficial friendship.

The things you do are great for you and your family, and I can learn from that, she said. This isnt a competition. There are things I'll do in my life that will look different than you, but that doesn't mean that there aren't some things from your life that would actually be really great to implement into my motherhood.

But social media, Schwenk said, presents only a highlight reel  and most mothers arent going to post photos of their childs tantrum or the messy realities of parenting.

Those pictures I see of you online are not really the whole picture, she said. We know that, but we dont know that. Its a constant battle of saying, OK, this is part of their picture, and its not always perfect, because nobodys perfect. What if, instead of viewing each other as competition, we thought, Wow, this is an incredible community where we can learn from one another.'

Mothers are often presented with two extremes when it comes to parenting, she said: Either strive for perfectionism or glorify the self-deprecating mess of mom-ing. But God calls mothers to far more than that.

Becoming a better mom doesn't begin with us; it begins with God," she said. "It starts with who God is inviting us to become. Motherhood gives us the opportunity to grow and become more like Christ.

Understanding that God is sovereign over the life of every child also relieves pressure for mothers who struggle with feelings of inadequacy, she added.

Its important to be intentional in raising our kids, because we're raising children that we hope and pray will be a light to the world, she said. But the bottom line is, no matter my best intentions, God loves them so much more than I do and, and I can do everything right and things can still go wrong. But at the end of the day, He will take care of them.

Trudy Cathy White, author and daughter of Chick-fil-A founder S. Truett Cathy, explained that ironically, in seeking perfection, mothers are less likely to actually parent effectively.

Your kids are always watching you, and you need to be the best role model you can be for them, she said. Your children grow up to be just like you, so if you have things in your life you dont want in their lives, dont do it. We have to be on guard and model well for our children.

White, a mother and grandmother herself, encourages mothers focused on perfectionism to seriously consider the message theyre sending to their children.

We live in a society where kids are under a lot of pressure, and its so easy to point out the things they dont do well, she said. But the role that God has given us is to try to find the good in our children, recognize that, and give them accolades and encouragement. When we do that, we empower them to live in society with confidence and relieve the peer pressure theyll experience in school and the challenges they face.

White emphasized that the ultimate role of a mother isnt to throw blog-worthy birthday parties or create Instagram-able moments, but to raise children grounded in the truth found only in Scripture.

Truth is the key to setting our children up for success and pointing them back to God, she said. Truth is a piece of equipment that will allow them to climb mountains, and were called to model that for our children. And, at the end of the day, the greatest tool I have is my dependency on God to get through difficulty and my own failings as a mother.
Two years in, the Trump administration has continued to extend protections for conservative Christians to keep their faith in the public squareand in some cases, backed by federal dollars.

The latest example came this week as the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) granted a waiver for faith-based foster care agencies in South Carolina to restrict placements to families that share their beliefs, provided they refer those who do not qualify to other organizations.

The decision came in favor of Miracle Hill Ministries, a Christian organization that recruits 1 in 6 of all foster families in the state but risked losing its license (and more than $500,000 in annual funding) due to its placement policy, which excludes non-Protestants.

HHS opted to waive Obama-era requirements that barred publicly licensed and funded foster programs from discriminating on the basis of religion, instead citing protections for faith-based organizations to participate under principles set forth ...

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An American missionary in Brazil is under investigation and possibly faces charges of genocide for entering protected lands inhabited by an isolated tribe in the Amazon.

Unlike John Allen Chauan American missionary who was killed last year during one of his initial encounters with a remote tribe halfway around the worldSteve Campbell and his family have lived among indigenous people in northwest Brazil for more than 50 years.

Campbell, a second-generation missionary with Baptist Bible Fellowship International, is accused of venturing outside of his longtime home among the Jamamadi people onto territory belonging to the Himarima, the only isolated tribe among eight ethnic groups in the area, according to the Brazilian newspaper Folha de Sao Paulo.

He claimed that he crossed the neighboring land while teaching the Jamamadis how to use GPS to map the boundaries of their own land, and promised not to re-enter. The head of the governments indigenous protection agency, Fundacao Nacional do Indio (FUNAI), has enlisted the prosecutors office and federal police to determine whether Campbell violated the law and put the tribe at risk.

If it is configured, in the investigation, that there was interest to make contact, to use his relationship with other Indians to approach the isolated ones, he can be accused of a crime of genocide by deliberately exposing the safety and life of the Himarima, said Bruno Pereira, FUNAI coordinator. The tribe is estimated at just 100 people.

In response to Campbells investigation, indigenous rights groups have condemned his presence in the area and raised concerns of the possible spread of disease killing off a population otherwise unexposed and without immunity.

Similar pushback came up last year around Chaus mission to the Sentinelese. Biologists at Wheaton College told Ed Stetzer that isolated people will always be vulnerable to disease through contact, even when precautions are taken. They also raised the sad history of the Conquistadors who wiped out some native populations with the diseases they brought with them from Spain and Portugal to the Americas.

But fellow missionaries have defended Campbells place in the Amazon. He is committed to the wellbeing of the Jamamadi, and the work his father and mother did there for years, being the one source of health care, providing the initial literacy school in the Jamamadi language, said Braulia Ribeiro, a former Brazilian missionary among isolated tribes and an expert in indigenous missions. They might be the only reason this group survived.

The investigation comes at a precarious time for Brazils indigenous people. The Amazon jungle, the worlds largest tropical rainforest, is home to a majority of the 100-or-so remaining uncontacted tribes on earth, who are threatened by encroaching loggers and other land grabbers. President Jair Bolsonaro, who took office at the start of the year, has been outspoken about his desire to see indigenous tribes become less isolated, with plans to deny future tribal land claims and, if possible, to allow industries to access natural resources on existing tribal territories.

There is no indigenous territory where there arent minerals, said Bolsonaro, a Catholic with evangelical ties. Gold, tin, and magnesium are in these lands, especially in the Amazon, the richest area in the world. Im not getting into this nonsense of defending land for Indians.

Just two years ago, illegal gold miners reportedly killed 10 members of an uncontacted tribe, then bragged about the feat. Dozens more indigenous people and rural workers are killed each year in clashes over remote land.

Bolsonaro also moved FUNAI oversight to a newly created government division for women, family, and human rights led by Damares Alves, a pro-life evangelical preacher. Alves, who adopted an indigenous daughter, helped found a Christian nonprofit called Atini  Voz Pela Vida (Voice For Life), which opposes infanticide and child-killing among indigenous communities.

Without access to modern medicine, some remote tribes are known to kill children born with disabilities or diseases, and theres an ongoing debate in the country over whether outsidersin landmark cases, evangelical missionariescan intervene when a tribe allegedly opts to kill one of its own as part of a cultural tradition.

Because of Alvess evangelical background and ministry affiliations, tribal rights groups and FUNAI officials themselves have opposed her appointment, The Guardian reported, going as far as calling her the worst possible choice for the position.

Recent FUNAI policies have restricted travel to or interaction with some tribal peoples to only government officials, citing concerns for physical and cultural security. But Brazilian missionaries have a long history of working among indigenous groups and advocating for their rights to their lands as well as their autonomy.

Campbells parents moved to Brazil as Bible translators when he was a toddler, and he continues their work along with his wife, Robin, and their daughters. The family is supported in part by a Baptist church in Maine. Other missionaries come through international organizations such as New Tribes Mission as well as Brazilian ministries.

Missionaries have been persistent, focused, and even insistent in saving and developing communities, said Jose Dilson Alves da Silva, a Brazilian Presbyterian pastor and missionary.

Some agencies want to prevent missionaries from accessing these tribes, claiming interference in the culture and possible external contamination with disease, he said. Yet they forget how many have been saved by medicines and interventions brought by missionaries.

Some accuse of intervention in tribal religion, yet no missionary manipulates or forces an Indian to convert to his religion, said Alves da Silva. Just as the white man, they are also in search of spiritual meaning. And where they find more comfort for their souls, there they take shelter.

Ribeiro spent more than 30 years involved in indigenous missions in the Amazon, first as a missionary herself, and then running a missionary training center. A linguist conducting the first phonological research in the region, she lived with a team among the Suruwaha, an isolated tribe along the Purus River.

Young Brazilians on these missions through JOCUM (Jovens Com Uma Missao), the national chapter of YWAM, used an incarnational model to bond with the community, going as far as living naked among the tribe and sharing their community hut.

Over 25 years later, the tribe was still autonomous, and their material life style unchanged. The big change happened when they wanted to have health care specifically for their children born with genetic deficiencies, she wrote to CT.

The government started then a persecution against our work that culminated with our expulsion from the area. Since 2008, government workers have been the only ones allowed in the area in spite of the Suruwaha insistence on having us back.

Last year, the Suruwaha were among the tribes who received dental care from Doctors Without Borders.

Ribeiro shared concerns about indigenous people receiving assistance from groups appointed by the government, since they rarely stay in a community long enough to build relationships and learn the language. Meanwhile, she says field missionaries often bring high levels of technical trainingfrom anthropology to nursingwhile committing to serve for an extended amount of time.

It is impossible to find a missionary center in the jungle that is not associated with some sort of community development, primary health care, or basic literary or adult education initiative, said Ribeiro, now a student at Yale Divinity School. The religious component of the missionary work is many times almost hard to identify. When done well, cross-cultural evangelism generates indigenous churches closer to the local culture than to the missionarys religious culture.

In addition to constitutional protections for indigenous people, Brazil signed onto the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples more than a decade ago. Not only does the country often finds itself in violation of these protectionsdue to tightening FUNAI budgets and shifting political prioritiesbut some have questioned the focus of the protections themselves.

Ribeiro shared concerns over government exploitation, since Brazil grants indigenous tribes land rights for their traditional customs, but the government assumes rights for developing its resources or other activity. And documents like the UN declaration are more concerned with the collective rights of the abstract cultural patrimony and respect of territory than the people themselves, she says.

Today we have Indians in national politics, in government agencies, and even in the military, said Dilson, because missionaries have invested and paid the price with dedication, love, and zeal, opening their eyes to the rights they haveincluding the riches of their lands which were being exploited by well-intentioned white men.
Affirmed and motivated, the diaspora Christians can be major contributors in supporting the global mission enterprise.

Image: via Pixabay

That is impossible. We have limited resources.

These are words I hear quite frequently in response to the challenge for national churches of low to middle-income countries to accelerate their participation in global missions.

It is unfortunate that many vibrant churches feel limited by funding, when it need not be so. The fact is, there exists a flow of resources found in one of their greatest exports  ordinary people  migrant workers. So abundant is this resource that the International Organization for Migration (IOM) highlights the role of remittances.

Additionally,according to IOM, migrants contributed 6.7 trillion U.S. dollars to the global GDP in 2015a share of 9.4% of the total global GDP that year. It just needs to be released and mobilized.

In April 2018, the World Bank reported figures from 2017 with top remittance recipients being India ($69 billion), China ($64 billion), the Philippines ($33 billion), Mexico ($31 billion), Nigeria ($22 billion), and Egypt ($20 billion).

In October 2018, IOMs Global Migration Data Analysis Centre (GMDAC) released the Global Migration Indicators Report 2018, summarizing key global migration trends based on the latest statistics. It reported that in 2015 there were 150.3 million migrant workers scanned and documented, and that in 2017, $466 billion remittances were sent to low and middle  countries in 2017. This [being] more than three times the size of official development assistance.

While diaspora workers work and live in their receiving countries, spending and paying taxes towards stimulating host economies, they send dollars home to aid families and communities, including religious institutions.

We must dispel the myth that national churches from low to middle-income countries have no resources to contribute to the wide missions initiative of the global church. Consider this thought-experiment based on conservative figures from the Philippines, my own country of origin:

Operation World reportedthat 12.3% of the Philippine population identified as Evangelical Christians, and Joshua Project reportedthe Evangelical Christian population to be closer to 13.93% of Filipino nationals.

If 2.3 million Filipinos are Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), and we apply the percentage suggested by Operation World at 12.3% of Filipinos to the number of reported OFWs, we estimate that 282,900 migrant Filipinos would identify as Evangelical Christians. Now imagine if 282,900 OFWs sent a portion of the $33 billion (sent in remittances to the Philippines in 2017 alone) to the homeland church for intentional support of global missions. What a vast resource that would be.

To proceed, I do not profess to be an economist or demographer. Further, I am not suggesting that individual migrant workers are well to do. I am referring to diaspora peoples as collective groups, and the power of their collective dollars.

What is my point? My point is that the migrant worker dollar is powerful. I am not even touching on the diaspora community in general (which would include permanent immigrants, naturalized citizens, and even second-generation immigrants who still support the homeland through remittances). I am just talking about the billions of dollars that are sent home by deployed migrant workers. As we think of these huge numbers, we can only imagine the missiological implications for the diaspora church.

And what are these implications? Allow me to pose four questions:

Diaspora congregations have money. What stewardship teaching are they receiving? Are diaspora congregations nurturing a Great Commission mindset? There are billions of dollars in remittances, but what vision is there for putting thesedollars to work in kingdom advancement? What missions initiatives are supported? To what extent are partnerships between the homeland church and diaspora churchbeing fostered?

As we proceed and plan for missions in the coming days, I am reminded of William Carey, whose vision inspired the stewardship of ordinary people at a time of tumultuous change. As revolution raged in Europe, European governments were ceasing their financial support of missions initiatives, leaving private groups and missions societies to back projects.

It was a time during which missions was removed from the state agenda and ordinary people fundraised for global missions, not moneyed organizations.

Our times are also marked by momentous change. Who would have foreseen that migrant workers from the developing world would one day send billions home? Affirmed and motivated, the diaspora Christiansindividually and collectivelycan be major contributors in supporting the global mission enterprise.

Let us admonish the diaspora church to rise up as kingdom workers and generously support their missions projects with the release and mobilization of untapped resources.

Sadiri Joy Tira (D.Miss., Western Seminary; D.Min., Reformed Theological Seminary) is The Lausanne Movements Catalyst for Diasporas (i.e. formerly known as Lausanne Movements Senior Associate for Diasporas). He also serves as Diaspora Missiology Specialist at the Jaffray Centre for Global Initiatives at Ambrose University and Seminary (AUS), Calgary, AB, Canada; for the Advisory Council of Gospel Life,a resource of the Billy Graham Center at Wheaton College in Illinois, USA; and on the Board of Directors for SIM (Canada) and MoveIn International. Joy is a regular blogger for http://www.gospel-life.net.
Texas Bills Threaten to Strip 'Texans Right to Practice Biblical Teachings' Share Tweet

Some conservatives are worried that the liberal Left and some upcoming Texas state bills may try to ban Christianity in Texas.

Erick Erickson, a conservative blogger and radio host, writes in The Resurgent, that some half a dozen bills will ban Christianity in all but name.

This continues a long line of thought first advocated by the Obama Administration, which sought to restrict the 'free exercise' clause of the First Amendment to a 'freedom of worship' standard. In other words, be a Christian in church on Sunday, but nowhere else," he says.

Christianity is not a religion of the church pew, but of the town square. Texas progressives are trying to ban it from anywhere outside the church, he added in his column.

Erickson was referring to Texas bills, including HB 224, HB 254, HB 850 and SB 151, all which would prohibit the discrimination of sexual orientation or gender identity by businesses, including Christian-owned ones. Previously, Christian businesses have claimed they have the right to refuse service based on their religious beliefs.

Two other bills are also being considered. HB 517 would require Christian counselors to affirm transgenderism and SB 154 would force doctors to create birth certificates retroactively for patients who gender transition.

Dave Welch, president of the Texas Pastors Council, also said the bills could mean less rights for Christians.

"The mad dash by some Democrat House and Senate members to push false narratives that sexual behavior is the same as skin color and that mental illness deserves the same honored status as religious belief is ominous evidence that the criminalization of religious faith and common sense are on the horizon, he said.

Texas Values, a state conservative advocacy group, has also mounted a campaign to show that the house bill #BanTheBible.

#BanTheBible doesnt have to mean confiscating physical Bibles yet, the group said in a statement, but it does mean something even worse  stripping Texans right to practice biblical teachings out of their lives.

Photo courtesy: Enrique Macias/Unsplash
Muslim Police Officers, Others Beat and Arrest Christian in Kenya Share Tweet

NAIROBI, Kenya, January 25, 2019 (Morning Star News)  Muslim policemen on Saturday (Jan. 19) beat and arrested a Christian man on the outskirts of Nairobi, Kenya in retaliation for refusing to recant Christianity, sources said.

Accompanied by two Muslims of Somali descent who had attacked him previously, the policemen arrived at the home where Hassan (surname withheld for security reasons) lives with his widowed mother, and the officers along with the two others punched, kicked, trampled and struck him with blunt objects, relatives said.

The police arrived and carried Hassan away with blood flowing from his body, his mother told Morning Star News, adding that one of the officers was a Muslim relative of Somali descent who has habitually joined other Somali Muslims resident in Nairobi in attacking her son. In Saturdays attack, Hassan lost teeth and suffered leg, chest and back injuries, she said.

Initially, police took him to Ngong police station, where his mothers pleas compelled them to take him to a medical clinic for treatment. The next day they transferred him to a police jail in Nairobis Industrial Area. His mother visited him there on Wednesday (Jan. 23) and said he was in bad condition.

My sons leg is bruised, he has serious chest and back pain, he is unable to walk and some of his teeth were removed, she said. My family is in danger, where are we going to hide ourselves? I cannot go back to Islam. I am better dying with my family than going back to Islam.

At this writing, Morning Star News was unable to reach a police representative about the brutal arrest or what charges Hassan might face. When his mother asked police why he was being held without charges on Thursday (Jan. 24), an officer directed her to the Muslim relative who was one of the policemen attacking Hassan. Suspecting the relative was going to demand a bribe, she said she would not talk with him.

The assailants planned the attack, which took place outside Hassan's home in the Bulbul area of Ngong, 26 kilometers (16 miles) southwest of Nairobi after he and other relatives declined to renounce their faith in exchange for financial help, she said. The formerly Muslim family migrated from Somalia after Hassans father died. A Muslim neighbor had invited Hassan, his mother (name withheld for security reasons) and two siblings to Jamia Mosque in central Nairobi, one of Kenyas most prominent mosques, on Dec. 3, telling them that Muslim leaders there could help them with their financial needs, relatives said. At the mosque, they were introduced to a wealthy Arab who told them they could receive support, and later they were taken to his house on Mombasa Road, they said. Their first indication of trouble came when a non-Muslim worker there from the ethnic Luhya, a Bantu group, advised them that things may not go well for them if they were Christians.

Hassans mother said they were surprised when the wealthy Arab and other Muslims told them that financial help was conditional on them renouncing Christianity.

We were promised financial support for the school fees of the children and general upkeep of the family, but they were categorical that Muslims have no relation with infidels, Hassans mother told Morning Star News. To this, I refused to recant my faith in Christ.

The family had initially accepted the offer of financial support, but when it became conditional on renouncing their faith and they refused, their Muslims hosts became angry, and the Christians had to flee the house, they said.

Hassans mother said that on Dec. 20 relatives suffered an attack in Jamu, in Somalia on the border with Kenya, where she maintains her ancestral home. Unknown assailants destroyed the roof and bashed gaping holes in the walls where one of her sons was living with his frail and ailing grandmother, she said.

Muslim relatives in Jamu on Dec. 15 had questioned her son about his absence from Friday mosque prayers, she said. The widow said she has recently received anonymous threats from Jamu threatening to do away with her family, and that she has received threatening text messages from the area since she sent him to live there two years ago.

The family has suffered at the hands of Somali Muslims in Nairobi for several years. On Feb. 7, 2016, Muslim relatives beat Hassan unconscious after discovering that the family was holding secret Christian meetings.

Muslim Somalis in Nairobi had seriously injured Hassan on Oct. 27, 2011, when a gang attacked him after they learned that family members had become Christian. The Somali neighbors hit him with a metal bar on his forehead and face, and he lost two teeth and sustained knife wounds to his hand. They left him for dead.

Somali Muslims in Nairobi have also attacked his mother.

I have suffered several persecutions from the Muslims for converting to Christianity, she said. My stomach is ailing from the attack I suffered few years ago. I cannot stand in an upright position. I and my family have chosen the cause of Christ. No turning back.

If you would like to help persecuted Christians, visit http://morningstarnews.org/resources/aid-agencies/ for a list of organizations that can orient you on how to get involved.

If you or your organization would like to help enable Morning Star News to continue raising awareness of persecuted Christians worldwide with original-content reporting, please consider collaborating at https://morningstarnews.org/donate/?

Article originally published by Morning Star News. Used with permission.

Photo courtesy: Pixabay
HHS Grants South Carolina Christian Foster Care Ministry Religious Exemption Share Tweet

The Trump administration granted South Carolinas largest foster care agency a religious exemption wavier ensuring them that they can continue to place foster kids in Christian homes.

According to the Christian Post, last year, South Carolinas governor Henry McMaster reached out to President Trump to ask for an exemption for Miracle Hill Ministries from the Health and Human Services rule that forbids foster-care organizations which receive federal funding to have a religious preference.

After almost a full year of conversations between the HHS and McMaster and an investigation into Miracle Hills religious convictions, the HHS concluded that forcing the ministry to adhere to the Obama-era regulation would be a violation of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. The Religious Freedom Restoration Act was passed in 1993 and assures the protection of religious freedom.

In a letter to McMasters the HHS Office for Civil Rights wrote, OCR specifically found that Miracle Hills sincere religious exercise would be substantially burdened by application of the religious nondiscrimination requirement and would, therefore, be granted the exception.

The letter goes on to note that for the ministry will, however, have to adhere to anti-discrimination laws by referring non-Christian families to one of the nine other foster care agencies in their area.

President of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission for the Southern Baptists Convention Russell Moore voiced his approval of the waiver on Twitter writing, I just learned South Carolina can continue licensing faith-based foster care and adoption providers like @MiracleHillthanks to a religious liberty waiver granted by @HHSGov. We can have our culture arguments, but not at the expense of vulnerable children who need loving homes.

I just learned South Carolina can continue licensing faith-based foster care and adoption providers like @MiracleHill thanks to a religious liberty waiver granted by @HHSGov. We can have our culture arguments, but not at the expense of vulnerable children who need loving homes. January 23, 2019

Heritage Action also praised the decision on Twitter writing, The Trump Administration has shown it's [sic] commitment to faith-based organizations in siding with MiracleHillMinistries. This commitment is so important because in the past several years, several faith-based service providers have been forced to close.

The Trump Administration has shown it's commitment to faith-based organizations in siding with Miracle Hill Ministries. This commitment is so important because in the past several years, several faith-based service providers have been forced to close.https://t.co/d16nyolg2m  Heritage Action (@Heritage_Action) January 25, 2019

While many were excited about this news, others saw it as a dangerous precedent.

President for Americans United for Separation of Church and State Rachel Laser said in a statement, This is yet another example of the Trump administration using religion to advance a regressive political agenda that harms others.

She continued, While this waiver is specific to South Carolina, it sets a dangerous nationwide precedent that elevates the beliefs of government-funded programs over the best interests of the children in their care.

The HHS has reinforced that this exemption does not relieve the SC Foster Care Program of its obligation to comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendment of 1972, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 or section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Photo courtesy: Pixabay
How can moms fight feelings of failure in a Pinterest perfect era? Christian Post Contributor | 25 January, 2019 by Leah MarieAnn Klett

In today's social media-obsessed culture, the old adage "comparison is the thief of joy" has never been truer  especially, it seems, for moms.

Scrolling through Instagram photos of Pinterest-worthy projects, HGTV homes, and perfectly dressed children can make even the most confident mother question her abilities.

Studies show that social media use among most new mothers has become ubiquitous  and unsurprisingly, mothers who are more frequent visitors to Facebook report higher levels of parenting stress.

With everyone presenting the heavily-filtered "Facebook version" of themselves, mothers are bombarded with perfectionism at every turn. It doesn't take long for comparison to creep in, creating a messy environment of dissatisfaction and discontentment.

In a culture that idolizes perfection, how can mothers show themselves grace and fight the pressure to compare themselves to others?

Ruth Schwenk, who's an author, founder of The Better Mom blog, and mother of four children, told The Christian Post that it all begins with a proper understanding of identity.

"It comes down to where we find our worth," she said. "My identity, first of all, isn't in motherhood, it's in that I'm a child of Christ. As a mom, I need to remember that my value doesn't come from what I do or don't do, but from the fact that I'm a daughter of God and created in His image."

It's important to understand that God "made us the mom of our child for a reason," Schwenk stressed, adding: "I'm the perfect mom for my child, and you're the perfect mom for your child. God doesn't make mistakes when He gives us the children we have."

Viewing other mothers as competition, she said, only isolates us from what could be a life-giving, mutually beneficial friendship.

"The things you do are great for you and your family, and I can learn from that," she said. "This isn't a competition. There are things I'll do in my life that will look different than you, but that doesn't mean that there aren't some things from your life that would actually be really great to implement into my motherhood."

But social media, Schwenk said, presents only a "highlight reel"  and most mothers aren't going to post photos of their child's tantrum or the messy realities of parenting.

"Those pictures I see of you online are not really the whole picture," she said. "We know that, but we don't know that. It's a constant battle of saying, 'OK, this is part of their picture, and it's not always perfect, because nobody's perfect.' What if, instead of viewing each other as competition, we thought, 'Wow, this is an incredible community where we can learn from one another.'''

Mothers are often presented with two extremes when it comes to parenting, she said: Either strive for perfectionism or glorify the self-deprecating mess of "mom-ing." But God calls mothers to far more than that.

"Becoming a better mom doesn't begin with us; it begins with God," she said. "It starts with who God is inviting us to become. Motherhood gives us the opportunity to grow and become more like Christ."

Understanding that God is sovereign over the life of every child also "relieves pressure" for mothers who struggle with feelings of inadequacy, she added.

"It's important to be intentional in raising our kids, because we're raising children that we hope and pray will be a light to the world," she said. "But the bottom line is, no matter my best intentions, God loves them so much more than I do and, and I can do everything right and things can still go wrong. But at the end of the day, He will take care of them."

Read more from "How can moms fight feelings of failure in a Pinterest perfect era?" on The Christian Post.
A Christian missionary may be charged with "genocide" by Brazillian authorities after he illegally came in contact with a remote tribe.

Steve Campbell of Greene Baptist Church in Maine is being investigated by officials from FUNAI, the Brazilian government's Indigenous Affairs Department, after traveling deep into the southern Amazon jungle with the intention of sharing the Gospel with the ancient tribespeople.

The missionary allegedly entered an area occupied by the remote and protected Hi-MerimA tribe sometime last month while attempting to evangelize a neighboring tribe. The Hi-MerimA is one of a few dozen isolated communities in Brazil that have had almost no contact with the outside world and have limited immunity to outside diseases.

As a result, Campbell is accused of putting the ancient tribe in grave danger by making contact with them after being led to their area by his GPS. He reportedly entered the area by mistake while teaching Indians from the neighboring Jamamadi tribe to use the device.

"It's a case of rights violation and exposure to risk of death to isolated indigenous population," a Funai spokesman said in a written statement to Thomson Reuters Foundation.

"Even if direct contact has not occurred, the probability of transmission of diseases to the isolated is high."

Campbell could be charged with "genocide" as a result of his actions, UNAI's general coordinator, Bruno Pereira, said, as reported by the Fraser Coast Chronicle.

"If it is established in the investigation that there was an interest in making contact, using his relationship with other [tribespeople] to approach the isolated [Hi-MerimA tribe], he could be charged with the crime of genocide by deliberately exposing the safety and life of the MerimAs," said Pereira.

According to the Greene Baptist Church website, Campbell works as a missionary alongside his wife, Robin, and their two children.

"Steve and Robin work with the Jamamadi Indians in the Brazilian state of Amazonas," notes the family's bio. "Their work is to help with medical, mechanical and countless other ministry opportunities with the Indians and missionary families. This frees up Jon so he can focus on translating God's word into their language."

The case comes just a few months after 26-year-old missionary John Allen Chau was killed by members of the uncontacted Sentinelese tribe after trying to approach them on their Indian Ocean island to share the Gospel.

Chau had admitted in his diary that he knew of the dangers but continued his efforts due to his eagerness to tell the tribespeople about Jesus Christ. Making contact with the tribe is illegal under Indian law.

Chau's death sparked debate even among evangelicals as to "extreme missionary work," with some calling his approach "reckless and unjustifiable" while others praised his faith and courage.

But in an op-ed written for desiringGod.org, Garrett Kell, an author and pastor of Del Ray Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia, suggested Chau's death could be used by God to light a missionary fire around the world.

"We cannot know for sure what God is doing. But might He be stoking the hearts of His church with a fresh fire to reach the unreached peoples of the world? Could God be using the death of John Chau to stir the souls of more missionaries to take the Good News of Jesus to the Sentinelese people?" he wrote.

"Is it possible that God might be working to bring them the message of forgiveness for killing the missionary as well as healing from the injustice done to them generations ago? Could God be plotting a reunion of forgiveness in months, years, even centuries from now that will magnify His mercies before the world? Can you picture that moving ceremony on the shores of North Sentinel Island?"

Courtesy of The Christian Post
Meghan Markle has a new press secretary, and no one can stop talking about him. In recent months, Markle has had to deal with a revolving door of royal staff. Both her personal assistant and her bodyguard have resigned. Since the Duchess of Sussex is set to give birth in April or May of 2019, shes eager to have her complete staff in place so she can focus on welcoming her first child.

It looks like Markle, and the Fab 4 have found a keeper with their newest staff member, but why is everyone obsessed with the new royal press secretary?

Who is Meghan Markles new press secretary?

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have a new press secretary. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have hired Christian Jones as their new Deputy Communications Secretary. According to Daily Mail, Jones role will be to liaise with the British and international media and support the young royals charitable work and engagements.

Markle and Prince Harry will share Jones with Prince William and Duchess Kate Middleton, and it will be his job to strategize and prepare the Fab 4 for any public events with the press. Jones is highly experienced for his new role. Before joining the royal staff he worked on the Brexit Campaign. According to E! News, Jones began as a speechwriter before he was promoted to the departments press secretary. He also worked as the Chief Press Officer to the Chancellor of the Exchequer Her Majestys Treasury.

Why is everyone obsessed with Christian Jones?

Since Jones was first spotted with Meghan Markle at a lunch meeting in Notting Hill, the internet has been in a frenzy. It seems like people cant get over Jones good looks. Twitter user Elizabeth Cotignola tweeted about the dark and handsome Jones saying, We need to talk about Meghan Markles new press secretary which sent other Twitter users into a tailspin commenting things like Press secretary is cute, and What a hottie.

Why did Meghan Markles personal assistant quit?

Jones hiring comes after a slew of Markles royal staff have called it quits including her personal assistant, Melissa Touabti, who left in late 2018 after just six months on the job. According to Daily Mail, Touabti played a pivotal role in the success of the royal wedding on May 19. However, the stress of the wedding and dealing with the so-called Markle debacle the duchess estranged paternal family became a bit too overwhelming for Touabti.

Markles female Chief Protection Officer also recently left her post after a short time, reportedly leaving the pregnant duchess feeling gutted.

Is Meghan Markle feuding with her royal staff?

In recent months there have been rumors that Markle is feuding with her royal staff and that she had been branded, Duchess Difficult. Daily Mail reported, It is said palace staff have never experienced anything remotely like Meghans formidable work ethic, matched only by the incessant stream of ideas about how to shape her role. Though the aides see her enthusiasm as well-meaning, her up and at em West Coast energy is an uncomfortable fit with the more formal ethos of some of the palace staff.

According to the Sunday Times, Markle isnt difficult. However, her desire to be seen as one of the people offers a number of challenges to her team.

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The Tennessee Supreme Court has held that the attorney-client privilege protects communications between a businesss attorneys and a third party when the third party acts as the functional equivalent of an employee and when the communications relate to the attorneys representation of the business and were intended to be confidential.

The Supreme Court issued this ruling in a business dispute appealed from the Davidson County Circuit Court. In this case, Dialysis Clinic, Inc. sued to evict tenants from commercial properties in Nashville that the Dialysis Clinic had purchased. The tenants subpoenaed documents from XMi Commercial Real Estate, a property management company hired by Dialysis Clinic to manage the properties. Dialysis Clinic and XMi objected to producing emails between Dialysis Clinics attorneys and XMi, arguing that they were protected by attorney-client privilege. The trial court ruled that XMi did not have to produce the emails because they were covered by attorney-client privilege. The Court of Appeals denied the tenants request for review of the trial courts decision. The Supreme Court agreed to hear the case.

In a unanimous opinion, authored by Justice Sharon G. Lee, the Supreme Court noted that it is increasingly common for businesses to use outside consultants and other independent contractors. These third parties often operate in the same manner as employees of the business and have information needed by the businesss attorneys that no employee of the business has. For that reason, many courts across the country have extended the attorney-client privilege to cover communications between those third parties and the businesss attorneys, when certain conditions are met.

Here, based on existing Tennessee law and cases from other jurisdictions, the Supreme Court ruled that the attorney-client privilege applies to communications between a businesss attorneys and a third party when the third party acts as the functional equivalent of an employee and when the communications relate to the attorneys representation of the business and were intended to be confidential. Applying this legal framework, the Supreme Court held that XMi was the functional equivalent of a Dialysis Clinic employee and that the emails between XMi and Dialysis Clinics attorneys were protected by attorney-client privilege. The Supreme Court affirmed the trial courts decision and sent the case back to the trial court for further proceedings.

To read the unanimous opinion of the Supreme Court in Dialysis Clinic, Inc. v. Kevin Medley, authored by Justice Sharon G. Lee, visit the Opinions section of tncourts.gov. Oral arguments for this case were video recorded and are available on tncourts.gov under Supreme Court and Oral Argument Videos.
Boomers, Shakers and Beyond, a 50+ group, will host a travelogue, The Swamp Lions of Botswana, on Friday, Feb. 1, at 11:30 a.m. It will be held in the Christ UMC Youth Center on East Brainerd Road (across from Publix).

Nature photographer Steve Brandon will talk about his trip to see the swamp lions of Botswana and show his photographs of the area. Mr. Brandon has photographed wildlife on all seven continents and has spoken to over 125 nature groups, civic clubs, and schools about wildlife and conservation.

Lunch will be served. Tickets are $5 and are available at Christ UMCs business office during regular business hours.

For more information, contact Mary Ann Bryant at boomers.shakers@yahoo.com.
Tennessee Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe announced today the appointment of Sammie Arnold as TNECDs assistant commissioner of Community and Rural Development.Mr. Arnold, a native of Dyersburg, Tn., has been with the department since 2013 and most recently served as assistant commissioner of Strategy and Legislative Affairs.With 80 of Tennessees 95 counties deemed as rural, our commitment to these areas of the state is a top priority for our department.In just three short years, the number of high-quality jobs in rural counties increased from 50 percent to nearly 65 percent, and we remain focused on continuing this growth, Comm. Rolfe said. Sammies wealth of knowledge of the state is matched by his genuine ambition to help expand opportunities across rural Tennessee, and I look forward to seeing the great things that will be accomplished under his leadership.Earlier this week, Governor Bill Lee issued his first executive order, requiring all state executive departments to issue a statement of rural impact and provide recommendations for better serving rural Tennessee. It is the first step by the administration to accelerate plans to address the 15 Tennessee counties that are designated as distressed.TNECD offers a number of programs and grants aimed at assisting rural communities to build assets and prepare themselves for industrial recruitment. Since 2017, the department has provided more than $34 million in funding to rural communities throughout the state. In addition, companies have invested $3.5 billion and committed to create more than 17,000 new jobs in rural communities over the past two years.In 2018, TNECD landed 127 projects representing nearly 21,000 new job commitments. Of those projects, 54 percent located in rural counties, an increase from 45 percent in 2014.I am tremendously thankful for this opportunity. As a rural Tennessean with deep small-town roots, I am incredibly passionate about supporting our rural communities and protecting their way of life, Mr. Arnold said. Governor Lee has asked us to be aggressive in developing creative solutions to help our rural communities that are struggling. My team and our department are up to the task.
Annie Hanks Ceramics and G. Sanford McGees works on copper can be seen in the SAS Gallery on the campus of St. Andrews-Sewanee School. There will be a public reception for the artists on Saturday, Feb. 9, 4-6 p.m.



The SAS Gallery is located in the center of Simmonds Building on the St. Andrews-Sewanee School campus, 290 Quintard Road in Sewanee. Hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.3 p.m., and by appointment. Contact Gallery Director Julie Jones at sasgallery@sasweb.org for more information.

About the exhibitors:

More than 20 years ago, G. Sanford McGee went looking for a piece of copper hed stowed a few years earlier on the edge of his yard while working on building his off-grid home near Sewanee. Mr.

McGee, a science teacher, naturalist and artist, was finally ready to begin the copper-faced architectural frieze he had planned for his new home. After locating the copper panel and pulling away the accumulated layers of plant and leaf decay, Mr. McGee met with an epiphany. The hand of nature had taken over, adding layers of patina to the copper -- colors and forms telling the story of the particular leaves, plants and their chemical components interacting with the copper sheet. Another home-builder might have considered the copper ruined for their purposes. But, Mr. McGee, with his artists eye, understanding of chemistry and deep knowledge of the plants of his native Cumberland Plateau, was uniquely prepared to recognize and appreciate the opening of an artistic collaboration with nature.In the intervening years Mr. McGee has continued the dialogue between his artistic practice and the natural world. These sublime, yet highly physical works, have been enthusiastically received and are exhibited across the U.S., including gallery shows in Santa Fe, Co. and Tennessee. His commissioned works and other pieces are held in collections across Europe and the U.S.In the coming weeks, Mr. McGees work will be featured in the SAS Gallery, along with another artistic collaboration, Annie Hanks Ceramics Studio of Chattanooga, the joint project of Stephanie Anne Martin and Katherine Hanks. Their utilitarian and sculptural bodies of work combine a contemporary aesthetic with timelessly simple forms. Matte finishes and pale neutral colors predominate, adding to the elemental character of their porcelain and stoneware. The surfaces call to mind rocks and bones, with occasional spare strips of colored glazes evoking horizon, sky or landscape.Hanks, a Texas native with a lifelong affinity for the natural world, recognizes the influence of her native Hill Country landscape on her Annie Hanks work. Meanwhile, Stephanie Martins connection to clay is more inwardly-focused; she describes her ceramic work as a manifestation of internal growth into tangible form.In the five years since its founding, Annie Hanks Ceramic Studio has flourished, with its functional work featured in Scenic City Supper Club and Wildflower Tea Shop in Chattanooga, a recent exhibition of sculpture, and both artists being featured in the Hunter Museum of Arts popular Examinations project.
The Southeast Regional Folk Alliance (SERFA) will present its highest honor, the SERFA Award, to two couples and two individuals on May 17 during its 12th Annual Conference at the Chattanoogan Hotel. One of each have Chattanooga connections: musical legends Norman and Nancy Blake, of Rising Fawn, and the late Fletcher Bright, philanthropist, musician and presenter. The other honorees are J.T. Gray, four-decade owner of the Station Inn in Nashville, dancer and choreographer Eileen Carson Schatz and dancer and musician Mark Schatz of Maryland.



The SERFA Awards presentation follows the Annual Meeting and precedes the keynote address by Ellis Paul, in a program starting at 1:45 p.m. on Friday, May 17. The annual SERFA Awards., presented since 2014, recognize those people, organizations, and businesses that made extraordinary contributions to folk music and its community in the Southeast. A committee consisting of Kari Estrin, who created the award when president, SERFA Treasurer Denise Williams, and board member Jefferson Ross, with SERFA Executive Director Art Menius as staff support, selected and the SERFA board ratified, the recipients for 2019. Previous recipients include Kathy Mattea, Peggy Seeger, John McCutcheon, Alice Gerrard, Ginny Hawker and Tracy Schwarz, Jim Rooney and Si Kahn.



About the award recipients:

Norman and Nancy Blake earned four Grammy nominations separately and together creating some forty albums. Chattanooga native Norman and his wife Nancy began recording together in 1974 and spent many years thereafter performing, recording, and playing music for the joy of it. Before that, Norman had already played on recordings by Bob Dylan, John Hartford, and Johnny Cash.

Fletcher Bright, who passed away in 2017 at 86, belonged to the Dismembered Tennesseans band for seventy years. He flourished as a realtor, led the Three Sisters Festival, and gave back to the geographical and musical community many times over.

J.T. Gray has owned Nashvilles foremost bluegrass club, the Station Inn, since 1981. He converted the Inns original coffeehouse/jam session format into a performance venue that has survived for the long haul.

A pioneer in bringing percussive dance to performing arts stages and the general public, Eileen Carson Schatz, who became a Green Grass Clogger in 1974, co-founded the Fiddle Puppets five years later. She developed the Fiddle Puppets into Footworks Percussive Dance Ensemble in 1994. Mark Schatz has played bass in a host of leading bands and with foremost artists including John Hartford, Tony Rice, Spectrum, Tasty Licks, Tim OBrien, Claire Lynch, and Nickle Creek.



The 12th Annual SERFA Conference makes its debut in Chattanooga on May 15-19, 2019. The event, attended by 299 in 2018, moved from Montreat, NC, its site for eight years. Conference activities, open only to registrants, include workshops and panels, official and private (aka guerrilla) showcases, open mics, an exhibit hall, group meals and more.



For information on attending (registration fees increase on Jan. 31 and March 31), applying for an official showcase (deadline Feb. 28), exhibiting, sponsoring or advertising in the program, visit www.serfa.org.
Nikki Bailey, the principal at Lookout Valley Elementary School, received an I Am Hamilton shirt for her selfless passion for service to the children and staff at Lookout Valley. The district presents the special shirts to individuals for efforts that positively impact Hamilton County Schools and the children we serve.

The 2018-2019 school year is Ms. Baileys first year at Lookout Valley Elementary She sets the standards high and pushes us to meet those standards, but at the same time, she is right there helping us and cheering us on, Jennifer Blevins, educational assistant at Lookout Valley, wrote in her nomination. Mrs. Bailey puts the students first, and you can see that in everything she does. The students also see it. She carries the weight of the school on her shoulders and does it with grace.

I am Hamilton spotlights the contributions of alumni, teachers, parents, students, support workers, and community members providing opportunities for children in the classrooms of Hamilton County Schools.
By all accounts, Eli was a kindly old man. He was a judge and the high priest during the closing of the period of the judges. Hannah brought her miracle child, Samuel, to live with Eli at Shiloh, where the Tabernacle was. Samuel ministered to the Lord with Eli and grew in stature and favor with the Lord. Elis two sons were a different story. Scripture plainly says they did not know God and behaved like it. Because of their birth into the priestly family, they served as priests, but not in an honorable fashion. They took portions of sacrifices not rightly theirs. In disobedience to specific Biblical command, they took portions before the sacrifice was properly offered to the Lord.

Further compounding their sin was the fact that it was common knowledge that they took advantage of female servants at the Tent of Meeting. These worthless men refused to repent when the people pointed out their sin.

Word of his sons conduct came to Eli, who spoke with them. However, Eli spoke too gently; he failed to adequately confront them. Thus, they ignored him. As their father, Eli had the ability and authority to come down hard on these two wayward sons and put a stop to their evil ways. As judge and high priest, Eli could have done anything he pleased including calling on the rest of the nations resources to enforce his decree. Eli failed to do what was so desperately needed for their sake. The result was tragic for Eli, his sons, and the nation. Nonetheless, we can be sure: God will not be mocked. His judgement and punishment came swift and sure.

In 1 Samuel 2:29 God asked Eli, Why do you kick at My sacrifice and at My offering which I have commanded in My dwelling, and honor your sons above Me, by making yourselves fat with the choicest of every offering of My people Israel? (NASU) I am sure that Eli was surprised by this question. I doubt if he ever considered that failing to discipline his children was honoring them above God. Surely, he thought he was being a good and loving parent. I have no doubt that he believed that he was doing the right thing. He tried to give them everything they wanted and shield them from all discomfort, didnt he? When public pressure got strong enough, he spoke to them about their misbehavior, didnt he?

In my many years teaching in public schools and pastoring, I have seen hundreds if not thousands of similar cases. Parents hear of misdeeds. Parents say please dont do that anymore. And thats the end of it. Children ignore the parents gentle pleas. The parents look the other way. The childs behavior invariably gets worse. Tragically, families, churches, schools, towns, states, and the country suffer as a result. Failing to discipline children is bad parenting. It is the parents responsibility and duty to correct wrong behavior. If a gentle reminder is ignored, the parent must move on to more forceful methods. The parent must continue to increase the pressure of discipline until the child responds appropriately.

Please learn from the mistakes of Eli. Please correct the problem before it is too late for your children, our churches, our communities, our schools, our country. Dont wait for the police to discipline your children. More importantly, dont wait for the Lord to ask the question you really do not want to answer, Why do you honor your child more than Me?
A new non-profit organization, Hamilton Flourishing, celebrates its unveiling during its Inaugural Gathering event on Monday.

Established in Fall 2018, Hamilton Flourishing is a "think-tank-with-legs" that is dedicated to promoting fundamental principles of self-government in Hamilton County. Bringing together scholars and other experts, the nonprofit seeks effective solutions to public policy issues that arise, said officials.

The nonprofit's kick-off event will feature two 20-minute talks on the Constitution presented by Dr. Lucien Ellington and Dr. Kody Cooper.

Dr. Ellington is UC Foundation Professor of Education at UTC, and directs two centers that focus upon K-14 teachers: The Asia Program, and the Center for Reflective Citizenship. Dr. Ellington has spoken on civic education reform at the American Enterprise Institute, the Russell Kirk Center, the Core Knowledge Foundation, C-Span, and CNN.com. His talk is titled, Improving Historical and Civic Literacy: There are no Lost Causes.

Dr. Cooper is UC Foundation Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science and Public Service at UTC. He is the chair of the CS Lewis Lecture Committee at UTC and is a member of the steering committee for The Federalist Society Chattanooga Chapter. He is author of Thomas Hobbes and the Natural Law. He will lecture about Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson, among the most influential voices who shaped the frame and meaning of our Constitution in the founding generation.

"We aim to provide the public, policy makers, and media with sound research to support such solutions and strive to communicate principles and policy in a meaningful and influential manner," said Doug E. Daugherty, Sr., founder of Hamilton Flourishing. "Our focus will include individual liberty and responsibility, strong families, educational excellence, free enterprise, good government and civil society."

Patrick Hampton is working alongside Mr. Daugherty as the vice president of Community Engagement.
A mobile home was destroyed by fire early Friday morning in Soddy Daisy.

A Soddy Daisy resident woke to the smell of smoke and his bed on fire. At 5:20 a.m., a 911 call was made reporting the mobile home fire at 1901 Wilkes Ave.

The Dallas Bay Volunteer Fire Department responded and arrived on the scene reporting a fully involved mobile home fire. Once firefighters could confirm everyone was out of the home, firefighters quickly conducted a defensive attack to extinguish the fire.

According to Dallas Bay Fire officials, the homeowner reported he awoke to his bed on fire. He was able to throw his blankets out the window but could not extinguish the fire on his mattress. The homeowners were able to escape without injury.

Dallas Bay Volunteer Fire Department requested a Mutual Aid response for additional manpower. Red Bank Fire Department responded to the scene. The Soddy Daisy Fire Department and Chattanooga Fire Department stood by at Dallas Bay fire stations for any additional emergency calls in their district.



The cause of the fire has not been determined at this time. Hamilton County Sheriffs Office will be investigating this fire. The house will be a total loss. Two cars and two adjacent homes sustained heat and fire damage totaling $50,000.

The American Red Cross will be assisting the fire victims with their emergency needs.
A Port Orchard, Wash., man has been arrested after authorities said he flew to Chattanooga for sex with a nine-year-old girl.

Mark Douglas Gould, 49, was charged with especially aggravated exploitation of a minor.

Authorities said Gould thought he had been corresponding with the step-father of the child when actually it was an undercover officer.

Police said Gould corresponded with the officer by text and email about sex with a minor.

Police said Gould "knowingly attempted to employ a minor (nine-year-old female) to participate in the performance of, or in the production of, acts or material that includes the minor engaging in sexual activity."

Police said Gould negotiated with the "step-father" for him making a video of the girl and Gould having sex.

Gould was arrested after flying into Chattanooga on Thursday and then meeting with what turned out to be an officer.

He was taken to the Hamilton County Jail.
I have been fascinated by a piece of legislation being suggested by Tennessee Representative Antonio Parkinson on a parental dress code. We should welcome the discussion. The legislation is probably not necessary. It offers nothing that law enforcement could not already do.

Apparently, in Memphis-Shelby County parents are going on school grounds dressed in inappropriate attire, or as Rep. Parkinson describes one case: a parent coming in with lingerie on and body parts still visible to everyone. We can all agree that is inappropriate. Here is the problem: we already have laws on the books designed to address public indecency for adults. In Tennessee, individuals commit indecent exposure when he or she, in a public place or on the private premises of another, intentionally exposes his or her genitals or buttocks or engages in sexual acts and reasonably expects the acts to be viewed by others. The acts offend an ordinary viewer, and are for the arousal and gratification of the individual.

An individual can also be charged with indecent exposure if he or she knowingly engages in sexual acts in his or her own residence, in the presence of a child, for the purpose of sexual arousal (Tennessee Code Annotated 39-13-511). The punishment for public indecency or indecent exposure includes fines and/or jail time. For the first or second offense, public indecency is a Class B misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $500. If you are convicted of three or more indecent exposure charges, you will have to register as a sex offender. If you are a school employee or an adult on school grounds and witness another adult engaged in indecent exposure please notify school administration, the appropriate law enforcement agency, including the school resource officer, immediately. Passing legislation is probably not necessary if we simply enforce the indecent exposure laws already on the books.

Engaged parents are critical partners in student success. But we must expect adults to follow local, state and federal laws. This would also include appropriate behavior. Tennessee law already prohibits a variety of behaviors that annoy or disrupt other people in public. These categories of offenses found in Title 39 of the Tennessee Code Annotated: general offenses, offenses against the person, offenses against property, offenses against the family, offenses against the administration of government, and offenses against the public health, safety and welfare were revised and modernized in 1989. Perhaps they should be updated?

Violations of public peace and safety in Tennessee include: 1) Public intoxication: Appearing under the influence of alcohol or drugs, causing unreasonable annoyance or endangerment; 2) Disorderly conduct: Threatening behavior, creating hazardous conditions, being unreasonably noisy or fighting; 3) Civil rights intimidation: Threatening or injuring someone to prevent him or her from exercising rights or privileges; and, 4) Obstructing a passageway: Obstructing a sidewalk, highway, hallway or elevator. If parents are engaged in any of these behaviors, then it is a matter for law enforcement. Our schools have a difficult enough time managing the behavior issues of students. Managing the criminal behavior of adults is the primary role and responsibility of law enforcement.

The 111th General Assembly must address real issues facing all of our public schools. We should focus on three major priorities: 1) Strengthening the foundations of a quality system; 2) Getting our students ready to enter the workforce; and 3) Embracing innovation. I applaud Representative Parkinson for speaking up on an issue that is impacting the schools in his district. I hope he will encourage school officials in his district to work with law enforcement and address criminal behavior. We must have high moral standards in our schools. So, lets simply enforce the law that already exists. On that we can all agree.

JC Bowman

Executive Director of Professional Educators of Tennessee
More than three-quarters of Tennessees 95 counties experienced a drop in unemployment during December 2018 according to data released Thursday by Governor Bill Lee and Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development Commissioner Dr. Jeff McCord.



Seventy-six counties saw a decrease in unemployment in December; the rate remained unchanged in three counties, and 16 counties experienced an uptick in their jobless numbers.

Williamson County continued to have the states lowest unemployment during the final month of 2018 with a rate of 2.1 percent. Compared to the previous month, Williamsons rate dropped by 0.4 of a percentage point in December. The countys unemployment rate has been at or below 2.1 percent in 61 prior months dating back to 1990.

Davidson and Rutherford counties had the next lowest unemployment rates at 2.3 percent each. Both counties saw a decrease of 0.3 of a percentage point from their November rates.

To finish 2018 with low unemployment in so many counties shows just how strong Tennessees economy is as we start the new year, said Governor Lee. Much of our state continues to benefit from a business climate that encourages growth, which in turn leads to new jobs.

While the majority of Tennessees counties did see a drop in unemployment in December, many rural counties continue to work to attract new employment opportunities and training resources for their residents.

Hancock County had the states highest unemployment rate at 5.7 percent, which increased by 1.1 percent from Novembers figure.

Lauderdale County had the second highest unemployment rate, but at 5.6 percent, it did drop 0.2 of a percentage point when compared to the previous month.

We continue to work in Tennessees rural counties to help our neighbors find a pathway to in-demand careers, said Dr. McCord. In Hancock County, weve partnered with the Department of Economic and Community Development, the areas TCAT and the local school district to bring technical training classes to the community, so residents dont have to travel to Morristown to learn a new trade.

Statewide, Tennessees December unemployment rate remained at 3.6 percent for the second consecutive month. Nationally, the United States unemployment rate saw an uptick to 3.9 percent, which was 0.2 of a percentage point higher than in November.

The December 2018 unemployment data for each of Tennessees counties can be found here.

Tennesseans searching for a new job can access the states workforce development website where they will find a wide range of helpful information and services, including a virtual job recruiter.

The state of Tennessee will release the statewide unemployment rate for January 2019 Thursday, March 7, at 1:30 p.m. CT.


The Caribbean and Tennessee Student Environmental Alliance will host its biggest fundraiser: the 7th annual Save Water, Drink Wine, on Feb. 9 at The Barn Nursery.

Save Water, Drink Wine will showcase six wine stations paired with tapas, plus Hutton and Smith beer for the non-wine drinkers, as well as a silent auction featuring local artisans. For the true wine connoisseurs this years event adds a new twist, a blind wine tasting with a grand wine prize. The tasting is sponsored by Virgola wine bar and staffed by the TenneSEA Young Professionals.

Save Water, Drink Wine always features hard to access regional wines as well and this year is no exception as attendees can sample award-winning wines from Amber Falls Winery, bubbly wine from Keg Springs as well as blends from Beans Creek Winery, thanks to support from event sponsors like Tennessee American Water.

Our commitment to the environment extends beyond the quality of our water and into the heart of who we are," said Tennessee American External Affairs Manager Daphne Kirksey. "We are stewards of the communities we serve, and we are proud of the role we play in protecting our environment. Teaming up with Save Water, Drink Wine is just one of the ways we work every day to help protect our natural resources.

Other high level sponsors include WK Dickson, Colonial Pipeline, Lupis Pizza, The Raines Group, and Hamilton County Water Quality. Table Sponsors include city of Chattanooga Water Quality, the Tennessee Aquarium and TN River Rescue.

At the event, guests will enjoy their wine and food pairings while discussing local watershed issues and restoration efforts with partner organizations including the Tennessee Aquarium, the Tennessee River Gorge Trust, Reflection Riding and the South Chickamauga Creek Greenway Alliance.

All proceeds support Kids 4 Clean Water projects by Tennessee Student Environmental Alliance. TenneSEA is the local branch of Caribbean SEA, a non-profit, educational and environmental organization whose mission is to empower students to lead their communities to protect and restore their water. This organization, founded and directed by Mary Beth Sutton, works both in the Caribbean and in Tennessee through collaborative watershed projects.

We have worked in the Tennessee Valley for over a decade to help kids and communities care for our waterways," said Ms. Sutton. "It is so fabulous to see otters return to Mountain Creek. We love that they are there.and we really want them to stay which means we have more work ahead of us.

Early Bird tickets to this fundraiser are currently available for $45 a person at www.caribbeansea.org or at The Barn Nursery or The Gear Closet. For more information about SWDW, visit www.caribbean-sea.org/event/save-water-drink-wine-2019
Tanzanian mega cement plant construction to begin soon

25 January 2019

The Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC) confirmed that it has supplied Sinoma and Hengya Cement (T) Ltd with the requisite incentives to begin construction of the company's US$1bn greenfield cement plant in Tanga region.



Geoffrey Mwambe, TIC executive director said the licence has a three-year period during which implementation must start. The new plant will have a capacity of 7Mta and a power plant to generate 1200MW of energy.



"The firm is meant to meet the country's cement demand as well as making the product available at relatively low prices," added Mr Mwambe. "Soon they will start importing construction equipment for construction to start in Tanga."



Meanwhile, the Tanzanian government is also set to receive revenue of TZS400bn (US$173m) annually upon completion of the project, according to the Citizen news service.

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Suspect who fatally shot 4, injured another in Polk County has been arrested
Photo: The Canadian Press File photo shows Hacienda HealthCare in Phoenix.

A licensed practical nurse has been arrested on a charge of sexually assaulting an incapacitated woman who gave birth last month at a long-term health care facility, Phoenix police said Wednesday.

Investigators arrested 36-year-old Nathan Sutherland, a licensed practical nurse, on suspicion of one count of sexual assault and one count of vulnerable adult abuse, Phoenix Police Chief Jeri Williams said.

Sutherland was one of the woman's caregivers at the Hacienda HealthCare facility and he was charged after authorities obtained a court order to take a DNA sample from him, which was compared to DNA of the baby boy, said police spokesman Tommy Thompson.

Sutherland declined to speak with police, Thompson said.

The 29-year-old victim has been incapacitated since the age of 3 and gave birth at the facility on Dec. 29.

Employees said they had no idea she was pregnant. As her guardian, the woman's mother was required to submit an annual report to the court that included results of a medical exam.

Police had said they were collecting DNA from all male employees at the centre.

Hacienda HealthCare on Sunday announced that one doctor who had cared for the woman resigned and another was suspended.

The woman's parents on Tuesday through their attorney disputed characterizations that their daughter is comatose.

They described her as being intellectually disabled because of seizures in early childhood. While she doesn't speak, she has some mobility in her limbs, head and neck. She also responds to sound and can make facial gestures.
The Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) under the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Govt. of India has invited applications in a prescribed format from eligible candidates for filling 36 vacancies to the posts of Deputy Directors and Assistant Directors (Vigilance) on deputation basis to be appointed at the EPFO HQ and its units in Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata.

The offline application process towards the same will start from 22 January 2019. All applications must be submitted on or before 08 March 2019.

CRITERIA DETAILS Name Of The Posts Deputy Directors and Assistant Directors (Vigilance) Organisation The Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) Educational Qualification As detailed in the notification. Experience Relevant experience as specified in the official notification. Skills Required Desirable Job Location Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Kolkata Salary Scale Rs. 15, 600/- Rs. 39, 100/- Per Month Industry PF, Pension and Insurance Application Start Date January 22, 2019 Application End Date March 8, 2019

Age Criteria And Fees

Desirous candidates applying for the post of Deputy Directors and Assistant Directors (Vigilance) through EPFO Recruitment 2019 must meet the age criteria as notified in the advertisement, with a relaxation in the age bar as per the government of India guidelines

For details regarding application fee, if any, refer to the official notification given below.

Also Read: PGCIL Recruitment 2019 For 16 Field Supervisors (Electrical Discipline) In J&K Region

Vacancy Details

Post Name No. Of Vacancies Deputy Director (Vigilance) 10 Assistant Director (Vigilance) 26 Total 36

Eligibility For Selection

Candidates applying for the post of Deputy Directors and Assistant Directors (Vigilance) through EPFO Recruitment 2019 must meet the following criteria:

Deputy Director (Vigilance) - Candidates applying for this post must be holding an analogous post on regular basis and must possess experience in dealing with disciplinary matters along with a Pay Band as specified in the notification.

Assistant Director (Vigilance) - Candidates applying for this post must be holding an analogous post on regular basis and must possess experience in dealing with disciplinary matters and vigilance cases along with a Pay Band as specified in the notification.

Selection And Pay Scale

The selection of candidates as Deputy Directors and Assistant Directors (Vigilance) through EPFO Recruitment 2019 will be done through Shortlisting by a committee constituted by EPFI and Interview.

Candidates selected as Deputy Directors and Assistant Directors (Vigilance) will be paid in the scale of Rs. 15, 600/- Rs. 39, 100/- Per Month

Also Read: MPSC Recruitment 2019 For 376 Section Officers (Grade-I & II) In Multiple Departments

How To Apply

Candidates applying for the post of Deputy Directors and Assistant Directors (Vigilance) through EPFO Recruitment 2019 must fill the application in a prescribed format and submit it to, "Sh. Sanjay Bisht, Regional Provident Fund Commissioner-I(HRM), Bhavishya Nidhi Bhawan, 14 BhikaijiCama Place, New Delhi-110066" on or before 08 March 2019.

The envelope containing the application form and supporting documents must be superscribed with post title the candidate is applying for.

For detailed notification about EPFO Recruitment 2019 for Deputy Directors and Assistant Directors (Vigilance) and application form click here
The Border Security Force (BSF), India's primary border defence organisation, has invited applications in a prescribed format from eligible Indian nationals (Male and Female) for filling 1763 Constable (Tradesmen) vacancies in various trades to be appointed across the Indian sub-continent. The notification towards the same was published on 18 January 2019. All applications must be submitted on or before 23 February 2019. (Tentative)

The recruitment will be for various trades for Male comprising CT (Cobbler) - 32 Posts, CT (Tailor) - 36 Posts, CT (Carpenter) - 13 Posts, CT (Cook) - 561 Posts, CT (W/C) - 330 Posts, CT (W/M) - 253 Posts, CT (Barber) - 146 Posts, CT (Sweeper) - 389 Posts, CT (Waiter) - 9 Posts, CT (Painter) - 1 Posts and CT (Draughtsman) - 1 Post; and for Females CT (Tailor) - 2 Posts totaling to 1763 vacancies.

CRITERIA DETAILS Name Of The Posts Constables (Tradesman) Organisation Border Security Force (BSF) Educational Qualification Matriculation/Class 10; Diploma/ITI in relevant trades Experience 1-2 years in relevant trades Skills Required Desirable Job Location India Salary Scale Rs. 21,700/ - Rs. 69,100/- per month Industry Defence Application Start Date January 18, 2019 Application End Date February 23, 2019

Age Criteria And Fees

Desirous candidates applying for the post of Constables (Tradesmen) through BSF Recruitment 2019 must have attained 18 years of age as on 01 August 2019, and not exceeded 23 years with a relaxation in the upper age limit for reserved candidates as per the Govt. of India rules.

For details regarding fee to be paid if any, refer to the official BSF notification given below.

Also Read: MPSC Recruitment 2019 For 376 Section Officers (Grade-I & II) In Multiple Departments

Physical Standards For BSF Constables (Tradesmen) Male/Female

Physical Standards Male Female Height 167.5 cm (162.5 for ST) 157 cm (150 for ST) Chest 78-83 cm (76-81 cm for ST) NA

Educational Criteria

Desirous candidates applying for the post of Constables (Tradesmen) through BSF Recruitment 2019 must have qualified Matriculation/Class 10 or equivalent from a recognized Board/University. He/she must have minimum 2 years of work experience in the respective trades, OR must have obtained a 1-year certificate course from ITI of Vocational Institute with a minimum 1 year of experience in the relevant trade, OR must have a 2-year Diploma from ITI in the relevant trades.

Selection And Pay Scale

The selection of candidates as Constables (Tradesmen) through BSF Recruitment 2019 will be done based on a written examination and interview.

Candidates selected as Constables (Tradesmen) will be paid in the scale of Rs. 21,700/- - Rs. 69,100/- per month.

Also Read: PGCIL Recruitment 2019 For 16 Field Supervisors (Electrical Discipline) In J&K Region

How To Apply

Candidates applying for the post of Constables (Tradesmen) through BSF Recruitment 2019 must submit applications in a prescribed format from the official BSF website at http://bsf.nic.in/welcome.html or http://bsf.nic.in/en/recruitment.html

The envelope containing the application form and all supporting documents must be superscribed as Application For the Post of ...........Trade and sent to the concerned Recruitment Agency (BF HQ) at Border Security Force (BSF), CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110003.

For detailed notification about BSF Recruitment 2019 for Constables (Tradesmen) click here
The independence gained by India on August 15, 1947, stands as one amongst the major historical developments after World War II. Though we gained independence in 1947, we adopted the Constitution of India on January 26, 1950, which is almost two and a half years after freedom. Every year, we celebrate the Republic Day on January 26 to commemorate the day India ceased to be a constitutional monarchy.

Also Read: Top 5 Freedom Fighters Who Pursued Their Higher Studies Abroad

Republic Day History

The British declared India's independence through the Indian Independence Act, 1947. Though India was declared independent on August 15, it was under constitutional monarchy of King George VI with Earl Mountbatten as the Governor General. This is because the Constitution didn't come into effect.

The Constitution Drafting Committee was created to prepare the permanent constitution with Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar as a Chairman. The Committee took 2 years 11 months and 17 days to prepare the Constitution of India. The Constitution of India was adopted on November 26, 1949; however, it came into effect on January 26, 1950, which is known as the Republic Day of India.

Also Read: 10 Facts About The Constitution Day

INC Lahore Session In 1929

Many express a doubt why the Constitution of India came into effect on January 26 when it was adopted on November 26, 1949. There is an interesting reason behind this! In 1929, the Indian National Congress (INC) held its session in Lahore. During this session, INC demanded complete independence from the British. It also started observing the day as Purna Swaraj, independence.

When the Parliament was looking for an appropriate day to bring the Constitution of India into effect, many suggested January 26, on which day the demand for complete independence was adopted.

It is more than 70 years that India gained independence from the British. We should be thankful to the leaders and freedom fighters who shed their blood and brought independence to us. For this reason, India is now standing as one of the fastest growing economies in the world. It is now our responsibility to take it forward and make the country better and bigger.

Also Read: 20 Interesting Facts You Probably Didn't Know About Mahatma Gandhi
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Sir William Cole, 16 September 1926  8 January 2019 Sir William Cole was one of a now long-gone breed of public servant, who came from a humble background, started small and worked his way up. Kim Beazley, the current governor of Western Australia, and formerly minister for defence when Sir William was the departments secretary, said Sir William, who died on January 8, aged 92, was of a generation of Commonwealth public servants who could be genuinely described as mandarins. "A secure, self-confident, patriotic, intelligent class who, while respectful of their political masters, took the view they should be the beneficiaries of frank and fearless advice. They also assumed they needed a vision of the country and its needs to be blended with the political thought of the day. He was also a devoted family man, by all accounts a quiet, private person with a deep sense of justice, and the intuitive ability to relate to people from all walks of life. Although one of Australias most senior public servants for much of his career, and knighted in the early 1980s, Sir William was not to the manor born. The son of a toyshop owner and a home-maker, he described his family and upbringing as lower middle-class. Born Robert William Cole in Melbourne in 1926, he was always known as Bill, and maintained through his entire life that his school years were a wash-out. But his employment began fortuitously as a 15-year-old telegraph boy in the Commonwealth public service. Called up at 18, he served in the Royal Australian Air Force during World War II, and later completed a commerce degree at Melbourne University. He moved to the capital in 1952 to join Treasury, and had a stint in Washington DC with the International Monetary Fund in the late 1950s. On his return, he was made assistant secretary at Treasury in 1967, then director of the Commonwealth Bureau of Transport Economics in 1970 and First Assistant Secretary in Treasury in 1972. His relatively brief appointment as Australian Statistician in May 1976 was closely followed in December of the same year by an appointment as the First Secretary of the newly-created Department of Finance. Current Australian Statistician David W. Kalisch said that during his time at the helm, Sir William managed significant issues with the 1976 census including a major privacy debate and challenges to its legal authority. Bill also established the key principles for the design of the subsequent 1981 Census, including responses to privacy concerns, he said. He is also remembered within the Department of Finance as its inaugural secretary, and a strong and far-sighted leader who built the fledgling department and established its role as a central agency of government. Current secretary Rosemary Huxtable described him as a strong reformer who constantly looked to improve how government supports its citizens and builds our nation. Further senior roles followed - as Chairman of the Public Service Board in 1978 and Secretary of the Department of Defence in 1983 - along with a knighthood in 1981 in recognition of his public service. It was a good innings in a career that began at the age of 15. During his time in Defence, he advised the minister to commission an external review which led to the Dibb Review and oversaw the integration of the Department of Defence Support into Defence proper. During his retirement, he conducted a review of military superannuation that led to the creation of the Military Superannuation Benefits Scheme. Mr Beazley was minister from 1984, when Sir William was the department secretary. He remembers him as being exactly the right man for a massive, complex department and a headstrong minister". "His view of ministerial relations was to encourage me to deal directly with the civilian and service personnel who were the responsible officials for any particular aspect of policy, purchase or administration the minister was dealing with," Mr Beazley said. "I was conscious at the time that all who dealt with me reported to him and that he was closely in touch with the Departments affairs and the impact of decisions being taken. "He intervened little, but when he did he was decisive. I can still see him looming at my office door on the ground floor of the old Parliament House: 'Minister, you are about to make a serious mistake and I am not leaving here until you are determined not to make it.' "You quickly understood he was a protector not only of his minister but more importantly the country. Australian Public Service commissioner Peter Woolcott noted that Sir William also had an eye for talent in the sector, and was active in their personal development. He promoted Helen Williams to Assistant Secretary in Treasury against the wishes of a prominent Division Head who said it would be done over his dead body, Mr Woolcott said. Bill commented later that 'the bloke didnt die!'. Helen Williams was the first woman to be appointed to the SES in Treasury or Finance, and was later the first woman to be appointed a secretary of an Australian government department. Sir William met his wife, Lady Margaret, in the 1950s at the Canberra guest house in which he was staying and she was working. It was during a long stint in hospital after a motorbike accident that the two were engaged. They married in 1956 and had two children, Kathy and Robert. Robert Cole said his father was always actively interested in his childrens lives, and lately revelled in his role as grandfather, spending hours reading stories, teaching them on the computer and talking about the world. Despite his illustrious career, Sir William enjoyed a quiet retirement in Perth. In his memoirs, penned in his later years, he concluded: I follow the stock market very closely and I am a wine buff. I mess around on the computer, not only following the stock market but also what is happening in the world, not that there is anything I can do about that. Sir William Cole is survived by his wife, Lady Margaret, his children Kathy and Robert, and four grandchildren.

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The ACT's record-breaking construction boom is set to continue, though it will occur at a slower pace this year, with a new forecast estimating at least $1 billion of building work in Canberra annually for the next three years. The forecast, made by the Master Builders Association and based on ABS data, reiterates the ACT's strong economic position on the back of recent economic indicators, including unemployment in the territory at 3.7 per cent and population growth at 2.2 per cent. It comes despite increased warnings of an imminent national economic downturn, with house prices in most major cities falling quickly. The situation has begun to affect Canberra, with house prices stagnating for the first time in years. While the MBA report acknowledges those headwinds, it also paints a more optimistic picture of the future of the ACT economy over the next few years, based on data showing $1.6 billion worth of construction happened in the city in 2017-18. The forecast tips that will continue at $1.6 billion this fiscal year, before easing off to about $1.5 billion each year from 2019-20 to 2021-22. It predicts the decline in the ACT will not be as strongly felt as it will be in cities like Sydney and Melbourne which have seen inflated property prices for several years, and reiterates strong population growth will be critical to avoiding the worst declines. MBA ACT chief executive Michael Hopkins said new dwelling approvals fell by 7.8 per cent in the October quarter, suggesting there could be some softening in the market in coming months. He said engineering construction also fell 7.1 per cent in the year to September 2018, largely due to the tapering off of major works on the first stage of the territory government's light rail project. MBA chief economist Shane Garrett said the nation was facing its toughest year in almost a decade, amid tightened lending criteria and the fallout from the banking royal commission. He said new home building rose to record levels in the middle of the decade due to strong population growth, rising house prices, low interest rates and foreign investor demand. But Mr Garrett said several of the ingredients that helped were no longer in place, citing falling house prices in key markets and new barriers to foreign buyers in some jurisdictions. The report, however, suggests the growth in rent for most properties was a result of population growth, in particular that caused by working-age residents moving from interstate. It cites the 2.2 per cent population growth rate, which is equal to about 8,760 new residents in the past year. "The combination of rising house prices and solid rental market conditions in Canberra is in contrast to theincidence of falling house prices and declining rents in other capitals," it reads. "This makes the ACT one of the more attractive markets for housing investors at the moment, although the slower credit conditions resulting from the ongoing royal commission have dampened this a little."

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January 24, 2019 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

Canada is a country governed by the rule of law.

Canada is conducting a fair, unbiased, and transparent legal proceeding with respect to Meng Wanzhou, Huaweis Chief Financial Officer, which includes the ability for individuals to mount a vigorous defence before a court of law. I regret that my comments with respect to the legal proceedings of Ms. Meng have created confusion. I misspoke. These comments do not accurately represent my position on this issue. As the government has consistently made clear, there has been no political involvement in this process.

Canada respects its international legal commitments, including by honouring its extradition treaty with the United States. The rule of law is fundamental to all free societies, and we will continue to defend and uphold this principle.

As Canadas Ambassador to China, I play no role in assessing any arguments or making any determinations in the extradition process. The Canadian governments priority  and my priority  is securing the release of the two Canadians arbitrarily detained in China and ensuring that the rights of all of our citizens are protected. Every action our government takes is focused on the safety and security of these Canadians. That will continue to be our absolute priority until they can return home.


St. Johnsbury, VT (05819)

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Sun and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 81F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph..

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A few clouds. Low 54F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.
Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party has privately decided to back Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit deal next week if it includes a clear time limit to the Irish backstop, The Sun reported on Thursday.

The House of Commons will vote next Tuesday on alternative Brexit plans after it rejected the deal May negotiated with the EU, a development that pushed the bloc to brace for a no-deal Brexit in two months. (Reuters)

Source: www.businessworld.ie
The Central Bank of Ireland has today published its first Quarterly Bulletin of 2019. The Bulletin examines recent trends in the domestic economy and provides the Central Banks forecasts for the Irish economy and its views on domestic economic policy issues.



The central forecasts presented in this Bulletin are based on a transition period coming into effect on 30 March when the United Kingdom is due to leave the European Union.

Given the unprecedented nature of Brexit, a situation that is without historical precedent, there is considerable uncertainty around potential Brexit outcomes, but the Central Bank is today publishing analysis of the possible effects of a disorderly no-deal Brexit, which is one scenario.



The report predicts economic growth will be 4.4% this year, moderating to 3.6% in 2020. Further declines in the unemployment rate to 4.9% and 4.7% are projected for 2019 and 2020.



The possible outcomes include:

 Immediate disruption in financial markets, as well as further falls in the value of sterling which would adversely affect the competitiveness of Irish exporters

 A deterioration in economic conditions and a more adverse outlook which would cause firms to cut back investment and consumers to reduce spending

 Disruption to supply chains and the transportation of goods into and out of Ireland, disrupting production and leading to higher costs

 A reduction in Irish exports due to lower demand from the UK, higher tariff and non-tariff barriers (such as checks and paperwork) and exchange rate effects

 Consequences for the public finances as a result of weaker economic growth

 A reduction in economic growth (GDP) by up to 4 percentage points in the first full year. This would see GDP growth of around 1.5% in 2019*, meaning employment and growth still remain positive overall

 Over a 10 year period, the level of Irish output could be reduced by around 6 percentage points, though again employment and growth still remain positive overall.



Central Bank say it is important to note some mitigating factors that might improve the outlook of a disorderly exit. These include extending the UKs exit date, which would allow firms and households more time to prepare, and a potential increase in foreign direct investment that might otherwise have been destined for the UK.

Furthermore, in the financial services sector, the Central Bank says substantial preparatory work has already been undertaken to mitigate the most immediate and material cliff edge financial stability risks.

In the event that a disorderly Brexit scenario can be avoided, the Central Bank continues to urge fiscal prudence in light of other risks on the horizon, such as the unpredictability of corporate tax revenues. As the economy moves closer to full employment, they say there is also a need to continue to guard against the risk of overheating.

On the external side, in addition to Brexit, the international economic outlook has weakened since the last Bulletin, while risks related to international trade and taxation persist.

Speaking this week, Director of Economics and Statistics, Mark Cassidy said, "The economy is forecast to continue growing at a relatively solid pace, though this is expected to moderate in line with international economic output and where we find ourselves in the current economic cycle. However, a disorderly no-deal Brexit has the potential to significantly alter the path of the Irish economy in both the short and medium term, with a substantial and permanent loss of output. That said, employment and growth are still expected to remain positive overall, while much work has been done to guard against the risks facing the financial system which the Central Bank oversees."

He added, "Although Brexit continues to dominate headlines, we cannot ignore the other risks facing the economy, such as overheating and the international trade and taxation environment. Our ability to withstand any future downturns in the economy will be greatly enhanced by building up larger surpluses and buffers in the public finances now, especially if a no-deal Brexit can be avoided."

Source: www.businessworld.ie
British finance minister Philip Hammond hit back at supporters of a no-deal Brexit on Thursday, telling business leaders that leaving without a deal would break promises made in the 2016 referendum and risk fueling populism.

Britain is due to leave the European Union on March 29, and last week lawmakers voted by an historic margin to block the transition deal which Prime Minister Theresa May had agreed with Brussels, putting the country on course for exit without a deal.

While a no-deal Brexit is seen as tolerable or even desirable by many Brexit supporters within the Conservative Party, Hammond has long supported a softer Brexit, though rarely in such direct terms.

"Not leaving would be seen as a betrayal of that referendum decision. But leaving without a deal would undermine our future prosperity, and would equally represent a betrayal of the promises that were made," he told a Confederation of British Industry (CBI) event at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn has refused to meet May to discuss Brexit until she rules out a no-deal option, and lawmakers outside government are seeking to block it.

Earlier on Thursday, Airbus warned it could shift future wing-building out of Britain in the absence of a smooth exit from the EU, and predicted "potentially very harmful decisions" for its British operations in the event of no deal.

Concern about a 'backstop' agreement for the border between the British province of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland has been a major sticking point for Conservative Brexit supporters, who fear the EU will use it to extract concessions on British sovereignty after Brexit.

"Ingenuity and flexibility" from the EU, as well as "a spirit of compromise" from some Conservative lawmakers would be needed on this area to reach a satisfactory agreement, Hammond said. "Failure to do so could lead to instability (and) populism," he added, according to a text of his remarks provided by his office.

British businesses are deeply concerned by the government's refusal to rule out a no-deal Brexit which would entail lengthy delays for cross-border trade if it cannot get parliamentary support for its preferred withdrawal plan.

CBI Director-General Carolyn Fairbairn warned of "another bleak day for British business" on Monday after May announced little substantive change to her Brexit plans in response to their historic defeat in parliament.

On Tuesday, James Dyson, a billionaire Brexit supporter who revolutionized vacuum cleaners with his bagless technology, said he was moving his head office to Singapore from Britain to be closer to his company's fastest-growing markets. (Reuters)

Source: www.businessworld.ie
Cast: Kangana Ranaut, Ankita Lokhande, Danny Denzongpa, Atul Kulkarni and Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub

Director: Radha Krishna Jagarlamudi

Rating: 3/5

Kangana Ranaut's Manikarnika is, perhaps, surprisingly better than what its shoddy trailer made one believe it would be. Is it a flawless film? Actually, quite far from it but the movie manages to hold your interest till the strange ending. Ranaut as the fierce Rani Laxmibai, one of the bravest warriors the country has ever known, is mostly on point. There are also parts where she falls flat but Ranaut who takes up most of the screen time cannot be ignored, whereas the supporting cast is reduced to mere cogs in the machine, working tirelessly to extol Rani Laxmibai.

Much of the slow first half is spent on showing Rani Laxmibai's brave, kind, fair, progressive and independent nature. She shoots a tiger only to heal it and save the villagers, she can take on three sword-wielding men, hop and jump to mount an elephant and the only one who can domesticate the untameable horse, Badal. Ranaut does all that with great ease.

However, charged with the love for her country, Ranaut's Laxmibai starts giving sermons on patriotism at the drop of a hat. One would wonder if the actual Rani ever had so much time in hers hands in the midst of a bloody rebellion against the British Raj. Coming to the British, they are nothing we have never seen before. They are portrayed as evil, greedy and scheming officers who laugh at people for not knowing English, require everyone to bow to them and hang little girls out of spite. They do all that and more while shooting off dialogues in the funniest Hindi accent you will ever hear. You will once again ask yourself - why do British officers in Bollywood films speak amongst themselves in Hindi and once again you will be left with no answer.

There is a scene where Rani Laxmibai herself goes to a British camp to rescue a stolen calf. On the tent is the signage - Dogs and Indians not allowed. Then there is another scene where General Hugh Rose, tormented by Rani Laxmibai's rebellion against the Company has a nightmare where he sees Goddess Kali. Then there is this time when Rani speaks in fluent English and says that is a mere language. "Words without culture have no meaning," she adds. It is in awkwardly executed scenes like these that one wonders if there was any deliberation on them at all.

One of the best parts about the Radha Krishna Jagarlamudi-directed Manikarnika is the choreography. Ranaut as well as her fellow actors do a great job of wielding swords.

However, one of the biggest flaws of Manikarnika and one that will leave you confused is its take on women empowerment. On one hand, Rani Laxmibai is waging war against the British and on the other hand her husband, Maharaja Gangadhar Rao Newalkar wears bangles as a token of shame and calls them shackles. It is confusing to see the same movie applauding a woman's bravery and looking down upon women accessories.

The VFX used in Manikarnika is not its strongest point and is quite jarring at times. The screenplay too is chaotic, with the film jumping from one scene to another in a rather haphazard manner. The underutilisation of actors like Ankita Lokhande, Danny Denzongpa, Atul Kulkarni and Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub indicates that the Kangana Ranaut-directorial was made with only one person in mind - Kangana Ranaut.

Also read: Manikarnika Movie: Release Date, Budget, Trailer, Cast, Songs, Box Office Collection Prediction
The YES Bank stock closed higher in trade today after the lender named Ravneet Singh Gill, currently heading Deutsche Bank India, as the Managing Director and Chief Executive to succeed Rana Kapoor, whose term ends on January 31.

Ravneet Singh Gill will take charge from March 1, 2019.

Today, Yes Bank stock traded in the price band of 218.10 to 236.30 on BSE.

The large cap stock closed 2.71% or 5.80 points higher at 219.65 compared to the previous close of 213.85 on the BSE. The stock opened higher at 224.50 level in trade today and hit an intra-day high of 236.30 on the BSE.

In terms of equity volume, 102.71 lakh shares of the company were traded on the BSE, while over 13 crore shares changed hands on the NSE during the morning session.

It has lost close to 40% during the last one year. The stock has been gaining for the last 2 trading sessions and has risen close to 11% in the period.

Meanwhile, the lender reported a 6.96 per cent fall in net profit to Rs 1,001.85 crore in the quarter ended December 2018. Its net profit stood at Rs 1,076.87 crore in the corresponding quarter of 2017-18.

The private sector lender said net provisions stood at Rs 550.2 crore on account of Rs 570.8 crore of accelerated provisioning on exposure to a "stressed infrastructure conglomerate", according to a stock exchange filing. The bank, however, did not name the conglomerate.

Yes Bank's net interest income grew 41.2 per cent year-on-year (y-o-y) to Rs 2,666.4 crore.

It's advances grew 42.2 per cent y-o-y to Rs 2,43,885 crore.

YES Bank's gross non-performing asset (NPA) increased to 2.1 per cent of the total advances in the quarter, compared with 1.72 per cent in the year-ago period.

Net NPAs also increased to 1.18 per cent from 0.93 per cent.

The Reserve Bank had last September asked Kapoor, who is one of the promoters of the city-based lender along with his wife Bindu Kapoor, to leave the office by the end of this month.

"The bank has received Reserve Bank approval for new managing director and chief executive Ravneet Gill. He can join on or before March 1, 2019,"YES Bank said.

(Edited by Mudit Kapoor)
The Goa cabinet yesterday amended the Registration of Tourist Trade Act to take on badly-behaved tourists as well as illegal online service providers. To begin with, impromptu alcohol-fuelled beach parties will no longer be tolerated.

"People found creating nuisance like drinking in public or cooking in the open will be fined... While an individual will be fined Rs 2,000, a group indulging in such an offence will be charged Rs 10,000," Tourism Minister Manohar Ajgaonkar told the media on Thursday, adding that in case the fine is not paid, the offender can face imprisonment of up to three months.

This development is in line with Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar's long-standing promise to ban drinking of liquor in public places. He had promised to amend the laws to this effect in September 2017, a few months after the North Goa District Police had ordered a crackdown against drinking at public places following complaints filed by the locals. The latter were reportedly sick of the nuisance created by drunken revellers, including breaking bottles on the beaches.

"Nobody can drink alcohol on our beaches and tourist places any more. Bottles cannot be carried there," IANS quoted Ajgaonkar as saying. This amendment comes amid declining tourist footfalls in Goa. Savio Messias, the president of the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa, previously told the news agency that the dip in 2018 was as high as 30% compared to the last season, which had seen over seven million tourists. Meanwhile, the tourism and travel industry stakeholders have been blaming the government for poor vision as well as the lack of will to attract "quality tourists".

The cabinet reportedly also cleared another amendment to the Registration of Tourist Trade Act that proposes to penalise those who provide online booking of accommodation or other tourist-related activity without registering with the tourism department.

The amendments will be tabled for passing in the upcoming session of the State Assembly, which begins on January 29. According to Ajgaonkar, once the amendments come into force, photographs of offenders could be sent across to the Tourism Ministry on WhatsApp and action would be taken against them within 12 hours.

(Edited by Sushmita Choudhury Agarwal; with PTI inputs)

Also read: Nirav Modi's Alibaug mansion being demolished after Bombay HC order
The Prime Minister-led selection panel, on Thursday, could not arrive at a name for the next Central Bureau of Investigation chief. The panel, which comprises Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi and Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge, besides Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has decided to meet again at a later date to finalise a name.

"They gave us a list of 70-80 names with only appointment and retirement dates. No other details like where have these individuals worked, what experience do they have, their integrity records and other details were shared," said Kharge after the meeting.

Currently the country's premier investigating agency is headed by interim director M Nageshwar Rao, who was appointed in the wake of former director Alok Verma's removal from duty. Verma's removal came after two of the three-member selection panel, led by the PM, found merit in allegations of corruption levelled against him by his subordinate, former special director Rakesh Asthana. Incidentally, Nageshwar Rao's appointment has been challenged in the Supreme Court by NGO Common Cause but the petition is yet to be heard, after first, CJI Gogoi, and then Justice AK Sikri on Thursday recused themselves from hearing the matter. On Friday, a different bench will take up the case.

In the running for the country's next CBI boss are IPS officers from the 1983, 1984 and 1985 batches, including NIA DG YC Modi, CISF chief Rajesh Ranjan, BSF DG Rajni Kant Mishra, MHA special secretary Rina Mitra, UP DGP OP Singh and Mumbai Police Commissioner Subodh Jaiswal.

Also read: Probe ICICI Bank CEO Sandeep Bakhshi, ex-chairman KV Kamath's role in Chanda Kochhar case: CBI
Authorities have started the demolition of fugitive diamond merchant Nirav Modi's bungalow in Alibaug area of Maharashtra. Nirav Modi, along with his maternal uncle Mehul Choksi, has been accused of defrauding state-owned Punjab National Bank of Rs 13,700 crore. The Raigad district collectors' office is demolishing Nirav Modi's mansion after receiving the Bombay High Court order against the illegal structure.

The bungalow was part of the properties attached by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Though the ED had objected to the demolition, the HC gave a go ahead to the Raigad district collector to raze the building. After receiving the order, the police personnel as well as the administrative staff reached the bungalow located on the Kihim beach in Alibaug.

Media reports say this was the same mansion where Nirav Modi used to host lavish parties of high-profile people. Nirav Modi's belongings were last week moved before scheduling the construction for Friday.

The villa initially only had to be constructed on 376 square metres but Modi went on to construct 1081 square metres, blatantly violating the Coastal Regulatory Zone (CRZ) as well as local administration's permits. Nirav Modi had not only carried out illegal construction in the CRZ zone but also created a garden outside his villa and between the beach, which was government land falling in CRZ zone. He had converted to area into a private beach with sand dredged from the beach dumped into the garden. Potted plants and palm trees were planted in the area which had a gate attached to the villa's netted boundary and then directly accessing the beach.

The Raigad district collector Vijay Suryanwanshi had filed an affidavit on December 6, informing the Bombay High court about the demolition order. In 2011, the then district collector had issued an order stating that the farmhouse existed since 1986 so there was no violation. The present collector Vijay Suryavanshi reviewed the order and found several violations following which the order has been issued.

Video: How PNB scam accused Nirav Modi inflated his business

Also read: Nirav Modi: The billionaire who stole a billion
Authorities have started the demolition of fugitive diamond merchant Nirav Modi's bungalow in Alibag area of Maharashtra. Nirav Modi, along with his maternal uncle Mehul Choksi, has been accused of defrauding state-owned Punjab National Bank of Rs 13,700 crore. As per an India Today TV report, the Raigad district collectors' office has started demolishing Nirav Modi's bungalow after receiving the Bombay High Court order against the illegal structure.

The bungalow was part of the properties attached by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Though the ED had objected to the demolition, the HC gave a go ahead to the Raigad district collector to raze the building.

After receiving the order, the police personnel as well as the administrative staff reached the bungalow located on the Kihim beach in Alibag. According to media reports, this was the same mansion where Nirav Modi used to host lavish parties of high-profile people.
The CBI has registered a new case against former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and others over alleged irregularities in land allocation in Gurgaon in 2009 and carried out searches at 20 locations in Delhi-NCR on Friday, officials said.

A team of officials from the agency arrived early morning at his residence in Rohtak, Haryana, they said. According to the officials, 20 locations in the Delhi-NCR region are part of the probe, they said.

The agency is tight-lipped about the details of the case as the search operation is underway. The case is understood to be related to the alleged irregularities in land allotment in 2009, sources said.

It is alleged that there were glaring irregularities in acquisition of 1,417 acres land by the then Haryana government in Gurgaon in 2009, they said.

Congress MLA Kuldeep Sharma lambasted the BJP government and charged that the action was intended to stop the senior Congress leader from attending a poll rally to be held Friday in the run up to the Jind bypoll. Jind bypoll, which has turned out to be a multi-cornered contest, will take place on January 28.

"The Jind by-election is going to take place and today, a poll rally was organised. It (CBI raid) was to happen and it was carried out with an intention of political ill will in order to influence the by-election," Sharma said while talking to reporters in Rohtak.

"The BJP government got this despicable act done in order to stop Hooda from going to the rally," alleged Sharma, who is MLA from Ganaur.

Hooda was to address the poll rally in favour of Congress nominee Randeep Singh Surjewala in Jind. The former Haryana chief minister, along with other senior leaders, have been campaigning for Surjewala for the crucial Jind bypoll.

The Congress has fielded Jat leader and All India Congress Committee communication in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala, a sitting legislator from Kaithal, while the ruling party BJP has nominated Krishan Middha, son of INLD legislator Hari Chand Middha, whose death necessitated the bypoll.The Indian National Lok Dal has fielded local Jat leader Umedh Singh Redhu, while the newly-floated Jannayak Janta Party, a breakaway party from the Chautala family-led INLD, nominated political greenhorn Digvijay Singh Chautala.

Also read: Chanda Kochhar got 'illegal gratification' for sanctioning Videocon loans: CBI
Indian Railways hospitals across the country will soon provide treatment to eligible families under the Centre's ambitious Ayushman Bharat scheme, an official statement said on Thursday. In addition, eligible families will soon be able to get benefits under the scheme at hospitals under the New Delhi Municipal Council and the North Delhi Municipal Corporation, a statement by the National Health Authority, the apex body implementing the insurance programme, said.

The NHA signed a MoU with the Ministry of Railways in this regard on Thursday. The Union government on September 23 had launched the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, which aims to provide a cover of Rs 5 lakh per family per year and is likely to benefit more than 10 crore poor families across the country.

As per the MoU, identified medical establishments having inpatient hospitalisations under the Ministry's Railway Health Services department across its 16 zones will be empanelled with the PMJAY to implement the scheme. It will provide secondary and tertiary care to eligible individuals.

"The government is committed to developing a strategic partnership with providers to strengthen service delivery under the scheme so that the vision of AB PM-JAY becomes a reality. Empanelment of health care providers and institutions is a key aspect of this partnership," Dr Indu Bhushan, the NHA CEO, said.

Speaking about the collaboration, he said, "I am confident that our partnership with the Railways, the NDMC and the North Delhi Municipal Corporation will go a long way in ensuring access to quality healthcare to the poor in the country through Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY scheme".

This will also help strengthen and expand the existing infrastructure and quality of services of these public hospitals, he said.

"We are happy to partner with the NHA to implement Ayushman Bharat. This collaboration will help the beneficiaries get access to quality healthcare even in the remotest parts of the country through our network of railway hospitals," Dr Gajendra Kumar, the principal executive director of Health in the Ministry of Railways, said.

Also read: No decision yet on next CBI chief; panel to meet again
Telecom operator Vodafone-Idea is offering a new recharge plan of Rs 24 to stop the customer churn. The aim of this low cost recharge plan is also to increase the validity of the customers' account by 28 days. Late last year, Bharti Airtel too had launched a minimum recharge plan of Rs 23 to extend the account validity. Remarkably, the new minimum recharge plan from Vodafone-Idea comes after the company made it compulsory for its customers to recharge their mobile numbers with minimum plan to extend the validity.

Also Read: TRAI launches web-based Channel Selector app to help pick channels, calculate monthly rental

The new Rs 24 prepaid recharge plan is available to all the Vodafone and Idea subscribers. It is aimed at people who just want to extend validity but don't want any calling or data benefits. The validity extension is for 28 days only. Post the expiry of the validity, the customer will have to recharge again. The plan is aimed at people who wish to receive uninterrupted outgoing and incoming services. It will help those who wish to extend their account expiry date to avoid its deactivation.

Other than validity extension, Vodafone Idea is also bundling 100 on-net night calling minutes valid between 11:00 pm and 6:00 am. On-net calling means on network, which is Vodafone to Vodafone, or Idea to Idea. The calls not on the same network will be charged at 2.5 paise per second (local and STD). Data usage will be charged at 4 paise per 10KB, meaning Rs 4 per MB. While roaming, the data will be charged at Rs 10 per MB. As far as SMSs are concerned, local SMS will be charged at Rs 1 per message, and national SMS will be charged at Rs 1.5 per message.

Edited By: Udit Verma

Also Read: Reliance Jio offers long term recharge plans at Rs 594 and Rs 297, here are the details

Also Read: Apple's 'Shot on iPhone' challenge: Here's all you need to know
The United States government is concerned about India's revised e-commerce regulations and has told officials in New Delhi the policy will hinder the Indian investment plans of Amazon.com and Walmart Inc, three sources familiar with the talks told Reuters. The tussle marks the latest in a number of US protests over Indian government policies which impact American companies and comes at a time when the two countries are trying to iron out other trade irritants. In 2017, the US lodged a written protest against India's decision to cap medical device prices, which upset American companies.

India's e-commerce investment rules, which kick in from February 1, ban companies from selling products via firms in which they have an equity interest and also bar them from making deals with sellers to sell exclusively on their platforms. The policy has dealt a blow to Walmart, which just last year invested $16 billion in buying 77 percent of India's Flipkart, and Amazon, as it would force them to change their business structures in the country and raise their operational costs.

"There is a very strong undercurrent as to how this should be made a bilateral issue," said a Washington-based industry source aware of the companies' thinking. "This has gone way beyond being a local (India) tussle."

A US government official earlier this month told Indian officials to protect Walmart and Flipkart's investments in the country, an Indian trade ministry official told Reuters. The US government cited "good relations" between the two countries and stressed that American companies should be given concessions in the larger interest of bilateral trade, but India gave a "non-committal" response, the source added.

But Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is unlikely to delay the revised rules or amend them in any meaningful way as he is seeking the support of the tens of millions of small retailers and traders in India ahead of a general election that must be held by May. The small firms see Walmart and Amazon as a threat to their businesses.

An Indian industry source said Walmart, Amazon and lobbying groups were coordinating efforts with the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) and the local embassy to express their discontent about the policy. The USTR did not respond to a request for comment. The US Embassy in New Delhi, and Indian trade ministry spokeswoman Monideepa Mukherjee, declined to comment.

Asked about the Indian policy's implications, Walmart spokesman Greg Hitt said: "We certainly, as you would expect, have engaged the (United States) administration on this issue." He declined to share further details. Amazon India said it was committed to complying with local laws but it needed "adequate time to understand" the policy.

GLOBAL VS LOCAL

Amazon and Walmart have both made bold bets to tap India's booming e-commerce market, which Morgan Stanley had estimated, before the latest government move would grow 30 percent a year to $200 billion in the 10 years up to 2027. The companies have targeted a growing population of tech-savvy shoppers in India, luring them with deep discounts on everything from dishwashers to smartphones.

India's small traders and shopkeepers had for years complained that e-commerce companies were engaging in predatory pricing and hurting the businesses of brick-and-mortar retailers. They alleged that the online retailers used their control over inventory from their affiliates to create an unfair marketplace that allowed them to sell some products at lower prices. Such arrangements would be barred under the new policy. "We are disappointed more than surprised. It makes it harder to plan things," a US-based Walmart source told Reuters.

"It is a serious issue. We are doing our best to work with Indian authorities and trying to explain why this is bad for business."

The Confederation of All India Traders, which has supported tougher scrutiny of large e-commerce players, said the companies were acting "desperate" by pressurizing the Indian government. "Any deferment or change (in the policy) will adversely affect millions of small businesses," said the group's secretary general, Praveen Khandelwal.

POLITICS, DEADLINE RISK

Both Walmart-owned Flipkart and Amazon have requested the government to delay implementation of the policy, but India is unlikely to relent.Indian officials have told Reuters no relief was likely as the policy was seen helping the small trader community, who form a critical voter base for Modi. "The idea is just to win over the trading community ahead of elections and on that point the government will not budge from the deadline," a second Indian trade ministry official said.

At stake are big ticket investments. When Walmart bought Flipkart last year, it said the decision underscored its "long-term commitment to India".

Amazon has committed to investing $5.5 billion in the country and Modi has in recent years met its founder Jeff Bezos multiple times. In 2017, Bezos said he was "excited to keep investing and growing" in the country. That investment climate has turned sour with sudden policy changes. Prasanto Roy, a New Delhi-based consultant who closely tracks India's technology policy landscape, said the government should provide stable policies to attract investment.

"You can't change policies overnight without consultation and tell companies who have invested billions to go fly a kite," Roy said.

Also read: No decision yet on next CBI chief; panel to meet again
DAVOS, Switzerland (Reuters) - Trade officials from 12 countries and the European Union seeking to reform World Trade Organization rules on Thursday said the challenges were becoming more urgent as members resorted to trade restrictions.The group first met in Canada last October amid U.S. actions that threatened to paralyse the body."We share a common resolve for rapid and concerted action to address the unprecedented challenges facing the multilateral trading system and to restore confidence in it," members said in a statement after meeting at the World Economic Forum in Davos. "We are ...
By Paul SandleLONDON (Reuters) - Vodafone, the world's second largest mobile operator, said it was "pausing" the deployment of Huawei equipment in its core networks until Western governments resolve concerns about the Chinese company's activities.Huawei is facing increasing scrutiny over its ties with the Chinese government and a suspicion that its technology could be used by Beijing for spying. Huawei has denied the allegations.Vodafone's Chief Executive Nick Read said on Friday that the Huawei debate was playing out at a "too simplistic level", adding that it was an important player in an ...
By Suvashree ChoudhuryMUMBAI (Reuters) - India's Supreme Court on Friday rejected petitions challenging the country's bankruptcy laws, including a rule that bans owners of insolvent firms from bidding to buy back assets auctioned as part of the bankruptcy proceedings.The ruling upheld fledgling bankruptcy and insolvency rules and is expected to pave the way for banks to recover billions of dollars from bankrupt firms mired in litigation, lawyers said. India introduced the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) in May 2016, but there is a backlog of unresolved cases due to legal actions filed by ...
By Alexander WinningJOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - The chairwoman of South Africa's state arms firm Denel is accompanying President Cyril Ramaphosa on a state visit to India on Friday, hoping to sign deals or agree new joint ventures which would help it emerge from severe financial difficulties.Denel has been plagued by years of mismanagement and exposure to a far-reaching influence-peddling scandal that led some lenders to cut off financing. It recorded a $125 million loss in the latest financial year.A potential saviour emerged when Saudi Arabia made a $1 billion bid for a broad partnership with ...
By Noah BrowningLONDON (Reuters) - Oil prices rose on Friday as political turmoil in Venezuela threatened to reduce supply but fresh data on surging U.S. fuel stocks and global economic woes weighed on sentiment.The United States signalled on Thursday it may impose sanctions on Venezuelan exports after recognising opposition leader Juan Guaido as interim president this week, prompting President Nicholas Maduro to cut ties with Washington.Suspense over U.S.-China trade talks and broader gloom over world economic growth put a check on prices, however.Brent crude oil futures were at $61.45 a ...
By Noah BrowningLONDON (Reuters) - Oil prices fell slightly on Friday as concerns about U.S.-China trade talks and fresh data on surging U.S. fuel stocks sent a chill through markets.The bearish sentiment appeared to outweigh the possibility that turmoil in Venezuela may lead to tighter global supply if the United States imposes sanctions on Venezuelan exports.Brent crude oil futures were at $60.86 a barrel at 1215 GMT, down 23 cents, or 0.38 percent. Brent has shed about 2.9 percent since the start of trade on Monday and is on track to post its first week of losses in four weeks.U.S. West ...
By Leika KiharaDAVOS, Switzerland (Reuters) - Impatient with a lack of World Trade Organization rules to cover the explosive growth of e-commerce, 76 countries and regions including the United States, the EU and Japan agreed on Friday to start negotiating a set of open and predictable regulations.China, which is locked in a trade war with the United States, signalled conditional support for the initiative but said it should also take into account the needs of developing countries, in comments likely to rile Washington. E-commerce, or online trade in goods and services, has become a huge ...
By Huw JonesLONDON (Reuters) - British lawmakers launched an inquiry on Friday to plot the best way forward for finance after Brexit as Goldman Sachs warned it could cut jobs if the United Kingdom crashes out of the bloc without an agreement in two months' time.The inquiry will determine if the country should track European Union rules or cut loose to best serve its financial sector after Brexit.Finance is Britain's biggest tax raising sector, earning government coffers more than 70 billion pounds ($91 billion) each year, and the EU is the sector's largest single customer."London is the ...
The US Internal Revenue Service is due to start sifting through an avalanche of annual tax returns on Monday, with a workforce hard-pressed by the partial government shutdown and Congress uncertain how to avoid chaos for taxpayers. In what could be a politically explosive chapter in the shutdown saga that already is 34 days long, analysts said at least one in 10 taxpayers could face problems with their returns due to the IRS funding shortfall. The analysts said the situation may worsen if the impasse drags on even longer. The annual tax filing season for Americans to file their ...
By Rajendra Jadhav and Karthika Suresh NamboothiriMUMBAI/BENGALURU (Reuters) - Demand for physical gold in India improved slightly this week as local prices eased from their highest level in over five years, while buying gathered steam in China ahead of the Lunar New Year festival.Dealers in India were offering a discount of up to $5 an ounce over official domestic prices, down from last week's discount of $7. The domestic price includes a 10 percent import tax.Demand has been slowly improving from retail buyers but still, higher prices are deterring many consumers, said Harshad Ajmera, the ...
By Anne Marie Roantree and Sijia JiangHONG KONG (Reuters) - A senior Alibaba executive slammed the United States' treatment of China's Huawei Technologies as "extremely unfair", saying measures by the country to curb the firm's access to their markets was "very politically motivated". Joe Tsai, the e-commerce giant's executive vice-chairman, also sharply criticised what he called an attempt by the U.S. government to curb China's rise via a trade war.He struck an optimistic note about China's economy, saying it remained fundamentally strong despite a slowdown, and added that stimulus such as ...
Shares of Yes Bank gained for the second straight session Friday, surging nearly 14 per cent, after the company named Deutsche Bank's India head Ravneet Singh Gill as the next managing director and chief executive.

The stock soared 10.49 per cent to Rs 236.30 on BSE.

On NSE, shares of the company jumped 13.74 per cent to Rs 245.

The stock was the biggest gainer among the bluechips on both the key indices during morning trade.

In terms of equity volume, 102.71 lakh shares of the company were traded on BSE, while over 13 crore shares changed hands on NSE during the morning session.

Shares of Yes Bank Thursday also soared over 9 per cent following the announcement.

Ending months of speculation over who will succeed Rana Kapoor, Yes Bank Thursday named Gill as the next managing director and chief executive.

Incumbent Kapoor, who is also a co-promoter of the fifth largest private sector lender, was asked to step down by the Reserve Bank by January 31.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, condemning the US intervention in the internal affairs of Venezuela.

In his letter to Modi, the Left leader has called the intervention "brazen" and pointed out that the US has recognised the leader of the opposition groups in the South American country as its president.

"This is going against the democratic verdict of the Venezuelan people, who have legitimately elected Nicolas Maduro as their president. This election was overseen by observers from various countries, who endorsed the electoral process as being free and fair," he said.

Yechury has urged the government to decry the US efforts to destabilise a democratically elected government in Venezuela.

"Simultaneously, the USA has declared the imposition of economic sanctions and threatened military interventions. I am sure you will agree that these are brazen acts of violation of the United Nations Charter and a brazen attack on the sovereignty of Venezuela," he said.

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader urged Modi to "declare to the world that India stands committed to both democracy and sanctity of the sovereignty of independent countries and the right of the Venezuelan people to choose their own government".

India on Friday said it was closely monitoring the emerging situation in Venezuela and favoured resolution of the political crisis through constructive dialogue.

In fast-paced developments, head of the National Assembly Juan Guaido declared himself as the "acting president" of Venezuela on Wednesday, plunging the South American country into a political crisis.

A number of countries, including the US, Brazil, Argentina and Colombia, endorsed 35-year-old Guaido's move, while Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, in his response, ordered the American diplomats to leave his country within 72 hours.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Several key WTO member nations Friday expressed their resolve to work towards satisfactory solutions for preserving the credibility of the multi-lateral body and increase its relevance amid increasing uncertainties at global trade front.

Various issues were discussed at the meeting of 32 members of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) here on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting.

The ministers, who participated in the meeting, emphasised on the urgency of restoring a fully-functioning appellate body, according to a statement issued by the Swiss government.

The statement assumes significance as any delay in appointment of members in the appellate body of the WTO's dispute settlement mechanism would hamper its functioning.

The US has blocked the appointment of these members.

"Ministers welcomed the process recently initiated to address concerns related to WTO's dispute settlement system.

In this regard, they underlined the urgency of restoring a fully-functioning Appellate Body," the statement said.

The need to reform the 164-member group and to improve its functioning was widely acknowledged at the meeting.

On e-commerce, the statement said many ministers confirmed their intention to start negotiations on the issue.

"Some considered that they needed to better understand the issues at stake before taking further steps," it added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A short story's call for discipline makes it a more difficult format to write than a novel, which is more responsive to spontaneous inspiration, feels Booker-winning author Ben Okri.

The noted Nigerian writer said a short story often "betrayed in every sentence". A novel, however, he said, was "very generous and forgiving".

"Short story is more difficult, it is very scary... You have to be more rigid and rigorous. Short story is all about discipline," the 59-year-old said.

The idea of a short story begins with expansion, but as one goes along, it insists on concision, he added.

The writer was speaking at a panel discussion at the ongoing Jaipur Literature Festival, alongside writers Tania James, Vikram Chandra and Pulitzer Prize-winner Andrew Sean Greer.

According to Okri, writing as a practice comes out of experience, adding that what interested him the most was the "subliminal mythical structure of experience".

He said experience helps awaken what is "deep inside us".

"I am interested in the subliminal mythical structure of experience. Relationship between myth and life and myth and craft is what makes storytelling," Okri, who won the Booker Prize in 1991 for his book "The Famished Road", said.

Considered as one of the foremost African authors in the post-modern and post-colonial traditions, he has often been compared with authors such as Salman Rushdie and Gabriel Garca Mrquez.

He went on to dismiss the idea of "writer's confidence" as a "con".

"The writer is only confident after the work has been done. Once the work has begun, you are as vulnerable and as much a novice as any writer or any human being has ever been.

"You start growing in confidence as your work grows and are confident only after your 25th draft," he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
It's been just two months since Lance Naik Nazir Ahmad Wani -- the first Kashmiri to be chosen for the Ashoka Chakra -- lost his life while gallantly fighting six heavily armed terrorists, but his wife is already working on a meaningful tribute to him which she knows would have made him proud.

"In my own way, I will try to show the right path to children and youngsters. I will tell them that you have to do something for Kashmir," says Mahajabeen, a school teacher and mother of two.

"If I see anyone taking the wrong path, I will stop him or her," she says, adding her inspiration has been her husband's "resolute sense of duty" which made him take on the militants on the fateful day of November 25 , though he knew he might not come out alive from the gunbattle.

Mahajabeen is here to receive the Ashoka Chakra, the country's highest peacetime gallantry award, that has been conferred on Wani posthumously on Republic Day.

"He telephoned me on the evening of Novemver 24. He told me about the encounter, and knew he is going to die. But he was resolute in his sense of duty.... He told me to sleep well and asked me not to worry," she said, adding despite the danger involved in the operation it did not blight his resolve.

Though Mahajabeen, who is in her late 30s, did not want to talk about the situation in the Valley or militancy in the border state, she opened up when asked about youngsters in Kashmir.

"I want to do something for the youngsters, school children. They are the future of Kashmir. My husband's fearless persona and love for me have been driving me to do something for them," she told PTI in an interview.

It was love at first sight when they first met at a school in South Kashmir around 15 years back, said Mahajabeen when pressed to talk about her journey with Wani, the militant-turned-armyman who hailed from Cheki Ashmuji in Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir.

"I did not cry when I was told he is no more. There was an inner resolve which did not allow me to cry," she said



Mahajabeen, mother of Athar, 20, and Shahid, 18, said Wani wanted to make one son doctor and the other an engineer."I will fulfill his dream," she said.

Wani had joined the Army's 162 Infantry Battalion (Territorial Army) Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry in 2004, and emerged as a reliable soldier in anti-terror operations.

"He loved me so much. For me, he was my guiding light. He always encouraged all of us to make people around us happy, to resolve people's problems.

"As a teacher, I am dedicating myself to creating good citizens for my state. Leading the young minds in the right direction is my resolve and I am drawing inspiration for it from my beloved husband -- the best in the world," said Mahajabeen.

"He was a great husband, always fiercely protecting us," she said.

Mahajabeen said she was at her parents' house when the shocking of Wani's death came.

"He had telephoned me the previous evening and enquired about our well-being. I had told him to take care of himself. But destiny had something else for him," said Mahajabeen.

"He always wanted to make his 162/TA Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry battalion proud. For him, duty was supreme. He was a source of inspiration for people in our area and community," she said.

On November 25, 38-year-old Wani lost his life in a counter-terror operation against six terrorists in Hirapur village near Batgund, in Shopian.

Under intense hail of bullets from the terrorists, he eliminated the 'district commander' of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and a foreign terrorist in a daring display of raw courage, officials said.

In the ensuing gunfight, he was hit multiple times, including on his head. He also injured another terrorist before succumbing to grievous wounds, they said.

"He was a brave soldier and a hero right from the beginning. He always served for peace in his home state of Jammu and Kashmir," said a senior Army official.

Wani was a recipient of the Sena Medal for gallantry twice in 2007 and 2018.

"He always had the interest of the nation in his heart. He operated with the Rashtriya Rifles units in Kashmir. Throughout his active life he always willingly faced grave potential threats and was a source of inspiration for others," said one of his colleagues.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The five-day World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2019 ended Friday with several leaders warning about imminent challenges faced by the global economy, including climate change, growing inequality and US-China trade tensions.

In the last plenary session on 'Global economy in transition', IMF chief Christine Lagarde listed climate change, an ageing population, jobs for youth, income inequality and the need to make the world more cooperative among the key issues needed to be dealt with.

World Bank CEO Kristalina Georgieva made a passionate plea to give more decision-making power to women.

"Think of those that may be left out or behind. And how a just transition can be successful ... For that success we ought to have more women like you (Lagarde) in the high corridors of power.

"Put these decisions in the hands of women, the moms and the grandmothers and very good things will come out of it," she said.

In his closing remarks, Borge Brende, president of WEF, said the meeting had a lot many positive outcomes, including by the WTO on e-commerce, while strong commitments were made on various pressing challenges faced by the world.

He also said the WEF would celebrate its 50th year in 2020.

The WEF also thanked all participants as also citizens, police and military personnel and the government of Switzerland.

The meeting, attended by over 3,000 global leaders, ended with a performance by a quartet of the Sphinx Virtuosi chamber orchestra, comprising young African-American and Latino musicians in the US.

The music performance was accompanied by awe-inspiring images of the Earth from space from National Geographic, which the organisers said marked it as an occasion for a renewed commitment to building a more inclusive and sustainable world.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The United States on Thursday ordered non-emergency embassy staff to leave Venezuela but stopped short of complying with a full expulsion demanded by Nicolas Maduro, who Washington says is no longer president.

The State Department in a notice said it had "ordered non-emergency US government employees to depart Venezuela". "The US government has limited ability to provide emergency services to US citizens in Venezuela," it said.

Amid deadly political clashes in the crisis-torn country, the State Department said that US citizens "should strongly consider departing Venezuela".

Maduro on Wednesday gave US diplomats 72 hours to leave the country after President Donald Trump, backed by major Latin American nations, said the leftist firebrand was no longer Venezuela's legitimate president.

The United States said it was ignoring the order as it did not believe Maduro was still president and instead recognised as interim leader Juan Guaido, the opposition head of the National Assembly.

But Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in an interview Thursday that Maduro -- to whom the military leadership is still loyal -- bore responsibility for the safety of US diplomats.

"There's no higher priority for the State Department than to keep all the people in our missions safe and secure. And we've made clear to the Maduro regime that it is our expectation that they will be safe and secure," he told conservative talk show host Laura Ingraham.

"What we want to make sure that former president Maduro knows is that he doesn't have the right to make the decision about whether or not we stay there," Pompeo said.

State Department officials have not answered questions on how many US personnel remain in Venezuela.

Maduro has also shuttered US missions in the United States.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
An American lawmaker has praised India's developmental role in Afghanistan in particular the USD 3 billion in financial assistance it has given to this war-torn country.

Congressman Eliot Engel, chairman of the powerful House Foreign Affairs Committee, said this during his meeting with the new Indian Ambassador to the US, Harsh V Shringla, at the Capitol on Thursday.

"We discussed the historic nature of the US-India relationship, growing defense and security ties, economic relations, & our desire to continue to strengthen this vital partnership," Engel said after his meeting with top Indian diplomat.

"I also thanked him for India's USD 3b contribution for development assistance to Afghanistan, which of course buys more than just a library," the powerful Democratic lawmaker said.

He was referring to the mocking of India's activities in Afghanistan by President Donald Trump early this month.

In fact, he tagged a BBC video that had the heading: 'Trump mocks India PM over Afghanistan Library'.

Shringla presented his credentials to the president at the White House on January 11.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
US President Donald Trump has said he was very comfortable with his current policy of slapping high-import tariff on products from China, but would like to have a trade deal with them for the benefit of intellectual property.

"What we're doing with China, I think, will have a tremendous impact, if you look at the numbers that we're talking about. We'll see how that all comes out," Trump told reporters at the White House on Thursday.

The president's comments come ahead of the visit of a high-level Chinese delegation next week for talks with officials of his administration. The two countries have set a deadline to resolve their differences by March 1.

"We are charging tremendous tariffs now, and they go up, as of March 1st, very substantially. I think China would like to make a deal. We'd like to make a deal. I like exactly where we are right now, to be honest with you. We're very happy. We have billions of dollars coming into our Treasury -- billions -- from China. We never had 10 cents coming into our Treasury; now we have billions coming in," he said.

"If we could make a deal that'll be great -- on intellectual property, and theft, and all of the other things we're talking about, in addition to taxes themselves," Trump said.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Trump wants a fair and reciprocal trade from China. The slowdown in economic growth in China is very real and severe, Pompeo told Fox in an interview. "There's no doubt about that."



"President Trump has been pretty clear: we just want things to be fair and reciprocal. We want a set of arrangements that allow American workers to have the same opportunity that Chinese workers have. We want our companies to be able to sell their goods into China without the risk that their intellectual property will be stolen or that they'll be forced to deliver their technology to the Chinese government," Pompeo said in response to a question.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Pakistan government has added a new clause in the mini budget to allow tax authorities to settle the undeclared foreign assets of tax evaders, drawing strong criticism from netizens amid the row over Prime Minister Imran Khan's sister owing undeclared properties abroad.

The measures were announced by finance minister Asad Umar on Wednesday to speed up growth by facilitating investment.

The opposition leaders have objected the amendment made in the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001 and the measures to give tax relief by Umar were dubbed on social media as 'Aleema Tax', referring to Prime Minister Imran Khan's sister, bringing a lot of pressure on government.

The opposition has alleged that to let people settle foreign assets by paying taxes aimed to help Aleema Khanum, who was under scanner for owning undeclared foreign properties in countries like the UAE and the US.

Umar was flustered when asked about it during a press conference on Thursday and angrily said that Aleema had already settled the issue by paying tax, Dawn newspaper reported.

"She has nothing to do with all this. These are all mere accusations," said Umar, adding that Aleema Khanum was asked about the money trail and she gave it to the court.

She was directed to pay the penalty and she deposited it with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), he added.

Senator Sherry Rehman of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) tweeted that the name of the beneficiary of this clause was obvious without naming anybody.

"The budget with a quiet amnesty clause for undeclared offshore wealth. No prizes for guessing who this will serve... the Senate is still working," she tweeted



A blunt statement was made by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) spokesperson Maryam Aurangzeb soon after the amended budget was presented on Wednesday. She said the whole exercise was aimed to protect Aleema from her tax non-declarations.

"Aleema baji is a tax thief, and that is why this mini-budget was initiated, the scheme would regularise the undeclared overseas wealth of Imran Khan," Aurangzeb said in her statement, adding that the "FBR has been empowered to regularise any overseas properties under this mini-budget."



The initial response from the official side was by Minister of State for Revenue Hammad Azhar as he tweeted that the amendment was not an amnesty scheme.

He tweeted: "In fact it's the opposite. It enhances powers of the FBR for provisional assessment of tax evasion in offshore assets cases.

Azhar added that no changes had been made in the existing laws related to money laundering and money smuggling.

It is pertinent to mention that former prime minister and Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif was disqualified for hiding his salary in UAE and later jailed for not giving trail of money to acquire assets in UK.

Similarly, PPP leader Asif Ali Zardari is facing courts for alleged money laundering.

Opposition blamed Khan's government that special treatment was given to Aleema who had properties in the UAE and the US.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The United Nations is dispatching a human rights expert to Turkey over the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

The UN, in a statement Friday, said Agnes Callamard will head an international inquiry, starting with a weeklong visit to Turkey on Monday.

The Washington Post columnist, who wrote critically about the Saudi crown prince, was killed inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul on October 2.

The expert on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary killings is to evaluate the circumstances surrounding Khashoggi's murder "from a human rights perspective." Turkish officials have called for an international investigation and have complained of a lack of cooperation by Riyadh.

Saudi Arabia has indicted 11 people, including some from the prince's entourage, over the killing and is seeking the death penalty against five of them.

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A hunger striking pro-Kurdish lawmaker was released under supervision from prison by a Turkish court and sent home on Friday, after an 11-week fast that has left her gravely ill.

Crowds of supporters gathered at a jail in the Kurdish majority southeastern city of Diyarbakir to cheer Leyla Guven, 55, who launched her hunger strike on November 8 to protest the prison conditions for outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Ocalan.

Guven, from the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), was freed a few hours after the Diyarbakir court ordered her release under judicial supervision, which includes an overseas travel ban.

She was taken from the prison by an ambulance.

Guven, whose party says she has a "life-threatening" medical condition, did not attend the hearing.

The MP was arrested in January 2018 for her criticism of Turkey's military operation against a Syrian Kurdish militia that Ankara considers an offshoot of the PKK.

She started the hunger strike in prison and was supported by more than 150 prisoners across Turkey in a show of solidarity.

But her deteriorating health sparked concern and has seen rallies to support her cause.

Turkish police used buses and barricades outside the Diyarbakir prison to try to stop photographers from taking pictures of the ailing MP, as crowds of HDP supporters gathered in the area to show support.

"The authorities should not have waited for her to reach death's door," supporter Ramazan Yakar told AFP.

Another supporter in the crowd, Mehmet Cekikoglu, said Guven's release did not solve the party's problems, noting, "there are still many others held behind the bars".

HDP's co-chairwoman Pervin Buldan visited Guven at her home and said she would press ahead with the hunger strike.

"Leyla Guven keeps on with the hunger strike. She will continue at her home," Buldan said.

She said the Guven could change her decision if Ocalan was allowed to hold regular meetings with his lawyers and family members.

The images from the meeting showed a visibly weakened Guven wearing a medical mask on her mouth.

Doctors were due to examine the MP at her home later in the day and publish a report on her current state of health.

Guven's HDP party remains under the scrutiny of the Turkish authorities, which accuse it of links to the PKK. Several of its MPs are behind bars, including former party leader Selahattin Demirtas.

The HDP said on Twitter the court ordered the release of Guven "who started an indefinite hunger strike... to protest the isolation of Abdullah Ocalan".

It added: "Our struggle for democracy, peace and freedom will continue."



Guven's fast was aimed at pressuring the government into allowing lawyers and family members to visit Ocalan, who has been serving a life sentence for treason in an island prison near Istanbul since his capture in 1999.

Ocalan is one of the founders of the PKK which has waged a bloody insurgency against the Turkish state since 1984, and which is blacklisted as a terror group by Ankara and its Western allies.

He was allowed to meet his brother Mehmet for the first time in more than two years on January 12, but details of the meeting have not been made public.

In 2012, hundreds of Kurdish prisoners ended a 68-day hunger strike after Ocalan urged them to do so.

Several representatives of left-wing political parties in Europe also followed Friday's hearing.

Hakan Tas, Berlin Senator of Germany's Left Party "Die Linke" with Turkish roots, voiced support for Guven.

"The isolation of Mr Ocalan must immediately be lifted, so Leyla Guven's stance and resistance is also ours," he said.

"Today we are here in Diyarbakir to support her voice."



The Diyarbakir court, which took into account Guven's time already served in jail, adjourned Friday and is next due to sit on May 29.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
US President Donald Trump has announced a deal with the Democrats to temporarily open the government for three weeks till mid-February, ending the longest-ever partial shutdown and enabling over 800,000 federal workers to resume their job.

"I am very proud to announce today that we have reached a deal to end the shutdown and re-open the federal government," Trump said at the White House on Friday. "After 36 days of spirited debate and dialogue, I've seen and heard from enough Democrats and Republicans that they're willing to put partisanship aside, I think, and put the security of the American people first."



The president, however, implied about declaring a national emergency if the Congress did not approve a funding for the wall by February 15. "If we don't get a fair deal from Congress, the government will either shut down on February 15 again or I will use the powers afforded to me under the laws and the Constitution of the United States to address this emergency."



Minutes after the announcement, Republicans and the Democrats came together on the Senate floor to support a three-week continuing resolution to reopen the government, while they negotiate a bipartisan border security deal. Both the House and the Senate are expected to pass the resolution shortly for Trump to sign into law on Friday.

Trump assured the federal workers that they would be receiving their pay checks as soon as possible. "In a short while, I will sign a bill to open our government for three weeks until February 15th. I will make sure that all employees receive their back pay very quickly," Trump said in his address to the nation on Friday afternoon.

No sooner had Trump announced to have reached the deal, the White House hoped that Congress finds a solution in the next three weeks, or else the president will continue to keep all options on the table.

"I'm glad the president announced a deal with House leaders.... So, with cooperation, we can pass legislation opening the government... today," Senator Mitch McConnell said.

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A USAF F-16 deployed from Kunsan AB, Korea, taxis on the flightline to kickoff the Bilateral Air Contingent Exchange-Philippines (BACE-P) at Cesar Basa AB, Philippines, on Jan.18, 2019. Air Force photo by SSgt. Anthony Small.

More than 100 US airmen from around the Pacific and Washington, D.C. are in the Philippines this week for the seventh iteration of Bilateral Air Contingent Philippines (BACE-P), a bilateral training exercise and subject matter expert exchange. The focus of this iteration is fighters, as F-16s and airmen from the 113th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron work together with FA-50s and airmen from the Philippine air force at Cesar Basa Air Base.

Its two fighter squadrons getting together and sharing ideas, explained Col. Christopher Faurot, BACE-P 13th Expeditionary Air Squadron commander. Theyre experts at their craft, with what they have available to them, were experts on ours and what we operate and what is available to us, so within that construct, we can share ideas, we can share procedures, and where there our commonalities, help expand our respective capabilities.

Faurot was also the commander of the previous iteration of BACE-P in April 2018, and said the exercise has been around since 2016, but has focused on different mission areas. This time, he said, the PAF said they would like to focus on fighters, after completing acquisition of 12 FA-50s in 2017. The jets are similar to F-16s, Faurot noted.

The subject matter expert exchanges will focus on intelligence, flight line, and maintenance back shop operations.

For each iteration of BACE-P, the two air forces hope to build off of previous engagements, and the USAF keeps records of everything so that it can be very deliberate in our thought process, and carry on some of the lessons learned in other exchanges.

And though there is always some concern that these types of exchanges will be like a middle school dance, with boys on one side and girls on the other, BACE-P is far from that, he said. Its exceeded all of my expectations, and then some.
US has set his eyes on the "high" 150 per cent Indian duties on American whisky after he struck what he called a "very fair" deal with in about two minutes on the 100 per cent tariffs on the iconic motorcycle

in February last year slashed the customs duty on imported high-end motorcycles like to 50 per cent after called it "unfair" and threatened to increase the tariff on import of Indian bikes to the US.

At a event on the Reciprocal Trade Act on Thursday, flashed out a green colour board with examples of non-reciprocal tariffs from various countries.

Trump alleged that many countries have taken advantage of the US.

"Look at motorcycles as an example. (In) India, it was 100 per cent. I got them down to 50 per cent, just by talking for about two minutes. It's still 50 per cent vs 2.4 per cent (on imported motorcycles to the US). Again, other than that, it's a very fair deal," the said.

Trump, however, pointed out to the high tariff by on import of wines.

"India has a very high tariff. They charge a lot of tariffs. You look at whisky... India gets 150 per cent, we get nothing."



In his interaction with lawmakers at the White House, Trump said the Reciprocal Trade Act would give US workers a fair and level-playing field against other countries.

The Reciprocal Trade Act, which Trump was expected to highlight in his now-delayed address, would give him authority to levy tariffs equal to those of a foreign country on a particular product if that country's tariffs are determined to be significantly lower than those charged by the

It would also allow Trump to take into account non-tariff barriers when determining such tariffs.

"They charge us tariffs and taxes, the likes of which nobody has any understanding. They are so high and so unfair! They also have barriers where we can't go in. They have trade barriers that make it impossible for us to sell our and our other products.

"Whether they think we're very nice or not so smart, they've been doing it for many, many years and we want to end it. Many of these are friends, many of these are allies... but, sometimes, allies take advantage of us even more so than our non-allies," he said.

Trump said the Reciprocal Trade Act would help to solve the problem once and for all. "Whatever the tariff for a foreign country is, we place the same tariff on us."



"What's going to happen, I think, from a practical standpoint, is they won't be charging us tariffs anymore. We'll see. Or we'll charge them a lot. Tremendous amount of money," he said.

The Reciprocal Trade Act will be an incredible tool to bring foreign countries to the negotiating table and to get them to lower tariffs on US products and also to get rid of their trade barriers, the asserted.

cannot lose almost USD 800 billion on trade like has been done for many years, he said.

Congressman Sean Duffy, who introduced the Reciprocal Trade Act, has put granite from India in his global list of non-reciprocal tariffs.
Roger Stone, a long-time Trump associate, was arrested by the FBI on Friday after being indicted by Special Counsel Robert Mueller, probing alleged interference by Russia into the 2016 US presidential elections.

The former Trump campaign adviser was later released on bail by a Florida court after posting a USD 250,000 bond after he was produced in the court.

As per the order issued by Magistrate Judge Lurana Snow, Stone has been prevented from travelling outside of South Florida, Washington, D.C. and New York City. Also, he has been asked by the court not to contact any witnesses.

Stone's arrest is being seen as a setback for US President Donald Trump at a time when he is fighting a major political battle with the opposition Democrats funding for building a wall along the US-Mexico border to check the flow of illegal migrants.

In his first reaction, Trump reiterated his allegation of "witch-hunt" and said that drug-dealers and human traffickers were being treated better.

"Greatest Witch Hunt in the History of our Country! NO COLLUSION! Border Coyotes, Drug Dealers and Human Traffickers are treated better," he tweeted.

Trump also questioned on the presence of CNN to shoot the arrest of Stone in Florida. "Who alerted CNN to be there?" asked the president.

White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders also told reporters that this has nothing to do with president Trump.

Stone was arrested from his Florida home early Friday morning., Stone has been indicted on seven counts including obstruction of official proceeding, false statements, and witness tampering.

According to the indictment, Stone was an official on Trump's presidential campaign until in or around August 2015, and maintained regular contact with and publicly supported the Trump Campaign through the 2016 election.

Special Counsel alleged that Stone obstructed the investigations by the House Intelligence Committee and the FBI into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.

Mueller, in his 23-page indictment, alleged that Stone made multiple false statements to House Intelligence Committee about his interactions regarding "Organization 1." The unnamed organisation matches the description of WikiLeaks.

"My first reaction is real simple. This has nothing to do with the president and certainly nothing to do with the White House. This is something that has to do solely with the individual and something that not affects us here in this building," Sanders told CNN in an interview.

She repeated her remarks to other channels and to reporters at the White House.

Stone, she asserted, is somebody who's been a consultant for dozens of Republican presidents and candidates and members of Congress, but conversations between those individuals have nothing to do with the fact of what these charges are about, and that's about whether he made false statements.

"We'll let the courts make that decision. I think a bigger question is if these - if this is the standard, will the same standard apply to people like Hillary Clinton, James Comey, Clapper? Will we see these same people who we know have also made false statements, will that same standard apply? And that's a question that we'll have to see what happens on that front," she said.

Sanders said the charges are about whether or not he gave false statements, and that's no that individual. "That has nothing to do with the president. Those are the changes that they have brought against this individual. When you want to get into specific questions, you'll have to talk to the president's outside council on that," she asserted.

The opposition leaders were quick to slam the president on the latest development on Russian investigation. Democratic Senator Mark Warner, Vice Chairman of Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, said that Stone has been indicted for covering up his engagements with Wikileaks, an organization that US intelligence officials and the Senate Intelligence Committee have publicly designated as a hostile intelligence service, regarding the public release of emails stolen by the Russian government.

"It is clear from this indictment that those contacts happened at least with the full knowledge of, and appear to have been encouraged by, the highest levels of the Trump campaign," he alleged.

Warner claimed that Stone and Trump have known each other for nearly forty years. "Mr Stone played a key role in recruiting Paul Manafort to run the Trump campaign, and he publicly claimed on several occasions to remain in regular contact with then-candidate Trump throughout the 2016 presidential race, even after he formally departed the Trump campaign," he said.

"It appears Stone also lied to Congress and tampered with witnesses in order to obstruct these investigations into the Trump campaign yet another example of senior Trump officials concealing the truth about their Russia-related contacts during the 2016 election," Warner said.

The Democratic National Committee Chair Tom Perez alleged that Trump campaign "was a willing and active participant" in a conspiracy with Russia and WikiLeaks to influence the 2016 election. "There are more conspirators yet to be held accountable and at least one of them is named Donald Trump."



Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Dianne Feinstein said that the indictment and arrest of Stone is the latest sign that the special counsel investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 elections is having real, tangible results.

"The indictment of Roger Stone, a friend and advisor of then-candidate Trump, charges him with lying to Congress about the release of Democratic emails hacked by Russians. These are serious charges," Feinstein said.

Notwithstanding the denial by the White House, the top Democratic lawmaker from California said that the phrase 'Trump campaign' appears in the indictment 24 times, with specific details about a senior Trump campaign official reaching out to Stone regarding leaked emails.

Mueller has so far brought 37 indictments, obtained seven guilty pleas and has secured the cooperation of several key individuals. "His work to uncover what really happened during the 2016 election has been thorough and objective, and he must be allowed to complete his job without interference," Feinstein said.

Appearing on the CNN, former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper claimed that there appears to be connection with the Trump Campaign.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Commuters have been advised to plan their journeys in advance to avoid delays due to so that they do not get delayed due to the traffic restrictions for the parade between Vijay Chowk and Red Fort grounds in the capital on Saturday, officials said.

The traffic police have deployed 3,000 personnel to manage route diversions and ensure a safe and secure passage for the visiting dignitaries.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa will be the chief guest at the parade. He will be the second South African president to be invited to the event as the chief guest. Former South African president Nelson Mandela was the chief guest at the parade in 1995.

According to an advisory released by the Delhi Police, the will start at 9.50 am from Vijay Chowk and proceed towards the Red Fort grounds through the Rajpath, India Gate, Tilak Marg, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg and Netaji Subhash Marg.

The function at India Gate will begin at 9 am, Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic), Alok Kumar, said.

In order to facilitate smooth passage of the parade, no traffic will be allowed on Rajpath from Vijay Chowk to India Gate from 6 pm on January 25 till the parade is over, the JCP said.

Cross traffic on Rajpath from 11 pm on January 25 at Rafi Marg, Janpath, Man Singh Road will not be allowed till the parade is over. 'C'-Hexagon-India Gate will be closed for traffic from 2 am on January 26 till the parade crosses Tilak Marg, Kumar said.

From 10 am on January 26, traffic on Tilak Marg, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg and Subhash Marg will not be allowed on both flanks. Cross traffic will only be allowed depending on the movement of the parade, he added.

Commuters are requested to plan their journey in advance accordingly and avoid the route of the parade from 2 am to 12.30 pm for their convenience, he said.

ALSO READ: Joy of seeing the tricolour fly

Movement of buses will be restricted at Park Street/Udyan Marg, Aram Bagh Road (Paharganj), Kamla Market, Delhi Secretariat (IG Stadium), Pragati Maidan (Bhairon Road), Hanuman Mandir (Yamuna Bazar), Mori Gate, Tiz Hazari, Kashmiri Gate ISBT and Sarai Kale Khan ISBT, police said.

Buses from Ghaziabad for Shivaji Stadium shall take NH-24, Ring Road and terminate at Bhairon Road. Buses coming from NH-24 shall take right turn on Road No 56 and terminate at ISBT Anand Vihar. Buses coming from Ghaziabad will be diverted at Mohan Nagar towards Bhopra Chungi for Wazirabad Bridge. All inter-state buses coming from Dhaula Kuan side shall terminate at Dhaula Kuan, the advisory stated.

ALSO READ: The Republic has weathered plenty of storms and will see plenty more

Metro service shall remain available at all stations during the However, boarding and de-boarding will not be allowed at Central Secretariat and Udyog Bhawan from 5 am till 12 pm, Lok Kalyan Marg (Race Course) and Patel Chowk from 8.45 am to 12 pm, Kumar said.

No heavy vehicles will be allowed to enter Delhi from 10 pm on January 25 till the parade is over, and their entry from Sarai Kale Khan will be banned on January 26 from 7.30 am till 12.30 pm, the officer said.
The BJP will hold rallies of its top leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, party chief and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, in West Bengal as it seeks to organise up to 200 public meetings by February 8 in the state to boost its tally of seats there in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

BJP general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya, who is the party's in-charge of the state, said there was widespread anger against West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) president Mamata Banerjee and that the saffron party's extensive campaign would turn the tide against her party.

"We will win up to 25 seats (in West Bengal). There is anger against the TMC, which rules by coercion and fear. There is no democracy in the state. But the BJP will show that it is up to the challenge and will rally the masses against the state government," he said.

Modi will hold two rallies in West Bengal on February 2 and another one on February 8, while Shah will address a public meeting on January 29, party leaders said.

Union ministers Rajnath Singh, Smriti Irani and Dharmendra Pradhan and former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan are also among those who will address the saffron party's rallies.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is looking to organise anywhere between 150 and 200 public meetings in West Bengal, involving its national and state leaders, by February 8, Vijayvargiya said.

ALSO READ: Lok Sabha polls 2019: 5 things Modi should do after BJP's recent defeats

The BJP had won only two of West Bengal's 42 Lok Sabha seats in the 2014 general election and Shah had identified it as one of the states for the party to boost its tally in the 2019 polls.

The saffron party has gained in vote share during various by-polls and local elections in West Bengal, but the TMC has maintained its preeminent position in the state.
The Tamil Nadu government Friday sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi's intervention on the Mekedatu issue, urging him to instruct the Ministry of Water Resources and Central Water Commission to "reject outright" Karnataka's DPR for constructing a dam on river Cauvery.

The state government had "repeatedly" conveyed its "strong" objections to the Centre, Water Resources Ministry as well as the CWC against the project,Chief Minister K Palaniswami wrote to Modi, recalling his earlier pleas.

"In the circumstances, I seek your kind personal intervention and request you to instruct the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation and the Central Water Commission to reject outright and return the Detailed Project Report of the Mekedatu Project submitted by Karnataka," Palaniswami told Modi.

He said the Karnataka government had informed the Supreme Court on January 21 that it has furnished the DPR to the CWC on January 18 for the Mekedatu Balancing Reservoir- cum-Drinking Water Project "and requested to accord further clearances" for it.

"The unilateral action of Karnataka proposing to construct a new reservoir at Mekedatu for which the Detailed Project Report is presented to the Central Water Commission is a clear violation of the judgement of the Hon'ble Supreme Court dated February 16, 2018," Palaniswami said in the letter.

The chief minister recalled his government moving the apex court November last year with a plea to direct the CWC to withdraw the permission granted to Karnataka for preparing the DPR for the Mekedatu Project.

"Lakhs and lakhs of farmers of Tamil Nadu dependent on Cauvery water are agitated that they will be deprived of their due share of water as per the judgement of the Supreme Court dated February 16, 2018, if Mekedatu or any such project is taken up in the Cauvery basin by upper riparian states," he said.

Tamil Nadu has expressed its strong opposition to Karnataka's proposal to construct a balancing reservoir on river Cauvery at Mekedatu, saying it would impact the lower riparian state.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu Friday said the time has come for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to go home as the BJP's defeat in the ensuing the general elections was certain.

"Save India, save democracy slogan is reverberating across the country. The United India rallies (of opposition parties) are creating a buzz in the country. The country will not tolerate anti-people rule," the TDP president told party leaders during his daily teleconference.

While antagonism towards the Bharatiya Janata Party was a political inevitability, opposition to Modi was a democratic inevitability, the TDP chief remarked.

He pointed out that the BJP was routed in the recent elections to the five state assemblies.

"Now, surveys are making the opposition to Modi clear. The BJP and its puppet parties' defeat is thus certain in the coming elections," he said, referring to the YSR Congress in Andhra.

Naidu claimed the Centre still owed Rs 1.16 lakh crore to Andhra Pradesh and accused the BJP of neglecting the state.

"I wrote a letter to the prime minister on this," he said, but did not disclose the details.

The entire country demanded that justice be done to the state.

In Parliament, 15 parties questioned the Centre on this.

At the recent Kolkata rally, 22 parties demanded justice for Andhra Pradesh , but the YSRC never questioned the Centre.

"The people will teach a lesson to the BJP and the YSRC," Naidu added.

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A tiger hide, claws and other body parts of the wildcat were seized here in Madhya Pradesh and six persons were arrested in this connection, a police officer said Friday.

The tiger was poisoned by a group of poachers in a reserve in the state a few years ago, he said.

"On a tip-off, we arrested a person identified as Sneh Sareyam (29) who was trying sell a tiger hide and other body parts on Imlikheda Link Road of the city Thursday night.

"On the basis of information given by him, five other persons involved in the poaching were arrested," said Manoj Rai, Superintendent of Police (SP).

He said the other arrested persons were identified as Chhotelal Bharati (50), Maganlal Bharati (40), Satyanarayan Yadav (60), Jujharilal Uike (45) and Shivlal Bharati (35).

The SP said besides the hide, the tiger's claws, teeth and nails were also recovered from these persons.

During interrogation, the poachers revealed they had poisoned the tiger about 3-4 years back in Kanjighat area of the Satpura Tiger Reserve, which is spread around Pachmarhi, a famous hill station in the state, he said.

The accused were booked under relevant sections of the Wildlife Protection Act and further investigation is underway, Rai added.

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Tata Motors will launch a new premium hatchback based on the 45X concept in the second quarter of next fiscal, a senior company official said Friday.

The 45X concept made debut at the Auto Expo last year, along with H5X, based on which the company has introduced the Harrier SUV. The upcoming hatchback, based on 45X, will rival Maruti Suzuki's Baleno.

"We are going to launch it after six-seven months, in quarter second," Mayank Pareek, president of passenger vehicle business unit of Tata Motors told reporters when asked about the launch of 45X.

Pareek, who was here for the launch of Harrier, said the company has registered a significant growth in the last three years after it introduced new vehicles with attractive designs and features and robust safety aspects.

"Against the car industry growth of 4.4 per cent from April to December in the current fiscal, Tata Motor's growth was 21.4 per cent. In Rajasthan also, the company grew at 30 per cent against the industry growth of 6-7 per cent," he said.

Tata Motors has expanded its sales points across the country, with Rajasthan being one of the focus markets having huge potential for the passenger car market, he said.

The Tata Group company has a plan of having nearly 2,000 sales points across the country by 2021-22, he said. It has increased the number of showrooms to 800 from 400 three years ago.

"Rajasthan is one of the focus area for the company where there is huge potential for passenger cars due to good road infrastructure," Pareek said.

Talking about the Harrier, he said the vehicle has stunning design, future ready connectivity and infotainment, top of the line uncompromised safety features and class leading performance and driveablity.

"It is a global five-seater SUV built on MEGA ARC, which is derived from Land Rover's D8 platform. We will first fulfill the demand within the country before exporting it," he said.

The SUV will be available in four variants and five colour options with ex-showroom price starting at Rs 12.69 lakh.

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Tata Motors owned Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has announced plans to halt production for a week at its UK plants in April due to Brexit-related disruption.

Britain's largest carmaker said the temporary production stand-down would take place between April 8 and 12 and affect all three of Jaguar Land Rover's UK car plants, as well as its engine plant.

"We have confirmed this year's holiday dates to employees across all UK sites. As part of this, we have also confirmed that there will be an additional week of production stand-down 8th-12th April due to potential Brexit disruption," a JLR spokesperson said.

Britain is set to leave the European Union (EU) by the deadline of March 29 this year but the process has been mired in controversy. The JLR has repeatedly warned against a hard exit from the 28-member economic bloc, which would adversely hit its supply chains and put jobs at risk.

The JLR employs just under 39,000 workers at its UK sites Castle Bromwich, Solihull and Wolverhampton in the West Midlands, and Halewood on Merseyside. The plan to pause production follows an announcement earlier this month that the company is to cut 4,500 jobs in a bid to cut costs of up to 2.5 billion pounds.

The luxury car brand had closed its main plant in Solihull for two weeks in October last year to reflect "fluctuating demand" in key markets like China.

The company has told the government that, while its "heart and soul" are in the UK, a bad Brexit or a "no-deal" scenario would severely impact the company's plans.

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The Tamil translation of Andrei Makine's "La vie d'un homme inconnu" (The Life of an Unknown Man) was awarded the second Romain Rolland Prize for literary translation here at the ongoing Jaipur Literature Festival on Friday.

Translated by S R Kichenamourty, former head of the French department of Pondicherry University, the book is published by Kalachuvadu, a publisher of Tamil modern classics and contemporary fiction writing.

French ambassador Alexandre Ziegler, who presented the award, said the competition received "excellent translations", particularly from the south.

"This is a cause for celebration, as the people-to-people and intellectual exchanges between our two countries is not restricted to one city or one language," the French ambassador said.

Apart from the winning entry, the short list included Malayalam translations of "Rvolution dans la Rvolution" (Revolution in the Revolution) and "La Peste" (The Plague) by Rgis Debray, and Albert Camus, respectively.

The award consists of an invitation to the Paris Book Fair 2019 in March for the publisher of the work and an invitation for the translator to attend a one-month residency in France.

The ambassador said that Paris Book Fair, to be organised in 2020 will be a "great opportunity to expand the number of translations and publications of Indian books by French publishers and build a dynamic network between the French and Indian publishing industries."



India will attend the fair as the Guest of Honour.

The winning title - "The Life of an Unknown Man" is the story of Shutov, a disenchanted writer, who revisits Saint Petersburg after twenty years of exile in Paris, hoping to recapture his youth.

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Maharashtra Congress Friday said the seat-sharing talks with the like-minded parties for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections would get over by the end of this month.

Ashok Chavan, president of the Maharashtra unit of Congress, while addressing a press conference here, also said the district committees were submitting names of the aspiring candidates, which would be examined by the state committee at its meeting on January 29-30 and forwarded to the AICC for its approval.

"At any cost, discussions with eight to nine parties will finish by the end of this month...There are no differences between the NCP and the Congress and only discussions on seat sharing have been taking place," he said.

On the alliance with Prakash Amedkar's Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh (BBM), Chavan said, "We have categorically told them that as long MIM is there, Congress will not be a part of join hands with it."



"But now since (MIM chief Asaduddin) Owaisi has said that his party does not want a seat from the Congress, we will once again start discussions with Ambedkar," he said.

Ambedkar Thursday gave a six-day ultimatum to the Congress for an alliance proposal. He has demanded 12 Lok Sabha seats from the Congress in the state which has 48 Parliamentary constituencies.

Chavan also ruled out a tie-up with the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) in the upcoming elections. "It will never happen," he said.

In response to a query, he said the Shiv Sena and the BJP cannot afford to go solo in the upcoming polls.

"The BJP-government wooed the Sena by giving Rs 100 crore for the Balasaheb Thackeray memorial and is also ready to name the Samruddhi Mahamarg after the late Sena supremo," he said.

"The Shiv Sena is certainly afraid of the BJP as after the Lok Sabha elections the BJP will show its true colours, which will adversely affect the Sena," Chavan added.

Asked if the Congress was prepared for simultaneous polls to the Lok Sabha and the state assembly, he said it would not make any difference to his party as it was prepared.

When asked whether Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's formal entry into would benefit the party, he said, "It will certainly have a positive impact on the party workers as she reminds us of Indira Gandhi."



Chavan dismissed the report that Congress chief Rahul Gandhi will contest election from Nanded.

On "Thackeray", a biopic on late Balasaheb Thackeray, he said, "The timing of the film's release is aimed at gaining political mileage."



"The fate of almost all the proposed memorials in the state is hanging in balance. But the memorial of Balasaheb Thackeray, who was a great man, should not face any hurdles," he said.

Chavan was speaking to media at the conclusion of the Konkan leg of the party's 'Sangarsha Yatra', which ended in Bhiwandi in the district.

"Although the Yatra has concluded, the party's agitation against the government will continue. There is a clear-cut anger among the people against the BJP government, which has failed on all the fronts," he said.

"Every decision taken by the BJP government has failed. It is not 'Make in India', but 'Fake in India'," he said.

Chavan urged people not to fall prey to the "empty and false" promises of the BJP government, and defeat it in the elections.

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Billionaire investor George Soros on Thursday said Chinese President Xi Jinping was "the most dangerous enemy" of free societies for presiding over a high-tech surveillance regime.

"China is not the only authoritarian regime in the world but it is the wealthiest, strongest and technologically most advanced," he said, noting concerns too about Vladimir Putin's Russia.

"This makes Xi Jinping the most dangerous opponent of open societies," Soros told a dinner audience on the margins of the World Economic Forum in Davos.

The Hungarian-born philanthropist said US tech giants such as Facebook must be reined in by authorities for the good of democracy.

He pointed "to the mortal danger facing open societies from the instruments of control that machine learning and artificial intelligence can put in the hands of repressive regimes".

Soros dwelt on concerns in the West about Chinese tech giants ZTE and Huawei, as countries roll out next-generation 5G wireless networks.

He said US President Donald Trump should crack down hard on the companies as part of a more focussed effort on China instead of taking on "practically the whole world" in trade conflicts.

"If these companies came to dominate the 5G market, they would present an unacceptable security risk for the rest of the world," Soros said in a speech, copies of which were distributed in Chinese.

Communist China under Xi has been building a cutting-edge system including facial recognition to keep tabs on its citizens, and Soros said algorithms would calculate how dangerous a threat individuals might pose to the regime.

"The 'social credit' system, if it became operational, would give Xi total control over the people," he said at the dinner, which was open to media.

"Since Xi is the most dangerous enemy of the open society, we must pin our hopes on the Chinese people, and especially on the business community and a political elite willing to uphold the Confucian tradition," he said, referencing the ancient history of Chinese officials speaking truth to power, on pain of imprisonment or death.

"This doesn't mean that those of us who believe in the open society should remain passive," Soros added.

"The reality is that we are in a Cold War that threatens to turn into a hot one.

"On the other hand, if Xi and Trump were no longer in power, an opportunity would present itself to develop greater cooperation between the two cyber-superpowers."



Soros's dinner speeches are an annual tradition at the elite business forum in Davos, and this year it came after a particularly difficult period for his Open Society Foundations.

Last month, the Soros-funded Central European University said it had been "forced" to move its most prestigious study programmes to Vienna after a bitter legal battle with the right-wing government of Prime Minister Viktor Orban in his native Hungary.

Soros did not touch on the issue in his Davos speech, but did say: "Those of us who want to preserve the open society must work together and form an effective alliance. We have a task that can't be left to governments."



Meanwhile, China dismissed remarks from George Soros as "meaningless" on Friday, after the billionaire investor called President Xi Jinping the "most dangerous opponent" of free societies and warned against Beijing's high-tech surveillance regime.

Soros "confused right and wrong in a meaningless statement, and it is not worth refuting", said foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying at a regular press briefing.

"In today's world, it is clear who is opening doors and building roads, and who is closing doors and building walls," she said.

"We hope that the relevant people on the US side can... take an objective, rational, and correct attitude towards China's development," she added.

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Auto industry body SIAM Friday sought increase in customs duty for imported fully-built commercial vehicles to 40 per cent from the current 25 per cent as part of its wish list ahead of the Budget.

Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) has also suggested the government to not change customs duty on completely built units (CBU) of cars and two-wheelers.

Customs duty on two-wheeler and cars currently ranges from 50-100 per cent.

"With respect to customs duty, SIAM has suggested to the government that for CBU of cars and two-wheelers, rates should remain at the same level. But, for commercial vehicles CBUs, rates should be increased from 25 per cent to 40 per cent, which is the bound rate committed by India in WTO," SIAM Deputy Director General Sugato Sen said in a statement.

However, 40 per cent rate should not be applicable to completely knocked down units (CKD) and semi-knocked down (SKD) units.

Import duty on CKD units currently ranges between 15 per cent and 30 per cent, depending upon the type of the vehicle.

SIAM has also asked the government to bring back 200 per cent weighted deduction of reserach and development (R&D) expenses, as it was before, as the direct tax rates have not been reduced as originally outlined by the government while linking the two.

"R&D incentive is more important for the automobile industry today as we have to invest significant amount of money over the next few years for R&D to meet various emission and safety improvements in India," Sen said.

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Pakistan's Punjab government has decided to constitute a "larger special medical board" to evaluate jailed former prime minister Nawaz Sharif's condition after doctors suggested that he has cardiac complications and should be shifted to hospital.

A four-member (second) special medical board of the Allama Iqbal Medical College/Jinnah Hospital Lahore examined Sharif, 69, in jail recently and recommended that for his "optimal treatment" he should be shifted to hospital.

Three-time prime minister, who is serving a seven-year imprisonment in Lahore's Kot Lakhpat jail, was rushed to a hospital Tuesday after he complained of heart related complications. He was later discharged from the hospital and taken back to jail following the medical tests.

"The government has decided to form a larger special medical board' in view of a previous medical board's report that Nawaz Sharif is not completely well and he should be shifted to hospital from jail to get optimal treatment for his heart complications," a senior official of Punjab government told PTI on Friday.

He said the senior cardiologists including clinical electrophysiologist of the Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology, Rawalpindi Institute of Cardiology and Punjab Institute of Cardiology Lahore will be part of the larger bench.

"If the new board suggests moving Sharif to hospital the government will implement it," the official said.

Meanwhile, Sharif's party, PML-N, has warned Prime Minister Imran Khan-led government that if anything happened to their leader for constantly ignoring his health issues the masses would be on roads.

On Tuesday, Sharif was taken to the Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC) for examination. Doctors there suggested that he required "aggressive medication" and "regular medical follow-ups" to avoid cardiac complications.

Before the AIMC board, a special PIC medical board had also examined Sharif last week and said he had vague symptoms of pain in both arms, particularly at night and numbness of toes.

Sharif's daughter Maryam Nawaz and his cardiologist Adnan Khan have demanded the PTI government shift him to hospital for better medical care.

"Reports show his (Sharif) disease has progressed and is life-threatening. Official reports from PIC still awaited. Have been running pillar to post but to no avail," Maryam tweeted.

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The Bombay High Court on Friday pulled up the Maharashtra government for its "insensitivity" in failing to secure an expedited hearing on the confirmation of death sentence awarded to the convicts in the Shakti Mills gangrape case in April 2014.

A bench of justices AS Oka and AS Gadkari noted that the conviction was secured through a fast-track hearing before the trial court. But after the state government filed a plea in June 2014 seeking that the high court ratify the death sentence awarded to the convicts, the matter had come up for hearing once in December 2014 and thereafter only in January this year after a delay of over four years, it said.

"These are important matters and we don't know what to say if the state shows such insensitivity in such crucial matters. Isn't it your duty to seek early and timely hearings in matters like these?" the bench said.

The hearing on the confirmation was initially listed for January 3 this year, but got delayed on account of three writ petitions filed by the convicts challenging the constitutional validity of the provision under which death sentence awarded to them.

On January 3, the bench led by Justice Oka directed the state to clarify with the chief justice if the writ petitions and the confirmation pleas should be heard together.

Chief Justice Naresh Patil ruled that the writ petitions should be heard and decided upon first, thus, further delaying the hearing on the confirmation plea.

However, the bench led by Justice Oka said Friday that it was the state's duty to point out before the Chief Justice that such order would delay the confirmation hearing which needed to be expedited.

"This confirmation case has remained pending for a long time of more than four years. In fact, after 5th December 2014, it was listed for the first time on 3rd January 2019 and that also in view of the direction issued by this bench. The state did not do anything in this period to secure an expedited hearing," the bench said.

It has now directed the state to go back to the Chief Justice's court and seek that the writ petitions and the confirmation pleas be placed together to be heard by a common bench to prevent any further delay.

A sessions court had in April 2014 convicted Vijay Jadhav (19), Mohammad Kasim Bengali (21), Mohammad Salim Ansari (28)and Siraj Khan for raping a photojournalist in Shakti Mills on August 22, 2013.

Jadhav, Bengali and Ansari were sentenced to death as they were earlier also convicted for the gang rape of another girl in July 2013. Siraj was sentenced to life imprisonment.

Under the newly enacted section 376 (e) of the Indian Penal Code, a repeat offence of rape is punishable with death.

The death sentence of the three is yet to be ratified by HC.

Vijay Jadhav, Kasim Bengali and Salim Ansari, however, moved the High Court soon after their conviction, challenging the constitutional validity of the provision under which they were sentenced to death for a repeat offence.

The petitioners challenged the sessions court order allowing the prosecution to invoke section 376 (e) of the IPC when the trial was already underway.

They also challenged the constitutional validity of this section, brought in by the Union government after the 2012 Delhi gang-rape case.

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A series of "setbacks" in countries like Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Malaysia have forced China to "modify" President Xi Jinping's ambitious Belt and Road Initiative, billionaire investor George Soros has said.

Unveiled by President Xi in 2013, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), aims to bolster Beijing's influence across the world with a huge network of land and sea links with Central and Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Europe and Africa.

Speaking at a private dinner event at the World Economic Forum (WEF) here on Thursday, Soros said President Xi's BRI has been in operation long enough to reveal its deficiencies.

Soros noted that the BRI was designed to promote the interests of China, not the interests of the recipient countries; its ambitious infrastructure projects were mainly financed by loans, not by grants, and foreign officials were often bribed to accept them.

"Many of these projects proved to be uneconomic," the 88-year-old Hungarian-American businessman said.

"The iconic case is in Sri Lanka. China built a port that serves its strategic interests. It failed to attract sufficient commercial traffic to service the debt and enabled China to take possession of the port," Soros said, referring to the Hambantota port, which was leased to Beijing on a 99-year lease in 2017 because Colombo could not repay the Chinese loans it took out to build the port.

"There are several similar cases elsewhere and they're causing widespread resentment," he said.

He noted that Malaysia was leading the pushback.

"The previous government headed by Najib Razak sold out to China but in May 2018 Razak was voted out of office by a coalition led by Mahathir Mohamed. Mahathir immediately stopped several big infrastructure projects and is currently negotiating with China how much compensation Malaysia will still have to pay," Soros said.

The situation is not as clear-cut in Pakistan, which has been the largest recipient of Chinese investments, he said.

The USD 60 billion ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) that will run throughout Pakistan is the flagship project under the BRI.

"The Pakistani army is fully beholden to China but the position of Imran Khan who became prime minister last August is more ambivalent. At the beginning of 2018, China and Pakistan announced grandiose plans in military cooperation. By the end of the year, Pakistan was in a deep financial crisis," Soros noted.

India is opposed to the CPEC as it passes through Pakistan occupied Kashmir, which India has seen as a violation to its sovereignty. New Delhi has also not joined the BRI and has expressed strong reservation on the funding pattern and objectives of the plan.

China rejected the allegation that the BRI was a form of the Marshall Plan or any kind of geostrategic concept. Instead, China insists it is purely about trade.

Beijing also claims that people's livelihoods and economic development in host countries have been boosted by the BRI.

Soros said one thing has became evident that China intends to use the BRI for military purposes as well.

"All these setbacks have forced Xi Jinping to modify his attitude toward the BRI," he told the audience at the WEF.

He noted that customers are now forewarned and several of them, ranging from Sierra Leone to Ecuador, are questioning or renegotiating projects.

Soros said the US declaring China a 'strategic rival' was too simplistic. "China is an important global actor. An effective policy towards China cannot be reduced to a slogan", he added.

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Security has been stepped up in Chhattisgarh, particularly in the Maoist-affected areas, in view of the Republic Day Saturday, police said.

Tightsecurityis being maintained in the entire state, particularly in the Naxal-affected Bastar division, to avoid any untoward incident during Republic Day celebrations, a senior police official told PTI Friday.

Patrolling has been intensified in interiors forests of all the districts falling under the Bastar division - Sukma, Dantewada, Bijapur, Narayanpur, Kondagaon, Kanker and Bastar, he said.

Besides, additionalsecurityarrangements have been made at each district headquarters, the official added.

Security forces have been asked to keep an eye on suspicious movements near government establishments and on the inter-state borders in the Bastar region, he added.

Meanwhile, the state government has completed preparations in all the 27 districts, including Raipur, for the Republic Day celebrations, an official from the public relations department here said.

Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel will hoist the national flag in the morning at the Police Parade Ground in Raipur and receive the guard of honour by different units of security personnel, he said.

The chief minister will hoist the tricolour at the state-level function in the absence of Governor Anandiben Patel, he said.

Madhya Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, who holds the additional charge of Chhattisgarh, will be attending the state -level Republic Day function in Bhopal, the official added.

Other ministers will take part in the Republic Day celebrationsat different places in the state, he added.

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The Supreme Court on Friday refused to entertain a plea seeking a CBI probe into the murder of a security guard at former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa's retreat home at Kodanad Estate in Nilgiris district in 2017.

The PIL had sought an independent investigation into the allegation of involvement of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palanisamy in the case. Palaniswamy had denied the charge.

"Heard the counsel for the petitioner and perused the relevant material. We do not consider the present to be a fit case for admission. The writ petition is accordingly dismissed," a bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice Sanjiv Khanna said.

The plea filed K R Ramaswamy alias Traffic Ramaswamy had also sought directions to the state police to hand over the records relating to the Kodanad Estate's robbery and murder of Om Bahadur, home guard of Jayalalithaa, on April 23, 2017.

Seeking a CBI probe into the incident, the plea cited a video, which was shown in a press conference, in which two accused allegedly referred to the present chief minister.

An impartial and independent investigation will be not be possible under the state police as the chief minister was also the home minister of the state, the plea contended.

Samuel Mathew, former Tehelka managing editor had on January 11 released a 16-minute video in which the two accused in the case had allegedly linked Palaniswami to the case, the petition said.

Two days after the presser, Palaniswamy also held his press conference in which he had denied the allegations and said that police action will be taken against those who linked him in the murder case, it said.

On April 23, 2017, the security guard of the Kodanad estate, the late chief minister J Jayalalithaa's retreat home in Nilgiris district, was murdered in a robbery attempt by a 10-member gang.

It emerged during the probe that Jayalalithaa's former driver C Kanagaraj and Sayan had allegedly plotted the crime.

A total of 10 people were arrested in the case and a charge sheet was also filed.

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A new five-judge Constitution Bench was constituted Friday in the Supreme Court to hear on January 29 the politically sensitive Ram Janambhoomi-Babri Masjid land title dispute in Ayodhya.

The bench was re-constituted as Justice U U Lalit, who was a member of the original bench had recused himself on January 10 after expressing his disinclination to participate in the hearing any further as he had appeared as a lawyer for former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Kalyan Singh in a connected matter "sometime in the year 1997".

The new bench comprises of Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi and Justices S A Bobde, D Y Chandrachud, Ashok Bhushan and S A Nazeer.

Justice N V Ramana, who was in the bench which last heard the matter on January 10, is not a member in the new bench.

Justices Bhushan and Nazeer are the new members in the bench.

A notice sent by the Supreme Court registry to various parties said that the Ayodhya dispute matter will be listed on Thursday, January 29, 2019, in "Chief Justice's court before the constitution bench comprising the CJI, and Justices S A Bobde, D Y Chandrachud, Ashok Bhushan and S A Nazeer."



Justice Bhushan and Nazeer were part of the three-judge bench, then headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra (since retired), which on September 27, 2018, by a 2:1 majority verdict refused to refer to a five-judge Constitution Bench reconsideration of the observations in its 1994 judgement that a mosque was not integral to Islam. The matter arose during the hearing of the Ayodhya land dispute.

Justice Nazeer had delivered minority judgement.

Fourteen appeals have been filed in the apex court against the 2010 Allahabad High Court judgement, delivered in four civil suits, that the 2.77-acre land be partitioned equally among three parties -- the Sunni Waqf Board, the Nirmohi Akhara and Ram Lalla.

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The Supreme Court Friday gave National Building Construction Corporation (NBCC) go-ahead to complete two stalled projects of embattled real estate firm Amrapali Group.

The NBCC told the court that it has floated tenders for completion of two projects - Eden Park and Castle - of Amrapali and would start construction in the month of February.

A bench of Justices Arun Mishra and U U Lalit said that NBCC can start construction on both the projects.

Counsel for NBCC said that total cost of the project would come around Rs 8 crore.

The apex court said that it would like to hear in detail various aspects of the case including suo motu contempt, sale of unsold inventory, explanation of JP Morgan in selling of shares for Rs 140 crores on February 11.

It said that Chief Financial Officer Chander Wadhwa would also have to explain on the said date why the money of Rs 4.75 crore were transferred from his account before October 26, last year, when he first appeared before the court.

The bench asked the parties to suggest legal ways as how the registration certificate could be given to home buyers residing in various residential Amrapali Projects without the occupancy certificate.

A NBCC official, on the condition of anonymity, described the development as just the beginning and said, "We will be starting work on the two projects soon. Work would also be taken up on other projects."



On January 16, the court-appointed forensic auditors have said in their report that posh flats were booked on sums as low as Re 1, Rs 11 and Rs 12 per sq ft in the name of home buyers.

The audit had found that 23 companies were floated in the name of office boys, peons and drivers and these firms were part of Amrapali consortium and were made fronts to divert home buyers' money.

The two forensic auditors had told the apex court that they have issued notices to 655 people on whose names 'benami' flats were booked but no one was found in 122 such locations.

The interim report of forensic auditors which was submitted before the court said that Wadhwa had transferred Rs 4.75 crore to "unidentified persons" just three days before he deposed before the top court on October 26, last year.

The top court had also brought under its scanner multi-national firm JP Morgan Real Estate fund, which had invested Rs 85 crore in Amrapali Zodiac in 2010 by purchasing its share and later selling those shares to the sister companies of reality firm.

The forensic auditors pointed out that shares purchased and agreement of JP Morgan Real Estate fund and Amrapali Group were in violation of the provisions of law.

The counsel for JP Morgan, however, had said that they would explain everything to the court and urged the bench not to get prejudiced with the findings of forensic audit.

The apex court had on December 12, asked the two forensic auditors to examine the trail of around Rs 3,000 crore, the home-buyers' money allegedly spent by the Amrapali Group on buying shares of its sister companies and asset creation.

It had directed the forensic auditors to ascertain the numbers of flats which were 'benami' property, doubly booked or booked on a nominal value by Amrapali Group.

On November 13 last year, in a massive crackdown on Amrapali Group for "wilful disobedience" of its orders, the apex court had attached the company's 100-bed multi-speciality hospital, bank accounts, the building which houses its office, certain firms and a "benami" villa in Goa.

The court is seized of a batch of petitions filed by home buyers who are seeking possession of around 42,000 flats booked in projects of the Amrapali Group.

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The Supreme Court Friday refused to entertain a plea seeking forthwith refund of money into the account of a person after a failed financial or banking transaction.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice Sanjiv Khanna, however, asked lawyer G S Mani, who had filed the PIL in his personal capacity, to give a representation to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

The lawyer said that if a person, by using the debit or credit card, enters into a failed financial transaction, then it takes a lot of time in getting the refund or reimbursement.

He said that a direction be issued to the RBI to ensure that banking customers get immediate refund after failed transactions.

"Heard the petitioner who is appearing in-person and perused the relevant material. The Article 32 petition is not entertained for the present and is, accordingly, dismissed.

"However, the petitioner has option of filing a representation before the Central Bank that is Reserve Bank of India and if measures' are not taken within a period of three months, the petitioner will be at liberty to raise the issue again before the appropriate forum," the bench said.

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A Russian woman, facing charges of overstaying in India, has approached the Gujarat High Court to get deported to her country at the earliest and also to quash an FIR lodged against her in the city.

In her first petition filed on January 3, the woman, Anastasiia Leonskaia (38), has pleaded that since she had lost her passport during her stay in India, she should be granted an "exit clearance" and sent to her country.

When the matter was being heard by Justice V M Pancholi, the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) in Ahmedabad, on January 22, lodged an FIR against her under various sections of the Foreigners Act.

The FRRO claimed that Leonskaia had illegally entered India from Nepal in December, 2016 and had overstayed here.

Leonskaia and her one-and-a-half-year-old son, who was born in Goa, are currently residing at Valsad. The woman has claimed that she was robbed in India.

In her petition, filed before Justice Sonia Gokani on Friday, seeking quashing of the FIR, Leonskaia said, "The FRRO should look into the circumstances that forced the applicant to overstay in India and also the circumstances of robbery which left the applicant with no monetary help and assistance."



Her lawyer Nachiket Dave told the court that the FIR should be quashed as the trial would further extend her stay in India.

Admitting the petition, Justice Gokani issued a notice to the FRRO and adjourned the matter till January 29.

Earlier this month, Leonskaia had approached the high court, seeking directions to the immigration authorities to grant her and her son an "exit clearance".

She had claimed that though she had applied for it on December 10 last year, the FRRO had taken no decision on her application.

Leonskaia said though she had produced all the required documents before the FRRO to get the exit clearance in the absence of her passport, the authorities had not taken any concrete step to facilitate her deportation.

She had said it was well within the legal rights and powers of the FRRO to "deport" her to her native country.

If she did not return to her country at the earliest, her seven-year-old daughter, currently under the care of her teacher, would be sent to an orphanage by the Russian government, Leonskaia had said.

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A miner, whose body was retrieved from a 370-foot deep coal mine in Meghalaya's East Jaintia Hills district after over 40 days of getting trapped, has been identified as Amir Hussain of Assam's Chirang district, officials said on Friday.

In a joint operation, the Indian Navy and the National Disaster Response Force pulled the body out of the mine's shaft on Thursday, nine days after it was spotted.

"The body retrieved yesterday from Ksan has been identified as Amir Hussain of Chirang district in Assam," East Jaintia Hills District Deputy Commissioner F M Dopth said.

The body was identified by his wife and mother who arrived in Khliehriat, the district headquarter, earlier on Friday, he said.

Dopth said the district authorities were trying to help the family in transporting Hussain's remains to their home for the last rites.

Hussain is one of the 15 miners who got trapped in the mine on December 13. The incident drew the nation's attention to illegal coal mining in the northeastern state at the cost of human lives despite a ban imposed by the National Green Tribunal.

Operation spokesperson R Sungi said the Indian Navy continued the underwater search with the unmanned remotely controlled vehicle (ROV), but no other bodies had been found.

He said the multi-agency operations to de-water the nearby abandoned mines also continued and Coal India Ltd, Kirloskar Brothers Ltd and Odhisa Fire Services had discharged over 71 lakh litres of water in the past 24 hours.

Anxious family members of the trapped miners are camping in the district headquarters and visiting the site frequently for any of their loved ones, Susngi said.

The owner of the mine, Krip Chullet, was arrested from his home on December 14. His accomplices are on the run.

The Meghalaya government has released Rs 1 lakh interim relief for the families of the trapped miners.

The Supreme Court is monitoring the rescue mission and the matter will come up for hearing on Monday.

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A selfless gesture of rescuing a 14-year-old boy, trapped into a crevasse at a high-rise building in Ghaziabad, has won CISF jawan Sushil Bhoi a 'Jeevan Raksha Padak' on the eve of the Republic Day.

Twenty-eight other officials of the force, tasked primarily to guard civil airports and sensitive installations across the country, have also been decorated with various police medals for rendering exceptional services.

Constable Bhoi, his citation said, was passing by a tall residential building on March 16, 2018, when he heard some commotion and rushed to the spot where a 14-year-old boy was dangerously dangling from the 4th floor shaft of the complex after he was pushed off by a group of monkeys.

"The jawan immediately plunged into action by climbing on the pipes of the building and tied the boy with a rope and pulled him to safety by risking his own life," the citation said.

Bhoi is posted with the 5th Reserve Battalion of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) in Ghaziabad.

The 'Jeevan Raksha Padak' series of awards are given to a person for meritorious act of human nature in saving the life of a person.

Amongst the other officials, Inspector General (NCR) Sudhir Kumar has been awarded the President's police medal for distinguished service along with R C Choudhary, the Commandant of the Jaipur-based 8th battalion.

Kumar, a 1989-batch officer, has served in almost all the sectors like airports, sea ports, mines and power plants and worked at the CISF headquarters here as Deputy IG (administration) for around seven years.

Deputy IG S Ambastha, Deputy Commandant Ombir Singh and Assistant Commandant (AC) A S Samyal have been decorated with the meritorious service medal on the eve of the Republic Day.

Two officials, AC Narender Kumar and Assistant Sub-Inspector K C Nayak, have been decorated with the fire service medal.

The about 1.80-lakh personnel strong force at present guards 61 civil airports of the country apart from guarding sensitive infrastructure in the nuclear and aerospace domain.

It also provides security to vital business sector undertakings in the private domain.

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Women commandos, mobile hit teams, anti-aircraft guns and sharpshooters have been deployed at strategic locations to keep a close watch on the eight-km-long Republic Day parade route from Rajpath to the Red Fort in central Delhi.

According to Delhi Police, parakram vans, manned by NSG-trained commandos, have been patrolling strategic locations to ensure that security is not jeopardised.

Elaborate measures, including deployment of anti-aircraft guns, have also been put in place to secure the airspace over Delhi, police said.

A senior police officer said around 25,000 security personnel have been deployed at strategic locations in central Delhi, which were on the target of two terrorists arrested ahead of the 70th Republic Day celebrations.

The JeM members had identified Lajpat Nagar market, Haj Manzil, Turkman Gate, Paharganj, India Gate and IGL gas pipeline in east Delhi as potential targets, police said.

A multi-layer security arrangement has been made.

Thirty six women commandos of Delhi Police's Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT) unit, who were formally inducted in August last year, will be part of the security deployment.

Snipers have been stationed atop high-rises while scores of CCTV cameras are keeping a tight vigil on people's movements on the parade route.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Madhur Verma said CCTV cameras and face-recognition cameras have been installed.

Police are using counter-drone technology to thwart any attack or identify suspicious flying objects, a senior police officer said.

Security officials have identified vulnerable spots such as crowded markets, railway stations, bus stands and other high-value establishments, and secured them.

The traffic police have deployed 3,000 personnel to manage route diversions and ensure a safe and secure passage for the visiting dignitaries.

Restrictions will be put in place for smooth conduct of the Republic Day parade between Vijay Chowk and Red Fort Grounds, traffic police officials said.

Metro services will be available for commuters at all stations on Republic Day, but there will be no boarding and de-boarding at Central Secretariat and Udyog Bhawan stations from 5am to 12pm.

Boarding and de-boarding will not be allowed between 8.45am and 12pm at Lok Kalyan Marg (Race Course) and Patel Chowk metro stations, they said.

The parade will start at 9.50am from Vijay Chowk and pass through Rajpath, Tilak Marg, Bahadur Shah Zafar (BSZ) Marg, Netaji Subhash Marg and proceed for the Red Fort. A function will be held at India Gate at 9am, traffic police said.

According to a traffic advisory, no vehicle will be allowed on Rajpath, from Vijay Chowk to India Gate, from 6pm on January 25 till the parade is over.

No cross-traffic will be allowed on Rajpath from 11.00pm on January 25 at Rafi Marg, Janpath, Man Singh Road till the parade is over and C'-Hexagon-India Gate will be closed for vehicular movement from 2am on January 26 till the parade crosses Tilak Marg, it said.

On Republic Day, no vehicular movement will be allowed on Tilak Marg, BSZ Marg and Subhash Marg in both directions from 10am onwards, Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Alok Kumar said.

Flying of sub-conventional aerial platforms like para- gliders, para motors, hang gliders, UAVs, UASs, microlight aircraft, remotely piloted aircraft, hot-air balloons, small size powered aircraft, quadcopters or para jumping from aircraft are prohibited over the jurisdiction of National Capital Territory of Delhi from January 9 to February 9, the advisory said.

Patrolling in public places has been intensified and checking and frisking at metro stations, railway stations and bus terminals tightened.

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Odisha media Friday was all praise for Rahul Gandhi as he rushed to help a photo journalist, who fell from a strair while taking picture of the Congress president on his visit at the Biju Patnaik Airport.

The incident took place when Congress president was being welcomed by party leaders after arriving at the airport in the morning here.

Mediapersons, including photo journalists, had gathered at the airport in large numbers to cover the event. In the melee, a photo journalist accidentally slipped from a strair and fell down.

Rahul Gandhi immediately rushed to rescue the photographer before anyone could notice him. Gandhi also extended his helping hand and picked up the photo journalist.

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Renowned editor and longtime Martin Scorsese collaborator Thelma Schoonmaker is set to receive BAFTA Fellowship this year.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the film editor will be bestowed with British Academy's highest honour this year during the awards ceremony on February 10.

Schoonmaker's illustrious career has spanned over five decades, within which she won BAFTAs for best editing in "Raging Bull" (1982) and "Goodfellas" (1991) and Oscars for "Raging Bull", "The Aviator" and "The Departed".

In total, she has scored nine nods at the BAFTA awards and seven for the Academy Awards.

"I am staggered to be asked to join such an illustrious group as the BAFTA Fellows and particularly moved and honoured to be joining two of the most important people in my life - my director, Martin Scorsese, and my late husband, Michael Powell (and his partner Emeric Pressburger) - all of whom have been given BAFTA Fellowships," Schoonmaker said.

She expressed gratitude towards Scorsese for their continuing partnership.

"The British Cinema has been a huge influence on Martin Scorsese and through his teachings on me, I am blessed to be able to help him with the continuing restoration of the Powell and Pressburger legacy.

"I give my deepest thanks to BAFTA for honouring that work and my work as Scorsese's editor with this fellowship," Schoonmaker, 79, added.

The Algiers-born editor moved to the US in her teenage years and attended Cornell University, where she studied political science and Russian.

After her graduation in 1961, she began a course at Columbia University in primitive art. During this time, Schoonmaker responded to an ad in The New York Times for a trainee assistant film editor and bagged the job.

She then took up a brief six-week course in filmmaking at New York University, where she would meet a young Scorsese after a professor asked that she could help him salvage the badly mangled negative of his student film: "What's a Nice Girl Like You Doing in a Place Like This?"



Six years later, Schoonmaker went on to help Scorsese edit his first feature, "Who's That Knocking at My Door", marking the beginning of an iconic filmmaking partnership.

The editor-director duo last worked on the much-awaited "The Irishman", set to be released by Netflix this year.

While at the NYU, Schoonmaker also met filmmaker Michael Wadleigh and later in 1970 supervised the editing of his influential music documentary Woodstock, for which she earned her first Academy Award nomination in 1971.

Schoonmaker joins a glorious list of fellows that includes the likes of Scorsese, last year's recipient Ridley Scott, Alfred Hitchcock, Steven Spielberg, Elizabeth Taylor, Stanley Kubrick, Ken Loach, Michael Caine, Anthony Hopkins, Laurence Olivier, Judi Dench, Vanessa Redgrave, Martin and Helen Mirren.

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BSF jawan Mohammad Ramzan Parray, killed by militants in 2017 while he was on leave at his home in north Kashmir, has been decorated with the Police Medal for Gallantry (PMG) on the eve of the Republic Day.

The killing of Parray, who joined the Border Security Force in 2011, had made headlines and the incident underlined the threat faced by Kashmiri police, paramilitary and defence personnel when they were on leave or went back to their homes for festivals.

Parray, his citation said, bravely thwarted a bid by the militants to abduct him but they later barged into his home in Hajin village of Bandipora district and shot him from a point blank range. He later succumbed to injuries.

The border guarding force has been awarded a total of eight gallantry medals for thwarting infiltration bids from across Pakistan along the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border and for effectively retaliating to unprovoked firing and ceasefire violations in Jammu and Kashmir from the other side.

Constables Tapas Paul and Sudhir Hembrom have been awarded for effectively guarding the LoC in the Keran area in November, 2016.

"Despite being injured and bleeding profusely (due to artillery shell explosion) they (Paul and Hembrom) kept on retaliating the fire and maintained domination which foiled an infiltration attempt of militants backed by Pakistan Army," their citation said.

Constables Nitin Kumar (posthumously), Pravindra Kumar and Barun Kumar were awarded the PMG for thwarting a suicide bid by militants who wanted to attack their post in Baramulla in October, 2016.

Another 52 BSF personnel and officials have been decorated with the President's Police Medal for distinguished service and the police medal for meritorious service.

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Queen Elizabeth II has urged people to seek "common ground," in remarks being seen as a veiled reference to the toxic debate surrounding Britain's departure from the European Union.

Though her remarks were similar to her Christmas Day address, the timing of her decision to revisit them Thursday is important.

British lawmakers last week threw out the divorce deal Prime Minister Theresa May had struck with the EU, and attempts to find a replacement have been gridlocked.

In her speech marking the 100th anniversary of the Sandringham Women's Institute, the monarch urged people to respect other points of view and suggested "coming together to seek out the common ground and never losing sight of the bigger picture." The queen remains publicly neutral and does not express her views.

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Queen Elizabeth II on Friday made a plea for "common ground" amid ongoing uncertainty over the vexed negotiations for the UK's planned exit from the European Union (EU) in March.

The 92-year-old monarch, who is apolitical in her role as head of state, did not make a direct reference to Brexit and the government's controversial Withdrawal Agreement which failed to clear Parliament earlier this month.

However, a speech she made at the centenary of the Sandringham Women's Institute was inevitably seen as her indirect intervention in the crucial debate in the House of Commons where MPs are due to vote on Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit deal on leaving the EU next week.

"The continued emphasis on patience, friendship, a strong community focus, and considering the needs of others, are as important today as they were when the group was founded all those years ago. Of course, every generation faces fresh challenges and opportunities," said the Queen in her speech.

"As we look for new answers in the modern age, I for one prefer the tried and tested recipes, like speaking well of each other and respecting different points of view; coming together to seek out the common ground; and never losing sight of the bigger picture," she said.

The monarch added that such approaches were "timeless, and I commend them to everyone".

Her plea for common ground touched on the same issues as her annual Christmas message, in which she urged people to treat others with respect "even with the most deeply held differences".

Downing Street declined to comment directly on the Queen's latest remarks, with a spokesperson for British Prime Minister Theresa May saying: "The Prime Minister's own view is that we should always show great respect for the point of view of others."



May is due to return to the House of Commons with a revised plan for Brexit next Tuesday, after her initial deal agreed with the EU was rejected by MPs in a historic Commons defeat on January 15.

The prospect of a chaotic "no-deal" Brexit continues to loom as MPs remain deeply divided over the contours of a more orderly withdrawal.

While the EU has ruled out reworking the Withdrawal Agreement, May is hoping to get further assurances on the controversial Irish backstop clause which critics fear would keep the UK tied to EU rules even after Brexit.

There are a series of parallel drives within the House of Commons with just 64 days to go before the March 29 deadline under the Article 50 Lisbon Treaty timeline.

An amendment being tabled by Opposition Labour Party MP Yvette Cooper to force ministers to extend Article 50 if a no-deal Brexit looked imminent is gaining momentum across party lines in an effort to avert what is feared would be an abrupt exit without any agreement in place.

Cooper, who has devised the plan with former Conservative Party ministers Nick Boles and Oliver Letwin, has previously said an initial nine-month extension is a starting point, with the timeline being modified based on what MPs agreed on.

The eventual bill, if passed, would give the UK Parliament control over the final stages of the Brexit process if there is no parliamentary consensus on a Brexit deal by February 26.

It would give MPs a vote on preventing a no-deal Brexit and extending Article 50.

Meanwhile, May's divided Cabinet continued to mount pressure on her, with Chancellor Philip Hammond repeating his warning that leaving the EU without a withdrawal agreement would be a "betrayal" of the 2016 referendum vote.

Theresa May has warned a failure by MPs to back her Withdrawal Agreement with the EU risks a no-deal Brexit or even no Brexit at all and embarked on cross-party talks following the overwhelming rejection of her deal last week.

Opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn has refused to take part until she rules out a no-deal Brexit.

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Syriac Orthodox Patriarch: Unify Efforts Against Extremism, Terrorism

In honor of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Jan. 18-25, 2019, Middle East Christian leaders attended an ecumenical prayer service at St. Severus the Great Church in Atchaneh, Lebanon. ( Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate) At a gathering of Middle East leaders coinciding with the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, the Syriac Orthodox patriarch emphasized the need to unify efforts against extremism and terrorism.

"A hundred years after the genocide during the Ottoman Empire and major displacements," Christians in the region are still facing similar circumstances, said Syriac Orthodox Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem II of Antioch.

"Many of our churches have been destroyed and hundreds of thousands of our Christian brothers have been forced to migrate from the land of their fathers," Patriarch Aphrem said. "To whose benefit is it if the region is emptied of Christians?"

He opened the Jan. 22-23 executive committee meeting of the Middle East Council of Churches, which he hosted at the patriarchal residence in Atchaneh, Lebanon.

Members of the executive committee attending the meeting included Iraqi Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako, patriarch of Chaldean Catholics; the Rev. Habib Badr, senior pastor of the National Evangelical Church of Beirut; and Souraya Bechealany, acting secretary-general of Middle East Council of Churches; as well as bishops and representatives from Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant churches in the Middle East.

Patriarch Aphrem called for regular meetings, at both the spiritual and political levels, to unify efforts against extremism and terrorism, as well as "to promote the principles of coexistence, human values, religious freedom and the spiritual and social values that exist."

"We know that our future is the future of living together with our Muslim brothers," the patriarch said, adding that "if we want to have a secure future," all must work together.

The patriarch lamented "the great silence of the great world powers" regarding the fate of two bishops kidnapped in Syria nearly six years ago, Orthodox Metropolitan Paul of Aleppo and Syriac Orthodox Metropolitan Gregorios Yohanna of Aleppo.

In its final statement, the executive committee called on "the international community and the Arab world to work for the release of the kidnapped bishops" as well as priests and lay abductees.

It called for "the establishment of peace in Syria and the dignified and safe return of displaced persons to their homeland and for the restoration of Iraq's recovery and the return of uprooted children to their land."

It rejected the decision to declare Jerusalem the capital of "the occupying power" and called for the "realization of the state of Palestine stipulated in the relevant international resolutions."

It also condemned "all forms of extremism and terrorism," expressing their hope for the "cooperation between churches and Islamic authorities to build a religious discourse" based on "the values of love, peace, social justice and dialogue."
The West Bengal government Friday suspended for 60 days the two nursing students who were accused of killing 16 puppies in the compound of a state-run hospital, virtually ending their dreams to become nurses.

"The two students have been suspended for 60 days on grounds of moral ethics and grave indiscipline," a senior official of the health department told PTI.

During the period of 60 days, there would be several inquires to be held against the two students - Moutusi Mondal and Soma Burman, he said.

The two students of Nil Ratan Sircar Medical College and Hospital here were arrested on January 15. They were released on bail after which they attended their classes.

Asked whether the two would be able to resume normal classes after serving the suspension, the official said, "It's quite unlikely because there will be other inquires during this period which will have different outcomes."



Union Minister Maneka Gandhi had called up senior officials of the Nil Ratan Sircar Medical College and Hospital last week and asked them to immediately suspend the two nursing students.

The students could not be reached for their reaction.

Carcasses of 16 puppies were found in plastic bags in front of a hostel at the hospital in the Sealdah area on January 13. Preliminary reports had said the puppies were beaten to death, triggering an outrage among animal lovers.

The police identified some students and security guards on the basis of CCTV footage and interrogated them for hours. Of them, two nursing students admitted to their involvement in the crime and they were arrested.

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The repair and restoration work of the iconic General Post Office (GPO) building in South Mumbai is likely to start soon as the Postal Directorate has finally cleared a proposal to that effect, officials said on Friday.

The project to repair the Grade-I heritage structure failed to take off so far due to the delay in clearing the proposal, they said.

"Finally, clearance has been given to repair and restore the glory of the (GPO) building and we hope to start the work in the next few weeks. The restoration work will be monitored by the INTACH (Indian National Trust for Art & Cultural Heritage), an organisation empanelled by the postal department," Chief Post Master General of Maharashtra and Goa circle, H C Agrawal, told PTI.

INTACH is a private trust comprising renowned architects and planners having an expertise to handle heritage architecture restoration.

The GPO serves as the headquarters of the Maharashtra and Goa circle of the postal department, which handles major chunk of the city's inbound and outbound mail and parcel services.

Over 1,000 postal staffers, who work in the GPO, had been demanding restoration of the building, especially after they learnt that the nearby Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus headquarter building was being restored by the Railways.

"The entire restoration project would cost around Rs 58 crore. We will keep vacating the premises sectionwise for the restoration work. This will go on until it gets over. The project which had got stuck, will finally see the light of day," Agrawal said.

The GPO building was designed in Indo-Saracenic style of architecture. It was designed by British architect John Begg in 1902. Its construction began in September 1904 and was completed in March 1913. The structure is modelled on the Gol Gumbaz in Bijapur, Karnataka.

In response to an RTI query filed by activist Anil Galgali, the department of post had said in 2017 that the structure needed immediate repairs. Thereafter, he had written to Prime Minister's Office requesting that the restoration work should be expedited.

"Not only the GPO staffers, but also the visitors were at risk. But it's better late than never. I hope the project does not get stuck in red-tapism now," he said.

The GPO employees also expressed happiness over the development saying the building needed immediate rapairs.

"Now 'achhe din' are coming for the GPO. We failed to understand why our senior officials in Delhi kept neglecting this iconic building," an official said.

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Congress president Rahul Gandhi Friday said his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's entry into was not sudden as she had decided to play a role in the party after her children grew up.

The decision on the timing of Priyanka's political plunge was taken some years ago. She was delaying it because of the children, he said, replying to a question at an interactive session here.

"Now her children are grown-ups. While one of them has entered university, another too has grown up. Therefore, she decided to join politics," he said.

On Priyanka's political role, Gandhi said her main job is to revive the Congress in Uttar Pradesh. No decision on her role outside that state has been taken.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra plunged into active on Wednesday and was made AICC general secretary for Uttar Pradesh East in a move reflecting the party's intent to go full throttle in the northern state in the run-up to the parliamentary polls.

Stating that he and Priyanka share a strong bond, the Congress president said "both of us have been through hell together" as he recalled the assassinations of his grandmother Indira Gandhi, father Rajiv Gandhi and subsequent political upheavals in the family.

"These incidents have brought us closer. Everybody thinks all is easy for us but we have seen some very hard situations. That has brought us together," Gandhi said.

About the equation between them, he said, "If we are sitting in separate rooms and you ask us the same questions, 80 per cent of the time you will get the same answer."



The Congress president said both he and his sister believe in giving space to each other and there is a constant give and take and spirit of reciprocity between the two when it comes to their personal relations.

"We have a lot of conversation," he added.

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Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday said Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's entry into active would not have any impact on the outcome of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls as "zero plus zero results in zero".

Adityanath also dubbed Priyanka Gandhi's appointment as the Congress general secretary for eastern UP an extension of the "political dynasty" culture in the party.

"Zero plus zero results in zero. This would not make any impact on the poll outcome. With her appointment, the Congress has only extended its culture of political dynasty," he told reporters here.

Priyanka Gandhi, 47, the sister of Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, was Wednesday appointed the party's general secretary for UP East, effective from February. Her region of responsibility would also include Gorakhpur, from where Adityanath has been a five-time member of parliament.

The chief minister, who was here to inaugurate the Noida-Greater Noida Metro Rail and half-a-dozen infrastructure projects, also took on rivals Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party.

"Earlier there was a jinx associated with Noida and Greater Noida. It was said that any chief minister who visits this region loses his/her chair. Hence this region remained ignored," he said referring to former chief minister Akhilesh Yadav and Mayawati, without naming them.

"When I became the chief minister, I was asked if I would visit the twin-cities in western UP, I said why not! Noida and Greater Noida are also part of UP. We are not working for the chair or power, we are working for the people. I have visited this region multiple times since March 2017 and would continue to do so in future," Adityanath said.

Flanked by Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri, he hit out at the previous governments for not being able to complete development works in a time-bound manner.

"During the previous Samajwadi Party's government's full term in the state, 20,000 houses were sanctioned under the central housing scheme for all, but in a short span of time, we have built more than eight lakh houses. We are speeding up our efforts to make more houses for the people, he said.

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With Priyanka Gandhi joining active politics, it would be easier for the Congress to fight "fascist powers" in the country, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said Friday.

Her decision to join would also strengthen party president Rahul Gandhi's hands, he added.

In politics, it is necessary to take the right decision at right time. Rahul Gandhi has taken a right decision. Young people from from all over the country have welcomed it," said Gehlot here, addressing an election rally for the Ramgarh assembly constituency where a bypoll is due on January 28.

"Priyanka Gandhi joining active will strengthen Rahul Gandhi's hands. The Congress will emerge stronger and it will be easy to fight fascist forces," he added.

The election for the Ramgarh assembly constituency had been postponed due to BSP candidate Laxman singh's death.

Gehlot also attacked the BJP for questioning the Congress' contribution to the development of the country.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi indulges in rhetoric," he said, adding the Congress gave democracy to the country.

"Had there been no democracy, who would have made Narendra Modi the prime minister? he asked.

He said the BJP has got exposed after the Congress won elections in the country's cow belt states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.

The chief minister said the Congress' spell of winning elections has started and it would be in the interest of the country if the Congress forms governments at the Centre and other states.

Gehlot also highlighted various schemes launched by the new Congress government in Rajasthan, including pension for marginal and elderly farmers, free education for girls and schemes for employment to youths.

Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot said the country was demanding a change and it has started after the Congress formed government in three states, including Rajasthan.

He said Priyanka Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi would campaign in the country and talk about a new Rajasthan and a new India and the Congress would be able to form government at the Centre after the Lok Sabha elections.

In the recent state assembly election, the Congress had won 99 out of 199 seats, where elections had been held.

The BJP had won 73 seats, BSP six, Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLTP) three, CPI(M) and Bhartiya Tribal Party (BTP) two each, while 13 had gone to independents.

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In a first, prison inmates will be provided certificates of diploma, bachelor and master degrees in yoga to help them become professional trainers and live a dignified life after completing their sentences, officials said Friday.

The Delhi government has inked Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Moraji Desai National Institute for Yoga, the Ministry of Ayush and the Tihal jail authorities to provide the courses under the Project Sanjeevan.

"The motto of these courses is to keep jail inmates physically and mentally fit. It will also help them in reformation, rehabilitation and re-integration.

"After successfully completing the yoga courses, they will be able to earn livelihood proudly after their release from the jail," a senior government official said.

The training programmes include a Master Trainers Program - a Certificate Course in Yoga Science for Wellness Instructors (CCYSc) of 480 hours duration - and a Foundation Course in Yoga Science for Wellness (FCYScW)- of 50 hours duration, (two hours a day) for period of six months in all 16 jails in the city.

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Terming India and South Africa as "special friends", President Ram Nath Kovind Friday invited South African companies to be part of the government's ambitious 'Make in India' and 'Clean India' programmes among others.

Kovind received South African Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa at Rashtrapati Bhavan here and also hosted a banquet in his honour.

In his banquet speech, Kovind said the India-South Africa economic partnership is a key pillar of the relationship between the two countries.

Indian industry is excited by South African economic policies and approach, he said.

"On our part, we have undertaken path-breaking economic reforms to attract international businesses and to propel our growth. We invite South African companies to partner us in Make in India, Digital India, Clean India and Smart City programmes," the president said.

Welcoming the South African president on his first state visit to India, Kovind said that his visit comes at a special moment.

"We are celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and the 100th birth anniversary of Nelson Mandela. Our shared history and common legacy make this state visit much more meaningful and special," Kovind said.

The president said that India and South Africa are special friends.

"Regular high level visits and engagements continue to enrich our partnership. We share vibrant people-to-people relations. The South African Indian community is a living bridge between our two countries. We must continue to nurture this bond," Kovind said.

The president noted that bilateral trade between India and South Africa has been growing.

He said that we should work together to create a mutually beneficially mobility partnership, one that would encourage our companies to invest and two-way tourism to grow.

Kovind expressed confidence that under President Ramaphosa's leadership, India-South Africa's bilateral trade and investment relations would further enhance.

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The self-proclaimed "president" of an Austrian group which rejects the authority of the state was jailed for 14 years Friday after being convicted of several charges including inciting high treason.

The 42-year-old woman, named in media reports as Monika Unger, created an organisation called the Staatenbund ("Federation of States") in 2015, which counts around 2,600 members.

She had attempted to "order" the Austrian army to overthrow the government as well as asking for military assistance from Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The judge in the court in the southern city of Graz justified the heavy penalty, saying it gave a "clear signal that anti-state activities will not be tolerated".

Unger went on trial along with 13 other members of the movement who were arrested in a wave of arrests in April 2017 involving more than 450 police officers.

Her second-in-command, a 71-year-old former police officer, was also found guilty of inciting high treason and sentenced to 10 years. Twelve other members were found guilty of "forming an anti-state association" and jailed for up to three years.

The Staatenbund had given some members "diplomatic passports" as well as selling its own licence plates.

It forbade members from paying taxes to the Austrian state and collected almost 40,000 euros in fees to have property entered in its own "land registry", assuring that this rendered mortgages on those properties null and void.

Unger admitted that she had tried to arrange the "arrest" and "trial" of elected officials, judges and bank employees in order to replace them with her own administration.

She claimed she was the "victim of an oppressive system".

The Staatenbund is similar to "sovereign citizen" movements which have alarmed authorities in recent years in Austria and Germany, such as the German "Reichsbuerger" ("Citizens of the Reich").

Members are drawn from various ideologies, including anarchists, neo-Nazis, and those subscribing to more esoteric beliefs.

In 2017 a Reichsbuerger militant was jailed for life in Germany for killing a policeman and injuring two others during a dawn raid on his house.

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President Xi Jinping's close aide and ideologue of the ruling Communist Party has warned the party carde to prepare for the worst, ahead of the key China-US make or break talks to end the trade war between the world's two largest economies, media report said Friday.

Wang Huning, the "ideological guru" of the Communist Party of China (CPC) who is also part of the seven-member Standing Committee, the highest-ranking body of the party, told the senior officials to safeguard Xi's leadership and toe the party line, the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported.

Xi, 65, is regarded as the most powerful leader after Mao Zedong, heading the party, the military and the Presidency.

The CPC wrapped up a four-day study session on Thursday in which hundreds of party officials from all over the country took part. The meeting deliberated on risk controls which underlined the leadership's deep concern about growing external volatility and uncertainty amid its high-stakes trade war with the US, the Post reported.

Xi, Premier Li Keqiang and other top party officials attended the four-day meeting called to discuss the prevailing scenario in view of the emerging strategic confrontation with the US and the effects of the economic slowdown.

Xi and Wang both told cadres that they must develop "bottom-line thinking" or be prepared for the "worst-case situation", the Post reported.

"Wang identified a long list of risks faced by Beijing, urging the cadres to safeguard Xi's leadership and toe the party line. Wang also told the officials that they must follow up by showing what they had learned through 'actions and results'", it said.

Chinese Vice Premier Liu He will lead a 30-member delegation for the talks with US trade representative Robert Lighthizer to be held on January 30-31 in Washington to negotiate an agreement before the March 1 deadline, failing which US President Donald Trump has threatened to slap additional tariffs on all Chinese exports to US totalling over USD 500 billion.

US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross on Thursday downplayed the possibility for a quick breakthrough to resolve deep-rooted conflicts in the US-China trade talks.

"There has been a lot of anticipatory work done. But we are miles and miles away from getting a resolution," Ross said in an interview to CNBC.

According to the official figures released by China early this week, the country's economy sank to a 28-year low last year, slowing down to 6.6 per cent year-on-year, lower than the 6.8-per cent growth registered in 2017. China is grappling with the continued slowdown amid the current trade war with the US and declining exports.

Trump is putting pressure on China to bring down the USD 375 billion trade deficit by enhancing market access for US products into the country and also insisting on improving protection of intellectual property rights (IPR).

He said on Thursday that the US can do without a trade deal with China.

"What we're doing with China, I think, will have a tremendous impact, if you look at the numbers that we're talking about. We'll see how that all comes out," Trump told reporters at the White House on Thursday.

In his opening remarks at the conference on Monday, Xi had cautioned officials about risks to the country's economic stability and directed them deal with turbulence and disruptions.

Take all the necessary precautionary steps and be vigilant about any risks that could jeopardise China's stability and reforms, Xi told officials.

"(We are) confronted with unpredictable international developments and a complicated and sensitive external environment. Our task at hand is to maintain stability as we continue our reform and development," Xi was quoted as saying.

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Tens of thousands of people sweltering through a brutal heatwave in southern Australia were left without power Friday, as the grid struggled with surging demand.

Authorities said about 60,000 customers were experiencing blackouts, after it ordered forced outages to reduce the risk of the entire grid failing.

"We have asked for 100 megawatts of involuntary load reduction, we have notified the networks, they're in process of doing that," Australian Energy Market Operator chief executive Audrey Zibelman told reporters.

The disruption comes as temperatures in Melbourne soared to 42.8 Celsius (109 Fahrenheit) just after lunch.

Planned power interruptions began at midday and would likely last about two hours, authorities said.

"We may have to do more over the course of the afternoon as the demand continues to increase," Zibelman added.

There were reports of up to 100 traffic lights without power in Melbourne, as some shops and cafes were forced to close.

In other parts of Victoria state authorities had issued fire warnings, with hundreds of emergency services personnel and dozens of planes and helicopters on standby, as temperatures in some areas were expected to reach up to 47 Celsius.

Australia is reeling from a heat wave that peaked in South Australia Thursday when the state capital Adelaide topped 47.7 Celsius, breaking a record that had stood since 1939.

Meanwhile, authorities further south on the island state of Tasmania continued to battle bush fires.

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Pope Francis has said in Panama that the Church must work to overcome the world's "fears and suspicions" of migration, and pledged his support for "all efforts" to avoid further suffering in crisis-torn Venezuela.

The pope is being kept abreast of developments in nearby Caracas, and was praying for the people of Venezuela, Vatican spokesman Alessandro Gisotti said.

Francis is supporting "all efforts" to avoid further suffering for the population, he said.

Speaking from Panama in Central America -- the hub for US-bound migrants -- Francis said on Thursday migrants were simply seeking "the minimum conditions for a better future".

The Argentine pope was addressing Central American bishops on the first day of his visit for a global gathering of young Catholics for World Youth Day.

Earlier, in a speech to government ministers and members of the diplomatic corps at the foreign ministry, he called on political leaders to reject "all forms of corruption".

Young people, he said, insisted that those in positions of authority should "lead a life that demonstrates that public service is a synonym of honesty and justice, and opposed to all forms of corruption".

He returned to the theme in his speech to bishops at the nearby 17th Century St Francis of Assisi Church.

Here, he deplored what he called "the plague" of femicide in Latin America, where some 2,800 women are killed each year, according to the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC).

"The killing of women -- our continent is experiencing a plague in this regard," Francis said, saying this and other problems like drug trafficking, gang violence and the sexual exploitation of minors and young people, were "the fruit of a culture and a society run amok".

"Often families have been broken by an economic system that did not prioritise persons and the common good, but made speculation its 'paradise,' without worrying who would end up paying the price."



"And so, we see our young people without a home, without a family, without a community, without a sense of belonging, easy prey for the first charlatan who comes along."



Francis won praise from young people for his comments. "These crimes are part of a highly macho culture in which we feel diminished," said Fatima Melendez, 18, from El Salvador.

In her country, she said, women need "peace in something as simple as going out into the street".

The pope was to join tens of thousands of young people in formally opening the Catholic jamboree at a palm-fringed park overlooking Panama Bay.

Several migrant caravans, mostly from Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador, have been making their way through Central America and Mexico to the US border since last October, amid trenchant opposition from US President Donald Trump.

Francis told bishops that the church, with hospitality and acceptance, can facilitate "dialogue and help overcome fears and suspicions, and thus consolidate the very bonds that migrations -- in the collective imagination -- threaten to break."



Thousands turned out to cheer the pope on his way from the Papal Nunciature, where he spent the first night of his five-day visit, to his first official engagement of the day, a courtesy call on President Juan Carlos Varela.

In the narrow streets of the old city, they leaned forward over barriers as the pope's small sedan passed by, waving red and white Panamanian flags.

At the foreign ministry, soberly-suited diplomats posed for selfies with the pope and stretched out to shake his hand as he left the podium after his speech.

On his way from the airport after his arrival on Wednesday, his driver had to swerve sharply at one point when a young man broke through a barrier and ran towards it, waving a Venezuelan flag. The man was quickly detained by security guards.

In crisis-wracked Venezuela, opposition lawmaker Juan Guaido has proclaimed himself president with the support of the United States and several other countries -- including Panama -- setting up a tense standoff with the government of President Nicolas Maduro.

Francis will hold two open-air masses in Panama City. Among the other highlights of his five-day visit will be a trip to the Good Samaritan home for young HIV and AIDS patients on Saturday, after the closing mass. He will also visit a youth detention centre and hear the confessions of inmates, including one serving time for murder.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone for an All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Madurai, Tamil Nadu on January 27, a statement said.

He will also inaugurate the super speciality blocks of Rajaji Medical College (Madurai), Thanjavur Medical College (Thanjavur) and Tirunelveli Medical College (Tirunelveli) as a part of upgradation projects of government medical colleges.

The prime minister will visit Kochi on the same day and unveil a plaque to dedicate to the nation an integrated refinery expansion complex of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited.

He will also lay the foundation stone for a petrochemical complex at the same venue, inaugurate a mounded storage vessel at an LPG bottling plant of the Indian Oil Corporation Limited in Kochi and lay the foundation stone for skill development institute at Ettumanoor.

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Talks are underway between Prime Minister and South African President to strengthen ties between the two nations and step up cooperation in a range of areas, including defence, security and trade.

"New beginnings to old partnerships. PM @narendramodi warmly welcomes President of #SouthAfrica @CyrilRamaphosa ahead of delegation level talks.

This is their fourth meeting within a year, highlighting enhanced engagement with South Africa & the African continent," Raveesh Kumar, Spokesperson, Ministry of External Affairs, tweeted.

Deep and shared history President of #SouthAfrica @CyrilRamaphosa is accorded ceremonial welcome by #PresidentKovind & PM @narendramodi and inspects the Guard of Honour @rashtrapatibhvn President Ramaphosa was invited by PM when the leaders met on #G20Summit margins in Argentina pic.twitter.com/kFUH1VjWNF  Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) January 25, 2019

In another tweet, he said, "Fortifying strategic partnership. PM @narendramodi and South African President @CyrilRamaphosa held wide-ranging talks on cooperation in defence & security, trade & investment, skill development, S&T, education and technical cooperation and multilateral forums."

New beginnings to old partnerships. PM @narendramodi warmly welcomes President of #SouthAfrica @CyrilRamaphosa ahead of delegation level talks. This is their fourth meeting within a year, highlighting enhanced engagement with South Africa & the African continent pic.twitter.com/Iu2xQip9H0  Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) January 25, 2019

Ramaphosa will be the chief guest for the Parade on Saturday.
With a plea seeking a CBI probe into the murder of rationalist M M Kalburgi, the Supreme Court on Friday termed it a "very serious case" and said that it would hear the matter in detail on February 26.

Noted scholar Kalburgi, 77, was killed at Dharwad in 2015.

A bench of justices R F Nariman and Vineet Saran said that no parties will be given any adjournment.

"This is a very serious case. We would like to hear the matter in detail. Meanwhile pleadings to be completed. List the matter on February 26," the bench said.

The bench asked the petitioner's counsel to file their counter to the affidavit submitted by the Central Bureau of Investigation and other respondents.

Advocate Devadatt Kamat, appearing for the Karnataka government, said that they have filed their reply as directed by the court in its earlier order.

On December 11, last year, the apex court had favoured a CBI probe into the murders of Kalburgi, social activist Govind Pansare and journalist Gauri Lankesh if there appeared a "common thread" in these incidents.

The murders of all three activists occurred over the last five years.

The top court had asked the CBI to inform it by January first week whether it would like to investigate these three murder cases as it is already probing the murder of social activist Narendra Dabholkar.

The CBI had filed its response in a sealed cover.

Karnataka police in its status report had told the top court that there appears to be an "intimate connection" between the murders of Kalburgi in 2015 and Gauri Lankesh in 2017.

The court had observed that one probe agency should investigate all the four cases, if prima facie it appears that there is a "common thread" in the murders.

The Karnataka government had said that the Kalburgi case has some intimate connections with the Gauri Lankesh murder case and key conspirators were identified and certain recoveries have also been made.

Activist Govind Pansare was also killed in 2015. Lankesh was shot dead on September 5, 2017 in Bengaluru, whereas rationalist Narendra Dabholkar whose case was already probed by CBI was assassinated on August 20, 2013.

The top court had on November 26 pulled up the Karnataka government for "doing nothing and just fooling around" in the investigation and had indicated that it may transfer the case to the Bombay High Court.

The apex court had on January 10 sought the response of probe agencies NIA and CBI and the two state governments on the allegation of Uma Devi that no substantial investigation has been carried out so far in the murder case.

Kalburgi's wife, in her petition, had alleged that there was acommon link between the murder of her husband and that of activists Narendra Dabholkar and Govind Pansare.

Kalburgi, former vice chancellor of Hampi University and a well-known epigraphist, was shot dead in broad daylight at his residence in Kalyan Nagar in Dharwad, Karnataka, on August 30, 2015.

Born in 1938, he was a Sahitya Akademi award-winning writer of old Kannada literature.

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Pakistan on Friday announced introduction of a new visa policy in a bid to revive the tourism sector which was decimated by years of neglect and terrorism.

Under the new policy, the citizens of 175 countries will be able to get visa electronically, over the internet, while visa-on-arrival facility would be provided to the nationals of 60 countries, including the Indian-origin US and UK nationals on their American and British passports.

Pakistan's Information Minister Fawad Chaudhary told reporters here that Pakistan had open visa policy until 1965 and was one of the leading tourism destinations.

"The new policy will attract more tourists. We have mountain tourism, religious tourism, beach tourism, cities and a huge food tourism," he said.

Chaudhary said that after consulting with different departments, the government decided to provide the e-visa facility to the nationals of 175 countries.

The government has also decided to ease the process for granting work visa to the nationals of 96 countries.

To promote business, a businessman would get a visa in 7-10 days, but they would need a letter from the Board of Investment.

Changing the visa rules for diplomats, Chaudhary said now diplomats would be issued a visa for three years, instead of one year earlier while student will get a visa for two years, instead of one year.

Visas issued for religious purposes would remain valid for 45 days, the Minister added.

In another major development, the Pakistan government has decided to lift the restriction on the movement of journalists in the country.

Earlier, journalists were restricted to move in three cities only but under the new regime, journalist visas would be issued for visiting other cities on the recommendation of the information ministry.

Chaudhary said that foreign tourists will get visa to visit the whole country but they will have to take special permission to travel to the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.

He said the Cabinet on Thursday also decided to relax visa policy for the nationals of 60 countries and given them Pakistani visas on arrival.

"This is massive change in the country's visa regime to facilitate people to come to Pakistan," the Minister said. "We are going to open Pakistan to foreign journalists, businessmen, tourists and investors."



The decision to ease visa regime was taken following a meeting of Prime Minister Imran Khan and Chief of the Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa who approved the decision to relax the visa rules.

Chaudhry said the Cabinet also decided to reform media regulatory regime by merging different bodies created to oversee print and electronic media.

Cabinet approved formation of the Pakistan Media Regulatory Authority (PMRA) after merging the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) and the Press Council of Pakistan (PCP) that will regulate all kinds of media.

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Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik Friday blamed Pakistan for continuing its support to terrorists and engineering infiltration across the Indo-Pak border to disrupt peace and harmony in the state.

He said the administration was taking required measures to alleviate the sufferings of border dwellers.

"Our neighbouring country (Pakistan) continues to support terrorists to disrupt peace and harmony in the state," Malik said in his message on the occasion of 70th Republic Day.

He said there have been repeated attempts to infiltrate terrorists across the International Border and Line of Control.

"Repeated ceasefire violations have brought untold hardships to the people living in the villages along the borders," he said.

The Governor also hailed the armed forces and state police for working tirelessly in maintaining unity and integrity of the nation.

"On this joyous seventieth Republic Day, I extend warm greetings to the people of Jammu & Kashmir. On this day, we remember and pay tributes to the founding fathers of the nation who fought for our freedom and handed over to us a constitution that guarantees liberty, equality and justice.

"Notwithstanding the tough terrain, climate and other challenges, our armed and security forces continue to maintain strict vigil and alertness on our frontiers," he said.

"Our armed and police forces also carried out effective operations to neutralise the largest number of terrorists ever in a year," Malik said.

"Our hearts also go out to the families of the civilians who lost their loved ones in the wanton violence," he added in the message.

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The grievance cell of the Jammu and Kashmir administration has resolved over 44,000 complaints over a period of seven months, officials said on Friday.

Since the imposition of the Governor's rule in the state on June 20, 2018 till date, the cell has received 45,045 complaints of which 44,050 have been dealt with, they said.

These complaints have been forwarded to the quarters concerned for timely redressal, the officials added.

A total of 995 complaints are under process, they said further.

The three advisors to Governor Satya Pal Malik have been regularly meeting and hearing the grievances both in Srinagar and Jammu, they said.

The officials further said the advisors are regularly reviewing the disposal of the grievances pertaining to their respective departments.

After completion of six months of Governor's rule, the state came under President's rule on December 20, 2018.

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The Railway Police Friday found an abandoned bag containing three rifles and nine bullets at the Amritsar Railway Station here, officials said.

The bag was hidden under one of the staircases on platform number 6 of the station, they said.

Confirming the seizure, Inspector Railway Police Balbir Singh said forces were on high alert ahead of Republic Day.

There is a possibility that the arms may have been smuggled into the city to carry out nefarious designs on the eve of Republic Day or on January 26 itself, he said.

A probe has been launched on how the arms and ammunition reached the station, he added.

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The Odisha government Friday released over Rs 622 crore directly to the accounts of 12.45 lakh farmers under Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation (KALIA).

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik disbursed the funds at a public meeting attended by thousands of farmers from across the state.

Patnaik had launched the KALIA scheme on December 31, 2018 to bring succour to stressed farmers.

"I release the funds for over 12 lakh farmers of the state. With the blessings of Lord Jagannath, I start the KALIA Yatra from Puri today and it cannot be stopped by anybody," Patnaik said.

Hoping that KALIA will be a milestone in Odishas economic development, Patnaik said: "The scheme will boost agriculture and improve the condition of the farmers. KALIA will be a torchbearer for the entire nation".

Alhough over 66 lakh farmers have applied to be included in the scheme, only 12.45 lakh farmers could be accomodated in the first phase.

"An amount of Rs 622,74,50,000 has been released today," said cooperation secretary Krishan Kumar.

The scheme promises Rs 5,000 for each farmer, irrespective of his holding, and spread over five seasons till 2021-22; livelihood assistance of Rs 12,500 to each landless family to help generate income in areas like animal rearing, pisciculture, honey and mushroom cultivation; interest-free crop loans and Rs 2 lakh insurance cover for each farmer.

KALIA aims to cover 92 per cent of the farming community of the state, while loan waiver could have given benefit to only 20 per cent of farmers. This apart, the farmers get it as incentives and need not repay. The transaction is made in a transparent manner by transferring money directly into farmersaccounts, an official said.

The highest number of beneficiaries were from Balasore, where 1,00,976 farmers received the funds, followed by Ganjam where 84, 576 farmers get the benefit.

Mayurbhanj came third with 76,243 farmers in the first phase disbursement under KALIA.

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Former Haryana chief minister Om Prakash Chautala, serving a 10-year jail term in teachers' recruitment scam case, Friday moved the Delhi High Court, challenging AAP government's decision barring him from any political activities during his three-week furlough.

The INLD chief was initially to be released on furlough from January 22 ahead of Jind by-poll, however, later the date was postponed to January 29, that is, after elections with the condition that he shall not attend/address any political meeting/gathering and shall not involve in political activities during the period of furlough, his plea claimed.

The by-poll is scheduled for January 28 after the seat fell vacant following the death of INLD MLA Harichand Middha.

Chautala, 83, alleged in his petition, filed through advocate Amit Sahni, that he was a victim of "political conspiracy hatched between the ruling Aam Aadmi Party in Delhi headed by Arvind Kejriwal and Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) headed by his grandson Dushyant Chautala".

Dushyant Chautala is the son of Ajay Chautala.

O P Chautala, his son Ajay and 53 others, including two IAS officers, were among 55 persons convicted on January 16, 2013 by the trial court for illegally recruiting 3,206 Junior Basic Teachers in Haryana in 2000.

Chautala's sentence was upheld by the Delhi High Court and later by the Supreme Court.

Chautala, in his plea, has made Delhi government and Home Minister Satyendar Jain parties.

The petition alleged that due to the plot hatched by his family members, now heading JJP, his release on furlough was interfered and later a new condition was imposed for not participating any political activity or addressing any gathering.

It said that in the January 17 order of the Director General of Prisons, Tihar Jail, granting him furlough, there was no condition but later on January 18, the condition for no participation in any political activity was added.

Later, after directions of the Delhi home minister, earlier furlough orders were suppressed and on January 21, furlough was made operative from January 29, after by-polls, it claimed.

"Two AAP MLAs namely Surender Singh Commando and Sukhbir Dalal met patron of JJP namely Ajay Chautala (son of the petitioner) on January 17, 2019, when the latter was on furlough for two weeks and AAP agreed to extend support to JJP candidate in Jind by-election, Haryana but formal announcement was not made in this regard.

"Immediately after the meeting, vide order dated January 18, additional condition was added to the furlough order dated January 17 by pressurising the Director General (Prisons)...," the plea alleged.

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As the mind starts drifting to thoughts of San Diego  or even beaches along the East Coast 
A city court Friday rejected the anticipatory bail application of former non-executive director of NSEL Joseph Massey in the alleged Rs 5,600-crore scam at the now-defunct commodities spot exchange.

Massey's pre-arrest bail plea was rejected by Additional Sessions Judge D E Kothalikar.

A detailed order is expected later.

The court passed the order after hearing arguments of the Mumbai Police's Economic Offences Wing (EOW), which is probing the 2013 case.

The EOW told the court it recently received forensic audit report related to the National Spot Exchange Ltd (NSEL) and it was necessary to interrogate Massey about its content.

Among other things, the EOW wanted to question him regarding "financial irregularities", "falsification of account" and "fictitious trade" done by the NSEL during the period of offence, the agency had told the court.

The NSEL scam refers to the payment crisis driven by the physical absence of the commodities against the invested money.

As many as 13,000 investors have claimed losses after the trading platform faced a payment crisis, forcing the government to order its shuttering.

The crisis broke out on July 31, 2013 when the exchange failed to honour its commitments to the investors.

In 2014, the police had filed a charge-sheet against six individuals and subsequently against NSEL founder Jignesh Shah, who was arrested on May 7, 2014.

Shah is currently out on bail.

Last week, the EOW had arrested Shashidhar Kotian, a former chief financial officer of the NSEL, in connection with the scam.

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Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) has been awarded the best miniratna PSU in strategic performance (financial category) at the Governance Now Sixth PSU awards.

The award, comprising of a trophy, was presented to NRL MD S K Barua by Member of Parliament Manoj Tiwari and veteran actress and social activist Poonam Dhillon at an award function held in New Delhi recently, a NRL release said Friday.

The awards are given out in recognition of the efforts of Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) whu have played a key role in the countrys growth. They are evaluated by a two-phase rigorous process by data science agency M76 Analytics (IIT Bombay incubated) while the performances are measured using the Moody's methodology, the release added.

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In a joint operation with the Special Task Force, local police nabbed a notorious criminal carrying a cash reward of Rs 50,000 on his head following an encounter here, police said Friday.

During a joint vehicle checking drive on the Badaut-Baghpat road Thursday night, police stopped two motorcycle-borne men who opened fire while trying to escape, injuring two constables of the STF, Arvind and Devdutt, Superintendent of Police Shailesh Kumar Pandey said.

In the return fire, the man sitting on the pillion was injured and fell, while the rider fled, the SP said, adding that he has been identified as Ramvir Bavariya.

He has cases of murder, loot and dacoity lodged against him in Lucknow, the SP added.

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Former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda called the CBI raids against him on Friday "political vendetta" to suppress his voice.

CBI teams raided his house here and several other premises in Delhi and the National Capital Region in connection with alleged land irregularities during the Congress leader's tenure as chief minister.

It's nothing but political vendetta. They want to suppress my voice, in which they will not succeed, he told reporters after the Central Bureau of Investigation officials left his home.

He said he fully cooperated with the officials, adding, They found nothing.

"They took a copy of an income tax return filed by my nephew a long time back," he said.

"Nothing was found against me," he added.

"I am from a family of freedom fighters, even the British could not suppress us, he said.

He said that he would fight his battle himself.

"I know the legal process and have full faith in the judicial system," he said.

Lashing at Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, he said, "The CM gives statements against me without facts."



Hooda was to address a Congress rally in Jind Friday in favour of Randeep Singh Surjewala, a senior party leaders who is contesting in an assembly by-poll there.

"I will not be able to attend the rally now," he said, adding he is confident that the party will win.

The Jind by-poll on Monday follows the death of Indian National Lok Dal MLA Hari Chand Middha. It is also the first election for the Jannayak Janta Party, formed after a split in the INLD.

Earlier, Congress legislator and former speaker Kuldeep Sharma charged that the raids were meant to stop Hooda from attending the election meeting.

The raids were carried out with the ill-intention of influencing the by-election, the Ganaur MLA charged.

Rohtak MP Deepinder Singh Hooda, who is the son of the two-time CM, was also in the house during the raid.

"The present BJP government is working with political vendetta for the past five years," he said.

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Two bills to end the US government have been rejected by the Senate, leaving no end in sight to the record-breaking closure of federal agencies over President Donald Trump's controversial plan to build a border wall along the US-Mexico border.

Trump is demanding USD 5.7 billion of congressional funding to build the wall, but the Democrats have refused. Some 800,000 federal employees have been going unpaid since December 22 due to the shutdown.

In back-to-back votes on Thursday, the Senate first blocked Trump's proposal to add USD 5.7 billion for his border wall to legislation to resume funding for the government, then turned back a Democratic measure that omitted the wall. Neither side was able to garner the 60 votes needed to advance its bill.

A Republican-backed measure to fund Trump's border wall failed in a 50-47 vote.

Three senators Democrat Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Republicans Tom Cotton of Arkansas and Mike Lee of Utah broke with their parties.

A plan supported by Democrats fared better, but still fell short in a 52-44 vote. Six Republican senators supported it.

Senate leaders from both parties later briefly discussed a new proposal to reopen federal agencies for three weeks.

Trump was noncommittal, telling reporters at the White House that he would only sign a bill if it included a "down payment" on a border barrier.

"One of the ideas suggested is they open it, they pay sort of a pro-rated down payment for the wall, which I think people would agree that you need the wall," Trump told reporters at the White House.

White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters that any resolution would work if there is a "large down payment" on the wall.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Trump's request was not reasonable.

Later Trump said that he has a lot of alternatives.

"We have a lot of alternatives. Honestly, everybody, for the most part, people agree. When I say everybody, I would say almost everybody agree, we have to have border security. We have to have a wall in order to have border security. You cannot have border security without a wall," he said.

The failure to advance the bills left Washington with no obvious path out of the longest shutdown in US history.

Neither the president nor Democratic leaders have shown any willingness to back down even in the 34th day of the partial shutdown.

Thousands of government employees have scrambled to pay for meals and cover their bills. The shutdown has affected various services from airports to FBI investigations and food safety inspections.

CNN, meanwhile said the White House was preparing a draft proclamation for Trump to declare a national emergency along the southern border and has identified more than USD 7 billion in potential funds for his signature border wall should he go that route.

Trump has not ruled out using his authority to declare a national emergency and direct the Defense Department to construct a border wall as Congress and the White House fight over a deal to end the government shutdown. But while Trump's advisers remain divided on the issue, the White House has been moving forward with alternative plans that would bypass Congress.

Trump's State of the Union address, scheduled for Tuesday, has also been postponed until the end of the shutdown following an acrimonious tit-for-tat with Pelosi.

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Nippon Paint Friday said it has launched an initiative in the country offering body and paint repair services to car buyers.

Under the concept of Nippon Paint X'press, the company is planning to open centres which would provide body and paint repair and car care services to retail customers while cutting process times.

The company will open the first of the centres under the franchise route in Gurgaon followed by outlets in other major cities.

"India is one of our key growth markets and our focus is on providing high quality, innovative products and solutions to our growing customer base in India," Nippon Paint India Managing Director Shae Toh Hock said in a statement.

The company is introducing Green Efficiency, a unique paint system that delivers express painting solutions, while complying to EU 2004 emission norms, he added.

"Not only is the whole painting system green and eco-friendly but highly productive too, something that is really needed in a fast-paced country like India," Hock said.

Nippon Paint India is part of the Nipsea Group which together with Nippon Paint of Japan forms the largest coatings group in Asia Pacific and the fourth largest in the world in terms of revenue.

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Nepal and India should be sensitive towards each others' concerns and they should cooperate with each other to move forward on the path of mutual interest, senior Nepali leaders said on Friday.

Talking to reporters here on the eve of India's Republic Day, the leaders also called for the early adoption and implementation of the Eminent Persons' Group's report (EPG) on Nepal-India relations to further strengthen the ties.

Senior leader of Nepali Congress and former Finance Minister Ramsharan Mahat said the bilateral relations should contribute towards attaining economic prosperity for Nepal.

"Nepal has a huge trade deficit with India and to reduce the deficit Nepal should increase its export to India which requires favourable laws and agreements," Mahat said.

"India's Republic Day is an important event for those countries that have gained freedom from colonialism," said Mahat.

The report prepared by the EPG of the two countries is an important step taken towards making bilateral relations updated and timely, he pointed out, adding there is a need to implement the report at the earliest.

The EPG was formed in 2016 by the governments of Nepal and India for reviewing the entire gamut of Nepal-India relations and update bilateral agreements and treaties, including the Nepal-India Friendship Treaty 1950.

"I congratulate the government and people of India on this occasion and also extend best wishes that India could move forward as a prosperous nation," he said.

Nepal and India enjoy close people-to-people relations since time immemorial that needs to be updated and consolidated from time to time and the EPG report was prepared towards fulfilling the objective, said former Nepal' ambassador to India Bahadur Thapa.

"We are eagerly waiting for early adoption and implementation of the EPG report which will certainly add new dimension in existing bilateral relations," he remarked.

Intellectuals of both the countries have shown keen interest in the report which is a common document prepared through consensus after holding wide range of discussions and debate between eminent persons of both the countries, he pointed out.

"The implementation of the report will certainly strengthen and improve relations between the two countries," he said.

"Nepal and India should be sensitive towards each others issues and they should cooperate with each other to move forward on the path of mutual interest," said former Minister for Foreign Affairs Prakash Chandra Lohani.

There are immense possibilities and opportunities between the two countries which need to be explored for the benefit of the two countries, Lohani said.

"Nepal is economically backward but so far we have not been able to take adequate benefit from our bilateral relations," he pointed out, adding "India's help and cooperation is important for Nepal's development."



The energy secretaries of the two countries have recently held discussions in the matters pertaining to opening energy bank for the benefit of the two countries, which is a positive development, he said.

The present relations between Nepal and India can be termed as the best at all time, claimed Infrastructure and Physical Planning Minister Raghubir Mahaseth.

He underlined the need to increase cooperation and collaboration between the two countries in the areas of agriculture, development and infrastructure.

"Nepal and India are tied together with common bonds of history, culture, religion, language and economy since time immemorial and no one should create disturbance to spoil this age old close and friendly relations," said Anil Jha, a leader of Rastriya Janta Party Nepal.

"Both Nepal and India are facing the common problems of terrorism and cross border crimes and the two countries need to join hands to get rid of them and move forward on the path of prosperity," he pointed out.

The Madhesi leader, however, said the EPG report was prepared without the participation of Madhesi people, who reside in the border areas, therefore it is unacceptable to them.

"The report should be redrawn with the inclusion of representation from the Madhesi community people to make it acceptable to all," he pointed out.

Indian Ambassador to Nepal Manjiv Singh Puri said Nepal and India have unique people-to-people relations and there is a need to nurture and strengthen these relations from time to time.

He said Birgunj Raxaul dry port recently constructed under Nepal India cooperation has been instrumental in boosting Nepal's trade as this trading point accounts for more than 50 per cent of the Himalayan country's total international trade, he said.

Other dry ports are under -construction in Biratnagar, Bhairahawa and Nepalgunj, with the assistance of India, he pointed out.

People-to-people contact between Nepal and India play an important role in strengthening and expanding bilateral ties between the two countries, Puri said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
National Voters' Day was celebrated across the northeast on Friday as leaders urged the young voters of their respective states to exercise franchise without fail.

The National Voters' Day is the foundation day of the Election Commission of India (ECI) which was set up in 1950. The day was first celebrated in 2011 to encourage young voters to take part in the electoral process.

In Aizawl, Mizoram Governor Kummanam Rajasekharan launched the voters' helpline number '1950' and mobile app for people with disabilities as part of the celebrations.

The governor appealed to all voters to exercise their franchise in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections and ensure peaceful conduct of the polls.

State chief electoral officer Ashish Kundra said that the electronic voting machines' (EVM) reliability was proven and statements questioning it were unwarranted.

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Secretary Satya Gopal said that adult franchise is a constitutional right of every citizen above 18 years of age.

Addressing a function in Itanagar, Gopal said that as members of Team Arunachal all should ensure they don;t fall prey to money politics, illegal and nefarious electoral practices or allow any political party candidate to do so.

The state has 7.94,182 voters which has recorded a rise of 35,286 or 2.75 per cent, he said.

In Shillong, Meghalaya Additional Chief Secretary Hector Marwein launched the '1950' VVIP (Voter verification & Implementation Programme) helpline where voters can confirm and verify their names and other details.

The launch was part of the celebration of the National Voters Day which was held at the picturesque Wards Lake here.

In his address, Marwein said the State Election department has been working tirelessly to ensure that every eligible person participates in the elections.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday conferred the Nao Sena Medal to Commander Tomy Abhilash, who had participated in the Golden Globe navigation race last year, but was severely injured after his sailing vessel was battered by violent winds and waves in the high seas.

Abhilash was stranded 3,200 km off the coast of Western Australia after his sailing vessel, INSV Thuriya, had its mast broken during a severe storm in the Indian Ocean.

The injury had left him incapacitated on his bunk inside his boat, but he was rescued by a French fisheries patrol vessel.

The Indian Navy had made all-out efforts to rescue the sailor and bring him back.

Abhilash also earned praise for the grit and temperament he had displayed during trying conditions.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
On the 9th National Voters Day, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday urged the youth to enrol in voters' list, saying people's participation in the electoral exercise strengthens democracy's foundation.

In 2011, the Election Commission had started observing January 25 as the National Voters Day.

The EC came into being on January 25, 1950, a day before India became a republic.

"On the National Voters day, I urge all countrymen to enrol themselves in the voters list and exercise their franchise during elections. People's participation in the electoral process is essential to strengthen the democratic foundations of the country," Naidu's office tweeted.

The PM, while greeting people on the occasion, said, "This is a day to reaffirm our commitment towards further strengthening our democracy by unfailingly participating in democratic processes at the local, state and national levels."



He said, it will go a long way in building a New India.

"I urge people from all walks of life to create awareness on voter registration and especially request my young friends to register themselves as voters if they have not done so already. Every vote cast enhances our democratic fabric," he wrote on Twitter.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)




As a frequent traveller all these years, I have visited more than 50 different airports ranging from really small to mega world-class airports, and I guess it is time that I put some focus on airport reviews now.









However, in this review, I would like to emphasise on the current budget or low-cost terminals that have changed travel rapidly in the last decade, and it will focus on the Don Mueang International Airport and KLIA2, Malaysia's budget airline airport.



The Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2



Review of the Don Mueang International Airport vs KLIA2 This is not my first airport review as towards the end of this article, I will share some of my other airport reviews done over the last few years.However, in this review, I would like to emphasise on the current budget or low-cost terminals that have changed travel rapidly in the last decade, and it will focus on the Don Mueang International Airport and KLIA2, Malaysia's budget airline airport.





First and foremost, flying into Don Mueang airport requires you to be on a budget airline, and for me, it was AirAsia that flies from Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 or KLIA2 to the Bangkok budget terminal.









The new terminal two of Don Muang International



Since September 2006, all major airlines moved to the new international airport, and Don Mueang closed shortly for some renovations, only to reopen back in March 2007. Since then, the former airport was known as the low-cost carrier airport in Bangkok. As I have been flying into Bangkok for the last 30 years, using various airlines, I would like to share how Don Mueang was quite run down after Suvarnabhumi Airport took over as Thailand's international airport.Since September 2006, all major airlines moved to the new international airport, and Don Mueang closed shortly for some renovations, only to reopen back in March 2007. Since then, the former airport was known as the low-cost carrier airport in Bangkok.





If you have been flying as long as I have, you would have known how bad the condition of Don Mueang was back in 2006 to 2013. But soon, it all changed to one of the most efficient airports in the region.





Well, all I can say is that Thailand really valued tourism very much, and from 2013 to 2018, tremendous improvements have been done to make this one of the easiest airports in Southeast Asia to visit.





Below is a timeline of what Airports of Thailand did, and is still doing for the Don Mueang Airport;





September 2013 to May 2014 - Three billion Baht renovation for Terminal 2.

December 2015 - Completion of Terminal 2. Passenger capacity increased to 30 million a year.

December 2018 - 38 million passenger capacity achieved.

2018 to 2024 - 38 billion Baht expansion plan, includes Terminal 3.









Nok Air is one of the airlines that flies from Don Mueang



What Airlines Fly To Don Mueang Airport? When you look at the statistics and numbers for Don Mueang Airport, it is no surprise that Thailand is going full steam ahead for the tourism arrivals, and to do so, you need a fully functional airport that can handle this.





There is no doubt that AirAsia is Don Mueang's biggest customer, with AirAsia Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia all landing there. However, many other budget carriers land here as well. They include;



AirAsia

- Malaysia

- Thailand

- Philippines

- Indonesia

- Malaysia - Thailand - Philippines - Indonesia Malindo Air

Nok Air

NokScoot

Scoot

JC International

Thai AirAsia X

Thai Lion Air

Tigerair Taiwan









Don Mueang International Airport, outside



Comparison of Don Mueang Airport and KLIA2 As a hub for budget airlines, I have to say it is quite impressive to have so many different airlines landing here in Don Mueang, and if you look at KLIA2, in one hand, you can count the number of airlines that land here.





Malaysia is home to AirAsia, and we obviously have our own budget terminal, which is called the Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2, or KLIA2 in short.



With that, I assumed that our budget terminal would also be on par or perhaps better than other countries. Yes, Malaysia Airports has been trying hard to make airports world-class over the last decade.





However, when you do an apple to apple comparison, we are left far behind. Even though KLIA2 launched as a modern lifestyle budget terminal, everything did not flow as to how an airport should flow.









The distance of both airports, using Google Maps



Distance to the Airport With that, let me just share with you the simple process of what happens when you go to an airport to check-in for your flight, comparing both airports.





KLIA2 - The distance from the city centre to KLIA to is a whopping 58.3 kilometres, making this one of the furthest airports in Asia, if not the furthest.





To drive here, it takes about 60 minutes, and sometimes up to 90 minutes one way, depending on traffic. The only good thing is that there is a train that gets you from KL Sentral to KLIA2 in 30 minutes. A Grab car will cost you RM65.00 one way, minus toll charges.





Don Mueang Airport - From the airport to Bangkok Central, it is only 23 kilometres in distance, and an average of 30 minutes drive. Grab Car only charges around 300 to 400 Baht, or you can even take the local bus and then change to the BTS for less than that.





Conclusion - As KLIA2 is a beautiful airport without a proper system, it does not work in favour of the passengers. I will have to say that Don Mueang takes the prize here as the closest airport to a city.



The main drop off area of KLIA2. Photo by www.klia2.info



Arriving at the Airport - As KLIA2 is a beautiful airport without a proper system, it does not work in favour of the passengers. I will have to say that Don Mueang takes the prize here as the closest airport to a city.





KLIA2 - When you arrive at departure area, you will find multiple lanes, with cars always hogging the drop off areas on the out most lane. Police or authorities are hardly seen monitoring this, or often at times, they are there but not doing anything.









One thing I always notice is the urgency of people that get dropped off at KLIA2. Sometimes, the entire family and neighbours want to tag along, and they spend a good ten minutes saying their goodbyes at the drop off areas.



The drop-off area at Don Mueang International Airport



Don Mueang Airport - The main highway runs past the airport and turning in is hassle-free. When you arrive at the terminals, there is only one main road for vehicles to drop off passengers, and it is constantly monitored by airport authorities. Plus the closest lane to the airport entrance is permanently blocked off for VIPs, and often the second lane can also be closed, leaving only the third and outer lane open. When this happens, there is a congestion in the third lane during peak hours, which can be frustrating.One thing I always notice is the urgency of people that get dropped off at KLIA2. Sometimes, the entire family and neighbours want to tag along, and they spend a good ten minutes saying their goodbyes at the drop off areas.- The main highway runs past the airport and turning in is hassle-free. When you arrive at the terminals, there is only one main road for vehicles to drop off passengers, and it is constantly monitored by airport authorities.



They are strict and no-nonsense and will chase away cars that wait there. Because of this system, there is hardly any traffic congestion here, and providing a smooth traffic flow.





The terminals are also all laid out in an elongated format, so terminal one and two has their own drop-off, which is part of a continuous road. Along with both terminals, you will also find bus stops, taxi stops and the general car stop for dropping passengers off.



The great thing about this drop off area is that people get dropped off, and the cars dropping them will move on. If they want to say long goodbyes, they will usually park at the airport parking.





Conclusion - Don Mueang wins this vote due to the simple and practical airport layout and flow. This makes it easy for travellers to manoeuvre from the drop off to the check-in counter without much walking.



Authorities are extremely strict at the drop off areas in Bangkok, where else in KLIA2, they may or may not be there, and this is a loophole for locals taking advantage of the system.



One of the check-in counters at KLIA2



Check-In Counters at the Airport - Don Mueang wins this vote due to the simple and practical airport layout and flow. This makes it easy for travellers to manoeuvre from the drop off to the check-in counter without much walking.Authorities are extremely strict at the drop off areas in Bangkok, where else in KLIA2, they may or may not be there, and this is a loophole for locals taking advantage of the system.





KLIA2 - Because of the lifestyle concept of having a mall and terminal linked together, Malaysia Airports makes passengers walk through the mall before reaching the departure terminal of KLIA2.



If you have been here before, you will know that you need to walk at least half a kilometre inside before you arrive at the check-in counters of the departure terminal.





Malaysians being always late, tend to rush for their check-in and so on, and in most cases, they are always cutting it close. This has also become a local habit for those travelling.



Honestly, this concept does not work for a budget terminal, but I do not blame the airport designers for trying to be different, and in the end, it shows how passengers are always rushing to check-in for their flights.









There is no direct drop off to the departure hall of the airport, hence please take not of this flaw.



The distance from where you get dropped off and the check-in counters



Don Mueang Airport - The minute you walk into the airport door, the check-in counters are located just meters from the main doors. All you need to do is find out which row your counter is and head straight there. This also means that you need extra time to walk from the main door of the drop-off point, and I estimate around 10 minutes before you reach the departure hall, with a casual walk.There is no direct drop off to the departure hall of the airport, hence please take not of this flaw.- The minute you walk into the airport door, the check-in counters are located just meters from the main doors. All you need to do is find out which row your counter is and head straight there.









Even how busy or stressed, the Thai AirAsia staff know how to maintain a pleasant smile



The only set back I found is that due to the popularity of the airlines, some of the check-in counters can get crowded. But the airlines have overcome this with fast and efficient staff that keep the momentum moving, to avoid jamming up the areas. This layout is extremely functional, and straight to the point with no hassles or distraction. Airports of Thailand or AoT in short, has made it easy for passengers to check in once they arrive at the airport, which is what it should be.The only set back I found is that due to the popularity of the airlines, some of the check-in counters can get crowded. But the airlines have overcome this with fast and efficient staff that keep the momentum moving, to avoid jamming up the areas.





Conclusion - Again, Don Mueang Airport gets the vote due to a simple and functional system where after you get dropped off, you are already at the check-in area, without having to walk too far.



Gateway KLIA2, the main shopping mall before the airport terminal



Shops Layout at the Airport - Again, Don Mueang Airport gets the vote due to a simple and functional system where after you get dropped off, you are already at the check-in area, without having to walk too far.





KLIA2 - Because of the KL Gateway mall being your main entry point, you can easily get distracted before checking in for your flight. It is good and bad in having this concept of a mall in an airport.





Anyway, the mall is spacious, but the outlets tend to be occupied by only the big names or chains. One thing for sure is that you will not find any local small brands here, due to the excessively high rentals charged.









When your gate is right at the end, you tend to hurry and will not stop at the retail shops along the way



Honestly, how many times have you actually stopped to look at some of the shops, and if your gate is at the other end, you just tend to worry about reaching your gate. This results in the retail shops not doing well at all.



Those retail outlets nearest to the departure terminal tend to be the ones doing well, as after checking in, you can then explore the mall, provided you are not rushing. The bad side of this is that because most travellers are always in a rush, many tend to just bypass the mall and head straight to the check-in areas.Honestly, how many times have you actually stopped to look at some of the shops, and if your gate is at the other end, you just tend to worry about reaching your gate. This results in the retail shops not doing well at all.Those retail outlets nearest to the departure terminal tend to be the ones doing well, as after checking in, you can then explore the mall, provided you are not rushing.









How some of the restaurants and fast food shops are laid out conveniently



Don Mueang Airport - Somehow, I find the departure area being very straight forward, where when you first arrive, you will be greeted by the check-in area. Only after checking in, you will start to see the retail lots, and this is how an airport layout should be. But here's the fun part - The main departure hall at KLIA2 also has some food, cafe and retail outlets, and this is rather confusing as it looks like the airport management just wants to fill the place up with retail outlets.- Somehow, I find the departure area being very straight forward, where when you first arrive, you will be greeted by the check-in area. Only after checking in, you will start to see the retail lots, and this is how an airport layout should be.





The whole point of going to an airport is to check-in for your flight, and then only you look for retail outlets, food or drinks. Correct me if I am wrong on this part, but it has been like that for all these years, so why change the flow? Don't you think so?









The perfect layout for passengers as they head to the boarding gates



After the second phase of renovations, Don Mueang Airport was very well laid out for the passengers. After checking in to your flights, you get your boarding pass, and for those who do not want to shop or eat, can immediately just cross over to the passport control area without any hassle.

And if you wanted to eat or just walk around, you could do so in this elongated terminal concept. Priority outlets get to be closer to the check-in area, like the airport hospital, airport inquiry centre, toilets and also prayer rooms.





All other general retail outlets follow after the priority ones, and you can find them at two main levels of the airport with one of the best selections of fast food and other eateries and cafes.





Conclusion - Another vote goes to Don Mueang Airport for the overall shop layout plan in the airport. Doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure this out, unless you just want to fill an airport with shops located anywhere you can find a slot.



The automated passport gate for Malaysians at KLIA2



Passport Control at the Airport - Another vote goes to Don Mueang Airport for the overall shop layout plan in the airport. Doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure this out, unless you just want to fill an airport with shops located anywhere you can find a slot.





KLIA2 - After you have checked in, you will walk to the domestic passport or identification check, and also for the first layer of the body and bag screening. The domestic check is located at one leftmost corner of the airport.









The kind of sign you do not want to see when you are coming home to Malaysia



For local Malaysian, there are passport gates, which are meant to make passengers go through much faster and smoother. But often at times, they passport gates may not be all fully functioning, which can create really long lines. The international passport section is smack centre of the departure terminal and is not hard to miss. It is here where you will first go through the first layer of the airport police check for your boarding pass and identification. Right after this, it is straight to the immigration counter for your passport check.For local Malaysian, there are passport gates, which are meant to make passengers go through much faster and smoother. But often at times, they passport gates may not be all fully functioning, which can create really long lines.





Plus it does not help when there are no staff there to assist confused passengers. Many times that I have gone through these gates, there was no immigration staff stationed there. This led to many passengers frustrations on trying to utilize the passport gates.









Asean lane at the immigration counters. Photo by www.chiangraitimes.com



Don Mueang Airport - There are two entry points to the immigration checks for passengers, and I have to say AoT again, thought ahead for this. One point is for foreign travellers, and another entry point is for local Thai and Asean country citizens. Non-Malaysians still need to line up at the manned counters, and usually, it this works well. But on many occasions, I noticed a lack of immigration officers manning the counters, which result is really long lines. Honestly, do I need to elaborate more on this matter?- There are two entry points to the immigration checks for passengers, and I have to say AoT again, thought ahead for this. One point is for foreign travellers, and another entry point is for local Thai and Asean country citizens.





This way, you break up the different travellers, making it an easier flow for the passengers lining up to get their passport checked. At the Asean counters, at least two immigration officers are serving at any one time.





Towards the far right of the immigration, they have the Thai passport autogate. Other country travellers will just line up at the 'Foreign Passport' counters.





Here is what I found interesting. There are always AoT and immigration staff at the beginning of the lines, where they ask you where are you from, to smoothen out the process. And yes, they speak good English too.





This way, you know which lane you are supposed to be lining up at, and it will not confuse the lines at the passport checks.



Another plus point is that they have a dedicated lane just for PRC travellers, where the officer manning those counters are Mandarin-speaking staff.



This all makes perfect sense as it divides the majority of China travellers and the general other country travellers. I simply call this thinking ahead, and not making matters worst.





Conclusion - As for smooth immigration or passport flow, Don Mueang Airport again gets the vote for efficiency, courtesy, and most of all, friendly staff assisting passengers in this part of the airport.



A security check towards Gate Q at KLIA2, this is after the first check



- As for smooth immigration or passport flow, Don Mueang Airport again gets the vote for efficiency, courtesy, and most of all, friendly staff assisting passengers in this part of the airport.

Security Scanning Checks at the Airport





KLIA2 - Recently, the security scanning points at our local airports have gone from bad to worst, and not only KLIA2 but even at KLIA. Why I'm saying this is that there is no longer any professionalism involved among the airport police who man the stations.



Often, they are seen chatting away, laughing and treating it like a casual fast-food job. There have been times I notice how they harshly treat passengers, especially when the passengers do not know about the security check procedures.



There are also times, I see some of them on their smartphones. Wow, how did this behaviour become part of their jobs? Often, I find that they have a very 'sempoi' or laid back attitude, versus ten years ago when there was a little more professionalism involved.





Don Mueang Airport - The number of times I have been in and out of Bangkok, I never once saw the airport security personal or police joking or laughing among themselves, as they treat their job with respect and professionalism.



Yes, they do talk, but they keep it to a minimal and are constantly paying attention to the passengers that are undergoing the security checks. I think at most airports around the world, certain positions require strict professionalism, rather than a casual fun job.





Conclusion - Another vote to Don Mueang Airport for their staff's professional attitude. Honestly, I find the Malaysian security personal lacking integrity and professionalism, which looks really bad for our country. I hope that something gets done about this fast.



Often at times, passengers are seen rushing through the duty-free to get to their gates on time

Duty-Free Area at the Airport - Another vote to Don Mueang Airport for their staff's professional attitude. Honestly, I find the Malaysian security personal lacking integrity and professionalism, which looks really bad for our country. I hope that something gets done about this fast.





KLIA2 - For many years, I have personally seen how our duty-free products have been getting bad to worst. Correct me if I am wrong, but most passengers don't even stop at the duty-free areas anymore, and maybe just to get cigarettes or liquor, and that is all.



Have you wondered why? Simple, the duty-free selection that we carry are pretty limited. Meaning, the choices are not on par with other international airports.



For example, chocolates are one of the things that I personally avoid. Why? Because most of the chocolates have a short expiry life and are usually sold with promotions like buy two, get one free.



The duty-free at KLIA2 is conveniently located as passengers have to walk through to get their luggage, and this is at the international arrival hall. But due to the poor selection, passengers rather buy duty-free from the departing country than buying it from KLIA2.



Well laid out duty-free section in the international departure area



Don Mueang Airport - Their duty-free section is conveniently located just after your screening check, and the area is huge and well lit and inviting. Probably due to the market research on what travellers want, or what is in trend.



Promoters are seen all over, and ready to attend to customers, while products are world-class, with great selections, from perfumes to liquor, to local snacks, chocolates and cigarettes. This is exactly what travellers want to see when they travel.



The lively duty-free section of Don Mueang Airport



- For many years, I have personally seen how our duty-free products have been getting bad to worst. Correct me if I am wrong, but most passengers don't even stop at the duty-free areas anymore, and maybe just to get cigarettes or liquor, and that is all.Have you wondered why? Simple, the duty-free selection that we carry are pretty limited. Meaning, the choices are not on par with other international airports.For example, chocolates are one of the things that I personally avoid. Why? Because most of the chocolates have a short expiry life and are usually sold with promotions like buy two, get one free.The duty-free at KLIA2 is conveniently located as passengers have to walk through to get their luggage, and this is at the international arrival hall. But due to the poor selection, passengers rather buy duty-free from the departing country than buying it from KLIA2.- Their duty-free section is conveniently located just after your screening check, and the area is huge and well lit and inviting. Probably due to the market research on what travellers want, or what is in trend.Promoters are seen all over, and ready to attend to customers, while products are world-class, with great selections, from perfumes to liquor, to local snacks, chocolates and cigarettes. This is exactly what travellers want to see when they travel.

Even if I am not buying anything from duty-free, I will still make a detour to see what is new or what is available.





Often at times, I somehow managed to buy something due to the price and wow factor. Overall, the duty-free area layout is great for high traffic, as it is spacious and with many things to see.





Conclusion - And another vote goes to Don Mueang Airport, mainly for the wide selection, brightly lit duty-free] area and a lively place with attentive staff.



At KLIA2, if your gate is J22, then good luck walking there



Boarding Gates at the Airport - And another vote goes to Don Mueang Airport, mainly for the wide selection, brightly lit duty-free] area and a lively place with attentive staff.





KLIA2 - This has been a joke ever since the airport opened up, and why have gates laid out in a one-kilometre long row, when only AirAsia seems to be utilizing most of the gates.



Honestly, have you ever been given Gate J22? That is like the end of the airport, and they expect passengers to walk over 700 or 800 meters.



Gate J layout map at KLIA2. Just look at the number of gates in one area



As for design, yes, it looks nice on paper, but for functionality sake, it does not help at all, namely if the passengers are elderly. Moreover, you really need to find which wing your gate is located, and then find your way there.



The airport authorities may claim that they have a buggy service for elderly and disabled, but if you have been travelling as long as me, you will know that at times, there are no buggies available. Or you will have to wait over 20 minutes for one.



Don Mueang Airport - Their gating system is well planned and extremely functional for passengers, meaning that after you exit the passport control, you are in the main boarding walk area. All you need to do is find your gate which is either left of right. - This has been a joke ever since the airport opened up, and why have gates laid out in a one-kilometre long row, when only AirAsia seems to be utilizing most of the gates.Honestly, have you ever been given Gate J22? That is like the end of the airport, and they expect passengers to walk over 700 or 800 meters.As for design, yes, it looks nice on paper, but for functionality sake, it does not help at all, namely if the passengers are elderly. Moreover, you really need to find which wing your gate is located, and then find your way there.The airport authorities may claim that they have a buggy service for elderly and disabled, but if you have been travelling as long as me, you will know that at times, there are no buggies available. Or you will have to wait over 20 minutes for one.- Their gating system is well planned and extremely functional for passengers, meaning that after you exit the passport control, you are in the main boarding walk area. All you need to do is find your gate which is either left of right.



An aerial view of the main departure gate system at Don Mueang Airport



At most times, when I exit the passport control and security checks, I am in the main departure area, and I just need to walk about a hundred or two hundred meters to my main gate. And once I go into that area, the gates are broken up into six or eight boarding gates.



Not only that, each of the main gates has their own convenient shops or cafes, selling coffee, soft drinks, snacks and quick bites. This is what passengers want, and the best part, at affordable prices. At most times, when I exit the passport control and security checks, I am in the main departure area, and I just need to walk about a hundred or two hundred meters to my main gate. And once I go into that area, the gates are broken up into six or eight boarding gates.Not only that, each of the main gates has their own convenient shops or cafes, selling coffee, soft drinks, snacks and quick bites. This is what passengers want, and the best part, at affordable prices.





Conclusion - In terms of easy access and convenience, Don Mueang gets the vote, and one does not really need to get lost in their system. Just look for your gate number, which is straightforward.



This is just one of the many photos I took at KLIA2

Cleanliness at the Airport



KLIA2 - Airport cleanliness has always been one of my top criteria whenever I visit any airport, especially if it is a modern style airport, and for KLIA2, I have to say when it first opened, it was very clean.



However, over the years that I have been using the airport, I noticed that a lot of areas are neglected, and this simply shows what the airport management is doing. It is an eyesore and imagine the first-time visitors to Malaysia seeing the dirt and stains.



Well, not only KLIA2 but even KLIA, the national airport is also similar. I mean, yes the floors are clean, but it is the walls, glass and other areas that seem to be overlooked. Is it because the airport management has cut back on the cleaners?



Just take a look at the photo above, and it was taken along the walkway from the international arrival towards the main terminal building. Areas like these are visible by passing passengers, and it is such a shame to see that no one did anything about it.



The best part is that I hardly see cleaners around, and if there are, they are usually the foreign contract cleaners. I have a feeling that the contract budget was cut, hence the company only provides a limited number of cleaners.



An example to maintain the cleanliness of an airport daily, you require a workforce of 50 staff to do so, but with certain budget cuts or just trying to save some money, there are probably only 20 workers doing the work of 50 people.



This was after I reached the baggage area of Don Mueang. It looks spotless



Don Mueang - Because Don Mueang is an old airport, the original terminal building looks old, but somehow they manage to keep it clean. But when you compare the new terminal two, it is such a modern look and feel, with bright white lights and extremely clean.



Every now and then, I see cleaners pushing their cleaning carts, and often working solo and doing their work as supposed too. I tried to find fault by looking around for any areas that were dirty along the main path that passengers use, but I was surprised that I could not find any.



Conclusion - Vote to Don Mueang Airport again, and this is probably due to the airport management strict procedures of keeping an airport clean. Staff are all local, and not seen chatting or lazing, and some might conclude that there is an oversupply of local workers there.



The outdoor smoking areas on both wings of KLIA2, with a great view



Smoking Room and Areas at the Airport



KLIA2 - This section had to be included because I am a smoker, and there are also many smoking travellers all over the world. But for KLIA2, I am quite sad that the airport management does not view this as a passenger service or facility inside the main terminal.



Outside the airport, the smoking area is found at both wings of the main terminal building, which is located outside. The area is huge, and open-aired, which is also great for the view, and if it rains, you cannot utilise this area.



Yes, there are only two smoking rooms located inside the airport, one at the local domestic departure hall, and one more at the international departure hall. However, good luck if you want to locate it, as it is hidden away from general view, and with little or no signs.



The international departures smoking room at KLIA2 in horrible condition



Not only that, they do not have adequate signs to show where the smoking rooms are located at, and you will end up having to ask someone. - In terms of easy access and convenience, Don Mueang gets the vote, and one does not really need to get lost in their system. Just look for your gate number, which is straightforward.- Airport cleanliness has always been one of my top criteria whenever I visit any airport, especially if it is a modern style airport, and for KLIA2, I have to say when it first opened, it was very clean.However, over the years that I have been using the airport, I noticed that a lot of areas are neglected, and this simply shows what the airport management is doing. It is an eyesore and imagine the first-time visitors to Malaysia seeing the dirt and stains.Well, not only KLIA2 but even KLIA, the national airport is also similar. I mean, yes the floors are clean, but it is the walls, glass and other areas that seem to be overlooked. Is it because the airport management has cut back on the cleaners?Just take a look at the photo above, and it was taken along the walkway from the international arrival towards the main terminal building. Areas like these are visible by passing passengers, and it is such a shame to see that no one did anything about it.The best part is that I hardly see cleaners around, and if there are, they are usually the foreign contract cleaners. I have a feeling that the contract budget was cut, hence the company only provides a limited number of cleaners.An example to maintain the cleanliness of an airport daily, you require a workforce of 50 staff to do so, but with certain budget cuts or just trying to save some money, there are probably only 20 workers doing the work of 50 people.- Because Don Mueang is an old airport, the original terminal building looks old, but somehow they manage to keep it clean. But when you compare the new terminal two, it is such a modern look and feel, with bright white lights and extremely clean.Every now and then, I see cleaners pushing their cleaning carts, and often working solo and doing their work as supposed too. I tried to find fault by looking around for any areas that were dirty along the main path that passengers use, but I was surprised that I could not find any.- Vote to Don Mueang Airport again, and this is probably due to the airport management strict procedures of keeping an airport clean. Staff are all local, and not seen chatting or lazing, and some might conclude that there is an oversupply of local workers there.- This section had to be included because I am a smoker, and there are also many smoking travellers all over the world. But for KLIA2, I am quite sad that the airport management does not view this as a passenger service or facility inside the main terminal.Outside the airport, the smoking area is found at both wings of the main terminal building, which is located outside. The area is huge, and open-aired, which is also great for the view, and if it rains, you cannot utilise this area.Yes, there are only two smoking rooms located inside the airport, one at the local domestic departure hall, and one more at the international departure hall. However, good luck if you want to locate it, as it is hidden away from general view, and with little or no signs.Not only that, they do not have adequate signs to show where the smoking rooms are located at, and you will end up having to ask someone.





When you find them, just take a look at the condition of the smoking rooms. Dirty, unhygienic, and there is not even a monitor for the flight details.



For some reason, airports in Malaysia are the worst in terms of smoking rooms. Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand all have proper smoking rooms that are clean, and with good ventilation systems.









The smoking rooms are convenient places at each main gate area in Don Mueang



Don Mueang - The smoking rooms outside Don Mueang are clearly indicated, and one look, you will see signs pointing to where you can smoke outside the airport. They have allocated several areas for this, and have even provided chairs to sit down.



Inside the airport, there are smoking rooms at each gate, making it convenient for smokers to just pop in and have a cigarette before the flight. Yes, every main gate area has one smoking room. And the best part, the airport cleaners are constantly in and out, making sure the place is clean.



Conclusion - KLIA2 does not deserve any credit to this part as for years, they have neglected the smoking rooms inside the airport, and are one of the worst in the region.



They have it there for the sake of having it but do not upkeep the rooms. So, Don Mueang gets the vote because they do care for all passengers, smokers or non-smokers.



Outside the Don Mueang International Airport



Overall Conclusion Why are we so different? If you do not want to encourage passengers to smoke, then do not sell cigarettes in the airports.- The smoking rooms outside Don Mueang are clearly indicated, and one look, you will see signs pointing to where you can smoke outside the airport. They have allocated several areas for this, and have even provided chairs to sit down.Inside the airport, there are smoking rooms at each gate, making it convenient for smokers to just pop in and have a cigarette before the flight. Yes, every main gate area has one smoking room. And the best part, the airport cleaners are constantly in and out, making sure the place is clean.- KLIA2 does not deserve any credit to this part as for years, they have neglected the smoking rooms inside the airport, and are one of the worst in the region.They have it there for the sake of having it but do not upkeep the rooms. So, Don Mueang gets the vote because they do care for all passengers, smokers or non-smokers.
Hong Kong: HK ranked freest economy again

The Government today welcomed the Heritage Foundations recognition of Hong Kong as the world's freest economy for the 25th consecutive year.

Hong Kongs overall score in the 2019 Index of Economic Freedom report was 90.2, the only economy with an overall score of more than 90.

It achieved high scores of 90 or above in eight of 12 components measured in the report.

The foundation recognised Hong Kongs economic resilience, high-quality legal framework, low tolerance for corruption, high degree of government transparency, efficient regulatory framework and openness to global commerce.

Financial Secretary Paul Chan said: This achievement reaffirms the Governments steadfast commitment in upholding the free market principles over the years.

The Government will continue to uphold Hong Kongs fine tradition of the rule of law, maintain a simple and low tax system, improve government efficiency, safeguard the open and free trade regime and build a level playing field for all.

This story has been published on: 2019-01-25. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
In a first, a special court in Mumbai has allowed the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to "confiscate" over Rs 89 crore funds after the partner of an accused firm in a money-laundering case was declared a proclaimed offender, an official statement said on Friday.

The ED said the court of special PMLA judge M S Azmi in Mumbai had ordered confiscation of bank balance worth Rs 89.56 crore, following the central probe agency's money-laundering investigation in the SpeakAsia online marketing scam.

"This is the first case where the agency has been able to confiscate liquid cash of such magnitude and added it to the central government's kitty," the ED statement said.

A senior official said getting a confiscation order under the anti-money laundering law, enforced in the country by the ED, was a very lengthy process, involving multiple stages of investigation, filing of chargesheets, trial in courts and further appeals.

The Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) was enacted in 2002 and implemented from 2005, but an order to confiscate assets and deposit those with the government exchequer was never issued before, he added.

Only the recently-enacted Fugitive Economic Offenders Act had a provision for immediate confiscation of assets and the cases registered under it, like the ones against Vijay Mallya and Mehul Choksi, were still in progress, the official said.

The ED had registered a criminal case against SpeakAsia Online Pvt Ltd (SAOPL), its officials and a few others in 2012 under the PMLA. It is alleged that the firm duped investors of funds worth about Rs 700 crore.

The ED investigation had revealed that the accused Singapore-based firm, "in connivance with its foreign associate Haren Venture Pvt Ltd, Singapore and its three representatives in India -- Tulsiyat Tek Pvt Ltd, Mumbai, Kritanj Management and Allied Services, Mumbai and Seamless Outsourcing LLP, Mumbai -- had floated a web-based money circulation scheme through its website, www.speakasiaonline.com", the agency said.

"Money collected from gullible investors in the guise of subscription fee for online survey was sent out to Singapore in the bank account of HVPL," it added.

The ED said the Rs 89.56 crore "proceeds of crime" of the alleged online marketing scam were traced by it to the "current account" owned by Seamless Outsourcing LLP, Mumbai and the amount was attached by the agency in March, 2015.

The agency, the statement added, had subsequently filed a chargesheet before the special court in Mumbai against the partner of the accused firm, Mansoor N Patel.

Patel failed to appear before the court, despite summons issued against him, it said.

The ED then moved the court to get Patel declared as a "proclaimed offender".

When Patel did not appear before the court despite this order, the ED moved to confiscate the assets under the PMLA, which was approved by the court, the agency said.

The case had come to light in 2011 when the Mumbai crime branch registered a criminal case against the group and its various entities in India and abroad.

The police probe had claimed to have found that SpeakAsia promoters had started an online marketing survey company in March, 2010. It had then asked investors to deposit Rs 11,000 and fill the survey forms of some multinational firms and on successful submission of the same, they were promised Rs 52,000 in return.

Initially, the company had paid the investors back but later, it wound up its business, duping the investors, the police and the ED had found.

The company is alleged to have duped over 24 lakh investors.

According to the police complaint, SpeakAsia had allegedly remitted over Rs 900 crore to Singapore. The money was sent from India to banks in Singapore and from there to Dubai, Italy and the UK. However, the money came back from the UK again to the UAE (Dubai) and then to India.

The Mumbai police had filed a chargesheet in the case in 2013 and apart from the ED, the Serious Frauds Investigation Office (SFIO) under the Corporate Affairs Ministry had also probed the case.

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Humanity has always taken precedence over ideology for auteur Mrinal Sen, who did not deter to join the movement against Nandigram violence in 2007 despite his Left leanings, veteran filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan has said.

Sen was a rebel who believed in fighting for the cause of common people of and off the camera, he said during a session at Tata Steel Kolkata Literary Meet here on Thursday.

"For him (Sen), humanity was more important than his ideology. He had very high integrity. He joined a big procession in Kolkata in protest against the shootings in Nandigram despite his Leftwing ideology," said the 'Mukhamukham' (Face to Face) director, credited for pioneering a new wave of cinema in the early 70s.

Fourteen people were killed in alleged police firing in 2007, at the height of an anti-land acquisition agitation at Nandigram in Bengal's West Midnapore district.

The CPI(M)-led Left Front was at the helm of affairs in the state at that time.

Appreciating Sen's body of work, Gopalakrishnan said 'Ek Din Pratidin' (1979) by the auteur was among his all-time favourite films.

"That is one film where he says everything without saying anything. It stands out in the Indian cinema as a great example of a filmmaker's genius.

"Everyone who sees the film wonders what happens to the girl and where was she all night? As she quietly walks in the next day, neither she says anything, nor any family member asks her. That is a remarkable," Gopalakrishnan said.

Sen had won National Award for 'Ek Din Pratidin'



To a question by the audience, Gopalakrishnan said both Satyajit Ray and Sen have made films on Kolkata, but there was a difference in the way they approached the subject.

Asked about his approach to films, Gopalakrishnan said, "My subject is politics, but my films are not political. I only ask questions, never answer them. I am not sure about the answers, As an artist I keep searching.

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More than 350 people in Venezuela have been arrested this week during demonstrations against President Nicolas Maduro's government, the UN rights chief said Friday, calling for "immediate talks" to ease tensions.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, said her office had "reports of large-scale detention of demonstrators -- well over 350 in total (this week), including 320 on 23 January alone".

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A 30-year-old man carrying a reward of Rs 1 lakh has been arrested for his alleged involvement in an international drug syndicate, police said Friday.

The accused Axat Gulia, alias Akshit alias Akshay is a native of Jhajjar in Haryana, they added.

Gulia was arrested on Wednesday after police received a tip-off that the accused was hiding at his friend's office in Baghdola village of Dwarka, police said.

A raid was conducted at the friend's office and Gulia was apprehended after a failed escape bid, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Sanjeev Kumar Yadav said.

Mobile handsets and dongle with SIM cards suspected to have been used in the illicit trade were recovered, he said.

"Some of Gulia's associates were arrested in May last year following which we got to know about his role in running this drug syndicate. Drugs in tablet and powdered form were collected from various parts of India by members of this syndicate and then supplied to traffickers in the UK, the USA, the UAE and other Middle-East nations," he added.

Gulia had contacts with persons working with x-ray machines to scan cartons/packets at the Custom House in the Delhi airport. Through his contacts, Gulia got his drug cartons cleared from security check, he said.

He has been involved in this illegal trade for the last 10 years, he added.

When Gulia was working at an export-import company, he came in contact with various persons working with x-ray machines at the airport. They scanned the consignments brought to the Custom House which were to be exported, the officer said.

Gulia befriended them and used his sources at the Custom House to clear the security check of drug consignments. For his services, Gulia received handsome share of money, police said, adding further investigation is underway.

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A 30-year-old man was Friday arrested from Karnataka for allegedly killing a woman in suburban Andheri last week, police said.

The 25-year-old woman was crushed to death with a stone and her semi-naked body was found near Gilbert Hill in Andheri on January 19, police said.

After the crime, the accused, Zameer Khan, had fled from the city. Police teams had been dispatched to Gujarat and Karnataka to trace the accused.

A police team nabbed Khan from Karnataka on Friday morning and he was brought back to Mumbai. He was produced before a court, which remanded him police custody till February 11.

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A 28-year-old man carrying a reward of Rs 50,000 has been arrested for allegedly cheating bank customers by forging their signatures, police said Friday.

The accused Ram Singh is a resident of Tilak Nagar, they added. Singh along with his associate hired girls who used to engage the victims on the phone when the bank withdrawal message would be sent by the banks, police said.

The accused was arrested on January 22 after police received information that Singh was hiding in Aurangabad. Sensing his arrest, the accused managed to flee to Delhi, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Sanjeev Kumar Yadav said.

After reaching Delhi, Singh collected money from his mother and was trying to procure a new SIM using a fake identity. He was supposed to meet a friend in Vikas Nagar for this purpose, he said.

A trap was laid near a drain in Uttam Nagar's Vikas Nagar area. Singh was apprehended by the police team after a brief chase. Mobile handsets with SIM cards used for cheating were also recovered from his possession, he added.

Investigations revealed that Singh had contacts in various banks and through these contacts he managed to procure the details of customers whose bank accounts were registered or not registered with SMS facility.

Then, he would chose both active and dormant accounts of the customers with sufficient balance, the DCP said.

During interrogation, Singh disclosed that he came in contact with one Jitender who lured him into committing these crimes. He used to make several fake IDs with different names for the same, he said.

Singh along with his associate Jitender used to make fake bank cheques by forging the signatures of the customers and withdrew money from the accounts and then they went off the radar, the DCP added.

During this process, customers were unable to get the transaction SMS sent by the bank, he said.

In one particular case, the accused duo had swindled Rs 55 lakh from the account of a victim, while in another case they swindled Rs 58 lakh, he said.

In most cases, the bank as well as the customers were unaware of the forged transactions. The gang has been active since the last three years and had defrauded several persons. Further investigation is underway, police said.

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West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Friday hailed the importance of the National Voters' Day and said that young people should exercise their franchise in the upcoming general elections.

On National Voters' Day Friday, Banerjee took to Twitter and said, Today is #NationalVotersDay. Being able to cast a vote and elect a person of our choice is what makes us the worlds largest democracy".

"It is extremely important that the voters, specially the new, young voters, exercise their franchise in the upcoming general elections, she added.

The National Voters' Day, is the foundation day of the Election Commission of India (ECI) which was set up in 1950.

This day was first celebrated in 2011 to encourage young voters to take part in the electoral process.

Every year, the National Voter's Day is celebrated in the national capital in the presence of the President of India as the chief guest.

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The Delhi High Court on Friday sought the CBI's stand on a businessman's plea seeking quashing of a look out circular (LOC) against him in connection with a corruption case against meat exporter Moin Akhtar Qureshi and the agency's exdirector A P Singh on the grounds that he has not been named in the FIR.

Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva asked the CBI to state why an LOC has been issued against Satish Babu Sana when he is not an accused in the matter.

"At least he (Sana) should know whether he is an accused. Then he can take his remedies," the court said while issuing notice to the agency and seeking its reply by February 25.

Sana, represented by senior advocate Salman Khurshid, has contended that despite appearing before the CBI each time he was summoned for questioning in the case, an LOC has been issued against him preventing him from leaving the country.

Khurshid, during the hearing, said that his client was not named in the FIR, yet an LOC was issued against him.

Sana has said in his plea that he came to know about the bar on his foreign travel on September 25 last year when he was going to France with his son for his university admission there.

In his petition, Sana has said that the FIR was lodged on February 17, 2017 and since then he has travelled abroad 15-16 times and returned to India each time.

He has alleged that the LOC issued against him is "unfounded, illegal, malafide, arbitrary and violates his fundamental rights under the Constitution".

He has also contended that according to a Ministry of Home Affairs office memorandum of 2010 and a high court judgement of the same year, an LOC can be issued only when a cognisable offence under the IPC or other penal laws has been alleged against an accused.

It can also be issued if an accused was "deliberately evading arrest", not appearing before trial court despite issuance of non-bailable warrants or if there is a likelihood that he may evade trial by leaving the country, the petition has said.

The FIR, in connection with which Sana was being questioned, was lodged in 2017 by the CBI after the ED and Income Tax department's probe into money laundering and black money allegations against Qureshi allegedly revealed involvement of senior public servants.

The ED had written a letter to the CBI in this regard and it had in 2017 lodged an FIR against the meat exporter as well as its former director A P Singh and several others.

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Amid a raging debate on growing income inequality, leaders at the WEF summit on Friday said tax and welfare systems are "outdated" and not fit to tackle this challenge and a greater use of technology can be more effective.

They said technology has helped lift millions of people out of poverty in the world, but millions more have been left behind.

At a session on the closing day of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2019, PwC International's Global Chairman Robert Moritz said many business leaders want to pay their "fair share" of tax and help reduce growing wealth inequalities in the world, but revenue collection systems are antiquated and open to manipulation and abuse.

The same is true of welfare systems, said Hilary Cottam, author and entrepreneur, Centre for the Fourth Social Revolution.

"The brilliant welfare systems that were set up in the last century no longer work," she said and suggested a "social revolution" to accompany the Fourth Industrial Revolution that digital technology has ushered in.

"In every industrial revolution there has been a social revolution, because every industrial revolution has created huge inequalities. All the different sectors of society must come together to help design an architecture that allows us to make the transitions required," Cottam noted.

Technology has helped lift millions of people out of poverty in the world, but millions more have been left behind and disparities between the ultra-wealthy few and the poor masses have grown, the panellists said.

Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of Oxfam International, however, demanded that governments impose much higher taxes on companies and rich people.

"Extreme economic inequality is out of control," said Byanyima. "The wealth of the few very rich increases by USD 2.5 billion a day, while the wealth of the 3.8 billion poorest people in the world decreases by USD 500 million a day."



She added that as wealth accumulates at the top end, welfare infrastructure crumbles at the bottom.

Moritz said citizens have seen powerful people with money and authority misusing these resources and not helping the poor -- and mistrust has grown exponentially.

People can see what's happening because of greater transparency, thanks to digital, he said, adding that thanks to digital, they also have a voice to register their unhappiness.

Technology should not be blamed for wealth inequality, NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant argued.

In fact, it can make a "radical difference" and should be used a lot more rigorously, with governments bringing digital solutions to bear in the critical areas of nutrition, healthcare and education, he said.

India is an example of how this can work, with technology already having helped raise 250 million people above the poverty line and the rollout of dozens of applications, such as bank accounts, across the vast country dramatically improving lives, Kant said.

However, technology should not be used to underpin failing current systems, observed Cottam. "We can use tech to design new systems that address the challenges we face. But we need a revolution."



The business community needs to step up and play a leading part in reconfiguring the architecture of the mooted Fourth Social Revolution, said Subramanian Rangan, The Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Court Endowed Chair in Societal Progress at INSEAD, France.

"They must ask themselves big questions - how do we handle human capital, who owns data, what do we want artificial intelligence to do?" asked Rangan.

He also called for "moral entrepreneurship", with CEOs showing courage in leading shareholders to a new way of seeing the enterprise. "Even as you deepen cyber capital, you must deepen your moral capital," he added.

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RP Sanjiv Goenka group's demerged companies from its flagship firm CESC, into Spencers Retail and CESC Ventures, made lukewarm debuts on bourses Friday but the companies' management is hopeful of better show going forward.

Both Spencers Retail and CESC Ventures hit their respective 5 per cent lower circuits but group chairman Sanjiv Goenka is optimistic about Spencers Retail growth and profitability.

Goenka said that in the first half of the current fiscal Spencers had posted Rs 5.2 crore profit before tax and is a debt free company.

Going forward, the company would focus on profitability with a strategy that emphasises on private label, apparel business including expanding standalone apparel brand stores and strong omni-channel presence, among others.

As of now, private labels account for 13 per cent of total business of Spencers.

Spencers has already opened 19 stores while 9 more are in the offing this fiscal. More stores would be opened in a calibrated manner to minimise capital expenditure, he said.

Goenka, however, said that most of Spencers' expansion would be concentrated in eastern Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh where the company has a strong back-end and offers higher margin.

Meanwhile, shares of the retail business -- Spencers Retail -- hit a lower circuit of Rs 212.80 on the BSE after listing at Rs 230.

On the NSE, the stock was down at Rs 213.75 after opening at Rs 225.

On the other hand, CESC Ventures was listed at Rs 545, but hit the day's low of Rs 517.75 on NSE. On BSE, the stock was listed at Rs 548 and was down to Rs 520.60, hitting the lower circuit during the the day.

Spencers Retail and CESC Ventures are non-power businesses of the power-generation and distribution major CESC.

CESC shareholders, who had 10 shares, received six shares of Spencers Retail of face value of Rs 5 each under the scheme of arrangement. While the rest of the non-power businesses of CESC such as BPO, real estate and FMCG will be under CESC Ventures, and shareholders received two shares of Rs 10 each.

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Kerala Governor P Sathasivam Friday came down on the Union government for "penalising" the state for its achievements in various fields and sought a restructuring of Centre-state relations.

Delivering his customary policy address in the state Assembly marking the beginning of its 14th session, he said the restructuring should be in such a way that it would enrich both the Centre and the state.

The imbalance caused by the detrimental effects of "unhealthy" centre-state relations in general and the fiscal relations in particular have put Kerala at a "great disadvantage" in furthering the advances it has already made in several sectors, he said.

"It is rather unfortunate that the state has been penalised for achievements it made in various fields such as health, education and social well-being," he said.

As Kerala had progressed and achieved gains in these sectors and the Centre chose not to further aid these areas, the state is at a loss to understand the criteria with which it is deprived of its rightful share in the amount earmarked for it, he said.

"Our gains should not be a reason for the losses that we currently have to bear," the Governor added.

However, Sathasivam thanked the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance government at the Centre for "effectively" helping the state during the worst flood of the century last August.

He said the Kerala government had requested the Centre to enhance its borrowing limit to mobilise additional resources for rebuilding the flood-hit state.

"We are still awaiting a favourable response from the Central government in this regard," Sathasivam added.

Outlining the development policy of the Communist Party of India(Marxist)-led Left Democratic Front government, the Governor said it was planning to provide at least "one job to one tribal family" with an aim to ensure the welfare of the marginalised sections.

The LDF government intends to improve coastal shipping to reduce the burden on inland transportation, he said, adding that Azheekkal, Kollam and Beypore ports were being developed with basic infrastructure facilities to enable handling cargo and passengers.

An online Intelligent Building Plan and Management System (IBPMS) would be introduced this year to issue building permits in a transparent and citizen-friendly manner, he said.

Based on the experience of successfully containing the Nipah outbreak and post-flood epidemics last year, the LDF government would implement a "Comprehensive Disease Surveillance Programme" with the support of World Health Organisation (WHO).

The Left government had already created 45 lakh square feet of IT space during the last two years and proposed to scale it to one crore sq ft in future, the Governor said in his 90 minute-long address.

Before the Governor began his speech, members of the Congress-led opposition United Democratic Front held a banner criticising the government for not taking up rebuilding measures in a time-bound manner.

"Listen to my speech, every answer is there," Sathasivam told the opposition members.

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Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao Friday hailed former President Pranab Mukherjee being selected for the country's highest civilian honour of the Bharat Ratna, saying he 'fully deserves it."



Mukherjee fully deserves the award, an official release quoted Rao as having said.

Rao praised the endeavour of Mukherjee in strengthening the country's democratic system and in implementation of "Constitutional provisions"



Mukherjee rendered yeoman service to the country in discharging various responsibilities, he added.

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An organisation of Kashmiri Pandits has demanded issuance of commemorative stamp on saint Mata Roopa Bhawani ahead of her 400th birth anniversary celebrations in 2021.

"We demand issuance of commemorative stamp on the life of Mata Roopa Bhawani. We urge Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Governor Satya Pal Malik to facilitate release of the stamp," General Secretary of Shri Alakh Sahiba Trust (SAST) Rishi J K Raina said here.

The President of SAST, Chander Mohna Dhar, told reporters here, "We are celebrating 400 years of birth of Mata Roopa Bhawani across the country and outside in 2021. Prakash utsav will be started ahead of that."



The 'Prakash Utsav' and birth celebrations will have a chain of programmes, including religious prayers, discourses and seminars, he said.

Mata Roopa Bhawani was born in 1621 in Srinagar city.

She meditated at six place across Kashmir valley and wrote 1,114 verses in praise of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu, on philosophy of Nirvana and on self-realisation.

Six temples and ashrams have come up in the those places in Kashmir where she meditated.

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: Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala will address the joint session of the state legislature on February 6, the Legislative Assembly Secretariat said Friday.

According to the provisional programme, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, who also holds the Finance portfolio, will present the budget on February 8.

The secretariat said the Governor had summoned the legislative assembly to meet at11 am on Wednesday.

Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Kumaraswamy met the Governor at the Raj Bhavan and invited him to address the join session.

"I met the Governor to discuss with him about the joint session and budget presentation.I invited the Governor to address the joint session as per practice," he told reporters.

The session will begin with the Governor's address to the joint session on February 6 and will conclude on February 15.

Kumaraswamy said he was holding a department wise review ahead of the 2019-20 budget next month.

He said he held discussions with farmers leaders from various districts and taken suggestions from them, mainly on electricity, irrigation, crop insurance, seeds, and marketing, among others, so that these could be implemented in the budget to initiate good programmes for them.

Recently in an interview to PTI, Kumaraswamy had said he would fulfil his Rs 46,000-crore loan waiver commitment to farmers "completely" in the Congress-JDS coalition government's second budget.

Earlier, speaking to reporters after the pre-budget meeting with farmers leaders, Co-Operation Minister Bandeppa Kashyampur said the Chief Minister had announced a farm loan waiver last time and that he would protect farmers' interests in the upcoming budget.

Reiterating that all eligible farmers would get the benefit of loan waiver, he said it is the responsibility of the government.

To a question, Kashyampur said issues faced by farmers on loan waiver like non-matching of their names with Aadhaar card was being addressed with the help of Tahsildars.

"We are are removing several clauses to make it easy for farmers," he said.

Kashyampur said farmers wanted the right Minimum Support Price for crops and implementation of the Swaminathan committee report, among other things.

He said some farmers pointed out that registration fees for harvesting machine was too high in Karnataka, compared to neighbouring Maharashtra and added that the Chief Minister had taken note of it.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Justices Ashok Bhushan and S A Nazeer, who were part of an earlier 3-judge bench in the politically sensitive Ram Janambhoomi-Babri Masjid title dispute case, will be on the newly constituted 5-judge bench in the case.

Both the judges were part of the 3-judge bench, then headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra (now retired), which had by 2:1 majority verdict refused to refer to a larger bench the question as to whether mosque is integral to offering prayers in Islam. Justice Nazeer had delivered a minority judgement.

The bench had on September 27 last year refused reconsideration of the observations in its 1994 judgement that a mosque was not integral to Islam. The matter had arisen during the hearing of the Ayodhya land dispute.

A 5-judge Constitution Bench was eventually set up on January 8 this year, but Justices Bhushan and Nazeer were not part of it.

The matter came up for hearing on January 10. However after Justice U U Lalit's recusal from hearing the matter, a new five-judge bench has been reconstituted in which both the judges have made a come back.

The new bench announced Friday will be headed by CJI Ranjan Gogoi and also comprise Justices S A Bobde and D Y Chandrachud.

Fourteen appeals have been filed in the apex court against the 2010 Allahabad High Court judgement, delivered in four civil suits, that the 2.77-acre land be partitioned equally among three parties -- the Sunni Waqf Board, the Nirmohi Akhara and Ram Lalla.

In the last September verdict of 2:1, the then bench headed by Justice Misra (since retired) had said the civil suit has to be decided on the basis of evidence, adding that the previous verdict has no relevance on this issue.

Justice Bhushan, who read out the judgement for himself and the CJI, had said it has to find out the context in which the five-judge had delivered the 1994 judgement.

Justice Nazeer had disagreed with the two judges and said whether mosque is integral to Islam has to be decided considering religious belief which requires detailed consideration.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Jawaharlal Nehru University will soon get a National Cadet Corps (NCC) unit, varsity's Vice-Chancellor M Jagadesh Kumar said on Friday.

JNU professor Umesh Kadam shared the on Twitter.

"JNU to soon have it's NCC units: The official team from 3 Delhi Girls BN NCC visited Dean of Students Office. Major Manju, Lt Madan Singh & V K Choudhary assured that girls wing will be established very soon, followed by a boy's wing," he wrote on the microblogging site.

Kumar retweeted Kadam's post.

"It is great to have an NCC unit at JNU soon. We are delighted to know that the girl's NCC wing may be started first. Students of JNU will make NCC a vibrant activity of our University," he said.

According to R P Singh, Rector-III, JNU, the NCC unit is likely to be established within the next two-three months and the discussion for the setting up of the unit was underway for the last one year.

He said the unit will be set up in the golden jubilee year and will be advantageous for those students who have come from Sainik schools and are studying in the School Of Languages at the varsity.

Initially the girls' unit will start and later the boys wing will come up, he said.

Singh said undergraduate and postgraduate students, who will meet the criteria for NCC selection will be able to enrol in the unit.

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A Jet Airways staffer is among three men arrested by the customs officials in two separate cases of gold smuggling at Delhi airport, according to an official statement issued Friday.

Acting on a input, a Jet Airways technician was intercepted on Wednesday. A detailed personal search resulted in recovery of four gold bars, total weighing 1.3 kg, valued at Rs 43.36 lakh, from the pocket of a trouser worn by him, the customs department said in the statement.

On enquiry, the accused said he was to hand over these gold bars to a person waiting outside Aerocity metro station near the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport, it said.

A team of customs officials then arrested the receiver of the gold bars from outside the Aerocity metro station, the statement said.

"The officers were trying to catch the person who may have brought gold and handed it over to the Jet Airways technician," a senior customs official added.

In another case, a man was intercepted by the customs officials after his arrival from Dubai on January 23.

His personal and baggage search resulted in the recovery of gold weighing 978 gram in the form of granules mixed with thick liquid, the statement said.

The gold valued at Rs 31.43 lakh was seized and the passenger arrested, it said.

In both the cases, three persons, including the Jet Airways technician, were arrested and gold worth Rs 74.79 lakh was seized.

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A court in Punjab's Sangrur district Friday sent Malkit Kaur and Surjit Singh Badesha, who were extradited from Canada in an honour killing case of Canada-born Jaswinder Kaur Sidhu, to four-day police remand.

Jaswinder's mother Malkit (70) and maternal uncle



Surjit (75) were produced before the court of Justice Harpreet Singh in Sangrur by Punjab Police amid tight security arrangements.

"The court has sent them to four day police remand," Sangrur Senior Superintendent of Police Sandeep Garg said.

The police had sought seven-day remand of the accused.

Malkit and Surjit will be questioned over alleged routing of money to contract killers for killing Jassi and other information, Garg said.

More than 18 years after the death of Jaswinder, her mother and uncle were extradited to India by Canadian authorities on Thursday.

Malkit and Surjit had been charged with the conspiracy to kill Jaswinder and a case under relevant sections, including 302 (murder) and 120 B (criminal conspiracy) of the IPC, had been registered at a police station in Sangrur.

A Canadian court had in 2016 stopped the extradition of Kaur and Badesha to India to face trial in the case over concerns that they may not get justice in the country.

However, the Supreme Court of Canada ordered the extradition of the duo in 2017, but the decision was later stayed after the accused sought judicial review of the decision.

Their plea for staying the extradition proceedings was rejected by a court in Canada in December 2018, finally paving the way for their extradition to India.

Jaswinder, better known as Jassi, fell in love with Sukhwinder Singh Mithu, a kabaddi player and an



autorickshaw driver, after she visited Punjab. She was the resident of Maple Ridge, British Columbia.

Both secretly got married against the wishes of Jassi's affluent family in March 1999.

After the marriage, she returned to Canada and then came to India again in May 2000. By that time, her family had come to know about her relationship with Mithu.

Jassi, 25 at that time, and Mithu were reportedly attacked by contract killers on June 8, 2000 at village Narike of Malerkotla in Sangrur.

The police had said that the contract killers were hired by Jassi's mother and uncle.

Jassi's body was dumped in a drain with her throat slit, while Mithu was severely attacked and left to die. He, however, survived.

Punjab police registered a case in this connection in July 2000 and named Malkit and Surjit in the FIR.

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: The Jana Sena Friday firmed up its electoral alliance with CPI and CPM for the ensuing elections in Andhra Pradesh.

While the CPI(M) agreed to work with the Jana Sena in Telangana as well,the CPI sought more time to take a decision.

Leaders of the Jana Sena, CPI and CPI(M) held a round-table here Friday to discuss various political issues.

Jana Sena Chief Pawan Kalyan, party leader Nadendla Manohar, CPI National General Secretary Suravaram Sudhakar Reddy, CPI(M) politburo member B V Raghavulu and state leaders of the two parties attended.

A resolution was adopted at the meeting on the electoral alliance, a Jana Sena release later said.

The meeting also resolved to request the Election Commission of India to form a committee of experts to address the concerns raised over the functioning of Electronic Voting Machines.

It also requested the ECI that VVPAT paper trail verification be made mandatory in 10 per cent of the votes polled and counted.

The meeting felt that the BJP at the Center and its allies have 'deceived' the people of Andhra Pradesh in the implementation of AP Reorganization Act, 2014.

The three parties resolved to strongly fight to secure Special Category Status for Andhra Pradesh.

A further plan of action in this connection would be finalized soon, the release added.

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A day after the CBI named banking doyen K V Kamath and virtual who's who of the sector for questioning in the alleged fraud case against former CEO Chanda Kochhar, union minister Arun Jaitley Friday advised investigating agency to avoid "adventurism" and concentrate only on the bull's eye.

Jaitley, who is recuperating after a surgery in a hospital in the US, on Twitter said one of the reasons for "poor" conviction rate in India is that "adventurism and megalomania" overtakes investigators and professionalism takes a back seat.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday filed a case of criminal conspiracy and fraud against the and her husband

The agency also said Kamath as well as present CEO Sandeep Bakshi, Goldman Sachs India Chairman Sonjoy Chatterjee, Standard Chartered Bank CEO Zarin Daruwala, Tata Capital head Rajiv Sabharwal and Tata Capital senior advisor Homi Khusrokhan need to be investigated for high-value loans sanctioned under Kochaar to Videocon Industries.

It alleged that the loans were extended in violation of bank's lending policies and in exchange for an investment by the consumer electronics company's owner in a business headed by Chanda Kochhar's husband.

"There is a fundamental difference between investigative adventurism and professional investigation," Jaitley wrote.

"Sitting thousands of kilometres away, when I read the list of potential targets in the ICICI case, the thought that crossed my mind was again the same Instead of focusing primarily on the target, is a journey to nowhere (or everywhere) being undertaken? If we include the entire who's who of the banking industry with or without evidence what cause are we serving or actually hurting."



Jaitley, who was finance minister of India till last week and had to temporary handover the charge to his fellow minister Piyush Goyal for the duration of his indisposition, advised the investigators "Follow the advice of Arjun in the Mahabharat Just concentrate on the bull's eye."



Investigative adventurism, he said, involves casting the net too wide including people with no 'mens rea' or even having a common intention to commit an offence, relying on presumptions and surmises with no legally admissible evidence.

"Adventurism leads to media leaks, ruins reputations and eventually invites strictures and not convictions. In the process, the targets are ruined because of harassment, loss of reputation and financial costs. It costs people their career," he wrote.

"Professional investigation targets the real accused on the basis of actual and admissible evidences. It rules out fanciful presumptions. There is no personal malice or corruption. It targets the guilty and protects the innocent. It secures convictions and furthers public interest," Jaitley said.

One of the reasons why conviction rates in India are poor is that "adventurism and megalomania overtakes our investigators and professionalism takes a back seat," he wrote.
The 78th foundation day of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) was celebrated with enthusiasm at its Kolkata office on Friday.

Speaking at the function held to mark the occasion, P M Jagtap, the vice-president of Kolkata zone of ITAT, said that its four benches were functioning regularly in the city and the pendency of appeals with its Kolkata bench has come down from 7215 appeals in October, 2015 to 3881 in December, 2018.

He said that the city's e-court bench of ITAT is ready to start hearing the cases of Guwahati, Patna and Ranchi benches through video conferencing.

"This will tremendously help expedite justice delivery," Jagtap said.

The principal chief commissioner of Income Tax (West Bengal and Sikkim) Seema Khurana Patra was the chief guest at the programme.

She applauded the contribution of ITAT.

ITAT, a quasi judicial institution was set up on January 25, 1941.

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Accusing Rahul Gandhi of acting as a "Chinese propagandist", the BJP Friday asked him to give complete details of his meeting with China's ministers and officials during his Kailash Mansarovar visit and questioned why he had not kept the Indian government informed.

The BJP's attack on Gandhi came after the Congress president said at a meeting in Odisha that Chinese ministers told him during the trip in August-September last year that job creation was not a problem in their country.

"When I had gone to Kailash, I met a couple of their ministers and they said job creation in China is not a problem at all," Gandhi said.

BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said his party had raised questions about Gandhi's meeting with Chinese officials when he had embarked on the holy trip but the Congress had rejected the claims and said he was on a personal visit.

"The Kailash Mansarovar yatra was an excuse. He had gone to meet these ministers. Rahul Gandhi is not an ordinary citizen. Why did he not inform the Ministry of External Affairs? Why was the Indian embassy not kept in loop? We want to know the details of his talks," Patra told reporters.

The Congress president keeps talking about China, he said, asking, "Why is he acting as a Chinese propagandist? He keeps raving about China".

The BJP leader said Gandhi had also met the Chinese envoy in India during the Doklam standoff involving the armies of two countries, adding that the Congress had first denied it.

At the presser, Patra also attacked the Congress after its senior spokesperson Anand Sharma warned officials of various agencies to be ready for accountability for working at the behest of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to target his political opponents, comments that came after CBI raids at former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda's residence Friday.

The BJP leader said it amounted to the Congress issuing "threats" to officials and showed the mentality of the opposition party.

"The Congress believes that its leaders are entitled to corruption and they should not be investigated," he said, adding that such "threats" are against the principals of the Constitution.

Taking a dig at the opposition party's claim of political vendetta following the raids, he said the Congress first questions why the government was not taking action on corruption charges against its leaders and then alleges vendetta when probe agencies act.

To a question about Gandhi's attack on the RSS, Patra said the Congress leader suffers from "RSS-phobia" and wondered if the Hindutva organisation was the reason why he appointed his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra as his party's general secretary for Uttar Pradesh East.

Patra added that her entry into active was a "non-event".

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The government has opened around 1.25 lakh branches of Post and soon, it will have operations across over 1.5 lakh locations, Communications Minister said Friday.

"Department of Posts (DoP) has opened Post for unbanked and underbanked people. There are lump sum 1.25 lakh branches. Shortly, it will have 1.5 lakh branches," Sinha said while unveiling post stamp on Mahamati Prannathji.

Prime Minister launched IPPB on September 1 last year with an aim to take services to the doorstep of every citizen by arming three lakh postmen and 'Grameen Dak Sewaks' with digital aids to deliver

The can accept deposits of up to Rs 1 lakh, offer remittance services, mobile payments/transfers/purchases and other services such as ATM/debit cards, net and third-party fund transfers. However, it cannot offer loans directly, or issue credit cards.

"Since the time of independence, there were around 1.3 lakh bank branches, we are going to provide more bank branches than that," Sinha said.

Talking about the stamp launch, the minister said that earlier, it was a trend in this country that post stamps of only special people from prime families were issued.

"After 2014, under the direction of Prime Minister, Department of Posts had a mandate to issue post stamps of people of eminence who made special contribution at and international level. In this sequence, this post stamp has been issued today. I am fortunate that we are issuing post stamp today on one such majesty Mahamati Prannathji," Sinha said.

Founder of Shri Krishna Pranami Sampraday, Prannathji was born on October 26, 1618, in the Jamnagar.

(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.)
CBI and Enforcement Directorate Friday asserted before the Delhi High Court that custodial interrogation of Congress leader and former Union minister was required in the as he was evasive in giving answers during questioning.

The two probe agencies contended that Chidambaram, during whose tenure as finance minister clearance was granted to a media group for receiving overseas funds of Rs 305 crore in 2007, gave wrong answers and did not disclose the material ought to be in his knowledge.

They said they required his custodial interrogation which will be qualitatively different.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing CBI and ED, vehemently opposed the Congress leader's anticipatory bail plea and argued that the agencies were seeking to exercise their statutory rights of arresting him, producing before the court concerned and taking him on police remand to interrogate him.

"He is evasive and the answers are factually incorrect. I have made a strong case. For ends of justice, he needs to be examined in custody," he said.

The submissions were made before Justice Sunil Gaur who was hearing Chidambaram's plea seeking anticipatory bail in the corruption and money laundering cases relating to the INX Media scandal.

The high court reserved its order and said that the interim protection from arrest granted to Chidambaram will continue till the decision is passed on his plea for anticipatory bail.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Chidambaram, said the former minister was called for questioning by the CBI only once in June 2018 and he was not even named as an accused in the FIR.

He further said that apparently there are five accused in the case and four of them -- Karti Chidambaram, Bhaskar Raman, Indrani and -- are on bail in this case.

When Sibal claimed that the investigation was complete in the case and sanction to prosecute was granted by the government, Mehta opposed it saying the probe was still going on and they would require Chidambaram's police custody to confront him with the evidence.

Regarding the money laundering case, Sibal said Chidambaram has joined the investigation several times and whenever called by the agency.

ALSO READ: CBI seeks govt's sanction to prosecute Chidambaram in INX Media case

Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, also representing Chidambaram, said there was no evidence to show that after 11 years of the alleged offence, the leader was a flight risk, threat of tampering with evidence and not cooperating.

Mehta argued that money was being laundered till date and it was to be found that how and where the money has been laundered. He said money laundering was a menace and the proceeds of crime are yet to be found out.

He also contended that the companies in which money was transferred are directly or indirectly controlled by Chidambaram's son, Karti, and they have a reason to believe that the approval was granted to INX Media on his son's intervention.

Mehta said Karti was acting at the behest of his father was in direct touch with the leader with regard to some transactions.

ALSO READ: SC declines urgent hearing of Karti's plea seeking permission to go abroad

The high court had on July 25, 2018 granted interim protection from arrest to Chidambaram from arrest in both the cases and it was extended from time to time.

The senior Congress leader's role had come under the scanner of various investigating agencies in the Rs 3,500-crore Aircel-Maxis deal and the involving Rs 305 crore.

It was during his tenure as finance minister in the UPA-I government that clearances from the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) were given to the two ventures.

In the INX Media case, the CBI had registered an FIR on May 15, 2017 alleging irregularities in the clearance granted to the media group for receiving overseas funds to the tune of Rs 305 crore in 2007 during Chidambaram's tenure as finance minister.

Thereafter, the ED had last year lodged the money laundering case in this regard.

A trial court here had also on May 30, 2018, directed the ED not to take coercive action against Chidambaram in the Aircel-Maxis money laundering case.

He was also granted protection from arrest in the Aircel-Maxis case in which he and his son Karti are named in the charge sheet filed by the CBI. The interim protection has been extended from time to time.

Chidambaram's petition had said that though no summons had ever been served on him by the ED in this case, he had an apprehension of arrest in view of the summons issued to him by the CBI, which was investigating the scheduled offence.
The CBI and Enforcement Directorate Friday asserted before the Delhi High Court that custodial interrogation of Congress leader and former Union minister P Chidambaram was required in the INX Media case.

The submission was made before Justice Sunil Gaur who was hearing Chidambaram's plea seeking anticipatory bail in the corruption and money laundering cases relating to the INX Media scandal.

The High Court reserved its order and said that the interim protection from arrest granted to Chidambaram will continue till the decision is passed on his plea for anticipatory bail.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing CBI and ED, contended that the Congress leader was evasive during interrogation and was giving long answers.

He added that Chidambaram was not disclosing the material ought to be in his knowledge and the agencies required his custodial interrogation which will be qualitatively different.

While opposing Chidambaram's anticipatory bail plea, the law officer also said the agencies were seeking to exercise their statutory rights for arresting him, producing before the court concerned and taking him on police remand to interrogate him.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Chidambaram, said the former finance minister was called for questioning by the CBI only once in June 2018 and he was not even named as an accused in the FIR.

He further said that apparently there are five accused in the case, and four of them are on bail.

Regarding the money laundering case, Sibal said Chidambaram has joined the investigation several times and whenever called by the agency.

The High Court had earlier extended till January 24 Chidambaram's interim protection from arrest.

The senior Congress leader's role had come under the scanner of various investigating agencies in the Rs 3,500-crore Aircel-Maxis deal and the INX Media case involving Rs 305 crore.

It was during his tenure as finance minister in the UPA-I government that clearances from the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) were given to the two ventures.

In the INX Media case, the CBI had registered an FIR on May 15, 2017 alleging irregularities in the FIPB clearance granted to the media group for receiving overseas funds to the tune of Rs 305 crore in 2007 during Chidambaram's tenure as finance minister.

Thereafter, the ED had last year lodged the money laundering case in this regard.

A trial court here had also granted protection from arrest till August 7, 2018 to Chidambaram in the Aircel-Maxis case in which he and his son Karti are named in the charge sheet filed by the CBI.

Chidambaram's petition had said that though no summons had ever been served on him by the ED in this case, he had an apprehension of arrest in view of the summons issued to him by the CBI, which was investigating the scheduled offence.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The and Enforcement Directorate Friday asserted before the Delhi High Court that custodial interrogation of Congress leader and former Union minister was required in the INX Media cases.

The submission was made before Justice Sunil Gaur who was hearing the plea of Chidambaram seeking anticipatory bail in the corruption and money laundering cases relating to the INX Media scandal.

The High Court reserved its order and the interim protection from arrest granted to Chidambaram will continue till the decision is passed on his plea for anticipatory bail.
No-frills airline will start daily direct flights from the national capital to Istanbul from March 20.

would be the first Indian airline to fly to Turkey and Istanbul would be the 16th international destination for the budget carrier, the airline said in the release Friday.

IndiGo, which is India's largest carrier in terms of domestic market share, would operate daily non-stop flights between Delhi and Istanbul from March 20, with A321 aircraft, the release said.

Bookings are open for the Istanbul flight with promotional return fare starting at Rs 23,999, the release said.

"The new flights are designed to cater to business and leisure travellers who are constantly on the lookout for new and affordable flying options," it said.

The airline's Chief Commercial Officer William Boulter said Istanbul is one the most attractive tourist cities in the world and the gateway from Asia into Europe.

ALSO READ: Improving yield a positive for IndiGo amid higher pricing pressure

"Istanbul holds immense potential for IndiGo, and this launch is part of organic expansion within Europe for us, as we complement our domestic network with international connectivity," he added.

With a fleet of more than 200 planes, operates over 1,300 daily flights. It connects 52 domestic destinations and 15 international destinations.
An Indian construction worker in the UAE has been arrested and facing trial for allegedly groping a 14-year-old school girl here last year, according to a media report.

Prosecutors accused the 32-year-old Indian man of being drunk when he touched the girl as she was walking at a metro station on October 20 last year, the Khaleej Times reported on Thursday.

The man, who was not named in the report, has denied the molestation charge at the Court of First Instance, claiming he touched her by mistake.

During the public prosecution investigation, the victim said she was busy putting cash in her bag when she was caught off guard by the accused.

She said he did it on purpose and kept walking. She did not yell at him or scream for help as she felt shocked and scared. The girl immediately reported him to the metro ticketing employee, the report said.

A police corporal said he was on duty at 1 pm on the day of the incident when the ticketing employee approached him.

"He had the defendant and the girl with him. He told me that the man molested her," the officer said.

Later, the police officer took them to the police point and questioned the defendant there.

"He admitted that he sexually harassed her. I informed the on-duty officer and the defendant was then taken to Bur Dubai police station," the police officer was quoted as saying to the prosecutor.

A footage taken from the CCTV cameras at the metro station captured the defendant getting very close to the girl and touching her.

While the date for sentencing of the accused has been set on February 13, he has been fined Dh 2,000(Rs 38,659) for consuming alcohol without a permit, the report said.

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An Indian-origin man has been found guilty of a 60,000 pounds conspiracy to supply illegal drugs after a trial in the UK this week.

Baljit Gill was convicted of two charges of conspiracy to supply class A drugs, one charge of conspiracy to supply class B drugs and one charge of conspiracy to supply class C drugs at Southwark Crown Court in London on Thursday.

The 38-year-old was convicted alongside Alex Von Nidda aka Alex King, 42, in absentia on the same charges.

"The investigation by officers from the Met's Trident Unit identified that King was involved in a conspiracy to supply significant amounts of drugs with Gill, who was subsequently arrested on August 12, 2016," the Metropolitan Police said in a statement.

"Gill was linked to the conspiracy by his fingerprints being found on one of the boxes that contained the drugs and he was also linked to the phones used for drug dealing," the statement added.

The force executed a Misuse of Drugs Act warrant in June 2016 and a large quantity of Class A, B and C drugs were recovered including cocaine, MDMA powder, ecstasy pills, crack cocaine, ketamine and diazepam. The street value of the drugs was approximately 60,000 pounds.

Gill and King were subsequently charged and several court dates were set at Southwark Crown Court for trial during 2017/18 which have then been vacated due to medical reasons or changes in legal defence and legal aid by King.

The Met Police said medical information was provided by King to the court to corroborate that he was suffering any medical condition.

Detective Constable Dharmesh Bakrania of the Met's Homicide and Major Crime team said: "After being charged with conspiracy to supply class A drugs, King has repeatedly delayed and frustrated attempts to bring him to justice".

"King was caught with a significant quantity of illegal drugs and he is likely to be sentenced to a number of years in jail. I would urge anyone that knows of his whereabouts to contact police immediately".

In late August 2018, King breached his bail, which required him to stay overnight at his home address in London, after he travelled to north Wales and purchased a boat from Holyhead Marina, which he then sailed out to sea.

King returned to London and was subsequently arrested in September 2018 for breaching his bail conditions.

He was remanded to Westminster Magistrates' Court on the same day.

King was granted bail but with further conditions of an electronic tag curfew and to sign on daily at a London police station.

A warrant was issued for King's arrest after he failed to appear at court in November last year.

At the start of his trial last week, as King was voluntarily absent and could not be located, the judge determined that King was going to be tried in his absence due to his belief that King had made numerous attempts to frustrate the trial process to avoid trial.

An application was made by Gill's legal team to be tried on his own and the trials were split, with Gill now facing a jail term.

King remains absconding and will be sentenced on being apprehended.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Investors watching India closely are voicing concerns over arbitrary changes in regulations which hint at growing crony capitalism, Indian lawyer Pratibha Jain has said at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos.

Investors look for two main things -- clarity and certainty of laws -- as society based on the rule of law is better placed to attract foreign investments, said Jain, founding partner and head (New Delhi) of Nishith Desai Associates, at the Caspian Week at the 2019 WEF at Davos in Switzerland.

"Businesses that look for investment see a strong and independent judiciary, stable democracy with free and fair elections and the passing of power to a new government, independent central bank and other financial institutions that work based on laws created by the legislature but which stand the test of Indian constitution and judicial processes," said a statement from Nishith Desai Associates quoting Jain.

She said the fact that the Indian government is the largest litigant in the country's courts is a proof that laws framed by the legislature are constantly tested and challenged on the principles of natural justice and non-arbitrariness.

Jain cautioned however that to sustain this the independence of institutions needs to be maintained and "we must ensure that we remain strongly embedded in the principles of democracy and the rule of law".

Investors are watching India closely and already voicing concerns on arbitrary change in regulations that hint towards growing crony capitalism in the country, she added.

To counter that, a strong political and judicial will is required as investors look for two main things -- clarity and certainty of laws and its transparent and effective implementation, both of which are bedrock of a rule of law based economy, Jain added.

The statement said Jain was the only Indian lawyer to be invited to speak at this year's WEF in Davos and was of the view that India has fared well so far.

She said India's model of development has become an example of many countries to emulate but any compromise with independence of institutions and certainty of implementation of laws, rules and regulations that govern businesses can quickly turn the investor sentiment against India.

"India is a very good example of how a society based on the rule of law and liberal democracy can attract long term investment. This year India has overtaken US and China in attracting highest greenfield foreign investment," she said.

Jain further said that India's strengths are its vibrant democracy and the rule of law, demographic advantages with a large young population, a growing middle class with higher levels of education and skills and the evolution of independent and democratic institutions including and independent judiciary and free media.

"These aspects position India not only as a vibrant economic power but also a promising nation for entrepreneurship," she said.

Jain added that entrepreneurship can only happen when we provide enabling regulations for innovation and access to capital for entrepreneurs to grow their businesses.

Ensuring investors see India as a safe place to invest will require investor friendly regulations and consistency and transparency in their application, she said.

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India and South Africa have resolved to work together to address the issue of fugitive economic offenders through international organisations and institutions, said a joint statement released after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Cyril Ramaphosa held talks here on Friday.

Noting that terrorism is a serious threat to international peace, security and stability and that no country was immune to the danger that it represents, the two sides condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations regardless of its motivation, "whenever, wherever and by whosoever committed."



The two sides also noted the need for a concerted action by the global community against terrorism through early agreement and adoption of the UN Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism, as well as the implementation of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy in a balanced and integrated manner.

"They reiterated their commitment to working together on strengthening cooperation to address fugitive economic offenders, including through international organisations and institutions such as G20, Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and others," the statement said.

The two sides expressed satisfaction at the pace of cooperation in the defence sector encompassing a wide range of engagements including defence production, joint collaboration, manufacturing, research and development, training and joint exercises.

"The two sides also recognised the importance of increased bilateral naval cooperation and closer synergy within the context of Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) which, by keeping the sea lanes secure against illegal actors, will ensure unhindered passage for trade and continued prosperity of the entire Indian Ocean Region," the statement said.

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India and South Africa on Friday sealed three-year strategic programme to further boost cooperation in a number of key areas after talks between Prime Minister and South African President

In his media statement, Modi said both sides discussed all aspects of the bilateral ties with an aim to further expand cooperation in diverse areas.

Ramaphosa said his country was looking at a "result-oriented" partnership with India through the implementation of the three-year strategic exchange programme.

President Ram Nath Kovind greets his South African counterpart and his wife Tshepo Motsepe as First Lady Savita Kovind and Prime Minister look on, during a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bahavan in New Delhi | PTI

The strategic programme will a programme will cover cooperation in a range of areas including defence and security, trade and investment, the blue economy, tourism, IT and agriculture.

Ramaphosa, who arrived here this morning, will be the chief guest at the Republic Day Parade on Saturday.

It was the fourth meeting between Modi and Ramaphosa within a year.
India and South Africa Friday announced a three-year strategic programme to expand ties in several key areas such as defence, maritime security and trade and investment after Prime Minister Narendra Modi held extensive talks with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.

In his media statement, Modi said both sides discussed all aspects of the bilateral ties with an aim to further expand cooperation in diverse areas.

The 'strategic programme of cooperation' is aimed at deepening the bilateral engagement and ensuring that a "result oriented" partnership benefits people of both the countries.

The South African president, who arrived here on Friday morning on a two-day visit, will be chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations on Saturday.

Calling India a "strategic partner" of South Africa, Ramaphosa said he was "most honoured" to have been invited for the Republic Day celebrations.

"We reviewed the existing cordial bilateral relations between South Africa and India as encapsulated in strategic partnership, as well as the close cooperation at a number of multilateral groupings that our two countries belong to, where we work closely with one another," Ramaphosa said in his media statement with Modi by his side.

The two countries are a part of BRICS, IBSA (India, Brazil, South Africa) Dialogue Forum, Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) and G20.

The South African president listed agro-processing, defence procurement and mining equipment and technology as the future areas of cooperation and said the two countries want to work together in these sectors.

On his part, Modi said the economic relations between the two sides are burgeoning and the bilateral trade stands at more than USD 10 billion. India is the second largest trading partner of South Africa.

This time South Africa participated in the Vibrant Gujarat as a partner country and Indian companies are taking part in the efforts to boost investment efforts by President Ramaphosa, the prime minister said.

He said the two countries have strong cooperation and coordination at several international fora, including the BRICS, G20 and IORA and the United Nations Security Council.

South Africa is currently one of the 10 non-permanent members of the UNSC.

Modi said India and South Africa stand at crucial locations in the Indian Ocean and the two countries are inheritors of the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela.

Speaking about the three-year 'Strategic Programme of Cooperation', Ramaphosa said, "In order to ensure concrete deliverables, we concluded a three years Strategic Programme of Cooperation aimed at deepening the bilateral engagement between India and South Africa and ensuring that a result oriented partnership benefits people of both countries."



Officials said the strategic programme will facilitate expansion of ties in several key areas such as defence, maritime security and trade and investment.

Ramaphosa said the two sides have instructed their ministers and officials to start implementation of the programme with immediate effect.

Modi said India and South Africa are partners in skill development efforts and a 'Skills Institute' will soon be established in Pretoria.

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Congress president Rahul Gandhi Friday said India should learn from the experience of China in creating job opportunities despite adopting large-scale automation and hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Make in India programme.

"Modi ji talks about Make in India, what is the actual result? 24 hours and 15,000 jobs every day in China. But during the same 24 hours, India creates just 450 jobs. This is Government of India's data placed in Lok Sabha," Gandhi said at an interaction with intellectuals here.

However, he added, India is the only country capable of taking up the challenge posed by China.

Gandhi said production in the present times is completely dominated and captured by the Chinese and India has to accept that China is extremely competitive and is ahead of everyone in the arena of production.

India as well as European countries are facing problems as they are not addressing the issue of automation as is being done by China, he said adding that automation does not actually restrict creation of job opportunities.

"While China is creating 15,000 new jobs every 24 hours despite full automation, why is it a problem in Europe and India?" Gandhi asked.

Referring to an interaction with some Chinese officials, the Congress chief said, "When I had gone to Kailash (Mansarovar), I met a couple of their (Chinese) ministers. They said job creation is not a problem there at all."



"Infact, they said we have plenty of jobs, we have too many jobs. So the real issue is if you are producing ... In technological stream you do not have problems. You have problems if you are producing low-value added products," he said.

Gandhi had visited Kailash Mansarovar in September 2018.

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In a major step towards drone revolution in India, Andhra Pradesh on Friday became the country's first state to pilot the newly launched 'Advanced Drone Operators Toolkit', an open source guide for governments wanting to scale drone delivery.

The state government announced at the World Economic Forum's Davos Summit 2019 that it will start testing the policy frameworks developed in the new toolkit to enable state-wide drone delivery operations.

"Andhra Pradesh is proud to be the first government partner to implement the Advanced Drone Operations Toolkit," the state's Minister for Information Technology and Rural Development Lokesh Nara said.

"We look forward to leveraging the insights from the toolkit to implement a drone delivery program that will bring key medical supplies to communities across our state," he added.

The open source guide from the World Economic Forum (WEF), which describes itself as an international organisation for public-private cooperation, was launched at its Annual Meeting 2019 in Davos.

It has been developed after extensive collaboration with the governments of Rwanda and Switzerland and leveraging the work of the Drone Innovators Network (DIN).

It is the first user manual for governments looking to roll out socially impactful, advanced drone operations.

This open source collection of lessons-learned is designed to help governments overcome the hurdles of implementing drone regulations and accelerate access to airspace, while maintaining safety and security. It also includes specific steps for governments, interested in implementing similar programmes, to consider.

"Safe, clean, inclusive and scaled drone use has become the goal of many nations," said Harrison Wolf, report author and project lead at WEF's Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

"Now, governments can learn from the real-world success of world leading drone delivery projects in Africa and Europe to develop their own national oversight. Through comparative analysis of shared lessons, learned by governments and private players, this toolkit means governments don't have to start from scratch and can begin societally important, socially responsible operations. We are really looking forward for the initializing of the pilot project in India."



"I am very proud that Switzerland and my authority are part of the Advanced Drone Operations Toolkit," said Christian Hegner, Director General of Director General of Civil Aviation, Switzerland.

"For over two years, Zipline has been the world's largest provider of drone delivery services, and we were happy to contribute our experience to the development of the Advanced Drone Operations Toolkit," said Will Hetzler, Co-Founder, Zipline.

"This is an important resource that will help governments to enable lifesaving operations like drone delivery of health products. We are excited to continue working with the Forum through the Drone Innovators Network to realize this technology's transformational potential for the world," he added.

The Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution Network brings together governments, leading companies, civil society and experts from around the world to co-design and pilot innovative approaches to the policy and governance of technology.

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India Friday said it was closely monitoring the emerging situation in Venezuela and favoured resolution of the political crisis through constructive dialogue.

In fast-paced developments, head of the National Assembly Juan Guaido declared himself as "acting president" of the country on Wednesday, plunging the South American country into a political crisis.

A number of countries, including the US, Brazil, Argentina and Colombia, endorsed 35-year-old Guaido's move, while Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, in his response, ordered the American diplomats to leave his country within 72 hours.

In a television address on Thursday, Maduro accused the US of plotting the political instability in Venezuela.

"We are of the view that it is for the people of Venezuela to find political solution to resolve their differences through constructive dialogue and discussion without resorting to violence," Spokesperson in the Ministry of External Affairs Raveesh Kumar said.

He said India was closely following the emerging situation in Venezuela.

"We believe democracy, peace and security in Venezuela are of paramount importance for the progress and prosperity of the people of Venezuela. India and Venezuela enjoy close and cordial relations," said Kumar.

Maduro was re-elected to the top post in 2018 in an election which was not participated by most of the opposition parties.

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Travis Head led the way as Australia built an imposing 105-run lead over Sri Lanka on the second day of the day-night Test at the Gabba on Friday.

Head was unbeaten on 71 with Test debutant Kurtis Patterson yet to score and Australia going to dinner at 249 for five.

Head, named one of Australia's new vice-captains earlier this week, was attempting to score his maiden Test century after passing his previous highest Test score of 72 twice against Pakistan and India last year.

Head had some luck along the way and was dropped on 29 on the third ball after tea when wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella dived late and put down the one-gloved chance off Suranga Lakmal.

Marnus Labuschagne was out shortly before dinner with a maiden Test century beckoning on 81.

His patient 150-ball knock ended when he skipped down the wicket to lift a drive only to find the bottom of his bat and was taken at short mid-on by Lahiru Thirimanne off Dhananjaya de Silva.

Yet again an Australian batsman failed to reach three figures this season and Labuschagne had the dubious distinction of scoring Australia's highest Test score against India and Sri Lanka this summer.

Head and Labuschagne put on 166 runs for the fifth wicket to put Australia in command after losing two wickets in the opening session chasing Sri Lanka's modest 144.

Marcus Harris was out in the first over of the day, spooning a cut shot to Thirimanne at point off Lahiru Kumara for 44 after adding just four to his overnight score.

Nightwatchman Nathan Lyon was out three overs later for one, caught at second slip by Kusal Mendis off Lakmal, leaving the Australians at 82 for four in the 29th over. The Sri Lankans struggled to come to terms with the bouncy Gabba wicket after winning the toss on Thursday's opening day with only Dickwella showing any resistance hitting 64 from 78 balls.

Test debutant Jhye Richardson, who only came into the side after Josh Hazlewood was ruled out with injury, had figures of 3-26 to lead an impressive Australian display with the ball.

Pat Cummins chimed in to clean up the tail, finishing with 4-39.

The Brisbane Test is the first of a two-match series against Sri Lanka.

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The Bombay High Court Friday restrained the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) from carrying out any work relating to a casting yard being constructed for the Bandra-Versova Sea Link project here for two weeks.

A bench of Chief Justice Naresh Patil and Justice N M Jamdar gave the direction while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL).

The plea claimed that the MSRDC was constructing the casting yard on the Juhu Koliwada beach, and in the process, was illegally reclaiming a portion of the beach.

The petitioner, activist Zoru Bhatena, told the court that the state-run corporation was carrying on the construction without requisite permissions.

A casting yard is a confined place where concrete structures like segments, parapets, girders, beams and boundary wall panels are manufactured.

His counsel, advocate Gayatri Singh, told the bench that in the process, the MSRDC was dumping mud on the beach, thus, not only reclaiming the area, but, also restricting the sea water supply to the mangroves in the area.

Around 7.9 hectare of the beach area was being affected due to the casting yard work, the petitioner said.

The MSRDC, however, denied the allegations and said it had all the requisite permissions for the work.

The bench, however, directed the authorities to stop all work for two weeks and directed the Santa Cruz Police Station to ensure the court's order was not violated.

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GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare (GSKCH India) said Friday its merger deal with Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) has been approved by the fair trade regulator CCI.

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the scheme of amalgamation between the two companies, through an-all equity deal, valuing the total business of the latter at Rs 31,700 crore.

"We would like to inform you that the CCI has, vide its letter dated January 23, 2019 (received on January 25, 2019), accorded its approval for the amalgamation of the Company with HUL," GSKCH India said in a regulatory filing.

"A copy of the order of the CCI is awaited," it added.

Still, the scheme has to pass through various regulatory and other approvals including SEBI and NCLT.

"The scheme remains subject to the receipt of other necessary statutory and regulatory approvals under applicable laws, including by the NSE, SSE, SEBI, NCLT and the respective shareholders and creditors of HUL and the company," GSKCH India informed.

On December 3, Anglo-Dutch FMCG giant Unilever had announced the acquisition of health food portfolio, including popular brands Horlicks and Boost, from GlaxoSmithKline in India and over 20 other markets for 3.1 billion pounds (about Rs 27,750 crore).

Under the deal, Unilever's Indian arm, HUL is acquiring GSK CH India via an all-equity merger, valuing the total business of the latter at Rs 31,700 crore.

GSK CH India is the market leader in the health food drinks (HFD) category, with popular brands such as Horlicks and Boost.

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Greek lawmakers on Friday ratified a landmark name change deal with neighbouring Macedonia, handing Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras a diplomatic triumph and bucking street protests to end one of the world's most stubborn diplomatic disputes.

A narrow majority of 153 MPs in the 300-seat chamber approved the deal, with several independent lawmakers supporting Tsipras' leftist Syriza party.

"With this agreement, Greece regains... its history, its symbols, its tradition," Tsipras told the chamber ahead of the vote during the two-day debate, calling an end to "thirty years of hypocrisy".

He stressed that Macedonia will henceforth "become a friend, an ally, a supporter for cooperation, peace and security in the area." Macedonia's parliament on January 11 backed a constitutional revision to change the name to the Republic of North Macedonia, but for the deal to go through, it had to be approved by Greek MPs.

Since 1991, Athens has objected to its neighbour being called Macedonia because Greece has a northern province of the same name. In ancient times it was the cradle of Alexander the Great's empire, a source of intense pride for Greeks.

To make the UN-sponsored agreement final, Greece must also ratify a protocol approving Macedonia's membership of the Western military alliance NATO. This is expected to take place next month.

Protests have been held in both countries against the agreement -- some of them violent -- and lawmakers in Greece have reported threats and arson attacks against their homes.

A few dozen protesters gathered outside parliament on Friday. A poll released by SKAI TV on Thursday night found 62 percent of respondents oppose the deal, with 27 percent in favour. A week earlier, another poll in Proto Thema weekly had found 66 percent in opposition.

Leftist Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras was closely involved in brokering the June deal with Macedonia counterpart Zoran Zaev. Both have staked their political careers on its outcome.

Anti-Tsipras daily Ta Nea on Friday said the deal was the result of a "painful compromise" and was full of "pitfalls".

In addition to normalising relations between the two countries, implementation of the agreement will open the door for Macedonia to join the European Union and NATO, hitherto blocked by Athens' veto.

But in Greece, its neighbour's name continues to fuel controversy in and society, ahead of parliamentary elections scheduled for October. Critics say the agreement -- which drops Greece's objections to an official Macedonian language and identity -- opens the way for possible cultural usurpation and trade disputes.

Main opposition leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis of the conservative New Democracy party said the agreement "creates new problems" and "awakens nationalism".

"Your foreign policy is superficial and ignorant... you should be ashamed," he told the government.

But Tsipras insisted Thursday: "We never had a Macedonian language. Alexander the Great spoke Greek." "Are you afraid of a state that does not even have two percent of our (military) capability and not even six percent of our economic output?," former foreign minister Nikos Kotzias, a signatory of the agreement, asked parliament on Thursday.

On Sunday, clashes between police and masked protesters left 40 people injured as tens of thousands demonstrated in Athens against the name change.

The government blamed far-right extremists and the neo-Nazi Golden Dawn party for the violence.

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The government will release Rs 1,500 crore to Air India next week as part of equity infusion under the turnaround plan, a senior official said Friday.

Parliament has approved Rs 2,345 crore equity infusion into the debt-laden national carrier under the second batch of Supplementary Demands for Grants 2018-19.

A civil aviation ministry official said the government would release Rs 1,500 crore to the airline next week. This would be out of the Rs 2,345 crore approved supplementary grant.

When asked whether the ministry has sought more funds for Air India as part of the upcoming interim Budget, the official replied in the negative.

As part of efforts to revive the financial fortunes of the national carrier, the government has decided to transfer debt worth Rs 29,000 crore to Air India Asset Holding Company, a special purpose vehicle.

The airline has debt worth around Rs 55,000 crore.

Air India is staying afloat on a bailout package extended by the previous UPA regime. The carrier is to receive up to Rs 30,231 crore from the government subject to meeting certain performance thresholds. The 10-year bailout package began from 2012.

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The Congress on Friday hit out at the government over CBI raids at former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda's residence and accused it of acting out of vendetta.

The party also warned officials of various agencies to be ready for accountability for working at the best of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to target his political opponents.

Senior spokesperson of the Congress Anand Sharma said such actions when the prime minister and the ruling dispensation "target its political opponents by using agencies against them are dangerous for democracy in our country".

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi has a mindset of targeting his political opponents by defaming them with the objective of muzzling the voice of the opposition and to tarnish the image of their tall leaders.

"We condemn in the strongest terms the action today in the form of raids on former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda with the sole purpose of defaming him," he told reporters.

Sharma also said the "ill-will" in the mind of the prime minister and BJP chief Amit Shah is clear and the timing is also very clear.

"They are converting India into a police state," he alleged, adding that the prime minister has used probe agencies to target former chief ministers be it in Rajasthan or Uttar Pradesh.

The senior Congress leader said democracies do not function like that and only fascist governments take such actions.

"We are warning all concerned not to exceed their brief or act above the law. All officials must hear this that governments do not have permanency and they keep changing....They will be held accountable and they will have to answer once the government changes," he said.

"It is certain that this government is rattled and prime minister is facing an imminent defeat and that is why such actions," the Congress leader said.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered a new case against former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and others over alleged irregularities in land allocation in Gurgaon in 2009 and carried out searches at 20 locations in Delhi-NCR on Friday, officials said.

A team of officials from the agency arrived early morning at Hooda's residence in Rohtak in Haryana.

The case is understood to be related to the alleged irregularities in land allotment in 2009, agency sources said.

The Congress is alleging that the action has come at a time just ahead of the January 28 Jind by-election.

Sources close to Hooda said he was about to go to Jind for campaigning in favour of the party candidate Randeep Surjewala, when the CBI raided Hooda's residence in Rohtak.

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Global leaders, campaigners and activists gathered here to discuss efforts to achieve the sustainable development goals set by the United Nations.

Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan, Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, former US secretary of state John Kerry, tech czar Bill Gates and naturalist Sir David Attenborough were among the attendees at Davos House Global Goals events, according to a release.

The events were held during the World Economic Forum annual meeting here.

In September 2015, at the UN headquarters, 193 world leaders committed to the 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs). They are aimed to end poverty, fight inequality and injustice, and fix climate change.

Whilst there has been good progress since 2015, with many sectors and leaders embracing them, evidence shows that at the current rate of progress the goals would not be achieved in time, and in many areas there is a risk of reversing the progress made to date, the release said.

The Davos House events reinforced how government and the private sector need to make serious policy decisions and greater resourcing commitments, with support from civil society, to increase awareness of the goals.

"The events at Davos House this week have shown a new campaign is building -- bringing activists, communicators, leaders and campaigners from every corner of the earth together to inspire the public at large," the release added.

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Mahatma Gandhi and anti-apartheid revolutionary Nelson Mandela wanted to see a world where there was tolerance for each other's religion, race, caste and regional affiliation, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said Friday.

Speaking at the first IBSA (India, Brazil, South Africa) Gandhi-Mandela Memorial Freedom Lecture, Ramaphosa recalled Gandhi's famous words, "Be the change you want to see in the world".

"But what was the change Gandhi and Mandela wanted to see. They wanted to see elimination of poverty and a world where nations respect one another and multilateralism was upheld and respected and there was tolerance for each other's religion, race, caste and regional affiliation," he said.

Ramaphosa gave the lecture in presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He said South Africa is looking forward to build its relations with India.

"We are two countries separated by ocean but bound together by the collective energies of our people. The legacies of Gandhi and Mandela have never been more important than they are today. We have a collective role in addressing global economy which is facing a number of challenges right now," he said.

Ramaphosa also recalled former prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru's words who called Asia and Africa sister continents in 1955, saying "we are indeed sister continents".

Naming some of the Indians who contributed to the liberation movement in South Africa, he said they would always be remembered for their contribution.

He said many of them such as Ahmed Kathrada and Ismail Mohammad became gigantic figures in South Africa's democracy.

He also remembered Mahatma Gandhi's grand daughter Ela Gandhi who played a leading role in the women's movement in South Africa.

"I want to thank the people of India for their courage, encouragement, inspiration that they have sent to us during our struggle for liberation. India's leaders have been consistent in expressing their solidarity in liberation struggles of not just South Africa but of other countries as well," he said.

"Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela, their legacies go far beyond their stature as the founding fathers of our two great countries India and South Africa," he said.

He lauded their efforts on justice and liberty, for human dignity and human rights and non-violent resistance.

"They share a common passion for supporting the principle of sustainable development. They also recognised the importance of environment conservation, of the agriculture self sufficiency," he said.

Noting that Gandhi and Mandela remained far ahead of their time, Ramaphosa said it is "indisputable" that they were great visionaries.

"We claim these two icons as our own and we are proud to follow in the footsteps of Gandhi and Mandela," he added.

"South Africa and India have come a long way in addressing our strategic challenges of under-development, economy. Both Gandhi and Mandela wanted to see a world free of racial discrimination," he said.

Ramaphosa, who arrived here this morning, will be the chief guest at the Republic Day Parade on Saturday.

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Punjab National Bank (PNB) said Friday its fresh NPAs have been coming down as it continues to reinforce internal processes to deal with the situation better.

A top PNB official said it has already provisioned close to Rs 14,000 crore towards fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi's alleged fraud on its books and all recoveries will only add to its profit.

"The fresh slippages are coming down," PNB managing director and CEO Sunil Mehta said here without elaborating.

He was speaking to reporters at the inauguration of a central loan processing centre (CLPC) in the city which is part of its futuristic initiative called Mission Parivartan.

As of Septmeber 2018, PNB's gross non performing asset (NPA) was around Rs 80,000 crore.

Officials said they have provisioned around Rs 14,000 crore, which was up from earlier estimates for the alleged Nirav Modi induced fraud.

The bank recently recovered Rs 60 crore from disposing some of Modi's assets in the US, they said.

Meanwhile, the officials said that PNB's CLP centres aim to strengthen the bank's internal credit offering systems and processes. These are specialised loan processing centres for loans ranging from Rs 50 lakh to Rs 50 crore.

The new centre will reduce the turnaround time for lending, improve decision making and bring transparency in the lending process, the bank said.

PNB's 'Mission Parivartan' was launched on 31st March 2018 with an aim to transform the bank and implement change through people, processes and products.

This included tighter audit controls as well as checks and balances in the lending process.

The bank has undertaken structural transformation and measures like integrating instant money transfer services -- SWIFT system (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunications) -- with the Core Banking Solutions.

"The bank has segregated different verticals like credit processing, monitoring and recovery," they said.

In order to improve its image, the bank has also initiated major campaigns. PNB has partnered with Kolkata Metro to co-brand rakes and the PNB chief flagged a train on Friday.

The banks tie up with Kolkata Metro follows similar initiatives with the Delhi Metro.

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As part of efforts to expand bilateral naval cooperation, French Navy's anti-aircraft destroyer FNS Cassard has docked at Mumbai following a reciprocal logistics support agreement signed between the two countries that came into effect recently.

The French embassy here said the logistics support pact concluded during the India visit of President Emmanuel Macron in March last year came into operation a few weeks ago.

In a statement, it said the visit illustrates, in more ways than one, the continuous deepening of France and India's partnership in the Indian Ocean, guided by the joint strategic vision adopted by both the countries last year.

The Cassard-class destroyer last November successfully conducted a rescue mission when a tanker with an Indian crew was shipwrecked.

During the port call from January 24 to 29, the FNS Cassard will attend the visit of an EU military delegation promoting the bloc's role in fighting piracy and in providing maritime security in the Indian Ocean through its renowned operation -- EU NAVFOR.

The delegation of European Union military representatives met Indian authorities in Mumbai and New Delhi between January 22 and 24 to highlight the EU's role in fighting piracy and promoting maritime security in the Indian Ocean through EU naval operation.

"EU NAVFOR Operation Atalanta has been deployed in the western Indian Ocean since 2008 as part of the international effort to fight piracy off the coast of Somalia. Through the Operation, the EU contributes to international security by upholding the free flow of trade transiting the Gulf of Aden and Somali Basin," the European Union said in a separate statement.

EU NAVFOR also provides protection to vessels of the UN's World Food Programme, which delivers vital humanitarian aid to the population of Somalia.

"Working with the EU to enhance maritime security, the Indian Navy on December 24-25, 2018 conducted its very first escort of a World Food Programme vessel in support of Operation Atalanta," the EU said.

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Venezuela's disputed president Nicolas Maduro must refrain from cracking down on the opposition, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian warned Friday.

"We firmly urge Mr Maduro to refrain from any form of repression against the opposition, any resort to violence against peaceful demonstrators," he told reporters.

"We intend to fully back Venezuela's national assembly and its president as democratically-elected institutions which (...) must fully play (their) role," Le Drian said.

Venezuela national assembly head and opposition leader Juan Guaido proclaimed himself acting president on Wednesday in a bid to oust Maduro. New presidential elections should be quickly organised, Le Drian added.

French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday voiced support for Venezuela's opposition, saying Europe favoured "the restoration of democracy" in the country after the "illegitimate" election of Maduro in May last year.

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Roger Stone, a former adviser to President Donald Trump, was arrested Friday under an indictment issued by special counsel Robert Mueller, US outlets reported.

Stone was charged with seven counts, including obstruction of an official proceeding, making false statements and witness tampering, according to The New York Times and other organizations quoting the office of Mueller, who is conducting the Russia investigation.

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Former Gujarat Chief Minister Shankarsinh Vaghela Friday confirmed he will soon join the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), starting a new political innings after stints in the Congress and the BJP.

Vaghela said he took the decision after discussion with NCP president Sharad Pawar and a formal announcement of him joining the party can be expected by Sunday from Mumbai.

"I have discussed this issue with Pawar Saheb. I think it is a good thing. In public life a good platform is required to raise issues of people and nobody should say no to such things," he told reporters when asked about reports of him joining the NCP.

"We are likely to make an official announcement regarding this thing by Sunday from Mumbai," said the former Congress leader.

On Thursday, Gujarat NCP chief Jayant Patel alias Boski had said Vaghela will join his party at a function in the presence of Pawar and another senior leader Praful Patel.

The function is likely to be held on January 29 in Ahmedabad, the NCP leader had said.

Vaghela's entry into the NCP can lead to a three-way fight on a few Lok Sabha seats in Gujarat if the Congress fails to enter into a pre-poll alliance with Pawar's party.

The state has 26 Lok Sabha seats and all of them were won by the BJP in the 2014 general elections.

Vaghela had left the Congress before the 2017 state assembly polls, after he and a few MLAs supporting him voted against Congress candidate for the Rajya Sabha, Ahmed Patel and backed BJP nominee Balwantsinh Rajput.

Vaghela, however, did not join the ruling BJP and put up independent candidates in the state assembly elections held in December 2017. All his candidates had lost polls.

Recently, Vaghela had toured various places, including Delhi, and declared that he will fight for removal of the BJP-led government at the Centre in 2019.

In 2017, the Congress and the NCP had fought assembly elections separately. The NCP was able to win just one seat in the 182-member assembly.

Vaghela (78) is a prominent OBC leader, who started his political career with the BJP.

After the BJP came to power in 1995 in Gujarat and chose to make Keshubhai Patel chief minister instead of him, Vaghela engineered a split in the saffron outfit and became the CM in 1996 with outside support of the Congress.

Later, he joined the Congress and served as Textile Minister in the Manmohan Singh government.

While in the Congress, he also served as its state unit president and Leader of Opposition in the Gujarat assembly.

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National carrier Air India has offered air tickets at very affordable all-inclusive rates on its domestic and international sectors in the economy class as its tribute to the nation on the occasion of Republic Day, an airline spokesman said on Friday.

The tickets with these special fares will be on sale for three days starting from January 26 to 28, 2019 and will be valid for travel till September 30, 2019, the spokesman said.

Tickets can be purchased from the Air India website, airline and city booking offices, call centres and travel agents on a first come first served basis.

On the domestic sectors, the lowest one-way fares starts from Rs 979 in the economy class to Rs 6965 in the business class, all-inclusive, he said.

On the international sectors the lowest round-trip fares to the US starts from Rs 55,000 in the economy class. The fares start from Rs 32,000 on the UK and Europe sector, while for Australia, the fares start from Rs 50,000 in the economy class.

For the Far East Asia and South East Asia sectors, the fare starts from Rs 11,000. Similar low fares are on offer for the SAARC and Gulf countries as well, he said.

Offering for business class fares are equally attractive in all the international sectors as well, the spokesman said.

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In a Ukraine style redux; America has illegally poured money and support for the opposition of a country and refused to abide by the countries laws and even international laws are flaunted by the US administration

The US and Canada recognized Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido as the countrys interim president on Wednesday in a direct challenge to the regime of Nicolas Maduro

Source: US recognises opposition leader Juan Guaido as Venezuelas president | Financial Times

What did Venezuela do?

Is Venezuela a threat to anyone in America and or Anything in America? Is it Venezuelas fault that the US has imposed crippling sanctions for many years against Venezuela? Is it Venezuelas fault that America openly calls for overthrowing the legit government? What did Venezuela do? Did they rape and pillage America?

I checked everywhere and get nothing that resembles sensibility. The Venezuela army stands firm behind the elected incumbent. Apparently they sit on 20% to 25% of all global oil reserves. But this cannot be an issue because the Rothschild dynasty is said to own everything anyway? 

In other tidbit news; Still no news about the 9/11 Grand Jury. Maybe they will meet on the dark side of the moon. To keep state secretes under wraps

They did request that England return their gold. But I guess England does not have it and belligerence is a better form of reply.remember it is Venezuelas gold

Thus also, Venezuela has very large oil reserves and doesnt obey western governments commands. Do it or die type commands. Those are the exact same crimes Iraq was guilty of. Its no mystery why they are in USA gun sights

Wake up people.this is our government destroying countries all over the world for resources and or control of those resources and the countries are better places than the western propaganda tells you. Yes, that you are being fed constantly

Tidbit info: Russia, China, Iran, Turkey and Mexico, and others, have each signaled that despite the wishful thinking of America paid Maduro opponents and the American Mafia, business-as-usual will proceed with their Venezuelan counterparts BUT: A united position with Britain, Canada, Germany, Spain and America signaling their support for the opposition. Gives you the real separation that the world is dividing upon

Everyday that east/west chasm gets wider and wider

By the way; What did Venezuela do?

WtR

PS: Did they attack the USA?

By the way: Who run Bartertown? And will we find out sooner than later?
Five persons, including a mother-son duo, have been arrested for allegedly burgling houses in southeast Delhi's Amar Colony and nearby areas, police said Friday.

The accused have been identified as Rahul alias Ganja (22), Monu alias Mohammad Sirajuddin (23), Kishan Yadav (22), Vijay Kumar (42) and Veena (52), they said, adding Vijay Kumar Jain (71), a jeweller, had also been arrested for purchasing the stolen jewellery.

According to police, Veena lived in Bhalswa Dairy and worked as a domestic help in Amar Colony. She used to conduct a recee for potential targets and pass on the information to her associates.

On January 23, a trap was laid at Aastha Kunj park where Rahul, Monu and Yadav were nabbed at about 9.30 pm and three stolen laptops were recovered from their possession, Deputy Commissioner of Police (southeast) Chinmoy Biswal said.

The arrests were made when the accused persons were going to Nehru Place to dispose laptops, he said.

Based on their information, Veena and Kumar were arrested and other stolen items were recovered from their house. Equipment used to break and enter houses were also seized, he added.

"During interrogation, the accused said one Upender was the brains behind the gang. He used to accompany accused persons in his car. Currently, Upender is absconding," the DCP said.

"The accused used to recee their targeted houses. Kumar, who also drives an auto, used to bring his vehicle for ferrying gang members and transporting stolen articles," he added.

Rahul, along with his associates Monu and Yadav, used to visit the locked houses and with the help of specialised tools used to break the house lock and enter them during daylight, Biswal said.

Veena and Vijay used to keep a watch, outside the house. After stealing the household articles, the accused used to flee in Kumar's vehicle, he said.

They used to store the stolen articles at their house in Bhalswa Dairy and dispose the stolen jewellery to Vijay Kumar Jain, who runs a jewellery shop named Mayur Jewellers at Daryaganj, he added.

Subsequently, Jain was arrested and stolen jewellery was recovered from him, the officer said.

Rahul is Veena's son and son-in-law of accused Vijay Kumar. Other accused persons are friends of Rahul, police said.

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A Senate committee has subpoenaed President Donald Trump's former personal lawyer Michael Cohen, his attorney has said, and Cohen intends to comply with the interview demand related to the Russia investigation.

The development comes one day after Cohen postponed his public testimony to a House committee.

Lanny Davis, a lawyer for Cohen, disclosed the subpoena from the Senate Intelligence Committee in a one-sentence statement on Thursday, and later told The Associated Press in a text message that "we will comply and hope to agree upon reasonable terms, ground rules and a date". Cohen is set to begin a three-year prison sentence in March.

The Senate committee did not immediately confirm the subpoena, but any interview with Cohen would almost certainly take place in private, in keeping with how the committee generally has conducts Russia-related hearings.

Cohen earlier this week delayed his February 7 appearance before the House Committee on Oversight and Reform on the advice of his legal team, citing ongoing cooperation in special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation and threats against his family.

Trump, along with his attorney, Rudy Giuliani, has publicly urged the Justice Department to investigate Cohen's father-in-law, insinuating that Cohen's relative was part of some unspecific criminal activity.

"If he wants to criticize Cohen, he can," Davis said. "Obviously, picking on his family publicly is a way of silencing him or intimidating him. And certainly he has engendered great fear in his extended family, which is why we postponed it."



In an interview on Thursday, Davis said the House should take an immediate vote on censuring Trump "as a step before an impeachment investigation", and he pushed for a criminal investigation of Giuliani involving allegations of obstruction, witness intimidation and witness tampering.

The decision to postpone the House interview pushed back the chance of a public airing on additional details of Cohen's relationship with Trump, including hush money payments that Cohen has admitted arranging for two women who say they had sex with the president. Trump has denied the allegation.

Democrats have suggested they may subpoena Cohen to compel his testimony and the committee's chairman, Representative Elijah Cummings, said Cohen could be brought from prison to appear before Congress. "We will get his testimony," Cummings said.

Cohen pleaded guilty in November to lying to the Senate intelligence committee about his role in a Trump business proposal in Moscow, acknowledging that he misled lawmakers by saying he had abandoned the project in January 2016 when he actually continued pursuing it for months after that.

He has also pleaded guilty to campaign finance violations for his involvement in arranging payments to a former Playboy model and porn actress who had alleged affairs with Trump.

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EU countries are drafting an appeal for Venezuela's leader Nicolas Maduro to convene quick elections, with some demanding recognition of Juan Guaido as interim president if he does not, diplomats said.

"We want an immediate call for elections in the near future," one diplomat told AFP following a meeting of European Union ambassadors who discussed wording for a new and tougher declaration.

Another EU diplomat said France proposed organising elections in a week that would be monitored by international observers.

Both diplomats said several EU countries were proposing recognising Venezuela's parliament president Guaido as interim president if Maduro failed to convene elections.

Guaido, the opposition leader, has already self-declared himself president.

"The idea to condition the recognition has had many supporters," the diplomat said, naming supporters as France, Germany, Britain and Denmark in addition to Spain.

Spain's foreign minister Josep Borrell earlier Friday publicly pushed the European Union to recognise Guaido as interim president if elections are not called rapidly.

The parliament would then organise the new elections in such a scenario, he said.

The diplomat said there is "strong support for a clear new EU signal" following one on Wednesday.

Speaking on behalf of the 28-nation bloc, the EU's diplomatic chief Federica Mogherini said the voice of the Venezuelan people "cannot be ignored" and called for "free and credible elections."



But she did not mention a time frame and she stopped short of calling for Maduro's ouster and endorsing Guaido.

The United States, Canada and major South American nations quickly backed Guaido, leaving Maduro increasingly isolated.

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Homegrown FMCG major Emami Friday announced acquisition of German personal care brand Creme 21, for an undisclosed amount.

Creme 21, which has major business in Middle East and other focus markets, has been acquired at less than 1.5 times of its sales, said Emami in a statement.

"This international acquisition is in line with the company's strategy for growth through the inorganic route," said the Kolkata-headquartered firm.

The acquisition is being funded from internal accruals, it added.

Emami Director Harsha V Agarwal said: "We plan to leverage our existing network of distribution and infrastructure to grow the brand. Creme 21 is an iconic German brand that has a high brand recall. The brand has good potential for growth and we expect it to add value to our growth trajectory."



The German brand was acquired by Ms Antje J Willems Stickel in 2003.

Creme 21 offers skin care and body care products, which include creams and lotions, shower gels, sun care range, and men's range.

"With current sale at over 8 million euro and a gross margin of over 50 per cent, Emami expects to take this brand on an aggressive growth trajectory," said Emami.

Over 80 per cent of Creme 21's business is contributed by MENA region (Middle East and North Africa) and the rest comes from Germany and other focused countries, it added.

Its products are manufactured by a third party in Germany under asset lean model.

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Elaborate security arrangements have been made for the 70th Republic Day celebrations in Rajasthan where a state level-function will be held at Swai Mansingh Stadium on Saturday.

Range IGs, district SPs and other senior officials have been asked to remain alert. Additional police forces will be available as per the requirement, a government release said.

Additional forces have been deployed in the city considering the Republic Day celebration and five-day Jaipur Literature Festival which commenced Thursday.

A state-level Republic Day function will be held at SMS Stadium Saturday where Governor Kalyan Singh will unfurl the Tricolour, the release said.

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The US Senate on Thursday blocked dueling plans to reopen shuttered federal agencies, a fresh setback in efforts to end a month-long government shutdown, but President Donald Trump signalled he could back a new proposal if it includes border security.

The legislative deadlock left Congress and the president red-faced and adrift as thousands of federal workers, some reliant on food banks to make ends meet, are about to miss a second paycheck.

But shortly after the votes, a possible way out of the deepening crisis began to take shape, when Senate leaders huddled in private to discuss a proposal to fund lapsed federal agencies for three weeks, to allow for negotiations over border security.

Asked if he would support the plan, discussed in private by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer, Trump was noncommittal, saying he would still want funding for his wall.

"If they come to a reasonable agreement, I would support it," he said, but added: "We have to have a wall in this country."



Trump had backed a Senate measure which would have reopened the government, funded the wall and included some immigration policy changes. It earned 50 votes to 47 against, but it needed 60 to advance.

A competing proposal by Senate Democrats that would open government through February 8 without funding Trump's wall, and leave room for border security negotiations, also failed to move forward by a similar tally.

Trump was already smarting, after being forced into shelving his annual State of the Union address by top Democrat Nancy Pelosi, the speaker of the House of Representatives, until the government is fully operational.

Though politically bruised, Trump stood firm on his demand for billions of dollars in funding for a border wall as part of an overall budget package.

"We will not Cave!" he tweeted at Pelosi before the Senate votes.

The shutdown is now in its 34th day, with some 800,000 federal workers left unpaid across the country and in US installations abroad -- and the knock-on effects affecting millions more. As acrimony in Washington grew, lawmakers across the political spectrum were left scrambling for an exit strategy for the longest-ever halt to federal operations.

"I don't know what's going to happen next. Nobody knows," warned Senate Republican Richard Shelby. But Lindsey Graham, a Republican senator who often has the president's year, said he discussed with Trump the new proposal gaining traction: a continuing resolution that funds government for three weeks.

"All of us believe that if we had three weeks with the government open, with all the discord coming from a shutdown, that we could find a way forward to produce a bill that he would sign," Graham said on the Senate floor. He added in a tweet that Democratic priorities for disaster relief were also included, "showing good faith from both sides".

The White House stressed the need for at least some money for Trump's border plan. "The three-week CR would only work if there is a large down payment on the wall," press secretary Sarah Sanders said.

Trump has repeatedly called for USD 5.7 billion in border wall funding, a demand consistently rejected by Democrats including Pelosi. Shortly before the Senate vote she urged Republicans to back the Democratic bid to temporarily open lapsed agencies, allowing for a border security negotiation to proceed.

"Who can say no to that?" she said. But many did say no, it turns out.

Senator Mitt Romney, the 2012 Republican presidential nominee, was one of a handful of Republicans who voted for both bills, and he called on congressional leaders and the White House to thrash out their differences quickly. "We can't just have the lack of communication that prevents us from getting to a deal," Romney told reporters.

The air travel industry issued dire warnings, including one from the National Air Traffic Controllers Association. "In our risk-averse industry, we cannot even calculate the level of risk currently at play, nor predict the point at which the entire system will break," NATCA president Paul Rinaldi said in a statement. "It is unprecedented."



Most Democrats oppose direct funds for wall construction, but some have begun publicly advocating for negotiating a solution that includes boosted border funding, including for border structures.

And Pelosi herself said Thursday that "we will have some of our proposals for what comes next" in upcoming legislation offerings.

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The Islamic State group made an aborted attempt to retake a village from US-backed forces in eastern Syria Thursday, a monitor said, leaving 50 fighters dead on both sides.

The failed assault came a day after the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), who are backed by the US-led coalition, took the village of Baghouz from IS.

On Thursday, the jihadist group launched a counterattack including at least three suicide bombers wearing explosive belts against SDF fighters, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

Sixteen SDF fighters and 34 IS jihadists were killed in the assault aimed at retaking the village near the Iraqi border, the Britain-based monitor said. A further "21 IS fighters were taken prisoner as they tried to open up a gap" in defences and make an escape towards Iraq, Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman said.

The SDF have since September been whittling away at a pocket of territory on the eastern banks of the Euphrates River in the eastern province of Deir Ezzor.

The latest advance by the US-backed group has left the last diehard IS fighters holed up in scattered farmhouses near the Euphrates. Thousands of people, mostly women and children, have fled into SDF-held territory in recent days, according to the Observatory.

IS overran large swathes of Syria and neighbouring Iraq in 2014, declaring a "caliphate", but they have since lost almost all of it to various offensives.

The jihadists have however retained a presence in the vast Badia desert stretching across Syria, and have continued to claim attacks in SDF-held territory and abroad.

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The fourth edition of Difficult Dialogues conference this year will focus on as the most powerful and effective instrument in reducing poverty and inequality.

The three-day event to be held in Goa from January 31 to February 2 brings together international experts, policy makers, community level workers and leading thinkers for an engaging conversation on and its myriad facets.

"There is a pressing need to work on policy change and this can only be done by bridging the gap between policy formulation and implementation for which we need to include the last mile implementers in the policy discussion," says Surina Narula, founder of Difficult Dialogues.

"This year the task is to explore the challenges that India faces in the sector and see what needs to be done to bring it back on the path of excellence. This is critical as a good educational system is a must to achieve equality and justice in our society," she said.

Difficult Dialogues is an international conference that tackles the most vital issues facing South Asia. The forum hosts intensive discussions between diverse stakeholders ranging from policy makers, academics and civil society, to politicians, and leaders from media, business and international organisations.

The conference had addressed issues like global finance and civil society in 2016, health in 2017 and gender equality in 2018.

Key speakers at the event this year include University Grants Commission Vice Chairman Bhushan Patwardhan, Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge Arathi Sriprakash, AAP leader Atishi Marlena, Centre for Policy Research, President & Chief Executive Yamini Aiyar, Goa Education Secretary Nila Mohanan, World Bank's Higher Education Specialist for India Francisco Marmolejo among others.

To capture the voice of students, the summit will host 'Daring Debates' wherein students from Delhi, Ahmedabad, Sikkim, Goa and Puducherry will compete with the regional winners from each city.

The need to build world class universities, importance of value education, new threats to academic freedom, education for all, role of technology, financing of learning institutes and whether religion should be a part of education are some of the crucial discussions which will take place at the summit this year.

The Difficult Dialogues this year will also look at "weakening" of public education and how the education sector has increasingly been taken over by private players.

"Studies show that even parents from low income families prefer to send their children to private schools. The same scenario is found in college education where nearly 70 per cent of students are enrolled at private institutes.

"Also, India has never been able to achieve the Kothari Commission's recommended 6 per cent spend of GDP on education," an official statement said.

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US President Donald said the decision by India last year to cut the on motorcycles by half was a fair deal but rued the high duties on American whisky.

At a White House event on the Reciprocal Trade Act on Thursday, flashed out a green colour board that had examples of non-reciprocal from various countries.

"Look at motorcycles as an example. (In) India, it was 100 per cent. I got them down to 50 per cent, just by talking for about two minutes. It's still 50 per cent vs 2.4 per cent (on imported motorcycles to the US). Again, other than that, it's a very fair deal," the president said.

pointed out to the high tariff by India on the import of wines. "India has a very high tariff. They charge a lot of You look at whisky... India gets 150 per cent, we get nothing."



India had last February slashed the customs duty on imported motorcycles like Harley-Davidson to 50 per cent after Trump called it "unfair" and threatened to increase the tariff on import of Indian bikes to the US.

In his interaction with lawmakers at the White House, Trump said the Reciprocal Trade Act would give the US workers a fair and level-playing field against other countries.

The US, he alleged, had been taken advantage of by many countries all over the world. "They charge us tariffs and taxes, the likes of which nobody has any understanding. They're so high and so unfair! They also have barriers where we can't go in. They have trade barriers that make it impossible for us to sell our farm products and our other products.

"Whether they think we're very nice or not so smart, they've been doing it for many, many years and we want to end it. Many of these are friends, many of these are allies... but, sometimes, allies take advantage of us even more so than our non-allies," he said.

Trump said the Reciprocal Trade Act would help to solve the problem once and for all. "Whatever the tariff for a foreign country is, we place the same tariff on us."



"What's going to happen, I think, from a practical standpoint, is they won't be charging us tariffs anymore. We'll see. Or we'll charge them a lot. Tremendous amount of money," he said.

The Reciprocal Trade Act will be an incredible tool to bring foreign countries to the negotiating table and to get them to lower tariffs on US products and also to get rid of their trade barriers, the president asserted.

America cannot lose almost USD 800 billion on trade like has been done for many years, he said.

Congressman Sean Duffy, who introduced the Reciprocal Trade Act, has granite from India among his global list of non-reciprocal tariffs.
The CPI(M) on Friday announced it will hold a nationwide protest on February 4 against the controversial Citizenship Bill, alleging that the legislation "infringes" the basic premise of the Constitution and "threatens" the idea of unity in diversity.

It also said the 10-per cent quota announced recently for the poor from the general category in education and government jobs is a "mockery" of the very concept of economically weaker sections. The reservation is meant for individuals whose annual earning is below Rs eight lakh and who possess less than five acres of agriculture land.

The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, passed in Lok Sabha on January 8, seeks to provide Indian citizenship to non-Muslims from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan. A large section of people in the northeast has opposed the Bill, saying it would nullify the provisions of the Assam Accord of 1985.

The CPI(M) said the bill will "destabilise" the northeast region of the country.

"The politburo of the CPI(M) urges the government not to proceed further with the legislative proposal and withdraw it altogether," it said adding the party will hold countrywide protests against the bill.

In a statement, CPI(M) alleged the bill "infringes on the basic premise" of the Constitution, "threatens the idea of unity in diversity" and recognises "religious identity as the basis for citizenship".

On providing quota for the poor from general category, the party said it was wrong of the government to use the same criteria it has used for OBC creamy layer.

"The CPI(M) opposes this criteria. It makes a mockery of the very concept of economically weaker sections. The government is not accepting even a minimum wage of Rs 18,000 and here it is including an income of almost Rs 70,000 a month for the benefit of reservations.

"This criteria will deprive weaker sections of any benefits which will be cornered by the better-off," it said in the statement.

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A special court here on Friday allowed a Mexican citizen, arrested for alleged drug-smuggling, to take legal advice from a lawyer of his country.

Special Judge Krishnamurty Mishra, hearing cases filed under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, accepted the appeal of the accused, Jorge Solis Fernandez, in this regard.

The 43-year-old Mexican, in his appeal, said his mother tongue was Spanish and Indian lawyers did not understand the language.

So, he should be allowed to take the assistance of a Spanish-speaking Mexican lawyer, Fernandez contended.

The court allowed Fernandez's Mexican lawyer, Rafael Gonzalez, to hold a 15-minute meeting with his client at the district jail here and advise him on the case, after completing the formalities in accordance with the prison manual.

Fernandez, who, according to the police, is allegedly a member of an international drug cartel, is currently lodged in the district jail under judicial custody.

The court has already rejected his bail application.

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) had arrested Fernandez, along with two others, from Indore on September 27 last year on drug-smuggling charges.

A total of 10.91 kg of fentanyl hydrochloride, a narcotic substance, was seized from different premises of both the local accused in the case, the DRI had said, adding that Fernandez was an associate of the duo.

The price of the drug consignment was estimated to be more than Rs 100 crore in the international market.

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The Congress on Friday attacked the BJP for the alleged rise in encounters in Uttar Pradesh, saying the culture comes from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's home state of Gujarat and UP too has become a victim of the ruling party's "muscular" model of governance after Jammu and Kashmir.

In a series of tweets, former home and finance minister P Chidambaram said that during the last 16 months, 78 people were killed in encounters by Uttar Pradesh police.

"Is this the rule of law under the Constitution of India? It is the rule of law under the 'muscular' model of governance offered by the BJP. After Jammu & Kashmir, it is UP that is the victim of muscular government," he said.

Taking a swipe at the BJP, senior Congress leader Anand Sharma said the saffron party is now seeking to make it a national campaign. He said encounters are not sanctioned by law and are against the basic tenets of natural justice.

"This culture comes from Gujarat; of false encounters and killing people. Now they want to make it a national campaign. We are a rule governed country. Where there is a rule of law and everybody has their rights. Nobody can be killed. Encounters are not sanctioned by law. It is against the basic tenets of natural justice," he said.

Sharma said Uttar Pradesh has produced some gaint leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru, Govind Ballabh Pant, Acharya Kripalani, Kamalapati Tripathi, Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna and many others. BJP leaders like Rajnath Singh, who was the state chief minister, are also from the state and wondered how people have now settled to elect Yogi Adityanath.

"Time will tell, when the history of this period is written, as to what damage they have done even to the governance in the state of UP. If encounters is the sole target of an elected Government in a democracy, then God help our country," the senior Congress leader said.

Reports claim the UP Police, in the first 16 months of the Yogi Adityanath government, recorded more than 3,000 encounters in which at least 78 criminals were gunned down.

Quoting officials, the reports say, the data in question was recorded between March 2017, when the BJP government came to power in Uttar Pradesh, and July 2018.

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Terming Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's entry into as a "masterstroke", Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh Friday said it would change the political equations not only in Uttar Pradesh but the entire country.

Launching the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee's Jan Sampark Abhiyan here, he assured Priyanka Gandhi Vadra of full support by the state party cadre to realise Congress chief Rahul Gandhi's dream of an inclusive India.

The Punjab chief minister also asserted that the Congress president will be the the next prime minister of the country.

Priyanka's entry marked the fulfilment of a long-pending demand of the Congress workers and all party members, across cadre, a party release quoting Amarinder Singh said.

The Congress workers are with her and the Congress president in their campaign to rid the people of India of the corrupt and divisive government led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the statement added.

He alleged that the ill-conceived policies of the Centre had vitiated the overall atmosphere in the country, plunging it into an environment of fear, lawlessness and tension.

Singh exuded confidence that the Congress will win all the 13 Lok Sabha seats in Punjab in the forthcoming polls.

He said the Shakti programme launched by the Congress chief to strengthen the party at the booth level had brought in a new level of enthusiasm among the workers to take on the BJP-led government and expose its anti-people agenda.

Terming forthcoming parliamentary elections as very important for the country, he called upon the Punjab Congress workers to take Shakti to every household to ensure that the party wins all the 13 seats in the state.

Formally launching the 'Mission 13' campaign, he exhorted the PPCC workers to go all out to expose the false propaganda being spread by the SAD-BJP combine and to take the state government's achievements to the people.

Mission 13 is critical for enabling a change in Delhi, which is urgently needed to save the country, said the chief minister, adding that the prevailing atmosphere necessitated a new democratic and fair regime at the Centre.

Referring to the Jan Sampark Abhiyan, he stressed the need to connect with the grassroot workers and voters to solicit their views and suggestions for informed decisions by the top leadership.

The door-to-door campaign would further fortify Rahul Gandhi's vision to make each Indian a part of the change which the whole nation desires, he said, addressing party workers and leaders.

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The opposition Congress in Assam wrote to the director general of police (DGP) on Friday, urging him to take action against senior minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for allegedly trying to polarise the state on religious lines by making inflammatory statements.

The Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), which recently snapped ties with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Assam over the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, also accused the saffron party-led state government of promoting religious separatism.

In his letter to the DGP, Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly Debabrata Saikia demanded that Finance Minister Sarma be booked under sections 153(A) and 295(A) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for allegedly making "communal statements, promoting enmity between different groups of people and outraging religious feelings".

Section 153(A) of the IPC pertains to promoting enmity between different groups on the grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language etc. and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony.

Section 295(A) of the IPC pertains to deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage the religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs.

Saikia asserted that at a time when protests were raging on in the state against the Citizenship Bill, Sarma's "communal statements" would certainly have a negative impact on the law-and-order situation.

The bill, which was passed by the Lok Sabha on January 8, seeks to grant Indian citizenship to non-Muslims who fled religious persecution in Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan and entered India before December 31, 2014.

"Sarma must have forgotten that he became minister by taking an oath to protect the Constitution. Speaking in favour of one kind of law for Hindu illegal immigrants and another for Muslim illegal immigrants, he is not upholding the secular tenet of the Indian Constitution, but disrespecting it," the Congress Legislature Party leader in the state claimed.

Sarma was resorting to communal and vote-bank politics in the name of protecting "jati, mati, bheti" (community, land and home), he wrote to the DGP.

In the letter, Saikia was apprehensive that the BJP's policy to polarise the different people of Assam on the basis of religion and language had created an environment for communal and fratricidal clashes in the state in the coming days.

"Therefore, I request that the police suo motu immediately file cases against Himanta Biswa Sarma under sections 153(A) and 295(A), IPC...," the Congress leader wrote to the top cop.

Meanwhile, former chief minister and AGP leader Prafulla Kumar Mahanta said, "The BJP leaders had taken an oath on the Constitution of India and not on the Gita or the Bible. They are now attempting to polarise Assam on the basis of religion."



Stating that the AGP had been opposing the bill since 2016, when it was introduced in the Lok Sabha, he said the party had met many opposition leaders to seek their support to oppose the bill in the Rajya Sabha and got their assurance on it.

Protests erupted across the state after the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 was passed in the Lok Sabha on January 8 with students' bodies, political parties and civil society organisations demonstrating against the bill, fearing that it would change the region's demographic pattern, language, culture, heritage, besides violating the historic 1985 Assam Accord.

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A prominent CNN host has apologised for a tweet which appeared to suggest that Kamala Harris, the first Indian-origin Senator, needs to prove that she was born in the US and is eligible to be the president.

Harris, 54, last week officially launched her campaign for the US presidential election in 2020 to take on President Donald Trump.

If elected, she would be the first woman and woman of colour to be the president of the United States.

Chris Cuomo said during an appearance on ABC's "The View" that he "screwed up" and that the tweet, which he sent Tuesday, was misinterpreted.

"I screwed up. I wrote a tweet, while I was doing my radio show," Cuomo told The View after he was slammed by the Harris campaign and her supporters for supporting such a birther controversy about the US Senator from California who was born in Oakland to parents who immigrated from India and Jamaica.

The tweet drew swift criticism on Twitter, with some saying that Cuomo was giving weight to the false claim that Harris who was born in Oakland is not eligible to run for president because her parents are immigrants.

Cuomo said that his tweet was intended to make the point that Harris should not have to defend herself against those accusations. He added that he made his point "poorly."



Responding to a question, Cuomo said he was simply trying to "get ahead" of the latest "birther" conspiracy after letting similar rumours about former president Barack Obama devolve to the point where he had to prove he was a citizen.

It all started Tuesday with a tweet from Cuomo.

Cuomo said he was responding to a tweet from CNN contributor Ana Navarro who slammed a far-right conspiracy theorist for falsely insisting that Harris could not legally be president because her parents had lived in the US for less than five years before having her.

"Kamala Harris is NOT eligible to be President. Her father arrived from Jamaica in 1961mother from India arrived in 1960. Neither parent was a legal resident for 5 years prior to Harris's birth, a requirement for naturalization," one Jacob Wohl wrote.

"Here we go again with the 'birther' crap. Same drummed-up charge used against Obama to question his citizenship and legitimacy. Hmmmmm.....I wonder what Obama and Kamala Harris have in common?" Navarro tweeted slamming the conspiracy theorist.

Cuomo weighed in. "And hopefully there will be no games where the issue keeps changing for righty accusers...and...the legit info abt Harris comes out to deal with the allegation ASAP. The longer there is no proof either way, the deeper the effect," he tweeted.

Harris's press secretary Ian Sams was quick to slam Cuomo.

"There's no 'both sides,' there's no lack of proof or competing facts, there's no mystery about the 'legit info.' This is ridiculous -- just like the birther smear was a decade ago," he tweeted adding that she was born in Oakland.

Cuomo deleted his original tweet.

"Deleted my original tweet because it was taken literally the opposite way that I intended it. Sen Harris has no duty to justify any such accusation, let alone a birtherism attack. You accuse, you prove. That was my point. Apologise for confusion," the popular CNN anchor said in his new tweet.

Harris, who is the first Indian-origin US Senator, is the fourth Democratic woman leader to enter the presidential race.

The others being Senator Elizabeth Warren from Massachusetts, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand from New York and Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard from Hawaii.

Former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro has also announced to enter the 2020 race.

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: Classic Legends, a Mahindra and Mahindra subsidiary, which relaunched Jawa Motorcycles last year,would focus on tapping Jawa merchandise under its move to take the Jawa legacy to a wider audience, a top official said.

The company, which introduced Jawa and Jawa forty two and the Jawa Perak in November 2015, opened three outlets in the city Friday as part of its plan to open 105 showrooms across 83 cities.

"We are on track with our schedule. The first set of deliveries will happen by March", Classic Legends CEO, Ashish Joshi told reporters.

The company would focus on retailing Jawa branded products like helmets, keychains and T-shirts, he said, adding a commemorative key would also be unveiled.

"Merchandise is part of our experience. There is a big, commemorative key. It will be in the shape of the fuel tank of a Jawa motorcycle. When you put it on a table, the other person will definitely ask about it and it will be a conversation starter...", he said.

"Even in the case of helmets, there is one range of helmets. We will bring in a range of helmets. Because this will be essential part of Jawa experience", he said.

Asked about expanding dealer outlets from the projection of 105, he said "the showrooms will be taken to 120, covering 80 per cent of the domestic market.

Then we can start going to real B and C cities. You have to address this (current) demand and then grow".

The Jawa and Jawa 42 are priced at Rs 1.67 lakh and Rs 1.58 lakh, ex-showroom Chennai.

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Following his arrest and release on an accusation of rape earlier this week, Chris Brown has filed a defamation case against his accuser in Paris courts.

An attorney for the rapper is seeking a criminal prosecution for the "slanderous accusation" of the defendant citing a date of January 18, according to a copy of complaint acquired by The Hollywood Reporter.

A 24-year-old woman claimed he sexually assaulted her in his hotel room between January 15 and 16 this year. She said they met at Le Crystal club, near Les Champs-Elysees, and she followed him back to the hotel.

According to French publication Closer, the woman in her testimony claimed that Brown raped her. After that, his bodyguard and a friend of his also sexually assaulted her.

Brown and two of his associates, including a bodyguard, were released without charge, hours after he was detained over a rape allegation.

French police has said that it will continue to investigate the claim by the woman, identified as Miss K in the filed papers, which were submitted to Paris Prosecutor's office on the afternoon of January 24.

The filing serves as notice in the case to the public prosecutor and the defendant, and Brown's attorney is seeking to pursue the case under the penal code, instead of a civil case, which could result in up to five years of jail time.

If charges are filed, the defendant will have 10 days to file evidence in her defense, and in French courts it is up to the defendant to prove the statement is true.

The rapper stayed in Paris, filming a music video, and was seen Wednesday shooting around the Eiffel Tower and on the banks of the Seine river.

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The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has attached assets worth Rs 2.09 crore, including shopping complexes, of a Rajasthan- based company in connection with a chit fund money laundering case, the agency said Friday.

It said a provisional order under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) attaching the assets of the firm Oro Trade Network India (Ltd), a multi-level marketing company, has been issued.

The total value of the attached assets is Rs 2.09 crore, it said.

The ED said it took over the case after taking cognisance of as many as 48 FIRs filed by the Rajasthan Police against the company and its directors under the Prize Chit and Money Circulation Scheme (Banning) Act, 1978.

The central probe agency described the modus operandi of the case and said its investigation found that "the company and its directors conspired and lured number of people to invest in their schemes by promising high returns and collected around Rs 44 crore in pursuance of criminal conspiracy, cheating and criminal breach of trust."



It added that the company and its directors Satyendra Sharma and Sandhya Sharma acquired various immovable and movable properties "out of the proceeds of crime."



The ED has attached a total of Rs 7.55 crore properties in this case so far.

A charge sheet has also been filed by the ED in the case and the main accused Satyendra Sharma has been arrested and his bail has been rejected by the Rajasthan High Court, it said.

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Billionaire philanthropist George Soros has labelled Chinese President Xi Jinping the "most dangerous enemy" of open societies and urged the Trump administration to "focus" on the Communist giant instead of waging a trade war with the whole world.

Launching a scathing attack on China and its president Xi



at the World Economic Forum (WEF) on Thursday during a private dinner event here in Switzerland, the 88-year-old investor and progressive political activist, also recommended a crackdown on Chinese tech companies.

He said artificial intelligence and machine learning pose a grave threat when they are controlled by authoritarian states. He singled out the use of such technologies by the Chinese government as a "mortal danger."



Soros warned that the Chinese government was developing a "social credit" system that would monitor people living in the world's most populous nation and urged the United States to aggressively counter the threat.

The social credit system, if it became operational, would give Xi total control over the people, Soros said.

"Since Xi is the most dangerous enemy of the open society, we must pin our hopes on the Chinese people, and especially on the business community and a political elite willing to uphold the Confucian tradition," he said.

But he said China is not the only authoritarian regime in the world but the world's second largest economy is the wealthiest, strongest and technologically most advanced.

"This makes Xi Jinping the most dangerous opponent of open societies," Soros said.

Xi, 65, is regarded as the most powerful leader after Chairman Mao Zedong, heading the ruling Communist Party, the military and the Presidency.

Soros said President Xi wants a one-party state to reign supreme in China.

In Beijing, Hua Chunying, a spokeswoman for China's Foreign Ministry, shot back at Soros on Friday, accusing him of twisting the facts.

"We hope to see a certain American individual correct his attitude, broaden his horizons and view China's development in an objective, reasonable and correct manner," Hua told reporters in Beijing.

Soros, a prominent donor to the Democratic Party in the US, also criticised the Trump administration's stance towards China.

"Instead of waging a trade war with practically the whole world, the United States should focus on China," said the former hedge fund manager.

Soros also said the US should apply more pressure to Chinese tech companies Huawei and ZTE, which have been labelled national security threats by some American officials.

"Instead of letting ZTE and Huawei off lightly, [the United States] needs to crack down on them," Soros said. "If these companies came to dominate the 5G market, they would present an unacceptable security risk for the rest of the world."



Huawei and ZTE have denied that their products pose a security threat.

In his provocative speech, Soros warned that artificial intelligence and machine learning could be used to entrench totalitarian control in China.

He said this scenario presented an "unprecedented danger".

But the Hungarian-American businessman said the Chinese people were his "main source of hope".

"I want to call attention to the mortal danger facing open societies from the instruments of control that machine learning and artificial intelligence can put in the hands of repressive regimes," Soros said.

"The social credit system is not yet fully operational, but it's clear where it's heading. It will subordinate the fate of the individual to the interests of the one-party state in ways unprecedented in history," he added.

First announced in 2014, the government-run system will reportedly track elements of an individual's behaviour and determine some personal privileges for them based on a score.

China is piloting the system in various locations, and it is not clear how it will work after it fully rolls out nationally. The system, which is due to be fully operational in 2020, is expected to be mandatory, media reports said.

Soros, also the head of Soros Fund Management and the Open Society Foundations, said the system was "frightening" and "abhorrent.

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A court in China has launched a mobile application on social media, allowing the public to supervise and report on those who avoid repaying their debts.

The Higher People's Court of northern China's Hebei Province has launched the app, the state-run Xinhua agency reported.

The app, which can be embedded in messaging service WeChat, can help find "Laoloi" or the debtors within 500 metres of a user.

The application shows the detailed information about the individuals, company representatives or other organisations in debt, it said.

The public can share the debtor's information in WeChat groups or Moments to alert others about the Laolai. They can also report on the laolai to authorities via the app, Xinhua reported.

Officials of the court said that they have been trying to use internet technology in the judicial work and this app will force those who have the ability to carry out their legal obligations.

"The laolai map will allow the public to know about the credit conditions of people within their vicinity and force the laolai to repay their debt," said a court staff.

The move thrilled the online population, with many saying that the map can help them understand if their friends, relatives or co-workers were trustworthy or not.

"I hope that the app can be implemented nationwide," read a comment on microblog Sina Weibo.

"I just checked my vicinity, and the app alerted me of many laolai!" read another comment.

Laolais have tried many ways not to repay their debt, the report said.

In 2017, a court in Wuhan, capital of Hubei Province, said that a 59-year-old woman had got plastic surgery done in an attempt to disguise herself to avoid repayment of 25 million yuan (USD 3.68 million) debt.

According to government figures, by the end of 2018, about 17.46 million debtors were restricted from buying airplane tickets while 5.47 million from purchasing high-speed train tickets.

Following the move, a total of 3.51 million debtors repaid their loans.

Besides restrictions on buying plane and train tickets, local authorities in China have tried a variety of novel methods to put pressure on the debtors.

In 2017, a court in eastern China introduced a shaming ringtone to embarrass debtors and put pressure on them to pay the money they owed.

The Guanyun County People's Court in Jiangsu Province teamed up with a local telecommunication operator to design a "special ringtone" for local laolai.

If anyone calls the debtor, the ringtone tells the caller: "The subscriber you are calling has been put on a blacklist by the Guanyun County Court for failing to repay their debt. Please urge the person to fulfil their legal obligations. The Guanyun County People's Court appreciates your support. Thank you!".

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Amid a row over Rahul Gandhi's Kailash Mansarovar visit last year after the Congress chief on Friday said he had also met Chinese ministers during his trip, the Beijing's envoy here said all Indian pilgrims were welcome to the country.

"The Chinese government, the Chinese side will welcome all pilgrims from India," Chinese envoy Luo Zhaohui said in response to a question on Gandhi's meeting with his country's ministers.

Earlier in the day, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accused Gandhi of acting as a "Chinese propagandist" and asked him to give complete details of his meeting with China's ministers and officials during his Kailash Mansarovar visit and questioned why had he not kept the Indian government informed about it.

"The Kailash Mansarovar yatra was an excuse. He had gone to meet these ministers. Rahul Gandhi is not an ordinary citizen. Why did he not inform the Ministry of External Affairs? Why was the Indian embassy not kept in loop? We want to know the details of his talks," BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra told reporters.

The ruling party's attack on Gandhi came after the Congress president told a public meeting in Odisha that the Chinese ministers had told him during his Kailash Mansarovar visit in August-September last year that job creation was not a problem in their country.

"When I had gone to Kailash, I had met a couple of their ministers and they had said job creation was not a problem in China at all," Gandhi had said.

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The Chinese military has reacted guardedly to the Indian Navy's move to launch a new air base in the strategically located Andaman and Nicobar islands, saying the area is part of India and it is a normal move by it to establish a military base there.

The Indian Navy on Thursday commissioned the new air base -- INS Kohassa -- in the Andaman and Nicobar islands as part of efforts to expand operational presence in the Indian Ocean where China has been increasing its military presence.

The Indian Navy has been bolstering its presence in the Indian Ocean in view of China regularly sending warships and submarines to the region.

Referring to the launch of the Indian naval base, a report in official Chinese military website said on Friday that some foreign media are provoking the situation, saying India intends to "confront China".

Ding Hao, deputy director of the Asian-African Military Affairs Office of the Foreign Military Studies Department under the Chinese People's Liberation Army's (PLA's) Academy of Military Sciences, said the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are overseas territories of Dominion of India and that it is a normal move for the Indian military to establish military bases there.

Ding also defended China's forays into the Indian Ocean, saying all the "going global" policy of the Chinese military are to safeguard the peace and stability of the world and safeguard China's own overseas interests, not to threaten any country or region.

China has built a logistics base at Djibouti in the Indian Ocean and acquired Sri Lanka's Hambantota on 99-year lease as part of "debt diplomacy".

In response to India's concerns about China's military presence, Ding said that Beijing has always advocated enhancing strategic mutual trust with India at all levels, so it is not necessary to exaggerate Indian military use of their third naval base or Chinese Navy's entering the Indian Ocean.

The "China threat" theory is repeatedly mentioned whenever Chinese ships appear in the Indian Ocean, the report said.

He claimed that the main purpose of the Chinese navy entering the Indian Ocean is to maintain the safety of the maritime channel.

"Given that pirates are very active and Chinese ships sailing to and from Africa, the Middle East and South Asia all need to go through the Indian Ocean, the aim of the Chinese navy entering the Indian Ocean is not only for its own interests. Instead, it also aims to protect the safety of ships from all countries," he said.

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China on Friday skirted direct a response if it would provide a bailout loan to its all-weather ally Pakistan to tide over the present balance of payment of crisis.

Pakistan's Finance Minister Asad Umar on Thursday told reporters in Islamabad that after the support from Saudi Arabia and the UAE, an economic support package had been finalised with China and the government was expecting financial assistance from Beijing within next few days.

When asked for her reaction to Asad's comments, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told a media briefing that she has no specific information on the loan.

"As you know, China and Pakistan are all-weather strategic cooperative partners. China has always provided support and assistance to Pakistan's economic and social development within its capacity. We support Pakistan in taking active measures to cope with and tide over the immediate and temporary difficulties," she said.

"As for the specific issues you mentioned, I don't have the relevant information," Hua said.

Pakistan has received USD 1 billion each from Saudi Arabia and the UAE as part of the bailout package by the two Gulf nations to help shore up Islamabad's dwindling foreign currency reserves.

The kingdom has already deposited USD 2 billion, in two tranche, in the State Bank of Pakistan.

Earlier, reports said that China has agreed to provide USD two billion after prolonged talks between the two countries.

Pakistan is nearly broke with the drying up of foreign cash reserves and mounting external debt.

To stave off the crisis, Islamabad has turned to Saudi Arabia and its greatest ally China. Prime Minister Imran Khan last year travelled to Riyadh and Beijing to seek loans. While Khan managed to secure a loan of USD 6 billion from Riyadh, it is not known if China has made any commitment to Pakistan after publicly vowing to help the country "tide over" the crisis.

Beijing on earlier occasions had issue loans to Pakistan, a scenario, experts fear, might compromise Islamabad's sovereignty.

According to the SBP, Pakistan's foreign currency reserves dropped to a 57-month low of USD 6.63 billion as of January 18, 2019. With these reserves, Pakistan can hardly cover one-and-a-half-month of imports. The reserves have continued to drop for the last two years due to the country's high foreign expenditure and low income, which is better known as the current account deficit.

The deficit was recorded at USD 8 billion in the first half (July-December) of the current fiscal year 2018-19, which was slightly lower than USD 8.4 billion in the same period of previous year.

This assistance has improved Pakistan's position in terms of import payments and debt repayment in the short term.

Pakistan has also sought a bailout package from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) which wants Islamabad to disclose the financial details of the Beijing-funded China-Pakistan Economic Corridor for providing the assistance.

Experts say that the Chinese have pushed Pakistan into heavy debt through the CPEC, a charge denied by Beijing.

Umar earlier said that Pakistan faced a total of USD 27 billion deficit which include USD nine billion debt repayment for this year.

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Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram Friday slammed the BJP for alleged encounter killings in Uttar Pradesh, saying the country's most-populated state is the victim of "muscular" policies of the saffron party after Jammu and Kashmir.

In a series of tweets, the former home and finance minister said during the last 16 months, 78 people were killed in encounters by Uttar Pradesh police.

"Is this the rule of law under the Constitution of India? It is the rule of law under the 'muscular' model of governance offered by the BJP. After Jammu & Kashmir, it is UP that is the victim of muscular government," he said.

Reports say the UP Police, in the first 16 months of the Yogi Adityanath government, recorded more than 3,000 encounters in which at least 78 criminals were gunned down.

Quoting officials, the reports say, the data in question was recorded between March 2017, when the BJP government came to power in Uttar Pradesh, and July 2018.

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: The Union government is committed to ensure that LPG connections are provided to all BPL families in the country, Minister of state for Drinking Water and Sanitation Ramesh Jigajinagi said Friday.

He was speaking after handing over LPG connections to over 40 benefeciaries under the 'Pradhan Mantri Ujwal Yojana' (PMUY) at a convention of beneficiaries held at the BC road here.

He congratulated everyone who put in their effort to make the scheme a grand success across the country by releasing more than six crore connections in the last four and a half years,"thereby making kitchens free from smoke and pollution."



Speaking at the function, chairman of the Parliamentary committee on Petroleum and Natural Gas, Prahlad Joshi, MP,said Congress-ledgovernments could provide LPG connections only to five crore families since domestic gas was introduced in the country, while the NDA government had released six crore gas connections to BPL families within a short span of time.

Nalin Kumar Kateel MP, who also spoke, said that with the time-bound implementation of PMUY in Dakshina Kannada district, it would become the first kerosene-free district in the state.

MLAs from the district and BPCL regional manager S Thangavel were also present at the function.

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The Competition Commission has given go-ahead to Mukesh Ambani-led (RIL) to acquire majority stakes in and for a total of Rs 5,230 crore.

RIL earlier said it will acquire 66 per cent stake in for Rs 2,290 crore and 51.3 per cent in Hathway Cable for Rs 2,940 crore, totalling Rs 5,230 crore.

The acquisition will give RIL access to 24 million existing cable-connected homes of these across 750 cities, thereby covering around half of its target of connecting 50 million homes across 1,100 Indian cities.

In separate tweets on Friday, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) said it approves acquisition of controlling stakes of and Hathway Cable by Reliance Jio, RIL's telecom arm.

Through this transaction, will be strengthening the 27,000 local cable operators (LCOs) that are aligned with DEN and Hathway.

RIL will make open offers for DEN and Hathway as well as the GTPL Hathway, a company jointly controlled by Hathway with 37.3 per cent stake and Hathway Bhawani Cabletel and Datacomm Limited, a subsidiary of Hathway.
The CBI Friday registered a new case against former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and others over alleged irregularities in land allocation and carried out searches at 30 locations in Delhi-NCR, officials said.

A team of officials from the agency arrived early morning at Hooda's residence in Rohtak, Haryana, they said.

According to the officials, 30 locations in the Delhi-NCR region are part of the probe, the officials said.

The agency is tight-lipped about the details of the case as the search operation is underway.

The case is understood to be related to alleged irregularities in land allotment, sources said.

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The CBI has registered a new case against former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and others over alleged irregularities in land allocation in Gurgaon in 2009 and carried out searches at 20 locations in Delhi-NCR on Friday, officials said.

A team of officials from the agency arrived early morning at his residence in Rohtak, Haryana, they said.

According to the officials, 20 locations in the Delhi-NCR region are part of the probe, they said.

The agency is tight-lipped about the details of the case as the search operation is underway.

The case is understood to be related to the alleged irregularities in land allotment in 2009, sources said.

It is alleged that there were glaring irregularities in acquisition of 1,417 acres land by the then Haryana government in Gurgaon in 2009, they said.

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In fresh trouble for former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, the CBI has booked him in a case of corruption in the 1,417 acres land acquisition exercise in 2009 in Gurgaon, and carried out searches at 20 locations, officials said Friday.

The CBI teams started searches at 20 locations in Delhi and Gurgaon, including the residence of Hooda in Rohtak.

The agency has also named Additional Chief Secretary Haryana Trilok Chand Gupta, who was then chief administrator, HUDA along with 15 builders in the case, including DLF, Emaar MGF, Buzz Hotels, Ansals among others. Their official premises were searched during the operation in the morning.

The case was registered on the directions of the Supreme Court on November 1, 2017 where the central investigating agency was entrusted to probe alleged irregularities in the acquisition process of 1,417 acres of land between 2009 and 2012 for sector 58-63 and 65-67 in Gurgaon on June 2, 2009, they said.

The government had issued notification for the acquisition of 1,417.07 acres of land situated at sector 58 to 63 and 65 to 67, Gurgaon on June 2, 2009, the agency said.

Subsequently, another notification was issued for acquisition of 850.10 acres on May 31, 2010, the officials said.

It emerged during the preliminary enquiry that the purpose of Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) for acquisition of land for ensuring availability of developed land at affordable prices to the public at large and to the economically weaker sections of the society, has not been achieved.

The agency alleged that private builders entered in criminal conspiracy with the then chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Chief Administrator Trilok Chand Gupta with an intent to cheat land owners.

In pursuance of the conspiracy, notifications for acquisition of land were issued by the government triggering panic sale of land to private developers at a much cheaper rates than the prevalent market prices, they said.

A large chunk of land was of no use to HUDA still it was covered in government notification, they said.

The developers used their influence to get licences issued for pockets which were not useful for HUDA and those lands were released from acquisition process, they said.

The government had issued notification for the acquisition of total area of 1,417.07 acres in 2009 and 850.10 acres in 2010, they said.

It has further been revealed that during the notification period, approximately 616.40 acres of land was released in favour of developers.

Other builders booked by the agency include



R S Infrastructure, Martial Builcon, Marconi Infratech, Commander Realtors, SU Estates Pvt Ltd, Krrish Buildtech, JMD Ltd, Gupta Promoters, H S Realty, DSS Infrastructure and Sana Realtors.

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In more trouble for senior Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda, the CBI booked the former Haryana chief minister on cheating and corruption charges in connection with land acquisition in Gurgaon that favoured private builders and also conducted searches at 20 locations including his Rohtak residence.

The Congress as well as Hooda,71 , hit out at the Centre over the raids by the Central Bureau of Investigation(CBI), calling it nothing but "political vendetta" to suppress his voice and defame him.

The CBI also named in the FIR Additional Chief Secretary Haryana Trilok Chand Gupta, who was the then chief Administrator, HUDA, along with 15 builders including DLF, Emaar MGF, Buzz Hotels, Ansals whose official premises were searched during the operation in morning, officials said. The searches were carried out in Delhi and Gurgaon.

It booked Hooda, Gupta and the builders for alleged criminal conspiracy and cheating under the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act in connection with alleged irregularities in the acquisition of land.

Hooda is already facing CBI probes in two cases that related to Manesar land aquisition and allotment of an institutional plot to Associated Journals Ltd (AJL), the publisher of National Herald, in Panchkula. In both the cases, charge sheets have been filed.

The third case against Hooda and others was registered on the directions of the Supreme Court on November 1, 2017 when the CBI was entrusted with the probe into alleged irregularities in the process of acquisition of 1,417.07 acres of land between 2009 and 2012 for sector 58 to 63 and 65 to 67 in Gurgaon, CBI spokesperson Nitin Wakankar said.

The government had issued the notification on June 2, 2009, he said. Hooda was the chief minister at that time.

Subsequently, another notification was issued for acquisition of 850.10 acres of land on May 31, 2010, officials said.

The CBI claimed that during the notification period approximately 616.40 acres of land were released in favour of developers.

It emerged during the preliminary enquiry that the objective of the HUDA for acquiring the land to ensure availability of developed land at affordable prices to the public at large and to the economically weaker sections of the society has not been achieved.

The agency alleged that private builders entered into a criminal conspiracy with Hooda, a two-time chief minister, and Trilok Chand Gupta with an intent to cheat land owners.

In pursuance of the conspiracy, notifications for acquisition of land were issued by the government triggering panic sale of land to private developers at a much cheaper rates than the prevalent market prices, officials said.

A large chunk of land was of no use to the Haryana Urban Development Authority(HUDA) but still it was covered in the government notification, the officials said.

The developers used their influence to get licences issued for pockets which were not useful for the HUDA and those lands were released from the acquisition process, they claimed.

Other builders booked by the CBI included R S Infrastructure, Martial Builcon, Marconi Infratech, Commander Realtors, SU Estates Pvt Ltd, Krrish Buildtech, JMD Ltd, Gupta Promoters, H S Realty, DSS Infrastructure, Sana Realtors.

It's nothing but political vendetta. They want to suppress my voice, in which they will not succeed, Hooda told reporters in Rohtak after the CBI officials left his home.

Hooda said he fully cooperated with the officials, adding, They found nothing.

"They took a copy of an income tax return filed by my nephew a long time back," he said.

"Nothing was found against me," he added.

"I am from a family of freedom fighters, even the British could not suppress us, Hooda said, adding he would fight his battle himself.

"I know the legal process and have full faith in the judicial system."



Rohtak MP Deepinder Singh Hooda, who is the son of the two-time CM, was also in the house during the raid.

"The present BJP government is working with political vendetta for the past five years," he said.

The Congress also warned officials of various agencies to be ready for accountability for allegedly working at the behest of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to target his political opponents.

Senior spokesperson of the Congress Anand Sharma said such actions when the prime minister and the ruling dispensation "target its political opponents by using agencies against them are dangerous for democracy in our country".

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi has a mindset of targeting his political opponents by defaming them with the objective of muzzling the voice of the opposition and to tarnish the image of their tall leaders.

"We condemn in the strongest terms the action today in the form of raids on former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda with the sole purpose of defaming him," Sharma told reporters in Delhi.

Sharma said the timing of the FIR and the searches are also very clear as it came ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

There was no immediate reaction from the BJP to the allegations levelled by Hooda and Sharma.

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The Delhi police on Friday claimed to have solved the mystery behind the recent killing of a 27-year-old woman, whose body was found floating in a well in Jhajjar, Haryana, after two men arrested on Wednesday for carrying weapons revealed their involvement in the crime.

Naveen (26) and Neeraj Nara (31), residents of Najafgarh in southwest Delhi, were arrested on January 23 after the police received information that two men carrying illegal arms would arrive in the Jai Vihar area near Dwarka in a Maruti Eeco car.

A trap was laid on the evening of January 23 near the Jai Vihar nala and when the car was stopped for verification, the two occupants tried to flee and were apprehended by the Anti-Auto Theft Squad (AATS), the police said in a statement.

On being searched, two knives were seized from the two men, who, during interrogation, confessed to their involvement in the killing of the woman on January 17, the police said.

Later, a motorcycle was also seized from their possession, the police said, adding that the two-wheeler and the car were used in the crime.

The duo had revealed that the main accused in the case, Vidhan, was their common friend, the police said.

The Haryana police has been informed of the arrests.

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Canada's ambassador to China has said he misspoke and regrets saying the extradition of a Chinese executive to the US "would not be a happy outcome."



Ambassador John McCallum said earlier this week in a 40-minute conference with Chinese media in the Toronto area that Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou has a strong case to avoid extradition, and he suggested the case is politically motivated.

The remarks surprised many and fueled speculation that Canada might be trying to send a signal to China to reduce tensions.

But McCallum walked back the comments on Thursday. "I regret that my comments with respect to the legal proceedings of Ms. Meng have created confusion. I misspoke," McCallum said in a statement.

"These comments do not accurately represent my position on this issue. As the government has consistently made clear, there has been no political involvement in this process."



Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau earlier dismissed calls to fire McCallum. Opposition Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer has said Trudeau should fire McCallum because his remarks raise concerns about the politicization of the Meng case.

Trudeau smiled when asked about removing McCallum, and said it wouldn't do anything to help two Canadians arrested by China in what many consider retaliation for the Meng arrest.

"Making a change would not help release those Canadians a day sooner," Trudeau said.

Trudeau didn't say whether he agrees with McCallum, a former minister in his Cabinet known for blunt talk. Canada arrested the daughter of Huawei's founder at the request of the US on December 1.

Meng is wanted on fraud charges that she misled banks about the company's business dealings in Iran. McCallum didn't invite major English-speaking media to his press conference in Markham, Ontario, a district he once represented and one with a large Chinese-Canadian constituency.

The Meng case has severely damaged Beijing's relations with Ottawa. China arrested former Canadian diplomat Michael Kovrig and Canadian entrepreneur Michael Spavor on December 10 in an apparent attempt to pressure Canada to release Meng, the chief financial officer of Huawei.

A Chinese court also sentenced a Canadian to death in a sudden retrial of a drug case, overturning a 15-year prison term handed down earlier.

China's foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said her government has "noted the relevant remarks by Ambassador McCallum" and reiterated its demand that Meng be released.

Huawei has close ties to China's military and is considered one of the country's most successful international enterprises, operating in the high-tech sphere where China hopes to establish dominance.

Andrew MacDougall, a former spokesman for Canada's previous conservative prime minister, didn't buy McCallum's excuse.

"McCallum's comments weren't a slip of the tongue. They were delivered at length, and deliberately to a specific audience," MacDougall tweeted.

Guy Saint-Jacques, a former Canadian ambassador to China, said McCallum's statement does not represent the views of the government. "When he met with the Chinese language media he ad-libbed. He should have shown more restraint," he said.

Saint-Jacques said the envoy should have known not to offer any comments about a legal issue. "It undermines the principle that Canada is a country that is governed by the rule of law," he said.

"It makes the Chinese believe that this is all political so it's just a matter for them to put more pressure on Canada."



He called the remarks unfortunate but said it would be a mistake to replace McCallum because the process would take too much time and relations are at a critical point.

"With the tensions in the relationship right now the Chinese could sit on the request," Saint-Jacques said. "Mr. McCallum should continue but I would expect he won't be making public comments for a while.

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Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel Friday said "political cases" filed against workers of political parties during the previous BJP government in the state will be withdrawn.

He said political cases against workers of student unions and political parties will be revoked.

Baghel was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a programme of the National Student Union of India (NSUI) at the Medical College auditorium here.

"Several fake cases were registered against NSUI student workers who had staged protests (under the BJP rule) in support of their demands and those cases will be revoked.

"Even former Chief Minister Raman Singh had lodged cases against his opponents within the BJP. All those cases will also be withdrawn on the basis of merit," Baghel said.

In an apparent reference to Raman Singh's son Abhishek Singh, the MP from Rajnandgaon Lok Sabha constituency, in context of the Panama Papers scandal, Baghel said, "Nawaz Sharif of Chhattisgarh is roaming free".

In the past, Singh and his son have denied any link to the scandal and termed the Congress allegations baseless and politically motivated.

"During NSUIs programme in Rajnandgaon (ahead of assembly polls),a slogan was raised that who is Nawaz Sharif of Chhattisgarh. But the Nawaz Sharif of Chhattisgarh is roaming free," he added.

Baghel said his government has just "removed dust" from some files left by the previous government and all hell has broken loose.

"We have justremoveddusts spread on some files and a hue and cry has started. Still there are lots of files to be opened because the entire conspiracy was hidden in those documents," he added.

Asked to whom he was referring by calling Nawaz Sharif, Baghel said, "The person whose name has been cropped up in the Panama Paper leak. In the Panama scandal, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was jailed. In the same issue, some names also featured from Chhattisgarh.

"On the residential address of former chief minister, an (offshore bank) account was opened and it will be probed," he said.

Baghel informed that Congress president Rahul Gandhi will be on a day-long visit to Chhattisgarh on January 28 to express his gratitude to people and farmers who had blessed the party with a three-fourth majority in the November assembly polls.

Certificates of loan waiver will be distributed to farmers at a function to be attended by Gandhi, he added.

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Boman Irani has been roped in to star in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's biopic, which has Vivek Oberoi set to play the title role.

Irani joins Darshan Kumaar, who last came on board "PM Narendra Modi" to be directed by Omung Kumar.

The actor said it is an honour to be chosen to be a part of a landmark film.

"It's a strong team comprising Sandip Ssingh, Omung Kumar and Vivekanand Oberoi and I am looking forward to working with them. This has been a great start to my New Year and I am looking forward to this remarkable journey," Irani said in a statement.

The producer said the actor's presence as part of the cast gives the project its much-needed experience and depth.

"I believe a strong cast is a foundation to making a great film. We are very excited to have such amazing actors on board and I can't wait to begin shooting," said Ssingh.

The biopic will traverse the journey of Modi from his beginnings to his years as chief minister onto his landmark win at the 2014 general election and being nominated as prime minister.

Actor Suresh Oberoi, Vivek's father, is co-producing the film along with Ssingh.

The first schedule of the biopic is expected to start in a fortnight.

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The BJP Friday attacked the Congress over its Odisha chief Niranjan Patnaik being summoned by the Delhi Police in a case of cheating, and asked its president to explain why Patnaik was "avoiding the law".

"These are not allegations levelled by the media or political rivals, but based on facts and proof. should answer people on the issue. He should explain why his state party president is avoiding the law?" Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan, a key BJP leader from Odisha, told reporters here.

The Delhi Police reportedly registered a case of misappropriation of funds and cheating against Patnaik and his son, and summoned them for questioning.

Commenting on Gandhi's visit to Odisha, Pradhan said the "key culprit" behind Odisha's lack of development was the Congress.

"They (Congress) have ruled the country and Odisha for a long time but still Odisha has not got its rights. The youth and the poor of the state could not get benefits of government policies.

"They have looted the nation. Congress should answer to the people of Odisha. What is their view on corruption by their party members there? They are accountable to the people," he said.

On the issue of the CBI raid at the residence of former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and allegations that the BJP is using the probe agencies as tool to settle political scores, Pradhan said, "Let them (Congress) say that Mr Hooda or Mr Patnaik are not involved in corruption, they are not culprits of misappropriation. Let they come out clearly. Law will take its own course.
Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Friday targeted the RSS, alleging that the BJP's "mothership" was trying to penetrate and control all institutions and its imprint was evident everywhere be it "North Block and the South Block" which has led to chaos in the country including the judiciary.

During an interaction with intellectuals as part of the Congress' outreach efforts ahead of Lok Sabha polls, Gandhi said unlike the BJP, his party "respects decentralisation, independence of institutions and constitutional advances".

He said that their fight was against the ideology that "one state, one ideology and one set of people should run the country" and stressed that the nation should be driven by its 1.2 billion people.

He criticised the Modi government over the issue of loan waiver to industrialists, implementation of GST and MGNREGA and Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme.

Gandhi said he takes "constant abuse" by the RSS and BJP as a "gift" which has strengthened him as he has learnt a lot from them. He said he will recommend that Prime Minister Narendra Modi read "the Gita (holy book) a couple of times. I also recommend him to read the book 'I am That' by Swami Nisargadatta."



The book teaches you how insignificant you are when compared to the universe, Gandhi said.

"You currently have one institution called the RSS, mothership of the BJP, which believes it should be the only institution in the country. They want to penetrate into all other institutions and control them," he said.

This mindset has led to chaos everywhere in the country, including areas of judiciary and education, Gandhi said.

"You can see these imprints of RSS if you go to North Block and South Block. We simply believe that one state, one ideology, one set of people should not run this country. We believe that 1.2 billion people should run this country. We defend this," Gandhi said.

The Congress leader also said his party has a view different from the ruling BJP when it comes to functioning of key institutions.

"We believe that there is a link between India's success, India's constitution, advancement and institutional independence. So very simply, we respect institutions like judiciary, Election Commission of India, educational system and universities. There is a difference in mindset.

"We are much more interested in bringing the voice of people into government and sometimes frankly, when Congress was operating, there was lot of noise, but that is part of democracy," the Congress chief said.

Gandhi asserted that the Congress will not allow assault on key institutions. "We will have to do a lot of repair works because what was done in last five years is devastating for the country," he said.

"For the first time in India's history, Supreme Court judges came out... and said we are not allowed to do our work," he said.

The Congress president said he readily accepts criticism. "I am a person who is not critical to criticism. I learn from people and I do not want that everyone should accept my opinion. I do not hate as hate weakens and hatred creates blindness," Gandhi said.

He dismissed suggestions that all parties have been neglecting middle-class and stressed that a sizeable section of the society was able to rise above poverty because of the liberalisation process initiated by the Congress in 1991 and between 2000 and 2014.

"Congress helped create the middle-class. Our set of policies of liberalisation, frankly, built the middle-class. Now of course you can ask the question about neglect of middle-class to (Narendra) Modi", he said.

Middleclass people are facing hardships in spheres of health care and education due to monopolization, he said. RTI and Lokpals are major weapons for the middle-class but "RTI is dead at present", he said..

Monopolization and "capturing" of education and healthcare systems needs to be challenged, he said, underlining the need to invest huge amounts in these sectors.

He said there was a need to raise the standards of institutions like IITs by improve the quality of education and infrastructure. "You see how IITs were set up in the 1950s. We all talk of the quality of the IITs, but we must remember that these were set up nearly seven decades ago. We need to see what we can do to take these forward," he added.

Regarding jobs, Gandhi said Rs 12.5 lakh crore of India's banking money has been captured by 30 or 40 businessmen.

"If you are a small or medium businessman, you have to deal with demonetisation, GST, but you are not forgiven your loans, while Vijay Mallya can run away with Rs 9,000 crore and Nirav Modi with Rs 30,000 crore which is the amount of one year's job volume of MGNREGA.

"Anil Ambani can be given Rs 30,000 crore just like that. Some of these monopoliies need to be challenged," Gandhi said.

The Congress chief said a small businessman "should also be given similar access to banking and political system as Anil Ambani. And we centralise power. If everything is run from PMO or CMO, only 15 to 20 people close to them will benefit. Decentralisation of power can stop it."



This was Gandhi first visit to Odisha as Congress President ahead of the polls.

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The BJP and the Congress put up shows of strength Friday as the Jind by-poll neared, with the ruling party accusing the Congress candidate Randeep Singh Surjewala of not taking his role as an MLA seriously.

At a rally, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar suggested that Surjewala, the Congress' chief spokesperson, hardly attended the state assembly to which he was elected from Kaithal.

"Congress is such a buffalo who eats fodder of Haryana but gives milk in Delhi," Khattar said.

Of total 72 sittings of Haryana Vidhan Sabha, Surjewala attended only seven, Khattar claimed.

There was no immediate comment on this claim from the Congress.

The by-poll for the Jind seat is scheduled to be held on January 28 and was necessitated following the death of INLD MLA Hari Chand Middha.

On the second-last day of electioneering, the entire cabinet and top state BJP leaders addressed the rally in support of party nominee Krishan Middha, the son of Hari Chand Middha.

"The Congress has scarcity of candidates... The party did not find a candidate from Jind for the by-poll," Khattar said, taking a jibe at Surjewala as he is already the Congress MLA from Kaithal.

He alleged that Surjewala during his tenure as minister in the previous Congress government did noting for development of the region.

Khattar also criticised the INLD and the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP).

The JJP was floated by Ajay Singh Chautala, the elder son of former CM and INLD supremo Om Prakash Chautala after power struggle in the Chautala clan.

"What can you expect from people to do in the Vidhan Sabha who can not solve the problem within the family," he said, taking a jibe at the internal fight within the Chautala family.

He said that Hisar MP Dushyant Chautala and his brother and JJP nominee Digvijay Chautala should first learn how to maintain unity in the family.

At a sperate rally, the entire Haryana Congress rank threw it's weight behind Surjewala. Prominent among those present at the rally included CLP leader Kiran Choudhary, state Congress chief Ashok Tanwar, Rohtak MP Deepinder Hooda, and former MP Naveen Jindal.

Surjewala in his address charged the BJP and INLD with turning Jind into a backward area.

"Today, Jind is backward due to the BJP's policies and its partisan approach," he said.

Seeking votes, he said that the people of Jind made him "learn how to walk, run and fly".

Addressing the gathering, Deepinder, the son of former CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda, whose residence in Rohtak was raided by the CBI, said "such steps will not be tolerated in democracy".

Bhupinder Hooda was also supposed to address the rally, but could not reach due to the CBI raids at his residence in Rohtak.

"The NDA government at the Centre and the BJP in the state is trying to suppress the voice of Hooda who raises people's concern against PM Narendra Modi and Khattar," he said.

He challenged the BJP government to take any step against his father and asserted that "we will not be cowed down by such tactics".

The by-poll for the Jind seat, considered as the political heartland of Haryana, will prove to be a litmus test for all parties including the ruling BJP, the Congress, the INLD and the JJP.

On Saturday, the last day of the campaigning, AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal will address a rally in favour of the JJP nominee.

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Bihar Governor Lalji Tandon on Friday mourned the death of renowned Hindi writer Krishna Sobti, who breathed her last at a Delhi hospital early this morning.

In his condolence message, Tandon said the death of Sobti



whose many laurels include Jnanpith and Sahitya Akademi awards has caused an irreparable loss to the world of Hindi literature.

In her works like Mitro Marjani, Daar Se Bichhuri and Zindaginama, Sobti successfully presented the challenges faced by Indian women in their day-to-day lives. Her absence will definitely leave behind a void. May her soul rest in peace and her family members as well as numerous admirers find the strength to cope with the loss, Tandon added.

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Gujarat BJP Friday suspended its leader and former MLA Chhabil Patel from the party after the state police's probe revealed that he was behind the murder of another party leader and ex-MLA Jayanti Bhanushali.

Since Patel belonged to Kutch district, state BJP president Jitu Vaghani asked the district unit president to suspend him from the party membership, a release issued by the Gujarat BJP said.

Patel's suspension came a day after the Gujarat CID-Crime arrested Patel's two aides in connection with Bhanushali's killing.

The probe agency has said that Patel had fled to Muscat a week before the murder.

Bhanushali, who once represented Abdasa seat of Kutch district in the assembly, was shot dead in a moving train on January 8.

The incident took place when the train was between Bhachau and Samkhiyali stations in Kutch, the police had said.

Investigations into the case revealed that Patel along with a woman, Manisha Goswami, had hired two sharp shooters from Maharashtra to kill Bhanushali.

The sharp shooters allegedly stayed at Patel's farmhouse in Kutch before committing the crime at his behest, they said.

According to the CID-Crime, both Patel and Goswami harboured a grudge against Bhanushali and decided to join hands to eliminate their common rival.

As planned by Patel and Goswami, Bhanushali (53) was attacked when he was travelling in an air-conditioned coupe on the Bhuj-Dadar Express while returning to Ahmedabad from Bhuj, CID officials had said yesterday.

While Patel has fled the country on January 2, the police were yet to establish the whereabouts of Goswami and two sharp shooters.

Bhanushali represented the Abdasa assembly seat between 2007 and 2012. Patel, as a Congress candidate, had defeated him from Abdasa in the 2012 assembly elections.

Within two years, Patel switched sides and joined the BJP, but lost the bypoll for the seat in 2014.

In the 2017 polls, the BJP chose Patel over Bhanushali for the Abdasa seat, but he lost to the Congress candidate.

In his complaint to the Gandhidham railway police, Bhanushali's nephew Sunil Bhanushali had alleged that Patel held his uncle responsible for his defeat in 2014 and 2017 and held a grudge against him.

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Pitching itself as a gateway to the Gulf region, Bahrain is making a big pitch here at the WEF summit to attract investments and is promising huge opportunities for Indian investors.

Simon Galpin, Managing Director, Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB), said Bahrain also sees fourth industrial revolution (4IR) as a great opportunity that would help its economy be dynamic and agile.

"We are seeking to capitalise on the 4IR opportunity by introducing a series of reforms across the economy, particularly in digitising industries such as finance, but also in education and logistics for example," Galpin told PTI during the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF).

He said Davos attendees view Bahrain in a very positive light and are seeing the vast potential the kingdom offers for overseas investors and are often surprised by the ease at which companies can set up their operations.

On the response of Indian leaders he met here, he said India and Bahrain have a long history of economic and cultural ties and both sides are keen to further develop deeper relations in the future.

"This ethos of collaboration is at the heart of this, as we look to build what we are calling the India-Bahrain business corridor - a mutually beneficial partnership that will see even greater trade, exchange of ideas and development of innovation," Galpin said.

Indian political and business leaders are as excited as we are about our shared opportunities and continue to be amazed at the advances being made in Bahrain, he said.

"One Indian investor I spoke to was astonished that he could set up his real estate joint venture in Bahrain without once going to a government department. Everything he needed was online," he said.

On plans Bahrain EDB has for India, Galpin said they recently undertook a highly successful roadshow in India where they met with government officials and businesses, all of whom were keen to strengthen ties between the two countries.

"Such success has encouraged us to open another EDB office in India, in addition to our existing Mumbai and Delhi representations.

"Indians are the largest group of expats in Bahrain and are heavily involved in our economy, particularly in finance and real estate. But, future opportunities are even greater, with our investment environment improving day-by-day as the economy strengthens and ongoing economic reforms take root.

"For example, Indian investors could take advantage of the 'Rules of Origin' principle in international trade to access less open markets like the United States and can help develop emerging industries such as fintech, that are increasingly blossoming in the kingdom," he added.

Earlier at a session on 'India 4.0: Making technology work for all', Galpin said India has led the world with technology enabled governance such as its unique ID scheme (Aadhaar) which has transformed the way the country transfers welfare benefits to the needy and also accesses data for KYC and other validation purposes through secure and safe means.

Cutting edge technologies of the future, including robotics, AI, big data and analytics, are already big opportunities in India, he said.

Corporates and public sector organisations working across spaces such as fintech, bio similars, genome research and pharma are increasingly looking at India as an incubator of such advanced technologies for deployment at scale in global markets.

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A 43-year-old Bangladeshi tourist was killed by an elephant when he was returning from a jungle safari in Jalpaiguri district on Friday, officials said.

The elephant drew Kanak Saymon with its trunk and flung him away when he went close to the jumbo to take a photo.

The tourist came to the forest with friends and had checked in at a resort in Jhalang.

They came to Lataguri for a jungle safari and the incident occurred on the state highway between Murti Bridge and the road leading to a Chandrachur watch tower.

Forest Minister Binay Krishna Burman and Tourism Minister Gautam Deb termed the incident as 'unfortunate'.

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The Raigad collectorate Friday afternoon began demolishing Nirav Modi's sprawling seaside mansion in Kihim in Alibaug.

District Collector Vijay Suryawanshi issued the demolition orders after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) handed over the property situated in neighbouring Raigad district, over 90 kilometres from here, sources told PTI.

Last year, the state government wrote to Enforcement Directorate (ED), which had sealed the fugitive diamantaire's bungalow, seeking permission to demolish the illegally-built property on Kihim beach.

Nirav Modi, who is on the run after being named in the Punjab Bank (PNB) scam, is among 202 bungalow owners who face the threat of their properties being demolished.

Raigad Collector Suryawanshi said the bungalow was illegally built and flouted all environmental norms.

"We have begun proceedings to demolish all 202 illegal bungalows in Alibaug and Murud tehsil," he said.
The Australian embassy in Beijing was on Friday granted consular access to Australian national Yang Jun, who is detained in China on national security grounds.

Embassy staff made a consular visit to Yang in the afternoon, according to a brief statement released by the Australian department of foreign affairs.

"Access to Mr Yang was provided in accordance with our bilateral consular agreement with China," the statement said.

"Due to Privacy Act obligations, we will not provide further details about Mr Yang or the contents of our consular discussions with Mr Yang."



The Chinese-Australian author and democracy advocate, whose pen name is Yang Hengjun, was detained shortly after he made a rare return to China from the United States last week.

Beijing state security took "compulsory measures" against Yang, who is suspected of "engaging in criminal activities that endanger China's national security", China's foreign ministry said Thursday.

His detention comes amid heightened tensions between Western countries and an increasingly muscular Beijing, which detained two Canadians last month amid a diplomatic row with Ottawa.

Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told reporters on Friday that Yang never worked for the foreign ministry, contrary to media reports.

Yang left mainland China for Hong Kong in 1992 and became an Australian citizen in 2000.

According to Yang's lawyer Mo Shaoping, the detained Australian national is under residential surveillance.

National security accusations like those levied against Yang often imply espionage allegations in China, and are similar to those made against the two Canadians who were detained in December, former diplomat Michael Kovrig and businessman Michael Spavor.

The two were taken after Meng Wanzhou, a top executive at Chinese tech giant Huawei, was arrested in Canada at the behest of a US extradition request linked to violations of Iran sanctions.

Her extradition hearing is expected to start in February.

Tensions between China and Australia have also been strained in recent months.

Australia banned Huawei from participating in its 5G network in August over security fears. The United States and New Zealand have taken similar steps.

Canberra has demanded that Yang be treated "fairly and transparently" and has complained was notified four days after the detention, instead of three days as required.

This is not the first time that Yang has disappeared in China -- he went missing during a 2011 trip but resurfaced days later describing his disappearance as a "misunderstanding."



Days after Yang's arrest, Vietnamese-Australian pro-democracy activist Chau Van Kham was detained in Vietnam by security services on his return to Ho Chi Minh city.

Australia said Friday that it was seeking consular access.

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Half-centuries from Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne put Australia firmly in command of the day-night Test against Sri Lanka at the Gabba in Brisbane on Friday.

Head hit a Test best 84 and Labuschagne posted 81 as Australia amassed 323 to hold an imposing 179-run innings lead over the Sri Lanka after the second day.

Sri Lanka suffered further indignity losing the wicket of Dimuth Karunaratne on the last ball of the day by Pat Cummins for three as the tourists had to negotiate a tricky six overs facing the pink ball under lights.

Karunaratne was snapped up behind by Tim Paine as Sri Lanka reached stumps at 17 for one with Lahiru Thirimanne on six to trail by 162 runs overall and battling to avoid defeat with three days left.

Head was trapped leg before wicket by Suranga Lakmal, meaning no Australian batsman has scored a Test century in nine innings against India and Sri Lanka this summer.

Head sought a review but it sided with the umpire's call and he was on his way, shaking his head.

Labuschagne was out shortly before dinner also with a maiden Test century beckoning.

His patient 150-ball knock ended when he skipped down the wicket to lift a drive only to find the bottom of his bat and was taken at short mid-on by Thirimanne off Dhananjaya de Silva.

Sri Lanka grabbed a few wickets towards the end of Australia's innings. Cummins was unable to get off the mark in 21 balls before he was squared up by Dushmantha Chameera and tickled a catch behind to Niroshan Dickwella.

Skipper Paine was out first ball, edging a Lakmal outswinger to Kusal Mendis at second slip for a splendid low catch and young Test newcomer Kurtis Patterson showed promising resilience to bat for 82 balls before he was lbw to Lakmal for 30.

Mitchell Starc hit out lustily for 26 with four fours and a six before Jhye Richardson was the last wicket to fall for one. Lakmal finished with five for 75.

Head and Labuschagne put on 166 runs for the fifth wicket to seize the momentum and put Australia in command after losing two wickets in the opening session chasing Sri Lanka's modest 144.

Marcus Harris was out in the first over of the day, spooning a cut shot to Thirimanne at point off Lahiru Kumara for 44 after adding just four to his overnight score.

Nightwatchman Nathan Lyon was out three overs later for one, caught at second slip by Mendis off Lakmal, leaving the Australians at 82 for four in the 29th over.

The Sri Lankans struggled to come to terms with the bouncy Gabba wicket after winning the toss on Thursday's opening day with only Dickwella showing any resistance hitting 64 from 78 balls.

Richardson, who only came into the side after Josh Hazlewood was ruled out with injury, had figures of 3-26 to lead an impressive Australian display with the ball. Cummins chimed in to clean up the tail, finishing with 4-39.

The Brisbane Test is the first of a two-match series against Sri Lanka.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
To promote manufacturing of in India, import duties on fully built batteries need to be increased while the same should be reduced on lithium ion cells, motors and motor controllers, according to electric-two wheeler maker

Ahead of the interim-Budget, the Bengaluru-based firm in which two-wheeler major is an investor, also said policy intervention for at least 3-5 years is necessary, as lack of predictability in policy becomes a deterrent for the industry to make long term investments.

Under the current circumstances, the cost structures make it largely unviable for manufacturing in India, Co-Founder and CEO Tarun Mehta said in a statement.

Component cost, encouraging 'Make in India' and rationalisation and simplification of the GST structure, are the three key areas which EV makers like Ather would like the government to focus on the upcoming interim Budget, he added.

He further said,"these three account for a major proportion of the vehicle cost and any relief on these would provide strong financial support for original equipment manufacturer (OEMs) to bring out vehicles that are near-equal performance to petrol/diesel vehicles."



"To address the key cost challenges that industry faces, we would like to see reduced import duties on lithium ion cells, motors and motor controllers," Mehta said.

Mehta also said to encourage Make in India, "we would recommend an increase in import duty for fully assembled batteries, since there are local options available in India."



Highlighting another area of concern for EV makers, Mehta said the government should do away with the inverted GST structure.

Under the present system, EV makers "collect 12 per cent on selling our vehicles and pay 18 per cent GST on raw materials and expenses", he added.

Seeking a stable policy regime, Mehta said,"any policy intervention needs to be committed for 3-5 years. A lack of predictability in government policy becomes a deterrent for the industry to make long term investments, which impacts the growth of the industry.
: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu Friday reiterated his push for digitalization of offices to ease governance and systematize planning from the grass-root level.

He was speaking after launching the smart village movement data collection application Smart Village App - here.

Khandu said the data collected from remote villages across the state through the app would not only be utilized for the smart village movement a state government flagship program



but also as inputs by respective departments to structure their annual plans.

The smart village program is in fact not only a module to empower select villages but also a concrete step towards decentralization of our planning process, he pointed out.

The data collection mobile App would facilitate the smart village movement in mapping available assets, opportunities, challenges and pain points in villages of the state based on which interested partners (MNCs, NGOs, etc) would offer ways and means to empower the villages in select spheres.

Officials can access real-time data and know condition of assets and people in the villages sitting remotely, which would enable them plan the exact governments intervention required, an official communiqu informed.

The state government had on June 13 last year signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Smart Village Movement to facilitate technology innovations, research and development, open innovation, technology interventions and curriculum development in select villages.

The Movement with its open innovation approach will integrate technology and indigenous rural practices to generate sustainable revenue for constituents, thus increasing overall standard of living and quality of life and simultaneously creating economic, social and environmental value.

As per its schedule the program is set to launch this year by end of May.

Complementing the Smart Village Movement, Arunachal Chapter, the department of IT and Communications, State Remote Sensing Application Center, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj department, NIC and technology partner Skymap Global, Khandu said the time schedule must be adhered to so that the benefits of the program reaches people without delay.

Former Consul General of San Francisco, V Ashok, who is a senior Advisor and Garwood Fellow, Smart Village Program, present during the launch said, Arunachal Pradesh has immense potential for the world to invest and innovate.

He sought support and coordination from state government officials to make the Smart Village Movement a success.

Our ultimate goal is to make Arunachal Pradesh a prosperous and happy place to live in, Ashok asserted.

Taking a step further to create paperless-offices of the state government, the Chief Minister on Friday officially handed over ICT (Information & Communication Technology) equipments, installation of which would enable these departments to go entirely digital and become paperless offices (e- Offices), to five important departments.

The departments are Finance, Planning & Investment, Political, Home, General Administration (GA/SA) and Education.

The ICT equipments (fully loaded hardware and software) have been procured by the department of IT & Communication through GeM Portal.

Giving details of the IT departments vision for digitalization of all government offices, Special Secretary Prince Dhawan explained that equipments fully loaded hardware and software are being given to the five departments to begin with because they receive and dispatch most of the government files.

He pointed out that if these departments begin to receive and dispatch files digitally rest of the departments will have to follow suit.

Dhawan informed that aim is to take on-board the entire civil secretariat by end of 2019 with plans to overhaul directorates into e-offices by 2020-21 and the district offices by 2021-22.

Meanwhile, the CM also launched websites of nine state government departments during the program including State Council for IT & e-Governance, Finance, Planning & Investment, Research, Information & Public Relations, Textiles & Handicrafts, Power, Health & Family Welfare, State Council for Science & Technology and Civil Aviation.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Union Minister Arun Jaitley, who is in the US for medical treatment, is in good health and recovering very rapidly, said interim Finance Minister Piyush Goyal.

Goyal, who was this week appointed interim finance minister for the period when Jaitley remained indisposed, however, did not comment on the nature of illness. He also did not say when Jaitley will be back.

At the International Customs Day function here Friday, Goyal said he was "only standing in for Arun Jaitley."



"I had a chance to talk to him late last night and actually even early morning today, he is in good health, recovering very rapidly," he said. "And I am sure all of you will join me in wishing him the best of health and many many years of service. He sent his regards to all award winners."



Jaitley, last week, unexpectedly flew to the United States for, what officials in the finance ministry said, "medical checkup."Sources, however, said he had gone to the US on January 13 and underwent surgery on Tuesday after being tested for soft tissue cancer. Doctors, they say, have advised him two weeks' rest.

On Wednesday, a Rashtrapati Bhavan communique said that Goyal would be the interim Finance Minister and Jaitley would be a minister without portfolio.

Goyal said Jaitley has ably held the stewardship of the Finance Ministry over the last five years, and under his leadership historic developments like the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) have taken place.

This, he said, has helped in 66-point jump in the ease of doing business ranking, made it easier to trade and made India one of the brightest spots in the world economy.

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/ -- Limited-edition housing at Mumbai's latest major pilgrimage destination



Leading real estate services provider ANAROCK Property Consultants today announced that it has accepted an exclusive mandate to market 550 limited-edition flats in Swaminarayan City at Dombivali West, Mumbai. The project, which leverages excellent location along with a high spiritual aspiration quotient, is spread over 148 acres in Retigaon in Dombivli (West) - one of Mumbai's fastest-growing suburbs. Its proximity to the Ulhas River offers unmatched views of this famous water body.

(Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/701435/ANAROCK_Logo.jpg )



Bappaditya Basu, Director & Head - Channel Partner Business, ANAROCK Property Consultants says, "The project's USP may be seen to be that it abuts India's largest Swaminarayan Temple coming up over 14 acres in Dombivali. However, Swaminarayan City also provides exceptionally high location value. In fact, the mounting housing demand in Dombivali had prompted the launch of nearly 2,960 new units in 2018. Easy connectivity via local trains, improving infrastructure, relatively affordable property prices and MIDC's big industrial complex around Dombivli are fuelling demand for mid-range housing in this region."Swaminarayan City, which was inaugurated by noted spiritual leader Swami Nitya Swarup Swamy in the presence of a huge crowd of followers and dignitaries from Mumbai and beyond, will consist of 3 towers yielding a total of 550 apartments at 183 units per tower. The available 1 and 2 BHK configurations are priced at Rs. 45 to Rs. 70.5 lakh (plus applicable taxes) onward respectively.

Sachin Patel, MD - Swaminarayan Life Space LLP says, "Swaminarayan City is named for the massive temple complex coming up here and will predominantly cater to Swaminarayan devotees from within and outside Mumbai. However, it also benefits from matchless connectivity - which obviously is foremost on every Mumbaikar's wish-list. Thanks to the unique confluence of location benefits, the temple and its river view, we are projecting capital appreciation of anywhere between 14-16% over the next 1.5 years. This certainly trumps most other locations in MMR."



Soon to become a major pilgrimage destination in its own right, Swaminarayan City is located 1.5 km from Dombivli station, 2.8 km from Kopar station, 7 Km from Kalyan Junction and 3 km from Thakurli. It is close to the upcoming Mankoli bridge as well as the upcoming Ring Road connecting Kalyan and Katai Naka.

ANAROCK has announced that bookings at Swaminarayan City as commenced.

Project video - Swaminarayan City, Dombivali, Mumbai



About ANAROCK:



ANAROCK is India's leading independent real estate services company that offers a broad range of complementary businesses. Anuj Puri, Chairman of ANAROCK Group is a highly respected industry authority and thought leader with 30 years' experience in leveraging Indian and global real estate opportunities. He leads a dynamic senior team that has a deep understanding of clients' requirements and a strong commitment to the company. ANAROCK serves the needs of investors, developers, occupiers, financiers and the public sector. Our key strategic business units are Residential Transactions & Advisory, Retail Transactions & Advisory, Capital Markets covering debt, equity and mezzanine funding, Investment Management managing proprietary funds, Hospitality Services via HVS ANAROCK, and Research & Consulting. ANAROCK is headquartered in Mumbai with a staff complement of over 1800 highly experienced professionals. With offices in all major markets in the country and dedicated services in Dubai, ANAROCK also has a global footprint with over 80,000 preferred channel partners. Every facet of ANAROCK reflects the core promise and vision to its clients and partners - Values over Value.

Visit: http://www.anarock.

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Amnesty has said Egyptian authorities detained at least 113 people in 2018 for peacefully expressing their views, saying the country has become more dangerous than at any time in recent history for anyone openly criticising the government.

In a statement on Thursday, the London-based rights group said those who dared criticise the government in 2018 were sent to prison, often held in solitary confinement or subjected to forced disappearances.

"Today, it is more dangerous to openly criticize the government in than at any other time in the country's recent history," said Najia Bounaim, Amnesty's North Africa Campaigns Director. "Those living under President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi have experienced an unprecedented assault that has seen those who peacefully express their views treated as criminals," Bounaim said.

Those detained, it added, faced charges that included "membership of terrorist groups" parlance for the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood group and "disseminating false news" in "unfair" trials.

There was no immediate comment from the government on Amnesty's statement, but authorities in have consistently dismissed charges of rights violations or police brutality made by rights groups, arguing at times that they promote the interests of Egypt's enemies or the Brotherhood, whose stalwart Mohammed Morsi was elected president in 2012 but was ousted a year later by the military, then led by el-Sissi.

El-Sissi, a general-turned-president who has made the economy and security his top priorities, denies the existence of political prisoners in Egypt, arguing that everyone in detention is facing legal proceedings. He has also questioned an estimate given by Human Rights Watch -- 40,000 -- for the number of political prisoners in

In office since 2014, el-Sissi has overseen the largest crackdown on dissent seen in the Arab nation's modern history, jailing thousands of Islamists along with secular pro-democracy activists. His government has also rolled back many of the freedoms won in a 2011 popular uprising that toppled longtime autocratic leader Hosni Mubarak, silenced most critics in the media and blocked hundreds of independent news outlets online.

El-Sissi has simultaneously overseen a multi-billion-dollar drive to upgrade the country's faltering infrastructure, build new cities, including a new capital in the desert east of Cairo, and an extensive network of roads. An ambitious economic reforms program has plucked the country out of the economic slump it fell into in the years after the uprising, but that also unleased steep price increases that critics say have hit the poor and middle classes hardest.

The Amnesty statement comes on the eve of the eighth anniversary of the start of the 2011 uprising, which attracted millions of Egyptians to the streets but which later turned into a much maligned landmark by the pro-government media under el-Sissi.

El-Sissi himself has described the uprising as the "wrong remedy for a misdiagnosis" and has vowed, albeit implicitly, not to allow another one to take place, citing the turmoil in which the country was mired after the 2011 revolt. He, however, has made clear he did not share the views of loyalist media that it was a foreign conspiracy or that those behind it were foreign agents.

Surprisingly, el-Sissi paid tribute to the uprising in televised comments aired Wednesday to mark Police Day, which also falls on January 25, the day the protesters specifically chose to start their revolt, which was in large part caused by perceived police brutality under Mubarak.

The January uprising, said el-Sissi, "expressed the aspirations of Egyptians to build a new future in which they enjoyed a dignified life".
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh Friday vowed to ensure "a free and fair" probe into the 2015 incidents of desecration of Sikh religious texts and firings on protesters in Faridkot.

"The SIT set up to probe the matter would be given a free hand to take its investigation to the logical conclusion as expeditiously as possible," he said here.

Nobody found responsible would be spared, he said.

Singh also hailed the Punjab and Haryana High Court verdict in the 2015 Bargari case.

The verdict, he said, is "a victory for the families of innocent victims of the brutal killings which was deliberately not investigated during the previous SAD-BJP regime".

The court Friday dismissed pleas by policemen, booked in the firing case, and refused to order a CBI probe into the desecration incidents, while reposing faith in the SIT probe into the desecration and firing cases.

The court has directed the SIT to complete its probe and present the chargesheet, which would be done, said the chief minister.

On the upcoming Kartarpur Corridor, Singh said the corridor should be opened to devotees of all religions so that no follower of Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev is deprived of the opportunity to pay obeisance at the historic shrine in Pakistan.

He dismissed as "irrelevant" the new political parties mushrooming in Punjab.

These new outfits coming up before the parliamentary polls are not to be taken seriously, he said, ruling out any threat from these "fly-by-night parties".

Expelled AAP legislator Sukhpal Singh Khaira has floated Punjab Ekta Party while Shiromani Akali Dal rebels has set up SAD (Taksali) recently.

Meanwhil, Singh laid the foundation stones of developmental projects worth Rs 29 crore, to be executed by Patiala Development Authority (PDA), an official release said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
OCEAN SPRINGS, Mississippi -- Ocean Springs police are asking for the public's assistance in identifying/locating two suspects wanted for two separate burglaries, both taking place between Monday and Tuesday, according to Det. Adam Carter.

In the first, officers responded to a call Monday of three auto burglaries at the YMCA on Government Street. Investigators viewed surveillance video which showed a black male, wearing a red jacket, driving a new model Chevrolet Silverado.

In the footage, the suspect appears to be driving through the parking lot checking to ensure there were no witnesses, after which he parked alongside one of the vehicles, smashed a window and then stole items from the vehicle.

He repeated the process two more times, the footage shows.

Credit cards taken in the thefts were later reported used at Game Stop in Ocean Springs, with the thief purchasing gift cards and a video game.

That night, perhaps into the early hours of Tuesday, a suspect broke into the Papa John's restaurant on Bienville Boulevard.

The suspect gained entry by breaking a window, but investigators, assisted by employees, were able to determine nothing was taken.

However, police are still investigating two other commercial burglaries -- one at New York Pizza, the other at Po-Boy Express -- in which the suspect again gained entry by smashing a window, and then stole the cash registers containing an undisclosed amount of money.

Surveillance video suggests the same individual committed both the Papa John's and New York Pizza burglaries.

Anyone with information on either of these crimes or the suspects involved is asked to call the Ocean Springs Police Department at 228-875-2211 or Mississippi Coast Crime Stoppers at 877-787-5898.
Aligarh's BJP MP Satish Gautam Friday attacked AMU authorities for issuing a show cause notice to an ABVP student leader for organsing a "tiranga yatra" on the campus, demanding withdrawal of the "senseless" notice.

"This is a senseless step and should be withdrawn. Aligarh Muslim University officials seem to have lost their mental balance," Satish Gautam told newspersons Friday.

AMU authorities have issued a show cause notice to Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad's student leader Ajay Singh, who is also the grandson of a local BJP MLA, for holding an "unauthorised procession", called 'tiranga yatra' on the campus on January 22.

The notice issued by proctor Mohsin Khan mentions that the procession was held during teaching hours after compelling some students to leave classes.

It also said a large number of "outsiders" including anti-social elements participated in the procession.

The AMU has made it mandatory for students to seek official permission for any procession as a precautionary step for maintaining peace at the campus.

Talking to newspersons Friday Ajay Singh, however, said he had "not been informed" that his application seeking permission for "yatra" had been turned down.

"How could I assume that I have not been given permission when I did not receive a response to my application," Singh said.

AMU spokesman Shafay Kidwai, however, told PTI that "whenever an unauthorised procession is held we issue such notices and take action for holding any public event."



"In any case, the show cause notice has bene issued primarily for trying to disturb the campus peace by forcing students to leave classes. It also seeks to know how outside elements participated in this motorcycle rally," Kidwai said.

"Holding a tiranga yatra for the unity and integrity of the country is a laudable step but holding a procession for deliberately stoking emotions is something else," he said.

He added that week-long celebrations to mark Republic Day are being held on the campus and those who organised the motorcycle rally should have participated in these events "instead of trying to create a divisive atmosphere at the campus.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
With artificial intelligence grabbing attention at the WEF annual meeting, a study on Friday said this new technology will certainly help economies grow but would require greater social security.

The study published by Credit Suisse Research Institute, which looked into the impact of artificial intelligence on the future of the labour market, found that contrary to popular belief, there will be no shortage of work in contemporary economies.

Rafael Lalive and Daniel Oesch, professors in economics and sociology respectively at the University of Lausanne, wrote: "Rather than a jobless economy, the two great challenges in the market may then be massive dislocation on the one hand and the distribution of productivity gains on the other."



"While technological change will not lead to the end of work, it will certainly displace people from occupations and sectors," the report said.

On the need for economic security in the gig economy, the study said the growing number of freelance workers replacing traditional employees provides much greater freedom, flexibility and control from self-employment, but it is imperative that these non-traditional workers have their rights and economic security protected.

Giuliano Bonoli, professor of social policy at University of Lausanne, said: "The idea that social protection needs to be adapted to the changing nature of work is now firmly embedded in public debates. The challenge before us is to preserve the high levels of social cohesion and economic security achieved in the past in this newly emerging economic and technological world."



On legal and ethical challenges posed by artificial intelligence, the report said we need to ensure that modern computer technology will improve the working world and ultimately benefit people of future generations.

Bettina Hummer, professor of social law and legal German, University of Lausanne, said: "Legislators must be aware of the complexities surrounding information technology and artificial intelligence and try to gauge their very 'nature' in order to define the aims that regulation should pursue."



Urs Rohner, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Credit Suisse Group and Chairman of the Credit Suisse Research Institute, said: "Big data and advances in computing power have triggered a technological revolution that have enormous bearing on the workplace and the market."



"Machines and robots are improving their capacities rapidly through artificial intelligence (AI) and innovations in design and structure. How businesses navigate these changes whilst ensuring clients are connected, empowered and protected will be both the challenge and opportunity ahead," he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Afghanistan is investigating reports that at least 16 civilians including women and children were killed in an air strike in southern Helmand province, the defence ministry said in a statement Friday.

The reports come as civilian deaths from air strikes have risen sharply in the past year, after the Afghan and US forces intensified their aerial bombardment of Taliban and Islamic State group militants.

Afghan forces backed by US air power were conducting counter-terrorism operations in Sangin district late Wednesday when the air strike was carried out, the ministry and NATO said.

"Some reports have been published that civilians were killed and wounded, and the defence ministry formed a delegation to conduct a serious investigation into the civilian casualties," the ministry statement said.

NATO's Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan said the "large Afghan-led, multi-day operation... supported by US advisors and coalition air strikes" was ongoing, and that it was still looking into the claims.

But the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said the reports of civilian casualties, including children, were "credible", and that it was also investigating.

"I have got reports from the residents of the area where the strike took place. Sixteen people -- ten children, four women, two men, all civilians -- were killed," Afghan senator Hashim Alkozay told AFP.

Helmand provincial governor Mohammad Yasin said the strike "also hit an adjacent civilian house".

"A number" of Afghans were killed and wounded, he added.

The strike came as Taliban representatives were meeting with US officials in Qatar this week, with four straight days of discussion raising expectations as both sides seek a way out of the 17-year Afghan conflict.

Civilians continue to pay a disproportionate price in the fighting.

UNAMA says the number of Afghan civilians killed by aerial bombings from January until October 2018 reached a record high of 313, with a further 336 wounded.

The figures represent an increase of 39 per cent compared to the same time period in 2017.

UNAMA data shows that in total, 2,798 civilians were killed and 5,252 wounded in the first ten months of 2018.

The Taliban are responsible for about half of civilian casualties, with the remaining deaths attributed to the Islamic State group and coalition strikes, according to the report.

UNAMA is due to publish its full year report on civilian casualties in 2018 next month.

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Twenty three Delhi Police officers, including six women, have been conferred Police Medals for their exemplary service.

Nuzhat Hassan, special commissioner of police and RA Sanjeev, additional commissioner of police, have been awarded two President's Police Medals for distinguished service.

Four police personnel have been awarded Police Medals for gallantry.

Among the four who have been conferred Police Medals for gallantry are Inspectors Rahul Kumar and Ravinder Kumar Tyagi and Assistant Sub-inspectors Rajendra Kumar and Gurmeet Singh.

Rahul Kumar was part of the 2008 encounter at Batla House in Delhi in which two suspected terrorists, Atif alias Bashir and Mohd Sajid alias Pankaj and police officer MC Sharma were killed.

The Batla House encounter, as it came to be known as, had taken place on September 19, 2008, and two suspects were arrested.

The deceased and other arrested militants were found responsible for over 65 terror incidents in different parts of India.

Seventeen personnel have been awarded Police Medals for Meritorious service. Among those awarded are AK Singla, additional commissioner of police (crime), who had served as DCP (election cell) and Joy Tirkey, Deputy Commissioner of Police (crime), who has been involved in the investigation of sensitive cases like the CBSE paper leak and the mysterious Burari deaths.

The others who have been awarded the Police Medals for Meritorious service are additional CP Raj Kumar Singh, Geeta Rani Verma, DCP, Mohammad Iqbal, Assistant Commissioner of Police, inspectors Atul Kumar Verma, Ravinder Kumar Tyagi and Jai Shree Gosain, sub-inspectors Kaushal Kumari and Mahesh Singh, assistant sub-inspectors Satender Singh and Rajbir Singh, head constables Virender Singh, Prem Chand, Jagannivasan R, Poonam Verma and Promila.

Inspector Jai Shree Gosain, who has been awarded the Police Medal, joined Delhi Police as an ASI in 1988. From 2000 to 2013 she was posted with the Special Cell and was involved in many operations of encounter resulting in the elimination of over 60 militants and underworld/Maoist/interstate gangsters including Pakistani terrorists. This includes Parliament House Shoot Out case of 2001 in which four militants were arrested and a large quantity of explosives along with Rs 10 lakh were recovered and the Red Fort shootout.

Inspector Atul Kumar Verma, who has also been awarded the Police Medal, has cracked several important cases including Dhaula Kuan Rape Case of 2010, murder of TV Journalist Soumya Vishwanath, murder of IT Executive Jigisha Ghosh and the recent sensational murder of an RTI activist in Taimur Nagar.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Hoping to scare Muslims into leaving the US, members of an Illinois militia group rented a truck and drove more than 805 kilometers to bomb a Minnesota mosque, two men have admitted.

Michael McWhorter and Joe Morris said that when they arrived at the Dar al-Farooq Islamic Center in Bloomington on August 5, 2017, they broke a window and threw a lit pipe bomb and a gasoline mixture inside, causing an explosion, fire and extensive damage. No one was injured in the attack, which happened just as morning prayers were about to begin, shaking members of the local Muslim community.

McWhorter, 29, and Morris, 23, of Clarence, Illinois, each pleaded guilty Thursday to five counts in connection with the mosque attack, the attempted bombing of an Illinois abortion clinic, armed robberies and other crimes.

A third defendant, 47-year-old Michael Hari, whom prosecutors said directed the bombing, remains in federal custody in Illinois.

The plea agreements portray Hari as the ringleader of a militia group called the White Rabbits, which included Hari, McWhorter, Morris and at least five other people. Hari's trial is set for July.

The guilty pleas of McWhorter and Morris came a day before three members of another militia were set to be sentenced for a foiled plot to massacre Muslims in southwest Kansas by blowing up a mosque and apartments housing Somali immigrants. That attack, planned for the day after the November 2016 election, was thwarted after another member of the group tipped off authorities.

In the Minnesota mosque bombing, Hari allegedly picked Dar al-Farooq because it was far enough away from the White Rabbits' central Illinois hometown that he thought they wouldn't be suspected. He also allegedly believed it was a focal point for terror recruiting, a claim that law enforcement has not substantiated.

Morris' attorney, Robert Richman, said Morris merely followed the lead of Hari, a man he'd known as a father figure since he was 9.

"Hari essentially weaponized Joe Morris," Richman said.

McWhorter's attorney, Chris Madel, said: "Human beings are a lot more complicated than what some people believe, and Michael McWhorter's story has yet to be told." Morris and McWhorter could each face at least 35 years in prison.

Neither attorney would say whether his client would cooperate or testify against Hari. Messages left with Hari's attorneys in Illinois and Minnesota were not immediately returned.

The plea agreements say the men targeted the mosque to interfere with the free exercise of religion by Muslims and to let Muslims know they were not welcome in the United States.

It's not clear how the White Rabbits became aware of Dar al-Farooq, but the mosque was in headlines in recent years: Some young people from Minnesota who travelled to Syria to join the Islamic State group had worshipped there. Mosque leaders were never accused of any wrongdoing.

Jaylani Hussein, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Minnesota, said McWhorter and Morris wanted the Muslim community to be fearful and run away. "We're not going anywhere," he said.

According to the plea agreements, the men were headed toward Minnesota when Hari told McWhorter and Morris that he had a pipe bomb in the vehicle and they were going to bomb a mosque.

When the three arrived at Dar al-Farooq, Hari gave Morris a sledgehammer and told him to break a window, the plea agreements say. McWhorter then lit the fuse on the pipe bomb and threw it inside; Morris threw the gasoline mixture.

McWhorter and Morris also pleaded guilty to their roles in a failed attack on a Champaign, Illinois, abortion clinic in November 2017. A pipe bomb that Morris said he and Hari threw into the clinic did not explode.

The plea agreements say Hari, McWhorter, Morris and others also participated in an armed home invasion in Ambia, Indiana, and the armed robberies or attempted armed robberies of two Walmart stores in Illinois.

Morris and McWhorter also admitted to attempting to extort Canadian National Railway by threatening to damage tracks if the railroad didn't pay them money.

A fourth man, Ellis Mack of Clarence, already pleaded guilty to two counts in Illinois. He's scheduled to be sentenced in April.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Around 2 lakh leprosy cases continue to be reported every year in the world with India accounting for more than half of them, the WHO said Friday, adding leprosy-related "discrimination, stigma and prejudice" were the most powerful barriers in ending the disease.

WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia Poonam Khetrapal Singh also lauded India for repealing two legislations - one that discriminated against persons affected by leprosy and another which allowed leprosy as legitimate grounds for divorce.

She said significant numbers are detected in the



South-East Asia Region, Brazil, sub-Saharan Africa and the Pacific.

"Leprosy-related discrimination, stigma and prejudice are the most powerful barriers to ending leprosy for good, especially given the disease is 100 per cent curable when detected early.

"Though the number of leprosy cases has steadily declined worldwide, an estimated 2,00,000 cases continue to be reported every year, with India accounting for more than half," Singh said.

The official said as core public health interventions like active case-finding, improved treatment regimens and strengthened surveillance continue to drive-down leprosy's incidence and spread, the disease's bio-social components must be brought to the fore.

"As outlined in WHO's Global Leprosy Strategy 2016-2020, policies that promote inclusion and aim at ending leprosy-related discrimination, stigma and prejudice should be front and centre of all leprosy programmes, both as goods in themselves as well as powerful tools to achieve a leprosy-free region and world," she said.

Stressing on empowering people with leprosy to be "agents of social change", Singh said this could include training them in advocacy and social mobilisation to enhance community buy-in and secure high-level support and funding for leprosy programmes.

"It could also include helping them form psycho-social support networks to reduce emotional and economic distress, thereby promoting the active participation of persons affected by leprosy in society," she said.

"While the inclusion of leprosy-affected persons in vocational training is already underway in most endemic countries, these programmes should be expanded wherever possible.

"As part of this, clear information on how they can be accessed should be made available to every eligible person, thereby ensuring no one is left behind," she said.

Human rights of persons affected by leprosy must be prioritised, she added.

"Notably, in recent years India, along with other countries in the Region and beyond, has repealed legislation that discriminates against persons affected by leprosy...

"In 2016, for example, it repealed the draconian colonial-era Lepers Act, while earlier this month it repealed a law allowing leprosy as legitimate grounds for divorce. Both initiatives are to be commended," she said.

WHO's South-East Asia Region comprises Bangladesh, Bhutan, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Timor-Leste.

Singh also congratulated WHO Goodwill Ambassador and chairman of the Nippon Foundation Yohei Sasakawa on being awarded the 2018 International Gandhi Peace Prize for his contribution to ending leprosy in India and across the world.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
At least 13 brickfield workers were killed and two others injured when a truck loaded with coal overturned and crashed into their huts on Friday in south-eastern Bangladesh, police said.

The truck was supplying coal to the brickfield Kazi and Co' in Cumilla's Chauddagram area that had a hut for workers next to a pile of coal, Fire Service Official Nazir Ahmed told bdnews24.com.

The driver of the truck was backing the vehicle to dump the coal on that pile when it overturned and fell on the hut where the workers were sleeping, the official said.

In the accident took place early morning 13 workers, all men, were killed while two were injured, a police official said.

The two injured workers have been admitted to Cumilla Medical College and Hospital.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Multiple explosions rocked a 30-story building in northeast China on Friday, killing at least one person.

The blast happened about 3:20 pm on the 30th floor of the Wanda Plaza Apartment Building in Changchun, provincial capital of China's Jilin province, official media reported.

An eyewitness talking to Beijing Youth Daily heard about 20 explosions.

Local media also reported that Firefighters have urged people not to go near the building, state-run China Global Television Network (CGTN) reported.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
June 19, 2019, Wednesday

All private universities in Uttar Pradesh will now have to give an undertaking to the government, saying that their campuses will ...
The White House is preparing a draft proclamation for President Donald Trump to declare a national emergency along the US-Mexico border and has identified more than $7 billion in potential funds for his border wall should he go that route, according to internal documents.

Trump has not ruled out using his authority to declare a national emergency and direct the Defence Department to construct a border wall as Congress and the White House were still at an impasse over a deal to end the government shutdown, CNN reported on Friday.

But while Trump's advisers remain divided on the issue, the White House has been moving forward with alternative plans that would bypass Congress.

"The massive amount of aliens who unlawfully enter the US each day is a direct threat to the safety and security of our nation and constitutes a national emergency," a draft of a presidential proclamation reads.

"Now, therefore, I, Donald J. Trump, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the National Emergencies Act, hereby declare that a national emergency exists at the southern border of the United States," the draft adds.

If the declaration is made, the US Army Corps of Engineers would be deployed to construct the wall, some of which could be built on private property and would therefore require the administration to seize the land, which is permitted if it's for public use.

The draft was updated as recently as last week, a US government official told CNN on Thursday night.

According to options being considered, the administration could pull $681 million from Treasury forfeiture funds, $3.6 billion in military construction, $3 billion in Pentagon civil works funds and $200 million in Department of Homeland Security funds, the official said.

The development comes after the US Senate on Thursday rejected two proposals, one by the Republicans and the other by Democrats, to fully reopen the federal government, which has been partially shut down since December 22.

Neither bill received the required 60 votes needed to pass in the Senate, where the Republicans hold a majority.

Earlier in the day, Trump again raised the prospect of other ways to fund a border wall without congressional approval, CNN reports.

"I have other alternatives if I have to and I'll use those alternatives if I have to," he told the media.

"A lot of people who wants this to happen. The military wants this to happen. This is a virtual invasion of our country."

If the President proceeds with the declaration, it will likely be challenged in court and by Democrats in Congress.

Trump's advisers have cautioned that taking that route would lead to certain legal challenge, meaning the wall construction would still be delayed.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov arrived in Brussels to attend today's meeting of the Russia-NATO Council.

"The purpose of my arrival is to attend the Councils meeting," TASS cited the official as saying. "We hope that even if we do not chart a way out of the crisis situation for the INF Treaty, at least we will feel that all is not hopeless," he said.

Ryabkov added that the meeting of the Russia-NATO Council on the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty is especially important in the context of Western countries boycotting the Russian Defense Ministrys briefing on the Russian 9M729 missile.
US President Donald Trump's administration will begin sending some asylum seekers at the southern border back to on Friday, according to a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) official.

Some individuals who arrive at the San Ysidro port of entry, south of San Diego, starting Friday will be given notices to appear in court in the US and asked to remain in until then, the official told CNN on Thursday night.

Outside of their court appearances, individuals who arrive without proper documentation will remain in for the duration of their proceedings under this policy.

The DHS official said the policy applies to migrants primarily from Central American countries.

Those with a "well-founded fear" of staying in Mexico, unaccompanied minors and certain vulnerable populations will be allowed into the US for their proceedings.

In December, Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen announced that the US had told Mexico that individuals seeking asylum who enter the US illegally or without proper documentation would be sent to Mexico to wait for the duration of their American proceedings.

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement will be responsible for transporting asylum seekers to and from American ports of entry for their court appearances. The first hearings are not expected to take place immediately.
US space agency NASA has indefinitely postponed its Day of Remembrance ceremony dedicated to space heroes, who gave their lives for space exploration, due to the ongoing government shutdown.

The ceremony scheduled for January 31 has been postponed by NASA, Administrator Jim Bridenstine said, until the agency's employees start working again. This would ensure their participation in the annual commemoration, the space.com reported.

"NASA's annual Day of Remembrance reminds us to reflect on not just the sacrifices that have been made by our fallen family, friends and co-workers, but also to remind us of our core values of safety, integrity and teamwork as we carry out our history-making missions," Bridenstine said.

"Unfortunately, most of our NASA family are on furlough, and we recognise that participation in many of the Day of Remembrance activities would be a challenge."

The Day of Remembrance marks the agency's three most serious tragedies, all of which occurred in late January or early February.

Apollo 1, which burned during a launch simulation on January 27, 1967; the Challenger space shuttle, which exploded a minute after liftoff on January 28, 1986; and the Columbia space shuttle, which burned during re-entry on February 1, 2003, in which Indian-American astronaut Kalpana Cahwla also lost her life.

NASA centres across the country arrange ceremonies to mark the deaths, with some events including family members of astronauts who have died while working for NASA.

The partial shutdown, which started on December 22, has become the longest on record, overtaking the previous record of the 21-day impasse in 1995-96 under then President Bill Clinton.

The shutdown, without a budget, has affected 800,000 employees as they have not received paycheques, the report said.

NASA personnel working with astronauts aboard the International Space Station and with spacecraft that are now flying are considered critical personnel and are working during the shutdown. However, many other employees have been sent home indefinitely.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A team of UN experts is set to carry out an investigation into the killing of a prominent Saudi Arabian journalist inside his country's consulate in Istanbul, the organization said on Friday.

Agnes Callamard, a UN human rights expert and special rapporteur on extra-judicial executions, would be tasked with leading the international inquiry into the killing of Jamal Khashoggi, a statement released by the organization's human rights office said, reports Efe news.

"The UN expert will assess the steps taken by governments to address and respond to the killing, and the nature and extent of States' and individuals' responsibilities for the killing," the UN statement said.

Callamard, who is also an expert in summary or arbitrary killings, would begin the inquiry with a visit to Istanbul from January 28 to February 3, accompanied by British lawyer Helena Kennedy and Professor Duarte Nuno Vieira from the University of Coimbra.

"The inquiry will also seek to identify ways by which States can strengthen fulfilment of their international commitments to protect the right to life, prevent violations and ensure accountability," said Callamard, according to the statement.

The expert was expected to present the team's findings at a session of the UN Human Rights Council in June.

The UN said Callamard had experience leading human rights investigations in more than 30 countries and had acted as an advisor to organizations and governments all over the world.

Khashoggi, who had been a columnist for the Washington Post since 2017 after he left Saudi Arabia and was openly critical of his country's monarchy, was allegedly murdered and dismembered by a Saudi team on October 2 at his country's consulate in Istanbul, Turkish investigators have concluded.

Khashoggi's disappearance sparked an outcry from the international community, drawing condemnation from organizations and world leaders.

Saudi officials initially denied Khashoggi's death at the consulate but later acknowledged he had been killed when a fight broke out.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Central government on Friday awarded contracts to 11 companies to operate fixed-wing and seaplane services under the third round of air regional connectivity "Udan" scheme connecting destinations like Ambala, Amravati, Campbell Bay and Car Nicobar among others.

Accordingly, the Ministry of Civil Aviation issued "Letter of Awards" for 73 proposals involving 235 regional connectivity scheme (RCS) and water aerodrome routes which were received under the third round of RCS-Udan.

This is the first time that proposals for connecting tourist destinations and seaplane services have been awarded. In the current scheme, the support fund for routes connecting tourist destinations will be provided by the Ministry of Tourism.

Subsequently, flight operations are expected to connect destinations like Kushinagar, Jharsuguda, Saharanpur(Sarsawa), Guwahati River Front, Nagarjuna Sagar, Statue of Unity in Gujarat among others.

According to the ministry, 16 unserved and 17 underserved airports, along with 6 water aerodromes and 50 served airports would be connected based on the proposals identified for the award.

Geographical spread-wise, out of the 235, 189 comprise of RCS and 46 tourism routes would be connected across 29 states in the country.

As per the ministry's data, the awarded proposals would add another 69.30 lakh seats annually across the RCS routes with more than 1 lakh annual seats through seaplanes and more than 15 lakh annual seats on tourism routes.

At an event here to award the contracts, Commerce and Industry and Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu said that some of the allotted routes will connect islands and other far-flung places to the mainland through air services.

He further said that a "3.5" version of the scheme will be launched. In the special round, those routes will be allotted which in the opinion of state governments would connect remote areas which have not yet been covered.

In addition, the ministry announced the launch of a standalone international version of the scheme with viability gap funding provided by the respective state governments.

The first standalone variant of the scheme will see Guwahati being connected to Bangkok and Dhaka. The air services will be supported by the VGF provided by the state government.

In the second phase, contracts to 15 companies were awarded for 90 proposals involving around 325 regional connectivity routes.

Currently, 128 routes have been started under the various phases of the Udan scheme.

--IANS

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(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Two Sri Lankan soldiers who were deployed for peacekeeping in Mali were killed on Friday when their armoured vehicle came under attack, the Sri Lankan Army said.

The Army said the armoured vehicle was targeted by a remote-controlled Improvised Explosive Device (IED), reports Xinhua news agency.

The statement said the attack killed an Army Captain and another soldiers. Besides, three more Sri Lankan military personnel were injured in the incident.

Sri Lanka has deployed 200 soldiers for peacekeeping duties in the western African nation of Mali.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Twitter India on Friday launched the second phase of its initiative #PowerOf18, that aims at encouraging the youth to contribute to the public debate and participate in civic engagement, on the occasion of ninth National Voters Day.

National Voters Day was started by the government in 2011 to encourage the young to vote.

The campaign roped in gold medalist boxer Nikhat Zareen to share her journey and message to the youth in an exclusive video on Twitter.

In her message, Zareen noted that the youth of the country needs to understand the power of their votes, exercise it and be the change that #PowerOf18 can bring in for the country.

"As we move closer to the upcoming Lok Sabha election, Twitter is committed to providing a healthy platform to the youth that fosters civic conversation and democratic debate," said Mahima Kaul, Head of Public Policy, Twitter India, in a statement.

"Keeping this objective as core, we are excited to have launched into our second phase for #PowerOf18 today and are looking forward to ignite, enable and empower discussions amongst the youth, who are voters of today and the leaders of tomorrow," Kaul added.

Twitter will also curate an exclusive digital panel around the theme of #PowerOf18 at the Jaipur Literature Festival 2019 on Friday.

Through the panel discussion, Twitter is aiming to bring together young, dynamic Indians for the world of literature to discuss the transformative power of civic action and the importance of making voice heard on its platform, and beyond, the statement said.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
US President Donald has expressed his desire to meet Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, spokesperson of Pakistan's foreign ministry said on Thursday.

Addressing the weekly briefing, the spokesperson Mohammad Faisal said that during his recent visit to Pakistan, US Senator Lindsey Graham, discussed Trump's interest in meeting with Khan, however, date and venue have not been finalised yet.

"There are no dates, as of now, for this meeting. A lot of preparation and homework is required before such high-level engagements are materialized," he said, Xinhua news agency reported.

He said that Senator Graham also met with the prime minister and foreign minister, which were useful in understanding each other's perspective and reviewing the regional security situation. Matters of bilateral and regional interest, including Afghan situation, were discussed.

Earlier in December, wrote a letter to Khan, seeking Pakistan's support and facilitation in a negotiated settlement of the conflict in Afghanistan.
A court here has upheld a law effectively requiring transgenders in Japan seeking to legally change their gender to be sterilised, the media reported on Friday.

Takakito Usui, a transgender man who wants to change the gender listed on his official documents, had appealed to the Supreme Court seeking to overturn Law 111, which requires applicants to "permanently lack functioning" reproductive parts to qualify for gender affirmation, CNN reported.

The Court unanimously rejected Usui's case on Thursday, ruling the 2003 law constitutional.

"It is unthinkable in this day and time that the law requires a sex-change operation to change gender," Usui's lawyer Tomoyasu Oyama told CNN on Friday.

"When the law was established 15 years ago, LGBT people had to make a bitter decision and swallow the conditions to pave a narrow way for official change of gender. With this decision, I hope lawmakers will change the law to support the wishes of the LGBT community."

The court initially said the law was intended to prevent "problems" in parent-child relations which could lead to societal "confusion", and avoid "abrupt changes" to society.

About 7,000 people have changed their gender registration under the law since it was first passed.

Suki Chung, Asia Pacific campaign manager at Amnesty International, told CNN that the ruling was "a blow for the recognition of transgender people in Japan. It is a missed opportunity to address the discrimination transgender people face".

Requiring sterilisation has been widely denounced by LGBT groups in Japan and around the world.

In a 2017 report, Human Rights Watch said the law "remains a stain on Japan's record".

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
From old hands at making budget to a recent inductee after an eventful tenure in UIADI, top brass of the Finance Ministry are involved in the making of the Union Budget 2019-20 to be presented in Parliament on February 1, which is unlikely to be a mere vote-on-account in an election year.

In an election year, the interim budget or a vote-on-account, to be presented by Piyush Goyal, who was given the additional charge of Finance Portfolio in view of Arun Jaitley's hospitalisation in the US, is normally presented to seek Parliament's sanction for keeping the wheels of administration and development programmes going on for four months till a new government takes over and gives its full-fledge budget.

But, according to most accounts, this year the BJP government is expected to break all traditions and present a virtual budget that could include income tax sops like raising the threshold exemption limit and a relief package for farmers to woo various sections ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

Here is a thumb nail sketch of the mandarins in the North Block.

Ajay Narayan Jha, Finance Secretary and Expenditure Secretary:

Jha was given one-month extension till February 28 this year apparently due to his key role in budget making. His role involves striking a balance between expectations of various ministries and fiscal deficit goals of the government.

A 1982 batch IAS officer of Manipur cadre, Jha studied history at St. Stephens College Delhi. He received a World Bank scholarship to pursue Masters in Economic Policy Management.

Subhash Chandra Garg, Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs:

The 1983 batch Rajasthan cadre IAS officer is an old hand in budget preparation. He is expected to keep an eye on the fiscal targets while also striving for measures to boost growth. Garg is in line to become the next Finance Secretary.

Ajay Bhushan Pandey, Secretary, Department of Revenue:

The 1984 batch Maharashtra cadre IAS officer, who continues to be the CEO of Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), took charge of the post in November.

An electrical engineer from IIT Kanpur and a PhD in computer science from University of Minnesota, his job is to increase revenue from taxes. He is the key man concerning tax proposals. Other areas in his domain include tax compliance, GST stabilization, simplification of tax administration and ease of doing business.

Rajeev Kumar, Secretary, Department of Financial Services:

The 1984 batch IAS officer of Jharkhand cadre deals with financial institutions, banks, insurance companies and the national pension system.

His focus is expected to be the capital needs of the banks, which at present are facing the brunt of large non-performing assets and are being goaded to increase credit flow to NBFCs and MSMEs. He will also continue working towards the government's aim of a cashless economy.

Atanu Chakraborty, Secretary, Department of Investment and Public Asset Management:

The 1985 batch Gujarat cadre IAS officer took charge of his post in May 2018 after serving as the Director General of Hydrocarbons.

He has a clear mandate of working towards disinvestment in 24 Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs). Chakraborty will try to find new approaches in the budget for the government to vacate 100 per cent-owned public sector units (PSUs) through Initial Public Offering (IPOs) and follow-on public offers to make space for private sector investment into PSUs.

Krishnamurthy Subramanian, Chief Economic Adviser:

He has just replaced Arvind Subramanian, who quit last year to return to academics in the US.

A PhD (Financial Economics) from Booth School of Business, University of Chicago, and an alumnus of IIM Calcutta and IIT Kanpur, Krishnamurthy was an Associate Professor at Indian School of Business before the prestigious assignment.

He is one of the chief architects of corporate governance and banking reforms in India. As CEA, his role involves authoring the mid-year analysis and the Economic Survey.

Sanjeev Sanyal, Principal Economic Adviser:

Sanyal has worked in financial markets since the mid-90s and also serves as the co-chair of the Framework Working Group of G20 and represents India on a number of international forums.

He was Managing Director and Global Strategist at Deutsche Bank till 2015. A Rhodes Scholar with a degree in Economics from Oxford, he is an author and has made his mark in diverse areas.

Arvind Shrivastava, Joint Secretary, Budget:

The 1994 batch Karnataka cadre IAS officer was appointed to the post in April 2018.

He plays a key role in collecting facts and figures, reviewing the current economic situation and the final scripting of the budget. He coordinates with the Department of Economic Affairs and holds key discussions with the core team members on the overall revenue, expenditure, deficit and related statistics.

Pramod Kumar Das, Additional Secretary, Expenditure:

The 1986 batch Madhya Pradesh cadre IAS officer has a key role in maintaining a balance among expenditure proposals of various ministries and departments. He holds Master's degrees in economics and management from JNU and Asian Institute of Management (Manila).

Ritvik Ranjanam Pandey, Joint Secretary, Revenue:

The 1998-batch Karnataka cadre IAS officer has been in the post since March 2018.

Having worked as Director (Budget) in the Ministry of Finance, he is an old hand in the budget-making process. Earlier, he served as Commercial Tax Commissioner in Karnataka. He is the son-in-law of Nripendra Mishra, Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Taliban have named Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the co-founder of the group, as the head of their political office in Qatar with the aim to strengthen the ongoing negotiations with the US to put an end to the Afghan conflict.

"In accordance with the decree issued by the Leader of Islamic Emirate (as the Taliban refer to themselves), the esteemed Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar has been appointed as the deputy of the Leader in Political Affairs and the chief of the Political Office of the Islamic Emirate," Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement late Thursday.

Mullah Baradar, whose real name is Abdul Ghani Baradar, was released in Pakistan in October, Efe news reported.

Before his arrest in 2010, he was believed to be the military chief of the terror group, led by Mullah Omar who had died in 2013, although the news was made public only two years later.

"This step has been taken to strengthen and properly handle the ongoing negotiations process with the United States," the spokesperson added in the statement.

He said that "with the appointment of the esteemed Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the negotiation team of the Islamic Emirate will continue their talks with the US".

A fourth round of talks between the Taliban and the US began in Qatar earlier this week.

Baradar's release in October had coincided with the Taliban agreeing to begin peace talks with the US, although they had refused to hold direct talks with the Afghan government, calling it a puppet of the US.

In recent months, the Taliban and the US have held several meetings in the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.

The militants also met Iranian representatives in Tehran last December.

Last week, the Taliban had threatened to stall all peace negotiations after the US refused to discuss the withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Russia's Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and Armenia's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan held talks in Moscow, during which they discussed trade and economic cooperation between the two countries, the Russian governments press service said.

"The talks between the Russia Prime Minister and the Armenian Prime Minister were held on January 25 in Moscow," the press service said, adding that the meeting was held at the Armenian side's request.

The prime ministers discussed topical issues of trade and economic cooperation between Russia and Armenia, as well as other aspects of cooperation, the press service added.
The Taliban have named the co-founder of the group as the head of their political office in Qatar with an aim to strengthen ongoing negotiations with the US to put an end to the Afghan conflict.

Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar has been appointed the deputy of the Leader in Political Affairs and the chief of the Political Office of the Islamic Emirate, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement, reports Efe news

Mullah Baradar, whose real name is Abdul Ghani Baradar, was released in Pakistan in October.

Before his arrest in 2010, he was believed to be the military chief of the terror group, led by Mullah Omar, who died in 2013, although the news was made public only two years later.

"This step has been taken to strengthen and properly handle the ongoing negotiations process with the US," the spokesperson added in the statement.

He said that "with the appointment of the esteemed Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the negotiation team of the Islamic Emirate will continue their talks with the US".

A fourth round of talks between the Taliban and the US began in Qatar earlier this week.

Baradar's release in October had coincided with the Taliban agreeing to begin peace talks with the US although they had refused to hold direct talks with the Afghan government, calling it a puppet of the US.

In recent months, the Taliban and US have held several meetings in the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.

The militants had also met Iranian representatives in Tehran.

Last week, the Taliban had threatened to stall all peace negotiations after the US refused to discuss the withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan.

Since the end of the NATO combat mission in January 2015, the Afghan government has been steadily losing ground to the Taliban.

The government currently barely controls 56 percent of the country, according to data from the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction of the US Congress.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Sri Lankan Police decided on Friday to take steps to confiscate the assets of 24 drug smugglers who have fled the country, a police spokesman said.

Police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekara told Xinhua news agency that police had identified these drug smugglers who have fled the country.

The spokesman said the government had stepped up efforts to curb the drug menace, and the police had started investigations to confiscate the property or assets of these drug peddlers.

He said the police had arrested 2,895 suspects in connection with drug trafficking so far this month. "We have also seized 107 kg of heroin in January," he said.

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on Monday launched a drug prevention week till January 28 covering all the schools in the country.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
To ease traffic congestion for commuters between Noida and Akshardham, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday inaugurated a three-lane flyover at Mayur Vihar here.

The one-kilometer-long flyover, a part of Barapullah elevated road corridor under phase III extension from Mayur Vihar to Sarai Kale Khan, was built at a cost of Rs 45 crore and was inaugurated in the presence of Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and PWD Minister Satyendar Jain.

The flyover was inaugurated after missing at least four deadlines.

With a smooth and uninterrupted movement of traffic on this intersection, the Delhi government claimed to save emission of at least 1.29 tons of carbon dioxide per day.

"The traffic congestion for hours led to a huge mess and nuisance, especially during the peak office hours. It will end after the flyover opens," the government claimed.

It will also help in reducing the air and noise pollution in the area, it added.

Kejriwal, while addressing the people after inauguration, said the flyover will help the people living in the area.

Speaking about the works done by his government in the last four years, Kejriwal also said that he is fighting to ensure that all the alleged deleted voters should be re-enrolled in the voters list.

"I have the list of deleted 30,00,000 voters. I am ensuring that all are enrolled.

"But don't go and vote for Modi when I am fight to re-enroll your names," he said.

He also said that by voting for the Congress, people will help BJP in winning the 2019 Lok Sabha election.

"Delhi should vote the AAP, Congress will be only there to cut into our votes.

"In last Lok Sabha, the BJP got 46 per cent votes, AAP 33 per cent, while the Congress only got 15 per cent. If you vote for Congress, the BJP will win.Those who want to remove Modi, should vote for AAP," he said.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Supreme Court on Friday sought response from the Centre and Tripura on a plea challenging 2015 amendment to the Passport Rules and the Foreigner Order that allowed people of minority community who have illegally entered India to stay back in India to escape persecution in Bangladesh.

The bench of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice Sanjiv Khanna sought the response from the Centre and Tripura on a plea by Tripura People's Front contending that the "uncontrolled influx of illegal migrants from Bangladesh into Tripura" has caused a huge demographic change.

Seeking striking down of the amendment to the Passport Rules and the Foreigners Order, the petitioner organisations have contended that due to influx of illegal migrants from Bangladesh, the "indigenous people who were once the majority have now become a minority in their own land."

The petitioner has challenged Passport (Entry into India) Amendment Rulkes, 2015 and the Foreigners (Amendment) Order, 2015, both issued on September 7, 2015.

Seeking the striking down of both the amendment to Passport Rules and Foreigners Order, the petitioner organisations have described it as "discriminatory, arbitrary and illegal."

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Supreme Court on Friday reconstituted the five-judge bench to hear a batch of petitions challenging the 2010 Allahabad High Court verdict trifurcating the disputed site into three parts and giving one each to Nirmohi Akhara, Ram Lala and the original Muslim litigant.

The newly constituted bench comprises Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, Justice S. A. Bobde, Justice D. Y. Chandrachud, Justice Ashok Bhushan, and Justice S. Abdul Nazeer.

The formation of the new bench came as Justice Uday Umesh Lalit, who was previously in the constitution bench on Ayodhya-related matter, recused himslef from hearing after it was pointed out he had appeared for former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Kalyan Singh in an Ayodhya-related matter in 1997.

Kalyan Singh is currently Governor of Rajasthan.

Besides Justice Lalit, the new bench does not have Justice N.V. Ramana who was in the previous bench, perceived to be consisting of judges who would be future chief justices of India.

Both Justice Bhushan and Justice Nazeer were on the three-judge bench headed by then Chief Justice Dipak Misra. It had by a majority of 2:1 declined one of the Muslim petitioners' plea that the challenge to the High Court judgment on the title suit be heard by a five-judge constitution bench.

It was contended that the High Court had relied on a 1994 top court judgment, also by a five-judge bench, that mosque is not integral to Islam for offering 'namaz'. The majority judgement said the observation that mosque was not integral to Islam for offering prayers was in a different context and had no bearing on the title suit.

However, Justice Nazeer had favoured the hearing of the matter by a larger bench for the determination of the issue.

The top court in the last hearing on January 10 had directed its registry to "physically inspect the records which are lying under its lock and key, and make an assessment of the time that will be taken to make the case ready for hearing by engaging, if required, official translators and give the report to the court.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Bengal film producer Shrikant Mohta, who was arrested by CBI in the Rose Valley chit fund scam, was sent to jail on Friday.

He will be lodged at the Jharpada special jail in Bhubaneswar.

Earlier on Friday, Mohta was produced before a special court of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) here. Later, he was sent to judicial custody, said an official.

The CBI on Thursday arrested Mohta in Kolkata following his interrogation in the Rose Valley Chit fund scam.

Sources said Mohta allegedly siphoned off around Rs 24 crore in the name of producing films.

The fund was illegally collected from depositors by Rose Valley in West Bengal, Assam, Odisha and other states.

The CBI had attached assets including resorts, hotels, land parcels worth Rs 2,300 crore across districts of West Bengal.

The agency has been probing the diversion of funds from the Rose Valley Group's deposit-taking companies.

Under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), CBI had registered an FIR against the company and Chairman Gautam Kundu in 2014.

The investigating agency has already arrested Kundu and other Rose Valley officials.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
"Rajaa Betaa" star Rrahul Sudhir says it is amazing how the right clothes transform an actor into the character.

"It is amazing how the right clothes transform an actor into the character and the attire that I wear on-screen just turned out to be a blessing in disguise for me," Rrahul said in a statement.

The actor realised this when he attended a wedding in Delhi in his reel clothes. The actor took a flight from Jaipur to Delhi after wrapping up the shoot and joined the celebrations.

"I had to attend a wedding function in Delhi, but I was shooting cut-to-cut. I rushed from my set wearing my costume to catch the flight in a rush. By the time I landed in Delhi, it was already a little late and I had no time to pick a new outfit. But all in all, it was one of the best experiences of my life," added the actor, who is seen as Vedant in the Zee TV.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said here on Friday that Rahul Gandhi shall be the Prime Minister if the Congress gets a majority in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

However, if it fails to get a clear majority and the government is formed with alliances, then the Prime Minister will be announced after mutual discussion and deliberations, he told reporters on the sidelines of the Jaipur Literature Festival.

"The party's present focus is on the 80 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh. Priyanka Gandhi has been assigned the role of General Secretary in East Uttar Pradesh which will definitely make a positive impact on Congress during the polls," Tharoor said, adding that her role will be limited to Uttar Pradesh for now.

Congressmen are quite excited with Priyanka Gandhi joining the party and she has bright prospects in politics, he said.

Tharoor said that loan waiver for farmers has become a must in the country in the present circumstances.

The Congress is just putting a bandage on the farmers' wounds by giving them a loan waiver. However, it is a must to give them a breather on a larger scale, he said, adding that several announcements for the benefit of farmers will be made in the Congress' manifesto for the upcoming polls.

--IANS

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After the snub from Samajwadi party (SP) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and amidst reports of rumblings within the Mahagatbandhan (Grand Alliance) in Bihar, a new ally says Congress President Rahul Gandhi is fit to be Prime Minister and the party backs him for the top post.

The Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP), which quit the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) last month, also feels that the Uttar Pradesh type situation in which the BSP and SP kept Congress out of the alliance in Uttar Pradesh, will not happen in Bihar.

"Our party is supporting Rahul Gandhi for Prime Minister. This is not the decision of the Grand Alliance but our party wants him to be the Prime Ministerial candidate," RLSP President Upendra Kushwaha told IANS in an interview.

"Rahul is fit to be Prime Minister. In recent times he has matured. He has an understanding of the country. In his family he has seen a lot of ups and downs. He is understanding the world now. He is young and so he should be Prime Minister," he said.

The former Union Minister also said that the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress need to take "a liberal attitude" for an early decision on the distribution of seats among the parties in the Grand Alliance in Bihar for the coming Lok Sabha elections.

"RJD and Congress are big parties. In Bihar, RJD is bigger and at the national level Congress is a bigger party. If both the parties get respectable number seats, the decision will be announced soon," Kushwaha said.

There are apparent differences between Congress and RJD over seats with the former keen to fight at least 12 of 40 seats in the state and latter keen to give only eight.

RLSP is likely to contest on five Lok Sabha seats in Bihar and one in Jharkhand.

Kushwaha, 58, who was a minister in Narendra Modi government and quit the NDA last month, said that key decisions were taken without consultations.

Citing a recent instance, he said that even ministers in the government were not aware that a 10 per cent quota for economically backward among the forward castes was going to be announced.

Kushwaha also accused Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and BJP of trying to destroy his party and said it was the biggest reason for him leaving NDA.

"NDA will not win any seat in Bihar. It will suffer due to Nitish Kumar in Bihar. The health and education scenario have worsened. Law and order situation is worse than what it was before and he has lost credibility by switching sides. People have understood that getting the chair is his priority. The BJP will also suffer due to this," he said.

Asked about reports of merger talks between RLSP and Sharad Yadav's Loktrantrik Janata Dal (LJD), he said it was not about merger between two parties but bringing together those who fight for social justice.

He said Sharad Yadav will fight the Lok Sabha elections from Bihar as a constituent of Grand Alliance. Kushshawa said he will be re-contesting the coming Lok Sabha elections from Karakat.

The grand alliance in Bihar comprises RJD, Congress, RLSP, Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) led by former Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) led by Mukesh Sahni and LJD.

(Anand Singh can be contacted at anand.s@ians.in <mailto:anand.s@ians.in> and Prashant Sood at prashant.s@ians.in <mailto:prashant.s@ians.in>)

--IANS

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Treading on political turf, President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday fully backed the 10 per cent reservation for economically backward sections enacted by the Modi government, saying it is another step towards an India of Mahatma Gandhis dreams.

Addressing the nation on the eve of 70th Republic Day, he called the coming Lok Sabha elections "not just a once-in-a-generation moment" but "once-in-a century moment" saying it will shape India of the remainder of 21st century.

Kovind also said the country belongs to all sections -- every group and every community, every region and every identity. "India's pluralism is its greatest strength and its the greatest example to the world. The 'Indian model' rests on a tripod of diversity, democracy and development. We cannot choose one above the other; we must have all the three and, we will have all three," he said.

The President referred to Gandhiji's book 'India of My Dreams' in which he wrote of an India where the poorest will have an "effective voice", where there will be no "high class and low class", where "all communities shall live in perfect harmony", and where "women will enjoy the same rights as men".

"These ideals are a constant reminder of the India that we are building. In this context, the recent constitutional amendment to provide special facilities for talented children from poorer families is another step to an India of our dreams - and of Gandhiji's dreams," he said in an apparent reference to the 103rd Constitution amendment providing for quota for the economically weaker sections that are not covered by any of the existing reservations.

The Bill to provide 10 per cent quota to the economically backward among upper castes was passed by Parliament earlier this month.

Referring to the upcoming general election, he said "each one of us" has the responsibility of voting in the elections.

"The ideas and idealism of our democracy will come into full force. Once more, as we do every five years, voters will deliver their verdict and write their destiny. This year's election will be the first when voters born in the 21st century will contribute to electing a new Lok Sabha."

He said election is not just a political exercise, it is a collective call to wisdom and a collective call to action.

The election, he said, represents a renewal and recommitment to the goals of a "shared and egalitarian society", diverse and yet singular urges of people, and that the act of voting is sacred.

"Who the voter chooses to vote for is up to him or her, I would only request all eligible voters to go out and vote. Our country is at a key juncture. In some respects this is as critical and formative a period as the late 1940s and early 1950s. Decisions and actions of today will shape the India of the remainder of the 21st century. As such, this is not just a once-in-a-generation moment - it is a once-in-a-century moment," he said.

Kovind said the election is only a milestone in the journey towards fulfilling the aspirations of people and building a developed India and the country was at the doorstep of eliminating extreme poverty for the first time in memory.

He referred to efforts to boost connectivity through rail, road, air and waterways besides the surge in phones and data access and said all of it is bringing together as never before. "India has been united and integrated - now it is being networked."

He said "leapfrogging technologies" were empowering farmers and equipping soldiers, enabling the deprived and boosting entreprenuership and start up culture.

The President said that through his travels and engagements, he has sensed an appreciation for such efforts and such hard-won advance. "This is more so in the perception of senior generations that have lived through and strived to overcome the shortage economy."

He said difficulty has been converted into availability in all areas and a change was visible in areas ranging from foodgrain, LPG cylinders, telephone connections and ability to get a passport.

"In many cases, technology has been a force multiplier. And in all cases, inclusiveness has been a moral multiplier."

He said a programme of universal healthcare has begun, affordable medicines and medical devices and implants were becoming more accessible and a greater number of Indians have access to proper housing, with modern sanitation and electricity.

The President said that values that shaped India's independence and which continue to shape the Republic are also the values that uphold supremacy of the people.

The Republic Day, he said, commemorates the values of democracy and was an occasion to reaffirm commitment to liberty, fraternity and equality.

He said the concept of devotion to public service and to the broadening of the ambit of justice, must get its due and well-intentioned contributions of individuals, groups, institutions, society or the government must be acknowledged and appreciated.

He said these are guiding principles that shape India's global approach and are earning it a new respect in the international system. "These are the principles, I would stress, that are at the root of our Republic."

The President said the year was "extra special" as the country will mark 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi on October 2 and 70th anniversary of adoption of Constitution on November 26.

He recalled the role of B.R. Ambedkar in drafting the Constitution.

--IANS

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A meeting of the Russia-NATO Council on the Treaty on the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF Treaty) was held in Brussels today.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said following the talks that the meeting was successful, useful and professional, but still they have not seen any signs of a breakthrough.

"It was a successful and useful and professional meeting, at which we discussed two important topics: Ukraine and the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty. On both of these issues, Allies and Russia fundamentally disagree. But that is exactly why it is important to talk," he said.

"We also addressed the INF Treaty. All members of the NATO-Russia Council agree that the Treaty has been crucial to Euro-Atlantic security. But the Treaty is now in jeopardy. And unfortunately, we have not seen any signs of a breakthrough," the NATO chair added.

Stoltenberg said that today's NATO-Russia council meeting "is to discuss the INF Treaty, and for NATO allies to be able to call on Russia to come back into compliance of the treaty in a verifiable and transparent way.

"I strongly believe in dialogue with Russia especially when times are difficult, as they are now. And then its even more important that we sit down and try to find political solutions because we dont want the new arms race. We know we dont want a new Cold War," Stoltenberg said.
Militants carried out two grenade attacks on Friday in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag town injuring a policeman.

Police said constable Sajad Ahmad was injured when militants hurled a grenade at a police post at a bus stand.

"The injured constable was shifted to a hospital and the area was surrounded by security forces to carry out searches," a police officer said.

Earlier, militants hurled a grenade at the Srigufwara police station in Anantnag district. The grenade exploded without causing any damage.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
China on Friday evaded a question whether it was issuing fresh loans to Islamabad in the next few days as stated by Pakistan's Finance Minister.

"I have no specific information, but one thing is sure that we will provide our utmost assistance for the economic development of Pakistan," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said at a regular press briefing here.

"Pakistan and China enjoy very sound relations. We have also made efforts to support its social and economic development. As to the current difficulties confronted by Pakistan, they will resolve it," Hua added.

At a press conference in Islamabad, Pakistani Finance Minister Asad Umar said on Thursday that "after the support from Saudi Arabia and UAE, we are expecting finance from China within next few days".

Pakistan is nearly broke with the foreign cash reserves drying and external debt mounting.

To stave off the crisis, Islamabad has turned to Saudi Arabia and its greatest ally China. Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan last year travelled to Riyadh and Beijing to seek loans.

While Khan managed to secure a loan of $6 billion from Saudis, it is not known if China has made any commitment to Pakistan after publicly vowing to help the country "tide over" the crisis.

China on earlier occasions had issues loans to Pakistan, a scenario, experts fear, might compromise Islamabad's sovereignty.

Islamabad has also sought a bailout package from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The IMF wants Islamabad to disclose financial details of the Chinese-funded China-Pakistan Economic Corridor for providing the bailout package.

However, the Chinese are wary of Islamabad going to the IMF, dominated by its rival, the US which opposes the Belt and Road project.

Experts say that the Chinese have pushed Pakistan into heavy debt through the CPEC, a charge denied by Beijing.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Militants carried out four grenade attacks in the Kashmir Valley on Friday on the eve of India's Republic Day, injuring a policeman in one of the attacks.

Constable Sajad Ahmad was injured when militants attacked a police post near the bus stand in Anantnag town with a grenade.

Militants also attacked a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) camp in Tahab area of Pulwama district.

CRPF sources said the sentry on guard duty fired at the militants who, however, escaped.

Militants also attacked a CRPF bunker in Sopore town with a grenade in the evening. CRPF sources said the grenade missed the target and exploded without causing any damage.

Sopore town is part of Baramulla district.

Only on Wednesday, Jammu and Kashmir Police chief Dilbag Singh had told a local news agency that Baramulla was the first district in the Valley that was now free of militant presence.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Streaming platform Netflix is working on getting a visa for Jorge Antonio Guerrero, the Mexican actor who played Fermin in "Roma", so that he can attend the 91st Academy Awards.

According to sources, now Netflix is helping him come to the US for Oscars, reports variety.com.

Guerrero has applied for a US visa three times and has been denied each time. He was initially rejected a tourist visa and two subsequent attempts were denied despite support from Netflix and the filmmakers.

In an article published on Tuesday, Guerrero told the magazine that Quien that he had been unable to attend the Golden Globes or gala screenings. He said he had a written invitation from the producers, but that didn't help.

"I brought a letter that they didn't want to read," he said.

"On my second try, they said that I was going to work, and I answered no, that I was going as a guest. And that last try was a little memorable, because it seemed like there was anger on the part of the woman who interviewed me."

The State Department said it could not respond to a request for comment on the matter due to the government shutdown.

"Roma" was nominated for 10 Academy Awards on Tuesday, including Best Picture and Actress for Yalitza Aparicio. The Oscar ceremony will be held on February 24, and will be aired in India on Star Movies.

In an interview with the Mexican newspaper El Universal published Thursday, Guerrero said he is not offended by the visa rejection.

"I have not felt at any moment offended, angry or victimised," he said.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar should hire bouncers and post them at his cabinet meetings, for fear of ministers lashing out at each other physically, Congress spokesperson Sunil Kawthankar said on Friday.

The demand comes a day after two cabinet ministers -- PWD Minister Sudin Dhavalikar and Art and Culture Minister Govind Gaude -- reportedly had a heated argument, in which the Congress claimed that casteist abuses were also hurled at a cabinet meeting held on Thursday.

"The Chief Minister should now have bouncers at cabinet meetings because of the lack of law and order in his own office. It has never happened in Goa that ministers abuse each other using casteist slurs. Law and order in the the state is already in a shambles, and now ministers are also running amok," Kawthankar said.

Political sources said at the cabinet meeting on Thursday, Parrikar was forced to intervene during a slanging match between the two ministers, in which Gaude accused Dhavalikar of interfering in his Assembly constituency Priol.

While Dhavalikar did not respond to repeated phone calls, Gaude did not deny the incident, but said he could not divulge any information about the alleged altercation because "what goes on in a cabinet is a secret matter".

"I cannot speak about what went on in a cabinet meeting because it should be kept a secret. But in future, if it comes to that, I will speak about it," Gaude said.

He also chided the Congress, saying that demanding action against ministers for what transpired in a cabinet meeting was "foolish."

"The Congress is behaving in a foolish manner. Were they there to see what exactly happened at the cabinet meeting?" Gaude said.

This is not the first instance of state cabinet meetings in Goa triggering controversy.

A leaked audio tape, in which Health Minister Vishwajit Rane alleged that Parrikar during a December 2018 cabinet meeting had said that all files linked to the Rafale deal were stashed in the former Defence Minister's bedroom, sparking a controversy.

The tape had been released by the Congress in Delhi, earlier this month, and had stalled proceedings in Parliament. Both Parrikar and Rane had claimed that the tape was doctored.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Publishers, writers, filmmakers and the media are facing coercion in India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP government at the Centre and if the UPA was to swing back to power in the coming elections, upholding free speech and democratic rights would be its top priority, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said here on Friday.

"There have been enough instances of coercion under Modi government. We have had cases when reporters and editors have lost their jobs for doing their simple duty," the writer-politician told reporters at a press conference on the sidelines of the Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF), before sharing a series of examples in his attempt to establish the point.

Tharoor, himself a bestselling author of over a dozen and a half books of fiction and non-fiction, maintained that the media is the fourth pillar of democracy and interfering with the working of the media shows desperation on the part of the ruling dispensation.

He said the judiciary and the state governments too have a significant role in upholding free speech in the country.

"I am, in fact, heading the Congress Party's committee on this subject and I have been talking to publishers and writers and filmmakers. The Congress party will be fully committed... We will not tolerate burning of books, or its banning, or the hounding of writers, as we have seen in the recent past...

"If the UPA comes back to power, we will not only uphold free speech but it will be our top priority..." he said.

The JLF kicked off on Thursday and will reach its culmination on January 28.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Mauritius Prime Minister P.K. Jugnauth on Friday sought trade and investments from India which offer immense potential in that country.

Inviting Indian companies to set up a regional base in Mauritius, he said it would help them manage their African operations even as the island-nation provides a safe and trusted regulatory environment.

Jugnauth also stressed that Mauritius can play a major role in furthering the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas-2019, since India and the Indian diaspora have been the main partners of that country in terms of trade and investment for many years.

"See Mauritius not for what it is, but for what it can be. There are immense investment opportunities in Mauritius. The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with India would be concluded soon," Jugnauth said.

Jugnauth was addressing a mega-business interaction organized by top Indian organisations such as the CII, FICCI, ASSOCHAM, EDB, SBM Holding Ltd. with prominent representatives addressing the meeting today.

Indian Commerce Minister Suresh Prabhu said that India and Mauritius are good friends and the visit of "the PM of Mauritius is like a family reunion."

Stressing the need to deepen the economic ties between the two countries in tune with the changing global scenario, Prabhu said India looks forward to strengthening the relationship especially on the economic front, through means such as G2G agreements.

"However, B2B relationships are also very important for business between the two countries, industry should explore opportunities for greater collaboration. The government headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is committed to facilitating the industry in tapping into the opportunities identified by it," Prabhu said.

On promoting economic prosperity and building bridges between the two nations, he said 'Invest India' will work with Mauritius Investment Promotion Board to boost investments while a high-level business delegation from here will visit that country soon to explore and firm up business opportunities.

--IANS

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A man died on the set of the upcoming film "Kabir Singh", starring Shahid Kapoor and Kiara Advani, in Mussoorie. The producers of the film have offered support to the family of the deceased crew member.

Ram Kumar, 35, a resident of Uttar Pradesh, lost his life in an accident at the five-star hotel where the film's unit is staying. The incident took place before the commencement of the shoot on Thursday.

Kumar was among the local crew and was working with the film unit from Dehradun as a generator operator.

He was checking the water level in the generator when his muffler got entangled with the generator's fan and in the process, Kumar too was pulled in. Kumar sustained serious injuries on his head.

He was immediately rushed to a hospital in Dehradun where he was put on a ventilator for a few hours before he passed away.

Kumar is survived by three brothers and a sister.

The producers of the film, Cine1 Studios and T Series Films, said in a joint statement: "We are deeply saddened by the loss. We are extending our deepest sympathies to the family of Ram Kumar. We are offering support to the family in the immediate aftermath of this tragic event."

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Thursday directed his country's diplomats in the US to leave that country and ordered the embassy and consulates there closed, also reiterating that US diplomatic personnel must leave the South American nation within 72 hours.

Maduro issued his order before the Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ), where magistrates and representatives of other government branches declared their support for him after the head of the opposition-controlled Parliament, Juan Guaido, proclaimed himself to be Venezuela's interim president and received Washington's immediate support.

"I have decided to return all personnel, diplomatic and consular, of our country abroad and close the embassy and all the consulates in the United States," the president said, Efe reported.

Maduro reiterated that on Wednesday he made the decision to break diplomatic and political relations "with the imperialist government of Donald Trump, and to expel all his diplomatic personnel and (other) personnel" from Venezuela within 72 hours.

Guaido rejected Maduro's decision and asked all foreign embassies to keep their doors open with the subsequent response from Washington that, since it no longer recognizes the Chavista leader as head of state, it will not comply with his directives.

The US government, in response, on Thursday ordered the evacuation of all its non-essential personnel in Venezuela after Maduro gave them 72 hours to leave the country.

In a security alert, the Department of State also recommended to Americans living or travelling in Venezuela to "seriously" consider leaving the country.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday asked security forces to protect the "personal integrity" of the self-proclaimed Venezuelan president and announced $20 million in US humanitarian aid for the Venezuelan "people."

Pompeo spoke before the Washington-based Organization of American States at a special meeting convened by the OAS to discuss the situation in Venezuela.

Pompeo also urged the other OAS members to recognize Guaido as Venezuela's "legitimate" president and called for a regional meeting of foreign ministers of the countries of the Western Hemisphere to decide what to do regarding Venezuela.

The top US diplomat urged all OAS members to rebuke Maduro's "now-defunct" and "criminally-incompetent" government, saying that "each of us must live up to our calling to promote and defend democracy" in Venezuela.

In Caracas, however, regional commanders of Venezuela's armed forces appeared on state television Thursday to express their support for Maduro.

"We are a democratic country where the president is elected only by the people, and the people is the sovereign making decisions on our homeland's destiny," Maj. Gen. Manuel Bernal Martinez, head of the Andean military district, said.

"The people of Venezuela, through their exercise of the free and secret ballot, elected citizen Nicolas Maduro Moros as president," he said, accompanied in the video clip by other officers.

Similar messages were conveyed in subsequent clips featuring Gen. Victor Palacio Garcia, commander of the Los Llanos defence region, and Gen. Domingo Hernandez Lares, commander of the Central region.

Venezuela's defence minister said Thursday, that an attempted coup was under way in the South American country.

"I warn the Venezuelan people that a coup is being carried out against our democracy's institutionality, against our constitution, against President Nicolas Maduro, the legitimate president," Vladimir Padrino told reporters in the company of other senior military officials.

Padrino read a statement on behalf of Venezuela's armed forces in which he expressed his loyalty to the leftist Maduro as head of state and said he "will never accept an imposed president."

The defence minister said "unhinged elements" among Venezuela's opposition, backed by outside forces, were behind the bid to create a de facto government, which he vowed "will not be victorious."

"It's an extremely serious matter and infringes upon the rule of law, against the peace of all Venezuelans," Padrino said.

The armed forces' support for Maduro is "unfailing and unyielding," said Padrino, who thanked those foreign governments, including Mexico, that have called for resolving Venezuela's political crisis through dialogue.

The country, meanwhile, was rocked by a third consecutive day of anti-government protests early Thursday, although thousands also took to the streets to show their support for the government amid a diplomatic upheaval that has seen many countries expressing their official recognition and support for both sides in the political tussle.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday urged people to fill their hearts with love for the country and not to hate people from any religion or group.

Addressing the city at the Chhatrasal Stadium here to mark the Republic Day, Kejriwal also said that truly patriotic also have the purest heart.

"The need of the hour is to fill yourself with the love for the country but that doesn't mean attacking people of a particular group or hating them.

"Those who truly have patriotism also have the purest heart. They love each and everyone, they love people from all castes and religions. We should help each other as humans, and not care about religion or caste," he said.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief while unfurling the national flag said he desired to see India as the best nation in the world.

Kejriwal also exhorted the children to cultivate the feelings of patriotism and communal harmony.

"When the freedom fighters sacrificed their lives for the nation, what was their dream?

"At times I wonder if the freedom fighters would have agreed to sacrifice their lives if they knew that the country will be destroyed like this after freedom," he said.

He said that in 70 years, the poor were deprived of education and even the middle class could not access proper and affordable health care.

"Political parties have destroyed the country.

"Can we, after 70 years of freedom, say that the country has fulfilled the dreams of those who sacrificed their lives for the nation?"

Kejriwal then spoke about the AAP's sweeping victory in Delhi Assembly elections in 2015.

"Delhi, some four years ago, decided to bring a change by electing a new kind of government. The current government of Delhi is a revolution," he said.

"I am very proud to say after four years in power that if a child is born (in Delhi), he is assured of good education and proper and affordable health care.

"Farmers in Delhi are given compensation and are not forced to commit suicide. The government is giving 24x7 and cheapest electricity to its people," he said.

Kejriwal said the work "we were doing now should have been done in 1950 or 1955. The countries which got Independence after us are ahead of us".

He also blamed the Centre for restricting the works done by his government in Delhi.

"The country and the world is looking at the Delhi government for its works. The work done by the Delhi government is restricted. I want to ask what wrong we are doing by building schools, Mohalla Clinics, hospitals for our people?"

Delhi Cabinet Ministers Manish Sisodia, Satyendar Jain, Gopal Rai, Imran Hussain, Rajendar Pal Gautam, Kailash Gahlot and Chief Secretary Vijay Dev were present on the occasion.

The Chief Minister took the guard of honour from the contingents of Delhi Police, Delhi Fire Service, Civil Defence, NCC and the school children.

A colourful cultural programme was also presented by the school children.

--IANS

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(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Kremlin hopes that partners will turn an attentive ear to Moscows arguments concerning the INF Treaty at todays meeting of the Russia-NATO Council in Brussels, presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

"The Russian side keeps explaining its consistent position to partners. All parameters of our stance are well-known and absolutely transparent. We do hope that we will be listened to and heard," he noted.

The spokesman recalled the consultations Russia and US held on this problem several days ago. "Regrettably, we cannot say that that round was successful," TASS cited him as saying.

"Our diplomats tried to explain our INF Treaty-related arguments to the U.S. partners, but they showed little readiness for a bilateral dialogue," Peskov concluded.
The Kerala government will soon launch a 'Pravasi Dividend Pension Scheme' to provide regular pension to Non Resident Keralites on a one-time payment of Rs 5 lakh, Governor P. Sathasivam said on Friday.

He announced the scheme during his address to the state Assembly.

"My government is committed to the welfare of millions of Pravasi Malayalis. The one-time payment of Rs 5 lakh will be deposited with KIIFB (Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board) for financing infrastructure projects," said Sathasivam.

There are 2.1 million migrants from Kerala across the world whose estimated total annual remittances to the state has been found to be Rs 85,092 crore, a study said.

Of these, close to 90 per cent are in the Middle East.

Sathasivam pointed out that the state would set up a call centre with an international Toll Free Line to provide information, register complaints and details about action taken on various issues faced by the Non-Resident Indians.

"A comprehensive interactive portal will also be launched to provide information on job opportunities in various countries, online attestation and recruitment processes."

He also spoke about the Loka Kerala Sabha (LKS) that was established with the aim of using the expertise, talent and resources of NRIs from Kerala for the overall growth and development of the state.

The LKS was supposed to offer a meaningful say to the NRI community in implementing schemes for building a new Kerala and the scheme proved to be a success, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan later told the media.

"We are soon going to have a regional meet of LKS in the United Arab Emirates," he said.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Japanese top seed Kento Momota beat Indonesian defending champion Anthony Sinisuka Ginting 21-9, 21-10 in the quarterfinals of the 2019 Indonesian Masters on Friday.

The reigning world champion was not put to the test by Ginting throughout the match and claimed the easy victory in 38 minutes at the Istora Senayan sport stadium here, reports Xinhua news agency.

With the result, Momota marched into the semi-finals scheduled for Saturday, awaiting the winner between Chinese Olympic champion Chen Long and Denmark's former world number one Viktor Axelsen.

A total of 20 countries and regions are vying in the 2019 Indonesian Masters, which commenced on January 22 and will end on January 27, for a $350,000 prize pot.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Budget passenger carrier IndiGo will operate daily non-stop flights between Delhi and Istanbul effective March 20, with Airbus A321 aircraft.

According to the company, Istanbul will become its 16th international destination. The airline has opened bookings for the flight with promotional fare starting at Rs 23,999.

"It is our privilege to be the first Indian carrier to fly into Turkey. Istanbul is one the most attractive tourist cities in the world and the gateway from Asia into Europe," William Boulter, Chief Commercial Officer, IndiGo, said in a company statement on Friday.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
An Indian construction worker is standing trial at a Dubai court after he allegedly groped a 14-year-old schoolgirl.

Prosecutors on Thursday accused the 32-year-old of being drunk when he inappropriately touched the girl as she was walking to a metro station, Khaleej Times reported.

He denied the charge, claiming he touched her by mistake.

The incident was reported on October 20, 2018.

During the investigation, the victim said she was putting cash in her bag when she was caught off-guard by the accused.

She said he did it on purpose and kept walking. She did not yell at him or scream for help as she was scared.

Footage taken from the CCTV cameras at the Metro station captured the defendant getting very close to the girl and touching her.

The defendant was fined 2,000 dirhams on the charge of consuming alcohol without a permit.

He will be sentenced on February 13.

--IANS

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India and South Africa on Friday signed an agreement to further deepen their Strategic Partnership, including in political, economic and defence spheres, following delegation-level talks led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa here.

The Three-Year Strategic Programme of Cooperation is aimed at enhancing the Strategic Partnership Agreement that was signed in 1997 by Prime Minister H.D. Deva Gowda and South African President Nelson Mandela in 1997.

According to a joint statement issued after the meeting, both sides "emphasised the need to further deepen relations in the political, economic, defense, scientific, consular and socio-cultural spheres".

In a joint address to the media with Ramaphosa following the talks, Modi said that both sides reviewed the entire gamut of their bilateral ties.

"Our trade and investment ties are becoming more and more intense," he said.

"Our bilateral trade is more than $10 billion."

Modi said that Indian companies are contributing to President Ramphosa's efforts to increase investments in South Africa.

According to the joint statement, both sides welcomed the significant investment and presence of a large number of Indian companies and business entities in South Africa and the growing number of South African investments in India.

The two sides also agreed to cooperate, share best practices, technology and expertise on the ease of doing business reform programme.

The statement also said that both sides agreed that the two countries should explore solutions aimed at boosting trade and investment.

"In this context, President Ramaphosa agreed to simplify and reform South African business visa regime," it stated.

Stating that India is a partner in South Africa's efforts in skill development, Modi, in his address to the media, said that a Gandhi-Mandela Skills Institute will soon be opened in Pretoria.

"We are both committed to take our relationship to a new level," he said.

The Prime Minister said that both India and South Africa are strategically located in the Indian Ocean region.

According to the joint statement, both sides recognised the importance of increased bilateral naval cooperation and closer synergy within the context of Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) which, by keeping the sea lanes secure against illegal actors, will ensure unhindered passage for trade and continued prosperity of the entire Indian Ocean region.

It also stated that the two sides agreed to enhance cooperation in the field of the oceans economy and to cooperate in multilateral forums on the Blue Economy including within the framework of Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).

Modi also said said both countries are pluralistic democracies that are carrying forward the legacies of Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela.

"As such, both countries share a similar broad global outlook," Modi said.

"Our mutual cooperation and coordination in many forums like BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa), G-20, Indian Ocean Rim Association and IBSA (India, Brazil, South Africa) are very strong."

Modi also said that both countries are working together to bring about reforms in the UN Security Council.

On his part, Ramaphosa said that that India is a strategic partner for South Africa.

"PM Modi and I were in agreement that considerable scope exists for growing and expanding our bilateral ties, especially economic ties," he said.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
India and South Africa on Friday signed an agreement to further deepen their strategic partnership following delegation-level talks led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa here.

The Three-Year Strategic Programme of Cooperation is aimed at enhancing the Strategic Partnership Agreement that was signed in 1997 by Prime Minister H.D. Deva Gowda and South African President Nelson Mandela in 1997.

In a joint address to the media with Ramaphosa following the talks, Modi said that both sides reviewed the entire gamut of their bilateral ties.

"Our trade and investment ties are becoming more and more intense," he said.

"Our bilateral trade is more than $10 billion."

Modi said that Indian companies are contributing to President Ramphosa's efforts to increase investments in South Africa.

Stating that India is a partner in South Africa's efforts in skill development, he said that a Gandhi-Mandela Skills Institute will soon be opened in Pretoria.

"We are both committed to take our relationship to a new level," he said.

The Prime Minister said that both India and South Africa are strategically located in the Indian Ocean region.

He said both countries are pluralistic democracies that are carrying forward the legacies of Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela.

"As such, both countries share a similar broad global outlook," Modi said.

"Our mutual cooperation and coordination in many forums like BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa), G-20, Indian Ocean Rim Association and IBSA (India, Brazil, South Africa) are very strong."

Modi also said that both countries are working together to bring about reforms in the UN Security Council.

On his part, Ramaphosa said that that India is a strategic partner for South Africa.

"PM Modi and I were in agreement that considerable scope exists for growing and expanding our bilateral ties, especially economic ties," he said.

"India is now the second largest trading partner of South Africa."

Ramaphosa said both sides want to expand cooperation in the areas of agro-processing, defence, mining and the financial sector, among others.

"We will work together to strengthen the multilateral system so that ordinary people of the world can benefit from globalisation," he said.

Ramaphosa arrived here earlier in the day on his first state visit to India as President.

Soon after his arrival, he was accorded a ceremonial welcome by President Ram Nath Kovind at the Rashtrapati Bhavan here.

On Saturday, Ramaphosa will be the Chief Guest at the Republic Day parade.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Nearly 65 per cent of Indian organisations are better prepared for the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), making the country the sixth leading nation globally in the GDPR readiness index, global networking leader Cisco said on Friday.

The GDPR, which focused on increasing protection for EU residents' privacy and personal data, came into force in May last year and organisations globally have been working steadily towards getting ready for it.

"India has greatly improved upon its GDPR readiness with its fast-evolving data privacy ecosystem, which is primarily because of a collaborative approach by the government and private organisations," said Vishak Raman, Director, Security, Cisco.

"However, there remains a huge scope for Indian organizations to increase their investments in people, and technology controls to meet customer privacy requirements faster," Raman added.

More than 3,200 global security and privacy professionals in 18 countries across major industries responded to the Cisco survey about their organisations' privacy practices.

"Only 37 per cent of GDPR-ready companies experienced a data breach costing more than $500,000, compared with 64 per cent of the least GDPR-ready companies," said the report.

"Data is the new currency and as the market shifts, we see organisations realising real business benefits from their investments in protecting their data," said Michelle Dennedy, Chief Privacy Officer, Cisco.

Customers are increasingly concerned that the products and services they deploy provide appropriate privacy protections.

"Nearly 75 per cent of respondents cited that they are realising multiple broader benefits from their privacy investments, which include greater agility and innovation resulting from having appropriate data controls, gaining competitive advantage and improved operational efficiency from having data organized and catalogued," the report explained.

--IANS

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Actress-writer-child rights activist Nandana Sen on Friday launched her new children's book "In My Heart" that deals with the topic of adoption.

"This book celebrates unity that we find in our family. It is about the fact that every one of us is connected to our family through our hearts," Nandana said at the Junior Tata Steel Kolkata Literary Meet 2019, an extension of the main event.

The book is about a 'heart child' (adopted child) Mia who discovers that she too has a 'tummy mummy' (biological mother), thereby explaining this complex theory in a simple and touching way.

Nandana, who is married to John Makinson, said that her four-year-old daughter Meghla Devsen Makinson (adopted by the couple) is convinced that she is Mia, but the book is about all the children who love their family, relatives and pets.

Nandana is the daughter of Nobel laureate Amartya Sen and celebrated author Nabaneeta Dev Sen. Meghla, who belongs to the family of such scholars, is naturally drawn to books.

The author of "Mambi and the Forest Fire" said that just like her daughter, the protagonist loves reading books.

Nandana, known for her critically acclaimed film Ketan Mehta's "Rang Rasiya", read excerpts from the book giving a glimpse of Mia's world.

Nabaneeta, who has penned a number of children's stories, narrated a line of a Bengali bedtime prose 'Amar Sona Chander Kona' (my dear is a little piece of moon).

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
"No Presents Please", originally written in Kannada by noted author Jayant Kaikini and translated into English by Tejaswini Niranjana, was announced on Friday as the winner of the prestigious $25,000 DSC Prize for South Asian Literature 2018 at the Tata Steel Kolkata Literary Meet here.

"The DSC Prize has always encouraged writing in regional languages and translations, and this is the first time that a translated work has won the prize. This magnificent book gives us a protagonist that is vivid yet full of contradictions, spirited yet lonely, embattled yet big-hearted - the city of Mumbai," DSC said in a statement.

Empathy and survival are the constant, co-dependent themes that unify every strand of the winning novel, creating a shimmering mosaic of a conflicted city that is as kind as it is, at times, cruel.

In a glittering award ceremony, the DSC Prize was awarded to Jayant Kaikini and Tejaswini Niranjana along with a unique trophy by eminent writer Ruskin Bond.

As per the prize process, the prize money would be equally shared between the author and the translator.

Congratulating the winner, Surina Narula, co-founder of the DSC Prize said: "My heartfelt congratulations to author Jayant Kaikini and translator Tejaswini Niranjana for winning the DSC Prize for South Asian Literature 2018 for their brilliant book 'No Presents Please'".

She said it was a pleasure reading the shortlist.

"The challenges faced by the authors to weave their protests against the wave of anti globalization into their writings of seemingly harmless pieces of literature could be seen through their work, migration being a major theme this year," Narula added.

The DSC Prize has completed eight years and reading South Asian literature written in English, including translations, has enabled larger global audiences to understand the issues globalisation has brought about, she said.

The Award Ceremony was held at the iconic Victoria Memorial Hall here.

The prize comes at a time when translations have attracted attention and are also arousing interest among international publishers.

Notably, the first edition of JCB Prize for Literature, billed as India's richest book prize, was also bagged by a translated novel, "Jasmine Days".

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Delhi High Court on Friday reserved order on former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram's bail plea in the INX Media money laundering case.

Justice Sunil Gaur reserved the order after Chidambaram and the probe agencies concluded the arguments.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the bench that custodial interrogation of the former Finance Minister was necessary as he was evasing and had given false information during his questioning.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) have opposed the anticipatory bail plea of Chidambaram.

Chidambaram's counsel and senior advocate Kapil Sibal said that there was no evidence against his client. He also apprised the court that investigation was almost over and sanction had been obtained by the Finance Ministry to prosecute Chidambaram in the case.

Chidambaram is on interim protection from arrest granted by the Delhi High Court.

The court was hearing the plea from Chidambaram who sought protection from arrest from ED and CBI.

The ED and the CBI are probing how his son Karti Chidambaram managed to get clearance from the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB).

Karti was arrested on February 28 by the CBI for allegedly taking money to facilitate the FIPB clearance to INX Media in 2007 when his father was the Finance Minister. Later, he was granted bail.

Karti's Chartered Accountant S. Bhaskararaman was arrested and he got bail later.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Russian Direct Investment Fund CEO Kirill Dmitriev said that the oil price of $60-70 per barrel is comfortable for Russia. According to him, such price is good for both investments and stability.

However, reducing shale production in the United States, they must be below $40 a barrel. "To really fight shale wed need oil below $40 a barrel," the Telegraph cited him as saying.

Dmitriev noted that such prices are "not good for the Russian economy" and "not good for the Saudi economy". "It is not practical, and we are not going to try to fight it," the head of Russias wealth fund told the World Economic Forum in Davos.
Global greenhouse gas concentrations continue to rise to record levels in 2018-2019, the chief economist of World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) has told United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

"Global average greenhouse gas concentrations of CO2 (carbon dioxide) reached 405.5 parts per million in 2017 and continue to rise to record levels in 2018-2019," Professor Pavel Kabat was quoted as saying by Xinhua news agency on Friday.

"The last time the Earth experienced a comparable concentration of CO2 was 3 million to 5 million years ago, when the temperature was 2-3 degrees Celsius warmer and sea level was 10-20 meters higher than now."

The past four years have been the warmest on record, with many high-impact weather events which bear the hallmarks of climate change. The 20 warmest years on record have been in the past 22 years. The global average temperature is nearly 1 degree Celcius above the pre-industrial era, said Kabat in the WMO's first ever briefing to the Security Council.

He noted that the World Economic Forum taking place in Davos, Switzerland, has put extreme weather, natural disasters, climate change and water crises as the top four existential threats in its Global Risks Report 2019.

These show significant interconnections with other shocks and impacts to peace and security and sustainable development, he said.

Research by the WMO and its partners and network of scientists shows that sea level rise is accelerating, as is the melting of polar ice sheets, posing an increasing existential threat to small island developing countries, said Kabat.

The shrinking of Arctic sea ice affects not just the local and indigenous peoples, but also influences weather patterns in the world's populated regions. Glacier melt continues unchecked, with short-term impacts including increased flooding and a long-term threat to water supplies for many millions of people.

Ocean heat content is also at record levels, with far-reaching, lasting consequences for marine life, coral reefs and food security, he said.

Climate change has a multitude of security impacts, rolling back the gains in nutrition and access to food, heightening the risk of wildfires and exacerbating air quality challenges, increasing the potential for water conflict, leading to more internal displacement and migration, warned Kabat.

"It is increasingly regarded as a national security threat."

He expressed the hope for closer collaboration and for the establishment of mechanisms for future briefings to the Security Council "to provide authoritative information for decision-making and support the diplomatic business of the council in areas appropriate to the understanding and analysis of peace and security threats."

The WMO is honoured to support UN member states and the Security Council in the provision of top-quality information on weather, climate, water and environment-related threats to peace and security, he said.

Kabat said there is a need for a new political and investment paradigm to build a new generation of hydro-climate forecasting and early-warning services.

"This should become a component of basic country-infrastructure, like roads and bridges," he said.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Brazil's first openly gay congressman, Jean Wyllys, revealed in an interview published on Thursday that he has resigned his seat and left the country in the face of death threats.

The lawmaker, who became famous as the winner of the Brazilian version of TV reality show "Big Brother," told Folha de Sao Paulo newspaper that he began contemplating retirement from public life after the murder last March of another high-profile LGBT politician, Rio de Janeiro city councilor Marielle Franco.

The Afro-Brazilian lesbian grew up in one of Rio's toughest neighbourhoods and was a vocal critic of killings by police and by para-police death squads known as militias.

"When they executed Marielle, I had an idea of the seriousness of the situation," Wyllys said, reports Efe.

"On top of those death threats that come from groups of killers-for-hire linked to militias, there was another possibility: an attack carried out by fanatical people who believe the systematic defamation directed at me," he said.

Wyllys, who won a third term last October, said the climate of growing hostility to LGBT people forced him to accept a police escort.

The 44-year-old leftist said that his decision to quit Congress and go into voluntary exile was not directly related to the election of far-right President Jair Bolsonaro, an outspoken homophobe.

"It was not his election in itself. It was the level of violence that rose after his election. To give you an idea, a few days ago, they ripped out the heart of a transvestite. That guy (the killer) put an image of a saint in the place of the heart," Wyllys told Folha.

He said that his choice to flee abroad had been influenced by advice from Uruguayan former President Jose "Pepe" Mujica, a one-time leftist guerrilla who was jailed during his country's 1973-1985 military regime.

"When he learned that I was being threatened with death, Pepe Mujica told me: 'Boy, be careful. Martyrs are not heroes.' And that's it. I don't want to sacrifice myself," Wyllys said.

His fears grew after O Globo daily reported that the president's son, lawmaker Flavio Bolsonaro, had employed family members of the militia leader linked to the assassination of Marielle Franco.

"It scares me to know that the son of a president hired for his staff the wife and mother of a hit man. The president who always defamed me, who always insulted me, who always used homophobia against me. That environment is not safe for me," Wyllys said.

Declining to disclose his whereabouts, he said that he would return to Brazil when the time was right.

"Not necessarily to that space of parliamentary political representations, but for the defence of the cause. I will never stop doing that," the now-former congressman said.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Crime Branch of Gurugram police has arrested four persons with Amazon's stolen items worth Rs 50 lakh, the police said on Friday.

Manager of a transport company, DGFC, had registered an FIR at Kherki Daula Police Station here that the driver attached with the company had been missing with the truck laden with valuable items of online store Amazon for the last a few days.

The chief of Palam Vihar unit of the Crime Branch, Manoj Verma, and his team arrested the driver of the truck and three others involved in the crime from various places in Haryana.

"Over 4,000 sealed merchandise packets of India's one of the largest online stores, valued at Rs 50 lakh, has been recovered from the arrested," Assistant Commissioner of Police Shemsher Singh said.

He said that arrested accused were identified as Hakim (the driver, a resident of Mathura in Uttar Pradesh), Zaffar and Wasim from Tauru (in Nuh district of Haryana), and Sajid, hailing from Haryana's Palwal.

He said the arrested accused have also admitted their involvement in five other similar cases.

"We are interrogating the arrested accused on police remand," the officer added.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
After Republican and Democratic measures to end the partial government shutdown failed in the Senate, a sobered President Donald Trump and the Democratic Party leadership appeared to soften their positions and edge towards a reluctant compromise.

The voting in the two failed resolutions on Thursday were telling for Trump because six of his own party's Senators crossed over to support the Democratic proposal while two Republicans voted against their party's counter proposal.

As the shutdown enters its 35th day on Friday, 800,000 federal employees, both those working and those on temporary layoff, missed their second fortnightly pay and the essential government services were beginning to show signs of fraying.

The failed Democratic measure proposed by the party leader in the Senate, Chuck Schumer, would have approved funds to keep the government running till March 8 while negotiations continued on a compromise for financing the wall on the Mexican border that Trump demands.

The defeated Republican proposal included the $5.7 billion that Trump demanded for the border wall as well as his proposal to give a three-year reprieve for deportation for about 700,000 people who had come illegally to this country as children and about 300,000 who had received temporary asylum as their countries suffered natural calamities like the Nepal earthquake or violent unrest.

Two Republican Senators opposed it because it gave concessions to illegal immigrants, illustrating the difficulty for the two party's leadership to reach a compromise because of the pull of the hardliners on both sides.

The failures were a setback for Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, who has been involved along with Vice President Mike Pence in behind the scenes talks with legislators to find a compromise.

Trump suffered a loss of face on Wednesday when he unexpectedly agreed to postpone his State of the Union address after repeatedly demanding that Speaker Nancy Pelosi allow him to speak from the House chamber.

Trump has been sticking firmly to his demand for the $5.7 billion to be included in the budget to build the border wall to deter smugglers and illegal immigrants, while the Democrats have opposed it with equal vehemence.

As a result, the country has not had a budget since December 22 resulting in a shutdown of all but the essential government services.

A high-tech border barrier, rather than a wall or steel fence, may hold the key to a settlement.

Some Democrats were reported circulating proposals for providing for border security as much as the $5.7 billion that Trump wants as long as the money is spent on high-tech defences and personnel and not for a physical barrier.

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham told the Senate that Trump would go in for a temporary measure to reopen the government for three weeks and negotiate a deal if it included some of his demand for the wall.

But Speaker Nancy Pelosi quickly shot it down as not a reasonable offer.

Trump still has an extreme option: declaring a state of emergency and having the Army Corps of Engineers build the barrier with diverted military funds.

He has spoken about it citing the crisis along the border where over 7,000 Central Americans who came in a caravan hoping to force their way into the US are camped out on the Mexican side, with another caravan of 8,000 on the way.

(Arul Louis can be reached at arul.l@ians.in and followed on Twitter @arulouis)

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Prime Minister on Friday greeted the nation on the occasion of Voters Day and said every vote enhances the country's democratic fabric.

"I urge people from all walks of life to create awareness on voter registration and especially request my young friends to register themselves as voters if they have not done so already. Every vote cast enhances our democratic fabric," Modi tweeted.

Modi noted that the Voters Day marks the nation's commitment towards strengthening democracy.

"This is a day to reaffirm our commitment towards further strengthening our democracy by unfailingly participating in democratic processes at the local, state and levels. Your doing so will go a long way in building a New India," he added.

National Voters Day was started by the government in 2011 to encourage the young to vote.
Appealing to the business community to pay taxes and do business ethically, interim Finance Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday said the era of high taxes and misuse of public money was over, and now every rupee received as tax was being put to good use in the interest of the nation.

He also cautioned tax officers not to be over zealous in their functioning which could result in a lot of agony, particularly to the honest taxpayer.

Goyal, who was given temporary charge of the Finance Ministry on Wednesday in the absence of Arun Jaitley who is in the US for medical treatment, said the government had in the last few years made an honest attempt to make the administration more taxpayer friendly, continuously bringing down tax rates and making compliance easier and technology driven.

"Every rupee of tax collected by custom officers is put to good use, to put a roof over someone's head, to bring digital connectivity and electricity to rural areas, ensure a better future for the youth, and most importantly, ensure the basic dignity for women in our country," he said while addressing the Investiture Ceremony and International Customs Day celebrations here.

"And it is only when taxes are collected honestly and are put to good use honestly, one can truly feel a sense of satisfaction of a job well done," he said.

Appealing to the business community to pay taxes honestly, Goyal said it was time to do business ethically.

"Those days are gone when we had an era of very high taxes and import duties, which caused people to look at different avenues. There was also an element of misuse of public money. Very often you would hear people say - if we are paying such high taxes, and it's not put to good use, then we should not be paying such high taxes.

"In the last few years, there has been an honest attempt to change this concept - to make the administration more taxpayer friendly, to continuously bring down tax rates, make compliance easier and technologically driven," the Minister said.

Acknowledging the customs officers' crucial duty of collecting revenues "that is in turn spent for the welfare of the country's poor", Goyal said the true test of their success will be when every customer looks upon them as a friend, not as an adversary.

"This customer-friendly approach will give us far greater results than any other approach. Of course, we have to trust the customers with a great degree of intelligence. After all, our job is to ensure that the revenues of the government which are rightfully due are collected so that they can be used to serve the poor. No revenue should be lost," he said.

"There cannot be any lapse in the collection of such revenue, and we must encourage customers to see this as a duty of their own," he added.

Goyal said while a lot has been done, there was still scope to bring more transparency, simplification and ease of operations in the Customs Department.

"Very often, in the over enthusiasm of tax administration we become over zealous which causes a lot of agony, particularly to those honest tax payers who believe that they have done no wrong," he said.

Goyal commended the efforts of the Customs Department which enabled India's rank in "Trading Across Borders" jump from 146 in 2018 to 80 in 2019. He expressed confidence that India would further improve its position in these rankings and asked the tax officers to aim to be in the top 10.

--IANS

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(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer has signed a contract to sell majority of its commercial division to US firm Boeing that will create a new civil avaiation company.

President Jair Bolsonaro's government gave the green signal in January to the agreement that was yet to be approved by the shareholders, Efe news reported.

Both firms signed on Thursday the deal containing the terms and conditions for the implementation of a strategic partnership in the field of commercial aviation, Embraer said in a statement.

Embraer called its shareholders meeting on February 26 to approve the agreement, according to which it will sell 80 per cent of its commercial aircraft division for $4.2 billion to Boeing, which will have full control of the new company.

Likewise, the companies also agreed to develop the military cargo plane KC-390, through a second company dedicated to the promotion and development of new markets in the defence sector.

According to analysts, the deal aims to counteract the partnership between the Canadian firm Bombardier and the European aerospace giant Airbus.

The alliance needed the backing of the government, as it has a "golden share" with veto power that was kept when Embraer was privatised in 1994.

Embraer is now the third-largest aircraft manufacturer in the world and leader in the segment of aircraft for regional flights.

The government said that both companies will maintain the current jobs in Brazil, but the unions said that the agreement "puts at risk the jobs and the technological sovereignty" of the country.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Iconic Hindi writer Krishna Sobti, a recipient of multiple awards for her outstanding literary career, died here on Friday. She was 93.

"She died at a hospital here today. Her health had deteriorated in the last few months and she had been in and out of the hospital," actress Ekavali Khanna, her grandniece, told IANS.

"She launched her new book in the hospital last month. Despite her ill health, she was always discussing arts, creative processes and life," Khanna added.

Born on February 18, 1925, Sobti had won the Sahitya Akademi award in 1980 for her novel "Zindaginama". She was also conferred with the Jnanpith in 2017 for her contribution to Indian literature.

" was the most generous of writers, warm, so sharply intelligent. Her books and conversations made me feel that writing could open up endless horizons. I'm glad I had a chance to meet her over the years, and say thank you to her for what she meant to me," said writer Nilanjana Roy.

Ashok Maheshwari, the Managing Director of Rajkamal Prakashan, which has published almost all of her works, told IANS that her first novel "Channa" had almost been published by a reputed publisher from Allahabad but as the publisher changed some key words from the text, Sobti stopped the printing process midway and paid them the amount they had spent till then.

"She was a person of high spirits, a writer of highest values and sanctity. Every word she wrote was like a coin for her, and now the same is a treasure for us all," he said.

Author-poet Ashok Vajpeyi described her as the "trustee of Indian democracy", hailing her unmatched contribution to literature.

He said her social message was very clear, and it was evident in all her works. She fought for equality and justice, he said.

She was also the recipient of the first Katha Chudamani Award, in 1999, for Lifetime Literary Achievement, apart from winning the Shiromani Award in 1981, Hindi Academy Award in 1982, Shalaka Award of the Hindi Academy Delhi and in 2008, her novel Samay Sargam was selected for Vyas Samman, instituted by the K. K. Birla Foundation.

"Most wonderful woman in the world, beloved Krishna-ji, rest in power. I was so fortunate to have met you," said Hindi scholar and translator Daisy Rockwell.

Sobti will be also be remembered for going out of the traditional methods of writing, experimenting with new writing styles as well as giving voice to bold and daring characters in her myriad tales.

"Krishna Sobti: A fine and bold chronicler of our times, a progressive and modern voice, who exemplified courage and freedom in her work and life. Condolences," said CPI-M leader Sitaram Yechury.

Blending elements of Hindi, Urdu and Punjabi cultures in her writings, she explored a vast range of issues, including the partition, relationships between man and woman, and the slow deterioration of human values. She also worked on a series of profiles and columns but published them under a masculine pseudonym. These columns were later compiled in her non-fiction book "Ham Hashmat".

A good number of her books have also been translated into other Indian languages, besides into Swedish, French, Russian and English.

--IANS

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Work finally began on Friday to demolish absconding diamantaire Nirav Modi's sprawling beach bungalow here that was infamous for lavish parties he threw for clients, international business associates and friends.

A large demolition squad headed by SDO Alibaug, Sharada Powar, started work at around 4 p.m. Work may continue for up to a week at the palatial stone-and-marble bungalow standing on a huge verdant green plot opposite the famed Kihim beach, said an official present at the site.

According to official records, the 33,000 sq ft luxurious bungalow, constructed partly as a ground-plus-one structure, is situated on a 70,000 sq ft area, with a driveway, high metal fencing and a huge security gate.

The bungalow was built around 2009-10 by Nirav Modi, the prime accused in the Rs 13,500 crore Punjab National Bank fraud case.

The demolition was taken up in accordance with a Bombay High Court order on a PIL filed by NGO Shamburaje Yuva Kranti (SYK), demanding action against various illegal bungalows, hotels and resorts violating the high tide and low tide zones in tiny villages dotting the beaches of Raigad.

SYK state chief Surendra Dhavale said that so far 10 bungalows have been demolished in the past few weeks and now Nirav Modi's bungalow was being razed, with at least another four dozen odd on the Collector's demolition list.

"The claimed value of the (Modi) property is cited as Rs 13 crore, but given the current market rates, this bungalow is worth over Rs 100 crore," Dhavale told IANS.

In August last year, Maharashtra Environment Minister Ramdas Kadam had said there were 151 illegal such constructions on or near the beaches on the Murud stretch and another 121 in Alibaug and neighbourhood beaches violating CRZ rules, not adhering to sanctioned plans and other regulations.

While 10 have been razed so far, the remaining 48 are likely to go under the bulldozers soon.

Besides Modi and his fugitive uncle Mehul Choksi, now a citizen of Antigua & Barbuda, several celebrities, industrialists, top businessmen, film and television personalities own big and small properties on this picturesque stretch of central coastal Konkan region.

However, since all properties belonging to Modi were attached by the Enforcement Directorate, though this bungalow property is not directly connected to the PNB scam, the Raigad Collectorate had to seek its (ED's) permission prior for the demolition.

A popular getaway destination, Raigad has been in the spotlight in recent years for a series of illegal constructions scarring its pristine beaches, coastal forests and lush green villages.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Richie Mehta's "Delhi Crime Story", a seven-part series based on the horrific 2012 Nirbhaya gang-rape case, will have its world premiere at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival next week. The award-winning Indo-Canadian filmmaker says such opportunities are a sign of the changing times.

He said it was extremely difficult to work on such a subject as he had to ensure that it did not just illustrate evil for the sake of drama.

"It's an honour to screen in Sundance, in any situation. But with this, a series, I never expected to show it on a big screen, in a festival.

"It's a sign of the changing times. And when a project like this - Hindi language, about a local incident - shows on an international platform like that, I think it's very important... if showing this to the world matters (which to me, it does)," Mehta told IANS in an email interview.

The show is produced by Golden Karavan and Ivanhoe Pictures.

The show's ensemble cast is led by Shefali Shah and includes Adil Hussain, Denzil Smith, Rasika Duggal, Rajesh Tailang and Yashaswini Dayama. All seven episodes of Season One have been written and directed by Mehta.

Centered around the efforts of Delhi Police to catch the culprits and bring them to justice in record time, the series showcases the investigation led by a woman officer, who, with the eyes of the world upon her, was driven by the crime's brutality to find the perpetrators despite the difficulties she faced in the sprawling city.

Mehta said he was walking on a thin rope to ensure the content "never crossed into exploitation".

"That it wasn't just to illustrate evil for the sake of drama, but to use this incident to bring other massive issues to light, and to hopefully enlighten," said the "Siddharth" and "India In A Day" director.

The filmmaker said the subject of "Delhi Crime Story" landed on his lap when a family friend in the Delhi Police, now retired, put him onto it.

"He had seen my previous work, thought I would be appropriate in telling this particular story from the police point of view, and connected me with the officers involved. When I met them, and got to know them, all the way from deputy commissioners to sub inspectors and constables, I realised that they had a perspective on this incident that we all desperately needed to hear, and it needed to be given a voice. So I proceeded on that belief," said Mehta.

The filmmaker understands that such subjects need to be handled with a nuanced touch.

He believes he has done his best in research and execution to stay true to the promises he made to the Delhi Police and IPS officers, and the victim's parents.

"Beyond that, I can only hope people will find the positive in this experience."

(Nivedita can be contacted at nivedita.s@ians.in <mailto:nivedita.s@ians.in>)

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The European Union Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, Johannes Hahn, will pay a visit to Yerevan on January 29, according to the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

During the visit, Hahn is expected to meet with Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan, News.am reported.

In addition, the EU commissioner will also hold meetings with the republic's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and President Armen Sarkisyan.
Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Friday said the decision on the entry of his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's into was taken some years back.

"I read in the media that this was a decision taken over the last 10 days. Actually, the decision was taken some years back," said Gandhi at a town hall meeting here titled 'Reimagining India -- Can Odisha show the way?'

"I have been having discussions with my sister about her joining and her push-back to me was that my children are very young and that I need to spend time looking after them," said Rahul.

"Now her children have reached an age where one of them has gone to the university and another is about to go to a university. So, that was the discussion we have been having for a while now," he said.

Rahul also spoke about his relationship with Priyanka.

"You have to understand my relationship with my sister. We have been through a hell of lot together. Everybody thinks we come from an illustrious family and everything is easy. It's actually not that easy. My father assassinated, my grandmother was assassinated and huge political battles... so we have been through a very hard sort of situation. That has brought us very close together," said the Congress President.

"Our way of operating is we give each other space. If I say to my sister that I want that space, my sister would tell the space is yours. If my sister says she wants that space, then I would tell that space is your," he said.

Replying to a query whether Priyanka would campaign in Odisha, Rahul said they have not decided on that yet.

"We will have to see exactly where she will campaign. That is probably something we would decide. We have not decided right now. But her main job as we have discussed is to help revive the Congress party's idea in Uttar Pradesh," said Rahul.

Rahul Gandhi slammed the BJP and the ruling BJD in Odisha, saying both follow the "same Gujarat model" in which there is a "deal" between the Chief Ministerial candidate and industrialists and governance is later handed over to key bureaucrats.

"The BJP model and the BJD model are the same as Gujarat model. It's a very simple deal between the Chief Ministerial candidate and industrialists who fund his campaign. The Chief Minister hands the state over to key bureaucrats who run it," Gandhi said.

He said "we allow our leaders to talk to each other" and added that the Congress was not "a bureaucratic dictatorship".

"My model is that people know more about their state than I do and I intend to learn from them. When we run a state, we listen to the people. That's not how (Narendra) Modi or Naveen Patnaik think. Has Modi or Patnaik ever had such conversations with you?" Gandhi asked.

"Modi thinks he knows about everything. The BJP and BJD don't have a feedback loop and that's the big difference between them and the Congress," he added.

Gandhi said the key problems before the country were jobs, farm distress and credit to small businesses and there was a need to rethink the development paradigm.

He said China far outpaces India in job creation and that the Modi government had failed to deliver on its various promises, including one on providing employment.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The CBI on Friday registered a fresh case against former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and several others in connection with the alleged irregularities in allotting over 1,417 acres of land during 2009-12 in Gurugram and carried out raids at over 20 places in Haryana, Delhi and Punjab.

Apart from Hooda, the agency booked T.C. Gupta, the then Chief Administrator, HUDA and Director of the Urban Estate Town and Country Planning, and others, including 15 private builders, on charges of criminal conspiracy, cheating, pecuniary advantage and criminal misconduct,

An agency official said that the CBI registered the case on the November 1, 2017 orders of the Supreme Court to investigate the acquisition process of over 1,417 acres of land between 2009 and 2012 in Gurugram's Sector 58 to 63 and Sector 65 to 67.

Raids were being carried out since Friday morning in over 20 places, including the DLF office in Gurugram, and in Chandigarh, Rohtak, New Delhi and Mohali including Hooda's residence in Rohtak.

Hooda was expected to address a rally in Haryana's Jind city later Friday in support of Congress candidate Randeep Singh Surjewala.

The official said that the agency had earlier registered a preliminary enquiry to probe into the allegations. However, it remained tightlipped on more details about the case.

The CBI had recently received a go-ahead to file a chargesheet against Hooda in connection with the case.

The former Chief Minister faces allegations of using his influence to allot a plot for Associated Journal Limited (AJL), the parent company of the National Herald newspaper.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The CBI on Friday registered a fresh case against former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda over alleged irregularities in land allotment and carried out raids at over 30 places in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR), officials said.

"Over 30 places in Delhi-NCR, including Hooda's Delhi and Rohtak residences, were raided in connection with the alleged land allotment irregularities that took place in Haryana between 2004 and 2007," a senior Central Bureau of Investigation officer told IANS here.

The raids started early on Friday morning.

Hooda was expected to address a rally in Haryana's Jind city later Friday in support of Congress candidate Randeep Singh Surjewala.

The officer said that the agency had earlier registered a preliminary enquiry to probe into the allegations. However, it remained tightlipped on more details about the case.

The CBI had recently received a go-ahead to file a chargesheet against Hooda in connection with the case.

The former Chief Minister faces allegations of using his influence to allot a plot for Associated Journal Limited (AJL), the parent company of the National Herald newspaper.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Indian literature stands at a junction of diverse cultures, languages and histories but their inter-connectedness is seldom seen. An aptly-titled session "One Indian Literature" at the Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF) featured literary stalwarts deliberating on the diversity within Indian literature - and the connecting factors lying theirin.

Harish Trivedi, professor of English at the University of Delhi, and author of "Colonial Transactions: English Literature and India", observed that there are certain advantages as far as writing in English in India is concerned but, he said, "let the other languages also bloom and prosper".

Priyamvada Natarajan, Professor of Astronomy and Physics at Yale University, said: "We have the power as Indians to redefine what English is to us."

Natarajan elaborated on the importance of translation in establishing greater social equality.

"The more stories and narratives are written in different languages that get access either through English or through translation, the better the chances of enabling a shift in the power balance, because then, all people feel that they all have a voice," she said.

She also emphasised the importance of writers knowing there will be a readership for one's writing whilst acknowledging that some write simply because they have a creative compulsion to express themselves.

"Most of them are writers who want people to read what they are writing," she said.

Naveen Kishore, the owner of Seagull Books, affirmed his willingness to create a "Library of Modern Literature" to further boost the recent upsurge in literary translations and support their passionate and growing readership.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Veteran actor Boman Irani has joined actor Vivek Anand Oberoi in the upcoming biopic on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"It's an honour to be chosen to be a part of such a landmark film. It's a strong team comprising Sandip Ssingh (producer), Omung Kumar and Vivekanand Oberoi, and I am looking forward to working with them. This has been a great start to my New Year and I am looking forward to this remarkable journey," Boman said in a statement.

According to producer Sandip Ssingh, Boman will give the project a "much-needed experience and depth."

"We are glad to welcome Boman sir as part of the cast. I believe a strong cast is a foundation to making a great film. We are very excited to have such amazing actors on board and I can't wait to begin shooting," added Singh.

With the film's poster launched in 23 languages earlier this month, "PM Narendra Modi" will be shot extensively in Gujarat and across locations within the country.

The biopic will trace Modi's journey from a tea-seller to assuming the office of the Prime Minister of India.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Friday slammed the BJP and the ruling BJD in Odisha, saying both follow the "same Gujarat model" in which there is a "deal" between the Chief Ministerial candidate and industrialists and governance is later handed over to key bureaucrats.

"The BJP model and the BJD model are the same as Gujarat model. It's a very simple deal between the Chief Ministerial candidate and industrialists who fund his campaign. The Chief Minister hands the state over to key bureaucrats who run it," Gandhi told a town hall meeting here titled 'The Odisha Dialogue'.

He said "we allow our leaders to talk to each other" and added that the Congress was not "a bureaucratic dictatorship".

"My model is that people know more about their state than I do and I intend to learn from them. When we run a state, we listen to the people. That's not how (Narendra) Modi or Naveen Patnaik think. Has Modi or Patnaik ever had such conversations with you?" Gandhi asked.

"Modi thinks he knows about everything. The BJP and BJD don't have a feedback loop and that's the big difference between them and the Congress," he added.

Gandhi said the key problems before the country were jobs, farm distress and credit to small businesses and there was a need to rethink the development paradigm.

He said China far outpaces India in job creation and the Modi government had failed to deliver on its various promises including that on providing employment.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A day after police summoned Odisha Congress chief Niranjan Patnaik and his son Navajyoti Patnaik for questioning in an alleged fraud case, the BJP on Friday hit out at Congress for the backwardness of the state and demanded answers from party President Rahul Gandhi.

"A party that has a culture of lying and being corrupt is making noises today. Congress Odisha chief has been served a notice. They will have to answer to the people. Rahul Gandhi should answer the people on this scam," Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan told reporters here.

His remarks came ahead of Gandhi's public meeting in Odisha.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader held the Congress responsible for the lack of development in the state.

"Congress is responsible for letting Odisha behind in everything. They ruined the dreams of Odisha. They have robbed the nation. They must answer," he said, adding, "What is their take on the cheating and fraudulent activities by their party members?"

"We are raising this issue. The law will take its own course. But Rahul Gandhi should answer. They are accountable to the society. They should clear their stand," Pradhan said.

According to the Delhi Police, the Economic Offences Wing is investigating a fraud case based on the complaint filed by one Kamaljeet Singh Ahluwalia against Vavasi Telecom Pvt Ltd in which Niranjan Patnaik and Navajyoti Patnaik were directors.

An amount of Rs 32 crore was allegedly paid by Ahluwalia to the company during the financial year 2007-08 which he alleged was fraudulently taken through forgery and dishonouring a cheque.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A 40-year-old Bangladeshi shopkeeper was shot dead by unidentified assailants in South Africa, the media reported on Friday.

The incident took place on Wednesday in Rustenburg, North-West province. Mohin Uddin's body was found inside a fridge the following day, reports bdnews24.

"The criminals came to rob Mohin's shop at night. They shot him and dumped his body in a fridge... He was being harassed for money by a gang of extortionists for a while," Humayun Kabir, the victim's brother, said on Friday.

Kabir said that his brother migrated to South Africa some three years ago "in search of a better livelihood".

According to the South African government, there are over two million foreign nationals currently residing in the country, of which around 95,000 are Bangladeshis.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Angola has decriminalised same-sex relationships, according to Human Rights Watch agency, the media reported.

The agency also reported that the Angolan government had created new sets of laws that ban discrimination against people because of their sexual orientation.

Individuals who refuse people employment or services because of their sexual orientation could spend up to two years in jail under the new law.

Angola's parliament adopted a new penal code on January 23 for the first time since it gained independence from Portugal in 1975, paving the way for lawmakers to remove the provision characterising same-sex relationships as "vices against nature," the rights agency said.

"In casting aside this archaic and insidious relic of the colonial past, Angola has eschewed discrimination and embraced equality," the Human Rights Watch said in a statement on Thursday.

Angola joins the growing but few numbers of African countries that have decriminalised same-sex relationships.

Neighbouring Mozambique removed anti-gay laws in 2015, while Sao Tome and Cape Verde have also abolished laws criminalising gay relationships.

Despite the changes, LGBT people and communities still face prosecution and hatred in many African countries.

A top Nigerian policewoman asked gay people living in the country to leave or face prosecution this week.

"If you're homosexually inclined, Nigeria is not a place for you," Dolapo Badmos, a Chief Superintendent wrote on her Instagram.

LGBT people risk a 14-year jail term in Nigeria, while anyone found guilty of being in a same-sex relationship faces a 30-year jail sentence in Tanzania.

--IANS

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(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Delhi Police on Friday mounted high vigilance on the activities of suspected "bad" characters in view of the security requirements for an incident-free Republic Day.

In a massive drive in coordination with other wings such as the Special Cell, Crime Branch and Special Staff, the police detained about 5,000 such people in the capital.

"These 'bad characters' have been considered a threat to society. They may not be involved in mass destructive or deadly acts directly, but they can be used by organised gangs or groups of terror organizations for logistical support.

"We have detained those who were recognized as bad characters last year before the Republic Day," said Rajiv Ranjan, Additional CP of Crime Branch.

The police have detected 4,440 new habitual offenders who committed more than three crimes last year and are part of the detained lot of 5,000.

Delhi police proposed externment of 610 criminals in 2018.

"The connection between bad elements with organized gangs or even terror groups cannot be ruled out as many desperate criminals work as shooters, man power or eyes and ears for them," an official said.

"The police registered 17 MACOCA cases against gangsters such as Sonu Daryapur, Sunil alias Tillu, Shakti Naidu and Jitendra alias Gogi and identified 38 gangsters to be booked under MACOCA," the Delhi Police advisory said.

--IANS

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The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists is keeping the Doomsday Clock set at two minutes to midnight  a metaphor for the end of the world  calling the threats against humankind "a new abnormal.'

The scientists announced that the clock is stuck at 11:58, citing nuclear weapons and climate change as two existential risks that leave the world dangerously close to an apocalypse.

"The 2019 time should not be taken as a sign of stability but as a stark warning. Its a state as worrisome as the most dangerous times of the Cold War," the New Yok Times cited Bulletin President Rachel Bronson as saying.

She said the current time is the closest it has been to doom since 1953, when the United States and Soviet Union began testing hydrogen bombs.

Bronson said the board was mainly concerned that "U.S.-Russian relations are near an all-time low," "the arms-control architecture is deteriorating" and "carbon emissions are rising after a period of plateauing."

More specifically, the scientists referenced the unresolved issues with North Korea and President Trumps decision to abandon the nuclear deal with Iran.

The clock, a metaphorical measure for humankinds proximity to destruction, has wavered between two and 17 minutes to the apocalypse since its inception in 1947.

Since then, the Bulletins board has determined how far the clocks minute hand will move, usually to draw attention to worldwide crises that it believes threaten the survival of the human species.

Last year, the clock advanced 30 seconds, to two minutes to "midnight." It had also advanced 30 seconds in 2017 but did not move at all in 2016.

Director of the Institute of Political Studies Sergei Markov, speaking with the correspondent of Vestnik Kavkaza, noted that the world is really close to a global catastrophe now, much closer than earlier. "First, there is a gradual degradation of Western democratic institutions, where a consortium of unelected bureaucrats, special services and oligarchs receive power, while the population loses control of the government. That is why, the U.S. government, for example, stages a coup in Ukraine, directly finances neo-Nazis and supports terrorists in Syria; the United Kingdom, in turn, imitates the use of chemical weapons in the form of the provocative Skripal case. Second, the unipolar world is transforming to something new, global role of the former leader, the United States, is largely reduced, but the American coalition is striving to retain its power, which caused the current attempt to instigate a civil war in Venezuela," he said.

"Third, new types of weapons are developed, first of all, cyber weapons, which makes the transition from provocations to war easier. Relatively speaking, the ISIS terrorist group, banned in Russia, organizes a cyber attack on the UK and the U.S. under the guise of "Russian hackers", which declare that the attack was coming from Russia and strike Russian servers back. Russia, of course, also responds, which causes a cyberwar leading to disastrous consequences. Fourth, there is an inadequate faction in power in the United States, which abandons most of the disarmament treaties. Fifth, the information war tools have become so sophisticated that classical freedom of speech and press freedom have disappeared in Western countries, and all together it increases the possibility of a random start of a global war," Sergey Markov stressed.

The deputy head of the Council of the Russian Diplomats Association, Andrey Baklanov, said that concerns about the prospects of international security are reasonable. "Indeed, the world stands literally two minutes before a possible catastrophe. First of all, Im worried that there is a certain regression in the process of preventing unauthorized and accidental outbreak of hostilities. This process has begun in 1962, a number of agreements were concluded, mainly of bilateral nature. Now these agreements have stunned. Attempts to agree with the Americans on the resumption of this work were unsystematic and unfinished. Alas, we do not even fully understand how serious the situation is, especially with the acceleration of scientific and technological progress. We need to immediately restart the process to prevent such a development," he urged.

"The second problem is that practically no serious crisis has been adequately addressed by international law at present. On the contrary, crises are falling apart into new ones. The third problem is a sharp increase in danger for Russia. It is necessary to pursue a more stringent policy to prevent such attacks at the earliest stages. The fourth problem is the withdrawal of the U.S. from the systematic agreements on the prevention of the arms race and the new stage of the arms race, with the possibility of further movement of NATO weapons to our borders. All of this suggests that the overall situation is extremely alarming, and we need to take comprehensive measures in all directions in order to reverse the negative trends," Andrei Baklanov concluded.
Yes Bank rose 8.39% to Rs 231.80 at 9:39 IST on BSE, extending yesterday's sharp gains triggered by RBI approval to name Ravneet Singh Gill as MD & CEO of the private sector bank.

Meanwhile, the S&P BSE Sensex was up 241.05 points, or 0.67% to 36,436.15.

On the BSE, 37.21 lakh shares were traded in the counter so far compared with average daily volumes of 55.62 lakh shares in the past two weeks. The stock had hit a high of Rs 236.30 and a low of Rs 224 in early deals.

Shares of Yes Bank jumped 8.39% to end at Rs 213.85 yesterday, 24 January 2019.

Yes Bank said that Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has vide its letter dated 23 January 2019 approved the appointment of Ravneet Gill as the MD & CEO of Yes Bank for a period of 3 years from the date of joining. Gill is expected to join the bank latest by 1 March 2019. The appointment will be subject to the approval of shareholders at the ensuing annual general meeting of the bank to be held in June 2019.

The board of directors of Yes Bank have scheduled a special board meeting to be held on Tuesday, 29 January 2019, and will finalize on the delegation of powers for transition management in the interim period commencing from 1 February 2019 until Ravneet Gill assumes office.

Further, Yes Bank announced the appointment of Mr. Maheswar Sahu and Mr. Anil Jaggia as additional directors (independent) with effect from 24 January 2019 for a period of 5 years. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 24 January 2019.

Yes Bank's net profit fell 6.96% to Rs 1001.85 crore on 36.3% rise in total income to Rs 8849.81 crore in Q3 December 2018 over Q3 December 2017. The result was announced at the fag end of the trading session yesterday, 24 January 2019.

Yes Bank is India's fourth largest private sector bank with a pan India presence across all 29 states and 7 Union Territories of India, headquartered in Mumbai.

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Key equity indices were trading near day's high in morning trade. At 10:33 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, was up 227.66 points or 0.63% at 36,422.76. The Nifty 50 index was up 65.35 points or 0.60% at 10,915.15. The Nifty was trading above 10,900 mark after crossing that level in early trade. Positive cues from other Asian shares boosted investors sentiment.

Among secondary barometers, the BSE Mid-Cap index was up 0.12%. The BSE Small-Cap index was up 0.21%. Both these indices underperformed the Sensex.

The market breadth, indicating the overall health of the market, was positive. On BSE, 932 shares rose and 560 shares fell. A total of 95 shares were unchanged.

ICICI Bank was down 1.58% at Rs 359.25. Media reports suggested that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has named ICICI Bank's former managing director and chief executive officer (MD and CEO) Chanda Kochhar and her husband Deepak Kochhar, along with his firms, as accused in the Rs 3,250-crore Videocon loan case. The first information report (FIR) registered on Thursday reportedly said the accused, including Videocon Industries (VIL) and its chairman and MD, Venugopal Dhoot, sanctioned certain loans to private companies in a criminal conspiracy and cheated ICICI Bank to the tune of Rs 1,730 crore.

Yes Bank rose 6.13% to Rs 226.95, extending yesterday's sharp gains triggered by RBI approval to name Ravneet Singh Gill as MD & CEO of the private sector bank. Shares of Yes Bank jumped 8.39% to end at Rs 213.85 yesterday, 24 January 2019.

Yes Bank said that Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has vide its letter dated 23 January 2019 approved the appointment of Ravneet Gill as the MD & CEO of Yes Bank for a period of 3 years from the date of joining. Gill is expected to join the bank latest by 1 March 2019. The appointment will be subject to the approval of shareholders at the ensuing annual general meeting of the bank to be held in June 2019.

The board of directors of Yes Bank have scheduled a special board meeting to be held on Tuesday, 29 January 2019, and will finalize on the delegation of powers for transition management in the interim period commencing from 1 February 2019 until Ravneet Gill assumes office.

Further, Yes Bank announced the appointment of Mr. Maheswar Sahu and Mr. Anil Jaggia as additional directors (independent) with effect from 24 January 2019 for a period of 5 years. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 24 January 2019.

FMCG shares advanced. Dabur India (up 1.6%), Bajaj Corp (up 1.36%), Jyothy Laboratories (up 1.14%), Britannia Industries (up 0.99%), Godrej Consumer Products (up 0.99%), Hindustan Unilever (up 0.8%), GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare (up 0.69%), Tata Global Beverages (up 0.4%), Nestle India (up 0.19%) and Procter & Gamble Hygiene & Health Care (up 0.15%), edged higher. Marico (down 0.4%) and Colgate Palmolive (India) (down 1.03%), edged lower.

Overseas, stocks in Asia gained Friday despite fresh overnight uncertainties about US-China trade negotiations. In Japan, core consumer prices in Tokyo, a leading indicator of nationwide price trends, rose 1.1% in January from a year earlier, government data showed on Friday.

In US, stocks closed mostly higher Thursday as investors digested a tide of corporate earnings while monitoring US-China trade talks and a long-running US government shutdown -- all amid worries over the health of the global economy.

In Europe, the European Central Bank (ECB) decided to maintain interest rates at 0% as expected on Thursday, but President Mario Draghi warned that growth risks in the region had shifted to the downside due to a number of external factors.

On the US data front, the number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits fell below 200,000 for the first time in nearly 50 years, the Labor Department reported Thursday. Further, the Conference Board's leading economic index fell 0.1% in December.

Private-sector activity continued to expand in January but at a more moderate pace compared with the same time last year, according to flash purchasing managers index data compiled by Markit. The manufacturing index rose to 54.9 from 53.8 in December, while the services gauge slipped to 54.2 from 54.4. A figure above 50 signifies growth in activity.

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Lakshmi Machine Works has signed a MoU with Government of Tamil Nadu at the Global Investors Meeting (GIM) held at Chennai on 24 January 2019.

As per the MoU the Company proposes to invest Rs. 600 crore over a period until 2024 in its existing business operations.

The investment funded through internal accruals would be for modernising/upgrading existing business operations of the Company in the areas of Textile Machinery, Machine Tools, Foundry castings and Aerospace products. As per the MoU, the Government of Tamil Nadu will support by extending fiscal and other incentives, infrastructural support like uninterrupted power supply and regulatory facilitation.

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'India is continuously focussing on equitable, inclusive growth and on bridging income inequalities. A number of schemes like Jan Dhan Yojana, Saubhagya and Ujjwala stand testament to the core values of inclusiveness that India adheres to', the Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu has said, in Chennai.

He was addressing the gathering at the valedictory function of Tamil Nadu Global Investors Meet (GIM)-2019. He urged investors to seize the moment and invest in India.

The Vice President quoted the Sustainable Development Goals 2030 which emphasized upon the need for nations to focus more on equitable economic growth and to reduce inequalities and said that the Government of India has embarked on a similar path in the last 4 years by having Sab ka Saath, Sab ka Vikas (Assistance to everyone and development of each individual) as the overarching goal.

Naidu applauded the dynamic, visionary leadership in India at the national and state levels that is engaged in reforming governance, reaching higher performance benchmarks & transforming the lives of people. Expressing his joy at the captivating growth story that India has been writing, the Vice President opined that India of today is a land of infinite possibilities and tremendous opportunities.

He highlighted a number of positive trends the Indian economy has been exhibiting is recent times such as the consistent GDP growth rate and the highest ever growth in FDI inflow. 'India accounts for about 15% of global growth and it has been estimated that the Indian economy would grow to $10 trillion by 2030', he said.

The Vice President said that measures like demonetization, GST, Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, repeal of outdated laws, giving thrust to road and air connectivity, increased focus on infrastructure, housing and agricultural sectors have enabled the economy to gather momentum.

Citing the appreciation showered on India by the World Bank and the IMF for resilient and stable growth and their terming of India as the fastest-growing emerging economy in the world, the Vice President said that these recognitions stood testimony to the efficacy of Government Policies.

Pointing out that 2018 was replete with external vulnerabilities, the Vice President lauded Indian economy's ability to withstand such stresses. He credited the robust Institutions of Indian economy, whose roots run deep and wide, for India's steady momentum.

Underscoring India's steady ascent in the Ease of Doing Business Index to reach the 77th position, Naidu said that doing business in India has now become much cheaper and faster through GST and other tax reforms as well as through digital processes and single point interfaces and single window clearance systems.

The Vice President said that it was a matter of great satisfaction that many of the global corporate giants, are now actively looking for investment opportunities in India with renewed optimism and enthusiasm, encouraged by India's vast market of more than a billion consumers, increasing purchasing power, rapidly unfolding technology scenario and cheaper labor market. 'Backed by strong democracy and partnerships, India is all set to be one of the top three economic powers of the world in the next 10 to 15 years', he said.

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The Board of Hindustan Foods at its meeting held on 25 January 2019 has approved the proposal for acquiring 40% equity shares of ATC Beverages.

The Board also approved appointment of Neeraj Chandra (holding DIN: 00444694), as an Additional Director (Independent Director) on the Board of Director's of the Company, w.e.f. 25 January 2019 to hold the office upto the date of ensuing Annual General Meeting.

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The United States has ordered all of its non-emergency government employees to leave Venezuela, following Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's decision to sever diplomatic ties with the nation.

The US had earlier dismissed Maduro's decision, citing that he did not have the legal authority to break diplomatic relations, after National Assembly President Juan Guaido, who enjoys US support, swore himself in as the President on Wednesday.

"US will conduct diplomatic relations with #Venezuela through the government of interim President Guaido. The US does not recognize the #Maduro regime. The US does not consider former president Maduro to have the legal authority to break diplomatic relations," Secretary of State Michael Pompeo had earlier tweeted on Wednesday, brushing off Maduro's decision to break diplomatic ties.

Meanwhile, Maduro, going ahead with his decision, has directed the Venezuelan embassy and consulates in the USA to shut down, announcing that all of its diplomats would reach Venezuela by Saturday, reports Anadolu Agency.

The latest developments come amid a major political crisis in the South American nation, with opposition leader Guaido swearing himself in as the President in the middle of protests demanding Maduro's resignation. Subsequently, the United States recognised Guaido as the interim President, inviting the retaliatory measure by the elected President Maduro.

On the one hand, countries like the US and UK have extended their support to Guaido as the interim President. While on the other, Russia, China and Turkey have extended their support to the beleaguered President Maduro, slamming the US for its interference in the South American nation.

The United States has further requested for a United Nations Security Council meeting to be held on Saturday, January 26, to discuss the "ongoing crisis" in Venezuela.

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Two alleged Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorists arrested by Delhi Police had planned terror attacks on marketplaces, other crowded places and a gas pipeline, in the capital during Republic Day celebrations, according to police.

Delhi Police Special cell said interrogation of the two men, Abdul Latif Ganai alias Dilawar and Hilal, revealed their plans to attack the Lajpat Nagar market and a gas pipeline in East Delhi, among other places in the city and had already done a reconnaissance of the areas.

Ganai was arrested during the intervening night of January 20 and 21, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Pramod Kushwaha said.

"An input was received from a very reliable source that a terrorist of JeM who masterminded a spree of recent grenade attacks in Srinagar was planning similar terror strikes in heavy footfall areas in Delhi during the Republic Day celebrations," Kushwaha said.

A Delhi Police Special Cell team rushed to Jammu and Kashmir and recovered two IEDs from his possession, he said. The team also arrested another terrorist Hilal from Bandipora who had carried out a survey of target areas in Delhi, the officer said.

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Roger Stone, a long-time informal adviser to President Donald Trump, has been arrested on charges of obstruction, witness tampering and making false statements, the office of special counsel Robert Mueller announced on Friday.

Stone was arrested in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, following an indictment by a federal grand jury on January 24 in Washington DC, said a spokesman for Mueller, who is investigating Russia's interference in the 2016 US election and any ties to the Trump campaign, the Guardian reported.

Stone will appear in court in Fort Lauderdale later on Friday, the spokesman said.

Stone, who has taken credit for persuading Trump to get into politics, served as an adviser to Trump's presidential campaign but left amid controversy in 2015.

Mueller's indictment alleges that during the summer of 2016 Stone spoke to senior Trump campaign officials about WikiLeaks "and information it might have had that would be damaging to the Clinton campaign. Stone was contacted by senior Trump campaign officials to inquire about future releases by" WikiLeaks, which the document refers to as "Organization 1".

It states that Stone made "multiple false statements" about his interactions regarding WikiLeaks, and "falsely denied possessing records that contained evidence of these interactions", and "attempted to persuade a witness to provide false testimony to and withhold pertinent information from the investigations".

Stone, a self-described dirty trickster who began his career as a campaign aide for Richard M. Nixon and has a tattoo of Nixon on his back, has long maintained that he had no connection to Russia's attempts to disrupt the 2016 presidential election.

The indictment comes amid scrutiny about his alleged contact with WikiLeaks publisher Julian Assange in the summer of 2016.

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Paris is ready to impose further sanctions against Tehran if no progress is made in talks over its ballistic missile program, French foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said.

"We are ready, if the talks don't yield results, to apply sanctions firmly, and they know it," the minister stressed.

Diplomats previously said in private that France, Britain and other EU countries were considering new economic sanctions against Tehran, Reuters reported.

Those could include asset freezes and travel bans on Iran's Revolutionary Guards and Iranians developing the Islamic Republic's ballistic missile program, three diplomats said.
Timely action by the Special Cell of has foiled a possible terror attack in Delhi during the celebrations, said Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Special Cell Pramod Kushwaha.

"Timely arrest of two Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist prevented major terror strike. Two Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorists were planning to carry out a series of attacks across the capital," said Kushwaha here on Thursday.

Abdul Latif Ganai alias Dilawar and Hilal were arrested following specific input about plans to carry out terror strikes in "heavy footfall areas" in Delhi during the ongoing celebrations, the said. Ganai was arrested during the intervening night of January 20 and 21, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Pramod Kushwaha said.

"They wanted to carry out a terror strike in the capital during celebrations. The targets were VIP areas, iconic places and vital installations. We have recovered two grenades from Ganai's house and his associate terrorist Hilal has also been arrested because of their timely arrest terror strike has been prevented," said DCP Special Cell, Kushwaha.

"An input was received from a very reliable source that a terrorist of JeM who is the mastermind of a spree of recent grenade attacks in Srinagar, is now planning similar terror strikes in heavy footfall areas in Delhi during the ongoing Republic Day Celebrations," Kushwaha said. A team of Special Cell rushed to and recovered two IEDs from his possession, he said. The team also arrested another terrorist Hilal from Bandipora who had carried out the recce of target areas in Delhi, the officer said.

DCP Special Cell, Kushwaha added that the initial input of this operation came from Laxmi Nagar area of Delhi. "The special team got to know that on the night of January 20 Abdul Latif Ganai will be coming here and we arrested him. His father was also a surrendered militant," he added.

"He works for Abu Mass and according to him, Abu Mass is a Pakistani terrorist. Abu mass handed over many hand grenades to him which were lobbed at many places. They were here in Delhi from last 10-15 days," Kushwaha added.
RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on Friday hit out at Nitish Kumar over a Bihar minister's derogatory remark on Priyanka Gandhi.

"Nitish Kumar Ji is running an institute where he trains his ministers to abuse and make excuses, his cabinet ministers and spokespersons are trained there," Tejashwi said while talking to reporters here.

Tejashwi's comment came after Bihar minister Vinod Narayan Jha, while commenting on Priyanka Gandhi's entry into active politics, said "Priyanka Gandhi is very beautiful, but has no other talent that I can see, neither does she have the political experience."

The 47-year-old was made a general secretary of the Congress, in charge of the party's campaign in eastern Uttar Pradesh for the Lok Sabha election due by May.

According to reports, Bihar's Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Modi, also took a jibe at Priyanka's formal entry into politics, saying that "the Congress was feeling happy over the induction of a woman with a tainted life partner.

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Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, a co-founder of the Afghan Taliban, was appointed leader of its political office in Qatar to strengthen the militant group's hand in peace talks with the United States as efforts continue to find a resolution to the conflict, media reports said.

Baradar, who was released from a prison in Pakistan in October last year, has been authorised to lead the political team and take decisions, Pakistan Today reported.

The Taliban issued a statement to announce Baradar's appointment and a reshuffle in their team to put senior leaders into key positions as the talks with US officials gained momentum.

"This step has been taken to strengthen and properly handle the ongoing negotiations process with the United States," the Taliban said in statement.

The move comes as US special peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad's meeting with the Taliban representatives, which was originally due to run over two days, entered its fourth day on Thursday.

"Baradar will soon fly to Qatar. He has been given the new position because the US wanted the senior Taliban leadership to participate in peace talks," a senior Taliban official said, the daily reported.

Baradar, who coordinated the insurgent group's military operations in southern Afghanistan, was arrested in 2010 by a team from Pakistan's military-controlled intelligence agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence, and the US' Central Intelligence Agency.

His release, according to security experts, was part of high-level negotiations led by Khalilzad with the Taliban.

The US key negotiator has held at least four meetings with the Taliban representatives. But there has been no let up in the violence.

Tolo News, quoting sources familiar with the Qatar talks, said the US and Taliban have inched closer towards sealing an agreement on some issues, including discussions on a timetable for the withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan and a ceasefire.

It also quoted sources close to the Taliban as saying that they will not allow any group to stage attacks against other nations from Afghan territory.

Newly appointed Baradar will also hold the additional post of third deputy of Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada, the leader of Taliban, and work with Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai, a veteran Taliban official who has been running the group's political office in Qatar since 2015 and has participated in the latest rounds of peace talks.

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South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa arrived on Friday in Delhi for his first state visit ahead of the Republic Day celebration parade, where he is the chief guest. Ramaphosa is second South Africa's President after Nelson Mandela to be the chief guest at the Republic Day parade.

Ramaphosa, who is accompanied by First Lady Dr Tshepo Motsepe and a high-level delegation of nine ministers and a large business delegation was received at the airport by Urban Development Minister Hardeep Singh Puri.

After a cermonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhawan, the South African President will address the India-South Africa Business Forum, with the objective to grow business ties between the two countries.

During his two-day visit, Ramaphosa will also deliver the Gandhi-Mandela Freedom Lecture organized by Indian Council of Affairs under IBSA framework as a part of the celebrations of the 15th Anniversary of IBSA.

Ramaphosa will be the chief guest at the 2019 Republic Day parade and also attend the 'At Home' hosted by the President Ram Nath Kovind in the afternoon of January 26, 2019.

According to the Ministry of External affair, this visit by South Africa President is expected to further strengthen and enhance the close relationship between India and South Africa, which has shared "close and multifaceted strategic partnership since 1997, which is underpinned by historical, cultural and economic linkages".

It is worth noting, that bilateral trade has increased to the USD 10.65 billion in 2018-19 from the USD 9.38 billion in 2017-18. Both countries share close cooperation in the areas of vocational training, capacity building etc.

The two countries share a common vision on a range of global issues and closely cooperate in various multilateral fora: United Nations, BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa), G-20, Commonwealth, Indian Ocean Rim Association and the India, Brazil, South Africa dialogue forum.

Both Prime Minister Modi and President Ramaphosa have met thrice in 2018 since the latter assumed office in February 2018 - on the margins of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London, BRICS meeting in Johannesburg and the G20 summit in Buenos Aires in Argentina. .

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BJP leader Satish Gautam on Friday said that the show-cause notice issued by the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) to two students for the 'Tiranga Yatra' shows their "Talibani" mentality.

"Their mentality is like the Taliban, they are running the AMU like that only, their thinking is like them. There is no philosophy to teach, their thinking, ideals are vile and I condemn it," the BJP MP from Aligarh told ANI.

"Notice issued for hoisting the flag shows their mentality. Whereas no notice was issued when some students raised anti-India slogans after the hanging of Afzal Guru, took out a march and read namaz prayers. When terrorist Burhan Wani was killed by the Army, then also they read namaz. This reflects their mentality, which is to only issue notices to Hindu students and spoil the university's environment," Gautam added.

He further said that Proctor Mohammed Mohsin Khan was working with a narrow mind. He also demanded the withdrawal of the notice and an apology.

Commenting on the reported attacks on some students last night following the recent 'Tiranga Yatra' developments, Gautam said: "I will get these people jailed if they attack again. These things are happening because the proctor is not on their side. They (AMU) are creating an environment of fear; some students are told they will be expelled, others are told their future will be destroyed. They hoist Pakistan flags. Will the Indian flag not be waived?"

Earlier today, Gautam wrote a letter to Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar, appealing to question the AMU's mentality behind the show-cause notice and if an event aimed at promoting patriotism is unreasonable.

The AMU on Wednesday had issued a show-cause notice to two of its student leaders regarding 'Tiranga Yatra' on bikes inside the campus, saying that it had given no permission to carry out the Yatra. The AMU has made it mandatory to seek official permission for processions.

The varsity's proctor Khan on Thursday clarified that the notice was not for holding the 'Tiranga Yatra'. He said that the students had sought permission for the rally, which was denied as any mass gathering on the campus would have disturbed the studies, and that the notice was issued when they took out rally without permission.

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Shiv Sena workers created ruckus inside the premises of a film theatre in Mumbai as it did not display 'Thackeray' movie poster.

The workers of Shiv Sena on Thursday staged a protest outside a theatre in Vashi, against the theatre's management for not installing posters of the film inside the theatre.

In a video from the incident, the group of protestors can be seen staging a sit-in protest and shouting slogans.

During the protest, the workers also got into an argument with the theatre staff.

Based on the life of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray, the film hit the big screens on Friday, commemorating Thackeray's birth anniversary.

Shortly after the trailer of the film came out in December, the release date of the film attracted a lot of controversies. Many claimed that the film is deliberately being released ahead of elections as part of a political agenda.

However, in an exclusive interaction with ANI, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, who plays the role of Bal Thackeray in the film and Amrita Rao, who will feature as his wife Mina Thackeray, refuted those claims and asserted that the only reason behind releasing the film in January was that January 23 is Bal Thackeray's birth date.

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After the CBI conducted raids at the residence of former Haryana chief minister BS Hooda, state minister Anil Vij on Friday said that scamming is Congress' culture.

Earlier in a day, the CBI carried out raids at the residence of Hooda and other officials and lodged a fresh case against him in connection with alleged irregularities in the acquisition of land in Haryana.

Hooda has been charged under various sections of the IPC in connection with cases of land acquisition between 2009 and 2012.

"This is what called Congress culture or Congressism where all party leaders together performed various scams. Be it Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law Robert Vadra or other party leaders, we all are aware of the corruption cases filed against them," Anil Vij told ANI.

Slamming Congress for alleging that the CBI raids are a trap set by the Centre to defame the Opposition ahead of 2019 general elections, Vij said, "Though things are not clear right now. The CBI is an independent agency which worked transparently on its own. We have nothing to do with the case. There are chances that the CBI found involvement of several other ministers and builders in the case."

Meanwhile, Haryana Minister of State for Welfare, Krishan Kumar Bedi also clarified that BJP has nothing to do with the allegations levelled against Hooda.

"Hooda has looted the properties of farmers and media also used to write about it. CBI has inquired now, everything will be cleared soon. Hooda and his team will now claim that it is because of political reasons. However, we have nothing to do with it and police and agencies are doing their routine work," Bedi told ANI.

"If Lok Sabha elections are approaching, does that mean that police and agencies will not do their work? If he has not done anything wrong then he should not worry," he added.

IAS officer T. C. Gupta, the then Chief Administrator, Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) the then Director of Urban Estate, Town and Country Planning, Haryana and other officials including 15 private individuals have also been charged under the same sections.

The investigating agency is conducting searches in over 20 places including in Chandigarh, Rohtak, New Delhi, Gurgaon and Mohali with respect to the land acquisition irregularities.

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New Delhi [India], Jan 25 (ANI): President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday hailed the role of voters and Election Commission in Indian democracy, which he termed as a "shining example" of vibrancy for the world.

Themed on 'No voter to be left behind,' President Kovind on Friday attended the 9th Voters' Day celebrations here.

Speaking on the occasion, President Kovind said: "Indian democracy is a shining example for the world. We are both the largest and most diverse democracy."

"And while the contribution of all stakeholders in our election process is important, two stakeholders stand out. These are the voters and the Election Commission. In their roles, they complement each other."

He further said that India's sheer size and the logistics of elections in the country make it critical to embrace modern technology and India's democracy and electoral system is held in high regard internationally.

"Election institutions of many countries have studied our electoral management system. The Election Commission of India has helped train officers and built capacities in several countries. This is a reflection of the respect for it," he said.

He said that the principle behind this is very simply the principle of upholding equality of political rights and of universal franchise. A general election in a democracy is akin to a sacred ritual.

President Kovind urged all eligible citizens to become part of this ritual and participate in the general election of 2019. He said that each vote will encourage another voter, and each vote will strengthen our democracy.

The Voters' Day was celebrated across the country with an aim to enhance the participation of citizens in the electoral process.

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Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Friday hailed the entry of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra into the political arena as a masterstroke by the party president Rahul Gandhi.

The Chief Minister said that Priyanka's entry would change the political equations not only in Uttar Pradesh but the entire country.

Launching the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee's (PPCC) Jan Sampark Abhiyan at the Congress Bhawan here, the Chief Minister assured Priyanka of total support by the state party cadres.

"Priyanka's entry marked the fulfilment of a long-pending demand of the Congress workers and all party members, across cadres, were with her and the Congress president in their campaign to rid the people of India of the corrupt and divisive government led by the BJP," said Captain Amarinder.

"Priyanka Gandhi's entry into is a Brahamastra. The move had already rattled the Modi Government. The Prime Minister won't fight from Varanasi now. Team of Rahul and Priyanka was a dream combination and would help restore democracy in the country," he added.

Pointing out that the ill-conceived policies of the central government had vitiated the overall atmosphere in the country, which had been plunged into an environment of fear, lawlessness and tension, the Chief Minister said,"the new Shakti programme launched by the Congress president had brought in a new level of enthusiasm among the party workers to take on the BJP-led government and exposed its anti-people agenda."

Terming forthcoming parliamentary elections as very important for the country, Captain Amarinder called upon the Punjab Congress workers to take Shakti to every household to ensure that the party wins all the 13 seats in the state with sweeping margins. Formally launching 'Mission 13' for the party in the state, the Chief Minister exhorted the PPCC workers to go all out to expose the false propaganda being spread by the SAD-BJP combine and to take the state government's achievements to the people.

"The SAD-BJP did nothing for farmers during their 10-year rule and were now creating misconceptions in the minds of the people with their baseless claims and allegations," he said.

Pointing out that his government had provided much needed relief to the beleaguered farming community by waiving off their loans, Captain Amarinder Singh lambasted the Central Government for doing nothing on this count.

"What have they done with the Swaminathan Commission recommendations," Captain Amarinder Singh asked the Modi Government, demanding a comprehensive central policy to alleviate sufferings of farmers. Captain Amarinder also noted with satisfaction that his government had won the Bargari case, with the court dismissing the pleas of the cops named in the case.

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The party, which is a constituent of the NDA governments at the Centre and in Maharashtra, also criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for describing Priyanka's entry into as dynastic

Terming Priyanka as a "trump card" for the Congress, it said, "If people have accepted the legacy of this (Gandhi) family, then why do others have a problem with it?"

Priyanka, whose entry into was a guessing game for several years, formally made her foray, with the Congress appointing her General Secretary in-charge of crucial Uttar Pradesh state's eastern part.

"The Congress has appointed Priyanka Gandhi Vadra at the right time. She is a trump card for Congress," Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut told ANI.

Showering praise on Rahul Gandhi, he said the Congress president doesn't give false assurances. "Till now, he has not (given false assurances) as he is not in power," he elaborated.

Entry of Priyanka into politics is "a very good bet" by Rahul Gandhi, an editorial in Shiv Sena's mouthpiece 'Saamna' said, adding the Congress will definitely benefit in Hindi-speaking areas.

"With this step, Rahul Gandhi has shown that he is ready to do everything to achieve success in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections," it added.

"Some people are spreading the rumour that Rahul Gandhi failed (and) that's why Priyanka was brought. But there is no substance in this theory," the editorial said.

It also showered praise on the Congress president, saying he was cornering the government and leading his party to victory in Assembly elections in three states last month.

"Congress president Rahul Gandhi cornered the government on Rafale (fighter deal). Even if we ignore that, the fact remains that Congress has snatched three important states from BJP. Not giving credit to him for the same is only a sign of frustrated tendencies," the editorial said.

The Sena mouthpiece also referred to the cases against Priyanka's husband Robert Vadra, saying there was speculation that his wife could be pressurised through these.

However, she has put all that aside to officially take a plunge into active politics, it added.

The editorial said the BJP leadership has bitterness for Nehru-Gandhi family "because this family can challenge the BJP, and it is feared that in 2019 it can create problems in getting the majority figure".

It compared Priyanka with former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, saying the 47-year-old looks like her late grandmother and has a similar talking style.

"Rahul Gandhi has made a very good bet. If this yields results and crowd starts gathering in Priyanka's public rallies, then she can very well prove to be a key leader similar to Indira Gandhi," the Sena mouthpiece said.

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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Ankara does not need any permission to conduct operations in Syria.

In a speech in the eastern province of Erzurum, the Turkish leader explained that a 1998 agreement with Syria signed in Adana allowed Turkey to enter Syrian territory when it faces threats.

"We expect the promise of a security zone, a buffer zone aimed at protecting our country from terrorists to be fulfilled in few months," AFP cited him as saying.

Erdogan added that it was out of the question for an international coalition to form the safe zone.

Turkey intends to set up a 32-kilometre zone that will keep the militia of the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) away from its border.
India and China are on the right track in terms of bilateral ties and have made a lot of progress recently, especially since Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met at the Wuhan Informal Summit last year, Chinese Ambassador to India Luo Zhaohui said on Friday.

Speaking to ANI, Zhaohui said: "As I have said before, we are on the right track, on a fast track and have made a lot of progress, especially after the Wuhan Informal Summit last year."

"Right now, I am very happy, politically, people-to-people interaction, all the areas, we have done a lot. So we are grateful for the India people and the Indian government. As two of the largest developing countries, China and India, if we use one voice to say something, the world must listen," he said.

Lauding India's economic development, Zhaohui said that there were many emerging challenges globally and that the "world needs China, India to join hands and cooperate together."

However, he evaded questions on Congress president Rahul Gandhi saying he met two Chinese Ministers during his trip to Kailash Mansarovar last year to discuss job creation.

"The Chinese government welcomes all pilgrims from India," the Chinese Ambassador said.

Earlier on Monday, while addressing a rally in Odisha's capital Bhubaneswar, Rahul stoked controversy by acknowledging that he had met "a couple of Chinese ministers" to discuss job creation.

The Congress president said that the "single biggest challenge is China's ability to produce jobs after jobs. Modi ji talks about 'Make in India,' but India is far behind China in the creation of jobs.

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Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Friday congratulated former President Pranab Mukherjee on being chosen for the highest civilian award, Bharat Ratna.

Rahul said that his party takes great pride in the fact that the immense contribution to public service and nation building of one of their own, has been recognised and honoured.

"Congratulations to Pranab Da on being awarded the Bharat Ratna! The Congress Party takes great pride in the fact that the immense contribution to public service & nation building of one of our own, has been recognised & honoured," Congress president wrote on his Twitter handle.

Congress leader and former Union Minister Salman Khurshid told ANI: "It's government's decision. I celebrate the fact that Pranab Da has got the well-deserved award of Bharat Ratna. I am sure that for others also there are very good reasons. Those contributed to the country's growth and glory being recognised by the country is a welcome sign."

Soon after the Rashtrapati Bhavan announced the award, Mukherjee also expressed gratitude towards the people of India.

"It is with a deep sense of humility and gratitude to the people of India that I accept this great honour #BharatRatna bestowed upon me. I have always said and I repeat, that I have got more from the people of our great country than I have given to them. #CitizenMukherjee," Mukherjee wrote.

Mukherjee's political career spanned about five decades, during which he held various key posts in the Congress as well as in the governments led by Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, P V Narasimha Rao and Manmohan Singh.

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Opposition parties on Friday slammed the government after the CBI filed a fresh case against former chief minister of Haryana BS Hooda, terming it as vendetta

The CBI on Friday carried out raids at the residence of Hooda and other officials, in connection with alleged irregularities in the acquisition of land in Haryana.

"This is a result of political vendetta. I will fight this battle myself. I have complete faith in the judiciary. No one can silence my voice," Hooda said reacting to the raids. A fresh case has also been filed against him.

Echoing similar sentiments, his son and MP Deepender said, "From last five year this government is working with a vendetta. They are targeting us. They are trying to suppress the voice of popular opposition leaders. They tried everything for the last five years but could not find anything. We are not worried and will continue to fight them strongly."

Lambasting the BJP, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee took to Twitter, criticising the BJP for using "Government agencies as allies".

"So political vendetta continues. BJP and its 'allies' comprising multiple Government agencies harassing all allies of Oppn from Kolkata to Delhi and beyond. From @yadavakhilesh to Behen Mayawati Ji, nobody is spared. From north to south. From east to west. Political vendetta by BJP. Are they scared? Are they desperate ?" Mamata tweeted.

"One headless agency has now become spineless BJP!" she added without taking the name of any particular probe agency.

Mamata's views were also endorsed by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal who also levied strong charges on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and blamed him "for fighting a political battle through probe agencies".

Kejriwal twitted, "Modi ji is fighting political battles thro enforcement agencies. From Akhilesh Yadav and Mayawati in UP to Mamata Banerjee in Bengal n AAP in Delhi Modi-Shah duo has spared no political opponent."

Former deputy chief minister and leader of opposition in Bihar assembly, Tejashwi Yadav also criticised the BJP for allegedly misusing CBI and said, "The CBI has become BBI (BJP Bureau of Investigation). Whoever joins hands with the BJP gets clean-chit and becomes Raja Harish Chandra and those who criticise them are hounded by agencies. Even my father was not spared, because he is a critic of the RSS and BJP led Central Government."

Going a step further, Congress leader Anand Sharma also gave veiled warning to officials while reacting on the raids and said, "Officials must hear this. Governments do not have any permanency. There are few weeks left for the general elections to begin. It is certain that this government is rattled, the Prime Minister is staring at an imminent defeat, that's why these actions."

"When the new government resumes office, all such actions which have been at the behest of the political masters of today to harass, intimidate, frame and defame, even the charges, they will be held to account and they will have to answer," Sharma said while addressing a press conference.

Insinuating further that the government wants to silence the opposition through these raids, Sharma added, "We realise the timing and intent behind this action. People will also see through it. Today is the last working day before Jind by-elections. Today former CM Hooda was scheduled to address a rally there in support of Congress candidate Randeep Surjewala. We demand the government to reveal what new facts have come to light which led to these raids."

The CBI today carried out raids at the residence of Hooda and other officials, and also lodged the fresh case against the former Haryana Chief Minister in connection with the alleged irregularities in the acquisition of land in Haryana.

The investigating agency conducted raids in over 20 places including in Chandigarh, Rohtak, New Delhi, Gurgaon and Mohali with respect to the land acquisition irregularities.

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All the four legislators who did not turn up at a recent Congress legislature party meeting in Bengaluru have been served notices, former Karnataka chief minister and Congress leader Siddaramaiah said.

Speaking to media he said, "The situation is not like it is being portrayed in the media. Notice has been served to all four MLAs (Ramesh Jarakiholi, Mahesh Kamatihalli, B Nagendra and Umesh Jadhav). There is no problem to the government," Siddaramaiah said.

Siddaramaiah also said three of the MLAs had responded to the notice with the exception of Umesh Jadhav, the MLA from Chincholi who has not replied yet.

"I have seen B Nagendra's reply who said he is loyal to party and they never met any BJP leaders. I haven't seen replies by the other two MLAs. We will take action accordingly after looking at all replies," the former CM said.

Four Karnataka Congress MLAs on January 18 abstained from the CLP meeting, which decided to move rest of the 76 legislators to a resort. The meeting was convened by the party to assess whether its flock was intact amid speculation that some of the party MLAs had switched over to the BJP.

The Congress, which shares power with JD-S, has 80 MLAs in the 224-member Assembly, including the Speaker. Accordingly, 79 MLAs were expected to attend the CLP meeting held under the supervision of central leaders K C Venugopal and Mallikarjun Kharge.

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The government has announced comprehensive reforms for Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS) in a bid to boost skill training and entrepreneurship across remote corners of the country.

Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, said the emergence of rural industry as an important growth engine for the economy.

"This makes it an imperative for us to stress on skilling our youth in remote districts of the country," he said during the conference of JSS on Thursday.

"JSS can play an important role in bridging information asymmetry between skill training and market opportunities, thereby giving an impetus to the creation of a workforce equipped in technology-driven skills -- including in areas like health and wellness, tourism, e-commerce, retail and trade," he said.

The conference saw the release of new guidelines aligning the JSSs to the Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF).

This marks an important step towards the convergence of all skilling activities under one ministry, bringing in transparency and accountability to the entire skilling ecosystem.

JSS guidelines have been reformed keeping in mind the diverse stakeholders engaged in running these institutions, and will bring in greater flexibility, transparency and uniformity, said the minister.

Formerly under the Ministry of Human Resources Development, JSS was transferred to the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship in 2018.

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Nepal and India have agreed to set up an 'Energy Banking' mechanism that would help the Himalayan country export its surplus electricity to neighbour India during the monsoon season and import power during its lean season in winter.

The agreement on the 'Energy Banking' mechanism was arrived at during a meeting between the Nepali and Indian Energy Secretaries in Pokhara on Thursday, following recommendations by the electricity authorities of both the neighbours.

The government officials from Nepal said the agreement is based on the nature of demand and supply, the state news agency RSS reported.

Nepal's demand for electricity reaches its peak during the summer months, but production slumps to one-third of demand. Likewise, in India demand reaches its peak during the monsoon season and slumps during winter.

Following the agreement, Nepal will export its surplus electricity to India during the monsoon season.

The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) stated that in a couple of years, about 4,750 megawatts surplus electricity that would otherwise have remained unused will now be utilised. Converting the surplus electricity into monetary value would work out to around Nepali Rs one trillion and 79 billion.

With the losses mounting over time, the NEA had stopped signing power purchase agreements (PPA) with the private sector producing electricity. According to a PPA signed by the NEA, almost 2,250 megawatt run-of-the-river (ROR) electricity goes waste during the monsoon season.

The Energy Banking agreement would be initiated from newly- constructed Dhalkebar-Mujaraffpur 400 KVA transmission line. As per the agreement, India has also agreed to provide up to 80 megawatt electricity to Nepal, through setting up a temporary 50 MVA capacity temporary transformer at Tanakpur. India has agreed to set up a new transformer within two months. At present, Nepal is able to import only 30 to 35 megawatt electricity from Tanakpur.

Aiming to make Nepal's electricity mechanism strong and stable, the Indian side has agreed to extend the capacity of the Raksaul-Parwanipur and Kataiya-Kusaha 132 KV transmission line.

An equilibrium of 50-50 megawatt electricity is being imported through these two transmission lines.

With the reformation of the transmission lines, it would be easy for India to import electricity from Nepal based on the Energy Banking mechanism.

Besides the two transmission lines, another circuit is vacant and Nepal has proposed adding another one, to which India has agreed India has also given the green signal to Nepal to extend its transmission lines into Indian territory as well as do the repairing.

After the transmission line is extended into India it would help the Bhairahawa Industrial Estate manage the load through 132 KV transmission line. Likewise, India also has given its nod to construct the Kohalpur-Nanpara 132 km transmission line as requested by Nepal and would start the feasibility study of the site -- covering a distance of 50 km (25 KM in Nepal and 25 KM in India).

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Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday announced Rs 10,000 cash bonus to each of nearly 94 lakh members of the Development of Women and Children in Rural Areas (DWCRA).

Chief Minister Naidu, who was addressing a public meeting of DWCRA members, said that after the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) came to power in 2014, he reactivated the DWCRA groups in the state, as they are the potential force behind him.

He said that in these 4.5 years he gave Rs 10,000 to all DWCRA women, which amounted to Rs 8,604 crore to the exchequer.

"Though the state government has many financial problems, we took loans and paid you the amount. In the next two months, I will give you Rs10,000 through three cheques," he said.

"The first cheque for Rs 2,500 can be encashed on February 3. The second cheque for Rs 3,500 can be encashed on March 8, while the third and final cheque for Rs 4,000 can be encashed on April 5," he said.

"With that, we would have given Rs 20,000 to the DWCRA women. No state in the country, including the revenue surplus state of Telangana, gave such a huge amount to DWCRA women," he said.

"I appeal to the DWCRA women to financially develop with that Rs 20,000. DWCRA groups should become synonymous with developing the economy," Naidu said.

Naidu further reminded the DWCRA women that the TDP government has also doubled the pensions for the women in rural areas. He appreciated them for implementing Kalyana Mitra and Chandranna Bima scheme.

Chief Minister Naidu also announced 10 per cent increase of salaries under Velugu scheme employees that will be paid from next month. He further added that they will get the benefit of accident insurance to the tune of Rs 10 lakh.

The Chief Minister clarified that a Cabinet sub-committee will be given the responsibility of regularisation of Velugu scheme employees.

Naidu, at the end of the meeting, appealed to the DWCRA women to vote for TDP and let the party win in the elections.

"Development will continue only when the TDP wins the election," he said while adding that the opposition YSRCP colluded with the Bharatiya Janata Party and was causing injustice to the state.

Continuing his tirade against the BJP, Naidu stated that the Central government is not releasing funds for Polavaram project, as well as many other projects in the state.

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The UN's special rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, Agnes Callamard, is expected to visit Turkey on January 28 for an international probe into the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Quoting sources, Anadolu Agency reported that Callamard is expected to visit Turkey from January 28 to February 2.

Khashoggi, a journalist for Washington Post, was killed on the Saudi consular premises in Istanbul, Turkey on October 2 last year.

Since then, Saudi Arabia, while acknowledging the gruesome killing, has started trial against 11 suspects, with prosecutors seeking the death penalty for five of the accused - a trial which has been slammed by the UN Human Rights Council as "insufficient".

There has also been a Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) report which points towards the involvement of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman. The allegations against the Crown Prince, also known as MBS, have been repeatedly and strongly refuted by Saudi Arabia.

Callamard's findings are expected to be reported to the UN Human Rights Council in June this year.

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Ace Indian shuttler PV Sindhu crashed out of the ongoing Indonesian Masters after going down against Carolina Marin of Spain in the quarter-final clash of the women's singles event here on Friday.

The 23-year-old was handed over a crushing 11-21, 12-21 defeat by her Spanish counterpart in the last-eight match that lasted just 37 minutes.

Marin won a total of 42 rallies in the match along with six consecutive points to race ahead of Sindhu who won just 23 rallies and collected four consecutive points.

Appearing in her first quarter-final of 2019, Sindhu looked a bit out of touch and failed to put a strong competition against the world number four player.

Earlier, world number eight Indian Kidambi Srikanth also bowed out of the tournament following his 18-21, 19-21 defeat against local player Jonatan Christie.

In women's singles, former world number one Saina Nehwal sailed into the semi-final round as she registered a thumping 21-7, 21-18 victory over Pornpawee Chochuwong of Thailand. Saina will next face He Bingjiao of China to cement her spot in the final round of the tournament.

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India and South Africa on Friday unveiled a three-year roadmap to take forward their strategic partnership as Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with visiting South African President Cyril Ramaphosa who will be Chief Guest at this year's Republic Day parade.

Official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Raveesh Kumar, took to Twitter, saying, "Shared common vision 3-Year Strategic Programme of Cooperation: South Africa & India 2019-2021-a comprehensive document outlining the road map for cooperation was exchanged by EAM @SushmaSwaraj & FM Ms Lindiwe Sisulu in the presence of PM @narendramodi & President @CyrilRamaphosa."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his media statement after the delegational level talks at Hyderabad House, invoked the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela to stress on the close bilateral ties.

He said the two sides had reviewed all the dimensions of their ties. relations. "Our trade and investment relations are becoming more and more intense. Our bilateral trade is more than $10 billion. South Africa participated as the Partner Country in the "Vibrant Gujarat" summit held this year. And Indian companies are taking active part in the efforts of President Ramaphosa to increase investment in South Africa. We are also partners in South Africa's skill development efforts. The Gandhi-Mandela Skills Institute is set to be established soon in Pretoria. And we both are committed to take these relationships to a new level," he said.

Stressing on the importance of the Indian Ocean region, Prime Minister Modi said: "If we look at the map of the world, it is clear that both India and South Africa are located at very important places in the Indian Ocean. We both are democratic countries filled with diversities. We are the successors to the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela. And therefore, the broad global outlook of both the countries is quite similar to each other."

He said the bilateral cooperation on international fora like BRICS (Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa), G-20, Indian Ocean Rim Association, IBSA (India-Brazil-South Africa) "is very strong".

"We are also working together on the reforms of the UN Security Council," he said.

Prime Minister Modi said that it is the first visit of the South African President to India as the Head of State.

He recalled that South Africa last year celebrated the 100th birth anniversary of Nelson Mandela and India is celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi this year.

India and South Africa established their strategic partnership in March 1997 during the state visit of President Nelson Mandela to India. Over the last few years there has been a significant intensification of the bilateral engagements between the two countries in various fields.

Earlier, President Ramaphosa was accorded a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

"PM @narendramodi warmly welcomes President of #SouthAfrica @CyrilRamaphosa ahead of delegation level talks. This is their fourth meeting within a year, highlighting enhanced engagement with South Africa & the African continent," the MEA spokesperson tweeted.

"PM @narendramodi and South African President @CyrilRamaphosa held wide-ranging talks on cooperation in defence & security, trade & investment, skill development, S&T, education and technical cooperation and multilateral forums," Kumar added.

According to a press statement released by the Ministry of External Affairs President Ramaphosa is accompanied by a large 50 member business delegation to India. South Africa is also keen to attract investments and have set a target of USD100 billion over the next three years or so.

Nearly 150 Indian companies are present in South Africa, including some of the prominent companies and business entities of India. They have invested around USD 9 to10 billion and created around 20 thousand jobs locally. Trade between India and South Africa has also increased to USD10.7 billion in 2017-18 with an increase of about 13per cent over the previous year, the statement further read.

President Ramaphosa, who is on a two-day state visit to India and the Chief Guest at India's 70th Republic Day parade this year, said while addressing the occasion that "to South Africa, India is a strategic partner".

"During the deliberations the Prime Minister and I were in agreement that a considerable scope exits for our countries to grow and deepen our bilateral relations at a number of levels but more particularly at the economic level," President Ramaphosa said.

"We concluded this morning over a three years strategic programme of cooperation aimed at deepening bilateral engagements between India and South Africa, and assuring that the result-oriented partnership benefits the people of both the countries of the world," he said.

Trade has increased between the two countries over the last two years, and India is significantly South Africa's second largest trading partner.

"There are a number of areas for extending future cooperation between the two countries, including agro-processing area, defence procurement, mining equipment and technology and financial services sector, as well as close cooperation in the multilateral groupings that our two countries belong to and work very closely with one another in BRICS, G20, Commonwealth, International Political Science Association (IPSA), Indian-Ocean Rim Association (IORA) and others," President Ramaphosa added.

"We were also able to extend our gratitude to the support that India gave to South Africa to be elected in the United Nations Security Council as a non-permanent member," the South African leader noted.

President Ramaphosa also assured India that during South Africa's tenure at the Security Council, the nation will extend peace and security, and strengthen the multi lateral system in the world.

Secretary (Economic Relations) in the MEA, T.S. Tirumurti, briefing newspersons on Thursday on the three-year roadmap said: "It will be a program of action over three years for our strategic partnership. And this will be significant in the sense that it will capture all the areas where we feel that we should take it forward in a time-bound manner."

The official said that defence and security cooperation will continue to be an area of close bilateral cooperation. South African defence industries are looking at our Make in India initiative with renewed interest. India and South Africa have strong interest in maritime security in the Indian Ocean region. India has also extended training slots for South African defence personnel, and both share common concerns in the area of terrorism, Financial Action Task Force (FATF), cyber-security.

Later in the day, President Ramaphosa will deliver the Gandhi-Mandela Freedom Lecture organised by the Indian Council of World Affairs under the IBSA framework as a part of the celebrations of the 15th anniversary of IBSA.

India and South Africa are also looking to establish a Gandhi-Mandela skill Institute to be launched in Pretoria very soon.

Later in the day, both the leaders are to address the First IBSA Gandhi-Mandela Freedom Lecture at Hotel Leela Palace and then, India and South Africa Business Forum at ITC Maurya.

President Ramaphosa is also slated to meet President Ram Nath Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhawan on Friday evening.

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Russia's debts to the Council of Europe amount to about 60 million euro, the Council of Europe Secretary General's spokesman Daniel Holtgen said.

Secretary General of the Council of Europe Thorbjorn Jagland said on Tuesday that the decision to deprive Russia of the right to vote had not led to the return of Crimea, but created a crisis within the Organisation instead.

In April 2014, the Russian delegation to PACE was stripped of key rights, including the right to vote and take part in the assemblys governing bodies, following the developments in Ukraine and Crimeas reunification with Russia. The issue of restoring the rights of the Russian delegation was raised at PACE twice throughout 2015, but the sanctions are still in place: Russia is deprived of the right to vote and cannot take part in the Assemblys governing bodies and elections monitoring missions.

In response, Russia suspended its participation in the PACE activities till the end of 2015. In 2016-2017, Russia skipped PACE meetings due to the ongoing sanctions.
OCEAN SPRINGS, Mississippi -- Levi "Little Levi" Krystosek returned to school this week -- roughly seven weeks after undergoing spinal surgery in which rods and screws were inserted to straighten his spine.

Typical of a 12-year-old, Levi hesitated when asked if he was excited to return to his class at Ocean Springs Upper Elementary.

"Well, mixed feelings," he said, adding that he was excited to see his friends. "The whole sixth grade sent letters and notes (while he was in the hospital)."

Levi was born with a degenerative form of dwarfism called Jansen's metaphyseal chondrodysplasia -- at the time one of only 20 known cases worldwide and currently only one of six in the U.S.

The nine-hour surgery, performed at the Nemours Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Del., was necessary because Levi's condition had resulted in a spine curved to a dangerous level.

But the procedure went as well as could have been expected and since then Levi has attacked the rehabilitation process.

"He is pushing through everything," said his mother, Dona Krystosek. "When we were still in the hospital going through rehab, he'd have therapy four or five hours a day and he was giving it everything he had. He was amazing everyone with how well he's doing.

"He would ask me 'What do I need to do to get out of here?' He wanted to do whatever was necessary to get done and get out of the hospital. He wanted to be home for New Year's Eve."

Mission accomplished. Levi and Dona returned to their Ocean Springs home on Dec. 29. Since then, he has continued his rehab therapy three days a week and will add water therapy as soon as the doctors give the go-ahead.

Levi's determination likely comes as no surprise to anyone who knows him, but he was perhaps provided with extra incentive to heal quickly after the Ocean Springs Elks invited him to serve as Grand Marshal of the annual Elks Mardi Gras Parade.

"Once the recovery started, it was go, go, go," Levi said. "It was now or never. There was no waiting until after February."

What the Elks didn't know when they extended the invitation was that the date of the parade, Feb. 16, happens to be Levi's 13th birthday.

"I'm getting pretty excited," he said. "It's going to be my 13th birthday. It's really an honor."

But Levi needs help -- help in the form of parade throws. To that end, a donation box has been set up at Overwatch Supply at 3827 Bienville Blvd. (shopping center behind Whataburger just west of Walmart).

It's Levi's favorite store, Dona said.

"He's all about tactical equipment, so he loves to go in there," she said. "They contacted me through my Facebook page and offered to set up a donation box, because we had a lot of people contacting us through Facebook wanting to donate throws for Levi.

"It's such a kind gesture for them to offer it and makes it convenient for everyone."

With only two weeks until the parade, however, the donation box was still basically empty as of Thursday afternoon, save for some throws donated by Overwatch Supply owners David and Angela Skelton.

Hopefully, the community will come through and provide the throws Levi needs. Come parade day, he will ride in his father Joey's black Jeep in leading the parade through downtown Ocean Springs. He had hoped for a tank to ride on, but will have to settle for the Jeep.

"He wanted a tank or something military, but the more my husband and I talked about it and discussed Levi's comfort level -- we know he can ride in the Jeep without hurting his back," Dona said. "Since he's going to be there from the time the parade lines up at 10 a.m. until it's over, we just felt like that was the best for him."

Anyone wishing to donate throws, but unable to get to Overwatch Supply, can make arrangements to donate by contacting Dona through the Little Levi Facebook page.
Congress president Rahul Gandhi, who has been attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi on various issues, said on Friday that he doesn't hate him but only had differences in views.

Gandhi added that the "abuses" he received from the RSS and the BJP was "best thing" that had happened to him as a politician and a human being and that he feels like giving Modi a hug when he abuses him.

"I realise PM Modi disagrees with me and I disagree with him. I will fight him and I will try and make sure that he is not the prime minister but I don't hate him. I give him the right to have his opinion," he said while addressing 'The Odisha Dialogue' event in Odisha.

The Congress Party leader further said that unlike Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), the Congress party has a dynamic process which allows it to listen to the people.

"Ours is a dynamic process, we listen to the people. Not like Mr Narendra Modi who thinks he knows everything, there is no scope of feedback. This is the basic difference between us and the BJP," he said.

To a question about various institutions being challenged in the country, he said that Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) wants to penetrate into every institution.

"RSS is the mothership of BJP. It believes it should be the only institution in this country and the idea is to penetrate into every Indian institution."

"We have to do a lot of repair work because what has been done over the last five years is actually devastating to the country. For the first time in history, Supreme Court judges came out and said they are not allowed to do our work. And this has never happened in Indian history. You can see the imprint of RSS."

The Congress leader also talked about institutions being destroyed due to the massive centralisation of power.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Congress president Rahul Gandhi, who has been attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi on various issues, said on Friday that he doesn't "hate" him but only had difference of views.

Gandhi, who had hugged the Prime Minister in the Lok Sabha last year, said he feels like giving Modi a "hug whenever he abuses me",

He said he will fight Modi and try to ensure that he does not become the Prime Minister again after the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

"We don't want a bureaucratic dictatorship. We want people's democratic state," Gandhi said while addressing a town hall meeting here.

Attacking the BJP and the RSS, Gandhi said the "abuses" he received from these organisations was the "best thing" that had happened to him as a politician and a human being.

"I realise PM Modi disagrees with me and I disagree with him. I will fight him and I will try and make sure that he is not the prime minister but I don't hate him. I give him the right to have his opinion," he said while addressing 'The Odisha Dialogue' event in Odisha.

Gandhi has been singularly attacking Modi over various issues like Rafale fighter deal, demonetisation, GST, farmers' crisis. Yesterday, he even described Modi as "a symbol of hatred".

The Congress President said that unlike the BJP, the Congress party has a dynamic process which allows it to listen to the people.

"I am sorry to say that the Congress, of course, has a chaotic conversation. We allow our leaders to talk to each other. Sometimes, we even have disagreements. Believe me, Mr. Modi's entire cabinet is disagreeing with him but none of them has the guts to open his mouth," he said.

"Ours is a dynamic process, we listen to the people. Not like Mr Narendra Modi who thinks he knows everything. There is no scope for feedback. This is the basic difference between us and the BJP," Gandhi said.

He said India should be run by its 1.2 billion people but "RSS wants to penetrate into all other institutions and control them. One set of people; one ideology should not run the country and that is the broad direction in which he would push."

He went on to add, "We have to do a lot of repair work because what has been done over the last five years is actually devastating to the country. For the first time in history, the Supreme Court judges came out and said they are not allowed to do our work. And this has never happened in Indian history. You can see the imprint of RSS."

While targeting the Modi government, Gandhi said while there was a talk about high economic growth rate, nobody was talking about jobs.

"Today, if you listen to the conversation in India and read newspapers, the main thing people talk about is growth. If we have 9 percent growth, we are doing well, if we are having 7 percent, we are not doing so well and if we are having 6 percent growth, we have a real problem. Nobody talks about jobs. You can grow at 9 percent and still don't have jobs," he said.

While emphasizing the need for decentralization power, he said there is a connection between Modi and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

"Modi has leverage over Patnaik due to corruption cases, and Patnaik tacitly supports Modi," Gandhi claimed and added, "Patnaik is autocratic, but he is not as hate-filled as Modi."

Targeting Modi-led government over economic issues, he said whatever that has been done in the last five years is a massacre of small and medium business.

"Over 12.5 lakh crores of India's banking money is in the hands of 30-40 businessmen. If you're a small businessman or a middle-sized business, you've to deal with Goods and Services Tax (GST) and demonetization and you are not forgiven loans. But, Vijay Mallya and Nirav Modi can run away with Rs. 9,000 crores and Rs. 30,000 crores respectively. Not a word is said against them," he stated.

While talking about India's job crisis, he said, "We have to compete with China. We have to accept that the single biggest challenge is China's ability to produce jobs after jobs. Modi ji talks about 'Make in India', but India is far behind China in the creation of jobs. India does have a job crisis and there is no question about it."

A large part of our education is not job-oriented, the Congress chief added.

He said, "Why is automation not having an impact on job creation in China? When I went to Kailash Mansarovar, I met a couple of their ministers who said job creation is not a problem. The real issue is if you are producing things and are in technology stream then you don't have a problem."

He said agriculture is the backbone of every country and transformation of the agricultural system is needed.

"A farm loan waiver here and there won't do. Rethinking on how an Indian farmer connects to the rest of the world is the need of the hour," he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday attached shopping complexes and residential properties worth Rs 2.09 crore of a Rajasthan-based company in connection with an alleged chit fund money laundering case.

The order had been issued to the Director of Oro Trade Network India (Ltd) Satyendra Sharma and his family members under the provisions of Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA), ED sources said.

Over 48 FIRs were registered by the state police authorities under Prize Chit and Money Circulation Scheme (Banning) Act, 1978 against the company and its directors. The investigation was conducted by the Special Operation Group (SOG), Jaipur, Rajasthan.

Charge sheets have already been filed in the case.

The investigations showed that the directors of the company had allegedly conspired and lured a number of investors to invest in their schemes by promising high returns and collected around Rs. 44 crore in pursuance of criminal conspiracy, cheating and criminal breach of trust, the ED sources said.

The accused have allegedly acquired various immovable and movable properties out of the proceeds of crime, the sources claimed.

The main accused Satyendra Sharma has been arrested and his bail has been rejected by the Rajasthan High Court.

Further investigation is in progress.

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An SOS call from the Chinese embassy in the Pakistani capital had the security establishment, including the police, paramilitary troops and the army along with emergency and rescue teams, rushing to the premises within minutes -- only to find to their chagrin that the alarm was sent to check their response time, a media report said.

At around 3.15 pm on Thursday, alarms installed at the offices of senior police officers and paramilitary troops in Islamabad started ringing. A message was aired through the police communications system about an SOS call from the Chinese embassy, Dawn reported.

The Quick Response Force reached the embassy within three minutes, a police officer told the daily. Officers of the police commandoes, Anti-Terrorism Force, bomb disposal squad, counter-terrorism force, Rangers, Special Branch, Crime Investigation Department, Crime Investigation Agency and the Islamabad Traffic Police reached the embassy within 20 minutes and began cordon operations, he said.

Officials from the quick-response 111th Infantry Brigade also reached the embassy.

However, once they reached the embassy, located in the Diplomatic Enclave, the law enforcement agencies were informed that the alarm had been sent only to check the response time and preparedness of the departments.

The agencies then conducted a mock exercise and returned to their stations, said the officer.

A senior police officer, requesting anonymity, told Dawn that "the embassy cannot check the response time and preparedness of the law enforcement agencies or send out such an alarm".

"Panic buttons are installed in embassies to seek help in a disaster or emergency situation, not to check our preparation or performance," the officer maintained.

He added that there was no need for checking the preparedness of the departments since a mock exercise had already been conducted in the Chinese embassy last month.

He said officials of the Chinese embassy thanked the personnel.

Chinese embassy spokesman Yang Mi could not be reached for comments, said Dawn.

Foreign Office spokesman Dr Faisal told Dawn that he would have to verify the details before commenting.

In November last year, suicide bombers had attacked the Chinese consulate in Karachi, killing two police officers. The attack was claimed by the Baloch Liberation Army.

Hundreds of Chinese nationals are working in China, including on the $50 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

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China has reacted sharply after the United States sent two warships through the Taiwan Strait amid heightening bilateral tensions.

China's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying on Friday urged the US to abide by its "one China" principle.

She said Beijing had closely monitored the U.S. ships through the waters, and had "expressed concern" to the U.S. side,

China considers Taiwan as its own territory and has not ruled out the use of force to bring the self-ruled island under its control.

The guided missile destroyer USS McCampbell and the USNS Walter S. Diehl "conducted a routine Taiwan Strait Transit" on Thursday that was "in accordance with international law," US Pacific Fleet spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Tim Gorman told CNN.

"The ships' transit through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the US commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. The US Navy will continue to fly, sail and operate anywhere international law allows," Gorman added.

Taiwan's Defence Ministry said in a statement late on Thursday that the ships were moving in a northerly direction and that their voyage was in accordance with regulations.

The sailing of the ships is likely to be viewed in Taiwan as a sign of support from U.S. President Donald Trump's government amid growing friction between Taipei and Beijing.

Earlier this month, Chinese President Xi Jinping called on Taiwan to reject independence and embrace "peaceful reunification" with China and added that "we make no promise to renounce the use of force. We reserve the option for all the necessary means."

China has stepped up pressure on Taiwan since President Tsai Ing-wen, from the pro-independence ruling party, took office in 2016.

Trump recently signed into law the Asia Reassurance Initiative Act reaffirming the U.S. commitment to Taiwan, including arms sales.

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China has charged detained Australian-Chinese writer Yang Hengjun with espionage for "endangering" the country's national security and engaging in "criminal activities".

China's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying offered no further details about Yang at a daily news briefing in the capital.

She said that Yang is being investigated by "the Beijing State Security Bureau in accordance with the law on suspicion of engaging in criminal activities that endanger China's national security. This case is still under investigation".

She said all his legal rights have been fully guaranteed, adding that the Chinese side has officially notified the Australian Embassy in China.

"China and Australia have unimpeded channel for consular communication. China has provided necessary assistance for the Australian side to fulfill consular duties," Hua added.

Australia is seeking more information from Beijing after Defence Minister Christopher Pyne raised Yang's detention with Chinese Defence General Wei Fenghe on Thursday, news.com.au reported.

Pyne requested that Yang be treated fairly and transparently and have immediate access to consular assistance.

"General Wei assured that, while he was not personally aware of the case, Mr Yang would be treated well and that the general would seek further information," a spokesman for the minister said.

An Australia-China consular agreement requires either government be told within three days if one of their citizens is detained.

Chinese authorities took four days before alerting Canberra.

"Obviously that is disappointing and we will be raising that too with Chinese government officials," Pyne said.

Yang's case is in the hands of the Beijing city branch of the national intelligence bureau.

Yang, 53, had been living in New York as a visiting scholar at Columbia University with his wife and her child and had returned to China last week.

He had left New York on January 18 for Guangzhou, where he was prevented from boarding his connecting flight to Shanghai with his wife and daughter. Yang is said to be under "residential surveillance", which is similar to home detention.

Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne on Thursday requested for details of the charges brought against him.

Payne said that at this stage there was no evidence to suggest Yang's detention was connected to international tensions around Chinese telco Huawei.

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The Government of India is extensively working to defer the Press Note 2, 2018 for the implementation of the e-commerce policy for three-four months as it is under pressure from Washington, said Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM) in a letter written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday.

"Swadeshi Jagran Manch is writing to you after we received news from various quarters that the government is thinking of deferring the Press Note 2, 2018 under pressure from Washington. We understand that some of the officials are working under the influence of the regime in Washington to defer the implementation of the e-commerce policy for three-four months," the letter by SJM co-convener Ashwani Mahajan read.

The SJM underlined in the letter that by giving any relief to foreign e-commerce giants and deferring Press Note 2 would benefit the MNCs entering into multi-brand retail against 13 crore people earning their livelihood from retail and a large number of small manufacturers, who have got a ray of hope for their existence by Press Note 2.

The SJM also reminded the Prime Minister of an electoral promise made by his party Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) in 2014 that it would halt the charge of these companies in the multi-brand retail.

The SJM sought the direct intervention of the government to halt mischievous endeavours of the US. "The SJM believed that the US circumvents the law by using ambiguities in the Press Note 3 of 2016 to make entries in the Indian market via digital mode."

"The Press Note 2 December 2018, plugged the loopholes and clarified most of the grey areas. We seek your direct intervention to halt this mischievous endeavour, which will only help two multi-national companies, Amazon and Walmart. Both these companies have made their entries and existence by violating and circumventing the law," the SJM further reads.

According to the SJM, the Centre's direct intervention will not only help India at various multi-laterals but also offer a level playing field for the indigenous players. Most of the domestic and indigenous players who have actually welcomed the stated e-commerce policy are marred with unfair trade practices adopted by these MNCs.

The SJM also asserted that its research has shown that these players have invested very less in the e-commerce business, however, they have put in most of their funds in the wholesale logistic company and payment wallets.

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Senior Congress leader Anand Sharma on Friday issued a veiled warning to government officials by insinuating that those working at the behest of their "political masters" would be held accountable in next government.

Reacting on the CBI raids at former chief minister BS Hooda's residence, Sharma said: "Officials must hear this. Governments do not have any permanency. There are few weeks left for the general elections to begin. It is certain that this government is rattled, the Prime Minister is staring at an imminent defeat, that's why these actions."

"When the new government resumes office, all such actions which have been at the behest of the political masters of today to harass, intimidate, frame and defame, even the charges, they will be held to account and they will have to answer," Sharma said while addressing a press conference here.

Emphasising that the government wants to silence the Opposition through these raids, Sharma added, "We realise the timing and intent behind this action. People will also see through it. Today is the last working day before Jind by-elections. Today former Chief Minister Hooda was scheduled to address a rally there in support of Congress candidate Randeep Surjewala. We demand the government to reveal what new facts have come to light which led to these raids."

The CBI today carried out raids at the residence of Hooda and other officials, and also lodged a fresh case against the former Haryana Chief Minister in connection with the alleged irregularities in the acquisition of land in Haryana.

The investigating agency conducted raids in over 20 places including in Chandigarh, Rohtak, New Delhi, Gurgaon and Mohali with respect to the land acquisition irregularities.

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CBI filed a fresh case against former chief minister of Haryana Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Friday and raided his residence along with that of former officials in connection with alleged irregularities in the acquisition of land in Haryana when he was holding the top post.

The investigating agency conducted raids at more than 20 places including Chandigarh, Rohtak, New Delhi, Gurugram and Mohali.

Reacting to the development, Hooda said: "The CBI case against me is a result of political vendetta. I will fight this battle myself. I have complete faith in the judiciary. No one can silence my voice."

Echoing similar sentiments, his son and MP Deepender said, "From the last five year this government is working with a vendetta. They are targeting us. They are trying to suppress the voice of popular opposition leaders. They tried everything for the last five years but could not find anything. We are not worried and will continue to fight them strongly."

Hooda has been charged under various sections of the IPC in connection with cases of land acquisition between 2009 and 2012. IAS officer TC Gupta, the then Chief Administrator, Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) and the then Director of Urban Estate, Town and Country Planning, Haryana and other officials including 15 private individuals have also been charged under the same sections.

Opposition parties too did not leave any stone unturned in slamming the Central government.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee took to Twitter, criticising the BJP for using "Government agencies as allies."

"So political vendetta continues. BJP and its 'allies' comprising multiple Government agencies harassing all allies of Oppn from Kolkata to Delhi and beyond. From @yadavakhilesh to Behen Mayawati Ji, nobody is spared. From north to south. From east to west. Political vendetta by BJP. Are they scared? Are they desperate ?" Mamata tweeted.

"One headless agency has now become spineless BJP!" she added without taking the name of any particular probe agency.

Mamata's views were also endorsed by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal who also levied strong charges on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and blamed him "for fighting a political battle through probe agencies."

Kejriwal tweeted, "Modi ji is fighting political battles thro enforcement agencies. From Akhilesh Yadav and Mayawati in UP to Mamata Banerjee in Bengal n AAP in Delhi Modi-Shah duo has spared no political opponent."

Former deputy chief minister and leader of opposition in Bihar assembly, Tejashwi Yadav also criticised the BJP for allegedly misusing CBI and said, "The CBI has become BBI (BJP Bureau of Investigation). Whoever joins hands with the BJP gets clean-chit and becomes Raja Harish Chandra and those who criticise them are hounded by agencies. Even my father was not spared, because he is a critic of the RSS and BJP led Central Government."

Going a step further, Congress leader Anand Sharma also issued a veiled warning to government officials by insinuating that those working at the behest of their "political masters" would be held accountable in the next government.

He said, "Officials must hear this. Governments do not have any permanency. There are few weeks left for the general elections to begin. It is certain that this government is rattled, the Prime Minister is staring at an imminent defeat, that's why these actions."

"When the new government resumes office, all such actions which have been at the behest of the political masters of today to harass, intimidate, frame and defame, even the charges, they will be held to account and they will have to answer," Sharma said while addressing a press conference.

He added, "We realise the timing and intent behind this action. People will also see through it. Today is the last working day before Jind by-elections. Today former CM Hooda was scheduled to address a rally there in support of Congress candidate Randeep Surjewala. We demand the government to reveal what new facts have come to light which led to these raids.

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Battling a severe financial crunch, Pakistan received the third tranche of $1 billion from Saudi Arabia and a similar amount from the United Arab Emirates.

On its Twitter account, the State Bank of Pakistan confirmed that it has received the amount.

Under the financial package, Saudi Arabia had agreed to provide $3 billion to Pakistan as balance of payment support besides providing oil on deferred payment for three years, Radio Pakistan reported.

The State Bank of Pakistan has also received $1 billion from the UAE which has committed to provide a financial support package of $3 billion to Pakistan.

Pakistan has also approached China for funds to avoid its balance of payment crisis.

Pakistan's current account deficit rose to $7.9 billion in the first half of the current fiscal and is likely to reach $16-18 billion by June 30.

Finance Minister Asad Umar on Thursday said there was no panic in Pakistan over a bailout package from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the country would neither go down on its knees and surrender before anybody nor would it be dictated to for the economic support, Dawn reported.

He said this at a post-budget news conference when a questioner said the feeling among the Washington-based multilateral lenders was that Islamabad was taking expensive loans from alternative avenues instead of cheaper support from the IMF, Bank and International Finance Corporation (IFC).

Umar said Saudi Arabia had provided the deposit at about 3pc return and almost the same rate was on the UAE loan.

The Finance Minister revealed that an economic support package had been finalised with China and more such successes would be available over the next two weeks - in a reference to Prime Minister Imran Khan's visit to Qatar earlier this week.

Razak Dawood, Adviser to the PM on Commerce, said an agreement had been reached with China for financial support and a team would visit Beijing next week to finalise how much rice, sugar and textile products from Pakistan should be exported to China.

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The U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on a company registered in Armenia, which acted as the main sales agent for Iranian Mahan Air airline in Armenia.

The press service of the department said Armenia based Flight Travel LLC acted on behalf of Mahan Air and "fail to heed our warnings expose themselves to severe sanctions risk."

According to the website of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Mahan Air has already been included in the list.

The organizations listed by the U.S. Department of the Treasury are stripped from access to the American financial system, ARKA reported.
"For 2019, BJP gets new ally CBI", remarked the Trinamool Congress while reacting to the raids conducted by the central probe agency at the residence of former Haryana chief minister BS Hooda.

The CBI on Friday carried out raids at the residence of Hooda and other officials, in connection with alleged irregularities in the acquisition of land in Haryana, following which, the opposition parties levelled allegations against the BJP that it is using investigative agencies for their own profit.

"For 2019, BJP gets new ally CBI," read a tweet posted by TMC on its twitter handle.

Earlier in a day, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee took to Twitter and criticised the BJP for using "Government agencies as allies".

"So political vendetta continues. BJP and its 'allies' comprising multiple Government agencies harassing all allies of Oppn from Kolkata to Delhi and beyond. From @yadavakhilesh to Behen Mayawati Ji, nobody is spared. From north to south. From east to west. Political vendetta by BJP. Are they scared? Are they desperate ?" Mamata tweeted.

"One headless agency has now become spineless BJP!" she added without taking the name of any particular probe agency.

"This is a result of political vendetta. I will fight this battle myself. I have complete faith in the judiciary. No one can silence my voice," Hooda said reacting to the raids. A fresh case has also been filed against him.

Echoing similar sentiments, his son and MP Deepender said, "From last five year this government is working with a vendetta. They are targeting us. They are trying to suppress the voice of popular opposition leaders. They tried everything for the last five years but could not find anything. We are not worried and will continue to fight them strongly."

The CBI on Friday carried out raids at the residence of Hooda and other officials, and also lodged the fresh case against the former Haryana Chief Minister in connection with the alleged irregularities in the acquisition of land in Haryana.

The investigating agency conducted raids in over 20 places including in Chandigarh, Rohtak, New Delhi, Gurgaon and Mohali with respect to the land acquisition irregularities.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Free Balochistan Movement chief Hyrbyair Marri has attacked the United Nations for "ignoring" Balochistan despite Pakistan being involved in grave human rights violations in the region, including enforced disappearances of Baloch activists.

Marri said they were hoping that President of the UN General Assembly, Maria Fernanda Espinosa, would visit Balochistan during her recent visit to the Asia-Pacific and meet Baloch leaders and take up their issue.

"So far, there has been no report that she has taken up the issue of enforced disappearances and other human rights violations against the Baloch, Pashtun and Sindhi people during her meeting with the Prime Minister of Pakistan and other officials of the occupying state," he said.

Marri said that due to the "silence" of the UN and other international human rights groups, Pakistan was "encouraged to continue with crimes" in Balochistan (with international immunity).

"Pakistan is committing the worst forms of crimes in Balochistan. In January 2014, three mass graves containing more than a hundred bodies were discovered in Tootak, Khuzar. Another mass grave was discovered in Panjgur in July 2018. In 2019, at least ten dead bodies were discovered near Quetta and hurriedly buried in Dasht Tera Mill area of Quetta without ascertaining their identity," he said in a statement.

He highlighted the protest by the families of missing Baloch persons, and added, "Many Baloch, including women and children, continue to protest in the cold weather, in hope of the recovery and release of their loved ones. Some of the abducted Baloch were seized as early as 2001. Yet, their families still don't know whether they have been killed in custody or are still alive. They have a right to be informed about the condition and well-being of their abducted relatives but Pakistan has no respect for UN charter and International Conventions."

Marrie said the UNGA chief had spoken about the Kashmir issue with Pakistani authorities during her visit to Pakistan and said that the issue should be resolved peacefully. She also met with Pakistan's Chief of Army, General Bajwa. However, even after repeated requests, she did not visit Balochistan.

"The United Nations closed its eyes when the Pakistani Army used rape as a war tool against the Bengali people in the 1970s, and it continues to ignore Pakistan's' dirty war in Balochistan," he said.

"While she was visiting Pakistan, the Baloch social media users ran a four-day campaign in their efforts to draw UN's attention to the plight of the Baloch nation and highlight the issue of enforced disappearances in Balochistan. The Free Balochistan Movement had announced #UNVisitBalochistan hashtag and had urged Baloch and other human rights activists including Pashtun and Sindhis to support the Baloch campaign on social media," said Marri.

He said the failure of Espinosa to visit Balochistan has led to a sense of disappointment and anger against the UN for not taking the Balochistan issue seriously.

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A schoolteacher in Andhra Pradesh has been arrested for allegedly raping a Class 2 student in his school.

A case has been registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the teacher has been taken into custody for allegedly sexually abusing the eight-year-old girl in Agiripalli town of Andhra Pradesh's Krishna district.

The doctor who conducted the medical examination of the minor confirmed the sexual abuse.

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Five policemen including a driver were injured after the vehicle they were travelling in met with an accident on the Jamui-Lakhisarai road near Dhand village on Thursday.

The personnel from the Malaypur police station who were injured during night patrol have been admitted to hospital the driver is said to in a critical situation, according to police.

Sunil Kumar Singh, one of the injured said "We met with an accident near Jamui village as a truck coming from the opposite side collided with our vehicle. We could not see the truck due to fog. After the collision, our vehicle fell into a pit alongside the road."

Locals helped to rescue the injured police personnel, who were later shifted to a hospital.

The injured personeal have been identified as Sunil Kumar Singh, Gautam Pradhan, Ganesh Rawat, Mithilesh Kumar and Lain Babu.

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Global trade association GSM has united as many as 40 leaders, committed to responsible leadership in the digital era.

"Social, technological, political and economic currents are combining to create a perfect storm of disruption across all industries," said Mats Granryd, Director General of GSM Association.

"A new form of responsible leadership is needed to successfully navigate this era. We are on the cusp of the 5G era, which will spark exciting new possibilities for consumers and promises to transform the shape of virtually every business," he said.

Granryd was speaking at the launch of 'Digital Declaration' at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Thursday. The declaration captures key principles that serve as a guide to acting ethically in the digital era, helping companies deliver what matters most to digital citizens, industry, and governments.

In the face of this disruption, he said, those that embrace the principles of 'Digital Declaration' will strive for success in ways that seek a better future for their consumers and societies. Those that do not change can expect to suffer increasing scrutiny from shareholders, regulators, and consumers.

"A positive and enabling digital future is integral to a truly empowered and inclusive society," said Sunil Bharti Mittal, Chairman of Bharti Airtel, the first leader to sign the 'Digital Declaration.'

"Such a future can only be built through constructive collaboration and continuous dialogue among key stakeholders. It is imperative for the industry to make the required investments to build a sustainable digital ecosystem and maintain citizen's trust through transparent and responsible conduct with regard to privacy and data."

The initiative has arisen against a backdrop of businesses and consumers experiencing an unprecedented change in the digital world. It is expected that by 2022, 60 per cent of GDP will be digitised. The imminent arrival of 5G networks will further accelerate this change.

At the same time, consumers are rightfully expecting more from digital services while their trust in businesses is being tested.

The 'Digital Declaration' is a cross-industry movement of CEOs confronting these shared challenges. Its principles call on businesses to respect the privacy of digital citizens; handle personal data securely and transparently; take meaningful steps to mitigate cyber threats; and ensure everyone can participate in the digital economy as it develops whilst combating online harassment.

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Backed by Venezuela's military, President Nicolas Maduro went on the offensive against Juan Guaido, an Opposition leader who declared himself interim president, and his United States (US) supporters, setting up a potentially explosive struggle for power in the crisis-plagued South American nation. A defiant Maduro called home all Venezuelan diplomats from the United States and closed its embassy on Thursday, a day after ordering all US diplomats out of Venezuela by the weekend because President Donald Trump had supported Juan Guaido. The US, on the other hand, ordered ...
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This week, a working group of the Azerbaijan-Israel intergovernmental commission for economic cooperation visited Israel. The commission was established in December 2016 by the decision of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the visit of the Israeli Prime Minister to Baku. From the Azerbaijani side, the commission is headed by Minister of Taxes Mikayil Jabbarov, while from the Israeli side by Minister of Ecology, Minister of Jerusalem Affairs and Heritage Ze'ev Elkin. The first meeting of the intergovernmental commission was held in May 2018 in Jerusalem.

The first working group that visited Israel earlier this week included head of the Ministry of Taxes Nazim Samedov; Vice-President of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences Ibrahim Guliyev; rector of Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University Mustafa Babanli; Executive Director of the Azerbaijan-French University (UFAZ) Vazeh Askerov; Deputy Director General of the Baku International Sea Trade Port Farid Akhmedov; Head of the Ministry of Economy's mobilization preparedness division Bahruz Mamedov; Deputy Director of Sumgait Chemical Industrial Park Fuad Panahov; Head of International Relations division, Ministry of Taxes Farid Hajiyev; an employee at the International Relations division of the Ministry of Taxes Esmira Mamedova.

The program of the delegation's meetings and talks was busy and fruitful, and, of course, they visited Ma'alot-Tarshiha, one of the most northern cities of Israel, whose mayor, where Baku native Arkady Pomeranets was elected mayor of the city in the most recent municipal elections.

Besides the mayor, the guests were welcomed by head of the Israel-Azerbaijan International Association AzIz Lev Spivak, deputy mayor of Ma'alot-Tarshiha Hemed Naim, member of the city council Nahle Tanus, member of the city council Shimon Biton, director general of the municipality Amit Levin, heads of divisions and departments of the municipality and public representatives.

They showed the guests their town, told about its history and development prospects. During the panel discussion, the opportunities for further mutually beneficial cooperation in preschool education and higher education, tourism and industry were discussed.

The meeting was followed by musical performances by the city conservatory's youth orchestra conducted by Gadi Bar Oz.
No written word or spoken plea can teach young minds how they ought to be; nor all the books on all the shelves but what the teachers are themselves  Rudyard Kipling A single child with a single parent, growing up in Lucknow in a joint family, Gaurav Singh, now 33, had a linear upbringing that allowed him to look at only two serious career options: an engineer or a doctor.

A bright student, academics came easily to the 10-11-year-old who often ranked among the top in his class in school. His mother  who he affectionately refers to as Jhansi Ki Rani - ...
India's 2018 thermal coal imports rose at the fastest pace in four years, according to two industry sources, despite moves by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government to cut imports in a bid to reduce its trade deficit. Coal is among the top five commodities imported by India, one of the world's largest consumers of coal, and the rise in imports of the fuel after two consecutive years of decline adds to its trade deficit. That trade gap has been hurting the valuation of the rupee, the worst performing major Asian currency in 2018. Thermal coal imports jumped 19 ...
The Pnar and Khasi people of Meghalaya believe in the legend of U Thlen, a demon spirit in the form of a large serpent. The U Thlen brings immense wealth to anyone who nurtures it. In return, its keeper has to feed it regularly. But, it can only be fed the blood of Khasi and Pnar people who the keeper has to kill.

The lesson is simple: Illegitimate and unreasonable wealth can come only at a huge cost to the entire community. Ethical lessons, embedded in beliefs that ancestors hand down, are like signposts. People forget to read them as communities progress in time. When ...
Over the past few days, I, as a Dalit woman, have been trying hard to understand the reasons why the entry of two women into the Sabarimala temple was being hailed as a momentous victory for womens rights in India. I must confess that I attempted in vain to try and see the logic behind this celebration. Finally, the only way I could wrap my head around this was to temporarily stop thinking as a Dalit woman.

I struggled to make this shift in my head. I told myself not to think about intersectionality. I kept telling myself to analyse this phenomenon in a vacuum ...
January 27th is marked as the Day of the complete liberation of Leningrad from the fascist blockade. The scientific director of the Russian Military Historical Society, Mikhail Myagkov, spoke on the significance of this day: Nowadays, many media outlets write that maybe it was better for Leningrad to surrender, then many people would have survived. Paris surrendered and the citizens of the city stayed alive. However, those media forget the lessons of history that need to be conveyed in documents and reminiscences of what Nazis wanted to do with the city on the Neva. Goering, Borman and Hitler, in September 1941, said that Leningrad should be obliterated, surrounded by a ring of the blockade and shelled. Germans were not interested to have someone there to stay. The city was to cease to exist completely. Here's a destiny Leningrad was doomed to by Nazis.

On top of all that, Myagkov focused on the fact that the inhabitants of besieged Leningrad not only survived but also fought, worked at factories, produced military goods: "This is an incredible feat. I think that in New York, the shrill lines from Tanya Savichevas diary must be written on the United Nations building or inside it.

From a strategic point of view, if Leningrad was taken, Germans would have transferred part of their troops from the center to the Caucasus, and nobody knows what the defense of Moscow and then Stalingrad would have been like. Leningrad was grinding the huge German forces. This became possible thanks to the Leningrad front and all citizens of Leningrad. And the fact that there were no epidemics in the city is also a merit of Leningrad. We must definitely talk about these things today and remember Leningrad, " Mikhail Myagkov said.

In this regard, the Russian Military History Society and the department of the society in St. Petersburg prepared several events. "On January 18th, on the Day of Breaking the Blockade of Leningrad, in 1943, a special exhibition was opened based on photographs taken during the wartime. At the exhibition in the Military Historical Museum of Artillery, Engineers and Signal Corps, private belongings, weapons and uniform of the Leningrad front soldiers who were fighting and protecting their city are presented. Yesterday, the Nazi Occupation exhibition opened at the Art Gallery. It presents the paintings and drawings of Meer Axelrod showing what Germans were doing in our land, what they did with Leningrad, what was happening around Leningrad. A huge amount of monuments, Tsarskoye Selo, Pushkin and Gatchina were destroyed by Nazis. Our country and our culture were damaged badly, Myagkov said.

Mikhail Romanov, Deputy Chairman of the Duma Control and Regulations Committee, told about other events that will be held to mark the 75th anniversary of the lifting of the blockade. In every Leningrad family, the memory about this event is preserved across the generations. A large number of international delegations come, in particular, blockade members, who live not only in other regions of the federation but also abroad ... This year it was decided to hold a parade on Palace Square because the Day of the Leningrad Victory is a very significant and important holiday for every Leningrad citizen, Romanov said.

According to him, on January 26th, at 10 am, there will be a ceremonial laying of wreaths at the Piskaryovskoye memorial cemetery: What is important, young people and schoolchildren will participate in the event. The veterans who survived the blockade will take part in the event. On January 27th, at 10 am, the Leningrad victory parade will take place on Palace Square. The samples of military equipment of the Great Patriotic War, which were in Leningrad, will be presented at the parade. Also, the Ministry of Defense will present the winter uniforms and equipment for military personnel who, during the years of the World War II, participated in the battles for Leningrad. The concerts for the blockade veterans will be held in the Oktyabrsky concert hall and in the Ice Palace. The government of the region organizes delivery for the veterans, buses will run from each district. There will be an opportunity to watch at modern performers who will sing the wartime songs, Romanov said.
A penchant for watches and coins got a man in his early college years to create a coin watch for himself. On a whim, he opened an HMT quartz watch to explore how it worked. A one paisa coin from the George VI era, with a hole in the centre was lying close at hand (yes he loved collecting coins too).

He stuck the coin within the dial of the watch. Friends were intrigued by his work. And, it was then that Gaurav Mehta, founder, Jaipur Watch Company (JWC) realised the business potential of his passion. He made a couple of similar designs initially with his own ...
I like Republic Day more than Independence Day. We would have received independence from the United Kingdom in any case around that period. They were a nation badly affected by World War II (Indians may not be aware of how terrible a time the 1950s was for the British middle class). And the British were under pressure from America to decolonise.

Independence would have come any way. It is the building of a republic that is important. And here we did brilliantly, while all around us in South Asia nations succumbed to parochialism and majoritarianism. What do I mean by the word majoritarian? I ...
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Germany fears the ongoing trade war between the US and China could have catastrophic effects on German growth and have claimed the whole EU economy is at stake. Express reports in its article Germany warns Trump: You are putting EU economy at RISK - and Berlin among WORST affected that Angela Merkels economy minister, Peter Altmaier, has said he is worried Donald Trumps America First policy will negatively impact the EU. Washington DC and Beijing have both hit one another with large tariffs on imports in recent months. Trump has insisted the measures are needed to protect the US economy until the two countries renegotiate their current trade agreement.

Admitting looming conflicts would have significant impacts on the German car market, Mr Altmaier urged for the two super powers to quickly resolve their trade dispute. Germany is worried its car manufacturing industry will be caught in the cross fire. The economy minister said: To be frank and honest even a trade conflict between China and the US would harm the European economy because there are a number of European and German companies vested in China producing for the American market, or vested in the US producing German cars exporting to the Chinese market.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, he added: All of this is at stake if we cannot find a good solution. The US has placed tariffs on $250billion (191billion) in Chinese goods and has threatened to also place duties on products which would double their price. In response, Xi Jinpings regime has hit Washington DC with tariffs on $110billion (84billion) in US goods.

New measures could be introduced in just weeks unless a new trade deal is struck by the March 2 deadline. Berlins economy is already suffering after 2018 was the countrys worst year for annual growth since 2013. The next 12 months look set to be even more turbulent for Germany, with the country forecast to see lower growth than the UK.

To add to the concerns of the European Union, Brussels is in the middle of its own escalating trade dispute with the US. Trump has threatened to impose duties on imports of EU cars and their parts. While if introduced the economic measures will hit the whole of the EU, Germany will be particularly hit due to the strength of its car manufacturing industry.

Hoping for the EU and US to agree a new trade arrangement, Mr Altmaier said: This is what I have always advocated, a deal between the US and Europe on trade policy. If we would be able to agree on lower tariffs instead of higher ones we would be able to agree on free and open markets.
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Sunset Park civic gurus recently kicked off a grass-roots effort to encourage area immigrants to participate in the looming 2020 Census.

Leaders of Community Board 7 on Jan. 23 held the inaugural meeting of its newly formed Census Committee, whose officers will work to encourage members of the districts large Asian-American and Hispanic populations to participate in the survey, despite fears that it may still include a citizenship question, and the Trump Administrations general hostility towards immigrants.

An accurate count is critical to ensuring the community continues to receive its fair share of federal funding and representation, according to the chairman of the boards Immigration Committee.

This area needs services, and to get those services we need to ensure everyones counted, said Jimmy Li.

Residents, community-board members, and reps for state Sen. Velmanette Montgomery (DSunset Park) and Councilman Carlos Menchaca (DSunset Park)  who is heading up a census task force in Council  came out for the debut session, where attendees brainstormed mobilization plans.

Proposals included hosting workshops to educate immigrant residents on their rights and the importance of the survey, requisitioning computer labs at local libraries and schools where locals can complete the largely online survey, and enlisting faith leaders to use their pulpits to preach the necessity of participating in the census.

The Feds rely on information culled from the national head count to determine where to invest billions in annual state funding, and how many seats each state gets in the House of Representatives, where New York State is already expected to lose up to two pols due to population loss, according to a 2018 report published by

Election Data Services.

Members of immigrant communities have traditionally shown more of a reluctance to participate in the census, and the lingering threat of a potential citizenship question  which a federal judge ruled against this month, prompting the Trump Administration to immediately appeal the decision  will likely further dissuade those locals from participating as long as it hangs over their heads, according to a Sunset Parker.

I think the citizenship question is a part of a larger pattern, Jorge Muniz said at the meeting. The administration is trying very hard to spread fear amongst immigrant communities. People are understandably skeptical anytime the federal government is reaching out and trying to collect information.

But the CB7 Census Committee is moving full speed ahead with its organizing efforts even as that legal battle plays out in court, because its members want to be prepared for a final ruling that may not go in many of their neighbors favors, according to its chairwoman.

We need to prepare for the worst case scenario, said Rovika Rajkishun. We cant wait and then scramble at the last minute.

The committee will host monthly meetings as it continues to shape its agenda, and encourages all locals in its district to attend the sessions, Rajkishun said.

And CB7 members arent the only ones working to ensure an accurate census count.

Borough President Adams is forging ahead with his own borough-wide awareness effort through his recently formed Brooklyn Complete Count Committee, which will work with civic gurus across Kings County to encourage participation.

For information about upcoming CB7 Census Committee meetings, visit the panels website at www1.nyc.gov/ site/ brook lyncb 7.
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Downtown

Three cheers for the new Helen Keller Services center Downtown, whose leaders on Jan. 15 celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The new state-of-the-art headquarters for Helen Keller Services  which last year celebrated its 125th anniversary of enabling individuals who are blind, visually impaired, or have combined hearing and vision loss, to thrive in their communities  at 180 Livingston St. boasts a massive lobby, new preschool program for youngsters 1-to-5-years-old, a kids gym, and family and community space among its many amenities.

Helen Keller Services, which opened in Kings County more than a century ago, made its home on Willoughby Street for 65 years, and is now excited for a new chapter to even better support its employees and clients in the new space, according to the head of the center.

People were very pleased with the outcome of the building, from our employees who work there, they love it, said Joseph Bruno. And the people we treat and work with can come to a place thats dignified and accessible and says to them, We care about you, from the very premise itself. It was a very successful event.

Bruno was joined by local pols, including Bedford-Stuyvesant Councilman Robert Cornegy and Fort Greene Councilwoman Laurie Cumbo, who pitched in some funds to help build out the new center, he said.

Thanks to all the educators and advocates ensuring all our communities have access to services, said Cornegy on social media.

 Julianne Cuba
Latest News MyState brings back former broker chief as General Manager Banking Former broker chief will take over as new General Manager Banking

Understanding long-term interest rates in the US and Australia Is this a bubble, as Burry says, or sustainable growth?

The shareholders of an embattled bank are braced for their lowest dividend payment to date, with a forecast that the payment per share will sink to as low as four cents, less than half of what was predicted.

Ahead of its full year 2018 financial results  due to be published on 14 February  AMP expects to report an underlying profit of around $680m and profit attributable to shareholders of approximately $30m.

Regarding shareholders, in a statement, AMP said, Recognising the 2H 18 performance of the business, the related capital impacts and the uncertainties in the operating environment, the board anticipates declaring a final dividend of 4 cents per share.

AMPs 2018 interim dividend stood at $0.10 per share (50% franked), compared to a final dividend of 14.5 cents in 2017 (90% franked) and 14 cents in 2016 (90% franked). In 2007, the final value reached 24 cents (84% franked).

Payment of the 2018 full year dividend is due on 28 March.

The news is the latest in a series of blows to AMP shareholders. Last year, they staged the largest known first strike ever recorded by a top 50 Australian company when, during AMPs annual meeting, 61.5% of investors voted against the firms executive pay structure.

In 2018, AMP was hit with five shareholder class actions, brought by Slater & Gordon, Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, Phi Finney McDonald, and Shine Lawyers.

In a statement AMP said its total business unit operating earnings for the second half of 2018 are expected to be approximately $220m, comprising around $325m from the retained businesses, Australian wealth management, AMP Capital, AMP Bank and New Zealand wealth management and advice.

A net operating loss of around $105m from the businesses is subject to a sale agreement with Resolution Life.

The firms 2019 AGM is scheduled for Thursday 2 May.
The day ended with some limited signs of progress. After the votes, McConnell and Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, engaged in a face-to-face negotiation that senators hoped would lead to a solution in the near future.

The first proposal, which Trump put forward, would have allocated $US5.7 billion for wall funding in exchange for temporary protections for some immigrants. Only one Democrat voted for it. Two Republicans rejected the plan.

One of the Republicans, Senator Mike Lee of Utah, also spoke out in the lunch. He explained that if Thursday's votes were merely a party line exercise, there should be more reforms to the nation's asylum laws, according to one of the people who attended the lunch. Lee also expressed concerns about getting assurances for votes on his amendments.

Six Republicans broke ranks to vote for the Democratic plan, which would have reopened shuttered government agencies through February 8, without any wall money. Among them was Senator Mitt Romney who explained in the lunch why he planned to vote for both bills.

Senator Thom Tillis, who voted for Trump's bill but opposed the Democratic plan, started to interrupt him and Romney snapped back, according to one of the people who attended the lunch and another person familiar with it. The exchange was lively but not particularly angry, they said.
In interviews and government documents, Nathan Sutherland painted an inspirational image of himself: an abandoned child who grew up with an empty belly in a Haitian orphanage; a doting dad who wanted to help those who had also been dealt a difficult hand.

His Christian music group, Sleeplessouljaz, rapped inspirational messages in churches and concert halls across the Southwest. He sought to start a transitional home for orphans and homeless youth. When those dreams fizzled, he dove into an industry synonymous with caretaking: He became a nurse.

Aspiring rapper: Nathan Sutherland. Credit:Maricopa County Sheriff's Office

That image is at odds with the man Phoenix police and prosecutors have presented to the world: the Hacienda HealthCare nurse who sexually assaulted his incapacitated patient and, a few days after Christmas, became the father of her child.

Police arrested Sutherland on Tuesday and announced a day later the biggest development in the Hacienda HealthCare case since a female patient no one knew was pregnant gave birth on December 29.
Jayme Closs, the 13-year-old girl who spent 88 days in captivity after her parents were shot dead in northwest Wisconsin, will receive $US25,000 ($35,270) in reward money pledged for information leading to her safe return.

Hormel Foods, a Fortune 500 company based in Minnesota, put up the money last October, doubling the reward promised by the FBI after Closs disappeared on October 15. The girl's parents had worked for a local turkey plant operated by Jennie-O Turkey Store, which is a Hormel subsidiary.

As the community reeled from news of the disappearance, the company helped coordinate the response, including a tree-lighting ceremony before Christmas. Meanwhile, a manhunt involving local, state and federal authorities drew thousands of tips and inspired volunteers to participate in a massive ground search. Jayme's image was plastered across the state, and her visage became known nationwide.

The 13-year-old went unseen until January 10, when she appeared in a wooded area about an hour north of Barron, Wisconsin, the girl's hometown. She freed herself from a cabin in Gordon, Wisconsin, where authorities said she had been held by Jake Patterson, 21, who has been charged with first-degree murder and kidnapping.
UN refugee agency accuses the European Union of 'politicking around sea rescues' as 170 people feared dead and hundreds detained in Libya. Middle East Eye reported in its article Migrants returned to Libya detained as UN calls for change in EU policy that local officials say that nearly 500 migrants have been brought back to Libya since Saturday, after they were picked up at sea trying to reach the coasts of Europe.

Libyan coastguard spokesperson Ayoub Qassem said the figures, released on Tuesday, include more than 140 migrants who were rescued in the Mediterranean by the Lady Sham cargo ship on 20 January. The United Nations has called on countries to halt all forcible returns to Libya amid widespread human rights abuses in the North African country. In addition to the hundreds of migrants sent back to Libya over the past several days, around 170 people are believed to have died in two separate shipwrecks over the weekend.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) said the migrants were brought to Libya's western city of Misrata on Monday and then transferred to a detention centre. "It remains unclear when and from where in Libya these individuals departed. IOM staff counted 26 women and four children among those taken to a detention centre in Misrata," the group said. Charlie Yaxley, a spokesman for the UN's refugee agency (UNHCR), called on states to stop returning migrants found at sea to Libya, given the country's political upheaval and "widespread human rights violations". No rescued refugees and migrants should be returned there, Yaxley wrote in a brief on Tuesday.

Libya has been torn between rival administrations and a myriad of militias since the overthrow and killing of longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. Despite that, it has become a jumping off point for many migrants and asylum seekers, many from sub-Saharan Africa, as they seek to reach Europe. Often crammed into shoddy vessels, the Mediterranean crossings off the Libyan coast have become increasingly perilous.

Yaxley denounced politicking around sea rescues by European states that have restricted aid groups from conducting missions. Last month, Doctors Without Borders announced that it was forced to suspend operations of the Aquarius search and rescue ship, which has helped almost 30,000 refugees, migrants and asylum seekers in international waters between Libya, Italy and Malta.

The group said the decision came after what it said were attempts by European countries to stymie the vessel's efforts in the Mediterranean. Politicians must stop using human beings for political point-scoring, and to instead address this as a humanitarian issue, with saving lives the priority. Reducing arrivals cannot be the only barometer for success when people are drowning on Europes doorstep," Yaxley said in his brief. "Lives are being tragically lost," he added.

HRW made a similar call in a report released on Monday, accusing the European Union of enabling the barbaric detention system in Libya and failing to do enough to ensure the safety of people disembarking from the North African country to make the dangerous journey across the Mediterranean.

Migrants and asylum seekers detained in Libya, including children, are trapped in a nightmare, and what EU governments are doing perpetuates detention instead of getting people out of these abusive conditions, said Judith Sunderland, associate Europe director at HRW.

IOM said at least 4,883 migrants and refugees have entered Europe by sea during the first 20 days of 2019. According to HRW's report, almost 20 percent of those who reached Europe by sea from Libya last year were children.
Washington: A Senate committee investigating Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election has subpoenaed Michael Cohen, President Donald Trump's former personal lawyer, and Cohen intends to comply with the interview demand next month, his attorney said on Thursday.

The development comes one day after Cohen postponed his public testimony to a separate House committee.

Senate subpoena: Michael Cohen leaves his apartment building in New York last month. Credit:AP

Lanny Davis, a lawyer for Cohen, disclosed the subpoena from the Senate Intelligence Committee in a one-sentence statement. He later said the two sides had agreed on an interview on February 12.

Cohen, the President's one-time "fixer", is set to begin a three-year prison sentence in March.
Moscow: Russia moved to punish media outlets with fines and even imprisonment for publishing "fake news" or information showing "disrespect" to government bodies and officials.

The Moskva River flows past the fortified outer walls of the Kremlin complex in Moscow, Russia. Credit:Bloomberg

Prosecutors would be able to block websites without court orders, while publications found guilty of spreading "unreliable socially-significant information" would face fines of as much as $US15,000 under a measure passed Thursday by the lower house of parliament at first reading.

A second law threatens people with up to 15 days in jail, as well as a ban on their publications, if they distribute material "expressing in indecent form a clear disrespect for society, the state, the official state symbols of the Russian Federation, the Constitution of the Russian Federation and bodies exercising state power."

The Kremlin "in concept" supports the draft laws, which may be "refined" in later readings, said Garry Minkh, President Vladimir Putin's representative to parliament, the state-run Tass news service reported.
Ciudad Hidalgo: A decision by Mexico's new government to liberalise entry rules for foreigners seeking "humanitarian" visas has in recent days sparked a new influx of Central Americans, many of them intent on making it to the United States.

Most are not converging on Mexico's southern border here in organised caravans, but rather in groups drawn by news that the government is offering the one-year visas  which include the right to work in Mexico, travel freely in the country, and leave Mexico and return.

Although some applicants say they may consider remaining in Mexico, many acknowledge that their ultimate aim is to enter the United States and apply for political asylum.

A Honduran migrant shows his temporary Mexican humanitarian visa at the border between Mexico and Guatemala, where many migrants are waiting for humanitarian visa applications to be processed. Credit:AP

Mexico said Thursday it had received more than 12,000 applications for the new humanitarian visas here at its southern border post with Guatemala, nearly 10,000 adults and more than 2000 minors. The number of applicants is growing each day.
Dr Yang Hengjun, an Australian citizen of Chinese heritage, took a flight on China Southern Airlines from New York to Shanghai and arrived in Guangzhou Airport at 5am last Saturday. Right after passing through customs he was abducted by a group of Chinese State Security personnel and taken into custody.

Taken into custody in China: Yang Hengjun. Credit:tanya lake

His wife and stepdaughter were taken away by another group of security officers.

What are the reasons Yang was arrested by the Chinese authorities? Why him? Well, he had been arrested previously by the Chinese secret police for political dissent. Yang is a well-known liberal public intellectual who is critical of the Chinese communist regime.

Yang got his bachelor of arts in politics from Fudan University in Shanghai in 1987 and resigned from his post in the Chinese government, moving to Australia in 1999, where he earned a masters in politics from University of New South Wales in 2002. He wrote a trilogy of spy novels, Fatal Weakness, Fatal Weapon and Fatal Assassination.
A serial stalker who sent sexually explicit letters and made lewd phone calls to women working at Melbourne shops and a newspaper has been ordered to submit a DNA sample to police in case he offends again.

Ian Talbot, 69, left his victims feeling scared, anxious and paranoid after writing them explicit letters, which he would follow with disturbing phone calls.

The father of four adult sons did not know his nine victims who are aged 20 to 71.

Ian Talbot sent explicit letters and made lewd phone calls to his victims.

He said he was motivated to contact the women he considered were bored in their jobs and thought his letters would "tantalise" them and make them "excited", Melbourne Magistrates Court was told on Friday.
A remorseful former NRL player who was affected by grief when he headbutted and punched a man in a Brisbane nightclub has been fined and ordered to pay compensation.

Nathan Stapleton was out celebrating the life of his late brother-in-law on August 5 when he lashed out, although his lawyer says that did not justify his actions.

Nathan Stapleton scoring for Cronulla Sharks against the NZ Warriors in Sydney in 2014. Credit:AAP

The former Cronulla Sharks player's brother-in-law had died of brain cancer and he was out with his family when he assaulted the man.

Brisbane Magistrates Court on Friday heard the 29-year-old and the other man exchanged words before Stapleton headbutted and punched him in the ear.
Helen Williams was not the most junior public servant when the tea trolley arrived at a meeting she remembers from the 1970s. Nevertheless, the then-Treasury secretary asked her to "play mother" for the federal officials gathered.

The pioneering bureaucrat defied such attitudes to make a rapid ascent as the first woman to lead a Commonwealth department in 1985, aged 39. On Saturday, she will be appointed a companion of the Order of Australia for her contribution to the public service.

Ms Williams met resistance on her way to the historic appointment heading the Education Department.

Helen Williams has been appointed a companion of the Order of Australia. Credit:Sitthixay Ditthavong

Women were thin on the ground and awareness of gender equity was in short supply when she worked at Treasury and the newly-created Department of Finance in the 1970s. It was not unusual for women to be asked at job interviews whether they were likely to get married and have children.
Federal government minister Michael Keenan will quit politics at the election, becoming the latest Liberal MP to depart the Morrison government after Jobs Minister Kelly ODwyer announced her resignation last weekend.

Mr Keenan, who is Minister for Human Services and Digital Transformation, announced his decision to his local newspaper, The West Australian, which published its story online late on Friday night ahead of a front-page story on Saturday.

Mr Keenan told the paper he made the decision to quit for family reasons.

"For me I just cant continue to be an absent dad," he said.
Indigenous Affairs Minister Nigel Scullion has told Prime Minister Scott Morrison he will not contest his seat at the coming federal election.

The decision follows speculation about the Northern Territory senator's future, and brings the number of cabinet ministers announcing plans to exit federal politics in the past week to three.

Senator Scullion, who sits with the Nationals in the upper house, said in a statement on Saturday morning that his 17 years in the Senate had been "the greatest honour of my life".

"I thank all Territorians for their support over this time. I have been proud to be a member of the Country Liberal Party - the only party that truly represents the real Territory," he said.
A cyclist's collarbone was broken in a collision with a car driven by Home Affairs Department secretary Mike Pezzullo in Canberra's parliamentary zone.

Home Affairs Department secretary Mike Pezzullo. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

The department confirmed Mr Pezzullo was involved in a traffic incident on December 19, and said he had reported it that day to police.

ACT Policing said it had investigated the early morning incident at Walpole Crescent, one kilometre north-east of Parliament House.

After the collision at 6.30am, a bystander called emergency services and paramedics took the cyclist to Canberra Hospital. Police said they learned of the incident at 9.30am that day.
By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter

The name of the great revolutionary Variyamkunnath Kunhahammed Haji should be inscribed on the India Gate along with other freedom fighters, said participants of the programme held in commemoration of the Malabar Struggle leader on his martyrdom day in Malappuram. The resolution passed by the programme asked the government to release a postal stamp in memory of the revolutionary leader and Malabar Struggle on its 100th anniversary in 2021. The programme was organized on January 21 by the Variyamkunnath Kunhahammed Haji Foundation (VKH Foundation) of India at Pandikkad, one of the main centres of the historic Malabar Struggle. It also asked to install a commemorative inscription at Pandikkad and to declare Pandikkad as a historic pilgrimage centre.

Historian Dr Hussain Randathani inaugurated the session and delivered a commemorative speech. Dr P Sivadasan (head of the department of history at the Calicut University and chief advisor of the VKH Foundation) launched the Foundations one-year long awareness programmes to commemorate the great leader and to hand over to the new generation the truth of the history marred by imperialist historians. Alavi Kakkadan (chairman of the VKH Foundation and popular historian) delivered the key-note address. VP Shoukathali also spoke at the function presided over by Nasar Debonah.

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Melbourne's temperature is set to dip to an overnight low of 20 degrees, with the gradual drop to start about 7pm after a dramatic plunge this afternoon.

A change moved through Melbourne's CBD at 2.02pm, sending the temperature plummeting from 42.6 degrees to 30.8 degrees by 2.09pm. That was a drastic drop of 11.8 degrees in just 7 minutes.

Keeping cool at North Melbourne pool. Credit:Luis Ascui

"Its a feature of cool changes in Melbourne. The cooler, oceanic air has pushed aside the hotter land air, so you can have these extremely sharp changes, said Chris Godfred, Bureau of Meteorology forecaster.

"Its just starting to work its way into the outer-north and eastern suburbs of Melbourne."
Timbarra fire emergency warning areas. Credit:VicEmergency Mr Crisp said more than 120 firefighters who were battling the blaze were forced to retreat after a sudden change in wind direction on Friday afternoon made conditions too dangerous to continue. "Its an active and dangerous fire," Mr Crisp said on Friday. "We knew there was every chance this fire would get out today. The community knew, if emergency warnings went out, they needed to look at moving out of that area. We believe many people have evacuated from there. The fire is dangerous so theyve pulled firefighters out and we're waiting for it to calm down." An emergency warning was earlier issued for Timbarra Settlement, Gillingal, Butchers Ridge, Gelantipy, Murrindal and W-Tree, urging residents to act immediately to survive.

The bushfire was travelling south-east towards the Timbarra Settlement and Gillingal, and is also travelling east towards W-Tree and Butchers Ridge. Spot fires have been burning up to five kilometres ahead of the main fire front. "This fire is threatening homes and lives," the warning read. The fire viewed from above. Credit:VicEmergency "The safest option is to take shelter indoors immediately. It is too late to leave."

Dozens of surrounding hamlets have been issued community information messages for smoke. "Its such harsh terrain it was difficult for our ground crews to work in that area," Mr Crisp said. Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Michael Efron said unstable conditions had caused a pyrocumulus cloud to form above the fire. This occurs when moisture trapped in the smoke condensed in the cold upper air produces an ominous cloud that can produce its own lightning.

"The fire is really producing a significant amount of its own lightning at the moment," Mr Efron said. "It's grown to such a height that it has already caused a number of lightning strikes." Mr Efron said a southerly cool change will bring with it gusts of winds of 20kmh. The temperature in Timbarra was still sitting in the high 30s early Friday evening before a cool change swept in at about 9pm. By 9.30pm the mercury had dropped to 26 and was expected to plummet to 19 degrees by 7am Saturday. "In the last 30 minutes there have a few isolated lightening strikes but it's been nowhere near as active as what we were seeing earlier this afternoon," senior forecaster Dean Stewart said at 9pm.

A relief centre has been set up at the Buchan Recreation Reserve on Orbost Road. Steve Harper, who owns the Buchan General Store and Post Office, said dozens of residents in the path of the fire had flooded the relief centre. "They started getting evacuated yesterday and now a lot of the roads have been closed," he said. "The fire is burning about 16 kilometres away from us ... there are some little hamlets in between us and Timbarra so the people living in all those small towns have been evacuated too as they are in the direct line of the fire. "A lot of them come into the store so I know them quite well and I am just hoping everybody is safe."

Residents have been told to flee an out-of-control bushfire in Timbarra, in East Gippsland. Credit:CFA South East Region "Conditions may change, and get worse very quickly," the alert reads. CFA incident controller John Crane said there were roughly 56 properties in the Timbarra and Gillingal area. Loading "We are talking about 32 properties, eight dwellings in Timbarra and 16 in Gillingal," he said.
A Victorian judge has broken down in court, telling the family of a motorcyclist dragged under a stolen BMW and killed that there was nothing the court could do or say to bring the victim back.

The County Court Judge sentenced an 18-year-old man, who was 17 at the time of the crime, to a minimum four years in jail, with a maximum of six.

Keith Stevens, pictured here with his partner Amanda Wilson, died after he was knocked off his motorcycle.

The courtroom erupted soon after the sentence was handed down, with the girlfriend of the victim sobbing before a heated exchange between her family and the family of the teenage driver.

Keith Stevens was knocked off his motorcycle when the teenager, driving a stolen BMW with three friends, failed to give way at an intersection in a residential street in Mitcham on November 8, 2017.
Fashion police will not be inspecting the attire of Australia's newest citizens on Saturday, despite Prime Minister Scott Morrison's recent edict on new dress standards for the events.

The City of Port Phillip will host about 100 conferees from 31 countries at its citizenship ceremony at St Kilda Town Hall on Saturday morning, which begins with a smoking ceremony conducted by the Boon Wurrung Foundation.

The City of Melbourne and City of Port Phillip will each stage ceremonies for more than 100 new citizens from 30 countries. Credit:Jason South

The City of Melbourne will host similar numbers at its citizenship ceremony at Melbourne Town Hall.

Yarra City Council and the City of Darebin will not hold citizenship ceremonies on Saturday, as the government stripped them of their right to do so after the councils voted not to stage the events on January 26.
As more than 200,000 people suffered through power outages during Friday's savage heat, parents caring for the smallest Victorians became increasingly uneasy.

Power cut out at Andrea Firehock's Lower Templestowe home around midday, leaving her to manage the health of 10-week-old daughter Gudrun, or 'Goodie', as the heat peaked.

Andrea Firehock and 10-week-old Gudrun. Credit:Paul Jeffers

Babies are much more susceptible to heat stress due to their inability to regulate their own body temperatures, the Victorian Heath Department says.

Ms Firehock, 42, said she was caught off-guard by the power outage, and as a first-time mother was anxious about how best to help keep her baby cool.
Which hairpin bend on the Clyde Mountain is this? Credit:Albert Neuss Ive been told the kids picked fronds off the ferns as apparently prior to this trip they had never seen ferns before, explains Albert, who would love to know which of the hairpin corners on the Clyde the photo was taken. To me, it looks a bit like Poohs Corner both before the cave (created in World War II and stocked with explosives in case of Japanese invasion from the coast towards Canberra) and the subsequent proliferation of teddy bears. Or is it Government Bend?

Mailbag Can you see the face at top left of this X-ray? It seems that Eden OMara isnt the only Canberran to have a face materialise in a medical scan (Holy Moly, is that the face of the Virgin Mary in a Canberra womans MRI scan?, December 28). I was mystified and nearly felt possessed when I too had a clear face in my tummy on an X-ray of my pelvis earlier last year, reports Mr F of Giralang. Doctors were baffled, reports Mr F, who wishes to remain anonymous as he confesses to feeling eerily uncomfortable with the prospect of the internet having my pelvis available on public record.

However, after studying the X-ray for some time, Mr F developed a theory for the unexpected face. There was an uncanny resemblance to the lady sonographer, he reports. To me it seems clear it was her reflection when processing the film, if thats a thing. The face discovered in an MRI of Eden OMaras hand. Pouring cold water on Mr Fs theory, however, is that the sonographers contacted by this column report that there is no way that the appearance of a technician performing the imaging can be in any way transferred to an X-ray. Meanwhile, several other readers questioned the suggestion by some that the face in OMaras MRI of her right wrist may have been the Virgin Mary. That woman gets around, she was spotted on someones toast a while back, reports Greg Johnson, referring to the world-wide phenomena of images of the Virgin Mary appearing in strange places.

Humans naturally see patterns, its a phenomena called pareidolia, reports Russell Nankervis, adding its not that extraordinary. Dr Steven Novella, of the Skeptics Guide to the Universe and a clinical neurologist and assistant professor at Yale University School of Medicine, explains the phenomena in his blog for the ness.com. Pareidolia is the tendency for our brains to match known patterns to random sensory noise, most commonly applied to images. The most familiar image to the human brain is the human face, and so perhaps the most common experience of pareidolia is the seeing of a face in the clouds, in a rust stain, tree bark, tortilla shell, a hillside, or on NASA photos of other worlds. Finally, one radiographer offers a technical explanation for the embedded face in OMaras MRI scan. Its likely the curse of MRI radiographers called wrap where the anatomical edges wrap into each other because of direction of phase magnetism and cause some funky images, she reports. Its probably a couple of veins, maybe some radio-ulnar ligament bundles, and some fat planes caught in plane.

A woolly matter Re-imagining the Wool Road. Credit:Peter Solness A number of eagle-eyed readers thought they may have uncovered a less-than-subtle subliminal message in the design of Peter Solness striking light painting to mark The Wool Road at Jervis Bay (The Wool Road, December 22). The Woolmark Company logo. Credit:Woolmark website I wonder whether any other woolgrowers noticed the resemblance of some of the light painting [to] the Woolmark logo, asks Kevin Rattigan of Berremangra (between Yass and Jugiong).

For the uninitiated, the Woolmark logo was designed by Italian graphic artist Francesco Saroglia (an alias of Italian architect, graphic designer and artist Franco Grignani) and according to The Woolmark Company has helped reinvent the global perception of wool as a natural, contemporary and glamorous fibre. When this column raised the similarity with Solness, he aid it was merely a coincidence, explaining that the wave-like trail in his painting represents the unbroken dreaming tracks created by the Indigenous people of the area while the yellow wheels represent the mechanical process of carting wool down the escarpment. Cow in car While the backstory as to why a calf was being transported by an elderly lady driving an SUV through the streets of Gungahlin (Spotted: No Bull! January 5) remains a mystery, the photo brought back memories for Jenny Thompson whose grandfather gave her family a jersey calf many years ago. She was transported to our farm in the back of our much beloved Land Rover  but she was much smaller than the one pictured in your column and thus was safely tied up in a hessian bag with just her head poking out, reports Thompson. She went on to be our house cow for many years and such was her status that she never got sent to the meatworks once her milking days were over.

Summer challenge A lone pelican at Wallaga Lake. Credit:Alan Nichol This column continues to receive photos of pelicans perched atop poles right up and down the South Coast. The record so far is an even dozen photographed by Michael Ziebell of Jerrabomberra at Warilla. Walking on the path beside the Lake Illawarra entrance channel, my wife spotted the pelicans sitting on top of the lamp posts, reports Ziebell. However, my favourite pelican pic so far is this one snapped by Alan Nicol of Moruya Heads which features a lone specimen perched on a green box in front of Regatta Point Caravan Park on Wallaga Lake, just north of Bermagui.

Im guessing the box is supposed to be a nest box but not sure what species of bird would use it, ponders Nicol, who has never seen it used for anything but a pelican perch. Contact Tim: Email: timtheyowieman@bigpond.com or Twitter: @TimYowie or write c/- The Canberra Times, 9 Pirie St, Fyshwick.

Where in Canberra? Do you recognise this location? Credit:Katy Skinner Clue: Part of a popular lakeside walk Degree of difficulty: Easy - Medium
A man has been left fighting for life after falling off a skateboard in Logan.

Emergency services were called to Ronald Street in Shailer Park at 5.45pm on Thursday.

The high acuity response unit and critical care paramedics were sent by the ambulance service.

The man, believed to be in his 20s, was rushed to Princess Alexandra Hospital in a critical condition.

An ambulance spokeswoman said the man had suffered head injuries.
More than half a century has passed since the historic Australian referendum to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, but for indigenous activist Ruth Wallace Hennings, not enough has changed in the years since.

Aunty Ruth is being honoured with a Medal of the Order of Australia for her political and community work, specifically the work she did in the lead-up to the 1967 referendum.

Aunty Ruth Wallace Hennings is being awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in this year's Australia Day proceedings. Credit:Brian Cassey

At the time, Indigenous people were counted separately in the federal census and the federal government was specifically prevented by the constitution from making laws which would affect them.

Although Indigenous people technically had the right to vote at the time, they were subject to specific laws in place in individual states which governed among other things their ability to own land, move between communities and even marry.
Police have charged the boyfriend of slain Gold Coast cheerleader Breeana Robinson with murder.

It's been six years since Ms Robinson plunged to her death from her boyfriend's luxury high-rise apartment at Southport.

The aunts of Breeana Robinson, Janine Mackney (centre) and Sharon Rowe (right) and her cousin Edyn Mackney pose with her photograph outside Southport Magistrates on the Gold Coast. Credit:AAP/Jono Searle

Dan Shearin, now 45, is accused of pushing the 21-year-old off the balcony to her death on January 29, 2013.

He was arrested in the Gold Coast suburb of Nerang about 6am on Friday, taken to the Southport watchhouse and charged in the afternoon.
By Auqib Javeed, TwoCircles.net

Srinagar: Kashmir Valley has proven to be one of the most dangerous places in India for journalists and photojournalists over the past few decades. The journalists in Kashmir have paid a heavy price for covering the conflict: they have been beaten up, kidnapped, intimidated and even killed for doing their professional duties.

On Tuesday afternoon, four photojournalists were hit by pellets in the Valley when armed forces allegedly fired directly at them in South Kashmirs Shopian district.

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The journalists were on the way to cover the gunfight which erupted in Shirmal village of Shopian, which ended with the killing of three militants. While heading towards the spot, the photojournalists crossed a barricade put up by the protesters. As soon as the paramilitary forces spotted them, they fired pellets.

The four injured photojournalists were identified as Waseem Andrabi of Hindustan Times, Nissar ul Haq of Rising Kashmir, Mir Burhan of Asia News Network and Aijaz Ahmed of Kashmir News Service.

Talking to TwoCircles.net, Waseem Andrabi of Hindustan Times said this is not they first time they were attacked by the security forces but is going on since years.

I was beaten and my camera was broken last time in the Downtown area of Srinagar by the security forces and last night despite showing our Camera to forces they fired pellets on us, he said.

He says after they crossed the barricade erected by protesting youth who were pelting stones near the gunfight site, they showed their cameras from a distance to the government forces, who were busy in handling the law and order situation.

As soon as we started to move towards them, they showered pellets at us, despite us raising our cameras, Andrabi said. He added that he could have lost his eyesight forever if the pellets had hit him a few centimetres closer to his right eye.

He added if the international media and press freedom organisations dont intervene, it will be very difficult for them to work in Kashmir.

It is pertinent to mention that a picture of Andrabi helping an injured CRPF trooper in Jammu and Kashmir went viral last year.

The very next day, one of the photojournalists, Nisar ul Haq, resumed work despite being injured. A photo of him taking pictures related to a story went viral on social media. Haq told TwoCircles.net that he was hit by pellets in his left eye, forehead, lips, face and neck.

This cant stop us from working here. I picked up my camera again today, although I wasnt feeling well but I managed to cover the funeral of a local militant, he added.

Kashmir Editors Guild express anger at the incident and said every time the issue is brought to the notice of the authorities, they are promised that they will investigate the issue. It has rarely happened that action was initiated against anyone for violating the basic conduct vis-a-vis media.

One photojournalist has already lost an eye to pellets in Srinagar. While police is issuing statements on every single incident, it avoided even mentioning the incident in their routine daily statement, they said in a statement.

Soon after the incident, Reporters without Borders (Reporters Sans Frontieres (RSF), an international body of journalists called upon the Indian authorities to conduct a full probe into the firing of pellets on journalists.

Issuing a statement on their Twitter handle, RSF said that the government forces violence against Kashmiri photojournalists is unacceptable.

We call on #indian authorities to conduct a thorough investigation on this blatant attack on press freedom. #JournalismIsNotACrime, RSF tweeted.

Issuing a statement regarding attack on photojournalists, Kashmir Press Photographers Association (KPPA) said that the photojournalists visited the encounter spot in Shopian to carry out their professional duties. They were showered with pellets from a close range. KPPA believes that the oft-repeated assault on the photojournalists is uncalled for, and employing such tactics by the government forces wont deter us from carrying out our professional duties, the statement said. They urged state Governor Satya Pal Malik and Director General of Police, Dilbag Singh to look into the matter and order a magisterial enquiry and strict action against the erring personnel.

Another photojournalist Basit Zargar said attacks on journalists had become a norm now as they were being targeted continuously for carrying their professional duties.

In 2016, we were on indefinite strike because we were targeted by forces multiple times. That time, the government had assured us that the action will be taken but that was a mere eyewash said Zargar.

He added that it was becoming very difficult for journalist especially photographers to work here now because photographers have to reach the spot first to get the visuals and pictures and we become soft targets for the forces.

Mukthar Khan, President of Kashmir Press Photographers Association (KPPA) while speaking to TwoCircles.net said, We try our best to raise the issue with the concerned authorities and its up to them to take the action but unfortunately we never saw any kind of action against the culprits.

On Thursday, the Jammu and Kashmir Police stopped many journalists from covering the funeral prayers of the militants killed in North Kashmirs Baramulla district. The journalists said they had to return as the police didnt allow them to reach the spot.

Calls made by this correspondent to Swayam Prakash Pani, Inspector General of Police, Kashmir Zone went unanswered.
A biomechanic's expert analysis and fresh witnesses were the final puzzle pieces that led to police arresting the former boyfriend of a Gold Coast cheerleader six years after she fell to her death.

Police say the expert report, which will be presented as evidence, concludes that 21-year-old Breeana Robinson was pushed off an 11th-floor apartment in a Southport complex on January 29, 2013.

Police say they have 'a strong case' against Dan Shearin and will charge him over the death of Breanna Robinson. Credit:Facebook - Bree's Army

Dan Shearin, now 45, was in a relationship with the victim when she died and was arrested in the Gold Coast suburb of Nerang about 6am on Friday and taken to the Southport watchhouse.

Mr Shearin, a former cruise ship entertainer and author, was charged with murder, fraud and damaging evidence with intent, all of which relate to Ms Robinson's death, on Friday afternoon.
A bus and truck have collided in the heart of Brisbane on Friday, blocking two lanes.

Police were called to the intersection of Elizabeth and Edward streets at 8.50am.

The bus that was involved in the collision at the intersection of Elizabeth Street and Edward Street in Brisbane's CBD. Credit:Fairfax Media

Two lanes on Elizabeth Street were blocked, with police directing traffic down Queen Street.

Edward Street was also partially closed, with police directing traffic down Adelaide Street.
Two men are in hospital under police guard following a raid on a large-scale drug lab discovered inside a home in Sydney's southwest.

Detectives on Thursday night arrested four men aged between 35 and 52 when they raided a property at Chipping Norton where ice and MDMA was allegedly cooked up in "rancid" conditions.

Inside the lab. Credit:NSW Police

NSW Police say the lab was in the process of manufacturing ice when officers arrived. Various chemicals and precursors used in making MDMA were also found.

Two of the men, aged 35 and 48 were taken to Liverpool Hospital following their arrest.
Four people have been arrested after $107 million worth of drugs were seized including, what police say, is the largest haul of heorin in a decade.

Australian Border Force officers allegedly found 400 blocks of heroin weighing 154 kilograms and with a street value of $77 million after X-raying four wooden crates at Sydney Airport on January 6.

The crates, which arrived on a cargo flight from Malaysia, held a number of straw hats and souvenir items in an apparent attempt to conceal false floors.

Heroin was allegedly found in three of the four boxes, which were labelled as containing gym equipment.
Terra nullius is the lie that haunts us. The legal fiction that two centuries ago, this was an empty land, claimed by Britain, is the myth that still unsettles our nation. Amid the barbecues, the beach and the thong-throwing competitions, few of us this Australia Day will likely turn our minds to how our modern nation was born. Its the thing unspoken.

Australia Day ... beyond the sausage sizzle. Credit:Jim Rice

But theres a feeling in our souls that we dont quite belong, "this whispering in the bottom of our hearts", to quote from Sydney barrister Richard Windeyer's public lecture in 1842. We live, squeezed into the cities, clinging to the coast. We love the outback, but we dont trust it, what the sociologist Elspeth Tilley calls the "disruptive, disturbing, chaotic, space": a place of "white vanishing".

We are fixated with the darkness of this place; explorers perished; tourists murdered; children lost. They are written into our folklore. The artist Russell Drysdale once said that the Beaumont children, Harold Holt, Azaria Chamberlain  all those somehow swallowed up by this place  "inhabit this other space in the Australian memory", as though they strayed too far "off the cultural map and disappeared into thin air".

Writing my forthcoming book Australia Day I have been drawn again and again to the land and our place in it. Our poets, our writers, our filmmakers all grapple with that question of belonging. The land is the central character in this national drama: Picnic at Hanging, The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith, Wake in Fright, Sweet Country  all films that emerge from the vanishing place.
An independent group of retired judges has slammed the governments proposed Commonwealth Integrity Commission, describing it as a deliberate political diversion designed to shield the public sector, and in particular politicians and their staff, from proper scrutiny and accountability.

The committee of former senior judges, Anthony Whealy, David Ipp, David Harper, Stephen Charles and Paul Stein submitted a paper as part of a consultation process which said: The government model falls disastrously short of providing an effective body to counter and expose corruption at a Federal level.

Former Victorian judge Stephen Charles. Credit:Arsineh Houspian

One of the members, former Victorian Court of Appeal judge Stephen Charles, slammed the proposal to the Herald as a sham commission.

Mr Charles also criticised the governments "desperate attempt" to push through legislation for its proposed federal anti-corruption commission as soon as Parliament resumes on February 11.
Vladimir Putin did not attend either, though it is unclear if his decision was swayed by reports that public trust in his leadership had fallen to a record low of 33.4 per cent this month, down a full 30 per cent since the boost he enjoyed after the invasion and an annexation of Crimea. Those who did attend did little to lift the mood. Angela Merkels speech served mostly as rebuke to Pompeos. Brazils new far-right populist leader, Jair Bolsonaro, made a short and terse speech and then abandoned a planned press conference to avoid questions about the scandal that is already crippling his weeks-old administration concerning money ties between his son Flavio and one of Brazils most notorious death squads. Billionaire Bill Gates at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, this week. Credit:Bloomberg George Soros used his annual dinner to address Chinas weaponisation of data technology against individual liberty. I want to call attention to the mortal danger facing open societies from the instruments of control that machine-learning and artificial intelligence can put in the hands of repressive regimes. Ill focus on China, where Xi Jinping wants a one-party state to reign supreme, Soros said. He described Xis China as not only increasingly authoritarian, but the wealthiest, strongest and most developed in machine-learning and AI, and in the midst not only of a trade war with the US but a little-recognised war over future control of the internet.

It was left to New Zealands Jacinda Ardern and David Attenborough to articulate the worlds growing existential dread over climate change. The truth was, though, that well before the Davos forum began its organisers understood the dark mood that the gathering would distill and project. As the meeting began the World Economic Forum published its Global Risks Report, the results of an annual survey of thousands of members of the WEFs global network of business, civil society and government leaders. Loading This year the report was subtitled, bluntly, Global Risks Out Of Control, and it suggested in its opening line that the world was sleepwalking into crisis. In his executive summary the WEFs president, Brge Brende, argued that at a time when the world needed more than ever multilateral co-operation to face increasingly complicated global challenges, divisions within and between nations were hardening. We are drifting deeper into global problems from which we will struggle to extricate ourselves, he wrote. Climate change dominated the list of leading risks addressed by the report, accounting for five of the top 10 by both likelihood and impact. But many of the other increasing risks, the report suggested, were caused or exacerbated by economic and political populism which in turn is exacerbated by the ongoing failure to address inequality.

A full decade after the global financial crisis revealed so vividly how great inequality had become and how dangerous it could be, you would think that Davos regulars might have already started to address this issue. They have not. Despite the tumult of the past decade, despite the rise of Trump and his ilk and the shock of Brexit, and despite the barrels of analysts ink being spilt over the concerns of inequality, a Bloomberg News analysis of the fortunes of a dozen Davos attendees found that they had soared by a combined $175 billion since 2009. Meanwhile, a report from Oxfam on Monday revealed that the poorest half of the world saw its wealth fall by 11 per cent last year. These facts alone were enough to prompt one Bloomberg commentator to issue a warning to the Davos regulars that the backlash they inexplicably dodged a decade ago was now on its way. As Australia twitches awake from its (horrifyingly hot) summer torpor, it is not hard to think that the view from this end of the world is not quite so bad. Populism is afoot in Australian politics, but it remains in check. Fault lines are visible but not unbridgeable. In part this is because Australia benefits from political mechanisms that favour centrism over extremism. In part it is due to the the good luck and good management that have seen our economy grow unchecked since 1991. And in part it is due to the fact that in Australia the benefits of globalisation have been better redistributed  particularly via public health and education  than they have in comparable economies.

Loading But the mood that infected the Davos meeting is understood and shared by many Australians to the clear benefit of one side of politics. Trust in leading financial institutions has been battered by the royal commission. Frustration that wages have flatlined while profits and CEO packages have soared is palpable. And over the past year unions have ramped up their battle against the increasing casualisation of the workforce. These issues will become the political battlelines of the coming months, and this week you could see hints of how the rhetorical warfare will play out. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg made a keynote speech championing individual enterprise and equality of opportunity over equality of outcome. In rejecting Labors plan to increase some taxes, he said: For Labor, the pursuit of class warfare is more than rhetoric. It is at the heart of their policies from tax to trade to industrial relations. He warned that the Liberal Party was better prepared to manage the economy in the potentially turbulent near future. In interviews given to Fairfax newspapers, the man seeking to replace Frydenberg in the coming election, Chris Bowen, responded that the majority of Labors increased tax take would go towards budget repair. But it was Bowens response to another story that was more telling. It suggested that the shadow treasurer, and his party, were confident that the dark times detected at Davos favour their message over the Liberal Partys.
When Professor Kathryn North started in genetics, DNA was sequenced one gene at a time. It could take years for a child with a genetic condition to receive the right life-saving diagnosis.

Now we can do an entire genome in three days thanks to genomics, the field Professor North has dedicated her life to through both fundamental research and important advocacy.

For her work bringing genomics from the lab to the hospital where it is saving the lives of sick children every day, she was on Saturday made a Companion of the Order of Australia.

Professor Kathryn North has been appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia for her work in genomics. Credit:Murdoch Children's Research Institute / Supplied

In the last 10 years, genomic technologies have really revolutionised the way we diagnose genetic conditions, and provide therapies, Professor North says.
Students in Australian National University housing say they have been left in limbo after an apparent administration oversight saw a gap of up to 13 days between their tenancy agreements.

Between 10 and 20 undergraduate and postgraduate students in temporary accommodation across several university halls and colleges were told about two weeks ago that they would have to move out on Friday this week.

A room in the new student residential hall Wright Hall, which will be opened on February 6. Credit:Sitthixay Ditthavong

But their contracts for permanent residency do not commence until early February.

"For many people who've been living in temporary accommodation over the summer, most of their leases have gone up to the 25th of January," said Zyl Hovenga-Wauchope, president of ANU Postgraduate and Research Students' Association.
First made by Cyril Percy Callister in 1923 using spent brewers' yeast, Vegemite has steadily spread its way into the Australian psyche. It's our national salt lick, the human equivalent of the lickable blocks of salts and trace elements that animals need when deficient.

I doubt I need Vegemite, unless extremely hungover, but I certainly like it on toast, hot buttered crumpets and as squiggly black worms oozing out of pressed Salada cracker sandwiches. I've also been whisking a teaspoon of Vegemite into my gravies, stews and casseroles for years, in order to give them that slightly mysterious, savoury hit of umami.

Illustration by Simon Letch.

So it amuses me that some of our most creative chefs are getting busy with Vegemite (now happily Australian-owned once again), as if it's some rare new indigenous ingredient that has foraged itself into their laps.

At the theatrical d'Arenberg Cube in South Australia's McLaren Vale, chefs Brendan Wessels and Lindsay Durr top ash-coated barramundi with Vegemite mayonnaise in a reference to campfire coal. At Anchovy in Melbourne, chef Thi Le tempura batters and deep-fries a cube of Vegemite-infused cheese custard and tops it with whipped Laughing Cow cheese as a nod to the cheese and Vegemite sandwiches of her school lunchboxes. You can snack on Simon Tarlington's puff pastry Vegemite scroll at Prahran's Highline, or on Cory Campbell's Vegemite ricotta with padron peppers at Sydney's Smoke bar at Barangaroo.
Saudi low-cost carrier flyadeal has received the 11th and last of its initial fleet of new Airbus A320ceo aircraft.



Al-Theeb, The Wolf, will enable the airline to extend flying from Riyadh and Dammam.



Flyadeals growth story began with the launch of its first flight from Jeddah to Riyadh on National Day 2017. After 16 months of operations and taking our 11th aircraft, we now offer a total of 70 daily flights across our network," said Con Korfiatis, CEO of flyadeal.



"The growth we have accomplished in a short period of time is not only a fulfilment of our promise to provide our customers with additional everyday low fares between all the major cities in the kingdom but is also a reflection of the growing demand for domestic travel."



The company's build-up of seat capacity is in line with its promise to offer the kingdoms citizens and residents more opportunities to travel for affordable prices throughout the domestic flight network. Today this network spans eight main destinations: Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Qassim, Jazan, Abha, Tabuk and Madinah. - TradeArabia News Service
Just as the world grapples with the effects of climate change  fiercer and more frequent bushfires, droughts, floods and freak storms  Australia is doing its darndest to cut down more trees. Forests are disappearing so fast in NSW and Queensland that WWF International has put Australia on its list of global deforestation hot spots  the only one in the developed world  while koala populations continue to be decimated through habitat loss.

Climatologists say one of the easiest and cheapest ways to reduce carbon emissions is to preserve forests; deforestation accounts for 18 per cent of global emissions, far surpassing vehicles and aircraft combined, according to the Climate Council.

Trees in the outback may fare better than those in urban centres, at high risk of dieback over coming decades. Credit:Getty Images

It's not only forests that are vulnerable: the trees in our streets, parks and backyards will also come under increasing heat stress in the coming decades. A 2017 study of 1.5 million trees in 29 council areas from Darwin to Launceston, Brisbane to Perth, revealed that nearly one in four trees in urban centres will be at high risk of dieback: wilting, browning of leaves and dead branches. Around 40 per cent of trees in parts of Sydney, 32 per cent in Melbourne and 85 per cent in Darwin will be vulnerable if current carbon emissions continue. Exotic trees from Europe and North America may be at special risk.

The sooner we adapt to a warmer, drier future, the better, says Dr Gregory Moore, a University of Melbourne botanist who has been studying Australia's 750 eucalypt species since 1975, and suggests we grow more native plants in urban areas. While Australia's eucalypts aren't immune to heat stress, some are as "tough as old boots", he explains. "Messmate stringybark is a great survivor in the harsh Australian environment. Its thick, stringy bark helps protect the trunk during bushfires; shielded under the bark are buds that can help re-establish leaf coverage. It's a species likely to cope well with climate change."
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Celebrate great Australian art with a signed limited edition giclee print of a work from this collection, available at thestore.com.au Painting en plein air  as the French Impressionists termed it  always sounds such a relaxing experience. However sometimes painting outdoors is fraught with danger. Just ask multi-award winning artist Wendy Sharpe, who visited South Australias Flinders Ranges with fellow artists from Sydney gallery King Street Gallery on William. The Flinders will forever be associated with Sir Hans Heysen. Australias first celebrity painter revealed their artistic beauty in 1926, capturing on canvas the changing colours of its rocks and stark majesty of its gums. Yet Sharpes images are different. Artist Wendy Sharpe, born on January 26, says gouache is her preferred medium. Credit:James Brickwood It had been raining incredibly for a few weeks before we got there, Sharpe says on the phone from her apartment in the untouristy side of Pariss Montmartre, where she and her partner, fellow artist Bernard Ollis, live for part of each year. (Their main home in a fashionable inner Sydney suburb has gone from Chico rolls and Kraft cheese slices to quinoa and quinces since I bought, she adds.) But back to the Flinders. They were uncharacteristically green. It looks as if Ive taken poetic licence, but thats how it was: green shoots poking through red earth with rolling clouds and dramatic light.

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Sharpe is not known for landscapes, let alone gum trees. Her fame is mostly based on her large figurative works, usually oil on canvas, and mainly set in urban surroundings. Im interested in people so virtually all of my work includes people, she explains. Were an urban nation and I love cities. The bigger and more dense the city is, the more I like it. So, in the context of her prolific career, her intimate Flinders images, created in the field, are rare, she says. However, gouache (pronounced gwash) is her preferred medium when it comes to studies or finished works which have to be captured quickly. Self With Bees, Flinders Ranges. Theres an approaching storm. Im the little figure in black on the right. The dots in the background are the swarm of bees Id just escaped from, says Sharpe. Those include her work for the Australian War Memorial with Australian peacekeeping troops during their Timor Leste independence mission; two trips to Antarctica as guest artist for the Australian Antarctic Division; and frequent travels to danger-edged destinations such as Uzbekistan, Syria and Iran  subjects of a forthcoming exhibition. Sharpe was just 25 when she came to national attention with her first solo exhibition Sex and Death.

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A year later, in 1986, she was awarded the prestigious Sulman Prize; then won a travelling scholarship to the Cite Internationale des Artes, which began her love affair with Paris. Born on January 26, she won the Archibald Prize in 1996 for her self portrait Diana of Erskineville, which Edmund Capon, then director of the Art Gallery of NSW, described as probably the raunchiest painting to win the Archibald. Her green bra was prominent and she was surrounded by naked breasts, a common theme in her work. (The breasts are often her own.) So acquaintances were surprised when they saw the landscapes. People said, I didnt know you painted gum trees. But if you can paint figures you can paint anything. Red hills, grey sky, with emus. "I was excited to see a group of emus in the paddock in front of me. Something I have rarely experienced," Sharpe reveals. What was Sharpes big drama in the Flinders? If you look carefully at her work Self with Bees, youll spot a small black figure on the right, hiding under a soaring gum. To the left is a cloud of black dots. "I was sitting painting when a swarm of bees started to fly around me, trying to get into my T-shirt, Sharpe explains. I shooed them away, but they kept returning and trying to crawl in. Eventually I had to pack up and run. They didnt follow me. They just kept swarming around where Id been sitting.

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Habibulah Hussaini arrived in Australia as a refugee from Afghanistan in 2011 with little English and no idea how to make a living.

His friend, a tiler also from Afghanistan, showed him how to tile floors and ceilings. He worked for him until starting his own business in 2014.

Habibulah Hussaini is one of 1960 tilers working in Australia who were born in Afghanistan. Credit:Simon Schluter

Mr Hussaini now works as a tiler up to six days each week. He recently finished his latest job, an extensive mosaic wall and floor for a Pentecostal church in Melbournes south-east.

I feel good about that job, it was a big job. It took the whole of winter, six days a week for three months. There were three of us working with the church, he said.
A newly minted pay deal at Westpac has sparked a stoush over union claims staff could be pressured to prioritise sales because of the discretion attached to pay rises for some workers under the agreement.

The new agreement on wages and conditions was rubber stamped by the Fair Work Commission on Thursday and provides staff on salaries of up to $82,500 with an above inflation increase of 3.25 per cent this year.

Westpac's enterprise agreement was rubber stamped this week. Credit:David Mariuz

However, staff paid above that level will see their pay only increase by 2.25 per cent, marginally more than the latest inflation print at 1.9 per cent.

The bank will exercise its discretion to hand out larger pay rises than this to staff paid between $82,501 and $106,500, the agreement says.
Small business advocates have welcomed Labor's plan to strengthen unfair contract law protections for small business.

On Friday Labor announced it wanted to make it illegal to insert unfair terms into contracts while broadening the application of the provisions and introducing fines of up to $10 million for those caught breaching the new laws.

Kate Carnell has backed Labor's plan to reform unfair contract laws. Credit:Simon Schluter

Small business ombudsman Kate Carnell said the unfair contracts laws introduced in 2016 have been "extraordinarily important" for small business.

"In fact I think we underestimate a lot of the changes to banking contracts that happened off the back of the unfair contracts legislation," she said.
Adele Ferguson, the decorated investigative journalist for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age has paid tribute to whistleblowers after being honoured in this year's Australia Day awards.

Ferguson, whose award-winning investigations into financial services, franchising and retirement living industries have sparked numerous inquiries, including the Hayne banking royal commission, said she was "proud and humbled" after being appointed a Member of the Order Australia for her services to journalism.

But she said her stories couldn't have happened without the bravery of whistleblowers, and victims of corporate malfeasance, who risked their livelihoods by speaking to her.

"With all of these investigations, none of them would have had the traction they had without whistleblowers putting everything on the line and the victims coming forward," she said.
US aviation officials have reported delays in air travel because of a "slight increase in sick leave" at two East Coast air traffic control facilities.

The delays come as a partial government shutdown threatens to undermine the nation's air travel system.

Air traffic controllers and airport security agents have been working without pay since the federal shutdown began in December, and high absentee rates raise the possibility of long airport queues, or even worse.

White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said Donald Trump has been briefed on the delays and "we are monitoring the ongoing delays at some airports".

"We are in regular contact with officials at the Department of Transportation and the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration)," Ms Sanders said in a statement.

New York governor Andrew Cuomo wrote a letter to the president earlier on Friday saying the shutdown is impacting safety and security at airports and putting travellers at risk.

FAA spokesman Gregory Martin said it had augmented staffing, rerouted traffic and increased spacing between planes as needed.

The staffing problems were at air traffic centres in Jacksonville, Florida, and a Washington DC site that controls high-altitude air traffic over seven states.

"The results have been minimal impacts to efficiency while maintaining consistent levels of safety in the national airspace system," Mr Martin said.

LaGuardia Airport in New York and Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey were both experiencing at least 90-minute delays in take-offs today.

PA
Roger Stone, a confidant of Donald Trump, has been arrested in special counsel Robert Muellers Russia investigation and charged with lying to Congress and obstructing the probe.

The seven-count indictment against Stone, a self-proclaimed dirty trickster, is the first criminal case in months from special counsel Robert Mueller and provides the most detail to date about how Trump associates were aware in summer 2016 that emails had been stolen from the Hillary Clinton campaign and wanted them released.

Donald Trump (Jacquelyn Martin/AP)

The indictment does not charge Stone with conspiring with WikiLeaks, the anti-secrecy website that published the emails, or with the Russian officers Mr Mueller says hacked them.

Instead, it accuses him of witness tampering, obstruction and false statements about his interactions related to WikiLeaks release.

Some of the false statements were made to the House Intelligence Committee, according to the indictment.

Hillary Clinton (Dominic Lipinski/PA)

Mr Muellers office has said those emails, belonging to Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta, were hacked by Russian intelligence officers.

It says the Trump campaign directed a senior campaign official to contact Stone after the WikiLeaks release on July 22 2016 of hacked emails from the Democratic National Committee and other groups.

That official, who is not named in court papers, asked Stone about additional releases and what other damaging information WikiLeaks had regarding the Clinton campaign, the indictment says.

Stone is scheduled to appear in court in Florida later on Friday. The indictment had been expected.

He has said for months he was prepared to be charged although he has denied any wrongdoing. A grand jury for months heard from witnesses connected to Stone, and the intelligence committee last year voted to release a transcript of his evidence to Mr Mueller as a precursor to an indictment.

Roger's time in the barrel

Stone has publicly condemned the Mueller investigation and echoed the presidents descriptions of it as a witch hunt, but he has long attracted investigators attention, especially in light of a 2016 tweet that appeared to presage knowledge that emails stolen from Mr Podesta would soon be released.

Stone has said he had no inside information about the contents of the emails in WikiLeaks possession or the timing of when they would be released.

He has said he learned from Randy Credico, a New York radio host, that WikiLeaks had the emails and planned to disclose them. Stone has released emails that he says support that assertion.

Prosecutors had offered a plea agreement to Stone friend Jerome Corsi that would have required the conspiracy theorist and conservative author to admit he intentionally lied to investigators about a discussion with Stone about WikiLeaks, but he rejected the offer.

Rogerss time in the barreland its headed over Niagara Falls. Roger Stone, Adviser to Trump, Is Indicted in Mueller Investigation via @NYTimes https://t.co/DuoT2FuF0B  John Podesta (@johnpodesta) January 25, 2019

In a tweet on Friday, Mr Podesta wrote that it was now Rogers time in the barrel.

That was a play on Stones own words. He had tweeted cryptically before the Podesta emails were disclosed that it would soon be Mr Podestas time in the barrel.

PA
Greek legislators have ratified an agreement to end a near three-decade dispute over neighbouring Macedonia's name in a landmark vote intended to clear the small country to be renamed North Macedonia in its quest for Nato membership.

The deal passed with 153 votes in the 300-member Greek parliament, two more than needed. It had faced fierce opposition and cost prime minister Alexis Tsipras his parliamentary majority after a right-wing partner in the governing coalition quit in protest.

Mr Tsipras's left-wing Syriza party holds 145 seats in parliament. Independent legislators provided the votes needed for ratification.

Under the deal, Macedonia changes its name to North Macedonia and Greece will drop its objections to the country joining Nato and eventually the European Union.

The vote came after three days of acrimonious parliamentary debate and numerous street protests, some of which turned violent.

Scores of protesters who braved torrential rain and driving wind outside parliament chanted "traitors" as the legislators voted inside.

Greece has long argued that use of the name Macedonia implied territorial claims on its own northern province of the same name. The issue has been contentious for decades and has whipped up nationalist and patriotic sentiment in both countries.

Opposition was particularly fierce in the northern Greek region of Macedonia, which borders the former Yugoslav republic that claimed the same name after declaring independence in 1991.

Critics claimed the deal signs away their identity and a cultural heritage dating back to Alexander the Great more than 2,300 years ago.

More than 150 people have been detained for questioning since Thursday following violence at demonstrations against the deal in Athens and two towns in northern Greece. Most were released without change.

At least two legislators from the governing Syriza party have said their homes were targeted by violent demonstrators, while another was targeted in a firebombing which caused no injuries.

Greece's tourism minister, an independent conservative who supports the government, said she had received multiple death threats.

Nato secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg welcomed the ratification, saying in a tweet that the vote is "an important contribution to the stability and prosperity of the whole region".

He added: "I look forward to the future Republic of North Macedonia joining Nato."

PA
LATEST: President Donald Trump has announced that a deal has been reached to re-open the US federal government - but only for a period of three weeks (until February 15).

Speaking from the Rose Garden at the White House he said: I am very proud to announce today that we have reached a deal to end the shutdown and reopen the federal government.

I have a very powerful alternative [an apparent reference to his belief that it is available to him to declare a national emergency], but I didn't want to use it at this time. Hopefully it will be unnecessary.

It is understood the deal is to restore current government spending levels until February 15.

Mr Trump said border security must be part of any longer term deal, but the solution announced this evening does not include funding for the wall he wishes to build along the US' southern border.

"Barrier or walls will be an important part of the solution," he said.

Mr Trump's action to sign legislation to reopen government departments for three weeks would end what has become a record, 35-day partial shutdown.

Some 800,000 federal workers have had to work without pay or have been kept from doing their jobs as Mr Trump and congressional Democrats were locked in a stalemate over the billions of dollars that the president has demanded to build a US-Mexico border wall.

To those federal employees who have been without pay in recent weeks, he said: In a short while I will sign a bill to reopen the government...I will make sure that all employees receive their backpay very quickly. Or as soon as possible. Itll happen fast.

He was speaking this evening as intensifying delays at some of the US' busiest airports and widespread disruptions brought new urgency to efforts to break the impasse.

Earlier: US reportedly close to short-term deal to end government shutdown

The White House and congressional leaders are reportedly near a short-term deal to end the longest government shutdown in US history.

It comes as US aviation officials reported delays in air travel because of a "slight increase in sick leave" at two East Coast air traffic control facilities.

Air traffic controllers and airport security agents have been working without pay since the federal shutdown began in December, and high absentee rates raise the possibility of long airport queues, or even worse.

White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said Donald Trump has been briefed on the delays and "we are monitoring the ongoing delays at some airports".

"We are in regular contact with officials at the Department of Transportation and the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration)," Ms Sanders said in a statement.

New York governor Andrew Cuomo wrote a letter to the president earlier today saying the shutdown is impacting safety and security at airports and putting travellers at risk.

FAA spokesman Gregory Martin said it had augmented staffing, rerouted traffic and increased spacing between planes as needed.

The staffing problems were at air traffic centres in Jacksonville, Florida, and a Washington DC site that controls high-altitude air traffic over seven states.

"The results have been minimal impacts to efficiency while maintaining consistent levels of safety in the national airspace system," Mr Martin said.

LaGuardia Airport in New York and Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey were both experiencing at least 90-minute delays in take-offs today.
A Co. Clare stable owner who raped and sexually assaulted a teenage girl has received a partially suspended sentence.

Ger Hehir (aged 58) was convicted after a seven-day retrial in November of four sexual assaults and one charge of raping the girl on dates between 2010 and 2013.

Hehir of Drumcavan, Ruan, Co. Clare had pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court to these charges. The offences were carried out at his home and at horse events around the country. Hehir has no previous convictions.

Mr Justice Robert Eagar sentenced him to seven years imprisonment for the rape. He suspended the final 18 months on condition he engage with a sexual offender's program and that he keep the peace and be of good behaviour while in custody and for three years upon his release.

He also sentenced Hehir to five years imprisonment for each sexual assault. All sentences are to run concurrent and are backdated to November 21 last, when Hehir went into custody after conviction.

A local garda told Eilis Brennan SC, prosecuting, that the first sexual assault happened in late 2010 when the girl was 16 years old. She was coming out of one of Hehir's stables when he pinned her up against the wall, put his hands up her top and tried to kiss her.

When she pinched him after asking him to stop, he told her not to do so because his partner would see the marks.

The teenager didn't tell anyone and a week later Hehir again tried to kiss her after he had given her a beer in an equipment room. He pushed on top of her and touched her breasts until she asked him what if your mother comes?. He then stopped the assault.

Sometime later in 2010, Hehir invited her to have a smoke out of a bedroom window at his home. She was doing so when he lifted her over the bed, took off one of her trouser legs and raped her.

The girl later revealed to gardai that she froze. When she told Hehir that she was only 17, he replied: You may be only 17, but you're years above your age. The court heard the girl was actually 16 years old at this time.

In early 2011 she was in a horse box undoing a horse's tail bandage when Hehir came up behind her, put his hands in her pants and his finger into her vagina. She pushed him with her elbow and tried to pretend it had not happened.

The garda said the final sexual assault happened in 2013 in Cork. The then teenager was attending an event with her partner when she saw Hehir with some of his family.

Hehir gave her his jacket as it was raining and when she went to return it, he asked to feel her bum. When she said no, he put his hands up her top and squeezed her breasts. She cried all the way home and told her partner a few days later.

The woman, now in her 20s, addressed Hehir in her victim impact statement and told him that she had lived a happy and enjoyable life before his abuse and manipulation. She said she lost out on all her hobbies and turned away from her family because she was afraid of the shame and hurt the knowledge of the abuse might have caused them. She said the only way to cope was through drink and drugs.

From a girl who had such an amazing life, you ruined everything, she told Hehir.

I have always looked for the best in people and I'm not a resentful person, but I feel you still don't understand the devastating effect this has had on me.

She said she lives with anger every day, has severe anxiety and trust issues and had to give up a career goal because of the abuse. She thanked her family, the gardai and the victim services in court.

Patrick Gageby SC, defending, said his client had worked all his life and that it was clear from character references that he was an uncommonly good and obliging neighbour.

Mr Gageby asked Mr Justice Eagar to take into account that his client had no experience of prison life.

Mr Justice Eagar said that there had been clear emotional harm to the victim in this case and that Hehir had never indicated remorse.
A woman whose partner of 25 years died this week has brought High Court proceedings over concerns his family may remove her from the home the couple shared.

The court heard the woman had been in a committed and loving relationship with the businessman who was in his 80s when he died following a long illness.

She met the man when he was a widower in the 1990s.

In 2009, she claims she moved into the man's house, a country house surrounded by 100 acres of land in the North West of the country.

She said that in 25 years together she has never been accepted or welcomed by the man's family. His illness she said heightened the resentment towards her.

She claims that her partner, for whom she acted as his primary carer, was admitted to hospital last November.

She claimed that when visiting him in late December a member of the man's family confronted her and was aggressive towards her. She said she was accused of "not being part of the family", and "not being in a relationship" with him.

She has further claimed that despite being named as the man's next of kin steps, including negotiations with his family, had to take place so she could see him in hospital.

Shortly after the man's death another member of his extended family, she claimed, threatened her to have her "stuff out of the house by the morning".

She said she currently does not feel safe in the property because of the alleged threat and the fact that she believes that one of the man's family has a set of keys to the property.

In her action, the woman seeks various orders including injunctions against the executor of her partner's estate allowing her to secure the property, and restraining any person claiming an interest in the estate from trespassing on the property.

She also seeks injunctions preventing any person claiming an interest in the estate disposing with or damaging her property or interfering with her occupation of the house.

The court heard the woman simply wants to have her partner waked at his home, and seeks various temporary orders in order to preserve the "status quo."

The Gardai are aware of the situation, the court heard.

They came before Ms Justice Leonie Reynolds, on an ex parte basis this afternoon. The judge raised concerns that the action might pour more oil on an already inflamed situation.

During the proceedings, the judge also expressed her concerns that an application of this nature was before the court so soon after the death of the man.

The judge urged that other avenues be explored to remedy the situation and said that a fresh application for the orders sought could be made to the High Court if the need arises.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said Ireland is being 'victimised' by the Brexit process.

In an interview with Bloomberg TV from Davos, Mr Varadkar said it was the UK's responsibility to find a solution to end the Brexit impasse and avoid a no-deal scenario.

"The UK wanted a review clause in the backstop and we agreed to that, the UK wanted a UK-wide element, so why is it the country that is being victimised is the one that's always asked to give?," he said.

"We're the ones already giving."

Going into further detail on what Northern Ireland would look like in the event of a hard border between north and south, Mr Varadkar gave a stark description.

"It would involve customs posts. It would involve people in uniform and it may involve the need, for example, for cameras, physical infrastructure, possibly a police presence, or an army presence to back it up.

"The problem with that in the context of Irish politics and history is those things become targets - and we've already had a certain degree of violence in the last few weeks.

"I just don't want to see that come back," he said.

The Taoiseach, who was speaking at the World Economic Forum this week, said that the impetus was on the UK government to change its red lines in order to reach a deal with the European Union.

"We have always been open to compromise and we have always been willing to listen to any proposals that the UK government may have, and as the EU has said on several occasions, if the UK was willing to change its red lines then of course our position could evolve," he said.

"Let's not forget that this withdrawal agreement is an agreement that was drawn around all the self-imposed red lines that the UK set for itself, leaving the customs union, leaving the single market, and not accepting the jurisdiction of the ECJ and the backstop was designed with them."

He said Ireland would have been happy to accept a backstop that only applied to Northern Ireland, that didn't apply to Britain, but "the UK government specifically wanted a UK element to it".

Ireland isn't getting any sense of alternative Brexit strategies from Britain, PM Leo Varadkar says https://t.co/GCkcur4LT5 #wef19 pic.twitter.com/Hf5WKCi718  Bloomberg (@business) January 25, 2019

Mr Varadkar spoke of the impact a no-deal would have on Northern Ireland, including the potential effect it would have on the peace process.

"I know a lot of people, when they talk about Brexit, they talk about the impact on trade and jobs and the economy and immigration and all those things that are important, but for Ireland, it's something very different.

"We have peace in Ireland and Northern Ireland, closer cooperation north and south and powersharing most of the time, and at the heart of that was the European Union, because EU membership swept away so many of the differences between north and south and between people.

"What we're looking for, what we've been looking for from day one, is an assurance that Brexit decision that the UK has made, one that was made against the wishes of the people in Northern Ireland, one that Ireland was not consulted about.

We want a legal guarantee and an operable mechanism which will ensure we don't lose all the progress that has been made in the last 20 years in Ireland in terms of the peace process and the Good Friday Agreement.

"We don't want that to be undermined, and what the backstop is is a means to an end."

When asked about the potential for technology to solve the border issue, the Taoiseach said he has yet to see any viable options.

"I have yet to have anyone demonstrate to me a technology that can look into a truck and tell me whether there's hormones in the beef or not," he said.

"The objective is avoiding a hard border. The backstop is the means by which we achieve that.

"Why would we give up a legal guarantee, and something that we know will work in practice, for a promise to sort it out later, or a promise to invent technologies that don't exist yet, that will work that's legally binding. That's just not a serious position."

What's envisaged if this agreement is ratified, isn't any walls, what's envisaged is that any checks that might have to be done, checking animals, checking food products, checking goods, would be done at the ports and airports, done in Dublin, Rosslare, Cork, Belfast, and that's a very different picture.

"A lot of these checks already happen in ports and airports, it would be more than currently exists, but it would allow us to avoid physical infrastructure on the land border, bearing in mind this is a land border that goes through farms, goes through villages," he said.
A man has been charged with possessing an imitation firearm in connection with a major security alert at a family law court in Dublin.

The Phoenix House courts building at Smithfield in Dublin, where Judge Susan Ryan of the Circuit Court was presiding, was evacuated and a major security operation took place at around 11.30am on December 20 last.

Armed gardai and a bomb disposal team were called in to deal with an incident which was resolved peacefully.

A man in his mid-forties was arrested and taken to the Bridewell Garda station.

He appeared at Dublin District Court two days later charged with the false imprisonment of two women and one count of threatening to kill and cause serious harm.

He was refused bail and cannot be named for legal reasons.

The defendant made his third court appearance when he appeared at Cloverhill District Court today.

Judge Victor Blake heard that an additional charge has been brought.

The man, dressed in a grey tracksuit, stood silently throughout the hearing and has not indicated how he will plead.

Det Garda Shane Connolly told Judge Blake the defendant made no reply when he was charged at the court today.

The additional charge is under the Firearms Act for unlawful possession of an imitation gun in connection with the incident.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has directed that he is to face trial on indictment on all the charges, Det Garda Connolly said.

This means his case is to be sent forward for trial before a judge and jury at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Defence counsel Sharon Rossiter (instructed by solicitor Brian Keenan) told Judge Blake her client was not making a bail application.

Judge Blake acceded to her request to grant legal aid to her client after noting there was no Garda objection and no change in the defendants circumstances.

Judge Blake noted the man consented to appearing via video-link at his next hearing at the same court on February 1 when the case will be listed for mention.

A book of evidence has to be completed by the DPP before he can be returned for trial.

Airport-style scanning equipment has since been installed and security guards are now stationed at the Phoenix House courts.
A seven-year-old girl with cerebral palsy who had sued over the circumstances of her birth at a Galway hospital has settled her High Court action for 6m.

Faye Walsh, Mr Justice Kevin Cross was told, has spastic quadriplegia, is non-verbal and can only communicate with her family by making noises and smiling.

She is a full-time wheelchair user and will require 24-hour care for the rest of her life.

The settlement against the HSE is without an admission of liability. The case against two consultant obstetricians Dr Una Conway and Dr Declan Egan was struck out by the court.

Counsel for Faye, Denis McCullough SC, told the court it was their case that an obstetrician should have been notified earlier and the vacuum-assisted delivery of Faye at University Hospital, Galway, on August 15, 2011, should have been done earlier.

Outside court, the Walsh's solicitor Michael Boylan said it was the end of a two-week trial and a four-year battle for the Walsh family.

Faye's parents he said had done a brilliant job "fighting tooth and nail" for their daughter and also taking care of her.

Since she turned six years of age, he said there was a deficit of support for Faye and a shortage of resources.

"Mum and Dad were absolutely heroic in filling that deficit, they are to be commended." Michael Boylan

The settlement he said will make an enormous difference to Faye's life.

"She will be able to get all the assisted technology she can use and the therapies and hydrotherapy. She loves water and can move freely in it," he added.

Faye Walsh (aged 7) had through her mother Martina, of Letterfrack, Co Galway, sued the HSE and two consultant obstetricians alleging negligence and breach of agreement in relation to her birth at University Hospital Galway on August 15th 2011. The defendants denied all claims.

The case against Dr Una Conway and Dr Declan Egan, who operate private medical practices at Brooklawn Practice, Brooklawn House, Galway West Business Park, and also practice as consultants in the Galway hospital were struck out.

It was claimed by the Walsh side that despite alleged requests from Mrs Walsh and her husband neither of the defendant obstetricians were called to the hospital when or after Mrs Walsh went into labour at about 11pm on Sunday August 14, 2011.

Another obstetrician was contacted and Faye was delivered at 4.55am, but was in a very poor condition and required immediate resuscitation.

Approving the settlement Mr Justice Kevin Cross said it was a good one and Faye will now be able to have the care and therapies that money can provide.
Latest: Ireland urgently needs to update its laws to catch up with the technology that allowed people to share gruesome images from the site of a fatal road accident on Dublins M50 yesterday, says the AAs Conor Faughnan.

A woman, who was in her 30s, died yesterday following a multi-vehicle crash involving three cars and a lorry at the northbound Finglas exit of the motorway.

Graphic footage and images of the incident taken by drivers passing the crash site are circulating online.

Investigating gardai say they have been alerted to a number of images from the crash scene being circulated online and are calling on the public not to share such images, out of respect for the family of the deceased and those involved in the crash.

The Automobile Associations Director of Consumer Affairs, Conor Faughnan says that rubber necking and the taking photographs and videos at the scene of accidents are becoming a major problem.

We cant be blind to this and say these things arent happening. We need to look at the laws about decent behavior, he told RTEs Today with Sean ORourke show.

We need the law to catch up with technology."

There should be some sanctions against that behavior. Any reasonable person would say that they shouldnt be allowed to do that.

"With a bit of concentration reasonable laws could be drafted to deal with this situation.

Just because you can see something, it doesnt mean you should share it.

Clearly it is very important when adding to the distress of the family and friends.

Mr Faughnan said that it is not enough for media organisations to have their own protocols, with the growing social phenomenon there is a need to draw the line.

That line was crossed yesterday. People should be held accountable.

#DUBLIN M50 off ramp at J5 open again after fatal incident yesterday. https://t.co/PSzIBsvOzE  AA Roadwatch (@aaroadwatch) January 25, 2019

Noel Gibbons, road safety officer at Mayo County Council, urged people to be more mindful when it comes to posting images of accidents. He said that, often, images on social media could be the first notification that family members have of an accident.

"Social media is an easy outlet for people to get information to a vast number of people instantly," said Mr Gibbons.

"When someone finds out about a death of a loved one in a message, where it's such a broad spectrum it's very impersonal and obviously a shock to the person when they find out.

"Sometimes its enough to know that horrible things happen without having to see them."

Gardai said drivers using mobile phones to take photos at collision scenes can be charged with distracted driving.

In June 2018, the driver of an articulated truck in Cork was convicted of careless driving when it was determined that he had used both hands to take photos of an accident on the South Ring Road in the city. He was fined 600 and given five penalty points.

Gardai make appeal for public not to share graphic images of fatal M50 accident

Update 7am: Gardai are appealing to the public not to circulate images of a crash which claimed the life of a woman on Dublin's M50 yesterday.

The footage was taken by drivers passing the crash site.

The victim, who was in her 30s, suffered catastrophic injuries in the multi-vehicle crash involving three cars and a lorry, yesterday morning at the northbound Finglas exit of the motorway.

The scene of the collision between on the M50 today. Photo: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin.

The woman was pronounced dead at the scene and her body was taken to Dublin City Morgue.

Gardai are liaising with the family of the deceased woman and an incident room has been set up at Finglas Garda Station.

Investigators are appealing anyone who saw the crash to come forward.

They also say they have been alerted to a number of images from the crash scene being circulated online.

They are calling on the public not to share such images, out of respect for the family of the deceased and those involved in the crash.

The slip road from the M50 northbound at Junction 5 has been reopened.

Investigating gardai are appealing for information, in particular, anyone who was travelling on the M50 from Junction 6 (Blanchardstown) and Junction 5 (Finglas) between 11.15am and 11.30am.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Finglas garda station on 01-6667500 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.
Asylum seekers lodged just 47 complaints with the Reception and Integration Agency about the Direct Provision system last year.

The figure, provided by the Department of Justice, comes amid confirmation that the DP system now has exceeded its capacity and has had to access emergency bed spaces.

Nick Henderson, the CEO of the Irish Refugee Council, said there were "several issues" with the relatively low number of complaints, including the likelihood that some asylum seekers would be wary of making a complaint about the centre in which they live amid an expectation that little, if anything, would change.

He said some asylum seekers may not be aware of the complaints mechanism and would also be wary of lodging a complaint with RIA, while they may also feel the scope of any possible complaint would be quite limited.

He said a complaint regarding transfer between different centres may not be entertained at all.

"Also people may be wary of complaining to the body which is providing accommodation," he said. "They need to probably see examples of the complaints mechanism working before they themselves pursue it."

Figures provided to RTE showed there are currently 6,355 people in Direct Provision, above the contracted capacity on January 20 of 6,156.

RIA has had to access emergency bed spaces in hotels since last September due to insufficient capacity in the system, while two properties earmarked to house asylum seekers have been targeted in arson attacks in recent months.

The Irish Refugee Council (IRC) said any works that could be carried out within Direct Provision centres have also been stalled or rolled back because essentially all rooms in the system were now in use.

Mr Henderson said the capacity issue was not a surprise because of delays in making decisions about status, an increase in the number of people seeking asylum and particularly because of the effect of the overall housing crisis.

The Irish Refugee Council said there were 700 people currently in the DP system who had already secured their status to stay in Ireland, but who could not move on because of a lack of available accommodation and an associated lack of means to secure that accommodation.

"We expect that figure [of 700] to rise," he said.

Mr Henderson argued that the Government would have to secure more accommodation space to get past the crisis and that another potential difficulty faced by some people who have been granted asylum here was "racism or discrimination, direct or indirect" when they seek access to private rented accommodation.

The IRC has said the full welfare allowance should be granted on refugee status, as well as an extension of the Housing Assistance Payment scheme.
Gardai are appealing for witnesses after three people were killed in separate crashes yesterday.

They happened in Dublin, Galway and Kildare.

Irish roads claimed three lives yesterday.

A woman in her 80s died in Galway after the vehicle she was a passenger in collided with another outside Loughrea shortly after 9am.

Separately in Kildare, a man in his 40s was killed when he was hit by a 4x4 on the Dublin Road in Monasterevin at around 5.50pm.

Meanwhile in Dublin, a woman in her 30s suffered catastrophic injuries in a crash involving three cars and a lorry.

It happened at 11.30am at the northbound Finglas exit of the motorway.

Gardai are calling on the public not share images or videos of the M50 crash after footage was taken by drivers passing by - out of respect for the family of the deceased.
A no-deal Brexit would immediately weigh heavily on Irish economic growth and see sterling depreciate by around 10% against the euro, the Central Bank has warned.

Ireland, in GDP terms, is only likely to see growth of around 1.5% this year if Britain crashes out of the EU without finalising a workable trade deal, the Central Bank said in its latest quarterly economic bulletin.

However, the regulator stressed this is a scenario and not a forecast as it still expects a trade deal to be ratified between Britain and the EU.

Its official forecast, assuming a deal is secured, is for the Irish economy to continue growing at a relatively solid pace before moderating in 2020.

It said GDP should grow by 4.4% this year and by 3.6% in 2020.

The international economic outlook has weakened since its last bulletin, it said, with risks related to international trade and taxation persisting.

Even in a smooth Brexit scenario economic growth is expected to slow, given the advanced stage of the current economic cycle and growing international economic uncertainties.

However, a disorderly no-deal Brexit has the potential to significantly alter the path of the Irish economy in both the short and medium term, with a substantial and permanent loss of output, the regulators director of economics and statistics Mark Cassidy said.

A no-deal Brexit would also see a reduction of around six percentage points in Irish economic growth over 10 years, the Central Bank said.

Weaker growth would damage the public finances; lower demand from the UK would lead to a reduction in Irish exports; supply chains would be disrupted and companies would cut back investment; while consumers would reduce spending, and be faced with higher prices, it said.

Consumer spending, however, should grow by around 2% both this year and next.

The Central Bank sees employment growth of 2.2% this year and 1.7% next, with the unemployment rate reducing to 4.7% by the end of 2020.

However, Mr Cassidy said a no-deal Brexit would negatively affect the jobs market, albeit at a slower rate than overall economic growth.

When asked, he said he wouldnt put a probability rating on a no-deal Brexit happening, but admitted the possibility is coming more into focus as March 29 comes closer.

Mr Cassidy also said the Central Banks fear of the Irish economy overheating has not increased in recent months, but that broad concerns remain.

We dont see any overheating at present, as domestic prices and wage levels are being maintained, but we are getting closer to full capacity [in the economy], he said.

Although Brexit continues to dominate headlines, we cannot ignore the other risks facing the economy, such as overheating and the international trade and taxation environment, Mr Cassidy said.

Our ability to withstand any future downturns in the economy will be greatly enhanced by building up larger surpluses and buffers in the public finances now, especially if a no-deal Brexit can be avoided, he said.

However, he said a reassessment of future government taxation and spending policies would be necessary in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
The board of French carmaker Renault has named two new leaders to replace industry veteran Carlos Ghosn, who resigned after weeks of detention in Japan.

The board chose Jean-Dominique Senard, of Michelin, to be chairman and Renault executive Thierry Bollore as chief executive.

Mr Ghosn previously held both posts.

In a statement, the board expressed its confidence in the new leadership and wished it every success in its mission.

Frances finance minister Bruno le Maire had confirmed earlier Mr Ghosn formally handed in his resignation from his roles at Renault on Wednesday evening.

Mr Ghosn has been detained for more than two months in Japan, keeping him from fulfilling his duties at Renault.

The French government owns about 15% of Renault, making it an influential voice in its handling. And while Renault initially stood by Mr Ghosn after his November 19 arrest, the French government has pressed for him to be replaced.

Our goal from the beginning of this case has always been to preserve Renaults interests and consolidate the alliance between Renault and Nissan, Mr Le Maire said. The necessary decisions have been made.

Mr Le Maire said Renaults new chairman will work to consolidate the Renault-Nissan alliance, which had long been driven by Ghosn and now faces questions over its future.

Mr Senard had been at the helm of French tyre giant Michelin for almost seven years. He was recently described by Mr Le Maire as a great industrialist with a social vision of business.

Mr Bollore, who joined Renault in 2012, was appointed deputy chief executive officer of the group last November as part of the transitional leadership after Mr Ghosns arrest in Japan.

Mr Senard said he had two major priorities: to propose new governance for the group in the coming weeks and to ensure that the link between Renault, Nissan and Mitsubishi remains strong.

Mr Ghosn denies Japanese allegations that he under-reported income as chairman of Nissan and falsified financial reports. The 64-year-old star executive led Nissan for two decades and was simultaneously chairman and chief executive of Renault since 2009.

Nissans chief executive Hiroto Saikawa welcomed Renaults new leadership.

He told reporters at Nissans headquarters in Yokohama, south west of Tokyo: This is a first step as we turn a page in the alliance.
Businessman Sean Quinns five adult children and Irish Bank Resolution Corporation have agreed to meet to discuss the possibility of mediating their long legal dispute, the High Court has been told.

However, preparations will still continue for the hearing in March of the childrens action disputing any liability for loans of some 2.34 billion advanced by Anglo Irish Bank, IBRCs predecessor in title, to Quinn companies.

David Drumm, the jailed former CEO of Anglo, is among at least 49 witnesses due to give evidence in the case.

Mr Justice Michael Twomey had last week urged the sides to consider mediation of the dispute.

He has been allocated to hear the case, initiated in 2011 and which could run for six months at costs of several million euro.

Those costs are on top of costs of tens of millions already incurred in the family's case and in parallel litigation by the bank against members of the Quinn family and various companies in the Quinn international property group (IPG).

The bank's case, in which IBRC alleges a conspiracy to strip some 455m assets from IPG companies in several countries, is due for hearing after the children's action.

Both cases were put on hold for several years pending the hearing of criminal proceedings against various Anglo executives and officials, including Mr Drumm.

On Friday, during a further case management hearing, Mr Justice Twomey was told by Bernard Dunleavy SC, for the Quinns, the sides had agreed to meet to discuss the possibility of mediation.

Barry ODonnell SC, for IBRC, said his side intended to engage positively in that regard and would discuss issues including the identity of any prospective mediator.

Counsel said the sides had been through a mediation before and, as the March 5 trial date was close, there was a need to operate effectively.

Sean Quinn Jr

Having addressed a range of case management issues, the judge adjourned the matter.

A core issue in the case concerns the validity of securities provided by the children concerning loans advanced by Anglo to Quinn companies.

IBRC contends the children were of full age and understanding when they signed the relevant documents and they are bound by them.

The bank also claims Sean Quinn Senior and Liam McCaffrey and Dara O'Reilly, former Quinn group senior executives joined as third parties to the case, were acting as agents for the children in relation to execution of the disputed securities.

That claim is denied.

The bank also has a counterclaim on foot of guarantees given by the children concerning liabilities of Cypriot companies.

That counterclaim is for 75m against each of the children.

The bank previously obtained a 121m judgment against their mother, Patricia Quinn, who is bankrupt, over her guarantee.
I was a bit astonished this week at the amazed reaction of some to the comments made by an EU official that a hard Brexit would require a hard border on the island of Ireland, writes Jim Power.

From the beginning of the whole sorry process, I could never understand how such an eventuality could be avoided in the event of a hard Brexit.

The so-called backstop agreement has obviously complicated the issue but based on UK politics, and EU political, economic, and business imperatives, it was always going to be difficult to avoid a hard border in the event of the UK leaving without some type of trade deal.

I still believe the odds are against a no-deal Brexit, but one has to recognise that those odds are shortening on a daily basis as we move closer to March 29 and as the UK political system continues to look more and more dysfunctional.

Obviously, the hope is that sensible politicians who do not want a no-deal Brexit will eventually prevail and force UK Prime Minister Theresa May to do the right thing.

Perhaps I am clutching at straws, but it would be good to see the UK parliament assert itself.

Any which way one looks at it, Brexit represents a fundamental threat, challenge and a possible opportunity for Ireland.

Come what way, it should hammer home to us just how exposed our very small and very open economy is to the vagaries of international economic and political developments, most of which are totally outside of our control.

This has been highlighted again in Davos this week, with business leaders in attendance expressing a much more cautious view of the year ahead than this time last year.

The IMF rowed in with its own much more negative view of the global economic outlook.

This poses another existential threat to Irelands wellbeing.

Obviously, none of these threats represent good news for Ireland.

However, just as our very small and very open economic structure makes us very vulnerable, it also confers certain advantages on us.

Small size can be an advantage.

While we always benefit from positive global developments, as has been demonstrated very clearly over the past couple of years, it is possible to avoid negative external developments, provided our economic structures are nimble and of high quality.

Long-term strategic thinking and economic planning is vital for Ireland and should not be pushed off course by short-term global developments.

As a small open economy, if we plan properly and focus on the long-term imperatives, we will be capable of dealing with all challenges.

Very obviously, short-term issues such as maintaining sound public finances and a financial system that is forced to behave in a prudent manner by regulatory agencies is of the utmost importance.

Maintaining cost competitiveness is also very important.

However, longer-term strategic imperatives are even very important.

The long-term list is long.

The quality of the labour force is probably the most important issue.

Hence, strong investment in the quality of the education system is vital.

In general, high-quality public services such as law and order, the health system and education should be afforded high priority.

Connectivity is also of the utmost importance.

Hence issues such as roads infrastructure, the rail system, air access, and ports infrastructure are very important.

The IT infrastructure and capability is also vital in the rapidly evolving global business place.

An adequate supply of high quality and appropriate housing, offices and commercial space is also vital.

We do well on the office and general commercial and industrial accommodation side, but we are failing abjectly on the residential housing front. This has to change.

Overriding this whole long-term planning perspective should be the guiding principles of addressing climate change, the proper dispersal of regional economic growth and development, evolving demographics, and the need to achieve a balance between indigenous activity and foreign direct investment.

Of these issues, demographic developments will have a profound impact on the demand for health services and care for the elderly.

This has to be planned for now and not a decade down the road.

Tackling any of the issues is not rocket science.

However, these issues and others need to be planned for now and policymakers must not be distracted by short-term political imperatives or economic events.
WASHINGTON - American automakers, aluminum producers, manufacturers and farmers are running out of time, money and patience as the North American tariff standoff persists, and they're pleading with the United States to put an end to it.

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A man uses a grinder on a steel stairs being manufactured for a high school in Redmond, Wash., at George Third & Son Steel Fabricators and Erectors, in Burnaby, B.C., on Thursday March 29, 2018. American automakers, aluminum producers, manufacturers and farmers are running out of time, money and patience as the North American tariff standoff persists, and they're pleading with the United States to put an end to it. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

WASHINGTON - American automakers, aluminum producers, manufacturers and farmers are running out of time, money and patience as the North American tariff standoff persists, and they're pleading with the United States to put an end to it.

Industry emissaries are warning U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross that President Donald Trump's tariffs on Mexican and Canadian steel and aluminum, as well as their reciprocal countermeasures, are rapidly undermining whatever benefits the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement will produce once it takes effect.

"The damage from the reciprocal trade actions in the steel dispute far outweighs any benefit that may accrue to them from the USMCA," the group writes in a letter released this week by a coalition of more than 40 different industry associations and lobby groups.

"The continued application of metal tariffs means ongoing economic hardship for U.S. companies that depend on imported steel and aluminum, but that are not exempted from these tariffs. Producers of agricultural and manufactured products that are highly dependent on the Mexican and Canadian markets are also suffering serious financial losses."

During a panel discussion Thursday on the impact of the tariffs, Matt Blunt, a former Missouri governor who now serves as president of the American Automotive Policy Council, said ending the impasse will be a central part of his group's lobbying efforts as they work to convince members of Congress to support the new North American free trade deal on Capitol Hill.

"Every door we knock on, we'll be encouraging support for USMCA," Blunt said. "In the same breath, we'll be encouraging members and folks in the administration to deal with this real (tariff) challenge, which risks undermining the good work that the administration did on USMCA."

It currently costs $464 more per vehicle to produce a car in the United States, Blunt said  and between $275 and $300 of that is a direct result of the steel and aluminum tariffs.

Heidi Biggs Brock, president and chief executive of the Aluminum Association, which represents primarily midstream and downstream manufacturers, said tariffs on North American trading partners miss the point of Trump's broader trade philosophy: compelling China to play by the rules.

China, fuelled by what she called "massive, unfair state subsidies," produces some 11 million metric tonnes more aluminum than it consumes each year  overcapacity that by itself dwarfs the U.S. primary aluminum industry by a factor of six, Biggs Brock said.

In other words, American manufacturers are dependent on imports from trading partners the U.S. can trust  partners like Mexico and Canada. A scorched-earth approach that hurts everybody isn't good for anybody, she argued.

In fact, said Biggs Brock, the tariffs may be having a perverse impact on America's biggest trade rival.

"China's capacity has grown by more than 62 per cent over the last five years, and last year alone it grew by an additional six per cent," she said.

"So, despite the very good intentions on behalf of the administration to strengthen the U.S. aluminum industry, there is in fact evidence that the tariffs may actually be helping Chinese aluminum producers enter new markets by increasing China's price advantage over aluminum produced in North America."

On the steel side, Chris Pratt, the operations manager with the largest nail manufacturer in the U.S., illustrated the impact of the tariffs in the starkest of terms.

Missouri-based Mid-Continent Steel and Wire makes more than half the U.S. nails used in American construction, but fully 80 per cent of all nails used in the U.S. are supplied by imports, Pratt said. Trump's tariffs caused an immediate 25 per cent spike in Mid-Continent's operating costs.

"Sixty per cent of the orders that were on the books were gone within a matter of 14 days," said Pratt, who noted the company has had to lay off 209 employees, nearly halving its workforce. Meanwhile, imported nails from countries like Turkey and Malaysia, which aren't dealing with tariffs, are asserting even more dominance, he added.

All the while, at the urging of U.S. lawmakers, the company has kept its doors open, largely by sheer force of will.

"We're still here, fighting the battle every day," he said. "We're holding up our end of the bargain."

How much longer they can hold out remains an open question. On Wednesday, David MacNaughton, Canada's ambassador to the U.S., quoted Trump's own Twitter feed as he reminded a group of U.S. mayors that the president has committed to lifting the tariffs once a new North American trade deal was in place.

When will it happen? That's all farmers and ranchers want to know, said David Salmonsen, senior director of government relations with the American Farm Bureau Federation.

"When is this or that going to end, when is this or that going to happen, when are these tariffs going to end, when is Congress going to pass USMCA  when, when, when?" Salmonsen said.

"At the end of the day, we're facing an issue that just doesn't want to end. Like my members, 'when' is the final question."

 Follow James McCarten on Twitter @CdnPressStyle
REGINA - Several charges related to illegal hunting in Saskatchewan have been laid against two men from Missouri who were found guilty last month in one of that state's largest deer-poaching cases.

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An antelope is shown in this undated handout photo. Several provincial wildlife-related charges have been laid in Saskatchewan against two Missouri hunters found guilty last month in one of that state's largest deer-poaching cases. The Ministry of Environment says in a release that David Berry Jr. and Cody Scott came to Saskatchewan in 2016 under the pretence of duck hunting, but illegally killed white-tailed deer, an antelope, a coyote and a badger instead. If they return to Canada, both men face potential fines between them totalling $41,000, along with hunting suspensions. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO - Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment

REGINA - Several charges related to illegal hunting in Saskatchewan have been laid against two men from Missouri who were found guilty last month in one of that state's largest deer-poaching cases.

The Ministry of Environment said in a release Friday that David Berry Jr. and Cody Scott came to Saskatchewan in 2016 under the pretense of duck hunting, but illegally killed other animals in the Rosetown area.

"They came up in 2016, did some duck hunting  or that's what they said they were going to do  and ended up shooting a number of white-tailed deer, some antelope and a bunch of other animals as well," said conservation officer Kevin Harrison.

If they return to Canada, both men face potential fines between them totalling $41,000, as well as hunting suspensions.

In December, Scott, Berry Jr., Berry's father and two brothers were convicted in Missouri of participating in a poaching ring that revolved around trophy bucks killed illegally for their heads, while the meat was left to waste.

Berry Jr. and Scott were fined more than U.S. $200,000 and were suspended for life from hunting in the state. Berry was also given a one-year jail term and ordered to repeatedly watch the movie "Bambi" while behind bars.

"I'm sure he's getting sick of that movie," said Harrison.

Two Saskatchewan men charged with aiding and abetting the Missouri hunters, as well as wasting game, were fined $6,250 and suspended from hunting for one year.

The ministry statement said the American hunters killed a number of white-tailed deer during their trip to Saskatchewan, and that they took their illegal cargo back to the U.S.

Berry Jr. is facing eight charges under Saskatchewan's Wildlife Act with potential fines in excess of $15,000. Scott is facing 14 charges and possible fines of close to $26,000.

The Saskatchewan men charged acted as drivers and assisted the poachers in storing and processing the illegally harvested wildlife. They also purchased a tag to help the Americans take the antlers across the border.

The ministry said the names of the Saskatchewan men have not been released because they voluntarily paid their fines and were not required to appear in court.
QUEBEC - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau offered an optimistic vision for Quebec but few concrete promises on Friday as he delivered a series of campaign-style speeches in the provincial capital.

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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau gives the thumbs up after he was given a microphone that worked, at a chamber of commerce luncheon, Friday, January 25, 2019 in Quebec City. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot

QUEBEC - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau offered an optimistic vision for Quebec but few concrete promises on Friday as he delivered a series of campaign-style speeches in the provincial capital.

With the federal 2019 election only months away, he highlighted the Liberals' infrastructure investments, pursuit of free trade deals, carbon tax, and small-business tax cuts in an address to members of Quebec City's business community.

But Trudeau stopped short of taking any concrete steps to respond to the list of demands Quebec Premier Francois Legault has asked Ottawa to address before the next election.

Legault's shopping list includes compensation for the costs incurred dealing with the influx of thousands of asylum seekers entering Quebec from the United States at unofficial border crossings, more power to select immigrants, a single federal and provincial tax return managed by the province, and a commitment to fund major public transit projects.

But Trudeau on Friday did not appear ready to make any promises.

And while the Legault government is planning to cut immigration by about 20 per cent, Trudeau chose to highlight immigration as a solution to the province's labour shortage, estimated at over 100,000 jobs.

"I'm confident our two governments will be able to identify concrete solutions," he said.

"Recruitment of qualified foreign workers is one, but it won't be enough by itself," and must be coupled by investments in education and training, he added.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks at a Quebec wing of the Liberal Party of Canada meeting, Friday, January 25, 2019 in Quebec City. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot

And while he said the government was ready to invest in Quebec infrastructure, he declined to provide a firm timeline for a major project to fix Quebec City's bridge, citing the involvement of multiple partners.

The Liberal party won 40 of Quebec's 78 seats on its way to a strong majority in the last election, and the province is crucial to the prime minister's re-election hopes.

Friday evening, Trudeau appeared to be in full campaign mode as he sprang onto a stage to the sound of blaring music to deliver a speech to party members attending a weekend convention.

He promised his partisan audience the party would "stick to its values" during the coming campaign.

"Faced with a world that is folding in on itself, Canada asserts itself, commits itself, imposes itself," he told the cheering crowd.

But while the party's poll numbers in Quebec are strong, Trudeau has faced tough questions in the province lately on thorny issues including immigration, the government's decision to purchase the Trans Mountain pipeline, and NAFTA concessions that are unpopular with the province's dairy farmers.

On Friday, Trudeau also faced criticism over his government's refusal to give a second contract to the Davie shipyard for a supply vessel.

The federal government awarded Quebec-based Davie Shipbuilding a $700-million contract to convert a civilian container ship into a temporary supply vessel and lease it to the navy for at least five years. Davie has offered to convert and lease another ship for $500 million, but the navy says that's unnecessary.

Pierre Drapeau, president of the association of suppliers to the shipyard, told Trudeau that work is urgently needed at Davie. He said less than 3 per cent of the contracts from Ottawa's national shipbuilding strategy have gone to the shipyard in Levis, which is across the river from Quebec City, and workers are losing their jobs.

Trudeau said he is looking at ways to provide more work for the shipyard, but a second supply ship is simply not needed right now.

"We understand there are preoccupations and concerns regarding the Davie workers, and we are trying to look for new contracts and new ways to support them and deliver equipment that Canada needs," he said.

"But the (Defence Department) and the Coast Guard, everyone has been very, very clear that we don't need Obelix and that's why we aren't advancing on the Obelix," he said, referring to the second ship Davie had proposed to the government.

Trudeau blamed the previous Conservative government of Stephen Harper for awarding shipbuilding contracts to Vancouver and Halifax while leaving out Quebec's capital.

He said he understands the frustration, but Canada can't be seen as a country that tears up previously signed contracts when a new government is elected.

In a recent interview with The Canadian Press, Royal Canadian Navy commander Vice-Admiral Ron Lloyd said he was "comfortable'' with having only one temporary support ship in the water at this time.

Simon Maltais, who works for the association of suppliers to the shipyard, said he was disappointed by the prime minister's statement.

"It is a necessity for Canada to support its troops in the Atlantic, and now we're being told it's not," he said. "That's a first for us."

Quebec Deputy Premier Genevieve Guilbault, who attended the luncheon, said she was disappointed Trudeau didn't make any promises on issues such as immigration.

"We felt that he was in a positive mood, but we would have appreciated more concrete commitments," she said.
KINGSTON, Ont. - The RCMP have made two arrests in Kingston, Ont., in what a government official confirms is a national security investigation.

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Police officer carry evidence from a house that police raided and arrested two police in Kingston, Ontario, on Thursday Jan. 24, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Lars Hagberg

KINGSTON, Ont. - The RCMP have made two arrests in Kingston, Ont., in what a government official confirms is a national security investigation.

The RCMP tweeted Thursday evening that "all actions are being taken to ensure public safety" and more information will be provided on Friday.

A senior government official speaking on background confirmed that the arrests were related to a national security investigation.

The official, who did not wish to be identified because the investigation is in its early stages, said the situation is "contained" and there's no threat to public safety.

The RCMP said they are "working closely" with Kingston police on the probe, calling it an "ongoing and evolving situation."

Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale said any operational details on the RCMP investigation will be released by the Mounties, adding that the country's security agencies act on credible information about potential threats.

"The government of Canada has no greater responsibility than to keep its citizens safe. Earlier today, the RCMP and other police partners took action in Kingston, Ontario, based on credible information, to ensure public safety," Goodale said in a statement Thursday evening.

"The government of Canada constantly monitors all potential threats and has robust measures in place to address them. Canadians can be confident that whenever credible information is obtained about a potential threat, the RCMP, CSIS and other police and security agencies take the appropriate steps to ensure the security of this country and the safety of its citizens."

Goodale said the country's official threat level remains at "medium." It has stood at that level since the fall of 2014.
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This article was published 25/1/2019 (876 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Police officer carry evidence from a house that police raided and arrested two police in Kingston, Ontario, on Thursday Jan. 24, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Lars Hagberg

Four stories in the news for Friday, Jan. 25

MOUNTIES TO GIVE UPDATE ON KINGSTON, ONT., ARRESTS

RCMP are expected to give an update today on a national security investigation that saw two people arrested in Kingston, Ont. Mounties say there's no immediate threat to public safety after Thursday's operation, which also involved local police. A senior government official speaking on background confirmed that the arrests were related to a national security investigation. Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale says any operational details on the RCMP investigation will be released by the Mounties. Goodale says the country's official threat level remains at "medium," where it has stood since the fall of 2014.

INDIAN ACT AT CORE OF PIPELINE DISPUTE: MINISTER

Canada's minister of Crown-Indigenous relations is pointing her finger at the Indian Act for creating a gridlock in northern British Columbia where some hereditary clan chiefs say a liquefied natural gas pipeline doesn't have their consent. Carolyn Bennett would not say whether she believes the hereditary chiefs of the Wet'suwet'en First Nation have jurisdiction over the 22,000 square kilometres they claim as their traditional territory. But she says the situation is an example of why the federal government is working to increase First Nations capacity for self-governance, including a new funding program to rebuild hereditary structures.

PM WARNS OF IMMIGRATION FEAR-MONGERING

Justin Trudeau is warning voters to be wary of fear-mongering about immigration, suggesting the issue will be a hot-button topic during the federal election campaign this fall. The prime minister reminded the crowd during a town hall meeting in Miramichi, N.B., on Thursday that it was his Liberal government that granted asylum to 40,000 Syrian refugees in 2015-16. He said his government was glad to help, but he stressed Canadians  those in church and community groups, neighbourhoods and families  made the integration of Syrians a success. The public meeting in New Brunswick was part of a cross-Canada swing aimed at boosting the fortunes of Liberal candidates in an election year.

U.S. INDUSTRY URGES TRADE REPS TO TEAR DOWN TARIFFS

American automakers, aluminum producers, manufacturers and farmers are running out of time, money and patience as the North American tariff standoff persists. Industry emissaries are warning U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross that President Donald Trump's tariffs on Mexican and Canadian steel and aluminum, as well as their reciprocal countermeasures, are rapidly undermining whatever benefits the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement will produce once it takes effect. "The damage from the reciprocal trade actions in the steel dispute far outweighs any benefit that may accrue to them from the USMCA," the group writes in a letter released this week by a coalition of more than 40 different industry associations and lobby groups.

ALSO IN THE NEWS:

 Unifor national president Jerry Dias is expected to make an announcement on the next action in the union's push to save the GM assembly plant in Oshawa, Ont.

 A sentencing hearing is scheduled today for Halifax businessman Hector Mantolino, who pleaded guilty to immigration fraud.

 Calgary MP Kent Hehr will announce funding today for the Waterton Lakes National Park.
OTTAWA - The head of a federal investment-promotion agency  and former national director of the Liberal Party of Canada  resigned last week from the board of a holding company specializing in cannabis after he received an order from Canada's ethics czar.

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OTTAWA - The head of a federal investment-promotion agency  and former national director of the Liberal Party of Canada  resigned last week from the board of a holding company specializing in cannabis after he received an order from Canada's ethics czar.

The order was issued against Ian McKay under the Conflict of Interest Act on Jan. 15. Conflict of Interest Commissioner Mario Dion alleges McKay failed to disclose all of his outside activities within 60 days of being named CEO of Invest in Canada.

Ian McKay, National Director of the Liberal Party is shown during a press conference in Ottawa on April 6, 2011. Canada's ethics czar is ordering the head of a federal investment promotion agency  and former national director of the Liberal Party of Canada  to resign from the board of a holdings firm specializing in U.S. cannabis companies. The order was issued against Ian McKay on Jan. 15 under the Conflict of Interest Act by ethics commissioner Mario Dion, who alleges he failed to disclose all of his activities within 60 days of being named CEO of Invest in Canada. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Patrick Doyle

Dion's order says McKay's role as a director with the Nesta Holdings Co., a private equity firm that invests in the cannabis sector, was no longer allowed after the Trudeau government appointed him to lead Invest in Canada in March 2018.

"I therefore order you to resign from the board of directors of Nesta Holding Co. Ltd. and to submit to my office, within 10 days of the deemed date of service of this order, proof of receipt of your resignation from the chair of Nesta Holding Co. Ltd.'s board of directors," the notice said.

McKay stepped down two days after receiving Dion's order, Nesta Holdings CEO Chuck Rifici told The Canadian Press on Friday.

"I can confirm we received his resignation letter on Jan. 17," Rifici wrote in a message.

He said McKay had served on the board since the company's launch three years ago.

Invest in Canada said McKay was not immediately available to comment on the matter. Susan Wong, a spokeswoman for the agency, wrote in an email that McKay "respects and will always abide by the commissioner's advice."

"That is why he reached out to the commissioner's office for guidance as soon as he realized his error," Wong said. "After receiving the commissioner's request for him to resign the board position, he did so."

When McKay was appointed as CEO of Invest in Canada he did resign from the board of Auxly Cannabis Group Inc., another company led by Rifici.

McKay kept his board position with Nesta Holdings up until last week, even though his appointment as CEO of Invest in Canada prompted his resignation last summer from the board of Auxly Cannabis Group Inc., which is another company led by Rifici.

"In my opinion, there's no one better than Ian to launch this agency and promote Canada as a premier destination for foreign direct investment," Rifici, Auxly's CEO and chair, said in a statement that accompanied the July 2018 announcement.

"Our loss is Canada's gain."

McKay was the Liberal party's national director from 2010 to 2013 and he briefly served as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's personal envoy during difficult Pacific Rim trade negotiations involving Japan. In the 2000 federal election, he ran unsuccessfully as a Liberal candidate in a Vancouver-area riding.

Conservative deputy leader Lisa Raitt called McKay's alleged failure to disclose his work in the cannabis business after being named to public office "absolutely outrageous." She added that it makes her extremely concerned about what kind of appointments the Liberal government is making.

Raitt told reporters Friday in Ottawa that somebody appointed to bring investment to Canada must disclose all of their directorships  especially ones involved in seeking investments for industries like the cannabis sector.

"And he chose to hide it from the ethics commissioner," Raitt said.

The website of Ottawa-based Nesta Holdings describes the company as a "private equity firm that builds partnerships and brands within the cannabis space."

Rifici is a former chief financial officer for the Liberal Party of Canada and was its treasurer for five years until June 2016. He is a co-founder and former CEO of Canopy Growth Corp., which is now one of the world's largest licensed cannabis companies.

The Trudeau government first announced Invest in Canada, which was initially dubbed "Invest in Canada Hub," in fall 2016, promising $218 million over five years to create it.

The goal of the agency is to lure global investment and simplify the process for international businesses to make Canada their new home.

Follow @AndyBlatchford on Twitter
OTTAWA - Canadian peacekeepers in Mali launched their second medical-evacuation mission in less than a week after a UN armoured vehicle triggered an explosive device Friday, killing two and wounding six others.

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A Canadian Chinook helicopter takes off as it provides logistical support during a demonstration on the United Nations base in Gao, Mali, Saturday, December 22, 2018. Canadian peacekeepers in Mali have launched their second medical evacuation mission in less than a week after a UN armoured vehicle triggered an explosive device Friday, killing two and wounding six others. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

OTTAWA - Canadian peacekeepers in Mali launched their second medical-evacuation mission in less than a week after a UN armoured vehicle triggered an explosive device Friday, killing two and wounding six others.

The attack occurred near the town of Douentza in central Mali, about 400 kilometres southwest of Gao, where the Canadian contingent of 250 peacekeepers and eight military helicopters is based.

The Department of National Defence says the Canadians rescued five injured peacekeepers from the scene and provided emergency medical treatment while in the air.

The UN identified the dead and injured peacekeepers as having come from Sri Lanka.

Canadian peacekeepers have conducted seven medevacs since operations began in August, including one last Sunday following a deadly assault on a UN camp in northern Mali.

That attack killed 10 peacekeepers from Chad and injured at least dozens more. The Canadians ended up carrying away 15 peacekeepers on their busiest day since arriving in the country.

Friday's attack was condemned by the UN Security Council, which called on the Malian government and other actors in the strife-riven country to identify those responsible and hold them to account.

"We extend our deepest condolences to the loved ones of the blue helmets who tragically lost their lives this morning in Mali," Defence Department spokesman Daniel Le Bouthillier said in a statement.

"Following a request for assistance, Canadian peacekeepers immediately launched aeromedical assets to provide advanced care to those injured in the attack."

Mali remains the home of the most dangerous peacekeeping mission in the world, with Friday's deaths bringing the total number of fatalities since 2013 to 189. Many of those have been from developing countries in Africa and Asia.

The 15,000-strong UN mission followed a rebellion in the north and a coup in the capital in 2012 that threw the country into turmoil.

While a tenuous peace was re-established, recent years have seen a resurgence in violence among different groups thanks to poverty, drought and an influx of Islamic jihadists.

Two different groups, both linked to al-Qaida, have reportedly claimed responsibility for this week's attacks.

Canada's year-long mission is scheduled to end in July, at which point the Canadians will pack up and start heading home. The UN would like Canada to stay until Romanian troops arrive in the fall but the government has rejected an extension.
OTTAWA - Coalition warplanes will no longer turn to the Canadian military for mid-air fill ups over Iraq and Syria.

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An Airbus CC-150 Polaris takes off from CFB Trenton in Trenton, Ont., on October 23, 2014. More than four years after it started, Canada is ending its air-to-air refuelling support to the U.S.-led coalition fighting the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria. Rear-Admiral Brian Santarpia says the Canadian Forces will be repatriating its Polaris air-to-air refuelling plane on Saturday, bringing a close to one of Canada's longest contributions to the war against ISIL. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Lars Hagberg

OTTAWA - Coalition warplanes will no longer turn to the Canadian military for mid-air fill ups over Iraq and Syria.

The Canadian Forces will bring home its Polaris air-to-air refuelling plane on Saturday, bringing a close to one of Canada's longest contributions to the war against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.

The first Polaris refueller arrived in Kuwait to begin supporting anti-ISIL missions over Iraq  and later Syria  in October 2014, as the international community scrambled to counter the extremist group's spread.

The decision to withdraw the aircraft was made in consultation with allies and based on a combination of factors, said Rear Admiral Brian Santarpia, chief of staff for operations for the Canadian Joint Operations Command.

Those factors include the shifting nature of Canada's role in the U.S.-led coalition against ISIL, which has moved away from supporting direct military action against the group and toward training Iraqi security forces.

It also coincided with a decrease in the number of airstrikes and other coalition missions over Syria and Iraq, said Santarpia, as ISIL has lost nearly all of its ground in both countries.

"Based on the changing nature of the mission as (ISIL) has lost territory and as we've constrained it ... the kind of operations we're doing are less air-centric and more training based now," he said.

Figures published by the U.S. military last year showed the coalition conducted an average of 720 air-to-air refuelling missions per month in 2018, which was one-third fewer than the previous two years.

The number of airstrikes conducted by coalition aircraft saw similar decline, though reports had indicated a slight uptick over the past month or so in eastern Syria.

Despite the Polaris's departure, Canada continues to have a sizable presence in the fight against ISIL with two Hercules transport planes, medical personnel, more than 250 trainers and dozens of special-forces soldiers.

The mandate for some parts of Canada's mission is set to expire at the end of March, and the government has yet to indicate whether it plans to extend or otherwise change the operation.

The mission has largely fallen off the political radar over the past year as ISIL has been pushed back and the Canadian military has turned its attention to a peacekeeping mission in Mali.

But defence chief Gen. Jonathan Vance revealed in early December that Canadian special-forces soldiers had been working with Iraqi security forces as the Iraqis hunt down ISIL fighters left over from earlier battles.

Santarpia could not comment on that part of the mission; Canada's special-forces units report directly to Vance.

The Trudeau government came under criticism in 2017 after internal briefing notes obtained by the Conservatives showed Iraqi officials were unhappy with the Liberals' decision to withdraw six CF-18 fighter jets from the fight against ISIL.

The CF-18s had been committed by the Stephen Harper government at the same time as the Polaris in 2014, and the Liberals had claimed in public that their decision to remove the jets was understood and respected by Canada's allies.

Santarpia said that while the coalition would love to have all the military personnel and equipment that Canada can offer, "everybody understands that there's a limit to each country's capacity."

Canada's decision to withdraw the Polaris coincides with ongoing confusion in the region, after U.S. President Donald Trump's unexpected announcement last month that he planned to withdraw all American troops from Syria.

At the same time, a recent U.S. Defense Department report said while ISIL has lost nearly all the territory it once controlled in Iraq, it has started to dig roots as an effective insurgent group  and that it could take years, if not decades before the Iraqi military can deal with the group.

Political, ethnic and religious divisions, as well as competing interests among various foreign actors such as the U.S. and Iran, have also posed significant challenges to stabilization and reconstruction in Iraq over the past year.

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HALIFAX - A Halifax businessman who exploited foreign workers gave an emotional apology to his family on Friday, as a judge reserved his sentencing decision in an immigration case that has divided the local Filipino community.

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Hector Mantolino, charged with not paying Filipino temporary workers their required wages, arrives at Nova Scotia Supreme Court at his sentencing in Halifax on Friday, Jan. 4, 2019. Mantolino, owner and operator of Mantolino Property Services Ltd., entered a guilty plea to charges under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act following a Canada Border Services Agency investigation. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan

HALIFAX - A Halifax businessman who exploited foreign workers gave an emotional apology to his family on Friday, as a judge reserved his sentencing decision in an immigration case that has divided the local Filipino community.

"I would just like to say something to my family... I would like to apologize for what I have done," Hector Mantolino told Nova Scotia Supreme Court Justice Glen McDougall, his voice breaking.

"If I would have known the consequences to what I would done, I would not have done it ever."

Mantolino, originally from the Philippines, pleaded guilty in December 2017 to misrepresentation under provisions of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

The owner of several cleaning and maintenance companies used the temporary foreign worker program to staff his companies, bringing 28 workers to Canada from the Philippines over a number of years.

But he paid them at least $500,000 less in total than their official reported salaries, according to the Crown.

Defence lawyer Ian Hutchison said Mantolino should be given a conditional sentence, arguing the workers were aware of and actively participated in the misrepresentation.

Hutchison said the evidence shows the employees knew they would be paid less than what was stated in their contracts, and therefore made false declarations in documents when applying to immigration streams and for permanent residency in Canada.

"Certainly, there was a choice by the workers to participate in this misrepresentation, Hutchison told McDougall. "It was a choice of both parties, not simply by Mr. Mantolino on his own.

Hutchison said for whatever reason, Ottawas Immigration Department has not deported the workers, despite having mutually participated in the misrepresentation and despite regulations stating false declarations would result in deportation.

He said the arrangement ultimately benefited the 28 employees and their families, as it allowed them to be "rewarded" with a "golden ticket"  permanent residency.

"Mr. Mantolino's case is exceptional, my lord, in the sense that the employees were allowed to remain in the country itself," said Hutchison, as Mantolino sat at his lawyers bench with his arms crossed, sometimes nodding his head in agreement.

"It's confusing ... as to why Mr. Mantolino should serve straight jail time and the employees be granted the benefit of permanent residency."

Hutchison also cited other mitigating factors, including that Mantolino pleaded guilty, has no criminal record, and that his prospects for rehabilitation are high.

Outside of court, defence lawyer Lee Cohen described the case as a "form of collusion."

"The reason the arrangement was entered into by employer and employees was because it ultimately facilitated permanent resident status for each of the employees," said Cohen.

"Every one of the employees was able to achieve that objective, which was the objective they had in mind, and the objective Mr. Mantolino had in mind, when at the beginning of this they all agreed to pay less and received less money."

He said McDougall's decision will be precedent-setting because Mantolino did not take advantage of the employees against their will or without them knowing.

"Two groups of people decided to break the law: the employer and the employees," said Cohen, his client standing next to him.

"In this case, everybody was in on it together, and so that makes it different and I think the judge has got some really good information to deliberate on."

Asked outside court if he had anything to say to his former employees, Mantolino said: "No. Not at this moment."

McDougall reserved his decision until March 1.

Earlier Friday, Crown lawyer Timothy McLaughlin said Mantolino exploited the workers with promises of the "Canadian dream."

McLaughlin said Mantolino took advantage of the workers because they knew Canada could provide them a better life.

"Where there is desire, there are people who are willing to exploit that desire," McLaughlin said. "Mantolino is a person who knew where these people were to exploit that desire."

The Crown is recommending a sentence of two years in prison, noting the need to deter employers and to denounce the offences against vulnerable workers.

The case has divided the local Filipino community.

Some workers who have read victim impact statements say they were underpaid and worked long hours, remaining quiet for fear of being deported back to the Southeast Asian country.

But others remain supportive of Mantolino, saying he helped them and improved their lives for the better.

Joe Mari Mangunay said the businessman was "very nice to us." He said he was aware there were issues with his salary.

"It's nothing compared to what I earned here in Canada opportunity," he said in front of a packed courtroom.

"I am very thankful and so is my family."

But Jamie Jason Sta Juana Jr. painted a much different picture, saying Mantolino was "heartless" and that he couldn't afford to buy diapers or formula for his child.

He described tears rolling down his face as he collected bottles for extra cash.

"He broke my dream for the future of my family, and had a great impact in my life," he said.

"The financial and emotional devastation is too intense to be able to describe in words."

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NISKU, Alta. - An RCMP corporal faces assault charges related to the arrest of a 26-year old man south of Edmonton.

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The RCMP logo is seen outside Royal Canadian Mounted Police "E" Division Headquarters, in Surrey, B.C., on Friday April 13, 2018. A corporal with the RCMP is facing two assault charges related to the arrest of a 26-year old man south of Edmonton after an investigation by Alberta's police watchdog. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

NISKU, Alta. - An RCMP corporal faces assault charges related to the arrest of a 26-year old man south of Edmonton.

The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team investigated the circumstances surrounding the November 2017 arrest by Mounties in Nisku, Alta.

Officials say Cpl. Peter MacMillan entered a gas station, where a confrontation happened when he placed a man under arrest for possession of stolen property.

MacMillan, who has 16 years of service with the RCMP, is alleged to have hit the man with a pair of handcuffs.

The man suffered serious injuries that included a facial fracture.

ASIRT forwarded the results of its investigation to the Crown prosecutors office, which charged the officer with assault causing bodily harm and assault with a weapon  handcuffs.

MacMillan is to appear in Leduc provincial court on Feb. 28.

RCMP say an internal code of conduct review is also being conducted.

MacMillan has been suspended with pay and will remain off-duty until the internal process and all criminal charges have been resolved.
A commission has been chosen to review the K-8 education system in the province.

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A commission has been chosen to review the K-8 education system in the province.

On Wednesday, the provincial government announced the establishment of the commission, which will be responsible for taking on a comprehensive, independent review of the education system, a press release from the provincial government said.

BRUCE BUMSTEAD Peter Buehler

The hope is that it takes a fair look at public education and how its provided in Manitoba, said Peter Buehler, president of the Brandon Teachers Association. Buehler added that he does have some apprehension with a government thats interested in reducing costs to the treasury.

"(Id have) concerns with any government in that sort of situation, deciding in advance of what it needs to find and will find, things that it can remove," Buehler said.

"I hope it uses the commission as a fair way to make its plan, rather than a tool for creating a predestined plan."

The commission will look for input from students, parents, educators, school boards, academics, Indigenous organizations, la francophonie, municipal councils, professional organizations, the business community and all Manitobans, the press release said.

Its important they assess the current education system, Brandon School Division Supt. Marc Casavant said.

"In terms of meeting the needs of the workforce and everything else, I think you need to do a dipstick once in a while to see if the curriculums and the content that were preparing students with for the future is actually meeting the needs of the workforce and the preparation for post secondary," Casavant said.

The Manitoba government is looking at reducing or even eliminating elected school boards as part of the review of education in the province.

Part of the focus will also be on improving literacy and graduation rates and boosting math and science scores.

Another part of the groups mandate will be to consider reducing the number of school divisions across the province. There are six English-language divisions in Winnipeg alone.

"I think we have 290 school trustees involved with running our divisions and our schools. Id need to be convinced that thats the right number," Education Minister Kelvin Goertzen said.

"So it will be the mandate to look at potential consolidation of school divisions."

The Nova Scotia government eliminated elected school boards last year and replaced them with a 15-member provincial advisory council. Goertzen said that idea is not off the table.

"Do you have less school divisions? Do you have school divisions at all? And the answers to those questions are important to determining how you pay for the system."

The commission will be co-chaired by Clayton Manness, who cut school funding as education minister in the 1990s, and Janice MacKinnon, a former Saskatchewan finance minister who balanced the provincial budget in the mid-1990s.

The opposition parties said the makeup of the commission, which also includes human resources specialists, a retired principal and others, shows the government is focused more on cutting spending than improving the education system.

"There arent any ... parents, there are no teachers, there is nobody who seems to have actual experience in K-to-12 education on the commission," Liberal Leader Dougald Lamont said.

"But we do have Clayton Manness ... and he was a minister of education known for cuts."

Manness said the commission is not starting its work with any predetermined outcomes and there will be public consultations.

The Manitoba School Board Association said it is open to changes, but feels having local, elected school boards gives residents in each community a say in how schools are run.

"The prospect of diminishing that opportunity for local voice in the direction of public education ... will not lead to improvements in the delivery or the outcomes," association president Alan Campbell said.

The commission will not examine the funding formula for education. Manitoba currently uses a combination of provincial funding and local property taxes for its school system.

Any changes to the funding formula will only be considered after the commission issues its report, Goertzen said.

 mverge@brandonsun.com, with files from The Canadian Press

 Twitter: @Melverge5
The provincial governments move to pare down the number of health-care unions is causing major disruptions for health-care workers and unnecessary confusion in rural areas, says a Brandon union leader.

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The provincial governments move to pare down the number of health-care unions is causing major disruptions for health-care workers and unnecessary confusion in rural areas, says a Brandon union leader.

Kirk Carr, president of the Brandon and District Labour Council, said the governments move to reduce the 186 health-care bargaining units is creating anxiety in workers about the status of their jobs.

Kirk Carr

According to a press release, The Health Sector Bargaining Unit Review Act is meant to streamline the collective bargaining process by combining health-care workers into seven categories and put them into collective bargaining groups in each of the provinces five health-care regions. The press release states that the move will improve patient care and reduce administrative costs in the Department of Health, Seniors and Active Living.

Nurses, physicians, medical residents, physician assistants and clinical assistants, technical staff, facility support and community support workers are each being grouped into a bargaining group in each of Manitobas health-care regions.

Carr said the move is forcing workers to vote on which union should represent their interests on the job.

"Its changing things for no reason.  Especially in rural areas, we didnt really need a vote out this way to begin with, and now its going to add more complication to it."

Prairie Mountain Health is already divided up into six bargaining units, one fewer than provincial employees will be grouped into under the new legislation. On the other hand, the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority had 86 bargaining units.

"All of rural Manitoba really didnt need that to happen, it was a Winnipeg problem."

Canadian Union of Public Employees health care co-ordinator Shannon McAteer said the union votes were imposed on the bargaining units from the beginning and are not something they support. She said the union wants the representation votes to be over so they can get back to the bargaining table around workers collective agreements.

Manitoba Government and General Employees Unionpresident Michelle Gawronsky said at a press conference the changes will group health-care aides in hospitals together with health-care aides who work in peoples homes. She said the changes to bargaining units could allow employers  the five regional health authorities  to shuffle workers around the system. This could mean health-care aides working in an unfamiliar environment they hadnt originally planned to work in.

"Moving health workers into unfamiliar settings where they have little experience isnt good for patients, and it certainly isnt good for the workers that are providing the care," Gawronsky said.

"The continuity of care for patients will not come from a rotating cast of health workers moving into unfamiliar roles."

She said creating uncertainty for health-care workers could force them out of the public system, creating new staff shortages at hospitals and health-care facilities.

Kirk said there could also be issues for health-care aides if they dont drive or chose their work location for a specific reason.

He said the votes and union disruptions are creating worry for people about their sick days and times they work, when they should be totally focused on the people they are trying to help.

"These are things that people think about when they go to work and distracting them from working with their clients, patients, and when the focus should be 100 per cent on the people theyre working with."

 dmay@brandonsun.com

 Twitter: @DrewMay_
One design of a lobster pot used in Paget Farm, Bequia. Inset: Lobsters from SVG, with improved airlift to foreign markets, have increased exponentially in price per pound.

Former calypso monarch Carlton CP Hall, in one of his Christmas compositions, warns listeners to "watch out for all kinds of situations.

CPs message may just have another reference, i.e. in connection with a new outbreak.

Some persons here are delving into lobster nets (pots) which they do not own, have not set, and removing the catch (lobsters).

The wave in this activity comes with the building of infrastructure here. According to Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves, airport construction at Canouan and Argyle have boosted lobster sales.

Lobsters have gone up to $15 per lb. because of the extra haulage afforded at Argyle by the Amerijet Company. Transfer from Miami enables restaurants in Hong Kong to serve lobsters from these waters within forty hours of airlift, Gonsalves stated.

But the enhanced market has spawned a tide of lobster theft.

That issue must be a concern of the local Coast Guard, and the Vincentian leader encouraged officers to respond to the crime.

Theft of agricultural produce and animals in private ownership, has been a perennial problem. But Dr. Gonsalves is warning about the new enterprise.

A large gathering was boosted by the presence of 81 police recruits, retired Coast Guard officers and regular Police officers.

He made the appeal last Monday at the Cruise Ship Berth in capital city Kingstown, during the ceremony to mark the commissioning of the MV Captain Hugh Mulzac, the latest addition to the fleet of the SVG Coast Guard.Eight additional Coast Guard officers have been recently assigned, and the Prime Minister encouraged young persons to consider making a career of the Coast Guard, especially with the opportunities available on the Captain Hugh Mulzac.
Paul MacLeish, Managing Director of SVG Broadcasting Corporation (SVGBC), and Ambassador Calvin Ho shake hands following the signing of an arrangement to air 24 episodes of an original Taiwanese television series, starting February 1.

One of Taiwans television series is slated for broadcast locally beginning February 1.



The first of 24 episodes of the series entitled The New World, is expected to air on SVG TV at 8pm on Fridays, with a repeat on Wednesdays from 5:30p.m.

The series is built around the story of the reunion of four childhood friends who grew up in the same village, but then drifted apart over time.

It contains elements of suspense, crime and romance.

Speaking last Friday at the signing ceremony that formalized the arrangement with SVG Broadcasting Corporation (SVGBC), owners of SVGTV, Ambassador of the Republic of China on Taiwan H.E Calvin Ho explained that Taiwanese series have been broadcasted across the world for some time, but this was the first in what is expected to be a long-standing partnership with SVGBC.

He went on to say that 8p.m is a very important time for most families back in his native country, as it is when most families look to re-group after being out all day, and that is when these popular television series are broadcast.

But it was more than a television series, according to Ambassador Ho; it was a way of bringing Taiwanese culture into the homes of Vincentians.

And members of the public will get first hand images of the beauty of the country.

The partnership was described, therefore, as playing an important role in the cultural exchange between both countries.

The series has been dubbed over in English, and has been broadcast in 21 television networks in 16 nations, including St Kitts/Nevis, St Lucia and Belize in the Caribbean, and other western hemispheric countries including Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras, Mexico, Peru, Colombia, Argentina, Uruguay and Ecuador. It has also been aired in Los Angeles, California, USA.
The Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) is pleased to announce the first presentation for 2019 Taiwan Scholarship Programmes.



The presentation is scheduled for Frenches House on Tuesday, January 28th from 4:30-6:00 P.M.

Vincentians who are interested in applying for the Taiwan Scholarships, namely MOFA Taiwan Scholarship and TaiwanICDF Scholarship, are encouraged to attend this presentation.

The Embassy will make an introduction of the aforementioned scholarship programmes, including their respective qualifications, requirements and application procedures.

The Taiwan Scholarship Programmes were launched in 2004 to encourage outstanding Vincentians to pursue higher education in Taiwan. It aims to enhance cultural and people to people exchanges between the Republic of China (Taiwan) and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

More than 143 Vincentians have been awarded the scholarships since their inception. Last year, there were 20 scholarship awardees.

The deadline is March 16th for TaiwanICDF Scholarship and March 31st for MOFA Taiwan Scholarship.
Olive Phillips-Comas bridging the generation of family and even technology.

This country welcomed its most recent centenarian on Saturday 19th January 2019.



That was the day Mrs. Olive Phillips-Comas, a resident of Lowmans Hill, celebrated her 100th birthday.

In her honour, a short service of Thanksgiving was held at her residence on that day.

There to celebrate and give thanks with Mrs. Phillips-Comas were her husband, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and many other friends and relatives, and His Excellency Governor General Sir Frederick Ballantyne.

Also, in attendance were members of the Anglican clergy, including Lay Reader Jennifer Glasgow Browne, Revd Deacon Rosemarie Alleyne and The Very Revd Dean O Samuel Nichols.

Mrs. Phillip-Comas is a long-standing member of the Anglican Church.

Following a short service of prayers, some singing, scripture reading and communion and a special birthday blessing for the lady of the moment, it was time for a boisterous rendition of the Happy Birthday Song, which was followed by short tributes from her daughter Anita, son Winston, Businessman O.T,.Mayers, Anita Da Silva, Mrs. Verna Shallow and area representative Mr. Daniel Cummings.

The Governor General presented the centenarian with the traditional bouquet and congratulations from her Majesty Queen Elizabeth.

The celebrations continued the following day at the Campden Park residence of one of her sons.

The still articulate and outspoken centenarian, who makes every good use of the telephone to keep in contact with relatives and friends and abreast of developments, mothered seven children  five boys and 2 girls. She is predeceased by three of her sons.

THE VINCENTIAN congratulates Mrs. Olive Phillips-Comas on the achievement of this milestone, and wish her Gods richest blessing.
The recruits who were inducted into the No. 1 Kingstown Girl Guides Company.

The No.1 Kingstown Girl Guides Company, focusing on its tagline of Connect-Grow-Impac, held its Chief Commissioners Exhibition, Enrollment and Awards Ceremony on Friday 18th January 2019, at the Coutts Hall of the St. Vincent Girls High School.

An apology was made for Chief Commissioner Mrs. Laura Browne, who was unavoidably absent.

The projects in the Chief Commissioners Exhibition took up the entire stage. Trainers Mrs. Jeannette France and Dr. Monica Davis of the SVG Girl Guides Association, conducted a review of their work, with the aim of recommending those Girl Guides who were deemed eligible for the Chief Commissioners Award.

In the meantime, members and recruits of the Guide Company assembled in horse- shoe formation while parents, guardians and other interested individuals observed from strategic positions.

Of these, twenty-one recruits were inducted into the organization through an enrollment in which each prospective Girl Guide was presented to officiating Guider Tamira Browne, who is also the Under 35 Representative of the SVG Girl Guides Association of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to the Caribbean Link of Guiding. Leaders and Seconds of the various patrols were responsible for bringing their recruits to the Guider, and assuring her that they had met all requirements for enrollment.

Then, upon making their Promise, the new recruits were pinned, and each awarded a certificate which made her enrollment official.

The first set of awards for "Top Pre-Promise Performance to Azariah Commissiong, Adia Daniel and Jonique Haynes were then handed out.

Not only was attention given to recruits. Seasoned Guides were awarded for successfully completing all tasks in the Year 1, 2, 3 and 4 programmes. The Most Outstanding Guides in Years 1, 2, 3, and 4 were announced respectively to be: Adia Daniel, Halei Williams-Douglas, Alyssa Trotman, and Tamika Miguel. Awards were also given to other outstanding Guides in the four years of the programme.

The Girl Guides contending the Chief Commissioners Award, were to wait until the Girl Guide Founders Day of February 22nd to receive their accolades.

Another fulfilling day in the life of the No.1 Kingstown Girl Guides Company had come to an end.

Two Girl Guides, Kristine Branch and Chayil Cyrus, preparing for the Chief Commissioners Award, lauded the organization for the benefits it brings to young ladies who become members.

Kristine believed that guiding allows for the "exploration of new cultures. Additionally, she stated, "I have become more disciplined, and more hard working.  I would encourage anyone to join, as it gives great opportunities to get you far in life!

Chayil recalled that her best activity in guiding was the "City Take Over Rally 2017 where Guides from different countries had come to SVG just for that activity. "I saw how we were similar and different. There were different styles of dress, speaking, dance and so many other things she gushed. She similarly encouraged other girls to join the movement as its helps with a persons time management and communication skills among others. "It gives you a voice, she said.
St. Lucia entered 2019 on the wave of a record year, 2018, in visitor arrivals.



Tourism Minister Dominic Fedee disclosed last week that the destination recorded 1,218,294 visitors in 2018, which represented an increase of 10.2 percent over the 2017 total of 1,105,541.

The increase was accounted for across the three primary areas of the sector: cruise visitors numbered 760,306, an increase of 91,089 over 2917; stay-overs accounted for 394,780, some 8,653 more than 2017; and 69,596 coming by yacht, 13,399 more than those who came in 2017.

Minister Fedee was more than pleased with the increase, especially in light of what he said was a small tourism marketing budget of US$13 million.

He recognized the strategy being employed by tourism officials as being responsible for the continuing upward movement in visitor arrivals.

"We use a scientific approach to select the areas where we can reach the most visitors with the highest net-worth in our marketing campaigns, the Minister said.

Those areas, according to the minister were: the north-eastern USA, the Tri-state and Boston: the south-east UK region of London and its surrounding suburbs; and the Greater Toronto area in Canada.

The St. Lucia Tourism Authority also weighed in on the report, saying that it had also focused on the neighbouring French island of Martinique which, according to them "is the highest yielding in the Caribbean.

The Authority also spoke of its launch of Caribcation in the summer of 2018, as a platform for Caribbean travellers.

And tourism industry stakeholders in St. Lucia are ready to welcome another significant year as those responsible move to develop new relations with international carriers and travel agencies.

(Source: onecaribbean.org)



In that regard, relations fostered with British Airways and Virgin Holidays are expected to increase airlifts by 17 to 27 percent respectively over 2018.


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DAVOS, Switzerland, Jan. 24, 2019

DAVOS, Switzerland, Jan. 24, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Chey Tae-won, Chairman of SK Group, the third largest conglomerate in South Korea by asset size, today presented 'social value' as a methodology for sustainable growth, while attending the World Economic Forum 2019 held in Davos, Switzerland. In the age of 'globalization 4.0', this innovative methodology suggests that global issues can be solved by creating social value through new business models as opposed to zero-sum games and competition.

During the 2019 Annual Meeting at Davos, SK Group hosted a private session titled "Shedding light on the hidden value of business" in partnership with Boston Consulting Group (BCG). The session brought together prominent social value experts from the worlds of business, academia and the investment community, including Joe Kaeser, CEO of Siemens, Hans-Paul Burkner, Chairman of BCG, George Serafeim, Professor at Harvard Business School, and Kevin Lu, Partner and Chairman of Asia at Partners Group. Panelists discussed their experience in creating social value and the major obstacles in bringing impact investment to the mainstream.

In today's business environment where 'connectivity' driven by digital technology forges relationships between corporations and society, corporations are expected to play a bigger role as social citizens in addition to their role as economic value creators. As such, SK Group has implemented transformative corporate objectives to create social value. It is a proactive vision that utilizes corporate resources and capabilities to solve social issues and problems.

As a panelist, Chey Tae-won, who has led the SK Group since 1998, shared his vision and provided an update on the progress the company has made in generating social value. Engaging with the other panelists and the audience, he made a strong case for a 'deep change' to make businesses sustainable and presented social value as the cornerstone of this new strategy.

As an example of an innovative approach to generate social and economic value simultaneously, Mr. Chey introduced a new accounting methodology, the 'Double Bottom Line' (DBL). This methodology is currently being implemented across the SK Group, and it incorporates a host of indicators pertaining to the environment and social well-being. It is based on Chey's belief that economic value and social value are mutually re-enforcing. SK Group plans to report all its 17 affiliates' contribution to social value alongside net income on its income statement. Receiving a wide range of public support and interests, SK Group has also signed 8 MoUs on DBL with state-owned companies in South Korea.

SK Group has pioneered the approach by increasing its efforts to build a new measurement methodology that is flexible and can be applied to a variety of contexts, projects and stakeholders. The comprehensive pilot scheme developed by SK Group called 'Social Progress Credit' (SPC) is grounded on collaboration and consensus and seeks to reward social enterprises cash incentives for their social outputs.

"SK Group is running an experimental pilot scheme that measures social value and provides incentives in proportion to social value generated. The objective is to support the growth of social enterprises," said Mr. Chey. "Interestingly, the financials of many enterprises also improved. The number of participating entities where operating profit returned to positive territory rose by 30%. The employment of the disabled and the elderly also increased."

Experts who participated in the session shared the need for creating social value as a means to drive sustainable business. In particular, they discussed how social value can be measured and incentivized, and how pursuing social value can be made mainstream for companies.

During the opening remarks, Hans-Paul Burkner, Chairman of BCG said, "BCG has been helping our clients expand the positive societal impacts that they create through their products, services and how they operate as a business". George Serafeim, Professor at Harvard Business School who leads the Impact Weighted Accounts Initiative (IWAI) added, "In the transition to impact economy, it is critical to accelerate the practice of considering social and environmental factors alongside financial performance in corporate management and investment decision-making".

Some of SK's recent initiatives aim at maximizing the social value of its tangible and intangible assets through new collaborative frameworks. For example, SK Group launched the shared infrastructure initiative, where the firm opened its domestic network of SK gas stations to external stakeholders. This initiative received more than a thousand proposals for shared-space utilization and SK's competitors have also joined the initiative and contributed facilities of their own.

Mr. Chey said, "We live in a shared economy, and must challenge our traditional way of thinking. If we adopt the view that our assets, as an infrastructure, can be shared with our consumers, stakeholders and wider society, we can develop new business models and create more social value".

About SK Group

SK Group (www.sk.com/en) is the third-largest conglomerate in Korea by asset size. It was founded in 1953 and has 101 subsidiary companies in energy?chemicals, ICT, semiconductor, and biopharmaceutical sectors. SK Group has 16 companies listed on the Korea Exchange (KOSPI and KOSDAQ), including SK Holdings, SK Innovation, SK Telecom, SK Hynix, and SK Chemical. The Group has two subsidiaries in 2018 Fortune 500 list - SK Holdings (95) and SK Hynix (442).

Chey Tae-won has increased SK Group's assets to US$121.7 billion in 2017, a 500% increase since he came to office as Chairman in 1998. In 2017, SK Group participated in the consortium led by Bain Capital acquiring a significant stake in Toshiba's memory chip business. In July 2018, the group also acquired a 100% stake in a US-based biopharmaceutical company AMPAC Fine Chemicals and announced the investment of US$1.67 billion in November to build a new electric vehicle (EV) battery manufacturing facility in Georgia, USA.

Media Contact

Shirley Zhao, Senior Account Executive

BCW Korea

+82-10-7124-0725

[email protected]

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PR Newswire

BOSTON, Jan. 25, 2019

BOSTON, Jan. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- SHIFT Communications, an integrated communications agency, is proud to announce that its Boston-based Vice President, Amanda Munroe, has been chosen as one of PR News' Top Women in PR in 2018. The accolade is presented annually to the most influential women in public relations who are driving the agenda for the industry and their companies. This is the third Top Women in PR win for SHIFT. Managing Partner, Amy Lyons, was honored in 2016, and Senior Vice President of Consumer Brands, Annie Perkins, was selected in 2017.

This award acknowledges the accomplishments of women who have made bold advances in creating communications strategies for brands, nonprofits and government agencies. Munroe, who was nominated for her revered work in the cybersecurity, cloud computing and data analytics space  as well as her excellent record of client retention and portfolio growth  is seen amongst colleagues as a powerhouse and mentor, with more than 45 PR industry awards during the span of her career.

"I am honored to be selected alongside other women leaders who are determining how our industry evolves and how we stay at the forefront of innovation in our field," said Amanda Munroe, VP, SHIFT Communications. "I've been lucky to call SHIFT home for 15 years, and during that time, have been surrounded by other women  both clients and colleagues  that encourage me to both fearlessly march into the future and to lead our next generation of PR pros by example."

The awards were distributed on Friday, January 25, 2019 at the Grand Hyatt in New York City and included a keynote presentation from Justine Davie, Communications Strategy Officer for the Marine Corps Reserve, who shared how she infuses humor and emotional vulnerability into her own writing and communications work, as well as describing the wider movement that female practitioners have sparked as they lead the next big trends in communications.

About SHIFT Communications SHIFT Communications is an award-winning integrated communications firm that represents some of the best-known enterprise and consumer brands, including Citrix, Demandbase, McDonald's, Simon Premium Outlets, Red Hat and RSA Conference. SHIFT Communications' 120+ employees are located in the Boston, San Francisco, New York and Austin metros. Established in 2003, SHIFT is an AVENIR GLOBAL company. For more information on SHIFT's data-driven approach to marketing and public relations visit http://www.shiftcomm.com/.

About AVENIR GLOBAL AVENIR GLOBAL is a Montreal-based holding and management company with an active operations mindset and a hands-on approach to all its investments. With 850 staff and offices in 21 locations across Canada, the U.S. and in Europe, it is among the top 20 largest communication firms in the world. In Canada, AVENIR GLOBAL owns NATIONAL Public Relations, the country's leading public relations firm, servicing clients across a wide range of sectors, which includes NATIONAL Capital Markets, the industry's foremost investor relations and financial services practice. In the United States, AVENIR GLOBAL owns SHIFT Communications, a data-driven integrated communications agency; and the public relations and communication company Padilla, which includes the brand consultancy Joe Smith, the food and nutrition experts at FoodMinds and the research authorities at SMS Research Advisors. The AVENIR GLOBAL network also includes healthcare specialists AXON Communications, with offices in Toronto, the U.S, the U.K. and Europe, healthcare creative agency Cherry and strategic communications consultancy Madano, both based in London. AVENIR GLOBAL is owned by RES PUBLICA Consulting Group.

CONTACT: Julie Staadecker, Vice President, SHIFT Communications; Phone: 617.779.1805; Email: [email protected]

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SOURCE SHIFT Communications
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Paris Achen, Aubrey Wieber and Claire Withycombe are reporters for the Oregon Capital Bureau, a collaboration of EO Media Group, Pamplin Media Group and Salem Reporter.
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Travel with the Block Museum along routes crossing the Sahara Desert to a time when West African gold fueled expansive trade and drove the movement of people, culture, and religious beliefs.Caravans of Gold is the first major exhibition addressing the scope of Saharan trade and the shared history of West Africa, the Middle East, North Africa, and Europe from the eighth to sixteenth centuries. Weaving stories about interconnected histories, the exhibition showcases the objects and ideas that connected at the crossroads of the medieval Sahara and celebrates West Africas historic and underrecognized global significance.Caravans of Gold draws on recent archaeological discoveries, including rare fragments from major medieval African trading centers like Sijilmasa, Gao, and Tadmekka. These fragments in time are seen alongside works of art that invite us to imagine them as they once were. They are the starting point for a new understanding of the medieval past and for seeing the present in a new light.Presenting more than 250 artworks spanning five centuries and a vast geographic expanse, the exhibition features unprecedented loans from partner institutions in Mali, Morocco, and Nigeria, many of which will be seen in North America for the first time.

The Block Museum exhibition will travel to The Aga Khan Museum in Toronto (Sept. 21, 2019  Feb. 23, 2020) and then to the National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institute (April 11  Nov. 29, 2020)
The F.A.I.T.H. Riders Motorcycle Ministry of Cedar Grove Baptist Church will be hosting their annual motorcycle ride to benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Alabama on April 20.

The 8th Annual Lyla Ride is a marble run, which requires the gathering up marbles at different locations in Shelby, St. Clair and Talladega counties. The marbles all have a point value and also have a meaning in evangelism.

Registration will begin at 7 a.m. on April 20 at Cedar Grove Baptist Church, located at 2001 Cedar Grove Road, Leeds, AL 35094. Fees are $25 per rider or $30 for a rider and passenger. Lunch will be provided for all participants and there will also be door prizes.

This annual ride began in April 2012 with Lyla Koenig, the granddaughter of Cedar Grove's pastor. The first year of her life was very tough for her and the family because she was in and out of hospitals all over the U.S. seeking treatment and staying in Ronald McDonald Houses. The F.A.I.T.H.

Riders of Cedar Grove wanted to help the family by doing a motorcycle ride to raise monies for some of their expenses and the first ride was called The Ride For Lyla, with all proceeds going to the family.

Lyla began to get better and the F.A.I.T.H. Riders of Cedar Grove wanted to continue with the benefit ride, renaming it the Annual Lyla Ride with all the proceeds being contributed to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Alabama.

Little Lyla is now a bouncy, bubbly, 8-year-old girl and Cedar Grove Baptist Church wants to help other families through the Birmingham Ronald McDonald House.

Since dedicating the proceeds to RMHCA, the Lyla Ride has raised nearly $9,000 for the charity.

For more information please call Ronny Burleson 205-229-2136 or the church office 205-699-8446.

The motto of the F.A.I.T.H Riders is "NO ONE LEFT BEHIND" 2 Peter 3:9. Learn more about the program at http://www.cedargroveleeds.org/faith-riders.

Submitted on behalf of the F.A.I.T.H. Riders Motorcycle Ministry of Cedar Grove Baptist Church
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The home logo test confirms it! The news that you're expecting. In the months to come the cluster of pixels that is your logo-to-be, will be taking form. You will likely experience a variety of labour pains, but be warned fewer than five percent of logos actually arrive on their due date...
More and more African consumers are coming online and their commercial habits are evolving faster than any other demographic in the world. By 2020, consumer spending in Africa is forecasted to exceed USD $1 trillion annually according to McKinsey's Global Institute. It is evident that the African market is ripe for a digital retail boom.

Adesh Kisten, head of sales i-Pay.

1. What can African retailers gain from using technology?

2. What opportunities do new technologies offer African e-tailers?

3. Why is it important that e-tailers have an alternative payment method?

4. What can e-tailers do to deliver a superior shopping experience to customers?

5. Do you think retailers in Africa are embracing the connected retail revolution?

6. What will be some of the biggest retail trends in 2019?

Internet penetration in Africa is paving the way for online retail growth and is revealing the way African consumers choose to pay. Most of the African e-commerce platforms connect global brands with the continents emerging consumers.With the growth in internet penetration in Africa and mobile becoming the primary tool through which people engage, the trend suggests that its inevitable that African consumers will migrate to e-commerce.Adesh Kisten, head of sales at instant EFT payment service i-Pay talks to IT News Africa about how new technologies empower African merchants and their customers and how e-commerce is booming in Africa.First, they can tap into the underbanked market. In African markets, where credit is often treated with suspicion and cash is still king, low-cost banking providers tend to stay away from lending or credit facilities. Technology is seen as a way to keep the costs that traditional banks have to bear in check  resulting in millions of clients having access to online banking via smart devices but no way to shop online. Instant EFT solutions open the world of e-commerce up to those uncarded millions, creating exciting new markets for merchants and consumers alike.Second, they can tap into the tech-savvy youth market. These 18 to 30-year-olds have grown up with technology, they expect technology, and theyre early adopters. So keep an eye out for innovative new technologies that have caught the eye of the younger crowd  it can add tremendously to a retailers bottomline.Ill stick to commenting on new payment technologies, where the biggest opportunity for African e-tailers lies in actually completing the sale. Traditionally, bank-to-bank payments involve an arduous manual process, resulting in a high rate of abandonment. Not only does this impact on the efficiency of collections, but there are safety and security concerns as well. New payment technologies, like instant EFT, offer solutions that are simple and easy, and make it much easier to complete the payment than traditional EFT solutions do. For instance, using i-Pay, transactions are concluded in less than 15 seconds using a scalable Web-based system that is completely cardless.Technology is also, simply put, the gateway to the youth market  the convenience factor alone (making a payment in seconds rather than minutes) is a huge attraction for them.New technologies also empower merchants and their customers to embrace a more cost-effective, secure, and mobile environment to make the transaction process as smooth as possible.First and foremost, pragmatism. As witnessed over successive Black Fridays in South Africa, traditional payment methods have consistently failed to keep up with surges in transaction volumes, falling over and preventing the sale from being completed  with devastating impact on e-tailers bottom lines. The hyper-availability of alternate payment methods, which are inherently better-suited to ecommerce, has enabled e-tailers to offer their consumers options to complete the transaction more conveniently, reliably and securely. This is effectively illustrated by the messaging from South Africas largest e-tailer, Takealot.com, on Black Friday 2018, directing its customers to use instant EFT payment options such as i-Pay.Furthermore, as more African financial institutions align themselves to meet the unique challenges of the continent by offering digital solutions, the digital payments market in Africa is seeing unprecedented growth. Significant investment in infrastructure and technology has accelerated growth in Africa over the past decade, establishing it as the second-fastest growing economic region in the world. According to the Digital Access: The Future of Financial Inclusion report from Mastercard Foundation and IFC, a financial inclusion project run by the two in Africa has seen $300-million in monthly transactions from 7.2-million new digital financial services users and 45,000 new banking agents since it launched in 2012.With the global digital payments market valued at $32.5 billion in 2017, and projected to reach $86.76 billion by 2023, there is no arguing the potential that alternative digital payment methods offer.While traditional cash and card payments will still be here for the foreseeable future, alternative digital payment methods are disrupting how online and in-store purchases are done. In a continent where mobile is king and there are concerns about having large amounts of cash on hand, the flexibility, security and convenience that digital payment technologies provide both the customer and the merchant set the scene for digital payments to become commonplace.Yes, and its paying off for them. For instance, the rising popularity of alternative payment technologies means that merchants often experience a rapid increase in the number of successful transactions being made on their sites from both existing and new users that enjoy the service. Some merchants have seen user growth of up to 70% month on month since introducing new payment channels. That translates to savings in credit card fees and reduced cash handling fees that go straight to the bottom line.Given that most alternative payment providers only take a small percentage of each sale, none of the monthly or transaction fees typically associated with online gateways apply. This means that fees will never outweigh profits. For small merchants trying to compete with bigger, well-established brands, this provides further impetus for growth.Like Nielsen, I believe that in Africa, retail will transcend physical and virtual borders, as internet access across the continent improves. And, as BMI Research indicates, decreased data costs are likely to equal increased e-commerce, omnichannel will be adopted at a much greater rate as consumers demand anywhere, anytime access, and were likely to see greater adoption of global shopping days like Singles Day, Black Friday and Cyber Monday.I also believe that we will see some of the trends predicted for the US and UK spilling over into the African market. For instance, in the UK the IGD Retail Analysis identifies seamless stores, where technological advances will drive shopper expectations and the evolution of the physical store. Similarly, Forbess US prediction of faster shipping in e-commerce is likely to materialise in Africa.
In February, Texans experienced forced rolling and extended blackouts ordered by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas as demand for electricity spiked during a winter storm. On Monday, ERCOT took precaution to avoid blackouts by urging Texans to conserve power through Friday as summer temperatures continue to rise. Approximately 12,000 megawatts of generation were offline Monday, and ERCOT officials said the outages were unexpected. Are you satisfied with ERCOTs oversight of the states electric grid?

You voted:
3rd Cancer Centre in Solapur ready to be operational by March

One of Indias top Multispecialty Healthcare Institutes, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital (KDAH) and Medical Research Institute, today celebrated 10 years of its commitment to redefining healthcare services in India. Chairperson, Ms Tina Ambani and acclaimed actor Shri Amitabh Bachchan graced the occasion with their presence.

Commenting on the ten year journey of KDAH, Tina Ambani, Chairperson said, In the past 10 years, we have committed ourselves to transforming healthcare in India by making it more accessible and building awareness to make people more proactive, rather than reactive about their health; employing the best technology and treatment protocols in the world; and striving to create an ecosystem of inclusion by working together with other likeminded organisations. On this milestone, we reiterate our determination to extend our embrace of care and compassion, strive harder and aim higher to give Indians the healthcare they truly deserve.

Furthering their commitment to healthcare in the country, opening of two new hospitals in Indore and Raipur by 2020 was announced. As part of the initiative to open 18 Cancer Care Centres across Maharashtra two Centres in Akola and Gondia have already been launched with a third in Solapur, ready to open by March. Clinics and Telemedicine Centres in Surat and Rajkot are active since 2016.

Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital and Medical Research Institute is in dialogue with Boston Childrens Hospital, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center & National Cancer Institute, USA for Clinical Research in Paediatric Cardiac Sciences and Cancer. Taking the cause of Medical Research ahead in the country, the Institute has conducted over 112 Research Projects, 22 International Multi-centric Drug Trials and published 138 Research Papers in International Research Journals. The institute is among the leaders in the world in research on Wilson Disease, having identified genetic mutations specific to Indian patients with Wilsons disease.

Dr. Ram Narain, Executive Director, said, Medical Excellence and Research have been our focus through the last decade of distinction at Kokilaben Hospital. In the coming years, we will strive to raise the bar in terms of Clinical Excellence, launch new programmes to further bridge gaps and engage in path breaking research that benefits the country at large.

In the field of Academics, the hospital offers a Masters in Emergency Medicine (MEM) program with George Washington University, USA. Kokilaben also started the first Varian Clinical School for Stereotactic.

Radiotherapy in Asia and the da Vinci Epicentre for Robotic UroOncology to train UroOncologists from the SAARC Region.

A healthcare landmark in India, the Hospital sees 265000 Outpatient cases and has 40000 plus inpatient Admissions every year with over 20% of patients coming from the rest of India. Over 7000 Children Heart Surgeries have been done with 60% of these being in babies less than 30 days old. With a success rate of 97% the outcomes are at par with Boston Childrens Heart Hospital, USA. Having done more than 600 Robotic Surgeries in 2018, we run the largest programme in the country.
"Industry investment in R&D barring few exceptions is not sufficient in our country."

(L-R- Prof K VijayRaghavan- addressing the audience; seated dignitaries- Dr. Raja Mugasimangalam; Dr. Sudha N Rao; Dr. Samir K Brahmachari; Dr. Krishnamoorthy Kannan; Dr. PM Murali)

At the recently held two-days genomics conference Genomics India 2019 in Bengaluru, Prof K. VijayRaghavan, Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government, shared his thoughts on conducting big ambitious scientific projects in India. He mentioned that the newly formed 21-member advisory panel on science, technology and innovation called Prime Ministers Science, Technology and Innovation Advisory Council (PM-STIAC) aims towards addressing this thought.

Our basic scientists in biology have not yet put in place a big ambitious project to work upon. Projects have usually been carried out at sub-optimal levels so far in India in the field of biology. Although the biotech industry in India has been doing exceedingly well, the amount of investment in research projects is very less. Industry investment in R&D barring few exceptions is not sufficient in our country. On the other hand, global companies such as Google and Amazon spend huge amounts on their R&D projects. This is not feasible with the Indian companies since there is no risk capital available. We need to mitigate the risk capital. This can be addressed if research laboratories work intricately with the industry and are able to translate the research thereafter. Also, the research environment at the laboratories in India has to be more flexible and less restricted. By giving more freedom to research, bigger projects can be carried out. PM-STIAC is in favour of going ahead with big ambitious projects such as genomics. We should move beyond our view point in genomics and understand it well. Conducting a genome project is a huge task which will involve sequencing, interpretation, genetic counseling and data privacy. There are also a lot of threats associated with sequence interpretation that needs to be conducted well. There is a huge complexity in relating genotype to phenotype. In order to go ahead with a genome project, a large number of genetic counselors would have to be trained. We need to understand that India has a huge population, and conducting a genome project will require a highly developed strategy. This could be developed as an ambitious project by the biologists in India, Prof K VijayRaghavan said.

Adding some more thoughts on the potential of genomics studies, Dr B S Ajai Kumar, Chairman, HealthCare Global Enterprises spoke on the clinical application of gene sequencing and other genomic related testing in oncology practice. He highlighted the approach of personalized medicine that allows doctors to select treatments to likely help patients based on a genetic understanding of their diseases.

Even though researchers all over the world are making progress every day, the precision medicine approach to cancer treatment is not yet part of routine care for most patients.

The Genomics India 2019 conference brought together renowned scientists on one platform in order to discuss the hold of genomics in crop research, plant protection, diseases such as cancer, diabetes, cardiometabolism, AMR, nutrient deficiency and much more. With a focus on sharing path breaking-research findings to indigenous products that address local needs, the conference provided insights into the advances in Genomic technologies and their novel applications in various fields. The conference offered unlimited opportunities for interactions with experts from academia, Startups industry, venture capitalists, government, profit and non-profit organizations of the biotech sector.
For Immediate Release, January 25, 2019 Contact: Brett Hartl, (202) 817-8121, bhartl@biologicaldiversity.org Carbon Dividend Bill in House Would Gut Clean Air Act Authority to Stop Climate Change WASHINGTON Legislation introduced Thursday by Rep. Ted Deutch (D-Fla.) and Rep. Francis Rooney (R-Fla.) would eliminate the Environmental Protection Agencys ability to regulate and address greenhouse gas emissions from power plants and mobile sources like cars, trains and airplanes in exchange for a carbon dividend fee on fossil fuels. The legislation would prohibit the EPA from establishing binding Clean Air Act standards or regulation for at least 10 years. We dont have a decade to cross our fingers and hope a huge giveaway to fossil fuel companies gets us out of the climate crisis, said Brett Hartl, government affairs director at the Center for Biological Diversity. It makes no sense to gut the worlds most successful pollution-reduction program in favor of the myth that deregulation will solve this problem. Crippling the Clean Air Act will only give us climate disaster. The Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act would place a $15 fee on every metric ton of carbon, which would rise by $10 per year until emissions targets are met, with most revenue returned to individuals and households in the form of a dividend. The landmark 2007 Supreme Court ruling in Massachusetts v. EPA held that the EPA could regulate greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Air Act if the agency found that they endanger public health or welfare. Following the Obama administrations 2009 determination that greenhouse gases did in fact endanger the public, the EPA enacted a suite of protective measures to address greenhouse gas emissions from new and existing power plants, as well as some mobile sources. Under the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act all of these efforts would effectively be repealed, and the EPA would lose nearly all authority to address climate change.



Setting a price on carbon that truly changes behavior is a potentially valuable tool in the fight against climate change but you cant throw out the rest of the toolbox, said Hartl. A low carbon fee by itself wont work, and discarding the Clean Air Act to make this seem politically palatable is just folly.
A police bomb expert looks at a lamp post where suspected insurgents planted a small bomb that injured six people in Krong Pinang, a district of southern Thailands Yala province, Jan. 25, 2019.

Three policemen and three civilians were injured Friday in roadside bombing in Yala province, authorities said, a week after suspected insurgents killed two Buddhist monks and wounded two other clerics at a temple in Thailands mainly Muslim Deep South.

Suspected insurgents planted a bomb at a lamppost and set it off as a police patrol passed by, Lt. Capt. Pongsak Khaonual of the Krong Pinang district police station, told reporters.

The attack was the latest in a spate of violent incidents to grip Thailands troubled southern border region since Jan. 1, but the first to take place since the monks were gunned down at their monastery in neighboring Narathiwat province seven days earlier.

From an investigation, there were six policemen on two motorcycles and a pickup truck patrolling the street for security of teachers and students at Ban Talo Sumae School. A bomb was remotely detonated when they reached the scene, Pongsak told reporters. It was an improvised explosive device, weighing about 10 kg (22 pounds), hidden at a lamppost.

He said the three police, two adult civilians and a girl were slightly injured and rushed to Krong Pinang hospital.

Police and the military compiled footage from security cameras to try to identify the assailants, Yala Police Bureau Commander Maj. Gen. Krisada Kaewchandee said.

2019 violence

Since the new year began, at least 16 have been killed and 20 injured in the region, according to BenarNews figures from police and military reports.

The Deep South borders Malaysia and encompasses Pattani, Narathiwat and Yala provinces as well as four districts in Songkhla province. Nearly 7,000 people have been killed in the region since the insurgency flared up in early 2004.

Efforts by the government and MARA Patani, an umbrella group representing insurgent groups in the region, have held unsuccessful peace talks in the region since 2015. Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN), the largest and most powerful militant group in the Deep South, has not participated.

The Jan. 18 attack on Ratananupab Temple in Narathiwat province, which resulted in the deaths of the abbot and his deputy, created tension between the regions Buddhist and Muslim communities.

On Monday, Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha issued a statement saying insurgents carried off the attack to get authorities to use brute force to suppress them and draw international attention.

Two days later, a man who identified himself only as Dr. Fakis and who said he represented BRN, refuted Prayuths statement.

In reality I dont know who did the attack, but BRN certainly didnt. This is the trick of the colonist to create rift among Malays and tell the international community that the BRN is a terror group, Fakis said.

Despite that denial, New York-based Human Rights Watch and a Deep South expert, blamed militants for the attack.

Separatist insurgents in Thailands southern border provinces killed two Buddhist monks in an unlawful assault on a temple. The deliberate attack on civilians and a place of worship is a war crime, HRW said in a statement on Jan 19.

Srisompob Jitpiromsri, director of Deep South Watch, a local think-tank, agreed with the HRWs condemnation, saying BRN reacted violently to respond to pressure from Thai and Malaysian officials. The Malaysian government has served as a broker in peace talks between the Thai government and rebels in the Deep South, and last year appointed Abdul Rahim Noor as its new faciliator for the negotiations.

The facilitator played a role in pushing BRN to join the talks and this may cause BRN to resort to violence, Srisompob told BenarNews. The BRN has operative cells, combatants and is adaptive to new tactics.

What worrisome is that the BRN aimed at soft targets because it makes an impact although the attack is prone to condemnation. Its not surprising to hear reports that the BRN refused its role in the attacks.
Soldiers search a rebel encampment in the southern Philippine province of Lanao del Sur after it was abandoned by militants led by Abu Dar, the next likely leader of local pro-Islamic State groups, Jan. 25, 2019.

Philippine security forces killed three Islamic State-linked militants in clashes at a jungle encampment in the southern Philippines, the military said Friday, but a top Filipino guerrilla who helped carry out the siege in Marawi city two years ago escaped during the firefight.

Soldiers backed by helicopters and artillery fire flushed the gunmen out of their jungle camp in Sultan Dumalondong town, about 50 km (31 miles) south of the ruined city of Marawi, after daylong clashes that began Thursday, the military said.

The enemy was completely taken by surprise as evident from the direction of their initial gunfire, infantry battalion commander Lt. Col. Ian Ignes told reporters.

About 30 militants, led by Humam Abdul Najib alias Abu Dar, a senior militant who helped plan and carry out the takeover of Marawi, offered fierce resistance, Ignes said.

We acted on the information as reported by the residents and the local chief executives, Ignes said, adding that the initial assault lasted for about 10 hours.

The encampment included fortified bunkers, foxholes and running trenches, Ignes said. Soldiers also found a training camp, a black IS flag, communications equipment and notebooks that contain Islamic writings and possible plans of attack, he said.

The five-month Marawi siege ended in October 2017, and killed 1,200 people, most of them militants led by Isnilon Hapilon, the overall IS commander in the Philippines.

Col. Romeo Brawner, the regional army chief, said Dars men abandoned the camp as the troops advanced.

He said the guerrillas were no longer capable of mounting large-scale attacks.

Despite their losses, we are not discounting the possibility of spoiling attacks in retaliation to our latest exploit, Brawner told reporters. We expect the terrorist group to attack indiscriminately, targeting Muslim and Christian communities alike.

But troops were prepared to counter the gunmens recruitment drive, he said.

We will take them out of their comfort zones until they have no other option but to die or return to the folds of the law, Brawner said, emphasizing that troops on the ground were a determined force.

We will serve justice to the people who destroyed Marawi city, he said.

Dar, is believed to be a cousin of the Maute brothers, who plotted the siege with Hapilon. The Maute brothers and Hapilon were among the militants killed in Marawi while Dar managed to escape, authorities said.

Military intelligence officials earlier reported that Dar, believed to be the highest-ranking Filipino leader of Marawi militants, and others slipped out of the city in the final days of the fighting. Officials said Dar and his group were believed hiding in the hinterlands and jungle areas near Marawi.

The latest fighting erupted days after Filipino Muslims in Mindanao region participated in a referendum for a law aimed at granting expanded autonomy to mainly Muslim areas of the south.

The law, signed last year by President Rodrigo Duterte, offers self-determination to the nations four million Muslims by empowering them to elect their own parliament.

The law came out of a peace deal struck by the Philippine government and MILF rebels in 2014  two years before Duterte took power. It was designed to end bloodshed in the southern region, where almost a half-century of separatist rebellion had left thousands dead.

Several militant groups, who are seeking an independent Islamic state, have rejected the deal.
Bangladesh should slow its plans to relocate Rohingya refugees from the mainland to Bhashan Char, the United Nations special rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar said Friday, a day after flying by helicopter to visit the Bay of Bengal island.

Getting an aerial view allowed her to see government efforts to construct housing and other necessary developments on the island, Rapporteur Yanghee Lee said. But she urged Bangladeshi officials to conduct thorough assessments and hold talks to determine whether refugees would be safe if moved to the offshore site.

Last year, Bangladesh announced plans to relocate tens of thousands of Rohingya, beginning in October, from overcrowded refugee camps in southeastern Coxs Bazar district.

Unless full technical, humanitarian, security assessments are done and protection discussions are made, I think we really need to slow the relocation process, she told BenarNews, after holding a news conference in Dhaka. She was wrapping up a six-day visit to the country, during which she visited Coxs Bazar and met with Bangladeshi government officials.

I know that there has been some technical assessment, but I am not a technical expert, she said. All of these parameters have to be discussed and thought through before any relocation plan is decided.

Lee also told reporters in Dhaka that the government should prepare for the reality that Rohingya sheltering in Coxs Bazar refugee camps likely would not be returning to Myanmar in the near future.

About 730,000 Rohingya fled Myanmar for refugee camps in Coxs Bazar following a military crackdown, which was launched in Rakhine state in retaliation for deadly raids on government security outposts by Rohingya insurgents in August 2017.

Now that the election in Bangladesh has concluded, I encourage the government to begin to engage in longer-term planning and prepare the local population for this reality, Lee told the news conference.

A failure to do so will not only have negative consequences for the refugee population but also for Bangladesh, including most significantly, the host community, who have already given so much to accommodate the refugees.

Lee praised Bangladesh for welcoming the Rohingya and allowing them to stay.

I am encouraged that Bangladesh will not send people back against their will, she told Benar, adding the situation in Rakhine state has exacerbated the difficulties involved in repatriation which had been scheduled to begin a year ago.

But she also reminded the government that it must help meet the Rohingyas needs as well.

I do not underestimate the burden that housing so many refugees is for Bangladesh. However, this burden will not be lessened by excluding Rohingya children from formal education, Lee said. Equally, access to livelihood opportunities must also be ensured.

In a statement regarding Bhashan Char that was issued online, Lee said Bangladeshs government had not held discussions with the humanitarian community about how Rohingya would be protected on the island.

Despite that, Lee said government officials told her that any Rohingya who chose to live on Bhashan Char would essentially have access to the same basic rights as those who live in Coxs Bazar.

Children on the island would have access to primary education, families would have access to health care and opportunities to make a living including fishing and farming would be available, she said, according to her statement posted Friday on the website of the U.N. human rights office (OHCHR). Rohingya would be allowed to travel to visit family and friends in Coxs Bazar camps but would not be allowed to travel to other parts of Bangladesh, she said.

I am anxious about whether these conditions are adequate to fulfil the needs and rights of Rohingya refugees, particularly in the medium- and longer-term. The islands isolation does particularly trouble me, especially in the event of cyclones or other natural disasters, Lee said in the statement.

A Bangladesh disaster management official, who requested anonymity, said his organization had been in touch with U.N. officials regarding relocation plans and had provided a report on conditions at Bhashan Char.

We want to relocate the Rohingya while maintaining international standards. We hope the U.N. agencies will not oppose our relocation move, the Bangladeshi official told BenarNews.

More pressure needed from ASEAN

Lee also called on the international community, specifically the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations, to take responsibility for the refugees. Myanmar is an ASEAN member, but Bangladesh is not.

I think we have to continue to put pressure on Myanmar. The international community has to put more pressure on Myanmar, she told BenarNews.

ASEAN has to put more pressure. They have to really step up.  Because as I said, its not just a domestic situation, she said.

I anticipated this and spoke to the ASEAN ambassadors I would meet in Bangkok or in Myanmar. Its going to go beyond the borders of Rakhine.  Its already become a regional issue with the potential of becoming a global issue.

While visiting Bangkok earlier this month, Lee said that Myanmar Army Chief Min Aung Hlaing should be prosecuted for genocide against Rohingya, a reported published on Friday by the Reuters news service quoted her as saying.

Myanmar has banned Lee, the U.N. rapporteur, from entering its territory.

Min Aung Hlaing and others should be held accountable for genocide in Rakhine and for crimes against humanity and war crimes in other parts of Myanmar, Lee said, according to Reuters.

A 2018 U.N. fact-finding mission to Myanmar reported the military campaign that began in August 2017 was orchestrated with genocidal intent, and recommended charging six generals with the gravest crimes under international law.
No matter what your political outlook is, no one can deny the fact that this is a moment of deep crisis for Northern Ireland and for Ireland as a whole.

The Brexit mess is an important part of this, but the reality is that even if there were no Brexit issue we have been stuck in a dead-end for years. In truth, the core agenda for the future set out in the Good Friday Agreement has been undermined. A combination of a destructive duopoly between the two dominant parties in Northern Ireland and the disengagement of London and Dublin has led to the neglect of a range of economic, social and cultural issues. And if there's one thing we should all understand it is that when you neglect serious issues they will eventually become crises.

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The decision of the governments to "just let them get on with it" was always wrong and it has caused immense damage.

The basic promise of 1998 was that we were moving to an era where politics would become focused on addressing the practical concerns of people.

Peace was an historic achievement but it was only supposed to be a step towards the fuller objective of building a society which respects and provides opportunity for all.

Yet today, more than two years have passed since core democratic institutions were suspended. There is no credible model for the economic development of Northern Ireland or the wider border region. Managing the decline of funding for public services is the main concern of government and there is no priority for tackling either entrenched poverty in many communities or stopping the brain drain which sees so many young people leave.

While the two largest parties concentrate on political manoeuvring and blame-passing, there has been a steady and undeniable corrosion in public trust in politicians to put the public interest ahead of party interests.

There is no question about the problems which have led to the cycle of political conflict and deadlock - the question is what do we do to set a new course?

In recent years I and other Fianna Fail representatives have met with groups in different parts of Northern Ireland and have addressed many different audiences about what we believe has gone wrong. As the record of the Dail shows, it has been a priority for us to push for a recognition of the crisis and for a deep engagement with the concerns of all communities. It is against this background that Fianna Fail and the SDLP began a conversation last year to see if there is a way to break the cycle where all the focus is on who holds power, and none on what they do with it.

We quickly agreed that the priority needs to be to find a way of kick-starting a new agenda for Northern Ireland.

Within Fianna Fail there is great pride in our tradition as a party which has been willing to seek new ways forward, from Lemass' visit to Stormont up to the breakthroughs of the Reynolds, Ahern and Cowen years. We don't for a minute pretend that we've got everything right, but we believe we have shown our good faith, ambition and effectiveness in working to overcome historic conflict and division. Our members want to see this tradition renewed by responding to the challenges of this moment as ambitiously as we did to those of the past.

Our absolute focus will be on trying to reinvigorate the agenda for shared peace and prosperity on this island. Through a programme of joint working groups, research and public engagement we will work together on proposing alternatives for critical issues.

Obviously Brexit will be the first priority. The backstop is, as EU leaders keep saying, not a permanent solution, yet no one appears to have been working on a permanent solution. Fianna Fail members of the Oireachtas and SDLP elected representatives will begin their work within weeks. We need a new agenda for social protection, shared services, North/South bodies and many other areas, and this work will be progressed.

At all stages this work will reach out to people of different traditions and none.

Unlike another party which has done so much to despoil the proud name of Irish republicanism, we don't see equality and mutual-respect as a "Trojan Horse" - it is an unmoveable value. The record we have developed over decades of working constructively and respectfully with unionists and loyalists of all backgrounds will be maintained.

This new partnership will be shaped by our members and will be focused on substance. At this dangerous moment we simply cannot just accept business as usual. We must accept that there is a deep crisis and a new way forward must be plotted. This is the work we are determined to undertake.

Micheal Martin TD is the leader of Fianna Fail
Who do these people think they are?" This was - and remains - one of the more momentous questions ever directed about Northern Ireland from the heart of Government. It was an expression of deep exasperation - even loathing - of Ulster loyalists by a British Prime Minister, contained in a TV broadcast to the nation towards the end of the 1974 Ulster Workers' Council (UWC) strike, which is blamed for the first collapse of a power-sharing government at Stormont.

The Prime Minister was Harold Wilson, then heading a Labour Government. He and his ministers did not disguise their antipathy to loyalists and, by implication, to unionism in general.

You might say that all that happened half-a-lifetime ago. The relevance for today is that Harold Wilson has long been a role model for Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.

Of him, Corbyn stated, in March 2016: "Harold Wilson's accomplishments as Prime Minister demonstrate the best values of the British Labour Party." Wilson is Corbyn's hero and no friend of unionism. In the light of his recent experience of the DUP, he could revisit what Wilson once had in mind for Northern Ireland.

The Wilson plan came to light in documents disclosed under the 30-year rule in 2005. In the turbulent wake of the UWC strike, Wilson and his associates formulated a secret so-called "Doomsday" plan to detach Northern Ireland from the United Kingdom.

Recently, there has been much talk of the "Norway option" for the detaching the UK from the EU. Wilson had in mind the "Newfoundland option" for Northern Ireland. The episode has been pushed into an ill-lit alcove of history.

Corbyn - or any Labour leader becoming Prime Minister after this political dust-up - might be tempted to wreak vengeance upon the DUP and friends.

Nigel Dodds, on the floor of the House of Commons, triumphantly highlighted the importance of DUP help in ensuring that Labour didn't get the General Election it wanted and a good chance of putting Corbyn in Number 10.

Did Harold Wilson's question then echo under Corbyn's breath: "Who do these people think they are?" Might Labour, in power, revisit the "Newfoundland option" for Northern Ireland?

What was it? In 1907, the large island of Newfoundland, off the Atlantic coast of Canada, which had a Protestant/Catholic divide like ourselves, obtained dominion status under Britain, much as Canada today. However, it was a small economy and became bankrupt.

Newfoundland eventually decided by referendum to end its own dominion status and join Canada in 1949.

You see where this could go. Wilson's plan was to withdraw from Northern Ireland, where - in his words - the UK had responsibility without power, but not in favour of Irish unity, which was widely regarded as problematical for reasons we all know.

Northern Ireland was to have thrust upon it dominion status, with suitable protections for minorities. As happened with Newfoundland, the unspoken idea was that this mini-Ulster dominion would eventually fail.

Rejoining what would now be Great Britain would by then be politically impossible and the only viable option remaining would be Irish reunification under some arrangements.

For various reasons - not least opposition from the USA and probably from Dublin - the plan was shelved.

The details of what was mooted back in the 1970s are of less importance than the fact that such a plan was ever given serious thought.

And what of the Conservatives? Arguably, the Conservatives have, over the years, damaged the unionist ideal far more than Labour. Conservatives demolished, for the foreseeable future, majority unionist rule, when they prorogued the original Stormont parliament and first established direct rule in 1972.

And, in 1985, they went further. Conservatives outraged unionists with the Anglo-Irish Agreement, which gave Dublin a say in the affairs of Northern Ireland, setting up for the first time since partition an intergovernmental conference, chaired together by the Northern Ireland Secretary and the Irish Foreign Minister. As the saying goes, with friends like that, the DUP scarcely needed enemies.

Being realistic, political linkages (they are not friendships) are fickle. Far better to stare long and hard at what lies beneath, analyse accurately and formulate policy with more than immediacy in mind.

Does Harold Wilson's "Who do these people think they are?" still resonate within Labour? Conservative asides are no more comforting.

Reginald Maudling, Conservative Home Secretary, said in 1970, when leaving Belfast, "For God's sake, bring me a large Scotch. What a bloody awful country."

More devastating was Conservative Margaret Thatcher's advice to Labour's Peter Mandelson on his appointment as Northern Secretary in 1999: "I've got one thing to say to you, my boy. You can't trust the Irish, they're all liars. That's what you have to remember, so just don't forget it."

Do those indiscreet statements fleetingly reveal for the DUP - and for wider unionism - unpalatable embedded truths within the two main Westminster parties? We are a people apart.

Michael Portillo, former Conservative minister, summed it up nicely in a broadcast interview about Brexit: "Our policy has often been determined, thwarted and just messed up by our relations with Ireland."

Maybe the Conservatives could eventually see merit in Labour's dominion idea?

Don Anderson is the author of 14 May Days: The Inside Story of the Loyalist Strike of 1974 (Dublin: Gill & Macmillan, 1994)
A teenager with autism who won a lifetime supply of peanut butter is giving some of it away to workers who are not being paid because of the shutdown of the United States Government.

Eric McKay, a 14-year-old from Virginia who is known by the nickname Bean, loves the nutty spread so much he eats English muffins with peanut butter and jelly three times a day.

Dear @LidlUS



My name is Bean. I eat peanut butter and jelly English muffins for three meals a day.



Back in February, my mom bought 72 jars of your peanut butter when it was on sale for 78 cents a jar. I numbered each jar. pic.twitter.com/u4wBgH8rzm  Philosopher Bean (@BeanPhilosopher) October 16, 2018

Like many kids with autism, hes sensitive to textures and self-regulates his food, his mum Tracy said on Twitter.

So when Tracy spotted jars on sale for 78 cents (60p) in Lidl back in February, she bought 72 of them.

That supply lasted until October when Bean tweeted the budget supermarket to tell them about it  and suggest they do another sale.

I got 93 so far!!! pic.twitter.com/eiblNM5uQg  Philosopher Bean (@BeanPhilosopher) October 17, 2018

As well as sending over a fresh 72 jars, Lidl challenged Bean to get 72,000 retweets for his tweet, saying they would give him a lifetime supply if he managed it.

With a little bit of celebrity help  Monica Lewinsky and author Neil Gaiman were among those who championed his cause  he managed it. But then he made the decision to give some of it away.

Specifically Bean decided to give some of his stash to workers who arent being paid because of the government shutdown.

Do you know a furloughed federal employee? We're delighted to partner with Bean in raising awareness for autism by helping him donate some of his beloved Lidl peanut butter, that we will match jar for jar, to furloughed federal employees. If you are a furloughed federal employee, come down to our Lidl Dumfries location tomorrow, Wednesday, January 23, from 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. with valid government ID to receive 3 jars of #LidlBeanutButter, while supplies last. Posted by Lidl US on Tuesday, January 22, 2019

Mum Tracy told the Press Association: He was very clear all along  it was his idea  that we would share part of it.

When we realised how much a lifetime supply is, he was very matter-of-fact. We have a lot, we dont need it all right now, and we should share.

For him, this was a simple thing. When you have more than you need, you share with others. We have been on the receiving end of other peoples kindness, we have struggled in the past, and he remembers.

aI like eating. Iam pretty sure everyone else does too.a



Come to the Dumfries @LidlUS and share my #LidlBeanutButter pic.twitter.com/rXGyboDynF  Philosopher Bean (@BeanPhilosopher) January 23, 2019

Beans father himself is among the furloughed federal workforce  he hasnt been allowed to work since before Christmas.

The shutdown began in December when President Donald Trump refused to sign a Bill which funds the federal governments activities because it contained no cash for building a wall at the Mexican border. It had been unanimously agreed by both parties in the Senate.

Now Bean hopes to give a little bit of relief to the workers caught up in the shutdown by handing out some of his prize peanut butter.

Thatas about five years worth of peanut butter @BeanPhilosopher is donating! We got to see it this morning at the @LidlUS warehouse before it heads to the store for sharing with furloughed families on Wednesday. Details coming this afternoon! #lidlbeanutbutter pic.twitter.com/E6d1of78HV  Tracy M (@dandelionmama) January 21, 2019

He was at the Lidl branch in Dumfries, Virginia, on Wednesday giving some away  and hell be doing the same thing again on Saturday.

He has actually really loved the physical side of handing out the peanut butter, said Tracy. Hes happy about it.

Peanut butter is something he loves, and giving it to others makes him happy.

He told me that last night after we finished the first giveaway, Mom, it feels so good. I want to do more of this. So were having a second giveaway on Saturday.
Teachers in Scotland will be recommended to reject the latest pay offer from Cosla, the countrys largest teaching union has indicated.

Following a meeting on Friday, the EIS council announced it had voted narrowly to recommend a rejection of the revised offer  a 9% increase between April 2018 and April 2019, with a further 3% next year.

Teaching unions have been campaigning for a 10% one-year deal.

A consultative ballot of EIS members will now be held on the offer, with a recommendation from the council that it should be rejected.

The council also agreed the ballot communication will reflect the range of opinions expressed, including arguments both for and against the offer to support members in making an informed decision.

EIS general secretary Larry Flanagan said: Following todays decision at council, it will now be for our members to decide on whether to accept or reject this revised offer.

EIS Council narrowly votes to recommend rejection of revised pay offer. Members to be balloted on offer, with recommendation to reject: https://t.co/VLrj2wOqN5  EIS (@EISUnion) January 25, 2019

Scotlands council leaders agreed earlier in the day to support a Scottish Government Policy intervention and support the revised offer.

Councillor Gail Macgregor said: I am pleased that council leaders have today agreed to present a revised proposal incorporating the additional monies made available by the Scottish Government to the teaching unions.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney said the offer represented a fair pay rise for teachers.

Mr Swinney said: It is extremely disappointing that EIS council have voted to recommend rejection of the enhanced offer agreed by Cosla earlier today and by such a narrow margin.

This offer would see teachers receive a minimum 9% increase between January 2018 and April 2019, with a further 3% rise in April 2020.

It is a clear indication of our commitment to recruit and retain teachers, and is unmatched in the public sector.

The Scottish Government will provide the funding for pay restructuring in addition to the Local Government settlement.

I am pleased this offer will be put to teachers for their consideration despite the narrow EIS leadership recommendation to reject it.

He added: We believe that this offer represents the fair pay rise that teachers deserve and the consultative ballot planned by EIS still presents an opportunity to get this pay rise into their members pockets as soon as possible.

That is what is in everyones interests and other professional associations have already made clear that this is what they support and this is what we will continue to work towards.

Industrial action is not in anyones interests.
Bradley Blundell has been sentenced to life with a minimum term of 22 years in prison for the murder of John Pordage (Essex Police/ PA)

A teenager who shot dead a man at a petrol station in Essex and then went on the run to Amsterdam has been jailed for at least 22 years for murder.

Bradley Blundell, 19, shot 34-year-old John Pordage in the chest over flirtatious comments either he or his friend allegedly made to Blundells 18-year-old friend Ella Colgate at a BP garage in Chelmsford.

Mr Pordage died of his injuries on August 5 2017. Blundell was 17 at the time.

Expand Close John Pordage, 34, who was shot dead by Bradley Blundell, 19 (Essex Police/ PA) Press Association Images / Facebook

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Whatsapp John Pordage, 34, who was shot dead by Bradley Blundell, 19 (Essex Police/ PA)

He was found guilty at Woolwich Crown Court of murder and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

He was sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court on Friday to life in prison with a minimum term of 22 years, Essex Police said.

Colgate, of Aldridge Close, Chelmsford, who drove Blundell to and from the scene of the shooting, was found guilty of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

She was jailed for 12 months, police said.

Expand Close Ella Colgate, 18, was jailed for 12 months for conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. (Essex Police/ PA) / Facebook

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Whatsapp Ella Colgate, 18, was jailed for 12 months for conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. (Essex Police/ PA)

John Pordages mother, Sue Wilson, said Blundell was evil and calculated and that she has been so consumed with the twisted feelings of anger and hatred that I have struggled to function.

Blundell, of Cromwell Close, Boreham, handed himself in at an Amsterdam police station on March 31 last year and was detained under a European Arrest Warrant.

It followed an extensive manhunt.
Jeremy Hunt and his US counterpart Mike Pompeo have agreed to host a meeting next month with Saudi Arabia and the UAE to bolster support for the peace process in Yemen.

The Foreign Secretary said they would aim to agree next steps for progress on a political settlement to the conflict with the so-called Quad group of nations in the margins of an upcoming ministerial meeting on the Middle East in Warsaw in February.

Yemen has been gripped by a humanitarian crisis caused by the fighting between Saudi Arabia-backed forces loyal to the then-incumbent government, led by president Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, and Iran-sponsored Houthi rebels for the past three years.

Agreed with @SecPompeo today that we would host a meeting in February with Saudi Arabia & the UAE to bolster our support for the Stockholm process and agree next steps for further progress on a political settlement for Yemen  Jeremy Hunt (@Jeremy_Hunt) January 24, 2019

It comes after Mr Hunt announced the Government would pump an extra 2.5 million into aid efforts into Yemen.

Mr Hunt, who held meetings in Washington with senior US administration figures, thanked his American counterparts for their support in the two recent UK-drafted resolutions on Yemen in the UN Security Council.

Following the visit, he said: The enduring relationship between the UK and US is not a product of coincidence or historic accident, it is the result of our shared values.

These values are at the heart of the foreign policy of both of our countries. And none of these values is more important than respect for democracy  the invisible chain that has bound our countries together throughout history.

Given the threats to democracy we are seeing throughout the world  from the rigged election last year in Venezuela, to appalling violations of human rights in Syria, to the Houthi coup in Yemen four years ago that gave rise to a devastating civil war  the relationship between the UK and US is more important than ever before.

I was pleased to have the chance to discuss that relationship, and the challenges to democracy around the world that we are working together to overcome, in Washington today.

With Secretary Pompeo we agreed today that we would host a meeting in February with Saudi Arabia and the UAE to bolster our support for the Stockholm process and agree next steps for further progress on a political settlement.
A general view of the remains of the Black Arrow projectile (Jane Barlow/PA)

An engineer who worked on the only British rocket to launch a satellite into orbit described seeing it again as meeting an old friend, as it went on display after almost 50 years languishing in the Australian Outback.

The Black Arrow programme completed four rockets between 1969 and 1971, with the third flight marking the first and only successful UK-led orbital launch.

A six-metre section of the projectile crash-landed in South Australia, and it remained there for 48 years.

Expand Close Former engineer Derek Mack said seeing the rocket again was like meeting an old friend (Jane Barlow/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook

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Whatsapp Former engineer Derek Mack said seeing the rocket again was like meeting an old friend (Jane Barlow/PA)

Derek Mack was among those in attendance as the rocket was unveiled in Midlothian on Friday, following a 10,000-mile journey back to the UK.

The 86-year-old, from the Isle of Wight where the Black Arrow was developed and tested, was a senior trial engineer on the rocket project.

He said: (Working on the scheme was) very interesting, the best time Ive ever had in my life as an engineer.

It was unique and in those days it was very advanced. We tended to get a bit of a reputation, like what an astronaut might get today.

I have seen it, on photographs, it was interesting to look over it to see the actual detail of the damage and the various things that survived.

But really it was like meeting an old friend, because the last time I saw it was as it lifted off the launcher to take Prospero (the satellite) up to orbit.

Expand Close Former engineers Derek Mack, left, and Mike Kelloway inspect the projectile (Jane Barlow/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook

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Whatsapp Former engineers Derek Mack, left, and Mike Kelloway inspect the projectile (Jane Barlow/PA)

Mike Kelloway had been a site inspector during the projects development.

The 75-year-old, also from the Isle of Wight, said: It was good fun, it was always up against the clock  Ive spent a night with this thing.

To see it now, when I can think of all the people I knew that worked on this  close friends some, colleagues, and a lot of them are no longer with us.

To be here now and see it  I never expected to see it again.

Speeches were made by representatives from the UK Space Agency, the Royal Air Force and the London Science Museum.

The rocket, which is being exhibited in a storage facility in Penicuik, was returned to the UK by Edinburgh space company Skyrora to be used for educational purposes.

Expand Close The rocket was unveiled during a ceremony at a storage facility in Penicuik, Midlothian (Jane Barlow/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook

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Whatsapp The rocket was unveiled during a ceremony at a storage facility in Penicuik, Midlothian (Jane Barlow/PA)

Skyrora director Daniel Smith said: With the UK Governments aim to make us a launch nation again, it seemed like the perfect time to bring Black Arrow back.

We hope its a reminder not only to our own team, but to everyone thats part of the new commercial space race of whats been accomplished before.

It has been some journey  we wouldnt have been able to do it without the support of the William Creek Progress Association and the Australian Government, so were extremely grateful to both.

We really hope the rocket will help to inspire current and future generations of scientists and engineers.

In July last year, the UK Space Agency announced 2.5 million of funding for a proposed vertical launch spaceport in Sutherland, in the far north of Scotland.
Len McCluskey of Unite leaves 10 Downing Street, London, after talks with the Government over Brexit (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

As the countdown continues to the scheduled date of Brexit on March 29, heres what been happening over the past week.

How many days to go: 63

Expand Close Prime Minister Theresa May makes a statement to MPs in the House of Commons, London on her new Brexit motion (House of Commons/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook

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Whatsapp Prime Minister Theresa May makes a statement to MPs in the House of Commons, London on her new Brexit motion (House of Commons/PA)

What happened this week: Theresa May returned to the Commons with the outline of her Brexit plan B, which to a lot of people sounded rather like plan A.

MPs started plotting to table amendments to her neutral motion with a myriad of aims.

Union leaders including Len McCluskey held talks with the PM in Downing Street, but Jeremy Corbyn still refuses to do so.

Expand Close John Bercow gets to decide which amendments are put to a vote on Tuesday (Jessica Taylor/UK Parliament/PA) Press Association Images / Facebook

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Whatsapp John Bercow gets to decide which amendments are put to a vote on Tuesday (Jessica Taylor/UK Parliament/PA)

What happens next: MPs will vote on the amendments and possibly amendments to amendments on Tuesday evening.

All eyes will be on Speaker John Bercow, who has the power to decide which get put to a vote and which are thrown into the Commons waste paper bin.

His choices could ultimately decide whether Britain leaves the EU on March 29.

Good week: Theresa May? With so many moves afoot by MPs to prevent a no-deal Brexit, including delaying leaving beyond March 29, there are reports that some of the more hardline Brexiteers might be prepared to move closer to something resembling her Withdrawal Agreement, with not leaving (temporarily or permanently) as the alternative.

Bad week: Peoples Vote supporters. MPs including Labours Luciana Berger, Chuka Umunna and the Tory Sarah Wollaston were forced to drop plans for an amendment calling for a second referendum.

They blamed a lack of support from the Labour front bench, which has tabled its own, less forthright, amendment.

Quote of the week: Please dont listen to the Brexiteers madness which asserts that because we have huge plants here we will not move and we will always be here. They are wrong. Airbus chief executive Tom Enders blunt assessment of the danger a no-deal Brexit poses to manufacturers.

Tweet of the week: Asking our Polish allies to block any attempts by EU to permit extension of Article 50. For everyone concerned imperative we leave at 11pm in March 29th as planned. Tory Brexiteer Daniel Kawczynski.

Asking our Polish allies to block any attempts by EU to permit extension of Article 50. For everyone concerned imperative we leave at 11pm in March 29th as planned. https://t.co/WXTxW7E7Ib  Daniel Kawczynski (@DKShrewsbury) January 22, 2019

Word of the week: Amendment.

More than a dozen amendments have been tabled ahead of Tuesdays key session by MPs from all sides of the Brexit debate, including pro-EU efforts to block a no-deal Brexit, delay Brexit and support a second referendum.

Brexiteers then tabled amendments to block these aims.
The Queen The Queen has urged people to find common ground, in comments that have been interpreted as a veiled reference to the Brexit debate (Gareth Fuller/PA)

The Queen has urged people to find common ground, in comments that have been interpreted as a veiled reference to the Brexit debate.

Here is a look at some of the occasions where the Queen and members of the royal family have been included in coverage of Britains departure from the EU.

Christmas message

The Queen was viewed as alluding to division in the country and Westminster in her 2018 Christmas message.

She said that, even with the most deeply held differences, treating the other person with respect and as a fellow human being is always a good first step towards greater understanding.

First public comments

Expand Close The Queen spoke publicly about Brexit for the first time during a visit by King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima and the Netherlands (Chris Furlong/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook

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Whatsapp The Queen spoke publicly about Brexit for the first time during a visit by King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima and the Netherlands (Chris Furlong/PA)

In October the Queen, who conventionally remains impartial on political matters, spoke publicly about Brexit for the first time.

Hosting King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and his wife, Queen Maxima, at Buckingham Palace, she told a banquet that, as we look toward a new partnership with Europe, the values shared by the UK and Holland are our greatest assets.

The Queen added that as innovators, traders and internationalists we look with confidence to the future.

Royal tours

After Article 50 was triggered in March 2017, a series of visits to EU countries by royals were perceived as part of a Brexit diplomacy drive.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, along with children Prince George and Princess Charlotte, visited Germany and Poland on a three-day tour.

Expand Close The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince George and Princess Charlotte leave Warsaw during their five-day tour of Poland and Germany (Dominic Lipinski/PA) PA Archive/PA Images / Facebook

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Whatsapp The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince George and Princess Charlotte leave Warsaw during their five-day tour of Poland and Germany (Dominic Lipinski/PA)

William also headed to Finland on a solo trip, while the Duke of Sussex went to Denmark.

The Prince of Wales travelled to Romania on the day Article 50 was activated, while he also visited Ireland with the Duchess of Cornwall.

2017 State Opening of Parliament

Brexit featured heavily in the Queens speech following the June 2017 snap election.

The address, which was written by the Government, laid out the Brexit legislation that the Government intended to pass during the parliamentary session.

Some suggested that the Queens hat, which was blue with yellow floral details, resembled the flag of the European Union. The state opening was cancelled by the Government in 2018 to give MPs more time to scrutinise the laws.

Expand Close The hat the Queen wore for the State Opening of Parliament in 2017 was said to resemble the EU flag (Arthur Edwards/The Sun/PA) PA Archive/PA Images / Facebook

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Queen backs Brexit

During the referendum campaign a major row broke out over a front-page story that stated the Queen supported EU withdrawal.

The Suns report said an anonymous source had told the paper she had voiced strong Eurosceptic views during a lunch in 2011 with the then-deputy prime minister Nick Clegg.

The former Liberal Democrat leader later said the suggestion the Queen had given him a tongue lashing about Europe was preposterous.

Expand Close Former deputy PM Nick Clegg said claims that the Queen had voiced strong Eurosceptic views at a lunch were preposterous (Dominic Lipinski/PA) PA Archive/PA Images / Facebook

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Whatsapp Former deputy PM Nick Clegg said claims that the Queen had voiced strong Eurosceptic views at a lunch were preposterous (Dominic Lipinski/PA)

Sir Nick said then-justice secretary Michael Gove was behind the story.

Buckingham Palace lodged a formal complaint with the press watchdog about the report.

The Independent Press Standards Organisation upheld the complaint on grounds of accuracy, although the Suns editor, Tony Gallagher, stood by the story.

Mr Gove did not explicitly deny being the source.

Later that year, BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg said she had also been told that the Queen supported Brexit, but did not report it as she could not find a second source to corroborate the claim.
Sinn Fein councillor David Doran has quit the party claiming the way the party selected a candidate in his county was an "affront to democracy" and hitting out at its policies on rural crime.

In a lengthy statement Mr Doran also claimed that controversial Presidential Candidate Peter Casey was "totally correct" about a dispute involving Traveller housing in Tipperary.

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Thurles-based councillor Mr Doran  who was a Sinn Fein member for 25 years - is the latest in a series of local representatives to quit or be expelled by the party due to internal rows.

He is highly critical of a general election selection convention held last year claiming that men were excluded from putting their names forward.

Mr Doran argued this was an "affront to democracy" and "highly insulting to women".

He said that as a long-serving party representative: "I should have been let contest, like anyone else, who was a party member."

"To be ruled out because of my gender was just totally wrong and undemocratic."

He also said he had been seeking a tougher approach to crime saying that "vicious thugs and criminals" should be denied free legal aid and get longer sentences "in cold cells without flatscreen TVs".

He said this stance wasnt supported by Sinn Fein who he claimed have a "more rehabilitative outlook" and a "much more softly, softly approach".

He accused the party of having a focus on criminals difficult upbringings and "little on the many victims of rural crime".

Mr Doran also referenced the dispute over Traveller housing in Tipperary saying he was at odds with Sinn Fein on that.

The row over the houses became the subject of controversy during the Presidential Election when it was highlighted by Independent candidate Peter Casey leading to a deluge of criticism from rival candidates and Travellers rights groups.

Mr Doran claimed that six houses that cost 1.7m have been left idle while the local authority negotiates with the prospective tenants while there are 900 people on the housing list.

He said "Peter Casey in my opinion was totally correct. Its a scandal."

Mr Doran this afternoon denied hes against Travellers but criticised the houses being left idle.

He has said he intends to contest the upcoming local elections as an independent candidate.

Sinn Fein has been contacted for comment but has not immediately responded to Mr Dorans criticisms.
The director of an Oscar-nominated short film about the murder of James Bulger has said he will not withdraw it from the awards, despite pleas for its removal.

Jamess mother Denise Fergus and her husband have called upon Irish filmmaker Vincent Lambe to remove the film from the public domain and to withdraw it from contention at the Academy Awards next month.

Lambe, whose film Detainment is a contender in the best live action short category at the prestigious event, told the BBC: I wont withdraw it from the Oscars.

Its like saying we should burn every copy of it. I think it would defeat the purpose of making the film.

James Bulgeras mum Denise tells us why she disagrees with the release of controversial new short film, Detainment, which is based on the transcripts of police interviews with his killers Jon Venables and Robert Thompson, and shows a more sympathetic depiction of the murderers. pic.twitter.com/XmzkrBL0Hb  This Morning (@thismorning) January 24, 2019

Two-year-old James Bulger was led away from a Merseyside shopping centre in 1993  a moment captured on CCTV  by Jon Venables and Robert Thompson who then tortured and killed him.

They were arrested soon after and convicted following a 17-day trial at Preston Crown Court and ordered to be detained at Her Majestys pleasure, the normal substitute sentence for life imprisonment when the offender is a juvenile.

Trial judge Mr Justice Morland told the pair they had committed a crime of unparalleled evil and barbarity.

Detainment follows the events surrounding the murder, and is comprised of re-enactments based on the transcripts from police interviews with Venables and Thompson.

Lambe said: The public opinion at the moment now is that those two boys were simply evil and anybody who says anything different or gives an alternate reason as to why they did it, or tries to understand why they did it, they get criticised for it.

I think we have the responsibility to try and make sense of what happened.

Expand Close Jon Venables (left) and Robert Thompson at the time of their arrests (PA) Press Association Images / Facebook

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Whatsapp Jon Venables (left) and Robert Thompson at the time of their arrests (PA)

Mrs Fergus was joined by her husband Stuart on ITVs This Morning earlier on Thursday, who said: Vincent was nothing to do (with the case), why does he have a responsibility to make the film? He was 12 years old when it happened.

If you go on social media, thats all hes talking about, trying to get himself out there, putting himself forward for the Oscar.

Were actually saying to Vincent Lambe now, because hes put himself forward for the Oscar, withdraw that yourself and remove your film from the public domain.

Mrs Fergus said she believes the film takes liberties with the truth of the case, and that she is haunted by the images revisited in Lambes work.

Seeing the images of actors playing James, its just horrendous, she told the TV programme.

I just cant get that image out of my head of him being led away.

She added, of Lambe: I dont think hes sorry at all Would I meet him now? Not now. Its too late because hes gone ahead and done it. Theres a petition (to get film withdrawn from the Oscars) and it proves how strong people are feeling on this.

Something should be put in place. If films like this are being made, the victims families should be told before it actually goes ahead.

Lambe has previously apologised for not contacting Mrs Fergus and her family about the film, and he told the BBC that he does regret not telling them about it sooner.

In an additional statement, he said: The film was never intended to bring any further anguish to the family of James Bulger and we never intended any disrespect by not consulting them.
A huge mural of the cast of hit show Derry Girls is being painted in the city centre.

The artwork is being installed as a tribute to the incredible backing the show has received locally, Channel 4 said.

The main characters in the hit comedy  Erin, Orla, Clare, Michelle and James  are being immortalised in paint on the gable end of the Badgers Bar building in Derry city.

Expand Close The mural is being painted on the gable end of Badgers Bar (Brian Lawless/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook

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Whatsapp The mural is being painted on the gable end of Badgers Bar (Brian Lawless/PA)

Badgers manager John Cooley said: Channel 4 contacted us and said they had three gable walls in the running and were trying to choose, and in the end picked us.

It suited better, the location is right in the city centre and the size was perfect. We have five characters, they needed the space and ours was big enough.

They started this week and already the amount of people stopping and taking photographs is unreal.

I think because the show was such a success and the support they had from Derry, made it all the better.

Expand Close The artwork is a tribute to the citys support for the comedy series (Brian Lawless/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook

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Whatsapp The artwork is a tribute to the citys support for the comedy series (Brian Lawless/PA)

Its on Netflix now and we have people coming from all over the world to look at it already.

We werent sure people would understand it, the Troubles and then the accent, but everyone seems to love it.

Theyre hoping to finish this weekend and theyve hired local people to paint it, so that makes it all the better.

I think Channel 4 are hoping the girls are going to come and unveil it, so we have that to look forward to.

Nicola Coughlan who plays Clare in the series described news of the mural as surreal.

Derry is painting us like one of their French Girls, so surreal pic.twitter.com/0CpH91OpgO  Nicola Coughlan (@nicolacoughlan) January 24, 2019

The mural is being developed by Channel 4s in-house creative agency 4Creative, which is working with Derry not-for-profit social enterprise group UV Arts, which uses street art as a tool for social change.

The Channel 4 show follows the lives of schoolgirls in 1990s Derry, and it has recently been streamed on Netflix globally to critical acclaim.
The woman will appear before Belfast Magistrates' Court on Saturday.

Police have charged a 61-year-old women with two counts of collecting or making record of information which may be useful to a terrorist.

Detectives from the PSNI's Terrorism Investigation Unit charged the woman on Friday night and she will appear before Belfast Magistrates' Court on Saturday.

She was one of three people arrested on suspicion of dissident republican activity in the Springfield Road area of west Belfast on Thursday.
Dramatic footage has emerged of police conducting a search at a premises in Newry earlier this month.

A video released by dissident republican group Saoradh shows heavily armed and protected police emerge from a van before pointing their firearms at the premises and entering.

Police confirmed that they conducted a search at a premises in the Bessbrook area on Saturday, January 5 under Article 52 Firearms NI Order 2004 and Article 10 PACE.

Newry Saoradh representative Stephen Murney described the footage as "shocking" and said that police had claimed they were "searching for firearms".

Mr Murney said that no firearms were found at the property.

"Over a decade ago some deluded former Republicans proclaimed a new beginning and offered their support for these forces," he said.

Mr Murney said that such operations were not "wanted or welcome".

A PSNI spokesperson confirmed that an investigation is ongoing following the search.
The Ulster Orchestra has appointed the renowned young Italian Daniele Rustioni as its new principal conductor.

He will succeed current music director Rafael Payare, who leaves later this year to take up a position with the San Diego Symphony.

The official announcement is scheduled for later today at the closing business session of the Association of British Orchestras annual conference at the Belfast Waterfront.

Rustioni has a distinguished international record in some of the world's most famous opera houses and concert halls.

He is currently principal conductor of Opera National de Lyon, and since 2014 has been principal conductor of the Orchestra della Toscana.

The 35-year-old has been guest conductor of the Ulster Orchestra on a number of occasions.

He conducted a concert in the Ulster Hall last November, during which the soloist was his wife Francesca Dego, a highly-acclaimed violinist.

Rustioni said: "I perceived a special connection with the Ulster Orchestra since I first set foot on the podium in the Ulster Hall a couple of years ago.

"Emotion and brilliance from the musicians combined with the Ulster Hall's magical atmosphere allows the sound to soar from every instrument and envelop you completely.

"And what can I say about the touching and exhilarating reception from the wonderful Northern Ireland audience?"

Richard Wigley, managing director of the Ulster Orchestra, said: "Daniele is sought after by orchestras all over the world and in all the major opera houses.

"He has all the musicianship and talent necessary to lead the Ulster Orchestra to build on and continue the outstanding trajectory begun with Rafael Payare five years ago.

"His new partnership with the Ulster Orchestra could not have come at a better time for our burgeoning audiences."

Payare, who is regarded as one of the best music directors in the ensemble's 53-year history, welcomed the appointment.

"I'm sure Daniele is going to have a wonderful time," he said.

"The Ulster Orchestra will always have a special place in my heart.

"We have shared unforgettable experiences and the musicians, as well as the wider community in Northern Ireland, have always made my family and I feel at home.

"I am confident that they will treat Daniele exactly the same way.

"I wish him all the luck in the world with this new chapter for the Ulster Orchestra."

Last night a much-enlarged Ulster Orchestra gave a special concert in the Waterfront Hall with guests from distinguished orchestras across Europe.
Police at the scene on Christmas Day last year

There were emotional scenes at Craigavon Crown Court yesterday as a 20-year-old man was given a life sentence for stabbing a mother to death on Christmas Day last year.

Dressed in a black T-shirt and grey track bottoms, Nathan Ward, from Lisburn, pleaded guilty to the murder of Jayne Toal Reat.

Her daughter, Charlotte, sitting just a few feet away in the public gallery, began sobbing and was comforted by friends as the defendant admitted killing her mum and trying to kill her.

Standing impassively in the dock and flanked by prison guards, Ward, with an address at Mornington Lane in the city, also admitted wounding his father, Joseph Tweedie, with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm during the same incident.

Following the guilty pleas, Judge Patrick Lynch QC jailed the murderer for life.

Adjourning the case for reports from a psychiatrist, probation services and the victims, Judge Lynch told Ward he would decide his minimum term in prison at a hearing in March.

None of the facts surrounding the murder were heard in court yesterday.

However, it is known that 43-year-old nurse Jayne died in her daughter's arms after being stabbed in a house in Lisburn's Mornington Lane early on Christmas Day.

During the attack her daughter sustained a number of knife wounds to her head, neck and face.

Ward's father also suffered knife wounds.

It is understood that police and ambulance crews were called to the scene of the crime a short time after 6am on December 25 of last year..

At the hearing at Craigavon Crown Court yesterday, Charlotte swore at her mother's killer as he was being led in handcuffs to the cells.

Just a few hours after the fatal attack, she posted a heart-wrenching message on social media that read: "I just want to thank everyone for all the kind messages and posts.

"I'm not in the frame of mind to reply to anyone, nor am I fit to be writing this status.

"Today will be a day I will never forget as my mum was murdered in front of my eyes and then later died in my arms.

"I can still feel her in my arms and hear her screams of pain and see the panic on her face.

"My mum died. I was stabbed twice in the head, once in my face and once to the back of my neck.

"I am with family and have to identify my beautiful mother's body tomorrow, which is not something I ever expected to be doing.

"Jayne Toal Reat, I just wish I could trade places with you.

"You're my hero for ever and always and I'll never forget you.

"I promise I will get you justice. That scum wont get away with this if it's the last thing I do."

Charlotte, a trained dancer, last year recorded a video performance of a specially composed dance in her mother's memory.

On her Facebook page, she paid tribute to her mother with the words: "This is a dance I created in memory of my beautiful mummy Jayne Reat.

"She was always my rock, my best friend and she died as my hero by saving my life.

"My mummy died a hero, a beautiful, selfless lady and she is now the most stunning angel in the sky."
The scene outside Londonderry Court House on Bishop Street following the car bomb explosion

Sinn Fein councillors in Derry voted against a motion condemning violence in Northern Ireland, past or present, after a car bomb attack in the city at the weekend.

The vote took place at a meeting of Derry City and Strabane District Council on Thursday and the motion passed at the Sinn Fein-dominated council by just one vote.

Councillors discussed the car bomb attack outside the city's courthouse at the weekend.

A vehicle was hijacked from a fast food delivery driver in the Bogside, before being equipped with the bomb and abandoned outside the court building on Bishop Street.

Nobody was injured in the attack, which was then followed by a day of security alerts in the city on Monday as police attended three hoax incidents.

Police linked the car bomb and security alerts to dissident republican group the 'New IRA'.

At the council meeting on Thursday Sinn Fein council leader Sandra Duffy tabled a motion calling for council to "oppose recent attacks carried out in the city" and to "call on those responsible to stop these actions immediately".

The motion was supported by SDLP councillors.

Independent councillor Sean Carr proposed amending the motion to say that council "sends out a clear and unambiguous message that violence is wrong whether that be carried out by the state or those opposed to the state, past or present, and that it must be condemned."

The SDLP supported the amendment, though it was rejected by Sinn Fein and republican independent councillors.

The DUP and UUP councillors supported the motion, which also condemned security forces violence, leaving the vote tied at 18-18.

SDLP Mayor of Derry and Strabane John Boyle had the deciding vote and the motion was passed.

Speaking after the meeting former SDLP councillor Carr said that supporting the motion was the "right thing to do".

"When I signed up to the SDLP over 20 years ago one of their main policies was to condemn violence no matter were it come from, I to this day still hold the same principles as an independent councillor," he said.

The Belfast Telegraph has contacted Sinn Fein for comment.
Dawn Purvis gave evidence to MPs on the Commons Women and Equalities Committee sitting in Belfast (Brian Lawless/PA)

A 12-year-old victim of sexual assault in Northern Ireland had to travel to England under police escort for an abortion, MPs have been told.

An officer seized samples from the procedure as evidence, said Dawn Purvis, the former director of the Marie Stopes pregnancy advice service in Belfast.

The child could not be treated in Northern Ireland due to strict laws prohibiting the procedure in most circumstances.

That is inhumane treatment of a young child.Dawn Purvis

Ms Purvis said: The police had to go with her, they attended the surgical procedure to seize the evidence.

That is inhumane treatment of a young child who did not have a passport and had to leave the country.

Abortion is a bitterly polarising debate in Northern Ireland.

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While at Marie Stopes, Ms Purvis said she was subjected to at times vitriolic verbal abuse from those who believe the life of the unborn is sacrosanct.

For years, significant numbers of women from Northern Ireland have travelled to Great Britain for terminations.

Ms Purvis appeared before the Commons Women and Equalities Committee on Friday during its hearing in Belfast on Northern Irelands abortion law.

She told MPs: We saw many young women we could not help, from the Roma or Travelling community, victims of domestic violence.

One woman came in with a boot mark on her face where she was constantly battered and raped by her abusive partner over Christmas, and she could not leave Northern Ireland and the law here does not help women.
SDLP's Colm Eastwood MLA and Fianna Fil's Michel Martin TD together with respective party members at the conference in Belfast. Pic Press Eye

SDLP MLAs attending yesterday's partnership announcement threw their support behind the proposal - and said they didn't believe the party's membership had anything to fear over the deal.

Deputy SDLP leader Nichola Mallon, who led her party's negotiating team with Fianna Fail over the pact, described it as a "positive" and "exciting" step.

"This is about a new partnership, a new way of politics, and it's genuinely about putting people-centred policies back at the heart of politics, and it's about breaking this cycle of division and deadlock," she said.

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When asked if she feared the SDLP could be "swallowed up" by Fianna Fail, Ms Mallon said she "didn't have any fears".

"This is about two parties with strong traditions coming together to help shape policies together that will improve the lives of citizens right across this island - whether you live in Belfast or Derry or Donegal or Cork or Dublin."

Ms Mallon said that the decision on the partnership would be for the whole party, and that it was hoped a special conference could be held in mid-February.

Foyle SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan said he "didn't think there was anything for members to fear" in the deal.

"I don't see anything in there for party members of ours who wouldn't see their natural affiliation to be with Fianna Fail to be worried about," he said.

"I'd be hopeful that we could sell it. I'm supportive of this direction.

"The leadership will have to listen to the grassroots membership and see their views.

"It's to give the SDLP a boost to get us into a position to implement our policies and to help people."

West Tyrone SDLP MLA Daniel McCrossan said the deal was about "rising to the challenges we are facing".

"I feel this 'two parties, one movement across the island' approach is the right approach," he said. "This is us strengthening our allegiances together to ensure that we can offer a strong alternative to the complete failure of the DUP and Sinn Fein here in the North, and also to offer a clear pathway to the people of this island, North and South.

"It will have to be ratified by the membership, but I don't feel the membership will have any issue with this.

"People need an all-Ireland dimension to politics now, particularly in the face of Brexit."

Upper Bann MLA Dolores Kelly said there would be "a number of branch and constituency meetings" within the SDLP so that members could examine the detail of the proposal.

"My feeling is that it's probably going to be accepted, but there probably will be people who won't," she added.
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said his party's partnership with Fianna Fail "marks an important contribution in finally breaking the cycle of vacuum and division which has failed our people over the last two years".

Sharing a platform with Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin at yesterday's announcement of the plan, Mr Eastwood referred to last Saturday's car bomb in Londonderry and subsequent security alerts, warning that "political vacuums never end well in Northern Ireland", and describing the Stormont stalemate as a "disgrace" and a "crisis".

SDLP MLA Claire Hanna, who has spoken out against the political partnership, was notable by her absence.

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In his speech Mr Eastwood said he accepted the partnership "may be uncomfortable for some in both our parties", and that the proposal would be brought before the SDLP membership for approval.

It is understood that this will happen next month.

Mr Eastwood said the partnership "doesn't spell the end" of the SDLP, and the party had "a proud history, a proud identity, and what we're trying to do is make it stronger".

Outlining the plan, he said that he and Mr Martin had "agreed a common proposal on how best to respond to the crisis which consumes our politics".

He added that the Brexit referendum had "uncovered a deeper divide in politics across these islands" but said it would be too narrow a response to "just firefight the consequences of Brexit".

"As leaders, we are therefore agreed that the scale and longevity of this crisis requires a new agenda and new response," Mr Eastwood said.

"It must be an agenda that restores some public faith in politics, addresses pressing social and economic challenges and maps out a new vision for a new Ireland.

"Our parties are determined to work together to try and change the failure our politics lies frozen in."

Mr Eastwood said the two had agreed to "work in partnership on an unprecedented programme of public engagement in Northern Ireland" organised around three central themes.

The first would be "a politics that works", to address the failures of current political practice here and to explore the need for a new economic model.

The second would be "better public services".

The third, "uniting Ireland's people", would involve addressing "practical steps for greater co-operation and the shape of future possible constitutional arrangements should a unification poll be held and passed".

Mr Eastwood added the SDLP and Fianna Fail would jointly undertake a programme of public engagement, with specific policy proposals prepared on issues including Brexit, economic development, and reforming institutions. This would be linked to a public forum, and followed by the publication of specific recommendations.

He said: "Devolved government in Northern Ireland has failed to demonstrate to our people that local governance can deliver for their needs and the needs of their communities. When contrasted with the reputation and record of the Scottish Government, Stormont has fallen embarrassingly short.

"Therefore, this partnership seeks to deliver an alternative to a government record of mismanagement, incompetence and inertia delivered by the DUP and Sinn Fein.

"The SDLP and Fianna Fail will agree and deliver joint policies which can be effectively implemented in government across the island.

"In doing so, we will be jointly delivering a credible programme for change across Ireland.

"This will be the first time this has happened in Irish politics."

He also warned that the "vision and spirit at the heart" of the Good Friday Agreement was under threat.

"Both of our parties were the key architects and builders of the Good Friday Agreement. Neither myself or Micheal are prepared to allow that common legacy of our parties, endorsed by the Irish people, to be diminished or destroyed," he said.

"We are joining together to protect it and renew it whilst also building for the future."

Mr Martin vowed that the parties would work together on proposing alternatives for critical issues.

"Obviously Brexit will be the first priority. Under the best possible scenario we will be entering into two or more years of discussions about Northern Ireland's relationship with the EU," he said.

"The backstop is, as EU leaders keep saying, not a permanent solution, yet no one appears to have been working on a permanent solution."

Mr Martin added it was Fianna Fail's "core belief that a united and republican future is the best way of serving the interests of all who live on this island, but equally we have shown how it is possible to disagree on this while working together on other issues".

He said: "We must accept that there is a deep crisis and a new way forward must be plotted. A new agenda which responds to the needs of the people of all parts of this island, which can show that we don't just have to accept the permanent cycle of partisanship, underdevelopment and crisis, is urgently needed." Mr Eastwood said that the two parties were "not talking about a merger, we're talking about a partnership to deal with the problems faced by our people".

And Mr Martin said he didn't "have a crystal ball" regarding the future.

He added that his party would support the SDLP during Westminster elections and would "give capacity to help their candidates get elected in future elections to Westminster".

He ruled out standing Fianna Fail candidates here at this time.

When asked about Ms Hanna, Mr Eastwood said they were "not talking about losing anybody, what we're talking about is building - building a new partnership with Fianna Fail, and a new connection with voters".

"The SDLP will make its decision, the party membership will make its decision, and I think everybody will and should abide by that decision," he added.
Police are appealing for information after racist graffiti was daubed on a number of Co Armagh homes.

It happened at the Moyraverty Centre area of Craigavon on Thursday morning.

Constable Young said: Sometime between 4am and 7.10am, it was reported that a number of flats in the area had racist graffiti painted on them. The graffiti has subsequently been removed from the properties.

We are also investigating a report of criminal damage in the early hours of this morning (Friday January 25) at the same location. It was reported at around 12.25am a substance was thrown at the front door of a flat in the area.

We are investigating a link between both incidents, which are both being treated as hate crimes.

Enquiries are continuing and we would appeal to anyone with any information to contact police in Lurgan on 101, quoting reference number 292 24/1/19. Alternatively, information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 which is 100% anonymous and gives people the power to speak up and stop crime.
Police have warned of the dangers of a new type of pill.

Police have issued a warning to the public in Northern Ireland to be be wary of taking pills with an 'Egyptian pharaoh' logo.

The precise makeup of the pills is not yet known, but they have been linked to the deaths of two people in Scotland.

The PSNI issued the warning after receiving information from colleagues in South Yorkshire Police.

Detective Superintendent Bobby Singleton from the PSNI's Organised Crime Unit called on anyone with information on drugs to come forward.

Public Health Agency (PHA) drug and alcohol lead Michael Owen warned that all drugs carry risks.

"If you have taken drugs or have misused a medication and are feeling unwell, please seek medical help urgently," he said.

"Mixing different types of drugs, or mixing alcohol and drugs, including prescription medication, can be dangerous and should be avoided. It can increase the toxicity of already potentially harmful substances, and increases the risk of serious harm and death.

"Any drug or medicine has the potential to be a poison  there are only three things that differentiate it. Firstly, what is the dose? If you take too much of it you could die. Secondly, what are you taking it for? If it is not clinically prescribed for you, then it could also be lethal. Thirdly, if you are taking it with something else, for example mixing it with alcohol or other drugs, then it could also cost you your life."

Mr Owen said that services were on offer to help people who are struggling with addiction.

"If you think you might have a problem with alcohol and/or drugs and would like to get help, please visit www.drugsandalcoholni.info for information on support services near you," the PHA lead said.

"There is also a range of services available to you if you are affected by someone elses drinking and/or drug misuse  information on these services is also available on this website.

"These services are available to you regardless of whether or not your loved one is receiving help for his or her alcohol and/or drug problem."
One of the former paratroopers facing potential charges arising from Bloody Sunday has passed away, it has been reported

One of the former paratroopers facing potential charges arising from Bloody Sunday has passed away, it has been reported.

Prosecutors were told last week that 'Soldier N' had died.

The BBC reported that it had seen an email sent to some Bloody Sunday relatives.

In it, the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) said: "We received word last week from Soldier N's solicitor (he) had recently died.

"We don't have any reason to doubt the information we've been given, but (we have) directed the police to get some formal proof of that (a death certificate) and were waiting on that before alerting the families."

In 2012 the PSNI launched a murder investigation into Bloody Sunday and passed the files to the PPS in 2016.

The police concluded that charges could be brought against 18 former soldiers.

Thirteen innocent people were killed after members of the Parachute Regiment opened fire on a demonstration in Londonderry in 1972. A 14th victim died later.
Businesses on both sides of the border are preparing for a no-deal Brexit.

A number of Northern Ireland businesses have put their workers on notice as they prepare for the possibility of a no-deal Brexit.

The Irish Times has reported that a number of companies have begun to prepare for a worst-case Brexit scenario and a hard border.

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Businesses reliant on cross border trade are among those putting contingency plans into place.

On Thursday Airbus chief executive officer Tom Enders warned the Government that his company could leave Belfast if the UK exits the EU without a deal.

Airbus currently employs around 1,000 staff in Belfast where the wings for the company's A220 jet are made.

A leading Northern Ireland food producer, who did not want to be named, told the Irish Times that they had placed a quarter of its staff on protective notice.

The business is a major supplier to supermarkets in the Republic of Ireland. They said that they took the decision because one of its customers said they would not pay EU trade tarriffs in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

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A number of businesses in Northern Ireland have confirmed that they have received early orders from customers in the Republic ahead of the UK's departure from the EU.

Businesses in Northern Ireland have also requested extra stock from Southern suppliers to prevent disruption.

The UK is currently on track for a no-deal Brexit with no withdrawal agreement in place ahead of departure from the EU on March 29.

MPs are set to vote on Prime Minister Theresa May's 'Plan B' next Tuesday.

Industry chief Stephen Kelly said that businesses were becoming concerned at the looming threat of a no-deal Brexit.

"We have been telling businesses to hold tight  not to activate all of their Brexit contingency plans and to try and be calm because we still believe no deal is not an option, but companies are definitely worried," the Manufacturing NI chief executive told the Irish Times.

We know they are stockpiling supplies and we are responding to lots of calls from our members worried about what they should do next. Our advice at this time is to hold fire, Mr Kelly said.
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Around Half of P7 pupils in Northern Ireland sit tests each year

A record number of pupils undertook unofficial transfer tests this year.

According to the Association of Quality Education (AQE), one of two bodies that arrange post-primary exams for entry to grammar schools, almost 600 more sat the tests in 2018 than the previous year.

A total of 8,717 students took the exam in November 2018, compared to 8,126 in 2017, a figure that could be linked equally to a higher birth rate year and the rising popularity of the tests.

Today the Belfast Telegraph publishes its annual analysis of what grades or scores it took to get into our selective grammars.

The data, profiling more than 60 schools, reveals the lowest and highest grades or scores each accepted.

Several Belfast grammar schools set the bar high last year, taking nothing less than top marks for entry. Our Lady's and St Patrick's Grammar, Rathmore Grammar, Aquinas Grammar and St Malachy's College report the highest and lowest grade accepted as being an A.

The lowest grade Lumen Christi College in Derry accepted was 248 in the GL Assessment.

The grammar school accepting the lowest score was Strabane Academy, with 61 in the AQE assessment.

Royal School Dungannon came in behind it, accepting a lowest score of 82.

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Several grammar schools accepted a D grade for admission including Our Lady's Grammar in Newry, St Louis' Grammar in Kilkeel, St Michael's College in Enniskillen, Christian Brothers School in Omagh and St Columb's College in Derry.

Several schools had huge numbers of applications.

St Malachy's in Belfast had 272 pupils applying but could grant only 150 places.

Belfast's St Mary's CBS had 285 applications for 181 admissions. Friends School in Lisburn had 243 applications for 144 admissions and Wallace High School, also in the city, had 267 applications for 171 admissions.

As such, teachers are this week braced for mounting frustration among parents scrambling for school places for their children in September.

Avril Hall Callaghan, general secretary of the Ulster Teachers' Union, spoke following the recent crash of the Education Authority website as parents rushed to get their children's names on to enrolment lists before the deadline of January 31.

"Even though places are not allocated on a first come, first served basis, parents' fears are mounting that they won't be able to get their children into the school of their first choice at all," she said.

Meanwhile, the Department of Education said the number of children enrolled in non-grammar all-ability schools surged in comparison to those who enrolled in grammar schools.

Admissions to all-ability schools increased by 1,649 against last year, compared to an increase of only 43 in the numbers attending grammar schools.

As education cuts bite and principals find themselves depending on parents to donate money for supplies and services, there has been some concern over grammar schools accepting lower grades in the transfer test and taking per-pupil funding from all-ability schools.

The Department of Education has no role in the current transfer test system.

The tests are provided by the Post Primary Transfer Consortium (PPTC), which use an assessment commissioned from GL and AQE. AQE and PPTC are private providers of the tests.

The department said: "The department has no role in the administration or scoring of these tests and the efficacy or otherwise of the tests is the sole responsibility of the two providers.

"Equally, the department does not specifically endorse any particular test or tests.

"All schools have an admissions number which limits the number of pupils a school can admit. Schools must admit up to this number and cannot decide to admit fewer children.

"As the department does not have access to information about the tests, we are unable to comment about the grades of children being admitted to grammar schools."
Nearly 2,000 people were interned during the Troubles.

Loyalists were allegedly interned at the height of the Troubles to "even up the score", the High Court has heard.

Counsel for a group of Protestant men suing the UK state over their imprisonment without trial claimed the action was taken against them in a bid to balance the numbers of Catholics being detained.

Twenty-five writs have been issued by individuals on both sides of the religious divide - including some brought on behalf of those who have since died.

Internment was introduced in 1971 as the conflict raged in Northern Ireland.

Nearly 2,000 people, most of them Catholic, were held over the next four years.

Claims have been brought against the Northern Ireland Office, PSNI, Ministry of Defence and Secretary of State.

One of the lawsuits is being taken by west Belfast woman Evelyn Gilroy, who alleges she was subjected to inhuman conditions during her arrest and imprisonment in May 1974.

She is seeking damages for wrongful arrest, false imprisonment, negligence, breach of statutory duty and misfeasance in public office.

But many of the other legal actions involve men from the so-called loyalist side of the community. They allege the British Government abused its power by locking then up.

One of that group was arrested in 1973 and spent more than a year in custody.

Their cases includes allegations they were interned because of their religion, in order to demonstrate the British state was not just detaining Catholics under that system.

Their legal team contended that four of those claims could now be advanced as lead actions.

Sean Devine told the court different policy approaches appeared to have operated for the two communities.

"In relation to the cases described as loyalist arrests, the contention will be that this was a policy in place in order to be seen to be evening up the score," he said.

"It's a different argument in relation to the internment strategy in respect to republican detainees."

Barrister Paul McLaughlin, for the authorities being sued, outlined how some of the actions were more advanced than others.

He set out how the so-called loyalists claim their internment was arbitrary and discriminatory.

Adjourning proceedings until March, Mr Justice Maguire requested an update by then on which cases may be ready for trial.

Outside court, solicitor Kevin Winters, who represents 19 of the 25 individuals suing, said: "We're concerned about the progress in these cases because the plaintiffs are really elderly.

"We're pleased with the court's indication that these cases need to be progressed as soon as possible."

Mr Winters added: "Sadly, at least three of the plaintiffs have now passed on - we really need the cases at hearing."
An "inspiring" Belfast girl who travels more than a thousand miles a year for treatment on a rare brittle bone condition has been praised by her parents.

Six-year-old Eva Kelly's bones were so fragile when she was born, dad Sean and mum Silean were unable to hold her for six weeks.

She has to travel to Sheffield Children's Hospital every three months for specialised treatment, or, as she puts it, to get her "bone juice".

Her condition, Osteogenesis imperfecta type three, is an extremely rare genetic mutation that only affects one in 10,000 during pregnancy.

Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, Sean (42) said despite Eva's difficulties, she loves dancing, singing and going to school.

"When Eva was born I did the normal dad thing of buying a car seat to bring her home," he said.

"The medical staff in Belfast told me there was no way she could use it, and she ended up coming home for the first time by ambulance."

Before long the family began making the frequent trips to England. Commercial flights are deemed too risky, so the family travel by air ambulance.

"They're the centre of excellence for Eva's condition, so they gave us so much help to be able to treat her like 'a standard baby', for want of a better phrase," added Mr Kelly.

This included a special pillow to transport her around for her first months.

"It has been very difficult at times. We stopped counting the number of fractures she got, it was about 40-50 in the first two years of her life," he explained.

"Putting a cast on her fracture often made it worse, so it's been a lot of trial and error.

"Thankfully, we've been luckier since then. She uses a wheelchair and is able to actively propel herself around.

"She does know she's different, in that she can't get up and run about. But she loves spinning around in her wheelchair and is quite sensible about what she can and can't do."

Eva's treatment has included surgery to insert rods to strengthen her legs.

"We hope that can boost her independence in the future, from standing while holding on to things and maybe even walking," said dad.

"Despite all this, she's really like any typical girl that age. She loves My Little Pony, painting, dancing and singing."

The family hope Eva won't need to travel to Sheffield as often in the future.

"One possibility is a treatment that has a longer effect, the other is as children get older they might be able to get the same treatment in Musgrave Hospital," said Mr Kelly.

Silean (40) said: "The team at Sheffield are really superb, they taught us how to manage it. This is the best place to come."

She added: "Eva is like one of the X-Men, there was a 1 in 10,000 chance of this mutation happening during pregnancy. There was no history of it in the family."
Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council has unanimously backed a motion calling for a public inquiry into the treatment of vulnerable patients at Muckamore Abbey Hospital.

The Belfast Health Trust and Department of Health are under pressure to address allegations of abuse and a staffing crisis at the Antrim hospital which resulted in the closure of its psychiatric intensive care unit.

More than 20 staff have been suspended due to concerns surrounding safeguarding procedures.

Health chiefs are also facing legal action by relatives of patients in the face of CCTV evidence showing staff abusing residents.

A report commissioned by the Belfast Trust to examine safeguarding procedures over the five years up to 2017 found there was a "culture of tolerating harm" at Muckamore.

Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council has now backed calls for a public inquiry to be carried out by the Department of Health.

The council also called for the Secretary of State to step in and authorise an inquiry if the decision cannot be made in the absence of a Stormont minister.

Bringing forward the motion in front of the families of patients of Muckamore Abbey who were in attendance at the meeting, councillor Paul Porter spoke emotionally about the horrific details he had learnt first-hand from victims' relatives.

"The stories that have emerged about treatment in Muckamore have been horrific, with patients and their families forever traumatised. Their accounts beggar belief in a so-called civilised, humane society," he said.

"What is more shocking is that this treatment appears to have been systemic and (directed) towards the most vulnerable people in our communities.

"I would pay tribute to all the families involved for fighting for the rights of their loved ones, who are unable to speak up from themselves. They have never given up and will ensure that their voices will eventually be heard.

"As a council, we will do everything we can to support the patients and their families to leave no stone unturned in the quest for truth and justice."

Councillor Jonathan Craig seconded the motion, saying that the scandal of Muckamore and the harrowing stories that had emerged were a complete betrayal of the trust of patients, families and of the wider healthcare profession, and that action must be taken.
The wife of DUP MP Ian Paisley has hit back at criticism of her husband, claiming there is a "witch-hunt" against him.

Fiona Paisley yesterday defended the north Antrim representative against criticism for billing a charity nearly 6,000 for travel and accommodation.

The mother-of-four urged people to "lay off" her husband and "let him get on with his job".

Mr Paisley flew to New York in February last year to participate in a seminar about the peace process on the 20th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.

He was part of a speaking panel at the 20 Years of Peace conference alongside former SDLP MP Mark Durkan and ex-Sinn Fein MP Pat Doherty.

According to the House of Commons' register of interests, the Co-operation Ireland charity covered Mr Paisley's bill, but he is now facing calls to repay the money.

The DUP MP claimed he had "put himself out" to fly first-class to the event and had only been invited "at the last minute".

However, that was disputed after it emerged Mr Paisley had been named on a guest list for the event two weeks before it was due to be held.

According to documents, the politician was listed a speaker on February 7 - 15 days prior to the seminar at The Metropolitan Club in Manhattan.

Also attending the event was the Republic's Tanaiste Simon Coveney, who flew economy on budget airline Norwegian Air. Mr Coveney's expenses were covered by the Irish Government.

Mr Paisley told the Belfast Telegraph this week his attendance was confirmed just two days before the event.

He said the trip had lasted 24 hours because of "unbreakable engagements" at Westminster the day before and in Ballymena the day after.

Commenting on a post on the News Letter's Facebook page yesterday, Mrs Paisley wrote: "For goodness sake, will you ever lay off the witch hunt and let him get on with his job.

"He was asked to attend the conference a few weeks before, but he couldn't confirm because of work commitments.

"They obviously went ahead with advertising him as a speaker. He didn't confirm until a few days before.

"Believe me, he is doing so much more than any MLA 'not sitting' up at Stormont but continuing to claim their salary."

When contacted by the Belfast Telegraph yesterday, neither Mrs Paisley nor her husband responded to requests for comment on her remarks.

Co-operation Ireland has so far declined to respond to Mr Paisley's claims, and the DUP has moved to distance itself from the controversy.

A spokesman for the party said y esterday: "Ian Paisley attended this event in a personal capacity and registered the associated costs, paid by Co-Operation Ireland, as required.

"The party was not involved in making any of these arrangements."
The EU Competition chief has said she is absolutely certain that a solution will be found to the Irish border backstop issue.

European Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager said the European Union and the European Parliament stand firm with Ireland throughout the Brexit process.

Speaking in Dublin, where she received Trinity College Historical Societys Gold Medal for outstanding contribution, the commissioner said solutions will be found to deal with the Single Market.

Asked whether a hard Brexit will make maintaining custom rules between Northern Ireland and the Republic possible, she said: You have a saying, we pass that bridge when we get there.

But, that being said, I think the important thing here is that we are in this together because so far we have shown that the European member states, the Parliament, the Commission stands by Ireland and that is very important.

Of course we have a responsibility to the Single Market, we will find solutions in respect of how we have dealt with things so far.

I am absolutely certain that we will find a solution that respects the specific situation of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

She denied that other EU member states were softening their position on their support for Ireland.

She added: The only silver lining in this process  because its a very, very sad thing that the British decided to leave  is that fact that the 27 have come together, that negotiations under the leadership of Michel Barnier have been transparent.

Europe has closed loopholes and has put in place rules to avoid base erosion and profits being shiftedMargrethe Vestager

Addressing the Apple case and Irelands corporate tax regime, which has been criticised by world leaders in Davos, she said the EU has closed loopholes.

In 2016 the European Commission found that Apple had received unfair tax incentives from the Republic and ordered the tech giant to pay back a 13 billion euro Irish tax bill it said was owed to the state.

The Apple case has now been corrected in the fact that Ireland has collected the unpaid taxes, and now the court will deal with it, she added.

We are moving forward. Ireland, as well as a number of other countries, have changed their tax laws, Europe has closed loopholes and has put in place rules to avoid base erosion and profits being shifted.

She said the European Commission would like to introduce an EU-wide common corporate tax base as it would minimise red tape for smaller companies which trade in two or three member states.

It will make it more difficult for our multinationals to do tax arbitrage between different tax bases, she added.

The commissioner also said that digital companies should be taxed in the same way as other firms.

Its very much alive in a number of member states. The French decided they would do it and they are joining a number of other EU member states who say we want fair competition between digital companies and more traditional companies, she added.

We will keep pushing from the commissioner side, and its a high priority of the presidency.

We will keep putting the arguments on the table as to why this is a good idea to see if solutions can be found.
Police have issued a fresh appeal for information regarding the murder of 37-year-old father-of-two Wayne Boylan, who was shot dead in Warrenpoint last week.

A 21-year-old woman was also seriously injured when two masked gunmen burst into a house on the Lower Dromore Road and shot Mr Boylan in the head with a shotgun.

The woman was struck in the face and neck by shotgun pellets and remains in hospital in a serious condition.

Police have released a CCTV image of Mr Boylan in a shop on the evening of his murder and said they are keen to hear from anyone who was in the Lower Dromore Road area last Friday, January 18, between 6pm and 8pm.

Expand Close A CCTV image of Wayne Boylan in a shop on the night of his murder. / Facebook

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Detective Chief Inspector Eamonn Corrigan said he is particularly interested in speaking to at least one person who was seen jogging in the area at the time.

"Wayne was a father to two young children who have now been left without their dad. He was a son, a brother and a friend," he added.

"On Wednesday, Wayne was buried by his family who have been left completely devastated by his murder. They deserve to have answers, they deserve to see his killers put behind bars.

"Were you driving in that area at that time and have dash-cam footage which could be of use to our investigation?

"Did you see two men acting suspiciously or notice any vehicles driving erratically in the area of Lower Dromore Road or the dual carriageway between Newry and Warrenpoint around 7.30pm? Please tell us what you saw."

Anyone with any information has been urged to contact detectives on 101, quoting reference 1115 18/01/19, or the charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
The Presbyterian Church has announced the names of the four ministers who will contest the elections next month for the Moderatorship.

The February 5 contest will determine who succeeds the Rt Reverend Charles McMullen, who steps down in June.

The candidates for the post are the Rev David Bruce, the Secretary to the Church's Council for Mission in Ireland; the Rev William Henry, of Maze Presbyterian Church; the Rev Albin Rankin, from Stormont Presbyterian Church; and the Rev Mairisine Stanfield, of First Presbyterian Church, Bangor.

Rev Bruce, who was born in 1957, was ordained in 1984 as secretary to the Universities and Colleges Christian Fellowship, and served as assistant minister at Wellington Street Presbyterian Church in Ballymena, and later at Clontarf, Ormond Quay and Scots Presbyterian churches in Dublin.

He later became general director of the Scripture Union in Ireland, before taking up his present post in 2007.

Rev William Henry, born in 1968, was installed as minister of Maze Presbyterian Church in 1997, and at Ballinderry Church (Stated Supply) in 2001.

He was ordained as assistant minister of Whiteabbey Presbyterian Church in 1994, and has served in several posts in the wider church, including convenor of the Home and Irish Mission/Strategy for the Mission Committee, the Union Commission and the Linkage Commission.

Rev Albin Rankin, born in 1963, has been the minister of Stormont Presbyterian Church since 2008.

He was ordained as assistant minister at High Kirk Ballymena in 1989, and has served as minister of Edenderry and Seskinore Presbyterian Churches, as well as First Ballymoney. He has been clerk of the East Belfast Presbytery since 2014.

Rev Mairisine Stanfield, born in 1965, has been minister of First Presbyterian Church in Bangor since 2013.

She was ordained in 1990 as assistant minister of Regent Street Presbyterian Church in Newtownards, and was minister in First Ballynahinch before being called to First Bangor some 20 years later.

The poll for the Moderator-elect will take place on February 5, when members of the 19 Presbyteries across Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic will vote for their chosen candidate.

The outcome is generally known later on the same evening, and in the event of a tie, another election will take place immediately.

The Moderator-elect will hold his or her first formal press conference the next morning and will be installed during the opening night of the General Assembly in June.
The crowd at the Wolfe Tones concert at Feile an phobail

The Director of the west Belfast Feile an Phobail has said he feels the festival is being unfairly singled out after plans to award the group more funding were questioned.

Kevin Gamble said the festival had a "proven track record" of delivering social and economic benefits to Belfast, but claimed the "festival was being singled out in council committees and in sections of the media".

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He was speaking after concerns were raised over a council proposal to award 200,000 in extra funding to the festival in an attempt to promote it as one of Belfast's signature events.

Alliance councillor Sian O'Neill said there were concerns other groups could be missing out on available council funding and queried the application process for the additional funds.

She called for greater transparency on how council funding was issued.

There were calls to review the festival's funding last year after a concert by the Wolfe Tones descended into chants of 'IRA', with 'IRA' flags clearly on display.

In its accounts, Feile stated that it received 341,723 from Belfast City Council in 2017/18.

Mr Gamble said that Feile an Phobail went through the same application processes as everyone else.

"A host of other organisations and events are funded through the same funding process as Feile is funded," he said.

The festival director said that the event had an "enormous positive impact" on Belfast and Northern Ireland as a whole.

"For every 1 invested, a return of 8.50 was generated. For 2018 this figure would be closer to 10," Mr Gamble said.

"For benefits to businesses in 2017 that amounted to 3.4m and in 2018 we estimate that was closer to 4m.

"In total around 100,000 people attended the 2018 Feile. Over 350 events took place, including 75 debates and discussions, 45 art exhibitions, a host of literary, sporting and theatre events, a massive carnival parade with over 4,000 people in attendance, a series of family events and three 10,000 capacity concerts."

Mr Gamble said that the event had also combated unwanted bonfires in west Belfast. He said that August 8 2018 was the first time in 31 years bonfires had not been lit on that date.

He said that the festival was open to representatives from all communities and gave the opportunity for a wide range of voices to be heard.

Many representatives from unionist and loyalist communities attended and took part in various panels, as did representatives from ethnic minority communities and international visitors," Mr Gamble said.

"Feile includes all opinions and all communities and provides a platform for many different views. There is something for everyone at Feile."
The Public Prosecution Service is considering action against eight individuals over fraud allegations in connection with Nama's Northern Ireland property portfolio. (stock photo)

The Public Prosecution Service is considering action against eight individuals over fraud allegations in connection with Nama's Northern Ireland property portfolio.

The eight suspects - who have not been named at this stage - were investigated by the UK's National Crime Agency (NCA), which has now referred the matter to the PPS.

"The PPS can confirm a second file has been received in relation to complex fraud allegations investigated by the National Crime Agency," the PPS said yesterday

"A team of expert senior prosecutors has begun the process of considering this substantial file of evidence which relates to allegations against eight suspects.

"In the meantime, we are awaiting receipt of some further material from the NCA which is required before final decisions can issue in due course."

They are the second set of suspects to be referred to the PPS over the Nama probe.

The first file was received in March 2018 and contained two names.

According to the PPS, a decision was taken to not prosecute one of those two suspects in November 2018 after it was concluded that the evidence examined was not sufficient to provide a reasonable prospect of obtaining a conviction for any offence.

The other person reported on the March 2018 file is now under consideration as part of the second file, according to PPS sources.

In July 2015 the National Crime Agency was asked investigate the sale of Northern Ireland assets owned by the Republic of Ireland's 'toxic bank', the National Assets Management Agency (Nama).

At the time the 1.2bn transaction was the biggest property deal in Northern Ireland's history.

The NCA investigation covers:

The actual Nama NI loan book purchase and dispersal of fees offshore.

The nature, extent and probity of the relationships and roles of persons involved in the process, including allegations of corruption.

The broader Nama NI loan book portfolio sale process, including previous purchase attempts.

Offences suspected of having been committed under UK law.

Project Eagle involved the offloading of 850 properties across Ireland and the UK, based on loans made to borrowers in Northern Ireland.

The NCA investigation was sparked by the discovery of a 7m offshore transfer to an Isle of Man bank, which was controlled by a former managing partner of Belfast-based law firm Tughans.

At the time searches were carried out in Co Down in connection with the inquiry into the controversial 1.2bn sale of assets and property owned by Nama to US investment firm Cerberus.

The Nama deal has been the subject of parliamentary probes on both sides of the border.

As part of its enquiries, the NCA has been working with counterparts in Ireland, the Isle of Man and the US.

All parties involved in the 2014 deal have denied any wrongdoing.
Dissident republicans have issued threats against the security forces, drug dealers and foreign criminal gangs in a letter received by the Belfast Telegraph.

The letter sent to this newspaper from a group describing itself as "the republican movement" featured a sinister picture of three men in paramilitary attire, two of them brandishing automatic weapons.

The group said a recent spike in drug deaths had left it with "no other option than to take military action" against drug dealers.

The letter also said foreign criminal gangs involved in drugs, prostitution and human trafficking would be "seriously dealt with", mostly by "execution" or expulsion.

And it warned that "anyone who operates in the drug trade with loyalist paramilitaries will be dealt with".

Coming days after a series of security alerts in Londonderry, including a car bomb detonated outside the courthouse, the statement said it would "actively target Crown forces".

The PSNI said: "Police are aware of a letter of correspondence sent to a local media outlet.

"Officers will examine the content of the letter.

"We would urge anyone who may have any evidence of illegal activity to bring that information to the police."

Separately, two men aged 65 and 48 and a 61-year-old woman were arrested in the Springfield Road area of west Belfast yesterday on suspicion of dissident republican activity

The suspects were taken to Musgrave Serious Crime Suite for questioning. Dissidents have been linked to a series of incidents in recent days, including a car bomb detonated in Derry and four bomb hoaxes. Five people were arrested in the wake of last Saturday's explosion.

All were later released unconditionally.

The PSNI blamed the 'New IRA' for the blast.
The first meeting of the newly reconstituted Policing Board was dominated by last weekend's car bomb attack in Londonderry.

The body had not met in a fully constituted form for almost two years following the collapse of Stormont.

The oversight body consists of 19 members, including 10 political representatives,

No politicians had been appointed since the last Assembly election in March 2017.

Secretary of State Karen Bradley brought forward legislation last autumn to enable the appointment of political representatives last year.

Last November Ms Bradley confirmed the political appointments of Keith Buchanan, Joanne Bunting, Gary Middleton and Mervyn Storey from the DUP; Gerry Kelly, Linda Dillon and Philip McGuigan for Sinn Fein; John Blair for; Dolores Kelly for the SDLP, and Alan Chambers for the UUP.

Yesterday members unanimously recorded thanks to the police for their work in responding to the bomb attack on the courthouse in Derry and the subsequent hoax devices.

They also formally appointed Aine Connolly as chair and Debbie Watters as vice chair.

DUP members of the board welcomed the meeting as a "positive step forward".

Mr Storey said: "It should have happened immediately after the 2017 Assembly election, but Sinn Fein's boycott of the Assembly and Executive prevented the appointment of political members.

"The Policing Board has a key role in holding the Police Service of Northern Ireland to account.

"But it is equally important that the work of our schools and hospitals is scrutinised."

Mr Middleton added: "There is an obvious threat posed by the activities of dissident republican terrorists.

"It is important the police have the capacity and resources to deal with that."

The next public meeting of the Policing Board is due to be held on February 7.
A Carrickfergus couple are making waves after claiming that they discovered a man and woman making love in their berth on a dream Asian cruise that turned into a nightmare.

Bobby and Mary Jackson are seeking compensation after saying that they opened their cabin door to find a naked male crew member abandoning ship etiquette with a mystery woman on their bed.

The Jacksons had just embarked on their Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) ship when they stumbled on the intimate intruders rocking their boat and embarking on a very different journey in a state of undress in their stateroom.

The Jacksons had paid nearly 5,000 for their week-long holiday of a lifetime, expecting it all to be plain sailing from Singapore to Thailand - to Phuket to be precise.

Mrs Jackson said of the sight that greeted her in her cabin: "I was traumatised and I needed a glass of water."

Her husband said: "We are not prudes but this was ridiculous."

A report in the Daily Mail said that the cruise on the Norwegian Jewel hadn't exactly been all shipshape even before their close encounter with the sexed-up stowaways.

Mr Jackson explained that he and his wife had been forced to wait for over two-and-a-half hours in sizzling sunshine on the quayside at Singapore's Marina Bay before they were able to board the ship, which can accommodate 2,376 passengers and 1,069 crew.

The couple's first port of call on the boat was the bar for a drink to cool down but things heated up again after they were shown their stateroom.

Mrs Jackson (62), who works for the supermarket Iceland in Carrick, said: "I could see the back of a man on the bed directly facing us and it was obvious he was in the middle of having sex with a woman.

"I shut the door immediately and we went next door where my sister was staying while the staff sorted this out."

The horrified couple's cabin attendant reported the hijinks on the high seas to his supervisor but the Jacksons still didn't see calmer waters. They were told that no alternative cabins were available on the fully booked Norwegian Jewel, which was starting to lose its sparkle for the Co Antrim couple.

Mr Jackson (64) said that when he and his wife returned to their stateroom on the 92,000 ton ship the male trespasser was still there, even though his partner had vanished.

Mr Jackson said: "Two of the ship's crew in white uniforms eventually persuaded him to leave. He looked very sheepish. I asked if the crew knew him and they told me was a worker on the boat."

The Jacksons said they were offered the equivalent of 100 in compensation, which they said was "insulting".

But their troubles still weren't over. Mrs Jackson became ill with a stomach bug and she said she spent most of the cruise confined to her cabin.

She added: "I was extremely frightened because I was very sick and I was a long way from home."

The ship's doctor put Mrs Jackson on an antibiotic drip and told her to stay out of the sun.

On their return home the unhappy couple demanded compensation and they said they were offered 200 in credits for another NCL holiday which has to be taken this year.

A spokesman for the cruise company was reported to have said a full investigation had taken place and the appropriate action had been taken, with contact having been made with the Jacksons regarding their request for compensation.

However, a later statement from NCL to news outlets in America said that a review of security footage on the ship didn't corroborate the Jacksons' claims.
A group of MPs have been warned it would be "reckless" to change the law on abortion in Northern Ireland without an Assembly in place.

The House of Commons Women and Equalities Committee visited Northern Ireland yesterday to speak to campaigners on both sides of the abortion debate.

The hearings, which took place in Antrim and Londonderry, heard from activists on the general view of the law and whether MPs in the House of Commons should intervene on women's reproductive health issues in the absence of a working Assembly in Stormont.

In Antrim's Civic Centre, anti-abortion campaigners told MPs it would be "irresponsible" for Westminster to overrule a devolved issue.

"This issue is devolved, and it's a dangerous precedent to set for devolution, if Westminster would get involved in altering the law," Dawn McAvoy, co-founder of Both Lives Matter, said.

"I think there is this idea that Northern Ireland is The Handmaid's Tale, this very religious place, this little bubble where women don't have a voice.

"We don't have the policies in place to cater for abortion, it would be a huge change in Northern Ireland, it would be reckless to do something without an Assembly to deal with the fall-out."

Labour MP Jess Phillips asked the campaigners whether they believed women should be criminalised for having a termination.

Ms Woods repeatedly went on to compare criminalisation of women having abortions to someone facing charges for disturbing a badgers' set.

She noted that a person hypothetically would face charges for disturbing a badgers' set but not "terminating life". The answer was repeated so often that chairwoman Maria Miller MP, intervened saying: "Please stop talking about badgers."

In Derry's Waterside Theatre yesterday evening, calls were made for "free, safe and legal abortion".

Grainne Teggart, from Amnesty International UK argued for full decriminalisation of abortion in Northern Ireland.

"The current law puts women's health at risk, causes unnecessary distress, and undermines the quality of care from service-providers," she said.

"The practical result of the legal regime is that women who require an abortion have to travel to obtain one, or buy medical abortion pills online, which is illegal and leaves them vulnerable to prosecution.

"This excludes many people who are unable to travel including, victims of domestic violence, refugees with unconfirmed immigration status, those who are too young to travel alone and those with complex health needs. Travel carries stigma."

In Northern Ireland, abortion is only lawful in limited circumstances, where there is a risk to a woman or girl's life or the risk of real and serious long-term or permanent damage to her physical or mental health.

Department of Health statistics show that just 12 abortions were carried out by the health service in Northern Ireland last year.
Irelands financial regulator has laid bare the impact of the UK crashing out of the European Union, which it said could significantly alter the path of the Irish economy.

The Central Bank of Ireland published its analysis of the possible effects of a disorderly no-deal Brexit in its first quarterly bulletin of 2019.

It found that it could cause immediate disruption in financial markets, as well as further falls in the value of sterling which would adversely affect the competitiveness of Irish exporters.

It said that a deterioration in economic conditions could cause Irish firms to cut back investment and consumers to reduce spending, while a disruption to supply chains and the transportation of goods into and out of the country could unsettle production and lead to higher costs.

Although Brexit continues to dominate headlines, we cannot ignore the other risks facing the economyMark Cassidy

The analysis also suggested that a no-deal Brexit could lead to a reduction in Irish exports due to lower demand from the UK, higher tariff and non-tariff barriers, such as checks and paperwork, and exchange rate effects.

Economic growth is also expected to decline by up to four percentage points in the first full year.

In a statement, the Central Bank said: Given the unprecedented nature of Brexit, a situation that is without historical precedent, there is considerable uncertainty around potential Brexit outcomes.

It is important to note some mitigating factors that might improve the outlook of a disorderly exit.

These include extending the UKs exit date, which would allow firms and households more time to prepare, and a potential increase in foreign direct investment that might otherwise have been destined for the UK.

Furthermore, in the financial services sector, substantial preparatory work has already been undertaken to mitigate the most immediate and material cliff edge financial stability risks.

Mark Cassidy, director of economics and statistics, said: A disorderly no-deal Brexit has the potential to significantly alter the path of the Irish economy in both the short and medium term, with a substantial and permanent loss of output.

That said, employment and growth are still expected to remain positive overall, while much work has been done to guard against the risks facing the financial system which the Central Bank oversees.

Although Brexit continues to dominate headlines, we cannot ignore the other risks facing the economy, such as overheating and the international trade and taxation environment.

Our ability to withstand any future downturns in the economy will be greatly enhanced by building up larger surpluses and buffers in the public finances now, especially if a no-deal Brexit can be avoided.
Airbus chief executive officer Tom Enders has warned the Government that his company could leave Belfast if the UK exits the EU without a deal.

In a hard-hitting statement that will sound alarm bells among Bombardier's Northern Ireland workforce, Mr Enders branded London's handling of Brexit "a disgrace".

"Make no mistake, there are plenty of countries out there who would love to build the wings for Airbus aircraft," he said.

Airbus employs 14,000 people in the UK, but its outsourcing programmes support around 110,000 workers nationwide.

That number includes some 1,000 staff in Belfast - where the wings for the company's A220 jet are made - who became linked to Airbus after it acquired a majority stake in Bombardier's C-Series last year.

While Mr Enders warned the UK no longer had "the capability to go it alone", he accepted it would not be possible to immediately move large factories based here to other parts of the world.

"However, aerospace is a long-term business and we could be forced to redirect future investments in the event of a no-deal Brexit," the CEO said.

Bombardier, which has already backed Theresa May's draft withdrawal agreement, declined to comment directly on Mr Enders' comments yesterday.

Instead, the company reiterated its call for "an orderly Brexit", saying: "This continued uncertainty and the real prospect of leaving the EU with no deal, does not help with business planning. It is imperative that Parliament finds a resolution that works for UK business."

As it stands, Bombardier's A220 wings are transported from Belfast to Mirabel in Quebec, where the jets are assembled.

However, Airbus is investing millions in upgrading production lines to overcome a backlog of 500 jets on its order books.

The company is also seeking to introduce cost-cutting measures across its operations.

Last week the business broke ground on a new A220 assembly line in Alabama.

Yesterday also saw Bombardier announce it had acquired a new wing production programme from Triumph in Texas, albeit for its smaller Global 7500 jet.

Aviation commentator Richard Schuurman said yesterday that the US factories would jump at the chance to incorporate wing production.

He added: "Similarly, Bombardier is vying for more work at its Belfast facilities, offering know-how on the design and manufacturing of composite wings.

"Other countries like Mexico, South Korea and China have also shown interest in getting a slice of the work, which would see wing manufacturing move away from Europe."

Stephen Kelly of Manufacturing NI added: "We have made it clear since the beginning of this that manufacturers are particularly exposed to Brexit costs and complexities and work every day to remove these costs and complexities from their business.

"It's very worrying for Northern Ireland given our rapidly growing aerospace expertise, so hopefully Westminster will listen to the wise advice from Mr Enders."
DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds and party leader Arlene Foster have meet Theresa May over the course of the Brexit discussions.

The DUP is facing pressure from within to secure a Brexit deal to end repeated calls for a border poll, it has been reported.

The Sun newspaper also reports on how the party is becoming more in favour of a backstop within Theresa May's deal with the EU but only if it was time limited. Something Brussels officials have rejected in the past.

The paper reports of "delicate" talks between the Prime Minister and the Northern Ireland party in a bid to break the deadlock over the deal ahead of another vote on it on Tuesday.

It claims the two are close to agreeing an amendment to curtail the controversial backstop should it ever come into force.

Read More

DUP sources told the paper they fear remain Tories and Labour MPs could mount a combined challenge in order to deliver a "significantly softer" Brexit if the government is again defeated next week. The paper says support for a time-limited backstop is growing apace with rumours Boris Johnson is considering supporting it.

"Parliament will take over and we lose any semblance of a decent Brexit. We have to help her now, so well vote with the Government if they agree the right amendment," a DUP source said.

"Thats looking like a short time limit to the backstop at the moment.

The party's 10 MPs, The Sun also went on to claim, are under increasing pressure from the party's grassroots and MLAs to agree to a deal to hold off growing calls for a reunification referendum under a no deal Brexit.

Theresa May's agreement with the EU has hit a major hurdle in the form of the backstop clause. It is an insurance policy for Northern Ireland to remain part of the EU's single market should there be no deal at the end of the transition period after withdrawal in March. Those opposed argue it creates a border down the Irish Sea and effectively cuts Northern Ireland off from the rest of the UK.

Sinn Fein has repeatedly called for a border poll since the referendum result in 2016.

The DUP has been asked for a comment.
Time has dulled Fun Lovin' Criminals' love of the obscene. Their parties, their fights and their unruly relationship with the music industry have mellowed in the 22 years since rollicking debut, Come Find Yourself.

But you wouldn't know by speaking to Huey Morgan - the pioneering rap-rock band's haphazard and charismatic frontman.

If anything, it's the opposite. Railing against the establishment down the phone in his inimitable New York drawl, Morgan, now 50, is filled with fire.

"Nowadays, a band like mine couldn't have gotten an eight record deal at EMI," he explains, talking at 100 miles a minute.

"It just wouldn't happen. There's no artist development on the label side because they're not making that kind of money to be able to afford to do that.

"A lot of the time I think music nowadays is so narrow because it has to hit on so many levels. It takes the adventure out of music and a lot of the fun - a lot of creativity as well."

Morgan wears his half Puerto Rican-American and half Irish-American heritage with pride and strikes an energetic, almost cartoonish, character on and off stage.

His band, Fun Lovin' Criminals, find themselves entering a new and exciting phase, one inspired by an album they made nearly 20 years ago.

Exhausted from touring their 1998 sophomore record, 100% Colombian, the band retreated to Hawaii and set about recording a follow-up. They settled on an album of covers they dubbed Mimosa after the champagne-orange juice hybrid cocktail.

"Fast forward 20 years, we got asked by Sony to do an all-original album," Morgan explains.

"We figured we couldn't just jump in feet first. We figured we might want to test the waters as producers, you know?"

And that's what they did. The result? Another album of covers, aptly entitled Another Mimosa.

Hell-raiser Morgan contemplates the decade since their last album, Classic Fantastic - a critical flop that was quickly forgotten and pushed under the carpet.

"Ten years ago, frankly, we were trying to figure out, last time we did a record, like why we are even making a record? It had got to a point where the music business was so fragmented that it didn't make any sense for us to make one, even though we did because we felt we had to."

The resulting album, he admits, "wasn't the greatest record we've ever done by a stretch".

He also admits that earning a "bunch of money and selling millions of records", as they did, could "soften you up".

A veteran of the hip hop scene, Morgan sees a musical landscape changed beyond recognition from his 90s heyday.

Mostly, he puts this down to the pervasive influence of the internet and social media. Nowhere is this more obvious than in the never-ending "beefs" between artists from across the rap spectrum.

Morgan thinks the internet's taken the fire out of these scraps. "I remember back in the day if there was a spat you would see somebody at a festival and y'all would throw hands - and it was before everybody having camera phones."

"It was before that s*** that we done stuff like that too," he recalls.

"We've had problems with dudes and they've come up to us and we've f***** them up, but you can't do that now because everybody's got a camera phone and the internet is just waiting to correct any type of bugged out, crazy behaviour."

Musicians, he says, are no longer "compelled to be rebels". Instead they are "company men" who "tow the line and make the money and shut the f*** up".

Unsurprisingly, he's no fan of today's pop stars, who pillage the cream of every genre to create a hybrid that appeals to masses.

"You look at that girl - Rita Ora," he begins.

"She always looks like she's about to cry. I don't think it's because she's personally fragile. I just think it's the situation: unrealistic beauty standards, unrealistic performance standards, unrealistic standards in general for a musician.

"Because obviously she doesn't write her music, or if she does she's kind of like writing it with someone else who takes the hit. Everything is super contrived so it's really hard for anyone to really like a musician because deep down it's all smoke and mirrors.

"There are bands out there that are doing good for themselves but they're very few and far between..."

Among the myriad of surprising facts about Morgan, maybe the oddest is that he lives in Bath, Somerset, with his interior designer wife, Rebecca - a world away from his native New York.

A few years ago Morgan abandoned his adoptive home of London for a Georgian pile where he could focus on raising his son.

Importantly, he's keeping him away from London - away from the capital where "kids stab other kids".

"London sucks man," he laments.

"London for me is everything a city shouldn't be. It's a bunch of people from diverse background who don't like each other, who don't want to get along, and have these little enclaves."

He admits he would find raising children in London "too nerve-wracking," then adds, somewhat cryptically: "I live in Bath because frankly it's a lot nicer and I don't have to deal with the Taliban."

As the conversation draws to a close, Morgan signs off in his inimitable style, explaining why he continues to write, record and play music.

He says: "If you love somebody you want to make them aware of s*** they might not be aware of - that's what love is man. That's what I'm trying to do."

After a pause, he adds: "But I'm not like Bono - I'm not going to try and jam it down their throat."

Another Mimosa is out now
Manhattan, KS (66502)

Today

Clouds and some sun this morning with more clouds for this afternoon. Hot. High 98F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 76F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph.
Queen's University has become the latest institution to distance itself from Huawei, following security fears about the Chinese tech company.

The university has one existing research project which is endorsed by Huawei in wireless technologies. The project received 713,111 in funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, the UK's main agency for research grants in engineering and the physical sciences.

"This project began in March 2017 before any uncertainty arose," Queen's said.

"We are continually reviewing our relationships and the university is not currently pursuing any new funding opportunities with Huawei."

The company did not respond to a request for comment, but it has strongly rejected suggestions that it poses any kind of security threat.

It previously said it had "never been asked by any government to build any backdoors or interrupt any networks, and we would never tolerate such behaviour by any of our staff".

Ulster University has confirmed that it is "not in receipt of any funding from Huawei."
From left, Michael Stevenson of Employers for Childcare; Uel Mackin, Mayor of Lisburn and Castlereagh and Oliver McLernon and Shane Connolly of Connolly and Fee

Employers For Childcare is taking on up to 50 staff at a 2.5m family adventure centre.

The Lisburn social enterprise is opening High Rise at its existing premises on Altona Road.

Dungannon-based building company Connolly & Fee has been appointed to carry out the work, which will include construction of a 'clip 'n' climb' experience.

Thanks to Employers for Childcare's status as a social enterprise, profits from High Rise will be invested back into the organisation's charity to support working parents.

Construction started earlier this month, with the centre due to open later in the year.

The jobs will include full and part-time roles such as supervisors and activity instructors.

Chairman Michael Stevenson said: "Today marks a real milestone for our organisation as we announce details of this exciting new project.

"High Rise will be unique in offering a facility that caters for all families, including those with children with additional needs.

"This has been at the core of our mission in developing this project and reflects our ethos as a social enterprise and charity."

Shane Connolly, director of Connolly & Fee, added: "We are delighted to have been appointed as the main contractor on this exciting and innovative project for Employers For Childcare.

"We look forward to forging a strong, successful working relationship with the client and to delivering an exemplary scheme for both them and the local community."

As well as the clip 'n' climb experience, the two-storey, 10,000 sq ft development will have a soft play area, sensory room, quiet room, party rooms and a cafe.

Connolly & Fee specialises in community spaces, social housing and restoration, and has been in business for four years.

It is currently also working on social housing at Whitewell Road in Belfast, as well as the redevelopment of Coleraine Library and the redevelopment of offices in Ballymena into social housing apartments.
Bedford, PA (15522)

Today

Cloudy early, then thunderstorms developing this afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 76F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Cloudy skies after midnight. Low around 65F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
A U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit affirmed a previous judgment in a patent infringement case that ordered Medtronic to pay millions of dollars to a spine surgeon, according to Bloomberg Law.

Three things to know:

1. In 2014, spine surgeon Mark Barry, MD, sued Medtronic claiming multiple patent infringements on his patent titled: "System and Method for Aligning Vertebrae in the Ameliorating of Aberrant Spinal Column Deviation Conditions." Medtronic argued against Dr. Barry's allegations.

2. The jury found in favor of Dr. Barry, who was awarded $15.1 million for one patent and $2.6 million for the other; the final judgment requires Medtronic to pay $17.7 million for two patent infringements as well as a 20 percent enhancement on both patents' damages and about $2.4 million in prejudgment interest.

3. Medtronic challenged the decision, but on Jan. 24, the Appeals Court affirmed the jury's original decision and upheld the award of $23 million to Dr. Barry.

Dr. Barry is now retired from practice in the U.S. and serves as the director of Children's Orthopedics Education for Developing Nations, an organization he developed under the Non-Governmental Organization Global Help Initiative that aims to provide in-country fellowship-level training to orthopedic surgeons in developing countries.
The telehealth program at Stanford (Calif.) Children's Health has come a long way since it began offering telehealth virtual visits in January 2013.

Funded with a grant from Cisco, William Kennedy, MD, chief of the pediatric urology department, kicked off the program with a basic clinic-to-clinic telehealth model that connected the children's facility to Stanford's main hospital in Palo Alto, Calif. Under his leadership, the program eventually grew to connect to specialty services at Stanford facilities in San Francisco and Monterey, Calif.

Today, Stanford Children's Health offers telehealth services to patients as part of a broader digital health program, Dennis Lund, MD, CMO and interim CEO of Stanford Childrens Health told Becker's Hospital Review. That includes clinic-to-home telehealth visits  which Stanford Children's began offering in May 2017  as well as in-hospital and remote care monitoring, patient portal access, and clinic-to-school telehealth.

"The goal," Dr. Lund said, "[is to provide] patients and families the ability to access their Stanford Children's Health clinicians, without having to interrupt their lives to travel to the hospital or clinics."

The program has been widely successful. In fact, as of August 2018, the children's hospital has equipped 47 of its 65 clinic sites  in addition to its hospital  with telehealth capabilities.

These efforts aren't going to waste, either. Last year, Stanford Children's completed 1,100 visits, but it plans to more than double that in 2019 to complete 2,500 visits.

Becker's Hospital Review caught up with Dr. Lund to discuss how Stanford Children's telehealth program works, how Stanford supports it clinicians with telehealth and what makes the program unique.

Editor's note: Responses have been lightly edited for clarity and length.

Question: Can you describe some of the patient facing technologies that are a part of Stanford Children's telehealth efforts?

Dr. Dennis Lund: At Stanford Children's Health, we are enabling patients to stay connected with their physicians not only through telehealth virtual visits, but also through EHR-integrated home monitoring programs. For example, for families with babies who have single ventricle congenital heart disease, which requires a series of three heart surgeries, Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford has a home monitoring program that begins when the patient goes home following their first surgery shortly after birth. The home monitoring program helps the care team determine when the family should return for the second surgery. In 2017, the single ventricle home monitoring program team began piloting a digital solution to alleviate the cumbersome, manual process of parents recording patient data in a logbook at home and communicating the information via a weekly phone call with a cardiology nurse practitioner, who would then manually enter the patient's information into the EHR.

Q: What makes Stanford Children's telehealth program unique?

DL: Our multi-pronged digital health approach, inclusive of telehealth, remote care monitoring and patient portal access, is what sets us apart. Chronic illness leads to significant delays in child development and that is partly due to them having to miss school and social activities to receive care. Our digital health program allows patients and families the ability to access their Stanford Children's Health clinicians without having to interrupt their lives to travel to the hospital or clinics. For example, we have psychiatry patients who have close relationships with their providers at Stanford Children's Health, but who go away to college. Thanks to telehealth, they can stay connected with their psychiatrist back home from their dorm rooms. Another example  we have tracheotomy patients, some of whom are on ventilators and live hours away from the hospital. When issues arise, it can be a six-hour ambulance trip for them to come to Packard Children's. Telehealth makes it possible for tracheotomy patients to instead travel just to their local physician and communicate remotely with their specialist at the hospital. They can resolve issues quickly this way, allowing them to return to work and school with far less disruption.

Q: How have patients been reacting to Stanford Children's telehealth offerings?

DL: Our program is still relatively new, but initial feedback has been very positive. Among a survey of our patient families using telehealth virtual visits, 100 percent of our patient families have stated that they are willing to participate in another telehealth visit and two-thirds surveyed would prefer a telehealth consultation to onsite visits. Additionally, patients strongly agreed that they were able to see and hear the provider clearly, and that the provider was able to address their child's reason for visit.

Q: How did you equip your physicians with the tools they need to deliver care to children via telehealth?

DL: Our digital health services team comprised of information systems specialists met with each practice that was interested in implementing telehealth and sat down with them to understand their needs. They filled out a protocol document to provide information on the patient needs they were trying to fill with telehealth, and who the most appropriate patients would be for virtual visits, knowing it is not a blanket solution for everyone or every visit. The digital health team walked providers and clinic staff through the way a telehealth visit works, from connecting them to the video to sharing best practices for communicating. Best practices include looking at the camera, avoiding wearing distracting patterns and how to do a virtual fist-bump or high-five with their patients  something that goes a long way with pediatric patients. Emphasis was placed on training clinics' medical assistants and front desk staff, less so the doctors. The more confident and trained the support staff is, the smoother it goes. The goal of this approach was to keep the telehealth process simple for doctors so they can join calls after the video connection has been made to really focus their role on patient care, rather than troubleshooting technicalities of the video call connection.

Q: What was the biggest challenge in developing your hospital's telehealth program?

DL: Although the initial response from providers has been overwhelmingly positive, we continue to focus on helping our clinics integrate virtual visits into their day-to-day practices so they are using it for patient care consistently. This represents a new workflow for physicians and patients, and they must be brought along and shown how this is more efficient and simplifies their doctor-patient interactions.

Q: What is ahead for Stanford Children's telehealth program? What could patients hope to see in the next year or so?

DL: Our goal is to expand telehealth services from 1,100 visits in 2018, to 2,500 visits or more in 2019. We are currently offering telehealth virtual visits to patients for follow-up appointments. In the future, I believe there will be tried-and-true algorithms for the application of digital health technologies that should save both patients and physicians time and make their interactions more efficient and, hopefully, more satisfying.
Walgreens shareholders preliminarily approved a plan requiring the company to explain its strategy for monitoring and managing the risks associated with the U.S. opioid crisis, according to CNBC.

The measure requires Walgreens to prepare a report by June 30 disclosing how the company altered its governance since 2012 to respond to the nationwide crisis. The report must include how the Walgreens board oversees opioid-related programs and whether the executive bonus structure has any opioid-related incentives, such as promoting ethical conduct.

The plan was submitted by the Investors for Opioid Accountability, a group of state treasurers, comptrollers and asset managers. It filed similar measures with drug companies and distributors. The move comes as pharmacies, drugmakers and distributors have increasingly been blamed for helping to fuel the crisis.

Walgreens' board opposed the plan, arguing that it already discloses how it is handling the risks. However, preliminary results showed shareholders voted in favor of the measure. Final results of the vote will be released in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, according to the report.

Read the full report here.
Students and staff members at Ohio University's College of Heath Sciences in Athens created a virtual reality program that helps train individuals on how to respond to an opioid overdose.

The program shows two college students who find a friend experiencing an overdose in a dorm room.

"Using virtual reality goggles, the person can turn around and see everything.  When you look down, you can see them going through the bag looking for Narcan," Sherleena Buchman, PhD, MSN, BSN, assistant professor at Ohio University's nursing school who helped make the program, said in a press release.

She said she hopes the program will help students and community members know how to appropriately respond to an overdose and administer Narcan. Dr. Buchman also said her team plans to design another version of the program to serve as a teaching tool for nursing students.
A new law in Wisconsin prevents recently elected Democratic Gov. Tony Evers and Attorney General Josh Kaul from withdrawing the state from a lawsuit against the ACA, The Hill reports.

Wisconsin is one of two states leading the 20-state lawsuit against the ACA, Texas v. United States. It joined the lawsuit last year under the leadership of former Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel. The suit claims the ACA's individual mandate became unconstitutional when its penalty was eliminated under the 2017 tax bill, and as an inseverable piece of the law, renders the whole ACA unconstitutional.

Mr. Evers' and Mr. Kaul's campaign platforms both supported withdrawing the state from the lawsuit.

However, the Republican-led state legislature passed a bill to limit the authority of the governor's office last fall, after former Republican Gov. Scott Walker lost the election, according to The Hill. Before the passage of the new law, the state attorney general would have needed approval from the governor and the court to withdraw the state from the lawsuit. Under the new law, the governor also needs approval from the legislature to leave any lawsuit.

Read the full story here.

More articles on legal and regulatory issues:

Lawsuit alleges age discrimination at Texas Children's Hospital

Nebraska children's hospital fires back at surgeons' libel claims

Ex-Florida hospital director admits role in $1B fraud scheme
The Rhode Island Department of Health reportedly has served at least four emergency room physicians at Providence-based Rhode Island Hospital with subpoenas, according to the Politico Morning eHealth newsletter.

The subpoenas allege the physicians participated in behaviors that fall under the umbrella of medical misconduct, on account of mistakes the physicians reported themselves. The mistakes, which didn't injure any patients, reportedly were meant to draw attention to risks associated with the hospital's EHR.

The subpoenas primarily relate to medical scans, such as X-rays, which were mistakenly ordered by the physicians. EHR experts who spoke with Politico said these errors are common because it's easy to click on the wrong icon or patient name in complex system interfaces.

Physicians and EHR safety researchers have raised concerns over the subpoenas, suggesting that the department's response could discourage future clinicians from voluntarily reporting medical errors.

"Anyone punishing individual providers for these events is punishing the wrong thing," Jason Adelman, MD, chief patient safety officer at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital in New York City, told Politico. "These are system issues, not the provider being reckless. The focus should be on things like EHR usability and safety."

When asked about the subpoenas Jan. 25, Rhode Island Hospital spokesperson David Levesque provided the following statement to Becker's Hospital Review:

"Rhode Island Hospital is deeply committed to the safety of our patients and the continual improvement of our healthcare environment, including the processes our caregivers and staff follow. Furthermore, the hospital's culture of transparency remains a point of pride and is unwavering. Rhode Island Hospital supports our world-class physicians, nurses and other staff and appreciate their tirelessly work in providing world-class healthcare."
Four former IT professionals at Houston-based Texas Children's Hospital filed a lawsuit against the hospital Jan. 24, alleging it fired them because of their ages, the SE Texas Record reports.

The discrimination lawsuit, filed by Andrew S. Golub of the law firm Dow Golub Remels & Gilbreath, alleges that Texas Children's Hospital required the four employees to become either Microsoft-certified solutions associates or Cisco-certified network associates when they worked as senior computer operations analysts at the hospital nearly four years ago.

In the lawsuit, the four former employees  Randy L. Rasmussen, Andre Gerard, Thomas Collier and Mark E. Millwee  said the certifications "were not easily or quickly obtainable."

Texas Children's Hospital fired each of the employees and replaced them with younger hires, according to the complainant's original petition. The replacement employees, who were in their 20s and 30s, allegedly did not have either of the two certifications and were not required to obtain them, according to court papers cited by the SE Texas Record.

The plaintiffs seek unspecified monetary damages and a jury trial in the lawsuit, filed in the Houston division of the Southern District of Texas.

A Texas Children's Hospital spokesperson told Becker's Hospital Review Jan. 25 that the hospital doesn't comment on employee-related matters, but confirmed it is "currently reviewing the allegations and determining the facts of the case."
From 38 hospitals suing HHS over a site-neutral payment policy to Walgreens paying $269 million to settle two healthcare fraud lawsuits, here are the latest healthcare industry lawsuits and settlements making headlines.

1. Ex-Florida hospital director admits role in $1B fraud scheme

The former director of outreach programs at Larkin Community Hospital in South Miami, Fla., faces up to five years in prison after pleading guilty in Florida federal court Jan. 23 to her role in a $1 billion fraud scheme.

2. Optum sues to protect trade secrets from Amazon-Berkshire-JPMorgan venture

Optum, the rapidly growing health services unit of UnitedHealth Group, filed a lawsuit seeking to protect its trade secrets from a healthcare venture launched by Amazon, Berkshire Hathaway and JPMorgan Chase.

3. 10 employees hit NewYork-Presbyterian with $15M discrimination suit

Ten current and former employees sued New York City-based NewYork-Presbyterian for $15 million after an operating room director at the system's hospital in Queens allegedly discriminated against them for a variety of reasons, including sexual orientation, age and gender.

4. 38 hospitals sue HHS over site-neutral payment policy

Thirty-eight hospitals filed a lawsuit against HHS Jan. 18, alleging HHS Secretary Alex Azar overstepped his authority when he finalized a policy that will cut Medicare payments for hospital outpatient visits.

5. J&J pays $120M to settle charges of deceptive hip-implant marketing

Johnson & Johnson will pay $120 million to resolve allegations that it used deceptive marketing techniques to sell its metal-on-metal hip implants.

6. Supreme Court upholds patent law language in major win for generic drugmakers

In a major win for generic drugmakers, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld disputed language in a patent law that could make patents easier to cancel.

7. Walgreens pays $269M to settle billing fraud lawsuits

Walgreens Boots Alliance agreed to pay $269.2 million to settle two healthcare fraud lawsuits, alleging the company overbilled government payers.

8. CVS forced hospitals to drop CaptureRx services, lawsuit charges

CaptureRx, a San Antonio-based 340B program administrator, is suing CVS Health for allegedly violating antitrust laws by engaging in anticompetitive behavior.

More articles on legal and regulatory issues:

UnitedHealth sues dozens of drug companies for price-fixing

Pennsylvania hospital, 3 execs tied to criminal probe

CHOP sues over 'misappropriation' of its research: 4 things to know
Becker's Hospital Review has reported the following hospital-union events  including protests and contract agreements  since Jan. 16.

1. Healthcare workers rally outside California hospital after layoffs

St. Joseph Hospital, Eureka (Calif.) workers rallied Jan. 24 to protest recent layoffs and what they called a staffing crisis at the facility.

2. Labor board schedules hearing on complaints against Johns Hopkins

A federal labor board will investigate allegations that Baltimore-based Johns Hopkins Hospital interfered in unionization efforts by its nurses.

3. Understaffing is hurting patients, Zuckerberg nurses tell health panel

A group of Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital nurses allege staffing is inadequate at the facility and that patient care is suffering due to high workloads.

4. Pennsylvania hospital nurses, in talks over a year, set strike date

Nurses at Wilkes-Barre (Pa.) General Hospital intend to strike Feb. 13 unless an agreement on staffing and patient care issues is reached.

5. Rhode Island hospital workers ratify labor deal

Healthcare workers at Landmark Medical Center in Woonsocket, R.I., and the Rehabilitation Hospital of Rhode Island in North Smithfield reached a three-year contract agreement with management.
St. Joseph Hospital, Eureka (Calif.) workers rallied Jan. 24 to protest recent layoffs and what they call a staffing crisis at the facility, according to a KIEM report.

The hospital laid off two radiology technician assistants last week, in addition to 25 layoffs St. Joseph Health-Humboldt County announced last September.

Employees, who are represented by the National Union of Healthcare Workers, said the lower staffing levels are leading to long waits in the emergency room and care delays, according to the report.

The hospital said in a statement obtained by KIEM: "We will always adapt to create the best organizational model that allows us to serve our community's changing needs. It is important that the community have confidence in health care delivery in Humboldt County. Rather than being influenced by union rhetoric, the public needs to be informed regarding the facts and ....positive changes we have enacted."

Union officials told the TV station they will continue to rally until they see change.

More articles on human capital and risk:

California's St. Joseph Hospital workers to protest layoffs

Pennsylvania hospital nurses, in talks over a year, set strike date

Rhode Island hospital workers ratify labor deal
Frisbie Memorial Hospital in Rochester, N.H., has signed a letter of intent to merge with Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare, according to local TV station WMUR.

The two organizations said they hope to finalize the agreement by fall 2019.

"Community hospitals like ours must continue to innovate in order to meet the needs of the patients and families we serve," Jocelyn Caple, MD, president and CEO of Frisbie Memorial, told WMUR. "Joining HCA Healthcare would give us the opportunity to grow in ways that benefit all involved, including our physicians, staff, the local community, and, most importantly, the patients who rely on us for care."

If the deal closes, Frisbie Memorial will be HCA's third hospital in New Hampshire.

More articles on healthcare industry transactions:

OhioHealth to add 12th hospital

Ex-chief of staff's lawsuit delays $361M Kentucky hospital sale

Bankrupt hospital chain receives $610M bid
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey on Jan. 25 called for the complete removal of Phoenix-based Hacienda HealthCare's board of directors and executive leadership after patient safety concerns arose at the facility, reports Arizona Republic.

On Jan. 22, Phoenix police arrested a former Hacienda nurse for allegedly raping and impregnating a patient in a vegetative state. The Arizona State Board of Nursing confirmed 36-year-old Nathan Sutherland voluntarily surrendered his nursing license Jan. 24, according to KTAR News.

"I am sickened by what's been disclosed about the rape and subsequent childbirth by a disabled woman at Hacienda HealthCare. And, I'm appalled by the latest disclosure about the senior leadership's behavior and the lack of action by its board of directors," Mr. Ducey said in a series of tweets Jan. 25. "The senior leadership in that enterprise needs to be completely replaced. That includes the Board of Directors, every one of whom should be terminated immediately."

The tweets come a day after claims surfaced that Hacienda's board permitted former CEO Bill Timmons to stay in his position despite multiple accusations of sexual harassment and other "questionable behavior," according to a separate Arizona Republic report. Mr. Timmons resigned from his position Jan. 7.

In response to Mr. Ducey's tweets, Hacienda Healthcare noted Mr. Simmons' departure and said two physicians who cared for the victim no longer treat patients at the facility.

"In addition to these leadership and organizational changes, Hacienda has agreed to the State of Arizona's request to have a third-party management team in place to oversee patient care and daily operations," Hacienda said in a statement to ABC15 Arizona. "The object, again, is to ensure that not a single Hacienda patient is in danger or receiving anything less that top-flight care."

More articles on healthcare leadership:

Colorado governor creates office to reduce healthcare costs

Temple University Health loses top execs amid restructuring

Are rebrands smart investments? Healthcare leaders weigh in
Glassdoor ranked data scientist as the No. 1 job on its 2019 50 Best Jobs in America list, released Jan. 23.

For the ranking, job search website Glassdoor considered three factors: median annual base salary, job satisfaction rating and number of job openings. Only job titles with at least 100 salary reports and at least 100 job satisfaction ratings by U.S. employees during the past year were considered for the report.

The 10 best IT jobs in the U.S. for 2019, according to Glassdoor:

1. Data scientist

6. Devops engineer

8. Data engineer

10. Software engineer

17. Security engineer

22. Java developer

31. Data analyst

33. Applications engineer

39. Systems engineer

43. Software engineering manager

To access Glassdoor's 50 Best Jobs in America ranking, click here.
Here are eight recent news updates on major health IT and technology companies:

1. Allscripts is offering free pharmacogenomics testing to its employees in the U.S. through a new voluntary program.

2. Johnson & Johnson is set to launch a controlled, multiyear study later this year to see whether the Apple's Series 4 smartwatch can accelerate the diagnosis of a leading cause of stroke.

3. Apple is rumored to be launching the next generation of its AirPods this year, which reportedly will be equipped with health-monitoring features.

4. Cerner confirmed it is offering some employees a "voluntary departure" deal.

5. Google plans to purchase smartwatch technology from American fashion designer Fossil for $40 million.

6. IBM reported $79.6 billion in revenue for 2018, up 1 percent from last year  even as its quarterly revenue continues to decline.

7. Microsoft posted a job opening for a software engineer needed to work on a new project team focused on open source development for healthcare interoperability.

8. Teladoc Health rolled out an online treatment program for back pain, dubbed "Teladoc Back Care."
Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital will lower a patient's $20,243 emergency room bill after a Vox report revealed the hospital is out of network with all private health plans.

Five things to know:



1. In early January, Vox reported privately insured patients were being charged tens of thousands of dollars for ER services at Zuckerberg through balance billing.



2. One patient, Nina Dang, who suffered a bike accident and was transported by ambulance to the hospital's ER, was billed $20,243. Her care may have cost much less at other hospitals because Zuckerberg doesn't have any in-network contracts with private payers.

3. Following the Vox report, Zuckerberg hospital lowered Ms. Dang's bill to $200 to match her health plan's regular copayment for emergency care. In addition, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, which oversees Zuckerberg hospital, will hold hearings on the hospital's billing practices.

4. Zuckerberg hospital did not tell Vox whether it will change its network policies with private payers. A hospital spokesperson told the publication in an email, "We are focused on reducing the number of people [like Ms. Dang] who could be in this predicament, through a variety of methods, including our own practices, insurance payments, and policy solutions."

5. Zuckerberg hospital  which underwent a name change after Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan, MD, donated $75 million to the hospital  is the city's largest public hospital and houses San Francisco's only top-tier trauma center.



More articles on healthcare finance:

Ohio hospital faces closure after losing Medicare certification

HCA reportedly selling $1B in debt to aid Mission Health acquisition

CMS updates 2 payment models for Medicare plans: 7 things to know
Santa Clara County (Calif.) officials criticized California Attorney General Xavier Becerra at a press conference Jan. 24 for trying to block the county's purchase of two bankrupt hospitals, according to The Mercury News.

In December, the bankruptcy court approved Santa Clara County's $235 million offer to buy O'Connor Hospital in San Jose and St. Louise Regional Hospital in Gilroy from El Segundo, Calif.-based Verity Health, which entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy in August. Mr. Becerra appealed the bankruptcy court's approval of the sale earlier this month, putting the deal in jeopardy.

Mr. Becerra is seeking to halt the sale because Santa Clara County has not agreed to conditions put in place in 2015 when private hedge fund Blue Mountain Capital acquired six hospitals owned by Los Altos, Calif.-based Daughters of Charity Health System. The deal and name change to Verity were approved, subject to several conditions.

"In this case, we have the responsibility to ensure any transfer of the hospital maintains previously imposed conditions," Mr. Becerra's office said in an emailed statement to The Mercury News. "The conditions include the requirement to have an emergency room, inpatient facility beds, intensive care services, and NICU. The Attorney General is fighting to ensure these conditions are enforced."

At the Jan. 24 press conference, Santa Clara County CEO Jeff Smith, MD, said Mr. Becerra cares more about maintaining "power and control" over regulations than local residents' access to public hospitals, according to the report.

A bankruptcy court hearing on Mr. Becerra's request to halt the sale of the hospitals is set for Jan. 30. Dr. Smith said the outcome of the hearing could determine whether the hospitals shut down.

"If that stay is granted, that will delay the process  and it is highly likely those hospitals will close," he said, according to The Mercury News.

O'Connor Hospital and St. Louise Regional Hospital are two of the six hospitals Verity operated when it filed for bankruptcy protection. On Jan. 18, Verity announced it had received a $610 million offer for the other four hospitals.

More articles on healthcare finance:

Hospital chain delinquent on taxes in 7 states

HCA ups debt sale to $1.5B

Zuckerberg hospital slashes $20,243 ER bill to $200 after media coverage
Alaskan officials have upped their tally of individuals likely affected in a June 2018 data breach at the state's health department from 501 victims to 700,000, HealthcareInfoSecurity reports.

Five things to know:

1. The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services reported a data breach to HHS' Office for Civil Rights June 28, 2018. At the time, the department said 501 individuals' data had been compromised in an incident described as "hacking/IT."

2. During the breach, a trojan virus had infected one of the department's computers. The breached computer contained documents including information on residents' pregnancy status, incarceration status, Medicaid/Medicare billing codes, criminal justice history, health billing, Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, first and last names, birthdates, phone numbers, and other confidential data, according to a statement DHSS issued in June.

3. In June, the department acknowledged that the breach may have affected 500,000 to 700,000 individuals, but reported the victim tally as 501 because it could not confirm actual figures.

"The delay in notifying individuals was largely due to the volume of analysis conducted," Shawnda O'Brien, director of the state's Division of Public Assistance, told KTVA Jan. 22. "The department was able to partner with the FBI to do the forensic analysis of the machine's hard drive to get better detail on what the virus was able to access. It took several months and there were further delays because of the earthquake and staffing changes in the agency. The intent was to get notification out much earlier."

4. The department began mailing notification letters to the additional individuals Jan. 22.

5. In response to the breach, DHSS has enhanced its security protocols and policies to ensure all department devices are equipped with the most up-to-date virus protection software.
Orthopedic surgeon and Cleveland Shoulder Institute and Regen Orthopedics Founding Director Reuben Gobezie, MD, discussed trends in outpatient joint replacement with NBC affiliate WKYC 3.

The key details to know:

1. Dr. Gobezie said most joint replacements are moving to the outpatient setting.

2. The shift to outpatient surgery is fueled by innovations in anesthesia, surgical techniques and physical therapy.

3. Patient education, pre- and postoperative care and physical therapy are essential for patients' recovery after surgery.
Sacramento, Calif.-based Sutter Alhambra Surgery Center employees received the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserves' Above & Beyond Award Jan. 17.

Four highlights:

1. Director of Nursing Ernesto Brizuela, RN, BSN, nominated his colleagues for the award for supporting him during his nine-month assignment in the U.S. Army Reserves.

2. Mr. Brizuela served as a medical surgical nurse in Honduras. He returned home in December 2018.

3. While he was away, his colleagues at SASC covered his duties, sent care packages full of his favorite treats and called to check in on him.

4. The Above & Beyond Award recognizes employers that go the extra mile to support their National Guard and Reservist service member employees with non-mandated benefits.
After a small equipment fire closed Spencer (Iowa) Hospital's surgery center Jan. 21, the hospital reopened the surgery center Jan. 25, The Daily Reporter reports.

What you should know:

1. The hospital transferred 16 patients after the fire because the center filled with smoke.

2. The hospital completed its clean-up efforts Jan. 24 but needed to receive state approval before reopening.

3. Spencer Hospital President Bill Bumgarner said, "Were grateful for the assistance of so many people, especially the local fire department, area ambulance services, law enforcement and neighboring hospitals."
Two women accused of spray-painting graffiti at two San Antonio missions pleaded guilty Thursday to a federal charge of depredation of government property and have agreed to pay more than $10,000 for damages.

Gabriella Petra Fritz, 21, and Sydney Elizabeth Faris, 22, admitted that in the early hours of June 21, 2018, they, along with a third suspect, Andres Castaneda, sprayed graffiti on walls, signs or in the parking lots at Mission San Jose and Mission San Juan. Both have active Catholic parishes and are part of the National Park Service. In 2015, they were designated World Heritage sites.

Fritz and Faris face up to 10 years in prison when U.S. District Judge Xavier Rodriguez sentences them in April. The plea deals also call for them to jointly be responsible for $10,483 in restitution.

Related: Police arrest suspects in mission vandalism

Court records show Castaneda, 19, is scheduled for a plea hearing next week, though a plea agreement had not been filed for him as of Thursday.

The matter made local headlines in part because the graffiti included the phrase I Dont Care and Do you?  which some observers claimed was a reference to similar wording on a jacket that First Lady Melania Trump wore during a visit to the Rio Grande Valley last year. The graffiti also contained an obscene message to an agency that handles immigration enforcement, records show.

Related: Trio charged with mission vandalism indicted by feds

The trio turned themselves in or were arrested after authorities released surveillance video of them tagging the missions the next day, and San Antonio police filed state felony graffiti charges against them. They were indicted separately on the federal charge in July. Their motive for the graffiti is unclear, though police believe they may have acted under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Fritz, for instance, apparently has a drug addiction, records show. She was arrested in September after violating conditions of bond in her federal case and she reportedly admitted using cocaine and contacting Castaneda, who also was arrested on allegations of violating bond. Though a federal magistrate judge later reinstated bonds for both, Castaneda was released. Fritzs release depended on her seeking treatment at an inpatient drug treatment program, records show.

But she also missed a court hearing in her state case stemming from the same graffiti incident, according to the lawyer in her federal case, Stephen Harkiewicz. He said Fritz wrongly assumed the state case was no longer active, so an arrest warrant was issued. She has remained in custody while that is resolved, the attorney said. She appeared in jail garb at Thursdays plea hearing.

Harkiewicz said he couldnt discuss whether drugs had anything to do with her tagging the missions.

I really cant say much about that, Harkiewicz said. She obviously pleaded guilty and takes responsibility for her actions and certainly wants to make amends for what she did.

Guillermo Contreras covers federal court and immigration news in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read him on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | gcontreras@express-news.net | Twitter: @gmaninfedland
Raymund A. Paredes, who built a 15-year reputation for working to support Texas students from underrepresented communities, is stepping down as commissioner of the Texas Higher Education Commission on Aug. 31.

I just felt the timing was right, Paredes said Thursday. I want to take it easier at this point of my life.

Paredes, 76, added that family  a daughter and two granddaughters in California that he doesnt get to see much  was a major factor in the decision to leave. I want to be around more often for their birthdays and have the freedom to visit more often.

The announcement came Thursday, just a week after Paredes held a conference call with state education writers discussing the Higher Education Coordinating Boards funding proposals for the current Legislative session, as well as his hopes to meet the goals of the states 60x30TX plan. That initiative, which launched in 2015, aims to have 60 percent of young adults between 25 and 34 earn a certificate or degree by 2030.

Paredes timed his departure so he will see the coordinating board through this years legislative session.

Ive always been concerned with making sure students from all backgrounds have access to higher education and have the tools they need to succeed, Paredes said.

Coordinating board Chair Stuart W. Stedman will lead the search for a new commissioner. Thankfully, Commissioner Paredes commitment to serve through August of this year gives us ample time to conduct a thorough and thoughtful search, he said in a statement to the Chronicle.

He has helped me learn to identify, organize and prioritize issues that impact higher education, Stedman said of Paredes.  He was a driving force in attaining the goals of our previous strategic plan, Closing the Gaps by 2015, and is the states chief motivator as we strive to realize the goals of 60x30TX.

Appointing the next commissioner is one of the most important statutory responsibilities of the coordinating board, Stedman said. I will be working with my fellow board members in the coming weeks to institute a search process that will identify high quality candidates to fill some very big shoes.

Paredes said he hopes a new commissioner will start by Sept. 1, which will give the new appointee at least a year before a new legislative session begins.

Academic roots

The average tenure for a state higher education commissioner is four or five years, Paredes said. But he stayed 15 years leading the boards higher education initiatives.

He said he couldnt choose his favorite accomplishment during his tenure, but noted hes proud of the progress made on college transfer issues, approaches toward developmental education and launching the Texas Affordable Baccalaureate program, which has increased the number of affordable undergraduate programs at more than 10 state colleges.

Under Paredes leadership, the coordinating board also introduced outcomes-based funding for public community and technical colleges, the boards Thursday news release.

Paredes, who joined the board in 2004, said he has thought about his departure for awhile now, but added that resigning doesnt mean retiring. He plans to stay active in higher education and capitalize on his academic roots, possibly returning to teaching and writing, specifically op-ed pieces.

Born and raised in El Paso, he studied English at the University of Texas at Austin before a two-year stint in the Army. He later earned a masters degree in American studies from the University of Southern California and a doctorate in American civilization from UT Austin.

He spent most of his academic career at UCLA, where he taught English for 30 years and then served as a vice chancellor for academic development for a decade. He was named one of Hispanic Business Magazines 100 Most Influential Hispanics in 2007.

The reason I have [stayed] is because Ive had wonderful leadership, said Paredes, who praised the mentoring hes received throughout his time as commissioner, serving with governors, board members and staff through the years. But 15 years  I think thats long enough for anybody, he said, adding Id rather a quit a year early than a year late.

brittany.britto@chron.com

twitter.com/brittanybritto
A Mexican Mafia gang member and a Port Arthur man were arrested Wednesday after officials stopped their vehicle on the way back from Houston, according to information from the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office.

After surveying the duo all day officials stopped the vehicle on U.S. 73 and Wilber Road.
Two boats at the Sabine Pass Port Authority can now legally be rented for short stays.

The ports Board of Commissioners on Thursday unanimously approved allowing marina customers to rent their boats for up to five days.

In addition to answering the request from a marina customer who wants to rent out her two boats, port manager Mic Cowart said the change could present a growth opportunity for the coastal community.

You go to the area, you like the area, you keep going back to the area and you might even buy a vacation home in the area, he said.

The boats will likely be rented through a vacation rental-by-owner program. But the commissioners didnt set any requirements for how the rental could be advertised so a service such as Airbnb could be used.

The boat owner will be expected to make the port authority aware the renter is coming with information on how long the stay will be. The renter will also have to sign in with the port authority, cant have more than four people on the vessel and cant take the boat out of the marina.

They will also be required to adhere to the marinas rules and regulations that other customers have to follow.

The commissioners also approved changes to the 86-boat-slip marinas fishing policy to allow these renters to fish during their stay. Previously people could fish in the marina only if a boat owner was present.

With these changes, any overnight guest will be allowed to fish.

The boats are also in metered spaces so the port authority can collect additional utility costs that come from overnight stays. This would also be required for any additional boat owners who want to rent in the future.

To be allowed to rent their boat, owners will have to notify the port authority and additional provisions will be added to their lease to regulate the rentals.

Also at the meeting, the commissioners approved a $2,500 donation to The Golden Triangle Chief Petty Officers Association.

The association has been collecting donations of items and money to help Coast Guard members and other unpaid federal workers weather the government shutdown.

The port authority commissioners said making this donation is important to show theyre a part of the community and they appreciate the Coast Guards work.

kaitlin.bain@beaumontenterprise.com

twitter.com/KaitlinBain
Elaborating on Thursday's shooting at a West End home, police said a man shot his pregnant girlfriend and their year-old son during an altercation with intruders.

Anthony Madrid, 26, is accused of grabbing an assault-style rifle when two other men entered his residence in the 8700 block of Newfield Lane. His girlfriend and their child were "caught in the crossfire," police said.

"Madrid's conflicting statements about the incident, as well as his lengthy criminal history, led investigators to believe that this incident stemmed from some type of narcotics or other illegal activity," Officer Haley Morrow of the Beaumont Police Department said in a news release.

After the 1:50 p.m. shooting, police said, Madrid reportedly drove the woman and little boy to a nearby hospital, from which the child was airlifted to a Houston facility. Both shooting victims remained hospitalized Friday in stable condition. Their identities have not been released.

The gun used in the shooting was one of four illegal firearms found in the residence. Two of the guns had been reported stolen. Liquid promethazine (a generic form of Phenergan), 1.5 kilos of cocaine, and a large amount of cash also were found in the house, police report.

Neighbors told The Enterprise Thursday afternoon that the Amelia-area neighborhood is normally quiet.

Madrid was arrested late Thursday and transported to a LaSalle Corrections facility.

He was charged with use of a firearm in a drug dealing act and possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, according to police. Additional charges are pending.

At the time of the shooting, Madrid was out on bond from a 2018 drug arrest in Harris County.
Walking into Cajun Works, found inside the Vidor Walmart, you're transported to another world - one located on the swamp. Timelines on the walls showcase over 400 years of Toby Kimball's family history from France to Quebec to Louisiana, where they arrived in the 1780s.

For Kimball, owner of the eatery and franchise, cooking is more than just about taste - it's about culture.

"Personally, I've always liked to cook," he said. "I always was the camp cook, the cook at skip day. We live out in the swamp on the bayou on the Atchafalaya river, so we always got together and went to the river and went to my camp on the bayou.

"The camp was a place to relax and to share stories, and the beauty of our [Cajun] culture is not cooking to eat and go to sleep - it's an event. You cook all day and socialize and tell stories, and then you eat at the end."

Cajun Works Where: 1360 N Main St., Vidor, TX 77662 Hours: 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. Sunday Credit cards: All major Drink situation: soft drinks, tea, lemonade Info: https://www.facebook.com/cajunworks/ http://www.cajunworks.com/ (409) 681-5077 Price range: $10-$12 See More Collapse

After Kimball joined the military, he made a startling discovery.

"During my trips in the military, I found no representation of our culture - none," he said. "I traveled all over the country and overseas a couple times, and there was just nothing. I went to school in Tennessee - nothing. Then I transferred to Washington State, and then I transferred down to San Francisco where I spent three years. There was nothing to represent a Cajun. Everywhere I went, I cooked, and they loved it. So that gave me an idea."

After returning home to Louisiana, Kimball started a mechanic shop behind his father's gas station, with ideas churning in his mind.

"Around the camp one day, just talking over the campfire, I said 'We should buy the store next door and move your store and open a restaurant,' and it actually happened," he said. "I started engineering the products - the pies and the balls. After that, I started working on the older recipes of my family which goes all the way back to France."

Kimball opened the restaurant, located in Krotz Springs, Louisiana, in 2007, with its success spurring the motion of building a Cajun Works franchise in 2012. A prototype location was opened in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, in 2015, followed by the opening of the location inside the Vidor Walmart in October of 2018.

Motivating his pursuits is a desire to represent his upbringing, Kimball said.

"The beauty is that it's not all about the food," he said. "My whole goal was to build something that would represent our families, our past families, our culture in a true way where people could learn it - that's what this whole franchise was done for - not only my family, but every true, authentic Cajun family that was not represented."

Not wanting to be like anything else on the market, Kimball strived to create unique dishes with Cajun flair.

"Everybody had boudin balls," he said. "I didn't want to be like everyone else. I like different items. So I did all meat -your balls can come in any type of meat. There's no rice. It's protein. Why eat rice, when you can eat meat?

"And then the meat pies, Itried to have it where someone coming in the c-store or into a university or stadium can eat quality food without making a mess. That's where the pies come in. I have gumbo in them, Ihave crawfish etouffee, I have smothered chicken and rice and gravy in a pie, I have red beans and rice in a pie. You can get the same product that you're getting in a bowl or a plate put in a pie."

If you're struggling to decide on a dish, ask for a sample, so you can "try it before you buy it," Kimball said.

Customer favorites include the etouffee and the chicken gumbo, Kimball said, with catfish being another popular choice.

"Mine is Louisiana catfish," he said. "It has a flavor to it. People love it."

To wash it all down with, grab a cup of Roy's Lemonade - a lemonade that is the perfect amount of sweet.

Fans of the eatery can attempt to recreate the flavors at home by purchasing Cajun Works products such as seasoning, fish fry, and other pre-packaged items.

"Pretty much anything you can buy hot you can buy cold," Kimball said. "We have a display freezer up front with pretty much everything we cook - etouffee, smoked sausage boudin, etc."

In March, a Cajun Works location will open in Buda, Texas, with Kimball planning to expand more in the future, showcasing what his culture is all about.

"I'm representing what I grew up with," he said. "Life is simple in the Cajun culture. It's not complicated. There's lot of rice and gravies and fried foods. We like to have fun while we're cooking."

Kara Timberlake is a freelance writer for Cat5.
The OMG roll at the Sake Sushi Bar & Lounge in Port Arthur is made with spicy crab, shrimp tempura, avocado, salmon, tuna and spicy masago.

Golden Triangle may not have quite as many dining options as Houston, but you don't have to spend your lunch break running through a fast-food restaurant to get something to nosh. There are plenty of local restaurants with lunch specials and deals, so we went to Facebook to see where Southeast Texans go to get their mid day meals.

> > RELATED: Ready for happy hour? Beaumont's best bar bites

In Beaumont's West End, there's Monica's, where you can get delicious, fresh fusion cuisine like a Banh Mon sandwich  chef and owner Monica Cobb's french take on a traditional Vietnamese Banh Mi. All of her beef and most of her produce are locally sourced from area farms, and her specials change regularly so there's usually something new to try.

In downtown Beaumont there's Katherine and Company which has lunch specials that change every day. A favorite in the news room is their Wednesday spaghetti, which is a constant fixture on their specials menu.

Katherine and Company, in the Mildred Building at the corner of Martin Luther King Blvd. and Calder in Beaumont, has a wide variety of beverages available.

K & Co. also boasts an everyday menu full of fresh salads, sandwiches and soups. Try ordering a half sandwich like the pecan parmesan crusted chicken sandwich with chicken, lettuce, tomato and basil mayo on wheat or foccacia bread (pick foccacia). When you order the half it comes with two sides. I like the mushroom artichoke soup and the tomato, basil and fresh mozzarella mix. They also have great iced teas.

Another gem downtown is Woogie's Sandwich Shop. The original location is in Vidor and there is a third in Nederland, but all serve the same meat-packed sandwiches with a Cajun twist. Their jalapeno mayo is fantastic. Try the Swamp Thing, with roast beef, American cheese, Swiss cheese, and provolone cheese with jalapeno mayonnaise, mustard, lettuce, and a crawfish pistolette mix, all on their insanely good bread.

Close by, Chuck's serves sandwiches, burgers, nachos,and baked potatoes that are almost too big to eat. I'll admit, I've been known to walk the two blocks from the Enterprise office to this cute little cafe-like spot for one of their spuds. Thankfully, you can order just a half and trust me, that's plenty.

Back in the west end, there's Chaba Thai Bistro, which recently opened a second location in Nederland. Everything they serve for dinner is discounted for lunch except the appetizers. Pad Kee Mao  a slightly spicy noodle or rice dish with basil, chicken, shrimp and veggies, or the Pad See Ew if you want something sweeter.

Mid County has options like Sake in Port Arthur, where Cat5 freelance writer Hannah LeTulle suggests getting the lunch-only bento box.

She and others also had high praises for Golden Croissant in Nederland where their soup and sandwich combo supposedly beats Jason's Deli, but that remains to be seen. My attention was piqued by the mention of a pecan cheesecake cookie, so I may pop in next time I'm in the area.

The Neches River Wheelhouse also has ten lunch options for $10 that includes a half portion of their popular shrimp and grits. A soup, salad and drink are only $9.95.

Roadair Roadhouse in Port Arthur had the most votes of any restaurant by far. Their queso it a bit addictive, so, you've been warned.

Closer to our Cajun neighbors, the Old Orange Cafe has everything from quiche to crab cakes and tons in between. There's something for everyone on the menu.

If you want Italian food, Romano's in Bridge city has tons of options from their dinner menu available in lunch specials. Rickenjacks in Vidor makes a mean burger, too.

If that sandwich you packed for lunch is looking a little sad, break the routine and try a new place. It just might become a new favorite.

No matter where you find yourself in SETX, you're never far from a delicious meal.
Bluefield, WV (24701)

Today

Clouds and some sun this morning with more clouds for this afternoon. High 81F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph..

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John Cox can be reached at 661-395-7404. Follow him on Twitter: @TheThirdGraf. Sign up at Bakersfield.com for a free newsletter on local business.
In this file photo, President Donald Trump speaks on the possibility of a government shutdown during the signing ceremony for the First Step Act and the Juvenile Justice Reform Act in the Oval Office of the White House December 21, 2018 in Washington, DC.
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Authorities were combing a rural area of North Carolina when they found a 3-year-old boy missing since Tuesday. | WTVD via CNN
Jason Barry is best known for his Dirty Dining Report which airs Fridays at 6:30 p.m. on CBS 5. He is also the storyteller behind CBS 5's Pay It Forward which airs every Thursday at 6:30 p.m.
By Trend

Irans minister of roads and urban development argues that sanctions against the Iranian airline industry are contrary to international regulations.

Referring to the suspension of Mahan's flights to Germany, Mohammad Eslami says that the German Civil Aviation Organization charged Mahan with the accusations that were not suitable for the reputation of the organization.

Irans Civil Aviation Organization has responded to Germany in a letter, the minister said Thursday, Trend reports citing IRNA.

He argued that Irans aviation industry has been subject to sanctions since the past few years, saying that in addition to Mahans flights to Germany, many Iranian airlines are on the sanctions list, which is contrary to international regulations.

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By Abdul Kerimkhanov

By 2021, Uzbekistan intends to increase exports of agricultural products to $ 5 billion, said Uzbek Foreign Trade Minister Zhamshid Khodzhayev.

Speaking at the Forum of Nutrition and Agriculture in Berlin, the minister declared that from 2000 until to date, Uzbekistans agriculture has been growing steadily at a rate of 6.6 per annually, which is much more than the world average of 2.8 percent.

The forum was organized within the framework of Germanys largest event in the agro-industry - Green Week 2019. An official opening of the Uzbek stand took place here on January 18.

At the stand of Uzbekistan, a presentation of agricultural, horticultural and alcoholic products of Uzbekistan, as well as the national cuisine and tourist potential of the country was organized. The stand will work until January 27.

In addition, the Uzbek delegation held talks with the Minister of Agriculture of Germany, Julia Klockner, during which the parties discussed the possibility of expanding bilateral cooperation in the field of agro-industry.

According to last years results, Uzbekistan sent food products for a little over $1 billion (a growth of 25.3 percent), of which $730 million accounted for the CIS countries.

Because of the risks associated with a one-crop economy as well as from considerations of food security for the population, Uzbekistan has been trying to diversify its production of other agricultural products, while reducing cotton production.

Thus, Uzbekistan aims to increase production of grain crops up to 8.5 million tons with the growth rate of 16.4 percent by 2020 due to optimization of lands and introduction of modern agriculture technologies. It is also planned to increase production of potatoes by 35 percent, other vegetables by 30 percent, fruits and grapes 21.5 percent, meat by 26.2 percent, milk by 47.3 percent, eggs by 74.5 percent and fish by 2.5 times.

Currently, more than 67,800 farms operate in Uzbekistan. Their activities are regulated by the Law of Uzbekistan "On Farm" and Presidential Decree "On measures to further improve the organization of activities and the development of farming in Uzbekistan."

By 2020, it is envisaged to increase the production of cereal crops to 8.5 million tons with an increase of 16.4 percent, increase the production of potatoes by 35 percent, other vegetables - by 30 percent, fruits and grapes - by 21.5 percent, meat - by 26.2 percent, milk - by 47.3 percent, eggs - by 74.5 percent, fish - 2.5 times. At the same time, export volumes of these types of food will increase significantly.

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Abdul Kerimkhanov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @AbdulKerim94

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By Abdul Kerimkhanov

The state concern Turkmengaz will take part in the 13th international oil and gas exhibition and conference Petrotech-2019 from 10 to 12 February.

A major international forum will be held in the city of New Delhi (India), said Deputy Prime Minister Myratgeldy Meredov at a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan on January 23.

"The State Concern will acquaint large world companies with the development prospects of the country's oil and gas industry, implemented by large investment projects, including the construction of the TAPI gas pipeline," Meredov added.

Turkmenistan at the exhibition will demonstrate the achievements and multi-faceted potential of the domestic fuel and energy complex. A large-scale national exposition familiarizing visitors with various projects of the country in the oil and gas industry will be organized.

President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said that such events are useful for sharing experience, attracting investments and new technologies, and establishing direct business contacts with the world's leading oil and gas companies.

Note that many international experts called TAPI gas pipeline the key to economic prosperity of Central and South Asia.

The forum is aimed at developing start-up projects in the oil and gas industry and attracts them to stimulate, develop and expand the use of innovations in the industry.

The forum has been held since 1995, with the official support of the Ministry of Oil and Natural Gas of Indian Government. In 2016, as many as 690 companies participated in the exhibition, and 20,000 specialists from 50 countries visited.

The Petrotech series of International Oil & Gas Conference is a biennial platform for national and international experts in the oil & gas industry to exchange views and share knowledge, expertise, and experiences.

Being held for the last over two decades with growing participation, Petrotech-2019 is the 13th edition of the flagship event of the bustling Indian hydrocarbon sector that is a must-attend one in this part of the globe.

The event aims to explore areas of growth in petroleum technology, exploration, drilling, production and processing, refining, pipeline transportation, petrochemicals, natural gas, LNG, petroleum trade, economics, legal and human resource development, marketing.

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Abdul Kerimkhanov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @AbdulKerim94

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By Trend

The US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on a company registered in Armenia, which acted as the main sales agent for Iranian Mahan Air airline in Armenia, Trend reports citing Armenian media.

According to the press service of the department, Armenia based Flight Travel LLC acted on behalf of Mahan Air and fail to heed our warnings expose themselves to severe sanctions risk.

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By Trend

Iran's Ambassador to Russia Mehdi Sanaie and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Pankin in Moscow on Thursday discussed Tehran-Moscow economic cooperation at bilateral and regional levels, Trend reports citing IRNA.

Based on Russian Customs statistics, Iran-Russia trade volume showed 28.3 percent growth in the first half of 2018, standing at $945.181 million.

In the first half of 2018, Iran reserved the rank of 47 in the list of countries with which Russia had a trade which cannot be regarded an adequate position given extensive level of cooperation between the two countries internationally and in the fields of security and politics.

Sanaie has over the past five years made lots of efforts to improve bilateral economic relations to remedy the backdown.

The ball is now in the courtyard of the two countries' private sector and businesspersons to use opportunities available and help their officials to have the best advantage of the efforts.

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By Trend

Kazakhstan exported 14,200 tons of uranium in January-September 2018, which in money amounted to $699.1 million, Trend reports referring to EnergyProm.kz.

Thus, uranium exports in physical terms decreased by 18.8 percent, and in money by 17 percent year-on-year due to a decrease in demand in the market of uranium products.

The largest supplies of uranium were sent to China (57 percent of total exports, 8,000 tons, $422.6 million), Canada (18.2 percent, 2,600 tons, $108.2 million) and Russia (16.6 percent, 2,400 tons, $113.6 million).

It should be noted that KazAtomProm, Kazakhstan's national operator for the export and import of uranium and its compounds, is the world leader in the extraction of natural uranium.

At the end of 2017, KazAtomProm announced that in the conditions of the continuing oversupply in the market of uranium products, the company intends to reduce the volume of uranium production by 20 percent of the contract volumes.

Currently KazAtomProm is expanding the geography of its supplies on the world nuclear fuel market.

It should be noted that Kazakhstan is the largest uranium miner in the world. In 2017, the country produced 39.3 percent of the world's uranium output, followed by Canada (22 percent) and Australia (9.9 percent).

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By Trend

Turkmenistan's Minister of Energy Charymyrat Purchekov presented the report on the implementation of the project for the construction of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan power transmission line to Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, Trend reports referring to the Turkmenistan TV channel.

In his report Purchekov said that the construction is being carried out according to the plan.

While addressing the minister via a video-conference, President Berdimuhamedov ordered to keep under strict control the terms and quality of the conducted work.

The president stressed that the implementation of this project will further increase the export of Turkmen electricity, primarily to Afghanistan, where new jobs will be created as a result of the formation of the corresponding infrastructure.

Earlier, a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the implementation of this project was signed with Turkish Calik Holding A.S. to develop a legal basis for regional partnership for the construction of a 500-kilovolt transmission line along the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline.

At the same time, an agreement on the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan power transmission line was signed between the governments of the countries participating in the project.

Previously it was reported that the total volume of electricity generated in Turkmenistan by 2024 is planned to increase up to 33 billion kilowatt-hours, which is 27.2 percent more compared to the plans for 2018. Turkmenistan sells electricity to Afghanistan and Iran.

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By Abdul Kerimkhanov

Kazakhstan, Turkey, Uzbekistan and Afghanistan were the main partners of Tajikistan in the export of goods in 2018, Tajik media reports.

According to the Statistics Agency of the country, Kazakhstan accounts for 27.9 percent of total exports in the export of goods.

This indicator with Turkey is 25.8 percent. Tajikistan mainly exports to Turkey non-ferrous products - primary aluminum and cotton fiber.

The amount of Tajik exports of goods to Kazakhstan totaled about $ 300 million in January-December 2018, while the amount of imports for the specified period totaled over $ 536.5 million.

The volume of trade with Turkey in the reporting period amounted to more than $ 401.4 million. Of these, more than $ 276.5 million were exports of goods and more than $ 124.9 million imports of various products.

A significant excess of exports over imports in trade was noted with Turkey and amounted to $ 151.6 million.

The list of the main exported goods abroad includes primary aluminum, cotton fiber, precious metals and dried fruits.

Russia is the main country from which Tajikistan imported goods. As many as 30.7 percent of total Tajik imports accounts for Russia, Kazakhstan  17 percent and China - 18.9 percent.

Tajik total exports of goods amounted to $ 1,07 billion, while imports totaled $ 3,1 billion in January-December 2018.

Tajikistan's economy is developing rapidly and this makes the country attractive for foreign investment.

Agriculture is the most significant sector of Tajikistans economy. The main agricultural crop in Tajikistan is cotton, up to 90 percent of the harvested raw materials is exported. Tajikistan also grows cereals, vegetables, fruits, tobacco, potatoes, and cattle breeding.

In Tajikistan, there are large reserves of silver, gold, iron, lead, coal, salt, precious stones, oil and gas. Explored deposits provide raw materials for such industries as chemical, mining, metallurgical, machine-building.

The electric power industry is a well-developed and promising industry. Tajikistan is a major exporter of electric power, the country ranks eighth in the world in terms of hydropower reserves.

The largest industrial centers of Tajikistan are the cities of Dushanbe and Khujand.

The largest and most significant industry is the light industry. In Tajikistan, there are many enterprises engaged in processing agricultural raw materials: cotton, silk, as well as carpet weaving, sewing and knitting factories. Manufactured products have good quality, low cost, and therefore are in demand among both the local population and abroad.

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Abdul Kerimkhanov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @AbdulKerim94

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By Abdul Kerimkhanov

The American company Valmont Industries intends to enter the market of Uzbekistan and implement a pilot project in one of the country's regions, Uzbek media reports.

Ambassador of Uzbekistan to the U.S. Javlon Vakhabov held negotiations with the vice-president of Valmont Industries Joshua Dixon.

Joshua Dixon as part of the Valmont delegation visited Tashkent in November 2018 and met with the leadership of the ministries of water and agriculture, as well as a number of farmers who are interested in the technological solutions of this company.

Following the conversation, parties reached an agreement on the special visit organization of Joshua Dixon to Uzbekistan in February 2019. Vice-president will hold a detailed presentation of Valmont sprinkling irrigation technologies and equipment, followed by installation in a test mode in one of the districts of the region.

The American company also intends to provide Uzbek farmers with access to Valley University's electronic knowledge portal, which is a certified distance learning system in the fields of agronomy, irrigation, water conservation and water distribution systems.

Valmont Industries, Inc. is a leading producer and distributor of products and services for the infrastructure and agricultural markets.

Four primary business segments comprise Valmont: Engineered Support Structures; Coatings; Irrigation and Utility Support Structures.

The company manufactures products in over 80 different facilities spread across six continents and do business in over 23 different countries. Valmont is publicly traded on the NYSE under the symbol (VMI).

Valmont Industries - the world leader in the field of engineering structures and irrigation systems, the world's largest developer and supplier of irrigation technology and equipment

Today, about half of the U.S. irrigated land (more than 10 million hectares) uses systems from Valmont.

Diplomatic relations between the United States and Uzbekistan were established on February 19, 1992.

Thanks to active cooperation with American companies, two countries managed to increase the bilateral trade by almost two times and bring it to $332 million in January-September 2018.

Currently, more than 200 enterprises with the participation of U.S. companies are successfully operating in Uzbekistan. American capital took part in the creation of 25 enterprises since the beginning of 2018.

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Abdul Kerimkhanov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @AbdulKerim94

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
By Abdul Kerimkhanov

Serious progress seems to take place in the Karabakh settlement, since even some pro-Armenian political scientists can no longer deny what is obvious.

Russian political analyst Stanislav Tarasov said that the Armenian side will return a number of occupied regions in June 2019.

Touching upon the meeting of Armenia's Prime Ministera and the President of Azerbaijan in Davos, Tarasov stressed that serious discussions are taking place on a specific project that is on the negotiating table.

Moreover, the expert believes that the sides are currently talking about trust mechanisms.

Little is known about the nature of the negotiations, but one thing remains unchanged. Although Pashinyan has vowed for the participation of the puppet regime which illegally occupies Azerbaijani territories, no step was taken in this direction.

Tarasov considers it highly probable that Ilham Aliyev and Nikol Pashinyan will sign an agreement on Karabakh this year, in which the Armenian side will have to withdraw from several regions through indirect compromises.

If Yerevan takes such a sensible step, then most likely Turkey will return to the Armenian-Turkish protocols and ratify them and diplomatic relations between Turkey and Armenia will be restored.

Azerbaijan declares that it needs to return part of the regions, it speaks openly about it, but what Armenia is going to do is incomprehensible, the Armenian side is silent," said Tarasov, adding that if the Armenian side would not talk about the return of the regions, Baku would not communicate with Pashinyan, but would speak about the war.

Thus, the Russian political analyst said something that Armenia itself is afraid to admit. Namely, the fact that the Karabakh settlement, which the Armenian side delayed for a quarter of a century, is closer than ever before. And, of course the Karabakh issue will not be resolved in favor of Armenia.

Baku does not give up its previous positions. Azerbaijan repels from the resolutions of the UN Security Council and the Madrid principles, where it is said that Nagorno-Karabakh is a part of Azerbaijan.

The Azerbaijani leadership does not see Nagorno-Karabakh outside Azerbaijan. Baku is ready to give Nagorno-Karabakh the widest status within Azerbaijan. Then, the restoration process of these territories will begin.

There is not a single international document in the world saying that Nagorno-Karabakh has the right to be a separate state or part of Armenia. Its time for Armenia to get used to it.

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Abdul Kerimkhanov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @AbdulKerim94

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By Abdul Kerimkhanov

The trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Russia in 2018 increased by 21.2 percent compared with 2017 and made $5.73 billion, according to the State Statistics Committee's website.

Last year, exports from Uzbekistan to Russia increased by 6.8 percent and totaled $ 2.2 billion, while imports amounted to $ 3.5 billion (+ 30.6 percent).

According to the results of this period, Russia ranked second among the main partners of Uzbekistan, the share in the total foreign trade turnover is 16.9 percent.

China occupies first place with a share of 19 percent.

According to the statistical department, export of Uzbek textiles amounted to $ 639.6 million (+ 25 percent compared with 2017) thus, Russian market is the main export destination for Uzbek textiles.

In addition, Uzbek exports of fruits and vegetables to Russia increased significantly by 1.45 times and amounted to $ 164.8 million.

The republic also increased exports of natural gas to Russia - up to $ 583.5 million (+ 27.3 percent) and food products - up to $ 186.5 million (+ 29 percent).

As the committee noted, the growth of Russian imports to Uzbekistan was due to an increase in the supply of machinery and equipment - up to $937 million (+1.7 times).

Uzbek exports of rolled metal - up to $775.2 million (+1.42 times) and chemical products - to $366.7 million (+1.3 times).

Diplomatic relations between Russia and Uzbekistan were established on March 20, 1992.

The Treaty on the Basics of Interstate Relations, Friendship and Cooperation of May 30, 1992, the Treaty on Strategic Partnership of June 16, 2004, and the Treaty of Allied Relations of November 14, 2005, are of fundamental importance.

The main document regulating trade and economic relations between Russia and Uzbekistan is the interstate Agreement on Trade Relations dated November 13, 1992.

The two countries cooperate within the UN, the CIS, the SCO, the OSCE, ESCAP and other international and regional structures.

The structure of Russia's exports to Uzbekistan includes metals and products, wood and pulp and paper products, machinery, equipment and vehicles, food products and agricultural raw materials, mineral products, chemical products.

The structure of imports of Russia from Uzbekistan includes textiles and footwear, chemical products, machinery, food products and agricultural raw materials, metals and products from them.

Uzbekistan is one of Russia's leading economic partners in the post-Soviet space.

These are the Economic Cooperation Program for 2019-2024, the Cultural and Humanitarian Cooperation Program for 2019-2021, the Road Map for the creation of the International Radio Astronomy Observatory Suffa, the Agreement on the establishment and operation of branches of leading universities in Russia in Uzbekistan, the Agreement about cooperation in the textile industry.

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Abdul Kerimkhanov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @AbdulKerim94

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
By Leman Mammadova

Giant energy company BP continues to cooperate successfully with Azerbaijan in the development of Shah Deniz 2 gas field.

BP is just in the process of bringing on the next four wells in the second cluster as part of the development of the Azerbaijani Shah Deniz Stage 2 gas condensate field, Gary Jones, BPs regional president for Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey, said in an interview with Energy Intelligence on January 24.

So, there's various stages of additional gas coming through to ramp up, eventually into an additional 16 Bcm per annum, he said.

The initial Shah Deniz output was about 10 Bcm per year, Jones said. Once Shah Deniz 2 is fully on, with all four clusters, we will then get an additional 16 Bcm/yr, so there will be 26 Bcm/yr of Shah Deniz capacity of which 10 Bcm/yr will eventually end up in southern Europe.

We'll continue ramping up the gas due to go to Turkey, he said.

There's a ramp-up schedule that goes through the next few years, building up the sales to Turkey, Jones said. We've got six wells on at the moment. We'll have another two on in February, I would think, so that'll be eight wells on, and there are 26 wells for Shah Deniz 2, a good proportion of which have already been drilled, so that gives you an idea of where we are.

There is some exploration activity on Shah Deniz, he said.

There is the Shah Deniz Deep prospect that we will drill in 2020. So that could open up more options for gas, especially now that we've got the infrastructure in place, Jones added.

Shah Deniz 2 is the starting point of the new Southern Gas Corridor, which will deliver Caspian resources directly to European markets for the first time.

So far, the total gas production from the Shah Deniz field has reached 100 billion cubic meters. Since 2006, more than 196 million barrels of condensate have been produced in the Shah Deniz field in total.

Its reserves are estimated at 1.2 trillion cubic meters of gas and 240 million tons of condensates. Within the second stage of the field development, the volume of gas production can be increased to 24 billion cubic meters per year, according to forecasts.

Shah Deniz field covers approximately 860 square kilometres. The field was discovered in 1999.

The discovery of the giant Shah Deniz field and the successful implementation of the project made Azerbaijan a country that can export a large amount of natural gas to the world.

The Shah Deniz gas field is still the biggest discovery of BP after the Prudhoe Bay oilfield in Alaska. The agreement on the exploration, development and shared production of promising areas of Shah Deniz was signed on June 4, 1996. The agreement on the division of production was ratified on October 17, 1996.

The contract for the development of Shah Deniz field was extended from 2036 to 2048, while the shares of SOCAR and BP (project operator) in the project increased up to 16.7 percent and 28.8 percent, respectively, in accordance with the documents signed on December 17, 2013 in Baku.

The project participants are BP (operator - 28.8 percent), AzSD (10 percent), SGC Upstream (6.7 percent), Petronas (15.5 percent), LUKOIL (10 percent), NIKO (10 percent) and TPAO (19 percent).

BP is one of the world's most renowned oil and gas suppliers and its operations cover the safe development and production of key energy sources, and has been managing large projects for exploration, development and transportation of oil and gas fields in Azerbaijan for 26 years safely and reliably.

BP and SOCAR have long-term cooperation in the oil and gas industry of Azerbaijan.

So far, BP has invested more than $ 72 billion in projects in the country with its partners.

BP Azerbaijan is operator of ACG, Shahdeniz, Shallow Water Absheron Peninsula, Shafag-Asiman and Gobustan fields.

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By Trend

Children in Azerbaijan have problems related to growth, Tohfa Jamilova, Health and Nutrition Officer at UNICEF Azerbaijan, told Trend.

Around 18 percent of children in the country under the age of five do not have a height corresponding to their age.

Jamilova added that one in three children under five has a varying degree of anemia.

"This means that there are certain troubling issues. On the other hand, there is a noticeable improvement in the sickness rate of children. There is also a fall in the infant mortality rate and these figures are changing downward in the UN reports," she said.

Jamilova added that the most recent study on child health together with the Ministry of Health was conducted in 2013.

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By Trend

Azerbaijan is an important partner for Latvia, Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics said in a congratulatory letter on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Latvia, addressed to Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov, Trend reports referring to the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry.

In his letter, Mammadyarov congratulated his colleague on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Latvia and wished the friendly people of Latvia peace, stability and well-being.

The Azerbaijani foreign minister stressed that the Azerbaijan-Latvia relations have deep historical roots.

The minister also said that bilateral relations between the countries after the restoration of independence of both countries are successfully developing in political, economic, cultural and other spheres.

In his letter, the Latvian foreign minister stressed that Azerbaijan is an important partner for Latvia.

Rinkevics expressed gratitude with the concrete results in the political, economic, cultural and educational spheres achieved over the past 25 years.

The Latvian foreign minister also expressed confidence in further strengthening the cooperation between the two countries in the coming years.

The diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Latvia were established on January 11, 1994.

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By Trend

Georgian Ambassador Zurab Pataradze was summoned to the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry in connection with the installation of a bust of Mikhail Avagyan by the Akhalkalaki municipality in Georgias Bugashen village on Jan. 20, spokesperson for the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry Leyla Abdullayeva told Trend Jan. 24.

"Azerbaijani extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador to Georgia immediately held a meeting at the Georgian Foreign Ministry, she said. The meeting was devoted to the installation of a bust of Avagyan in Bugashen village of Georgias Akhalkalaki on Jan. 20. Avagyan directly participated in the occupation of Azerbaijans Nagorno-Karabakh region and the surrounding areas and killing the Azerbaijanis in the territory.

Azerbaijans protest on this issue was brought to the attention of the Georgian side," Abdullayeva added.

At the same time, the Georgian ambassador to Azerbaijan was summoned to the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry, where he was called upon to take urgent measures to eliminate this case, which does not meet the spirit of the existing bilateral strategic partnership between the two countries, she said.

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By Trend

The meetings of the heads of dozens of prestigious companies with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev at the World Economic Forum in Davos are directly related to the favourable conditions for making investments in Azerbaijan, chairperson of the Nizami regional branch of the New Azerbaijan Party, MP Sadagat Valiyeva told Trend.

After national leader Heydar Aliyev, who came to power in 1993, persuaded big transnational energy companies to invest in the Azerbaijani oil and gas sector, a new period began in the country, she added.

After signing the "Contract of the Century" with big energy companies of the UK, the US, European countries and other countries in 1994, the stage of abrupt development of the oil and gas sector, considered to be the engine of the Azerbaijani economy, began, Valiyeva said.

She said that over the past period, BP and other transnational energy companies worked effectively in Azerbaijan and investments were made in the country's economy.

It was impossible to imagine that the time will come and Azerbaijan will play a significant role in the energy security of the European continent, Valiyeva said.

"Today Azerbaijan through such transnational projects as Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan, Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum, TANAP and TAP ensures effective cooperation of many countries and regions and also contributes to the preservation and strengthening of security," she said.

Valiyeva stressed that Azerbaijan now has the status of a partner in the world, which has gained big confidence.

"Holding the meetings by the heads of dozens of companies with President Aliyev in Davos are directly related to the stability, security and favourable conditions for making investments in our country, she said. The investments worth about $250 billion were made in the Azerbaijani economy.

I think that the number of companies willing to invest in Azerbaijan in both the energy and other sectors will increase in the future and this number will increase by many times," Valiyeva said.

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By Trend

It is very difficult to overestimate Turkeys role in the fight against terrorism, Vice-President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), Chairman of the Committee for International and Interparliamentary Relations of the Azerbaijani Parliament, Head of Azerbaijans Delegation to PACE Samad Seyidov said, Trend reports.

Seyidov was commenting on a report at the PACE winter session in Strasbourg, France, in connection with the situation related to opposition politicians in Turkey.

Today, the world is becoming safer and more stable thanks to the enormous efforts of the international community aimed at fighting the "Islamic State" and other terrorist organizations, he said.

"The role we may play in this fight is enormous," Seyidov added. "It is very difficult to overestimate Turkeys role in this fight."

Turkey not only spent billions of dollars to fight terrorism and help victims of terrorism, he said. Turkey not only hosted and resettled millions of refugees from Syria and Iraq. Turkey sacrificed the lives of its sons, its daughters for the sake of peace in the region. Instead of expressing gratitude to Turkey, some politicians, some so-called politicians, if I can say so, are doing their best to help those who kill us.

I have a question, Seyidov said. What poses a big danger? What poses a big threat? Those who are trying to kill us using Kalashnikov rifles, or those who are trying to do everything possible to support those who are trying to kill us?

There is a group of people who try to position themselves as politicians, using a certain set of immunities, privileges, mandates, but in fact, they are equal before the law, he said.

If anyone stands for terrorism, if anyone openly calls for supporting violence, then they cannot remain real politicians, because politicians are those who are trying to represent the interests of their countries, their nations, Seyidov said. But these people are looking for something different. We must answer the question. Who do we support? Those who are trying to change the world or those who are trying to protect democracy, the world and Turkey?

And if we cannot support Turkey, let us at least voice our position for the sake of maintaining European values, because those who are now trying to position themselves as politicians will return to your government, he said. They are doing everything possible to take your powers, your authority in the European Parliament, and they will create even more problems for you in your Europe.

The PACE winter session will continue until Jan. 25.

Azerbaijan's delegation headed by Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee for International and Inter-Parliamentary Ties Samad Seyidov included Head of the Committee for Culture Rafael Huseynov, MPs Sabir Hajiyev, Ganira Pashayeva, Ulviya Aghayeva, Sevinj Fataliyeva, Elshad Hasanov, Fazil Mustafa, Asim Mollazade, Chingiz Ganizade, Sahiba Gafarova and Nagif Hamzayev.

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By Trend

The meeting in Davos between President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan was another step towards intensifying contacts and consistently protecting the fair position of Azerbaijan, Elshad Mirbashiroglu, political scientist, Ph.D. in Political Science, told Trend.

Mirbashiroglu recalled that the meeting at the Davos World Economic Forum was the third meeting between President Ilham Aliyev and Nikol Pashinyan.

"Earlier, during the meeting in Dushanbe, the parties had reached an oral agreement to control the situation on the border, to continue contacts and uphold adherence to the principles of a peaceful resolution of the conflict. It was clear during the Dushanbe meeting that Pashinyan had completely abandoned his previously harsh rhetoric. During his rise to power, he preferred pretentious speeches, such as the joining of Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia, participation of the separatist regime in the negotiation process as a separate party, "said Mirbashiroglu.

In this way, Pashinyan, like previous leaders of Armenia, pursued his goal of influencing the consciousness of the masses and gaining their support by playing the Karabakh card".

The analyst noted that Pashinyan did not voice any of such earlier expressed delusional ideas during the Dushanbe meeting.

"This means that he has accurate information about the position of Azerbaijan and is forced to come to terms with this fair position," Mirbashiroglu added.

In any case, the analyst continued, the meeting in Davos may be regarded as significant from the point of view of several aspects, and holding high-level discussions by the parties to the conflict on the situation as a whole is of primary importance.

"Discussion of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict at the level of the leaders of the Davos forum once again draws the attention of the world to this issue. I also think that the meeting in Davos can, to a certain extent, increase the sense of responsibility of the Armenian leader. Pashinyan wrote on his Facebook page that he immediately informed the head of the separatist regime about the results of the meeting. Pashinyan showed that he wants to fulfill the verbal obligation to observe the cease-fire regime ," the analyst 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.

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By Laman Ismayilova

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree on holding the 100th anniversary of Tofig Tagizade.

February 7, 2019 marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of a prominent Azerbaijani film director, Honored Art Worker, Peoples Artist Tofig Tagizade.

The Cabinet of Ministers is tasked to resolve issues arising from this order.

Tofig Tagizade was born in a family of teachers. He was raised in an atmosphere of love for art, for five years he studied at the music school. After graduation, he entered the the Azerbaijan State Oil Academy.

But he dropped the Academy as he volunteered for the front of the Second World War. After being wounded, he was demobilized. The love to the cinema induced him to enter the Gerasimov Institute of Cinematography.

As a director with a unique talent, Tofig Tagizade, brought important innovations to Azerbaijani cinematography and left a deep mark in the history of national culture.

A series of his works on various themes, including the films "Arshin Mal Alan", My seven sons" and "Dede Gorgud" are bright examples of art included in the golden fund of Azerbaijani cinema.

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Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova

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By Leman Mammadova

Azerbaijan is trying to expand its hazelnut export routes and enter new markets.

Lebanon is included in the list of countries importing hazelnuts from Azerbaijan, Ismayil Orujov, chairman of the Association of Hazelnut Producers and Exporters told Trend.

He noted that currently the product is exported to more than 20 countries.

In 2018, hazelnuts were exported more to Russia. In addition, Europe is also an important consumer of Azerbaijani hazelnuts. As we expected, despite the increase in hazelnut production in 2018, Turkish lira depreciation against dollar has led to a decrease in hazelnut exports from Azerbaijan. Proposals made by Turkish exporters on hazelnuts at lower prices decreased competitiveness of Azerbaijani products, he said.

The chairman of the association said that 14,500 tons of hazelnuts were produced in the last quarter of 2017, while the exports in this period of 2018 decreased by more than 40 percent.

Azerbaijan is known as one of the few countries in the world enjoying favorable climate conditions suitable for hazelnut growing.

The hazelnut, especially in the northern regions of the country, fully rippens by the end of July and the harvesting process lasts from mid-August to mid-September. Hazelnut growing is the main source of income for the population in the northwestern regions of Azerbaijan. It is also mainly a family business in Balakan, Zagatala, Gakh, Gabala, Khachmaz, and Shabran regions.

Today, Azerbaijan has become the worlds third largest hazelnut producer and exporter. As many as 20,850 tons of hazelnut were exported in 2017. The main markets for the Azerbaijani hazelnut are Italy, Russia and Germany.

Several varieties of hazelnuts, such as Atababa, Ashrafli, Ghalib, Ganja, Sachagly, Topgara and Yagly, are cultivated in Azerbaijan. Many of the country's hazelnut orchards are situated in the foothills of the Caucasus Mountains in the regions of Gakh, Zagatala and Balakan.

The hazelnuts produced in Khachmaz region are exported to the Russian Federation, and the hazelnuts produced in Gabala-Oghuz, Gakh-Zagatala and Balakan regions are exported to European countries.

Azerbaijani hazelnuts are being introduced to the international markets to enlarge the export routes.

At exhibitions in Dubai (Gulfood 2017) and Germany (Prowein), where Azerbaijani companies took part in a single stand, orders for exporting hazelnuts to Spain were received.

In 2019, Zagatala nuts processing plant plans to export products to the Swiss market. During the Azerbaijani export missions visit to Switzerland preliminary agreements on hazelnut export were reached with Switzerland's GN-company, Varistor and Delica and other influential companies. In the course of the mission, Switzerland agreed to import 220 tons of hazelnuts worth $ 125,000. The total volume of hazelnut export from Azerbaijan to Switzerland was 22 tons in 2017.

In 2016, Ferrero, the worlds largest buyer of hazelnuts, has started purchasing large quantities of Azerbaijans hazelnuts. Last year Azerbaijan produced 45,500 tons of hazelnut, which was 32.9 percent more than in 2016. The country exported hazelnuts worth over $100 million in 2017.

Development of the non-oil sector mainly depends on the export of non-oil products and the main goal is to expand access to new markets, besides traditional markets.

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Azercell Telecom LLC, the leading operator of mobile telecom market in Azerbaijan, continues to expand the chain of exclusive shops across the country and provide high quality services for its subscribers. The company has introduced the first Exclusive Shop of this year in Zagatala, located at Faik Amirov str.8. As a result, the number of Azercell Exclusive Shops has reached 21.

The new Exclusive Shop has been designed in a Nordic style and provided with modern equipment and facilities. Here, the customers can learn about any product, compare and test them right on the spot. The qualified sales representatives will assist customers with optimal decisions, service activations and with other inquiries. Also, customers can get various accessories and devices, supporting mobile technologies and purchase mobile phones for cash or on credit. This office will manage all operations implemented by customer services, except itemized bill service and transfer of a mobile number from one subscribers name to another.

Azercell has launched a special campaign for its customers in Zagatala. Thus, any customer who purchases a new smartphone from Zagatala Exclusive Shop within a week starting from January 24th will get a bonus of AZN 150. In addition, the shop will award 200 customers with special gift coupons providing 50% discount on the purchase of cell number and accessories.

It should be noted that Zagatala Exclusive Shop will operate from 09:00 to 19:00 on Monday-Saturday (without a break) and from 09:00 till 18:00 on Sunday (without a break). Please, visit the link

https://www.azercell.com/az/contacts/office/ to get information about addresses of all Exclusive Shops.

For more information, please contact [email protected]

The leader of the mobile communication industry, the largest taxpayer and the biggest investor of the non-oil sector of Azerbaijan Azercell Telecom LLC was founded in 1996. With 48 per cent share of Azerbaijans mobile telecom market Azercells network covers 80 per cent of the territory (excluding 20% per cent of the occupied territories) and 99,8 per cent of population of the country. Currently, 4,5 million subscribers choose Azercell services.

Azercell has pioneered an important number of innovations in Azerbaijan, including GSM technology, advance payment system, mobile internet services, Metro coverage, 24/7 call centre service, 7 day/week Front Office service, M2M services, one-stop-shopping approach Azercell Express offices, mobile customer services, Online Customer Care and Social Media Customer Care services, mobile e-signature service ASAN Imza etc. Azercell deployed first 4G  LTE services in Azerbaijan in 2012.

According to the results of mobile network quality and wireless coverage mapping surveys by international systems, Azercells network demonstrated the best results among the mobile operators of Azerbaijan. Azercell is the only company in Azerbaijan and CIS region which has been awarded Gold Certificate of International Investors in People Standard.

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By Abdul Kerimkhanov

The joint Iranian-Azerbaijani automobile plant AzerMash-IKCO will start producing Peugeot cars in the Neftchala industrial park near Baku in mid-February, said AzerMash Chairman of Board Emin Akhundov, Iranian media reported.

New cars called "Khazar Peugeot" will be equipped with an automatic transmission.

AzerMash-IKCO, with an annual production of 10,000 vehicles, will produce 6,000 vehicles at the first stage, by the end of 2019. The enterprise is expected to export 2,000 vehicles annually. The company will employ 300 people.

At the initial stage, two models of the Khazar car, Khazar SD and Khazar LD, will be released, Akhundov said, adding that the base price for Khazar SD is 16,000 manats ($ 9,384), and for Khazar LD "- 18,000 manats ($ 10,557).

"Iran Khodro" and a subsidiary of AzerMash LLC, AzEuroCar, signed an agreement on the creation of a joint car factory in the Neftchala industrial park on August 6, 2016. The total cost of the project is estimated at $ 14.08 million. Azerbaijan has invested 75 percent of the funds, and Iran - 25 percent.

Diplomatic relations between Iran and Azerbaijan were established on March 12, 1992.

Azerbaijans trade turnover with Iran amounted to $395.1 million in January-November 2018, according to the Azerbaijani State Customs Committee.

Iran and Azerbaijan successfully cooperate in all spheres - political, economic, cultural, energy, transport.

Iran's investment in Azerbaijan reached $ 3.1 billion. There are more than 700 companies with Iranian investments in various sectors in Azerbaijan. The functioning of the Intergovernmental Joint Commission gives a special impetus to the development of relations.

Iranian companies successfully operate in Azerbaijan. Two countries cooperate within the Joint Car Production Plant at Neftchala Industrial Zone, Joint Pharmaceutical Plant in Pirallahi Industrial Park, Hydro Power Plants in the Energy Sector "Khudaferin / Maiden Tower".

Expansion of cooperation between Azerbaijani port of Alat and Iranian ports of Anzali and Amirabad is crucial in terms of development of transport and transit relations between two countries.

Cooperation between Azerbaijan and Iran in the field of telecommunications and postal cooperation, cyber security, space industry, Iranian use of satellite resources, mobile communications and internet services is on the agenda.

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Abdul Kerimkhanov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @AbdulKerim94

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By Leman Mammadova

Belarus and Azerbaijan are further developing cooperation in machinery equipment that is holding a special place in bilateral economic relations.

The manufacture of Belarusian electrobuses, buses and combine harvesters will be launched in Azerbaijan, Ganja Automobile Plan told Trend.

The agreement was signed during a visit to Belarus by Niyazi Bayramov, Head of Ganja Executive Power, and Khanlar Fatiev, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Ganja Automobile Plant.

In particular, the parties signed agreements on beginning the assembly of buses of the Minsk Automobile Plant (MAZ), the supply of component electric buses produced by OJSC Holding management company Belkommunmash and the components for combines produced at the Gomselmash factory.

Gomselmash is one of the largest producers of agricultural equipment and one of the leaders in the world market of combines and other complex agricultural machinery.

JSC Management Company of the holding Belkommunmash was established in 1973 in Minsk. The company is currently engaged in the production of electric buses, trolley buses, tram passenger cars.

Ganja Automobile Plant is the largest assembly plant of Belarusian tractors outside the Eurasian Economic Union. So far, more than 10,000 Belarusian tractors and specialized equipment have been assembled at the Ganja automobile plant over the years.

As reported earlier, an assembly line of Belarusian-Azerbaijani tractors is planned to be launched during the first quarter of 2019 in Turkey. The Minsk Tractor Works (MTW) OJSC signed a new contract with Ganja Automobile Plant in Azerbaijan on September 22, 2017, for a supply of tractors to Azerbaijan along with an additional protocol on jointly entering the Turkish market. Up to 5,000 units of tractors are planned to be manufactured in Turkey. The design capacity that will be implemented during the initial stage will be up to 2,500.

Belarus is interested in the North-South project and the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, and Belarus aims to create a railway route Minsk-Baku. Recently, Belarusian Railways and the Azerbaijan Railways CJSC signed an agreement on mutually beneficial cooperation for the interaction of the railways of the two countries to contribute to the development of the International North-South Transport Corridor.

The trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Belarus exceeded $400 million on 370 commodity items in the ten months of 2018. Belarusian exports to Azerbaijan increased by almost three times, while exports from Azerbaijan increased by 44 percent. Products of the machine engineering industry, petrochemistry, woodworking, pharmaceuticals, military-technical cooperation made up the main Belarusian export items to Azerbaijan. In turn, Azerbaijan mainly export to Belarus petrochemicals, vegetables, fruits and other non-oil products.

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By Leman Mammadova

A working group of the Azerbaijan-Israel intergovernmental commission for economic cooperation is in Israel to discuss the prospects for cooperation in industry, tourism and education, Lev Spivak, head of the Israel-Azerbaijan International Association AzIz, told Trend on January 24.

The visit ends today, Friday.

The working group includes the representatives of the Azerbaijani Ministry of Taxes, Ministry of Economy, the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan, the Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University, the Azerbaijani-French University, the Baku International Sea Port and the Sumgait Chemical Industrial Park.

The Azerbaijani delegation got acquainted with the Port of Haifa, industrial zones, universities (including the Israel Institute of Technology) and the country's opportunities in tourism sector during the visit, Spivak said.

During the visit, the delegation also visited one of the northernmost cities of Israel, Ma'alot-Tarshiha. In the recent municipal elections, Arkady Pomeranets, who was born in Baku, became the mayor of Ma'alot-Tarshiha.

Besides the mayor, the guests were welcomed by Spivak, deputy mayor of Ma'alot-Tarshiha Hemed Naim, member of the city council Nahle Tanus, member of the city council Shimon Biton, director general of the municipality Amit Levin, heads of divisions and departments of the municipality and public representatives.

During the meeting, the opportunities for further mutually beneficial cooperation in preschool education and higher education, tourism and industry were discussed.

The intergovernmental commission between the two countries was established in December 2016.

The commission is headed by Minister of Taxes Mikayil Jabbarov from the Azerbaijani side, and by Minister of Ecology, Minister of Jerusalem Affairs and Heritage Elkin Zeev from the Israeli side.

The first meeting of the intergovernmental commission was held in Jerusalem in May 2018.

According to the State Customs Committee of Azerbaijan, the trade turnover with Israel amounted to $ 1.3 billion in 2018. Almost all trade turnover accounted for the export of Azerbaijani products to Israel. While the trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Israel amounted to $ 671.6 million in 2017, about $32.7 million of this amount accounted for the import of Israeli products.

The trade turnover between the countries almost doubled in a year.

Azerbaijan holds 40-45 percent share in energy imports of Israel. Azerbaijan and Israel also have reliable military partnerships. Israel plays role of an important ally in supplying Azerbaijani army with most modern weapons. Azerbaijan was among the top three countries in the list of Israeli arms importers in 2017.

Recently, Azerbaijan has started production of a new unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) - Pegasus 120. The new UAV is produced jointly with the Israeli company Aeronautics at AZAD Systems Co. production branch of Azerbaijans Ministry of Defense Industry.

Tourism is one of the areas where Azerbaijan and Israel successfully develop cooperation. The number of tourists coming to Azerbaijan from Israel is growing, and all tourists visiting Azerbaijan return home with the best impressions.

Israir Airlines & Tourism Ltd., an Israeli airline based at Sde Dov Airport (SDV) in Tel Aviv, is carrying out flights to Baku three times a week, as part of tourist packages. The direct flight is of great significance in terms of mutual increase in tourism turnover.

Azerbaijan has a huge potential for cooperation with Israel in economic sphere, particularly in such non-oil sectors as agriculture, pharmaceuticals and IT. Agriculture in Israel is a highly developed industry, while the country is listed among world leaders in advanced agricultural technologies, regardless the fact that the geography of the country is not naturally favorable for agriculture.

The partnership between the two nations is based not only on political, economic and energy cooperation, but also on shared cultural values, due to a fact that a large Jewish community lives in Azerbaijan. Todays friendly relations between Azerbaijan and Israel are built on centuries of Jewish-Azerbaijani coexistence. Estimated 9,000 Jews in the country are "fully part" of Azerbaijani society.

Several synagogues are operating in the capital of Azerbaijan, as well as in Guba and Oguz regions. Synagogue, opened in Baku in 2003, is one of the largest in Europe. In September 2003, the first Jewish school was opened in Baku.

In 2016, a branch of Baku International Multiculturalism Centre (BIMC) has been opened in Israel aimed at increase of the international community's awareness of Azerbaijan's and Israel's history and culture.

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Former Trump campaign adviser Roger Stone was arrested in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. early Friday morning, following an indictment in D.C. charging he lied about communications with the Trump campaign about hacked emails possessed by WikiLeaks, according to special counsel Robert Mueller's office.

The details: Stone has said himself he expected to be indicted by Mueller. He is facing seven counts, including obstruction of an official proceeding, making false statements and witness tampering. He will make an appearance at 11 am Friday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Lurana Snow at the federal courthouse in Fort Lauderdale.

Why it matters: Former CIA director John Brennan said on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" that the indictment shows "an extensive effort to influence the election" that "may have gone to the very top of the Trump campaign."

The question now, Brennan said, is whether that crossed "the threshold from collusion to criminal conspiracy."

Read the indictment, below:
Greeces parliament narrowly approved a deal Friday  153 votes to 146  to officially change Macedonias name to the Republic of North Macedonia, settling a 27-year long dispute that brought tens of thousands of protesters to the streets this week, BBC reports.

The big picture: Ever since Macedonia gained independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, Greece had used its veto power to block the countrys admission to NATO and the European Union. Its grievances stemmed from the use of the name "Macedonia," which the country claimed "implied territorial claims by to a Greek province of the same name," per Reuters. 60% of Greeks dislike the deal and believe the Greek government caved to NATO and EU pressures.
DAVOS, Switzerland  The question of whether China is a partner or a predator hung over the World Economic Forum this year.

One Davos veteran told Axios the Chinese participants were the "rockstars" of this year's forum. "Every panel has one or two Chinese people, speaking perfect English. They used to linger in the back. Now they are setting the agenda," she said.

Another said attendees tend to be sympathetic to China, both for economic reasons and "because they don't understand the Chinese model" and desire for influence around the world.

tend to be sympathetic to China, both for economic reasons and "because they don't understand the Chinese model" and desire for influence around the world. Both asked not to be named because they weren't representing the views of their companies.

The big picture: With all that in mind, three fresh perspectives on what we should make of China's investments around the world, particularly in Africa:

1. Chin Okeke, a Nigerian-born, Mandarin-speaking entrepreneur, said at a panel on the Davos sidelines: "If China is a welcome alternative to what we've had before, and if what China is offering is more attractive, then other players have to step up."

On Chinese "debt traps," he said: "As much as we point at China ... as a Nigerian I'd rather look inward, and look at the corruption of African leaders" who are making these deals.

2. Lina Benabdallah, a professor at Wake Forest University, writes in Foreign Policy that if President Trump really wants to counter China's influence in Africa, the U.S. "needs to recognize how Chinas influence actually works."

"Chinese presidents and premiers make a point of making official trips to Africa as soon as possible after taking office. ... Every year, the Chinese government sponsors thousands of exchange visits, short-term trainings, and scholarships for civil servants, young entrepreneurs, and high-ranking military officers."

3. Jonathan Hillman of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, writes for Axios Expert Voices about a growing worry that "China is using Belt and Road for political gain."

"History is filled with examples of states using foreign infrastructure to access territory, harvest resources, shape government policy, dominate technology, and undercut their competitors. In many ways, China is merely updating the playbook used by Western powers during the 19th and 20th centuries to expand its influence."

Go deeper: Trump's new Africa strategy aims to counter China, Russia
China-based drone manufacturer DJI has discovered that some of its employees inflated costs of parts and materials on some of its products for personal financial gain, according to a company statement on Monday. As the result of an internal fraud investigation, an unspecified number of employees have been dismissed for violating company policies. In addition to continuing to investigate the situation itself, DJI says that it has contacted law enforcement officials and is cooperating fully with their investigation.

These actions do not represent DJI, our culture, or our 14,000 employees, who work hard every day to serve customers and develop cutting-edge technologies, DJI said. We are taking steps to strengthen internal controls and have established new channels for employees to submit confidential and anonymous reports relating to any violations of the companys workplace conduct policies.

DJI estimates that the fraudulent activities uncovered could have cost the company up to 1 billion yuan ($147.3 million).
As it turns out, we're one of the top purchasers of Subaru vehicles in the region Kelvin Christian Go January 25, 2019 14:53

Subaru Philippines is on course for rapid expansion this 2019. In fact, they're aiming to double their dealer network this year so it's safe to say that Subaru will have a very busy 2019. It's for good reason too.

Glenn Tan, chief executive of Motor Image, spoke highly of the Philippine market. When asked how big the local market is for Motor Image Subaru, he had this to say.

The Philippines is one of the top markets for Subaru in Asia. Taiwan is first, then Malaysia, in third is the Philippines, said Tan. This is in terms of sales from Motor Image Subaru. That being said, it is all the more reason and initiative to expand the dealership network.

At the moment, Subaru Philippines has 19 dealerships. For their expansion, they are going for key cities in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Among these locations are Calamba, Tagum, La Union, and Zamboanga to name a few.

And with that, Subaru is planning an all-out offensive to boost the marque's presence in the country. They have kicked off 2019 with the launch of the all-new Forester, which is one of the country's top-selling Subarus. But they aren't stopping there. Tan also said that there will be a slew of special edition models that will roll out within the year.

One of these will be the Subaru XV GT. Set to debut sometime this year, it will be a slightly sportier version of the XV, and will have a kit fitted which was designed by the automaker's in-house tuning division, STI.
CVT

Poor sales for conventional-bodied subcompact vehicles are nothing new, more so in the United States of America. Neither is the fact that the Yaris Sedan doesnt compare to the segments favorites, including the Nissan Versa Sedan. Cars Direct understands from Toyota spokesperson Nancy Hubbell that theres something new coming for model year 2020. Look forward to seeing you at the New York Auto Show for more details, she concluded, leaving the plot open for the 2020 Toyota Yaris.While the Yaris Sedan offers plenty of options for 2019, the Versa Note S with thestarts at $16,545. Sure it lacks a collision mitigation system, but as far as bang for the buck is concerned, its hard to match the Nissan.The Yaris Sedan is $500 cheaper than the Yaris iA before it, starting at $16,380. And in case youre knowledgeable in all things Mazda, the Yaris Sedan is based on the Mazda2 Sedan. Production, meanwhile, is handled by the Salamanca plant in Mexico.Available in seven exterior colors, the Yaris Sedan can be had in L, LE, and XLE trim levels. Even the L gets a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system and SiriusXM Satellite Radio with a three-month trial. The LE adds fog lights, heated mirrors, 16-inch alloy wheels, and keyless entry with push-button start.At the other end of the spectrum, the XLE has auto on/off LED headlights and daytime running lights, rain-sensing windshield wipers, automatic climate control, leatherette upholstery, and lots of buttons on the steering wheel. A well-equipped example of the breed is close to $20,000, which is ludicrous money for a subcompact sedan.Its the pricing differences between the subcompact and compact segments that makes most customers choose the latter option. Worse still for sedans and the Yaris Liftback , crossovers and truck-based SUVs are all the rage in North America.If you had $20,000 to spend on an all-new car, would you choose the Yaris Sedan XLE or something like the 2019 Volkswagen Jetta in entry-level specification?
For many reasons, including ones that have to do with the ongoing U.S. government shutdown, the polyethylene balloon, pretentiously called Orbital Reflector , spins aimlessly around the planet as it awaits clearance to be activated.In Russia, government shutdowns are very unlikely to affect a start-up that goes by the name of StartRocket. The guys there plan to deploy around our planet a number of CubeSats that are to act as planet-wide orbital billboards.According to the companys website , the CubeSats will be fitted with reflective sails that will extend once in orbit so that light from the Sun is sent back down on Earth in an organized and meaningful fashion.Once in orbit, the satellites will arrange themselves in a grid with a viewable area of 50 square km (31 square miles)at an altitude of between 400 and 500 km (248  310 miles). The CubeSats will be capable of rearranging themselves three or four times a day so that the reflected light relays the required message to the unsuspecting people below.StartRocket has already begun pitching its idea to investors, and is planning to select a site for the companys production and launch facilities by the end of the year. The first test is scheduled for 2021.If all goes according to plan, well probably soon be living in a world where there's no escaping that pesky ad in the sky. Mortals won't be able to turn it off, and not even look the other way, as it will be always there, lingering in the peripheral vision every time a person is outside.A world where fictional men no longer turn into fictional wolves under a full moon, but when seeing a McDonalds ad at full power.
NEDC

WLTP

White accents for the grille and the years 1919 and 2019 embedded in the hood-mounted logo are visible, along with British Racing Green paintwork. Its hard to tell what type of BRG the special edition is painted in, though the number 9 on the grille appears to be a tribute to dark green-painted Blower No. 9.Described as the most famous Bentley in the world, Blower No. 9 of Sir Henry Tim Birkin raced in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1930. He and Jean Chassagne managed to race for 138 laps, coming in on 11th, while a second Blower (No. 8) completed 144 laps for 10th place.On the other hand, listen closely to the teaser clip. The broadcaster talks about 60 cars on the grid, which gets us to the 1926 edition of Le Mans. No. 9 was one of three 3-Litre cars entered in the 24-hour endurance race, but as fate would have it, No. 9 retired with a broken valve. Even more curiously, the teaser clip shows Bentley in the winners' corner at Le Mans, but that didnt happen in 1926. 1930, on the other hand, marks the final victory for the Bentley Boys.Team Bentley went on to repeat the feat in 2003 with Tom Kristensen, Rinaldo Capello, and Guy Smith, besting another Bentley and the Audi R8 LMP of Champion Racing. These being said, does it even matter which car or Le Mans is referenced by Bentley?Turning our attention back to the limited-run Continental GT, the automaker talks about a highly evocative model. Bentleys website already has a section where customers can register interest in the yet-to-be-revealed grand tourer.Dont expect a bump in horsepower or torque, though. The W12 gave Bentley a few problems over the switch fromto. On the other hand, the twin-turbo engine in the Bentayga Speed is expected to churn out 650 PS (641 horsepower).
Then agen, with the Big R being nothing short of a hyper-hybrid brute, there's nothing to complain about. Not only does the gas-electric powertrain of the Angelholm fighter allow the driver to play with 1,500 horsepower, but the setup also involves a transmissionless experience.So far, the US has only seen one example of the Koenigsegg Regera . As such, you can imagine that when the go-fast monster stormed into Los Angeles earlier this month, heads were turned as if there was some wizard in the background.Then again, the only magic going on came from the twin-turbo V8 that occupies the middle section of the Swedish missile.This machine looks bewildering in islotation, but when it is placed in an environment such as Los Angeles, the whole scene become surreal. And we can now give you a taste of it all, with the K having been caught on camera by an aficionado who likes to call himself the L.A. Car Spotter.The car lover also took a bit of time to deliver a message with the piece of footage that documents the hypercar's urban stint: "Wow. Just wow. Im still trying to find words for this weekend!"Note that the four-wheeled toy had attended the Orange County Festival of Speed and was going home at the time when it was shot.And while its V8 might not be vocal enough to match its go-fast numbers, it will still give you the giggles. As such, you should turn up the volume before heading for that "play" button below.P.S.: Since we mentioned the Agera in the intro, we'll remind you that a successor is set to be presented at this March's Geneva Motor Show.
Yossi and Jennie Adler and their 19-month daughter had just finished their vacation in Miami and were on board a United Airlines flight heading back home to Detroit. The plane had pulled from the gate and they were settling in for the journey back, when they were told they would have to de-plane once the bird was back at the gate.Naturally, they asked what the problem was and were told that passengers had complained of their body odor, they tell Local 10 News . The strangest thing is that they didnt stink  or so theyre convinced.They even have video of Yossi confronting airline staff about the alleged body odor that proves the United Airlines people didnt even want to answer their questions. They also say they stopped strangers in the airport to ask them if they could smell anything bad about them, and were told that they were fine.There's no body odor that we have. There's nothing wrong with us, Yossi is heard telling one of the United agents. We don't have odor, okay? Nobody here has odor.That didnt seem to do the trick. They were forced to spend the night in Miami, but United offered them a meal voucher and booked them at a hotel. Presumably, one that had a working bathroom they could use to wash up. Their fight was rescheduled for the next day and proceeded without further incident.In a statement to the media, United Airlines stands by the decision to remove the passengers based on other peoples complaints, but the Adlers are convinced there was another reason for what happened. And they want to know what it was.
WATCH: A man jumps on an Anaheim family's windshield and shatters it with his fist during an apparent road rage attack https://t.co/0pYwCe6Bc0 pic.twitter.com/qzTdFHS8dt  CBS Los Angeles (@CBSLA) January 24, 2019

The incident was captured on camera by one of the womans kids, who was with her in the car at the time. That didnt stop the man, who seemed determined to make a point about not being crossed. Police are now looking for him and he will have to pay for the damage to the car.The 34-year-old victim also spoke to the media about the incident, after she posted video of it online and it went viral. She tells NBC Los Angeles that she didnt do anything to provoke the guy and had never seen him before. She and her teenage daughter and a male friend were at a Jack in the Box for a bite to eat, and the male friend exchanged some words with the man.Then, he got into his white Jeep and started tailing them around. Thats when the teen girl took out her phone, because she felt something bad was about to happen.And that it did: the man pulled the Jeep in front of her moms car, forcing her to stop. He then jumped on the hood of the car and, with 2 powerful bangs, managed to smash the windshield like it was nothing.A 34-year-old Anaheim woman, was driving in the area of State College Blvd and Lincoln Ave when she noticed a white Jeep Liberty or Cherokee following her and driving erratically. The driver of the Jeep drove in front of the victims vehicle and forced her to stop. At that point, the driver got out of the Jeep, climbed on the hood of the victims car and smashed her front windshield with his fist before returning to his Jeep and driving away, the Anaheim Police says in a statement.The victims hood was dented and her windshield was shattered, causing an estimated $1,200 in damage, the same statement adds.Police describe the suspect as a heavy man in his 40s, with blond hair and balding. They also have a partial plate number from his Jeep, thanks to the same teen who managed to snap a blurry photo of his plates before he drove off.
VTOL

Over the past couple of years or maybe even more, an increasing noise can be heard in the background of the mobility and transportation industries. Its noise coming from vertical takeoff and landing () vehicles being tested by companies like Uber Audi , Airbus, and Boeing.These companies and a bunch of others seem determined to have scaled-down aircraft in the air in the not so distant future, acting as short-distance means of transportation for city dwellers. And as the world keeps watching intently the developments in the automotive sector, the VTOL industry is literally taking off nearly unnoticed.On Thursday, for instance, Boeing announced the successful conclusion of the first test flight for its autonomous passenger air vehicle, or PAV for short.Conducted in Manassas, Virginia, the test consisted in the aircraft taking off, hovering and then landing without human intervention. The aircrafts autonomous and its ground control systems were also put through their paces."This is what revolution looks like, and it's because of autonomy," said in a statement John Langford, CEO of Aurora Flight Sciences, Boeings subsidiary in charge with the project."Certifiable autonomy is going to make quiet, clean and safe urban air mobility possible."Next on the agenda is testing PAV s transition phase between vertical and forward-flight modes, the most challenging problem that needs to be solved with this type of aircraft. Forward wing-borne flight will also be tested.The PAV is a 30 feet (9.14 meters) long machine that took only one year to get from concept to prototype. It uses an unspecified electric propulsion system that gives it a range of up to 50 miles (80.47 km).This vehicle is not the only autonomous flying machine developed by Boeing. A cargo version of it, called CAV, is also in the works. When ready, it should be capable of carrying up to 500 pounds (226 kg) of freight.Boeing did not announce when the two VTOLs are supposed to be ready.
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Ranked for 12 consecutive years in the top three countries in the World Banks (WB) Ease of Doing Business index, Singapore is one of the most attractive places for businesses worldwide. Singapore constantly attracts new corporations and start-ups. The WBs Starting a Business indicator ranks Singapore at sixth position with an average time to start a business of 2.5 days. Especially for new and innovative corporations, intellectual property (IP) is highly important. Singapore is ranked in several major IP rankings in the top ten as a place with a very high level of IP protection. On the Global Innovation Index 2018, Singapore is ranked as the fifth most innovative place worldwide.

Singapore also presents a gateway to the one of the worlds most dynamic economic bloc  The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). With its ten member states and a population of more than 600 million inhabitants, ASEAN represents one of the biggest and fastest growing markets in the world.

Key industries

Besides manufacturing and construction, utilities also contribute to the countrys GDP.

Key sectors in manufacturing are electronics, chemicals, biomedical sciences, logistics as well as transport engineering. As a largely service-based economy, services also play a major role in contributing to the national GDP. Especially finance and insurance, business services, and wholesale and retail are key contributors. Besides, transportation services also play a major role as Singapore is situated strategically in South East Asia alongside the major maritime trade routes between Europe and Asia. Services in information and communication technology also play a valuable role in the Singapore Economy.

In recent years, Singapores start-up sector has experienced a rapid growth. Due to several government initiatives and funding, Singapore is today a hotspot for establishing start-ups. Singapore can also be viewed as an entrance market for start-ups to access the ASEAN market.

The Singapore Economy in 2018

Despite a slower GDP growth in the third quarter of 2018 of 2.2 percent on a year-to-year (y-to-y) basis, the Singaporean Economy is expected to grow between 3 percent and 3.5 percent in 2018  more than the expected 2.5 percent to 3.5 percent growth. Augmentation in goods producing industries declined in the third quarter to 2.3 percent from 7.5 percent in the previous year. Service Producing Industries remained relatively stable at a growth rate of 2.4 percent in comparison a rate of 2.8 percent in the previous quarter. On a y-to-y basis, the total merchandise trade rose in the third quarter of 2018 by about 14.7 percent. The total service trade increased at the same time by 3 percent.

Manufacturing businesses grew 3.5 percent on a y-to-y basis while construction declined around 2.3 percent in the third quarter of 2018. Especially information and communication business with a growth of 4.7 percent, and the finance and insurance sector with 5.6 percent were the main drivers of growth in the services sector. Accommodation and food services with a growth of 4 percent in the third quarter of 2018 and business services with 2.4 percent were further drivers of the Singapore service sectors growth.

Investment climate

The investment climate in Singapore is dominated by relatively low corporate taxes and a liberal economic system. More than 99 percent of all trade through Singapore is duty-free. Combined with the ease in establishing businesses, Singapore provides a perfect environment for corporations.

In April 2018, the Singapore FinTech fast-track initiative was launched to provide a faster patent service to innovations in the FinTech sector. By this initiative, FinTech corporations can be granted patents after six months and not like for other applicants, which are granted after a minimum time of two years. Legislative changes regarding the annual return of businesses have been implemented in August 2018, providing a different reporting structure.

International Trade Agreements

In 2018, several major trade agreements between Singapore and other countries were signed. Most importantly Singapore has signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the European Union (EU) at the end of the year, which will be ratified in 2019. The Agreement eliminates the vast majority of tariffs on goods as well as on services. Alongside this deal, an Investment Protection Agreement introducing a new dispute settlement mechanism has been signed.

The China-Singapore FTA Upgrade deal has also been signed. It provides the opening up of Chinas services sector, especially for Singapores financial and legal services. Considering the importance of Singapore as a hub for money going in and out of China and the difficulty to enter the Chinese financial market, this agreement will consolidate Singapores standing as a global financial hub.

Outlook for 2019

GDP growth in 2019 is expected to be around 1.5 percent to 3.5 percent, according to the Ministry for Trade and Industry.

The risk of a further escalation in the trade war between the US and China could blur the economic expectations for 2019. Shortages in global capital could also have a negative impact on Singapores economy as potential investors may pull money out of emerging markets.

The moderate growth of Singapores economy is partially due to potential weaker demand in electronics and engineering products. Especially outward oriented business sectors like wholesale trade, transportation and finance and insurance are expected to moderately grow in 2019.

Resilience is expected in the information and communications as well as education, health and social services sectors as the demand for IT solutions will remain strong. The construction sector is expected to improve as several building contracts are expected to be implemented.
On December 31, 2018, US President Donald Trump signed the Asia Reassurance Initiative Act or ARIA into law following its approval by the US Senate on December 19, 2018. The ARIAs main aim is to develop a long-term strategic vision and a comprehensive, multifaceted, and principled United States policy for the Indo-Pacific region. More specifically, the enacted law is focused on the promotion of American interests in the Indo-Pacific region in terms of defense and security partnerships.

The ARIA is aimed at reinforcing Americas role in Asia as the regions historic superpower and at maintaining strategic partnerships with its allies and partners. Thus, the US-ASEAN strategic partnership is one of the highlights of the said law. The so-called quasi alliance comprises of the US and six of the ten ASEAN states, including Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Other ASEAN member states are covered by the associated Lower Mekong Initiative which includes Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam.

Defense and Security



As per ARIA, US security interests primarily involve building new counterterrorism partnership programs in Southeast Asia and increasing maritime domain awareness both in South Asia and Southeast Asia.

ARIA promotes a joint Indo-Pacific diplomatic strategy in Asian waters through joint maritime exercises in the East China Sea and the South China Sea. It emphasizes on a rules-based international system which benefits all countries involved.

ARIA further stresses on the US-backed international system which is, as the US claims, being challenged with increasingly coercive behavior including Chinas illegal construction and militarization of artificial features in the South China Sea. In this regard, the US position on the maritime disputes involving China and some of the ASEAN states remain unchanged.

According to ARIA, the US reaffirms its commitment to treaty alliances with the Philippines and Thailand as per the Mutual Defense Treaty and the Agreement Respecting Military Assistance respectively.

Meanwhile, China has recently protested the signing of ARIA and called upon the US to properly handle the Taiwan issue. Parts of the ARIA enforces the transfer or sale of arms to Taiwan, which according to China, violates the latters One-China policy and interferes in its internal affairs.

Strategic and Economic Partnership

The significance of US relations with ASEAN encompasses economy and trade. ASEANs economy has grown by 66 percent between 2006 and 2015. The value of US-ASEAN total bilateral trade increased by 78 percent since 2004. ARIA states that trading with ASEAN member states will continue to be of vital importance for the growth of the US economy.

ARIA stresses on the continuation of the US-ASEAN Economic Partnership by carrying essout a comprehensive economic engagement framework through their respective trade representatives.

Another priority area in the oversight and development of US strategies includes a comprehensive, integrated and multilayer Indo-Pacific energy strategy in order to augment US exports of energy to the region.

Lower Mekong Initiative

The Lower Mekong Initiative (LMI) was established in 2009 as a multinational effort initiated by the US and non-security alliance states such as Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam. Myanmar joined LMI in July 2012.

The US interest in advancing the LMI is grounded in the shared resources of the countries in the Mekong River basin. As a Dialogue Partner, the US promotes regional integration and cooperation among these countries by assisting in several developmental projects.

ARIA reiterates increased US engagement in this region by intensifying assistance in various areas including environmental challenges and resilience; preservation of biodiversity and access to safe drinking water; English training and internet connectivity in rural communities; and global health chellenges such as HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis.

Furthermore, a mandatory annual report on the regional engagement through the LMI is required by ARIA, along with a report on terrorism in Southeast Asia.

Future Impact

Emphasis on the Importance of American Values

ARIA allocates US$25 million to the promotion of American democracy and strengthening of civil society, human rights, rule of law, transparency and accountability in the Indo-Pacific region.

The US supports the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative, ASEAN Youth Volunteers Program and other people-to-people exchange programs to achieve this goal.

Fund Appropriation

With regards to US funding, ARIA directs that only Congress can appropriate funding which means that the President shall not have any power to do so otherwise. US$150,000,000 will be appropriated to the Indo-Pacific region for each fiscal year from 2019-2023.

ARIA stipulates that financial assistance will be subjected to a budget cut in countries such as Cambodia, Myanmar and USs closest security ally in ASEAN, the Philippines, due to human rights issues. It postulates that financial funding may not be available in full to the countries mentioned above. For example, the US is opposed to the use of its funds in the Philippines war on drugs. It may be recounted that Philippine President Duterte shrugged this off and even threatened to reject any financial aid from the United States.

The US demand on fund appropriation may have a political impact on US relations with some of the ASEAN member states, but it can also be geared toward a more effective hedging strategy amid the US-China rivalry.

Economy and Trade

ARIAs focus on energy strategy and increased economic partnerships will likely make cooperation with ASEAN imperative for the US.

The proposed energy initiatives by the US are aimed at boosting the US-ASEAN Energy Cooperation Work Plan under the ASEAN Plan of Action on Energy Cooperation (APAEC) 2016-2025. ASEANs high reliance on LNG also paves the way for the US to extend its capabilities and facilities, which in turn is expected to reap economic benefits. On the other hand, ARIA is expected to further enhance the value to the US-ASEAN Connect established during the Obama administration.

The US sees the ARIA as an opportunity to come to a new trade deal with Asia after Trumps withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) initiated by his predecessor. ARIA is believed to embody the US consolidation of power and ASEANs dependency on the US for the strengthening of regional integration in the region.
In his Wall Street Journal review last week of the Metropolitan Museums provocative new installation, Art of Native America: The Charles and Valerie Diker Collection, veteran cultural journalist Edward Rothstein once again demonstrated a lack of tolerance for exhibitions of American Indian art that explore the societies injustices and hardships, rather than sticking with dispassionate scholarly analysis.

I, too, was disappointed by the Mets installation, but for entirely different reasons. (More on that later.)

I had first clashed with Rothsteins take on Native American displays in 2004, when we shot off warring reviews (his for the NY Times, mine for the Wall Street Journal) of the inaugural installation of the National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) in Washington.

Rothsteins WSJ appraisal last week of the Mets Diker installation gave me traumatic flashbacks to our earlier skirmish. This time, he chastised the Met for cloaking its new year-long display with the pride and resentments of identity politics.

I guess its time for me to dust off some old arrows.

Apache artist, Quiver and Arrows, ca. 1875, on loan to the Met from Diker Collection

Photo by Lee Rosenbaum

Back in 2004, I had referred to our differences (without mentioning Ed by name) at the beginning of my WSJ assessment of the NMAI:

As an art museum, the Smithsonian Institutions new National Museum of the American Indian is a failure. But as a museum limning the lives, beliefs and histories of diverse Native American tribes from the Arctic to South America, NMAI is a substantial success. Only by accepting this museum on its own terms can you appreciate the accomplishments of its staff and the community curators from 24 tribes who collaborated to tell their peoples stories from the inside.

If past is prologue, I shouldnt have been surprised that Rothstein, now critic-at-large for the WSJ, objected in his review to the Mets use, throughout its Diker display, of quotes from Native historians and academics repeating familiar tropes without much illumination.

Complaining about what he experienced as a constant thrum of blame and self-celebration instead of scholarship, he particularly objected to the accompanying commentary [that] seems intent on unifying, not distinguishing, compressing 18 centuries and over 50 cultures into a single schema.

According to Rothstein:



There is no way to conceptualize what we are looking at, either by tribe or culture.The museum makes no effort to shed light on important cultural distinctions [emphasis added].

The exhibition he describes is not the exhibition I saw: Cultural distinctions among tribes were elucidated in object labels throughout the Diker display, with pithy, informative analysis of what we were seeing. I thought the level of scholarship, which Rothstein found wanting, was up to the Mets usual high standards.

Dont take my word for it. The labels (and their related objects) eloquently speak for themselves:

Photo by Lee Rosenbaum

Photo by Lee Rosenbaum

Photo by Lee Rosenbaum

You cant have actually have read these labels and say that the show gives us no way to conceptualize what we are looking at, either by tribe or culture. Deeply informed and vividly descriptive, they bear the authoritative stamp of Gaylord Torrence, guest curator for the installation.

CultureGrrl readers may remember Torrence, the Nelson-Atkins Museums senior curator of American Indian Art, from my admiring 2010 WSJ review and blog post about the Kansas City museums sweeping reinstallation of its Native American collection, which he played a major role in assembling.

Gaylord Torrence

Photo by Lee Rosenbaum

Since Torrences labels were up to snuff in terms of scholarship, Im guessing that what most irritated Rothstein were the regional section texts like the one below, which juxtapose curatorial commentary with italicized, polemical pronouncements from those whose cultures are on view:

As I did at the National Museum of the American Indian, I found it appropriate to approach these objects not only from the curatorial perspective, but also from the informed, if censorious, viewpoint of Native Americans themselves.

Speaking of the NMAI, heres the Diker installations signature quote, from the director of that museum (one of many shuttered by the government shutdown):



Kevin Gover, director of the National Museum of the American Indian, as seen in his office overlooking the Capitol

Photo by Lee Rosenbaum

Interestingly, Rothstein did admire the NMAIs long-term Americans installation, which doesnt rely on that museums superlative collection, but assembles and interprets images of Native Americans by non-Natives. Go figure.

As it happened, Rothstein and I were on the same page in our reviews of another identity-driven display: In his January 2018 WSJ review of the Jewish Museums reinstallation of its permanent collection, Rothstein took that museums curators and director to task for being insufficiently attentive to Jewish identitymy tribe and, I believe, his. He faulted the museums stated objective of emphasizing universal values that are shared among people of all faiths and backgrounds, rather than elucidating Jewish beliefs and culture, as embodied in the objects.

Perhaps one tends to be more receptive to identity displays that relate to ones own identity.

What disappointed me about the Mets installation was not the interpretation of the objects, but the objects themselves. From what Ive seen of the Diker Collection (selections from donations, promised gifts and loans to the Met), it doesnt rise to the level of quality of leading Native American displays elsewherethe NMAI, Nelson-Atkins, Denver Art Museum and Fenimore Art Museum (its Eugene Thaw Collection), to name a few.

To my eyes, some of the works already owned by the Met (notably those from the Ralph Coe and Nelson Rockefeller collections) are of greater interest and/or quality than the Diker holdings.

By stipulating that their works must always be shown in the Mets American art galleries (not in its Rockefeller Wing where the other Native American objects are installed), the Dikers have not only underscored their defensible conviction that Native American art has more affinity with American art than with objects from Africa or Oceania; theyve also evaded invidious comparisons to superb Native American objects displayed in the Mets Rockefeller Wing, including these:

Northwest Coast 19th-century Headress Frontlets

Center: Gift from Ralph Coe Foundation

Left & Right: Bequests from Nelson Rockefeller Collection

Photo by Lee Rosenbaum



Northwest Coast Bent-Corner Dish (which held fish, whale or seal oil), ca. 1750-1800, on temporary loan from Fenimore Art Museums Thaw Collection

Photo by Lee Rosenbaum

George Walkus, Yagim Mask, 1920-25, Kwakwakawakw, British Columbia, gift of Ralph Coe Foundation

Photo by Lee Rosenbaum

It remains to be seen how the Met will reconfigure and reinterpret its Native American collection when it completely overhauls and reimagines its Rockefeller Wing for the arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas, beginning in late 2020. The insistence that the Diker works remain in the American Wing hobbles curatorial prerogatives, in the not-so-grand tradition of Annenberg, Lehman, Linsky, Altman, Gelman, etc.collectors who carved out distinct fiefdoms at the Met.

Sylvia Yount, head of the Mets American Wing (whom CultureGrrl readers may remember from her time as American art curator at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts), told me that the Diker material will remain in its current gallery for the next decade, with regular rotations of light-sensitive work. Happily, the agreement with the Dikers does allow the possibility of adding other Native American works from different collections to the display, as well as featuring related installations of Euro- and Native American works in dialogue.

Thats already happening, with (for example) Standing Bears monumental drawing of the defeat of Lt. Colonel George Custers troops by Lakota Sioux and Cheyenne warriors, on view alongside paintings and bronzes of the American West:

Center: Standing Bear/ Mato Najin (Minneconjou Lakota/Teton Sioux),

The Battle of the Little Bighorn, ca. 1920, Gift from the Diker Collection

Photo by Lee Rosenbaum

According to Yount:

Soon we will be transferring the Coe collection to the American Wing, as it roughly follows the same chronological parameters of the Diker collection and other artistic production in our department. Some Coe works may be displayed in other galleries in the Wing, in conversation with non-Native works. The Rockefeller gifts of Northwest Coast material will remain in AAOA [Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas], as theyre part of that departments foundational collection. We feel that featuring a range of Native American artpre-colonial, historical, modern and contemporaryin different contexts at the Museum makes for a richer presentation, interpretation, and understanding.

What would truly make for a richer presentation, interpretation, and understanding would be to hire a staff curator with expertise in Native American Artan urgent need, given the sweeping plans to reorganize the expanded collection. The Nelson-Atkins Torrence was guest curator not only for the Diker display but also for the Mets 2015 Plains Indians exhibition.

I am committed to hiring a full-time curator with an expertise in Native American art, as soon as it is institutionally possible, Yount told me. In the meantime, we are planning other partnerships with Native American scholars on future projects.

Having no in-house expertise for an important aspect of its collection seems very un-Metlike.
In 2009, with help from the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities, the [Getty Conservation Institute] brought in a team of environmental engineers, architects and designers to improve the tombs infrastructure, an Egyptologist to conduct background research, microbiologists to study the brown spots, and conservators to treat the walls. Together, they carried out the most intensive study and restoration of the tomb since [Howard Carter discovered it in 1922].  Hyperallergic
The project for a new building for the museum, first launched in 2008, has been revived from the Chan family, prominent Vancouver philanthropists who gave the anchor donation for whats now the Chan Center for the Performing Arts. This new gift is the largest private one for arts and culture in the history of British Columbia. At the announcement, updated designs by Herzog & de Meuron were presented, showing a building clad in vertical glass logs and wood.  Vancouver Sun
Russias Head of the Directorate General for international military cooperation Aleksandr Klimovsky stated that Moscow had opened a military office in Laos while at the parade in the countrys capital of Vientiane on Sunday 20 January 2019.



The recently delivered T-72B1s (left) parade for the first time in Vientiane (Picture source: Russian MoD)

Russias T-72B tanks and BRDM-2M amphibious armored patrol vehicles featured in a parade on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Lao Peoples Armed Forces, the Russian Defense Ministry said. "The military parade on occasion of the 70th anniversary since the founding of the Lao Peoples Armed Forces featured the Russian military equipment, which was put into service in the Lao Peoples Democratic Republic. Among the represented items were T-72 modernized tanks and BRDM-2M armored vehicles," it said.

Russia is supplying military equipment to Laos in accordance with the agreements reached during the visit to the country of Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu in January 2018. Under an agreement between the two countries, a representative office of the Russian Defense Ministry was opened in Laos capital of Vientiane. It will expand military-technical cooperation, training of Lao military in Russia, Russian consultations in the buildup of Lao armed forces, operation and engagement of arms and hardware. The 2019 bilateral cooperation plan envisages over 20 events.



Laotian army top leaders parading in Chinese-made BAIC 4x4 vehicles (Picture source: Russian MoD)




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The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled against Spain in 9 of the 10 sentences related to the country that it issued last year. This is according to the yearly report unveiled by the Strasbourg court at a press conference on Thursday. Among the articles of the European Convention that Spain has violated are that of inhuman and degrading treatment, the right to a fair trial, the right to privacy and family life, freedom of expression, and the absence of an effective enquiry.
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Posted on: January 25, 2019 4:38 PM

Fifty young people from the Anglican Church of Chile (Iglesia Anglicana de Chile - IACH) have attended a training camp this month to learn how to make disciples in their local churches. This years El Campamento de Formacion (Formation Camp - CDF) was organised by the Provinces Centro de Estudios Pastorales (Centre for Pastoral Studies - CEP) as part of a scheme that is now in its 14th year. Pastor Cristobal Ceron, the Rector of the CEP, said that the aim of CDF is for each young person to see the camp as part of a process in his life, where they are trained to serve in their local churches and train disciples; and to teach the Word of God in an appropriate way.

The CDP is the only time in the year in which young people from different parts of the country gather together for training to exercise leadership in their local churches through biblical teaching and discipleship.

The program included workshops composed of group devotionals, personal mentoring in groups of three, plenary sessions, biblical courses and specific youth-oriented workshops.

The biblical courses are fixed every year and are oriented to deliver theological tools to each participant in order to study and teach the Bible in a better way, the IACH said. The organiser of this years CDF, CEP student Francisco Flores, said that it is structured training with compulsory modules each year, including exegesis, biblical theology, systematic theology and discipleship. The CEP is developing the scheme to provide certification to the young people who have completed a four-year course.

In relation to the workshops, each year are different and are taught by students of the CEP. In this version "Flash Workshops" were implemented, since they lasted only 2 hours a day and addressed topics such as violence in polo, pornography, premarital sex, depression, drugs, social networks, feminism, among others.

Sebastian Tapia, a youth worker at St Johns Church in Concepcion, took part in this years CDF. He said that the workshops and devotionals more than in information and knowledge, had a special emphasis on shepherding the hearts of the participants, reminding us of what Christ did for us.

Pastor Cristobal said that the CDF was designed to raise up young leaders in the Church. The training of workers starts at an early age and we now need to devote ourselves to training our people, he said. When we pray for the Lord to raise workers and send for the harvest, it is not something that happens overnight, but we should be looking for that prayer to be answered from Sunday school.

He said that within Chile and throughout Latin America there was a biblical malnutrition in the evangelical youth, resulting in fewer pastors to take charge of churches that know the power of the Scriptures to transform lives.
Samsung has now officially launched the Galaxy A9 Pro, stating this marks the arrival of the first Galaxy smartphone with an Infinity-O display.

By the looks of it, that statement is and isnt true as the company did previously unveil the Galaxy A8s back in December and that also has an Infinity-O display. The Galaxy A8s did launch, and is currently only available to buy in China and it would seem based on the design and specs that the Galaxy A9 Pro is the same phone as the Galaxy A8s. Presumably, making it the first Galaxy phone with an Infinity-O display to launch outside of China.

The Infinity-O display is only one of many types of display designs Samsung is understood to be working on with a view to opening up as much space on the front of the device as possible.

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In the case of the Infinity-O display on the Galaxy A9 Pro specifically, this means virtually all of the front panel becomes a display with a 19.5 to 9 aspect ratio, with the exception of a small circular cut-out designed to accommodate the front-facing camera.

Speaking of the front-facing camera, this arrives in a 2.4-megapixel form but with the option to blur elements of the photo thanks to the A9 Pros self-focusing feature.

On the rear of the device, buyers can expect a triple camera setup to be in effect comprised of a 24-megapixel lens accompanied by 10 and 5-megapixel solutions. In other words, a basic lens, a telephoto lens, and one to add depth-of-field.

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Samsung has not confirmed all of the specs but has highlighted the phone will come loaded with a core spec combination of 6GB RAM, 128GB internal storage and a 3,400 mAh capacity battery. The rest can be filled in by referring to the A8s specs.

As to be expected with a new Samsung phone, the Galaxy A9 Pro also comes equipped with the companys voice assistant solution, Bixby.

The Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro follows on from the Galaxy A9 which was launched in late 2018. In the same way Samsung argues this is the first phone to come with the companys Infinity-O display, the Galaxy A9 was released as the first to come featuring four rear cameras.

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The Galaxy S9 Pro was launched in South Korea and that is the only place the company has confirmed it will go on sell in in the immediate future. Samsung states the Galaxy A9 Pro will arrive with a 599,500 won price tag attached and this roughly equates to about $530 in the US. Three colors will be on offer, consisting of Absolute Black, Black, and Blue.

Samsung also took the opportunity to point out that while the Galaxy A9 Pro will not officially go on sale until Feb 28, those who purchases one before March 31 will also receive a 10,000 mAh capacity battery pack for free.

The A9 Pro aside, the big focus on Samsung will be next month when the company unveils its latest Galaxy S flagship device, the Galaxy S10. This one has been the subject of many leaks of late with them all pointing to the arrival of multiple versions which differ in varying respects, such as form and 5G support.

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The launch of Samsungs foldable smartphone is closer by the day, whether the company announces it on February 20 or not, and as were getting closer to its launch, new rumors / reports keep on coming. According to a new report, the companys foldable smartphone will support 5G connectivity, well, at least one variant of the phone will.

Now, the source claims that the 5G-enabled foldable smartphone from Samsung, probably called the 5G Galaxy Fold, will launch in Korea first, and will carry the codename SM-F907N. The source claims that carriers have already completed 5G deployment, and are only waiting for smartphone manufacturers to start releasing smartphones, and by the look of it, Samsung may actually release the very first 5G-enabled smartphone, the top-of-the-line Galaxy S10.

The source has also shared color options for both the 5G and 4G (SM-F900x) variants of Samsungs foldable smartphone, as it says that the phone will be available in Blue, Green, Silver, and Black color variants, though those color variants will probably be called differently due to marketing, the Black variant may be marketed as Midnight Black, or something like that, like the company did in the past.

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Galaxy Fold, Whats The Story So Far?

Samsung still did not confirm whether it will announce its foldable smartphone during its February 20 Unpacked event, but the companys marketing materials offered in Paris do suggest that may happen. That event was scheduled primarily for the companys Galaxy S10 series of devices, but the Galaxy Fold may make an appearance there, whether Samsung will fully unveil it or not.

The Galaxy Fold may be its name as that name was patented by Samsung last year, and it fits the functionality of this phone perfectly. The company had shown its test foldable smartphone during its developers conference last year, though its design was obstructed by a heavy-duty case. Samsungs foldable smartphone, unlike Xiaomis, will fold once, and it will fold inwards, as it has a secondary display on the back. In Xiaomis case, it will fold in two places, and that phone has only one display, two-thirds of which power down when its folded.

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Samsungs foldable smartphone is said to be quite expensive, rumors are claiming that it will cost over $1,500, and some rumors even suggested that its pricing will go all the way to $2,000. The device is expected to make its way to a number of markets around the world, US included, but it will first launch in Korea, it seems.

Competition, something consumers should be thrilled about

Samsung will launch its foldable smartphone soon, but it will not be the only OEM to do so. Xiaomi, OPPO, Huawei, LG, Motorola, and HTC are all planning to introduce its very own foldable smartphones, and most of them will do that in the first half of this year. HTC is one of those OEMs which will probably announce their foldable phones in the second half of the year, but you can expect Huaweis offering to arrive at MWC 2019, at least according to rumors, while OPPO, LG, and Xiaomi are also quite close to releasing their very own offerings in this category.
LG has spilled new details about its upcoming 5G-ready smartphone, now confirmed to be showcased at this years MWC 2019 even at the end of February. The remarks on details about the new device could hint that it be a followup to the LG V40 ThinQ since the new information is compared directly to that previous handset.

The companys stated goal is to speed up the premium smartphone market and that, unsurprisingly, begins with the same octa-core Snapdragon 855 SoC that ever other top tier device is expected to use. The 45-percent information processing improvements provided by the chip will help accommodate the throughput of 5G, LG says.

To offset the added heat generated by 5G, LG will also be incorporating a new Vapor Chamber cooling system that consists of a copper heatsink thats 2.7-times larger than the one found in the LG V40 ThinQ.

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The heatsink mechanism sounds similar to that used by Samsung in last years flagship model in that it will depend on water vapor inside to dissipate high temperatures and takes up a substantial portion of the devices overall footprint. It will also contain more than twice the water held in the LG V40 ThinQ cooling tube.

Not only will the removal of heat benefit the processor and 5G radio. LG is including a battery thats 20-percent larger than that found in the LG V40 ThinQ  with a capacity of 4,000mAh. The new components included in the handset arent necessarily going to be more energy efficient, so it remains to be seen how much difference the larger battery makes in average overall screen-on time.

Hardware isnt the big news here

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LG has already said it will be releasing its first 5G smartphone on Sprints network in the US and says it plans to launch on other major networks too. Talks are still in the works to make that happen, although no exact date has been provided yet and it isnt clear if the new 5G phone will be available after its launch at MWC 2019.

It may seem odd for LG to give away core details this early on, with that event scheduled to run from February 25 through February 28. But the hardware aspects of this device dont appear to be the big story with regard to LGs new handset either.

There has been some speculation that the handset would not be shipping as an entry in the Korean tech giants V-series lineup at all but that it would launch a new model designation instead. LG hasnt given any details about that away, only referring to the new device as a 5G smartphone. Its also previously been speculated that this will be completely unique in other ways to differentiate from other 5G smartphones launching at the same time.

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The showstopper here wont likely be revealed until the MWC 2019 LG press conference itself. More directly, LG released an ad for the feature just this week explaining that its time to say goodbye to touch interactions. The clip touted gestures that didnt require contact with the screen and thats almost certainly going to be the new handsets centerpiece attraction.

LG could buck the trend and reveal more details

Since the premier global mobile event is still a month away and LG is already showing off internal specs about its next-gen 5G flagship. The company has not provided details about internal storage speed or capacity, or how much memory it will include to back up the Snapdragon SoC. It also hasnt touted how large the display might be. The new 5G handset is shown as being the same size as the LG V40 ThinQ in the representative image included with LGs announcement, but that may not be accurate in that regard.

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The details that are still unknown, with the exception of LGs teased touch-free new UI, appear relatively arbitrary or at least as arbitrary as those it has now revealed. So it shouldnt be surprising if more details leak out ahead of its press conference.
The United States will begin implementing a new policy that will send asylum-seekers to Mexico until their cases are processed by immigration courts. Previously, most asylum-seekers could wait in the U.S. for the chance to plead their cause in the courts. But with asylum requests skyrocketing and the backlog in immigration courts growing, the Trump administration negotiated an agreement with Mexico to house asylum-seekers until their cases have been adjudicated.

The policy dubbed the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) and first announced on Dec. 20 will return non-Mexican migrants who cross the U.S. southern border back to wait in Mexico while their asylum requests are processed in U.S. immigration courts. The plan is aimed at curbing the increasing number of families arriving mostly from Central America who say they fear returning to their home countries due to threats of violence. The Trump administration says many of the claims are not valid. The program will apply to arriving migrants who ask for asylum at ports of entry or who are caught crossing illegally and say they are afraid to return home. Children traveling on their own and some migrants from "vulnerable populations" could be excluded on a case-by-case basis, the Department of Homeland Security said in a fact sheet. "The MPP will provide a safer and more orderly process that will discourage individuals from attempting illegal entry and making false claims to stay in the U.S., and allow more resources to be dedicated to individuals who legitimately qualify for asylum," the DHS said.

In 2018, the number of asylum requests increased by a whopping 67%. This was entirely due to the dramatic increase in people from Honduras, Guatemala, and Nicaragua traveling in family groups to present themselves at the border looking to get in.

Asylum seekers are typically granted the right to stay in the United States while their cases are decided by a U.S. immigration judge, but a backlog of more than 800,000 cases means the process can take years. Now, the U.S. government says migrants will be turned away with a "notice to appear" in immigration court. They will be able to enter the United States for their hearings but will have to live in Mexico in the interim. If they lose their cases, they will be deported to their home countries. Mexico has said it will not accept anybody facing a credible threat in Mexican territory.

The new policy makes perfect sense and is humane as well. So, of course, the usual suspects are opposed to it. The advocates for illegal aliens and open borders will oppose anything that makes it harder for people to come into the U.S. and disappear.

There is no doubt that life is hard and dangerous in many Central American countries. The same could be said for most nations on Earth. Given the reality of the way our immigration system has been taxed to the limit by the flood of humanity streaming toward our borders, this change in policy is welcome.
Soros, the NYT, and anti-Israel propaganda

Using the pretext of commemorating Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the New York Times Sunday Review published what Alan Dershowitz fittingly described as "one of the most biased, one-sided, historically inaccurate, ignorant and bigoted articles ever published by that venerable newspaper." The article, "Time to Break the Silence on Palestine," is an unhinged anti-Israel, anti-Semitic, pro-Palestinian rant. The newspaper and the article were aptly criticized by Ruth King in the American Thinker, and by Ira Stoll in the Algemeiner. Vitriolic smears against Israel are nothing new to the NYT. What is new about this slanted article is that it shows how George Soros's propaganda machine works.

The essay's author, Michelle Alexander, served as "a Soros Justice Fellow" in 2005. She was among the first recipients of the Soros Justice Program, with a stipend of $35,000 to $97,000, "to complete a book called The New Jim Crow ... about the so-called war on drugs and mass incarceration as the defining racial justice issues of our time." Since then, Alexander has been affiliated with numerous Soros-funded organizations, such as The Ella Baker Center for Hunan Rights, which promote "color justice" and "nationally organize[s] and coordinate[s] demonstrations for illegal-alien amnesty and manage[s] voter-registration campaigns for Democratic candidates." She was hired by the NYT in the fall of 2018, shortly after Soros invested more than $3 million in the paper. And while the paper brags about its transparency, the 10,000-word profile of the billionaire in the NYT Magazine last July did not bother to disclose Soros's holdings in the paper. According to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), last May, Soros Fund Management LLC purchased 126,400 shares, worth $3,046,000, in the New York Times Company. This investment increased Soros's holdings in the newspaper from the 470,000's worth of shares he purchased in 2007. Though this was not a big investment, it is nonetheless significant when the investor is Soros. In 2011, Dan Gainor, vice president of business and culture at the Media Research Center, exposed Soros's "funding/investment strategy" in media both in the United States and abroad. By then, Soros had invested more than $48 million "in media properties, including the infrastructure of news  journalism schools, investigative journalism, and even industry organizations." Gainor further revealed "that Soros' influence doesn't just include connections to top mainstream news organizations such as NBC, ABC, The New York Times and Washington Post. It's bought him connections to the underpinnings of the news business. The Columbia Journalism Review, which bills itself as 'a watchdog and a friend of the press in all its forms,' lists several investigative reporting projects funded by one of Soros foundations." Since then, Soros has directly and indirectly (often through members of his family) expanded his so-called "charitable" funding and investments to influence major media outlets, including book-publishing, films and documentaries, TV, radio, and social media. But not American-based social media  an industry he has come to loudly criticize of late. It is important to remember that Soros is not a philanthropist. Take his word for it: "Philanthropy goes against the grain because our civilization is built on the pursuit of self-interest, not on any preoccupation with the interests of others," he told Michael Lewis in 1994. Dershowitz pointed out that "[t]he most outrageous aspect of the column is the claim by Alexander that Martin Luther King Jr. inspired her to write it. But he was a staunch Zionist, who said, 'When people criticize Zionists, they mean Jews. You are talking anti-Semitism.'" This is what to expect from anyone funded by Soros. It should not come as a surprise to anyone following Soros's investments and modus operandi, his attacks of Israel, and his support of BDS and the Palestinians.
Video via Grabien:

January 23 Carlson-Stone

Transcript:

TUCKER CARLSON: Well the purpose of the Mueller investigation was to find Russian

agents in the United States. That's what they told us when it began. But

that's long ceased to be its purpose.

It is now a permanent federal investigation into anyone who has publicly

supported the President or made other unpopular political noises. Whether

that person did anything wrong, colluded with Russia, irrelevant.

Being the subject of a federal investigation, anyone who's been that, can

tell you is enough to wreck your life.

Roger Stone has learned that lesson. He has not been indicted for anything.

He says though that being investigated by Mueller has pushed him to the

brink of bankruptcy. Roger Stone joins us tonight with that account.

Roger, thanks very much for coming on. So--

ROGER STONE, FORMER DONALD TRUMP AIDE, POLITICAL CONSULTANT, LOBBYIST,

STRATEGIST: Tucker, thank you very much.

CARLSON: --the - the details of the investigation to the extent they're

publicly known are batted back and forth on TV every day and will have, I

suppose, decades to figure out exactly what it was about and your place in

it.

But, as of right now, you have not been indicted or even accused of any

crime, much less colluding with Russia. Tell us the effect on you and your

family of being publicly linked to this investigation.

STONE: Sure. First of all, because of the intense censorship of my own show

on Infowars, which you've talked about a lot, I appreciate the opportunity

to be here.

CARLSON: Of course.

STONE: I've been under a two-year microscope, in which every aspect of my

life has been examined, my personal life, my family life, my private life,

my business life, my political life. And that has been an extremely

draining process.

At least 12 of my current or former associates have been browbeat by the

FBI or dragged before the Grand Jury. Literally, millions of dollars have

been spent. I believe all my emails, text messages, phone calls in 2016 and

since have been scrutinized.

And today, there is still no evidence of Russian collusion, WikiLeaks

collaboration, or any other illegal act in connection with the 2016

election or anything else.

This has been financially devastating. The leaks from the General - from

the Special Counsel's Office have devastated my private consulting

business. In December, I lost my health and life insurance, unable to pay

the premiums anymore.

I had to sell my car. It was a 2006, but I had to sell it nonetheless. A

small fund, I had put aside for the college education of my grandchildren,

derived from my book sales, had to be liquidated.

I am this close - I mean, in all honesty, I struggle to pay my lawyers

first and foremost, pay my rent, pay my taxes. It is not a fun existence.

CARLSON: It's - it's unbelievable. I - I don't even - I mean you're in your

60s is my understanding. And you have no money whatsoever. You don't even

have health insurance. And you have not been informed that you are going to

be indicted, much less been indicted. I mean do you even know what the

crime is they're alleging, presuming they're alleging anything?

STONE: It's very hard to say. You have a runaway Special Prosecutor who is

accountable to no one. The - the House Intelligence Committee Democrats

keep insisting that I have perjured myself. That's a lie. There were lies

told the day I testified.

Adam Schiff said, for example, the FBI did investigate and examine the DNC

servers. But my testimony is both accurate and truthful, but I'm not even

allowed to have a copy of it, Tucker. I'm not even allowed to examine it.

My lawyers can go examine it in a sealed room in Washington. But they're

not allowed to take notes. 4.5 hours of voluntary testimony.

So, as I say, the - the financial cost has been more than a half million

dollars, projected to be substantially more, because I'm being sued by the

Democratic National Committee for non- existent Russian collusion.

I am still being investigated by the Senate Judiciary and Intelligence

Committee. And now, Congressman Schiff is gearing up a new investigation,

still haven't come up with nothing. I have had to rely on a legal defense

fund, stonedefensefund.com.

It - it is only through the help of good citizens and - and patriots and

supporters of the President that I am able to fend these people off.

CARLSON: So, I just - I just want to--

STONE: But the most--

CARLSON: --before we get the Mueller report, I just wanted this on tape, on

the record, you know, they better charge you with the Kennedy assassination

at the end of the day after doing this to you or anybody. That's the point.

I'm not here to defend you personally. I'm here to defend all Americans who

are not indicted against having their lives destroyed by someone who's not

accountable to anybody. It's a total outrage, I think. Anyway, Roger Stone-

Tucker Carlson and Roger Stone, Fox News Channel Jan. 23, 2019

STONE: Well-

CARLSON: --last word to you.

STONE: It is - certainly. Here's the most important thing, Tucker.

No matter how much pressure they put on me, no matter what they say, I will

not bear false witness against Donald Trump. I will not do what Michael

Cohen has done and make up lies to lease the pressure on myself.

CARLSON: Yes.

STONE: You know, my God and a great wife and my great family see me through

this.

CARLSON: Honestly, I hope I would have the integrity that if the roles were

reversed, and a Democrat was in the White House, and this was happening to

one of his supporters, who had not been accused of any national security

violation that I would defend his right not to be destroyed because I - I

really mean it.

Roger Stone, God bless.

STONE: Thank you, Tucker.
Right out the gate, they've put out this House bill , vowing to Californify the nation's election laws. Former Justice Department official J. Christian Adams, writing in the Washington Examiner, has a disturbing report :

Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., has made a gargantuan overhaul of election law, campaign finance, and ethics rules the top priority of House Democrats. Contrast this move with the Republicans in 2017  the Democratic Party and its allies understand there is a difference between winning elections versus big idea debates. H.R. 1, her proposal, is not likely to clear the Senate, but that's not the point. It is a marketing document intended to broach the idea of federalizing some progressive state policies while trying to squeeze more conservative locales into adopting them as well. Taken as a whole, the only saving grace to the bill is that it does not contain a prosecution shield for noncitizens who are automatically registered to vote  something California has done. This bill also comes with the benefit of already exhibiting critical failures in the laboratories of bad ideas, like California and others. But automatic voter registration and relaxed voter roll maintenance standards are not a threat to the proponents, if they know how to massage the chaos before a big election.

He warns that many of the provisions that have made California a one-party state are now being taken national. There would be automatic voter registration any time someone applies for a driver's license, with few safeguards against non-citizens registering, and lots of potential for multiple registrations from single voters. There also would be big roadblock thrown at any state that seeks to clean up its voter rolls from such double and triple registration, which could occur if someone gives his full name on one form and maybe uses a middle initial on another.

Can ballot-harvesting, which California borrowed from Mexico's "perfect dictatorship" PRI rule, be far behind?

Adams argues that Democrats know that the measure is unlikely to pass, but they expect to use it as a public relations vehicle to whip up a "narrative" about expanding voter rights, and then pass each element piecemeal when they hope no one is noticing.

California, which is loaded with conservatives, today, is a one-party state with nearly zero representation on the right. Motor voter registration, illegals voting and electioneering, uncleaned up voter rolls, and many of the "reforms" cited in H.R. 1 are the result of it. Can nationally mandated ballot-harvesting be far behind?

Forty House seats were lost in the last midterm, with about 15 of them the result of ballot-harvesting in California, particularly in deep red Orange County. Illegal aliens knocked on the doors of indifferent voters who weren't planning to vote and "helped" them fill out their ballots, and then took those ballots to the polls until the voting totals flipped to Democrats, which is why we have the House we have. Ballot-harvesting is illegal in most of the country, based on just the sort of abuses that seem to have occurred in California. But since Democrats benefit from it in California, they've encouraged and defended the practice. They know what wins them their elections, so they're sticking to it. The result is a one-party state despite sizable conservative banks of voters. Just yesterday, Republican assemblyman Brian Maienschein changed parties, apparently not because he decided to go left-wing, but because he knows that the reality today is that anyone who wants to accomplish anything as a politician in the one-party state of California can do so only as a Democrat. That's what's going on in California right now, and Democrats, as a first priority, would like to export that to other states.

If this isn't a threat to democracy, what is? H.R. 1 and all its dirty political rigging should be punched back at and exposed for the fraud machinery it is, as hard as Republicans in the free election states can still do.

Update: Via Instapundit, Ellen Swensen of California's Electoral Integrity Project has a superb, detailed rundown warning about just how bad it is.

Image credit: Kurykh via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and most other fantasy-embracing leftists are uncharacteristically silent about the collapse of socialism, even as President Trump calls out the real-world refutation of the suddenly trendy failed ideology in the experience of Venezuela.

"We're looking at Venezuela, it's a very sad situation," Trump said. "That was the richest state in all of that area. That's a big, beautiful area and by far the richest. And now it's one of the poorest places in the world." "That's what socialism gets you when they want to raise your taxes to 70%," Trump continued. "I've been watching our opponents, our future opponents talking about 70%. Number one, they can't do it for 70%. It's got to probably be twice that number." "But, maybe more importantly, what happens is you really have to study and take a look at what has happened to Venezuela," Trump concluded. "Is a very sad situation. We have our eye very closely on Venezuela."

President Trump takes a shot at Ocasio-Cortez: "Were looking at Venezuela, its a very sad situation. That was the richest state in all of that areaand now it's one of the poorest places in the world. That's what socialism gets you. When they want to raise your taxes to 70%." pic.twitter.com/ce1muXFX5E  Ryan Saavedra (@RealSaavedra) January 24, 2019

But there are a few radicals who not only are unashamed in supporting a political system that has impoverished the formerly richest nation in Latin America, but proudly disrupt a speech by secretary of state Mike Pompeo addressing the humanitarian disaster there at the Organization of American States.

Keep in mind that President Maduro illegitimately holds the office of president, as the National Assembly has followed the Venezuela Constitution to the letter and booted him from office. He now holds power solely on the basis of military force.

But that's just ducky as far as Code Pink is concerned. Jodie Evans of that group emailed us:

Representante de la organizacion Codepink mostro una pancarta que pedia "no apoyar un golpe en Venezuela " tras la intervencion de Mike Pompeo en la asamblea general de la OEA. #UnePrensa



Video cortesia pic.twitter.com/0dldvyzhvP  UNE TV (@unetvhn) January 24, 2019

Standing in solidarity with a regime that starves its own people and murders protesters. Seen from behind, it is obvious that Ms. Benjamin has not lost the 19 pounds that the average starving Venezuelan has droppped in the past year.

It is unusual for prominent political activists to openly embrace pure evil, but it does happen.
According to news reports , there were so many private jets that Peter, Paul & Mary's "Leaving on a Jet Plane" became the unofficial theme song for the gathering:

They came, told us climate change is a horrific threat, then flew home on their private jets.

Despite global warming being one of the major issues discussed at Davos every year, some 1,500 private jets are expected this week at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, according to an estimate from Air Charter Service, up from 1,300 last year. "We have had bookings from as far as our operations in Hong Kong, India and the US," Andy Christie, private jets director at ACS, said in a statement. "No other event has the same global appeal."

Okay  so the event has global appeal. I can understand that. Who wouldn't want to go on a private jet to visit Davos?

I appreciate that everyone wants to be seen at Davos. However, wouldn't a little humility make all of them look less hypocritical?

They sit around and tell each other how the planet is going to pieces because you and I use fossil fuels.

Here is an idea: why not rent a few 747s and come in a group next time? Hire some horse-drawn carriages and go around town that way. Finally, turn off the heater, and bring some extra blankets.

Not these guys. They want everybody else to sacrifice, but not themselves. They make our planet cleaner by talking seriously about it or calling for Trump's impeachment.

I wonder if they had any "breakout sessions" to talk about the Paris Climate Accords and how few countries are living up to their commitments!

PS: You can listen to my show (Canto Talk) and follow me on Twitter.
Film producer Jack Morrissey couldn't post "a quick, emotional tweet" fast enough after a carefully selected video clip of an elderly American Indian surrounded by MAGA hat-wearing white high school boys at a March for Life rally went viral. The tweet referenced a bloody scene from the movie Fargo and read, "#MAGA kids go screaming, hats first, into the woodchipper."

The Today Show's Samantha Guthrie joined the digital mob crucifying the wronged high-schoolers on Tuesday with her interrogation of the innocent Covington student, Nick Sandmann. By the time of her interview with Sandmann ,there was ample video evidence proving that the kids were the victims of overt racism and anti-religious bigotry. Guthrie didn't care. It wasn't enough that Sandmann, his fellow students, and their families had been threatened with torture and death; Guthrie's opening questions echoed the aggressive posture of the fake Vietnam vet and his online supporters. "Do you feel from this experience that you owe anybody an apology?" "Do you see your own fault in any way?"

She didn't stop there. When Sandmann repeated to her what the Black Hebrew Israelites were shouting at the group with no provocation, Guthrie asked, "Did you feel threatened? There were more of you than them, but you felt like they were stronger? Did you think it was a good idea to start chanting back at the protesters?"

The following day, Guthrie sat down with the now discredited Nathan Phillips. In her best "oh, you poor thing" voice, Guthrie asked , "First of all, how are you doing? This has been a whirlwind few days...how are you doing?" Guthrie ended the interview with "thank you, Mr. Phillips, you certainly have been through a lot these past few days."

In both interviews, and in the explosion of comments on social media from public figures on the side of Phillips, there has been little to no outrage over the Black Hebrew Israelites, a group so militantly anti-white that the Southern Poverty Law Center lists it as a hate group.

In fact, this extremist bunch is so dangerous that a former Hebrew Israelite describes its activities as "evangelical terrorizing." In a 2007 documentary, a Hebrew Israelite preacher rants in Times Square, "All you white people get ready for war. We're coming for you, white boys."

According to the SPLC, confrontations between the group and its enemies are "getting uglier and gaining increasing attention through video clips on YouTube."

Guthrie, a good little corporate employee who gets paid millions to do what she is told, covered for this heinous terrorist group by blaming the victims of their volatile hatred.

She then coddled Phillips, who admitted to Guthrie that he heard and saw the Black Israelites. According to him, the "boys" were the instigators. This is another lie, not only because we have hours-long videos showing the opposite, but as a longtime activist in D.C. since 2000, Phillips would be familiar with the Black Hebrews and their hatred of whites.

Guthrie, the Milanos, the Morrisseys, and those who weighed in with Pavlovian responses to the MAGA hats worn by high school kids are in league with Phillips and the Black Israelite terrorists. The Covington kids were ambushed by a Native American, black supremacists, Hollywood, and the media.
The Maduro government has waged a violent crackdown on Venezuelan civil society, violated the constitution by dissolving the National Assembly and was re-elected last year in an election many observers said was fraudulent. The economy is a disaster and millions are migrating. 1/3

Here's the yes-but part:

But we must learn the lessons of the past and not be in the business of regime change or supporting coupsas we have in Chile, Guatemala, Brazil & the DR. The US has a long history of inappropriately intervening in Latin American nations; we must not go down that road again. 3/3  Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) January 24, 2019

You knew there'd be a "yes-but" part because the first two tweets read so uncharacteristically true, didn't you?

Does Sanders know what's going on over there?

Is he saying National Assembly president Juan Guaido, who's put his life on the line in declaring himself the only legitimate president of Venezuela, is some kind of puppet? Is he trying to say Guaido is doing this not to save his country, but as a means of doing what Uncle Sam wants? Is he saying that the millions of poor Venezuelans in the streets across the country, burning tires and protesting a vile and usurping Marxist torture-dictatorship that has impoverished 90% of them, didn't come up with this idea themselves?

Seriously, he's taking this time, when he should be supporting Venezuela's democrats, to warn about a U.S. Marine invasion as the big threat, not the dictatorship itself. What's more, nobody else is talking about a Marine invasion, except for Maduro himself, who's trying to rally support. No Marine invasion is going to happen so far as anyone knows, because every indicator so far has been that the U.S., the Latin American democracies, the anti-Russian former Soviet republics such as Georgia, and western Europe  that group the left up until now has referred to as "the world"  are doing nothing more than encouraging Venezuelans to reclaim their democracy themselves. They're using diplomatic and sanction tools, and in the U.S. case, they're openly ignoring Maduro's order to shut the U.S. embassy down, which is a brave move, too, given the thuggery Maduro is capable of.

Calling Venezuela's regime opponents puppets of the U.S. and suggesting that the real problem is U.S. meddling is pretty damn insulting.

The situation over there is turning tragic. Right now, the Wall Street Journal is reporting that the leaders of the military seem to be standing by Maduro, which is enough to render the massive, Egypt-sized protests in Venezuela null and void. Why are they doing this? Likely because of Russian intervention and meddling to support the regime, and because they've got their snoots in the trough, whether through drug money; oil earnings; or, most likely, Russian foreign sponsorship.

Russian president Vladimir Putin's warnings, delivered yesterday via his administrative minions, threatening civil war and hell to pay if Maduro is thrown out, is a clear signal that somebody's rice bowl is threatened in Moscow if Maduro exits and that Russia itself is trying to intervene. By the wildest coincidence, they just happen to be the Venezuelan military's arms-supplier, supplying the weapons that, so far, are being aimed at Venezuela's protesting people. China, which has loaned Venezuela billions in exchange for oil at below-market rates, is another one. And Cuba, which literally runs the critical parts of the Venezuelan government, including much of its military, has the dirtiest hands of them all. Other nations with their hands in the trough, such as Iran and Syria, have signaled their support, as have the terrorists of Hezb'allah. What it says is, Venezuelans can't live in a free country that puts food on the table because these foreign players have a rice bowl to defend. Putin and his buddies are the ones exerting imperial prerogatives here  that very imperialism Sanders insultingly claims that the U.S. is guilty of.

Bernie has nothing to say about his past praise for the regime, or his recommendations that its failed model be adapted here, but that's out there. He should be apologizing for that instead of warning Venezuelans about the dangers the U.S. poses, as if U.S. intervention were the biggest threat to a nation that's right now under the Russian and Cuban boot heel.

Image credit: Gage Skidmore, via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0.
Withdrawal from Syria Is a Step toward Its Liberation

The mainstream media and beltway pundits have been in hysterics for a month about the Trump administration's pending withdrawal of some 2,000 U.S. soldiers from Syria. It's not their usual hysterics about the need to accommodate our enemies, negotiate with its terrorists, and so forth. This time, they're warning about being too good to our adversaries  in particular, that our exit from the country's sparsely populated northeast is a boon for Iran's Islamic Republic. Nonsense. The deployment of U.S. ground forces in Syria three years ago was never intended to combat Iran's creeping takeover of the country. Quite the contrary.

Throughout the Middle East, as Martin Peretz explains in his latest column, Obama's war against ISIS was rendered so as to support his "main foreign policy ambition, the since-repudiated Iran nuclear agreement of 2015." In Iraq, the U.S. military worked hand in hand with Iranian-backed security forces to retake ISIS-held territory. In Lebanon, the U.S. stepped up its supply of arms and intelligence to the Lebanese Army, an institution that functions as an auxiliary of the Iranian-backed Shiite Hezb'allah militia. These inheritances have been left largely unchanged by the Trump administration. In Syria, the Obama administration's mission residue is a bit different. Asked during an August 2018 press conference what things have to happen before U.S. troops leave northeastern Syria, then-defense secretary Mattis said that the U.S. needs to "destroy ISIS," needs to "train the locals" to take over, and needs "the Geneva process ... to start making traction towards solving this war." That third item refers to a 2012 U.N.-sanctioned framework for ending the war that mandates that the government and opposition agree to form a transitional government by "mutual consent." The Geneva process was the basis of the Obama administration's catastrophic Syria policy, which sought to arm moderate Sunni rebels just enough to pressure Syrian president Bashar Assad to negotiate the terms of his departure, but not enough to overthrow him. Obama assumed that Iran, grateful for the terms of the 2015 nuclear deal, would encourage compromise to break the stalemate. Instead, it sent in tens of thousands of foreign Shiite fighters to help Assad pursue absolute victory. No one still thinks Assad can be made to accept a government of "mutual consent" now that he has recaptured most of the country. Talk of "Geneva" is shorthand for the U.S. having a voice in the negotiation of a postwar political settlement, which would mean indirect engagement with Iran's proxies. Establishing multiple points of indirect engagement with the U.S. and Europe through its regional proxies is one way Iran avoids concerted international action against its threats to regional peace. A Western government contemplating a U.N. draft resolution condemning Iranian missile tests, for example, has to stop and consider how this action will affect its affairs in Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, and so forth. Fortunately, the Trump administration is serious about fighting Iran's hegemonic ambitions. It understands that Iran's grip on much of the Middle East cannot be negotiated away. Given the American people's diminished tolerance for sending its sons and daughters into harm's way, the only practical ways to fight Iran are stepping up outside financial pressure on Tehran itself and backing to the hilt those in the region who resist its advances. Trump's reimposition of tough sanctions on Iran and staunch backing for Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) are the key pillars of this strategy. In countries where there are no longer any internal forces willing and able to resist Iranian domination  like Lebanon, Iraq, and now Syria  the president understands the need to minimize points of engagement with Iran's proxies. Syria is the easiest of these links to cut. I sympathize with Syria's Kurds, who did more to fight ISIS than anyone else in their God-forsaken country, and the Trump administration should do its utmost to prevent aggression against them after the U.S. withdrawal. But one thing I've learned in more than two decades of Lebanon activism is that my country won't be free until Iran's broader bid for regional hegemony is defeated, and the same is unfortunately true of Syria. The U.S. presence with Syrian Kurds is a sideshow that alienates allies without moving this overarching mission forward. In the long run, the Trump administration's strategy of squeezing and destabilizing Iran itself, while bolstering the Saudi-Israel-Jordan axis as a regional counterweight and eventual victor, offers the best hope for Kurds and non-Kurds alike in Syria and the broader Middle East. Ziad Abdelnour is CEO of the New York-based private equity firm Blackhawk Partners, chairman of the Financial Policy Council, and author of Economic Warfare: Secrets of Wealth Creation in the Age of Welfare Politics (2011). Follow him on Twitter at @blackhawkinc.
The COVID-19 pandemic and Hurricanes Laura and Delta have kept the USS Orleck Naval Museum stuck at its location on North Enterprise Boulevard in Lake Charles. Efforts to move the former Navy ship to the Jacksonville Naval Museum in Florida have been on hold for more than a year, but Orleck 
Richwood, TX (77531)

Today

Mainly sunny to start, then a few afternoon clouds. Hot. High 91F. NW winds shifting to S at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Partly to mostly cloudy. Low 78F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph.
A private campground on the Mississippi line may soon become a county-owned site with potential to join Chickasabogue Park as a crown jewel of the countys recreational and environmental assets.

At its discussion meeting on Thursday, the Mobile County Commission considered a measure to spend $715,000 to buy 45 acres of land in the Wilmer area northwest of Mobile. "I just want to say I'm very excited about this purchase," said Commission President Connie Hudson, explaining that the land involved is the privately owned Escatawpa Hollow Campground.

"I really think this is going to be a great project for the county," Hudson said. "It's going to be a sister project to our other campground, at Chickasabogue. We're really going to enhance what is already there, add camping facilities, add walking trails, I'm just really excited about it."

Its a great project, agreed Commissioner Merceria Ludgood. Weve been trying to get them to sell for almost as long as Ive been on the commission.

We just came together at a meeting of the minds, Hudson said.

According to the commission agenda, the land would be purchased from Larry D. Godfrey and Janice W. Godfrey. Hudson praised the Godfreys for their stewardship of the property.

"He's really had a vision for this property for a long time, and I think the county, the way I look at it, we will help realize his vision," she said. "Because Larry and Janice have really worked hard to make this a very nice family campground, and that's what we want it to be."

Hudson said he envisioned adding amenities such as walking trails and expanding the site's camping facilities, possibly even adding a lodge.

Where Chickasabogue is located just off I-65 within easy reach of Mobile, Prichard and Saraland, Escatawpa Hollow is in a considerably more rural setting: It's the last piece of land on the south side of U.S. 98 before it crosses the Escatawpa River into Mississippi.

From that point, the Escawapa winds generally southward into Mississippi, crossing I-10 and entering the Escatawpa River Marsh Coastal Preserve near Moss Point. Hudson and Eddie Kerr, head of Mobile County's Environmental Services Department, said that water access will complement the county's plans to develop a "Blueway Trail" for paddling.

The Blueway plan has been targeted for funding by the RESTORE program, money related to the Deepwater Horizon oil disaster. But the money to buy Escatawpa, and likely to develop it in the future, comes from a different source: The county's share of GOMESA funding, which comes from federal oil and gas leases under the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act.

Kerr said GOMESA guidelines permit the county to spend the money on improving public access to the natural environment.

"The concept of improving and increasing public access to the water resources is now recognized as a way to increase environmental stewardship," Kerr said. That's become a big focus for the county's use of GOMESA funds, he said, and "this is one of the major opportunities we have, is to acquire Escatawpa Hollow, make some improvements there, and the result would be increased public access to the people in the west part of the county."

Hudson said some GOMESA funds will be used to develop a master plan for the development of other parks. "We don't have a state park in Mobile County so we really want to enhance and improve and expand our county parks to make them the absolute best they can be," she said.

Discussion on Thursday indicated that a few details remained to be worked out before the sale could be finalized. Kerr told the commission it was a "convoluted piece of property to define legally;" County Attorney Jay Ross said that over the years, surveys had even disagreed on exactly where the state line fell on the property.

Hudson said she expected such issues to be resolved. But she said it wasn't yet possible to provide a timeline for when Escatawpa Hollow would open as a public park and when improvements would be made.

Thursdays discussion sets the stage for a vote on the purchase at the commissions regular meeting on Monday.
A northeast Alabama man is back behind bars after he escaped from jail while on work release.

Corey Don Robbins, 29, escaped Thursday night from Clarke County and was arrested in Dallas County, said Dallas County District Attorney Michael Jackson.

Robbins, of Section, was in jail on a first-degree theft charge stemming from a stolen Chevrolet Silverado Truck. While on a job site Thursday, Jackson said, Robbins stole another truck and made his getaway.

He fled to Dallas County where he broke into a home in the Orrville area. The home alarm sounded, and Robbins fled.

He was taken into custody Friday by Alabama State Troopers, the Fourth Circuit Drug Task Force, Clarke County sheriffs deputies, Selma police and Dallas County sheriffs deputies. An Alabama Law Enforcement helicopter and Alabama Department of Corrections tracking dogs also were used in the searched.

Robbins now faces new charges of second-degree escape and first-degree theft of property. Court records show he has a lengthy criminal history on charges including burglary, theft of property and escape.

Nobody was harmed, Jackson said. Great teamwork among law enforcement.
The new attorney for the man accused of shooting a teenager inside the Riverchase Galleria mall is fighting the states request to reconsider a bond reduction for the charged suspect.

Erron Martez Dequan Brown, 20, was released from the Jefferson County Jail Tuesday on $60,000 bond, the same day the Alabama Attorney Generals Office asked a Jefferson County judge to reconsider reducing Browns bond.

Brown is charged with attempted murder for the Nov. 22 shooting inside the Galleria mall. Brian Wilson, 18, and 12-year-old bystander Molly Davis were injured in the incident, and 21-year-old Emantic E.J Bradford was fatally shot by Hoover police. The day after the shooting, police said Bradford was likely not the person who fired the shots that injured the other two.

Also Tuesday, Browns former attorney - Charles Salvagio  stepped down from the case. He said he could not comment on his reason for doing so. Since then, Browns family has hired Emory Anthony Jr., Anthony confirmed Friday.

During the Jan. 17 preliminary hearing, witnesses testified that Wilson first approached Brown, followed by a large group of people. Wilson slapped and punched Brown, said ALEA Special Agent Pete Acosta, and Brown then shot Wilson and fled the scene with two friends. Those two friends talked to police and also testified during the hearing.

In the states motion to reconsider the bond reduction, state prosecutors said Brown and Salvagio told the judge in the preliminary hearing that he was licensed by the Jefferson County Sheriffs Office to carry a concealed pistol at the time of Galleria shooting and when he was later arrested in Georgia. The permit was said to be in his wallet that was confiscated during his Nov. 29 Georgia arrest.

After that statement in court, wrote Assistant Attorney General Andrew D. Arrington, state investigators followed up and found no pistol permit in Browns wallet or other belongings. Arrington wrote that agents learned Brown had been issued a pistol permit on April 27, 2018 but that permit was revoked on Aug. 17, 2018 by Birmingham police after Brown was involved in a shootout. Birmingham police on Tuesday said Brown was not charged with any crime in that case because he did not fire the shots that wounded the victim.

In court records, the state said Brown has not had a valid pistol permit since that permit was revoked five months ago. The state respectfully asks that this court reconsider the reduction of Browns bond in light of the recent false statements made by the defendant, specifically made in order to have his bond reduced, and the fact that he has been engaged in multiple incidents involving the use of a pistol causing serious physical injury to others, Arrington wrote. The state further requests that this court make a finding that the defendants being at large will pose a real and present danger to others or to the public at large.

The judge initially lowered Browns bond to $60,000, to include electronic monitory, but also ordered there was enough evidence to send the case to a grand jury for indictment consideration.

Emory on Friday filed an objection to the states motion, stating Brown is complying with the bond conditions set by the court. He also said prosecutors have yet to prove that Browns pistol permit had, indeed, been revoked at the time of the Galleria shooting.

Brown, Anthony wrote, has no prior felony convictions and was not charged in the shooting in which the state of Alabama is alleging that his pistol permit was revoked. The defendant has asserted self defense in this case and presumed to be innocent by law.

A hearing on the matter has been set for Feb. 1.
An eastern Jefferson County man was shot during a possible burglary of his home Thursday afternoon.

The shooting happened shortly before 3 p.m. in the 1800 block of Pebble Lake Drive. According to Jefferson County sheriffs authorities, the man arrived home to find two intruders inside, confronted them and was then shot.

Neighbor Michael Dollar said the victim came to his home and Dollar called 911. The victim told him he arrived home to find a window broken and burglars inside. He was shot in the face and the arm, and transported to an area hospital. His condition wasnt immediately available.

"He said they shot him and when he ran, they shot him again in the arm,'' Dollar said.

The suspects fled the home, as did the victim who went in search of help from his neighbors, leaving behind a trail of blood droplets on the front porches of several homes. Sheriffs Capt. David Agee said it is possible that the intruders had a vehicle nearby.

Deputies roped off the home and are trying to determine what happened. Neighbors gave a description of the men and deputies are actively searching for them. The sheriffs helicopter was deployed in the search.

The shooting, which happened shortly before children in the neighborhood began getting home from school, left residents concerned.

"This street is really quiet,'' Dollar said. There are no problems ever.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
The Alabama Attorney Generals Office is asking the states highest court to reconsider its January 11 order and deny all the motions filed by a Montgomery police officer charged with murder.

The AGs Office filed an application for rehearing to the Alabama Supreme Court Thursday morning, court records show. The court issued an order earlier this month denying immunity from prosecution for Montgomery police Officer Aaron Cody Smith, who was charged with the murder of a Montgomery resident almost three years ago. In the same order, the court granted Smiths requests for a new judge and to move the trial.

Thursdays filing shows the AGs Office has asked the court to grant its motion for rehearing, withdraw the earlier orders on recusal and a change of venue, and deny Smiths petition entirely.

Smith was charged with the murder of Gregory Gunn after stopping Gunn walking through his neighborhood in February 2016, and had asked the Alabama Supreme Court to grant him immunity from prosecution because he was acting as a police officer and acting in self-defense.

The Alabama Supreme Court denied that motion earlier this month, ruling that Smith had not demonstrated a clear right to immunity or self defense under the states Stand Your Ground law.

Smith also asked the court to order Montgomery County Circuit Judge Greg Griffin to recuse himself from the case and the trial be moved out of Montgomery County because of pretrial publicity. The Supreme Court granted Smiths requests on recusal and change of venue.

With no compelling reason to reject the longstanding doctrine prohibiting the litigation of this issue in criminal cases through appeal rather than extraordinary writ, the Court has set a regretful path to piecemeal appellate review for an issue undoubtedly best considered with a complete record, the states request for rehearing states.

The Thursday filing from the AGs Office said Griffin rightly dismissed the immunity claim and he shouldnt be forced to remove himself from the case because he said Gunns testimony wasnt credible. Judge Griffins rejection of Smiths testimony was nothing more than a pronouncement of his ruling on the merits of Smiths request for immunity from prosecution," the filing states. The document said since the judge has not showed any bias towards Gunn, he shouldnt be forced to recuse.

The states application for rehearing called the change of venue order a profound departure from existing precedent, and stated that the approval of a change of venue undermines a thorough jury selection process because Smith plainly failed to establish that he cannot be given a fair trial in Montgomery County.

Court records dont reflect any responses from Smiths lawyers as of Friday afternoon.
Authorities have now released the names of two men killed in a shootout at a Birmingham lounge that has been the scene of previous shootings in recent years.

The Jefferson County Coroners Office identified the victims as LaQuintin Deon Wright, 29, and JaGorren Jimmie Kelly, 33. Both men lived in Birmingham.

Birmingham police responded just after 3 a.m. to the GM Lounge, also known as Bennys, in the 3800 block of Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd North. There were reports of multiple shots fired.

Once on the scene, they found Wright, 29, lying in the middle of the roadway with a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead on the scene.

LaQuintin Deon Wright

Officer Rod Mauldin said police learned another man  now identified as Kelly  had also been struck but taken by private vehicle to UAB Hospital. He later died in surgery.

JaGorren Jimmie Kelly

Investigators learned that a large crowd was exiting the club when multiple shooters began to fire at each other. No additional injuries were reported during the shooting, said Sgt. Johnny Williams.

Hours after the deadly shooting, there were still signs of the chaos outside the club, including pools of blood, broken beer bottles and a car parked out of front with a shattered glass window.

In December 2016, a 51-year-old woman was killed, and three others injured when gunfire erupted inside the club about 3:30 a.m.

In that shooting, police said two males were seen circling each other in the night club as if they were going to fight. One of the males pulled out a handgun and began shooting at the other male. All four victims were struck during the shooting. It appeared all the victims were patrons at the club.

Linda Hall was taken to UAB Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. The other three victims were treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

A suspect was arrested and charged with murder, but that charge was later dismissed.

The Friday morning deaths mark the sixth and seventh homicides in Birmingham so far in 2019.

Williams said no arrests have been made in Fridays shooting. Anyone with information is asked to call Birmingham police homicide detectives at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.
Should Alabamas Underwater Forest be protected as a marine sanctuary?

Since AL.com first revealed the existence of an ancient cypress forest standing on the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico, its location has remained a secret. Thats because salvage companies immediately expressed interest in mining the ancient logs from the seafloor and turning them into expensive coffee tables, electric guitars, and other luxury items.

At present, there is no legal protection whatsoever for the forest, which is seen as a globally important treasure trove of scientific data, and a natural wonder on par with American icons like Yellowstone National Park. If the salvage companies obtained the location of the forest, there would be no recourse to stop them from removing the logs from the seafloor, forever destroying this incredible time capsule of what life was like on the Gulf Coast 70,000 years ago.

Instead, many believe the forest should be formally protected as a National Marine Sanctuary. The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has endorsed the idea, along with the Alabama Coastal Foundation, the Alabama Gulf Coast Reef & Restoration Foundation, the Coastal Conservation Association, and other groups.

AL.com is sponsoring a poll for the public to weigh in, as public support is a critical component for the establishment of new marine sanctuaries. Make your voice heard here.

Unlike most marine sanctuaries, where fishing is prohibited, the sanctuary protections envisioned for the Underwater Forest would allow both fishing and scuba diving. The only thing that would be protected would be the trees themselves. The public would be free to visit and enjoy the site, but no one would be allowed to remove any wood from the forest.

Of course this needs to be protected. There is nothing else like it anywhere in the world, said Kristine DeLong, a paleoclimatologist with Louisiana State University who has led the scientific investigation at the site. There is so much scientific value there that we are just scratching the surface with what we can learn at the site. What we have is a well-preserved ecosystem from this earlier ice age that we know so little about. We want to learn as much as possible from the forest. But if it is sitting in somebodys living room as a coffee table, that doesnt help anybody. Somebody is going to make a quick buck and thats about it.

Working with DeLong, her team of scientists, and the Alabama Coastal Foundation, AL.com coproduced the award-winning documentary, the Underwater Forest, which brought this incredible discovery to the public. The film only heightened the desire among the scuba diving community to have the site opened to the public for diving. Alabama dive shop owners say the site would instantly become one of the most popular scuba dive sites in the world and mean a lot of dive-related tourism for Orange Beach and Gulf Shores.

The reason the Alabama Coastal Foundation is involved is because our coastal environment is our economy, making it vitally import to protect sites like the Underwater Forest. It is important to protect it both from a tourism perspective and scientific perspective, said Mark Berte, executive director of the Coastal Foundation. ACF just celebrated our 25th anniversary as a non-partisan group, and we believe protection is non-partisan. The reason most of us live in this part of the state and on the Gulf Coast is because we all love the environment that surrounds us. Protecting this incredibly unique piece should make sense to everybody.

Chandra Wright, director of environmental and education initiatives at the Gulf State Lodge, spearheaded an effort by the Reef and Restoration Foundation to protect the forest.

We divers would love to see the Underwater Forest receive a marine sanctuary designation that allows public access for fishing and diving, but would protect it from harvest. The discovery of this ancient forest and the marine habitat that it has created is awesome, but since the coordinates have not been made public, only a few people know about it and have been able to go see it. The underwater forest should be a public resource available for all of us to enjoy, but we dont want to jeopardize it until it is protected from those who want to destroy it for their own profit," Wright said.

"Every time Alabamas Underwater Forest makes the news, we have divers from around the world clamoring to come see it... It has the potential of being the sort of significant dive attraction that the Oriskany - frequently called the great carrier reef - has been at attracting divers from around the world to patronize our dive charters, hotels, restaurants, and the like. Unlike the Oriskany and our other artificial reefs, though, this one doesnt cost any money to clean and deploy  Mother Nature has done all the work for us.

Please take a moment to vote in our Should the Underwater Forest be protected poll. One of the key elements in having an area declared a National Marine Sanctuary is public support. Our poll will help provide insight into how the public feels about the Underwater Forest.
One day after the revelation Austal USA is involved in a federal investigation, the company offered some positive news, announcing a $16.3 million Navy contract to do post-delivery work in Mobile.

Company official remained tight-lipped about the investigation, with a spokesperson saying it had nothing to add to a very brief statement the company issued Thursday after company offices in Mobile reportedly were raided by federal agents. That statement said Austal was "working with the U.S. Navy on an open investigation" and would be "continuing business as usual."

Various federal agencies were equally unforthcoming on Thursday, with the office of the Navy Chief of Information, the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service all directing questions to the Department of Justice in general or the U.S. attorney's office in particular. A representative for the U.S. attorney's office for the Southern District of Alabama said he could not confirm or deny anything related to the investigation.

Austal USA's Australian parent company, meanwhile, also reported it was cooperating with an investigation by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, apparently focused on market statements that affected its stock price in 2016.

On Friday, Austal USA officials described the new Navy contract as a first for the company and the Navy and said it would bring work usually done in San Diego to Mobile. The contract provides for post-delivery work on a specific Littoral Combat Ship, LCS 20, the future USS Cincinnati. Austal said the arrangement will help "reduce post-delivery cost and increase efficiency."

This is an important step in the growth of our post-delivery business, said Austal USA President Craig Perciavalle. We are excited to continue to expand our relationship with the Navy to do new post-delivery work in Mobile.

Austal is one of the areas largest employers, with a workforce of about 4,000. It manufactures Littoral Combat Ships and Expeditionary Fast Transports for the Navy and is competing in a Navy selection process for a series of next-generation frigates.
An east Alabama teen found dead in Georgia two days after he was reported missing was killed during an armed robbery and aggravated assault, authorities said Thursday.

Malenko Cooley, 18, from Valley, was reported missing Saturday, Jan. 19. His body was found early Tuesday in LaGrange, Ga.

Police from two cities on Thursday provided new details about the events leading up to the teens death.

It all began about 3 a.m. Sunday at an apartment complex in Newnan. According to police there, officers responded to Newnan Crossing apartments on Parkway North to investigate a possible person shot. During the investigation, detectives learned that Cooley and Marquavious Harris, 19, had gone to the apartment to have a resident there keep a gun for them.

Soon after they arrived, police said, the resident felt as if Cooley and Harris were there to rob him, and a physical altercation broke out in a complex hallway between the resident and Cooley.

While the two were fighting, Harris pulled a pistol and began to fire at the resident, striking him multiple times in the abdomen. Cooley fell on top of the resident, and then jumped up when the gunshots stopped.

Newnan police said Cooley and Harris fled the scene, and the resident called for help. It was later determined that a Kia passenger car, registered to a relative of Cooleys, was seen leaving the area and travelling southbound on Interstate 85.

The resident, whose name police are withholding for safety reasons, was taken to an Atlanta hospital where he is recovering.

Meanwhile, LaGrange police were investigating the disappearance of Cooley. Late Monday night they received information that Cooley may be in the area of Mooty Bridge Road near Walmart Road.

Officers searched the area and found Cooley about 1 a.m. Tuesday in the 100 block of Spring Street. The teen had been shot in the upper torso and was pronounced dead inside his vehicle.

Later that morning, LaGrange police notified Newnan police they had found Cooley dead in the back seat of the abandoned vehicle. About six hours later, Harris turned himself in to LaGrange police and indicated he was involved in the incident.

On Wednesday, investigators from both police departments met and determined Cooley and the resident were both shot during that altercation at the apartment.

Harris is being held without bond in the Troup County Jail on a charge by LaGrange police for concealing the death of another person. Newnan police said they are working to obtain warrants against Harris for murder, aggravated assault, and armed robbery.
Madison County authorities say they found the body of Pamela Pittner, the woman whose car was found partially submerged in a local creek on Thursday.

Pamela Pittner, 57, was found dead Jan. 25, 2019 in a suspected drowning, Madison County authorities said.

Lt. Donny Shaw said Pittners body was found this morning about two miles from where her car was discovered off Murphy Hill Road. Shaw said investigators believe 57-year-old Pittner drowned, though her body will likely be sent for autopsy at the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences.

Crews had been searching for Pittner since a property owner spotted her car in the creek Thursday morning and contacted authorities. Inside the car, they found documentation for a family member, who was unable to reach Pittner, Shaw said. Crews used helicopters and drones, and they searched the creek.

Because of recent rainfall in the area, Shaw said, the water level in the creek was unusually high and moving faster.

Further details werent available.
Blue Origin, the rocket company owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, broke ground in Huntsville, Ala., today on a new $200 million rocket engine plant.

CEO Bob Smith excited the groundbreaking audience by also announcing an agreement with NASAs Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville to refurbish and reopen test stand 4670 on the center to test the new engines made in Alabama. The stand that once tested the Saturn Vs first stage and the space shuttles main engines will return to large-engine testing for the first time since the shuttle program ended.

The plant will open on 46 acres in Cummings Research Park in 2020 creating somewhere between 300 and 400 new jobs, company leaders said. It will build the companys two main engines  a version of the BE-3 and the new BE-4  on a highly automated assembly line featuring robots and additive manufacturing (3-D printing).

The engine has a lot of additive parts, Smith told AL.com in an interview. It has some very unique cladding and different ways we produce that engine. One of the things thats not always obvious is that we at Blue Origin are a make house. Were not an integrator. We literally make everything that we have. We dont have a lot of build to spec. All of our things are build to print. Everything that youll see thats on that engine is actually going to be built from effectively bar stock or powder that we put into that facility.

The plants early customers will be the growing Blue Origin company itself and United Launch Alliance (ULA), a partnership of Boeing and Lockheed Martin that builds rockets to launch government and commercial satellites in nearby Decatur, Ala.

ULA chose Blue Origin last year to build the engine for its new Vulcan Centaur Rocket that will eventually replace its current Atlas and Delta rockets. The engine will also allow ULA to stop using Russian rocket engines that now power its Atlas rockets on missions including national security satellite launches.

Were going to be producing dozens of engines a year, Smith said. The vast majority of (the jobs) will be manufacturing engineering, manufacturing techs. Well also have an engineering group, as well, that will be supporting those engine tests that well have at (test stand) 4670."

Smith said the new plant will also use manufacturing techniques from the automotive industry. We make things that go high and fast, he said, but manufacturing? Thats not the best thing the aerospace industry does. So our benchmarks are much more automotive, where they get single-digit-type of parts-per-million quality. Were bringing those standards as well.

Alabamas a great place to do business, ULA CEO Tory Bruno said in the same interview. Wonderfully talented workforce and terrific leadership that is as passionate about space as we are. They create an environment where we can focus on our work and we can thrive as a business and have access to the talent we need.

Smith said he has opened manufacturing plants around the world at other times in his career and ranks Alabama among the best in terms for competitiveness, workforce and business climate. It is truly world class in terms of what Alabama does to attract aerospace jobs into this area, Smith said.

America is leaning into a new set of challenges in national security space, Bruno said. The requirements are steeper going forward, and you have to cope with the challenges were going to face in a contested environment.

Vulcan will have 30 percent more lift capability in a single rocket and a lower launch cost than the companys Delta IV heavy, which Bruno called a majestic, 30-story high, three rockets bolted together (booster) that launches payloads to the most difficult orbits.

But Bruno said the industry is on the threshold of a new space race. We will be tapping into resources that we know exist in our local neighborhood between here and the moon that really defy human imagination in terms of their abundance  moving to a post-scarcity environment, he said.

Bruno said the good news is that the Trump administration appreciates both the commercial and security potential of space. We are sort of responding to the challenges, he said.

Space has been uncontested, Bruno said. Thats not going to be the case going forward. Space will be contested. We will have to have the capabilities to make sure it remains peaceful and it remains available to us.

Groundbreaking speakers today included Gov. Kay Ivey, U.S. Sen. Doug Jones, U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks and local leaders Mayor Tommy Battle and County Commission Chairman Dale Strong.

When we announced that Blue Origin had chosen Huntsville, Ala, as the new home for this engine production plant, we stood under the Saturn V rocket, Ivey said of the 2017 announcement press conference the U.S. Space & Rocket Center. Folks, think about that. It was here  that we built the rocket that took man to the moon  and now its going to be Alabama that takes men and women into deep space and returns them safely.

(Updated to correct the plants opening date to 2020)
As images of fallen Mobile police officer Sean Tuder appeared on the large projector screens attached to the church walls above his open casket, many will have seen a side of the man not portrayed in the thousands of words that have been written and spoken about him since he was killed in the line of duty Sunday afternoon.

Pictures of him as a playful young boy, a fun-loving teenager, and then as a man of service, both in the National Guard and as a police officer, offered a glimpse of a life well-lived at a public visitation at the Dauphin Way Baptist Church Thursday night.

But also shown was a man who was clearly a dear friend to many and a dedicated husband to his now widowed wife, Krissy.

As Krissy hugged and shook the hands of the hundreds of people that had seemingly come from all across the south east to pay their respects, a black and white image of the two smiling on their wedding day appeared as a sad and enduring reminder of a happy couple whose life together was destroyed by one senseless act.

They look so happy, said Theresa Bonetti-Clark, who had driven up from Gulf Shores. I cant believe the man in the pictures is the same man down there.

Its a very sad time for Mobile, said Samuel Cameron, a Mobile local. We dont deserve these officers.

A long line snaked from the front of the church toward the great hall where Tuders body lay, the U.S. flag immaculately spread over the lower half of the casket. Public officials, police officers and serving military personnel in uniform, mixed in with the public.

One young girl with a blue bow in her hair cried into a relatives arms after seeing the fallen officer close up.

Mobile Police Chief Lawrence Battiste walked the length of the line shaking the hands of officers, and speaking to members of the Mobile public that he has diligently become familiar with since being appointed chief in April 2017.

He hugged one crying woman after she walked by Tuders body.

Earlier in the day, members of the public left flowers and prayer cards on Tuders squad car, which was parked outside Mobile police headquarters on Government Street. A laborer, dressed in white and covered in paint, knelt at the side of Tuders vehicle and prayed. A child no older that four years old laid a single dandelion on the hood, while an older schoolboy walked around the car reading the heartfelt messages that had been left behind. One teary-eyed couple left a bunch of flowers each.

For Chief Battiste and the many that came to Dauphin Way Baptist church on what was a chilly Thursday night, the visitation was also a difficult reminder of officer Justin Billas death less than a year ago.

Billa was shot by a man who only an hour before on the evening of Feb. 20, 2018 had murdered his ex-wife then fled the scene. Billa was sent to the mans location to set up a police cordon. The man opened fire on Billa before taking his own life. Billa is survived by his wife and son.

Tuders wife took to Facebook earlier in the day to thank the public, the Mobile Police Department, and members of the Alabama National Guard.

I know Sean was a smart cop and a fighter and I know without a shadow of a doubt he would have wanted to go out this way, she wrote. I will kiss my husbands forehead for the last time. I will shake hands of people I barely know with a smile on my face because I know thats what Sean would expect me to do. When they call him a hero I will know they arent just saying it.
The Birmingham Board of Education on Thursday denied charter school applicant i3 Academy, which had hoped to open in the Woodlawn community in the fall of 2020. The board voted 8-1 to accept Superintendent Lisa Herrings recommendation to deny the application during a special-called meeting. Board member Mary Boehm cast the sole vote against the recommendation.

This is the third applicant the Birmingham school board has denied since becoming an authorizer in 2016. It has not yet approved a charter applicant.

In 2017, the board denied the application of STAR Academy, now Legacy Prep, which appealed to the state charter school commission and received approval. Legacy Prep was one of three charter schools in Alabama that received federal grant money and plans to open in fall 2019.

Cedric Tatum, who oversees charter school applications in the school system, read results of an external review of the charter schools application to the board during the meeting. Tatum said the review shows the school partially meets standards in three areas: educational design, operations, and financial planning. Copies of the review were not made available at the meeting but school officials did provide a copy to AL.com in response to a request.

Community members asked the board to vote no, and some said a yes vote would cost board members their vote in the 2021 election.

After the vote, Board President Cheri Gardner said the charter schools As an authorizer, we have a responsibility to authorize strong applications. There were several deficiencies in this application, she said. Considering the number of deficiencies in the application, it was important for us not to approve it.

Gardner said this was not a vote on charter schools in general. Had it been a quality application," she said, "we would likely have approved it.

Former State Superintendent Tommy Bice serves as board chairman of i3 Academy and after the meeting said he was disappointed the application was denied. Well meet in the morning with our parents and our community members that want to see this happen," he said, "and well figure out what we do next.

Our passion and our desire to make sure the children of Birmingham have educational opportunities that are high-quality will not be deterred based on this vote tonight.

The Birmingham school board must provide a written denial to the applicant within 30 days stating the reasons for the denial. I3 Academy can appeal the decision to the Alabama Public Charter School Commission, which can overturn the Birmingham boards decision, as it did with Legacy Prep.

After publication of the failing schools list on Jan. 18 showing Birmingham with 20 schools on the list, Superintendent Lisa Herring said in a statement, We acknowledge and recognize that we have much work to do. We will use the ranking to continue to strategically improve our work in the areas of math and reading. Herring was appointed superintendent in May 2017, the 10th person to lead the district in 18 years.

I3 Academy planned to open with 420 students in Kindergarten through fifth grade. The school was planning to purchase the former Woodlawn Baptist Church property and renovate the attached school, serving students in the community.

The charter schools full application is online here.

Charter schools are public schools that trade flexibility from some of the rules for strict accountability and oversight by the charter authorizer---in this case the elected nine-member Birmingham school board.
The Alabama Attorney Generals Office is asking a judge to prevent the city of Birmingham from destroying or altering a Confederate monument in Linn Park while a court appeal plays out.

The AGs office is appealing a recent court ruling that said Birmingham doesnt have to take down its wooden screen that surrounds the Linn Park monument. In the ruling, Jefferson County Circuit Judge Michael Graffeo ruled the Alabama Memorial Preservation Act  which prohibits local governments from altering historical monuments on public property  doesnt have any legal authority.

After the judge issued his ruling, Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin said the monuments future was unknown, as his team reviewed all available options.

We believe the Courts decision against the Memorial Preservation Act will be overturned due to the fact that it incorrectly assigns the right of free speech to a government subdivision (the City of Birmingham), said Attorney General Steve Marshall in a news release today after his office asked a judge to issue a stay in the case.

Marshalls office wrote in court records that a stay should be issued because the judges ruling could lead Birmingham or other cities to believe it is legal to alter or destroy monuments before the appeal is complete.

the state may suffer irreparable harm (because) Historical monuments and buildings could be destroyed or altered in such a way that they cannot be rebuilt, the AGs motion for stay says.

Months after the monuments law was enacted, Birminghams then-mayor William Bell ordered the Confederate Soldiers and Sailors Monument in Linn Park covered with plastic, and later plywood. Some people called for the removal of the statue, but Bell said he wouldnt break the law.

Marshalls office sued the city for violating the monuments law, which the citys lawyers called vague and ambiguous. In his order, Graffeo said he "reluctantly" declared the act is void.

"Just as the state could not force any particular citizen to post a pro-Confederacy sign in his or her front lawn, so too can the state not commandeer the city's property for the state's preferred message," Graffeo wrote.

In court records, Marshalls office said the state is likely to win on appeal.

Federal constitutional law, recognized by the U.S. Supreme Court for over 100 years, is clear that a political subdivision, created by the state for the better ordering of government, has no privileges or immunities under the federal constitution which it may invoke in opposition to the will of its creator, Marshall said in a news release.

Marshalls office also argued the stay should be granted because its in the public interest and wont harm the city of Birmingham.

Graffeo said the act violates the Fourteenth Amendment because the state was seeking at least $25,000 in fines from the city and also seeks to control what the city can build on Linn Park, but the act offers no due process. The act allows cities to apply for a waiver on certain structures, but Birmingham could not apply for that waiver because the Linn Park monument is over 40 years old. That part of the law is overbroad and unreasonable, the judge said.

AL.com reporter Ivana Hrynkiw contributed to this story.
Actor and comedian Patton Oswalt doesnt hold back when it comes to expressing his liberal political beliefs on Twitter. Case in point: On Wednesday, he retweeted the presidents rhyming tweet, BUILD A WALL & CRIME WILL FALL! with a rhyming couplet of his own, urging Trump to resign.

At 9:43 a.m. Thursday, a Vietnam veteran named Michael Beatty, who lives in Madison, tweeted back at Oswalt: I just realized why I was so happy you died in Blade Trinity. Blade-Trinity is the 2004 humans-vs.-vampires film starring Wesley Snipes. He also insulted Oswalts stature (hes 53).

Dude, I already know: cuz ...one more second of you on screen and my heart would belong to Patton Oswalt. I get told this at least twice a week by Trump supporters. It always makes me smile and Im grateful and blessed. https://t.co/nrivTIf6u7  Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) January 24, 2019

After Oswalt wrote a comeback referring to Beatty and other Trump supporters, he decided to check out Beattys Twitter page, where Beatty has 102 followers and has tweeted only 101 times in the 10 years since hes been on Twitter. Life in Obscurity is Beattys Twitter bio, but his life was about to become much less obscure.

As Oswalt scrolled down, he noticed a GoFundMe account with the startling title: Help after Sepsis, Diabetic Ketoacidosis and Coma.

A Vietnam veteran living on a meager retirement check, Beatty had started the account with a goal of $5,000 to help him pay for his medical bills after being in the hospital from Dec. 12 to Dec. 26 with sepsis. He was in a diabetic coma for eight days and had coded twice. (Im stubborn, according to my wife, he wrote.)

I dont know up from sideways, Beatty wrote in his plea for financial help. He said he has five different doctors appointments and is on more meds than I can shake a stick at.

Oswalt was moved to donate $2,000 to Beattys account and urged his 4.45 million followers to do the same.

Aw, man. This dude just attacked me on Twitter and I joked back but then I looked at his timeline and hes in a LOT of trouble health-wise. Id be pissed off too. Hes been dealt some shitty cards  lets deal him some good ones. Click and donate  just like Im about to. https://t.co/6zRdZ430WG  Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) January 24, 2019

By Thursday afternoon, Beattys account had surpassed three times its goal, with more than 800 people donating $16,415. Many donors wrote, Patton Oswalt sent me, along with messages of encouragement for Beatty.

My father also a vet just passed away and he needed help as well, wrote Russell Arteaga. Im a liberal who is a fan of Patton Oswalt but I dont think vets should have to deal with medical issues. Wish I could contribute more.

Im a Government contractor who is laid off with no chance of getting back pay from the furlough, wrote David Llewellyn. "Doesnt mean I cant try to help a little.

Beatty seemed overwhelmed by Oswalts gesture. You have humbled me to the point where I can barely compose my words, he tweeted. You have caused me to take pause and reflect on how harmful words from my mouth could result in such an outpouring. Thank you for this and I will pass this on to my cousin who needs help. A cascade.

Patton. You have humbled me to the point where I can barely compose my words. You have caused me to take pause and reflect on how harmful words from my mouth could result in such an outpouring. Thank you for this and I will pass this on to my cousin who needs help. A cascade. pic.twitter.com/6Is7KflPeY  Michael Beatty (@MichaelBeatty) January 24, 2019

Oswalt said he was glad Beattys goal was met, then tweeted: And PLEASE understand that people like @AOC (U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez) are battling so you DONT have to depend on GoFundMe to live with dignity and vigor. (And Im working on getting to Alabama)

Beatty also tweeted his thanks to everyone who supported him with their generous outpourings, and thanked Oswalt, without whom I would not be the recipient of so much love and support. Im not a man who ever cried but I had to wait to send this. His eyes, apparently, were filled with tears of joy.
The Birmingham office of commercial real estate advisory firm Newmark Knight Frank has announced three Alabama apartment community sales - two in the Birmingham area - which together total $16.9 million.

The properties include:

Birminghams Red Top at Greensprings, a 40-unit property, sold by Birmingham-based A&M Properties to Nighthawk Redtop, LLC of Texas.

The Red Mountain Portfolio, a 66-unit, 3-property portfolio in Birmingham, including Signal Hill, Piedmont Terrace, and Sussex, sold by A&M Properties to Birmingham-based H2 Real Estate.

Westshore Landing, a 112-unit apartment community in Auburn, was sold by Crossgate Partners to LIV of Birmingham.

Senior Managing Directors Bo Flurry and Justin Uffinger of Newmark Knight Franks Birmingham office represented the seller and buyer in all three transactions.

Red Top at Greensprings, Signal Hill, Piedmont Terrace, and Sussex are located in Birminghams Southside, while Westshore Landing is about three miles from the Auburn University campus.

These were unique opportunities to acquire assets in markets with strong supply and demand fundamentals," Flurry said. "Additionally, each buyer is positioned to capture significant increases in revenue through the strategic implementation of value-add programs.
Southern Research is moving a team of scientists working to develop clean-energy technology into a $1 million lab it is creating in Birmingham.

The Sustainable Chemistry and Catalysis Laboratory will have pilot-scale chemical reactors and other equipment and should be up and running by the middle of next month, according to an announcement. The eight-member research team, led by Amit Goyal, is already working on cost-efficient, environmentally friendly ways to produce industrial chemicals from waste materials and carbon dioxide.

The lab had previously been located in North Carolina and had been open since 1992, when it worked closely with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

These leading-edge technologies hold significant potential for commercialization and relocating our talented scientists to an ultra-modern laboratory in Birmingham will help them advance their important work, Southern Research President and CEO Art Tipton said.

The team have already developed a cheap, sustainable method to convert biomass sugars into acrylonitrile, the chemical building block of carbon fiber, a strong, lightweight material used in airplanes, automobiles and other products.

They have also developed a process to turn carbon dioxide into chemicals such as olefins, which can be used to make packaging, plastics, textiles, paints and electronics.
TUNIS  Anti-corruption campaigners are taking legal action against Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi for issuing a special pardon to one of his party's advisers who was sentenced to two years in prison for corruption.

Essebsi issued the pardon Dec. 10 for Borhane Besais, a former political adviser to Nidaa Tounes and an adviser to former Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. Though the case dates back to before the 2011 revolution, when Ben Ali was ousted, Besais was sentenced less than three months ago.

On Jan. 11, anti-corruption group I Watch, transparency nongovernmental organization Al-Bawsala and Thameur Mekki, editor-in-chief of news website Nawaat, accused Essebsi of abuse of power. The lawsuit asks that Besais' pardon be suspended and that the authorities enforce his prison sentence.

Besais was convicted of assuming a fictitious position for six years in Sotetel, a subsidiary of state-controlled Tunisie Telecom, drawing an annual salary of 197,000 Tunisian dinars (about $65,661) in addition to other benefits.

In statements to Al-Monitor, I Watch legal adviser Ismail Ben Khalifa expressed confidence in the judicial process. The plaintiffs presented arguments that Ben Khalifa said prove the pardon violates legal procedures.

In a joint statement published Jan. 14 on Al-Bawsalas website, the plaintiffs say Essebsis pardon of Besais was based on partisan interests and constitute an abuse of authority to serve interests alien to the public interest. They said they turned to the judiciary to combat corruption and a culture of impunity.

Mekki told Al-Monitor, Essebsi used his powers as president of the republic to serve his political partys interests. The pardon served Nidaa Tounes, led by Essebsis son Hafez Caid Essebsi. Besais pardon sets a precedent in the history of Tunisia. This is the first time a president has issued a pardon in favor of a person [convicted] of corruption.

In a Jan. 14 statement to Le Maghreb newspaper, a media official with the Administrative Court in Tunis, Emad Al-Ghabri, said the investigation is underway.

Salim Al-Kharrat, executive director of al-Bawsala, told Al-Monitor the Association of Tunisian Judges supports the case against Essebsi. This case requires more consideration by the judiciary. The arguments presented in the file prove the involvement of Besais in a corruption case during the regime of former President Ben Ali.

Essebsi's pardon of Besais "contradicts the Tunisian governments policy, Kharrat added. The government has invoked the slogan of fighting corruption since its formation on Aug. 3, 2016.

However, constitutional law professor Rafeh Ben Ashour argued that the president has the right to issue special pardons. This right is guaranteed by Article 77 of the Tunisian Constitution. The president may exercise this right at his discretion and without restrictions under the constitutional text, he said.

Ben Ashour noted, however, that the judiciary alone is authorized to rule on Besais involvement in corruption cases.

The Tunisian presidents decision to pardon Besais sparked controversy in Tunisia. The secretary-general of the Republican Party, Essam Chebbi, lamented the decision in a Dec. 10 Facebook post. Chebbi wondered, Did Beji Caid Essebsi act as president of all Tunisians, or a president of Nidaa Tounes who made a decision to pardon his partys political adviser?

In a Dec. 17 statement to government-owned Radio Shems FM, the head of I Watch, Ashraf Awadi, contended, The president broke all the rules of presidential pardons.

The president of the Association of Tunisian Judges, Anas Hammadi, said he was surprised the president issued a special pardon for Besais in a widely publicized financial corruption case. In a Dec. 27 press conference convened by the association, Hammadi described the decision as interference in the judiciary and said that it raises issues of impunity.

Al-Monitor spoke to Mohamed Ramzi Khamis, a parliament member representing Nidaa Tounes who defended the pardon as a constitutional right enjoyed by the president that may be exercised unconditionally. Political parties intervened in the case against Besais and were behind the two-year prison sentence, he said. Since 2013, Besais has been returning to the treasury the amounts he had received during the Ben Ali regime.

The Association of Tunisian Judges had lashed out at Besais, saying he doesn't deserve a pardon. In a Dec. 27 Facebook post, Besais described the association president's position as a political stance. Besais said he meets all the necessary conditions to be eligible for a pardon as stipulated by the Tunisian Constitution.

This isn't Essebsi's first battle with the judiciary. Activists loyal to the Yousefiyeen party, a movement that opposed former President Habib Bourguiba in the 1960s, filed a case in March 2012 against Essebsi, who was interior minister at the time. The suit, which accused him of torturing opposition activists, was dismissed nine months later.
The Redondo Beach lagoon reopened on Friday, June 18, for the first time in more than a year, after the coronavirus pandemic forced it to shutter all last summer.
The Pentagons decision to acquire Israels US-funded Iron Dome system to defend American troops is raising questions from military experts about whether the missile defense batteries can handle emerging threats from Russia and China.

Inside Defense first reported the Armys decision to acquire Iron Dome earlier this month. The move comes after Congress, which has long praised the systems decadelong record of fending off rockets and mortar attacks, called on the Pentagon to take steps to obtain defenses to stop increasingly capable cruise missiles from Russia and China that could threaten US forces deployed overseas.

In a statement, defense contractor Raytheon said it was ready to support the Armys purchase of Iron Dome.

Raytheon is ready to support the Army, as it realizes the full operational capabilities of Iron Dome in a US operational environment, Chris King, the companys director of Israeli programs, told Al-Monitor in a statement. Were here to put our extensive expertise to work and support the Armys needs for integration.

The Pentagon now has a September 2020 deadline to field and deploy two Iron Dome batteries as an interim cruise missile defense, according to requirements in the US defense authorization bill signed by President Donald Trump in August.

Army Assistant Secretary Bruce Jette told Al-Monitor the service was considering integrating Iron Dome into the US missile defense arsenal, but Army officials did not respond to further requests for comment on the program. In December, Pentagon leadership told lawmakers it would need a stopgap capability to shoot down cruise missiles fired at US troops.

As outlined in the 2018 National Defense Strategy, we must develop layered regional missile defenses to deter aggression by near-peer adversaries, Undersecretary of Defense for Policy John Rood, the Pentagons No. 3 official, wrote to Congress in December. The Army should field an interim capability to meet this need.

The potential for an American purchase of Iron Dome gained momentum in the last Congress when House lawmakers wrote a provision in annual defense legislation calling for the Pentagon to spend $30 million to field and test system components. Raytheons King told Al-Monitor that the company manufactures more than two-thirds of the parts for Iron Domes Tamir interceptor missile across 26 states in the United States.

The top Republican on the House Armed Services Committee, Rep. Mac Thornberry of Texas, first called on the Army to test Iron Domes capability for protecting US troops in a draft of the defense law last year. He said the Israeli-manned system served as an example of a battle-ready missile defense system.

We have real needs and we did not tell them to use Iron Dome, Thornberry said. We just said, 'Looks like its working pretty well to us, you all go investigate this as a part of meeting the Armys needs.' And so I think thats a reasonable, useful way to approach this.

Raytheons King told Al-Monitor that Iron Dome is uniquely flexible in its ability to handle air raids and missile attacks, reportedly intercepting 1,700 projectiles with a 90% success rate since it was first deployed in 2011.

But the short-range Iron Dome system has worked mostly against rockets, artillery and mortar shells fired by Hezbollah and Hamas. As US adversaries such as Russia and China re-stock supplies of high-tech cruise missiles, experts are not convinced its an adequate stopgap until the United States can field a long-term cruise missile defense.

Iron Domes Tamir interceptor was not originally designed for cruise missile defense, said Rick Berger, a research fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and a former Senate staffer. The short-term nature of this buy cant be emphasized enough, and the Army may change horses again for the next two batteries.

The decision to field Iron Dome comes as the US and Israeli defense industries are growing more intertwined. On Tuesday, the US Missile Defense Agency announced that the Pentagon and the Israeli air force successfully tested the Arrow-3 weapons system in central Israel, which the Pentagon called a major milestone.

The United States and Israel inked a fresh memorandum of understanding in 2016 that includes $500 million in US missile defense aid each year. And the Pentagons new Missile Defense Review calls on the Defense Department to take advantage of Israeli research and development efforts for similar US defense missions.

Acquiring Iron Dome may also give the United States access to its sought-after software. But when it comes to dealing with more advanced threats that could impact US troops, such as the scud missiles fired into Yemen by the Houthi rebels, its not clear the system will prove effective.

Iron Domes interceptors do not have the reach or speed to engage successfully a scud warhead, or any other missile with a range greater than 50 kilometers [30 miles], said Michael Elleman, a senior fellow for missile defense at the International Institute for Strategic Studies.

Bryant Harris contributed to this report.
RAMALLAH, West Bank  Alaa Albaba stood before the audience of young Palestinians in Station 101, a cafe in Ramallah, talking about his journey from refugee camp to international exhibitions. Albaba, a multidisciplinary artist whose works have been exhibited in Germany and Jordan, talked for half an hour about his life and art, responded to questions and then left the stage to amateur artists, who took turns at the microphone singing, acting and reciting poetry.

The event, held Jan. 5, was organized by Sard, a creative initiative geared toward forging a community of young writers, poets and musicians in the West Bank. Sard means "to narrate, which is what those who take part in its activities do on the first Saturday evening of every month. They read short stories, present songs, rap, perform skits and create visual works of art.

The open mic concept is the idea behind Sard, which began in 2016 by a group of Birzeit University students - Bahor Jarrar, Yasmin Khawaja, Khaled Samen and Majd Shehadeh. The initiative provides a safe space where Palestinian youths can express their thoughts and feelings and display their talents. A guest of honor, such as Albaba, is invited to each session to present his or her experiences for 25 minutes, followed by a Q&A and discussion with the audience. The stage is then open to others for five-minute slots.

The seeds of Sard were sewn at Birzeit University, where the concept had sparked interest among students. Sard co-founder Bahor Jarrar told Al-Monitor, The idea grew quickly, moving from the Birzeit student community to the city of Ramallah in the spirit of youth and individual collaborative efforts.

Jarrar explained, [Sard] provides an open platform for those with a passion for performing in various fields, and as such, each event opens up a forum for public discussion to share insights and enrich through each other's experiences.

Sard events attract young people not only from Ramallah, but also from Jerusalem and other West Bank cities. There is no fee to participate, and the venues  such as the Ramallah Cafe, Station 101, the Tamer Institute for Community Education and the Khalil Sakakini Cultural Center  provide space free of charge and often support Sards activities by providing logistical support in the form of sound systems, spotlights and other staging equipment.

Jarrar remarked, [We are] a non-profit, youth-based community initiative that makes no material gains from the events we offer to audiences. Sard aims solely to help young people express themselves and promote creative arts and culture.

Another co-founder, Majd Shehadeh, in her final months at Birzeit, told Al-Monitor that the selection of the guest of honor is reflective of Palestinian identity and developing cultural trends. Since Sard's inception, it has provided a stage for numerous talented, up-and-coming artists, such as Raasat al-Raab, an ensemble whose regular performances at Sard events allowed it to prepare for and eventually participate in the 2018 Palestine Music Expo - in the same music festival as the acclaimed, internationally known Le Trio Joubran.

Leen Awartani from Ramallah has been attending Sard events since they began, when she was 16. She regularly performed sketches that she had written and recited her own poetry. [In my works], I used to express what I had gone through during the month, letting off steam in Sard sessions, Awartani told Al-Monitor. I started experimenting with poetry in English and then Arabic, writing stories, sketches and performing them.

For Awartani, taking part in Sard has been one of the most important experiences in her life. It has not only helped me develop my skills, [but has also] given me space to express myself, my feelings and all the changes I have gone through.

Currently studying law in the Netherlands, she returned to Ramallah during her study break and performed at Sard's open mike event on Jan. 5, presenting an interactive work of poetry in English.

Sard co-founder Majd Shehadeh told Al-Monitor that the initiative initially faced a number of challenges, ranging from low attendance to conflicts of opinion among participants, but they were overcome with time. Operating with a skeleton crew, the founders also had difficulty organizing events, and the lack of a media team prevented them from reaching a wide audience.

The coming year is likely to present a moment of decision for Sard. The co-founders have been debating about shifting the speaking forum to a community institution providing a more diverse range of youth services and creative activities while purposely shedding light on Palestinian cultural heritage. Regardless, they all want to continue providing a rare platform for creativity in their city and the rest of Palestine.
On Jan. 24, Israel filed a charge of manslaughter against a student from the Pri HaAretz yeshiva in the West Bank settlement of Rehelim. The indictment states that on Oct. 12, 2018, the 16-year-old threw a heavy rock at a car driven by a Palestinian family on Highway 60 between the Rehelim and Tapuah intersections. The rock killed Aisha Rabi, a mother of eight.

The investigation into the incident by the Shin Bet and the Nationalist Crimes Unit of the Israel Police lasted more than three months. At the investigation's launch, leaders of the settler movement deemed it a witch hunt and began one of their own with the backing of members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government. They leveled harsh criticism against the Shin Bet and police, with claims that they had employed brutal tactics against the suspects, who were all minors. No means were considered out of bounds, they said, even alleging that the suspects had been prevented from meeting with their attorneys.

In point of fact, the situation was the opposite.

The real witch hunt was conducted against the Shin Bet, with Netanyahu, the highest authority over the intelligence agency charged with ensuring Israelis security, failing to back it. Several days passed before he even mumbled his way through a few words of generic support. Ministers and Knesset members from Netanyahu's party also targeted the Shin Bet and police, in an effort to appease the settlers and win a few more votes in the upcoming Likud primary, in less than two weeks.

Some 98% of all terrorist activity in the West Bank is conducted by Palestinians against Israelis, and 95% of the Shin Bets activity is aimed at thwarting attacks and resolving cases. At the same time, the Shin Bet also considers Jewish terrorism to be a serious problem.

Attacks by Jews against Arabs create tensions on the ground, result in retaliatory attacks by Arabs and could set the whole region on fire, said a senior source in the Shin Bet speaking to Al-Monitor on the condition of anonymity. It is our responsibility to do everything we can to prevent them.

Having solved Rabis murder, the Shin Bet released an unusually direct statement on Jan. 24, with observers noting that it included a hint of criticism aimed at Israeli decision-makers. The statement said that the Shin Bet had conducted the investigation while engaging the heads of the yeshiva and other sources in dialogue, but these activities faced a concerted and ongoing effort by many parties with an interest in thwarting the investigation. As part of this effort, the Shin Bet said, on a Saturday, one day after the murder, a group of extremist activists drove from the far right-wing settlement of Yitzhar to Rehelim to brief the boys studying in the yeshiva how to prepare and deal with Shin Bet interrogations. In other words, Orthodox Jews received special permission to violate the Sabbath, by driving, in order to save lives.

The statement also claimed that interested parties had tried to interfere in the investigation by slandering and denigrating the security forces conducting it even though the entire investigation was taking place under judicial scrutiny. The Shin Bet determined that Rabi's murder was an act of terrorism in every sense of the term and asserted that it treated similar acts conducted by Arab minors in the same way.

The Shin Bets statement only reveals the tip of the iceberg of Jewish extremism in the West Bank. The goal of these extremists is to set the region on fire, dragging the Jewish and Arab populations to Armageddon. These so-called hilltop youth consist of several hundred young Jews who are driven by messianic activism and who consider the state and its institutions to be an enemy that must be overthrown. In short, they want to topple Israels democratic government and replace it with a kingdom of Halacha, that is, an entity ruled by Jewish law.

To achieve their goal, the young extremists are striving to create as many violent hotspots as possible to incite a War of Armageddon, which, they believe, will culminate in the Redemption. They do not serve in the Israel Defense Forces, do not recognize the Israeli government, and have no qualms about attacking Israeli security forces. They live a Spartan, semi-military lifestyle, based on how they believe early Jews lived in biblical times. The Shin Bet has been fighting this phenomenon for many years.

One of the milestones that led to the growth of this movement, former Shin Bet Director Yoram Cohen told Al-Monitor, was the [2005] disengagement from Gaza and northern Samaria. These young people, who have an anti-institutional worldview, decided that the settler leadership at the time did not take the fight against the disengagement seriously, so they came up with their own idea of the price tag brand, which they used to attack Arab civilians in revenge for Arab terrorism. As soon as they saw that this did not work, they switched to an approach based on inciting religious chaos by burning down churches and mosques, so that good comes from evil. Once this tactic failed, they moved on to even more brutal attacks, culminating in throwing the Molotov cocktail that burned a Palestinian family to death in the village of Duma [in retaliation for the shooting death of Malachi Rosenfeld of the Kochav HaShahar settlement by Palestinians]. These young people living in tents and caves decided to avenge his death, so they went to the nearby village, threw a Molotov cocktail and burned a family to death.

Cohen further stated, These attacks result in devastating harm being caused directly to their perpetrators, because the Palestinians respond immediately with retaliatory attacks of their own. The problem is that the hilltop youth have no problem with acts of vengeance, and they receive logistical assistance from a wider circle of thousands of supporters. Their ultimate goal is all-out war pitting everyone against each other.

Meanwhile, the Shin Bet has had a hard time infiltrating their ranks. It is almost impossible to plant agents among them. The extremists are determined and well trained, study the Shin Bets methodology in depth and are prepared to sacrifice themselves as martyrs. In the case of the Rabi murder, for instance, the Shin Bet used the most sophisticated means imaginable to identify the perpetrator, including staging a big scuffle with Palestinians, who were actually Shin Bet agents. This won the trust of the yeshiva students from Rehelim and led to the breakthrough in the investigation, identification of the minor whose DNA was found on the rock that killed Rabi.

Most worrying is the sense that members of the Israeli political establishment are utterly indifferent as they watch this phenomenon gather momentum and that they are too afraid to take serious measures against these lawbreakers. A senior security source speaking to Al-Monitor on the condition of anonymity more than a year ago warned that the Shin Bets ability to discourage the hilltop youth is dissipating.

They are losing all sense of boundaries and fear, the source said. They receive orders banning them from entering the territories, only to go back the next morning. The police are failing to enforce these orders, leaving them to do as they please, and their brashness is growing from moment to moment.

While the security source did not say as much, everyone in Israel is aware of the fear shared by every leader on the right, both secular and religious  that they could lose the support of settlers, particularly in an election season. The only person who has dared to express an opinion on this phenomenon, and who did so vocally, is former Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon. He has already been marginalized, paying a steep political price for his views.

One can only hope that Israel's leadership wakes up before these lawless settlers succeed in setting the West Bank on fire.
It lasted all of 24 seconds. That was the entire length of the video that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu posted to social media at 9:00 p.m. on Jan. 24. The tightly edited video featured remarks by two leaders of the demonstrations outside the attorney generals house: Manny Naftali, the former superintendent of the prime ministers residence, and social activist Eldad Yaniv. These two men are most closely identified with a series of demonstrations that took place there every Saturday night during many weeks, in an effort to pressure Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit to indict the prime minister. Mandelblit, we havent forgotten you! Were coming to your home, Naftali promises. The video clip is accompanied by the header, The left is applying pressure to the attorney general. Will that pressure work?

Netanyahus election videos are very brief, rhythmic and provocative. The thing is that they do not target some political rival; they are focused on Mandelblit, who, according to all observers, is expected to announce his decision to indict Netanyahu for bribery (subject to a hearing) in Case 4000 (a telecom-media affair), and that he will do this some time in February, just before the April 9 election.

This scenario could have far-reaching consequences on the election results. For example, the accusations of bribery against Netanyahu could scare off Likud voters. As soon as the words, The State of Israel versus Benjamin Netanyahu open all the TV news broadcasts and appear in all the newspaper headlines, Netanyahu will take a hit. It is still too hard to assess the actual effect of the damage, but that is precisely what is worrying the prime minister. It isnt Benny Gantz, former Israel Defense Forces chief and head of the new Israel Resilience party, or Yesh Atid head Yair Lapid or labor head Avi Gabbay who are keeping him up at night. What worries him most is the attorney generals apparent decision. A poll released by Army Radio Jan. 22 found that the Likud would lose four seats if the attorney general decides to indict Netanyahu. While the poll also shows that Netanyahu would continue to lead the largest party, with 25 seats, it is nevertheless understandable why Netanyahu feels caught in a state of uncertainty.

If there is anything that Netanyahu always tries to reduce, no matter what decision he must make, it is the element of uncertainty. That's why, whenever possible, he always formed a rough coalition even before the election took place, by making promises to his potential partners or forging ad hoc alliances with his allies to ensure his election. That is what he did with Chair of Yisrael Beitenu Avigdor Liberman before the 2013 election. But now, on the eve of the 2019 election, Netanyahu is having a hard time maintaining control of the situation. The scope of the uncertainty in which he is functioning is absolutely enormous.

Netanyahu has never been as strong politically. He is the unchallenged leader of the Likud, with Knesset members and ministers alike competing over who can best back him up against the looming cloud of corruption charges. Chairman of the New Right Naftali Bennett and Chairman of Shas Aryeh Deri have both announced that they would recommend him to form the next government, even if the attorney general decides to indict him for bribery.

He also has a significant lead in the polls against all those candidates who think that they are running against him for the position of prime minister. Every poll of the last few weeks showed Netanyahus Likud party winning 30-32 seats, while Gantzs Israel Resilience party does not even get half of that. The same is true of Yesh Atid, headed by Lapid. Meanwhile, Labor Party Chairman Gabbay will barely get 9-10 seats. While these three men consider themselves to be candidates for prime minister, the gap between them and Netanyahu proves that there is no real competition, unless at least two of them consolidate their parties.

Netanyahu has reason to be frustrated. This is the seventh election campaign in which he is running for prime minister, but it is also the first in which he has no political rival. And yet, it is clear to everyone that his government is in real danger. His fate now lies in the hands of one man, the attorney general, who is not even a political rival. What this means is that Netanyahu is unable to influence his decision or even anticipate his next move. Meanwhile, the prime minister is feeding off of all the reports and assessments in the media that Mandelblit will soon announce his decision to indict him, subject to a hearing. That's why Netanyahu has decided to do what he does best; he has created a nemesis, a bitter rival, an archenemy, and he is directing all his fire at it. The way he is doing this is rather clever, too. Instead of claiming that Mandelblit is biased, he is simply raising an open question: The left is pressuring the attorney general to issue an indictment. Will he succumb? The message is intended to shoot down Mandelblits apparent decision with the precision of a guided missile.

We have already noted how Netanyahus current election campaign is not against politicians. They hardly interest him at all. Hatnua head Tzipi Livni won 28 seats in 2009 (one more than Netanyahu) and almost became prime minister. Now she is hovering around the electoral threshold. Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon, head of the Kulanu party and the Cinderella candidate of the 2015 election, just barely gets past the electoral threshold. In other words, the only person to really challenge Netanyahu is Mandelblit. Netanyahu is focusing all his attention on him.

On Jan. 21, Netanyahus defense attorneys met with Mandelblit in an attempt to convince him to postpone his decision until the election is over. They argued that whatever he decides would be an interim decision, since a hearing could change the attorney generals mind, but in the meantime, his decision would impact the election. Mandelblit is expected to announce his decision in the next few days, and the general assessment is that he will reject Netanyahus argument. This is Netanyahus working assumption, too, which is why he is waging a campaign for public awareness and support.

Netanyahu is not waiting for the attorney general to announce his decision; he is already explaining to the public that Mandelblit surrendered to the left. The same left that could not defeat him in the polls is now trying other means. In response, his message is, in order for me to continue as prime minister, I need to be so powerful that it would be impossible for the left to carry out its plan. Netanyahus greatest fear is that once the election is over, he will be faced with an Anyone but Netanyahu coalition, which will recommend to the president that he assign the task of forming a new government to Lapid or Gantz. And its not such an unreasonable supposition either.
Kurdish political parties in northern Iraq are taking big strides in hammering out their differences in order to form a new regional government, pledging to bring stability and prosperity to the people of this semi-autonomous region.

This new opening comes at a vital time for the Kurdish people, who have endured four years of war with the Islamic State (IS), as well as a harsh financial crisis. Now that the battles with IS are over, the region's two main parties, the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Movement for Change (Gorran), have locked horns over how to run the government, resulting in the closure of parliament and most ministries.

The KDP and Gorran, with the help of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), are now in the final stages of reaching an agreement that could usher in a stable government for the next four years. The KDP and PUK have also agreed to negotiate a new agreement that outlines major policy positions, thus replacing the 2005 "strategic agreement" signed by Masoud Barzani and Jalal Talabani. Kurdish participation in Baghdad politics, in particular the return of the KDP, is a vital component of this new beginning in Kurdistan.

The meetings are to establish a solid foundation, to create trust, to create a strong government that could serve the people of Kurdistan, Dana Abdulkarim, a member of the Gorran negotiating team, told reporters Jan. 22 in Erbil, after their third meeting with the KDP delegation.

Gorran took a beating in last September's elections, losing half of its 24 seats in parliament. The party was created over a decade ago, on a platform of reform. Back in 2013, when Gorran entered the government, the tension with the KDP created years of instability in which the electorate were the main losers. After Gorran's loss, the KDP has realized that the main challenge to creating a stable government for the forthcoming prime minister, Masrour Barzani, is not presented by the PUK, but by Gorran.

The KDP wants to avoid the mistakes of the last four years, when Gorran was forced out of the government, creating serious doubts about the legitimacy of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) administration. Due to the war with IS, the international community continued to work with the KRG, but with the war coming to a close, the KDP leadership knows it cannot behave as it did in October 2015, when it barred the parliamentary speaker from entering Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan region.

With its charismatic leader Nawshirwan Mustafa dead and its power in parliament reduced, Gorran has realized that the past several years of tension with the KDP produced nothing but hardship for the people of Kurdistan. Now that the next election is in sight, Gorran wants to be part of the government, in the hope that it will recover its lost seats. Because of this, Gorran has presented a comprehensive program to reform the KRG. This would put Gorran in a position to oversee the reforms within the peshmerga, the Kurdistan Region Security Council, and the ministries of Interior and Finance. Peyser Press, funded by Gorran, reported Jan. 22 that the KDP had agreed to some of Gorrans demands, specifically its request for positions within the Kurdistan Region Security Council.

Yet the PUK, which has balanced the tension between Gorran and the KDP, all the while continuing to negotiate with the KDP over the governorship of Kirkuk province, believes that the negotiations over the government should continue. We want a stable and coherent Cabinet to be formed, so in the future it won't face the problems that the previous Cabinet encountered," senior PUK official Farid Asarsad told Kurdistan 24 Jan. 21. "Even when the previous Cabinet was formed, it was done in a hurry and needed more negotiations. It is better if we negotiate with each other longer, [rather] than forming a Cabinet in a haste.

Asarsad said that, in the negotiations, the issue of Kirkuk and the KRG's relations with Baghdad should be one package. If the PUK and KDP are not singing the same song in Kirkuk, it could affect the stability of the KRG Cabinet in Erbil.

When asked what would happen if Gorran and the KDP formed a Cabinet without the PUK, Asarsad sounded the alarm. This would be a bad option," he said. "That means leaving the PUK out. If the PUK is out, all the possibilities are open and there is no such thing called the KRG [without the PUK]. He said that regardless of how many seats the PUK has in the regional parliament, the KDP should be realistic and deal with the PUK differently, because the PUK rules a region similar in size to the KDP-controlled area and has the same number of security forces under its command.

While the negotiations continue, the outlook in the Kurdistan region is positive. Perhaps the political parties have come to their senses to work together, with the backing of international and regional actors. Al-Monitor has learned that Iran's foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, who met with the representatives of the major parties in his recent trip to Iraq, urged all the parties to work together to establish a stable Cabinet.

The most striking aspect of the recent negotiations has been how the KDP and Gorran have changed their rhetoric. Just a year ago, Gorran and the KDP were accusing each other of "treason" over contentious issues, such as the Kirkuk debacle of October 2017. We are not saying we have a magic wand  we say we are in negotiation for this [reform] program," said Sardar Qader, a senior member of Gorran, Jan. 22. "If our [national] council decides to participate, we will join [the government] based on these principles.  Joining the government is not treason and staying as opposition is not treason either."
CAIRO  During its general session on Jan. 13, Egyptian parliament passed a bill on public shops that the government had submitted in December 2017. The bill includes controversial Article 27, which forces restaurant and shop owners to install indoor and outdoor surveillance cameras. The government argues that this article aims to prevent terrorist operations and track down the culprits.

After parliamentary approval, Article 27 reads as follows: Public shops shall commit to installing indoor and outdoor surveillance cameras, as per conditions approved by the committee [a governmental committee that grants licenses for shops in each neighborhood or region], which determines the necessary requirements and activities for installing cameras and the places and activities where surveillance cameras should not be allowed.

The article angered some members of parliament. Parliament member Mohammad Salah Abdel Badi argued that strict conditions must regulate the installation of surveillance cameras to ensure the personal freedom and privacy of citizens.

He told Al-Monitor, Surveillance cameras must be installed in spots where people can see them to avoid restaurant and shop owners misuse of these cameras.

Abdel Badi added, Parliament discussed a bill to force shop and restaurant owners to install surveillance cameras. The bill did not pass muster until the government proposed introducing an article under the law on public shops to impose installation of surveillance cameras.

Parliament member Anisa Hassoun had submitted a new bill forcing restaurants to install cameras in 2017. But in December 2017, the government proposed instead amending the already existing law on public shops. Parliament approved Jan. 13 a series of amendments to Law No. 371 of 1956, including articles on installing cameras and serving hookah and alcohol.

Abdel Badi explained that licenses issued by the municipality will not be granted or renewed for any restaurant or shop before verifying that surveillance cameras have been installed as per the law.

Article 29 states the cases in which shops will be closed or their permits revoked. A shop shall be shut administratively if it violates certain articles, mainly Article 27 of this law regarding the installation of electronic surveillance cameras.

Cairo deputy Gov. Ibrahim Saber told Al-Monitor, Shops wont be allowed to get permits or renew their permits unless they install surveillance cameras based on the competent security institutions approval.

He added, Surveillance cameras have become mandatory under the new legislation. They are a main requirement for granting or renewing permits.

Saber noted that Cairos governor issued an administrative decision forcing public and commercial shops to install both indoor and outdoor surveillance cameras.

A shop owner in downtown Cairo, Ibrahim Ali, told Al-Monitor, The government does not force shop or restaurant owners to install cameras immediately, but rather when the shop permit expires. At that stage, if the owner does not abide, the permit is not renewed and their work becomes illegal. They might then face police pursuits, confiscation and shop shutdown.

For his part, April 6 Movement member Sherif al-Rouby has been receiving warnings from shop owners to steer clear of these shops and not frequent them.

Rouby told Al-Monitor, Security personnel can use these cameras to track political activists and young partisans. The cameras are under constant police and security supervision.

He accused authorities of using these cameras to track down activists and opposition members because shops and restaurants in Cairo have welcomed the January 25 Revolution activists. Rouby believes the cameras will allow authorities to discover the identity of political opponents frequenting the shops and facilitate their arrests.

He added, Restaurant workers warned me repeatedly that national security authorities were searching for me in famous cafes in downtown Cairo. He said these workers know him and do not doubt him, which is why they warn him.

Rouby said, I have no problem with monitoring sovereign and governmental institutions with indoor and outdoor cameras. But restaurants and public places are another story unless there are prior doubts about citizens conduct.

He believes that imposing surveillance cameras mainly stems from wanting to track down state opposition members and political activists rather than spotting thefts or criminal activity as the government claims.

Rouby said the main reason behind the bill is to spy on citizens everywhere, and that it is the result of security, political and social failure of the ruling regime. He noted, If the political regime components were stable and balanced, there wouldnt have been a need for increased security or surveillance of people in the streets.

Director of the civil liberties program at the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights Amr Abdul Rahman told Al-Monitor that installing cameras in public places does not infringe upon personal privacy. Human rights lawyers can benefit from the law by asking for the content of cameras in some trials  such as in the case of the killing of activist Shaimaa al-Sabbagh.

He added, The most famous case in which cameras could have been used to condemn people is that of former President Hosni Mubarak and his men, who were accused of killing protesters. The cameras of Tahrir Square and the Egyptian Museum were allegedly broken and did not record any of the revolution events.

Abdul Rahman noted that security institutions always assume bad intentions and misuse cameras. But cameras do not capture sound, and security bodies cannot know what cafe frequenters are talking about. All they are doing is tracking peoples movement, he explained.

Security tracking or spying on activists might prove more effective through tapping phone calls. Egyptian law allows wiretapping, provided that permission is first obtained from the prosecution, Abdul Rahman concluded.
Saudi Arabia could soon be on the hook for millions of dollars in US military training in the latest example of bipartisan anger at the kingdom.

The Republican-held Senate and Democratic-controlled House passed dueling spending bills this week that differ on border security and immigration policy. But both bills contain a provision that cuts Saudi Arabia off from a key military training program that enables Riyadh to save up to $30 million per year.

The Senate failed to secure the 60 votes needed to advance its spending bill by 50-47 today, while the House passed its rival bill 234-180 on Wednesday. Still, the fact that lawmakers in both parties have at least agreed to a compromise on foreign aid provisions serves as a strong indication that the anti-Saudi language contained in both bills will eventually become law after the shutdown ends.

Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, has long advocated for ending Saudi Arabias discounted military training costs, but had faced resistance from his colleagues in previous years.

He objects to American taxpayers subsidizing an oil-rich country and believes they should pay the full amount for the military training they receive, Tim Rieser, a foreign policy aide to Leahy, told Al-Monitor. He also objects to providing this favorable treatment to a country whose government engages in a consistent pattern of gross violations of human rights.

Resistance to Leahys proposal evaporated after the Saudis killed journalist Jamal Khashoggi last year, prompting a bipartisan backlash on Capitol Hill.

Theres been a lot of discussion about their responsibility, the actions of Saudi Arabia, and I know that many committees are involved in hearings, House Appropriations Chairwoman Nita Lowey, D-N.Y., told Al-Monitor.

Specifically, the new legislation bans Saudi Arabia from participating in the State Department-run International Military Education and Training Program (IMET).

Saudi Arabia typically only receives about $10,000 in IMET assistance every year  far less than the 10 other Middle Eastern and North African countries that participate. But even that symbolic amount makes Riyadh eligible for reduced rates on other military training necessary to operate the kingdom's US-made military arsenal.

If the Saudis want [military training], they can pay for it, said Rieser. The Saudis can buy military training from whomever will sell it to them, but they use US equipment and it would not be in their interest for their longstanding partnership with the United States to deteriorate. The question is whether they will respond to the outrage over the murder of Khashoggi and the mayhem they have caused in Yemen.

Leahys office estimates that the token IMET funding saves Riyadh anywhere from $20 million to $30 million in training costs per year.

Still, the training discounts amount to pennies in Saudi Arabias $295 billion budget for 2019. If the Saudis are forced to pay the full cost of the training, Rieser said that some of that money could go to fund the Defense Departments educational institutions such as the Army War College.

An example of that would be the $750 million package that they purchased a couple of years ago for targeting purposes, said Seth Binder, an advocacy officer for the Project on Middle East Democracy, which has pushed Congress to end IMET funding for Riyadh. That package would have been discounted because of IMET aid.

While Congress is set to ban IMET assistance for Saudi Arabia, the State Department notably did not propose any IMET funding for Riyadh in its 2019 budget request, which it drafted months before Khashoggis murder.

Some lawmakers want to go even further and kick Saudi Arabia out of all US military training programs entirely until Khashoggis killers are punished. Many lawmakers on both sides of the aisle believe Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered his execution.

We need to curtail bilateral military assistance programs until the Saudis account for themselves and bring to justice all who are involved in the reprehensible murder of an American resident, Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., told Al-Monitor. Khashoggi had lived in exile in Connollys district.

Already, Rep. James McGovern, D-Mass., who controls the House floor as chairman of the Rules Committee, has introduced a bill banning Saudi Arabia from US arms sales, training and defense cooperation.
Scientists discover what may be Earth's oldest rock in a lunar sample returned by the Apollo 14 astronauts.

The research about this possible relic from the Hadean Earth is published today in the journal Earth and Planetary Science Letters.

An international team of scientists associated with the Center for Lunar Science and Exploration (CLSE), part of NASA's Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute, found evidence that the rock was launched from Earth by a large impacting asteroid or comet. This impact jettisoned material through Earth's primitive atmosphere, into space, where it collided with the surface of the Moon (which was three times closer to Earth than it is now) about 4 billion years ago. The rock was subsequently mixed with other lunar surface materials into one sample.

The team developed techniques for locating impactor fragments in the lunar regolith, which prompted CLSE principal investigator Dr. David A. Kring, a Universities Space Research Association (USRA) scientist at the Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI), to challenge them to locate a piece of Earth on the Moon.

Led by research scientist Jeremy Bellucci and Professor Alexander Nemchin, team members working at the Swedish Museum of Natural History and Curtin University in Australia rose to the challenge. The result of their investigation is a 2 gram fragment of rock composed of quartz, feldspar, and zircon, all commonly found on Earth and highly unusual on the Moon. Chemical analysis of the rock fragment shows it crystallized in a terrestrial-like oxidized system, at terrestrial temperatures, rather than in the reducing and higher temperature conditions characteristic of the Moon.

"It is an extraordinary find that helps paint a better picture of early Earth and the bombardment that modified our planet during the dawn of life," says Dr. Kring.

It is possible that the sample is not of terrestrial origin, but instead crystallized on the Moon, however, that would require conditions never before inferred from lunar samples. It would require the sample to have formed at tremendous depths, in the lunar mantle, where very different rock compositions are anticipated. Therefore, the simplest interpretation is that the sample came from Earth.

The team's analyses are providing additional details about the sample's history. The rock crystallized about 20 kilometers beneath Earth's surface 4.0-4.1 billion years ago. It was then excavated by one or more large impact events and launched into cislunar space. Previous work by the team showed that impacting asteroids at that time were producing craters thousands of kilometers in diameter on Earth, sufficiently large to bring material from those depths to the surface. Once the sample reached the lunar surface, it was affected by several other impact events, one of which partially melted it 3.9 billion years ago, and which probably buried it beneath the surface. The sample is therefore a relic of an intense period of bombardment that shaped the solar system during the first billion years. After that period, the Moon was affected by smaller and less frequent impact events. The final impact event to affect this sample occurred about 26 million years ago, when an impacting asteroid hit the Moon, producing the small 340 meter-diameter Cone Crater, and excavating the sample back onto the lunar surface where astronauts collected it almost exactly 48 years ago (January 31 to February 6, 1971).

Kring suspects the conclusion of a terrestrial origin for the rock fragment will be controversial. While the Hadean Earth is a reasonable source for the sample, a first find of this kind may be a challenge for the geologic community to digest. He notes that samples of Hadean Earth certainly peppered the lunar surface; other samples will likely be found with additional study.

Reference: "Terrestrial-like Zircon in a Clast from an Apollo 14 Breccia," J. J. Bellucci et al., 2019 Jan. 24, Earth and Planetary Science Letters [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2019.01.010, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0012821X19300202]. Dr. Katharine Robinson, a postdoctoral researcher at the LPI, was also involved in the study, as were Dr. Marion Grange (Curtin University), Dr. Gareth Collins (Imperial College London), Dr. Martin Whitehouse (Swedish Museum of Natural History), Dr. Josh Snape (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam), and Prof. Marc Norman (Australian National University).

The research is supported by NASA's Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute (SSERVI) through a cooperative agreement with the CLSE, a joint venture between the LPI and NASA's Johnson Space Center.

About USRA:

Founded in 1969, under the auspices of the National Academy of Sciences at the request of the U.S. Government, the Universities Space Research Association (USRA) is a nonprofit corporation chartered to advance space-related science, technology and engineering. USRA operates scientific institutes and facilities, and conducts other major research and educational programs, under Federal funding. USRA engages the university community and employs in-house scientific leadership, innovative research and development, and project management expertise. More information about USRA is available at http://www.usra.edu.

About LPI:

The Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI), operated by Universities Space Research Association, was established during the Apollo program to foster international collaboration and to serve as a repository for information gathered during the early years of the space program. Today, the LPI is an intellectual leader in lunar and planetary science. The Institute serves as a scientific forum attracting world-class visiting scientists, postdoctoral fellows, students, and resident experts; supports and serves the research community through newsletters, meetings, and other activities; collects and disseminates planetary data while facilitating the community's access to NASA science; and engages and excites, and educates the public about space science and invests in the development of future generations of explorers. The research carried out at the LPI supports NASA's efforts to explore the solar system. More information about LPI is available at http://www.lpi.usra.edu.

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Fully satisfying the U.S. energy and defense departments' fiscal year 2019 nuclear-related requests would cost $494 billion over the next decade, according to a new Congressional Budget Office review.

Within that 12-figure sum is an estimated $9 billion for plutonium pit production buildout at the Savannah River Site and Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico, according to the report, which was issued Thursday.

The $494 billion represents a 23 percent increase compared to a 10-year estimate made in 2017. Jumpstarted pit production  reaching a goal of 80 pits per year by 2030, per the 2018 Nuclear Posture Review  is a "large contributor" to the predicted spending spike, the report reads.

In May 2018, the energy and defense departments jointly recommended producing plutonium pits at SRS, 50 per year, and Los Alamos, 30 per year.

Plutonium pits are nuclear weapon cores.

Installing an enduring pit production mission at SRS  a move U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., is skeptical of  involves reworking the Mixed Oxide Fuel Fabrication Facility, an incomplete plant designed to turn weapons-grade plutonium into nuclear fuel. The budget office report acknowledges that.

Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, the management and operations contractor at the site, was recently tasked with and funded for preliminary SRS-tied pit production work.

SRNS tasked with initial work for 'Savannah River Pit Production Plant,' official says "The preliminary plans SRNS is developing show how we will make use of SRS's expertise, existing facilities, and infrastructure to start up an

SRNS has since "mobilized" teams to transition MOX and begin conceptual development of the "Savannah River Pit Production Plant," an SRNS spokesperson told the Aiken Standard earlier this month.

"The preliminary plans SRNS is developing show how we will make use of SRS's expertise, existing facilities and infrastructure to start up and carry out this important work, which builds on the site's historical service to the nation's nuclear security," the spokesperson said.

The contractor  whose parent companies are Fluor, Newport News Nuclear and Honeywell International  submitted its MOX transition plan to the National Nuclear Security Administration on Dec. 21, 2018, according to a NNSA spokesperson.

The NNSA is a semiautonomous Department of Energy agency in charge of the nation's nuclear outfit.

Lisa Gordon-Hagerty, the NNSA's leader, has often stumped for modernizing nuclear programs nationwide; billions of dollars are expected to be spent on those undertakings between now and 2028, according to the report.

"The nation's current nuclear forces are reaching the end of their service life," the first page of the report reads.

The CBO was created by Congress in the 1970s to supply nonpartisan information related to the budget process. Congress sets the CBO's agenda.
In 2015, German photographer Candida Hofer  best known for her rigorously composed, large-scale color images of architectural interiors  began shooting stunning interiors of theaters, churches, convents, museums, and other spaces in Mexico. The work has been seen in museums in that country, but never in the United States. That changes with the upcoming exhibition Candida Hofer - In Mexico, which will be on view at the Sean Kelly gallery in New York from February 2 through March 16, notes Design Boom.
Farmers try to get the most out of their crop every season, but when prices are high, the value of a bushel is even more important. Figuring o
DES MOINES  The budget proposed by Gov. Kim Reynolds includes additional money for foreign animal disease prevention, among other things.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig asked for an additional $250,000 in the budget for fiscal 2020 for the effort to head off major animal disease issues and to deal with one should it happen. Lawmakers gave the state Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship $250,000 last year. Reynolds proposal would continue that and add another $250,000 to the effort.

The governors proposed budget also includes money for the states drainage well closure program.

In addition, Reynolds talked in her condition of the state speech about rural economic development, something that wouldnt directly impact the state department of agriculture, but which would be of interest to many rural Iowans.

She didnt talk specifically about some agricultural topics, but the Empower Rural Iowa plan (a rural economic development proposal) and the Future Ready Iowa proposal (a job training program) are welcome. Theyre all connected, Naig said.

Naig, who like Reynolds is a Republican, also said the funding for water quality programs approved by the legislature last year will start with a small figure this year and then gradually increase.

In the short-term, Naig said Jan. 16 the Iowa Department of Agriculture should be able to weather the federal government shutdown for now, but if the shutdown lasts a long time it will eventually impact IDALS and other parts of state government.

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Zee Media Corporation Limited (ZMCL) has reported consolidated revenues of Rs 1,942.2 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2019, a growth of 22.7 per cent over Rs 1,583.0 million recorded in the corresponding quarter of FY18. The network incurred expenditure of Rs 1,362.3 million in Q3FY19, an increase of 21.3 per cent from Rs 1,122.7 million in Q3FY18. The increase in expenditure YoY has been mainly contributed by three new channels launched during last year  viz. Zee Salaam, Zee 24 Kalak and Zee Uttar Pradesh/ Uttarakhand.

EBITDA for the third quarter grew by 26 per cent to Rs 579.9 million from Rs 460.3 million for the corresponding period last financial year. EBITDA margin grew from 29.1 per cent in Q3FY18 to 29.9 per cent in Q3FY19.

Advertising revenues for Q3 FY19 grew by 21.9 per cent over Q3FY18 to Rs 1,755.1 million.

Operating profit for the third quarter grew by 26 per cent over Q3FY18 to Rs 579.9 million. Profit After Tax (PAT) from continuing operations grew to Rs 272 million in Q3FY19, as against Rs 208.7 million in Q3FY18.

Zee Media has a cluster of news, current affairs and regional news channels, which includes Zee News, Zee Business, WION, Zee Hindustan, Zee Punjab Haryana Himachal, Zee Madhya Pradesh Chhattisgarh, Zee 24 Taas, Zee 24 Ghanta, Zee Odisha, Zee Bihar Jharkhand, Zee Rajasthan, Zee Salaam, Zee 24 Kalak, and Zee Uttar Pradesh Uttarakhand. These 14 channels (1 Global, 3 National and 10 Regional) reached more than 350 million viewers. (Source: BARC, NCCS 2+, All India, l MCL Channels, 24hrs, 1" Oct - 31" Dec 2018 Coverage)

Zee News, the networks flagship news channel, reached more than 198 million viewers. The channel continued to translate its market strength into revenues and achieved a 20 per cent growth in 9 months during FY19 over the same period last year. (Source: BARC, NCCS 2+, All India, 24hrs, 1" Oct - 31" Dec 2018 Coverage)

Zee Hindustan, the networks second national Hindi news channel, which reached over 158.8 million viewers, was transformed into Indias first anchorless news channel in December 2018. The channel will focus on innovative and analytical news programming. (Source: BARC, NCCS 2+, All India, 24hrs, 1" Oct - 31" Dec 2018 Coverage)

Zee Business, the Business News offering, renewed its vigour to increase its relevance in the investor community. As a result, within the last three quarters, the channel more than doubled its market share in the stock market hours from 17.3 per cent in Q4FY18 to 35.5 per cent in Q3FY19. (Source: BARC, HSM, NCCS 22+ Male ABC, 07:00-15:30 hrs, Weekdays, Average weekly share based on Impressions)
On the occasion of Indias 70th Republic Day, Radio City, Indias leading radio network, announced the launch of its latest campaign, JAL THAL VAYU to honour the legacy and bravery of the Indian armed forces. Through this two-week long campaign, Radio Citys RJ Ginnie, RJ Divya, RJ Yuvi, RJ Aadi and RJ Manav will highlight emotional and inspiring stories of Indias brave sons across all three pillars of the armed forces - Navy, Army and Air-force. Through this campaign, Radio City aims to drive awareness towards the countless sacrifices made by our jawans living in treacherous conditions to protect the borders of our nation.

In a one-of-its kind initiative, RJs Hongay Indian Forces Ke Saath #JalThalVayu Se LIVE, on 25th and 26th January 2019, engaging security troops posted at remote locations away from their families and loved ones. Radio City will play patriotic songs and broadcast messages and wishes from the listeners for our jawans as a special Republic Day tribute. RJ Ginnie, on her morning show, Suno Na Dilli, will be live from the Navy base, while RJ Divya and RJ Yuvi will cover the Army base and the evening show will be aired from the Air-force base by RJ Aadi and RJ Manav.

The campaign will be replicated across Radio City stations in Punjab, Haryana, Bihar and Jharkhand.

Commenting on the launch of the campaign, Mr. Kartik Kalla, Chief Creative Officer, Radio City said, Radio Citys #JalThalVayu is a tribute to all our soldiers, and our way of showcasing an undivided support for the armed forces. Over the years, radio has been instrumental in bringing about a positive change in the society. At Radio City, we constantly believe in innovating content which is best suited for the citizens and the essence of the city. In tandem with the patriotic spirit, we have specially created a stationality jingle for the campaign that will be played on air. I would like to wish everyone a very happy Republic Day. Rag Rag Mein Daude Patriotism, Rag Rag Mein Daude Radio City.

Expressing her thoughts on leading this campaign, Voice of Suno Na Dilli, Radio Citys RJ, Ginnie said, As citizens of India, we owe a lot to the Army, Navy and the Air-force. As a small gesture of our respect, we decided to celebrate Republic day by paying a tribute to all the three forces. Through Radio Citys Jal Thal Vayu initiative, we are excited to hear and broadcast the stories of valor, sacrifice and patriotism of our soldiers as well as to know their other side - how do these three forces function, what is their routine life like, how do they balance their personal and professional lives, what kind of music do they listen to, etc. We are also very humbled to convey their dedications for their loved ones and bring them closer to home. For the first time in the history of radio, the RJs will be present at all three bases on Republic Day and it gives us immense pleasure to be a part of #JalThalVayu. This Republic Day will truly be special, in the Radio City way.

Leading Bollywood celebrities like Arshad Warsi, Manoj Bajpayee, John Abraham, Nikhil Chinapa, Rapper Raftaar, Badshah, and eminent personalities from the Indian army, Navy and Air force have lent their voices to convey goodwill messages to the armed forces and their families on this special day. Radio City Listeners can catch all the action live on 25th and 26th January 2019 and can also send their messages.

True to Radio Citys philosophy of Rag Rag Mein Daude City, the Jal Thal Vayu campaign will celebrate Indias 70th Republic Day by holding our brave soldiers in the highest regard as they deserve and entrench the emotion of Rag Rag Mein Daude Watan.
Discovery Kids, Indias fastest growing channel in the kids genre, created a sensation through its school contact program Little Singham Squad. Supported by marquee advertisers such as Dabur Red Paste, Cipla, Unicharm and Dettol, the Little Singham Squad successfully sensitized the importance of self-defense to over 3.15 lakh students from more than 600 schools in 11 cities across India. The school contact program was executed in 11 cities including Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, Chandigarh, Hyderabad, Nagpur, Nashik, Aurangabad, Jalandhar, Ludhiana and Amritsar.

A never seen before self-defense animation and interactive activities were exclusively conceptualized and designed for school children to prepare them for any unexpected situations and to boost their spirits and make them physically and mentally fit. The response from on-ground  schools, children and our sponsors has been overwhelming. Little Singham is an inspiration to young children  he is brave, intelligent, responsible, patriotic, honest and has once again proved that he is an agent of change, said, Vikram Tanna, Vice President, Head of Advertising Sales and Business Head of Regional Clusters, Discovery Communications India. We have made a good start with the Discovery Kids School Contact program in 2018; now the aim is to take Little Singham Squad to a new high with a much bigger and grander school contact program in 2019.

Reliance Animation & Rohit Shetty Picturezs Little Singham, launched in collaboration with Discovery Kids, has become one of the favorite characters in a very short span of time. Little Singham is creating history across dimensions. The IP has helped in propelling ratings of Discovery Kids making it the fastest growing channel in the kids genre in the year 2018. Little Singham Mobile Game (Android version) added to the IPs success hitting the top of the charts in the Arcade section by garnering more than 5 million downloads. The IOS version of Little Singham Mobile Game is being launched on January 26, 2019.
Black holes are known for their voracious appetites, binging on matter with such ferocity that not even light can escape once it's swallowed up.

Less understood, though, is how black holes purge energy locked up in their rotation, jetting near-light-speed plasmas into space to opposite sides in one of the most powerful displays in the universe. These jets can extend outward for millions of light years.

New simulations led by researchers working at the Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) and UC Berkeley have combined decades-old theories to provide new insight about the driving mechanisms in the plasma jets that allows them to steal energy from black holes' powerful gravitational fields and propel it far from their gaping mouths.

The simulations could provide a useful comparison for high-resolution observations from the Event Horizon Telescope, an array that is designed to provide the first direct images of the regions where the plasma jets form.

The telescope will enable new views of the black hole at the center of our own Milky Way galaxy, as well as detailed views of other supermassive black holes.

"How can the energy in a black hole's rotation be extracted to make jets?" said Kyle Parfrey, who led the work on the simulations while he was an Einstein Postdoctoral Fellow affiliated with the Nuclear Science Division at Berkeley Lab. "This has been a question for a long time."

Now a senior fellow at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland, Parfrey is the lead author of a study, published Jan. 23 in Physical Review Letters, that details the simulations research.

The simulations, for the first time, unite a theory that explains how electric currents around a black hole twist magnetic fields into forming jets, with a separate theory explaining how particles crossing through a black hole's point of no return - the event horizon - can appear to a distant observer to carry in negative energy and lower the black hole's overall rotational energy.

It's like eating a snack that causes you to lose calories rather than gaining them. The black hole actually loses mass as a result of slurping in these "negative-energy" particles.

Computer simulations have difficulty in modeling all of the complex physics involved in plasma-jet launching, which must account for the creation of pairs of electrons and positrons, the acceleration mechanism for particles, and the emission of light in the jets.

Berkeley Lab has contributed extensively to plasma simulations over its long history. Plasma is a gas-like mixture of charged particles that is the universe's most common state of matter.

Parfrey said he realized that more complex simulations to better describe the jets would require a combination of expertise in plasma physics and the general theory of relativity.

"I thought it would be a good time to try to bring these two things together," he said.

Performed at a supercomputing center at NASA Ames Research Center in Mountain View, California, the simulations incorporate new numerical techniques that provide the first model of a collisionless plasma - in which collisions between charged particles do not play a major role - in the presence of a strong gravitational field associated with a black hole.

The simulations naturally produce effects known as the Blandford-Znajek mechanism, which describes the twisting magnetic fields that form jets, and a separate Penrose process that describes what happens when negative-energy particles are gulped down by the black hole.

The Penrose process, "even though it doesn't necessarily contribute that much to extracting the black hole's rotation energy," Parfrey said, "is possibly directly linked to the electric currents that twist the jets' magnetic fields."

While more detailed than some earlier models, Parfrey noted that his team's simulations are still playing catch-up with observations, and are idealized in some ways to simplify the calculations needed to perform the simulations.

The team intends to better model the process by which electron-positron pairs are created in the jets in order to study the jets' plasma distribution and their emission of radiation more realistically for comparison to observations. They also plan to broaden the scope of the simulations to include the flow of infalling matter around the black hole's event horizon, known as its accretion flow.

"We hope to provide a more consistent picture of the whole problem," he said.

Other participants in the research are Alexander Philippov, who was an Einstein Postdoctoral Fellow at UC Berkeley, and Benoit Cerutti, a CNRS researcher at the Universite Grenoble Alpes in France. Parfrey and Philippov were members of the Department of Astronomy and Theoretical Astrophysics Center at UC Berkeley, and Philippov is now at the Flatiron Institute in New York.

The work was supported by NASA through the Einstein Postdoctoral Fellowships program, CNES, Labex OSUG@2020, NASA's High-End Computing Program, TGCC, CINES, and the Simons Foundation.

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory addresses the world's most urgent scientific challenges by advancing sustainable energy, protecting human health, creating new materials, and revealing the origin and fate of the universe. Founded in 1931, Berkeley Lab's scientific expertise has been recognized with 13 Nobel Prizes. The University of California manages Berkeley Lab for the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science.

DOE's Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States, and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, please visit the Office of Science website at science.energy.gov.

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Emami Limited, one of the leading Personal and Healthcare FMCG companies in India has announced acquisition of a leading Personal Care brand, Creme 21 of Germany having major business in Middle-East and other focus markets. The brand has been acquired at less than 1.5 times of its sales. This international acquisition is in line with the companys strategy for growth through inorganic route. Creme 21 offers skin care and body care products such as creams and lotions, shower gels, sun care range, mens range, etc.

Creme 21, a German brand, was acquired by Ms Antje J Willems Stickel in 2003. Over 80% of the brands business is contributed by MENA region and the balance by Germany and other focused countries. The products are manufactured by a third party in Germany under asset lean model. With current sale at over Euro 8 million and gross margin of over 50%, Emami expects to take this brand on an aggressive growth trajectory. The acquisition is being funded from internal accruals.

Harsha V Agarwal, Director, Emami Limited said, The acquisition of Creme 21 has a strong business fit as it operates in Emamis focus markets and chosen categories. We plan to leverage our existing network of distribution and infrastructure to grow the brand. Creme 21 is an iconic German brand that has a high brand recall. The brand has good potential for growth and we expect it to add value to our growth trajectory. With this acquisition, the Company would be able to enjoy economies of scale due to additional business base.

Commenting on the deal, Ms Antje Willems Stickel, promoter of Creme 21 added We are excited about this deal and with Emamis strength in Middle East and other global markets, we are confident that Emami would add lot of value to Creme 21 and take it to the next level.
68% of Indians dont have a retirement plan on the day they retire.

Financial literacy is less than 24% in India.

Only about 1.92Cr Indians invest in mutual funds.

Major reasons why people refrain from investing in mutual funds is lack of knowledge.

Many potential investors dont know where to find the required information.

These pointers underline the dire and urgent need for a dependable guidebook on Investing that can help millions of potential as well as current investors to chalk-out and evaluate their investment strategies.

Given the significance of Republic Day, Reliance Nippon Life Asset Management (RNAM) (www.reliancemutual.com) , along with its ATL agency J. Walter Thompson and Digital agency DViO Digital Pvt Ltd, thought of jointly putting together and releasing a #ConstitutionOfInvesting.

A Constitution Committee comprising of leading Investment Practitioners and Experts has been put together and this Committee guided the Marketing Team on the task at hand. A strong social and digital media campaign was put together to solicit inputs, experiences and tips from people at large and the collective effort led to a comprehensive document that will be called the Constitution of Investing!

The constitution Committee comprises of Mr Vijay Venkatram, Managing Director- Wealth Forum, Mr AK Narayan- CA & Financial planner with over 3 decades of experience; Ashish Shah  MD Wealth First Portfolio Manager Limited ;Vasant Kulkarni- A leading Investment Advisor & regular contributor on Investing in Marathi daily  Loksatta, Mona Fakih, Founder  Allegiance Advisors and Sadashiv Phene, a Mutual Fund Distributor with more than 25 years of experience.

Whats even more interesting is that this will be a live document and will be revised periodically by the experts to include all suggestions, inputs and tips as they keep coming.

To introduce and promote this unique initiative, the team developed a thought-provoking film.

This initiative is being taken far and wide through interactive social media content which exhorted viewers to participate in the mission. Some of the innovation used were the hot formats that are popular on Facebook like 360-degree post and Press-and-hold post.

On Instagram, the team put together a series of eclectic stories and released an Instagram-specific 60-sec film. The team also capitalized the new Instagram Television Feature (IGTV). On Twitter, key subject-matter experts joined the mission and are helping spread the word; and intense discussions are happening on LinkedIn too.

A special landing page was designed on www.reliancemutual.com to host the traffic, allow them to watch the film and download the constitution and share suggestions, inputs and views.

Speaking on the occasion Mr. Sandeep Walunj, CMO of Reliance Nippon Life Asset Management, said The need for a comprehensive guide on investing has become even more prominent in last couple of years with a very large number of new investors coming into the industry and the existing investors evolving their approach towards long-term investing; from short-term profit-making. I and my teams are very proud to have made a significant contribution to help investors get the maximum out of their investments.

Speaking on the occasion Mr. Kishore Tadepalli  JWT, SVP & Managing Partner said, Its a unique initiative taken by Reliance Mutual Fund to help the investors across the country. 26th Jan - is an opportune moment to unveil the Constitution of Investment, drawing similarity to unveiling of the Constitution of India. It will serve as a guiding force for the existing investors and new investors coming into the fold for many years to come by.

Speaking on the occasion Ms Sowmya Iyer, Founder & CEO of DViO Digital said, Constitution of Investing is yet another great example of our partnership with RMF to champion investor education. In a country like India  where financial literacy is so low  the best contribution a brand can make is to create campaigns that simplify financial education. And RMF is committed to this. The need for purpose driven brands is more pronounced than ever before. And I really feel happy and proud that we continue to partner RMF in their commitment to investor education and financial literacy.

Credits:

Creative Team at JWT:

Senthil Kumar  Chief Creative Officer

Tista Sen  SVP & National Creative Director

Tuhin Kalia - Copywriter

Taranjeet Gulati - Art Director

Account Management at JWT:

Abhay Godbole - AVP & CSD

Aliasger Tonkwala - Account Director

Hinal Somaiya - Account Manager

Creative Team at DViO:

Samarth Ahluwalia, Lead Copywriter

Radhika Tilak, Sr. Design

Ravi Sonawane, Lead Designer

Account Management at DViO:

Aditya Malhotra, Director of Strategy

Saumya Hariharan, Lead Client Partner

Roshan Mishra, Social Media Head
TOLEDO, Ore. - A wanted Butte County man has been arrested on kidnap and rape charges in Oregon.

Lawson Rankin, 35, is behind bars in Toledo Oregon, charged with abducting and raping a woman and holding her against her will.

The arrest stemmed from a traffic stop in Newport, OR., on Jan. 17. Rankin was the passenger in the vehicle and walked away from the scene. At the time of the stop, officers did now have a lawful reason to detain him.

However, they made contact with the driver of the vehicle who they discovered was a missing and endangered person out of California.

The Newport Police Department initiated a criminal investigation, which revealed that the missing person was held against her will for an extended period of time by Rankin and then transported from California to Oregon.

On Jan. 22, 2019, the Newport Police Department obtained an indictment warrant charging Rankin with counts, some include:

Kidnapping in the first degree

Assault in the second and fourth degree

Endangering a person protected a family abuse prevention act restraining order

Causing another person to ingest a controlled substance

On Jan. 23, 2019, Rankin was located in Toledo, OR., and taken into custody with the help of the U.S. Marshals and the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office.

Prior to the arrest on Jan. 23, 2019, Rankin was also convicted in 2013 for sexually assaulting and holding his ex-wife against her will in the attic of their home in Oroville. A friend of Rankin's told authorities that she wanted to be in the attic and that she could have left at any time.

Public records show that the woman divorced Rankin in 2010 and took out a restraining order to prevent domestic violence by her ex-husband, who is a registered sex offender. He served three years for that crime.

Rankin was also arrested in April of 2018 in Concow on charges of false imprisonment and domestic violence.

Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey said deputies rescued the victim after she texted her mother that she was being held against her will.

Rankin has been wanted in Butte County after failing to appear in court for that crime.
Italy has been ordered to pay compensation to Amanda Knox, an American former student who spent years under the cloud of a murder she didn't commit.

Europe's top human rights court ruled Thursday that Knox's rights were violated in the hours after she was arrested in the Italian city of Perugia over the killing of her British housemate, Meredith Kercher, in 2007.

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) said Italy should pay Knox 18,400 euros (about $20,800) for failing to provide her with a lawyer and an appropriate interpreter when she was first detained. But it found there was no evidence for her claim that she was mistreated while in police custody.

Knox's case and subsequent appeals attracted global attention for years, as it see-sawed through the Italian legal system. Knox was finally cleared of murder in 2015, but she has been fighting a three-year sentence for blaming someone for the murder who was later found to have an alibi.

As part of her challenge to that conviction, for making a "malicious accusation" during police questioning, Knox was granted permission to take the case to the ECHR.

In its ruling, the ECHR accepted that the interpreter initially provided to Knox acted inappropriately. The interpreter saw herself as a mediator and had "adopted a motherly attitude towards Ms Knox," who was 20 and "particularly vulnerable" at the time, the court said. Knox had recently moved to Perugia and was not very fluent in Italian, the court noted.

Italian authorities should have done more to assess the conduct of the interpreter, the ECHR said. "In the court's view, that initial failure had thus had repercussions for other rights and had compromised the fairness of the proceedings as a whole," the court said.

Knox welcomed the ruling. "Today, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that my slander conviction was unjust. I am grateful for their wisdom in acknowledging the reality of false confessions, and the need to reform police interrogation methods," she said in a statement.

"I remain forever grateful to everyone around the world who has believed in me, defended me, and spoken out on my behalf throughout the years. I couldn't have survived this without your support."

A case that gripped the world

Knox and her then-boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito, were arrested after the semi-naked body of Kercher, 21, was found with her throat slashed in the Perugia apartment the two women shared.

Another man, Rudy Guede, a drifter originally from Ivory Coast, was arrested two weeks later. He was tried separately and is serving a 16-year sentence for murder.

But prosecutors continued to insist that Knox and Sollecito were involved, and that Knox was responsible for the delivering the blow that killed Kercher.

In 2009, Knox and Sollecito was found guilty of murder and sexual assault. Knox was sentenced to 26 years in prison and Sollecito was jailed for 25 years. Knox was also convicted of making a malicious accusation when, during police questioning, she blamed a bar manager for the murder of Kercher. He was later found to be innocent.

Knox and Sollecito maintained their innocence and were freed in 2011 when an appeals court quashed their convictions, citing a lack of evidence.

Two years later, they were retried and their convictions were restored. Knox was sentenced in absentia to 28 years. Sollecito got 25 years.

In 2015, Italy's Court of Cassation, the country's highest appeals court, finally exonerated Knox and Sollecito. But Knox's conviction for malicious accusation remained in place.

In 2016, Knox was given permission to take her case to the ECHR. Its ruling on Thursday gives Knox a boost in her attempts to have her remaining conviction quashed in the Italian courts.

A spokeswoman for the European Court of Human Rights said Italy has three months to appeal the decision.

Knox, who lives in Seattle, recently got engaged to her longtime boyfriend, whose sci-fi-themed proposal went viral on social media.
WENN/Lia Toby Celebrity

The 'Just Give Me a Reason' hitmaker takes to Instagram to send a lengthy message to those who are 'offended' by her opinions on a confrontation between a student and a native American elder.

Jan 25, 2019

AceShowbiz - Pink isn't apologizing for her "polarizing opinions" after speaking out about the viral confrontation between a MAGA hat-wearing student and a Native American elder and veteran. Taking to her Instagram page on Thursday, January 24, the "Get the Party Started" hitmaker clapped back at those Internet trolls.

"Throw up Thursday. I am the same girl I've always been. I have always admitted when I am wrong. I have apologized many times," she wrote along with a picture of her wearing a red tank top. "I'm a big believer in apologies, when you're wrong. I was raised by a Vietnam Veteran who taught me to stand up for what I believe to be right. Even if that means standing alone."

"I do not now, nor have I ever apologized for some of my very polarizing opinions," she stressed, before challenging those critics to unfollow her, "If you are surprised by this, or offended, you have every right to unfollow me, as you really don't know who I am. I am mostly peace and love, with a little bit of go f**k yourself." She continued, "So when you keyboard warriors (anonymous toughguys) threaten me? that middle finger is pointed at you. Again: the unfollow button is (I think) top right of your screen. It lets you unfollow people you find make you uncomfortable. It's great. It really works."

She then addressed the situation of the politics in America. "This country is broken right now in a lot of ways," she jotted down. "It makes me very angry and sad." She added, "There are many beautiful people in the world and in this country who want equality for all. Justice. For people to be paid for their work. For their leaders to communicate in productive ways. For children to have respect for others, for veterans to be honored and treated with respect." She concluded the message by encouraging her followers to "keep fighting" for the country.

Pink posted the lengthy message after she weighed in on the viral video capturing the encounter between Covington student Nicholas Sandmann and Native American elder Nathan Phillips. "Appalling and beyond disrespectful. Nauseating," she described the situation.

Calling out the student, she went on writing, "What's going to be done about this? And why can't this s**t happen when I'm around? There'd be some headlines that day. That's for sure. Where are the chaperones???? Teachers??? Parents????"
WENN/FayesVision Movie

The 'Crazy Rich Asians' star holds a short QnA session with fans as he enjoys himself inside the Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall.

Jan 25, 2019

AceShowbiz - The 2019 Screen Actors Guild Awards is only days away from being held. Ahead of the big event, the organization has already been busy setting up table and decorations at the Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall in Los Angeles. As the ambassador of this year's show, Harry Shum Jr. gave a behind-the-scenes look at the upcoming event on Thursday, January 24.

The "Shadowhunters" star showed off his buff biceps in an orange T-shirt and a pair of red-plaid trousers that day. He also took to Twitter to hold a short Q&A session with fans as he was enjoying himself inside the venue, sipping wine and all.

Answering a fan question which asked how exciting it was to be an ambassador of the 2019 SAG Awards, he replied with a glass on wine on his hand, "I'm excited to be here at the Shrine right now, watching these guys fill up the stage and all these tables." He panned the camera to give his followers a view at staff members working, before promising that the red carpet "is gonna be fire."

Q: Harry how exciting is it to be the SAG ambassador? #SAGAwardsAsks

- @HeIlsPrince



A: pic.twitter.com/RAwxI0UTNv  Harry Shum Jr (@HarryShumJr) January 25, 2019

Another fan asked him other experiences that he received after being an ambassador besides making the Actor Statuettes. In response to the said fan, Harry noted that it was "awesome" to see how the decorated the venue for this weekend's event, given the fact that he had never seen it before. The "Crazy Rich Asians" star also pointed out at the ballroom direction in the clip, revealing that the stage would be set up there.

Q: #SAGAwardsAsks You seemed to really enjoy breaking those SAG award molds! What other experiences have you gained since being a SAG Awards Ambassador?

- @fragileshadows1



A: pic.twitter.com/VWjDvSy4e3  Harry Shum Jr (@HarryShumJr) January 25, 2019

One individual, on the other hand, was curious about the drinks that would be served at this weekend's event. To answer the fan's question, Harry posted a clip of him pouring Red Blend from a big bottle.

Q: what type of drinks are they serving and whats your favorite? #SAGAwardsAsks

- @meganannedaly



A: pic.twitter.com/c22vUYtrwD  Harry Shum Jr (@HarryShumJr) January 25, 2019

The 2019 SAG Awards will be held on Sunday, January 27 at the Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall in Los Angeles, California.

1. An Excited Ambassador WENN/FayesVision Harry Shum Jr. showed off his buff biceps in an orange T-shirt and a pair of red-plaid trousers.

2. Here's a Look at the Actor Statuette WENN/FayesVision Harry proudly showed off one of the Actor Statuettes that he helped make last week.

3. The Ambassador Isn't the Only Actor There WENN/FayesVision Actress Sydney Sweeney also went to the behind-the-scenes of the 2019 SAG Awards gala, keeping things casual in a black mini dress as she posed with Harry.

4. Fabulous-Looking Group WENN/FayesVision Harry and Sydney also got to pose with Elizabeth McLaughlin, JoBeth Williams and SAG's executive producer Kathy Connell.

5. Drinks That Will Be Served WENN/FayesVision Businesswoman Vitalie Taittinger took pictures beside her champagne, which the guests would enjoy during the gala.

6. Celebs Who Will Share a Table WENN/FayesVision It was revealed that Darren Criss, Bradley Cooper, Emma Stone, Lily Tomlin and Sandra Oh would be enjoying the show while sitting at the same table.

7. Auction Table WENN/FayesVision An auction table would also be presented, decorated with posters of movies such as "Black Panther", "Mary Poppins Returns" and "Bohemian Rhapsody".
WENN/Ivan Nikolov Celebrity

In addition, the 'Real Housewives of New Jersey' star has also opened up about the future of her marriage during season nine reunion taping of her Bravo show.

Jan 25, 2019

AceShowbiz - Multiple reports suggest that Teresa Giudice will leave her jailbird husband Joe Giudice if he's deported to his native Italy. And words are "The Real Housewives of New Jersey" star doesn't need much time to make a decision about the future of her marriage to Joe Giudice.

Radar Online claims that Teresa made the decision just hours after a judge officially ruled in immigration court back in October that Joe must be deported from the United States due to his fraud charges. "She is talking about divorce, absolutely," says a source. "There is no way Teresa is going to uproot her life. He did this, why should she suffer?"

"Teresa won't be moving to Italy with Joe, period," claims the source. "In no uncertain terms would she even consider uprooting her life with the girls and moving."

Teresa has also opened up about her marriage during season nine reunion taping of her Bravo show. A source reveals to PEOPLE that she announced to her "Housewives" co-stars that she and the 46-year-old businessman would "go our separate ways" if he's deported.

"Teresa told Andy [Cohen] that if Joe gets deported, she's not going. She said that she and Joe had talked about it over the phone, and that he understood," adds the source.

While it is such a devastating decision, Teresa is allegedly "confident that staying in the United States is what's best for her and her daughters at this time." Another source spills to HollywoodLife.com, "Teresa is still deeply hurt and upset that this entire situation has happened to her family and since Joe has been away, [she] has had a lot of time to reflect on everything."

Joe is currently serving up a 41-month prison sentence in Pennsylvania over mail, wire and bankruptcy fraud charges as he admitted that he neglected to pay nearly $200,000 in taxes. He is set to be released in March before transferred into ICE custody to face a deportation order to his native Italy.
Instagram Celebrity

Announcing the disheartening news, the 30-year-old swimmer promises to 'be back in the water in a few short weeks,' aiming to compete in the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

Jan 25, 2019

AceShowbiz - Nathan Adrian is battling testicular cancer. The five-time gold medalist broke the news to his social media followers on Thursday, January 24.

"Life, like swimming the 100 free, can come at you hard and fast as you can't always see who, or what, may be chasing you down," he begin, explaining that he learned about the cancer when visiting his doctor as "something didn't seem quite right."

Despite the disheartening news, Nathan remained positive since he and the doctors "caught it early." He was also optimistic about his prognosis and vowed to "be back in the water in a few short weeks," aiming to compete in the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. Nathan also hoped that his journey to recovery would "help break the sigma of discussing men's health issues."

"I've realized that too often we tend to avoid these important topics, ignore the potential warning signs, and put off getting the medical help that we may need," the 30-year-old swimmer continued. "As I told my family, I'll be putting my public health degree to work a little sooner than I planned!"

Concluding his post, Nathan wrote, "But in all seriousness, I am keeping a positive attitude as cases such as mine are curable. I am extremely grateful for my family and friends, especially my wife [Hallie], for their love and support. I am scheduled for surgery early next week and will provide an update soon."

Nathan is one of the most successful sprint freestyle swimmers in the U.S., having won five Olympic gold medals including two in the 4x100 meter freestyle.
WENN/FayesVision Movie

The 'Doctor Who' and 'The Crown' actor is in final talks to join Jared Leto in the Sony Pictures movie based on Marvel comics.

Jan 25, 2019

AceShowbiz - Matt Smith goes from a British royal to a part of Sony's Marvel universe. The actor, who starred in the first and second season of "The Crown" as Prince Philip, is in final talks to star in "Morbius", an upcoming movie which centers on the Spider-Man villain of the same name.

Variety, which first broke the news, has not learned of the character that Smith will play, except that he will be given a major role in the film. If the deal is sealed, he will join Jared Leto who has been earlier cast as the titular character.

The movie centers on Dr. Michael Morbius, a scientist who suffers from a rare blood disease and attempts to cure himself with the serum that Morbius develops, but eventually transforms him into a vampire-like creature. In the comics, Morbius gains super strength and fangs, and clashes with Spider-Man, until eventually becoming something of a hero himself.

While plot details are not released yet, recent report said that the movie would feature a twisted version of comic supervillain Crown, who later went by the name Hunger, as the main villain. Instead of a mutant like in the comics, he will reportedly be depicted as Morbius' good friend who suffes from the same blood disease as Morbius and takes the same serum that turns him into a vampire. The story will allegedly center on Morbius trying to stop his former friend from killing humans while at the same time fighting his own blood lust.

"Safe House" helmer Daniel Espinosa is on board as director, with Burk Sharpless and Matt Sazama working on the script. "Venom (2018)" producers Avi Arad and Matt Tolmach are producing "Morbius". A release date has not been announced for the movie, but speculations on the internet stated that it could be released on October 2, 2020, an opening date for a non-sequel movie which has been booked by Sony.

Matt Smith is best known for his portrayal of The Doctor on BBC's long-running sci-fi series "Doctor Who". He exited the show after three seasons and two special episodes in 2014. He went on to star on Netflix's critically-acclaimed historical drama "The Crown" as the Duke of Edinburgh, the husband of Queen Elizabeth II. He will be replaced by Tobias Menzies in the third and fourth season. The 36-year-old actor also has an undisclosed role in the upcoming "Star Wars: Episode IX".
Twitter Celebrity

Angelo Bertolotti, who was put on life support during his final days, died at the age of 92 a little over nine years after the sudden death of the '8 Mile' actress.

Jan 25, 2019

AceShowbiz - Brittany Murphy's estranged father has passed away, just over nine years after mourning the actress' tragic death.

Angelo Bertolotti died on Tuesday, January 22, aged 92, after suffering a series of health issues.

According to his son, Jeff, the family patriarch had been on life support during his final days.

"There was just no possible way, short of a miracle, that he was able to roll out of this extensive set of health problems," he explained, according to The Blast. "Anything short of letting him go would be cruel."

The "8 Mile" star had not been in touch with Angelo for years at the time of her death in late 2009, at the age of 32.

She suffered a cardiac arrest in December, 2009, and coroners subsequently ruled pneumonia was her main cause of death, with anaemia and multiple drug intoxication listed as contributory factors.

Bertolotti took issue with the ruling and filed suit against bosses at the Los Angeles Coroner's office, but it was later dismissed.
The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday granted the Trump administrations request to temporarily vacate two national injunctions that have prevented a ban on transgender people in the military from going into effect.

But the order denied the administrations request that the Supreme Court immediately take up the matter of whether President Trumps proposed ban is constitutional, and some LGBT legal activists say an injunction in another case keeps the ban intact.

As a practical matter, this is bad for transgender people currently in service, said Jennifer Levi, director of the Transgender Rights Project for the GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (aka GLAD). She said it strengthens the government's position that it may be permitted to exclude people from serving, but she said the order is very limited and declined the Trump administrations request to have the high court hear arguments on the constitutionality of the ban itself before the litigation winds through the normal court process.

This is a very narrow, limited ruling from the Supreme Court that allows the cases to proceed on the merits in the lower courts, Levi said. We will keep fighting this ban in the courts below and believe that it ultimately will not be allowed to stand.

Tuesdays order affected three of the four lawsuits challenging President Trumps proposed ban on transgender people in the military: Karnoski v. Trump, Stockman v. Trump,andJane Doe v. Trump. Only two of those cases (Karnoski andStockman) had injunctions in place against the ban. Both are pending argument before the Ninth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals.

The Supreme Court order did not affect an injunction granted in another fourth lawsuit, Stone v. Trump.

Shannon Minter, legal director for the National Center for Lesbian Rights, said, The Stoneinjunction is still in place so the government cannot yet enforce the ban until it takes some further action to get out from under the Stoneinjunction.

There is some confusion on that last point. Numerous media reports say Tuesdays order sets the Trump administration free to implement its ban.

Peter Renn, attorney for Lambda Legal, which is representing service members in Karnoski v. Trump, said the order allows the Trump administration to begin kicking openly transgender troops out of the armed services and to deny transgender people the opportunity to enlist.

But Renn acknowledged the order is perplexing to say the least.

On the one hand, [it is] denying the Trump administrations premature request for review of lower court rulings before appellate courts have ruled and rebuffing the administrations attempt to skirt established rules, said Renn, and yet, on the other, allowing the administration to begin to discriminate, at least for now, as the litigation plays out.

Renn said that, while Tuesdays order did not affect the Stoneinjunction, the U.S. Department of Justice will probably move very quickly to urge the district court in that case that it should stay its injunction now, too, given the Supreme Courts order today.

GLADs Levi said that no one has a crystal ball to know what the district court will do in Stone. But she acknowledged that it's fair to predict that, whenever the question gets back up to the Supreme Court on whether the injunction will stay in place while the challenge proceeds below on the merits, that the Supreme Court is likely to grant a stay in Stoneas it did in Karnoski andStockman.

NCLR and GLAD are representing numerous transgender service members in two of the cases involved Tuesday: Stockman v. Trumpin Los Angeles, which is awaiting action by the Ninth Circuit appeals court, and Jane Doe v. Trumpin Washington, D.C., which is pending before the federal appeals court for D.C. The third lawsuit involved in the Jan. 22 order is Karnoski v. Trump, another Ninth Circuit case, led by Lambda Legal.

The Stone v. Trumpcase is being led by the ACLU on behalf of service members in Maryland and will eventually come before the Fourth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals.

The January 22 order from the Supreme Court indicated that the vote on the Karnoskiand Stockmanpetitions had been 5 to 4, with Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor, and Elena Kagan saying they would have denied the petitions.

LGBT legal groups had argued against the Trump administration petitions to vacate the injunctions, saying that it was too soon for the Supreme Court to become involved in the litigation. They noted that no federal appeals court had yet to rule on the constitutionality of the proposed ban or on the injunction against the ban. Three federal appeals courts made preliminary rulings that the injunctions could stand until a full hearing on their merits and the ban could be played out. The fourth case, Stone,is still before a district court.
Instagram Celebrity

Sharing a photo of Hana Cross wearing her new sportswear collaboration with Reebok, the former Spice Girls member can't help but gush over the 21-year-old's sense of style.

Jan 25, 2019

AceShowbiz - Victoria Adams heaped praise on her son Brooklyn Beckham's new girlfriend Hana Cross in a social media post on Thursday, January 24.

The 21-year-old British model, who began dating Brooklyn last year, got the thumbs up from the former Spice Girls after she attended the New York launch party for the designer's new sportswear collaboration with Reebok on Wednesday night.

Victoria shared a photo of Hana wearing a double denim look at the event, which was held at The Flower Shop in Manhattan, on her Instagram Stories and praised her sense of style.

Victoria gushes over her son Brooklyn's new girlfriend.

And she gushed: "@Hancross looking great in my VBPress19 collection xx VB."

She also posted another image of the model, who attended the event with beau Brooklyn and his father David Beckham, wearing a cosy monogrammed beanie and khaki bomber jacket from her new Reebok collaboration.

Hana also shared the snap, and added, "Love love love my new beanie, hoodie and bomber from #reebokxvictoriabeckham."

Brooklyn and Hana made their first public appearance in December (2018) at the British Fashion Awards, where the 19-year-old was joined by his parents on the red carpet as they celebrated the prestigious fashion event at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

His relationship with Hana was confirmed shortly after with a flurry of Instagram posts by the couple, weeks after his former girlfriend Chloe Moretz went public with her new romance with Playboy model Kate Harrison.

The pair were pictured kissing in the street after a dinner date at Nobu in Malibu, Los Angeles.
Instagram Celebrity

Through her attorney Lisa Bloom, the Lashed Bar owner ensures fans that King Cairo and Dream Kardashian are 'doing very well' and 'were never in any danger.'

Jan 25, 2019

AceShowbiz - Blac Chyna has broken her silence after getting two police visits earlier this week. Through her attorney Lisa Bloom, the Lashed Bar owner ensures fans that everything is all right and denies neglecting her children, which first caused police to knock on her door.

Bloom says in a statement, "Chyna's children, King Cairo and Dream Renee, are both healthy and doing very well. They were never in any danger and any reports to the contrary are entirely false. I remind the public that anyone who submits a knowingly false report to Child Protective Services may be subject to criminal and civil liability."

LAPD first visited Chyna's home on Sunday night, January 20 at 6:40 P.M. after getting a tip from an anonymous caller who said that she was intoxicated at her home and was in such "such bad shape," to the point where she was unable to take care of her children, King Cairo and Dream Kardashian. Earlier in the night, it was reported that she got into an altercation with her makeup artist.

Police confirmed that they did not find any evidence of a crime. Due to that, they did not the disclose the names of those who were in the home at the time of the visit, but it was reported that a nanny was present and Chyna didn't appear to drunk.

The identity of the caller wasn't identified, but a source close to the "Rob & Chyna" alum claimed that Chyna believed the story of her fight "somehow quickly got back to Rob [Kardashian], and then someone who knows Rob called 911."

Police were then called to her home again on the following day. Officers responded to a call at around 2:30 P.M. regarding a civil standby. They were reportedly there to "diffuse a potentially explosive situation involving Chyna and her makeup artist," who went to her home to retrieve her belongings.
WENN/Patricia Schlein Celebrity

During an appearance on 'Late Night with Seth Meyers', the 'Serenity' actress recalls the time her two-year-old son met Camila Alves when she brought him to shooting location in Mauritius.

Jan 25, 2019

AceShowbiz - Anne Hathaway's young son has a crush on Matthew McConaughey's wife Camila Alves.

The actress made an appearance on "Late Night with Seth Meyers" on Wednesday night (January 23) to promote her new thriller "Serenity (2019)", in which she plays Karen, the ex-wife of Matthew's fishing captain character Baker Dill.

During the chat, Anne explained that it was a dream to shoot the film in the beautiful island locale of Mauritius, and that her two-year-old son Jonathan thought they had somehow landed in the setting of 2016 animated Disney movie "Moana", which tells of the story of a strong-willed girl who goes on a journey away from her Polynesian village.

"He was really into Moana at the time. My son had a crush on Moana, and we took him to Mauritius which is paradise, it's so beautiful," she said. "And so, I think he thought that we were in Motunui, and I don't know if you've ever seen a picture of Matthew McConaughey's wife, but she is the most drop dead gorgeous Brazilian woman, and she kinda looks like Moana. So, my son was like, 'What is happening? What is this crystal ocean and her (Camila)?' And so, Camila would come around and my son would just get this (dreamy) look on his face and I realised he was completely in love with her."

Elsewhere in the interview, Anne spoke about how she brought along a book to read between takes on the shoot. Though she now regrets also bringing a Nespresso coffee machine along with her one day, as the crew on the set had to get a "massive generator" in order to run it.

"This nice thing I wanted to do for everyone turned into the biggest diva request of all. I was so embarrassed!" the 36-year-old sighed.
WENN/Gisele Tellier Celebrity

In the wake of the restrictions on transgender people from serving in the military, the 'Believe' hitmaker takes to her social media account to vent her frustration at the President's decision.

Jan 25, 2019

AceShowbiz - Cher has blasted U.S. President Donald Trump for making America "unsafe" for everyone except those who support him.

The "Believe" hitmaker took to Twitter on Tuesday to share several strongly-worded tweets about the former reality star's actions since taking America's highest office.

It comes amid the continuing government shutdown and the president's decision to ban transgender people from serving in the military, which has now been confirmed by the U.S. Supreme Court, and will go into effect this week.

"No One Is Really Safe In trump's America Unless They're MEMBER OF MAR-A-LAGO, LIVE IN trump TOWER, WHITE, OR WEARS MAGA HAT. My Amazing Trans Son Is Kind, Smart, Strong Loving, Talented &Patriotic American. trump 'Judges NO ONE By The The Content Of Their Character,' " wrote the 72-year-old, referring to her actor son Chaz Bono who is transgender.

No One Is Really Safe In trumps America Unless Theyre

MEMBER OF MAR-A-LAGO, LIVE IN trump TOWER,WHITE, OR WEARS MAGA HAT.

My Amazing Trans Son

Is Kind,Smart,Strong Loving, Talented,&Patriotic American.

trump Judges NO ONE By The

The Content Of Their Character  Cher (@cher) January 22, 2019

"Trump's destroying America," she continued. "Not Allowing Trans Ppl 2 Seve Their Country Is Cruel, Petty, Hateful,& STUPID Actually I'm So Furious I Can Hardly SpeakWell,..Hardly Type.THESE BRAVE MEN & WOMEN DESERVE 2 SERVE THE COUNTRY THEY LOVE."

She then suggested that if Trump loves Russia so much, "let him serve Putin."

Not Allowing Trans Ppl 2 Seve Their Country Is Cruel, Petty, Hateful,& STUPID Actually Im So Furious I Can Hardly SpeakWell,..Hardly Type.THESE BRAVE MEN & WOMEN DESERVE 2 SERVE THE COUNTRY THEY LOVE

trump s RUSSIA LET HIM SERVE PUTIN,.O,HE IS#TrumpTowerMoscow  Cher (@cher) January 23, 2019

The "Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again" star has been an outspoken opponent of the current administration since Trump took office, participating in a protest that took place ahead of the inauguration.

She then moved onto the government shutdown which began on December 22 after Republicans, Democrats and the President failed to reach an agreement over the funding for Trump's U.S./Mexico border wall. Around 800,000 federal employees are unable to work or receive pay.

Tweeting a link to a Washington Post story with the headline, "FBI, federal agents see cases hampered, lives rattled as shutdown continues," Cher asked, "Where's our shame? If There's disaster where ppl die,what will Our PRECIOUS Shutdown mean then Do our positions on Shutdown Mean More Than Federal Workers Home,car What if Federal worker Dies from STRESS trump's (heart emoji) Less trash he'll let Shutdown go on till ppl Drop."

Wheres our shameIf Theres disaster where ppl die,what will Our PRECIOUS Shutdown mean thenDo our positions on Shutdown Mean More Than Federal Workers Home,carWhat if Federal worker Dies from STRESStrumpsLess trash hell let Shutdown go on till ppl Drop  Cher (@cher) January 24, 2019

She ended the tweet with a coffin emoji.
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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.  A man among a group of migrants detained in a desolate part of New Mexico near the border with Mexico has been diagnosed as infected with flesh-eating bacteria, the U.S. Border Patrol said Friday.

The man was taken to a hospital in recent days after telling a federal agent that he had a growing rash on his leg, U.S. Border Patrol spokesman Carlos Antunez said.

Flesh-eating bacteria are a rare condition called necrotizing fasciitis that spreads quickly and can be fatal. The bacteria usually gets into the body through a minor cut or scrape and can cause a serious infection that can destroy muscle, skin and other tissue.

A statement from border patrol officials said the unidentified migrant will require extensive medical treatment. Antunez said he could not provide more details or the mans condition.

Sometimes surgery is needed to remove the infected area. Its rare for the infection to spread to other people.

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The man was detained near the small city of Lordsburg. His home country was not disclosed.

Another 300 migrants, mostly Central Americans, were detained Thursday south of Lordsburg near an official U.S.-Mexico border crossing, Antunez said. Some had illnesses and injuries and were taken to hospitals for treatment.

The sparsely populated, desert area has experienced a significant influx of large migrant groups recently.

Nearly 10,000 migrants have been detained at New Mexicos three Border Patrol stations since Oct. 1, officials said.

There were 12,800 detentions at the three stations from October 2017 through September 2018.
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BLOOMFIELD  The city of Bloomfield has chosen Farmington Police Lt. David Karst to be its next police chief.

Bloomfield City Councilors voted in favor of Karst during a special meeting Wednesday evening.

Karst is an Iraq War veteran who served five years in the Marine Corps. He has a bachelors degree in aeronautical science and a masters degree in criminal justice. He has been a Farmington Police Officer for 13 years and will start his new career as Bloomfield Police Chief on Feb. 4.

Mayor Cynthia Atencio said Bloomfield will schedule a meet and greet after Karst gets settled in as police chief.

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David is a bright and passionate law enforcement professional who isnt afraid to try new ideas, said Farmington Police Chief Steve Hebbe in a Facebook post. He will be missed at the FPD, however, we are very excited to continue to work with him as chief of police for a neighboring agency. We thank him for his service with us and wish him the best with BPD.

Karst said it will be hard for him to leave the Farmington Police Department, but he expects to feel at home in Bloomfield.

He said he was impressed by the amount of support the Bloomfield Police Department has from its residents. He highlighted the nearly 5,000 people who follow the department on Facebook.

Karst thanked interim chief Randon Matthews for the work he has done since July for the city of Bloomfield.

He put together more programs and got more public support than Ive seen most leaders in several years, Karst said.

Matthews took over leadership of the Bloomfield Police Department in June after Chief Randy Foster retired.

Bloomfield delayed hiring a police chief as it considered contracting with the county for law enforcement. Ultimately, Bloomfield decided to keep its police department. While many residents encouraged the City Council to officially appoint Matthews to the vacant police chief position, the mayor urged the City Council to go through an interview process.

Matthews and Karst were among 19 people who submitted applications. They were among the six finalists. Bloomfield Police Sgt. Craig Barker was also considered for the position.

Karst received the highest cumulative score from three panels put together by the city.

City Manager George Duncan thanked Matthews for the work he has done as interim chief and said Matthews also shined during the interview process.

I just want everybody to know that by hiring Chief Karst were not saying (Matthews) didnt do a good job, said City Councilor Matt Pennington.

San Juan County Sheriff Shane Ferrari served on an interview panel consisting of local law enforcement leaders. He said Karst made a comment that really stood out to him during the interview. Ferrari said Karst told the panel Im not here to turn Bloomfield PD into FPD.

Ferrari said that stood out to him because a lot of police chiefs try to mirror their previous departments. He said Karst understood the Bloomfield Police Department is unique and has its own culture.

Ferrari said he believes Karst and Matthews will make a great team. Matthews will continue serving as a lieutenant.

Matthews said he has known Karst for a long time and believes Karst is a person of integrity.

Weve just added a great person to our department, Matthews said.

Hannah Grover covers government for The Daily Times. She can be reached at 505-564-4652 or via email at hgrover@daily-times.com.



2019 The Daily Times (Farmington, N.M.)

Visit The Daily Times (Farmington, N.M.) at www.daily-times.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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PORTALES, N.M.  Roosevelt County Sheriff Malin Parker is asking New Mexico State Police for help in investigating missing cash from its evidence room.

The Eastern New Mexico News reports Parker announced this week an audit found the cash missing after an employee notified him.

Officials say around $8,200 has vanished.

Parker says he contacted state police and requested a full investigation.

___

Information from: The Eastern New Mexico News, http://www.easternnewmexiconews.com

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New Mexico is a great place to film a movie or a television series. Who says so? Trade publication MovieMaker.

The trade magazine lists Albuquerque as the best place among large cities to live and work as a filmmaker.

The list of cities the Duke City beat out is impressive: Atlanta, Vancouver, New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Toronto, Austin, Montreal and Memphis round out the top 10. Its an annual list. Albuquerque ranked No. 6 in 2018.

And Albuquerque isnt the only New Mexico city touted as a great place for filmmakers. MovieMaker ranks Santa Fe as the third-best small city to live and work as a filmmaker. Only New Orleans and Savannah, Ga., ranked higher. Pittsburgh and Columbus, Ohio, round out the top five.

Its probably not a coincidence that both Albuquerque and Santa Fe ranked high; productions often share locations when filming in the state. And the financial incentives our state offers to film here have something to do with results. The future of those incentives will be up for debate during this legislative session, because the state owes almost $250 million in rebates to the film industry.

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But the rankings arent just about money. The magazine looks at the health of film commissions, number of film schools and visual effects houses, film activity, geography and the ease of moving through traffic. And it doesnt hurt that filmmakers such as The Short History of the Long Road director Ani Simon-Kennedy are generous with praise for our natural architecture and work ethic.

We take pride that the film industry considers New Mexico a good place to work. Local and state residents involved in productions, as well as taxpayers who fund the rebates, deserve the credit for making us a filmmaking destination.

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.
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The Albuquerque Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) stands in opposition to the entire cycle of all activities related to the use of nuclear materials. In the spirit of the Kabarak Call, Sixth World Conference of Friends, Kenya, 2012: We are called to be patterns and examples in a 21st century campaign for peace and eco-justice. As residents of New Mexico, we are especially appalled by the impact of the nuclear industry cycle on the health and well-being of us all.

Holtec Inc., a private corporation, has announced plans to develop a site in southern New Mexico for the storage of high-level nuclear waste, including all of the highly radioactive spent fuel rods from nuclear power plants in the U.S. This proposal has been promoted by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). The liability for the inevitable disaster is unclear in this proposal. This plan not only threatens to concentrate high-level nuclear waste in one place, but also anticipates the transport of highly radioactive materials, such as spent nuclear fuel rods, on our railways and roads, through our cities and communities to their anticipated storage site in southern New Mexico. By disposing of this dangerous nuclear material in an area that is not a site of electricity production by nuclear power plants, this plan encourages the distant users of nuclear power to continue to produce new nuclear materials, thus contributing to the threat to other communities, including indigenous peoples and others located near sites where uranium mining is proposed. Increased transport of high-level nuclear waste poses an increased security risk for theft of such materials from rail yards in urban and rural areas.

The best solution at this time is to continue to store the rods in place in hardened containment with as little transport as possible. Since the Holtec proposal is only for an interim storage site to operate for 40-120 years, the proposal fails to address the ultimate issue: long-term disposal. If there are no long-term disposal sites, the lands and peoples of New Mexico will again be a de facto nuclear dumping spot.

The use of nuclear materials for weapons, energy and otherwise, except for limited medical uses, and the entire cycle of uranium mining through ultimate disposal, challenge Friends deepest beliefs. From our earliest history, Friends have expressed opposition to war and the preparation for war. We as Friends are committed to live in right relationship with indigenous peoples within whose lands we have come to dwell, to consider the condition of such who are depressed in answering our demands,(John Woolman, Plea for the Poor, 1764) and to live as careful and caring stewards of the environment and resources drawn from the land.

The different stages in the cycle of extraction, production, use and disposal of radioactive materials are inseparably connected. Plans and proposals for one part of the cycle have implications for all and cannot be considered in isolation. These interrelated threats to peace, environmental stewardship, right relationship and safety compel Albuquerque Friends to refuse our consent for approval of the high-level nuclear waste storage facility proposed by Holtec Inc. and promoted by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, or any other comparable plans for concentrated storage of high-level nuclear waste.

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Albuquerque Friends urge that nuclear wastes be made as secure as possible close to where they are currently located until effective means are discovered and developed for their transmutation into less hazardous forms. Only after neutralization is achieved would safe transport and safe long-term disposal sites be sought. 

Alternatives for meeting the energy needs of our nation and our world that are environmentally sustainable and honor our right relationship with our indigenous and non-indigenous neighbors are the only way forward. Worldwide, there is promising research and application of alternatives, such as wind, solar, geothermal, tidal, hydroelectric and other non-polluting, sustainable sources for global power and energy. Policies and programs to reduce demand are imperative.
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In a unanimous decision Thursday, the state Supreme Court broadened protections for New Mexicans against baseless, warrantless home entry by police.

The opinion was issued in a 2013 Farmington child abuse case in which justices found that an officer who did not have a warrant made a reasonable decision to enter an unlocked apartment after hearing a baby crying and a child screaming Mommy, mommy wake up!

A news release by the Administrative Office of the Courts said that the justices adopted a more stringent standard for evaluating whether a warrantless entry by police in an emergency situation is reasonable. On top of requirements established by the U.S. Supreme Court, justices found that an officers decision to enter a home cannot be primarily motivated by an intent to arrest or to seize evidence.

Questioning an officers intent, the court found, is critical to limiting use of an exception in the law that allows officers to enter homes without a warrant in emergencies which could otherwise give law enforcement an easy way around the warrant requirement.

The officer involved in the case had been dispatched to Nathaniel Yazzies apartment for a welfare check after neighbors heard loud thumping. He knocked on the door, identified himself as law enforcement and heard a baby crying, a child hollering and the door knob rattling as if someone was trying to open the door.

These observations led him to believe that someone in the apartment was hurt or otherwise incapacitated, leaving the children unattended, the opinion, authored by Justice Barbara Vigil, states.

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He opened the door after several minutes and saw Yazzie and an adult woman lying on the floor of the apartment with two children under six and an infant in the same room. As he did a quick sweep of the home to ensure officer safety and ascertain whether any other individuals required assistance, he noticed empty alcohol bottles in plain view in the kitchen.

Yazzie pleaded no contest to one count of attempt to commit negligent child abuse, but his attorneys appealed a District Court judges denial of their motion to suppress evidence gathered after the officer went into the home. The Court of Appeals found that the officers entry was not reasonable and said that evidence should not be introduced during the trial. The Supreme Courts decision reverses that ruling.

Yazzies attorney could not be reached for comment.

A spokesman for the Attorney Generals Office, which worked on the case, said in a statement Thursday that the opinion clarified the law allowing police to make warrantless entries in very limited circumstances.

Our office remains committed to assisting local law enforcement and prosecutors in child abuse cases at every level, David Carl said.
Forty years after John Carpenter redefined the slasher film with the original Halloween." That movies lead character Laurie (Jamie Lee Curtis) returns to take cake of some unfinished business in the 2018 version of Halloween (Universal/Blumhouse), the 11 th in the series, now available on Blu-ray + DVD + Digital. Under the care of Dr. Sartain (Haluk Bilginer), in a locked ward at Smiths Grove rehab facility, pure evil notorious masked killer Michael Myers, who hasnt uttered a word in 40 years, is about to be transferred to a different facility. Taking full advantage of the interest of investigative podcasters Aaron (Jefferson Hall) and Dana (Rhian Rees), who rev him up by showing him his famous mask, Michael silently plans his escape.

Meanwhile, Laurie (Curtis) lives in isolation in the Illinois countryside in a heavily barricaded house wired with CCTV cameras, bright lights and other security features. Aaron and Dana offer to pay Laurie $3,000 if shell allow them to enter her inner sanctum. Once inside, Laurie tells them there are no new insights or discoveries to learn about Meyers. A self-described basket case, Laurie is taken aback when Aaron references her two failed marriages and the rocky relationship she has with daughter Karen (Judy Greer). Adding insult to injury, Laurie is particularly high strung as Myers is being transferred to a new facility where he is to be locked away until the end of his days shortly before Halloween, no less.

That morning, across town, Karen and Ray (Toby Huss) are looking forward to attending daughter Allysons (Andi Matichak) National Honor Society induction later in the evening. Allyson is disappointed that Laurie wont be joining them. Shes busy with target practice, cleaning her guns and securing her house.

At school that day, we see Allyson interacting with friends Vicky (Virginia Gardner), Dave (Miles Robbins), Oscar (Drew Scheid) and her boyfriend Cameron (Dylan Arnold), as they discuss their plans for the Halloween party. Laurie also surprises Allyson at school, giving her the $3k from the journalists. It turns out that she and Laurie have a secret relationship, unbeknownst to Allysons parents.

It wouldnt be Halloween without Michael Myers on the loose. After the bus transporting him and other in-mates crashes, he a free maniac on the prowl in Haddonfield on Halloween 40 years after the babysitter murders. The lone survivor of the crash is Dr. Sartain, who insisted on accompanying his prize patient. Myers first victims include a boy named Lumpy and his father, gas station attendants, podcasters Dana and Aaron, and a couple of random women.

Officer Hawkins (Will Patton), who has his own history with Myers gets the call about the crash and begins his pursuit of Myers. When Laurie hears about the prison bus crash on the news she goes into full survivalist mode. She even breaks into Karen and Rays house to prove how unsafe it is; but they want nothing to do with her.

The night of the Halloween party, Vicky is babysitting for Julian (scene stealer Jibrail Nantambu) and awaiting the arrival of Dave. Allyson is at the school party with Cameron, but things go south when she catches him kissing another girl. During their disagreement, Cameron throws Allysons phone into the punchbowl and she storms away.

The scene is set for chaos. Vicky is babysitting, and we all know how Myers feels about babysitters. Allyson is without a phone and essentially cut off from what is taking place. Laurie has convinced Karen and Ray they arent safe and has them in her house when she battens down the hatches. And the body count is rapidly rising, setting the stage for the ultimate showdown, when we realize that Lauries house, which was once considered a cage by Karen, was really a trap set for Myers all along.

If Trumps first two full years in office havent scared you enough, then this latest iteration of Halloween should do the trick. Blu-ray + DVD + Digital bonus features include seven deleted extended scenes and five featurettes.
Yang, a former Chinese diplomat, is a dual Chinese-Australian national. For China he represents a national security risk. Canberra urged China to handle the matter "transparently and fairly".

Beijing (AsiaNews/Agencies)  Chinese authorities have detained writer and blogger Yang Hengjun, a former Chinese diplomat who holds Australian citizenship, on national security grounds.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying confirmed that Beijing had officially notified Australia that Yang had been placed under "coercive measures, adding that his rights and interests would be protected in accordance with the law.

For her part, Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne urged China to handle the matter "transparently and fairly". She added that embassy officials would meet with the Chinese side on Thursday to "arrange consular access at the earliest possible opportunity".

Based in New York, Yang is a visiting scholar at Columbia University and a popular blogger with a great following.

"He is one of the most influential bloggers on political issues in China, where he's earned the nickname of 'Democracy Peddler' through talking about democracy and human rights," said his friend Feng Chongyi, an academic at University of Technology Sydney.

His detention comes in the wake of that of two Canadian citizens. More than a hundred diplomats and academics wrote to President Xi Jinping demanding their release.
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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.  Holtec International addressed concerns raised by environmental groups during the second day of a federal hearing in Albuquerque on Thursday, but not to the satisfaction of many of the parties opposing the companys planned interim storage site for spent nuclear fuel in southeast New Mexico.

Theyre engaging in delusional, magical thinking, said Michael Keegan of Dont Waste Michigan, one of the petitioners represented at the hearing.

Keegan referred to Holtecs responses to some of the questions posed by the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board.

Can a leaking canister be repaired? judge Nicholas Tikouros asked.

ADVERTISEMENTSkip



................................................................

The answer is, that is outside the scope because there are no credible leak threats, answered Holtec counsel Jay Silberg, causing jeers and laughter from the audience of around 60 people.

According to the company, none of its existing canisters have ever leaked.

Silberg followed that by saying, hypothetically, if a canister did have a leak, it could be encapsulated by another intact canister.

Holtec similarly dismissed other concerns, including a Sierra Club contention that subsidence at the site between Carlsbad and Hobbs could damage waste-laden casks.

 We do not believe there will be subsidence at the site, said Holtec attorney Anne Leidich, who said research indicates there is no historical evidence of subsidence occurring at the 1,000-acre site.

Holtec said in a news release released Thursday afternoon that it does not believe any of the parties contentions had merit.

Neither the (boards) questions nor the parties responses raised any new issues as to the technical merits of Holtecs HI-STORE application submitted to the (Nuclear Regulatory Commission) in March 2017, the release said. The opponents responses were largely hypothetical and speculative statements rather than ones based on sound science and appropriate legal standards.

Holtec did concur with opponents that the U.S. Department of Energy cannot take ownership of the radioactive waste under current law, which stipulates there must be a permanent repository in place before the DOE can do so.

If the federal Nuclear Waste Policy Act is not altered or a permanent repository is not constructed in the meantime, Silberg said the plan will still be viable if electric utilities retain title to the waste.

Right now, as we discussed this morning, DOE cant own the fuel, Silberg said during a break at Thursdays proceedings. Theyre not authorized. But the argument that somehow listing DOE as one of the possibilities makes the whole deal illegal is just crazy.

But opponents questioned the validity of the project should the law not be changed.

The electric utilities are wanting to move (spent nuclear fuel) to this location to get rid of liability, said Tom Smitty Smith, director of special projects with Public Citizen, another petitioner. So, the question then becomes are they willing to retain the liability when its offsite and maintained by a third party?

Thursday was the final day of the hearing.

The Atomic Safety and Licensing Board will now determine which contentions raised, if any, will be considered during future, more substantial, hearings in the next few months.
Becca Simon

rsimon2@aberdeennews.com

Dann Hurlberts love for theater and production was born in Aberdeen.

A 1993 Roncalli High School graduate, he spent much of his youth at Aberdeen Community Theatre.

Jim Walker cast me in Peter Pan in the 80s, Hurlbert said. I caught the theater bug as a result.

He went on to earn an English and theater degree from the University of South Dakota in 1997 before returning to teach theater and communications at Central High School.

Since, he has attended graduate school, acted in and directed stage productions, taught film and theater classes and been in some commercials.

These days, Hurlbert is trying something a little different  inventing.

He is the creator of a teleprompter that has been sold worldwide.

Its called the Little Prompter, and it is significantly smaller and more portable than its larger, more expensive teleprompter brethren.

The idea came to Hurlbert after he moved from Minneapolis to Northfield, Minn., to serve as a media and design specialist at Carleton College.

A big part of my job is to work with faculty and staff to help them create instructional videos, he said. Making eye contact makes a big difference.

But the teleprompter at the college was large and cumbersome.

I was getting tired of that big thing, Hurlbert said. There needs to be a small, handy teleprompter that people can use sitting at their desk.

He decided hed make it himself.

With the help of a friend and colleague, Hurlbert came up with a simple design and took it to various businesses to manufacture it.

I like the idea of manufacturing locally, he said.

The teleprompter weighs less than a pound and can be attached to smartphones, laptops, cameras and more.

I call it the most versatile teleprompter on the market, Hurlbert said.

From early 2017 to 2018, the entire production process took about a year. He used Kickstarter  an online funding platform  to finance the project. Now, more than 350 Little Prompters have been sold.

I love that they are going to New Zealand, Ukraine, England, Australia and Canada, Hurlbert said. They are going all over, even to places like Malaysia and South Korea. Its fun to see them getting used. If I can help someone else somewhere else do something great, Im glad to be a part of that process.

Hurlbert believes that his connection to Aberdeen helped fuel his success.

Aberdeen is a great place to grow up, he said. Its a community where hard work pays off.
Aberdeen News

A new trial date will be set for an Aberdeen woman accused in the death of another woman last summer.

Tanisha Renee Jordan-Mondo, 38, faces murder charges in the death of Michelle Ladner, 37, who was found the evening of July 19 when police officers and emergency responders were called to a medical emergency at her apartment building in the 1500 block of South Grant Street. Ladner had stab wounds to the neck and arm. She died July 25 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls.

Jordan-Mondo has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity and asked for a jury trial. Trial was set for Feb. 19-22, but a postponement was granted this week by Judge Scott Myren.

Brown County States Attorney Chris White said the new trial date will be set based on when mental health evaluations can be completed.

In other court news:
A decision has been made about who will replace Great Falls Public Schools Superintendent Tammy Lacey.

Great Falls Assistant Superintendent Tom Moore has been offered the position. The school board deliberated most of the evening before board member Jeff Gray motioned to hire Moore.

Moore has worked in the school system for over ten years, and was the only finalist for the position, after Gregory Nyen of Waupaca, Wisconsin decided to withdraw from the race over the holiday weekend.

Be sure to stay with KFBB on air and online, as we continue to bring you more information about negotiations for the job and Moore's future plans for the district.
BOZEMAN - Health investigators confirm three cases of whooping cough connected to Bozeman High School, and they're working to identify how many people might be at risk.

The Gallatin City-County Health Department says pertussis, AKA whooping cough, poses serious risks for young children and people with weakened immune systems.

Health officials say they'll be reaching out to families if their children are identified as being part of a group known to have been exposed to pertussis.

Health officials emphasize that the most effective prevention for pertussis is vaccination.

They cite a 2007 study from the Journal of the American Medical Association that found that prior to the advent of the pertussis vaccine, 4,000 people died of whooping cough every year in the U.S. Today, an average of 27 people die annually from pertussis.

From the health department:

The disease usually starts with cold-like symptoms and maybe a mild cough. After 1 to 2 weeks, severe

coughing can begin. Unlike the common cold, pertussis can become a series of coughing fits that

continues for weeks.

In infants, the cough can be minimal or not present. Infants may have a symptom known as "apnea."

Apnea is a pause in the childs breathing pattern. Pertussis is most dangerous for babies. A significant

number of babies under 1 year of age who get the disease require hospitalization. .

Pertussis can cause violent and rapid coughing, over and over, until the air is gone from the lungs and you

are forced to inhale with a loud "whooping" sound. This extreme coughing can cause you to throw up and

be very tired. The "whoop" is often not there and the infection is generally milder (less severe) in teens

and adults, especially those who have been vaccinated.

Early symptoms can last for 1 to 2 weeks and usually include:

 Runny nose

 Mild, occasional cough

 Apnea  a pause in breathing (in infants)
VIRGINIA CITY- Supermodel Cindy Crawford came to Virginia City on Wednesday for a shoot with famous photographer David Yarrow - with a live wolf, cougar, black panther and grizzly bear.

Becky DiGiovanna from the Montana Heritage Commission said Yarrow comes to Virginia City each winter to do photo shoots. This year he brought Crawford along for the shoot.

"It's always exciting, she's obviously famous for different age groups and it was very nice. We prepared meals for her up at the meeting hall and she was very nice," DiGiovanna said.

The shoot also included a bear and a wolf from Animals of Montana, which is a full service wild-life casting agency near Yellowstone National Park.

"It was fun, Animals of Montana does a great job bringing their animals here. We've always had a wonderful experience dealing with them," DiGiovanna said.

Virginia City residents said they were thrilled to have a supermodel in their small town. Resident Cassidy McDuffie said the people of Virginia City look forward to Yarrow's winter shoot each year.

"I know a lot of people have the pictures up in their house on their refrigerators and all that stuff and it's really exciting for the people that live here," McDuffie said.

Residents said a big name like Crawford is good for local business during their slow Winter months.

DiGiovanna said they hope the superstar makes a second visit to Big Sky Country.

Organizers said the photographs should be upload to Yarrow's website in the upcoming months.
Once, you believed in Fairy Tales. Santa came down the chimney, the Easter Bunny hid colored eggs, and the Tooth Fairy left money for your molars. Once, you were wide-eyed and innocent, too, but those days are gone  even when, as in the new book Perfectly Clear by Michelle LeClair and Robin Gaby Fisher, you believe in love.

For most of her young life, Michelle LeClair was a worrier.

She had to be: her mother was somewhat of a free-spirit who married often and was gone a lot. For that, LeClair grew up as the Independent Responsible Child; the one who, as a teen, wanted a job so she could pay for her own car.

And so, LeClairs mother helped her get a job selling L. Ron Hubbard training materials for Sterling Management, an organization run by Scientologists. It didnt take long before LeClair surprised everyone, herself included, by excelling beyond expectations.

Her success  and her mothers influence  led the Church to invite LeClair to one-on-one member counseling, ostensibly to determine her purpose on earth, but also to lead her deeper inside Scientology. Church members offered her their friendship, but LeClair noticed that she was asked nearly constantly for more money. As her career rose, so did the Churchs requests for donations and soon, she was writing astoundingly-frequent five-figure checks to the organization.

And it mightve continued so, if not for one thing

As a teenager, LeClair fooled around once with a female friend, which she had to confess to a fellow Scientologist, information that went into a file. Even after LeClair married and had children, her long-ago fling was flung in her face repeatedly  particularly after she tried to divorce her abusive husband. Scientology has long considered homosexuality to be repugnant, she was reminded, and that nagged at her enough to make her question this faith in which shed been raised.

She questioned even deeper when she fell in love with a woman named Charly.

Halloween is long over. The decorations have been put away. But if you didnt get scared enough then, Perfectly Clear will finish the job perfectly.

It starts with the opening pages, in which author Michelle LeClair is arrested for a crime that never happened, fabricated, she says, by Scientology members. Its a small story compared to what else follows, but its heart-pounding presence in the front of the book takes readers by the scruff and shakes us.

That leaves a lingering feeling of alarm that continues to run in and out of the rest of this memoir as LeClair (with Robin Gaby Fisher) lets readers see what she did not. Were privy to the manipulation she recalls but didnt notice then, the pressure she felt but dismissed, and the dawning fear that she could never get away.

That makes for an excellent real-life love story wrapped up in a psychological thriller thatll also make you pick your jaw off the floor about every third page. If you think Perfectly Clear is a book youll like, youd better believe it.

Perfectly Clear by Michelle LeClair and Robin Gaby Fisher

c.2018, Berkley $27.00 / $36.00 Canada 289 pages
En espanol | A federal appeals court dealt a blow to older workers Wednesday when it ruled that an important piece of the federal law barring age discrimination in employment applies only to current employees, not job applicants. The provision outlaws employment policies and practices with a disparate impact  actions that have the effect of discriminating based on age, even if that wasn't the employers intent.

The 8-4 ruling from the full U.S. Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals based in Chicago states that Congress, while protecting employees from disparate impact age discrimination, did not extend that same protection to outside job applicants. The decision reverses a 2-1 ruling last April from a smaller panel of the same court, which ruled that the law applies to any individual who is deprived of employment opportunities because of age, including job applicants.

The plaintiff in the case, Dale Kleber, applied for a position as a senior counsel at CareFusion in 2014, when he was 58 years old. The job posting said that the health care product company was only seeking candidates with no more than seven years of experience, a restriction that some argue would likely hurt the chances of older applicants. CareFusion hired a 29-year-old candidate instead, and Kleber filed an age discrimination lawsuit in December 2014.

We strongly disagree with the decision and find it very disheartening that the court interpreted a civil rights law so narrowly, despite the statutory language and the great weight of Supreme Court precedent, said Dara Smith, an attorney for AARP Foundation Litigation, which represented the plaintiff. Mr. Kleber and all older job seekers deserve all of the protections Congress intended to give them. As of now, we are considering our options for next steps.

The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), which took effect in 1968, is designed to protect workers age 40 and older from bias in the workforce. In a dissenting opinion to this weeks ruling, Judge David Hamilton wrote that the majority was closing its eyes to 50 years of history, context and application.
Governor Gavin Newsom and his family have decided to skip living in the historic Governor's Mansion, moving instead into a stunning $3.7 million property, 15 miles from the capitol, befitting California royals.

Meanwhile, Marc Benioff calls San Francisco a "train wreck," nudist paradise Harbin Hot Spring reopens, and local Benefit Cosmetics founder Jean Ann Ford has died. Here's some news you might have missed while you were rallying behind Kamala.

The governor and his "First Partner" wanted a more kid-friendly home.

Gavin Newsom picked this home over the Governor's Mansion. This is what the new place looks like., SF Gate



It seems the 142-year-old historic gov's mansion in Sacramento was too stuffy for the well-coiffed Newsom and his pretty young family. This week it was announced that the fam will open the old architectural relic for public viewing and move into a lush, pool-party-ready home outside of town. Read more and see the pics.





San Francisco is a 'train wreck' because of the 'tech sector,' says Marc Benioff, SF Gate

He said it, not us. Benioff blames the city's gross inequality on the tech sectorand takes responsibility himself: "We're not taking care of the people who need us most." Read more.

The SF Gay Men's Chorus purchased this four-story building at 170 Valencia St. with the help of a $5 million donation from member Terrence Chan. (Jeff Zaruba, KQED)

S.F. Gay Men's Chorus to Open National LGBTQ Arts Center on Valencia Street, KQED



Capital-W Wow! Who knew the Gay Men's Chorus had so many millions in its coffers? This lovely new building will be home to 23,000 square feet of recording, rehearsal, performance, meeting space, and facilities for LGBTQ groups both local and from around the country. Read more.





Jean Ann Ford, who co-founded Benefit Cosmetics empire as a shop in the Mission, dies, SF Chronicle



The creative visionary behind the still-San-Francisco-based cheeky-as-hell makeup company Benefit passed away of cancer at her home in Tiburon at the age of 71. Did you know the company's first product was a rosy nipple tint for an exotic dancer? True story! Read more.

New Age, clothing-optional Harbin Hot Springs rises from embers in Lake County, SF Chronicle



Four years after the nudist-lovers' paradise in Lake County closed after the fires there destroyed its grounds including that iconic heart-shaped pool, the new age-y resort is open once more. Read more.





Review: Esa-Pekka Salonen Takes a Bow in San Francisco, The New York Times

It's official: After 25 years, Michael Tilson Thomas has taken his final bow on the San Francisco Symphony stage, making way for a new conductor, Esa-Pekka Salonen, who is well known as a rock star of the symphonic world. He got new shoes for the occasion of his first concert at Davies Hall. Read more.
Alexander Larman in The Guardian:

Michael Peppiatts memoir is subtitled Paris Among the Artists, but it could be called A Portrait of the Art Critic As an Older Man. Peppiatt, who is best known for his biography and memoirs of his friend Francis Bacon, has spent the greater part of his working life in Paris, and this book is a love letter to the city, although not an uncritical one. He writes in the preface that he will explore my lifelong attachment to this bewitching, temperamental, exasperating city and the deep love-hate relationship that binds me to it. Yet he is ultimately a romantic, and the scent that rises from these pages is a heady aroma of Gauloises and red wine. Peppiatt, as a young man, was rather fond of the bottle; this book, at its best, has a similarly intoxicating quality, if one allows for the inevitable moments of self-absorption.

Peppiatt was brought up to be bilingual, because his father believed that he stood a better chance of getting on in the world if he spoke French. His faith was rewarded when his son obtained a job at the culture magazine Realites in 1964, from where he headed to the English-language version of Le Mondeand then to Art International, which he both published and edited. He accomplished this, as well as writing numerous books about art, with an air of cultured insouciance. Yet, as he notes, the luxuries, the grandeurs, have no meaning without the drudgery and miseres of the daily round. It must be said that Peppiatts luxuries and grandeurs are rather more grand than the rest of us might expect. When he writes about drinking champagne at the Paris Ritz, or being led on grand bacchanals by famous chums, it is hard not to feel that Peppiatt has led an unusually gilded existence.

More here.
Liam Heneghan in The Irish Times:

1. My mother once saw the chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs; in Irish: Ri Rua) take a shit on Grafton Street and she scolded him. He just kept repeating his distinctive call pink, pink, pink, trup, over and over again, but you could kinda tell that he was mortified. Good bird, really; had trouble later with the auld drugs, and got very stout. Died way too young. In the eighties, those birds had a string of great hits.

2. I worked one summer on the Cork Train on the food trolley. A young fella with me in the kitchen car was really into the skylark (Alauda arvensis, in Irish: Fuiseog). He could play skylarks famous guitar riff on his knock-off Les Paul (you know the one, it goes chirrup chirrup, trrrp). Claimed the skylark did not play a real Gibson either. I will never forget that little detail; I lost touch with that kid later on.

3. Back in the day, Id hear corncrakes (Crex crex; in Irish: Traonach) along the Co Mayo coast all the time. They are a rare breed now, of course; almost extinct. Once when I was pushing my bike up a laneway I saw the corncrake standing with his sister outside a cottage. He must have thought I had looked at his sister funny, as he snarled kerrx-kerrx at me and started to fling his droppings. I was told afterwards that the whole family was mad. Brothers all musicians in America.

More here.
WASHINGTON

(January 24, 2019)The U.S. Department of Defense recently announced the following contract awards that pertain to local Navy activities., is being awarded afirm-fixed-price indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for ancillary mission equipment (AME) and associated AME initial spares in support of Lot 13 F-35 Lightning II aircraft for the Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, non-U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) participants, and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas, and is expected to be completed in May 2023. Fiscal 2018 and 2019 aircraft procurement (Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force,); non-U.S. DoD participant, and FMS funds in the amount of $437,333,989 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. The, is the contracting activity (N0001919D0015)., is awardedfor modification P00007 to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-17-C-0081). This modification exercises an option to produce and deliver 17 AE1107C engines in support of the V-22 aircraft, to include one engine for the Marine Corps, eight engines for the Navy, and eight engines for the government of Japan. Work will be performed in Indianapolis, Indiana, and is expected to be completed in May 2020. Fiscal 2018 and 2019 aircraft procurement (Navy);and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) funds in the amount of $35,672,562 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This modification combines purchases for the Navy ($18,885,474; 53 percent); and the government of Japan ($16,787,088; 47 percent) under the FMS program. The, is the contracting activity., is awardedfor firm-fixed-price delivery order N0001919F2406 against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-16-G-0006). This order provides for the manufacture, assembly, inspection, integration, test and delivery of Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) spare parts in support of the CVN-78 prior to the Advanced Arresting Gear and EMALS material support dates. Work will be performed in San Diego, California (37 percent); Boston, Massachusetts (18 percent); Tupelo, Mississippi (10.7 percent); Aston, Pennsylvania (5.8 percent); Guilford, Connecticut (4.4 percent); San Leandro, California (3.5 percent); Cincinnati, Ohio (2.6 percent); Randolph, New Jersey (2.4 percent); Mankato, Minnesota (1.4 percent); Middletown, Ohio (1.2 percent); Bindlach, Bavaria, Germany (.53 percent); and various locations within the continental U.S. (12.47 percent), and is expected to be completed in January 2023. Fiscal 2018 and 2019 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $19,682,252 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The, is the contracting activity.No applicable data.
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying's Regular Press Conference on January 25, 2019

2019/01/25

Q: We noted that yesterday, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with French Foreign Minister Le Drian in Paris. The two sides talked about China-France economic and trade investment and cooperation. Could you provide more details?

A: On January 24 local time, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who is in Paris for the 18th session of the Consultation of the Coordinators for the China-France Strategic Dialogue, met with French Foreign Minister Le Drian. The two foreign ministers attended the launching ceremony for the celebratory activities commemorating the 55th anniversary of China-France diplomatic relations. The two sides held in-depth exchanges on bilateral relations including economic and trade investment and cooperation and issues of mutual interest. We have issued the relevant readout.

State Councilor Wang Yi said that the world is facing unprecedented changes in a century with the existing international systems and rules and established consensus on multilateralism and trade liberalization sustaining multiple challenges and impacts. China and France are committed to upholding the international systems with the purposes of the UN Charter at the center, preserving the rules-based multilateral free trading system, advocating openness and cooperation, and building an open world economy. China will unswervingly deepen reform and expand opening-up, and hopes that France will offer a fair, equitable and transparent business environment for Chinese enterprises.

French Foreign Minister Le Drian said that as multilateralism is facing severe challenges, France and China, as permanent members of the UN Security Council, should remain devoted to upholding and strengthening the multilateral systems. France is always open to investment from Chinese enterprises, will not discriminate against specific companies, welcomes the operation of Chinese enterprises, and stands ready to extend more support to them.

Q: First, the US military confirmed that two US military vessels sailed through the Taiwan Strait on Thursday. The US side claimed that it was a normal passage that conforms with the international law. But we have noted that the US has been sending its military vessels through the Taiwan Strait at a higher frequency. What is your response to the US actions and remarks? Second, on Thursday, speaking at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, financial tycoon Soros made a tough speech against China. He said that China is the most dangerous opponent to the open society and proposed to crack down on Chinese hi-tech companies. How would you like to respond to his remarks?

A: On your first question, China paid close attention to and monitored from start to end the passage of the US military vessels through the Taiwan Strait. We have expressed our concerns to the US side. The Taiwan question is the most important and sensitive one for China-US relations. We urge the US to strictly abide by the one-China principle and the stipulations of the three China-US joint communiques, and prudently and properly handle Taiwan-related issues to avoid damaging China-US relations and cross-straits peace and stability.

You said that the US military vessels have made more frequent passages through the Taiwan Strait, while the US side claimed that these passages are normal and compliant with the international law. I want to make a comparison here and would like to invite you to envision a scenario with me. Suppose that a family has two courtyards, a smaller one lying in front of a large one, divided by a passage which could be used by passersby to come through for convenience's sake. However, if there is someone who frequents this passage just to issue provocative words or make provocative moves, or even attempt to threaten or endanger the safety of the family and make them discomfort, then how would you feel? We hope that the US side will exercise caution on this issue.

On your second question, I have seen relevant reports. In today's world, it is very easy to tell who is opening the door and paving roads and who is closing the door and building walls. Therefore, it is meaningless and worthless to refute these words made by certain individual that call white black and confuse right and wrong. Living in this era where globalization is advancing further on all fronts, only by seeing things in a dynamic way and taking in things with an open and inclusive mind can a country find greater development space for itself and its relations with other countries. We hope that the relevant people on the US side can set right their attitude, broaden their horizon, and view China's development in an objective, reasonable and correct way.

Q: We have learned that Vladimir Norov has already assumed the post of Secretary General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). What is your comment?

A: Mr. Norov is Uzbekistan's veteran diplomat. He was unanimously elected by the leaders of the SCO members at last year's SCO Qingdao Summit in June, which fully demonstrated the trust and expectations the SCO has placed on him. The SCO is faced with new opportunities for development at the moment. We believe that during his tenure, Mr. Norov will live up to the great trust of the leaders of the SCO members and contribute to promoting the development of the SCO. As the host country of the SCO Secretariat, we welcome Mr. Norov's arrival to start his work here and will continue to offer our strong support and assistance to the SCO Secretary General and Secretariat.

Q: Do you have more information about the case of Yang Jun? Where is he being held? Has he been given any access to consular support by the Australian Embassy? What is the current situation of Yang Jun?

A: Like I said yesterday, Yang Jun has been taken compulsory measures and is being investigated by Beijing State Security Bureau in accordance with the law for engaging in criminal activities that endanger China's national security. China and Australia have unimpeded channel for consular communication. China has provided necessary assistance for the Australian side to perform its consular duties, including consular access. All the legal rights of Yang Jun have been fully guaranteed.

Q: According to media reports, the US proposed to hold talks with Russia on arms control on the sidelines of the meeting of five nuclear-weapon states in Beijing next week. Do you have any information on preparation for such a meeting? Is China willing to provide such a platform for the two countries to hold negotiations?

A: With regard to the meeting of the five nuclear-weapon states in Beijing, yesterday I have talked about relevant information. China will host a meeting of the five nuclear-weapon states on January 30 in Beijing. The five nuclear-weapon states will take this meeting as an opportunity to have an in-depth exchange of views on such issues as nuclear policies and strategies and pool their efforts to address the challenges facing international security and uphold global strategic stability and multilateral arms control system. We certainly welcome the US and Russia to strengthen bilateral communication and properly address each other's security concerns.

Q: Canada's Ambassador to China John McCallum has reportedly said that he misspoke with some comments with regard to the extradition process of Meng Wanzhou. He said that there is no political involvement in this process. What is your comment?

A: Whatever the Canadian side said, China's position on this issue has always been very clear-cut. As to this issue, the Canadian side has made a serious mistake from the very beginning. It is by no means an ordinary judicial case. Instead, it is a serious political incident. Like I said yesterday, we hope that Canada can recognize the seriousness of this issue instead of risking endangering itself for other's gains.

Q: Can you confirm reports that a Chinese delegation headed by Vice Finance Minister and Vice Commerce Minister will be in the US on January 28 to prepare for the China-US trade talks?

A: Regarding the China-US trade talks, actually the Spokesperson for the Commerce Ministry has responded to journalists' questions. According to my information, China and the US maintain close communication on the relevant arrangements for Vice Premier Liu He traveling to the US for high-level trade talks. I would refer you to the Commerce Ministry for specifics.

Q: Reports say that the United States is seeking to ensure that Venezuelan oil revenues go to the country's self-declared interim president and not to Nicholas Maduro's regime. What is your comment?

A: Yesterday I elaborated on China's view and position on the current situation in Venezuela. China maintains that all countries should abide by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, especially the norms governing international relations and the principles of international law such as non-interference in each other's internal affairs, mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity and no threat of force.

The Venezuela's affairs must be and can only be chosen and decided by the Venezuelan people. We call upon all relevant parties to respect the choice of the Venezuelan people and support them in seeking a political solution through peaceful dialogue within the framework of the Venezuelan Constitution. Venezuela maintaining stability and development serves the interests of all relevant parties. We hope that all relevant parties can contribute more to Venezuela's stability. China is opposed to foreign interference in Venezuela's affairs, in particular the threat of military interference. We will continue to support the efforts made by the Venezuelan government to uphold national sovereignty, independence and stability.

Q: There is a study published by Chinese and UK researchers, saying that China's Belt and Road Initiative could significantly increase the risk of invasive species. What is the Chinese government doing to prevent this?

A: I have not seen the report you mentioned, so I am not aware of the specific details. With regard to the Belt and Road Initiative, yesterday I also said something about it, including the dialogue session on the Belt and Road during the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting. All the participants spoke highly of the benefits the Belt and Road Initiative delivered to countries along the route and pointed out that "mutual benefit" is one of the key words for this initiative.

In the past few days, spokespersons for the Commerce Ministry and the National Development and Reform Commission have elaborated on the solid progress achieved by this initiative. I would refer you to that.

Q: US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said that China and the US are miles and miles from resolving the trade issue. What is your response to this in the context of the trade talks next week?

A: I can understand that all parties are following closely the China-US trade talks. This also shows that the international community hopes that the trade negotiations can achieve positive outcomes because if China and the US can reach a mutually beneficial agreement, it is good for the two countries as well as the world economic growth. Now the working teams from the two sides are following the consensus reached by the two heads of state to maintain close communication.

Q: Doctor He Jiankui has garnered a lot of attention for his work of gene editing with children. What is China's comment on the situation of this issue at the moment?

A: As to the genetically edited babies, I believe you should ask the relevant department. I have noted that the relevant department has actually issued the information. I would refer you to that.

Q: According to reports, the Secretary-General of Afghan High Peace Council is now on a visit in Beijing. What are the major topics for the two sides to discuss and what outcomes have been achieved? Does China have any new suggestions for the Afghan peace process?

A: Mohammad Umer Daudzai, Afghan President's Special Envoy for Regional Consensus for Afghan Peace and the Secretary-General of Afghan High Peace Council is now on a visit in China that is scheduled from January 24 to 26. Assistant Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong met with him. Special Envoy on the Afghan Affairs of the Foreign Ministry Deng Xijun held talks with Mr. Daudzai, during which they mainly exchanged views on issues like Afghan reconciliation. The two sides believe that dialogue serves as the fundamental way out for the Afghan issue and that the international community, especially the regional countries, should enhance cooperation to create a favorable external environment for Afghan reconciliation. China reaffirmed its support to the extensive and inclusive Afghan-led and Afghan-owned reconciliation process. We stand ready to play a positive and constructive role in achieving peace, reconciliation, stability and development in Afghanistan at an early date.

Q: First, the Pakistani Finance Minister said yesterday that Pakistan is very close to sealing a finance deal with China. Can you confirm that? And will that deal include the IMF request for clarity and transparency about the conditions of lending? Second, there is report that the central bank governor Yi Gang will also be going to the US for the trade talks. Can you confirm that?

A: Regarding your first question, you know that China and Pakistan are all-weather strategic cooperative partners. China has always been offering support and assistance to Pakistan's socioeconomic development as its capacity allows. We support Pakistan in taking measures to actively tackle and overcome the temporary difficulty facing it now. I am not aware of the specifics you mentioned.

As to your second question, I am not aware of it.
Black Inferiority / Progressive Nationalism



Foreign Colonization Is AMERICAN DOMESTICATION



RIZZO IS DEAD IN PHILLY. LONG LIVE FRAUD IN THIS GOD FORSAKEN CITY.



America: One Big INTEREST ONLY Loan



US Government USED Americanized Blacks' To Achieve Its African Goals Why Did You Hear This Admission About The US/NATO Actual Destructive Goals From 'WHITE TRiUMP', While The "We Are In The White House Negroes' Never Pushed President Obama To Admit That The Coup In Libya North Africa WAS NOT A 'Humanitarian Mission', As 'The Black Commander In Chief' Told The World?

What Is The 'American Containerized Black' Tribe GIVING UP In The Name Of PROGRESSIVE DISARMAMENT, Which Will Later Be Used Against Them Toward Their Destruction, That Will Be Called 'Social Justice'?

A Major Step In Protecting Black Valuables Investmented



We Are Now In The "Or Else WHAT" Stage



Slavery In Libya North Africa 2017 6 Years After The "Humanitarian Mission" - Not A Peep From "Black Grievance Studies" Professors

Perfect 1.0 'Spiritual Whiteness' Is No Respecter Of Skin Color



The "Blackest" Moment In American Jurisprudence

A Ninja Got Himself Kilt Last Night



Few Colonial Subjects Will Ask "Who Were They Fighting Against Between These Two Historical Points"



The Qualifications For Admission Have Increased



Street Pirate Adverse Community Experience Creator



When The Colonizer Becomes Aware Of The Need To Find A NEGRO CONFIDENCE MAN PARTNER



The Revenge Of LBJ After MLK "Stabbed Him In The Back" Over Vietnam



#BlackLivesMatter Is NOT A GOVERNANCE Movement It Is ONLY A POLIITCAL OPPORTUNISTIC Movement With Up To 75% Of The Homicide Victims In Philly Being Black This Means That About 126 Black People Murdered In 2015 Have Not Triggered More National Awareness Than The Cherry Picked Small Number Of Inductees In The "Black Civil Rights Homicide Victim Martyr Hall Of Fame" That Is Used As A Reference Of The Status Of Black People With Reference To White Americans

"#All Killers Of Black People Are Equal Street Pirates" The "#BlackLivesMatter" Movement Must Prove That It Is More Than The 'Ideologically Bigoted' Analog To "Police Racial Profiling" By Eliminating Its Propensity To 'Walk Past Dead Black Bodies That Don't Fit Their Agenda' On Their Way To The Protest Rally On The Downtown Public Square.



The Flag Of A New Colonizer Is Hung At Full Staff



Sudan - To-Damned-Day



The Manifestation Of Progressive Feminism As A Cultural Replacement Download Video: .mp4

CONSTRUCTIVE FEEDBACK UNIVERSITY Agrees With Her Logic As A Logical Extension Of Her "Progressive Fundamentalist"/'Social Justice' Inference BUT It Is An Assault Upon The 'Functional Culture' That Is Needed For The Black Diaspora To Find Its Purpose From "My Queen" To "My Bitch" In A Few GenerationsCONSTRUCTIVE FEEDBACK UNIVERSITY Agrees With Her Logic As A Logical Extension Of Her "Progressive Fundamentalist"/'Social Justice' Inference BUT It Is An Assault Upon The 'Functional Culture' That Is Needed For The Black Diaspora To Find Its Purpose

THE NINJA WHO GOT HIMSELF KILT



YOU ARE A WITNESS TO A REVOLUTION IN "HAMSTERDAMN"



Thanks To The Progressives I Can Now Breath



Getting Your Ass Whipped In Prison Is Not A Choice. Silence In Public Reaction To It Is



Kermit Asks That You Be Consistent



A Friend Of "Black Community Development"



The Capture Of The Assassination Killer Of Kim Jones Of Philadelphia Should Be Top News Among Those Who Value "Black Lives"

Maybe You Are Being "Colonized" Today?



The Henry Dee & Charles Moore Martyr Hall Of Fame & Last Chance NIT Tournament



"Black Consciousness" Is NOT Proven By A Large Headcount



A Black Man Seeing Crying In Philly After A Loss At The Hands Of A Street Pirate



A Question Of Personal Values And Community Priorities And Black Media Agenda

I Want To Be Allowed To Develop Into Maya Angelou



Dr King's Pulpit Then And Now



The Americanized Negro Has Known No Rivers Beyond The Urban Water Supply Spigot



The Fire Hose As A GPS Coordinate Depicting Black People's Coordinates Upon "The Struggle"



If After 20 Years Of Observations I Am On To Them, The Fact That The Media Has Been Echoing Them For 50 Years Without Challenging Them About The DEVELOPMENT OF THE LEAST OF THESE UNDER THEIR CARE - Points To A Conspiracy

Converting "Safe Passage" From Municipal Street Sign To A Consciousness Within The People



The Embedded Confidence Man's Press Agents Blow Smoke Rings As Circular References



The SUPERIORITY Of White People's Thoughts



Material Access To Consumer Comforts Is Not Indicative Of A Greater Consciousness



Mayor Nutter's Lessons Learned



Gen Edmund Pettus C.S.A. - Thanks You



He Cracked The Code On Black Progressive Outrage



In This House We Still Believe In God!!!

Tavis-You Blacks Need To Fire The Negro Generals Who Have Failed & Get New Leadership



The Inside Threat That Lurks Outside Of The Window Of Community Consciousness



My Faith In Institutions That I Once Trusted To Indoctrinate My Children Will Forever Be Shattered



Regulatory Capture



The Black Racial Services Machine



A Miscalculation On The School Busing Program To Social Justice



Full Faith And Confidence Of The Office Of The President Of The United States

The First Black Man In World History Who Is Able To Execute The Foreign/ Military / Economic Policy In The Name Of The United States Of America And Not Get Arrested In Doing So Because He Runs The Federal Prison System. His Power Is So Venerated That "The Blacks" Have Even Stopped Protesting Against The Actions Of The US Government Because They Fear That Their Outward Expression Of Discontent Against The Government Might Hurt His Chances At Reelection. The First Black Man In World History Who Is Able To Execute The Foreign/ Military / Economic Policy In The Name Of The United States Of America And Not Get Arrested In Doing So Because He Runs The Federal Prison System. His Power Is So Venerated That "The Blacks" Have Even Stopped Protesting Against The Actions Of The US Government Because They Fear That Their Outward Expression Of Discontent Against The Government Might Hurt His Chances At Reelection.

Who Diverted The Community's Eyes Off Of The Prize In Pursuit Of Shortsighted Political Gains?



As I Increase The Scope Of My Sample For Observation It Is Becoming Clear To Me That The "Machine Effect" In Metro-Atlanta That Distorts And Disrupts The Development Of Black People Is Not A Geographic Phenomenon But Instead Is Rooted In Lack Of Conscious Awareness Beyond One's On Provincial Interests And, More Importantly, The Absence Of A GOVERNING OVERLAY That Can Push Back Against These Misappropriations Of "The Black Community Development Consciousness"

NYOil - Ya'll Should All Get Lynched

Why Haven't Those Who Claim To MANAGE Your Community Told You The Dimensions Of The Space?



The Rabid "Embedded Black Fox Confidence Man"



The Mayor Of Philly Learned What The Korean Merchants Already Know



A Black Man Is Not Equal Until He Can Commit A "Civil Rights Violation" With His Actions



The Elephants In Africa Are Not Republicans



Bishop Henry McNeal Turner



Obama - The First American President To Bomb Africa w/o Massive Protests From "The Blacks"



Prison Radio Speaks To BLAX News



A Foreshadowing In "The Motherland"



What About All Of The Black Executions That The Police Or The State Did Not "Sponsor"?



The Pathway Upon Which The Hijacking Occurs



With The Loss Of Black American Consciousness Comes This Detachment



With the failure of the institutions within the Black Community to develop ORGANIC COMPETENCIES domestically there is no chance that the interests of the diasporatic Blacks can be protected by American Blacks who are more focused in domestic political affairs. The main utility of this video will be to make the American Negro "angry", increasing his resolve in "VOTING HARDER" as his means of fighting against racism, this according to his present consciousness. :'(

The "Mission Accomplished" Banner Hung By The Black Progressive-Fundamentalist



A People's Consciousness Fused To An Agenda Not Of Their Own



My Relative Ideological Position



Malcolm X Called You A "Race Traitor". CF Calls You A "Racial Consciousness Misappropriator"` The "Racial Consciousness Mis-Appropriators Malcolm X Picture On Your Blog" Removal Project

Racism Chasing - The Ultimate Hustle



The Nationalization Of The Black Community Consciousness



The PPP&HWBC Blog Supports The BAOHPEH, Inc



Evaluate The Varacity Of The PROCESS Of Judgment Not Merely The Verdict Rendered



Community Management 101



Profiles In Community Consciousness



Make Black America Happy Once Again



When We Were Colored



Schuyler And X



The 10P's In The Pod Of The Black Establishment Progressive Politicians

* Perpetual Protesters (Civil Rights orgs)

* Policy Influencers (lobbyist groups, think tanks)

* Press Operatives (the Black Press - "The Progressives Town Criers")

* Performers (singers, rappers, actors)

* Preachers w/ and w/o Pulpits * Public Intellectuals (Humanities Professors)

* Public School Teachers

* Pro-Union Labor Forces

* Posters (Bloggers) (Civil Rights orgs)(lobbyist groups, think tanks)(the Black Press - "The Progressives Town Criers")(singers, rappers, actors)

Don't Shoot Me Street Pirate! I Am Attempting To Be A Positive Asset To My Community



Will The Black Comunity Recover From The Hijacking Of Its Consciousness?



The Use Of "Slave/Jim Crow Images" In Black Political Debate - Evaluate The Agenda The use of "slave imagery" is common in ideological discourse among Black people today. The best way to appraise the veracity of the agenda of the presenter is to distinguish between those images which are used to cajole Black people into "Ideological Unity" versus those images used to bring consciousness to the sad fact that in far too many cases today - the man holding the gun is a Black man, his disturbed consciousness allowed to fester because the balance of our community organizers are focused on external political affairs. They sell us on the notion that when our people assist their political/ideological external partners in their success that these individuals who suffer from BENIGN NEGLECT will be cured - no longer terrorizing us. In the circular reference that is their struggle - the more damaged individuals that matriculate through the local institutions that they now control per their struggle, the louder their call for continued UNITY and redirection lest our community's long time external adversaries start terrorizing us again. They successfully avoid community scrutiny of their stewardship of our key "Human Resource Development" institutions.

I Am A Man!!



Chicago Lady 216 - The Crisis Of Consciousness WITHIN The Black Community You probably do not have the Flash Player ( Get Adobe Flash Player Here ) installed for your browser or the video files are misplaced on your server!

Consciousness Mission Accomplished



I Support The "Corporate Premise Security Equality Project"



New York Times Demographic Mapping



The Antidote For Fear And Ignorance Antidote to the use of the tactics of FEAR as propagated by 'confidence men' to prompt a people toward a certain direction that is against their permanent interests is the development within these masses a base of Knowledge. When this knowledge is applied to their daily lives this builds up their Competencies. As a result their "Standard Of Living" is increased toward the a favorable level.

Obama Commemorative Plate = "Mission Accompished - An Ensnared Black Community"



Black Male Un-Demployment Rates In "Mission Accomplished" Cities



The Conflict Between The Civil Rights Pharisees Vs The Neo-Progressive Establishment Players You probably do not have the Flash Player ( Get Adobe Flash Player Here ) installed for your browser or the video files are misplaced on your server!

From Reactionary Transactionalism To Management Of Our Community



Ideologically Polarized Vision



Ted Kennedy & Black Independent Consciousenss



People Who Aide & Abet Street Pirates Need To Hear These Words & Instead Pursue Absolute Justice

THe NAACP & Rachael Maddow See These Guns As INFERIOR To Guns Used By Right-Wing Militias ** No matter how many guns these Street Pirates gather and no matter how many Black people are killed - these "equal human beings" will never been EQUAL in the mind of Civil Rights Pharisees and their White Snarling Fox Liberal co-conspirators because there is no ideological and political advantage in going after them.

The Rallo Tubbs Fan Club



Blog Archive

Those Who Have Their Conciousness Focused "Within The Black Community"

Page Views - Last 7 Days
FAIRFIELD, TEXAS  The Wild Hunt recently reported on the arrest of Amber Michelle Parker, an alleged Wiccan charged with human trafficking. This story provides an update to that case.

Parker worked as an eighth grade teacher. After her arrest, she resigned. Parker also has a husband and daughter.

Police have disclosed the that the minor involved in the trafficking charge is a female teenager. Her name, age, and type of relationship to Parker remain unknown. According to police, family members had tipped off police about Parkers activities. The police had Parker under investigation for months prior to her arrest.

The police allege that on November 19, Parker used Facebook to send photos of the lingerie-clad minor to two men in Morocco. Parker informed them that the minor was a virgin. According to the police, Parker wanted the two men to come to the U.S. The men, however, wanted Parker and the minor to go to Morocco.

On December 26, 2018, Parker flew alone to Morocco. During Parkers absence, the minors father traveled to Texas to collect his daughter. The minor is no longer residing in Texas. Police arrested Parker on January 2, 2019, as she returned from Morocco.

After Parkers arrest, one of the Moroccan men, Youssef Derkhi, went public on Facebook. He alleged that Parker was in love with him. He denied the charge of sex trafficking. He also posted a video of Parker in Morocco.

Almost all information about this case comes from the Freestone County Sheriffs Office and the McLennan County Sheriffs Office. Neither the minor nor Amber Parker has issued any statement. Parker remains in the Freestone County Jail. The only non-police source of information is Derkhis Facebook post.

For people with trust in police and the courts, this may be enough. For people without that trust, this single source of information may be troubling.

KWTX TV reported the connection to Wicca, noting:

According to documents obtained exclusively by KWTX reporter John Carroll, in an interview, Ambers husband told investigating deputies she told him in early 2018 she was going to become a member of a cult called Wicca. Mr. Parked [sic] explained that at some point during the year his wife had created an anonymous Facebook page to where she could secretly communicate with strange men associated with the Wicca organization, the document reads. During the year his wife had left to go to Louisiana to meet with her healer and again to Waco to meet with someone in her group.

Many mysteries remain in this case. It is not clear how Parker made the initial contact with the man or men in Morocco. It is also not clear how Parker explained her trip to Morocco to her husband and daughter. It is not clear why Derkhi surfaced, nor why police did not arrest her as she was leaving for Morocco, as they had been monitoring Parkers online activity for months. Police are usually reluctant to allow suspects to leave the country.

Despite Parkers alleged involvement with Wicca by media sources, weve been unable to verify any connection to the religion or the community. TWH was unable to find any Pagans or Wiccans in Texas with firsthand knowledge of Parker as a community member. If she is or was a member of any Wiccan group, we have yet to uncover any affiliation. In addition, if her practice of Wicca is verified, it is unclear how the reported identification of her spiritual practice relates to the alleged criminal activity.

Media coverage

This story had great potential for sensationalism. US national media such as Newsweek, People, and The New York Post picked up this story. International media such as International Business Times, OE24 Austria, and The South China Morning Post also covered the story.

A Google search for Amber Michelle Parker, her full name, yields 15,900 results, while Google searches for Amber, Parker, and human trafficking yield about 323,000 results. A Google search for Amber, Parker, Wicca, and human trafficking yields 16,700 results. This indicates that, in the online world, this story was seldom linked to Wicca.

For a deeper analysis, the first ten results from each of the three searches were examined for demagogic sensationalism of Wicca.

These three Google searches yielded 24 unique news reports about this case. Of these 24 reports, four articles, or 16%, referenced Parkers alleged Wiccan practice.

One of the stories that referenced Parkers Wiccan practice had a comment section. Four people had entered comments. Three of them objected to the reference to Parkers Wiccan practice.

Another story that did not reference Parkers Wiccan practice had a space for comments. One person thanked that news venue for not mentioning Parkers supposed Wiccan practice.

In this case, the allegation of Wiccan practice failed to generate a large amount of sensationalism in central Texas. This is consistent with Wicca gradually becoming a part of US religious pluralism.
WATERLOO  Pre-kindergarten registration for Waterloo students will begin at 7 a.m. Feb. 1. Enrollment applications are being taken at Tri-County Head Start located in the Eastside Ministerial Alliance Center, 205 Adams St.

Children must be 4 years old on or before Sept. 15 to participate in the Waterloo Community Schools pre-kindergarten programs.

Pre-kindergarten-age programs are being offered through Waterloo Community Schools in partnership with Tri-County Head Start, Cedar Valley Catholic Schools, Immanuel Lutheran Preschool, Community United Child Care, Learn & Play, A to Z and Grin and Grow day care centers.

Parents must provide the following documentation to register their child: proof of address, copy of medical insurance card, copy of their current physical, childs immunization record, proof of childs age and proof of income. Parents are encouraged to bring a copy of their childs dental records, but it is not required for registration. A copier is available if you cannot provide copies of the documentation requested.

For enrollment, call 235-0383 or contact Charletta Sudduth, Waterloo Community Schools early childhood consultant, at 433-2660 or email sudduthc@waterlooschools.org.

CUNA distributes $225K in grants
WATERLOO  It will be a tale of two birthdays at the Little Brown Churchs Sunday services this week. The Rev. Drew McHolm and his wife, Jesse Boatright, are shaking things up with a Scottish celebration.

Today marks McHolms birthday, as well as the famous Scottish poet, Robert Burns, who was born in 1759.

Its going to be a service the LBC has never seen the likes of, said McHolms wife, Cedar Falls native Jesse Boatright. It will be an educational experience for all.

McHolm, who is leading the congregation while the churchs full-time pastor is on sabbatical, will preach in full Scottish attire. He will wear the traditional Scottish kilt, which originated from Gaelic men and boys in the Scottish Highlands.

McHolm and Boatright will sing the original version of the traditional Scottish song, Auld Lang Syne, written by Burns in the native language.

Burns, known as a pioneer of the Romantic Movement and the national poet of Scotland, was a highly regarded poet and lyrist. His birthday is celebrated worldwide on or around Jan. 25, typically with a Burns Supper, an active celebration with songs, anecdotes and literary fun.
They drove from North Carolina after Stiffel received a firm offer. It took the family about 21 hours to travel here with their 3-year-old son.

Luckily Stiffel and his wife, Sara Stiffel, have enough savings to keep them going.

We have a pretty good cushion, he said.

Moving wasnt new for his family. Scott Stiffel is a sergeant in the National Guard and returned from a deployment to Iraq on Sept. 1. Prior to that he served in the U.S. Marines.

He was supposed to begin his job in Waterloo on Monday.

He has gotten the chance to check in with his future co-workers in the Waterloo airport tower.

Theyve actually been helpful with trying to get pointers to help my wife find a job out here, Scott Stiffel said. Hes looking for part-time work too.

Sara Stiffel was able to put in an application with Cedar Valley Medical Specialist. Honestly, right about now Im willing to do anything, she said.

The stress made Sara Stiffel break out in hives at one point. Its one thing after another, she said.
[January 24, 2019] Alison Biggan, Chief Product and Field Marketing Officer, SAP, to Keynote Q1 SAPinsider Events DEDHAM, Mass., Jan. 24, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Wellesley Information Services (WIS), a leading market research and intelligence firm specializing in enterprise software technologies, including the largest independent membership site of global SAP users, SAPinsider (www.SAPinsiderOnline.com), announced today that Alison Biggan, Chief Product and Field Marketing Officer at SAP, will keynote its Q1 events taking place March 19-21 in Las Vegas at The Bellagio. "I am thrilled to be able to address so many members of the SAPinsider community at these important annual events," said Alison Biggan. "It is an excellent opportunity to provide real-world insights and recommendations for how customers can continue their journey toward becoming intelligent enterprises," Ms. Biggan continued. "Alison's commitment to the SAP customer community and tireless efforts to partner with businesses at every turn make her an exceptional choice to keynote our annual event. We will have a broad collection of 'insiders' at the event: Financials, GRC, HR, Administration, and BI and Analytics teams will all be in attendance, and we are committed to arming them with practical information to help them make better business and technology decisions. That commitment demands that were assemble only the best experts across these disciplines. Having Alison as our keynote brings these teams toether in a strategic and meaningful way, and I know that the SAPinsider member community will greatly benefit from hearing directly from such a key member of SAP's leadership team," said WIS President and CEO, Jamie Bedard.

SAPinsider will welcome more than 1500 attendees at its Q1 events in March, bringing together five distinct programs for teams evaluating, implementing, running, and optimizing SAP solutions for: Finance and accounting

Governance, risk, and compliance

Human resources and human capital management

Basis and SAP administration

Business intelligence, reporting, and SAP HANA Early registration rates expire on Friday, January 25 and Friday, February 22. Individuals and teams interested in learning more about these events are encouraged to visit www.SAPinsiderEvents.com for more details. About WIS: Wellesley Information Services is owned by JAZ'D! Advisors Investment Corporation and has a 20-year history of delivering top-quality content that helps individuals and teams strengthen their skills and make the right decisions for their organizations. WIS specializes in SAP users and SAP solutions serving a global audience, offering a diverse set of resources including live SAPinsider events, focused research, lead generation, marketing intelligence, user memberships, display advertising, publications, webinars, and a full portfolio of digital marketing services. SAP is a registered trademark of SAP SE in Germany and several other countries. Wellesley Information Services is not affiliated with SAP SE or any of the SAP SE group of companies. About JAZ'D! Advisors Investment Corporation: JAZ'D! Advisors Investment Corporation, led by industry veteran Jamie Bedard, recently acquired 100% of WIS with a significant investment earmarked to spur long-term growth and innovation. JAZ'D! is a strategic investment and operating company with significant funding from a portfolio of leading technology and investor industry veteran members. JAZ'D! acquires leading companies focused on the technology user community, research, content, and digital marketing services spaces. JAZ'D! takes an ownership position in select companies with the goal of operationally integrating and innovating the companies into a comprehensive marketing and membership platform addressing the go-to-market needs of global technology organizations. Media Contact:

John McLaughlin

Vice President, Marketing

WIS

1-617-872-4572

208293@email4pr.com View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/alison-biggan-chief-product-and-field-marketing-officer-sap-to-keynote-q1-sapinsider-events-300784046.html SOURCE Wellesley Information Services

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I got to tell you, my blood pressure just went up, she said. According to Upmeyer, she has been working on the matter with House Minority Leader Todd Prichard, D-Charles City, since the first day of session. Any of the things he asked us to do, perhaps differently than I had laid out when I first contemplated this because there arent many rules around this process, we accommodated all of that, Upmeyer said. Rep. (Steve) Holt asked everybody to check their R or D at the door. Yet theres only one person who couldnt do that.
DES MOINES -- A northern Iowa lawmaker has introduced legislation to allow K-12 schools to move up the first day of classes from Aug. 23 to the day following the last day of the Iowa State Fair.

The state fair ends Aug. 18 this year.

The school start date has been on ongoing battle as lawmakers and former Gov. Terry Branstad sought to delay classes until after the fair. It was seen as a way to increase attendance at the fair and make it easier for students to participate in fair activities.

Fair associations, tourism groups and Adventureland have registered in opposition to the bill by Rep. Tedd Gassman, R-Scarville.

Voting rights

Several Democratic House members have introduced a bill to restore voting right to felons upon their discharge from the Department of Corrections.

Gov. Kim Reynolds has asked the Legislature to approve language to amend the state Constitution to restore voting rights. The bill would do it by statute.

The bill would not require felons to complete payment of restitution and fines to have their rights to vote and hold elected office restored.

Minimum wage
Dill realized what was happening to him and called on God to help him continue.

There were many times before a veteran came in that I was on the ground (and) couldnt get up, Dill said. I didnt want the veterans to see me weak, so I wanted to make sure I got up before they came into the office.

As he would lie there, Dill said, he heard God tell him to get up so he could help the veteran find their way.

What God has instilled in me is, no matter how much pain I was in laying on the floor in the office, and how weak I was, and how lost I was, that I had to get up because the veteran coming in, their pain is greater than mine, their weakness is greater than mine, their struggle is greater than mine, their interests are above my own interest, their needs are above my needs, and I need to get up off the floor and show that to them, Dill said.

Since Dec. 9, 2015, Dill and his staff have assisted more than 9,000 veterans seeking federal, state and local benefit assistance, enrolled 825 new Cedar Valley veterans in VA health care, enrolled 100 new veterans in college and held 500 outreach events for veterans throughout the community.

He established Operation Christmas, which has helped give Christmas gifts to 875 veterans and widows.
Button club meeting set

WATERLOO  The Black Hawk Button Club will meet at 1 p.m. Wednesday at St. Pauls United Methodist Church, 207 W. Louise St. (two blocks behind Allen Hospital).

Anyone interested in the art and history of buttons is welcome. The business meeting will include discussion of an upcoming bus trip to the National Pearl Button Museum in Muscatine. Members also will be enjoying a Free Day with no formal program planned, opting instead to work on individual button projects, competition boards, crafts, identifying types of buttons through use of the clubs library resources.

Laughter Yoga classes to begin

CEDAR FALLS  Free sessions of Laughter Yoga are being offered from 4:30 to 5 p.m. every Monday in the in the large meeting room or conference room on the second floor of the Cedar Falls Public Library through April 15.

Participants can join in brief laughter exercises and yoga breathing for relaxation. No equipment or special clothing is needed.

Everyone is welcome to attend any or all sessions.

Lions Club will hold fish fry
Maci Bookout is reportedly devastated by the latest arrest of her former boyfriend, Ryan Edwards, who was taken into custody in Tennessee earlier this week after allegedly walking out on a bar tab last month. As fans may have heard, Edwards has two pending charges against him, including a theft charge and a drug possession charge.

Bookout and Edwards share a nine-year-old son together, Bentley Edwards, and according to a Hollywood Life report, Bookout is upset for their child.Sadly, Maci isnt shocked by [Ryan Edwards]s recent arrest. Shes heartbroken over all of this as her main concern is Bentley," an insider explained of Bookout's feelings.

According to the report, Bookout is struggling with the way in which she is supposed to explain the bad behavior of her ex-boyfriend to their son as he ages.

Maci Bookout had hope for Ryan's future recovery

"[Maci Bookout] was hopeful that Ryan could get better," the source continued, "but the fact that he is unable to change some of his ways is her worst nightmare as a mother. The report explained that prior to Edwards' drug struggles, she never believed she would be put in a position where she would have to deal with these sort of issues.

Understandably, she believes her son deserves much better out of his father. Although Ryan Edwards did attend a three-month rehabilitation program at the end of last year, his recovery efforts appear to be in vain at this point in time and soon, he will be back in court to address his latest charges.

Maci Bookout spoke of Ryan's drug struggles on 'Teen Mom OG' last year

During a November 2018 episode of "Teen Mom OG," Bookout opened up to one of her friends about Ryan Edwards' ongoing issues and the way in which they could potentially come in between him and his son Bentley. Part of me just wants to let Ryan know that if he f***s it up this time hes not going to have another chance when it comes to Bentley, she told a friend.

As "Teen Mom OG" fans well know, Ryan Edwards did not appear on the latest season of the show but his wife, Mackenzie Standifer, who gave birth to his second son, Jagger, in October, did make a brief appearance alongside his mother, Jen Edwards, at the end of last year.

Maci Bookout and her co-stars, including Bristol Palin, Cheyenne Floyd, Catelynn Lowell, and Amber Portwood, are set to return to MTV for a new season of "Teen Mom OG" sometime later this year. Edwards and Standifer have not yet been confirmed for the new episodes.
The title of the Reddit post captured my attention, "Satan captured in Pakistani museum after judges take notice." I needed to know more, I was lead to an article posted Daily Pakistan Global with the same title as the post. I wanted to know every detail of this story so I put my detective Pikachu hat and went about an investigation.

The capture of 'Satan'

On January 11, the University of Punjab made a post on their Facebook page with two women standing next to a statue with a Satan-sort of look outside the Lahore Museum. The 20-foot tall piece was designed by Irbaatul Hassan, a Punjab University College of Arts and Design student to be the very first outdoor exhibit at the Lahore Museum.

On January 18, Pakistan Today posted an article that Lahore High Court stated that the Punjab Chief Secretary and the Lahore Museum Director had to reply to a petition filed by Ambreen Qureshi that called for them to remove a "sculpture of Satan from outside the Lahore Museum. According to Pakistan Today, the judge apparently stated: "to control Satan is the responsibility of us all.

After this quote, Pakistan Today went onto the write, "observed the judge who was thankful that at least someone came out against the devil." Apparently, the statue also scared school children that were visiting the Lahore Museum according to Ambreen Qureshi.

Ambreen Qureshi also stated that this sculpture has nothing to do with our culture whereas the purpose of a museum is to preserve our history and culture."

Response to the 'Satan' statue

Unsurprisingly by January 19, the statue had been covered by order of the Lahore High Court, although I have no evidence to prove this the statue has probably been removed at this point and time.

Aside from a sensational headline from Daily Pakistan, there is no evidence of the statue being 'captured.' In fact, the article itself made no mention of anything being 'captured' -- let alone the Satanish statue.

Designer Irbaatul Hassan originally built the statue as a "strong comment on the degradation of humans who stop self-reflecting and become immoral." Hassan has put out several responses due to this incident including, "the difference between a man and an animal is based on a mans ability to self-reflect."

Hassan also stated Who can claim the devil looks like this?

Has anyone ever seen Satan? No matter how you look at this silly scenario this is clearly not the response the Lahore Museum wanted for their very first outdoor exhibit.
Uprooted Palestinians are at the heart of the conflict in the M.E Palestinians uprooted by force of arms. Yet faced immense difficulties have survived, kept alive their history and culture, passed keys of family homes in occupied Palestine from one generation to the next.
The FBI has arrested Roger Stone, a confidant of Donald Trump, in a pre-dawn raid in a criminal case that revealed that senior members of the Trump campaign sought to benefit from the release of hacked emails damaging to Hillary Clinton.

The seven-count indictment against Stone, a self-proclaimed dirty trickster with a long history with Mr Trump, is the first criminal case in months from special counsel Robert Mueller.

Stone appeared at court in shackles later in the morning and was released on a 250,000-dollar (190,000) bond. He did not enter a plea.

The indictment provides the most detail to date about how Trump campaign associates in the summer of 2016 actively sought the disclosure of emails the US says were hacked by Russia, then provided to the anti-secrecy website WikiLeaks.

Donald Trump (Jacquelyn Martin/AP)

It alleges that unidentified senior Trump campaign officials contacted Stone to ask when stolen emails relating to Mrs Clinton might be disclosed.

The indictment does not charge Stone with conspiring with WikiLeaks or with the Russian officers Mr Mueller says hacked the emails. Instead it mirrors other Mueller cases in alleging cover-ups and deception, accusing Stone of lying to Congress about WikiLeaks, tampering with witnesses and obstructing the probe into whether the Trump campaign co-ordinated with the Kremlin to tip the election.

Some of those false statements were made to the House Intelligence Committee, prosecutors allege.

In referring to Trump campaign officials and their desire to leverage hacked emails, the criminal case brings Mr Muellers investigation into the presidents inner circle but it does not accuse the president of any wrongdoing or reveal whether he had advance knowledge of the WikiLeaks trove.

CNN aired video of the raid at Stones home in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, showing FBI agents in body armour using large weapons and night-vision equipment, running up to the home and banging repeatedly on the door, shouting: FBI! Open the door!

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Stone could then be seen in the doorway in his nightwear before he was led away.

Stone later said he would plead not guilty and claimed he is being persecuted because of his friendship with Mr Trump.

He spoke to conspiracy theorist Alex Jones on his InfoWars radio show after his arrest, but did not provide any details to support his accusation that he is being persecuted.

He said he is innocent and will continue to fight  to clear my name against these politically motivated charges.

Mr Trump called the investigation the Greatest Witch Hunt in the History of our Country!

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It is not uncommon for the FBI to make early-morning arrests of targets under indictment, but it is the first time Mr Mueller has used that tactic. Stone had been predicting his indictment for some time.

Hours later, he appeared in court in a blue polo shirt and jeans. In releasing him on the bond, Judge Lurana Snow told Stone he could not travel outside of south Florida, Washington DC and New York City, and ordered him to avoid contact with witnesses.

Stone is the sixth Trump aide or adviser charged in Mr Muellers investigation and the 34th person overall.

The near two-year probe has exposed multiple contacts between Trump associates and Russia during the campaign and transition period and revealed efforts by several to conceal those communications.

The case comes weeks after the presidents former national security adviser Michael Flynn was castigated by a judge in open court, and hours before Paul Manafort, his ex-campaign chairman, appeared in court on allegations that he lied to prosecutors.

Sarah Sanders, Mr Trumps press secretary, said the charges brought against Stone dont have anything to do with the president.

Mr Trumps lawyer Jay Sekulow said the indictment does not allege Russian collusion by Roger Stone or anyone else.
PANAMA CITY (AP)  The Latest on Pope Francis' visit to Panama (all times local):

6:35 p.m.

Pope Francis has denounced those who would build walls and sow fear about strangers as he opened a global youth rally by urging the next generations to build bridges of understanding and encounter instead.

Francis deviated from his prepared remarks Thursday to praise the estimated 250,000 young people, many waving their national flags, for coming together even though they speak different languages and hail from different cultures.

He said: "These builders of walls that sow fear are looking to divide people and box them in." It was a clear reference to the proposed border wall at the U.S.-Mexico border.

He asked the crowd: "What do you want to be?" The crowd chanted back "Builders of bridges."

___

6:25 p.m.

Some in the crowd at World Youth Day in Panama City are Venezuelans keeping tabs on the political crisis unfolding back home in their country.

A huge banner at the rally urges Pope Francis to "pray for Venezuela."

Carlos Bonilla is a 25-year-old Venezuelan who has been living in Panama for 10 years.

He said Thursday that he hopes the pontiff will "give us strength and send encouragement and hope to the people who are suffering and dying there."

On Wednesday the opposition leader of Venezuela's congress declared himself interim president in a challenge to President Nicolas Maduro.

This month Maduro was inaugurated for a new six-year term after an election that many say was illegitimate because his main opponents were barred from running.

The country has been suffering from a severe economic crisis with widespread shortages of basic goods.

___

6 p.m.

Tens of thousands of young people, waving huge flags from around the world, have given Pope Francis a rousing welcome as he formally opens World Youth Day at a twilight rally on Panama City's coast.

It's the Argentine-born pontiff's first contact with the masses who have gathered for the Catholic festival that lasts through Sunday. Organizers said some 200,000 people were on hand.

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Many waited in line over two hours to get into the seaside park where the event is being hosted.

Pedro Perez is a 17-year-old Colombian who traveled to Panama from his country's capital, Bogota, in a group of 60 youths. He says "more organization was needed."

Perez sat on the ground Thursday and said he was waiting to hear "a message of peace and unity among all nations."

___

12:30 p.m.

The Vatican says Pope Francis is closely following developments in Venezuela and supports "all efforts that help save the population from further suffering".

A statement from Vatican spokesman Alessandro Gisotti on Thursday didn't say if the Holy See recognized opposition leader Juan Guaido's claim to the interim presidency.

Francis is nearby on a visit to Panama for World Youth Day.

The statement said the pope "is praying for the victims and for all the people of Venezuela." It adds that "the Holy See supports all efforts that help save the population from further suffering".

The Vatican has a delicate line to balance in Venezuela. Local bishops vocally oppose the socialist regime of President Nicholas Maduro, but the Holy See has kept up diplomatic relations with the government, to the extent that it sent its interim charge d'affairs to Maduro's inauguration earlier this month.

___

11:55 a.m.

Pope Francis is urging bishops across Central America to work together to welcome, protect and integrate migrants and serve as an example to help the rest of society overcome fears about foreigners.

Francis summoned bishops from across the region  Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama  to join him for World Youth Day in Panama which is taking place against the backdrop of a standoff in the U.S. over President Donald Trump's proposed border wall.

Meeting with the bishops Thursday, Francis didn't mention the wall but he reminded the prelates that most migrants have "young faces."

He said: "The Church, by virtue of her universality, can provide the fraternal hospitality and acceptance that can enable the communities of origin and of destination to dialogue and to help overcome fears and suspicions, and thus to consolidate the very bonds that migrations - in the collective imagination - threaten to break."

___

10:50 a.m.

Pope Francis is demanding Panamanian public officials live simply, honestly and transparently as he opens a visit to a region that has been rife with corruption scandals and is now coping with political upheaval in nearby Venezuela.

Francis didn't mention the Venezuela crisis Thursday during his first remarks in Panama after a meeting with President Juan Carlos Varela at the presidential palace. He stuck to his script, celebrating Panama's indigenous heritage and its role as bridge between oceans and cultures. He thanked the government for "opening the doors of your home" to young pilgrims who have flocked here for World Youth Day.

But he stressed that those same young people are increasingly insisting that public officials live lives that are coherent with the jobs entrusted to them, "To lead a life that demonstrates that public service is a synonym of honesty and justice, and opposed to all forms of corruption."

___

1 a.m.

Pope Francis has arrived in Panama amid a political crisis in nearby Venezuela, a migration standoff over the proposed U.S.-Mexico border wall and tens of thousands of wildly excited young Central Americans welcoming him.

Francis opens his first full day Thursday with all eyes on whether he refers to the upheaval in Venezuela when he addresses Panama's president and later the region's bishops.

Francis rounds out the day with his evening welcome to tens of thousands of young Catholics gathered for World Youth Day, the church's big youth rally.

His visit is taking place against the backdrop of a new migrant caravan heading to the U.S.-Mexico border. The plight of migrants, as well as that of indigenous peoples, are particularly close to Francis' heart and are expected to feature into his remarks while in Panama.
FILE PHOTO: Mourners carry the body of Palestinian woman Aisha al-Rawbi during her funeral in the town of Biddya near Nablus in the occupied West Bank FILE PHOTO: Mourners carry the body of Palestinian woman Aisha al-Rawbi during her funeral in the town of Biddya near Nablus in the occupied West Bank October 13, 2018. REUTERS/Abed Omar Qusini/File Photo

By Dan Williams

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli prosecutors indicted a 16-year-old Jewish seminary student on Thursday over the killing of a Palestinian woman, a case that has sparked public recrimination between Israel's far-right and its usually tight-lipped internal security agency.

The minor, whose was not named, was charged with ideologically motivated manslaughter, which can carry a 20-year jail term. His DNA was found on a rock that fatally struck Aisa al-Rawbi, 47, in the head as she drove through the occupied West Bank in October, the court was told.

The defendant's lawyers say he had no connection to the incident, and they accused Shin Bet security investigators of misconduct. Several far-right figures have echoed this, including a state-employed Israeli rabbi, Shmuel Eliyahu.

"They (the authorities) have been using the Shin Bet against Jews," he said in a lecture at the defendant's seminary in a West Bank settlement, a video of which was posted on Facebook.

"The order is skewed. Change the order: Let the Shin Bet pursue the evil-doers, not schoolboys."

The West Bank sees frequent friction between Palestinians, who seek the territory for a future state, and Israels settlers, some of whom identify with radical Jewish groups that promote religiously fuelled hostility towards Arabs.

"This (al-Rawbi's killing) was a terrorist attack in every regard, and similar acts, when carried out by Arab assailants, including minors, were handled identically by the security establishment," the Shin Bet said after Thursday's indictment.

The Shin Bet operates under full judicial oversight, the agency's statement said, adding that unnamed "interested parties" were trying "to obstruct justice and disseminate lies and smears against the security agencies involved in the case".

Israeli officials say Jewish militancy is hard to crack because suspects keep to small and secretive networks and train in resisting Shin Bet interrogation.

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Palestinians - who unlike Israeli citizens are subject to military regulations, including longer detentions without trial - say Israel is slow to act on anti-Arab violence.

According to the Shin Bet, incidents of Jewish militant violence increased by almost 50 percent between 2017 and 2018. Indictments for such incidents in the same period increased by 26.6 percent, the Shin Bet said.

Amir Bracha, a lawyer for the defendant in al-Rawbi's killing, told reporters the indictment against him "stands on a weak footing and DNA, which we doubt will stand up to court scrutiny".

(Reporting by Rami Amichay, Writing by Rami Ayyub; Editing by Toby Chopra and Hugh Lawson)
Emmanuel Macron has attacked Brexit again (Lopinion)

Frances Prime Minister Emmanuel Macron has attacked Brexit, saying it has torn British society apart.

And in a stinging address, he added that it cant be delivered and was based on false information and figures.

In a speech in Bourg-de-Peage, south eastern France, the French leader said Brexit would end up costing the British people.

People are starting to realise that all the figures they were given are entirely false, and what they were told could be done overnight in fact cant be delivered.

Macron said Brexit had divided British society (PA)

And in the end its going to cost them. In this context do you think that the referendum was a good thing?

No, because it didnt allow for an informed, transparent and calm debate. Its torn a society apart, and its left it open to disinformation coming from abroad, or terrible manipulation.

He added: Take the British. They voted for Brexit. There were people who, in good faith, were sometimes as angry as you are, and they said that the source of all their ills was Europe. Its rubbish!

Yellow Jacket protesters in Paris earlier this month (PA)

His comments came as part of his national debate, launched as he faces a major test to his leadership through the Gilet Jaunes (Yellow Jackets) movement, which has seen widespread demonstrations and rioting.

It is the second attack by the under-pressure French leader on Brexit this month.

In Normandy on January 17, he said the first losers of Brexit would be the British people and said Britons had been sold a lie by those wanting to leave the European union.

His comments come as divisions over Brexit in Britain looked like coming to a head, with a vote next week in the House of Commons by MPs to accept or not the controversial deal being offered by Prime Minister Theresa May.

Even the Queen appeared to speak about the all-encompassing issue, calling on Britons to seek common ground.

Britain is due to leave the European Union on March 29 but how remains unclear.

The countdown to Brexit (PA)

Macron attacked British politicians for their claims at the time of the referendum (PA)

Some Cabinet ministers have refused to rule out quitting the Cabinet in order to stop a no-deal Brexit.

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MPs will vote on January 29 on Theresa Mays bitterly contested deal, negotiated with the European Union.

Mr Macron is under pressure himself in France through the Yellow Jackets protest movement, which has caused havoc across the country for the past few weekends.

The Yellow Jackets is a grassroots protest movement which rose first in opposition to fuel taxes on diesel and petrol but has subsequently morphed into wider demonstrations.

Macron speaking in south-east France (PA)

They have brought several French cities to a standstill with regular weekend protests, some of them violent, and it has also seen Macrons popularity plummet.

Furious Eurosceptic MPs though hit back at the French leader, claiming that the decision to leave the EU was a democratic one and its France, not Britain, which has riots on its streets.

Watch the latest videos from Yahoo UK
People in silhouette are seen in front of the U.S. and Mexico border fence at Friendship Park in Tijuana, Mexico, January 23, 2019. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

By Frank Jack Daniel

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - The United States will return the first group of migrants seeking U.S. asylum to the Mexican border city of Tijuana on Friday, a Mexican government spokesman said on Thursday.

In a major policy change, U.S. President Donald Trump's administration said on Dec. 20 it would send non-Mexican migrants who cross the U.S. southern border back to wait in Mexico while their asylum requests are processed.

The spokesman, speaking on condition of anonymity, did not specify the nationalities of those to be returned to Mexico, although the policy was aimed at helping cope with rising numbers of Central Americans seeking asylum in the United States.

The two countries have held two meetings to work out details of the plan to return migrants seeking U.S. asylum across the shared border. Mexico has said it will not accept anybody facing a credible threat in Mexican territory.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond for comment on when the program would begin, although a department official said the policy would not apply to certain vulnerable populations and unaccompanied minors.

Serious doubts exist over whether Mexico can keep Central American asylum seekers who are fleeing poverty and crime safe, especially in border towns that are often more violent than the cities they left.

It is unclear how Mexico plans to house what could be thousands of asylum seekers for the months - or years - it takes U.S. immigration cases to be heard. A backlog of more than 800,000 cases is pending in immigration courts.

The program, dubbed Migrant Protection Protocols by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, is one of a series of measures taken by the Trump administration aimed at making it harder for Central Americans to enter the United States under asylum laws.

Trump argues that the asylum system is abused, calling a process by which many migrants are freed in the United States to await immigration trial "catch and release."

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Trump is demanding $5.7 billion in funding for a wall along the Mexican border, triggering a U.S. partial government shutdown that stretched to its 34th day on Thursday and has left 800,000 federal workers without pay.

Illegal crossings at the southern border have dropped dramatically since highs in previous decades, but in recent years more Central American families and unaccompanied children have been migrating to the United States and applications for asylum have ballooned.

Last year, about 93,000 people sought asylum at the southern border, up 67 percent from 2017, according to U.S. government data.

(Reporting by Frank Jack Daniel in Mexico City; Additional reporting by Mica Rosenberg in New York; Writing by Anthony Esposito; Editing by Jonathan Oatis, Peter Cooney and Leslie Adler)
Protesters clashed with police in the Venezuelan capital Caracas on January 23 as opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself interim president.

These videos show protesters using gas masks and other gear during the protests against incumbent president Nicolas Maduro in the citys Chacaito neighborhood.

Demonstrators can be seen hiding behind boards and makeshift shields as rocks and other objects are thrown back and forth.

Venezuelas opposition-held National Assembly decried the 2018 presidential elections as a fraud. Maduro was accused by the opposition, analysts, and the United States government of manipulating the election results.

The assembly invoked a constitutional amendment that allows the leader of the legislature, in this case Juan Guaido, to take control of the federal government as interim president until new elections can be held. Credit: Andres Gerlotti via Storyful
FILE PHOTO: A fence is pictured at the former Nazi concentration camp Buchenwald near Weimar, Germany, January 27, 2017. REUTERS/Hannibal Hanschke/File Photo

By Joseph Nasr

BERLIN (Reuters) - The director of the memorial at the largest Nazi concentration camp on German soil barred the anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD) from attending a commemoration on Friday for the 56,000 people who perished there in the Holocaust.

Volkhard Knigge, director of the Buchenwald Memorials Foundation, told AfD politicians in the state of Thuringia where the camp is located he was responding to anti-democratic, racist and anti-Semitic tendencies in the party.

"The Buchenwald Memorials believes that representatives of the AfD must not take part in the ceremony on its premises while they haven't credibly distanced themselves from their party's anti-democratic, anti-human rights and revisionist positions," Knigge wrote in a letter.

The AfD, which rejects charges of racism, expressed regret at the decision to ban it from taking part in the wreath-laying ceremony at the Buchenwald concentration camp near the city of Weimar ahead of Sunday's International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

"Mr. Knigge is such a prisoner of his friend-enemy dichotomy that he is unable to build bridges on an important memorial day like today," said Stefan Moeller, an AfD lawmaker in the Thuringia state parliament.

Knigge's decision reflects wider unease about the rise of the AfD among a large section of Germans who fret at the party's crude nationalism, including its declaration that Islam is incompatible with the German constitution.

The rise of the AfD, which has representatives in all of Germany's 16 regional assemblies, has alarmed Jewish leaders who accuse it of contributing to a rise in anti-Semitism.

The AfD also entered the lower house of the federal parliament in Berlin, the Bundestag, for the first time in a 2017 national election, drawing support from an array of voters angry with Chancellor Angela Merkel's decision in 2015 to welcome almost a million, mainly Muslim, asylum seekers.

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Buchenwald director Knigge specifically took issue with Bjoern Hoecke, the AfD's leader in Thuringia, who told supporters two years ago that Berlin's memorial to the victims of the Holocaust was a "memorial of shame" and that history books should be rewritten to focus more on German victims.

Germany's domestic spy agency said this month it would investigate the AfD to see whether its policies breached constitutional safeguards against extremism.

The agency said it would pay closer attention to the AfD's youth wing and elements close to Hoecke. The AfD leadership has condemned the investigation and said it would take legal action.

This week, AfD lawmakers in the Bavarian parliament staged a walkout during a speech by a Jewish community leader and Holocaust survivor after she accused the party of playing down Nazi crimes.

(Reporting by Joseph Nasr; Editing by Alison Williams)
FILE PHOTO: Condensation collects on a glass of Asahi beer at a bar in Singapore October 23, 2015. REUTERS/Tim Wimborne/File Photo/File Photo

By Martinne Geller and Noor Zainab Hussain

(Reuters) - Japanese brewer Asahi Group is buying the British beer business of Fuller, Smith & Turner, seizing the opportunity to further its overseas reach as other companies wrestle with growing uncertainty over Brexit.

The purchase, worth 250 million pounds including debt, raises Asahi's British presence by adding London Pride ale, Frontier lager and Cornish Orchards cider to its Asahi Super Dry, Peroni Nastro Azzurro and Meantime brands.

Fuller's shares jumped 21 percent to 1100 pence on Friday, their highest level in 19 months, after Asahi's move, which follows Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe voicing his concerns over the risk of a disorderly British exit from the European Union in March and its impact on business.

Japanese firms have spent more than 46 billion pounds in Britain, encouraged by successive British governments since Margaret Thatcher promising them a business-friendly base from which to trade across Europe.

Asahi plans to continue operations at the Griffin Brewery in Chiswick, London, where beer has been made since 1654, while a long-term supply agreement and strategic alliance between the firms will allow Fuller's pubs to continue to sell its beer.

The global beer market, dominated by big players such as Anheuser-Busch InBev and Heineken, has been challenged lately by the rise of independent craft brews and shifting consumer tastes favouring wine and spirits.

However, Mintel estimates that the value of Britain's beer market rose by 3.9 percent to 18.5 billion pounds in 2018.

"This transaction is unexpected but a welcome one  realising a significant value for shareholders and exiting a challenging beer market," Liberum analyst Anna Barnfather said.

Barnfather said her target price of 1050 pence for Fuller's had valued the brewery division at around 125 million pounds. Asahi confirmed that the purchase includes the freehold of the Chiswick brewery.

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Fuller's said the disposal will enable it to focus on pubs and hotels, which generate 87 percent of its operating profit, and provide capital to invest organically and via acquisitions.

"Fuller's has for years had to navigate very high taxes, a decline in the nation's drinking and austerity which has hit pub attendance," Jonny Forsyth, Associate Director, Food & Drink at Mintel, told Reuters, adding that the brewer's traditional ale faced competition from the rise of edgier London craft beers.

(Graphic: Asahi deal to bring much needed relief to Fuller link: https://tmsnrt.rs/2TfBPOo).

GLOBAL LONDON PRIDE?

Asahi said the addition of the Fuller's brands strengthened its position as a leader in premium beer, and that it would use its global footprint to build them across the world.

"Brexit could actually play to Asahi's advantage because it is putting pressure on ... the pound which makes exports cheaper," Forsyth said, adding that Asahi would also have the option of moving production overseas to overcome any tariffs.

Forsyth said the Fuller's deal, which is expected to close in the first half of 2019, could also kick start a year of consolidation, driven by AB InBev's competitors trying to close the gap between themselves and the world's top brewer.

Friday's sale price represents a multiple of 23.6 times core earnings of 10.6 million pounds for the year ended March and Fuller's said it would return between 55 million pounds and 69 million pounds of the proceeds to its investors.

Rothschild & Co is acting as sponsor and sole financial adviser to Fuller on the proposed sale, while Nomura advised Asahi Europe.

(Reporting by Noor Zainab Hussain in Bengaluru; Editing by Anil D'Silva and Alexander Smith)
FILE PHOTO: Logo of Huawei is seen in front of the local offices of Huawei in Warsaw FILE PHOTO: Logo of Huawei is seen in front of the local offices of Huawei in Warsaw, Poland January 11, 2019. REUTERS/Kacper Pempel/File Photo

TORONTO (Reuters) - Canada's ambassador to China said he "misspoke" when he said Huawei Technologies Co Ltd Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou had a strong case against extradition to the United States, John McCallum said in a statement on Thursday.

Speaking to Chinese-language media in a Toronto suburb on Tuesday, McCallum said Meng had "good arguments on her side" in her case.

"I regret that my comments with respect to the legal proceedings of Ms. Meng have created confusion. I misspoke. These comments do not accurately represent my position on this issue," McCallum's statement said.

Meng's arrest in Vancouver on Dec. 1 at the behest of the United States enraged China, which has called for the extradition case to be dropped. The United States has until Jan. 30 to formally request her extradition over alleged violations of U.S. sanctions on Iran.

Canada's government has emphasised that it follows the "rule of law" and cautioned against politicising the case after U.S. President Donald Trump told Reuters last month he would intervene if it served U.S. trade or national security interests.

In his Tuesday remarks, McCallum said Trump's comments and the fact that Canada had not applied the same sanctions against Iran as the United States made for "strong arguments" Meng could make before a judge. She next appears in court on Feb. 6.

Meng has been released on bail and is living in one of her two multi-million Vancouver homes, wearing a GPS ankle bracelet and watched by security guards when she leaves the house.

The case has made for tense Canada-China relations. Two Canadians were detained in China following Meng's arrest, and a third was sentenced to death on drug charges.

Neither Canada nor China has explicitly tied these actions to Meng's arrest but some former diplomats have suggested this is a "tit-for-tat" issue.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told reporters Wednesday that he is focused on getting detained Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor out of China and recalling McCallum would not help their case.

(Reporting by Anna Mehler Paperny; Editing by Tom Brown)
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To coincide with 26 January, SBS is releasing a new interactive documentary, Missing which shares the story of abducted Adelaide schoolgirl Wendy Jane Pfieffer and the Aboriginal trackers who brought her home.

SBS Director of Television and Online Content, Marshall Heald, said: SBS is focused on finding new ways to place audiences at the heart of diverse and multicultural experiences, with the aim of creating a deeper understanding of important, but often untold stories.

Were proud to be able to share this project which recognises the incredible skill and dedication of Jimmy James and Daniel Moodoo as part of SBSs exploration of what it means to be Australian today.

In 1966, the search made headlines around the country, with more than 150 police and volunteers spending days desperately searching 13,000 acres of dense scrub around Wendys Adelaide Hills home. Eventually, her abductor was charged with her murder and Pitjantjatjara trackers, Jimmy James and Daniel Moodoo were called in to find her remains. Instead, they followed her tracks through more than 20 kilometres of bushland and finally reunited Wendy with her family.

Missing celebrates Australian history and its unsung heroes as part of SBSs efforts to bring together communities to reflect on and celebrate what it means to be Australian today.

Offering a personal look at one of Australias most fascinating true crime stories, Missing is told through the dual perspectives of Wendy and Jimmy and highlights the unique nature of their relationship, which endured for years to come.

Wendy Jane Pfieffer said, I walked 12 kilometres over a 42-hour period, becoming more and more dehydrated and totally exhausted. Today, Im lucky to be alive. While it is bittersweet to reflect on that time, Missing is a beautiful way to thank Jimmy James, without whom I simply wouldnt be here.

Missing was developed in collaboration with Wendy and the families of Jimmy James and Daniel Moodoo who provided family archives and recordings, as well as assisting in retracing the exact locations of Wendys abduction and subsequent search efforts.

The interactive documentary recreates the events that took place, with principal photography by award-winning photo artist Tamara Dean captured on location 52 years later. Each scene is a beautiful, stylised landscape mosaic of photographs in the Adelaide Hills that the viewer must piece together to drive the story forward.

The visuals are given context through narration with Adelaide-local Zoe Pool playing 8-year-old Wendy and Mia Jonson providing her voice. Jimmy James is voiced by relative and leading Indigenous actor, Trevor Jamieson.

As Australias dedicated multilingual and multicultural broadcaster, SBS will feature a diverse range of programing on 26 January, sharing stories from a wide variety of different perspectives, across all SBS platforms.

Missing joins SBSs collection of award-winning documentaries, The Boat, My Grandmothers Lingo and KGari which have been recognised both locally and internationally.

Related
Tran Huu Hoa was scared, desperate and on the verge of suicide after his leprosy diagnosis in 1958, fearing he'd never work or marry in an age when lepers were completely shunned from Vietnamese society.

He could not imagine he would find new life at the leprosy hospice where he has been living for 61 years, a walled off compound in northern Thai Binh province where he met his wife, worked as a union boss and took in needy children.

"There were about 2,000 people here then, mostly young people. It was fun because we started a teen union," the 80-year-old told AFP, sitting on his bed with his wife Teo of 54 years.

Today there are only 190 patients at the hospital, all cured but living with disabilities caused by leprosy.

Many walk with prosthetic legs. Others like Hoa have lost fingers. Some are so severely disabled they spend the day bent over in bed, covered with thick blankets to keep the cold at bay.

Founded in 1900, Van Mon is the oldest leprosy hospital in northern Vietnam.

The two-storey building houses leprosy patients and survivors in the Van Mon Leprosy Hospice compound. Photo: AFP

Leprosy survivors Tran Huu Hoa (left) and Nguyen Thi Teo (right) sit at the Van Mon Leprosy Hospice compound in Vietnam. Photo: AFP

At its peak it treated 4,000 patients a year -- a number that has dwindled as leprosy cases have dropped across Vietnam thanks to improved healthcare, hygiene and greater awareness of the disease.

World Leprosy Day is January 27.

There were 248 people being treated for leprosy in 2017 in Vietnam, down by more than half from a decade earlier, according to data from the World Health Organization.

But as numbers have decreased so have the live-in patients at the Van Mon centre.

Meandering days are punctuated with a morning and midday meal. Some pass the time worshipping at the on-site chapel or pagoda, while most watch TV or listen to the radio during the day when they are not sleeping.

"I have no one to count on, I'm so lonely, so I just follow God. When I die I will follow God then too," said Pham Van Bac, 83, who has been at the centre since 1960.

His daughter no longer visits and his grandchildren come only once a year, so he has little to look forward to most days, he says.

A leprosy survivor uses his mobile phone in the Van Mon Leprosy Hospice compound. Photo: AFP

Leprosy survivor Nguyen Ba Chuyen, 87, offers prayers with other patients on the 15th day of the lunar month in the hospice compound on Jan 20, 2019. Photo: AFP

But many like Bac chose to stay, fearing they will be a burden on their families, or lose the care and small stipend provided at the government-run hospital.

Some, like Hoa, have found companions in the centre.

"It's a source of encouragement and motivation and they can have a happier and better life," said Nguyen Thi Thai, deputy director of the hospital where both her parents were once treated for leprosy.

And even though stigma against leprosy sufferers has largely faded outside the walls of the hospice, many prefer to remain at Van Mon.

Hoa said: "This is my second home, I will live here until my death."

Leprosy survivors offer prayers together with villagers on the 15th day of the lunar month. Photo: AFP

A leprosy survivor offering prayers on the 15th day of the lunar month at a pagoda in the Van Mon Leprosy Hospice compound on Jan 20, 2019. Photo: AFP

Leprosy survivor Nguyen Quang Chieu, 85, eats his lunch inside his room at the hospice. Photo: AFP

A disabled leprosy survivor sits on his bed at Van Mon Leprosy Hospice. Photo: AFP

Leprosy patient Nguyen Quang Chieu, 85, puts on his wool cap at Van Mon Leprosy Hospice on Jan 20, 2019. Photo: AFP

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Read whats in the news today, January 25!

Society

-- Over a thousand people lined up to board flights at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City on Thursday morning as part of the nationwide mass travel back to hometowns for Lunar New Year celebrations.

-- Officials from the tourism department in Quang Binh Provice, north-central Vietnam, told movie directors and producers during their meeting in Hollywood about the scenic beauty of the area and local policies to make it become a film studio for the U.S. filmmaking industry.

-- Police seized nearly 500 kilograms of rotting pork and swine fat with no invoices in a passenger bus traveling in the southern province of Binh Phuoc on Thursday.

-- A car broke a bridge rail and fell into Thu Bon River in Hoi An on early Friday, killing the driver, his wife and youngest daughter. His other daughter, the only survivor, told police that the father steered the car off course in a quarrel with the mother.

-- One person died and three were injured in a fire that followed an explosion of unknown causes at the workshop of a company in Thu Dau Mot, the capital city of Binh Duong, located next to Ho Chi Minh City, late Thursday afternoon.

-- The driver of a long-haul bus tested positive for drugs on Thursday after police in the south-central province of Binh Thuan asked him to pull in, becoming the first driver of this kind of vehicle to be found using the illegal substance in a stringent nationwide crackdown by police on drug consumption amongst drivers.

-- Police are hunting a 43-year-old woman charged with murder as she had supposedly killed her husband, 61, with 14 scissor stabs on Wednesday at their home in the southern province of Dong Nai.

-- A 50-year-old man was arrested on Thursday after he robbed a bank in the northern province of Thai Binh, and took VND200 million (US$8,600) away the day earlier. The man said he was motivated by his massive outstanding debts.

Business

-- A VND60 billion ($2.6 million) passenger catamaran is scheduled for operation in March, plying between the terminals in downtown Chi Minh City and the tourist island of Con Dao, around 200 kilometers away.

-- Vietnams low-cost airline Vietjet reported VND52.4 trillion ($2.25 billion) in revenue for 2018, up 24 percent from last year. Its 2018 pretax profit was 5.8 trillion ($250.7 million)  double the countrys flag carrier Vietnam Airlines.

-- The remittances sent home by Vietnamese nationals abroad reached $18.9 billion in 2018, 70 percent of which was poured into business, according to Nguyen Thanh Phong, the Ho Chi Minh City government chairman.

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Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and President of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Borge Brende had a dialogue in Switzerland on Thursday within the framework of the WEFs ongoing annual meeting.

The dialogue, themed Vietnam and the World, took place in Davos, Switzerland, marking the first time the WEF has held a particular session on Vietnam.

During the event, Brende emphasized strong commitments by PM Phuc and the Vietnamese government to promote production in order to become involved in global supply chains.

In response, the Vietnamese leader said his countrys economy expanded at a pace of about 7.1 percent in 2018, making it one of the countries with the fastest growth in the world, while Vietnams growth quality also improved substantially.

The premier affirmed that Vietnam will make efforts to continue developing in a strong, sustainable and inclusive manner by boosting the Fourth Industrial Revolution, or Industry 4.0, improving its investment and business climate, bolster investment cooperation between the domestic and foreign sectors, and focusing on human resource training.

Vietnam supports free and multilateral trade, he affirmed, adding that the country is integrating intensively into the global economy

Regarding the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the head of government said Vietnam will take proactive action to improve its labor productivity, adding that the Industry 4.0 is the best way for the country to develop rapidly and sustainably.

In the next five years, the Southeast Asian country will sustain the growth trend, improve peoples living standards and continue to be a reliable destination for foreign investors, PM Phuc responded to Brendes question.

Vietnam pledges to protect investors rights and legitimate interests, further contributing to the countrys socio-economic development, he emphasized.

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Vietnam is following the ongoing political crisis in Venezuela and hopes to see peaceful and stable development in the South American country, the Vietnamese foreign ministrys spokesperson said Thursday.

President Nicolas Maduro is battling against congress leader Juan Guaido for the presidency in Venezuela, with thousands of Venezuelans taking to the streets in a massive movement against the incumbent leader on Thursday.

Maduro was elected president in a vote last year, while Guaido, now an opposition politician, declared himself interim president.

Asked to comment on the ongoing political crisis in the South American country, Le Thi Thu Hang, spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said during a regular press conference in Hanoi on Thursday that Vietnam always wishes for peace and stability in Venezuela.

Vietnam wants to promote friendly ties and multifaceted cooperation between Vietnam and Venezuela for the benefits of the two peoples, which would contribute to peace, stability and development in the region and in the world, Hang was quoted by the official Vietnam News Agency as saying.

The Vietnamese foreign ministry would consider issuing appropriate warnings to Vietnamese citizens in case of emergency, according to the spokesperson.

At the same meeting, Hang was also inquired to comment on information widely speculated by foreign media that Vietnam would be the venue for the much-anticipated summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

Hang said Vietnam has yet received information on this, but Hanoi is confident that it is up to the task if asked, according to the Vietnam News Agency.

I am confident in Vietnams capacity to hold international-level events, evidenced by the successful hosting of the APEC Summit in 2017 as well as other international conferences, Hang said, referring to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) held in the central city of Da Nang in 2017 and the World Economic Forum on ASEAN organized in Hanoi last year, both of which assembled several world leaders.

The foreign ministry spokeswoman said the venue and the time for the U.S.-North Korea summit would be up for the two countries to decide, adding that Vietnam is willing and ready to make positive contributions to the maintenance of peace and stability and sustenance of dialogues on the Korean peninsula.

The White House earlier said that the second summit, following the landmark one in Singapore last year, would be held in late February and that a location has been decided but gave no further details.

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Rice export prices rose in India, driven by higher procurement costs for local paddy even as demand was tepid, while rates for the Vietnamese variety slipped as activity slowed before a holiday season.

Top exporter Indias 5 percent broken parboiled variety rose to $381-$386 per tonne this week from the $379-$384 range last week, traders said.

Paddy prices have risen due to lower supply in the local market, so we have to raise export prices, said an exporter based in Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh.

Export prices had shot up after the central state of Chhattisgarh, a leading rice producer, raised minimum paddy buying prices to 2,500 rupees per 100 kg from 1,750 rupees.

Neighbouring Bangladesh has no plan to cut the import duty on rice, despite a rise in domestic prices in recent week, given good crops and healthy reserves, a food ministry official said on Wednesday.

Higher domestic prices for the staple had prompted speculation amongst traders that the government would cut the duty.

The south Asian country, which emerged as a major rice importer in 2017 after floods destroyed crops, imposed a 28 percent duty in June to support its farmers after local production revived.

A report from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) estimated Bangladeshs rice output would hit a record 53.6 million tonnes in 2018 on strong domestic prices and bumper yields due to favourable weather conditions.

In Vietnam, rates for the benchmark 5 percent broken rice fell further to $340 a tonne from $355-$360 last week, ahead of Tet, the Lunar New Year Holiday during the first week of February.

Trade is very quiet and I think it will stay like this until Tet is over, a Ho Chi Minh City-based trader said. Customs offices will close during the week-long holiday and things will get slow.

Another trader based in Hanoi said the government was mulling buying rice for stockpiling this year.

The government couldnt buy last year because prices were high, but we are seeing downward pressure on prices this year given that China has moved to limit shipments from Vietnam, a second trader said.

Thai benchmark 5 percent broken rice prices were quoted at $390-$402 a tonne, free on board Bangkok, versus last weeks $385-$400, with traders attributing the change to gains in the domestic currency, as demand remained flat.

The Philippines remains the focus for many Thai rice exporters because of its liberalized market and because their government said last year that they still need to import a million tonnes, a Bangkok-based trader. But we are still waiting to hear more about the possible auction.

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OPINION: "No, I am not and we are not 'over sensitive.' Anti-Semitism is real, hurtful and malicious. Sometimes it is subtle, sometimes flagrant. It affects more of us than anyone would want to admit," writes Rabbi Emeritus Robert Eisen.
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The days of texting while driving or even chatting with a phone next to your ear may be coming to an end.

And the reason could be the death of a police officer at the hands of a texting motorist.

A bipartisan group of legislators is pushing a plan that would finally ban the practice in Arizona. That effort, if successful, would end Arizonas distinction of being one of only two states in the country that allows most motorists to type and dial while driving.

Talking would not be totally off limits if SB 1165 becomes law. But the only permitted use would be if a phone or tablet were mounted to the dash and if they are, for all intents and purposes, operated only on a hands-free basis.

The legislation comes two years after Arizona finally enacted its first texting-while-driving restrictions for new motorists. But to get approval for even that, proponents had to agree that it applies only in the first six months of getting licensed. And it even forbids police officers from stopping a driver solely because he or she was observed on the phone.
Federal employees affected by the government shutdown will have a chance to pick up free diapers and feminine hygiene products today.

Thanks to the Diaper Bank of Southern Arizona, federal employees can visit the Federal Bureau of Prisons, 9300 S. Wilmot Rd., to pick up some supplies.

The event runs from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. or while supplies last on Jan. 25.

"These families are under a lot of strain and we want to help them through this crisis," the Diaper Bank's Executive Director Dan Moxley said in a press release.

Additionally, Long Realty will also be hosting a diaper drive to help furloughed federal employees. Donations will be accepted through Feb. 15 at a Long Realty location, 4051 E. Sunrise Dr.
Yuma Sector Border Patrol agents apprehended a group of more than 110 Central Americans on Monday evening who scaled the border wall with the assistance of a smuggler with a ladder, officials say.

Border Patrol spokesperson Jose Garibay said the group was mostly family units from Guatemala. The smuggler assisting them ran back into Mexico after the group of migrants were all on the north side of the wall.

Garibay says while U.S. officials have no authority to follow a smuggler into Mexico, they are building intelligence to target smugglers and organizations they work for.

The group of migrants scaled the wall about a mile-and-a-half west of where officials apprehended a group of 375 Central Americans, mostly families, who tunneled under the border barrier, a week prior, Garibay says. Customs and Border Protection released photos of the long line of migrants, many seeking asylum, waiting to be processed by agents.
A Tucson man who shot three people, killing one, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of release on Monday.

Isaac Cisco, 24, was convicted of first-degree murder and aggravated assault last month in connection with the 2017 shooting.

On April 23, 2017, Cisco shot three people sitting in a car after he followed them from a McDonald's near 22nd Street and Kolb Road to a nearby apartment complex, according to an interim complaint filed by the Tucson Police Department in Pima County Superior Court.

The court document says he shot into the vehicle multiple times and struck all three people in the car. Angel Valenzuela, 28, died from his injuries. The other two victims, ages 16 and 17 at the time, were shot multiple times but survived.

The Pima County Attorney's Office says Cisco was angry because someone beat up his brother. Thinking one of the men in the car was responsible, he followed the car to the apartment complex where he began shooting.

Police hadnt yet arrested Cisco in connection to that case when they came into contact with him about three weeks later during an unrelated traffic stop.
A Cochise County jail chaplain who was out on bond and arrested again earlier this month had 28 additional sex-crime charges filed against him Thursday, officials say.

Doug Packer, 63, now faces 38 charges for alleged incidents from 2014 through 2018, and a 2019 case involving a female inmate.

The alleged incidents between 2014 and 2015 led the Cochise County Attorney's Office to present 12 charges for sexual assault, sexual misconduct and indecent exposure.

For 2017, two additional charges of indecent exposure and sexual conduct were added.

Officials then presented 14 charges for sexual abuse, sexual conduct, aggravated assault, kidnapping, indecent exposure and sexual assault for alleged incidents in 2018.

Packer was arrested on Jan. 5 after an investigation into the alleged sex crimes against an inmate led authorities to serve a search warrant at his Sierra Vista home. He posted bond that afternoon.

The bond after the Jan. 5 arrest was $25,000, of which Packer would have only needed $2,500 to be bailed out.
Since that time, Stringer was reelected by a healthy margin.

But shortly after winning a new two-year term, Stringer was taped making remarks to students at Arizona State University, saying assimilation doesnt work with African-Americans and other racial groups because they dont melt in, they dont blend in, they always look different.

He also said there is a pretty significant burden on Arizona taxpayers for having to teach English to students who come to school without that being their first language. He said Hispanics vote Democratic because they want more immigration to bring more of their co-religionists, their own people like them, into the country.

Ducey has said through a spokesman, This type of rhetoric should disqualify someone from serving in the Legislature. House Speaker Rusty Bowers has said Stringers comments were vile and wont be tolerated.

Stringer declined after Thursdays floor speech to talk about his apology and what it did  and did not  include and whether he believes any of his remarks last year were off-base.

Bowers responded to his speech: Mr. Stringer, words hurt at times, and to different people more than others. Im grateful that you recognized that, and that you would be willing to say so in this room.
The founders of a venture capital fund formed to invest in companies spawned from the University of Arizona have launched a second fund with a goal of raising $100 million.

Founded in 2017 by local businessman Fletcher McCusker, UAVenture Capital raised $20 million for its first fund and invested in six startup companies based on UA technology or started by UA students.

UAVenture Capital is now in the process of raising money toward a target of $100 million for the second fund, McCusker said.

The activity and robust nature of UA innovation and invention requires significant startup capital, thus the reason for the second fund, said McCusker, who previously founded the public company Providence Service Corp. and Sinfonia Healthcare Corp.

UA President Robert Robbins said the school is grateful to McCusker and UAVenture Capital for their support in helping bring UA innovations to their full potential.

Their work on behalf of the UA not only supports innovations that benefit the world, but it also helps put the university and Tucson on the map as a place where ideas can become reality, Robbins said in a news release.
NEW RICHMOND, Wis.  For a few hours last weekend, thousands of Donald Trump's supporters came together in a field under the blazing Wisconsin sun to live in an alternate reality where the former president was still in office  or would soon return.
These are people who cant really take care of themselves anymore, said Foreman, who was among those who addressed the committee last month.  Im surprised that (the committee) didnt just say we need to have it in Casper because it has all the medical specialties.

Foreman said private healthcare providers in Buffalo have also publicly expressed concerns that the nursing home could take away needed medical professionals from the areas private healthcare sector.

The committee initially considered several cities, including Cheyenne and Riverton. But only Casper, Buffalo and Sheridan were selected as finalists this summer.

In addition to offering a wide range of medical care, Casper officials have also touted the Casper/Natrona County International Airport as an asset.

Being near the airport would be convenient for veterans family members or friends who want to visit, Jolene Martinez, the assistant to the city manager, said last month.

Our airport is open all the time, she said. There is only one other place in the state that can say the same thing, and thats Jackson Hole.
Scott said he hadnt seen the new Health Department numbers. He said the departments figures in the past had used some questionable assumptions, primarily because they relied on the 2011 study that has become out of date. He said many states who expanded saw their estimates outstripped by the number of people enrolling.

According to the report, the newest figures from the department rely on updated and relevant data. They use enrollment figures from expansion states while using Wyoming-specific information. The reports authors explicitly state that they undertook the effort because of updates in data.

Why revise Wyomings projections for Medicaid expansion? the authors write. The simple answer is that recent experience from expansion states has shown that actual enrollment has often exceeded original projections.

Under Scotts bill, the Insurance Department would handle the study, which would also look at data to determine who and what conditions benefit most from expansion. Scott said he wanted an impartial analysis.

I want the study done by an organization that doesnt have a bureaucratic dog in the fight and doesnt want to expand its empire, he said of choosing the Insurance Department over the health agency.
With this in mind, though roughly 9,000 tax returns of over $200,000 were filed in Wyoming last year, the bill would impact just over 2,000 of the states 264,000 taxpayers, resulting in a combined payoff of more than $200 million in corporate and personal income tax  more than enough to solve the states school funding problems.

A targeted tax

Notably, a majority of the people impacted by the bill live in one specific area of the state: Teton County.

After reviewing the measure, Bill Cubin, a GOP consultant and certified public accountant, said that while the bills tax rate of 4 percent is on-par, if not lower, than surrounding states like North Dakota and Colorado, the bill does feature an oversight of key industries in Wyoming, particularly oil and natural gas. According to his interpretation of the bill, the legislation as written will only tax people living in Wyoming  not the income an individual living elsewhere earned in the Cowboy State.

The bill would also effectively end Wyomings status as a completely safe place for earned dividends from stocks, investments and other passive income, Cubin said.

Whether or not that would have an impact on Wyomings economy, however, is unclear.
I feel this is an important tool to move the goal of the chief executive and the auditor forward, Sen. Cale Case, a member of the committee, said Tuesday night. If we let this slide, were going to hurt that effort and deal a real blow to transparency.

Itd be a mistake not to try and move this forward, he added.

Sen. Tara Nethercott, R-Cheyenne, had early reservations on the bill, saying at the start of Tuesdays meeting she initially planned to vote against it. She was joined by Sen. Charlie Scott, R-Casper, who while reluctant, said he was willing to work the bill if the felony provisions were removed from the legislation.

Entering Tuesday night, the bill had several general purposes: It would require each agency to designate a records officer for every entity in the state while putting a timeline on records requests. Additionally, the bill would establish an intermediate level where frustrated parties could inquire and appeal their requests, and would set penalties for public employees who purposefully withheld records or violated the law.
Find out how many job openings there are in the U.S., plus how much the ultra-rich pay in taxes, and more of this week's trends in data with t
Wyoming lawmakers will try to set aside $250,000 to sue Washington state over coal, bypassing Wyomings attorney general and hiring a private lawyer, via a bill introduced Thursday in Cheyenne that largely mimics a failed measure last year.

Washington has effectively blocked a coal export terminal development by denying a state water permit. Wyoming -- which wants an export terminal on the West Coast to get its coal to Asian buyers -- has long maintained that Washingtons block is political: that the powers that be in Washington dont like coal.

More to the point for the Cowboy State, people like Rep. Chuck Gray, R-Casper, say Washingtons block of the port constitutes a violation of Wyomings rights to sell its coal to Asia.

But, so far, Wyoming has failed to fight for its constitutional right to interstate commerce, said Gray, the legislations sponsor.

This is a matter of high public importance and the attorney generals office has not yet pursued the matter, he said in an email Thursday, noting that Wyomings amicus brief filed last year in an industry lawsuit was not a strong enough approach. There is enormous harm to the citizens of the state of Wyoming since this action has not been pursued."
Silva: No official contact made regarding Gueye

Thursday, 24 January, 2019







Marco Silva has confirmed that, as far as he is concerned, there has been no official approach made for Idrissa Gueye.

Despite reports suggesting that Everton have told Paris St Germain that the Senegal international is not for sale and claims, mostly in France, that an opening offer has been made and that PSG have been encouraged by the player's general agreement over personal terms, Silva is adamant that there has not been a bid so far.

The Portuguese was asked about the situation during his press conference this morning and he lent credence to a report in the Liverpool Echo this week that said there has yet to be official contact from PSG regarding Gueye.

For me it's new, Silva said. We haven't had one offer, not one club has made an official offer for Gana.

Of course, I'm speaking with him like do with all the other [players]. He is focused on our club and he is working to give his best. There is nothing more to say about that.

Asked if he felt there had, perhaps, been an illegal approach made for the player, Silva replied:

Until now, what I can tell you is there are no offers have come in to us for Gana. If there's something illegal, I don't know.

Meanwhile, Silva also addressed the situation regarding Yannick Bolasie who unexpectedly returned from his loan spell at Aston Villa this week.

As was the case last summer when the winger was informed that he wouldn't be part of the manager's plans, Bolasie has little chance of playing first-team football at Goodison over the remainder of the season and may be farmed out on loan again, perhaps to his former club, Crystal Palace.

[Another loan] is a possibility, of course," Silva said. "Until now we have had no enquiries. We will do what is the best solution for him and us as a club.

"We have four wingers in our squad and we are happy with them. What I don't want is for Bolasie not to play again. It doesn't mean I have already decided what will happen.

"Let's see what will happen at the end of the market. When he took the decision to come back we didn't expect it, even though he has that option in his contract.

"[H]e knows [he is unlikely to get game time]. I took that decision last summer, because I realised it would be difficult for him to get the minutes he wants.

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George Toe reflects on the good old days, when catching a couple of sharks helped fill a fisherman's pocket and fed a hungry family.

Fifteen years or so ago, local fishermen who ventured off the coast of Liberia could expect to come back with 200, maybe 300, of the fish in their boats, the 45-year-old recalls.

"Now it is difficult to get even 10," he said. "Now you have to go 45 miles (72 kilometres) in the water before you meet up with any."

Toe's worry encapsulates the dilemma facing Liberia, one of the world's poorest countries, as it seeks to protect these beautiful, endangered but often under-estimated species.

Each year, tens of millions of sharks and rays are hauled from the sea, typically to meet a voracious demand in East and Southeast Asia for shark fin soup or products used in traditional medicine.

Experts say the plunder is having a devastating effect on the health of the sea -- but protecting the species often meets resistance from fishermen, who see the catch as a vital source of income.

Fishing provides a livelihood to more than 30,000 people in Liberia and accounts for two-thirds of all animal proteins consumed nationally.

On the UN's Human Development Index, the country ranks a lowly 181 out of 189 nations. The average salary is $100 per month, and many Liberians survive on just $1 a day.

What's at stake in shark and ray conservation is not just the survival of these ancient species but supporting commercial fish stocks.

"Loss of sharks can lead to dramatic imbalances in the ecosystem," says campaign group Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF).

Catching sharks ricochets down the food chain as big fish decimate small fish in the absence of the apex predator.

- Monitoring programme -

Under a three-year initiative, the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority will collect data on shark and ray populations, monitoring their numbers and location, and track fishing, both legal and illegal.

The action follows a pledge on training and data collection that Liberia made with 12 other West African countries in 2014 to help shark and ray conservation.

A trial programme has recorded 19 species in Liberian waters, from great hammerhead sharks to devil rays.

All feature on the Red List of threatened species compiled by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Sharks and rays are particularly vulnerable as they grow slowly, hit sexual maturity late and have a low reproductive rate, according to the EJF.

"Accurate population monitoring and sustainable management of these species are essential for long-term solutions, both for the Liberian fishing community and for the ecosystem they depend on," said Emma Glassco, head of the fisheries agency.

- Doubts -

But data collection is just one step -- it is what happens at sea which counts, and the support of local fishermen is vital.

Many of those who spoke to AFP clearly had reservations.

"We used to catch enough fish... Now, it is difficult to catch fish where we used to," fisherman Kojo Amuaysee, 42, said, pulling two sharks out of his motorised canoe after returning to port.

But he said the fishing sector had "too many people".

"I dont want to believe that it is the killing of the sharks and rays that is sending fish away."

Toe blamed declining catches on practices by illegal trawlers from neighbouring Ivory Coast and Guinea.

"They come fishing in our waters and later dump the unwanted fish, which pollutes the sea and chases away the living fish -- they go farther out."

The EJF is backing the conservation project with a grassroots programme, helped by video presentations, to explain to fishermen why sharks and rays are so important.

The outreach suggests that fishermen can become keenly sensitive to conservation -- some have even suggested that a law be passed to punish shark overfishing, said EJF's Augustine Fayiah.

"During the three years we will get to know if the fishermen will restrict themselves. If not, the government may decide to pass a law on stopping the killing of the two species," he said.
In a recent parliamentary question, ADR politician Jeff Engelen asked the Minister for the Environment to shed some light on Luxembourg's water consumption.

Even though Luxembourg's population grew massively over the past couple of years, the country's per capita consumption of water was not affected, environment minister Carole Dieschbourg explained in her reply.

In fact, quite the opposite holds true: Between 2005 and 2015, Luxembourg's per capita per day water consumption shrank from 236 litres to 202 litres. According to Dieschbourg, the decline is mainly due to the introduction of cost-covering water prices and new water-saving household technologies.

Regarding Luxembourg's potable water sources, Dieschbourg explained that 50% of our drinking water comes from the Upper Sure Lake reservoir while groundwater accounts for the remaining 50%.

Dieschbourg added that SEBES, the dam water union of Esch-sur-Sure, had drilled additional emergency wells to keep up with peak water consumption during hot summer months. SEBES also plans on opening an additional potable water facility in Eschdorf by 2021. Dieschbourg was optimistic and argued that this new facility will help improve Luxembourg's production capacity of potable water.

While Dieschbourg refrained from commenting on the potential impact of climate change and drought on Luxembourg's drinking water reserves, she nevertheless stressed the importance of sensitising the public and continuing to reduce water consumption. In her view, Luxembourg needs to protect its water reservoirs and keep looking for additional resources. The country seems to be stepping in the right direction: since 2013, new regulations have put around 90% of the country's potable water reserves under protection.
In our ongoing series on Luxembourg's Royals, RTL Today delves into the history of the Grand Ducal family.

Prince Sebastien Henri Marie Guillaume, Prince of Luxembourg, of Nassau and of Bourbon-Parma is the youngest son of Grand Duke Henri and his wife Grand Duchess Maria Teresa. He was born on 16 April 1992 - his father's 37th birthday.

Prince Sebastien has three older brothers and one older sister: Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume (born in 1981), Prince Felix (1984), Prince Louis (1986) and Princess Alexandra (1991). He is currently sixth in line of succession.

Prince Sebastien with his parents Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, his four siblings and their spouses. /  Grand Ducal Court, Lola Velasco

Prince Sebastien attended his local nursery school in Angelsberg not far from Fischbach Castle where he grew up with his four older siblings. For his primary school education, he attended St. Georges International School in Luxembourg City.

He continued his education at two boarding schools in the UK: Sunningdale School and Ampleforth College. Ampleforth College in Yorkshire, sometimes colloquially referred to as "Catholic Eton", had at one time been home to Prince Sebastian's grandfather Grand Duke Jean who was a student there in the 1930s. The the former all-boys Catholic boarding school, which became co-educational around the time Prince Sebastien attended, is known to be popular within the Catholic aristocracy.

Prince Sebastien returned to Luxembourg and completed his secondary education with an International Baccalaureate at the International School of Luxembourg.

Ampleforth Abbey /  Wongchungman

After his graduation, Prince Sebastien enrolled at the Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio, where his sister Princess Alexandra was already a student. The completed his university studies in December 2015 when he attained his bachelor's degree in Marketing and Communication.

At the University of Steubenville, Prince Sebastien also discovered his love of rugby. He was on the university team an received several accolades for his sportsmanship. His passion for rugby didn't wane when he returned to Luxembourg and he is now even a member of the Luxembourgish national rugby team.

The University of Steubenville campus. /  rklopfer

A budding military career

In 2016, Prince Sebastien stepped in the footsteps of his grandfather Grand Duke Jean, his father Grand Duke Henri and his older brother the Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume when he enrolled at the prestigious Royal Military Academy of Sandhurst in the UK. Both Prince William and Prince Harry also received their military training there.

 Grand Ducal Court, Lola Velasco

Prince Sebastien successfully completed his officer training at Sandhurst in August 2017 and was sworn in as an officer of the Luxembourg Army in on 4 September 2017 in the presence of his parents Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa.

Prince Sebastien at his swearing-in ceremony. /  Grand Ducal Court, Olivier Minaire

Since he graduated from Sandhurst Academy in 2017, Prince Sebastien has become the commander of a platoon of the Irish guards, the same regiment of the British Army in which his grandfather, Grand Duke Jean, served during World War II.

 Photos courtesy of 1st Battalion Irish Guards  Photos courtesy of 1st Battalion Irish Guards  Photos courtesy of 1st Battalion Irish Guards  Photos courtesy of 1st Battalion Irish Guards  Grand Ducal Court, Lola Velasco  Grand Ducal Court, Lola Velasco  Grand Ducal Court, Lola Velasco  Grand Ducal Court, Lola Velasco  Grand Ducal Court, Olivier Minaire Prince Sebastien being sworn in. /  Grand Ducal Court, Olivier Minaire  Grand Ducal Court, Lola Velasco

As a senior member of the Luxembourg royal family, he also regularly attends events and functions and is the patron of the Luxembourg Federation of Swimming and Lifesaving (FLNS).

Sarah Cames is a twentysomething freelance journalist with a keen interest in anything to do with politics, history and pop culture.
Oregon Cannabis Commission meets January 28 in Portland

Among other things, the Commission will discuss the framework of the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program (OMMP).







(PORTLAND, Ore.) - The quarterly public meeting of the Oregon Cannabis Commission will take place January 28th from 1-4 p.m.

The Oregon Cannabis Commission consists of an eight-member panel and the state health officer or designee. They are tasked with determining a possible framework for future governance of the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program, steps to address research on cannabis in areas of public health policy and public safety policy, agronomic and horticultural best practices, and medical and pharmacopoeia best practices.

Along with this, they advise the Oregon Health Authority and the Oregon Liquor Control Commission with respect to the statutes governing medical and retail cannabis.

The agenda for the upcoming public meeting includes: Present SB 2198 Cannabis Commission Report to Legislature; patient survey update; GovSpace documents; commission members vote on chair and vice chair; framework of Oregon Medical Marijuana Program; commission meetings around the state; public comment.

The meeting will take place at Portland State Office Building Room 1B, 800 NE Oregon St., Portland.

This is a PUBLIC MEETING, so you are welcome to attend and make comment.

For more information, please visit the commission's website at http://www.healthoregon.org/cannabiscommission.

*established in the 2017 legislative session through HB 2198, the panel members are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate.

_________________________________________
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Headlines in national media sources from The New York Times to the Huffington Post are scathing. As Huffington Post headlined in the way almost all mainstream news sources reported: "Karen Pence is working at a school that bans LGBTQ employees and kids" and went on to lambaste Mrs. Pence for the bigoted decision to work at Immanuel (failing to mention she had worked there previously for 12 years).

Mark Harris of Politico tweeted: "Karen Pence is a terrible person (for teaching at Immanuel)."

And from the liberal blog Palmer Report: "Mike Pence is an extremist bigot. Karen Pence is an extremist bigot. She's unfit to even be around kids, let alone teach them. Anyone willing to allow their kid to be taught by a dangerous monster like Karen Pence is unfit to be a parent. Ask me how I really feel."

Criticism went downhill from there into vicious personal attacks I will not republish.

The response to these progressive attacks is simple: A Christian school holding to biblical values cannot pick and choose what to believe and value. The Bible makes that determination. Old Testament prohibitions against homosexuality are clear, and in the New Testament, Jesus asserted he did not come to destroy the (moral) law but to fulfill."
While some conditions are improving for children in The T&D Region, many are still born with low birth weights and live in poor areas, a n
The driver who was discovered with a gunshot wound on Wednesday was in a vehicle that had been reported stolen, according to an Orangeburg County Sheriffs Office incident report.

Sheriff Leroy Ravenell says the incident is under investigation.

Were not ruling anything out, Ravenell said. Were looking at all possibilities.

The Orangeburg County Sheriffs Office and S.C. Highway Patrol responded to a car crash at 11:22 a.m. Wednesday on Ruff Road, at Magnolia Street.

Several motorists reported seeing a white Honda Accord careen from Magnolia Street, onto the unpaved Ruff Road and into a wooded area.

When officers arrived at the scene, they discovered the driver, a male approximately age 18, had a gunshot wound.

He was unresponsive and transported to a Midlands hospital for treatment.

When deputies checked with a dispatcher about the status of the vehicle, which did not have a license plate, the dispatcher stated that the vehicle had been reported stolen.

Two witnesses of the crash spoke with deputies, according to the report.

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Kathmandu, Nepal: As the parliament proceeded to endorse the disputed National Medication Education Bill notwithstanding to the concerns of the main opposition party Nepali Congress, confrontations are likely in the sessions of the federal parliament today.

The Nepali Congress, which has been obstructing the parliamentary proceedings since few ways after government did not budged from its stances on two hospitals named after the Koiralas and the National Medical Education Bill, has challenged of confrontations if the attempts were made to pass the Bill forcefully.

However, the leaders of the government allies have said that the Bill will be passed at any cost. For that reason, the secretariat of the federal parliament has been planning to boost the security presence in and around the parliamentary building at New Baneshowr on Friday.

The Nepali Congress has been obstructing the parliamentary proceedings since Monday after the speaker Krishna Bahadur Mahara allowed the minister education minister Ririrajmani Pokhrel to table the National Medical Education Bill.

The Nepali congress has a demand that the demands raised by Dr. KC have to be incorporated in the Bill not only to live up the commitments made by the government but also to improve the medical education sector of the country.

However, the Bill, which is being attempted to endorse forcefully, has not incorporated the nine point agreement signed by the government with Dr. KC during his 15th hunger strike, thanks to the arrogance of the government of comfortable majority in the parliament.
A utility lineman discovered a decomposed body beneath underbrush in Bamberg County on Tuesday afternoon, Bamberg County Coroner Billy Duncan said.

The body has not yet been identified and is undergoing an autopsy at Newberry Pathology.

The lineman made the discovery along U.S. Highway 78/Heritage Highway, Duncan said.

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Bamberg County Sheriff Ed Darnell said the S.C. Law Enforcement Division is assisting with the investigation.

Darnell said the body had been there several days.

He noted that the body may be related to a missing persons case in Orangeburg County.

SLED spokesman Thom Berry said, SLED is working with the Bamberg County Sheriffs Office on the case.

He noted that its not yet known if the body discovered on Wednesday is connected to an Orangeburg County case.

Contact the writer: mbrown@timesanddemocrat.com or 803-533-5545. Follow on Twitter: @MRBrownTandD.

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The National Security Task Force is one of 10 named task forces (aka subcommittees) comprising the S.C. Flood Commission.

This past week, the commissions task forces began a series of meetings and teleconferences aimed at electing task force chairs and secretaries, organizing the overall subcommittees, initiating plans and setting goals in the run-up to a meeting of the full commission in Charleston on Feb. 8.

Established in Executive Order 2018-50 by S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster in October 2018, the S.C. Floodwater Commission is chaired by retired Maj. Gen. Tom Mullikin, a Camden-based attorney, university professor and global expedition leader.

McMaster directed that the S.C. Floodwater Commission be organized with Mullikin

as its chair as a means of determining the best paths forward, and to develop and put into action plans aimed at alleviating and mitigating flood impacts to South Carolina. The Palmetto State has experienced disastrous and unprecedented flooding from hurricanes and other tropical storms since 2015.

In his State of the State address,McMaster said, [The S.C. Floodwater Commission] is unique in the United States. The commissions purpose is to provide guidance, solutions and opportunities presented by inland and coastal flooding and all that entails.
To the Editor:

If the Great Wall of Trump is so important as to need a declaration of a national emergency and a record shut down of the federal government, why didn't Trump and the Republicans pass the legislation when they had complete control of government and would not have to have the cooperation of the Democrats? The situation back then wasn't any less dire than it is now.

I would like an explanation as to why now and not then. I fear the wall is more of an ego thing than anything else. Perhaps it could keep Americans from fleeing to Mexico if this childish tantrum continues.

How about the grownups in Congress and the White House, if there are any, try to sit down again and act grown up and resolve this mess by debate and compromise, as it is the only way our form of government will work. A little give and take can solve this problem.

The current attitude of "if I can't have it my way, I will take my toys and go home" isn't going to solve anything  so get off it and get "the problem" solved. You all are just digging a hole to defeat in 2020 if you don't.

Bill Schwegman

Carbondale

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Low-income families, particularly, are at risk the longer the partial shutdown continues. HUD has informed housing authorities that voucher-based subsidies will run out in March.

Certainly the shutdown would have a tremendous impact if it went beyond a certain point, and for us, that point is beyond February, Young said. It would have a tremendous impact on low-income people who depend on this funding for housing.

Renters with tenant-based vouchers use them to help offset rent costs at any private dwelling that will accept them. Generally, tenants pay 30 percent of their income toward their rent. The housing authority, via funding from HUD, then pays the landlord the rest of what's owed under the lease agreement, with a maximum amount determined by a formula.

Some homebuyers are also affected as the U.S. Department of Agricultures rural home loan program isnt operating during the partial shutdown. USDA home loans are a popular option for people living in rural areas with modest incomes who cannot come up with a down payment for a home purchase. Across Southern Illinois, the income limit for a USDA loan is up to $82,700 for a family of four.
Gibson often chose the most expensive drugs in order to make the most money, prosecutors said.

As a part of his guilty plea in August, Gibson was ordered to pay $620,000 in restitution. He had paid only $30,000 by his sentencing Tuesday.

Gibson had made statements expressing remorse for his crimes, but U.S. District Court Judge Staci Yandle noted his failure to repay more money by the time of his sentencing.

Talk is cheap, Yandle told Gibson, according to a news release. The remorseful or repentant criminal would want to do everything possible to rectify the harmful consequences of his crime, and so if he still has any of the loot he will return it.

On the day Gibson pleaded guilty in August, his wife also wrote a post on the pharmacys public Facebook account that tried to downplay his crimes, prosecutors said.

Everything that was wrote about us receiving 630,000 or whatever the number that was put out there, is laughable to me and completely false, prosecutors said she wrote in the post, which has been taken down. I SEE our bank accounts, I KNOW. Everything that was wrote about him running claims and collecting money on multiple people that is a complete LIE. I know all the details of the investigation.
Shirley Krienert, a retired teacher who recently returned to the school as a kindergarten aide, was at the school and Oliver showed her the bone.

I was glad I was at school when he found it. Im not sure than anyone else would have been able to find out what is was, Krienert said. It is an exciting find.

Krienert said although it sounds a little cliche, sometimes God does work in mysterious ways. Her son, Joe, is a graduate student at SIU studying hydrogeology.

I took pictures and sent them to Joe. He is the one who did the initial research and gathered all the facts about it. He showed it to other geological scientists, and they added some other information, Krienert said.

According to Joe and the other geologists, the bone is a Holocene age North American Bison humerus bone, which is part of the bisons leg. It is probably between 2,000 and 3,000 years old.

At this point, most, if not all, the organic tissues have decomposed. The bone is fossilized. The scientists said it is rare to found a bison bone south of St. Louis. It more common to central and northern Illinois.

Krienert encourages families to get out and explore Southern Illinois, calling the region an area where there are artifacts to find.
The bid documents emphasize that the winning contractor is expected to make substantial efforts to subcontract with minority-owned businesses. The work is to be completed within six months of the contract's start date.

Our demolition process will continue up to the award, which will not be made until government reopens so we will have all-hands on board and we will not run afoul of the Antideficiency Act, HUD spokesman Jereon Brown said in a statement via email. The act referenced requires Congress to appropriate federal funds prior to agencies expending or obligated them.

The housing authoritys other routine operations can continue uninterrupted in Cairo, HUD officials said. We dont believe this will last this long, but weve budgeted so that we can make sure we are able to cover our costs at least for the next four months, Kimberly Wize, a senior HUD official, said at Wednesday's monthly Alexander County Housing Authority board meeting. Wize, who serves as an ACHA board member on the receivership team, said that employees and other contractors for jobs previously awarded will continue to be paid, such as for renovation work of the two high-rise buildings on the riverfront.
Kathmandu, Nepal: The disputed National Medical Education Bill has been endorsed from the House of Representatives (HoR) amid protest from the main opposition Nepali Congress (NC).





As the consensual attempt failed over the Bill, Speaker Krishna Bahadur Mahara proceeded with the deliberations in the parliament and passed the bill notwithstanding the protest of the opposition party NC and the agitation of the senior orthopedic doctor Govinda KC.





The bill was passed within minutes once the Education Minister Girirajmani Pokhrel proposed the Bill from his table amid the slogans of the NC lawmakers against of the Bill.

Speaker Mahara quickly ended the meeting and announce next house session for January 31, 2019 announcing that the Bill was passed from the majority of votes of the member of the parliament.





The government has not only used the trick to endorse the Bill even with the management of high security presence during the meeting.





NC to hit the streets: Deuba





Meanwhile, the Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba has said that his party will now take the issue to the streets and continue to obstruct house against of the arrogance of the government and its allies.




Southwest Georgia Financial Corporation operates as the holding company for Southwest Georgia Bank that provides banking and financial services to individuals, businesses, and governmental customers. The company operates through four segments: Retail and Commercial Banking Services, Insurance Services, Wealth Strategies Services, and Financial Management Services. It offers deposit products, including consumer and commercial checking accounts, money market accounts, NOW accounts, savings accounts, noninterest-bearing and interest-bearing demand deposits, and time deposits, as well as certificates of deposit and business accounts. The company also provides secured and unsecured loans; consumer installment loans, and construction and mortgage loans; and financial and agricultural loans, as well as lines of credit. In addition, it offers corporate, pension, and personal trust services, as well as acts as trustee, executor, and administrator for estates and as an administrator or trustee of various types of employee benefit plans for corporations and other organizations. Further, the company provides retail brokerage services, which include sale of retail investment products comprising stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and annuities; property and casualty, life, health, and disability insurance services; and investment securities management services. The company's primary market area comprises Colquitt, Baker, Lowndes, Tift, Worth, and the surrounding counties of southwest Georgia. It operates through five full service banking facilities and six automated teller machines, as well as a loan production office in Tifton, Georgia. The company was founded in 1928 and is headquartered in Moultrie, Georgia.

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1+ days ago

| June 18th | 2021 5:00 AM

Nio Stock is Revving Up, But Should You Jump on Board?

Its been a wild ride for electric vehicle (EV) stocks, and Nio (NYSE:NIO) has been no exception. At a quick glance, the 13% drop in NIO stock for 2021 doesnt look too bad. However, the stock is down approximately double that since reaching a high of over $60 in February. And without a rally of over 30% over the
Kansas City Southern, a transportation holding company, provides domestic and international rail transportation services in North America. The company serves a ten-state region in the Midwest and southeast regions of the United States and has the shortest north/south rail route between Kansas City, Missouri, and ports along the Gulf of Mexico in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. It operates a commercial corridor of the Mexican railroad system and has its direct rail passageway between Mexico City and Laredo, Texas. The company provides rail access to the United States and Mexico border crossing at Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas; and controls and operates the southern half of the rail bridge at Laredo, Texas, as well as the northern half of this bridge. Kansas City Southern also offers rail access to the port of Lazaro Cardenas on the Pacific Ocean; and owns a 160-mile rail line extending from Laredo, Texas to the port city of Corpus Christi, Texas. Its rail network comprises approximately 7,100 route miles extending from the Midwest and Southeast portions of the United States south into Mexico. The company serves the chemical and petroleum, industrial and consumer products, agriculture and minerals, energy, intermodal, and automotive markets. Kansas City Southern was founded in 1887 and is headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri.

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Russian court blocks websites illegally selling rare eagle owls

 RIA Novosti, Vitaly Belousov

16:28 25/01/2019

MOSCOW, January 25 (RAPSI)  A court in Magadan, a city in Russias Far East, has blocked websites selling eagle owls, endangered red-listed species, according to a statement of the Prosecutor Generals Office.

It has been revealed that four Internet pages contain information on the sale of these rare birds without permission documentation, the statement reads. According to prosecutors, the blocked websites have afforded a chance to buy owls for anyone who feels like it.

Eagle owls are red-listed birds. The species is protected by the state as highly valued.




Safeway and Albertsons stores in Oregon and Southwest Washington are offering discounts to federal workers during the government shutdown, according to a Thursday afternoon news release.

Weve just been talking about what we can do to help. We have had requests for gift cards, and our store directors were hoping to be able to offer some kind of discount in our communities, said Jill McGinnis, regional spokeswoman for the grocery stores.

The two grocery store chains will take 10 percent off all national brands and 15 percent off all store branded items for any federal workers that who show ID at checkout. The discounts are expected to last through the end of the shutdown, McGinnis said.

The stores in this region have also donated $3,000 in gift cards to the Coast Guard and $1,000 of gift cards to the Federal Bureau of Prisons based in Sheridan, Oregon.

We are happy to be able to help the many families impacted financially during the shutdown, said Greg McNiff, president of the Oregon and Southwest Washington Safeway and Albertsons, in a prepared statement Thursday.

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A Wahkiakum County judge Friday struck down a petition to recall the Cathlamet mayor and three city council members, ruling that all charges against all them are legally insufficient.

Superior Court Judge Donald Richter issued the decision Friday afternoon after considering charges outlined in the petition, supplementary documents and arguments from both sides during a Tuesday hearing.

Washington law requires anyone seeking to remove a public official through recall must first show that the officeholders are guilty of malfeasance or misfeasance or violations of their oaths of office. An office holder in Washington cannot be removed for making an unpopular decision.

Cathlamet resident Bill Wainwright filed the recall petition on behalf of a group of town residents with the Wahkiakum County Auditor on Dec. 27. The document cites inappropriate behavior, fiduciary irresponsibility and poor representation of voters as reasons to recall Mayor Dale Jacobson and council members Sue Cameron, Ryan Smith and Jean Burnham.
In addition, Williams mother, Angelique Cruxton (her last name is alternatively spelled Croxton in court documents), also contacted the probation officer to tell him she believed the person in the photos was her son, according to the court documents.

Tuesday evening, detectives contacted Hali Morales, a Vancouver woman who said Williams had taken her car without permission from a Vancouver motel on Jan. 17. She identified both the vehicle and Williams in photographs provided by police.

Wednesday at about 4 p.m., Camas, Vancouver and Kelso police along with the Clark County Sheriffs office arrested Williams without incident at as he was walking down a street in Camas, Wash. He told police, unsolicited, that he was a drug dealer, according to police records. The suspect vehicle was located in Vancouver by Clark County sheriffs deputies and Vancouver police officers.

While searching Williams, officers found Newport cigarettes, 7.7 grams of methamphetamine, and a scar that appeared similar to the one seen on surveillance footage of the gunman.
While the explosion did not cause any casualties, there was damage to homes and vehicles reports SANA.

Material damage was caused when an explosive device planted by terrorists blew up in al-Adawi neighborhood in Damascus.

SANAs reporter said that an explosive device planted by terrorists in a car, which was parked beside a pavement, detonated in the al-Adawi neighborhood on Thursday afternoon, causing material damage to windows, neighboring houses and a number of cars parked in the area. No causalities were reported.

The reporter added that the authorities encircled the location in order to inspect the area and the neighboring park.

This article was edited by The Syrian Observer. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
For those detained in regime prisons, life is a nightmare of threats, torture and death reports Zaman Al Wasl.

In the terrorist wing in Adra Central Prision, near the capital, we woke up to news of intensive bombings in Hama, the city where my children live. I was unable to communicate with them and I waited for news of them from any of the detained woman from Hama.

In the evening, regime officers brought a large number of women, who were detained by the security branches, including a woman from Hama province.

She briefly told us the story of her journey, from being arrested in the city, to being taken to the military branch in Hama, to the police station in Kafr Sousa in Damascus, and then to Adra Prision. She said that she never participated in any activities against the criminal Bashar al-Assad, yet she had been tortured and persecuted.

She spoke as if she were facing an officer, and as if she holds the revolutionaries and their families responsible for her own torment, ignoring all the crimes of the regime and their militias.

She asked me how to make a phone call to her family. I immediately gave her my phone card. I took out a piece of paper with phone numbers. She asked me to read her Abou Bilals number. I asked her who he was. She informed me that hes her brother-in-law. I asked if he is an investigator in the criminal section and she said yes. I returned to my bed angry, as a huge and terrifying monster of a man, who lacks any compassion appeared before my eyes.

In the military security branch in Hama city, they threatened to bring in my three children and put them in jail and torture them in front of me. In order to avoid this, I signed their confessions. They placed me and my younger sister in the criminal security wing until we were transferred to Damascus.

For three black nights, we lived with the screams of a child. The first time I looked at my sister, I put my fingers in my ears and screamed Ghalib, my sister cried and said that its wasnt Ghalib. I insisted that it was.

Abou Bilal, the jailer, opened the door of the cell carrying a stick in his hand. His voice filled with anger, he asked us why we screamed. My sister told him that the childs voice sounds like the voice of my child. Mockingly, he said, Yes, hes her son. Come to see her.

My sister helped me to get up and when I reached the torture room, I saw a little boy with cuts on his skin, his nails removed and the body cracked. He could not speak, confess or ask for mercy. While he wasnt my son, he was too little to endure such torture.

I went back to my cell and closed my ears so that I could not hear the screams of the child. Afterwards, my sister woke me up to tell that the child had died.

The jailer told the prison doctor about the death of the child, and asked him to tell his family to collect the body. He noted that this would be the last time they took part in demonstrations against the regime.

The eleven year old child died while being torture, leaving behind a lost compassion and humanity.

This article was edited by The Syrian Observer. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
LISD says it's focused on the Legislature and explains why you should be, too
Flower Mound homeowner had been renting out her house; town says she was doing it wrong
One more extremism case over social media posts dropped

 RIA Novosti

18:03 25/01/2019

MOSCOW, January 25 (RAPSI)  The North Caucasus District Military Court has dropped an extremism case against activist Yevgeny Karakashev that had been initially launched over his publications on VKontakte social network, lawyer Alexey Ladin has told RAPSI.

However, the court will continue hearing his case on online calls for terrorism . The defendants detention in this case has been extended until July 14, the attorney has added.

The extremism case has been opened against Karakashev after he published several unnamed videos on VKontakte and the last interview of the so-called Far Eastern Guerilla gang members convicted of widespread killings and robbery that has been declared extremist by court, Ladin has said.

The defendant was arrested on February 1, 2018.

On December 28, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a bill mitigating punishment for extremism and incitement of hatred and enmity into law.

Under the document, criminal punishment would be imposed for extremist acts in public, on the Internet or media committed repeatedly within a year. They would be punished with prison terms ranging from 2 to 5 years.

The first extremist violation is to be punishable in accordance with the Code of Administrative Offences by fines of up to 500,000 rubles ($7,500) for companies; and fines of up to 20,000 rubles, community service for up to 100 hours or detention for up to 15 days for individuals.
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After being out of harness racing for a few years, Kyle Bossence caught the bug again. That choice to return as a trainer had paid dividends, as he has been named as a finalist for the Future Star Award, part of the 2018 O'Brien Awards.

Bossence, who worked under Gregg McNair at the beginning of his harness racing career before a two-year hiatus from the sport, returned to action in November of 2016 with Arockalypse Now. In a $6,500 claiming event at Western Fair, the Rocknroll Hanover gelding finished second in Bossence's first start as a trainer. Bossence captured his first training win later that month in London with They Call Me Gordy.

"We were slower at work one winter and I bought a horse to do before work," Bossence said about his re-entry into the Standardbred sport after spending his time away working for Saudeen Agri Service Ltd. in Kenilworth, Ont., a half-hour drive from Grand River Raceway. "He turned out pretty good, so I slowly got right back into it. I always say horses are kind of in your blood; if you grew up around them, you can never really get out of it."

After sending 16 winners to post in 2017, the Arthur, Ont. resident enjoyed a breakout 2018, posting 42 wins in 244 starts for a 17.2 per cent strike rate and amassing over $240,000 in purses while competing primarily at Western Fair and Grand River. The then-10-year-old gelding Comback Matt provided an early spark to Bossence's year, reeling off four straight wins for $7,000 in January and February at The Raceway at Western Fair District.

"That was a first for me and a great way to start off the year," Bossence said of Comback Matt's four-race winning streak.

"It was a great year for me," Bossence continued. "I acquired new owners and new horses throughout the year. I started out the year with five horses and ended it with 12 horses. I had a lot of luck throughout the year and a lot of great drives with a great team of people behind me."

The crew behind the scenes of Bossence's fledgling stable includes owners Ron Nobles and Bill Pendleton, blacksmith Ondrej Gois, dad Ron, and girlfriend Tamara Vandewiel.

"She is an outstanding groom," Bossence said of Vandewiel. "She started helping me full time in 2018; I definitely could not have done it without her."

While 2018 was definitely a springboard year for Bossence, his O'Brien nomination still caught him pleasantly off guard.

"I was surprised when I got the call," the 27-year-old trainer recounted. "I was kind of just expecting to look online to see who got nominated, so when Standardbred Canada was calling the day before, I had no idea that's what it was about. It sure caught me by surprise that night on the way to London!"

While his O'Brien Award nomination has had time to sink in, Bossence is reeling with excitement as his first occasion to attend the gala event nears.

"I really can't wait to go to the awards," he concluded. "I have only ever watched them online when other people I knew were nominated. It's going to be a lot of fun, and I'm really looking forward to going."

Standardbred Canada will present the 30th edition of the OBrien Awards on Saturday, February 2, 2019 at the Hilton Mississauga/Meadowvale Hotel. The black tie gala includes a cocktail reception, gourmet dinner, wine, and complimentary portrait for the night's attendees.
Longtime industry participant Dean Beachy and his son Steven Beachy, both of Millersberg, Ohio, passed away after having been shot by a gunman at a hotel bar in Pennsylvania on Thursday, January 24.

According to news sources, Dean, 62, was one of four victims of a shooting rampage near Penn State University on Thursday. Authorities stated that 21-year-old Jordan Witmer opened fire at P.J. Harrigans Bar & Grill in State College, Penn., killing Dean and wounding two other people. One of those individuals was 19-year-old Steven Beachy, who passed away in hospital on Friday (January 25). Witmer then fled the scene, broke into a home and shot 83-year-old homeowner George McCormick before taking his own life. McCormick succumbed to the injuries he sustained in the incident and also passed away.

Coroner Scott Sayers said the shootings were an isolated incident, and added that investigators are trying to determine if Witmer knew either victim.

Dean Beachy was an active in many roles in the harness racing industry, as an owner, trainer and driver but most recognized for his work as an auctioneer with Dean Beachy & Associates, the voice of the sales conducted by the Blooded Horse Sales Company. A renowned auctioneer and bid spotter, Beachy was also active at the sales conducted by the Standardbred Horse Sales Co. and Tattersalls.

Steven Beachy was also active in the harness racing industry, owning a pair active racehorses.

Update: Funeral services will be held Tuesday, January 29 at 11:00 a.m. at the Mt. Hope Event Center in Mt. Hope with Pastor Don Hamsher officiating. A private burial will be held prior to services.

Friends may call at the event center Sunday from 5 to 8 p.m. and Monday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Smith-Varns Funeral Home in Sugarcreek is handling the arrangements. To share a memory, please visit the funeral homes website. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Walnut Creek Mennonite Missions Program (330-852-2560).

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Dean and Steve Beachy.

(Update courtesy of the USTA)
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While Brussels is proud of one urinating boy, Manneken Pis, Bratislava has four.

The fountain marking the first coronation in the city will get back its Renaissance look.

The Maximilian Fountain on the Main Square of the Slovak capital, also known as Roland Fountain, will have its Renaissance look again. Not only will it be rid of the inappropriate modern stone ring, but the fountains urinating boys will return.

We have been thinking for a long time about removing the ring that was added to the fountain during the reconstruction of the square in 2005, said Ivo Stassel, director of the Municipal Institute of Monuments Protection in Bratislava, which initiated the reconstruction of the fountain. Now, space has been created, both in terms of finances and labour, to rebuild the fountain and return its authentic form as much as possible.

Maximilian Fountain the oldest fountain in the city

created by the Austrian stonemason Ondrej Luttringer from the village of Deutsch Altenburg in 1572

it is a reminder of the first coronation of the ruler in then Pressburg, when Maximilian II von Habsburg was crowned King of Hungary on September 8, 1563

the fountain served as a tank for extinguishing water and as a source of water for households

in 1794, part of the cubicle booster was replaced by boys holding boys

in the late 20th century, sections of the fountain, including the statue, were replaced by replicas and the originals went to the depository

the fountain underwent its last changes in 2005 when it received a stone ring with water

Work on the fountain will be carried out in two phases, with the expected end date in the spring of this year. The price will be about 180,000, stated Iveta Keselakova from the press department of the Bratislava City Council.

The restoration work will be carried out by sculptor Vladimir Visvader. During the restoration, all water pipes will be replaced and the water tank will be fitted with colourful illumination to be used on festive occasions. The city promises that all work will be under the supervision of the Regional Monument Office in Bratislava.

The fountain recalls its first coronation

Maximilian Fountain is the oldest fountain in the city. It was sculpted from sandstone by stonemason Ondrej Luttringer from the Austrian village of Deutsch Altenburg in 1572.

It was a bit of a delayed gift by Maximilian II, because during his coronation - the first that took place in then Pressburg - a fire broke out in which a large majority of the citys houses was burned, said Stassel.

The monarch gave the city a fountain that reminded the city of this exceptional event but at the same time fulfilled a practical function. Housekeepers took water for their households from the tank, and it also served as a reservoir of extinguishing water during fires.

25. Jan 2019 at 16:28 | Jana Liptakova
Constitutional Court election: Kalinak, Bonul, but also mafia-boss Cernak mentioned

The committee continued the hearing until the late-evening hours.

The Constitutional Affairs Committee continued hearing candidates for Constitutional Court judges on Thursday, January 24.

Read also: Constitutional Court hearings: The vote is a political affair, Fico says Read more

At the beginning of the hearing, Ondrej Dostal from SaS asked the head of the committee Robert Madej, if candidate Robert Fico had delivered documents proving his at least 15-year long practice at law, referring to the hearing of the previous day. Madej replied that as far as he knows, Fico had not delivered such documents.

On Thursday, the most closely watched hearings were those of Kajetan Kicura, Lucia Kurilovska and Peter Kresak.

Kicura is the head of Administration of the State Material Reserves and his name has appeared in connection with several cases. He was nominated by Smer MP Jan Podmanicky. Just a few days before, Veronika Remisova from OLaNO pointed out that Kicura signed contracts with the Bonul company, known for its owner Miroslav Bodor, avoiding the public procurement process. He denied breaking the law.

Read also: Who will go to Court? Why the upcoming vote matters Read more

Peter Kresak currently serves as an MP for the coalition Most-Hid and is thus one of the active politicians running for the court. He admitted that he was a member of the Communist Party before 1989 but, as he said, he is not proud of that. He stated earlier that he will not vote for himself.

Lucia Kurilovska is the Police Academy rector and was nominated as a candidate by the Law Faculty of the Comenius University . She was nominated for the rector post by former interior minister Robert Kalinak, and during the hearing she also answered questions about him, stating that Kalinak has never intervened in her decisions as rector of the academy.

Milos Madar is known to the public as the lawyer who defends mafia boss Mikulas Cernak. He was nominated by the Law Faculty of Matej Bel University. Madar acts as Cernak's lawyer ex offo, chosen and paid for by the state rather than Cernak.

The committee continued the hearings until the late-evening hours. The grilling process will be wrapped up on Friday, January 25. The election in parliament is planned to take place during the parliamentary session that starts on Tuesday, January 29.

25. Jan 2019 at 9:44 | Compiled by Spectator staff
Police officer says he screened Kuciak on Tibor Gaspars instruction

The former police corps president will not serve as an advisor to the Czech minister anymore.

Pavol Vorobjov screened Jan Kuciak's police files in the autumn of 2017, several months before Kuciaks murder. Back then, Vorobjov had just been appointed the chair of the Intelligence Unit of the Financial Police.

Peter Hrasko, former head of NAKA and reportedly a close friend of the former police corps president Tibor Gaspar, appointed Vorobjov to the post.

How many people spied on Kuciak?

The Aktuality.sk website that Kuciak worked for before he was killed last February reported that Gaspar, who is also Vorobjovs neighbour, issued the instruction to screen Kuciak. Gaspar has denied this.

He left the top police post following the protests after Kuciaks murder and currently works as advisor to Interior Minister Denisa Sakova and Czech Interior Minister Jan Hamacek. The Czech Denik N daily however reported that he no longer works for the Czech minister as of Thursday, January 24.

Gaspar is related to oligarch Miroslav Bodor through their wives, the Sme daily wrote.

Read also: Ex-SIS agent reportedly discussed his steps with Pentas spokesperson Read more

Another figure, former head of the anti-corruption unit NAKA Robert Krajmer, is connected to Bodor through his wife too.

Krajmer was appointed to his post by Gaspar. Krajmer was spotted at the house where Kuciak and Kusnirova were killed even though he was only dealing with corruption cases.

Bodors name also appears in connection with spying on journalists, reportedly conducted by Peter Toth, former SIS intelligence service member, on the order of Marian Kocner. It was Norbert Bodor, son of Miroslav Bodor who reportedly informed Kocner about the place of residence of the people they spied on, as well as their cars and registration numbers, Sme wrote.

Working at the ministry

Opposition MP Veronika Remisova (OLaNO) said that the news about screening Kuciak only a few months before he was killed is disturbing. She called on Interior Minister Denisa Sakova to dismiss Gaspar and Krajmer from their jobs at the Interior Ministry, at least until the suspicions have been investigated.

Read also: Deputy parliamentary speaker sent selfies to Alena Zs. Read more

Roman Kvasnica, lawyer of Zlatica Kusnirova, mother of murdered Martina Kusnirova, said for the Sme daily on January 22 that he hoped the new findings would start a discussion about the functioning of important state bodies.

Zlatica Kusnirova decided to publish some information from the investigation that will bring the corruption in Slovakia into the spotlight. Kvasnica claims that they know what they are doing and they are not jeopardising the investigation of the murders.

25. Jan 2019 at 9:38 | Compiled by Spectator staff
Ex-Russian Railways chiefs libel suit against Novaya Gazeta set for Feb. 8

 RIA Novosti, Ramil Sitdikov

11:59 25/01/2019

MOSCOW, January 25 (RAPSI)  Moscows Basmanny District Court will hear a defamation lawsuit lodged by ex-chief of Russian Railways Vladimir Yakunin against Russias Novaya Gazeta on February 8, the courts spokesperson Yunona Tsareva has told RAPSI.

On Friday, the court granted the parties motion to give them more time for reading case papers and postponed the hearing.

According to the newspapers spokesperson Nadezhda Prusenkova, Yakunin is dissatisfied with journalists wording in a publication concerning the murder of the Interior Ministry Transport Departments major case investigator Yevgeniya Shishkina. The plaintiff claims that phrases written in the article about his son and a fund of his friend are false and discredit him, she said.
Raids in Berlin confiscate weapons smuggled from Slovakia

Smuggled weapons were modified.

The special police commando launched an extensive raid against an international gang of weapons smugglers on the morning of January 24, in Berlin. They have carried out a series of raids on 26 properties in the states of Berlin and Brandenburg.

About 10 people are now being investigated for smuggling the weapons from Slovakia, with two being detained, the DPA newswire reported.

Read also: Weapons are smuggled through Slovakia, Czech journalists reveal Read more

Police said that they had reason to believe that at least 10 Glock handguns had been imported to Germany from Slovakia since 2017, refitted and then sold into the Berlin crime scene. Around 70 refitted guns have been confiscated during criminal investigations in Berlin in the past 18 months, the public international broadcaster Deutsche Welle informed.

Slovakias National Criminal Agency (NAKA) is cooperating with the German investigative bodies within the framework of Europol, said police corps spokesperson Denisa Baloghova, as reported by the CTK newswire. However, she refused to provide further details.

More that 700 weapons allegedly smuggled

Read also: Two Danes illegally trafficked weapons from Slovakia Read more

The police raid was of a rarely seen extent, the Welt.de news website reported.

The security units of the capital allegedly launched a massive attack against the internationally active gunrunners, as part of their fight with organised crime.

The investigation has been underway for more than one and a half years and focuses on the organisation that smuggles weapons from the Czech Republic to Berlin, CTK wrote.

One of the police officers suggested that more than 700 weapons have been smuggled to Berlin and its surroundings in this way.

Slovakia accused of failing to tighten regulations

Benjamin Jendro, a spokesperson for the German police union GdP, described the raids as a major success and said that they indicated that organised crime in Germany was not confined to the so-called Arab clans.

Read also: Two Slovaks arrested in UK while attempting to smuggle in dangerous firearm Read more

The case clearly shows that there are multicultural networks that operate across international borders and are responsible for serious crime in our city, he told Die Welt.

Some experts have accused Slovakia and the Czech Republic of failing to tighten gun regulations that would prevent weapons from being reactivated. Investigators have found that many guns simply have metal rods inserted in their barrels, which can easily be removed, Deutsche Welle reported.

25. Jan 2019 at 9:26 | Compiled by Spectator staff
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...
Hi, Tim: You recently posted an email, A Response to China Deal and the article is so misleading and paints such a false narrative that I have to wonder if its a Communist Party cyber-ops fake news attempt to obfuscate the truth. If you could post my rebuttal, I would appreciate it.

Let me start with this introductory pre-amble. The single largest problem with business in China is not the negotiations, not the contracts, nor the law. Very simply, what matters in the end is if the terms of the agreement are Verifiable and Enforceable. It doesnt matter what you agree to, what you sign, or what the law is in China. What matters is if the deal you have made is Verifiable and Enforceable. If you cant get this, all you got are seashells.

The email brought up payment systems and how the innovative Chinese systems are better than the western systems. The truth is that VISA and Mastercard have been trying to get into China and already have agreements and court rulings for full market access in China. In 2001 (18 years ago), China promised full, unrestricted access. In 2010, the USA fought and won against China in WTO court. The problem is Enforcement of the agreement. China Union Pay still holds 90% of the market with the majority of the rest held by Chinese online payment platforms. VISA and Mastercard are effectively locked out of the Chinese market by the Communist Party.

This is not a case of innovation or the Chinese having a superior product. The Communists want absolute control of capital flows and are willing to deal with the micro-lender financial disaster that their online pay platforms have created (thats another story too long for the scope of this one article). Financial safeguards built into the superior VISA and Mastercard platform wouldve prevented the micro-lender fiasco that is now playing out in China, but VISA and Mastercard are effectively locked out of the Chinese market.

There are 1.6  1.8 billion captive proles forced to use the Communist state sponsored pay platforms. That is why the Chinese platforms are so successful. Not innovation, not superior financial security/stability, but because the Communists have mandated only Chinese companies will have access to the Chinese payment system (this is probably for political stability reasons because: Stalinism).

Im going to have to go on an aside here. There is almost no innovation in China (unless you count fraud). Its all just copying western ideas and then relying on the protection of the Communist party for protection from superior foreign competition and international law. Because my work career has had long periods of idle time due to the business cycle for heavy industrial construction, I have been able to acquire certifications in fields far outside my postgraduate studies. Among them is factory certification from BMW and Ducati as a mechanic.

During my last trip back to the States, a friend asked me to help on repairs to one of his vehicles. When we went to the auto parts store, I was surprised to find that the parts jobber offered me two choices on parts (Ive been gone a long time): OEM or China. I asked him which one was better. He replied, OEM of course, but if youre doing the work yourself its because you cant afford to go to a dealer or shop, so youll probably want the China part at the China price. The OEM part is better. The China part is cheaper. I have a choice because its a free market. In China you often dont have a choice because the market is locked up tight. You have to take the inferior product because the superior foreign product is not available or horribly limited.

Chinese auto purchasers vastly, vastly prefer foreign brands. They know the domestic brands have horrible quality. Another aside  I havent had time to fully research this, but since Volvo auto was bought out by the Chinese, it seems that Volvo has dropped from consistently finishing in the top 10 in quality to finishing near the bottom of the USA quality rankings on new cars.

So it is with software. If youve had the displeasure of using Chinese software, youll realize most of it is utter crap. The root programming language for computer science is English. The Asian languages are as far away from English in grammar and logic as is humanly possible. A Chinese programmer must first think in English, then into the programming language to write code.

That is why software is a one-way street from west-to-east. No one uses Chinese software in the west because none of it is even remotely competitive. Here in Taiwan, all of the heavy lifting in code is done by imported east-Indian engineers because they speak an Indo-European language so the grammar logic allows them to program better than any Asian programmer can.

Chinese software exists because of two reasons: (1) Translation problems and (2) Communist protection. The email says Facebook and Whatsapp have been trying to catch up to Tencents WeChat for years (if not more than a decade). This is just utter idiocy written by someone who has never tried to use Chinese software.

Chinese software is incredibly poorly written in comparison to American software (just like the Chinese realize that foreign built cars and parts are better), but the Chinese have to use Chinese software because, and I cant believe the email author doesnt realize this, FB and WA are BANNED in China! You are looking to get disappeared if you use a VPN to access FB or WA in China. Its easy to innovate in a market when all of your competition is BANNED from participating in the market and the enforceable penalty is end-user disappearance. All you have to do is copy/reverse-engineer the western code because the Communists will protect you from international IP law.

Seriously. If Tencents WeChat is so stupendous, why arent the social-media generation all over it? Millennials will switch software platforms faster than than fast-fashion if they find something better. You use the Communist WeChat because using the American Whatsapp will result in your family getting billed for the bullet the Secret Police put into the back of your head. Thats some serious technological innovation!

I used a lot of Autocad. You do not even want to imagine the cluster-f*ck that Chinese CAD programs are. Chinese engineers, in my experience, will use a Chinese-language version of Autocad before using their home-brew nastiness. Same with operating systems and basically any other professional software in China.

Again, if there is so much innovation happening in China, why am I not using an American-language version of a domestic Chinese web-browser? Another aside I dont have time with is the number of illegal copies of Windows OS in China. I honestly think America could win a cyber war with China by just refusing security updates to pirate copies of Microsoft Windows. Within 30 days, Russian hackers will have ransomwared nearly every computer in China.

Chinese industrialization is based on cheap prices. The price is cheaper because of two reasons. (1) You can do things to people and the environment that are considered immoral or illegal in the west. (2) Costs are lower because R&D, innovation and technology is simply copied, transferred or stolen from the west in either joint-ventures or espionage or just plain reverse engineering and all without legal repercussions because of the protection of the Communist Party.

Ok, I have to get back on topic. The one thing I havent made clear in my prior posts, and I think the average American doesnt realize, is why IP is the root of the China trade war.

Let me give you some numbers. The Communists Beijing news mouthpiece, Xinhua, estimates that 40% of e-commerce in China is counterfeit. This is not some partisan-anti-China statistic. This is the Communists saying 40%. Now, as everyone knows, the Communists have a way of massaging their data, but just for simplicity, lets just say its 40%.

If Trump wants IP to be included in a verifiable, enforceable agreement, Alibaba would lose 40% of its business overnight. Imagine China telling Trump to cut Amazons business by 40%. Is this something China is going to willingly allow? (Actually, given its Trump and Bezos owns Amazon, Trump would kill an American champion to spite a political enemy.)

Another example is ZTE. This is a Chinese national telecom champion. It is completely reliant on advanced integrated circuits from the USA/Taiwan/Japan. The threat of USA sanctions limiting exports of these chips nearly bankrupted ZTE until Trump backed off. Note that Trump backed off (the email article says that Trump would never back down, but in the case of ZTE, Trump did back down).

Now, imagine if China had the power to bankrupt Apple by withholding a vital component. China cannot create advanced integrated circuits because Stalinism cannot produce such technology. Only western, constitutional democracies with: human rights, civil society and a free press can produce these chips. Silicon Valley, the great chip foundries of Taiwan and the research centers of Tsukuba Science City in Japan are simply not possible under Chinese Stalinism. It just sounds like science fiction so I want to say it again: Silicon Valley, the great chip foundries of Taiwan and the research centers of Tsukuba Science City in Japan!

The problem is that the Alibaba/Amazon, ZTE/Apple issue is systemic in China. Basically EVERY large company in EVERY industry in China operates this way. Because the national champions in China are either outright SOEs or are de facto SOEs the scale of the problem is immense. For China to acquiesce to the demands of international IP law would mean a devastation of Chinese industry, commerce and finance. The Chinese companies for the most part can only compete on price and are dependent on copying/stealing/acquiring foreign technology and innovation. The Chinese companies are completely dependent on the Communists keeping competition out and sucking in as much IP as possible.

This is why seashells are so important here. Without Verifiable and Enforceable trade agreements, China will VISA-and-Mastercard the issue. Its been 18 years since China agreed to fair access in the payments arena. Today, a Chinese prole still cannot obtain a VISA or Mastercard in China and foreign visitors can only use the cards in limited situations. China will agree to anything, but without Verification and Enforcement, the agreements are just seashells.

The problem with the main-stream media is that they are not accurately reporting the situation. When Trump said that trade wars are easy to win I dont think he realized what he was getting himself into. This is some serious BrerRabbit and the tar baby sh*t. This is not about soybeans or cheap stuff at Walmart and Dollar General (although these are the seashells China will offer first).

This is about the ability of China to become a great power. The enactment of international IP law and fair access of foreign competition into China will absolutely devastate the Chinese economy and in all likelihood prevent it from ever being able to challenge pax Americana in the Pacific.

One more aside. In the pre-amble to the Pacific war, the Japanese empires limiting economic factor was access to raw materials, in particular fuel oil and hard metals. The western powers, especially America sought to restrict Japans access to these industrial commodities. Japan, refusing to back down after the failure of trade talks that in effect curtailed and limited its ability to become a great power would eventually send an answer to the United States on December 7, 1941.

What the USA is demanding in the current trade talks with China are very similar to what happened in pre-WW2 Japan (of all the presidents, why, why must we have someone as incompetent as Trump handling this level of negotiation without a functioning State Department?). The USA will withhold the raw materials (advanced integrated circuits) that China needs to become a world power unless China opens its markets.

Chinese companies, for the most part will be gutted by superior foreign competition if China opens its markets, which will prevent China from become a world power. Its a Catch-22 for China with uncomfortable similarities to Imperial Japan in 1941. History does not repeat, but it has a horrible way of rhyming

The problem with fake news is that any instigator can, in a few minutes, spew nonsense about Chinese software/business innovation, but it takes hours to de-bunk the non-sense. The internet has unleashed something primal and awful. Marxist-Leninist and Fascist systems are best suited for taking advantage of this new information war because they answer primal, animal desires that can be satisfied in simple(ton) bites of distorted data. The forces of freedom, liberty and justice are slow to muster against such foes because they call to a higher human, not animal, aspiration.

https://slopeofhope.com/2019/01/china-rejoinder-by-binkius-hippo.html

China Rejoinder (by Binkius Hippo)

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In August, an analyst for a little-known U.S. startup called NewsGuard tried to contact the editors of the Daily Mail Online, the U.K.-based news and celebrity-gossip site that ranks as one of the internets most-read publishers. NewsGuard staff called twice and emailed twice, asking questions about the Mails policies on deceptive headlines, source linking, and editorial transparency. It got no response.

This week, that silence came back to bite the Mail Online. The headline in the Guardian, a left-leaning rival to the populist Mail, seemed to carry a note of glee: Dont Trust Daily Mail Website, Microsoft Browser Warns Users.

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NewsGuard, it turns out, had spent the previous eight months developing reliability ratings for major online news outlets, and earlier this month it struck a deal with Microsoft to incorporate those ratings into the tech giants Edge browser as an optional setting. Thats when the Guardian noticed that the Mail Online had been tagged by NewsGuard with a red label, a reliability score of 3 out of 9, and the following warning: Proceed with caution: This website generally fails to maintain basic standards of accuracy and accountability. For Microsoft Edge users with the News Ratings feature turned on, that warning appeared alongside every link to the Mail Onlinewhether in Google search results, Facebook or Twitter feeds, or the Mails own homepage.

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The Mail cried foul. We have only very recently become aware of the NewsGuard startup and are in discussions with them to have this egregiously erroneous classification resolved as soon as possible, a spokesman said. The two companies are now in talks, both confirmed, with the Mail pleading its case for a better review. For now, NewsGuard is standing by its ratings. If the Mail wants a better one, it will have to improve some of its standards, said Steven Brill, the prominent U.S. media entrepreneur who is NewsGuards co-founder and co-CEO.

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How did Brills company become online journalisms latest referee? And what does it mean if NewsGuard, or another fledgling credibility-rating project, begins to wield outsize influence over which news organizations garner the most trust on the internet? This would be a dramatic change, and maybe a welcome one. For much of this decade, the news business has seen its fortunes rise and fall at the whim of algorithms, such as the one that ranks stories in Facebooks news feed. Those algorithms tended to emphasize the catchiness of a given headline over the reputation of the publisher, which helped to fuel fake news and shrill sensationalism. But the Mails run-in with NewsGuard may presage a new phase: one in which the big tech platforms algorithms begin to incorporate measures of a news outlets trustworthiness, while a handful of startups and nonprofits vie to be the arbiters behind those ratings.

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The trust industry is quietly taking shape. Should we trust it?

Of all of Facebooks crimes against the news, the most serious may be this: Its news feed radically changed the basis upon which people decide what stories to read. In the pre-Facebook world, people picked a news outlet first (by buying a print edition or visiting a homepage) and then browsed the headlines on offer. As Facebook gradually became the default news source for hundreds of millions of readers, that order reversed: People scanned headlines from their news feed first and clicked accordingly, generally without regard to the source.

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The shift sent shockwaves around the media world. Rage-inducing, polarizing, or otherwise tantalizing headlines became the primary factor in setting the news agenda, and opportunists learned to game Facebooks algorithm with clickbait and propaganda. Old-school news outlets that penned straightforward, factual headlines saw their traffic dry up, while unverified content from unscrupulous startups, scammers, and even foreign agents rose to the top of peoples reading lists.

Thats an oversimplification, of course. Google News, and the internet more broadly, had a similar influence before Facebook came along. Reddit, Twitter, and other sites continued to have this effect after the Facebook news feed became everyones front page. And the effects werent all negativethe gatekeepers of the mainstream media had serious blind spots that social media helped to both expose and fill. (Think of the attention that Twitter funneled to the Ferguson protests, which were initially underreported by the mostly white, coastal legacy media.) But the upshot was the decimation of careful newsgathering operations and an erosion of the distinction between real and fake news.

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Now that much of the news landscape lies in smoking ruins (along with chunks of Western democracy), Facebook and its critics have begun to acknowledge their responsibility and think about how to give more weight to publishers credibility, if only to ameliorate the companys PR crisis. The solution that theyre hitting on more and more is to start rating news sources. These ratings, presumably, could be incorporated into news-feed algorithms or search results as a way of re-establishing source credibilityand not sheer clickabilityat the center of the news industrys incentives. Facebook is already doing a version of this work by feeding into the news-feed algorithm the results of user surveys about trusted news sources.

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But if ranking stories based on clicks or likes was disastrous, ranking online publishers credibility brings its own set of problems. Not least of these is that credibility means different things to different people, and even the best-intentioned arbiters will be subject to both their own biases and outside pressure. The hope is that these systems rebalance the incentives facing online news companies. The risk is that they simply replace one set of self-interested media clearinghouses with another.

To understand one way the ranking of news credibility can go awry, consider the recent example of NuzzelRank. In June, a new list began making the rounds in media circles. It was a ranking of major U.S. news sources by authority developed by Nuzzel, a generally well-liked news-monitoring tool, that claimed to assess thousands of top news sources. It is our long term plan to create the most comprehensive news search system on the Internet, Nuzzel proclaimed, detailing how it would use software to surface reputable sources and filter out spam. Its search system would be sold as part of a subscription service, but the authority rankings would be public.

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If ranking stories based on clicks or likes was disastrous, ranking online publishers credibility brings its own set of problems.

It sounded useful enoughand then people looked at the list. At the top were the New York Times (9.1 on a 10-point scale), the Washington Post (8.7), and the Atlantic (8.3). And then came  TechCrunch? At 8.3, the tech blog known for comprehensive but often credulous coverage of Silicon Valley startups tied with the Atlantic as the third-most authoritative news source. That put it just ahead of the Guardian, CNN, Bloomberg, and the New Yorker. Startups such as Medium, BuzzFeed, and Business Insider made the list ahead of such stalwarts as NPR, BBC, and the Economist. (Slate scored a 7.5.)

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Lo and behold, it was also TechCrunch that had the exclusive news story heralding NuzzelRanks launch. Its standing on the list was so absurd that TechCrunchs own story called it both flattering and a little nuts. NuzzelRank, it became quickly apparent, was not going to save the media or democratic discourse anytime soon.

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Jonathan Abrams, Nuzzels founder and CEO, demurred when I asked him in November what lessons he took from the rankings chilly reception. I dont know if we learned that much, he said. A lot of journalists and news organizations complained to us about the ranking. But that wasnt a surprise. Abrams said Nuzzel would continue to refine its ranking system, though he declined to share exactly how the scores were calculateda red flag for those hoping that our new arbiters of the news would be more transparent than the old ones. Abrams did not respond to a request for further comment last week, and as of this week, the rankings appear to have been removed from public view.

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NuzzelRank hasnt even been the least serious bidder in the race to nutrition-label the news. That would probably be Pravduh, Elon Musks apparently once-real plan for a site that he said would rate the credibility and core truth of both individual reporters and articles. (It doesnt appear to have gotten off the ground.)

But there is an array of more earnest journalistic-credibility initiatives that have sprouted from the wreckage of the 2016 elections and that are worth surveying, like the Trust Project, the Journalism Trust Initiative, the Trust & News Initiative, and others. (Their similar-sounding names and penchant for partnering with one another can make them hard to keep track of.) Some are nonprofits, and those ones in particular have largely been cautious about slapping scores or rankings on news stories or sources, preferring to build opt-in coalitions or fund experiments in building reader trust. Indicators made by the Trust Project are already being used by Facebook and Google News, not yet to rank the news but to label or otherwise sort it. That project has been backed by Craigslist founder Craig Newmark and Googles vice president of news, Richard Gingras, among others.

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Much of the Trust Projects work isnt really user-facing yet, and it hasnt stirred much controversy. That would differentiate it from the for-profit NewsGuard, the company that gave the Mail Online a digital speeding ticket. In addition to the Microsoft integration, other publicly available products are browser extensions, including this one for Chrome. After you install it, links to news articles in your search results and social media feeds appear with color-coded shields beside them.

A green shield indicates that the news source generally meets basic standards of accuracy and accountability. Green shields arent limited to outlets like the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal, but smaller sites like WBUR.org too. YouTube and Wikipedia links have a blue shield with the letter I inside, signifying a platform that includes unvetted user-generated content. Links to relatively new online publishers, like the Trace and the Outline, get a gray shield with a horizontal line, meaning theyre still in the process of being rated. And a handful of sites, including Breitbart and RT.com, get an ominous red shield with an exclamation point inside, meaning, Proceed with caution. Hover over each shield and an explanation of the sites rating pops up.

Of course, the kind of person who would install this browser extension is probably already a close reader of the news. As of Wednesday, the extension has been downloaded more than 40,000 times, and many of those were on public-library systems that are connected to hundreds of devices, Brill said. But NewsGuard wants to be much more than a widget.

The deal to incorporate NewsGuard shields into Edge illustrates its ambitions. This particular integration is unlikely to dramatically shift the news landscape, as Edge holds a minuscule share of the mobile-browser market. But its the same type of partnership that NewsGuard hopes to strike with larger platforms in the future. (NewsGuard said Microsoft is paying it a licensing fee, but it declined to discuss further details of the deal.)

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Right now, NewsGuard employs a team of 25 human researchers to evaluate news outlets. The startups co-founders, Brill and former Wall Street Journal publisher Gordon Crovitz, have developed a set of nine standardized criteria against which to judge each publication. (The criteria were informed by the Trust Projects indicators, which some newsrooms are already incorporating.)

Some are basic, like clearly labels advertising and does not repeatedly publish false content. Others are more subjective, like gathers and presents information responsibly, handles the difference between news and opinion responsibly, and avoids deceptive headlines. Get green check marks in enough of those categories and your publication gets the green shield of approval. Enough red marks, and everything you publish will come tagged with that red warning shield, at least for those users who have the feature enabled.

That sounds straightforward, but consider whether the article youre reading right now handles the difference between news and opinion responsibly. Certainly, Ive tried to gather and present the information in this story responsibly, but Ive also mixed in some of my own views with the factsas most Slate stories do, by design. (Its a magazine of opinion and news analysis, after all.)

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Indeed, Brill told me NewsGuard struggled with whether to give Slate a red mark for failing to separate news from opinion. But its that very kind of edge case that he believes necessitates human, rather than algorithmic, judgment. We do what algorithms dont, he said. Algorithms dont call people for comment. Brill and Crovitz did: Last year, they called Slates top editors and challenged them to defend Slates policies. Fortunately, unlike the Mail Online, Slate picked up the phone. Ultimately, NewsGuard was satisfied that Slates mix of news and opinion was made clear to readers, and was journalistic rather than overtly partisan in its intent. Slate received a perfect score and a green shield.

Some conservatives might object to that decision. Then again, much of the left is likely to object to FoxNews.com receiving a green shield from NewsGuard as well. (Although not a perfect score: It gets six green checkmarks out of nine total criteria. For comparison, left-leaning MSNBC gets seven green marks on NewsGuards checklist.) Crovitz noted that the rating applies specifically to the website and not to, say, the networks more conspiratorial prime-time TV hosts. But it was FoxNews.com that promoted the Seth Rich story, an infamously unsubstantiated conspiracy theory about the death of a Democratic National Committee staff member, before Sean Hannity picked it up.

The conservative Daily Caller also gets a green shield from NewsGuard, barely, as does Ben Shapiros hard-right Daily Wire. (Both score six green check marks.). Breitbart and Infowars do not pass muster. Al-Jazeera, as the Middle Easts leading news outlet, is one of the more surprising red shields, scoring just four green check marks. It got red marks not only for reveals whos in charge and discloses ownership and financing, but also for gathers and presents information responsibly.

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Brill insisted the rating is not to blacklist publishers or tell people what sites not to read. If you get a red, all it says is Proceed with caution,  he said. But that could be a tough sell if a site gets labeled as red on a major news platform and sees its traffic drop off as a result. Crovitz added that NewsGuard encourages publishers to complain if they feel their sites have been mislabeledsomething he said few sites have done so far.

Brill and Crovitz know theyre going to be accused of political bias from all sides, and they say theyre prepared. It might help that Brill personally leans left, and Crovitz leans right. They also note that none of their criteria involves evaluating a sites political leanings, and Brill claimed theyve been brutally disciplined about applying those nine criteria unflinchingly. Their research team includes veterans of journalism and fact-checking operations.

But the objectivity that NewsGuard takes such pride in can lead to some surprising outcomes, like giving the far-right blog Legal Insurrection a green shield while giving the liberal Daily Kos a red one. Legal Insurrection was so proud of its seal of approval that it wrote an article trumpeting its NewsGuard endorsement.

Alexios Mantzarlis, who heads the nonprofit Poynter Institutes international fact-checking network, told me he appreciates what NewsGuard is trying to do, especially with the nutrition labels. If they stopped there, thats where Id feel completely comfortable and encourage the endeavor, he said. But Mantzarlis worries that rating entire publications on a red-green scale can be reductive. Noting the red shield for Al-Jazeera and the green one for Fox News, he said, It feels like one of those recipes where the ingredients all look right, but then you follow it closely and the result isnt great.

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Whether NewsGuards shields become ubiquitous or a footnote in the history of online journalism will depend on the willingness of the large tech platforms to license its product. Brill believes a European Union agreement, little-known stateside, might help to force their hand. Google, Facebook, Twitter, and Mozilla (maker of the Firefox browser) have all signed on this year to the European Commissions Code of Practice on Disinformation, which commits them to various measures to tackle false news on their platforms.

If it sounds like an empty bureaucratic gesture, well, it might be. But Brill and Crovitz are counting on it to have teeth, and theyve been making regular trips to Brussels to try to persuade these platforms that adopting NewsGuard is their best path toward satisfying the agreement. If this or other arguments fail to convince Big Tech, NewsGuard will fail too.

Whatever happens, were nearing the end of the era in which tech companies served up the news without regard to its veracity or the reliability of its source. And so far, its clear theyre more comfortable turning to third parties to help them evaluate content than performing that thankless task themselves. Already, Facebook is using a network of third-party fact-checking organizations to review articles flagged by either its software or its users as potentially false. Those deemed bogus are less likely to be shown to Facebook users in their feeds.

The question now is whether those partnerships will meaningfully address the platforms misinformation problems or just provide public relations window dressing. A recent Guardian report found some of Facebooks fact-checking partners souring on the social network, concerned that the for-profit companys goals dont align with their own. For instance, two former Snopes employees told the Guardian they felt Facebook prioritized stories involving its own advertisersa claim Facebook has deniedand compelled them to devote resources to satirical stories not worth debunking.

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A world in which Facebook, Google, and Twitter give their users better and easier ways to evaluate news stories credibility seems like an improvement over the current free-for-all. If shoddy journalistic practices now mean your story appears in Facebook with a red shield beside it, that could not only help readers avoid false news but also help shift the incentives for publishers. An outlet with a marginal score might suddenly find it more profitable to try to improve its correction policy or ownership disclosures in hopes of attaining a green rating than to gin up its headlines in pursuit of clicks. Perhaps we will see more organizations explain the reporting methods of their investigations, as the New York Times now sometimes does.

Its also possible to imagine a nightmare scenario in which the ratings authorities become too powerful, their subjective decisions baked into every algorithm and profoundly shaping what people read. Media companies would try to game the green shields the same way they gamed Facebooks algorithmor worse, curry favor or influence behind the scenes.

Or perhaps platforms will resist giving up that much control to a third party and find more modest ways to appease their regulators and critics. Even Brill seems to be counting on any developments to be more subtle than profound: He said being baked into algorithmic rankings is not what NewsGuard wants and that hes more interested in an optional, informational product that users can turn off or on as they choose, like the family filter on a web browser.

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NewsGuards confrontation with the Daily Mail Online may be its first real test. No one seemed to care too much that it had given the Mail only three green check marks and a red shield until Microsoft began incorporating that rating into its browser. Suddenly, it was a controversy worthy of coverage in BBC.

From the perspective of the Mail, which is by some measures the worlds largest online newspaper, its no doubt maddening to be flagged as an unreliable source by Microsofts browser thanks to the subjective judgments of an analyst at a U.S.-based startup that it had never heard of. The Mail publishes vast amounts of content, and the majority of it is basically accurate. It has broken big stories, including 2016 allegations that former U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner carried on a sexual online relationship with a 15-year-old girl even after hed resigned from Congress.

On the other hand, NewsGuards dim view of the Mail isnt unwarranted. Both the Mail Online and the U.K. print newspaper that spawned it have a well-earned reputation for playing fast and loose with facts and citations. And it isnt entirely an accident that NewsGuard couldnt reach the Mail for comment back in August: The site does not disclose contact information for any of its reporters or editors, and it funnels reader complaints through an online form system. Thats precisely the opacity that earned it an X from NewsGuard in two categories related to editorial accountability. (I was able to verify, however, that at least one of NewsGuards emails never reached the intended recipients inbox.)

Speaking of accountability, NewsGuards rating system may have its pitfalls, but it seems like an improvement over Facebook in at least one important respect. When Facebook builds results from its trust survey into the news-feed algorithm, it doesnt tell anyone what those results are or how specific news outlets are being affected. For all we know, it may already have the Mailor any other outletrated as unreliable, and those outlets have no recourse.

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The Mail may not like having to defend its editorial standards to a startup like NewsGuard, but at least it has that opportunity. Brill said the startup will consider any appeal to its ratings and will post any written complaints from publishers as part of its nutrition labels. But, he added, the Mails best chance at an improved rating would be to simply change some of its practices.

Tech companies forcing publishers to change how they do business is nothing new. And the rise of NewsGuard and its ilk might just be another annoying set of hoops to jump through at a time when online media is already hard-pressed. Fortunately, these hoops dont require news organizations to contort their coverage in pursuit of maximizing traffic. And if NewsGuards clash with the Mail Online is any indication, it seems like its at least annoying the right kind of people.
A Florida state appellate court ruled last week that Willie Allen Lynch, who was convicted in 2016 for selling crack cocaine, had no right to view photos of other suspects identified by the facial recognition search that led to his arrest.

In 2015, undercover agents working with the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office photographed a man selling $50 of cocaine. Detectives were unable to identify him, so they decided to turn to the Face Analysis Comparison Examination System, known as FACES, which draws from a database consisting of more than 33 million drivers license and law enforcement photos. The software, which is designed to return multiple potential matches for a given image, named Lynch and four other suspects. Upon further investigation, detectives arrested Lynch for the crime. He was eventually sentenced to eight years in prison.

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Florida law enforcement began implementing its current facial recognition system in 2001, before most other states. Authorities in Florida now conduct roughly 8,000 searches on FACES per month, almost twice that of the FBI face recognition units search average. Georgetowns Center on Privacy & Technology revealed in a 2016 report that the software had not been audited for error or misuse, and the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office has also stated that it has no formal policies around FACES.

Florida has the most advanced face recognition system of any state in the country. Its the longest-running and most robust, says Jennifer Lynch (no relation to the defendant), who serves as the surveillance-litigation director for the Electronic Frontier Foundation. Florida law enforcement in fact advised the FBI when the bureau was developing its own facial recognition system. Lynch added, Its not surprising that Florida would be the first state where a case like this would get up to the appellate level. Its very likely that we will see more cases like this going forward. Despite the wide proliferation of the technology in the state, local public defenders have told Georgetown researchers that police had never disclosed information about specific uses of the system during criminal cases.

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Its very likely that we will see more cases like this going forward.  Jennifer Lynch

Indeed, authorities did not write in the police report for Willie Allen Lynchs arrest that they had consulted FACES. Instead, he only learned of the technology months into the case after he personally sought to depose the detectives and the crime analyst involved. During a pretrial deposition, the crime analyst who ran the dealers photograph through FACES also testified that the software rates the quality of a match using a star system. She noted Lynch had only one star but that the other potential matches had none. She did not know the maximum number of stars possible.

During his trial, Lynch claimed that he had been misidentified. But the court denied his request to obtain the photos of other people that FACES produced as possible matches because detectives on the case hadnt seen them either. One of the central arguments in Lynchs appeal was that the state had violated the legal precedent set by the Supreme Court case Brady v. Maryland, which dictates that prosecutors must hand over potentially exculpatory evidence to the defense. If any of the photographs of the other potential matches from the facial recognition program resembles the drug seller or Appellant then clearly there was a Brady/discovery violation and Appellant should be granted a new trial, Lynchs public defender wrote in the motion for rehearing. (The Jacksonville Sherriffs Office has publicly stated that detectives only use FACES in conjunction with other investigatory tools. Detectives in this case also relied on an eyewitness accountwhich the defense has disputedalong with Lynchs criminal record to pin him as the culprit.)

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Jake Laperruque, who serves as senior counsel at the Constitution Project and does work with facial recognition and privacy, points out that the photos of other FACES matches arent the only piece of potentially exculpatory evidence in this scenario. Factors such as algorithm quality, confidence thresholds, and the format for returning matches can all affect the accuracy of the technology. Given those known issues, many advocates argue that police should be required to disclose the very use of facial recognition software under Brady.

Without knowing that facial recognition was used and the details, its impossible for defendants to know if its use in advancing an investigation was proper, says Laperruque. Its the equivalent of police basing their investigation on an eyewitness account, but then not letting the defendant know the witness was used, or if what they saw was from 5 or 500 feet away.

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The fact that Lynch is black also raises questions about the accuracy of FACES in this case, as facial recognition technology notoriously struggles to identify people of color. Researchers at MIT published a study last year testing three of the most advanced facial recognition systems available. They found that error rates were about 1 percent for light-skinned males, 12 percent for darker-skinned males, and 35 percent for darker-skinned females.

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This month, however, the 1st District Court of Appeals upheld Lynchs conviction on the basis that he could not prove that the other photos in the database resembled his owneven though neither Lynch nor his appeals attorney, Victor Holder, have been able to access the photos. Without them, they couldnt argue that the outcome of the trial might have been different. The court further noted that the jury had a chance to compare photos of Lynch with those of the dealer.

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Holder told the Florida Times Union that he is looking into potential avenues for further appeal. Florida law enforcement agencies currently use facial recognition technology with little to no public awareness, no uniform standards governing its use, and no public oversight by the Florida Legislature, he said.

Greater awareness and transparency around facial recognition may lead to more interrogation of the technology in courtrooms. In general, if youre using facial recognition as the basis for investigative activity, its going to raise questions in a trial if that was not a reliable system, says Laperruque. When police use fingerprints in an investigation, even if its not their smoking-gun piece of evidence, if its what led them to declare a suspect or search someones house, then you would want defense counsel to question the fingerprint expert about their methods and expertise.

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For Sarah St. Vincent, a researcher and advocate for Human Rights Watch, Lynchs case also raises questions about the seemingly indiscriminate use of facial recognition technologies by law enforcement. There are human rights concerns about the governments decision to use a powerful form of surveillance software, facial recognition, in a case reportedly involving $50 worth of drugs, she says. If the governments even going to think about using surveillance that can intrude on fundamental rights as powerfully as facial recognition can, it should only be considering that in cases that are similarly serious. (There have been more urgent occasions to use the technology: Police consulted a facial recognition system last year to identify a suspect in a mass shooting at the Maryland Capital Gazettes newsroom.)

If Lynch had not taken it upon himself to seek depositions and file handwritten motions in this case, he may never have learned of the role that FACES played in his arrest. Failure on the part of law enforcement to disclose cases may be hindering our legal system from considering such questions as well. We need to know at least when the technology is being used so that courts, defense attorneys, and prosecutors can collectively have those discussions, says St. Vincent. Im not confident right now that the technology is usually being revealed.

Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society.
For Christmas this year, we got an Echo. OK, technically it was a gift for my husband, but he knows its really for the whole family. Once we freed it from the box, we excitedly gathered around to test our new robot friend. I started with a little small talk: Hi Alexa. How are you? Hows the weather? What time is it?

My 5-year-old jumped in to try a skill he must have seen in a commercial: Alexa, play Its Raining Tacos.  Soon, we were all dancing to the silly techno song.

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Finally, my husband took a turn, Alexa, como estas? Nothing. Then he decided to try something simpler, Alexa, hola. But even the simplest and most known Spanish word was beyond Alexa in English mode. We were surprised and sad to learn that Alexa may not work for our bilingual home.

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Alexa has a Spanish mode. But thats not what we need. My husbands first language is Spanishspecifically Argentine Spanishand he speaks English fluently. My first language is English and my Spanish is OK. He and I communicate in Spanglish and are trying to raise our children to be bilingual. When texting on our iPhones, we used to switch the language setting back and forth, but were thrilled when we discovered that the adaptable iOS had quickly learned to accommodate our Spanglish. I naively thought Alexa would learn, too.

But here we are a few weeks later, and it responds to any Spanish instructions with a sad whoomp sound or with, Im sorry. I dont understand.

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Its particularly frustrating because even when speaking English, a lot of our media requests involve Spanish. Trying to get it to play my 2-year-olds favorite song has us speaking Spanish like tourists trying to sound out words from a phrasebook. Alexa, play El Pollito Pio  becomes Alexa, play EL Po yee toe Pee yo.  (Parents of toddlers, I do strongly recommend El Pollito Pio if you simply cannot handle another round of Baby Shark. Its a real bop.) And for the life of me I cannot get it to play La Vaca Lola even though I know its availableevery now and then it will pop up when playing random songs. (My toddler is going through a phase where he wants Spanish songs about farm animals and nothing else.)

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My family is likely not alone in our frustration. According to the latest census numbers, just over 20 percent of Americans are bilinguala number thats been on the rise for the last three decadesand the number of homes like mine with mixed language speakers is higher. Look up Alexa and bilingual on Twitter and youll find a long stream of people complaining about Alexas lacking language skills. Recently, I reached out to Amazon to see if it was working on making Alexa bilingual, but a representative said they werent able to discuss it at this time.

It doesnt have to be this way. In August, Google announced that its Google Home was bilingual. Owners can now pair any mix of English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, and Japanese. While Amazon has dominated the smart speaker market since 2015, Google has been catching up, and a skill gap like this will surely deter potential bilingual customers. I admit that I would have probably purchased a Google Home if I had looked into this issue before diving in. Maybe I should have returned my Echo for a Home when I realized. But even if the spokespersons response wasnt promising, I have to imagine its only a matter of time before Alexa is more conversational and can switch between languages. In the meantime, I should probably switch our Echo to Spanish to force myself and my sons to sharpen our own language skills.

Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society.
Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross has become the latest wealthy member of Trumps cabinet to express confusion over the concept of financial hardship.

In an interview with CNBC on Thursday, Ross was asked about the economic and financial effects of the government shutdown on furloughed and unpaid workers. He insisted the effects werent that bad. When asked about federal employees who have flocked to food pantries after missing a paycheck, Ross expressed skepticism.

Well, I know they are, and I dont really quite understand why, he said. [T]he obligations that they would undertakesay borrowing from a bank or a credit unionare in effect federally guaranteed, so the 30 days of pay that some people will be out is no real reason why they shouldnt be able to get a loan against it.

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He emphasized that because the government guaranteed workers they would eventually get paid, banks and credit unions would make credit available to them. So there really is not a good excuse why there really should be a liquidity crisis, he said.

Some banks and credit unions have been offering low- or no-interest payroll advances and loans for federal workers, and a fair number federal employees have likely seen this as a useful option for mitigating the financial stress of the shutdown. But getting a loan can be a long and difficult process, particularly for those who have little experience with financial institutions or those without strong credit ratings (who may instead feel forced to turn to more predatory or high-interest lenders). Many Americans are also reluctant to take on debt if they can avoid it. And, as Ross acknowledged, some might not find the idea of paying interest ideal. Ross, whose net worth is estimated at $700 million, did not see these reasons as real: [T]he idea that its paycheck or zero is not a really valid idea, he said.

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Democrats seized the opportunity to remind the public of the administrations inability to relate to middle- and working-class concerns. Is this the Let them eat cake kind of attitude? House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said later in response. Or call your father for money?

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Sen. Chuck Schumer also criticized Ross, saying his comments reveal the administrations callous indifference toward the federal workers it is treating as pawns. He added: Secretary Ross, they just cant call their stock broker and ask them to sell some of their shares.

Ross was not alone Thursday in missing the mark on the shutdowns effects on workers. White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow told reporters that federal workers were volunteering by coming to work without pay. When a reporter challenged Kudlow, he responded with frustration: You know what, Im not even going to go there. You know what Im saying. Its very clear . He continued:

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And you know what else, with respect to people who do have financial hardships as some were asking, they are coming to work and giving the same 24/7 work they always did. And I will say to you, whatever semantic game you think youre going to play with meand Im usually an easy going guygive them credit, OK? They honor us. They honor us by their service, I dont care whether youre Republican or Democrat, I mean that sincerely. They honor us. Democrats have shut government down, its ayou know what Im saying. They honor us. And they do it because of their love for the country and the office of the presidency and presumably their allegiance to President Trump, but whatever, theyre doing it.  You know, theres a lot of wonderful people in this country.  Ive become a great fan of the millenials. Thank you.

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The comments echo to some degree the baseless claims made by Trump (who also said he could relate to federal workers who couldnt pay their bills) that he had heard widespread support from furloughed employees, who said they would happily delay their paychecks for the sake of the border wall funding. Others have made similarly tactless statements: White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett said two weeks ago that furloughed employees might be better off because they are taking what he described as essentially a vacation. Lara Trump, the presidents daughter-in-law and former campaign aide, said this week in a message to furloughed workers to stay strong and that their financial hardship was for the future of our country. She reassured them, Its not fair to you, and we all get that, but this is so much bigger than any one person.

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Roughly 800,000 federal employees are furloughed or working without pay during the shutdown, and hundreds of thousands of government contractors are likely to never receive any retroactive pay. Many federal employees are set to soon miss their second paycheck of the shutdown, which is now on its 34th day.

As for Ross: His Commerce department currently lacks funding, and most of the more than 45,000 employees who work for him are facing down another paycheck of $0.00. But Thursday, he wanted to make it clear that talk of damage to the national economy and harm to the workers themselves was exaggerated. Remember this, he said on CNBC. They are eventually going to be paid.
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How Venezuelans reached a breaking point, and how a team of savvy politicians orchestrated the break. No one expected the greatest threat of a proxy war to come out of South Americaright?

Guests: Ana Vanessa Herrero, reporter for the New York Times, and Josh Keating, senior editor of foreign affairs for Slate.

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In 2014, the Supreme Court dramatically expanded the Religious Freedom Restoration Act to let for-profit corporations deny contraceptive coverage to employees on the basis of their owners Christian beliefs. The 54 ruling in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby prompted a now-famous dissent by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who condemned the courts decision to use RFRA, a law originally intended to protect religious minorities, to legalize discrimination. No tradition, Ginsburg noted, and no prior decision under RFRA, allows a religion-based exemption when the accommodation would be harmful to others. Through Hobby Lobby, the court had transformed RFRA from a shield into a sword, creating a license to discriminate with no clear limitations.

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On Wednesday, the Trump administration proved Ginsburg right. In a decision of startling breadth, the Department of Health and Human Services declared that, under RFRA, a federally funded foster care agency in South Carolina has a right to discriminate against non-Christians, closing its doors to would-be parents of different faiths. As Ginsburg predicted, the administrations interpretation of the law has no limiting principle: It all but announced that taxpayer-funded adoption and foster care agencies may now engage in flagrant discrimination without consequence, so long as they state a religious rationale for their actions. The grim future that Ginsburg foresaw in Hobby Lobby has arrived.

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The path of Wednesdays decision began when Miracle Hill Ministries, a Christian foster care agency, refused to work with multiple applicants who did not share its beliefs. Miracle Hill turned away a Jewish woman eager to mentor children in foster care because she was not Christian. It also rejected same-sex couples because their sexual orientation did not align with its religious values. In response, the South Carolina Department of Social Services warned Miracle Hill that it could lose its license if it intends to refuse to provide its services  to families who are not specifically Christians from a Protestant denomination.

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The grim future that Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg foresaw in Hobby Lobby has arrived.

At that point, Republican Gov. Henry McMaster intervened, issuing an executive order granting adoption and foster care agencies the right to discriminate on the basis of religion. But a problem remained: A federal rule also prohibits HHS-funded agencies like Miracle Hill from engaging in discrimination on the basis of, among other things, religion and sexual orientation. So McMaster petitioned Steven Wagner, principal deputy assistant secretary at HHSs Administration for Children and Families, to grant Miracle Hill an exemption. Wagner, a veteran of the George W. Bush administrations faith-based initiatives program, promised McMasters staff that he was pushing this hard at HHS. And on Wednesday, Wagner granted the request in a four-page letter that amounts to an earthquake in federal civil rights law.

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Wagners decision hinged on the turbocharged version of RFRA that the Supreme Court unleashed in Hobby Lobby. The law restricts the governments ability to substantially burden a persons exercise of religion, unless the government demonstrates that the burden is the least restrictive means of furthering a compelling government interest. Before Hobby Lobby, it is doubtful that a court wouldve recognized the burden imposed herecompelling a foster care agency to work with non-Christiansas substantial. After all, the federal rule merely directs Miracle Hill to serve all comers, not specifically perform services that violate the tenets of its faith. There is no clear encumbrance on religious exercise, only a requirement that the agency follow rules designed to place more children in loving homes without discriminating against anyone. Thus, RFRA should not apply at all.

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In Hobby Lobby, however, the Supreme Court inflated the definition of a substantial burden to encompass more or less any religious objection an individual or corporation raises. The majority insisted that Obamacares contraceptive mandate constituted a substantial burden because it obliged companies to help finance insurance plans that included contraception coverage. If that attenuated connection is overly burdensome under RFRA, then what isnt? Without any real explanationbut with Hobby Lobby lingering in the backgroundWagner found that the federal rule barring religious discrimination among HHS-funded foster care agencies constitutes a substantial burden that is inconsistent with RFRA. And he concluded that the rule is not the least restrictive means of advancing a compelling government interest, obliging him to issue the waiver.

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Wagner did not bother to evaluate the second half of that formula, whether nondiscrimination is a compelling government interest. Instead, he wrote that the federal rule is not the least restrictive means of promoting nondiscrimination because would-be parents rejected by Miracle Hill can go to a different agency. This logic is precisely what civil liberties advocates warned about after Hobby Lobby, when states like Indiana rushed to pass their own versions of RFRA. If religious businesses can claim a right to discriminate against customers because some other business might be willing to serve them, then Americas civil rights regime is fatally undermined. Yet Wagner deploys that exact logic to exempt Miracle Hill from the federal rule.

Notably, Wagner provides another reason for granting Miracle Hill an exemption: He notes that the current HHS nondiscrimination policy, implemented during the Obama administration, goes beyond the requirements laid out in a federal statute. The fact that the HHS rule spells out stronger protections than the statute, Wagner writes, is relevant to his determination that the policy violates RFRA.

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This assertion is absurd. Wagner is correct that the HHS policy does not align perfectly with the federal statute it seeks to implement. That is unsurprising: Agencies routinely supplement the plain text of a law with reasonable interpretations of congressional intent; here, HHS simply sought to enforce Congress direction that children be placed in safe homes in a timely manner without arbitrary impediments. The agencys broad interpretation does not permit Wagner to unilaterally overturn a rule that remains on the books, in full force. If the Trump administration would like to repeal this policy, it can do so through the rule-making process.

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Wednesdays decision purports to apply only to Miracle Hill, but its reasoning extends to every other foster and adoption agency that asserts a religious mission. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has already requested an exemption from the federal rule for all the states agencies; Wagner will presumably grant it. Once he does, other conservative states may begin to demand exemptions from the HHS policy, opening the floodgates to widespread discrimination. Non-Christian families and same-sex couples will be turned away from state-subsidized child welfare agencies because of their identity or religious beliefsdiscrimination that the Trump administration views as religious liberty. With Hobby Lobby, the Supreme Court turned RFRA into a dangerous new weapon. The Trump administration has now taken up its call to arms.
The Senate voted Thursday on its first two bills to end the government shutdown. They both failed, in the sense that neither earned the 60 votes they needed to advance. These failures dont, however, mean that progress wasnt made. It took a month, but Congress has finally reached the offer-and-counteroffer stage of the process, even if those offers and counteroffers are still walls apart.

The vote counts on the two failed billsone drawn up by the Trump administration and the other already passed by the Housebrought unfortunate news for the White House, which apparently didnt know which measure would get more support. Surprise! It was not the White Houses bill.

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That White House bill would have granted temporary protections to existing Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals beneficiaries and Temporary Protected Status holders in exchange for $5.7 billion in wall money and further restrictions on asylum claims. It earned 50 yeas to 47 nays. One Democrat, West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin, supported it, while two Republicans, Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton and Utah Sen. Mike Lee, opposed it. The Democrats preferred option was a clean extension of government funding through Feb. 8, and it only failed 52 to 44. Six RepublicansColorado Sen. Cory Gardner, Tennessee Sen. Lamar Alexander, Maine Sen. Susan Collins, Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, Georgia Sen. Jonny Isakson, and Utah Sen. Mitt Romneycrossed the aisle to support that, with no Democratic defections.

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The disparity in support between the two measures shows that Democrats are holding their line more successfully than Republicans are holding theirs. Other evidence of that: Republican senators sniping at Vice President Mike Pence, during the lunch immediately preceding the votes, to end this mess.

There was almost a sense of relief among senators after the votes. The process of tossing out a couple of options at least killed off some lingering talking points, and could provide space for the real discussions to end the shutdown. If it wasnt clear enough, the votes proved that Democrats will not give Trump his full $5.7 billion for the border wall in exchange for some tepid concessions. And Democrats insistence that if Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell just put a clean funding bill on the floor, it would get a veto-proof majority? That also proved to be off by 15 votes.

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So what now?

South Dakota Sen. Mike Rounds said the failed votes were useful in that senators have both seen what the original positions are; we both know where the votes are at. Reopening the government is now a matter of the leaders getting together and coming up with something they can present to the president.

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That, Rounds said, would probably be a stop-gap bill similar to previous continuing resolutions, but at least it could be open to amendments for border security. Trump has rejected ideas like this in the past, though, since amendment votes dont guarantee him any money for the wall. Why would he change his mind now?

Well, so far, hes the only one of the twothe other being House Speaker Nancy Pelosiwhos made a step forward. So if he makes one more step forward, he actually becomes viewed more as the adult in the room between those two. And if Speaker Pelosi refuses to do it at all, I think public opinion starts to turn it against her, Rounds said. Pelosi, whos pretty good with numbers, doesnt see it that way.

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South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham also believes a short-term bill is the way out, and he has for several weeks. After the votes, he spoke to the president to pitch his idea for the umpteenth time.

I strongly urge my Democratic colleagues to work with the White House on a 3 week CR that includes a down payment on wall/barrier funding consistent with DHS priorities.  Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) January 24, 2019

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White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders seemed to be on board with the idea, though she did add that the down payment for the wall would have to be large. In other words, the White House is still in denial. But at least its recognizing the need to negotiate down from $5.7 billion.

Meanwhile, Sens. Richard Shelby and Pat Leahythe chair and vice chair of the Appropriations Committeetold reporters that if they were designated  by our respective caucuses to work this out, I bet wed do it before 6 oclock. They did, after all, already work out a border security agreement within their committee last summer.

But Shelby and Leahy enjoy no such designation. Instead, they, Rounds, Graham, and every other senator in the building were waiting on a meeting between McConnell and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, which took place in McConnells office immediately after the votes, to decide next steps.

Schumer left after about 30 minutes. He was grinningeither because McConnell had moved in his direction, or because he was excited to blow off a pack of reporters.

Did they make any progress?

Were talking.

Do they have a deal?

Were talking.

It went on like this for another half-dozen or so questions.

Theyre talking.

Progress.
Former Trump campaign advisor Roger Stone was indicted on Friday on seven criminal counts of attempting to obstruct investigations into Russias interference in the 2016 election. Five of those counts involved Stones alleged lying in testimony to the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI) as part of its probe into Russia.

The special counsels office showed how Stone repeatedly misled the committee in an alleged effort to cover up his contacts with Wikileaks, which the Republican majority of the HPSCI identified in its final report as a Russian proxy that released Democratic emails that had been stolen by Russia in an effort to influence the 2016 election.

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That heavily partisan Congressional investigationled by Republican Reps. Devin Nunes, Mike Conaway, and former Rep. Trey Gowdycovered a wide range of topics including the Trump campaigns involvement in or knowledge about the publication of stolen emails. It also covered the actions of anyone officially affiliated with the campaign along with the actions of anyone unofficially affiliated with the campaign, defined as including wannabes, hangers-on, and people who represented themselves as being part of the campaign. Stone clearly fits into at least one of those categories.

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Based on the committees questioning of him and others, the Republican majority released a 243-page final report announcing it had reached a broad conclusion in line with a key Trump talking point: No collusion. The Committee did not find any evidence of collusion, conspiracy, or coordination between the Trump campaign and the Russians, the report stated. While the Committee found that several of the contacts between Trump associates and Russiansor their proxies, including Wiklleakswere ill-advised, it continued, the Committee did not determine that Trump or anyone associated with him assisted Russias active measures campaign.

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How did the committee reach that determination? In its collusion section, the HSPSCI Republican report noted under Finding #25 that [w]hen asked directly, none of the interviewed witnesses provided evidence of collusion, coordination, or conspiracy between the Trump campaign and the Russian government.

These happen to be the precise areas that Stone is now alleged to have lied to the committee about. As the Democrats on the committee argued in a brutal counter-report released around the same time, the Republicans basically took Stones word for it (as well as those of other witnesses). Indeed, here is what the GOP report said about Stone:

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Despite [multiple contacts with Russia proxies], the Committee did not find any evidence contradicting Stones claim that (a)ny information  disseminated via social media regarding the timing of the release of the DNC data or others was from publicly available sources and he in no way conspired, colluded, or coordinated with any agent of the Russian state.

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Again, all of this is what Stone is now alleged to have repeatedly lied to the committee about.

Through its meticulous chronicling of Stones apparent falsehoods, Robert Muellers latest indictment also offered definitive proof of what the Democrats on that committee argued for months: That the Republican investigation purportedly exonerating Trumps campaign of collusion was a whitewash.

Muellers indictment states that Stone lied about several areas that HSPSCI Republicans claimed to have investigated, including what those Republicans described as contacts between Trump associates and Russiansor their proxies, including Wikileaks.

Other false statements Stone told the committee during his testimony include:

 He possessed no emails or text messages that discussed Assange. (He did.)

 He had no written communication with an intermediary between him and Assange and only spoke to the person on the phone. (They had communicated regularly over text. And as Mueller notes in a sardonic aside, right around the date of this testimony the pair exchanged over thirty text messages.)

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 He never spoke with anyone in the Trump campaign about Wikileaks plans as described by an intermediary.

He did communicate with the Trump campaign about the plans, according to the indictment. Mueller suggests that he has evidence that such communicationsat the heart of any collusion claimdid occur. As the indictment explains:

a. On multiple occasions, [Stone] told senior Trump Campaign officials about materials possessed by [Wikileaks] and the timing of future releases. b. On or about October 3, 2016, [Stone] wrote to a supporter involved with the Trump Campaign, Spoke to my friend in London last night. The payload is still coming. c. On or about October 4, 2016, [Stone] told a high-ranking Trump Campaign official that [Assange] had a [s]erious security concern but would release a load every week going forward.

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Soon after these communications, Wikileaks began releasing hacked emails of Clinton campaign manager John Podesta.

Rep. Adam Schiff, the former ranking minority member who now leads the committee, told me last month that the previous committee leadership had basically declined to cooperate with Mueller. Schiff at the time promised he would make it a priority to hand over the committees previously withheld transcripts of testimony like Stones to Mueller. He appears to have done so, and it seems that testimony formed the basis of Fridays principal charges against Stone.

In turn, Muellers indictment proves what those who observed the Republican House Russia probe saw for a long time: That investigation was little more than a farce.
This piece was originally published on Just Security, an online forum for analysis of U.S. national security law and policy.

The Roger Stone indictment should be considered in light of the many recent statements that the presidents counsel, Rudy Giuliani, tossed out in recent weeks. Giuliani insisted on the narrowest possible definition of collusion, excluding anything other than Donald Trump or his campaigns direct involvement in the conspiracy to hack the Democratic National Committee or the Clinton campaign chairmans emails. On Friday morning, in the wake of Stones indictment, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders asserted, The question and the big thing that the Mueller investigation is supposed to center on is whether or not the president in some outrageous way colluded with Russia. By now the presidents lawyers must believe they have a fairly good sense of his exposure on the facts of the case. Their position seems to have shifted from no collusion to no crime of collusion, and they have tried to redirect the focus away from whether a host of campaign members colluded. Their hope may be that the Trump campaignWikiLeaksRussia alliance is so extraordinary and unprecedented that the law cannot clearly reach it.

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The Stone indictment now shows that over a number of months the Trump campaign used Stone as an intermediarymore precisely, its agentto solicit information from WikiLeaks, a partner of Russia in a conspiracy to influence a federal election. Stone did not have to chase the campaign; the campaign reached out to him launching that initiative after it became publicly known that Russia was behind the hacked material that WikiLeaks possessed and was preparing to release in increments. In fact, the campaign appears to have knocked on Stones door immediately after WikiLeaks release of the first tranche of Democratic National Committee emails in July 2016. The indictment alleges that After the July 22, 2016 release of stolen DNC emails by Organization 1, a senior campaign official was directed to contact STONE about any additional releases and what other damaging information organization number one had regarding the Clinton campaign.

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The campaign cannot credibly argue that it did not derive value from this association. The information that the campaign thirsted to acquire with Stones help was central to the design of its attack on Hillary Clinton. The new indictment shows that this was a priority in the higher echelons of the campaign: that in the summer of 2016 someone directed a senior campaign official to urge Stone to find out what he could about future WikiLeaks releases.

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We can add to this active use of a direct, covert contact to the facts already unearthed about the Trump campaigns solicitation and encouragement of support from the Russian government, with WikiLeaks (also a foreign national) acting as a full partner in this political mutual aid pact. Federal campaign finance laws prohibit foreign nationals from influencing elections and prohibit Americans from substantially assisting them in that illegal endeavor. The American participation is also subject to prosecution as a conspiracy to defraud the United States, which was a statutory basis for the special counsels indictment of Russian parties. Under these laws, the Trump campaign is clearly exposed, as an entity, along with those of its personnel who directed these activities.

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It is not irrelevant to the overall judgment of whether a legal violation occurred that the campaign sent other signals to the Russian government that it was in the market for this help. After a Russian agent, in April 2016, told Trump campaign adviser George Papadopoulos of Moscow possessing dirt  on Hillary Clinton in the form of thousands of emails,  the campaign greenlighted Papadopoulos setting up a back channel meeting between the campaign and Russian officials. At Trump Tower in June 2016, the campaigns senior management met with Kremlin emissaries. And in July 2016, the very same week the campaign reached out to Stone, the president publicly called on the Russians to locate missing emails. The president made that statement even as he was ostensibly reserving judgment on whether the Putin regime was responsible for the hacks. He also went out of his way to declare his love of WikiLeaks.

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The indictment contains allegations that the Trump campaign was not merely cheering on WikiLeaks and the Russians. On at least one occasion, Stone allegedly asked for specific material on Clinton, with specific date ranges. Did someone on the campaign ask Stone to check for this information? Who would have thought to look for it? The indictment does not say. But we also know that Stones intermediary proposed, and the campaign adopted, a line of attack on Clintons health, based on information that they believed would be supported by emails that had not yet been released.

Now the campaign is preparing to argue that so long as the information had already been stolen, it was perfectly free to conduct strategic communications with a foreign government and its agents to acquire information about the emails or to influence the timing of the release. The campaign lawyers will likely say that the material was nothing of value for campaign finance law purposes and that in any event, the First Amendment protects its receipt and use of the information.

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We face, in other words, the fairly exceptional development that a presidential campaign claims a constitutional right to encourage foreign nationals to traffic in stolen information for its political benefit. Without a doubt this is a case of first impression. At the same time, as the evidence continues to develop, Giulianis hope of escaping with a truly technical defense, buttressed by a sweeping constitutional claim, could still come to ruin.

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Attention will soon turn to what the special counsel has learned about the Trump Tower meeting in June 2016. In that encounter, the campaign clearly communicated to Russia that it was looking for its help. The presidents son arranged a meeting, and Trumps campaign chairman Paul Manafort and senior campaign official Jared Kushner attended it. The president said he knew nothing about it, and his and his associates story about what transpired in the meeting has constantly changed.

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But the more that details accumulate about the extent to which this campaign would march with Russia arm-in-arm to victory in the general election, the more uncertain are the prospects for Giulianis claim that even if there was collusion, there was no crime. Gone are the days where no collusion could be voiced. We are now down to the question of whether crimes were committed and will be charged.

More From Just Security:

What the Constitution Says About Trumps Obstruction of Pelosis Afghanistan Trip

Why Trumps Directing Cohen, Others to Lie Would Be Far Worse Than Watergate
Why didnt special counsel Robert Mueller charge self-proclaimed dirty trickster Roger Stone with violating campaign finance laws? And what does this say about Donald Trump Jr.s potential exposure for his Trump Tower meeting with Russians offering dirt on Hillary Clinton?

In todays 24-page indictment of Stone, Mueller charged the Trump adviser with making false statements to Congress, obstructing justice, and witness tampering. The whole set of facts relates to Stones lying and blocking information about his contacts with WikiLeaks during the 2016 campaign regarding hacked emails from the Democratic National Committee and John Podesta. Stone was in contact with the Trump campaign too, which was very interested in material that could hurt Hillary Clinton.

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Among other things, the indictment alleges that a senior Trump Campaign official was directed to contact STONE about  damaging information that WikiLeaks had regarding the Clinton Campaign. Stone wrote to his WikiLeaks intermediary passing on the campaigns requests for specific information that group might have regarding the Clinton Foundation. Later, he asked WikiLeaks for any State or HRC e-mail from August 10 to August 30particularly on August 20, 2011 that mention [the subject of the article] or confirm this narrative.

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To Common Causes Paul S. Ryan, the indictment, if true, is enough to show Stone and the Trump campaign in a conspiracy to violate federal law against soliciting contributions from a foreign national. Federal law makes it a potential crime for any person to solicit (that is, explicitly or implicitly ask for) the contribution of anything of value from a foreign citizen. And as Ryan points out, opposition research is valuable and can count as a campaign contribution.

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If this issue sounds familiar, thats because its also relevant to the meeting with Russian officials in Trump Tower who were offering dirt on Hillary Clinton. As I explained in Slate in July 2017, that meeting could have violated the prohibition on soliciting a contribution from foreign nationals.

So why did Mueller not charge Stone with violating campaign finance laws along with the other charges in the indictment? We dont know for sure, but there are a few possibilities.

One possibility is that because WikiLeaks might count as a news organization, different campaign finance rules should apply. For example, one can imagine a presidential campaign official seeking out information with reporters from a foreign newspaper like the Guardian. We treat journalists differently for a number of campaign finance purposes, and it might be that WikiLeaks is shielded in a way that other foreign entities are not. Indeed, Glenn Greenwald and Trevor Timm, writing at the Intercept, attacked the DNC for suing WikiLeaks over the hack of DNC emails, arguing that such a suit interferes with the presss freedom to cover leaked information.

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If thats the theory, then there still could be charges against Donald Trump Jr. for the Trump Tower meeting, which was with Russian officials who were not the press.

Another, broader possibility is that opposition research or information supplied by foreign nationals with their own agendas should be protected by the First Amendment and not subject to a campaign finance suit. Eugene Volokh advanced this argument in connection with the Trump Tower meeting, and Ive explained in Slate why I think this view is bogus. But Muellers team might not think its bogus, which could explain why the Russians indicted by his office were not charged directly with campaign finance violations.

A third possibility is that campaign finance charges will come later. If Stone were charged today with violating campaign finance laws, then the Trump campaign (or people within the Trump campaign) should be charged, too. They were involved in the same (potential) conspiracy. Perhaps Mueller is saving these charges until the end of his investigation, when he could also seek to indict Trump Jr. in the same kind of conspiracy. Delaying such a move would make sense, for surely it would lead Trump to consider ordering his attorney general to fire Mueller.

Regarding the investigation into the 2016 election, Ive said all along that we dont know what we dont know. This is yet another mystery. But its possible that Muellers failure to charge Stone with a campaign finance violation while charging him with other crimes could indicate that Trump Jr. might be facing less legal jeopardy than it once appeared.
Looks like its Roger Stones time in the barrel. The presidents old friend and longtime political adviser was indicted in the special counsel probe late Thursday on seven counts, including one count of obstruction of an official proceeding, five counts of false statements, and one count of witness tampering, according to the special counsels office. He was arrested Friday morning.

The longtime political provocateur and self-named dirty trickster, who cut his teeth working for Richard Nixon and served as a political adviser to Donald Trump, has long been of interest to the special counsel regarding his connection to the Russian hack of Hillary Clintons campaign in 2016, and the publication by WikiLeaks of tens of thousands of stolen documents.

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Throughout that summer, Stone engaged in a sort of social media performance art, wherein he bragged on Twitter about knowing in advance that damaging information from the campaign was coming and that he had perhaps played a role as conduit. He claimed at the time that he was in contact with the groups founder, Julian Assange. He changed his story multiple times, as investigators questioned those around him, saying he spoke to them through an intermediary. Last year, it emerged hed been in contact with Guccifer 2.0, an account operated by Russian military officers who coordinated the hack. Stone started to claim in recent months that he would be indicted as part of a witch hunt, and also that he would never turn on the president.

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The indictment alleges that the 12 Russians engaged in a sustained effort to hack Democrats and aides to Clinton during the 2016 presidential campaign. It also alleges that during the summer of 2016, STONE spoke to senior Trump Campaign officials about Wikileaks and information it might have had that would be damaging to the Clinton Campaign. STONE was contacted by senior Trump Campaign officials to inquire about future releases by Wikileaks.* The indictment also claims that Stone made multiple false statements about his interactions regarding WikiLeaks, falsely denied possessing records that contained evidence of these interactions, and attempted to persuade a witness to provide false testimony to and withhold pertinent information from the investigations.

Mueller and his team of prosecutors have now indicted 33 individuals and three Russian businesses on charges ranging from computer hacking to false statements to conspiracy and financial crimes. It is believed the investigation is entering its final stages.

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The special counsels office said Stone will make an initial appearance at 11 a.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Lurana S. Snow at the federal courthouse in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. An attorney for Stone told Politico that he expected his client would be released after the appearance and return the next week to plead not guilty.

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White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders responded to reporters questions about the arrest Friday by arguing that Stone had done little different from the news organizations that reported about WikiLeaks. Does that mean CNN is guilty of collusion? she asked the reporters. She reiterated: This has nothing to do with the president.

Update, Jan. 25, 2019 at 9:10 a.m.: This post has been updated with information from Stones lawyer and statements by Sarah Huckabee Sanders.
To listen to the discussion, use the player below:

Get More Political Gabfest Slate Plus members get extended, ad-free versions of our podcastsand much more. Sign up today. Join Slate Plus Subscribe to the Political Gabfest Copy this link and add it in your podcast app. copy link copied! For detailed instructions, see our Slate Plus podcasts page.

Listen to Slates Political Gabfest via Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify, Stitcher, or Google Play.

On this weeks Slate Political Gabfest, Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss the government shutdown, the 2020 Democratic presidential field, and Brexit doom with guest Tanya Gold.

Here are some of the links and references from this weeks show:

 Tanya Gold for the New York Times: Another Day in Brexit Hell

 David Leonhardt for the New York Times: The Shutdown Shows the Weakness of the Resistance

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 Lindsey Bever for the Washington Post: Lara Trump Tells Federal Workers That Their Missed Paychecks Are Sacrifices for the Future of our Country 

 Lara Bazelon for the New York Times: Kamala Harris Was Not a Progressive Prosecutor 

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 Emily Bazelon for the New York Times: Kamala Harris, a Top Cop in the Era of Black Lives Matter

 Jordan Weissmann for Slate: Kamala Harris Big Policy Idea Is Even Worse Than I Thought

 Identity Crisis: The 2016 Presidential Campaign and the Battle for the Meaning of America, by John Sides, Michael Tesler, and Lynn Vavreck

Here are this weeks cocktail chatters:

 Emily: The Mastermind: Drugs. Empire. Murder. Betrayal. by Evan Ratliff

 John: Team of Vipers: My 500 Extraordinary Days in the Trump White House by Cliff Sims

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 David: Jason Kottke for Kottke.org: The Layers of Motherhood, featuring the photography of Annie Wang

 Listener chatter from Leah MacFarlane @raughy: Wilding, by Isabella Tree

For this weeks Slate Plus bonus segment, John, David, and listeners have advice for Emily about how not to choke when playing sports.

Topic ideas for next week? You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Become a fan of the Political Gabfest on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @SlateGabfest. The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.
Last month, a 29-year-old woman whos been in a persistent vegetative state since she was a toddler went into labor and gave birth. An employee of the Arizona health care facility where shes resided for more than 26 years swears no one had any idea she was pregnant until she started exhibiting signs of physical distress during labor. After testing the DNA of the newborn and male employees at the Hacienda HealthCare facility, law enforcement officials arrested nurse Nathan Sutherland, 36, on counts of sexual assault and vulnerable adult abuse on Wednesday morning.

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There is some dispute over the victims condition. The chairman of the San Carlos Apache Tribe, of which the woman is a member, has said she is in a vegetative state, as has the Phoenix Police Department. But her familys lawyer insists that she is neither comatose nor in a vegetative state, but living with significant intellectual disabilities that still allow her to move her limbs and face and respond to noises. (None of these capabilities are incompatible with persistent vegetative states.) Medical records reviewed by the New York Times stated that the victim is incapable of communicating or moving. Court records call her incapacitated and say she has feeding and breathing tubes; no one has disputed that she is incapable of consenting to sexual activity.

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The details of this case are heart-wrenching and infuriating. This woman has spent nearly her whole life confined in an institution, one that is apparently so careless with her body that the team of medical professionals assigned to her care didnt notice anything out of the ordinary when she was more than eight months pregnant. (Investigators believe Sutherland raped her between February and April; she gave birth Dec. 29.) While bathing her, while checking her for bed sores, while testing her vitalsno one noticed (or has said publicly that they noticed) an expanding waistline or breasts, nor felt a growth the size of a full-term infant in her abdomen. In response to a request for comment, a PR representative for Hacienda HealthCare replied, Because of federal privacy laws, we are unable to discuss any aspect of this patients care.

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In every previous case of pregnancy by rape in vegetative or comatose victims I could find, medical professionals noticed that the victim was pregnant before she gave birth. They noticed in the case of a young Argentinean woman in a coma, whose family declined to initiate a police investigation in 2015. They noticed five months into the pregnancy of a 24-year-old quadriplegic and comatose Massachusetts woman in 1998. And they noticed a little over four months into the pregnancy of Kathy, a 29-year-old woman who spent a decade in a coma in upstate New York before making international headlines for her rape, pregnancy, and birth in 1996.

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At the time, bioethicists and physicians called Kathy the first known patient to become pregnant while in a vegetative state. Her case presented a grave and complex ethical dilemma for her family, medical practitioners, and activists for and against reproductive rights. Should Kathys parents, who were responsible for her care, authorize an abortion in the second trimester of her pregnancy? Or should they consign her to the health risks of pregnancy and childbirth, the pain of vaginal birth or a cesarean section, and many months of physical discomfort to which her vegetative body cannot adjust?

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Kathys parents found the decision quite simple. They were Catholic and anti-abortion, and claimed she would never have wanted to terminate a pregnancy. Before the car crash that put her in a coma at 19 years old, she was always pretty pro-life, according to a friend whod heard her express that view in a class on current events at their Catholic high school. According to the familys lawyer, Kathys mother, who ended up adopting and raising her grandchild, said, I know my daughter, and if she could speak, she would want to have this baby.

For other observers, the proper course of action was more complicated. Like the cases of Terri Schiavo and Marlise Munoz, the latter a Texas woman who became brain-dead during the course of her pregnancy in 2013, Kathys pregnancy was a flashpoint in larger, ongoing political debates about life, death, and bodily autonomy. In the New York Times, health care lawyer and bioethicist Ellen Moskowitz wondered whether Kathy was being used as a vessel, asking, Does that recognize her humanity? Is this something that offends the natural order? She also expressed concern that the son Kathy would eventually bearwho the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle recently reported is approaching his 23rd birthdaymight suffer potential harms from knowing his mother was both raped and forced to give birth with neither her consent nor her knowledge. Health law professor George Annas concurred with the idea that Kathy was being used as a vessel for the sake of other peoplenamely, her parents. In a story published in the Los Angeles Times, he called Kathy an incubator and raised the hypothetical scenario of parents wanting to artificially inseminate their vegetative child. Would you say its the familys prerogative? Annas asked. I think most people would be horrified at that notion.

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Feminists for Life members Suzanne Schnittman and Katherine S. Lammers presented a different analogy. In a 1996 op-ed in the Democrat and Chronicle, they said that aborting Kathys fetus would be an act of double violence akin to punishing a murderer with the death penalty. Once a murder is committed, the loved ones of the victim cannot reclaim their relative or friend. They and the entire community  need an outlet for revenge, Schnittman and Lammers wrote. Removing the murderer from the face of the Earth, as abortion removes the unborn child who is the product of rape, seems to be a solution that will bring solace.  The child is no longer around to remind the victim of the rape. [But] is that how memory really works?

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A juror in the trial of the nurses aide who was eventually convicted of sexually assaulting Kathy offered a more bizarre interpretation of the crime. Two weeks after Kathy died of undisclosed causes a few weeks before her sons first birthday in 1997, the juror, who was a clergyman, told the Democrat and Chronicle that she had been raped as part of a divine plan. God has given life to this little boy for a reason, he said. I believe he is supposed to do something significant with his life. What it is, I dont know. But I hope someday to find out.  One life has ended, but another is beginning.

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Medical ethics professor Jane Greenlaw, commenting on Kathys case to the Los Angeles Times in February 1996, posited that terminating the pregnancy-by-rape of a comatose woman would be just as fraught as forcing a person without the capacity to think to carry a pregnancy to term, give birth, and bring a new life into the world. I think its wrong to assume that one of the choices has more moral implications than the other, she said.

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In her 2016 book The Ethics of Pregnancy, Abortion and Childbirth: Exploring Moral Choices in Childbearing, anti-abortion bioethics scholar Helen Watt expounded on those implications, arguing that while the right not to be made pregnant while one is unconscious is unalienable, it is the abortion of such pregnancies that violates the womans bodily integrity, as well as her babys, in a truly intolerable way. Since the rape of a vegetative woman cannot be undone, Watt wrote, the most ethical way to approach her pregnancy would be to simply let it continue. An abortion would in fact be a new invasive act, fully avoidable, which would make the womans own invaded body the unwitting site of a violent invasion of her childs, she wrote.

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I think its wrong to assume that one of the choices has more moral implications than the other.  Jane Greenlaw, a medical ethics professor, in 1996

Its difficult, however, to read contemporaneous accounts of the delivery of Kathys child and argue that it was not an invasive act on her nonconsenting body. Robert Loeb, the spokesman for the hospital where she gave birth, announced that Kathy looked agitated when she went into labor, but never made a sound. The mother is back in her room, relaxed and resting, he told reporters afterward. I think the family is pleased that theyve reached this milestone.

Studies have suggested that some people in comas and persistent vegetative states can feel painthats one reason why theyre still anesthetized before any necessary surgeries. (In one recorded case of a woman who entered a vegetative state after a suicide attempt while pregnant, doctors administered an epidural when she went into labor because she appeared in distress.) Law enforcement officials handling Kathys case reported that she could feel pain and respond to some stimuli, even as she was entirely uncommunicative and oblivious to her surroundings. The idea of an unthinking, unknowing woman in possibly painful yet silent laborand the absurd idea that she could be somehow relaxed and resting when she has no idea whats going onshould give pause to those who see nonconsensual birth as somehow less of a violation than nonconsensual abortion.

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None of these arguments have much bearing on the case of the San Carlos Apache woman who was raped and gave birth at Hacienda HealthCare last year, because her family was allegedly never given the opportunity to decide what she would have wanted. (And since she became vegetative at the age of 3, she never had the chance to learn what abortion and pregnancy were, much less develop opinions about them.) But thinking through the ethical dilemmas and questions of bodily autonomy that arise when a pregnant woman suffers severe brain damageor when a severely brain-damaged woman becomes pregnant through rapecould be useful for women considering writing living wills, and lawyers or legislators working on issues of reproductive justice.

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In some states, a womans living will is automatically thrown out when she gets pregnant, forcing her to incubate a fetus to term even if she becomes brain-dead. Theres an active movement to change such laws, and activists have had recent successes in states like Connecticut, which now allows people to specify in their advance directives whether and how theyd like to be cared for if they become both incapacitated and pregnant. Changes to these laws wont help the Arizona woman in the news this month, but they could prevent similar injustices from befalling other women in the future.
Hillary Clinton said that she kept hot sauce in her bag when she was interviewed on black talk radio in April 2016.

Jeb Bush released a Spanish-language Cinco de Mayo ad to celebrate the holiday in 2015 and sold a $75 branded guaca bowle on his campaign website during the 2016 Republican presidential primary.

The person standing next to me immediately said, We need to primary this guy in 2020.

And last week, at an event honoring Asian American members of the 116th Congress in Washington, Hawaii Rep. Ed Case told a crowd of more than 500 Asian American community members, Capitol Hill staff, and journalists, Im an Asian trapped in a white body.

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Just before, Case had talked about his relationship to the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus and to the Asian American community as a whole. Perhaps Cases remark was just a clumsy offhand remark or joke, an attempt to find common ground with the mostly Asian American audience. He clearly didnt mean it literally, after all. But the response was overwhelmingly negative.

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Congressman Ed Case, who represents a majority Asian district in Honolulu - Im an Asian trapped in a white body pic.twitter.com/Roro6Yk8CW  Nicholas Wu (@nicholaswu12) January 16, 2019

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John Yang, the president and executive director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice, one of the largest Asian American civil rights groups, was surprised and disappointed by the remarks, he told me in a written statement. This misstep clearly shows the need to engage more closely with Rep. Case on diversity issues and whitewashing sensitivities facing the AAPI community.

Others in the audience reacted even more strongly.

I remember everyone around me being flabbergasted after hearing that. The person standing next to me immediately said, We need to primary this guy in 2020,  said Dorothy He.

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After I originally posted the quote on the night of Jan. 15, the reaction from Twitter was furious.

I keep reading this quote wondering if Im misreading this. This actually happened. In public, wrote CNNs Kyung Lah.

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No, Ed. No, tweeted Angry Asian Man (aka Phil Yu).

Cases office put out a statement the next day saying that the line was a reference to something the congressmans Japanese American wife sometimes says about him. The statement explained that Cases remarks intended to convey the idea that he could serve as an advocate for Asian and Pacific Islander residents of Hawaii because like so many others from Hawaii who treasure our multicultural heritage, I have absorbed and live the values of our many cultures.

Case expressed regret if my specific remarks to the national API community on my full absorption of their concerns caused any offense.

APIAVote, the hosts of the event, accepted the apology and looked to the future. We look forward to working with all the members of CAPAC in the 116th Congress on issues impacting AAPI communities, including protecting our right to vote, said Christine Chen, the organizations executive director.

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But the incident hints at something deeper. Cases comments come at a time of deep soul-searching within the Democratic Party and American politics at large about the politics of representation as the country accelerates its change toward becoming a majority-minority country. The United States will likely be minority white by 2045, according to census estimates. And the countrys elected representatives will have to adapt to that new reality.

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The latest midterm elections gave vivid demonstrations of the risks posed to white politicians representing majority-minority districts. During the Democratic primaries, Ayanna Pressley beat Michael Capuano, a longtime incumbent of the Massachusetts 7th Congressional District. They had virtually identical political platforms, but the sole major difference was race. Pressley is black. Capuano is white. The district is majority-minority. Joe Crowley, the next in line to succeed Nancy Pelosi, also befell the same fate when he lost his seat last year in an upset to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in the largely Latino 14th District of New York.

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Case also faces the challenge of representing a majority-minority district during these changing times. His current constituency, Hawaiis 1st Congressional District, composed of the city of Honolulu and its suburbs, is the only congressional district in the United States with a majority-Asian population. In his past stints in Congress, Case made some efforts to lead on Asian American issues. For example, he introduced legislation to reinstate Filipino World War II veterans benefits, as well as legislation to give immigration preference to the children of Filipino World War II veterans. Case went on to serve as the whip of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus in the 108th Congress.

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He did downplay his own racial identity, though, telling Honolulu Civil Beat in June, The voter wants to feel an initial bond deeper than issue agreement, a similarity, an emotional bonding. We all are conscious of our ethnicity, but I have never believed it to be a finishing point for a voter, just a starting point.

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Case went on to win the Democratic nomination for his seat in 2018, having defeated six Asian American, Pacific Islander, and Native Hawaiian candidates by winning a plurality in the 1st Districts primary.

Hawaii is one of the few majority-minority states in the country and the only one in which Asian Americans are the largest ethnic group. It has a long tradition of elevating Asian Americans to the top levels of governmental power, having sent the first Asian American to the Senate (Hiram Fong, in 1959) and the first nonwhite woman to Congress (Patsy Mink, in 1965.)

The problem with Cases comments, especially in the context of his districts demographics, is that they effectively conflated Asians and whites, explained Pawan Dhingra, professor of American studies at Amherst College. Race still shapes Asians lives whether it be a glass ceiling, access to political representation, cultural discourses on being seen as perpetual foreigners, or threats to the U.S., or how Homeland Security will target mosques. These are real racial experiences that his sentence denied.

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Dhingra continued: This kind of pandering by a white politician to an Asian audience is different than what the same politician would do to a black or Latino audience. I cant imagine a white politician saying, Im a black person in a white body. 

Moving forward, Case, and other politicians in his situation, will have to rely on what political theorists call substantive representation, when representatives advocate for their constituencies based on shared ideology, rather than descriptive representation, in which representatives ostensibly match the descriptive characteristics of their constituents, such as race or socioeconomic status. Unfortunately for them, the current trend in the Democratic Party seems to be a desire for descriptive representation.

That said, some white candidates have successfully engaged minority communities and constituencies and appealed to them on a much deeper level. Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown won re-election in Ohio with a commanding share of the minority vote and is now emphasizing what he calls the dignity of workpolicies that will support all workers, in his view, as he edges closer to a presidential run. Although Ohio is a whiter state than many, Brown made concerted efforts to reach out to black voters, even highlighting a specific plank on his campaign website about Supporting the African American Community, with Fighting for Economic Justice and Standing Up for Civil Rights as the top two issues. Browns deliberate outreach might have helped create his margin of victory in the latest election, even as other Democratic candidates faltered in Ohio.

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Former Rep. Beto ORourke, D-Texas, came within 3 percentage points of unseating Sen. Ted Cruz in last years election, in part boosted by higher minority turnout in Texas.

Christian Grose, a political science professor at the University of Southern California who has conducted research on the racial dynamics of congressional representation, argued that the success of candidates in majority-minority districts depended on their ability to successfully build a coalition among the ethnic minority community. Thus, Cases electoral future would probably depend on how much support he would get from Asian American constituents in the districtperhaps something intuitive, but given Case only won the primary with 40 percent of the vote, hell have to expand his original electoral coalition.

According to Grose, the real obstacle to Cases re-election might come from an Asian American candidate who could organize the districts constituents into an electoral coalition in a future primary.

There are so few Asian American members of Congress, and there are many white members of Congress, continued Grose. So, even for symbolic reasons, the election of an Asian American in that district might be a decent chance.
After Andrew Gillum narrowly lost his gubernatorial bid in November, the Florida Democrat still seemed destined for big things. His stunning primary victory proved him to be an effective, charismatic campaigner with a penchant for bold progressive policies. Gillum appeared poised for a Senate run, or maybe a 2022 gubernatorial rematch against Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, whose associations with racists continue to cause turmoil. But a Florida ethics probe into Gillums conduct as Tallahassee mayor has made his political future cloudier than it once appeared. On Friday, that investigation took a new, serious turn, when a state commission found probable cause that Gillum violated ethics laws by accepting gifts from lobbyists.

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This latest development, reported in the Tallahassee Democrat, should not be confused with the FBI probe into corruption in Tallahassee, which looks to be uninterested in Gillum.

But its still a blow to his political ambitionsa splotch on his record that arises from alleged conduct that might be generously described as unseemly. Until now, Gillum has waved away criticisms of his behavior as a partisan smear campaign. Fridays decision undermines that defense, giving future opponents legitimate grist to attack his character.

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Although the Florida ethics investigation is separate from the FBI probe, it revolves around Gillums interactions with undercover FBI agents who infiltrated Tallahassee politics in 2015. That year, a Tallahassee lobbyist named Adam Corey befriended an agent posing as a developer named Mike Miller. In 2016, Corey took Gillum on a luxury vacation to Costa Rica and, while there, scheduled a meeting between Gillum and Miller. Later, Corey, Miller, and Gillum took a trip to New York City. Corey booked Gillum a hotel room and told him that Miller and his crew had obtained tickets to Hamilton. In addition to seeing the play, the three men took a catered boat tour around the Statue of Liberty.

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It now appears the FBI was primarily focused on Tallahassee Commissioner Scott Maddox, who was indicted in December for bribery, extortion, fraud, and racketeering. The Costa Rica and New York trips, however, remain damaging for Gillum. Florida law requires state officials to report all gifts from lobbyists that have a value greater than $100. Gillum says he paid for his share of the Costa Rica trip, and that he thought his brother had procured the Hamilton tickets. But receipts suggest that he underpaid for the Costa Rica vacation, unless he somehow got the worlds greatest deal on a luxury villa. Moreover, text messages demonstrate that he knew Miller, and not his brother, paid for the Hamilton tickets. (Corey released these damning records just before the 2018 election after he fell out with Gillum and hired a GOP operative to defend him against the FBI probe.)

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Given that Gillum never disclosed the villa vacation, the New York hotel room, the Hamilton ticket, and the boat tour, a Tallahassee businessman filed an ethics complaint against him.

Now, following an investigation, the Florida Commission on Ethics has found probable cause that Gillum did, indeed, violate ethics laws by failing to report the freebies he received from Corey (an actual lobbyist) and Miller (an FBI agent posing as a real estate developer who was lobbying Tallahassee). An administrative law judge will conduct an evidentiary hearing in the next 45 to 60 days at which Gillum can dispute the commissions findings, which will soon be made public. If the judge concludes that he ran afoul of the law, he or she can issue fines as well as an official reprimand. (Gillum can also enter into a settlement with the commission, though his lawyer spurned that option on Friday.)

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However Gillum chooses to proceed, its clear that Fridays findings undermine his account and, by extension, his credibility. Throughout the campaign, he insisted that he paid his share of the lavish excursions and never accepted gifts from lobbyists. That narrative is now almost impossible to believe. True, Gillum never performed favors for lobbyists in exchange for their largesse, which would be a federal offense. But even without a quid pro quo, his cozy relationship with lobbyists did not seem to comport with Florida law.

Should Gillum run for office down the road, this blunder will likely be used as a cudgel, risking his ability to win a primary, let alone a general election. Perhaps it is too soon to write off his political career. But if he ever again throws his hat in the ring, his opponents will be ready to pounce with a sordidand substantiatedtale of corruption.
Its Day 34 of the government shutdown, with no clear end in sight. The president confirmed Wednesday that the shutdown, triggered by the ongoing dispute over funds for his proposed southern border wall, will go on for a while. According to USA Today, acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney delivered another signal that the administration is preparing for an indefinite shutdown when he asked agencies to provide lists of programs that will be endangered if the shutdown lasts for weeks and even months more.

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Hanging in the balance are such minor things as the functioning of our government and the lives of an estimated 800,000 federal workers who are about to miss their second paycheck since the shutdown started in December. While over 300,000 are completely furloughed, over half of those affected are working without pay, according to CNBC. The ongoing stalemate has wreaked havoc on these workers household budgets, with many seeking side jobs or applying for unemployment and other forms of assistance. Here are the stories of five federal employees and contractors about how theyre managing financially and whether they think the shutdown was worth the politics behind it.

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Interviews have been lightly edited for length and clarity.

The NASA lead systems engineer

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I work for NASA as a lead systems engineer, and I live in Huntsville, Alabama. Ive been furloughed since the shutdown started, since Dec. 26. I did get a full paycheck the first week of January because it was initialized before the shutdown, and they had enough funds to cover it, but we havent gotten paid since then. My position is kind of a promotion and I just got that in December. We have a new program that we were supposed to be standing up this month, but thats obviously not essential or accepted and so thats not happening right now.

I currently have three side gigs going. Gig economy, right? Im hand-writing note cards for a realtor friend, and this week I should start copy-editing a lawyer friends book that shes almost done writing. Im also working for my mother. We were about to the point where we were going to have to hire somebody to help her at home anyway, so while the furlough lasts, shes just paying me to help her instead.

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In terms of bills and stuff, Ive actually been really lucky. I have my mortgage and my car payment through a local credit union that serves DOD and NASA and other federal employees. They said that theyll essentially do a skip-and-pay arrangement for 90 days, and after that they can do reduced payments. So thats helping a lot, but Ive cut out most non-essential expenses: I dont eat out, I dont go places, I dont buy anything that I dont absolutely have to have. I think its kind of silly that this [border wall] discussion is happening while all of us are out of work. This isnt a simple discussion. They havent been able to solve it for the last two years and so the idea of trying to solve such a complex problem in a couple of weeks doesnt make real good sense.

The EPA biologist

Ive worked at the Environmental Protection Agency for about 12 years. My laboratory focuses on water distribution, waste water, and drinking water treatment practices. This is the first long shutdown Ive experienced because I was out of the country for the one in 2013. EPAs furlough started after the first week of the shutdown, and the last time I was paid was the second week of January. It was half [my usual] paycheck.

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I looked at the balance in my bank accounts a few days ago just to see how things were going, and I was shocked to see that I wasnt going to have a nervous breakdown, but Im definitely not going out as much. I havent picked up a side gig yet, but I have been eyeing some moonlighting jobs, so I think I may look into taking something up next week if the shutdown continues. They would be doing some landscape design work, residential landscape design, so definitely different from what I do day in and day out, but something that I studied back in college.

I havent had to [explain the situation to bill collectors] as of yet. I think having worked for about 12 years Im in a fortunate spot to have a few months of disposable income, but that definitely wasnt meant to be used in this manner. If anything came up that would be a big expenditure, I would definitely put it to the side until the shutdown was over.

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I know some people or colleagues [who have been called in to work without pay], but I personally have not been. I was listening to NPR yesterday afternoon and there was a special during the lunch hour on the Chesapeake Bay program that the EPA runs, and thats part of what I work on, and it was talking about a lot of problems with the Chesapeake Bay. I dont anticipate being called to work without pay, but the more you see stuff like that in the news, I could see potentially some folks being called in.

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I think it was worth it, to a certain extent, having different opinions being thrown out there with different types of border security, but I think as I read the news or listen to the news every day I personally start to question [the value]. Im starting to question it a lot more given that there are a lot of people struggling, more each day.

The Department of Justice case manager

I was scheduled for vacation at the end of the year, but I ended up getting furloughed. [My last paycheck] was a month ago, it was literally the last check of the year and was a full paycheck. Im a hustler by nature, Im originally from New York and Ive actually already been driving Uber and Lyft part-time. It was an extremely side gig, I was doing it maybe on the weekends. So I kicked it up to full-time and through the grace of God, Im doing good. Tired as hell, but Im doing good.

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Im married, so my wife and I, we sat down, and weve had student loans, shes had her student loans, weve got a forbearance with that. Im taking advantage of what the creditors are offering as far as my car note and everything like that. Everyones been notified. The bank has helped me out, the next car notes not due until April, so were doing [financial] things that we wouldnt normally ordinarily do.

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The humbling part is when I first called my credit cards to tell them that Im furloughed, a couple of them wanted to close my account and put me in a program. Its frustrating because theres nothing Ive done to cause this. Its taken me a long time to get to where I am and to establish the credit that Ive established, so that was the first punch in the stomach. Waking up every day and listening to this mess on the news, its a slap in the face. But thats the resiliency of being a black man, its nothing that Im not used to.

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The thing is this is supposed to be a secure job. Whats more secure than working for the federal government? Yet here we are going on three days from not being paid in over a month. It just goes to show that this administration is using us as pawns. Thats the frustrating part, just sitting here and being helpless and being pawns in all of this. Thats just the general consensus [with my colleagues].

I was called in [to work without pay] two weeks ago, Jan. 11 I went in. And I was supposed to go in this coming Friday but its not happening, Im not going. I dont think [the shutdown was worth it]. Nobody in their right damned mind whos not getting paid, who hasnt gotten paid in over a month, is standing in agreement with this crap.

The EPA budget analyst

Ive been with the agency for almost eight and a half years now. They were able to keep us open for a week after the official shutdown, so weve been on shutdown since Dec. 28. The last time I was paid was Jan. 11; it was a partial check.

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Im a budget analyst so Im pretty smart with my money, but thats not going to last forever. I have not had to ask for help, but I have a very strong and very supportive network which has offered me helpmy friends have just been PayPal-ing me out of nowhere. My family has done the same. My network of moms, specifically the Mom Squad with the Momference, they were able to connect me with an organization that wanted to provide a grant to a single black mother affected by the shutdown, so I was able to receive a very nice piece of change for support. I am going to use it to pay my mortgage for February.

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Build it, dont build it, I dont care. This whole thing is absolutely pointless.

My credit union and all of my banks have contacted me, saying that if youre affected by the shutdown, give us a call, we can help. They are offering to put a forbearance on current loans. There is support out there. Child care is a concern, but fortunately my daughters in kindergarten and she normally goes to after-care while Im at work, but Ive pulled her out of after-care for now.

I keep saying I wont have to pick up a side gig, that this is the last week, but Ive been playing around with driving for Uber or Lyft. I used to do freelance makeup, so I might dust off my brushes again. Ive been thinking of other things, like teaching English online. I think I can stay afloat for another month, and if that doesnt work then I will consider filing for unemployment and picking up a side gig.

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Its not just federal workers that are affected, especially living in D.C. Its the entire region, its trickling down to small businesses and other people that rely on federal workers. I have a rental unit in my home, and my tenant cleans houses and her clients are canceling, so not only is it my paycheck but my other source of income thats being affected right now because my tenant cant pay her rent.

The federal technology contractor

Ive been a federal contractor for 25 years, and Ive worked with just about every agency in the government. My particular firm today works with the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Education, the Department of Transportation. We work with most agencies.

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Weve had shutdowns before and the first weeks are relatively easy, people can take paid time off that they havent used up. After two weeks, you have to start doing unnatural things. You have to start getting bank loans, people are out of not only PTO but any amount of PTO that you couldve loaned them, and people are also coming up on their own personal savings.

It just gets to a point where, as a contractor, you are paying people to do nothing. Many, not all, but many federal employees will recuperate the money that they lost. Federal contactors dont. In the last shutdown that was just two and a half weeks, I knew two service-disabled veterans firms that went bankrupt because they could never recover.

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We have a contract with USDA that includes Beltsville, Maryland; St. Louis, and Kansas City. I had to let 11 people go yesterday, nine of them were their [families] primary breadwinners. Its funny, in Missouri, in Kansas City and St. Louis, most of them supported President Trump during the election. It was hard, in one particular case where the guy is just a lovely, Christian guy, and hes got five kids and his wife doesnt work. Hes a senior leader on the project, and we especially tried to do everything we could to keep him on and we just couldnt any longer. That was a heartbreaking call to make.

If this thing doesnt end really and I mean really, really soon, if this thing goes into February, itll be bloody awful. There will be 80, 100 people laid off? The impact will be massive, just within our little firm. As a business, weve had to take out some unnatural loans which could at some point put our business in peril. The management team across the board has taken increasingly significant cuts personally, but thats just the right thing to do, thats not me being a hero, thats just the right thing to do. If it stops tomorrow, it would still be painful, but wed get by.

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Again, if it goes another 10 days, I dont know. Well have to take out more loans, well have to cut more people including overhead staff and at some point, the whole thing becomes unsustainable. Our bank has been great, but were going to get sheltered at some point with a half-million loan that we should never have to had taken out. And now well be stuck with that for years, all for what?

Give him the wall, dont give him the wall, its 1/1000 of the federal budget. Its like shutting down your house because youre complaining about ATM fees. I get that he feels like hes stuck with this base and he has to do this, and I get where the Democrats are saying, well if we give into this now.  At this point, Im beyond caring. Will the wall work? Maybe. Will it hurt us? Not really. For $5 billion youre getting what? A 30-mile wall. Build it, dont build it, I dont care. This whole thing is absolutely pointless.
Early on in this weeks episode of Vanderpump Rules, the Bravo series that chronicles the lives and loves of the staff at a Los Angeles restaurant, Tom Sandoval stands behind the bar, serving a drink to his boss, Lisa Vanderpump. Lisa cant drink too much though, because, she says, Im going to Stassiswhats it stand for again? Why, Tom answers, its a party for Stassis newest brainchild, National OOTD Day: She bought a holiday, he says.

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Come again? You can buy a holiday? Is this just the millennial version of naming a star? Stassi Schroeder herself appears in a different scene to explain: National OOTD DayOOTD stands for outfit of the day, so technically its National Outfit of the Day Dayis a holiday that I started, Stassi says. On this day, June 30, celebrants are encouraged to post their #ootd on social media, to celebrate their personal style.

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Creating the day was really hard, continues Stassi, who the New Yorkers Emily Nussbaum once called a grownup version of the nasty little girl in the Free to Be  You and Me fable Ladies First.  She goes on, I had to find what this company was that does all these national holidays. And then they were like, You have to get a website. So then, once they approved it, Im a fucking holiday owner. Lisa doesnt even own a holiday. (This has since been called into question: Lisa does have a holiday, if you count Beverly Hills Lisa Vanderpump Day.)

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Despite Stassis eloquent summary, questions remain. How exactly do you buy a day? And where? So Slate spoke to Marlo Anderson, the founder of National Day Calendar, the North Dakotabased company that since 2013 has taken it upon itself to regulate a yearly schedule of both traditional and nontraditional holidays. Its the organization that granted Stassis day to her, Anderson said. In fact, he attended Stassis party at Pump and can be seen in the episode, though he isnt identified. There was also a proclamation ceremony that didnt make the episode, he added.

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Anyone who wants a holiday recognized can apply on National Day Calendars website, but the odds are against you: Anderson said the company gets 20,000 applications annually and honors just 25 to 30 of them, with an internal committee picking the winners. Anderson, who has recused himself from that process, said, Generally speaking, its something that they think has national relevance, something that a lot of people can participate in. Those are probably a couple of the things that Stassis day reflected, because people can obviously put an outfit on and celebrate the day. The concept of an outfit of the day, Anderson added, was kind of a thing already.

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Applying for a day is free, but there is a fee to make it official. Anderson declined to disclose the number, but the Wall Street Journal reported in 2016 that it can run up to $4,500. National OOTD Day joins National Cheddar Day (Feb. 13) and National Craft Distillery Day (May 22) as recent additions to the calendar.

What gives National Day Calendar the power to recognize holidays? Its endorsement means possible exposure on a slow news day, essentially: Anderson told the WSJ that the company has a roster of more than 20,000 media outlets that it blasts with daily holiday updates, driving potential coverage on the way to social trending.

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This Vanderpump Rules episode was filmed in June 2018, on the first official National OOTD Day. For a first year out, it did really well, Anderson said, though the holiday did not trend highly on social media, one of the companys key markers of success. Usually it takes three years for a national day to start trending in that top-10 space. Now that National OOTD Day has enjoyed television exposure, though, the next outing could be big.

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In the show, Stassi declares triumphantly, This is the beginning of my own version of a Lisa Vanderpumpesque empire. This raises the question of whether Anderson ever worries that the calendar will get too commercial, as brands see the holidays as marketing opportunities, and he said he does. There may be that concern a little bit with this, he said of National OOTD Day. This is probably a little bit on the fringe for us because of that possibility.

Normally, the company doesnt give holidays to individuals. We dont always encourage the individual applications as much because we have a lot of people who get creative with their national days, Ill put it that way, Anderson said. If you go on the page, we actually say that were accepting applications only from organizations and companies.

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For Anderson, appearing on reality TV was no big deal. National Day Calendar is a pretty significant thing, he said. Were the No. 1 trending topic of all time. I dont mean to sound a little jaded or whatever. Were in the news every day. Now I feel like if were not trending, theres something wrong with our website.

Stassi, meanwhile, has already announced that she has bigger goals for her holiday. In the episode, she muses, One day, it could become a federal holiday, and banks and schools will even close. So youre welcome.
This post is part of Outward, Slates home for coverage of LGBTQ life, thought, and culture. Read more here.

Theres no question that when Rent opened on Broadway in April 1996with a pair of gay love stories, a narrative that put the AIDS crisis at its heart, and one of Broadways first openly queer romantic duetsit was a milestone of queer representation. This Sunday, nearly a quarter-century later, the musical is receiving the live, prime-time televised revival treatment on Fox. The new incarnation is designed to affirm Rents place in the theatrical canon and introduce the piece to audiences beyond the Rent-heads who fervently congregated around its Broadway run and 2005 movie adaptation. But the broadcast will also expose it to the glare of 2019 conceptualizations of queer identity and diversity. So ahead of the big night, Ive brought my expertise as a scholar of 90s queer theater to bear on a tricky question: In these more sophisticated times, does Rent, as a model of queer storytelling, still hold up?

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As a simple matter of numbers, show creator Jonathan Larson designed his rock musicals principle cast with a bias in favor of queer people: Of seven principal characters, four are queer. Of these, in the original casting, three of those four are people of color (Angel, Collins, Joanne, and Mimi). Of these, two (Joanne and Mimi) are cis women, and another (Angel) could be read (in modern parlance) as either a trans woman or a genderfluid/femme-presenting gay man. The good news is, by my reckoning, these characters largely stand the test of time. Rents musical style and theatrical format may feel slightly dated, but its portraits of queer people often actually outstrip more recent attempts at diversity. And even when they feel somewhat dusty, they offer an important window into queer history.

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Larsons foregrounding of queer people of color remains especially vital, and his depiction of Joanne and Collins (a successful black lawyer and academic, respectively) is particularly significant. Joanne and Collins are also political activists, Joannes family has political connections, and Collins uses his academic connection to spread political messagingin other words, they are the sort of complex, positive images of queer black people that remain all too rare in musicals, or really anywhere else, today. Fortunately, the Fox live broadcast has retained Larsons original casting model, with actors Kiersey Clemmons and Brandon Victor Dixon taking on the roles.

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Another key aspect of Rents queer representation is how unremarkable it treats queer peoples presence in the narrative. Larson doesnt spend time explaining or justifying his queer charactersthey simply exist. That two of the romantic subplots (between Angel and Collins and Joanne and Maureen) are queerand queered, given that Larson drew on Puccinis La Boheme as source materialis strides ahead of the more familiar token gay friend narrative more familiar across theater, film, and television still today.* In this, Collins is particularly significant: He is Mark and Rogers best friend and a gay man living with HIV, but he is also much more than that: a professor of philosophy (formerly of MIT, later NYU) as well as a self-described anarchist. Angel, a performance artist and sometime clothing designer, is easily accepted by the core characters for her gender expression and sexuality. In many ways, this is more progressive than much of the contemporary work Rent might be judged against today.

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That said, as with any work, Rent reflects the time in which it was written, especially in terms of language or the lack thereof. In the mid-1990s, queer itself had yet to be widely reclaimed and is heard in the musical several times as a slur. And of course, the piece is largely devoid of the labels and descriptors of queerness now common. Its also worth noting the somewhat strange provenance of the work, given that Larson was a heterosexual, white, cisgender man (who, contra a mythology thats sprung up around his death the night before the shows premiere, did not die of AIDS complications but rather of an undiagnosed heart condition). While we might praise Larson for performing the allyship of straight creators writing queer people into their stories, its fair to have qualms about telling queer stories through a straight lens. And in this regard, Rent does occasionally have moments that feel like the perspective of an observer, rather than an inhabitant of the community, in the writing.

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The queer women of Rent present the most problems of this sort, in the form of tired tropes. While masculine suits and Doc Martins were fashionable at the time, Joannes hard no-nonsense exterior walks a fine line. Butchness can, on one hand, be a legitimate gender expression for lesbian women, but Joannes could be read as tipping over into cliche. Similarly, Maureen could be seen as a progressive character, unapologetic about her sexual orientation, a woman taking ownership of her sexuality. (Bisexual characters in musical theater are still few and far between.) However, Maureen, her parodically earnest feminist performance art, and ultimately her sexuality are sometimes treated as something of a joke. Joanne and Maureen get overall less stage time and narrative focus than the queer men or the heterosexual romantic leads, and so despite Rents inclusion of queer women, it is somewhat lacking in genuine character development.

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Rent is more progressive than much of the contemporary work it might be judged against today.

Impressively, Angel feels like the most developed and the most contemporary of the queer characters. She bounces onto the stage in full Santa Claus drag, immediately and unapologetically queer. The casting of Valentina, a first-generation Mexican American nonbinary drag queen, is perhaps the only update Angel needs to hold up to 21st-century analysis. Given that Angels gender identity remains ambiguous, this is smart casting, bringing to the role elements that fill in blanks Larsons own understanding perhaps lacked. Whats most significant is that the characters all accept Angel, however you interpret her identity expression. A powerful instance of this is when Mark corrects himself, He, I mean she during the song Ill Cover You (Reprise). In a moment many a contemporary writer could learn from, Larson subtly but powerfully asserts of the validity of Angels identity even without the full range of language and labels we now use.

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In revisiting Rent, the element I suspect might be most troubling to younger and new viewers is Angels death. A central plot point of Act II and the reason for Collins chilling and heartfelt gospel lament Ill Cover You [reprise], there is no doubt Angels death is at the emotional core of the story. While four central characters are living with AIDSMimi, Roger, Collins, and Angelit is Angel who dies. Mimi comes close, but miraculously recovers, and so, Rent does at first glance seem to be falling into the bury your gays trope.

However, this would be a misreading of Larsons narrative and a misunderstanding of the work in context. What Larson and audiences at the time saw was a reflection of the world they knew. In blunt terms, there is little point to a 90s musical about AIDS if everyone lives. The harsh and tragic reality of the 1990s was that far too many people like Angel died from the plague. Pretending otherwise would be to erase queer history.

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And Rent is now a part of that history. While queer experience and expression has not stood still in the last 25 years, Rent has been frozen in its cultural moment. Two hours of musical theater cannot be a definitive take on queer life, but it can document a moment, define it even, for generations to come. While, just like the 90s rock-pop idiom that defined the show, some of Rents queer aspects might feel a little out of step, the shows overarching ideas of love and tolerance makes these queer characters feel not only current, but necessary. Their gritty Alphabet City may be long lost to gentrification, but musical theater, and its fans, could still learn a lot from these characters. Our understanding of queerness might change, but Rents call to measure your life in love endures.
I feel at a bit of a loss to explain fully the chest-smacking satisfaction I felt on first listening to the eponymous album by Better Oblivion Community Center, which stole into the world almost entirely by surprise on Wednesday night, after nearly two years of surreptitious co-writing in Los Angeles by the cross-generational team of songwriters Phoebe Bridgers and Conor Oberst. Sure, I came to it already admiring bothfor nearly 20 years in Obersts case, since the days of his Omaha, Nebraskabased band, Bright Eyes, albeit with many ups and downs; with Bridgers, since her heart-swallowing 2017 solo debut Stranger in the Alps, along with last years EP by her other collaborative project, Boygenius. I should also grant that the kinds of wounded-and-dyspeptic folk-rock hues they each specialize in occupy ample bandwidth in the spectrum of my tastes, especially when peppered with disruptive noises and jokes. But as for why, in the final gasps of January 2019, this feels like the gift I had no idea I was craving  Id have to start with the sequencing.

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Sequencing is the mostly invisible art of setting the order of the tracks on an album. If you have ever made a mixtape or playlist, youve practiced it. And the sequencing on this album appeals to a platonic form of albumness that often seems lost to either sprawl or sporadicity in the streaming era. While not every song in this set, clocking in at the platonic album length of 40 minutes, is equally strong, the sequencing ensures every song plays its role. The first starts with a spare, intimate, solo verse from Bridgers, opening with the line, My telephone, it doesnt have a camera, a quiet sign that this album is going to situate itself a step outside the everyday churn. Then, Obersts voice joins her, and finally the full band comes indrums lastto just-short-of-anthemic effect, with lyrics that set up a running theme about individual inadequacy in the face of both personal and social crises. This perfectly calibrated first song being called Didnt Know What I Was in For, a ridiculously apt first-song title, is just sparklers on the cake. (As is the background fact that it actually is the first tune Bridgers and Oberst ever wrote together, thinking it a one-off at the time.)

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Its perhaps not just the albums sequencing but its placement within the events of the outside world that makes it so beguiling.

The second song, Sleepwalkin, ratchets up the rhythm and density to establish that Better Oblivion Community Center really is a band, or wants to sound like one, rather than like a pastel-washed vehicle for wistful acoustic girl-boy duetswhich is what people might have guessed a Bridgers-Oberst duo album would be. (One of the reasons theyve given for the surprise release was to prevent such false expectations from accumulating.) While the rhythm section, keyboards, and lead guitars arent always in the same hands throughout the album, guests from groups such as the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Dawes, and Autolux are given the space by the duo and co-producer Andy LeMaster to make good on those band ambitions.

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This is all crucial second-track business, and it clears the way for Track 3, Dylan Thomasthe hit, at least in this albums imaginary universe. Its a full-on, world-turned-upside-down rock-out (at least in a kind of mid-90s Pavement rock-out way), a landscape Bridgers and Obersts voices bound through in tandem, with a few stink bombs lobbed in the direction of the White House, but with a greater preoccupation with how any of us can hold together when it seems were collectively taking a shower at the Bates Motel. I havent been able to get past it without two or three replays each time. Its the song BOCC premiered on Stephen Colberts Late Show Wednesday night, which had the host running over wide-eyed and broad-grinned afterwards. Track 3, of course, is the ideal spot for such a coup, consolidating the promise of the first two tracks.

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That Dylan Thomas high sets up Track 4 to bring down the mood with the records saddest ballad, and Track 5 (the end of side one, I assume, on vinyl) as the time to throw in a tight synth-and-percussion-based stylistic outlier (titled, appropriately, Exception to the Rule), a bit reminiscent of Bright Eyes 2005 electronic album Digital Ash in a Digital Urn. Track 6, opening the hypothetical side two, is the one that actually is a wistful pastel acoustic duet, Chesapeake, breaking the pattern by finally playing to type. The rest of the album alternates between its more pastoral and more raucous modes. It closes with Track 10, Dominosthe sole non-Bridgers-Oberst composition, a cover of a rather incredible recent song by the obscure Birmingham, Alabama, musician Taylor Hollingsworthand here the production touches on the albums whole sonic range until, after the final lyric (theres always tomorrow), it rises and strides off the stage in a kind of electric-marching-band fanfare.

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All this subliminal formal elegance helps explain why I find the Better Oblivion Community Center record so addictively listenable. Its mirrored, too, by the projects location in the sequence of the two artists own career arcs. Loved and disliked by critics and listeners in equal measures for his prolix lyrics, political outspokenness, and yelpy vocal passion for years after his precocious emergence as a teenager in the turn-of-the-century indie scene, Oberst faltered through both artistic overproduction and apparent lifestyle excesses later in the 2000s. Then, in 2014, he was accused of sexual assault, though the allegations were later withdrawn and his accuser formally affirmed that theyd been 100 percent false. Still recovering from that scandal, Oberst then lost his older brother in 2016 to the effects of alcoholismthe clear subject of that wrenching Track 4 ballad here, the Elliott Smithesque Service Road. While he came back with a pair of strong projects, 2016s Ruminations and 2017s Salutations, few beyond his core fan base were listening.

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Their lyrical voices meld so completely that with rare exceptions its difficult to guess who wrote which lines.

Bridgers, meanwhile, has found herself in her early 20snot unlike the younger Oberstas the sudden focus of stratospheric expectations, after the introspective intensities of her first album and the charismatic-supergroup effect of her alliance with fellow young feminist songwriters Lucy Dacus and Julien Baker in Boygenius, whose self-titled EP made many 2018 year-end critics lists, including mine. Fortunate as she is, it cant be easy to bear all that scrutiny at 24, particularly the pressure to produce an even better second solo album.

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Bridgers and Oberst met through L.A. music circles, Oberst contributed vocals to the song Would You Rather on Stranger in the Alps, and they toured together in the United States and Europe before they discovered their songwriting rapport. In brute cultural capital terms, Bridgers gets to collaborate with one of her own teenage musical heroes, while Oberst benefits from the halo of her au courantness, but whats striking in interviews is their easy joking banter and clear artistic sympathies. The name Better Oblivion Community Center seems to express a fond wish that some kind of humble social solidarity might at least brighten the mood of the onrushing apocalypse (their Dead Oceans label conducted a low-level advance campaign by pretending to market BOCC as a Scientology-esque New Age healing racket). But its given the weight of reality by the mere fact of a young female artist and a 38-year-old male veteran joining in an apparent partnership of complete artistic equality, with no symptoms of Svengalism or other power imbalances. Given all the stories of abuse and harassment and other outrages over the past several years, it was becoming hard to believe such a thing was possibleand so its perhaps not just the albums sequencing but its placement within the events of the outside world that makes it so beguiling.

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The pairs creative compatibility is underlined by the way that for much of the album they sing in unison, on the same words and melodiesObersts creaky speak-singing and Bridgers hydrogen-buoyant clarity blending into a kind of third, shared voice that is the signature sound of BOCC. Similarly, in their songwriting, their lyrical voices meld so completely that with rare exceptions its difficult to guess who wrote which lines. This effect relieves both artists of the frequent assumption that their songwriting is always confessional or autobiographical. The observations in the songs are often sharp and specificlittle moments of purpose, as the duo sings on My Citybut theyre delivered through personae that blur into one another, spectral characters that often seem to trade positions and perspectives mid-song; as they sing on Dylan Thomas, you might find out that that ghost is just a kid in a sheet.

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And that might be BOCCs last, best trick: While theres no lack of depth, insights, and urgency to most of these songs, theres a lightness to them nonetheless. The two artists are pursuing their usual high ambitions, but not alone, and still on a kind of holiday from their regular gigs. Save for Service Road, an exception that perhaps acts as a kind of anchor to the rest, these songs can serve other functions than as grand personal statements. They can be dispatches from the community center at large, with a detachable phone number at the bottom in case you want to volunteer (that number, incidentally, being 785-433-5534). I cant say as yet whether this album will keep sounding as indispensable as it does in these first couple of days of its existence. But when I feel myself sinking into the frosty ground cover of this dark and shutdown January, I want to hear from the kind of people who would write a song about a cemetery, Forest Lawn, and make the chorus Since you went underground/ Ive wanted to dig you out. Who would end a song like My City on the line Chasing love like an ambulance, and hold that last syllable and note for 12 full seconds, in unisonam-bu-laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaancelike a siren wailing through the streets to find me, and put me exactly in the place that I belong.

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On Studio 360, an hour on continuing innovations in American dance. Choreographer Donald Byrd uses dance to illuminate what it means to be black in America. Elizabeth Streb speaks with Kurt Andersen about how she defies gravity with her extreme action techniques, and how salsa pioneers Celia Cruz and Johnny Pacheco got the world on its feet.

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It was Columbus Day, Oct. 12, 1973. From his home-in-exile in France, James Baldwin wrote his brother David to announce that he had just completed his first novel in five years. If Beale Street Could Talk may have been a story about the redemptive power of love, but it was written in the absolute conviction that blood was on the wind and that the powers that be were not long for this world. Nestled in the manuscript, Baldwins fifth novel, were rebukes such as this one, perfectly suited for the holiday: Whoever discovered America deserved to be dragged home, in chains, to die. Acknowledging he sounded like the witness as prophet, Baldwin called Beale Street the strangest novel he had ever written.

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Barry Jenkins film adaptation of Beale Street, for which Jenkins was just nominated for an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay, feels like a revelation. Thats because it manages to convey the strangeness at the heart of the book: a romance that turns on social outrage, a family drama thats also a searing protest against the carceral state. This strangeness nearly consigned Beale Street to oblivion when it was published by the Dial Press in 1974. Weighed down by reviews deeming it the product of a bygone era, the novel has, until now, attracted interest only among the authors most devoted readers. Yet by working through this long-term neglect, director and screenwriter Jenkins has uncovered in Beale Street a story that appears fresher than ever.

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The novel concerns a young couple in Harlem in the early 1970s: Tish, 19 years old and pregnant, and Fonny, 22 years old and incarcerated. Flashbacks recount how Tish and Fonny met and fell in love, and how they arrived at their predicament. Fonny is awaiting trial for a crime falsely pinned on him by Officer Bell, a white cop bent on exercising his authority over young black men. Once Bell ensnares Fonny in the system, the bureaucracy of incarceration is shown to be invested in suppressing anything that could disprove an innocent mans guilt.

Yet its precisely when Tish has to face these odds that her love for Fonny grows deep. Steadfast in her devotion, Tish is at the center of a concerted family effort to beat the system and get him free. By novels end, the familys surname, Rivers, indicates the spiritual rebirth everyone stands to gain by weathering present injustices.

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Baldwins intention was to hold these two storylinesof a couple falling in love and of a family facing adversitytogether, to show that they were beautifully, terribly intertwined. Such was the condition of being black in America. But the message fell on deaf ears when Beale Street came out.

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While reviews of the novel were mixed, Beale Streets detractors spoke the loudest. In the New York Times, Anatole Broyard called Baldwin more dated than his long-dead adversary Richard Wright, accusing the author of rehashing civil rightsera jeremiads against America. Christopher Bigsby agreed in the Guardian, charging him with recreating the mood and deploying the images of a former decade. In the Washington Post, Larry McMurtry linked this sense of datedness to a complaint shared by nearly every other critic: Tishs first-person narration evinced artistic bad judgment. She was not really credible, as the Boston Globes Carl Senna put it, because she came across as too sophisticated, less a well-rounded character than a mouthpiece for Baldwin. The expectant mothers voice struck reviewers as a gimmick to repackage a well-worn tale.

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If Beale Street Could Talk was a Book-of-the-Month Club selection and appeared on the best-seller list for several weeks. But this initial burst of interest couldnt stave off a deeper problem: Baldwins once-reliable liberal readership, according to Darryl Pinckney, editor of a collection of Baldwins late fiction, had had enough of hearing about problems they no longer had the will to solve. When it came to writing by black authors, white readers tastes in the 1970s had swerved away from righteous protest toward, as Pinckney puts it, fantasies of resolution, of roots found, the past appeased. The undertone of the novels critical reception was, quite simply: Get over it.

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In a clear sign of those changes, Dials parent company, Dell, passed on the chance to release the paperback edition of Beale Street. Instead, New American Library, a reprint house with whom Baldwin hadnt published in more than a decade, brought out the mass-market edition in early 1975. Gauzily rebranded as a masterpiece about the love between a man and a woman, the book now appeared as a straightforward romance, complete with a cover illustration of a nondescript couple holding each other at sunset. In short, the literary establishment didnt know what to do with If Beale Street Could Talk because it didnt know what to do with a white readership steadily turning its back on civil rights. Baldwin had intuited this when he called the novel his strangest. Carrying the banner for social justice into the 1970s, he meant Beale Street to be a forceful reminder that all had not been overcome just yet.

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Nearly 45 years later, Jenkins has adapted Beale Street in the spirit of its authors vision. Most notably, he emphasizes, rather than diminishes, Tishs point of view. In the film, Tish (KiKi Layne) narrates her romance with Fonny (Stephan James) as if situated in a future point of time. The reflective quality in her voice points to an understanding to come, a bridge between her innocence and her experience. That tone is evident in the novel as well:

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We crossed crowded Sixth Avenue, all kinds of people out hunting for Saturday night. But nobody looked at us, because we were together and we were both black. Later, when I had to walk these streets alone, it was different, the people were different, and I was certainly no longer a child.

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Baldwins Tish is supposed to be more sophisticated than a white critic, for example, might expect: Her fight for Fonnys freedom is spurred by her memory of where and how they fell in love. Decades later, Jenkins film takes the young heroine at her word against a tradition of reading her suspiciously.

The novel felt like a direct address to black readers who could see the world through Tishs eyes and recognize her and Fonnys fate as their own.

Restoring Tishs voice also shows how the novels social consciousness is issued from the future, not the past. Jenkins aestheticized style, with its dramatic shifts in tone, echoes Baldwins shifts in temporal register. A scene of the lovers wooing conjures the magic of rain-drenched streets in classic Hollywood cinema; a later one of Fonnys confrontation with Officer Bell (Ed Skrein) evokes the grit of movies like Martin Scorseses Mean Streets. But in the films most powerful scene, Tish watches Fonny take out his anger at Bell by throwing a bag of tomatoes against a wall. The resulting tableau resonates so powerfully because Fonnys justified rage, and the risk of having it turn on him, feels like it could have happened yesterday.

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Has Jenkins succeeded in one medium where Baldwin failed in another? The films fidelity to its source material points to an appreciation for what was there all along. Time, Baldwins Tish muses, the word tolled like the bells of a church. Fonny was doing: time. In six months time, our baby would be here. Somewhere, in time, Fonny and I had met; somewhere, in time, we had loved; somewhere, no longer in time, but, now, totally, at times mercy, we loved. Being in time and being at times mercy: This duality is how Baldwin conceives love and struggle, progress and setback, together, as two sides of the same coin.

Its a message Baldwins black readers picked up from the beginning. In a rare rave review, Revish Windham wrote in the New York Amsterdam News that, by reading the novel, one might find he has lived there too or maybe living there now without having realized the name, Beale Street, is changed. Black feminist critic Trudier Harris judged it to be Baldwins strongest work, a story almost revolutionary in its simplicity: They are just folks who love each other and who are committed to the welfare of those whom they love. Beale Street was an idea, a blues spirit that traversed time and space, from Memphis, Tennessee, (where it actually runs) to New York. The novel felt like a direct address to black readers who could see the world through Tishs eyes and recognize her and Fonnys fate as their own.

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From this angle, the only strange thing about Baldwins novel was his disregard for the sensibilities of a readership he once addressed so regularly. If Beale Street Could Talk signaled a break with the white liberals who had turned him into a star. And its exactly this studied indifference that makes Jenkins adaptation feel fresh today: Though its style is undoubtedly hybrid, the film refuses to appeal to the white gaze. Its a story of black love, and of black struggle, that doesnt wait for viewers who need catching up.

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Flight attendants work for airlines, and so they have, of course, been getting paid for the past five weeks, setting them apart from airport colleagues like TSA screeners, air traffic controllers, and customs agents. But it was Sara Nelson, the head of the flight attendants union, who made the most forceful call for worker solidarity in the face of the shutdown. At an award dinner on Sunday, she called on the labor movement at large to stand up for federal workers:

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Some would say the answer is for them to walk off the job. I say, What are you willing to do? Their destiny is tied up with our destinyand they dont even have time to ask us for help. Dont wait for an invitation. Get engaged, join or plan a rally, get on a picket line, organize sit-ins at lawmakers offices.

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Nelson asked AFL-CIO leaders to talk to their locals about a general strikea tactic that hasnt been tried in the United States for more than 70 years. Then again, its been longer than that (never) since the federal government was closed for five weeks.

On Friday afternoon, I spoke to Nelson about why she spoke up, what needs to change, and how this dismal 35-day stretch can serve as a catalyst for a resurgent American labor movement. Our conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity.

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Henry Grabar: I guess the governments up and running again, so thats good news.

Sara Nelson: Its good news that a million people that have been locked out of work with no paychecks are going to get paid, back-paid, and hopefully have a chance to put their lives back together. Were going to be working very hard to make sure this never happens again because they should have never been put in the crosshairs here.

Flight attendants have been getting paid, because youre private-sector employees. Where does the sense of solidarity with federal workers in aviation come from, for you or for your members?

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Our country doesnt run without the federal workers who make it run, and theres no industry where thats more evident than the airline industry, where our private airlines work in tandem with the federal agencies. One really doesnt work without the other.

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My comments were fully rooted in the workers that I represent. As we saw this morning, when capacity was pulled down and planes were stuck, its a very quick unraveling of flight attendant, pilot, mechanic, customer service jobs. Everyones jobs were on the line and that includes the people I directly represent.

Federal workers are not allowed to strike or participate in any kind of sickout. Did you speak to anyone from those groups about what it was like to work without pay and be prohibited from taking any kind of concerted labor action to protest those conditions?

It was incredibly frustrating. What we heard from all over the country was, They could end this. Why are they staying on the job? We did away with slavery with the 13th Amendment. There was a lot of confusion about how this could even take place. No other country in the world would put up with this.

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They felt really stuck. Dont forget, if they struck, they were putting it all on the line. Not only were they sacrificing potentially their health care, their pensions, the right to ever work for the federal government again, but they could be prosecuted for striking. Thats how fundamentally they are not able to take action when there is such an egregious act against them. Thats outrageous and thats something that has to change.

Do you think the legacy of the air traffic controllers strike under Reagan was something people were thinking about?

Of course thats something people were thinking about. There were strikers in 1981 who were indicted. Theres history here that people were following. Reagan made that a really popular move in the private sector as well, and thats when the right to strike was diminished in this country, and when labor rights and labor membership hit a steady decline. Are we better off for it? I think what were seeing, with the teachers strikes, the hotel workers who took on Marriott and won, is that people are not willing to put up with it anymore. People are willing to do more to fight for their families because they have been pushed so far, and there has been so much productivity put on the backs of the American worker without any increases in wages.

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Going forward, whats the legacy of this 35-day period for federal workers and the labor movement more generally?

We can decide to fight for real labor law in this country with the fundamental principle that if you go to work you get paid. And you have the right to strike if you are not given that.

Coming out of this, for people working in federal-sector jobs, if you think theyre not thinking about switching careers right now if thats possible, youre crazy. How are we going to recruit people, when were in 30-year lows for air traffic controllers, unless we fix this? Why would you sign up for this kind of uncertainty? Its incumbent upon keeping the system together for the future that we fix this so we can attract people to these high-requirement jobs, so that we can promote our air transportation system and compete with the rest of the world.

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I want to ask about this AFL-CIO dinner where you asked leaders to go back to their locals and consider joining a general strike. How was that comment received by the people in the audience?

Well, the people in the audience loved it; there were cheers and people were on their feet. The fundamental question I asked in that speech was: What is the labor movement waiting for? There are a million people locked out of work right now. More federal contractors locked out of jobs with no guarantee of backpaywere going to fight for them too. This was the largest lockout in U.S. history. This was the time for labor to act. If no one else was going to say that, I felt like as a member of the AFL-CIO executive council, that was my responsibility to speak out.

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Were not letting this go. This has started a conversation thats a going to be central to this presidential race. But more immediately, I was already in an emergency meeting to make sure that we dont let this happen again in 21 days.

Has the Association of Flight Attendants ever struck?

We had one of the most successful strikes in the aviation industry ever. We struck only seven flights and brought Alaska Airlines to its knees, which resulted in overnight, in some cases, 60 percent increases in pay for flight attendants, and dramatically improved working conditions.

The threat of that strike has resulted in companies capitulating before strike deadlines. We have never had to strike again. We have threatened it many times, but in the end airlines do not want to face as one of the executives of US Airways put it, the phenomenon called CHAOS. [Note: CHAOS stands for create havoc around our system.]

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Once we have the right to strike, we say a strike could happen at any time, the public doesnt know, media doesnt know, management doesnt know. Minimal risk to flight attendants, maximum impact on management. It still requires incredible solidarity among the work group and the willingness of every single flight attendant to walk off if theyre called and we confirm all of that when we walk into it. They have not wanted to face this because its very hard to defend against it. With CHAOS, were really able to take control of the situation.

One reason that seems relevant is, as we were seeing today, in air travel in particular, not everyone needs to walk off the job to have a national cascading effect, which seems like something to keep in mind the next time the government shuts down.

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Sen. Elizabeth Warren is set to propose new wealth tax that would chip away at the fortunes of Americans worth $50 million or more, her presidential exploratory committee has confirmed.

The plan would impose a 2 percent annual assessment on any households net worth between $50 million and $1 billion. Any wealth above the the $1 billion mark would be taxed at a 3 percent rate. It would pinch approximately 75,000 households, or the richest 0.1 percent of the country, according University of California, Berkeley Economists Emmanuel Saez and Gabriel Zucman, who advised Warren on the proposal. Their analysis suggests the tax would raise $2.75 trillion over a decade. The news was first reported in the Washington Post on Thursday.

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Warrens proposal would also include a number of features meant to prevent wealthy households from evading the tax. It would pour new funding into IRS enforcement while requiring a minimum audit rate for households subject to the tax. Any would-be refugees looking to avoid the levy by moving abroad and giving up their citizenship would be faced with a 40 percent exit tax on all of their net worth above $50 million. The plan does offer one olive branch to the private-jet set: Anybody subject to the tax who didnt have enough liquid assets to cover it could delay payment for five years. However, theyd have to pay interest.

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The idea of taxing households based on their assets as well as their income has been a hot idea among progressives since French economist Thomas Piketty proposed it in his popular tome Capital in the 21st Century, which argued that spiraling wealth inequality could produce a new global aristocracy. The book suggested that wealth taxes were one potential solution to the problem. Saez and Zucman are frequent collaborators with Piketty, whose estimates show that the top 0.1 percent roughly tripled their share of the nations wealth from from the late 1970s to today, and now lay claim to around 20 percent of the nations net worth. (Some critics of their work have estimated a less dramatic rise in the wealth gap). The pair also penned a joint op-ed in the New York Times this week suggesting that the main justification for imposing confiscatory tax rates on high earners was not necessarily to raise revenue for the government, but rather to fight inequality and discourage the affluent from accumulating too much wealth and power.

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Advocating for a wealth tax could help Warrens campaign compete against likely candidate Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders for the support of the ideological left during the Democratic primary. Warren came to prominence in the party, and for a time functioned as the face of its progressive insurgency, thanks to her fierce criticisms of Wall Street and her role conceiving of and building the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. But as Sanders-style Democratic socialism has come into vogue, Warrens image has moderated a bit. Last year she went so far as to refer to herself as a capitalist to my bones. Her big new tax idea may burnish her image as a politician ready to eat the rich (including the current president).

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Any effort to pass a federal wealth tax would face major practical questions. For starters, it may not be legal. Some scholars have argued that a levy on net worth would violate Article I, Sec. 9 of the constitution, which forbids direct taxes on property unless the amount collected from each state is proportionate to its population. (It required a constitutional amendment for Congress to implement the federal income tax.) In background documents, Warrens exploratory committee says that legal experts have submitted letters arguing that her tax plan passes constitutional muster, but it did not provide the letters upon request.

Wealth taxes have also fallen somewhat out of fashion in Europe where they were once popular, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development explained in a report last year. The number of OECD countries with levies on net worth fell from 12 in 1990 to four in 2017, in part because they often collected little in the way of revenue. The next year, France replaced its wealth tax with one on real estate, which led to accusations that President Emmanuel Macron was governing as a sop to the rich.

Presumably, Warren wont have that problem during her campaign.
The crowd, he said, parted to let him through. All except for the boy, since identified as Nick Sandmann, a junior. Phillips said the boy blocked him when he moved left. When he moved right, Sandmann did the same.

In a written statement, the boy denied blocking Phillips. "To be honest," he wrote, "I was startled and confused as to why he had approached me." But the boy in that video, smirking, trying not to laugh, is not startled or confused. He looks, rather, entitled and smug.

Indeed, what gave the image its initial, visceral power was the sense that his expression was one we have seen before. It was on the face of an SS man as he cut off a rabbi's beard on a Warsaw street, on the face of an Alabama state trooper waiting at the Edmund Pettus Bridge. Heck, it was on the face of a hulking high school boy as he prepared to dunk a smaller kid's head into the toilet. It was the eternal expression of the bully at the head of a mob.
TEA, S.D. -- A regional water system providing water to communities in southeast South Dakota and northwest Iowa awarded an $8.2 million contract Thursday for construction of 10 miles of a new pipeline near Sioux Center, Iowa.

The low bid, under the $11 million initially budgeted for the project, was submitted by Carstensen Contracting of Dell Rapids, South Dakota, Troy Larson, executive director of the Lewis & Clark Regional Water System said in a news release.

Construction is expected to start this summer and extend west from Sioux Center.

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Construction on an 11.2-mile pipeline section beginning at Beresford, South Dakota, and heading east is expected to begin this spring. Lewis & Clark expects to award a contract for a 12.6-mile section to complete the 34-mile line from Beresford to Sioux Center in May.

Completion of the line will move Sioux Center and Hull, Iowa, one step closer to being supplied by the water system. Lewis & Clark still must build a meter building at Sioux Center, expand the Hull meter building, build a water tower at Beresford and add pumps at the Beresford pump station.
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"I would desire an opportunity for Iowans to elect a conservative who is willing to engage in a conversation and listen, understand the needs and wishes of Iowans and take action to produce results that advance the district. Iowa's 4th needs a representative who can shift the focus to issues such as fiscal responsibility, smaller government with greater accountability and be a strong advocate for agriculture," said Hanson, an administrator for the College Center in South Sioux City, an academic center operated jointly by Northeast Community College and Wayne State College.

Taylor cited his conservative record on the issues of abortion, gun rights and tax relief during his two-year term in the Iowa House, where he represented a district that took in portions of Sioux City's west and north sides.

We face real challenges as a nation and Iowans need a conservative, thoughtful voice. I hope to be a representative who will fight for their interests and lead on the issues that matter to them most, Taylor said.

After losing his re-election bid to the state House in 2012, Taylor won a seat on the Board of Supervisors in 2014 and was re-elected last fall. Because his four-year term runs through 2022, he can pursue the congressional seat without giving up his county post.
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds meets with the Sioux City Journal editorial board Friday, Jan. 25, 2019.

SIOUX CITY -- Gov. Kim Reynolds said Friday she won't ask embattled Iowa 4th District Rep. Steve King to resign or not seek reelection in 2020, saying "that is a decision that has to be made by Steve."

Reynolds, U.S. Sens. Charles Grassley and Joni Ernst have all expressed disgust with King's recent quote in the New York Times in which he asked "White nationalist, white supremacist, Western civilization  how did that language become offensive?" But the governor says it's not up to prominent Republican leaders to ask King step bow out for the good of the party.

"I just hope he is doing some serious reflection on what is best for the people of the 4th District," Reynolds told the Journal editorial board Friday.

During the 45-minute meeting, Reynolds acknowledged she was familiar with the Journal's Jan. 15 editorial in which the daily newspaper said, "If (King) cares deeply about citizens of the 4th, and we believe he does, King should do what is in their best interests and step down from office."
SIOUX CITY -- A suspect was jailed early Friday morning in connection with a suspected arson incident Thursday night at a Sioux City hotel room where a woman was found dead.

Officers and firefighters were called to Wingate by Wyndham, 4716 Southern Hills Drive, at around 9:24 p.m., for smoke coming from a hotel room. When officials entered the room, they found 40-year-old Elizabeth Bockholt, of Hinton, unresponsive. First-responders were unsuccessful when attempting life-saving efforts and Bockholt was later pronounced dead at a local hospital.

At a press conference, Police Det. Nick Thompson said authorities have arrested a suspect in the case, 29-year-old Jordan Henry of Sioux City. Henry is suspected of having intentionally set the fire in the hotel room.

Henry was arrested at around 2:43 a.m. at the 4900 block of Singing Hills Boulevard, where police had been called for a "suspicious person" in the area. He faces charges including criminal trespassing, possession of drug paraphernalia, first-degree arson and assault.

According to a criminal complaint filed Jan. 19, Henry is a transient. He was arrested that night at the Warming Shelter, 916 Nebraska St., after he punched and stomped a man in the head.
SIOUX CITY -- UnityPoint Clinic will host a free colon cancer awareness program for area physicians, mid-level providers, residents and medical students from 5 to 7 p.m. March 5 at UnityPoint Health -- St. Luke's Auditorium.

This program will highlight a number of topics: colon cancer management, screenings for patients less than 50 years of age, minimally invasive colorectal surgery, cancer screening and genetic testing for colon cancer.

Program moderator is Gokul Subhas, a colorectal surgeon with UnityPoint Clinic Colorectal & General Surgery in Sioux City. Faculty include, Nasser G. Abu-Erreish, a medical oncologist with June E. Nylen Cancer Center in Sioux City; Alan Thorson, a colorectal surgeon in Omaha; and Lawrence Volz, a gastrointestinal and general surgeon with Midlands Clinic in Dakota Dunes.

This program is co-sponsored by UnityPoint Clinic Colorectal and General Surgery and UnityPoint Health -- St. Luke's Department of Education. CME credits are pending. Register online at www.unitypoint.org/siouxcity/classes-and-events-list.aspx.

Copyright 2018 The Sioux City Journal. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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ORANGE CITY, Iowa -- High school students are invited to participate in the third annual Living Your Faith (LYF) "Christian boot camp" June 23-28 at Northwestern College, 101 Seventh St. SW.

The weeklong campus experience is for students entering their sophomore, junior or senior years. LYF director Daniel Den Boer said it is a great for teens who are serious about their faith and want to spend a week with mentors and peers who feel the same way.

LYF campers will spend their mornings diving into the gospel with Northwestern biblical and theological studies professors and students, while spending their afternoons engaged in service and volunteerism.

Living Your Faith costs $190; the fee covers all LYF expenses, including room, board, field trips and access to Northwestern campus facilities and amenities.

Funded by a grant from the Lilly Endowment, Living Your Faith registration can be found at lyf.nwciowa.edu.

Copyright 2018 The Sioux City Journal. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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SIOUX CITY -- U.S. Rep. Steve King continues to strongly support President Donald Trump, saying he finds what the president does for Americans in policy decisions is more important than his personal life.

In a December Journal interview to discuss his approach to his term in 2019, King at various points discussed Trump. He has told the Journal he rates Trump highly (a nine on a 10-point scale, inan April 2018 ranking), and likes that Trump holds firm in a partial government shutdown to get funding for a Mexican border wall.

In assessing the president's personal life, including allegations of women being paid to keep silent about affairs, King first mentioned Vice President Mike Pence, who is often cited for a steady personal life and long marriage.
"The nature of the video camera really makes you focus on the present. Since I have always been a diarist filmmaker, not one who stages scenes with actors, it has always been about the present moment"

Jonas Mekas

Jonas Mekas, who sadly passed away recently, was a towering figure in underground cinema.

Born in Lithuania but arriving in New York as an emigre after the Second World War, Mekas would found the influential film journal Film Culture, the Film-Makers Co-operative and the Filmmakers Cinematheque, which would become the Anthology Film Archives  a huge archive for experimental film that he initiated in unison with Jerome Hill, P. Adams Sitney, Peter Kubelka and Stan Brakhage.

He was a columnist for the Village Voice newspaper from 1958 onwards, and a collaborator with artists including Andy Warhol, Yoko Ono and Allen Ginsberg. Through his writings and his archival work, he was a major supporter of avant-garde filmmakers including Jack Smith, Gregory Markopoulos, Hollis Frampton and Michael Snow.

His own films span more than half a century, including diary-based works such as Diaries, Notes and Sketches (aka Walden, 1969), Reminiscences of a Journey to Lithuania (1972), Lost Lost Lost (1975) and the nearly five-hour As I Was Moving Ahead Occasionally I Saw Brief Glimpses of Beauty, a compilation of his home movies that had its world premiere at the London Film Festival in 2000.

His style can be characterised as that of a moving image scrap-book maker, constructing films from fleeting fragments, shot intermittently in the midst of the various other forms of cultural industry which consumed him. But collaged by Mekas, these transient moments acquire a poetry that is unmistakably his.

The BFI hosted a retrospective of Jonas Mekas' work in 2014. Read Georgia Korossi's interview with season curator Mark Webber here.
Mohsen al-Khayami has for years watched sadly as his once lucrative craft business dwindled and fellow artisans deserted the ancient art known as Khayamiya, or tentmaking, for better paying jobs. The 68 year-old, a master of one of Egypt's most traditional crafts, has been handstitching the decorative appliques that nowadays can range from wall hangings to bed quilts for more than half a century, so long that his customers have named him after his art. "I learned it when I was eight," he told AFP. "It took me years before I could master it and be able to finish a whole tapestry on my own." In days gone by, his craft was used to make tents and large tapestries but has evolved as demand has changed. These days, Khayamiya refers to the creation of ornamental items mostly in cotton that can also include pillow cases and throws, although the traditional name -- tentmaking when translated into English -- endures. Khayami's shop is among two dozen others lining the covered Khayamia Street or the Street of Tentmakers, opposite the towering 11th century Bab Zuweila, one of Old Cairo's main surviving gates. The street has lured tourists for years and the craftsmen's shops were among the main draws for foreign visitors until the 2011 uprising that toppled longtime ruler Hosni Mubarak. The ensuing turmoil scared away tourists, and since then business has slowed to a trickle. But Khayami still ostentatiously exhibits around his shop his elaborately stitched wall hangings and colourful tapestries replete with pharaonic motifs copied from ancient tombs, Arabesque designs, Kufic calligraphy of Arabic proverbs and Koranic texts. On other appliques, Khayami has sketched folk tales of Old Juha, a humorous character in Arab culture, always depicted with his faithful donkey. Tales of their exploits often impart valuable lessons. The centuries-old art of Khayamiya goes back to the time of travelling caravans, when huge tent pavilions were used as shields from the desert's searing sun. It is believed to have emerged during the Fatimid dynasty, which ruled Egypt about 1,000 years ago, but some argue that it even dates back to the Pharaohs. Today, many are still used as backdrops for weddings, funerals and religious celebrations of the Holy month of Ramadan as well as the birthday of Prophet Mohammed known as Mawlid. - Craft at risk - Slowing demand however has stoked fears among artisans that their craft may be dying, especially as younger generations prove reluctant to learn the trade, preferring a more stable source of income. Khayami says it's hard to know the exact number of Khayamia craftspeople left as many work from their homes or workshops outside the area. But he said the number on the street has been dropping for years, down to around 20 from 60 in the 1980s. A similar figure was provided by Mamdouh al-Sheribini, the executive director of the Handicraft Industry Chamber. "The pace of people abandoning the craft has increased since 2011. Young people do not have the patience for learning a craft that takes time to master," Khayami said. "They cannot handle the market's ups and downs, like us." Abdullah Fathy, a 31-year-old Khayamiya maker, also says many leave to start other businesses or find other jobs. In his shop, Fathy, who learned his craft at 15, usually sits cross-legged on a pillow, bent over a piece of fabric. It can take him a full workday to stitch one small applique. Other pieces, fanning out across meters, can take a month or even more depending on the intricacy of the design. Prices can start from as little as 50 Egyptian pounds ($2.7) and go up to several thousand pounds. But Fathy refuses to abandon his trade. "If labourers keep leaving one after the other, the craft may soon become extinct," said Fathy. - Tourism uptick - Though many craftsmen have sought to promote their products among locals, they still long for the days when their shops would teem with tourists. "Tourists used to make up about 98 percent of our clientele. It's usually them who appreciate the effort put into these handicrafts as opposed to Egyptians," said 48-year old Mahmoud Fatouh, whose shop in Khayamiya has belonged to his family since the early 1900s. Signs since late 2017 that tourists may be on their way back to Egypt have brought a small glimmer of hope. "We see tourists more often now," said Khayami. "It's not the same as before (pre-2011), but it's still better than nothing." "There is still hope," he went on. "So long as the country is stable, tourists will keep coming back," Khayami added. Official figures on tourism in 2018 have yet to be announced. But last month, the Egyptian travel agents' association chairman, Hossam el-Shaer, said tourists arriving in Egypt increased by 40 percent in 2018 compared to the year before, when the number of tourists reached 8.3 million, according to the CAPMAS official statistics agency. But that 2018 figure was announced before a roadside bomb hit a tourist bus in late December, killing three Vietnamese holidaymakers near the famed pyramids in Giza. Shaer maintains that the target for this year is an additional 30-40 percent increase. For the few tourists visiting the street daily, Khayamiya art remains a draw. "It is one thing I would be interested in, this textile, especially one of these appliques," said David Pullins, an American tourist, who visited the ancient street in December. "It's very beautiful."
In southern Florida's Sunny Isles Beach, Russian tourists Anna and Helen sip coffee with their husbands and newborn babies: a common scene in what has become a prized destination for well-off foreigners looking to secure US citizenship for their children. Under the shadow of luxury skyscrapers -- among them Trump Towers -- exists an army of well-dressed women, either pregnant or pushing top-of-the-line strollers. Most are Russian or from former Soviet Union countries. The weather, white-sand beaches and dazzling turquoise waters are common reasons given for traveling to give birth in this city of 20,000 people, north of Miami. But one 34-year-old, who gave her name only as Anna, was more direct. "For the American passport!" she told AFP, smiling. She arrived in the US while expecting now two-month-old Melania. Both she and compatriot Helen, mother to a three-month-old, said tens of thousands of dollars and months of planning went into their trips. The attraction is clear. President Donald Trump does not like it, but according to the US constitution, children born on American soil automatically gain citizenship, opening up highly sought-after opportunities to study and work. And why Sunny Isles specifically? "Feel home, lot of Russian," Anna said. Upon turning 21, baby Melania will also be able to sponsor visas for her parents to come to the US -- another policy that has disgruntled Trump. The trend is big business: Miami Mama, a company in neighboring Hallandale Beach, has been organizing travel packages for Russian mothers since 2009. Charging between $6,900 and $49,000, they will coordinate everything from interpreters and apartments to medical care and citizenship documents, according to the firm's website. And none of this is illegal, according to US immigration laws. But according to NBC, the FBI raided Miami Mama in 2017, arresting one employee for making false statements in federal documents to obtain passports for children. Miami Mama -- whose logo shows a pregnant woman against the backdrop of an American flag -- did not respond to AFP's requests for comment. - Little Moscow - So-called "birth tourism" to the United States isn't just popular with Russians. Expectant Chinese parents have for years travelled to California, while South Americans -- particularly Brazilians -- prefer Florida. A tentative estimate by the Center for Immigration Studies -- a conservative group that advocates curbs on immigration -- suggested in 2015 that maternity tourism to the United States could account for some 36,000 births each year. But there is no reliable data on how many US citizens the practice creates. In 2014, Vera Muzyka, head of a firm helping Russian mothers in Miami, told The Moscow Times that in that city, 40 to 60 babies were being born each month to citizens of Russia or former Soviet Union countries. Sunny Isles Beach earned itself the nickname "Little Moscow" from around 2010, when Russian beauty salons, supermarkets, restaurants and realtors started to crop up. Nowadays, you're more likely to find syrnikis -- a type of sweet cheese pancake -- than Cuban croquetas, while dried fish has become a staple bar snack. And while southern Floridians are used to seeing shop signs in English and Spanish, in Sunny Isles it's English and Russian -- with real estate offices, notaries and businesses offering "passport services" the most common around town. According to a 2017 report by The Daily Beast, many Russian families stay in luxury Trump Tower condominiums. But while connections between Trump and the Kremlin have been under investigation for over two years, there is no evidence the president benefits from Russian tourism in Florida. Suspicious of the press, most of Sunny Isles Beach's Russians won't speak to the media, and those who do prefer to remain anonymous or give only their first name. That included Kate, eight months pregnant with her fourth child, who would only tell AFP: "We plan to give birth." Entering a specialty Russian supermarket with her husband and children, the 35-year-old added -- true to form -- that it was the balmy climate that brought them to Florida.
Hundreds of thousands of people sweltering through a brutal heatwave in southern Australia were left without power Friday, as the grid struggled with surging demand. Authorities said more than 200,000 customers were experiencing blackouts after it ordered forced outages to reduce the risk of the entire grid failing. "We have asked for 100 megawatts of involuntary load reduction, we have notified the networks, they're in the process of doing that," Australian Energy Market Operator chief executive Audrey Zibelman told reporters. The disruption comes as temperatures in Melbourne soared to 42.8 Celsius (109 Fahrenheit) just after lunch, before a cool change saw the mercury drop 12 degrees in just seven minutes in the city in the early afternoon. There were reports of up to 100 traffic lights without power in Melbourne, and some shops and cafes were forced to close. The extreme heat did not deter tennis fans however, who flocked to Melbourne park for the Australian Open tennis semi-finals -- although many did make use of mist tunnels and fans to keep cool. In other parts of Victoria state authorities had issued fire warnings -- with hundreds of emergency services personnel and dozens of planes and helicopters on standby -- as temperatures in some areas were expected to reach up to 47 Celsius. Australia is reeling from a heat wave that peaked in South Australia Thursday when the state capital Adelaide topped 47.7 Celsius, breaking a record that had stood since 1939. Meanwhile, authorities further south on the island state of Tasmania continued to battle bushfires.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov denounced Friday the United States' "destructive policy" on Venezuela, after Washington backed the opposition leader over President Nicolas Maduro. "The (US) policy concerning Venezuela, as with many other countries, is destructive in my opinion, " Lavrov said during a press conference in Rabat with Moroccan counterpart Nasser Bourita after meeting King Mohamed VI. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will press UN Security Council members to recognise Juan Guaido as acting president of Venezuela during an upcoming crisis meeting, the State Department said Friday. The United States has been joined by key players in the Americas in recognising Guaido as interim leader. US President Donald Trump's administration has spearheaded the international pressure on Maduro, who accuses Washington of being behind an attempted "coup". None of the other veto-wielding powers on the Security Council have formally backed Guaido. "This (US) behaviour is unacceptable," Lavrov declared. "It undermines the principles of the UN Charter and the international community's standards," he said, adding Russia will defend its position at the Security Council. Venezuela's descent into a political crisis this week began when a group of soldiers rose up against Maduro which sparked a number of protests leading up to rival rallies opposing or supporting the socialist leader. Guaido then proclaimed himself acting president. Russia is Venezuela's second-highest creditor after China, which has also sided with Maduro. Last month Maduro announced, during a visit to Moscow, $6 billion of Russian investment in Venezuela's key oil and mining sectors. On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin voiced support for the Maduro regime "in the context of a domestic political crisis that has been provoked from the outside". burs/del
The Greek parliament on Friday narrowly ratified a landmark deal to rename neighbouring Macedonia, ending one of the world's longest diplomatic disputes and earning rich praise for the "historic" move. A total of 153 MPs in the 300-seat Greek parliament approved the name Republic of North Macedonia despite widespread public opposition. The change had already been ratified by Macedonian lawmakers on January 11. Since 1991, Athens has objected to its neighbour being called Macedonia because Greece has a northern province of the same name. In ancient times it was the cradle of Alexander the Great's empire, a source of intense pride for Greeks. To make the UN-sponsored agreement final, Greece must now ratify a protocol approving Macedonia's membership of the Western military alliance NATO. This is expected to take place next month. "We warmly welcome the next crucial step in the ratification... taken with today's vote by the Hellenic Parliament," EU President Jean-Claude Juncker said in a joint statement with foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini and enlargement commissioner Johannes Hahn. "Both countries have seized this unique opportunity which sets an example of reconciliation for Europe as a whole and will give a further boost to the European perspective of the region," the EU officials said. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres offered his congratulations, saying in a statement that "the implementation of the agreement will strengthen peace and security in the region and provide a fresh impetus to reconciliation efforts in Europe and beyond." "Today is a historic day," Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, who forged a close relationship with North Macedonia counterpart Zoran Zaev in drafting the agreement last year, said in a tweet. "Today we write a new page for the Balkans. The hatred of nationalism, dispute and conflict will be replaced by friendship, peace and cooperation," Tsipras said on his Twitter page. European Council President Donald Tusk said the two countries had achieved "mission impossible." - 'Congratulations, my friend' - "Congratulations my friend" Alexis Tsipras, Zaev said on Twitter. "Together with our peoples we reached a historic victory. "Long live the Prespa Agreement! For eternal peace and progress of the Balkans and in Europe!" Germany -- whose chancellor Angela Merkel had personally expressed gratitude to Tsipras during a recent visit to Athens -- also welcomed the news as a "victory for diplomacy." French President Emmanuel Macron likewise praised the outcome in a tweet saluting the vote as "an example of courage and unity for Europe." Protests have been held in both countries against the agreement -- some of them violent -- and lawmakers in Greece have reported threats and arson attacks against their homes. A few dozen protesters gathered outside Greek parliament on Friday. A poll released by SKAI TV on Thursday night found 62 percent of respondents oppose the deal, with 27 percent in favour. A week earlier, another poll in Proto Thema weekly had found 66 percent in opposition. - 'Painful compromise' - Anti-Tsipras daily Ta Nea on Friday said the deal was the result of a "painful compromise" and was full of "pitfalls". In addition to normalising relations between the two countries, implementation of the agreement will open the door for Macedonia to join the European Union and NATO, hitherto blocked by Athens' veto. But in Greece, its neighbour's name continues to fuel controversy in politics and society, ahead of parliamentary elections scheduled for October. Critics say the agreement -- which drops Greece's objections to an official Macedonian language and identity -- opens the way for possible cultural usurpation and trade disputes. Main opposition leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis of the conservative New Democracy party said the agreement "creates new problems" and "awakens nationalism". "Your foreign policy is superficial and ignorant... you should be ashamed," he told the government. But Tsipras told parliament during a two-day debate on the deal: "We never had a Macedonian language. Alexander the Great spoke Greek." "Are you afraid of a state that does not even have two percent of our (military) capability and not even six percent of our economic output?," former foreign minister Nikos Kotzias, a signatory of the agreement, asked parliament on Thursday. On Sunday, clashes between police and masked protesters left 40 people injured as tens of thousands demonstrated in Athens against the name change. The government blamed far-right extremists and the neo-Nazi Golden Dawn party for the violence. burs-jph/cw/har
Customs officers seize HK$4.8 million of illegal cigarettes from mainland China found being smuggled into Hong Kong inside mobile toilets

Hong Kong customs officers have found HK$4.8 million worth of illegal cigarettes hidden inside mobile toilets being brought into the city from mainland China.

Officials seized the contraband on Wednesday after it was found on a truck that had crossed the border.

It was the fourth time smugglers have been caught trying to bring illegal cigarettes into Hong Kong this year, and took the total street value of goods seized by authorities to HK$13 million.

The vehicles manifest said it was carrying nine mobile toilets when it arrived at the Lok Ma Chau control point from Shenzhen, according to the Customs & Excise Department.

But an X-ray showed a difference in density between the two mobile toilets near the container door and the seven at the back. This prompted officers to open all the cubicles, where they found 1.8 million cigarettes concealed in 203 carton boxes, which completely filled the seven mobile toilets.

Officers arrested a 54-year-old male driver, who had since been released on bail pending further investigation. The truck was impounded.

Brian Chan Kai-ho, divisional commander of the Revenue and General Investigation Bureau, said all the cigarettes confiscated so far this month had come from the mainland, and were for local distribution.

The operation came just two days after officers found 1.6 million cigarettes, with an estimated street value of HK$4.4 million, hidden among vegetables in a truck at the Man Kam To border crossing.

The contraband was found in 179 foam boxes mixed in with 321 boxes of vegetables. The haul would have cost the government HK$3.1 million in tax. A male driver, 61, was arrested and released on bail.

As we expected before the [Lunar New Year] holiday, smugglers are filling their inventory. So thats why we stepped up enforcement action, Chan said.



About HK$54 million (US$6.9 million) worth of contraband cigarettes were seized in the first 11 months of 2018, up more than 50 per cent year on year.

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During this period, customs officers discovered 244 illegal cigarette storage facilities and confiscated more than 20 million cigarettes which would have cost the government HK$38 million in taxes.

Chan put the sharp increase down to surging demand in the local market, but stressed that the situation was under control.

Anyone found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of HK$2 million, and seven years in prison.

This article Customs officers seize HK$4.8 million of illegal cigarettes from mainland China found being smuggled into Hong Kong inside mobile toilets first appeared on South China Morning Post

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Cotabato City Mayor Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi presenting to the media alleged evidence of vote-buying in connection with the BOL plebiscite.

Cotabato City Mayor Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi has bared alleged irregularities in Mondays plebiscite for the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law.

She also noted that members of the plebiscite committee were neither residents nor teachers of the city.

Sayadi found the situation questionable particularly because the members were BOL supporters.

One factor din na yun, mali mali yung mga entries, kasi mga na-hire nila doon, ni hindi mga nakapag-training ng BEIs (Board of Election Inspectors) kaya maraming problema sa precinct level pa lang, she said.

She also cited allegations of ghost voters and incidents of intimidation by BOL supporters during the plebiscite.

Eto yung mga pictures ng mga tao who are not residents of Cotabato City. Yung mere presence nila ng ganyan, talagang natakot ang mga tao, said the mayor.

Her camp has already prepared the evidence needed to file a petition with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) seeking to declare the plebiscite a failure.

Pinag-uusapan nga namin although the petitions are already finished, we are going to file it next week, said Sayadi.

The recent plebiscite witnessed Cotabato Citys historic yes vote to its inclusion in the new Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).  Nel Maribojoc

The post Cotabato City mayor seeks to declare BOL plebiscite a failure appeared first on UNTV News.
Beijing tells Washington to abide by one China principle after US Navys Taiwan passage

The Chinese foreign ministry on Friday urged Washington to abide by its one China principle after two US warships passed through the Taiwan Strait the previous day.

It was the first such operation this year and analysts said that while the coming year may see increasing confrontation over the self-ruled island, the two sides would both be very cautious about taking things too far.

The two sides are also embroiled in a trade war that could seriously damage both economies if things escalate further, while a number of other diplomatic and strategic disagreements have further strained relations.

On the same day the US warships sailed through the sensitive waterway east of Taiwan, the mainland Chinese military also staged separate air and sea exercises on the opposite side of the island.

Beijing regards Taiwan as a breakaway province that must be reunited with the mainland and has never ruled out the use of force.

For its part, the US accepted the one China principle when it normalised relations with Beijing, but has avoided giving a precise definition as to what this would mean.

On Friday, a spokeswoman from the Chinese foreign ministry reminded the US of this principle and urged it to act prudently.

Please put yourself in our shoes, Hua Chunying told reporters in Beijing. Theres a family that has a big yard and a small yard and between them theres a passageway that others can use.

But when others use the passageway and say or do something provocative  or even threaten the safety and comfort of the family  how would you feel?



In Taipei, Taiwanese defence ministry spokesman Chen Chun-chi confirmed that the US guided missile destroyer USS McCampbell and the USNS Walter S Diehl, a fuel ship, had passed through the Taiwan Strait on Thursday, adding that the whole voyage had been closely watched.

Separately, Taiwan confirmed that on the same day the Peoples Liberation Army Air Force had sent military aircraft through the Bashi Channel, which separates the islands southern tip and the Philippines, into the West Pacific.

Story continues

But Chen said the situation in the Taiwan Strait was under control and that fears about sabre-rattling by mainland China and the US were overblown.

The [Taiwan] military is in full control of the waters around Taiwan and its skies every day, Chen said, according to Taiwans Central News Agency.

This is an example of the Trump administration playing the Taiwan card

Zhu Songling, Beijing Union University professor

Observers in Beijing said that military confrontations are expected to escalate this year as US and China have both hardened their positions.

US President Donald Trump signed the Asian Reassurance Initiative of 2018 into law on December 31. This allows the US to make regular transfers of defence equipment to Taiwan to meet the threat from Beijing and allows high-level US officials to travel to the island.

This is an example of the Trump administration playing the Taiwan card, said Zhu Songling, a professor at the Institute of Taiwan Studies in Beijing Union University.

Shi Yinhong, a China-US affairs expert with Renmin University in Beijing, said that the US and China would see increasing confrontation over the issue as the Trump administration takes an increasingly pro-Taiwan stance while the PLA steps up its combat readiness.

This is also in line with the general relationship between China and the US  there will be ups and downs in the short term but in the long run bilateral relations will become more confrontational and intense over Taiwanese issues, Shi said.

But Shi and Zhu agreed that the two sides would want to avoid anything that increased the risk of war.

Avoiding armed clashes or any conflict triggered by accidents is the top priority for both China and the US, said Shi.

The more intense the confrontation, the more careful they are.

US Pacific Fleet spokesman Lieutenant Commander Tim Gorman told CNN on Thursday that the patrol was a routine operation.

The ships transit through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the US commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, Gorman said.

The US Navy will continue to fly, sail and operate anywhere international law allows.

This article Beijing tells Washington to abide by one China principle after US Navys Taiwan passage first appeared on South China Morning Post

For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2019.

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Australia on Friday said it was seeking access to a Vietnamese-Australian pro-democracy activist detained by security services on his return to Ho Chi Minh city. Colleagues of Chau Van Kham in Australia told AFP on Friday they believed he was arrested on January 13. The Australian Department of Foreign affairs confirmed it had "sought consular access to an Australian man detained in Vietnam" in response to query about Kham. "For privacy reasons we are unable to provide further details," a statement said. Kham's detention comes just days after an Australian blogger and author was arrested in China. Kham, a retired businessman, was on a "fact-finding" mission to the country, entering via Cambodia, according to colleague Phong Nguyen. Both men are members of the Viet Tan, an anti-government group that Hanoi considers a terrorist organisation. Vietnamese authorities have accused the Viet Tan of "instigating violence", a charge the group rejects. Colleagues said they did not know where Chau was being held. His wife and immediate family remain in Sydney. "At the moment we don't know where he is," said Phong Nguyen. "He was aware of the risk, but he was determined to go on this fact-finding trip." The visit was designed to assess human rights in the country, Phong Nguyen added. "We are mindful that the Vietnamese police have a history of framing peaceful activists with fabricated charges," he said. Vietnam is a one-party state, with severe restrictions on any criticism of the ruling Communist Party. Freedom House -- a rights watchdog -- ranks the country as "not free" and Human Rights Watch has accused the government of recently intensifying a crackdown. "During 2018, the Vietnamese authorities sought to break up several key dissident networks," HRW said in a recent overview. "At least 42 people were convicted for expressing opinions critical of the government, peacefully participating in public protests, or joining pro-democracy groups."
FILE PHOTO: A lone tree stands near a water trough in a drought-effected paddock on Jimmie and May McKeown's property located on the outskirts of town of Walgett, in New South Wales, Australia, July 20, 2018/File Photo

By Sonali Paul

MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Blistering heat triggered power outages on Australia's strained grid on Friday as demand for air-conditioning soared and coal-fired generators struggled to meet the surge in consumption.

To shore up the grid, the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) cut power to Alcoa Corp's Portland aluminium smelter, the biggest consumer in the state of Victoria, for nearly two hours on Thursday evening and on Friday.

The record-breaking heatwave over the past week sent power prices soaring across southeastern Australia.

Wholesale power prices in Victoria hit the market cap of A$14,500 ($10,298) per megawatt hour (MWh) before midday on Friday, earlier than expected, then dropped to A$300, National Electricity Market data showed.

Supply was tight, with a total of 1,800 megawatts (MW) of generation offline in the country's east, AEMO Chief Executive Audrey Zibelman said on Australian Broadcasting Corp TV. AGL Energy's Loy Yang power plant and EnergyAustralia's Yallourn, both in Victoria, were among those with units down.

Transmission links from the states of Tasmania, New South Wales and South Australia were transferring power to Victoria at full capacity, Zibelman said.

"With all of that, however, we found ourselves short...for up to the next two hours," she said. "We may have to do more over the course of the afternoon, as the demand continues to increase."

The AEMO has ordered cuts of 200 MW, which would affect about 60,000 Victorian customers.

Temperatures in the South Australian capital of Adelaide rose to just shy of 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit) on Thursday, a record high. Melbourne, the capital of Victoria, was set to hit 44C on Friday, before a drop of about 15 degrees expected mid-afternoon.

Victoria Energy Minister Lily D'Ambrosio said it was clear Australia's summers were getting longer, hotter and more extreme because of climate change.

Story continues

"We can see that the problem we've got now is that we've got a 20th century system for a 21st century climate," she told reporters at a televised briefing.

Australia is a signatory to the Paris climate accord reached in 2015, under which it has committed to cutting carbon emissions by between 26 percent to 28 percent from 2005 levels by 2030.

As insurance ahead of this summer, the AEMO lined up 930 MW of reserve power, including an agreement to pay Alcoa's Portland smelter to curb power when supplies are tight. Last summer, the reserve program cost the market operator A$52 million.

However, the power cut to Alcoa on Thursday came without notice because of unexpectedly high temperatures, causing demand to spike, the AEMO said.

"Alcoa will not be compensated for the curtailment," Alcoa spokeswoman Jodie Read said.

But Friday's cut to Alcoa will be under the reserve agreement.

In South Australia, where power capacity has been beefed up with diesel generators and gas-fired plants over the past two years following a state-wide blackout, 30,000 homes lost power on Thursday after transformers on local power lines overheated and switched off.

"After days of heat, we were in some uncharted territory yesterday with record heat and record load sustained well into the night," said Paul Roberts, a spokesman for SA Power Networks, the South Australian local distribution network operator.

($1 = 1.4081 Australian dollars)

(Reporting by Sonali Paul; additional reporting by Melanie Burton; editing by Christian Schmollinger)
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 25 (Reuters) - The investment banking arm of Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank), Malaysia's largest bank by assets, is closing its institutional research business in Hong Kong and China as part of restructuring the institutional brokerage business, a bank spokeswoman said.

Maybank Kim Eng (MKE), the lender's investment banking arm, said in a statement that it will focus on core ASEAN capabilities and coverage, while retaining its Hong Kong and China institutional brokerage business on execution and trading services.

As a result, at least 13 positions in the Hong Kong office have been affected.

MKE is committed to continue providing its ASEAN research, corporate access, trading and execution services to global clients, the bank said.

"Institutional Brokerage will remain a key business line for MKE and an essential component of the firm's positioning as ASEAN's capital market intermediary," it said.

Maybank reported a drop in its third-quarter net profit in November, citing lower investment and trading proceeds as well as foreign exchange fluctuations.

In October, the bank promoted two insiders to top positions at MKE, namely Ami Moris as chief executive officer and Fad'l Mohamed as CEO for MKE's Malaysian entity. (Reporting by Liz Lee, Editing by Sherry Jacob-Phillips)
 Will the FIRST STEP Act's crack retroactivity provisions result in many reduced sentences beyond those serving mandatory-minimum terms? | Main | "Limiting Retributivism and Individual Prevention" 

January 25, 2019

Ohio's new governor delays first scheduled execution under his watch based on concerns about lethal-injection drugs

As reported in this local article, headlined "Gov. Mike DeWine delays killers execution, orders review of lethal-injection drugs," this afternoon brought some interesting news on the capital administration front from Ohio's capital. Here are the details:

Gov. Mike DeWine on Friday postponed the execution of murderer Warren Henness from Feb. 13 to Sept. 12 following a recent judicial ruling that Ohios lethal-injection cocktail will very likely cause him severe pain and needless suffering. In a release, DeWine said that he has also directed Ohios prisons agency to assess the states current options for execution drugs and examine possible alternative drugs. On Jan. 15, federal magistrate judge Michael Merz ruled that the three drugs Ohio has used since last year for executions  midazolam (as a sedative), a paralytic drug, and potassium chloride (to stop the heart)  are likely unconstitutionally cruel and unusual punishment. Merz cited testimony from medical witnesses that high doses of midazolam and other drugs cause pulmonary edema, causing a painful drowning sensation comparable to the torture tactic of waterboarding. However, Merz allowed Henness execution to proceed because, under a 2015 U.S. Supreme Court ruling, death row inmates challenging how they will be put to death must show that an alternative means of execution is available, feasible, and can be readily implemented. Henness proposed alternatives -- drinking secobarbital in a sweet liquid such as apple juice, or an oral injection of four drugs  were rejected by Merz on the grounds that neither method has ever been used to carry out an execution, they would take more than an hour to kill Henness, and that there isnt a proven way to obtain the drugs. DeWine, in his statement, noted that Henness has appealed Merzs ruling, but the governor said he delayed the execution because of the magistrate judges opinion. David Stebbins, Henness attorney, said in a statement Friday: We commend Governor DeWine for his leadership and for ensuring the justice system operates humanely in Ohio. Henness was convicted of murdering his drug-abuse counselor, Richard Myers, in 1992. Prosecutors said Henness kidnapped Myers, shot him five times at an abandoned water-treatment plant, severed Myers finger to get his wedding ring, then drove around in Myers car for several days forging his checks and using his credit cards to get cash and buy crack cocaine.... Ohio, like many other states with the death penalty, has struggled to obtain lethal-injection drugs since European pharmaceutical companies cut off further sales on moral and legal grounds. After the controversial execution of killer Dennis McGuire in January 2014, Ohio imposed a three-year moratorium on executions as it worked to find a new lethal-injection protocol  and suppliers willing to sell the state the drugs. Since the moratorium was lifted in 2017, Ohio has executed three people using the current three-drug cocktail  all without complications or unexpected problems with the drugs. However, the execution of a fourth condemned inmate, Alva Campbell, was postponed after several unsuccessful attempts to insert an IV. Campbell died in his cell a few months later.

January 25, 2019 at 05:31 PM | Permalink

Comments

what a wuss

Posted by: federalist | Jan 26, 2019 11:40:51 AM

Midazolam, 0r Versed, is a benzodiazepine (aka Benzos)

Did Judge Mertz mention:

1) how the inmate could feel the pain while unconscious? They can't. There is zero indication that the inmate could become conscious with the massive doses given. The pharmacological realities of the drugs are well known (1).

2) that in 2013, an estimated 22 767 people died of an overdose involving prescription drugs in the United States.1 Benzodiazepines, a class of medications with sedative, hypnotic, anxiolytic, and anticonvulsant properties, were involved in approximately 31% of these fatal overdoses.1

see

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4816010/

3) The pain the judge mentions is pulmonary edema. Pulmonary edema caused by drug use is rare. The prevalence of opioid-related NCPE (noncardiogenic pulmonary edema) is about 2-10% of heroin overdoses [1,2]. It is most commonly seen in heroin (and morphine) overdose but has been reported with other opioids.

There are two theories that suggest the opioid antagonist naloxone is the cause of the NCPE. Obviously, naloxone is not used in executions.

If unconscious, pain cannot be felt.

see

http://www.naemsp-blog.com/emsmed/2018/9/13/not-your-typical-wake-up-a-review-of-opioid-related-noncardiogenic-pulmonary-edema



4) Pathologist Dr. Mark Edgar has testified that in 85% of the executions with midazolam, pulmonary edema was present.

An attorney for the death row inmates "asked Edgar if an inmate put to death using pentobarbital or midazolam would feel pain from pulmonary edema, if the medication had not rendered the inmate unable to feel pain. Edgar said yes."

There is zero evidence the inmates were conscious and could feel pain.



see

https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/crime/2018/07/16/lethal-injection-drugs-simulate-drowning-expert-says/787965002/

5) that pulmonary distress and failure are well known side effects of the drugs, as is complete respiratory failure, as intended with massive intended execution overdoses (1).

6) Benzos are prescribed for anxiety and panic disorders, seizure disorders, sleep problems and insomnia, . . . All benzodiazepines depress the central nervous system by increasing the effects of the GABA neurotransmitter. This calms neural activity, leading to a sense of relaxation or sedation. Some people may experience euphoria or a pleasant sense of well-being.

Despite the fact that Versed is a fast-acting benzo with a short half-life, residual effects can be felt for a day or two after its used. For example, following a procedure involving Versed, a person could feel drowsy and weak for up to two days. https://www.therecoveryvillage.com/versed-addiction/versed-alcohol/#gref

1) Rebuttal: Botched Executions

http://prodpinnc.blogspot.com/2017/01/rebuttal-botched-executions.html



Posted by: Dudley Sharp | Jan 26, 2019 12:32:08 PM

Post a comment
Mark James Miller is an associate English Instructor at Allan Hancock College, and president of the Part-Time Faculty Association, CFT Local 6185. He can be reached at mark@pfaofahc.com.
With the IRS union warnings that workers might not show up, claiming hardship after a month without pay, and the air travel union warning of unprecedented safety risks, Americans begin wondering if theyre a developed nation at all as political parties play at belligerence in a government shutdown circus that sees no end in sight.

On Wednesday, air travel union leaders issued a joint statement, expressing growing concern for the safety and security of our members, our airlines, and the traveling public, saying that the system may be about to crack.

In our risk averse industry, we cannot even calculate the level of risk currently at play, nor predict the point at which the entire system will break. It is unprecedented, read the joint statement by the heads of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, the Air Line Pilots Association and the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA.

Speaking to WGNTV, Dan Carrico, president of the NATCA at O-Hare International Airport, said: If this continues, we're going to see a catastrophic failure in the system. I can't tell you when, or how, but I can tell you that the stress and the fatigue that my air controllers at O'Hare are experiencing, and throughout the country, it's going to lead to us to miss something."

The statement comes three days after the Transportation Security Agency (TSA) announced that 10 percent of employees had called in sick and some airports had been forced to close down security checkpoints.

But its far from just the TSA sick days troubling the air travel unions. Theyre also having trouble staffing air traffic control facilities with staffing at a three-decade low right now due to the government shutdown, which has now entered its 34th day. And hiring has been frozen by the Federal Aviation Administration.

As union leaders, we find it unconscionable that aviation professionals are being asked to work without pay and in an air safety environment that is deteriorating by the day. To avoid disruption to our aviation system, we urge Congress and the White House to take all necessary steps to end this shutdown immediately, the statement said.

Related: Cash Is Now A $3-Trillion Safe Haven Bet

Among some 800,000 Federal employees furloughed by the record-breaking government shutdown, the IRS is also feeling the pinch, with its workers union warning that furloughed employees might not be back at work next week to start on tax refunds. Theyre claiming financial hardship because theyre not being paidand this is allowable under their employment contract.

On Wednesday, the union said its members were experiencing real hardship, and Trumps promises that tax returns will go out as usual may not be realized.

After a month with no pay, real hardship does exist for IRS employees including not having the money needed to get back and forth to work or to pay for the child care necessary to return to work right now, Tony Reardon, president of the National Treasury Employees Union, said in a statement to CBS MoneyWatch. The NTEU represents about 70,000 IRS workers.

Related: Is Gold Heading To $1,500?

The bottom line? Around 800,000 Federal employees are facing hardship, air travel may not be safe and you might not get your tax refund  Its a setup of uncertainty that the marketsalready reeling from fears of a global growth slowdown and trade war tensionswont like at all.

As the shutdown entered its 34th day, airline stocks, for one, are nervous. While strong earnings report are giving them a boost so far, the shutdown is a major concern. In its earnings report last week, Delta Air Lines Inc. (DAL) warned about the shutdowns potential impact on results.

In the meantime, let the show go onbecause it is, after all, a show.

A CBS News poll released Wednesday showed Trump with an approval rating of only 36 percent, with 71 percent of Americans saying a $5-billion border wall with Mexico isnt worth the longest government shutdown in history.

At the end of the day, if air travel is shut down over safety reasons, the farthest well be able to travel is Canada  or Mexico.

By Charles Benavidez for Safehaven.com

More Top Reads From Safehaven.com
Alibabas new robot-manned FlyZoo hotel is testing the boundaries of how comfortable guests are with robot staff who dont get moody and dont get paid, allowing the company to save significantly on human labor costs.

It puts a new spin on room service, according to Reuters, which visited the hotel, describing robots a meter high delivering food and dropping off fresh towels to guests.

For guests who want their privacy and dont feel like engaging in small talk with hotel staff, its probably a big win.

For Alibaba, its a huge opportunity to show off its high-tech pioneer status to the public.

FlyZoo boasts 290 rooms starting at $201 per night, and it opened its doors in December, confident that robots are the future of the hotel business.

Its all about the efficiency of the service and the consistency of service because the robots are not disturbed by human moods. Sometimes, we say we are not in the mood, but the system and the robot will always be in the mood, Alibaba Future Hotel Management CEO Andy Wang told Reuters.

But while some might like the break from human interaction and small talk, others might balk at the idea of a robot scanning their personal identification at check-in, and then wondering where all that data goes.

Its not an entirely new conceptbut it is rare, for now. In 2015, Japan opened first ever hotel run by robots.

Since then, Japanese travel company H.I.S. has been opening hotels where robots man the front desk, check-in is handled by a kiosk, and face recognition opens the door to your room. So its not fresh towels and room service, but it is quite a lot of AI.

While everyones suffered from human-related communication problems at hotels, though, AI isnt necessarily fixing thatyet. AI room assistants are like Alexa, who doesnt always understand what youre saying, and theres still plenty of room for misunderstandings, even if it is without an attitude.

At one of H.I.S. hotels, the Wall Street Journal cited one guest as saying that he realized at 6 a.m. that the assistant was responding to his snoring. Earlier this month, H.I.S decided to fire over half of its 243-strong robot workforce and replace them with humans. Related: The Global Energy Transition Has Hit A Roadblock

Alibaba is clearly hoping its tech improves on the Japanese experience.

Plenty of tweaks will be needed along the way, but it will get there eventually.

And robot hotels by Alibaba underscore another crucial aspect of this tech: The AI race between the U.S. and China.

At the ongoing Davos World Economic Forum annual meeting on global politics, economics, and social issues, American business leaders sounded alarm bells over what they claim is a situation in which China is making dangerously big gains in the artificial intelligence revolution.

While the U.S. may still be the leader in the AI race, China is determined to overtake by attacking from multiple directions.

Recently, the Chinese State Council set a goal of matching the U.S. in AI by 2020, eyeing a $150-billion industry . By 2030, it plans to become the worlds key AI innovation center.

Chinese research submissions to AI conferences have already ramped up significantly, while investment in Chinese AI work and patent filings are also on the rise.

According to the U.S. Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) report, the federal government spent about $1 billion on AI in 2015, while the White House says that spending jumped to $3 billion in 2017.

By way of comparison, one Chinese state has promised to invest $5 billion in AI, while the federal government in Beijing has committed $2 billion to an AI development park.

China has 50,000 people working in technology-related roles within AI, while the US has 850,000, but Beijing is gunning for an additional 5 million AI workers to meet the industrys needs and the countrys goals of AI dominance.

By Michael Scott for Safehaven.com

More Top Reads From Safehaven.com
Ghanaian teachers in public basic schools are criminals because they do not teach yet take their salaries and send their children to private schools, a former rector of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), Professor Stephen Adei, has said.



That attitude of Ghanaian teachers, he said, is affecting the quality of education at the primary level.



Responding to critics who argue that the governments double-track system will affect the quality of education at the high school level, Prof Adei told on Class FM said: Quality issues have nothing to do with the double-track system. The quality issue, first and foremost, lies in our basic education.



Eighty per cent of Ghanaian children attend public basic schools, and if you go there, many of the teachers are pure criminals. They dont teach, and the worst still is that: people who have been trained as teachers, and they are paid more than GHS1,000 a month to teach in the public schools, send their children to private basic schools where the teachers are secondary school failures.



In other words, they are saying that we will not teach and well take our children to be taught by untrained secondary school failures. Why? Because, there, their children will pass and go to secondary school, Prof Adei explained.



In his view, the answer to Ghanas education malice lies in making sure that the public schools teach, and it always lies with supervision. At this moment, even teacher training is not the most important thing but the supervision and making them accountable and that if they dont teach, theyre fired, without adding a pesewa, you can improve the quality of basic education, at least, four times and once you produce better basic education graduates, immediately, youve improved secondary school.



He noted that so far as he is concerned, Ghana has the worst basic education system in terms of quality and output in the whole world. Go to Togo, every child who has been in school for two years can read. Go to any Ghanaian [public basic] school and see if there is a Class Two pupil who can read and youll not get more than one out of 10, and yet, I, Stephen Adei, can teach a child to read within three months so long as he is five years old



Prof Adei, among others, was the former Head of the UN System in South Africa, UNDP Resident Representative in Namibia, Economist and Chief of the Directorate of Africa Bureau, UNDP, New York; Senior Economist of the Commonwealth Secretariat, London, and was also a staff of the Ghana Investment Centre where he rose to the be the Deputy Director and Head of Research.



He has taught economics at both the University of Ghana and the University of Sydney, and undertaken several consultancy assignments.







Source: Class News









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Montana's Senate has approved a policy that prohibits legislators and legislative employees from subjecting someone to discrimination, harassment and retaliation and creates a confidential process to report and investigate complaints.

The Senate voted 27-19 Thursday in favor of a package of rules that included the policy. The state House still must approve the joint rules.

The policy was developed over 18 months amid sexual misconduct complaints made against lawmakers across the country as well as other powerful men as part of the #MeToo movement.

It was amended earlier this week to remove the possible reasons for harassment, which included age, race, sex, sexual orientation, religion and disability.

Senate Majority Leader Fred Thomas, a Stevensville Republican, said then that he did not want to limit the policy to certain types of harassment.

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As a county employee, Warner said he has flexibility to address issues as they come up.

If I hear of a veteran who is locked up in their home and doesnt want to come and see us, I will go to their home and sit down at their kitchen table to talk with them, said the former Marine. I do whatever I need to do make sure my brothers and sisters are taken care of. That is the kind of flexibility that we have.

There was opposition to the proposal from those who said the states current regional system was already doing the job adequately.

Edward Sperry of Stevensville said the American Legion had created a state veterans service officer system around 1920 that currently works with the states Veterans Affairs office.

We would be reinventing the wheel, Sperry told the committee. We have a system in place. If we can improve it, lets put our effort into improving it with better electronic data and faster response times.

Sperry said he has been impressed with the efforts of the organization in Ravalli County.

The unit in Hamilton is extremely honorable and has been extremely effective, Sperry said. I have no quarrel with their performance. In fact, I highly admire them.
Just a few weeks before the Declaration of Independence was signed in July 1776, upwards of 20,000 spectators gathered in a field, which would later become the borough of Manhattan.

Why was such a large crowd assembled on a sunny summer day? To watch the public hanging of one Thomas Hickey, a member of the elite unit known as the Life Guard, which protected General George Washington, his staff and the Continental Army's payroll. Two days earlier, Hickey had been convicted of mutiny and sedition, and was hanged on the morning of June 28, 1776.

Born in Ireland, he had come to America as a soldier in the British Army and fought in the Seven Years' War. But when the Revolutionary War broke out, he switched allegiances and joined the Continental Army.

Although he was the only one executed, Hickey, it turns out, was part of a much larger scheme, one concocted by British loyalists to assassinate Washington, who was commander-in-chief of the Continental Army.
Other Shopko or Shopko Hometown locations in South Dakota are to remain open, including stores in Rapid City, Sturgis, Belle Fourche and Hot Springs.

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However, all Shopko locations will see their pharmacy services auctioned off and eventually closed as part of the companys Chapter 11 reorganization, announced Jan. 16.

Customer prescriptions from the Watertown and Sioux Falls Shopko pharmacies have been transferred to Hy-Vee stores in those communities. The remaining Shopko pharmacies will continue operating as the auction process proceeds, the company said.

This decision is a difficult but necessary one, said Steinhorst, in a release announcing the company was seeking Chapter 11 protection.

In a challenging retail environment, we have had to make some very tough choices, but we are confident that by operating a smaller and more focused store footprint, we will be able to build a stronger Shopko that will better serve our customers, vendors, employees and other stakeholders through this process, he said.

Steinhorst said the company reconsidered the closure of one Sioux Falls Shopko and the Shopko Hometown in Chamberlain after conversations with community stakeholders and receiving what he called financial support from landlords at both locations.
Why does the Legislature want to allow one to carry a concealed weapon without a permit? I am a retired state trooper and have not talked to one active or retired law enforcement officer that is in favor of doing away with the permit.

Let us hope the Rush can be successful under new ownership. Rapid City has certainly done enough to keep the team afloat.

While it is disturbing to think of birds being killed by wind turbines, there are at least three studies showing many, many more are estimated to be killed by the generation of electricity with nuclear and fossils fuels. Millions more are killed by flying into glass-faced skyscrapers.

So a Two Cents comment says the shutdown is the Democrats fault. Remember what Trump said, "I will gladly own the shutdown."

In their quest to help nursing homes, I hope Gov. Noem and other leaders will not forget to fund long-term services and support programs. They work to keep us safe and independent in our own homes.

So the city gives a multi-billion dollar corporation over $100,000 of taxpayer money to expand their operation in the city, which as long as there is profit they would do anyway. Has the city council lost their minds or just flunked ethics class?

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Dame noted that since the work was completed, the shop had experienced between 5 and 25 percent growth in its monthly business.

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We do see success in that area, and we anticipate that will go forward in the future, he said.

Numbers are up

The past two years at Rapid City Regional Airport have been record ones.

In 2018, the airport welcomed 625,918 passengers, a 5 percent increase over 2017, which was the previous record year for passengers with 595,936. The total number of passengers boarding aircraft at the airport also rose 5.3 percent in 2018 compared with 2017, from 295,215 to 310,810.

Dame believes the airport is now spending pending more money on marketing than ever before, which is part of the reason for the increase although he added its difficult to accurately gauge the impact.

On Thursday, the board agreed to pay Sioux Falls-based marketing and advertising firm Lawrence & Schiller $198,886 in 2019 for marketing. The airport and Lawrence & Schiller have been working together since the start of 2017. Of those funds, Schiller representatives said at the meeting that 76 percent would be spent on digital marketing and ads, with the remainder going to social media marketing and ads.
SC ordered to end all commercial activities on military lands in Karachi

The Supreme Court on Thursday ordered an end to all commercial activities on military lands in Karachi, media reports said. While hearing a case pertaining to illegal constructions in the port city, a two-member bench comprising Justice Gulzar Ahmed and Justice Sajjad Ali Shah ordered Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah to summon a cabinet meeting and determine how the city will be restored to the shape envisioned in its original master plan. The bench directed all secretaries concerned to take part in the cabinet meeting and ordered them to come up with a comprehensive report in two weeks.



During the proceedings, Justice Gulzar wondered why the armed forces and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) were running wedding halls and cinemas. If it is their job to do, he asked.



Taking aim at the CAA, he noted that a wedding hall was being operated near the Karachi airport, which had been the target of a terrorist attack in the past.



Then turning to the armed forces, he asked how a wedding hall was being operated so close to the Central Ordnance Depot, a facility meant for stockpiling active ammunition and weapons. Have some fear of God! he thundered. He also asked why walls were being erected along main thoroughfares on the wishes of an armed forces officer, who, the judge said, wishes to use them to generate revenue from billboards. And, behind these walls, big buildings are being constructed, he noted. If they [the people involved] had their way, they would be constructing buildings on the streets as well, he observed.



Rejecting a report presented by the Sindh government and Karachi Development Authority officials, Justice Gulzar lambasted them for singing lullabies for the court. This report of yours is of no use, he remarked. If we passed an order on the basis of this report, your entire government will be sent reeling, he warned.



Dont tell us bedtime stories, Justice Gulzar censured the Sindh advocate general. You do know AG sahab, what it means to sing someone lullabies? It means, Listen to this lullaby and go to sleep. We are not here to be sung to sleep, he said. You have a good secretary in Mumtaz Ali Shah, and yet you have been able to achieve nothing, he complained.



The court ordered that the Sindh governments report be submitted along with formal architectural plans and suggestions. Let me make it clear: This city will be restored to its original master plan, Justice Gulzar asserted. Look at what the Defence Housing Authority (DHA) has done to the coastal strip, he remarked.



They have encroached so far into the sea that if they had their way, they would build another city on the sea itself. The owners of DHA will [then] encroach on the entire sea all the way to US and plant their flags there, he commented. They are currently wondering how they can make inroads into India as well, he added.



The apex court also ordered the occupation of the Sewage Treatment Plant-II (TP-II) to be dealt with post haste. Justice Gulzar asked the managing director of the Water Board if the land had been emptied yet. The director replied that the issue had been handed over to the KMC as per court orders. The court subsequently ordered that the land be turned into a public park.



Similarly, the court ordered that Askari Park, which was made on the land of the old Sabzi Mandi, be opened for public use and a wedding hall constructed there be demolished immediately. A number of other wedding halls and marquees have also been identified for being built in violation of laws, including Global Marquees near FTC on Sharea Faisal. All cantonment lands meant for cantonment purposes are to be used only for cantonment purposes and not for any other use and their use shall be restored, read the written order of the court. A report in this regard shall be made available to this court on the next date; in particular cantonment areas Rashid Minhas Road, Karsaz and Shahrah-e-Faisal are initially pointed out and a report in this regard be made available to this court, it added.



The order also directed the removal of encroachments from Railways land, lands along the Malir River, Korangi Industrial Area and all other places meant for parks, playgrounds and other amenities under the city plan.
South Dakota will receive $125,358 in two multi-state Walgreens settlements related to Medicaid and Medicare, the Attorney General's Office said in a Thursday news release.

In one of the cases, Walgreens was accused of fraudulently over-dispensing insulin pens to Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries from 2006 to 2017. Walgreens has agreed to pay more than $89 million with $51,532 going into South Dakota's general fund.

In the other case, the company was accused of billing Medicaid at rates higher than its usual and customary rates. Walgreens will pay $60 million in this settlement, with $74,826 going towards South Dakota's general fund.

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Environmental groups argued that the Health Department underestimated potential air pollution from the refinery, asking Greenwood to declare the permit invalid and send the case back to the agency for further review.

They argued in part that the department initially had concerns about the amount of harmful pollutants the refinery might generate and asserted that the agency didn't adequately explain its eventual conclusion that the refinery wouldn't be a major pollution source. Attorneys for the state countered that Meridian provided information that eased initial concerns. Once built, the plant also will need to prove it can meet state and federal air quality standards, and compliance will be continually monitored.

Greenwood said the state's decision shouldn't be overruled "simply because there has been an evolution of its conclusion from one of concern and/or doubt to one of satisfaction that the permit application complies with controlling regulations."

Meridian in a statement Thursday said the judge's ruling "demonstrates the careful preparation that has gone into the engineering and permitting of the Meridian project."
An Iowa Department of Transportation snowplow struck a man, seriously injuring him, LeClaire police said.

According to LeClaire Police Chief Shane Themas, the crash happened at 4:15 a.m. Wednesday. Officers found the man, whose identity has not been released, lying in the northbound lane in the 1400 block of South Cody Road.

Police determined he had pulled his vehicle onto the shoulder of the road and was outside when the snowplow struck him.

"We didn't file any charges and there aren't any charges pending," Themas said.

The man was transported to a hospital by Medic Ambulance, then was airlifted to University Hospitals, Iowa City.

Assisting LeClaire police at the scene were the Scott County Sheriffs Office, LeClaire firefighters and Medic Ambulance.

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Kimball said a trend he has seen increasing over the last four years are failure to stop incidents that may or may not result in a vehicle pursuit, depending on the circumstances and crime that was committed.

He attributes some of that to the juvenile car theft issues, as well as the adult criminal population that, for example, may be wanted on a warrant or have drugs or an illegal gun in the vehicle.

I think were seeing more just resistance to authority and I think in general more people being more resistant to police, Kimball said. Im not talking about the general public. I would say the criminal population or the people that are violating the law. I think they are more apt to try and run, fight.

Officials, law enforcement, juvenile court services, judges, attorneys and various social service and non-profit agencies across Scott County have held public forums to identify the root problem of juvenile crime and find solutions.

One idea being explored is the creation of a juvenile assessment center that offers youthful offenders and their families easy access to the resources they need.

Sikorski said the key to tackling the juvenile crime problem is early intervention.
Clinton firefighter Adam Cain, who was severely injured Jan. 5 while fighting a silo fire at the ADM Grain Facility in Clinton, will go home Friday, according to a news release issued Thursday by Clinton City Administrator Matt Brooke.

Firefighter Cain has met with his surgery team, trauma team and physical therapy team, Brooke said in the release. They agreed Cain has done amazingly well in his healing process.

Cain, 23, will be released from University Hospitals, Iowa City, with follow-up outpatient therapy.

The communitys support, thoughts and prayers are what has helped him heal so quickly and are truly behind bringing him home, Brooke said.

Clinton firefighters were battling a fire in a silo at the ADM Grain Facility early Jan. 5 when there was an explosion at 8:45 a.m.

Clinton Fire Department Lt. Eric Hosette, 33, a 12-year veteran who also served as chief of the Charlotte Volunteer Fire Department, was killed.

Cain suffered critical injuries and has been hospitalized for the past 20 days.
Ostergen has raised his profile by using his position with an organization representing county attorneys to file several friend-of-the-court briefs with the Supreme Court. Civil liberties advocates have been concerned by some of his actions including his support of limiting the voting rights of felons and his unsuccessful prosecution of an immigrant on identity theft charges.

The lawsuit that prompted the settlement accused Ostergren of filing unsupported criminal charges against Ward and taking actions to interfere with his new job as city manager in Vinton, Iowa. The lawsuit noted that Ward was one of three African-American city managers in Iowa but did not allege race was a factor in the prosecution.

Lawyers for the county argued that Ostergren's decision to prosecute Ward was "a reasonable mistake of law" and not malicious. Before the settlement, a judge dismissed several claims in the lawsuit but allowed others to proceed.

Ostergen filed charges against Ward after an audit alleged that Ward had overbilled residents of West Liberty, an eastern Iowa town of 3,700, by changing electricity rates in 2013 without city council approval. Ward argued that audit was wrong because a 1998 ordinance setting them at the higher level had not been repealed when the city council sought to lower rates in 2007. The increased revenue went to the city, not Ward.
As a third-shift mom, Takala Campbell's search for quality, affordable child care took years.

"There were days I would break down crying, thinking I can't do it because things are so terrible right now," said the Davenport mother of three. "But you've got to push yourself and keep going, especially as mothers. Some days I work 12 or 16 hours, but we can't really show our kids we're tired. You still have to get them up in the morning."

Family members referred Campbell, a certified nursing assistant at Davenport Lutheran Home, to Head Start in Davenport, which offers free child care services for families with an income at or below 130 percent of the federal poverty level. For the past five years, her three sons have gone back and forth between Head Start and home day care.

While she can now focus at work knowing her kids are in safe hands, Campbell said her life remains a balancing act. She often makes choices between going to work or staying home with her kids when she runs out of hours allotted by the state child care assistance program.

As the cost of child care continues to increase, stories like Campbell's are becoming increasingly common across the Quad-Cities. Regulations have tightened how providers operate, and low pay means frequent worker turnover. While the number of providers dwindles, parents across the region are left scrambling to find affordable child care.

Since 2013, Scott County has lost 45 percent of its licensed child care programs, according to Iowa Child Care Resource and Referral, or CCR&R. Statewide, Iowa has lost 42 percent of its programs in the past five years. That loss in services doesn't just affect parents; it affects the entire economy.

If a working parent loses access or doesnt have access to affordable, reliable child care, that has a ripple effect on our entire economy, said ReadyNation Illinois State Director Sean Noble. It has a ripple effect not only on personal employment but on employers wellbeing overall, too. Child care problems prompt people to quit or forgo taking a job. Theres a loss of productivity and turnover costs. Theres a high price to businesses, taxpayers and communities.

A new study by ReadyNation, funded by the Pritzker Childrens Initiative, found a lack of access to child care results in working parents losing on average $3,350 in income. Businesses lost $1,150 per working parent in reduced revenue and recruitment costs each year. And, taxpayers lose on average $630 per working parent in lower income tax and sales tax.

Overall, the lack of child care costs the U.S. economy $57 billion a year, only related to care for infants and toddlers, according to the study.

The Quad-Cities is a child care desert, said Dawn Oliver Wiand, executive director of the Iowa Womens Foundation. There is an issue all over our state, to be honest. Its not just in our rural communities or smaller communities around here.

The non-profit Iowa Womens Foundation estimates the state is lacking more than 360,000 child care spaces for children 12 and under, meaning on average, half of children go without access to affordable child care.

Scott County is short more than 20,700 spaces, according to the non-profit. That categorizes the area as a child care desert because there are more than three children needing care for every one slot available, she said.

Looking at the research and talking to communities across Iowa, we believe we have a child care crisis in Iowa, Oliver Wiand said. And its no longer just a family issue. Its a business issue, a workforce issue and a community issue. We all have to come together to address it or things are only going to continue getting worse.

Low pay, high turnover

In the fall, more than a dozen child care providers and educators from the private and public sectors gathered at the Quad-City Times office to address the problem.

While some providers offer similar services and seek to attract employees from the same limited workforce, they don't see themselves as competitors, said Deb Gustafson, executive director of child care and family services for the Scott County Family YMCA.

Thats the funny thing about it, she said. Yes, were all child care centers and out in the community. But at the Y, we cant take every kid in the Quad-Cities anyway. We dont have enough room. Neither does Skip-a-Long or St. Ambrose. So what we all want is to have enough quality child care in our community that parents have choices and somewhere to go. We dont want to have people sitting in offices across from our desk crying because theyre on a waiting list thats two years long.

The group, which includes college administrators, early educators and executives, often works together to discuss policy changes and other issues, Gustafson said. This past year, they learned that child care providers across the Quad-Cities were facing the same problem: a dearth of workers.

When we all started having problems hiring staff, we all started calling each other, asking if were all experiencing the same issue, she said. We were trying to figure out of it was a pay issue or the kind of work were offering. And everybody had the same problem: Were all just hiring staff non-stop. So is it a Quad-Cities problem? An Iowa problem? What we discovered is its nationwide. Everyone is having a hard time.

With low unemployment across the country, many industries are struggling to fill jobs. But providers said attracting child care workers is especially challenging for centers unable to raise wages or offer benefits.

Quad-City child care providers said workers typically earn between minimum wage and $13 per hour. Managers and other employees with higher levels of training may make up to $17 per hour. In Scott County, child care workers earn between $17,000 and $20,000 a year, according to Iowa Workforce Development, often with few or no benefits.

You can make more money going to Hy-Vee or Costco, plus get benefits, than you can as a child care provider, Oliver Wiand said. We all know you have got to have money and benefits.

Local centers are dealing with constant employee turnover, losing employees to school districts and other industries, said Marcy Mendenhall, president and CEO of SAL Family and Community Services.

The ultimate goal is to create parity aligned with the school districts. However, we are woefully underfunded to do that, Mendenhall said. Illinois had a change in its quality improvement system for early learning standards, and because of that, they required more education. Thats great. But they didnt underpin that with any additional compensation or funding for the providers. So now we are trying to determine how to increase the compensation through our funding bodies.

Over the past five years, both Illinois and Iowa have added stricter regulations for child care providers, requiring more education and training.

We need staff members with higher qualifications and who are trained. But child care doesnt pay a lot, so its hard to find those people who meet the qualifications and who you can afford, Gustafson said. On top of that, we need people who can work late when parents are at work. And part of the problem is its a difficult job. It can be one of the most rewarding jobs, and certainly a job where you put a lot of heart and soul into it. Im not going to hire just anybody. Im looking for people who are compassionate.

The ripple effect

In addition to adding more training requirements, Oliver Wiand said new child care regulations have led to the drop in centers and programs.

No one has really asked why theyre leaving, but we can make some assumptions, she said. Many providers have decided to retire or leave the field to make more money. And the other thing is the number of regulations for child care that changed about a year-and-a-half ago. Were not saying we dont need that. We do need regulations. But several providers said they cant deal with it.

At the same time, the cost of child care has been rising, according to CCR&R. Over the past five years, the weekly cost for an infant in a child development home has increased 9 percent, from $129 in 2013 to $140 last year. For an infant in a licensed center, the weekly cost has jumped 14 percent to $215 in 2018.

The United Ways of Iowa released a cost-of-living study last year, that showed child care is one of the highest expenses in a familys budget, often higher than housing or college tuition. The study estimated the average monthly cost of child care is between $859 and $1,315 across Iowa.

Theres a small percentage of families that could afford $225 a week. And then whats the chance you have more than one child? So youre looking at $500 a week, said Lorelei Pfautz, executive director of Friendly House in Davenport. Most, if not all, families would find that really cumbersome. And our workers even have the same challenge, finding child care for their own children. Its kind of like the tail wagging the dog.

Despite rising costs for parents seeking child care, providers are struggling too, due to a lack of adequate funding, Pfautz said.

If youre a standalone day care, to make it just on fees is virtually impossible, Pfautz said. You cant just put your fees on the backs of your families.

One main challenge, she said, is waiting on reimbursements from the state for families receiving child care assistance. At Friendly House, about 80 percent of families receive state assistance or scholarships through a Scott County program.

Every two weeks we bill the state for child care, Gustafson said of the Scott Family Y. And two weeks after that, we get a check. So we really pay for the child care up-front and then wait to get paid back. It used to take a long time to get reimbursements, but the state has been better about paying on time. Theyve been working on their system.

Iowa has reimbursed child care centers at about 45 percent of the market rate cost for providing child care. But the legislature agreed to raise reimbursement rates, effective this year.

Weve been campaigning for a long time to make reimbursement rates higher, Pfautz said. On a quality rating scale, a level 5 center will receive a reimbursement of $200 for an infant. Before, it was only $167 a week for an infant. So thats helping a little bit. But you still lose money on state-paid kids because some may not come every day, and youre holding a spot for a child who never shows up. And youre already losing money off the top because were paid $40 a week less for every child.

Noble, of ReadyNation, said the state has made progress since a years-long Illinois budget impasse, but providers are still facing funding issues.

Weve made strides in child care in the last couple of years, thankfully. There had been some pretty significant cuts in access for child care, Noble said. The state was really struggling because about 50,000 kids lost access to child care because of eligibility cuts. One of the problems we see still relates to the after-effects of those cuts.

He said Illinois is serving around 30,000 fewer children than before the impasse.

That tells us a lot of families lost access during the cuts and dont realize access has been restored, he said. So were really trying to inform parents that need help they may be eligible for subsidized child care. Thats a lot of the work were trying to do.

'It's going to take all of us'

In the Quad-Cities, the group of child care providers is working to address systematic issues with child care, Mendenhall said.

Theyre bringing together child care centers, school districts, colleges and businesses to explore methods to improve access to services, reduce costs, better fund centers, plus attract and retain workers.

The biggest piece were promoting is early education is an economic driver in any community, she said. We need to have parents go to work. And children need to be safe in an environment thats going to help them prepare for kindergarten. The long approach is that were preparing children to be successful, to graduate high school and be a part of the workforce in 20 years. Its about investing now so you don't pay later.

In addition to wanting to add more child care spaces, Mendenhall said we need to build a stronger financial model for the centers and homes we need now.

At the state level, the Iowa Womens Foundation has chosen to tackle child care in more than 20 communities. Oliver Wiand said the non-profit is traveling to each community, gathering up stakeholders and business leaders, to work on five solutions, including

 Building and expanding child care centers: We need to see child care providers as business owners and not as babysitters. We need to change that culture and support them so they want to start these businesses and can make a livable wage, she said.

 Bring businesses to the table: She said the group wants more employers to offer child care as part of benefit packages, offer on-site child care or join in the cause.

 Create more programming: The non-profit wants to help communities create before and after-school programs, especially in rural communities.

 Expand child care hours: She said one main goal is expanding child care hours to accommodate second- and third-shift parents.

 Engage colleges: Oliver Wiand said colleges should offer future child care workers curriculum that includes business management. She also hopes to find solutions for more free training for child care workers. Some providers said free medical testing and training would help attract workers.

She said the Iowa Womens Foundation has given goals to several communities and will continue to hold meetings to check on progress.

Roger Pavey, executive director of Community Action of Eastern Iowa, said his organization also is asking the Iowa legislature to pass a law to allow 100 percent income deductibility for child care costs for households with income levels up to 300 percent of the federal poverty level.

He also wants federally-funded child care centers to be expanded, for Iowa to give preference to housing projects applying for tax credits when they include child care development, and for families to continue receiving public benefits when their income increases.

Local child care providers said addressing systemic issues takes a holistic, community-wide approach.

"It can't be left to those of us in the trenches to figure this out," Pfautz said.

The group plans to join the Iowa Women Foundations efforts and continue to engage businesses and college administrators in their efforts.

Its about informing the community about the pride of the profession. Its not babysitting, its really providing excellent education and care for our youngest citizens, Mendenhall said. Its going to be infiltrated at all different levels. This is important, not only for our children but for our workforce and the broader community. These are our future leaders, CEOs and legislators. We have to prepare them now for the future.

For Campbell, of Davenport, using child care is about more than just having someone watch her children while shes at work. She said the child care workers teach her children when she doesnt have the time or training to do so.

It feels good to know theyre there. This is a stepping stone for them to start off with school, Campbell said. It puts them on a schedule and this is where those soft skills are started. Theyre learning to follow the rules, think for themselves, make decisions on their own. My 3-year-old has started asking questions and thinking on his own. And it all comes from here. Im a busy mom so I look forward to them getting those things here that I cant give them.

Now that shes found child care that works for her family, Campbell said shes been offering carpool rides to other families and doing all she can to support parents in similar situations.

Ill do anything I can to help because I know how hard it is to be a parent and not able to get your kids to child care, she said.

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The speaker of the House is the congresswoman from the district of San Francisco, where she resides.

Is her residence in the Tenderloin district, where people are warned to wear shoes because of all the discarded needles on the ground? No! Does she live in Chinatown, where the main business is illicit drugs? No! Does she live in Little Italy where her fore-bearers lived? No! Does she reside by the homeless encampments where her beloved illegals live? No!

Pelosi lives in a (WALLED) palatial estate in Napa Valley, appraised at $5 million.

Now, as in Paul Harvey vignettes, the rest of the story:

Journalist Laura Loomer enlisted a group of Guatemalan "refugees" looking for a temporary home. Loomer, wishing to make Pelosi put up or shut up, drove the folks to Pelosi's roomy estate, where they hopped the wall, chanting, Everyone is welcome here!

Pelosi ordered her people to call the police to have the group ejected.

In the sanctuary state of California you may not ask for picture ID of someone because of suspicion of their illegal immigrant status. Regardless, the police did so, and demanded the group leave the property, or face arrest.
Sen. Dick Durbin said there will be no negotiations until President Donald Trump reopens government. When Ronald Reagan passed the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, he gave 3.2 million illegal aliens amnesty with the promise from Democrats that the border would be secured. The border was not secured.

The only leverage Trump has over the Democrats is the shutdown. If he opens the government, as Dick wants, he will never see funding for the wall.

Today we have north of 20 million illegal immigrants in the country. We dont officially know how many are here. The census used to ask this question and the Trump administration has re-added the question to the census. A liberal judge has temporarily stopped the question from being added.

Could the reason Democrats do not want to know how many illegal immigrants are in the country is the census determines how many representatives a state has to represent them in the House of Representatives? Counting illegals helps states like Illinois keep their representatives. Dick, does counting illegals make sense?
At 92, Henigbaum passed away March 23, 2015, in Rockford. His wife approached the QCSO to establish the scholarship, the first in which students who are not members of QCSO youth ensembles are eligible, Zyla said.

The youth ensembles have a full slate of scholarships we have been awarding a for number of years  some for seniors to pursue music in college, for a number of different things, he said. This is the only scholarship the Q-C Symphony has that can be applied by any Q-C area brass student.

Since 1961, the QCSO has administered yearly scholarships through which funds are awarded to QCSYE members who make extraordinary musical and extra-musical contributions to the success of the youth ensemble program.

The new Henigbaum scholarship is intended to help one student in grades 6-8, and one for grades 9-11 each year, Zyla said. The applications and video submissions are due March 4, and the award announcements will be made March 18. Awards will be paid directly to the music camp of the students choice.

To apply and for more information, visit qcso.org/education/henigbaum-scholarship.

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Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar appointed as leader of peace talk in Qatar

KABUL: A co-founder of the Taliban was appointed as the leader of its political office in Qatar on Thursday to strengthen its hand in peace talks with the United States as they try to establish a mechanism to end the 17-year Afghan war.



Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, who was released from a prison in Pakistan in October last year, has been authorised to lead the political team and take decisions, two Taliban sources in Afghanistan said.



The Taliban issued a statement to announce Baradars appointment and a reshuffle in their team to put senior leaders into key positions as the talks with US officials gain momentum.



This step has been taken to strengthen and properly handle the ongoing negotiations process with the United States, the Taliban said in statement.



US special peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzads meeting with the Taliban representatives, which was originally due to run over two days, entered its fourth day on Thursday.



It was not clear whether the talks were to continue on Friday, or how soon Baradar could join the talks.



Baradar will soon fly to Qatar. He has been given the new position because the US wanted senior Taliban leadership to participate in peace talks, a senior Taliban official said.



Baradar, who coordinated the insurgent groups military operations in southern Afghanistan, was arrested in 2010 by a team from ISI and the US Central Intelligence Agency. His release, according to security experts, was part of high-level negotiations led by Khalilzad with the Taliban.
THOMSON, Ill.  U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos, D-Moline, who met with federal prison workers at the Thomson Federal Prison on Friday morning, says all lawmakers are on 24-hour notice, which means that all are required to be in Washington, D.C. within 24 hours of being summoned.

Open the government, and then we will work out the differences, Bustos said. This is the longest shutdown in our governments history. I hope the lesson from this is that this never happens again.

According to The Washington Post, Congressional leaders and President Donald J. Trump have reached a tentative deal to reopen government for three weeks while negotiations continue. The deal does not include wall funds. The president is expected to speak about the shutdown at 12:30 p.m.

On Thursday, Bustos voted to reopen the government and ensure these employees are paid for the work they have done. In total, Bustos has now voted 11 times to bring this shutdown to an end.

She met at a federal facility where employees are working without pay. She met with seven employees who described the economic effects of the shutdown. Despite missing two paychecks, the federal workers have continued to show up for work.

Before leaving town Bustos purchased 40 pizzas to be delivered to the prison staff.

This story will be updated.

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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
Editor:

I appreciate your editorial on the right of employees to speak to the press. Employees who are represented by a strong workers' union (not an "employee association") usually have better protection than those who may feel threatened by employers, no matter what their rights are.

People who are well-informed are better able to speak up and make a difference. In this regard, the U.S. Department of Interior is trying to limit the right of citizens and citizen organizations to exercise their legal access to the department's records under the Freedom of Information Act. The department hopes (among other things) to limit the number of requests citizens may make, to make the procedure more cumbersome and to refuse requests they consider burdensome.

Both government and unions function more effectively for their citizens and members if people are informed about the actions of and participate in the governing of these institutions.

Jane Arnold, Queensbury

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FORT ANN  An inmate at Great Meadow Correctional Facility died Tuesday after a fight with prison staff, but a police investigation and autopsy found the man died from a medical problem that may have been aggravated by use of synthetic marijuana, authorities said.

The inmate, whose name was not released, grabbed a staff member in a gallery area of the prison, and correction officers responded by using force to separate him from the staff member, officials said. The prisoner was taken to Glens Falls Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

The State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation was called in to investigate, and an autopsy found no injuries that would have caused his death, officials said. Toxicology tests were pending, but no criminal charges in connection with the death were anticipated.

Authorities said the incident was captured by prison surveillance cameras.

Officials said the man was in his 60s, was serving a sentence for attempted murder, robbery, assault and weapons convictions (updated) and had a history of health problems and mental health issues.
Kathleen Moore reporter - Health care, Moreau, Queensbury, South Glens Falls Follow Kathleen Moore Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

Another Oscar nominations year, another spoiler warning.

A child dies in Roma.

I know, I know, were not supposed to give away major plot points!

But I feel very strongly that people should be warned about childrens deaths before being faced with them on screen. I dont understand why, but movies seem to wallow in graphic, long, detailed child deaths.

I might have chosen to see Roma anyway. But I would have liked to be warned. So now I have warned you.

As for whether you should see the rest of the movie, heres my take.

Its a very slow, boring, detailed look at a familys total inconsequential life for the first hour of the movie. You get to watch the laundry being done, children picked up and dropped off at school, family dinners. Youre never directly introduced to anyone and until I figured out there were grandparents at the house, I thought there were perhaps two families sharing one house.

Then the movie speeds up, and you get to see horrible graphic violent scenes from Mexicos government shooting civilians during a protest. After this, the family goes to a beach for vacation. No one even comments on the shooting.
Eighty-six-year-old Ida Wolk of Reston was found outside in the snow Monday afternoon after a search was initiated when she hadn't been seen for several hours at the Sunrise Reston Town Center.
LHC formed two-judge bench to hear Sahiwal encounter

The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday formed a two-judge bench to hear a petition seeking judicial inquiry into the Sahiwal encounter and summoned joint investigation team (JIT) to appear before the court along with all relevant record on January 28.



As the hearing started, the petitioners counsel told the court that the statements of all witnesses had not been recorded, upon which Chief Justice Sardar Shamim Ahmed Khan asked Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Amjad Saleemi about the progress made so far in the investigation. The IGP told the court that the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) officials who took part in the encounter had been arrested and a joint investigation team had been formed to probe the incident.



How long will the inquiry take? Justice Khan inquired. Saleemi replied that a detailed probe would require at least 30 days. The CTD officials [who were involved] have also been suspended, he added. IG sahab, this is very cruel, Justice Khan said at one point. Tell me, how do police have the authority to spray someone with bullets? he asked, and warned that such an incident should not take place anywhere in Punjab again. Tell all your district police officers, he asserted.



While hearing the petition, the chief justice pointed out that forming a judicial commission is the prerogative of the federal government, not the provincial government. The petitioner responded that a request in this regard has already been submitted to the federal government.



The chief justice summoned the head of the JIT, Additional Inspector General Ijaz Hussain Shah, along with complete record of the findings in the next hearing to be held on Jan 28. The JIT had presented a preliminary report on its investigation earlier this week, in which it held the CTD officials responsible for the killings of three innocent family members.
The store called the next day to inform her it was ready, but when she went to pick it up, she was told she'd need to wait for it to be finalized, the lawsuit claims. Police arrived a short time later and arrested her, charging her with attempting to obtain prescription drugs by fraud.
Amphibians have been on the decline for years in part from habitat loss and pollutants, but another threat may be the worst of all. A skin fungus known as Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, or Bd, has caused the death of millions of frogs in the last 20 years, according to the National Park Service and Amphibian Ark.
Banks had said in court documents the Sept. 30 incident began when she was playing gospel music in her car and the couple yelled at her to turn it down. Both sides accused the other of making racially-charged comments and said they were attacked.
"We know what the state of the union is right now," Clyburn said during an appearance on CNN. "It is chaotic. It is catastrophic for a lot of American families. So let's get that behind us and then all of us will be in a good mood. . . . Hopefully he'll be in a good enough mood to deliver it."
"The folks who are coming to us don't have any income," she said. "They're coming to us to meet their entire need. They're having to choose between food and their housing or medical expenses, so we want to take away that difficult choice when it comes to food."
Dumplings are considered one of the lucky foods to eat during Chinese New Year, which starts on Feb. 5. Judys Sichuan Cuisine is one of my favorite Chinese restaurants and offered four varieties of dumplings. Shown is the soup dumpling. The dish gets its name not because they come in a bowl of soup, but rather because soup is inside, along with pork. (Patrick Evans-Hylton)
"There are other places we haven't really been able to access yet or haven't had the resources to go after and that's what we certainly hope the VEDP VALET program will be able to assist us with," Puckett said. "Our ability to pursue new international markets is somewhat limited, but with the assistance of this program and the trade missions that we're planning on going on we certainly think we'll have ample opportunity to grow our business and revenues overseas."
The same year that Parks went on trial, an experiment was conducted at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Ga. After setting on fire two "stand-alone fake rooms," the experimenters asked veteran arson investigators to examine each and pick out the quadrant where the fire had started  "not the area of origin itself," Humes emphasizes, "but just the quarter of the room that contained it." Although the participants had expected the assignment to be "child's play," more than 90 percent of the time they chose a wrong quadrant. This and other tests have confirmed what a few arson experts were already coming to believe: that flashover can make domestic fires impossible to sort out afterward.
Govt to relax visa rules for 60 countries: Fawad Chaudhry

ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet on Thursday approved formation of the Pakistan Media Regulatory Authority (PMRA) that envisages merger of all bodies regulating media, including the print and electronic media.



In a separate meeting that was also attended by Chief of the Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, the government approved a new visa regime under which nationals of about 60 countries would be granted visa on arrival at Pakistani airports.



Against the backdrop of the tragic incident in Sahiwal in which three members of a family were killed in a police operation, Prime Minister Imran Khan decided to revamp Punjab police on the pattern of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police.



With the formation of PMRA, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) and the Press Council of Pakistan (PCP) would be merged into the new organisation.



At a press conference, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said that not only the electronic media, but also print and cyber media would come under the umbrella of PMRA.



He said the government believed that there should be one regulatory authority to look after all the media, and the same laws should apply across the board.



The minister, however, said the government would take the opposition and all bodies representing journalists on board while making rules for the new regulatory body.



Some critics claim that after putting electronic media in crisis by cutting down the rates of their advertisements, the government wants to rein in the print media.



Mr Chaudhry said the government had decided to relax the visa rules for 60 countries whose nationals would be given Pakistani visas on arrival. Such a massive change in the countrys visa regime has never taken place in the past, he added.



He expressed the hope that the step would help increase foreign investment and improve ties with other countries. We are going to open Pakistan to foreign journalists, businessmen, tourists and investors, he added.



In a separate decision, the cabinet approved application of the Pakistan Essential Services (Maintenance) Act, 1952 to all classes of employment under the Pakistan International Airlines Company Limited, Pakistan Security Printing Corporation and Security Papers Limited. The step has been taken to improve performance of the organisations.



The cabinet also approved a summary allowing a 10 per cent increase in the pension of senior citizens.



The meeting also approved the reconstitution of Pemras council of complaints in Lahore and Balochistan.



For the Prime Ministers Naya Pakistan Housing Project, the cabinet approved supplementary grant for release of funds to the Pakistan Mortgage Refinance Company Limited, equal amount of $58 million obtained from World Bank as fist tranche of credit line of $140m for the company.



For revamping of Punjab police, Mr Khan decided to revisit the Police Act and turn 100 police stations in the province into model police stations.
"Those that probably need it the most -- the aged and severely disabled -- are probably the least likely to be able to travel the long distances to get to one of those five locations," Davis previously told The Virginian-Pilot this month. "Initially, the production that could come from the five locations would be significantly under what the demand would be."
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

A study funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation has found that even young adults who do not yet have children are influenced by traditional concepts of family. At the same time, they have modern views of equality, career engagement and childcare. The result is a dilemma that affects not only young women, but also young men early in adulthood.

Combining work and family is widely known to be an exhausting balancing act. To date, research into the subject has focused primarily on women who already have children. However, very few studies have investigated how adults with no children view their professional future and later family life. With funding from the Swiss National Science Foundation, researchers led by Andrea Maihofer set about exploring this issue. The team from the University of Basel's Centre of Gender Studies carried out 48 qualitative interviews with young adults in their early thirties or younger. The interviewees were selected from a longitudinal study of 6,000 people. The scientists have summarised their results in a public discussion paper.

In a society that regards itself as emancipated, the findings of their analysis are surprising. Men still assume that they will become the family breadwinner. Simultaneously, they also want to be present in their children's lives right from birth. In a mirror image, women do not expect to have to bear the main financial responsibility for their family in later life. At the same time, and despite a growing identification with career, they regard the task of childcare as primarily their responsibility. As a result, both genders face a dilemma even before they become parents. In facing it, they regard the division of employment and childcare as a matter that each married couple have to decide for themselves, without assistance from society.

The future fathers

According to the researchers, men were content for a long time to play a more active role as fathers only as their children got older. Fathers getting involved in childcare at an early stage is a new development. Nowadays, virtually all men would like to reduce their working hours to four days a week. "However, the career progression that young men still aspire to is frequently only an option if they work full time," says Andrea Maihofer. The future fathers feel their working environment is very inflexible to dismissive in its attitude to part-time working and work-life balance. Nevertheless, they do not take steps to bring about change, for example by getting involved with political organisations.

The future mothers

"Young women also face a dilemma even before they have children," states Andrea Maihofer. They attach greater importance to maintaining their professional identity than they used to, and worry about losing their autonomy if they go on to have children. Despite this, they do not expect to have to bear financial responsibility for their family. They also feel that the working world is too rigidly structured and full of obstacles. As an illustration, in the interviews they often said they would need "good luck"  for example an understanding boss  to be able to satisfactorily combine career and family life one day.

Personal responsibility

Despite still being influenced by stereotypical role models, the future parents reject the idea of an inter-gender hierarchy. In their conclusions, the researchers emphasise that the young men and women will have to laboriously experiment with the traditional and modern concepts of family that they simultaneously espouse because there are virtually no new models for them to draw on.

The young adults expect that the division between career engagement and family involvement will be strongly determined by the father and mother "type" in each case, and will have to be resolved on an individual basis. "Because they regard mothers and fathers as individually unique, the young adults perceive the question of how to ensure equality in the way they structure their family and career lives as their exclusive problem," says Andrea Maihofer, commenting on this finding. She feels it harbours the risk of "distorting the way people view the responsibility of society and the state", a risk that she believes will only be increased by the talk of personal responsibility that is currently popular in politics and society at large.

Explore further Gender inequalities exist for fathers in the Swedish child health field
The noble pen shell, or Pinna nobilis, is one of the most emblematic species in the Mediterranean but is under threat from a parasite

With wing-shaped shells lined with iridescent mother-of-pearl and producing the fibres of rare and delicate sea silk, the noble pen shell clam is one of the most emblematic species in the Mediterranean and a bellwether for marine environmental health.

But the giant mollusc, the world's second biggest, is under mortal threat from a parasite that has ravaged populations since it was identified along Spanish coasts in 2016.

Scientists fear that climate change and warming waters will intensify the devastation, which they now class as an emergency.

The noble pen shells, or Pinna nobilis, can live for up to 45 years and grow to about 1.2 metres (four feet).

They are only found in the Mediterranean Sea, standing proudly upright like ships' sails, their tips anchored in sandy seagrass meadows by sinewy fibres.

On the tranquil surface of the water at Villefranche-sur-Mer, near Nice in southern France, there is little evidence of the carnage below.

But dive down and the seafloor is a graveyard of noble pen shells.

Death has shrivelled the flesh of the molluscs and dulled the mother-of-pearl to a rusted brown inside the shells, in an area abandoned by the usual myriad of tiny cohabitorslittle crabs, shrimps and orange sea fans.

Weakened, then starved

"We cannot find a living one," said diver Olivier Jude, emerging, camera in hand, from the bay after an unsuccessful attempt to photograph the Pinna nobilis for his Phoctopus website.

Map of the Mediterranean showing zones where populations of noble pen shell clams have been decimated by a tiny parasite, thriving in warmer sea water.

The French Riviera is the latest site of the die-off, caused by the relentless assault of a new parasite that weakens the clam, quickly starving it to death.

The pathogen has almost eradicated the noble pen shell population off the Spanish coast, where it is now listed as critically endangered, and has spread to other coastal areas.

It is now attacking the clams from France to Turkey.

"The situation is deeply alarming," Maria del Mar Otero, a marine expert at the International Union for Conservation of Nature's (IUCN) Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation, adding that the species was "on the verge of disappearing" in Spain.

'Everything was dead'

Fields of the giant molluscs clustered on the coastlines of the Mediterranean have been known to coastal communities for centuries.

In ancient times, fine threads plucked from their tufted beard-like growths were spun into sea silk, an incredibly rare gossamer material that shimmers like gold.

Scientists say the plight of the noble pen shell is urgent in the face of the parasite's onslaught

Some believe that this fabric fished from the sea could have been the basis for the legend of the Golden Fleece sought by Jason in Greek mythology.

Now their very existence appears to hang in the balance.

Noble pen shells are seen as an indicator of the ocean's health, recording on their long-lived shells the chemical and physical changes in the waters.

An IUCN map of the affected region, periodically updated since the beginning of the crisis, is studded with a growing number of red dots corresponding to mortality rates of above 85 percent.

The southern Spanish coast is hemmed almost entirely in crimson, while scarlet spots are also clustered around the French island of Corsica, in Italy, Turkey, Cyprus and Greece.

French marine biologist Nardo Vicente, of the Paul Ricard Institute of Oceanography, has monitored a field of noble pen shells off the coast of Corsica since the early nineties.

Nestled on the seabed between 26 and 40 metres underwater, the clams are around 30 years old and have grown to around 80 cm.

The pathogen has almost eradicated the noble pen shell population off the Spanish coast, where it is now listed as critically endangered, and has spread to other coastal areas

"In 2017 the field was in perfect health," he said.

"This year, everything was dead, absolutely a hundred percent!"

Tiny assassin

The parasite, found in the digestive systems of several of the dead noble pen shells, is from the haplosporidium genus, blamed in the United States for the mass die-off of oysters in Delaware Bay in the 1950s.

It is not yet clear what brought the tiny killer to the Mediterranean or how it is spreading so fast, although it could have arrived on the hulls of merchant ships.

But the disease appears to thrive in warming waters.

Vicente said global warming was acting to stimulate "a bunch of germs, viruses and parasites" that had lain dormant but "act fully with the rise in temperature".

Populations of noble pen shells have been ravaged by a parasite since it was identified along Spanish coasts in 2016

The waters around the Corsican field he monitored were 20 degrees C even at 40 metres, when normally they would be 13 or 14 degrees C.

"It's completely abnormal," he said.

He said he was "devastated" but hopes that rescue programmes will be able to re-populate the affected areas and save the species.

Racing against time

In Spain, a few noble pen shells have been preserved in aquariumsthough not all survivedwhile Italy and France have strengthened coastal monitoring.

Lagoon areas are another source of hope, where the noble pen shells appear to be more resilient.

But as experts race against time before summer raises the water temperatures, there are fears that the noble pen shell's fate might be a warning sign for the health of the sea.

Noble pen shells are seen as an indicator of the ocean's health, recording on their long-lived shells the chemical and physical changes in the waters

In Villefranche-sur-Mer, the coastal waters are relatively well protected with zones where boats are prohibited from dropping anchor.

Lidwine Courard, a diver with the NaturDive association, said the molluscs began to die off in October along the French Riviera.

"Some say it might be the beginning of the extinction of other species."

Explore further New parasite decimates giant clam species in Mediterranean

 2019 AFP
In this Thursday, June 19, 2014 file photo, a pangolin carries its baby at a Bali zoo in Bali, Indonesia. Their scalesmade of keratin, the same material as in human finger nailsare in high demand for Chinese traditional medicine, to allegedly cure several ailments, although there is no scientific backing for these beliefs. (AP Photo/Firdia Lisnawati, File)

When Chinese police found them in the trunk of a smuggler's car, 33 of the trafficked pangolinsendangered scaly mammals from southern Chinawere still alive, wrapped in plastic bags soaked with their own urine.

But the fate of the creatureswhose scales are worth nearly their weight in silver on the black marketwas not a happy one. Every last pangolin died in government captivity within a few months of the August 2017 seizure.

A pioneering environmental nonprofit in Beijing has launched an investigation, called "counting pangolins," to figure out what happens to such animals recovered from the illegal wildlife trade. Its findings so far highlight discrepancies between environmental laws and outcomes.

China is hardly unique. The number of environmental laws on the books worldwide has increased 38-fold since 1972, according to an exhaustive U.N. Environment report released Thursday. But the political will and capacity to enforce those laws often lagsundermining global efforts to curb issues like wildlife trafficking, air pollution and climate change, the report found.

"The law doesn't self-execute," said Carl Bruch, a study co-author and director of international programs at the Environmental Law Institute in Washington, D.C.

Each of the 33 pangolins transferred to the care of a government-run wildlife rescue center in China's Guangxi province died within three monthsaccording to records obtained by the nonprofit China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation and shown to the Associated Press.

What's still unclear is what happened to their bodies.

Pangolins are insect-eating, scaly mammalsplayfully described by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as "resembling an artichoke with legs and a tail." Their scalesmade of keratin, the same material in human finger nailsare in high demand for Chinese traditional medicine, to purportedly cure arthritis, promote breast-feeding for mothers, and boost male virility, although there is no scientific backing for these beliefs.

The price of pangolin scales in China has risen from $11 per kilogram (2.2 pounds) in the 1990s to $470 in 2014, according to researchers at Beijing Forestry University.

Scientists have designated all eight species of pangolins as being at risk of extinction four species in Asia, and four in Africa. More than 1 million pangolins were trafficked between 2004 and 2014 for their scales, meat and bloodwith China and Vietnam as the largest markets. In the last two decades, the number of pangolins worldwide has dropped by about 90 percent.

In this Monday, May 8, 2017 file photo, Malaysian Customs officials stand next to seized pangolin scales during a news conference in Sepang, Malaysia, announcing the 9.2 million ringgit ($2.1 million) seizure, believed to have been smuggled from Africa. The price of pangolin scales in China has risen from $11 per kilogram (2.2 pounds) in the 1990s to $470 in 2014, according to researchers at Beijing Forestry University. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

In 2016, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) adopted a worldwide ban on commercial trade in pangolins, and China later approved that ban. Pangolins are also listed as a protected species in China. While Chinese state-run media have publicized a few high-profile poacher busts, watchdogs say a thriving black market for endangered-animal parts persists.

In November 2017, customs officials in Shenzhen seized 13.1 tons (11.9 metric tonnes) of pangolin scalesreportedly the largest-ever seizure of scales from Africaaccording to state media. The penalties offenders face are not always publicized, but in another case involving a smaller shipment of scales, two smugglers received prison sentences of five years, state media said.

"It's significant that China has adopted laws against trade in many endangered species, but the law itself isn't enough to protect a species from extinction," said Jinfeng Zhou, director of the China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation.

Zhou wants the government to issue public records tracking all living and dead pangolins seized by authoritiesand to offer evidence that contraband, including pangolin scales, is destroyed before it enters black markets.

"We are determined to know what happens to the pangolins," said Sophia Zhang, a researcher at the biodiversity group. After reading news reports about the August 2017 poaching bust, she filed information requests to government agencies and traveled to Guangxi to visit the wildlife rescue center.

The Guangxi Forestry Department, which manages the wildlife rescue center, declined AP's requests for an interview and comment. China's state-run news service Xinhua reported in December 2018 that China remains committed to stopping pangolin trafficking, noting there were 209 pangolin smuggling busts from 2007 to 2016.

Less official attention has been paid to what happens after these busts.

In Guangxi, Zhang saw that pangolins were kept in small cages and fed cat food at the wildlife center, whereas wild pangolins eat termites. She said she had tried to coordinate with Save Vietnam's Wildlife, a nonprofit, to bring shipments of termites to feed the pangolins, but the center declined the offer.

After the animals died, the center wouldn't reveal what happened to their scaly bodies. But in other instances, the same center has turned over live pangolins to industry groupsincluding a steel factory in Guangdong province and a farm associated with a Chinese traditional medicine center in Jiangxi province. The government released this information on its web site.

In response to an information request from Zhang, the Guangxi Forestry Department sent copies of the licenses held by these organizations for handling pangolins. The reason for transferring pangolins remains unclear.

In this Friday, March 16, 2018 file photo, a pangolin from the Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital is taken to a nearby field to forage for food near Johannesburg. Their scalesmade of keratin, the same material as in human finger nailsare in high demand for Chinese traditional medicine, to allegedly cure several ailments, although there is no scientific backing for these beliefs. (AP Photo/Denis Farrell, File)

"We want the wildlife center to provide a full explanation," Zhang said. "We know the trade in pangolins is very lucrative. The public should be able to know what happens."

The biodiversity nonprofit has filed information requests about trafficked wildlife in nearly 30 Chinese provinces and has attempted to verify what happens to pangolin scales seized by customs officials. Zhang said wildlife rescue centers need better training to properly handle live animals.

"China has a rather complete set of environmental laws," said Barbara Finamore, the senior strategic director for Asia at the Natural Resources Defense Council in Washington, DC. "But environmental laws are not worth the paper they're written on unless there's also strong enforcement and oversight."

Countries large and small, rich and poor, have passed extensive green legislation since the Rio Earth Summit in 1992. "The world has made incredible progress in adopting environmental laws and environmental impact assessments, in creating environmental ministries and agencies," said Bruch, co-author of the U.N. report.

Now comes the hard part.

"The legal framework is there in an enormous number of countries," said Deborah Seligsohn, a political scientist focusing on environmental policy at Villanova University. "But once you have all these laws, you need trained and willing personnel to actually enforce them. You need boots on the ground."

Green mandates often go unfunded, said Barney Long, director of species conservation at Global Wildlife Conservation, a nonprofit group in Austin, Texas. "Many countries have laws stating the minimum number of park rangers that should be patrolling per square mile in national parks and protected areas. But these aren't implemented if sufficient money isn't appropriated."

Non-governmental groupslike the biodiversity nonprofit in Beijingtry to help close the gap between environmental laws and enforcement action. But in many countries, this is dangerous work. In 2017, at least 207 environmental defendersincluding forest rangers, advocates, journalists, and inspectorswere murdered for performing such work, according to Global Witness, a research and advocacy group based in Washington, D.C. and London.

There are some bright spots, experts say.

China is gradually releasing more environmental data to the public, especially on air pollution, even as the government clamps down on other forms of information. And more officials are being held accountable, said Jennifer Turner, director of the Woodrow Wilson Center's China Environment Forum in Washington, D.C. "Before local officials were only evaluated on economic performancebut now it's harder to hide from environmental sins."

Explore further Malaysia torches 2.8 tonnes of African pangolin scales

 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

New research led by the University of East Anglia (UEA) reveals how easy it is for consumers to understand the language used on personal finance websites.

The study analysed the text of websites for payday lenders, personal loans and credit cards in the UK and found that while payday loans sites are easier to read, all are difficult.

Credit card websites are hardest to read and contain more complex terminology, though no significant differences are found between payday loans and personal loans.

The UK payday loan market is substantialthe world's second largest after the United Statesand the loans themselves have been associated with financial hardship and other socially negative outcomes. Because of this, money saving websites typically suggest customers turn to cheaper forms of credit, such as credit cards.

All credit providers are subject to the same advertising and promotions principles, and the same rules for consumer credit conduct of business. However, there are less strict rules regarding financial readability, for example compared to those limiting the level of complexity in the descriptions of medical products.

As well as looking at how easy it is to understand the websites, the study examined whether cheaper forms of debt are as easy to understand as payday loans. The findings are published in the journal Economic Letters.

Lead author Matt Burke, a postgraduate researcher at UEA's Norwich Business School, said the study reflects recent interest expressed by UK regulator the Financial Conduct Authority in exploring issues relating to financial readability. The study was co-authored by Dr. John Fry, of Manchester Metropolitan University.

"Amid much concern over financial literacy, and its associated negative social outcomes, we provide the first known measurement of readability in consumer finance, something regulators have found helpful in other areas," said Mr Burke.

"Lender websites are responsible for the majority of payday loans, and in our sample only they conform to minimally accepted readability levels. Borrowers with different risk profiles are offered access to different products. As such there are occasions where payday loans may provide a genuine economic function.

"One possibility is that readability is simply higher for higher-cost products and reading comprehension is, inevitably, negatively linked with risk. However, credit card websites include more financial terminology and are generally less comprehensible compared to other lenders."

Mr Burke added: "Future research needs to consider how the readability and linguistic accessibility of these websites affects consumer wellbeing."

Research on readability in finance is limited and has to date focussed mainly on financial disclosures, consumer insurance contracts and annual reports. For this study the homepages of 31 payday lenders were analysed, as this is where the consumer can gather information and begin an application. The equivalent webpages were also selected for 31 credit card and 31 personal loan sites.

The ratios of financial words to total words, complex words to total words, and of complex financial words to total complex words were calculated. The average numbers of words per sentence and the overall word count were also analysed.

The Fog Index, a formula designed to measure the level of reading difficulty of any text, was used to test readability. Of the sampled studied only the payday loans websites would pass basic tests for readability. The personal loan and credit card websites both failed these, and would also compare unfavourably to accepted communication standards in medicine.

There is evidence of differences between lender types in terms of both the proportion of financial words used and the webpage length. There is more variation in the length of payday webpages, and the extent to which credit card websites include complex financial terminology is more varied.

The authors also suggest that some credit card and personal loan companies may have moderated the extent to which they use financial terminology in order to share qualitative similarities to payday-loan websites.

"How easy is it to understand consumer finance?" by Matt Burke and John Fry, is published in Economic Letters.

Explore further Advance pay service may reduce use of payday loans

More information: Matt Burke et al. How easy is it to understand consumer finance?, Economics Letters (2019). Journal information: Economics Letters Matt Burke et al. How easy is it to understand consumer finance?,(2019). DOI: 10.1016/j.econlet.2019.01.004
Credit: University of Colorado at Boulder

Glacial retreat in the Canadian Arctic has uncovered landscapes that haven't been ice-free in more than 40,000 years and the region may be experiencing its warmest century in 115,000 years, new University of Colorado Boulder research finds.

The study, published today in the journal Nature Communications, uses radiocarbon dating to determine the ages of plants collected at the edges of 30 ice caps on Baffin Island, west of Greenland. The island has experienced significant summertime warming in recent decades.

"The Arctic is currently warming two to three times faster than the rest of the globe, so naturally, glaciers and ice caps are going to react faster," said Simon Pendleton, lead author and a doctoral researcher in CU Boulder's Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research (INSTAAR).

Baffin is the world's fifth largest island, dominated by deeply incised fjords separated by high-elevation, low-relief plateaus. The thin, cold plateau ice acts as a kind of natural cold storage, preserving ancient moss and lichens in their original growth position for millennia.

"We travel to the retreating ice margins, sample newly exposed plants preserved on these ancient landscapes and carbon date the plants to get a sense of when the ice last advanced over that location," Pendleton said. "Because dead plants are efficiently removed from the landscape, the radiocarbon age of rooted plants define the last time summers were as warm, on average, as those of the past century"

In August, the researchers collected 48 plant samples from 30 different Baffin ice caps, encompassing a range of elevations and exposures. They also sampled quartz from each site in order to further establish the age and ice cover history of the landscape.

Once the samples were processed and radiocarbon dated back in labs at the Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research (INSTAAR) at CU Boulder and the University of California Irvine, the researchers found that these ancient plants at all 30 ice caps have likely been continuously covered by ice for at least the past 40,000 years.

"Unlike biology, which has spent the past three billion years developing schemes to avoid being impacted by climate change, glaciers have no strategy for survival," said Gifford Miller, senior author of the research and a professor of geological sciences at CU Boulder. "They're well behaved, responding directly to summer temperature. If summers warm, they immediately recede; if summers cool, they advance. This makes them one of the most reliable proxies for changes in summer temperature."

When compared against temperature data reconstructed from Baffin and Greenland ice cores, the findings suggest that modern temperatures represent the warmest century for the region in 115,000 years and that Baffin could be completely ice-free within the next few centuries.

"You'd normally expect to see different plant ages in different topographical conditions," Pendleton said. "A high elevation location might hold onto its ice longer, for example. But the magnitude of warming is so high that everything is melting everywhere now."

"We haven't seen anything as pronounced as this before," Pendleton said.

Explore further Study shows unprecedented warmth in Arctic

More information: Simon L. Pendleton et al, Rapidly receding Arctic Canada glaciers revealing landscapes continuously ice-covered for more than 40,000 years, Nature Communications (2019). Journal information: Nature Communications Simon L. Pendleton et al, Rapidly receding Arctic Canada glaciers revealing landscapes continuously ice-covered for more than 40,000 years,(2019). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-08307-w
For one Northern California family it was a terrifying experience: an emergency warning that came through a Nest surveillance camera of three intercontinental ballistic missiles, apparently from North Korea, headed straight to Los Angeles, Chicago and Ohio.

Laura Lyons told the East Bay Times that the warning, "sounded completely legit, and it was loud and got our attention right off the bat....It was five minutes of sheer terror and another 30 minutes trying to figure out what was going on."

The warning proved to be a hoax, and according to Nest's parent Google, it wasn't a hack at all but rather the result of a compromised password.

"Nest was not breached," Google said in a statement emailed to USA TODAY. "These recent reports are based on customers using compromised passwords (exposed through breaches on other websites). In nearly all cases, two-factor verification eliminates this type of security risk."

"We take security in the home extremely seriously," wrote Google, "and we're actively introducing features that will reject compromised passwords, allow customers to monitor access to their accounts and track external entities that abuse credentials."

The Lyons' incident was just the latest example of a scary scenario in which an intruder with your password can hack into a Nest. Last month, for example, a Houston couple heard a male voice tell them through their Nest that he was in their baby's room and was going to kidnap the child. That, too, was a frightening hoax.

The unfortunate reality is that data breaches have become all-too-common. A security site Have I Been Pawnd uncovered a breach of 773 million emails and 21 million passwords. You can check the site to see if your account was compromised.

Back in December, Nest said it reset all the accounts where customers reused passwords previously exposed through breaches on other websites and published publicly.

If you have a Nest security camera, you can help protect yourself by turning on the two-step verification optional security feature.

After you enter your Nest password, Nest will send a temporary verification code to your phone that ensures that you are really you. You'll need this code whenever you sign into the Nest app with a password, change or reset your password, remove your phone number, or turn off 2-step verification.

To enable the feature, tap Settings in the Nest app on your phone, tap Account and then tap Manage Account. From there, tap Account Security and tap the switch to toggle to 2-step verification.

Nest does not recommend sharing a user name and password with others, and to give family members their own accounts before turning 2-step verification on.

Two-step verification may strike some of you as a bit of a hassle. But if it protects you from a truly terrifying hacker intrusion it will be well worth it.

Explore further Facebook hack reveals the perils of using a single account to log in to other services

(c)2019 USA Today

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Aurora borealis, the northern lights, seen from Andya in Norway. Credit: Kjartan Olafsson

For many years, scientists assumed the aurora seen around the north pole was identical to the aurora seen around the south pole. The poles are connected by magnetic field lines and auroral displays are caused by charged particles streaming along these field lines. Because the charged particles follow these field lines, it would make sense that the auroras would be mirror images of each other.

However, in 2009, scientists discovered aurora can look differently around the north pole and the south pole, including having different shapes and occurring at different locations  a phenomenon called asymmetry.

Now, a new study in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics, a publication of the American Geophysical Union, explains how this asymmetry comes about and causes the differences in auroral displays near Earth's poles. The new research finds the differences in aurora are likely caused by squeezing of Earth's magnetotaila magnetic tail that extends away from our planetby the solar wind and the Sun's magnetic field.

When the solar magnetic field arriving at Earth is pointing in an east-west direction, it interacts with the Earth's magnetic field differently in the north and in the south. This leads to asymmetric loading of pressure onto the Earths magnetic field and introduces a tilt in the Earth's magnetic field on the nightside of the Earth. The tilt explains why aurora sometimes can have different shapes and occur in different locations in the two polar regions.

The new finding contradicts previous theories about asymmetry, which suggested it was caused by the pulling apart and reconnecting of magnetic field lines in the Earths magnetic tail, a process called tail reconnection. The new study finds that, in fact, tail reconnection reduces this asymmetry.

"The reason this is exciting is that earlier we have thought that the asymmetry in the system enters the magnetosphere by a mechanism called tail reconnection," said Anders Ohma, a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Bergen in Norway, and lead author of the new study. "What this paper shows is that it's possible that it is actually the opposite: This reconnection in the magnetotail is actually reducing the asymmetry."

Not only does the new research explain why the northern and southern lights appear different in the night sky, but it also helps scientists better understand interactions between the Earth and the Sun. This knowledge is important for accurately predicting the location and timing of space weather events, which can create havoc for our electricity grids, satellites and astronauts in space.

A related paper in the journal Annales Geophysicae details the asymmetry seen during a geomagnetic storm in August of 2001, and demonstrates the importance of considering geospace, or the interactions between the Sun and Earth, as an asymmetric system.

"Without including these asymmetries our understanding of the Sun-Earth system will be far from complete and models will not be able to accurately predict the location and timing of geospace phenomena," said Nikolai stgaard, professor and head of the Birkeland Centre for Space Science at the University of Bergen in Norway, and lead author of the study in Annales Geophysicae.

Generating aurora

Earth's core generates a magnetic field extending into outer space around our planet, forming a magnetic shield called the magnetosphere that protects the Earth from charged particles coming off of the Sun. The Sun emits its own magnetic field, called the interplanetary magnetic field, or IMF, that is carried by the solar wind and interacts with Earth's magnetic field.

During certain conditions, on the dayside of Earth, the Sun's interplanetary magnetic field lines and the Earth's magnetic field lines can be ripped apart and cross, connecting Earth's magnetic field to the IMF. The solar wind flowing from the Sun moves these crossed field lines to the nightside of Earth and stretches it into a tail  called the magnetotail  that extends away from the Earth.

Credit: American Geophysical Union

Eventually, these crossed field lines are pulled apart and the Earth field lines rejoin with Earth field lines, and the IMF field lines rejoin with IMF field lines. Once the field lines are closed, they snap back towards Earth, accelerating particles nearby and causing auroral displays in the Earth's upper atmosphere.

Because these field lines may not be the field lines originally connected to each other, scientists thought these new field lines may not be symmetrically aligned, and could be twisted and connected back to Earth in different locations in the northern and southern hemisphere. They thought it was this tail reconnection that caused the differences in aurora in the northern and southern hemispheres.

But, the new research shows this is not the case. The new study examined multiple images of asymmetric aurora in the northern and southern hemispheres at the same time and how these auroras evolved over time, so they could see the same phenomenon happening over and over. Then they related it to activity in the magnetotail.

The new study shows auroral asymmetry is reduced as tail reconnection progresses. Further, the asymmetry persists even if little to no reconnection occurs. So, the new study shows, tail reconnection is not responsible for the asymmetry.

Instead, the new research finds it is differences in pressure being exerted on the magnetotail that cause these auroral differences. The magnetotail is being constantly squeezed by the solar wind and IMF, and it is this non-uniform squeezing on it from different directions that is causing the differences in auroral displays at the two poles. The squeezing depends on the orientation of the IMF.

"This study explains both how asymmetries are created and how it is removed and it is exactly opposite of what I and many researchers have thought," said Mike Liemohn, editor-in-chief of JGR-Space Physics. "Therefore, this result is kind of big deal."

Explore further Studying magnetic space explosions with NASA missions
A juvenile Lahontan cutthroat trout captured during a survey at the Marys River in Nevada. Credit: Jason Barnes

A new population viability model, with an accompanying web app, is helping scientists to better forecast population changes and extinction risk for imperiled species. The method was developed by ecologists at the University of Georgia River Basin Center with support from NASA and the help of federal, state and nonprofit fish and wildlife personnel.

It is already being used to manage Lahontan cutthroat trout, a federally listed threatened species in the western U.S.

According to lead author Douglas R. Leasure, former postdoctoral associate in the UGA River Basin Center, the new model solves a problem common to existing methods of estimating population viabilitynamely that they require an enormous amount of data for every population of interest throughout a species' range. And those data can be hard to come by.

"Normally a population viability analysis requires several years of data from a single population to estimate extinction risk, and by 'several' I mean as many as 10 years or more," Leasure said. "That's quite an investment to make if your conclusions are only relevant to that single population."

Many imperiled species live in isolated populations in out of the way places, where monitoring is infrequent or nonexistent. The model developed by Leasure and Seth J. Wenger, director of science at the River Basin Center, and their co-authors gets around this issue by sharing information among populations.

"Our model allows us to use information from populations where a lot of data have been collected to inform our decision-making for populations where we don't have much data or have no data at all," Leasure said. "It makes much better use of the data that taxpayers have invested heavily in collecting over the past 30 years."

To create their model, Leasure and his team combined three different statistical approaches: process models, sampling models and observation models.

Process models estimate year-to-year changes in a local population based on characteristics like reproductive potential and environmental conditions. Sampling models use information from a few survey sites to estimate the total population size, including all the individuals in never-sampled areas. Observation models estimate how many individuals were missed when sampling at each survey site.

Together, these approaches allow the model to tie site-level data to population-level outcomes.

Leasure and his colleagues built their model around Lahontan cutthroat trout, a species native to the Great Basin area of California, Nevada and Oregon. Over the years, researchers from different agencies and universities have conducted surveys of the federally listed species at many locations, but pulling that data together was a challenge.

"There was actually full-time staff at Trout Unlimited devoted to that," said Leasure. "They would call up these agencies, oftentimes drive out to their field offices, go through file cabinets of paper data forms and put all that into a database. It was a huge effort."

The model also required consistent measurements of habitat characteristics for all included populations, which was where NASA came in.

"NASA is really good at making large-scale global measurements," said Leasure. "We used NASA LANDSAT images to estimate vegetation quality in the riparian zones of all the rivers where these trout exist. And we can measure that every single year for every single population, and the measurements are directly comparable through time and space."

As well as estimating population sizes and extinction risks, the model is designed to assess the effects of different management actions and changing environmental conditions on populations.

To ensure that the model was accessible to managers and decision-makers in a format they could use, Leasure developed a web app that allows users to browse a map, select a stream and see estimates of its Lahontan cutthroat trout population, as well as forecast simulations under changing habitat conditions.

"We had regular meetings with a group of stakeholders where we'd get everyone together in the room, and they would help us understand what, exactly, the results were that they needed to help them make decisions," Leasure said. "It's probably the thing I'm most proud of from the project. We've been pretty happy that it's been picked up by managers, that it's actually being used."

The model is already being adapted for use in other contexts too. Leasure, who is now with the international research group WorldPop, is applying its concepts to building models to map human populations in places without regular census counts.

"If we were able to build this same model for people, that would be a really big achievement because then we could share information among countries where some countries have little or no data collection," he said. "It's pretty striking how the concepts from this model apply."

The paper, "Hierarchical multi-population viability analysis," appears in Ecology.

Explore further New mathematical model to save endangered species

More information: Douglas R. Leasure et al. Hierarchical multi-population viability analysis, Ecology (2018). Journal information: Ecology Douglas R. Leasure et al. Hierarchical multi-population viability analysis,(2018). DOI: 10.1002/ecy.2538
FO termed Indian invitation as Childish

Terming Indias counter-invitation to Pakistan on Kartarpur Corridor as childish, the Foreign Office on Thursday said the step would be reciprocated with a mature response.



I can assure that our reply to Indias childish invitation will be mature and well-considered, Foreign Office Spokesman Dr Faisal said in response to a question about the fate of negotiations on Kartarpur Corridor.



Pakistan on January 21 had shared a draft agreement with India along with an invitation to initiate negotiations for its finalization besides appointing Director General South Asia as focal person to sort out modalities for the opening of the corridor. India, avoiding a tough choice between rejecting the invitation and accepting Pakistans offer for talks, instead asked Pakistani officials to visit New Delhi for talks on the issue with proposed dates of February 26 and March 7.



The spokesman said India was pursuing the policy of ignoring Pakistans goodwill gestures, similar to its earlier response to Prime Minister Imran Khans letter to resume dialogue between two neighbouring countries on all outstanding issues.



Responding to a question on latest ceasefire violations by India on the Line of Control, the spokesman said India resorts to such diversionary tactics just to cover its ongoing oppression and atrocities against innocent Kashmiris in the occupied valley. He said India committed 2,300 ceasefire violations last year and these violations are still on the surge. He said Pakistan is responding in a befitting manner to the unprovoked Indian firing on the LOC.



The spokesman categorically stated that Pakistan would respond to India in the same coin. If it speaks the language of peace, we will respond peacefully and if it speaks the language of bullet, we will respond with a bullet, he asserted.



To a question, Dr Faisal rejected the Indian claim about sinking of their fishing boat in Pakistani waters on 17th of this month. He, however, said poaching in Pakistani exclusive economic zones is a frequent activity by the Indian fishing boats. He said Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) conducts anti-poaching operations as per laws and international regulations and the relevant UN convention.



To a question, Dr Faisal categorically rejected the presence of Daesh in Pakistan. In the best of my knowledge, there is no Daesh in Pakistan, he said, when asked to comment on the recent shootout in Sahiwal where a member of the terrorist outfit was reportedly killed by the officials of Punjabs Counter-Terrorism Department.



When asked about Afghan reconciliation process, the spokesman said Pakistan and Qatar are providing the necessary support and facilitating ongoing talks between Afghan Taliban and the US in Doha. He said Pakistans stated position on the Afghan peace and reconciliation process remains the same that intra-Afghan dialogue and a politically negotiated solution is the only way forward to bring peace and stability to Afghanistan and the region at large. He said it is the shared responsibility of all the stakeholders to continue their positive role in furthering the peace process in Afghanistan.



To a query, Dr Faisal said US Senator Lindsey Graham during his recent visit to Islamabad had very constructive interactions with the Pakistani leadership including Prime Minister Imran Khan on promoting bilateral relations and seeking a political settlement in Afghanistan. He said no dates have yet been finalized for any meeting between Prime Minister Imran Khan and US President Donald Trump.



When asked about Pakistani prisoners languishing in Afghan jails, the spokesperson said negotiations with the Afghan authorities are in progress on the matter and we hope that some Pakistani prisoners would soon be released and repatriated.
Credit: Simon Fraser University

A species of frog endemic to the Pacific Northwest faces a 50 per cent increase in the probability of extinction by the 2080s due to climate change, according to a new study published by SFU researchers in the Ecological Society of America.

The mountain-dwelling Cascades frog thrives in extreme climatic conditions, ranging from dozens of feet of snow in winter to temperatures in excess of 90F in summer. Cascades frogs are explosive breeders and their role as predators of flying insects is critical to aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.

SFU biologist Wendy Palen, along with co-authors Mike Adams of the United States Geological Survey and Maureen Ryan and Amanda Kissel of Conservation Science Partners, set out to understand the effects of climate change on these unique amphibians.

Specifically, they aimed to assess how the warmer and drier temperatures occurring with climate change affect the survival of two distinct aspects of the frog's life cycle: in the aquatic stage where the frogs develop as tadpoles in shallow ponds, and in the terrestrial environment stage where they live as adults.

During the frogs' aquatic stage, the researchers evaluated whether warmer temperatures would increase food production and result in larger, healthier frogs upon metamorphosis, or whether entire generations of frogs would die in years when warmer, drier winters lead to ponds that dry quickly, stranding tadpoles before metamorphosis.

For the terrestrial stage, they evaluated whether the milder winters of climate change would present a warm welcome and lead to higher survival of adult frogs.

The species has been tracked in Olympic National Park's Sol Duc watershed for approximately 15 years. In fact, Palen, now a professor of biology at SFU, was a graduate student at the University of Washington when she began tagging hundreds of frogs with tiny microchips.

More recently Kissel, a lead scientist at Conservation Science Partners, continued the work by monitoring more than 50 ponds that the frogs use for breeding. She tracked water levels and the timing of metamorphosis to identify how often ponds dried before the frogs could emerge.

The team found that currently, up to a quarter of the tadpoles are stranded and die each year. Applying projections from hydrologists from the universities of Washington and Notre Dame, the researchers predict that nearly 40 per cent of the tadpoles could be lost by the 2080s as a result of dry ponds.

The results from studying the frog's terrestrial stage were even more surprising. Data showed that thinner snow-packs and warmer summer temperatures actually reduced adult survival.

Taking both trends together, the researchers forecast that the Cascades frog will have a 62 per cent chance of extinction risk by the 2080s.

Kissel says, "This is a worst-case scenario, where a frog that largely occurs inside some of our most protected landscapes will be at high risk of extinction by the end of this century."

The study supports an emerging picture of climate change in the Pacific Northwest where, as a result of warmer temperatures, precipitation will fall more often as rain rather than snow, leading to longer, drier summers with compounding negative consequences for many wildlife species.

Explore further Climate change appears a mixed bag for a common frog

More information: Amanda M. Kissel et al, Compounding effects of climate change reduce population viability of a montane amphibian, Ecological Applications (2018). Journal information: Ecological Applications Amanda M. Kissel et al, Compounding effects of climate change reduce population viability of a montane amphibian,(2018). DOI: 10.1002/eap.1832
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

In the last week of August 2018, the Australian Government's Productivity Commission released its "Rising inequality? A stocktake of the evidence" research paper. Its conclusion: "Over nearly three decades, inequality has risen slightly in Australia."

"We haven't shifted the dial on the number of extremely disadvantaged people in our population in the last 20 years. What a disgrace that is, when we've had consistent growth during that time," says Swinburne Adjunct Associate Professor Jo Cavanagh OAM, the CEO of industry partner, Family Life, an independent, family-focused community services organisation.

"But it's because we haven't really been effective in understanding people's needs and designing to meet them, rather than just managing the social problem," says Associate Professor Cavanagh.

Living life without barriers

Swinburne's partnership with Family Life and Life Without Barriers, a foster care and disability services provider, has generated a new 12-month project to explore better ways to address the needs of vulnerable young parents and their children.

"Swinburne and Family Life have a very strong alignment in using knowledge for public value," says Associate Professor Cavanagh.

"That can really help government use resources effectively, as well as attend to the needs of the most disadvantaged and vulnerable people in the community."

The Family Life/Life Without Barriers co-funded project is grounded in consumer-led research: that is, the researchers will be conducting interviews and workshops with young parents themselves, to directly learn of their experiences and needs.

"The workshops are explicitly designed for participants to outnumber the researchers in the room, so that they aren't just a token participant," says Swinburne project leader, Associate Professor Kay Cook of Social Innovation Research Institute.

"We'll be posing the questions to guide them, and we'll pay them, demonstrating that their time and input are valuable."

The aim is for participants to drive as much of the information-gathering as possible, while also meeting the university's research standards.

It's a big shift away from participants checking boxes in a survey or answering questions that come from the researcher's perspective. That format requires participants to respond to the researcher's world view.

"The power dynamic is imbalanced," says Associate Professor Cook.

Smart technology and digital service delivery

One element of this project is to explore how digital service delivery might benefit young parents who may be struggling due to family breakdown, cycles of abuse, poor parent role modelling, lack of support networks and entrenched engagement with family services that may be generations old.

"There has been a big focus on aged care and smart technologies," says Associate Professor Cavanagh.

"I thought, "Why aren't we doing any of these with young people?" They have grown up with the internet and smart technology, yet there's underinvestment in how we can use that part of their world ecosystem to provide a human-centred service."

This research will focus on the voices and self-advocacy of these young parents  both mothers and fathers, who are often left behind by the system.

"We will be able then to use the technical expertise of Swinburne and our practitioners to design responses for those young parents to test. They can tell us whether those responses are effective," says Associate Professor Cavanagh.

"Long term, I want to see us reducing the number of children that are removed from young parents and also tracking the wellbeing, milestones and outcomes of those children. We want to demonstrate a more effective way of responding to people's needs, by listening to them and aligning our services in response to their needs, not in response to a service system requirement."

Explore further The impact of families on social mobility
Boeing's prototype of an autonomous air taxi. Credit: Boeing

Boeing offered a glance at a futuristic alternative to crowded freeways when its prototype autonomous air taxiessentially a flying car with no driverlifted off the ground for the first time on a test takeoff.

"In one year, we have progressed from a conceptual design to a flying prototype," said Boeing Chief Technology Officer Greg Hyslop, adding that Boeing will leverage its decades of aviation expertise to create an air mobility technology that's "safe, innovative and responsible."

Boeing subsidiary Aurora Flight Sciences, a leading developer of innovative aircraft and autonomous systems that Boeing acquired in 2017, designed the electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. Its first flight took place Tuesday at Aurora's headquarters in Manassas, Va.

With a range of up to 50 miles, the air taxi is 30 feet long and 28 feet wide. Its advanced airframe uses movable propellers and wings to achieve efficient hover and forward flight.

"This is what revolution looks like," said John Langford, Aurora's president and CEO. He said the key to the technology will be autonomythe aircraft is intended to fly itself, using sensors and artificial-intelligence software to avoid obstacles and other flying vehicles as it delivers passengers.

Langford said Boeing's technology will "make quiet, clean and safe urban air mobility possible."

Other companies are also rushing to develop similar air taxis to open up the urban skies, supplementing the current clogged ribbons of roadway with flight paths crisscrossing the three-dimensional space above our heads.

A year ago in Pendleton, Ore., European jet maker Airbus completed a similar test takeoff of its Vahana autonomous air-taxi prototype at a drone test range, the aircraft rising 16 feet into the air and then descending safely.

The next step in these flight tests will be much more of an engineering challenge: transitioning from the vertical takeoff and hover phase to forward, wing-borne flight.

Many other startups are exploring the same urban air mobility concept. And Uber, in a partnership with Aurora Flight Sciences that predates Boeing's acquisition of the company, is developing an urban aviation ride-sharing product called Uber Air, which it claims will be available by 2023 in Dallas and then in Los Angeles.

Skies full of drones?

But Uber's vehicle hasn't flown yet. And don't expect to see air taxis in the skies above Seattle for years. While the basic technology is advancing, the regulatory and safety barriers to deploying it are considerable.

Uber ride-share cars stopping in the middle of the narrow streets of South Lake Union to drop off or pick up Amazonians are already a road hazard at peak commute times. Imagine dozens of air taxis converging on the area as executives try to beat the bridge and tunnel traffic.

And realize that in this imagined future, these air taxis will share the air not only with the Kenmore Air seaplanes landing on the lake but with thousands of Amazon package-delivery drones flying low across the skies.

Boeing is separately developing an unmanned, fully electric cargo air vehicle designed to transport up to 500 pounds. It completed an indoor flight last year and will transition to outdoor flight testing this year.

Even a potential killer app for urban air taxiswhisking passengers arriving at Sea-Tac International Airport to the heart of downtown Seattlein reality looms as more of an air traffic safety nightmare when you think about pilotless air vehicles and fully loaded passenger planes flying anywhere near each other.

To address this challenge, another Boeing subsidiary, NeXt, is working with regulators and others "to lead the responsible introduction of a new mobility ecosystem and ensure a future where autonomous and piloted air vehicles safely coexist," Boeing said in a statement.

At an air safety conference in Seattle last November, Boeing CTO Hyslop talked about how air mobility can overcome the shortcomings of the increasingly overburdened "terrestrial infrastructure" as the world's cities grow ever bigger.

He said he can fly from St. Louis to Chicago in 44 minutes, then spend an hour and a half in a car driving to his office from O'Hare airport.

Yet he said the technical challenges to an air mobility solution to this problem revolve around assurances of safety. He asked attendees to imagine an air traffic control system "that suddenly instead of having a few thousand things in the air has, say, 10 million things in the air."

"What are the requirements to make that safe?" he asked. "We probably won't have a human being talking to a human being in that scenario. But there's going to be some decisions where the consequences are just so dire where we want to have a human being in the loop."

He said certifying flight controls managed by artificial intelligence as safe is "a very difficult technical problem."

"Our industry still begins and ends with public safety," said Hyslop. "We have a responsibility to get into this. It will be a walk, crawl, run approach."

Tuesday's test was just the first little hop into the air.

Speaking Wednesday morning on a panel at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Boeing Chairman Dennis Muilenburg said the air taxi revolution "is happening now and it's going to accelerate over the next five years and ramp up even more beyond that."

"Traffic in dense urban areas is going to quickly go from two dimensions to three dimensions," he said "Today, 25 percent of the world's commute times are greater than 90 minutes. Think about the time savings that are available when you go to three dimensions."

Aviation expert Richard Aboulafia of the Teal Group is a skeptic.

Last May, he wrote that such urban mobility technology "is decades away from readiness."

"The costs will be way higher than planned. Utilization, as a result, will be much lower than anticipated," he predicted.

In reality, this air taxi technology will likely debut as a passenger service not in the U.S. but somewhere with a government that can completely control conditions and has plenty of money to pour into the system.

Rather than Seattle or Dallas, expect to see air taxis in action first somewhere like Dubai. German drone firm Volocopter flew a prototype two-seater autonomous aerial vehicle there in 2017.

Explore further Boeing flying car prototype completes first test flight

2019 The Seattle Times

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
An African penguin (Spheniscus demersus) on a beach in South Africa. A new study examines why biodiversity among warm-blooded marine predators such as whales, seals and penguins rises in cold, temperate waters. Credit: Adam Wilson

In ecology, the diversity of species generally increases as you move toward the warmer latitudes of the tropics.

A new study explores a curious exception to this trend, examining why biodiversity rises in cold, temperate waters among warm-blooded marine predators such as whales, seals and penguins.

The researchpublished on Jan. 25 in the journal Sciencepresents a possible explanation for this unusual pattern.

"We show with data and theory that cold waters slow fishes' and sharks' metabolism, causing sluggish movement and giving mammals and birds important hunting and competitive advantages," says John Grady, a postdoctoral research associate at the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center and former postdoctoral researcher at Michigan State University, who led the study. "Sharks are easier to avoid and fish are easier to catch when the water is cold."

"As we conclude in the paper, 'Overall, warm-bodied predators are favored where prey are slow, stupid and cold,'" says co-author Adam Wilson, Ph.D., a biogeographer at the University at Buffalo. Wilson is an assistant professor in the Department of Geography in the UB College of Arts and Sciences.

A humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) pictured in Cape Cod Bay off the coast of Massachusetts in the United States. Credit: Adam Wilson

"We are living through an era of rapid environmental change and biodiversity loss," Wilson adds. "Understanding the mechanisms that led to the current spatial distribution of biodiversity is critical to conserving it for future generations."

The study was an international collaboration, with contributors from Michigan State University, Bryn Mawr College, the University of Arizona, the University of New Mexico, the University of Freiburg in Germany, Dalhousie University in Canada, the U.N. Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre in the United Kingdom, UB, the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center, and Washington University in St. Louis.

Using data to quantify and explain marine predator diversity

As part of the study, Wilson co-developed a workflow that the team used to quantify and summarize the geographic distribution of almost 1,000 species of sharks, fish, reptiles, mammals and birds.

"We used these data to show how warm-blooded marine predators such as seals, whales and penguins do not follow the typical geographic pattern of increasing biodiversity near the tropics. Our analysis showed that the diversity of these predators systematically increases toward the poles relative to cold-blooded competitors such as large sharks and fish," Wilson says. "This curious fact led to the development of the theory presented in the paper, which explains the patterns of biodiversity by taking into account the relative speed at which predators pursue their prey in different water temperatures."

Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) near Navarino Island, Chile. Credit: Adam Wilson

Scientists found evidence to support this hypothesis when they examined consumption patterns among warm-blooded seals and active-hunting cetaceans (including dolphins, porpoises, beluga and narwhal).

"Analyzing global patterns of marine mammal abundance and consumption, we find seals and dolphins collectively consume approximately 80 times more of the available food near the polar seas than the warm equator," Grady says.

This may help to explain why these warm-blooded predators are more abundant and diverse in cold seas, Grady adds.

Explore further Mammals and birds could have best shot at surviving climate change

More information: John M. Grady et al. Metabolic asymmetry and the global diversity of marine predators, Science (2019). Journal information: Science John M. Grady et al. Metabolic asymmetry and the global diversity of marine predators,(2019). DOI: 10.1126/science.aat4220
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Autralopithecus sediba is not the missing link that connects modern man to its more primitive ancestors.

The fossils that were found 10 years ago by Palaeoathropologist, Professor Lee Berger of the University of the Witwatersrand, and his son Matthew, at Malapa in the Cradle of Human Kind in South Africa, has recently been described as the so-called "missing link" in human evolution, after the publication of new research by a team of international researchers that confirmed the unique species status of Sediba. This research has been misinterpreted by some sectors, creating the idea that Australopithecus sediba might be the "missing link".

This perception is incorrect, as there is no such thing as a "missing link" in human evolution, says Professor Berger in an informative video, released by Wits University.

"The image of human evolution on T-shirts is incorrect. I would prefer that we forget the term 'missing link'," says Berger, who is currently on expedition at the Rising Star cave, also in the Cradle of Human kind, where the other famous human ancestor, Homo naledi, was found.

Berger explains that human evolution is not a linear process, where one species evolve into another, but rather follows a process similar to a braided stream, or river delta, where a stream might branch off into its own direction, or later flow back and join a different stream, which might "evolve" into a new species.

Credit: Wits University

Explore further Scientists confirm pair of skeletons are from same early hominin species
What would Artificial General Intelligence make of the human world? Credit: Shutterstock/Nathapol Kongseang

Artificial intelligence can play chess, drive a car and diagnose medical issues. Examples include Google DeepMind's AlphaGo, Tesla's self-driving vehicles, and IBM's Watson.

This type of artificial intelligence is referred to as Artificial Narrow Intelligence (ANI)  non-human systems that can perform a specific task. We encounter this type on a daily basis, and its use is growing rapidly.

But while many impressive capabilities have been demonstrated, we're also beginning to see problems. The worst case involved a self-driving test car that hit a pedestrian in March. The pedestrian died and the incident is still under investigation.

The next generation of AI

With the next generation of AI the stakes will almost certainly be much higher.

Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) will have advanced computational powers and human level intelligence. AGI systems will be able to learn, solve problems, adapt and self-improve. They will even do tasks beyond those they were designed for.

Importantly, their rate of improvement could be exponential as they become far more advanced than their human creators. The introduction of AGI could quickly bring about Artificial Super Intelligence (ASI).

While fully functioning AGI systems do not yet exist, it has been estimated that they will be with us anywhere between 2029 and the end of the century.

What appears almost certain is that they will arrive eventually. When they do, there is a great and natural concern that we won't be able to control them.

The risks associated with AGI

There is no doubt that AGI systems could transform humanity. Some of the more powerful applications include curing disease, solving complex global challenges such as climate change and food security, and initiating a worldwide technology boom.

But a failure to implement appropriate controls could lead to catastrophic consequences.

Despite what we see in Hollywood movies, existential threats are not likely to involve killer robots. The problem will not be one of malevolence, but rather one of intelligence, writes MIT professor Max Tegmark in his 2017 book Life 3.0: Being Human in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.

It is here that the science of human-machine systems  known as Human Factors and Ergonomics  will come to the fore. Risks will emerge from the fact that super-intelligent systems will identify more efficient ways of doing things, concoct their own strategies for achieving goals, and even develop goals of their own.

Imagine these examples:

an AGI system tasked with preventing HIV decides to eradicate the problem by killing everybody who carries the disease, or one tasked with curing cancer decides to kill everybody who has any genetic predisposition for it

an autonomous AGI military drone decides the only way to guarantee an enemy target is destroyed is to wipe out an entire community

an environmentally protective AGI decides the only way to slow or reverse climate change is to remove technologies and humans that induce it.

These scenarios raise the spectre of disparate AGI systems battling each other, none of which take human concerns as their central mandate.

Various dystopian futures have been advanced, including those in which humans eventually become obsolete, with the subsequent extinction of the human race.

Others have forwarded less extreme but still significant disruption, including malicious use of AGI for terrorist and cyber-attacks, the removal of the need for human work, and mass surveillance, to name only a few.

So there is a need for human-centred investigations into the safest ways to design and manage AGI to minimise risks and maximise benefits.

How to control AGI

Controlling AGI is not as straightforward as simply applying the same kinds of controls that tend to keep humans in check.

Many controls on human behaviour rely on our consciousness, our emotions, and the application of our moral values. AGIs won't need any of these attributes to cause us harm. Current forms of control are not enough.

Arguably, there are three sets of controls that require development and testing immediately:

the controls required to ensure AGI system designers and developers create safe AGI systems the controls that need to be built into the AGIs themselves, such as "common sense", morals, operating procedures, decision-rules, and so on the controls that need to be added to the broader systems in which AGI will operate, such as regulation, codes of practice, standard operating procedures, monitoring systems, and infrastructure.

Human Factors and Ergonomics offers methods that can be used to identify, design and test such controls well before AGI systems arrive.

For example, it's possible to model the controls that exist in a particular system, to model the likely behaviour of AGI systems within this control structure, and identify safety risks.

This will allow us to identify where new controls are required, design them, and then remodel to see if the risks are removed as a result.

In addition, our models of cognition and decision making can be used to ensure AGIs behave appropriately and have humanistic values.

Act now, not later

This kind of research is in progress, but there is not nearly enough of it and not enough disciplines are involved.

Even the high-profile tech entrepreneur Elon Musk has warned of the "existential crisis" humanity faces from advanced AI and has spoken about the need to regulate AI before it's too late.

The next decade or so represents a critical period. There is an opportunity to create safe and efficient AGI systems that can have far reaching benefits to society and humanity.

At the same time, a business-as-usual approach in which we play catch-up with rapid technological advances could contribute to the extinction of the human race. The ball is in our court, but it won't be for much longer.

Explore further Artificial intelligence systems more apt to fail than to destroy

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Thanyapura will be hosting a 2-day workshop that explores the innovative and versatile uses of the yoga wheel. Yoga wheels are an effective tool that help to the maintain safe alignment of the body in a way that supports it. The practice enables individuals of all abilities to be able to access postures that may have been previously challenging due to physical limitations. Yoga wheels can help to perfect more challenging poses safely, prevent injuries, reduce aches and pains, and further improve flexibility. The first session will focus on restorative yoga, and the second session will explore a more lively flow that stretches, strengthens and builds stability.

The workshop will take place over the course of 5 hours from 9-10 March 2019. This extended yoga wheel introduction costs 5,000THB and includes a vegan lunch buffet on the first day, and a healthy protein shake on the second. Each participant will also receive their own yoga wheel.

Register by 10 February 2019 and secure your spot with a 1,500THB deposit. Limited spaces are available, so book early to avoid disappointment.

The workshop will be led by Darren Chen, who is a certified Dharma yoga wheel trainer. His approach focuses on the essence of yoga exploration, and includes 3 levels: foundation (fundamental postures that link movement to breath), modification (making the poses easier or more difficult depending on the individual), and integration (combining the learned routines with personal practice).

Must register in advance!

Telephone: +66(0) 7633 6000

Email: info@thanyapura.com

CLICK!! MAKE A REGISTRATION NOW!
Phuket, Thailand 24 January 2018: According to the 2025 Sustainability & Social Impact Goals, the Marriott International Serve 360: Doing Good in Every Direction goal seeks to build upon the companys decades-long history of support for its communities and the environment.

To support the local community and reduce their environmental impact, JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa have partnered with Generation Water to eradicate plastic water bottles in the resort, by producing and bottling alkaline water made 100% from the air.

The innovative solution is the first of its kind and produces more than 4,000 litres (1,000 gallons) of mineralised drinking water, made from the air, every day. The water is extracted from the virtually unlimited source of humidity in the air; filtered, essential minerals are added and then bottled into re-useable glass bottles. The solution is operated on-site by Generation Water at the JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa.

The glass bottles of mineralised water are currently distributed to 445 guestrooms among JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa (265 rooms) and Renaissance Phuket Resort & Spa (180 rooms), as well as corporate meetings, events, and the Mandara Spa daily.

The water produced by Generation Waters solution is rigorously monitored for quality and has been audited and approved by the Thailand Ministry of Public Healths Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Since the production officially kicked off almost five months ago, we have already prevented more than 100,000 plastic bottles from entering our landfills or oceans.

In 2019, this solution will eradicate more than 2 million plastic bottles. Generation Water in partnership with Marriott International are in the process of increasing the scale to provide more than 4 million glass bottles across all the Marriott resorts in southern Thailand. This aims to further reduce plastic waste, reduce the carbon footprint and decrease our reliance on the traditional water sources.

We recently had 900 Marriott Associates attending onsite training to expand the awareness by educating the community and guests about reducing single use plastic. #Savewater #Drinkair #serve360 #marriottinternational #jwmarriottphuket #sustainableresponsibleoperations

The wellbeing of this planet is in our hands indeed. To help solve the global plastic pollution crisis, innovation has to be the way of life for all of us. Our company is strongly committed in taking great care of the environment and community globally. Therefore, it is our responsibility and we strive to invent, innovate and implement the best solutions in order to preserve the natural resources and pass it on to the next generation said Mr. Matthias Y. Sutter, General Manager

The time for debate has come and gone. Change is coming whether we like it or not. Its up to us now to determine whether it will be positive or negative moving forward. The planet needs visionary partners like Marriott International to support innovation and effect positive outcomes.  Ryan Kohler  Co-founder and CEO of Generation Water.
A prescription for medical marijuana. (Photo: Getty Images)

The Lower House has approved on second reading a bill that seeks to legalize and regulate the use of medical marijuana.

If passed into law, people suffering from serious diseases will be allowed to use marijuana as an alternative form of medicine.

While support for the legalization of medical marijuana appears to be gaining traction, others have expressed concerns that the move could expose Filipinos to unnecessary harm.

The Philippines could be the next Southeast Asian country after Thailand to legalize marijuana if the bill is enacted.

Will the country benefit from the legalize use of medical marijuana? Have your say in our poll and leave us a comment below.

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PH lawmakers pass bill legalizing medical marijuana on second reading
Twin blasts rocked a high-rise in northeast China on Friday, killing one person and injuring another in an incident being treated as a criminal case, local authorities said. The first blast happened at around 3:13 pm (0713 GMT) when the fire brigade received a report of a car explosion in an underground garage of the Wanda Plaza in Changchun, the city's government said in a statement posted on social media. Three minutes later, a second explosion occurred in an office on the 30th floor of the complex. An earlier statement said that blast left one dead. It was unclear where the second person was injured. The Changchun government added that a criminal investigation has been opened. Eyewitnesses reported hearing over 20 explosions and people were evacuated from buildings surrounding the Wanda Plaza Apartment, the state-run Beijing Youth Daily newspaper reported. Social media footage showed a busy road shrouded in smoke as devices exploded on the ground while people fled. Another video showed a blast on the upper floors of a high-rise building, with shattered windows seen in a photograph of the Wanda Plaza. AFP could not independently verify the authenticity of the videos. - Past blasts - Bomb explosions have occurred in China in recent years. Last July, a 26-year-old man set off a small explosive outside the United States embassy in Beijing, injuring his hand and sending smoke into the air. Police said he was from Inner Mongolia but did not reveal any motive. In June 2017, a bomb exploded outside a kindergarten in east Jiangsu province, killing eight people and injuring dozens. The explosion was blamed on a 22-year-old introvert with health problems who died in the blast. Ethnic Uighurs from the restive far west region of Xinjiang have been tied to mass stabbings and bombings that left dozens dead in recent years across the country. The unrest prompted authorities to launch a sweeping campaign against terrorism and separatism that included the construction of what rights groups denounce as internment camps holding as many as one million Uighurs and other mostly Muslim minorities. The Chinese government describes the camps as vocational education centres aimed at combatting extremist thoughts and providing jobs. Chinese authorities say no attacks have been committed in Xinjiang in the past two years thanks to the strategy. The Jilin incident also comes just over a week before the Lunar New Year holiday, which the Chinese usually welcome with firecrackers and fireworks, sometimes resulting in accidents. Last February, a fireworks explosion killed four and injured five in southwestern Yunnan province. In January 2006, 36 people were killed as they celebrated the Lunar New Year at a temple festival in central China's Henan province when fireworks exploded in an illegal factory storeroom nearby.
Tourists visiting Nepal will not get insurance coverage from next month onward unless Kathmandu cracks down on fraudulent helicopter rescues of trekkers in the Himalayan nation, international firms warned Friday. A mass pull-out by the insurers would seriously dent Nepal's vital tourism industry, which just celebrated welcoming over a million tourists for the first time last year. An AFP investigation last year exposed a racket where dodgy trekking outfits pressure tourists into needless and costly airlifts, or bill multiple times for a single flight. Nepal's government launched an enquiry in June after insurers were billed more than $6.5 million on 1,300 helicopter rescues in the first five months of 2018. The government's probe identified 15 companies -- including helicopter firms, trekking agencies and hospitals -- linked to the lucrative racket. But no action has been taken against any of the alleged perpetrators. In a letter to Nepal's minister of tourism, Traveller Assist, an Ireland-based company that represents international insurers, warned that unless the government brings charges against these companies by February 15 its clients will cease to issue insurance. "To be clear, this is an ultimatum!," Jonathan Bancroft, managing director of Traveller Assist, said in the letter seen by AFP. "Please don't be under any illusion that the fraud has stopped. It has not. If our clients stop issuing travel insurance policies in Nepal, it won't be long until other insurers do the same," he wrote. Tourism Minister Rabindra Adhikari said investigations are under way to penalise and charge fraudulent companies. "We are deeply committed to taking action against them. The government will make no compromises in this regard," Adhikari told AFP. The helicopter scam has become such a money-spinner that some budget tour operators are luring customers by selling treks at below cost price -- knowing they can make enough profit on kickbacks when the tourists are evacuated. The trekking operators, lodge owners, helicopter companies, and even hospitals pocket the extra cash. There are also reports of guides putting baking soda -- a laxative -- in food to deliberately make trekkers ill and necessitate their rescue by helicopter. In some cases, trekkers themselves opt for a quick ride home knowing their insurance will pay, while others are being scared into rescues for minor illnesses. In September, Nepal introduced guidelines to control fake rescues following a warning from insurers but industry insiders say that the scams continue.
Could Americans be next after China detains Canadian and Australian citizens?

The recent high-profile detentions of Canadian and Australian citizens has raised concerns in the West that China is practising a form of hostage diplomacy.

But despite the current trade war with the US and a number of strategic tensions, American citizens have so far not been targeted  raising questions about whether China is reluctant to antagonise Washington in the same manner.

The detention of former Chinese diplomat Yang Hengjun, now an Australian citizen, this week intensified concerns in the West that Beijing will detain foreign nationals to retaliate against their governments.

Two Canadians, the former diplomat Michael Kovrig and the businessman Michael Spavor, have also been held on the same national security charges used against Yang.

Ottawa fears that these detentions might be linked to the arrest of Sabrina Meng Wanzhou, a senior executive with the Chinese tech giant Huawei, following an extradition request from the United States, which has accused her of fraud relating to sanctions on Iran.

Beijing has denied practising hostage diplomacy, and experts remain divided about whether Yangs case is linked to the detention of the two Canadians.

John Hemmings, director of the Asia Studies Centre at the Henry Jackson Society, a British think tank, said Beijing would not want to start a tit-for-tat conflict or face increased pressure from Washington by targeting Americans in China.

Punishing the ally but not the US has a subtle but unmistakable message to US allies that Washington will not defend their interests as it does its own, Hemmings said.

There is a likelihood that Beijing would like to loosen the bonds between Washington and its many allies through this tactic  after all, the United States alliances are one of its strengths and allows it to exert power globally.

Euan Graham, executive director of La Trobe Asia, said the arrest of Yang and the two Canadians might suggest that China was targeting the Five Eyes intelligence network, which also includes Britain and New Zealand.

Story continues

An obvious assumption is that [Yangs detention] is connected with the fallout from the Meng case in Canada, and Australias public position in support of Canada, he said.

Graham said the Five Eyes countries have been closely coordinating on restricting Huaweis access to sensitive areas of their communications infrastructure.

But Hemmings also pointed out that Yangs detention also mirrors the way foreign nationals of Chinese descent are treated, citing the ongoing detention of the Swedish bookseller Gui Minhai.

Gui, who was born in mainland China, was one of five Hong Kong-based booksellers who disappeared in 2015 only to re-emerge in Chinese detention.

Yang was previously detained and questioned when he entered China in 2011, but was released a few days later, claiming that there was a misunderstanding.

It has become clear that Beijing views Westerners with Chinese heritage as its own, and is attempting to co-opt them politically, Hemmings said.

No matter their heritage, they are Western citizens and deserve the support and help of their governments.

Growing concerns about Beijings behaviour have led both Canada and the US to issue updated travel warnings for China in January, both warning of the arbitrary enforcement of local laws.

The US State Departments advisory also cautioned that dual US-Chinese citizens (China does not recognise dual nationality) and American citizens of Chinese heritage may be subject to additional scrutiny and harassment.

Ankit Panda, an adjunct senior fellow in the Defence Posture Project at the Federation of American Scientists and a US citizen, said he had cancelled a planned trip to China this week while Kovrig and Spavor remain unjustly detained.

Panda, a regular South China Morning Post columnist, was one of over 200 scholars and former diplomats who signed an open letter to Chinese President Xi Jinping demanding the release of the two Canadians.

With Yang Hengjuns detention, we have something of a pattern, where Beijing arbitrarily applies the law to detain foreign nationals to seek diplomatic leverage, Panda said.

The odds of retaliatory measures against US nationals would appear high to me, particularly given the reaction of the Foreign Ministry to the open letter circulated in support of Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said on Wednesday that signatories of the open letter had interfered in Chinas judicial sovereignty.

Liu Weidong, a Sino-US affairs expert from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, insisted that China had not been trying to provoke Canada, saying ties had only worsened following Mengs arrest.

China understands clearly that it is not beneficial to have too many enemies, but perhaps it feels it has no choice but to respond, he said.

When China has tense relations with other countries, the US is always in the shadow of this. It is not something that China takes the initiative in doing.

Wang Weinan, an associate professor at Jiaotong University in Shanghai, said he believes that the current strained relations between China and Canada, as well as Australia, are closely tied to ongoing tensions with the West in general and the US in particular.

Yangs detention also has a deeper meaning, which needs to be understood by what top leaders emphasised a few days earlier about political security, he said, referencing the partys four-day study session that wrapped up in Beijing on Thursday, where cadres were told to fight a tough battle against risk.

Sow Keat Tok, a Chinese relations specialist at the University of Melbourne, argued China was ultimately trying to send a message to American allies by using Canada as a proxy.

Without subjecting China-US relations to greater stress, China is also sending a message to all US-friendly countries that China will not hesitate to punish any untoward behaviour should they choose to take sides in the US-China stand-off, Tok said.

However, Tok said that unless Washington decided to expand the diplomatic front against China, he doubted that the situation would deteriorate further.

The ball is now in Washingtons court as to whether or not it wants to escalate their disagreements with Beijing, Tok said.

This article Could Americans be next after China detains Canadian and Australian citizens? first appeared on South China Morning Post

For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2019.
Fears of a second dam breach at a Brazilian mining complex receded Sunday, enabling a search to resume for the more than 300 people still missing two days after a dam collapse that has killed at least 58 people. Loudspeakers rang out at 5:30 am (0730 GMT) among homes surrounding the Corrego do Feijao mining complex in southeastern Brazil, warning of dangerously high water levels, according to mine owner Vale. Workers at the complex are still reeling after a barrier at the site burst on Friday, spewing millions of tons of treacherous sludge and engulfing buildings, vehicles and roads. Firefighters halted the search for survivors and immediately began evacuating communities near the dike, which contains at least three million cubic meters (800 million gallons) of water. But several hours later, civil defense officials gave the all clear. "There is no more risk of a break," said Lieutenant Colonel Flavio Godinho, a spokesman for the state civil defense agency, explaining that the high water levels had been drained off. "The search has resumed -- by land, by aircraft and with dogs." Dozens of helicopters were set to be deployed because the thick mud was too treacherous for ground rescuers. The latest official toll from the dam breach was 58 dead and 305 missing, according to Godinho. He said rescuers found a bus full of bodies. Vale, the Brazilian mining giant, said people were being allowed to return to their homes. "I had to leave with my family, my children," Jose Maria Silva, 59, told AFP. "We are upset, tense, because leaving our house is not easy. We've been here 15 years, and now we have to leave everything and run away.' Fagner Miranda, 29, added: "several people ran out, desperate... Those with no car fled on foot, with a backpack on their backs and what they could carry." - Shaken by disaster - So far, 192 people have been rescued alive, 23 of whom were hospitalized with injuries, officials said. President Jair Bolsonaro flew over the devastated zone on Saturday, later tweeting that it was "difficult to not be emotional before this scene." All was being done to care for survivors and "determine the facts, to demand justice and prevent new tragedies," he added. The military said it deployed 1,000 soldiers, including sniffer dogs, to the disaster zone. The disaster was the first big emergency faced by Bolsonaro and his government since he took office in early January, and it may be one of the deadliest disasters in Brazil's history. Vale has been shaken by the disaster, the second in three years it has suffered in the same state. Workers at its mine had been at lunch in an administrative area Friday when they were suddenly swamped by millions of tons of muddy trailings -- a waste byproduct of the iron-ore mining operations. The ruptured dam, 42 years old and 282 feet (86 meters) high, had been in the process of being decommissioned. Vale said it had recently passed structural safety tests. - Vale assets frozen - After overflowing a second dam, the muddy mass barreled down toward Brumadinho but only glanced along the town's edge before roaring through vegetation and farmland, smashing houses and swallowing tractors and roads in its path. Brazilian judicial authorities announced they had frozen $3 billion of Vale's assets, saying real estate and vehicles would be seized if the company could not come up with the full amount. The company also has been hit with fines by the federal and state government totaling some $92.5 million. Vale share prices fell Friday more than eight percent on the New York Stock Exchange. The mining company, one of the world's biggest, was involved in a 2015 mine collapse elsewhere in Minas Gerais that claimed 19 lives in what is regarded as the country's worst-ever environmental disaster. "There used to be people here, houses. I'm just floored by this tragedy," Rosilene Aganetti, a 57-year-old resident in one of the affected villages, told AFP, pointing to an expanse of mud. "Several of my friends who were in the Vale cafeteria are missing," she said, holding back sobs. Another woman, Suely de Olivera Costa, was desperately trying to find her husband, who worked at the mine. She angrily accused Vale of "destroying Brumadinho, and nobody is doing anything -- which will be the next town?" The Brazilian branch of environmental group Greenpeace said the dam break was "a sad consequence of the lessons not learned by the Brazilian government and the mining companies." Such incidents "are not accidents but environmental crimes that must be investigated, punished and repaired," it added.
The heads of the worlds biggest oil companies have been holding closed-doors meeting in Davos this week, discussing two topics common for all oil firmshow to win investors back and how to respond to investor demands to start tackling climate change in earnest.

On the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Chevrons chief executive Michael Wirth has discussed climate change in the context of the oil industry with the top managers at European companies BP, Shell, and Total, and with Saudi Aramco, Reuters reports. ExxonMobils CEO Darren Woods was not present.

Oil majors have been facing an unprecedented pressure from investors to set emission reduction targets. Investors also demand higher returns for sticking through with oil companies during the downturn. The worlds biggest oil companies also struggle to stay appealing to environment-conscious investors, who see them as the main culprits of carbon emissions and global warming.

There is no doubt - and there is a consensus coming here in various meetings in Davos - that our industry is literally under siege and the future of oil is at stake, OPEC Secretary General Mohammed Barkindo told Reuters.

The real challenge of the oil industry is how to win investors back, according to Hess Corporations CEO John Hess, who noted that the waning appeal of oil stocks has resulted in the share of energy companies in the S&P 500 dropping in ten years to 5.5 percent from 16 percent.



Related: An Unlikely New Hotspot For Energy Storage

Last year, the UNs Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change issued a special report on the climate situation on the planet, saying that the world needs to spend US$2.4 trillion every year until 2035 if it is to slow down the effects of climate change.

Among oil majors, Shell, for example, plans to double the annual amount of money it invests in renewable energy to US$4 billion, the supermajors head of gas and new energy, Maarten Wetselaar told The Guardian in an interview last month. The figure is double the maximum current annual investment Shell has allocated for cleaner energy initiatives but the increase will only materialize if these initial investments prove to make financial sense.

Earlier in December, Shell said that it plans to set short-term emission reduction targets and link these targets with executive pay, yielding to growing investor pressure about establishing short-term emission goals.



By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Exxon has inked a preliminary agreement with Germany Uniper for future LNG supplies to a new import terminal in Wilhelmshaven, Reuters reports, citing the German company.

The Wilhelmshaven project is Germanys first LNG terminal. It will consist of floating storage and regasification facilities and has already attracted the interest of several LNG suppliers, including the United States and Qatar. It will have a capacity of 10 billion cu m of natural gas annually.

Exxon has signed up for a portion of the regasification capacity at Wilhelmshaven.

The heads of agreement (a non-binding draft) is an important step towards the realisation of the Wilhelmshaven floating storage and regasification (FSRU) project, Reuters quoted Unipers chief commercial officer, Keith Martin, as saying. The official added that The FSRU will provide LNG companies from the United States, but also other countries from around the world, with the opportunity to deliver LNG into the German and European markets.

The project will be financed and operated by Japanese Mitsui OSK Lines, which Uniper contracted for the job last December.

The German energy major is at the same time member of the consortium building the Nord Stream 2 pipeline from Russia, which has caused opposition from the Baltic States and Poland, along with Ukraine on the grounds more Russian gas coming into Europe will strengthen Moscows political influence on the continent.

Washington officials have been vocal in their opposition as well, citing European national security concerns, but their stance has been perceived by some in European governments as a means of securing markets for growing U.S. LNG supply.

Exxon is one of the biggest players in this field, with stakes in various projects whose total capacity amounts to more than 65 million tons of the fuel that is growing increasingly popular, not just in Europe but in Asia as well.



By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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The political standoff in Venezuela continues as the world watches with apprehension and countries begin to take sides, backing one of the two leaders claiming to be president of the crisis-stricken Latin American nation that holds the worlds largest crude oil reserves.

Venezuelas opposition leader Juan Guaido, the president of the National Assembly, declared himself interim president on Wednesday, and the United States supported him against Nicolas Maduro, whom the U.S. Administration declared an usurper with no legitimacy to the presidency.

Maduro, in turn, severed diplomatic ties with the U.S. on Wednesday and gave U.S. diplomats in Venezuela 72 hours to leave the country.

According to a Reuters witness, some U.S. diplomats left the U.S. embassy in Caracas on Friday and headed to the airport in a convoy escorted by police.

Right-leaning Latin American nations, including Brazil, Colombia, and Argentina, also recognized Guaido, while leftist Cuba and Bolivia support Maduro.

Russia, China, and Turkey stand by Maduro, who explicitly thanked those three countries and all other governments in the world who support the legitimately elected government which I preside.

The European Union (EU) said as early as on Wednesday that the voices of Venezuelan people calling for democracy cannot be ignored.

The EU strongly calls for the start of an immediate political process leading to free and credible elections, in conformity with the Constitutional order, the EU said, but stopped short of backing Guaido.

Germany, as well as Spain, call on Maduro to immediately agree to hold new elections, otherwise both EU members would consider backing Guaido.

The German government will speak in forthcoming EU consultations in favor of recognizing Juan Guaido as interim president, unless such free and fair elections are held immediately, DW quoted German government spokesman Steffen Seibert as saying on Friday.

Spains Foreign Minister Josep Borrell said on Friday that Spain is pushing for the EU to support Guaido if Maduro doesnt call elections by a short and minimal deadline yet to be set. The EU was discussing the deadline on Friday.



By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Baker Hughes reported modest rise in the number of active oil and gas rigs in the United States this week.

The total number of active oil and gas drilling rigs rose by 9 rigs, according to the report, with the number of active oil rigs increasing by 10 to reach 862 and the number of gas rigs decreasing by 1 to reach 197.

The oil and gas rig count is now 112 up from this time last year, 103 of which is in oil rigs.

WTI prices were trading up earlier on Friday as the crisis in oil-rich Venezuela deepens as opposition leader Juan Guaido seeks to grab power from current president Nicolas Maduro, garnering him a backing from the United States to the ire of Maduro. Gains were capped, however, by the previous days EIA report that showed a major buildup in crude oil inventories for the week at 8 million barrels, bringing the total to 9% above seasonal limits.

At 12:16pm EST, the WTI benchmark was trading up $0.52 (+0.99%) at $53.65nearly flat week on week, with Brent crude trading up $0.40 (+0.65%) at $61.49 per barreldown nearly $1 per barrel on the week.

Canadas oil and gas rigs increased by 23 rigs this week, after climbing by 25 rigs last week. Canadas total oil and gas rig count is now 232, which is 106 fewer rigs than this time last year.

The EIAs estimates for US production for the week ending January 18 shows an increase at an average rate of 11.9 million bpda record for the USfor the second week in a row..

By 1:06pm EDT, WTI had increased by 0.87% (+$0.46) at $53.59 on the day. Brent crude was trading up 0.61% (+$0.37) at $61.46 per barrel.

By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Excess supply of gasoline coupled with slow demand has pressured refiners margins, Reuters reports, noting refining margins for the fuel in the United States sank to US$45.70 a barrel yesterday.

The drop follows the fourth weekly increase in gasoline inventories in the U.S., all of them quite hefty, leading to an all-time high of gasoline supplies, at 259.6 million barrels as of January 18.

Over the last four weeks, the Energy Information Administration reported gasoline inventory builds reaching a combined 26.6 million barrels.

However, the United States is not the only large gasoline hub where inventories are rising as demand remains sluggish. According to the Reuters report, inventories in the Netherlands, Japan, and Singapore are also at multi-year highs, with the annual increase in their combined level at 21 million barrels, data from consultants FGE has shown.

The U.S. shale oil boom has yielded predominantly light crude, from which gasoline is made, so the most recent surge in production has resulted in more production of the light fuel. However, U.S. refiners have also upped their gasoline output levels as they increase distillate fuel production as well, as it fetches higher margins.

Overproduction of gasoline ensued and now youre in a situation where in various parts of the world gasoline cracks are basically zero or negative, Wood Mackenzie analyst Zachary Rogers told Reuters.

Related: Canadian Heavy Crude Producers Find New Ways To Ship Oil

The prospects for gasoline demand dont seem too bright, either. Worry about a global economic slowdown persist despite reports from Asia that governments are preparing for stimulus measures. Also, Wall Street seems to be unanimous in its expectation of a slowdown during the so-called late-cycle stage that precedes a recession.

Things are not much different in Europe: Reuters reports that gasoline margins are dropping there as well, hitting a seven-year low of a negative US$3.80 a barrel this week. Europes economy has been struggling with the aftereffects of the 2008 crisis a lot longer than other regions, and success has been only partial.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
He looks like a villain in a late '60s claymation Holiday kids show who steals pets on Christmas Eve and bakes them into pies. So no one could enjoy the holidays in the show because this guy was killing all the dogs. But yet, it's somehow a cherished family classic for 50 years.

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LMFAO

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He looks like the judge from Who Framed Roger Rabbit but more evil

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lol accurate. but without the stop motion charm.

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Somehow he's only 66. He looks at least 15 years older.

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LMAO

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what show was that? Omg

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He looks like the Penguin in Adam West's Batman.

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lmao this is so specific yet so accurate

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Damn, get it CNN!

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happy indictment friday yall!!!

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That video of the FBI pounding on his door, yelling FBI, open up, fuck me, what a way to start the morning. I really think I might just die of joy when they finally take Trump in.

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yeah, thats a knock you never want to hear lol

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The comments are insane on that. Tons of conservatives going "DEEP STATE" or whatever it is they cry about.

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Omg I cant wait to see him marching in shame but pretending everything is all good as hes escorted off the White House premises by a huge S.W.A.T team!!!!!! thats if he doesnt defect to Russia on a private plane smh .

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I live for the day Trump is taken down. Steve Bannon is pretty high on my list, and he's the other person mentioned in today's indictment, so he could be the next one to get an early morning wake up call.

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i was howling at the arrest footage. when roger stone used to be on twitter he blocked me immediately when i told him he was gonna go to jail. must have struck a nerve with the babadook

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Insult to the Babadook to compare him to this cretin!

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Right? Let's not smear the good sis, Babadook

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The craziest part of this is I learned Roger Stone is only 66! Yall...evil ages. Use your Keihls or whatever off-brand pond scum you poors use.

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He's 66?! My dad's 66 and he looks like he could be Roger Stone's son!

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How is he only 66 but was involved with Nixon. The math on that is wild.

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Right? Evil never dies, but it ages like milk left out in the summer sun.

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it's what she deserves

when you do clownery

66??? (edited in tiffany pollard gif)

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Lol I can see Tiffanys face yelling 66?!?!, and thank you for that image

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Skincare post?





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??? he def doesn't look older than 66 for a white man

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I will never stop loving the phrase "you poors"



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Roger Stone? I don't know him! He was a coffee boy! We never talked! HILLARY! THE WALL! OBAMA!!!



What a great way to start a Friday, tbh <3 Roger Stone? I don't know him! He was a coffee boy! We never talked! HILLARY! THE WALL! OBAMA!!!What a great way to start a Friday, tbh <3

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So satisfying.

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Reminder that Roger Stone has a tattoo of Nixon's face on his back. pic.twitter.com/NffWtEud4w  Isaac Fitzgerald (@IsaacFitzgerald) January 25, 2019





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He used to say he's the only guy to have a dick in the front and a dick in the back which is... charming.

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i thought that was a joke when i first read about it...

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issa match

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roger stone's arrest is cool because now nixon can finally serve time for his crimes too. killing two birds with one stone, if u will. pic.twitter.com/QPxw1p8Odw  m i t h (@ManInTheHoody) January 25, 2019



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but whyy??

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Can you imagine pegging Roger Stone while Nixon's face smiles back at you?

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Woah, Mueller did THAT.

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Lmao Chad Johnson. I hope he takes that news offer and does an interview

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i used to find him so hilarious before his DV arrest :/

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holy shit pic.twitter.com/UNQKEAc0Ao  Adam Parkhomenko (@AdamParkhomenko) January 25, 2019



BTW did you guys see Pelosi last night. I screamed when I watched this. She's fucking hilarious.

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lmfao

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Her "are you dumb!?" face and tone when she says "read the letter" nnnnn

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I love how she basically said good luck booking that stage you speak of when he said he was going to go.



I am loving how she isnt backing down.

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My favourite thing about this was when people asked "what happens if he just shows up?" is finding out that she literally controls the camera feed.



LOL Everyone is wondering why he caved and I 100% think he thought he was going to show up and no one would DARE say no and she'd have to let him speak and then when he found out there would be no cameras he was like "Oh, okay".

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She's really stepped up, lol. Girl is DONE with their shit. I love it.

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lmao. i lovehow the middle guy immediately turns his head back towards her after she says that.

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I know there were a lot of people who wanted to see someone new as Speaker (and I do think the Dems and Nancy need to work to create a pipeline of talent in the House) but there is literally no one better to lead the House during this shutdown. Nancy is smart, she is savage when necessary and she knows how to hold the Dems together.

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He wont learn

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Patton Oswalt is a better person than me bc ppl who voted for Trump are getting what they deserve

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Hes a better person than me because I woulda laughed at that guy and called it exactly what he deserved. If that guy genuinely has had his eyes opened and lays it forward then great, but he wouldnt have got nary a dime from me.

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personally, I'd laugh at Trump supporters who suffer from the shutdown (while I feel for the non Trump voters)



like, true justice would be federal workers who voted for him to continue being furloughed while everyone who didn't could go back to working

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this innate need liberals have to ~help~ or ~educate~ vile ass trump supporters...couldn't be me

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Right!? Stop supporting assholes!

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Thank you!!! People think they are doing the right thing when they help Trump supporters, but it doesn't make the 45 supporters good people. It's not working!

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good fuh ha

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This shutdown is so angering because it's hurting so many people for the sake of Trump's ego and the spineless Republicans are doing nothing to stand up to him. Seeing federal workers rationing insulin has me feeling all kinds of rage.



Also, there was a point made on Tuesday's Pod Save America about how it's so fucking sad the reason that these workers can be held hostage like this is because the (correct) assumption is that Dems care about the human suffering involved and thus will maybe give in in order to end that suffering. So the Dems care about people and the Republicans don't give a shit about the suffering workers so they are content to let the suffer in order to get what they want.

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That point stuck with me, too. Next time, Republicans will skip the chaser and hold a gun to the head of a puppy.

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And the sad thing is most republican voters will never see that this as 100% on the repubs (specifically mitch McConnell) and they will keep thinking that the dems are halting the democratic process and that Nancy Pelosi is some evil demon (which she may very well be but if she were running things the damn government would be open by now)

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Yeah I've enjoyed the PSA pods on this. They've really broken down why it's important for the Dems to stay strong and refuse to budge an inch in the face of this cruelty.

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Uh, the one time, time for the urn wouldve come through and it was sabotaged due to kindness.



I mean good for you Patton but also this peace and love BS is what is keeping these racist douche bags alive. Sometimes we just gotta let them die.



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Hes too nice.

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I think this is great. He's leading by example. Some of my fellow liberals get so caught up in anger and frustration at people on the other side that it ruins an opportunity to inform or educate or simply be the kinder person. We think that we're more compassionate and equal opportunity and whatnot but we don't act like it sometimes. Fighting hate with hate is a mess.

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I agree, but I also agree with the comment below me that I dont think I could do it. However if I did, Id maybe throw in some info about how Trump doesnt give a shit about our healthcare and thats why medical gofundmes are needed 

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As a non-american liberal that doesn't live in the US and watches this whole political thing from the outside, it's baffling to me how hateful both sides are.

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It's baffling when people who are oppressed and fighting for basic human rights or dignity are hateful towards people who voted for or actively fight to take away rights, increase inequality, and to destroy the planet? Where do you live with such idyllic, peaceful, non-issues in politics where everyone is civil because nothing important is at stake?

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bOtH sIdEs

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You sound white and male.

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fellow liberals get so caught up in anger and frustration at people on the other side



Yeah, my people are being locked in cages and children are being left to die.

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Definitely not going out of my way to be hateful but I sure as hell am not gonna go out of my way to ~educate/inform/be kind to racists and misogynists. It's hilarious that it is literally always on liberals to be accommodating and educate and be kind. Being the "good" party is literally always thrown in the Dems' faces by both Dems and Republicans.

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I agree with you 1000%. I am not going to waste a second of my life being ruthless and hateful to someone because they're an idiot and won't come to their senses. That's too much energy for me.

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No thanks, I don't engage with bigots.

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as a poc i'm over being expected to be the one to reach out and educate bigots. first i have to be work twice as hard to garner any respect as a person and now i have to go out of my way to teach them how to be a decent human being? nah, i don't have the time or the energy to do so.



ppl like this guy deserve ever bit of suffering they've brought onto themselves and i hope more of them continue to suffer. they're only ever going to experience an ounce of what the oppressed groups conservatives hate so much go through on a daily basis.

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I sort of agree. However, I think it's important to note the fighting that happens within the same team/party. I lean left but I was called a Nazi by one of my "friends" (who appears to be one of those hateful liberals) -- all because I wasn't expressing myself the same way he was. I don't know if anyone has experienced something like that but I was a little shocked.



I understand the anger a lot of liberals can have. I share that same anger. I just choose to channel it differently.



Patton is a better person than I. As compassionate as I can be, idk if I could do what he did.



Edited at 2019-01-25 06:01 pm (UTC)

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As a WoC I encourage all yt allies to educate their bigoted brethren.



I, however will not waste my precious time on that when I can work toward alleviating the effects of racism on my community instead.

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I wouldn't do it but I also don't think I can criticize Patton for doing this either.

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He's a better person than I am.

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Hes a better person than me, thats for sure.

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My dad basically died of sepsis so this makes me feel all sorts of things. And thats all Ill say.

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Washington, PA (15301)

Today

Scattered thunderstorms this morning, then mainly cloudy during the afternoon with thunderstorms likely. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 74F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms likely this evening. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms overnight. Low around 65F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%.
(Bloomberg) -- In the sparsely settled wildlands of eastern Oregon, Huawei Technologies Co. is hardly the big bad wolf of China that U.S. officials have depicted. Its a lifeline to the 21st Century.

Chinas largest tech company makes high-quality networking gear that it sells to rural telecommunications operators for 20 percent to 30 percent less than its competitors do, says Joseph Franell, chief executive officer and general manager of Eastern Oregon Telecom in Hermiston, a watermelon-growing hub of 18,000 people. Huaweis equipment has helped some two dozen U.S. telecom companies provide landlines, mobile services and high-speed data to many of the poorest and most remote areas in the country. Some of these companies have received federal subsidies, but not Franells, which was spun out to senior management last year by the electric cooperative that founded it in 1999. Huawei makes the magic happen.

Their equipment is very, very good, says Franell, who chairs the Oregon legislatures Broadband Advisory Council. We havent found equivalent equipment on the market.

The administration of President Donald Trump is escalating a fight with a formidable adversary  a face-off that intelligence and cybersecurity officials say has significant implications for the safety and security of the U.S. and its allies. Huawei has become a world leader in manufacturing networking equipment and is striving to dominate the next generation of wireless technology, known as 5G. The Trump administration, convinced Huawei is a Trojan horse for Chinese intelligence, is determined to blunt its growing sales and influence. The heightening tension, which is said to include a potential presidential order that wont name Huawei but would greatly limit its and other companies U.S. business opportunities, stems from a fundamental hardening of U.S. policy toward China that took place in 2017 during Trumps first year in office.

For a decade, U.S. officials have said Huawei may be acting as an arm of the Chinese state, a private company in name only whose ulterior mission, they claim, is to steal government and corporate secrets through conventional espionage and back-door bugs in its telecom gear. The Obama administration stopped Huawei from acquiring U.S. technology assets and exerted pressure that reportedly helped nix a $5 billion equipment deal with Sprint that would have saved the struggling U.S. carrier $800 million in its first year. Last summer, Congress barred federal agencies and contractors from buying Chinese networking gear, and now the Trump administration is preparing an executive order that could significantly restrict all Chinese telecom sales in the U.S., two people familiar with the matter said earlier this month.

Story continues

Through it all, Huawei has prospered. The company garners about half its annual revenue of $92 billion outside China, led by Europe, the Middle East and Africa, where cutting-edge technology at affordable prices has endeared the Chinese company to budget-strapped purchasers. Huawei has also become the worlds second-biggest mobile-phone maker, after Samsung Electronics Co. and ahead of Apple Inc. In the U.S., however, the consumer market has effectively closed for Huawei. Last year, Verizon Communications Inc. and AT&T Inc. said they would no longer carry Huawei smartphones because of government pressure, after the FBI, CIA and NSA had warned that the phones were unsafe.

Huawei, for its part, has repeatedly denied any kind of spying or even talking with the Chinese government, let alone acting on its behalf. Executives insist it is a private company, owned by employees, not the state.

I love my country, I support the Communist Party, but I will not do anything to harm the world, said Ren Zhengfei, Huaweis founder and CEO, in a rare interview at company headquarters in Shenzhen, China, on Jan. 15.

Trust us, say current and former U.S. officials: Classified information they cant discuss proves Huawei will purloin customer secrets any time it can. Out in the open, Huawei, after becoming the worlds largest telecom-equipment manufacturer, has elevated surveillance systems to be one of its strategic business lines, a phrase mentioned 23 times during an August event in Guangzhou, China, to release 30 new types of cameras, according to Jeffrey Ding of the University of Oxfords Future of Humanity Institute.

Already in 230 cities  including many in China as well as in Mauritius, Serbia, Kenya and elsewhere  Huawei has installed what it calls its Safe City technology, which involves a network of cameras that can match faces and license plates to central databases.

Cybersecurity experts from both the Obama and Trump administrations agree on the risk. These companies need to be considered as functional extensions of Chinese intelligence, says James Clapper, who served as director of national intelligence for President Barack Obama and is now a frequent Trump critic. This is one case where I agree with this administration.

The difference is what to do about it. Obama pursued diplomacy to rein in Chinese cyber-theft, signing a landmark agreement in 2015 in which the U.S. and China agreed not to hack each others economic secrets. The Trump team scrapped the whole idea of engaging China and supporting its economic development as a means of moderating the countrys conduct. This administrations approach, confrontation and containment, was outlined in Trumps first National Security Strategy, published in December 2017.

For decades, U.S. policy was rooted in the belief that support for Chinas rise and for its integration into the post-war international order would liberalize China. Contrary to our hopes, China expanded its power at the expense of the sovereignty of others, the document declared. We will work with our partners to contest Chinas unfair trade and economic practices and restrict its acquisition of sensitive technologies.

Huawei is the tip of the spear, the administration believes. In recent months, the U.S. has dispatched lawyers, diplomats and intelligence officials to corporate and government offices around the world to press its case that Huawei must not be allowed to run their 5G networks. The technologys next generation is expected to facilitate connections that are 10 to 100 times faster than current standards allow. Everything from grocery shelves to surgical robots to supertankers on the high seas will communicate instantly via antennas, facilitating automation on a transformative scale. Driverless cars will ping each other to avoid collisions as they whiz within centimeters of one another at high speeds. Factories, drones and mobile phones will coordinate home deliveries in an algorithmic chain without a single human being. Entire movies will download onto a laptop in seconds.

Digital networks will become even more integral in everyday life  and more susceptible to serious mischief. A malevolent state with control over an adversarys 5G network could wreak mass industrial sabotage and social collapse, U.S. officials say.

This will be the first major deployment of internet technology which creates more risk than benefit if not properly controlled, according to a memo written by retired Air Force Brigadier General Robert Spalding, who served on Trumps National Security Council when it issued the 2017 National Security Strategy.

The crux of the administrations argument is that Huawei couldnt say no to demands from Chinas government, even if it wanted to. Chinas National Intelligence Law of 2017 requires all Chinese companies and citizens to "assist in and cooperate in national intelligence work" if requested. Whether Huawei or any of its employees have done so in the past is now incidental, China hawks argue, given Huaweis lead in developing 5G technologies for the future.

When people realized Huawei is effectively the only provider of 5G, they had to do something, says James Mulvenon, a China specialist formerly with RAND Corp. who now works for defense contractor SOS International LLC of Reston, Virginia. "Nobody is looking for a smoking gun anymore. Theyre looking at the potentiality argument. If the [Peoples Liberation Army] comes to them, they have no way of saying no."

In his interview, Huawei CEO Ren said he would decline any request from Beijing for sensitive information on clients and stressed the potential for cooperation with the U.S. and other countries on 5G and other matters. Huawei firmly stands on the side of customers when it comes to cybersecurity and privacy, he said.

The executive order under consideration, for possible issuance in February, wouldnt mention specific companies like Huawei and wouldnt ban U.S. sales by the firms, according to a person familiar with the matter. But it would empower the Commerce Department to review products and purchases by companies connected to adversarial countries, including China, this person said. A bipartisan bill recently introduced in Congress would take the more draconian step of banning sales of U.S. parts to Huawei and its Chinese counterpart, ZTE Corp., which could drastically curtail their businesses. Another bill would set up a White House office to coordinate federal efforts to blunt technology threats from China.

The Trump administration is also stalking Huawei in other ways. Its most provocative act so far was asking Canada to arrest Huaweis chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou, in Vancouver last month on fraud charges linked to alleged Iran sanction violations, which Huawei denies. Meng, the daughter of Huawei founder Ren, is out on bail awaiting possible extradition to the U.S. Her arrest would never, never, ever have happened before the Trump pivot to confronting China, says Spalding, the retired Air Force general. What youre seeing is the beginning of a change in how the federal bureaucracy treats China.

Elsewhere, U.S. investigators in Seattle are looking into possible criminal charges against Huawei for alleged theft of trade secrets from U.S. partner T-Mobile US Inc. The probe includes allegations that a Huawei engineer stole information when visiting a T-Mobile lab in Bellevue, Washington, to see a diagnostic robot called Tappy that simulated a persons phone use, according to one person familiar with the matter. In a 2014 lawsuit, T-Mobile alleged a Huawei engineer slipped one of the robots fingertips into his laptop bag during the visit and left with it. The jury sided with T-Mobile in 2017, saying T-Mobile should get $4.8 million in damages for breach of contract. The parties later agreed to drop the case after settlement talks.

Chinas foreign ministry said on Jan. 17 that the legal dispute between Huawei and T-Mobile was resolved in court and expressed concern about the motives behind the reinvestigation.

On Jan. 11, authorities in Poland arrested a former Polish intelligence official and a Chinese employee of Huawei and accused them of spying for China. Huawei fired the employee the next day and said the incident brought disrepute upon the company.

In other foreign capitals, U.S. officials are playing hardball over Huawei, warning allies that the U.S. will reevaluate what intelligence it shares with them if they dont end cooperation with the company, according to an American official. U.S. officials, mindful of Huaweis market advantages, are even trying to develop packages of U.S.-made gear to provide foreign companies an alternative to buying Huawei, according to an official involved in that effort.

The campaign to blunt Huaweis rise appears to be one of Trumps most successful diplomatic initiatives. Australia, New Zealand and Japan have acceded to U.S. requests to bar Huaweis 5G equipment. The allies have also banded together to provide aid to the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea to enable them to reject a Huawei submarine cable carrying broadband connections, saying the line represents a national security threat at its connection point in Australia.

In Britain, BT Group Plc has been pulling Huawei equipment out of its core structure since the 2016 acquisition of mobile carrier EE Ltd., which used Huawei gear throughout its systems. Its also removing Huawei products from the emergency-response network that EE is building in Britain. Germany has said it is considering restricting Huaweis role in its future telecom infrastructure, while Czech officials have expressed concerns that China is preparing an economically damaging reprisal against the country after Czech authorities issued warnings about Huaweis risk to national security.

Frances government has been warning about Huawei for some time, according to Orange SA CEO Stephane Richard, who said the company will work with Ericsson AB and Nokia Oyj, not Huawei, on its 4G and 5G networks. Following the arrests in Poland, officials there urged the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to find a common approach toward Huawei, rather than leave it to each country to act alone and face possible Chinese retribution.

Some apparent Huawei misconduct isnt classified. Every night for five years, equipment installed in the Chinese-built headquarters of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, transmitted data from midnight to 2 a.m. back to servers in Shanghai, according to an investigation published a year ago in the French newspaper Le Monde. Subsequently, microphones hidden in desks and walls were stripped from the $200 million building, which was financed by China, and Huaweis servers were replaced, according to a report by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute. After the Le Monde report, China called the espionage allegations ridiculous, and Ebba Kalondo, a spokesperson for the African Union Commission, says it was a non-story.

Huaweis English website still boasts of the greatly enhanced security its systems provided the Addis Ababa headquarters. The African Unions legacy PCs were proving too vulnerable to hackers, phishing, viruses, and other forms of compromise, one Huawei post explains.

Bonnie Girard, who lived in China for a decade while working for a string of European telecom companies, remembers visiting a contract manufacturer in the mid-1990s and seeing Huawei engineers brazenly photographing printed circuit boards being built for Alcatel. The Huawei employees could never have accessed the facility without government approval, says Girard, who now runs consulting firm China Channel Ltd.

Still, Huawei has always been completely transparent with Eastern Oregon Telecom about its hardware and software, says Frannel, the CEO. He says hes never seen a shred of evidence that would indicate to me that Huawei is a problem. And in todays global economy, U.S. and European suppliers rely on Chinese-made parts nearly as much as Huawei does, he adds. Banning a brand doesnt solve our security problem.

--With assistance from Bill Allison, Margaret Talev, Alyza Sebenius, Marek Strzelecki, Natalie Obiko Pearson, Nick Wadhams and Nizar Manek.

To contact the reporters on this story: Peter Waldman in San Francisco at pwaldman@bloomberg.net;Sheridan Prasso in Hong Kong at sprasso@bloomberg.net;Todd Shields in Washington at tshields3@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: John Voskuhl at jvoskuhl@bloomberg.net, Jillian Ward

For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com

2019 Bloomberg L.P.
Crowned the most beautiful Italian town of 2016, Sambuca is welcoming anyone willing to leave their bustling cities or familiar spaces for their shores if are willing to cough up at least 1 (or about $1.14) for an initial bid.

CNN is reporting that the southern Italian towns of Mussomeli and Zungoli have joined the fray, also selling their homes for at least 1.

The median home price in the New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania areas falls around $428,200. The median home price in the Seattle, Tacoma, Bellevue areas fall around $502,800. So 1 for a southern Italian home, even if you have to drop 5,000 for a security deposit and at least 15,000 for future renovations, can present itself as the steal of the century.

Whats the catch? Sambuca (population: 5,878 as of 2016) faces an issue that neither of those urban cities has understood since their dawn: depopulation.

All these things happen in small cities in general, CaseA1Euro web developer and manager Maurizio Berti told Yahoo Finance. He claims that immigration away from smaller cities in southern Italy has caused for cities like Sambuca and in the past Ollolai and Salemi to resort to selling homes for one euro. Immigration is a phenomenon that has seen the depopulation of the Pennines, the Alps, the mountain zones. And people moved initially near the coast where life is easier.

Sambuca, Italy. (Photo: Riccardo Lombardo/REDA&CO/UIG via Getty Images)

The town, located near the front sole of Sicily is perched on a scenic hillside, overlooking Lake Arancio and sitting underneath the shadow of Mount Genuardo. However, in the last 15 years, according to local reporter Antonella Di Giovanna, the town saw its population drop from about 8,000 to roughly 5,000 due to an exodus of its younger population.

We are trying to promote the territory of Sambuca, said deputy mayor Giuseppe Cacioppo. Ill tell you that you live well in Sambuca.

Cacioppo has already received over tens of thousands of requests, including around 39,000 on January 18, for the available lots in the town he has lived for all 47 years of his life.

Video footage courtesy of: Futuravision.it and Commune di Sicilia

WATCH MORE: All travelers leaving Japan will now pay a 'sayonara tax'
Billionaire hedge fund manager George Soros warned that the machine learning and artificial intelligence used in creating China's Social Credit System is creating "an unprecedented danger that is threatening the very survival of open societies."

Soros, the founder of the Open Society Foundations, defines an open society as "a society in which the rule of law prevails as opposed to the rule by a single individual and where the role of the state is to protect human rights and individual freedom. "

Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland on Thursday, Soros said open societies face a "mortal danger" from "the instruments of control" in the form of machine learning and artificial intelligence in the hands of repressive regimes.

With the creation of the Social Credit System in China, information about a person is being consolidated into a central database. With that data, people will be evaluated by algorithms that "will determine whether they pose a threat to the one-party state.

"People will then be treated accordingly," he said.

"The Social Credit System is not yet fully operational, but its clear where its heading. It will subordinate the fate of the individual to the interests of the one-party state in ways unprecedented in history.

Soros called the Social Credit System "frightening" and "abhorrent."

"Unfortunately, some Chinese find it rather attractive because it provides information and services that arent currently available and can also protect law-abiding citizens against enemies of the state.

He pointed out that China is not the only authoritarian regime in the world, but he noted that it's the most developed in machine learning and artificial intelligence.

"This makes Xi Jinping the most dangerous opponent of those who believe in the concept of open society," Soros said.

While his speech concentrated mostly on China, Soros noted that open societies have many more enemies, most notably Putins Russia.

Story continues

Billionaire investor George Soros said, on January 24, 2019 that Chinese President Xi Jinping was 'the most dangerous enemy' of free societies for presiding over a high-tech surveillance regime. (FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP/Getty Images)

He said the most dangerous scenario is if these enemies conspire with, and learn from, each other on how to better oppress their people.

The question poses itself: What can you do to stop them? The first step is to recognize the danger. Thats why Im speaking out tonight.

Soros said Chinas Xi has declared his hostility to open society, but the Chinese people remain the "main source of hope for open society.

Effective policy toward China can't be reduced to a slogan

Later on, Soros said President Donald Trump is "notoriously unpredictable," but noted that his administration's China policy is the "result of a carefully prepared plan" from officials like Matt Pottinger, the White House National Security Council Senior Director for Asian Affairs, and outlined in a "seminal speech" by Vice President Mike Pence.

Even so, declaring China a strategic rival is too simplistic, according to Soros. He noted that China is an important global actor. An effective policy towards China cant be reduced to a slogan, he said.

He said Trump seems to be following a different course of making concessions to China and renewing attacks on U.S. allies, all of which undermines U.S. policy of curbing Chinas abuses and excesses.

To conclude, let me summarize the message Im delivering tonight. My key point is that the combination of repressive regimes with IT monopolies endows those regimes with a built-in advantage over open societies. The instruments of control are useful tools in the hands of authoritarian regimes, but they pose a mortal threat to open societies.

He continued: China is not the only authoritarian regime in the world but it is the wealthiest, strongest, and technologically most advanced. This makes Xi Jinping the most dangerous opponent of open societies. Thats why its so important to distinguish Xi Jinpings policies from the aspirations of the Chinese people. The social credit system, if it became operational, would give Xi total control over the people. Since Xi is the most dangerous enemy of the open society, we must pin our hopes on the Chinese people, and especially on the business community and a political elite willing to uphold the Confucian tradition.

At last years World Economic Forum, the 88-year-old billionaire made headlines for slamming Facebook (FB) and Google (GOOGL), claiming that the rise and monopolistic behavior of tech platform companies has become a global problem.

At the time, he accused the tech giants of exploiting social environments and causing a variety of problems, and even suggested that the companies could be tempted to compromise themselves to gain access to markets such as Russia and China.

Julia La Roche is a finance reporter at Yahoo Finance. Follow her on Twitter.

MORE FROM DAVOS:
South Africa: President: Action to be taken after State capture inquiry

Commissions established to get to the root of corruption should be given space to play out, after which the necessary action should be taken, says President Cyril Ramaphosa.

In an interview with news channel eNCA on Thursday, the President said while he is aware that the public has grown impatient and wants to see action taken to root out corruption, due processes must be followed.

In October last year, the President announced the suspension with immediate effect of Deputy National Director of Public Prosecutions Adv. Nomgcobo Jiba and Special Director of Public Prosecutions Adv. Lawrence Mrwebi.

At the time, the President also informed the advocates of his decision to institute inquiries into their fitness to hold office. On Monday, the Justice Yvonne Mokgoro inquiry into the fitness of both advocates got underway.

The inquiry kicked off against the backdrop of the ongoing Judicial Commission of Inquiry into allegations of State capture, corruption and fraud in the public sector, including organs of State, led by Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo.

Describing it as a cathartic and painful process, President Ramaphosa said the commission is still playing itself out.

Lets allow all that to happen and at the end of it all, we will have the full picture. Once we have the full picture, we will then be able to say this calls for action [which] will also be based on the recommendations.

Let us go through this and accountability in the end is going to be the main issue that we will want to focus on. Let us not deal with the matter on a piecemeal basis, let us get the full picture.

I know people want action right now. They are impatient [and] they want things to happen [as in] yesterday but Im saying lets allow the stories to come out, then we will be able to take action.

Meeting with the Public Protector

Last week, International Relations and Cooperation Minister Lindiwe Sisulu's office dismissed Angelo Agrizzis claim that the Minister was among the directors of Dyambu Holdings - the company that gave birth to Bosasa.

In his testimony to the commission, Agrizzi, who is the former Chief Operations Officer (COO) of Bosasa, said Dyambu Holdings - the parent company of Bosasa - issued millions of rands in bribes to get contracts from the State.

Agrizzi continued his testimony to the Commission on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the President, who was in Switzerland attending the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meetings, is due to meet with Public Protector Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane over a Parliamentary question on the Bosasa matter.

Following what happened in Parliament, the Public Protector has decided that she needs to investigate this. Im going to the Public Protector with a straight face, a clean mind and heart to explain this whole issue.

I will give a full chronology and the facts When I answered questions in Parliament, I was not aware of what had ensued and that does not amount to lying, the President said.

This relates to media reports that Bosasa paid R500 000 toward the Presidents campaign for the ANC Presidency.

The ruling party said the President has since paid back the funds and the meeting between the President and Mkhwebane would seek to finalise the matter.

The Public Protector is an institution to which we should all feel answerable. I go to the Public Protector without fear and I know that the Public Protector acts without fear, favour or prejudice, he said.

Serving the people of SA

Answering a question on his demanding schedule since assuming the Presidency in February last year, President Ramaphosa said he derives joy in serving South Africas people.

I did not know that it would get as rigorous as it is because its almost like a steamroll, just one thing after another. After Davos, its India [State visit], followed by the government Lekgotla. All of this is being done in the service of our people and thats where the joy comes from for me.

Im not doing this for myself. Its about serving the people of our country. - SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2019-01-25. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL  January 25, 2019  Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: AT&T Inc. T, Frontier Communications Corp. FTR, Telefonica S.A. TEF, Windstream Holdings, Inc.s WIN and Nokia Corp. NOK.

Here are highlights from Thursdays Analyst Blog:

Telecom Stock Outlook: T, FTR, TEF & More

In the past five trading days, telecom stocks mostly traded flat with a downward inclination owing to the continued market uncertainty triggered by a prolonged partial shutdown of the government. The downtrend was further caused by a draft executive order initiated by the Trump administration to restrain Chinese state-owned telecom firms from operating in the United States on national security concerns. The United States is reportedly mulling to seek extradition of Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou from Canada before the Jan 30 deadline, to proceed with the legal charges. This probably added to the sector woes in the past week.

On the domestic front, the Trump administration is reeling under partial shutdown by various federal agencies for an all-time record of 33 days and counting. In addition to crippling the normal functioning of the government with furloughs and pay freeze, the impasse has led to unavailability of adequate funds for the speedy deployment of 5G technologies. The shutdown has even hampered FCCs equipment authorization process, compounding industry fears that the deadlock could jeopardize the countrys edge in the upcoming 5G boom.

To make matters worse, the government is supposedly preparing an executive order that could give sweeping powers to the Commerce Department to review imported products by domestic firms and ban the outright sale of such equipment on grounds of national security interests. Industry observers feel that it could ultimately serve as a death-bell to some Chinese telecom firms and make it virtually impossible for them to operate in the U.S. shores if the bill is passed by the President.

Story continues

Despite the conundrums, both the United States and China have continued with their trade negotiations to seek a long-term solution to the trade war. The bilateral trade talks between U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Chinese Vice Premier Liu is also scheduled later this month. However, the diplomatic ties continue to be under severe stress as reports emerge that the United States is considering to formally request the extradition of Meng from Canada to pursue a criminal case against her for alleged trade secret theft. Some industry experts believe that the strategic move could be a ploy by the Trump administration to seek a hard bargain from China. Although the warring countries have maintained that the issue would not deter the trade talks, there is no denying of the fact that tense undercurrents have prevailed over both sides.

Regarding company-specific news, strategic corporate actions, divestments, product launches and technology collaborations took the center stage over the past five trading days.

Recap of the Weeks Most Important Stories

1. AT&T Inc. has yet again proved its unconventional out-of-the-box thinking, which helped it evolve from a telecom firm to a leading player in the U.S. communications sector, with a public view of its 5G strategy. As the first carrier in the industry, the company recently unveiled its 5G policy framework that will hinge on three pillars  mobile 5G, fixed wireless and edge computing.

The company aims to address the diverse needs of the business through this holistic approach and better serve the surging consumer base. At the same time, AT&T is developing a robust network to enable fiber-based connectivity and LTE to work in unison with 5G solutions and services, thereby facilitating the radical transformation of business. (Read more: AT&T Unveils Industry's First Three-Pronged 5G Strategy)

2. Frontier Communications Corp. has sold a portfolio of 100 wireless communication towers primarily in Connecticut, New York and California for $80 million. The assets were sold to Everest Infrastructure Partners  a Pittsburgh, PA-based investment firm specializing in infrastructure investments.

The divesture is part of the long-term strategy of the company to strengthen its balance sheet as it remains significantly challenged by slow economic recovery in its service territories. Moreover, Frontier seems to be grappling with the loss of legacy fixed telephony business to wireless and other offerings. The persistent decline in access lines continues to tighten local service revenues, which accounts for the bulk of Frontiers total revenues. (Read more: Frontier Divests Communication Towers for $80 Million)

3. Telefonica S.A. is reportedly considering divesting its non-core assets in Central America to reduce debt burden and focus on core businesses in other parts of the world. The relatively small business operations in the region include assets in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Panama.

The continued asset sale transactions are aimed to increase liquidity and ease its burgeoning debt pile. Telefonica ended third-quarter 2018 with cash and cash equivalents of 6,138 million ($7,121.2 million) and non-current financial liabilities of 47,482 million ($55,087.9 million). In the first nine months of 2018, the company generated free cash flow of 2,957 million, down 8.3% year over year. (Read more: Telefonica Mulling Non-Core Asset Sale in Central America)

4. Windstream Holdings, Inc.s business segment  Windstream Enterprise & Wholesale  has announced that it will utilize the existing long-haul fiber assets to augment its core network by more than 200 miles in Montreal, Quebec.

Notably, this network expansion reinforces Windstreams goal to connect people and empower enterprises with a world of infinite possibilities. The network communications and technology solutions provider will offer customers up to 100 Gbps Wavelength Services and 10 Gbps Internet and Ethernet services in Montreal. This would enable access to core U.S. routes interconnecting within the major New York City locations, data centers and cable landing stations in Wall Township, NJ and Ashburn, VA. (Read more: Windstream Unit to Augment Long-Haul Core Network in Canada)

5. Nokia Corp. recently announced that it has been chosen by Telefonica, S.A. as Service Operation Center provider to transform its subsidiary Telefonica UKs customer-oriented business approach.

Per the agreement, the Finnish wireless equipment maker will help Telefonica UK to steadily move from a traditional network-centric operator to a customer-centric one with extensive focus on subscriber experience across the United Kingdom. (Read more: Nokia's eSOC Chosen by Telefonica to Transform U.K. Unit)

Media Contact

Zacks Investment Research

800-767-3771 ext. 9339

support@zacks.com

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Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.



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Zacks Investment Research
For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL  January 25, 2019  Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: Ready Capital Corp. RC, CrossAmerica Partners LP CAPL, Plymouth Industrial REIT Inc. PLYM, CONSOL Coal Resources LP CCR and Arbor Realty Trust Inc. ABR.

Here are highlights from Thursdays Analyst Blog:

Volatility Likely to Persist: 5 High-Yield Stocks to Buy

After a tumultuous 2018, U.S. stock markets have received some respite in 2019 so far. Although Wall Street displayed signs of recovery, several headwinds still persist. Lingering trade related conflict between the United States and China, fears of a global economic slowdown, geopolitical uncertainties like the Brexit issue and uncertainty regarding Feds monetary stance in 2019 are near-term concerns.

Investment in high-dividend paying stocks, over a reasonable time period, is likely to bring good returns, especially under market turmoil. Consequently, it would be a prudent investment decision to bank on stocks with promising dividend yield and a favorable Zacks Rank.

Concerns Over Global Economic Slowdown

On Jan 21, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) reduced global economic growth forecast for 2019 and 2020. The fund reduced its global growth projection for 2019 to 3.5% from 3.7% in October. Likewise, global growth projection for 2020 was reduced to 3.6% from 3.7% in October, marking the second curtailing in last three months.

Per IMF, growth rate in advanced economies is on the decline while it has slowed down in emerging economies. Advanced economies are likely to grow by 2% and 1.7% in 2019 and 2020, respectively. Meanwhile, emerging economies are expected to grow by 4.6% and 4.9% in 2019 and 2020, respectively.

For the IMF, the 10-month old trade conflict between the United States and China is a major concern. The Chinese economy grew 6.6% in 2018, its slowest pace since 1990. Contagion effect of Chinese slowdown is likely to affect other emerging countries. Moreover, prolonged problem related to Brexit in the U.K. is another concern.

Story continues

Conflicting News on Trade War Front

According to CNBC, the U.S. government has rejected a trade meeting with China scheduled to be held this week on the ground of gross disagreements over intellectual property rights. The primary concern of the Trump administration stems from the apprehension that China is stealing intellectual property from U.S. companies by unfair means.

This is the focal point of trade conflict between the two largest trading countries of the world. Notably, the two countries are currently going through a 90-day truce period. Notably, both countries will refrain from tariff imposition during this period. The deadline will come to an end on Mar 1.

On Jan 18, Bloomberg reported that China has offered to ramp up imports from the United State in the next six years. Total value of these imports will be $1 trillion which will bring down the United States massive trade deficit with China to zero in 2024.

On Jan 16, The Wall Street Journal reported that the U.S. government is contemplating a proposal regarding lifting of some tariffs imposed on China. This will act as an incentive to the Asian economic giant to make deeper concessions to the United States. However, a Treasury Department spokesperson later denied the news.

Our Top Picks

At this juncture, it will be lucrative to invest in high-yielding stocks in order to ensure a steady income stream. We narrowed down our search to five such stocks each carries either a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or #2 (Buy) and high-dividend yield. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

The chart below shows price performance of our five picks in the last six months.

Ready Capital Corp. acquires, originates, manages, services, and finances small balance commercial loans, small business administration loans, residential mortgage loans and mortgage backed securities. It has a dividend yield of 10.8% and a Zacks Rank #1. The company has expected earnings growth of 29.6% for current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved by 1.7% over the last 60 days.

CrossAmerica Partners LP engages in the wholesale distribution of motor fuels, and ownership and leasing of real estate used in the retail distribution of motor fuels in the United States. It has a dividend yield of 12.7% and a Zacks Rank #2. The company has expected earnings growth of 125% for current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved by 100% over the last 60 days.

Plymouth Industrial REIT Inc. is a full service, vertically integrated real estate investment company across the United States. It has a dividend yield of 9.6% and a Zacks Rank #1. The company has expected earnings growth of 218.4% for current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved by 2.5% over the last 60 days.

CONSOL Coal Resources LP produces and sells high-Btu thermal coal in the Northern Appalachian Basin and the eastern United States. It has a dividend yield of 11.7% and a Zacks Rank #1. The company has expected earnings growth of 54.1% for current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved by 0.4% over the last 60 days.

Arbor Realty Trust Inc. is a specialized real estate finance company which invests in a diversified portfolio of structured finance assets in the multifamily and commercial real estate markets. It has a dividend yield of 9.7% and a Zacks Rank #2. The company has expected earnings growth of 14.4% for current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved by 2.6% over the last 60 days.

More Stock News: This Is Bigger than the iPhone!

It could become the mother of all technological revolutions. Apple sold a mere 1 billion iPhones in 10 years but a new breakthrough is expected to generate more than 27 billion devices in just 3 years, creating a $1.7 trillion market.

Zacks has just released a Special Report that spotlights this fast-emerging phenomenon and 6 tickers for taking advantage of it. If you don't buy now, you may kick yourself in 2020.

Click here for the 6 trades >>

Media Contact

Zacks Investment Research

800-767-3771 ext. 9339

support@zacks.com

https://www.zacks.com

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.



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Arbor Realty Trust (ABR) : Free Stock Analysis Report



Ready Capital Corp (RC) : Free Stock Analysis Report



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Zacks Investment Research
NEW YORK (AP)  The wife of Mexican drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman played a key role in his infamous 2015 escape from prison through a tunnel dug into the shower of his cell, a witness tesified Wednesday at the kingpin's U.S. trial.

Damaso Lopez Nunez, once a loyal lieutenant for Guzman, told the jury that Emma Coronel Aispuro helped her husband communicate with his sons and others who coordinated the breakout at Altiplano prison in central Mexico.

Coronel "was giving us his messages," Lopez told a New York jury, adding that she also was in on meetings about the escape.

After the Sinaloa cartel boss was recaptured and thrown in another Mexican lockup, the orginization paid a $2 million bribe to a prison official in exchange for getting him moved back to Altiplano, the witness said. Before that could happen, Guzman was sent in 2017 to the U.S., where he's been kept in solitary confinement while facing drug-trafficking charges he says have been fabricated by cooperators like Lopez.

The testimony cast a harsh spotlight on a spouse who has sat quietly in the courtroom for most a trial that began in mid-November. Most of the attention on her so far has been for her wardrobe and her reaction to waves from the defendant. She didn't speak to reporters on Wednesday and Guzman's lawyers declined comment.

As described by Lopez, the escape in 2015 was far more elaborate than one Guzman pulled off in 2001 by hiding in a prison laundry cart. It included smuggling a phone with GPS to Guzman so the plotters could determine where best to tunnel in, he said.

His followers also bought property near the facility as the starting point the mile-long (1.6-kilometer-long) escape route, Lopez said. Work went on for months and was so loud it could be heard behind bars - to the point where inmates were complaining about it, he said.

On the day of the breakout, a motorcycle was used to race Gurman to the exit of the tunnel, where an ATV took him to a warehouse, the witness said. He later was flown to his mountaintop hideaway.

Story continues

In further questioning, Lopez also touched on the 2017 slaying of journalist Javier Valdez outside his office in outside his office in Culiacan, Sinaloa's capital city. He claimed that Guzman's sons - not their father - ordered him shot down because he ignored their threats related to his reporting on drug-trafficking.

The government's case at the trial in federal court in Brooklyn is expected to conclude this week. The defense has included Guzman on a list of potential witnesses its case, but lawyers have been mum about whether he would chance actually testifying.

___

Associated Press writer Claudia Torrens contributed to this report.




Will robots replace manicurists?

You can never say never in the world of artificial intelligence and robots, according to professor Julian Birkinshaw, a specialist in AI, technology, and digitalisation at the London Business School.

Robots, automation, and artificial intelligence are threatening a range of jobs around the world, particularly those that are physical and repetitive. That means manicurist work could eventually be completed by a robot, he said.

But this may not happen in our lifetime.

Its fiddly stuff and, of course, it is actually a personal relationship, Birkinshaw said. I do think theres whole industries where that personal touch is absolutely going to stay, certainly within our lifetimes.

Birkinshaws comments were made during a special one-to-one video interview with Yahoo Finance UK at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland.

Could robots and artificial intelligence replace manicurists? Photo: VCG/Getty Images

AI is the latest wave of technological revolution that were living through. Every wave has the effect of processing and automating many activities. Absolutely, the long-term trend is towards more jobs disappearing, particularly those jobs which are manual or mundane things, he said.

Julian Birkinshaw spoke with Yahoo Finance UK at the 2019 World Economic Forum. Photo: London Business School

However, job losses are happening at a slower rate than previously expected.

A 2018 report from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) noted that only 14% of jobs in developed countries were highly automatable and at risk of being lost.

This contradicts a 2013 research paper from the University of Oxford that warned that 47% of all US workers were at a high risk of computerisation.

READ MORE: The latest news from the World Economic Forum




Here are the top business, market, and economic stories you should be watching today in the UK, Europe, and abroad:

European markets finally make some movement

European markets are finally breaking some ground after several days of stagnant trading.

Britains FTSE (^FTSE), Germanys DAX (^GDAXI), and Frances CAC (^FCHI) are all trading to the upside. A weaker euro has helped investors make purchasing decisions in Frankfurt, snapping up Volkswagen (VOW.DE) and other auto stocks. The DAX rose over 1%, becoming the top performer in Europe.

A person with shopping bags. Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire

Meanwhile, the ECBs signal that the rate hike will not be implemented as expected this year has boosted investors moods across the markets. A rate hike would aim to help battle the global slowdown.





Brexit reality sinks in at the end of Davos

The World Economic Forum ended on a downer today with a number of the business elite voicing serious concerns over Brexit and what it could do for the global economy.

Overnight, Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon said that the bank will not invest in Britain as much if there is a no-deal Brexit (also known as a hard Brexit).

Our headcount in the UK over the last couple of years has not gone down but it hasnt gone up either  we have added head count you know on the continent, Solomon said. But I would say that, over time, if this is resolved in a difficult way or a hard way, itll have an impact on where we invest and where we put people.

Even Britains own chancellor Philip Hammond admitted there will be very significant disruption in the short term and a very significant hit to our economy in the medium to long term.

So our job is deliver the British people what they believe they were promised in that referendum. To make sure we respect the decision of the referendum but do it in a way that gives them the future prosperity they were promised.




Davos (Switzerland) (AFP) - Camera crews push past tycoons and government leaders to get a close shot of the unlikely star at Davos this year: a Swedish teen with long braids and a big message for the world.

Greta Thunberg blinks into the cameras of the media throng as she emerges timidly from a closed-door panel discussion at the World Economic Forum, the annual get-together of the rich and powerful.

"She silenced the room... The girl was extremely moving," head of Expedia Group Mark Okerstrom told AFP.

"It was very inspiring," Olivier Puech, a top executive at American Tower Corporation agreed.

During her speech, which she repeated for journalists barred from the room, the 16-year-old climate crusader said "our house is on fire".

"Adults keep saying we owe it to the young people to give them hope," she said, furrowing her brow and fiddling awkwardly with her notes.

"But I dont want your hope. I dont want you to be hopeful. I want you to panic," she said.

Thunberg with her small stature and round cheeks looks younger than 16. She first grabbed the spotlight in August when she began staging "school strikes for the climate", skipping classes on Fridays to protest in front of Swedish parliament.

But she drew global attention when she delivered a fiery speech to world leaders at last month's UN climate talks in Poland.

Inspired, tens of thousands of schoolchildren from around the world have followed her lead and ditched school to demand serious action against climate change.

- 'Unthinkable price tag' -

"At places like Davos, people like to tell success stories, but their financial success has come with an unthinkable price tag," Thunberg said,

"We can still fix this. But unless we recognise the overall failures of our current system, we most probably dont stand a chance," she warned.

She demands that leaders do whatever it takes to adhere to the Paris climate agreement that seeks to limit global temperature rises to below two degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit).

Story continues

On Friday, she bundled up and joined dozens of schoolchildren and other youths near the snowbound Davos Congress Centre for another "school strike".

"I'm skipping school," said Maximilian Christian, a 15-year-old high schooler from nearby Coire. "Greta inspired me to join the movement, and now I am here sitting next to her."

Thunberg arrived in Davos on Wednesday, after a 32-hour train journey from Stockholm, and has been camping out up the mountain at the WEF's so-called Arctic Basecamp.

"I have stopped flying for climate reasons," she told AFP earlier this week, adding that she had also convinced her parents to stop flying and to go vegan.

"I want to practise as I preach."

Asked during the press conference whether she felt her message had been heard, Thunberg said: "I think I have been heard by people, but maybe not listened to by the most important people."

The young Swede, who has publicly said she has Aspergers, told journalists she did not "like talking with people."

"It is only when I really need to speak that I speak."

Despite her subdued demeanour, she fired up the crowds at Davos at events with the likes of Bono and Jane Goodall.

- 'Voice of outrage' -

The teen said she felt her voice had a particular resonance "because I am a child."

"When I say that you have stolen my generation and future generations future, I think adults feel very guilty," she said.

Thunberg is "a very powerful voice," said Christiana Figueres, who spearheaded the 2015 Paris climate accord.

"She is a voice for the younger generation, (and) the voice of outrage."

Amnesty International chief Kumi Naidoo pointed out that "it is young people who are going to pay the consequences for the failure of adult leadership" on climate change.

Thunberg acknowledged that the battle against climate change is "the greatest and most complex challenge that homosapiens have ever faced."

But the main solution "is so simple that even a small child can understand it: We have to stop our emissions of greenhouse gases."

"Either we choose to go on as a civilisation or we don't ... There are no grey areas when it comes to survival."
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On todays episode of the Zacks Friday Finish Line, Associate Stock Strategist Ryan McQueeney and Editor Maddy Johnson discuss the latest economic data from China and the United States. The hosts also recap earnings results from airline stocks as well as Intel, Starbucks, and more.

Make sure to subscribe and leave the show a rating on Apple Podcasts!

The partial government shutdown raged on this week, as competing bills to reopen all federal offices were blocked amid growing rhetorical tension between President Trump and Speaker Pelosi.

Wall Street continued to shrug its shoulders at the shutdown, however. Investors were much more interested in digesting the sentiment in Davos and the latest economic data from China and the United States.

On Monday, China announced that, in 2018, its economy grew at its slowest pace in nearly 30 years, punctuating fears of a global slowdown. But domestic investors got some reprieve from these slowdown concerns later in the week, when U.S. initial jobless claims came in at a 49-year low.

This mixed economic data was delivered during a busy week of earnings announcements. Several major airline companies reported this week, with the likes of American AAL, Southwest LUV, and JetBlue JBLU notching solid gains in the wake of earnings beats and generally optimistic outlooks.

The tech sector also saw its fair share of earnings reports this week. Notably, IT giant IBM IBM posted solid growth in key segments such as its Strategic Imperatives unit. IBM also published upbeat guidance, and its shares surged in the immediate aftermath.

Meanwhile, tech investors expressed mixed feelings about the semiconductor business. Texas Instruments TXN came up short on revenue and discussed how trade policy could potentially extend its cyclical pullback, yet the stock moved higher as chip bulls felt better about the industrys sluggishness. Intel, on the other hand, slumped on the back of its revenue miss and muted guidance.

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Wall Street also saw earnings results from Starbucks SBUX this week. The chain that put quality coffee on nearly every city corner is now a great read on the health of the global economy, and solid comps in the U.S. and China helped its stock move higher in after-hours trading Thursday.

Whats the secret to Starbucks recent success? What are the key takeaways from this weeks tech earnings report? Which airline stock impressed the most? Ryan and Maddy answer all of these questions, and more, only on todays episode of the Zacks Friday Finish Line!

If you feel that we missed something, or if you want us to cover a different story, shoot us an email at podcast@zacks.com. Make sure to check out all of our other audio content at zacks.com/podcasts, and remember to subscribe and leave us a rating on Apple Podcasts.

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Last year, it generated $8 billion in global revenues. By 2020, it's predicted to blast through the roof to $47 billion. Famed investor Mark Cuban says it will produce "the world's first trillionaires," but that should still leave plenty of money for regular investors who make the right trades early.

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Vodafone has paused the installation of Huawei hardware in its core network. - AFP

Vodafone will pause installation of hardware created by Chinese technology business Huawei in its core networks, the companys chief executive said on Friday.

The decision by Vodafone places more pressure on Huawei, which has seen its hardware blocked by several phone networks around the world in recent months following growing concern over the business closeness to the Chinese government.

Nick Read, Vodafones chief executive, said during the business earning call on Friday that Vodafone was communicating with security agencies in the UK, but said that he chose to pause the installation of new hardware in Vodafones core network due to general noise about the subject.

The noise level is at an unhealthy level across Europe, Mr Read said of the ongoing debate about the Chinese business. The debate around Huawei risks becoming a tailspin into more emotion rather than facts, he said.

Vodafone will continue to purchase Huawei technology for its 4G and 5G networks, but will rely on competitors including Nokia and Ericsson in its core network, Mr Read said. The chief executive warned that a ban on Huawei technology would significantly delay the launch of 5G networks.

The pause on installation of does not affect the UK, Mr Read said, as no Huawei technology is used in Vodafone's core UK network.

A Huawei spokesman said: Vodafone and Huawei are long-term strategic partners that have worked together since 2007. Huawei is focused on supporting Vodafones 5G network rollouts, of which the core is a small proportion. We are grateful to Vodafone for its support of Huawei and we will endeavour to live up to the trust placed in us.

On Thursday, the Princes Trust charity announced it would not accept any new donations from Huawei. And earlier this month, Oxford University said it had suspended all new research grants and donations from the business.

On Friday, Vodafone reported a 6.8pc fall in turnover to 10.9bn (9.42bn), narrowly missing analyst expectations for the last three months.

Vodafones performance in key markets including Spain and Italy was poor, while its overall services revenue dropped 3.9pc to 9.7bn.
The 9th National Voters Day is being celebrated today i.e. January 25. It is also the day when the country's Election Commission was founded in 1950. The National Voters Day is celebrated to encourage more and more young people to participate in the country's election process and increase voter enrolment. The Day is organised to spread awareness among the voters and promote informed participation during the elections.

This year, the theme of the National Voters Day was 'No voter to be left behind'. The day was celebrated at over six lakh locations covering approximately ten lakh polling stations across the country. During the National Voters Day, first time voters were invited and asked to collect their Electoral Photo Identity Cards (EPIC). Also, on this day, the National Awards for the Best Electoral Practices were awarded to the officers for their outstanding performance while conducting the elections.

Also Read: Reliance Jio offers long term recharge plans at Rs 594 and Rs 297, here are the details

The chief guest of the National Voters Day function was President Ram Nath Kovind. The function is organised by the Election Commission in New Delhi. Chief Election Commissioners and senior officials from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Kazakhstan, Maldives, Russia and Sri Lanka were also be present at the occasion.

On the occasion of National Voters Day, ECI released 'My Vote Matters', a Quarterly Magazine and the first copy was presented to the President.

The first National Voters Day was celebrated in 2011 under the then Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) S Y Quraishi. It was Quraishi who had asked the government to set aside a day to the voters of the country. The proposal was passed by the Cabinet and January 25 was chosen as National Voters Day.

(Edited by Udit Verma)

Also read: ISRO successfully launches Mirosat-R with student-made Satellite onboard

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Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford gave what viewers are calling a painful and awkward interview with former child star Mark Lester on Friday.

The This Morning married presenters asked Lester about his friendship with Michael Jackson, and how he served as a sperm donor for the late King of Pop.

The 60-year-old actor, who shot to fame as a child star in 1968s Oliver!, had previously claimed to be Jacksons daughter Paris biological father. Holmes grilled him on the subject, and Langsford asked if Jackson was infertile.

Lester, who is a father of four, said Jackson asked him how he did it which perplexed both Holmes and Langsford.

I was a sperm donor for Michael. I had four children and he said how do you do it? Lester explained.

I think again, extending his naivety, I think he knew how to do it. I think he was going on the fact how I was so fertile and what was the secret, and I couldnt answer that, he continued.

Several viewers shared on Twitter how awkward the interview was, and one even slammed it as painful.

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Lester went on to defend his late friends innocence against the claims made in an upcoming documentary, Leaving Neverland, that explores the claims of two alleged victims of child sexual abuse at the hands of Jackson.

I know neither of those guys. I cant comment on that. I can only tell you my experience.

Lester picture with Jackson in London as they arrived to see a performance of Billy Elliot in 2010. (REX/Shutterstock)

My family visited Netherland many times, spending Christmas with him. These awful allegations are not the man I knew, he said.

While Lester says he was close friends with Jackson for decades, some viewers werent so sure. Many went on Twitter to complain that the actor was simply using him for publicity.

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Leaving Neverland is set to premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on Saturday January 26 in Utah, America.

Read more

Leaving Neverland premiere has police on high alert

Scientists reveal how Michael Jackson pulled off dance move

Sam Smith trolled after insulting Michael Jackson online
Donald Trump has ratcheted up his sabre-rattling over Venezuela, claiming that all options are on the table as the US seeks to divert crucial oil money from president Nicholas Maduro.

On a day when Venezuelas military leadership declared its support for Mr Maduro and denounced Americas interference, Mr Trump responded to a question about possible military intervention by saying: Were not considering anything, but all options are on the table.

Mr Trumps comments came a day after his administration recognised opposition politician Juan Guaido as the countrys president, after the 35-year-old held a symbolic swearing in for himself on the streets of Caracas.

Canada quickly followed, as did Britain, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Paraguay, Peru, Ecuador, Guatemala and the Organisation of American States.

In turn, Mr Maduro cut diplomatic ties with the US and gave its diplomats 72 hours to leave. He also ordered the closure of Venezuela's diplomatic facilities in the US.

Having earlier said it did not recognise the legitimacy of Mr Maduros order for US diplomats to leave, the US did on Thursday decide to call home all non-essential personnel. The secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, one of the most outspoken voices against Mr Maduros legitimacy, insisted the US embassy would remain open.

It remains unclear how important Mr Trumps decision to recognise Mr Guaido as president will be. Russia, China, Mexico and Turkey have said they still recognise Mr Maduro.

Mr Trumps national security adviser, the hawkish John Bolton, revealed the US was seeking to ensure Venezuelan oil revenue goes to Mr Guaido, and not Mr Maduro, who was sworn in for a second term just two weeks ago following an election most of the opposition boycotted. If the US were able to enact such a move it would add further pressure to the embattled Venezuelan leader, whose countrys already ailing economy heavily depends on its oil revenues.

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What were focusing on today is disconnecting the illegitimate Maduro regime from the sources of his revenues, Mr Bolton told reporters at the White House, according to Reuters.

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We think [it is] consistent with our recognition of Juan Guaido as the constitutional interim president of Venezuela that those revenues should go to the legitimate government.

Of potentially vital importance, earlier on Thursday, the nations military leadership declared its support for Mr Maduro and told the US not to interfere.

In a televised speech on Thursday, defence minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez said Mr Maduro was the countrys legitimate president and that the opposition was seeking to carry out a coup.

I warn the people that there is a coup underway against our democracy and our president Nicolas Maduro, Mr Padrino said, according to Telesur.

As soldiers, we work for peace and not for war.

He added: Those of us who lived through the coup of 2002 have it etched into our minds, we never thought wed see that again, but we saw it yesterday.

The support of the military will be crucial if Mr Maduro, first elected in 2013 following the death of Hugo Chavez, sees off what is probably the sternest challenge yet to his rule, as his country reels from an economic crisis and financial sanctions.

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Millions of Venezuelans have fled the country, while even former supporters of Chavez have criticised his successor and accused him of incompetence and increasing authoritarianism. Shortages of basic food and medicine have become drastic and health experts have warned about weight loss because of insufficient calories, especially among children.

The US, which has long interfered in the elected governments of Latin America, has been at odds with Venezuela for the best part of two decades. It has repeatedly sought to undermine the government of both Mr Maduro and his predecessor.

Many have objected to Mr Trumps decision to interfere in the domestic politics of Venezuela, which observers point out has never presented a security threat to Washington.

In New York, protesters gathered outside the Venezuelan consulate to show support for Mr Maduro.

A US-backed coup in Venezuela is not a solution to the dire issues they face. Trumps efforts to install a far right opposition will only incite violence and further destabilise the region, tweeted Democratic congresswoman Ilhan Omar.

We must support Mexico, Uruguay & the Vaticans efforts to facilitate a peaceful dialogue.
Anti-government protesters cheer after Juan Guaido, head of Venezuela's opposition-run congress, declared himself interim president - AP

The self-declared interim president of Venezuela has promised Nicolas Maduro amnesty if he cedes power in a peaceful transition.

Juan Guaido has been in hiding since the 35-year-old was symbolically sworn in Wednesday before tens of thousands of cheering supporters, promising to uphold the constitution and rid Venezuela of Mr Maduro's dictatorship.

Speaking from an undisclosed location, Mr Guaido told Univision he would consider granting amnesty to Maduro and his allies if they helped return Venezuela to democracy.

"Amnesty is on the table," said Mr Guaido, who just weeks earlier was named head of the opposition-controlled congress. "Those guarantees are for all those who are willing to side with the constitution to recover the constitutional order."

He added that a similar move had played a role in Chile's democratic transition.

Venezuela's powerful military threw its weight behind Mr Maduro on Thursday as the US-backed opposition leader Mr Guaido pressed a direct challenge to his authority.

As the death toll from days of street protests jumped to 26, a defiant Maduro announced the closure of Venezuela's embassy and consulates in the United States, a day after President Donald Trump's administration declared his regime "illegitimate."

The oil-rich but economically devastated country was plunged into uncertainty Wednesday when Mr Guaido, head of the National Assembly, proclaimed himself "acting president" - earning swift endorsement from Washington, the UK, and a dozen regional powers including Brazil, Argentina and Colombia.

Jeremy Hunt, the foreign secretary, said: The United Kingdom believes Juan Guaido is the right person to take Venezuela forward. We are supporting the US, Canada, Brazil and Argentina to make that happen.

Jeremy Corbyn, who has previously declined to condemn the regime, did not back Mr Hunt's position. A spokesman for Mr Corbyn said: [Mr Maduro] is still the president of the country. We dont support outside interference.

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He added: We think that dialogue and a negotiated settlement are needed to overcome the crisis in Venezuela. The future of Venezuela is for Venezuelans.

Security forces run after a demonstrator during a protest of opposition supporters against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government in Caracas Credit: Carlos Garcia Rawlins/ REUTERS

Russia accused the United States of trying to usurp power in Venezuela and warned against US military intervention there.

Mr Maduro's reelection last year was contested by the opposition, and criticized internationally - but the socialist leader has until now retained the loyalty of the powerful military, whose response was being keenly watched.

Flanked by military top brass, Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino, himself a general, declared the 56-year-old Maduro "the legitimate president" - and vowed to defend his authority against an attempted "coup d'etat."

Following Padrino's lead, eight generals in turn reiterated their "absolute loyalty and subordination" to the socialist leader in messages carried on state television.

And the Supreme Court - made up of regime loyalists - doubled down by reaffirming its allegiance to Maduro's "legitimate authority."

"A coup is brewing in Venezuela with the consent of foreign governments," charged the court's president Maikel Moreno.
Having trouble finding an All Cap Growth fund? Well, VALIC Company II International Small Cap Equity (VISEX) would not be a good potential starting point right now. VISEX has a Zacks Mutual Fund Rank of 5 (Strong Sell), which is based on nine forecasting factors like size, cost, and past performance.

Objective

VISEX is part of the All Cap Growth category, which is a segment that boasts an array of other possible options. All Cap Growth mutual funds aim to invest in various equity securities, regardless of company size that exhibit growth characteristics. These portfolios have holdings across the cap levels-- small, medium and large-cap-- in order to increase diversification throughout the fund.

History of Fund/Manager

VALIC Funds is based in Houston, TX, and is the manager of VISEX. Since VALIC Company II International Small Cap Equity made its debut in September of 2006, VISEX has garnered more than $724.03 million in assets. The fund's current manager is a team of investment professionals.

Performance

Obviously, what investors are looking for in these funds is strong performance relative to their peers. This fund in particular has delivered a 5-year annualized total return of 3.29%, and is in the top third among its category peers. Investors who prefer analyzing shorter time frames should look at its 3-year annualized total return of 4.57%, which places it in the middle third during this time-frame.

When looking at a fund's performance, it is also important to note the standard deviation of the returns. The lower the standard deviation, the less volatility the fund experiences. The standard deviation of VISEX over the past three years is 13.29% compared to the category average of 13.01%. Looking at the past 5 years, the fund's standard deviation is 12.09% compared to the category average of 12.96%. This makes the fund less volatile than its peers over the past half-decade.

Risk Factors

It's always important to be aware of the downsides to any future investment, so one should not discount the risks that come with this segment. VISEX lost 63.75% in the most recent bear market and underperformed its peer group by 5.3%. This means that the fund could possibly be a worse choice than its peers during a down market environment.

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Even still, the fund has a 5-year beta of 0.86, so investors should note that it is hypothetically less volatile than the market at large. Alpha is an additional metric to take into consideration, since it represents a portfolio's performance on a risk-adjusted basis relative to a benchmark, which in this case, is the S&P 500. VISEX has generated a negative alpha over the past five years of -3.57, demonstrating that managers in this portfolio find it difficult to pick securities that generate better-than-benchmark returns.

Expenses

Costs are increasingly important for mutual fund investing, and particularly as competition heats up in this market. And all things being equal, a lower cost product will outperform its otherwise identical counterpart, so taking a closer look at these metrics is key for investors. In terms of fees, VISEX is a no load fund. It has an expense ratio of 1% compared to the category average of 1.21%. So, VISEX is actually cheaper than its peers from a cost perspective.

While the minimum initial investment for the product is $0, investors should also note that there is no minimum for each subsequent investment.

Bottom Line

Overall, VALIC Company II International Small Cap Equity ( VISEX ) has a low Zacks Mutual Fund rank, and in conjunction with its comparatively strong performance, average downside risk, and lower fees, VALIC Company II International Small Cap Equity ( VISEX ) looks like a somewhat weak choice for investors right now.

Don't stop here for your research on All Cap Growth funds. We also have plenty more on our site in order to help you find the best possible fund for your portfolio. Make sure to check out www.zacks.com/funds/mutual-funds for more information about the world of funds, and feel free to compare VISEX to its peers as well for additional information. If you want to check out our stock reports as well, make sure to go to Zacks.com to see all of the great tools we have to offer, including our time-tested Zacks Rank.



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Washington (AFP) - Top US diplomat Mike Pompeo on Friday tapped Elliot Abrams, a central figure in Ronald Reagan's controversial anti-communist campaigns in Central America, as a new envoy to "restore democracy" in Venezuela.

Pompeo announced the appointment of Abrams two days after Washington declared head of state Nicolas Maduro to be illegitimate and recognized opposition leader Juan Guaido as the interim president of crisis-plagued Venezuela.

Pompeo said that Abrams "will be a true asset to our mission to help the Venezuelan people fully restore democracy and prosperity to their country."

Abrams told reporters in brief remarks: "This crisis in Venezuela is deep and difficult and dangerous and I can't wait to get to work on it."

The veteran Republican foreign policy hand took charge of Latin America policy under Reagan, clashing with human rights groups as he channeled generous US support to anti-communist forces in Nicaragua and El Salvador.

In one notorious incident, he initially dismissed the massacre of nearly 1,000 civilians by the Salvadoran army at El Mozote in 1981.

Abrams later pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor counts of withholding information from Congress during the Iran-Contra scandal, when the Reagan administration secretly funded the Contra rebels in Nicaragua through arms sales to revolutionary Iran.

Abrams later returned as a senior adviser to president George W. Bush in charge of human rights and the Middle East.

But when Republicans returned to the White House with President Donald Trump's election, Abrams was initially passed over as the new administration shut out critics of the unorthodox new leader.

Abrams during the 2016 election had written a piece in The Weekly Standard magazine entitled, "When You Can't Stand Your Candidate," in which he argued that Trump "cannot win and should not be president of the United States."

Pompeo, one of Trump's favorite cabinet members, assured that Abrams was on board, saying the new envoy was "eager to advance President Trump's agenda and promote the ideals and interests of the American people."

Pompeo said that Abrams would join him Saturday as the secretary of state heads to New York for a special UN Security Council session on Venezuela.
The Adlers, who were thrown off a plane because of complaints about their body odour (WPLG/Local10.com)

A US couple have been thrown off a plane after fellow passengers complained about their body odour.

Yossi Adler, his wife Jennie and their young daughter, with are Orthodox jews, were removed from an American Airlines flight when they were trying to fly from Miami home to Detroit after a holiday.

Yossi told the Local 10 channel they were removed just before the plane took off.

All of a sudden, as soon as they took us off, they closed the gate and said Sorry sir, some people complained you had body odour and were not letting you back on,' he said.

Theres no body odour that we have. Theres nothing wrong with us.

Yossi Adler claimed the family were taken from the plane because of their religion (WPLG)

The airline confirmed the Adlers were removed after complaints and said their own crew had noticed a smell as well.

The Adler family were asked to deplane last night after several passengers, along with our crew members, complained about their body odour, it said in a statement.

The family were provided hotel accommodations and meals, and re-booked on a flight to Detroit today.

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The Adlers, an orthodox Jewish couple, insist they do not smell and claim they could have been removed due to their religion.

Yossi used his mobile phone to record the incident as they were removed from the plane and argued with ground crew.

Theres a religious reason for some reason that theyre kicking me off the plane. We dont have odour, OK? Nobody here has odour, he is heard saying in the video.

The an American Airlines staff member says: Now you told me for religious reasons you dont shower, is that what you said?

The family confronted American Airlines staff after being removed (WPLG)

Adler responds: No I didnt! I shower every day. I said you kicked me off because of religious reasons.

He also told NBC News that American did not specify which one of the family had body odour issues.

Was it me, my wife, my baby? he asked.

Last year, American Airlines hit the headlines after a passenger was removed from a flight, also at Miami, because of the size of her cello, even though she had bought a seat for the instrument.
Washington and Beijing are "miles and miles" from resolving their trade war, US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said Thursday.

A high-level Chinese delegation is due in Washington next week as both sides work to reach a resolution ahead before March 1, when US duty rates on Chinese imports are due to rise sharply.

"There's been a lot of anticipatory work done but we're miles and miles from getting a resolution and that shouldn't be too surprising," Ross told CNBC.

Wall Street futures suddenly fell during his remarks, which came a day after the White House had moved to rebut media reports that the China trade talks had hit serious obstacles.

While much work remained to be done, Ross added there was still "a fair chance" of reaching a deal, while noting that the dispute involved issues that were difficult to address in a short timeframe.

"I believe china would like to make a deal. I believe we would like to make a deal but it has to be a deal that works for both parties," he said.

"I'm trying to say people shouldn't think the events of next week will be the solution to all of the issues between the United States and China."

Washington and Beijing since last year have exchanged tit-for-tat tariffs on more than $360 billion in two-way trade, putting downward pressure on the Chinese economy, where growth is slowing.

Washington accuses Beijing of a host of alleged unfair trading practices, including massive state intervention in markets and industry and the theft of American technological know-how.
New York (AFP) - US airlines warned Thursday of significant travel delays if the US government shutdown goes on much longer, but signaled they still expect solid profits in 2019.

Executives at American Airlines and smaller rivals Southwest Airlines and JetBlue Airways expressed frustration as the shutdown extended into its 34th day, a dynamic that has forced key airport officials to work without pay, testing the system in a way that one executive called "crazy."

"At this point we have not seen a significant impact on our operations nor our bookings," said Robin Hayes, chief executive of JetBlue.

"However we are increasingly concerned about the shutdown's consequences for convenient and efficient air travel and for the economy overall," he added.

"We are close to a tipping point, as many of these employees are about to miss a second paycheck."

All three companies offered upbeat financial outlooks based on expectations that strong customer demand would persist and that the shutdown would end soon.

- Strong demand -

American Airlines topped profit forecasts in the fourth-quarter on higher and revenues and projected 2019 profit of $5.50 to $7.50 a share, well above the $5.87 expected by analysts.

"Demand for air travel remains strong," said American Airlines Chief Executive Doug Parker. "People are flying and I expect they will continue to want to fly as we get the government opened again."

Parker praised air traffic controllers and security screeners with the Transportation Security Administration whose work has minimized the impact of the shutdown on the flying public.

"We're putting a strain on people who've been working while missing a couple of paychecks and that will at some point result in people not being at work," Parker said on a conference call with reporters and analysts.

"When we don't have enough TSA officers, you'll see longer lines, when we don't have enough (air traffic) controllers you'll see more delays in airspace."

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- Breaking point? -

Some US airports have faced rising absenteeism, forcing them to scale back the number of security lines available to screen passengers.

Air transport workers have cautioned that the prolonged shutdown is endangering travel, warning in a joint statement from three unions on Wednesday that "we cannot even calculate the level of risk currently at play, nor predict the point at which the entire system will break."

Speaking at an event at one of Washington's main airports on Thursday, air traffic controllers warned that the pressure is starting to tell as workers report for full 10-hour shifts, and then have to drive for ride-sharing firms Uber and Lyft before and after work to bring in money for their families.

But airline executives expressed confidence in the safety of the system, saying increased delays were their biggest fear from a prolonged shutdown.

"There is a risk that air traffic will have to be slowed down," Southwest Chief Executive Gary Kelly said in an interview with CNBC.

"They will be safe, but it may not be very efficient and it certainly puts a lot of stress on the people," he added.

Southwest said the shutdown would hit first-quarter revenues by $10 to $15 million and that it was also forced to suspend certification efforts for new flights between California and Hawaii because of furloughs at the Federal Aviation Administration.

The shutdown "creates a lot of slop for us to manage, but we're going to manage it," Kelly said. "It is a crazy way to run our country. Absolutely absurd."

Shares of American, JetBlue and Southwest all gained at least five percent.

Jim Corridore, analyst at CFRA Research said the share gains reflected the market's view that the disruption will be short-lived.

"Investors should be focused on underlying demand, earnings, earnings power and valuations, and in this context the stocks largely look very attractive," Corridore told AFP in an email.

"If the situation results in a sustained downturn in demand for air travel that would hurt unit revenues and pricing that would be a different story," he said, adding that such an outcome is not likely.
Unifor National President Jerry Dias addresses General Motors assembly workers and supporters protesting GMs announcement to close its Oshawa assembly plant during a rally across the Detroit River from GMs headquarters, in Windsor, Ontario, Canada January 11, 2019. REUTERS/Rebecca Cook

The union representing thousands of Canadian autoworkers is urging Canadians to boycott Mexican-made General Motors vehicles, the latest move in an ongoing campaign to reverse the companys decision to shutter its Oshawa, Ont. assembly plant.

Unifor president Jerry Dias announced the boycott decision at a Toronto hotel on Friday, adding that it was a move that was not made lightly, given the union also represents GM workers in other plants across the province. At the same time, he pointed to a poll conducted by EKOS Research on behalf of Unifor that found that 45 per cent of Canadians support an outright boycott of GM products.

(This) is an announcement that we have done everything possible to avoid making, Dias told reporters on Friday.

We are asking Canadians to stand up to corporate greed, we are asking you to stand up to Greedy Motors. We want you to buy only GM vehicles that are made in Canada and the United States.

Unifor, which represents about 2,500 employees working at GMs Oshawa plant, wants Canadian and Americans to boycott purchasing seven vehicles that are built in Mexico  the Chevrolet Blazer, Trax, Equinox, Silverado, Cruz and GMC Terrain and Sierra.

While some of these vehicles are also built in Canada and the United States, the union wants consumers to avoid purchasing those that have a vehicle identification number (VIN) number beginning with three, an indicator that the vehicle was built in Mexico. According to Unifor, GM produces about 600,000 vehicles in Mexico that are shipped to Canada and the United States.

This is not us attacking Mexican workers, Dias said. But what were disgusted by is how General Motors is using these workers as pawns for corporate profits. The fact that General Motors pays their employees in Mexico $2 an hour is an absolute disgrace.

GM fired back at the union on Friday, saying if the boycott is successful, it could create collateral damage across the Ontario economy. The automaker said 60 Ontario-based auto parts companies support Mexican production and could be impacted by a boycott.

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The threat of collateral damage for Ontario based auto suppliers, auto dealers and workers is concerning, especially for an Ontario economy that is now open for business, with every opportunity to now benefit from increased trade with Mexico, GM Canada vice president David Paterson said in a statement.

GM announced in November that it would halt production at the Oshawa plant and four other North American factories, cutting thousands of jobs as part of a global restructuring plan and increased focus on electric vehicles. The Oshawa Assembly Plant will stop production at the end of the year.

Dias hopes the boycott will help bring GM back to the negotiating table, something the automaker has been reluctant to do, standing firm on its decision to shutter the plant. Dias wants GM to keep the plant open until September 2020, when the unions collective agreement is set to expire.

While Dias would not confirm whether a strike was on the table should GM not budge on its position, he said the union was not ruling anything out.

If GM has no intention of honouring the collective agreement, the million dollar question is why should I? he said.

Dias also said he has met with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau regarding the Oshawa plant closure, and said he expects a follow-up conversation with the Prime Ministers Office in the next few days.

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Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images

Special Counsel Robert Mueller has been circling Roger Stone for months, and on Friday he finally made his move. The longtime Trump adviser was arrested and charged with seven counts, including obstruction of an official proceeding, making false statements, and witness tampering.

In indictment focuses on Stones efforts to find out when Organization 1 (which is clearly WikiLeaks) would release damaging information about Hillary Clintons presidential campaign. U.S. officials say Russian agents hacked Democratic officials and shared them with WikiLeaks, which released them during the final months of the campaign.

The indictment states: After the July 22, 2016 release of stolen DNC emails a senior Trump campaign official was directed to contact Stone about any additional releases and what other damaging information Organization 1 had regarding the Clinton campaign. Stone thereafter told the Trump campaign about potential future releases of damaging material by Organization 1. According to CNBC, one of the senior officials who reached out to Stone was Steve Bannon.

On October 1, 2016, according to the indictment, Person 2 sent Stone text messages that said, big news Wednesday  now pretend u dont know me  Hillarys campaign will die this week. Sources told the Washington Post that Person 2 is New York comedian Randy Credico, who was in contact with WikiLeaks head Julian Assange in 2016.

As the House and Senate intelligence committees began investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election, Stone allegedly took steps to obstruct to obstruct these investigations, including making false statements to the House Intelligence Committee and trying to persuade Person 2 (Credico) to provide false testimony. Authorities say that in December 2017, Stone reference the Godfather movies while pressuring Credico to keep quiet.

Stone told Person 2 that Person 2 should do a Frank Pentangeli before (the committee) in order to avoid contradicting Stones testimony, the indictment says, adding: Frank Pentangeli is a character in the film The Godfather: Part II, which both Stone and Person 2 had discussed, who testifies before a congressional committee and in that testimony claims not to know critical information that he does in fact know.

CNN broadcast footage of a dozen FBI agents in riot gear showing up at Stones Fort Lauderdale home before dawn on Friday.

FBI. Open the door.



Watch exclusive CNN footage of the FBI arresting longtime Trump associate Roger Stone. Stone has been indicted by a grand jury on charges brought by special counsel Robert Mueller. https://t.co/IWQToxEDhG pic.twitter.com/qXDtpL8pjN  New Day (@NewDay) January 25, 2019

Stone is expected to appear in a federal courthouse in Fort Lauderdale later this morning. His attorney, Grant Smith, called the charges ridiculous, adding, this is all about a minor charge about lying to Congress about something that was apparently found later.

As the New York Times notes, Stone initially bragged that he knew information damaging to Clintons campaign would soon be released, then he changed his story once Muellers team started closing in:

In social media posts and numerous interviews before the 2016 election, Mr. Stone indicated that he had advance knowledge that a trove of information damaging to Mrs. Clintons campaign might be about to spill into public view, and even suggested that he had personally spoken to the WikiLeaks founder, Julian Assange.

Mr. Stone has changed his story in the months since, saying that he was not actually speaking to Mr. Assange and that he had no direct knowledge that Russians were responsible for the Democratic hacking. Still, it was revealed last year that, in the weeks before the election, Mr. Stone was messaging on Twitter with Guccifer 2.0, a pseudonym used by one or more operatives in the Russian intelligence scheme to steal the emails and funnel them to WikiLeaks.

Stone has acted as an informal adviser to Trump for decades. Hes embraced the label dirty trickster, touting his role in generating or exposing scandals targeting Democrats dating back to the Nixon administration (Stone famously has a large Nixon tattoo on his back).

The Mueller indictment is a long time coming. During an appearance on Meet the Press in May 2018, Stone said he was prepared to be indicted, But I think it just demonstrates, again, this was supposed to be about Russian collusion, and it appears to be an effort to silence or punish the presidents supporters and his advocates.

This story has been updated throughout.
Philip Hammond. Photo: REUTERS/Toby Melville

Less than two years ago, a top UK minister said that reaching a free trade agreement with the whole European Union should be one of the easiest in human history.

International trade secretary Liam Fox reassured voters in July 2017 that the government would also have 40 more free trade deals with non-EU countries signed and in force by the time of Brexit.

But with only months to go until Britains departure date, deals appear thin on the ground and the government is boasting about smaller achievements instead.

The Treasury just announced a Swiss-UK insurance deal after Brexit  which amounts to one deal, for one sector, for one country, for things to carry on as they are.

READ MORE: Ministers deny they are in Davos to rub shoulders with the elite over champagne

It may be a small gain when the vast majority of British businesses, consumers, and investors still face huge uncertainty over Brexit, but it will likely be welcomed by the industry.

Chancellor Philip Hammond signed the agreement with Swiss finance department head Ueli Maurer, confirming that the current EU agreement will be replicated to maintain trade links.

The Treasury said Britains insurance sector employs several hundred thousand people and contributes about 35bn to the UK economy, and noted that Switzerland is a major investor in the British financial sector.

The deal allows UK and Swiss firms to continue working in each others countries, as the countries will continue to mutually recognise each others rules.





Several British ministers have been at the summit in the hope of cementing further agreements and investment in the UK after Brexit.

International trade secretary Liam Fox, speaking at Davos, repeated his commitment to ensuring that the UKs 40 worldwide trade deals, signed via the EU, will continue to apply after Brexit.

He and Hammond are meeting their global counterparts in the hope of reaching further agreements, while other ministers are lobbying to show there is more to the UK than Brexit.
By Stephanie Kelly

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. oil prices rose by 1 percent on Thursday, boosted by the U.S. threat of sanctions on Venezuela, but gains were capped by record high gasoline inventories and an unexpected big build in crude stocks in the United States.

U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures rose 51 cents to settle at $53.13 a barrel, a 0.97 percent gain. Brent crude futures fell 5 cents to settle at $61.09 a barrel.

Washington signaled it could impose sanctions on Venezuela's crude exports as Caracas descends further into political and economic turmoil. The threat to reduce supplies supported futures prices.

The United States, the top importer of Venezuelan crude, is seeking to ensure that the OPEC member's oil revenue goes to opposition leader Juan Guaido, who swore himself in as interim president, and to cut off money from President Nicolas Maduro, a top U.S. official said on Thursday.

"The breakdown in diplomatic relations was interpreted as upping the possibility of a U.S. sanction on Venezuelan oil that would likely force U.S. refiners to seek alternative supplies at higher prices, hence the WTI gains," Jim Ritterbusch, president of Ritterbusch and Associates, said in a note.

Venezuelan oil is predominantly heavy crude, which requires extensive refining. It is frequently blended with lighter crudes to give refiners higher-value products.

With Iran already crippled by U.S. sanctions, a drop in Venezuelan exports could squeeze global supply further.

Geneva-based Petro-Logistics said on its website that Iranian crude and condensate exports in December "fell steeply" from November to less than 1 million barrels per day (bpd) due to U.S. sanctions - lower than some other estimates.

Both Brent and WTI are both backed by light, sweet crudes, and are not directly linked to Venezuelan oil.

But concern about the supply of heavy crudes is apparent in the U.S. physical market, where the price for Mars Sour, a medium crude, shot to its highest since early 2011.

Story continues

Two of the world's biggest commodities trading houses, Glencore and Mercuria Energy Group, predict more oil price volatility in coming months due to concerns about supplies from Venezuela and Iran.

ANEMIC U.S. GASOLINE DEMAND

Weighing on oil futures, U.S. crude inventories sharply rose by 8 million barrels last week, the Energy Information Administration said on Thursday, versus forecasts for a decline of 42,000 barrels.

Gasoline stocks rose for the eighth straight week to a record 259.7 million barrels, as demand for the motor fuel over the past four weeks fell 0.1 percent from a year ago.

"The report was rather bearish, punctuated by the large crude oil inventory increase," said John Kilduff, partner at Again Capital Management. "Gasoline demand remains anemic."

Worries about the longer-term outlook for global economic growth, and therefore demand for crude, has pressured oil prices. Persistent concerns about the U.S-China trade war as well as slower world growth forecasts have kept investors wary.

(Additional reporting by Amanda Cooper in London and Koustav Samanta in Singapore and Colin Packham in Sydney; Editing by Marguerita Choy and Chizu Nomiyama)
We expect Helmerich & Payne, Inc. HP to beat expectations when it reports fiscal first-quarter 2019 results before the start of trading on Wednesday, Jan 30. The current Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter under review is profit of 29 cents per share on revenues of $716.1 million.

In the preceding three-month period, the Tulsa, OK-based contract driller beat the consensus mark by 5.6% on better-than-expected performance from the U.S. Land business, backed by higher rig margins and revenues.

As far as earnings surprises are concerned, the drilling rig provider has a mixed record, having gone past the Zacks Consensus Estimate twice in the last four reports. This is depicted in the graph below:

Helmerich & Payne, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise

Helmerich & Payne, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise | Helmerich & Payne, Inc. Quote

Investors are keeping their fingers crossed and hoping that the company can continue winning ways by surpassing earnings estimate this time around too. Thankfully, our model indicates that Helmerich & Payne might beat on earnings in the fiscal first quarter.

Lets delve deeper and find out the factors impacting the results.

Why a Likely Positive Surprise?

Our proven model shows that Helmerich & Payne is likely to beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate this quarter as it has the right combination of two key ingredients. A stock needs to have both a positive Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) or higher for increasing the odds of an earnings beat.

You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before theyre reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.

Earnings ESP: Earnings ESP, which represents the difference between the Most Accurate estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate, is +2.17%. A favorable Zacks ESP serves as a meaningful and leading indicator of a likely positive earnings surprise.

Zacks Rank: Helmerich & Payne currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), which, when combined with a positive ESP, makes us confident of earnings beat.

Story continues

Note that we caution against stocks with a Zacks Ranks #4 or 5 (Sell rated) going into an earnings announcement, especially when the company is seeing a negative estimate revision.

What is Driving the Better-Than-Expected Earnings?

Helmerich & Payne's U.S. Land Drilling segment  which represents 90% of its total fleet and makes up around 83% of the oilfield service providers revenues  is likely to post strong results in the upcoming quarter. This magnifies Helmerich & Paynes chances of notching up a quarterly beat.

Demand for Helmerich & Paynes super-spec FlexRigs remain robust, especially in the prolific Permian Basin where the company has a market-leading 24% share. Importantly, the activity growth should lead to improved pricing environment and margin expansion.

With fundamentals pointing to a tighter super-spec rig market, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for operating revenues at the companys largest segment in fiscal first quarter of 2019 is $613 million, up from $461.6 million a year earlier. The average rig revenue per operating day is expected to be $24,770, up 10.6% from the year-ago period, while the average rig margin per day is likely to increase 13.4% to $10,040.

Moreover, anticipated utilization levels of 68% in the to-be-reported quarter (versus 57% in first-quarter fiscal 2018) should result in an operating income of around $82 million at the segment, a more than threefold jump from the year-ago profit of $24.7 million.

Other Stocks to Consider

Helmerich & Payne is not the only energy company looking up this earnings season. Here are some firms from the space you may want to consider on the basis of our model, which shows that they have the right combination of elements to post earnings beat this quarter:

Imperial Oil Limited IMO has an Earnings ESP of +15.72% and a Zacks Rank #3. The partnership is anticipated to release earnings on Feb 1. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Murphy USA Inc. MUSA has an Earnings ESP of +29.37% and a Zacks Rank #3. The company is expected to release earnings on Jan 30.

NuStar Energy L.P. NS has an Earnings ESP of +13.92% and a Zacks Rank #3. The partnership is anticipated to release earnings on Jan 31.

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By Pete Schroeder and Suzanne Barlyn

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. government shutdown has handed banks a rare opportunity to tout their nicer side as they prepare for rough treatment under a Democrat-controlled House of Representatives.

Sparked by a standoff between Democrats and Republicans over President Donald Trump's demand for a wall on the Mexico border, the partial shutdown is the longest ever, entering its 35th day on Friday.

The president announced on Friday he would back a bill to reopen the government for three weeks as a temporary reprieve, but the financial repercussions from the shutdown could last weeks.

With around 800,000 federal workers missing a second paycheck on Friday, lenders including Wells Fargo and Bank of America as well as their Washington lobby groups, have been quick to trumpet their efforts to waive fees, delay debt repayments and give a helping hand to federal workers.

"It is a big opportunity," said Brian Hart, founder of Flackable, a Philadelphia-based public relations and marketing agency for financial services companies. "But you need to be delicate and sensitive about how to approach it."

Still tainted by the 2007-09 financial crisis, the industry has been searching for ways to repair its image in Washington, where bank bashing is a competitive sport among liberal Democrats.

That hostility is set to intensify with progressive firebrand Maxine Waters taking over as chair of the House Financial Services Committee and Wall Street critic Senator Elizabeth Warren exploring a bid for the 2020 presidential race.

Warren and Waters have urged lenders to go easy on cash-strapped federal workers, but on this occasion the industry  spying a rare public relations opportunity  has been one step ahead of their Capitol Hill critics.

Earlier this month, Bank of America launched a program to help affected customers and pledged $10,000 to an emergency fund to provide assistance to furloughed workers.

Story continues

Wells Fargo, which is struggling to scrub its image following a series of scandals, has given $250,000 in charitable assistance and so far waived around $3 million in fees, according to Chief Executive Officer Tim Sloan, who condemned the government shutdown as "completely embarrassing" in comments to "CBS This Morning" on Friday.

Not to be outdone, JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon on Friday said in a memo that the bank was donating $1 million to charities providing assistance to federal workers.

In Washington, industry groups such as the American Bankers Association (ABA) have been quick to create websites showcasing such efforts, which they have also enthusiastically flagged to lawmakers.

"A furloughed federal employee was so appreciative of receiving an unsecured loan from a bank to help him make ends meet that he offered to move his other accounts when the shutdown ends," ABA CEO Rob Nichols wrote to Waters this week.

Even Warren, the industry's leading adversary, coughed up some praise for lenders in letters sent to bank chiefs this month seeking details on their assistance programs.

"I ... was pleased to see many credit unions and banks that serve federal employees act quickly to help them," she wrote.

(Reporting by Pete Schroeder and Suzanne Barlyn; editing by Michelle Price and Leslie Adler)
By Lesley Wroughton, Mayela Armas and Angus Berwick WASHINGTON/CARACAS (Reuters) - The United States on Friday intensified its push to drive Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro from power, as U.S. diplomats left the embassy in Caracas and Russia vowed to back its socialist South American ally. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Saturday will urge members of the United Nations Security Council to recognize opposition leader Juan Guaido as Venezuela's legitimate head of state. Washington requested the meeting of the 15-member council after a string of countries threw their weight behind Guaido, who heads Venezuela's congress, and urged Maduro to step down. Russia opposes the request and has accused Washington of backing a coup attempt, placing Venezuela at the heart of a growing geopolitical duel. Moscow will insist on compliance with international law, Russia's RIA news agency cited Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov as saying on Friday. Private military contractors who carry out secret missions for Russia have flown into Venezuela in the past few days to beef up security for Maduro, sources said. Maduro said he welcomed a debate over Venezuela's situation and thanked Pompeo for making the UN request, in a jocular response during a Friday news conference. "I was about to say to the foreign minister 'ask for a security council debate,' (but) Mike Pompeo got ahead of me," Maduro said. "Thanks, Mike ... We're going to tell the truth about the articles of the constitution, about the coup." Earlier, American diplomats left the U.S. embassy in Caracas in a convoy of vehicles with a police escort en route to the airport, according to a Reuters witness. Maduro, in a fiery speech on Wednesday, broke off diplomatic relations with Washington and ordered the U.S. personnel out within 72 hours. The State Department on Thursday told some U.S. government workers to leave Venezuela and said U.S. citizens in the country should consider leaving. It did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the movement of embassy personnel on Friday. U.N. human rights boss Michelle Bachelet called on Friday for an investigation into alleged excessive use of force by Venezuelan security forces against protesters, adding that she was "extremely concerned" that the situation could rapidly spiral out of control. "NO FAKE DIALOGUE" Guaido, who has galvanized Venezuela's opposition, proclaimed himself interim president on Wednesday during a march of hundreds of thousands in Caracas. He is considering making a request for funds from international institutions including the International Monetary Fund, two people familiar with the talks said on Friday. However, he still has no control over the Venezuelan state and the military, which has so far remained loyal to Maduro despite a deep economic and political crisis that has sparked mass emigration, with inflation forecast to rise to 10 million percent this year. Guaido has promised future amnesties to military members if they disavow Maduro. On Friday, Guaido repeated his offer to the armed forces around Venezuela, asking soldiers "to put themselves on the side of the constitution." Most Latin American nations have joined the United States in supporting Guaido's claim on the presidency, although Mexico's new leftist government has said it would not take sides. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said on Friday his administration would be willing to mediate. Guaido said he would reject any negotiations that did not include Maduro's exit, the setting up of a transition government, and free elections to pick a new president. "No one wants fake dialogue ... the only thing we want to negotiate is the end of the usurpation," he told a crowd clustered in a plaza in Caracas' Chacao district, an opposition stronghold. To ratchet up pressure on Maduro, who began a second term on Jan. 10 following an election last year widely considered to be a fraud, the United States is seeking to cut off funds for his government, U.S. officials said on Thursday. Guaido is also readying a new board to run state-run oil firm PDVSA's [PDVSA.UL] U.S. unit Citgo Petroleum, people familiar with the discussions said. Maduro warned off any attempt to take control of Citgo, the country's primary offshore asset. "It is the property of the Venezuelan people, and we will defend it," he said. The Maduro-appointed board of Citgo is preparing a legal strategy to defend itself, sources close to the talks said. Oil prices edged higher on Friday as the political turmoil threatened to tighten the global supply of crude. Washington has signaled that it could impose new sanctions on OPEC member Venezuela's vital oil sector. "The oil situation has been an ethical moral dilemma for us," said U.S. Senator Richard Durbin, the no.2 Democrat in the Senate. "Cutting off all trade in oil would be the last step. It would make it even worse for the average person." (Reporting by Vivian Sequera, Shaylim Valderrama, Ana Isabel Martinez, Brian Ellsworth, Deisy Buitrago, Angus Berwick, and Mayela Armas in Caracas and Lesley Wroughton in Washington; additional reporting by Patricia Zengerle in Washington; Writing by Angus Berwick; Editing by Brian Ellsworth, Paul Simao and Rosalba O'Brien)
By Susan Heavey WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross on Thursday urged furloughed federal workers facing a second missed paycheck to seek loans to pay their bills while adding that he couldn't understand why they were having trouble getting by. In a CNBC interview, Ross, who made a fortune buying distressed companies, said it was disappointing that some federal workers affected by the government shutdown were not showing up to work and said "there really is not a good excuse" for those employees to lack money, adding that they should be able to borrow funds from banks or credit unions. Ross made the comments as the longest government shutdown in U.S. history entered its 34th day with no end in sight. About 800,000 workers have been furloughed across roughly one-quarter of the federal government. Many have turned to unemployment assistance, food banks or other work to try to make ends meet. Asked about their struggles, Ross told CNBC, "I know they are, and I don't really quite understand why." "The banks and the credit unions should be making credit available to them," he said, noting that the government would give federal employees back pay. "There really is not a good excuse why there really should be a liquidity crisis." "True, the people might have to pay a little bit of interest. But the idea that it's paycheck or zero is not a really valid idea," Ross said. Democrats took Ross to task for the comments, which drew a flood of attention from news outlets and on social media. "Is this the 'Let them eat cake,' kind of attitude, or 'Call your father for money?' or, 'This is character building for you?'" House Speaker Nancy Pelosi asked at a news conference. She noted Ross' comments came "as hundreds of thousands of men and women are about to miss a second paycheck tomorrow." U.S. Representative Jennifer Wexton, whose northern Virginia district includes many furloughed workers and federal contractors, said she invited Ross to visit a food bank with her. "That's one thing that's been so striking about this entire process is the complete lack of empathy from the president on down through his administration, a complete lack of understanding of what day-to-day life is for regular people in this district," Wexton told CNN. White House officials declined to comment on Ross' remarks. TIN EARS Ross is not the first Trump administration official to downplay federal workers' plight. White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett likened the furlough to a vacation in an interview with PBS this month, though on Tuesday he told Fox News that he knew workers felt "a lot of pain right now." Lara Trump, the president's daughter-in-law and adviser to his 2020 re-election campaign, told online television outlet BOLD TV this week that federal workers faced "a little bit of pain" over their bills but urged sacrifice, saying "this is so much bigger than any one person." U.S. President Donald Trump, a millionaire real estate developer and former reality television star, has said federal workers support the shutdown, which was triggered by his demand for $5.7 billion to build a wall along the U.S. border with Mexico. Trump has signed a law to pay back affected federal workers when the government reopens, but it does not extend to private contractors or others whose livelihoods depend heavily on federal workers' business. Federal workers will miss a second paycheck on Friday unless Congress and the White House find a way to reopen the government. (Reporting by Susan Heavey; Additional reporting by Doina Chiacu; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Andrea Ricci)
When Roger Stone was arrested by the FBI at his home in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., early Friday morning, CNN was the only news outlet there to capture it. Some viewers, including political commentator Greta Van Susteren, think that the FBI obviously tipped off CNN. CNN producer David Shortell, who was on the scene, explained how he got the scoop on CNNs New Day.

Its reporters instinct. The whole Russia team thought maybe something was happening. There was unusual grand jury activity in Washington, D.C., yesterday. The grand jury, Robert Muellers grand jury, typically meets on Fridays. Yesterday, a Thursday, there was grand jury activity, Shortell said. We also had some other signs that maybe something was going on this angle, the Roger Stone angle. So we showed up at his house this morning, we were the only ones there, and lo and behold the FBI agents did come and arrest him.

Many on Twitter, including President Trump, dont seem to be buying his reasoning.

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And then there are those who are just glad someone was there to capture it.

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Watch Rep. Dan Crenshaw discuss why he thinks the media is being anti-Christian with its coverage:

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By Steve Scherer and Cristiano Corvino SAINT-MARTIN-DE-LA-PORTE, France (Reuters) - Italy's 5-Star Movement and League party were rivals going into last year's national election, became coalition partners in a populist government afterwards, and now an Alpine rail tunnel threatens to tear them apart. The dispute over whether to forge ahead with one of Europe's most ambitious engineering projects is rooted in the divergent nature of the two anti-establishment parties and highlights their conflicting visions for Italy's future. The hard-right, pro-business League wants the tunnel to go ahead, as do two-thirds of Italians, according to an EMG Acqua poll last week. On the other hand, more than half of 5-Star's left-leaning and environmentally friendly supporters oppose it. "It's striking because they are two populist forces with two very different groups of people supporting them," said Lorenzo Pregliasco, a founder of YouTrend, a political consultancy based in Turin, the northwestern city where trains are supposed to arrive from France after passing through the tunnel. A 2,400-tonne boring machine nicknamed "Federica" is already working around the clock more than 1,000 meters (3,000 feet) below ground on the French side of the border even though Rome is threatening to pull the plug as it reviews the project. The tunnel is stoking tension within the coalition because of regional and European elections in May, which could reverse the balance of power within the eight-month-old coalition and destabilize a government that manages one of the world's largest debts, which is closely monitored by financial markets. Polls foresee the League surging above 5-Star, which has already compromised on other major battles in recent months but appears not to want to give ground on the 8.6-billion-euro ($10 billion) tunnel. Transport Minister and 5-Star member Danilo Toninelli told Reuters a decision would come before the elections, and 5-Star bigwig Alessandro Di Battista said the project was "idiocy". In December, Italy agreed with France to freeze new contracts on the 36-mile (58 km) tunnel until completion of an Italian cost-benefit analysis by a panel of experts, which Toninelli has said should be published by the end of the month. "If the analysis says that we're throwing away money, only a madman would move forward," 5-Star leader Luigi Di Maio said on Monday. However, it might not prove so easy to kill the project. Longest railway tunnels: https://tmsnrt.rs/2AXyWeb FEDERICA Deep in the bowels of the Mount Cenis (Moncenisio), geothermal energy heats the air to about 29 degrees (84 Fahrenheit). With a force equal to the power of eight Formula 1 engines, boring machine Federica rumbles and shakes as she cuts into coal-colored rock, advancing as much as 18 meters per day. So far the joint French and Italian company - the Tunnel Euralpin Lyon Turin (TELT) - has dug more than 15 miles (25 km) inside the mountain, including four access tunnels and about 4 miles (6 km) of one of the two main passageways. Some 800 people are employed, either directly or indirectly, TELT says, and that number will balloon to 8,000 if and when work reaches full capacity. Those in favor of the project, known in Italy as the TAV, say the costs of shutting it down with 25 km (15 miles) already dug could equal those of finishing it. "You can't turn off the boring machine, leave it there and walk away," said Piergiuseppe Gilli, TELT's chief of construction, who has worked on the project for 22 years. The European Union is picking up 40 percent of the cost, which could increase to 50 percent, because it is part of a "Mediterranean Corridor" meant to link rail yards and ports from Spain to the Ukrainian border with Hungary. French Transport Minister Elizabeth Borne has emphasized the "geostrategic" importance of the project, saying it must not lose EU funding. Deputy prime minister Matteo Salvini, who is also leader of the League, expressed his categorical support for it on Friday: "The TAV absolutely must be done. It would cost more not to do it than to do it." Supporters of the Franco-Italian rail link have staged two large rallies in recent months in Turin, which is about 40 miles (65 km) from the French border. Local League politicians attended the demonstrations. "It would improve Italy's links to other European countries and permit faster movement of passengers and goods," Turin resident Salvatore Bellomo said in the city's central square. "This project would bring Italy into the future." In the past the "No-TAV Movement", which is also supported by far-left activists, has frequently clashed with police, and after death threats, two of TELT's top managers are under 24-hour armed guard. The argument 5-Star makes against the project is that it is a huge waste of public money and a potential health concern for people who live near the Italian work site, where some of the rock dust could release asbestos into the air. The money would be better spent on Italy's existing infrastructure, which is crumbling, 5-Star says, citing the collapse of a motorway bridge in August that killed 43 people. "The flow of goods is not expected to be large enough to justify public works of these dimensions," said Angelo Tartaglia, a retired professor at Turin's Polytechic University. "It would not be profitable, and what's worse is ... the maintenance costs would be higher than the tunnel's revenue." Tartaglia is on a committee of experts formed by the Turin mayor Chiara Appendino after she became one of the first 5-Star heads of a major Italian city in 2016. The 5-Star fight against the tunnel dates back to a time when it was still trying to make its name known, and the party's founder, comic Beppe Grillo, was calling for an environmentally friendly economic model based on "happy negative growth". But being in government has forced 5-Star to shed some of its anti-establishment identity. The movement has already relented on promises to close the Ilva steel plant or shut down construction of a gas pipeline from Albania. "These kind of reality checks are part of the nature of this government," consultant Pregliasco said, referring to Ilva and the pipeline. "The difference with the tunnel is its higher symbolic value for 5-Star." (Additional reporting by Gavin Jones in Rome, and Simon Carraud in Paris; Editing by Giles Elgood)
As the fight continues over Donald Trumps demand to extend the border wall between the United States and Mexico, one thing is clear: Whatever the walls effect on immigration might be, it would have an impact on the environment of the borderlands.

About 650 miles of border wall already exist along the 2,000-mile boundary between the two countries. Most of it has been built on federal land where the terrain provides no natural barrier. Mr Trump has called for a 1,000-mile wall, which would extend farther across land that includes important habitats for wildlife.

A Customs and Border Protection policy says the agency will integrate environmental stewardship and sustainability practices into operations and activities. But Congress has given the agency the power to waive environmental protections like the Endangered Species Act. Such laws could require the government to produce an in-depth environmental impact analysis of a new project, develop less-damaging alternatives and perform environmental monitoring after construction.

A spokesperson for Customs and Border Protection was unavailable because of the partial government shutdown, a result of the political standoff over funding for the wall.

An article published last year in the journal Bioscience, which has been signed by more than 2,900 scientists, said the administrations plan would threaten some of the continents most biologically diverse regions by blocking free movement of many species and contributing to flooding. More than 1,500 native animal and plant species would be affected by the wall, the paper said, including 62 listed as endangered or vulnerable.

Here are some of the possible effects that an extended border wall could have on wildlife.

Animals would be cut off

An extended border wall would impede the movement of many species and would put creatures already under pressure in peril.

Aaron D Flesch, a research scientist at the University of Arizona, said he had no doubt endlessly inventive humans could scale a wall. But it would block many four-legged creatures, he said.

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Even some low-flying birds like the ferruginous pygmy-owl could have trouble. You think a birds just going to fly over a wall, but thats not necessarily the case, Mr Flesch said.

Animals need to be able to move around, to find food and mates, among other things. An outbreak of fire or disease, or the pressures of climate change, can force them to seek new homes. And the pockets of the landscape that suit them can be widely dispersed.

Small populations of endangered animals  such as the Mexican grey wolf, or lobo, and the Sonoran pronghorn  may be stranded on either side of the border, leaving some species likelier to die out. For a critter thats nearly extinct in the US, you need to promote connectivity, not curtail it, Mr Flesch said.

Even insects and plants could be affected

Low-flying insects could be affected by a border wall, too. The University of Texas researchers named the endangered wildflower Zapata bladderpod and the threatened whiskerbush cactus as particularly at risk, and the National Wildlife Federation named the Quino checkerspot butterfly, among others.

Many pollinators are already in decline because of habitat loss, said Scott Hoffman Black, executive director of the Xerces Society, a conservation organisation with a focus on invertebrates. This is one more issue that is going to put stress on bees and butterflies, and theyre already stressed with many, many issues, he said. The long new stretches of a wall, with clear-cut enforcement zones to the south, could prove an impediment to many little flyers.

Another expert expressed doubt that the wall itself would prove much of a barrier to flying insects, but he said the wall would nonetheless present an enormous problem for some of them.

The expert, David L Wagner, a professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Connecticut, noted most insects can fly high enough to surmount a wall. But the array of lights that would be part of any such construction, he said, would disrupt the lives of nocturnal creatures like moths and even vertebrates that depend on darkness.

Light pollution is turning out to be a real problem for nocturnal animals, he said. Youre pulling at the fabric of these ecosystems.

Of course, there are illuminated buildings in many places. But Mr Wagner said there was little difference between a border wall and a Walmart. Either way, he said, Its slaughter.

Wildlife refuges may be divided

Construction would disrupt several pieces of land that have been designated part of the National Wildlife Refuge System, as well as other treasures like the National Butterfly Centre, a private nature preserve along the Rio Grande in Mission, Texas. Construction into the 100-acre sanctuary could begin as soon as next month, splitting off some 70 acres from the American side of the site.

After an outcry from environmentalists and local officials, Congress voted last year to protect one environmental jewel, the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, a 2,100-acre ecological crossroads for migratory birds near McAllen, Texas, by refusing to appropriate money that would build the wall through it.

But environmental advocates say the areas that will go unprotected are vast, and the losses to biodiversity will stretch far beyond the thin line of the border. As Texas Monthly put it, Federal Border Wall Funding Spares Wildlife Refuge, but Not Much Else.

Tourism money could be lost

Because of the richness of the environment along many stretches of the border, the area draws tourists for hunting and fishing  and, to a great extent, ecotourism.

Birdwatchers have spotted more than 500 species in the four counties that make up the Lower Rio Grande Valley. A 2011 study from Texas A&M University estimated bird-watching and other forms of environmental tourism brought more than $344 million (263 million) in economic activity to the area, and some 4,400 jobs.

The authors of the article in Bioscience, including Mr Flesch, said the government should protect the cultural value of the borderlands. National security can and must be pursued with an approach that preserves our natural heritage, they wrote.

The New York Times
That face when furloughed federal workers are about to miss their second paycheck. Photo: WIN MCNAMEE/Getty Images

On Thursday, Republicans and Democrats entered the Senate with their own dead-on-arrival bills to end the shutdown, hoping that they could serve as fertilizer for more realistic talks. Its a plan that may be working: As Trump loses momentum entering day 35 of the shutdown, he and Republican lawmakers are showing signs that they may be ready to reopen the government before Friday, when furloughed federal workers miss their second paycheck.

Some of the speculation feels a little like smoke signal reading. Will Saletan, a national correspondent at Slate, notes that a comment from Trump may suggest hes ready to give on shutdown talks, citing the rare bipartisan pronoun we in a statement describing Chuck Schumer and Mitch McConnell working together on a possible bill. Other hints suggest more concrete evidence, like Lindsey Graham telling reporters shortly before the failed Thursday vote that the Plan B is a bipartisan bill. On Wednesday, exiting a meeting with a bipartisan group of 16 senators, Graham believed that if he were able to get a stop-gap three-week spending bill, he was pretty confident  we would have a bill done in pretty short order in the Senate. And in a sign that McConnell reportedly considers a blow, six Republican senators signed just such a Democratic bill to temporarily open the government until February 8, although it contained no wall funding.

In addition to their newfound sense of urgency, Republicans also appear to be venting their internal conflicts. At a private luncheon on Thursday, Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin snapped at Mitch McConnell, reportedly saying that This is your fault, to which McConnell replied, Are you suggesting Im enjoying this? During the lunch, McConnell reportedly told Vice President Pence that the shutdown was not working, and pulled out a favorite Southernism: There is no education in the second kick of a mule.

At the meeting, Pence reportedly urged Republican senators not to sign onto Democrats temporary funding bill that does not include wall money. But according to Politico, the president is now considering the three-week deal: like McConnell, he reportedly views the defection of the six Republican senators as a major blow, one that compounds his all-time high disapproval rating of 57 percent. Trump also reportedly views the national emergency option as a last resort, suggesting he may be ready for a less constitutionally fraught exit strategy.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday, following the arrest of his longtime political ally Roger Stone, that the investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential campaign is the "greatest witch hunt in the history of our country! No collusion!" Stone was arrested in Florida on Friday on charges of obstruction, witness tampering and making false statements related to the release of stolen Democratic Party emails in the 2016 campaign. The charges were brought as part of the investigation by Special Counsel Robert Mueller. Stone, a veteran political operative, is one of the closest Trump associates to be charged by Mueller, who is examining potential collusion between Trump's campaign and Russia. The indictment showed Stone using language evoking mob bosses - and even cited a "Godfather" movie - as he called an unnamed associate facing FBI inquiries "a rat. A stoolie" in a series of profanity-laced messages. (Reporting by David Alexander; Editing by Alistair Bell and Jeffrey Benkoe)
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump said on Friday he would declare a national emergency if he doesn't eventually reach a deal with Democrats on border security.

Trump, who made the comments to reporters during an immigration event at the White House, said earlier on Friday he had reached a deal with lawmakers to reopen the government until Feb. 15 while they work on Trump's demand for funding for a wall on the U.S. border with Mexico.

I think we have a good chance" of reaching an agreement, Trump said.

"Well work with the Democrats and negotiate and if we cant do that, then well do a - obviously well do the emergency because thats what it is. Its a national emergency, he said.

Declaring an emergency could allow Trump to circumvent Congress and repurpose funds Congress has appropriated for other purposes in order to build a wall.

(Reporting by Steve Holland; Writing by Eric Beech; Editing by Tim Ahmann and James Dalgleish)
The Senate on Thursday voted down a Republican-backed spending bill that would have ended the longest-running government shutdown in history and allocated $5.7 billion for the construction of President Trumps long-promised wall on the southern border.

The bill was defeated 5047 in a vote that largely broke down along party lines, with Republican Senators Mike Lee of Utah and Tom Cotton of Arkansas the only Republicans to vote against and Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia the only Democrat to vote in favor.

A Democrat-backed stop-gap spending bill that would have funded the government through February 8 without allocating any additional funds for border security also failed to pass the Senate Thursday afternoon.

The competing bills were widely considered test votes, as the White House and leaders of both parties were aware in advance that they lacked the bipartisan support required to clear the 60-vote threshold.

Mindful that Republicans lacked the seven Democratic votes needed to pass their spending bill, the White House reportedly viewed Thursdays vote as an opportunity to gauge support for President Trumps shutdown strategy within the Republican caucus. The Trump-backed bill granted a temporary, three-year asylum to immigrants brought to the country illegally as children in exchange for border-wall funding.

The Democrats stop-gap spending bill, which lacked border-wall funding, was voted down 5244, receiving the support of six Republican senators: Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, Susan Collins of Maine, Cory Gardner of Colorado, Johnny Isakson of Georgia, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, and Mitt Romney of Utah. Many of the Republican defectors have previously spoken out against the ongoing shutdown and urged the president to end it by passing a clean spending bill with no wall funding.

The government shutdown, which began December 22, is now poised to deprive some 800,000 federal workers of their second consecutive paycheck.

More from National Review
Commerce secretary Wilbur Ross has said he does not understand why federal workers who have already missed one pay check as a result of the government shut down, have been relying on food banks to keep being able to feed their families.

Mr Ross suggested the 800,000 federal workers  who have not been paid as a result of the shutdown fueled by Donald Trumps refusal to sign a funding bill that does not include border wall funding  should just take out loans.

I know they are and I dont really quite understand why, Mr Ross said on CNBC, hen asked about the use of food banks.

The government shutdown has now lasted 34 days, and several Republican senators have indicated they think it is time for an end to the shutdown with or without border wall funding. While the Democratic controlled House has repeatedly passed bills to reopen the government, Senate majority Leader Mitch McConnell has refusd to bring a bill to the floor for a vote that Mr Trump would veto, even if there were majority support in the chamber.

Mr Ross continued: So the 30 days of pay that some people will be out, theres no real reason why they shouldnt be able to get a loan against it, and weve seen a number of ads of financial institutions doing that.

Meanwhile, federal employees have begun showing up to food banks in their federal uniforms, while other stories of charity  a teenager donating a recently-won lifetime supply of peanut butter, for instance  have proliferated.

It was a really sobering moment for her to have to step in and say, I need help, Kellie OConnell, the CEO of Lakeview Pantry in the Chicago area, told the Chicago Tribune of a federal employee who cried as she signed up for assistance.

Mr Ross is reportedly worth roughly $700m, an amount of wealth that is astronomical compared to the financial circumstances of the vast majority of government workers.

Many of those workers live paycheck to paycheck, and have been forced to work second jobs to even pay for gas to get to work if they have been deemed essential and forced to work during the shutdown without pay.

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Mr Trump, who has forced the now 34-day-long shutdown, signed a bill last week promising backpay for federal workers impacted by the government. But, some federal contractors may still not receive any backpay.

As the shutdown has progressed, hundreds of banks and credit unions have offered low or no-interest loans that can be taken out against that back pay, but stories of federal workers struggling to make ends meet abound.
The US has had to cancel an annual border security conference amid its ongoing government shutdown  caused by a backlash over plans for a Mexican border wall.

The 16th International Export Control and Border Security Conference was due to bring 270 security experts from 85 countries together in Edinburgh next month to discuss border-related issues.

However the US State Department, which hosts the event, announced it had been postponed and did not confirm a new date for when it will take place.

The annual conference, hosted by the governments Export Control and Related Border Security Program, brings countries together to work to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and destabilising accumulations.

Donald Trump has been in a standoff with Democrats after failing to agree a government funding bill with them unless it contains the $5.7bn (4.4bn) he wants to build a wall on the US-Mexico border.

His request has sparked the longest government shutdown in US history, which has now entered its 34th day.

Mr Trump insists a wall the length of Mexico is needed because of security issues, but Democrats and others say it is not necessary.

Nancy Pelosi, speaker of the House, has blocked the president's plans to deliver his State of the Union address on Tuesday until the government reopens.

In a series of tweets, Mr Trump responded by saying well do something in the alternative, while branding Democrats radicalised".

The leaders disapproval ratings have reached an all-time high at 59 per cent as he continues to refuse to back down.

A CBS News poll on Wednesday also revealed 71 per cent of voters did not believe the issue was worth keeping the federal government closed.

The State Department said in a statement to CNN, which first reported the conferences postponement: In light of the very limited funding available during the lapse in appropriations, the department will exercise judicious use of limited, remaining resources.

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Travel, hiring, contracting, public affairs, and other activities will continue to operate in a constrained manner.

Rubbish has been piling up in Americas national parks since federal employees downed tools last month.

About 800,000 federal employees have been left struggling to make ends meet without their regular pay cheques as the shutdown rumbles on.

The whole of the US government has not been shut down, but nine federal departments and agencies in particular are feeling the squeeze.

Those which have been closed since funding ran out on 22 December include the Federal Aviation Administration, Environmental Protection Agency and the Securities and Exchange Commission.

In closed agencies and departments, only employees considered "essential" have been told to come to work without pay until the shutdown ends.

The US has seen 13 shutdowns since 1981, with many lasting just a short period of time.

The previous record holder ran 21 days from December 1995 until January 1996.
(WASHINGTON)  Shouting FBI, open the door, authorities arrested Roger Stone, a confidant of President Donald Trump, before dawn Friday in a criminal case that revealed that senior members of the Trump campaign sought to benefit from the release of hacked emails damaging to Hillary Clinton.

The seven-count indictment against Stone, a self-proclaimed dirty trickster with a long history with Trump, is the first criminal case in months from special counsel Robert Mueller. Stone appeared at court in shackles later in the morning and was released on a $250,000 bond. He did not enter a plea.

The indictment provides the most detail to date about how Trump campaign associates in the summer of 2016 actively sought the disclosure of emails the U.S. says were hacked by Russia, then provided to the anti-secrecy website WikiLeaks. It alleges that unidentified senior Trump campaign officials contacted Stone to ask when stolen emails relating to Clinton might be disclosed.

Prosecutors did not charge Stone with conspiring with WikiLeaks or with the Russian officers Mueller says hacked the emails. Instead it mirrors other Mueller cases in alleging cover-ups and deception, accusing Stone of lying to lawmakers about WikiLeaks, tampering with witnesses and obstructing a congressional probe into whether the Trump campaign coordinated with Russia to tip the election.

Some of those false statements were made to the House intelligence committee, prosecutors allege.

In referring to Trump campaign officials and their desire to leverage hacked emails, the case brings Muellers investigation into the presidents inner circle but it does not accuse the president of any wrongdoing or reveal whether he had advance knowledge of the WikiLeaks trove.

CNN aired video of the raid at Stones Fort Lauderdale, Florida, home, showing agents in body armor using large weapons and night-vision equipment, running up to the home and banging on the door.

FBI open the door! one shouts. FBI, warrant! Stone could then be seen in the doorway in his sleepwear before he was led away.

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Though not uncommon for the FBI to make early-morning arrests of targets under indictment, its the first time Mueller has used that tactic. Stone had been predicting his indictment for some time.

Hours later, he appeared in court in a blue polo shirt and jeans. In releasing him on bond, a magistrate judge restricted Stones travel to South Florida, Washington and New York City and ordered him to avoid contact with witnesses.

Stone is the sixth Trump aide or adviser charged by Mueller and the 34th person overall. The nearly two-year-old probe has exposed multiple contacts between Trump associates and Russia during the campaign and transition period and revealed efforts by several to conceal those communications.

The case comes weeks after Trumps former national security adviser, Michael Flynn, was castigated by a judge in open court and just hours before Paul Manafort, his ex-campaign chairman, appeared on allegations that he had lied to prosecutors.

Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Trumps press secretary, said the charges brought against Stone dont have anything to do with the president. Trump attorney Jay Sekulow said the indictment does not allege Russian collusion by Roger Stone or anyone else.

Trump on Friday called the investigation the Greatest Witch Hunt in the History of our Country!

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Well-known for his political antics and hard ball tactics, Stone has reveled in being a Washington wheeler-dealer dating back to the Nixon administration. He has also pushed several conspiracy theories and was an early and vocal supporter of Trumps candidacy.

Stone was one of Trumps earliest political advisers, encouraging both his presidential runs. He briefly served on Trumps campaign, but was pushed out amid infighting with then-campaign manager Corey Lewandowski. Stone continued occasionally communicating with Trump and stayed plugged into his circle of advisers, both formal and informal.

The indictment says Stone repeatedly discussed WikiLeaks with campaign associates and lays out in detail Stones conversations about stolen Democratic emails posted in the weeks before Trump beat Clinton. Muellers office has said those emails, belonging to Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta, were hacked by Russian intelligence officers.

The document says that by June and July 2016, Stone had told senior Trump campaign officials that he had information indicating that WikiLeaks had obtained documents that could be damaging to Clintons campaign.

After the July 22, 2016, WikiLeaks release of hacked emails from the Democratic National Committee, the indictment says, a senior Trump campaign official was directed to contact Stone about additional releases and what other damaging information WikiLeaks had regarding the Clinton campaign. The indictment does not name the official or say who directed the outreach to Stone.

Though no officials are identified by name, one Trump campaign aide cited in the case is Steve Bannon, who later became Trumps chief White House strategist. Bannon, referred to as a high-ranking Trump Campaign official, exchanged emails with Stone in October 2016 about WikiLeaks plans. The indictment quotes from those emails, which had previously been made public by news outlets.

While the indictment provides some new insight into the Trump campaign, it deals largely with what prosecutors say were Stones false statements about his conversations with conservative writer and conspiracy theorist, Jerome Corsi, and New York radio host, Randy Credico.

The indictment accuses Stone of carrying out a prolonged effort to keep Credico from contradicting his testimony before the House intelligence committee. During that effort, prosecutors note that Stone repeatedly told Credico to do a Frank Pentangeli,' a reference to a character in The Godfather: Part II who lies before Congress.

Stone is also accused of threatening Credico, including through messages in which he called him rat and stoolie and accused him of backstabbing his friends. Stone also threatened to take that dog away from you, a reference to Credicos dog, Bianca.

I am so ready. Lets get it on. Prepare to die (expletive), Stone also wrote to Credico.

Stone has said for months he was prepared to be charged, though he has denied any wrongdoing. A grand jury had heard from witnesses connected to Stone. And the intelligence committee last year voted to release a transcript of Stones testimony to Mueller as a precursor to an indictment.

Stone has publicly denigrated the Mueller investigation and echoed the presidents descriptions of it as a witch hunt.

But he has long attracted scrutiny, especially because of a 2016 tweet  It will soon (be) Podestas time in the barrel  that appeared to presage knowledge that Podestas emails would soon be released. Stone has said he had no inside information about the contents of the emails or the timing of when theyd be released.

In a tweet Friday, Podesta turned Stones words against him by writing that it was now Rogers time in the barrel.

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Stone has said he learned from Credico that WikiLeaks planned to disclose the emails. Stone has also spoken openly about his contacts with Corsi.

Credico hasnt been accused of any wrongdoing. Last year, Muellers prosecutors offered a plea agreement to Corsi that would have required him to admit that he lied about discussing WikiLeaks with Stone. He rejected the offer and denied he lied.
London (AFP) - A top Brexiteer said Wednesday there is still hope of a new divorce deal if Brussels, under time pressure, changes course and agrees to rewrite the agreement.

Jacob Rees-Mogg said Conservative eurosceptics who rebelled against Prime Minister Theresa May to vote down the Brexit deal could end up backing a rewritten agreement if the Irish border backstop is removed.

Rees-Mogg, who leads the European Research Group of hardcore Conservative Brexiteers, said he could back an EU divorce deal only if the current legal guarantee for keeping the Irish border open was junked.

"This deal does not deliver Brexit," the 49-year-old member of parliament said in a speech to the eurosceptic Bruges Group think-tank, holding up the hefty agreement.

"As long as that backstop is there, I will not vote for this deal."

The EU has ruled out any renegotiation of the withdrawal agreement.

Britain is due to leave the European Union on March 29, with or without a deal.

The backstop would kick in if London and Brussels cannot agree new trading arrangements that would keep the Irish border free-flowing when the transition period finishes at the end of 2020.

Rees-Mogg said the EU wanted a withdrawal deal by March 29 and "if the only way to get it is by re-opening the text, that is what they will have to do".

"There are two types of hope: one is that we will get a better deal. The other hope: tick tock goes the clock," he said.

He said any deal would be better than remaining in the EU, but the risks of a no-deal Brexit were low when set against the current deal.

In last week's vote, MPs voted 432 to 202 to reject the divorce deal presented by May.

Rees-Mogg said there were 110 eurosceptic Conservatives plus Northern Ireland's 10 like-minded Democratic Unionists who voted against it -- enough to get a deal over the line with the removal of the backstop.

"A reformation of this deal could be achieved that could make it acceptable. But it is not there yet," he said.

He also said forthcoming attempts by diehard EU Remainers to give parliament greater control over the Brexit process were a "constitutional outrage".

"We must not allow out constitutional norms to be overthrown by those who always rejected the vote" to leave, he said.
Tonga has been plunged into virtual cyber darkness after an undersea cable broke, cutting off the Pacific island kingdom from almost all cell phone and Internet services.

While life without the Internet may be considered a paradise for many, Tonga relies heavily on links with the outside world for daily supplies and vital tourist earnings, and faced "an absolute disaster" as officials struggled to fix the problem.

"We are all heavily tied to the Internet for doing business and for the government," Mary Fonua, editor of the online news service Matangi Tonga, told AFP on Wednesday.

"There's no Facebook, which is how the Tongan diaspora communicate with each other, businesses can't get orders out, airlines can't take bookings for passengers or freight."

While the authorities look into the cause and struggle to find a solution, they have turned to a small, locally operated satellite connection as back-up.

In the meantime non-essential social media sites like Facebook have been blocked to preserve much-needed bandwidth.

Related Video: Is Facebook Deliberately Causing Harm to Americans?

The restricted access also meant serious problems getting money transfers through for families who rely on income from relatives working overseas.

"It's an absolute disaster for Tonga, a national crisis," Fonua said.

Tonga Cable, which administers the 827-kilometre (514-mile)cable between Tonga and Fiji, said Internet traffic had to be prioritised until repairs were completed, and in the meantime social media websites may be blocked while the country of 110,000 relies on makeshift connectivity.

"Eighty percent of our international traffic is from social media," Tonga Cable director Paula Piukala told Radio New Zealand.

"We may block Facebook, YouTube and stuff like that in the meantime so that we can maximise the small bandwidth that we have from satellite on what is important to the country."

At the Bank of South Pacific Tonga, acting operations manager Salesi Fineangano said telex transfers could be completed via satellite connection to the bank headquarters in Papua New Guinea, "but we need the regular internet connection for Moneygram, internet banking and emails".

Officials said it could take up to two weeks to fix the cable.
Sara Nelson speaks during a press conference on aviation safety at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on January 24, 2019. Photo: ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP/Getty Images

On Friday morning, air traffic controllers missed their second paycheck due to the government shutdown. Many called out sick, resulting in delayed flights at some of the nations busiest airports, including LaGuardia, Newark, and Hartfield-Jackson in Atlanta. Now, flight attendants may also walk out. Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, told New York on Friday afternoon that she just finished recording a video message to members urging them to get to the offices of their congressional representatives until the shutdown is resolved.

Were mobilizing immediately, Nelson said. Asked if this meant that flight attendants will not be going to work, she responded, Showing up to work for what? If air traffic controllers cant do their jobs, we cant do ours.

Critical Update on Shutdown: Flight disruptions are starting. The system is unraveling as we had predicted. Watch this update and then get to your nearest congressional office to demand lawmakers open the government. #EndTheShutdown https://t.co/fhLoiLnmfe  AFA-CWA (@afa_cwa) January 25, 2019

Nelson had previously raised the possibility of a general strike on Sunday, in protest of the government shutdown. Speaking to New York, she emphasized that the shutdown has created safety risks for her members. If air traffic controllers are distressed and worried, that is a direct impact on our members, she said. When TSA agents are sleeping in their cars, worried that they cant pay their bills, that impacts us.

These are the very people who keep our aviation system safe. And these are the very people our government has betrayed, she concluded.

In a tweet on Friday afternoon, Nelson defended the right to strike:

We agree! The word is Strike. It is not a bad word. We should say it, especially when our government is willing to lockout 1M Americans from work or paychecks for over a month! There are no real labor rights without exercising the right to strike.  Sara Nelson (@FlyingWithSara) January 25, 2019

Rebecca Givan, an associate professor of labor studies and employment relations at the University of Rutgers, told New York that she believes Nelson is defending the moral right to strike. The legalities of a flight attendant strike are murky, but Givan says that AFA-CWA has stayed well within the boundaries of the law. They have the right to use sick days, Givan explained, even if theyre taking more sick days than usual. She added that flight attendants have leeway regarding safety concerns. Most flight attendant contracts contain clauses that actually requires them to publicly identify safety concerns that could impact themselves and passengers  which is precisely what Nelson and her members have done. The International Labor Organization, which is a specialized agency of the United Nations, further recognizes the right to refuse unsafe work.
Oxfam international executive director Winnie Byanyima. Photo: REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File Photo

The head of aid charity Oxfam has slapped down the global elite gathered at Davos, telling top CEOs and politicians that talking about inequality is not good enough.

Business and political leaders have been discussing the flaws of globalisation all week at this years summit, with a bleak mood over its future and debate over how to achieve inclusive and sustainable growth.

But Winnie Byanyima, executive director of Oxfam International, gave top firms and government leaders short shrift in a blistering attack at one of its final events today.

Extreme inequality is out of control. Its undermining our economies, fracturing our societies, fueling crime and ill health. Its bad for everyone and yet we just talk about it, she told them.

READ MORE: EU leaders insist Europe works despite globalisations failings

Talking about it is not good enough. Its a result of political choices governments have chosen to make, and we want businesses to commit to good behaviour, not dodging paying their fair share.

She blamed huge cuts to income and wealth taxes and the rise of tax havens in recent decades for soaring inequality.

Business chiefs in the room may not have welcomed her assault on an economic model that has grown to maximise profit for a few owners of capital and cheat everybody else.

Byanyima accused the leaders of big retail and poultry firms of not paying taxes while people working for them were fired for being pregnant in Bangladesh and forced to wear nappies in US factories as toilet breaks were banned.





Alicia Barcena Ibarra, executive secretary of the UNs Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, agreed with Byanyima that tackling inequality need not mean harming economic growth.

We are proving with numbers theres no longer this big trade-off in economic thinking  that you either have equality or efficiency.

The most efficient economies in the world, equality is embedded in their model of development, she said, pointing to Nordic countries success.

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The stated mission of the World Economic Forum (WEF), which organises the summit, is to improve the state of the world through global co-operation and innovation.

READ MORE: Where is Davos? Guide to the ski resort hosting the global elite

The WEF says its events have helped global figures achieve significant breakthroughs on many economic and political issues since it began in the early 1970s.

But the summit itself has become widely associated with the perceived failures of globalisation, as well as the wealth and power of a transnational elite.

The sight of billionaires and presidents rubbing shoulders and sipping champagne at a ski resort has never helped its image.

Oxfam releases a report on inequality ahead of the summit each year, with its 2019 research suggesting the richest 26 people on the planet have as much wealth as the poorest half of the global population.
Washington (AFP) - US lawmakers and the White House faced intensifying pressure Friday to resolve a five-week impasse and reopen government, as the political stalemate has begun to affect the nation's busy airports.

After two competing bills to end the partial shutdown failed in the Senate, its members were urgently scrambling for a fix -- even a temporary one -- that would get hundreds of thousands of federal employees back on the job.

Negotiations that jump-started late Thursday are focused on a bipartisan proposal for a three-week stopgap funding measure that would reopen lapsed agencies and allow time for haggling over what has become the main budget impasse: President Donald Trump's insistence on a US-Mexico border wall.

All eyes were on the talks between Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer, rivals seeking a way out of the deepening crisis.

Normally paid every two weeks, 800,000 federal workers -- many of whom are being forced to work without pay -- missed a second straight paycheck Friday, a situation that has reached a crisis point for thousands of American families.

The urgency was made plain Friday as flight delays rippled across parts of the eastern US due to staffing shortages in airports where employees, including air traffic controllers, have been ordered to work without pay.

The Federal Aviation Administration said ground delays remained in effect at La Guardia, the New York region's third-largest airport, while the airport in Atlanta, one of the world's busiest, is at Code Red, with flight delays of one hour.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi warned that the shutdown "has already pushed hundreds of thousands of Americans to the breaking point."

"Now it's pushing our airspace to the breaking point too," she tweeted, calling on Trump to "stop endangering the safety, security and well-being of our nation."

Late Thursday, Pelosi told AFP she remained "hopeful" that a deal to reopen government could be struck soon, and was staying in Washington in case negotiations lead to a breakthrough.

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"We work towards that," she said.

Wall funding remains the stumbling block. Trump insists any temporary deal should have a "downpayment" on a wall, a demand Democrats oppose.

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham encouraged his Democratic colleagues to get on board.

"To my Democratic friends: Money for a barrier is required to get this deal done," he said on the Senate floor, explaining that Trump's spending of the funds would be limited to plans approved by the Department of Homeland Security.

Graham was seen entering McConnell's office Friday.
Beirut (AFP) - The Syrian Democratic Forces, an alliance of Kurdish and Arab fighters, has spearheaded the fight against the Islamic State (IS) group in Syria, alongside the US-led coalition.

Wednesday it overran the last village held by IS in eastern Syria, confining its once vast cross-border "caliphate" to two small hamlets, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor.

The following day a top SDF commander said the IS "caliphate" will be defeated within a month.

- Kurdish-dominated alliance -

The SDF was formed in October 2015 at the initiative of the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), and includes Syrian rebel groups who had helped them fight IS.

Some 25,000 of the alliance's 30,000 fighters are Kurds, the rest being Arab Muslims and Christians as well as Turkmen units.

All Syrians, the SDF's members come from populations present in the country's northern regions which have fallen out of the control of the Damascus regime.

- Key US ally -

Even before the SDF's creation, Kurdish forces had already dealt IS several defeats, driving the jihadists out of the border towns of Kobane and Tal Abyad in 2015.

Such breakthroughs were made possible with the help of the US-led coalition, which launched air strikes against IS in Syria in September 2014.

Washington badly needed a local ally after a programme to build a rebel army to fight the jihadists collapsed.

After the SDF was formed the US decided to provide it with substantial support including weapons and air support.

The White House also announced the first deployment of hundreds of US troops to Syria, including special forces.

- Raqa retaken -

In November 2016, the SDF announced an operation to oust IS from its de facto Syrian capital Raqa and the surrounding province.

The jihadists were driven out of their Syrian stronghold nearly a year later, on October 17, 2017.

On September 10, 2018, the SDF and the coalition launched a fierce assault against a dwindling pocket of territory held by the IS to the east of the Euphrates River in the province of Deir Ezzor.

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The jihadists put up a strong resistance, launching deadly counter attacks, with the Kurdish-led fighters finally pushing through in December to take Hajin near the Iraqi border.

On January 23, 2019, the SDF captured the village of Baghouz, leaving just a few hundred diehard IS fighters holed up in two hamlets, the Britain-based Observatory said.

- Call for regime help -

In mid-December, Ankara announced plans for an offensive against the YPG which is sees as a "terrorist" offshoot of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) that has waged a decades-long insurgency inside Turkey.

Turkish troops already intervened in Syria in early 2018, driving Syria's Kurdish forces from Afrin in the northwest.

On December 19, US President Donald Trump claimed IS had been defeated and made the shock announcement that 2,000 American troops would be withdrawn from Syria.

The SDF said the pullout would give jihadists "the momentum to recover and conduct a terrorist campaign in the region."

On December 28, 2018, faced with the threatened Turkish offensive, the YPG called on Syrian government troops to deploy alongside their own forces in the north, where Kurds have declared autonomy.

The Syrian army is present around Manbij, a key city about 30 kilometres (19 miles) south of the Turkish border.

Last July, the SDF's political wing held talks with the Syrian regime, two months after President Bashar al-Assad threatened to use force to retake Kurdish territory.
LOS ANGELES  Electric scooters are behind a rash of visits to hospital emergency rooms, a new study finds.

More electric scooter riders showed up with injuries in the emergency rooms of two hospitals on Los Angeles' scooter-heavy Westside than either bicyclists or pedestrians, the study published in the medical journal JAMA Network Open found.

While 94 percent of the 249 scooter-related cases were discharged without being admitted, the injuries were significant: Some 40.2 percent were admitted for head injuries, 31.7 percent for fractures and 27.7 percent with sprains, cuts or bruises.

"There is high risk factor there," said Tarak Trivedi, a physician at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center who co-authored the study.

The study is significant because while limited in scope, it shows the public health threat when electric scooters flood a community. In Los Angeles, startups like Lime and Bird have inundated streets in parts of the city with dockless electric scooters.

The authors say it is the first study to look at the injury patterns and clinical outcomes involving electric scooters.

But more studies are on the way. The Centers for Disease Control sent a team of epidemiologists to Austin, Texas, last month to investigate scooter crashes. The Texas capital is has been a popular market for scooters.

The Los Angeles study had some surprising findings.

For instance, only 4.4 percent of the injured riders brought to either the UCLA Medical Center emergency rooms in Santa Monica or Westwood were known to have been wearing a helmet. Almost 11 percent of the injured riders were under the age of 18, which is usually the minimum age to rent a dockless scooter. Some 8.4 percent of the injuries were among non-riders  generally pedestrians struck by scooters on streets or sidewalks.

In the year-long study period of the two emergency rooms ending Aug. 31, the 249 scooter-related injuries compared to 118 among bicyclists and 181 among those injured while walking.

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Trivedi, 31, a Santa Monica resident who has ridden scooters himself, said he doesn't pass judgment on whether scooters are safe. Although more research is warranted, he said, "We just wanted to get it out there that there are a significant number of injuries."

"I think that it's important to keep the issue in mind as (scooter companies) roll them out in every city," Trivedi said.

Reached for comment, Bird's top safety official said the report is limited and fails to note that injuries occurred in only a fraction of 1 percent of scooter trips.

"We hope to have the opportunity to work with the reports authors so that we can have a productive and collaborative conversation that focuses on proven preventative measures and education," said Paul Steely White, director of safety policy and advocacy. He added that the report "fails to put e-scooter injuries into context as they relate to the high number and severity of injuries and deaths caused by motorcycles and automobiles.

A Lime spokeswoman, Mary Caroline Pruitt, said in a statement that the safety of riders and the community is "our number one priority" and pointed to new improvements. Among them are a next-generation scooter with upgraded wheels, better suspension, additional braking and improved balance. She also said Lime has $1 million in liability insurance on each ride and has given away 250,000 free helmets worldwide.

Trivedi said the idea for the study came from simply watching all the crashes after scooters started appearing in Los Angeles and Santa Monica in 2017. He isn't alone.

While Robert Glatter, an emergency room physician in Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, said he hasn't treated any injuries involving scooters, he has seen the carnage first hand. He said he witnessed two accidents while he was in San Diego, including one in which a rider hit a young mother pushing a baby carriage.

"I think this is a serious public health threat," Glatter said.

With scooters typically capable of speeds up to 15 mph and people not wearing helmets or safety gear, "you are really putting yourself at high risk for injury," he said.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Study: Electric scooters sending lots of riders to emergency rooms with injuries
Roger Stone briefed multiple Trump campaign officials about the imminent release of stolen Democratic emails by WikiLeaks during the 2016 presidential campaign and then sought to obstruct a congressional inquiry into the matter, telling one close associate: Stonewall it. Plead the Fifth. Anything to save the plan.  Richard Nixon, according to criminal charges filed by special counsel Robert Mueller on Friday.

And when that associate, radio talk show host and comedian Randy Credico, publicly disputed Stones account to investigators, he lashed out at him and even threatened his dog, the indictment charges. You are a rat. A stoolie.  Prepare to die [expletive], Stone emailed him, according to the account by prosecutors.

Roger Stone and Donald Trump. (Photos: Jose Luis Magana/AP; Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Stone, Trumps longtime political adviser who served briefly on his presidential campaign, was arrested by the FBI at his home in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., after he was charged on seven counts of obstruction, false statements to Congress and witness tampering. Stone appeared in handcuffs before a Florida magistrate Friday and was released on a $250,000 bond.

Outside the courthouse, Stone defiantly told reporters: I will plead not guilty to these charges. I will defeat them in court. I believe this is a politically motivated investigation. There are no circumstances whatsoever that I will bear false witness against the president.

Stone said that any error he made in his testimony before Congress were immaterial and without intent. He also charged that FBI agents who arrived at his home to arrest him terrorized my wife, my dogs although he later said they acted professionally.

The long-awaited indictment lays out new details of Stones testimony to the House Intelligence Committee about how and what he knew in advance about the release by WikiLeaks of Clinton campaign emails, which became a major embarrassment for her campaign and a talking point for Trump. The emails were stolen by Russian intelligence from the Gmail account of campaign chief John Podesta.

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According to the indictment, after WikiLeaks initially released thousands of Democratic National Committee emails hacked by the Russians in July 2016, a senior Trump campaign official was directed to contact Stone about additional releases and what other damaging information WikiLeaks had about the Clinton campaign. The campaign official or the person that directed him is not identified. Stone later denied having any emails, texts and other documents relating to the WikiLeaks emails, although he had repeatedly emailed and texted about the issue with two associates  Credico and conspiracy theorist and author Jerome Corsi  and with senior Trump campaign official Steve Bannon. (Corsi, Credico and Bannon are not identified by name in the indictment but can be identified based on the previous public release of some of the email exchanges.)

When the Podesta emails were released by WikiLeaks on Oct. 7  timing that drew media attention away from the release just 29 minutes earlier of the Access Hollywood tape that threatened to end Trumps campaign  Stone claimed credit for the document dump to top Trump campaign officials and seems to have been recognized for his efforts. Well done, an unnamed associate of Bannon texted him that day.

Still, the indictment fails to resolve a central question that has been at the heart of the Russia inquiry from the start: whether Stone actually had direct contacts with Julian Assange or anyone at WikiLeaks about the release of the Podesta emails or whether, as he has at times claimed, his predictions about the imminent release of damaging Clinton emails were a combination of braggadocio and conjecture. The indictment conspicuously omits any evidence of direct communications between Stone and WikiLeaks, and neither of his two supposed intermediaries  Corsi and Credico  were charged in the case. Nor was anyone from the Trump campaign.

A vehicle carrying Roger Stone arrives at a federal court in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Jan. 25, 2019. (Photo: Joe Skipper/Reuters)

Stones lawyer conceded that his testimony was incomplete but chalked it up to a failure of memory. There was no Russian collusion, its a clear attempt at silencing Roger, attorney Grant Smith told ABC News. This was an investigation they started about Russian collusion and now theyre charging Roger Stone with lying to Congress about something he honestly forgot about, and as Roger has stated publicly before, he will fight the charges, Smith said.

The indictment of Stone nonetheless marks a milestone for the Russia inquiry, making him the sixth Trump associate or campaign official to have faced criminal charges in the case. A self-styled dirty trickster, Stones involvement in American politics dates back to his days working for Richard Nixons reelection campaign when his underhanded tactics caught the attention of Watergate investigators. Stone had been friends with Trump for nearly 40 years and served as his on-again, off-again political adviser for much of that time. When Stone published a book attacking Hillary Clinton in the early days of the 2016 presidential campaign, it even carried a blurb from Trump: We appreciate Roger Stone.  he is one tough cookie.

Although he formally left the Trump campaign only a few months after it was launched in June 2015  there was debate over whether he was fired or resigned over clashes with then campaign chief Corey Lewandowski  Stone stayed in touch with Trump and other top campaign officials.

In the summer of 2016, he had multiple text exchanges with Guccifer 2.0  since identified as an online persona created by Russian military intelligence. And starting on Aug. 8, he began making predictions about an October Surprise by WikiLeaks that would show stone-cold proof of the criminality of Bill, Hillary and Chelsea Clinton.

I actually have communicated with [WikiLeaks founder Julian] Assange, Stone told a Florida Republican group that day. I believe the next tranche of his documents pertain to the Clinton Foundation, but theres no telling what the October Surprise might be. On Aug. 21, he tweeted: Trust me, it will soon [be] Podestas time in the barrel.

Stone has repeatedly denied that he had inside information about Assanges plans and insists he never had any direct communications with anyone at WikiLeaks.

But, as the Mueller indictment lays out, it was not for lack of trying: At a key moment, he sought to enlist Corsi to ferret out what stolen material Assange might have on the Clintons. Get to Assange, he emailed Corsi on July 25, and get the pending [WikiLeaks] emails  they deal with Foundation allegedly, according to the indictment.

Special counsel Robert Mueller. (Photo: Andrew Burton/Getty Images)

Corsi later told Stone in an email that he was having an associate in Europe  since identified as Ted Malloch, a London-based academic and Trump supporter  contact Assange. On Aug. 2, Corsi emailed Stone: Word is friend in embassy plans 2 more dumps. One shortly after Im back. 2nd in Oct. Impact planned to be very damaging.

Corsi, who by his admission has been threatened with criminal charges by Mueller but was not charged in Fridays indictment, has since said that he never knew anything for sure about what material Assange had and that Malloch never actually communicated with Assange. Malloch has been questioned by the FBI but also was not charged Friday,

At the same time, Stone was repeatedly emailing and texting with Credico  a left-wing New York radio host who interviewed Assange on his program on Aug. 25. Credico at times led Stone on about Assanges plans, telling him in one text on Aug. 27: Assange has kryptonite on Hillary, the indictment charges. On Oct. 1, Credico emailed Stone: big news Wednesdaynow pretend u dont know meHillarys campaign will die this week. When the promised emails werent released that day, Stone texted Credico: WTF? Credico replied head fake.

Credico has also denied he knew anything for sure about what Assange was about to do and the indictment presents no evidence that he actually did.

But the most damaging charges against Stone relate to his alleged later efforts to obstruct the congressional inquiry into the matter, including what the indictment portrays as efforts to intimidate Credico from talking to investigators.

During his 2017 testimony, Stone claimed that he had a back channel and intermediary who confirmed to him what Assange was going to do  and he later in a letter to the House Intelligence Committee identified that person as Credico.

But when Credico resisted confirming Stones story, Stone urged him to stonewall investigators. On Dec. 1, after Credico had been subpoenaed by the House Intelligence Committee, Stone told him he should do a Frank Pentageli  a reference to the mobster in The Godfather: Part II who lies to a Senate hearing  and added in a text: And if you turned over anything to the FBI youre a fool.

And when Credico began to publicly dispute Stones account, Stone emailed him on April 9: You are a rat. A stoolie. You backstab your friends  run your mouth my lawyers are dying [to] Rip you to shreds. Stone also appeared to threaten Bianco, Credicos service dog, texting him he would take that dog away from you adding that same day: Prepare to die [expletive], the indictment charges.

When Stone was questioned by the House Intelligence Committee about his contacts with his intermediary to Assange  a reference to Credico  he falsely claimed that he never texted or emailed with him at all, according to the indictment.

Radio host and comedian Randy Credico with his dog, Bianca, after testifying before a grand jury convened by special counsel Robert Mueller, in Washington, Sept. 7, 2018. (Photo: Yuri Gripas/Reuters)

So you never communicated with your intermediary in writing in any way? Stone was asked. No, he replied. So all your conversations with him were in person or over the phone? Correct, Stone replied.

More broadly, according to the indictment, Stone made deliberately false and misleading statements during his House testimony, telling the panel that he possessed no emails and texts with anyone about the WikiLeaks material. You have no emails, no texts, no documents whatsoever, any kind of that nature? he was asked. That is correct. Not to my knowledge, he replied.

The indictment is silent on why Stone would have lied to investigators about the matter, if, as he claims, he was never in direct contact with WikiLeaks. But one clue is a separate series of emails and texts he was having about the Assange material with multiple Trump campaign officials, including then campaign chief Steve Bannon. Starting in June and July of 2016, Stone informed Trump Campaign officials that he had information about WikiLeaks document dumps and continued to brief campaign officials throughout the summer and early fall, the indictment charges.

On Oct. 4, Bannon emailed Stone asking about the status of the predicted WikiLeaks dumps and Stone replied that Assange had a serious security concern but that WikiLeaks would release a load every week going forward.

It was on Oct. 7  when WikiLeaks finally began releasing the stolen Podesta emails shortly after the release of the politically damaging Access Hollywood tape  that a Bannon associate texted Stone well done. The indictment then adds: In subsequent conversations with senior Trump Campaign officials, Stone claimed credit for having correctly predicted the October 7, 2016 release.

_____

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WASHINGTON (AP)  The stepson of conservative writer Jerome Corsi, who is a target in the special counsel's Russia investigation, appeared before a grand jury on Thursday and was questioned about a computer that he and Corsi had discussed being "scrubbed," his lawyer said.

Andrew Stettner spent about an hour facing questions at the federal courthouse in Washington.

Corsi is an associate of former Trump campaign adviser Roger Stone, and special counsel Robert Mueller's investigators are trying to determine whether Corsi and Stone had advance knowledge of WikiLeaks' plans to release hacked material damaging to Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential effort.

But prosecutors did not ask Stettner about any other topics and did not question him about Stone, said lawyer Larry Klayman, who represents Stettner and Corsi.

"There were questions about the computer, and the special counsel seemed quite satisfied with those responses," Klayman said.

Corsi has said investigators previously sought to question his stepson about the computer and text messages the two exchanged in which Stettner told his stepfather that a computer that sat on Corsi's desk had been "scrubbed." Corsi has maintained that the messages showed nothing nefarious and that he asked his stepson to refurbish the old computer for his wife to use for her business.

But the testimony before the grand jury is further evidence that the special counsel is continuing to examine the relationship between Corsi and Stone, who has known President Donald Trump for decades.

Klayman said it was "really unnecessary" for Stettner to be there on Thursday.

"The testimony confirmed that no documents were in any way deleted or lost or anything to that effect," he said.

The attorney reiterated his call for the special counsel's office to back off its investigation of Corsi, saying it would be "very unwise" if it brought charges against him. Corsi has filed a lawsuit against Mueller and has filed a complaint with the Justice Department, alleging prosecutors tried to coerce him to give false testimony.

A spokesman for the special counsel's office, Peter Carr, declined to comment Thursday.

Corsi also has released documents showing prosecutors offered him a deal to plead guilty to a false-statements charge. He has rejected the deal and says he didn't knowingly mislead investigators.
With about a quarter of the federal government closed for more than a month and employees missing their paychecks for the second time Friday, states are coming to their residents aid.

Illinois, Connecticut and Maine are partnering with banks to offer unpaid federal workers no-interest loans. Nevada will defer college fees for such workers and their dependents. New York is extending assistance with utility bills. Rhode Island is looking into measures to provide a break from residential, tax, credit card and auto payments.

But perhaps the boldest move so far has been taken by California, Colorado and Vermont, which have defied a directive from the Department of Labor and opted to grant unemployment benefits to federal employees forced to work without pay during the partial government shutdown.

While the approximately 380,000 federal workers who have been furloughed since Dec. 22 can apply for unemployment, the other 420,000 directly impacted by the shutdown have had to work without pay because theyre deemed essential, and as such are considered employed and not eligible for that benefit.

So theyre getting all the hassle of work and none of the financial reward, at least until the shutdown is over. All 800,000 affected federal workers are expected to eventually receive back pay.

The individuals who are forced to work have to pay their transportation costs, they cant take outside part-time employment if it interferes with their federal job, and they may have child-care expenses, so its even harder on them than on the folks who are furloughed, said Dirk Anderson, general counsel for the Vermont Office of the Commissioner of Labor.

According to Labor Department statistics, unemployment claims from federal workers skyrocketed from 10,454 to 25,419 in the second week of January, when employees missed their first paycheck of the year. They only figure to continue climbing while the shutdown lasts.

That has prompted several states to inquire about extending unemployment insurance to all federal workers affected by the shutdown, not just those who are on furlough. The Labor Department said no dice, reminding them of guidelines most recently applied during the 2013 shutdown.

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More: Amid shutdown, is it safe to fly? Airlines say yes, but worry about increasing delays

More: Shutdown: Day of frenzy produces 'glimmer of hope' of hope' that standoff may finally end

States are cautioned that Federal funding for administrative costs or any unemployment benefits paid by the states to such workers will be unavailable, acting Assistant Secretary Molly Conway wrote in a letter to Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam.

States should not use Federal funds for this purpose and should not expect Federal reimbursement or assistance with regard to recovering any benefit payments when the lapse in appropriations ends.

Heavily Democratic California, which has been at odds with the Trump administration on everything from environmental policy to forest management to immigrant protections, took the lead by announcing on Jan. 11 that it would grant those benefits, and encouraged its 245,000 federal workers to claim them.

Colorado and Vermont later followed suit.

Virginia, New York, Michigan and Washington, all run by Democratic governors, have sought clarification about the workers eligibility, arguing its unfair for federal employees on the job who are not getting paid to be disqualified from unemployment insurance.

Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser is also making efforts to extend that relief to essential federal workers.

At a meeting with TSA employees in the Sacramento airport last week, California Gov. Gavin Newson cited what he referred to as a jaw-dropping e-mail sent to his state, Washington, Arizona, Oregon, Nevada, Alaska, Idaho and Hawaii, reminding them essential federal workers who are fully employed are not eligible for unemployment funds.

The good news is, we're going to do it, and shame on them, Newsom said. They're in essence threatening us for doing what we're doing. So that's why I'm here, to say we're going to do it.

The bravado is not quite as daring as it might seem. The states have made it clear to applicants that theyre obligated to pay back the money once they receive the compensation theyve missed during the shutdown, so the benefit essentially amounts to a loan.

But states do incur administrative costs usually billed to the federal government, and they may be on the hook for those.

Were hopeful of sitting down with the U.S. Department of Labor when this is over and try to resolve it, but we understand there may be some federal repercussions, Vermonts Anderson said. Were hoping there wont be, but were prepared for that.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Work without pay? Here's what states are doing to deal with employees missing paychecks during shutdown
By Jonathan Allen and David Shepardson

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Hundreds of flights were grounded or delayed at New York-area and Philadelphia airports on Friday as air traffic controllers called in sick hours before President Donald Trump announced an end to the 35-day partial shutdown of the U.S. government.

Trump said on Friday he had reached a deal with U.S. lawmakers for three weeks in stop-gap funding that would end the budget stalemate with Democrats.

The Federal Aviation Administration issued a ground stop for flights destined for New York's LaGuardia Airport on Friday morning before lifting it just over an hour later. Staff shortages also delayed flights at Newark Liberty International Airport and Philadelphia International Airport, according to the FAA.

Delays had impacted about a third of incoming flights to LaGuardia early on Friday, according to the FlightAware tracking service.

The White House had been briefed for weeks on aviation issues during the shutdown and Trump had gotten an update on Friday. Administration and congressional officials said they did not think Friday's flight disruptions was the deciding factor in ending the shutdown. But it was a mounting concern among administration officials.

Hundreds of thousands of federal workers have been furloughed or, as with some airport workers, required to work without pay, during the shutdown. Some federal agencies have reported much higher absence rates among workers who were working without paychecks.

John Hitt, a 51-year-old lawyer based in Boston, had expected to fly to Milwaukee via LaGuardia on Friday morning to visit his terminally ill aunt, but Delta Air Lines <DAL.N> told him his flight was delayed for at least two and a half hours.

"I've had to scratch the trip, eat the cost of a rental car cancellation and now I'm starting over to figure out when I could get there," Hitt said in a telephone interview. "With the uncertainty now created by the shutdown, it's making me hesitant to fly."

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Delta said about 200 of its flights were delayed at LaGuardia and other Northeast airports.

Paul Rinardi, president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, said on Friday the association does not condone employees joining any coordinated activity that compromises safety, but that many controllers have reached "the breaking point."

Democrats in Congress also said that the system's safety would be jeopardized by a continuing shutdown. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on Friday that the shutdown was "pushing our airspace to the breaking point."

FAA air traffic controllers guide the takeoff and landing of planes carrying around two million passengers daily, a job the FAA describes as having zero margin for error.

On Thursday, three major U.S. airlines - American Airlines Group Inc <AAL.O>, Southwest Airlines Co <LUV.N> and JetBlue Airways Corp <JBLU.O> - said the impact of the shutdown on their business had so far been limited but was nearing a tipping point.

Airlines for America, an industry trade group, praised the deal to reopen the government. "As we have seen over the past 35 days, the pressures and strains of a shutdown are not sustainable. The disruptions to passengers, commerce and the economy are not tolerable," the group said in a statement.

The financial fortunes of airlines are closely tied to the health of the economy. In addition, airlines with hubs in Washington have said they have been losing government business as a result of the shutdown.

Delta said on Friday it had decided to postpone the debut of its Airbus A220 due to delays in the FAA certification process, while Southwest said the shutdown was delaying its plan to launch service to Hawaii, which also requires FAA approval.

(Reporting by Jonathan Allen in New York, David Shepardson and Richard Cowan in Washington, Gina Cherelus and Gabriella Borter in New York, Tracy Rucinski in Chicago and Dan Whitcomb in Los Angeles; Editing by Bill Berkrot)
Jack Shepherd in court in Tblisli (Reuters)

Speedboat killer Jack Shepherd has been told he will be held in jail for three months in Georgia after appearing in court in the capital of Tblisi.

The ruling was made after Shepherds lawyers said he has received death threats and his life could be in danger if returned to the UK.

His defence team also said he has been suicidal and depressed since the death of Charlotte Brown, who died while the couple were on a speedboat date while on the River Thames  and that it might not be possible to extradite him to the UK.

The 31-year-old has been in the Georgian capital of Tblisli since March.

Victim Charlotte Brown (Metropolitan Police/PA)

Fugitive Shepherd went on the run after he fled the Old Bailey at the start of his three-week trial, sparking an international manhunt.

Shepherd made his first appearance at the Old Bailey on 26 January 2018, when he entered a not guilty plea to a charge of manslaughter by gross negligence.

In his absence, Shepherd was sentenced to six years and after his conviction an international arrest warrant was issued.

However, while he was on the run, he won the right to appeal against his conviction, despite his lawyer claiming to not know where his client was in the world.

He was arrested after handing himself into police in the former Soviet republic.

After he was arrested he told a Georgian TV station: Yes my name is Jack Shepherd, I was involved in a tragic accident in which a lady called Charlotte Brown tragically died.

Jack Shepherd speaking to Georgian TV (Rustravi2)

Ms Brown, 24, was killed after falling into the icy Thames water when Shepherds speedboat overturned in the River Thames during a first date in December 2015.

Mr Shepherd suggested the boat ride despite the fact that the pair had been drinking heavily.

It was announced earlier this week that Mr Shepherd would appear before a court in Georgia after being arrested.

His victims father has called Shepherd crass and arrogant.

A bearded Shepherd in court (Reuters)

The family of Charlotte Brown had vowed to do anything to bring their 24-year-old daughters killer to justice.

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Under Georgian law, Shepherd can be detained for up to nine months before any extradition.

He is being represented by Mariam Kublashvili, a lawyer who reportedly appeared on Georgias version of Strictly Come Dancing.

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The lack of integration characterizing the Maghreb Union is a fallout of Algerias perpetuation of tensions with Morocco, although the kingdom has on multiple occasions called on Algeria to open a new page in bilateral relations with a view to bolstering integration in the Maghreb region, underlined Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita.

In an interview with Aljazeera TV channel, the Moroccan Foreign Minister who deplored the lethargy marking the Maghreb Union recalled that the latest call was made by King Mohammed VI last November when he invited Algeria to a frank dialogue.

The Monarch suggested the setting up of a joint political consultation mechanism, Bourita recalled.

Algeria has kept its borders closed with Morocco since 1994. The hidden agenda behind closing the borders with Morocco was an illusion nurtured by the Algerian regime that the Kingdom will succumb to their oil-funded hegemonic schemes in the region.

Algeria, which hosts, arms and funds the separatist Polisario militia, has made of isolating Morocco the supreme goal of its diplomacy.

Deeming the Maghreb integration as a zero sum game, Algerian officials, who continue to be hostage to a cold war mentality, think that opening the borders will be more beneficial for Morocco, which has an attractive tourist market likely to lure Algerian tourists.

They also think that the free movement of goods will mostly benefit Morocco, which has a free market and a more competitive industry in contrast to Algerias full dependency on hydrocarbons as a source of revenue.

Yet, they ignore that maintaining the status quo by keeping the Algerian economy isolated will further undermine competitiveness and leave Algeria in the rear bottom of doing business ranking.

Using the security alibi to prevent the freedom of movement of people and goods in the region is flawed. Fighting terrorism and drug trafficking in the region should be a collective endeavor as national approaches have long proved their inefficiency.

Algerias hegemonic schemes, its closed-border policy and support for separatism in the Sahara have been factors that hampered the achievement of the Maghreb Union.

The economic cost is tremendous. The low performance of this regional block is evidenced in an intra-Maghreban trade not exceeding 4.8% of the Maghrebs trade volume, representing less than 2% of the sub-regions combined GDP.

If the five Maghreb countries were integrated, each would gain a minimum 5% rise in GDP, the World Economic Forum said in a report published in late 2017.

Deeper integration, including the liberalizing of services and reform of investment rules would have increased the per capita real GDP between 2005 and 2015 by 34% for Algeria, 27% for Morocco and 24% for Tunisia.

In light of the lack of willingness from Algerian officials to engage in sincere efforts to reinvigorate the Union along the lines of its founding Marrakesh Treaty, the Maghreb Union will remain one of the worst performing trading blocks in the world, pushing its member states to seek alternatives elsewhere.
Washington (AFP) - Longtime Donald Trump advisor Roger Stone is the 34th person indicted by Special Counsel Robert Mueller as part of the investigation of possible ties between the US president's election campaign and Russia.

The ongoing probe by the former FBI director has led to six guilty pleas by Trump associates but so far no charges of outright collusion between the Trump campaign and Moscow.

Stone, 66, a veteran Republican operative, was arrested at his Florida home by FBI agents on Friday on charges of making false statements to Congress and witness tampering.

The six Trump associates who have pleaded guilty so far are:

- Paul Manafort -

Manafort, 69, a veteran Republican political consultant, was Trump's campaign chairman for several months in 2016. He is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to tax and bank fraud connected to his work for pro-Russian politicians in Ukraine.

- Michael Flynn -

Flynn, 60, a retired US Army general, is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to lying to the FBI about his contacts with the Russian ambassador in Washington. Flynn stepped down as Trump's National Security Advisor after just three weeks on the job.

- Michael Cohen -

Cohen, 52, Trump's longtime personal attorney and fixer, was sentenced to three years in prison in December after pleading guilty to tax evasion, violating campaign finance laws, making false statements to Congress and other crimes. He is to report to prison on March 6.

- Rick Gates -

Gates, 46, Manafort's business partner, served as Trump's deputy campaign manager. He pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI and financial fraud and testified against Manafort at his trial after reaching a plea deal.

- George Papadopoulos -

Papdopoulos, 31, is an oil industry analyst who served on Trump's foreign policy advisory team and tried to set up meetings with Russian officials. He was sentenced to two weeks in prison after admitting he lied to the FBI.

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- Other indictments -

Others indicted by Mueller include Alex Van Der Zwaan, a Dutch lawyer who got 30 days in prison for lying about his work with Manafort, and Richard Pinedo, a California man who admitted to selling stolen bank and credit card numbers to the Russians.

In June 2018, Konstantin Kilimnik, who worked with Manafort in Ukraine and allegedly has ties to Russian intelligence, was charged with obstruction of justice.

- Russians charged -

Mueller has also charged 12 Russian intelligence officers with hacking Democratic Party emails and 13 other Russians with engaging in an online campaign to influence US voters in the 2016 election.
Southwest Airlines is dropping Mexico City from its route map.

The low-cost giant currently flies to the Mexican capital from Houston Hobby, its seventh-busiest airport as measured by daily departures. Flights will end March 30.

Southwest said it's making the move as we continue to optimize our flight schedules, adding it will reallocate its planes and resources used for Mexico City service to better opportunities within our existing route network.

Southwest first began flying to Mexico City in November 2014, part of a broader international expansion that followed the carriers acquisition of AirTran Airways in 2011.

Southwests first international flights on its own planes came on July 2, 2014, when it launched six routes to destinations in the Caribbean. A seventh route followed later that week.

In Mexico, Southwest will continue to fly to three other cities, all beach resorts: Cabo San Lucas, Cancun and Puerto Vallarta.

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A winter storm sweeping Algeria brought snow to several areas of the country on January 24, according to local news reports.

Air Algerie suspended a number of flights due to the heavy snowfall, Radio Algerie reported.

This footage shows snow blanketing the northern city of Setif. Credit: Anes_ Se via Storyful




This is the shocking moment a police suspect viciously kicked a female police officer into the path of a double decker bus.

PC Lorraine McGinty and a colleague had pulled over Martin Payne, 19, in his BMW in Merton, south west London on November 17 last year. Kersan Euell, 20, and a third man were also in the vehicle.

What started out as a routine check after the car was found not to be insured quickly turned into a nightmare for the officer, who was forced to take a month off work after the horrific attack by Euell.

She is now considering early retirement.

The footage begins with the officer asking Payne to tell her his name, warning that if he doesnt comply hes going to be arrested.

Karsan Euell and Martin Payne moments before they turned violent (Metropolitan Police)

Payne  who had been casually scrolling on his phone, insisting that hed already given his name  makes a sudden attempt to flee, attempting to take down PC McGintys colleague, PC John Collins, in the process.

As PC McGinty calls for urgent assistance, the scuffle moves into the road.

Then, as PC McGinty tries to help her fellow officer with the aid of her CS gas canister, Euell launches a kung fu kick at her head, sending her into the path of the moving bus.

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PC McGinty suffered a two inch gash to the back of the head having landed on the pavement.

Both officers were taken to hospital after the violent scenes, which resulted in PC Collins suffering a broken rib.

Euell was jailed for three years and six months for the attack, while Payne was sentenced to two years and nine months.

Watch the latest videos from Yahoo UK
As expected, both procedural votes that would have paved a path to ending the longest government shutdown in U.S. history failed Thursday.

The procedural vote on the proposal backed by President Donald Trump, which included $5.7 billion in funding for a border wall, received 50 votes in the Senate, with 47 opposing. The proposal backed by the Democrats, which would have temporarily opened the government until February 8 with no money for a wall, received 52 votes, with 44 Senators opposing. Both needed 60 votes in order to advance.

Both proposals were essentially dead on arrival. No lawmakers heading to the vote Wednesday expressed any confidence that either would receive the necessary votes.

In a bad sign for Trump, only one Democrat crossed party lines to vote on Trumps proposal, while six Republicans did so for the Democrats. After the votes, a small group of these senators took to the floor to push to reopen government for three weeks while negotiations continue. At the same time, Democratic leader Chuck Schumer was meeting with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

Its not obvious to members of Congress what comes next. I have no idea, Kentucky Rep. John Yarmuth, who chairs the House budget committee, said on Wednesday when asked about a possible path forward after these votes. Has anyone come up with one?

The failed votes happened on the 34th day of the partial government shutdown, and the same week that thousands of federal workers would miss their second paycheck. But while both sides of the aisle, at least in Congress, acknowledge that a compromise must be reached, they seem unclear about how to get there, although different groups in both chambers are crafting various options, or at least putting forward different ideas. Democrats in the House of Representatives have been working on their own terms of negotiations for border security, which they are expected to officially unveil on Friday.

We want to make slear to the American people what we support in eventual negotiations on border security, after the government is re-opened, one Democratic aide told TIME.

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The Democrats proposal, however, is not expected to include any money for a physical wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, a sticking point for Trump, since the wall is the reason he decided to shut down the government in the first place. Republicans in Congress are similarly adamant that there be some sort of physical structure. I dont believe anyone in America thinks you can have border security without some form of a barrier, said House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy.

In the Senate, a group of bipartisan Senators have been meeting regularly to plot a legislative compromise. [We] have been meeting many many times, said Maine Sen. Susan Collins, who voted for both proposals.

Republican Sen. John Cornyn said the only way out of this impasse was to keep talking. But that has not been happening. Democratic leadership has not met with the President since Jan. 9, when he stormed out. And despite the movement in both chambers, no imminent meetings have been scheduled yet.

Republican leadership has griped that Democrats are unwilling to come to the table. But Pelosi implied Thursday that, since Trump is ultimately the one who would sign the legislation re-opening the government, he has to facilitate the meeting. Its the President of the United States, she said. We would meet with him any time he wants to meet.

Despite the growing frustration, there was the smallest inkling of optimism that these votes, the first the Senate has taken on the shutdown in nearly a month, were a tiny step towards progress. I think it is time to be encouraged; I think were actually on the path to seeing a breakthrough, said South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott. The fact that were actually having votes  means were heading in the right direction.
If you're resolved to make self-care happen in the new year, you're not alone. And if you're not quite sure what it is, there are 11.5 million #selfcare hashtagged Instagram posts to show you.

But many of them are also trying to sell you. Accompanying the #selfcare hashtag is often #ad or #spon (sponsored), reflecting a billion dollar market that has risen up around the movement. Apple even named self-care its 2018 App Trend of the Year.

Powered by collective stress, bolstered by social media, and commodified by brands eager to exploit people's desire for self-improvement, self-care has evolved from an individual act to a mainstream movement  and market  where the lines between true wellness, social media performance and self-criticism blur.

What are the lines between self-care, self-indulgence and self-hate?

"Self-care can sort of blur into self-improvement which can sort of blur into you're not good enough as you are," said Christine Carter, a sociologist and senior fellow at UC Berkeleys Greater Good Science Center. "And when it becomes focused on the body, particularly for women ... that starts to get really tricky."

Self-care: Badass or basic?

Self-care seems to be a concept particular to women.

Google searches for "self care" hit a 14-year high in September, the week of then Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation hearings, when the relentlessness of sexual assault allegations in the news upset many women with similar experiences. It marked a peak in an upward trend in search for self-care that began after President Trump's election. More than six in 10 Americans report the current political climate is a significant stressor, according to a 2018 report from the American Psychological Association (APA).

This would suggest a return to the idea of self-care bolstered by African-American lesbian activist Audre Lorde in 1988, when she called it "self-preservation" and "an act of political warfare. Lorde saw self-care as something politically useful for people who felt oppressed  care for yourself so that you have energy to advocate for the collective good.

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Melissa Perez, 34, of New York, works in child welfare, and says she makes self-care a priority in large part because her job is so draining. For her, self-care means going to the gym, minding her triggers and meditating.

"If you do not have the capacity to care for yourself there is no way you can care for others," she said.

But Carter says self-care's popularity may actually reflect how powerless some people feel to help one another. To escape a feeling of futility in the current political environment, she said, it may be that more people are choosing to focus on what they can control: themselves.

"I do think that there is a fair amount of the hashtag #selfcare that is really a thinly veiled expression of hopelessness," Carter said.

Others see the brand of self-care that's gone mainstream as a bastardized version of Lorde's idea. The current incarnation of self-care  championed in large part by white upperclass women and promoted heavily through social media performance  has been criticized as aspirational in a way most people can never make time for, let alone afford. Some would say it seems to exclude the people who arguably need self-care the most.

In December, New York's newly-elected congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was criticized by some for announcing she was taking a self-care break. She gave a shout-out to some of the people she sees as likely needing one too.

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Self-identified "anti-guru" Sarah Knight, author of several self-help books including the most recent Calm the F*** Down, says women are especially in need of self-care. Women have a long history of serving as caregivers  often at great expense to themselves.

"Any time men focus on their damn selves that is perfectly natural and the way of the world," Knight said. With men, it's not labeled self-care. "When women do it, it's selfish, and it's bad, and we shouldn't talk about it."

If you're hashtagging #selfcare are you doing it wrong?

Experts say true self-care is about creating health and well-being, though there isn't agreement about what falls under that umbrella. Most people say rest and sleep are self-care. But what about wine with friends? Is buying shoes self-care, too?

"Self-care is about taking care of yourself so that you can be there for other people," said Maria Baratta, a licensed clinical psychologist in New York. "Narcissism is about putting the self first, but not in a way that benefits anyone but the self."

If you're doing something to reduce stress, to ensure your mind and body are functioning optimally, that is self-care, according to psychologists, and lots of things fall into that bucket. But doing it to get likes on a #selfcare photo may not serve that purpose  and could actually backfire.

"We have a fair amount of research now that shows most people who are performing on social media feel less happy, so the fact that you're performing self-care for social media in and of itself is highly likely to make you more insecure and feel worse about yourself," Carter said. "If you're going to take care of yourself, great. If you really feel much more relaxed having a pedicure, great, go do that, but then don't go perform it. That's just my happiness advice."

Self-care that benefits the mind and the body, Carter says, "fosters an authentic positive emotion  like gratitude, contentedness, compassion, elevation or inspiration." These positive emotions reduce stress by bringing the heart rate down, reducing blood pressure and calming the nervous system.

Excess, however, can have a very different physiological impact.

"Indulgence is the extreme end of pleasure  those things activate the reward system [which] can be very gratifying, but in the end it tends to create more stress, because that dopamine hit you got because of the new shoes that you bought yourself ultimately creates craving and desire  it's never enough," Carter said. "Pleasure and luxury can feel good in the moment, but it leaves you wanting more."

Knight warns against limiting definitions of self-care as well as subscribing to what social media says it should be.

"If you follow and like and click on all of these women who are doing yoga retreats or whatever and they have these amazing bodies and they look so calm and you think you should be doing that because it would make you feel better  you know how many people have recommended that I do yoga to relax? You know how much I like yoga? Zero. Zero percent I like yoga," Knight said. "My version of self-care is not yoga."

Self-care can be a quiet exercise that costs nothing. It can be the awe we feel walking in nature, a phone call to a friend, or taking time to reflect on what we're grateful for. Some would say it could also mean buying shoes, especially if you need them. But ultimately self-care means being curious about who you are, and figuring out for yourself what you need  versus what you want  to live well.

"Who are you to say that anything I want to label as caring for myself is not actually that?" Knight asks.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Has self-care lost its way?
Damascus (AFP) - A bomb attack hit near the Russian embassy in the Syrian capital Thursday but caused no casualties, state media said, in the second such blast in Damascus in less than a week.

Eight years into Syria's devastating civil war, President Bashar al-Assad's regime is in control of almost two-thirds of the country.

Until last week, Damascus had enjoyed more than a year of respite from planted explosives.

On Thursday, state news agency SANA reported "a terrorist bombing in the Adawi area" in the northeast of the capital.

An explosive device was planted in a car, it said, "causing material damage but no casualties".

Images on state media showed the mangled remains of a sky blue car. A scorched jumble of metal appeared where the car seats once were, but part of its bonnet had survived.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war monitor, said the blast hit near the embassy of key government ally Russia, lightly wounding four people.

The explosion came after another in Damascus on Sunday, which the Observatory said hit "near a security branch in the south of the city".

The monitoring group reported "some people killed and injured" in that attack, though state media said there were no victims.

- Three explosions -

Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman said Sunday's explosion appeared to be the first such blast in Damascus since a car bomb more than a year ago that caused no casualties.

Including Thursday's attack, three explosions have rocked regime-held areas in less than a week.

On Tuesday, a car bomb also killed one in the regime's coastal stronghold of Latakia, according to state media.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for any of these three attacks.

Syria's civil war has killed more than 360,000 people and displaced millions since it started in 2011 with the brutal repression of anti-government protests.

It has since spiralled into a complex conflict involving jihadists and world powers.

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With key military backing from Russia since 2015, President Bashar al-Assad's forces have retaken large parts of Syria from rebels and jihadists.

The Syrian regime in May retook a final scrap of territory held by the Islamic State group in southern Damascus, cementing total control over the capital for the first time in six years.

Still outside the regime's reach are a jihadist bastion in northwest Syria, northern patches held by Turkey-allied rebels, and a northeastern swathe held by Kurdish-led forces fighting IS.

- IS remnants -

The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces are fighting to expel the last IS fighters from scraps of territory in eastern Syria near the Iraqi border.

Backed by the air strikes of the US-led coalition, the SDF have since September been whittling away at a pocket of territory on the eastern banks of the Euphrates River in the eastern province of Deir Ezzor.

On Thursday, the SDF foiled a deadly IS counterattack to retake the village of Baghouz after the Kurdish-led alliance overran it the previous day, the Observatory said.

The assault killed 16 US-backed fighters and 34 IS fighters, the monitor said, while the SDF captured 21 jihadists attempting to flee towards the Iraqi border.

Some 1,000 people -- including 300 alleged IS fighters -- had fled into SDF-controlled areas since early morning, it said earlier.

IS overran large swathes of Syria and neighbouring Iraq in 2014, declaring a "caliphate" there, but they have since lost almost all of it to various offensives.

The jihadists have retained a presence in the vast Badia desert stretching across Syria, and have continued to claim attacks in SDF-held territory and abroad.

But they did not claim any of the three latest blasts in regime-held territory on any of their usual channels.
Algerias former minister of energy and ex-Secretary General of the oil cartel OPEC Thursday threw his full support behind incumbent President Abdelaziz Bouteflika should he run for another term during April Presidential elections.

Chakib Khelil in statement on his facebook page, first blasted comments made by famous sport journalist Hafid Derradji who said the ex-minister will stand for the elections. Khelil said the comments are false and are a political maneuver, Maghreb Emergent reported

We reaffirm once again our outright commitment and our entire support for any decision that President Abdelaziz Bouteflika may make as of the Presidential elections, Khelil said in the statement.

Algerians will go to the polls on April 18 to elect their president. Two candidates have so far announced their intent to seek the top job.

Retired army General Ali Ghediri on Saturday (Jan.19) opened the lid over his plan. He was followed the following day by former Prime Minister Ali Benflis who conditioned his participation to validation by his party, Talaie El Hourriyet.

The nation is in limbo as it wonders if Bouteflika will seek a 5th term in office.

The incumbent President has not unveiled his plans yet. He is in poor health condition since he suffered in 2013 a stroke, which impaired his speaking and mobility abilities. Millions of Algerians believe that their President can no longer rule the oil and gas rich African country.
Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer on Thursday blocked a Republican bill that would pay the Coast Guard without ending the ongoing partial government shutdown.

Republican Senator John Kennedy, who attempted to move the legislation forward, refused Schumers request to add provisions reopening the federal government because, he said, such a bill would not be signed by President Trump.

It will be a futile, useless exercise. Now, we can go through it if you want to. You can spend all day trying to teach a goat how to climb a tree, but youre better off hiring a squirrel, said Kennedy.

Around 42,000 Coast Guard members are currently working without pay. Members of the other branches of the military have not been affected by the shutdown, but the Coast Guard is funded separately through the Department of Homeland Security.

The shutdown, the longest in U.S. history, is now in its 34th day, and is poised to deprive around 800,000 federal workers of a second consecutive paycheck. Elsewhere on Thursday, two separate bills designed to break the impasse and reopen the government failed in the Senate.

More from National Review
BINGHAMTON, N.Y.  Two days after a protest erupted at a Binghamton school board meeting over an alleged strip search of four 12-year-old girls at East Middle School, the Board of Education released a statement firmly denying the claims.

"School officials did not conduct a strip search," officials said.

Board meeting attendees said four black female students were questioned and strip searched by the school nurse and assistant principal after suspicion of possessing drugs.

A statement distributed by local organization, Progressive Leaders of Tomorrow, claimed the girls were "instructed to remove their clothing" for "appearing hyper and giddy during their lunch hour."

Board members said the district has an obligation to ensure the health and well-being of students, "which may include physical and medical evaluation," but added the evaluation did not involve a strip search.

"The administrators who work in the middle school every day are trained to monitor and evaluate students and recognize behavior that is out of character," read the statement.

Officials said school officials followed protocol by contacting parents "of the precautions and procedures that were taken."

Tuesday's Binghamton School Board meeting was standing room only as the community demanded action regarding the alleged strip search of four middle school girls last week.

"These on-the-spot decisions are made to ensure the students health and well-being remain a priority," read the statement, "which is why students are evaluated immediately."

Board officials said the students were not punished as a result of the incident and were allowed to return to class after being evaluated.

"The safety and well-being of our students is our highest priority," officials said.

Binghamton City School District said Wednesday "a student may, under current law and policy, be searched in a school building by an administrator when the administrator reasonably suspects that a students health is in danger or is in possession of a substance that may harm themselves or others."

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During those searches, the district said, an administrator could ask a student to empty their pockets, remove their shoes and/or remove their jackets.

More: Binghamton residents protest alleged strip searches of four students at East Middle

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Follow Katie Sullivan Borrelli on Twitter @ByKatieSullivan.

This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: School denies conducting strip search of four black middle school students in New York
Photo credit: Sergei Bobylev - Getty Images

From Popular Mechanics

Russia took the unusual step today of holding a press conference in an attempt to explain its side of a dispute that threatens to sink a decades-long arms control treaty. Moscow claims that the new 9M729 cruise missile, which the United States believes violates the 1987 INF Treaty, is merely an updated version of an older missile that is not only in compliance with treaty range limits but actually has a shorter range than the previous missile.

For years, Washington has warned U.S. intelligence has picked up on indications Russia is secretly violating the 1987 INF Treaty. The treaty outlawed both the US and USSR-later Russia-from deploying land-based ballistic missiles with ranges between 310 and 3,420 miles. This had the net effect of eliminating an entire class of nuclear delivery systems (the treaty affects ballistic and cruise missiles, not actual nuclear warheads).

Photo credit: Sergei Bobylev - Getty Images

In late November 2018, U.S. Director of National Intelligence Daniel Coats explained the U.S. reasoning . Although the treaty bans ground-launched intermediate range missiles, it allows ground testing of missiles meant for launch from ships and aircraft. According to Coats:

Aware of this treaty provision, Russia initially flight tested the 9M729  a ground based missile  to distances well over 500 kilometers (km) from a fixed launcher. Russia then tested the same missile at ranges below 500km from a mobile launcher. By putting the two types of tests together, Russia was able to develop a missile that flies to the intermediate ranges prohibited by the INF Treaty and launches from a ground-mobile platform. Russia probably assumed parallel development  tested from the same site  and deployment of other cruise missiles that are not prohibited by the INF Treaty would provide sufficient cover for its INF violation.

Russia has steadfastly denied 9M729 violates the INF Treaty and today launched its strongest defense yet. The general in charge of Russias Russias Missile Troops and Artillery, as well as the Deputy Foreign Minister, both claimed that the missile is within acceptable limits. Moscow also produced charts and figures that it said backed up its contention.

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According to Russia, 9M729 is actually an upgrade of the older 9M728 cruise missile. The briefing confirmed 9M729 is a ground launched missile but claims it actually has a shorter range, by 6.2 miles, keeping it within treaty limits. The new missile is 20 inches longer than the older missile, allegedly to house modernized a modernized onboard correction system-an electronics package likely meant to make the missile more accurate. The size of the fuel compartment and fuel supply remains the same across both missiles. If true, the increased size and weight of the new missile could plausibly account for the slightly shorter range.

Moscow also provided a static display of the the missile launch vehicle as well as launch canisters that it claimed held the 9M729 missiles. The display did not include showing off the actual missiles themselves however, which reports indicate are sealed inside the canisters at the factory. Russia has reportedly offered to allow the U.S. to examine the missile in private but the U.S. has already rejected a similar offer, claiming such an examination would not allow it to determine the missiles maximum range.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov also repeated Moscows counter-accusation that the U.S. was also in violation of the INF Treaty by deploying the Mk. 41 missile launcher in Romania. Originally designed as an armored, multipurpose missile launcher for warships, Mk. 41 silos were constructed in Romania in 2017 as part of a ballistic missile defense system. Russia maintains that the silos can technically launch Tomahawk land attack cruise missiles. Russia also claims that armed American drones such as the MQ-9 Reaper are technically land-based cruise missiles. Ryabkov claimed that the U.S. has long intended to abandon the INF Treaty and is making a false allegation about 9M729 to give it a pretext for leaving.

Photo credit: DANIEL MIHAILESCU - Getty Images

According to Reuters, the U.S. will begin the process of pulling out of the INF Treaty on February 2nd. Unfortunately, todays event does not appear likely to save the treaty. The U.S. and its allies are unlikely to consider todays information convincing. Ironically Russia has the most to lose from the loss of the treaty, as Russian missiles based in Russia are unable to target the United States directly. American missiles, on the other hand, based in Western Europe could strike targets inside Russia itself.

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Roger Stone, who was on Friday arrested by the FBI as part of Robert Muellers investigation, has long been a colourful figure in the frenetic world of Washington politics.

A veteran Republican political consultant and strategist, Mr Stones career began in the early 1970s when he worked on the campaign to re-elect Richard Nixon as president, later to be become infamous during the Watergate scandal.

It was during this period he first began indulging in dirty tricks, in his own words  underhand and secret tactics to smear and hamper political rivals.

The most famous of these was when the then 19-year-old made a donation in the name of the Young Socialist Alliance to a Republican who was challenging Nixon for the Republican nomination. He then leaked the receipts to a local newspaper to damage the rival.

But unlike others in Washington, as the Connecticut-born operative rose through the ranks in right-wing politics he made no secret of his predilection for no-holds-barred political skulduggery.

Ten years ago he told journalists his two mottoes were: Attack, attack, attack  never defend and Admit nothing, deny everything, launch counterattack.

While remaining loyal to the disgraced Nixon, into the 1980s Mr Stone moved into lobbying and became highly successful during the Ronald Reagan and George HW Bush eras.

It was here he joined forces with Paul Manafort to jointly run the firm Black, Manafort, & Stone, which represented in Washington everyone from Rupert Murdochs News Corp to the tobacco industry, as well as brutal Filipino dictator Ferdinand Marcos and an up-and-coming New York property tycoon called Donald Trump.

Mr Manafort would go on to be Mr Trumps presidential campaign manager, before also becoming ensnared in the special counsels investigation and convicted on eight charges of tax and bank fraud last year.

Although he was well-connected with the Republican establishment, Mr Stone was widely seen as an eccentric and unreliable outsider within the conservative movement.

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He happily admitted to the New Yorker in a profile that he had no interest in Christian social conservatism and also confessed that a scandal which had ended his role in Bob Doles 1996 campaign for president was all true.

Mr Stone had been forced to resign after it emerged he and his wife had run personal ads in a swingers magazine looking for exceptional muscular single men to party with.

At the time he had vociferously claimed his innocence, but a decade later casually conceded the accusations were true and said: Im not guilty of hypocrisy. Im a libertarian and a libertine.

He first began working with Mr Trump in the late 1990s, when he advised the businessman who was considering running for president with the small Reform Party.

He flirted with more fringe libertarian movements and repeatedly was caught up in more sex scandals and accusations of dirty tricks through the noughties.

But it was when he attached himself to Mr Trumps 2016 campaign that he returned to mainstream headlines and pugnacious appearances on cable TV.

Acting as a senior adviser to the candidate, Mr Stone was so aggressive and abusive in his interventions  once calling a fellow commentator a stupid, fat negro  he was banned from appearing on both CNN and MSNBC.

As well repeatedly floating false conspiracy theories  claiming, for instance, that a senior Hillary Clinton aide was a member of the Muslim Brotherhood  he also revelled in the release of damaging hacked emails about Ms Clinton and the Democrats by Wikileaks.

Now, however, the Mueller inquiry believes it has evidence to show he did more than cheerlead the attacks. The indictment accuses Mr Stone of lying to both Congress and the FBI about his role and contacts with Wikileaks over the hacked emails.

He has previously denied any wrongdoing and echoed Mr Trump in calling the investigation a witchhunt.
The indictment of Roger Stone, a former aide and confidant to President Donald Trump, revealed new details about his communications with WikiLeaks, an organization that disseminated hacked Democratic Party emails during the 2016 election.

The indictment unsealed Friday charged Stone with seven counts, including making false statements, witness tampering and obstruction of an official proceeding. It alleges, that Stone has been lying to investigators about his contact and "interactions" with WikiLeaks, referred to in the indictment as "Organization 1."

The indictment does not claim Stone's collusion with Russia or that he directly worked with WikiLeaks to release the stolen Democratic documents. It also does not claim that Stone received the tranche of stolen information prior to its publication.

There is, in other words, no smoking gun.

More: Roger Stone indictment: Top takeaways from the 24-page report

More: Read the full indictment against Roger Stone, an informal Trump adviser

However, the indictment does allege that Stone lied about and attempted to obscure his "frequent written communication by email and text message with Person 1, who also provided STONE with information regarding Organization 1."

Who "Person 1" is was not immediately clear.

In this March 30, 2017 photo, Roger Stone talks to reporters outside a courtroom in New York.

But "Organization 1"  WikiLeaks  has long been controversial with U.S. authorities for its determination to release documents from anonymous sources and leakers.

Its publication during the presidential campaign of materials allegedly stolen by hackers linked to Russia's government is what has led to its scrutiny by the special counsel, Robert Mueller's probe. The transparency group published emails belonging to Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton's campaign chairman, John Podesta.

WikiLeaks is run by Julian Assange, an Australian national who has been given diplomatic sanctuary inside Ecuador's embassy in London since 2012.

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He fled there in an attempt to escape extradition to Sweden over a rape investigation.

Prosecutors in Sweden have since dropped that charge but Assange's chief reason for not wanting to contest the allegation in person in Sweden was that he feared Swedish authorities would in turn extradite him to the United States.

Assange believes U.S. prosecutors are planning to press charges against him related to WikiLeaks' publication, beginning in 2010, of thousands of diplomatic cables that revealed the content of secret dispatches sent back to Washington from U.S. embassies. They included politically embarrassing details such as that then Secretary of State Hillary Clinton ordered U.S. diplomats to gather personal data and information on the leadership of the United Nations. They also laid bare the United States' evaluation of world leaders. German Chancellor Angela Merkel was described in one cable as someone who "avoids risk and is rarely creative." In another, Iran's president at the time, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, was compared to Hitler. Washington believes the leak was a national security concern and put members of the U.S. military at risk.

In recent days, Assange announced he is taking legal action against the U.S. to try to unseal any "secret" charges it may be preparing against him. Speculation increased such charges may be forthcoming after U.S. prosecutors inadvertently mentioned Assange's name in a public filing about an apparently unrelated case about sex-crimes. Seamus Hughes, a terrorism researcher at George Washington University, came across Assange's name buried in the filing and posted it on Twitter. Joshua Stueve, a spokesman for the Eastern District of Virginia, said the court filing was made "in error."

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The charges filed against Stone relate to testimony he gave to the House Intelligence Committee in 2017 in connection with the special counsel's probe.

"My testimony before the House Intelligence Committee is completely 100 percent accurate ... I'm no longer interested in the frivolous word games, of the parsing of the words, the immaterial or I should say nonmaterial, hairsplitting," he said at the time.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Roger Stone indictment: Transparency group WikiLeaks at center of allegations against Trump associate
WASHINGTON  Roger Stone, a political operative whose work on Republican campaigns spans from Richard Nixon to Donald Trump, has links to several targets of special counsel Robert Muellers investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential campaign.

Stone was arrested Friday after a federal grand jury indicted him on charges of lying to Mueller's investigators.

Stone has been a pugnacious and longstanding force in GOP politics, allies say. His web site features pictures of him with Nixon and Ronald Reagan.

Another link leads to a 2008 New Yorker profile, which said he regularly cross(es) the line between respectability and ignominy. The profile featured a picture of his tattoo of Nixon on his back.

Stone has worked for decades for a variety of Republican campaigns. During the 1980s, he was a partner in a political consulting firm with former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort, another key figure in the Mueller investigation. Manafort, who worked for Trumps campaign from March to August 2016, has been convicted on a variety of bank, tax and witness-tampering charges.

The Stone indictment contains seven counts: five charges of false statements, one count of witness tampering and one count of obstruction.

The allegations revolve around Stone's alleged contacts with WikiLeaks, the organization that released thousands of emails about Democrats during the 2016 election in an effort to damage Trump opponent Hillary Clinton. Stone is charged with lying to the House Intelligence Committee during its Russia investigation, and trying to conceal emails and other records the committee had requested.

I intend to fight for my life, Stone told Alex Jones during an interview Friday on InfoWars.com.

Stone said he was calling the show after being released on $250,000 bond after being arrested at his home about 6 a.m.

They would like me to plead guilty to charges that are completely bogus," Stone said. "There is no Russian collusion. There is no Wikileaks collaboration.

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The indictment makes repeated references to Trumps campaign, but doesnt accuse the president himself or other officials of wrongdoing.

'Payload is coming'

In the summer of 2016, according to the indictment, a senior" official on Trumps campaign was directed to contact Stone to learn about any other damaging information the organization had on Clintons campaign.

On Oct. 3, 2016, according to the indictment, Stone emailed an unnamed person involved with the campaign to give them a heads-up about another release of information: Spoke to my friend in London last night, he wrote, a reference to Wikileaks founder Julian Assange. The payload is still coming.

Stone previously acknowledged he is likely the unnamed person in last year's indictment of Russian military intelligence officers charged with hacking Democratic computers.

One Stone aide during the campaign, Andrew Miller, is fighting in federal appeals court to avoid a subpoena to testify before Muellers grand jury. Another Stone associate, Jerome Corsi, has said he expects to be indicted for perjury.

But Stone insisted throughout the probe that he did nothing illegal. In a tweet on Oct. 23, Stone said that he didnt communicate with WikiLeaks during the 2016 campaign and didnt receive emails allegedly hacked from Democratic computers.

The answer is no, Stone said.

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A Virginia jury convicted Manafort in August of eight counts of bank and tax fraud for not reporting millions in income. His sentencing is scheduled Feb. 8. Manafort also pleaded guilty in September to a conspiracy representing a pro-Russia faction in Ukraine and failing to report it, and obstructing justice by seeking to have witnesses provide inaccurate accounts to prosecutors.

Trump adviser

Stone said he quit the Trump campaign in August 2015 after Trump suggested a television interviewer was menstruating. But Stone, who graduated from John Jay High School in Westchester County, New York, in 1970, remained an informal adviser to Trump and lingered on the periphery of the campaign.

Muellers team charged a group of Russian military intelligence officers in July with hacking into computers of the Democratic National Committee and nominee Clinton during the 2016 campaign. Tens of thousands of emails and other documents were released online under the names DCLeaks and Guccifer 2.0.

The indictment was revealed days before Trump met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki, Finland.

The indictment said Guccifer 2.0 wrote to a person who was in regular contact with senior members of the presidential campaign of Donald J. Trump on or about Aug. 15, 2016, asking if the person found anyt(h)ing interesting in the docs I posted?

Stone has said he thinks he is the unnamed person in the indictment, but that the contact was benign.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who is Roger Stone? Longtime Republican operative worked on campaigns from Richard Nixon to Donald Trump
Political strategist Roger Stone, a longtime confidant of Donald Trump, has appeared in court on seven charges in connection with the investigation into Russian election interference.

Mr Stone, 66, was arrested on Friday in a pre-dawn raid by heavily armed FBI agents in night-vision goggles at his home in Florida and released on a $250,000 bond after a brief hearing in Fort Lauderdale. He declined to enter a plea.

A self-described dirty trickster, Mr Stone is officially the latest person to be ensnared by the Russia investigation looking into claims that senior members of the presidents campaign sought to benefit from the release of hacked emails damaging to Hillary Clinton.

Special counsel Robert Muellers office released a seven-count indictment against Mr Stone, which includes giving false statements and witness tampering.

Upon leaving the courthouse, Mr Stone  who worked on Richard Nixons presidential campaign and has a tattoo of the disgraced politician on his upper back  raised his arms in the infamous double V pose in which Nixon was once photographed.

Mr Stone said the special counsels Russia investigation was politically motivated and vowed to fight the charges, saying he was falsely accused of making false statements to the house intelligence committee. He said any error he made in his testimony wasnt intentional. I am troubled by the political motivations of the prosecutors, he added. I look forward to being fully and completely vindicated.

The indictment provides the most detail to date about how Mr Trumps campaign associates in the summer of 2016 actively sought the disclosure of emails the US says were hacked by Russia, then provided to WikiLeaks.

It reveals that unidentified senior Trump campaign officials contacted Mr Stone to ask when stolen emails relating to Ms Clinton might be disclosed.

Prosecutors did not charge Mr Stone with conspiring with WikiLeaks or with the Russian officers Mr Mueller says hacked the emails. Rather, the indictment mirrors other Mueller cases in alleging cover-ups and deception, accusing Mr Stone of lying to lawmakers about WikiLeaks, tampering with witnesses and obstructing a congressional probe into whether Mr Trumps campaign coordinated with Russia to tip the election.

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The indictment does not accuse any campaign officials of wrongdoing or say that they coordinated directly with WikiLeaks. It also does not say that Mr Stone had any special knowledge of WikiLeaks plans.

Mr Stone is the sixth aide or adviser to Mr Trump charged by the special counsel and the 34th person overall. The nearly two-year-old probe has exposed multiple contacts between the presidents associates and Russia during the 2016 campaign and transition period, and revealed efforts by several to conceal those communications.

Additional reporting by Associated Press
The attorney for Donald Trump's longtime adviser Roger Stone claims his client has been vindicated of any Russian collusion - hours after FBI agents stormed the political advisers home.

Mr Stone has been arrested and charged on seven counts, including witness tampering, obstruction and false statements about his actions related to WikiLeaks revelations.

But his lawyer Grant Smith said the moves had, in fact, vindicated him: They found no Russian collusion or they would have charged him with it. Roger Stone is vindicated by the fact there was no Russian collusion".

The reaction of White House press secretary Sarah Sanders was swift. Appearing on CNN on Fridady, she said: My first reaction is real simple: This has nothing to do with the president, and certainly nothing to do with the White House".

In December, Donald Trump praised Stone for his guts after he said: I will never testify against Trump.

Many right-of-centre commentators drew attention to the scale of the FBI arrest operation, which saw several agents fan out across Stones lawn with guns drawn.

Lawyer Alan Dershowitz, a frequent defender of Mr Trump, told Fox News that he thought the move was for show, and potentially to FBI typically calls a defendants attorney and ask them to bring a defendant in.

Representative Ted Lieu, a California Democrat and frequent antagonist of the president, chimed in on Twitter to suggest that the president would have been the one to order members of the campaign to seek illegally obtained material from the Russians.

"Dear [Ms Sanders] It is reported that Steve Bannon was the ... official who WAS DIRECTED to contact to get Clinton info from Wikileaks", Mr Lieu wrote. "If true, who could have directed Bannon? Wouldn't have been Melania. That doesn't leave too many more suspects, does it?"

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi had a quick statement on the indictment and the arrest, saying simply that the arrest suggests that Mr Trump surrounds himself with shady characters.

"It is very interesting to see the kinds of people that the president of the United States has surrounded himself with," Ms Pelosi told reporters
African-focused start-up Andela has raised $100m in a tour in United States, led by Al Gores Generation Investment Management.

Andela, founded in 2013 to train African software developers and help them get hired by global companies, said it would use the most recent cash injection to expand the business and improve its internal data tools to allow clients to better track and manage remote workers.

The company hopes to be at the forefront of developing systems for managing distributed workforces, according to Jeremy Johnson, the companys chief executive and co-founder.

The company will also expand its presence across Africa to meet the global demand for high-quality engineering talent.

Headquartered in New York, the company has grown its Africa operations from a single campus in Nigeria. It now operates in Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda, and has about 1,100 developers on staff working for more than 200 companies.

In addition to the developers working for clients, Andela employs 400 people to build its own software and manage its business operations.

Andela customers include media conglomerate Viacom, and tech companies such as Google, Facebook, GitHub and Cloudflare.

Andela was the recipient of the first private sector investment made by the Chan-Zuckerberg Initiative, the charitable organization of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerber.
Donald Trumps former campaign adviser Roger Stone has been arrested by the FBI as part of Robert Muellers investigation into possible campaign links to Russia.

The FBI has charged Mr Stone on seven counts, invcluding witness tampering, obstruction and false statements about his interactions related to the release by WikiLeaks of hacked emails during the 2016 presidential election.

Stone disputed the charges while leaving a Florida courthouse on Friday, saying in a statement, "I look forward to being fully and completely vindicated."

"I am a fervent supporter of the president," he added, vowing to never testify against the president or pleading guilty to the charges.

He was released on a $250,000 bond.

The arrest comes as the White House is reportedly preparing a draft emergency declaration that would allow Donald Trump to circumvent Congress if lawmakers do not fund his southern border wall.

The president effectively announced an end to the government shutdown on its 35th day on Friday, agreeing to a temporary resolution that would open shuttered federal agencies for three weeks as negotiations over the border wall remain ongoing.

The move arrived a day after a bill backed by Mr Trump to end the shutdown, which included $5.7 billion he wanted for the wall, and a separate bill supported by Democrats to reopen federal agencies without such funding, did not garner the votes required to advance in the Senate.

We do not need 2,000 miles of concrete wall from sea to shining sea, we never did, Mr Trump said at one point, walking back vows he made throughout the campaign to build a wall sprawling the entirety of the US-Mexico border.

He added, We never proposed that. We never wanted that, because we have barriers at the border where natural structures are as good as anything that we can build.

Read below for our live coverage on the latest indictment from the special counsel

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Robert Redford slammed President Trump  without ever mentioning him by name. The 82-year-old actor voiced his disappointment in the current state of politics in an op-ed for the Washington Post, titled, We must defend our democracy  and not by impeachment.

Im watching todays so-called American leaders with a mix of outrage and despair over what is happening right under our noses, he begins. And yet, I keep reminding myself that as a country, we have weathered these challenges before  we have gone to the edge, to the very brink of chaos, and at the last moment pulled back toward principles we still share.

Redford ponders if we can do it again. Although he doesnt name-drop Trump, Redford makes it clear hes frustrated with the president and calls out Mitch McConnell specifically.

It is painfully clear we have a president who degrades everything he touches, a person who does not understand (or care?) that his duty is to defend our democracy, he writes. Meanwhile, those who should be providing the balance our Founding Fathers intended, such as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), are instead choosing partisan politics, blind loyalty and extreme, outdated ideologies.

Photos: Getty Images

The Oscar-winning director calls on citizens to fix this, declaring the electoral process our most powerful tool.

We must not be distracted from the opportunity we have in 2020 to reject hatred and division and choose civility and progress, he states. Lets not talk about impeachment or put all our hopes on the special counsel: The former is mired in Washington politics, and the latter will be once the report is released. Lets stay focused on taking back our country with the power of our votes.

In order to rescue our democracy, Redford believes its time to focus energy early and consistently on the right candidates and issues, both locally and nationally.

Im not satisfied any longer simply waiting for justice to be served. Im determined to fight for it, now and for the next two years, inspired by newer and younger voices picking up the cause, he concludes. There is so much damage to heal from, so much division to repair, so many good works to return to. What a worthy fight to engage in, dont you think?

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Billionaire businessman Richard Branson is backing a new campaign to get 500 global businesses to commit to putting disability issues on their board agendas.

His Virgin Media business has already signed up, alongside nine others including Unilever (ULVR.L), Microsoft (MSFT), and Barclays (BARC.L).

Disability can no longer be a conversation reserved for charity and health organisations, Branson said in a new campaign video. Its time more brands woke up to the collective benefits of understanding people with disabilities and their needs  The inclusion revolution is coming. Make sure its on your agenda.

Over 11 million people in the UK, or about 17% of the population, suffer from long-term illness, impairment, or disability, according to statistics from the UK government.

The percentage is roughly the same in other parts of the world. About 15% of the global population suffer from some form of disability, according to a 2011 report from the World Health Organization and World Bank.

Richard Branson is campaigning to bring the topic of disability into corporate boardrooms. Photo: Axelle/Getty Images

The new campaign, dubbed Valuable 500, was launched in Davos, Switzerland at the World Economic Forum (WEF) by Irish disability campaigner Caroline Casey.

Casey, who is registered blind, told Yahoo Finance UK that encouraging businesses to talk about disability and inclusion will help solve the disability inequality crisis.

Her organisation, #valuable, cites estimates that people with disabilities are about 50% more likely to experience poverty and 50% less likely to get a job.

The economic case  is already there, she said in a special one-to-one video interview. You cant ignore such a mass swathe of our global market, particularly in a time of hyper-competition. Our conversations need to happen at the top to release the potential throughout the business.
Sen. Joni Ernst, just days after details about her allegedly abusive marriage became public, said that she was sexually and physically abused by a man she dated in college.

Ernst talked about the previously undisclosed allegation in an interview with Bloomberg. The Iowa Republican said she knew the person who sexually assaulted her in college.

I didnt want to share it with anybody, and in the era of hashtag-MeToo survivors, I always believed that every person is different and they will confront their demons when theyre ready, Ernst said in the Tuesday interview, according to the report. And I was not ready.

She never talked about the incident publicly. Ernst told Bloomberg she was in a relationship with a man who was very abusive. He was physically and sexually abusive." She said he sexually assaulted her and then threatened to kill himself if she broke up with him, according to the Bloomberg report.

Ernst said she called the sexual assault counseling center's hotline at Iowa State University but never filed a police report.

I was embarrassed, she said. I didnt know how to explain it. I was so humiliated. And Im a private person, when it comes to those things.

A man who was friends with Ernst said that she had told him she had been raped shortly after she said it happened, according to Bloomberg.

After her court-filed allegations of abuse by her husband were made public, she addressed the matter with Iowa reporters.

"What I want people to understand is that I am the same person as I was last week. You just know more about whats inside of me now," she told reporters Wednesday in Iowa.

In the Bloomberg interview, Ernst went more in-depth about the alleged abuse in her marriage. She said Gail Ernst, her ex-husband, grabbed her by the throat in 2007 or 2008, threw her down on a staircase landing, and began pounding her head into the floor.

Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, takes questions during a town hall at the University of Northern Iowa Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2019.

"It was very sudden and very violent," she said. "It scared me.

Story continues

The 48-year-old said she is committed to defending her seat in 2020.

"Im seeking re-election. Im going to do it as a single woman, she told Bloomberg. People know my situation now. What I can do is be honest about what happened. And I can move forward. The problem is now Ive been outed when I was not ready to talk about it. But now maybe it forces me to talk about it.

Ernst also discussed her support of Brett Kavanaugh, President Donald Trump's nominee for the Supreme Court, after Christine Blasey Ford accused him of sexual assault.

I do believe she experienced trauma, but the evidence and witnesses presented by her contradicted her story, Ernst told Bloomberg. I dont believe Justice Kavanaugh was the source of her trauma.

The senator said she can support the president, who has been accused of sexual misconduct, and support victims of sexual assault.

Its outrageous to suggest that anyone who has been the victim of sexual assault should therefore be a Hillary Clinton supporter, Ernst said.

Previously: U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst says her husband physically attacked her

'I am a survivor': Ernst's divorce details become public

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Report: Sen. Joni Ernst says she was sexually assaulted in college, details abuse allegations
Roger Stone was arrested Friday in the special counsel Russia investigation and was charged with lying to Congress and obstructing the probe.

The seven-count indictment against Stone is the first criminal case in months from special counsel Robert Mueller.

The indictment accuses Stone of witness tampering, obstruction and false statements about his interactions related to WikiLeaks release. Some of those false statements were made to the House intelligence committee, according to the indictment.

Here is the full indictment:

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Read the full indictment against Roger Stone, an informal Trump adviser
The Queen was speaking at an event to mark the 100 years of Sandringham womens Institute

The Queen has appeared to enter the Brexit debate by urging Britons to use respect and find common ground.

In a veiled comment about the divisive crisis which has shaken British politics for the last two years, the monarch also pleaded for people to respect different points of view.

Royal watchers said there could be little doubt that Her Majestys comments, made in a speech to mark the centenary of the Sandringham Womens Institute (WI), were referring to Britains exit from the EU.

Any common ground? Anti-Brexit and pro-Brexit protesters clash outside Parliament (PA)

The Queen said in her speech: The continued emphasis on patience, friendship, a strong community focus, and considering the needs of others, are as important today as they were when the group was founded all those years ago.

Of course, every generation faces fresh challenges and opportunities.

As we look for new answers in the modern age, I for one prefer the tried and tested recipes, like speaking well of each other and respecting different points of view; coming together to seek out the common ground; and never losing sight of the bigger picture.

Her comments came just days ahead of a crucial vote in the House of Commons next Tuesday on a deal for Britain to leave the European Union, which it is scheduled to do on March 29.

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They also echoed the message of her Christmas Day address.

Commentators were likely to see her words as a nod to the toxic mood of the public debate around Britain leaving the EU.

Parliament remains deeply divided over the way forward, with politicians on all sides engaged in bitter wrangling as the date for Britain leaving the EU draws ever closer.

The Brexit countdown (PA)

Meanwhile Theresa May is trying to get widespread political backing for a Brexit plan that could command a majority in the Commons after her deal was overwhelmingly rejected by MPs last week.

MPs will get another chance to vote on Mrs Mays proposed deal on January 29, but it is yet unclear if she can get a Commons majority to back her.

And some MPs have tabled an amendment that could Article 50, the process by which the UK leaves the EU, suspended until at least Christmas.

Story continues

Theresa May has just a few days to try and convince MPs to back her Brexit deal (PA)

If passed that amendment will be legally binding on the government

The Queen attends a meeting of the her local WI once a year at West Newton village hall as part of her winter stay on her Norfolk estate.

Could Her Majestys words end the Brexit bickering? Analysis by Yahoo UK Royal correspondent Danielle Stacey

As Head of State, the Queen has always remained politically neutral, but there have been a number of thinly veiled references to Brexit since the 2016 EU referendum.

She first alluded to the issue during a speech at the State Opening of Parliament in 2017, in which she stated: My governments priority is to secure the best possible deal as the country leaves the European Union.

And now the Queen has urged people to seek common ground, as the nation and Parliament remains divided.

She echoed the sentiments of her Christmas message in which she spoke about respect: Even with the most deeply held differences, treating the other person with respect and as a fellow human being is always a good first step towards greater understanding.

The younger royals have also embarked on various royal tours to European countries, such as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridges visit to Germany and Poland in 2017, in what has been seen as a part of Brexit diplomacy drive.

As the UK edges closer to a no-deal Brexit, could Her Majestys words encourage politicians to end their bickering to find the best solution?

Watch the latest videos from Yahoo UK
By Nidal al-Mughrabi GAZA (Reuters) - Qatar on Friday said it will pay $20 million in humanitarian aid to boost the ailing economy of Gaza, a day after the coastal strip's Palestinian rulers stopped the oil-rich Gulf state from paying money directly to impoverished government workers there. The move was widely seen as a compromise between Qatar, which appears intent on increasing its regional influence, and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, which controls Gaza. Qatars point-man for Gaza relief efforts, Mohammed Al-Emadi, said in Gaza: "It was agreed to allocate the Qatari financial grant to pay for humanitarian projects with full cooperation and coordination with the United Nations." He said the first agreement with the U.N. would be signed on Monday next week, setting up a $20 million job creation project. A Hamas official, Sami Abu Zuhri, on Friday welcomed Qatar's decision to give money to humanitarian projects. A day earlier Hamas had blocked direct Qatari payments to thousands of unpaid Palestinian civil servants in Gaza, claiming that Israel had broken agreements about how the arrangement would be carried out. The compromise follows a tortuous regional standoff that has left civil servants in Gaza caught up in a bitter power struggle between Hamas and the western-backed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the occupied West Bank. Hamas wants to pay the workers that it hired, but doesn't have enough money after years of Israeli-led blockades, wars and the failure of reconciliation efforts with Abbas. Wages have been cut in half for several years, and payments were often behind schedule. Abbas has refused to pay them, hoping that by slashing salaries, and thereby worsening economic conditions in Gaza, he can force Hamas back to the negotiating table. Israel regards Hamas as an implacable Islamist enemy, but fears that instability in Gaza will spill over into violence against Israelis. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government initially blocked the latest Qatari transfer, but relented on Thursday after the Israeli military recommended that it be allowed in. On Friday, Israeli forces shot and killed a Palestinian man during weekly protests along its border with Gaza, local health officials said. An Israeli military spokeswoman said that about 10,000 Palestinians had amassed along the Gaza border and that some of them hurled grenades and stones toward the soldiers across the way. "IDF (Israel Defence Forces) fighters responded by using riot dispersal means and in accordance with the rules of engagement," the spokeswoman said. Palestinians launched weekly border protests nine months ago demanding the right of return to land from which their ancestors fled or were forced to flee during Israel's founding in 1948 and an end to a grinding Israeli blockade of the territory, home for two million people. Another Palestinian was killed on Friday by Israeli soldiers in a separate incident in the West Bank, the Palestinian Health Ministry said. The Israeli military said its troops had opened fire at three Palestinian suspects who were throwing stones at Israeli vehicles driving along a West Bank highway and that after receiving medical treatment, one of the suspects died. (Additional reporting by Maayan Lubell in Jerusalem and Ali Sawafta in Ramallah; Writing by Nidal Almughrabi; Editing by Toby Chopra)
A Utah-based Mormon who became a prominent advocate of the widely discredited gay conversion therapy says he now identifies as gay.

David Matheson, the creator of courses seeking to change a persons sexuality, revealed he could no longer stay in his marriage of 34 years and said it was "time for me to affirm myself as gay.

He came out in a Facebook post after the LGBTQ charity Truth Wins Out obtained a private post made by fellow conversion therapist Rich Wyler saying Mr Matheson was no longer part of the movement.

Mr Matheson said he was not renouncing his religious faith, or the entirety of his work as a conversion therapist, despite dating men. But he did criticise the shame-based, homophobic-based system of his upbringing in the Mormon church.

Fifteen US states have banned mental health professionals from practicing conversion therapy on minors. The New York state legislature became the latest to prohibit licensed professionals from using the pseudoscientific therapy on children earlier this month, finding that efforts to change sexual orientation could do serious harms.

In an interview with NBC News, Mr Matheson acknowledged the hurt he may have caused through the practice.

I know there are people who wont be satisfied by anything less than a complete and unequivocal renunciation of everything, he said.

Thats hard, because I want people to feel the genuineness of my change of heart, but people need to understand that there is more than one reality in the world.

To the LGBTQ individuals who felt damaged by his conversion courses, he said: I unequivocally apologise.

Truth Wins Out founder Wayne Besen said many people in the conversion therapy or ex-gay movement looked to Mr Matheson as an intellectual godfather".

He created the Journey Into Manhood programme, was a director at the Centre for Gender Wholeness, and the author of a book entitled Becoming a Whole Man.

Chaim Levin, a plaintiff in a successful lawsuit that led to the shutting down of Jews Offering New Alternatives to Homosexuality (JONAH), said he hoped Mr Matheson would do whatever he can to rectify the harm that hes inflicted on people in the LGBTQ community.

Story continues

While I am pleased for Mr Matheson that he has found a path forward for his life, I cant help but think of the hundreds if not thousands of people who are still stuck in the closet, a closet that was created in part by Mr Matheson himself, he said.

The Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law estimates as many as 700,000 LGBTQ adults in the US have undergone some kind of therapy in an effort to change their sexuality.
Authorities at Paris-Orly airport in the French capital Thursday suspended temporarily activities after security forces suspected the content of a carry-on bag of a woman traveling onboard a Casablanca-bound flight of Moroccan carrier Royal Air Maroc.

Security forces at the airport detained a woman, a journalist of renowned fashion magazine, who was traveling to the Moroccan economic city of Casablanca, Le Parisien reports.

The woman was prevented from boarding the plane after security forces detected a suspected object in one of her carry-on bags. The forces isolated the woman and established security perimeter and proceeded to the evacuation of halls A and of B of the airport.

The search of the bag by a mine disposal squad revealed that the content was a pair of connected shoes fitted with glittering light.

The Casablanca-bound flight left the airport but with delay while the journalist has been kept for investigations, the Paris-based media notes.
Carolyn Tastad, group president of North America at Procter & Gamble. Source: WEF

We may think we have made great strides in gaining equality in the workplace and in one of the most powerful industries  politics  the number of female political leaders has increased. But in business, the number of female CEOs of Fortune 500 companies has tumbled by 25% in 2018.

At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on a panel called Female Leadership at a Tipping Point, Carolyn Tastad, group president of North America at Procter & Gamble outlined that there is a common false narrative that is used by society and companies for the woeful gender gap for women in senior leadership positions.

There is a false narrative and there are false bias assumptions we are using as justification for the lack of progress. There are a number of things we have to do differently, said Tastad.

The first thing we have to do is stop some of the labelling that is happening, typically, negatively towards women in terms of working through things.

Tastad said that many people hear about womens confidence or lack of confidence and that stems from a study that showed that men will apply for jobs even if they only possess 60% of the requirements in a criteria. Meanwhile, women will only apply for jobs if they have 100% of the criteria.

She said that, as an example, has led to people thinking that the issue is with women having less confidence and needing to be more assertive, when it in fact should be addressed as to why women have to do more to go for a job.

Many organisations have 50/50 representation in the junior levels but in the middle of the organisation that tips. And now we talk about we dont want fake promotions to close the gap. But then previously that was enough to close the gap?, she said.

Weve got to get rid of this notion that women have to behave differently. Weve got to be very intentional in our talent planning  reverse engineer it. If you narrow it down to specifics and maths, it can be done.

We need equality based policies. We need to find ways for men and women to be equal partners at home to enable quality in the workplace.
Watch the full episode 14 of Yahoo UKs show The Royal Box, here.

Since his relationship with former actress Meghan Markle was revealed in 2016, Prince Harry has always appeared to be fiercely protective of the former actress.

Harry released an unprecedented statement at the time, stating Meghan had been subjected to a wave of abuse and harassment and that he was worried about Ms. Markles safety.

The Suns former Royal Editor Duncan Larcombe told Yahoo UKs The Royal Box that he thinks the reason Harry is so defensive of his now-wife is a consequence of Princess Dianas death.

Harry, pictured with Meghan at the Royal Albert Hall, has always been protective of her [Photo: Getty]

Larcombe says: Ive witnessed Harry having a few relationships over the years, before Meghan, he always has been very, very protective and defensive of a girlfriend and now obviously a wife, and soon a child.

That will never change in Harry, I think it goes back to his frustration at not being able to have done more to protect his mother, so its quite natural.

The late princess was killed in a tragic car accident in Paris in 1997 while being pursued by paparazzi. Harry was 12-years-old at the time.

Diana was one of the most photographed women in the world and her every move was followed, particularly after her separation from Prince Charles in 1992.

Princess Diana and Prince Harry on holiday in Majorca, Spain in 1987 [Photo: PA]

As a result, Harry has always had quite a complicated relationship with the press over the years, but Larcombe fears that his desire to shield Meghan could backfire.

He adds: Whether that means Harry will become too protective of Meghan, too defensive, alienate himself from the press and possibly the public, it remains to be seen.







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BOSTON (AP)  A man charged with kidnapping a 23-year-old woman in Boston sobbed in court Wednesday as he was ordered to undergo a mental health evaluation.

Victor Pena is accused of holding Olivia Ambrose against her will in his apartment, where police found her on Tuesday. Ambrose had been missing since Saturday, and police said she appeared to be in good health.

Pena, 38, will be held without bail and will be sent to a state hospital for a 20-day competency evaluation.

Joseph Perullo, an attorney for Pena, said after the hearing that it's too early to comment on the specifics of the case, but Perullo said he's happy that Ambrose is back home with her family.

Ambrose vanished Saturday night after leaving a bar near Faneuil Hall in downtown Boston, where she had been with her twin sister and friends.

Boston Police Commissioner William Gross said surveillance footage captured the man holding Ambrose later that night, and it was clear "she did not go along willingly."

Ambrose told police that Pena took her phone, according to court documents. At one point, Ambrose managed to get her phone back and send text messages to her mother, they say.

When police entered Pena's apartment, Ambrose was crying and had a "horrified look on her face," the documents said.

A court psychologist who examined Pena Wednesday said he expressed "bizarre" behavior and "did not appear to know why he was in court today," The Boston Globe reported .

Pena's older brother told the newspaper that he believes there was a misunderstanding, calling his brother a "little bit mentally challenged." Jose Pena said his brother is a hoarder and told him in a call from jail that Ambrose was cleaning his apartment for him.

"Him kidnapping her, I'm 100 percent sure he didn't," Jose Pena said.

Victor Pena was arrested at Rhode Island's Twin River Casino in July on charges of cheating and obtaining money under false pretenses.

He was also accused in 2013 of violating a restraining order that his ex-girlfriend took out against him, documents say. The charge was ultimately dropped.
Ohio governor Mike DeWine said Wednesday that he will absolutely sign legislation banning abortion once a fetal heartbeat can be detected.

Dewine, a Republican elected in November, told conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt that he welcomes the legal challenge that dissuaded his predecessor, John Kasich, from agreeing to sign the bill.

We will do this. I just saw the headline, a court struck down another heartbeat bill for another state. But ultimately, Hugh, you and I both know that this thing once its passed in Ohio, once we sign it, once it becomes law, Planned Parenthood is going to be in the next day, or that day, filing a lawsuit, DeWine told Hewitt. But ultimately, this will work its way up to the United States Supreme Court. And theyll make that decision.

A fetal heartbeat can often be detected as early as six weeks into pregnancy, which would make the Ohio bill the most restrictive abortion law in the country.

Kasich, who has become a CNN contributor after leaving office due to term limits, argued that the heartbeat bill would likely be struck down as unconstitutional following a protracted legal battle that would cost the state hundreds of thousands in public funds.

The central provision of (the bill), that an abortion cannot be performed if a heartbeat has been detected in the unborn child, is contrary to the Supreme Court of the United States current rulings on abortion, Kasich said in a statement announcing his veto, according to WKYC.

The Ohio Senate fell just one vote short of overriding Kasichs veto.

Kasich did, however, sign a separate law before leaving office that bans a popular surgical abortion technique known as dilation and evacuation, which is commonly used between the 13th and 24th weeks of pregnancy.

More from National Review
JERUSALEM (AP)  Israel on Thursday agreed to allow the transfer of $15 million in Qatari aid to the Hamas militant group in the Gaza Strip, an official said. But Hamas said it was rejecting the much-needed cash to protest Israeli delays on the delivery.

The money is the third in a series of payments provided by Qatar to help ease the grim economic and humanitarian situation in Gaza. The cash transfers, delivered through an Israeli crossing, have been controversial in Israel, where critics accuse the government of rewarding Hamas violence.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blocked the latest transfer on Tuesday after a Palestinian sniper shot an Israeli soldier along the Gaza border, hitting him in the helmet and lightly wounding him.

But the Israeli official said Thursday that security officials had now decided to allow the transfer. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.

Hamas is to use the money to pay thousands of civil servants who have not received full salaries in several years.

As Israel was approving the payment, however, Hamas announced that it would not accept the money.

Khalil al-Hayya, a top Hamas official, said the group was protesting Israeli delays and "blackmail." Accusing Israel of violating understandings, he said Hamas has informed Qatari mediator Mohammed al-Emadi, who was in Gaza, of its decision.

He also vowed to step up a planned protest along the Israeli border on Friday.

Hamas has staged regular protests along the border since last March to protest an Israeli blockade that has devastated Gaza's economy. Israel and Egypt imposed the blockade after Hamas, an Islamic militant group that seeks Israel's destruction, seized control of Gaza in 2007.

More than 185 Palestinians have been killed in the demonstrations, while an Israeli soldier was shot dead in July by a Gaza sniper. Israel accuses Hamas of using the large crowds as cover to carry out attacks.

___

Fares Akram in Gaza City, Gaza Strip, contributed reporting.
SAN DIEGO (AP)  The Trump administration on Friday will start forcing some asylum seekers to wait in Mexico while their cases wind through U.S. courts, an official said, launching what could become one of the more significant changes to the immigration system in years.

The changes will be introduced at San Diego's San Ysidro border crossing, according to a U.S. official familiar with the plan who spoke on condition of anonymity Thursday because it was not yet publicly announced. San Ysidro is the nation's busiest crossing and the choice of asylum seekers who arrived to Tijuana, Mexico, in November in a caravan of more than 6,000 mostly Central American migrants.

The policy, which is expected to face a legal challenge, may be expanded to other crossings. It does not apply to children traveling alone or to asylum seekers from Mexico.

The details were finalized during bilateral talks in Mexico City over the last few days. It calls for U.S. authorities to bus asylum seekers back and forth to the border for court hearings in downtown San Diego, including an initial appearance within 45 days.

The Trump administration will make no arrangements for them to consult with attorneys, who may visit clients in Tijuana or speak with them by phone.

U.S. officials will begin processing only about 20 asylum claims a day at the San Diego crossing but plan to ramp up to exceed the number of claims processed now, which is up to 100 a day, the official said.

The policy could severely strain Mexican border cities. U.S. border authorities fielded 92,959 "credible fear" claims  an initial screening to have asylum considered  during a recent 12-month period, up 67 percent from a year earlier.

While illegal crossings from Mexico are near historically low levels, the U.S. has witnessed a surge in asylum claims, especially from Central American families. Due largely to a court-imposed 20-day limit on detaining children, families are typically released with a notice to appear in immigration court. With a backlog of more than 800,000 cases, it can take years to settle cases.

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The Department of Homeland Security said the policy would "reduce the number of aliens taking advantage of U.S. law and discourage false asylum claims" and will no longer let asylum seekers "disappear into the U.S. before a court issues a final order."

It's not clear if Central Americans will be deterred from seeking asylum in the U.S. if they have to wait in Tijuana, a booming city with plenty of jobs. Tijuana doesn't come close to matching the U.S. on wages, and asylum seekers generally have far fewer family ties than they do in the U.S.

The "Remain in Mexico" policy is President Donald Trump's latest move to reshape immigration policy, though it may prove temporary. Other major changes have been blocked in court, including a ban on seeking asylum by people who cross the border illegally from Mexico and dismissing domestic and gang violence as grounds for asylum.

It is also an early test of relations between two populist presidents  Trump and Mexico's Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who took office Dec. 1. Mexico has steadfastly rejected Trump's demand that it pay for a border wall, leading the president to ask Congress for $5.7 billion in a stalemate that has partially closed the government for more than a month.

Mexican officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment Thursday.

Roberto Velasquez, spokesman for Mexico's foreign relations secretary, emphasized earlier this week that there would be no bilateral agreement and that Mexico was responding to a unilateral move by the United States. He said discussions covering "a very broad range of topics" are aimed at preparing Mexico for the change.

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen worked on the plan for months with Mexican officials, and the broad outlines came together at a meeting in November.

The next month, Mexico said it would give temporary humanitarian visas to people seeking U.S. asylum while their cases are settled and they could seek permission to work in Mexico.

Mexico said at the time that it would coordinate with the U.S. on the policy's mechanics, which would ensure migrants access to information and legal services. Incoming Foreign Relations Secretary Marcelo Ebrard said Dec. 24 that he wanted more information to ensure "orderly and secure" protocols.

Rafael Fernandez de Castro, director of the University of California, San Diego's Center for U.S.-Mexico Studies, said last week that Mexico had not fully considered the impact on Mexican border towns.

"This could have lasting repercussions for Mexican border cities," Fernandez de Castro said. "We have to assess the potential numbers and how to help them stay healthy. We don't have that assessment."

___

Associated Press writers Maria Verza in Mexico City and Colleen Long in Washington contributed to this report.
ADThink Media Societe Anonyme (EPA:ALADM), which is in the media business, and is based in France, led the ENXTPA gainers with a relatively large price hike in the past couple of weeks. Less-covered, small caps tend to present more of an opportunity for mispricing due to the lack of information available to the public, which can be a good thing. So, could the stock still be trading at a low price relative to its actual value? Lets take a look at ADThink Media Societe Anonymes outlook and value based on the most recent financial data to see if the opportunity still exists.

See our latest analysis for ADThink Media Societe Anonyme

What is ADThink Media Societe Anonyme worth?

Good news, investors! ADThink Media Societe Anonyme is still a bargain right now. In this instance, Ive used the price-to-earnings (PE) ratio given that there is not enough information to reliably forecast the stocks cash flows. I find that ADThink Media Societe Anonymes ratio of 1.35x is below its peer average of 13.84x, which suggests the stock is undervalued compared to the Media industry. Although, there may be another chance to buy again in the future. This is because ADThink Media Societe Anonymes beta (a measure of share price volatility) is high, meaning its price movements will be exaggerated relative to the rest of the market. If the market is bearish, the companys shares will likely fall by more than the rest of the market, providing a prime buying opportunity.

What kind of growth will ADThink Media Societe Anonyme generate?

ENXTPA:ALADM Future Profit January 25th 19

Investors looking for growth in their portfolio may want to consider the prospects of a company before buying its shares. Although value investors would argue that its the intrinsic value relative to the price that matter the most, a more compelling investment thesis would be high growth potential at a cheap price. However, with an expected decline of -8.4% in revenues over the next couple of years, near-term growth certainly doesnt appear to be a driver for a buy decision for ADThink Media Societe Anonyme. This certainty tips the risk-return scale towards higher risk.

Story continues

What this means for you:

Are you a shareholder? Although ALADM is currently undervalued, the negative outlook does bring on some uncertainty, which equates to higher risk. Consider whether you want to increase your portfolio exposure to ALADM, or whether diversifying into another stock may be a better move for your total risk and return.

Are you a potential investor? If youve been keeping tabs on ALADM for some time, but hesitant on making the leap, I recommend you dig deeper into the stock. Given its current undervaluation, now is a great time to make a decision. But keep in mind the risks that come with negative growth prospects in the future.

Price is just the tip of the iceberg. Dig deeper into what truly matters  the fundamentals  before you make a decision on ADThink Media Societe Anonyme. You can find everything you need to know about ADThink Media Societe Anonyme in the latest infographic research report. If you are no longer interested in ADThink Media Societe Anonyme, you can use our free platform to see my list of over 50 other stocks with a high growth potential.

To help readers see past the short term volatility of the financial market, we aim to bring you a long-term focused research analysis purely driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis does not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements.



The author is an independent contributor and at the time of publication had no position in the stocks mentioned. For errors that warrant correction please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com.
The African Development Bank (AfDB) will invest up to $25 million in a private equity fund for renewable energy projects across Sub-Saharan Africa.

According to the continental lender, the Board of Directors has approved an equity investment of up to $25 million in ARCH Africa Renewable Power Fund (ARPF), a $250 million private equity fund for renewable energy projects across Sub-Saharan Africa.

The Fund invests into small hydro, wind, geothermal, solar, stranded gas and biomass projects across Sub-Saharan Africa, excluding South Africa.

The AfDB investment will support the development and construction of 10 to 15 Greenfield renewable energy projects in Africa with a combined capacity of about 533 MW, the bank said in a statement.

The beneficiaries will be both grid-connected and decentralized installations utilizing wind, solar photovoltaic (PV), small to medium hydro, geothermal or biomass power technologies, it said.

In addition, the project construction and operation will result in direct creation of at least 272 full-time jobs and 5,320 part-time jobs.

The Project is in line with the Banks Ten-Year Strategy and High-Five priorities, specifically the New Deal on Energy for Africa, which aims to achieve universal access by 2025.

The G7 has promised to commit $10 billion to support the initiative, which came out of COP21 and subsequently approved by the African Union.

The Banks presence is expected to act as a catalyst for other investors to commit a further $60-75 million equity from non-DFI sources. The Bank would also ensure that the highest environmental and social standards, together with climate change and gender considerations, are applied to the ARPFs projects.

Energy investments in Africa are constrained by limited well-structured, bankable projects, as well as by unavailability of risk capital. Renewable technologies require additional support to be fully competitive over fossil fuel-based energy generation, said Amadou Hott, the Banks Vice-President for Power, Energy, Climate Change & Green Growth.
LONDON (Reuters) - A no-deal Brexit could be "extremely difficult" in the short to medium term, a junior finance minister in Prime Minister Theresa May's government said, adding that there would ostensibly have to be a hard border on the island of Ireland. In the short-to-medium term, I think it could be extremely difficult," Mel Stride was quoted as saying in an article published on Friday in parliament's The House magazine. The Irish backstop, a provision to avoid a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, remains the main sticking point preventing May from securing support for her deal. "We would ostensibly have to have a hard border there," Stride said of a no-deal scenario. "We are not going to impose a hard border, but the EU will presumably be insisting that the Irish government goes in that direction otherwise they damage the integrity of the single market." (Reporting by Costas Pitas)
Netflix is developing a Resident Evil TV series, with the news landing as PS4 Resident Evil 2 redux hits stores.

Despite the fact the source material is certifiably insane (this is a games series that mixed zombies, giants and evil crows?) Netflix has become the latest distributor to try to make a decent story out of the Resident Evil franchise, something Screen Gems didnt manage in six films.

That said, the movie franchise did make money, so people do want to see this stuff. The series earned $1.2 billion worldwide, making it the highest-grossing film series ever based on a video game.

So, if the Netflix show is actually good, this could be the biggest show since The Walking Dead.

The Walking Dead season 9: Alpha takes centre stage as the Whisperers are introduced

According to Deadline, Netflix is working on a scripted series, which theyll deliver as global original.

Says Deadline, The plan is for the series to expand the Resident Evil universe and deepen the exiting mythology. I hear the series will keep the basic premise, which also served as a setup for the movie franchise.

The drama series will explore the dark inner workings of the Umbrella Corporation and the new world order caused by the outbreak of the T-virus. While the project is in early stages, the series is expected to incorporate all of Resident Evils signature elements, including action sequences and easter eggs.

The much-maligned zombie franchise is getting another run-out

As long as those easter eggs including a starring role for a Licker (monsters with really long tongues) well be watching this thing. And we even promise not to laugh at it!

The Netflix series is a while off though, production company Constantin (who also produced the movies) are still searching for a showrunner, who will presumably need to be up for tying the show in with the movie reboot, which will be directed by 47 Meters Downs Johannes Roberts.





Read more

Gillian Anderson to play Thatcher in The Crown

Andrew Lincoln to star in multiple Walking Dead movies

Roma actor fears he may miss the Oscars
Jerusalem (AFP) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Wednesday of a "lethal" reaction if Palestinian armed groups resume hostilities as tensions rise over Gaza.

Netanyahu made the remarks after weeks of relative calm in the Gaza Strip ended on Tuesday when Israeli soldiers came under fire along the border in two separate incidents.

"Maybe there is someone in Gaza who thinks he can stick his head up; I suggest that they understand that the response will be lethal and very painful," Netanyahu said.

"We are ready for any scenario and escalation," he said, quoted by his office, after attending a military exercise at a base in Shizafon in southern Israel.

On Tuesday, Israeli tanks struck two Hamas positions in Gaza and killed a militant after an Israeli soldier was lightly injured when a bullet hit his helmet.

And overnight Israeli warplanes struck a camp of Hamas, the Islamist movement that rules the Palestinian enclave.

Israel and Hamas have fought three wars since 2008 and fears of a fourth round remain although violence has abated since November as a result of an informal truce.
SEBRING, Fla.  Mourners gathered in a small Methodist church Thursday night to remember Marisol Lopez, one of the victims killed in a shooting Wednesday at a bank in Sebring.

The church, off U.S. 27, was just a few miles south of the SunTrust Bank where five people were shot and killed a day earlier.

Lopez was a member of Nuevo Pacto, a mostly Spanish-speaking church, where the SunTrust employee sang in the choir and taught Sunday school.

Nearly 200 people gathered in the Nuevo Pacto chapel to try to understand how something so tragic happened to one of their members. Several other pastors also attended and tried to address the deaths.

Mourners hugged, and some gripped well-worn, black leather-covered Bibles.

"We cannot explain what happened because it came from darkness and we don't deal with the darkness," said the Rev. Rinaldo D. Hernandez, Southwest District superintendent of the United Methodist Church.

The Rev. Luz E. Maldonado, who leads the Nuevo Pacto Church, arrived just minutes before the two-hour vigil started at 7 p.m. Thursday because she had been meeting and praying with the Lopez family. No family members chose to attend the service, she said.

"They're still mourning," Maldonado said.

The service was mostly in Spanish with one of the guest pastors interpreting in English.

Especially touched by Thursday night's service was 32-year-old Esther Rodriguez, lead pastor at the Spring of Life United Methodist Church in Orlando.

Lopez was Rodriguez's Sunday school teacher many years ago at a church in nearby Lake Placid, and the two remained close friends over the years. She found out about Lopez's death through social media Wednesday.

"It's very hard," Rodriguez said. "I am a pastor because of a person like Marisol."

Jessica de Arce was among hundreds of people attending a memorial service for Marisol Lopez on Thursday at Nuevo Pacto United Methodist Church in Sebring, Florida. Lopez was one of five people killed in a shooting in a SunTrust Bank on Wednesday in Sebring.

In addition to Lopez, 38-year-old bank employee Ana Pinon-Williams and 65-year-old bank customer Cynthia Watson were killed in the attack, as well as two other female bank employees who remained unnamed as of Thursday night.

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Follow Wayne Price on Twitter: @Fla2dayBiz

More: Florida allows families of bank murder victims to withhold names

More: Florida bank shooting victims, 4 employees and 1 customer, are all women

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Nearly 200 attend church vigil for victim of Sebring, Florida, bank shooting
Special Counsel Robert Muellers deputy, Andrew Weissman, told a federal judge Friday that despite former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manaforts cooperation with the Mueller probe, Manafort should not receive leniency when he is sentenced next month because he violated the terms of his plea deal.

Weismann told Judge Amy Berman Jackson at the hearing in Washington, D.C. that Manafort violated the terms of his plea agreement by lying to federal investigators, but stipulated that the special counsels office does not plan to bring additional criminal charges against him for lying.

Federal prosecutors allege that Manafort, after pleading guilty to two counts of conspiracy in Washington last September, lied about the nature of a $125,000 payment he received in 2017 and about his contacts with Russian operative Konstantin Kilimnik.

Manaforts attorneys accidentally revealed in a poorly redacted court filing that their client shared internal Trump campaign polling data with Kilimnik during the campaign. But they continue to maintain that their client unintentionally omitted information about the payment and his contacts with Kilimnik while being interviewed by investigators.

We believe that whether there was a breach contends on whether or not he intentionally lied, said defense attorney Richard Westling, according to NBC News. He did not intentionally lie.

Prosecutors, meanwhile, claimed Manafort told multiple discernible lies that do not qualify as mere memory lapses.

At the Friday hearing, Jackson said she could not sentence Manafort until the question of whether he intentionally lied to investigators is resolved. She scheduled a closed-door hearing with prosecutors and Manaforts attorneys on February 4 to address that question.

Manafort will also be sentenced on February 8 in the case pending against him in Virginia, where he pled guilty in August to a number of bank-fraud and tax-evasion charges.

More from National Review
By Michael Erman NEW YORK (Reuters) - Additional shortages of blood pressure drugs in the United States are possible following recent recalls related to traces of a probable carcinogen found in some versions a particular class of hypertension medicines, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said on Friday. The drugs, including valsartan, belong to a class of widely-used medicines for treating high blood pressure called angiotensin II receptor blockers, or ARBs. Valsartan is the generic of Novartis' Diovan. The FDA also said it may have identified the root cause of the potentially cancer-causing impurities but that it is still investigating. The recalls began last summer after the FDA was informed that ingredients used by Chinese manufacturer Zhejiang Huahai Pharmaceuticals Co (Huahai) to produce valsartan contained the impurities. The FDA later halted all imports from one of Huahai's factories. Other manufacturers have also had to recall valsartan after the impurities were found in their versions of the drug as well. It is currently listed as in shortage by the FDA. Some generic versions of other ARBS, such as losartan and irbesartan, have also been recalled. The most recent recall was announced earlier this week. The agency said that it determined that the impurities "may be generated when specific chemicals and reaction conditions are present in the manufacturing process" and "may also result from the reuse of materials, such as solvents." The reuse of solvents is an accepted practice in the industry, but manufacturers are generally expected to ensure that reused materials meet certain safety standards. (Reporting by Michael Erman; Editing by Bill Berkrot)
By Foo Yun Chee BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Europe's data protection regulators have received more than 95,000 complaints about possible data breaches, eight months after the adoption of a landmark EU privacy law, the European Commission said on Friday. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) gives new powers to privacy enforcers, allowing them to levy fines of up to 4 percent of global revenue or 20 million euros ($23 million), whichever is higher. Last week, the French data protection watchdog slapped a 50 million euro fine on Alphabet-owned Google for failing to properly obtain users' consent for personalized ads, the largest sanction under GDPR rules to date. More penalties could come as Europeans become more aware of their rights, EU digital chief Andrus Ansip, European Commission Vice President Frans Timmermans, EU justice chief Vera Jourova and EU digital economy commissioner Mariya Gabriel said in a joint statement. "What is at stake is not only the protection of our privacy, but also the protection of our democracies and ensuring the sustainability of our data-driven economies," they said. The majority of the complaints focused on telemarketing, promotional emails and video surveillance by closed-circuit televisions. Privacy regulators have opened 225 investigations to date. ($1 = 0.8821 euros) (Reporting by Foo Yun Chee; Editing by Mark Potter)
Bing

Microsoft's Bing search enginehas been blocked in China as tensions between Beijing and Washington escalate.

Attempts to open cn.bing.com has resulted in an error message for users since Wednesday.

"We've confirmed that Bing is currently inaccessible in China and are engaged to determine next steps," a Microsoft spokesperson said in a brief statement, hours after saying the company was investigating the matter.

China's Communist authorities operate an online censorship apparatus known as the "Great Firewall", which blocks a slew of websites including Facebook, Twitter and several foreign media outlets.

It was not clear whether or not Bing had joined the list of prohibited websites, or if its China service was experiencing technical difficulties.

The wording of the US company's statement "means Microsoft received no government order, but China has the power to block a URL and that may be what happened," said independent US tech analyst Rob Enderle of Enderle Group.

"China has been aggressive in terms of controlling the media, 'censorship' is kind of their middle name. If there were searches going on providing results the Chinese government didn't like, it wouldn't surprise me if they blocked the site," Enderle said.

But the analyst said it could also be a "hack gone wrong".

China's cyberspace administration did not immediately return a request for comment.

China's Great Firewall can be circumvented by using a virtual private network (VPN), which can hide a user's IP address. In 2017, Apple removed some apps that would allow internet users to use VPNs in China after Beijing issued new regulations to crackdown on the services.

While its rival Google shut down its search engine in China in 2010 after rows over censorship and hacking, Bing has continued to operate in the country along with Microsoft-owned Skype.

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On Weibo, China's Twitter-like social media site, people complained about the lack of access, with some speculating that Bing too had been "walled off".

Others aired their dissatisfaction about having to use Baidu, China's largest domestic search service.

"Even Bing requires a VPN now, how exhausting," wrote one user.

"Our country is amazing, even the obedient Bing has been walled off, while Baidu flourishes," said another. "Thank you wise party leaders!"

China has tightened policing of the internet in recent years, shuttering 26,000 "illegal" websites in 2018 alone and deleting six million online posts containing vulgar content, the official Xinhua news agency said earlier this month.

Facebook's messaging service WhatsApp, which has over 1bn users globally, was blocked by Chinese authorities in 2017.

Bing complies with Chinese censorship rules, but its link to US tech giant Microsoft might have put it in the government's crosshairs as Beijing and Washington spar over trade and tech issues.

However, Bing has come under some scrutiny after an investigation by online safety company AntiToxin found that some images of child pornography would come up in search results. Microsoft called the results "unacceptable" and has since removed the illegal images.

Tsui also noted that there is growing concern over China's slowing economy, and that June will see the highly sensitive 30th anniversary of the violent suppression of democracy protests in Tiananmen in 1989.

"Beijing needs to look like they are in charge and in power," he said.

China's censorship measures are known to hide information around domestic affairs from its citizens too.

Numerous "censorship factories" are operated in the country, where thousands of citizens are paid to erase sensitive information from the internet, such as the occurrence of the Tiananmen Square crackdown.

The United States and China are locked in a bruising trade war, with US accusations that China steals technological know-how among the core disagreements.

Washington has also led efforts to blacklist Chinese telecoms giant Huawei internationally over security concerns, and one of the company's top executives, Meng Wanzhou, was arrested in Canada last month over fraud allegations on a US request.

The two sides are scheduled for new trade negotiations next week.
The couple have travelled 41 countries in two years. [Photo: Instagram/@fourhappyfeet]

Sangam Bhandari and his wife Shikha Neupane, both 28, travel to a different country most weekends.

The pair, who both work full-time and earn around 50K annually, have visited 40 countries in the past two years.

While many may puzzle over how the couple manage to maintain this globetrotter lifestyle, Sangam insists its all to do with budgeting and meticulous planning around their work schedules.

We fly out after work on Friday, mostly around 6pm and get to our destination for around 8ish, just in time to relax and have dinner, explains Sangam, who lives with his wife in Kent, to Yahoo Style UK.

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We then set two full days to explore that place and then head back to London on Sunday night, and go back to work on Monday.

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As for costs, the pair spend an average of 300 between them on their trips away, which generally take place over a weekend.

Their cheapest trip was a weekend in Barcelona, which cost the couple just 100 each.

They have also taken long-haul trips to places such as Australia, Thailand and Vietnam  and will splash out for these more long-distance trips.

Our upcoming trip to Maldives next month probably is going to be the most expensive one. The sea plane alone from Male airport to the hotel is going to cost us around 400 per person for a 30 minute flight, says Sangam.

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The pair say they budget 1500 for travel each month.

Purchasing the flights and booking hotels in advance always saves us the money.

We also use credit card with no transaction fees while abroad. Every little thing adds up.

This is the full list of countries visited by Sangham and Shikha in two years:

1 Destinations around the UK

2 Andorra

3 Austria

4 Belgium

5 Bulgaria

6 Croatia

7 Cyprus

8 Czech Republic

9 Denmark

10 France

11 Germany

12 Greece

13 Hungary

14 Iceland

15 Italy

16 Liechtenstein

17 Luxembourg

18 Malta

19 Monaco

20 Netherlands

21 Norway

22 Poland

23 Portugal

24 Romania

25 San Marino

26 Slovakia

27 Slovenia

28 Spain

29 Sweden

30 Switzerland

31 Vatican City

32 India

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33 Indonesia

34 Malaysia

35 Nepal

36 Singapore

37 Thailand

38 Vietnam

39 USA

40 Australia

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for non-stop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. For Twitter updates, follow @YahooStyleUK.

Read more from Yahoo Style UK:

Britains best holiday getaways for 2019

The future of flying: From standing seats to a 3.5 hour flight from London to NYC, whats next for airlines?

Sun-soaked destinations to curb your winter blues
(Reuters) - Georgia police were hunting for a man on Friday who was accused of shooting and killing four people and wounding a fifth at two different homes outside Atlanta.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation identified the suspect on Twitter as 27-year-old Daylon Delon Gamble.

"He is considered armed and very dangerous and is actively being sought by local, state and federal authorities at this time," the Bureau said on Twitter on Friday.

On Thursday evening, police responded to two crime scenes a few blocks apart in Rockmart, a city of about 4,000 residents around 45 miles (72 kilometers) northwest of Atlanta.

Two people were dead at each scene and a fifth was severely wounded, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said. The dead included two men and two women. Their names were not immediately available.

The wounded person was airlifted to a hospital in Atlanta, local media reported.

No motive is known for the shootings. "They were targeted, but I don't know why. I have no idea why," Keith Sorrells, the police chief of Rockmart, Georgia, told local media.

(Reporting by Rich McKay and Gabriella Borter, editing by Larry King and Nick Zieminski)
Moroccos foreign policy towards the Arab world is independent and driven by the end goal of bringing Arab countries closer without any political parti-pris, Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita said.

Morocco has adopted an impartial stand regarding the Gulf crisis, recalled the Moroccan minister in an interview with Aljazeera TV channel.

He said Morocco endeavors to find a solution to the Gulf crisis through promoting reconciliatory action and bridging different viewpoints, he said.

Morocco, under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, is fully aware of the centrality of Gulf countries in the Arab world, Bourita stressed.

Ties between Morocco and the Gulf Cooperation council are multilayered bringing together diplomatic and strategic aspects, which enable the North African kingdom to play a key role in bringing closer different views, he said.

He highlighted the strong relations with Saudi Arabia, which are cemented by solid ties between the Moroccan and Saudi leaderships.

On Yemen, Bourita said that Morocco took part in the Arab coalition in Yemen but the situation on the ground necessitates a policy change.

Morocco backs legality in Yemen and supports the Gulf plan in that respect, said Bourita, noting that humanitarian issues are of big concern as Yemen goes through an alarming crisis, which requires urgent action.

Concerning Palestine, the Moroccan minister highlighted the actions on the ground taken by Bayt Mal Al-quds agency which helped 2500 families in Jerusalem gain decent lives and offered support to 150 orphans.

On Syria, Bourita said that reopening the embassy is not on the agenda because Rabat never severed ties with Damascus.

He stressed the need for an Arab coordination before any move to resolve the current crisis in Syria.

Diversification of partners is a key feature of Moroccos foreign policy said Bourita while speaking of relations with Africa.

Morocco wants a united Maghreb, a United Africa, an Arab economic area and strong ties with the EU as well as partnership with Russia and China, he said.

Bourita also deplored the tensions marking ties with Iran, which has adopted stands undermining Moroccos interests.

He recalled that cutting diplomatic ties with Tehran was a sovereign decision in response to Irans actions against Moroccos security.
By John Irish and Marine Pennetier PARIS (Reuters) - When French President Emmanuel Macron hosted Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Paris in October 2017, five months after taking office, he handed him a list of activists he believed the Egyptian president could release from prison. Sisi looked at Macron, suggested he was naive and meticulously outlined the reasons why each person should not be released, stressing their links to Islamists or the Muslim Brotherhood, three sources aware of the exchange told Reuters. Taken aback, the young French president, who sees Sisi as a stabilizing force in the region and wants to bolster trade and defense ties with Cairo, told a subsequent news conference it was not up to him to "lecture" Egypt on civil liberties. Fast-forward 13 months and Macron is nuancing his approach, French officials say. As he prepares for a three-day visit to Egypt starting on Sunday, he hopes to secure more business and defense contracts while not abandoning the human rights file. The problem Macron faces is that while he has been less outspoken on rights since his first meeting with Sisi, Egypt hasn't come through on defense and civilian deals, and rights groups say the crackdown on liberties has only worsened. NGOs are piling pressure on Macron to be firm in confronting the Egyptian president, who in April secured a second term, shoring up his position as a powerbroker in the region. The Elysee admits to an "evolution" in Macron's thinking. "The president's approach in October 2017 was maybe a bit different ... but time has passed," a presidential adviser said. This time, rather than delivering a narrow list of names of people who should be released from prison, French authorities have sent Cairo a broader accounting of human rights shortcomings and jailed non-Islamist activists that they think Sisi will find it harder to dismiss out of hand. SHARED CONCERNS ON LIBYA, JIHADISTS "I think Macron realizes that there have been limits to his silent diplomacy," said a French diplomatic source. "He needs to find a balance between not upsetting Sisi and making a public point about human rights." After Sisi rose to power in 2014, Franco-Egyptian relations strengthened. Both countries shared concerns about a political vacuum in Libya and the threat from jihadist groups in Egypt. Former French President Francois Hollande took a quiet approach on rights, and defense deals were signed, including the sale of 24 Rafale combat aircraft, a multi-mission frigate and two Mistral warships, deals worth some 6 billion euros. "Partly in return for France's blind eye in the realm of human rights and democratic standards, Cairo bought billions' worth of weaponry," said Jalel Harchaoui, a geopolitics lecturer at the University of Versailles. "But things have changed a bit lately. Sisi's grip on power is much firmer." Since Macron came to power, business has cooled. France's trade surplus with Egypt has not improved in three years, hovering at about a billion euros. Germany and other states have managed to secure major civilian contracts. An Egyptian pledge to buy a further 12 Rafale fighters has been on hold for almost two years. French officials hope that may change in the coming weeks, although there is an awareness that signing such a contract during Macron's visit would be poor optics amid the clamor over human rights. "In private, they are saying Macron has understood, but the test for him will be whether it's just words to keep us happy or there is something concrete like the release of prisoners at the end of it," said one official with a Paris-based NGO. Whether Macron can find a formula of words and actions that keeps human rights on the agenda and convinces Sisi to re-engage on trade remains unclear. But even if he can convince the Egyptian president that France is a trusted partner, it may not be enough, given Cairo's financial situation. "Egypt's debt crisis makes additional high-profile purchases of French hardware by Cairo less likely," Harchaoui said, referring to the state's heavy IMF borrowing. "Amid that new environment, France's ideological support remains unwavering, but has become less relevant." (Reporting by John Irish; Editing by Luke Baker, William Maclean)
PARIS (Reuters) - France's L'Oreal, whose beauty brands range from Lancome creams to Maybelline make-up, is stocking up cosmetics in Britain as part its preparations for Britain leaving the European Union, its chief executive said.

The company is processing the paperwork needed to smooth truck deliveries of its products between France and Britain in the event the United Kingdom leaves the European Union without a negotiated deal, boss Jean-Paul Agon added.

"We're preparing for all scenarios," Agon told Reuters on the sidelines of a media event late on Thursday.

He said that a no-deal Brexit would not have a major impact on the group, however, with Britain accounting for roughly 3 percent of sales, though it was also bulking up stocks in the United Kingdom, where it no longer has a manufacturing base.

Companies in Britain and elsewhere are ratcheting up preparations in the event of a chaotic Brexit in March, after a transition deal agreed by Prime Minister Theresa May with Brussels was rejected by UK lawmakers.

Firms from British fashion brand Burberry to U.S. automaker Ford have this week flagged they could face hefty bills in such a scenario if trade tariffs rose as a result, while supply chains would also be disrupted.

The French government is also preparing for the worst and a possible "no-deal", Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said on Friday. A contingency plan involving 50 million euros ($57 million) of extra French investment in ports and airports to help them cope with an abrupt UK exit from the EU is already in motion.

L'Oreal makes the bulk of its sales in emerging markets, and particularly Asia, with Chinese demand for its high-end skincare treatments in particular driving growth in recent years.

Agon told analysts in July that the UK market was "not in great shape", with tourist spending down versus the year before on high-end products, and due to more muted consumer sentiment which he attributed to Brexit.

Story continues

L'Oreal is due to report full year results on Feb. 7.

($1 = 0.8817 euros)

(Reporting by Pascale Denis and Sarah White, Editing by Dominique Vidalon and Louise Heavens)
Monrovia (AFP) - George Toe reflects on the good old days, when catching a couple of sharks helped fill a fisherman's pocket and fed a hungry family.

Fifteen years or so ago, local fishermen who ventured off the coast of Liberia could expect to come back with 200, maybe 300, of the fish in their boats, the 45-year-old recalls.

"Now it is difficult to get even 10," he said. "Now you have to go 45 miles (72 kilometres) in the water before you meet up with any."

Toe's worry encapsulates the dilemma facing Liberia, one of the world's poorest countries, as it seeks to protect these beautiful, endangered but often under-estimated species.

Each year, tens of millions of sharks and rays are hauled from the sea, typically to meet a voracious demand in East and Southeast Asia for shark fin soup or products used in traditional medicine.

Experts say the plunder is having a devastating effect on the health of the sea -- but protecting the species often meets resistance from fishermen, who see the catch as a vital source of income.

Fishing provides a livelihood to more than 30,000 people in Liberia and accounts for two-thirds of all animal proteins consumed nationally.

On the UN's Human Development Index, the country ranks a lowly 181 out of 189 nations. The average salary is $100 per month, and many Liberians survive on just $1 a day.

What's at stake in shark and ray conservation is not just the survival of these ancient species but supporting commercial fish stocks.

"Loss of sharks can lead to dramatic imbalances in the ecosystem," says campaign group Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF).

Catching sharks ricochets down the food chain as big fish decimate small fish in the absence of the apex predator.

- Monitoring programme -

Under a three-year initiative, the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority will collect data on shark and ray populations, monitoring their numbers and location, and track fishing, both legal and illegal.

Story continues

The action follows a pledge on training and data collection that Liberia made with 12 other West African countries in 2014 to help shark and ray conservation.

A trial programme has recorded 19 species in Liberian waters, from great hammerhead sharks to devil rays.

All feature on the Red List of threatened species compiled by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Sharks and rays are particularly vulnerable as they grow slowly, hit sexual maturity late and have a low reproductive rate, according to the EJF.

"Accurate population monitoring and sustainable management of these species are essential for long-term solutions, both for the Liberian fishing community and for the ecosystem they depend on," said Emma Glassco, head of the fisheries agency.

- Doubts -

But data collection is just one step -- it is what happens at sea which counts, and the support of local fishermen is vital.

Many of those who spoke to AFP clearly had reservations.

"We used to catch enough fish... Now, it is difficult to catch fish where we used to," fisherman Kojo Amuaysee, 42, said, pulling two sharks out of his motorised canoe after returning to port.

But he said the fishing sector had "too many people".

"I dont want to believe that it is the killing of the sharks and rays that is sending fish away."

Toe blamed declining catches on practices by illegal trawlers from neighbouring Ivory Coast and Guinea.

"They come fishing in our waters and later dump the unwanted fish, which pollutes the sea and chases away the living fish -- they go farther out."

The EJF is backing the conservation project with a grassroots programme, helped by video presentations, to explain to fishermen why sharks and rays are so important.

The outreach suggests that fishermen can become keenly sensitive to conservation -- some have even suggested that a law be passed to punish shark overfishing, said EJF's Augustine Fayiah.

"During the three years we will get to know if the fishermen will restrict themselves. If not, the government may decide to pass a law on stopping the killing of the two species," he said.
PARSIPPANY, N.J.  One person was killed and at least 20 were injured in a bus crash Thursday night in New Jersey, police said.

Two other people were seriously injured in the crash that occurred at about 7:30 p.m. on Route 80 in Parsippany, according to New Jersey State Police. The accident involved a bus and three cars.

Express lanes in both directions were closed earlier in the night, causing delays of 30 to 40 minutes, as reported by 511nj.org.

A spokeswoman for Morristown Medical Center said the hospital has received 20 patients as of 9:30 p.m. Their conditions ranged from fair to critical, she said.

Angel Cordero Jr. said he was driving westbound on Route 80 when he saw the bus hit the median and "go airborne."

"It was scary when it went on its rear wheels," Cordero said. "Just a horrific, horrific scene."

A video from the scene shows a bus labeled Adirondack. Adirondack Trailways is a New York bus company that travels to destinations in New York, Canada and parts of New Jersey, according to its website. Messages left for Trailways were not immediately returned.

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This article originally appeared on Morristown Daily Record: One dead, at least 20 injured in New Jersey bus crash
WASHINGTON (AP)  The Latest on President Donald Trump's State of the Union address (all times local):

11:30 p.m.

President Donald Trump says he is postponing his State of the Union address until after "the Shutdown is over," following a standoff with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Trump says in a pair of tweets Wednesday night that he's not looking for an alternative venue "because there is no venue that can compete with the history, tradition and importance of the House Chamber."

Pelosi had asked Trump to delay the speech until after the shutdown, but the White House tried to ignore the request, announcing Trump would move forward with the Jan. 29 date.

But Pelosi blocked the move, telling the White House earlier Wednesday that the House would not approve a resolution allowing Trump to address a joint session of Congress.

Trump says he looks forward to giving a "great" speech "in the near future!"

___

5:30 p.m.

Republicans are blasting House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's decision to block President Donald Trump from delivering his State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress because of the government shutdown.

Pelosi told Trump Wednesday the House won't approve a resolution allowing him to come until the government reopens.

South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, a close Trump ally, said Pelosi's action "sets a new low for American politics." He called Pelosi's decision "absurd, petty and shameful," adding: "The judgment of history will not be kind."

Rep. Mo Brooks of Alabama said Pelosi's action "shows how radical and hyper-partisan the Democrats have become."

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy said Trump should give the address as scheduled, saying Americans "should see their government leaders in the same room working to make our future brighter."

___

3:50 p.m.

President Donald Trump says he will do an "alternative" event since House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has blocked him from giving his State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress while the government remains partially shut down.

Story continues

Trump at the White House Wednesday said the cancellation was a "disgrace." He did not detail his next move, saying: "We will be announcing what we're doing."

The California Democrat told Trump in a letter Wednesday the Democratic-controlled House won't pass the required measure for him to give the nationally televised speech from the House floor on Tuesday.

Trump said he was planning a "really important speech" and called Pelosi's move a "great blotch on the country that we all love." He argued Pelosi was blocking him because she doesn't want to hear "the truth" about border security.

___

3:05 p.m.

President Donald Trump says he is not surprised about House Speaker Nancy Pelosi officially postponing his State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress until the government is fully reopened.

Trump says Democrats have become "radicalized" and "don't want to see crime stopped, which we could very easily do on the southern border."

Trump was asked about Pelosi's action during a health care event at the White House and as the government shutdown extended into a second month.

The president said: "This will go on for a while. Ultimately the American people will have their way because they want to see no crime."

The stalemate over funding a U.S.-Mexico border wall has produced the longest partial government shutdown in U.S. history.

Trump wants to deliver the speech Tuesday as planned.

___

2:50 p.m.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is officially postponing President Donald Trump's State of the Union address until the government is fully reopened.

The California Democrat told Trump in a letter Wednesday the Democratic-controlled House won't pass the required measure for him to give the nationally televised speech from the House floor.

Pelosi acted just hours after Trump notified her that he was planning to deliver the speech next Tuesday in line with her original invitation.

Pelosi's moves have left the White House scrambling to devise an alternative plan for the speech, which is one of the president's top opportunities to lay out his agenda to the public.

Pelosi said "I look forward to welcoming you to the House on a mutually agreeable date for this address when government has been opened."

___

12:45 p.m.

President Donald Trump says he is planning to deliver his State of the Union address next week in front of a joint session of Congress  despite House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's request that he delay.

Trump issued a letter to Pelosi on Wednesday. In it he dismisses her suggestion the speech should be postponed or delivered in writing due to security issues related to the partial government shutdown. Declaring there are "no security concerns," Trump says he will fulfill his "Constitutional duty."

Trump adds that it would be "so very sad" for the country if the address is not given as planned on Jan. 29.

Pelosi last week cited the impact of the ongoing shutdown on the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Secret Service. Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen said the agencies were prepared to support the speech.

__

12:20 p.m.

The White House is proceeding with plans for President Donald Trump to deliver his State of the Union speech in front of a joint session of Congress on Tuesday without knowing whether Democrats will let him have that stage.

Trump spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders, even as officials continued to work on a backup plan to have the president speak somewhere else.

The White House emailed the House sergeant-at-arms asking to schedule a walk-through in anticipation of the speech, according to a White House official who was not authorized to discuss the planning publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

The move is the latest in a game of brinkmanship between Trump and the House speaker as they remain locked in an increasingly personal standoff over Trump's demand for border wall money that has forced a partial government shutdown that is now in its second month.

The president cannot speak in front of a joint session of Congress without both chambers' explicit permission.
L3 Technologies, Inc. LLL recently clinched a modification contract worth $69 million to test, inspect and repair components of the Combat Service Support (CSS) Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) AN/TSC-183A system. The contract was awarded by the U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD. Work related to the deal is scheduled to get completed by Sep 27, 2022.



A Brief Note on CSS VSAT System



L3 Technologies CSS SATCOM provides wideband Non-Secure Internet Protocol Router Network (NIPRNET) connectivity to all major sustainment nodes across the army. The CSS SATCOM enables deployed maneuver and support battalions to reach key sites located in the continental United States (CONUS).



The combination of CSS and VSAT increases readiness by giving CSS Soldiers the ability to electronically transmit supply requisitions in the field and receive near real time status reports on their orders, 24-hours-a day, seven-days-a-week.



What Favors L3 Technologies?



L3 Technologies' Communications & Networked Systems segment, which provides SATCOM systems and equipment along with other low-powered SATCOM products, recorded net sales of $734 million in the third quarter of 2018. We believe this latest contract acquired to support CSS VSAT System

will further boost the segment's performance.



Furthermore, Variant Market research firm expects the global SATCOM equipment market to witness significant growth over the 2017-2025 period,

owing to a rising number of underwater threats and attacks. By 2025, this market is projected to witness a CAGR of 8.6% to $39.61 billion from 2017. As a result of such favorable projections, L3 Technologies is expected to capture a sizeable share of this expanding market, going ahead.



Price Movement



In a years time, shares of L3 Technologies declined 12.8% compared with the industrys fall of 8%. The underperformance can be attributed to weak performance the company has been witnessing lately in some of its product lines.

Story continues





Zacks Rank & Stocks to Consider



L3 Technologies currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).



A few better-ranked companies in the same sector are AeroVironment, Inc. AVAV, The Boeing Company BA and Heico Corporation HEI.



While AeroVironment and Boeing sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), Heico carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.



AeroVironment came up with average positive earnings surprise of 257.01% in the last four quarters. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2019 earnings has increased 33.3% to $1.48 in the past 90 days.



Boeing came up with average positive earnings surprise of 28.01% in the last four quarters. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2019 earnings has

increased 4.47% to $18.22 in the past 90 days.



Heicos long-term growth rate for the next 5 years currently stands at 12.10%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2019 earnings has increased 4.00% to $2.08 in the past 90 days.



The Hottest Tech Mega-Trend of All



Last year, it generated $8 billion in global revenues. By 2020, it's predicted to blast through the roof to $47 billion. Famed investor Mark Cuban says it will produce "the world's first trillionaires," but that should still leave plenty of money for regular investors who make the right trades early.



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Zacks Investment Research
Khloe Kardashian is all for President Kanye West.

The Keeping Up With the Kardashians star modeled a Kanye for president hat on Thursday, endorsing her brother-in-law in his still thankfully unofficial bid for president. The Trump-loving rapper had first said he wanted to run in 2020, but last summer pushed the unofficial date back to 2024.

Khloe Kardashian made more than a fashion statement with this Kanye for president hat. (Photo: Khloe Kardashian via Instagram)

While Kardashians relationship status with Tristan Thompson is unclear, she went all in supporting her sister Kims husband  also posting the photos of her in the hat (four in total) on Instagram with a heart and arrow. And commenters had plenty to say  and not much of it nice  which we assume she knew before she hit the share button.

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If Instagram was an election booth, West would be on his way to a historic loss. Irresponsible. Unconscionable. Not funny. Not provocative. Not just a hat Unfollowed, wrote a commenter, one of many who vowed to unfollow Trues mama. Another wrote, Yall are the last ppl who need to be in the White House. Here were some others:

Beautiful pic, but NO MORE IDIOTS FOR PRESIDENT PLEASE just my opinion, one wrote.

God help us if hes ever president, another added.

Unfollow- so stupid. Out of touch with the real world. Take that hat and shove it, a commenter said.

One follower had one of the more thoughtful replies, writing, Since youre a mom now you would think that you would put more thought into what you are out there promoting. Family or not Kanye clearly has some issues that would preclude him from running for president. Your family has a large following and with that you should try to be more responsible with what you post. I thought you were a big LGBTQ supporter? Wearing a Kanye for president hat is basically saying that youre okay with what Trump has done. Youve never looked better, but wearing this makes you the least attractive I have ever seen you. Unfollowing and hoping that you truly think about what you are promoting next time.

Story continues

Many were disappointed that Kardashian was seemingly saying that she agreed with Wests political views. For instance, one user wrote, Are you serious about that? Guess you believe slavery was a choice also! This is what is wrong with this country! Meanwhile, another wrote, I dont understand why you would wear this hat knowing your two best friends ancestors were slaves who didnt have a choice in the matter. So disrespectful. Unfollow.

And Wests mental fitness was questioned, as he is prone to the more than occasional rant. Sorry, but hes not all the way there. if you know what I mean, wrote one commenter. Another was a lot more frank, putting, Hell no he is a nut case for sure. (West was diagnosed with bipolar, but later said it was a misdiagnosis and stopped taking medicine to treat it.)

Many are pro-Khlo no matter what the circumstance  and it was no different in this instance. One wrote, Its just a hat :: chilllllll :: gorgeous as always Koko. And another put, Love the hat. It shows family support.

Kanye West visiting Donald Trump at the White House last year in his MAGA hat. (Photo: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg)

West first announced a potential presidential run at the 2015 MTV VMAs. Last spring on Twitter, he seemingly pushed it back.

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Hes stuck with that date posting it again in the new year. West has also said that if hes in it, hes in it to win it. If I decide to do it, it will be done. Im not gonna try, West said during an interview on Power 92 Chicago. And while he is definitely pro-Trump  as his MAGA-hat wearing trip to the White House in October showed  he said in that interview hes a centrist and also had love for Sen. Bernie Sanders.

Read more from Yahoo Entertainment:
By Svea Herbst-Bayliss

BOSTON (Reuters) - Activist investor Sahm Adrangi, who cemented his reputation with successful bets against Chinese internet companies, said that he has taken a short position against Qualcomm Inc, arguing the chip supplier's stock price could shrink by half.

Adrangi's hedge fund Kerrisdale Capital published a research paper that suggests Qualcomm's profits could be at risk as the company faces lawsuits, especially one in the United States.

If the company loses to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, Kerrisdale said that Qualcomm would be forced to "license core patents to competitors and to renegotiate all of its existing licenses on fair terms."

That would create a "period of immense confusion and uncertainty about Qualcomms prospects - and ... could realistically cut Qualcomm's licensing revenue, earnings power, and stock price in half," the report says.

The Federal Trade Commission filed its case in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California and is alleging that Qualcomm's patent licensing and chip sale practices were anticompetitive and sought to preserve a monopoly on so-called premium LTE modem chips, which help mobile phones connect to wireless data network.

"In the past Qualcomm has been able to keep its business model going, but this time the threats are far more severe," Adrangi said. Previous legal troubles cost the company money.

A judgment against the company in this case could force an overhaul of its business model, the hedge fund argues. "As Qualcomms long-running game of monopoly draws to a close, there will be no 'Get Out of Jail Free' card," the report said.

Kerrisdale is arguing that Judge Lucy Koh, who is presiding over the case, has already ruled against the company on several matters and may be inclined to rule for the FTC.

Qualcomm's stock traded at $54.16 on Tuesday and Kerrisdale sees a chance for it to fall by half in the next year or two.

Story continues

The company has a market capitalization of $66 billion and its stock is owned by mutual fund companies such as Vanguard and Fidelity.

Kerrisdale is a New York- based hedge fund managing roughly $150 million in assets. But it has taken on big targets before, including satellite communications company Globalstar. It has a large social media presence and boasts a 37 percent gain in 2018, far better than the average hedge fund which lost roughly 4.5 percent.

(Reporting by Svea Herbst-Bayliss; Editing by Susan Thomas)
For readers, summer is the season for beach reads. Coined about 30 years ago, the term beach read is often used but rarely defined. So what does it mean for a book to be a beach read? Initially, it referred to those blockbuster books that were published in summer, regardless of who wrote t
The Daily Beast

David Redfern/GettyThat sounds more like blues than country to me, my 12-year-old said. We were in the car on our way to attend a B.J. Thomas concert and, over the last few days, Id been giving him a crash course in Thomas music catalog.I didnt hear what he heard in the singers voice, but my son has an incredible ear for music so I didnt doubt him.Thats interesting, I said, Maybe we can ask him about it.Less than a year before, Id sent my saliva in a tube to Ancestry.com and learned
Tehran (AFP) - Iran's foreign ministry on Tuesday summoned the Swiss ambassador to Tehran to demand the unconditional and immediate release of a state television journalist detained in the United States.

Ministry spokesman Bahram Ghasemi said a note of complaint was issued to the ambassador for Switzerland over the "inhuman and discriminatory" detention of Iranian citizen and Press TV reporter Marzieh Hashemi.

The Swiss embassy in Tehran handles US interests in the Islamic republic after the two countries broke off relations following the 1979 Islamic revolution.

"Her immediate and unconditional release was demanded" at the meeting with the ambassador, Ghasemi added.

US-born Hashemi, who works for Iran's English-language Press TV, was arrested on arrival at St Louis Lambert International Airport on January 13, according to family and friends cited by Press TV.

Hashemi, a Muslim convert who changed her name from Melanie Franklin, had reportedly been visiting her ill brother and other family members.

A US court on Friday confirmed the arrest, saying her testimony was required over an unspecified case but that she was not accused of a crime.

At a hearing in Washington, a judge ordered the partial unsealing of an order on Hashemi.

The court said Hashemi was arrested on "a material arrest warrant" and would be let go after she gave testimony to a grand jury investigating unspecified "violations of US criminal law".

Iran's Foreign Minister Javad Zarif on Thursday described the detention as a "political action" by the United States that "tramples on freedom of speech" and demanded she be set free.

Zarif said that since Hashemi was married to an Iranian she is considered as an Iranian national and "it is our duty to defend our citizens".
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (AP)  Sen. Joni Ernst on Wednesday denied allegations leveled by her ex-husband that she had an affair with a subordinate while she served in the military.

The Iowa Republican answered questions from reporters about that and other allegations at a town hall event on the University of Northern Iowa campus in Cedar Falls, the Des Moines Register reported .

In the court documents, Ernst's ex-husband, Gail Ernst, accused her of having an affair with one of her soldiers while she was deployed as a company commander. She said Wednesday that she cares "about all of my soldiers" that the allegation was not true.

Ernst also accused her ex-husband in divorce documents of having an affair and physically assaulting her during an argument before she was elected to the Senate.

Gail Ernst denied in court documents that he had an affair, but the abuse allegations were not addressed. A working phone number for him could not be found, and his attorney on Tuesday declined to comment.

Joni Ernst said Wednesday at the event that she believed the court documents would be sealed from the public and was caught off guard by news reports on the allegations.

In an emotional interview with the Register, Ernst said she has always been a strong supporter of survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. She said people will now likely view that work as coming from not just a lawmaker but also a survivor of abuse.

"What I want to remind everybody is that I'm still the same person I was a week ago," she said, her voice breaking as she sought to hold back tears. "The only difference is that you know more about me now than you did a week ago."

Ernst, 48, has indicated she'll run for a second six-year Senate term in 2020.

___

Information from: The Des Moines Register, http://www.desmoinesregister.com
Intel INTC delivered fourth-quarter 2018 non-GAAP earnings of $1.28 per share, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 6 cents. The figure improved18.5% from the year-ago quarter but declined 8.6% sequentially.



Year-over-year earnings growth can be attributed to improvement in revenues, higher ASPs (or average selling price), lower share count due to aggressive share repurchase and lower effective tax-rate. Further, rising demand witnessed in companys higher performance products, both in data center and client domains acted as a catalyst.



Revenues totaled $18.657 billion, up 9.4% year over year but declined 2.6% on a quarter-over-quarter basis. The year-over-year improvement came on the back of growth witnessed in both data-centric and PC-centric businesses.



However, the figure lagged the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $19.010 billion. Weakness in demand from China, declining trend in PC shipments, softness in NAND flash pricing trends, lackluster modem business, and constrained supply impacted results.













Shares were down more than 7.1% in after-hour trading owing to a tepid view and revenue miss. Intels stock has returned 1.8% in the past year, against the industry's decline of 12.6%.



2018 at a Glance



For full year 2018, Intel reported revenues of $70.848 billion, which lagged the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $71.20 billion.



However, the figure improved 12.9% on a year over year basis, driven by growth of 9% and 20% in PC-centric and data-centric business (after adjusting for McAfee), respectively.



Non-GAAP operating income increased 24.7% to $24.55 billion on the back of strong execution across all the businesses and disciplined spending.



Earnings surged 32.4% to $4.58 per share, which was also ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.53.



Fourth-Quarter Segment Revenue Details



Client Computing Group or CCG (52.6% of revenues)  Intels PC-centric business is represented by this segment. The company bundles PCs, notebooks, 2-in-1s, tablets and other computing devices under the Client segment, which aids comparison with the PC market numbers provided by IDC and Gartner.



Revenues increased a record 9.7% on a year-over-year basis but declined 4% sequentially to reach $9.822 billion. Year-over-year growth in notebook (up 8%) and desktop (up 3%) drove segment results. The figure lagged the Zacks Consensus Estimate for CCG which was pegged at $9.841 billion.



Management noted strength in the commercial and gaming business. However, PC volumes declined 2% on a year-over-year basis. Meanwhile Notebook ASP and Desktop ASP increased 6% and 13%, respectively.



Although the company gained modem share, weaker smartphone demand, sluggishness in demand from China and softness in NAND pricing negatively impacted modem demand.



Management intends to unveil Intel XMN 8165 5G, the companys first 5G modem in around second half of 2019.



Additionally, the company recently introduced new 9th Gen Intel Core processors.

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Intel Corporation Revenue (TTM)

Intel Corporation Revenue (TTM) | Intel Corporation Quote

The company also unveiled 10nm-based Ice Lake PC processor. Notably, management anticipates it to hit the shelves of its OEM partners PC systems by holiday season of 2019.



Data Center Group or DCG (32.5% of revenues)  Revenues improved 8.7% year over year but declined 1.1% sequentially to $6.07 billion. Platform volumes increased 10%, while platform ASP was up 1% on a year-over-year basis.



Growth was broad-based with strong demand for high-performance products, including Xeon Scalable wherein Xeon ASPs were up 5% year over year.



Per Intel, the cloud service provider (CSP) revenues advanced 24%. Enterprise & Government declined 5% from the year-ago quarter primarily owing to weaker demand in China.



Commercial service provider revenues grew 12% as customers are increasingly adopting Intel architecture to virtualize and transform networks.



Intels strategy of expanding TAM beyond CPU to adjacent product lines like silicon photonics, fabric, network ASICs, and 3D XPoint memory bodes well in the longer haul. However, in the reported quarter, non-CPU adjacencies declined 2% from the year-ago quarter. Management attributes the decline to notable large one-time deals which did not get repeated in the quarter under review.



The company commenced shipping of the latest high performance Cascade Lake family of Xeon processors integrated with deep learning (DL) tools to accelerate artificial intelligence (AI) processes.



Intels Optane DC Persistent Memory solution which has already been selected by the likes of Google, Microsoft and Alibaba, is also witnessing rapid adoption.



Internet of Things Group or IOTG (4.4% of revenues)  Revenues declined 7.2% from the year-ago quarter and decreased 11.2% quarter over quarter to $816 million.



Excluding Wind River, which the company divested in the second quarter of 2018, the segment revenues were up 4% from the year-ago quarter. Tight supply constraints impacted segment results.



Non-Volatile Memory Solutions Group or NSG (5.9% of revenues)  Revenues surged 24.5% year over year and inched 2.4% sequentially to $1.107 billion driven by strong demand for data center SSD solutions and Optane drives.



Notably, Intel offers Optane SSDs for clients and 3D NAND technologies, which aids customers in driving innovation in solid-state drives (SSDs) and other memory products.



Management noted improvement in shift of companys data center and client SSDs to 64-layer 3D NAND, which in turn is improving cost per gigabyte.



Programmable Solutions Group or PSG (3.3% of revenues)  The Altera and eSAIC business is now the Programmable Solutions Group. It increased 7.7% from the year-ago quarter and surged 23.4% sequentially to $612 million.



Robust performance of data center and communications end markets, and strength in embedded products drove top-line growth. PSG's data center segment surged 50% from the year-ago quarter. Management stated that revenues from advanced FPGA products (including 20 and 14-nm) soared 70% from the year-ago quarter.



Intel also has a residual segment,  All Other (1.2% of revenues)  which includes results of operations from MobilEye, New Technology Group and other adjustments. The segment reported revenues of $231 million, up 27.6% year over year but declined 21.4% sequentially.



Notably, DCG, IOTG, NSG, PSG and All Other business units form the crux of Intels data-centric business model. Management stated that data-centric businesses were up 9% collectively, primarily due to strength in cloud and communication service provider domains.



Mobileye revenues of $183 million were up approximately 43% on a year-over-year basis primarily driven by strength in its ADAS and autonomous driving platforms-based solutions.



Mobileye garnered eight new design wins from notable U.S. and global auto companies in the reported quarter, taking the total to 28 new wins in fiscal 2018. Management noted that Mobileye accomplished 78 vehicle model launches.

Intel Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Intel Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | Intel Corporation Quote

Margins



Non-GAAP gross margin for the third quarter was 61.7%, contracting 320 basis points (bps) on a year-over-year basis. Further, the figure contracted 420 bps sequentially.



Non-GAAP operating margin for the quarter was 35.1% which expanded 10 bps on a year-over-year basis but contracted 460 bps sequentially.



Non-GAAP research & development (R&D) expenses and marketing, general & administrative (MG&A) expenses declined 2.8% from the year-ago quarter to $4.95 billion.



As percentage of revenues, R&D and MG&A declined 330 bps on a year-over-year basis but expanded 30 bps sequentially.



Segment Operating Margin Details



Segment operating margin was 33.4%, expanding 150 bps on a year-over-year basis but contracting 500 bps sequentially.



CCG operating margin of 37.3% expanded 90 bps from the year-ago quarter primarily attributed to higher ASPs. On a sequential basis, CCG operating margin contracted 700 bps.



DCG operating margin was 50.3%, contracting 330 bps from the year-ago figure. Sequentially, segment margin expanded 10 bps.



IOTG operating margin was 23.2%, up from 34.9% in the previous quarter. The figure contracted 640 bps from the year-ago quarter.



NSG group reported loss of $19 million against operating income of $31 million reported year-ago and $160 million in the previous quarter.



PSG operating margin was 26.5%, contracting 100 bps from the year-ago quarter but expanding 510 bps sequentially.



All Other segment reported loss of $828 million compared with loss of $1.27billion reported year-ago quarter and $852 million in the previous quarter.



Balance Sheet



As of Dec 31, 2018, cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and fixed-income trading asset balance was almost $11.65 billion compared with $13.19 billion as of Sep 29, 2018.



The company ended the reported quarter with almost $25.1 billion in long-term debt and $1.26 billion in short-term debt, which has led to a total-debt balance of approximately $26.36 billion.



In fiscal 2018, Intel generated approximately $14.3 billion in free cash flow, paid dividends worth $5.5 billion and bought back shares worth $10.7 billion. The company reported $29.4 billion in cash from operations.



Intel also raised quarterly cash dividend payout by 5% annually. The companys board has approved a quarterly dividend payment of $0.315 per share to be paid on Mar 1, 2019.



Tepid Outlook for Q1



Intel guided first-quarter 2019 revenues of around $16 billion, excluding impact from Wind River divestiture. The projected figure lags the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $17.27 billion.



Non-GAAP operating margin is anticipated to be approximately 29%. Management cites an anticipated decline in gross margin owing to 10 nm ramp and growth in adjacencies to impact operating margin in the first quarter.



PC centric part of the business is expected to up in low-single digits primarily due to higher modem share. Meanwhile Data-centric business is anticipated to be down in low-single digits owing to softness in NAND pricing and sluggishness in data center demand.



Non-GAAP earnings are anticipated to be 87 cents per share. The Zacks Consensus Estimate is currently pegged at $1.01.



Guidance for 2019



For fiscal 2019, management expects revenues of almost $71.5 billion, up 1% year over year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate is pegged at $72.98 billion.



Gross margin is expected to decline primarily due to growth in the adjacent businesses and transition costs related to 10 nm technology partially offset by increased focus on limiting operational expenses. Operating margin is projected to be roughly 34%.



Non-GAAP earnings are anticipated to be $4.60 per share, better than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.54.



Intel expects the tax rate for 2019 to be approximately 13.5%.Full-year capital expenditure is expected to be $15.5 billion. Management anticipates an increase in logic spending and reduction in spending on memory business. Free cash flow is expected to be $16 billion.



Zacks Rank & Key Picks



Currently, Intel carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).



Some better-ranked stocks in the broader Computer and Technology sector are Cloudera CLDR, Marvell Technology Group Ltd. MRVL and MeetMe MEET, each sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.



Long-term earnings growth rate for Cloudera, Marvell and MeetMe is forecast at 8%, 9.4% and 20%, respectively.



The Hottest Tech Mega-Trend of All



Last year, it generated $8 billion in global revenues. By 2020, it's predicted to blast through the roof to $47 billion. Famed investor Mark Cuban says it will produce "the world's first trillionaires," but that should still leave plenty of money for regular investors who make the right trades early.



See Zacks' 3 Best Stocks to Play This Trend >>



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MeetMe, Inc. (MEET) : Free Stock Analysis Report



To read this article on Zacks.com click here.



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Wall Street expects a year-over-year increase in earnings on higher revenues when Imperial Oil (IMO) reports results for the quarter ended December 2018. While this widely-known consensus outlook is important in gauging the company's earnings picture, a powerful factor that could impact its near-term stock price is how the actual results compare to these estimates.

The stock might move higher if these key numbers top expectations in the upcoming earnings report, which is expected to be released on February 1. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.

While the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's discussion of business conditions on the earnings call, it's worth handicapping the probability of a positive EPS surprise.

Zacks Consensus Estimate

This oil and gas and petroleum products company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $0.58 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +41.5%.

Revenues are expected to be $8.27 billion, up 30% from the year-ago quarter.

Estimate Revisions Trend

The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged over the last 30 days. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.

Investors should keep in mind that the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts may not always get reflected in the aggregate change.

Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Earnings Whisper

Estimate revisions ahead of a company's earnings release offer clues to the business conditions for the period whose results are coming out. This insight is at the core of our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction).

The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a version of the Zacks Consensus whose definition is subject to change. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.

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Thus, a positive or negative Earnings ESP reading theoretically indicates the likely deviation of the actual earnings from the consensus estimate. However, the model's predictive power is significant for positive ESP readings only.

A positive Earnings ESP is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). Our research shows that stocks with this combination produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time, and a solid Zacks Rank actually increases the predictive power of Earnings ESP.

Please note that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss. Our research shows that it is difficult to predict an earnings beat with any degree of confidence for stocks with negative Earnings ESP readings and/or Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell).

How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for Imperial Oil?

For Imperial Oil, the Most Accurate Estimate is higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bullish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of +15.72%.

On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #3.

So, this combination indicates that Imperial Oil will most likely beat the consensus EPS estimate.

Does Earnings Surprise History Hold Any Clue?

While calculating estimates for a company's future earnings, analysts often consider to what extent it has been able to match past consensus estimates. So, it's worth taking a look at the surprise history for gauging its influence on the upcoming number.

For the last reported quarter, it was expected that Imperial Oil would post earnings of $0.67 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.75, delivering a surprise of +11.94%.

Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates two times.

Bottom Line

An earnings beat or miss may not be the sole basis for a stock moving higher or lower. Many stocks end up losing ground despite an earnings beat due to other factors that disappoint investors. Similarly, unforeseen catalysts help a number of stocks gain despite an earnings miss.

That said, betting on stocks that are expected to beat earnings expectations does increase the odds of success. This is why it's worth checking a company's Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank ahead of its quarterly release. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.

Imperial Oil appears a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release.



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Washington (AFP) - The International Monetary Fund has cleared the way to approve the next $2 billion loan payment to Egypt, IMF chief Christine Lagarde announced Friday.

"The IMF staff team has now finalized the details required" to present the accord to the IMF board for approval, Lagarde said in a statement.

"The board will meet in the coming weeks to discuss the review and I will recommend that the Board approve the review."

The loan program for Egypt was signed in November 2016 and with this payment Cairo will have received $10 billion of the $12 billion total.

Since the 2011 revolt that toppled former president Hosni Mubarak, the economy of the Arab world's most populous country has received multiple shocks caused by political instability and security issues.

Egypt has imposed harsh austerity measures to try to right the economy and reduce the budget deficit, including hiking fuel prices and electricity rates.

Lagarde praised the "substantial progress" made by the Egyptian government on the reforms, which have boosted growth and cut unemployment to the lowest rate since 2011.

But she said, "It is important to build on the progress achieved thus far and to press ahead with structural reforms that facilitate private sector-led growth and job creation."
Students gather to demand the government take action on climate change on Nov. 30, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. Young people around the world are staging climate change protests inspired by Greta Thunberg, a 15-year-old Swedish student who has been leading a climate strike outside Swedish parliament. (Photo: Mark Metcalfe via Getty Images)

DAVOS, Switzerland Two of the worlds largest nonprofits are joining forces to spark a new wave of civil disobedience to intensify pressure on governments and business leaders to avert a climate catastrophe.

Greenpeace International, which has traditionally focused on environmental issues, and Amnesty International, which has concentrated on human rights, are co-launching a Summit for Human Survival later this year to encourage nonviolent protests and other interventions that force greater action on climate change. The event is expected to include NGOs, grassroots activist groups, as well as arts and cultural organizations from across the world.

Kumi Naidoo, secretary-general of Amnesty, said it is essential for organizations across different sectors to join forces rather than seeing issues such as the environment, human rights and international development as separate. An important aim of the upcoming summit, Naidoo said, is to mobilize non-environmental communities to recognize the seriousness of climate change.

One of our errors has been to see climate change only as an environmental issue, he told HuffPost at the World Economic Forum in Davos, which hosts business, political and economic leaders. We should never have framed it that way, and I hope we have not left it too late to create that intersectionality.

In its report published last October, the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change found that the world has only 12 years left to avoid catastrophic climate change. Both Greenpeace and Amnesty believe that direct action is essential to wake people up to the immediacy of the problem.

Sunrise Movement protesters inside the office of Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) to advocate that Democrats support the Green New Deal, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC on Dec. 10, 2018. (Photo: SIPA USA/PA Images)

Jennifer Morgan, head of Greenpeace International, told HuffPost that it is important for people to rise up and engage in nonviolent direct action to bring the urgency of this message to corporate leaders in a different way. She highlighted that this week more than 30,000 school students went on strike in Belgium seeking greater action on climate change and children in Berlin took to the streets calling for an early coal phase-out.

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The youth are demanding to be heard. The question is, why isnt the Davos elite responding with the scale and pace required? she said. We have no time to waste.

Naidoo, who was Morgans predecessor at Greenpeace International, believes one focus for direct action should be to push for an end to financial investments in the most polluting industries. That should include going after the big banks, he said, as they continue to fund the fossil fuel industry and are more sensitive to consumer pressure.

The idea of the Summit, said Naidoo, is not for it to dictate or try to coordinate centralized actions but rather to unite individuals and organizations so that they can collaborate in pushing for change. He pointed to new forms of protest such as the Extinction Rebellion movement, one of the many youth-driven civil disobedience movements focused on climate change. It began in the U.K. and is now launching chapters across the globe, including in the United States. Naidoo added that big international NGOs arent organizing this mobilization and that this sort of decentralization should be encouraged.

Both Naidoo and Morgan used the end of the WEF to lambast the politicians and business leaders present for not recognizing the planetary emergency we face. Naidoo criticized the leaders present and accused them of only caring about maintaining the status quo, pointing to their failure to act in the wake of the 2008 global financial collapse and the Asian financial crisis a decade earlier. Discussions about the need to scrap fossil fuel subsidies and address tax havens after the last global financial crisis had taken place, he said, but nothing significant had materialized.

We need to fundamentally rethink what structural and systemic changes are needed in the economy to make sure we address climate and dangerous inequality, which is leading to massive social tensions. Instead, all we have seen is system recovery, system maintenance and system protection.

As the world tinkers on the brink of a climate catastrophe, Morgan said, it is deeply disturbing that  avoiding further temperature rise is not at the very center of all of the meetings of CEOs and world leaders.

For more content and to be part of the This New World community, follow our Facebook page.

HuffPosts This New World series is funded by Partners for a New Economy and the Kendeda Fund. All content is editorially independent, with no influence or input from the foundations. If you have an idea or tip for the editorial series, send an email to thisnewworld@huffpost.com

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Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg wants you to know that your data is important to his company. In a Wall Street Journal op-ed published Thursday evening, Zuckerberg laid out why Facebook collects data, to use for advertisements, and how it lets you control that information.

The op-ed is meant to explain how and why Facebook collects information about its users: It lets the company sell ads and keeps the service free to consumers.

Zuckerbergs op-ed comes at an important moment. In a recent Pew Research Center survey, 74% of Facebook users said they had no idea that the company categorizes their interests based on their actions on the social network.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg speaks during the F8 Facebook Developers conference on May 1, 2018 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Facebook isn't the only company that creates these kinds categorizations. Google (GOOG, GOOGL) and Twitter (TWTR) follow the same formula. Thankfully, the three companies also offer you a means to see how these services view you, and let you opt out of having your data used at all.

How Facebook follows you

If you're a Facebook user and want to see what the company thinks it knows about you, follow these instructions:

From your desktop, navigate to Facebook.com and click the arrow in the top right corner of the screen. Select "Settings" from the dropdown menu and click "Ads" toward the bottom left of the screen.

Click the "Ads" option on the left side of the screen.

From there you'll be taken to the "Your Ad Preferences" page where you can see interests and advertisers associated with your account. Click on the "Your Information" tab and then select "Your Categories."

These are the categories Facebook believes best match you. It can include your marital status, whether you use Gmail, if you travel frequently, the type of devices you use to access Facebook, and more. Using my profile and habits, Facebook was able to determine I'm a technology early adopter, that I am a commuter, that I recently changed my smartphone, and that I'm a gamer.

Some of the categories Facebook placed me in.

None of that is exactly top-secret information. I assumed Facebook knew at least that much about me if not more.

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If you're so inclined, you can delete these categories by clicking the "X" icon in the top right corner of each category box. You can also turn off custom ads by clicking the "Ad Settings" tab and changing "Allowed" to "Not Allowed" under the "Ads based on data from providers" and "Ads based on your activity on Facebook Company Products that you see elsewhere."

Turning off Facebook's ad settings will stop showing you ads from the company's partners.

You can also ensure that Facebook doesn't use your social actions in any ads. For example, if you like a page for a movie, your friends may see ads for the movie indicating that you liked it. To turn that feature off, click "Ads that include your social actions" and change the dialogue to "No one."

Checking your Google account

Like Facebook, Google assigns you with specific categories it believes align with your interests. But Google's list is far more comprehensive than Facebook's, ensuring it shows the most pertinent ads. Google also has the ability to scoop up information from you from a whole host of services ranging from your search history to the YouTube videos you watch and locations you look for in Google Maps.

To see how Google categorizes you, navigate to Gmail in your browser, click on your account image in the upper right corner of the screen and select "Google Account." Choose "Data and personalization" on the left rail, scroll down to "Ad Personalization" and click "Go to ad settings."

You'll be able to adjust Google's ad settings here.

From here you'll be able to see every category Google believes interests you and how it reached that conclusion, whether that was through web searches or YouTube videos.

You can turn off ad personalization from the top of the screen to ensure Google doesn't use your information for ads, but that doesn't mean it won't still track what you do. To turn that off, you'll need to go back to your Google account homepage and select "Data and personalization" from the left rail.

Scroll down to "Activity controls" and choose "Manage your activity controls." This is where you can see the kind of detailed information Google has saved about you, including where you've been around the world, what Google Docs you've accessed, and which voice searches you've performed.

You can control the kind of data Google saves about you from here.

It gets to be a little creepy when you realize how far back all of this information goes. I haven't been to Germany in almost six years, but Google still has that data.

If you don't want Google to collect this kind of information, you can turn off each setting by adjusting the slider next to each category.

Twitter's data tracking

As with any other free social network, Twitter collects on its users. To see what Twitter has on you, log into your account on your desktop, click your profile icon in the top right corner of the screen, select "Settings and privacy," and then click "Your Twitter data."

Scroll down to "Interest and ads data" and choose "See all." You'll then see a list of the inferred interests Twitter has matched to your account.

If you want to ensure Twitter doesn't collect such data, you can disable the app's controls by clicking on your profile icon, selecting "Settings and privacy" and clicking "Privacy and safety."

You can turn off data personalization through Twitter's main settings.

Scroll to "Personalization and Data" and click "Edit." From here you can choose to individually disable how Twitter uses your data, or simply turn the features off completely.

More from Dan:

Email Daniel Howley at dhowley@oath.com; follow him on Twitter at @DanielHowley. Follow Yahoo Finance on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.finance.yahoo.com/
Burns Night celebrations often include haggis, whisky and readings of Burnss poems. Photo: Food And Drink/REX/Shutterstock

Scots in Canada will likely be celebrating Burns Night with a healthy serving of haggis, thanks to a rise in exports from Scotlands biggest producer of its iconic savoury pudding.

About 250,000 ($435,000 CAD) worth of haggis was exported to Canada in the weeks leading up to Burns Night, which celebrates national poet of Scotland Robert Burns, on January 25.

In 2017, Macsween became the first haggis firm to export the dish to Canada since 1971, after developing a recipe that meets the countrys food safety regulations.

READ MORE: Not oil but trade  the economic case for Scottish independence

Canada is now Macsweens biggest foreign export market, thanks to the 4.7 million Scots and Canadians of Scottish heritage residing in the country  making it home to almost as many Scots as there are residing in Scotland (5.3 million).

Macsween haggis is now available in English and French packaging, Canadas official language, in the country.

Burns Night celebrations often include a supper of haggis  which Burns once called the great chieftain o the puddin-race  washed down with Scotch whisky and accompanied by a recitation of Burns poetry.

READ MORE: UK farming industry fears Brexit will hurt exports

Macsweens success in Canada comes at a time when UK exports are at a record high, according to the Department of International Trade. In the year ending September 2018, exports from Scotland increased by 6.2% to 29.6bn. This was the highest rise in the UK.

The companys international success is a testament to the high-quality produce in the UK and is showcasing the best of Scottish food and entrepreneurial success this Burns Night, Liam Fox, Britains international trade secretary, said.

I encourage other UK food and drink companies to consider exporting their products and reach out to leading trade advisers in my international department who are providing support to businesses as they enter the global marketplace for the first time.

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READ MORE: No-Deal Brexit would threaten Scottish whisky export growth, says producers

Macsween produces gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian haggis alongside the traditional meat pudding. The company has enjoyed a 30% increase in sales since January 2018 and is forecast to have a turnover of 1.7m this January due to the global demand for high-quality haggis.

We always wanted to enter the Canadian market given the population of Scottish expats living there. Luckily, we were able to develop a new recipe to meet Canadian regulations in 2017. Since then, weve had great success and now have customers in Canada sending us photos of Macsween haggis in their local supermarkets, James Macsween, managing director of Macsween Haggis, said.

I would advise other Scottish food and drink businesses to consider exporting their products, no matter how small your company is. Weve always been one to punch above our weight and weve seen numerous benefits of this. There is support out there, and our contacts in the UK government have been brilliant in opening doors for us.
Ex-governor talks about the importance of working together

University of Floridas ACCENT Speakers Bureau, the nations largest student-run speakers bureau, hosted Ohios 69th governor John Kasich on Wednesday night in the University Auditorium.

Kasich discussed growing up with blue collar roots, self-empowerment and living life bigger than yourself to a crowd of about 800.

You have a destiny you have a purpose, you were created for something special, Kasich said.

He gave several anecdotes of people hes met throughout his life who he believes have changed the world.

One person was Albert Lexie, a developmentally disabled man who worked as a shoe-shiner in UPMC Childrens Hospital in Pittsburgh. Over the course of 30 years, Lexie donated a total of over $200,000 of his tips to the hospital.

These stories are remarkable but they give me hope, Kasich said.

Kasich called on the audience to open their minds to make a difference, and to show love to those who need it.

Im begging you millennials, were all counting on you, Kasich said, What I learned about you is you learn from your parents. The fancy car, the big home, but you want more than that. Youll take the job that pays less because it has meaning. Do itlets rebuild our country together.

Kasich recalled his freshman year at Ohio State, when he went to the schools presidents office to discuss issues with his dorm room and found out that the school president was meeting with then-President Richard Nixon. Kasich asked the school president to deliver a letter to Nixon, which led to him being invited to the White House.

Kasich said that the point of the story was to show that anyone can make an impact. I want you to know that this could be you, Kasich said.

During the audience Q&A portion of the event, students asked if he planned to run for president again in 2020, after losing the Republican nomination in 2016.

Im only interested in running if I can win, Kasich said, Im not interested in running to damage someone else.

But Kasich also said he wouldnt rule out running as a third-party candidate. All options are on the table, he said.

In the middle of questions about gun control and political polarization, one student who stepped to the mic simply wanted a hug from Kasich, and he obliged.

ACCENT chairman Greg Wolf said that he wanted to bring a speaker with a political background and that he thought Kasich would be an inclusive choice.

I hope [the audience] took his message to heart about being an individual, and that everyone matters, and that everyone has a purpose, Wolf said, I thought it was really inspiring.

ACCENT paid Kasich $60,000 plus travel expenses according to the contract.

UF freshman political science major Jackie Hunter said that she was surprised that Kasich spoke less about politics and more about making positive change in the world.

I particularly really liked when he spoke about spirituality and how polarization will continue to grow if the people of the United States cant find peace within themselves, Hunter said, I thought his approach was very unique and something that more people should consider.

UF junior political science major Joseph Lavoie said he heard about the show from friends sharing the event page on Facebook.

Im glad to see ACCENT bringing more conservative-minded speakers to campus, Lavoie said.
YORK, Pa.  A gunman opened fire at a hotel bar near Penn State University on Thursday, killing one person and injuring two others. He then broke into a home where he fatally shot a man then killed himself.

Here's what we know about the shootings.

Who was the gunman in the State College shooting?

According to reports, Jordan Witmer, 21, from Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, entered P.J. Harrigan's Bar and Grill at the Ramada Hotel and opened fire, his apparent target being a former girlfriend.

He then fled the scene, crashed his car and broke into a home, where he killed the resident. He then took his own life.

How close was the shooting to the Penn State campus?

The hotel is about two miles off campus. The home is a bit further from campus, the Centre Daily Times reported. There were no reports that the shooting was connected with the university, other than occurring nearby.

State College Police respond to a shooting at P.J. Harrigan's Bar & Grill at the Ramada Inn Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019, in State College, Pa. (Abby Drey/Centre Daily Times via AP)

Did Penn State alert students to the danger?

The student-run news website Onward State reported that the university did not alert students until nearly two hours passed. A university spokesperson told the website that since the shooting did not occur on or adjacent to campus, the university's policy does not dictate that it notify students.

Who was killed in the State College shooting?

Police say 62-year-old Dean Beachy, of Millersburg, Ohio, was shot and killed at P.J. Harrigan's Bar and Grill at the Ramada Hotel.

The alleged shooter, Witmer, drove away from the bar, crashed and broke into a home, where he fatally shot homeowner George McCormick, 83, before turning the gun on himself, according to the Associated Press.

WJAC-TV reports that McCormick owned the residence Witmer broke into. State College police said McCormicks wife was hiding in a bedroom and called 911.

The two people wounded at the bar remained hospitalized Friday in critical condition. Their names and further details about their injuries were not released.

Centre County Coroner Scott Sayers called the shootings "an isolated incident," adding that investigators were trying to determine whether Witmer knew either of the men he fatally shot.

Contributing: The Associated Press. Follow Mike Argento on Twitter: @FnMikeArgento

This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Gunman kills 2, then self in shootings near Penn State; campus wasn't alerted
The White House is reportedly preparing a draft emergency declaration that would allow Donald Trump to circumvent Congress if lawmakers do not fund his southern border wall.

Trump administration officials have identified $7 million in potential funds to pay for the wall without congressional approval, according to CNN.

The move comes as the former Trump campaign adviser Roger Stone is arrested by the FBI as part of the special counsels investigation into possible campaign links to Russia.

The US Senate is still searching for a way to end a government shutdown entering its 35th day on Friday. Thousands of federal workers miss a second paycheck today.

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On Thursday, a bill backed by Mr Trump to end the shutdown by including $5.7 billion he wants for the wall and a separate bill supported by Democrats to reopen shuttered agencies without such funding did not get the votes required to advance in the Senate.

The president said on Thursday that if Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer reached an agreement to end the shutdown, he would support it.

The president also said, however, that a deal was not going to work unless it included a wall or a barrier. He said one suggestion was a pro-rated down payment for the wall.
By Noel Randewich and Chuck Mikolajczak

(Reuters) - Payday lenders' stocks have emerged as big winners during the record-long U.S. government shutdown, though the updraft could prove short-lived.

Shares of pawn brokers, payday lenders and other subprime consumer finance companies have rallied and outperformed the broader market since Dec 22, when 800,000 federal workers were furloughed or left working without pay.

Pawn broker chains EZCorp and FirstCash have jumped over 18 percent since that date, with no resolution in sight over congressional Democrats refusal to approve Republican President Donald Trump's demand for $5.7 billion in partial funding for a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Companies that provide payday loans and other kinds of subprime consumer credit have also rallied. Enova International, Curo Group Holding and OneMain Holdings have each surged 23 percent.

(Graphic: Shutdown stocks - https://tmsnrt.rs/2B2EX9A)

Citigroup and other banks have helped with mortgage payments, overdraft fees and credit card costs to government workers, including employees from the Coast Guard, Transport Security Agency and other government workers struggling to make ends meet.

But with federal workers on Friday missing their second consecutive paychecks, some are likely turning to subprime consumer lenders. Virginia Attorney General Mark R. Herring this week warned https://www.oag.state.va.us/media-center/news-releases/1370-january-22-2019-herring-warns-virginians-about-scams-related-to-government-shut-down people to be wary of the risks associated with high-interest payday and online loans.

On Thursday, U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross on Thursday urged furloughed federal workers facing a second missed paycheck to seek loans to pay their bills.

Investors should be also be careful, warned Piper Jaffray analyst Kevin Barker, who said any potential increase in business for payday lenders and credit card companies is likely to disappear when the shutdown ends.

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"These people are going to get their paychecks eventually. The market is not going to look at this as a long-term, sustainable uplift," said Barker, who has an "overweight" rating on OneMain Holdings.

The shutdown has created uncertainty about consumer confidence, retail spending and the economy at large. Restaurants and other businesses in Washington that cater to federal employees have already taken a hit. But Wall Street has mostly shrugged off the shutdown, at least so far, even as it extends its lead as the longest in history.

Dollar Tree and Dollar General Corp, go-to retail stocks for investors expecting economic downturns and weak consumer spending, have both gained about 13 percent since the shutdown began, better than the gain of more than 9 percent in the S&P 500, but in line with other U.S. retailers.

"I don't think the market has priced in that this government shutdown is going to last much longer to where it is really going to impact GDP," said Eric Marshall, a portfolio manager at Hodges Capital Management in Dallas. "Because it has never happened this long, nobody knows exactly how to discount it."

Meta Financial Group is set to report quarterly results on Monday. EzCorp is expected on Tuesday, according to Refinitiv, followed by FirstCash on Wednesday and World Acceptance on Thursday.

(Reporting by Noel Randewich; Editing by Alden Bentley and Nick Zieminski)
Then incoming House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and President Donald Trump argue before a meeting at the White House December 11, 2018 in Washington, DC. Vice President Mike Pence is pictured between them.

WASHINGTON  President Donald Trump and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi havent spoken to each other in more than two weeks.

As the partial government shutdown enters its 35th day Friday, the increasing bitterness between the president and the Democratic leader has become a central feature of an impasse that has left some 800,000 government employees without a paycheck for more than a month.

Several associates of both Pelosi and Trump say the president appears to have misread the speaker and underestimated her willingness to stand firm against his demands for money to pay for a border wall. The two have, at times, used similar tactics to try to undermine each others positions. That doesnt bode well, analysts said, for finding an off-ramp from the shutdown or making progress on much else over the next two years.

I think shes trying to prove that controlling the House allows her to dominate the outcome, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, a Trump ally, told USA TODAY. And hes trying to prove that being president allows him to define the outcome. And they have very, very dramatic different goals in mind.

Trump has demanded $5.7 billion to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. Democrats have refused to allocate the funds and Pelosi has called a wall immoral.

Democratic leaders are expected to release a letter Friday outlining the forms of border security they're willing to accept. The Senate failed to advance two bills Thursday that would have re-opened the government, one proposed from each party.

Trump signaled late Thursday that he could support a bipartisan proposal percolating in the Senate to reopen federal agencies for at least three weeks. That bill did not include money for border security, but Trump said hed be open to such a proposal in exchange for a "down payment" on the president's proposed border wall.

Pelosi appeared to dismiss the idea with a Trump-like flourish.

"I dont know if he knows what hes talking about," she told reporters in response to a question about the ill-defined down payment. "Do you?"

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Trump and Pelosis fraught relationship burst into full display this week when the president suggested he would deliver his State of the Union address over the speakers objections. Pelosi flatly rejected that idea in a terse letter to the White House, and Trump  in a rare move  capitulated.

The next day, Pelosi appeared to rip a page from Trumps playbook of belittling rivals by describing his postponed speech as so unimportant in the lives of the American people.

Thank you for recognizing that its inappropriate to have a State of the Union address where people are working hard, very hard, to protect all of us in that room, and not getting paid for it, she said during a press conference on Capitol Hill Thursday.

Trump, watching the press conference in the White House, tweeted out an immediate response.

We will not Cave! he wrote.

"This is the first couple of rounds of a long heavyweight battle I think theyre both trying to see what punches land and how their opposite member reacts," Mark Harkins, a senior fellow at the Government Affairs Institute at Georgetown University.

Not her 'first rodeo'

Harkins predicted that strategy would favor Pelosi.

"The one with more experience, probably knows more about what theyre doing.This is not Speaker Pelosis first rodeo," Harkins said.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said the White House still has a lot to learn about working with the Californian.

What President Trump still isnt grasping is that as Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi is not a subordinate to the President  something he may have become accustomed to when Republicans controlled the House," Schumer said in a statement to USA TODAY.

Neither Pelosi's office nor the White House responded to questions about the relationship, but analysts said the cold shoulder was predictable. Republicans have turned Pelosi into a bogeyman representing the liberal wing of her party for more than a decade.

In that sense, the relationship has been notable for the fact that Trump has been less personally critical of Pelosi. He has not, for instance, tagged her with a nickname as he has other political opponents. Trump calls Schumer "Cryin Chuck," but acknowledged this week that he likes to call Pelosi, simply, Nancy.

I think about it in terms of two people who may not have any incentive to work with each other, said Scott Jennings, a GOP consultant with close ties to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. It doesnt portend for a lot of cooperation over the next years.

Jennings said he believes the White House badly misread Pelosi immediately after the November midterm election, as indicated by Trump's repeated predictions that the then-incoming House speaker would be more likely to make a deal after she assumed power.

Misreading is a charitable word, Jennings said.

Kinder, gentler speaker?

Rep. Mark Meadows of North Carolina, a conservative Republican who is close to the president, said that in private, Trump's opinion of Pelosi "has always been one of a worthy adversary."

"I dont think hes underestimated her," Meadows said. "I think he was getting advice from people on Capitol Hill, and some of his advisers, that she would be a kinder, gentler speaker as it relates to issues where they disagree. And I think that was misplaced advice."

House Democratic Caucus chair Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., said that Trump "may have underestimated her in the weeks leading up to Democrats taking back the majority" but after watching her in action "no one should underestimate" her.

Trump and Pelosi have not had a conversation since Trump walked out of the room during a meeting at the White House on Jan. 9, Pelosi spokesman Drew Hammill said.

Pelosi told reporters Thursday that she would meet with the president anytime he wanted. But the last meeting was "was a photo op for the president to leave the room."

Conflict between presidents and House speakers from opposing parties are not new. Pelosi sparred with President George W. Bush the first time she was speaker, at one point calling him "a total failure." But Pelosi told USA TODAY in December she was nostalgic for the former GOP president because when negotiating "we started with a stipulation of fact." She said that baseline does not exist with Trump.

Gingrich, who was speaker during the second longest shutdown on record, under President Bill Clinton, said that Trump and Pelosi are so far apart on issues, it's hard to see how they'll ever compromise.

Clinton and I were not that far apart, hed run as a centrist Democrat," Gingrich said.

"There were a lot of places where we could find a common ground. Its much harder, it seems to me, dealing with Pelosi to imagine any kind of common ground."

Even when the shutdown ends, it may be hard for the two to come together on other policy issues. The mutual mistrust could hamper progress on policies where there had long been some hope for bipartisanship, such as on reducing the price of prescription drugs or increasing federal spending on infrastructure.

I dont think the shutdown impasse completely precludes working together on an issue of mutual concern in the future, said longtime GOP strategist Michael DuHaime. But it certainly doesnt look like this relationship will ever be confused with Ronald Reagan and Tip ONeill finding compromise on a host of issues.

More: Exclusive: Nancy Pelosi vows 'different world' for Trump, no more 'rubber stamp' in new Congress

More: In Trump era, Nancy Pelosi admits to nostalgia about George W. Bush. Here's why

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Government shutdown: Donald Trump's feud with Nancy Pelosi poses yet another obstacle to deal
Note: This story has been updated to reflect S&P Global estimate of $6 billion as the cost of the shutdown.

President Donald Trump has signed legislation to end the partial government shutdown. But its impact was severe and costly.

The economic cost was measured at $6 billion, according to Friday estimates by S&P Global Ratings. That's $300 million more than Trump's demand for $5.7 billion to build the southern border wall.

The measure, signed late Friday, temporarily reopens the government until Feb. 15 to allow lawmakers time to continue discussions on southern border security. But the cost of the shutdown remains.

While other presidencies have had shutdowns, this impasse was both the longest and most expensive. Though costs have not been calculated for all shutdowns, a few have been analyzed for dollar losses.

Even a partial shutdown does not mean taxpayer dollars won't be due at some point. Examples of how shutdown costs are incurred, how revenue is lost and how business can be affected:

The 21-day shutdown during Bill Clinton's presidency was the longest in U.S. history until the latest closure. Here's how shutdowns since the Ford administration compare:

SOURCES S&P Global Rating; Politifact; Congressional Research Service; USA TODAY research

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Government shutdown cost $6 billion. That's more than Trump wanted for the border wall
Google staff stage a walkout at the company's UK headquarters in London on November 1, 2018 as part of a global campaign over the US tech giant's handling of sexual harassment. - AFP

Google is under fire from its own employees after it asked the US government to change rules which allow staff to plan activism on their work email accounts.

The Silicon Valley tech giant urged the National Labor Relations Board, the US agency which enforces labour laws, to roll back rules which stop companies punishing activist employees who form unions or circulate petitions on workplace communication systems, documents obtained by Bloomberg show.

Last November thousands of Google employees walked out of their offices over allegations that the company had made substantial payouts to senior figures accused of sexually harassing staff.

In a memo on October 30, Sundar Pichai, Google's chief executive, told employees he was "deeply sorry" for the company's "past actions" and that workers who chose to walk out would "have the support [they] need".

The filing by Google's lawyers urging the NLRB to change the rules was made three weeks later in an unrelated court case case, in which the NLRB had accused the company of infringing on workers' rights.

A spokeswoman for Google said the filing was not part of any concerted lobbying campaign to change the rules, and that it was simply one of the possible legal defences in response to a charge the company considers "without merit".

The NLRB has accused Google of breaking workplace laws including by making threats against employees and warning an employee about comments they had made on email and the company forum G+.

The disciplined employee has not been named, but his lawyer told Bloomberg that his client had been punished for failing to conform to the company's "very, very left-wing office culture".

Activists involved in the November walk-out accused the company of "not operating in good faith" and said the move showed that statements made by Mr Pichai in support of the walkout were hollow.

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They also warned that the change would limit their own abilities to organise further activism.

The walkout organisers said: "Sundar assured us that he and Google's leadership supported the walkout. But the company's requests to the National Labor Relations Board tell a different story, showing that Google would rather pay lawyers to change national labor law than do what's right."

A Google spokeswoman said: "Google is one of the most open workplaces in the world. Employees have multiple internal forums to express their views, raise concerns and connect, including thousands of internal communities and tens of thousands of email groups.

"Were not lobbying for changes to any rules. This was a legal defense that we included as one of many possible defenses in the response to a charge. This case is without merit and we are defending the claim vigorously."
Goldman Sachs's private wealth advisors told wealthy clients that neither President Trump nor his administration's policies are likely to trigger a decline in U.S. preeminence.

"While some of our clients have reacted to the Trump presidency with great concern and asked whether his unconventional approach and authoritarian impulses can jeopardize U.S. preeminence, we do not believe so," Sharmin Mossavar-Rahmani and Brett Nelson wrote in their 2019 outlook, a 102-page report entitled "American Preeminence in a Rattled World."

The note went to Goldmans Consumer & Investment Management Division, which has combined the firms upstart consumer lending and savings business, Marcus, with its long-time asset management business that manages more than $1 trillion for institutions and ultra-high-net-worth individuals. For the tenth year in a row, Goldman advised its clients to remain overweight U.S. stocks.

In the note, Goldman discussed five other instances going back to the 1950s where so-called "declinists" have forecasted the decline of the U.S.

"None of the earlier prophecies came to pass. Nor will this one," Goldman wrote.

U.S. President Donald Trump REUTERS/Yuri Gripas

The report noted that, throughout history, there have been instances of anti-immigration attitudes in the U.S., presidents attempting to pressure the Federal Reserve to support their agenda, presidents pushing NATO allies to pay more, and trade spats.

"History provides perspective and enables us to evaluate whether there has been an overreaction to what the Eurasia Group has called the 'unprecedented' and 'authoritarian' Trump presidency, 'full of conflicts of interest,'" Goldman wrote. "Not all Trump administration policies, actions, and attitudes are new, and certainly they are not unprecedented."

Goldman highlighted the strength of U.S. institutions as a pillar of U.S. preeminence, pointing to instances where states or the private sector have stepped up on issues ranging from the environment to immigration.

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"We conclude that the economic, political and judiciary institutions that underpin U.S. resilience remain strong and that U.S. preeminence is intact."

Julia La Roche is a finance reporter at Yahoo Finance. Follow her on Twitter.
By Alwyn Scott NEW YORK (Reuters) - General Electric Co is advising some buyers of its big power turbines to switch out faulty blades sooner than expected and has disclosed that a blade broke in 2015, according to a presentation reviewed by Reuters and people briefed on the matter. The second blade break, which has not been previously reported, involved an earlier turbine model and was similar to a break last September that severely damaged a turbine in Texas and shut it down for two months of repairs. The defective blade issue affects GE's newest turbine technology, which cost billions of dollars to develop, and is among the challenges facing new Chief Executive Larry Culp as he tries to revive the profits and share price of the 127-year-old conglomerate. GE's advice for fixing the problem can curb turbine use by utilities, according to the sources and utilities that use GE turbines, potentially threatening the revenue streams at the power plants. At private meetings in Florida and London last month, GE executives said the company is offering extended warranty coverage and making spare parts available to ease concerns of insurers, lenders and utilities interested in buying turbines, according to a GE executive's slideshow presentation and three people who attended the meetings. Some said they signed non-disclosure agreements. GE told participants that turbines with at-risk blades should run for fewer than about 7,000 hours depending on individual plant circumstances, before shutting down for blade replacement, according to two people who attended the meetings. GE said it had advised customers of the change. GE's previous guidance for blades was after 25,000 hours. The executives also said in the meetings that the blade that broke in 2015 at an undisclosed power plant was in a GE 9FB turbine, which has similar technology to the HA turbine that broke in Texas. The 2015 break prompted GE to work on new protective coatings and alter a heat treatment process for the parts, a second presentation showed. (GE turbine outage data: https://tmsnrt.rs/2Rs5mU3) GE told Reuters that after the blade broke in 2015, GE did not know at first that the problem would also afflict its HA models. "The HA components were in development before the initial 9FB issue occurred, and the HA units began to ship while the root-cause analysis was in process and before it was determined that it was a component issue that impacted the 9FB fleet and the HA," GE said in a statement to Reuters. GE declined to provide more detail about the 2015 blade break or usage restrictions, saying some of the information is proprietary. "We are executing the plan we laid out to fix the (blade) issue," GE said in a statement to Reuters. "The feedback from customers has been positive, and they continue to choose the HA, which remains the fastest-growing fleet of advanced technology turbines in the world today." The details from GE's meetings come as GE is installing new blades in about 50 9FB and 52 HA turbines, according to a person familiar with the matter, fewer than the 130 estimated after the blade break in Texas prompted it to warn that other turbines are at risk for blade failure. Reuters previously reported that GE found an oxidation problem, not a break, in 2015 and developed a fix before the failure in Texas. Scaling back use of GE turbines reduces how much electricity they produce, a threat to revenues and profits for Exelon Corp, PSEG Power LLC, Chubu Electric Power Co Inc and others with the 400-ton GE machines that form the core of modern gas-fired power plants, according to utilities and industry experts. Japan's Chubu Electric said it learned about the blade problem with its six new GE turbines last October. It is restricting operation time at one of the two plants that use GE's HA turbines, but expects to have "enough reserve capacity to generate sufficient electricity to meet demand during this winter," a spokesman told Reuters. He said Chubu will tally the financial impact "depending on how long the plants would be shut down" to replace blades. It expects repairs to be completed by the end of February. PSEG Power and Exelon, based in the United States, declined to comment on how restrictions would affect them. GE is continuing to sell turbines in a slumping market for big power plants, where it has lost share to rivals Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems and Siemens AG. GE has said it booked orders for three large turbines last month. GE's share price fell after GE revealed a blade issue in Texas on September 19, saying such "teething problems" are not uncommon with new technology and would require "minor adjustments" to fix. GE has said it would set aside $480 million for repairs and warranty claims. Three days after the break in Texas became known, Electricite de France SA shut down its HA turbine to replace blades. EDF did not respond to requests for comment. At the London meeting, about 100 insurance industry people gathered in the oak-paneled Old Library room of Lloyd's of London on December 13, according to the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss confidential information. GE power executives Marcus Scholz and Tom Dreisbach gave presentations about GE's turbine technology. In its turbine documentation, GE has advised its power customers to inspect turbines with so-called "Generation 1" blades after 25,000 hours of use. GE said its improved blades, known as "Generation 2," are designed to last 25,000 hours or more before being replaced. According to page 11 of his presentation, Dreisbach said the Generation 1 blade that broke in 2015 failed after 22,000 hours. New parts treated with a special coating were inspected by technicians after about 12,000 and 16,000 hours and "cracking (was) still observed," the presentation said. GE inspected other turbines at about 7,000 hours and "early stages of cracking (were) observed," the presentation said. (Reporting by Alwyn Scott; Additional reporting by Yuka Obayashi in Tokyo; Editing by Joe White and Edward Tobin)
LONDON (Reuters) - France is preparing for the worst as the clock ticks down to Brexit, Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said on Friday, adding that he does not have any more to give as Prime Minister Theresa May battles to break the deadlock. Le Maire said a no-deal Brexit would be catastrophic for Britain and that it was up to the government to find a solution before Britain leaves the European Union on March 29. He added that in the event of a no-deal, France could not ease the process by offering side deals on aviation or logistics. "You can't be out of the EU and getting all the benefits of the single market," he told BBC radio. "That is a clear red line for France." (Reporting by Kate Holton; editing by Guy Faulconbridge)
Ban Ki-moon promoted a global Green New Deal while secretary-general of the United Nations. (Koji Sasahara/Associated Press)

Former U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon became the first major international diplomat to throw his weight behind the so-called Green New Deal, a nascent effort by left-wing Democrats to zero out planet-warming emissions and end poverty over the next decade.

In an interview with HuffPost, Ban  now the co-chair of the newly launched Global Commission on Adaptation, a cadre of top world leaders slated to host a summit next year in the Netherlands  called the push a very, very good initiative.

I would strongly support it, Ban said by phone Wednesday afternoon from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. This kind of initiative is good.

He held the movement in stark contrast to the climate agenda President Donald Trump has pursued, aggressively bolstering fossil fuel production and announcing a withdrawal from the Paris climate accord. He called the Trump administration very worrisome.

It is very important that the people should speak out, he said. I have always been urging that there should be the policies of a civil society heard loud and clearly all around the world.

Ban, 74, made climate change a priority during his term as the United Nations eighth secretary-general from January 2007 to December 2016. In 2008, as much of the developed world slid into the Great Recession, the South Korean diplomat urged international leaders to enact a Green New Deal, which he defined as an investment that fights climate change, creates millions of green jobs and spurs green growth.

Activists occupied top Democrats' offices in November to demand a Green New Deal to fight climate change and reduce poverty. (Michael Brochstein/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

The concept caught on. Barack Obama, then a presidential candidate, called for a Green New Deal on the campaign trail. Labour Party activists began laying the groundwork for a government-run green investment bank in the United Kingdom. By 2009, the United Nations drafted a report calling for a Global Green New Deal.

But in 2010, austerity politics swept across the Atlantic. In the United States, Democrats came close to passing a cap-and-trade bill  a conservative market mechanism for curbing climate-altering emissions  but ultimately backed down. The term Green New Deal remained core to the U.S. Green Partys platform, but away from the political fringe it all but disappeared.

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That is, until 2018. A spate of left-wing Democrats revived the term and imbued it with a new sense of urgency and a much broader scope, calling for a rapid transition to 100 percent renewable energy and a guarantee of union-wage jobs for the millions of Americans struggling to survive as income inequality worsened. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) became the most prominent supporter, and at least two top Senate Democrats are now working on legislation. At least half the declared 2020 candidates for president now say they support a Green New Deal in some form.

It is very important that the people should speak out. Ban Ki-moon

On Wednesday, Ban stopped short of critiquing the longstanding dogma, among both Democrats and the few Republicans who acknowledge the realities of climate change, that says market-based tweaks, such as putting a price on carbon, are the only politically feasible paths to cutting emissions in the United States.

There have been many discussions on how to address climate  cap-and-trade, carbon trading, carbon taxes, he said. Any such ideas which merit some deep discussions  that should continue.

The remark bucked with the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change, which determined in October the world has roughly a decade to halve global emissions or face cataclysmic warming of at least 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit, and likely much more. At a news conference, two authors of the IPCC report laughed when asked if market-based policies alone could deliver the cuts needed.

Asked whether the fossil fuel industry should be barred from future climate talks, Ban said no, despite widespread criticism of oil and gas companies deep-pocketed efforts to upend climate policies in the United States and elsewhere.

I dont think those people should not be allowed to participate, Ban said. They should listen to the voices of the people. These climate talks and climate conferences are open to everybody, so ... we should welcome them.
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By Susan Cornwell WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump's former personal lawyer Michael Cohen is postponing his Feb. 7 testimony to the U.S. Congress because of threats against his family from Trump, his adviser said on Wednesday. Cohen, who has pleaded guilty to crimes including campaign finance violations during Trump's 2016 election campaign and is cooperating with investigators, had received "ongoing threats against his family from Trump" and Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani, the adviser, attorney Lanny Davis, said in a statement. Trump called Cohen a "rat" in a tweet last month for cooperating with prosecutors. Cohen had been Trump's self-described longtime "fixer" and once said he would take a bullet for the New York real estate developer. In a Fox News interview this month, and other forums, Trump also suggested he had damaging information on Cohen's father-in-law. "That's the one that people want to look at," Trump said in the interview. Giuliani also referred to possible issues with him. Cohen's father-in-law, Fima Shusterman, could not immediately be reached for comment. He has been involved in the taxicab business like Cohen himself. Cohen was expected to appear before the U.S. House of Representatives Oversight Committee. A new date has not been scheduled and he will go to a federal prison in March. During an event at the White House, Trump was asked about Cohen saying he had been threatened by him and Giuliani. "I would say he's been threatened by the truth. He's only been threatened by the truth," Trump said. Giuliani told Reuters that the "president's response covers it." Representative Elijah Cummings, chair of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, and Representative Adam Schiff, chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, both Democrats, said in a statement they understood the concerns for the safety of Cohen and his family in light of the attacks by Trump and Giuliani. But the lawmakers said they would not "let the Presidents tactics prevent Congress" from getting to the truth. "I promise you that we will hear from Mr. Cohen. ... Whatever we have to do to get him here, we're going to do it," Cummings told reporters in a Capitol hallway. He declined to say if that meant a subpoena. Chicago attorney Andrew Boutros said he was not sure what to make of it all. "Mr. Cohen's statement is long on conclusions and short on facts and details," said Boutros, a former federal prosecutor. Cohen was sentenced in December to three years in prison for crimes including orchestrating hush payments to women in violation of campaign laws before the 2016 election. He said in the guilty plea that he was directed to make the payments by Trump. The president and his lawyers have argued the payments were a personal matter unrelated to the election. Cohen had volunteered to testify before the congressional panel. Davis said Cohen looked forward to testifying at a later date. (Reporting by Susan Cornwell; Additional reporting by David Alexander, Nathan Layne, Andy Sullivan, Ginger Gibson and Karen Freifeld; Editing by Grant McCool and Peter Cooney)
Washington (AFP) - Roger Stone, a longtime adviser to US President Donald Trump, was arrested Friday under an indictment issued by the special counsel examining possible collusion with Russia.

Stone was charged with seven counts, including obstruction of an official proceeding, making false statements and witness tampering, according to Special Counsel Robert Mueller's office.

The indictment concerns Stone's communications with with WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, whose group leaked tens of thousands of stolen Democratic Party emails that embarrassed Trump's rival Hillary Clinton in an apparent bid to influence the election.

It was the first indictment in months by the special prosecutor probing Russian efforts to tip the 2016 US election toward Trump and whether he and his people tried to obstruct justice.

FBI agents arrested Stone at his home in Fort Lauderdale, Florida before dawn, and he is due in federal court there later in the day. His lawyer did not immediately respond to questions for comment.

Stone, who launched his career as a campaign aide to Richard Nixon and has a tattoo on his back of the first US president to resign from office, has spent decades advising various US political campaigns.

He was one of the first members of Trump's team when the billionaire real estate magnate formally announced he was seeking office, but he left months later over a dispute.

The two men, however, remained in close contact, the indictment underlying that Stone "maintained regular contact with and publicly supported the Trump Campaign through the 2016 election."

- Ready to testify? -

Stone had previously said he was ready to face possible charges from Mueller's team, and publicly taunted the special counsel, echoing Trump's claims of a "witch hunt."

"This was supposed to be about Russian collusion, and it appears to be an effort to silence or punish the presidents supporters and his advocates," he told NBC's "Meet The Press" in May.

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"It is not inconceivable now that Mr Mueller and his team may seek to conjure up some extraneous crime pertaining to my business, or maybe not even pertaining to the 2016 election," Stone said. "I would chalk this up to an effort to silence me."

Stone has also previously insisted that he would never testify against Trump.

"There's no circumstance under which I would testify against the president, because I'd have to bear false witness against him," he told ABC's "This Week" in December. "I'd have to make things up, and I'm not going to do that."
Roger Stone, a longtime confidant of Donald Trump, was "directed" by a senior official on the president's 2016 campaign team, to seek emails damaging to Hillary Clinton from Wikileaks, prosecutors have claimed.

Mr Stone, 66, was arrested on Friday in a pre-dawn raid by heavily armed FBI agents in night-vision goggles at his home in Florida.

He faces seven charges including lying to Congress, obstruction, and witness tampering, brought by Robert Mueller, the special counsel investigating whether Mr Trump's campaign colluded with Russia.

Mr Stone later appeared in court in shackles and was released on $250,000 bail. He did not enter a plea.

On Twitter, Mr Trump condemned the case as the "Greatest Witch Hunt in the History of our Country!" and added: "NO COLLUSION!"

Roger Stone is shown in this courtroom sketch at his appearance in U.S. federal court in Fort Lauderdale Credit: Reuters

The arrest was a significant development in the Mueller investigation, the first time the special counsel has alleged that people close to the president coordinated with Mr Stone over the Clinton emails, which were hacked by Kremlin-backed Russian operatives.

According to the detailed 24- page indictment, Mr Stone first informed "senior Trump campaign officials" in June 2016 that Wikileaks had information damaging to Mrs Clinton.

After the first release of emails on July 22, 2016, a "senior Trump campaign official was directed to contact Mr Stone about any additional releases, and what other damaging information" Wikileaks had, it was alleged.

Prosecutors wrote: "Stone thereafter told the Trump campaign about potential future releases of damaging material."

The indictment did not say who the Trump campaign officials were, or who "directed' them to work with Mr Stone.

On Octtober 4, 2016, Stone received an email from a "high ranking Trump campaign official" asking about future Wikileaks releases.

Mr Stone responded that Julian Assange, the Wikileaks founder living at the Ecuadorian embassy in London, had a "serious security concern," but there would be "a load every week going forward".

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Three days later Wikileaks published embarrassing emails hacked by the Russians from John Podesta, Mrs Clinton's campaign chairman.

Soon after, an "associate of the high ranking Trump campaign official" texted Mr Stone, saying: "Well done".

The New York Times reported that the high ranking official appeared to be Steve Bannon, Mr Trump's campaign chief executive, based on previous email exchanges it has published between the pair.

In one exchange the newspaper published from October 2016, Mr Stone emailed Mr Bannon to tell him more WikiLeaks disclosures were due to be published, a load every week going forward. The same email is quoted in Friday's indictment without naming the official. Mr Bannon has not commented.

Steve Bannon was the chief executive of the Trump campaign Credit: Chris Warde-Jones

Mr Mueller's team alleged that Mr Stone had two conduits to Mr Assange. The first, referred to as "Person 1" was Jerome Corsi, a political commentator and conspiracy theorist.

On July 25, 2016 Mr Stone sent an email to Mr Corsi telling him to "get to" Mr Assange regarding hacked emails about the Clinton Foundation.

Mr Corsi forwarded the email to "an associate who lived in the United Kingdom and was a supporter of the Trump Campaign," according to the indictment.

Mr Stone's second alleged conduit, referred to as "Person 2," was Randy Credico, a radio host who interviewed Mr Assange.

In evidence to a congressional committee Mr Stone has referred to Mr Credico as an "intermediary and go-between" to Mr Assange, and called him "the gentleman who confirmed" that Mr Assange had information on Mrs Clinton.

Roger Stone after his court appearance on Friday Credit: Getty

Prosecutors alleged that Mr Credico sent Mr Stone messages saying Mr Assange had "kryptonite on Hillary" and, in early October, that "Hillary's campaign will die this week".

Following one request from Mr Stone, Mr Credico forwarded it to "a friend who was an attorney with the ability to contact" Mr Assange, prosecutors said. Mr Credico has not been accused of any wrongdoing. During the ongoing Russia investigation Stone allegedly made extensive efforts to keep Mr Credico from giving evidence.

He allegedly told Mr Credico to "do a Frank Pentangeli," a reference to The Godfather: Part II. The Frank Pentangeli character lies to Congress.

Mr Stone also allegedly wrote a message to Mr Credico that said: "You are a rat. A stoolie. You backstab your friends - run your mouth. My lawyers are dying [to] Rip you to shreds. I am so ready. Let's get it on. Prepare to die."

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In another message he allegedly threatened Mr Credico's pet, saying he would "take that dog away from you". Mr Credico has a white Coton de Tulear service dog called Bianca. Grant Smith, Mr Stone's lawyer, said he would "vigorously" contest the charges.

Mr Smith added: "There was no collusion. He forgot to tell something to Congress and what it was was immaterial."

Mr Stone, a self-described "dirty trickster," began his political career as a campaign aide to Richard Nixon, and has a large tattoo of the former president on his back.

He was one of the first members of Mr Trump's campaign team, but left after a few months and remained in contact.

Asked whether it was Mr Trump who "directed" an official to contact Mr Stone about Wikileaks, Sarah Sanders, the White House press secretary, said: "This has nothing to do with the president."

If Mr Trump did give the direction, he would have engaged in a conspiracy to violate federal hacking statutes, said Paul Rosenzweig, a lawyer who worked on the Whitewater investigation into former President Bill Clinton.

"You are directing Stone to take possession of what he knows to be stolen materials," said Rosenzweig, now a fellow at the R Street Institute think tank.

Roger Stone speaks after his appearance at Federal Court in Fort Lauderdale Credit: Reuters

Mr Stone was released on a $250,000 bond. He did not enter a plea.

Leaving court, a smiling Mr Stone said he intended to fight the charges. "After a two-year inquisition, the charges today related in no way to Russian collusion, WikiLeaks coordination or any other illegal act in connection with the 2016 campaign," he told reporters, flashing the twin "V for Victory" signs that the disgraced President Richard Nixon was famous for.

He added: "I will not testify against the president because I would have to bear false witness against him."

A crowd chanted "Lock Him Up," riffing on the "Lock Her Up" chant that Trump and his surrogates led against Clinton at rallies in 2016. Someone played the Beatles song "Back in the U.S.S.R." Others cheered in support of Stone.
Floridas secretary of state has resigned after photographs emerged of him in blackface mocking victims of Hurricane Katrina at a Halloween party.

Michael Ertel, who had only held the role for three weeks, stepped down after images thought to been taken in 2005 were published by the Tallahassee Democrat newspaper.

Photographs show the Republican wearing blackface, a headscarf, large earrings and fake breasts, alongside a t-shirt which has the words Katrina victim written on it.

The party likely took place around two months after the disaster, which killed more than 1,800 people. Most fatalities occurred in the majority-black city of New Orleans in Louisiana.

Mr Ertel had been serving as the supervisor of elections in Seminole County in 2005  a role he held until this month when he was promoted to secretary of state by Florida governor Ron DeSantis.

There's nothing I can say, Mr Ertel told the Tallahassee Democrat upon being shown the photographs, refusing to comment other than to say he was the man pictured.

He submitted a letter of resignation to the governor a matter of hours later, before also deleting his Twitter account.

Addressing a press conference called to discuss the states response to Hurricane Michael, Mr DeSantis said he believed Mr Ertel regretted the incident.

Its unfortunate, I think hes done a lot of good work, he told reporters in Marianna on Thursday.

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But, at the same time, Ive got to have an administration that is focused on what matters to Floridians and I dont want to get mired into side-controversies.

I felt it was best to just accept the resignation and move on, it is unfortunate, I think he regrets that whole thing 15 years ago, but at the same time I want people to be able to lead and not have any of these things swirling around them.

The controversy comes weeks after Mr DeSantis narrowly won a bruising gubernatorial election, during which his campaign was dogged by accusations of racism.

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The former congressman came under fire after urging Floridians not to monkey this up, by voting for his opponent Andrew Gillum, the first black candidate for governor in the states history.

The final weeks of his campaign focussed on telling voters Mr Gillum was hostile towards law enforcement, considered by some to be a dog-whistle reference to the debate over police brutality towards black men.

Mr DeSantis denied accusations of racism, but refused to apologise for his remarks.

Im not calling Mr DeSantis a racist, Mr Gillum had commented during the campaingn. Im simply saying the racists believe hes a racist.
By Lisa Barrington and Mohammed Ghobari DUBAI/ADEN (Reuters) - Yemen's warring parties have failed to pull troops from the main port under a month-old truce, putting the first major diplomatic breakthrough of the four-year war in jeopardy and reviving the threat of an all-out assault that could unleash famine. The resignation this week of the U.N. official monitoring the ceasefire, who quit days after his convoy was shot at, has hammered home the potential for the peace deal to collapse. If fighting restarts in earnest around the port of Hodeidah, the main supply route into the country could be cut off, leaving no way to feed millions of people on the verge of starvation. "These coming weeks are make or break for the conflict. We will either see a restart of the political track, or we will likely see a significant military escalation," said Adam Baron of the European Council for Foreign Relations. The truce itself has largely held in the port of Hodeidah since coming into force a month ago, but late on Wednesday clashes at flashpoints on the city's edges intensified. And the withdrawal of troops that was meant to take place by Jan. 7 has stalled. Pulling out troops was seen as a pivotal confidence-building measure that would build up the trust needed for political talks. Without it, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres acknowledged last week, "lack of trust" had become a "complicating factor" in trying to get the parties to talk. The war has largely been stalemated for years, with a Saudi-led coalition of Arab states and Yemeni allies unable to dislodge the Iran-allied Houthi movement that controls the capital and most major population centers. Last year the Arab states attempted to capture Hodeidah, hoping to seize control of the country's main supply route and finally force the Houthis to their knees. But they failed in two attempts to capture the port, holding off from a full-blown assault that could have caused mass starvation. With the Houthis still in control the city and the Arab forces dug-in on the outskirts, they finally agreed a ceasefire at talks at a castle near Stockholm last month. The agreement also foresees a political track of talks to end the war. But a lack of progress could test the patience of the United Arab Emirates, which leads military operations on Yemen's Red Sea coast for the Saudi-led coalition. "People are worried that the war will start again after failure in implementing the deal," said government employee Abdullah Abdul-Bari, a 51-year-old resident of Hodeidah. FRAGILE MOMENT This week's resignation of the head of the U.N. mission tasked with overseeing the deal, Patrick Cammaert, came after mediators failed to convene a meeting to discuss the redeployment of forces from Hodeidah. The Redeployment Coordination Committee had met twice in Houthi-run territory, but attempts to convene a third meeting in areas held by coalition forces failed because the Houthis were unwilling to cross the frontline, sources told Reuters. The Houthis accused Cammaert of bias against them. Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdul-Salam said that unless Cammaert's boss, U.N. envoy Martin Griffiths, dealt with it, "it would be difficult to talk about anything else". Griffiths has been shuttling in recent days between the Houthi-held capital Sanaa and Riyadh to try to rescue the deal and build on progress made on a prisoner swap agreed in Stockholm but not yet finalised. "It is a very fragile moment. People are still politically and rhetorically committed to the Stockholm Agreement as the best way forward. The question is whether we can get tangible progress on the ground," said International Crisis Group analyst Elizabeth Dickinson. The Arab states show increasing signs of running out of patience. UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash on Wednesday blamed the Houthis' "obdurate behavior". A diplomat in the Gulf said trust had been further eroded after a Jan. 10 Houthi drone attack on a Yemeni government military parade, which was followed by coalition air strikes on Houthi military targets in Sanaa. A source familiar with the matter said the UAE felt the need to renew pressure on the Houthis. "It is clear the UAE wants to find an exit strategy," a senior diplomat said. "This war is really costing a lot, not only in terms of economic resources but also credibility and human lives." HUMANITARIAN CORRIDORS Western nations, many of which supply arms and intelligence to the coalition, have pressed for an end to the conflict, especially since the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in October intensified scrutiny of Saudi regional policies. Residents and aid workers said barricades, trenches and roadblocks continue to be built and reinforced in Hodeidah. The tense frontlines have made it difficult to set up humanitarian corridors to assist 10 million Yemenis facing starvation. "Some food and fuel is coming through Hodeidah Port and moving across the country but main roads are closed, diverting it over longer routes, and fighting is ongoing, threatening the safety of transportation," the Norwegian Refugee Council's Suze van Meegan said. The World Food Programme is still unable to reach 51,000 tonnes of wheat - enough to feed 3.7 million people for a month - stuck since September in a no-man's land in Hodeidah. Frank McManus of the International Rescue Committee said access had become more restricted in Hodeidah in the past two weeks. In one case, medicines could not be delivered to certain health clinics. In another, a mobile health team was not given permission to visit some locations. "Right after the Stockholm agreement we saw an improvement in the security situation but those days are gone," he said. (Additional reporting by Ghaida Ghantous, Sylvia Westall and Alex Cornwell in Dubai; Writing by Lisa Barrington; Editing by Ghaida Ghantous and Peter Graff)
By Mari Saito and Ami Miyazaki TOKYO (Reuters) - Early in December, dozens of journalists and editors from the Japan Times gathered for an emergency meeting in a glass-walled conference room in their brand-new 14th floor office. On the agenda was a single, incendiary issue: the newspaper's new descriptions of how Japan compelled thousands of foreigners into military brothels and labor during World War Two. In the past, the Japan Times described Korean workers as "forced laborers" and comfort women as those "forced to provide sex for Japanese troops before and during World War II." But the five-sentence note published on Nov. 30 said the country's oldest English-language paper would refer to Korean workers simply as "wartime laborers." The paper also said that because of the varied experiences of comfort women, it would describe them as "women who worked in wartime brothels, including those who did so against their will." Such terms are social flashpoints in Japan and a topic of bitter dispute with South Korea, whose government argues comfort women were clear victims of wartime abuse. The changes come amid simmering tensions; South Korea's Supreme Court ruled in October that Japanese companies must compensate South Koreans forced to work during the war. The executive editor of the Japan Times, Hiroyasu Mizuno, told staff in the December meeting that he had two goals: to avoid creating the perception the paper was "anti-Japanese," and to increase advertising revenue from Japanese companies and institutions. Some readers said the change glossed over Japan's wartime actions. Prominent Japanese conservatives, meanwhile, applauded the move, calling it a coup for nationalist activists agitating for English-language news outlets to change such descriptions. In an email, Mizuno told Reuters he and senior editorial managers decided to revise the paper's descriptions to "better reflect a more objective view of topics that are both contentious and difficult to summarize." He said the Nov. 30 note did not signal a change in the paper's editorial direction, adding: "I categorically deny any accusations that The Japan Times has bowed to external pressure." The Japan Times has an outsized impact on how the country is perceived abroad - it is distributed in Japan with The New York Times - and is seen domestically as an unofficial style guide for other English-language outlets. A New York Times representative said that the editorial operations of the two organizations were separate, and that the paper used precise language on the topic and would continue to do so. Reuters interviews with nearly a dozen Japan Times employees - all of whom requested anonymity out of fear of reprisal - along with hundreds of pages of internal emails and presentation materials, show the editorial changes started taking shape when the paper changed hands in June 2017. 'ANTI-JAPANESE' Some media critics say self-censorship is a problem in Japanese newsrooms, fed by fear of losing access, advertising revenue and subscribers. In the past, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his top aide, Yoshihide Suga, have singled out the liberal Asahi Shimbun for criticism, including over its articles on comfort women and the Fukushima disaster, some of which it later retracted, citing errors. Suga told Reuters the government would not comment on media companies' editorial policies, including those of the Japan Times. Conservative groups in Japan have pushed hard to change how Japan's World War Two activities are described. For instance, an Australian-Japanese organization that protests comfort women statues, saying the monuments feed anti-Japanese sentiment, along with Kent Gilbert, a well-known conservative commentator and lawyer who has worked in Japan for decades, petitioned Asahi Shimbun last year to remove "forced" from its description of comfort women. The paper did not amend its wording, saying in a public statement that it took care "to use the most appropriate phrasing" for stories. Similar pressure led the conservative Yomiuri Shimbun to apologize to readers in 2014 for using "sex slaves" to refer to comfort women in its English-language edition. "The Yomiuri Shimbun apologizes for having used these misleading expressions," the paper's English site said in a statement at the time. The chilling effect in newsrooms often comes from within the organization, experts say. "It's less a result of direct government pressure and more from people inside newsrooms looking to their superiors and the public," said Minako Beppu, a journalism professor at Hosei University who studies media censorship. "It's things like, 'Let's not criticize them too much,' or 'Let's tone things down a bit.'" At the Dec. 3 staff meeting, Mizuno said the changes were not political. "I want to get rid of criticism that Japan Times is anti-Japanese," he said, according to a transcript and audio recording. He added that the decision would attract advertising. A senior manager in charge of sponsored content then said the paper had already increased government ad sales and scored an exclusive interview with Abe after dropping a column by Jeff Kingston, director of Asia studies at Temple University Japan, who had been writing weekly on what he saw as the Abe administration's historical revisionism. "From a journalistic standpoint, that's fatal, really," a senior Japan Times reporter responded, according to the transcript. A senior South Korean foreign ministry official declined to comment on the Japan Times. In December, Reuters received a letter from a Japanese government official objecting to the term "sex slave" in a Nov. 22 article about South Korean comfort women. Reuters removed the term because the wording breached the agency's stylebook guidance on "comfort women."(http://handbook.reuters.com/index.php?title=C#.22comfort_women.22) NEW MASTERS Founded in 1897, the Japan Times has a circulation of just 45,000. After years of losses and the death of its previous owner, the paper - published under the banner "All the news without fear or favor" - was sold in 2017 to News2u, a PR company. It's not unusual in Japan for new management to shift a paper's editorial stance, and readers may miss subtle changes. But a few months after the sale, some longtime contributors, including Kingston, were told their regular columns were being cut. "I got an email out of the blue saying, 'We're terminating your column,'" Kingston said. Mizuno said the paper was open to future submissions from Kingston, but did not say why the column was canceled. "We have retained commentary writers and columnists that are, when appropriate, critical of the Japanese government," he said in an email. Several reporters also said they felt more editorial pressure. In August 2017, when a local newspaper reported that Tokyo's governor would snub an annual memorial for Koreans killed by mobs after an earthquake in 1923, reporters rushed to cover the news. But the reporters said they were particularly shocked when, in an email seen by Reuters, Mizuno told staff, "I think there is absolutely no value for us to report on this." A SWIFT CHANGE A few months after the paper's exclusive sit-down with Abe in February, Mizuno tried to revise the paper's style on comfort women and other sensitive topics, presenting editors with more than 100 meticulously annotated articles and columns. In the notes, seen by Reuters, Mizuno objected to calling comfort women "victims" or mentioning that they included girls; questioned referring to Japan's occupation of Korea as "brutal"; and criticized the paper's reporting and stories by wire services, including Reuters, as generally "pro-Korea" and not adequately reflecting Japan's view. "We're not historians or arbiters of history, nor are we judges," he wrote. Ultimately, he failed to persuade others, and the matter was put on hold. But the South Korean court ruling in October led to a swift denunciation from the Japanese government and a flurry of coverage. Mizuno turned to senior managers and the board of directors to make broader changes, according to Japan Times employees. Around the same time, the ultra-conservative think tank Japan Institute for National Fundamentals called on English-language media and specifically the Japan Times to refer to plaintiffs in the Seoul case as "wartime Korean workers," leaving out references to coercion. Two weeks later, the editor's note appeared in the Japan Times. (Reporting by Mari Saito and Ami Miyazaki; Additional reporting by Hyonhee Shin in Seoul; Editing by Gerry Doyle)
By Krishna N. Das NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India is weighing measures to woo farmers, small business owners and those who are less well-off, after setbacks in state elections for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ruling party, now readying for a general election due by May. Two opinion polls on Thursday suggested that a coalition led by Modi's Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) could emerge as the largest group in the election, while falling short of a majority. That could push Modi to adopt more populist measures likely to be a drain on the economy, although his government is already at risk of breaching its fiscal deficit goals. Here are some of the steps taken or being considered, some of which may feature in the Feb. 1 interim budget, government sources said, with their costs likely to fall on the next government. HELP FOR SMALL BUSINESSES On Jan. 10, India announced a change in national sales tax rules to exempt an additional two million small businesses. From April, businesses with annual sales of up to 4 million rupees ($56,700) will be exempt from the Goods and Services Tax (GST), a concession now limited to firms with turnover of up to 2 million rupees a year. The government is also considering offering cheap loans and free accident insurance coverage to small businesses, Reuters reported this week. HELP FOR FARMERS Direct fund transfers and interest-free loans for farmers are among the relief measures being considered. Such loans, from state-owned banks that will be compensated by the government, could cost 120 billion rupees a year, government sources said. An option in place of the interest-free loans could be to give farmers sums ranging from 2,000 rupees to 4,000 rupees for every hectare of land owned, at an estimated cost of more than a trillion rupees. The government's least favored option is farm loan waivers, such as those rolled out by the main opposition Congress party after it defeated the BJP in key farmland states in last year's state elections. JOB RESERVATION India aims to spend millions of dollars to boost educational places to meet a 10 percent quota recently promised to the less well-off among upper-caste Hindus and people from other religions. It already sets aside job and education quotas for its lowest social classes. ONIONS In December, India doubled to 10 percent its export incentives for onion farmers, after prices of the key staple plunged. The program offers credit to be used to pay taxes. E-COMMERCE RULES India wants to ban from Feb. 1 sales by e-commerce companies, such as Amazon.com and the Walmart-owned Flipkart Group, of products from firms in which they hold equity. The move followed complaints by retailers and traders that big firms exploit control of inventory from affiliates and pacts on exclusive sales, thus promoting undercutting. TAX CUTS On Dec. 22, India slashed its sales tax for more than 20 items, from televisions to movie tickets. The government is also considering raising the ceiling for payment of personal tax, the BJP said. (This online version of the story corrects typo in the headline) (Reporting by Krishna N. Das; Editing by Robert Birsel and Clarence Fernandez)
No 'fat finger' error was involved when share prices of conglomerate Jardine Matheson Holdings Ltd plunged briefly Thursday, wiping out $41 billion in market value, Singapore's stock market regulator said.

Traders had speculated that the stunning 83 percent tumble could have been caused by a keyboard mistake in which a finger hits two keys simultaneously, noting the stock's quick rebound.

But the Singapore Exchange (SGX), where Jardine Matheson is listed, said its regulatory body reviewed the transactions and found no basis to cancel the trades.

The plunge came after sell orders overwhelmed bids before the opening session, it said in an emailed statement.

"Trading was orderly and there was no sign of manipulation," SGX said.

"We have also ascertained that the orders were not due to fat finger errors or any malfunctioning systems on the part of the participants."

Bloomberg News said the stock tanked just before regular trading opened Thursday, with 167,500 shares changing hands at $10.99, down sharply from Wednesday's close of $66.47, and wiping out as much as $41 billion in market value.

The shares quickly rebounded, however, and the losses were recouped as Jardine Matheson ended the day 0.53 percent higher at $66.82.

"Looking at the price recovery, it looks like a fat finger at the moment until we have more updates," Marc Tan, a research analyst at KGI Securities Pte, told Bloomberg before the regulator released its findings.

Jardine Matheson also said it believed the decline was caused by an "an electronic trading error", before the SGX statement was released.

The Jardine group has businesses in a wide range of sectors from food to cars, luxury hotels, financial services and property.

Fat finger blunders involving billions of dollars are not new in the market.

Bloomberg reported in April 2018 that German lender Deutsche Bank AG accidentally transferred 28 billion euros ($35 billion) to one of its outside accounts.

In October 2014 hundreds of billions of dollars worth of stock orders in some of Japan's biggest firms had to be cancelled, possibly the result of a "fat finger" error.
(Reuters) - The partial shutdown of the U.S. government that entered its 35th day on Friday is stoking fears of a wider slowdown on the world's largest economy.

Economic growth is expected to take a hit in the current quarter because of the shutdown, a Reuters poll of economists showed on Friday, while a dearth of data is already impacting traders in U.S. fixed income and currency markets.

U.S. companies say the shutdown is hurting their businesses and can cause more damage if it persists.

Here is a sector-wise breakdown of how some of the biggest U.S. companies have reacted to the government's shutdown:

FINANCE

Morgan Stanley - Chief Executive Officer James Gorman said it would be extremely negative for the initial public offering market if the shutdown goes on much longer.

"This is not the way the U.S. should be working," Gorman said, speaking in a CNBC interview at Davos.

JPMorgan Chase & Co - J.P. Morgan economists reduced their outlook for U.S. economic growth in the first quarter to 1.75 percent from 2 percent as the shutdown has stretched to a second month.

CEO Jamie Dimon said the shutdown will hurt the economy if it persists. "We don't know exactly what it is going to do, but it is not a positive," he said on a conference call.

Carlyle Group - Co-executive Chairman David Rubenstein said at the Word Economic Forum at Davos that if the shutdown continued much longer, it could "really impair the economy of the United States."

Citigroup Inc - The bank said it was yet to see an effect on business from the shutdown, but that could change if the shutdown continued.

BlackRock Inc - CEO Larry Fink warned the shutdown will hit economic growth temporarily.

CONSUMER

Procter & Gamble Co - CEO David Taylor says if the shutdown continued, it would be a serious concern.

Tiffany & Co - CEO Alessandro Bogliol says issues such as Brexit, protests in France and the U.S. shutdown "makes me more cautious" about sales and earnings forecasts, and said he expects a couple of "very tough" quarters.

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VF Corp - The company said the shutdown has the potential to delay the public filing of Kontoor brands.

AIRLINES

SouthWest Airlines - The company said the shutdown had knocked between $10 million and $15 million off its revenue so far in January.

American Airlines Group Inc - The company said there has been some slowness in 0-14 day bookings due to the shutdown, but is yet to determine a dollar value from the shutdown's impact.

Federal Aviation Administration's approval of two Boeing MAX 8 aircraft that the company has taken delivery of, is on hold due to the shutdown.

JetBlue Airways Corp - CEO Robin Hayes said the U.S. aviation system is nearing a "tipping point" due to the partial shutdown, which may cause delays, long lines and canceled flights.

Delta Air Lines Inc - The partial government shutdown will cost $25 million per month as government workers reduce travel, the company said.

Delta said that Airbus A220 start date is likely to be pushed back due to the shutdown.

United Continental Holdings Inc - The airline has seen pockets of issues, but no big impact on fly waits. United said it would have a better sense of the impact after the first quarter.

ROAD TRANSPORTATION

Roadrunner Transportation Systems Inc - The company revised the timing of a rights offering due to the shutdown.

AUTOMOTIVE

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles - CEO Mike Manley said at the Detroit Auto Show that the shutdown had delayed final certification of FCA's new RAM 3500 heavy-duty pickup truck, one of its most profitable segments.

Ford Motor Co - The company said some vehicles could be delayed if the shutdown continues another 30 days.

COMMUNICATIONS

T-Mobile US - CEO J. Braxton Carter said any delay was a concern as its prepaid business, roughly 30 percent of sales, was "particularly sensitive" to tax refunds.

ENERGY

Enterprise Products Partners LP - The shutdown has delayed the firm's plan to build a major U.S. crude export terminal off Houston, blocking the pipeline operator from filing paperwork with U.S. regulators.

HEALTHCARE

Aimmune Therapeutics Inc - The biotech firm was notified by the FDA that as a result of the shutdown it will not start a review of company's Biologics License Application (BLA) for Ar101 - an oral immunotherapy for treating peanut allergy in children.

INDUSTRIALS/MATERIALS

Boeing - The aircraft-maker said the shutdown has not had a material impact on its business to date, but it may begin to weigh on its operational efficiency and pose other challenges for the aviation sector in general, CNBC reported on Wednesday.

Bemis Co Inc - The closing date for the company's $5.25 billion takeover by Amcor Ltd has been delayed by a quarter with Amcor citing regulatory logjam due to the shutdown.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Microsoft - President and chief legal officer Brad Smith told CNBC, "It is not good for business. The sooner we can come together, the better off we'll all be. We can debate forever how much damage a closed government will cause to the economy, but there is one thing that is indisputable: it doesn't help."

(Compiled by Aaron Saldahna, Agamoni Ghosh and Susan Mathew in Bengaluru)
WASHINGTON  The pain experienced by hundreds of thousands of federal workers who have gone without paychecks for more than a month was part of the pressure that led to Friday's deal to reopen the federal government for three weeks.

Federal employees will get back pay but not it's not clear how long that will take.

Plus, Bureau of Prison psychologist Dr. Genevieve Grady said there's a big misconception that federal employees' problems go away when the shutdown ends.

"That's wildly untrue," she told the Salem Statesman Journal, noting that financial losses and credit scars will remain long after paychecks resume.

And federal contractors, who have also been affected, will not be compensated.

While both President Donald Trump and Democratic leaders expressed support for federal workers, it remains to be seen whether they can keep the government from shutting down again after Friday's temporary deal to extend funding through Feb. 15 ends.

"They're throwing us a rope," said Val Parker, an IRS worker in Tennessee. "They'll throw us that rope, we'll catch it, and in a few weeks, they're just going to pull it from us again."

Here are some of the stories of those who have borne the brunt of the standoff:

Wary response to Friday's deal

Parker, who works for the IRS in Memphis, was in the middle of a protest against the government's closure when Trump announced the temporary funding agreement.

"That's not going to help much," Parker said.

Parker's coworker, Sukita Johnson, was also less than enthusiastic about the news.

"That just means that we'll be fighting again in three weeks for the same thing," Johnson said.

Moments before Trump's announcement, Parker, Johnson and about a dozen other unpaid workers were attempting to deliver to Sen. Marsha Blackburn a letter signed by the unions representing thousands of unpaid and furloughed employees.

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"No paycheck! No refund," the group yelled, imitating the familiar "No justice, no peace" chant common in police brutality-related protests.

It worked, as dozens of Memphians came out of Main Street buildings and raised their fists in the air in a gesture of support for the workers. Many stood by and clapped.

More unpaid workers would have come to the march, the group said, but even gas money is a luxury some cannot afford as the shutdown stretched into day 35.

IRS employee Kenneth Allen said it was just luck that he had happened to take out a small loan before the shutdown. He intended to use the loan to reopen his parent's former barbecue restaurant.

"Those plans are on hold now, indefinitely," Allen said.

Tapping retirement funds

One of the reasons Aubrey Farrar wanted to become an air traffic controller seven years ago was because he viewed it as a career that would offer a degree of financial security.

But after going more than a month without pay, Farrar had to dip into his retirement savings to pull out thousands of dollars he has used to pay for child care for his 14-month-old beautiful boy.

Morale is slowly decreasing every day, said Farrar, a 30-year-old Washington man who works at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Its really hard for controllers to maintain 100 percent awareness when theyre thinking about mortgage payments and child care payments.

Farrar spoke Friday morning after the FAA halted flights coming into New Yorks LaGuardia Airport because of staffing shortage. Other delays were reported at airports in Boston, Washington, Baltimore and Philadelphia.

Farrar is a facility rep for the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, one of the groups that had warned this week of an air safety environment that is deteriorating by the day. He stressed he was speaking on behalf of the union, not the FAA.

Although he knew he would receive back pay when the government eventually reopens, he still had to pay a 10 percent penalty to tap into his retirement funds.

It pretty much just pushes my family back," Farrar said.

Contractors also hit hard

When the federal government isnt shut down, Emilie Pinder helps keep employees at the EPA and other federal agencies healthy. A nurse who works out of a health services clinic in a large federal office building in downtown Washington, Pinder is one of the thousands of federal contractors affected by the shutdown. And unlike furloughed federal employees, she wont get paid for the days shes missed.

So far, its a big pay cut, said Pinder, 34.

To keep bringing in some money while her regular office is closed, Pinder asked her employer to send her anywhere with an opening. Shes filled in at clinics in New Hampshire and Massachusetts and was expected to go next to New York. But the traveling has been hard on her family, particularly on her 15-month-old son.

And when shes not traveling, Pinder and her husband have been hustling to earn extra money locally. Theyve driven for ride-sharing services. Shes also delivered groceries and, on a jobs bulletin board created to help federal employees and contractors, Pinder has offered her skills as a Tupperware consultant.

Im trying every angle, she said. Im trying to stay focused and stay positive. But its really hard.

The support from family, friends  and even strangers  helps. Participants in the Facebook group for moms in her Silver Spring, Maryland, community have swapped information about available help for federal workers. One mom anonymously paid for Pinder to get her hair done by a hairstylist in the group.

But Pinder was more than ready Friday morning for Congress and the White House to reach a deal.

I think its childish and ridiculous, she said of the standoff. Because theyre so powerful, they do not realize how much they hurt people.

Scrambling to pay for insulin

Although IRS agent Herlean Younce still has health insurance, she relies on her paycheck to help cover the cost of the insulin she needs to manager her Type II diabetes.

"I need my insulin," said Younce, a mother of three from Ohio. "That whole staying alive thing is really important."

Her survival mechanisms have included creating a GoFundMe campaign.She received a certificate from Pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly and Company for a week's supply of insulin. Her husband is working a second job filling orders for DoorDash Food Delivery. The family has also had to defer paying the cable bill. And they're working with their mortgage lender to manage that payment.

"People are not understanding," Younce told the Cincinnati Enquirer last week. "I cant get my money. Donald Trump is holding it hostage, thats what it is."

Ciera Picht, 43, of Milton, gets a birthday treat at The Friendly Toast, which is offering free meals for furloughed federal workers.

The Bank of Mom

A furloughed TSA officer, born during a winter storm 43 years ago, celebrated her birthday on Tuesday with a free meal on day 32 of the longest partial federal shutdown in U.S. history.

"I've been lucky enough to be living off savings  and the Bank of Mom," Ciera Picht, 43, of Milton, Vermont, told the Burlington Free Press while waiting to dig into a bowl of steak ramen courtesy of The Friendly Toast in Burlington.

The New England chain has been living up to its name, providing free entrees for furloughed workers with federal IDs since Jan. 15.

The 1,300 furloughed workers and contractors in Vermont have depleted savings and other resources. Burlington's airport crew have banded together and stuck it out, according to Picht. But absenteeism has been chronic at large airports as workers struggle to plug financial holes with side jobs.

Schools across Vermont encouraged families to register children for the free meal programs at their school.

Picht, a mother of three, was too ashamed to allow a GoFundMe for her benefit, but said she had signed up her kids for the school service after her district sent out information.

Patricia Light, a FedMed employee and union official, says morale is low and people worry about paying their bills.

No-interest loans

In Missouri, some federal workers took advantage of no-interest loans offered to members of the BluCurrent Credit Union.

The loans matched the amount of money the federal employee would have received in their paycheck.

But Patricia Light, who works at the United States Medical Center for Federal Prisoners in Springfield, said it's still embarrassing "to have to go to your family or to have to go to the bank and say, Listen, I have a job, I am working, but I cannot afford to pay my bills because I am not getting paid.'

I think the staff here in the prison just wants them to come to some type of agreement so we can get paid," Light told the Springfield News-Leader when workers were in their third week of not getting paid.

Light, the first vice president of Local 1612 of the American Federation of Government Employees, considered herself "lucky" in that her husband has a "good income" as a program director at Ozarks Technical Community College. He also took on additional classes at the community college, as well as teaching online for Northeastern University, to make more money.

"So basically he is doing three jobs to keep us afloat so that missing a check or two is not going to hurt us too much," she said.

Richard Gonzalez talks to media about not getting paid to work during the government shutdown outside the Federal Corrections Institute in Three Rivers on Friday, Jan. 11, 2019.

Inmates get paid while prison workers do not

Texan Richard Gonzalez has driven a little more than 50 miles daily to be greeted by perhaps the state's toughest criminals.

And lately he's been doing it for free.

He commutes to the Federal Corrections Institute just outside the Three Rivers, Texas, city limits where he's worked for 21 years.

Bureau of Prisons psychologist Dr. Genevieve Grady is working without pay during the partial government shutdown.

"We have to get paid just like everyone else," Gonzalez told the Corpus Christi Caller Times earlier this month. "We have families. We have people in college. A lot of us are on a budget."

To help ease the loss of pay, representatives with labor unions in Corpus Christi and San Antonio have given meals to corrections officers who are employed there.

On one Friday in mid-January, 160 bags were filled with cereal, rice, beans and snacks for employees and their families.

Richard Wechsler, president of the American Federation of Government Employees #4044, noted that while most of the employees were working without pay, the inmates were not.

"All the inmates are getting paid because of the inmate trust fund money," Wechsler said. "That money is run in a better fashion than our U.S. government."

Contributing: Chris Mayhew, Nicole Higgins DeSmet, Steve Pokin, Alexandria Rodriguez, Whitney Woodworth.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Faces of the shutdown: Deal to end standoff comes as federal workers' hardships grow
Robots could threaten African jobs. Photo: NurPhoto/SIPA USA/PA Images

Automation in US factories could increase global migration by wiping out employment opportunities in Africa, according to a development industry expert.

Sara Pantuliano, acting executive director of the Overseas Development Institute (ODI), told the Davos summit that unemployed Africans would be more likely to leave the continent if local manufacturing jobs dried up in the face of renewed US competition.

She highlighted recent ODI research which suggested operating robots in US factories could become cheaper than hiring Kenyan workers by 2033.

The cost of creating and using robots is expected to fall in wealthier countries, and could reach a tipping point where it becomes more efficient than using cheap labour in poorer countries.

READ MORE: EU leaders insist Europe works despite huge fears for its future

Pantuliano said at an event on global migration at the Switzerland summit that some projections showed Africa would have 830 million young people by 2050.

In the space of 15 years, operating a robot in the US is going to be cheaper than having labour in Africa in the manufacturing sector.

That will increase the pressure on the ability of young people to remain in employment in Africa  unless we can help them to prepare for the work of tomorrow.

READ MORE: Davos founder warns of battle between robots and humankind

UN Population Fund executive director Natalia Kanem said at the same event that the number of African young people migrating abroad had been distorted, as they were proportionately fewer than the numbers from Asia and Latin America.

She also called it a fallacy to suggest high population growth was driving climate change.

Far-reaching environmental catastrophes are not because of a villager cutting down trees in their backyard, she told global business and political leaders at the annual conference in the Swiss alps.

When we look at carbon emissions, the population growth factor is negligible in whats driving climate changes.

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We need to become planners, and use population dynamics to understand how to invest in young people so we can in fact reap the demographic dividend.

She said it was also crucial to equip migrants to assimilate into other countries, as otherwise cultural clashes can lead to societal disturbances and hostility rather than new arrivals being welcomed.

Figures presented by the World Economic Forum (WEF), which runs the Davos event, suggest more than half of global population growth between now and 2050 will occur in Africa.




By Mike Spector and David French

(Reuters) - MoneyGram International Inc is exploring strategic alternatives, including a sale of the money transfer company, a year after a U.S. government panel nixed its $1.2 billion sale to China's Ant Financial, people familiar with the matter said on Friday.

The Dallas-based company's shares have lost 83 percent of their value since the deal with Ant Financial collapsed in January 2018. In November, the company had to grapple with a $125 million financial penalty from U.S. regulators for failing to crack down on fraudulent money transfers.

MoneyGram shares closed up 10.6 percent at $2.29 on Friday, for a market capitalization of $127.4 million, after Reuters reported on MoneyGram's exploration of a potential sale.

MoneyGram is also working to restructure its debt pile, which totaled $902.8 million as of the end of September and comes due next year, the sources said. The company has more than $80 million available from an undrawn credit line.

The company, whose largest shareholder is private-equity firm Thomas H. Lee Partners LP and which employs more than 2,900 people globally, had about $200 million in cash at the end of September.

MoneyGram's debt restructuring efforts are initially focused on addressing a covenant tied to its credit line, the sources said. The company is seeking more time to meet the terms of that covenant, by pushing out a March deadline it faces, the sources added.

In addition, the company hopes to extend the maturity on its roughly $900 million loan, the sources said. Without any action, that debt would soon become "current" for accounting purposes and potentially trigger jitters among MoneyGram's creditors and shareholders, the sources said.

A spokeswoman for MoneyGram, which has agents at roughly 350,000 outlets in more than 200 countries and territories, declined to comment on the company's sale process, while reiterating that the firm is focused on refinancing its debt.

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The sources cautioned that a sale of the company is not certain and asked not to be identified because the deliberations are confidential.

Wall Street restructuring advisers have contacted MoneyGram's chairman and chief executive, Alex Holmes, to offer advice, but their calls have for now gone unanswered, the sources said.

In November, Holmes said, "We always entertain discussions," in response to an analyst's question about whether MoneyGram was seeking a buyer.

MoneyGram, which has to contend with "junk" credit ratings, is also exploring raising additional money in the form of preferred equity that would sit above shareholders and below lenders for the purposes of repayment in a restructuring, the sources added.

An agreement in November with the U.S. Justice Department on extending a deferred prosecution agreement related to MoneyGram's anti-fraud failures allowed the company to begin focusing on refinancing its debt, Holmes said during the company's third-quarter earnings call.

Among MoneyGram's most significant setbacks over the past two years was its failed merger with Ant Financial, in a deal to be acquired for $18 per share. The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States blocked the deal on national security grounds.

ROLLING OUT A MOBILE APP

Money-transfer companies have traditionally endeavored to operate outlets in as many locations as possible to allow customers to wire cash anywhere in the world. Customers are often workers sending remittances to families living far away.

That business model, though, faces challenges from new technology, in particular mobile banking services.

MoneyGram is currently rolling out a mobile app and transaction alerts through text messages and emails to give customers options beyond brick-and-mortar locations.

In addition, the company has started spending more money on spotting suspicious wire transfers, which includes collecting identification from customers on nearly every transaction as opposed to just larger ones. The higher standard has helped eliminate fraud but also resulted in lost revenue.

(Reporting by Mike Spector and David French in New York; Additional reporting by Greg Roumeliotis in New York; Editing by Leslie Adler)
By Olzhas Auyezov and Mariya Gordeyeva

ALMATY (Reuters) - The Kazakh authorities are urgently looking for a bank to take over no. 2 lender Tsesnabank as they believe it needs new financing to prevent a collapse, three sources familiar with the discussions told Reuters.

Officials from the government and central bank have approached at least three other Kazakh banks and hope to tie up a deal in February, the sources said. They are offering financial incentives for any bank prepared to take it over.

The authorities want to avoid liquidating the bank, which has over $1 billion in retail deposits and received a $1.8 billion state bailout in September, because of the impact on the wider economy, the sources said.

They want to move quickly to prevent a run on deposits. Also, some analysts say a presidential election could be called in the spring. A spokesman for the election commission could not be reached for comment. President Nursultan Nazarbayez would almost certainly be reelected but the authorities would be keen to tie up a takeover before any poll.

The state-owned "bad bank" said on Friday it planned to buy some of Tsesnabank's assets. One of the sources said this was part of the plan to make the troubled bank more attractive to another bank.

"The scheme is simple  an investor puts his own money into the bank and the state helps them clean up its loan book," one of the sources said.

Spokesmen for the central bank, the government, Tsesnabank, and its main shareholder, former Nazarbayev chief of staff Adilbek Zhaksybekov, did not reply to requests for comment.

The "bad bank", the Non-Performing Loan Fund (NPLF), said in a bourse announcement on Friday it planned to sell 604 billion tenge ($1.59 billion) in domestic bonds next week in order to finance asset purchases from Tsesnabank.

The approach raises more questions about the health of the oil exporter's banking system after Nazarbayev declared in April that bailouts worth nearly $10 billion for several banks in 2017 would be the last.

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Tsesnabank's September bailout came in spite of that promise. The authorities said it was a move to support indebted farmers, who are clients of the bank, and would help an otherwise healthy bank bridge a short-term liquidity gap.

BAD LOANS

But some bankers told Reuters that Tsesnabank's financial reports indicate that it is in distress due to bad loans.

The authorities have also now decided that the balance sheet is so unhealthy that it would be easier for another bank to take it over than to liquidate or bail it out, the sources say.

Chief executive Ulf Wokurka said the balance sheet problems were to do with "worsening asset quality". His deputy, Dmitry Li, said in a written reply to Reuters queries that it reflected "seasonal cash flows of borrowers in the agricultural sector".

The banking sector was hit hard by a fall in oil prices and subsequent tenge devaluation in 2015 because many banks lent in dollars. Customers then found it hard to repay the debts.

More than half of Tsesnabank's loan book was denominated in foreign currency, mostly dollars, at the end of 2017.

Although oil prices have recovered, economic growth has slowed and some non-oil sectors are in crisis, such as farming where several large companies have defaulted on their debt.

The central bank also says some banks have been poorly managed and large bailouts have already drained billions of dollars from state coffers.

The IMF said in December "the recent additional financial support for Tsesnabank raises concerns".

It said state support was justified only for "systemic, viable banks." The only bank considered by economists to be of systemic importance to the financial system in Kazakhstan is Halyk which is five times larger than Tsesnabank and accounts for a third of total banking sector assets.

Nevertheless, economists said a collapse of Tsesnabank could be a headache for the authorities if they were forced to compensate the large number of depositors from the deposit insurance fund.

DISTRESS

Tsesnabank showed first signs of distress when it reported a sharp liquidity drop in the second quarter last year. In September, the central bank provided a 150 billion tenge ($407 million) liquidity support loan, later increased to 200 billion tenge.

Shortly afterwards, the central bank and the government said Tsesnabank would sell agricultural loans worth 450 billion tenge ($1.2 billion) to the NPLF. The loans, a quarter of Tsesnabank's overall loan book, were sold at face value so it did not book a loss, the bank said.

While the bank reported either growing or stable total interest income in its income statements for 2016, 2017 and 2018, interest income in its cash flow report was declining, according to the publicly available accounts.

The discrepancy means that Tsesnabank either extended long-term loans that were not expected to generate cash flow for some time or booked interest income from loans even though that interest had not been paid by the borrower, bankers say.

The gap between Tsesnabank's accrued and received interest income grew from 12 percent in 2015 to 36 percent in the first half of 2018, the accounts show.

The central bank told Reuters in an email in November that "generally, a declining ratio of received interest to accrued interest is being observed at certain banks, which is linked to the worsening financial situation of borrowers whose loans are denominated in foreign currency".

($1 = 379.3700 tenge)

(Editing by Anna Willard)
Washington (AFP) - President Donald Trump's former lawyer Michael Cohen was subpoenaed Thursday to testify to the Senate Intelligence Committee in the Russia investigation, one day after he postponed a House appearance saying he had been threatened by Trump.

"This morning the Senate Intelligence Committee served Michael Cohen with a subpoena," Cohen's attorney Lanny Davis said in a brief statement.

Davis later told MSNBC that Cohen would honor the subpoena, which likely means an appearance in early-to-mid February.

It was not clear if the testimony will be public or behind closed doors.

On Wednesday, Davis announced that Cohen was putting off voluntary testimony before the House Oversight Committee scheduled for February 7, alleging that Trump and his lawyer Rudy Giuliani had threatened Cohen and his family.

"Due to ongoing threats against his family from President Trump and Mr Giuliani, as recently as this weekend, as well as Mr Cohen's continued cooperation with ongoing investigations, by advice of counsel, Mr Cohen's appearance will be postponed to a later date," Davis said.

"This is a time where Mr Cohen had to put his family and their safety first," he added.

- Cohen's father-in-law threatened -

Cohen pleaded guilty last year to multiple charges related to work he performed for the president, and pledged to cooperate with Special Counsel Robert Mueller.

Mueller leads the investigation into possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia, a probe that increasingly menaces the White House.

In December, Cohen was sentenced to three years in prison, and Democrats want to see him testify before he reports to prison on March 6.

They are interested in his and the Trump campaign's contacts with Russia before the 2016 election.

In addition, Cohen has suggested that the White House knew he was going to lie in previous congressional testimony to protect Trump, raising questions about whether he was directed to lie by the president or his aides.

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"Mr. Cohen is someone who lied to the committee; that got him into this whole legal jeopardy to start with," said Senator Mark Warner, the senior Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee.

"We have an enormous number of unanswered questions," he said.

Davis told MSNBC Thursday that Trump and Giuliani had made threats on Twitter and in television interviews against Cohen's wife Laura Shusterman and her father Fima Shusterman, who is in the taxi business in New York and Chicago.

Giuliani recently intimated on television that Shusterman was tied into the mafia.

Elijah Cummings, the Democrat who leads the Oversight Committee, and House Intelligence Committee head Adam Schiff, said in a statement Wednesday they understand Cohen's reasons for cancelling his February 7 appearance, labelling the alleged intimidation "textbook mob tactics."

But they said they still expect him to testify, suggesting they also could issue a subpoena.

"When our committees began discussions with Mr Cohen's attorney, not appearing before Congress was never an option," they said.
WASHINGTON (AP)  President Donald Trump's former lawyer, Michael Cohen, will not testify before a House committee next month as scheduled, his adviser said Wednesday, depriving Democrats for now of a prime opportunity to scrutinize Trump, his links to Russia and payments to buy the silence of a porn star.

Cohen indefinitely delayed his Feb. 7 appearance before the House Oversight and Reform Committee. He blamed threats from Trump and the president's attorney-spokesman, Rudy Giuliani, and cited his own ongoing cooperation in special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation.

Cohen adviser Lanny Davis said the decision was made on advice of Cohen's lawyers.

"This is a time where Mr. Cohen had to put his family and their safety first," Davis said in a statement.

The statement did not detail the threats. But Trump and Giuliani have publicly urged the Justice Department to investigate Cohen's father-in-law, insinuating he was part of some unspecific criminal activity. Trump, for example, told Fox News this month that Cohen "should give information maybe on his father-in-law, because that's the one that people want to look at."

Asked about the claim of a threat, Trump accused Cohen of lying.

"He's only been threatened by the truth, and he doesn't want to do that, probably for me or other of his clients," Trump said at the White House. "He has other clients also, I assume, and he doesn't want to tell the truth for me or other of his clients."

Trump's fixer-turned-foe is a central figure in Mueller's investigation into possible coordination between Russia and Trump's campaign. Cohen also played a pivotal role in buying the silence of a porn actress and a former Playboy Playmate who both alleged they had sex with Trump. The president has denied their claims.

Cohen pleaded guilty last year to campaign finance violations and other offenses connected to the payments. Federal prosecutors have said Trump directed Cohen to make the payments during the campaign.

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Newly empowered Democrats wanted to make Cohen the first high-profile witness since they regained control of the House and have promised an aggressive effort to investigate the president. They have pledged to limit their questioning to avoid interfering with any investigations.

It is unclear how long Cohen is seeking to delay his testimony, but Cohen "looks forward to testifying at the appropriate time," Davis said.

Cohen is scheduled to report to prison on March 6 to begin a three-year sentence.

Democrats have suggested they may subpoena Cohen to compel his testimony and the committee's chairman, Rep. Elijah Cummings, said Cohen could be brought from prison to appear before Congress.

"We will get his testimony," Cummings said.

In a statement, Cummings and Rep. Adam Schiff, who heads the House Intelligence Committee, said they understood the "completely legitimate concerns" Cohen raised about threats. But, they added, it "was never an option" for Cohen not to appear before Congress.

The committees have been in touch with Cohen and offered to work with law enforcement to enhance security measures to protect his family and is in touch with Cohen's lawyers about when he would testify, they said.

"We will not let the president's tactics prevent Congress from fulfilling our constitutionally mandated oversight responsibilities," the chairmen said in a statement. "This will not stop us from getting to the truth."

In November, Cohen also pleaded guilty to lying to Congress. He admitted that he said negotiations over the development of a Trump-branded tower in Moscow had ended in January 2016 but had actually continued until at least June 2016, well into Trump's presidential campaign. Cohen has said he lied to be consistent with Trump's "political messaging" and to minimize the public's understanding of Trump's ties with Russia.

Republicans, in their questioning at a Cohen hearing, probably would have seized on a disputed BuzzFeed News story that Trump instructed Cohen to lie before Congress.

The special counsel's office issued a rare public statement after the story ran last week disputing elements of the article. BuzzFeed stands by the story and has asked for clarity from Mueller's team.

___

Associated Press writers Chad Day, Laurie Kellman and Darlene Superville in Washington and Michael R. Sisak in New York contributed to this report.
Fort Lauderdale (United States) (AFP) - Veteran Republican consultant Roger Stone was arrested in a predawn Florida raid Friday, becoming the sixth campaign associate of President Donald Trump indicted in the investigation into possible collusion with Russia in the 2016 election.

Stone, a renowned political dirty trickster who has consulted with Trump for four decades, was charged with lying to Congress and obstruction in relation to his contacts with WikiLeaks, whose publication of embarrassing Russian-hacked communications from Democrat Hillary Clinton's campaign in 2016 gave a boost to Trump.

Stone was also charged with witness tampering after he alleged tried to persuade an associate to also lie to Congress to protect him.

The White House stiffly defended Trump, saying the Stone indictment brought by Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who leads the investigation into possible election collusion with Russia in 2016, has no connection to Trump.

"This has nothing to do with the president and certainly nothing to do with the White House," spokeswoman Sarah Sanders told CNN.

Trump's lawyer Jay Sekulow added in a statement that the indictment did not allege Russian collusion by Stone or anyone else.

- 'Politically motivated' -

The dapper 66-year-old was freed on $250,000 bail by a Ft. Lauderdale court where, true to form, his appearance took the form of the political theater he has long been proud of.

Hundreds of reporters thronged him while scores of protestors chanted "lock him up" as he declared his innocence and loyalty to Trump.

"I am falsely accused," he said. "I will plead not guilty to these charges. I will defeat them in court. I believe this is a politically-motivated investigation."

He castigated the heavily-armed 29-man SWAT team that arrested him in the dark at his home, charging that "they terrorized my wife, my dogs."

"The FBI agents were extraordinarily courteous," he added, quipping: "The only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about."

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- Contacts with WikiLeaks -

Stone, who launched his career as a campaign aide to Richard Nixon and has a tattoo on his back of the first US president to resign from office, has spent decades advising various US political campaigns.

His association with Trump dates back to 1979, and he was one of the first to enlist when the billionaire real estate magnate launched his run for the presidency in 2015.

Stone left the campaign months later but the indictment filed Friday shows he remained in active communication, providing support and information.

The charges arose from Stone's alleged lies in testimony to the House Intelligence Committee in 2017 involving his communications during the campaign with Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, which published material stolen by Russian hackers from the Clinton campaign.

The indictment said that Stone discussed his communications with Assange with "senior officials " of the campaign who wanted him to obtain information about what WikiLeaks had on Clinton and when it would release it.

Tantalizingly, it says that after WikiLeaks' July 22, 2016 release of stolen Democratic emails, "a senior Trump Campaign official was directed to contact Stone about any additional releases and what other damaging information" WikiLeaks might have on Clinton.

Adam Schiff, who chairs the House Intelligence Committee, said that was a key revelation.

"Our committee will be eager to learn just who directed a senior campaign official to contact Stone about additional damaging information held by WikiLeaks, one of the publishing arms of Russian government hackers," Schiff said.

- Six Trump associates charged -

Stone's arrest brought to 34 the number of individuals indicted in Mueller's sprawling probe into Russian meddling and possible collusion in the 206 election.

Besides Stone, five others were close to Trump and the campaign: chair Paul Manafort, deputy chair Rick Gates, national security advisor Michael Flynn, Trump's personal lawyer Michael Cohen, and foreign policy advisor George Papadopoulos.

But none has been charged with anything close to conspiracy to collude with Russia, and while the White House remains under pressure from Mueller's team, it is not known what might have on the president himself.

Stone's indictment was long expected, but he has repeatedly echoed Trump's argument that the investigation is a politicized "witch hunt."

"The charges relate in no way to Russian collusion or WikiLeaks collaboration," he said Friday.

He defended Trump as well, calling him a great leader.

"I am one of his oldest friends. I am a fervid supporter of the president," he declared.

"I will not testify against the president, because I would have to bear false witness against him," he added.




Europe has big plans to raise the profile of the euro on the global stage.

The European Commission is pushing to give the currency more importance in international trade, providing an alternative to the dominant US dollar.

Its a question of choice, said Kerstin Jorna, the Commissions deputy director-general in charge of economic and financial affairs.

[International transactions and settlements are] very much dominated by one currency  Is that a good thing to have only one currency? Or, should we not be looking to [a system that] is more resilient and based on different currencies, which actually provides economic operators with an opportunity, a choice, she said this week during a special one-to-one video interview with Yahoo Finance UK at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland.

The European Commission is set to launch consultations in the coming months about this initiative. It plans to explore the possibility of using the euro for purchasing commodities like oil, which are almost exclusively priced in US dollars.

I think we should look at those who are buying energy. Why do you have to pay in one currency only? said Jorna, noting that it seemed unfair that European businesses had extra costs related to currency hedging and currency exchange.

The euro is used by 340 million people in 19 European countries, including Germany, France, Greece and Spain. For comparisons sake, the US dollar is used by roughly 330 million Americans.

The European Commission is exploring ways to raise the profile of the euro. Photo: Getty Images

Jorna said that encouraging the use of euros in global markets could be a good thing for Europeans and the world.

I think it would be a good thing for European companies. But it would probably also be a good thing for the global economy if there was not only one single currency, but a choice between several lead currencies. And I think that after 20 years, the euro has shown we have the guts to do it, she said.

The euro was first launched in 1999.

A stronger euro also serves another purpose: It gives European businesses a potential way to bypass harsh US sanctions that are designed to stop them from trading with countries like Iran.

Americas reintroduction of sanctions on Iran in November forced European companies to withdraw business from the country for fear of legal action and punishment by US authorities.

READ MORE: Coverage from the World Economic Forum
PRAGUE (Reuters) - European Union countries should coordinate their approach to cyber security, Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis said on Friday after meeting the chairman of Huawei Technologies in Davos, according to news agency CTK. Huawei faces growing scrutiny over its ties with the Chinese government and allegations that Beijing could use its technology for spying. It denies those allegations. Czech state and private institutions are analyzing risks after the country's national cyber-security watchdog, NUKIB, warned about potential dangers in using technology from Huawei and another Chinese firm, ZTE. Their products have so far not been banned or excluded from planned upgrades of mobile networks to the next-generation 5G technology in the Czech Republic. "It is necessary to start debate on cyber security on the level of all EU member states, because this is a global issue," CTK quoted Babis as saying after meeting Ken Hu, Huawei's rotating chairman. Babis said security audits of risks have been started based on the December NUKIB warning, which he said critical infrastructure operators must follow under the law. Europe has become a battleground in a struggle between Beijing and Washington that analysts say could determine which of them achieves technological supremacy in the 21st century. Huawei is playing a leading role as the telecoms world gears up for 5G, the next-generation wireless technology that promises to link everything from vehicles to household devices at far faster speeds. But some Western countries, including the United States and Australia, have barred Huawei after U.S. officials said the company is close to the Chinese state and its equipment may contain "back doors" that could open them up to cyber espionage. Germany is considering stricter security requirements for 5G that would exclude Huawei, the newspaper Handelsblatt reported last week. Poland is also set to exclude Huawei from its 5G network in favor of European vendors after a Huawei employee was arrested on suspicion of spying, sources said. In the Czech Republic, Huawei has been publicly backed by President Milos Zeman, who has long promoted close cooperation with China. (Reporting by Jan Lopatka; editing by Michael Kahn, Larry King)
BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Parliament's Brexit group said on Thursday it would not approve an agreement on Britain's departure from the European Union that did not contain a full "backstop" provision to avoid a hard Irish border. The statement, issued after a meeting of the Brexit Steering Group, sought to dash any hopes in London that Prime Minister Theresa May could secure a time limit to the commitment of preventing a border on the island of Ireland. The group, chaired by Guy Verhofstadt, "reiterated that the withdrawal agreement is fair and cannot be re-negotiated. This applies especially to the backstop ... without such an 'all-weather' backstop-insurance, the European Parliament will not give its consent to the withdrawal agreement." The European Parliament must give its consent to any final Brexit deal between Brussels and London. While Britain agrees that there should be a seamless borders and no need for intrusive checks on goods at the Irish border, the Irish government, backed by the rest of the EU, wants an insurance policy in case future special customs and trade arrangements cannot be agreed after Brexit. "The EU remains clear, firm and united on this even if the negotiated backstop is not meant to be used," the Brexit Steering Group statement said. Earlier on Thursday, the EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier said that backstop could not be time-limited. (Reporting by Francesco Guarascio, editing by Robin Emmott)
BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Ireland has agreed with the European Commission to step up preparations for Britain possibly leaving the European Union without a deal to smooth its departure, a spokesman for the EU executive said on Friday. Confirming that Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar had spoken late on Thursday, Margaritis Schinas told reporters that they had "looked forward to continuing close cooperation ... including on intensifying no deal contingency action in the coming weeks". EU and Irish insistence on a "backstop" protocol to avoid a hard customs border with the British province of Northern Ireland after Brexit is among reasons why British lawmakers have refused to ratify a treaty agreed by Prime Minister Theresa May and intended to ease disruption when Britain leaves on March 29. In the event of a no deal, however, the EU has said Ireland will have to ensure customs controls on goods coming over the land frontier with the north, creating a problem for Dublin, since a hard border is seen as a threat to peace. EU leaders have insisted that Ireland is not under pressure to soften its stance on the backstop, as May has demanded. Schinas said of the call with Varadkar: "President Juncker once again emphasized our full solidarity with Ireland." (Editing by Alissa de Carbonnel)
WASHINGTON  The White House worked Friday to distance itself from Friday's indictment of President Donald Trump's former political consultant, Roger Stone  while Trump himself reacted with tweeted anger.

"Greatest Witch Hunt in the History of our Country! NO COLLUSION!" Trump tweeted in the late morning, adding a complaint about how CNN filmed Stone's arrest earlier in the day.

"Border Coyotes, Drug Dealers and Human Traffickers are treated better. Who alerted CNN to be there?" he said.

Trump tweeted as aides argued the Stone indictment does not affect him.

"This this has nothing to do with the president, nothing to do with the White House," Trump spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said.

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Trump attorney Jay Sekulow said the case against Stone, as developed by Special Counsel Robert Mueller, involves mostly false statements, not a conspiracy with Russia that implicates the president.

The indictment today does not allege Russian collusion by Roger Stone or anyone else," Sekulow said. "Rather, the indictment focuses on alleged false statements made to Congress.

President Donald Trump

Lawmakers, meanwhile, pointed out that Stone is accused of making contacts with unnamed officials in the Trump's presidential campaign regarding WikiLeaks disclosures designed to damage Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton's campaign.

They also noted that Stone is only the latest Trump associate to be charged in the Mueller's investigation into Russian election interference.

"Roger Stone, Paul Manafort, Michael Cohen, Rick Gates, Michael Flynn ... What did the President know and when did he know it?" tweeted Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., chairman of the House Judiciary Committee.

The special counsel's office has obtained indictments or convictions of at least 32 people, including four connected to Trump's campaign: Manafort, the former campaign chairman; Gates, Manafort's deputy; Flynn, a campaign aide as well as, briefly, the White House national security adviser; and George Papadopoulos, a campaign foreign policy adviser.

Story continues

In addition, Michael Cohen, Trumps former personal lawyer, pleaded guilty in a New York federal court to tax evasion, lying to a bank and campaign finance violations that he said Trump was involved in. Cohen has been cooperating extensively with Mueller's team, according to special counsel prosecutors.

Trump has repeatedly denied any collusion with Russia and described Mueller's probe as a "witch hunt."

Stone, speaking this week to Fox News' Tucker Carlson, said he would never testify against Trump.

"No matter how much pressure they put on me, no matter what they say, I will not bear false witness against Donald Trump," Stone said. "I will not do what Michael Cohen has done and make up lies to ease the pressure on myself."

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, noted that "the phrase Trump campaign appears in the indictment 24 times," with specific details in particular about one unnamed senior official.

"Its time for President Trump and his top aides to be truthful with the American people," Feinstein said.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump attacks Roger Stone indictment as White House aides try to distance him
Disney DIS is betting big on the streaming services market. The company has the capacity and resources to create a niche for itself owing to its popular franchises and brand value.



Disneys upcoming streaming service, Disney+, is likely to cost lower than Netflix NFLX, which recently hiked its subscription prices in the range of 13% to 18% for U.S. customers.



Moreover, Hulu recently cut the price of its basic ad-supported plan by $2 to $5.99/month, making it the most affordable streaming service in the U.S. market. However, Hulu hiked the price of its live TV offering by $5 to $44.99/month while its ad-free version remains unchanged at $11.99/month.



Notably, Disney, which currently holds 30% stake in Hulu, is entitled to another 30% stake after acquiring Fox. Comcast CMCSA owns 30% stake in Hulu and AT & T the remaining 10%.



The Walt Disney Company Revenue (TTM)

The Walt Disney Company Revenue (TTM) | The Walt Disney Company Quote



Hulus Initiatives and Disney+ Launch to Boost User Base



Hulus price cut of its most popular plan is expected to attract users. The last price cut in 2010 increased its user base and retention rates, per The Wall Street Journal. Notably, Hulu added 8 million U.S. subscribers in 2018, up 48% year over year, bringing the total count to 25 million.



Moreover, expanding user base may help Hulu grow its ad revenues, which surged 45% year over year to $1.5 billion in 2018. Further, Disneys CEO Bob Iger has plans to take the service global and add more international licensed content after completing Twenty-First Century Fox acquisition. Notably, 89% of Hulu subscribers first watched licensed programming before watching original content, per 7Park Data.



Disneys upcoming streaming service, Disney+, will leverage the companys existing IP along with investments in original content. Moreover, the companys acquisition of Twenty-First Century Fox will further strengthen its film and TV slate.



Free Service Providers Giving a Tough Time



Disney is investing heavily due to the competitive nature of the streaming market, despite losing more than $1 billion from its streaming segments in 2018. Moreover, the company will face competition not only from dominant player like Netflix but also from free streaming services.



Recently Amazon and Sinclair Broadcast SBGI launched a free streaming service. Additionally, Viacom will enter the free streaming space after it completes the acquisition of Pluto TV. Comcast announced the launch of a free service in early 2020. The free services may easily attract users from existing players and are likely to threaten Disneys user base growth.



Nevertheless, Disneys worldwide popular franchises along with its investments may help the companys direct-to-consumer (DTC) services flourish even in this highly competitive market.



Disney currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.



More Stock News: This Is Bigger than the iPhone!



It could become the mother of all technological revolutions. Apple sold a mere 1 billion iPhones in 10 years but a new breakthrough is expected to generate more than 27 billion devices in just 3 years, creating a $1.7 trillion market.



Zacks has just released a Special Report that spotlights this fast-emerging phenomenon and 6 tickers for taking advantage of it. If you don't buy now, you may kick yourself in 2020.



Click here for the 6 trades >>



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



The Walt Disney Company (DIS) : Free Stock Analysis Report



Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. (SBGI) : Free Stock Analysis Report



Comcast Corporation (CMCSA) : Free Stock Analysis Report



To read this article on Zacks.com click here.



Zacks Investment Research
We often see insiders buying up shares in companies that perform well over the long term. The flip side of that is that there are more than a few examples of insiders dumping stock prior to a period of weak performance. So shareholders might well want to know whether insiders have been buying or selling shares in Henan Jinma Energy Company Limited (HKG:6885).

Do Insider Transactions Matter?

Its quite normal to see company insiders, such as board members, trading in company stock, from time to time. However, most countries require that the company discloses such transactions to the market.

Insider transactions are not the most important thing when it comes to long-term investing. But it is perfectly logical to keep tabs on what insiders are doing. For example, a Columbia University study found that insiders are more likely to engage in open market purchases of their own companys stock when the firm is about to reveal new agreements with customers and suppliers.

Check out our latest analysis for Henan Jinma Energy

The Last 12 Months Of Insider Transactions At Henan Jinma Energy

Over the last year, we can see that the biggest insider sale was by Man Li for HK$8.2m worth of shares, at about HK$4.10 per share. That means that an insider was selling shares at below the current price (HK$4.16). While sellers have a variety of reasons for selling, this isnt particularly great to see. As a general rule we consider it to be discouraging when insiders are selling below the current price. It is worth noting that this sale was only 23.5% of Man Lis holding.

In total, Henan Jinma Energy insiders sold more than they bought over the last year. The average sell price was around CN4.08. Its not ideal to see that insiders have sold at around the current price. But we dont put too much weight on the insider selling, since sellers could have personal reasons. You can see a visual depiction of insider transactions (by individuals) over the last 12 months, below. By clicking on the graph below, you can see the precise details of each insider transaction!

Story continues

SEHK:6885 Insider Trading January 25th 19

If you like to buy stocks alongside management, then you might just love this free list of companies. (Hint: insiders have been buying them).

Are Henan Jinma Energy Insiders Buying Or Selling?

Weve only seen a tiny insider purchase valued at CN8.2k, in the last three months. Looking at the net result, we dont think these recent trades shed much light on how insiders, as a group, are feeling about the companys prospects.

Does Henan Jinma Energy Boast High Insider Ownership?

For a common shareholder, it is worth checking how many shares are held by company insiders. I reckon its a good sign if insiders own a significant number of shares in the company. Insiders own 4.3% of Henan Jinma Energy shares, worth about HK$95m. Weve certainly seen higher levels of insider ownership elsewhere, but these holdings are enough to suggest alignment between insiders and the other shareholders.

So What Do The Henan Jinma Energy Insider Transactions Indicate?

Our data shows a little more insider buying than selling in the last three months. But overall the difference isnt worth writing home about. Still, the insider transactions at Henan Jinma Energy in the last 12 months are not very heartening. The modest level of insider ownership is, at least, some comfort. To put this in context, take a look at how a company has performed in the past. You can access this detailed graph of past earnings, revenue and cash flow .

If you would prefer to check out another company  one with potentially superior financials  then do not miss this free list of interesting companies, that have HIGH return on equity and low debt.

To help readers see past the short term volatility of the financial market, we aim to bring you a long-term focused research analysis purely driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis does not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements.



The author is an independent contributor and at the time of publication had no position in the stocks mentioned. For errors that warrant correction please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com.
By Ginger Gibson TYSONS, Va. (Reuters) - Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg took his case against President Donald Trump for a test run on Friday, as the possible 2020 presidential candidate told Democratic business leaders that his fellow New York billionaire was "flunking." "I think it's clear this president at this point cannot be helped, and the training wheels that the staff tried to put on in the Oval Office have not worked," said Bloomberg, a 76-year-old media mogul who served three terms as New York mayor. "The president is just flunking every single test." Bloomberg repeatedly hinted that he could mount a campaign for the Democratic nomination and join a large field hoping to challenge Trump in the November 2020 election. The billionaire political activist and founder of a media company that bears his name would bring a famous brand and business background to the field of Democrats that is expected to grow to as many as two dozen. "Weve got to make sure weve got someone different in the White House and Im committed to that," Bloomberg said. "Who here would hire Donald Trump to run their company? No. Were his boss though. Were the board of directors. And we should do what any board of directors would do in the private sector." He said he has had discussions with Democratic party leaders and officials in Iowa and New Hampshire, states with the earliest nomination contests. But asked whether he would run, he said he had yet to decide. It would be great to being president of the United States, but you have to look at what you can do in the private sector, the possibility of getting elected, your family and your private life ... and your company. I don't like walking away from challenges, but there are multiple challenges," he said. "I do not know what the right thing is for me right now." Bloomberg's wealth, estimated at more than $50 billion in 2018 by Forbes magazine, would allow him to fund his own campaign, but would likely draw criticism from rival Democrats. U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren has already complained that billionaires do not belong in the contest. Bloomberg donated millions of dollars to Democratic candidates in the 2018 midterm congressional elections and has spent millions more helping elect Democrats aligned with his gun control crusade. Bloomberg changed party affiliation in 2001 and ran for New York mayor as a Republican. He left the Republican party while mayor and ran for his third mayoral term as an independent on the Republican ballot line. He has been mentioned as a possible presidential candidate in the past but has decided not to run. (Reporting by Ginger Gibson; Editing by David Gregorio)
WASHINGTON  The Trump administration ordered all non-emergency U.S. diplomatic staff to leave Venezuela on Thursday amid that country's growing political turmoil.

The decision marked an about-face for Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who defiantly declared Wednesday night that he would keep American embassy staff in the country after embattled Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro demanded the U.S. evacuate its staff within 72 hours.

Pompeo initially dismissed Maduro's order, saying the Venezuelan leader did not have the authority "to declare our diplomats persona non grata." The Trump administration has declared Maduro's presidency illegitimate and recognized Juan Guaido, head of Venezuelas opposition-led National Assembly, as the countrys interim president.

Pompeo's reversal came after lawmakers and experts raised questions about the secretary of state's decision, saying it put American diplomatic personnel in the middle of an escalating geopolitical feud between the Trump administration and Maduro.

The top Democrat and Republican lawmakers on the House Foreign Affairs Committee suggested the Trump administration might be using U.S. diplomats to make a political point.

Even with the Administrations recognition of Juan Guaido as President, Maduro maintains control over Venezuelas security forces and could use those forces to harm or intimidate American diplomats, Reps. Eliot L. Engel, the Democratic chairman of committee, and Michael T. McCaul, the panels top Republican, wrote in a letter to Pompeo on Thursday.

More: Putin warns against 'destructive interference' in Venezuela after Trump recognizes Juan Guaido

Given this potential situation, we want to ensure the safety of our diplomats and not allow it to be compromised in order to reiterate the political point that the United States no longer recognizes Maduros legal authority, the two lawmakers wrote.

Former diplomats and security experts also questioned Pompeos decision  saying it was risky and potentially irresponsible. They noted that Venezuela faces massive political upheaval at the moment, as anti-Maduro protesters face off against the Maduro-controlled security forces. At least a dozen protesters have been killed in the recent violence, according to the Associated Press.

Story continues

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro demonstrates his Salt Bae sprinkling technique during a press conference at the Miraflores Presidential Palace, in Caracas, Venezuela, Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018. Maduro demonstrated the technique after speaking about the invitation to the famed Nusr-Et steakhouse in Istanbul when he stopped over briefly in Turkey on the way home from a trip to China.

This puts Americans lives in danger. Full stop, tweeted Laura Rosenberger, a former State Department and National Security Council official and foreign policy adviser for Hillary Clintons 2016 presidential campaign. And here I thought Republicans cared about the security of our diplomats?

Rosenbergers remark was a not-so-subtle reference to the House GOPs two-plus-year investigation of the 2012 terrorist attacks on the U.S. diplomatic compound in Benghazi, which left four Americans dead  including Ambassador Christopher Stevens. Republicans blasted then-Secretary of State Clintons handling of the attack.

One of Clintons most aggressive questioners was Pompeo, then a GOP congressman representing Kansas.

Kelly Magsamen, a former National Security Council and Department of Defense official in the Obama administration, said she was surprised that Pompeo, "given his particular role in the Benghazi investigation," was taking that kind of risk with U.S. personnel in Venezuela.

These are all tough calls, Magsamen said of whether to leave or evacuate U.S. personnel from potentially dangerous posts in foreign countries.

If you choose to keep your personnel in a country where theres potentially significant violence, you really need to depend on the host government to defend the embassy from any potential protests or whatnot, said Magsamen, now vice president for national security and international policy at the Center for American Progress, a liberal Washington think tank.

Given that the Maduro government still appears to maintain control of the police and the army, she said, there were "reasonable questions about whether or not they would protect American personnel in the event of violence.

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The State Department did not answer questions about how many Americans are stationed in Venezuela or whether any U.S. staff had asked to return to the U.S. despite Pompeo's directive.

The agency also updated its advisory for American travel to Venezuela, saying U.S. citizens should think twice about any plans to travel there. "Reconsider travel to Venezuela due to crime, civil unrest, poor health infrastructure, and arbitrary arrest and detention of U.S. citizens."

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump administration orders non-emegency US diplomatic staff to leave Venezuela
A young couple has faced the most difficult decision of their lives after tests revealed their unborn child had a severe birth defect.

Jade Dodson, from West Yorkshire in the UK, was 20 weeks into her pregnancy when a scan showed her daughter had spina bifida  a neural tube defect that affects about one in 1000 babies.

Jade and husband Mark, who named their child Amalie Maya, made the heartbreaking decision to terminate the pregnancy in to order free Amalie of the inevitable pain and suffering she would have endured throughout her life, the couple wrote on a crowdfunding page.

This has by far been the most difficult thing we have ever faced.

Amalie was diagnosed with the most severe  and also most common  form of the defect, myelomeningocele.

In Amalies case [it] would highly likely mean full paralysis of the legs, urinary and bowel dysfunction, and learning difficulties, the Dodsons wrote online.

She would have needed an operation as soon as she was born and a shunt attached to her brain which would always be at risk of becoming infected and causing further brain damage.

After consulting doctors, the couple decided to terminate the pregnancy at 22 weeks.

We were told I could have a procedure with local anaesthetic to stop Amalies heartbeat before giving birth and this is what we decided to do at 22 weeks, Ms Dodson told the Mirror Online.

An ultrasound image of baby Amalie Maya. Source: JustGiving.com

We felt this was the best thing ethically for Amalie. Our decision was made entirely for her.

After the procedure on December 22, the family held an emotional funeral for Amalie on January 4 after Ms Dodson had recovered from an infection.

To honour their daughter and raise funds for medical research into spinda bifida, the Dodsons are taking part in the Three Peaks Challenge, where groups aim to climb three mountain peaks in under 12 hours.

This has by far been the most difficult thing we have ever faced.

Amalie was born on the 22nd Dec, but her due date should have been the 27th April 2019, the fundraising page said.

Story continues

This is when we will complete the hike, taking a moment at the top of each peak to remember Amalie.

The aim of our Yorkshire 3 peaks challenge is to raise the much-needed funds required to provide continued research into the future prevention and treatment of Spina Bifida and other neural tube defects.

Together we can help eliminate Spina Bifida forever.

The couple aims to raise 5000 (AU$9200), and are already more than halfway to their target through the Just Giving page.

One generous donator said she went through similar circumstances with her own pregnancy and sympathised with the couple.

At 20 weeks pregnant with our first child we had to make a choice like you did, like you we chose to take on the pain ourselves so that our child wouldnt have to, the donor said.

Sending much love.

Jade told Yahoo Style UK: It was a torturous decision that we had to face. Whilst its never 100% clear with Spina Bifida how badly a child will be effected until theyre born, we had a confident diagnosis from 2 specialist Doctors and lots of scans that confirmed Amalies case was a severely bad one.

The Spina Bifida was high in the lumbar region and the higher up the spine the worse a child is affected.

The grief and pain hits me over and over again. I will always remember Amalie and be proud of what her life is standing for; to raise money and awareness for Spina Bifida. Its important to understand that children with Spina Bifida can go on to live a happy and fulfilled life but this is dependent on the severity of the condition.

It can also be a fatal condition and its important that any expectant parent faced with it makes a thoroughly informed decision based on the individual diagnosis given and their own personal circumstances.

Sharing this story is not to give my view on what others should do. Spina Bifida is a snowflake condition, which means no two people are affected in exactly the same way and the amount of damage to the central nervous system (brain and spine) varies from case to case. The reason for sharing this story is to raise funds for research to help stop Spina Bifida and its devasting effects on peoples lives.

The money raised could help you, your neighbour, your own children and their children in the future  as Spina Bifida in our case was not passed through genes and it was not because I didnt take folic acid (I took folic acid for 3 years whilst trying to conceive). There was no specific reason. Please consider this and please donate to the charity of which 100% of the money raised will go to.

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for non-stop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. For Twitter updates, follow @YahooStyleUK.

Read more from Yahoo Style UK:

The rise of the 50-plus motherhood club

Women in Scotland can now take the abortion pill at home

Mums Twitter thread blaming men for ALL unwanted pregnancies goes viral
Core Laboratories CLB is expected to report fourth-quarter 2018 earnings on Jan 31, after market close.



In the last reported quarter, the companys earnings of 64 cents per share beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by a penny. However, the firm managed to beat estimates only once in the trailing four quarters.



Lets see which way are top and bottom-line estimates headed this time.



The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fourth-quarter earnings stands at 49 cents, having declined by two cents over the past seven days. This reflects a decline of about 15% from the year-ago quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues is pegged at $175 million compared with $172 million in the prior-year quarter.

Core Laboratories N.V. Price and EPS Surprise

Core Laboratories N.V. Price and EPS Surprise | Core Laboratories N.V. Quote

Lets take a look at the factors that are likely to shape Core Laboratories fourth-quarter earnings.

Factors at Play



During fourth-quarter 2018, the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude plunged from a multi-year high of $76.40 a barrel in early October to below $45 in late December, per the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The overall decline in the commodity price will likely be unfavorable for Core Laboratories, as oilfield service businesses are positively correlated with crude price.



Per its guidance provided during the third-quarter earnings release, Core Laboratories expects fourth-quarter revenues in the $173-$176 million range. While the expectation is almost in line with the year-ago level, it represents a sequential fall. Moreover, the demand and pricing for North American oilfield services is expected to to have been weak in the October-to-December quarter due to pipeline constraints in the prolific Permian Basin and declining well productivity.



Further, the company is bearing the brunt of muted activities in international and offshore markets. To make things worse, Core Laboratories does not anticipate a recovery in the international markets anytime soon.



Considering all these factors, we expect Core Laboratories to post lackluster results in the to-be-reported quarter.



Earnings Whispers



Our proven model also shows that Core Laboratories is unlikely to beat estimates this earnings season. That is because a stock needs to have both a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) for this to happen. That is not the case here as you will see below.



Earnings ESP: Earnings ESP, which represents the difference between the Most Accurate Estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate, is -1.18%. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before theyre reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.



Zacks Rank: Core Laboratories currently carries a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell). We caution investors against stocks with a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) or 5 going into the earnings announcement, especially when the company is seeing negative estimate revisions.



Stocks to Consider



Though an earnings beat looks uncertain for Core Laboratories, here are a few energy firms from the same industry that you may want to consider on the basis of our model. These have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat in the upcoming quarterly release:



CSI Compressco LP CCLP has an Earnings ESP of +4.17% and a Zacks Rank #3. The company is expected to release third-quarter earnings on Feb 27. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.



TechnipFMC FTI has an Earnings ESP of +3.79% and holds a Zacks Rank #3. The company is slated to release third-quarter earnings on Feb 20.



Unit Corporation UNT has an Earnings ESP of +13.93% and a Zacks Rank #3. The company is anticipated to report quarterly numbers on Feb 29.



The Hottest Tech Mega-Trend of All



Last year, it generated $8 billion in global revenues. By 2020, it's predicted to blast through the roof to $47 billion. Famed investor Mark Cuban says it will produce "the world's first trillionaires," but that should still leave plenty of money for regular investors who make the right trades early.



See Zacks' 3 Best Stocks to Play This Trend >>



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Unit Corporation (UNT) : Free Stock Analysis Report



Core Laboratories N.V. (CLB) : Free Stock Analysis Report



To read this article on Zacks.com click here.
International Womens Day is a little over a month away but every day is always a good day to celebrate the woman in all her glory.

To this effect, Kenyan songbird Victoria Kimani and Tanzanian legend Professor Jay have teamed up to release a brilliant East African collabo.

The track is dubbed Woman, with Prof Jay featuring the sassy Pan-African songstress. The two East African music heavyweights began working on Woman in November last year.

It premiered on YouTube on Thursday, proving to be worth the two-month wait to a lot of YouTube users.

Victoria Kimani says of the song: Your Mamma would Love this song so would mine ?? What a Perfect time as every time to Appreciate, Recognize and Worship WOMEN  because OMG, we do everything  We are the brains behind every operation, Life givers, and Angels on earth.

We are giving this a rating of 8/10.

Watch below.
Michael Cohen will not testify before Congress regarding his work for the Trump campaign on February 7 as previously planned, his attorney Lanny Davis announced Wednesday.

Due to ongoing threats against his family from President Trump and Mr. Giuliani, as recently as this weekend, as well as Mr. Cohens continued cooperation with ongoing investigations, by advice of counsel, Mr. Cohens appearance will be postponed to a later date, Davis said in a statement.

President Trump responded to Cohens claim Wednesday, accusing his former personal attorney of seeking to conceal the truth.

I would say hes been threatened by the truth, Trump told reporters. He doesnt want to tell the truth for me or other of his clients.

Cohen was sentenced to three years in prison last year after pleading guilty to campaign-finance violations, lying to Congress, and a number of fraud charges. Davis said his client still looks forward to testifying at the appropriate time before the House Oversight Committee.

The panelss chairman, Representative Elijah Cummings (D., Md.), responded to Cohens announcement in a joint statement issued with House Intelligence Committee chairman Adam Schiff.

We will not let the Presidents tactics prevent Congress from fulfilling our constitutionally mandated oversight responsibilities, the lawmakers said in the statement. This will not stop us from getting to the truth. We expect Mr. Cohen to appear before both Committees, and we remain engaged with his counsel about his upcoming appearances.

After mentioning Cohens father-in-law, Fima Shusterman, in a tweet earlier this week, Trump again suggested during a Saturday interview with Fox Newss Jeanine Pirro that Shusterman should be investigated, appearing to reference his reported business dealings with a Chicago cab-company owner whose name appeared on the FBI warrant used to raid Cohens home and business.

Story continues

[Cohen] should give information maybe on his father-in-law, because thats the one that people want to look at, Trump said.

The president also mentioned Cohens wife and father-in-law in a December tweet. Mr. Shusterman has previously pleaded guilty to tax fraud, and reportedly loaned millions to the Chicago cab-company owner.

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Trumps attorney Rudy Giuliani defended his clients references to Cohens family during an interview with Jake Tapper over the weekend. Cummings and Schiff, however, cautioned the president against interfering with their oversight duties.

Our nations laws prohibit efforts to discourage, intimidate, or otherwise pressure a witness not to provide testimony to Congress, the pair wrote. The President should make no statement or take any action to obstruct Congress independent oversight and investigative efforts, including by seeking to discourage any witness from testifying in response to a duly authorized request from Congress.

More from National Review
BEIJING (Reuters) - U.S. billionaire George Soros' criticism of Chinese President Xi Jinping was "meaningless", China's foreign ministry said on Friday, after the investor and philanthropist called Xi the world's most "dangerous opponent" of open society. Soros, who promotes liberal causes through his charities, said during a speech on Thursday at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, that China was the wealthiest, strongest and technologically most advanced authoritarian regime in the world. "This makes Xi Jinping the most dangerous opponent of open societies," Soros said. Foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying, asked about the comments, said remarks by some individuals that "invert right and wrong" were "meaningless and not worth refuting". "We hope the relevant American can correct his attitude, not be shortsighted, and hold an objective, rational and correct opinion of China's development," Hua told reporters at a regular briefing. Xi has presided over a crackdown on dissent since coming to power in 2012, with hundreds of rights lawyers and activists detained. Dozens have been jailed. Soros said Xi was wielding Chinese technology companies to develop artificial intelligence and a nascent social credit system that would allow China's "one-party state to reign supreme". He said U.S. President Donald Trump should drop trade disputes with other countries and focus on China, while cracking down on Chinese technology firms, such as Huawei Technologies Co Ltd [HWT.UL] and ZTE Corp, which could be used to assert authoritarian control. China has said it would create a "social credit system" by 2020 to reward or punish individuals and corporations, using technology to record various measures of financial credit, personal behavior and corporate misdeeds. The system's rollout has attracted international headlines, sparking comparisons to George Orwell's novel "Nineteen Eighty-Four", with critics saying it could massively increase the ruling Communist Party's already strict control. Some experts say the system remains in its early stages and could help tackle social problems like fraud or food security. The U.S. government under Trump has pursued a strategy to counter what it sees as China's growing threat to U.S. economic competitiveness and security. That includes tariffs on billions of dollars worth of Chinese goods, based on U.S. findings that it is misappropriating U.S. intellectual property through forced technology transfers and other means. A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers recently introduced bills that would ban the sale of U.S. chips or other components to Huawei, ZTE, or other Chinese telecommunications companies that violate U.S. sanctions or export control laws. ZTE and Huawei are viewed with suspicion in the United States because of fears their switches and other gear could be used to spy on Americans. China has called the legislation "hysteria" and denies U.S. accusations of trade abuses. (Reporting by Michael Martina; Editing by Robert Birsel)
Lausanne (AFP) - The moment may sound familiar to many; a family gathered around a kitchen table after the death of a parent, taking stock of the life that has ended.

But for Germany's Ulrich Gantz, the scene following his father's 2002 death came with further exceptional pain -- on the table were two bags filled with documents showing his father had served in the Nazi paramilitary death squad, the Einsatzgruppen, during World War II.

He had previously pressed his father, Helmut, about his wartime experience but never obtained the information he had sought.

"'All the answers you have been seeking about your father are here,'" Gantz recalled his stepmother saying, as she handed over the files that also linked Helmut to the execution of tens of thousands of people in Belarus in the early 1940s.

His participation has never been established in court.

Gantz, a retired chemical engineer now in his early 70s, grew emotional as he recounted that day at an event hosted by a museum in the western Swiss city of Lausanne last week.

Ahead of Holocaust Remembrance Day on Sunday, Gantz was joined onstage by compatriot Barbara Brix, whose father also served in the Einsatzgruppen, which played a central role in the Final Solution.

In front of an audience of mostly secondary school students, other speakers included Jean Michel Gaussot and Yvonne Cossu, whose fathers were killed by the Nazis for being members of the French Resistance.

The event was one in a series organised by the Swiss-based civil society organisation CICAD, which works to combat anti-Semitism.

- 'Where is the red line?' -

The testimonials are part of a broader effort to combat the anti-historical propaganda and "disgusting ideologies" that have allowed Holocaust denial to persist, CICAD's secretary general Johanne Gurfinkiel told AFP.

"We hear them talking. They continue to say the story doesn't exist, that the gas chambers were invented," Gurfinkiel said. "There is a need to recall historical facts."

Story continues

For Gantz, the emotional burden of talking about his father's Nazi past was not the only obstacle he had to overcome before teaming up with CICAD.

He said he also had to break a promise made to his brother that the suspicions about his father would never be made public.

His brother had wanted to burn the documents connecting their father to the executions, said Gantz, who spent his career in Germany as well as in the United States and Netherlands.

"This is a question that I ask myself and that I think everyone here needs to face... where is the red line?" he asked. "When do I say what needs to be said?"

After the war, prosecutors said they did not have enough evidence to convict Helmut Gantz over the executions, according to CICAD and Gantz.

Brix, who is in her late 70s and had a long career as a high school teacher, said she had always imagined her father using his skills as a doctor during the war to care for wounded soldiers, before she learnt the extent of his actual role.

"When I finally learnt who he was, that he was a member of the Einsatzgruppen, I asked myself a lot of questions and I continue to ask myself one question in particular: what would I have done?"

- Shared values -

Frenchman Jean Michel Gaussot never knew his father, who was interned by the Nazis at the Neuengamme concentration camp in 1944 and died the following year.

For Gaussot, participating in the CICAD event appeared to provoke less emotional turmoil, given that he was telling the story of a father's heroism, not unveiling a family disgrace.

The former French diplomat has said that the joint appearance onstage of the descendants of Nazis and the children of their victims helps reinforce the importance of giving an honest account of history, regardless of a family's personal story.

"There is real cooperation between us, because we share the same values with our two German friends," he said.
(Reuters) - The Canadian government will provide C$40 million ($30 million)in funding to telecom network equipment maker Nokia for research on 5G wireless technology.

The funding to Finland-based Nokia will help understand how data is routed, how optical networks are managed and cybersecurity, a spokeswoman for the office of minister of Innovation, Science & Economic Development said in an email on Thursday.

The deal will be announced on Friday.

Canada is currently studying the security implications of 5G networks, but unlike some allies has not announced that equipment from China's Huawei Technologies Co Ltd will be excluded.

Ottawa is also locked in a bilateral dispute with China after Canadian authorities arrested Meng Wanzhou, chief financial officer of Huawei, on a U.S. extradition request.

(Reporting by Shanti S Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila)
Brett Bridgen spent his ill gotten gains on a trip to Ibiza (SWNS/Getty)

A thief who pilfered 4,500 from his grandads bank account and spent it on a holiday to Ibiza has been jailed.

Heartless Brett Bridgen, 24, used online banking to transfer cash to his own account the day before jetting off to the Spanish island.

Appearing at Liverpool Crown Court, Merseyside, last week, Bridgen was sentenced to 17 months behind bars.

The court heard the defendant, from Liverpool, was jailed in 2013 for stealing 50,000 from the same grandad.

Jailed: Brett Bridgen (SWNS)

Jamie Baxter, prosecuting, said Bridgen visited his grandad, who is now 73, at his home in Warrington, Cheshire, on April 24, 2016.

He asked for 20, saying he owed him a birthday gift and he was travelling to Ibiza the following day, it was heard.

Two days after transferring 20 the elderly man was contacted by the fraud action team.

Investigators found that thousands had been transferred between a savings account and a current account before being transferred to Bridgens bank account, without authorisation.

The court heard how his grandad, who hasnt been named, struggles to sleep or trust people as a result of the ordeal.

It has also affected the relationship between him and his son, Bridgens dad, it was heard.

MORE: Alfie Lamb trial: Crushed toddler was slapped and forced into footwell

MORE: Frances Macron attacks Brexit and says it will end up costing the British people

Judge Brian Cummings, sentencing, said: This is the most personal kind of fraud.

I am satisfied that this was an abuse of trust and deliberate targeting.

It has caused serious detrimental impact on the victim. The glaring aggravating factor is that this is your second offence against him.

Paul Wood, defending, described Bridgen as being at a low point in his life when he committed the fraud.

He was handed a 13-month sentence for fraud and a four-month sentence for committing an offence while on bail.

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There are plenty of choices in the Allocation Balanced category, but where should you start your research? Well, one fund that might be worth investigating is Bruce Fund (BRUFX). BRUFX has a Zacks Mutual Fund Rank of 1 (Strong Buy), which is based on nine forecasting factors like size, cost, and past performance.

Objective

BRUFX is one of many Zacks' Allocation Balanced mutual funds to pick from. Allocation Balanced funds seek to invest in a balance of asset types, like stocks, bonds, and cash, though including precious metals or commodities is not unusual; these funds are mostly categorized by their respective asset allocation. Investors utilize Allocation Balanced funds as a way to get a good start with diversified mutual funds, as well as for core holdings in a portfolio of funds.

History of Fund/Manager

Bruce is based in Chicago, IL, and is the manager of BRUFX. Since Bruce Fund made its debut in October of 1983, BRUFX has garnered more than $533.96 million in assets. The fund is currently managed by Robert B. Bruce who has been in charge of the fund since December of 1983.

Performance

Investors naturally seek funds with strong performance. This fund has delivered a 5-year annualized total return of 5.64%, and is in the top third among its category peers. Investors who prefer analyzing shorter time frames should look at its 3-year annualized total return of 3.97%, which places it in the middle third during this time-frame.

When looking at a fund's performance, it is also important to note the standard deviation of the returns. The lower the standard deviation, the less volatility the fund experiences. BRUFX's standard deviation over the past three years is 7.3% compared to the category average of 7.14%. Over the past 5 years, the standard deviation of the fund is 7.85% compared to the category average of 7.27%. This makes the fund more volatile than its peers over the past half-decade.

Risk Factors

Investors should always remember the downsides to a potential investment, and this segment carries some risks one should be aware of. In the most recent bear market, BRUFX lost 39.57% and underperformed comparable funds by 3.17%. This means that the fund could possibly be a worse choice than its peers during a down market environment.

Story continues

Investors should note that the fund has a 5-year beta of 0.49, so it is likely going to be less volatile than the market at large. Because alpha represents a portfolio's performance on a risk-adjusted basis relative to a benchmark, which is the S&P 500 in this case, one should pay attention to this metric as well. With a positive alpha of 1.17, managers in this portfolio are skilled in picking securities that generate better-than-benchmark returns.

Expenses

Costs are increasingly important for mutual fund investing, and particularly as competition heats up in this market. And all things being equal, a lower cost product will outperform its otherwise identical counterpart, so taking a closer look at these metrics is key for investors. In terms of fees, BRUFX is a no load fund. It has an expense ratio of 0.67% compared to the category average of 0.88%. BRUFX is actually cheaper than its peers when you consider factors like cost.

This fund requires a minimum initial investment of $1,000, and each subsequent investment should be at least $500.

Bottom Line

Overall, Bruce Fund ( BRUFX ) has a high Zacks Mutual Fund rank, and in conjunction with its comparatively strong performance, average downside risk, and lower fees, Bruce Fund ( BRUFX ) looks like a good potential choice for investors right now.

For additional information on the Allocation Balanced area of the mutual fund world, make sure to check out www.zacks.com/funds/mutual-funds. There, you can see more about the ranking process, and dive even deeper into BRUFX too for additional information. Zacks provides a full suite of tools to help you analyze your portfolio - both funds and stocks - in the most efficient way possible.



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To read this article on Zacks.com click here.
Sao Paulo (AFP) - By siding with the United States in recognizing Juan Guaido as Venezuela's interim president and dismissing Nicolas Maduro as an illegitimate "dictator," Brazilian far-right leader Jair Bolsonaro is making a risky bet, analysts and former diplomats say.

Firstly, he is breaking with Brazil's tradition of trying to maintain cordial relations with governments of all stripes.

Secondly, he is thrusting Brazil into a showdown that, in the words of Rubens Ricupero, a former Brazilian ambassador to the US speaking to the newspaper O Globo, "could have unpredictable consequences for the region" if not quickly resolved.

In a worst-case scenario, Brazil could find itself involved in military action against a neighboring country for the first time in a century and a half.

Even if it does not go that far, Bolsonaro has chosen sides in a crisis that could prove intractable.

"What has arrived is an impossible situation," Ricupero said. "There is no sort of solution on the horizon. Neither of the sides want dialogue."

The terrain ahead has been made all the more complicated by Russia and China -- Venezuela's main creditors -- sticking by Maduro.

The UN Security Council, at the United States' request, is to discuss the crisis on Saturday.

- 'Crusades' -

After the United States, Brazil is probably the most important country to watch in the geopolitically fuelled crisis unfolding in Venezuela.

The vast nation, which borders Venezuela, is host to thousands of Venezuelans who have fled economic collapse at home.

It is a leading member of the Lima Group, a regional club challenging Maduro's rule, and of the Organization of American States, a Western Hemisphere political forum.

It has Latin America's biggest military.

But most importantly, as of this month it is governed by Bolsonaro, a former paratrooper ferociously opposed to leftwing ideology at home and abroad who has offered himself up as US President Donald Trump's closest ally in South America.

Story continues

Celso Amorim, a former Brazilian foreign minister who strengthened South-South diplomatic ties under a past leftist government led by the Workers Party, told AFP: "We are embarking on crusades that have nothing to do with us.... Supporting Guaido is an intervention."

The former diplomat, who later held the post of defense minister, said he favored dialogue mediated by an actor such as Mexico to defuse the situation.

Mexico, alone among Latin America's biggest powers, has said it still recognizes Maduro as leader.

Oliver Stuenkel, a professor in international relations at the Getulio Vargas Foundation, agreed that Brazil had cut itself off from any possibility of dialogue with Maduro's regime. But he noted that Brazil would have been "isolated" in the region if it had not gone along with recognizing Guaido.

The Workers Party, now in opposition, said in a statement that Bolsonaro's government was "humiliating" itself by following Trump's foreign policy.

Bolsonaro himself, in a television interview Wednesday from the Swiss ski resort of Davos, where he was attending the World Economic Forum, said Brazil was at the "limit of what we can do to restore democracy" in Venezuela, apparently discarding the possibility of Brazilian military action.

But the president, who openly admires Brazil's 1964-1985 military dictatorship, said: "History has shown that dictatorships don't give up power to the opposition in a peaceful way."

- 'All options' open for US -

His vice president, retired general Hamilton Mourao, who was military attache in Caracas 2002-2004, stated that "our foreign policy is to not intervene in the domestic affairs of another country."

The United States has said it was contemplating "all options" -- implying a military response -- if Guaido or the opposition was forcibly constrained in Venezuela.

Stuenkel said Brazil remained "a secondary actor" in what was happening with Venezuela, adding that he saw Washington "forming the debate."

Another international relations professor, Matias Spektor, expressed doubts about the wisdom of Brasilia backing Guaido, saying the 35-year-old speaker of Venezuela's opposition-controlled parliament had only a "vague and utopic" program.

"He doesn't seem credible enough to form the sort of coalition needed to restore democracy," Spektor wrote in a column in the Folha de Sao Paulo newspaper.
By Anthony Boadle and Marta Nogueira BRASILIA/RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - Brazilian rescuers were searching for some 200 missing people after a tailings dam burst on Friday at an iron ore mine owned by Vale SA, with seven bodies recovered but the death toll expected to rise sharply. Avimar de Melo Barcelos, the mayor of the town of Brumadinho where the dam burst in Brazil's mining hub of Minas Gerais state, said seven bodies had been recovered by nightfall. However, Vale Chief Executive Fabio Schvartsman said only one-third of the roughly 300 workers at the site of the disaster had been accounted for. He said a torrent of sludge tore through the mine's offices, including a cafeteria during lunchtime. U.S.-listed shares of Vale tumbled as much as 10 percent after the incident, the second major disaster at a Brazilian tailings dam involving Vale in just over three years. Both hit Minas Gerais, which is still recovering from the collapse of a larger dam in November 2015 that killed 19 people. That dam, owned by a joint venture between Vale and BHP Billiton called Samarco Mineracao SA, buried a nearby village and devastated a major river with toxic waste in Brazil's worst environmental disaster. Operations at Samarco remain halted over legal disputes relating to damages even after the companies settled a $5.28 billion civil lawsuit last year. Schvartsman said the dam that burst on Friday at the Feijao iron mine was being decommissioned and had a capacity of 12 million cubic meters  a fraction of the roughly 60 million cubic meters of toxic waste released by the Samarco dam break. "The environmental impact should be much less, but the human tragedy is horrible," he told journalists at Vale's offices in Rio de Janeiro. He said equipment had shown the dam was stable on Jan. 10 and it was too soon to say why it collapsed. Fire brigade spokesman Lieutenant Pedro Aihara said the torrent of mud stopped just short of the local Paraopeba river, a tributary of Brazil's longest river, the Sao Francisco. "Our main worry now is to quickly find out where the missing people are," Aihara said on GloboNews cable television channel. Scores of people were trapped in nearby areas flooded by the river of sludge released by the dam failure. Helicopters plucked people covered in mud from the disaster area, including a woman with a fractured hip who was among eight injured people taken to hospital, officials said. The Feijao mine is one of four in Vale's Paraoeba complex, which includes two processing plants and produced 26 million tonnes of iron ore in 2017, or about 7 percent of Vale's total output, according to information on the company's website. Feijao alone produced 7.8 million tonnes of ore in 2017. (Additional reporting by Marta Nogueira in Rio de Janeiro, Ricardo Brito and Jake Spring in Brasilia; editing by Daniel Flynn, Sonya Hepinstall and Chris Reese)
A German and a Ukrainian have been arraigned in Court on allegations of stripping naked and taking pictures of a middle-aged woman against her will.

Mr Zerbin Sascha Marius Waldermar from Germany and Mr Wectabe Shestavetskyi were on Thursday, January 24 charged at the Shanzu Law Courts, where they pleaded not guilty.

The Court heard that the two foreigners stripped the complainant, YMN, naked and forcefully took pictures and videos of her on January 17 this year in Mtwapa area, Kilifi County.

In court documents, the woman claims she met the German national Mr Marius on an online dating website earlier this year. The two physically met for the first time on January 17 in a villa in Mtwapa.

We spent the whole day swimming. In the evening, we proceeded to the apartment, (where she found Mr Shestavetskyi sitting). They brought alcoholic drinks and food, she said in her report to the police.

YMN said when she was about to leave, the suspects demanded a threesome saying they had spent much money on her.

YMNs affidavit in court indicates that the men forcefully undressed her and threw her clothes outside the apartment. As Mr Marius struggled to wrestle her down, Mr Shestavetskyi took nude photos and videos of her.

The woman, however, managed to overpower the men and grab the phone before taking off with a bed sheet wrapped around her body.

She reported the incident at a Mtwapa police post on the same day.

In their defense, the suspects said YMN was the girlfriend of one of them  Marius.

The suspects were granted Sh100,000 cash bail. The case will be mentioned on Friday.
Brumadinho (Brazil) (AFP) - Fears of a second dam breach at a Brazilian mining complex receded Sunday, enabling a search to resume for the more than 300 people still missing two days after a dam collapse that has killed at least 58 people.

Loudspeakers rang out at 5:30 am (0730 GMT) among homes surrounding the Corrego do Feijao mining complex in southeastern Brazil, warning of dangerously high water levels, according to mine owner Vale.

Workers at the complex are still reeling after a barrier at the site burst on Friday, spewing millions of tons of treacherous sludge and engulfing buildings, vehicles and roads.

Firefighters halted the search for survivors and immediately began evacuating communities near the dike, which contains at least three million cubic meters (800 million gallons) of water.

But several hours later, civil defense officials gave the all clear.

"There is no more risk of a break," said Lieutenant Colonel Flavio Godinho, a spokesman for the state civil defense agency, explaining that the high water levels had been drained off.

"The search has resumed -- by land, by aircraft and with dogs."

Dozens of helicopters were set to be deployed because the thick mud was too treacherous for ground rescuers.

The latest official toll from the dam breach was 58 dead and 305 missing, according to Godinho. He said rescuers found a bus full of bodies.

Vale, the Brazilian mining giant, said people were being allowed to return to their homes.

"I had to leave with my family, my children," Jose Maria Silva, 59, told AFP.

"We are upset, tense, because leaving our house is not easy. We've been here 15 years, and now we have to leave everything and run away.'

Fagner Miranda, 29, added: "several people ran out, desperate... Those with no car fled on foot, with a backpack on their backs and what they could carry."

- Shaken by disaster -

So far, 192 people have been rescued alive, 23 of whom were hospitalized with injuries, officials said.

Story continues

President Jair Bolsonaro flew over the devastated zone on Saturday, later tweeting that it was "difficult to not be emotional before this scene."

All was being done to care for survivors and "determine the facts, to demand justice and prevent new tragedies," he added.

The military said it deployed 1,000 soldiers, including sniffer dogs, to the disaster zone.

The disaster was the first big emergency faced by Bolsonaro and his government since he took office in early January, and it may be one of the deadliest disasters in Brazil's history.

Vale has been shaken by the disaster, the second in three years it has suffered in the same state.

Workers at its mine had been at lunch in an administrative area Friday when they were suddenly swamped by millions of tons of muddy trailings -- a waste byproduct of the iron-ore mining operations.

The ruptured dam, 42 years old and 282 feet (86 meters) high, had been in the process of being decommissioned. Vale said it had recently passed structural safety tests.

- Vale assets frozen -

After overflowing a second dam, the muddy mass barreled down toward Brumadinho but only glanced along the town's edge before roaring through vegetation and farmland, smashing houses and swallowing tractors and roads in its path.

Brazilian judicial authorities announced they had frozen $3 billion of Vale's assets, saying real estate and vehicles would be seized if the company could not come up with the full amount.

The company also has been hit with fines by the federal and state government totaling some $92.5 million.

Vale share prices fell Friday more than eight percent on the New York Stock Exchange.

The mining company, one of the world's biggest, was involved in a 2015 mine collapse elsewhere in Minas Gerais that claimed 19 lives in what is regarded as the country's worst-ever environmental disaster.

"There used to be people here, houses. I'm just floored by this tragedy," Rosilene Aganetti, a 57-year-old resident in one of the affected villages, told AFP, pointing to an expanse of mud.

"Several of my friends who were in the Vale cafeteria are missing," she said, holding back sobs.

Another woman, Suely de Olivera Costa, was desperately trying to find her husband, who worked at the mine. She angrily accused Vale of "destroying Brumadinho, and nobody is doing anything -- which will be the next town?"

The Brazilian branch of environmental group Greenpeace said the dam break was "a sad consequence of the lessons not learned by the Brazilian government and the mining companies."

Such incidents "are not accidents but environmental crimes that must be investigated, punished and repaired," it added.
While some investors are already well versed in financial metrics (hat tip), this article is for those who would like to learn about Return On Equity (ROE) and why it is important. To keep the lesson grounded in practicality, well use ROE to better understand Boston Properties, Inc. (NYSE:BXP).

Over the last twelve months Boston Properties has recorded a ROE of 8.0%. Another way to think of that is that for every $1 worth of equity in the company, it was able to earn $0.080.

View our latest analysis for Boston Properties

How Do You Calculate Return On Equity?

The formula for ROE is:

Return on Equity = Net Profit  Shareholders Equity

Or for Boston Properties:

8.0% = 527.616  US$8.2b (Based on the trailing twelve months to September 2018.)

Most know that net profit is the total earnings after all expenses, but the concept of shareholders equity is a little more complicated. It is all the money paid into the company from shareholders, plus any earnings retained. You can calculate shareholders equity by subtracting the companys total liabilities from its total assets.

What Does Return On Equity Mean?

ROE measures a companys profitability against the profit it retains, and any outside investments. The return is the amount earned after tax over the last twelve months. The higher the ROE, the more profit the company is making. So, all else equal, investors should like a high ROE. Clearly, then, one can use ROE to compare different companies.

Does Boston Properties Have A Good ROE?

Arguably the easiest way to assess companys ROE is to compare it with the average in its industry. Importantly, this is far from a perfect measure, because companies differ significantly within the same industry classification. If you look at the image below, you can see Boston Properties has a similar ROE to the average in the REITs industry classification (6.8%).

NYSE:BXP Last Perf January 25th 19

That isnt amazing, but it is respectable. ROE can give us a view about company quality, but many investors also look to other factors, such as whether there are insiders buying shares. For those who like to find winning investments this free list of growing companies with recent insider purchasing, could be just the ticket.

Story continues

How Does Debt Impact Return On Equity?

Virtually all companies need money to invest in the business, to grow profits. That cash can come from retained earnings, issuing new shares (equity), or debt. In the first two cases, the ROE will capture this use of capital to grow. In the latter case, the use of debt will improve the returns, but will not change the equity. In this manner the use of debt will boost ROE, even though the core economics of the business stay the same.

Boston Propertiess Debt And Its 8.0% ROE

Its worth noting the significant use of debt by Boston Properties, leading to its debt to equity ratio of 1.33. The company doesnt have a bad ROE, but it is less than ideal tht it has had to use debt to achieve its returns. Debt does bring extra risk, so its only really worthwhile when a company generates some decent returns from it.

In Summary

Return on equity is one way we can compare the business quality of different companies. In my book the highest quality companies have high return on equity, despite low debt. If two companies have the same ROE, then I would generally prefer the one with less debt.

But when a business is high quality, the market often bids it up to a price that reflects this. Profit growth rates, versus the expectations reflected in the price of the stock, are a particularly important to consider. So you might want to check this FREE visualization of analyst forecasts for the company.

Of course Boston Properties may not be the best stock to buy. So you may wish to see this free collection of other companies that have high ROE and low debt.

To help readers see past the short term volatility of the financial market, we aim to bring you a long-term focused research analysis purely driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis does not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements.



The author is an independent contributor and at the time of publication had no position in the stocks mentioned. For errors that warrant correction please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com.
Damascus (AFP) - A bomb attack hit a northeastern neighbourhood of the Syrian capital Thursday, state media said, in the third such explosion in a regime-held area in less than a week.

State news agency SANA reported "a terrorist bombing in the Adawi area with an explosive device planted in a car, causing material damage but no casualties".

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the blast hit near the embassy of key government ally Russia.

The Britain-based war monitor said four people were lightly wounded.

The latest blast came after the first explosion in Damascus in more than a year on Sunday, in which the Observatory reported "some people killed and injured". State media said there were no victims.

On Tuesday, a car bomb killed one in the regime's coastal stronghold of Latakia, according to state media.

Syria's civil war has killed more than 360,000 people and displaced millions since it started in 2011 with the bloody repression of anti-government protests.

With key military backing from Russia, President Bashar al-Assad's forces have retaken large parts of Syria from rebels and jihadists, and now control almost two-thirds of the country.

The Syrian regime in May retook a final scrap of territory held by the Islamic State group in southern Damascus, cementing total control over the capital for the first time in six years.
Two days ago, Bishop John Stowe of the Diocese of Lexington, Ky., condemned the Covington Catholic schoolkids who went to the March for Life, mostly because some of them wore MAGA hats. I think it is a bad and even a disgraceful op-ed.

There is a defensible argument against wearing the hats to the march, which would basically have been the same as the argument against wearing a Bush-Cheney T-shirt to the march in 2005. The marchers go to Washington to stand in solidarity with the unborn victims of abortion, to register their dissent from the Supreme Courts determination that they are unpersons, and to plead for laws that will offer protection against the deliberate killing of human beings at any stage of development. That is quite enough for one march without getting into the implications that arguably follow from these pro-life premises. Add in the facts that particular pro-life politicians may have non-abortion aspects of their records that are objectionable; that a significant number of people who are open to the basic pro-life case object to particular pro-life politicians because of their stances on other issues; and that several measures of the popularity of the pro-life cause show it to be higher than the popularity of this president: All of these are reasons not to wear the hats to the march, and a bishop could very reasonably suggest as much to students on their way to it. Or to put it another way: Theres a case for a border wall and a case against it, but theres no reason to bring that debate to the march.

Bishop Stowe, unfortunately, went well beyond these defensible points.

He begins the discussion by referring to a group of Catholic high school students from Kentucky in a confrontation with a Native American elder after this years march, and then says, As the leader of the Catholic Church in the 50 counties of Central and Eastern Kentucky, I join the Diocese of Covington and other Catholic leaders in apologizing in the wake of this incident.

Story continues

I am ashamed that the actions of Kentucky Catholic high school students have become a contradiction of the very reverence for human life that the march is supposed to manifest.

What actions is the bishop talking about? What are these shameful actions that contradict the reverence for human life and require an apology? The earlier apologies that he affirms were based on factually mistaken understandings of the confrontation. And Stowe is aware of the controversy over the facts. He continues, Without engaging the discussion about the context of the viral video or placing the blame entirely on these adolescents, it astonishes me that any students participating in a pro-life activity on behalf of their school and their Catholic faith could be wearing apparel sporting the slogans of a president who denigrates the lives of immigrants, refugees and people from countries that he describes with indecent words and haphazardly endangers with life-threatening policies.

So, to sum up the bishops position so far: Maybe the kids did taunt an innocent Native American veteran and maybe thats mostly a malicious invention, but theyre to blame for wearing Trump-branded apparel. Thats whats shameful, requires apologies, contradicts reverence for life, etc. Never mind that if that had been the entire substance of the charge against the kids, 99 percent of us would never have heard of Covington Catholic in the first place. There would have been no national controversy over some hats at the march and the bishop wouldnt have written an op-ed. The kids have been smeared, and the bishop is effectively saying, Who knows or cares what really happened? They shouldnt have been wearing those hats. (At least he didnt say, What is truth?)

But then the bishops letter actually gets worse. He concludes,

The pro-life movement claims that it wants more than the policy change of making abortion illegal, but aims to make it unthinkable. That would require deep changes in society and policies that would support those who find it difficult to afford children. The association of our young people with racist acts and a politics of hate must also become unthinkable.

Lets, charitably, attribute some of this language to bad writing. Ordinarily when an author claims that a movement claims that it wants something, the implications are that the author is not a part of that movement and that he has some doubts about its sincerity. And at this moment lets pass over the claim that support for Trump is simply a politics of hate (which is a gross slander of most Kentuckians, whether or not support for Trump is justified). Here we have, at the end, the reintroduction of a claim of racist acts that the bishop refuses to describe, let alone substantiate. Effectively he is saying, These Catholic children are probably guilty of all the accusations even though I cant go into any of the questions about whether or not they were. He wont commit himself to a position on what offense justifies his throwing the kids under the bus.

The bishop was right about one thing: He does owe an apology; actually, several of them.

More from National Review
Washington (AFP) - After a bicycle accident last year, an ambulance transported Nina Dang to the emergency room at a public hospital in San Francisco. A few months later, the bill arrived: $20,243 dollars.

The news site Vox, which has been investigating high US medical bills for the past year, learned of her case, and wrote about it. The media coverage ignited a nationwide frenzy that lasted weeks. Now, the hospital has finally agreed to reduce the bill to $200, Vox reported on Thursday.

The story illustrates the complexity of the American health system, and its tangled web of public and private hospitals, local and federal laws, insurance that pays differently if a hospital is "in" or "out" of network, and no central authority that manages prices and coverage levels, despite the health care reform passed during Barack Obama's presidency.

In the United States, having health insurance does not guarantee peace of mind.

Patients must constantly figure out whether their insurance will cover certain procedures, or if they can see certain doctors or be admitted to specific hospitals according to their coverage. Coverage is often incomplete, and patients are left guessing what amount they will be asked to pay in the end.

In Dang's case, her insurance only covered a fraction of the bill from the emergency room, about $3,800 of the total $24,000.

That's because the insurance company did not have a coverage contract with the hospital, which was named Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, after Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg made a $75 million donation.

In fact, the hospital was considered "out-of-network" for all private insurers, a policy Vox described as "surprising," and which resulted in vastly higher bills for many patients.

Vox, which has built a database from some 2,000 bills that readers sent in, showing exorbitant medical bills, also found that a baby's visit to the ER at the same hospital resulted in an $18,000 bill.

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Elsewhere, a woman in Kentucky was billed $12,000 after her insurance company refused to pay for her ER visit, saying her stomach pain did not merit an emergency.

Such stories have begun to mobilize lawmakers, and some bills have been proposed, and hearing dates set in an effort to change current practices.

Zuckerberg Hospital, in the meantime, has not announced any change of policy, beyond adjusting bills for certain patients, like Dang.

"It's great that things worked out for this patient! But, having journalists investigate medical bills is a pretty terrible way to run a health care system," tweeted Sarah Kliff, the Vox journalist assigned to the project.
At the heart of talks: Qatars former Premier and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem bin Jabr al-Thani. Photo: STR/AFP/Getty Images

Barclays bankers fretted over payments to the then-Prime Minister of Qatar as part of a multibillion pound investment in the bank from the Middle Eastern state, a court heard on Friday.

Four former Barclays bankers stand accused of conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation. The UKs Serious Fraud Office (SFO) alleges that the executives misled investors by hiding the true amount paid to Qatar in exchange for a multibillion pound investment that saved the bank from a state bailout.

The defendants in the case are: John Varley, who was CEO of Barclays between 2004 and 2011; Roger Jenkins, who formerly ran Barclays Capitals investment management business in the Middle East and North Africa; Thomas Kalaris, the former CEO of Barclays wealth and investment management; and Richard Boath, the former head of European financial institutions group at Barclays Capital.

It is the first time senior banking executives have faced criminal charges for actions related to the financial crisis. If convicted, the accused could face prison sentences of up to 10 years.

Varley and Jenkins each face two counts, and Kalaris and Boath each face one. All four defendants have pleaded not guilty. Qatar is not accused of any wrongdoing.

Its a bit dodgy

Barclays raised a total of 11.2bn ($14.7bn) in June 2008 and October 2008 to secure the banks balance sheet as the financial crisis erupted.

Qatar Holding, part of Qatars sovereign wealth fund, and Challenger, an investment vehicle of former Qatari prime minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabr al-Thani, invested almost 4bn across the two fundraisings. Edward Brown QC, the lead lawyer for the SFO, said on Friday that Barclays fundraising was certain, or almost certain, to fail without the Qatari money.

The SFO alleges that Barclays paid Qatar a commission fee of 3.25% in exchange for their investment, almost double the rate paid to other investors in the investment rounds. Barclays sought to cover this up, and avoid paying higher fees to other investors, by using fake Advisory Services Agreements (ASAs) with the Qatars to pay them the money, the prosecutor alleges.

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In the dock: Former global co-head of Barclays Finance Richard Boath arrives at Southwark Crown Court on January 14, 2019 in London, England. Photo: Jack Taylor/Getty Images

Brown played the jury a series of tapes that he said showed concern expressed as to how to deal with Sheikh Hamads investment.

In one recording, defendants Richard Boath and Roger Jenkins discussed the possibility of signing a second Advisory Services Agreement with Challenger. Boath raised concerns that this may look improper given Sheik Hamads position as Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Qatar at the time. Sheik Hamad is not accused of any wrongdoing, the court heard.

Its a bit dodgy, Boath said.

It is a bit dodgy. You cant as a prime minister, take these services, Jenkins replied.

In a separate call between the two around the same time, Jenkins said, Its like have the President of the United States advisors to JP Morgan; you just cant have it.

Brown told the jury, What is clear then isnt it is that in the minds of Mr Jenkins and Mr Boath it has dawned on them both that paying fees to the Prime Minister is, in their words, a bit tricky, a bit dodgy.

 Im already feeling sick

The court was played a recording of Boath, one of the defendants, and two of Barclays in-house lawyers, Matthew Dobson and Judith Shepherd, from June 2008. Dobson and Shepherd are not accused of any wrongdoing.

We need to find a way of getting Sheikh Hamad his extra fee, Boath said on the call. Shepherd told Boath that if there was any advisory agreement with Sheik Hamad then itd have to be in exchange for value.

Boath said he had an email from the Qataris asking about the extra fees that he had deleted.

Richard, you know that these things can be retrieved, Stephenson said. Let me tell you, its not the  simple as that. You do need to be careful, Richard  they do need to be careful over there.

On another call played to the jury, Shepherd told Boath that value must be exchanged for the Sheiks fee in case the advisory agreement was challenged by other investors, the FSA, the UKLA, the Criminal Authority, the Fraud Unit.

Im already feeling sick. Theres no need to use all those words to make me feel sicker, Boath said.

Defendant: Former Barclays head of investment banking and investment management in the Middle East, Roger Jenkins arrives at Southwark Crown Court on January 14, 2019 in London, England. Photo: Jack Taylor/Getty Images

The jury heard Boath talking about how the Sheiks representatives were unhappy with an early draft of a services agreement that included all the crap about His Royal Highnesss assistants meeting politicians, all this kind of stuff. The Qataris wanted a nice short soft letter, Boath said.

He is going to have to give the services in exchange otherwise you are going to end up in front of the Fraud Squad explaining why, Stephenson said.

No Ive got a house in Brazil, theres no extradition treaty, Im off, Boath said.

Stephenson said, Theres a limit beyond what Im prepared to go.

The case continues at Southwark Crown Court and is expected to last up to six months.

Read more on the trial of the Barclays four:
On trial: Former chief executive of Barclays wealth and investment management Thomas Kalaris leaves Southwark Crown Court in south London on July 17, 2017. Photo: NIKLAS HALLEN/AFP/Getty Images

Barclays bankers discussed the risk of being rumbled and going to jail over emergency fundraising from Qatar in 2008, a jury heard on Friday.

Four former Barclays bankers stand accused of conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation. The UKs Serious Fraud Office (SFO) alleges that the executives misled investors by hiding the true amount paid to Qatar for a multibillion pound investment at the height of the financial crisis that saved the bank from a state bailout.

The defendants in the case are: John Varley, who was CEO of Barclays between 2004 and 2011; Roger Jenkins, who formerly ran Barclays Capitals investment management business in the Middle East and North Africa; Thomas Kalaris, the former CEO of Barclays wealth and investment management; and Richard Boath, the former head of European financial institutions group at Barclays Capital.

Varley and Jenkins face two counts, and Kalaris and Boath face one. All four defendants have pleaded not guilty. Qatar is not accused of any wrongdoing.

The jeopardy is people say well that was bulls***

In the dock: Former global co-head of Barclays Finance Richard Boath arrives at Southwark Crown Court on January 14, 2019 in London, England. Photo: Jack Taylor/Getty Images

On Friday, the court was played a recording of a phone call between Kalaris and Boath made on June 11, 2008. The pair discussed the particulars of Qatars investment in Barclays and what disclosures would need to be made to the market about it.

I dont want to go to jail, so Mark youve got to make sure youre comfortable, Kalaris said, referencing Barclays legal chief at the time Mark Harding. Harding is not accused of any wrongdoing.

The call related to the possible disclosure of a fee paid to Qatar under a separate agreement. The prosecution alleges that this Advisory Service Agreement (ASA) side deal was a smokescreen to cover fee payments. Qatar was paid a fee of 3.25% for its investment, the Crown alleges, more than double the rate other Barclays investors received at the time.

Kalaris said on the call the jury heard that he was incredibly sensitive about the deal and said: The worst case scenario is somebody says well its not economic and I say bullshit, you know, you know, were paying this amount of money, in this relationship, with these guys, were delighted to do it.

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Boath replies: Yeah, I mean the jeopardy is that were rumbled and people say well that was bullshit, you know, this is just a fee in the backdoor.

I mean this is one of these things where you know, if you go down the whole place goes down with you, right?, Kalaris said.

Thats correct, were all going for the shit  well all be going for the shit food and the bad sex, Boath said on the tape. Thats not what I want.

On Thursday, the jury had heard a recording of a separate call between Kalaris and Boath in which Kalaris jokes that none of us wants to go to jail here because the food sucks and the sex is worse.

On Fridays call, Boath went on to describe the discussions over disclosures about the Qataris investment as one of the most dangerous aspects of this whole transaction.

Edward Brown QC, the SFOs lead lawyer, told the jury: It was evident, you may think members of the jury, that Boath and Kalaris were concerned that they felt that they alone should not be held responsible for the consequences of this decision.

A misleading audit trail

Defendant: Former Barclays head of investment banking and investment management in the Middle East, Roger Jenkins arrives at Southwark Crown Court on January 14, 2019 in London, England. Photo: Jack Taylor/Getty Images

Brown spent much of Friday arguing that the four defendants misled Barclays in-house lawyers in order to get sign off that the disclosures made to the market were compliant.

The court was shown a memo discussing the arrangements between Qatar and Barclays at the time. Brown said that the document was created in an attempt to lay a misleading audit trail.

He told the jury: It would appear that the advice being given by both [Barclays in-house lawyers] Shepherd and Dobson at this time was based on the correctness of the Memo: i.e. that there had been the significant change in the Qataris position as to fees, and that genuine services for real value were to be provided.

Each of the four defendant bankers  Varley, Jenkins, Kalaris, Boath  and Lucas all knew that this advice was therefore predicated on a false basis.

Christopher Lucas was Barclays CFO at the time. He is named as a co-conspirator in the case but is suffering from a serious illness and has been judged not fit to stand trial.

The case continues and is expected to last up to six months.

Read more about the Barclays four case:
PM: my govt strategy is to turn Georgia into regional Center

By Tea Mariamidze

Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze says that the strategy of his government is to transform Georgia into a regional center of business, trade, finance, logistics, tourism and education.My government's strategy is to turn Georgia into a center of the region in the fields of business, trade, finance, logistics, tourism and education. We try to make very creative reforms in order to attract more investments in Georgia, he said.The PM made the comment in his interview with Deutsche Welle while answering questions of the leading German media outlets on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos.Bakhtadze underlined that Georgia is the hub, connecting east and west and the gateway for eight countries, which do not have access to the sea.We consider our country as a bridge from Asia to Europe because we are the shortest route. We want to support the growing trade turnover between Asia and Europe. For this reason, we are making huge amounts of investments in our infrastructure and I am very pleased to see in Davos that more and more companies are interested in investing in Georgia, he stated.The World Economic Forum in Davos is underway on January 22-25. During the event, Bakhtadze held many important meetings, including with the Ilham Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan.The sides discussed mutual relations and the Trans Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP) Project, along with the transit potential of the countries and need of its greater utilization. It was noted that Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) railway project has an instrumental role to play towards this end.At the meeting with Lyu Benxian, President of China Minsheng Investment Group (CMIG), potential areas of cooperation were discussed at the meeting along with the possible investment projects, which may be implemented by the largest Chinese private investment group.Moreover, one of the largest marine shipping companies - Stena Rederi - got interested in forwarding cargo from Georgia to Europe and Asia. It was mentioned by Carl Hagman, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Stena Rederi at the meeting with the Prime Minister of Georgia.In the opinion of Stena Rederi CEO, Georgia has a great potential of marine transportation and a very suitable geographic position.Georgia's investment opportunities and possible avenues of cooperation were discussed by Georgian Bakhtadze and Chairman Xu Lirong of the COSCO Shipping Corporation.As it was pointed out, the Government of Georgia pays special attention to the development of new transport corridors to provide the fastest and safest alternative cargo movement route between Europe and Asia.Moreover, Georgian PM met Head of Foreign Affairs and Member of the Federal Council of the Swiss Confederation Ignazio Cassis. The meeting also emphasized Georgia's substantial educational reform seeking to develop human capital.Head of Government of Georgia and Minister of International Trade Diversification of Canada Jim Carr discussed potential cooperation of the two countries in various sectors of the economy. Key topics of discussion were the recent success stories of Georgia, including the Free Trade Agreements (FTA) and rich hydro resources of the country.
BEIJING (Reuters) - Australian embassy officials visited on Friday a Chinese-born Australian writer being held in Beijing on suspicion of endangering state security, the Australian foreign ministry said. China has said that Yang Jun, a naturalized Australian writer, who goes by the name Yang Hengjun, is being held under "coercive measures" - a euphemism for detention - by Beijing city's State Security Bureau and being investigated on suspicion of endangering state security. His lawyer has said he was suspected of espionage and is being held in "residential surveillance at a designated location", a form of detention that allows authorities to interrogate suspects for six months without access to legal representation. Staff from the Australian embassy in Beijing made a consular visit to Yang on Friday afternoon, the Australian ministry said on its website. "Access to Mr Yang was provided in accordance with our bilateral consular agreement with China," the ministry said, adding that no details of their discussion could be provided due to privacy laws. Australian officials said Yang was detained shortly after he flew in to the southern city of Guangzhou from New York last week. They have also said they do not believe his detention was the result of strained relations between China and the West. Tension has risen in recent weeks between China and some Western countries after two Canadians, a diplomat on unpaid leave and a consultant, were arrested in China on suspicion of endangering state security. Australia joined international condemnation of the arrest of the Canadians, but Yang has long been in the sights of Chinese authorities. He has criticized what he described as Chinese interference in Australia. (Reporting by Christian Shepherd; Editing by Robert Birsel)
Beijing (AFP) - The Australian embassy in Beijing was on Friday granted consular access to Australian national Yang Jun, who is detained in China on national security grounds.

Embassy staff made a consular visit to Yang in the afternoon, according to a brief statement released by the Australian department of foreign affairs.

"Access to Mr Yang was provided in accordance with our bilateral consular agreement with China," the statement said.

"Due to Privacy Act obligations, we will not provide further details about Mr Yang or the contents of our consular discussions with Mr Yang."

The Chinese-Australian author and democracy advocate, whose pen name is Yang Hengjun, was detained shortly after he made a rare return to China from the United States last week.

Beijing state security took "compulsory measures" against Yang, who is suspected of "engaging in criminal activities that endanger China's national security", China's foreign ministry said Thursday.

His detention comes amid heightened tensions between Western countries and an increasingly muscular Beijing, which detained two Canadians last month amid a diplomatic row with Ottawa.

Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told reporters on Friday that Yang never worked for the foreign ministry, contrary to media reports.

- Rising tensions -

Yang left mainland China for Hong Kong in 1992 and became an Australian citizen in 2000.

According to Yang's lawyer Mo Shaoping, the detained Australian national is under residential surveillance.

National security accusations like those levied against Yang often imply espionage allegations in China, and are similar to those made against the two Canadians who were detained in December, former diplomat Michael Kovrig and businessman Michael Spavor.

The two were taken after Meng Wanzhou, a top executive at Chinese tech giant Huawei, was arrested in Canada at the behest of a US extradition request linked to violations of Iran sanctions.

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Her extradition hearing is expected to start in February.

Tensions between China and Australia have also been strained in recent months.

Australia banned Huawei from participating in its 5G network in August over security fears. The United States and New Zealand have taken similar steps.

Canberra has demanded that Yang be treated "fairly and transparently" and has complained was notified four days after the detention, instead of three days as required.

This is not the first time that Yang has disappeared in China -- he went missing during a 2011 trip but resurfaced days later describing his disappearance as a "misunderstanding."

Days after Yang's arrest, Vietnamese-Australian pro-democracy activist Chau Van Kham was detained in Vietnam by security services on his return to Ho Chi Minh city. Australia said Friday that it was seeking consular access.
You might still be writing 2018 instead of 2019, but for Starbucks, the new year began Oct. 1.

That gave the coffee giant a running start which included such news as the opening in October its first ever store staffed by workers who are partially or fully deaf and can communicate in American Sign Language, installing syringe disposal boxes and plans to put in anti-porn filters for customers using in-store WiFi.

But what about the key menu item Starbucks sells, drinks? According to the company, which released its first-quarter earnings on Thursday, the holiday season offerings had "positive customer reception."

Its beverages included the new Juniper Latte as well as Peppermint Mocha, Caramel Brulee Latte, Chestnut Praline Latte, Gingerbread Latte, Eggnog Latte and tuxedo-themed Black and White Hot Cocoa, Black and White Mocha and Black and White Frappuccino.

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But that season is over for everyone  regardless of how your calendar looks like  so here's a look at what's coming in the future.

Be a barista

This spring, Starbucks is coming to your home and office, the company announced Thursday.

Its drinks will join Nestles Nespresso and Dolce Gusto single-serve capsule systems. Included are the Starbucks, Seattles Best Coffee, Teavana, Starbucks VIA Instant and Torrefazione Italia packaged coffee and tea as well as Starbucks-branded K-Cup pods.

This move is the result of Nestles paying $7.15 billion for the right to sell and market these products at supermarkets and other stores. The deal closed in August.

Delivery is here

Don't want to make your own coffee? No problem. On Tuesday, Starbucks started offering in San Francisco through Uber Eats and it plans to roll it out in Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York and Washington, D.C., in the coming weeks, with a trial also slated for London soon.

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The coffee giant began testing delivery in Miami this past fall.

"Our partnership with Uber Eats is gaining momentum," CEO Kevin Johnson said during the analyst call on Thursday.

Delivery orders are charged a $2.49 fee, the company said. You're supposed to get your drink and food order within a half hour.

"It is somewhat of an open question how much demand there exists in the U.S. for this service," John Zolidis, president of Quo Vadis Capital, wrote in a note to investors, but added that delivery could drive sales and growth membership in the chain's customer loyalty program as well as increase use of the company's mobile-order-and-pay system.

Brrrr!

Starbucks said Thursday that customers are continuing to embrace its many cold beverages  iced espresso, draft Nitro beverages and refreshers, which are fruity cold drinks  all day long.

"The cold platform does extremely well for us," COO Roz Brewer said during Thursday's call.

That's not all the Nitro news. Starbucks plans to sell those drinks  so-named due to the infusion of nitrogen  in all its U.S. company-owned stores by the end of fiscal year 2019, Sept. 30. In the first quarter of fiscal year 2019, which ended Dec. 31, Nitro expanded from one-third of those stores to 40 percent.

Expanding Cold Brew Nitro is one of several reasons RBC Capital Markets analyst David Palmer said he's expecting U.S. acceleration through fiscal year 2019. Other initiatives he cited include delivery, a sharper focus on beverage innovation and more effective marketing outside of the My Starbucks Rewards loyalty program.

Follow USA TODAY reporter Zlati Meyer on Twitter: @ZlatiMeyer

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Here's what's brewing at Starbucks over the next year
At a time when the average person compulsively records, shares, and archives images and video of the mundane trivialities they experience in their day-to-day lives, it can be hard  emotionally, if not intellectually  to accept that most of our species defining moments have been lost like tears in the rain. The world has access to more footage of an adorable panda being startled by a sneeze than it does of the entire Roman Empire, and thats just the way things are.

History books and homework will always be there to remind us of what happened once upon a time, but the past is only getting harder to believe without documentary evidence, and even the present is starting to come under question; it used to be pics or it didnt happen, and now its maybe those kids in the MAGA hats were just trying to peacefully express their cultural beliefs. When people can no longer believe their eyes, it seems foolish to assume that theyll continue to believe something theyve only read about or seen recreated. It seems even more unlikely that theyll be able to understand what that history cost, or be inspired to build upon it.

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This puts something like the moon-landing, an earth-shaking event that came after the advent of the moving image, but prior to its complete ubiquity, in a strange middle ground (Peter Jacksons They Shall Not Grow Old located World War I in that same void). We all believe that it happened (well, most of us do anyway), and images of its success are among the most iconic ever taken. There are countless documentaries about it, and a woefully under-appreciated Hollywood biopic that excavates astronaut Neil Armstrongs inner life with clinical precision. When this critic was a kid, he met a drunk Buzz Aldrin at a Utah bar and grill. This history is right behind us, still close enough to reach back and touch, and yet  without having seen it for ourselves with the clarity and immediacy thats baked into even the most frivolous Instagram Story  it feels just a bit unreal. Not fictitious, but rather too dryly factual; we know what happened in the summer of 1969, but a growing number of generations cant access the true awe of the launch, or appreciate how that one giant leap for all mankind made the dreams of an entire planet seem possible.

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Read More:Sundance 2019: The Most Anticipated LGBTQ Films and Projects Heading to Park City

There are passages  utterly astonishing passages  of Todd Douglas Millers Apollo 11 that might change that forever; change that for the people who were alive to watch history being made on their fuzzy television sets, and for their millennial children who were born two or three decades later, and for anyone who comes after us. Entirely comprised of pristine, unprocessed, never-before-seen 65mm footage that was recently discovered in the depths of the National Archives (alongside 11,000 hours of uncatalogued NASA audio recordings), the film is as much a documentary as it is a bonafide public service. Upon realizing that theyd hit the motherlode, Miller and his team set about digitizing the raw material in a way that would make it seem as clear and present as the world in front of your face. Mission accomplished: The resulting transfer, created in a custom scanner capable of resolutions up to 8K, is (in the filmmakers words) the highest quality digital collection of Apollo 11 footage in existence.

Honestly, Miller is selling it short. Its one thing to boast about the specs of these images, and quite another to see the spruced up footage for yourself. Its rare that picture quality can inspire a physical reaction, but the opening moments of Apollo 11, in which a NASA camera crew roams around the base of the rocket and spies on some of the people whove come to gawk at it from a beach across the water, are vivid enough to melt away the screen that stands between them. The clarity takes your breath away, and it does so in the blink of an eye; your body will react to it before your brain has time to process why, after a lifetime of casual interest, youre suddenly overcome by the sheer enormity of what it meant to leave the Earth and land somewhere else. By tricking you at a base sensory level into seeing the past as though it were the present, Miller cuts away the 50 years that have come between the two, like a heart surgeon who cuts away a dangerous clot so that the blood can flow again. Such perfect verisimilitude is impossible to fake. It took Damien Chazelles First Man a long time to make audiences forget they knew how this story ends; Apollo 11 accomplishes that same feat in milliseconds.

This elegant footage was shot by a professional crew who understood the grandeur of what they were capturing, but it almost doesnt matter where their cameras were pointing. Anodyne wide shots of distant onlookers and uneventful frames of the rocket poking its head into the Kodachrome sky are every bit as magical as the footage of the launch itself, or the scores of suit-and-tie NASA scientists making things go from inside Mission Control (this is where the new audio comes in handy, as Miller is able to sync the chatter to the action for the first time, and humanize this moment of history by sharing the nerves and camaraderie that went into it behind the scenes).

Miller doesnt belabor the political impetus of beating the Russians to the Moon, but it wouldnt matter if he did; these images so lucidly relate the ambition of Apollo 11 and the collaboration it required that everything else seems petty in comparison. For a brief moment, as the countdown plummets towards zero and those massive volcanic engines begin to erupt, you truly believe that people can achieve extraordinary things when they put their minds together. Thats almost as much of an accomplishment in 2019 as going to the Moon was in 1969.

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And then, after 25 minutes or so, Armstrong and his crew lift into orbit and Apollo 11 loses much of its luster. Their journey across the stars is sensationally exciting, and the moon landing itself is full of tension (as no one who saw First Man needs to be reminded), but its hard to shoot riveting footage in outer space. The remote-controlled NASA cameras mounted to the various modules lack the warmth and discretion of the cameraman who filmed the launch, and Miller is forced to cut between a mess of awkward angles that are only interesting because they show us what no human eye was able to see. The abstractions that creates  and the rudimentary diagrams that Miller uses to fill the gaps between the good stuff of the astronauts palling around  are counterintuitive for a documentary that derives its power and value from its clarity.

Miller finds a way to make the landing sequence feel unique, and video of the first moon landing will always be mind-blowing no matter the mitigating circumstances (its still hard to wrap your head around the President calling someone on the Moon, even if its President Nixon). But these images, which were never clear and never will be, are only a fraction as powerful as the earthbound ones that Miller has managed to rescue from oblivion. Theyre a testament to our creative imagination more than anything else, as they reinforce just how accurately Chazelle and other filmmakers have been able to recreate the reality of what happened (its wild how much Matt Mortons period-appropriate score echoes the one that Justin Hurwitz wrote for First Man, the residual energy of the Apollo 11 mission inspiring similar music from two artists who werent alive when that history was made).

Of course, theres nothing like the real thing, and Apollo 11 is able to show it to us as if for the first time. Its only a little while before this starts to feel like just another documentary, but even a short-lived miracle goes a long way. Its still enough to make you believe in the impossible. If we can see the past this clearly, perhaps thats reason enough to hope for a better perspective of the future.

Grade: B

Apollo 11 premiered at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival. Neon will release it later this year.
American Express Co. AXP has revamped benefits and rewards on its Marriott International Cobranded Consumer and Business Credit Cards. The cards will provide additional benefits, rich offers and have a new design.

The refurbishment of the credit card involves replacement of the travel programs three current loyalty brands, Starwood Preferred Guest, Marriott Rewards and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards with Marriotts new loyalty brand, Marriott Bonvoy. This will be put into effect on Feb 13, 2019. This movewill strengthen American Express 50-year-long ties with Marriott International.

The recent announcement shows the companys concerted efforts to provide enhanced benefits to customers in order to retain existing and draw new ones, in a highly competitive payments market.

Last month, American Express revamped benefits and rewards on its Hilton co-branded credit cards. It is the sole issuer of Hilton co-branded cards. The company also issues co-branded credit cards in collaboration with Delta Air Lines.

American Express growing relationships with Hilton, Delta Air and Marriott, poise it well for growth, especially after it lost Costco in 2016, one of its major client. Since then the company took a number of growth initiatives such as roll out of new products, enhancements of features on existing ones, changes to pricing, which are paying off evident from an increase in card fees from past many quarters.

We are optimistic about the companys revenue growth going forward given its strong brand, continued efforts toward building business in new growth verticals, shift toward digital, focus on strategic initiatives.

However, the cost associated with the services provided by American Express cards such as airport lounge access and other travel benefits has caused an increase in cost of card member service. The same has been increasing over the past four years, reflecting higher engagement levels across its premium travel services. We expect cost of card member services to stay at elevated levels as the company continues to offer differentiated benefits and plans to continually to invest in Card Member Services.

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In a years time the stock has gained 1.93% ompared with the industrys decline of 21%.

American Express carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Some better-ranked stocks worth considering in the same space are Federated National Holding Company FNHC, On Deck Capital, Inc. ONDK and Green Dot Corporation GDOT. Each of these stocks carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) and has surpassed estimates in four reported quarters with an average positive surprise of 44.9%, 109.47% and 18.4%, respectively.

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Zacks Investment Research
David Axe

Security,

Thanks to Russia, China and many others.

America's Spies Warn: Space Is Getting a Lot More Dangerous

Russia and China are developing space weapons that could pose a serious threat to the United States' own satellites. Equally worrying for U.S. spies and planners, space technology is becoming so cheap -- and so powerful -- that poorer countries and potentially even non-state actors also could get their hands on orbital weaponry.

That's one conclusion in the 2019 edition of the U.S. intelligence community's strategy report . "The strategic environment is changing rapidly, and the United States faces an increasingly complex and uncertain world in which threats are becoming ever more diverse and interconnected," the report warns.

The U.S. intelligence community includes 17 agencies, most notably the CIA, the military's Defense Intelligence Agency, the signals-eavesdropping National Security Agency and the satellite-operating National Reconnaissance Agency. As a group, the agencies worry about space.

"Our adversaries are increasingly leveraging rapid advances in technology to pose new and evolving threats  particularly in the realm of space, cyberspace, computing and other emerging, disruptive technologies," the report notes. "Technological advances will enable a wider range of actors to acquire sophisticated capabilities that were previously available only to well-resourced states."

"Many aspects of modern societyto include our ability to conduct military operationsrely on our access to and equipment in space," the intelligence community pointed out in its report.

"No longer a solely U.S. domain, the democratization of space poses significant challenges for the United States and the I.C. Adversaries are increasing their presence in this domain with plans to reach or exceed parity in some areas. For example, Russia and China will continue to pursue a full range of anti-satellite weapons as a means to reduce U.S. military effectiveness and overall security."

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In addition to ground-based jammers, lasers and rockets that can mute, blind and destroy low-flying satellites, Moscow and Beijing are working on small, maneuverable satellites that can tamper with American spacecraft.

Between 2013 and 2015, the Russian government launched several mysterious satellites into low orbit. Zipping across orbital planes hundreds of thousands of feet above Earth, the nimble little Kosmos-2491, -2499 and -2504 spacecraft  which apparently were the size of mini-refrigerators -- were able to approach within just a few feet of other satellites.

"You can probably equip them with lasers, maybe put some explosives on them, Anatoly Zak, a space historian, said of the Kosmos triplets. If [one] comes very close to some military satellite, it probably can do some harm."

In June 2016, the Chinese space agency launched its Roaming Dragon satellite into low orbit. Officially, Roaming Dragon is a space-junk collector. Its job, according to Beijing, was to pluck old spacecraft and other debris from Earths orbit and safely plunge them back to the planets surface.

But the Roaming Dragons designspecifically, its maneuverability and its nimble, extendable robotic armmeant it could also function as a weapon, zooming close to and dismantling satellites belonging to rival countries.

Russia and China aren't alone in deploying these weaponizable spacecraft. The United States, Sweden and Japan also have tested maneuvering satellites that could perform the close-flying tricks that the new Russian and Chinese craft apparently were capable of doing. But Moscow and Beijing are deploying these potential space weapons in greater numbers than other countries are doing.

Equally troubling for the Pentagon, civilian space operators now can acquire weapons, too. In early 2018 British company has announced plans to launch two new "space tugs" designed to attach to old communications satellites and give them a life-extending boost in orbit.

But the Space Drone tugs, built by London-based Effective Space, are capable of so much more. Under the right circumstances, theyand spacecraft like themcould become weapons.

The 800-pound, cube-shape Space Drone is essentially an orbital tugboat. The spacecraft features a docking system and a small motor. A Space Drone can maneuver close to an aging satellite thats slowly falling back to Earth, attach to it, fire up its own motor, and shove the comms sat back into its proper place.

Instead of boosting old but still active satellites, the Space Drones could attach themselves to orbital debriswhich poses a collision risk to active satellitesand direct the junk into Earths atmosphere to burn up. Theres no reason a Space Drone couldnt do the same thing to an active satellite, in essence hijacking it and sending it falling to its destruction.

"There is of course a potential that certain regimes will find such technology abusively interesting," said Daniel Campbell, the managing director of Effective Space. He compared the Space Drone to autonomous cars, lasers, drugs and software 'bots, all technologies with the "potential to be abused."

"Increasing commercialization of space now provides capabilities that were once limited to global powers to anyone that can afford to buy them," the intelligence community warned in its report.

"While the I.C. remains focused on confronting a number of conventional challenges to U.S. national security posed by our adversaries, advances in technology are driving evolutionary and revolutionary change across multiple fronts."

"The I.C. will have to become more agile, innovative and resilient to deal effectively with these threats and the ever more volatile world that shapes them."

David Axe serves as the new Defense Editor of the National Interest. He is the author of the graphic novels War Fix, War Is Boring and Machete Squad.

Read full article
The Daily Beast

Photo Illustration by The Daily Beast/Photos via GettyMyPillow CEO Mike Lindells charity and business combo venture to make and sell COVID-19 masks has cost him millions of dollars, according to the increasingly far-right conservative figure.Today his company is sitting on millions of unsold face coverings, which he now despises and wants to burn.I cant give them away, Lindell told The Daily Beast in a phone interview this week. I tried to. No one wants the things anymore.Lindell, who clai
London (AFP) - Airbus chief Tom Enders on Thursday warned the European aerospace giant could make "very harmful decisions" for Britain if it leaves the European Union without a deal, while Ford said it could cost them $800 million.

Enders branded the government's handling of Brexit a "disgrace" and suggested 14,000 jobs at its sites designing and manufacturing wings at Filton in southwest England and Broughton in north Wales were under threat.

"If there is a no-deal Brexit, we at Airbus will have to make potentially very harmful decisions for the UK," Enders warned in a video published on the group's website.

US car giant Ford later warned that a no-deal scenario "would severely impact Ford's operations in the UK and across Europe, which potentially could result in an $800 million headwind in 2019," it said.

It blamed "border friction, deteriorating economic outlook, coupled with likely further sterling devaluation, and the introduction of WTO tariffs".

Fellow carmaker Jaguar Land Rover also said in a statement it would pause production in Britain for a week after the March 29 departure date "due to potential Brexit disruption," whatever the outcome.

- 'It is a disgrace' -

Airbus, which has repeatedly warned Brexit could mean pulling investment out of Britain, also expressed deep frustration at Prime Minister Theresa May's strategy.

"It is a disgrace that more than two years after the result of the 2016 referendum, businesses are still unable to plan properly for the future," Enders said.

"We still have no idea what is really going on here."

The multinational giant's relationship with the EU has itself been under scrutiny recently.

The World Trade Organization last year ruled the firm received improper subsidies from the bloc after the United States argued it had given $22 billion in state aid to help launch the A380 and A350 jets.

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Katherine Bennett, senior vice president of Airbus in the UK, later told Sky News that the British government had asked the firm to "make clear the potential impact of a no deal" and "we're happy to do that."

British lawmakers last week roundly rejected the divorce terms May agreed with Brussels, raising fresh fears with just 10 weeks to go that Britain could crash out with no deal.

Bank of England chief Mark Carney told the World Economic Forum in Davos that there were still "serious logistical issues" to be solved in the event of a no-deal exit.

"Businesses are doing what they can, but in many cases they can't do it," he said.

IMF chief Christine Lagarde also weighed in, telling French radio RTL that a no-deal would be a "catastrophe" which could lead to the "disappearance of entire business sectors" in Britain.

May has promised a debate and votes on the way forward on January 29, with MPs mulling a long list of options including a second referendum or delaying the March 29 divorce date.

She has rejected demands to rule out a no-deal scenario, saying that this can only be avoided by agreeing a deal or delaying Brexit, which she says she does not plan to do.

However, her finance minister, Philip Hammond, gave a slightly different message in Davos at the World Economic Forum.

"Not leaving would be seen as a betrayal of that referendum decision," he said.

"But leaving without a deal would undermine our future prosperity, and would equally represent a betrayal of the promises that were made."

- 'Brexiteers' madness' -

Airbus's Enders meanwhile urged Britons not to listen to Brexit supporters who say that multinationals would not leave.

"Please don't listen to the Brexiteers' madness which asserts that, because we have huge plants here, we will not move and we will always be here," he said.

"Of course, it is not possible to pick up and move our large UK factories to other parts of the world immediately.

"However, aerospace is a long-term business and we could be forced to re-direct future investments in the event of a no-deal Brexit."

The Airbus warning caps a torrid week for corporate Britain after Japanese electronics titan Sony decided to switch its European headquarters to the Netherlands, while UK appliance maker Dyson revealed it would move its base to Singapore in 2019.

The Dutch government revealed Wednesday that officials are in contact with more than 250 companies about a possible post-Brexit move.
Today well evaluate Air New Zealand Limited (NZSE:AIR) to determine whether it could have potential as an investment idea. Specifically, well consider its Return On Capital Employed (ROCE), since that will give us an insight into how efficiently the business can generate profits from the capital it requires.

First, well go over how we calculate ROCE. Next, well compare it to others in its industry. And finally, well look at how its current liabilities are impacting its ROCE.

Return On Capital Employed (ROCE): What is it?

ROCE is a metric for evaluating how much pre-tax income (in percentage terms) a company earns on the capital invested in its business. Generally speaking a higher ROCE is better. In brief, it is a useful tool, but it is not without drawbacks. Renowned investment researcher Michael Mauboussin has suggested that a high ROCE can indicate that one dollar invested in the company generates value of more than one dollar.

How Do You Calculate Return On Capital Employed?

The formula for calculating the return on capital employed is:

Return on Capital Employed = Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT)  (Total Assets  Current Liabilities)

Or for Air New Zealand:

0.11 = NZ$562m  (NZ$7.8b  NZ$2.7b) (Based on the trailing twelve months to June 2018.)

Therefore, Air New Zealand has an ROCE of 11%.

View our latest analysis for Air New Zealand

Does Air New Zealand Have A Good ROCE?

ROCE can be useful when making comparisons, such as between similar companies. We can see Air New Zealands ROCE is around the 12% average reported by the Airlines industry. Separate from Air New Zealands performance relative to its industry, its ROCE in absolute terms looks satisfactory, and it may be worth researching in more depth.

NZSE:AIR Last Perf January 25th 19

It is important to remember that ROCE shows past performance, and is not necessarily predictive. Companies in cyclical industries can be difficult to understand using ROCE, as returns typically look high during boom times, and low during busts. ROCE is only a point-in-time measure. Future performance is what matters, and you can see analyst predictions in our free report on analyst forecasts for the company.

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How Air New Zealands Current Liabilities Impact Its ROCE

Short term (or current) liabilities, are things like supplier invoices, overdrafts, or tax bills that need to be paid within 12 months. The ROCE equation subtracts current liabilities from capital employed, so a company with a lot of current liabilities appears to have less capital employed, and a higher ROCE than otherwise. To counter this, investors can check if a company has high current liabilities relative to total assets.

Air New Zealand has total assets of NZ$7.8b and current liabilities of NZ$2.7b. As a result, its current liabilities are equal to approximately 34% of its total assets. With this level of current liabilities, Air New Zealands ROCE is boosted somewhat.

The Bottom Line On Air New Zealands ROCE

While its ROCE looks good, its worth remembering that the current liabilities are making the business look better. Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking at a few good candidates. So take a peek at this free list of companies with modest (or no) debt, trading on a P/E below 20.

If you are like me, then you will not want to miss this free list of growing companies that insiders are buying.

To help readers see past the short term volatility of the financial market, we aim to bring you a long-term focused research analysis purely driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis does not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements.



The author is an independent contributor and at the time of publication had no position in the stocks mentioned. For errors that warrant correction please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com.
Davos (Switzerland) (AFP) - Activists are criticising the World Economic Forum for allowing a large Saudi presence in Davos this week without devoting time to the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

The Saudi presence "is deeply distressing", Amnesty International chief Kumi Naidoo told AFP on the sidelines of the annual meeting of the global elite in the Swiss Alps.

The WEF's annual meeting, he said, comes "literally months after one of the most atrocious violations we have ever seen against the journalistic community".

Khashoggi, a Washington Post contributor, was murdered on October 2 in Turkey in what Saudi Arabia called a "rogue" operation, tipping the kingdom into one of its worst diplomatic crises.

As part of the backlash, Saudi Arabia in October faced a widespread boycott by international leaders and business executives of an investment forum.

That meeting was widely dubbed "Davos in the desert", although there was no link to the WEF itself.

In the real Davos this week, Saudi Arabia's finance and economy ministers are among those participating in the official programme, alongside executives from a range of companies, including oil giant Saudi Aramco.

On arrival at the WEF Congress Centre, delegates are met with massive banners urging businesses to "Invest Saudi: The Future-Forward Economy."

- 'Move forward'? -

The two ministers took part in a panel Thursday in which Patrick Pouyanne, the head of French energy company Total, defended his choice to attend the October event in Riyadh, and suggested it was time to move on from the Khashoggi case.

The murder, he said, "was unacceptable of course... but let's look more positively to the future and how to move forward".

Swiss President Ueli Maurer meanwhile told domestic news agency SDA that his country had already moved forward.

"We have long ago put the Khashoggi case behind us.... We have agreed that we should continue our financial dialogue and normalise relations," said Maurer, who met with Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan in Davos.

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Campaigners, however, are not moving on.

Amnesty's Naidoo said there is "not one single session focused on Khashoggi himself (at the WEF)".

The WEF programme this week did include two sessions that touched on threats against journalists, including one called "Media Freedom in Crisis", including the executive editor of the Washington Post Martin Baron, in which the Khashoggi case was discussed among other issues.

But Naidoo, who also participated on that panel, said it was not enough.

"We cannot go on allowing a culture of impunity to thrive," he said.

"When institutions like the World Economic Forum fail to stand up and speak out, they become complicit."

Approached for comment, the WEF did not specifically address the concerns of such activists.

A WEF spokesman told AFP in an email: "An official delegation from Saudi Arabia including five cabinet ministers are here in Davos, engaging in dialogue centred on global, regional and industrial agendas."

Kenneth Roth, the head of Human Rights Watch, said the Khashoggi case was "not an active conversation in the hallways of Davos".

"It is classic WEF not to make it an official topic of conversation," he told AFP, but stressed the issue "is not going to go away".

Roth, however, sought to draw a line between the Saudi people and the country's youthful leader, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has been accused of complicity in the murder.

"It is not the Saudi Arabian people who ordered Khashoggi murdered. It is a particular government and a particular leader," Roth alleged.

"I think the real question now is who gave the command... (which) is not the kind of thing that can be resolved in the halls of Davos," he said, reiterating a call for the UN to launch a formal investigation.
Posted by Mark Williams | January 25, 2019

It's official: Ford is planning on adding a smaller, car-based pickup truck to its four-truck lineup; in terms of size and capability, the new truck will slot beneath the all-new 2019 Ford Ranger.

Related: Will Ford Bring Back the Courier? Renault Pickup Spied

According to Automotive News (subscription required), Ford President of Global Markets Jim Farley said there will be a cheaper, smaller pickup truck that will serve as the entry-level vehicle for Ford's pickup lineup. Farley spoke at the Deutsche Bank Global Auto Industry Conference in Detroit, where he also noted that the F Series (which we think is code for the Ford F-150) will get a full-electric powertrain at some point in the near future. Having a small pickup, likely based off a modified global Ford Focus platform, would be a natural choice for a hybrid and full electric powertrain.

Ford produced the Courier compact pickup (the progenitor of the current Ford Ranger) for decades going back to the 1950s, as well as Ford Fiesta-based models in both Europe and Brazil. Ford also built a Mazda-based Courier through the 1970s and 1980s until it offered its own Ranger (that it shared with Mazda in the form of the Mazda B-Series) for North America.

Given that mid-size pickups have grown in length and height (in most cases as large as half-ton pickups from just 20 years ago) during the last two decades, we think it makes sense to offer a smaller, value-oriented, entry-level option for those who want or need a downsized work truck. Rumors have also circulated about Ram adding a small player to this class, possibly using the Fiat Strada coupe as the platform.

Manufacturer images; KGP Photography




Now both 20, Daniela Orlando and Joanna Valencia were born in the same hospital in Caracas, Venezuela, as the late Hugo Chavezs chaotic presidency and crippling socialist reforms began.

But the two didnt meet until they joined the University of Miami's Union Venezolana (UNIVEN), an organization that raises awareness about Venezuela and has united its two student leaders over love of homeland and a wish to see the reign of Chavezs anointed successor, Nicolas Maduro, end.

On Thursday, they joined Venezuelans near and far in welcoming the extraordinary events that began Wednesday when Juan Guaido, the head of the National Assembly, declared himself interim president and Maduros widely disputed 2018 reelection illegitimate. A succession of world powers, including the United States, quickly recognized Guaido as the beleaguered nations rightful interim leader, setting in motion a plan pushed by Floridas U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, a UM alumnus, to oust Maduro and create a caretaker government until free and fair elections can be held.

Weve been here before. But its never been like this, said Orlando, a junior majoring in motion pictures and president of UNIVEN, which has more than 100 student members. We actually have support this time. We are not alone.

Added Valencia, UNIVENs vice president and a senior majoring in health sciences, In the past, a president would come out, say how unfair things are in Venezuela and then go back to their business. But now I think its just reached a point where you cant ignore it.

As UM President Julio Fenk noted in a message, sustained international engagement will play a crucial role as Venezuelans strive to find a path to the restoration of democracy. "Indeed," the president wrote, "as the Hemispheric University, we join the chorus of voices in the region and around the worldincluding Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, the European Union, France, Germany, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, the United States, and the United Kingdomcalling for a free future in Venezuela."



Gelys Chacin, a former lawyer in Venezuela who works in UMs Office of the Registrar and continues to promote the human rights of Venezuelas political prisoners, is buoyed by the response to Guaidos brave declaration, both inside and outside her homeland.

I have hope because this time it is different, said Chacin, who fled what she called the destruction and misery of the Chavez regime with her husband and two daughters in 2002. We now have a young member of the National Assembly who has the same values that all of us Venezuelans have. What we want is freedom, justice, and, above all, a true democracy.

Chacin said Guaido gathered popular support by holding small forums throughout the country and listening to the concerns of citizens. Residents of poor neighborhoods who had ardently supported Chavez and his successor are no longer supporting Maduro, she said.

There is a lot of hunger and misery in Venezuela, said Chacin, noting that, unlike demonstrations of the past, many of the hundreds of thousands who took to the streets this week calling for free and fair elections come from poor neighborhoods.

Coupled with the international response, it is the pervasive hunger and misery across Venezuela that UMs Michael Touchton, assistant professor of political science and a veteran Venezuela-watcher, believes could soften Maduros stranglehold on the military and lead to his ouster. As Touchton notes, oil-rich Venezuela has been in crisis for years, and the military rank and file understands the crisis is due to the Chavez and Maduro reforms that left the economy in shambles, driving out investors and more than 3 million Venezuelans, about 300,000 who took their wealth to South Florida.

Maduro hasnt stepped down or given any indication that he is going to give up any authority, in which case Guaido is interim president in name onlyat least in Venezuela, said Touchton, who credits Rubio for President Donald Trumps prompt action supporting the interim leader. But outside Venezuela it could set in motion this chain of events that could lead to his removal from office or perhaps stepping down under threat of removal.

If the military withdraws its support from Maduro, which Touchton cautions is a big if, and transfers it to Guaido as interim president to support free and fair elections, then Maduro could be forced to step down. Even if the military wants to hold on to power, and their leaders want to plunder the treasury with Maduros help, your average lieutenant commanding a squadron of troops might not feel so inclined to open fire on starving unarmed protesters, Touchton said.

Given the ever-deteriorating conditions in his homeland, Dr. Hermes Florez, professor of public health sciences and division chief of epidemiology and population health at the Miller School of Medicine, felt compelled to move his ailing parents from Venezuela to neighboring Colombia. He also stopped visiting his homeland three years ago due to safety concerns. But the anguish he has felt for so long is now tinged with guarded optimism for a new future, and better health care for the millions of Venezuelans who have gone without for so long.

With this new president, hopefully things will change so that health experts will be authorized to get into Venezuela to take medications, vaccines, and supplies, said Florez, who still knows there is a long road ahead before he and his wife can return to Venezuela.



This is a journey, he said. We are hopeful that things will get better, but I dont think its going to be a quick change. Even if Guaido is supported, we need a cleaning process in the government, but at least the major needs of food and health care will improve.

At the Miami Business School, Cecilia Sanchez, executive assistant to Dean John Quelch, was following the riveting news from Venezuela very closely and thinking about her own troubled homeland of Nicaragua. She believes that if Maduros government falls, the repressive government of Nicaraguas Daniel Ortega could be next.

Here I sit hoping the military will support the people of Venezuela and turn on the illegitimate regime, she said.

Reported by Barbara Gutierrez, Ashley A. Williams, Janette Neuwahl Tannen, Megan Ondrizek, and Maya BellUM News
Ozarks Area Community Action Corporation (OACAC) in Webster County joined other area organizations to discuss the impact of the government shutdown and look into possible solutions for funding during the Non-Profit and Community Partnership Shutdown Impact Collaborative Meeting on Thursday at the Midtown Carnegie Library in Springfield.
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The scientific community established that 84 percent of all wildfires are caused by human activity. Vineyards and wineries with their tasting rooms and events in the hillsides invite such activity. The cigarette butts along Soda Canyon Road are enough to convince any doubter how inappropriately dangerous such development is. Mr. Smith failed to include this parameter in his science.

Fourth, Mr. Smith argues that the absence of pesticides in the Napa River (if true) is scientific proof that pesticide use at hillside vineyards is harmless. Yet, scientific inquiry would ask the question that if they are being used, how do they simply disappear? The truth is that they end up in the water table, and from there, in all of us.

Mr. Smithers is being castigated by Mr. Smith as irresponsible -- even demanding that he issue an apology to the wine industry -- for suggesting that the use of pesticides such as Roundup (containing Glyphosate) is responsible for Napa Valley's highest cancer incidents for children and second in adults in California.

I hope Mr. Smith did not hold Bayer AG (Monsanto's parent company) stock. Its price plummeted more that 10 percent in August 2018 following the California Superior Court in San Francisco County $289 million award to a former school groundskeeper for developing non-Hodgkin's lymphoma due to his exposure to Roundup.
Not many Californians younger than age 60 can recall just who the 71-year-old Bobby Beausoleil is and what evils he did back in his youth.

But the onetime Charles Manson Family member will now provide a first test of how new Gov. Gavin Newsom will treat parolees for the most heinous criminals among Californias prison population.

Its almost impossible that Newsom, born in late 1967, could personally remember the Manson Family murder spree of the summer of 1969. The then-toddler Newsom resided hundreds of miles away at the time, unlike predecessor Jerry Brown, who lived in the Laurel Canyon section of Los Angeles and likely felt the same fears as other Angelenos after the Mansons brutal Sharon Tate murders two canyons to the west.

Its an open question whether an old crime like this could have the same impact on him that Browns memories did on his actions and words.

Because the state Parole Board only days before Newsoms inauguration granted Beausoleils 19th request for prison release, Newsom now faces a choice that could cost some of the popularity that gave him a 62-38 percent election margin last fall.

Its hard to find a killer more brutal than Beausoleil or one more manipulable by another criminal plotter.
Thousands of people who lost their homes and much of what made up their lives to the Tubbs fire withstood another blow Thursday when they learned that Cal Fire has cleared PG&E of responsibility for the catastrophic blaze.

Tubbs fire victims were strongly represented among those suing the utility giant in the wake of the October 2017 firestorm, when at least 18 major fires swept across Northern California, scorching 137 square miles of Sonoma County.

All those fires have since been attributed by the state to PG&E power equipment save one the Tubbs, the most devastating and deadly. Investigators have pointed in that case to private electrical equipment on a Calistoga-area property owned by a 91-year-old Riverside woman and looked after by a local caretaker.

Many plaintiffs fear the new report puts millions of dollars in potential legal awards out of reach. Even more, they worry PG&E will not be pressed to make the investments necessary to ensure that no such wildfire can result from their utility equipment.
The proposal points out that wildlife viewing in California has become a larger source of income than fur trapping. It argues that since individual trappers concentrate their operations in limited geographical areas, they run the risk of depleting targeted species in those areas. Depletion of those species could impair an areas ecology and diminish opportunities for wildlife viewing, the bill says.

The minimal revenue generated by the sale of furs of the animals killed by trappers is dwarfed by the millions of dollars that wildlife watching generates in the California economy, Gonzalez-Fletcher said.

A total of 68 trappers reported killing 1,568 animals statewide in 2017, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Among the 10 species reported taken were coyote, gray fox, beaver, badger and mink. Reported capture rates that year were highest for coyotes, followed by gray foxes, officials said.

Of the animals lawfully trapped and killed, 1,241 were reported sold, generating an estimated $4,531 for trappers, or an average of $67 per trapper.

The price a trapper can get for a coyote pelt on the current world market is about $73, officials said; a gray fox pelt fetches roughly $11.86.
The billionaire inventor James Dyson, an ardent backer of Brexit, has decided to relocate his companys head office to Singapore in a blow to the U.K. government.

Dyson Ltd. has mushroomed in recent years, driven by a growing customer base in Asia. Known for vacuum cleaners and hand dryers, the firm has expanded into air purifiers and hair-care products, and embarked on a costly project to build an electric car by 2021.

Jim Rowan, Dysons chief executive officer, said in a call with reporters that the move to Singapore was not due to tax or fears of Brexit, but to the shift in the importance of the region to the company.

The announcement comes as the U.K. government scrambles to reassure businesses as uncertainty over Brexit continues. Singapore doesnt have a single car-manufacturing plant and is one of the costliest places in the world to buy an automobile, but is home to the planets second-largest container port and a manufacturing hub for high-technology products such as Rolls Royce Holdings Plc aircraft engines.

Dyson is the latest company to move its headquarters to the city state, which has free trade agreements with key trading partners such as the U.S. and the European Union. Singapore continues to attract businesses despite high costs partly because of increasing political uncertainty globally, says Song Seng Wun, an economist at CIMB Private Banking in Singapore.

Singapore is a sea of tranquility where policies are discussed with business leaders so you have consistency and clarity, he said. If youre going to sink in a lot of investment, youd better make sure there is visibility in your planning. Singapores hard and soft infrastructure also offsets the cost side, and makes it a value-added proposition for Dyson and others.

Roland Krueger, president of Infiniti Motor Company Ltd. and a former Nissan Motor Co. executive, is set to join Dyson in April to oversee the business.

Revenue at Dyson reached 4.4 billion pounds ($5.7 billion) for the year ended Dec. 31, up 28 percent, boosted by demand for new hair products. Revenue has increased 68 percent over the past two years, with over 50 percent of the companys profits stemming from Asia. Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. said in November that some of its top-selling products during its annual Singles Day event came from Dyson.

The move to Singapore wont involve big personnel changes. Rowan is already based in the city, while the chief financial officer and chief legal officer are set to move soon. The company employs close to 6,000 engineers and scientists, spread across Asia and its U.K. campus.

The U.K. cut its corporation tax rate to 19 percent in April 2017, and is set to reduce it to 17 percent in 2020. The current rate of corporate tax in Singapore is 17 percent, but there are numerous tax benefits, including plans to increase tax deductions for companies investing in research and development.

Dyson said Tuesday it will continue increasing R&D, with plans to double the size of its Singapore Technology Center, and to invest hundreds of millions of pounds in robotics. Dyson has also approached the U.K. government about a 350 million-pound expansion to its U.K. testing site.

Dyson is also continuing to roll out new products. The company is considering developing a wearable air purifier that could double as a pair of headphones, hoping to tap demand from pollution-choked cities in Asia, people with knowledge of the project said.

Now read: Tesla cuts thousands of jobs to face tough road ahead
Vodafone Group, which has a majority share in Vodacom, is suspending certain equipment purchases from Huawei in another setback for the Chinese technology giants growth ambitions.

Speaking to Bloomberg, Vodafone CEO Nick Read said there is a lot of noise around governments banning Huawei network equipment and the facts need to be established.

Vodafone is in talks with the company and various agencies and governments, following the pause on buying Huawei equipment for its core network.

Read added that banning Huawei equipment from broadband networks would have an impact on operators and create a significant delay in rolling out 5G.

The move follows continued pressure from the US to prevent the use of Huawei equipment in broadband and telecoms networks.

Impact on Vodacom

MyBroadband contacted Vodacom to find out if the Vodafone Huawei pause will impact its operations and use of Huawei equipment, and the company provided the following statement:

Against the backdrop of heightened political noise in Europe and wanting to make sure the industry is engaging in a fact-based discussion around this issue, Vodafone has decided to pause any new deployment of Huaweis 5G equipment in its core in Europe.

Reporting with Bloomberg
"Legislators who approved this bill may not be monsters, but this is a monstrous act that they should be held accountable to." "Legislators who approved this bill may not be monsters, but this is a monstrous act that they should be held accountable to."

A day after the House Committee on Justice swiftly approved House Bill No. 8858, the House of Representatives began the plenary debates on the proposed measure lowering criminal liability to nine years old. Under the existing law, Republic Act 9344, as amended, also known as the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006, a child 15 years of age or under at the time of the offense shall be exempt from criminal liability. However, the child shall be subjected to an intervention program. As approved, H.B. No. 8858 eventually lowered the age of criminal responsibility (deceptively rephrased to social responsibility): from 15 years old to 12 years old. If a counter bill is approved by the Senate, children from 12 years old to 17 years old will be deemed criminally liable for an offense if they acted with discernment. 2. If found by authorities to be dependent, abandoned, neglected or abused by the parents, the child will be placed in a youth care facility. 3. Children from 12 years old to 15 years old who commit specified serious crimes are deemed a neglected child and will be placed in a special facility within a youth care facility. 4. A child above 12 years old up to 18 who commits an offense for the second time or more and has been previously deemed a neglected child shall undergo an intensive intervention program supervised by the local social welfare and development officer. Understandably, the House move stirred a hornets nest of fear and disgust from various quarters. Opposition ranges from the argument that it is anti-poor to lack of relevant study that lowering the criminal age will prevent syndicates from exploiting children. Surely, any punitive measure that involves incarceration of children in conflict with the law as young as 12 years old is reprehensible. In an ideal setting, putting these 12-year-old criminals in a youth care facility is a feasible measure at crime prevention and rehabilitation. But the reality is that our penal system is too dysfunctional to provide for a rehabilitative and safe environment to youthful offenders, let alone 12-15-year-old children. Without a drastic improvement in our justice and penal system, chances are that these children will be subject to processes and criminal procedures that will most likely harm than improve their chances for reintegration into society. Given the chronic lack of facilities, these children will most likely be arrested, detained, tried, and finally incarcerated alongside adultsjust imagine the psychological and physical impact on their young minds and bodies after being exposed to abuse and the harsh environment of incarceration. Note that the State cannot even properly provide a fitting and appropriate detention cells for adult detainees who are now languishing in the squalor of overly congested prison cells. How on earth can it now guarantee that these youthful offenders will be given proper housing, let alone effective intervention programs and not just simply lump them together with adult criminals? It is curious that the proponents of H.B. 8858 argue that lowering the criminal liability is protecting these children from being used by ruthless and unscrupulous criminal syndicates to evade prosecution and punishment. First, majority of the children in conflict with law commit petty crimes such as vagrancy, petty theft, and the like. These are mostly status offenses mostly attributed to economic and social neglect. Even assuming these children are being used by criminal syndicates, the way to go is to penalize these syndicates and rehabilitate the children. The main argument why HB 8858 passed was supposedly because the current juvenile justice system is a dismal failure. R.A. 9344 may be a failure to many only because it was never given the chance to succeed. Like most laws in this country, there is no proper implementation of R.A. 9344. It must be emphasized that under the law, children under 15 who commit a crime do not go scot-free. As amended through RA 10630 which strengthened the Philippine juvenile justice system, there are provisions in the law that provide for assistance to children at risk and children in conflict with the law through prevention, intervention, diversion, and rehabilitation programs and reintegration into the community. Instead, of penalizing minor offenders, the better approach is to enhance the rehabilitative mechanisms of the Juvenile Justice and Welfare law and adopt measures for its full implementation.We must also bear in mind that the Philippines is a State Party to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and is bound by its letter and spirit that prohibits this approach to children in conflict with the law. In addition, lowering criminal responsibility to 12 years old from the current 15 is unconstitutional because it contravenes the constitutional provisions in the Bill of Rights on due process and equal protection of the laws, as well as those provisions that provide particular protection to youth and children such as Article II, Section 13 which provides that The State recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building and shall promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being. It shall inculcate in the youth patriotism and nationalism, and encourage their involvement in public and civic affairs. There is no scientific basis for saying that 12-year-old children are more mature than 10-year-old children. In fact, for me, the ideal age for criminal responsibility should be 18 years old when the child is fully emancipated. Under the Convention on the Rights of the Child, all persons under 18 are considered children and covered by the Convention. Fifteen years old is, for me, a compromise and the maximum those who love children can support. In sum, the approved Bill is still not acceptable. The lowering of the age is arbitrary and not based on scientific evidence; it is anti-children, anti-poor, heartless, and inhumane. I know personally many of the legislators who voted for HB 8858. Some of them are good people, certainly not the monsters that many have now been calling them. But they should know that this is a terrible decision they are making. They may not be monsters but this is a monstrous act that they should be held accountable to. We must make sure the Senate says no and does not approve a counterpart bill. We must make sure that we do not elect new senators who will allow such a monstrous and cruel policy to become the law of the land. Because what is at stake is the future of our children which is the future of this country, let this be a litmus test for me on whom we should vote for this May. I teach in many universities, including undergraduate students, law, masteral, and doctoral classes. Meeting 400 plus students, mostly young, a week from Manila to Cagayan de Oro gives me hope that our country will be fine. The young, and especially our children, are our greatest treasure. We must love them. We must protect them from all harm, and especially from a Congress who would turn them into criminals.
Stone was one of Trump's earliest political advisers, encouraging both his presidential runs. He briefly served on Trump's 2016 campaign, but was pushed out amid infighting with then-campaign manager Corey Lewandowski. Stone continued communicating with Trump on occasion and stayed plugged into the circle of advisers  both formal and informal  who worked with and around Trump.

According to the indictment, many of Stone's conversations during the campaign involved WikiLeaks. The indictment lays out in detail Stone's conversations about stolen Democratic emails posted by the group in the weeks before Trump, a Republican, beat Clinton. Mueller's office has said those emails, belonging to Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta, were hacked by Russian intelligence officers.

The document says that by June and July 2016, Stone had told senior Trump campaign officials that he had information indicating that WikiLeaks had obtained documents that could be damaging to Clinton's campaign.

After the July 22, 2016, WikiLeaks release of hacked emails from the Democratic National Committee, the indictment says a senior Trump campaign official "was directed" to contact Stone about additional releases and "what other damaging information" WikiLeaks had "regarding the Clinton campaign." The indictment does not name the official or say who directed the outreach to Stone.
MUSCATINE  Charges against a Davenport juvenile accused of kidnapping and robbery have been dismissed.

Taryn D. Moore, 17, was arrested Jan. 10 and charged with kidnapping in the first degree and robbery in the first degree following a Jan. 9 incident where a young man was found naked and injured in rural Muscatine County.

The motion to dismiss documents was filed Jan. 21 by Muscatine County Attorney Alan Ostergren.

"Since the filing of criminal charges, the victim has steadfastly endeavored to sabotage this prosecution," Ostergren wrote. "He has made statements on social media which are contradictory to his statements to law enforcement and the physical evidence. The victim has further made outlandish statements regarding his refusal to participate in the criminal justice process. As a result the state of Iowa believes that it cannot sustain this prosecution."

The Muscatine County Sheriff's Office received a call early Jan. 9 from a resident in the 1900 block of Ward Avenue, the motion revealed, reporting a young man on his porch, suffering from hypothermia and multiple injuries.
Chinese Proverb: No matter how far you go down the wrong road, it is never too late to turn around!

I am asked on a daily basis what is currently happening with Butte Superfund issues and in particular the cleanup and restoration of Silver Bow Creek and its corridor from Texas Avenue to Montana Street and through the Slag Canyon.

I believe that the current proposal is being designed and developed on the cheap! It absolutely does not meet the cleanup standards required under Superfund/state laws and the Montana Constitution. The proposal even requires substantially lowering of water discharge standards at the Headwaters of the Columbia and Clark Fork Rivers to complete the task! How crazy is that?

Sadly and unbelievably the state, EPA and the local government representatives, who developed the solution in closed-door secret sessions, are all solidly in support of this inadequate decision proposed by the Atlantic Richfield/British Petroleum Company. I disagree!

I believe, unless major changes are initiated, the current proposal is definitely not in the best interest in the future of our great town! Butte will not receive the quality cleanup and restoration the community deserves. Simply put Butte deserves better.
There is finally a real opportunity to develop this much-needed project in the right way and at the right time and in the right place, Morgan said. Montana can create a public-private partnership that can bring this vital project to completion. The state must look past the old ideas and realize the potential for placing the [treasure] of the Treasure State in the path of the public where it needs to be, and not in the background of the government, where it need not be.
It is now four years ago that I took this special image in the mountains of Montana. Back then, I didnt know the barman, I did not know the bar, I did not know the wolf and I did not know the pool player or the girl at the bar - we had just gone into the saloon to get warm and have a whisky. Now I know them all and count them as friends (except perhaps the wolf). I am flattered that the picture has gone on to be well known. It is a personal favourite.
A growing tower of huckleberries to Missoula International Airport for setting a new passenger record for the fifth year in a row. Clocking nearly 850,000 passengers last year, the airport saw an increase from 2017 of nearly 10 percent, even as it underwent significant construction projects and expanded air service. Cris Jensen, the airports director, noted that with the addition of American Airlines, we have seen increased competition in our market place which has brought lower airfares for our customers. And that's likely to lead to even higher passenger numbers this year.
Tester has also repeatedly said that the border can be secured with modern technology and manpower, much more affordably.

The bill also offered some short-term concessions for select immigrants, a move intended to leverage support by Democrats, but it didnt work.

The Senate had the opportunity today to reopen the government and get hundreds of thousands of people across this country back to work, Tester said. Instead, 800,000 hardworking folks, including 7,000 in Montana, will miss a second paycheck tomorrow. Too many of my colleagues are willing to give the administration a blank check for a border wall while leaving the very people who secure our borders, our airports, and our national parks out in the cold.

Earlier this month, Tester gave a fiery speech explaining his opposition to Trump's $5.7 billion wall request and calling for the shutdown to end.

The government has been partially shut down since late December when Congress failed to approve short-term funding to keep the government open into February. The division then, as it is now, was Trumps demand for $5.7 billion, intended to build roughly 200 miles of wall along the U.S. southern border.
"Why did he allow a private corporation to print our passports?"

It is most regrettable. All of a sudden, the hypocritical clerics have become deaf-mute about the surprisingly wholesale graft and corruption committed by their most faithful but equally hypocritical surrogate, B.S. Aquino. This fellow who became President in our seemingly God-forsaken republic has surpassed the record to consummate graft and corruption to a point of destroying the state which he, for a period in our history, stood as Chief Executive. Even if we take it that neoliberalism is now the new ideological mantra of the West and is blindly observed here by their local hirelings, they should have known that, in substance, their advocacy for privatization is not without any limitations. Privatization need not be defined or pointed out one by one or identified which social activity in our society should not be allocated to the private sector and which should be preserved as belonging to the people. Nonetheless, instinct tells us that aspects such as national security, welfare and taxation can never be subjugated to private persons or corporations. They form part of and stand as rationale for why this country exists as an independent Republic. Every citizen who proudly calls himself a Filipino knows that the Republic can never privatize its Armed Forces because wars are fought in the name of Motherland and not in the interest of private persons or corporations. Likewise, the State cannot relegate to private individuals and corporations the printing of our money, passports, land titles, documentary stands, enacted laws and other important documents without endangering our economy and security. To deprive the States of this rule is to deny it of its basic right to promote and maintain the welfare of our people, and to maintain social stability and order. The State is obligated to vigorously pursue economic development not just to achieve progress but to justify why it must continually collect taxes from the people and to maintain an economic equilibrium to bring about harmony in our society. But alas, the past administration the country elected a President who seemingly could not delineate the rights of individuals which essentially include their right to property, from the right of the state which is more concerned in promoting the commonweal. The Noynoy administration, it seems, could not distinguish what sphere in our government could be privatized and what should be maintained as state-owned to justify the existence of the Republic upon which he resides as President. Unfortunately, even people who claim to be in constant communication with the Divine Providence appear to be ignorant about this demarcation.I am writing this because I am deeply disturbed at the decision of former President Noynoy Aquino to nonchalantly award to a private corporation the printing of our passport, a security-risk function of the government that determines who, as its face value, are Filipino citizens and who are not. Even a student who has the consciousness of identifying himself as Filipino knows that it is totally absurd to consign the task of printing our passport to a private corporation; that if we cannot print our own passport, we might as well stop calling ourselves Filipinos and forget all about our status as an independent republic. I say this because Filipino passport holders are accorded and enjoy certain rights and privileges not otherwise accorded to aliens or non-Filipino passport holders. The awarding by the recklessly incompetent Noynoy Aquino government the printing of our passport to United Graphic Expression Corp. owned by a person, many of whom suspect is not even a Filipino, is telling of just how irresponsible the man who served as our President. Those who committed themselves to consummate the syndicated contract of consigning the printing of passport were well aware of that prohibition but nonetheless tried to sidestep that by insisting that UGEC has the edge over APO-Production Unit Incorporated, a company under the Presidential Communications Operations Office. Even if there was bidding, still that would not have validated the contract to make it legal. Rather, they insisted on it because they already zeroed in on the enormous profit that that will be generated from a captive market operating on a virtual monopoly. Presidential Communications Operations Officer head Herminio Coloma, Jr. had no authority to give his subaltern Milagros Alora, the head of the APUI, the go-signal to enter into contract with UGEC as it was beyond the scope of what they are supposed to do. If that can be proven, aside from the liability of illegally consigning the printing of our passport to a private corporation, that could equally make the former President liable. That includes the officers of UGEC headed by Inigo Zobel for conspiring to secure the awarding of the contract, which at the outset, is considered patently illegal. As described by hard-hitting columnist Rigoberto Tiglao, it was the biggest corruption ever committed in this country. The JV (joint venture) is farce. APU is a token partner with just 10 percent of its ownership, with 90 percent held by UGEC and then 70 percent of its profits under the terms of its agreement with APU would go to UGEC, even as UGEC charges the JV for the use of its machines, for 700 million annually. As a result, he said, this shadowy private firm generated P3 billion in income from 2015 to 2016, and if it continues this scheme, will get another P8 billion. Noynoy tried to put some veneer to an already askew contract. According to Tiglao, When Noynoy Aquino inaugurated what he and his officials called as the APU High Security Printing Plant at the Lima Technology Park in Batangas which started production en masse the e-passport on July 2016, he did not mention that the plant was almost entirely owned through the JV by UGEC and would get 70 percent of its net income for 10 years. APUs equity in the JV was in the form of the one-tenth of the valuation of the land it has leased from the export processing zone. Ninety percent of the JVs managers and workers were employees of UGEC, with the APUs employees being there merely as fixtures to portray it as a joint venture. Clearly, it appears to be a syndicated operation to capture the contract that could generate for them so much money without a sweat so to speak. For as long as UGEC remains the holder of that highly questionable subcontracting arrangement, it would be progressively increasing its profit. This one could surmise because the number of passport applicants will progressively increase alongside the increase in our population and number of Filipinos traveling abroad. This is expected because every five years, Filipinos seeking to travel abroad will have to renew their passports, notwithstanding that every year, the cost to secure a passport increases due to production cost. It would be generating profit of about P11 billion for the expected 45-million needing passports. [email protected]
Though it was pitch black out, partner Grant Misztal, another volunteer resident firefighter, saw the fall. Others on the scene were trained in rope rescue, and the truck that arrived just ahead of Rauch and Misztal happened to be carrying all the right equipment. Rauch was wrangled to the deck and a waiting ambulance in a Stokes basket  a litter used in search and rescue  and a system or ropes and pulleys.

It was the higher angle of a low-angle rescue, Frenchtown Fire Chief Joe Calnan said. There was a lot of bad with this whole thing, but there were some good things. The people that we had that time that were with the rescue were pretty competent. They were able to get it set up pretty quick and get it going."

Rauch underwent surgery later that night at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula to address multiple fractures in his femur.

His doctor bills are covered by workers compensation, but the Frenchtown Career Firefighters union created a GoFundMe site to help with travel and other expenses for Rauch and his family. The goal was $4,500. In less than two weeks donations approached $5,000.

Rauch said the support has come, and keeps coming, from near and as far away as West Yellowstone and Wyoming.

Its been just phenomenal, he said.
"There's concern that by reducing his appointment, it will eliminate the Chinese minor and will have a pretty drastic need for curricular changes" in the majors, Semanoff said.

UM has made deep cuts to help dig out of a deficit. Administrators have pledged the campus will honor its commitment to students and "teach out" programs it will eliminate as part of planned curricular changes. But what about financial decisions that also end up affecting curriculum?

Senator Anthony Johnstone said the Faculty Senate should be presented with a proposal in those cases  even if the writing is on the wall for the program  for the sake of transparency and predictability for students. He also said faculty should stay ahead of those issues.

"What are we supposed to do? Wait until students start complaining? No," Johnstone said.

At the meeting, Semanoff also offered the committee an update on the search for an interim library dean. Dean Shali Zhang will depart UM, but the provost's call for an interim dean did not require a background in library science, he said.

Members of the University Library Committee requested a revision, and the Executive Committee of the Faculty Senate supported it.
They don't see the project as a competitor for existing groups.

"I'm hoping to do something that fits in the community, and assists the other things that are happening," she said. She admires the work being done at MCT Inc. and the UM School of Theatre & Dance, but sees potential for people who might want something different  people from middle school age to adulthood who might want to take a class, workshop or some training in a smaller-scale environment.

She gave a class more than a year ago in Meisner technique. It drew two college students, one a theater major and one not; plus community members who wanted to polish their technique.

One thing that the studio is not? A venue. "It's a struggle, but it's also an opportunity for me to work with other places in town, and explore, because there are places," she said.

The Zootown Arts Community Center is moving into a new building with a dedicated performance space. The MASC Studio, the Downtown Dance Collective, the Union Hall, and the Roxy Theater have all hosted indie theatrical productions.
Via Associated Press

Roger Stone, a confidant of President Donald Trump, was arrested in the special counsel's Russia investigation in a pre-dawn raid at his Fort Lauderdale home on Friday and was charged with lying to Congress and obstructing the probe.

The seven-count indictment against Stone, a self-proclaimed "dirty trickster," is the first criminal case in months from special counsel Robert Mueller.

It provides the most detail to date about how Trump campaign associates in the summer of 2016 were actively seeking to politically benefit from the release of hacked material damaging to Hillary Clinton's campaign. It alleges that unnamed senior Trump campaign officials contacted Stone to ask when stolen emails relating to Clinton might be disclosed.

The indictment does not charge Stone with conspiring with WikiLeaks, the anti-secrecy website that published the emails, or with the Russian officers Mueller says hacked them. Instead, it accuses him of witness tampering, obstruction and false statements about his interactions related to WikiLeaks' release. Some of those false statements were made to the House intelligence committee, according to the indictment.

CNN aired video of the raid at Stone's Fort Lauderdale home, showing FBI agents in body armor using large weapons and night-vision equipment, running up to the home and banging repeatedly on the door.

"FBI open the door!" one shouts. "FBI, warrant!" Stone could then be seen in the doorway in his sleepwear before he was led away. He is expected to appear in court later Friday.

Click here to read more.
Steroid treatment can trigger metabolic changes such as a fatty liver (shown here) via the transcription factor E47. Credit: Helmholtz Zentrum Munchen

Patients undergoing long-term treatment with steroids may suffer from metabolic side effects. Researchers at the Helmholtz Zentrum Munchen and the Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich (LMU), partners in the German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), have now pinpointed a mechanism that leads to so-called steroid diabetes. Their findings have been published in Nature Communications.

"Glucocorticoids such as cortisone have been used to treat inflammatory diseases such as asthma or rheumatism for many decades, and they are the most commonly prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs," explains Prof. Henriette Uhlenhaut, Group Leader at the Institute for Diabetes and Obesity (IDO) at the Helmholtz Zentrum Munchen and the Gene Center of the LMU. "They are also frequently used in autoimmune diseases, organ transplantations and cancer. It is estimated that between one and three percent of the Western population are currently receiving these drugswhich corresponds to more than one million Germans alone."

However, although glucocorticoids are prescribed for a wide range of conditions, their use is limited by the various side effects  including unwanted metabolic effects  that can occur during treatment. Once the glucocorticoids bind to their receptor inside the cell, the receptor starts switching numerous genes on and off. "These include various metabolic genes, which can consequently cause so-called steroid diabetes," Henriette Uhlenhaut explains.

In the current study, her team  together with colleagues from the Max Delbruck Center for Molecular Medicine in Berlin, the Salk Institute in San Diego and the University of Freiburg  set out to identify the exact sequence of events that occurs once the steroids bind their receptor.

"What struck us most was the E47 transcription factor, which  along with the glucocorticoid receptor  is responsible for the changes in gene expression, particularly in liver cells," explains Charlotte Hemmer, a doctoral candidate at the IDO and first author of the current study. "We were able to identify the underlying pathway by conducting genome-wide analyses and genetic studies."

In order to corroborate their findings, the scientists then proceeded to examine a preclinical model lacking the E47 gene. "The loss of E47 actually protected against the negative impact of glucocorticoids, while an intact E47 gene led to metabolic changes such as high blood sugar, elevated blood fat levels or a fatty liver as a response to steroid treatment," Charlotte Hemmer adds.

Since the components of the newly discovered mechanism are also conserved in humans, Henriette Uhlenhaut and her team, along with their clinical cooperation partners, would now like to find out whether their results can be translated to human studies. "If this is the case, it could open up new opportunities for therapeutic intervention and the use of safer immunosuppressants in order to combat the side effects of steroid therapy."

Explore further How do muscles know what time it is?

More information: M. Charlotte Hemmer et al. E47 modulates hepatic glucocorticoid action, Nature Communications (2019). Journal information: Nature Communications M. Charlotte Hemmer et al. E47 modulates hepatic glucocorticoid action,(2019). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-08196-5
Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is associated with a 5-fold increased risk of stroke. Nearly 3 million Americans are living with AFib. For years, researchers have been looking for ways to reduce the risk of stroke for this patient population. In a recent article published in Circulation, Lin Yee Chen, MD, MS, Associate Professor with tenure, Cardiovascular Division, in the Department of Medicine with the University of Minnesota Medical School demonstrates how to improve the prediction of stroke in patients with AFib.

The CHA2DS2-VASc score is a prediction tool that is commonly used to stratify the risk of stroke in patients with AFib. In this article, Dr. Chen and colleagues reported that in people with AFib, abnormal P-wave indices during sinus rhythm are associated with stroke independent of CHA2DS2- VASc variables. They did this by investigating groups of P-wave indices and tested their association with the risk of stroke in two population based cohort studies known as ARIC and MESA. They also came up with a scoring system known as P2-CHA2DS2-VASc score.

"We now possibly have a better scoring system that we can use to more accurately classify which patients with AFib are at higher risk of stroke, and who may require treatment to prevent stroke," explained Dr. Chen.

This discovery was a culmination of years of work, which grant funding (R01HL126637 and R01HL141288 from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute) allowed Chen to take to the next level.

"We hope to transform care for patients with AFib, but there is still additional research to be done," said Chen. "For example, we need more studies to confirm the reproducibility of P wave axis. In other words, if I did an ECG today and I repeat the ECG one week later, will it report the same number for the P wave axis?"

This discovery by Chen and colleagues is an important step and one which could have a big impact on the management of AFib because the P2-CHA2DS2-VASc score is easy to use and can be applied to a very wide community.

Explore further A deeper understanding of AFib could lower risk

Provided by University of Minnesota Medical School
Some people have an emotional reaction to many of their possessions, making it a challenge to get rid of anything. Credit: Shutterstock

Australia is the sixth-largest contributor of household waste per capita in the world. We spend more than $A10.5 billion annually on goods and services that are never or rarely used.

One-quarter of Australians admit to throwing away clothing after just one use, while at the other end of the extreme, 5% of the population save unused items with such tenacity that their homes become dangerously cluttered.

If unnecessary purchases come at such a profound cost, why do we make them?

Why do we buy so much stuff?

We acquire some possessions because of their perceived usefulness. We might buy a computer to complete work tasks, or a pressure cooker to make meal preparation easier.

But consumer goods often have a psychological value that outweighs their functional value. This can drive us to acquire and keep things we could do without.

Possessions can act as an extension of ourselves. They may remind us of our personal history, our connection to other people, and who we are or want to be. Wearing a uniform may convince us we are a different person. Keeping family photos may remind us that we are loved. A home library may reveal our appreciation for knowledge and enjoyment of reading.

Acquiring and holding onto possessions can bring us comfort and emotional security. But these feelings cloud our judgement about how useful the objects are and prompt us to hang onto things we haven't used in years.

When this behaviour crosses over into hoarding disorder, we may notice:

a persistent difficulty discarding possessions, regardless of their actual value that this difficulty arises because we feel we need to save the items and/or avoid the distress associated with discarding them that our home has become so cluttered we cannot use it as intended. We might not be able to sit on our sofa, cook in our kitchen, sleep in our bed, or park our car in the garage the saving behaviour is impacting our quality of life. We might experience significant family strain or be embarrassed to invite others into our home. Our safety might be at risk, or we may have financial problems. These problems can contribute to workplace difficulties.

Will the KonMari method help?

According to Japanese tidying consultant Marie Kondo, "everyone who completes the KonMari Method has successfully kept their house in order".

But while some aspects of the KonMari method are consistent with existing evidence, others may be inadvisable, particularly for those with clinical hoarding problems.

Kondo suggests that before starting her process, people should visualise what they want their home to look like after decluttering. A similar clinical technique is used when treating hoarding disorder. Images of one's ideal home can act as a powerful amplifier for positive emotions, thereby increasing motivation to discard and organise.

Next, the KonMari Method involves organising by category rather than by location. Tidying should be done in a specific order. People should tackle clothing, books, paper, komono (kitchen, bathroom, garage, and miscellaneous), and then sentimental items.

Organising begins with placing every item within a category on the floor. This suggestion has an evidence base. Our research has shown people tend to discard more possessions when surrounded by clutter as opposed to being in a tidy environment.

However, organising and categorising possessions in any context is challenging for people with hoarding disorder.

Marie Kondo gives sage advice about whether to keep possessions we think we'll use in the future. A focus on future utility is a common thinking trap, as many saved items are never used. She encourages us to think about the true purpose of possessions: wearing the shirt or reading the book. If we aren't doing those things, we should give the item to someone who will.

Another Kondo suggestion is to thank our possessions before we discard them. This is to recognise that an item has served its purpose. She believes this process will facilitate letting go.

However, by thanking our items we might inadvertently increase their perceived humanness. Anthropomorphising inanimate objects increases the sentimental value and perceived utility of items, which increases object attachment.

People who are dissatisfied with their interpersonal relationships are more prone to anthropomorphism and have more difficulty making decisions. This strategy may be particularly unhelpful for them.

One of Kondo's key messages is to discard any item that does not "spark joy".

But for someone with excessive emotional attachment to objects, focusing on one's emotional reaction may not be helpful. People who hoard things experience intense positive emotions in response to many of their possessions, so this may not help them declutter.

Think about how you get rid of things

Sustainability Victoria recently urged Netflix-inspired declutterers to reduce, reuse, and recycle rather than just tossing unwanted items into landfill.

Dumping everything into the op-shop or local charity bin is also problematic. Aussie charities are paying A$13 million a year to send unusable donations to landfill.

Ultimately, we need to make more thoughtful decisions about both acquiring and discarding possessions. We need to buy less, buy used, and pass our possessions on to someone else when we have stopped using them for their intended purpose.

Explore further When possessions are poor substitutes for peoplehoarding disorder and loneliness

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
While millions of Americans return to work and school after the weekend, others will still be at home.

And that's fine to one Purdue University nursing faculty member.

Libby Richards, an assistant professor in Purdue's School of Nursing who specializes in public health, said that flu season is ramping up quickly across many parts of the U.S.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, flu activity is elevated nationally. Across the nation, hospitals have enacted visitor restrictions to reduce the spread of influenza and influenza-like illnesses to patients of all ages and their staffs. As a result, urgent care centers, emergency rooms physicians' offices and clinics in affected areas have seen an increase in traffic.

"One of the best ways to reduce your chances of getting influenza is to get a flu shot," Richards said.

Richards offers some simple tips to avoid getting the flu. "It's still not too late to get vaccinated," Richards said. Flu vaccine takes about two weeks to build up in your body. A person can still get the vaccine today to help lessen the severity of the flu. Flu season traditionally starts in October and can go through May.

Other tips include washing hands; not touching one's eyes, nose or mouth; getting sleep; eating well; exercising regularly; and cleaning or disinfecting commonly touched surfaces frequently.

"If you feel you might have the flu, see a health care provider as soon as possible. They can provide an anti-viral medication that could lessen the flu and help prevent serious complications, as flu can keep you sick from several days to less than two weeks," Richards said.

Once a person gets the flu or develop flu-like symptoms, that person should stay at home, rest and recover.

Richards does point out that you can still get the flu if you have had the flu shot, but you cannot get the flu from the flu shot.

"If the influenza strain in the vaccine matches the virus in the community, then we have a high effectiveness rate," Richards said. "If it does not, the vaccine's effectiveness is reduced. Getting the vaccine can still help a lot of at-risk populations such as children and the elderly in reducing serious complications."

There is a difference between the stomach flu and infuenza, said Richards. The stomach flu attacks the stomach and intestines and is caused by bacteria or viruses. Influenza symptoms include fever, congestion, muscle aches and fatigue. Influenza is caused by a virus and affects the respiratory system.

Flu shots are available at many locations, including physicians' offices, clinics, local health departments, pharmacies and college health centers. Some employers and schools also provide the flu shot on site. In many instances a flu shot is considered part of preventive health care, meaning insurance companies should cover the costs. Medicare and Medicaid also cover the costs. People ages six months and older are eligible to receive the flu shot.

Explore further Flu season: What you need to know to stay healthy
Which health research projects involving humans are ethically justified, safe and legal? Who decides whether they should get the green light to proceed? In one case study, researchers at the Primary Care Unit, University of Cambridge, found that 89 different people were involved in approving a single small scale health research study for ethics and governance purposes.

The case study looked at ethics and governance communications before the implementation of the new UK Health Research Authority (HRA) approval process for England but the study suggests that problems of piecemeal activity and system complexity may still dog the research approvals process.

In the case study, 81 named individuals were required to approve the proposed research, for research ethics and governance approval purposes, and 8 unnamed individuals were mentioned in communications as having provided further advice. This corresponds to roughly two approvers for every person participating in the research. The study team recorded 491 exchanges with these 89 individuals, generating 193 pages of email text, excluding attachments.

These exchanges were conducted outside the supposedly "one-stop" Integrated Research Application System (IRAS) platform, expected to be the platform where all necessary documents are provided and questions addressed. Importantly, the figures exclude the actual work of preparing the ethics documentation (such as the ethics application, information sheets and consent forms).

In one hospital, 10 individuals and 101 exchanges outside IRAS were needed, to allow researchers to interview 4 medical consultants.

The case study was based on an audit of approvals communications in relation to one interview- and questionnaire-based study conducted in England which used the National Health Service (NHS) procedures and IRAS. This was a relatively straightforward and small scale study of patient data sharing called " Prepared to Share? ".

The approvals communications in the case study date from February 2013 to February 2016. Although some of the approvals were granted at a time when HRA Approval was already functional, the new system was phased in gradually and the Prepared to Share study was fully approved under the old system.

The researchers concluded that the size of the approvals machine and the nature of the work of its individual parts may still remain hidden, even to people working in it, including those working to reform it.

"Colleagues and reviewers from within the system have been struck by the figures, as we were. The scale of the work involved is largely invisible when done piecemeal", said Dr. Mila Petrova, Research Associate at the Cambridge Palliative and End of Life Care Group, Primary Care Unit and lead author of the paper about this research, published today in BMC Medical Ethics.

"Even though HRA Approvals seems to be achieving some improvements, we argue that more needs to change before researchers in England experience the system as "radically simplified", continued Dr. Petrova.

The research team suggest six ways to further improve the research approvals system:

1. Support the development of a broad range of customised research ethics and governance templates to complement generic, typically clinical trials orientated, ones;

2. Develop more sophisticated and flexible frameworks for study classification;

3. Link with associated processes for assessment, feedback, monitoring and reporting, such as ones involving funders and patient and public involvement groups;

4. Invest in a new generation IT infrastructure;

5. Enhance system capacity through increasing online reviewer participation and training; and

6. Encourage researchers to quantify the approvals processes for their studies.

"Ethics and governance approvals are burdensome for historical reasons and not because of the nature of the task. The case study suggests that there are many opportunities to improve the efficiency and analytic depth of the process, in an age of innovation, increased connectivity and distributed working," said Dr. Stephen Barclay, University Senior Lecturer in General Practice and Palliative Care, Primary Care Unit.

This research was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research & Care (CLAHRC) East of England, the Health Innovation and Education Cluster (HIEC) and through The Marie Curie Design to Care programme.

Explore further American College of Physicians releases new edition of Ethics Manual

More information: Petrova and Barclay in BMC Medical Ethics: "Research approvals iceberg: how a 'low-key' study in England needed 89 professionals to approve it and how we can do better" Petrova and Barclay in: "Research approvals iceberg: how a 'low-key' study in England needed 89 professionals to approve it and how we can do better" bmcmedethics.biomedcentral.com  86/s12910-018-0339-5
Former president and now House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has vowed to help more than 5,000 urban poor families in Parola, Manila, get their land titles. Speaking during the ceremonies for the awarding of Certificate of Land Awards to some 80 beneficiaries in Parola, Binondo, Arroyo said she will ask Negros Occidental Rep. Albee Benitez to convene the Oversight Committee Housing which he heads to facilitate the awarding of titles to the urban poor beneficiaries in Parola, both in Binondo and Tondo. Magpapa-convene tayo ng Oversight sa Committee on Housing kay Congressman Benitez para maayos natin ang mga titulo ninyo, Arroyo told the residents. She went to Parola on Friday to lead the awarding of the CELAs to the beneficiaries. It was the first time the first batch of CELAs were distributed to residents since 2004. Arroyo first went to the house of Lucy Santos on Gate 15, Area D, to see the condition of the community. Santos was the resident who first talked to then President Arroyo in 2004 when she was asked for help to give housing security in their village. As a result of her consultations with Santos and the homeowners organization in the area, she issued Presidential Proclamation 581 in March 2004, setting aside more than 5 hectares in Parola in Tondo and in Binondo for socialized housing for the squatters in the area. But since she issued the proclamation, the awarding of titles was delayed as several government agencies had laid their claims over the property. Arroyo was told that both the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Philippine National Railways were claiming ownership of the Tondo side of Parola, which delayed the purchase of the lot areas by the residents.Nalaman ko na pinag-aagawan pala ng DENR at PNR kasi kapag nabayaran na ninyo ang inyong lupa sino raw ang tatanggap ng pera? DENR ba o PNR?, Arroyo told the residents. The Binondo side of Parola is also experiencing the same problem because a portion of the land is being claimed by the Government Service Insurance System. As a result, Arroyo said she had instructed Manila Rep. Yul Servo and Manuel Lopez to coordinate with Benitez to convene his Oversight Committee on Housing to summon the government offices and other attached agencies to thresh out the issues with respect to the land titling in Parola. She said the Oversight Committee hearings will be held despite the start of the campaign period, but she was not seeking any post. Joven Pajora, one of the beneficiaries of the CELA said they were forever grateful to Arroyo for giving them another chance to acquire their land. He said after she stepped down, no one paid them attention and it was only when she again stepped in as speaker that CELAs had finally been awarded to them.
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Scientists are redesigning natural allergens to help the immune system defend against them, in a move that could eliminate the side effects and lifelong medication of treating allergiesthe most common chronic condition in Europe.

More than 150 million Europeans suffer from allergies and this number is on the rise due to triggers such as growing pollution. By 2025, one in every two people in the EU could be affected by allergies, according to the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

Allergies are most commonly treated by taking lifelong medication, such as antihistamines, that relieve symptoms like red eyes and a runny nose. However, about 5-10% of sufferers use another type of treatment called immunotherapy, where the immune system is desensitised to specific allergens, which can eventually cure allergies.

The process can be quite cumbersome though. Although drops or tablets can sometimes be administered under the tongue, frequent visits to the doctor for shots are more typical. Patients start with a low dose of the allergen which is gradually increased over several years.

"It requires quite a lot from that patient, so that's probably one of the reasons that it isn't the most popular treatment," said Dr. Ronald van Ree from Amsterdam University Medical Center in the Netherlands. "If you do injection immunotherapy you have to do it for at least three years."

Furthermore, some patients can have side effects such as skin reactions or may not choose the treatment since the cost isn't covered by public healthcare in all countries.

Dr. van Ree and his colleagues aim to make immunotherapy more effective and faster, while reducing the secondary effects that can occur during treatment.

Birch pollen

They are doing this through a project called BM4SIT where they are focussing on birch pollen allergy, triggered by a specific pollen protein allergen. In lab experiments and animal tests they have already lowered the occurrence of side effects.

"We have modified this molecule slightly in such a way that it doesn't give the side effects anymore as easily as the original molecule," said Dr. van Ree.

The team is now testing the tweaked allergen in patients in Denmark.

They are also looking at adding vitamin D3 to the treatment, which has been shown to have a protective effect against allergies.

"We hope that the addition of vitamin D3 will change the speed by which the effect is reached so that it will be reached quicker and that we will need less injections," he said.

Now, the researchers are conducting a study with patients in Amsterdam to compare the effect of an existing birch pollen treatment when administered alone and when vitamin D3 is injected alongside it. If the trials are successful, they'd like to bring together the vitamin and altered birch pollen molecule to test their combined effect.

While the team began with birch pollen because it involves a single protein, they hope the principle can be extended to treat other allergies. Cat allergies, for example, also involve one molecule. For grass pollen and house dust mite allergies, where several molecules are responsible, each one would have to be redesigned.

Asthma

The approach could have big payoffs. If the current study goes well, Dr. van Ree plans to next focus on treating house dust mite allergy  the most common allergy globally. This allergy is more severe than other forms since it affects the lungs, rather than the eyes, nose or skin and can also trigger allergic asthma.

Henk Vietor, the CEO of biotech company DC4U Technologies in Amsterdam, said that if scientists could find a way to use immunotherapy to treat asthma it would bring 'something completely new to the table."

"Immunotherapy is almost never effective for asthmatic symptoms," he said.

To that end, Vietor and his team have developed a technique that could make immunotherapy more effective for asthma.

Existing immunotherapy uses the raw extract of an allergen dissolved in liquid which is then injected into a patient. But Vietor and his team have been experimenting in the lab by adding sugars to specific parts of allergens used in the treatment which bind to receptors on immune system cells.

The allergen-sugar combination re-educates the immune system so that an allergen no longer induces an allergic reaction. "We think our technology can really provide a cure for patients with allergies," Vietor said.

He believes the innovation should improve immunotherapy for a wide range of allergies, including house dust mite and peanut, and dramatically decrease the duration of the treatment from about three to five years to three to five months.

"We think that with only two or three shots, just like vaccines for infectious diseases, we can really shorten the experience and make it very effective," said Vietor.

The team explored how to bring their innovation to the market through partnerships with pharmaceutical companies to co-develop new treatments as part of the GAIT project.

They are currently negotiating with several companies that have existing immunotherapy products and have already struck a deal with one company whose product they have modified using their method. "We are already trying to get more evidence that our technology works," said Vietor.

He and his colleagues are currently following up with lab experiments on cells and in animals to develop a proof of concept. If they are successful, they will continue with clinical trials.

"The incidence of allergies is rapidly increasing so I think that innovation in this field is urgently needed to prevent an epidemic in allergies and asthma," said Vietor.

Explore further Hay fever's hidden supporting substances
Ronald Warnick, MD, Co-Director of the Gamma Knife Center at The Jewish Hospital - Mercy Health. Credit: The Jewish Hospital - Mercy Health

Clinical researchers who study tumors that have metastasized to the brain have frequently asked, "How long do our patients live?" A newly published study asks a different question: "How well do our patients live?"

A team of neurosurgeons and radiation oncologists posed the question to patients before and after they underwent stereotactic radiosurgery, including Gamma Knife radiosurgery, for metastatic brain tumors. The answers, published in the Journal of Neurosurgery, included expected results and a surprise.

"Patients treated early with Gamma Knife did better in quality-of-life measurements, and patients who had more metastases fared worse," says Ronald Warnick, MD, a neurosurgeon with Mayfield Brain & Spine, Co-Director of the Gamma Knife Center at The Jewish Hospital  Mercy Health, and a study co-investigator.

"That is not surprising. More unexpected was our finding that patients who suffered from anxiety and depression at the time of their radiosurgery continued to suffer these mental health issues, no matter how successfully their tumors were treated."

The study underscores the need for proactive treatment of brain metastases as well as mental health issues, Dr. Warnick says. "When a patient is given a diagnosis of lung cancer, for example, we should also screen for brain metastases with an MRI scan. And if brain tumors are detected, we should treat them even as the primary cancer is being evaluated and treated. Because Gamma Knife does not interrupt other treatments, such as chemotherapy, there is no need to wait.

"We also need to realize that addressing anxiety and depression at the time of radiosurgery treatment may help improve our patients' quality of life as they cope with their disease."

During stereotactic radiosurgery, high-energy rays are delivered by a machine to one or more tumors. The radiation beams are precisely aimed, sparing healthy tissue nearby. There is no incision, and patients usually go home the same day.

The Journal of Neurosurgery study included 116 patients who were part of a national quality registry for stereotactic radiosurgery. The registry is an initiative of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and the American Society for Radiation Oncology. The patients were treated at 19 centers, including The Jewish Hospital, the University of Virginia, New York University, Yale University, Vanderbilt University, Duke University, UCLA, and the University of Southern California.

Principal investigator was Jason Sheehan, MD, Ph.D., Professor in the Department of Neurological Surgery at the University of Virginia.

"Survival is frequently used as the primary endpoint in brain metastasis studies," the authors write. "Nevertheless, there has been increasing interest in QOL [quality of life] as an indicator of outcome in studies of advanced cancer patients."

Patients were asked five quality-of-life questions prior to treatment with radiosurgery and at least once following radiosurgery. The clinicians also collected information about several variables, including treatment parameters, the number of metastatic tumors, and the tumors' total volume.

The researchers found that stability or even improvement in quality-of-life scores was associated with earlier radiosurgery treatment following the diagnosis of brain metastasis, while worsening scores were associated with an increased number of metastases.

A secondary finding was that male patients expressed higher levels of pain and discomfort than female patients, both before and after their radiosurgery treatment.

Insights related to depression, anxiety, and men's experience of pain are a reminder that a one-size-fits-all approach to disease does a disservice to individual patients, Dr. Warnick observes. "Sometimes we forget about conditions that accompany the disease we are trying to treat. In our study we asked only a handful of questions. But the results were very powerful, and they will help guide us in our quest to provide the best, most compassionate care to our patients.

"We are extending life and improving survival with Gamma Knife, but we also want to enhance quality of life. Patients may require other modalities of treatment, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, medical management for mental health, and support groups, and Gamma Knife centers can provide the appropriate resources and support."

Explore further Targeted radiosurgery better than whole-brain radiation for treating brain tumors

More information: Quality of life outcomes for brain metastasis patients treated with stereotactic radiosurgery: pre-procedural predictive factors from a prospective national registry, thejns.org/view/journals/j-neu  2018.8.JNS181599.xml Journal information: Journal of Neurosurgery Quality of life outcomes for brain metastasis patients treated with stereotactic radiosurgery: pre-procedural predictive factors from a prospective national registry, DOI: 10.3171/2018.8.JNS181599
Credit: shutterstock

For many young people, school can be a difficult place. And for some, it can be just about impossible. Negative experiences in school can have harmful long-term effects on pupils with autism spectrum conditions.

Official figures show that children, are increasingly being suspended or expelled from school because of "behavioural problems"  many of which include children on the autism spectrum. Some regions in the UK have experienced a 100% increase in these types of exclusions since 2011.

So despite policy rhetoric on "inclusive education"  where children ought to be educated in mainstream schools  recent figures show school exclusions are increasing: from 6,685 pupils to 7,720 between 2015-2016 and 2016-2017.

In my current research I interviewed mothers of adult children with autism and other social, emotional and mental health problems. They told me how their young sons had been a challenge in school. And how despite their requests for help, their sons received little support and ended up in the criminal justice system.

Estimates suggest that 30% of prisoners have a learning difficulty or disability and 60% have problems with communication  though this is arguably a conservative estimate, as many inmates choose to hide their disabling condition.

No help or support

Mothers in my research talked to me about how their sons were "different". They were violent to other children and teachers as well as their own families.

All the mothers told me they felt something was "not quite right" with their child. And because the support was not forthcoming at school, this negative behaviour escalated and then as these boys got older, they ended up in prison.

One mum, Sorcha, told me her son "was made out to be the demon child of the school. He had his first exclusion in September 2004, so he was about 10 then". Another mum, Elaine, spoke of her son Harry: "He was a difficult child for school, he's disruptive [and] was getting into so much trouble."

Udele, explained how she had received a call from the headmistress, to fetch her son after he assaulted a teacher. "I went, you'd better call the police then. He was 10".

Failed by the system

But a lack of support was not just isolated to the families. One senior teacher who works in a "special school" explained how hard it is to help. She said that the combination of puberty and autism can make things very difficult: "At the age of 14 there's so much going on for them. One boy got bad grades and didn't know what to do. He got involved with another pupil who had been excluded and was waving a knife  he got arrested."

The mothers also spoke to me about their experiences of the criminal justice system. Trudy explained how, when her son was on remand, she "felt squeezed from both sides". She said: "My instincts were telling me that my son was getting worse and that we needed help and the professionals were telling me he was fine."

Another mother, Elaine, told me how she was "totally broken": "I just feel like I'm standing on the edge of the cliff and I don't know if I'm going to fall. It's scary."

The mothers in my research all spoke of the overwhelming challenges of dealing with their child's disability while moving through the bureaucracy and barriers if the school and criminal justice systems.

They spoke of a lack of support, lack of access to professional help and an overwhelming lack of understanding about their son's disability, and the impact this had on their lives.

The problem with education

Under the current UK education system  where everything is based on grades and targets  there is little room for children who disrupt the smooth running of the school. These children are all-too often excluded and made to feel that they are worthless  as one teacher explained: "One kid wanted to go back into mainstream [school], but by the time he was 15, he realised this wasn't going to happen  he ended up in prison."

For as long as education focuses solely on academic achievement and continues to demand results rather than learning, children and their families will continue to be failed by the system. And, as my research shows, once a criminal pathway is trodden, it is incredibly difficult to find a way out.

This means those who need support the most often end up incarcerated. Both Elaine and Udele's sons (still now only in their 20s), were in "special schools" and continue to be in and out of the criminal justice system. I interviewed Elaine three times and her son Harry, once. Between her interviews, Harry returned to prison.

Rethinking learning

If more support and intervention in the education system was to occur before the police got involved, then these young people would be less likely to end up incarcerated and at the bottom of a human hierarchy.

But for this to happen, there needs to be a rethink of what education is actually about. Because it is clear that the restrictive and damaging nature of the current system just doesn't work for some pupils.

If instead, schools could help children to learn creatively and open up their minds to new possibilities outside of tests and league tables, then it is likely that more children would stand a better chance of staying out of the criminal justice system and reaching their full potential.

Explore further Autistic children need the world to acknowledge the significance of the challenges they face

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
The status/post smartphone app (Infinite Arms, Charleston SC), which is integrated with the research tool RedCap, was used to collect data from smokers in this study. Credit: Sarah Pack, Medical University of South Carolina

Gender matters when it comes to smoking cessation.

Women are 31 percent less likely to quit smoking successfully, according to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, in part because nicotine replacement therapy is thought to be more effective in male smokers. In contrast, laboratory-based studies suggest that women crave cigarettes more when they experience stress. However, that finding has not been clearly replicated in a real-world setting.

In an article published online by Nicotine & Tobacco Research, researchers at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) report the findings of a real-world study in 177 smokers. In the study, female smokers experienced more stress and craving than male smokers after viewing stress cues. Stress cues are images that induce stress, similar to news images of violence or war. However, no gender differences in craving were noted after viewing cellphone-delivered smoking cues. Smoking cues are images that suggest smoking behavior, such as a photograph of a cigarette or a person smoking.

These findings suggest that improving quit outcomes in women may require gender-specific cessation strategies.

"We know that not all existing treatments are equally effective for men and women," says Rachel L. Tomko, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at MUSC and first author on the article. "That could be because they find different aspects of smoking rewarding and relieving, and there are different things that maintain their smoking. Our findings suggest that stress may be one thing that maintains smoking more for women than for men."

"This research helps us understand what drives smoking behavior and what really may create barriers to treatment that we didn't think were there," explains Kevin M. Gray, M.D., professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at MUSC and senior author on the article. "If smoking were all about the nicotine, then everyone would respond beautifully to nicotine replacement therapy. But it's more nuanced and complex than that. The better we can get at it, the better we will be able to create the right kinds of treatment for each individual."

Participants in the real-world study viewed eight images each day (four sets of two) for two weeks. These included smoking cues, stress cues and neutral images. Each time they received a pair of images, they completed a form assessing their stress, negative emotion and craving levels before viewing the images (their baseline value) and after viewing each image. They also tracked the number of cigarettes they smoked each day.

These data were recorded via a smartphone app (status/post; Infinite Arms; Charleston, SC) that integrates with the research tool RedCap (Vanderbilt University), and these RedCap data were hosted by the South Carolina Clinical and Translational Institute, an NIH Clinical and Translational Science Awards Program Hub.

As already noted, female smokers reported experiencing more stress, negative emotion and craving after viewing stress cues, but not smoking cues, than male smokers. Regardless of gender, smokers with higher baseline levels experienced more stress, negative emotion and craving after viewing stress cues. Because women smoke more in response to stress and environmental triggers, their smoking patterns could be expected to vary more than men's. However, the MUSC team found no difference in the number of cigarettes smoked per day for male and female smokers.

"Fortunately, showing smokers stress and smoking cues did not result in an overall increase in cigarettes smoked," says Tomko. "This is likely because smokers are already exposed to similar images on a daily basis. However, it is surprising that women did not have more day-to-day fluctuations in their number of cigarettes than men. It is possible that minor, everyday stressors result in women smoking a cigarette a bit sooner than they would have otherwise but does not impact the overall rate of smoking. We hope to test this in future research."

With other colleagues at MUSC, Gray and Tomko plan to analyze the daily hormone level data collected during the study to explore how hormones affect stress and smoking. Using a special lighter that can record time, they will also conduct studies to see how long it takes for different smokers to light up after experiencing stress. This could, for example, provide more evidence that stress leads to smoking in women. More broadly, they will continue to map out the gender and other differences that affect how smokers respond to treatment and use that knowledge to better craft cessation therapies.

"The really good newsand we can say this both as clinicians and researchersis that we have effective treatments for smoking cessation," says Gray. "The challenging news is that, even with effective treatments, most smokers who try still struggle to quit smoking. We can try to make improvements by using the blunt instrument of a bigger, better treatment for everybody. However, I think we should also try to think what is different between individualseither gender or other characteristicsand whether those differences help us better tailor our treatments."

Explore further Misperceptions about vaping common among UK smokers

More information: Rachel L Tomko et al, Sex Differences in Subjective and Behavioral Responses to Stressful and Smoking Cues Presented in the Natural Environment of Smokers, Nicotine & Tobacco Research (2018). Journal information: Nicotine & Tobacco Research Rachel L Tomko et al, Sex Differences in Subjective and Behavioral Responses to Stressful and Smoking Cues Presented in the Natural Environment of Smokers,(2018). DOI: 10.1093/ntr/nty234
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Quitting smoking can significantly improve the effectiveness of cancer treatment, according to the U.S. Surgeon General, yet almost half of cancer patients continue to smoke after they've been diagnosed.

A new study from Northwestern Medicine and the Abramson Cancer Center at the University of Pennsylvania found cancer patients have better success quitting and are not as prone to relapsing one year later if they undergo counseling sessions for 24 weeks and take the smoking cessation medication varenicline (e.g. Chantix) for 24 weeks, compared to the routine 12 weeks.

"With the stress cancer patients are under, they tend to be at higher risk of relapsing for a longer period of time," said senior author Brian Hitsman, associate professor of preventive medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. "So we thought providing treatment for longer would be more effective."

The findings will be published Jan. 25 in the journal Psycho-Oncology. Patients in the study had a variety of cancers, ranging from breast to skin to lung cancer. Forty percent of patients actively had cancer while others had had cancer in the past five years.

For Billie Green, 70, smoking while undergoing cancer treatments was the result of a combination of her 50-year smoking history and the stress of her life-altering lung cancer diagnosis that made it difficult to quit.

"When someone tells you that you have cancer, you get scared," said Green, who lives in Chicago. "Smoking used to be my best friend when I was upset, after I ate. But I knew it didn't make any sense to keep smoking, if I'm going in for treatment all the time."

Green's daughter learned about the Northwestern Medicine smoking cessation study specifically aimed at cancer patientsone of the largest smoking cessation trials ever conducted with cancer patientsand asked her to enroll. Green did so a month later.

Today, Green is in remission from her cancer. She still smokes but has dramatically cut back from one pack a day to one cigarette every other day. Green said the treatmenta combination of medication and behavioral counseling sessionsmade her aware of what she was doing to her body.

The higher success of quitting, though was true only for the 43 percent of patients who took varenicline as directed for the full 24 weeks. For the other 57 percent of participants who did not take the medication as prescribed, there was no significant difference in quit rates or susceptibility of relapsing compared to the control group, who only received varenicline for the first 12 weeks.

Both groups received the same behavioral therapycounseling sessions to set quit dates, learn coping skills and manage withdrawal symptomsover the course of 24 weeks. Many of the study participants in the control group and experimental group continued with the full counseling regimen, despite not always adhering to the medication regimen.

"While the behavioral therapy wasn't the focus of this study, we will need to study this part more closely because it can be a very powerful tool for cancer patients to quit smoking," Hitsman said. "You can imagine how someone going through a severe or significant disease and treatment process could benefit from the support we provided in this study."

This was only the second study to examine the use of varenicline for cancer patients. It was the first smoking cessation studyfor any population of smokers, not just cancer patientsto double the length of the standard course of 12 weeks of varenicline and include behavioral therapy in the treatment.

Because varenicline treatment had never been given to a cancer population for longer than 12 weeks, the scientists wanted to assess its safety. The study found taking an additional 12 weeks of the medication did not increase the side effects for patients.

"We hear from cancer patients and oncologists that varenicline may cause serious side effects or that managing the stress of the disease makes addressing tobacco use among patients inappropriate," said first author Dr. Robert Schnoll, associate professor in the department of psychiatry and associate director for population science at the Abramson Cancer Center.

"But the results from this study show that this leading FDA-approved medication is effective for cancer patients, doesn't increase patient risk and yields increased benefits for those who take the medication as prescribed."

"We need now to focus on how we can get more patients who smoke to use the medication and use it sufficiently if we are to see broader population-level gains," Schnoll said.

Explore further A better strategy for quitting smoking
The main beneficiary of the faith-healing exemption is the Followers of Christ group in Canyon County. Church graveyards contain the remains of many children who could have been saved by readily available medical care.

The statutory faith-healing exemptions certainly appear to violate the Guaranty of Religious Liberty provision (Article 1, Section 4) of the Idaho Constitution. The framers of the Constitution wanted to protect religious freedom, but were also intent on preventing religious preferences. The framers adopted a stricter separation of church and state for Idaho than that in the U.S. Constitution.

Our Constitution prohibits any preference being given by law to any religious denomination or mode of worship. Faith healing looks very much like a prohibited preference for a particular mode of worship, in addition to being a horrible fate for innocent children. While the great majority of Idaho citizens would be held to answer on serious criminal charges for starving a child or refusing to provide the child with necessary medical care, faith healers can do so without legal consequence.

The faith-healing exemption has not been tested in court yet, but that is a possible option for removing the preference. However, the Legislature caused the problem and should take responsibility for correcting it.
BOISE  A new agriculture research initiative led by the University of Idaho will be spread out over three Magic Valley sites, a spokesman from the college told lawmakers Thursday.

The Idaho Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment will have facilities in Rupert, Jerome, and Twin Falls, College of Agriculture Dean Michael Parrella told the House and Senate Agriculture Committees.

We tried to look at all different configurations, originally thinking one location would be the best, but I think this is perfect, Parrella said.

The center, known by its acronym CAFE, will focus on research, outreach and education to advance the sustainability of dairy and livestock production and food processing in Idaho, according to the UI website.

It will have a dairy research center in Rupert, an outreach and education center in Jerome, and a food processing facility for training and research on the College of Southern Idaho campus in Twin Falls.

UI is in negotiations to buy a 5-6 acre parcel of land at Crossroads Point, at the intersection of Interstate 84 and U.S. 93, for the Jerome center. And project leaders are in ongoing talks with CSI administrators to determine what exactly the food processing facility on campus will look like, Parrella said.
BOISE  Enrollment in Idahos health insurance exchange is expected to drop by 20 percent, the exchanges executive director told lawmakers Thursday.

About 18,000 of Your Health Idahos enrollees make between 100 and 138 percent of the poverty level, Pat Kelly told the House Health and Welfare Committee. Once Medicaid expansion takes effect, which is expected to happen on Jan. 1, 2020, these people will no longer qualify for the tax credits they use to pay for their insurance and will likely move onto Medicaid.

Kelly said the loss of customers would put a dent in the exchanges cash reserves in 2020, but he expects its finances to stabilize in 2021.

Weve planned for this, he said. And we have sufficient net operating income to absorb the loss.

The Affordable Care Act originally envisioned that every state would expand Medicaid to everyone making up to 138 percent of the poverty level, so tax credits for exchange insurance originally only would have gone to people making more, but Medicaid expansion became a state option after a 2012 U.S. Supreme Court ruling. As a result, the federal government extended the tax credits people use to pay for exchange insurance to people making 100 to 138 percent of the poverty level in non-expansion states.

Idaho voters approved Medicaid expansion in November, and Gov. Brad Little has requested funding for it. The Idaho Freedom Foundation is backing a lawsuit challenging Medicaid expansion; a hearing in that case is scheduled for next week.

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The GOP measure failed on a 50-47 vote, with Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin voting yes, and Republican Sens. Tom Cotton and Mike Lee voting no.

Both measures would have need 60 votes to advance.

Rischs office told the Statesman that he was en route to Washington, D.C., but his connecting flight was delayed due to mechanical issues, preventing him from getting there in time for todays vote.

Crapo issued the following statement after the vote:

I have consistently supported measures that would secure our borders and provide safety for those seeking asylum or to otherwise legally enter the United States. My vote today was no different. The process of collaboration often succeeds as a way of achieving consensus on difficult public policy matters. Todays proposal contained bipartisan approaches to re-opening the government, while also addressing the presidents call for border security. This bill included necessary investments in border security, additional immigration measures previously supported by both Democrats and Republicans, funding for closed portions of the government through the remainder of the fiscal year, and an extension of the Violence Against Women Act of which I have been a long-time proponent.

Although I am disappointed in the outcome of the failed vote, I will continue to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pass legislation that will adequately address the presidents push for border security and reopen the remaining portions of the government as quickly as possible.

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The dream world for Idahos ascendant far right is one where state lawmakers run a sovereign nation-state free of federal oversight. It would be a place where they can outlaw all abortions, dictate what is taught in schools, have complete say over public health rules and gun laws, and take control of federal public lands, which make up more than 60% of the state.
Moro National Liberation Front leader Nur Misuari on Friday failed to show up at his scheduled arraignment at the Sandiganbayans Third Division. Instead, Misuaris lawyer, Robert Callos, appeared before the anti-graft court on his behalf, prompting the court to defer the arraignment as it requires the accused to personally appear before the court. The Sandiganbayans Third Division reset the arraignment on Feb. 27. Misuari, the former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao governor, is facing two counts each of graft and malversation by falsification owing to the alleged anomalous procurement of educational materials worth P115.2 million during his term. Misuari and his co-accused allegedly conspired with one another to give unwarranted benefits, advantage and privilege to MBJ Learning Tools, CPR Publishing, and White Orchids Printing.But Ombudsman investigators said no such materials were delivered by the three companies. Misuari earlier posted P460,000 bail at the Davao City Regional Trial Court for his provisional liberty. The anti-graft courts Third Division earlier denied Misuaris motion to dismiss. But he was able to avail of the remedy to appeal the denial of that motion. Misuari said the allegedly anomalous transactions were consummated from 2003 to 2004, two years after he had already stepped down as ARMM governor.
President Donald Trump remains bullish that the North Korea nuclear threat can be contained. Speaking to reporters last Saturday, the president praised the incredible meeting he had the day before with a top representative of the North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un, trumpeting the tremendous progress the two sides had made.

The optimistic view is that the White House meeting with Kim Yong-chol, a former North Korean intelligence chief and now his governments lead nuclear negotiator, was indeed productive, and Trump is on his way to resolving one of the worlds most complex and dangerous nuclear weapons problems.

But a path to that outcome isnt yet visible to the outside world. North Korea has forgone nuclear tests, missile tests and rhetorical attacks for more than 400 days. Thats an important development. At the same time, however, it continues to produce nuclear fuel, weapons and missiles. It has not denuclearized, as Trump has demanded.

So, as the two leaders prepare for their second summit (reportedly next month in Vietnam), the pressure is on the Trump administration to articulate a realistic strategy for achieving a mutually agreed on outcome.
It states that as a result of these policies, ORR has held tens of thousands of children across the country in custody for excessive amounts of time and has illegally and improperly denied them the opportunity to reunite with their families. It also asks that no more children be separated from their families.

We were all horrified last summer, watching babies being ripped from their mothers arms, but were seeing that the same thing is still happening, said Mary Bauer, the deputy legal director of the Immigrant Justice Project at the Southern Poverty Law Center. Despite what people think, [the Trump administration] didnt get rid of the most problematic parts of the policy. Whats in place is still a quixotic system that isnt being transparent about why kids arent being released to family members and, sometimes, to parents. They dont know what theyre supposed to do, theyre told the children will get out but then theres always something else [that prevents reunification].

The Trump administration has always contended that its tough guidelines for releasing children are designed to ensure that kids dont end up in the hands of human traffickers and other nefarious predators.
Heretofore the president hasnt shown interest in reaching out. He didnt advance a legislative solution over the past two years, when his party controlled both houses of Congress, and he has spent years inflaming the issue. There is plenty of bad blood on this issue, and a lot of it stems from the approach the president took in his campaign and has taken since.

This fight is over building more miles of barriers, not stretching a wall across the entire southern border. That forces us to ask whether the president will episodically provoke this fight as long as he has to deal with an opposing party.

But if he would go the extra mile, and Democrats would meet him, we believe the deal would gain broad support from a nation that despite the endless drumbeat of social media extremists is still a place with a core sense of fairness, decency and common sense.

Virginia U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine suggested on NPR recently that such a deal would be palatable to Democrats. He insisted, however, that the government be reopened prior to the beginning of any negotiation.
But some of those grants are scheduled to go away if theyre not used by June. City officials can apply for an extension of that deadline if they commit to completing the project for which the funding was issued. That isnt likely to happen if the state doesnt fund the remediation.

Since the ad hoc committee last met March 20, several conversations have taken place between city and state officials  conversations he said indicate the project likely will go forward.

On hearing that, committee member Jerry Foellmi quipped, You mean in my lifetime?

Jahncke said likely in the next two to three years.

The projects purpose is twofold, Jahncke said.

Its main focus is to clear the waterway  to dredge a segment of the canal that hasnt been dredged for almost 100 years, then put a cap on the channels bottom to limit pollution from entering the canal due to runoff.

Because the canal is a state-owned waterway, its the states responsibility to clean it up.

But its in the citys interest that the project get done, Jahncke said  and not mainly for the aesthetic and recreational appeal of the canal.
A judge will allow one-time statements about medical diagnoses of two alleged suicide attempts in an ongoing homicide case, but said he will bar further discussion in court on those incidents.

Patrick A. Kraemer, 50, is accused of killing his former girlfriend Traci Rataczak in 2013. Authorities found her dead by hanging in the basement of the Columbia County home shared by the defendant and the victim at the time.

During a court hearing Wednesday, Judge W. Andrew Voigt said two alleged incidents in 2002 and 2008 were a side issue and that he does not want to see the trial devolve into using the victims medical history as an escape from due process.

Kraemers attorney on March 16, 2018, filed a motion requesting the judge review Rataczaks medical records and an alleged history of suicide attempts, particularly involving two incidents in 2002 and 2008, and determine whether they could be used as evidence.

Voigt said during Wednesdays hearing that he does not find the first alleged attempt admissible and will allow both the defense and the state to make an opening or closing statement about the medical records and facts of those two incidents. Voigt said he will not accept debate on whether the incidents were indeed suicide attempts.
Feeling defeated Greenland returned to her apartment. Meanwhile, the man continued the manipulation and threats.

Unfortunately, the real nightmare was yet to come, Greenland said. The next time he went off his meds and I tried to leave, he began to physically harm me with the intention of making it physically impossible for me to leave.

With her finances drained, her credit ruined and her car damaged by members of his family, Greenland felt alone and without options. He had successfully isolated her from family and friends. Hed also stolen her passport. What ultimately led to Greenlands final and successful attempt to leave wasnt the harm he was causing her. It was when she learned her beloved cat hadnt died from sickness, but at his hands.

Greenland began to pack and hide items she could grab in a hurry. It was only what she could fit in her car: her favorite clothing, some important documents, her jewelry-making tools, laptop and printer.

To this day, Greenland doesnt know how she was able to finally leave.

I dont think it was courage, Greenland said. I think it was just this desperate feeling he was going to kill me.
Subeck's and Hansen's amendment would read:

"1) Only human beings  not corporations, unions, nonprofit organizations or similar associations  are endowed with constitutional rights and 2) Money is not speech, and therefore limiting political contributions and spending is not equivalent to restricting political speech."

Although such an amendment makes perfect sense to combat the out-of-control corporate and special interest spending that dominate so many elections today, not to mention that the enormous costs prevents many from running for office, getting it on the ballot  even as an advisory referendum  isn't going to be easy.

The two Democrats aren't naive. They know that Wisconsin's legislative Republicans have already refused to take up the resolution during the last two sessions, even though it is only advisory.

Meanwhile, the grip of money continues out of control  outside groups spent $61 million during the recent 2018 midterms in the state, more than was spent in 2010 and 2014 combined.

Passing a referendum here would lend Wisconsin's voice to those across the country who have long been asking Congress to effectively overturn the high court's 5-4 decision that opened the big money spigots and corrupted the nation's political system.
Information warfare is amplifying major worldwide threats like climate change and nuclear warfare, endangering the future of civilization, US experts said Thursday as the symbolic Doomsday Clock stayed at two minutes to midnight.

The manipulation of facts, fake news, and information overloadalong with global warming and flirting with nuclear warare all factors that have brought humans as close to destroying the planet as ever, said the non-profit Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. Humanity now faces two simultaneous existential threats, either of which would be cause for extreme concern and immediate attention, the group said in a statement. These major threatsnuclear weapons and climate changewere exacerbated this past year by the increased use of information warfare to undermine democracy around the world, amplifying risk from these and other threats and putting the future of civilization in extraordinary danger. The clock did not budge from last year, but that should not be taken as a sign of stability, said Rachel Bronson, president and CEO of the group of scholars and international experts in security, nuclear, environmental and science fields. It is a state as worrisome as the most dangerous times of the Cold War, said Bronson at a press conference in the US capital, describing the current climate as The New Abnormal. The velocity of information has increased by orders of magnitude, allowing information warfare and fake news to flourish, she said. It generates rage and polarization across the globe at a time when we need calm and unity to solve the globes greatest problems. This New Abnormal is a state that features an unpredictable and shifting landscape of simmering disputes that multiply the chances for major conflict to erupt, she added. We appear to be normalizing a very dangerous world in terms of the risks of nuclear warfare and climate change.Robert Rosner, professor in astronomy and astrophysics at the University of Chicago, described this New Abnormal as the disturbing reality in which things are not getting better. The fact that the Doomsday Clocks hands did not move is bad news indeed, he said.The Doomsday Clock was created in 1947. Its time has changed on 20 occasions since then, ranging from two minutes to midnight in 1953and again in 2018to 17 minutes before midnight in 1991. Last year, it moved from two-and-a-half minutes before minutes to two minutes, as near as it has ever been to the hour of the apocalypse, largely based on concerns over the possibility of nuclear war with North Korea and unpredictability from US President Donald Trump. Over the past year, the rhetoric between North Korea and the United States has eased but remains extremely dangerous, said Bronson. Meanwhile, relations between the United States and Russia remain unacceptably strained. And on the environmental front, carbon emissions began to rise again after a period of plateauing, Bronson added. On tensions with North Korea, former US defense secretary William Perry said the latest talks between the Washington and Pyongyang may have done nothing to move North Korea away from its nuclear program. On the other hand, and this is a big other hand, it stopped the insults and threats between our two countries, and therefore reduced the chances of blundering into a war with North Korea, Perry said. Jerry Brown, executive chairman of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists and former governor of California, said world leaders are not doing enough to scale back the threat of nuclear weapons. The blindness and stupidity of the politicians and their consultants is truly shocking in the face of nuclear catastrophe and danger, Brown said. We are almost like travelers on the Titanic, not seeing the iceberg up ahead but enjoying the elegant dining and music. Brown also took issue with journalists who report on every word the US president utters on social media. Journalists, yes, you love Trumps tweets. You love the news of the day. You love the leads that get the clicks but the final click could be a nuclear accident or mistake, and that is what we all have to be worried about.
On Sept. 13, 2018, my constituent Sylvia got into a devastating car accident on her way to work for the Internal Revenue Service. Her car was badly damaged, and she was unable to walk or stand for weeks.

Sylvias road to recovery was long, and after two months, still ailing, she was forced to take unpaid leave. As a single mother, Sylvia had worked hard to provide for her child and had even been able to put aside some savings. Unfortunately, when her recovery dragged on for a third month her savings were depleted, and she had to return to work part time.

Three days later, President Trump shut down the government, and Sylvia was furloughed.

Its now been over a month since President Trumps latest temper tantrum forced thousands of Wisconsinites, like Sylvia, to live without certainty that they will be able to pay their bills and put food on the table for their families.

To make ends meet Sylvia is collecting unemployment from the state. However, according to Wisconsin unemployment law, if she is called back to work to assist taxpayers during tax season, though unpaid she will no longer be able to collect an unemployment check, making it all the more likely that she will be unable to meet her familys basic needs.
It took a week, but the public school teachers of Los Angeles won. Over 30,000 teachers and school staff, members of the United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) union, went on strike for the first time in 30 years, demanding more resources for their classrooms, nurses and librarians in every school, smaller class sizes and higher wages. In rain and shine, they were joined on their picket lines by students, parents and other allies.

On Tuesday, LAUSD, the Los Angeles Unified School District  the nation's second-largest school system, with about three-quarters of its students Latino  agreed to meet the strikers' demands. Classes resumed Wednesday. This major strike also joins a wave of similar labor actions around the country confronting the attempt by corporate interests to privatize public education.

"We went on strike, in one of the largest strikes that the United States has seen in decades," UTLA President Alex Caputo-Pearl said Tuesday night, after a supermajority of union members ratified the agreement. "The creativity and innovation and passion and love and emotion of our members was out on the street, in the communities, in the parks, for everyone to see."
Michael Cummins, a Madison business analyst, in a column for Isthmus says he believes Wisconsin needs to lower its blood alcohol limit from 0.08 to 0.05, which Utah did last year to get serious about drunk driving. Early analysis of the Utah action shows a dramatic drop in drunk driving fatalities, he notes.

State Rep. Jimmy Anderson, Democrat of Fitchburg, responds in a piece posted on WisOpinion to Republican Rep. Dave Murphy and his attacks on Political Science professor Ken Mayer's syllabus for a class that Murphy believes to be biased against Donald Trump. Murphy is trampling on the professor's free speech rights in an effort to make the UW a "safe place" for conservatives, which has been a constant goal of the Greenville conservative, Anderson says.
Im sure that I would be penalized for that, she said.

She also contended that a liberal bias permeates the university, forcing her and other students to compromise their views to achieve good grades.

Students have messaged me and said that they have had to change their opinions just to get an A in a class, she said, so Im certainly not the first person that this has happened to.

The post also prompted a letter to Mayer Wednesday from state Rep. Dave Murphy, R-Greenville, chairman of the Assembly Committee on Colleges and Universities, in which Murphy said he was appalled by your politically polarized characterization of the Trump presidency.

Placing hyper-partisan value judgments on contemporary actions of the president, as an introduction to a course in a syllabus, has a chilling effect on any future class discourse, he wrote.

He called the course description a slap in the face to the sort of academic rigor that should be a central focus at an institution such as UW-Madison.
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Voters also appear to think Evers is more interested in cooperating with the Republican-led Legislature than legislative leaders are in cooperating with Evers. Forty-seven percent of voters said they think Evers is trying to cooperate with legislative Republicans, while 25 percent said they don't think he is. Twenty-two percent of voters think Republican leaders are trying to cooperate with Evers, while 46 percent think they aren't interested in cooperating.

6. Voters don't know a whole lot about the people running the show at the Capitol.

Evers' job approval rating just a few weeks into his term is 39 percent, with 22 percent of voters disapproving. But 38 percent of voters don't have an opinion about him. Forty-one percent of voters have a favorable opinion of Evers, while 24 percent view him unfavorably. Thirty-four percent either haven't heard enough about him or don't know.

Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes earns a 16 percent favorability rating, while 7 percent view him unfavorably and 76 percent either haven't heard enough about him or don't know. The same numbers apply to Attorney General Josh Kaul, but 77 percent haven't heard enough about him or don't know.
Pope John Paul II has called for reform in Cuba and the release of political prisoners while condemning US attempts to isolate the country.

The Pope is the first pontiff to visit the Communist Caribbean island.

Speaking in the capital, Havana, he said freedom of conscience was the basis and foundation of all other human rights.

A modern state cannot make atheism or religion one of its political ordinances, he added.

The Cuban President, Fidel Castro, who was educated in a Jesuit school, declared Cuba an atheist state after he took power in 1959.

In 1992 Cuba dropped its commitment to atheism from its constitution and last December Christmas was reinstated as an official holiday ahead of the Popes five-day visit.

Today the Pope urged an end to Cubas political and economic isolation: She needs to open herself to the world and the world needs to draw close to Cuba.

He also condemned the resurgence of a certain capitalist neo-liberalism which subordinates the human person to blind market forces and often places unbearable burdens upon less favoured countries.

We thus see a small number of countries growing exceedingly rich at the cost of increasing impoverishment of a great number of countries, he said.

President Castro, whom the Church blames for decades of persecution of Catholics, urged every able-bodied Cuban to attend the papal mass, if not out of conviction, at least out of respect.

And according to BBC correspondent Tim Gibb there was a mood of intense excitement in a crowd of several hundred thousand.

During the address in Havanas Revolution Square, which lasted more than three hours, the Pope was constantly interrupted by people chanting, Long live Juan Pablo; he wants everyone to be free!

The president, sitting in the front row, listened intently and smiled occasionally while alongside him sat Nobel-winning novelist Gabriel Garcia Marquez of Colombia.

The Mass, like his earlier one in the eastern city of Santiago de Cuba, was also broadcast on television nationwide.

The Pope looked tired at times during the long ceremony, but he was not too weary to joke about it. I am not against applause, it allows the Pope to rest, he said on one occasion with a wry smile.

This morning he called for the release of Cuban political prisoners at a Mass on the outskirts of Havana at one of the countrys principal shrines.

There are an estimated 500 prisoners of conscience in Cuba. Opposition activists face constant harassment and arrest.

Earlier in the week, the Pope personally handed Fidel Castro a list of names which the Church would like to see released.

So far theres been no public response from the Cuban government; however the countrys vice-president, Carlos Lahe said the list would be given proper attention.

Courtesy BBC News

In context

In his farewell speech the following day, the Pope condemned the economic embargo imposed on Cuba by the United States, describing it as an indiscriminate measure that hurt the poor.

On his return, the Pope described the trip as unforgettable, and a great event of spiritual, cultural and social reconciliation for the island.

He compared the five-day Cuban trip to the one he made to his native Poland in 1979 and hoped it would set off a train of events that would benefit the Cuban people.

Two weeks later his prayers were answered when Cuba released more than 300 political prisoners as an act of goodwill.

In March 1998, the US announced it was ready to allow the return of direct flights to Cuba to increase the flow of humanitarian aid to the Cuban people.

But it was not until October 2000 that the US House of Representatives approved the sale of food and medicines to Cuba. In November 2001 the US exported food to Cuba for the first time in more than 40 years after a request from the Cuban government to help it cope with the aftermath of Hurricane Michelle.

But tensions between Cuba, the US and Europe resurfaced in 2003 after a crackdown on dissidents that saw the execution of three men who tried to escape to America.

In May 2004 new US sanctions restricted US-Cuba family visits and cash remittances from expatriates. President Castro led a protest march against measures.

The Pope died on 2 April 2005 after he failed to recover from a throat operation.
Singaporean actor Aloysius Pang died yesterday from injuries he sustained during a military training exercise in New Zealand. He was 28.

Pang was injured in his chest and abdomen when the gun barrel was lowered on a large artillery device he was helping repair Saturday. Singapores defense ministry said in a statement that Pang had been put on life support following surgeries to repair his damaged organs but died at Waikato Hospital.

Also known as Pang Wei Chong, the actor was known for the movie Young & Fabulous (2016) as well as television series that include The Truth Seekers (2016) and C.L.I.F. (2011).

Singapore mandates young men serve in its armed forces, police force or civil defense force. Most serve full-time for two years, and then have annual training obligations. Pang had completed his full-time service, and was an armament technician whose rank was corporal first class.

Before leaving for New Zealand, Pang wrote on Twitter that Unfortunately, my 2019 will start off with me flying to New Zealand for 3 weeks due to reservist. Ill be back in action soon.

The military said it would convene an independent committee of inquiry to investigate the circumstances leading up to Pang being injured.

He had been working on a Singapore Self-Propelled Howitzer, a motorized piece of artillery that looks similar to a small tank. The live-firing training exercise took place at the Waiouru training area on New Zealands North Island and is hosted by New Zealands military each year.

Pangs Singapore agency NoonTalk Media posted a photo of the actor on Facebook and wrote Dear Aloysius, youll be missed.

Other actors also paid tribute. Shane Pow Xunping wrote on Instagram: It is not enough for you to be a brother in this life. We will continue to be brothers in the next life. I love you. AP
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has ordered preparations for a second summit with President Donald Trump, saying hell wait with patience and in good faith to work toward a common goal, the Norths state media reported yesterday.

Despite Kims determination for another meeting with Trump, the two remain at odds over fundamental issues. Experts say a major sticking point is what denuclearization steps Kim should take to move forward stalled nuclear negotiations and what rewards Trump should provide to push Kim to take those measures.

The Korean Central News Agency said Kim received a letter from Trump from a North Korean envoy who met the U.S. president in Washington last week. After meeting Kim Yong Chol, Trump said that he and Kim Jong Un will probably meet around the end of February but did not say exactly when and where the summit would take place.

Yesterdays report said Kim expressed satisfaction with his envoys meeting with Trump and spoke highly of the U.S. president for expressing his unusual determination and will for the settlement of the issue with a great interest in the second summit.

We will wait with patience and in good faith and, together with the U.S., advance step by step toward the goal to be reached by the two countries, Kim was quoted as saying.

Kim also set forth tasks and orientation for making good technical preparations for the second summit high on the agenda, according to KCNA.

Nuclear negotiations have been stuck since Kim and Trump met in Singapore last June for their first summit, which ended with Kims vague denuclearization pledge that his government had previously used when it called for the withdrawal of the 28,500 U.S. troops in South Korea. A summit accord also stated that the United States and North Korea will commit to establishing new relations and join efforts to build a lasting and stable peace on the Korean Peninsula.

The strongest step Kim could promise during a second summit may be abandoning his long-

range missile program targeting the U.S. mainland. That step, if realized, would trigger a strong backlash from many in South Korea and Japan, which are within the striking distance of North Koreas short- and medium-range missiles. In return, Kim is seeking to get U.N. sanctions lifted. He also wants better relations with the United States to try to revive his countrys moribund economy to pave the way for a prolonged rule by his family, experts say. AP
Malaysian investigators have uncovered details of how fugitive financier Jho Low could have made financial gains from the entity that predated scandal-

plagued state fund 1MDB, through a bond sale involving local bankers and a Thai brokerage.

Authorities are probing a 5 billion ringgit (USD1.2 billion) bond sale in 2009 by Terengganu Investment Authority, or TIA, a sovereign wealth fund that later became 1MDB, according to people familiar with the matter. Investigators believe that $126 million of illicit funds  which Low and his associate Eric Tan have been charged with receiving  came from the deal arranged by AMMB Holdings Bhd. and involving companies in Thailand and Singapore, said one of the people.

The investigation is focused on tracing money flows that led to Low, as well as officers at TIA and AMMB, who may have abetted Low in the dealings, according to the people. Authorities are looking into whether any individuals concealed or misrepresented statements related to the bond sale and whether any of the funds were misappropriated, the people said, asking not to be named discussing an ongoing probe.

Low, who remains at large, has been named by U.S. prosecutors as the alleged mastermind of a $4.3 billion scheme to siphon money from 1MDB  putting him at the center of a massive scandal that has ensnared Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and spawned investigations on three continents. Low, whose full name is Low Taek Jho, has repeatedly denied wrongdoing, and said he held no formal position at 1MDB.

Malaysian authorities are probing whether Low and Tan benefited from a complex series of transactions that involved bonds issued by TIA changing hands twice in the same day at vastly different prices, the people said.

A spokesman for the finance ministry, which now oversees 1MDB, declined to comment. The state-owned investment funds full name is 1Malaysia Development Bhd.

1MDB INQUIRIES

The Securities Commission is conducting inquiries into matters relating to 1MDB, including the TIA bond issuance, a spokesperson said in response to a Bloomberg query. The regulator has the authority to enforce securities rules on institutions or individuals if theres any wrongdoing.

Representatives for Ambank, Jho Low and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission couldnt immediately comment on the matter. A spokesman for the police declined to comment. Previous efforts to reach Tan were unsuccessful.

The series of transactions in 2009 may have started with TIA reaching out to Ambank to help it raise 5 billion ringgit, the people said. Ambank then sold 3.8 billion ringgit of the TIA notes to Country Group Securities Pcl in Thailand, and 700 million ringgit to a Singapore-based company, while buying 500 million ringgit for itself, the people said. The three parties bought these notes at a discounted price of about 87 ringgit for 100, on account of the notes being the first 30-year Islamic notes out of Malaysia.

TWENTY-FOUR HOURS

Investigators got suspicious when documents they obtained showed that the parties resold the bonds for profit on the same day. Ambank helped them sell the notes for 100 ringgit to 105 ringgit to local investors, according to the people.

Low served as an adviser to TIA at the time and was involved in the discussions on the bond issuance from the start, the people said.

That the transactions were done within 24 hours has raised many questions for investigators who are probing why Ambank didnt arrange for the bonds to be sold directly to the investors, and how Country Group  a new name in the 1MDB investigations  came into the picture. Its unclear if any new charges will be filed related to the transactions.

Veeraphat Phetcharakupt, chief executive officer of Country Group, couldnt immediately comment. Thailands Securities and Exchange Commission hasnt been contacted about any investigation involving 1MDB, said Secretary-General Rapee Sucharitakul.

ILLICIT FUNDS

As for how the money may have gotten to Low, investigators uncovered a put option agreement that Country Group signed with Singapore-based ACME Time Ltd., whose beneficiaries are Low and Tan. That agreement paved the way for Country Group to send a third-party transfer instruction to Ambank to pay $113 million of the windfall, generated by reselling the TIA notes, to ACME Time, one of the people said.

Malaysian prosecutors have leveled multiple charges against Low and Tan in their absence, including allegations of receiving $113.4 million of illicit funds through ACME Time from an Ambank account in May 2009, followed by another $12.6 million in July 2009, according to charge sheets issued in December. The charge sheets didnt link the illicit payments to TIAs bond sale.

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, who has pleaded not guilty to dozens of charges linked to 1MDB, has said that Low never worked for or represented 1MDB, and instead Low was a representative of Arab parties. Low said he was never employed by the governments of Malaysia or Abu Dhabi. Elffie Chew, Anisah Shukry, Bloomberg
Jaywalk anywhere in Metro Manila and you risk smearing your record with the National Bureau of Investigationwhich issues the clearance you need anytime you apply for a job or try to go abroad.

Thats the proposal of the Metro Manila Development Authority, as it wants to get tougher against jaywalkers, who the agency said to cause 54 percent of road accidents in the big city. MMDA spokesperson Celine Piolago told GMAs Unang Balita program on Friday the agency would discuss its proposal with the Metro Manila Council for possible approval. Its the MMDAs plan that the jaywalkers we apprehend would have a lamat [mark] on their NBI records. Unfortunately, the current penalties dont seem to be enough [to deter them], Piolago said.At present, jaywalkers are slapped with a P500 fine or made to render community service. It was unclear if the NBI, a separate agency under the Department of Justice, would be amenable to the proposal.
A polarizing Christian politician whose campaign comments ignited the largest protests in years in Muslim-majority Indonesia was freed yesterday after serving nearly two years in prison for blasphemy.

Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama, the former governor of Jakarta, left a paramilitary police prison outside the capital early yesterday with members of his family, said his spokesman Sakti Budiono, avoiding waiting supporters and media.

In 2016, Purnama made lighthearted campaign-trail comments that voters shouldnt heed his detractors who said the Quran prohibits Muslims from being led by Christians. Hard- liners seized on the remarks as blasphemy, triggering protests that brought hundreds of thousands of white-robed Muslims to the center of Jakarta.

He was defeated in an election by a rival aligned with the protesters and sentenced to prison in May 2017 for blaspheming the Quran. Rights groups said the sentence highlighted why the easily abused blasphemy law should be repealed.

Days before being freed, Purnama posted online that he didnt want supporters to make a fuss about his release and apologized to Jakarta civil servants, including even my haters that hed offended by being rude and arrogant.

The movement against Purnama, an ally of President Joko Widodo, brought fringe Islamic groups into the political mainstream and rattled the government, highlighting the mingling of religion with politics in Indonesia, the worlds third-largest democracy.

Widodo subsequently chose a conservative cleric as his running mate for Aprils presidential election, hoping to deflect attacks that he is insufficiently Islamic. Last week he announced the release of a radical cleric linked to the Bali bombers and other extremists, but back-tracked within days as local and international criticism grew.

Widodo told reporters on Wednesday that Purnama, who was his deputy governor before he was elected president in 2014, had gone through a legal process and he currently had no plans to meet him.

Its unclear if Purnama will return to politics but in a handwritten note posted on Instagram earlier this week he told supporters to not be discouraged and to vote for candidates in Aprils presidential and legislative elections who support diversity.

Islamic Defenders Front member Novel Bakmumin, who filed a police complaint that led to Purnama being investigated for blasphemy, said the former governor should stay out of politics.

I hope Ahok will not repeat a mistake that can cause unrest among Muslims, not only in Indonesia but in the world, because Islam is not his realm to be critical of, he should take care of his own religion, he said.

Purnama, part of the tiny ethnic Chinese minority in Indonesia, was popular with Jakartas middle class for efforts to stamp out corruption and make the teeming capital more livable.

But others were angered by his brash outspokenness and the demolition of slums that were home to Jakartas poorest residents.

An activist from the Friends of Ahok group said Purnamas true calling is politics and predicted he would become a leader, whether a leader of a political party or a leader of this country.

He is a fighting politician, he fights against corruption, injustice and upholds order and democracy. That caused many people to dislike him and become his political enemies, said Hasan Nasbi.

In an unlikely twist, the 2016 protests also provided opportunists with the impetus for an alleged plot to topple Widodo, the first Indonesian president not from the countrys military and political elite.

Police arrested numerous high-profile Indonesians, including a daughter of the founding president, accusing them of plotting to hijack the protests to cause chaos. Their apparent aim was to provide a pretext for military intervention that would unseat Widodo.

They were later released and have not faced trial. AP
Huawei Technologies Co.s consumer chief dismissed U.S. political forces and attempts to crimp the companys growth, saying sales of smartphones and other devices surged by about 50 percent to a record USD52 billion in 2018.

Consumer division president Richard Yu yesterday called reports of Huawei spying for China fake news and said its product launch schedule for 2019 remains on track. The outspoken executive, speaking to reporters after helping unveil two in-house developed chipsets for fifth-generation wireless gear, waved off concerns the equipment could be employed in espionage.

The concerns all came from the political guys making noise, he said, brushing away a public relations executive who tried to end the briefing. Thats some influence, but definitely we are confident about our future, he said in English.

Huawei faces mounting scrutiny as Washington convinces a growing list of allies to blacklist its networking equipment. Billionaire founder Ren Zhengfei broke years of public silence last week to dismiss U.S. accusations the closely held telecoms giant helps Beijing spy on Western governments.

Its unclear whether that pressure has affected business. Ren said the companys 2019 revenue is expected to top USD125 billion, while Yu said smartphone shipments rose 35 percent to 206 million units in 2018. He expects Internet of Things devices and 5G to drive sales this year and propel Huaweis goal of becoming the worlds No. 1 smartphone maker after surpassing Apple Inc. last year.

The U.S. market is big, but unfortunately there is a political guy there, we cant do anything, he said. Even without the U.S. market, we will be the No. 1.

Huawei is angling for the lead in 5G, the technology that powers everything from self-driving cars to smart cities. On Thursday, it unveiled a self-developed chip for 5G base stations as well as a modem chip for devices. The company said its now shipped over 25,000 of its 5G base stations worldwide. Ryan Ding, chief executive of the carrier business, said 18 out of Huaweis 30 contracts so far have come from Europe.

It intends to show off its first 5G-capable smartphone with a folding screen during the Mobile World Congress next month, though Yu stressed that  at more than 1,000 euros ($1,135)  it wont be for the masses.

Our products dont have any ideology, he said. Bloomberg
China yesterday said it has detained a Chinese-Australian writer on charges of involvement in criminal activities endangering Chinas national security.

Foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying offered no details about the charges against Yang Hengjun, a novelist and online commentator, in response to a question at a daily news briefing.

Such charges are extremely vague and frequently leveled at critics of the ruling Communist Party, with little hard evidence provided in support.

According to our understanding, the Australian national Yang Hengjun was suspected of engaging in criminal activities endangering Chinas national security, Hua said.

At present, the case is being handled according to law, and Yang Hengjuns legitimate rights and interests have been fully guaranteed, she said.

Hua said Yangs case was in the hands of the Beijing city branch of the national intelligence bureau, potentially raising it to a higher level of scrutiny by state authorities. She said Australias embassy in China had been informed of the measures taken against him.

Friends said Yang, 53, had been living in New York as a visiting scholar at Columbia University with his wife and her child and had returned to China last week. Australia raised the issue of his disappearance on Wednesday.

Australias defense minister said yesterday he would press Chinese officials to treat Yang fairly and release all information about his case.

Christopher Pyne told reporters at the start of a previously scheduled visit to Beijing that Yang was being held under a type of home detention in Beijing.

Its unclear why Yang would have been detained, although China has become increasingly intolerant of even the hint of criticism.

Pyne said he would raise Yangs case in a meeting with his Chinese counterpart, Wei Fenghe.

The Australian government is obviously concerned with the residential surveillance of Mr. Yang, Pyne told reporters. He is an Australian citizen and we are seeking to provide him with consular assistance and support to ensure that he is treated fairly and transparently.

Chinas defense ministry had no immediate response.

Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne said earlier in Sydney that Australia has asked for consular accesses to Yang along with an explanation for his detention and details of the charges brought against him.

Payne said the government would be concerned if the detention was related to Chinas arrest of two Canadians last month or her governments decision in August to block Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei from rolling out Australias 5G network due to security concerns. Both issues have figured in speculation about the reasons for Yangs detention.

China detained the two Canadians, entrepreneur Michael Spavor and former diplomat Michael Kovrig, on national security charges in what was widely seen as retaliation for Canadas arrest of Huawei Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou at the request of the United States.

Meng is also the daughter of the founder of the company, which enjoys strong Chinese government and military backing. The U.S. has led a campaign joined by allies such as Australia to ban Huawei from major projects based on national security grounds.

At this stage there is no evidence of such a connection, Payne told reporters of a possible link to the Canadians detention.

Id be concerned if there was an indication of that. So we are calling on the Chinese authorities to ensure this matter is dealt with transparently and fairly, she added.

Payne declined to make public details of where and when Yang had been detained. She said she wanted an explanation for why Australia was not informed until Wednesday night after Yangs friends and family had raised the alarm that he was missing.

A friend of Yang, University of Technology Sydney academic Feng Chongyi, said he had warned Yang against traveling to China in light of the Canadians arrest. Yang had argued that he was safe because he had flown to China several times since taking the university job in New York in 2016.

I told him the situation had changed. He didnt believe me. It was a horrible misjudgment, Feng said.

Feng was detained for two weeks in 2017 while visiting China to research human rights lawyers and said later that he couldnt discuss details of his experience.

Rory Medcalf, head of the Australian National Universitys National Security College, had warned after the Canadians were detained that an Australian could be the next victim of Chinas hostage-taking.

Its hard to tell the precise reason for this detention, Medcalf said. I think rather its a signal that were now  not only Australia, but really all democracies, all middle powers  are in for a period of sustained tension with China where the safety of our nationals in China simply cannot be assured.

Columbia University said Yang had been a visiting scholar with the School of International Public Affairs Institute for the Study of Human Rights since 2016. Spokeswoman Caroline Adelman said the university had no comment on Yangs detention. Christopher Bodeen & Rod McGuirk, Beijing, AP
The Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) said that no damage was found after a drone crashed into the Ruins of St. Pauls on Thursday night. According to a statement, after the incident, IC staff made a detailed inspection of the site, including photo comparison and data analysis through 3D scan. The IC reported the case to the Civil Aviation Authority and pledged to link with the relevant authorities in order to decide if it is necessary to take measures regarding the use of drones in the vicinitiy of monuments. The police said that the person operating the drone was a 23-year-old male tourist from the mainland.

Vietnamese hold Tet celebrations

Overseas Vietnamese in the two special administrative regions of China gathered last weekend at celebrations of the Lunar New Year (Tet) organized by the countrys Consulate General in Hong Kong and Macau. Vietnamese Consul General Tran Thanh Huan attended the Macau celebration on Saturday and used the occasion to highlight his compatriots contributions to building their homeland into a more prosperous nation, according to Vietnam News. The Consul General also presented certificates of merit to individuals, honoring their efforts to develop the Vietnamese communities in the Hong Kong and Macau.
An Australian businessman who was allegedly part of a criminal syndicate that smuggled 1.28 metric tons of cocaine inside a shipment of prefabricated steel from China faced a Sydney court yesterday after becoming the last of three accused conspirators to be extradited from Serbia.

Tristan Waters, 35, was the last of three Australian alleged accomplices to be charged in a Sydney court with helping to import Australias second-largest cocaine haul valued at USD400 million. The illicit drug was found in 2,576 individual blocks inside a shipping container aboard a Chinese freighter docked in Sydney in April 2017.

Serbian police arrested Waters, Rohan Arnold, 44, and David Campbell, 49, at gunpoint in the foyer of a luxury Belgrade hotel in January last year and they each fought extradition to Australia.

All three have now been charged in Sydney with drug smuggling offenses that carry potential sentences of life imprisonment.

Waters did not apply for bail or enter pleas when he appeared by a video link in Sydneys Central Local Court. He will appear in the court next on Feb. 13.

He left Australia for the United Arab Emirates in 2016. Court documents list a luxurious hotel on Dubais Palm Jumeirah canals as his address there.

Arnold was extradited from Serbia in March last year and Campbell in July.

Prosecutors allege the trio was lured to the Belgrade hotel by an undercover police operative who told them the cocaine had been mistakenly delivered to New Zealand. They were told they would have to hand over $3 million to get the drugs back.

The largest Australian cocaine haul was 1.4 metric tons (1.5 U.S. tons) found in February 2017 in a yacht that had allegedly smuggled it from the South Pacific. Six people were charged and face potential life prison sentences.

That larger haul was valued at only around $210 million because its purity was lower than the second-largest haul. AP
A law which proposes a maximum of three years imprisonment for behavior which publicly insults national symbols has been passed at the Legislative Assembly (AL).

The legal amendment that was passed relates to the national flag, national symbols and anthem.

Sulu Sou and Au Kam San expressed their opposition toward the article, which proposes imprisonment.

Respecting or not should not be enforced by law. I oppose using criminal measures to handle it [respect]. Even in mainland China, the government uses administrative methods. But, in Macau, we are using criminal methods, said Sou.

Actually, the public power should [set] the example [in respecting the people], said Sou.

The law also proposes to include anthem education in non-tertiary education institutions. Currently, 68 local primary and middle schools are teaching students about the Chinese anthem.

It is already included in the educational frame[work]. It is not needed to be regulated here in this law, said Au.

Is anthem education going to include all the details regarding the anthem itself, such as the life of the lyricist [who was attacked and died in jail because of the Cultural Revolution in China, Sou noted], so that everybody knows about the development of the anthem and its history? asked Sou.

On the lawmakers agenda

PUBLIC HOUSING Ella Lei, Zheng Anting and Ng Kuok Cheong asked the government about Ilha Verdes affordable housing issue. The three lawmakers have doubts about the governments use of public funds. Zheng criticized the government for wasting public money on governmental projects. Lei wants to know about the accountable parties behind the problem with the Ilha Verde affordable housing fire damper change. She asked why the government did not spot problems during the construction. By citing this specific project, Ng wants the government to take initiative in revealing costs and expenditures of large-scale public projects.

MAINLAND PROPERTY Leong Sun Iok hopes that the local government can establish a cooperation mechanism with mainland China authorities in order to take care of Macau citizens property purchases in mainland China. Leong first noted that some local residents had fallen victim to mainland property traps because they were unaware of mainland laws and the mainlands land situation. He also criticized some real estate agencies and property developers for using fake promotional campaigns to attract buyers, including buyers from Macau. The lawmaker noted that the lawsuit procedure regarding Macau residents property purchase problems in mainland China takes a long time, which leads to local residents losing their money. Leong wants the local government to provide suitable protection to local residents who invest in properties across mainland China, and also to assist these residents in solving cross-border investment disputes.

RESPONSIBLE TOURISM Pereira Coutinho said that the SAR government needs some measures based on responsible tourism. Streets mostly visited by visitors are becoming dirtier, and, due to the large number of tourists, the streets cant be kept clean at all, complained Coutinho. The lack of a clear policy for sustainable tourism development, the lack of public morality and responsible tourism lead to the continuous increase of illegal guesthouses, dishonest sales of suspicious products and other situations, said Coutinho.
Chinese automakers have tried to crack the U.S. market for over a decade. A petite USD5,000 pickup truck is up next. Kaiyun Motors is poised to start mass exports to the U.S. in 2019 after spending the past four years analyzing consumer needs, founder Wang Chao said in a phone interview. The startup has the required approvals and plans to sell as many as 10,000 of its Pickman electric trucks in the U.S. this year, he said.

The company is trying to win over cost- conscious buyers with stuff to haul and no need for a larger pickup such as Ford Motor Co.s F-150, Americas best-selling model. The Pickman, with a top speed of 45 kilometers per hour, is suitable for farm owners, factory employees moving loads at their work sites, and commuters, Wang said.

While the Pickman is nimbler than U.S.-built pickups and costs as little as one-tenth of a F-150, its limited speed and driving range of 120 kilometers (75 miles) on one charge may put off some potential customers. Chinese brands also need to convince U.S. buyers of their quality and safety features in a market thats been dominated by domestic and Japanese manufacturers for decades.

2019 will be year one for Kaiyun as we take on overseas markets including the U.S., Wang said. We can make our Pickman as successful as the F-150. In China, the battery-powered Pickman carries a price tag of 16,800 yuan ($2,470), less than the cost of two higher-end iPhones. The pickup will be sold for $5,000 in the U.S. and 5,000 euros ($5,700) in Europe, as variants in those markets come with revisions and added features such as reinforced structures and storage space for guns.

Wang said his company shipped a small volume of Pickmans to the U.S. over the past year to test them out and get consumer feedback, and has continued to tailor the vehicle to the market. The company cleared regulatory approvals and certification processes for sales in the European Union in January and will start shipping the first batch of Pickmans to Germany and Italy after next months Lunar New Year holiday, he said. Bloomberg
This report was prepared by Willis Jacobson. He can be reached at wjacobson@leecentralcoastnews.com.
Ten cadres of the New Peoples Army waging war with government forces have surrendered, handing over high-powered firearms to military officials in Iligan City and Davao Occidental. The 10 NPA rebels were part of Guerilla Front 71 operating in the outskirts of Malita town, Davao Occidental and in the hinterlands of Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur. They decided to return to the folds of the law separately to army officials Wednesday and Sunday. In Iligan City, six NPA members voluntarily turned over an M4 carbine rifle, one Ingram sub-machine gun, a caliber .22 and caliber .45 pistols an acceptance rites presided by Lt. Col. Jasper Edward Obar, commander of the Armys 51st Infantry Battalion. Brig. Gen. Thomas Sedano, chief of the 2nd Mechanized Brigade which has jurisdiction over the 51st IB, said that the NPAs will be given appropriate economic benefits from the government. We will ensure for their enrollment to the Enhance Comprehensive Local Integration Program of the government for them to return into the mainstream society, Sedano said. In Sarangani province, four NPAs from Guerilla Front 71 yielded to the troops of the 73rd Infantry Battalion in Barangay Upper Suyan, Malapatan and Barangay Little Baguio, Malita, Davao Occicdental. Col. Marion Ancao, commander of the 73rd Infantry Battalion, identified the rebels a certain Klawag, and Rebred, both residents of Barangay Upper Suyan; Jason and Rusi of Barangay Kiham. The four NPAs handed over an M16 rifle, a .38 pistol, one carbine and caliber .357mm pistol. Ancao said the rebels decided to yield because they claimed that the NPA leadership failed to provide family support, coupled by the hardships they had experienced. was not there. All we experienced are hardship, hunger and fear, said Ancao, quoting the rebels. He said that the increasing number of NPA surrenderees brings hope that the NPA force will weaken soon. The continuous armed struggle will only bring death, misery, anger, and poverty. The people of Sarangani deserve to have a peaceful environment, said Maj. Gen. Jose Faustino Jr., commander of 10th Infantry Division. In other developments, the military, backed by police, has launched a manhunt against communist rebels who ambushed government forces in Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat on Thursday morning. According to Major. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the Armys 6th Infantry Division (6ID), two soldiers of the 2nd Marine Battalion Landing Team (MBLT-2), were slightly injured in the 8:30 a.m. ambush in Sitio Ugangawon, Barangay Datu Ito Andong of Kalamansig town. The ambush displayed the New Peoples Armys [NPA] insincerity in talking peace with the Duterte administration, Sobejana said. The Marines are working under the area of responsibility of the 6ID in Sultan Kudarat with the two injured soldiers being part of the Marine unit conducting a patrol in Barangay Datu Ito Andong. Sobejana, citing reports from MBLT-2 of the 1st Marine Brigade based in Kalamansig, said the Marines were on board a KM-450 military truck passing by Sitio Ugangawon, Barangay Datu Ito when an anti-personnel mine exploded. The blast was followed by a series of gun fire from communist rebels positioned at an elevated portion of the highway. As the Marines returned fire, the terrorists quickly fled deep into the forest. A follow-up operation led to the recovery of an anti-personnel mine at the blast site. Sobejana, also chief of the military-led Task Force Central, has directed troops to intensify operations against NPA rebels who repeatedly tried to harass government forces. Recently, the rebels torched several heavy equipment of a construction firm on road projects in Barangay Hinalaan, Kalamansig, for refusal to pay revolutionary taxes. Destruction of civilian-owned equipment has nothing to do with AFP operations.These terrorist acts must be stopped, the military will not allow this to continue, Sobejana said. The US and the EU have declared the CPP-NPA as a terrorist group. The Armed Forces of the Philippines, meanwhile, said that with the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) in full blast, it is now time for dissatisfied New Peoples Army (NPA) communist rebels to surrender. Our advice is for them to get out and surrender while they can and avail of the governments E-CLIP. They will be accorded the relocation and security for their safety. Its the best time to change the course of their lives. Abandon the armed struggle and take charge of your future, stressed by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) public affairs office chief, Col. Noel Detoyato said. Commenting on reports that many rebel fighters want to surrender but are afraid to do so due to threats from their erstwhile comrades, Detoyato said the NPA is known to deal harshly with those thinking of surrendering to government forces. They are always being guarded and watched. They are also threatened. This was the same scenario when they conducted Oplan Ahos, which resulted in countless deaths, which was done to get rid of those who were suspected to be spies, he added. Oplan Ahos took place from 1985 to 1986 and resulted in the death of an estimated 600 rebels in Mindanao. The E-CLIP is the flagship program of the Duterte administration that seeks to effect social healing and national unity through a whole-of-nation approach towards the higher objective of having just and lasting peace. It provides social equity to former members of the Communist Party of the Philippines  NPA  National Democratic Front and the Militia ng Bayan by devising a different mode of providing benefits and services to the former rebels (FRs), to reintegrate them into mainstream society. These benefits do not serve as an end, but rather a means to aid the FRs in securing a foothold in restarting their lives. The NPA, the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) armed wing, is listed as a terrorist organization in the United States and the European Union. Govt can secure surrendering NPA rebels: Lorenzana By Priam Nepomuceno January 25, 2019, 12:41 pm Share As this developed, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said that the government and the military are more than ready to secure members of the CPP-NPA who are ready to surrender and rejoin their loved ones and families in mainstream society. Lorenzana issued the statement when asked if the government and the military are capable of protecting NPA members who want to surrender but are afraid to go ahead with their plan due to threats from their comrades. Sure we can. We have people in all areas ready to help them: the local elected officials, police, military, DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development), in fact the whole government machinery. Earlier, the defense chief said the threat posed by the CPP-NPA is waning, due to the localized peace talks and Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program. These strategies are responsible for the surrender of NPA regular members and supporters last year. Lorenzana earlier said that the NPA is no longer a formidable force as its numbers have been greatly reduced. They are not that strong because their number is only about less than 6,000. About 1,000 armed rebels (have) already surrendered, so the remaining is 4,000. But their militia is big -- those who support them. If we reckon, we estimate that there are about 50,000 nationwide militia who support them. These militia are what we want to get, he added.
PUBLIC LIBRARies

The Lexington Public Librarys Novel Stitchers meets on Tuesdays at 3:00 p.m. If you enjoy stitching--knitting, crocheting, quilting, cross stitch, needlepoint, or have another portable stitching project--join us at the library for two hours of stitching and visiting. We will meet on Tuesdays, Jan. 22, and 29 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. in the Library Board Room. We would love to have you join us.

Lap Sit/Storytime for children, age birth to five years, meets at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesdays. Each Lap Sit/Storytime offers an educational experience for children with stories, songs, activities, and simple crafts. This program is offered every Wednesday, when Lexington Schools are in session.

Mark your calendarwe are meeting at a different time! The next Booked for Lunch at the Lexington Public Library is really Booked for Dessert. It is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 31, 2019. Join us for a dessert bar at 2:45 p.m. and stay for a presentation, at 3:00 p.m., about The Blizzard of 49 presented by Scott Foster and Brian Neben. To pre-register for the dessert bar at 2:45 p.m., visit the Lexington Public Library at 907 N. Washington or call (308) 324-2151.
The United States steps up its support for Venezuelas opposition leader, but the countrys military promises its loyalty to President Nicolas Maduro.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo asked members of the Organization of American States Thursday to recognize opposition leader Juan Guaido. He said the U.S. is ready to ship more than $20 million in humanitarian assistance to Venezuela. The country is facing severe economic problems.

Speaking to reporters at the White House, U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton added the U.S. wants to be sure that Venezuelan oil revenue goes to Guaido and not to President Maduro.

American support for Guaido came shortly after the opposition leader declared himself interim president Wednesday. The leader of Venezuela's National Assembly declared himself president just two weeks after Maduro began his second six-year term. Many Venezuelans believed the election should not be recognized because Maduro banned his opponents from running against him.

The chief of Venezuelas military, Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez, repeated his support for President Maduro in a televised statement Thursday. He said the armed forces will never accept a leader forced on their country. Its not a war between Venezuelans that will solve our problems, he said. Its dialogue.

The situation in Venezuela has the worlds major powers quickly picking sides. The U.S., Canada, some Latin American and European countries supported Guaidos claim that the constitution makes him interim president.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, however, has offered his support to Venezuelan President Maduro. In a statement, the presidents office said Putin called Maduro to express support to the legitimate government of Venezuela.

And Chinas foreign ministry called on the United States to stay out of the crisis.

Iran, Syria, Cuba and Turkey have also said they continue to support Maduros government.

I'm Susan Shand

Susan Shand adapted this story for Learning English based on reporting from the Associated Press and Reuters. Hai Do was the editor.

Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page.

______________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

revenue  n. money that is made by or paid to a business or an organization

interim - adj. used or accepted for a limited time: not permanent

dialogue - n. a discussion or series of discussions that two groups or countries have in order to end a disagreement

legitimate  adj. real, accepted, or official
Legazpi CityLawyer Justine Batocabe, son of slain Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Rodel Batocabe, lauded police operatives for the arrest of Daraga Mayor Carlwyn Baldo for illegal possession of firearms, explosive and ammunition last Tuesday. Batocabe, in a press conference late Wednesday, said, We are very thankful to the Philippine National Police [PNP], National Bureau of Investigation [NBI], Criminal Investigation and Detection Group [CIDG], Army and various agencies of government for their help in bringing justice, peace and security in the good town of Daraga and for turning the wheels of justice. He said the arrest of Baldo is a triumph of every Darageno who wishes nothing but peace and order and security for our good town. We have faith in the justice system.We see justice, our faith in the justice system is being repaid and we have nothing but thanks. We thank God, we thank the President, the congressmen and everybody who helped, Batocabe added.Baldo was arrested after members of the CIDG recovered two .45-caliber pistols, an M203 grenade ammunition, eight caliber .45 bullets, a magazine for Uzi handgun, and an M16 bullet at his residence in Barangay Tagas, Daraga town.
The chief of Airbus on Thursday warned that the aviation company could move its United Kingdom operations out of Britain. The move might happen if the country leaves the European Union without a deal on trade relations.

Airbus chief Tom Enders said a so-called Brexit threatens to destroy a century of development in Britains world-leading aviation industry.

Airbus has more than 14,000 employees in Britain. Another 110,000 work in jobs supported by Airbus programs.

Business leaders have expressed growing worry about the lack of progress in securing a Brexit trade deal before March 29, the day of Britains planned exit from the EU. They are expecting major problems caused by new taxes, customs checks, and a lack of trade agreements between the U.K. (United Kingdom) and the EU. The EU is the U.K.s biggest trading partner.

Last week, British lawmakers dismissed the deal Prime Minister Theresa May had reached with the EU. Lawmakers have not yet had success at reaching a different deal.

Enders said Airbus would be forced to re-direct future investments in the event of a no-deal Brexit. He added there are plenty of countries out there who would love to build the wings for Airbus aircraft.

Enders said in a statement that people supporting Brexit are promising Airbus would never move because it has such a large factory there.

They are wrong, he said.

Warnings from businesses have increased in recent days. The warning from Airbus is notable in that it demonstrates a clear willingness to leave the U.K.

The Bank of England has said that, in a worst-case situation, a sudden Brexit with no deal on future relations could lead to a recession. It estimates Britains economy could shrink by 8 percent within months.

May has been holding talks with government and opposition politicians, business representatives and trade union leaders. But she has shown little willingness to make changes to her Brexit plan.

Instead, she hopes to win lawmakers backing for her deal. She guaranteed changes from the EU to a much-disputed measure designed to ensure an open border between EU member Ireland and the U.K.s Northern Ireland.

EU leaders say they will not renegotiate the withdrawal agreement.

Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said, A deal that doesnt give us a legally binding workable guarantee that there wont be a hard border between Northern Ireland and Ireland is a deal in name only.

He added: And thats not something that we could accept.

Britains divided Parliament is set to vote next week on Mays proposal. They also plan to vote on opposing deals, including efforts by groups of legislators to delay Britains exit and to prevent a no-deal Brexit from even happening.

Mays government has rejected both ideas. But a growing number of lawmakers believe Britain will have to ask the EU to delay Brexit past March 29 to solve the impasse.

Airbus chief Tom Enders said business leaders could not plan for the future and need clear answers. But we still have no idea what is really going on here, he said.

I'm Kelly Jean Kelly.

The Associated Press reported this story. Ashley Thompson adapted it for VOA Learning English. Kelly Jean Kelly was the editor.

______________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

aviation - n. the business or practice of flying airplanes, helicopters, etc.

ensure - v. to make (something) sure, certain, or safe

binding - adj. forcing or requiring someone to do something because of a promise, agreement, etc.

impasse - n. a situation in which no progress seems possible
Friday, January 25, 2019

The Iowa Supreme Court has suspended a former prosecutor who engaged in criminal conduct by stealing a colleague's undergarments.

The Iowa Supreme Court Attorney Disciplinary Board (the Board) brought a complaint against an attorney, alleging numerous violations of the Iowa Rules of Professional Conduct. The attorney stole a woman colleagues underpants from her home, rifled through and photographed her undergarments in her bedroom, and rifled through female colleagues gym bags at the office to photograph their undergarments, all for his personal sexual gratification. A division of the Iowa Supreme Court Grievance Commission (the commission) found the attorneys conduct violated our ethical rules.

Based on the attorneys violation of our rules, the commission recommended we suspend his license to practice law for not less than ninety days. On our de novo review, we find the attorney violated three provisions of our rules. However, we disagree with the length of the recommended suspension. We suspend the attorneys license to practice law indefinitely with no possibility of reinstatement for one year from the date of filing this opinion. We also find that before reinstatement, the attorney must provide an evaluation from a licensed healthcare professional verifying his fitness to practice law.

The story

Attorney Benjamin Stansberry received his license to practice law in Iowa in 2004. From 2010 until his resignation in 2016, he worked as an assistant county attorney in the Marshall County Attorneys Office. On August 22, 2016, Stansberry texted his colleague Jane Doe and asked if he could stop by her home with his three-year-old son. At the time, Stansberry was in a supervisory role at the Marshall County Attorneys Office, and Doe was an assistant county attorney under Stansberrys supervision. Doe was mowing her lawn when Stansberry arrived at her home.

Stansberry asked Doe if he could use her restroom and if Doe could watch his sleeping child who was in a stroller while he went inside. Doe agreed and waited outside with Stansberrys child. Stansberry was inside Does home for about five minutes, then came outside and left with his child. Doe continued doing yard work when she noticed a piece of cloth lying in the middle of her driveway. She soon realized the object was a pair of her underpants.

The same evening, Doe reported the incident to her boss, Marshall County Attorney Jennifer Miller. An investigation ensued, and the county attorneys office put Stansberry on administrative leave on August 23. When questioned by law enforcement about his actions, Stansberry denied taking anything from Does home, denied taking any photographs in Does home, and denied deleting any photographs from his mobile phone.

The investigation, however, led to a search of Stansberrys mobile phone. The search revealed Stansberry had deleted photographs showing that he had entered Does bedroom and photographed her undergarment drawer, he had entered Does office and photographed undergarments in her gym bag, and he had entered the office of another colleagueJane Roeand photographed her undergarments in her gym bag as well. Stansberry officially resigned from the county attorneys office on August 26.

At the time he left the county attorneys office, Stansberry was the counsel of record for the state in approximately 145 cases. Miller found Stansberry had not followed the office protocol of note-taking and saving communications with defense attorneys in the offices software database. Thus, other county attorneys in the office spent considerable time trying to assess the status of Stansberrys cases. This resulted in dismissed charges because of missed deadlines, upset victims, and significant additional work for the county attorneys office and the district court clerks office.

He caused mental anguish to the victims

Stansberry victimized his female colleagues. He dug through their gym bags and pulled out their undergarments so he could photograph them. He stole a pair of underpants from a colleagues bedroom. Stansberry admitted to engaging in this conduct for sexual gratification. No person should feel unsafe at his or her home or place of work due to the sexual misdeeds of a colleague. Stansberrys actions traumatized the victims. His actions required those female attorneys to seek counseling. Worst of all, one of the attorneys was so traumatized that she quit her job, moved to another county, and started her career anew.

And misused his office

Here, Stansberry targeted women attorneys under his supervision. Stansberry snuck into the offices of Doe and Roe, rifled through their personal bags, and took photographs of their undergarments for his own sexual gratification. Stansberrys conduct took place at the victims and Stansberrys place of work in the county attorneys office.

Stansberry used his position and his job to find his victimsboth of whom were also attorneys at the county attorneys office. Stansberry testified the reason he knew Doe was because they worked together at the district attorneys office, which is why she trusted Stansberry to go into her home alone and use her restroom.

But the conduct was not prejudicial to the administration of justice

Here, Stansberrys actions led to his resignation at the county attorneys office. His resignation, not his criminal and ethical misconduct, was the direct cause of the continuances and dismissals of cases. At the time of his resignation, Stansberry was counsel of record in 145 cases. County Attorney Jennifer Miller testified that Stansberrys mishandling of some of his cases led to many extra hours of work for the county attorneys office. In addition, defendants were given generous plea offers because of approaching deadlines, approximately ten cases had to be dismissed for failure to meet deadlines, and it took approximately six months for the office to catch up on the workload after Stansberrys abrupt departure.

However, the Board did not charge Stansberry with any ethical violations regarding work-place negligence that led to the problems Miller testified to at the hearing.

Whenever an attorney leaves employment, other attorneys and staff members must make sure the attorneys work is completed. Although Stansberrys charged ethical misconduct may have been a foreseeable cause of the delay in cases and extra work for the office, it was not the direct cause of the delay in cases and extra work for the office. If we were to hold otherwise, every time we suspend an attorneys license to practice law and his or her cases have to be continued, the attorney would be engaging in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice.

We find a violation of this rule can only happen when the attorneys misconduct is a direct cause of the delay. Thus, we disagree with the commissions finding that Stansberry violated rule 32:8.4(d).

The court

Stansberry engaged in a pattern of improper conduct by repeatedly going through his colleagues gym bags, culminating in the criminal act of entering Does home under false pretenses and stealing her underpants. Stansberry acted intentionally, and he knowingly violated the privacy of Doe and Roe. He tried to coerce Doe not to report him and denied he has a compulsion. He described his reasoning behind photographing his colleagues undergarments as, It was dangerous and I suppose it was an adrenaline rush.

Sanction

We suspend Stansberrys license to practice law in Iowa for an indefinite period with no possibility of reinstatement for one year from the date of filing of this opinion. The suspension applies to all facets of the practice of law. See Iowa Ct. R. 34.23(3). Stansberry must comply with the notification requirements of Iowa Court Rule 34.24. To establish his eligibility for reinstatement, Stansberry must file an application for reinstatement meeting all applicable requirements of Iowa Court Rule 34.25 and provide an evaluation from a licensed healthcare professional verifying his fitness to practice law.

(Mike Frisch)

https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/legal_profession/2019/01/the-iowa-supreme-court-the-iowa-supreme-court-attorney-disciplinary-board-the-board-brought-a-complaint-against-an-attorne.html
LA County DA Launches Mental Health Division

Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey announced the launch of a mental health division  the first of its kind by a prosecutors office in California and possibly the nation  to seek opportunities to expand treatment and other services for mentally ill inmates in the criminal justice system.

Obviously, with some of the people who are mentally ill  those folks have to be in a secure setting such as a jail and receive their treatment there because they are dangerous. But there are a number of people in a number of cases that we have encountered where they do not display those violent tendencies, the countys top prosecutor said.

I want to assure the public that we are not talking about releasing people who have hurt someone or who have those indicators that they are a danger to the public , she said. There are some people we can safely divert into hospital settings and community settings and still restore them to competency, connect them with services and they can go on their way and be well.

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The district attorney noted that she doesnt want to be asked to divert cases involving serial killings, but said she believes there are lower- level cases that would be eligible.

The new division will work with defendants who have been declared mentally incompetent to stand trial or who are seeking alternative sentences due to their mental illnesses, according to the District Attorneys Office.

Prosecutors will be encouraged to make courageous decisions and do the right thing, Lacey said.

It can be scary for a prosecutor. We take an oath to protect our community and no one wants to be the one whose decision leads to heartache for another family, she said. There are no guarantees, but we must be willing to make informed decisions to ensure that public safety is first and that we also help another human being who may be in crisis.

Among those on hand for the announcement were Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore, Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva and three county supervisors.

Supervisor Janice Hahn  who called it an historic day for the District Attorneys Office  said prosecutors working in the newly created division will undergo training from the countys Department of Mental Health on the intricacies of working with people who are living with mental illness.

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Supervisor Hilda Solis lauded the district attorney for taking the courageous but necessary steps to help the county move in a more positive and supportive direction and to affirmatively say that our jails and our criminal justice system should be reserved for those who commit the most serious and violent offenses, while Supervisor Kathryn Barger said it will serve as a role model for other prosecutors offices throughout the country and ultimately ensures that we have the capacity we need to detain the most serious and violent offenders.
Jack and Jill of America, Inc. South Los Angeles Chapter

Jack and Jill of Americas South Los Angeles Chapter will celebrate their

Founders Day on Sunday January 27th at Elises Tea House in Long Beach.

Past Chapter Presidents, Officers, and members who have held National

and Regional posts will be in attendance.

The South Los Angeles Chapter was organized in 1956 in the home of Velma Woods.

Jo Anna Haynes served as the first President of the Mothers Club. Jewel Jackson was installed as the first President in July 1957.

During the past sixty (60) years, the South Los Angeles Chapter has continued to be a beacon in the community. The chapter has continued to provide support to community organizations that work closely with at risk children throughout South Los Angeles.

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The South Los Angeles Chapter has also made significant contributions both on the national and regional level. Dr. Ramona W. Arnold served as the 12th National President of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. During President Arnolds leadership she started the relationship with

Africare that has continued throughout today. President Arnold commissioned the first history book about Jack and Jill of America, Inc. and developed the first convention handbook and national forms that are still used today. There have been two Far West Regional Directors who served from South Los Angeles Chapter: Dr. Jacki Parker Scott (1987-1989) and Tracie Thompson (2010-2011). Three members have also served in the role of Far West Secretary-

Treasurer: Inez Wauls (1975-1977) and (1977- 1979), Gloria J. Riddick-Williams (1997-1999) and Tracie Thompson (2009-2010). Dr. Jacki Parker Scott also served as National Program

Director and during her tenure she developed a Teen Leadership Summit Module that became a prototype for leadership development for our teens.

The South Los Angeles Chapter has had several Far West Teen Presidents and a number of teens who have served in other regional capacities.

Throughout the years, our community service projects have included: feeding the homeless, visiting senior citizen centers and nursing facilities, donating school supplies to a homeless shelter, developing a partnership with the Mayme A. Clayton Library and Museum, donating socks and gently used clothing to a homeless shelter, organizing a Career Day Program, and volunteered with the Omega Educational Foundation Annual Youth Leadership Conference.

The chapter has also sponsored several Casino night events, Jazz Brunches, Oldies But Goodies Dance, and Fashion Shows as part of our fund raising events. The proceeds from many of these events have gone to assist the Omega Educational Foundations with the Annual Youth Leadership Conference, Britt-care, and CLIMB. All these organizations provide support and assistance to needy families and children throughout the South Los Angeles area.

In 2015 the South Los Angeles Chapter was awarded a $3,000 Jacqueline Robinson Grant from the Jack and Jill Foundation. The grant award was utilized to conduct a one day workshop entitled Our Children Are Not for Sale: Human Sex Trafficking Awareness and Prevention in South Los Angeles.

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On November 5, 2017, the mothers of South Los Angeles Chapter will celebrated its 60th year anniversary of its founding. And, we will reaffirmed our commitment to continue to stay true to the mission and goals of Jack & Jill of America, Inc. through the phenomenal programming for our children and service to our community. January 15, 2018 the Jack & Jill of America South Los Angeles Chapter became the first chapters to participate in the 33rdAnnual Kingdom Day Parade, which is one of the Nations biggest MLK celebrations.

The theme was When They Go Low, We Go High.

Opening the latest Programming year was met with a resounding moment when Congresswoman Maxine Waters surprised The South Los Angeles Chapter by attending their first members meeting of the 2018-2019 Programming year on June 30, 2019. Her motive wasnt political by any means. Congresswoman Waters only priority was to remind mother members of their purpose and the nations dire need to continue The Jack and Jill of America legacy which is to create, develop, & nurture leaders from birth, by any means necessary!
Forest Lawn Memorial Parks presents An Evening of Gospel, Jazz, and Blues

In its fifth annual Black History Month celebration, Forest LawnHollywood Hills presents An Evening of Gospel, Jazz, and Blues, a one-night-only evening of music, dance, and spoken word celebrating the broad spectrum of Black history and culture. The spectacular event on February 2, 2019, produced by Mychal Henry of MjDD Production Studio and Life Empowerment Church, includes an impressive lineup of choirs, soloists, musicians, comedians, African dancers, and poets hailing from San Bernardino to Riverside and up and down Los Angeles. The event is free and open to the public and also offers receptions with refreshments.

An Evening of Gospel, Jazz, and Blues celebrates the distinctive sounds of black music and the roots of jazz and blues within gospel music and the Church, as well as the stories the elements of each genre of music tell. Featured performers Janice Freeman of NBCs The Voice and powerhouse comedian Carl Six Foota Slimm will headline performances of Umoja African dance by Makeda Kumasi; music and vocals by the MjDD Inland Empire Band, GMWA Gospel Choir of the Inland Empire with director Dansby Sturdivant II, Thokoza All Nations African Choir San Bernardino, Valerie Geason, Louis Mosely,Scottie Pierce, Rickey Vivey, Maudie Wilson, and saxophone by Donald Hayes, who is fresh off touring and recording with Robin Thicke; a skit by Jeanie Gaines; spoken word and solo by celebrated vocalist Phalia Louder; emcee Tifani Hanley; and keynote remarks by Reverend Henry Horsely.

An Evening of Gospel, Jazz, and Blues features performances of music and spoken word by some of the most important names in Black culture, including Louie Armstrong, Cab Calloway, Ray Charles, Andrae Crouch, George Duke, Earth Wind & Fire, Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Mahalia Jackson, Michael Jackson, Prince, Otis Redding, and Maya Angelou. The event continues a five-year tradition of Black History Month celebrations at Forest Lawn, which bring the vitality of Black culture to life through community gathering, sound, and celebration.

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It is an honor to present this fifth-annual commemoration of the rich black culture that surrounds us in Los Angeles and is vital to the American experience, said Rodolfo Saenz, Forest Lawns Senior Vice President, Marketing. This years performances will make for a remarkable event and continue Forest Lawns tradition of community celebration.

Gospel, jazz, and blues each have their own definition, character, and expression, but they all tell a story particular to the black community, said event producer Mychal Henry. It is thrilling to see the music come to life and the diverse sounds of African culture expressed in one event. It is only because of the talented performers who represent the authenticity of the Black community that we are able to do so.

An Evening of Gospel, Jazz, and Blues takes place on Saturday, February 2, 2019, from 6:309:00 PM, inside the Hall of Liberty at Forest LawnHollywood Hills, 6300 Forest Lawn Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90068. Doors open for a pre-show reception at 6:30 PM. Seating is available on a first come, first served basis and will begin at 6:00 PM. Admission and parking are FREE. Visit www.forestlawn.com for more information.
Posted Thursday, January 24, 2019 4:26 pm

With John Englers resignation as president of Michigan State University, officials there hope to craft a renewed vision of healing and accountability on campus. Its a refreshing mentality that many said might have been all but impossible under a bullheaded former governor with a penchant for saying the wrong thing.

Englers brief and often highly criticized tenure  amid possibly the darkest period in the universitys history  was marred by distrust from the start. And shortly after his appointment last year, another fire began to burn. Many students felt blindsided after officials opted to put the often brazen political operative behind the wheel.

For a person who was a very effective governor, Engler was just out of his league as the president of MSU, explained retired State Rep. Sam Singh, D-East Lansing. It became very clear, very early on, that he was not ready for that environment over there. He was kind of like this beeper guy living in a smartphone world.

His time was the 1990s; It wasnt 2018. He was just out of touch with how to effectively communicate.

As Michigans Republican governor from 1991 to 2003, Engler developed an uncanny reputation for his artless approach to politics. He wasnt afraid to speak his mind and often shot from the hip to achieve his goals. His mindset arguably helped serve the state, but not so much a university focused on healing past missteps.

A student mounted the board table in protest after Englers unanimous appointment last January, and that helped set the tone for 2018. After convicted pedophile Larry Nassar was sentenced to prison, students wanted assurance theyd be involved in properly mending the wounds. And Engler just wasnt cut out for the job.

Although the MSU Board of Trustees was initially confident in its selection, a series of offensive statements from Engler eventually helped turn the tide. Hundreds of students and staff urged him to resign less than a month after the original appointment; It took university trustees about a year to finally land on the same page.

Leadership climate is set from the top  and it has been clear from Englers repeated disparaging remarks toward survivors that he is not the person to be charged with creating a safer environment at MSU, said U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Holly. I called on him to resign in June; I support his decision to step down now.

A unanimous board vote last week effectively opened a new chapter at the university as trustees accepted Englers forced resignation and appointed MSU administratorSatish Udpa to serve as president until they can land on a more permanent selection. And perhaps MSU Trustee Brian Mosallam best summarized Englers presidential tenure as a reign of terror.

Today is a new day at MSU, Mosallam said, noting the campus had been held hostage by Engler over the last year. On this new day, our courageous survivors no longer have to go to bed in sadness, feeling no one would listen to them.

Today, the healing can truly begin. John Englers reign of terror will finally be over.

Former President Lou Anna K. Simon resigned last January as Nassar was sentenced for sexually assaulting hundreds of women under the guise of medical treatment. Questions abounded: Who knew about the abuse? When did they know about it? And board members were ultimately left to select a new leader to fill the gap.

As the state Attorney Generals Office launched an investigation into systematic issues with sexual misconduct, the board was left to choose between Engler and former Democratic Gov Jim Blanchard. After an initial deadlock, closed-door negotiations (and funding pressures from a Republican Legislature) led the board to select Engler.

Some  like Ingham County Commissioner Thomas Morgan  contended that Democratic Trustee Joel Ferguson ultimately flipped his initial preference for Blanchard to give Engler majority support on the board. Englers behavior in office, however, would ultimately lead officials to regret that decision less than a year later.

Ferguson, for his part, was the only board member to withhold comment during discussion of Udpas appointment. He also declined to be interviewed for this story. Many have since called for his resignation as well. For the university to truly move forward, Morgan argued Ferguson ultimately needs to follow Engler out the door.

A wrong has been righted today, Trustee Kelly Tebay said before the vote. Im sorry it took so long.

Engler reportedly offered to cut a six-figure check to sexual assault survivors in exchange for dismissed lawsuits. He accused others of receiving kickbacks for continued legal action. He also leaned on former colleagues for important university jobs and moved to gut funding that was initially designated for those victimized by Nassar.

In choosing Engler, MSU prioritized its own political image over the universitys need for cultural change, said State Sen. Curtis Hertel Jr., D-East Lansing. It was clear from Day One that he lacked the understanding and compassion to lead MSU through what should have been a period of healing and accountability.

The universitys Spartan alumni magazine last year also sought to address the scandal, but Engler intervened and shifted the narrative to a more positive light. The university had a reputation to protect; Engler had a public perception to manage. And his unapologetic attitude only helped catalyze an institutional crisis.

Rumblings for Englers resignation reached a head when an interview was published Jan. 11 in The Detroit News. Engler suggested that Nassar survivors might be enjoying the media spotlight. Survivors, students and advocates fumed. For the board, it was the final nail in Englers presidential coffin.

It came together organically, explained Board Chairwoman Dianne Byrum. Following John Englers latest, ill-advised, inappropriate and hurtful comments, people started to say, Enough is enough. For all the reforms were making, we keep slipping backwards. Thats when we started having these conversations.

In February, under Englers specific direction, MSU had established a risk management, ethics and compliance office.

That department, however, was later reportedly merged with an existing office on campus and the financial stream to support the new operations were temporarily dammed. Engler continued to face criticism.

Emails also surfaced last year that detailed how Engler had claimed Rachael Denhollander  the first of many to accuse Nassar of sexual abuse  had received a kickback for encouraging other gymnasts into coming forward with allegations. Engler apologized about a week later, but tensions were already reaching a climax.

Nassar survivor Kaylee Lorincz later said Engler offered her $250,000 to drop a lawsuit against the university. The backlash from the campus community continued while some officials, at the time, labeled the accusation as fake news. Denhollander still maintained that Lorinczs claim was truthful and scolded Engler on Facebook.

He is so used to bullying, manipulating, and focusing on money and power that he cant conceive someone else does not, Denhollander said earlier. I honestly pity him at this point. What an empty way to live.

The following month, Engler drew criticism for appointing former state Supreme Court Justice Bob Young to the universitys legal team. Many argued Young  who was appointed to the court when Engler was governor  was unfairly picked for the position because of his existing, collegial relationship with the former governor.

The university in July also froze the $10 million Healing Assistance Fund for Nassar survivors after concerns about fraudulent payments surfaced. It was reopened this year, but for many survivors the damage by Engler had already been done. And it was growing clear that Engler was balancing reputation with meaningful action.

In June, the trustees considered a motion by Mosallam to fire Engler, but it failed. Republicans ensured hed remain at the helm until two Democrats landed on the board earlier this year and continued to push for leadership changes amid the backlash.

Good riddance, added Progress Michigan Director Lonnie Scott. Its too bad Michigan had to suffer more than once with the insufferable lack of leadership that is John Engler. It has always been clear Engler was unfit for such a critical position at a critical time for the university. This was long overdue.

In December, state investigators issued a scathing report about a culture of indifference toward sexual assault at MSU in favor of protecting its reputation. It noted the university issued misleading statements, drowned investigators in irrelevant documents and waged needless battles over the release of pertinent materials.

Among the findings? Eleven MSU employees failed to report Nassars abuse. The universitys Title IX office failed to investigate allegations in 2014. The common thread: MSU employees routinely gave the benefit of the doubt to Nassar instead of the young women who came forward with allegations against him.

Investigators labeled the response a failure of people, not policy and advocated a top-down cultural change at MSU. By then, Engler had became the most obvious  and outspoken  obstacle to that shift.

For his part Englerblamed his recent departure on the new political makeup of the board. He was essentially forced to resign or risk being fired, he outlined in a lengthy resignation letter. He included a list of his accomplishments and argued the university was better off after a year under his leadership.

John Truscott, founder of Truscott-Rossman Public Relations and Engler's gubernatorial press secretary, said the Democrats on the board were looking for any reason to send Engler packing  and they found it in his recent statements to The Detroit News. They were simply out to get him, Truscott contended.

He was hired to clean up probably the worst mess of any university in America, Truscott added. Thats pretty tough to do if youre tiptoeing around the issues and not making a lot of decisions. His letter explained it, but he set MSU up for a much brighter future. You cant ignore his accomplishments since he took office at MSU.

Engler donated his $510,000 salary to university programs and touted a list of other achievements. Among them were the implementation of 24-hour counseling services, restructured health colleges and clinical programs and the creation of a relationship, violence and sexual misconduct work group staffed with therapists and advocates.

But for many, Englers progress has been largely overshadowed by his repeated, public missteps in office.

The disrespect for survivors was so disheartening, said East Lansing City Councilman Aaron Stephens.Ill start recognizing Englers accomplishments when he starts recognizing the damage he did through his comments, his procedures and his total inability to cooperate with state investigators about those problems.

The search for a new president will continue under Udpas temporary leadership; Byrum hopes to have a permanent replacement by the summer as a nationwide search continues. In the meantime, newly elected Attorney General Dana Nessel wants to interview Engler as the investigation at MSU continues into another year.

AG spokeswoman Kelly Rossman Mckinney said Nessels office is still fighting in court over the release of 29 university documents related to the handling of the Nassar investigation. She declined to mention the content of the upcoming interview with Engler but said the goal is to really determine who knew what and when.

I dont believe its over, added MSU Trustee Dan Kelly at the recent meeting. I dont think itll ever be over. I think this is a chapter in our history that we cant ignore or forget. We have to learn from it. I think it would be a mistake to suggest to the new president that theyre coming in here with the belief this has all been done.

kyle@lansingcitypulse.com
East Earl Township police

DUI

EAST EARL TWP.: Mariah Elaine Floyd, 18, of Ephrata, was charged with DUI marijuana, endangering the welfare of children and traffic offenses after a traffic stop Dec. 29 in the 4600 block of Division Highway, police said.

SIMPLE ASSAULT

EAST EARL TWP.: Derek D. Getz, 28, formerly of Lititz, was charged with simple assault and harassment after a domestic incident Jan. 19 at a home in the 1100 block of Reservoir Road, police said.

THEFT CHARGES

EAST EARL TWP.: Matthew S. Skowood, 29, of New Holland, was charged with retail theft after stealing $3.73 in merchandise Jan. 7 from a township business, police said.

EAST EARL TWP.: Michael J. Seese, 47, of Atglen, was charged with retail theft after stealing $90.43 in merchandise Dec. 15 from a township business, police said. A warrant has been issued for his arrest. Police ask anyone with information to call 717-355-5302.

Manheim Township police

MANHEIM TWP.: Charles D. Jackson, 25, of Lancaster, was charged after he got angry at staff and started yelling Jan. 24 at Waffle House, 1021 Dillerville Road, police said.

DRUG CHARGES

LANCASTER TWP.; Marckenson J. Cile, 19, of Lancaster, was charged with DUI, possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana and tampering with evidence after a traffic stop Jan. 23 in the 100 block of North Broad Street, police said.

LANCASTER TWP.: Jean Jones, 31. of Lancaster, was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia after a traffic stop Jan. 18 on Charles Road at Millersville Pike, police said.

LANCASTER TWP.: Amber Darlene Johnson, 31, who is homeless, was charged with false identification to law enforcement, escape, criminal trespass and possession of methamphetamine, heroin and drug paraphernalia after she was found trespassing Jan. 16 at Planet Fitness, 1319 Millersville Pike, police said. Police said she was found in a shower stall with drug paraphernalia and drugs, provided a false name and date of birth to officers and tried to run away after being handcuffed.

ENDANGERING CHILDREN

MANHEIM TWP.: Adriano Bistel-Cruz, 21, of Columbia, was charged with endangering the welfare of children and possession of marijuana after he left a 4-year-old child unattended in a running, unlocked vehicle Jan. 23 while he went into TJ Maxx, 832 Plaza Boulevard, police said.

SIMPLE ASSAULT

MANHEIM TWP.: Wendy Ann Kozma, 49, of Lancaster, was charged after a domestic dispute at her home Jan. 23 in the 300 block of Copley Drive, police said.

THEFT CHARGES

LANCASTER TWP.: Ulyssa Jane Figueroa, 25, of Lancaster, was charged with retail theft after she was seen stealing $115,50 worth of merchandise from Giant, 1360 Columbia Ave., police said.

SPEEDING

EAST PETERSBURG: Seven motorists were cited for speeding Jan. 21 at Graystone Road and Hollow Drive, police said. Ten motorists were cited in the same spot the next day.

USE OF SOLVENTS

LANCASTER TWP.: Jessica Autumn Franks, 30, of Mountville, was charged with illegal use of solvents and public drunkenness after she was found unconscious due to inhaling compressed air cleaner Jan. 18 in front of Spot USA, 1258 Millersville Pike, police said.

Northern Lancaster County Regional police

THEFT CHARGES

WARWICK TWP.: Jose Antonio Galindo, 38, of Reading, was charged with trying to take $373.34 in merchandise Jan. 4 from Target, 960 Lititz Pike, police said.

State police

IDENTITY THEFT

FULTON TWP.: A resident of the 400 block of Pilottown Road reported that someone opened an account in her name and billed her for over $700 on Jan. 6, police said.

TRESPASS

LITTLE BRITAIN TWP.: Anthony Forrest Roop, 28, of Nottingham, was charged after he was found sleeping in a bed Jan. 23 at a home on Kinseyville Road, police said.
The Philippine Competition Commission fined ride-hailing app Grab Philippines again for violation of commitments, such as the lack of and insufficient submission of data including their possible manipulation. The commission imposed on January 22 an additional P6.5-million penalty to Grab for submitting deficient, inconsistent and incorrect data for monitoring its compliance with with voluntary commitments, These commitments were designed to address the Commissions concerns regarding Grabs prcing behavior, as well as its incentives to maintain service quality, in the absence of a significant competitive pressure in the market, said PCC chairman Arsenio Balisacan. Balisacan said the commission could not effectively enforce the commitments without the submission of correct, sufficient, consistent and timely data by Grab. Commissioner Johannes Bernabe said the submission of inaccurate data had held the Commission from acting out its responsibility in an effective way to should result to an unbiased credible outcome. We dont want to presume that this will be indicative of an ongoing trend towards violating their undertaking, he added. Grab was supposed to provide information on a quarterly basis for one year to determine if it was adhering to its voluntary commitments.Earlier, the company was fined P16 million for non-adherence to interim commitments prior to the monitoring period, which had nothing to do with its pricing behavior. We remain steadfast in binding Grab to its commitments, as these are meant to address the concerns of market competition and the ride-hailing public, said Bernabe. Meanwhile, the commission authorized the start of a preliminary inquiry into a possible bid-rigging of a government projects awarded in 2017. Balisacan said the commission was aware of the urgency and significance of ensuring fairness in the competitive process of bidding, with the takeoff of the Build, Build, Build program. Let this be fair warning to all, taking turns to win projects or manipulating bids is an offense punishable by fines that may reach as high as P269 million, as well as imprisonment of up to 7 years, he said. The PCC to date received a total of 172 transactions with a combined value of P2.8 trillion. Of the total, 160 transactions were approved, mostly in the sectors of manufacturing, financial and insurance, real estate, electricity and gas and transportation and storage.
HARRISBURG  Republican leaders in the state House of Representatives on Friday called on a Western Pennsylvania lawmaker to resign following allegations that he sexually assaulted a woman who was incapacitated in late 2015.

In a statement, Republican leaders said they recommend state Rep. Brian Ellis, a Republican from Butler County, resign and take care of his family and address the allegations raised against him that are currently the subject of a criminal investigation by the Dauphin County District Attorney.

They also suspended Ellis from overseeing the House Consumer Affairs Committee, which he chairs.

The decision to call for Ellis resignation stood in sharp contrast to their position Thursday, after The Philadelphia Inquirer and The Caucus first reported that the Dauphin County District Attorneys Office had opened a criminal investigation into the matter. Initially, House GOP leaders, while claiming zero tolerance on sexual assault or harassment, said they would call for Ellis resignation only if he were charged.

No charges have been filed in the case. Ellis, 49, has not responded to multiple phone calls, emails, text messages and letters over several days. Dauphin County District Attorney Fran Chardo declined comment.

Asked about the Republican leaderships reversal, spokesman Mike Straub said: Weve said zero tolerance, and upon further discussion of the allegations  which we the leaders learned much more details through yours, and other, media reports  the leaders believe its in the best interest of Rep. Ellis that he resign in order to fully address the allegations.

Gov. Tom Wolf, a Democrat, also urged Ellis to resign. The allegations against Rep. Ellis are outrageous and unacceptable, Wolf spokesman J.J. Abbott said.

The allegation

In an interview Friday, Jennifer Storm, head of the states Office of Victim Advocate, said the woman believes she was drugged while she was out at a Harrisburg restaurant in late October 2015 with a friend because she has no memory of what happened to her after she consumed fewer than two alcoholic drinks.

Pa. lawmaker under investigation for alleged assault HARRISBURG  The Dauphin County District Attorneys Office has opened a criminal investigati

She had one-and-a-half drinks, and then lost 12 hours of her life, said Storm, who is working with the woman, a state employee who does not work for Ellis. She was not voluntarily intoxicated in any shape or form.

Storm said the woman was not out with Ellis early in the evening at the Harrisburg restaurant where she ordered a drink. After that, she has no memory, but has been told she later ended up at a different bar, where Ellis was also present. The two left the second bar together.

The woman has alleged that the lawmaker told her the next morning that the two had had sex. Prior to that evening, she has said, Ellis had pursued her and she had made it clear she did not want to be involved with him.

Storm said that the day after the alleged assault, the woman went to the hospital, where she reported to staff that she had no memory of the previous evening and that she believed she had been sexually assaulted.

At the hospital, she was examined and treated for a concussion and pain, Storm said.

Considering evidence

Experts said they believe prosecutors will examine the possibility of date-rape drugs.

Steve Turner, a longtime lawyer for Pennsylvania state agencies and a former special federal prosecutor, said without toxicological evidence, a prosecutor would need to build a case with circumstantial evidence, including the victims testimony about her normal alcohol intake, the effect of a few drinks and whether she had ever blacked out before. It would include her last memory and her first memory, Turner said.

Essentially, absent other witnesses who might have seen someone tamper with her drink, it comes down to her story versus his, Turner said.

Physical evidence such as of date-rape drugs would aid the prosecution, Turner said.

Kristen Houser, spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape, said theres a dearth of data on how often drug-induced rape occurs. Much of it is anecdotal evidence. There are a lot of people who have memory lapses that are not equal to their other drinking experiences, she said.
Pennsylvania Senate Democrats have launched a sexual assault investigation against Montgomery County Democrat Sen. Daylin Leach, according to pennlive.com.

The investigation concerns a claim that in 1991 Leach sexually assaulted 17-year-old Cara Taylor, a Lehigh County resident, according to the pennlive.com story.

Outside counsel was hired to investigate the claim after Taylor delivered a private criminal complaint to several lawmakers, according to pennlive.com.

Leach was representing Taylor's mother in a criminal case at the time, the article said.

They are preposterous, Leach told pennlive.com Thursday. I have never even so much as shaken hands with Cara Taylor.

Leach told PennLive he plans to file a defamation lawsuit to prove the allegations false.
The Lancaster County Association of Realtors honored three of its members Thursday at its 84th annual banquet, held at the Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square.

Jennifer King was named Realtor of the Year. King, an associate broker at ReMax of Reading, is a past LCAR president, treasurer, secretary and director who has won numerous sales honors from ReMax.

Jeff Peters was the recipient of the Distinguished Service Award. Peters, a broker at ReMax Pinnacle, is a past LCAR president, a past LCAR Realtor of the Year and has served on many LCAR committees.

Michelle Ebert was named the Commercial & Industrial Real Estate Council Member of the Year. Ebert, of Horst Realty, is a council director, a past council president and an active community volunteer.
A Baltimore-based real-estate investment firm says it is no longer involved in an initiative to bring a residential and retail complex to the first block of West King Street in downtown Lancaster.

In a statement, Washington Place Equities said it will continue to seek opportunities in Lancaster "despite the recent termination of the letter of intent for a 120-150 unit multifamily new construction project downtown."

The project being referred to is a five-story apartment building with ground-floor retail unveiled last year as a possibility for 33-43 W. King St., just west of the Hager Building between West Grant and West King streets.

At the time, the property's owner, Douglas Shand, described it as "conceptual," and said it may or may not move forward.

"We're simply doing our due diligence," he said.

A version presented informally to the Historical Commission in November showed the complex wrapping around and incorporating the historic building at 43 W. King St., designed by noted Lancaster architect C. Emlen Urban. The project team said they wanted to get a preliminary sense of the commission's reaction, which was favorable.

Contacted Thursday about Washington Place's statement, Shand told LNP: "We are not in a position to comment at this time."

Washington Place's Dominic Wiker said he was in Lancaster on Thursday scouting out possible alternative sites for a multifamily project like the one presented.

Randy Patterson, Lancaster's director of economic development and economic revitalization, said Washington Place informed the city of the change in status.

The city has no further details regarding Shand's plans, but he could certainly choose to pursue a development at 33-43 W. King St. with another partner, Patterson said.
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While President Trump has shut down the federal government over his demand for a border wall, in Los Angeles the big immigration question is what to do with unauthorized immigrants in the nation's largest local jail system.

Trump wants them all turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement. But there's a new sheriff in town who is not only resisting but fighting back.

L.A. County Sheriff Alex Villanueva ousted incumbent Jim McDonnell in November in part because he promised voters he'd kick ICE out of the jails and hand over fewer inmates for deportation.

That's proving to be a complicated promise to keep -- and it's unclear how many fewer people might actually be deported under Villanueva than his predecessor.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO KICK ICE OUT OF THE JAILS?

For years, ICE agents have been allowed to use space inside Twin Towers downtown, where all inmates are processed in and out of L.A. County jail. Using the sheriff's public website, they figure out when a suspected unauthorized immigrant is being released and request deputies to transfer the person to ICE.

So inmates would be released from sheriff's custody, but inside a room where federal agents would immediately detain them.

When Villanueva says he's going to kick ICE out of the jails, he doesn't mean he's going to stop turning people over. It means he's going to force ICE agents to work outside the jail facilities.

"So the bad guys are still going to get transferred," the sheriff told LAist. "It's just the physical presence of ICE in the jails that we are altering."

But that's tricky. Where will the transfers occur? Will sheriff's deputies escort inmates to some other location? And if they already have been released from custody after serving their time, detaining them further by taking them to ICE could be a violation of the Fourth Amendment's protection against unreasonable searches and seizures.

ICE did not respond to requests for comment on Villanueva's plan. But the man who once oversaw ICE's criminal investigations in Los Angeles said suspected unauthorized immigrants who commit crimes are a high priority for the agency and L.A. County jail is a prime place to find them.

Immigration agents "could set up shop right outside the door and try to talk to people as they come out of the jail," said Claude Arnold, who was special agent in charge of ICE's Homeland Security Investigations unit in the region for five years until 2015.

"They could cordon off part of the street and park a detention bus there," he said, adding, "think of the chaos that could cause."

Sheriff's officials have been tight-lipped about how they plan to conduct future transfers.

"We are looking at a number of options," said Commander Elier Morejon, the sheriff's point person on developing the new policy.

Kicking ICE agents out of the jails would also mean that they no longer have the opportunity to interview individuals they suspect of being in the U.S. illegally. They can request such interviews now, although the person they want to talk to can refuse.

A WAY TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE HANDED OVER TO ICE

Under SB 54, the so-called sanctuary state law that took effect a year ago, California sheriffs are prohibited from handing over to ICE jail inmates who've been convicted of any of 800-plus less serious misdemeanors - like traffic offenses and trespassing.

Villanueva's opportunity to reduce the number of people he turns over is related to a second list of about 160 crimes.

Under the law, sheriffs can decide for themselves whether to turn someone over if they were convicted of a felony on that second list more than 15 years ago, or if they were convicted of a listed misdemeanor within the past 5 years.

A number of the crimes on that list are "wobblers," offenses that prosecutors can treat as a felony or a misdemeanor.

Villanueva told LAist earlier this month that he's inclined to stop handing over people with misdemeanor convictions for most wobblers. Morejon added the sheriff hasn't made a final decision, but he's considering making it a matter of policy that he won't turn over individuals with a misdemeanor conviction for any of the wobblers on the list.

Morejon said such a policy shift would reduce the number of people turned over to ICE by "a little bit," adding, "not [by] very many."

Here are some examples of wobblers on the list:

A first-time DUI is usually a misdemeanor but prosecutors can charge you with a felony if someone is seriously injured in a resulting accident.

A first-time domestic violence case can be filed as a misdemeanor or felony depending on the seriousness of the injury to your partner.

Resisting arrest can be filed (charged) by prosecutors as a felony or misdemeanor, depending on the injury caused to the police officer or sheriff's deputy.

Activists with the American Freedom Alliance, an anti-illegal immigration group, showed up at this week's Sheriff's Civilian Oversight Commission meeting to protest Sheriff Alex Villanueva's plans to kick ICE agents out of county jails and hand over fewer suspected unauthorized immigrants for deportation. (Frank Stoltze/LAist)

HOW MANY PEOPLE DOES THE SHERIFF TYPICALLY HAND OVER TO ICE?

The most recent statistics available are from 2017. That year, the sheriff's department handed over 1,223 unauthorized immigrants to ICE for deportation, transferring them inside the jails or in some cases at courthouses.

That was only about one-fourth of the nearly 5,000 people ICE asked for.

Former Sheriff McDonnell said more than half of the people ICE requested were out of bounds because they committed relatively minor crimes and were thus protected by the sanctuary state law.

Another 1,500 or so were not handed over mostly because they had warrants for their arrest elsewhere or they were going to community programs to finish their sentence, said Morejon.

In some cases, ICE never came to pick up the immigrants, he said.

"What they've told us is they don't have room in their facilities," said Morejon. "They don't have the personnel to pick them up."

"THE STAKES ARE EXTREMELY HIGH"

Immigrant rights activists have their own estimates of how many fewer people would be deported as a result of Villanueva's possible policy change. There is general agreement, however, that the sheriff would still be handing over at least several hundred people a year.

"The stakes are extremely high," said Chris Newman, general counsel for the National Day Laborer Organizing Network.

"These are people who have served their time for their crimes and are punished again by being deported," Newman told LAist. "The sheriff essentially is picking winners and losers when he decides which people he'll hand over to ICE."

The issue is "extremely complex," said Newman, especially given how Proposition 47 reduced a range of drug offenses to misdemeanors and Proposition 64 legalized marijuana.

Newman and other activists have been lobbying Villanueva to stop handing people to ICE altogether and to end virtually all cooperation with what they call a "rogue" agency with a poor record of treating immigrants.

"The people of Los Angeles issued a broad mandate to Sheriff Villanueva when they elected him in an historic election -- and that mandate was to stop working with ICE," said David Abud of the Day Laborer Network.

The Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission is also getting into the debate. The panel is expected to consider a motion next month calling on the sheriff not to turn anyone over to ICE without a warrant.

"WE CAN FORCE YOU OUT WITH A RECALL"

At the commission's meeting this week, Villanueva faced threats from people angered by his push to limit cooperation with ICE.

"Either you change your attitude toward illegal immigration or face recall by we the people," Raul Rodriguez Jr. of American Freedom Alliance told the sheriff.

But it's not just the relatively few staunchly anti-illegal immigration activists warning Villanueva.

"While we are focused on the individuals in the jails, I'm also focused on the victims and victims' rights," Supervisor Kathryn Barger told the sheriff last month. "And so I think we need to move cautiously as it relates to that."

The sheriff also faces pressure from members of law enforcement, many of whom see ICE agents as their brethren in protecting people. That's especially true in the wake of the fatal shooting of Newman Police Officer Ronil Singh in Stanislaus County by an unauthorized immigrant in December.

"We have some new concerns because of the Newman police officer case," Villanueva told LAist.

There are crosscurrents in law enforcement, too. There are a lot of Latino officers who have deep connections to immigrants, including those in the U.S. illegally.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU ABOUT YOUR VOTE FOR SHERIFF
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It was about 5 a.m. Tuesday morning and the deal was falling apart.

Striking teachers in the Los Angeles Unified School District were about to begin their sixth morning on picket lines. To avoid a seventh day of the strike, the bargaining teams for LAUSD and United Teachers Los Angeles had to work fast.

But they'd left the toughest issues for last, and an agreement on class-size reduction was eluding them -- just as it had for almost two years of failed talks.

They'd been up all night, going in circles, when UTLA president Alex Caputo-Pearl said his team decided around 5 a.m. to walk away from talks -- not "forever," Caputo-Pearl said. They just needed a break.

L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti had been up all night, too. His office had been hosting the talks at City Hall. Caputo-Pearl told the mayor his team was about to walk out. Garcetti asked him to reconsider, but the union leader insisted and Garcetti went away.

Five minutes later, the mayor returned, saying he'd just spoken with LAUSD Superintendent Austin Beutner.

"[Garcetti] said Beutner was going to give us what we wanted," Caputo-Pearl recalled.

The sticking point was a "safety valve" provision in the contract that gave LAUSD officials broad, unilateral authority to increase class sizes to solve budget problems. The district wasn't willing to give up the safety valve. UTLA refused to sign a deal with that safety valve still in place.

That morning, Caputo-Pearl said Beutner agreed to remove the class-size safety valve from the contract completely -- a huge union victory. In exchange, UTLA gave up its fight to improve the district's salary offer.

(Garcetti was unavailable to speak with KPCC/LAist Thursday to personally confirm Caputo-Pearl's account, but the mayor told a similar story to The New York Times.)

In any event, only four hours later, the mayor, UTLA and LAUSD announced a tentative contract agreement.

BECOMING THE BACKCHANNEL

The last-minute drama sheds new light on how hard-won Tuesday's deal was for both the district and teachers union. But the moment also illustrates how central a role Garcetti and his staff played, not only in brokering crucial compromises, but in ensuring that UTLA and LAUSD simply kept talking through an arduous negotiation.

Garcetti offered to assist in the teachers union talks back in August, citing his experience mediating during the 2015 strike by workers at west coast ports. Garcetti said, in his experience, when labor talks go sour, the two parties usually deputize lower-level officials to keep lines of communication open.

But through December, Garcetti said he was "very surprised how little communication was going on" between LAUSD and UTLA. It wasn't just that leaders on both sides weren't talking anymore; it seemed there weren't even any backchannels open between lower-level deputies.

"Most of the dialogue was happening publicly," Garcetti told KPCC/LAist in an interview this week. "In my experience, you can't build a relationship and you can't negotiate the details of a labor contract in the press."

THE GROUND RULES

The process of detoxifying the LAUSD-UTLA negotiations began at City Hall last Thursday, when the two sides agreed to resume formal talks for the first time since the strike began. By that time, teachers union members had been out of work for four days.

Caputo-Pearl, Beutner and Garcetti met first. At that time, the mayor laid down the ground rules: respect confidentiality, no surprises, stay positive.

"I said, 'I want a commitment,'" Garcetti recalled saying, "'that no matter how bad things get while we're here we are going to finish this. Unless something so sinful is done that you have to walk away -- go breathe, go vent, yell at me if you need to, but get back to the table.'"

MORE TEACHERS STRIKE COVERAGE

HOW IT ALL WORKED

Officials from all three camps -- the union, school district and mayor's office -- gave corroborating accounts of how the City Hall talks proceeded.

After the three top leaders met, the full bargaining teams gathered in a large room with dark wood paneling in the mayoral suite.

At this point, Caputo-Pearl said, UTLA presented a counter-offer to LAUSD's offer from a week earlier -- in essence, the first formal revision to its bargaining package the union had introduced since last July.

During this meeting, the mayor's staff also encouraged LAUSD officials to draft substantive responses to several UTLA demands it had previously rejected out of hand.

SHUTTLE DIPLOMACY

Only once more during the five-day talks would the full bargaining teams be in the same room. Most of the negotiations took place in smaller, breakout groups, with each working through specific issues.

Here, the role of the mayor and his staff became critical. At times, the negotiations were carried out with UTLA's team in one conference room and LAUSD's negotiators in another -- and the mayor's staff running "shuttle diplomacy," taking offers back and forth between the two sides.

Often, this shuttle diplomacy essentially ran directly through the mayor himself, according to Matt Szabo, the mayor's deputy chief of staff who served as Garcetti's point-person on the LAUSD-UTLA talks.

Garcetti personally led the talks from Sunday on, and Caputo-Pearl and Beutner rarely met without the mayor present.

The mayor "was a consistent presence," Beutner said in an interview with KPCC's Take Two on Thursday.

Often, Garcetti would pull either the union's leader or the superintendent aside to encourage a breakthrough -- as Caputo-Pearl said the mayor did on Tuesday morning.

"The mayor and his staff were very helpful," Caputo-Pearl said Thursday. "It let us get deep into the policy and deep into the contract."

FINDING THE FUNDING

The agreement the two sides struck hinges on a "leap of faith" Garcetti had encouraged: LAUSD should meet some of UTLA's most costly demands, the mayor said, even if the two sides didn't yet know where all of the funding would come from.

"If people don't see improvements, people don't feel improvements," Garcetti said he told them. You're all going to be fighting for years to come over declining enrollment ... and schools falling apart."

On Thursday, Beutner said he and Caputo-Pearl spent significant amounts of time during the City Hall talks together lobbying state and local leaders for more funding.

"Both Alex and I individually and together were talking to [Governor Gavin Newsom] and his team on a regular basis," Beutner said. "Folks in county supervisor offices, state legislatures -- it was a lot of people engaged to help us find a resolution because all of us understood the consequence."

After the the near-meltdown at 5 a.m. on Tuesday, the three parties emerged from the City Hall talks committed to finding the funding necessary to make the deal work.

But LAUSD and mayoral officials have said explicitly that if a new revenue stream is not in place by 2020, it will be difficult to realize some of the new contract's most expensive provisions at the start of the 2021 school year.

Caputo-Pearl, though, said he's sure the deal "can be paid for."

"Our numbers say that it can be paid for -- and Austin Beutner agreed to it," the UTLA leader said, "so it can be paid for."

Beutner has been publicly professing his optimism about finding the funding. But when asked Thursday what will happen if new revenues don't materialize, Beutner tried to maintain that positive outlook.

"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it."
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Isabella Rossellini has a new show at the Broad Stage this weekend. She also recently published a book about chicken farming. That one's not what you'd expect from Hollywood royalty, the daughter of Oscar-winning actress Ingrid Bergman.

Rossellini starred in movies like Blue Velvet and Big Night, served as the longtime face of luxury perfume and cosmetics house Lancome, and was a muse to filmmakers David Lynch and Martin Scorsese.

But her interest in the animal kingdom has become as prominent a feature of her career in recent years as her longstanding work in film and fashion.

"Sometimes, people who might have just known me as a model imagine that I wear a lot of makeup and only talk about facials. They say, 'You are a farmer?! I didn't expect that,'" Rossellini said, strolling around the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco recently. "But I just do what is interesting to me. And there are many things that are interesting to me, from cosmetics to animals."

Animals have always been a fixture of Rossellini's life.

"We are a family of animal lovers," she said. "There was a photo of the family recently. We are five people. And we were photographed with our dogs, and there were six dogs. The dogs outnumbered us."

Beyond raising chickens on her Long Island farm and supporting wildlife-related causes, Rossellini is studying for a master's degree in animal behavior at Hunter College in New York. She's also created a series of short experimental films and live performances about the mating and parenting habits of animals including spiders, hamsters, and bees.

These projects grew out of her longstanding association with Sundance.

"They asked me, 'Would you like to make a series of two-minute films? If they are about the environment -- because Robert Redford is such a great environmentalist -- we will be more inclined to finance them,'" Rossellini recalled. "At first I said, 'I don't know what to do.' And then -- boom! -- I said, 'Oh! We could do the mating rituals of animals!' They ordered the series. And it was very successful. It really opened up a whole new career for me in my 60s."

A publicity photo for Isabella Rossellini's Link Link Circus. (Jody Shapiro)

Building on this work, her latest theatrical production, Link Link Circus, is about the links between members of the animal kingdom -- including humans. It dives into animals' emotional intelligence.

"It is pretty clear that they are capable of thoughts and emotions," Rossellini said. "We have MRIs that can see the parts of the brain that light up."

But Rossellini concedes that human beings are cognitively superior to other creatures.

"Yes, of course, we recognize that we can do more than animals," she said. "We can design rockets and fly to the moon, we can cure diseases, learn languages, and write novels."

In Link Link Circus, Rossellini, dressed as a circus ringmaster, explores how scientists and philosophers through the ages have theorized about animal behavior. At one point, she quotes Charles Darwin on the subject. "The difference in mind between man and the higher animals, great as it is, certainly is one of degree and not of kind," the British naturalist famously wrote in his 1871 book, The Descent of Man.

From a publicity photo for Link Link Circus. (Brigitte Lacombe)

Far from being a scholarly lecture, Link Link Circus skews towards silly. Rossellini's dog, Pan (short for Peter Pan), plays a prominent role in the proceedings. The terrier dresses up as a variety of different creatures, including a dinosaur, a lion, a sheep, and -- most adorably -- a bumblebee, complete with antennae. The dog steals the show.

"Everyone wants to meet her at the end," Rossellini said of being upstaged by Pan. "They come with treats. No more flowers for me."

Link Link Circus plays Friday through Sunday, Jan. 25-27, at the Broad Stage in Santa Monica. Find out more here.

Thanks to Kelly Mendez and Bart Shepherd of the California Academy of Sciences for their assistance on this story.
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Los Angeles teachers returned to schools on Wednesday after negotiators for United Teachers Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Unified School District reached a tentative agreement on a new contract.

UTLA members voted on the contract and as of now, over 80 percent of the votes have been counted with overwhelming support for the new contract.

INBOX: @UTLAnow announces 81% of member votes cast so far are in favor of the tentative agreement with @LASchools. 73% of members have voted so far, but voting will continue through Friday. #lausd #utlastrike  Kyle Stokes (@kystokes) January 24, 2019

But a decisive tally of votes doesn't mean teachers think the new deal terms are a perfect fix. We talked to a handful of teachers from across the district to hear what they think of the new contract.

Victor Farias, right, striking with colleagues at City Hall. (c/o Victor Farias)

VICTOR FRIAS

Special Education teacher

Teresa Hughes Elementary

Cudahy

"When [the union] kept saying smaller class sizes, we thought that applied to everybody."

When they released the tentative agreement, first right away, I went to the special education section, and I read it and I said, "Hmm, it seems like it's identical to the previous contract." So then my fellow SPED teacher pulled up the previous contract. And the wording was almost identical.

When [the union] kept saying 'smaller class sizes,' we thought that applied to everybody. But to my understanding, the agreement on class size is only applied to the general population. The other special education class at my site had 17 students with only one paraprofessional [a special education assistant or aide] professional. Now it has 15 students, but the cap is 12. We want to know why that's not being enforced.

SPED teachers are outnumbered by the general education teachers. Their needs aren't our needs. In order for us to meet our student's IEP [Individualized Learning Plan] goals, we need to have that smaller, closer interaction with them so that we could we could give them quality instruction.

I think the strike should have gone longer to meet everybody's needs. But I also understand that it's going to take a while to undo the decades of mistake that have happened.

Kionna Hawkins on strike near her school. (c/o Kionna Hawkins)

KIONNA HAWKINS

Kindergarten Teacher

Lillian Street Elementary

South Los Angeles

"The longer we stayed out, the more difficult it was going to become."

I voted yes, I have no problem with sharing that. A lot of people were not happy because they felt like we were rushed to vote. But we also wanted to get back to work. We wanted to get back to our students. We wanted to get back to our classrooms. And I think the longer we stayed out, the more difficult it was going to become for the teachers, for the students, just for everyone. We would have lost a lot of community support.

We put our faith in our union; they bargained for us, we know they're with our best interest at heart so we have to put our faith in them and know that they did the best that they could. And if they say that we should vote yes, that was the agreement we should go with.

But we need to keep going. This is not the end. This is just the beginning.

Khrystle San Diego on strike at a downtown protest. (c/o Khrystle San Diego)

KHRYSTLE SAN DIEGO

Special Education Teacher

Undisclosed school in the Local District Central

"I'm just really on the fence right now."

I feel like [the contract] was just already decided on without giving us a real chance to vote. By the time I was driving, going to school [to vote], I had already received a voicemail from the superintendent saying, "We have reached an agreement. Thank you for your your hard work and trying to make our schools better." And I said, well, I didn't even have a chance to vote yet!

I have a feeling that the special-ed teachers were a bit forgotten in this agreement. If teachers really went deep into the 47-page agreement, they would have noticed that there was so much that was left out for special-ed.

I'm just really on the fence right now. But I'm proud of those who went out and I'm thankful to the other teachers that sacrificed a lot of their time and effort in order to try to make a difference. And I mean, we did make history. There had been progress. And as we say in special-ed, any progress is progress. So, if they were able to make a little bit of progress on this proposal, let's hope that they can make more in the future.

Armine Pogosian, second from left, on strike. (c/o Armine Pogosian)

ARMINE POGOSIAN

Fourth Grade Teacher

Fair Avenue Elementary School

North Hollywood

"In some people's eyes, we felt we would seem more greedy."

You can't get everything you want. You set high expectations, and you hope to receive as much of it as you can. I was really surprised to see so many negative comments. I would ask teachers, "What is it that we asked for, that we didn't get? Because we pretty much got what we asked for.' But I know that there's still room for growth, and that there's going to be more conversations.

We were really afraid that if we didn't accept -- and that's not the reason why we did -- but, if we didn't accept, we would lose a lot of supporters who would then think, "Oh, you're not happy with it, look at all the things you're getting." In some people's eyes, we felt we would seem more greedy.

It was gruesome being out there in the rain and the cold, and we were missing our kids. So it was a terrible experience to go through this, but it was also an uplifting one, which is weird to have both of those emotions at the same time.

Reale Santora, center, striking with her colleagues. (c/o Reale Santora)

REALE SANTORA

5th Grade Teacher

Topanga Elementary Charter School

Topanga

"We had had seven days on the line, and then we had two hours to read the contract."

We had to read the contract within about two hours and have ballots back across town to our union. And so we felt really rushed. We had had seven days on the line, and then we had two hours to read the contract.

I feel like we had some great victories, but there are some pieces missing. Special education services and pysch services for me were missing [from the contract], and that was a huge problem. They are just stretched way too thin.

When I got back to school, the kids wanted to know, "Hey, what are we getting?" And I had to explain to them what was won, and what wasn't won. I think that we could have held the line. I think that we had public support and we had so many of us -- 34,000 teachers plus the parents. Sixty-thousand, 50,000 people in Grant Park multiple days in the rain. I think that we might be kicking ourselves in a few years that we didn't get the services for our kids now.
Meanwhile, north of Sparta, Maria and Lennie Lichter are paying for damage to their land from the flash floods after intense rainstorms the last two years. They fear that with climate change the intense storms may be the new normal.

Maria said in an interview earlier this winter that she told the excavator who repaired their driveway after the floods that she was including money in their budget for his services in the future. The Lichters are one of the thousands of Wisconsin families who have felt the impact of climate change on their pocket books.

Close to home and far away, the worlds attention is turning with growing urgency to how to face the challenges of climate change.

Still, though, the Trump administration remains unmoved by the evidence, and boosts support for burning fossil fuels, one of the main contributors to the greenhouse gas emissions that warm the planet.

Former Gov. Scott Walker wasnt much help either, refusing to take leadership on climate change with advances in alternative energy and choosing natural resources officials who downplayed the importance of climate change.
Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat

Foreign tourist arrivals hit a record 7.12 million in 2018, up 7.6 percent from 6.62 million in 2017, despite the six-month closure of popular Boracay Island. The government, however, missed the target to attract at least 7.4 million foreign tourists last year as the Boracay closure capped visitor arrivals. The challenging act of closing down Boracaya flagship destinationhas evidently become a blessing in disguise for secondary tourism spots to have a share of the limelight and attention they truly deserve, said Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat.It shows that turning off the faucet when the water is unclear can bring a fresher flow in just an unexpected period of time, she added. Siargao, Iloilo, Palawan, La Union, Romblon and Siquijor were some of the sites frequented by tourists while Boracay was resolving its environmental issues. South Korea was still the top tourist market for the Philippines with 1.58 million arrivals, followed by China with 1.25 million. In third place was the US with 1.03 million, followed by Japan with 631,801 and Australia with 279,821 visitors. The department said it was bullish in developing high-value tourism to attract environmentally-aware travelers and sustain the environment at the same time. We are now in a time in need of vigilancea dedication to the principle of a sustainable and inclusive tourism industry, she said. Boracay officially reopened for business on Oct. 26, with limits on the number of tourists visiting the island to 19,000 per day.In 2017, around 6.6 million foreign tourists visited the Philippines. Although [the number of tourist arrivals] is increasing, we have to admit that the closure of Boracay affected arrivals. It was a top tourist destination and it was closed for six months, Puyat earlier said. Tourism Undersecretary Benito Bengzon noted around 500,000 potential foreign visitors dropped their plans of visiting the island resort during Boracays six-month closure. People have to understand that while we are able to divert some of the traffic to Cebu, Bohol, and Palawan there might be some who canceled... altogether, Bengzon said. President Rodrigo Duterte has stressed the importance of limiting the tourist destinations carrying capacity. Not all Filipinos and all tourists can go to Boracay. It cannot accommodate everyone, Duterte said earlier. If its a house, it would be similar to having just one comfort room for a thousand people, he added. Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu has said Boracays carrying capacity for tourists would be limited to 19,215 a day. The figure includes 6,405 tourist arrivals a day. Malacanang has urged the task force to maintain the islands carrying capacity to assure its rehabilitation efforts would be sustained.
Nygren, who appeared with the new Democratic governor in Marinette to announce the proposed funding, said he met with Evers last week to emphasize the enormous value Marinette Marine plays in Wisconsins economy and invited him to visit.

This investment will help Marinette Marine continue to compete on the world stage for years to come, Nygren said in a tweet Thursday.

The work at Marinette Marine also supports hundreds of contract companies and thousands of their workers, state Sen. Dave Hansen, D-Green Bay, said.

Marinette Marine CEO Jan Allman was one of the members of Evers transition team after he won election in early November.

We look forward to working with the Governor and all members of the Legislature to get this across the finish line as part of the state budget, Allman said in a statement.

In 2010, Marinette Marine received about $50 million in state incentives, which had been proposed by then-Gov. Jim Doyle. The incentives were part of an effort to secure a U.S. Navy contract to build 10 ships at the shipyard.

Marinette Marine was subcontracted for those ships. The contracts were officially with Lockheed Martin Corp., of Bethesda, Maryland.

Littoral combat ships, which came with price tags upward of $350 million, are designed for a variety of missions, including combat in shallow, coastal waters.

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In another change of course, Democratic Gov. Tony Evers Thursday sought to withdraw Wisconsin from a multi-state lawsuit seeking to invalidate the Affordable Care Act  this time by seeking legislative approval.

The new strategy announced Thursday comes a day after the governor reversed course on a vow to withdraw the state from the litigation less than 24 hours after making the commitment in his first State of the State speech.

Evers decision to backtrack on his proposal came the same day he received a letter from Kaul, who said Evers likely does not have the legal authority to withdraw from participation in the suit.

My view is that, notwithstanding your letter, DOJ does not have statutory authority to withdraw the State from the ACA litigation absent approval from the Joint Committee on Finance, Kaul wrote.

Kaul, in a letter Thursday to the JFC co-chairs  Rep. John Nygren, R-Marinette, and Sen. Alberta Darling, R-River Hills  requested the committee promptly approve his request to withdraw from the suit.
The city of Sun Prairie filed a lawsuit Friday against two communications contractors, an underground utility locating service and a gas utility over the July 10 explosion that killed a firefighter and leveled several buildings in the citys downtown.

The lawsuit filed in Dane County Circuit Court, which seeks unspecified damages and costs, alleges that Bear Communications, of Lawrence, Kansas, and VC Tech, of Ypsilanti, Michigan, were negligent in failing to locate a gas service line before undertaking a project to bury fiber-optic cable for Verizon near the intersection of Main and Bristol streets.

It also alleges that Bear failed to verify whether VC Tech was licensed to do business in Wisconsin, as it was obliged to do under its city permit. Bear also failed to repay the city for costs and damages it suffered as a result of the explosion, the lawsuit states, as required under street opening permits granted by the city to Bear, which also required that Bear carry liability insurance naming the city as an insured third party.

The lawsuit also names as defendants two insurers that provided liability insurance to Bear and WE Energies of Milwaukee.
Baraboo defense attorney Leonie Dolch requested a $10,000 cash bond, saying Pulvermacher does not have a history of missing court appearances. She said he is a military veteran who did two tours in Vietnam, is on a fixed income and has family ties to the area.

Dolch said Pulvermacher is under the care of the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital in Madison for multiple conditions. He recently had a heart attack, she said, previously suffered a stroke, has kidney disease and a chronic inflammatory lung disease.

Frankly, I think he lacks the finances and the physical ability to be a flight risk, Dolch said. And if he were going to flee, I think that he probably would have gotten further than the east side of Madison.

Sauk County Circuit Court Judge Michael Screnock granted the prosecutions request for a $250,000 cash bond, saying it was reasonable to believe that Pulvermacher may contemplate fleeing given the seriousness of the charges and the possibility that he may spend the rest of his life in prison.

Screnock said although Pulvermachers finances may be limited, he also had to consider the financial means of his family and determine a bond amount that the defendant would not want his loved ones to lose if he were to flee.
So, dear friends, what weve known for a while is in fact the case. I have a very limited time left in this marvelous form of stardust which Ive been talking about over the past few months. I dont feel any dread. I want to assure you that I dont feel fear about this. It seems very petty to complain about the eventual dissipation of my stardust back into the stardust of the cosmos after having lived  in this extraordinary form of existence that very few molecules in the entire universe get to experience  its made for an incredibly meaningful and intellectually exciting personal life. So no complaints. I will die in a few weeks, fulfilled. Not happy that Im dying, but deeply happy with the life Ive lived, and the life Ive been able to share with all of you.
Nobody was injured in a fire that damaged a house early Friday in La Crosse.

The fire was called in at 5:41 a.m., and firefighters arrived to find smoke coming from the second story of the structure at 1933 Main St.

The home sustained minor smoke and fire damage on the second floor, and overheated electrical wiring was determined to be the cause.

The Salvation Army is assisting the displaced residents.

Fire officials remind people to be "aware of electrical heating appliances that over extend a homes electrical circuits."

The La Crosse Fire Department was assisted by the La Crosse Police Department, Tri-State Ambulance and Xcel Energy.

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Ricky L. Arentz, 47, of De Soto faces charges of third-degree burglary, driving without a license, possession of methamphetamine (third or subsequent offense), possession of meth with intent to deliver and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Police said that at about 1:40 p.m. Wednesday, they received a report of an active burglary at 303 Fourth Ave. SW in Waukon. Arentz was arrested on the burglary charge then, and after a search warrant was obtained for his vehicle, the additional drug charges were leveled.
Philippine Business Bank of Zest-O Corp. owner Alfredo Yao is increasing its capital base to P20 billion from P10 billion in a bid to fund future growth and expansion programs. The bank said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Friday the increase in capital stock was in preparation for an enlarged shareholders equity base. It said the increase would be subject to the approval of shareholders, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and the Securities and Exchange Commission. PBB is increasing its authorized capital stock in preparation for an enlarged shareholders equity base. This will greatly expand the banks capability to develop more businesses and harness opportunities in the financial services space, the bank said. The increase will enable PBB to meet the growing demands of the banking business, it said. PBB is one of the leading savings banks in the country. PBB posted a P262.09-million net income in the third quarter of 2018, up 162 percent from P99.99 million in the same quarter a year ago. Thp rofit brought PBBs year-to-date net income to P610.25 million, up 38.6 percent from last years P440.31 million.PBB president and chief executive Rolando Avante said the 38.6-percent growth in net profit in the first nine months underscored the banks transformation from a treasury-focused institution to a full service thrift bank. The banks net interest income in the third quarter stood at P928.99 million, up 17.7 percent from P789.05 million a year ago. Julito G. Rada Profit on loans and other receivables drove the banks net interest earnings to reach P1.34 billion in the third quarter, up 38.7 percent from last years P966.42 million. The banks loans and receivables stood at P80.3 billion as of end-September, up 23 percent from a year ago. Total deposits reached P79.6 billion at end-September, 18.8 percent higher year-on-year, with low-cost funds growing 9.7 percent to P29.8 billion. Meanwhile, time deposits rose 24.9 percent to P49.8 billion.
It is good news to see Vernon  and now also La Crosse  County will be putting a nonpartisan redistricting question on the April ballot.

This fair maps referendum is catching on with voters all around the state. As recently reported in the La Crosse Tribune, strong majorities of voters in other counties apparently agree that a new nonpartisan redistricting process is necessary. Six counties have held redistricting referendums so far  four of them in last Novembers general election  and yes voters have prevailed by wide margins.

Its clear why fed-up voters are expressing broad support for redistricting reform. A nonpartisan process would disregard political objectives and balance the built-in conflict of interest in our Legislatures current approach to drawing up voting maps. Fair maps would reduce political gridlock and save Wisconsin taxpayers millions of dollars.

The time to say yes is now, before the 2020 federal census leads to the next legislative and congressional redistricting. Vote "yes" on April 2 and send a message to our elected representatives in Madison: Get to work on redistricting reform, because Wisconsin deserves fair maps.

Sarah Mayer, Viroqua

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It was difficult for me to vote early for the November 2018 election.

I had to check with my county clerk and be sure I was meeting all requirements. But I was able to vote in this important election. It took me a few days to hear of the results, but I was encouraged that the people had spoken, especially here in Wisconsin.

Early in December, I heard the Legislature was planning to vote immediately on restricting the powers of the incoming administration.

I called my state senator to express my views on this, and then I tried to call my representative, but his phone was not answered and was not accepting messages.

My representative was voting on crucial measures and yet I could not express my opinion to him. After Wisconsinites had voted in November, the Legislature chose, in the dead of night, to strip powers from the incoming administration.

Where is our democracy?

Amy Crofts, Viroqua

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While attending a Memorial Day observance in 2016, then-Holmen High School freshman Jordan Briskey learned the La Crosse area did not have a memorial honoring those who fought in the Vietnam War.

He decided to do something about it.

Now a junior, Briskey is spearheading a fundraising campaign to create a Vietnam memorial at the Veterans Freedom Park on Clinton Street on La Crosses north side.

Briskey will present a program about his project at Holmen Area Historical Societys February meeting. The meeting will be 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 6, in the Holmen Village Halls community meeting room. The village hall is located at 421 S. Main St., Holmen.

Despite not having personal ties to anyone who served in the war, Briskey has received encouragement from family members as well as the La Crosse Parks and Recreation Department to pursue the project.

With the Holmen Area Foundation serving as the organization accepting donations and sponsorships, Briskey set a goal of raising $400,000 to cover the costs to erect the memorial.
Roger Stone, a confidant of President Donald Trump, was arrested in the special counsel's Russia investigation in a pre-dawn raid at his Florida home Friday on charges that he lied to Congress and obstructed the probe.
- Singaporean actor Aloysius Pang did not return to his country alive after his military training

- The celebrity, and all other young men in the country, was required to render services to the armed forces

- Aloysius damaged his organs while on training

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An unfortunate incident in Singapore prompted its military to commit to reducing the intensity and frequency of its training programs for the members of the armed forces.

KAMI learned that Singaporean actor Aloysius Pang, who is also serving as a military reserve, passed away on January 24 after damaging his abdomen and chest while training in New Zealand.

The celebrity was able to complete the 2-year mandatory military service to all the young men in the said country and he was just fulfilling the annual training obligations.

However, the unfortunate incident stopped him from being a member of the armed forces as he was put in life support after undergoing surgeries and later on died.

According to a report by Inquirer.net, Aloysius was helping to repair a large artillery device when a gun barrel was lowered on it, causing him to damage his organs.

Because of this, Chief of Defence Force Melvyn Ong vowed that there will be changes in the training exercises particularly in their intensity and tempo.

He expressed that they will do necessary adjustments so that their activities will be safer and the same incident will not happen again.

This reduction of training tempo will be enforced for as long as it takes for us to get it right. And we want to do it right, we want to do it safe for every activity, we want to do it right every time, Melvyn stated.

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Meanwhile, Aloysius elder brother Kenny immediately went to New Zealand upon hearing the sad news.

In grief, he expressed that his late sibling was the favorite in the family and he often returned all the love by supporting his family.

Hes the precious of our family. Hes the youngest. Hes the most loved. To reciprocate that he has also given us all the support and all the love he can, Kenny quipped.

Aloysius Pang is a well-known celebrity in Singapore who is managed by NoonTalk Media. He made appearances in several movies and drama series including Young & Fabulous and The Truth Seekers."

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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, everyone! Do you enjoy watching street interviews and listening to different opinions? Are you ready for the first 2019 edition of Tricky Questions? Let's get it started!  on HumanMeter!

Source: Kami.com.ph
- The Palace answered the concern regarding the increase of Chinese workers in Philippines

- Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said it was because many skilled Filipino workers went abroad

- He added that the Filipinos lack the skill in terms of construction work

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The Palace addressed the concern regarding the increase of Chinese migrant workers in the Philippines. KAMI learned that the Palace cited the lack of skills of the Filipinos as a factor to this issue.

"Kasi yung mga workers daw nga natin nagpunta na sa abroad so wala nang natira. Puro nasa abroad. May problema talaga tayo, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said as reported by Yahoo! Philippines.

"That is the probably the reality now, thats is why maraming Chinese workers, he added.

The Presidential Spokesperson also shared that Filipinos lack the skill in terms of construction works. However, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) has been providing different courses or programs to address this concern.

"Wala na tayong mga construction workers ngayon dahil nag-puntahan sa abroad. Pangalawa, 'yung mga technical skills nitong mga umalis hindi nailipat sa mga anak nila, sa mga pamangkin nila, o sa mga kapitbahay nila. So Tesda comes in. I think we should establish more technical schools all over the land," Panelo said.

"We lack so many construction workers. Siguro thats why maraming Chinese na kinukuha dahil walang mga Pilipino. Maraming Pilipinong walang trabaho, and yet, they lack the skill so we need to teach them. And most likely, 'yan ang magandang project ng Tesda," he added.

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Former President Benigno Noynoy Aquino III recently called out the Duterte administration to look after the sudden increase of Chinese workers in the Philippines, if they are taking jobs that are supposed to be for Filipinos.

However, Panelo answered that it should not worry the public most especially if the Chinese nationals went through the legal process.

"There are many Chinese? If they came here through lawful means then I am not alarmed. I will be alarmed if they are here because they violated the law," Panelo said.

In a previous report by KAMI, the Department of Labor and Employment confirmed that there has been an increase with illegal Chinese workers in the country which the senators questioned.

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We wondered... who would likely share their food: fortunate or less fortunate people? Those, who have enough or those who have one last piece? And the results were quite amazing. Check out our videos  on KAMI HumanMeter YouTube channel!

Source: Kami.com.ph
- A photo went viral featuring Ferdinand Marcos on the cover of TIME magazine

- The cover had texts saying that Marcos was the only Philippine President with most projects and that he was acquitted of all his corruption cases

- However, this post has been debunked and was reported false

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A photo went viral on social media showing that the TIME magazine featured then President Ferdinand Marcos on their cover with texts saying: The only President with the most projects ever built and acquitted from all graft and corruption cases.

However, KAMI learned that this claim is false and had been debunked by a French news agency, Agence French-Presse (AFP).

The post was shared by a Facebook page supporting the Marcos family as reported by GMA News. In the caption, it said, Yes indeed. #MarcosAHero #WeLoveImeldaMarcos #Marcos4ever #BagongLipunanPilipinas"

AFP conducted a search in the archives of the TIME covers from their official website. The same illustration on the cover was found there published on October 21, 1966. You may visit the site here.

However, it did not contain the message saying that Marcos was the THE ONLY PRESIDENT WITH THE MOST PROJECTS EVER BUILT AND ACQUITTED FROM ALL GRAFT AND CORRUPTION CASES.

Instead, it only had words: Philippine President Marcos.

Screenshot from TIME magazine's official website

Source: Facebook

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The Marcoses have been accused for their alleged ill-gotten wealth. Former first lady Imelda Marcos was accused of embezzling billions of dollars along with her husband from the government funds.

Ferdinand Marcos was the President of the Philippines from 1965 to 1986. On September 21, 1972, Marcos declared martial law nationwide. In 1986, Ferdinand passed away.

In a previous report by KAMI, Imelda Marcos was found guilty of graft by the Sandiganbayan court. This was in relation with the Swiss bank accounts linked with the Marcoses.

Enjoyed reading our story? Download KAMI's news app on Google Play now and stay up-to-date with major Filipino news!

We wondered... who would likely share their food: fortunate or less fortunate people? Those, who have enough or those who have one last piece? And the results were quite amazing. Check out our videos  on KAMI HumanMeter YouTube channel!

Source: Kami.com.ph
Nothing strikes fear in the heart of most Americans like the image of a congressman in pajamas.

Thankfully, the new Democratic leadership in the House of Representatives is willing to take on this long-festering abuse in Congress by putting an end to the practice of allowing the nations lawmakers to bunk down in their own offices. Or, at least, making them pay for it.

Wisconsin, of course, has not been immune to this wink-and-nod-off practice. Former House Speaker and 1st Congressional District representative Paul Ryan was notorious for coming home to Wisconsin to be with his family on weekends and  frugal man that he is  didnt rent an apartment in Washington, D.C., preferring to sleep in his office and showering in the morning in the members-only gym provided for congressional representatives.

He must be an early riser, because we have never seen a report of Ryan bumping into a group of visiting Wisconsin tourists as he headed for the gym wearing a bathrobe with a towel draped over his shoulder carrying a dopp kit.

Well, hello, where are you guys from?
MADISON  In another change of course, Democratic Gov. Tony Evers Thursday sought to withdraw Wisconsin from a multi-state lawsuit seeking to invalidate the Affordable Care Act  this time by seeking legislative approval.

The new strategy announced Thursday comes a day after the governor reversed course on a vow to withdraw the state from the litigation less than 24 hours after making the commitment in his first State of the State speech.

Evers decision to backtrack on his proposal came the same day he received a letter from Kaul, who said Evers likely does not have the legal authority to withdraw from participation in the suit.

My view is that, notwithstanding your letter, DOJ (Department of Justice) does not have statutory authority to withdraw the State from the ACA litigation absent approval from the Joint Committee on Finance, Kaul wrote.

Kaul, in a letter Thursday to the JFC co-chairs  Rep. John Nygren, R-Marinette, and Sen. Alberta Darling, R-River Hills  requested the committee promptly approve his request to withdraw from the suit.
RACINE  What is in the previously sealed Alderman Sandy Weidner emails that the City of Racine has been fighting against releasing for a year?

That question has been partly answered this week after Racine County Circuit Court Judge Eugene Gasiorkiewiczs office approved the public release of several documents related to the open records case of Weidner.

A previously sealed document, filed by Weidners defense on April 4, 2018, summarizes 18 emails involved in the case, the City Attorneys basis for classifying them under attorney-client privilege, and why the defense believed they did not qualify.

The sealed emails included correspondence about everything from the citys Redevelopment Authority to a case involving a bars liquor license. It also included an email sent to a former Journal Times reporter about scheduling for a public meeting, a PowerPoint presentation reportedly given at a public meeting, and details about development projects including the proposed arena project.

That document was available at the Racine County Courthouse on Wednesday; however, was later taken down on Thursday.

Summary of content of the emails
GORDON  One question plays endlessly in the minds of people here along the rural roads deep in the North Woods.

What happened to Jake Patterson?

He was an ordinary, well-behaved kid, people here say.

Teachers and classmates at his small country school described him as smart and quick-witted  quiet, but not a loner. He had friends and was well-accepted among the 34 members of the Class of 2015 at Northwood School, most of whom had been together since kindergarten.

He played video games, board games  Risk was a favorite  and devoured Tom Clancy spy novels.

So what could possibly have transformed this lean, prematurely balding and reserved young man into the alleged perpetrator of a brutal crime that shocked a nation?

Whatever the answer, it lies along the stretch of Hwy. 53 that runs roughly 100 miles from Barron to the shores of Lake Superior.

Its here where the 21-year-old Patterson spent most of his days, living in a series of small towns dotting the highway before settling in at his fathers remote cabin 9 miles east of Gordon.
RACINE  The Board of Ethics has found that Defense Attorney Patrick Cafferty does not have a conflict of interest for serving on the Police and Fire Commission while also representing police officers facing criminal allegations.

Multiple past and present city and law enforcement leaders submitted letters supporting Caffertys appointment to the Police and Fire Commission, and the board unanimously agreed on Thursday that he does not have a conflict of interest.

Board of Ethics Chairman Mary Wyant, herself a retired attorney, said. In my opinion, there is no violation.

Cafferty has been a member of Racines Police and Fire Commission since 2013. He was also the defense attorney for Brinelle Nabors, who was found not guilty Jan. 11 for alleged excessive force used against a Park High School student in 2015. He has since returned back to work after approximately three years of paid leave. Cafferty also represents Racine Police Sgt. Samuel Stulo, who is expected to be charged next week for a Dec. 17 crash he allegedly caused while driving with a blood-alcohol content twice the legal limit.

When asked, Cafferty did not say if he has legally represented any other police officers since being appointed to the PFC.
RACINE  Election season is starting back up again as candidates have began announcing that they are running for the 64th Assembly District.

The seat was held by State Rep. Peter Barca, D-Kenosha, but he has since been nominated to be the Wisconsin Secretary of Revenue in Gov. Tony Evers administration.

Evers has yet to announce a date for a special election for the seat but already two Democrats have announced their candidacy for this seat.

When the special election is announced, it has to take place within a certain amount of time after the announcement, so its likely Evers is waiting to announce a special election until the voters can make their choice for the seat during the April election.

Bristol resident Gina Walkington and Somers resident Thaddeus Tip McGuire will face off in a primary for the seat.

Walkington co-founded Forward Kenosha, a grassroots...a grassroots progressive organization, in 2016, and is a community organizer for Planned Parenthood.

Walkington said she received preventative care from Planned Parenthood which detected early signs of cervical cancer and allowed her to receive treatment. Since then she has been an advocate for increased health care access.
RACINE  Monument Square will be redesigned this year for a likely makeover next year, and a traffic-calming study is also planned for Downtown.

Those are among the highlights of the presentation that Kelly Kruse, executive director of Downtown Racine Corp., gave at the DRCs annual meeting Thursday evening at the Johnson Building, 555 Main St.

Kruse also announced at the annual meeting that this years Downtown public art project will be benches, each one flanked by two planters.

The current city budget contains $50,000 for the Monument Square redesign, she said, and the City Development Department is preparing to issue a request for proposals that will go out in the next month or so.

Kruse said both Roger Brooks, a downtown and tourism specialist who studied Downtown Racine, and Wisconsin Economic Development Corp., with its Main Street program, recognized that the way its designed now, its not as functioning as it could be.

We would like to see a permanent stage, more trees and green space, multiple seating areas and public bathrooms, Kruse said. These are just a few of the ways we could enhance Monument Square and make it more functional and enjoyable for year-round programming.
The president demands funding for the border wall as a condition for opening the government. Democrats demand that he open the government as a condition for negotiating funding for the wall.

So, we have the current stalemate with little being accomplished. However, absent the inadvertent consequences of the government shutdown, this may not be the bigger problem.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell refuses to forward any legislation the president will veto, making the Republican-controlled Senate impotent. If the Democratic-controlled House is forced to abandon its position, we will essentially be governed by public presidential demands.

This would be a regretful precedent, because it only works for you as long as you have the president you want.

William L. Thomas, Lincoln

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Editorials in this space frequently note that funding higher education is the most important investment Nebraska can make in its own future.

When that argument is being made, it generally focuses on ensuring the University of Nebraska system receives adequate state aid. But a suite of bills before the Nebraska Legislature approaches the same topic from an entirely different angle.

State senators have introduced five pieces of legislation at increasing Nebraskans college attainment by increasing funding, tax credits and general awareness of the Nebraska Educational Savings Trust, or 529 plans. When taken together, they represent the most ambitious update to the program in its nearly two decades of existence.

New State Treasurer John Murante deserves credit for studying whats worked elsewhere in the country and bringing it back to Nebraska. When he met with the Journal Star editorial board as a candidate for his present office, he spent much of the discussion laying out his vision to improve the states 529 plans.

The final product, introduced piecemeal by a bipartisan slate of senators, delivers.
BELLEVUE  A woman suspected in the fatal shooting of a man in an Omaha suburb has been arrested in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

Authorities say 18-year-old Sadie Grant, of Omaha, was booked Thursday night into the Pottawattamie County Jail. After extradition, she'll face three Nebraska charges: first-degree murder, use of a weapon and conspiracy to commit robbery.

She and 18-year-old Dakota Pirruccello are accused of killing 23-year-old Brian Faeller, who was shot a little before 9 p.m. on Jan. 15 after opening the door at a Bellevue apartment. He also was known as Brian Faeller-Crom.

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The outcome is a rare exception in Nebraska, where the vast majority of grand juries find no criminal wrongdoing.

O'Brien said he brought the case, in part, because the two statutes passed in 2016, which make the records available for public review, "were a little unclear.

Until there was greater clarity, he said, he felt it important to protect the integrity of the record of the two individuals that were indicted and didnt think the Legislature had anticipated that possibility when senators passed the law.

On the other side, Attorney Dan Fischer, representing the Omaha World-Herald and KETV, which had requested the information the state sought to block, said once you have a public policy of open records, then you have to read the access to records broadly and liberally and restrictions narrowly.

He argued that it would be difficult to obtain such an order given that the "Legislature has made the purposeful decision to make these records public.

In a 10-page Supreme Court decision Friday, Justice Jeffrey Funke said the grand jury courts order, overruling OBriens motion, didnt affect a substantial right and, therefore, wasnt a final, appealable order.
In what was, so far, the best baseball game of the week, the Jaguars pulled their 33rd win out of the fire and salvaged a gem of a start from their star pitcher.
If all goes as planned, military aircraft from Offutt Air Force Base will start flying out of Lincoln in December.

Lt. Col. Vance Goodfellow, deputy commander of the 55th Wing's Mission Support Group, told the Lincoln Airport Authority on Thursday that Offutt recently received approval from the secretary of the Air Force to go ahead with a full runway replacement.

The project, which has an estimated cost of as much as $100 million, has been a priority of Nebraska's congressional delegation.

Sen. Deb Fischer, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, added language to the fiscal 2019 national defense authorization act that was intended to ensure the project got done.

Goodfellow said Thursday that "dominoes have started to fall" in the process to get the project going.

The 55th Wing conducts intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and electronic attack missions from Offutt, which is in Bellevue. Its fleet includes the OC-135B Open Skies Treaty observation aircraft, WC-135 Constant Phoenix atmospheric collection aircraft and RC-135V/W Rivet Joint electronic intelligence collection aircraft.

The wing would be based out of Lincoln during the runway project, which is estimated to last about a year.
Lincoln Police Capt. Martin Fehringer explains the 9 p.m. routine recommended by local law enforcement to avoid thefts.

A social media campaign reminding people to remove valuables from their cars and lock their vehicles and homes each night contributed to a decline in thefts and burglaries in Lincoln in 2018, Police Chief Jeff Bliemeister said Thursday.

LPD's #9PMroutine campaign on Twitter and Facebook began in January 2018, with an aim to remind people to lock up in hopes of preventing theft.

Northeast Team Capt. Martin Fehringer modeled the campaign on the efforts of the Pasco County Sheriff's Office in Florida, which serves a community north of Tampa that's about the size of Lincoln.

Pasco County sheriff's deputies reminded people to remove valuables from their cars, lock their vehicles, shut their garage doors, then secure their doors and windows, the captain said.

On Thursday, Bliemeister said a department analysis of crime statistics pointed to the effectiveness of these sometimes humorous nightly reminders. Thefts from automobiles dropped 14 percent and residential burglaries declined by 7 percent from 2017 to 2018.

Notable decreases included a 25 percent drop in burglaries at unlocked homes and 26 percent drop in thefts from unlocked cars, according to the analysis.
A man told police he suffered a non-life-threatening stab wound early Friday after two masked men jumped him in a city park, a Lincoln police spokeswoman said.

The mans girlfriend called police at about 5 a.m. because he wouldnt report his injuries, which included a small puncture wound on his chest, a swollen lip and scratches on his neck and arms, Officer Angela Sands said.

The man, who was drunk, didnt know where he was assaulted but said the men attacked him for no reason and didnt take anything.

He refused medical attention.

Police will follow up to try to find out more about the assault, Sands said.

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"While we decline to hold that a postconviction action will always be the correct procedure, it is available here and provides all but Jenkins with a remedy which, compared to the declaratory judgment sought, is equally serviceable, Heavican wrote in Fridays decision.

The ruling affirmed Lancaster County District Judge John Colborns decision nearly a year ago.

"The ACLU, on behalf of eight Nebraska death row inmates, requested the Court override the will of the people expressed in the referendum," Suzanne Gage, spokeswoman for the Attorney General's office, said in response to the decision. "Attorney General Doug Peterson believes the Nebraska Supreme Court reached the proper conclusion that these death row inmates have other avenues to pursue their claims and that the ACLUs case was correctly dismissed."

On the other side, Danielle Conrad, executive director of ACLU of Nebraska, said Friday's ruling didn't resolve its client's claims, and ACLU officials look forward to taking them up in individual postconviction proceedings.
Former Sen. Paul Schumacher of Columbus, who Ricketts also referred to Wednesday as a senator who advocated for tax hikes, said Briese's plan to address the property tax issue created a way to actually fund it, rather than relying on drawing down the state's cash reserve.

"There has not been a realistic effort to deal with property taxes," said Schumacher, who was term-limited. "Unless you come up with a source for property tax relief, urban or rural, you can't give it. If there are no new taxes, where are you going to get the relief from?"

Should the bill advance from the Legislature's Revenue Committee, of which Briese is a member, and through three rounds of floor debate intact, it will run into a governor who has pledged not to sign any tax hikes into law.

At his Beatrice town hall, Ricketts indicated he would not sign Briese's bill when asked by one farmer who advocated for it.

Through a spokesman, Ricketts reiterated that point Thursday, homing in on Pansing Brooks' district in central Lincoln.

"The governor opposes plans, such as LB314, which would raise taxes on the people of Lincoln," Taylor Gage said in an email.
The bill, introduced by Sen. Tom Brewer of Gordon, seeks to answer why Native women turn up missing far more than the national average for every other demographic. He will amend it, he said, to also include Native children.

It would involve multiple agencies of tribal, state and federal governments. The goal is to determine the scope of the problem, identify barriers and find solutions. The study would be submitted to the Legislature by June 1, 2020.

It's a unique situation, he said, because many times the tribal police and Bureau of Indian Affairs do not communicate. Local county law enforcement do not coordinate, and neither do the State Patrol and federal agencies, leaving people to fall through the cracks without a way to track the numbers and have the accountability needed, Brewer said.

Because a reservation can be a closed society, he said, when people leave sometimes there's no network to follow them or account for them. And if they go missing, no one realizes it.

Thirteen women in Nebraska may be missing at this time, but it's hard to know, he said.

Chandra Michelle Walker, chair of the Native caucus of the Democratic Party, said although one out of three women experience violence, for Native women the statistic is four out of five.
The Kiezs Ghost opens with a jaunty whistle that carries into a slinky synth-pop groove with Eli Mardock singing about seeing just another girl I used to know/high on Jack and coke/its like Ive seen a ghost.

Its the debut single for the duo of Lincolnite Mardock, ex of Eagle*Seagull and co-operator of the Royal Grove, and Germanys Lucas Kochbeck, who began their trans-Atlantic collaboration a couple years ago and, after releasing an EP last January, were signed to Warner Music.

The hooky Ghost is an irresistible example of that pairing, with Mardocks garage soul vocals riding Kochbecks swinging drums and synth, with quick quirky solos coming on the keyboard and Mardocks guitar.

Ghost, which was released Friday, clocks in at 3 minutes, 24 seconds -- just enough time to make you want to immediately hear it again -- or better, to hear more songs from The Kiez.

That wont happen until April 19, when its debut album, "Hi, We Are The Kiez," is released.

-- L. Kent Wolgamott

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CHICAGO  FBI agents returned to powerful Alderman Edward Burke's City Hall offices for a second time in December to seize a large stack of computer servers tucked into a closet-size room, records obtained by the Chicago Tribune on Thursday show.

The Dec. 13 search was in stark contrast to the highly visible raid carried out by the FBI two weeks earlier when agents arrived early in the morning, covered the windows to Burke's Finance Committee offices with brown butcher paper and worked for hours behind closed doors.

In the second search, agents quietly returned seeking access to a "collection of computer servers" within the committee's third-floor suite of offices, according to a copy of the warrant released by the Finance Committee in response to an open records request. The servers were 4 or 5 feet tall and appeared from a photo submitted with the warrant to be housed in a small utility room, according to the records.

The paperwork showed agents removed a total of 10 hard drives and computer servers and one desktop computer from the area. Two days later, they returned just five of the items.

In the first raid on Nov. 29, the FBI seized folders naming a well-connected City Hall lobbyist and a strip club owner and trucking executive who recently opened a medical marijuana dispensary; information about tax increment financing districts; and documents pertaining to the major real estate deal for the old main post office.

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It was unclear from the records why agents needed to go back for the second search. The paperwork for the December raid contained identical language as the first warrant, stating that agents were seeking a broad array of documents and communications concerning Burke's official duties both as alderman and chairman of the Finance Committee.

Agents were looking for any evidence of "referral fees, fee-splitting, fee-sharing, and consulting agreements" involving Burke's law firm, Klafter & Burke, the records show. They also demanded contact information and the work locations of all of Burke's employees. Nine undisclosed individuals and 14 entities were referred to without explanation.

Burke, 75, was charged earlier this month with attempted extortion. The criminal complaint accused him of using his position as alderman to threaten to shut down the renovation of a Burger King at 40th Street and Pulaski Road unless executives for the company that owned the franchise hired Klafter & Burke to handle tax appeals for dozens of its restaurant sites in the Chicago area.

The complaint also alleges that Burke pressured one of the company's executives in December 2017 to contribute to the campaign of an unnamed local politician. Sources identified the politician as Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, who is running for Chicago mayor.

While the allegations have a familiar ring, the details in the 37-page complaint hint that it could be the tip of the iceberg for Burke. According to the complaint, the FBI had won a judge's approval to wiretap Burke's cellphone and was already recording his calls before the alleged shakedown at the center of the charge began to unfold in May 2017. It's unknown what other evidence federal prosecutors presented in the application for the wiretap because that filing is under seal.

Burke, free on a $10,000 unsecured bond, has yet to enter a plea, but his attorney, Charles Sklarsky, has said the allegations were without merit. Federal prosecutors recently were granted a 90-day extension to file an indictment in the case. The new deadline is in early May.

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CHARLESTON -- A man who jumped or fell from the second floor of the Coles County Courthouse on Tuesday has died from his injuries.

James Brian Brigham was pronounced dead at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana, Thursday afternoon, according to the Champaign County Coroner's Office.

Brigham, 49, was in the custody of Coles County sheriff's deputies for a criminal case and was taken to the courthouse Tuesday under guard for a divorce case hearing, according to police.

After the divorce hearing, Brigham fell over the second-floor railing and was taken to Carle because of his injuries.

Illinois State Police are continuing to investigate Tuesday's incident and haven't determined if Brigham jumped or fell accidentally, state police Lt. Tom Houser said on Friday.

Houser said once the investigation concludes, reports will be sent to the Coles County Sheriff's Office and State's Attorney's Office for their determination on what action to take, if any.

The sheriff's office asked state police to investigate because the incident involved an in-custody inmate and took place on county property.

On Friday, sheriff's office Chief Deputy Tad Freezeland said some action in response to the incident is likely but nothing will be determined until after state police issue their investigation results.

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"We're going to do anything we can to try to prevent this from happening again," he said.

Freezeland said he plans to consult with the county maintenance department about possible safety improvements at the courthouse. He said he has "some ideas" and he's "not ruling out" exploring higher hand railings or something similar.

The coroner's office indicated that an autopsy was scheduled for today(Saturday).

At the time of the incident, Brigham was in custody on a disorderly conduct charge that accused him of making making a bomb threat to the Mattoon Walmart on Dec. 21.

He was brought to the courthouse under guard for the hearing in the divorce case and the incident occurred just after the hearing concluded, according to state police.

County court records indicate that the divorce sought by Brigham's estranged wife was granted during Tuesday's hearing.

Also, Mattoon police said they believe Brigham's wife was shopping at the Walmart store when the store received the bomb threat call.

Brigham was arrested a week later after his wife identified the phone number that was used for the call to Walmart as Brigham's, according to records in disorderly conduct case.

In 1990, Brigham was sentenced to prison for his role in attempting to disarm a police officer. He was in custody at the time on charges in connection with several rural area burglaries, for which he also was sentenced to prison.

Contact Dave Fopay at (217) 238-6858. Follow him on Twitter: @FopayDave

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As Chad Reed put it, "It is all tied together."

Charleston's police chief said the belief among law enforcement is that as drug use grows, so do other crimes.

Others said much the same, adding that it can also be a drain on resources.

Reed noted that Charleston police handled 329 theft reports last year, an increase of 60 from 2017. Property crimes are often drug-related, he noted, as they can be a way for users to get the money to buy drugs.

Police officials across the county echoed Reed in saying "meth is the problem," though statistics showed some concerns about other drugs.

Heroin use has been called an epidemic nationwide, but while the area hasn't been immune, it's reflected more in reports of overdoses than arrests.

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Charleston Fire Department paramedics responded to 42 heroin overdoses last year, fire Chief Steve Bennett said. The department has only tracked overdoses for a few years but they've grown rapidly, he said.

Heroin is "limited" but "we know it's out there," said Matt McCormick, commander of the East Central Illinois Task Force, which investigates drug cases in Coles and Douglas counties.

The task force made seven heroin arrests last year, three less than in 2017.

Mattoon police Chief Jason Taylor said he also believes the increase in methamphetamine fueled other crimes, and there were more arrests last year for other drugs as well.

He said the Mattoon department handles about 32,000 calls each year at a time when the department had to reduce its budget because of the city's financial situation.

"We must take a hard look at the manner in which funds are expended," Taylor said.

Reed said the Charleston Police Department is back up to full staff, increasing chances to catch criminals but also reflecting the stake with methamphetamine.

He also said city police have seen few other crimes from Eastern Illinois University students, adding that last year was "phenomenal" in terms of student relations with the city.

Contact Dave Fopay at (217) 238-6858. Follow him on Twitter: @FopayDave

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Jarad Jarmon Reporter Jarad Jarmon is a reporter for the JG-TC. He covers the city of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University, Mattoon schools and the Regional Office of Education. Follow Jarad Jarmon Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today
The entrance to the Heartland Hands food pantry on Stateline Road in Southaven, a nonprofit service that had seen an increase in clients in recent weeks from federal workers out of work or without paychecks due to the partial federal shutdown that ended Friday afternoon.
One summer evening last year, some homes and businesses on the west side of Mattoon were evacuated while police dealt with man acting irrationally, claiming he had a gun, making threats and leading to an hours-long standoff.

Later, police said his erratic behavior that led to a woman reporting her concerns about him was because of his use of methamphetamine.

Mattoon police Chief Jason Taylor said at the time it was the third drug-related standoff in which officers had to engage in the last few months.

"We're going to run out of luck at some point," Taylor said.

The example cited is one of many that might be used to illustrate what Coles County authorities say about methamphetamine use.

Police and prosecutors alike say the renewed prevalence of the drug was the biggest contributor to an increase in arrests and criminal cases in the county last year.

Methamphetamine was labeled an "epidemic" in Coles County and much of Illinois about 20 years ago. That was when every item needed to make it could be purchased legally and led to a large number of "labs" that resulted in drug use and toxic materials left behind.

Laws that restricted access to medicine with pseudoephedrine, an essential ingredient, led to a falling off, but the dynamics are different now, according to the head of an area drug investigation agency.

Matt McCormick, commander of the East Central Illinois Task Force, said officers deal with the "ice" form of meth "every day." It's produced by drug cartels in Mexico and imported to larger cities, then "makes its way down here," he said.

"It's pretty simple," McCormick said. "It's by far our biggest issue."

He said the trend started about about five years ago and the task force investigated 84 meth cases last year, compared to 45 the year before. Task force officers still encounter some meth labs but usually only one or two a year, he added.

Taylor, Mattoon's police chief, said last summer's standoff is one example of how meth use can lead to more crimes in addition to that of actually possessing the drug.

"The frequency of our critical incidents is increasing," he said.

Meth's ready supply and affordability has also led to distributors using "small time" criminals, who aren't used to handling drugs, as dealers, Taylor also noted.

Mattoon police made 133 meth-related arrests in 2018 compared to 77 in 2017.

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Taylor and officials with other police agencies all said officers are trying to be proactive by making traffic stops if a known methamphetamine suspect is in a vehicle they observe.

Charleston police Chief Chad Reed said the low price of the drug and the fact that users no longer have to make it themselves have contributed to an increase of meth and arrests.

"Meth is the problem," he said. "It's more prevalent in the community. They flood the market with it."

Charleston police's meth arrests increased from 15 in 2017 to 44 last year.

Lt. Tyler Heleine with the Coles County Sheriff's Office was once assigned to the drug task force and said he still works closely with the agency. He said the issue in the rest of Coles County is the same as it is in the cities of Mattoon and Charleston.

"Across the board, meth arrests have been up," said Heleine, who's the supervisor of the sheriff's office's patrol division.

The office tracks total numbers for arrests it makes but not for specific offenses, such as methamphetamine possession. Total arrests for 2018 were 273, an increase of 25 from 2017.

Heleine said his and other officers' observations have led to a clear conclusion that the drug's presence is directly or indirectly related to the increase.

A series of thefts the sheriff's office investigated last year were tied to suspects' methamphetamine use, an example of the "trickling effect" it can have, he said.

Also, felony case filings in Coles County increased by about 45 percent from 2017 to 2018, from 501 to 734. A breakdown by the types of offenses wasn't available, but State's Attorney Jesse Danley said the increase in meth cases is the "overwhelming" reason.

Danley was appointed to the position last month after former State's Attorney Brian Bower was named to a judge's position.

But in that limited time in office, Danley said about half the felony cases filed have been for meth offenses. Earlier, Bower also mentioned the drug as a reason for the increase in criminal cases.

Danley said Illinois law currently puts a "strong impetus" on mostly sending only violent crime offenders to prison. However, he said his office will likely seek prison time in more drug cases.

"We're looking to crack down harder on dealers," Danley said.

At the same time, he said he supports the county's drug court and pretrial programs that try to help drug users end addictions and criminal activity.

"I refuse to believe that saving one person on drug court is not a valuable resource," he said.

Contact Dave Fopay at (217) 238-6858. Follow him on Twitter: @FopayDave

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Jarad Jarmon Reporter Jarad Jarmon is a reporter for the JG-TC. He covers the city of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University, Mattoon schools and the Regional Office of Education. Follow Jarad Jarmon Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today
Iran even summoned the Polish Charge dAffaires Wojciech Unolt to the Foreign Ministry to criticise Polands hosting of the conference.

To those unfamiliar with the Regime, it may seem strange that the Regime would react this way over a conference to address terrorism and extremism, missile development and proliferation, maritime trade and security, and threats posed by proxy groups across the region, but the sad truth is that Iran sees a stable, peaceful Middle East as the antithesis to its plans for regional domination. The Regimes reaction signals that the mullahs know they are responsible for the majority of conflict in the Middle East and that the days of global appeasement of the Regime are over, something that US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo explained on January 10 was now US policy.

He said: The nations of the Middle East will never enjoy security, achieve economic stability, or advance the dreams of its peoples if Irans revolutionary regime persists on its current course.

The Iranian Regime is at an impasse right now, with this increased international scrutiny coming at the same time as nationwide unrest, meaning there is nowhere for the Iranian Regime to seek shelter from the storm they created for themselves. So the Regime is trying to downplay the significance of both, with the hope that both problems will go away quietly, but neither will.

The reaction from Zarif and the Foreign Ministry shows that the Regime knows that this is the beginning of the end for the Regime, with the general consensus being that the world will soon recognise how misguided the policy of appeasement towards the Regime has been.

This is also a signal of weakening relations between Iran and the EU, especially in light on the new sanctions the EU levied against Iran earlier this month and the intense criticism from other EU members states about Iranian terrorism in their backyards.

Reza Shafiee, a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), wrote: It is true that the Iranian people can no longer stand the regime and its also true that the main Iranian opposition is the source of great fear for Khamenei and his cronies. The volatile state of the country plus the prospect of an end to the appeasement policy and on top of that a viable alternative to organising the protests in Iran is certainly a terrifying outlook for the regime in 2019.
The Guardian Council is a body of 12 clerics whose job is to make sure that bills passed by the parliament are in line with the Regime values and clearly combating terrorism does not align with the values of the Regime, even if not passing the bill spell ruin for the Regime.

After all, Iran has less than a month left to pass the four necessary bills regarding complying with international norms and standards in terms of financial transparency or their suspension from international anti-money laundering body, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), will become permanent. Given that this dispute has been raging for months, it doesnt seem likely that anything will be resolved before the deadline.

So what is the dispute over?

Well, the President Hassan Rouhani faction appears to want the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei faction to return to the negotiating table, with MP Jalal Mirzaii accusing the Khamenei factions of creating a deadlock and obstructing the strategy development program of the country and Foreign Minister Javad Zarif saying that money launderers were trying to prevent the bills from being passed. Abbas Ahmad Akhoundi, a former minister of roads and urban development in the Rouhani cabinet, said that not passing FATF means entering a dead-end. The reason being that the Rouhani faction sees this as being the way out of international sanctions that are pressing down on the Regime.

MP Ahmad Alirezabigi, who is firmly in Khameneis faction, hit back at the Rouhani faction as a whole, saying that this bill merely gives political credibility to Americas desires.

But, as always with the Regime, the fight is not about what is best for the country, its people, or even global security. Its merely about which option will preserve the Regime for that little bit longer and possibly result in the leader of the faction taking charge of the country.

Given the toxicity of the fight, one might well wonder why Khamenei doesnt step in and settle the matter finally. Well, the Iranian Resistance says that is because he doesnt have the political capital to risk picking the option that would end up hurting the Regime, so in order to protect himself, he is trying to avoid the issue altogether.

Its not clear how this fight will end, but what seems obvious is that the international community must stop tolerating a state sponsor of terrorism soon enough, and then the Iranian Regime will fall, no matter what the mullahs do.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro accuses the United States of trying to orchestrate a coup against him, and that allegation has resonance among many in a region where Washington has a long history of interventions  military and otherwise.

Ever since President James Monroe announced a sort of protectorate over the hemisphere in the early 19th century known as the Monroe Doctrine, the United States has involved itself in the daily affairs of nations across Latin America, often on behalf of North American commercial interests or to support right-leaning forces against leftist leaders.

That military involvement petered out after the end of the Cold War, although the U.S. has been accused of granting at least tacit backing to coups in Venezuela in 2002 and Honduras in 2009.

The Trump's administration leading role in recognizing Juan Guaido as the interim president of Venezuela returns the U.S. to a more assertive role in Latin America than it has had for years.

Some of the most notable U.S. interventions in Latin America:

1846: The United States invades Mexico and captures Mexico City in 1847. A peace treaty the following year gives the U.S. more than half of Mexico's territory  what is now most of the western United States.

1903: The U.S. engineers Panamanian independence from Colombia and gains sovereign rights over the zone where the Panama Canal would connect Atlantic and Pacific shipping routes.

1903: Cuba and the U.S. sign a treaty allowing near-total U.S. control of Cuban affairs. U.S. establishes a naval base at Guantanamo Bay.

U.S. Marines repeatedly intervene in Central America and the Caribbean throughout the first quarter of the 20th century, often to protect U.S. business interests in moments of political instability.

1914: U.S. troops occupy the Mexican port of Veracruz for seven months in an attempt to sway developments in the Mexican Revolution.

1954: Guatemalan President Jacobo Arbenz is overthrown in a CIA-backed coup.

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1961: The U.S.-backed Bay of Pigs invasion fails to overthrow Soviet-backed Cuban leader Fidel Castro but Washington continues to launch attempts to assassinate Castro and dislodge his government.

1964: Leftist President Joao Goulart of Brazil is overthrown in a U.S.-backed coup that installs a military government lasting until the 1980s.

1965: U.S. forces land in the Dominican Republic to intervene in a civil war.

1970s: Argentina, Chile and allied South American nations launch brutal campaign of repression and assassination aimed at perceived leftist threats, known as Operation Condor, often with U.S. support.

1980s: Reagan administration backs anti-Communist Contra forces against Nicaragua's Sandinista government and backs the Salvadoran government against leftist FMLN rebels.

1983: U.S. forces invade Caribbean island of Grenada after accusing the government of allying itself with Communist Cuba.

1989: U.S. invades Panama to oust strongman Manuel Noriega.

1994: A U.S.-led invasion of Haiti is launched to remove the military regime installed by a 1991 coup that ousted President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. The invasion restores Aristide.

2002: Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is ousted for two days before retaking power. He and his allies accuse the U.S. of tacit support for the coup attempt.

2009: Honduran President Manuel Zelaya overthrown by military. U.S. accused of worsening situation by insufficient condemnation of the coup.
Jassi and Mithu got married in 1999

Nineteen years after Canadian citizen Jaswinder Kaur Jassi's honour killing, her mother and uncle, the two accused in her murder conspiracy, were extradited from Canada and handed over to the Punjab police on Thursday.

Jassi's mother Malkiat Kaur Sidhu and uncle Surjit Singh Badesha, both in their seventies, will now be produced before the Malerkotla court on Friday afternoon.

Jassi, who married Sukhwinder Singh, aka Mithu, a marginal farmer, against the wishes of her family in 1999, was found murdered in a ditch in June 2000, a month after she started living with Mithu in India.

The couple were attacked while they were on their way to Malerkotla. While Mithu survived with severe injuries, Jassi was abducted and brutally murdered. Her body was found in a drain near village Bulara, with her throat silt and multiple injuries on her body.

Investigations by the Punjab police revealed that contract killers had been hired to murder the two. Call recordings showed that the killers were in constant touch with Jassis mother and uncle before and after the incident.

A case was registered at the Amargarh police station in Sangrur. Three accused are still behind bars in the case. Though the Punjab police had been seeking extradition of Jassi's mother and uncle since May 2002, a Canadian court had stopped it on the plea that they would not get justice in India.

Malkiat Kaur and Surjit Singh were arrested in Canada in 2012 after Punjab police presented details of their investigations to the Canadian police.

Even after the Supreme court of Canada ordered their extradition in 2017, its decision was stayed after the accused sought its judicial review.

It was in December 2018 that a Canadian court finally rejected their plea. The two were brought to India by the Royal Canadian Police on Thursday morning and were handed over to Sangrur police.




Copa America 2019 draw: All you need to know

25 Jan 2019: Copa America 2019 draw: All you need to know

The Copa America 2019 will be the 46th edition of the tournament. It is set to be hosted by Brazil.

The tournament will be held in five different cities of Brazil, with the final scheduled to take place at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro.

The draws were revealed yesterday, and here we bring to you all the details regarding the same.

Group A: Let's talk about the teams drawn in Group A

Hosts Brazil are in Group A along with Peru, Venezuela and Bolivia.

It seems like Brazil have found themselves in a relatively easy group, and will surely qualify for the knockout stage of the competition.

Brazil have not won the Copa America since 2007 when they beat Argentina in the final.

Peru can be the other nation to qualify from this group.

Group B: Group B matches can be thrilling encounters

Argentina, Colombia, Paraguay, and invited team Qatar make up Group B.

Argentina will be eager to win the trophy as they have been going through a trophy drought even longer than Brazil.

They played in the last two Copa America finals, but lost both matches against Chile.

It remains to be seen if Leo Messi will return to the Argentine squad for Copa America.

Group C: Group C looks the toughest on paper

Group C consists of Uruguay, Ecuador, invited team Japan, and the two-time reigning champions, Chile.

This is surely the group of death, and will stage the toughest group stage ties.

If things turn out as they look on paper, Chile and Uruguay should be the two teams which qualify from this group.

However, Ecuador cannot be ruled out as well.

Best matches: Here are some of the most interesting group stage encounters

Arena Corinthians, Sao Paulo will host the Peru vs Brazil match on June 22, while Argentina and Colombia will clash at the Itaipava Arena Fonte Nova stadium on June 15.

Argentina will take on Paraguay on June 19 at the Estadio Mineirao, while Uruguay will take on Ecuador on June 16 at the same venue.

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Chile face Uruguay on June 24 at the Maracana.

Coaches: Some of the coaches have voiced their opinions

"People have questioned me about the draw and some said, it's easy, others said, be careful. Our responsibility is to perform at the highest level, to play with joy and to be proud of representing Brazil", said the coach of Brazil, Tite.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said, "It's going to be difficult and no matter who we play we have to win".
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" " BIL/CCA By-SA-4.0 The Norwegian-Russian border is seen from Skafferhullet, Norway. A fence was built to keep migrants out. While it has little value as a security barrier, it has become something of a tourist attraction.

The United States is far from the first country to ponder the construction of a border wall. Worldwide, there were 15 in 1989; now in 2019, there are at least 77, mostly to keep migrants from crossing borders. England funded a wall in the French port city of Calais to prevent undocumented immigrants from slipping into the Channel Tunnel. India has built fortified, barbed-wire barricades along its borders with Bangladesh and Pakistan. And we hear there's a pretty "great" wall in China.

But if you're looking for the oddest, least-effective investment in border security, check out the 650-foot (200-meter) Norwegian border fence that cost $500,000.

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The story of possibly the world's shortest border fence starts back in 2015 when Europe was embroiled in a migrant crisis. More than 1 million refugees, many fleeing war-torn Syria, made the long trek to Europe by boat, train and on foot. Overwhelmed by the humanitarian crisis, European politicians had to quickly decide how to process so many individuals and families seeking asylum.

Norway shares a 121-mile (195-kilometer) border with Russia along the chilly Barents Sea. In 2015, thousands of Syrian, Iraqi and Afghan migrants decided to bypass the dangerous Mediterranean crossing and take the so-called "Arctic route" through Russia to pass into Norway at the northernmost border crossing in Europe.

Around 5,500 refugees entered Norway in 2015 at the Storskog crossing. Oddly, a Russian law forbidding border crossings on foot meant that exhausted refugees had to make the final leg of their journey on children's bicycles.

In total, about 31,000 asylum seekers came to Norway in 2015, and although Scandinavian countries have a reputation for liberal social policies, the sheer number of refugees made some Norwegians uncomfortable. According to a 2015 poll, a third of Norwegians thought that the government should make it more difficult for asylum seekers to gain permanent residency in Norway, and roughly the same number believed that immigrants abused Norway's generous welfare system.

That spurred Norwegian politicians into action. In addition to adopting policies that put tighter restrictions on asylum applications, the federal government in Oslo decided to fortify its border with Russia. This was even though mass migration via this Arctic route had already ended.

In the fall of 2016, Norway erected the aforementioned border fence near the Storskog crossing. Before completion, a portion had to be moved because it was too close to the Russian side of the border. Locals scoffed at the puny chain-link fence, which at 13 feet (4 meters) tall is dwarfed by a Russian fence farther inland that runs the length of the border.

The fence, which has little value as a security barrier, is widely viewed as a symbolic move to show that the Norwegian government is taking a tougher stance on immigration and asylum seekers. And it's gotten a second life as something of a tourist attraction.

Now That Didn't Work Norway's minister of immigration and integration, who took a hardline stance on refugees, was ridiculed online after she took a quick dip in the Mediterranean Sea (in a bright orange survival suit) to see what it it felt like to be rescued.
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SPRINGFIELD  In his first term as a state representative, Dan Caulkins of Decatur said he plans to focus on constituent concerns about agriculture, education, infrastructure, property tax relief and the Second Amendment.

Caulkins said constituents know him as a small business owner, military veteran, former car and insurance salesman, Decatur city councilman, Eastern Illinois University trustee and more.

He was sworn in to the 101st Illinois House district on Jan. 9, replacing retired state Rep. Bill Mitchell, a Forsyth Republican who was first elected in 1999.

In the traditionally conservative district which includes all or parts of Champaign, DeWitt, Macon, McLean and Piatt counties, Caulkins defeated Democrat Jennifer McMillin by a margin of 33,043 to 14,379 votes.

Well, it is humbling in a lot of ways to get 70 percent or so of the voters, Caulkins said. I've also been very open, up front about who I am and what I stand for.

Caulkins discussed his philosophy with Capitol News Illinois as he readies for his first legislative session. This conversation was edited for length and clarity.

In 2017, Rep. Mitchell voted for the states first complete budget since 2015, ending the historic two-year impasse while passing a 1.2 percentage point income tax increase. Considering your experiences, especially as an EIU trustee, do you think this was the correct decision?

I know Rep. Mitchell had his reasons for it, but its not helpful to me to get into that type of discussion. But I would not have voted for it, because it wasn't a balanced budget, even though it was sold as a balanced budget.

The problem is that none of the bad spending habits were addressed in those negotiations. And that continues to be a problem. The state government has a habit of spending more money than they take in. They just continue to tax and spend and borrow and tax and spend, and it's been a vicious cycle for, I don't know, 15-18 years, since we've had a truly balanced budget without gimmicks.

You mentioned bad spending. Do you have any specifics on what you believe the bad spending is?

I think it is any project, any programs that are not basic to the core mission of state government. I cant sit here and say we shouldnt be paying for specific programs.

If we have things that we need to do that we can't afford, we set them aside and prioritize them. And if the money becomes available, then we would go back and look at those projects.

It would be very difficult for me to vote for an unbalanced budget. But if I knew that we had a two- or a three-year plan that would get us to a balanced budget, I would look at that as a win.

If we produced a two-year budget, I think the bondholders would appreciate it. I know the citizens would appreciate it. And the business community would have to be enthused by that, that we're finally putting our priorities right and we're going to try to solve this financial mess.

Do you have specific agencies or areas you would target for initial cuts?

I don't go about the budgeting just that way.

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I would start with income. It's just like at home  you know how much you're going to make this year, you know how much your family income is going to be, and that number isn't all that flexible.

We need to start on the income side and agree that we're not going to sell the Thompson building for $300 million for the third year. And we're not going to count on some fake savings from pension reform that really never materialized, and they knew it when they did it.

After we agree on income, then you start your budgeting process with fixed costs such as the cost of your employees, insurance, utilities, your pension payment, higher education, health care. All of that money can be put on the books, then it becomes a math problem and then at the end of that, you go, well, how much is left?

If such a two-year plan included more tax revenue, such as a graduated income tax which taxes higher incomes at higher percentages, would you be able to get on board with that?

No. I think it goes back to Illinois having a spending problem, not a revenue problem. If we just passed a graduated income tax to get more money, I think it would be in bad faith because we've done it, we've been there, done that and it didn't work. So why would you give the politicians in Springfield more of your money when they haven't been able to manage the money that we've given them in the past?

Do you think Illinois can achieve a path to financial stability with cuts alone?

I don't know that we can. I'm open to other revenue streams. I'm not open to raising taxes. I just don't see how that works. You know, we need to find ways to get money from people that don't live in Illinois. We don't need to tax the businesses that are here more, we need to go outside and bring in new businesses that will generate revenue.

We don't need to put a casino in Danville or Sparta or wherever and try to entice our residents to gamble more for the revenue. That's not a winning combination.

I think we should put a casino or casino complex in Chicago, under certain conditions. You can imagine a boost to tourism a casino complex might be and the money that's generated from that operation.

But we're not going to be able to tax our way out of this by going after more revenue by raising the income tax and fees on the people that live here. It's counterproductive. The old economic axiom is, if you want a lot less of something, tax it.

You might not have much experience yet with the process, but has anything surprised or disappointed you?

I have to say, I'm encouraged by the freshman class  Democrats and Republicans  the people that I've met in our orientation have all been very focused, very intelligent people that I look forward to getting to know personally and finding things that we can work on together to make Illinois better.

I think that the difference is, what does that mean for each of us? And I hope we get to have those discussions. It's going to be very difficult if we don't, because any thoughtful group that you talk to that's involved in this process will tell you that you that we cannot tax our way out of our problems.

That message hasn't resonated and it needs to. I believe we're at a tipping point that we're going to have to do the right thing if there's going to be an Illinois that we want to live in.

Is there any specific pieces of legislation you immediately plan to sponsor?

I'll sign on as co-sponsor to good legislation  I already signed on to a fair map resolution. But I'm not going to Springfield to get my name on this bill or that bill. Yes, there will be things that I will come up with, but I'm not rushing. Just to dump 10 or 12 bills in the hopper that aren't going to go anywhere doesn't interest me.

Wrapping up, if you serve only one term, is there any single accomplishment that would allow you to call it a successful one?

If we find our way to a balanced budget or on a path to a balanced budget, if we are able to attack the fair (legislative district) map issue, I think it would be a success.

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CHICAGO  In a highly unorthodox move, the Illinois attorney general's office is "reviewing" former Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke's relatively lenient prison sentence, a spokeswoman for the office said Thursday.

"We are going to do a careful review of the record and the law and make a determination based on our review," spokeswoman Maura Possley said in an email.

Possley declined to elaborate on what exactly the office is examining, but legal experts told the Tribune the attorney general might be considering whether to petition the Illinois Supreme Court to order the trial judge to sentence Van Dyke again -- only under tougher guidelines this time.

Last week, former state Sen. Kwame Raoul was sworn in as attorney general just days before Van Dyke was sentenced to less than seven years in prison for shooting Laquan McDonald 16 times.

A Cook County jury found Van Dyke guilty of second-degree murder and 16 counts of aggravated battery last fall, making him the first Chicago police officer in half a century to be convicted of murder for an on-duty shooting.

Judge Vincent Gaughan sentenced Van Dyke under the less stringent second-degree murder statute, not for the aggravated batteries that could have led to a much longer prison sentence.

The shorter sentence prompted the defense to back off promises to appeal Van Dyke's conviction out of concern that such a move could result in added prison time for the ex-officer.

But if Raoul successfully challenged the sentence, that could force Van Dyke's defense team to appeal the conviction after all, dragging the case out for years, legal experts said.

Stephen L. Richards, a veteran criminal defense attorney, said the attorney general's office could be considering challenging the sentence before the Illinois Supreme Court, possibly arguing that Gaughan sentenced Van Dyke improperly under state law.

Richards, an appellate attorney who began his legal career as a clerk for the chief justice of the state Supreme Court, could not recall the attorney general's office previously challenging a sentence without the trial prosecutor's encouragement. But as the state's highest-ranking law enforcement officer, Raoul has the authority to do so, he said.

"It's appropriate for Raoul to do it if he feels like an injustice has been done," Richards said. "He almost certainly has standing if he wants to do this."

The attorney general's announcement came as a surprise to special prosecutor Joseph McMahon, the Kane County state's attorney who took the case voluntarily. McMahon's spokesman said McMahon has had "no direct communication" with Raoul about the sentence.

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McMahon, who had asked the judge to sentence Van Dyke to between 18 and 20 years in prison, told reporters after the sentencing that he accepted the judge's decision. His spokesman said Thursday that McMahon's office is reviewing Gaughan's ruling and the relevant case law.

"The unique facts of this case require consideration of the complex principles of Illinois law," said McMahon's spokesman, Chris Nelson.

Criminal defense attorney Mark Lyon said he is uncertain if the attorney general has the authority to intervene in the sentencing, but he argues that the onus is on McMahon. Though Lyon said he respects Gaughan, he believes the judge's legal interpretation was incorrect and that the prosecutor is obligated to challenge it.

"Having succeeded in securing a favorable jury verdict, Mr. McMahon has simply abandoned the rest of his job," Lyon said. "A zealous prosecutor would petition the Illinois Supreme Court for supervisory relief."

Judge David Erickson, a retired Illinois Appellate Court justice and professor at Chicago-Kent College of Law, said it would create a bad precedent for Raoul to challenge the sentencing, especially when his predecessor declined to get involved with the politically perilous case.

After the Cook County state's attorney's office withdrew from the case, state law required Gaughan to first ask the Illinois attorney general's office and then the Illinois appellate prosecutor's office to see if they would handle the prosecution. When they declined, Gaughan solicited prosecutors from across the state, and McMahon was the only state's attorney from the collar counties to volunteer to take on the hot-button case.

"(Raoul) was not a party (to the case)," said Erickson, who is also a former Cook County prosecutor. "His predecessor turned down the case four years ago. Where is his standing?"

Daniel Herbert, one of Van Dyke's attorneys, blasted the review by the attorney general as politically motivated, accusing Raoul of exploiting "the tragic death of Laquan McDonald for his own political gain."

The office could have filed legal briefs in response to Herbert's arguments at sentencing but chose not to, Herbert pointed out.

"Now he suddenly has concerns after the sentencing in the wake of some public outcry," Herbert said in an emailed statement. "This is about politics, not the law."

In giving Van Dyke six years and nine months in prison, Gaughan made crucial decisions favorable to the defense, most importantly sentencing him under the second-degree murder statute as the defense sought.

Gaughan made that decision despite the fact that convictions for aggravated battery with a firearm are a more serious class of felony than second-degree murder under Illinois law. The judge ruled that common sense dictated that second-degree murder was the more serious crime.

With the decision, Van Dyke avoided potentially consecutive sentences for the aggravated battery convictions. Inmates serving time for second-degree murder also earn day-for-day credit, meaning Van Dyke could be out of prison in about three years.

Van Dyke shot McDonald in October 2014 as the 17-year-old walked away from police on a Southwest Side street while holding a knife. Graphic police dashboard camera footage of the shooting -- ordered released by a judge more than a year later -- sparked weeks of chaos and political upheaval, exacerbating the already-fraught relationship between Chicago police and minority communities.

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LINCOLN  Roger McVay of Independence, Missouri, was identified as the semitruck driver who was killed Wednesday on Interstate 55 in Logan County, Illinois State Police said.

In a separate crash Wednesday, a Glencoe man was injured when his SUV struck a semitruck parked on the shoulder of I-55, police said.

McVay, 63, was driving his semitruck south on I-55 when he apparently had a medical incident and went off the road about 5 p.m. at Exit 127, which is the ramp to northbound I-155 on Lincoln's northwest side, police said.

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McVay was taken to Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital, Lincoln, where he was pronounced dead, police said. He was the sole occupant of the truck.

A little over two hours earlier and about 9 miles to the south, a crash near Broadwell sent Timothy T. Weston, 65, to Memorial Medical Center in Springfield, with serious injuries, police said.

A semitruck driven by David Mangena, 51, of Berrien Springs, Mich., had mechanical problems and was parked on the shoulder of northbound I-55 at milepost 118, police said. Reflective triangles were placed behind it.

For an unknown reason, Weston's SUV drove off the road and struck the rear of the semi about 2:41 p.m., police said. Weston was ticketed for improper lane usage.

Mangena was not injured in the crash.

Contact Roger Miller at (309) 820-3233. Follow him on Twitter: @pg_rmiller

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DECATUR  It's a new front line in making sure kids are safe in the classroom. Police and Decatur School District officials are monitoring social media, in all its expanding forms, and seeking input about signs of trouble  and looking for solutions.

"A lot of people behind a computer; they're pretty brave sometimes," said Fred Bouchard, assistant superintendent for the school district. "They feel like they're an arms length away from law enforcement. Those threats are taken very, very seriously by our district."

Bouchard said the school district's approach to investigating and responding to social media threats is done on a case by case basis. There are some instances that the district is able to handle without a need to involve law enforcement, he said, while more serious situations require more thorough investigations with police assistance to ensure safety.

"Sometimes, there are people (online) who may be critical of a decision that the district made on something. That's not the kind of thing that we're talking about," Bouchard said. "One person's opinion is not necessarily something that causes us concern."

"Anytime that it reaches that level of a threat, we automatically err on the side of caution."

An example of such a situation happened on Jan. 15. Police were notified of a threat made against the safety of MacArthur High School students and faculty posted on Snapchat. It was eventually determined that the threat wasn't credible and school remained in session.

Decatur police Sgt. David Pruitt said a female MacArthur student was arrested. She faces a preliminary charge of disorderly conduct, which is subject to review by the Macon County State's Attorney's Office.

Tara Covington said her daughter, also a MacArthur student, took a screenshot of the social media post and shared it with her. Covington said she didn't send her daughter to school that Tuesday morning, because she didn't want to take any chances with her safety.

"What if it had been something real?" the Decatur mother said. "You see that stuff happen all over the news. Something very easily could have happened. It's like the worst nightmare."

Pruitt said that in many instances, threats made against Decatur schools are usually made by "young people that put their emotions out there."

There are also times when that's not the case. In August, a 29-year-old man was arrested after the Macon County Sheriff's Office said he threatened to kill a man and his two children over a debt owed.

Deputies say Ricardo Q. Holloway texted the man a picture of the playground at Durfee Magnet School, where one of his children attends, and later texted a message that said "keep on playing (and) watch how bad it get." As a result of this, Durfee and MacArthur were placed on a "soft lockdown" while police searched for Holloway. The threatened man's 17-year-old is a student at the high school.

The affidavit said Holloway acknowledged calling and texting threats to the man over the debt, but denied saying that he would kill him or his children at the school. He also admitted to being at Durfee on Aug. 17 and texting the man a picture of children playing on the school's playground.

Holloway has since posted bond and pleaded not guilty to multiple charges of harassment by phone with a threat to kill. He will appear in Macon County Circuit Court for a jury trial on Feb. 19, court records show.

The FBI said that regardless of the circumstances, issuing a threat over social media or other electronic communication methods is a crime that can carry harsh consequences  ranging from having to face local charges to receiving up to five years in a federal prison.

"It's a criminal act," said Donald Craven, a Springfield attorney who specializes in First Amendment issues and media law and advises the Illinois Press Association, of which the Herald & Review is a member. "... To make those sorts of threats against another person or against a governmental institution is a crime."

Bouchard said the school district tries to encourage students to use social media responsibly in a society where they have an "immense wealth of knowledge" in the palms of their hands.

"Of all of the good things that social media can bring, there's also some ugliness," he said.

Monitoring threats

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The Federal Bureau of Investigation in 2018 said that in the aftermath of mass shootings  such as the Feb. 14 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida where 17 people were killed  there is typically an increase in hoax threats against schools or other public places. The FBI said these threats often are issued by text messages or posted on social media.

Bouchard and Pruitt said there haven't been any notable increases in social media threats being made against Decatur schools, but it is an issue that the school district and police department deal with.

"If there's anything that would meet the definition of a threat, we'll look into it, contact schools, parents (and) things like that," said Pruitt, who works with Decatur Police Department's Juvenile Division. "All (threats) are looked into."

Decatur public school students are provided tablet computers for online educational resources and other materials. Bouchard said that's improved the educational experiences of students, but the potential for cyberbullying and misuse of the technology needs to be watched closely. The district's information technology department has set up firewalls to prevent students from visiting certain sites, like Facebook, when using their school tablets, Bouchard said. They can also track a student's activity on the devices if necessary, he said.

But when it comes to digging into threats that aren't made using school district equipment, officials and law enforcement rely on the community's help, Bouchard said.

"That's usually the case," he said. "There are a lot of people who keep a good eye on anything that's out there. If it's a threat of some kind, it ends up immediately here somewhere in our community engagement office, with our secretaries or other staff members."

Pruitt said if the department is notified by a school official, a student or concerned parent about a threat made online, the extent of their investigation and ultimate actions also depend on the severity of the threat and other factors.

"It's not something that we decide on the fly," he said. "We have parameters that we follow ... If we've had more than one threat from the same person in a couple of years, we may try to get that person detained or deal with the parents to come to the best resolutions."

'Once something is posted, it's posted forever'

Social media was the most common source of threats in the 2017-2018 academic year nationally, making up 39.2 percent of all threats, according to The Educator's School Safety Network.

Earlier this month, a threat on the Algonquin School District's students Instagram feed prompted an investigation, and Illinois schools from Columbia to Rochester have had similar incidents. A Riverton student was charged with a felony for a social media threat last year.

Craven said that when it comes to saying something threatening on social media, many people might not understand the ramifications of their actions.

"I think it's very apparent from looking at Facebook or other such sites that children and adults don't understand that once something is posted, it's posted forever," he said. "People do all kinds of silly (things) that wouldn't happen if they took the time to think about it."

The FBI said that by making a thoughtless remark online, young people can "risk starting out their adult lives in prison and forever being labeled a felon." As a way to educate young adults about the severity of sending threatening messages on social media, the bureau has since initiated a campaign called #ThinkBeforeYouPost.

"Hoax threats disrupt school, waste limited law enforcement resources and put first responders in unnecessary danger," said FBI Deputy Director David Bowdich in a statement.

"We also don't want to see a young person start out adulthood with a felony record over an impulsive social media post. It's not a joke; always think before you post," he said.

Pruitt said that in Decatur, the police department gives presentations to students about safe internet use and has organized discussions with parents about the issue, too.

Bouchard said the school district also stresses the concept of "digital citizenship" to its students and encourages them to always use information technology appropriately.

It can be challenging to keep up with the ever-changing landscape of social media technology, he said, and the district has many students who learn how to utilize the technology in creative ways. But Bouchard said the district has a talented IT staff that can help faculty keep students safe online.

Watching out for digital threats will also take some help from families, he said.

"We hope we're also partnering with our parents, and we hope that they are monitoring (students) computer usage," Bouchard said. "That's always something that's important to us  to be able to partner with our families."

Contact Jaylyn Cook at (217) 421-7980. Follow him on Twitter: @jaylyn_HR

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UPDATE: The Herald & Review on Jan. 31 received documents through a Freedom of Information Act requested related to the Jan. 24 incident at Oak Grove Elementary School. READ THE DOCUMENTS HERE.

DECATUR  Two children were taken to Decatur Memorial Hospital, one with extensive second-degree burns, after an incident that brought firefighters to an Oak Grove Elementary School classroom Thursday.

Parents of both students spoke independently to the Herald & Review on Thursday and described the circumstances that led to the injuries. They said a fifth-grade teacher was demonstrating an experiment involving a Bunsen burner and alcohol, and a flash fire was ignited after someone bumped the table.

Tara Williams said her 11-year-old daughter, Bryanna Eden, suffered second-degree burns on her hands, stomach and legs. She was taken to DMH and then Springfield Memorial Medical Center, where she was released but must return Monday for more treatment and evaluation.

Ive never seen a permission slip for something like this, Williams said, saying the students were not wearing protective safety gear like goggles or gloves. I didnt think they even started doing experiments like that in fifth grade.

Chris Phelps said his daughter, Ashlyn, was taken to Decatur Memorial Hospital because the chemicals used in the experiment splashed in her face and eye. She was treated and released from the emergency room by 11:30 a.m.

Phelps said he didnt want the teacher blamed for what he called a freak accident. "He was being responsible and did everything that he could, Phelps said. It was just something that happened."

Maria Robertson, a spokeswoman for Decatur schools, initially told the Herald & Review that the incident was a small fire in which no children were hurt or evacuated from the school. Parents were contacted around 10 a.m. and all students and staff are safe and were back in classrooms before lunch time, she said.

Because some students were distressed, she said, the district sent additional support staff, social workers and counselors to assist. There was no significant damage to the classroom or building, she said.

Robertson later confirmed, in response to further questions, that two children were taken to the hospital, but said she did not know their condition. She did not respond to requests for more information and clarification later Thursday evening.

The Herald & Review on Thursday evening requested an interview with Superintendent Paul Fregeau to clarify the discrepancies in details about what the district released regarding the incident at Oak Grove. Fregeau and Robertson did not respond to the email request.

The Herald & Review also filed two Freedom of Information Act requests seeking district correspondence and documents related to what happened.

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Williams contacted the Herald & Review after she was upset by the districts initial statement that no students were injured. I think theyre trying to hide some things, she said.

Bryanna had done a lot of crying and was in pain, but doing OK, as of Thursday night, she said. Overall, her daughters experience with the school has been positive and she likes the teachers, Williams said.

But Williams said she thought more safety measures should have been taken, and parents should have known more about the type of experiments being conducted. What if it would have been worse? What if would have blown up on the whole class? she said.

Phelps said his daughter had been trying to push Bryanna, who is a friend of hers, out of the way when the incident occurred. Ashlyns skin didnt have any visible damage, just a burning sensation on her skin and in her eye.

Hospital staff was initially concerned that the fire might have damaged Ashlyn's eye, but she closed it before any harm could be done. "She's doing fine," Phelps said. "She was wanting to go back to school."

School board President Dan Oakes said the board members were informed of the incident, as they always are when something serious occurs in the district, but he had few details. He said he knew two girls were injured and received medical attention, but not how seriously they were hurt.

"This would not be something that would normally come to the board (for action)," he said. "In a situation like this, the board is normally notified that something happened and the administration deals with it."

If board action is warranted, he said, the administration will notify the board of that once that determination is made.

Speaking Thursday night in a phone interview, Assistant Superintendent Bobbi Williams said she drove directly to Oak Grove as soon as she heard there had been a fire. By the time she arrived, firefighters had determined there was no further danger and children had been taken back inside to the gym.

While most parents were informed of the incident via robo-call, the assistant superintendent said she and Oak Grove Principal Dianne Brandt spoke to the parents of the two injured girls personally. She said she did not know why conflicting information was given to the Herald & Review because she herself didn't know all the details until late in the day and was prepared to provide that information to the newspaper.

Brandt on Thursday afternoon had described the incident as a classroom experiment that created smoke and set off the fire alarms. She said students were briefly sent outside. When it was determined that it was safe to do so, students were taken to the gym so staff could make sure everyone was safe and accounted for.

Brandt and Robertson both initially told the Herald & Review that the building was not evacuated. The principal was not in the building during the incident and learned later that students were taken outside after talking to her staff, she said.

Decatur Fire Department Battalion Chief Wade Watson said emergency responders were on the scene from 9:12 a.m. to 9:55 a.m. He referred further questions about the incident to the school district.

Also from the Herald & Review

 Recognize anyone? 35 high school football photos from the Herald & Review archives

Contact Jaylyn Cook at (217) 421-7980. Follow him on Twitter: @jaylyn_HR

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READiculous Jr. registration

DECATUR  Registration is due by Wednesday, Feb. 6, for students ages 10 to 14 who want to participate in READiculous Jr. at the Decatur Public Library.

Classes meet from 4 to 5 p.m. Tuesdays, Feb. 19 to March 26, with a second class from 4 to 5 p.m. Wednesdays, Feb. 20 to March 27.

READIculous Jr. teaches kids to act out children's stories. They students will learn what makes a good story for acting out, tips on acting and create a show with other students. Register at the Decatur Public Library's children's desk on the second floor or call (217) 424-2900, ext. 5.

Animals in Winter program

DECATUR  The Macon County Conservation District will offer an Animals in Winter program at Rock Springs Nature Center 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 30.

A naturalist will lead the program, which will include a hike outside to look for animals in their natural habitat. Pre-registration is due online by noon Tuesday, Jan. 29, and the program is free. Register at MaconCountyConservation.org.

Lincolns to visit Central A&M

ASSUMPTION  Abe and Mary Todd Lincoln, as portrayed by Michael Krebs and Debra Miller portraying the Lincolns, will present Visiting the Lincolns at 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 3, at First Baptist Church, Moweaqua.

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The show is free and open to the public. Krebs and Miller will visit Central A&M schools the following day.

Girl Scouts of Central Illinois

DECATUR  Young women can find out about college life through a series of free workshops sponsored by the Girl Scouts of Central Illinois.

Meetings will be held every other Wednesday from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., beginning Feb. 6, at the Decatur Urban Program Center, 1170 E. Pershing Road.

Sessions will cover the college application process, dorm life, cost, job shadowing and internships, adult skills like budgeting, laundry and car maintenance, and end with a question and answer panel on the last day, April 17. After the sessions are complete, a college campus tour at the University of Illinois is scheduled.

To register, email kpygott@girlscouts-gsci.org or register on the Facebook page, GSCI Decatur Service Center.

Illinois sheriffs scholarships

The Illinois Sheriffs Association will offer more than $50,000 in college scholarships. The money may be used for tuition, books and fees only and the student must be enrolled full time at a certified institution of higher learning in Illinois.

Macon County Sheriff Tony Brown will award two scholarships of $500 each. Applicants must be permanent Illinois residents. Applications are available at the Sheriff's Office, 333 S. Franklin St., or online at www.ilsheriff.org. Application deadline is Friday, March 15.

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DECATUR  A Decatur woman told police that her boyfriend held her against her will during an all-night ordeal in which she was grabbed by the neck and punched repeatedly.

A sworn affidavit from Decatur Police said the womans captivity ended Wednesday morning when her boyfriend, who had refused to let her out of his sight, drove her to work. Once there, the affidavit said she told her supervisor what had happened and police were called. The 36-year-old man was under arrest by 10 a.m.

He was later booked on preliminary charges of aggravated domestic battery, unlawful restraint and interfering with the reporting of domestic violence. Preliminary charges are subject to review by the state attorneys office.

Police Officer Randy Clem, writing in the affidavit, said the woman told officers the trouble had started at the apartment in the 1600 block of North Main Street she shares with the boyfriend shes dated for a year. Clem said she told police she had been talking to him around 7 p.m. in their bedroom and happened to mention her ex-husband has been doing well due to her kids doing well in school and appear to be thriving.

Clem said the woman said her boyfriend snapped over the remark and, with his face inches from hers, began yelling abuse at her.

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Clem said the woman told police she was grabbed by the neck when she tried to leave. She scratched and punched at him to try and get free and call for help, but he took her phone, Clem said.

She told (the boyfriend) that she could not do this anymore, and took her ring off her left hand, Clem added. (The boyfriend) then grabbed her left hand and punched her hand with a closed fist at least 10 times.

The woman told police her boyfriend accompanied her to the bathroom and lay by her side all night, refusing pleas to let her seek hospital treatment.

I observed her left hand to be swollen. She stated her hand hurt. I observed scratches and abrasions on her arms and left knee. She complained of pain to the front of her neck and under her chin, Clem said of the victim. She was going to seek treatment for her injuries.

The man remained in the Macon County Jail on Thursday in lieu of posting $80,000 bond.

Contact Tony Reid at (217) 421-7977. Follow him on Twitter: @TonyJReid

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Know that 60 percent of Montanans favor the concept of euthanasia. That is, until they learn that the laws "emotionally" sold as something for the individual are actually written to benefit corporations. And that predatory corporations and others get instant immunity, with investigations prohibited. Then 95 percent of the 60 percent say I am not for that. And we all know Montanas history of dealing with predatory corporations.

Our 1972 Montana Constitution Bill of Rights Committee considered the right to die and rejected it. Our Criminal Law Commission specifically found that consent is not a defense for assisting a suicide. Our 2009 Montana Supreme Court ignored these precedents and their original intent by ruling that if a physician is charged with a homicide, they could have a potential defense based on consent.

The time has come to rebuke our Montana Supreme Court for their activism via Baxter v. Montana.

From the first day at the Capitol in 2011, the leadership said they were going to kill ours and our opponents' bills. They did not want to give the court another look at the issue. We were prudently patient to restrain our indignation.

Our opponents immunity for all-prohibiting investigations bill was rejected in three sessions even after record lobbying spending. They withdrew in 2017.
McGree assaulted the women in his examination room while treating them as a physician between January 2012 and July 2017, according to an amended complaint filed by the AGs office.

State prosecutors and McGree's lawyer, John Smith, agreed to a plea deal that simplified the charges to a single count of felony sexual assault that combined the accusations of all six women.

Before McGree entered his guilty plea, he was arraigned on the three additional felony charges added last month.

When initial charges were filed, McGree had been a physician in Butte for 31 years, working from an office on South Clark Street in recent years and also practicing at the North American Indian Alliance clinic in Butte.

In accusations that led to the initial charges, women patients said McGree felt and groped their private parts and penetrated two with his hands during exams that had nothing to do with those body parts. They also allege he rubbed them with his privates and exposed himself to one's face.

The women, ages 37, 47, and 52, all had received prescriptions from McGree for pain medication. One said that McGree groped her and was saying things like Oh, so you need your prescription, you need your other refill, prosecutors said.
Tiffanie Pierce, charged in a double homicide and dismemberment case, will stand trial in Missoula County if an impartial jury can be seated.

Friday, Judge Jim Wheelis denied, at least for the time being, a change of venue request in Missoula County District Court.

The defense team argued that many potential jurors in Missoula already had formed negative opinions about the defendant given wide publicity in the case. Pierce was charged in the killings of Jackson Wiles, 24, and Marilyn Pickett, 15, whom police found dismembered and partially dissolved in tubs of chemicals in August 2017.

"Frankly, the drama in this case is going to affect a potential panel wherever we go," Wheelis said.

The judge agreed jury selection would be difficult, but he requested double the number of potential jurors be called and said he did not believe the task was "insurmountable." The judge and lawyers also discussed issuing a questionnaire that would help streamline selection in the case set for trial in five weeks.
The Helena Police Department responded to 75 calls for service. Of those calls, they responded to 16 vehicle crashes, seven welfare checks, two trespassing complaints and one suspicious circumstance call.

As of Thursday morning, the county jail held 106 inmates (97 for felonies and nine for misdemeanors). In total, the county has 137 inmates at various detention facilities. One-hundred-four clients are serviced by the 24/7 sobriety program. Of these, 49 are on Personal Breath Test, 35 are on Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitor bracelet, 13 are on GPS and seven are on house arrest. Pretrial Services is currently working with 294 clients.
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. The content of posts on this site, including but not limited to links to other web sites, are the expressed opinion of the original poster and are in no way representative of or endorsed by the owners or administration of this website. The posts on this website are the opinion of the specific author and are not statements of advice, opinion, or factual information on behalf of the owner or administration of LunaticOutPost.Com. The owners or administration of this website can't be hold responsible for content hosted on sites that posters link to in; including, but not limited to, posts, signatures, private messages and such. This site may contain content not suitable for minors and if you feel you might be offended by such content, you should log off immediately.This site may contain copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. Users may make such material available in an effort to advance awareness and understanding of issues relating to civil rights, economics, individual rights, international affairs, liberty, science & technology, etc. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material. 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/
Since unemployment insurance is available only to people who are working less than their usual hours or not at all, the federal employees who were working without pay during the shutdown did not qualify. That included the 20 Transportation Security Administration agents and 17 Federal Aviation Administration air traffic controllers based at Helena Regional Airport.

Of course, the TSA and FAA air traffic controllers are still working without pay so we feel for those employees who continue to be dedicated to the safety of the aviation systems, the airports director Jeff Wadekamper said earlier this week.

However, several Helena-area businesses and organizations pitched in to help ease the burden for these and other federal employees who were not receiving their paychecks.

Mediterranean Grill, Skywest Airlines, the Helena Airport Authority and a local couple all delivered a number of free meals to affected employees at the airport, Wadekamper said. A local church even raised funds and offered cash donations to all of the TSA employees at the airport, he said, but they declined the money because of federal ethics standards.
amit2k9 wrote:

1. Consider EIU as one. then total possible combination of words = 5* 4! = 120



2. Consider EI and IU together total possible combinations = [5 (positions for EI out of 7) * 5! (rest of the letters)] +



[ 5 (positions for IU)* 5! (rest of the letters)]



Now in half of the combinations U will be ahead of EI and E will be ahead of IU.



So 1/2[5 (positions for EI out of 7) * 5! (rest of the letters)] +1/2 [ 5 (positions for IU)* 5! (rest of the letters)]



total will give = 300 + 300 = 600.



3. Consider E-I-U-- with one letter spacing in between = 3(positions of EIU shifting) * 4! (letters to be arranged) = 72



4. Consider E-I--U- and E---I-U with two letter spacing between IU and EI = 2 * 4! = 48



thus totaling 120 + 600 + 72 + 48 = 840.





Alternately , Consider



all possible letter arrangements = 7!



only one combination out of 3! combinations possible for EIU. meaning 3 are taken in a group,but they are not alike.

Means total combinations remain 7! and not 5! ( EIU together + 4 letters).



So, essentially it is 7P3 =

Hence 7!/ 3! = 840

amit2k9 wrote:

1. Consider EIU as one. then total possible combination of words = 5* 4! = 120



2. Consider EI and IU together total possible combinations = [5 (positions for EI out of 7) * 5! (rest of the letters)] +



[ 5 (positions for IU)* 5! (rest of the letters)]



Now in half of the combinations U will be ahead of EI and E will be ahead of IU.



So 1/2[5 (positions for EI out of 7) * 5! (rest of the letters)] +1/2 [ 5 (positions for IU)* 5! (rest of the letters)]



total will give = 300 + 300 = 600.



3. Consider E-I-U-- with one letter spacing in between = 3(positions of EIU shifting) * 4! (letters to be arranged) = 72



4. Consider E-I--U- and E---I-U with two letter spacing between IU and EI = 2 * 4! = 48



thus totaling 120 + 600 + 72 + 48 = 840.





Alternately , Consider



all possible letter arrangements = 7!



only one combination out of 3! combinations possible for EIU. meaning 3 are taken in a group,but they are not alike.

Means total combinations remain 7! and not 5! ( EIU together + 4 letters).



So, essentially it is 7P3 =

Hence 7!/ 3! = 840

Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using GMAT Club Forum mobile app
Re: If 144/x is an integer and 108/x is an integer, which of the following [ #permalink

priyalr wrote:

Hi,



I didnt get this one. The q askes for which one of the following is an integer. So i plugged in nos. to see, and found that each option is has divisors. On what basis is the answer 36 as d qustn askes for "is an integer" and not greatest factor?



Pls explain,

Thnx

MUST

ONLY

If 144/x is an integer and 108/x is an integer, which of the following must be true?I. 9/x is an integerII. 12/x is an integerIII. 36/x is an integerA. I onlyB. III onlyC. I and II onlyD. II and III onlyE. I, II and IIIThe question asks which of the followingbe true, not COULD be true. The largest possible value of x is 36, GCD of 144 and 108, and if x=36 thenIII is true.Answer: B.Check more Must or Could be True Questions to practice: search.php?search_id=tag&tag_id=193 Hope it helps._________________
Project SC Butler: Day 78 Sentence Correction (SC1)

For SC butler Questions Click Here

where land was barren and homes

OFFICIAL EXPLANATION

My substitutions and annotations are in blue typeface.

where, with

whose

The word where refers to settlers of the time, and

where

[more barren than which other land?], this term is inappropriate.

[having barren land and homes

I discuss this issue in my comments, below.

COMMENTS

read the whole thread

Meaning?

Quote:

The prairies of the Midwest dried up because of drought and over-farming.

Many settlers who lived [there] at that time moved farther westward in search of food and employment.

There were two reasons that the settlers moved: 1. their homes had been seized in foreclosure and 2. their land was barren.

Option D or E?

Option E analysis

Time

barren land

[seized] homes

comma + verbing

Option E without commas

As the prairies of the Midwest dried up because of drought and over-farming, many settlers of the time having barren land and homes that had been seized in foreclosure moved further westward in search of food and employment.

Meaning problems

having

should

edit

Having land that had become barren and homes that had been seized in foreclosure, many settlers moved farther westward in search of food and employment.

Grammar issues

should

edit

As the prairies of the Midwest dried up because of drought and over-farming, many settlers of the time , having barren land and homes that had been seized in foreclosure, moved further westward in search of food and employment.

not stylistically parallel

Takeaway: Participial modifiers, comma + verbING, are used frequently to express cause and effect.

flooding

Flooding

 Finally, compare D and E.

whose land

whose homes

Whose

he settlers

Time

of the time

whose land and whose homes

People must live and create. Live to the point of tears.

Albert Camus Signature Read More
gmatt2019 wrote:

Hi all- this is my first post here. I have special circumstances under which I pretty much have a spot at one of best business schools but the only thing left for them to see is my GMAT score. It has been implied that as long as I dont bomb my GMAT, my admission should not be a problem. I found out about my placement a month ago and since then I have been studying for GMAT. I have taken practice tests on , and GMAT official practice tests. My scores have been in the following order:

:

1. 580

2. 560 (this was a month after the first test)

3. 590 (a week after the previous one)

GMAT official prep:

4. 640 (taken a week after the previous test)

5. 540 (taken a day after the previous test)



Im bummed that my score dropped to 540 today and my GMAT exam is in one week. I feel demotivated and have no idea where I stand with this fluctuation of scores. I just need somewhere around 650 to be ok with this admission.



Please advise what to expect with this score variation and how to prep in the next one week. My verbal is strong (I score in 80-85 percentile) but the best in quant I got was 41 and thats it.



Posted from my mobile device

If possible postpone your exam. I have been through such a situation when my scores showed a fluctuating trend. I still took the exam and did not perform well even after trying really hard- solved all the questions from -13 to -17, revisited all the fundamentals, etc. The final score of my exam was exact average of the scores of two GMAT Prep exams I took. It might sound disappointing but I would suggest to postpone the exam for a small period so that you can re-visit the basics and become doubly sure of getting your target score. I even talked to some of my seniors/colleagues who took the GMAT and all of them told me that GMAT prep exam scores work as actual reflection of your preparation. Anyway decision is upto you. All the best !!
English Estonian

As the complex economic and political situation in Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia has caused a significant decrease in sales volumes and solvency of Baltikas franchise partners on these markets, AS Baltika decided to terminate franchise agreements before the end of their period of validity with Belarusian and Ukrainian partners in the first quarter of this year. Cooperation with Russian franchise partner will continue but on a smaller scale.

The franchise agreement with the Ukrainian partner, Baltika Retail Ukraina Ltd, was signed in 2014, and the franchise agreement with the Belarusian partner, Valanga OOO, in 2013. Ukraines unstable economic environment and the announcement of state of war in November 2018 caused a sharp decrease in sales volumes. The economic situation in Belarus is complex as well, and Baltikas current franchise partner Valanga OOO has decided to exit the fashion industry.

A plan to close unprofitable shops has been made and new terms of payment and shipment of goods have been agreed on in cooperation with the Russian franchise partner OU Ellipse Group.

Consequently, Baltika evaluates the Eastern European partners liabilities as not fully collectable and thus creates an allowance for impairment in 2018 in the sum of approximately 1,200 thousand euros.

The early termination of the agreements results in a decrease of nearly 1,000 thousand euros in Baltika`s wholesale and franchise sales revenue in 2019.
TORONTO and LONDON, Jan. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tomas Vyhnanek, Deputy Minister of Finance in the Czech Republic is the keynote speaker for ACCAs 9th International Public Sector Conference, taking place in Prague on February 28 and March 1, 2019.



Since July 2015, Tomas has held responsibility for the regulation of audit and accounting of public finances, and the financial audit of European and national funds.

In addition, Canadian finance leader Gary Kent, Commissioner of Corporate Services and CFO with the City of Mississauga, will be attending the event. Gary Kent will speak at a session on how digital developments can transform finance and accountancy. This session will look at how technology has helped deliver 21st century solutions in public financial management at the City of Mississauga.

Jillian Couse, Head of ACCA Canada says: "ACCAs conference is themed A sustainable public sector and will address a number of key topics about financial sustainability and methods of funding infrastructure. Were delighted that Canadian insights and expertise will be present on the global stage with Gary Kents attendance.

"Our event is aimed at a broad audience and not solely for the public sector accountant or finance professional. As the private and public sectors are now working so closely, we also welcome finance professionals and leaders from all sectors to join us at this event that will examine a wide range of important issues  from tackling fraud, corruption and serious organized crime to how innovation can help the profession thrive in the future."

The Czech Chamber of Auditors is ACCAs official partner for the event, which is open to ACCA members and non-members.

Details of the full program and how to register can be found on the dedicated event page on ACCAs website:

https://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/member/discover/events/crsh/2019/02/international-public-sector-conference-2019.html#speakers



About ACCA

ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) is the global body for finance professionals, offering business-relevant, first-choice qualifications to people of application, ability and ambition around the world who seek a rewarding career in accountancy, finance and management.

ACCA supports its 208,000 members and 503,000 students in 180 countries, helping them to develop successful careers in accounting and business, with the skills required by employers. ACCA works through a network of 101 offices and centres and more than 7,200 Approved Employers worldwide, who provide high standards of employee learning and development. Through its public interest remit, ACCA promotes appropriate regulation of accounting and conducts relevant research to ensure accountancy continues to grow in reputation and influence.

ACCA is currently introducing major innovations to its flagship qualification to ensure its members and future members continue to be the most valued, up to date and sought-after accountancy professionals globally.

Founded in 1904, ACCA has consistently held unique core values: opportunity, diversity, innovation, integrity and accountability. More information is here: www.accaglobal.com

ACCA is not affiliated with any Chartered Accountant (CA) organization or Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) organization.

Contact: Helen Thompson

E: Helen.Thompson@accaglobal.com

T: +44 (0)20 7059 5759

M: +44 (0)7725 498 654

Twitter @ACCANews




Longmont, Colorado, Jan. 24, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- For the second year in a row, First Nations Development Institute ( First Nations ) has successfully met the matching-funds requirement for its Native Language Immersion Initiative ( NLII ) with the generous support of Kalliopeia Foundation , Lannan Foundation and NoVo Foundation , plus individual contributions from a multitude of supporters nationwide.



First Nations launched the initiative in late 2017 as a three-year project to help stem the loss of Indigenous languages and cultures through community-based programs that support new generations of Native American language speakers. The National Endowment for the Humanities ( NEH ) provided a $2.1 million challenge grant, which First Nations was required to match with $700,000 of additional funding each year over the three-year period.

In the first year (2018), the match was met through the support of Kalliopeia Foundation, Lannan Foundation and NoVo Foundation. In the second year (2019), these three foundations returned to generously underwrite the match again, plus First Nations raised the final $100,000 for the second year from individual donors across the U.S. The campaign for individual donors was conducted during Native American Heritage Month in November 2018.

In the first year of the effort, First Nations awarded 12 grants of $90,000 each to Native organizations to support a wide range of activities, including curriculum development, textbook design, technology access, and teacher training and recruitment. The announcement of the second-year grantees will be made soon. The application period for the second-year grants closed on December 18, 2018.

There are currently about 150 Native languages spoken in the U.S., many of them spoken only by a small number of elders. Without intervention, many of these languages are expected to become extinct within the next 50 to 100 years, which means a significant loss of cultural heritage. Language retention and revitalization programs have been recognized as providing key benefits to Native American communities by boosting educational achievement and student retention rates. They also support community identity, Native systems of kinship, and management of community, cultural, and natural resources.

Further, 2019 is the International Year of Indigenous Languages , a United Nations observance that aims to raise awareness of the consequences of the endangerment of Indigenous languages across the world, with an aim to establish a link between language, development, peace and reconciliation.

About First Nations Development Institute
Highlights

Todays highgrade gold intersection from Ndongo East includes:



 14m @ 7.0 g/t Au from 69m in NDDD046 (including 2m @ 42.2g/t from 80m)



 Previous highgrade gold intersections from Ndongo East included:



 9m @ 23.3 g/t Au from 60m in NDRC248*

 7m @ 4.4 g/t Au from 14m in NDRC216*

 6m @ 12.6 g/t Au from 2m in NDRC275*

 3m @ 29.3 g/t Au from 45m in NDDD036*

*Refer to press releases dated 16 July 2018 and 29 August 2018 on Ndongo East

Gold mineralisation demonstrated over a strike length of approximately 1.2km at Ndongo East;





Drilling has encountered multiple intercepts of nearsurface mineralisation;





Drilling is ongoing and will continue to evaluate the strike and depth extension of the Ndongo East mineralised system;





Additional parallel mineralised structures striking NESW remain to be evaluated by drilling and provide high priority drill targets;

TORONTO, Jan. 23, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cardinal Resources Limited (ASX/TSX: CDV) (Cardinal or the Company) is pleased to announce that first drilling results following the recent wet season have commenced, intersecting further highgrade and shallow gold mineralisation at the new Ndongo East discovery. Importantly, the Ndongo Prospecting License is located only 24km north of the Companys Namdini Gold Project for which Cardinal declared a Maiden Probable Ore Reserve of 4.76Moz on the 18 September 2018 (Figure 1).

On 16 July and 29 August 2018, Cardinal reported several intersections of highgrade gold at its new Ndongo East discovery within the Ndongo Prospecting License and has now intersected further highgrade gold in recently completed diamond drilling which has recently recommenced following the wet season. It is planned to steadily ramp up exploration as ground conditions improve and drilling results are interpreted.

Cardinals Chief Executive Officer / Managing Director, Archie Koimtsidis commented:

We are increasingly encouraged at how Ndongo East is evolving. This new discovery has the potential to add further highgrade gold ounces to our Maiden Probable Ore Reserve of 4.76Moz within the Namdini Gold Project located 24km to the south.

The Ndongo East discovery is particularly encouraging with the initial 450m strike length of strong, shallow gold mineralisation still open along strike and at depth (Figures 2 and 3).

Beyond this initial mineralised zone, a further 750m of gold mineralisation has been intersected along strike towards the south west, which appears to be extending the overall gold mineralisation of the Ndongo East discovery to approximately 1.2km (Figure 2).

The Ndongo East prospect lies within a larger target area of approximately 7km in length that has yet to be drill tested. We have now recommenced drilling after the 2018 wet season with further results pending.

To view Figure 1: Cardinals Tenements comprising the Bolgatanga and Namdini Projects, visit: http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8a2c4ba6-e364-42b6-9c52-513a8f8d9c26

To view Figure 2: Ndongo East Prospect with Drill Locations on Ground Magnetic Image Showing NE-SW Mineralised Structures Open Along Strike, visit: http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7bdf6b27-4e2c-46b3-b902-732e9cba16f8

To view Figure 3: Ndongo East Prospect Section B-B, visit: http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0a4e8a40-fad2-4901-8f34-92befcf3f8e0

Ndongo Prospecting License

The Ndongo Prospecting License covers an area of 295 km2 and is considered highly prospective for the discovery of economic gold mineralisation associated with the prolific Nangodi Shear Zone, a splay fault off the main regionalscale BoleBolgatanga Shear. Elsewhere, the Nangodi Shear Zone is spatially related to no fewer than four gold discoveries, including the Companys Namdini Gold Project with a 4.76Moz Probable Reserve, the Shaanxi Gold Mine, the historic Nangodi Gold Mine and the 2.1 Moz Youga Gold Mine in Burkina Faso, adjacent to the Ghanaian border. In addition, there are numerous historic shallow artisanal workings along many parts of this shear zone ~15 to 25 km north of the Namdini Gold Project (Figure 1).

Ndongo East Prospect

The Ndongo East Prospect is located within NESW trending Birimian metavolcanics and metasediments. Gold mineralisation is developed mostly along dioritegranodiorite contact zones where competency contrasts create brittle fracturing allowing the ingress and precipitation of gold mineralising fluids (Figures 2 and 3). The mineralised horizons contain variable chloritesilicacarbonatesericite alteration with sulphides (mainly pyrite with very minor arsenopyrite).

Previously announced drilling intersected highergrade mineralised structures concentrated in the northern portion of the shear zone, over a 450m strike length with coincident goldinsoil and geophysical targets. Subsequent RC drilling along fence lines further to the southwest along strike and at depth to test for mineralisation has proven encouraging with further highgrade intercepts within the mineralised structures. This indicates that the mineralised system is open along a NESW strike and at depth with multiple mineralised intersections. The furthest drill fence to the southwest intersected 2m at 27.0 g/t Au from 10m downhole in NDRC247 which suggests a strike potential up to 1.2km of mineralised structures. (refer to Cardinals ASX/TSX Press Release 29 August 2018 Cardinal Extends Ndongo East Discovery Strike Length).

Additional diamond drilling is continuing at Ndongo East to test the strike and depth extents of the mineralised system and to evaluate the structural components of the various lithological units.

Drill holes for this release are detailed in Schedule 1, Tables 1 and 2 below.

ABOUT CARDINAL

Cardinal Resources Limited (ASX/TSX: CDV) is a West African goldfocused exploration and development Company that holds interests in tenements within Ghana, West Africa.

The Company is focused on the development of the Namdini Project with a Maiden Ore Reserve of 4.76Moz and is now advancing the feasibility study.

Exploration programmes are also underway at the Companys Bolgatanga (Northern Ghana) and Subranum (Southern Ghana) Projects.

Cardinal confirms that it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the information included in its announcement of the Maiden Ore Reserve of 18 September 2018. All material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning this estimate continue to apply and have not materially changed.

For further information contact: Archie Koimtsidis Alec Rowlands CEO / MD IR / Corp Dev Cardinal Resources Limited Cardinal Resources Limited P: +61 8 6558 0573 P: +1 647 256 1922 Bettina Filippone Peta Baldwin / Andrew Rowell Renmark Financial Communications Inc Cannings Purple E: bfilippone@renmarkfinancial.com E: pbaldwin@canningspurple.com.au P: +1 416 644 2020 or +1 514 939 3989 P: +61 455 081 008 (PB) / +61 400 466 226 (AR)

___________________________________

Competent Persons / Qualified Persons Statement

The information in this press release is based on information prepared by Mr. Paul Abbott, a full-time employee of Cardinal Resources, who is a member of the Geological Society of South Africa. Mr. Abbott has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and the activity which he is undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person, as defined in the 2012 Edition of the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves.

The information in this press release has been compiled and reviewed by Mr. Richard Bray, a Registered Professional Geologist with the Australian Institute of Geoscientists and Mr. Ekow Taylor, a Chartered Professional Geologist with the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. Mr. Bray and Mr. Taylor have more than five years experience relevant to the styles of mineralisation and type of deposits under consideration and to the activity which is being undertaken to qualify as a Competent Person, as defined in the 2012 Edition of the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves and as a Qualified Person as defined by the NI43-101 instrument. Mr. Bray and Mr. Taylor are full-time employees of Cardinal and hold equity securities in the Company. Mr. Bray and Mr. Taylor have consented to the inclusion of the matters in this report based on the information in the form and context in which it appears.

Disclaimer

This ASX / TSX press release has been prepared by Cardinal Resources Limited (ABN: 56 147 325 620) (Cardinal or the Company). Neither the ASX or the TSX, nor their regulation service providers accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

This press release contains summary information about Cardinal, its subsidiaries and their activities, which is current as at the date of this press release. The information in this press release is of a general nature and does not purport to be complete nor does it contain all the information, which a prospective investor may require in evaluating a possible investment in Cardinal.

By its very nature exploration for minerals is a highrisk business and is not suitable for certain investors. Cardinals securities are speculative. Potential investors should consult their stockbroker or financial advisor. There are a number of risks, both specific to Cardinal and of a general nature which may affect the future operating and financial performance of Cardinal and the value of an investment in Cardinal including but not limited to economic conditions, stock market fluctuations, gold price movements, regional infrastructure constraints, timing of approvals from relevant authorities, regulatory risks, operational risks and reliance on key personnel and foreign currency fluctuations.

Except for statutory liability which cannot be excluded and subject to applicable law, each of Cardinals officers, employees and advisors expressly disclaim any responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the material contained in this press release and excludes all liability whatsoever (including in negligence) for any loss or damage which may be suffered by any person as a consequence of any information in this Announcement or any error or omission here from. Except as required by applicable law, the Company is under no obligation to update any person regarding any inaccuracy, omission or change in information in this press release or any other information made available to a person nor any obligation to furnish the person with any further information. Recipients of this press release should make their own independent assessment and determination as to the Companys prospects, its business, assets and liabilities as well as the matters covered in this press release.

Forwardlooking statements

Certain statements contained in this press release, including information as to the future financial or operating performance of Cardinal and its projects may also include statements which are forwardlooking statements that may include, amongst other things, statements regarding targets, anticipated timing of the feasibility study (FS) on the Namdini project, estimates and assumptions in respect of mineral resources and anticipated grades and recovery rates, production and prices, recovery costs and results, capital expenditures and are or may be based on assumptions and estimates related to future technical, economic, market, political, social and other conditions. These forward  looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by Cardinal, are inherently subject to significant technical, business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from estimated or anticipated events or results reflected in such forwardlooking statements.

Cardinal disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly or release any revisions to any forwardlooking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, circumstances or results or otherwise after todays date or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, other than required by the Corporations Act and ASX and TSX Listing Rules. The words believe, expect, anticipate, indicate, contemplate, target, plan, intends, continue, budget, estimate, may, will, schedule and similar expressions identify forwardlooking statements.

All forwardlooking statements made in this press release are qualified by the foregoing cautionary statements. Investors are cautioned that forwardlooking statements are not guarantees of future performance and accordingly investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forwardlooking statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein.

SCHEDULE 1 NDONGO LICENSE AREA DRILL RESULTS Hole ID Depth (m) Dip () Azimuth () Grid_ID mEast mNorth mRL NDDD038 90.36 -60 122 UTM WGS84 Zone 30 North 758,139.10 1,201,828.17 220.10 NDDD039 54.66 -60 122 UTM WGS84 Zone 30 North 758,045.83 1,201,657.92 221.07 NDDD040 63.48 -60 122 UTM WGS84 Zone 30 North 758,246.93 1,202,045.37 219.74 NDDD041 75.19 -60 122 UTM WGS84 Zone 30 North 758,080.04 1,201,743.98 221.07 NDDD042 111.30 -60 120 UTM WGS84 Zone 30 North 757,993.74 1,201,623.11 220.47 NDDD043 120.33 -60 122 UTM WGS84 Zone 30 North 757,887.42 1,201,533.12 223.34 NDDD044 81.45 -60 122 UTM WGS84 Zone 30 North 758,006.96 1,201,257.61 220.22 NDDD045 93.29 -60 122 UTM WGS84 Zone 30 North 757,829.69 1,200,874.36 219.16 NDDD046 101.30 -60 122 UTM WGS84 Zone 30 North 758,155.13 1,201,967.02 220.51 NDDD047 105.65 -60 122 UTM WGS84 Zone 30 North 758,203.69 1,202,071.39 220.13 NDDD048 102.14 -60 122 UTM WGS84 Zone 30 North 758,093.31 1,201,851.00 220.92 Table 1: MetaData Listing of Drill Holes





Hole_ID mFrom mTo mWidth Au_g/t NDDD038 35 38 3 0.9 NDDD039 39 41 2 0.6 NDDD040 42 47 5 1.2 NDDD041 40 41 1 0.6 NDDD045 87 88 1 1.2 NDDD046 26 27 1 0.5 NDDD046 69 83 14 7.0 NDDD047 103 104 1 1.7 NDDD048 78 81 3 1.3 Table 2: Summary of Individual Intercepts



Notes:

Samples are analysed for Au (SGS Lab FAA505 method) which is a 50g fire assay fusion with AAS instrument finish.

Grid coordinates are in WGS84 Zone 30 North.

The intercepts were calculated, using a greater than 0.5 g/t Au cutoff, which approximates the cutoff for Reasonable Prospects of Eventual Economic Extraction (RPEEE) as per the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves (JORC Code) 2012 and the Canadian Institute of Mining (CIM) 2010 guidelines, and internal dilution of no more than 3m at <0.5g/t Au.

APPENDIX 1 JORC CODE 2012 EDITION TABLE 1 REPORTING OF EXPLORATION RESULTS Section 1  Sampling Technique and Data Criteria JORC Code Explanation Commentary Sampling techniques Nature and quality of sampling (e.g. cut channels, random chips, or specific specialised industry standard measurement tools appropriate to the minerals under investigation, such as down hole gamma sondes, or handheld XRF instruments, etc.). These examples should not be taken as limiting the broad meaning of sampling. Reverse Circulation (RC) drill samples are collected by using downhole sampling hammers with nominal 127 to 140mm diameters. Samples are collected through a cyclone and immediately weighed to determine recoveries; the entire sample is then split by a threetier riffle splitter. Two samples (~2.53.0 kg) are collected, one for the laboratory, the other a duplicate stored at the Bolgatanga sample shed.



Diamond sampling is by halfcore samples of HQ core size. Include reference to measures taken to ensure sample representivity and the appropriate calibration of any measurement tools or systems used. Sampling is guided by Cardinal Resources protocols and Quality Control procedures as per industry standard.



To ensure representative sampling:

1m RC samples are collected from a cyclone, passing them through a 3tier riffle splitter, and taking duplicate samples every 20th sample.



1m length HQ core samples are taken through the various lithological units. Aspects of the determination of mineralisation that are Material to the Public Report.



In cases where industry standard work has been done this would be relatively simple (e.g. reverse circulation drilling was used to obtain 1 m samples from which 3 kg was pulverised to produce a 30 g charge for fire assay). In other cases, more explanation may be required, such as where there is coarse gold that has inherent sampling problems. Unusual commodities or mineralisation types (e.g. submarine nodules) may warrant disclosure of detailed information. The determination of mineralisation is based on observed alterations and lithological differences.



RC samples are crushed to 2mm, then a <1kg split sample is pulverised via LM2 Ring Pulveriser to a nominal 85% passing 75m.



Diamond drill samples are crushed to 2mm, and a <1kg split sample is then pulverised via LM2 to a nominal 85% passing

75m.



A 200g subsample is taken from the pulverised material for analysis. A 50g charge weight is fused with litharge based flux, cupelled and the prill dissolved in aqua regia. The gold tenor is then determined by AAS. Drilling techniques Drill type (e.g. core, reverse circulation, openhole hammer, rotary air blast, auger, Bangka, sonic, etc.) and details (e.g. core diameter, triple or standard tube, depth of diamond tails, facesampling bit or other type, whether core is oriented and if so, by what method, etc.). Reverse circulation drilling uses sampling hammer of nominal 127 to 140mm diameter.



Diamond core drilling is completed with core size of HQ with a standard tube. Triple tube is used in saprolite at the tops of the hole. Core is orientated using digital Reflex ACT II RD orientation tool.



Drill holes are inclined at 45 to 60 angles for optimal zone intersection. All drill collars are surveyed using Trimble R8 RTK GPS with downhole surveying every 30m using Reflex digital surveying instruments. Drill sample recovery Method of recording and assessing core and chip sample recoveries and results assessed. Diamond core recovery is logged and captured into the database. The Method of recording chip and core sample recoveries was to enter the relevant data on a handheld Motion F5te Tablet PC using a set of standard templates supplied by Maxwell Geoservices, Perth (Maxwell).



Reverse circulation sampling is good. RC chips are logged, weighed and captured to the database. RC sample recoveries are assessed by weighing 1m samples from the cyclone on a scale in the field and comparing with the theoretical volume contained in a 1m x 140mm diameter hole to calculate an estimated percentage sample recovery.



Core recovered from each drill run is measured and compared with the drill run length drilled to calculate an estimated percentage core recovery. For core drilling overall recoveries are excellent, weighted average recovery greater than 98%. Measures taken to maximise sample recovery and ensure representative nature of the samples. Measures taken include the use of bigger HQ core size diamond drilling to maximise recovery, having a geologist onsite to examine core and core metres marked and orientated to check against the drillers blocks and ensuring that all core loss is taken into account.



At the reverse circulation rig, sampling systems are routinely cleaned to minimise the opportunity for contamination and drilling methods are focused on sample quality. The measures taken to maximize RC sample recovery are through a cyclone and a 3tier riffle splitter. Each 1m sample is passed twice through the splitter before sampling to ensure maximum homogenisation of each sample and to collect an unbiased representative sample to be assayed.



The reverse circulation rigs have auxiliary compressors and boosters to help maintain dry samples. Where wet samples are encountered, the reverse circulation drilling is discontinued. Whether a relationship exists between sample recovery and grade and whether sample bias may have occurred due to preferential loss/gain of fine/coarse material. No relationship is seen to exist between sample recovery and grade, and no sample bias has occurred due to preferential loss/gain of any fine/coarse material due to the acceptable sample recoveries obtained by the drilling methods employed. Logging Whether core and chip samples have been geologically and geotechnically logged to a level of detail to support appropriate Mineral Resource estimation, mining studies and metallurgical studies. All drill holes are fully logged. The lithology, alteration and geotechnical characteristics of core are logged directly to a digital format on a Field Toughbook laptop logging system following procedures and using Cardinal geologic codes. Data is imported into Cardinals central database after validation in LogChief.



All geological logging is to a level of detail to support future Mineral Resource estimation. Whether logging is qualitative or quantitative in nature. Core (or costean, channel, etc.) photography. Logging is both quantitative and qualitative.



Both RC chips in trays and HQ core are photographed both in dry and wet form. The total length and percentage of the relevant intersections logged. All drill holes are logged in full and to the total length of each drill hole. Subsampling techniques and sample preparation If core, whether cut or sawn and whether quarter, half or all core taken. Orientation of core is completed for all diamond holes and all are marked prior to sampling. Longitudinally cut half core samples are produced using a Core Saw with diamond impregnated blades. Samples are weighed and recorded. If noncore, whether riffled, tube sampled, rotary split, etc. and whether sampled wet or dry. RC samples are split using a threetier riffle splitter. The majority of RC samples are dry. On occasions that wet samples are encountered, they are dried prior to splitting with a riffle splitter. For all sample types, the nature, quality and appropriateness of the sample preparation technique. RC drill samples are sorted and dried in an oven for 8 hours and weighed. They are then crushed to 2mm using a RSD Boyd crusher and a <1.0kg split is taken. The reject sample is retained in the original bag and stored. The split is pulverised in a LM2 to a nominal 85% passing 75m and a 200g subsample is used for analysis.



Drill core samples are sorted, dried at 105C for 4 hours and weighed. Samples are crushed to a nominal 2mm and then split to <1.0kg. The reject sample is retained in the original bag and stored. The split is pulverised in a LM2 to a nominal 85% passing 75%m and approximately 200g subsample of the pulverised material is used for assay.



All preparation equipment is flushed with barren material prior to commencement of the job. Quality control procedures adopted for all subsampling stages to maximise representivity of samples. Cardinal Resources has protocols that cover the sample preparation at the laboratories and the collection and assessment of data to ensure that accurate steps are used in producing representative samples for the analytical process. Key performance indices include:

Contamination index of 95% (that is at least 95% of blanks pass); failures can only be attributed to probable minor laboratory contamination.

Crushed Size index of 95% passing 2 mm (1:50 sample screened).

Grind Size index of 85% passing 75 microns (minimum 1:50 sample screened).

Check Samples returning at worst 20% precision at 90th percentile and bias of 5% or better. Crusher and pulveriser are flushed with barren material at the start of every batch. Measures taken to ensure that the sampling is representative of the insitu material collected, including for instance results for field duplicate/secondhalf sampling. Measures taken to ensure that the RC sampling is representative of the insitu material collected are to take field duplicate samples every 20th sample. Approximately 3kg samples from the splitter are retained from each sample and stored at the companys secured premises for possible reassay.



Measures taken to ensure that the core sampling is representative is to sample half core at 1m intervals irrespective of lithologies due to the similarities in grade of the main lithologies.



Results of field duplicates for RC samples and Check Samples for both RC and DD samples are all evaluated to ensure that the results of each assay batch are acceptable. Whether sample sizes are appropriate to the grain size of the material being sampled. Sample sizes are considered appropriate to the grain size. Quality of Assay data and laboratory tests The nature, quality and appropriateness of the assaying and laboratory procedures used and whether the technique is considered partial or total. All samples are analysed for gold by lead collection fire assay of a 50g charge with AAS finish; the assay charge is fused with the lithargebased flux, cupelled and prill dissolved in aqua regia and gold tenor determined by flame AAS.



The analytical method is considered appropriate for the mineralisation style and is of industry standards. The quality of the Fire Assaying and laboratory procedures are considered to be entirely appropriate for the rock samples submitted. For geophysical tools, spectrometers, handheld XRF instruments, etc., the parameters used in determining the analysis including instrument make and model, reading times, calibrations factors applied and their derivation, etc. No handheld geophysical tools are used. Nature of quality control procedures adopted (e.g. standards, blanks, duplicates, external laboratory checks) and whether acceptable levels of accuracy (i.e. lack of bias) and precision have been established. Sample preparation checks for pulp fineness are carried out by the laboratory as part of their internal procedures to ensure the grind size of 85% passing 75m is being attained. Laboratories QAQC involves the use of internal lab standards using certified reference material (CRM) and blanks.



Cardinals QAQC protocol is considered industry standard with CRMs submitted on a regular basis with routine samples. The CRMs having a range of values and blanks are inserted in the ratio of 1:20. Duplicates are taken at the riffle splitter every 20th sample. No duplicate samples are taken from core samples.



Pulps are submitted to a secondary laboratory for checks on accuracy and precision of the primary laboratory. Coarse rejects are submitted back to the primary laboratory to assess the adequacy of the subsampling process. Verification of sampling and assaying The verification of significant intersections by either independent or alternative company personnel. Significant intersections have been verified by alternative company personnel. The use of twinned holes. None of the drill holes in this report are twinned. Documentation of primary data, data entry procedures, data verification, data storage (physical and electronic) protocols. Primary data are captured on field tough book laptops using LogChief Software. The software has validation routines and data is then imported onto a secure central database. Discuss any adjustment to assay data. The primary data is always kept and is never replaced by adjusted or interpreted data. Location of data points Accuracy and quality of surveys used to locate drill holes (collar and down hole surveys), trenches, mine workings and other locations used in Mineral Resource estimation. RC drill hole collar coordinates are surveyed using handheld Garmin GPSmap 64s GPS within 3m accuracy.



All drill collars are accurately surveyed using Trimble R8 RTK GPS system within 10mm of accuracy (X, Y, Z).



Coordinates are based on three control stations established at Namdini by Sahara Mining Services.



Downhole survey on RC drill holes is completed by using Reflex EzShot survey instrument at regular 30 m intervals. Specification of the grid system used. Coordinate and azimuth are reported in UTM WGS84 Zone 30 North. Quality and adequacy of topographic control. Topographic control at Ndongo was supplied by Southern Geoscience Consultants (Perth) using satellite imagery. Data spacing and distribution Data spacing for reporting of exploration results. The RC drilling was carried out on variably spaced fence lines (30m to 775m apart) with hole spacing of 50m along lines testing mineralisation to a vertical depth of approximately 200m and covering a strike length of 1.25km



The DD drilling was carried out on a spacing of 50m to 100m along fence lines testing mineralisation to a vertical depth of approximately 100m and to confirm the mineralisation intersected by the previous RC drilling. Whether the data spacing and distribution is sufficient to establish the degree of geological and grade continuity appropriate for the Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve estimation procedure(s) and classifications applied. Exploration is at the early stage, and as such drill data spacing and distribution are insufficient to establish geological and grade continuity that are appropriate for reporting Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves. Orientation of data in relation to geological structure Whether sample compositing has been applied. No sample compositing has been applied. Whether the orientation of sampling achieves unbiased sampling of possible structures and the extent to which this is known, considering the deposit type. Drillholes are orientated to achieve intersection angles as close to perpendicular to the mineralisation as practicable based on ground magnetic modelling data and previous RC drilling. Some sampling bias may occur.



Systematic geological mapping and structural information from the current diamond drilling are required to determine the true orientation of dips and structures of the mineralisation. If the relationship between the drilling orientation and the orientation of key mineralised structures is considered to have introduced a sampling bias, this should be assessed and reported if material. No significant orientationbased sampling bias is known at this time. Sample security The measures taken to ensure sample security. An independent Ghanaian security contractor is used to ensure sample security.



The drilling contractor is accountable for drill core and RC chip production at the drill site. Final delivery from the drill site to the laydown area within the core yard is managed by Cardinal. The core yard technicians, field technicians and Geologists ensure the core and chips are logged, prepared and stored under security until collected for delivery to the laboratory.



At the time of sample collection, a signoff process between Cardinal and the laboratory delivery truck driver ensures that samples and paperwork correspond. The samples are then transported to the laboratory where they are receipted against the dispatch documents. The assay laboratories are responsible for the samples from the time of collection from Cardinal until final results are returned and checked by Cardinal Geologists.



Sample pulps and coarse rejects are retained by the laboratories and are shipped back to Cardinal after final results are returned where they are stored under security. Audits or reviews The results of any audits or reviews of sampling techniques and data. Sampling techniques are of industry standards. Data is audited by Maxwell Geoservices (Perth), who have not made any other recommendations.




We listen to local police and fire departments scanner traffic, but sometimes miss crimes, wrecks, fires or other incidents, especially if they happen overnight. If you know of something were not covering yet, please let Managing Editor Jeff Pownall know by emailing him at jpownall@lufkindailynews.com, or submit a news tip online by visiting lufkindailynews.com/tips.
It appears Iowa's 4th District has a problem with Steve King and Mitchell County has a problem with supervisor Stan Walk.

Mr. King is an embarrassment to Iowa, and Mr. Walk is an embarrassment to Mitchell County residents.

Both may appear to suffer from foot-in-mouth disease, although in varying degrees.

Mr. King is soon to be booted out of Congress.

I suggest Mitchell County voters send Mr. Walk packing also.

Being a street fighter, he can easily pick up a gig at a bar in Osage or St. Ansgar in need of a top-notch, take-no-prisoners bouncer. Or is the term used these days enforcer?

That sounds more threatening.

From a neighbor to your south, who enjoys the catch-and-release of small-mouth fishing in Mitchell County's beautiful stretches of the Cedar River.

Go Devils and Saints.

Michael Handt, Charles City

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This shortfall impacts patients who are paying their own way often in the form of higher daily rates. The remaining loss is borne by the facility, a trend which has turned the skilled nursing facility sector upside down financially in recent years. The Iowa Health Care Association projects that without addressing the shortfall, skilled nursing facilities in Iowa can expect to be reimbursed at 2012 levels for patient care. Its a trend thats not at all sustainable.

An increase in nursing facility Medicaid rates in 2019 is critical to ensuring Iowans continue to have access to the long-term care they need. Forestalling the full funding of nursing facility Medicaid offers an alternative future Iowans dont want. A glance around the neighborhood is instructive.

In five neighboring states facing their own Medicaid funding shortfalls, nearly 100 nursing facilities closed or went bankrupt just last year. Seventeen nursing facilities in South Dakota entered state receivership, and three more closed. Twenty-one nursing facilities in Nebraska went bankrupt and three closed. The state of Kansas was forced to take over 21 struggling nursing facilities. In Wisconsin, where sixteen nursing facilities have closed since 2015, 33 more facilities entered receivership last year.

We can do better in Iowa for some of our most vulnerable citizens, and we must do it now. Medicaid funding for skilled nursing facility care must be a priority this legislative session. We look forward to the very necessary discussion with the legislature and the governor on a topic that touches the lives of every Iowan.

Brent Willett is President & CEO of the Iowa Health Care Association.

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Garabedian said its his hope that he and McCool can host a Q-and-A and screening of the documentary series during the annual Winter Dance Party tribute in Clear Lake once all the footage is released online.

During their quest for stories and photos from the 1959 tour, Garabedian and McCool located seven photos from the last performance of Holly, Valens and Richardson at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake.

It was like Christmas morning, Garabedian said. It was amazing.

Mary Gerber, of Walters, Minnesota, attended the Clear Lake show as a teenager with her brother and his girlfriend in 1959.

With her, although prohibited, was a pocket camera.

After the photos were developed, and Gerber wed, the photos remained in storage at her parents home until she was told someone was interested in them.

I had no intention of doing anything with them because I didnt know anyone was interested in them, she said about holding onto the photos for 50 years.

After the photos were given to Garabedian and McCool, they were shared with the families of the Winter Dance Party musicians as well as the Surf Ballroom, where they can be found on the wall.
DES MOINES  A 17-year-old law making English the official language of the state of Iowa is outdated and a terrible message for immigrants, according to a sponsor of legislation to repeal it.

Its antiquated, Rep. Mary Mascher, D-Iowa City, said about the 2002 Iowa English Language Reaffirmation Act that requires official state documents to be printed in English.

Perhaps more importantly, she said, it tells immigrants they are not welcome.

We should do everything we can to make them more welcome, Mascher said about Hispanic, Bosnian and African immigrants coming to Iowa. We have the lowest unemployment in the nation and we need workers.

Mascher, one of five Democrats to sponsor the bill, wants the state to provide more classes for English language learners to help immigrants transition to their new communities. Now there are waiting lists for those classes with some new Iowans waiting a year or longer. In some cases, Mascher said, that prevents them from getting jobs or being able to communicate with teachers, health care providers and others.

However, House File 70 does not appear likely to be approved by the House.
MASON CITY | A Mason City man who hit a man with a vehicle last year was arrested Wednesday for robbery and leading law enforcement on a 45 minute foot chase.

Jacob Matthew Mills, 25, was charged with felony second degree robbery, misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance and interference with official acts.

At about 3:24 p.m. Jan. 19, Mills allegedly approached two people at 14th Street Northwest and North Washington Avenue, demanding that they both peal their pockets.

According to court documents, one man gave Mills his cell phone and Mills smashed it on the ground. Mills then demanded the two give him their backpacks.

Once Mills had the backpacks he told him to get in the car, Mason City Police said in the criminal complaint. Once in the car Mills began asking the man questions and punching him in the face.

The man got out of the car and began running away, court documents said. Mills allegedly grabbed the man by the hood, took him to the ground, choked him and punched him repeatedly in the face.

Mills then got back in the car and left the scene, police said.
DES MOINES  Capital punishment would give the Iowa justice system another tool to use in prosecuting offenders who kidnap, rape and murder juveniles, according to proponents of reinstating the death penalty after a 54-year absence.

Its one of the things I ran on in 96, and I still think its an appropriate punishment for capital murder, said Sen. Jerry Behn, R-Boone, who plans to introduce a death penalty bill for the 22nd consecutive year.

He said his bill will be narrower in scope than House File 62, which was introduced Wednesday by Rep. Skyler Wheeler, R-Orange City, and would allow courts to apply the death penalty if the aggravating circumstances established beyond a reasonable doubt outweigh any mitigating circumstances in first-degree capital murder cases.

In either case, Tom Chapman of the Iowa Catholic Conference said the state should not commit violence to protect Iowans from violence.

Wheeler, Behn and Sen. Julian Garrett, R-Indianola, argue that the possibility of a death sentence would give law enforcement, prosecutors and courts more leverage in dealing with heinous crimes. Under current law, they said, the maximum penalty for kidnapping, rape and murder are all the same  life without parole.
Ron Prestage admits he is a bit nervous about the opening of his companys hog processing plant, scheduled for March 4.

We had originally planned to start next week, but things got delayed for a variety of reasons, he said. The technology in this plant is incredible, so there are still some things we need to do before we can get rolling.

The Prestage Foods plant, located near Eagle Grove, will add an additional 10,000 pigs per day in capacity for Midwestern producers, or roughly 50,000 per week.

Prestage said with a faster line speed, that capacity could grow to 12,000 hogs processed per day.

We have told our contractors that we will start taking hogs the first week of March, he said. We are doing that even though it means taking our own hogs to other markets. The contracted pigs are our priority.

The North Iowa plant will eventually employ between 400 and 450 people, Prestage said. He said 50 to 60 have already been hired and will oversee production.

Im scared to death when it comes to labor, Prestage said. We are trying to hire a secure and stable labor force, and Im confident we can get that labor to start the plant. We just need to be able to keep it.
Rarely has the holiday spirit been so evident.

The latest Gazette/El Pomar Foundation Empty Stocking Fund raised $1,206,371  the third-highest total in the campaigns 35-year history, and the most raised in nearly 10 years, said Deb Mahan, the funds director.

The most recent campaign brings the total since 1984 to $21 million. And it brings to 12 the number of years it has topped $1 million.

Every penny went to 20 nonprofits spanning much of the Pikes Peak regions safety net, including children in preschool, homeless families, domestic violence survivors and hospice patients. All administrative costs were covered by Wells Fargo, ADD STAFF, El Pomar Foundation, The Anschutz Foundation and The Gazette.

On Thursday, nonprofit leaders said the money would be critical to meeting the needs of thousands of people across the Pikes Peak region. Recipient organizations are granted flexibility in how to spend the money  a blessing, considering that most other grants can be used only for specific programs.

At Urban Peak, for example, that meant $69,000 for their core services  sheltering homeless youths and helping them find jobs and more permanent housing, said Shawna Kemppainen, the nonprofits executive director.

Its unfancy, but its absolutely critical, because you cant think about expansion, you cant innovate, you cant take a risk if your core operating funds are not strong and healthy, Kemppainen said.

For Catholic Charities of Central Colorado, this years $89,000 check is expected to help fund several programs, including meals at the Marian House Soup Kitchen, as well as some services for homeless families at the Helen Hunt Campus.

Whats bigger for us is really the ability to count on this campaign each year, said Andy Barton, the organizations president and CEO. It allows us to be a little bit more innovative. It allows us to not operate in that scarcity mentality, so we can go deeper with the people were serving.

Several changes were made last year to the Empty Stocking Fund  chief of which was hiring Mahan, in an effort to make the campaign more of a year-round endeavor. The campaign also underwent a rebranding effort, and the funds website was redesigned, making it easier to donate.

The full-time leadership was apparent, multiple nonprofit leaders said.

The campaign  it feels to me very refreshed, said David Ervin, CEO of The Resource Exchange. This organization received about $42,000, which will go toward its core services of helping thousands of children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

This years campaign officially began on Thanksgiving with more than $118,000 in the bank, thanks to several fundraisers earlier in 2018. Its coffers ballooned over the ensuing eight weeks with the help of about 2,000 donors, and donations gathered at more than 25 events.

Included in that was $200,000 from El Pomar Foundation, as well as $70,000 from the Bruni Foundation  each of which pledged to match other donations during the campaign, as they have for several years.

Work on the next Empty Stocking Campaign is underway. Fundraisers are planned throughout the upcoming year, to help the campaign grow as the areas population  and the people in need  continue to increase.

That means the opportunities to give will arrive much sooner than in past years, Mahan said.

What we really do is support these agencies year-round, she said.

Its just going to be a process of more and more opportunities throughout the year for people to give to Empty Stocking Fund, be a part of Empty Stocking Fund.
A 62-year-old man reportedly driving in the wrong direction on U.S. 24 was killed in a crash Thursday night near Peterson Road, the Colorado State Patrol reported.

Gary Richardson of Peyton was going west in the eastbound lanes of U.S. 24 when he crashed into a Dodge Durango being driven by Kaila Patti, 30, of Colorado Springs, the State Patrol said.

Patti tried to steer out of the way but could not avoid Richardsons Toyota Solara.

Richardson was taken to a hospital, where he died. He was not wearing a seat belt, the State Patrol said.

The collision happened about 6:30 p.m., closing the highway for three hours.

The State Patrol has not yet determined if speed, alcohol, drugs or medical complications were factors in the crash.

The death is the countys first traffic fatality this year.
A man who was 17 when he was sentenced to life in prison without parole in the 1999 killing of an Old Colorado City ice cream store worker bowed his head and sobbed Thursday as a judge reduced his sentence.

Andrew Michael Medina, now 34, was resentenced to 37 years in prison, meaning he will be released in roughly 15 years.

He becomes the 22nd Colorado offender to benefit from a national sea change in how youthful killers are punished for their crimes, according to his attorneys.

The reduced penalty stems in part from a judges finding that Medina turned his life around, becoming a model prisoner in the years after he fatally shot Kristopher Lohrmeyer during an attempted carjacking in west Colorado Springs when Medina was 15.

The evidence is clear the defendant has essentially self-rehabilitated, Senior District Judge John N. McMullen said at a hearing in 4th Judicial District Court, as Medina, seated at a defense table, rested his forehead on his cuffed hands and cried.

The ruling came at the conclusion of two-day hearing at which members of the Lohrmeyer family recounted the suffocating toll of the boys murder at age 17. Prosecutors argued that Medina earned his life term by his actions.

Its what he deserves, Jennifer Viehman said in asking McMullen to impose a harsher alternative penalty: life in prison with the chance of parole after 40 years.

She described a teenager on a collision course with violence, citing his back-to-back arrests for car theft in the lead-up to the killing, including an incident where he threatened an uncle whose car he took.

The new sentence capped Medinas seven-year push for clemency in the wake of a 2012 U.S. Supreme Court ruling, Miller v. Alabama, that found life sentences without the chance of parole for juvenile offenders were cruel and unusual punishment, rendering them unconstitutional.

A follow-up U.S. Supreme Court ruling in 2016, Montgomery v. Louisiana, made the Miller decision retroactive, effectively overturning Medinas life sentence.

Medina petitioned for a reduced sentence under a controversial sentencing scheme adopted in 2016 by the Colorado Legislature.

The new law  applying to juveniles sentenced to life without parole between 1990 and 2006  required resentencing for most to life with the chance of parole after 40 years.

But a handful of juveniles  those convicted of first-degree murder under the felony-murder rule  were offered the possibility of a 30 to 50 year sentence if they could prove extraordinary mitigating circumstances. Felony murder applies to anyone who participated in a felony that resulted in someones death, such as a getaway driver for a deadly robbery.

In opposing clemency, Viehman pointed out that Medina was the shooter, not the getaway driver, even if he wasnt convicted of acting with intent or deliberation.

This was never supposed to apply to him, she complained to the judge.

Medina and two other teens armed themselves and decided to stake out a darkened parking lot at the Colorado City Creamery on West Colorado Avenue, intending to carjack the owner of a parked vehicle.

When Lohrmeyer left work and got into his car, Medina fired a round that hit him in the back of the head, killing him.

In petitioning for mercy, Medinas attorneys cited the teenagers turbulent home life in arguing he had diminished culpability.

Defense witnesses described beatings at the hands of Medinas father, an alcoholic who introduced his son to drinking at a young age, and spoke about how the familys more than two dozen moves in 15 years upended his schooling. Although prosecutors pointed out a lack of corroborating police reports, the judge said evidence of abuse was persuasive.

His upbringing was simply chaotic, McMullen said, resulting in immaturity, impulsiveness, and lack of judgment and appreciation for consequences.

After his imprisonment at age 17, Medina joined a prison gang and endured severe punishment for gang-related disruptions, including spending eight years in administrative segregation, commonly known as solitary confinement.

The practice, which kept him confined to a cell around the clock except for an hour a day, five days a week, has since been abolished by the state Department of Corrections.

Even before the 2012 Supreme Court decision, Medina had resolved to quit gang life, though it took him several years to finally cut ties.

He earned his GED and enrolled in college correspondence courses, establishing a six-year record as a model prisoner who mentors fellow inmates, the judge said, citing testimony by at least three state prisons employees who spoke on Medinas behalf.

By the judges calculations, Medina will be kept in custody until he is roughly 50 years old, an estimate that went unchallenged by the defense and prosecution. One of Medinas attorneys, Nicole Mooney of Denver, said he isnt eligible for early parole under the 2016 sentencing changes.

Medinas resentencing was in limbo for months as the Colorado courts took up challenges to the new sentencing laws led by prosecutors.

The dispute was resolved last September, when the Colorado Supreme Court ruled that the special sentencing for felony murder convictions was appropriate.

Of the 22 inmates, including Medina, resentenced in the wake of the Supreme Court ruling, at least two have been released from prison and 10 have received sentences in the 30- to 50-year range, according to a defense court filing.

The sentence means that Medina would be released around the same time as his co-defendants, Michael Brown and Derek Miller, the judge said. McMullen is a retired Denver District judge who serves as a part-time substitute where needed.

In addressing court on Wednesday, Medina opened and closed his remarks with an apology to the Lohrmeyer family, saying hes no longer an immature 15-year-old but a humbled man who truly realizes how precious life is.

He asked for forgiveness, but said he understands if it doesnt come.

The Lohrmeyer family will forever be in my prayers, he said. I will live with this sorrow for the rest of my life.

His comments in court were reminiscent of the remorse he expressed for more than a decade, said Nancy Grandys-Jones, a Denver woman who testified on his behalf. She told the court she struck up a pen-pal friendship with Medina beginning in 2006, after he wrote her a thank-you note for donating to a prison educational program.

She and her late husband became convinced of his sorrow and his conviction to make something positive of his life, even if he died in prison.

They didnt lose sight of the pain he caused, and Medina hasnt either, she said Thursday in reaction to the new sentence.

I think his statement was powerful in speaking to the pain and the loss that will never be erased, she said.
Robert Lewis Dear Jr., who admitted carrying out a 2015 shooting that killed three people and wounded nine at a Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood clinic, remains mentally unfit for prosecution, a judge ruled Friday in extending his indefinite legal limbo.

Dear, who has been diagnosed with a longstanding delusional disorder, wasnt at the brief update on his mental condition. His case will return to court April 26.

The ruling came as El Paso County District Attorney Dan May disclosed in court that a two-year effort to force medications on Dear has begun anew.

A Pueblo district judge initially approved forced medication in early 2017, but Dears attorneys appealed. The Colorado Court of Appeals upheld the District Court, and in June the Colorado Supreme Court declined to review the case.

At some point, however, the order expired, May said, leaving the Pueblo County Attorneys Office to request a new order on behalf of the Colorado State Mental Health Institute at Pueblo, where Dear is being detained.

A hearing regarding forced medication is scheduled for Feb. 5 in Pueblo District Court, May said. The issue is part of a separate civil case, and prosecutors arent directly involved.

Even if medication is given, it could be months or years before it takes effect, and recovery isnt certain, mental health experts have told The Gazette.

At issue is Dears mental competency, or his ability to understand the charges against him and participate in his defense. He initially was declared legally incompetent in May 2016, and judges have upheld that finding every 90 days since.

Because he faces multiple counts of first-degree murder, with a potential sentence of life in prison without parole, Dear can be held indefinitely for the rest of his life. His prosecution would resume only if he is deemed competent.
DENVER  Like an annual reunion, Republicans brought up three gun rights bills Thursday, so that Democrats could once again bury them before they got out of committee.

Its not the first time Ive brought this to you, Minority Leader Rep. Patrick Neville, R-Castle Rock, told the House State, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee during the afternoon meeting. It wont be the last.

Rep. Susan Lontine, D-Denver, summarized the opposition by repeating what she said she hears from her constituents.

If more guns were the answer, we would be the safest country in the world, Lontine said.

And were obviously not the safest country in the world.

Each bill was voted down along party lines.

The first of the three measures would have allowed most people with concealed carry permits to bring a weapon on public school grounds.

The second would have repealed a 2013 state ban on large-capacity magazines that can hold more than 15 rounds.

And the third, proposed by Rep. Shane Sandridge, R-Colorado Springs, would have applied the so-called make my day law to businesses, allowing owners, managers and employees to use deadly force against intruders.

Testimony throughout the day was sometimes emotional.

Victims of mass shootings, their friends and their family members spoke mostly in opposition.

Two who were at Columbine High School when two fellow students killed 12 classmates and a teacher in 1999 spoke in favor of the proposal to allow concealed weapons on school grounds.

As the two murderers made their way into the library.  I was the first one targeted, said Evan Todd, who was wounded in the mass shooting at his school.

I do not believe weve seriously taken into consideration how we protect and defend our children in our schools, he said.

All the gun-free zone does is paint a target on our children, our teachers, our faculty. And its absurd.

A third former Columbine student, Neville, who said he was 15 during the shooting, said now hes forced to consider the risks his two young daughters face every day.

Im tired of sending them to school on the blind faith that theyre just going to return home safely, he said.

But others called the bill risky and a dangerous experiment in school safety. One woman noted that no educational organizations had been consulted on the legislation, nor were any of their representatives supporting the bill.
Colorado Springs, CO (80903)

Today

Variable clouds with thunderstorms, especially during the afternoon hours. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. High 84F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low near 60F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph.
Sixteen civilians from the same extended family have been killed in an air strike on a home in southern Afghanistan, an Afghan official says.



The air strike was carried out in the Sangin district during heavy fighting between Afghan forces and Taliban militants, Attaullah Afghan, head of the Helmand provincial council, said on January 24.



He said all of the victims belonged to the same family and eight children and three women were among the dead.



Omar Zwak, a spokesman for the provincial governor, said an investigation had been launched.



It was not immediately clear whether the military strike was launched by Afghan forces or NATO, which often provides air support to Afghan ground troops.



"A large Afghan-led, multiday operation in Sangin, Helmand has been supported by U.S. advisers and coalition air strikes," NATO said in a statement. "Due to the ongoing operation and the number of units involved, we are still looking into the claim of noncombatant casualties."

Based on reporting by AP and dpa
But I guess  after all  Im glad people take a day to express their love for one another. Life can go by so fast and you need to tell those you love  often  how much they mean to you.

And you need to be kind.

Ill forever love the words penned by the Apostle Paul to a group of people called the Corinthians.

In his letter, Paul paints a detailed picture  minus dogs and cars  of what real love looks like.

This is what he writes:

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.  And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.*

Even in the face of loss and longing, the steadfast love of our God really is the best Valentine of all.

*1 Cor. 13:4-13

Tammy Real-McKeighan is news editor of the Fremont Tribune. She writes a weekly spiritual column.

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The Trimbles would receive positive feedback about the broadcasts.

Weve had a number of instances where people have really felt a connection with us through the radio program, she said. Theyve visited the church and they keep in touch and have become good friends of ours.

She notes that an older man from Vermillion, S.D., called, saying he was using the dial on an old radio when he came across their program.

He said hed never heard preaching like that for 30 years and he was so blessed by the program, she said. Now, he listens every week and keeps in touch with us so weve built quite a relationship there.

Another man from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, heard the broadcast and drove 90 minutes to visit their church.

The Trimbles have been out in their community, when theyve been approached by people who recognize her voice.
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The committee found that Nebraska is failing to meet basic standards of care in many institutions across the state at this point.

Walz cites a 1999 U.S. Supreme Court ruling which states that unjustified segregation of people with disabilities constitutes discrimination  and violates Title II of the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

The Supreme Court ruled that states are required to place persons with mental disabilities in community settings rather than institutions when the states treatment professionals have determined that community treatment is appropriate.

In addition to this ruling, the Supreme Court mandated that states must develop a plan to ensure they are operating in accordance with the ruling.

Nebraska risks being sued by the federal government if it continues to fail in providing adequate care for this population.

Walz said many states already have been sued by the Department of Justice, forcing them to spend countless resources in Federal Court.

For each state, the cost of implementation for the remedy was much higher than if they had simply complied with the mandate, Walz said. Not only does this make fiscal sense for our state, but it is simply the right thing to do.
Both Hicks and Miller were experienced poets even before taking the October workshop.

I love poetry, it calms me down, and it makes me find a happy place that I get to go into, Hicks said.

For Miller, writing is a craft that started with her grandmother.

I like writing poems because theyre really fun to mess with words, she said. My grandma likes to write poems, so she kind of helps me a little bit.

Evans had a different experience  he had only written one poem for a school assignment before taking part in the October workshop, but afterwards, he took a liking to it. He later wrote three poems and said it was very shocking to hear that one of his pieces had been selected  he didnt completely believe Whitman when she first told him.

He says he plans to continue writing even after the festival.

You could use all your creativity to make whatever you want, he said of writing.

Whitman says she appreciates the opportunity for the kids to make connections outside of Fremont.

It allows them to kind of use their writing ability, to have it be exposed to a broader audience, which they dont always get in Fremont, Whitman said.

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Fremont Public Schools is trading in a diesel school bus for a new, more environmentally friendly bus, courtesy of a reimbursement from the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality.

The agency on Wednesday announced its recipients of reimbursement funds to replace diesel school buses and transit buses across the state. The funding was made possible through the Volkswagen Diesel Emissions Environmental Mitigation Trust, which Volkswagen established through a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice, after it violated the Clean Air Act.

Nebraska received a total of $3.1 million from the trust, with $1,891,527 designated to assisting Nebraska school districts in replacing older diesel school buses with new, cleaner diesel or propane-fueled buses.

Fremont Public Schools received $42,000 for a new bus. A total of 41 school districts received funding, with available funds capped at $42,000 per school district.

According to a press release from DEQ, the new buses will reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides by 29 tons over an estimated lifetime of 15 years.

The bus that will be replaced here in Fremont was a diesel bus that did not meet current emission standards and that was already near the end of its life.
Sen. Tom Brewer of Gordon on Thursday presented the Legislature's Revenue Committee with what he described as a "last resort" proposal designed to apply pressure for enactment of meaningful property tax relief this year.

Brewer's bill (LB158) would freeze assessed valuation of property for four years in an attempt to "cap property taxes at the 2019 level" for a period ending in 2023.

"In a perfect world, this Legislature will pass meaningful tax relief this season," Brewer said, even though he recognizes that will be an "incredibly difficult" goal to achieve.

His proposal represents "a sad precaution," he said, in effect offering "a life preserver" that may be needed toward the end of the legislative session to force some meaningful action on property tax relief this year.

The bill attracted support from the Nebraska Farm Bureau and six other agricultural organizations, along with the Lincoln Independent Business Association.

City, county and school representatives lined up alongside the Open Sky Policy Institute in opposing the proposal.

Taxpayers have experienced a huge increase in local property taxes during the last decade, Bruce Rieker, vice president of governmental relations at the Farm Bureau, told the committee.
But the past does not exist independently from the present. Indeed, the past is only past because there is a present, just as I can point to something

over there only because I am here . But nothing is inherently over there or here. In that sense, the past has no content. The past -- or more accurately, pastness -- is a position. Thus, in no way can we identify the past

as past
Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross told CNBC's Squawk Box that he doesn't understand why furloughed federal workers face a liquidity crisis when they can just take out a loan.

Workers looking to replace their paychecks will have to shop around. Three of the biggest U.S. banks are offering assistance on late fees and charges but not income-replacement loans.

Large credit unions like Navy Federal and PenFed are offering no-interest loans to members.

Hundreds of thousands of federal government workers, from the Coast Guard to the National Weather Service, face another payday with out pay on Friday, and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross suggests they get a loan to cover it.

On CNBC's Squawk Box on Thursday, Ross acknowledged he had heard that some federal workers affected by the prolonged shutdown have been going to shelters for food, but said he didn't understand why.

"I know they are [going to homeless shelters] and I don't really quite understand why because as I mentioned before, the obligations that they would undertake  say borrowing from a bank or credit union  are in effect federally guaranteed," said Ross. "So the 30 days of pay that people will be out  there's no real reason why they shouldn't be able to get a loan against it and we've seen a number of ads from the financial institutions doing that."

Banks and credit unions are offering affected workers interest-free loans to cover part or all of their paychecks, he said.

"When you think about it, these are basically government-guaranteed loans because the government has committed, these folks will get back pay once this whole thing gets settled down," Ross said. "So there really is not a good excuse why there should be a liquidity crisis. Now true, the people might have to pay a little bit of interest but the idea that it's paycheck or zero is not a really valid idea."

But workers will have to shop around. Three of the largest banks, J. P. Morgan Chase, Bank of America and Wells Fargo, are not offering loans, but they are waiving fees and providing other assistance. Navy Federal Credit Union is offering loans, but they are only available to some of its 8.1 million members.

Story continues

Ross also said the economic ramifications of the shutdown -- the fact that 800,000 workers are not getting paid -- is barely a blip on the U.S. economy's radar. Hypothetically if the workers never got their back pay, "you're talking about a third of a percent on our GDP. so it's not like it's a gigantic number overall."

'Unreal'

The comments unleashed criticism from Democrats as lawmakers were still trying to hammer out a way to reopen the government. New York Sen. Chuck Schumer tweeted that Ross' comments were "unreal."

Tweet

And House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, responded to Ross's comments. "Is this the let them eat cake kind of attitude? Or call your father for money? Or this is character building for you? It's all going to end up for you very well just as long as you get your paychecks?"

West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin, also a Democrat, called the remarks "tone deaf." "I've been all over West Virginia, people are hurting," he said. "They've got no cash flow. Making decisions, do I put gas in the car or do I feed the kids? This is real."

Navy Federal Credit Union, the world's largest credit union whose members include workers in the Coast Guard and other armed services and several government agencies, has a no-interest loan program that will cover half to all of a missing paycheck up to $6,000 per pay period with no credit check required. The catch is workers can't get access to the loan program if they don't have a direct deposit account there already.

Some 19,000 of the 100,000 or so Navy Federal members eligible for the program signed up to have their first paycheck covered earlier this month and more are expected to sign up for it to cover this week's check, a spokesman said. He wouldn't disclose how much money had been disbursed already.

Pentagon Federal Credit Union, with 1.7 million members, has two offerings. For affected workers that have an account with direct deposit already, it is offering a no-interest advance on an overdraft line of credit in the amount of the most recent paycheck up to $6,000. This is available to those who have been PenFed members for 12 months and a direct deposit coming from a furloughed agency.

PenFed also has an unsecured, fixed-rate loan for any affected federal worker. But this is subject to income verification and credit guidelines.

USAA Federal Savings Bank has a loan program for active Coast Guard and reserve and workers for the NOAA and Public Health Service and their spouses.

SunTrust, a regional bank in the Southeast, has a 90-day no interest, no-payment loan for affected workers who are the bank's customers as of the end of December. The loans are for $3,000 to $10,000, subject to some credit conditions.

Jacob Pramuk and Dan Mangan contributed to this report.





More From CNBC


(Bloomberg) -- Vodafone Group Plc narrowly missed a consensus analyst forecast for third-quarter revenue after competition in southern Europe continued to bite and it cut prices in South Africa, sending its shares down as much as 2.7 percent.

Service revenue fell 3.9 percent to 9.79 billion euros ($11.1 billion) in the three months to Dec. 31, narrowly below the average analyst forecast of 9.82 billion euros in a company-compiled survey. Organic service revenue rose 0.1 percent.

Key Insights

Vodafone is sandwiched between big former monopolies and low-cost challengers in fiercely competitive markets and new CEO Nick Read is under pressure to stop its European business shrinking. In Europe, organic service revenue fell 1.1 percent.The carrier said there were improving customer and financial trends in Italy, robust retail growth in Germany, reduced churn in Spain and a consistent performance in the U.K. Goldman Sachs analysts noted the improved commercial trajectory in Italy and Spain but said a rebound to growth was unlikely to happen before next year. Vodafone needs regulators to clear its 18.4 billion-euro purchase of Liberty Global Plc assets in central Europe so it can better compete with Deutsche Telekom AG. Its put its telecom towers into a separate business unit, which would make it easier to share masts with other carriers and cut costs.

Market Reaction

The stock has fallen by more than a third over the past twelve months, compared to a 14 percent drop in the Stoxx 600 Telecommunications index. The stock was down 1.1 percent at 8:28 a.m. in London.The drop means Vodafone now offers a dividend yield of 9.5 percent. RBC analysts led by Wilton Fry say its dividend policy is unsustainable.

Get More

Lower mobile contract churn across our markets and improved customer trends in Italy and Spain are encouraging, however these have not yet translated into our financial results, with a similar revenue trend in Europe to Q2, Read said in the statement. NOTE: More on Vodafone trading statement

Story continues

(Adds share price fall in first paragraph.)

To contact the reporter on this story: Thomas Seal in London at tseal@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Rebecca Penty at rpenty@bloomberg.net, Thomas Pfeiffer

For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com

2019 Bloomberg L.P.
(Adds quotes, details, background)

By Ali Kucukgocmen and Daren Butler

ISTANBUL, Jan 25 (Reuters) - Turkey expects its allies to help set up a "safe zone" in Syria along the Turkish border within a few months, otherwise it will establish the zone alone, President Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday.

U.S. President Donald Trump decided in December to withdraw all 2,000 U.S. troops from Syria and Erdogan subsequently said they had discussed Turkey setting up a 20-mile-deep safe zone in Syria along the border.

Trump's decision came as Turkey made preparations for an offensive against the U.S.-backed Syrian Kurdish YPG militia east of the Euphrates river in northeast Syria, having seized control of regions west of the river in previous operations.

Turkey has long been enraged by U.S. support for the YPG, which Ankara regards as a terrorist group, and Erdogan said the safe zone should be "aimed at protecting our country from terrorists, not protecting terrorists right beside our border".

"Otherwise, we will definitely form this safe or buffer zone ourselves. Our only expectation from our allies is that they provide logistical support to Turkey's effort," he told his AK Party supporters in a speech in the eastern city of Erzurum.

The YPG has been a key ally of the United States in the fight against Islamic State, and Trump has previously warned Ankara not to attack them in Syria, appearing to threaten Turkey's economy if it did.

Trump's decision to withdraw troops from the Kurdish-led region, which confounded his own national security team, has also led to a revival in attempts at dialogue between the YPG and the Syrian government.

The YPG's commander has told Reuters he believes talks with Damascus over the future of the region it controls in northeast Syria will begin in days after a "positive" reaction from Damascus.

ONLY TURKEY CAPABLE

Erdogan said that neither the United Nations nor the international coalition formed to protect the Syrian people were capable of creating a safe zone or maintaining security in the region.

Story continues

"The only power that can in a true sense establish the safety and functioning of this region on our Syrian border is Turkey," he said. "We are closed to all proposed solutions besides this."

He said Turkey had the right to enter Syrian territory when it faces threats under a 1998 agreement, which Ankara reached with Damascus after pressuring Syria to expel Kurdish militant leader Abdullah Ocalan, now jailed in Turkey.

Ankara regards the YPG as an extension of Ocalan's Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which has fought a decades-old insurgency in southeast Turkey in which more than 40,000 people have been killed.

U.S. special Syria envoy James Jeffrey, visiting Ankara for talks with Turkish officials, held talks with Defence Minister Hulusi Akar and Turkish armed forces chief General Yasar Guler on Friday, the defence ministry said.

During the talks, Akar said Turkey expected the United States to end its support for the YPG and complete the road map which the two countries agreed upon for the Syrian town of Manbij to the west of the Euphrates, the statement said. (Reporting by Ali Kucukgocmen; Editing by Daren Butler and Toby Chopra)
Russias second largest bank chairman told FOX Business that the worsening relationship between the U.S. and Moscow is more damaging than any imposed sanctions.

I dont expect that within the next ten years this relations can become better, VTB Bank Chairman and president Andrey Kostin said during an interview on Countdown to the Closing Bell on Thursday.

The U.S. government has imposed sanctions on Russia in response to the Moscows annexation of Crimea and meddling in Americas 2016 elections.

Kostin notes that the old political elite in Washington has an anti-Russia sentiment that hurts the disarmament process and stability around the world.

I dont know if Mr. Trump would like to improve relations with Russia or not, but even if he does, he is not in the positon to do anything in this regard, he said from the World Economic Forum in Davos.

The Trump administration has signaled withdrawing from the arms control agreement between the worlds two biggest nuclear powers. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo issued Russia a 60-day ultimatum to come into compliance or the U.S. will leave the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces, or INF treaty signed in 1987 between President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev.

We are now on the verge of a break of major disarmament agreement between our two countries so the world is becoming more dangerous and I think thats bad for both America and Russia, Kostin said.

VTB Bank and its president are currently under U.S. sanctions, restricting the Russian bank from borrowing money and selling stocks.

We have enough liquidity in Russia and we have enough profit now to increase out capitol, Kostin said when asked how the bank adjusted to the sanctions.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX BUSINESS APP

Kostin returned to Davos after initially being disinvited by the World Economic Forum from last year.

I think it was a little bit of misunderstanding or maybe too much attention paid to some compliance people, he said. I am glad that I am here back in Davos.

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Members and some residents wants the council to adopt an ordinance against cooperating with the federal immigration agency.

Kennebunk Post

"We are trying to tell the narrative of our town as a whole, all the pieces that makes us who we are today."
A server presents food during the opening ceremony of a Taco Bell restaurant in Bangkok, Thailand January 22, 2019. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun

By Chayut Setboonsarng

BANGKOK (Reuters) - U.S. fast food chain Taco Bell plans to double its international footprint with Asian markets as the main driver for overseas growth as awareness about Mexican cuisine grows, a senior executive said on Wednesday.

The Mexican-inspired Yum! Brands (YUM.N) subsidiary, which has 7,000 restaurants in the United States, will bring its overseas store count to "over 500 units this year ... (with) a goal of getting to a thousand units internationally in the next few years," Liz Williams, President of Taco Bell International, told Reuters in an interview.

Taco Bell retreated from Singapore in 2009. It returned to Japan in 2015 after withdrawing in the 1980s.

"Consumers weren't ready in terms of awareness and the brand wasn't positioned right at the time," she said.

But thanks to a "heightened awareness" of Mexican food, broader palettes and brand exposure by millennials from more travel and technology, at least half of the new units will come from the Asia-Pacific region, she said.

Taco Bell, which sells tacos and burritos, was also adding new flavors and items for local markets citing that its signature sauce was modified for its new store in Thailand, which will open on Thursday.

"We've amped them up significantly," Williams said, because research showed the sauce was not hot enough for Thai palette.

Vinegar notes were also dialed down, which were said to be unpopular with locals, Williams said.

Taco Bell, with franchise partner Thoresen Thai Agencies Pcl (TTA.BK), plans 40 stores in Southeast Asia's second largest economy by 2022.

Last year it doubled store count in India to 32 and signed two franchise agreements for 110 new stores across Australia and New Zealand by 2024.

(Reporting by Chayut Setboonsarng; Editing by Gopakumar Warrier)
FILE PHOTO: Yukos oil well is seen at sunset near the Russian northern city of Nefteyugansk FILE PHOTO: A Yukos oil well is seen at sunset near the Russian northern city of Nefteyugansk, December 19, 2004 in this file photo. REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin/File Photo

DAVOS, Switzerland (Reuters) - Russia should not unleash an oil price war against the United States but rather stick with output cuts even at the cost of losing market share in the medium term, one of the main Russian architects of a production pact with OPEC said.

Since 2017, Russia and OPEC have cut oil production jointly for the first time in an effort to boost the price of crude. Following their supply pact, oil has traded between roughly $60 and $85 per barrel, from below $30 before the deal took effect.

"For U.S. shale production to go down, you need oil prices at $40 per barrel and below. That is not healthy for the Russian economy," Kirill Dmitriev, head of the state-backed Russian Direct Investment Fund, said on Wednesday.

"We should not take competitive action to destroy U.S. shale production," said Dmitriev, speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

Three years ago in Davos, Dmitriev became the first Russian official to mention publicly the possibility of a supply pact with the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries. At that time, oil prices had collapsed after OPEC kingpin Saudi Arabia raised output to hurt higher-cost U.S. producers.

The rise in prices thanks to output cuts has brought roughly an additional $110 billion in revenues to Russia, Dmitriev said.

However, higher oil prices have also helped the United States, which is not participating in output cuts. The country's production has rocketed, overtaking that of Russia and Saudi Arabia and making it the worlds largest oil liquids producer.

U.S. production is expected to reach new highs this year. Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit Saudi Arabia later in 2019 to strengthen cooperation further, Dmitriev said.

Azerbaijan, one of the largest former Soviet oil producers and a participant in the production deal with OPEC, believes the pact should be extended to the end of this year, President Ilham Aliyev said this week.

Story continues

Such a move should keep oil prices in the $60 to $70 range, Aliyev said.

(This story was refiled to change spelling of Dmitriev to conform with his preferred transliteration from Russian)

(Reporting by Dmitry Zhdannikov; Editing by Dale Hudson)
MOSCOW, Jan 25 (Reuters) - The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday called on the United States to drop what it called irresponsible plans to deploy a missile defence system in space, saying the move risked fuelling an arms race.

The ministry said in a statement that the plans looked like an attempt to resurrect the so-called Star Wars programme or U.S. Strategic Defence Initiative which was first announced in the 1980s by then U.S. President Ronald Reagan.

Moscow said it was "deeply concerned" by the U.S. plans which it said it interpreted as confirmation that Washington intended to use space for military purposes in the near future. (Reporting by Vladimir Soldatkin Editing by Andrew Osborn)
Jan 25 (Reuters) - The following are the top stories from selected Canadian newspapers. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

THE GLOBE AND MAIL

** BCE Inc and Telus Corp confirmed to The Globe and Mail that they have used Huawei equipment in fibre-optic networks in recent years as part of their efforts to build fibre-optic home internet. https://tgam.ca/2RQ19Og

** Great-West Lifeco Inc announced on Thursday that its Colorado-based subsidiary, Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company, has struck a deal to unload its individual life insurance and annuity business to Protective Life Insurance Company, the primary subsidiary of Protective Life Corporation for C$1.6 billion ($1.20 billion). https://tgam.ca/2CNpBFF

** Apple Inc released an early version of the Apple News app in Canada on Thursday for developers. The app will be available to Canadian iPhone, iPad and Mac users to download for free next week. https://tgam.ca/2RSl7bh

NATIONAL POST

** Hydro One Ltd is paying a US$103 million break fee to scuttle its acquisition of a U.S. energy company, but the ultimate cost of the failed deal is likely to be much higher than that for the Ontario electrical utility. http://bit.ly/2RSlrH1

($1 = 1.3324 Canadian dollars) (Compiled by Bengaluru newsroom)
The parties will cooperate in the field of migration, protect the rights of citizens of the state of one Party located on the territory of the state of the other Party, as well as information interaction in accordance with the legislation and international obligations of their states.
FILE PHOTO: A pump jack operates in the Permian Basin oil production area near Wink, Texas U.S. August 22, 2018. REUTERS/Nick Oxford/File Photo

By Scott DiSavino

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Oil prices slipped on Wednesday as the European Union seeks to circumvent U.S. trade sanctions against Iran, and on weaker U.S. gasoline prices.

Brent <LCOc1> futures fell 36 cents, or 0.6 percent, to settle at $61.14 a barrel, while the most active U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude <CLv1> contract for March fell 39 cents, or 0.7 percent, to settle at $52.62.

France's foreign minister said he expected a European-backed system to facilitate non-dollar trade with Iran and bypass fresh U.S. curbs imposed after Washington quit a landmark nuclear deal, would be established in coming days.

Peter Cardillo, chief market economist at Spartan Capital Securities in New York said that EU announcement "knocked the wind out of oil prices."

Analysts also said falling U.S. gasoline prices and rising crude output in the United States were also pressuring the crude market.

"We are paying particular attention to weakening NYMEX crack spreads where an increasingly heavy gasoline market is providing a limiter on near term WTI gains," Jim Ritterbusch, president of Ritterbusch and Associates in Chicago, said in a report.

The crack, or spread, between U.S. gasoline futures and WTI crude <RBc1-CLc1> fell to $5.97 a barrel, its lowest since 2013.

Both U.S. crude and product futures extended their losses in post-settlement trade after an industry report showed that U.S. crude stockpiles rose sharply last week, while gasoline and distillate inventories built. [API/S]

Data from the American Petroleum Institute showed crude inventories increased 6.6 million barrels, compared with analysts' expectations for a decrease of 42,000 barrels.

Gasoline stocks rose by 3.6 million barrels, compared with analysts' expectations in a Reuters poll for a 2.7 million-barrel gain. Distillate fuels stockpiles gained by 2.6 million barrels, compared with expectations for a 229,000-barrel drop, the API data showed.

Story continues

If the weekly product builds are confirmed by government data on Thursday at 11 a.m. (1600 GMT), it would be the eighth rise in a row for gasoline, and the fifth straight build for both distillates and gasoline.

U.S. CONSIDERS VENEZUELA SANCTIONS

The Trump administration ratcheted up pressure on Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro on Wednesday, announcing U.S. recognition of the country's opposition leader as interim president and signalling potential new sanctions against its vital oil sector.

Potential U.S. sanctions on Venezuela's crude oil exports, however, would hit U.S. refiners that are its biggest customers, as the OPEC nation would likely be forced to send more crude to China, India or other Asian countries, traders said.

The U.S. share of Venezuelan exports has fallen in recent years with more shipments going to Russia and China, largely through oil-for-debt repayment structures.

"It would make a tight market even tighter. If it happens, it would be an unambiguous headwind for (U.S.) refiners already struggling to find supplies," said Bob McNally, president of Rapidan Energy Group, an energy consultancy in Bethesda, Maryland.

(Additional reporting by Sinead Carew in New York, Noah Browning in London and Henning Gloystein in Singapore; Editing by Marguerita Choy and Alexandra Hudson)
Users first reported the outage Thursday morning local time, late Wednesday evening in New York.

The service was restored by 4:30 p.m. in New York on Thursday.

The temporary blockage of Microsoft's Bing comes at a time when the U.S. and China are locked in a long-running trade dispute.

Microsoft's MSFT Bing search engine was restored in China Thursday after a nearly day-long outage, a company spokesperson confirmed to CNBC.

Users first reported the outage Thursday morning local time. The service was restored by 4:30 p.m. in New York on Thursday.

The temporary blockage of Microsoft's Bing comes at a time when the U.S. and China are locked in a long-running trade dispute, with market participants increasingly concerned that the conflict could spill over into a so-called "tech war."

The restoration of Bing will likely ease some concerns. Bing is the last major non-Chinese search platform that operates in China, and has apparently escaped a more permanent bar for the time being.

The internet is heavily censored in China as a form of information control. Many non-Chinese websites and social media services such as Google GOOGL , Twitter TWTR and Facebook FB are blocked.

WATCH: Microsoft and Walgreens unveil 7-year partnership agreement

Subscribe to CNBC on YouTube.





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CARACAS, Venezuela (AP)  The Latest on the political crisis in Venezuela (all times local):

12:10 a.m.

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights is granting precautionary measures to protect Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido and his family.

The human rights body of the Organization of American States considers that his life, personal integrity and personal freedom are at "urgent and grave risk." It is asking that Venezuelan authorities adopt the measures necessary to protect the president of the National Assembly, who declared himself interim president of the country.

Three lawyers working on behalf of Guaido say their request for precautionary measures does not equal a recognition of the legitimacy of the Maduro administration.

The commission has the authority to grant precautionary measures as a way to request state protection for persons at urgent and grave risk of suffering irreparable harm.

___

8:30 p.m.

The Venezuelan government led by Nicolas Maduro says it's sending Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza to New York to speak at a U.N. Security Council meeting Saturday called by the United States on the crisis in Venezuela. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is scheduled to address the meeting.

The United States dropped its recognition of President Nicolas Maduro Wednesday and instead recognized National Assembly President Juan Guaido as Venezuela's leader after he proclaimed himself interim president during a massive opposition rally.

Venezuela's U.N. Mission sent a letter Friday to Dominican Republic Ambassador Jose Singer, whose country holds the council president, asking that Montserrat be added to the list of speakers Saturday in accordance with council rules.

The mission's request could be challenged, but well-informed Security Council diplomats said it was unlikely. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.

By Edith M. Lederer

___

7:25 p.m.

Venezuelan authorities are publishing videos they claim expose opposition leader Juan Guaido as a liar.

Story continues

Communications Minister Jorge Rodriguez on Friday presented surveillance video clips from a Caracas hotel.

Rodriguez said the clips show that Guaido secretly met with socialist party boss Diosdado Cabello on the eve of protests where he declared himself interim president  a meeting Guaido denies.

A timestamp on the video says it was shot the night before Guaido publicly declared presidential powers, vowing to replace President Nicolas Maduro's dictatorship with democracy.

Rodriguez said that in the meeting Guaido told Cabello he was under pressure from U.S. officials and powerful opposition leaders.

The surveillance clips supposed to be of Guaido show a man wearing a hoody and baseball hat, hiding his face minutes after Cabello enters.

Rodriguez said officials are ready to present more proof from the meeting if Guaido continues to deny it.

In an Univision interview, Guaido denied the meeting, saying Cabello never tells the truth.

___

4:50 p.m.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has called out the United States for what he said was its "unacceptable and destructive" moves in crisis-torn Venezuela.

On a visit on Friday to Morocco, Lavrov reiterated his country's stance that Washington's support for opposition leader Juan Guaido, who declared himself interim president, amounts to an "obvious call for a coup d'etat."

The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has recognized Guaido as interim president, and President Nicolas Maduro broke ties with the United States in the spiraling crisis.

Lavrov spoke during a visit to Morocco after meeting King Mohammed VI.

He said Russia would be present at an eventual U.N. Security Council meeting, requested for Saturday by Washington, and would demand compliance with international law.

___

3:20 p.m.

A senior Russian diplomat says Moscow is ready to play mediator between Venezuela's government and the opposition.

Alexander Shchetinin, head of the Foreign Ministry's Latin America department, told the state RIA Novosti news agency on Friday that "if our efforts are called for, we are ready to make the effort."

Moscow had already denounced the U.S. decision to recognize an opposition leader at Venezuela's legitimate president, calling it an attempted coup.

Russian President Vladimir Putin called Maduro Thursday to offer support and emphasized that "destructive foreign interference tramples on basic norms of the international law."

Russia has been a key sponsor and ally of Venezuela, and last month it deployed two Tu-160 nuclear-capable bombers to Venezuela for several days.

___

2:45 p.m.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro says he's willing to engage in talks with the opposition in order to avoid violence in a conflict over who is the legitimate leader of the country.

Maduro held a news conference Friday to defend the validity of his presidency and denounce the challenge from congressional leader Juan Guaido, who has been recognized by the United States and several other major nations.

Maduro called Guido's declaration "a desperate act" backed by Washington.

But he said that he would be willing to go to talks even if he "had to go naked."

In previous rounds of talks last year, the government and opposition failed to agree on conditions for holding presidential elections. Maduro eventually won the disputed contest.

___

1:45 p.m.

The Venezuela opposition leader who has declared himself the nation's rightful president is telling supporters that if he is arrested, they should continue to protest.

Juan Guaido told thousands gathered at a plaza in Caracas Friday that if security forces dare to detain him, his supporters should "stay the course."

The threat of Guaido's arrest is high in a country where President Nicolas Maduro's political opponents have been placed behind bars.

The 35-year-old lawmaker is calling for a new protest next week and vowing to press forward with a transitional government.

Guaido says Venezuela's constitution gives him the right to step in as president because Maduro's second term is not legitimate.

Nations including the United States have recognizing him as Venezuela's leader but Maduro allies like Russia and China have not.

___

12:30 p.m.

The International Monetary Fund is avoiding saying whether it recognizes opposition leader Juan Guaido as interim president of Venezuela.

The director of the Western Hemisphere Department is saying the IMF will follow the position of its member states.

Alejandro Werner says the institution is "monitoring exactly what has been and what will be this position in the coming days."

The United States has recognized Guaido, but other influential member states such as China and Russia have not.

The IMF refused to say whether it has had any contact with either Guaido's team or with officials working for the government of Nicolas Maduro since Guaido pledged to serve as Venezuela's interim president on January 23.

On the other hand, the Inter-American Development Bank has recognized Guaido.

___

9:45 a.m.

Spanish Foreign Minister Josep Borrell says that Spain is pushing for the European Union to back Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido if President Nicolas Maduro doesn't call elections by a deadline yet to be set.

The deadline is being discussed Friday by officials of the 28 countries in Brussels and Borrell says it should be "short and minimal," without further specifying.

He says there is wide support for the proposal, but that Spain is pushing for consensus.

"We are trying to look for a solution that avoids confrontation and more deaths," Borrell told reporters during a weekly government briefing.

The socialist minister and former president of the European Parliament says that fair elections can only be guaranteed with international observers.

___

9:30 a.m.

A U.S. official says that some American diplomats and their families have headed in a caravan to the Venezuelan capital's airport amid diplomatic standoff with President Nicolas Maduro.

The official spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because due to lack of authorization to discuss sensitive security arrangements.

A letter written by a U.S. Embassy security officer requesting a Venezuelan police escort for 10 vehicles was leaked earlier Friday on social media.

Maduro on Wednesday gave the U.S. diplomats 72 hours to leave the country and close their hilltop embassy as he announced he was breaking diplomatic relations over the Trump administration's decision to recognize lawmaker Juan Guaido as interim president.

The Trump administration has rebuffed those demands and says it will keep the Embassy open. On Thursday it said it would reduce staffing levels over security concerns

___

7:50 a.m.

Germany says it favors recognizing Venezuela's opposition leader as the country's interim president unless there are free and fair elections soon.

Government spokesman Steffen Seibert said Friday that "Venezuela needs a chance to return to democracy" and Germany doesn't consider President Nicolas Maduro to be legitimate.

Seibert said Germany is eager for the European Union to reach a common line on Venezuela at a meeting of diplomats in Brussels on Friday.

He told reporters in Berlin that "within the framework of upcoming EU talks the German government favors recognizing Juan Guaido as the country's interim president unless there are prompt free and fair elections."

___

7:15 a.m.

The U.N. human rights chief is calling for independent investigations into violence linked to protests in Venezuela, allegedly involving excessive use of force by security or pro-government forces that reportedly left at least 20 people dead.

Michelle Bachelet's office in Geneva said that she "urged all sides to conduct immediate talks to defuse the increasingly incendiary atmosphere."

She said an independent, impartial probe was needed for any violence leading to death or injury, whether caused by excessive force by security forces or armed groups  pro-government or not.

The office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights said Friday "at least 20 people are reported by credible local sources to have died after allegedly being shot by security forces or members of pro-government armed groups during demonstrations Tuesday and Wednesday."

It cited reports about "well over 350" demonstrators being detained, nearly all in January.

___

5:40 a.m.

The father of an opposition leader claiming Venezuela's interim presidency is calling for the military to drop their allegiance to Nicolas Maduro.

Juan Guaido, president of the opposition-led National Assembly, says he has constitutional legitimacy to guide Venezuela to a new presidential election.

His father, Wilmer Guaido, has lived in Spain for the past 16 years. Speaking on Antena 3 private television on Friday, he says that Venezuela's armed forces should be loyal to the country, but not to a specific leader.

"(Simon) Bolivar used to curse against soldiers who give their back to the people," Guaido said, referring to Venezuela's independence hero. "I think the military should choose the right side of history."

The father, who works as a taxi driver in the island of Tenerife, says he is proud because his son has taken a step forward to take power "from a usurper."

___

4 a.m.

Indian officials say they are closely following the political crisis in Venezuela.

Opposition leader Juan Guaido's claim to the presidency has been recognized by the U.S. and other countries, a step that put them at odds with Russia, China and others who see the U.S. as interfering.

India Ministry of External Affairs spokesman Raveesh Kumar said Friday it was up to Venezuelans "to resolve their differences through constructive dialogue and discussion without resorting to violence."

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro defiantly called home all Venezuelan diplomats from the U.S. and closed its embassy Thursday.

Guaido's whereabouts have been a mystery since he was symbolically sworn in Wednesday.

___

12:15 a.m.

Backed by Venezuela's military, President Nicolas Maduro went on the offensive against an opposition leader who declared himself interim president and his U.S. supporters, setting up a struggle for power in the crisis-plagued South American nation.

A defiant Maduro called home all Venezuelan diplomats from the U.S. and closed its embassy Thursday, a day after ordering all U.S. diplomats out of Venezuela by the weekend because President Donald Trump had supported the presidential claim of Juan Guaido. Washington has refused to comply, but ordered its non-essential staff to leave the tumultuous country.

The Trump administration says Maduro's order isn't legal because the U.S. no longer recognizes him as Venezuela's legitimate leader.

Meanwhile, all eyes were on Guaido whose whereabouts have been a mystery since he was symbolically sworn in Wednesday.
As AfCFTA Approval Nears, A Closer Look At Whats Ahead

African Union (AU) officials are increasingly hopeful that the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) will be ratified by the close of Februarys annual summit. If so, the AU will have defied expectations by formalizing the agreement in under a year.

Speaking exclusively to Emerging Market Views, the African Unions trade commissioner, Albert Muchanga, hailed the unique momentum behind the ratification process. 18 national parliaments have now approved the deal, meaning only four more ratifications are required for it to take effect. Mr Muchanga said reaching the threshold of 22 by mid-February is possible but not guaranteed, despite ratification being at a highly advanced stage in several countries.

Once the 22 ratification instruments are deposited with the African Union, there will be little time for celebration however. 27 of the deals 49 original signatories will still need to ratify and four countries are yet to sign up, including the continents largest economy Nigeria. David Luke, coordinator of the UNs Africa Trade Policy Centre, said: Nigeria are likely to join the agreement, but political sensitivities in the run-up to next months elections are delaying the process.

Mr Muchanga spoke of his focus on the challenge ahead after the political wrangling ends. We must concentrate on turning the development framework into an agreement that produces tangible results for ordinary Africans, he stressed. The African Union has made ambitious predictions about how the agreement will eliminate tariffs, generate jobs and boost intra-regional trade.

In 2017, trade between African nations amounted to only 17.8% of Africas trade  the lowest figure for any continent. The Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) estimates that by removing import duties the AfCFTA has the potential to increase intra-African trade by 52 per cent, and it could even double it if non-tariff barriers are also addressed.

Story continues

Nigeria are likely to join the agreement, but political sensitivities in the run-up to next months elections are delaying the process.

Mr. Muchanga expressed his confidence in the work of the African Union in making these predictions a reality. Despite the commissioners conviction, trading blocs have historically been less effective than hoped in Africa. The COMESA bloc, which encompasses 21 countries across east and southern Africa, recorded a 1.76 per cent drop in intra-regional exports earlier this year.

Kim Musau, CEO of Kenyas Machakos Investment Promotion Board, said: While the regional economic blocs have free movement and customs unions in place, these are often dysfunctional and fail to address the bigger problem with countries production structures. The same will probably be true of the AfCFTA  implementation will be a nightmare.

The only bloc which has seen a dramatic rise in intra-regional exports is the SADC, thanks in large part to South Africas atypically diversified economy. The problem is that most of Africas growth has been staked on natural resources, which account for roughly 70% of the continents total exports, rather than building competitive advantages in other sectors. This means that African countries often fail to add value to their raw materials by turning them into competitively priced goods. Ethiopia, for instance, exported $866 million of coffee in 2017, mostly as raw beans; however, they could have near tripled that number if they had the infrastructure to process the coffee themselves.

Vera Songwe, the Executive Secretary of UNECA, conceded that the AfCFTA does little to overcome the underlying problems inhibiting trade within Africa. Even with the free trade area, if countries stay with the same production structures they have, its not going to change much so you need to start diversifying economies, she said.

UNECA is currently working with ten countries across Africa to remedy this problem by putting together a roadmap for diversifying their economies which focuses on developing even the slightest semblance of a comparative advantage into a competitive advantage.

In the short term, the AfCFTA will help open up trade routes for countries with surpluses of goods. Egypt, for instance, has an excess of pharmaceuticals while Kenya and Uganda import 70% of theirs. For the first time, trade between these countries will be uninhibited and growth will surely follow.

Questions remain, however, over how far-reaching the AfCFTAs impact will be. The answers to these questions must come from national governments, not just the African Union. There is clearly a powerful collective will across Africa to make the AfCFTA a reality. However, the true success of the agreement relies on how much resolve there is in the capitals of Africa to make the changes closer to home that will enable each and every country to make the most of the free trade area.

Graphic: African Trade Policy Center.

The post Implementation Challenges Loom for Africas Trade Aspirations appeared first on Emerging Market Views.
China is regarded as a source of the growing fine dust problem in Korea. / Yonhap



By Kim Jae-heun



Korea and China have agreed to establish a joint early warning system for fine dust as part of cooperation on the ever-worsening air pollution problem, the environment ministry said Thursday.



"The government has told China about its concern over disastrous levels of highly concentrated fine dust here," Yoo Je-chul, a senior ministry official, said at a press briefing.



"The air quality in major areas in China has improved 40 percent since 2013 and we stressed the importance of cooperation to reduce fine dust both here and there."



The joint early warning system will allow the government to prepare for fine dust approaching the peninsula and issue alerts for affected areas. Beijing has agreed to provide its forecast data in real-time.



"We will receive the newest long- and short-term forecast information from China and compare it with our own to improve the accuracy of forecasting air pollution here. This will allow us to issue an earlier warning on fine dust and smog two to three days in advance," Yoo said.



The governments also agreed to include Tangshan and Shenyang in a joint research project to study the cause of air pollution occurring in China based on new aerial and satellite data as well as ground observation. Until now, the project, which began in May 2017, has focused on Beijing, Baoding, Qingdao and Dalian,.



However, Yoo acknowledged that there was still much to be done as the governments' opinions still differ regarding the source of the growing levels of fine dust on the peninsula.



In August 2017, Korea, China and Japan agreed to release a report on joint research on long-range transport pollution (LTP) in the atmosphere last year. However, China suddenly opposed publishing the report saying a further review was necessary.



The ministry official said publication is likely to be in this November.



More specific plans on work to reduce air pollution in Korea and China will be discussed next month and details will be announced during a minister-level meeting in the second half of the year.



Recently, China has requested the government to share its knowhow and experience in reducing air pollution, the ministry noted.



"China said such help can effectively reduce the fine dust that comes from the continent to Korea faster," an environment ministry official said.



Despite the improvement of air quality in China, average ultrafine dust in Beijing was measured at 51 micrograms per cubic meter last year, twice the average level of that in Korea.


(Adds details on regulators rejection of deal, Avista's share movement)

Jan 23 (Reuters) - Canadian electric utility Hydro One Ltd and its U.S.-based rival Avista Corp agreed to terminate their merger after failing to receive regulatory backing.

Hydro One proposed to buy Avista for C$6.7 billion ($5.02 billion) in 2017 to help expand into the U.S. Northwest.

However, the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission rejected the deal in December, saying it would not adequately protect Avista or its customers from political and financial risk. The Ontario provincial government owns about 47 percent of Hydro One.

And in January, the Idaho Public Utilities Commission rejected the deal.

A petition to reconsider the decision was also denied by the Washington state regulator in early January.

Hydro One said on Wednesday it would pay Avista $103 million in termination fees.

Shares of Avista were down 1.3 percent at $40.52 in extended trading. (Reporting by Soundarya J in Bengaluru; Editing by Sai Sachin Ravikumar and Sriraj Kalluvila)
(Bloomberg) -- Walmart Inc. has quietly withdrawn from one of Googles marquee efforts to challenge Amazon.com Inc. in e-commerce.

Walmart removed its products from Googles Shopping Actions service, the internet giant said on Thursday. The retailer also recently dropped out of Google Express, a related delivery service.

In March, Google unveiled Shopping Actions, which lets consumers more easily buy goods from retailers through the companys search engine, digital assistant and Express delivery. The service launched with Walmart and Target Corp. as flagship partners, an alliance that showed the retail stalwarts attempting to curb Amazons expansion. Google takes a commission on sales from partners.

Losing Walmart, the worlds largest retailer, is a blow for Google. Walmart has emerged as one of Amazons main e-commerce competitors. The Bentonville, Arkansas-based company is making a major push to hire tech talent, expand its own delivery service and use its network of physical stores to lure new customers online.

Building more of its e-commerce capabilities in-house may have reduced Walmarts need to partner so closely with Google. For instance, if the retailer is running its own deliveries from stores, its less likely to work with Google Express.

Walmart and Google remain committed to our strategic partnership, a Walmart representative said in an emailed statement.

A Google spokeswoman echoed that statement, but declined to provide further details. "We are committed to the success of retailers and partner with them in many different ways to help users discover and purchase millions of products across platforms, the spokeswoman said. "Walmart remains a strategic partner across multiple businesses including Google Ads."

In October, Alphabet Inc.s Google said Nike Inc., Best Buy Co. and Sephora had joined "hundreds of other merchants" in the Shopping Actions program.

Both Google and Walmart representatives said the retailer will continue to build software that works with Googles voice-controlled digital assistant.

Story continues

--With assistance from Jonathan Roeder.

To contact the reporters on this story: Matthew Boyle in New York at mboyle20@bloomberg.net;Mark Bergen in San Francisco at mbergen10@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Anne Riley Moffat at ariley17@bloomberg.net, Alistair Barr, Andrew Pollack

For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com

2019 Bloomberg L.P.
FILE PHOTO: Condensation collects on a glass of Asahi beer at a bar in Singapore FILE PHOTO: Condensation collects on a glass of Asahi beer at a bar in Singapore October 23, 2015. REUTERS/Tim Wimborne/File Photo/File Photo

By Martinne Geller and Noor Zainab Hussain

(Reuters) - Japanese brewer Asahi Group is buying the British beer business of Fuller, Smith & Turner, seizing the opportunity to further its overseas reach as other companies wrestle with growing uncertainty over Brexit.

The purchase, worth 250 million pounds including debt, raises Asahi's British presence by adding London Pride ale, Frontier lager and Cornish Orchards cider to its Asahi Super Dry, Peroni Nastro Azzurro and Meantime brands.

Fuller's shares jumped 21 percent to 1100 pence on Friday, their highest level in 19 months, after Asahi's move, which follows Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe voicing his concerns over the risk of a disorderly British exit from the European Union in March and its impact on business.

Japanese firms have spent more than 46 billion pounds in Britain, encouraged by successive British governments since Margaret Thatcher promising them a business-friendly base from which to trade across Europe.

Asahi plans to continue operations at the Griffin Brewery in Chiswick, London, where beer has been made since 1654, while a long-term supply agreement and strategic alliance between the firms will allow Fuller's pubs to continue to sell its beer.

The global beer market, dominated by big players such as Anheuser-Busch InBev and Heineken, has been challenged lately by the rise of independent craft brews and shifting consumer tastes favouring wine and spirits.

However, Mintel estimates that the value of Britain's beer market rose by 3.9 percent to 18.5 billion pounds in 2018.

"This transaction is unexpected but a welcome one  realising a significant value for shareholders and exiting a challenging beer market," Liberum analyst Anna Barnfather said.

Barnfather said her target price of 1050 pence for Fuller's had valued the brewery division at around 125 million pounds.

Asahi confirmed that the purchase includes the freehold of the Chiswick brewery.

Fuller's said the disposal will enable it to focus on pubs and hotels, which generate 87 percent of its operating profit, and provide capital to invest organically and via acquisitions.

Story continues

"Fuller's has for years had to navigate very high taxes, a decline in the nation's drinking and austerity which has hit pub attendance," Jonny Forsyth, Associate Director, Food & Drink at Mintel, told Reuters, adding that the brewer's traditional ale faced competition from the rise of edgier London craft beers.

(Graphic: Asahi deal to bring much needed relief to Fuller link: https://tmsnrt.rs/2TfBPOo).

GLOBAL LONDON PRIDE?

Asahi said the addition of the Fuller's brands strengthened its position as a leader in premium beer, and that it would use its global footprint to build them across the world.

"Brexit could actually play to Asahi's advantage because it is putting pressure on ... the pound which makes exports cheaper," Forsyth said, adding that Asahi would also have the option of moving production overseas to overcome any tariffs.

Forsyth said the Fuller's deal, which is expected to close in the first half of 2019, could also kick start a year of consolidation, driven by AB InBev's competitors trying to close the gap between themselves and the world's top brewer.

Friday's sale price represents a multiple of 23.6 times core earnings of 10.6 million pounds for the year ended March and Fuller's said it would return between 55 million pounds and 69 million pounds of the proceeds to its investors.

Rothschild & Co is acting as sponsor and sole financial adviser to Fuller on the proposed sale, while Nomura advised Asahi Europe.

(Reporting by Noor Zainab Hussain in Bengaluru; Editing by Anil D'Silva and Alexander Smith)
FILE PHOTO: PG&E works on power lines to repair damage caused by the Camp Fire in Paradise, California, U.S. November 21, 2018. REUTERS/Elijah Nouvelage/File Photo

By Svea Herbst-Bayliss and Mike Spector

(Reuters) - PG&E Corp shareholder BlueMountain Capital Management LLC said on Thursday it is preparing a challenge to the embattled utility owner's board, arguing its plan to file for bankruptcy in the wake of catastrophic wildfires in California is harming investors.

The hedge fund, which owns about 2 percent of PG&E, said it is trying to rally support from other shareholders to replace all 10 of the company's board members at this year's annual meeting expected in May.

BlueMountain's chances of success are remote, given that PG&E has said its bankruptcy filing may come as early Jan. 29. However, the maneuvering could end up giving BlueMountain a bigger role in any bankruptcy negotiations.

"As we noted in our letter today, shareholders retain their corporate governance rights in bankruptcy," a BlueMountain spokesman said.

The hedge fund and other shareholders could potentially be in line to sit on a so-called equity committee that a bankruptcy judge would be empowered to appoint as part of PG&E's court proceedings.

Such a committee would have the ability to litigate during PG&E's bankruptcy case and gain leverage to improve financial recoveries as the company develops a reorganization plan.

"We expect to announce the new slate no later than February, 21, 2019," BlueMountain said in an open letter https://www.bluemountaincapital.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/BlueMountain-letter-to-PGE-Shareholders-dated-1.24.19.pdf to PG&E shareholders on Thursday.

"In order to rebuild essential relationships and restore trust, the company needs an entirely new board," the letter said. This is the second time the hedge fund has run a proxy contest and it did not identify its intended nominees in the letter.

PG&E is reeling from potentially crushing liabilities associated with deadly wildfires in 2017 and 2018 that ripped through California communities, killing dozens of people and destroying homes.

The company forecasts its liabilities from the blazes could exceed $30 billion. The utility owner is facing scrutiny over the role of its equipment in the fires.

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With a new board and fresh oversight, the hedge fund forecast that the company's share price could trade at $50 in the future. PG&E shares were down 1 percent at $7.91 in morning trading in New York on Thursday, giving the company a market capitalization of $4.2 billion.

"When sound governance is restored, and structural issues addressed, the company will resolve its financial issues," the hedge fund wrote.

BlueMountain's move, while a potential distraction for PG&E during its expected debt restructuring, would need additional support from other shareholders, like hedge funds Baupost Group, D.E. Shaw and Hound Partners, among others, to succeed.

PG&E, the biggest U.S. power utility by customers, provides electricity and natural gas to 16 million customers in northern and central California.

'UNNECESSARY BANKRUPTCY'

BlueMountain has publicly challenged PG&E Corp's plan to file for bankruptcy protection as early as next week, which the company revealed to employees earlier this month in part due to a California law requiring such notification.

The board's "intention to file a voluntary, costly, and unnecessary bankruptcy ... in our view, violates their fiduciary duties to the company and to you," the hedge fund said in its letter.

Board members failed to roll up their sleeves and are ready "to concede defeat and pass the buck to a bankruptcy judge," the hedge fund wrote.

PG&E said in a securities filing it could potentially raise more money and avoid seeking bankruptcy protection, but argued such a move would be complex, uncertain and expensive.

PG&E's chief executive recently resigned and Chairman Richard Kelly said the company is committed to "further change" and searching for a new leader with "extensive operational and safety expertise" while its general counsel helms operations on an interim basis.

Most companies filing for bankruptcy protection have nearly worthless stocks that result in shareholders being wiped out while creditors seek to recover as much as possible from a financially-strapped firm.

(Reporting by Svea Herbst-Bayliss and Mike Spector; additional reporting by John Benny in Bengaluru; editing by Bernard Orr, Nick Zieminski and Sonya Hepinstall)




By Jung Da-min







North Korea's ambassador to the United Nations Kim Song criticized Israel over its illegal occupation of Palestine, in an unusual appearance at a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meeting Tuesday.







The UNSC meeting took place as prospects for a viable state of Palestine dwindled with the expansion of Israel's settlements on the West Bank amid continuing violence.







About 50 speakers, including council members and non-members, attended.







Kim also made a speech during the meeting.





"Kim Song (Democratic People's Republic of Korea), associating himself with the Non-Aligned Movement, said Israel's settlement expansion, blockade of Gaza and suppression of peaceful Palestinian protesters are serious challenges to Palestinians' establishment of an independent state," read the

of the meeting on the U.N. website. "He called for implementation of Council resolution 2334 (2016), among others adopted by the General Assembly, as well as a halt to settlement expansion."







U.N. Resolution 2334 was about the Israeli settlements in "Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem," and demanded that "Israel immediately and completely cease all settlement activities."







Kim said North Korea stands in solidarity with Syrians in their efforts to regain the occupied Syrian Golan.







The North Korean ambassador's unusual attendance at the UNSC meeting over the issue in the Middle East is seen as the country's effort to expand its presence in international diplomacy.







Kim also blamed some permanent members of the UNSC for supporting Israel, calling it a "double-standard attitude." He said the countries involved should resolve controversial issues through dialogue, without outside interference, in an apparent reference to the U.S., Israel's close ally.






Former campaign adviser for President Donald Trump, Roger Stone walks out of the federal courthouse following a hearing, Friday, Jan. 25, 2019, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Stone was arrested Friday in the special counsel's Russia investigation and was charged with lying to Congress and obstructing the probe. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)



Roger Stone, a longtime ally and former adviser to President Donald Trump, appeared at a hearing in federal court in Fort Lauderdale Friday, where he was released on a $250,000 bail.



Stone said he will not testify against the president.



Fort Lauderdale attorneys Robert Buschel, of Buschel & Gibbons, and Grant Smith, of StrategySmith, represented Stone, who a federal grand jury indicted on seven charges filed by special counsel Robert Mueller in the District of Columbia Thursday.



Stone faces five counts of false statements, one count of obstruction of an official proceeding and one count of witness tampering  all in relation to the alleged Russian hack of Democratic Party emails in 2016.



Stone denied all charges against him, claiming the case was politically motivated. Stone wore a navy polo shirt, jeans and glasses as he left the probation office with his arms folded.



"I will defeat this in court," Stone said outside the courthouse, where he was greeted by a swarm of protesters, supporters and press.



He added, "As I have always said, the worst thing than being talked about is not being talked about."





Read the indictment: falcon-embed src="embed_1"





Amid chants of "lock him up," Stone was defiant, telling the crowd, "I intend to tell the truth and I have told the truth."



Mueller's charges led to a pre-dawn arrest on Friday. According to Stone, 29 FBI agents brought 17 vehicles to his home in the raid, which he labeled "disturbing" and unnecessary, as it scared his wife and dog.



"They terrorized my wife, my dogs," Stone said. "I would have been more than willing to surrender voluntarily."



Buschel, one of Stone's lawyers, appeared pleased with the outcome of the hearing as he waited for his client to emerge from the probation office.



"He's leaving, so it went well," Buschel said.



Buschel and Smith also represented Stone in a civil lawsuit over the Democratic Party emails, which was dismissed for lack of jurisdiction in July 2018.




PG&E Corp. estimates it would cost as much as $150 billion this year alone to comply with a federal judges proposal to prevent wildfires.

Californias largest investor-owned utility said U.S. District Judge William Alsups plan for it to trim branches and inspect and repair thousands of miles of power lines would cost about five times as much as PG&Es forecast liabilities for wildfires that scorched the state in 2017 and 2018 and would have to be funded by ratepayers.

His extraordinary safety precautions arent feasible as they would require more than 100 million trees to be removed and more than 650,000 employees to work full time, according to a court filing with PG&Es response Wednesday. Prosecutors, too, said the proposal may be unworkable, raising questions about whether Alsup went too far with his plan to reduce to zero the number of wildfires caused by PG&E in the 2019 wildfire season.

The latest foray by the San Francisco judge is weighing on PG&E as it plans to seek bankruptcy protection by the end of this month amid potential liabilities of as much as $30 billion for wildfires from the last two years. Alsup is overseeing PG&Es probation for safety violations that led to felony convictions for a previous incident  the 2010 explosion of one of its gas pipelines, which killed eight people.

In a Jan. 9 court order, Alsup said its his job to protect the public from further wrongs and promote the rehabilitation of the offender. His assertiveness was praised by Californias new governor, Gavin Newsom.

PG&E would be subject to criminal sanctions if it fails to meet the new probationary conditions that the judge wants to impose  including trimming tree branches close to power lines and cutting local electricity supply in high-risk weather conditions.

Both the utility and prosecutors recommended having a court-appointed compliance monitor review the companys wildfire-mitigation efforts. After the companys 2016 conviction, the monitor was tasked with making sure PG&E doesnt violate the terms of its probation and with scrutinizing its business practices more broadly.

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PG&E does not believe the proposed probation conditions are appropriate, and indeed PG&E does not believe it would be appropriate for the court to impose any new probation conditions that may conflict with the laws and regulations with which PG&E must comply, the company said in its court filing.

The judge has warned that PG&E may face further prosecution from findings that its equipment caused more than a dozen wildfires in 2017  although officials havent determined the causes of the most destructive and deadliest of the blazes over the past two years, the Tubbs and Camp fires. Alsup also has suggested that PG&Es uninsulated power lines could be the root of the problem causing wildfires.

Some legal experts said its awkward for the company to object to the judges plan when its so closely aligned with what PG&E said it would do on its own.

After the November fire that leveled the town of Paradise and killed 86 people, the utility pledged precautions similar to what Alsup is calling for, including more careful vegetation management near its electric equipment.

Only safe operation will be allowed, Alsup wrote in his Jan. 9 order.
(l-r) Wanli Wu, Jared Howenstine, Jim Wimpe, Jessica Eastman, and Alicia Hayter of Cantor Colburn.



Cantor Colburn, the fourth-largest patent law firm in the U.S., has kicked off the new year with the promotion of James Wimpe, a Hartford-based patent attorney, to its partnership. Also effective Jan, 1, Hartford-based associates Alicia Hayter, Jared B. Howenstine, and Wanli Wu have been promoted to counsel and Jessica Zimberlin Eastman, Ph.D., becomes a senior patent agent.



"These professionals are talented and dedicated, and we are recognizing them for providing outstanding counsel and service to their clients," said Philmore H. Colburn II, co-managing partner of Cantor Colburn. "The partnership is confident that they will make even greater contributions to the firms success in their new roles.



Co-managing partner Michael A. Cantor said the firm places "great value on attracting and retaining top legal talent to serve our clients. These professionals make an outstanding contribution to the firm and will for years to come.



Wimpes prepares patent practice invalidity and infringement/noninfringement opinions for clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to academic institutions to solo inventors. Technology, aerospace, automotive and mechanical engineering are among his areas of expertise. Before joining Cantor Colburn in 2006, he worked as an engineer in aerospace and automotive design. He received his engineering degree from the University of Illinois, and his law degree from the Western New England University School of Law.



Intellectual property attorney Hayter has covered utility and design patent application preparation, prosecution, counseling and portfolio management. She also conducts searches and prepares corresponding patentability, freedom to operate and noninfringement opinions. She has worked with foreign and domestic clients in aerospace and aeronautics, elevators, heating and cooling systems and latch-and-lock technology. Hayter worked on-site for client United Technologies Corp. Building Industrial Systems for a secondment of four months and has counseled several small Connecticut-based businesses on IP strategy and securing their first patents. She previously worked as a mechanical engineer and patent engineer at Otis Elevator. Hayter received her degree in mechanical engineering from Villanova University and her law degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law.



Howenstine concentrates his practice in intellectual property and information technology, focusing on patent prosecution, counseling, licensing and patent infringement litigation. Areas include mechanical medical devices, oil field exploration and production equipment, wireless communications and aerospace and aeronautics components. Howenstine has degrees in astronomy and physics, both magna cum laude, from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a law degree from South Texas College of Law Houston, cum laude.



Wu focuses on drafting patent applications and obtaining patents in the fields of polymers, oil and gas field fluids, hydrocarbon recovery and treatment, cosmetics and specialty chemicals. She previously worked as a research chemist for eight years, synthesizing novel hepatitis C drug candidates and working as a patent inventor. She received her master's degree in chemistry from the Nankai University in Tianjin, China, another master's in organic chemistry from the University of Mississippi, and her law degree from Rutgers School of Law.



Eastman currently assists clients in a wide range of technical fields, including chemistry, nanotechnology, chemical engineering and mechanical engineering, with a primary focus on polymer and material science. She has extensive experience in patent preparation and both foreign and domestic prosecution and works closely with startup companies and several of the leading companies in the plastics industry. She previously worked as an engineer at such companies as Rogers Corp., Unilever, Fraunhofer IPA, Tokyo Womens Medical University and the National Institute of Standards and Technology. She has degrees in chemical engineering and German from the University of Connecticut and an M.S. and Ph.D. in polymer science and engineering from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
By Dave Sherwood

Santiago, Jan 24 (Reuters) - Chile's SQM late on Wednesday told Chilean regulators that it had taken measures to safeguard its corporate secrets just weeks after top competitor Tianqi purchased a coveted quarter stake in the top lithium miner.

Tianqi in December bought a 23.77 percent share in SQM from Canadian fertilizer company Nutrien for $4.1 billion, entitling the Chinese lithium giant to three seats on SQM's board.

A Chilean antitrust court approved the transaction but placed conditions on the sale that limit Tianqis access to SQM business secrets. SQM and its top shareholders fought the deal in court and continue to maintain the safeguards do not go far enough to protect its sensitive information from Tianqi.

SQM on Wednesday said its board had approved additional measures to safeguard company secrets.

The lithium miner told financial regulator CMF that all requests for sensitive information by a board member "appointed by a shareholder who is also a competitor" would first be routed through SQM's CEO, and then shared with Chilean anti-trust regulators.

The CEO would be authorized to deny access to business secrets, but only on the order of the regulator.

SQM also said its board would create a new, internal Lithium Committee to review contracts, agreements, and other documents circulated by the board of directors and related to lithium, in order to "process all sensitive information."

Tianqi said in December it had started interviewing candidates in Chile and abroad to take up the three seats on the SQM board in April.

Under the initial deal struck with Chilean anti-trust regulators, the Chinese miner cannot name any of its executives or employees.

Chinese companies are increasingly scouring the globe for the raw materials necessary to ramp up Chinese production of electric vehicles, which require lithium for their batteries.

(Reporting by Dave Sherwood Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)
Philippine officials are exploring ways to take over a shipyard located on Subic Bay, which used to be a U.S. naval base, to prevent Chinese companies from buying the site.

Some officials are fearful of a Chinese presence in the area following Beijing's aggressive behavior in the neighboring South China Sea.

It's not clear if President Rodrigo Duterte is comfortable with the idea of the Philippine Navy taking over operations of the shipyard. He's been pushing for more Chinese investment in his country.

In the Philippines , a major corporate bankruptcy has sparked national security concerns about whether a port near the disputed South China Sea could fall under Beijing's control.

Philippine officials are currently exploring ways to take over a shipyard located at a former U.S. naval base known as Subic Bay to prevent Chinese companies from buying the site.

Officials, including the defense secretary, have expressed concerns of a Chinese presence in the area, even if it's a commercial one. Those worries come against the backdrop of China's growing aggression in the South China Sea and Beijing previously seizing neighboring islands in the area that are claimed by Manila.

Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Philippines has been operating an industrial shipyard in Subic Bay for years. But the company, a shipbuilding unit of South Korean firm Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction , declared bankruptcy in January after defaulting on loans of over $400 million from Philippine banks. It is believed to be one of the largest corporate defaults in Philippine history and puts thousands of local jobs at risk.

Hanjin Philippines has asked the Manila government to help find investors willing to take over its shipyard operations and help its staff, according to the official Philippine News Agency. The company also has outstanding loans of $900 million from South Korean banks.

Fears of a Chinese takeover

Subic Bay, which lies around 100 kilometers northwest of Manila Bay, is an area around the size of Singapore . It was previously operated by the navies of Spain and the United States , and was one of the world's largest U.S. naval facilities. After closing in the early 1990s, it was transformed into a special economic zone by the Philippine government.

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Two Chinese firms have expressed interest in taking the shipyard off Hanjin Philippines' hands, prompting swift action from Manila officials who indicated they were unsettled by that idea as Beijing continues to flex its muscles in the South China Sea.

Senator Grace Poe has called for an inquiry to determine whether there needs to be legal and regulatory frameworks for foreign ownership of such a strategic national asset, local media reported.

Last week, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said he had met with President Rodrigo Duterte to discuss the prospect of the Philippine Navy acquiring the shipbuilding business.

"The Philippine Navy suggested that, why not the Philippines take over so that we'll have a naval base there? Then we'll have shipbuilding capabilities," international media quoted Lorenzana as saying during an event at the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines last week.

That's an entirely realistic scenario, analysts said.

"It would be consistent with political initiatives to increase domestic industrial development," said Zoe Stanley Lockman, associate research fellow specializing in defense and security at Singapore's Nanyang Technological University. She said there's currently a bill on the country's Senate floor that, if passed, would increase support for the defense industry, large parts of which are already government owned and operated.

Others, however, said China-related security concerns are overblown.

"We shouldn't overstate the importance of a Chinese company operating Hanjin," said Zack Cooper, a research fellow specializing in U.S. defense strategy in Asia at the American Enterprise Institute. "Just because a Chinese company operates the port and shipyard does not mean that Chinese military vessels can dock there  the same is true with Darwin Port in Australia , which is now operated by a Chinese firm."

Unclear what Duterte wants

The Philippine Navy taking over the shipyard may not bode well for Duterte, who has advocated a pro-Beijing stance even as the Asian superpower ignores Manila's contesting territorial claims in the South China Sea.

"It is unclear what the government wants to do" in the case of Subic Bay, said Anwita Basu, Southeast Asia analyst at the Economist Intelligence Unit.

The armed forces seem more concerned than the president about a potential Chinese presence and national security breaches, she told CNBC: "Indeed, were Chinese companies to take over the commercial lease of the shipyard, it would play well into the president's desire to attract investments from China."

After losing a 2016 court case that invalidated its South China Sea claims against Manila, Beijing continues to administer islands and Duterte hasn't publicly pressed Chinese President Xi Jinping on the matter. Critics say Duterte is making geopolitical concessions in the international waterway in exchange for promises of Chinese capital that have yet to materialize.

"It is unlikely that the navy will be able to effectively run the shipyard," Basu said. The state owns the site so a naval takeover won't be hard, she added, but Manila will still have to rely on foreign investment as it struggles "to raise interest from domestic investors, partly because of the sunk costs involved and preferential treatment given to foreign investors."

Companies from the U.S., Australia, Japan and South Korea have also expressed interest, according to Lorenzana, who suggested that Manila could also lease a majority stake to an external entity while keeping a minority share.





More From CNBC


(Bloomberg) -- Apple Inc.s iPhone inventory buildup may lead to lower guidance for the current quarter and subsequent downward revisions to analyst estimates, Sanford C. Bernstein & Co analyst Toni Sacconaghi wrote in a note to clients.

Sacconaghis analysis suggests that inventory of up to 5 million units and a big drawdown in the second quarter could pressure estimates. Analyst consensus for $59 billion in second-quarter revenue appears "appropriately conservative," but the big question is how much iPhone inventory Apple built up, he said.

There is a possibility that second-quarter and fiscal year estimates "may be too high," said Sacconaghi, who rates Apple at the equivalent of hold, adding that Apple shares have historically underperformed until estimates stopped declining.

In a separate earnings preview Friday, Morgan Stanley analyst Katy Huberty said Apple shares already appear to be pricing in unlikely long-term iPhone scenarios. And a note from Rosenblatt Securities said price cuts look to be helping sales of the iPhone XR in China.

With shares rising today, Apples decline since lowering its sales outlook on Jan. 2 has shrunk to less than 1 percent. Final results for its fiscal first quarter are to be released Jan. 29 after the market close.

To contact the reporter on this story: Tatiana Darie in New York at tdarie1@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Catherine Larkin at clarkin4@bloomberg.net, Sebastian Silva, Jeremy R. Cooke

For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com

2019 Bloomberg L.P.
The record-setting federal government shutdown has entered its second month. However, while hundreds of thousands of government employees are going without paychecks, most companies have seen relatively little disruption to their businesses so far.

The airline industry has been a notable exception, due to the government's extensive involvement in everything from security screenings to approving new aircraft models. This week, Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK) became the latest victim of the shutdown, as the airline was forced to delay the long-anticipated start of service to Paine Field in Everett, Washington.

The shutdown creates complications for airlines

For many air travelers, the most notable impact of the shutdown has been on security checkpoint lines. A growing absence rate among TSA employees -- who are currently working without pay -- has started to impact wait times at certain airports.

Behind the scenes, furloughs at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are starting to take a bigger toll on the highly regulated industry. For example, Southwest Airlines' plan to start flying to Hawaii is temporarily on hold because the carrier is waiting for FAA inspectors to participate in simulations and test flights to validate its procedures for dealing with in-flight emergencies far from land. Similarly, Delta Air Lines won't be able to start flying its first Airbus A220s later this month as it had planned.

Now, the FAA furloughs are preventing Alaska Airlines from following through with its plan to launch service at a secondary airport near its hometown of Seattle next month.

A regional jet in Alaska Airlines livery

Alaska Airlines had hoped to start flying from Paine Field next month. Image source: Alaska Airlines.

Paine Field flights are grounded for now

Alaska Airlines operates its main hub at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac). With about 300 daily departures, it is the leading airline in its hometown of Seattle. However, the airport has become overcrowded. Furthermore, heavy traffic often leads to long travel times between the airport and Seattle's northern suburbs.

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As a result, Alaska Airlines has been eager to serve Paine Field -- an airport about 25 miles north of Seattle -- ever since a private company decided to build a two-gate terminal there. Back in November, Alaska announced that it had secured three-quarters of the available slots at Paine Field. This will allow it to operate 18 daily round trips to eight destinations.

Alaska Airlines planned to launch its Paine Field flights in stages in early 2019. The first flight was to operate on Feb. 11. By Feb. 15, there were to be seven daily roundtrips; by Feb. 20, there were to be 14 daily roundtrips; and the full schedule of 18 daily roundtrips was set to go into effect by March 12.

However, with the planned launch of service less than three weeks away, the FAA still hasn't completed the environmental assessment, which is required before it can approve the launch of commercial flights at Paine Field.

Initially, Alaska Airlines had held out hope that it could stick to its original schedule. However, on Tuesday, it pushed back the start of service at Paine Field to March 4, with the flight schedule set to spool up gradually between then and March 12. And as the carrier acknowledged, the new scheduled start date is not set in stone, either. Unless the government shutdown ends, Paine Field flights could be postponed indefinitely.

The pain is manageable -- for now

In the short term, Alaska Airlines is adding extra flights at Sea-Tac with the aircraft it had planned to use at Paine Field during February. It is also rebooking customers who bought tickets for its Paine Field service on flights from Sea-Tac with similar departure times. This will limit the financial hit to Alaska and the disruption to its customers. (People who hold tickets for canceled Paine Field flights will also have the option of getting a full refund.)

However, this strategy will only work for so long. During the busier spring and summer travel seasons, there may not be enough gate space at Sea-Tac to accommodate the extra flights that were supposed to operate at Paine Field. Furthermore, customers who book Paine Field flights may feel cheated if Alaska continues to push back the start of service and rebooks them on flights from Sea-Tac.

The opening of Paine Field to commercial service represents a potentially lucrative opportunity for Alaska Airlines to build on its strength in Seattle and take some strain off its operations at Sea-Tac. But in terms of exploiting that opportunity, Alaska is at the mercy of the federal government.

More From The Motley Fool

Adam Levine-Weinberg owns shares of Alaska Air Group, Delta Air Lines, and Southwest Airlines. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Southwest Airlines. The Motley Fool owns shares of Delta Air Lines. The Motley Fool recommends Alaska Air Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Consumer advocate Erin Brockovich, who famously took on Pacific Gas & Electric Co. in the 1990s, stands with wildfire victims and speaks outside the state Capitol Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, in Sacramento, Calif. Brockovich is urging California lawmakers not to let PG&E go bankrupt because it might mean less money for wildfire victims. (AP Photo/Kathleen Ronayne)

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)  Consumer activist Erin Brockovich, who famously took on Pacific Gas & Electric Co. in the 1990s, urged California lawmakers Tuesday not to let the utility go bankrupt because it could mean less money for wildfire victims.

"I'm mad, I think we should all be mad," Brockovich said as she stood outside the Capitol in Sacramento alongside people who lost their homes to destructive fires.

PG&E announced last week it plans to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy because it can't afford to pay at least $30 billion in expected damages due to deadly 2017 and 2018 Northern California wildfires.

California law makes utilities entirely liable for damage caused by wildfires sparked by their equipment, even if the utility isn't found to be negligent.

The cause of a 2017 fire that swept through Santa Rosa and the 2018 fire that destroyed Paradise are still under investigation. PG&E is under scrutiny in both cases, and lawsuits have been filed by people who lost their homes and are underinsured or lack insurance.

Brockovich is part of the legal team representing victims of the 2017 fires.

Under a PG&E bankruptcy, wildfire victims likely won't get all of the money they have sued for, experts have said. Brockovich and Noreen Evans, a former state lawmaker representing wildfire victims, suggested the Legislature should allow PG&E to take out state-backed bonds to cover the costs of the 2018 fire and potentially pass some costs to ratepayers to avoid bankruptcy.

Lawmakers allowed the utility to pay for 2017 wildfires in a similar manner but did not apply the same standard to 2018 fires, something the lawyers called a serious oversight.

Critics, including Evans, have called the law a "bailout" for the utility in the past. Now, she said, 2018 wildfire victims deserve to be treated the same way as 2017 wildfire victims.

"It's not a bailout, although I've referred to it as a bailout in the past," she said.

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State Sen. Bill Dodd of Napa, who authored last year's wildfire bill, has said 2018 was not included because lawmakers didn't want to discourage PG&E from focusing on its safety if it thought it would have a guaranteed way to pay for wildfire damage.

Beyond the short term, Brockovich urged state lawmakers to adopt stricter oversight of PG&E, a utility that she said has a well-documented history of negligent or dangerous behavior that the state has let continue for too long.

"Be at the head of the table and take control of this runaway monopoly," she said.

PG&E is "committed to working cooperatively with regulators, policymakers, and other stakeholders to continue to provide PG&E customers the safe gas and electric services they expect and need," utility spokeswoman Lynsey Paulo said.

The company's board has decided bankruptcy under Chapter 11 is "the only viable option," she said.

Brockovich rose to fame while fighting PG&E in the 1990s over a toxic chemical in the water supply of a Southern California community. Her fight became the subject of a movie starring Julia Roberts.

Currently U.S. Judge William Alsup is overseeing a jury verdict against PG&E stemming from a deadly 2010 gas pipeline explosion, and he is considering whether the company's role in recent wildfires was a violation of its probation in the criminal case.

Alsup has noted that California fire investigators referred 12 wildfires caused by PG&E equipment for possible criminal prosecution. He has proposed imposing new probation terms on the utility, including that it remove or trim all trees that could fall onto its power lines, poles or equipment in high-wind conditions and re-inspect its entire electric grid.

The judge gave PG&E until Wednesday to respond to his proposal.

Brockovich said regulators should consider forcing the company to bury or cover its lines.

The utility said Tuesday in a regulatory filing it has lined up $5.5 billion in credit and loans to continue operating as it prepares for the bankruptcy.

Gov. Gavin Newsom said last week it's his goal to prevent the bankruptcy from going through but it may not be possible.

Evans said there have been "very preliminary discussions" about settling claims related to the 2017 fires at a judge's request.

__

This story has been clarified by removing comments from Noreen Evans that a PG&E bankruptcy could threaten power service, which she says she was not implying.
AUSTRALIA: On Friday, Tens of thousands of people scorching through a brutal heatwave in southern Australia were left without power as the grid struggled with surging demand. Authorities report said about 60,000 customers were experiencing blackouts after it ordered forced outages to reduce the risk of the entire grid failing.

Australian Energy Market Operator chief executive Audrey Zibelman state that, "We have asked for 100 megawatts of involuntary load reduction, we have notified the networks, they're in process of doing that." Mr Zibelman further state that, "They may have to do more over the course of the afternoon as the demand continues to increase,". The disturbance comes as temperatures in Melbourne soared to 42.8 Celsius (109 Fahrenheit) just after lunch. However authorities said that Planned power interruptions began at midday and would likely last about two hours,

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There were reports of up to 100 traffic lights without power in Melbourne, as some shops and cafes were forced to close. In other parts of Victoria, state authorities had issued fire warnings, with hundreds of emergency services personnel and dozens of planes and helicopters on standby, as temperatures in some areas were expected to reach up to 47 Celsius.

Meanwhile, authorities continued to battle bushfires further south on the island state of Tasmania. Australia is reeling from a heat wave that peaked in South Australia on Thursday when the state capital Adelaide topped 47.7 Celsius, breaking a record that had stood since 1939.

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Kathmandu: In Bajura district that around 720 km west of Kathmandu, A Nepal official has launched a mission to end an ancient tradition which forces menstruating women to stay in rudimentary protections, following an incident this month when a woman and her two children were found dead in such a hut.

Shristi Regmi, Deputy Mayor of Budinanda Municipality in Bajura district said that "The practice of `chhaupadi` is an ill religious practice that has killed many women. This deeply established belief should be ended now."

On the night of January 8, Amba Bohara had been banished to the windowless mud and stone hut to wait out her menstruation and had lit a fire to keep herself and her sons, aged nine and 12, warm. When Bohara`s mother-in-law opened the door to the hut the next morning, all three were dead. According to the police, they died of suffocation due to lack of ventilation. Regmi, 26, will travel to every village in the remote Bajura - her own constituency and the district with the lowest human development index in Nepal - to demolish these huts.

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While for centuries in Nepal, menstruating women and girls have been banished from the home to separate huts although the practice was banned by the Supreme Court in 2005. In August 2017, the Nepal government criminalised the practice with a three-month jail sentence and/or a penalty of 3,000 Nepalese rupees ($30).

However, The Deputy Mayor has so far managed to take to pieces 80 menstrual huts across various municipalities. After the death of Bohara and her children, Regmi said all municipalities have been given two weeks to demolish the huts that fall within their jurisdiction.

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New Delhi: Union minister Maneka Gandhi Wednesday lashed out at West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for not implementing key government schemes meant for women empowerment, saying the state government's approach towards women is "disastrous."



In a series of tweets, the women and child development minister alleged that women in West Bengal are not getting the benefits of "significant programmes" like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, maternity benefit program Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, and One Stop Centre scheme.

"It is disheartening to look at the current state of affairs in West Bengal, with regard to women safety and women welfare, under the leadership of Mamata Banerjee. The state government's approach towards women is disastrous," she said in a tweet.

"I am deeply pained to share that the state government has not implemented the key schemes of government meant for women empowerment," Maneka said in another tweet.

She also said that shortly people will have an opportunity to elect a pro-people government.

"I am certain that the people of #WestBengal are unhappy with the undemocratic policies of the state government. Shortly, people will have an opportunity to elect the pro-people government," Maneka said.
New Delhi: Congress MP Sushmita Dev on Wednesday flayed the government, saying there is nothing to prove that the Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme is the cause of improvement in the sex ratio in the country.



Dev stated that during the last Parliament session, the Women and Child Development Ministry had said that it has not conducted any impact assessment of the scheme and is solely relying on the Health Management Information System (HMIS) data for improvement in sex ratio.

The Ministry was replying to a question whether the scheme has failed due to lack of policy implementation and diversion of funds.

"The 'happy outcome' of the 'Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao' scheme, as claimed by the minister (Maneka Gandhi) in the official statement on Tuesday, is in direct contradiction with what the government claimed in the Lok Sabha," she said in a statement.

On Tuesday, the WCD Ministry issued a clarification in response to a report which stated that the government has spent over 56 per cent of the funds allocated under the BBBP scheme from 2014-15 to 2018-19 on "media-related activities."
Bengaluru: The National Security Guard (NSG) has paid tributes to its Mumbai terror attack martyrs in a stunning fashion.

To honour its martyrs during the 10th anniversary of the Mumbai terror attacks, the elite force hired a 'sharpshooter' - Pravin Talan - a leading fashion photographer.



The end product is a stunning 2019 calendar. The calendar is in great demand among the security forces and many officials in the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) are finding it difficult to lay their hands on a copy.

Dropping down to ground zero in way they can.

As an organization, the NSG has always shied away from the limelight, which explains the enigma surrounding the elite force.

The cutting edge. A commando trains in extreme situations and learns to use his weapon of choice with chilling effect.

"There has always been curiosity among the youth of the nation to know more about NSG, who they are, how they train and what they do. This calendar gives a glimpse into the high level of training and capabilities of an NSG commando. As they are of members of a 'Zero-error world-class-force' the photographs had to live up to that image," an MHA official told Onmanorama in response to e-mailed queries.

The engaging concept covers all the traits of this elite force -- be it the valour, willingness to take high risks, or the intensive training and preparation commandos undergo before a mission.

Living on the edge and taking on the targets with a surprise.

"These are hallmarks of an NSG commando, and the awe-inspiring calendar with impressive photos is a pictorial but reassuring message to the citizens that come what may he would make the supreme sacrifice The photos are a silent homage and tribute to those martyrs. Pravin Talan has captured the 'Men in Black' at their combative best," says the official.

Tearing into terror. An assault K9 is trained and conditioned to identify hostile intent and danger and respond accordingly.

Interestingly, this is the third year the NSG has come out with a calendar pinned to a theme. The MHA official said the idea was to honour the martyrs and inspire the youth.

Forged in fire. Training to tackle any obstacles.

From its inception in 1985-86, Martyrs of NSG find a place on a dedicated page that also has a crisp message from Home Minister Rajnath Singh.

Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan and Havildar Gajendra Singh Bisht, who laid their lives during the Mumbai terror strikes on 26/11, are among the 19 NSG bravehearts who have been featured on the special page.

The Black Sharks. The subsurface, underwater operations add a potent dimension to the counter terrorist capability of the NSG.

"It takes umpteen hours of training, steely resolution, raw courage and abundant passion to become a Black Cat Commando. These commandos have time and again proved that they are the better than the best. I believe NSG is like a Sudarshan Chakra for the terrorists," says Rajnath Singh in his message.

Menacing apparition.

MHA officials say that the reaction to NSG's latest 'paper mission' has been overwhelming.

NSG commandos with K9 assist.

"In photographs, the commandos are just being themselves  what they are trained to do. It has been beautifully shot by Pravin Talan. The concept has caught the imagination of many," says the official.

The 12 top-notch photos earmarked for each month of 2019 are awe-inspiring, thanks to the near-life effect they give, and the credit goes equally to the commandos and the photographer.

NSG commandos train till training becomes a reflex.

The NSG decided to honour its martyrs as the 10th anniversary of the Mumbai terror attacks drew closer in 2018.

Proximate security.

The organization has been a part of many successful operations countrywide, but the Mumbai terror attacks stand apart because of the sheer impact they had on the nation's psyche.

Pravin Talan, the man who was chosen for this sensitive shoot, is an internationally-acclaimed photographer, highly admired for his action shots, respect for the uniform and artistic interpretation of his subjects.

The soul of any Special Force is its commandos.

Pravin's insight into the training, functioning and capabilities of commandos from various forces made him a natural choice for this special 'photo operation'.

His respect for Black Cat Commandos of the NSG finds utterance in this piece of work. Most of the photos of the limited edition calendar were taken during various training missions.

"Sarvatra Sarvottam Suraksha, is the motto of NSG. The calendar has lived up to the high standards of the NSG and if you manage to get hold of one it will always be a prized possession," says Bhuvanesh C, an entrepreneur.

Renowned fashion photographer Pravin Talan, who feel in love with Indias security forces, has shot the NSG commandos for the calendar.

(The writer is an independent aerospace and defence journalist, who blogs at Tarmak007 and tweets @writetake.)
New Delhi: In a dark alleyway no wider than arm's length, a woman's shoe is all that remains on the boarded-up doorstep of Prabhu Dhandapani, his wife and their eight-year-old daughter.

Prabhu, 30, was one of around 50 residents of a refugee community in New Delhi who left the capital to attempt a 7,000-mile boat journey through some of the roughest waters in the world with the aim of landing illegally in New Zealand, relatives and police said.

He is now in custody in Kerala, while his wife and daughter are missing, along with everyone else who boarded the fishing boat that police say left Munambam harbour near Kochi on January 12 carrying more than 100 people.

The most likely and shortest route, though the straits between Indonesia and Australia, passes through seas where storms and typhoons are common.

More than a dozen relatives of passengers on board the boat, that include pregnant women and young children, told Reuters they left to escape chronic unemployment in the Madangir area on the south side of New Delhi.

People walk through a street at a residential area from where several people travelled illegally on a boat to New Zealand, in New Delh. Photo: REUTERS/Anushree Fadnavis

"They had to leave to find jobs, to eat," said Prabhu's mother, Sugana. "They have been promised work in New Zealand."

When asked if she knew where the country was, she shook her head.

It is the first known attempt by migrants to reach New Zealand by boat from India, and their story is a reminder of the vast challenge the country faces to create jobs for the 1 million young people who enter its workforce every month.

Boats have been setting out from South and Southeast Asia for Australia for a number of years but Indians making the trip have been relatively rare, based on Australian government statistics that show the largest numbers detained there to be asylum seekers from Iran and Afghanistan.

Long journey

Sugana, mother of Prabhu Dhandapani. Photo: REUTERS/Anushree Fadnavis

Passengers from Delhi left the capital in stages in December and early January. They checked into guest houses near Munambam, a busy fishing port.

They appear to have boarded the boat willingly, said a senior police official in Delhi briefed on the investigation. Their local police station in the capital had not received any missing persons' reports.

Precise numbers on the boat - and who organised it - are unknown. One officer from Kerala investigating the case said around 100 people were on board. A second said it could be more than 200, with the remaining passengers coming from Tamil Nadu. Police recovered more than 70 bags left behind by the migrants, said one of the officers, V G Ravindran.

"The bags are full of dry goods and clothes, suggesting they were preparing for a long journey," M J Sojan, the officer leading the investigation told Reuters. "The people and boat are missing somewhere in the sea."

Some passengers, including Prabhu, did not board the boat, and police traced several back to Madangir after finding identification documents in the bags left behind. He was detained by Kerala police less than 10 minutes after arriving back in Delhi, his mother said, and taken back to the state for questioning.

Sugana said she did not know why Prabhu did not board the boat with his wife, Anandi, and eight-year-old daughter Trisha. She said he was not involved in people smuggling.

Hard life

Many of the older residents of the Tamil community in Madangir fled Sri Lanka in 1983, when a civil war erupted between the majority Sinhalese Buddhist population and the minority Tamils, an ethnic group predominantly living in south India and north and east Sri Lanka.

They settled in the area, a few miles from India's parliament building and some of the country's most expensive real estate, but which has suffered from rampant unemployment, residents said.

A man looks on from a building at a residential area in Madangir. Photo: REUTERS/Anushree Fadnavis

"If we get the chance we will also go: this is a rotten place," said Kanaga Lingam, a Sri Lankan refugee whose son, K Raghu, boarded the boat with his wife and two sons.

There is anger too at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who came to power in 2014 promising to create millions of new jobs for India's young and rapidly expanding workforce.

In fact, the country lost as many as 11 million jobs last year, according to a report by the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) think-tank, putting Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party under pressure before a general election due by May.

While the official jobless rate is only 3.5 percent, the last comprehensive labour bureau survey was in 2015-16, and many unofficial estimates say it is much higher, especially if the underemployed, who only work for a few months a year or a few days a week, are counted.

Many of those in the Tamil enclave who do work do so as daily manual labourers, a poorly-paid and unstable living.

"If I am able I will go to Modi's house and beg at his feet to be allowed to go to another country," said a woman called Bumi, who goes by only one name.

"There are a hundred problems here. We have no jobs," said a 32-year-old man, who like many in the area declined to be named, fearing involvement in the police investigation into the boat.

Crime is also an issue in the area, primarily theft, the Delhi police official said.

The BJP disputes the CMIE figures on unemployment. On Thursday several cabinet ministers pointed to alternative figures from Naukri, an online jobs portal, showing a pick-up in employment over the last year.

Land of promise

Many of those Reuters spoke to in the community, centred around a rubble- and garbage-strewn courtyard and several densely populated alleyways, said those on board the boat had been inspired by stories of Indian migrants starting new lives abroad, particularly in Australia.

More than 600,000 Indians live in Australia, according to the latest government census, the vast majority of whom arrived legally. There are 155,000 in New Zealand.

The locked apartment belonging to Prabhu Dhandapani who was detained by police on the suspicion of being involved in illegally sending people to New Zealand on a boat, is seen at a residential area in New Delhi. Photo: REUTERS/Anushree Fadnavis

"People who go to Australia get put in camps for three months," Kanaga said. "After that they get given proper housing. Everything is taken care of."

But few of those on the boat had passports, according to several people with relatives on board, and the reality for those arriving illegally is very different.

If the boat lands in Australia or is intercepted by its border force on the way to New Zealand, those on board face being sent back to India, or to controversial camps in the South Pacific for long-term detention.

"If they don't have visas they would be unlawful maritime arrivals and as such they would be prevented from making an application for a further visa," said Melbourne-based migration lawyer David Harvey. "They would likely be diverted to an offshore processing centre."

New Zealand has seen fewer arrivals than Australia, although it now is also trying to warn off illegal migrants arriving by boat.

"Any attempt to reach New Zealand will put your life, and the lives of your family members, at great risk," said Stephen Vaughan, assistant general manager of the country's immigration department. "There is every chance you will drown at sea."

But in Madangir, residents say the warnings will do little to deter such journeys.

"We know about the dangers," Kanaga said. "But it is more dangerous to live here than it is to go.
New Delhi: The CBI Friday registered a new case against former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and others over alleged irregularities in land allocation and carried out searches at 30 locations in Delhi-NCR.

A team of officials arrived early morning at Hooda's residence in Rohtak, Haryana,. His son Deepinder Singh Hooda MP was also present in the house.

The former CM faces allegations of using his influence to allot a plot for Associated Journal Limited (AJL), the parent company of the National Herald newspaper.

The agency is tight-lipped about the details of the case as the search operation is underway.

'Raids aimed to stop Hooda from going to Jind poll rally'

Meanwhile, Congress MLA Kuldeep Sharma lambasted the BJP government and charged that the action was intended to stop the senior Congress leader from attending a poll rally to be held Friday in the run up to the Jind bypoll.

The bypoll, which has turned out to be a multi-cornered contest, will take place on January 28.

"The Jind byelection is going to take place and a poll rally is to be held today. It (CBI raid) was to happen and it was carried out with an intention of political ill will in order to influence the byelection," Sharma said while talking to reporters in Rohtak.

"The BJP government got this despicable act done in order to stop Hooda from going to the rally," alleged Sharma, who is MLA from Ganaur.

Hooda was to address the poll rally in favour of Congress nominee Randeep Singh Surjewala in Jind. The former Haryana chief minister, along with other senior leaders, have been campaigning for Surjewala for the crucial bypoll.

The Congress has fielded Jat leader and All India Congress Committee communication in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala, a sitting legislator from Kaithal. The ruling BJP has nominated Krishan Middha, son of INLD legislator Hari Chand Middha, whose death necessitated the bypoll.

The Indian National Lok Dal has fielded local Jat leader Umedh Singh Redhu, while the newly floated Jannayak Janta Party, a breakaway party from the Chautala family-led INLD, nominated political greenhorn Digvijay Singh Chautala.

Read more: Latest India news
New Delhi: Army Chief Gen. Bipin Rawat is among 19 senior army officials who have been conferred the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, the highest military medal awarded in recognition of peace-time services not relating to gallantry.

Almost all commanders who became army chief in the past four decades had been decorated with the award before their appointment to the top post, according to defence experts.

Fifteen lieutenant generals and three major generals have also been awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM).

The defence ministry also announced Kirti Chakra -- India's second highest peacetime gallantry award -- for Major Tushar Gauba from the Jat Regiment and Sowar Vijay Kumar ((posthumously)) from 22 Rashtriya Rifles.

Nine army men have been awarded Shaurya Chakra, the third highest peacetime gallantry award after the Ashoka Chakra and the Kirti Chakra.

Major Gauba has been given the award for displaying "unparallel bravery" while dealing with a group of terrorists along the Line of Control in Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir in May last year.

Army officials said he crawled up to 20 metres close to the terrorists under heavy firing and then lobbed a hand grenade. Showing utter disregard to his personal safety, he charged on the terrorists with his weapon.

"In close combat undeterred by the terrorists fire, he killed three militants. His act of unparallel bravery under heavy terrorist fire, tactical acumen and swift action resulted in elimination of three hardcore terrorists," said an Army official.

About Vijay Kumar, Army officials said he was deployed in Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir as part of "Operation Vijay Darsu" on August 2-3 last year.

During the operation, Kumar came under heavy fire from a group of heavily armed terrorists. However, despite being injured after killing one terrorist, he refused evacuation and went ahead to eliminate another in hand to hand combat.

He has been posthumously awarded the Kirti Chakra for displaying "indomitable raw courage and exemplary bravery beyond the call of duty".

The Shaurya Chakra awardees included Lieutenant Colonel Vikrant Prasher of 10 Parachute Regiment (Special Forces), Major Amit Kumar Dimri from 14 Rashtriya Rifles, Major Imliakum Keitzar from 4th Gorkha Rifles, Major Rohit Lingwal of 9th battalion, Parachute Regiment and Captain Abhay Sharma, first battalion, Parachute Regiment, according to the defence ministry.

Captain Abhinav Kumar Choudhary from 21 Rashtriya Rifles, Lance Naik Ayyub Ali from 9th battalion of Rashtriya Rifles, Sepoy Ajay Kumar, 42nd battalion of Rashtriya Rifles and Sapper Mahesh HN, 44th battalion of the Rashtriya Rifles also won the Shaurya Chakra.

Three lieutenant generals were chosen for Uttam Yudh Seva Medal while 32 army personnel have been conferred with Ati Vishisht Seva medal and nine with Yudh Seva medal.

According to the defence ministry, 103 Army personnel were awarded the Sena Medal (gallantry), 74 were given Vishisht Seva medal and 35 Army personnel were selected for Sena Medal (distinguished).
Machilipatnam (AP): A 40-year-old government schoolteacher was taken into custody for allegedly sexually assaulting an eight-year-old girl student at Agiripalli Elementary School in Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh.

On Tuesday evening, the victim complained to her mother of physical pain and told her about the incident. Doctors in Nuzvid provided first aid to the girl and referred her to Vijayawada Hospital for further treatment.

The victim's mother on Thursday lodged a complaint at Agiripalli Police Station, following which the accused, K Venkateswara Rao, was arrested.

"Rao is in our custody. The investigation is on," said Agiripalli sub-inspector V Esubu.

Cases under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) and SC and ST Atrocity Act have been registered against Rao.

"The accused has been suspended from service with immediate effect. A departmental inquiry into the incident has also been ordered," said district education officer M V Rajya Lakshmi.

Read more: Latest India news
Dubai: Manorama Mega Expo, which promises to shed light on the latest trends in education, employment and health, was inaugurated by Dubai Economic Council member Abdullah Salem Humaid Al Suwaidi on Friday. Visitors to the two-day expo at Bur Dubai Grand Excelsior Hotel can consult experts in education, employment and health fields. Entrance is free.

The expo also offers visitors an opportunity to write model entrance tests for engineering and medical courses as well as the civil service. M4Marry offers help for people looking to find a perfect life partner.

Prospective investors can gather information on stock markets from the Max Value Credit and Investment stall.

Health seminar on Friday

Dr TS Balashanmugam (chief consultant, PSG Hospitals) 4.30-5.15pm.

Dr Cyriac Pappachan (Lifeline Super Speciality Hospital, Adoor) 5.20-6.05pm.

Dr Roshan (director, Roshan Eye Care Hospital) 6.15-7pm.

Information on various fields of medicine, including facilities in Kerala hospitals will be available. Individual consultation is possible too.

On Saturday

John Punnoose (CEO, Muthoot Health Care) 4.30-5.15pm.

Jithu Jose (Senior Group General Manager, International Business) 5.20-6.05pm.

Dr Roshan (director, Roshan Eye Care Hospital) 6.15-7pm.

Dr Manu G Krishnan (nephrology specialist, Aster Hospital, Al Qusais) - 7pm

Education seminar on Friday

Fr Dr Jaison Mulerikkal (principal, Jyoti Engineering College, Cheruthuruthy, Thrissur) 4.00-5.00 pm.

Mohammad Iqbal (IITians Academy, Thrissur) 5.00-6.00 pm.

Career Guru BS Warrier (Career Guidance) 6.00 pm.

On Saturday

Dr C Sheela (vice principal, Federal Institute of Technology, Angamaly) 3.00-4.00 pm.

Dr P Sarin (executive director, IAS Hotspot, Thrissur) 4.00-5.00 pm.

Model exams

Medical/Engineering model exams will be held on Friday and Saturday.

Civil Service model exams.

A psychometric test to help students choose the best suitable fields of study and work will also be held. Remember to bring a smartphone along.

Finding the right partner

M4marry.com will also be at the expo, helping prospective brides and grooms find their ideal life partner. Attractive member packages are included. Phone: 052-4739947.
Thrissur: An RSS activist has been arrested for assaulting noted Malayalam film director Priyanandanan, who courted controversy over his social media remarks on women's entry at Sabarimala temple. The national award winning director was allegedly assaulted by BJP workers here on Friday.

Sarovar, a native of Vallachira in Thrissur was arrested from Kodungallur and taken to the Cherppu police station.

Priyanandanan's allegedly scandalous Facebook post had drawn flak from various quarters after which he had withdrawn it. The BJP had announced that it would file a case against the director for hurting religious sentiments.

He later put up another post stating, "I am home. Will not hide."

The miscreants allegedly poured cow dung mixed water (a purification ritual in Kerala) on him before thrashing him.

The director said he will file a police complaint. He was attacked on way to a shop near his house at Vallachira in Kerala's Thrissur district.

"It appears that this person was waiting for me. He came after me, hit me, poured cow dung water on me. All this happened around 9 a.m.



"Generally I take a walk on this particular route everyday around 7 a.m., but today I got delayed. This is not a one-man attack, there are others behind this," Priayanandanan said.

Condemning the attack, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said such attacks would not be tolerated as it was a direct attack on freedom of expression.



"This unholy act has taken place just because he made his point of view in the social media. Soon after his post came, he was under cyber attack. This will not be tolerated and appropriate action would be taken," he said.



Priyanandan, a known Left supporter, began his film career as an assistant director.

Priyanandanan's movie 'Pulijanmam' won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in 2006. His movie 'Bhakthajanangalude Sradhakku' starring popular actress Kavya Madhavan had won audience's praise. Some of his other movies are 'Neythukaran' (2001) and 'Sufi Paranja Katha' (2009).

Kerala had witnessed widespread protests after the Supreme Court allowed women of all age groups to enter the Lord Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala. Though several women attempted to enter the temple, they had to back off after frenzied protests. However, several people and outfits had come out in support of the SC's landmark judgment.

On January 2, 42-year old Bindu and Kanakadurga, 44, offered prayers at the Ayyappa temple, three months after the SC verdict, leading to widespread protests in the state.

Read more: Latest Kerala news
1. Yes. Its important to address the problem before it gets worse. A bond is needed.

2. Yes. Its fine, as long as the bond isnt too large. The city doesnt need more debt.

3. No. A bond issue would just put the problem back on the taxpayers. Not acceptable.

4. No. Certificates of obligation, targeting the worst roads, would be a better choice.

5. Unsure. Its hard to say without knowing the details of what a bond would entail.

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Kochi: Four policemen in civil clothes gave protection to two women of child-bearing age and accompanied them when they entered the Lord Ayyappa Temple in Sabarimala on January 2, the Kerala High Court was informed by a senior cop.

In view of security reasons, the two women - Bindu and Kanakadurga - were ushered into the temple through the gate meant for the Travancore Devaswom Board staff, and VIPs, Pathanamthitta Superintendent of Police T Narayanan told the court.

The policemen, who were on duty at Pamba, the foothills of Sabarimala, had accompanied the two women to the Sannidhanam on their request and they had entered the sanctum sanctorum through the temple door behind the 'Kodimaram' (flag pole), he said.

The submissions were made in an affidavit filed in response to a report by the court-appointed high-powered committee on Sabarimala.

The police took the women through that gate as they wanted to avoid any commotion at the holy 18 steps, leading to the shrine, in the light of protests, if any, by devotees and activists, the affidavit said.

The two women were 'wrongly restrained' by workers of Sabarimala Karma Samithi, the Achara Samrakshana Samithi and a political party when they attempted to trek the hill shrine on December 24 last year, it stated.

"In the said circumstances, it was obligatory on the part of the police to protect the life and liberty of these two women in their attempt to trek Sabarimala on January 2, which right was conferred on them by the judgment of the honourable Supreme Court," the affidavit added.

On January 2, the police assessed the security situation at Sabarimala, decided that it was 'conducive' for the women's trek to the shrine and accorded protection to the two.

"The police also decided to provide them cover in civil dress so as to avoid the attention of the protesters, if any, at Sabarimala. The entry of these two women to the Sabarimala temple was legal and it was in accordance with the dictum laid down by the honourable apex court," the affidavit stated.

The police were constitutionally obligated and statutorily bound to accord protection to the lives and liberties of the two women and they had acted accordingly, the SP said.

Giving a detailed account, he said on January 2, a total of 93,120 devotees had come to Sabarimala.

The two women, accompanied by the policemen, trekked to Sabarimala and reached the Sannidhanam at 3.52 am on that day.

They had a peaceful darshan and none of the devotees, who were at Sabarimala at that point, had any difficulty with the two women having a darshan and there were no protests either, the affidavit said.

The entry of the two women devotees into the Sabarimala temple by itself did not create any problem either at Sabarimala or anywhere else in Kerala, it added.

But attempts were made by certain right-wing outfits and a political party to breach the peaceful atmosphere that had prevailed in Sabarimala and in the state under the guise of protesting against the alleged breach of custom on account of the entry of the two women into the temple, the affidavit stated.

Troubles were fomented purposefully by right-wing elements for their political ends, it alleged.

The women visited Sabarimala, three months after the Supreme Court allowed women of all age groups to enter the hill shrine.

After video clips of the women entering the temple surfaced, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had confirmed that they had offered prayers at the shrine.

Kerala had witnessed violent protests in the aftermath of the women's entry into the temple.

The HC had on January 8 expressed concern over the then situation in Sabarimala and said the government should identify those who had an agenda to spoil the peaceful atmosphere at the shrine.

It had also wanted to know whether the two women, who had entered the temple on January 2, had any agenda.

Read more: Latest Sabarimala news


It was an uninhibited governor who addressed the Kerala Assembly on Friday to mark the start of the 14th session. If last year, Governor P Sathasivam refused to utter certain sentences critical of the Centre, this year he did not hold back. The governor roundly criticised the Centre for penalising the state for its gains. He virtually accused the Centre of persecuting the state.

It is rather unfortunate that the state has been penalised for achievements it made in various fields such as health, education and social well being, the governor said. As the state has progressed and achieved gains in these sectors, the Centre chose not to further aid these sectors, and the state is at a loss to understand the criteria with which the state is deprived of its rightful share in the amount earmarked for these sectors. Our gains should not be a reason for the losses that we currently have to bear, he added.

The governor was clearly referring to the terms of reference of the 15th Finance Commission which the state has been consistently arguing was loaded against high-achievers like Kerala. It was also notable that the governor raised the issue during this year's speech rather than last year when Kerala had taken the lead in mobilising especially south Indian states against the Terms of Reference (ToR) of the 15th FC.

Reluctant Modi basher

Last year, Sathasivam edited out sensitive portions in the written speech while delivering the address. The written text in 2018 had said: There has not been any instance of communal riot in our state despite the plotting by certain communal outfits. Sathasivam avoided the accusatory part "despite the plotting by certain communal outfits". This part of the sentence was seen as pointing fingers at the Sangh Parivar but Sathasivam made it seem as if he disapproved of the suggestion that there was a conspiracy to stoke communal tension.

But the sentence that came next, which had a strong reference to the Centres authoritarian ways, Sathasivam had avoided fully. The sentence said: We are also perturbed by the tendency of the central government to roughshod the best traditions of cooperative federalism by bypassing the state government and directly dealing with the district authorities. The governor left this part unread.

The sentence alluded to the state's resentment at the Centre's frequent attempts to encroach into the state's power. It had happened with demonetisation, especially the way Centre dealt with cooperative banks, and then with GST. This was then seen as the governor's refusal to criticise the demonetisation drive.

Silence on Sabarimala violence

On the other hand, this year's address did not make even a veiled attempt to pull up the Sangh Parivar outfits for Sabarimala related outfits. There was praise for the government but no admonishment for political opponents. My government has stood for gender equality, social justice and the dignity of the toiling masses. It has scaled further heights in ushering in an era of enlightenment by rekindling the lights of renaissance and inculcating a new sense of oneness in the minds of emerging generations, he said. About Sabarimala, the governor just said that it was the government's constitutional duty to uphold the Supreme Court verdict.

Compare this to last year's speech. Then Sathasivam had indirectly slammed the Sangh Parivar outfits for unleashing a spate of slander campaigns against the state. During the past one year, there have been slanderous attacks on the secular traditions of our state, doubts thrown at our social secular achievements and vilification of the law and order situation from various quarters, he had said.

Sathasivam ridiculed the hate campaign against the state. Despite being a state with some of the best law and order indices in the country, a month-long campaign was carried out across India on certain flimsy grounds by some communal outfits, he said and added: But the people of Kerala unitedly stood together to defend our traditions and achievements.

Madhav's hate campaign

Though he did not specifically name the 'communal outfits', it was clear who he was referring to. It was in October 2017 that BJPs general secretary Ram Madhav, a leader with strong links to the RSS, had said that the Left, especially the CPM, with clandestine support of state machinery has turned Kerala into a killing field and went berserk against the BJP-RSS workers and leaders. National TV channels had used Madhav's charge to vilify the state.

Misleading pictures were circulated on social media showing that Kerala was a land where cows were slaughtered in public. The campaign even saw Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who had to face the heat for child deaths in his constituency in Gorakhpur, coming down to Kerala and preaching the state about handling the Chikungunya epidemic.

Read more: Latest Kerala news
A doting father joined his daughter on stage to make her wedding day more special three years ago.

That father, Huygens Parakkal, is now knocking all legal doors for justice after his daughter Annliyas body was found floating in River Periyar in August 2018.

Annliya and her father duo had rendered 'Minnum minnaminunge...' from Mohanlal-starrer Oppam on the wedding day.

Huygens had moved heaven and earth to make his daughter's wedding a gala affair.

In the video, Annliya's husband Justine, who is accused of harassing his wife, is also seen.

Annliya, a nurse who wanted to do post-graduation and find a better job and life, was found dead in August, 2018. The cause of her death is yet to be ascertained.

Following her father's complaint to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, the investigation was recently handed over to the crime branch.

However, Annliya's diary reportedly offers some clues on the alleged harassment she had suffered at her husband's home.

Annliya was reported missing on August 25, 2018, by Justine.

According to Justine, he had dropped Annliya at Thrissur railway station and she had boarded the train for Bengaluru, where she was studying MSc.

Thrissur railway police had informed Annliyas parents, who were abroad at that time, about the missing complaint.

Justine had initially said that he had seen off Annliya at the railway station.

There was no trace of Annliya for three days. On August 28, the decomposed body of Annliya was found floating in Periyar near Aluva.

When her parents arrived in Kerala from abroad, the autopsy had been completed.

Justine and his family stayed away from the funeral. They did not even show Annliyas body to her eight-month-old baby.

Huygens has raised suspicions about the cause of death.

He wonders why Justine did not inform him that Annliya was missing before he filed a complaint.

Huygens had quit his job abroad to pursue the case.

Read more: Latest Kerala news
Irupathiyonnam Nootandu starring Pranav Mohanlal has hit the screens on Friday. Even before release, audience had been comparing the Pranav-starrer with the super hit film Irupatham Nootandu which had his dad Mohanlal and Suresh Gopi in the lead roles. While Mohanlal delivered a power packed performance in Irupatham Nootandu, Suresh Gopis performance as the antagonist was widely praised.

Now, the legacy of the movie has been continued through the next generation as well. Besides Pranav, Suresh Gopi's son Gokul Suresh too plays a cameo in the movie. Gokul spoke to Onmanorama about his role in the movie and his experiences while working in it.

Guest appearance

Gokul admitted that his role isnt a unique one. Not disclosing too much information about his character, the youngster, said that he had liked the character when the director Arun Gopy narrated it to him. It took just three days to complete the filming of his portions in the movie.

I am just three films old. The set of Irupathiyonnam Nottandu was so energetic and lively that it would stay fresh in my memories forever. I dont have any action sequences in the movie. However, I could feel a unique energy on the sets, observed Gokul.

I am not adamant that I would only play the lead roles. I have done a cameo in Irupathiyonnam Nootandu. I chosen the film because I thought that the role offered a scope for me to perform. Everyone would have a different stepping stone to the movies. It is the audience and the media which decide whether one should succeed in the industry or not. I have decided to head forward keeping that in mind, he said.

Next generation

It was speculated that Irupathuyonnam Nootandu was a sequel of Irupatham Nootandu, a gangster movie. Confirming that it isnt a sequel of Irupatham Nootandu, Gokul said, This is not a sequel. What can I say about Irupatham Nootandu in which Lal sir and my father had acted so well. I am not big enough to compare myself with them in any ways. So I cant say anything about next generation taking up their roles. They are such extraordinary artists, arent they?

On acting with Pranav

Gokul admits that he wasnt close to the filmy circle though his father was a big star. His father hardly used to take his family to award functions or other film events. The actor said that Suresh Gopi himself didnt attend such functions very often.

I am not personally very close to Pranav. Though we met each other on the sets of Aadhi, it was on this movies set that we could at least speak a bit. He is a simple person. We didnt talk about movies. We just had normal conversations that would have happened between two people. As I am a person who doesnt like to probe much into others personal spaces, I left Pranav alone in his own world, revealed the actor.

Not a big thing

The young actor believes that he hasnt made it big in the movies. I didnt begin my career with a big hit. Comparing myself with my father who has done exceptional roles, I think I have done nothing at all, observed Gokul. He said that earlier he could roam around at the malls without being recognised. Now that he is an actor, people recognize him and he thinks that his freedom ends there. Some people would come and talk to me. I would then tell them that I havent done anything big in the movies, Gokul said.

Marketing

Have you ever seen me promoting myself? asked Gokul. Even my father hasnt done anything like that for me. I do not believe in it. I was called up for this interview because I did this movie. I am aware that no one would seek me, other than a few people who are really close, if I take a break from the movies or I am out of it. It is as simple as that. So I believe that there is no point in self promotion, he said.

Fathers son

Gokul doesnt deem being Suresh Gopis son as a liability, in the industry. I am just like any other new comer in the industry. I decided to go forward when I was offered roles after my first film, noted Gokul.

Strong stand

When it comes to choice of characters, the youngster has strong stands and opinions. Not only that my character should be unique, it should excite me as well. We can understand how creatively inspired they are when we listen to the screenplay. Similarly, the making of the movie and its style should be unique. I value these two factors with great importance and respect, Gokul said

Beyond the movies

Gokul has completed BBA from the Christ University, Bengaluru. He did an internship at the prominent Le Meridian hotel in Kochi. He has worked as a front office and back office staff while doing his internship. It was during this time that the youngster realised that movies were his true calling. More than higher studies or a proper job, I was fascinated by the movies. I was never interested to study sitting in a classroom or do a job which matched my qualification. I realised that corporate job didnt suit me at all. A few movie offers came my way after my debut movie and I decided to grab it. I have decided to take up agriculture if I am out of the films. I used to draw earlier. But I dont do it often these days. I am someone who loves to spend my time in the house itself. I enjoy watching movies. I dont mind the language or the genre of the movie; I would at least watch two movies a day whenever I am at home, revealed the actor.

Future projects

Gokul Suresh plays the supporting role in the movie directed by Madhav Ramdas, starring Guiness Pakru in the lead role. He is playing the lead role in Sayahna Varthakal, which also stars Dhyan Sreenivasan and Aju Varghese.
Roger Stone, U.S. President Donald Trumps longtime ally and presidential campaign adviser, was arrested on Friday, charged with obstruction, witness tampering and making false statements, according to a grand jury indictment made public by U.S. Special Counsel Robert Muellers office, Trend reports referring to Reuters.

Stone, who has repeatedly said in interviews that he was likely to be indicted, is scheduled to appear at the federal courthouse in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, later on Friday, Muellers office said.

Stone has faced scrutiny for his support for Trump during the 2016 presidential campaign, when he implied he had access to information obtained by hackers that could embarrass Democrats, including Trumps rival for the White House, Hillary Clinton.

A lawyer for Stone did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Stone had previously denied to Reuters that he had engaged in any criminal wrongdoing. WikiLeaks did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

This has been rumored to be coming down for several months, so Roger and his legal team are ready to fight these charges in court, Michael Caputo, a longtime Stone associate and former Trump campaign adviser, told Reuters. They cant prove collusion or conspiracy because it doesnt exist, so theyre going after him personally. He will be vindicated.

Stone, who was indicted on Thursday, faces one count of obstruction of an official proceeding, five counts of making false statements and one count of witness tampering, according to the Special Counsels Office.

CNN, in video of the arrest, showed a heavily armed FBI team taking Stone away from his home in the dark just before 6 a.m. EST (11 am GMT) on Friday and Stone surrendering without any issue.

According to the indictment, Stone had talked to senior Trump campaign officials about what was called Organization 1, and information it might have had that would be damaging to the Clinton Campaign.

Organization 1 matches descriptions of Wikileaks, which is dedicated to publishing secret and classified information provided by anonymous sources.

Stone, 66, was also contacted by senior Trump campaign officials to inquire about future releases by Organization 1, according to the indictment.

Additionally, Stone took steps to obstruct investigations by intelligence committees in the House of Representatives and Senate into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, prosecutors said.

Stone had sent and received numerous emails and text messages during the 2016 campaign in which he discussed Organization 1, its head, and its possession of hacked emails.

Stone still possessed many of those communications when he gave false testimony about them, prosecutors said in the indictment.

He also tried to persuade a witness to provide false testimony and withhold information from the congressional investigations, the indictment said.

Senator Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, had no immediate comment, according to an aide. Representatives for the heads of the two congressional committees that interviewed Stone could not be immediately reached.

U.S. prosecutors pointed to two other individuals, including an unnamed political commentator with an online publication who regularly spoke with Trump throughout the campaign, a description that matches Jerome Corsi. They also described a radio host who Stone had known for more than 10 years, which matches the profile of Randy Credico.

A self-described agent provocateur of the American right and Republican veteran of Washington and New York City politics, Stone has a tattoo of the face of late president Richard Nixon on his back. His political career began with the Nixon presidential campaign in 1972.

Corsi declined to comment and Credico did not immediately respond to request for comment. White House officials could not be immediately reached.
Lawyers for President Donald Trumps former campaign chairman Paul Manafort will try to convince a U.S. judge on Friday their client did not breach his plea agreement with Special Counsel Robert Mueller in a hearing that could lead to a longer prison sentence, Trend reports referring to Reuters.

Muellers office in November accused Manafort of violating his agreement to cooperate with the special counsels investigation into Russias role in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

The special counsel said Manafort, 69, repeatedly lied to federal investigators on at least five different subjects ranging from his contacts with Trump administration officials in 2018 to his interactions with his former business partner in Ukraine Konstantin Kilimnik, who Muellers office has said has ties to Russian intelligence.

The hearing gives Manaforts attorneys a chance to persuade U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson that the veteran political consultant, who earned millions of dollars in work for Ukraines former pro-Russia president, did not breach the plea arrangement. If Jackson finds he did, Manafort could face a much steeper prison term.

Manaforts attorneys in a court filing on Wednesday said he had difficulty recalling certain facts and events, but did not intentionally provide false information to the special counsel. Jackson ordered Manafort to attend the high-stakes hearing, denying his request to skip it, but ruled he can wear a suit, rather than a prison uniform.

Some of the details about Muellers accusations about Manaforts lying were made public inadvertently by his defense lawyers in a Jan. 8 court filing. Prosecutors said Manafort lied about sharing election polling data with Kilimnik, about his discussions with Kilimnik concerning a Ukrainian peace plan and about a meeting the two had in Madrid.

Kilimnik, who has denied ties to Russian intelligence, was indicted by Mueller in June 2018 on obstruction of justice charges.

Manafort pleaded guilty in September 2018 in a federal court in Washington to attempted witness tapering and conspiring against the United States, a charge covering conduct including money laundering and unregistered lobbying. He was convicted separately by a jury in Alexandria, Virginia in August 2018 of bank and tax fraud in a parallel case also brought by Mueller.

The Virginia case alone could bring Manafort up to 10 years in prison for the eight guilty counts, according to sentencing experts. Sentencing in that case is scheduled for Feb. 8.

Mueller, a former FBI director, is investigating whether Trumps campaign conspired with Moscow and whether the president unlawfully sought to obstruct the probe. Russia has denied election interference. Trump has denied collusion with Moscow.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 25

By Rufiz Hafizoglu - Trend:

Turkey will not conduct a dialogue at the high level with Syria, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, Trend reports referring to the Turkish media.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is responsible for the death of about one million innocent people, he said.

Commenting on the possible beginning of new anti-terrorist operations in northern Syria, Erdogan stressed that the local population in Syrias Raqqa and Manbij cities is waiting for the Turkish People's Liberation Army.

President Erdogan also stressed that the creation of a security zone in northern Syria is very important for Turkey.

The security zone in northern Syria consists of an area of 32 kilometers and a length of 460 kilometers along the Syrian-Turkish border.

In case of the creation of this zone, it will be divided into two parts, the first part will start from the Iraqi-Syrian border and will be extended to the Syrian city of Qamishli, because the Syrian government forces control this city.

The second part of the security zone will start from Qamishli and will be extended to Jarabulus city, which was liberated from the terrorists of the Islamic State (IS) as part of the Operation Euphrates Shield conducted by the Turkish Armed Forces in 2016.

Manbij city, where Turkey had previously intended to conduct new anti-terrorist operations, will not be a part of the security zone.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu
Russian company Kosmokurs (Cosmocourse) that is developing a ship for private suborbital flights, plans to build a spaceport in Central Russia, General Director of the organization Pavel Pushkin told TASS, Trend reports.

"At the moment we are considering a cosmodrome in the territory of the central part of Russia. We are actively negotiating with several regions about locating the spaceport there. For the time being we dont say what regions they are," Pushkin noted.

According to him, the road from Moscow to the facility would take under two hours. "For us, a small compact cosmodrome will be constructed, in a place that you can reach from Moscow in an hour or two by plane," he said.

Earlier, the company was offered two sites on the territory of the Baikonur Cosmodrome for construction. However, this idea was abandoned because it is far from Moscow.

Earlier it was reported that Kosmokurs (Cosmocourse) was developing a reusable complex for suborbital commercial flights for tourists. It is assumed that a crew of six people and one instructor would make a 15-minute journey to an altitude of 200 km. The first flight is scheduled for 2025.
Brazilian police arrested Beto Richa, former governor of the southern state of Parana, on Friday in a corruption investigation into contracts with the private sector, Trend reports citing Xinhua.

Richa was arrested under an order of preventive prison, meaning that he will remain behind bars for an undetermined length of time.

The preventive prison is a legal procedure used when the accused poses a risk of flight or when it is believed they might try to interfere with ongoing investigations or threaten witnesses.

The arrest was ordered as part of an investigation conducted by Federal Police, which uncovered a corruption scheme at the concession of state highways to private companies.

According to the authorities, Richa is under investigation for corruption, money laundering and criminal associations.

It is not the first time Richa is arrested amid investigations of corruption.

In Sept. 2018, he spent four days in jail until the Supreme Court ordered his release. At that time, Richa had left Parana state's government and was running for the Senate. He was not elected.
Australian Finance Minister Mathias Cormann said on Friday both the United States and China would benefit from resolving their trade dispute as soon as possible, and he was hopeful the worlds two largest economies would reach a win-win situation, Trend reports referring to Reuters.

Cormann told Reuters TV at the World Economic Forum in Davos that he was encouraged by the progress that the two countries leaders made at the Group of 20 nations meeting in Argentina at the end of November.

U.S. President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping agreed to a 90-day truce in their trade war, including no escalation of tariffs on Jan. 1 as previously threatened, while the two countries continue negotiations for a deal.
Swindlers list

The promise of a serious probe devoid of any strategy is frustratingly familiar
Hamas has sent a warning to Israel that it will respond forcefully and immediately to any attack on the Gaza Strip, a Lebanese newspaper reported Friday, Trend reports referring to The Times of Israel.

Quoting an unnamed source in the Gaza-ruling terror group, the Al-Akhbar daily also said Hamas refused to accept aid money from Qatar as Israel put new conditions on its transfer, according to Hebrew media reports.

The source said these conditions included Israels objection to using the $15 million in Qatari funds to pay the salaries of a number of top Hamas members.

Hamas rejection of the money from Qatar has stoked fears in Israel of renewed violence on the Gaza border, which has seen large-scale weekly clashes since last year and periodic flareups between the Israeli military and Palestinian terror organizations.

Israel had temporarily held up the transfer of the Qatari aid following a pair of shooting attacks on the border Tuesday but on Thursday gave its approval. Hamas announced shortly after it would not take the funds, accusing Israel of violating a ceasefire agreement.

According to Al-Akhbar, Qatars envoy to Gaza Mohammed Al-Emadi told Hamas that Israel was on standby in case of a military conflict with armed groups in Gaza. The daily said Hamas, for its part, warned its response would be larger than a massive exchange of fire between the sides in November that saw the largest number of rockets shot toward Israel since the 2014 Gaza war.

That round of violence came after a botched special forces operation in the Strip which saw an Israeli commando and at least seven Hamas fighters die in the ensuing firefights.

In light of the renewed tensions on the border, the Israeli military on Thursday began beefing up its troop presence near Gaza. It also deployed Iron Dome missile defense batteries in the Tel Aviv metropolitan area and in the south as a precautionary measure against potential attack from either the Gaza Strip or from the north, where the security situation has also been increasingly precarious.

Defense officials reportedly fear that the Iran-backed Islamic Jihad terror group could fire a longer-range missile from Gaza into Israels densely populated heartland.

Israeli officials are also worried that fighters in the Strip could carry out cross-border shooting attacks, either with light arms or anti-tank missiles, the Ynet news website reported. Some roads near the Gaza fence are expected to be closed off Friday.

If no agreement is reached, the chances for violence along the border tomorrow afternoon are high, a Gazan source told Ynet.

Under the unofficial ceasefire arrangement between Israel and Hamas, Doha has agreed to transfer a total of $90 million to Gaza in monthly installments of $15 million. The group received the funds, in $100 bills, in November and December.

The money, $10 million of which goes to Hamas civil servants and the rest to needy residents in the Strip, was seen by defense analysts as key to calming tensions between Israel and the Palestinian enclave, which has seen regular violence along the border over the past 10 months.

According to reports, Hamas had been trying to calm the situation after the Tuesday flareup to allow the money through, but the use of the cash as a carrot had increased pressure on the group to reject it and take a harder line toward Israel.

Since March, Palestinians have been holding regular protests on the border. Israel has accused Gazas Hamas rulers of using the demonstrations as a cover for attacks on troops and attempts to breach the security fence.

Over 200 Palestinians have been killed and thousands more injured along the Gaza border by Israeli troops since March, according to statistics from the United Nations and the Strips Hamas-run health ministry. Hamas has claimed many of the dead as its members.

An IDF soldier was shot dead by a Palestinian sniper in July during a riot along the security fence. A Palestinian man living in Israel was also killed by a rocket attack from the Gaza Strip in November.
Israel approved the transfer of $15 million in Qatari money to the Gaza Strip on Thursday, a source in Jerusalem said, but Hamas rejected the money. The money is the third installment of a series of payments aimed at keeping Gaza from collapsing, Trend reports referring to Ynet.

Israel decided to approve the Qatari money after lengthy discussions throughout Thursday. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu supported the decision, despite Tuesday evening's violent flare-up between protesters and IDF troops at the border fence between Israel and Gaza. The Qatari money is used to pay Hamas civil servants salaries, provide financial support for the needy and finance $10 million worth of diesel fuel for Gazas power station.

After Israel approved the transfer, however, Hamas decided to refuse the money. Speaking at a press conference in the Gaza Strip, Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya said the organization had spoken to Mohammed al-Emadi, the head of Qatar's Gaza Strip Reconstruction Committee, and explained their position.

Al-Emadi understood why we decided to reject the funds rather than accept them under the terms decided by Israel. Gaza will not be subject to extortion by Israeli election theater, al-Hayya said, referring to the upcoming elections in Israel.

The transfer of the Qatari funds was halted after violence broke out at the Strips border on Tuesday. An IDF Paratroopers officer was lightly wounded by Palestinian gunfire, which was followed by an IAF strike on Hamas military positions in northern Gaza.

Palestinian sources confirm that al-Emadi entered Gaza on Wednesday through the Erez crosspoint, but arrived without the funds.
Queen Elizabeth has sent a delicately coded message to Britains factious political class over Brexit, urging lawmakers to seek common ground and grasp the big picture to resolve the crisis, Trend reports referring to Reuters.

With the clock ticking down to March 29, the date set in law for Britain to leave the European Union, the United Kingdom is in the deepest political crisis in half a century as it grapples with how, or even whether, to exit the European project it joined in 1973.

While Elizabeth, 92, did not mention Brexit explicitly in an annual speech to her local Womens Institute in Norfolk, the monarch said every generation faced fresh challenges and opportunities.

As we look for new answers in the modern age, I for one prefer the tried and tested recipes, like speaking well of each other and respecting different points of view; coming together to seek out the common ground; and never losing sight of the bigger picture, the queen said.

Though steeped in the conventional language the queen has made her hallmark, the remarks in the context of Britains crisis are a signal to politicians to sort out the turmoil that has pushed the worlds fifth largest economy to the brink.

Shes been a gold standard monarch for very nearly 67 years now and this is a particularly gilt-edged moment, I think its very important what she said and how she said it, historian Peter Hennessy said.

Buckingham Palace declined to comment though the British media was clear about the significance of her remarks. The Times headline read: End Brexit feud, Queen tells warring politicians.

As head of state, the queen remains neutral on politics in public and is unable to vote, though ahead of the 2014 referendum on Scottish independence she made a delicately crafted plea for Scots to think carefully about their future.
At least 133 people were detained by the Greek police for the riots that happened on Thursday evening at the Greek parliament during a mass rally against the Athens agreement with Skopje to rename Macedonia, Naftemporiki newspaper wrote on Friday with reference to law enforcement agencies, Trend reports referring to TASS.

According to the newspaper, the Greek police detained 133 people in the area of the central metropolitan Syntagma square, 10 of whom were subsequently arrested for participating in clashes.

The organizers of the protest announced that it would be necessary to continue the struggle and to come to a new meeting on Friday at 11:00 to the parliament. As expected, on Friday afternoon in the parliament will pass a vote on an agreement with Skopje.

On June 17, 2018, the Macedonian and Greek top diplomats signed the Prespa Agreement stipulating that the former Yugoslav republic would change its name to the Republic of North Macedonia. Once the Macedonian parliament approves constitutional amendments making sure that the country abandons its irredentist claims, the Agreement will be submitted to the Greek parliament for ratification.

The document was supposed not only to resolve the years-long dispute with Athens but will also to allow Skopje to officially launch the process of joining NATO and the European Union.

On January 19, the agreement was submitted for consideration and ratification to the Greek Parliament.

On Monday and Tuesday, the discussion of the document took place in the relevant committee of the main legislative body of Greece, and on Wednesday and Thursday the debate was held in plenary session. The Greek government hoped that it would be able to enlist votes from 151 to 155 deputies to ratify the Prespa Agreement in the 300-seat unicameral parliament of the country.
Carrying colourful signs wth slogans in English, French, and Dutch, over 30,000 students streamed through the streets of Brussels on Thursday for the third consecutive week of protests against climate change, Trend reports referring to Euronews.

The demonstrations were inspired by the actions of Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, 16, who took a stand against global warming in August 2018 and has since then become a symbol of youth engagement on environmental issues.

Her actions have trickled down inspiring youth all over Europe to take to the streets: last Friday, more than 60,000 students across the continent, with large groups convening in Germany, Belgium and Switzerland, protested calling for more government action to slow down climate change.

Thunberg herself was expected to show up for a student march on Friday in Davos, Switzerland, where world leaders, entrepreneurs, and business people are gathered for the 2019 edition of the World Economic Forum. The 16-year-old activist travelled to Switzerland by train to hammer home her environmentalist message, before she addressed the elite in Davos via video message.

Some people  some companies and decision-makers in particular  have known exactly what priceless values they are sacrificing to continue making unimaginable amounts of money, Thunberg said. She then made an appeal to World Economic Forum attendees: "I ask you to stand on the right side of history. I ask you to pledge to do everything in your power to push your own business or government in line with a 1.5C world."

As Greta threw down the gauntlet in Davos, sleeping in a tent among other forms of protest, young people in Belgiam also decided to challenge institutions by skipping school to attend a march for the climate in Brussels.

In October 2018, the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warned that world leaders have only 12 years left to take urgent and unprecedented action in order to keep global temperatures to a maximum of 1.5C above pre-industrial levels. A steeper increase in temperature would mean extreme heat and poverty for hundreds of millions of people across the globe as well as increased risks of droughts and floods.

"We want the government to take action and create a cleaner world. We're showing the big politicians in Belgium that we're afraid for our future and that we're going to have to deal with all the problems climate change brings along", a young Belgian student called Oona told Euronews after taking part in the Brussels march.

"It's not about paying for our plastic bags or changing our toothbrushes to wooden ones: we need them to realize that the world is falling apart and there won't be anything left if we keep producing, eating meat, cutting down trees, driving cars at this speed", Oona added.

"We have one message: clean the planet for the future!" Cody Corthouts, 19, told The Cube. Fleur, 17, who also marched through the streets of Brussels and past the European Parliament, was positive about the success that the event has had: "I'm really happy that the Belgian youth took the initiative on this matter."

Some young protesters carried witty placards with slogans like "We're hotter than the climate" and "Change the system, not the climate". Others presented consequences of rising global temperatures: "Without Earth, there's going to be no more beer," one sign read.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel will make a two-day visit to Japan early next month for talks with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the Japanese government said Friday, Trend reports citing Japanese media.

During her visit from Feb. 4, Merkel is also expected to meet with Japanese Emperor Akihito, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said in a press conference.

"We hope the chancellor's visit will send a message that Japan and Germany will actively contribute to the rule-based prosperity of the global economy and further deepen bilateral cooperation and relations of trust," the top government spokesman said.

Merkel's upcoming Japan visit will be her fifth after taking office in 2005. Her last visit was in 2016 when she attended the summit of Group of Seven industrialized nations in Ise-Shima in the central prefecture of Mie.
The German government has approved the export to Qatar of four RAM naval missile systems developed by Germany and the United States, Economy Minister Peter Altmaier told lawmakers in a letter seen by Reuters, Trend reports citing Channel NewsAsia.

The Jan. 23 letter did not provide the value of the deal, citing a 2014 court ruling that exempts such disclosures if it could harm companies' ability to compete.

Approval of the sale comes amid a halt in all weapons sales to Qatar's rival Saudi Arabia imposed by Berlin after the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

RAM is a ship-based rolling airframe missile that protects naval vessels against missiles, aircraft, helicopters and other ships. The sale also includes 85 dual-mode radar and infrared seekers that guide the missile into its target.

The RAM system is manufactured and marketed by RAM-System GmBH, a joint venture of Germany's Diehl and European missile maker MBDA, and U.S. arms maker Raytheon Co. MBDA is jointly owned by Airbus, Britain's BAE Systems and Italy's Leonardo.

The missile system will be exported to Qatar via Italy, while the seekers will be exported through the United States, Altmaier said in his letter.

Klaus Ernst, a member of the radical Left opposition party, blasted the German government's decision, given continued concerns about security and human rights in the Gulf region.

"It is irresponsible of the German government to continue to approve arms sales to crisis regions," Ernst said.

Germany last year announced plans to expand ties with Qatar, which pledged to invest 10 billion euros in the German economy.

The RND newspaper chain, which first reported the latest arms sale to Qatar, said the RAM system had previously been sold by Germany to Egypt, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates.

Read more at https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/world/germany-approves-export-of-weapons-systems-to-qatar-11163374
U.S. billionaire George Soros criticism of Chinese President Xi Jinping was meaningless, Chinas foreign ministry said on Friday, after the investor and philanthropist called Xi the worlds most dangerous opponent of open society, Trend reports referring to South China Morning Post.

Soros, who promotes liberal causes through his charities, said during a speech on Thursday at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, that China was the wealthiest, strongest and technologically most advanced authoritarian regime in the world.

This makes Xi Jinping the most dangerous opponent of open societies, Soros said.

Foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying, asked about the comments, said remarks by some individuals that invert right and wrong were meaningless and not worth refuting.

We hope the relevant American can correct his attitude, not be shortsighted, and hold an objective, rational and correct opinion of Chinas development, Hua told reporters at a regular briefing.

Xi has presided over a crackdown on dissent since coming to power in 2012, with hundreds of rights lawyers and activists detained. Dozens have been jailed.

Soros said Xi was wielding Chinese technology companies to develop artificial intelligence and a nascent social credit system that would allow Chinas one-party state to reign supreme.

He said U.S. President Donald Trump should drop trade disputes with other countries and focus on China, while cracking down on Chinese technology firms, such as Huawei Technologies Co Ltd [HWT.UL] and ZTE Corp, which could be used to assert authoritarian control.

China has said it would create a social credit system by 2020 to reward or punish individuals and corporations, using technology to record various measures of financial credit, personal behavior and corporate misdeeds.

The systems rollout has attracted international headlines, sparking comparisons to George Orwells novel Nineteen Eighty-Four, with critics saying it could massively increase the ruling Communist Partys already strict control.

Some experts say the system remains in its early stages and could help tackle social problems like fraud or food security.

The U.S. government under Trump has pursued a strategy to counter what it sees as Chinas growing threat to U.S. economic competitiveness and security.

That includes tariffs on billions of dollars worth of Chinese goods, based on U.S. findings that it is misappropriating U.S. intellectual property through forced technology transfers and other means.

A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers recently introduced bills that would ban the sale of U.S. chips or other components to Huawei, ZTE, or other Chinese telecommunications companies that violate U.S. sanctions or export control laws.

ZTE and Huawei are viewed with suspicion in the United States because of fears their switches and other gear could be used to spy on Americans.

China has called the legislation hysteria and denies U.S. accusations of trade abuses.
The creation of a bond swap facility has moved China one step closer to full on quantitative easing (QE), analysts have said, Trend reports referring to South China Morning Post.

The Peoples Bank of China (PBOC) unveiled its bill swap mechanism on Thursday evening, the latest in its efforts to counter the double-headed assault of a trade war with the United States and a broad-based economic slowdown at home.

This will allow holders to swap commercial bank perpetual debt - that is, debt without a maturity date  for central bank bills to be used for borrowing collateral.

A PBOC statement said this will increase the financing support for the real economy.

Immediately after the launch, the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission eased restrictions on insurers looking to invest in perpetual debt.

It is essentially Chinese version of QE and a sort of required reserve ratio cut based on the medium-lending facilities collateral expansion, Hua Changchun, chief economist at Guotai Junan Securities, wrote in a research note.

Other analysts agreed that easing - a mechanism for central banks to buy government debt to boost the money supply - is imminent.

For sure the easing is on the way. We can see it in terms of different measures taken and the mandate given in the statement of the Central Economic Work Conference, said Louis Kuijs, head of Asia at Oxford Economics, saying that the PBOCs actions closely resemble the European manner of QE

Others fear that this sort of action might spook markets into thinking the floodgates of stimulus had been thrust open.

Ding Shuang, chief Greater China economist of Standard Chartered Bank, said banks capital constraint is just an area that the central bank tries to improve the policy transmission mechanism.

There are already lots of liquidity in the market. Further easing would give the impression of an all-out stimulus, he said.

More than 40 large banks, including the five largest state banks and 12 national joint-stock commercial banks, will be eligible for the bond swap programme.

The aim is to provide more credit to the real economy, via the banking system, but whether banks are willing to on-lend the capital to companies is another matter.

Analysts expect more activity from the PBOC very soon.

We believe the central bank may lower the benchmark lending rates in the middle of this year. It will go further in terms of credit risk mitigation tools, and possibly buy Treasury bonds, local government bonds, financial bonds or even corporate bond directly, Hua said.

This is the latest in a line of growth boosting measures undertaken by the PBOC in recent days and weeks, designed to give a shot in the arm to the ailing economy, which grew at 6.6 per cent in 2018, the lowest rate for 28 years.

On Wednesday, meanwhile, the central bank unveiled a targeted medium-term lending facility, aimed at injecting 257.5 billion yuan into the market.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang is due to release this years growth target in his government work report to the National Peoples Congress on March 5.

The market expects targeted growth of between 6.0 and 6.5 per cent for 2019.
Tunisia is keen to develop joint projects with Russia in such areas as aeronautic and automobile industries, Ambassador to Russia Mohamed Ali Chihi told TASS prior to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrovs visit to the country, Trend reports referring to TASS.

"We have to recognize that bilateral relations are still below expectations and existing potentialities and we hope that these recent endeavors will allow to diversify and enhance cooperation in many fields such as automobile and aeronautic industry, agricultural machinery, technology, education," the diplomat said.

He added that the two countries have achieved major progress in the tourism field. "There are also attempts to develop cooperation in the agro-alimentary, textile and clothing sectors," he noted.

Lavrov is visiting the Maghreb states - Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia - as part of a tour on January 23-26.
Supporters of Dr KC, police clash in New Baneshwor (In photos)

Supporters of Dr Govinda KC, who has been staging an indefinite hunger strike seeking reforms in country's medical education and health sector, and police personnel clashed in New Baneshwor on Friday.
Saudi Minister of Economy and Planning Mohammed al-Tuwaijri expected the Saudi economic growth to reach 2.6 percent this year, Trend reports referring to Al Arabiya.

On the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, the Saudi minister told Al Arabiya on Thursday that the non-oil sector will grow by 2.4 percent in 2019.

The minister added: We care to increase the local content and provide jobs when looking into the economic growth and this is one of the main objectives of Vision 2030, from the privatization program to the industry program that will be launched on Monday, including other programs, al-Tuwaijri said.

He added: We launched four privatization projects in 2019, 100 percent funded by the private sector which is the beginning of the first privatization of the rest of the sectors.



As for the funding needs of the Kingdom for 2019, al-Tuwaijri pointed out that more than 50% of the buyers of the last international bonds were from Europe and America.

He said: What is important to us is to diversify the investor base in these bonds. The bond financing plan serves the Saudi budget primarily, but also aims to look at the ratio to the GDP.

When asked about the Kingdoms plans to raise $32 billion in domestic and international bonds in 2019, he said: The market will determine the timing of these proposals, so that the balance of local and international bonds will serve the price and the credit rating.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 25

By Azer Ahmadbayli  Trend:

I spent four and a half years in the Arab countries during the 80s of the last century, and often, given my eastern appearance, I heard from the Arabs a question: are you a Muslim? But never has anyone ever asked me if I was a Sunni or a Shia. Moreover, when I tried to talk about the split of Muslims into factions (purely historically, not politically), I came across an absolute calm and even indifference of Iraqis, Libyans and others to this topic.

Looking back at the history, I was convinced that during the 20th century there were almost no obvious manifestations of discord between Sunnis and Shiites.

What happened at the beginning of the 21st century? Why, after years of peaceful coexistence, the sleeping differences between Sunnis and Shiites suddenly took on a terrible and bloody form?

After all, before IS became a monster, we simply saw a trivial fight for power  just the same as it happened 14 centuries ago in the same place.

Here are a couple of examples that make one wonder if it is really all about religion.

The Iraqi King Faisal II was killed by an insurgent crowd - containing both Sunnis and Shiites - which wasnt at all impressed that the king belonged to the Hashemite dynasty, the direct descendants of the prophet Muhammad.

Another example: the main Shiite figure of Iran, Spiritual Leader Ayatollah Khamenei called the events of the "Arab Spring" in Egypt the "Islamic revolution" against Mubarak, who cooperated with the US and Israel, while one of the main Sunni leaders, the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia called the anti-regime protests in Egypt "a conspiracy of the enemies of Islam and those who support them."

Spiritual leaders believe that those events are somehow connected with the Muslim religion. I assume it may be a revolution or a conspiracy, but it is not Islamic.

In 1954, the British Ambassador in Baghdad, John Troutbeck, warned London in the cipher telegrams about peoples growing indignation due to corruption and greed of the ruling elites, the difficult living conditions of the poor, lack of opportunities for young people for a successful career after graduation

In 2019, protesters in Basra, southern Iraq, took to the streets again against the corruption of Iraqi officials, the collapse of the city's water and other life support systems, and unemployment. The protests escalated into violence, ME media outlets report.

Arab countries are facing an urgent need for a plan to fight poverty in light of the worlds changing balances of economic powers, Mahmoud Mohieldin, senior vice president of the World Bank Group, who addressed a meeting of the Arab League in Beirut, Lebanon, said last week, stating that the Arab countries recorded the highest unemployment rates in the world, Middleeastmonitor reported on January 21.

Unconscious desire of corrupt elites and clerics to retain their power or expand its boundaries and get even greater wealth - isn't this one of the main reasons for discord?
Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 25

By Matanat Nasibova  Trend:

The Davos meeting of the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and the Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan primarily showed that, at this stage, the Armenian government lacks a clear political line when it comes to the negotiation process of the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Evgeny Mikhailov, famous Russian TV host and expert in international issues told Trend.

An informal meeting between President Ilham Aliyev and Nikol Pashinyan took place on January 22 during the Davos World Economic Forum.

"It is evident that Ilham Aliyev seemed more confident and came forward with a more comprehensive resolution plan than Nikol Pashinyan. This fact indicates that Pashinyan doesn't have much of a choice, especially in light of recent comments by the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs on the need to take measures to prepare the population of the conflicting sides to peace. Accordingly, I dare to suggest that the Davos meeting is the beginning of a real resolution of the Karabakh conflict," the expert said.

Mikhailov noted that he considers it far from being a coincidence that there was a criticism of Pashinyan in multiple media outlets, as well as hints at him ostensibly giving up.

"Clearly, Russia is also putting maximum effort now to help Baku, as the Russophobic sentiments in Yerevan are only gaining momentum," said Mikhailov.

The meeting in Davos was preceded by talks between the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia on January 16 in Paris with the mediation of the OSCE Minsk Group, which were positively assessed by the international community, including officials of the European Union, the UN, as well as statements on supporting the formation of trust mechanisms between the conflicting sides.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts.

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Follow the author on Twitter: @MatanatNasibova
Tehran, Iran, Jan.25

Trend:

The Pakistani government has decided to build a joint market with Iran on the Taftan border, Trend reports citing IRNA.

The officials at the Taftan border zone said a commercial gateway between Pakistan and Iran, near the joint borderline, is being established.

According to sources, an agreement was reached at the recent joint meeting of the Iran-Pakistan border commission on the establishment of this market.

Earlier this year, the Islamic Republic of Iran's Consulate General in Pakistan's Quetta announced that the free economic zone of the two countries will soon be opened in the Mirajaveh area (Iran).

Iran's Consulate General in Quetta, Mohammad Rafiei, called for the establishment of this zone to facilitate trade between the two countries and prevent smuggling of goods.

According to statistics, Iran's exports to Pakistan reached $860 million in the eight months of this Iranian year (started on March21, 2018), making Pakistan the seventh biggest market for Iranian goods.
Tehran, Iran, Jan.25

Trend:

Iranian Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance Farhad Dejpasand said that the country's economic development needs a collective intellect and network of thought.

"Today's economic conditions of Iran are not sufficient to reach out to targets, so we need to provide scientific solutions," he said during the meeting in Hormozgan University, Trend reports via IRNA.

Dejpasand, who arrived in Hormozgan province and Bandar Abbas city on Thursday night, met with university professors.

The official stated that the university is not a place for politics, but the university professors should be able to express their scientific speeches freely.

Dejpasand acknowledged the positive scientific progress in the nuclear, nano and related areas and said that Iran has still not succeeded "in the field of humanities."

He emphasized the persistence, risk taking and courage of university professors as components of development in the country's economic growth.

At the meeting of the Minister of Economy and Finance at the Islamic Azad University of Bandar Abbas, a group of faculty members in the fields of management and economics and land administration addressed the investment opportunities and constraints of Hormozgan province.

The professors also raised the questions about maritime economy, situation with oil and gas industries, stock-exchange related issues, as well as small amount of people from Hormozgan working in these industries.
Tehran, Iran, Jan. 25

Trend:



Irans minister of roads and urban development argues that sanctions against the Iranian airline industry are contrary to international regulations.

Referring to the suspension of Mahan's flights to Germany, Mohammad Eslami says that the German Civil Aviation Organization charged Mahan with the accusations that were not suitable for the reputation of the organization.

Irans Civil Aviation Organization has responded to Germany in a letter, the minister said Thursday, Trend reports citing IRNA.

He argued that Irans aviation industry has been subject to sanctions since the past few years, saying that in addition to Mahans flights to Germany, many Iranian airlines are on the sanctions list, which is contrary to international regulations.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 25

Trend:

Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Sukhrob Kholmuradov has met with a delegation led by EU Special Representative for Central Asia Peter Burian.

At the meeting, Burian stated that Uzbekistan could become an economic leader of Central Asia, Trend reports via Sputnik Uzbekistan, which cited the State Investment Committee.

Burian stated that the EU welcomes the regional policy of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and is ready to support the countrys initiatives, with grants as well.

Also, Philippe van Amersfoort, Deputy Head of the Central Asia Division at the European External Relations Service, said the EU is completing the development of a new cooperation strategy with Central Asia, which is planned to be adopted before the end of the first half of 2019.

The document will reflect measures to support the changes in Uzbekistan.

The meeting participants also discussed expanding access to the EU markets for Uzbek goods by granting the country the GSP+ status. It provides for the duty-free exports to the EU markets of more than 6,000 commodity items.

Moreover, the EU supports the plan of Uzbekistan to join the World Trade Organization.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 25

Trend:

Uzbek Ambassador to Israel Said Rustamov met with Chief Executive Officer of GenCell Innovation Company Rami Reshef on Jan. 16, Trend reports via UzDaily.

Reshef noted with satisfaction that the large-scale reforms carried out in Uzbekistan open up new opportunities for business and technologies. He himself was convinced of this during his visit to Uzbekistan and negotiations at the Ministry of Innovative Development last December.

The head of GenCell confirmed his companys interest in establishing long-term cooperation with Uzbekistan.

GenCell specializes in the production of equipment generating electricity through a patented technology of environmentally friendly chemical reaction using ammonia.

The companys specialists estimate that the cost of 1 kWh of electricity produced at its installations is at least two times cheaper than that obtained from a diesel installation.

Currently, Uzbekistan is testing equipment of GenCell.
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Jan. 25

By Huseyn Hasanov  Trend:

The political consultations between the Turkmen and French foreign ministries were held in Ashgabat, Trend reports referring to the Turkmen Foreign Ministry on Jan. 25.

The French delegation was led by Florence Mangin, Director of the Department of Continental Europe of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development of the French Republic.

During the meeting, a proposal was made to consider the possibility of organizing official visits at various levels in 2019 and holding joint events.

The importance of intensifying bilateral visits at the level of the presidents, as well as strengthening intergovernmental and interparliamentary ties, was stressed.

The sides stressed the importance of developing the cooperation in financial and banking spheres, as well as the promotion of the activity of French companies in Turkmenistan.

French businessmen work in such areas as construction, transport, tourism and energy in the Turkmen market.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 25

By Elnur Baghishov  Trend:

As many as 114 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) of Europe have expressed readiness for cooperation with Iran in the countrys oil projects, said Reza Padidar, a member of the Energy Commission of the Tehran Chamber of Commerce, Trend reports via Tasnim News Agency.

He said that 114 foreign companies were registered in the Tehran Chamber of Commerce.

He added that Iran intends to use the potential of foreign companies in technology transfer and investment projects.

"We want to invite these companies to Iran in April, so that they get acquainted with Irans potential and projects," he said.

Padidar said that during the first nine months of this Iranian year (started March 21, 2018), 57 percent of Irans revenues accounted for oil and hydrocarbon products.

Therefore, Irans economy is an oil-based economy, he noted.

"In accordance with the governments proposal, 1.54 million barrels of oil should be exported per day, as envisaged in the budget for the next Iranian year (starts March 21, 2019)," he said. "Taking into account the exemption applied regarding Irans oil exports, the revenues from sales will reach about $30 billion."

He added that these funds arent enough for development projects.

Padidar predicted that the Iranian government will be able to export 1.54 million barrels of oil next year.
Stuck on repeat

In Nepal, the cycle of history seems unchanged; the wheel just does not seem to break
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Jan. 25

By Huseyn Hasanov  Trend:

Turkmenistan's Minister of Energy Charymyrat Purchekov presented the report on the implementation of the project for the construction of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan power transmission line to Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, Trend reports referring to the Turkmenistan TV channel.

In his report Purchekov said that the construction is being carried out according to the plan.

While addressing the minister via a video-conference, President Berdimuhamedov ordered to keep under strict control the terms and quality of the conducted work.

The president stressed that the implementation of this project will further increase the export of Turkmen electricity, primarily to Afghanistan, where new jobs will be created as a result of the formation of the corresponding infrastructure.

Earlier, a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the implementation of this project was signed with Turkish Calik Holding A.S. to develop a legal basis for regional partnership for the construction of a 500-kilovolt transmission line along the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline.

At the same time, an agreement on the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan power transmission line was signed between the governments of the countries participating in the project.

Previously it was reported that the total volume of electricity generated in Turkmenistan by 2024 is planned to increase up to 33 billion kilowatt-hours, which is 27.2 percent more compared to the plans for 2018. Turkmenistan sells electricity to Afghanistan and Iran.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 25

By Rashid Shirinov  Trend:

Kazakhstan exported 14,200 tons of uranium in January-September 2018, which in money amounted to $699.1 million, Trend reports referring to EnergyProm.kz.

Thus, uranium exports in physical terms decreased by 18.8 percent, and in money by 17 percent year-on-year due to a decrease in demand in the market of uranium products.

The largest supplies of uranium were sent to China (57 percent of total exports, 8,000 tons, $422.6 million), Canada (18.2 percent, 2,600 tons, $108.2 million) and Russia (16.6 percent, 2,400 tons, $113.6 million).

It should be noted that KazAtomProm, Kazakhstan's national operator for the export and import of uranium and its compounds, is the world leader in the extraction of natural uranium.

At the end of 2017, KazAtomProm announced that in the conditions of the continuing oversupply in the market of uranium products, the company intends to reduce the volume of uranium production by 20 percent of the contract volumes.

Currently KazAtomProm is expanding the geography of its supplies on the world nuclear fuel market.

It should be noted that Kazakhstan is the largest uranium miner in the world. In 2017, the country produced 39.3 percent of the world's uranium output, followed by Canada (22 percent) and Australia (9.9 percent).

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Follow the author on Twitter: @ShirinovRashid
Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 25

By Taleh Mursagulov - Trend:

Czech automaker Skoda is considering the possibility of producing electric buses in Azerbaijan, a source familiar with the matter told Trend.

Skoda is seeking partners in Azerbaijan for the projects implementation.

For this purpose, the company appealed to the government of Azerbaijan for assistance in finding partners in the country, the source said.

Earlier, the Ganja Automobile Plant signed an agreement with OJSC Holding management company Belkommunmash for the supply of component electric buses for their assembly in Azerbaijan.

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Follow the author on Twitter: @TalehMursagulov
Tehran, Iran, Jan.25

Trend:

Deputy Head of Ports and Maritime Organization of Iran announced a convention called Chabahar Day which will be held on March 26th.

The cost of transportation to Chabahar port is lower than the cost to other ports, and the port has a good position for transit of goods and provide export and import services to the eastern and northeastern provinces of the country, Deputy Head of Ports and Maritime Organization of Iran Mohammad Ali Hasanzadeh told Trend.

"We have investment opportunities in creating cargo terminals in this port, and also by calling on passenger terminals, we are going to attract participation of the companies that are active in the field of tourism and offshore," he said.

By creating the opportunity to transport some of the goods from the eastern provinces, we can help both the country's economy and neighboring countries to use the privileged position of Chabahar port, he said.

About 35 foreign countries were invited to attend the conference, and on that day, the benefits, capacities and potential of the port of Chabahar will be announced, said Hasanzadeh.

"We have plans to connect the Chabahar port to free zones, which will give tax incentives to some of the activists, as well as connect the port to the national rail network, which will lead to an increase in the level of progress on the coast of Makran," he said.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 25

By Elchin Mehdiyev - Trend:

Opening of the Research Institute of Vegetable Growing, and Potato and Vegetable Seeds Production Complex in Pirshaghi will bring growth to agricultural efficiency in Azerbaijan, Nijat Nasirli, an expert in agrarian sector, told Trend on Jan. 25.

The expert noted that there is an acute need for seeds in the country.

"About 80 tons of seeds are produced in Azerbaijan annually, but the real need is more than 130 tons. This means that millions of funds were spent annually to purchase seeds from abroad. Therefore, in this aspect, the reconstruction of such institutions is positive," Nasirli said.

"Small businesses, taking someone's advice, most often buy seeds and cannot get a good harvest of their farms. But the new institute will determine the potential of seeds, seeds will be sold according to recommendations and farmers will be able to calculate the cost and efficiency of the crop," the expert said.

He added that reconstruction of such institutions is a very important step, which in the future will lead to lower prices for agricultural products and at the same time to an increase in yield.

On Jan. 24, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev attended the inauguration of the renovated Research Institute of Vegetable Growing, and Potato and Vegetable Seeds Production Complex under the Ministry of Agriculture in Pirshaghi settlement, Sabunchu district, Baku.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 25

By Samir Ali  Trend:

Master plans for six more Azerbaijani cities, namely, Dashkesan, Shabran, Tartar, Saatli, Sabirabad and Kurdamir, are being developed, Samir Nuriyev, chairman of the State Town Building and Architecture Committee, said.

Nuriyev made the remarks in Baku at an expanded meeting of the Committee dedicated to the results of 2018, Trend reports referring to the Committee on Jan. 25.

He added that the Cabinet of Ministers approved the master plan of Sumgait in 2018.

The development of master plans of Tovuz and Guba has also been completed, while the development of the master plan of Bilasuvar is under completion, he said.

"The master plans of 34 Azerbaijani cities have been approved, Nuriyev said. This year, master plans for a number of other cities are expected to be approved by the Cabinet of Ministers."
Tehran, Iran, Jan.25

Trend:

Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Oman Mohammad Nouri at a meeting with a group of Iranian businessmen in Muscat, emphasized the increase of Iranian exports to Oman.

Nouri presented a brief report on the development of trade and economic relations between Iran and Oman and emphasized on the readiness of the embassy to provide any assistance and support to the Iranian private sector in developing and expanding trade relations between the two countries.

The heads of chambers of commerce in Hamadan and Alborz provinces in a joint meeting with the ambassador said that the two provinces had a good capacity to export Iranian products, particularly in the fields of agricultural products, food and beverage industries and dried fruits, and also expressed their readiness to export such products to Oman.

Oman agreed in October 2018 to provide exclusive access to its Suwayq port to Iran.

After three years of negotiations, Al Suwaiq Port extended services to Iranian ships of less than 1,000 tons carrying food, agricultural products and construction materials to the neighboring country.

Irans commercial attache to Oman recently announced that, the proximity of Al Suwaiq Port to Irans ports of Jask and Bandar Abbas, and Omans Muscat and Al Khazain would reduce trade costs between the two countries.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 25

By Matanat Nasibova  Trend:

Azerbaijani alcohol manufacturer "Goygol Wine Plant" OJSC will broaden its range of exports, the company told Trend.

Exports to Europe are expected to begin this year.

We have received several proposals to date, and this year we will supply our wines to the European market. We are planning to increase the production capacity of the enterprise in the future. It is currently running at full capacity, without any downtime. More than 200,000 wines are produced in the factory, the company representative said.

The products are also delivered to points of sale in Baku, Ganja and Sumgayit for domestic consumers.

The products possess an ISO 9001: 2008 and Compliance Certificate issued by the State Committee on Standardization, Metrology and Patents of Azerbaijan.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 25

By Huseyn Valiyev - Trend:

A single e-procurement website is being launched in Azerbaijan, a source in the Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communications told Trend Jan. 25.

"The website's development is at the final stage and it will be commissioned in February," the source said. "When creating the website, international experience in this area was taken into account."

"The public procurement process will be fully automated and the website's creation is aimed primarily at ensuring transparency."

All state agencies in Azerbaijan will be integrated into the website and the information on procurement from their side will be posted on the website in advance, the source added.

Another important aspect is the possibility of participation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in public procurement. All procurement procedures will be conducted online, including payment for participation in tenders.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 25

By Sara Israfilbayova - Trend:

The opportunity for Czech companies can represent the fields that are in priority to be developed by Azerbaijans government, to diversify the economy and support the development of the non-oil sector, Marta Novakova, Minister of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic told Trend.

"These are mainly agriculture, chemical and manufacturing industry, engineering, services (especially transport, logistics, tourism) and IT," Novakova noted.

She stressed that great opportunities represent new projects focused on the modernization of the transport infrastructure, such as reconstruction of the road and railway network.

The minister went on to say that Czech companies can also succeed as suppliers in the field of pharmaceuticals, electrical engineering, consumer electronics and environmental technologies in Azerbaijan.

Novakova also underlined that there is a great potential for future cooperation in the field of renewable energy sources, further adding that technology of Czech companies may be applied in the renewable energy field, and improve the efficiency of Azerbaijan's energy industry.

The Czech minister further pointed out that in Azerbaijan, emphasis is also put on the construction of sewage treatment plants, water treatment plants and cleaning of contaminated soil.

"As for joint-ventures, I know that both sides are ready to support steps leading to a stronger and more stable partnership between Czech and Azerbaijani companies in the aforementioned areas. We have agreed that joint ventures are one of the exciting alternatives of our partnership at the business level. We want to highlight this element in our discussions with the domestic business sphere," she stated.

Novakova emphasized that untapped potential exist in many sectors and the key is to maintain the collaboration in energy sector and move more rigorously into other sectors in order to diversify business.

According to the State Customs Committee of Azerbaijan, trade turnover with the Czech Republic in January-December 2018 amounted to $1.04 billion.

As compared to the indicator for the same period of the last year, the trade turnover between the countries increased by 36,5 percent, while the exports of Azerbaijani products increased almost two times.

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Follow the author on Twitter: @IsrafilbekovaS
Ruling party bulldozes medical bill through House

The ruling Nepal Communist Party on Friday used its two-thirds majority and hundreds of marshalls in Parliament to endorse the National Medical Education Bill, refusing to acknowledge the main opposition Nepali Congress and trampling on an earlier agreement reached with Dr Govinda KC.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 25

Trend:

As many as 50 projects concerning regional, intra-village, rural and inter-village highways in 43 districts will be implemented in Azerbaijan in 2019, Chairman of the Board of the Azerbaijan Highway State Agency Saleh Mammadov said at a board meeting dedicated to the results of 2018 and the objectives for 2019, Trend reports.

He noted that roads and highways of republican significance will be built, and it is envisaged to purchase new machinery and 270 vehicles.

He added that last year 90 projects were completed in 54 districts of Azerbaijan, as well as in Baku and Sumgait.

These projects include 10 highways of republican significance, 64 rural roads, 11 inter-village roads in Baku, two highways of citywide importance, two bridges and one tunnel, he said.

He stressed that 33 bridges, 29 overpasses and four tunnels were commissioned last year, as well as 221 machinery and vehicles were purchased.

Mammadov also touched upon the Alat-Astara-Iranian State Border Highway, adding that certain work is being done to ensure that the 170-kilometer section of the highway becomes a toll road.

The construction of the new Baku-Guba-Russian State Border Highway continues, and construction of the 92-km section of the highway started last year, he said.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 25

By Ilhama Isabalayeva  Trend:

Children in Azerbaijan have problems related to growth, Tohfa Jamilova, Health and Nutrition Officer at UNICEF Azerbaijan, told Trend.

Around 18 percent of children in the country under the age of five do not have a height corresponding to their age.

Jamilova added that one in three children under five has a varying degree of anemia.

"This means that there are certain troubling issues. On the other hand, there is a noticeable improvement in the sickness rate of children. There is also a fall in the infant mortality rate and these figures are changing downward in the UN reports," she said.

Jamilova added that the most recent study on child health together with the Ministry of Health was conducted in 2013.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 25

Trend:

First Vice-President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva has instructed Azerenergy OSJC to provide employment to redundant employees of Militarized Security Unit LLC.

On December 13, 2018, a group of redundant employees of the "Militarized Security Unit" LLC appealed to First Vice-President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva.

Mehriban Aliyeva ordered an immediate resolution of the issue on the condition that the redundant employees` labor rights be restored and they be provided with employment.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 25

Trend:

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has sent a congratulatory letter to Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia Peter Cosgrove.

"On my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan, I heartily congratulate you and all your people on the occasion of Australia Day. I believe that the further strengthening of friendly relations between Azerbaijan and Australia, and the deepening of our cooperation in the areas of mutual interest will always serve the best interests of our peoples," Ilham Aliyev said in his letter.

"On this festive day, it is my pleasure to extend to you my best wishes, and wish the friendly people of Australia peace and prosperity."
Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 25

Trend:

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has signed an Order allocating additional funding for the construction of Karrar-Baghman-Boyuk Kangarli road in Kurdamir district.

Under the presidential order, Azerbaijan Highway State Agency is allocated 8.8 million manats for continuing the construction of the road connecting seven residential areas with a total population of 6,000 people.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 25

By Elchin Mehdiyev  Trend:

Aflatun Amashov, head of the Azerbaijan-Georgia working group for interparliamentary relations, has appealed to Zviad Dzidziguri, head of the Georgia-Azerbaijan Friendship Group, Trend reports.

It is stated in the appeal that the historical relations of the peoples of Georgia and Azerbaijan in the spirit of friendliness and good neighborliness have always drawn attention by their exemplariness.

It is rather pleasing that these relations are developing along an ascending line in the modern period, relying on a strategic partnership. From this point of view, great responsibility is placed on the parliaments of Azerbaijan and Georgia, and it is necessary to highlight the work done by the highest legislative bodies of both countries for the deepening of our historical friendship, the appeal reads.

As is known, Amashov says, a bust of Mikhail Avagyan, a person directly involved in the occupation of the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan and adjacent territories, and in organizing the killings of Azerbaijanis in these territories, was erected in the Georgian settlement of Bugashen of the Akhalkalaki municipality on January 20.

"This has caused a rather negative resonance in the society of our country. We do not want a criminal, whose hands are stained with the blood of the Azerbaijani people, be immortalized as a symbol of heroism. It should be noted that Georgia, like Azerbaijan, suffers from ethnic separatism. Around 20 percent of the territory of Georgia is also under occupation. As a matter of fact, Avagyan distinguished himself by his direct participation in the occupation of the territories of Georgia as well. Actually, he is the enemy of both nations," Amashev points out in his appeal.

"In the modern period, both nations are united by common pain and suffering. Therefore, the Azerbaijani state always supports the territorial integrity of Georgia and considers this support to be the main priority of its foreign policy in the region."

The appeal calls upon the members of the Azerbaijan-Georgia working group for interparliamentary relations to keep a principled stance against individuals who seek to undermine the values that unite the two peoples and who attempt to sow seeds of discord between the two peoples.

"We believe that by your principled stance on the matter the bust of the murderer Mikhail Avagyan in the Georgian village of Bugashen of the Akhalkalaki municipality will be taken down. We are confident that you will take a sensitive approach to this issue," the appeal concludes.

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, Jan. 25

By Elchin Mehdiyev - Trend:

A protest rally was held in Germanys Cologne with the support of Azerbaijans State Committee for Work with the Diaspora and on the initiative of the German-Azerbaijani Cultural Center, Trend reports with reference to the State Committee Jan. 25.

Being one of the leading countries of Europe, Germany approaches sensitively to human rights and freedom issues, and the country is respectful of international norms and principles. Besides, taking into consideration its big influence to OSCE, it was decided to stage the rally.

The rally was held under the slogans "Azerbaijan wants peace and justice!", "Europe, don't turn blind eye to the murder of children", "Stop the killings of the peaceful civilians!", "End the aggression of Armenia!", "Karabakh is an integral part of Azerbaijan!", "We want peace", "Freedom for Dilgam and Shahbaz!"

The Azerbaijanis who delivered speech at the rally told about the Armenian vandalism and gave concrete facts that Nagorno-Karabakh is the historical land of Azerbaijan.

As part of the rally, the German public and tourists were informed that as a result of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, more than one million people were expelled from their homes. The German public and tourists were also informed that Dilgam Asgarov and Shahbaz Guliyev were taken hostage during their visit to homeland and graves of relatives, about cruel tortures against them, etc.

Also, as part of the rally, thousands of flyers depicting the history of Azerbaijan and Nagorno-Karabakh, the UN Security Council resolutions on the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and the ethnic composition of Azerbaijans population were distributed to representatives of German society and tourists.

At the end of the rally, it was decided to send an appeal to the German government. The appeal was supported by the participants of the rally, and it was noted that in the shortest time the appeal will be handed over to the German authorities.

During an operation in July 2014 in Shaplar village of Azerbaijani Kalbajar district occupied by Armenia, the Armenian special forces killed an Azerbaijani, Hasan Hasanov, and took hostage two other Azerbaijanis, Shahbaz Guliyev and Dilgam Asgarov. A "criminal case" was initiated against them. Afterwards, a "court" sentenced Asgarov to life imprisonment and Guliyev to 22 years in prison.

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, Jan. 25

Trend:

Azerbaijan is an important partner for Latvia, Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics said in a congratulatory letter on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Latvia, addressed to Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov, Trend reports referring to the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry.

In his letter, Mammadyarov congratulated his colleague on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Latvia and wished the friendly people of Latvia peace, stability and well-being.

The Azerbaijani foreign minister stressed that the Azerbaijan-Latvia relations have deep historical roots.

The minister also said that bilateral relations between the countries after the restoration of independence of both countries are successfully developing in political, economic, cultural and other spheres.

In his letter, the Latvian foreign minister stressed that Azerbaijan is an important partner for Latvia.

Rinkevics expressed gratitude with the concrete results in the political, economic, cultural and educational spheres achieved over the past 25 years.

The Latvian foreign minister also expressed confidence in further strengthening the cooperation between the two countries in the coming years.

The diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Latvia were established on January 11, 1994.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 25

By Ilhama Isabalayeva  Trend:

The meeting in Davos between President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan was another step towards intensifying contacts and consistently protecting the fair position of Azerbaijan, Elshad Mirbashiroglu, political scientist, Ph.D. in Political Science, told Trend.

Mirbashiroglu recalled that the meeting at the Davos World Economic Forum was the third meeting between President Ilham Aliyev and Nikol Pashinyan.

"Earlier, during the meeting in Dushanbe, the parties had reached an oral agreement to control the situation on the border, to continue contacts and uphold adherence to the principles of a peaceful resolution of the conflict. It was clear during the Dushanbe meeting that Pashinyan had completely abandoned his previously harsh rhetoric. During his rise to power, he preferred pretentious speeches, such as the joining of Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia, participation of the separatist regime in the negotiation process as a separate party, "said Mirbashiroglu.

In this way, Pashinyan, like previous leaders of Armenia, pursued his goal of influencing the consciousness of the masses and gaining their support by playing the Karabakh card".

The analyst noted that Pashinyan did not voice any of such earlier expressed delusional ideas during the Dushanbe meeting.

"This means that he has accurate information about the position of Azerbaijan and is forced to come to terms with this fair position," Mirbashiroglu added.

In any case, the analyst continued, the meeting in Davos may be regarded as significant from the point of view of several aspects, and holding high-level discussions by the parties to the conflict on the situation as a whole is of primary importance.

"Discussion of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict at the level of the leaders of the Davos forum once again draws the attention of the world to this issue. I also think that the meeting in Davos can, to a certain extent, increase the sense of responsibility of the Armenian leader. Pashinyan wrote on his Facebook page that he immediately informed the head of the separatist regime about the results of the meeting. Pashinyan showed that he wants to fulfill the verbal obligation to observe the cease-fire regime ," the analyst 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, Jan. 25

Trend:

Over the past 24 hours, Armenian armed forces have 21 times violated the ceasefire along the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said Jan. 25, Trend reports.

The Armenian armed forces were using heavy machine guns.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts.
These photos show what happened inside the parliament today

The ruling Nepal Communist Party on Friday used its two-thirds majority and hundreds of marshalls in Parliament to endorse the National Medical Education Bill.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 25

Trend:

Azercell Telecom LLC, the leading operator of mobile telecom market in Azerbaijan, continues to expand the chain of exclusive shops across the country and provide high quality services for its subscribers. The company has introduced the first Exclusive Shop of this year in Zagatala, located at Faik Amirov str.8. As a result, the number of Azercell Exclusive Shops has reached 21.

The new Exclusive Shop has been designed in a Nordic style and provided with modern equipment and facilities. Here, the customers can learn about any product, compare and test them right on the spot. The qualified sales representatives will assist customers with optimal decisions, service activations and with other inquiries. Also, customers can get various accessories and devices, supporting mobile technologies and purchase mobile phones for cash or on credit. This office will manage all operations implemented by customer services, except itemized bill service and transfer of a mobile number from one subscribers name to another.

Azercell has launched a special campaign for its customers in Zagatala. Thus, any customer who purchases a new smartphone from Zagatala Exclusive Shop within a week starting from January 24th will get a bonus of AZN 150. In addition, the shop will award 200 customers with special gift coupons providing 50% discount on the purchase of cell number and accessories.

It should be noted that Zagatala Exclusive Shop will operate from 09:00 to 19:00 on Monday-Saturday (without a break) and from 09:00 till 18:00 on Sunday (without a break). Please, visit the link

https://www.azercell.com/az/contacts/office/ to get information about addresses of all Exclusive Shops.

For more information, please contact [email protected]

The leader of the mobile communication industry, the largest taxpayer and the biggest investor of the non-oil sector of Azerbaijan Azercell Telecom LLC was founded in 1996. With 48 per cent share of Azerbaijans mobile telecom market Azercells network covers 80 per cent of the territory (excluding 20% per cent of the occupied territories) and 99,8 per cent of population of the country. Currently, 4,5 million subscribers choose Azercell services.

Azercell has pioneered an important number of innovations in Azerbaijan, including GSM technology, advance payment system, mobile internet services, Metro coverage, 24/7 call centre service, 7 day/week Front Office service, M2M services, one-stop-shopping approach Azercell Express offices, mobile customer services, Online Customer Care and Social Media Customer Care services, mobile e-signature service ASAN Imza etc. Azercell deployed first 4G  LTE services in Azerbaijan in 2012.

According to the results of mobile network quality and wireless coverage mapping surveys by international systems, Azercells network demonstrated the best results among the mobile operators of Azerbaijan. Azercell is the only company in Azerbaijan and CIS region which has been awarded Gold Certificate of International Investors in People Standard.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 25

By Samir Ali  Trend:

The second stage of development of Bakus master plan will begin in March, Samir Nuriyev, chairman of the Azerbaijani State Town Building and Architecture Committee, said.

Nuriyev made the remarks in Baku at the expanded meeting of the committee dedicated to the results of 2018, Trend reports referring to the State Committee on Jan. 25.

He stressed that the State Committee invited the influential consulting company "Boston Consulting Group" in 2018 to cooperate on the preparation of Bakus master plan according to the modern standards.

"As a result, a concept of Bakus development has been prepared and the priority directions of development have been determined," Nuriyev added.

An open tender has also been announced to choose an internationally known town-planning company, he said.

"The results of the tender will be published in March, after which the second stage of the development of Bakus master plan is planned to be launched," Nuriyev said.
Iran's nuclear chief Ali Akbar Salehi has disclosed that in spite of pouring concrete in pipes within the core of the heavy water reactor in Arak and making it obsolete as a precondition for the 2015 nuclear deal, Iran procured additional pipes for replacement in case the West reneged on the deal.

Salehi said in a televised interview that was broadcast live on Iran's state TV on January 22, that only he and Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei knew that there were additional pipes but they did not tell anyone else about it.

Critics on social media characterized Salehi's statement as "scoring a goal against your own."

In the interview, Salehi was responding to claims by Iran's hardliners that the authorities have poured concrete into the heart of the reactor. He tried to explain that there was no such thing and the nuclear agreement with world powers demanded Iran to just block pipes inside a calandria to make it unusable.

He then explained that Iran did not tell foreigners it had replacements for these pipes.

Salehi explained that the reason for keeping the information secret was that while Iran was negotiating with the West to reach a nuclear agreement, Iranians knew that Westerners would renege at one point as Khamenei had warned the Iranian delegation about it. "Not only we did not destroy the bridges behind us, we even made new bridges so that we could quickly revert to the previous position if necessary," Salehi said.

Before the nuclear agreement was made, experts said that the reactor in Arak could be capable of producing weapons grade plutonium.

The Iranian state TV's English-language rolling news channel, Press TV, quoted Salehi on 13 January as saying that "Iran has broken new ground in the field of nuclear technology and is now taking preliminary steps toward production of 20-percent modern nuclear fuel."

According to Press TV, Speaking in an exclusive interview with the IRIB News Agency, Salehi said the new nuclear fuel produced by domestic specialists will be able to keep all kinds of reactors similar to the Tehran Research Reactor running.

Preliminary steps have been taken to design modern 20-percent fuel and we are on the threshold of producing it," Salehi said, adding that " The new product is different from the previous 20-percent fuel and we can supply fuel to any reactor similar to the Tehran Research Reactor.

Also quoting Salehi's remarks, Israeli security, regional diplomacy and international law think tank Jerusalem Center, tweeted: "Iran continues with its nuclear activities unabated. Iranian leaders confess they continued with nuclear development," citing an article by retired Lt. Colonel Michael Segall.

Segall said in the article that "Irans nuclear chief Ali Akbar Salehi has stated that Iran will transfer 30 tons of 'yellow cake' (a raw material used to produce nuclear fuel) from the production site in Ardakan to Isfahan. Salehi did not mention the name of the installation, but it seems that he was referring to the UCF (uranium conversion facility) in Natanz."

Iran has lost nothing as a result of signing the agreement, he quoted Salehi as saying, adding, and history will prove this. We have preserved our capabilities in the field of enrichment. We are providing products for other industries and are continuing to manufacture new centrifuges. We are doing everything we need to do, but this time in the right way.

Correction Note: In the earlier version of this article it was said that Iran had cheated by not filling the heart of the reactor with concrete. But further investigations showed that what Iran had agreed to do in negotiations was to block pipes within the reactor.
President Hassan Rouhani is under fire from two Grand Ayatollahs angered by his recent comments on Irans policies of compulsory hijab and Internet filtering.

Speaking at a meeting with the Minster of Communications and Information Technology January 21, Rouhani reportedly remarked, Regarding hijab, the Koran addresses men first, forbidding them to look at women in lecherous ways; but, sadly, we go after women and girls, and arrest them for their [improper] hijab."

In surprisingly candid remarks Rouhani had said that "Standing against public demands is against the law and religion." He had also criticized the absence of independent media in the country, lambasting the state controlled outlests.

Rouhani went on to criticize Irans policy of blocking and filtering certain social media networks and websites, saying, Modern technologies have many advantages and limited risks, and we cannot separate peoples lives from developments in technology and communications We should acknowledge that we have been wrong. Neither blocking nor filtering leads us to where we wish to be."

But during the week two influential religious leaders attacked the president to remind him to be careful when he speaks about the tenets of the Islamic Republic.



Qom based Grand Ayatollah Nasser Makarem Shirazi called Rouhanis comments against Islamic values.

"You are the President of the Islamic Republic, not the President of a democratic secular system, the 91-year-old ayatollah admonished. He also said that if Iran has become a regional power, that is because of its Islamic system.



Meanwhile, another Qom based Ayatollah, Jafar Sobhani, similarly rebuked Rouhani for his comments.

We leave politics and economics to you, so you should leave religious rulings for the seminary, said the 89-year-old religious leader.

President Rouhani has issued a statement insisting that his comments were taken out of context.

The government's official news agency (IRNA) published a long essay in Rouhani's defense, describing him as a person who ardently cares about matters of religious faith and subjects deemed sensitive by Irans grand ayatollahs.

But the fact is that on a few occasions Rouhani has challenged some of the fundamental principles of the Islamic Republic's ruling system or indirectly the Supreme Leader himself, but his remarks on January 21 can still be considered an unexpected move.
KYIV. Jan 25 (Interfax-Ukraine)  The National Agency of Ukraine for finding, tracing and management of assets derived from corruption and other crimes (the Asset Recovery and Management Agency or ARMA) has decided to extend the term for submitting documents to participate in a tender to select a manager of seized assets of the Mezhyhirya Residence until February 28, 2019 inclusive.

"With the hope of attracting business to participate in the tender, it was decided to extend the selection of the manager of Mezhyhirya until the end of February this year, inclusive," ARMA Head Anton Yanchuk said at a press conference at Interfax-Ukraine on Friday.

According to him, the tender lasted 51 days and, until today, only two entities showed a desire to participate in the tender: National Park of Ukraine Mezhyhirya LLC and Atlant Develop LLC.

The head of ARMA said that the agency, taking into account the criticism from journalists, would take measures to make the tender public.

"Announcements and other documents [outlined by the provisions of the tender], they reasonably foresee that the tender committee will process information in the commercial section confidentially... These forms of documents really warn that this information is provided to the tender committee with a specific purpose. If it is about a public discussion, then legally it is absolutely possible. The only thing is that we will make a warning to these statements so that all participants in the tender are aware that all commercial information submitted by them will become available to the public," Yanchuk said.

As reported, the property of the Mezhyhirya Residence was seized by the Pechersky District court on July 13, 2015 (the decision was upheld by the Kyiv court of appeals on August 10 of the same year). On August 1, 2017, the Kyiv business court of appeals decided to invalidate the contracts under which the Mezhyhirya Residence was removed from ownership of the state in 2007.

On May 29, 2018, Kyiv's Pechersky District Court transferred the Mezhyhirya Residence in the Vyshgorod District of Kyiv region, where the former president Viktor Yanukovych (2010-2014) lived, to the management of the ARMA.
On Monday, January 28, at 11.00, the press center of the Interfax-Ukraine news agency will host a press conference entitled "Ukraine in Focus of Sociology: Social Attitudes of Citizens during Election Campaign 2019" by the research company Seetarget, during which the results of a sociological survey conducted in December 2018 on the social attitudes of Ukrainians during the election campaign of 2019 will be presented. Participants include Director of the Seetarget company, Ph.D. Associate professor, Faculty of Sociology of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv Oleksiy Borovsky; psychotherapist, PhD. in psychology Spartak Subota; partner of Miller law firm Masi Nayyem; political scientist, founder of the Forum of New Political Leaders Mykola Davydiuk (8/5a Reitarska Street). Registration requires press accreditation at: office@seetarget.com.ua. More info by phone: (063) 528 7649, (068) 785 6407 (Oksana Moskalenko).
Russia-occupied Crimea's Kerchensky city court during its hearing on Friday refused to release Ukrainian activist Volodymyr Balukh on parole, the Krym.Realii ezine has said.

Balukh was not present at the hearing.

The representative of the Russian prosecutor's office, Gennady Trofimov, said parole was refused because Balukh committed 51 violations while being held in the detention center.

Balukh's defense lawyer Taras Omelchenko said as of January 11 "there are no complaints from the administration of the prison colony about to him [Balukh]" and that Balukh's mother is elderly and requires care.

As earlier reported, Crimea's Rozdolne district court sentenced Balukh to three years and seven months of imprisonment in a low-security penal colony and to a fine of 10,000 Russian rubles. Balukh's defense team said then the case was fabricated, and his verdict would be appealed in courts of higher instances.

Balukh was sentenced by the Russia-controlled Rozdolne district court to five years in prison in a combination of two criminal cases. The Crimean farmer was allegedly involved in a case of illegal possession of weapons and explosives (Part 1 of Article 222 and Part 1 of Article 222.1) and Part 2 of Article 321 (disorganization of the activities of institutions providing isolation from society) of Russia's Criminal Code.

On October 3, 2018, the so-called Supreme Court of Crimea commuted Balukh's sentence by one month.

In October 2018, Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights Liudmyla Denisova said after the decision of the so-called Supreme Court to commute Balukh's sentence he would be able to apply for parole.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has said that at the Russia-NATO Council meeting on Friday the sides discussed the situation in Ukraine, as well as the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty.

"We discussed two important topics: Ukraine and the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty," Stoltenberg told journalists after the meeting.

He said no progress had been made on either issue.

"On both of these issues, Allies and Russia fundamentally disagree, but that is exactly why it is important to talk  to address concerns, increase predictability and reduce risks," he said.
Employees of the SBU State Security Service of Ukraine have exposed a resident of Kyiv, who, under the supervision of special services of the Russian Federation, administered anti-Ukrainian communities on social networks and intended to manipulate the opinions of Ukrainian voters in the interests of Moscow.

"Our field investigators, among other things, exposed a resident of Kyiv, who, under the supervision of Russian special services, administered anti-Ukrainian web communities on social networks. He also managed to get access to the so-called 'advertising tools' of accounts belonging to Ukrainian users of social networks Facebook and Twitter for cash rewards. According to his employers, in this way the attacker was supposed to manipulate the opinions of Ukrainian voters in the interests of the Kremlin," the SBU's press service said on its Facebook page on January 24.

SBU agents also exposed more than 300 accounts, which were meant to be used during the presidential election campaign in Ukraine to promote political targeting advertising that would bring benefits to the Russian side.

"Through them, the organizers planned to influence the legal awareness and personal choice of voters, as well as disseminate tendentious and fake information to discredit the Ukrainian government and law enforcement agencies," the SBU said.

Under the established procedure, the SBU provided the administration of social networks Facebook and Twitter with information about the identified accounts that can be used by the Russian Federation as part of hybrid aggression against our nation.

The SBU recalled that in 2019, Facebook strengthened its security policy governing the use of political advertising in the Ukrainian segment of the Internet, and now, in order to prevent manipulative influence on Ukrainians, Facebook prohibits political advertising from accounts administered outside of the Ukrainian segment of the Internet.

"Because of the adoption of measures by the administration, the aggressors special services have become increasingly interested in Ukrainian citizens' accounts on social networks. At the same time, users receive commercial offers from people who are actually behind the Russian 'troll factory' Internet Research Agency LLC," the SBU said.

The Security Service of Ukraine calls on Ukrainian users of social networks to stay cautious and in case of receiving proposals from strangers on using their accounts on social networks to report such cases to the SBU's hotline.
Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze in Davos discussed with Foreign Minister of Slovakia Miroslav Lajcak the activities of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission in Donbas and Ukraine's course towards EU and NATO membership.

On Friday, during the meeting, Klympush-Tsintsadze congratulated Slovakia on the beginning of its chairmanship in the OSCE from January 1, the deputy premier's office on European and Euro-Atlantic integration reported.

In turn, Lajcak confirmed that the ongoing conflict on the territory of Ukraine is one of the priority issues for the OSCE and noted that, unfortunately, the potential of the monitoring mission is not fully engaged, since it does not have full access to the occupied territories.

According to him, the mission is focused precisely on humanitarian projects - assistance to the population of the east of Ukraine in several practical areas.

Lajcak also welcomed the progress of Ukraine on the path of European and Euro-Atlantic integration, stressing that Slovakia consistently supports Ukraine's course towards membership in the European Union and NATO, which is impossible without serious reforms.

"Ukraine is not a problem for the EU, but a partner. We must take the next steps together,"

the office of the Ukrainian deputy PM quoted Lajcak as saying.
Nepali Congress warns of launching protests from parliament and street against government

The main opposition Nepali Congress has warned of launching protests from the Parliament and streets, saying that the government started the politics of negation.
The U.S. Senate has submitted a resolution calling for the strengthening of defense assistance to Ukraine, and supported the abolition of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, the press service of the Ukrainian embassy in the U.S. has said.

"In a document put on the agenda of the current Congress by a group of nearly seven dozen senators from the Republican and Democratic parties, lawmakers insistently urge the U.S. president to take advantage of the provisions of the "2018 U.S. National Defense Act for the needs of national defense" and the provision through the relevant programs of the State Department and the Pentagon of additional security policies and support our country, especially with a view to strengthening the maritime Ukraine's ability to prevent and repel further Russian aggression," it says.

The Senate called on the President of the United States [Donald Trump] to urgently conduct a joint operation with American allies to ensure freedom of navigation in the Black Sea in order to demonstrate support for internationally recognized borders, bilateral agreements and the principle of safe passage of the Kerch Strait and the Sea of Azov.

In addition, the senators appealed to NATO to strengthen the presence and capabilities of the Alliance in the Black Sea, including on monitoring the situation at sea and coastal defense. Separately, lawmakers urge allies and partners in Europe to refuse Russian Navy ships to visit their ports for resupply and refueling.

The resolution notes that the sanctions against the Russian Federation, which are the direct result of the actions of the government of the country, will continue operating and strengthening as long as the behavior of the Russian Federation does not change properly.

Senators also welcomed and supported the resolution of the European Parliament of December 12, 2018, condemning the Russian aggression in the Kerch Strait, and called for the cancellation of Nord Stream 2 because of its threat to European energy security.
Assistant for deputy suspected of embezzling UAH 93 mln from Ukrzaliznytsia placed on wanted list  NABU

Detectives of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) have declared that a fugitive assistant for a people's deputy and former official of PJSC Ukrzaliznytsia is suspected of organizing the embezzlement of UAH 93.27 million of the state-owned company.

According to a Friday posting on the website of the NABU, the person organized a corruption scheme and translated it into action. He is suspected under Part 3 of Article 27, Part 2 of Article 28 and Part 1 of Article 205 (sham business) and Parts 2 and 3 of Article 27 and Part 5 of Article 191 (misappropriation, embezzlement or conversion or property by malversation) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

On January 23, 2019, he was placed on the wanted list.

"Thus, the total number of suspects in the criminal proceedings related to the seizure of UAH 93.27 million of PJSC Ukrzaliznytsia is eight people, of whom two people are assistants to one of the people's deputies," the NABU said.

The National Bureau recalled that on January 15, 2019, NABU detectives notified seven people that they are suspected of seizing more than UAH 93 million.

"Among those involved in committing the crime are officials of a company manufacturing switchgear products, officials of the branch Center for Provision of Production of PJSC Ukrzaliznytsia," the NABU said.

The investigation of the facts cited by the NABU detectives began in June 2017.
President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko and German Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel at a meeting in Davos discussed cybersecurity issues in the upcoming presidential elections in the context of possible Russian intervention.

According to the presidential press-service, Poroshenko in an interview with Ukraine TV channel spoke about some details of the meeting with Angela Merkel on preventing Russia's interference in the elections: "It's about cyber security, the exchange of data ... ," he noted.

At the same time, he stressed that he could not reveal the content of the agreements on the special services and all the mechanisms for providing cyber security. "It is obvious that we will not disclose the details of these agreements," the president emphasized.

He reminded that the NATO Trust Fund for cyber security had been created at the Ukrainian initiative, as well as there were specific bilateral agreements with the United States, Great Britain and Germany.

"Today, it is very important that the United States, the EU and Canada consider it a real threat. It's not about helping Ukraine, it's about uniting efforts to protect democracy around the world. Because Russia is trying to use democratic instruments and mechanisms to undermine democracy from the inside. Of course, we will defend the state, including from such hybrid threats of Russia," he stressed.

Speaking generally about meetings and talks in Davos, the president noted that international partners support Ukraine and demonstrate the position of protecting Ukrainians.

The presidential press service said that that during the two days of Poroshenko's visit to Davos, about 20 official meetings had taken place.
EU mission to evaluate possible joint use of infrastructure projects in Azov Sea region to arrive in Ukraine on Jan 27

Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman has said from January 27 until February 2 a mission from the European Union will be in Ukraine to evaluate the possibility of joint use of a number of infrastructure projects in the Azov Sea region, the so-called Pryazovia.

"According to our agreements, the mission arrives on January 27 and will work until February 2. We need to systematically work and continue the implementation of the strategic task of updating Ukraine and the Azov region," Groysman said during a special meeting on Friday, according to the Cabinet of Minister's press service.

Groysman says the arrival of such a mission was one of the topics of his talks with the EU and German leaders at the end of last year.

"The issue of the Sea of Azov became particularly relevant when Russians began to block our ports and block our economic opportunities accordingly. We agreed, including during the last meeting of the EU-Ukraine Association Council (in Brussels in December) that our partners would help us implement a number of infrastructure projects," the prime minister said.

He said the six projects include construction of the Zaporizhia-Mariupol highway, electrification and modernization of several railway sections, including the Komysh-Zoria-Volnovakha line.

Groysman said fulfillment of the tasks set fits into the national infrastructure programs corresponds to the goals of industrial development and will contribute to the economic development of the Azov Sea region.

The prime minister instructed Infrastructure Minister Volodymyr Omelyan and the head of Ukravtodor Slawomir Nowak to meet with the EU mission and ensure the working conditions of the delegation are satisfactory.
A possible new contract for the transit of Russian natural gas to the European Union should be based on European rules, which will protect Ukraines interests and prevent Russia from resorting to non-market and non-competitive methods, and should comply with the rulings of the Arbitration Institute of the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce (SCC), the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said.

The press service of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said that on January 22, trilateral talks between Ukraine, the European Commission, and the Russian Federation were held in Brussels to discuss the upcoming natural gas transit through the territory of Ukraine upon completion in 2019 of the transit contract between the national JSC Naftogaz Ukrainy and the public JSC Gazprom.

"The Russian party proposed that the existing contracts be extended. The Ukrainian side announced its readiness to consider future transactions only if they fully comply with European energy legislation, which is currently being implemented in Ukraine. A contract based on European rules will protect Ukraines interests and will not allow Russia to resort to non-competitive methods that have been used by it repeatedly," the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said.

The ministry said the stance of the Ukrainian party is shared in full by the European Commission, whose representatives mentioned significant progress Ukraine had made in implementing European legislation on its gas market.

"During the talks, the delegation of Ukraine stated that future agreements with Gazprom should comply with the decisions taken by the Arbitration Institute of the SCC and provide for the fulfillment by the Russian side of its obligations," the ministry said.

According to the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, the European Commission also confirmed that the decisions of previous courts should be implemented in their entirety, and Ukraine has the full right to file new claims.
Nepal Communist Party denounces US intervention in Venezuelas internal affairs

The Nepal Communist Party has criticized the US and its allies intervention in the internal affairs of Venezuela, saying that the act is intended to increase violence by dividing the people and challenging democracy, sovereignty and peace.
A demonstration against Brexit. HENRY NICHOLLS (REUTERS)

The notion that the European Union has never been less united than now has taken hold in the public consciousness. The recurring theme is that EU countries are unable to agree on euro reforms, on migratory flow management, on how to deal with growing aggressiveness from the US, Russia and China, and that the rise of national populism will further undermine the Union to the breaking point.

The national populists no longer want to destroy the EU, they want to make it more authoritarian instead

Divisions exist, and they are serious, but a calm and collected analysis, with historical perspective, shows that Europe is probably more united today than ever before. And to convince ourselves of this fact, it is not necessary to recall the centuries worth of European conflicts ranging from the Hundred Years War to World War II. It is enough to review the last 60 years of European integration.

Lets break it down into decades. In the 1960s we had the Empty Chair Crisis, triggered by a De Gaulle, who felt considerably more French than European. Then, in the 1970s, we had the collapse of the snake in the tunnel (an attempt at monetary cooperation) that buried the Werner Plan and triggered years of tensions between France and a dominant Germany, which imposed the tyranny of the Deutsche Mark. And in the 1980s we had the crisis of Thatchers handbag and the Fontainebleau agreement institutionalizing the rebate for the UK on its contribution to the EU budget, a historical mistake that firmly established English exceptionalism.

There are those who will think that the 1990s, with the fall of the Berlin Wall and the signing of the Maastricht Treaty, were years of greater unity. Not in the least. The United Kingdom did not join the euro, the Danish voted against it, and only 51% of French citizens supported it. It was a narrow victory, and meanwhile there were many voices opposed to extending EU membership to Eastern European countries. These tensions flared up again in the first decade of the 21st century when the French and the Dutch voted against the European Constitution.

Juncker flew to Washington DC and negotiated a truce with US President Trump on equal footing, as a representative of the interests of 500 million Europeans

These episodes might seem trivial compared with the dramatic events of 2012 and above all 2015, when Greece was nearly kicked out of the euro club. But this, too, needs to be seen in perspective. If European leaders spent decades negotiating tooth and claw EU budgets that never exceeded 1% of GDP, and which now stands at around 150 billion, how could they be expected not to confront one another, and even exchange insults, when the total figure for the Greek bailout was 290 billion? Thats higher than Denmarks entire GDP!

In fact the EU, which now has 27 member states instead of just 12, is doing better than expected. When future historians analyze the tug-of-war between the UK and the EU over Brexit, they will conclude that the Union remained united and secured a separation agreement that proved beneficial to its own interests. They will also underscore that this is the first time in 500 years that Britain has not managed to divide the continent, even though it has certainly tried, even resorting to the argument of its military might.

This is the first time in 500 years that Britain has not managed to divide the continent

The Union has also remained united throughout tensions with Russia, the US and China. There have been nearly five years of seamless sanctions against Russia, a feat that few thought possible. And recently, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker flew to Washington DC and negotiated a truce with US President Trump on equal footing, as a representative of the interests of 500 million Europeans. This in itself is an unprecedented event. In its relations with China, the EU has surprised even the more optimistic observers, first by not granting the Asian giant market economy status in the World Trade Organization, and later by establishing the first oversight mechanism for European investment, an idea that prompted derisive laughter from American diplomats just a few years ago.

Even popular support for the EU has increased. Figures from the 2018 Eurobarometer show that two thirds of citizens (67%) support the EU, an unseen number since 1983, while 74% support the single currency, a new record. As a matter of fact the Union is so attractive that 700,000 British citizens recently marched on the streets of London waving European flags (a seemingly impossible sight), while French President Emmanuel Macron drapes himself in the European flag on a daily basis (pure madness) and German Chancellor Angela Merkel wants to create a European army (reckless).

And the most extraordinary part of all is that neither Hungarys Viktor Orban, nor Polands Jaroslaw Kaczynski, not even Italys Matteo Salvini actually defend leaving the Union. On the contrary, they are contemplating a League of Leagues to take Brussels by storm. This may sound scary, but this structural change is positive. The national populists no longer want to destroy the EU, they want to make it more authoritarian instead. What is being created is a European demos with all its inherent ideological battles. This is so much so, that for the first time the European elections of next May will be truly European elections. Those who do not wish to see an authoritarian EU should go out and vote. And heres the biggest irony of all: maybe the British will have regrets and join the party of European democracy after all.
During my darkest hours, Ive slept on park benches, awakened throughout the night by police. Fortunately, Ive got a supportive family, but mental illness is always stressful on families and I hate that. My last memory of my dying step-dad was of him sobbing, worrying that my illness would one day get the best of me and he wouldnt be there to help.

There are tens of thousands of people like me in our state, many who voted for you despite the stereotype that people with mental illness dont vote. We are professionals and blue-collar workers, mining engineers and Tesla factory workers, poker dealers and waitresses, mothers, fathers, children and someones best friend. Mental illness, like cancer, doesnt discriminate. Yes, some of us are lost in life but too many of us quietly suffer from our illness and from stigma which often prevents us from seeking help.

I met a Reno man, Mark, who told me how he needed a place to sleep one night and found it in the back seat of an unlocked empty car. He lives with a mental illness. A passing police officer arrested him and took him to jail, where he stayed for four months, instead of to a hospital, where he should have gone for a few weeks.
In addition to tax evasion and bank fraud, Michael Cohen pleaded guilty late last year to lying to Congress. Cohen lied under oath when he told congressional investigators that Trumps efforts to build Trump Tower Moscow ceased in January 2016  because, according to Cohen, they actually ceased in June 2016. Cohen said he lied because Trump had asked him to do so and because Cohen wanted his testimony to be consistent with Trumps public campaign narrative that he had no business dealings in Russia.

The BuzzFeed saga is not all black-and-white and has been exacerbated considerably by the presidents public-facing lawyer, Rudolph Giuliani. We know that Muellers PR person knew of the BuzzFeed piece days in advance and had numerous texts and emails with the BuzzFeed reporters. He did not discourage its publication or challenge its conclusions until 24 hours after publication. We know that neither Cohen nor his lawyers challenged the accuracy of the BuzzFeed piece.

We also know that Giuliani actually went beyond the BuzzFeed allegations. He explained to a reporter for The New Yorker that Mueller has not claimed that the Cohen allegation that President Trump counseled Cohen to lie was inaccurate; rather, the inaccurate statement in the BuzzFeed piece was its reference to the existence of texts and emails corroborating what BuzzFeed claims Trump told Cohen.
This legislation would prohibit landlords and creditors from taking action against federal workers or contractors who are hurt by the government shutdown and unable to pay rent or repay loans. The bill would also empower federal workers to sue creditors or landlords that violate this protection against landlords, utility companies and creditors during a government shutdown.

Nevadans always look out for each other, said Frierson. Its unfair that those who have chosen to serve our state and nation in public service are now being forced to go without their paychecks. President Trumps shutdown is punishing Nevada families simply because his administration is choosing to play political games instead of properly governing the country. This shutdown is part of a disturbing pattern of failures by the White House to acknowledge hard working people all across the country. We simply cannot wait for the President to act. We must move forward with advancing this bill through the legislature so that federal workers can continue to care for their families.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)  In a long-awaited report, state investigators said Thursday that a 2017 wildfire that killed 22 people in Northern California wine country was caused by a private electrical system, not equipment belonging to embattled Pacific Gas & Electric Corp.

The state firefighting agency concluded that the blaze started next to a residence. It did not find any violations of state law.

I eliminated all other causes for the Tubbs Fire, with the exception of an electrical caused fire originating from an unknown event affecting privately owned conductor or equipment, CalFire Battalion Chief John Martinez wrote in his report.

Some details about the property, including its owner and address, were blacked out of the report. It said the Napa County property about 3 miles north of Calistoga was built in 1946 on about 10.5 acres with a wine cellar, pool and several outbuildings.

The fire was one of more than 170 that torched the state in October 2017. It destroyed more than 5,600 structures over more than 57 square miles in Sonoma and Napa counties.
CARSON CITY (AP)  A suspect in four fatal shootings in Nevada was accused in court Thursday of being in the U.S. illegally and selling jewelry stolen from some of the dead.

Wilber Ernesto Martinez-Guzman, a 19-year-old immigrant from El Salvador, appeared in court in Carson City in shackles with a Spanish-language interpreter and a public defender at his side.

The judge spent more than 25 minutes reading aloud a 36-count criminal complaint that suggested property theft as a motive for the slayings. He set bail at $500,000.

A pawn broker told AP that Martinez-Guzman used his passport for identification at the Carson City store where he is accused of selling jewelry allegedly stolen from some of the dead.

Martinez-Guzman did not speak English well, but there wasnt anything that just made us say, This is odd or weird, said Allen Rowe, owner of several Northern Nevada Coin stores. Rowe said routine receipt paperwork that goes to local sheriffs, along with store video, led authorities to Martinez-Guzman last week.
ELKO  An arrest was made in connection with a kidnapping in August that led to a manhunt in Spring Creek.

John Glenn Hebel, 21, of Elko, was booked in Elko County Jail on multiple felony charges including first degree kidnapping, robbery with the use of a deadly weapon, assault with a deadly weapon and coercion and destroying evidence in the commission of a felony.

He was also charged with firearms charges including unlawful possession of a short-barreled rifle or short-barreled shotgun, changing, altering, removing or obliterating the serial number of a firearm and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.

His bail was set at $377,500.

On Aug. 30, a manhunt was launched in Spring Creek when two women in their early 20s were found on Boyd-Kennedy Road. They told an Elko County Sheriffs deputy they had been kidnapped at a Southside residence in Elko earlier in the day.

That afternoon, a Nevada Highway Patrol trooper pursued a vehicle thought to be in connection with the crime. The trooper said he ended it when the high-speed pursuit endangered the public.

The vehicle was abandoned on Pleasant Valley Road near the Spring Creek Campground later that day and taken into evidence by law enforcement.

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Medical bill will pass as wished by government

Speaker Krishna Bahadur Mahara said on Thursday that Fridays meeting of Parliament would endorse the National Medical Education Bill as per the governments wish, a statement that drew sharp criticism from the main opposition, Nepali Congress.
Less official attention has been paid to what happens after these busts.

In Guangxi, Zhang saw that pangolins were kept in small cages and fed cat food at the wildlife center, whereas wild pangolins eat termites. She said she had tried to coordinate with Save Vietnams Wildlife, a nonprofit, to bring shipments of termites to feed the pangolins, but the center declined the offer.

After the animals died, the center wouldnt reveal what happened to their scaly bodies. But in other instances, the same center has turned over live pangolins to industry groups  including a steel factory in Guangdong province and a farm associated with a Chinese traditional medicine center in Jiangxi province. The government released this information on its web site.

In response to an information request from Zhang, the Guangxi Forestry Department sent copies of the licenses held by these organizations for handling pangolins. The reason for transferring pangolins remains unclear.

We want the wildlife center to provide a full explanation, Zhang said. We know the trade in pangolins is very lucrative. The public should be able to know what happens.
The EBRD is supporting energy security and reduced pollution in Ukraine by arranging a syndicated loan of 150 million loan for the construction of a 250 MW windfarm in the Kherson region of southern Ukraine.

The loan will be extended to the local developer SyvashEnergoProm LLC, co-owned by renewable energy groups Total Eren of France and NBT of Norway, for the construction of the initial 133 MW phase. The farm is expected to begin power generation by the end of 2019.

The package will consist of a 75 million EBRD A-loan and a B-Loan of up to 75 million from the Green for Growth Fund (GGF) and the Netherlands Development Finance Company (FMO). A parallel loan of 5 million will be provided by the Nordic Environment Finance Corporation (NEFCO).

Once the project is fully commissioned, it is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by 470,000 tonnes annually, and to produce over 850,000 MWh of renewable energy each year - enough to provide power to the Ukrainian municipality of Rivne, which has approximately 100,000 households.

The wind farm is the latest investment under the EBRD's 250 million Ukraine Sustainable Energy Lending Facility III (USELF III) framework approved by the Bank in July 2018. USELF III builds on two previous programmes co-financed by the EBRD and the Clean Technology Fund, which yielded 13 renewable energy projects in Ukraine with an aggregate installed capacity of 151 MW.

Speaking at the signing ceremony in Davos yesterday, EBRD President Suma Chakrabarti said, "We are delighted to be supporting the two world class developers who will build Ukraine's largest windfarm. This shows that Ukraine's commitment to carry out energy sector reforms is increasing the investor confidence needed to achieve the country's energy transition. This project is good news for Ukraine, investors and for the planet."

The EBRD is the largest international financial investor in Ukraine. Since the start of its operations in the country in 1993, the Bank has made a cumulative commitment of almost 13.1 billion across some 418 projects in Ukraine.
NBT AS ("NBT"), a utility-scale wind power developer based in Oslo, and Total Eren SA ("Total Eren"), a leading renewable energy Independent Power Producer ("IPP") based in Paris, have signed definitive financing agreements for the first phase of a 250 MW wind project located in the Kherson region of Ukraine. The 155M financing agreement was signed at a special meeting of Ukraine's National Investment Council in Davos. The project's start of construction is imminent.

The onshore wind project, called Syvash wind farm ("Syvash") has been developed by Norway-based NBT together with France-based Total Eren. At its full capacity, Syvash represents a 380 million total investment. Syvash will consist of 64 wind turbines and will be located on 1,300 hectares of land in the southern Kherson region of Ukraine. Once completed, it is expected to become the country's largest renewable energy project.

Syvash is the first internationally financed large-scale wind farm in Ukraine. An A/B loan of up to 155 million has been raised for the construction of the initial 133 MW phase. It will consist of a 75 million EBRD loan, while B-Loans of up to 75 million will be provided jointly by the Green for Growth Fund (GGF) and the Netherlands Development Finance Company (FMO). A parallel loan of 5 million will be provided by the Nordic Environment Finance Corporation (NEFCO).

The Syvash wind farm will be built to very high international standards, conforming to EBRD Performance Standards and Equator Principles. The electricity generated from Syvash will be sold to state-owned company "Energorynok" - Ukraine's wholesale electricity market operator. Once the full project is constructed, it will have a planned production of 850 GWh per year, and will generate enough electricity to meet the needs of approximately 100,000 households in the municipality of Rivne, in Ukraine. It is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by 470,000 tonnes per year, hence creating a positive impact on the environment.

The Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract has been signed with PowerChina, one of the largest power plant construction companies worldwide and Nordex Group, a leading producer of onshore wind turbines. Construction work is expected to start in a few weeks. The project will bring economic development and significant tax revenues to the Kherson region and will have a lasting economics impact even after its construction is completed.

Syvash represents Total Eren and NBT's first project in Ukraine, a country with high potential for renewable energy sources, combined with strong local support from the Ukrainian Government, the Office of the National Investment Council, regional authorities and other partners to develop the Ukrainian renewable energy market.

David Corchia, CEO of Total Eren, stated: "This signature marks an important milestone for Total Eren in extending its development efforts to Eastern Europe with a project of this scale. We are proud to have mobilized, together with our partner NBT, this trusted lender group led by EBRD and look forward to starting construction and finalizing the second phase of the project. We see tremendous potential for further development for Total Eren in Ukraine."

Joar Viken, CEO of NBT, stated: "We are extremely happy that we can invest along with our strategic partner Total Eren in utility-scale wind farms that will power the sustainable future growth of Ukraine. The 250MW Syvash wind farm is just the start of our plans to invest a considerable amount of capital in our large pipeline of wind projects in Ukraine over the next two to three years. With improved business climate in Ukraine and success of this international project financing, we envision that private commercial institutions and international investors will see the benefits of investing in Ukraine. In addition, we foresee potential interest for Green Bonds to financing NBT's pipeline of new wind projects in Ukraine. We look forward to working with the Government of Ukraine and our strategic partners to support our expansion plans for investing in wind power in Ukraine."

About Total Eren

Founded in 2012 by Paris Mouratoglou and David Corchia, Total Eren has built up a substantial and diversified portfolio of wind, solar and hydroelectric assets representing an installed gross capacity of more than 1,300 MW in operation or under construction worldwide. Through partnerships with local developers, Total Eren is currently developing numerous energy projects in countries and regions where renewable energy represents an economically viable response to growing energy demand, such as in Asia-Pacific, Africa and Latin America. Its objective is to achieve a global net installed capacity of more than 3 GW by 2022. On 1 December 2017, Total S.A, the major energy company, acquired an indirect 23% interest in Total Eren. For more information, go to www.total-eren.com.

About NBT

NBT AS is a developer and operator of utility-scale wind farms in emerging markets. The company was founded in 2004 and is based in Oslo, Norway. NBT has operations in Norway, China, Cyprus, Sweden, Singapore and Ukraine. For more information, go to www.nbtas.no.
The electricity transmission main grid is part of the Finnish heritage, and it all began 90 years ago. Since that time, the main grid has developed into one of the world's best electricity transmission systems. The transmission system operator Fingrid is celebrating this anniversary in a working way; grid development continues because the need to transmit electricity will grow in the future as well.

One of the biggest milestones in the history of Finland's electricity transmission was the commissioning of the first high voltage transmission line on 16 January 1929. On that day, the first 110 kilovolt transmission line section of a main grid that now covers the entire country was taken into use between Imatra and Turku. It was also the first large national project carried out in Finland.

The idea of transmitting electricity over longer distances originated in Central Europe in the late 1800s. The significance of electrification for society was gradually recognised in Finland, and 1929 marked the start of development that has made our main grid one of the world's best electricity transmission systems. The main grid now covers all of Finland and it conveys nearly all the electricity consumed here. Today, the entire country runs on electricity.

The main grid was initially built by various industrial operators. Its construction was an absolute necessity in terms of Finland industrial development. After a number of different construction phases covering several decades, ownership was transferred to the national transmission system operator Fingrid in 1997. Fingrid owns Finland's main grid and all significant cross-border connections.

The main grid is facing its greatest challenge

Finland's main grid has approximately 14,300 kilometres of 400, 220 and 110 kilovolt transmission lines as well as 114 substations and 4 HVDC connections. Long transmission connections and large power levels require high voltages to minimize transmission losses. The main grid is in good condition and electricity transmission reliability is outstanding, also on an international scale. Finland has strong transmission connections to its neighbouring countries and the internal transmission network enables electricity market activities that keep the country a single-price area.

However, there is still plenty of work to do. The main grid is facing one of the biggest challenges in its history, because the need for electricity will continue to increase in the future. One concrete example is the fact that more efficient transmission connections are needed between northern and southern Finland. The north produces a surplus of electricity while the majority of electricity is consumed in the southern part of the country.

The main grid is planned in a market-oriented manner in close cooperation with neighbouring countries. Large markets and strong transmission connections to Estonia, Sweden, Norway and Russia ensure that electricity is always produced in the most efficient way.

The main grid of the future will provide a platform for a clean, emission-free power system. Fingrid is developing the main grid with a long-term view so that clean energy can be connected to the main grid and made available to consumers and industry.

The Forest Line will be completed in 2022, and new connections to Sweden will increase electricity market efficiency

Fingrid is planning two large new transmission connections. One of these is the Forest Line from Oulu to Petajavesi, which will increase transmission capacity in the north-south direction. Completion of the Forest Line is scheduled for 2022.

Also in progress is a third alternating current link between Finland and Sweden, which will provide an additional 800 megawatts of transmission capacity between the countries. This connection will ensure that the Nordic electricity market is even more efficient and reliable.

A video about our national heritage

A video created in honour of this special year describes main grid development from the 1920s to the present day in just a few minutes. Link to the video: https://youtu.be/ri1dTFB6alE

Further information:

Jukka Ruusunen, President & CEO, Fingrid Oyj, tel. +358 (0)30 395 5140
Today (1/23), SMUD CEO and General Manager Arlen Orchard unveiled a vision for the Sacramento region to lead the way in mobility by developing a model for a future Mobility Center that will foster innovation in the clean transportation sector and serve as a catalyst for carbon reduction and inclusive economic development.

Building on California's policy leadership in tackling greenhouse gas emissions, and SMUD's commitment to electric transportation and innovative mobility solutions, SMUD is funding two feasibility studies to support the Mobility Center. The Mobility Center would bring existing regional efforts to secure an electric vehicle prototyping hub and the Autonomous Transportation Open Standards initiative under one umbrella organization. The Mobility Center is envisioned as a public-private partnership of governmental entities, leading universities, electric utilities, technology and automotive companies, and venture capitalists.

Once up and running, the Mobility Center will support, fund and commercialize new mobility technologies including electric vehicles, autonomous transportation, battery storage, shared mobility solutions, public transit and new business and policy models for adoption on the international stage.

"As the Capitol of California, Sacramento is uniquely positioned to leverage cutting edge public policy, electric transportation expertise, university research, and an innovative ecosystem to lead in developing, supporting and testing emerging transportation technologies, and business and policy models, while at the same time improving the environmental, social and economic vitality of communities across our region," said Orchard. "SMUD is proud to support the Sacramento region in taking a leading role in the future of mobility and this is the first step."

This announcement puts in motion a feasibility study conducted by German based PEM Aachen GmbH, which has extensive expertise in key facets of the mobility sector. Spun off from RWTH Aachen University, PEM currently has a large testing and prototyping facility in Germany and has a strong interest in expanding with a location in the Sacramento area. Organized by the Greater Sacramento Economic Council, city of Sacramento officials, business leaders and university representatives visited the PEM facilities in 2018 and came away impressed.

In 2017, the city of Sacramento and business leaders helped launch the Autonomous Transportation Open Standards initiative to position Sacramento as a testbed for connected and autonomous vehicles throughout the Sacramento region. The Mobility Center will build on the ATOS model by providing a full life cycle suite of services from idea all the way to market.

In addition to PEM, EnerTech Capital has been retained to develop a financially sustainable consortium framework with a goal of attracting global investors to the Mobility Center. With offices in Toronto, Philadelphia, Montreal, Menlo Park and Calgary, EnerTech is a venture capital firm specializing in early to growth stage companies in the energy, transportation and technology space.

While the feasibility studies are funded by SMUD, the concept of a Mobility Center has garnered the interest of regional leaders such as the Greater Sacramento Economic Council, city of Sacramento, Sacramento County, University of California, Davis, Sacramento State, Valley Vision and VSP, as well as policy makers and venture capitalists.

"This collaborative effort to build a center of mobility excellence in Sacramento will create economic development, jobs and promote innovative mobility solutions throughout the region," said Barry Broome, president and CEO of the Greater Sacramento Economic Council. "Expanding mobility will promote a robust workforce and expand opportunities in disadvantaged communities."

Once the feasibility studies are completed in late March, supporters will begin the process of securing partners and investors in the new Mobility Center.

About SMUD

As the nation's sixth-largest community-owned, not-for-profit, electric service provider, SMUD has been providing low-cost, reliable electricity for more than 70 years to Sacramento County and small adjoining portions of Placer and Yolo Counties. SMUD has been supporting electric vehicle technology and providing innovative customer programs since the 1990s. SMUD is a recognized industry leader and award winner for its innovative energy efficiency programs, renewable power technologies, and for its sustainable solutions for a healthier environment. SMUD's power mix is about 50 percent non-carbon emitting. For more information, visit smud.org.

About the Greater Sacramento Economic Council

The Greater Sacramento Economic Council is the catalyst for innovative growth strategies in the Capital Region of California. The organization spearheads community-led direction to retain, attract, grow and scale new businesses, develop advanced industries and create jobs and investment throughout a six-county region. Greater Sacramento represents a collaboration between local and state governments, market leaders, influencers and stakeholders, with the sole mission of driving economic growth. The Sacramento Region was founded on discovery, built on leadership and fueled by innovation.
On 23 January 2019, EDF and CONERGIES-GROUP announced the partnership to jointly develop and deploy groundbreaking energy efficiency solutions in refrigeration and air conditioning for industrial and tertiary customers in West Africa. Further to this partnership, EDF has acquired a 49% stake* in CONERGIES-GROUP.

This new partnership follows the investment from Investisseurs & Partenaires (I&P), through its fund I&P Afrique Entrepreneurs 1 (IPAE 1). In line with its initial commitment, I&P exited the company after 6 years, during which they successfully supported the company's growth, mainly by strengthening its structure, by funding its start-up activities in Cote d'Ivoire and by contributing to define a new marketing strategy for the Group.

The partnership between EDF and CONERGIES-GROUP is based on the complementary nature of positioning and competences of the two groups. CONERGIES-GROUP is one of the leaders of integrated energy efficiency solutions in West Africa, with more than 130 projects implemented in Cote d'Ivoire, Mali, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Benin, Guinea and Guinea-Bissau. The Group designs and implements tailor-made solutions in environmental engineering, refrigeration and solar energy. CONERGIES-GROUP operates under RICA Services in Mali and ARIC in Cote d'Ivoire.

EDF will provide CONERGIES-GROUP with its know-how in smart technologies so that energy consumption can be managed and monitored. EDF will mainly draw on the skills and experience of its subsidiary, Dalkia Froid Solutions,

specialised in design, installation and maintenance of tailor-made refrigeration solutions (integrating solar power) for industrial, large and medium-sized retailing and tertiary customers. On the African continent, the company has already developed and deployed refrigeration systems for the dairy industry, powered by solar energy.

Operating in West Africa on the entire energy value chain (renewable energy electricity generation, Off -Grid energy access kits, grid development and engineering services), the EDF Group will also provide its knowledge of the markets, its commercial network and its capacity for innovation with its R&D arm.

Thanks to this cooperation, the CONERGIES-GROUP joint company now aims to triple its operations in West Africa

and is planning to progressively roll out its operations to other African markets

Valerie Levkov, the EDF Director in charge of African, Middle Eastern and Eastern Mediterranean Countries stated: Cooperation with CONERGIES-GROUP has confirmed speeding up of development of EDF activities in Africa. The energy efficiency services combined with carbon-free generation constitute a significant element of response to growing energy demand in African countries and reduction in CO2 emissions. It is also a factor for competitive development of local businesses based on better energy budget control. We are proud to meet these new challenges with a trustworthy partner, who shares our partnership strategy

Mamadou Sanankoua, CONERGIES-GROUP CEO stated: Fruitful cooperation with the IPAE investment fund has enabled us to structure and develop our activities in Cote d'Ivoire and Mali in a significant manner over the past six

years. This strategic partnership with EDF and its specialised subsidiary DALKIA FROID SOLUTIONS, will enable us to increase the portfolio of high energy efficiency solutions that can be offered to our customers in West and Central Africa. As an African company, we are proud to team up with a world class group like EDF to be able to provide groundbreaking energy efficient solutions and fulfilling the specific requirements and needs of the markets that we operate on.

Sebastien Boye, Chief Investment Officer at I&P stated: After a period of 6 years of an outstanding human and business adventure, during which the IPAE fund has contributed to the transformation of CONERGIES-GROUP from a Malian company into one of the -regional leaders of the sector, we are proud to sell our shares to EDF for this new stage of corporate growth. We are convinced of the strategic and industrial value of this new partnership and of its alignment in terms of values and environment and social oversight, which have been pivotal to our investment in CONERGIES.

The remaining 51% of the shares are owned by the Sanankoua family, historical shareholders.
The offer will end at 24:00 on Saturday, January 26.

Europe's largest low-cost airline Ryanair will launch four new routes from Ukraine to Germany starting from October.

It will launch flights from Kyiv's Boryspril Airport to Dusseldorf Weeze, Frankfurt-Hahn, Karlsruhe Baden Baden, and Nuremberg, the company's press service said.

Read alsoFrance's Aigle Azur announces launch of Kyiv-Paris flights

All flights are planned to be performed twice a week.

"To celebrate, Ryanair launched a seat sale with up to 20% off seats on over 200 European routes, for travel between April and June. This incredible offer will end at midnight (24:00hrs) on Saturday," it said.

As UNIAN reported, during the first week of April, Ryanair will open five new routes from Ukraine  to Dublin, Sofia, Paphos, Manchester, and Athens.
Gazprom to spend about $806 mln on Nord Stream 2 in 2019

Also, the Russian energy giant is set to allocate $268 million for TurkStream.

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Vietnamese Doan Thi Huong (front right) allegedly killed Kim Jong Nam by smearing the toxic nerve agent VX on his face at a Kuala Lumpur Airport in 2018, in a Cold War-style hit that shocked the world. Photo by AFP/File

The trial of the North Korean leader's half-brother murder faced further delays Thursday as the prosecution tried to block the release of key witness statements sought by the defense.

Siti Aisyah from Indonesia and Doan Thi Huong from Vietnam have been on trial since October 2017, accused of murdering Kim Jong Nam by smearing the nerve agent VX on his face at Kuala Lumpur airport.

The brazen assassination in February 2017 shocked the world but the women have denied murder, saying they believed they were taking part in a prank and were tricked by North Korean agents.

Proceedings in the trial of the women, in their 20s, have moved slowly due to the large number of witnesses and the fact that hearings are held infrequently.

The case was temporarily halted late last year after Aisyah's lawyers lodged an appeal to get access to key witness statements, which prosecutors argue should not be made public.

The seven statements are from individuals including someone who drove Kim Jong Nam around in Malaysia and acquaintances of Aisyah.

A court in the administrative capital Putrajaya ruled Thursday the statements should be given to the defense.

"The Court of Appeal has allowed our application that the statements of the seven witnesses that we were asking for must be supplied to the defense within two weeks from today," Aisyah's lawyer, Gooi Soon Seng, told reporters.

But prosecutor Mohammad Dusuki Mokhtar said the prosecution now planned to appeal to a higher court to seek to block the release of the statements.

The prosecution will also apply Monday to the High Court, which is hearing the main trial of the women, for the case to be put on hold while the appeal is ongoing.

The case would be "more proper and more structured if the High Court gives a postponement", said Muhammad Iskandar Ahmad, another prosecutor.

Only Aisyah was in court Thursday, as the hearing related to an appeal by her legal team.

Under current laws, the women will be handed a death sentence if convicted of murdering the estranged relative of the North's leader, Kim Jong Un.

Malaysia's new government, which took power in May, has vowed to abolish capital punishment for all crimes and has put executions on hold before seeking a change of the law in parliament.
The American bullfrog, seen here in Farmingdale, New York in August 2016, is considered an invasive amphibian. Photo by AFP/File

A major new trade route organized by China and spanning 123 countries could accelerate the spread of invasive species like never before, researchers warned Thursday.

Officially called China's Belt and Road Initiative, the project was launched five years ago and aims to include about half the planet -- linking Asia, Europe, Africa, Central and South America.

Yiming Li of the Chinese Academy of Sciences wondered years ago about Beijing's promise that the project would be a "green" initiative.

In particular, what would be the consequences for amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals?

"Perhaps the focus of the authorities has been more on pests and diseases in agriculture, and invasive species is not a popular topic," he told AFP.

Li and colleagues in China and Britain developed a model overlapping the regions of the world that would be linked by the new routes, based on trade values, and their climates and habitats, in order to predict where 816 types of vertebrates were most likely to be introduced and stick around.

Their study, published Thursday in the journal Current Biology, identifies 14 major hotspots where there is a high risk of invasive species becoming established.

On their map, these hotspots appear on all continents -- from Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines to parts of the Mediterranean to southern Chile and the Caribbean.

In Africa, countries like Algeria, Nigeria and Cameroon -- where the climate is favorable -- are also on the list.

"What we're most concerned about is the six large economic corridors" spanning Asia and Europe, said Li.

Because of the high traffic, "there is a high probability of introduction and local conditions are suitable for the survival of alien species. We refer to these places as invasive hotspots."

A 'wake-up call'

"Invasions are continually happening all over the place," said co-author Tim Blackburn, a professor of invasion biology at University College London.

Europeans exported rats to the Americas. At the start of the 20th century, an Asian fungus wiped out North America's chestnut forests. New Zealand, which was home to no native land mammals before the arrival of man, now has 25 species including rats, mice, hedgehogs and ferrets.

"This will be different, just because of the extent of it, and the volumes of trade potentially involved," Blackburn said.

Like bugs and fungi, rats, frogs, snakes and birds can hitch a ride in trucks, trains, ships and even airplanes.

So can domestic pets, which are then sometimes let go in nature.

Already, a bird called the common myna (Acridotheres tristis), native to Russia and Kazakhstan, has made its way into Xinjiang in northwest China, destroying the nests of local birds.

The American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) has been eating Chinese amphibians for years -- along with many elsewhere -- and is considered "the most invasive amphibian in the world," said Li.

So what can be done?

Researcher say the solution is biosecurity, including measures such as surveillance of containers, monitoring contents of shipments, instituting quarantines and programs designed to protect biodiversity.

According to Jeffrey Dukes, a professor of forestry and natural resources at Purdue University, the analysis is "interesting" but "it's necessarily pretty coarse in some ways," since it does not go into detail about which invasive species are likely, or where they may end up.

"This paper is great as a wake-up call," added Dukes, who was not involved in the study.

"Invasive species are very hard to eradicate. But if you prevent them, if you prevent the problem from happening in the first place, then you save yourself not just headaches, but you know, dollars and potentially species."
Local units okayed to issue helicopter rescue permits

The parliamentary International Relations Committee on Wednesday directed the government to make arrangements for the local administration to issue helicopter rescue permits in restricted areas.
Hoi An one of the best family destinations in the world

A woman rides a bicycle past a typical yellow house of Hoi An. Photo by Christian Berg

Hoi An has been ranked fifth among top 10 family destinations by the international Better Homes and Gardens magazine.

Hoi An town in the central province of Quang Nam is acclaimed most for its centuries-old ambience, homes and streets, its rich culture and delicious cuisine, the magazine notes.

"This is one of the best holiday destinations for families with older children looking to immerse themselves in culture," it says.

The magazine informs tourists that they can take a taxi to Hoi An from Da Nang City, which has an airport that receives flights from all major Vietnamese cities everyday. The distance from Da Nang to Hoi An is about 30 kilometers.

Other family-friendly destinations listed by the magazine include Dubai (United Arab Emirates), Hawaii, London (the U.K), Washington D.C (the U.S), Rovaniemi (Finland) and Nadi (Fiji).

Hoi An one of the best family destinations in the world A day with the oldest boat couple in Hoi An



Last year, Hoi An was named in the list of the top 10 places in Southeast Asia by travel publisher Rough Guides.

This year, travel magazine Travel+Leisure has named it among the 50 best holiday destinations around the world.
A thick fog that blanketed Ho Chi Minh City until noon Friday has residents and experts worried about worsening air quality.

Many parts of Ho Chi Minh City were under such a thick layer of fog Friday morning that many drivers complained of poor visibility. The Real-time Air Quality Index on aqicn.org on Friday ranked the pollution level in HCMC as "unhealthy," which means outdoor exertion should be limited for children and people with respiratory problems.

The fogs density could been seen in the way it obscured the peak of Landmark 81 in Saigon's Binh Thanh District, Vietnam's tallest building.

From the Thu Thiem Urban Area in District 2, the fog cast a screen over the city center and its skycrapers. The photo was taken at 9 a.m.

"Everything looked mysterious and it looked as though we were in Da Lat," said resident Le Van Tam, referring to the Central Highlands town where it is almost always cool and fog.

Temperatures in the usually hot city dropped to 21 degrees Celsius (70 degrees Fahrenheit) on Friday morning.

The Phu My Bridge in District 7 and the high-rise buildings beyond it were shrouded.

At far is a boat on the Doi Canal in District 8.

While some commuters were fascinated with the "romantic" foggy landscape, others were worried about the health risks involved.

"I didnt know the fog was caused by weather phenomenon or dirty air quality. So now I have to wear face masks outdoors to prevent respiratory infections and airborne diseases," said one resident who did not want to be named.

At around noon, the smog started to clear, but visibility was still poor in the area in front of the Independence Palace in District 1, also known as the Reunification Palace.

Experts have advised people to take extra protective measures against dust and other toxic substances that tend to linger in the fog.

The iconic Notre Dame Cathedral, still closed to tourists pending completion of a major restoration project, was a blurry sight till Friday afternoon.

Smog was a very rare phenomenon in HCMC up until 10 years ago, but it has become more common in recent years.

Le Dinh Quyet with the Southern Meteorological Center said the city has been smog-smothered in recent days, often until noon. It was a sign of air pollution, he said, suggesting that traffic and industrial smoke can be factors.
There was a time when festivals were innocent, earnest celebrations, but the destruction of pagodas and temples after independence has drained public spirituality.

Journalist Vu Viet Tuan

Prof Ngo Duc Thinh, the former head of the Vietnamese Institute of Culture and a personal acquaintance, once told me about how Vietnam is facing a "crisis of faith." But it wasnt being brought about by a lack of faith. It was because of too much of it.

This crisis is evident from how northern provinces celebrate countless festivals of all shapes and sizes at the beginning of each year. For all their extravagance and grandeur, these festivals are also lightning rods for criticism and controversies, mostly about how modern society has corrupted them and subverted their original purpose.

One good example is the New Year Blessing Festival at the Tuc Mac Temple in Nam Dinh Province. Once a solemn event to welcome the New Year and wish people luck, it is now marked by chaos and cacophony, with people jostling and shoving others to fight for, apparently, "good luck."

The festival goes all the way back to the ancient dynasties of Vietnam. Legend has it that in the 13th century, when the Tran Dynasty ruled the country, the king would have wooden objects called an, which represents a token of luck for the new year, offered to the people on the night of the 14th of the first lunar month.

This was an invocation to heaven, earth and ancestors, but also sought to remind people that the Lunar New Year celebrations were over and it was time for them to get back to work.

But nowadays things are a bit manic. And I remember every bit of it from every year.

As night falls on the 14th, thousands gather outside the Tuc Mac Temple. Their goal is to snatch pieces of paper or tree branches from within the temple, or merely be inside when the "sacred hour" arrives, to get themselves "good luck."

But the scene is surreal: the temples worship areas are barricaded with metal fences and squadrons of police are stationed everywhere to maintain security. It makes sense given how hordes of people, like predators hiding in the dark, lie in wait outside.

A multi-colored card system is used to make sure the right people get to go inside the temple at the right time.

How I wish these measures are enough to prevent chaos.

When the gates open, the sea of humanity surges in. When the sacred hour strikes, all one can see are arms waving frantically in the air and hear screams of discord. Cases of people passing out in the commotion are worryingly frequent.

Large crowds gather inside a temple in Nam Dinh Province at a Lunar New Year festival. Photo by VnExpress/Ngoc Thanh

The festivals notoriety often garners national headlines and the attention of historians and researchers. Many historians have said the festival is now far too detached from its original place in Vietnamese history and does not help people with things like career advancement, contrary to what many believe. But the rush has never stopped.

The Nam Dinh festival is just one of many that have turned ugly in modern times. Like in most other things that have been corrupted, money is involved.

Besides the luck part, the Nam Dinh festival is also serious business. There are years when tens of thousands of luck tokens are sold at the festival, enabling the organizers to rake in tens of billions of dong.

Seeing the money-making prowess of the Nam Dinh festival, many other regions have followed suit in recent years. Even in Hanoi, the Thang Long Imperial Citadel once considered organizing a similar festival. Luckily the plan was shot down because of a backlash from researchers.

Thinh blames this phenomenon partly on our history. After the country gained independence (from the first Indochina War in 1945), the government decided to destroy many pagodas and temples, deeming them distractions. Having lost their places of worship, many Vietnamese became "spiritually lost" during this period, he contends.

The destruction of the pagodas and temples have certainly had one lasting effect on Vietnamese society: many people now lack proper awareness of the true significance of our festivals and merely think of them as a chance to make money.

Even more dangerously, the authorities too suffer from this ignorance. Their participation in these festivals only serves to spotlight people's misguided beliefs, which could potentially spread into public consciousness.

Thinh has repeatedly urged the Ministry of Culture to devise a long-term plan to reeducate people about faith and beliefs to make up for the "time lost" spiritually in the past.

But the government cannot see the forest for the trees: Instead of trying to address the root of the problem, it only worries about whether the festivals go smoothly and without controversy.

For it, a festival is successful if no newspaper carries a negative story the next morning. And to ensure this, authorities have started to meddle with local festivals, which were traditionally run by the people themselves.

These efforts are in fact an administrative failure since they are erasing Vietnam's cultural identity, according to Nguyen Phuong Cham, the current head of the culture institute.

Though in recent times festivals have gone smoothly and peacefully, the truth remains that people are not really aware of why they are celebrated in the first place. It means chaotic scenes like at the Nam Dinh festival might eventually resurface at some point in the future.

There is only one way to fix this issue: let people celebrate festivals in whatever manner they wish without interference from authorities.

And, while it might be difficult and take long, it needs to be impressed upon people that festivals are not about money.

*Vu Viet Tuan is a journalist based in Hanoi. The opinions expressed are his own.
Police in central Hue Town have arrested a man for allegedly accosting a Canadian tourist and stealing $215 from her handbag.

Nguyen Doan, 21, faces charges of "stealing properties," a crime punishable by up to 15 years in jail. In Vietnam, theft is a criminal offense if the value of the stolen property exceeds VND2 million ($87).

On Thursday Doan spotted the woman withdrawing money from an ATM on Vo Thi Sau Street in the popular central tourist town, the local media reported.

He approached her and pretended to sell some souvenirs. While she was distracted, he grabbed VND5 million from her handbag and fled.

The woman complained to the police, and officers quickly arrested the culprit, though did not saw how they zeroed in on Doan.

The police returned the money to her.

Hue, the seat of the ruling Nguyen Dynasty from 1802 until the end of the feudal era in 1945, is one of the top holiday destinations in Vietnam.
The crew of the destroyer USS McCampbell in the East China Sea on December 27, 2018. Photo handed out by Reuters

Respect international laws and maintain peace, Vietnam says as the U.S. and the U.K. held joint drill in the South China Sea.

"Maintaining peace, stability, security, safety, freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea is the mutual benefits and responsibility of countries inside and outside the region," foreign ministry spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang told the press Thursday, using the Vietnamese name for the disputed waters.

A U.S. Navy guided missile destroyer, the USS McCampbell, and a Royal Navy frigate, the HMS Argyll, conducted communications drills on January 11-16 "to address common security priorities," the U.S. Navy said in a press statement.

Freedom of navigation a joint responsibility of all nations: Vietnam US, Britain hold joint drills in South China Sea

This is the first time the two navies have conducted joint naval maneuvers in the waters since China built island bases there.

The drill took place four months after another British warship, the 22,000-ton HMS Albion, sailed close to the islands.

Early this month, USS McCampbell had sailed near the Paracel Islands, performing a "freedom of navigation" operation, sailing within 12 nautical miles off the islands, "to challenge excessive maritime claims" by China, Reuters had reported.

Chinas claims in the South China Sea, through which some $3 trillion worth of ship-borne trade passes each year, are contested by Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam.

Neither the United States nor Britain has territorial claims in the area.

Pictures of Chinas island bases released last year appeared to show truck-mounted surface-to-air missiles or anti-ship cruise missiles. Chinas air force has also landed bombers on disputed islands as part of training exercises in the region.
A close up look of an E. coli bacteria colony. Photo by Shutterstock/fusebulb

Antibiotics-resistant bacteria have been found in the intestines of 70 percent of citizens in a Vietnamese rural community.

This alarming fact was reported Wednesday by the bi-annual medical publication Infectious Disease Special Edition.

A study conducted in an unnamed Vietnamese village of 7,730 residents revealed that 70 percent of them were carrying colistin-resistant Escherichia coli in their stool samples, said Yoshimasa Yamamoto, a professor emeritus at Osaka University, Japan, who conducted the study with his colleagues.

The World Health Organization has designated Colistin a last-resort antibiotic to treat multidrug-resistant bacteria. While not commonly used by humans, it is frequently given to livestock and poultry instead.

Escherichia coli, commonly known as E. coli, is a rod-shaped bacteria strain normally found in the lower intestine of warm-blooded organisms. While most strains are harmless, some can cause food poisoning in their hosts, including humans.

Yamamoto noted that the bacterias prevalence was much higher than what he and his team had predicted.

"This is the first time that such an extremely high colonization rate of colistin-resistant E. coli [...] in developing countries has been seen," he said.

He said they suspect that the bacteria was disseminated from livestock and the environment. The bacteria carry a mobile colistin resistance gene, which allow them to resist the effects of the aforementioned antibiotic.

"Almost everybody in that society is carrying this dangerous mobile resistance gene," said Yamamoto.

While the particular strain of E. coli found in the study was nonpathogenic, its widespread prevalence is a worrying sign that a strain of "nightmare bacteria" resistant to all kinds of antibiotics available could arise in the future.

"[The bacteria] dont cause health problems immediately, but its clear that the number of refractory infections for which antibiotics dont work will increase, which will become a great menace to clinical practice," he said.

Finding out the mechanism of how the mobile gene has spread, and making public health interventions like strictly maintaining hand hygiene are vital for preventing the spread of the resistant bacteria, Yamamoto added.

He also stressed the importance of international surveillance systems and studying the abuse of colistin in agriculture.

"In this borderless society, drug-resistant bacteria quickly spreads beyond national and regional borders, so it is necessary to strengthen international surveillance systems and promptly take preventative measures," Yamamoto said.

The World Health Organization has listed Vietnam among the list of nations with the highest rate of antibiotic-resistant infections, at 33 percent of patients. This conclusion was also reached by IMS Health, a Connecticut-based healthcare data company, in a 2015 report on global antibiotics usage.

The rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in Vietnam has been attributed to the countrys increased antibiotics sale in recent years. Indiscriminate and unnecessary prescription and use of antibiotics are partly to blame, experts said at a health conference in Hanoi last year.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (second, left) greets executives of multinational groups at the Vietnam economic dialogue in Davos on January 23. Photo courtesy of Vietnam News Agency

Vietnam considers the fourth industrial revolution a policy revolution, not only one of technology, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has said.

Speaking at a meeting with executives of leading global firms on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos Thursday, he said Vietnam aims to develop a legal framework that will accommodate the new technologies of Industry 4.0 and accelerate public-private partnerships to create environment-friendly breakthrough products and services.

Elaborating on Phucs message, Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung said, "Thus, policies will favor new business models based on new technologies."

Vietnam and the WEF Thursday signed an agreement for the establishment of a Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution in Vietnam, which will be connected with similar centers in the U.S. and the EU.

The Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution is a hub for global, multistakeholder cooperation to develop policy frameworks and advance collaborations that accelerate the benefits of science and technology, according to the WEF.

"Industry 4.0 is knocking on the door of every single enterprise, bringing about in-depth changes. Vietnam considers it a big opportunity when countries compete through innovation and not only through traditional elements like trade liberalization, scale, experience, labor and capital," Phuc said.

Replying to ride-hailing firm Grabs CEO Anthony Ping Yeow Tans query about his governments view on new business models like Grab, the PM said the government supports breakthrough business models, innovations and the start-up spirit. "This is an aspect of the sustainability of an economy, an element of a digital economy."

In Vietnam the Singapore-based Grab has been taken to court by local taxi firm Vinasun, which sought compensation for causing it losses.

Grab has appealed an order by the court to pay Vinasun VND4.8 billion ($208,000), claiming it did not commit any wrong against Vinasun since it only provides technical services and does not have a transportation business.

Tan however told Phuc his firm is a happy investor in Vietnam. Vietnam was Grabs second market and it has invested $100 million in the country, developing technology centers with hundreds of engineers, he said.

Phuc met with a number of top business executives.

Speaking with Apple CEO Tim Cook, he welcomed the companys plans to establish a database center in Vietnam.

Vietnam is one of Apples fastest growing markets. In a recent letter to shareholders, Apple, admitting to facing difficulties, said it still has high hopes on several markets including Vietnam.

At a meeting with Facebooks head of global affairs, Nick Clegg, Phuc said he wanted the company to help develop Vietnams IT industry and especially work with startups and enable small and medium-sized to access information and facilitate trade through social media.

But bringing up the problem of dissemination of "incorrect information" on social media, he said Facebook should improve its information verification system to avoid distortions and fake information.

Many global executives told the PM they were happy with their business in the country.

A Heineken executive said Vietnam hosts its most creative production facility in the globe, while a Unilever official said its Vietnam business is a big success.

An executive from Italy's Ariston, which makes water heating appliances, said Vietnam is one of the firms important markets and manufacturing bases and it intends to set up new facilities.

Phuc said in preparation for Industry 4.0, Vietnam is set to pilot 5G technologies this year and begin commercial services in 2020, hoping to become a global leader in 5G.

Vietnam is among the countries with the largest optical cable network coverage of nearly 1 million km of cables and has 60 percent of its population using the Internet and 98 percent using 3G and 4G mobile services.

PM Phuc called on international firms to come to Vietnam and make Industry 4.0 products here.

He told the executives that Vietnam is an open economy, and increasingly so, as reflected by its trade rising to as much as 185 percent of GDP.

Its economy grew at 7.08 percent last year, the highest rate in 11 years, and GDP per capita is $2,600, according to official data.
Two workers put up Viettel sign outside an office. Photo courtesy of Viettel.

Military-run telecom giant Viettel is the only Vietnamese firm in the list of 500 most valuable brands in the world.

Valued at $4.32 billion, Viettels brand was ranked 478th on the list of 500 most valuable brands in the world for 2019, Brand Finance, a leading global brand valuation consultant, announced at the ongoing World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

This is the first time a Vietnamese brand has been named in this list.

Accordingly, Viettels brand value in 2019 has increased 35.8 percent year over 2018. The telecom giants high brand valuation was largely due to its presence and contribution in 10 foreign markets, suggesting the company was internationally competitive.

2018 was a successful year for Viettel in foreign telecommunication sectors, with service revenue growing by 20 percent, mobile subscribers base growing by 70 percent and net cash flow from international operations by $240 million, 3 percent higher compared to 2017.

Brand Finances Global 500 list ranks the most valuable brands in the world covering all business fields including telecommunications, technology, automotive, oil and gas. Some big names in the list include Amazon, Apple, Google, Mercedes-Benz, Shell and Telstra.

"Every year Brand Finance conducts an assessment of about 5,000 global brands across 40 different areas on various criteria such as revenue, brand strength, and financial health," said David Haigh, CEO of Brand Finance.

Out of a total 5,000 global businesses surveyed, there were 500 Southeast Asian businesses, of which only 8 brands made it to the Global 500 list. The listed brands were in three categories: telecommunications, oil and gas, banking.
A sign of Marubeni Corporation is seen at the company's head office in Tokyo July 27, 2009. Reuters/Stringer

Marubeni Corporation, one of the biggest Japanese investors in Vietnam, is seeking to expand into new industries in this country.

Kaoru Iwasa, the companys regional CEO for ASEAN & Southwest Asia, told Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung during a meeting Thursday that Marubeni is interested in partnering with Vietnamese firms to enter new sectors.

He listed trading, power generation, liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects, producing water for households, and wastewater treatment.

Marubeni is a major player in Vietnam, with interests in thermal power plants like Nghi Son 2, in which it is an investor, and Thai Binh 2, in which it is an engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractor.

The group is also engaged in export-import of coal, fisheries, coffee, grain and petrochemicals, and production of food and textiles.

In its latest move Tuesday, it announced the setting up of a wholly-owned containerboard manufacturing company, Kraft of Asia Paperboard & Packaging Co, at the Phu My 3 Specialized Industrial Park in the southern province of Ba Ria - Vung Tau.

All necessary permits have been obtained and construction of the plant would begin immediately, Marubeni said in a release. It targets commercial operations by 2020 with an annual capacity of 350,000 tons.

Apart from rising worldwide containerboard demand due to economic and e-commerce growth, Marubeni said demand in Vietnam is also forecast to grow significantly in line with the steady rise in national income.

The firm estimated demand in Vietnam to be growing at more than 10 percent annually, higher than in Thailand, Indonesia and many other countries.

Deputy Prime Minister Dung told Iwasa he hoped Marubeni, which already considers Vietnam one of its business hubs, would expand further by taking advantage of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, of which Japan and Vietnam are among the 11 members. The deal came into force on January 14, 2019.

He said Vietnam wants Japan to invest in such fields as infrastructure, energy, electronics, automobiles, agricultural machinery, fisheries processing, high-tech agriculture, and environment.

Japan is Vietnams biggest provider of official development assistance, the second biggest investor, the third biggest tourism market and the fourth biggest trade partner of Vietnam.




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Oh, and if you see me driving my red 2010 Mustang GT convertible, please wave.

Hi, I am a retired newspaperman. I wrote 3 books on Trump and the media . I live in Poca, WV, with my wife of 43 years, Lou Ann. I grew up in Cleveland. Three kids. Grandfather.
Japan, Nepal to work together in agri sector

Japan has agreed to enter into cooperation on developing Nepals agricultural sector for the first time. Japan has been supporting Nepal in various sectors including education, infrastructure, civil aviation and hydropower.
BENTON COUNTY SHERIFF

Double trouble  2:20 a.m. Jan. 19, NW Third Street and Van Buren Avenue. A deputy arrested Marcos Puente, 21, of Independence, during a traffic stop for charges of DUII, reckless driving, reckless endangering, and driving while suspended. Puente reportedly had a blood alcohol content of 0.15 percent. Shortly after, another deputy stopped the same vehicle driven by Heber De La Torre Bustos, 21, of Independence, who had been a passenger in Puentes vehicle during the first stop. De La Torre Bustos had reportedly ignored a deputy who told him he was not able to drive. He was arrested on charges of DUII, reckless driving, and reckless engendering. He reportedly had a blood alcohol content of 0.11 percent.
Emily Henry beams when she talks about being crowned the 2019 Oregon Dairy Princess Ambassador by outgoing Princess Stephanie Breazile last weekend in Salem.

Henry worked hard to prepare speeches, interviews and even an advertising commercial promoting the values of milk. Shes quick to say her favorite ice cream is vanilla, because you can taste the cream in it, and to point out that most of Oregons dairy farms are found in Tillamook, Morrow and Marion counties.

But most of all, the 20-year-old student at Linn-Benton Community College was excited because for the next year, she will travel throughout the state promoting the work of the 200 family dairy farms in the state.

Oregons dairy farms are family-owned, Henry said. Its a great industry and I want to help tell its story.

She grew up on a small family farm near Scio and raised and showed 4-H pigs and chickens.

Four years ago, she got a job at the Gourley Family Dairy farm and her life changed.

I love dairy cows, Henry said. I actually started out showing a dairy heifer before I got my job at the dairy. I started off milking the cows and I loved it.
"If we give them $2,000 per child more and we don't have better results in a few years, do we give them another $5,000?" Baertschiger continued. "I mean, when do we stop?"

To make it more palatable and not a shock to the economy, legislators would have to trim the package.

"We need to prioritize," Kotek said "I will be the first one to say we are not going to be able to fund everything, so what are those key sets of investments we know will have the most return on investment in terms of the outcomes we want, and focus on that 'what' and then get to the 'how.'"

Kotek said revenue ideas should start to trickle out of committee hearings soon.

The legislators said for years, Oregon has failed to address school funding. If it's going to take a shot at reform, lawmakers need to make up for past neglect. It's time to aim big, they said.

"If there was ever a time in Oregon's history when we really needed to take a look at educating our children and getting maximum value for our dollar, it's now," Smith said.

Paris Achen, Aubrey Wieber and Claire Withycombe are reporters for the Oregon Capital Bureau, a collaboration of EO Media Group, Pamplin Media Group and Salem Reporter.

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The petition will be followed by a separate action to stay implementation of the permit, the letter states.

The permits requirements for on-site stormwater retention and low-impact development would further restrict Albanys already limited supply of available and affordable housing, the council adds, in the letter.

Though the letter is harshly critical of the new permit, which was issued on Nov. 30 and will go into effect March 1, it also stresses the city of Albanys commitment to improving water quality and stormwater management practices, and to protecting local rivers and other water sources.

The new DEQ stormwater permits generally involve cities of more than 50,000 population, but Millersburg was required to be part of the process because it is part of the Albany urbanized area, Yeager said.

Jefferson and Tangent also are part of the Albany urbanized area, but they received waivers from those permit requirements from the DEQ, he added.

DEQ began revising its stormwater permits in 2012, and various interest groups and stakeholders have regularly brought up concerns with the agency, Yeager said.
Its not illegal to turn across the new wide white line dividing the two left-turn lanes on Ellsworth Street in front of St. Marys Catholic Church in Albany.

But Oregon Department of Transportation officials want drivers to know its not advisable.

ODOT spokeswoman Angela Beers Seydel said the lanes had been divided by a dotted line after the roadway was reconstructed last fall as part of Albanys streetscaping program.

We received several calls that people were crossing over the dotted line and creating a potentially dangerous situation, she said. So, we have replaced the dotted line with a solid white line to help remind people to choose a lane and stick with it.

According to the Oregon Drivers Manual, she added, the solid white line is meant as a guidance tool, but it is not illegal to cross it.

The area of concern includes two left-turn lanes and a single southbound lane that takes vehicles to Pacific Boulevard. Vehicles can also turn right onto Ninth Avenue SW.

There is a lot of congestion in this area and we want drivers to try to get into the lanes as early as possible and stay there for safety concerns, Beers Seydel said.
Sun Kuo-huang () was spared the death sentence yesterday in favor of life imprisonment in the fourth retrial for 2010 murder of a graduate student in Kaohsiung.





The Kaohsiung Branch of Taiwan High Court found the 42-year-old Sun guilty of the murder of Chang Chih-tien (), a doctoral student at National Kaohsiung First University of Science and Technology, but overturned the previous convictions that had sentenced him to death.





The judges ruling said that while Sun had admitted to the murder in the earlier trials, he had been segregated from society since his earlier convictions, during which time he received educational training, indicting there was a possibility of rehabilitation.





Prosecutors had long argued that Sun, who was 30 at the time of Changs death, had murdered him in a bid to steal his identity and avoid serving an eight-year and six-month prison sentence he had received in October 2010 for the repeated rapes of a high-school student in 2006.





He had recorded the first rape and used it to blackmail the teenager into having sex over a six-month period.





Prosecutors said he arranged to meet Chang at a hotel in November 2010 to go out and meet girls, but instead attacked Chang, choking him into unconsciousness before driving him in a car to a remote mountain road, where he doused Chang and the car with gasoline and set them on fire.





Sun planted items around the burned car, including a suicide note, in an effort to mislead police into thinking Sun had committed suicide, prosecutors said.





Sun later took Changs personal documents to a local government office to get a new national identification card in Changs name, which he used for about two weeks before police were able to track him down and arrest him for Changs murder.





Police had been suspicious of Changs death, as his body was found with his hands tied behind his back.





Yesterdays verdict was condemned by Changs father and members of the public, who criticized the judges for showing leniency to a calculating killer who had kept appealing through his lawyers to avoid capital punishment.





Our nations justice system is protecting a convicted killer from the death penalty. The judges have no empathy for victims and their families, Changs father said in a statement.





We have seen the justice system always speak up on behalf of the criminals and help protect them. The trials and appeals keep going for many years, but for families of the victims, these cause us suffering and pain and trample on our rights again and again, he wrote.





He appealed to prosecutors to appeal yesterdays verdict.

 | 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



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"One is absolutely sickened, not by the crimes that the wicked have committed,

but by the punishments that the good have inflicted." -- Oscar Wilde
Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O'Brien says death row inmate Warren Keith Henness' motion is an abuse of the court system





A prosecutor is asking the Ohio Supreme Court to reject a condemned man's request to delay his execution set for next month.





Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O'Brien says death row inmate Warren Keith Henness' motion is an abuse of the court system.





The 55-year-old Henness is scheduled to die by lethal injection Feb. 13.





His attorneys want a delay based on a federal judge's finding that Ohio's 3-drug injection process "will certainly or very likely cause him severe pain and needless suffering."





Henness' attorneys have separately asked Gov. Mike DeWine to issue a reprieve.





In a Thursday court filing, O'Brien called Henness' request an attempt to avoid justice through "piecemeal litigation."





Henness says he's innocent in the fatal 1992 shooting of a volunteer addiction counselor.

 | 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



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"One is absolutely sickened, not by the crimes that the wicked have committed,

but by the punishments that the good have inflicted." -- Oscar Wilde

Associated Press, January 25, 2019
Iran Human Rights (IHR); January 25, 2019: A prisoner was hanged yesterday at the prison of Tabas, South Khorasan Province, Iran.





According to Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), on the morning of Thursday, January 24, at Tabas central prison.





He was arrested in the summer of 2017 for murdering two people.





Ebrahim Ramezani, the judge of South Khorasan first branch criminal court, said: the man was a young worker who killed the employer and his wife.





However, the identity of the executed prisoner was not revealed in the report.





According to Iran Human Rights annual report on the death penalty, 240 of the 517 execution sentences in 2017 were implemented due to murder charges.





There is a lack of a classification of murder by degree in Iran which results in issuing a death sentence for any kind of murder regardless of intensity and intent.

 | 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
International community builds pressure on transitional justice

Weeks before the expiration of the mandates of the two transitional justice bodies, the international community working in Nepal, including the United Nations, has asked the government to clarify its plans to take the transitional justice process forward in 2019 and ensure broader consultation with the stakeholders.
World News: Oceans and Decarbonization

January 25,2019 | Source: IISD

This SDG Knowledge Weekly spotlights recent findings and platforms on SDG 14 (life below water). The brief also reviews a few items on decarbonization towards SDG 13 (climate action), which researchers note plays a key role in ocean-related challenges.



An article published in Science finds that the ocean is warming more quickly than previously estimated. The authors, from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of St. Thomas, UC Berkeley and the National Center for Atmospheric Research, model increasing ocean heat content (OHC), which is projected to accelerate. They explain that OHC captures approximately 93% of energy imbalances in the climate system, and these imbalances are attributed to human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels. The article underscores a clear need to improve ocean observation systems and work to slow the rate of climate change. Write-ups on Thomson Reuters and the New York Times are also available.



Erna Solberg, Prime Minister of Norway, writes in a post on the World Economic Forum (WEF) blog that the ocean holds the key to sustainable development. Noting that the oceans sustainable use has historically enabled Norways prosperity, Solberg outlines elements of her governments ocean strategy. On the private sector perspective, she notes that following green policies does not lead companies into red figures. Key issues to address, she highlights, include climate change, marine litter and pollution, illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and the loss of habitats and biodiversity. The WEF Annual Meeting is taking place from 22-25 January 2019, in Davos, Switzerland. Further coverage will be available on the SDG Knowledge Hub in the coming weeks.



Solberg also recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the Government of India to conduct an India-Norway Ocean Dialogue, enhance bilateral relations and work towards the SDGs. The translation of Indian Prime Minister Narenda Modis press statement on the subject is here, and a joint statement released by the Royal Norwegian Embassy in New Delhi is available here.



On multilateral means of addressing ocean challenges, a guest article on the SDG Knowledge Hub by Peter Thomson, Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for the Ocean, urges the World Trade Organization (WTO) to hold a special high-level session in 2019 towards the elimination of harmful fisheries subsidies. Noting that four of SDG 14s ten targets are due for delivery in 2020, Thomson argues that this year is critical to ensuring the health and well-being of the ocean. He explains that the wording of SDG target 14.6, on prohibiting certain forms of fisheries subsidies, defers to ongoing negotiations in the WTO, and outlines several reasons for the removal of the subsidies in question.



An op-ed on Devex calls attention to invisible ocean pollutants, which the authors note as having contaminated even the deepest, most remote parts of the ocean. Written by staff from the National Toxics Network and IPEN (also known as the International Persistent Organic Pollution (POPs) Elimination Network), the article notes that up to 20 billion tons of waste, including a range of chemicals, are directly deposited into the ocean each year. The article also references IPENs Ocean Pollutants Guide released in October 2018. The guide serves as an educational tool of the IPEN Toxics-Free SDGs Campaign. It introduces and identifies: specific ocean pollutants; their impacts on ecosystems, marine life and the human food supply chain; and opportunities and challenges for addressing the issue, including through international frameworks and mechanisms such as the SDGs, the UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) and UN Environment Assembly (UNEA), among others.



The World Ocean Initiative (WOI) of The Economist Group (publisher of The Economist) released a white paper examining ocean sustainability in the Indian Ocean Rim. The report highlights key ocean challenges for countries in the region, and explores how developing countries can tackle them even within a context of low incomes and environmental regulatory frameworks that have yet to mature. The reports chapters delve into five main challenges: marine ecosystem degradation; plastics pollution; unsustainable fishing; extraction of non-renewable marine resources; and rising water salinity, particularly from desalination activities. The findings are supported by case studies from Indian Ocean Rim countries and regions, including Australia, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Seychelles, Somalia, Somaliland, Sri Lanka, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates and Zanzibar. Looking ahead, the sixth World Ocean Summit is being held from 5-7 March 2019, in Abu Dhabi, UAE on the theme, building bridges. The meeting is organized by the WOI and hosted by the Government of UAE.



Although the deep Pacific is providing a brake on global warming, the heat it absorbs will be released later  even if society decarbonizes today.



A discussion on ocean warming and thermal expansion would be incomplete without acknowledging one of the key drivers, as noted in the Science article on ocean heat content: rising greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from human activities. A paper published in Energy discusses the role in heating and cooling in countries energy consumption and their decarbonization targets. With a focus on Switzerland, the authors assess heating supply and demand to determine the extent to which district heating networks (DHNs) and heat pumps can decarbonize the countrys heating system. Heating and cooling, the authors note, contributed to roughly half of EU countries final energy consumption in 2016. The papers abstract calls attention to Switzerlands nationally determined contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement on climate change, outlining the emissions reductions necessary to achieving the countrys targets. NDC achievement, it underscores, necessitates tripling or quadrupling the number of DHNs in order to integrate existing ambient heat, thereby contributing to the decarbonizing of the Swiss system.



However, DHNs and other opportunities are not readily available in all sectors. Released in November 2018, a report by the Energy Transitions Commission (ETC) looks at harder-to-abate sectors such as heavy industry and heavy-duty transport, including cement, steel, plastics, trucking and aviation, which represent approximately a third of energy emissions today, an ETC press release notes. Despite the challenges, the full report, titled Mission Possible, describes decarbonizing these sectors as technically and economically feasible and charts a path through robust policymaking, investment, technological innovations and consumption decisions. A summary of the reports key messages is also available.



On the legal side, the Environmental Law Institute (ELI) released a book titled, Legal Pathways to Deep Decarbonization in the United States: Summary & Key Recommendations. The volume distills information and recommendations from a lengthier, 35-chapter publication by the same title, which identifies over 1,000 legal options at federal, state and local level for enabling and accelerating decarbonization in the US. The full publications landing page notes that recommendations are presented regardless of current political feasibility. The recommendations range from cross-cutting approaches such as carbon pricing to sector-specific tactics, including those covered by the Mission Possible report and Energy paper, such as the heavy-duty transportation industry and heating and cooling systems in buildings.



Returning to oceans, an article on Haaretz notes that even if we decarbonize now, the deep Pacific Ocean will continue to warm. The article references the Science study above and highlights differences between the Atlantic and Pacific circulation systems: whereas the deep Atlantic is warming, the depths of the Pacific are still undergoing a cooling trend from the Little Ice Age during the last millennium. Thus, the article explains, although the deep Pacific is providing a brake on global warming by absorbing todays heat, it will be released later  even if society decarbonizes today.



While these deep ocean trends are unlikely to affect wildlife or marine biodiversityon which the UN holds yearly discussionswarming at the surface presents a different picture, with a Guardian article pointing to rapid ocean warming as a having a major impact. Such warming, it emphasizes, caused the worlds largest extinction event ever 252 million years ago, which resulted in the die-off of up to 96% of all marine species and two thirds of terrestrial species.



- An article published in Science finds that the ocean is warming more quickly than previously estimated.



- Also on ocean issues, an op-ed on Devex calls attention to invisible ocean pollutants, which the authors note as having contaminated even the deepest, most remote parts of the ocean.



- The Environmental Law Institute (ELI) released a publication identifying over 1,000 legal options at federal, state and local level for enabling and accelerating decarbonization in the US.
Afghanistan- 1,000 tons of fish produced every year from Helmand River

January 25,2019 | Source: MENAFN

As many as 1,000 tons of fish is produced every year from the Helmand River in southern Afghanistan, said officials on Wednesday. Agriculture Directorate of southern Helmand province said that 1,350 tons of fish meat is produced from the Helmand River. Agriculture Head Zalmai Alkozai said that some 260 fishing farms in a total of 600 acres of land exist in Helmand, producing 1,350 tons of fish annually.



He said that agriculture directorate will struggle its best to boost up fishing programs and farms in order to lead the province toward self-reliance in the aspect of producing fish meet. The agriculture department has run different training and technical programs of fishing at the objected to foster fishing culture in the province, he added.



It is pertained to mention that over 2,000 fishing farms are active in the country, which mostly located in Kandahar, Helmand, Urzgan, Laghman, Nangarhar, Balkh and Nimroz provinces.
Bihar: Patna bans fish sale for 15 days

January 25,2019 | Source: India Post

The Bihar government has banned sale, transportation and storage of fish for 15 days in Patna Municipal Corporation area, after reports confirmed presence of toxic chemical formalin in samples. The decision was taken following the report of Kolkatas Central Food Laboratory, which confirmed the use of formalin and other heavy minerals like lead, cadmium and mercury beyond the permissible limit in all 10 samples of fish collected from Patna, officials said. Keeping public safety and health in mind, the department has decided to ban sale, transportation, storage of all types of fish for 15 days in Patna Municipal corporation area.



All the 10 samples were found unsafe for human consumption under Food Safety and Standards Act 2006, Bihar Health Departments Principal Secretary-cum-Food Safety Commissioner Sanjay Kumar told reporters here. Food Safety Officials had collected 10 samples from Patna Municipal Corporation area on October 10, 2018 and sent them to the Central Food Laboratory, Kumar said, adding, the specimen included local fish and those imported from Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal. Formalin was found in excess of permissible limit in seven samples, while the heavy metals were detected in all 10 samples, he said.



Food Safety Officers have been directed to collect fresh samples from different cities, including Muzaffarpur, Purnea, Darbhanga, Bhagalpur, Gaya and Patna, Kumar said and added that necessary action would be taken based on the reports of CFL, Kolkata. Kumar said that it may take six-eight weeks to receive the reports of the new samples.



The health department would also asked Animal Husbandry Department officials to send an expert team to West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh. Our officials (the expert team) will apprise of the CFL report to their counterparts in Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal and would request them to get the matter probed, he said.



Kumar said those found violating the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 may attract either imprisonment of up to seven years or fine of up to Rs 10 lakh or both. The use of formalin and other heavy metals beyond the normal limit may cause various ailments in humans like pneumonia, bronchitis, Hepatitis and cancer, the officials said.
India: How Norway and India can help each other deliver a blue economy boom

January 25,2019 | Source: News 18

When Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg visited New Delhi to talk to Indian PM Narendra Modi in the beginning of 2019, it was a meeting between two leaders of maritime nations. Both have voiced their ambitions for the ocean space  Modi through his vision of Sustainability and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR), and Solberg through the establishment and chairing of a high-level panel for a sustainable ocean economy. Therefore, it was no surprise that oceans were on top of the agenda during Solbergs visit. The importance of the oceans is clear. Global population growth will increase the demand for jobs and social development. The need for food, energy and minerals will grow steadily, and we are already pushing the limits of what we can deliver on land.





Seen from a Norwegian perspective, it is clear that only the ocean can meet this need, if managed in a sustainable manner. And since neither fish nor water respect our sovereign borders, this can only be done if we all work together. From an Indian perspective, Norway might not be the first partner that comes to mind. We are a much smaller country, located far away in the cold northwestern corner of Europe. That being said, our territorial waters are about the same size as Indias. We are world leaders in technologies for offshore oil and gas, fishing, aquaculture and green shipping technologies.



We are the worlds second biggest exporter of seafood, third biggest exporter of gas and our shipping fleet is the fifth largest in the world. In fact, two thirds of our export revenue comes from the oceans. For us, this blue economy has delivered an economic boom unlike any other.



In my opinion, the next blue economy boom will be in the Indian Ocean. It is along its shores, from the continent of Africa to India and down South-East Asia, that we find the strongest growth in population and in economic activity. The Indian Ocean is filled with precious resources. As much as 40% of global offshore oil extraction and 15% of global fishing is done in its waters, with plenty more resources waiting to be extracted.



In the Indian Ocean, we also find the highways of the seas. Growing trade between Asia and Europe was only made possible by the many shipping routes here. About 64% of all maritime oil transport touches the Indian Ocean, meaning that the global economy would simply grind to a halt if this lifeline was cut off.



On one hand, these shipping lanes are a global common good, and it is the responsibility of us all to make sure they remain open. On the other hand, this also means opportunities in terms of harbours, ship servicing and shipbuilding. India is extraordinarily well situated to benefit from an Indian Ocean boom. On the map, India looks like the tip of a spear, pointing at its rightful home in the middle of the ocean.



It will soon overtake China as the worlds most populous nation and it is also the G20 economy with the highest growth rate. However, what makes us ideal partners in ocean management is the fact that we are both democracies with a strong commitment to international law and norms. Cooperation is crucial to protect the oceans, but in order to cooperate, we must have a shared understanding of the rules of play. As PM Solberg said when she inaugurated the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi, smaller countries take note when larger countries, like India, dismiss the concept of might makes right.



One clear threat to a healthy blue economy is sustainability. If climate change, marine litter and oil spills continue unhindered, there will not be any money to be made in the oceans. Indeed, if plastic waste continues at current rates, there will be more plastic than fish in the oceans by 2050. India is in the forefront with bans on plastic waste, determined targets in renewable energy and ambitious goals for electric vehicles. Norway hopes to contribute in any way it can, I am particularly hopeful when it comes our technology for LNG, or battery-powered ships. A key event during PM Solbergs visit was the signing of a memorandum of understanding on an ocean dialogue. The focus of the agreement is to harness the potential of the blue economy to promote economic growth, job creation, trade and investment and contribute to food security and poverty alleviation, whil safeguarding the oceans health through sustainable development of its resources.



In short, we now stand prepared to cooperate to reap the fruits of the blue economy, while joining forces to deal with shared threats in the ocean space. Our two countries are separated by great distances, but the ocean joins us. We are both proud ocean nations with long histories of maritime exploits. The waves that roll onto our shores all come from the same ocean, the very same ocean that will continue to provide us with food, jobs and energy going forward. And so, we all find ourselves in the same boat, all depending on each other to sustainably manage the blue economy. Fortunately, with experienced Norwegian and Indian seamen at the helm, we have a good chance of successfully navigating the choppy waves headed in our direction.?
His father was a member of Byrds first Antarctica Expedition. Stan moved to Austin, Texas, after eighth grade to attend University Junior High, Stephen F. Austin High School, and University of Texas. He graduated with honors from University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. Stan married Betty Sue Appenbrink in 1967. He was a surgical intern at Parkland Hospital in Dallas, served two years with the Air Force in Lubbock, Texas and moved to St. Louis for ENT residency at Barnes Hospital. He joined the faculty of the Otolaryngology Department of Washington University Medical School where he remained for the rest of his career. Stan taught residents, published many papers and a two-volume textbook about head and neck tumors. For a long time, he was secretary treasurer of the St. Louis ENT Club. Stan worked with Dr. Joseph Ogura in the area of head and neck tumors and later specialized in ENT allergy and sinus surgery. For many years he had ENT clinics at Madison County in Fredericktown. Stan always said the days spent at those clinics were his favorite days. He had a Farmington office for many years and was active at church serving as leader in the Contemporary Class. Late in life he learned to play Appalachian and hammered dulcimers and the violin. He enjoyed taking lessons and attending workshops. Stan wrote and published poems and valued immensely the influence of poetry on his life.
Ned Beatty, whose first film role in 1972's "Deliverance" launched him on a long career, has died at 83. Look back at photos of his life and career.
Assistant Superintendent Shannon Henson said Musgrove has been active in improving the overall school safety and has built positive relationships with staff and students.

We really enjoy having Officer Musgrove in our school district, Henson said. We thank him for his service to our country and hope he stays safe during his deployment.

While the school and students will miss having Musgrove in their hallways, two kids in particular are going to miss him the most. Asher, 6, and Cora, 3, think the world of their dad and even though they are young they are sure to notice his absence.

Musgrove said he does not think they are old enough to understand yet, but that Asher will be the man of the house when he is gone.

We are very lucky to have both our moms close and they help tremendously with our kids when Jake is gone, Kate said. The biggest thing is having a good support system.

As a nurse, Kate works 12 hour shifts and says having family around brings her comfort knowing the kids are with someone who loves them like their own.

Plans have been made and preparations are being completed but nobody is ready to see him go.

It is a great pleasure to work with Officer Jacob Musgrove, Police Clerk Erica Johnson said. He is one of those kinds of people that you feel like youve known for years when it has only been a short time. I am definitely going to miss him while hes gone, but Im also so proud of him for serving our nation."

Victoria Kemper is a reporter for the Democrat News. She can be reached at 573-783-3366 or at vkemper@democratnewsonline.com

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The Union Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the constitutional amendment which seeks to increase the powers of the autonomous councils in the Sixth Schedule areas of the Northeast.

What are the amendments proposed?

The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution provides for decentralised self-governance and dispute resolution through local customary laws in parts of the North East, mainly tribal areas. The amendments proposed are:

Amendments to Article 280 to provide greater financial resources to the councils that administer the tribal areas of Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Tripura and enable them to undertake development works.

The existing autonomous district councils would be renamed as autonomous territorial councils since the jurisdiction of the councils extends to more than one district.

The devolution of the financial resources to these councils would be based on the recommendations of the finance commission.

The amendments provide for the transfer of additional 30 subjects to Karbi Anglong Autonomous Territorial Council and Dima Hasao Autonomous Territorial Council in Assam.

The amendments also provide for elected village municipal councils to ensure democracy at the grassroots level.

The amendments empower village councils to prepare plans for economic development and social justice, including those related to agriculture, land improvement, implementation of land reforms, minor irrigation, water management, animal husbandry, rural electrification, small scale industries and social forestry.

The amendments are in direction of fulfilling the commitments made under tripartite Memorandum of Settlements signed by Government of India, governments of Assam and Meghalaya, United Peoples Democratic Solidarity (UPDS), Dima Halam Daogah (DHD) and Achik National Volunteers Council (ANVC).
Dear Editor:

We are currently in the midst of the longest partial Federal Government shutdown in our nations history. The flash point is the unwillingness or inability of either the President or Congressional Democrats to concede or compromise on taxpayer funding for additional wall construction on the border with Mexico.

Certainly the president, and others, have made a centerpiece of their agenda the construction of a wall to stop the invasion of rapists, murderers, drug dealers and terrorists swarming across the southern border. I obviously do not live near the border and am not intimately familiar with the conditions, circumstances and impacts that occur there.

There are nine United States Congressional Districts which border Mexico. In the recent mid-terms the president focused, nearly exclusively, on the wall and immigrants crossing the border. It is interesting to me that of the nine districts along the border eight were won by Democrats with several unseating the Republican incumbent. The single Republican who won was an incumbent who held is seat, in rural west Texas, with less than 51 percent of the vote. That congressman, Will Hurd, is on the record saying there are far better uses for the money than construction of a wall.
India digging trench near no-mans land in Kanchanpur

The Indian border security force, Sashastra Seema Bal, has started digging a trench near the no-mans-land between Nepal and India, off the Dokebazar village in Punarbas Municipality-11, Kanchanpur.
Cumberland County has been awarded a grant to preserve documents older than the United States itself.

The Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission awarded a $15,000 Historical and Archival Records Care grant to the county to enhance the accountability, accessibility and preservation of about 5,000 papers documenting proceedings of the countys colonial civil court.

Cumberland County will focus on civil court records from 1761 through 1776, said Barbara Bartos, Cumberland County archivist.

Then as now, civil court proceedings are handled by the prothonotarys office and include court proceedings such as lawsuits. Bartos said the records being preserved show what the early careers of three future signers of the Declaration of Independence were like, including the everyday, routine nature of their work.

HARC grants fund projects designed to improve the preservation and accessibility of historically significant records maintained by local governments, historical societies and academic institutions.

The grants were based on a competitive review of the applications by a subcommittee of the Pennsylvania State Historical Records Advisory Board. The HARC grants are administered by the Pennsylvania State Archives, a bureau within the PHMC.

SHRAB operates under federal regulations governing the National Historical Publication and Records Commission and serves as the central advisory body for historical records planning in the state.

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Aylwyn (Al) D. Williams, 88, of Newville, PA, went to be with his Lord on January 8, 2019. Al was born on February 15, 1930 in Philadelphia, PA, the first child of the late Katherine D. Williams and Major General Aylwyn P. Williams.

Al graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and received a masters degree in Personnel Administration from George Washington University.

Al retired as a well-decorated Colonel of the United States Army after 23 years of active military service which included Combat Infantry Company Commander, 25th Division, during the Korean War; Military Assistance Command in Vietnam and Seventh Army in Germany; Office of the Secretary of Defense, Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Headquarters Department of the Army Staff Officer in Washington, D.C.

After retiring, Al was Borough Manager in Carroll Valley, PA. He also continued to enjoy many hobbies and interests which he shared with his family including music, photography, woodworking, travel, trains, and computers.
My last daily post was about the emerging consensus view that a global recession is just around the corner. And the sense I get is that people believe this recession  unlike the one during the Great Financial Crisis  is being stoked by a slowdown in China. And so, the biggest question is whether the US can be tipped into recession because of what happens abroad rather than the other way around.

This is one of the occasional free Credit Writedowns posts I write. If you like what you read please consider subscribing to the weekday newsletter because right now, we are running a limited promotion where you can receive it at a 40% discount.

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Scepticism about Chinese data

China is growing at its slowest rate in nearly three decades. And this is in large part because the Chinese authorities have been trying to clean up a bad debt problem. And doing so slows credit growth, which in turn slows economic growth.

But, of course, the quality of Chinese macroeconomic data is wanting. Most China watchers acknowledge that the headline growth numbers are rosy. Heres Michael Pettis a few days ago, for example:

The Chinese economy is not growing at 6.5 percent. It is probably growing by less than half of that. Not everyone agrees that the rate is that low, of course, but there is nonetheless a running debate about what is really happening in the Chinese economy and whether or not the countrys reported GDP growth is accurate. The reason for the widespread skepticism is the disconnect between the official data and perceptions on the ground. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, Chinas economic growth in every quarter last year exceeded 6.5 percent. While that is much lower than the heady growth rates China has experienced for most of the past forty years, it is still, by most measures, a very brisk rate of growth. And yet, when you speak to Chinese businesses, economists, or analysts, it is hard to find any economic sector enjoying decent growth. Almost everyone is complaining bitterly about terribly difficult conditions, rising bankruptcies, a collapsing stock market, and dashed expectations. In my eighteen years in China, I have never seen this level of financial worry and unhappiness.

AEI has recently posted on this theme as well.

Look at rate of change data

But, for me, its actually directionality that matters most in terms of a slowing or accelerating economy because it tells you where the risks are. And it is clear that Chinese growth is slowing.

Look at this chart of Chinese wage growth, for example:

It makes sense that nominal retail sales growth numbers would trend down with disposable income. And they are and have been on the downswing for quite some time.

And we should expect this to continue in 2019 as eight of 12 Chinese provinces that have reported 2019 growth targets have revised them downward, according to the South China Morning Post.

As I said at the outset, the crackdown on bad debt bears some of the blame. But, some of the reason for growth to slow comes from a slowing of external demand as evidenced by trend growth in exports and new export orders.

Thats definitely the trade dispute with the US at work. And I am not expecting a big breakthrough on that front any time soon.

The Chinese solution

The question is what Chinese authorities are going to do about the slowing growth.

On the fiscal side, Chinese Finance ministry officials are saying they will increase fiscal spending in 2019 to support the economy. The focus will be on more tax cuts cuts for small business. And this comes after fiscal spending increased 8.7% last year, despite tax revenue increasing only 6.2%.

On the monetary side, Chinas central bank cut the amount of money banks have to hold as reserves five times in the past year. And last week, the PBoC also injected a record $83 billion into the financial system.

On the credit side, yesterday the PBoC set up a central bank bills swap (CBS) to improve the liquidity of banks perpetual bonds. The Peoples Bank of China said in a statement on its website, this was to encourage banks to replenish capital through perpetual bond issuance. But you have to question both the willingness to go big and the efficacy of the efforts. Chinese officials have repeatedly said that while they would offer more support for the economy, they would not to engage in the flood-like stimulus of the past, because of fears of bad debt.

So, while Im no China expert here, in terms of solutions, I see further downside risk regarding growth. The good news is that, anecdotally at least, there are foreign companies like Procter & Gamble that say they arent seeing the slowdown. And even Alibaba is taking that line. But I trust the rate of change data more. And, in aggregate, those data point down.

Europe will be hit hardest

Externally, you have emerging Asia that will see ripple effects from this slowing. But, in the advanced world, my biggest concern is Europe. Back in the pre-crisis days, the euro zone was one giant vendor financing scheme. Surplus countries like Germany sold their wares to deficit countries like Greece and took on credit risk in doing so. When the deficit countries ran aground, the EU put pressure on them to make sure their creditors got their money  lest the creditor country banks went bust.

But, that put huge downward pressure on demand in the euro zone periphery. So, the euro zone creditor countries had to turn elsewhere for incremental external demand. One of those places was China. But, now China is slowing. So, Europe s slowing too. Take a look at the correlation in rate of change data.

So, business growth in the euro zone has all but stalled in the beginning of 2019. The IHS Markits Flash Composite Purchasing Managers Index has plummeted to 50.7. Thats the weakest since July 2013 and below even the most pessimistic forecast in a Reuters poll. The median expectation was for a slight rise to 51.4.

And while people are now expecting the ECB to put rate hikes on hold because they acknowledged yesterday that risks are skewed to the downside, I have been telling my investment readers the ECB and all the other major central banks are still too tight. So, monetary policy is not going to lead Europe out of this hole. And fiscal policy is constrained by the stability and growth pact. Europe is in for tough sledding here.

What about the US?

I see the US moving to stall speed shortly, with the shutdown slowdown helping it get there.

Now, normally I dont pay much attention to consumer sentiment data because I have not seen numbers that show it is a leading indicator of consumption growth directionality. But this chart  showing a regression of share prices, sentiment and consumption  makes me wonder.

So, I am worried about the trend growth in the US given that we are going to hit stall speed soon. This makes the US vulnerable to exogenous demand shocks from abroad.

What works in Americas favor is the household sector. I think the whole US household sector looks really good right now  not counting the increasing strain from the shutdown. Wages, unemployment, mortgage interest as a percentage of income  there are a lot of things showing resilience in US consumers.

The big problems concerning a global recession are outside of the US and in the US corporate sector, particularly regarding leverage. And you can see that in the increase of BBB-rated securities. Thats where the danger lies because this segment of the credit spectrum is even larger than high yield and leveraged loans combined. And it makes up about half of investment grade US issuance.

My view

Europe is where I expect to see fireworks in 2019, more so than in the US. And thats because they have low internal demand growth, an excessive dependence on external demand for growth in a world of slowing growth globally and limited policy space with which to deal with those factors.

The US, as a large continental economy, where trade is a lower component of GDP, is in a better position to weather the global growth slowdown. But the risks are mounting. And if the US does fall prey to the Chinese-led global slowdown, it will be the corporate sector that creates the most problems. I am not predicting a US recession any time soon. But, this is no longer an outlier scenario for 2019.
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Washington D.C., January 25, 2019The Committee to Protect Journalists today condemned the five-year jail sentence imposed on January 23 by Tehrans Revolutionary Court on journalist Yashar Soltani, who reported on corruption in Tehran land deals, and called on Iran to stop persecuting journalists for doing their job.

Jailing a journalist for reporting about corruption in his country is unacceptable and will only ensure that corruption continues unchecked, said CPJ Middle East and North Africa Program Coordinator Sherif Mansour from Washington, D.C. We call on Iranian authorities to drop the charges against Yashar Soltani and allow all journalists to report freely.

Soltani, editor-in-chief of the now-defunct independent news website Memari News, was charged with spreading lies in order to disturb public opinion, gathering classified information with the intent to harm national security, [and] defamation and threats against a government contractor, his lawyer, Seyed Sadeq Kashani, told the semi-official Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA).

The charges stem from Soltanis investigative reporting on corruption in municipal real-estate sales in Tehran, which he published in Memari News in August 2016, according to the New York-based Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI). According to The Guardian, Soltanis reporting showed that Irans anti-corruption authority found that the mayors office in Tehran illegally sold public land to political allies at steeply discounted rates.

Soltani was first detained in relation to that reporting on September 17, 2016, after Tehran Mayor Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf and municipal council chairman Mehdi Chamran filed a lawsuit against him, as CPJ covered at the time. He was released on bail on November 13, 2016, and appeared before the Revolutionary Court three times over 2016 and 2017, ISNA reported.

After the verdict was handed down on January 23, Soltani called it unjust in a tweet, saying he will turn the verdict into an opportunity to fight corruption in the country.

Kashani told ISNA that Soltani has 20 days to appeal the sentence, during which time he is not in prison. CPJ could not confirm that Soltani plans to file an appeal. In addition to five years in prison, the sentence includes a ban from joining any political group, working as a journalist, or traveling outside the country for two years after his release, according to Kashani.

According to Irans New Islamic Penal Code, as cited by the U.S. government-funded Radio Farda, gathering information about government authorities with the intent to provide them to others and disrupt national security can carry a sentence of one to 10 years in prison.

According to CHRI, Memari News became Irans first news agency to focus exclusively on architecture and urban affairs when it was established in 2009; it was shut down by Tehran Prosecutor Abbas Jafari-Dolatabadi following Ghalibafs complaint in September 2016.

Eight journalists were found to be imprisoned in Iran in direct relation to their work at the time of CPJs December 2018 prison census. An additional journalist was also sentenced in late December.
It doesnt mean that we are actually going to do $31 million of projects in 2019, the city engineer said. Because, like I said, on (something like) the Third Avenue viaduct, most of that project is done but it still has to be represented (on the one-year plan). The biggest thing to take away from this is that the City of Columbus isnt doing $30.9 million worth of construction in 2019. That would break the bank.

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The citys proposed six-year plan calls for 32 projects being completed totaling $57.2 million, Bogus said, adding that as with the one-year plan, the eye-popping figure isnt completely reflective of actual spending amounts.

These are projects that are out there that could be done anytime between two years from now, and many years from now, Bogus said, adding that some projects from this years one-year and six-year plans may be rotated and rearranged depending on housing and other immediate developments. That could make some projects an immediate priority over others, he said.

Columbus Mayor Jim Bulkley during a previous interview with the Telegram also noted the importance of addressing and mapping out what the citys road needs are currently, and what they will be down the road.
It's the largest industrial project being completed in David City in recent history.

With 2019 serving as the 135th year of trailer manufacturer Timpte Inc. being in business, President/CEO Dale Jones said it was fitting to unveil its new project.

The company is in the process of expanding its manufacturing plant and headquarters, which have been in David City for the past 40 years. Jones said business leaders looked into building a new headquarters elsewhere but decided to expand its site in David City because it was the most viable option.

We visited Indiana, we visited Kentucky, we visited a variety of locations where we potentially might move some of our production, and after all of that data collection and analysis we came back and said, 'were going to stay here,' Jones said. This is the best place for our product, in the heartland of the country, and were going to make a major investment into our facilities.

Schwisow Construction, from Lincoln, is the general contractor for the project. The updates to the facility at 1827 Industrial Drive are estimated to cost about $14 million and consists of four parts.
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!
The past two years have seen AJ Fernandez emerge as a cigar maker for many leading brands. While the brands in the Altadis and General Cigar portfolio have definitely seen Fernandezs influence, there have been many other companies. Just before the 2018 IPCPR Trade Show, one company that announced a project with Fernandez was Boutique Blends. The project would be an extension to Boutique Blends newly revamped Quattro line known as the Aging Room Quattro Nicaragua. Boutique Blends and Fernandez are no strangers. Boutique Blends partnered with Fernandez for the Aging Room Pelo de Oro release. In addition Boutique Blends co-owner Rafael Nodal had worked with Fernandez on several projects for Altadis in his role of head of product capability at Altadis. Today we take a closer look at the Quattro Nicaragua in the Vibrato (box pressed Toro size).

The Aging Room Quattro F55 was the first Quattro release. Its a box-pressed cigar is one of Boutique Blends most successful projects to date. The Quattro line has extended with the F59 and F55M Maduro releases. Last year, Boutique Blends underwent a massive restructuring of its portfolio. As a part of it, the Quattro F55 and Quattro F55M were rebranded as the Quattro Original and Quattro Maduro lines. In addition, Boutique Blends added the Quattro Connecticut and Quattro Nicaragua lines. The F59 line was put on hiatus.

Without further ado, lets break down the Aging Room Quattro Nicaragua Vibrato and see what this cigar brings to the table.

SPECIFICATIONS

Blend and Origin

Like the Aging Room Pelo de Oro, the Aging Room Quattro Nicaragua is an all-Nicaraguan puro, but utilizes a different blend. It is the first Nicaraguan puro to be a part of the Quattro line, and its the first Quattro made outside the Dominican Republic (the other offerings are made in the Dominican Republic at Tabacalera Palma).

Wrapper: Nicaraguan

Binder: Nicaraguan

Filler: Nicaraguan

Country of Origin: Nicaragua

Factory: Tabacalera Fernandez

Vitolas Offered

The Aging Room Quattro Nicaragua is offered in four sizes. Each is presented in 20-count boxes

Espressivo: 5 x 50

Maestro (Belicoso): 6 x 52

Vibrato: 6 x 54

Concerto: 7 x 50

Appearance

The Aging Room Quattro Nicaragua Vibratos Nicaraguan wrapper had a chocolate-brown color to it. Upon closer examination, there is some subtle mottling on the surface of the wrapper. The wrapper also had a lot coating of oil on it. While there are some visible veins and visible wrapper seams, the wrapper is on the smoother side. The box-press of the cigar has a slight soft press around the edges.

There are two bands on the Aging Room Quattro Nicaragua. The primary has a black background with white and gold trim across the top and bottom as well as the middle of the band. The upper portion of the band has the Aging Room logo in gold. To the left and right of the logo is the text by Rafael Nodal in a white cursive font. The lower part of the band has gold and black pinstriping. On the lower center of the band is the text QUATTRO in small gold font. The left and right sides of the band have the text F55N in gold etched font  giving a nod to the old naming scheme of the Aging Room Quattro line.

The secondary band is orange with gold trim. On the center of the band is the text NICARAGUA. The left side of the band has the Aging Room logo in black font while the right side has the text QUATTRO in black font.

PERFORMANCE

Pre-Light Draw

The cigar experience of the Aging Room Quattro Nicaragua Vibrato commenced with a straight cut to remove the cap. After detaching the cap it was on to the pre-light draw stage. The dry draw delivered a mix of cocoa, cedar, and earth. Overall this was an excellent pre-light draw experience. At this point, it was time to light up the Aging Room Quattro Nicaragua Vibrato and see what the smoking phase would have in store.

Tasting Notes

The Aging Room Quattro Nicaragua Vibrato kicked off with notes of red pepper, earth, chocolate, and cedar. Early on the chocolate notes moved into the forefront. There was a smoothness to the chocolate note and at times there was a little cherry sweetness mixed in. Meanwhile, the red pepper was a close secondary note with the earth and cedar further back. The retro-hale of the Quattro Nicaragua Vibrato delivered an extra layer of red and black pepper.

Later in the first third, the pepper subsided further back. Concurrently the earth notes began to increase in intensity. This continued into the second third. By the midway point, the earth and chocolate notes were on an even playing field. By this time the cherry component that was detected in the early stages had dissipated.

Later in the second third, the pepper and cedar notes began to increase in intensity. The pepper increased a little more rapidly and by the final third, they started to close in on the forefront. However, in the end, the earth and chocolate remained the primary flavors. When the cigar experience of the Aging Room Quattro Nicaragua Vibrato came to a close, it had a cool, but slightly soft nub.

Burn

While the Aging Room Quattro Nicaragua Vibrato maintained a straight burn line, there was some meandering of the burn path. This was pretty much rectified with some touch-ups. Meanwhile, the resulting ash was tight and firm with a light gray color. As for the burn rate and burn temperature, both were ideal.

Draw

The draw to the Aging Room Quattro Nicaragua Vibrato scored very nicely. This was a cigar that had a nice balance between openness and resistance. In some cases, a box press can have a draw skewed more toward the open side, but not so much with this cigar. In the end, the Quattro Nicaragua Vibrato was a low maintenance cigar to derive flavor from. It also was a cigar that produced a nice layer of smoke.

Strength and Body

The Aging Room Quattro Nicaragua Vibrato is going to be a cigar with some kick. This is a cigar that started our medium to full in both strength and body. There was a slight variation in the intensity levels along the way, but in the end, the Quattro Nicaragua Vibrato stayed in the medium to full range for both attributes. In terms of strength versus body, I found there was a nice balance between both attributes with neither overshadowing the other.

OVERALL ASSESSMENT

Final Thoughts

As mentioned in the introduction, there are a lot of companies seeking out AJ Fernandez to produce a cigar for them. The Aging Room Quattro Nicaragua Vibrato is one which flew under the radar. It provides a bolder, regular offering  something that was definitely needed in the Aging Room portfolio. If you like a bold Nicaraguan puro with what I would term just the right amount of spice, the Quattro Nicaragua Vibrato is going to deliver the cigar for you. Given this is a bolder cigar, Im inclined to steer this to a more experienced cigar enthusiast. As for myself, this is a cigar that I would smoke again  and it garners box worthy consideration.

Summary

Key Flavors: Chocolate, Earth, Red Pepper, Cedar, Cherry

Burn: Very Good

Draw: Excellent

Complexity: Medium

Strength: Medium to Full

Body: Medium to Full

Finish: Very Good

Rating

Value: Box Worthy Consideration

Score: 91

References

News: Boutique Blends Overhauls Aging Room Portfolio

Price: $9.90

Source: Purchased

Brand Reference: Aging Room Cigars

Photo Credits: Cigar Coop
Who would have thought controversy surrounds the 'Great Southland of the Holy Spirit'? Four hundred years ago sailors and explorers were the heroic adventurers of their day. Religion, rewards and reputation drove many to sail beyond the horizon into the unknown.

A much desired acquisition was 'the phantom of Terra Australis', as described by Gunter Schider, historian and cartographer. "It was felt that an undiscovered southern continent had to exist because the known land masses of the southern hemisphere were not sufficient to balance those of the northern half of the globe..." he wrote. (Australia Unveiled, Gunter Schilder,1976).

They really did believe the world needed a landmass to counterbalance the weight of the known world in the south. That assessment might seem fanciful today but in that era it was reality.

Tall tales of evil monsters in the south were told and sailors were threatened with a wide variety of mind-blowing catastrophe. There was Geruda a gigantic, monster bird waiting to pluck them right off their decks, a Kingdom of Women ready to enslave them and a vicious black hole ready to suck boat and bodies into the abyss.

Among the hail and hearty was a Portuguese navigator and explorer Pedro Ferdinand de Quiros who sailed into Australian folklore in the year 1606.

The New Jerusalem

He secured sponsorship from Pope Clement VIII and King Philip III of Spain to seek out the southern continent Terra Australis Incognito (Unknown South Land). A letter to de Quiros from King Phillip read: "That no time be lost in discovering that Australia region so far unknown, so these people may have knowledge of the Gospel and be brought into Spiritual obedience."

De Quiros was a Catholic Jew. He searched for a year, burdened with a desire to establish a holy settlement to be called The New Jerusalem. Where and what he found has caused issue.

On the Day of Pentecost, 14th May, 1606 he declared:"Let the heavens, the earth, the waters with all their creatures, and those present, witness that I, Captain Pedro Ferdinand de Quiros...in the name of Jesus Christ... hoist this emblem of the holy cross on which His person was crucified and whereon He gave His life for the ransom and remedy of all the human race...on this day of Pentecost, 14th May....I take possession of all this part of the south as far as the pole in the name of Jesus...which from now on shall be called the southern land of the Holy Ghost...and this always and forever...and to the end that to all natives, in all the said lands, the holy and sacred evangel may be preached zealously and openly."

Reports of his discovery were contested between Catholic and Protestants. In 1901 Cardinal Moran, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Sydney reported to the Council of the Royal Geographical Society of Australia, de Quiros 'discovered' Australia.

The Cardinal said there were six Franciscans on board and four of them were priests. He described Gladstone, Queensland as the location for a Catholic dedication service where apparently the title 'Great Southland of the Holy Spirit' was first declared. Most recognized authorities disagreed with his paper and evidence from the voyage diaries and later reports had contradictions.

An article attributed to Australian Christian History and Heritage tells a different story: "de Quiros had not discovered Terra Australis Incognita, but only the largest island in what was later known as the New Hebrides group. He had named the land after Philip III of Spain, a prince of the House of Austria, and did not derive it from Terra Australia, or the austral region featured for so long on maps."

Manning Clark

De Quiros believed he had discovered the great southern landmass and declared it 'shall be called the Southern Land of the Holy Ghost.'

Australian historian, Manning Clark, described Quiros as: 'one of the flowers of the Catholic reformation, part of that movement of religious idealism and of missionary fervour which strengthened the church after the disasters of Luther and Calvin. He added: "They sailed west till they reached a harbour in the New Hebrides, which Quiros in the first flush of the excitement named Austrialia del Espiritu Santo - a name which, together with the errors in measuring longitude, created confusion for posterity when it plotted his voyage, and even seduced men of scholarship and learning to argue that he had landed on the east coast of Australia.'

Rev Gordon Moyes compiled a series called 'The Explorers' in which he wrote: "Fernand De Quiros was a man of faith and great missionary zeal, being firmly convinced that the Lord had chosen him to discover and bring the Gospel to "terra australis".

"From his youth he seems to have been caught up in the missionary enthusiasm of the age ... He was a gentle spirit, one of God's chosen vessels bringing the gift of his holy faith. For Quiros, all men were the adopted children of God ... He began to believe that he had been singled out by God as the vessel through whom the inhabitants of 'terra australis would be received into the church, and that 'terra australis' would be Australia del Espiritu Santo a land dedicated to the Holy Spirit." (Article on de Quiros in Enciclopedia Italiana (1949) "The voyages of Pedro de Quiros" vol 1, pp 163-5).

Because he declared his proclamation over 'all of the South as far as the pole', Christians joyfully echo his words as we sing 'This is the great southland of the Holy Spirit.'

Christian songwriter Geoff Bullock gave us the popular anthem 'This is the Great Southland of the Holy Spirit." Steve Grace recorded it and many claimed it to be the Australian Christian national anthem. The song, the name, the prayer remains the dream for so many.

Ron Ross is a Middle East consultant for United Christian Broadcasters (Vision FM). Previously he was radio news editor for Bridges for Peace in Jerusalem, Israel.

His career started at WINTV (Email: ronandyvonne@mac.com)

Ron Ross' previous articles may be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/ron-ross.html
House panel asks government to explore options for Melamchi

The National Concern and Coordination Committee of the Upper House has directed the government to expedite work on the Melamchi project by looking for alternative options immediately if the ongoing confusion surrounding the national pride project lingers on for a long time.
Have you ever thought about the moments in life where you have felt the most alive? We often catch ourselves looking back in order to look forward - in a sense, our past is either a springboard or a sinkhole by which we measure our lives and who we have become. But the moment we realise who we are meant to be can be the real moment that defines us.

I had the privilege a few months ago to connect with Dr. Michael Cassidy, the founder of African Enterprise, an organisation based on the belief that all people, from street children to presidents, need to hear and be changed by the Good News. Dr. Cassidy himself has quite an interesting journey in which he found himself at a crossroads with a single decision that changed the rest of his life.

Crossroads

Growing up in Johannesburg, South Africa, Dr. Cassidy remembers being a 21-year-old struggling with the injustice of apartheid and reaching a turning point in which he knew he had to do something for the nation of Africa. By 1957, he found himself in New York listening to Dr. Billy Graham speak and felt called to return to Africa. After graduating from Fuller Theological Seminary, he gathered a team and set off to Africa, knowing that he had to take his dream international.

Dr. Cassidy also realised that there was a great need for training the local Africans themselves, and that the leaders of his growing organisation had to train the people in how to witness, disciple, pray, and to work together as a team. In his eyes, the need of the hour was, as he said, to teach leaders to teach followers. This reciprocal calling was the bedrock for what became known as African Enterprise, which eventually expanded to the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, and many other countries across the globe.

Leaders and followers

For some reason, as I look back on the moments of my life that Ive had so far, I have found it quite easy to follow the footsteps of others - whether my parents, my siblings, or the people I look up to. In my upbringing, my education, and even in my work, it has been a journey of learning and following. The problem that I find, however, is not being humble, but staying humble. It is all good and easy to follow when the leader in question is faultless, but such a person sadly doesnt actually exist. It becomes harder to follow while staying humble to the leader in charge, and learning from their mistakes. Ive found that the real crossroads is when to decide to take another path, or to forge your own path entirely.

Nowadays, I have been honoured to find myself in leadership roles where I am able to teach and speak into the lives of both young and old, the humble and the honoured, the leaders, and the followers. But its in these times when I remember that being a leader doesnt necessarily mean that you stop being a follower. Instead, it simply means that the responsibility to learn as a leader flows from being a follower in different shoes.

As Dr. Cassidy told me during our conversation, leaders must be able to galvanise people to do the job, while not forgetting to do the job themselves. Being able to push the mission forward, while sticking to the primary calling of loving others and being a witness to those around you is what we are meant to do. This idea that we are meant to live out our beliefs rather than staying silent lies at the heart of what we do and say in our daily lives.

The need of the hour is to pass onto others what we ourselves have been taught, which requires a lesson in humility. That humility can make all the difference in the world in how we share with others, and what others are able to share because we ourselves chose to.

Joseph Kolapudi is a TCK born in Australia to Indian parents, and returned from California where he was studying theology at Fuller; currently, he is working with a missions agency, continuing his love of writing by contributing to PSI.

Joseph Kolapudi's previous articles may be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/joseph-kolapudi.html
When I said that, I always believed  and I still believe  that Josh Kaul as the Attorney General will follow the law and will go according to what they put together in the lame-duck session, Evers said.

The day after the televised address, Evers changed course, as a spokeswoman said Wednesday that he had not directed Kaul to take any specific course of action.

Kauls office then announced Thursday that it would seek approval from the Joint Finance Committee to withdraw from the lawsuit, consistent with the widespread understanding of the newly rewritten law.

Speaking Friday, Evers said he always understood and meant to convey that withdrawing from the lawsuit would require finance committee approval.

So in my worldview  and I know thats not everyones worldview  theres nothing inconsistent with what I said and whats actually going to happen, Evers said.

Evers public about-face came amid the release of memos penned by Kaul and the Legislatures nonpartisan reference bureau, both saying the governor lacks authority to unilaterally order the state to withdraw from the lawsuit without the finance committees approval.
It seems totally hypocritical for us at one point saying we have to figure out how to take care of this in the state, then on the other hand, saying we really want to prevent the federal government from having protections for pre-existing conditions, Evers said Wednesday at CVTCs Health Education Center in Eau Claire. You cant have it both ways.

As for convincing Republicans to back expanding Medicaid, Evers said that it is one of the key issues for the state.

He said that the votes in the most recent election showed that people wanted to work on Medicaid and other issues to help working people.

This is an important issue for us, monetarily and health care wise, Evers said. I think if state legislators hear from their voters  there can be some change.

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Evers also said Wednesday he hopes to see the Republican-majority Legislature take up his budget for consideration and not craft their own: I think thats one of the main pieces to having a bipartisan solution. Of course, Im not going to get everything I want, nor will they get everything they want.

So far, both Republican Assembly members and Evers administration have both floated tax decreases but with different approaches to getting the money.
The titular aspect of the presentation will be on the historic idea of a chakra. A chakra can be described as one of the centers of spiritual power that lie in the human body. Traditionally there are thought to be seven human chakras, which work together inside of us to achieve health and emotional well-being.

Zook said the pairing of a traditional church and a Himalayan monk is an unusual one, but that is what is going to make the event interesting and memorable.

There arent a whole lot of avenues to learn this kind of information if youre not going to school for some kind of religious studies, Zook said. If you have any mild interest in any of these things, the food or Himalayan philosophy, both are reason enough to come out for a unique experience. And there will be plenty of more opportunities to learn more if you want, but the worst case scenario is you spend a Saturday afternoon hanging out with a bunch of other people who are interested in learning about these topics.

For more information on the event, and future presentations in the ongoing series you can call 715-835-3331 or email vicarzook@gmail.com.

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More turbulence in Venezuela  including the threat of United States sanctions on its crude oil exports  has Canada's oilpatch watching carefully for how the impact will ripple across the industry.

Analysts say sanctions, or a further drop in Venezuelan oil output, could leave American refiners on the hunt for heavy crude from elsewhere, providing a potential price lift for Canadian producers.

But with limited ability to get more oil to the Gulf Coast, some believe the Canadian sector won't be able to seize the additional market share it otherwise might.

Longer term, if Venezuela changes political regimes, the upheaval could see the South American country's oil production soar once again  and change the outlook for global prices.

"Any more reduction in Venezuela crude could have an impact on the price of heavy crude for Canadian producers," said Kevin Birn, an oilsands analyst with IHS Markit in Calgary.

"In terms of our ability to maximize the benefit, we are constrained by our own infrastructure."

Venezuela's political and economic outlook is unclear after opposition leader Juan Guaido contested the presidency of socialist Nicolas Maduro and swore himself in as interim president on Wednesday. Maduro continued to carry out presidential duties on Thursday.

Traditionally, Canada and Venezuela produce heavy oil that compete for space in the U.S. market. However, Venezuela crude production has fallen dramatically in recent years amid economic and political strife.

"There's been a developing opportunity for Canadian crude, in particular going into the U.S. Gulf Coast refineries," said Allan Fogwill, president of the Canadian Energy Research Institute.

"They were getting most of their heavy crude from Venezuela and Mexico  and a little bit from Canada. Now, with the concerns in Venezuela, that means those refineries are looking north to Canadian producers."

Fogwill said limited pipeline capacity and rising demand for Canadian crude at those refineries is one reason why rail shipments of oil to the United States have been on the rise.

Story continues

Carlos Garcia Rawlins/Reuters

Last fall, Canadian shipping constraints to the U.S. led to a backlog of oil and steep discounts on Alberta crude. Prices increased significantly when the province imposed mandatory crude production cuts for 2019.

The heavy blend of oil from Alberta's oilsands known as Western Canada Select was trading at $43.47 US a barrel on Thursday, up $1.36 US on anticipation that any decline in Venezuelan crude would result in more demand for WCS.

Rory Johnston, a commodity economist at Scotiabank, said the Canadian heavy crude price could further improve depending on whether the U.S. moves forward with sanctions and what happens with Venezuelan production.

"But I think at this stage it's fairly unambiguously bullish for oil prices in the short term," he said.

Robert Fitzmartyn, head of energy institutional research at GMP FirstEnergy, said he'll be watching to see how any related improvement in crude prices filters into the market and Canadian energy stocks.

"The stock market probably responds mildly," Fitzmartyn said.

Longer term, however, there are even more questions.

If there is regime change in Venezuela, oil production could ramp up to more traditional levels and that might come to weigh on oil prices, Johnston said.

"What that likely would mean is actually a slightly more bearish outlook longer term," he said.

"Production has been declining so rapidly there [in Venezuela] that really, at this stage, virtually any alternative governance is likely to be better at managing that production."

Fogwill said that if Venezuelan production returns to traditional levels, it will have an impact on world prices, too.

"If Venezuela came roaring back ... that could undermine the high price for oil."
Sanjeeb Phuyal is the online editor for The Kathmandu Post. He oversees breaking news reports on the web and produces content for The Post's digital platforms.
ROME (Reuters) - Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte on Friday accused France and Germany of using empty pro-European rhetoric while pursuing their national interests on areas from immigration to industry and international diplomacy. In a hard-hitting interview in daily Corriere della Sera, Conte said Italy was no longer prepared to be treated as a "poor relation" while the EU's largest states tried to increase their power and influence at the expense of real European integration. "They are only thinking of their national interests," Conte said, taking particular offence at a bilateral treaty signed this week in Aachen which committed to supporting Germany's bid for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council. "They are taking us for a ride," Conte said, arguing that there had been a broad agreement since the early 1990s that the seat at the U.N. should go to the EU as a whole, rather than to Germany. "The truth is that we have caught France and Germany with their hand in the cookie jar," Conte said. Italy's coalition parties, the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement and the right-wing League, have repeatedly attacked French President Emmanuel Macron in recent weeks, accusing Paris of impoverishing Africa and fuelling migration across the Mediterranean towards Italy. Conte, a former academic with no party affiliation, is normally seen as a moderate, mediating figure, but he warned France and Germany not to try to isolate Italy. "Certainly our allies cannot believe that we will sit silently at the table to sign off on decisions taken by others," he said. "Why should I take part in a summit if they have already decided everything?" French and German "European rhetoric" disguised their defence of national interests in finance and industry, he said, citing a case this month in which the two countries moved to block an Italian shipbuilder's bid to take over a French rival. "We have to say these things out loud. If we don't intervene we will have a historic responsibility for having remained silent," Conte said. With opinion polls showing about 60 percent of Italians back his administration, "no other government in Europe has the support we have," Conte said, adding that he would "not accept the idea that we should behave like poor relations". "Maybe we have to start speaking more frankly, all of us, and to say that at this point Europe is a bit naked. The empty European rhetoric is no longer sufficient," he said. (Reporting by Gavin Jones and Stephen Jewkes; Editing by Jacqueline Wong and Crispian Balmer)
The RCMP's national security team has arrested and charged an Ontario youth with a terrorism-related offence, the police force said Friday following an investigation in Kingston, Ont.

Police have laid two charges against the young person, who is accused of knowingly facilitating a terrorist activity and counselling another person to "deliver, place, discharge or detonate an explosive or other lethal device ... against a place of public use with the intent to cause death or serious bodily injury."

The identity of the accused has been withheld by police as the person is a minor and protected under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

During a press conference Friday, the RCMP said it received a "credible" tip from the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation in late December 2018 that there were individuals in Kingston planning a terrorist attack, which led to the police raids at two homes in the area Thursday.

A source with knowledge of the investigation said the alleged terrorist activity involved a plan to use an explosive device; no specific target had yet been chosen. The accused had the intent, began acquiring the potential to create an improvised explosive device and formulated a plan, but were arrested before they had chosen a target, the source said.

"There was no specific target identified but there was an attack planned," RCMP Superintendent Peter Lambertucci told reporters. While an attack was considered imminent, the officer said there was no credible threat to the people of Kingston.

Lars Hagberg/Canadian Press

"I want to reassure the citizens of the greater Kingston, Ont., area and all Canadians that during the investigation, our primary focus was the safety and protection of the public," said Michael LeSage, a chief superintendent with the RCMP's "O" Division.

After the arrests, the RCMP found "elements" and "trace elements" of homemade improvised explosive devices in an unspecified residence. The explosive substance was later neutralized, Lambertucci said.

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A second individual, an adult male CBC News has identified as Hussam Eddin Alzahabi, was also arrested Thursday but has not been charged. Alzahabi's father told CBC News that police have now released his son.

Hussam's lawyer, Mohamed El Rashidy, told CBC News that his client maintains his innocence and will continue to co-operate with the security services as the investigation unfolds.

"He's exercising his legal rights and he cares about Canada's safety as much as the next person," said El Rashidy. "He's here studying, he's doing everything that he can to be a contributing member to society and there is no reason to malign him or treat him differently than anybody else."

Lambertucci said the investigation is still ongoing. Police had 24 hours to press charges against Alzahabi or release him from custody.

The officer would not comment on the ideological motivations of the people apprehended or say if they had any ties to foreign elements.

Laurie Foster-MacLeod sketch

Police described the relationship between Hussam Eddin Alzahabi and the person charged as an "informal friendship."

Earlier Friday, the father of Hussam Eddin Alzahabi said he was astounded by the arrest of his 20-year-old son.

"They tell me they search about him about terrorists. I know my son, he didn't think about that. He like Canada. He like the safety in Canada. How could he think about that?" Amin Alzahabi, who has been in Canada since 2017, told CBC News' Philip Ling in an interview from his home Friday morning.

"It's fake news about my son. I trust my son. I know he cannot do anything against any human, humanity.

"They inspected everything from my house. They didn't find anything. I think this is not good."

In carrying out the arrests, the RCMP were supported by both Kingston police and FBI officers with support from the Ontario Provincial Police, Canada Border Services Agency, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service and the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC).

On Thursday, officers could be seen carrying bags of evidence out of the homes.

By Friday morning, the police presence was contained to just one residence.

Alzahabi said his family, originally from Syria, has been living in Canada since July 2017, following time spent in Kuwait from 2008 to 2017.

According to a bulletin posted to the website of a Kingston-area Catholic church detailing the journey of the Alzahabi family, an ecumenical group of churches helped bring them to Canada through the private sponsorship refugee program in 2016-17.

The church group established a series of committees, including a hospitality and orientation committee composed of parishioners, and raised more than $30,000 to help support the family's transition to life in Canada.

Alzahabi said he and his family came to Canada to be "liberated" and to avoid being sent back to Syria  which is still in the throes of a multi-year bloody civil war  by the Kuwaiti government.

"I want to save my family from Assad regime in Syria," he said, referring to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who's accused of perpetrating war crimes against his own people.

"I wanted to come to Canada and I [succeeded] in coming to Canada because I trust Canada. I trust this country is for the humanity ... freedom," Alzahabi said.

To that end, Amin Alzahabi said his son was completing high school upgrades at Loyalist Collegiate & Vocational Institute with the hope he could then continue his studies at a university.

Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale said police took action Thursday "based on credible information, to ensure public safety."

Jonathan Castell/CBC

The minister said the operation has not changed the country's threat level. It remains at "medium," where it has hovered since late 2014.

However, the threat was considered serious enough to involve months of investigation, thousands of hours of police work and the use of a Pilatus PC-12 RCMP surveillance plane that had been circling over Kingston in recent weeks for hours on end, creating a great deal of interest from residents due to the noise.

Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer commended the work of the RCMP and local police while adding the continuing terrorist threat demands strong national security legislation to help law enforcement.

Scheer also said Canada's "refugee screening process needs to be seriously examined."

"We've recently learned of several examples of dangerous individuals entering the country due in part to lax screening procedures," Scheer said.

"In 2017, as an audit of the Canada Border Services Agency reported, 39 cases did not receive the necessary security screening and therefore, potential security threats may not have been identified prior to granting admissibility. This is completely unacceptable and must be immediately remedied."

Goodale, speaking to reporters after a meeting with provincial counterparts, said Scheer's comment on bolstering the security of the refugee screening process was premature.

"Somehow he already knows or is presuming the result of a police investigation. I think it's wiser in these circumstances, rather than leaping to conclusions, that the police do their job. Let's get the facts on the table and then we'll determine the appropriate course of action," Goodale said.
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP)  Injury-plagued hooker Dane Coles has re-signed with New Zealand Rugby through the 2021 season, providing some good news to the All Blacks amid a growing exodus of top players.

The 32-year-old Coles missed most of the last two seasons with a variety of injuries. He had a long battle with a concussion and struggled to overcome knee and calf problems, returning late last year on the All Blacks' tour to Japan and Britain.

New Zealand rugby is used to losing players near the end of the careers, when they seek the financial security of big-money contracts in Europe or Japan. But the players now leaving to play overseas are much younger, choosing large club contracts over test caps.

Flyhalf Lima Sopoaga and centers Mike Proctor and Malakai Fekitoa are among players to recently depart.

Coles, a veteran of 60 tests, said injuries had prevented him achieving all he hoped with the All Blacks and Wellington-based Hurricanes.

"I still feel like there are things that I want to achieve in New Zealand with teams that mean a lot to me," Coles said in a statement Thursday.

____

More AP sports: https://apnews.com/apf-sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
Canada's ambassador to China now says he regrets making comments earlier this week that suggested Meng Wanzhou, the Huawei executive detained in Canada on a U.S. extradition request, has a strong case that her arrest was politically motivated.

"I regret that my comments with respect to the legal proceedings of Ms. Meng have created confusion. I misspoke. These comments do not accurately represent my position on this issue," John McCallum said in a statement.

"As the government has consistently made clear, there has been no political involvement in this process."

Ever since Canadian law enforcement detained Meng in early December on a U.S. extradition request, the Liberal government has maintained that Canada was simply following the rule of law by adhering to its commitments outlined in the extradition treaty it has with the U.S.

That position took a serious hit Tuesday when McCallum told a select group of Chinese media outlets that Meng has a strong case that her arrest was politically motivated.

"I think she has quite good arguments on her side," he told reporters during the news conference in Markham, outlining three areas where the U.S. extradition request could be challenged.

The first was focused on U.S. President Donald Trump's comments last month: the president suggested he might intervene in the case if it would help the U.S. on the national security front or in its efforts to negotiate a U.S.-China trade deal.

I think we're beginning to have to look at this ambassadorial tenure as an experiment that hasn't worked out as well as its authors hoped - Former Canadian ambassador to China David Mulroney

Second, the ambassador argued there was "an extraterritorial aspect to her case"  without explaining how that makes Meng's case different from every other extradition request a foreign government makes of Canada.

Lastly, McCallum noted that Canada hasn't signed on to the U.S. sanctions Meng is accused of trying to avoid. "So I think she has some strong arguments she can make before a judge," he said.

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Calls to fire McCallum

On Wednesday Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer condemned the remarks, telling CBC News Network's Power & Politics that if he was prime minister, he would have fired the ambassador for the misstep.

Speaking to reporters after an announcement in New Brunswick today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau dismissed the call for McCallum's dismissal, saying it would be counterproductive.

"Our focus is entirely on getting those Canadians home safe and making sure that all their rights are respected ... Making a change would not help release those Canadians a day sooner," Trudeau said.

David Mulroney, a former Canadian ambassador to China, told CBC News Network's Power & Politics today  before McCallum withdrew his remarks  that Trudeau should personally reject McCallum's remarks to counteract the confusion they're causing in China and Washington.

"I can appreciate that the prime minister doesn't want to do damage to his ambassador, but he really does have to correct the record and walk back from some of the things that Mr McCallum said."

Mulroney said he does not think McCallum was trying to send some clever message to the Chinese but was simply being clumsy  and icommitted the cardinal sin of allowing people to think the Canadian judicial system is susceptible to political interference.

"What I think might happen, and should happen, is that the government looks to its bullpen," Mulroney said. "It looks to the next ambassador and that maybe there is an early transfer in the late spring or the summer.

"I think we're beginning to have to look at this ambassadorial tenure as an experiment that hasn't worked out as well as its authors hoped."
The term Seventh Generation represents the belief that decisions made today should be based on how they'll impact people in the future.

It's a philosophy that's very important to both Cory Beaver from the Stoney Nakoda First Nation and Disa Crow Chief from the Siksika First Nation.

The pair are part of Student Energy's Mount Royal University chapter and are the organizers behind SevenGen  billed as the world's first Indigenous youth summit, taking place Thursday to Sunday at the Grey Eagle Resort in Calgary.

"It's needed not just in our own communities, but across Canada," Crow Chief told the Calgary Eyeopener.

"First Nations in Canada, we attend more funerals than we do weddings and graduations. So this is something that is along the lines of mental health and just bringing something more positive and innovative to these communities to show them that there's more than just the reality they know and what they face back in their own communities."

More than 200 Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth will attend the sold-out event, which will feature keynote speakers, plenary sessions and workshops.

The impetus, said Beaver, came from a previous event he and Crow Chief attended.

"They mentioned that Canada is the only country with First Nations leading in renewable energy, and I thought that was really powerful because we, as Indigenous people, only took what we needed from the land," said Beaver.

"And we lived off the land, because we truly, initially belonged to the land. That's the idea we're going from. We want to be able to bring back those ideas and inspire youth to think about maybe a career in sustainability, whether it's in the energy sector or working on the environment."

Left photo: SevenGen, right photo: Resco Energy

Part of the goal, said Crow Chief, is to help prepare youth for possible careers.

"We're not just doing this for the next couple of years. We want to fight for a better reality for our children, and our grandchildren and future generations," said Crow Chief.

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"Our thing is about environmental education," she said.

"We are by no means stating we're experts, but we want to do our best to always help bring as much environmental education to First Nations, so they can be confident to venture into that field."

With files from the Calgary Eyeopener
Edmonton taxi driver Guled Yussuf was shocked by what he saw on TV at a Checkers Pizza: his old friend from Fort McMurray, arrested in connection with a terror attack in Africa.

Canadian Abdihakim Guleid, 46, has been detained in Kenya. Authorities suspect he may have helped attackers in a deadly Jan. 15 assault on a hotel in Nairobi that killed at least 21 people.

According to court documents, authorities killed the attackers, who stormed the complex with gunfire and grenade bombing.

Guleid was one of six people initially arrested after the attack. On Monday, the Associated Press reported that four more people suspected of helping the attackers appeared in court.

"I was surprised it was this guy [arrested]," Yussuf said. "It's like things that you can't even believe.

"He was the last guy that I would think would do or be accused of something like this."

Yussuf met Guleid about six years ago at a Flying J truck stop in Fort McMurray. They were both truck drivers  Yussuf in an oil camp and Guleid with a gravel company. They spoke Somali together and became friends, Yussuf said.

Guleid's Canadian passport was issued in Edmonton.

CBC obtained a photocopy of his Class 1 Alberta driver's licence, which said he lived in Fort McMurray. The licence expired in 2017.

AFP/Getty Images

Yussuf said he hasn't been in touch with Guleid since 2015. Over the years, Guleid would text Yussuf to ask about work opportunities after he would come back from visiting his wife and family living in Kenya every year.

"[He was] a very quiet guy, a family man. He used to talk about his family a lot. He used to talk about how he could get ahead in life financially. Things like that," Yussuf said.

"But he wasn't the kind of guy that was religious. Politics and all kind of stuff like that, he never used to be interested in all that. So I was having a hard time believing he's going through this ordeal."

Guleid eventually moved back to Ontario after he struggled to find trucking job in Alberta, his brother said.

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No charges against Guleid

Guleid appeared in Nairobi court Jan. 18, the same day Yussuf saw his face on TV, but he has not been charged with anything to date.

A judge ordered that suspects be held for 30 days while authorities investigate the attack.

Al-Shabaab, a group linked to al-Qaeda and based in neighbouring Somalia, claimed responsibility for the attack.

The attack was denounced in Eastleigh, a Nairobi neighbourhood that is home to many ethnic Somalis and has been targeted in massive police operations against suspected extremist cells. Shop owners temporarily closed businesses to protest extremism, and crowds gathered.

Guleid's brother Abdul said authorities came to Eastleigh to arrest Abdihakim at his family's home.

Noordin Haji, director of public prosecutions in Nairobi, previously told CBC News authorities are investigating a phone call Guleid allegedly received from one of the attackers.

Guleid alleges the phone is registered to his wife, Haji said. After the phone call, Guleid is alleged to have texted a phone number "and that's what we are investigating," Haji said.

Abdul Guleid maintains that his brother is innocent. He said his brother was visiting his wife so she could come back to Canada with him.

"Ever since he came to this country he was law abiding. I don't think he even has a traffic ticket," Abdul said.

"They're saying, 'Canadian terrorist suspect'  that doesn't quite fit my brother. Absolutely, it doesn't fit. He doesn't have a bone in his body that would support such a heinous crime.

"We will work to clear his name."

Abdul also said the family has hired a lawyer in Kenya to represent his brother.

Abdul said Global Affairs Canada called him Monday to tell him consular services staff have visited his brother and that he seemed in good spirits. Abdul said Guleid's wife has visited him since he's being detained, and that authorities said he could receive medications he requested.

Stephanie Carvin, a security specialist from Carleton University in Ottawa, previously told CBC News that Kenyan investigators are looking for any and all connections. Carvin said it is "not at all surprising" that Kenyan authorities would cast a wide net due to the aggressive reputation of the country's intelligence services.

Andy Knight, a political science professor at the University of Alberta who researches extremist terrorism, said it's possible a Canadian citizen could have links to al-Shabaab and provide material support, even if the person wasn't involved in the attack itself or had never previously been involved with a terrorist act.

Knight said investigators in Kenya would look at apprehending people that could have any link to attackers, including friends or family, before charging suspects.

Yussuf said his initial reaction when he learned Guleid had been detained was that it is easy to be under suspicion as a Muslim Somali in Kenya.

"I thought that in general, as a Muslim Somali going around and there is terror if you are around the area, unless you hide or run away, you'll be the suspect in general," he said.

"So then I said, 'Oh man, that [guy] was at the wrong time in the wrong place. That's what I was thinking myself."
A revamped Canada Food Guide was unveiled this week, and the new recommendations pose a challenge for food banks in British Columbia.

The guide recommends plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grain foods and protein foods, with an emphasis on plant-based proteins. According to Health Canada, the ideal plate is half fruits and vegetables, a quarter whole grains and a quarter proteins.

"Ideally, that's what every food bank in our province would love to be giving out but that isn't necessarily the reality," Laura Lansink, executive director of Food Banks B.C. told host Stephen Quinn on CBC's The Early Edition.

'We're going to see repercussions'

According to Lansink, about 100,000 people in B.C. use a food bank every month. Lansink said meeting their needs is going to be a challenge and that with food costs projected to rise this year, people living paycheck-to-paycheck might also have to turn to their local food bank.

"Even the slightest increase in food pricing ... we're going to see repercussions from this," said Lansink.

Food Banks B.C. has secured refrigeration capacity for all 100 of its member food banks and is partnering with grocery stores to collect fresh food, dairy and proteins that would otherwise be thrown out.

But Lansink said most banks still give out a lot of dried and canned goods.

"We don't want to be giving out canned items, but when the price goes up, it makes it that much more challenging," said Lansink.

And while a bag of produce can sometimes cost less than a case of canned goods, Lansink said the more expensive proteins and grains are critical to make sure food bank users  especially children  have enough "staying power" to get through a day.

Nearly one-in-three visitors to B.C. food banks is a child.

To listen to the complete interview with Laura Lansink see the audio link below.
By Devika Krishna Kumar NEW YORK (Reuters) - Oil prices edged higher on Friday as political turmoil in Venezuela threatened to tighten crude supply, but concerns over surging U.S. fuel stocks and global economic woes weighed on sentiment. The United States signaled on Thursday it may impose sanctions on Venezuelan exports after recognizing opposition leader Juan Guaido as interim president this week, prompting President Nicholas Maduro to cut ties with Washington. But the ongoing U.S.-China trade dispute and broader gloom over world economic growth put a check on prices. Brent crude oil futures ended the session at $61.64 a barrel, up 55 cents, or 0.9 percent. Brent, however, has shed about 1.7 percent since the start of trade on Monday and is on track to post its first week of losses in four weeks. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures settled at $53.69 per barrel, up 56 cents, or 1.05 percent. WTI futures fell about 0.2 percent on the week, also posting the first week of declines in four weeks. RBC Europe predicted that U.S. sanctions could nearly double projected output shortfalls from Venezuela. "Venezuelan production will decline by an additional 300,000-500,000 barrels per day (bpd) this year, but such punitive measures could expand that outage by several hundred thousand barrels," it said. Still, some analysts said the possibility of immediate sanctions were unlikely. "We view a blockade on Venezuelan imports as low probability and a last resort measure that is likely weeks if not months away should it materialize," Jim Ritterbusch, president of Ritterbusch and Associates, said in a note. "The evolving situation in Venezuela appears capable of delaying our expected test of $50 support." OUTPUT SURGE Global oil markets are still well supplied, however, thanks in part to a spike in U.S. output. Record U.S. production would likely offset any short-term disruptions to Venezuelan supply due to possible U.S. sanctions, Britain's Barclays said in a note. The bank cut its 2019 average Brent forecast to $70 a barrel, from $72 previously. U.S. energy firms this week increased the number of oil rigs operating for the first time this year. Drillers added 10 oil rigs in the week to Jan. 25, bringing the total count to 862, General Electric Co's Baker Hughes energy services firm said in its closely followed report on Friday. The output surge has swollen U.S. fuel stocks, and crude inventories rose by 8 million barrels last week, according to official data released on Thursday. Refining profits for gasoline are crashing around the world as consumption stalls amid a huge wave of new supplies, resulting in record inventories in Asia, America and Europe. In the U.S. market, gasoline margins sank to $5.70 per barrel on Thursday, the lowest seasonally since 2009, weighed down by weak demand for the fuel and excess supply. Analysts have predicted a more balanced market due to a production cut pact by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies including Russia, as well as potential export disruptions in Venezuela, Iran and Libya. "While the current state of affairs is price constructive for oil, the market is hesitant when it comes to the global outlook," Harry Tchilinguirian, global head of commodity markets strategy at BNP Paribas, told the Reuters Global Oil Forum. Demand may start to stutter because of a global economic slowdown, which is likely to dent fuel consumption. A trade dispute between the United States and China and tightening financial conditions around the world have hurt manufacturing activity in most economies, including in China, where growth last year was the weakest in nearly 30 years. According to Reuters polls of hundreds of economists worldwide, a synchronized global economic slowdown is underway and would deepen if the U.S.-China trade war escalated. GRAPHIC-U.S. oil production & storage levels - https://tmsnrt.rs/2GVNTmb (Reporting by Devika Krishna Kumar, Noah Browning; Additional reporting by Henning Gloystein and Koustav Samanta in Singapore and Colin Packham in Sydney; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Sandra Maler)
(HuffPost)

Theres some debate over the cost of following Canadas new food guide, which calls for less meat and dairy but more fruits and vegetables.

Some say itll make trips to the grocery store more expensive, while others say bills wont get any bigger.

With the new guide, half the plate is filled with vegetables and fruits. Price volatility at retail is quite significant for both categories, so families may be more vulnerable now than before, Dalhousie professor Sylvain Charlebois told Yahoo Finance Canada.

Tomatoes in Canada are 19 per cent more expensive over the last 12 months, lettuce is up 39 per cent. Were quite concerned about how families could cope with abrupt fluctuations caused by uncontrollable variables, like currency shifts, recalls, and tariffs.

Charlebois and his team are conducting a study to compare the cost for an average family to follow both guides. The results will be available in about six weeks.

Its a wash

Personal finance expert Kerry Taylor says youll probably break even.

If youre going to pump up the volume on your fruits and vegetables while decreasing the amount of meat and dairy youre consuming, its pretty much a wash, Squawkfoxs Taylor told Yahoo Finance Canada.

Youll need to eat more fruits and vegetables compared to meat and dairy to get that full feeling, but there are ways to save. Taylor suggests avoiding packaged products, such as a prepackaged salad, and instead opting for things like a head of lettuce on its own.

She also suggests buying frozen produce, which can cost as much as 30 per cent less. Frozen food is also a good choice for people who wont be able to consume fresh produce before it rots. Taylor says the best way to save as much as $2,000 a year is to stop throwing away food.

The new food guide suggests eating out less, which can save you money in the short-term and also lower costs down the road. Taylor points out bills for oral care and other health-related costs will be lower.

Taylor suggests beans as a cheap way to get the protein youll be missing from cutting back on meat and dairy.

Download the Yahoo Finance app, available for Apple and Android.
Opinion / Columnist

When Mnangagwa arrived in Zimbabwe after a tumultuous week of revolting by the peoples of the so called Zimbabwe, he immediately shifted the mindset of the gullible and politically feeble minds. He announced that a national dialogue is on the offing so that a solution is found for handling the country's future. By design of the political desperation ingrained in some political movements in the country, a multitude of articles, letters and behind the scenes maneuvers came to life. Obviously the expectations are that the EDfee idea must come to fruition so that, a kind of GNU is born or a Transitional Authority of some sort which will absorb some hungry vultures who are hovering around the Zanu pf government can at least get to pilfer their hands in the Zanu pf gravy. To position themselves, so much talk from those quarters has emerged.Judging by the cunning nature of zanu pf, the proposal was meant to do several things, chief among them, to arrest the strategies of the opposition who wanted to take advantage of the peoples' revolution to cultivate their existence and relevancy. Now the opposition-have abandoned their strategic activities and are planning, strategizing, brainstorming on how they may outmaneuver zanu pf and be part of the new authority that will emerge out of the zanu pf initiated dialogue. So by being glued to such a position, they are arrested to a hope of a dialogue and how the new authority should look like. What a shame.The other deduced idea out of the proposed dialogue, is that it has shifted attention sharply to focusing towards that direction and influenced to abandon their strategic plans. That is ZANU PF's cunning arrest of the opposition politics, which decapitated PF ZAPU in 1987, devalued MDC in 2009 and rendering the hopes of the peoples' useless.Parading the army everywhere in urban centers is another zanu pf effort to instill fear in the peoples so that there are no future revolts of a similar magnitude by the peoples. As reported, people are running away from their homes to unknown destinations. Peoples are dispersing because of the fear as the security personnel of the country is well known for their heinous human rights violations. No one can defend them now, but the opposition wants to speak on the perceived wins that this peoples' revolution brought.Zanu pf has set a notion of dragging time in the guise of finding a solution to the problems bedeviling the country while at the same time proving that the opposition parties are an empty lot. That strategy turns the peoples who had hoped that the opposition will succeed in dislodging zanu pf from power but now are realising that the opposition parties have no capacity to do so.By failing to take a decisive action, the opposition will be decimated by zanu pf and rendered useless. This happened during the last GNU between zanu pf and MDC. The latter helped shape the country to a certain extent and that stability that ensured reassured zanu pf of another prolonged stay in power, which happened. So falling into the trap of a national dialogue, the opposition is ensnaring themselves while on the other they will have solved their problems by getting along on the gravy train of zanu pf.The desperation of the opposition is evidenced from their rhetoric that is posted on their social media accounts. They have failed to read the mood of the people and that of zanu pf. What has just happened recently, the revolt by the people, was a spontaneous reaction to mis-governance. That is evidenced by the rowdy behaviour of the people who, instead of going for the real targets, they looted shops. That on its own is criminal and zanu pf in retribution, are using the law to brutalise the people under the guise of punishing looters or criminals.If there was a leadership responsible for the revolt, we would be talking another language now. We would be discussing that the disposed regime had become a God over the peoples who are purported to have voted it and the peoples dislodged it. So the Zanu pf proposal for a national dialogue must be interrogated objectively and be approached with suspicion, not the zeal espoused by the desperate legion of political parties who contested zanu pf in their last elections and lost ( fairly or unfairly) and now they see a fissure which will help them get romped in, and partner zanu pf in the decapitation of Mthwakazi and Zimbabwe.What the peoples did, was a clean revolt which the enemy demoted to a protest. A protest by and large is an expression of strong disagreement with something whereas a revolt is a protest against authority especially that of a government and often involves violence. So what happened in Zimbabwe was a revolt not a protest, period. Had it not been a revolt, heavy security handed approaches which led to deaths and still the presence of heavily armed security spells out that what happened was a revolt, not a protest.As Mthwakazi Liberation Front (MLF), the philosophical road map is all about the RESTORATION of MTHWAKAZI and any dialogue should be directed towards that route, kwaphela nje!!!
News / National

by Mandla Ndlovu

The Law Society of Zimbabwe has invited all lawyers to attend an Extraordinary General meeting to discuss the state of lawless in the country particularly the one happening in the courts where accused persons arrested of participating in violent protests are denied their constitutional rights.In an invitation letter to lawyers LSZ said, "Whereas the Council has considered the state of the Rule of Law in the country in particular the events occurring at the courts."And whereas in Terms of By Law 10 of the Law Society of Zimbabwe By Laws 1982, the Council has resolved that this is a matter of urgency, justifying calling for a meeting on short notice.Notice is hereby given that an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Law Society of Zimbabwe will eb held on Monday the 28th of January 2019."LSZ revealed that its core agenda will be to consider the state of the rule of law in the country and to resolve on the appropriate response by the profession.On Thursday LSZ published a statement stating that they have received reports of abductions, arbitrary torture happing to citizens.They further revealed that majority of accused person are denied bail and juveniles are tried and detained.Members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police and the Zimbabwe Defence Forces have been engaging in a process of restoring law and order after the violent January 14 protests that rocked the country.The operation have left several people dead from gunshots, hundreds hospitalised while thousands are languishing in prison.The police and army spokespersons have denied that it is their members who are engaging in this operation but have blamed thugs who are posing as members of the force.
News / National

by Mandla Ndlovu

Itai Dzamara was killed and burned by a de-facto gang led by Dick Mafios. The reasons where that he was going to cause chaos and Mugabe's die hard supporters wanted to outshine CIO.



Happyton Bonyongwe approved it and he was taken by a car belonging to Jonathan Moyo. Moyo's role was to finance.



Jonathan Moyo gave each of the guys US $460.00 and they were 4 guys. One is Trevor Mabhuso who stayed in Ushewokunze in Harare South and was security guard for Mashayamombe. Mafios had a plan to beat up Dzamara around the Mbudzi round about and act as if he was robbed.



The plan could not go on after Trevor hit Itai near the ear and he started bleeding. They then kept the body for 2 days. Saviour Kasukuwere was then informed by Mafios and he asked Jonathan Moyo for propaganda spinning. Jonso asked journalists from Daily News to start speculation.



They were extremely expecting MDC to mobilize and the late Tsvangirai played down the Dzamara protest. The European Union officials started to ask. During that time Bonyongwe instructed by Saviour Kasukuwere and Jonathan Moyo, Itai was burnt into ashes.



Trevor and crew they were threatened with arrest until one called Edwin Nyamande went to South Africa and threatened to spill the beans, his mother was taken away and Mrs Nyamande then told her son in SA and they said he was needed for murder of Dzamara. Trevor had sold out and the other 3 guys had their money.



The money they got it from aide of Jonathan Moyo called Mlungisi. Near Bon Marche in Eastlea.



After everyone was now aware Itai was missing they then used Bonyongwe and his counter Intel Unit to work around that. Moyo was very instrumental in fighting the issue of Dzamara. Mugabe did not know about this until the International community started to probe.



Mafios then came up with a plan to visit his traditional healer in Chitungwiza and they used a Mini Taxi Cab number 21 and the driver is known as VZ or Chale. Jonathan Moyo, Saviour Kasukuwere, and Mafios went for first cleansing ritual near Somabi Hill.



Then went to another Hill in Darwandle called Puckly Hills and they were not dressed in the river Gwebi near Little England Farm. And they took the water to Dzamaras' house in Glen View.



In all rants and you folks knowing Jonathan Moyo he could have told the nation the full picture. He never came out clean because it was a misguided murder and torture that went wrong.



-His role was to push Bonyongwe for cover up.

- do the payment

-asked Mashayamombe to kidnap old lady to stop the guy to speak out

-do propaganda for the Mugabe administration.





Saviour Kasukuwere role



-he covered up for his brother Mafios and talked Jonathan Moyo into the family thing after Mafios had encountered Itai near Huawei offices.

-taking Jonso to a Sangoma for cleansing purposes

-paid Sangoma fees in kind with a honda.



I have to admit the facts are real. It is the happening of the events that I may have made an error. Itai they wanted to make it as if he was robbed. But Trevor and his team made a mistake and made the guy lose lots of blood in the process.



I am not reaching point 24. But if the case is to be declassified you will find this narrative in it.. Jonso is not a saint. The Dzamara issue is in his coming book but with a different narrative.



Professor Jonathan Moyo has accused members of The Military Intelligence Department of using a ghost Twitter account to point fingers at him as the one behind the disappearance of journalist Itai Dzamara.Moyo was responding to a Twitter thread by one Amanda Phiri who sought to expose the Professor as the one who funded the operation of Itai Dzamara."On 14 July 2018 I said that Itai Dzamara was abducted by Military Intelligence Department (MID) under General Mike Sango as CDI under Chiwenga." Prof Moyo said. Six months later and scared by my Letters to my father book, Itai Dzamara's abductors have confessed under the guise of accusations via an MID ghost account."Also commenting on Phiri's thread Patson Dzamara said,"A lot of people sought my comment over this stupid thread but I didn't want to dignify it with a response. In fact, I am not going to. It's balderdash. Please respect my family and our pain. That's all I request."Since 2015, I have consistently stated it was the work of the military intelligence. It did not become a fact the day Prof. Moyo said it neither was he the first one to say that. I have been saying the same even when he was still in ZANU-PF."Find Amanda's full Twitter thread below:
News / National

by Staff reporter

Local Zimbabweans took to the street of the Pretoria CBD on Thursday in protest against the killing of their "innocent countrymen".The marchers gathered at Burgers Park where they began their march to the UN head office in Pretoria.The marchers were joined by members of African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP), African civil revolution movement (ACRM), churches and other organisations.The march was led by ACDP president Rev Kenneth Meshoe, who asked protesters to behave peacefully. He reminded the crowd that they were all human before anything and should not be angered into violence."Some of the things happening in Zimbabwe are not nice and may make you angry, however we need to contain this anger and not speak of hatred."Meshoe said the protest was to call for justice in Zimbabwe.He said the UN was quite before when Rwanda had a genocide against the Tutsis, but this would not be allowed to happen againMoosa Kumbe ACRM president said he was happy to see local citizens and not just organisations "taking action to end the Zimbabwean tragedy"."Zimbabwe needed our aid," Kumbe said.He said there was a need for African countries, especially Southern African developing countries to unite and aid Zimbabwe."Enough is enough with police brutality, enough is enough with human slaughter."Kumbe said those innocent civilians needed assistance and did not understand how the people who were supposed to protect them, were the ones causing misery and death to them.Rufaro Chikwanha, a Zimbabwean and a pastor at World Revival Church, said Zimbabwe needed a strong voice of reason to end the sufferings.
News / National

by Staff reporter

THE pharmaceutical sector in Zimbabwe owes foreign suppliers more than $39 million for imported raw materials as well as finished products, resulting in supplies to the southern African country being cut off, an industry official has said.Zimbabwe imports between 70% and 80% of its pharmaceutical requirements.Pharmaceutical Society of Zimbabwe president Portifa Mwendera told NewsDay that the situation in the sector had deteriorated, with medicine shortages on the market being more pronounced."Patients have to move around a number of pharmacies to fill out their prescriptions and some have had to get their treatment regimens changed to whatever is available at the moment," Mwendera said."As of close of last year, the pharmaceutical importers owed $32,5 million to foreign suppliers while pharmaceutical manufacturers owe about US$7 million for importation of raw materials."Mwendera said the central bank was behind in terms of forex allocation as they last had an allocation in October last year."So the central bank is not up to date in terms of allocations. The industry needs consistent allocations to fund the importation of raw materials and finished products with a bias towards the promotion of local production to ensure import substitution and also exports into the region," he said.Mwendera said the year 2019 had started off on a slow note, but "it is hoped that continuous engagement with all the stakeholders will yield a better experience compared to last year".The foreign currency market in Zimbabwe is centrally controlled by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ), which then allocates it to industry.Pharmaceutical Wholesalers' Association (PWA) chairperson Kuda Chapfika said the situation was dire, as they owed their international suppliers a lot of money, which had accumulated over the past 12-36 months."Most of our lines of credit have been cut due to non-payment and the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe has not allocated us any foreign currency in three months. We are now at the mercy of our suppliers," he said.Chapfika said the RBZ was nowhere near up-to-date with foreign currency allocations to them, as the whole of 2018, they only received 27,8% of their requirements."For us as importers, we need forex allocations to sustain our businesses through payment to our suppliers. 2019 is so far not looking good, as the legacy debt still hovers over our heads on a daily basis. We hope some resolutions to the forex quagmire can be reached for us to continue in business as PWA," he said.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Retailers have called on Government to establish a distress fund that will help re-capacitate and restock businesses that fell victim to the looting and vandalism that took place during last week's violent protests.Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers (CZR) President Denford Mutashu, said following the looting and destruction of property, his organisation among others is now dealing with the aftermath to try and see how those who were affected can receive assistance."We are dealing with the aftermath to see those who were affected and try and find out how they can get assistance for them to be able to restart operations. Most of them are informal players, independent stores that literally lost everything. So we want them to get an avenue for assistance for them to recover," said Mr Mutashu."Bulawayo was hit the hardest as the retail industry was almost destroyed. As CZR, we are set to go to Bulawayo on Friday (today) to assess the impact on the retailers' business and there after compile a comprehensive report to be submitted to the ministry of industry," he said.Most shops in Bulawayo's western suburbs were emptied by looters who also destroyed property worth millions of dollars. The looting of shops and destruction of property occurred following violence that broke out after the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions called for a three-day stay away.Botswana Stock Exchange listed entity Choppies, was one of the hardest hit with chief executive officer Ramachandran Ottopathu reported to have said nine of the company's "shops in Zimbabwe's high-density areas were looted, with stock valued at approximately $2,5 million being forcibly taken away by the demonstrators".He reportedly said total value of the equipment and assets that were destroyed has been put at close to about $6,5 million. Mr Mutashu said his confederation is in the process of appealing for a distress fund from the parent Ministry of Industry and Commerce."We have engaged with the ministry in various meetings regarding this resuscitation fund. We will compile a report largely for the consumption of the ministry to make informed decisions towards the resuscitation fund. "From the meetings we had with the ministry, a directive was given that we compile a comprehensive report that Government will use for further action," said Mr Mutashu adding that the fund will be accessible to both the formal and informal sector so as to avoid the aggressive erosion of businesses that contribute to the economy.He said there are also concerns about the fate of employees who might lose their jobs."The erosion of businesses affected the economy, industry and the employees to a lager extent who find themselves suddenly retrenched as companies are bracing for survival mode and they can no longer shoulder the responsibility of looking after families."Businesses in general lost at least $300 million during the three day violent demonstrations organised by the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions and the opposition MDC Alliance and its NGO associates over fuel prices adjustments.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Catherine Katsande, the PetroZim general manager, has been arrested and is facing charges of fraud after allegedly conniving with Zadzisai Chizema, the Kaltrade Investments manager, in swindling PetroZim of US$156 000.An investigating officer in the matter confirmed last night to Business Times that the duo were arrested yesterday afternoon and were due to appear in court today."They are helping us in a case in which PetroZim was prejudiced of $156 000," the investigating officer said. "It is a case of fraud in which Chizema was allegedly contracted to supply goods which he had no capacity to deliver."He was given a contract which he couldn't fulfill and we suspect that there was connivance. That is all I can say at the moment," the officer added.This is the first crackdown by government on unscrupulous fuel deals after a call was made for an audit of how the precious liquid was being used in the country. There have been persistent fuel shortages in the country for the past months with long queues forming especially in urban areas.Government last week demanded detailed audits by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera), the energy regulator and the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority.The government wants to investigate how the country consumed just under half-a-billion litres more between June and November last year than in the same period in 2017.Two weeks ago President Emmerson Mnangagwa announced a 150% fuel hike which saw petrol trading at $3,31 per litre while motorists have to fork out $3,11 for diesel.The announcement drew a three-day stay away, but things are beginning to stabilise with diesel queues shortening.Previously a joint venture company between the National Oil Infrastructure Company (NOIC) and Lonmin PLC, PetroZim is now wholly owned by the government whose mandate is to pump fuel from Mutare to Harare.Petrozim owns and operates the fuel pipeline from Beira in Mozambique to Harare, and transports petroleum products. The company was founded in 1988 and is responsible for the pipeline which currently has the capacity to handle six million litres of fuel per day, but the government is expanding it to 16,7 million litres Lonmin Plc last year entered into an agreement to sell its 50% stake in PetroZim for $14,75m to NOIC, which is now a government parastatal.The platinum mining concern said under the agreement it would receive $8m in the form of special dividends from PetroZim. The transaction formed part of Lonmin's ongoing programme to dispose of non-core assets.Lonmin's interest in PetroZim has been reportedly impaired to nil and no attributable profits were recorded in the company's report and accounts for the year ended 30 September 2017.The PetroZim pipeline, built in 1966, runs between Beira in Mozambique and Harare carrying 6,5 million litres of fuel per day, but it has a maximum capacity of 8 million litres per dayThe pipeline currently accounts for at least 90% of the fuel that comes into Zimbabwe, with the remainder ferried by road. NOIC has depots in Bulawayo, Mutare, Beitbridge and Harare..NOIC has blending facilities at its depots and undertakes blending services on behalf of its clients as well as the pipeline transportation of petroleum liquids such as diesel, petrol, jet A1 and illuminating paraffin.In 2015, NOIC spent $12m in constructing the Mabvuku fuel loading gantry in partnership with Sakunda Energy.The Mabvuku facility can simultaneously load eight trucks and caters for both the domestic and export markets.
From tika to ashes

There are layers upon layers of injustice in the rape of Dalit women
News / National

by Staff reporter

Insider trading offences in Zimbabwe are going unpunished as the law does not provide enough measures for the Securities and Exchange Commission of Zimbabwe to undertake thorough investigations into reported cases.Under the Securities & Exchange Act (Chapter 24:25), the use of privileged information to make stock market decisions is a criminal offence, but no convictions has ever been made so far.Speaking to Business Times, the CEO of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Tafadzwa Chinamo, said amendments of the Securities and Exchange Act will address the loopholes in insider trading which have been widened due to the use of technology on the stock market."We have quite a few cases of suspected insider trading and some are still underway," he said. "The Commission has clearly laid down procedures which it follows in investigating these cases. This involves, among others, the gathering of evidence, interviewing suspects, etc."It has, however, been difficult for us to finalise on any of the investigations as obtaining information from suspects is difficult. We are looking into the amendments of the Securities Act which include enhancing the Commission's powers to include issuers of securities, provide for cooperation and sharing of information with other regulators both local and foreign, as well as providing for the charging of civil penalties."He added: "Capital markets are dynamic in nature. As markets become increasingly global and competitive, new products and technologies are developed. Developments on the ICT front present new opportunities for insider trading, thus expanding the need for effective regulation. As such, there is need for the Commission to continuously improve its regulatory systems to detect, investigate and successfully prosecute insider trading cases."Garikai Munema, the Financial Securities Exchange general manager, said they mostly rely on their internal systems to monitor insider trading. "As the Financial Securities Exchange, we do not have any known or recorded cases of insider trading. We do not have many companies that are listed on our exchange and the few that are there are monitored by their internal mechanisms. However, as an exchange, we have a specific provision that governs that", said Munema, adding"Given the size of our market and the policies in place, I can safely say insider trading is regulated and monitored."The Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE) monitors trade through its Trade and Surveillance Department which looks out for any suspicious activity, especially during the closed period of listed companies. However, there have been reports on corporate suspensions at the ZSE on insider trading allegations in the past few years.The Securities & Exchange Act (Chapter 24:25, section 87- 95) prohibits individuals who have inside information relating to securities from dealing in those securities, and provides for criminal and civil penalties for such dealing and other improper practices. But some companies have said the penalties are not steep enough.In countries such as the USA and the UK, insider trading attracts severe criminal and civil penalties.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Deeply saddened to learn of the passing of music legend & human rights activist Oliver Mtukudzi. He is immortalized through the contribution he made to the arts, with talent that fired up all of Africa. Deepest condolences to his loved ones. From his No. 1 fan in the whole world. pic.twitter.com/SKuhCAVNvU  President Cyril Ramaphosa (@CyrilRamaphosa) January 24, 2019

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has said he was Oliver Mtukudzi's number 1 fan.Mtukudzi died aged 66.Said Ramaphosa on Twitter, "Deeply saddened to learn of the passing of music legend & human rights activist Oliver Mtukudzi. He is immortalized through the contribution he made to the arts, with talent that fired up all of Africa. Deepest condolences to his loved ones. From his No. 1 fan in the whole world."
News / National

by Staff reporter

Kombi operators in Bulawayo yesterday reported their staff being bashed by soldiers for charging $2 bus fare.The soldiers were allegedly demanding that the kombis reduce their fares to $1 or park their vehicles.Witnesses from Sizinda, Tshabalala and Nketa Mnyoro told the Daily News that kombi drivers and conductors were being beaten up for allegedly overcharging.Speaking to the Daily News, Tshova Mbaiwa chairperson Atlas Moyo said he did not personally see soldiers beating up the drivers but confirmed that one of the drivers came to the offices badly beaten and said soldiers roughed him up."There is one driver who passed-by and could not even get out of the vehicle because of pain, he was severely beaten. However, personally I did not see the soldiers beating him," Moyo said.He, however, said more drivers were saying they were beaten up for over charging."But our Kombis are not charging $2, we are charging $1.50, so right now this is all confusing," Moyo said.Efforts to get a comment from Bulawayo United Public Transporters Association (Bupta) representative were fruitless as he said he is in a meeting and cannot comment.One conductor who spoke to this paper said they were being intimidated and told that they should not compete with Zupco. He said if the soldiers said if the kombis cannot charge a $1 then they must retire.Commuters are, however, relieved that kombi fare have been reduced but expressed concern over the renewed conflict."The kombis are now back at dollar as soldiers came to the rescue, but the way they are operating might spark anger from these groups of conductors."I hope they come up with another way of making the kombi operators to comply rather than using this command method," said Zuzu, one of the commuters.Contacted for comment, Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Precious Simango said she has not received any reports or cases of drivers and conductors being beaten up."No I am not aware of such but will find out," Simango said.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Finance and Economic Development minister Mthuli Ncube has claimed what really triggered the rebellion in the streets last week was not the hike in fuel price, saying the demonstrations were pre-planned.The protests started after President Emmerson Mnangagwa announced a 150 percent increase in fuel prices. The Zimbabwean authorities reacted to the protests by deploying the military and by cutting off Internet access.In the cities of Harare and Bulawayo, the security forces opened fire on protesters, shooting 68 and killing at least eight. There were at least 100 reported cases of assaults with sharp objects and baton sticks by State security forces.Ncube stold the media in Davos: "There was already swell and this was one of the issues that was added on. But coming to fuel in specific is that fuel was already trading at a higher price in other quarters."There is a parallel market that had emerged and that's where fuel was available as well. The price that was announced is not too far away from what was already out there."Asked why government is claiming Zimbabwe is open for business when people are being harassed for voicing out their concerns, Ncube said demonstrations on their own are proof that there is now self-governance in Zimbabwe unlike in the toppled Robert Mugabe era."What you saw in the streets is a clear sign the democratic space has been opened. This couldn't happen in the past but it's happening now, meaning President Mnangagwa is serious about opening up the democratic space."This is about progress, about the future and reforms. Reforms are never easy so we call for everyone to work together. The president has also called for dialogue so that we can face these challenges together.It is not normal for a country not to have its own currency and it's not normal for this type of decay to be allowed we need to change course."The Finance minister went on to justify the Internet shutdown even after the High Court had ruled that it was unlawful. On January 15, authorities blocked the Internet.Some services were briefly restored on January 16, but by January 18, the Internet was once again inaccessible and the block was extended to include email communication.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Zimbabweans have expressed anger at South African president Cyril Ramaphosa's claims that the country was on the path to democracy, at a time when at least 12 people were shot dead for exercising their constitutional right to demonstrate.Speaking at the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in Geneva, Switzerland, Ramaphosa painted a glowing picture about Zimbabwe, further demanding the removal of an economic embargo imposed on the country in the early 2000s."It is no longer necessary to have sanctions against Zimbabwe right now, because they have embarked on democracy and a path of real recovery and we will help them best by lifting those sanctions," Ramaphosa said.However, Zimbabweans and analysts have expressed anger at Ramaphosa's claims, following protests sparked by the government's 150 percent fuel price increase.The army and police ruthlessly suppressed the protests, leading to the death and injury of dozens others, who were later treated for gunshot wounds.Acts of human rights violations were among the reasons why western countries imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe.While Ramaphosa claimed Zimbabwe was recovering, citizens argued to the contrary, stating the country is in fact in a deep political quagmire."... Ramaphosa says Zimbabwe has emerged from a difficult situation when the reality is that the country is actually in a deep political crisis," UK-based Kent University law lecturer Alex Magaisa wrote on Twitter.Sentiments by Ramaphosa come at a time when an opposition political party in his country, the Democratic Alliance, has threatened to take Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa to the International Criminal Court, if the South African leader fails to act on the crisis.Politician and Harare lawyer Fadzayi Mahere said Ramaphosa was supposed to keep quiet instead of "insulting" the people of Zimbabwe."It is insulting to the Zimbabwean people for African presidents to claim Zimbabwe is on the path to democracy, this within days of army killings of unarmed civilians.If you won't stand with the people, why not keep quiet? Is this the African way? What a shame. #ubuntu ," Mahere wrote on her Twitter page.The world had expected Zimbabwe to turn over a new leaf following former president Robert Mugabe's removal from power in November 2017.Mnangagwa had promised to bring a "new Zimbabwe", but events of the past week, coupled with the post-election violence that took place on August 1, 2018, leading to the death of at least six people, has left many doubting his sincerity.These events are what resulted in many people finding Ramaphosa's views on Zimbabwe worrying.MDC Midlands senator Lilian Timveos expressed shock at Ramaphosa's claims."Ramaphosa has just shocked me. Oh my God and he wants to be president again in SA (South Africa). Remove sanctions. Zimbabwe on path to recovery, is this path to recovery? Africa. My heart bleeds," Timveos wrote on Twitter, accompanying the post with pictures of battered people.Piers Pigou, a political analyst also questioned Ramaphosa's claims."Pres (president) Ramaphosa needs to be given the correct information about current sanctions/restrictions on Zimbabwe, their import on the current crisis, & prospects for economic recovery. Even  Mnangagwa and Fin min Ncube have acknowledged the sanctions excuse is no longer relevant," he wrote on Twitter.
News / National

by Staff reporter

The ball is now firmly in President Emmerson Mnangagwa's court to ensure that his mooted dialogue with opposition leader Nelson Chamisa and other key stakeholders kicks off soon, and in earnest - without allowing hardliners in Zanu-PF to once again sabotage the process, analysts say.This comes as the international community yesterday joined hands with local groups in supporting calls for an all-inclusive national dialogue, which they said was the only option left on the table to save the country from imploding altogether following last week's mayhem.In that chaos which rocked Zimbabwe - after soldiers enlisted to assist overwhelmed police used excessive force against protesters in Harare, Bulawayo and several other towns - at least 12 people died, while 78 others needed treatment for serious gunshot wounds.In addition, the government also subsequently launched a vicious crackdown against pro-democracy and opposition officials - earning the ire of the international community and religious leaders.Speaking to the Daily News yesterday, political analysts said Zimbabwe had reached a stage where both Mnangagwa and Chamisa were not just compelled to talk to each other, but needed to be strong against hawks within their respective parties who had previously opposed the mooted dialogue.University of Zimbabwe political science lecturer Eldred Masunungure said Mnangagwa in particular, now needed to show leadership and finally make good on his promise to end the country's myriad crises."While it is difficult to read the mind of anyone, late alone that of a politician, but ... one can give him (Mnangagwa) the benefit of the doubt. I think he is serious on the issue of talks."The protests appear to have caught him by surprise and he panicked. And so, he is cornered. He has no choice but to talk. Opening the doors for negotiations may thus also be part of the regime's survival strategy to retain power," Masunungure said."The implications of last week's protests is that they could either strengthen or weaken the hand of the hardliners in both parties ... even as the terrible state of affairs in the country cannot continue."The other problem is that these protests can also erupt again and sweep everything aside, both the good and the bad ... and only dialogue can stop that."The leaders in both parties must thus exercise their veto powers over their hardliners and call for immediate dialogue," Masunungure added.Rights lawyer and director for Southern Africa at Human Rights Watch Dewa Mavhinga said Mnangagwa was under the spotlight following his recent welcome call for dialogue - adding that the world "now expects action" from him."It is up to ED to prove his sincerity about national dialogue. I am sure he knows that the military crackdown on activists last week puts his word in serious doubt."It is unclear whether Zanu-PF can be divided into hardliners and reformists because when horrific and horrendous human rights abuses are taking place, the so-called reformists in the party are always silent."If Zanu-PF has reformists who support human rights, they must speak out now and push for meaningful dialogue that includes all interested parties, including civil society, churches, labour and political parties," Mavhinga told the Daily News.Mnangagwa's move to reach out to Chamisa came as calls for national dialogue aimed at mitigating Zimbabwe's myriad crises have reached a crescendo, following last week's ugly disturbances, as well as the subsequent government crackdown against opposition officials and pro-democracy groups.Before the chaos, Chamisa had re-iterated his desire to open talks with the Zanu-PF leader - whom he referred to as "my brother", in a welcome move which signalled his abandonment of his once militant approach to talks."I have met with many on our worsening situation and unbearable suffering. The back-to-school burden, high prices, non-performing economy, joblessness and worthless salaries bring sorrow."On this, I call upon my bro(ther) ED to urgent dialogue to solve our politics and economics or it gets worse," he said on Twitter.Insiders in Zanu-PF and the MDC have also previously told the Daily News that hardliners in both parties were opposed to any dialogue as this threatened their political and economic interests.This view was bolstered by political analysts who said the hardliners within both parties were "rabidly against talks for self-preservation reasons".Masunungure said a fortnight ago that there was "no doubt" that the stumbling block to the mooted dialogue between Mnangagwa and Chamisa were hawks within the two parties."There are hardliners and soft-liners in the two parties. It dates back to the declaration by former president Robert Mugabe that he was supporting Chamisa on the eve of the (July 30) elections."Before that, Zanu-PF was interested in engaging Chamisa and the opposition, but that declaration hardened the view of hardliners in Zanu-PF, particularly the military," he said."The hardliners in Zanu-PF view Chamisa as someone who cannot be trusted. The MDC Alliance has also taken a hardline stance by rejecting the win by Mnangagwa, and as long as that view that Mnangagwa is illegitimate holds, there will not be dialogue."These hardline positions are unrealistic and I don't see the two parties engaging unless if all these issue are resolved ... but that is what happens in a patronage system ... people will protect their turf."If you bring the MDC to government, some in Zanu-PF could lose their positions, and so they undermine efforts between the MDC and Zanu-PF to engage," Masunungure added.Chamisa has been brawling with Mnangagwa ever since he narrowly lost the hotly-disputed July 30 presidential election - whose result he vigorously challenged at the Constitutional Court (Con-Court).The youthful opposition leader even went to the extent of accusing the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) of manipulating the poll results in favour of the Zanu-PF leader.But Mnangagwa's victory was upheld by the Con-Court, which ruled that Chamisa had failed to provide evidence that he had won the election.In the meantime, Mnangagwa and his government are battling to turn around the country's sickly economy.As a result, Zimbabwe is now in the throes of a mega economic crisis which has resulted in much suffering and anger among citizens who accuse the government of introducing a raft of measures which have further burdened them instead of alleviating their pain.
News / National

by Staff reporter

POLICE have launched a manhunt for four suspects linked to the murder of a Shurugwi artisanal miner recently.Midlands police spokesperson Inspector Joel Goko said Darlington Mangoma of Hlamba village, Lloyd Jinja (Dondo village), Prosper Zindori, (Madongorere village) and Breadwinner Mudzingwa (Madongorere village), all under Chief Masunda in Zvishavane, were wanted in connection with the cold blood murder of Terence Mhere."Police in Shurugwi have launched a manhunt on the four suspects in connection with a case of murder. During the night of the incident, it is alleged that these suspects assaulted the now deceased Terrence Mhere with machetes and axes before stabbing him with a knife after a misunderstanding over a hammer," Goko said.He said the body was discovered by a fellow artisanal miner who reported the matter to the police.In a related development, police in Kadoma are appealing for information that could lead to the arrest of six armed robbers who last week fatally shot a Golden Valley woman, Collin Mhariwa and injured her sister Savvy Murombo, before robbing them of $267. The robbers were allegedly brandishing an AK-47 assault rifle, police said.
News / National

by Staff reporter

THE Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) has challenged Parliament to ensure that section 210 of the Constitution is implemented and enforced to reduce growing cases of civilians being victimised by State security agents, especially during protests.ZHRC commissioner Petunia Chiriseri told journalists on Tuesday that the Constitution stipulates that members of the public could report cases of human rights infractions by law enforcement agents to the human rights body, even if an Act of Parliament to enforce section 210 of the Constitution was not yet in place.Section 210 of the Constitution stipulates that an Act of Parliament must provide an effective and independent mechanism for receiving and investigating complaints from members of the public about misconduct on the part of members of the security services, and for remedying any harm caused by such misconduct.Since 2013 when the Constitution came into effect, the Executive has not brought such a Bill before Parliament so that this could be implemented as required by the Constitution.Calls to ensure that section 210 of the Constitution is implemented have become louder after six unarmed civilians were gunned down by soldiers and police officers in post-election violence on August 1 last year.ZHRC said it received reports that eight people were gunned down during last week's protests against fuel price hikes. Civic groups said at least 12 people died during the protests."Continued use of live ammunition on civilians by the army and police is strongly condemned and must be stopped because loss of life and serious injuries to people is gross violation of the most fundamental human rights as envisaged in section 48 of the Constitution," Chiriseri said.Section 48 of the Constitution states that every person has a right to life."Parliament must ensure implementation of section 210 of the Constitution by enacting a law of effecting mechanisms for receiving and investigating complaints from the public about the members of the security. We call upon government to make assurances of non-recurrence of these human rights abuses, and government must expedite ratification of the Convention Against Torture, Human and Degrading Treatment and Punishment," Chiriseri said.She said after the August 1 2018 killings, the ZHRC had engaged the responsible departments to ensure that section 210 is implemented."We were at one point told that government and the Ministry of Defence were in the process of working on the Bill to ensure that the mechanisms are put in place," she said.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec)'s acting chief elections officer, Utoile Silaigwana, yesterday admitted that the electoral body did not invite chief election agents of political parties to verify last year's July 30 election results as required by the law.Silaigwana made the admission while testifying in the trial of MDC vice-chairperson Tendai Biti, who is facing charges of violating the Electoral Act by prematurely announcing the presidential results.Biti's lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa had asked the Zec boss if he invited the elections agents of various political parties when final results were announced."We did not invite the chief elections agents of various political parties when we formally announced the third and final results, which are now on our website. We only invited them when we announced the initial figure of 50,80%. On the next figure of 50,67% we also invited them to verify, but they were nowhere to be found," Silaigwana said while testifying before Harare magistrate Gloria Takundwa.He also admitted to releasing wrong results on two consecutive occasions, saying it was because of the country's poor telecommunications network.He struggled to explain why they announced three different figures of 50,59%, 50,67% and 50,80% for President Emmerson Mnangagwa's victory."I put it to you that Zec disowned what it posted outside polling stations, coming up with three different results. You are not producing this information and you are hiding it because it will not contradict the accused person," Mtetwa said.She further asked Silaigwana if he would dispute that Biti announced the results based on the collated figures from the polling stations around the country and that MDC leader Nelson Chamisa was ahead with 75%.Silaigwana said he could not dispute the assertion, but insisted that the presidential election results announced by Biti were incorrect and unofficial.The Zec boss later became hostile and threatened to stop responding to some of Mtetwa's questions, claiming it was now turning into an election petition, but Takundwa insisted that he answers to all questions put to him.Silaigwana then told the court that he never investigated Biti's claim that Chamisa won by 75% as at July 31 because it was unnecessary."It was not necessary to disprove his utterances because we were still collating the results from across the country," Silaigwana said.Tafadzwanashe Mpariwa and Jonathan Murombedzi appeared for the State.
Customs office says itll put up seized liquor for auction but is vague on details

The Department of Customs says it will put up thousands of bottles of liquor seized at the Tribhuvan International Airport for an auction, but what it wont say is: when. Nor does it say how it decides the time of auction.
News / National

by Staff reporter

FUGITIVE politician Professor Jonathan Moyo, who was slapped with a $5 million defamation suit by Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, has a case to answer and must face civil trial, the High Court has ruled.Chiwenga is suing over a press statement issued by Prof Moyo in July 2017, insinuating that he did not earn his doctorate degree with the University of KwaZulu Natal, but instead, someone authored the thesis on his behalf in fulfilment of the programme.Prof Moyo's bid to avoid trial failed yesterday after Justice Thompson Mabhikwa threw out his application for exception with costs. In the application, Prof Moyo had argued that Chiwenga's summons and declaration were vague and embarrassing.Justice Mabhikwa ruled that the claim was reasonable, clear and unambiguous. He said Prof Moyo must defend himself in a civil trial."It is this court's finding that anyone reading these documents (defendants' papers included), cannot claim to be disillusioned as to what damages are claimed," ruled Justice Mabhikwa."The claim is for defamation damages clearly as opposed to adultery damages, damages for loss of earnings or any other damages. The exception is dismissed with costs of suit. Defendant to file his plea within 10 days of receipt of this order."Top Harare lawyer Mr Wilson Manase and Mr Wellington Pasipanodya of Manase & Manase Legal Practitioners are representing Chiwenga while Mr Chris Mhike of Artherstone & Cook is defending Prof Moyo.Prof Moyo issued the statement on July 9, 2017 and it was published on various media platforms, portraying the VP as a dishonesty person who cheated to get the PhD qualification.Part of the press statement deemed to be defamatory read: "Finally, I'm happy that Chiwenga wants pre and post-independence disclosures about who was who, who did what and so forth. That's good. Meanwhile, I take that to mean he wants the disclosure of who contributed what to his doctorate and who really wrote his KZN PhD. Again, the Shona wisdom that kunyarara kurinani pane kutaura, (keeping quiet is better than talking) applies. #Handeitione ."Chiwenga, through his lawyers Mr Wilson Manase and Mr Wellington Pasipanodya of Manase and Manase Legal Practitioners, argue that the statement was highly defamatory of him and he is entitled to the damages. The lawyers argued that the words were wrongful and that Prof Moyo only sought to soil his good name."The words in the context of the article are wrongful and defamatory per se of the plaintiff in that they were intended and understood by readers to mean that the plaintiff lacks integrity, is dishonesty, deceitful, and fraudulent in that he never made a contribution towards his post-graduate doctorate studies from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, and that another person wrote the thesis as a fulfilment to his doctoral studies," reads the plaintiff's declaration.Gen Chiwenga contends that the same words can be taken to mean that he plagiarised and violated the research methods at the university, which is an act of misconduct."Apart from the defamatory statement was an intention to convey an innuendo that the plaintiff is in fact, dishonesty, deceitful and given the fraudulent behaviour, that his academic post-graduate Doctorate in Philosophy qualification from the University of KwaZulu-Natal is an academic fraud," reads the declaration.Chiwenga, who was the military boss, is a decorated liberation war hero held in high esteem locally and regionally, suffered severe damage to his reputation and moral standing, the lawyers argued. To that end, the VP is claiming the $5 million plus interest. He is also seeking an order for costs on a punitive scale against Prof Moyo.Prof Moyo's press statement appeared in various publications like daily and weekly newspapers and other media platforms that are widely read world over. The contents of the statement were quoted and published in The Herald, Chronicle, newzimbabwe.com, Zimeye and various social media platforms.
News / National

by Staff reporter

A man believed to be part of a gang terrorising border jumpers and smugglers along the Limpopo River was last week fatally assaulted by a group of illegal immigrants he had attempted to rob at gunpoint.Witness Chauke (24) was in the company of three others who are still at large when he was assaulted. Sources close to investigations said Chauke was disarmed by the border jumpers near the Umzingwane and Limpopo Rivers confluence."His body was taken to Beitbridge District Hospital mortuary for a post-mortem," said the source.Matabeleland South police spokesperson Chief Inspector Philisani Ndebele confirmed the incident. He said a Smith Browning pistol (9mm) loaded with two rounds and an okapi knife were recovered from the deceased."We are investigating a case where the now deceased, together with three others who are still at large, pounced on a group of border jumpers along the Limpopo River," said Chief Insp Ndebele."Chauke was armed with a pistol and during the robbery there was commotion. He was overpowered by his victims who then assaulted him."His accomplices fled from the scene upon realising they had been overpowered. Chauke sustained severe injuries and was later taken to Beitbridge District Hospital where he died upon admission."Chief Insp Ndebele said no arrests had been made and that they were treating the case as robbery and murder. He said anyone with information should contact the nearest police station. Chief Insp Ndebele warned people against crossing the border illegally as they risked being mugged, killed, raped or attacked by wild animals and criminals along the boundary."We continue to encourage people to use safe and legal migration methods," he said. "They must desist from border jumping. Such a practice puts their lives at risk."We have received a lot of reports of rape, murder and robberies, among other criminal vices, along the Limpopo River."The incident comes a few months after an 18-member gang that included suspected border jumpers and fisherman teamed up and killed a crocodile which had charged at them at an illegal crossing point along the Limpopo River. The incident occurred some 500 metres east of Alfred Beit Bridge.
News / National

by Staff reporter

The National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) has approached the Government seeking conferment of national hero status on music icon Oliver Mtukudzi.Mtukudzi died yesterday afternoon at the Avenues Clinic in Harare where he had been admitted in the intensive care unit.He was 66.His management did not immediately disclose details about his death, but Tuku had been battling diabetes for a long time. He had been inactive in showbiz for the last couple of months as his health deteriorated.Speaking at the musician's home in Norton last night, Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation Minister Kirsty Coventry confirmed the deliberations over Tuku's status. She said the Government would consider a "special honour" for the legendary musician.She was among the first batch of mourners to visit Tuku's home to pay their condolences."He was a legend. He is not only a music hero for the country. He is a hero of Africa. He deserves a special honour, but things will become clear in the next days," said Coventry.She said Tuku was a friend, with whom she shared numerous ideas."We had mutual respect for each other. Last year we sat on the same panel when we were talking about philanthropy work. I last spoke to him towards the end of last year when we met at the airport. He was coming from a tour and I was travelling to South Africa."We talked about the future of the arts industry and he was telling me about young people he was working with. He was indeed a legend. As Government, we are prepared to honour our legends in various sectors."NACZ director Nicholas Moyo, who was also among the mourners in Norton last night, said: "We have approached the Government with our request for Tuku to be considered for national hero status. The formal procedures have started and we are here to talk to the family so that we get the ball rolling."It would be great to have him as the first artiste to get such honour. He deserves the status because of his hard work and leadership in the sector."He was a hero on his own and a hero of the people. I had the privilege to work with him personally and I am satisfied that his works deserve great honour."However, what matters to us most is not the status. What matters most is the heritage that he has left to the arts industry at large. His works will live forever."
News / National

by Mandla Ndlovu

Economic Freedom Fighters Leader Sello Julius Malema has warned President Emmerson Mnanga to beware of Vice President Constantino Dominic Nyikadzino Chiwenga who wants to bring a military style of leadership in Zimbabwe.Addressing a press Conference on Wednesday Malema said,"Mnangagwa must know that his behavior is tyrannical and barbaric. How do you switch off internet and kill people in 2019? We do not support brutal dictatorship. Mnangagwa must beware of that Chiwenga a former military General who wants to bring military dictatorship in Zimbabwe."Malema further urged South Africans to assist Zimbabwe if they do not want to see them flooding the South Africa. He vowed to fight anyone who will stop Zimbabweans from coming to South Africa.Watch the full video below:
News / National

by Staff reporter

As the crackdown on anti-government protests escalates, human rights activists have reported the emergence of torture camps in the country following the clampdown on protesters, opposition leaders and other human rights activists, the Daily News can report.Human rights activists have consensually reported a record 844 human rights violations since January 14, 2018, including 12 deaths, 78 gunshot injuries, 242 incidents of assault, torture, inhuman and degrading treatment including dog bites; 46 of vandalism and looting; and 466 arbitrary detentions.This follows reports that Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) and the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) deployed heavily to contain the protesters, conducting door to door raids and brutally assaulting civilians in their homes while others have been detained for hours without anyone knowing their whereabouts.In an updated report released on Monday evening, Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum said although Monday was seemingly calm, activity of State violence against civil society, labour, opposition leaders and residents continued."The Forum has received credible reports of Zanu-PF torture bases emerging across the country. In Mutoko, Zanu-PF militia noted that they were establishing the infrastructure of violence in order to deal with people sabotaging ED' and to prepare for future protests," ZHR NGO Forum said.This is not the first time Zanu-PF and security forces have been accused of establishing torture camps were civilians who are accused of defying government authority are mutilated.Academic and researcher Pedzisai Ruhanya said: "The report is not surprising because after the fall of (Robert) Mugabe there were no efforts by (President Emmerson) Mnangagwa's administration to destroy the infrastructure of violence."So when the power of Zanu-PF was threatened they simply reactivated the structure of violence, which includes vigilante groups such as Chipangano and Top 6 in Mashonaland Province," he said.Last year, the High Court ordered the State to pay $150 000 to rights activist Jestina Mukoko as compensation for her abduction and torture which she suffered at the hands of State security agents in 2008.Anti-government campaigners like Itai Dzamara are also among those who disappeared after being allegedly abducted by State apparatus.ZHR NGO Forum added that the atmosphere in communities around Harare has remained tense as people live in fear of the unknown amid government's clampdown."This can be attributed to the visibility of armed soldiers and police in some areas. In Ruwa, masked ZNA officers were seen loitering in the streets. In Highfield and Kuwadzana, water cannons and military armoured vehicles were also strategically positioned in streets near crowded places such as shopping centres."While many opposition leaders and other residents are said to have fled their homes, well-wishers have allegedly built safe houses across the country for people who are running away from torture and security forces harassment and brutality."In Domboshawa, men have abandoned their families to seek refuge from the heavy handedness of armed forces. Those left behind by fleeing suspected protesters have also been victimised to coerce them to reveal the whereabouts of the suspected protestors''.
News / National

by Staff reporter

LEGAL think-tank Veritas still maintains that the 2% electronic transaction tax, which was introduced last year by Finance minister Mthuli Ncube, is still illegal and that attempts to amend the Finance and the Income Tax Acts to correct the anomaly amounted to unlawful seizure of property.In their recent Bill Watch online publication, Veritas said an Act of Parliament cannot retrospectively validate the illegality made by the Finance minister when he introduced the tax.The 2% electronic transaction tax was introduced by Ncube as part of a raft of measures to shore up the country's dwindling revenue base, with reports from the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority showing that the tax boosted up their collections from October to December, where they surpassed their revenue targets.Ncube then sought to correct the illegal manner in which he introduced the 2% tax by amending the Finance Act along with the 2019 National Budget, but faced resistance from opposition MDC Alliance MPs."The Statutory Instrument which originally imposed the tax (SI 205 of 2018) was invalid, in particular because it was not authorised by the statute under which it was purportedly made, hence the tax could not  and still cannot  be legally levied," Veritas said.Ncube's mistake, according to Veritas, was that he announced the 2% tax through a statement on October 1, 2018, instead of first gazetting the regulations to change the rate of the tax on the same day as his statement, as he had the power to do such regulations under section 3 (2) of the Finance Act."Clauses 4 and 13 of the Bill try to rectify this by amending the Finance Act and the Income Tax Act so as to allow the new tax to be levied by back-dating the amendments to the date on which the original Statutory Instrument was published."The problem is that SI 205 of 2018 (the original Statutory Instrument) was a nullity, so attempts to collect the tax are illegal and amount to unlawful seizures of property. It cannot be said that the taxpayers have voluntarily paid the tax by making electronic money transfers: with the current shortage of cash it is impractical for them to make payments in any other way, and they are not asked if they agree to the tax being deducted," Veritas said.The think-tank said an Act of Parliament could also not retrospectively validate such illegal conduct."Validation would go against the principles of good governance, including respect for vested rights, which section 3 of the Constitution declares to be one of Zimbabwe's founding values," it said. In December, Ncube told the National Assembly that Zimbabweans were happy and had embraced the 2% tax.
News / National

by Staff reporter

ABOUT 28 victims of torture by State security agents were on Monday morning arrested from a safe house in Harare from where they were receiving treatment and are today expected to appear in court for public violence.According to the victims' lawyer Kudzayi Kadzere from the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), the victims were accused of setting alight a Zupco bus that was burnt near the Whitehouse area during last week's demonstrations.However, Kadzere said the seriously injured victims still needed medical care.Police reportedly busted the safe house with a search warrant, purportedly looking for senior MDC officials."They have been charged with public violence and they are going to appear in court tomorrow (Wednesday). They are being charged with public violence that took place near Whitehouse, where the Zupco bus was burnt along the Bulawayo Road," Kadzere said."They were arrested while receiving treatment at a house in Hatfield, which is a safe place where they were seen by the doctors. They were raided in the night, around midnight. They are seriously injured, but they were put in cells."Some of them need continuous care from the doctors and for them to be removed from treatment to police cells is absolutely ridiculous."According to NewsDay sources, the victims were battered in Kuwadzana Phase 3 on Sunday on accusations that they participated in the recent protests.Following the seriousness of their condition, a distress call was made to a medical institution which responded positively and treated them.The medical institution further kept the victims at a safe place for them to recuperate. During the raid, police reportedly assaulted the victims despite their names not appearing on the warrant they had brought.Meanwhile, heads of Civil Society Coalitions (CSC) have called on government to withdraw the military from suburbs."From the government, we demand an immediate end to the de facto state of emergency in the country and ensure the return of the military personnel to their barracks and the lifting of the curfew imposed across the country," the CSC heads said in a statement.They urged the government to respect rights of those arrested and to ensure that the right to a fair trial was respected in accordance with the Constitution as well as the international treaties such as the International Covenant and Political Rights to which Zimbabwe is a party."We call upon President (Emmerson) Mnangagwa to immediately acknowledge the extra-judicial killings of civilians and take steps towards identifying and holding the perpetrators accountable,'' part of the statement read.Speaking at a media briefing in Harare yesterday, Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights executive director Roselyn Hanzi said reports they received were that the judiciary was being infiltrated by politicians."Our lawyers were facing challenges where minors were being denied bail and in some instances suspects were not given enough time to prepare for defence.Some victims are failing to access emergency medical healthcare and the State security agents are putting some impediments, obstructing the victims from accessing emergency medical healthcare,'' she said.Hanzi said police and army were going about randomly invading people's homes and in some cases abducting, torturing and later dumbing victims at police stations.
News / National

by Staff reporter

MDC vice-president Morgen Komichi yesterday implored the Southern African Development Cooperation (Sadc), the African Union (AU) and the rest of the international community to intervene on the deteriorating economic and human rights situation in Zimbabwe, warning further delays would result in anarchy.Komichi also challenged Speaker of the National Assembly Jacob Mudenda to intervene in the face of the alleged persecution of opposition legislators.The party's chief whip Prosper Mutseyami said the majority of the legislators were now living in fear as the government's sponsored crackdown continued with five MDC legislators arrested so far.MDC legislators had a caucus meeting yesterday where they agreed to engage Mudenda to stop their harassment. The legislators said they now feared carrying on with their duties under the present circumstances.They also raised concern over the wanton arrest of party members and the heavy-handedness exhibited by the security forces.Komichi said the political tension had reached an alarming level, hence the need for the international community to urgently intervene."There is a state of emergency, as we speak right now, because all the institutions that are supposed to resolve the country's problems are all captured by Zanu-PF," Komichi said."Zimbabwe has now been transformed into a military State; the citizens are now victims of the State. There is no any other way the citizens can rescue themselves besides international intervention and that is when we call for Sadc to intervene. The chairperson must not give a blind eye to the Zimbabweans' challenges. AU must intervene."We ask; at what stage does the Sadc chair want to come in when people are dying in Zimbabwe?"This comes at a time when the recent crackdown is said to be linked to internal Zanu-PF squabbles.Some Zanu-PF legislators allege there was a plan to impeach President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who was forced to abort his Davos trip to attend to the situation back home.Mutseyami said as a party, they would not be drawn into supporting either of the Zanu-PF factions and in the event that a motion against Mnangagwa was raised, they would only act in a manner that was people-centred.He also demanded that the Judiciary acts impartially in dealing with cases of the alleged protestors."There is now a clear agenda to maliciously and deliberately misuse criminal court processes in a manner that is not justified by the underlying legal action," Mutseyami said."In the quest for Executive overreach, the targeting of MDC MPs is an attempt to deal a fatal blow to the Legislature ,the same way the Judiciary is being captured."With Zanu-PF elite rapture at play, the MDC caucus is also being targeted to avoid its participation in a rumoured impeachment plan."Mutseyami said instead of impeachment, the whole Zanu-PF-led government should resign.
Congress condemns council meet held in Deubas Absence

The Nepali Congress has condemned the governments move of holding the Constitutional Councils meeting in absence of the main opposition leader.
News / National

by Mandla Ndlovu

Members of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces on Wednesday took over the roadblocks in Bulawayo to command drivers of commuter omnibuses to charge the stipulated $1 dollar fare from the western locations to the Central Business District.Journalist Zenzele Ndebele confirmed that he witnessed the soldiers manning roadblocks."I am now at Nkulumane, Sekusile. Very few kombis are at the terminus. There is a roadblock manned by soldiers and riot police on Masiyephambili and Nketa drive. A number of people confirmed they paid $1 to town today." He said.An eyewitness who spoke to us said, "Soldiers in Pumula were stopping kombis and beating people and telling them to use a ZUPCO bus that has been provided for them."At Tredgold Magistrate courts soldiers were reported to be stopping kombis and asking the passengers how much they paid. If they say they paid more than $1 the drivers were getting assaulted.The operation by members of the armed forces is a series of operations to restore peace after the 14 January violent protests that rocked the country. Unfortunately, the operation has left several people dead and hundreds hospitalised from gunshot wounds while scores are in prison.Since the army left the barracks on November 15 2017 they have never returned back.Meanwhile President Emmerson Mnangagwa has condemned the use of violence by armed forces calling for a national dialogue with all stakeholders.
News / National

by newzimbabwe

SEVERAL Zanu-PF properties in Bulawayo were targeted with several burnt down during last week's nationwide protests against a steep hike in the price of fuel as well as the general economic decay in the country.The ruling party's provincial secretary for administration, Elifas Mashaba, told NewZimbabwe.com in an interview that the party's Magwegwe sub-office was damaged during the protests.In addition, an Isuzu twin-cab vehicle allocated to the women's league provincial chairperson, Ever Bitu, was burnt in Sizinda high density suburb by the angry demonstrators."As I speak, we are actually touring the affected areas with a view to establishing the extent and cost of the damages," said Mashaba."But as of now, I can confirm that our Magwegwe sub office and a party vehicle was burnt during the demonstrations."Mashaba's bottle store at Chicken Corner in Tshabalala Extension was also looted and burnt and burnt down.Several other known Zanu-PF sympathisers and supporters also had their businesses looted, stoned and burnt down during the three-day national shutdown called by the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU)In Entumbane high density suburb, the party's loosing candidate in last year's election had his shops ransacked and torched.Addressing an emergency provincial coordinating meeting at the Davies Hall on Saturday, Mashaba said the party had established command centres across the country to thwart any efforts to destabilise the country."In this moment in time we must all work together to defend this sacred vote. All our party structures including the youth stand activated to defend our revolution," he told the meeting.The government has blamed the opposition for the violent protests.
News / National

by The Daily Maverick

SOUTH Africa is planning to extend short-term credit to Zimbabwe and also to help it write off its US$7.4-billion external debt, to prevent its neighbour spiralling out of control. Critics say this will be a waste of money unless it can pressure Zanu-PF to make political reforms.Finance Minister Tito Mboweni disclosed the plan in an interview with Daily Maverick as Zimbabwe slipped closer to the brink after a massive fuel price hike on January 12 sparked a general strike and then widespread street protests, many of which were violently suppressed by state security forces.However, some critics believe that South Africa is just tinkering with the crisis and that any money that it channels to Zimbabwe will be wasted unless it persuades the ruling Zanu-PF to make fundamental political and economic reforms."It's an act of self-delusion if you think you can avoid talking politics as you engage Zimbabwe, as in many other places," Piers Pigou, senior consultant to the International Crisis Group said in response to Mboweni's disclosure.Harare is clearly desperate for a bailout from South Africa and/or any of its other allies to resolve an economic crisis which is slipping out of control.Director-general of the SA National Treasury Dondo Mogajane told Sunday Times that South Africa had declined a request for a bailout of $1.2 billion which the Zimbabwe government had made to the South African government on December 26.Mboweni did not mention specific numbers but told Daily Maverick the two governments were still discussing how to work together to settle Zimbabwe's debt to the IMF, World Bank and the Paris Club.According to Zimbabwean finance minister Mthuli Ncube, quoted by Bloomberg in October, Zimbabwe has a total national debt of $16.9-billion, of which its external debt is $7.4-billion, with $5.6-billion in arrears.He told Bloomberg Zimbabwe owed $1.3-billion to the World Bank, $680-million to the African Development Bank, $308-million to the European Investment Bank and $2.8-billion to the Paris Club (to individual countries).Mboweni said South Africa and Zimbabwe were also discussing the possibility of South Africa extending an existing credit facility of just short of R100-million which Zimbabwe had with the SA Reserve Bank.Mboweni said Zimbabwe had provided collateral for this loan in the form of its holding of SA Land Bank bills. The extension of this facility depended on Zimbabwe being able to provide further collateral.Mboweni insisted that Zimbabwe had always repaid its loans under this facility in the past.He said SA was also discussing ways of helping Zimbabwe lift its debt to international creditors.Without mentioning a specific figure, Mboweni said this debt "is not a lot of money" and that he was sure Zimbabwe was looking not only to South Africa but to "other friends and institutions" to help it write off the debt.Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa has been in Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan, supposedly seeking financial help from these old allies to rescue the crashing economy.On Sunday International Relations and Co-operation Minister Lindiwe Sisulu said the "protests in Zimbabwe have calmed down and life in the streets of Zimbabwe is returning to normal" - an assessment which Zimbabwean opposition figures have denied.She also said "the South African government was working with the Zimbabwean government in finding a short- and long-term solution to the economic situation" adding that "if the situation is not attended to, the current economic challenges can derail the political and economic progress the country has made since the election of the new president".Meanwhile Lindiwe Zulu, chairperson of the ANC's international relations sub-committee, told journalists before an ANC meeting on Sunday that the official discussions between SA and Zimbabwe "must speed up, they must help Zimbabwe to recover".Mboweni confirmed the discussions were advanced. He said President Cyril Ramaphosa and Mnangagwa were holding frequent phone conversations about how the two countries could work together to find a solution to what was happening in Zimbabwe.The two presidents had delegated some of that responsibility to Mboweni and his Zimbabwean counterpart Mthuli Ncube. They had met once in December and would meet again soon to discuss possible solutions being drafted by their officials.Politically there were two key issues to be resolved by Zimbabwe, Mboweni said. The first was for the political leadership to work hard for the lifting of the remaining international sanctions against Zimbabwe.More technically, Zimbabwe was very keen to re-introduce its own currency, "and that's very important for reviving the economy".Pigou deplored Pretoria's intention to bail out Zimbabwe financially, without any political preconditions."South Africans are mad to get engaged in this," he said, adding that he believed Zimbabwe was already deeply in debt to South Africa."Over the past two decades, South Africa has put money in there or supported them in other ways, and I wonder if that calculation has been made."He was also critical of Sisulu and Zulu for making no reference to the violent crackdown on protesters in their statements.In a report for the International Crisis Group published this weekend, Pigou said the biggest challenge for outside forces was to get the government to do something about the unrest "besides shooting and arrest protesters"."Zimbabwe desperately needs reform if the government is to keep the country reasonably stable and preserve its re-engagement with international donors, a process that started with Mugabe's ouster."To pull off that reform, it needs broad political consensus, including within both the ruling party and the opposition, but also within other social constituencies. The country is polarised on multiple fronts - ideally, the government would commit to supporting the development and implementation of some form of national reconciliation strategy to at least start to heal these divisions. For now, however, such a strategy is not even part of political discourse."But Pigou said it was unclear who had the leverage to nudge the government from repression to reform - "or if anyone wants to do so".He noted that the South African Development Community had not immediately responded to the unrest and the South African government had downplayed the crisis."With the prospect of more bloodshed and large-scale refugee flight, the region, and indeed the world, cannot afford to ignore the crisis," he said.Though Pigou did not say this, it is clear that South Africa's muted and apolitical response stems - as so often before - from its historical solidarity with Zanu-PF.As Zulu mentioned in her statement on Sunday, the ANC and Zanu-PF are both members of the association of Former Liberation Movements of Southern Africa. These members rarely criticise one another, especially in public.Mboweni said he could not discuss the need for political reform in Zimbabwe as this was beyond his remit.
News / National

by Staff reporter

FORMER Mutare North MP Batsirai Pemhenayi (Zanu PF) has been granted $100 bail pending appeal at the High Court after he was last week convicted and sentenced for assaulting the ruling party's Manicaland provincial chairperson Mike Madiro's personal assistant, Wilson Nyamande, during primary elections last year.Mutare magistrate Tendai Mahwe recently sentenced Pemhenayi, together with Wellington Magarasadza (32), Gilbert Chinyaunzore (35), Claudious Matule (29) to six-month jail terms each, with two months conditionally suspended.After spending a few days behind bars, the quartet last week approached the court through their lawyers Mugadza Chinzamba and Partners Legal Practitioners seeking to appeal the ruling at the High Court this week.The alleged assault occurred on April 30, 2018 when Pemhenayi and Madiro were contesting in the party's primary elections.According to the State, Madiro and his co-accused beat up Nyamande, accusing him of stealing ballot papers.
News / National

by Staff reporter

GRAIN Millers Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) has called on government to assist them with security personnel to dispatch 6 700 tonnes of mealie meal to retailers in Bulawayo, saying security threats were hindering delivery of the staple food in the city following last week's countrywide mass protests.GMAZ chairperson Tafadzwa Musarara said the industry, which lost $3 million worth of stock to looters during the violent protests that rocked the country last week, still had security concerns."As it stands now, our 11 millers have a total of 6 700 tonnes of stock in Bulawayo awaiting dispatch and what has been hindering the movement of that consignment has been security concerns so that we can move that stock from our warehouses to different selling points," he said."We lost $3 million worth of stocks that have been looted and yet to be paid by millers. We have a very good number of honest enterprises in Bulawayo, who have been receiving our stocks on account and paying on time, but because of this predicament, they are unable to pay and it's a risk that is not going to be covered by insurance, it's a risk that we will write off as bad debts."Protesters in Bulawayo went on a rampage, breaking into and looting retail outlets, crippling business in the already de-industrialised city.Musarara said the milling industry was committed to stabilising mealie meal prices."The issue of prices, for the past five years, mealie meal remains the cheapest commodity on the market, if you look at price comparison changes with other commodities," he said."In August, mealie meal was $6 and cement was $10. Today, cement is $30 mealie meal is still at the same price and this is a result of government intervention and command agriculture and of course my colleagues in the milling industry. We have committed to stabilising the prices of mealie meal given its critical position in terms of achieving food security at household level."Bulawayo requires 4 000 tonnes of mealie meal per week.
News / National

by Staff reporter

A POLICEMAN killed by rogue protestors in Bulawayo during violent demonstrations instigated by the MDC-Alliance and its allies in civil society last week, was on Saturday buried at his rural home in Matsikidze Village, Chief Shumba in Masvingo.Constable Alexio Maune (32), who was based at Entumbane Police Station, died last Tuesday on admission to the United Bulawayo Hospitals after being left for dead by violent protestors who stoned him during an orgy of violence that has left a very big scar on the country's conscience.The late cop was one of the several people who lost their lives during the protests that saw shops being looted, roads being barricaded while police stations and property were destroyed mainly in MDC-Alliance strongholds, marking one of the darkest episodes in post-independent Zimbabwe.Government has laid the blame squarely on the MDC-Alliance and its proxies in civil society and hundreds of people have since been arrested and arraigned before the courts for their role in the disturbances.A sombre atmosphere enveloped the Maune homestead in Matsikidze as the late Constable Maune's relatives and close friends struggled to come to terms with his passing on  especially the way he met his death.Several speakers in their graveside eulogies decried a growing culture of violence and urged Government to bring all the perpetrators of the hideous acts of violence to book.Masvingo war veterans provincial chair Tendeukai Chinooneka, who represented the Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs Ezra Chadzamira, blasted the opposition MDC-Alliance for its propensity for violence in its relentless pursuit of State power.Chinooneka equated the opposition and its allies who are surrogates of western imperialists to the infamous Selous Scouts who caused a lot of suffering during the fight to jettison the Rhodesian racist regime in Zimbabwe."What the MDC-Alliance and its partners are doing shows that we still have Selous Scouts amongst us 38 years after independence. The violent culture of the MDC-Alliance is very worrying. Their behaviour is very unAfrican. Why use violence against innocent people in an attempt to ascend to power? The whole world now knows them for what they really are,'' said Chinooneka.The Masvingo war veterans boss said peace, unity and love were cornerstones of a successful nation. He said a nation devoid of love and tolerance will hardly develop."We need peace, unity and love if we are to develop our nation, there can never be economic development that we yearn for so much in our country if we are violent. Government should be allowed to roll out its developmental programmes in a peaceful environment where everyone values that they are Zimbabweans first before anything else,'' said Chinooneka.He also called on Government to bring all the perpetrators of violence to book and ensure peace-loving Zimbabweans were not disturbed by the MDC-Alliance's knack for violence.The MDC-Alliance and its allies have come under fire for pre-planning the violence with analysts saying the opposition was bent on derailing President Mnangagwa's economic vision for the country out of fear that if the economy recovers they will become irrelevant.
News / National

by Staff reporter

A fuel station owner in Gweru had to scurry for cover as motorists were baying for his blood for refusing to sell fuel barely an hour after a tanker offloaded at his filling station.In an incident witnessed by this publication last Friday, motorists in Gweru besieged Zuva Service Station along Lobengula Avenue run by Mr Bourbon Bhula.Mr Bhula had to hide in his office as his employees battled to contain the situation. He then sold fuel to a few motorists before telling them that it had run out.Motorists have appealed to police and the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) to investigate Mr Bhula as they suspect underhand dealings. Energy and Power Development Minister Joram Gumbo implored motorists to report errant fuel traders and filling stations that are withholding fuel and those supplying the black market to the police and ZERA.In an interview, Minister Gumbo said Government had set up provincial taskforces comprised of police and ZERA officials to deal with rogue fuel traders and filling stations that are withholding fuel and those supplying the black market.Minister Gumbo said motorists should report these rogue fuel dealers to police whenever they suspect any underhand dealings. He said those found with fuel but not selling it would lose their trading licences."I have said this before that we have adequate fuel in the country. What is happening is that the suppliers of fuel supply in bondage. So for local fuel traders to get fuel they need foreign currency. However, what was happening is that some were now abusing the 1:1 facility and going on the black market."So some are withholding fuel and some supply the black market. We want to advise motorists to report rogue fuel traders and filling stations who are withholding fuel. The foreign currency they use to purchase fuel they get it from Government through the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ). We will withdraw licences of those filling stations and fuel traders," he said.Dr Gumbo said the ZERA and police operation netted a number of fuel dealers and filling stations in Mutare, Masvingo and Gweru.In a separate incident, Mr Bhula was nearly assaulted by two disabled men, Messrs Champion Vhunga and George Sango, after he insulted them when they had asked for fuel which he was selling to selected motorists."We approached Mr Bhula in utmost good faith and requested for fuel. He told us that he was also disabled so we had no reason to ask for fuel from him and he chased us away. Ironically, he is not disabled and we felt insulted and confronted him over his utterances. "ZERA and Police should investigate him. If they don't, we will take it up," said a disgruntled Mr Vunga.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Telecoms giant, Econet is now the largest company again on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE) by market value at $4 billion, replacing Delta Corporation Limited.Econet now accounts for 19 percent of ZSE's total market capitalisation. The Telcos company, has see-sawed between pole position and fourth position in the past three years.In January 2016, the telecoms firm slipped two places to fourth position of the market's top counters before rising again only to be replaced again by its fintech business Cassava Smartech on December 18, 2018.The telecoms giant's earnings are anticipated to suffer following an internet blackout that came as a result of violent protests experienced in the country last week, in a three-day stay away called by the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Union (ZCTU).Delta had bounced back to the top, its long held position, but only for a fortnight, before a shift in positions last week, after a rally in both Econet and Cassava.The beverages giant is now valued at $3,8 billion after Econet and Cassava that are worth $4 billion and $3,86 billion respectively. Delta has for years been the market's biggest company by market value before being replaced by Econet in August 2018 after the telecoms giant's class A shares were for the first time included on the ZSE but only for the purpose of calculating market capitalisation.The beverages maker's cash generative capacity has helped it survive the turbulent economic environment, at a time several other companies have struggled. The company has however, lamented foreign currency shortages that have affected local industry resulting in supply gaps.According to the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI) capacity utilisation for local industry dropped to 42 percent in November 2018, from 48 percent that was recorded in August the same year reflecting the foreign currency limitations and a spike in rates on the parallel market. But Delta indicated revenue for the third quarter to December 2018 rose 5 percent and 24 percent for the nine months on the back of growth in beer businesses which was however, weighed down by depressed outturn in soft drinks.Lager beer volume grew by 27 percent for the quarter while the Sorghum beer volume in Zimbabwe grew by 15 percent above same quarter in the prior year. Chibuku Super contributed 85 percent of the volume.Conglomerate, Innscor, has maintained its fourth position at $985 million. Cigarette manufacturer, BAT completes the market's top five counters with a total value of $680 million.Market watchers say BAT together with the other top cap counters on the ZSE remain the market's most sought after due to their consistent dividend policy as well as cash generating capacity. For BAT, its relationship with its sister companies in the region is expected to play a critical role offsetting the operational challenges faced in Zimbabwe mainly due to foreign currency shortages.The counter has however, remained stagnant this year at $33, the most expensive stock on the bourse.
News / National

by Staff reporter

THE High Court in Harare will today rule on the legality of the Government's directive to mobile network operators to shut down all internet operations in the country during last week's violent demonstrations.The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) and Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) sued the Government over the shutdown of the internet and all social media platforms saying the move was unconstitutional.Minister of State in the President's Office responsible for National Security issued a warrant for a total shutdown of internet services at the height of the violent national so-called stay away that rocked major towns and cities last week. The two organisation filed an urgent chamber application seeking a reversal of the decision.President Mnangagwa, Minister of State in the President's Office for National Security Owen Ncube, Director-General of Intelligence Services, the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ), Econet Wireless Zimbabwe, NetOne Cellular Private Limited and Telecel Zimbabwe were listed as respondents in the application.On Friday, the High Court registry set the matter down for today before Justice Owen Tagu. ZLHR executive director Ms Roselyn Hanzi deposed an affidavit contesting the Government's decision. She argued the shutdown would result in the loss of business and income as most transactions are done online."The directive will unnecessarily cost some people significant amounts of money in loss of business and income."The drastic measure has also put human lives at risk as telemedicine and financial services such as Diaspora remittances which rely on internet-based communication and banking services have also been affected," said Ms Hanzi.Personal security of people, according to Ms Hanzi, had also been compromised as they were not able to communicate the security situation in their respective areas using social media platforms like WhatsApp, Twitter, Skype and Facebook.The directive, it is argued, infringes on the people's freedom of expression and freedom of the media as enshrined under Section 61 of the Constitution.
The practice of clothing small adults in velcro and tossing them at velcro targets will be banned in bars and strip clubs, if Senate Bill 5486 passes the Washington State legislature.

"No holder of a retail license to sell liquor may allow or permit any contest or promotion or other form of recreational activity involving exploitation that endangers the health, safety and welfare of any person with dwarfism," states the bill. "Any code city may suspend or revoke the business license and impose a fine of up to one thousand dollars per contest or event, for any business that violates this section."

From a press release issued by the office of Sen. Mike Padden and reposted on Washington State Wire:

Dwarf-tossing originated in Australia as a pub promotion and spread to America in the late 1980s. People with dwarfism, wearing special padded clothing or Velcro costumes, are thrown onto mattresses or at Velcro-covered targets. Contestants compete to throw the dwarf the farthest. In 1989, Florida enacted a ban on dwarf-tossing at establishments where liquor is served, and New York followed with a similar ban in 1990. Advocates for "little people" note that persons with dwarfism are particularly susceptible to spine and neck injuries. While generally opposed to disparate treatment for their community, they say the concern is outweighed by the possibility of injury, the demeaning nature of the activity, and the chance that it might inspire attacks on others. In 2012, a man celebrating his birthday at a pub in England was severely injured when a pubgoer picked him up and threw him  an incident likely inspired by news coverage of dwarf-tossing contests.

Image: Dwarf Toss "Midget Tossing"/Youtube Screenshot
Cabinet puts appointment of Electricity Regulatory Commission officials on hold

The Cabinet has stalled the Energy Ministrys plan to appoint former energy secretary Anup Kumar Upadhyay as chair of the Nepal Electricity Regulatory Commission. The Commission is a powerful body that will oversee the countrys energy sector, fix the electricity tariff, set construction standards for power infrastructure and take over other vital functions.
Roger Stone Jr., the Republican political trickster and former advisor to Donald Trump, was arrested early this morning in Fort Lauderdale on seven charges related to the Mueller probe.

Stone, 66, was charged with one count of obstruction, five counts of giving false statements, and one count of witness tampering. The indictment, unsealed after his arrest, details contacts between Stone and Wikileaks ("Organization 1") during Trump's run for office.

In response to the later investigation into alleged collusion, the indictment claims,

STONE took steps to obstruct these investigations. Among other steps to obstruct the investigations, STONE: a. Made multiple false statements to HPSCI about his interactions regarding Organization 1, and falsely denied possessing records that contained evidence of these interactions ; and b. Attempted to persuade a witness to provide false testimony to and withhold pertinent information from the investigations.

Special Counsel Robert Mueller is investigating collusion between Trump's campaign and the Russian government. Wikileaks published Democratic emails during the 2016 presidential campaign. Stone, who has denied working with Wikileaks, is due to make an appearance 11 a.m. Friday in federal court.


Just days after LA teachers declared victory in their strike for better classroom conditions and limits on charter schools, their colleagues in Denver  another "blue state"  have voted to walk off the job, with a very similar set of demands.



Last year's #RedForEd strikes were concentrated in Republican-dominated red states, but beating up on teachers and advocating through charter-school privatization of public system is a bipartisan disease, with many establishment Democrat backers.





California's not done, either: Oakland teachers have seen a steady decline in their funding and working conditions, a phenomenon that has tracked closely with the number of black and brown students in their classes (and the siphoning off of privileged and wealthier white students into charter schools).



ARLENE INOUYE: Yes, and we're excited for the educators in Denver that they've taken this step. And I feel like what we've learned through the years is that when you communicate clearly what the message is and you reach out to parents and community, our collective power is what got us to win. We have a chapter leader in every single school. And we have teams now, organizing teams, at every school. And we have constant communication. I think, as you see, Amy, when you talk to anybody, any teacher or parent out there that were on the picket lines, they will tell you the same message, why we're fighting. And it's very clear to us. And I think by being able to organize across the board and bring in the voices, the ordinary voices of our parents and our educatorsand I, myself, by the way, am a speech and language specialist. I worked 18 years in L.A. Unified. And we have a diverse workdiverse membership, including speech and language, including health and human services, OT/PT, you know, psychiatric social workers, and so forth. And sometimes these little groups feel like their voices aren't heard. But we were able to givewe were able to draw attention to all of the needs in our schools, all of the professionals, and also the students, of course, and what they need, and really lift this up and to see it as an issue of social justice in our schools. We were also able to bring in some nonmandatory subjects of bargaining into our schools, which we call common good issues, like green space on campus, stopping the criminalization of youth through the wanding. We were able to bring in an immigrant defense fund. We're making a statement of our values and of what's critical for how our schools need to address the needs of our students.

A Blue State Teacher Rebellion: Denver Teachers Vote to Strike as L.A. Educators Win Big Victory [Democracy Now]

(via Naked Capitalism)
Last year, Google was rocked by a string of employee uprisings: first over selling AI tools to the Pentagon for use in drone development; then over the clandestine development of a censored Chinese search-product, the over the revelation that Android founder Andy Rubin was given a $90 million payoff to get rid of him after repeated sexual harassment and sexual assault allegations.



Google's strategy for the world's tightest labor market has been to evince ethical principles as a means of enticing workers who want to do good in addition to doing well. Any technical employee at Google can walk out of their job and into an equivalent one at a Google competitor, so keeping its workforce happy has been key to its survival.





That's why it's shocking to learn that even as Google's senior management were praising their workers for their engagement and organizing and promising to hear their grievances, the company was secretly asking Trump's National Labor Relations Board to reverse the Obama-era rule that allows workers to use their work email to organize to push back against their employers, and to restore the Bush-era rule that allows employers to discipline or fire workers who do so.

Google claims that this was not lobbying, but rather, "a legal defense that we included as one of many possible defenses" in a case before the NLRB.





If the Labor Board did what Google wanted, "it would have a huge chilling effect," said Google employee activist Colin McMillen, one of tens of thousands around the world who participated in a November walkout following revelations about the company's handling of alleged sexual misconduct. Google's employee email system played a pivotal role in the organizing for that protest, he said, with more than a thousand workers joining an email list used to plan it. Given that employees are spread around the globe and don't have most co-workers' personal emails, he said, company email is key to facilitating workers' ability to mobilize. McMillen currently works at Google's Cambridge, Mass. office, but said he had quit his job and his last day is next month. "It demonstrates that Google leadership is not operating in good faith," said McMillen. "They can have a town hall and try to say soothing words and get people to not want to quit, but then if in the background they're not just rejecting carrying out most of the demands of the walkout, but also trying to tamp down our ability to even coordinate and talk to each other about these issues, that's extremely concerning."

Google Urged the U.S. to Limit Protection For Activist Workers [Josh Eidelson, Hassan Kanu, and Mark Bergen/Bloomberg]
Following recommendations set out in Thomas Piketty's landmark Capital in the 21st Century, would-be Democratic 2020 presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren has proposed a 2% annual tax on household wealth over $50,000,000, with an additional 1% annual tax on household wealth over $1,000,000,000, which would bring in $1.9-$2.75 trillion over the first decade (about 1% of US GDP).

The tax would pay for an upgrade to the IRS that would allow it to audit the 75,000 households who are subject to it, and it's backstopped by a 40% exit tax on the wealth over $50 million of any US citizen who abandons their citizenship to escape it.

The tax also includes a revamp of the tax code to close loopholes and expands international reporting regimes to isolate and frustrate tax-havens.

The plan  which is similar to tax regimes in Spain and Norway  has been endorsed by Thomas Piketty.



By itself, a wealth tax would begin to curb concentration of assets in U.S. society. The redistributive possibilities are also numerous. Cory Booker's baby bonds proposal, to give every newborn a $1,000 low-risk savings account, with periodic additional payments, that they can tap as adults, would cost an estimated $82 billion per year, less than one-third of the Warren plan. Sherrod Brown's child allowance bill, a universal cash payout that would cut the child poverty rate in half, would cost about $108 billion a year, not even half of Warren's proposal. Kamala Harris' LIFT Act, a massive series of tax cuts for middle-class families, has a $2 trillion price tag over a decade, again less than the Warren wealth tax. Another option suggested by Bruenig would be to place the revenues into a social wealth fund, an investment portfolio of stocks, bonds, and other assets for which every American would have a non-transferable share. This would reduce the concern that asset sell-offs from wealthy taxpayers would depress share prices, since the social wealth fund would effectively buy them back up. A universal dividend from the growth of the assets in the social wealth fund portfolio would be distributed to Americans, not unlike the dividend given to Alaskans from revenues generated by oil wealth (known as the Alaska Permanent Fund). "This way we snag the wealth and hold onto it permanently for the public," said Bruenig.

Elizabeth Warren Proposes Annual Wealth Tax on Ultra-Millionaires [David Dayen/The Intercept]





(Image: Tim Pierce, CC-BY)


Yahoo! JAPAN



Yahoo! JAPAN
The sinister and irreparable nature of gossip is memorably illustrated in the penance St. Philip Neri once gave to a woman who had confessed it to him. He told her to walk through the streets of Rome plucking a chicken. Humbled, the woman accepted the penance. When she returned to him and reported she had completed the penance the saint told her to now go and collect all the feathers she had plucked.

But Father Philip, the woman is reported to have replied, That would be impossible. I have no idea where they have blown to.

Now you see, my daughter, the effects of gossip, he said.

Today we see gossip spread by journalists as recently demonstrated in much of the coverage of the Covington Catholic High School students attending the March for Life. Surely you know the whole story by now:

On Saturday, a story went viral that the previous day the Covington kids, wearing MAGA hats, left the March for Life to go sight-seeing only to find themselves boxed between racially charged groups of activists, the Indigenous Peoples March and a black version of the Westboro Baptists known as the Black Hebrew Israelites. Both groups of adults hurled vile and provocative words of contempt at the boys. The image that emerged was that of an American Indian activist Nathan Phillips (who, the next day attempted to disrupt Mass at the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception), beating a drum in the face of one of the boys while chanting a war cry into his face. The boy quietly listened and smiled.

The gossip dimension of this affair begins as usual with an edited video of the encounter which was picked up by the news media (including the New York Times). It reported this encounter as a group of white teenagers racially harassing a venerable tribal elder and Vietnam Veteran. And so the feathers blew across the nation, confirming Lord Actons observation that, Common report and outward seeming are bad copies of the reality. We can be thankful to Robby Soave over at Reason who went through the tedious task of gathering some of the feathers by examining the available video footage in its entirety, providing additional context,

the rest of the videonearly two hours of additional footage showing what happened before and after the encounteradds important context that strongly contradicts the medias narrative.

Most were not as careful with the truth. That lack of care extended to a lack of care for the persons at the center of the story, as Sara Aldworth helpfully pointed out,

What started for those students as a trip to the March for Life, ended in public shaming, death threats, and even calls for them to be forever condemned, with no mercy, by no less than an Academy Award-nominated screenwriter and producer.

We fail to respect the reputation of persons when we make rash judgments and engage in detraction or calumny.

Many have made rash judgments about the persons involved in this story (including officials in the Diocese where the boys live and their own school). Some (not all) have apologized.

How many shared these stories about people they do not know with people who also do not know them, just like feathers down the alleyways of Rome? Much of what has been shared is calumny, stories contrary to the truth which harm reputations and cause others to make false judgments about the parties involved.

Gossip is a form of bearing false witness (a violation of one of the Ten Commandments), it is a grave sin, and one that demands more than an apology. It demands repentance. Let this tragic media frenzy be an occasion for all of us to lead more responsible and merciful lives.

For any of the boys from Covington Catholic High School who should chance upon this article: You will be called upon to explain and defend your beliefs in the moral foundations of Western Civilization. For any of you so inclined to come, you will be awarded a full scholarship to attend the Acton University in June here in Grand Rapids to help equip you in this regard.
BLACK REPUBLICAN BLOG - The Republican Party is the party of civil rights and the four Fs: faith, family, freedom and fairness. The Democratic Party is the party of the four Ss: slavery, secession, segregation and socialism (Quote By Author Michael Scheuer).
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., Thursday offered North Dakota as a site for President Donald Trumps State of the Union address.

Cramer made the suggestion after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., told the president he wouldnt be invited to speak before Congress until the partial federal government shutdown ends. The shutdown, which is the longest in U.S. history, is now in its 34th day.

The State of the Union had originally been scheduled for Tuesday.

North Dakota is always happy to host you, Mr. President! Cramer tweeted Thursday morning.

The senators tweet included a link to a report from The Hill about GOP lawmakers offering alternate locations for Trumps address.

Cramers office didnt respond to Forum News Services request for comment Thursday morning.

On Wednesday evening, Trump tweeted that he plans to deliver the State of the Union after the shutdown is over.

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Ministry on the Margins has opened its food pantry, with several families visiting after their work shift, according to founder Sister Kathleen Atkinson. And to help those with kids who need rides to school, the charity is offering gas vouchers.

Atkinson said it took her by surprise to see the need and number of federal employees in the area. Many have told her they want to come back to Ministry on the Margins to donate back to the charity once they get their paychecks, which the Trump administration is promising to issue as soon as possible.

The federal employees health care coverage has continued, but dental and vision has not. Ficklins daughter is in braces, but Ficklin said the orthodontist told her payments were the last thing I want you to worry about right now. Well take care of you.

And Ficklins landlord has told her to just pay what she can for now.

It makes you re-evaluate the importance of things, she said of her tenuous financial situation which has given her pause in purchasing: She questions purchases now that she wouldnt have thought twice about buying previously.

That reduction in federal employee spending is just another of the secondary effects of the shutdown.
Below the call of duty

It is time to scrutinise Nepals lack of a regulatory mechanism for diplomatic envoys
Some of the coldest air yet in 2019 is forecasted to descend upon North Dakota on Sunday, according to meteorologist Patrick Ayd with the National Weather Service in Bismarck.

"This is the coldest air mass we have had this season," he said.

Wind chills Sunday night are expected to be as low as minus 50 degrees with gusts as high as 60 mph.

"Wind chills are going to be brutal across the state," Ayd said. "This is the coldest air mass we have had this season."

Ayd expressed high confidence in the cold temperatures extending throughout next week.

"That is prolonged," he said of the frigid cold that is expected to continue through Feb. 1.

Temperatures are expected to moderate in February, according to Ayd, who said, "I wouldn't say it is going to be balmy."

There is potential for 4 inches of snow to fall this weekend in the Bismarck and Mandan areas, according to the National Weather Service in Bismarck.

The main winter weather system will move into western North Dakota on Saturday morning, spreading east throughout the day. Snow will continue throughout the day on Sunday and ending Monday morning.

Check back for updates.

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Plus, they pay their bills late with cash, drink Hamms beer with cornbread, short-arm the check at restaurants, send resumes with coffee and food stains on them and dont know when to quit at Karaoke bars.

They also tape up broken side mirrors, change oil never, throw trash in ditches and seldom wear shoes at home but refuse to take them off at someone elses house.

In other words, theyre indifferent, indolent and slothful and, in the case of automobile snow removal, they can be dangerous. Because, lets face it, if you cant see, you cant drive. And there are laws against that.

Now, of course, the above research might be slightly skewed. But it is a reality in certain states that you can be penalized up to $1,000 for distracted driving or presenting a danger to other drivers, if you do not properly clean snow and ice off your vehicle.

Is North Dakota one of those states? Youll have to find that out on your own. But no matter what it would hardly make sense to injure yourself, a loved one or others, simply because youre too lazy to clean off your vehicle.
Some pet friendly hotels simply allow pets to visit along with their pet parents. However, other hotels really go above and beyond when it comes to welcoming their pet guests. In North Carolina, a few top hotels do a great job at this, and they truly put the friendly in pet friendly. Weve come up with the best NC hotels for pets, based on pet fees, how many and what types of pets are allowed, awesome pet amenities, and their overall pet friendly atmosphere.

Atlantis Lodge at Atlantic Beach

Atlantis Lodge in Atlantic Beach is a pets paradise! They welcome their dog and cat visitors by keeping their pet fees low and their pet amenity offerings high! Their pet fees are only $15/night, and their pet amenities include pet sheets, cookies, poop scoops and bags, as well as a dedicated dog park. Plus, Atlantis Lodge is located right on a breathtaking dog friendly beach! And, their on-site pet washing stations help furry guests get clean after playing in the nearby sand and sea. Atlantis Lodge welcomes up to 2 pets per suite, and there are no weight limits or breed restrictions for furry visitors!

Kimpton Tryon Park Hotel - Charlotte
All of Montana is being impacted by the federal shutdown. Its particularly acute in my home of Livingston where our economic vibrancy is directly connected to Yellowstone National Park and our surrounding public lands. Many of my friends and neighbors employed by the National Park Service and Forest Service are facing difficult financial decisions as the government shutdown is a month old now and the number of missed paychecks climbs.

The impacts are also being felt by those of us who are not missing paychecks. Newspapers across Montana are bringing to light the slow but steady erosion of government services as federal funding for crucial programs has seized up. Montanans are experiencing uncertainty around their ability to access nutrition programs like SNAP, we are seeing delays in efforts to clean up Superfund sites, and we are currently unable to recruit and prepare firefighters for the upcoming wildfire season.

More directly, federal employees who are frequent customers at my small retail store, Timber Trails, have curtailed their discretionary spending. Visitors to Yellowstone, who ordinarily rent and buy gear from us, are cancelling trips to the Park. These declines in sales are hard to swallow during any season, but given the challenges always presented in midwinter, they are particularly onerous right now.
+4 Wyoming freshman lawmakers work to overcome the Legislatures learning curve CHEYENNE  The first day in the Legislature almost feels like the first day of high school.

But theres the other side, and its one he understands too. People enjoy the open landscapes of Wyoming, Salisbury said.

Though opposed to the wind tax increase, Salisbury said the ballot initiative could be a good way to address the issue. It puts the onus on the organizers to make their case to the people of Wyoming.

Thats the best way to find out if people want it or not, he said.

Digging in

For supporters of a tax increase, like Case and Steward, Wyomings wind is good enough that increasing the tax wont damage a developers bottom line. They also point to federal subsidies that have lifted winds profits for many years. The tax credit for wind sunsets at the end of this year for new projects, though many in development will retain some degree of federal subsidy for up to 10 years.

Wind developers in Wyoming strongly disagree that the tax wont have a negative impact. They have made that case repeatedly before the Legislature, from the Venezuelan firm Viridis Eolia  thats proposed an 800-turbine project outside Medicine Bow  to the Chokecherry Sierra Madre farm in construction south of Rawlins.

+17 A Wyoming ranch hand went missing amid one of the great disasters in U.S. Army history. It took decades to find him. DeMaret Kirtley was as far from Kaycee as he'd ever been, in a South Korean city pressed between the mountains and the Sea of Japan. But as he looked around, he thought of home.
"I understand the hesitation that legislators have, especially with some of the other needs in the state, to allocate that capital to something like a library or a museum," he said. "At the same time, what is abundantly clear to me and some others is there is a huge amount of support outside of the state for this project."

The library sited at Medora's gate to Theodore Roosevelt National Park would complement the Roosevelt story, he added: "There's a real sense that this a unique place to build this library."

Legislators have offered mixed thoughts on the governor's proposal for the library. Bowman Republican Rep. Keith Kempenich represents District 39, which includes Medora and all three units of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

He said none of his constituents is against the concept of the library, "but they're not really in favor of putting it together right now."

Committing Legacy Fund earnings would likely come with some caveats, Kempenich added, such as when the state would commit its dollars.

"The sad part is, is that money won't be available for two and a half years anyway," he said. "We're not going to commit anything that isn't there."
No student learns the same way, she said. They all learn differently.

Arntzen said her goal as superintendent is to offer a system in which public and private schools work together for the benefit of students.

Brett Simons, a representative for Republican U.S. Rep. Greg Gianforte, read a letter from the congressman in which he expressed support in ensuring that Montana families have a choice in education.

A letter from Republican U.S. Sen. Steve Daines said he has supported school choice in the past and will continue to do so in order to provide educational options for students and families.

Daines is currently the sponsor for the A Plus Act, a Senate bill that aims to free states from federal regulation when spending elementary and secondary education funds. The bill would allow states to use such funds for any educational purpose permitted by state law, but must make certain assurances that they will use fiscal control and fund accounting procedures, abide by federal civil rights laws, advance educational opportunities for the disadvantaged and use federal funds to supplement rather than supplant state funding.

The bill was introduced in January 2017 and the senator hopes to bring it back to Congress in the future.
"Taking that spot and making it a memorial would help change a painful location to a place where we can all remember Mason's hard work and sacrifice of not only Mason, but all of his brothers and sisters in blue," said Jodi Moore, Mason Moore's wife, while testifying in support of the bill.
Gianforte said the answer likely involves adding concessions to the deal that Democrats like, such as allowing illegal immigrants brought to the U.S. as children, also known as Dreamers, to stay longer. Taking the wall money away from the president and the Department of Homeland Security should be a nonstarter.

I trust DHS to tell us what it takes to secure the border," he said. "In the scheme of things in Washington, $5 billion is not that much money. So, I think the path forward, which the president did last week, is to add some other things to the package that the Democrats have said they wanted  some certainty for Dreamers, $800 million for humanitarian assistance to help the women and children who happen to come across. I think the president has put a very reasonable proposal on the table, and if the Democrats dont like it, counter with something. But you cant negotiate against yourself.

Pelosi called the Trump offer, made Jan. 19, a nonstarter, and promised the House would move forward with another proposal to fund the government. The Senate took up the presidents weekend deal in a bill Thursday, which was rejected by Democrats and also two Republicans who voted against it.
It looked like Larry went out there to beat him up, Gallagher said, quoting from earlier testimony.

But Deputy Yellowstone County Attorney Zach Patten Ferreira said Bixby was not justified in using force because he intentionally provoked the altercation by spitting at Heafner. The prosecutor also said Bixby did not exhaust all means to escape  he used a knife in response to a punch, Patten Ferreira said.

Patten Ferreira said Bixbys statements to police over the course of the case had changed. He initially said they had the wrong man, then told them he didnt remember what exactly took place and finally said he was defending himself, and that hed been hit in the mouth, from behind  a claim he said made no sense.

Brett Linneweber, the other prosecutor assigned to the case, reminded jurors that Bixby didnt tell two responding officers or family members on two jail calls that he feared for his life, although he did say he had been attacked, according to his attorney.

Linneweber said the coffee shop owner was under no obligation to leave the altercation, reiterating that Bixby started the fight.
Anti-graft body opens detailed investigation on Airbus A330 deal

The Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority has opened a detailed investigation into alleged financial irregularities in the procurement process of two wide-body Airbus A330 jets.
The Salvation Army of Billings recently announced plans to help furloughed federal employees with electric bills, gasoline, food and rent. Assistance is available to federal employees working in Yellowstone County.

To qualify, federal employees must provide a current federal ID and furlough letter, as well as a shut-off notice if applying for assistance with electric bill. Anyone applying for gasoline assistance must also provide a current drivers license, car insurance and registration.

Those needing assistance may go to the Salvation Army, located 2100 Sixth Ave. N. from 1 to 3:30 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

Community members who want to help those in need can make donations directly to The Salvation Army by mailing checks or dropping them off at the address above. Donations may also be made over the phone by calling 272-8202.

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Montana State University Billings jazz students will share the stage with headliners Matt Otto and Darrell Green during the universitys Jazz Festival on Feb. 7.

According to a news release, the 20-student ensemble will perform with Kansas City jazz saxophonist Matt Otto and Darrell Green, a premier drummer of the New York City and international scene, as part of the festivals finale concert at 7 p.m. in Petro Theatre on the university campus.

Otto is the co-founder of the Los Angeles Jazz Collective. Having lived in Japan, New York City and Los Angeles, Otto has performed with a variety of artists. Otto now lives in Kansas City where he is the assistant professor of jazz studies at Kansas University, teaching jazz theory and performance, jazz combo and private lessons. Otto is also an adjunct professor at the Rutgers New Brunswick teaching online courses in jazz improvisation, theory and performance.

Over a career that has spanned more than two decades, Oakland, California-native Green has become a master drummer and prolic sideman, sharing stages with leading jazz artists. Though jazz is his primary focus, Green is conversant in every genre, from straight-ahead jazz to Latin and West African music. He performs all over the world with his trio and quartet. Green is one of the most in-demand drummers in New York, Europe and Japan.
The Winter ArtWalk will be Friday, Feb. 1 from 5  9 p.m. Held at a variety of downtown locations, the February event will feature original art and fine crafts, as well as gallery talks, artists in attendance, music and refreshments.

During the last four years, ArtWalk has nearly doubled in size, according to the Downtown Billings Alliance, which facilitates the every-other-month event.

Maps, gallery notes, images and more information can be found on Facebook @billingsartwalk and www.artwalkbillings.com, and printed maps are at all participating sites the night of the event. On-street metered parking downtown is free after 5 p.m.; parking garage rates vary.

Participating locations

504 Square Feet will be parked at Second Avenue North and North Broadway (weather permitting), featuring Cassy Crafton Kramer's popular and functional Montana-themed pottery. Look for her vintage trailer on the southeast corner of Skypoint.
Tom Campbell

Lawmakers return to Raleigh next week for the 2019 session of the North Carolina General Assembly. Pledges of harmony and bipartisan cooperation were frequently heard on opening day but are more likely now that Republicans no longer hold veto-proof majorities in both houses. Will we get cooperation and compromise, or the further "Washingtonization" of Raleigh, where polarization, partisan posturing and the unwillingness to compromise result in inaction?Don't expect the confrontive and expansive agenda that resulted in the constant lawsuits of recent years. Lawmakers and the governor understand the need to work together if the budget or anything else is to get accomplished.One big test will be the biennial budget. We begin with almost a $500 million surplus with which to work, owing to not spending all that was appropriated the first six months of the budget year and almost $200 in revenues that exceeded projections. Governor Cooper wants Medicaid expansion, big teacher pay hikes, more hurricane relief money and increased prison spending. Lawmakers will be reluctant to go on a major spending spree, opting instead for their tradition of conservative growth from this year's $23.9 billion budget. This promises to test the resolve of all to work together. Cooper holds the veto stamp and has shown he will use it; lawmakers hold the purse strings. It's gonna be interesting!While there is some softening by Republicans on Medicaid expansion, this issue is far from certain. After more than eight court cases there is growing consensus for an independent redistricting process, but exactly who are the independent parties we can all agree upon and what guidelines will ensure districts that are fair and result in competitive elections? If 2018 trends continue, Republicans know they could lose their majority in one or both houses. Democrats are tired of gerrymandered districts virtually impossible to win. Whichever party controls the legislature in 2021will draw new congressional and legislative maps.Sure to surface will be revisions to the Read to Achieve program, to try to halt the decline in 3rd grade reading test scores. The big push will be to raise teacher pay to the national average, along with increased per pupil expenditures. Lawmakers have been taking steps in those directions but will need a big stride to achieve these goals.Following clear evidence of absentee voter fraud, expect more election reforms and possibly further changes to the State Board of Elections. This issue takes on more urgency with Executive Director Kim Strach's term ending soon and a still unresolved 9th Congressional District election.House Speaker Tim Moore wants to submit a $1.9 billion school construction bond proposal to voters. Others will want to hang infrastructure ornaments on this package, so we don't expect a statewide referendum until November 2020.There will be efforts to fund expansion of broadband Internet to rural areas. Look for a big push to privatize liquor sales. Lawmakers might refine laws regarding historical monuments, another black eye for a state that doesn't need one. Prison reform is badly needed, as is the need to pass regulatory reform, most especially professional licensing. Expect a move to legalize marijuana, although it won't likely pass this year. And even though our legislature has passed laws that allow speeding up transportation funding there will be an effort to find new funding mechanisms for road construction.Lawmakers might not adjourn by July 4th but are likely continue recent practices of special sessions that last two or three days throughout the year. With March 2020 primary elections ahead, lawmakers won't want to spend much time past Halloween in Raleigh.We look for an interesting 2019 legislative session.
North Carolina now has its second voter identification law . A federal court voided the first because it would not consider forms of ID disproportionately used by minorities, such as cards or documents given to government employees, students, and people on public assistance. In this past November's referendum, the state's residents approved a voter ID amendment to the N.C. Constitution. The General Assembly then swiftly passed into law, overriding a gubernatorial veto, a bill permitting many more forms of identification than the original. Another successful legal challenge is unlikely, since the Supreme Court has upheld the constitutionality of near-identical statutes in other states.North Carolinians have been debating the legitimacy of voter identification for many years. A central feature has been a dispute over the prevalence of election fraud enabled by the lack of an ID requirement. Opponents, generally on the left of the political spectrum, say incidents of illegal voting by people claiming to be others are exceedingly rare. Supporters point to contradictory data and worry such fraud violates the rights of those who vote legitimately.Regardless of the true extent of voter impersonation, the events of the past couple of months suggest conservatives who wish to maintain the integrity of American elections are looking in the wrong place. We shouldn't be so worried about who turns up at the polls, but who doesn't and yet still casts a vote. "Ballot harvesting," where individuals drop-off a large number of others' postal absentee votes, is in vogue.It's a worrying trend.California made ballot-harvesting legal in time for the 2018 elections. The postal-vote-only states of Colorado, Oregon, and Washington also permit the practice, but the Golden State has in-person voting, as well. Still, the Democrats who monopolize the state's politics quickly saw its utility, passing the California Voter's Choice Act and liberalizing absentee procedures greatly in 2016. Outgoing Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wisconsin noticed the results of ballot harvesting in the weeks following last year's election. Republicans appeared to be holding on to seven closely contested California congressional seats based upon in-person and early voting tallies. Those leads melted away as dropped-off absentee ballots were counted and all of the GOP candidates ultimately lost, some by astonishing margins given the figures initially reported on election day.Democrats are not the only ones who have benefited from this dubious procedure. Last November, at least one political operative appears to have illegally harvested the ballots of voters in Bladen County. There's significant evidence that McCrae Dowless unduly influenced or tampered with and then delivered the absentee votes of many residents for Republican Mark Harris, who currently leads Democrat Dan McCready in the Ninth Congressional District contest by less than half a percentage point. Some voters Dowless approached were reportedly high on drugs, others handed over signed but blank ballots for which they were paid. Dowless worked for a company that the Harris campaign gave over $400,000.These incidents suggest manipulation of absentee voting is a threat graver than voter impersonation. The 9th District aside, ballot harvesting is something Democrats can do and have done "better." Labor unions in the public and service sectors and advocacy groups like the Center for Popular Democracy and their state partners have grassroots operations that facilitate access to voters who don't want to go to the polls or are willing to have others deliver ballots for them. Such citizens, often the elderly, ethnic or racial minorities, and low-income, are the types of voters Democrats have accused Republicans of wanting to disenfranchise with voter ID laws. Their frequent ambivalence about politics and residence in many insular communities with cultures of political corruption make them especially vulnerable to ballot harvesters. We saw in the past how they were exploited by Acorn, the discredited and defunct organization CPD has risen to replace.The Democrats own an infrastructure capable of registering voters, canvassing them on their doorsteps, and driving them to the polls. It facilitates direct contact with subjects, communication that, unlike texts, emails, and social media activity, doesn't leave a lasting record to assist investigators. The GOP has spent decades beefing up its voter database, but it uses the information to inform strategies executed using tools such as robocalls, direct mail, and media advertising. The object is to get registered voters to the polls under their own steam.Except in less-affluent rural areas where they can hire shady mercenaries like Dowless, Republicans will always be disadvantaged where ballot harvesting is permitted. In its efforts to protect the integrity of elections, the party should be exploring policies that make people come to the polls to vote, not give them the third degree upon their arrival.
Map from N.C. Department of Environmental Quality: Above.

Consider this scenario. A couple of years before a politician is elected to his current job, he signs a lease agreement worth as much as $1 million with a large private company. Later, the CEO of the company gives the politician a large campaign contribution.After taking office, the politician is confronted with a thorny regulatory issue in which the private company expresses a strong interest. The CEO of the company asks the politician to intervene, to take his side over that of another large business. The politician appears to do so. When subsequently pressed by reporters, the CEO denies asking the politician to intervene, and representatives for the politician deny linking the CEO's request to the thorny regulatory issue. Both denials conflict with written evidence to the contrary.Would this scenario concern you? If I told you that the politician in question was North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, the "thorny regulatory issue" was a water-quality permit for the Atlantic Coast Pipeline (ACP), and the company in question was Strata Solar, one of the state's largest renewable-energy firms, would that heighten or lessen your concern?The answer to the first question should be yes. This story should concern all North Carolinians. While it may be impossible to wall off fully the exercise of a governor's power from attempted influence by affected parties who may be either political supporters or opponents, the executive branch should at the very least be transparent and forthright.But when WBTV reporter Nick Ochsner asked Gov. Cooper whether his administration's action on the pipeline project was tied in any way to Strata Solar's dispute with one of the utilities constructing the pipeline, Duke Energy, Cooper said that they were "completely separate issues."Really? Ochsner pointed out a text that Cooper's senior adviser, Ken Eudy, sent to the governor's general counsel, Will McKinney, on the morning of Jan. 2, 2018. That was the day Cooper was originally scheduled to sign a memorandum of understanding with Duke Energy regarding the pipeline permit."Not sure we should sign the ACP agreement unless solar deal works," Eudy texted. "OK," McKinney replied. "Don't disagree." The "solar deal" in question was a demand by Strata and other solar companies that Duke purchase more power from them, even if it required costly new transformers to handle the load.The Cooper administration is now claiming the Eudy-McKinney exchange was just a discussion about the messaging of the announcements, not evidence of a connection between the two "separate issues." This claim becomes implausible in light of a memo drafted a few weeks earlier by Cooper's Department of Environmental Quality. It lists as one of the options for "ACP mitigation" that Duke Energy would "revisit the use of higher-capacity transformers to allow for more renewable-energy projects to access the grid." That's precisely the concession the solar industry wanted - and precisely the issue on which Strata CEO Markus Wilhelm, a Cooper donor in 2016, had personally asked the governor to intervene in personal meetings and an email, according to Ochsner's reporting.To put this in its larger context, recall two stories previously broken by my colleagues at Carolina Journal. First, the aforementioned "memorandum of understanding" between Cooper and Duke Energy included a $58 million "mitigation fund" that would have been distributed to renewable-energy or economic-development projects selected by the Cooper administration, rather than being received as state revenue and appropriated by the North Carolina General Assembly as required by the state constitution.The second fact is that two years before his election as governor, Roy Cooper struck a deal with Wilhelm's Strata Solar to lease property Cooper and his brother Pell owned in Nash County. Based on market data, Strata's lease payments over 20 years would likely range between $400,000 and $1.12 million.Now, let me restate my second question from earlier in the column. If you are a Democrat who supports Cooper, can you honestly say these events wouldn't trouble you if the governor in question were a Republican?
What we know is every kid learns, but not every kid learns the same way, Ricketts said.

Ricketts said a scholarship tax credit is one of the ways the state can increase education choices for families.

Other ways to increase school choice, he said, include the state-funded scholarship program for college students hes proposed and changing the states school accountability system to an A-F grading system.

Now schools are classified as excellent, great, good or needs improvement based on several performance measures, a system he says most people dont understand as well as letter grades.

Speakers said there are good public schools but they dont work for every child.

April Garcia, a parent whose daughter attends Christ Lincoln School, said a scholarship allowed her to make the best choice for her daughter without having to work two or three jobs to pay tuition.

Her daughter was in a public school where the student-to-teacher ratio was 24 to 1, she said. Her parochial school class had 12 students.

While (the larger class size) was manageable in most classrooms I realized some of my daughter's needs were not being addressed and the teacher's available time was not allowing her to flourish," Garcia said.

Reach the writer at 402-473-7226 or mreist@journalstar.com. On Twitter @LJSreist.

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A consultation - which includes a proposal of making full ingredient listing mandatory on food prepared in shops  has been launched by the government.

The Defra consultation follows the death of teenager Natasha Ednan-Laperouse, who died in 2016 after eating a baguette bought at Pret A Manger. The dough in the baguette contained sesame, to which she was allergic. The coroner at her inquest said he would write to environment secretary Michael Gove, questioning allergen food labelling regulations.

Under current regulations, there is no obligation for businesses to label allergens on foods prepared on the same premises as they are being sold. Companies are required to warn customers about allergy risks on signs and packaging or orally, usually meaning they are told to enquire themselves.

The consultation proposes amendments to Englands Food Information Regulations 2014, and parallel regulations in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales relating to allergen information for foods that are prepacked for direct sale (PPDS) to the consumer on the same premises from which they are sold. The proposed options are:

Promote best practice: There would be no change to the law, but businesses and consumers would be encouraged to review their knowledge, skills and actions to ensure a safer environment for consumers. Mandatory ask the staff labels on packaging, with supporting information in writing: This option would require ask the staff about allergens labels on all PPDS products. When asked about allergenic ingredients, staff would have to provide supporting information in writing before the food was purchased. Mandatory name of food and allergen labelling on packaging: This would require PPDS foods to have a label on the packaging to tell the consumer the name of the food and which of the 14 allergenic ingredients specified in law the product intentionally contains. Mandatory name of food and full ingredient list labelling, with allergens emphasised: This would require PPDS foods to have a label naming the food and listing the full ingredients with allergens emphasised on the packaging.

Labelling will include:

the name of the food

the list of ingredients

any of the 14 allergenic ingredients specified in law or processing aids derived from them used in the manufacture or preparation of a food and still present in the finished product, even if in an altered form, would be emphasised to stand out from the other ingredients in the list, for example in a bold typeface.

Following the inquest into the death of Ednan-Laperouse, Pret pledged to list all ingredients, including allergens, on products that are freshly made in its kitchens. It has been trialling this in recent months.

In response to news of the consultation, British Sandwich Association (BSA) director Jim Winship said labelling had downsides, as they tend to be inflexible and difficult to change if an ingredient runs out and another is substituted.

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We much prefer that customers ask, which encourages interaction with staff and means we can give them a comprehensive written list of the ingredients in each product so that they can make the right decisions to suit them.

Winship added that the cost of the equipment needed to label every sandwich, and the time needed to write the labelling programs, print and attach each label, would put small businesses under enormous pressure.

Indeed, some have already told us that it would be likely to put them out of business, he said.

Charity Allergy UK welcomed announcement of the consultation, pointing out that about ten people die every year from food-induced anaphylaxis, and that some of the 1,500 asthma deaths a year might be triggered by food allergy.

At Allergy UK we believe that, whilst those living with allergies must be vigilant on their own behalf, the broader food industry needs to do more than just the bare minimum when it comes to catering for the allergic community, said Allergy UK CEO Carla Jones.

We encourage all those living with allergies to engage with this consultation to ensure their views on this important issue are heard.

The consultation ends on 29 March.
What a pleasant surprise to get a sneak peek this week at Governor Doug Duceys proposed FY 2020 budget. The governors staff will present specific details at NAUs High Country Conference Center this coming Tuesday at 4 p.m. We encourage the greater Flagstaff community to attend and learn where Arizona is headed.

With a projected $1 billion plus surplus in state revenues, there are many items on the table for consideration, and we are grateful for the governors forethought in proposing a fiscally-sound budget that addresses current needs, and fixes problems of our past when times were not so good.

Our governors commitment to closing the achievement gap with additional Arizona school funding to the tune of over $637 million is many steps in the right direction. Most important, the governors budget tackles teacher pay issues head-on with $233 million of that $637 million going towards additional K-12 teacher pay, and Governor Duceys budget also offers solutions to increase safety on our K-12 campuses.
Valuing people

NAH says it will strive to treat all involved individuals with equal quality through this new plan.

Alice Gagnaire, RN, Chair of the NAH Board of Directors, said in a statement, We were able to create a framework for NAHs leadership team that allows it to be focused on you -- our colleagues, providers and our communities -- as we embark on a new healthcare journey.

While patients will have the added benefit of new facilities and value-driven interactions with staff, employees themselves are already noticing differences after being awarded four hours of paid volunteer time annually to be used at one of a list of qualifying nonprofits that improve the health of their communities.

The initiative was launched at the beginning of this week and should benefit the community more than employees. Although half a standard work day may not be much for a single person, all employees at every level  totaling more than 3,500 individuals  were awarded this time, a potential 14,000 volunteer hours that can be used to improve health throughout the region.
To do this, Folke said staff are looking at a more community oriented way of planning for the future of the area.

This is an opportunity for the community to come together and really envision the long-term vision for the entire block, Folke said.

Normally, the city would solicit companies for proposals on uses for the land and then go to the public for comment only after choosing one of those proposals, but this time, they are looking at going the other way around: first holding a community forum, possibly in May, and allowing citizens to voice their opinions.

We could look at the intensity of the project, so height issues, density, intensity, what types of uses do we think are appropriate, are there design elements we need to be aware of. Its obviously on Historic Route 66, Folke said.

In this way, the public comments can then influence the kind of proposals they ask for.

Northern Arizona Intergovernmental Public Transit Authority is also looking at the site as the potential new home of their downtown transit hub after the organization received a grant to replace their current hub on Phoenix Avenue.
Bible Talks: 4-5 p.m. Joe Montoya C & SC, 245 N. Thorpe Rd., Flagstaff. All are invited to Bible talks Sundays at 4 p.m. No collections are taken. Information: 928-522-0003 Roger Marshall, jeanrog@msn.com.

Unity of Flagstaff Sunday Service: 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. 417 W. Santa Fe Ave., Flagstaff. Let Your Life Speak  Instead of Telling It What to Say. Join Rev. Penni Honey as she invites you into Parker Palmer's Book, Let Your Life Speak. This is the 1st in a 4 week series. Are you living the life that your life wants to live? And if you are, how did you do that? And if you aren't, why not? Music by Shawn Dennehy of Lucky Lenny. Connect, Commune, and Celebrate. office@unityofflagstaff.org, 928-526-8893. http://unityofflagstaff.org.

FCC Sunday Worship: 10:30-11:45 a.m. First Congregational Church of Flagstaff, 740 N Turquoise Dr., Flagstaff. Interim Pastor Rev. Margaret Gramley will preach on "Release to the Captives" based on Luke 4:14-21. Please join us for fellowship after worship. All are welcome! Danielle McGruer, fccflagstaff@hotmail.com, 928-774-0890. fccflagstaff.org.
When the shots outside her window erupted, Cantu and her daughter dropped to the floor.

"I was worried about my neighbors and bullets coming through their houses as well. I was worried for my daughter's safety," Cantu said.

Cantu said she was anxious about the shooting and reached out to her neighbors. She explained that they were all anxious and just looking to know more about what happened.

Her anxiety even led to her having trouble sleeping Wednesday night.

"It can happen anywhere," Cantu said. "It doesnt mean anything if you live in the best neighborhood, this stuff can just happen."

Multiple law enforcement vehicles responded to the area and blocked traffic in the tight neighborhood streets. The area was still blocked off Thursday as officers continued their investigations.

Flagstaff police officers characterized the response as a "heavy police presence" during the investigation.

Suspects' past

DPS reports that Oszust has an active felony warrant for a probation violation.
It was fun, Cain said. It was a good experience, and we even put the students names on the proposal.

CTM 288 student William Gonzales said he appreciated the fact that the Del E. Webb project was the most realistic project he has accomplished to date in any of his core classes.

The students met with local contractors, learned their estimating process and went from there, using computer software, to help build a budget for the Del E. Webb project.

Its amazing for our later, or future careers, or whatever we want to pursue, Gonzales said.

Gonzales works as a maintenance technician at the Village at Aspen Place. He said his career opportunities opened up to him after completing CCCs Certified Apartment Maintenance Technician program. He continues to attend class to improve his skills and is working toward an associate degree in Construction Technology.

The company I work for now wants to see a lot of professional growth, Gonzales said. Its nice to see a company appreciate that.

The total project budget is $1,058,500, with $997,500 coming from the Del E. Webb Foundation, and $60,950 coming from CCC.
AVN Hall of Famer Stormy Daniels has been involved in a lawsuit against Donald Trump and his former lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen since March of last year, over the hush money" payment Cohen made, he has now said, on Trumps orders to silence Daniels over her sexual encounter with Trump in 2006.

But plenty has changed since Daniels and her lawyer Michael Avenatti filed their lawsuit 10 months ago. As AVN.com has covered, Cohen and Trump have turned against each other, with Cohen in federal court directly implicating Trump in a felony conspiracy to influence the 2016 presidential election by silencing Daniels.

And on February 7, Cohen was scheduled to testify under oath to the House Oversight Committeetestimony that was widely anticipated to contain damaging revelations about Trump, and which Daniels told AVN that she would be attending in person.

But on Tuesday, Cohen backed out of his date with Congress, saying through his lawyer Lanny Davis that ongoing threats against his family from President Trump and [Trumps lawyer Rudy] Giuliani, as recently as this weekend, had caused him to postpone his testimony.

But Daniels, who says she was threatened in 2011 by a man invoking Trumps name in front of her then-infant childand which threat Cohen may have arrangedwasnt having Cohens excuse, taking to her Twitter account to ridicule her legal adversary.

Are you fucking serious, Mikey?! What about MY family? You gave zero shits about my baby, Daniels said, going on to denigrate Cohens masculinity. In all serious though, this is WHY you shouldn't back down! This is your chance to be a hero! I'll loan you some of my balls, hold your hand, or whatever else you need to do the right thing.

Avenatti also jumped onto his own Twitter feed to call Cohens postponement of his testimony ludicrous.

We have all received numerous threats, especially Stormy Daniels (largely due to Cohen btw), Avenatti wrote. It doesnt stop us from doing what is right.

While Cohen has not set any new date to appear before the House Oversight Committee, on Thursday the Senate Intelligence Committee slapped Cohen with a subpoena, legally forcing hm to testify.

Davis said that Cohen will not resist the subpoena, according to Politico. But what he will do as a result of the subpoena is a legal issue that would come down to reasonable discussions, Davis said.

Photo by Jimmy Kimmel Live Youtube Screen Capture
LOS ANGELESMr. Hankeys Toys, makers of unique silicone toys, is attending its first-ever AVN Novelty Expo as sponsor of the 10th annual O Awards.

The awards ceremonywhich takes place starting at 9 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 24, in Festival Hall at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegascelebrates the best products, ranges and more in the pleasure products industry.

Founded in October 2015, Mr. Hankeys Toys had humble beginnings, selling just one item at the start, the Mr. Hankey.

The goal at that time was to be able to make some extra money in order to start a college saving account for our son, said Michael Mickey of Mr. Hankeys Toys. Since 2015 we have seen phenomenal growth, even surpassing one of our competitors who has been in business for over 20 years according to web analytics and retail sales estimates. We have seen a growth trend that shows no signs of tapering off and plan to continue growing while still being able to offer some of the fastest shipping, unique designs, a large variety of sizes and best materials available on the market.

Today, the company offers 44 high-end products on their website and at 13 high-end leather and fetish/niche retail store locations worldwide.

Our products primarily include a wide variety of high-end non-powered platinum silicone toys, Mickey said. We offer both realistic and fantasy designs, many of which are produced in multiple sizes in order to appeal to a wide range of consumers of different experience levels. We offer firmness and color customization on many of our products, specializing in marbled and two-tone colors.

More items will be released in the coming year, he said, all of which will be crafted from the same high-end materials as their other products.

We are a small, family owned niche/fetish adult toy business that seeks to provide some of the best customer service in the industry, offering the finest materials at very competitive pricing by product weight, he said. We include some of the world's most realistic, anatomically correct designs using proprietary life casting and resizing methods available in multiple sizes along with a line of fantasy toys that all have color and firmness customization options available. We make each order from scratch according to the customer's preferences and have some of the quickest turn around times in the market. Our recently launched Reviews and Comments page reflects our customers appreciation for our products and can be viewed here.

For more on the company, visit MrHankeysToys.com.
First-term United States Senator Kamala Harris of California on Monday became the latest in what is shaping up to be a crowded field of Democratic candidates who hope to oppose Donald Trump in the 2020 election. But her candidacy faced immediate criticism and even opposition from one voting bloc that is only now discovering its own political clout: sex workers.

Despite her ratings as the second-most progressive member of the Senate, according to Progressive Punch, and one of the most anti-Trump senatorsvoting with Trump only 17 percent of the time, seventh-least in the Senate according to FiveThirtyEight.comHarris as a California prosecutor and attorney general, according to LA Magazine, led prosecutions of Backpage, the classified ad site that served as an platform for sex workers to manage their own businesses.

As a senator, she was a strong advocate of the FOSTA/SESTA law that supposedly targets online sex trafficking, but which sex workers say, as AVN.com has reported, has damaged their livelihoods and personal safety.

Of course, Harris was not the only vote in favor of FOSTA/SESTA among the 2020 Democratic contenders. The bill passed overwhelmingly in both the House and Senate, and Harriss fellow announced Democratic candidates Kirsten Gillibrand, Elizabeth Warren and Tulsi Gabbard also voted for the anti-sex trafficking bill, as did prospective candidates Bernie Sanders, Cory Booker and Beto ORourke.

But due to her vocal opposition to Backpage, and her record as a prosecutor and law enforcement officialHarris was California attorney general before running for Senatemany sex workers have singled her out for opposition.

Im not a fan. That whole political ploy to get rid of Backpage was really detrimental to a lot of our lives, and a lot of working people are suffering now because of it, said Akynos, executive director of the Black Sex Worker Collective, in an interwview with Motherboard.

Sex worker rights activist Kate DAdamo told Motherboard that in her view, Harriss record as prosecutor outweighs her history as an advocate for womens issues.

Regardless of the rest of the stuff she talks about, it is really bad, DAdamo said. In terms of sex work, in terms of Backpage, I see it as using this issue and the collateral damage its caused to score points. I think it was a very calculated decision, and I think it was a very political decision that did not weigh the cost it would have to communities.

According to a Daily Beast report, Harris as far back as 2008 when she was San Francisco district attorney opposed a proposal to legalize sex work in California, and also opposed a lawsuit brought by activists challenging the states laws against prostitution.

It should be a big concern to American women that you have politicians like Kamala who want to champion women's right to choose when it comes to abortion, but they don't want to uphold women's sovereignty to access their own commercial commerce, said San Francisco activist Maxine Doogan, who championed that lawsuit.

But though Harris appears to be sex workers least-favorite Democrat, she still appears preferable to the alternative.

If she is the person thats up against the bastard that we have now (i.e. Trump), I would choose her, Akynos told Motherboard.

Photo By Office of the Attorney General of California / Wikimedia Commons Public Domain
As readers know, the adoption of the EU Trade Secrets Directive has required Member States to amend their own laws in order to transpose this new piece of EU legislation into their own systems. However, not all countries had to account for a major shift in trade secrets protection, Italy being an example.





Katfriends Gian Paolo Di Santo and Gabriele Girardello (both Pavia e Ansaldo Studio Legale) explain.

Heress what they write:



Since its introduction, EU Directive 2016/943 (Trade Secrets Directive) has been at the centre of several discussions in EU Member States, which had to deal with their national legislations in an effort to adapt to the new EU rules.





Indeed, the Directives main aim is to harmonise national legislations with respect to the protection of Trade Secrets.





The proposal for a Directive, dated 28 November 2013, stated that:

Member States that defined trade secrets or specified when they should be protected were few;

cease and desist orders against infringers were not available in all cases;

traditional rules on the calculation of damages were often inadequate for trade secrets misappropriation cases, and alternative methods (e.g. royalty-based compensation schemes) were not available in all Member States;

criminal rules did not address trade secrets theft in all Member States.

In addition, several Member States did not have rules aimed at safeguarding trade secrets during litigation, thus deterring subjects suffering from any trade secret misappropriation from seeking redress in court.





The purpose of the Directive was therefore to redress this situation by providing a harmonized level of protection throughout Europe.





In this context, however, Italy proved itself more prepared than other countries in facing the changes mandated under the Directive, thereby demonstrating the solid character of pre-existing legislation.





Historical background on the protection of trade secrets in Italy





The Italian legal system was indeed already characterized by a very advanced level of protection and degree of awareness regarding the need of protecting trade secrets even before the adoption of the Directive.





That was mainly because instances of trade secrets misappropriation (especially in relation to employees diversion and related unfair competition acts) have always been rather common in Italy. Therefore, the legislature, courts and practitioners had to tackle this problem well before the introduction of the new rules.





In fact, already before 1996 (see further below), although no specific laws did regulate trade secrets, protection could be sought through unfair competition laws and the misappropriation of trade secrets was already punished as a crime, pursuant to Article 623 of the Italian Criminal Code.





The level of protection increased with Italian Legislative Decree No 198/96 , which adapted the Italian legal system to the TRIPS Agreement . At that time, specific provisions for trade secrets were introduced, but  again  their violation was simply considered as a particular case of unfair competition.





In 2005 however, following the introduction of the Intellectual Property Code (IP Code), trade secrets were expressly regulated in Articles 98 and 99 of the IP Code and therefore treated as any other IP rights. Indeed, the inclusion of the rules on trade secrets in the IP Code and their qualification as (a kind of) intellectual property right meant that the IP code rules were directly applicable not only against competitors, but also to non-competitors companies and physical persons (in particular, former employees). From that moment, misappropriation of trade secrets has also been benefiting in Italy from the same procedural rules applied for the protection of intellectual property rights (protective and corrective measures, including the application of all the sanctions provided for protection of industrial property rights, as per EU Enforcement Directive 48/2004 ) and cases concerning trade secrets have automatically fallen under the jurisdiction of specialist IP sections of Italian courts.





Kat description

Hence, specialist judges have been building in the past 10+ years or so a solid experience and case law (in particular in certain local courts) both on the substantial and on the procedural side. As regards the latter, we note that the most peculiar and interesting measure applied by Italian Courts in the field of trade secrets has certainly been that of the descrizione or description procedure (sometimes also called Italian discovery). This is a very powerful evidentiary measure aimed at securing evidence directly from the alleged infringers premises through an inspection-like procedure and it is applicable to all violations of IP rights. Specifically, the descrizione serves to pre-establish evidence of the infringement of an IP right and is carried out by a judicial officer (bailiff) assisted by a Court Appointed Technical Expert (Consulente Tecnico dUfficio with an Italian acronym commonly referred to as CTU), who access the premises where the infringement has been allegedly carried out. These operations take place also with the participation of the requesting/petitioner partys lawyers and technical experts to help the bailiff and Court Appointed Expert to identify the possible evidence of infringement.





The descrizione orders have been proving particularly effective (and actually sometimes even excessively intrusive, giving rise to fishing expedition attempts) in trade secrets misappropriation cases. This is because these orders can be granted inaudita altera parte (i.e. ex parte, thereby meaning without any prior notice to the party against which the order is issued). Indeed, courts have been issuing this kind of order ex parte rather often in recent years, because the digitalization of information has rendered much easier to hide the information subtracted and the surprise effect is crucial.





Of course, given the complexity of matters that involve trade secrets (possibly also those the alleged infringer), the issue of confidentiality is taken into great consideration during the course of the whole procedure with judges defining the way in which the inspection ought to be carried out.





Most commonly, in this kind of cases, the Court Appointed Expert and the bailiff will be allowed by the Court access to the PCs, emails and intranet of the alleged infringing parties (including employees) and make forensic copies of those folders and paths that appear to be containing evidence of misappropriated items (often starting from lists of items previously prepared by the requesting/petitioner party and submitted to the judge when the request for a descrizione is filed).





Then the bailiff and the CTU draw up a report in which they describe the contents of the alleged infringers servers but without ever allowing the requesting/petitioner party to physically access them.





Then the forensic copies are sealed and filed in court in order to be subsequently evaluated, in a discussion hearing held within the descrizione procedure and eventually in the course of the case on the merits concerning the alleged infringement (at this point always with the full participation also of the alleged infringer).





In this regard it must be observed that dedicated and sometimes rather sophisticated rules of engagement are often either imposed by judges or even agreed upon among the parties in trade secrets misappropriation proceedings (e.g., black box and confidentiality clubs-alike procedures have been often discussed and recalled by specialised Italian legal practitioners and Judges).





Legislative Decree No. 63/2018: what has actually changed in Italy?




City

 Frances Irene Copes, 34, 110 Fitch Ave., Auburn, was picked up Jan. 23 on an executive bench warrant.

 Roberto Guillimero Jackson, 41, 123 Wall St. Apt. 2, Auburn, was charged Jan. 23 with misapplication of property.

 Jaleesah Hammonds, 28, 9 Washington St., Auburn, was picked up on a warrant Jan. 24 and charged with fourth-degree criminal mischief and resisting arrest.

 Kyle M. Spratt, 19, 19111 Jordan Road, Jordan, was charged Jan. 23 with second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

 Amy L. Kocur, 47, of 15 Madison Ave., Auburn, was charged Jan. 25 with third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, fourth-degree conspiracy, seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and fourth-degree possession of marijuana.

 Kenneth C. Shelton, Sr., 63, of 15 Madison Ave., Auburn, was charged Jan. 25 with third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, fourth-degree conspiracy and fourth-degree possession of marijuana.

 David M. Cowles, 48, of 217 Genesee St., Apt. 113, Auburn, was charged Jan. 24 with first-degree unlawful dealing with a child.

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A 267-pound bundle of joy joined the Rosamond Gifford Zoo in Syracuse this month.

A healthy male Asian elephant calf was born to Asian elephant Mali and bull elephant Doc, both 21 years old, at 5:30 a.m. Jan. 15, Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon announced in a news release. In addition to weighing 267 pounds at birth, the baby was 3 feet tall.

Malis pregnancy lasted an estimated 660 days, said zoo director Ted Fox in the release. Elephants' pregnancies range from 20 to 24 months, so the elephant care and veterinary team began preparing for a Christmas due date more than a year ago. In months leading up to the birth, the team conducted birthing drills with a life-size inflatable elephant to represent Mali and a giant boat buoy to represent the baby.

Fox said Mali and the baby are both doing fine and will be closely monitored and given time to bond. The new baby  a second for Mali and Doc  is part of a three-generation family group as Mali's mother, Targa, 35, is still part of the zoo's now eight-elephant herd.
Jan. 25, 2004

It was a tale of a local military hero, a Navy SEAL wounded in a valiant effort to take the Iraqi city of Tikrit, Saddam Hussein's birthplace.

Electronics Technician 3rd Class Steven Atkins recounted his story for The Citizen while he was home on leave last July, down to the color of the surveillance cameras he buried in the terrain. He showed off a scar from a bullet wound he said he received in a 3 a.m. attack on his platoon in an alley as they were moving in two 10-man lines. He said another bullet hit his helmet. The event, he said, earned him a Purple Heart, which he displayed for a photo.

As it turns out, Atkins lied about the entire incident.

"He was in Hawaii. He made it all up," said Navy Lt. Cmdr. Jeff A. Davis.

Atkins was never in Iraq, the mission he described didn't happen, he was not injured, and he was never awarded a Purple Heart.

The Navy assigned an investigator after being alerted to The Citizen story by another local Navy member. Atkins is still at his post in Hawaii, and continues to be assigned active duty pending the outcome of the investigation.
GENDA, like the conversion therapy ban, was a bill introduced nearly two decades ago to bolster rights for transgender gender nonconforming people. Opponents labeled it "the bathroom bill" because of unfounded fears that men would take advantage of the protections to dress as women and enter women's restrooms.

The new law aims to prevent discrimination against transgender New Yorkers. The U.S. Transgender Survey found 30 percent of transgender or gender nonconforming Americans were denied a promotion, harassed at their workplace or fired from their jobs because on the basis of their gender identity.

Nearly a quarter of respondents in the same survey said they faced housing discrimination.

Sam Brinton, head of advocacy and government affairs for The Trevor Project, lauded Cuomo for signing GENDA into law.

"Legal protection from violence and discrimination is part of building an inclusive society where everybody can thrive, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity," Brinton said. "The passage of GENDA into law is a tangible sign of hope for the youth who contact The Trevor Project's crisis intervention services every day."
Bangladesh must not "rush to relocate refugees" from the Rohingya Muslim minority, a top UN rights official said Friday, amid plans to move the community to an island vulnerable to extreme monsoon weather. Some 750,000 Rohingya Muslims from Myanmar escaped a bloody military crackdown in northern Rakhine state since August 2017 and joined some 300,000 refugees living in the already overcrowded Bangladesh camps. Dhaka has spent some $280 million transforming Bhashan Char, a muddy silt islet that only emerged from the Bay of Bengal nearly two decades ago, into a camp for some of the refugees. But the island, in a coastal region where extreme weather has killed hundreds of thousands of people in recent decades, is one hour by boat from the nearest land and over a stretch of sea prone to violent storms. Yanghee Lee, a UN Special Rapporteur of human rights, visited the island on Thursday and urged Bangladesh to observe "caution and patience" before proceeding with any relocation plan. "There should be no rush to relocate refugees, such as before the monsoon season which is one of the possibilities that has been outlined to me," she told reporters on Friday. "It is imperative that any measures to relocate the refugees enhance their enjoyment of rights and do not create a new crisis," she added. Lee also advised Dhaka to share feasibility studies and allow the UN to carry out a "full technical and humanitarian assessment, including a security assessment, before making any further plans for the housing of people on the island". "The island's isolation does particularly trouble me, especially in the event of cyclones or other natural disasters," she added. Lee did not provide further details about the island, which is still strictly off limits to the public and the media. Plans for the island camp were first floated in 2015 and Bangladesh had previously wanted to start relocating refugees to the island last June before the monsoon season began. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was then slated to open the new settlement, built to house 100,000 refugees, last October, but the inauguration was postponed. A senior disaster management official told AFP in September that nearly three-quarters of the project was complete, with the navy fast-tracking construction of shelters and evacuation centres. Local officials have pointed to a newly-constructed three-metre (nine-feet) embankment around the island that they say will keep out tidal surges in the event of a cyclone. Lee, who also visited Rohingya camps in Cox's Bazar, said the refugees "cannot return to Myanmar in the near future". "I encourage the government to begin to engage in longer-term planning and prepare the local population for this reality," she said. More than a million Rohingya refugees are living in overcrowded camps in Bangladesh
A Turkish court on Friday ordered the supervised release of a detained lawmaker from the pro-Kurdish People's Democratic Party (HDP) who is seriously ill as a result of her 11-week hunger strike. Leyla Guven, 55, launched a hunger strike on November 8 in protest at the prison conditions for Kurdish leader Abdullah Ocalan and her deteriorating health has sparked concerns and rallies to support her cause. The MP will be monitored after she is freed, the court in Diyarbakir in the Kurdish majority southeast said, although few further details of the terms of her release are yet available. Guven, whose party has said is suffering a "life-threatening" medical condition, did not attend the hearing, according to an AFP journalist in the court. She was arrested in January 2018 for her criticism of Turkey's military operation against a Syrian Kurdish militia that Ankara considers an offshoot of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). The MP started the hunger strike in prison and her action was supported by more than 150 prisoners across Turkey in a show of solidarity. Guven's hunger strike was aimed at pressuring the government into allowing lawyers and family members to visit PKK leader Ocalan, who has been serving a life sentence on an island prison near Istanbul since his capture in 1999. Ocalan met his brother Mehmet for the first time in more than two years on January 12. The details of that meeting were not yet made public. In 2012, hundreds of Kurdish prisoners ended a 68-day hunger strike after Ocalan urged them to do so. Guven's HDP party remains under the scrutiny of Turkish authorities, which accuse it of links to the PKK. Several of its MPs are behind bars, including former party leader Selahattin Demirtas. Thousands rallied this month in support of Leyla Guven


An airline has offered refunds to all its passengers on board a flight after many were left vomiting due to turbulence.

Air New Zealand flight NZ5715 was battered by 180km/h winds while flying from Christchurch to Invercargill on Wednesday, the New Zealand Herald reports.

Passenger Owen Scott told the Herald the turbulence was almost constant.

It was one of those trips which, hopefully, was once in a lifetime, Mr Scott told the publication.

A passenger claims 20 per cent of passengers on a recent Air New Zealand flight were vomiting from turbulence as the plane was battered by 180km/h winds. Source: Getty Images (file pic)

He estimates about 20 per cent of the passengers on board were vomiting from the turbulence.

An Air New Zealand spokeswoman told Yahoo7 in a statement the flight made a normal landing in Invercargill but emergency services were on hand to provide assistance to some customers who were feeling unwell.

Air New Zealand offered customers travelling on the flight a full refund in recognition of their experience, and customers also had the option of attending a debrief with the flight crew, she said.

At least one customer has contacted the airline today saying the refund offer is appreciated but unnecessary.

He and his travelling companion specifically praised the pilots and crew for their exceptional management of the flight and highlighted the excellent care they received on arrival in Invercargill.
The function of patent drawings is to aid understanding of an invention, but are they fit for purpose? Embodiments of a mechanical invention may be easier to explain and understand as a drawing compared to a lengthy description. The European Patent Office (EPO) considers good quality drawings as very important for the correct disclosure of an invention

(

. Scientific data necessary to support biotech and pharmaceutical inventions are also provided as drawings. However, these data do not serve the same purpose as mechanical drawings and do not naturally conform to the formal drawing requirements for technical illustrations of mechanical objects. However, this difference is not reflected in the formal drawing requirements of the EPC or PCT. This Kat asks therefore, whether the formal drawings requirements deserve a re-think.





Slinky patent drawing, US2415012





Are data drawings?





Rule 46 (3) EPC). From a quick perusal of the special requirements relating to drawings, it rapidly becomes apparent that these provisions are drafted with mechanical inventions in mind. In fact, the very phrase "drawings" seems inappropriate for the types of graphical illustration provided in support of other types of invention, particularly those in the software, biotechnology and pharmaceutical fields. The EPC (but not PCT) addresses this problem somewhat by stipulating that flow sheets and diagrams shall be deemed to be drawings ().





Rule 11 PCT and Rule 46 EPC "(a) Drawings shall be executed in durable, black, sufficiently dense and dark, uniformly thick and well-defined, lines and strokes without colorings". This seems to be a sensible requirement for drawings taking the form of technical illustrations of a mechanical object. However, the types of "drawings" required to support the claims of a biotechnology or pharmaceutical generally take the form of data. If you have, for example, a claim in the second medical use form: "Drug X for the treatment of disease Y", the applicant is required to provide sufficient data demonstrating the plausibility of the treatment effect. This may be presented, for example, as a bar chart showing a treatment effect in various patient groups over time. However, the problem goes beyond the inappropriateness of the term drawing for scientific data. Take for example the first provision ofand"(a) Drawings shall be executed in durable, black, sufficiently dense and dark, uniformly thick and well-defined, lines and strokes without colorings". This seems to be a sensible requirement for drawings taking the form of technical illustrations of a mechanical object. However, the types of "drawings" required to support the claims of a biotechnology or pharmaceutical generally take the form of data. If you have, for example, a claim in the second medical use form: "Drug X for the treatment of disease Y", the applicant is required to provide sufficient data demonstrating the plausibility of the treatment effect. This may be presented, for example, as a bar chart showing a treatment effect in various patient groups over time.

Bar chart using cross-hatching Rule 11 (a) PCT. In order to satisfy the formal drawing requirements, it seems therefore that the shading must therefore be replaced by ever increasingly complicated types of cross-hatching. It in fact appears from Scientific data are not suited for representation with black lines only. Different bars on a bar chart may be distinguished from each other by colour or colour intensity (e.g. different shades of grey). However, colours and shading are not permitted under. In order to satisfy the formal drawing requirements, it seems therefore that the shading must therefore be replaced by ever increasingly complicated types of cross-hatching. It in fact appears from Rule 11 PCT Rule 11 (f) PCT states that a scale (even a graphical one) should only be drawn in "exceptional" cases. that graphs in general are not looked on favourably, given thatstates that a scale (even a graphical one) should only be drawn in "exceptional" cases.





Rule 46 EPC stipulates that only black lines may be used, the EPO Guidelines for Examination indicate that the use of shading in figures is allowed provided this assists in their understanding and is not so extensive to impede legibility (A-IX 7.2). The EPO by contrast, has attempted to address the issue of the unsuitability of representing scientific data with black lines only. Whilststipulates that only black lines may be used, the EPO Guidelines for Examination indicate that the use of shading in figures is allowed provided this assists in their understanding and is not so extensive to impede legibility ().





What about photographs?





Immuno-florescence data Scientific data may also take the form of photographs. Western blots and immuno-fluorescence are standard techniques for detecting proteins, and both type of data are often presented as photographs. In the field of genetic modification, it is also usual to provide photos of the resulting modified organism so as to show the effect of a genetic modification on a physical trait. Does it make sense to execute these data "in durable, black, sufficiently dense and dark, uniformly thick and well-defined, lines and strokes without colorings"?





The PCT applicant's guide indicates that photographs may be submitted: "[t]he PCT makes no provision for photographs. Nevertheless, they are allowed where it is impossible to present in a drawing what is to be shown (for instance, crystalline structures). Where, exceptionally, photographs are submitted, they must be black and white...Color photographs are not accepted, nor are color drawings" (PCT applicant's guide, 5.159).





Modified tomatoes A IX 1.2). The EPO Guidelines for Examination similarly indicates that photographs may be permitted where it is impossible to present in a drawing what is to be shownColour photographs are accepted, but will be scanned, printed and made available via file inspection only in black and white ().





The current PCT and EPO guidelines thus seem out of step with a normal interpretation of the PCT and EPC formal drawing requirements (e.g. that drawings must be executed in durable black lines).





Where does this all leave the applicant?

Western blot data



If the EPO find that the drawings provided in an application do not satisfy the requirements of Rule 46 EPC Rule 48 EPC). If the defect noted by the EPO is not remedied on time or properly, the application will be refused (Article 90 (5) EPC). To avoid refusal of the application, the applicant is therefore simply required to remedy any deficiencies found in the drawings. So what is the problem? , they issue an invitation to the applicant to remedy the deficiencies within 2 months of notification (). If the defect noted by the EPO is not remedied on time or properly, the application will be refused (). To avoid refusal of the application, the applicant is therefore simply required to remedy any deficiencies found in the drawings. So what is the problem?





Whilst the EPO guidelines do indicate that graphs and photos may be allowed, the lack of a specific provision in the EPC means that the extent to which scientific data will be expected to conform to the Rule 46 EPC requirements can be open to the whim of the EPO Receiving Section. Replacing data with drawings satisfying the requirements of Rule 46 EPC can also represents a significant burden (in terms of time and expense) for the applicant. Furthermore, the resulting black and white, cross-hatched and text-free figures are often worse at communicating the data than the original figures. Receiving





All of this raises the question of how necessary the requirements of Rule 46 EPC really are? If the purpose of data is to demonstrate the plausibility of a claimed effect, surely what matters is whether a skilled person would be able to read and understand the data? Given that data generally cannot be considered drawings, and often do not serve the same purpose as technical drawings of mechanical inventions, perhaps data should be submitted under a different category, akin to the supplementary data of a scientific article?




In southern Florida's Sunny Isles Beach, Russian tourists Anna and Helen sip coffee with their husbands and newborn babies: a common scene in what has become a prized destination for well-off foreigners looking to secure US citizenship for their children. Under the shadow of luxury skyscrapers -- among them Trump Towers -- exists an army of well-dressed women, either pregnant or pushing top-of-the-line strollers. Most are Russian or from former Soviet Union countries. The weather, white-sand beaches and dazzling turquoise waters are common reasons given for traveling to give birth in this city of 20,000 people, north of Miami. But one 34-year-old, who gave her name only as Anna, was more direct. "For the American passport!" she told AFP, smiling. She arrived in the US while expecting now two-month-old Melania. Both she and compatriot Helen, mother to a three-month-old, said tens of thousands of dollars and months of planning went into their trips. The attraction is clear. President Donald Trump does not like it, but according to the US constitution, children born on American soil automatically gain citizenship, opening up highly sought-after opportunities to study and work. And why Sunny Isles specifically? "Feel home, lot of Russian," Anna said. Upon turning 21, baby Melania will also be able to sponsor visas for her parents to come to the US -- another policy that has disgruntled Trump. The trend is big business: Miami Mama, a company in neighboring Hallandale Beach, has been organizing travel packages for Russian mothers since 2009. Charging between $6,900 and $49,000, they will coordinate everything from interpreters and apartments to medical care and citizenship documents, according to the firm's website. And none of this is illegal, according to US immigration laws. But according to NBC, the FBI raided Miami Mama in 2017, arresting one employee for making false statements in federal documents to obtain passports for children. Miami Mama -- whose logo shows a pregnant woman against the backdrop of an American flag -- did not respond to AFP's requests for comment. - Little Moscow - So-called "birth tourism" to the United States isn't just popular with Russians. Expectant Chinese parents have for years travelled to California, while South Americans -- particularly Brazilians -- prefer Florida. A tentative estimate by the Center for Immigration Studies -- a conservative group that advocates curbs on immigration -- suggested in 2015 that maternity tourism to the United States could account for some 36,000 births each year. But there is no reliable data on how many US citizens the practice creates. In 2014, Vera Muzyka, head of a firm helping Russian mothers in Miami, told The Moscow Times that in that city, 40 to 60 babies were being born each month to citizens of Russia or former Soviet Union countries. Sunny Isles Beach earned itself the nickname "Little Moscow" from around 2010, when Russian beauty salons, supermarkets, restaurants and realtors started to crop up. Nowadays, you're more likely to find syrnikis -- a type of sweet cheese pancake -- than Cuban croquetas, while dried fish has become a staple bar snack. And while southern Floridians are used to seeing shop signs in English and Spanish, in Sunny Isles it's English and Russian -- with real estate offices, notaries and businesses offering "passport services" the most common around town. According to a 2017 report by The Daily Beast, many Russian families stay in luxury Trump Tower condominiums. But while connections between Trump and the Kremlin have been under investigation for over two years, there is no evidence the president benefits from Russian tourism in Florida. Suspicious of the press, most of Sunny Isles Beach's Russians won't speak to the media, and those who do prefer to remain anonymous or give only their first name. That included Kate, eight months pregnant with her fourth child, who would only tell AFP: "We plan to give birth." Entering a specialty Russian supermarket with her husband and children, the 35-year-old added -- true to form -- that it was the balmy climate that brought them to Florida. Under the shadow of luxury skyscrapers -- among them Trump Towers, seen here -- Sunny Isles Beach has become a prized destination for well-off foreigners looking to secure US citizenship for their children Sunny Isles Beach earned itself the nickname "Little Moscow" from around 2010, when Russian beauty salons, supermarkets, restaurants and realtors started to crop up Southern Floridians are used to seeing shop signs in English and Spanish, but in Sunny Isles it's English and Russian
Twin blasts rocked a high-rise in northeast China on Friday, killing one person and injuring another in an incident being treated as a criminal case, local authorities said. The first blast happened at around 3:13 pm (0713 GMT) when the fire brigade received a report of a car explosion in an underground garage of the Wanda Plaza in Changchun, the city's government said in a statement posted on social media. Three minutes later, a second explosion occurred in an office on the 30th floor of the complex. An earlier statement said that blast left one dead. It was unclear where the second person was injured. The Changchun government added that a criminal investigation has been opened. Eyewitnesses reported hearing over 20 explosions and people were evacuated from buildings surrounding the Wanda Plaza Apartment, the state-run Beijing Youth Daily newspaper reported. Social media footage showed a busy road shrouded in smoke as devices exploded on the ground while people fled. Another video showed a blast on the upper floors of a high-rise building, with shattered windows seen in a photograph of the Wanda Plaza. AFP could not independently verify the authenticity of the videos. - Past blasts - Bomb explosions have occurred in China in recent years. Last July, a 26-year-old man set off a small explosive outside the United States embassy in Beijing, injuring his hand and sending smoke into the air. Police said he was from Inner Mongolia but did not reveal any motive. In June 2017, a bomb exploded outside a kindergarten in east Jiangsu province, killing eight people and injuring dozens. The explosion was blamed on a 22-year-old introvert with health problems who died in the blast. Ethnic Uighurs from the restive far west region of Xinjiang have been tied to mass stabbings and bombings that left dozens dead in recent years across the country. The unrest prompted authorities to launch a sweeping campaign against terrorism and separatism that included the construction of what rights groups denounce as internment camps holding as many as one million Uighurs and other mostly Muslim minorities. The Chinese government describes the camps as vocational education centres aimed at combatting extremist thoughts and providing jobs. Chinese authorities say no attacks have been committed in Xinjiang in the past two years thanks to the strategy. The Jilin incident also comes just over a week before the Lunar New Year holiday, which the Chinese usually welcome with firecrackers and fireworks, sometimes resulting in accidents. Last February, a fireworks explosion killed four and injured five in southwestern Yunnan province. In January 2006, 36 people were killed as they celebrated the Lunar New Year at a temple festival in central China's Henan province when fireworks exploded in an illegal factory storeroom nearby. a second explosion occurred in an office on the 30th floor of the complex People were evacuated from buildings surrounding the Wanda Plaza Apartment, a state-run newspaper reported Map of China locating explosion in Changchun
The family of a Mongolian woman whose killing was allegedly linked to Malaysia's toppled leader are hoping for justice in a civil lawsuit that started this week, their lawyers said Friday. Altantuya Shaariibuu was shot dead and her body blown up with military-grade plastic explosives near Kuala Lumpur in 2006. Her death is said to be part of a scandal involving claims an associate of ousted prime minister Najib Razak arranged huge kickbacks for the purchase of French submarines in 2002. Allegations have long circulated that Najib -- then deputy premier -- and his wife Rosmah Mansor were involved in the killing. Both have denied the claims. Two government bodyguards were convicted of the murder and sentenced to death, with one subsequently fleeing to Australia. Altantuya's lover Abdul Razak Baginda, a close aide to Najib, was also tried but acquitted of abetting the crime. In 2007, Altantuya's family, led by her father Shaariibuu Setev, filed a 100 million ringgit ($24 million) lawsuit against the government, the bodyguards and Abdul Razak. The case was delayed until the criminal trial wrapped up, but finally got underway this week. "(We) will do everything that we can to uncover the mystery as to who ordered her murder," Ramkarpal Singh, a lawyer for the family, told AFP. "Mr Shaariibuu and his team are confident that justice will prevail." Beginning his testimony in the case Friday, Altantuya's father said: "She told me she was in a relationship with a big man in Malaysia and his name was Baginda." He will continue testifying at the High Court in Shah Alam, outside Kuala Lumpur, on Monday. Malaysian authorities reopened the investigation into Altantuya's murder last year, months after Najib was ousted in a shock election that saw his former boss Mahathir Mohamad return to power. In a potentially major breakthrough, the bodyguard who fled to Australia, Sirul Azhar Umar, has said he is willing to assist any new government investigation into the case. Setev Shaariibuu's daughter was shot dead and her body blown up with explosives near Kuala Lumpur in 2006


A man in his 20s has been rushed to hospital after suffering an overdose in the early hours of the morning at the Rainbow Serpent music festival in Victoria.

Paramedics were called to the festival at Lexton, about 160 kilometres north west of Melbourne, about 3.30am on Friday, a spokesperson for Ambulance Victoria told Yahoo7.

The man was taken to Ballarat Base Hospital where he remains in a serious condition.

The Rainbow Serpent Festival is a three-day annual music event. While the festival officially begins on Friday, patrons were able to enter the site from Thursday.

A man in his 20s has been rushed to hospital after suffering an overdose in the early hours of the morning at the Rainbow Serpent music festival in Victoria. Source: Instagram/Rainbow Serpent Festivals

This years festival has already been plagued by accidents before even getting underway.

On Thursday, three festival-goers were hospitalised after a truck rolled onto their tent on Thursday afternoon.

A man aged in his 30s was taken to Melbournes The Alfred Hospital with chest, leg, hand and face injuries, an Ambulance Victoria spokesperson told Yahoo7.

A woman aged in her 20s was also taken to the Ballarat Base Hospital with abdominal and back injuries. She is in a stable condition.

A second woman, aged in her 30s, was taken by ambulance to the Ballarat Base Hospital in a stable condition with injuries to her back and hip.

The Rainbow Serpent Festival is a three-day annual music event. Source: Instagram/Rainbow Serpent Festival

Meanwhile a 19-year-old woman from Yarraville died in a car accident on the Western Freeway at Gordon on Thursday as she made her way to the festival with a friend.

Police have also arrested a man at the event for allegedly selling ketamine, MDMA and other illicit drugs, Victoria Police said.

Spate of summer festival drug overdoses

There has been a spate of drug overdoses at summer festivals across Australia.

A 20-year-old, from Mansfield in Victoria, died after an overdose at the Beyond The Valley event in Lardner, east of Melbourne.

His death came just days after a 22-year-old Queensland man died and two people were hospitalised after taking an unknown substance at the Lost Paradise music festival on the NSW Central Coast.
The Greek parliament on Friday approved the new name "Republic of North Macedonia" for its northern neighbour, two weeks after a similar vote by Macedonian lawmakers. The move should help end a row that has long poisoned relations between the neighbours and clear the path for Skopje to join the EU and NATO. Here is some background about the dispute: - Rejected from the start - Greece rejects the name Macedonia, adopted by the country at its independence from the former Yugoslavia 27 years ago, as it is also that of a large Greek region that evokes national pride as the cradle of Alexander the Great's ancient empire. Macedonia's international recognition is immediately stalled by Greece because of its name. Besides claiming the title as part of its heritage and identity, Greece fears Skopje could harbour territorial ambitions over its own region of Macedonia just across the border. - A country called FYROM - It is only with the adoption of a provisional name -- the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) -- that the country is finally admitted into the United Nations in 1993. Most other nations, including Russia and the United States, later recognise its constitutional title, the Republic of Macedonia. - Greece clamps down - In 1994, Greece imposes an economic embargo on Macedonia and prevents it from using the Greek port at Thessaloniki, Skopje's main trading post. Greece also demands that Macedonia drop from its flag the golden sun of Vergina, claiming it as an ancient Greek symbol, as well as certain articles from its constitution. - A thaw - In 1995, the neighbours sign an accord in New York opening the way for a normalisation of trade and political ties but leaving the name dispute hanging. They then open liaison offices in their respective capitals and a new Macedonian flag -- with a different sun symbol -- is raised for the first time at the United Nations. In 2001, Greece expresses support for Skopje as it faces an armed conflict with ethnic Albanian rebels. - Greek vetoes - After Macedonia becomes a candidate for EU membership in 2005, Greece blocks the start of negotiations, still rejecting its title. In 2008 Macedonia is invited for NATO membership under its provisional name, but again faces a Greek veto. Relations plummet with the erection of a huge statue of Alexander the Great in Skopje in 2011. Athens views it as an attempt to appropriate one of its greatest heroes. - Migrant tensions - Athens in 2016 accuses Skopje of excessive use of force against hundreds of migrants, many fleeing the war in Syria. - Breakthrough - Soon after his election in May 2017, Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev promises a new push to settle the name dispute as he relaunches the drive for EU and NATO membership. Negotiations restart in January 2018 under UN auspices, despite strong opposition from nationalists in both countries. - 'Republic of North Macedonia' - In June, the two sides settle on "Republic of North Macedonia". A September referendum among Macedonians shows 90 percent agreement with the name change -- but two-thirds of registered voters shun the ballot. In October, Macedonia's parliament, which must approve constitutional changes, votes by a razor-thin majority to begin the process of renaming the country. The parliament in December votes for a second reading of the four amendments required to the constitution, with the final vote passed two weeks ago. The motion receives the required two-thirds majority by just one vote. On January 25, Greek lawmakers voted by a narrow majority to ratify the name change. The flags of Greece and Macedonia flutter on the shores of Lake Prespa where last June's historic name deal was signed
Human remains, reportedly including bones from children, have been found at a beach in New Zealand after a huge landslide.

Earlier this month, a landslide in Maketu on the Bay of Plenty Coast caused the remains to be unearthed and a notice was put at Newdicks Beach to warn people not to fish or collect shells.

According to Liam Tapsell, an elder from Ngati Whakaue ki Maketu, the sacks of remains include adult, children and possibly baby bones, The New Zealand Herald reported.

We had local iwi and members of the public picking up bones for at least a week since the slip, that included two young Pakeha boys finding a jaw bone, he said.

A landslide in Maketu on the Bay of Plenty Coast caused the remains to be unearthed. Photo: Facebook/ Tapsell Nation

A public notice has been put up at the beach warning visitors not to collect shellfish.

Human remains have been disinterred and fallen into the sea, it read.

The area includes the area of the slip and includes all of Newdicks Beach and five miles to the south.

No shellfish or seafood of any kind is to be collected for human consumption in this period. The public are asked to avoid the area.

A public notice has been put up at the beach warning visitors not to collect shellfish. Photo: Facebook/ Tapsell Nation

The remains are believed to have come from a burial ground that was unearthed in the landslide.

The public have been asked to hand in any remains to police.

Police are liaising with local Kaumatua and iwi to return human bones unearthed at Maketu beach near Te Puke, a statement from New Zealand police to Yahoo7 News read.
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The Greek parliament on Friday narrowly ratified a landmark deal to rename neighbouring Macedonia, ending one of the world's longest diplomatic disputes and earning rich praise for the "historic" move. A total of 153 MPs in the 300-seat Greek parliament approved the name Republic of North Macedonia despite widespread public opposition. The change had already been ratified by Macedonian lawmakers on January 11. Since 1991, Athens has objected to its neighbour being called Macedonia because Greece has a northern province of the same name. In ancient times it was the cradle of Alexander the Great's empire, a source of intense pride for Greeks. To make the UN-sponsored agreement final, Greece must now ratify a protocol approving Macedonia's membership of the Western military alliance NATO. This is expected to take place next month. "We warmly welcome the next crucial step in the ratification... taken with today's vote by the Hellenic Parliament," EU President Jean-Claude Juncker said in a joint statement with foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini and enlargement commissioner Johannes Hahn. "Both countries have seized this unique opportunity which sets an example of reconciliation for Europe as a whole and will give a further boost to the European perspective of the region," the EU officials said. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres offered his congratulations, saying in a statement that "the implementation of the agreement will strengthen peace and security in the region and provide a fresh impetus to reconciliation efforts in Europe and beyond." "Today is a historic day," Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, who forged a close relationship with North Macedonia counterpart Zoran Zaev in drafting the agreement last year, said in a tweet. "Today we write a new page for the Balkans. The hatred of nationalism, dispute and conflict will be replaced by friendship, peace and cooperation," Tsipras said on his Twitter page. European Council President Donald Tusk said the two countries had achieved "mission impossible." - 'Congratulations, my friend' - "Congratulations my friend" Alexis Tsipras, Zaev said on Twitter. "Together with our peoples we reached a historic victory. "Long live the Prespa Agreement! For eternal peace and progress of the Balkans and in Europe!" Germany -- whose chancellor Angela Merkel had personally expressed gratitude to Tsipras during a recent visit to Athens -- also welcomed the news as a "victory for diplomacy." French President Emmanuel Macron likewise praised the outcome in a tweet saluting the vote as "an example of courage and unity for Europe." Protests have been held in both countries against the agreement -- some of them violent -- and lawmakers in Greece have reported threats and arson attacks against their homes. A few dozen protesters gathered outside Greek parliament on Friday. A poll released by SKAI TV on Thursday night found 62 percent of respondents oppose the deal, with 27 percent in favour. A week earlier, another poll in Proto Thema weekly had found 66 percent in opposition. - 'Painful compromise' - Anti-Tsipras daily Ta Nea on Friday said the deal was the result of a "painful compromise" and was full of "pitfalls". In addition to normalising relations between the two countries, implementation of the agreement will open the door for Macedonia to join the European Union and NATO, hitherto blocked by Athens' veto. But in Greece, its neighbour's name continues to fuel controversy in politics and society, ahead of parliamentary elections scheduled for October. Critics say the agreement -- which drops Greece's objections to an official Macedonian language and identity -- opens the way for possible cultural usurpation and trade disputes. Main opposition leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis of the conservative New Democracy party said the agreement "creates new problems" and "awakens nationalism". "Your foreign policy is superficial and ignorant... you should be ashamed," he told the government. But Tsipras told parliament during a two-day debate on the deal: "We never had a Macedonian language. Alexander the Great spoke Greek." "Are you afraid of a state that does not even have two percent of our (military) capability and not even six percent of our economic output?," former foreign minister Nikos Kotzias, a signatory of the agreement, asked parliament on Thursday. On Sunday, clashes between police and masked protesters left 40 people injured as tens of thousands demonstrated in Athens against the name change. The government blamed far-right extremists and the neo-Nazi Golden Dawn party for the violence. burs-jph/cw/har The name change is deeply controversial in Greece Tsipras has 145 lawmakers in the 300-seat parliament, but a number of independent MPs have pledged to support the agreement Greece has a northern province called Macedonia, which was the cradle of Alexander the Great's empire Map showing the Greek province of Macedonia and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia which could change its name to the Republic of North Macedonia.
Germany said Friday it had extradited to Sweden John Ausonius, the convicted killer known as the "the laser man" for using a precision-scope rifle to target immigrants. "He was extradited on Thursday," Frankfurt state prosecutor Nadja Niesen told AFP. Ausonius, a 65-year-old Swedish citizen, has been found guilty of murder in both countries, most recently receiving a life term in Germany in February last year that was upheld on appeal in November. Previously he was already serving a life sentence in Sweden for a six-month shooting spree in 1991-92. Using the laser-scoped rifle, he had killed a 34-year-old Iranian man and wounded 10 other people from countries including Brazil, Greece, Syria and Zimbabwe. In a sign of Ausonius's notoriety, Norwegian white supremacist mass murderer Anders Behring Breivik at his own trial mentioned the "laser man" as a figure who shared the same goals. The convict, who was extradited to Germany in late 2016, was in February 2018 found guilty of the murder of 68-year-old Jewish Holocaust survivor Blanka Zmigrod in Frankfurt in 1992. Ausonius, having now received life terms in two countries, is considered almost certain to spend the rest of his life locked up without parole. Ausonius has killed two people and injured many others
"I found a family here, I worked with the parish priest, I helped with mass, I went to school," said Nigerian Anthony Ehikwe, one of hundreds of migrants being expelled from Italy's second-largest migrant centre. "And now I do not even have the time to say goodbye." Italian authorities are this week removing migrants from the reception centre at Castelnuovo di Porto, just north of Rome, after far-right Interior Minister Matteo Salvini's tough anti-migrant decree became law. "You can change immigration policies but you can't just throw people out into the street like that," said an angry Riccardo Travaglini, mayor of this town of 9,000 people. "Here, we've done a lot to welcome people and, within a few hours, they decide to dismantle our community," he said. The new law, which came into effect in December, ends two-year "humanitarian protection" residency permits -- a lower level of asylum status based on Italian rather than international law -- that were awarded to 25 percent of asylum seekers last year. The Italian Refugee Council has said it was "seriously concerned" by the new legislation which "will put thousands of people outside the law and only a very few can be repatriated." "I do not think it's about security because sadly in a few months we will see the effects of this chaos they are creating on purpose," said the centre's legal advisor Rosanna Just. "The only result is that they destroyed something that worked very well." The law also reorganises asylum-seeker management by closing large reception centres like Castelnuovo, which Salvini says are expensive and breeding grounds for criminals. Migrants and asylum-seekers were given 48 hours notice of the centre's closure, and on Tuesday the authorities began the evacuation of 500 people, including 120 women and 14 children. Some have been taken to reception centres elsewhere in the country, while others have preferred to head for Rome on foot before they are taken away. - Pope's visit - "After having accompanied them, sometimes for years, on a path of integration, we had to tell them that they have to go, without even knowing their destination," said Just. "The children were attending school, some (of the migrants) even had work and from one day to the next it's all taken away," she said. Dozens of the town's Italian's residents on Tuesday protested against the closure of the centre, which opened in a very different political climate 10 years ago. Pope Francis visited in 2016, celebrating mass and famously washing the feet of 11 migrants of different religions. "It will be difficult to rebuild all this somewhere else," said Ehikwe, 27. "I've been living here for two years, I don't know where I'll be sent, I don't know what will happen," said Ehikwe, a Roman Catholic who fled religious persecution in Nigeria, making the treacherous crossing of the Mediterranean from Libya to Italy. "This is a common sense operation that will save Italians six million euros ($6.8 million) a year without taking anyone's rights away," Salvini said on Wednesday. Migrants and asylum-seekers were given 48 hours notice of the centre's closure, and the authorities began the evacuation of 500 people, including 120 women and 14 children Italian authorities are removing migrants from the reception centre at Castelnuovo di Porto, just north of Rome, after far-right Interior Minister Matteo Salvini's tough anti-migrant decree became law Dozens of the town's Italian's residents protested against the closure of the centre, which opened in a very different political climate 10 years ago
Several media outlets and internet users claimed that Facebook and Instagram had "unverified" Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's accounts Wednesday and given "verified" check marks to those of National Assembly head Juan Guaido. This is false: Maduro was never certified on those platforms, and Guaido was already certified before Wednesday, when he declared himself interim president of the oil-rich but economically devastated country. - What are we verifying? - Did Facebook and Instagram, in their own ways, officially recognize Guaido as Venezuela's new president and signal that the social media networks would no longer acknowledge Maduro's power? That's what several posts shared across Twitter, especially in Spanish, implied. The messages seemed to say that Facebook and Instagram had revoked Maduro's verification and granted it to Guaido. Verifications are indicated by a small blue icon next to users' names. Many social media users appeared to believe this information, which was repeated by Spanish, French, Russian, Portuguese and English-language news outlets, was true. - What do we know? - Thanks to the internet archive tool the Wayback Machine, a site that allows users to view older versions of web pages, it's possible to see that the head of the Venezuelan government's Instagram account was not verified as far back as October 6, 2017 (1). It's the same on Facebook: Maduro's page wasn't ever verified even before Wednesday, as is possible to see on a view of his page saved January 22, 2019, the day before the rumors said he was "unverified" (2). Tweets showing screen shots from 2016 and 2017(3) and Google Images searches (4) (5) show he wasn't verified on Facebook then either. "Nicolas Maduro was not verified on Instagram or Facebook, and we did not remove verification from his account," an Instagram spokeswoman said in an email statement to media. "Juan Guaido was verified on Instagram in November 2018, and he was verified on Facebook more recently." - What can be concluded? - Facebook and Instagram have not taken any measures to verify or "unverify" accounts of people involved in the political events in Venezuela. The networks did not "unverify" Maduro Wednesday or Thursday -- he was never verified on those platforms. And Guaido was not newly verified Wednesday or Thursday -- he already had the blue icon next to his name on those platforms before he declared himself Venezuela's interim president. The Instagram spokeswoman explained the verification marks are to show that users are who they say they are, not a value judgment of those users. "We want to make sure that people know they are following the authentic presence of a public figure, celebrity or brand on Instagram and Facebook," she said. "Verified badges are used to confirm that an account or page is authentic." gd-rba-tsz-bur/caw/ (1) https://web.archive.org/web/20171006143855/https://www.instagram.com/nicolasmaduro/ (2) https://web.archive.org/web/20190122051301/https://www.facebook.com/NicolasMaduro (3) https://factuel.afp.com/sites/default/files/styles/list_xl/public/medias/factchecking/france/maduro5.png?itok=mwcTp79y (4) https://www.google.com/search?q=maduro+facebook&rlz=1C1GCEU_frFR825FR825&biw=1680&bih=908&source=lnt&tbs=cdr%3A1%2Ccd_min%3A%2Ccd_max%3A1%2F22%2F2019&tbm=isch (5) https://www.google.com/search?q=maduro+facebook&rlz=1C1GCEU_frFR825FR825&biw=1680&bih=908&source=lnt&tbs=cdr%3A1%2Ccd_min%3A%2Ccd_max%3A1%2F22%2F2019&tbm=isch The Facebook and Instagram accounts of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro (R) were never verified, while the accounts of Juan Guaido (L) were verified before he declared himself the country's interim president
China dismissed remarks from George Soros as "meaningless" on Friday, after the billionaire investor called President Xi Jinping the "most dangerous opponent" of free societies and warned against Beijing's high-tech surveillance regime. Soros "confused right and wrong in a meaningless statement, and it is not worth refuting", said foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying at a regular press briefing. "In today's world, it is clear who is opening doors and building roads, and who is closing doors and building walls," she said. "We hope that the relevant people on the US side can... take an objective, rational, and correct attitude towards China's development," she added. On Thursday, the Hungarian-born US philanthropist stressed the threat posed by China's high-tech authoritarian regime while speaking to a dinner audience on the margins of the World Economic Forum in Davos. Communist China under Xi has been building a cutting-edge system including facial recognition to keep tabs on its citizens, and Soros said algorithms would calculate how dangerous a threat individuals might pose to the regime. "The 'social credit' system, if it became operational, would give Xi total control over the people," he said Thursday. "China is not the only authoritarian regime in the world but it is the wealthiest, strongest and technologically most advanced," he said, noting similar concerns about Vladimir Putin's Russia. Soros also urged US President Donald Trump to crack down on Chinese tech giants ZTE and Huawei, as he believes their 5G technology would present an "unacceptable security risk for the rest of the world" if they dominated the market. Billionaire investor George Soros called President Xi Jinping the "most dangerous opponent" of free societies and warned against Beijing's high-tech surveillance regime


WARNING  DISTRESSING DETAILS: Italy has been ordered to pay Amanda Knox financial damages for failing to provide legal assistance and an independent interpreter during a long night of questioning following the 2007 murder of her British roommate.

After more than seven years of legal battles and flip-flop decisions, Knox was definitively acquitted of Meredith Kerchers murder by Italys highest court in March 2015.

But a damaging conviction and three-year sentence for falsely accusing a Congolese bar owner of the murder was confirmed, leaving a cloud over her acquittal.

The sensational murder of 21-year-old Kercher attracted global attention, especially after suspicion fell on the photogenic Knox, and Knoxs then Italian boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito.

Kercher was found nude under a blanket in her locked room, with her throat slit and having been sexually assaulted. While Knox and her former boyfriend were initially convicted in Kerchers slaying and handed hefty sentences, both were eventually acquitted.

Amanda Knox is escorted by Italian penitentiary police officers from Perugias court after a hearing in 2008. Source: AP

Knox, who is now 31 and lives in Seattle, wrote in her blog after that the ruling means that my slander conviction was unjust.

I never should have been charged, much less convicted, of slander, she wrote.

It was during questioning in the wee hours of November 6, 2007 that Knox accused Patrick Lumumba, the owner of a bar where she sometimes worked, of the murder.

Knoxs defence had long claimed that the accusation was coerced.

The court noted she had quickly and repeatedly retracted the statement. It said that despite her lawyers request, there was never an investigation to clarify the circumstances of the incriminating statements.

It also said that the interpreter assigned to her acted more as a mediator, and taking on a motherly attitude which was not called for in the circumstances, and that Knoxs complaints about the inappropriate conduct were never examined in Italian courts.

Amanda Knox and her Italian boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito were originally suspected of the murder despite their denials of any involvement. Source: AFP

The human rights court, however, said there was not enough evidence to conclude Knox had sustained the inhuman or degrading treatment she claimed.

Story continues

Knox said she had been slapped twice on the side of the head by police, while also being subjected to pressure, threats of imprisonment and shouting.

Knoxs defence attorney, Carlo Dalla Vedova, said the decision is not a big surprise for me because the supreme court already said there were many mistakes. He said he was considering whether to challenge the standing conviction for malicious false accusations.

I hope Patrick Lumumba will understand also through the outcome of this decision that she was put in a very difficult situation, Dalla Vedova said.

An Ivorian immigrant, Rudy Guede, is serving a 16-year sentence for the murder.

A documentary on the Amanda Knox story saw the case return to the public spotlight. Image: Netflix

The Kercher family lawyer, Francesco Maresca, said that the family remained bitter that years of court decisions resulted only in the conviction of Rudy Guede.

Prosecutors argued throughout the trials that the murder could not have been the work of a single perpetrator.

Sollecito sought $797,000 for wrongful imprisonment  the maximum allowed under Italian law  but was denied because the court said he had contributed by making contradictory statements made during the investigation.

Dalla Vedova said that Knox let the deadline for wrongful imprisonment filing lapse without seeking compensation, instead focusing on the human rights issue.

It is impossible to compensate Amanda for four years in prison for a mistake. There will be no amount. We are not looking for compensation of damages. We are doing this on principle, he said.

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Police say a Florida man slipped into the home of his Iraqi neighbours on Tuesday and went through their mail.

He told officers afterward that the US needed to get rid of people of Middle Eastern descent, and that "Trump will handle it" if he doesn't.

Though the suspect has been charged with burglary, the Pasco County Sheriff's Office told INSIDER they have also requested that prosecutors add a hate-crime enhancement to the charge.

A spokesman said Boileau "possibly tampered with the victim's mail," which would be another federal offence if proven in court.

A Florida man who police say broke into his Iraqi neighbours' home and rifled through their mail told officers that if he didn't get rid of the Middle Easterners in the US, President Donald Trump would.

Authorities arrested David Allen Boileau, 58, as he was walking back home from the alleged burglary on Tuesday. According to a police report, Boileau said he slipped into his neighbours' home through an unsecured gate, then an unlocked door, before opening their mailbox and discovering immigration paperwork.

The home belongs to an Iraqi mother and her four children, who have lived in the neighbourhood for at least three years - even longer than Boileau, police said.

Though none of them were home when Boileau allegedly entered, another neighbour saw him and confronted him, threatening to call the police.

The police report said Boileau made several statements about his "dislike for people of Middle Eastern descent" both before and after police had read him his Miranda Rights. He also said Middle Easterners don't belong in the US, the country needed to "get rid" of them, and that "Trump will handle it" if he doesn't do it himself.

The mother spoke to the local CBS affiliate 10News WTSP, saying she believed even if it weren't "the time of Trump," the man would have harassed them.

"We respected America, we came legally, we are not causing any problems, we love America," the woman said. "And the guy, he doesn't know - I worked as an interpreter for the US army for two years."

Story continues

Read more: Most Americans think Trump has encouraged white supremacists, and some are worried he has become a 'legitmising voice' for hate groups

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kp6gfaNOVA

Prosecutors are pursuing hate-crime charges

Though Boileau is only currently facing a burglary charge, a Pasco County Sheriff's Office spokesman told INSIDER that the sheriff has asked prosecutors to add a state hate-crime enhancement to the charges. The sheriff has also forwarded the case to the FBI for a potential federal hate-crime charge.

The spokesman added that Boileau "possibly tampered with the victim's mail," which would be another federal offence if proven in court. Boileau told police he hadn't taken anything from the house, but the victim said she was missing a black purse with bank cards, gift cards, a food stamp card, and her ID.

According to the police report, this wasn't even Boileau's first visit to the family's home this week.

On Monday, the woman said Boileau threw screws and nails at one of the family's vehicles as it pulled out of the driveway, apparently in the hopes of flattening the tires.

"The US needs to rid the country of all of them," Boileau said, according to the police report. "We'll get rid of them one way or another."
Australias not exactly a world leader when it comes to innovation. (Photo: Getty)

We may have a couple of tech unicorns and a burgeoning fintech industry, but when it comes to innovation, Australia lags behind a whole host of European and Asian countries.

Australia has slipped one spot since last year in Bloombergs Innovation Index, dropping from 18th to 19th place.

The crown of most innovative country goes to South Korea, which has held the title since 2014.

This years runner-up was Germany, who leapt ahead two spots on the list since last year, followed by Finland and Switzerland.

Israel pulled ahead five places to come in fifth at the expense of Singapore and Sweden, which fell three and five spots respectively.

The US also wrestled its way back into the top ten to eighth place. China pulled ahead by three spots to 16th place, coming ahead of Australia for the first time on the Bloomberg Innovation leaderboard.

Heres the full list of the top 60 most innovative countries according to Bloomberg:

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Now read: Chinas richest man shares surprising tip for success
With the stroke of a pen [higher education] minister Pila Niningi has turned what appeared to be a step in the right direction into a farcical exercise denigrating it into a comical show piece, Paska said.

He said this was a governance issue which attracted public attention and commentary.

The Post-Courier newspaper reported TUC president John Paska as saying the congress initially welcomed an announcement to investigate administrative malpractice and other aspects of the university but these two appointments now question the credibility of the exercise.

PORT MORESBY - Papua New Guineas Trade Union Congress has slammed the appointments of Jeffrey Kennedy as chancellor and Kenneth Sumbuk as vice-chancellor of the University of Papua New Guinea.

Last year we questioned the selection process of candidates for the vice-chancellors position. Our questions emanated from information received about serious allegations that had been raised about Professor Sumbuks administration of K23 million for various UPNG activities.

We are not in any way pronouncing guilt on Sumbuk but the fact remains serious allegations hang over his persona that only a properly constituted investigation can ascertain to the contrary.

To the best of our knowledge no investigation has been conducted to determine the veracity of the allegations, he said.

Sources report that the university council had already recommended the appointment of Professor Frank Griffin, a former head of science at UPNG as vice-chancellor. However, the council was sacked on Monday and new members appointed.

Paska told the Post-Courier Sumbuks integrity and credibility remain in question.

Meanwhile, we query the eligibility of Mr Kennedy for the position of chancellor of the university. How does he qualify to be chancellor?

Something is horribly wrong. The wheels of credibility and integrity of this investigation have collapsed before moving an inch.

Unless otherwise, my personal confidence in this exercise is shattered and I believe so is the publics.

We call on the prime minister to intervene and rectify the situation, Paska said.

Acting vice-chancellor Professor Sumbuk told The National newspaper that he would revive UPNGs academic standard and review the 2013 external audit.

As we settle into the new academic year, we will audit all 13 areas of the university management that has not been done (since 2013), he said.

Parents and students must not worry about anything as there will be nothing shaken or swept under (the carpet). I am looking forward to facilitating the investigation and reviews proposed by the government.

The 10 council members were appointed on Monday by minister Niningi after he ousted acting chancellor Dr Nicholas Mann and acting vice-chancellor Vincent Malaibe.

Niningi said he had to make the changes because of the failure by the university council to respond to queries he had made on matters regarding the institution since last July.

However, Dr Mann told The National on Wednesday they would reserve their comment on their sidelining because they were seeking legal advice from the universitys lawyers.

Whether the decision to sideline us is proper or not, that would be advised by our lawyers and then we will announce it to the public, Dr Mann said.

The council also rescinded the hike in compulsory fees, which will remain at K2,939.
Some cancers are treatable. But in PNG treatment is lacking due to inadequate facilities.

I am not a cancer specialist or some medical practitioner. I began reporting about cancer in PNG three years ago and over that period acquired some understanding of the problem and the treatment options available in PNG.

I met Ruth last year around June-July, interviewing her and her parents at their home at Kamkumung in Lae.

Ruth was surrounded by her immediate family, close relatives and friends holding hands as she slowly closed her eyes.

At around 5am, 21-year old Ruth Kaupa had lost her battle to breast cancer at Angau hospital.

LAE - I was woken up on the morning of Sunday 12 January by a phone call and a familiar voice.

If cancer is detected early, the chances of cure are better. Late diagnosis often results in death.

There is also a big 'cancer awareness gap' in PNG even though fundraising drives are held in its name every year.

The PNG National Cancer Centre located at Angau Hospital is managed from Port Moresby and is struggling to get a permanent radiation oncologist since the last full time oncologist Dr John Niblett passed away in 2017.

The cancer centre, established some 50 years ago, had its in-patient wards demolished earlier this month paving way for a replacement.

Those few years of reporting about cancer took a toll on me as I blamed the authorities for their lack of attention and lack of immediate action.

Walking amongst the cancer patients in their wards was like entering a war-torn hospital filled with bomb blasted soldiers.

The pain is so visible in the patients eyes; some don't complain anymore.

The day I met Ruth changed my approach. I told Ruth and her parents that it was no point playing the blame game and waiting. We had to help ourselves.

If the ships dont come to shore, let's swim to them.

And so with the backing of the Lae media, we took on the challenge of the Ruth Kaupa medical appeal.

Above all, it was Ruth that made the decision to be the face of a media campaign for better cancer treatment in this country. Not just for her but for every other women and girl out there.

Ruths father, Brasty Kaupa, said, "Although Ruth is gone, there are other Ruths out there and this is the story of cancer that every women needs to know and be prepared."

On Sunday after receiving the news of Ruths passing, I sat down trying to find the starting lines to my story. It was blank, blank and blank. Not even some two to three words connected.

The sentence construction took me all day and all night until 3am the next morning. Still not a one-line sentence but just one word, guilt.

The days of hopeless slumber following Ruths passing really pushed me to question myself, What did I do wrong? Had I failed Ruth?

My grief has haunted me because I chose to take on the fight instead of expecting someone else to do it.

Would I have walked away a long time ago, I never would have come along this road with Ruth. But there are others like Ruth yet to discover cancer. Others have passed away or are now in pain and silently suffering as they wait to die.

But for how long will this go on? Something needs to be done!

Authorities continue to point out that cancer affects a minority of the countrys population.

Cancer treatment is very expensive. And only a small minority can help themselves.

I remember Ruths determination and spirited smile. She was ready and wanted to take on the fight. To be the face of the campaign. At the back of her mind, it was the path PNG must take.

What many saw was that we were raising funds for Ruth to go for radiotherapy treatment overseas. Of course, it was.

We were running against time and everyone was being pushed to the limits and it was Ruths parents, Brasty and Bogel Kaupa, who stood out most.

It's what every right thinking father and mother would do for their sick child.

Maybe I got too close. I admit that I put myself in the shoes of Ruths family asking myself, what if that was my daughter, my sister or my mother? What would I do?

You tell me if I was wrong and you may be forgetting what it is like to be human.

All along, Ruth showed great determination. She was intelligent, respectful and knew what was coming.

Her sincerity and appreciation to everyone who assisted her was overwhelming.

It was her determination to make it known to every woman and girl in PNG that the cancer services in this country are inadequate.

Ruth is the second cancer patient I tried to help seek further treatment overseas. To be honest I was not looking forward to what happened. I had already been there and it was not happening again.

But visiting Ruths parents during the week made me accept Ruths fate though she didnt deserve to lose her life in such way. Only God has the answers.

What you and I and everyone need to get out from Ruths struggle is not her death, but the life she lived.

Last year businessman and former Madang governor Sir Peter Barter spoke following the passing of Dr Niblett. He said back when he was health minister the cancer unit was run down. He said there was reluctance within the Health Department to support it.

When you consider the money being used to build freeways, hotels and fund events mainly in Port Moresby, it is hard to come to terms when there is a real need for specialised treatment in PNG, particularly outside Port Moresby, Sir Peter said.

This does not just cover cancer, the shortage of dialysis machines is another concern along with the trained specialists and consumables needed to provide treatment in PNG where many people have the choice of dying earlier or if they can raise money, seek treatment abroad," he said.

Take a walk through the Angau cancer wards and see the patients. The pain and suffering of cancer is immense, intolerable.

They are family members, friends and loved ones who need our support and the same care as any other patient.

Coming this far with Ruth and her family will forever be my guilty grief.

Rest in Peace, Ruth Kaupa.
Artist membership applications are encouraged, especially from unrepresented regions of Texas. Applicants must paint daily, blog frequently, and reside in the Great State of Texas. To apply email: INFO on Artists Of Texas and include a link to your art blog or web site for jury panel review.
10:55 | Piura (Piura region), Jan. 25.





In this sense, the Peruvian leader said his administration is projected to invest some S/7 billion (about US$2 billion) in the reconstruction of affected areas.





Speaking from Piura, where he traveled to monitor the progress of works, the Head of State indicated that regional and local governors in northern Peru have also received over S/2 billion (about US$597 million) of the balance from last year.





"We expect a S/7 billion (around US$2 billion) investment in reconstruction this year, and S/3.152 billion (around US$942 million) is being made available in January (via three supreme decrees)," the statesman remarked.





In addition to this sum, he explained, a S/2 billion (about US$597 million) balance from 2018 was transferred to municipal and regional governments to continue the works.





Peru's top official affirmed the Executive Branch seeks to keep the reconstruction process in motion without corruption





To do so, he calls for joint efforts between regional and local governments in order to carry out works transparently.





(END) CVC/RMB

The Government of Peru has disbursed some S/3.152 billion (around US$942 million) to support reconstruction projects in areas affected by Coastal El Nino weather event , President Martin Vizcarra said on Friday.Published: 1/25/2019
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Cloudy skies this evening will become partly cloudy after midnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 67F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.
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News

At least 7 parachutists killed in plane crash in Siberia

TASS news agency, citing an emergency service source, said up to 17 people were injured in the crash near the Tanay aerodrome. It said the plane crashed into a nearby forest. It cited local prosecutor office as saying the crew had sent a distress signal about an engine failure.
Standing on a corner just north of the Manhattan Bridge, Chinatown activist Zishun Ning pointed up at Extell's 72-story One Manhattan Square tower, which dwarfs the 20-story public-housing buildings across the street.

Imagine four more if we dont stop it, he declared, as more than 200 people rallied in 15-degree temperatures in preparation for a march to City Hall.

The January 21st march, organized by the Coalition to Protect Chinatown and the Lower East Side, was protesting the planned Two Bridges development, four towers ranging from 63 to 80 stories that a group of four developers want to build along the Lower East Side waterfront between Rutgers Park and Clinton Street. The three buildings  one will include a pair of towers on the same base  will contain almost 2,800 apartments, about three-fourths market-rate and 25 percent affordable.

The City Planning Commission approved the project in December, saying that because the Chinatown waterfront was zoned in 1972 for large-scale residential development, the project could be built as of right without first going through the citys Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP) and being subject to a vote of the City Council.

Two separate lawsuits challenging that approval are expected to be filed by the end of this month. The first, filed in October by the council and Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer and updated on Thursday, argues that the proposal improperly bypassed the ULURP process, which includes advisory votes by community boards, recommendations from the borough president, and final approval by the Council.

The second, on behalf of Lower East Side Organized Neighbors and other groups involved in the January 21st protest, will contend that the areas large-scale residential development designation does not exempt the project from broader zoning laws regulating its impact on light and air in the neighborhood.

A spokesperson for the Department of City Planning responds that there is no legal basis for requiring ULURP: The development complies with the areas zoning regulations, so it only needed the commissions approval because it includes new buildings within an existing large-scale development planwhich is technically termed a minor modification.

The nearly 700 affordable apartments, the department says, will be the largest New Construction Affordable Rental project in the citys history. The developers will also pay for making the East Broadway subway station wheelchair-accessible and $12.5 million in improvements to public housing in the area.

Of the affordable apartments, two-fifths will be for households making 40 percent of the metropolitan area median income ($29,240 for a single person and $41,720 for a family of four, or rents of roughly $731 a month for a studio and $1,043 for a two-bedroom apartment); two-fifths at 60 percent of AMI (about $1,100 for a studio and $1,565 for a two-bedroom); and one-fifth at 120 percent of AMI (about $2,190 for a studio and $3,130 for a two-bedroom); 200 will be reserved for elderly people.

Thats too expensive for most people in the neighborhood, says Caitlin Kelmar of the Coalition to Protect Chinatown and the Lower East Side. According to the latest Census data, the median household income in the census tracts surrounding the proposed developments is just over $30,000 a year.

The Council-Brewer suit argues that a project of this size  it will have 2.4 million feet of floor space, double whats on the site now, and add more apartments than are projected from the rezoning of East Harlem the Council approved in 2017  should go through ULURP regardless of the local zoning. A spokesperson for Chinatown councilmember Margaret Chin told Gothamist it was a neighborhoods worth of rezoning.

The suit also argues that one of the buildings violates a 1986 deed restriction that its site must be used only to house elderly and low-income disabled people in perpetuity. The project would eliminate 10 such apartments, it says, and force the current tenants to relocate.

The Chinatown activists contend that going through the ULURP process will just extract a few concessions before the project is approved, and want the project halted entirely. We cant rely on it to stop these towers, David Tieu told more than 250 people at a meeting in December.

The building sites include parking lots and a basketball court, while one building247 Cherry Stwill be built over the senior housing at 80 Rutgers Street.



A view of the Extell's One Manhattan Square in Two Bridges as seen from Brooklyn, August of 2018 (Lemur Graphics / Flickr)

The ULURP process rarely results in projects being stopped. An exception came in 2016, when Councilmember Ydanis Rodriguez announced his opposition to spot rezoning for a 17-story tower in his Inwood/Washington Heights district on the eve of a Land Use committee vote. Its more common for Councilmembers to win concessions before voting yes, as Rodriguez did with the de Blasio administrations larger rezoning of Inwood last year.

Ken Kimerling, legal director of the Asian-American Legal Defense and Education Fund, says that the Lower East Side Organized Neighbors suit will argue that the citys approval of the plan violates other zoning regulations. The City Planning Commission did not prove that the development wont impair neighborhood residents access to light and air, as required by general zoning codes, says Kimerling.

The towers will accelerate gentrification and the displacement of neighborhood residents, adds Stephanie Kranes of LESON. Building more than 2,000 luxury apartments will drive up property values and encourage speculation, she says, and the paltry amount of affordable housing included wont be enough to compensate for the tenants who will be pushed out of their apartments.

I am not leaving the Lower East Side, says Arnette C. Scott, 43, a plaintiff in the suit, who has lived in the same rent-stabilized apartment in the Two Bridges area since 1978. What I deserve is light and air and a decent place to live.

Both lawsuits are an uphill battle, Hunter College urban-planning professor Thomas Angotti tells Gothamist. The courts are usually reluctant to rule against city agencies, he explains, both for political reasons and out of deference to the agencies expertise.

Nevertheless, he believes theyre justified. The Two Bridges development is a major modification, he says, and the large-scale residential development designation is a scheme dreamed up to avoid conventional zoning.

"The Department of City Planning is under the thumb of the mayor who will do anything if there are a few affordable housing units at stake, even when most would not be affordable to the low-income people in the Lower East Side and Chinatown, says Angotti via email. Theyve stretched it so far that it violates the basic objectives of the LSRD. They basically interpret it as an invitation to stack up the maximum square feet possible.

Michael Jackson, an apprentice metallic lather from Ironworkers Local 46 who worked on the Extell building, attended the January 21st protest for a different reason: Two of the developers on the Two Bridges project, JDS Development Group and the CIM Group, commonly use open shop contractors who hire a mix of union and nonunion workerswith the latter paid less than half union scale, and often cheated out of pay.

Mayor de Blasio is collaborating with developers to get rid of unions, he said. The city of New York has to get unions on affordable housing.

The Department of City Planning declined to comment on the union-labor issue.
Many times you might have found the multiple casinos available in the online market but when you are going to...
South Africa: SA steady on its path of growth, renewal

President Cyril Ramaphosa has assured the international community and potential investors that South Africa is on a path of renewal and growth, with the country strengthening partnerships for inclusive economic growth and development.

President Ramaphosa provided this assurance at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, where he led the participation of Team South Africa comprising government, business and labour.

The President participated in various high-level discussions and held talks with global leaders of government and the corporate sector, where he drew international attention to the turnaround unfolding in South Africa after nearly a decade of economic stagnation and political paralysis.

A central element of the turnaround that the President mentioned is the pursuit of higher levels of domestic and international investment, especially in key industrial sectors. Technology, as well as the skilling of the labour force to meet the demands of the digital economy, was another central element to the Presidents message.

On the investment climate, President Ramaphosa pointed out that government has finalised the Mining Charter following consultations with business, labour and communities, which has reduced much of the uncertainty that has held back mining investment.

Further, 27 outstanding power-purchase agreements with independent power producers have been concluded, which will create an estimated 61 000 jobs and enable investments of around R56 billion.

The process for the allocation of broadband radio spectrum, the sustainable approach to energy planning through the Integrated Resource Plan for consideration by Parliament and the revised Public Procurement Bill to allow small, township and rural firms to participate more effectively in public procurement, were also key points highlighted to the investors.

Another milestone for SA has been the establishment of a panel to advise government on measures to effect fair and equitable land reform, which will increase agricultural output and create employment.

The country is also tackling corruption through the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture, which is currently unearthing important information about the nature and extent of State capture.

President Ramaphosa said this would assist South Africa to ensure that nothing of this nature happens again and that those responsible are held accountable.

Fourth Industrial Revolution

The WEF gathering, themed Globalization 4.0: Shaping a Global Architecture in the Age of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, is also a platform for South Africa to contribute to global debates and to help shape responses to challenges in the global economy.

In line with this theme, President Ramaphosa said there is an opportunity to harness the power of innovation to transform the South African economy in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Given the countrys medium level of economic sophistication and diversification, there is wide scope for adapting foreign technologies and turning private R&D into a more powerful driver of corporate profitability and economic growth.

We are implementing reforms to increase investment in mobile and fixed broadband infrastructure, through strengthening competition among internet service providers, and improving the quality and reducing the price of ICT services.

Government and social partners will in due course reflect on the WEF deliberations and identify opportunities the country can pursue and challenges it has to address, based on the global debates at Davos.

India State visit

With WEF concluded, President Ramaphosa and his delegation are travelling to India for a State visit, which will see him being a chief guest at Indias 70th Republic Day celebrations this weekend.

The Presidency said the state visit will entail focused engagements on the strengthening of relations between South Africa and India in a broad range of sectors involving cooperation between the two governments and between the private sectors in the two BRICS member states.

India is currently South Africas second largest trading partner in Asia and ranks among South Africas top 10 trade partners.

In 2017, bilateral trade reached R107 billion (approximately $8 billion). Trade for the period January to November 2018 totalled R101 billion.

Indian investments in South Africa currently stand at $8 billion and have created an estimated 18 000 jobs.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2019-01-25. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Roadrunner Food Bank s annual Souper Bowl has been a favorite event for Albuquerque families for years and, as always, a really stacked cast of restaurants are showing up. Chefs from up to 40 local restaurants come to the event with their best soup and dessert recipes to win over the judges and the peoples choice vote. Some of the great raffle prizes this year include two roundtrip tickets on Southwest Airlines! The tasting and festivities begin at 11am on Saturday, Jan. 26 and go until 2pm . All proceeds go to helping Roadrunner Food Banks mission to feed over 70,000 hungry people in New Mexico each week. Tickets are $50 per adult, $15 per child (5 to 12), and the under-5-year-olds get in free. Tickets can be purchased online at rrfb.org or by calling 505-349-8909. (Robin Babb)

Enjoy soups and desserts from 40 local restaurants. Guests enjoy live music, sample food, vote for the winners and have a chance to win prizes.

Roadrunner Food Bank invites you to the annual soup and dessert tasting fundraiser on Saturday, January 26. Its a perfect event for all foodies! where you get to enjoy delicious soups and desserts from up to 40 local restaurants.

Guests of Souper Bowl sample food to their hearts content, vote for our Peoples Choice winners, and have a chance to win great raffle prizes including two roundtrip tickets on Southwest Airlines. Live music will entertain guests throughout the event too! You wont want to miss this.

Purchase your ticket before January 4th to get the early bird price. Tickets are available at:

https://bit.ly/2RQV0h1

Roadrunner Food Bank distributes food every week to over 70,000 hungry people in New Mexico. Join us for Souper Bowl 2019 and help us raise funds to feed hungry children, seniors and families throughout New Mexico.

If you have any questions or need more information, please call 505.349.8909 or email dev-support@rrfb.org.
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WENN/Nicky Nelson Celebrity

Luke and Chris, the brothers of the 'Independence Day: Resurgence' actor, have taken to their individual social media accounts to share pictures from the family trip.

Dec 31, 2018

AceShowbiz - Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth have embarked on a family trip to Montana following their nuptials earlier this week (ends December 30).

The "Wrecking Ball" hitmaker and her beau, "The Hunger Games" actor Liam, tied the knot on December 23 in Tennessee and now they have set out on a trip with Liam's brothers Luke Hemsworth and Chris Hemsworth, his wife Elsa Pataky, their three children India Rose, 6, and 4-year-old twin sons Tristan and Sasha, and friends to the U.S. state.

Miley and Liam have yet to post any pictures from the trip and it is unclear if it is their honeymoon, but their family has taken to social media to chronicle the vacation.

"Found the fly. @liamhemsworth," Luke wrote from atop a ski lift.

Elsa also posted a picture of herself and husband Chris posing in the snow.

The family trip comes in the same weekend Miley's parents Billy Ray Cyrus and Tish Cyrus celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary.

"25 years ago today @billyraycyrus and I stood in our living room in Franklin Tn and said "I Do," Tish wrote on Instagram alongside old pictures of the couple on Instagram on Friday, December 28. "I would definitely say everything has come full circle! I love u Lovey..... if I had to do it all again, I wouldn't change a thing. happyanniversary."

Earlier this week, Tish also shared two images of herself, Billy Ray, and their daughter Miley at the wedding standing in front of the floral archway that was erected for the nuptials.

"This makes my heart so happy (heart emoji)," she wrote.
December 2017, the armed contingent of the so-called Wagner consisting of 300 people is located in Sudan

Ukraines Security Service will soon reveal information about the criminal activity of secret hybrid projects of Russian military intelligence in Sudan, including those of Wagner members, who earlier participated in combat actions in Ukraine, as the press office of SBU reported.

The materials the Security Service has show that since December 2017, the armed contingent of the so-called Wagner consisting of 300 people is located in Sudan. The majority of them had participated in combat actions in Ukraine, SBU reported.

The press centre of the Ukrainian establishment reminded that Russian Foreign Ministry called the materials of a British media The Times on the presence of Wagner group a fake.

According to the Russian laws and regulations, the members of Wagner group are conducting intelligence tasks in both states in the interest of Russain Defence Ministry and their activity is secret. They are operating under cover of private entities, the SBU reported.

According to the special service, in Sudan, they use M Invest for covering. This company is included in the business empire of Russian businessman Yevgen Pryhozhyn, who has ties with Putin.

Moreover, SBU has evidence that Wagner personnel and arms is being transferred to Sudan and other countries of the region by Russian aviation. Therefore, according to the agreement signed on 30 June, 2018 between M Invest and 223rd flying detachment, Tu-154M planes have completed eight flights from Moscow to Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, and to other African countries from this city, the message says.

Therefore, Russian military command is conducting rotation of the personnel of mercenaries in Syria, Africa regularly (every two months). Sudan is used as a transit route for arms trafficking and personnel to the African countries.

No doubts left that the so-called Wagner group is a hybrid project of Russian military intelligence, which units break up democratic protests in Sudan, as SBU Head Hrytsak said.

According to him, such Moscows decisions might be aimed at support of Omar al-Bashir. International Criminal Code issued the arrest warrant for al-Bashir in 2009 on charges of genocide of civil population.

In this regard, Ukraines Security Service will reveal additional materials about activities of secret Russian units in Sudan.
The native of Brazil was detained at Boryspil international airport in October 2016

Pavlogradsky District Court of Dnipropetrovsk region extended the detention of Rafael Lusvarghi, suspected of terrorism. The detention period is extended for 60 days, till March 24, 2019, as Kyiv Prosecutors Office reported on Facebook.

Besides, the court added all the written testimony of the prosecution under the application of the prosecutor. The court has also revised three video recordings, which confirm that the accused participated in the Russian terrorist groups and illegal armed formations.

Next court hearing is scheduled for February 14 at 10:30 am. The court will question four prosecution witnesses, including ATO participants.

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 and the creations of illegal armed formations. They sentenced him to 13 years of imprisonment with 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 in August 2017 and returned the Lusvarghi case for a retrial.

Later, the pre-trial restriction for Lusvarghi was changed. The militant will be released on personal commitment, according to which he cannot leave Kyiv and has to inform the court about the change of residence and appear in court on the first request.

Igor Volk, the prosecutor on the case, initiated the change of the preventive measure. He applied to the court with this request on December 15. In around two weeks before the hostage exchange, when Ukraine passed 233 people, 73 prisoners came back to the territory controlled by the Ukrainian government.

The far-right Ukrainian activists captured Lusvarghi and brought him to the SBU building in Kyiv on May 4.
According to journalist Bochkala, a native-born of Luhansk was taken to the police station for the identification parade

Kyiv police after the attack on reporters in January 2019 Facebook Roman Bochkala

Possible organizer of the attack at the reporters in Holosiivsky district of Kyiv is native-born of Luhansk Mykhailo Bogdad, who was prosecuted many times as 112 Ukraine reported citing journalist and coordinator of Stop corruption Roman Bochkala.

Now, the suspect is taken to the police station for the identification parade. The victims are waiting for him there.

Now I know that the organizer of the attack is detained; his name Mykhailo Bogdad, a native-born of Luhansk, who was prosecuted many times. Now, he is taken to Holosiivsky police station for the identification parade. The victims are waiting for him there, I think, they will recognize him as they pointed at him from the very beginning, Bochkala claimed.

The journalist specified that there 15 attackers, four of them were identified.

Some of them were in balaclavas, so it is very hard to recognize them but the investigation already has particular operative sources to which grouping these people belong, he added.

The attack at the journalists took place at Vydubychy on January 24. The reporters of the film crew of Stop corruption came to the place, where the sand is stolen.

The unknown crashed the car of the reports of Stop corruption project, used the gas cartridges, beat one of the reporters and stole a handbag with money. A victim, who was hospitalized, has cranio-cerebral trauma and burn of eye mucosa.

Later the police reported that it has taken nine suspects to the police station. All of the suspects called themselves guards. The police officers found the mobile phones of the attackers, axe, gas cartridge, two knifes, three traumatic pistols, hunting carbine, starter pistol and cartridges.

The actions of the perpetrators qualified as robbery.

Earlier we reported that 86 cases of the use of the force against the journalists were spotted in Ukraine in 2018.

Besides, 94 journalists and media workers were killed while on duty in the world in 2018 and it is more for 12 persons than in 2017.
President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko invited the Patriarch of Jerusalem to come to Ukraine to pray for peace together. This is reported by the press service of the President.



The Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos III initiated a telephone conversation with President Petro Poroshenko. He assured that he would pray for peace in Ukraine, prosperity of the country, and also for the unification of the Ukrainian Orthodox believers.

Earlier we reported that Patriarch of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Kyiv Patriarchate (UOC-KP) Filaret is outraged that the Autocephalous Church is called the new church. He wants the Orthodox Church of Ukraine to be called as it is - Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Filaret said that on the closed meeting of clerics, the report of which the Alliance of Orthodox Journalists has.

Filaret also gained support from other members of the meeting like Dmytro Stepovyk, the leading member of the Institute of Art Studies, Folklore and Ethnology of Maxim Rylsky National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Professor of Art History of the Kyiv Orthodox Theological Academy. Both of them plead all the people attending the meeting not use the term Orthodox Church of Ukraine in the press. The peoples reaction was loud applause.
He noted that the Armed Forces found a special type of satellite connection, which Russian senior officers use

Sergiy Nayev, the Joint Forces Commander Kyiv Post

Sergiy Nayev, the Joint Forces Commander, said that Ukraine was ready to Russias possible attack, as Kyiv Post reported.

First of all, they have increased the number of their troops in this area. For instance, they have increased the number of battalion tactical groups from 8 to 12 in the area of my competence on the basis near the Russian-Ukrainian border. They have also increased the number of planes ready to operate from the airfields on their side of the border in Donetsk region, Nayev explained.

He noted that the Armed Forces found a special type of satellite connection, which Russian senior officers use.

He believes that the chance that Russia would attack is now higher after Russian aggression in the Kerch Strait.

The Joint Forces Commander said that he had specially trained forces, which know how to fight in city conditions, if Russia tries to deploy troops in Mariupol. Yet, the priority is to prevent Russia from doing it.

Related video:
Following the U.S. and EU, Ukrainian politicians express support of Juan Guiaido, who earlier proclaimed himself the President of Venezuela

Juan Guiaido, the self-proclaimed President of Venezuela Reuters

Ukraines Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin supported the change of government in Venezuela, as President Poroshenko did. The leader of opposition Juan Guiaido proclaimed himself the President of the Latin American country. Klimkin compared these events with the Revolution of Dignity in Ukraine on his Twitter page.

Everyone has his own way to freedom and dignity. I am trying to avoid comparison in the external policy, but the fight of the Venezuelans reminds me in some way our drive of Maidan period. We have to support the spirit of freedom and justice of those who fight for their right to have a free future, the Head of Ukraines Foreign Ministry wrote.

Before that post, Klimkin wrote another one in Spanish:

To respond with force to the demands of the peaceful protesters is the shortest way for the government to lose its legitimacy. We rely on the National assembly and on the wisdom of its head Juan Guiaido in seeking a way out of the political crisis.

Earlier, the body informed that Ukraine supported Venezuelans and their aspiration to restore democracy and constitutional order.

Ukraine is attentively observing the escalation of the political crisis in Venezuela, which has already led to many victims. We support the Venezuelans and their aspiration to restore democracy and constitutional order in the country. Ukraine, together with other democracies, will support steps aimed at restoring democracy, the rule of law and the constitutional order in Venezuela, a legitimately elected National Assembly should play a key role in this process, the Press Secretary of the Foreign Ministry Kateryna Zelenko reported.

The U.S. President Donald Trump has recognized Juan Guaido as a temporary leader of the country. Canada, EU, Brazil, Columbia, Ecuador, Peru, Chile, Argentina, Costa-Rika, Paraguay and Guatemala did so as well.

Mexico and Bolivia refused to recognize the coup detat.
A citywide special election is a rare and unique thing. Its a chance for the politically motivated to leapfrog the party power dynamics and run an independent campaign. Thats why the vacancy left by Letitia James, now the New York State Attorney General, has drawn no fewer than 23 candidates. According to the rules that govern special elections, each prospective candidate has to build up a campaign, create a party name (Pay People More, United for Immigrants, I Like Maio) and collect at least 3,750 valid signatures from registered voters in the five boroughs.

The ballot wont be finalized until after the New York City Board of Elections meets next Tuesdayand handful of those hopefuls are likely to be knocked off the ballot for administrative technicalities and challenges filed by people opposing their candidacy.

Still, candidates are hitting the forum circuit talking up the different ways the Public Advocates office could tackle specific issues. Ten prospective candidates appeared at an event on Wednesday night at the New School. Sponsored by GMHC, the event focused on public health and issues impacting people living with HIV and AIDS.

The parade of candidates made for a circus-like atmosphere even before they started taking shots at each other. There was even a candidate on the stage who has no chance of appearing on the ballot in February because he failed to submit the necessary petitions.

.@MMViverito calls on Albany to change rent laws, and for PA's office to push for more aggressive enforcement on bad landlords. Also calls for more affordable housing investment  Brigid Bergin (@brigidbergin) January 24, 2019

.@JumaaneWilliams says the city should have one housing and homeless plan. He says housing a right that should be income targeted.  Brigid Bergin (@brigidbergin) January 24, 2019

Those eyeing the seat as a way into the political process attacked both the de Blasio administration and other candidates who are also elected officials that worked with him on issues like changing the citys zoning regulations.

You know its not a coincidence that we have record homelessness and record displacement under a mayor who, while he promises to provide affordable [housing], is out to rezone mainly neighborhoods of color with the support and buy-in of members of the City Council many of which are my opponents, said David Eisenbach, a professor from Columbia and a prospective candidate.

Any registered voter regardless of party affiliation is eligible to vote in this race. Polls across the city will be open on Tuesday, February 26th.

Here are the candidates in the order in which they filed their petitions:

*Suspended campaign

Brigid Bergin is the City Hall and politics reporter for WNYC. You can follow her on Twitter at @brigidbergin.
The law bill defines how much the designated area needs mine action, as well as the funding sources of this action. It also foresees creation and control of the list of operators of the mine action

The law on mine action is taking effect in Ukraine on January 25.

The document was recently signed by President Petro Poroshenko. The bill defines how much the designated area needs mine action, as well as the funding sources of this action. The bill also provides the list of professional requirements for the experts in this area; one of the responsibilities is to offer the assistance to those who suffered from explosions.

The areas contaminated by the explosive items are defined by the Cabinet of Ministers; however, the most typical and the largest area would be the territory of the Joint Forces Operation, where the combat activity is underway.

The funds will be assigned within the approved articles of the state budget or come from other sources such as international technical assistance or financial donors.

The law also foresees creation and control of the list of operators of the mine action. The annual action plan will be approved by the national authority for mine action issues, which is also to accredit the operators, providing them with the respective licenses.

The Mine Action Centre will be created so as to control the quality of mine action works in the designated areas. It will also use the public procurement mechanism to choose the companies to conduct these works.

The demolition experts should get their own life insurances on the compulsory basis.

Ukraine will be using the international standards in mine action works until it develops its own.
Protest in Skopje, Macedonia, April 27, 2017 Reuters

The Greek Parliament approved the Athens-Skopje agreement on the renaming of former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to the Republic of South Macedonia, as the results of the voting held on January 25 show, TASS reported.

153 MPs out of 300 voted for, 146 voted against and one MP has abstained.

According to the order, the majority of the votes of the present MPs would be enough to ratify the agreement. Yet, the Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras set a goal to ratify the document with at least 151 votes in a one-chamber legislative body, the message says.

Officially, the MPs were voting for the bill of Greeces Foreign Ministry entitled Ratification of Final Agreement on Settlement of disputed described in the resolutions of the UN Security Council No. 817 (1993) and 845 (1993), Termination of Interim Accord of 1995 and Establishment of Strategic Partnership between the Parties. His consent meant ratification of the agreement on renaming Macedonia.

Before the voting, the committee on national defence and foreign affairs of the Greek Parliament was discussing the document. Then, it was discussed during a plenary session for three days.

The representatives of the ruling party were proving that this agreement is the only right decision in such conditions. The opposition called it a betrayal of Greek interests.

The PM Alexis Tsipras said that the day of agreements ratification would remain as a beginning of a new epoch in the Balkans in history. According to him, this agreement will help Greece return what it belongs  history, symbols, traditions and heritage of the ancient Greek Macedonia, and South Macedonia will become a friend and ally.
BBC News

Roger Stone, the ex-advisor of U.S. President Donald Trump was detained and accused within the investigation of Russias interference in the presidential election in 2016 as BBC reported.

Stone was detained in Florida. His case will be considered by the court of Fort Lauderdale city.

Besides, Stone is accused of the false witness and creation of the obstacles in the provision of the truth by another person.

Earlier Michael Cohen, the ex-lawyer of U.S. President Donald Trump recognized that he paid for the falsification of the online pools in his favor and favor of Trump during the election campaign.

As it was reported, President of the United States Donald Trump was hiding the details of the first negotiations with President of Russia Vladimir Putin at the G20 Summit in Hamburg in 2017.

On November 28, the U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to cancel the meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin due to Russias aggressive capture of the Ukrainian vessels and sailors in the Azov Sea.
Three cases are connected with minor violations, another one with the vote-buying process, and the remaining one with the impediment to professional journalism activity

The head of the National Police Oleksandr Fatsevych Chief Department of the National Police

Ukrainian law enforcement agencies opened five criminal cases and recorded more than 250 violations of the election law since the beginning of the election campaign.

The head of the National Police Oleksandr Fatsevych announced this facts during the meeting of the coordination headquarters of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine on ensuring law and order during the elections, reports Interfax-Ukraine.

More than 250 violations of the election law are registered and five criminal cases are opened from the beginning of the election campaign according to Fatsevych. He clarified that three of the cases are connected with minor violations, another one with the vote-buying process, and the remaining one with the impediment to professional journalism activity.

On January 17, a journalist reported to the Kyiv police about the impediment to professional journalism activity during the training of agitators.

Our operative units of criminal police are working on this problem, when they detect something, they will give all the information to the investigative units for decision-making. Currently, we are studying the situation, all the necessary preventive measures are undertaken, - Fatsevych said while answering to the question, whether the so-called election chains exist.
On January 21, in Brussels, Russia and Ukraine held ministerial-level talks on the transit of Russian natural gas to Europe via Ukraine (TASS, January 22, 2019). The European Commission is chairing this process, and the ministerial meeting just held in Brussels was the second at this level, the first having been held in July 2018. The Commission is a neutral mediator, impartially seeking to apply the European Unions legislation to the transit of Russian gas via Ukraine to the EU, in the interest of market competition and supply security for Europe. Correspondingly, Ukraine needs the protection of the EUs legislation against the recurrence of Russian depredations in Ukraines natural gas sector, particularly its transit system at this stage.

These negotiations are meant to frame some general terms of transit for Russian gas to Europe after December 31, 2019, on which date the existing Russian-Ukrainian contract will expire. That same date is also Gazproms deadline for completion of the bypass pipelines, Nord Stream Two and TurkStream One, which are meant to divert an aggregated 70 billion cubic meters (bcm) annually from the historical Ukrainian transit route into these new maritime pipelines. (The planned TurkStream Two pipeline would divert another 15 bcm annually from the Ukrainian transit route by 2022). The December 31, 2019, double deadline is intended to maximize the pressure on Ukraine to surrender in one way or another: either to lose all transit and the revenue from it, or to accept predatory Russian terms for using Ukrainian pipelines as a residual, backup option. This is how Moscow has framed the discussion until now. However, the situation is beginning to change, and Moscow must adjust its negotiating position accordingly.

Russian President Vladimir Putin declared on January 17 that it may, after all, be possible to continue the gas transit via Ukraine [to Europe] even after both Nord Streams and TurkStreams are used to their full capacities (Kommersant, January 21).

The operative meaning, barely hidden in Putins statement, is: First, Moscow is hedging against likely delays to the completion of Nord Stream Two past the December 31 deadline, thus necessitating a contract for Ukrainian transit to take effect on January 1, 2020, for an as yet uncertain period of time. And second, Moscow is noticing the still-low but growing odds that Nord Stream Two and the overland branches of TurkStream Two might be further delayed, or altered, or blocked altogether, by the European Commissions efforts to bring that project under EU market legislation and by the warnings of sanctions by the United States on companies involved in Nord Stream Two.

In this evolving situation, the European Commission and Ukrainian Naftohaz are starting to plan ahead for continuing transit of potentially high volumes of Russian gas via Ukraine to Europe from 2020 onward. The Commissions vice president in charge of the Energy Union, Maros Sefcovic, who is chairing the Ukrainian-Russian talks, has submitted an ambitious set of proposals at the January 21 Brussels meeting. These terms implicitly take into account the possibility that Nord Stream Two and the overland branches of TurkStream Two could be delayed by construction problems, altered to comply EU law, or blocked through sanctions.

The Commissions proposal envisages a transit contract between Gazprom and Naftohaz with the following elements: a) annual gas volumes consistent with those usually delivered through Ukraines transit system, meaning (apparently as an opening gambit) 60 bcm annually on a ship-or-pay basis and a further 30 bcm optionally; b) contract duration of ten plus years (10 years firmly, prolongation optionally) from January 1, 2020 onward; c) compliance with the EUs legislation that is being implemented in Ukraine, including ownership unbundling (of gas supply from gas transportation); d) EU-standard agreements to be signed on inter-connections between the Ukrainian transit system and those of all neighboring countries (Kommersant, Interfax, Naftohaz press release, January 21, 2019; EurActiv, January 22, 2019).

One major stated purpose of these terms is to make the Ukrainian gas transit system commercially attractive for major European companies, so as to form a consortium with the unbundled Ukrainian transit system, manage it and invest in its upgrade.

The Brussels meeting brought out the conflicting views of the Russian and Ukrainian sides, respectively. The Russians want to simply prolong the existing transit contract, signed in 2009 on Gazproms terms, and expiring at the end of 2019. They insist on ignoring (i.e., rolling back and canceling out) Ukraines ongoing implementation of the EUs gas market legislation. The Ukrainians intend to complete this implementation, and want the transit contract to be signed by Gazprom with the independent transit system operator that is being set up through the unbundling of Naftohaz (Ukrinform, January 18, 22, 2019; Interfax, January 21, 2019; Kommersant, January 22, 2019).

Gazproms and Naftohazs top managements, as well as Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin and Russian Energy Minister Aleksandr Novak, led the two delegations at the Brussels meeting. The Ukrainian side wants the next meeting at this level to be held in March. The Russian side, however, wants to wait until May or June with the next meeting, in the plainly stated hope that Ukraines presidential election in March would bring to power a more pliable leadership than the incumbent one in Kyiv.

Read the original text here.
It's been almost four years since officials from Ukraine, Russia, France, and Germany agreed on a way to end a hot phase of the conflict between Ukraine's central government and Russia-backed separatists in the east

The President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko president.gov.ua

Ukrainians say the biggest problem facing their country ahead of a crucial presidential election in March is the same one that ushered in the current head of state in the first place: the war.



It's been almost four years since officials from Ukraine, Russia, France, and Germany agreed on a way to end a hot phase of the conflict between Ukraine's central government and Russia-backed separatists in the east.



Fast forward to today, and that deal, known as the Minsk accords, has largely failed, much to the dismay of most of Ukraine's 44 million citizens.



Sporadic fighting has killed more than 10,000 people and displaced 2 million more from an area sliced through by a 500-kilometer "line of contact" teeming with land mines. As the war grinds toward a sixth year, there is no end in sight.

Talking To The Separatists



Candidates Yuriy Boiko and Oleksandr Vilkul, whose opposition parties are regarded by some as Russia-friendly or pro-Russian, have suggested any peace deal should include compromises and dialogue with the separatists -- a nonstarter for many Ukrainians who equate such a move with capitulation.



One candidate who has laid out a "new strategy for peace and security" is Yulia Tymoshenko, a former gas executive and prime minister who lost a presidential runoff to Viktor Yanukovych in 2010 and looks like a front-runner in the looming race.

But throughout, Tymoshenko was short on her plan's specifics.



"It does not reject the Minsk agreements and does not say what may be compromised regarding Donbas," Fesenko says in a reference to the eastern regions where separatists control large sections of territory.

Growing Desire For Peace

Many of the two dozen people who have declared their intention to run -- 17 of them already registered ahead of the February 8 deadline -- have talked about ending the war, albeit in extremely vague terms.

After all, he says, "most of the candidates have been in Ukrainian [politics] for more than 20 years."



Polls have shown Ukrainians' desire for peace growing as the election approaches.



A poll published in November suggested 57 percent of people saw the Donbas conflict as the country's most pressing issue, ahead of corruption. That was up from 53 percent in June. Later the same month, another survey put that number at 66 percent of Ukrainians. By December, more polling said 72 percent of Ukrainians regarded the war as the country's biggest problem.

Read the original text here.
The public debt increased to $78,32 billion

Open source

Total public (direct) debt and publicly guaranteed debt of Ukraine in December 2018 increased by 4,77% or $3,56 billion to $78,32 billion, as the press office of the Finance Ministry reported.

In late 2018, the public and guaranteed debt of Ukraine made $78,32 billion compared with $74,75 billion a month ago.

The total amount of public debt was $67,19 billion on December 31 in comparison with $65,01 billion.

At the same time, the external debt over a month went up by $0,8 billion to $39,71 billion, and by $1,22 billion over 2018.

The direct internal debt increased by $ 1,39 billion to $ 27,49 billion.

The guaranteed debt of Ukraine made $11,13 billion on December 31.
This is another piece evidence of Russia's unwillingness to live up to Minsk agreements and the respective commitments to keep the weaponry away from the division line, - Ukrainian side of the Joint Control and Coordination Centre

Pro-Kremlin mercenaries keep their howitzers behind the division line, but still outside the storage sites where the Minsk-banned weaponry is supposted to be kept. The OSCE SMM reported that in the daily report.

Specifically, the observers spotted six howitzers near Bile village, Luhansk region; that included two units of Gvozdika, the 122 mm self-propelled howitzers and four D-30 towed howitzers of the same caliber.

Besides, the observers found out that some of the vehicles that belong to the militants are not on their storage sites; that includes five T-64 and T-72 tanks and two Gvozdika howitzers.

The Ukrainian side of the Joint Control and Coordination Centre insisted that such actions of the illegal armed units are another piece of evidence of Russia's unwillingness to live up to Minsk agreements and the respective commitments to keep the weaponry away from the division line.
Open source

Today, January 25, the illegal armed groups attacked positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in Donbas three times. As a result of the gunfight near Katerynivka, one Ukrainian soldier was killed and four were wounded. This was reported by the JFO headquarters on Facebook.



Three attacks by the militants were reported during the day, from midnight till 18:00.



"In the North operational group action zone, the enemy fired at the positions of Ukrainian military using anti-tank systems near the village of Katerynivka, as a result of which one soldier was killed and four were wounded," the JFO headquarters said.

Earlier Sergiy Nayev, the Joint Forces Commander, said that Ukraine was ready to Russias possible attack, as Kyiv Post reported.

First of all, they have increased the number of their troops in this area. For instance, they have increased a number of battalion tactical groups in the area of my competence on the bases near the Russian-Ukrainian border. They have also increased the number of planes ready to operate from the airfields on their side of the border in Donetsk region, Nayev explained.

He noted that the Armed Forces found a special type of satellite connection, which Russian senior officers use. He added that the chance that Russia would attack is now higher after Russian aggression in the Kerch Strait. The Joint Forces Commander said that he had specially trained forces, which know how to fight in city conditions if Russia tries to deploy troops in Mariupol. Yet, the priority is to prevent Russia from doing it.
The pro-Russian militants injured the worker of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine near Krasnohorivka gas-metering station on January 22 as OSCE SMM report dated January 24 stated.

The OSCE SMM representatives monitored the situation at the western outskirts of Mariinka controlled by Ukraine (23 km south-west from Donetsk) on January 22 as the repair of Krasnohorivka gas-metering station took place there.

The OSCE observers saw a man with bandages at the lumbar who was moving to the ambulance car.

The next day, they met this man in the hospital in Pokrovsk city (controlled by Ukraine, 55 km north-west from Donetsk).

A 29-year-old man said that he is a member of the Mine Action Unit of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine. He was near Krasnohorivka gas-metering station during the holding of the repair works on January 22. He said the representatives of the Emergency Service that he heard the attacks. Then a bullet hit him.

The doctors said to the OSCE observers that a man with a bullet wound was transferred from the hospital to Kurakhovo (controlled by Ukraine, 40 km west from Donetsk) in the evening of January 22.

As we reported a sapper of the pyrotechnic unit of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Donetsk region sustained injuries.

According to the data from UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission, from 12,800 up to 13,000 people died since the beginning of Donbas Conflict (April 2014 - end of 2018).

Related video:
Earlier this month, Mayor Bill de Blasio promised to "do something big" for the city's 2.5 million daily bus riders and increase bus speeds by 25 percent over the next two years. On Thursday, the mayor appeared at an NYPD tow lot to announce the creation of seven new dedicated tow teams that will patrol the five boroughs with the specific job of keeping bus lanes clear.

"This is going to be crucialclearing out those lanes, making sure that the buses can move. And it's really clear to all the folks out there who think about or ever think about parking in a bus lanedon't do it," the mayor said. "Don't do it because these good public servants are coming to get you out of that bus lane if you're blocking millions of New Yorkers from being able to get where they need to go."

Buses in New York City move at an average speed of 7.4 miles per hour, and 4 mph in busy commercial districts. This helps explain why bus ridership in New York City has been on the decline since 2014.

De Blasio was joined by State Senator Brad Hoylman, who said that the Riders Alliance, as part of their Bus Turnaround campaign, identified the three bus lines that were the slowest in the city, and they all happen to be in his district, which covers a large swath of Manhattan. Hoylman said his constituents have aptly named them The Turtle (the M50 at 4.5mph), The Sloth (the M23 at 4.3mph), and The Slug (the M42 at 3.9mph).

"The average human speed is 3.1mph just walking, said Hoylman. Squirrels can run at a faster pace than these buses.

The fine for parking in a bus stop or a bus lane is $115, with an additional $185 if the car is towed. The NYPD said that bus lane and bus stop violations have increased by 28 percent in 2019, and moving violations in the bus lanes have increased 612 percent; towing has increased seven percent.

Additional efforts to speed up bus lanes will include restarting the Select Bus Service program with route additions, and a focus on transit signal prioritization, meaning intersections where traffic signals stay green for oncoming buses before going back to their regulated schedules. The Mayors Office says that the goal is to add traffic-signal priority at 300 intersections per year, doubling the number of intersections where buses get green lights.

De Blasio, who frequently takes his motorcade from Gracie Mansion on the Upper East Side to the Park Slope YMCA, urged his fellow motorists to resist the temptation to park in the bus lanes.

"I know it is hard to find a place to park in New York City. I drove myself around for a long time," the mayor said. "I circled the block a whole long time looking for a parking space in my neighborhood. I understand what every-day New Yorkers go through, but again it may be tough to find a parking spot, but I can tell you where you shouldn't even think about parking and that's in a bus lane because there will be consequences and it's not worth it."

(The median annual income for New York City residents is around $55,000; for car owners it is $85,000.)

Asked why he didn't include clearing blocked bike lanes into the new enforcement crackdown, de Blasio responded that they weren't as important. (The mayor has previously said that drivers who block bike lanes for short periods of time should not be ticketed.)

"Theres lots of enforcement also for bike lanes but right now were talking about a part of our mass transit system that needs real help. Its 2.5 million riders a day. Bike lanes are important, but they by no means reach that kind of number."

The Department of Transportation estimates that there are an average of 460,000 bicycles trips in the city every day. In contrast, the mayor's highly subsidized ferry system carries around 13,700 people each day.

Asked about the last time he took a bus, the mayor replied that it was sometime last year.

"I think it was during Bronx Week last year, but Im not 100 percent sure, we can you get the exact date and place, but it was really cool. The Select Bus Service was really fantastic."

The mayor added, "Ive always been more of a subway guy than a bus guy, though. I have to give you full disclosure. In my history, before I had a car, which is before 1999, overwhelmingly subway, only occasionally buses."
The case of Ukraines ex-president Viktor Yanukovych is unprecedented. At the moment, the case file contains 50 volumes

The case of Ukraines ex-president Viktor Yanukovych is unprecedented. It has no analogs at least for three reasons:

For the first time, the court of Ukraine considers the proceedings against the former president, the leader who was elected by the Ukrainian people.

Ukraines history does not know any cases when crimes were attributed to the first persons of the state. We might recall the case of the murder of journalist Georgiy Gongadze and the talk about the possible involvement of Ukraines second president, Leonid Kuchma. But none of the former heads was on the dock.

For the first time, the ex-president of the country is charged with such a serious crime;

Yanukovych is charged under Part 1 of Art. 111; Part 5 of Art. 27, part 3 of Art. 110; Part 5 of Art. 27, and Part 2 of Art. 437. That is treason, complicity in deliberate acts committed to change the borders of the territory and state border of Ukraine, as well as complicity in conducting of an aggressive war.

The maximum sanctions for it are imprisonment for a term of 15 years.

For the first time, an absentee trial in the case of a serious criminal offense is underway.

Previously, absentee proceedings (without the presence of the defendants in court) were practiced exclusively in civil cases, but after the annexation of Crimea and the beginning of Donbas military conflict, the Verkhovna Rada adopted a special law, which provides for absentee investigation of cases and absentee proceedings.

The trial of Yanukovych was joined by the former and current top state officials.

In particular, the court sessions were interrogated: current president Petro Poroshenko, speaker of the Verkhovna Rada Andriy Parubiy, National Security and Defense Council head Oleksandr Turchynov, interior minister Arsen Avakov, former prime minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk, etc.

In addition, the court heard to the testimony of Navy commander Ihor Voronchenko, former head of the Security Service Valentyn Nalyvaichenko, former defense minister Ihor Tenyukh, etc.

More than a hundred people were questioned. The state prosecution asked to hear 80 witnesses in the case; Yanukovychs defense wanted to hear the testimony of 35 witnesses.

At the moment, the case file contains 50 volumes.

The trial itself has lasted for about 1.5 years, starting in May 2017, and was full of mutual accusations of the parties.

During the whole consideration process, the interests of ex-President Viktor Yanukovych in the court were represented by a total of 12 lawyers; he has received at least 70 court summons, but he never spoke at the meeting.

In one of the statements, broadcasted by Russian TV channels, the ex-president explained that he was refusing to participate in the trial because its results were predetermined.

According to Yanukovych, the case against him is fabricated and is purely political. In other words, he does not admit his guilt.

This is not a court, but a total profanation. Special laws on absentee condemnation were passed under Poroshenkos pressure to conduct my conviction. This is a direct violation of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. In addition, I was refused to take part in a videoconference trial, he said on July 5, 2017.

After that, Yanukovych has made several more such statements and added that he was participating in the trial through the media, because he was deprived of another right.

At the same time, the most significant thing that he has ever told reporters on the case was that in 2014, he has twice actually appealed to Russian President Vladimir Putin and asked for a peacekeeping mission in Ukraine.

Important: until recently, it was expected that Yanukovych would at least present his last word, but this also did not happen.

According to his lawyers, the ex-president was in a hospital where there was no technical possibility to arrange a videoconference. In addition, doctors did not allow him to do this.

Obolon District Court of Kyiv found ex-president of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych not guilty of complicity to Russia in the attack against Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. According to the sentence, the court found Yanukovych guilty of committing the crimes such as state treason, complicity, planning, preparation, unleashing and holding of aggressive war. While the accusation of the attack against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, which led to severe consequences, was recognized as unproven.

The accusation cannot be based on the assumptions, the verdict says.

The court decided that the accusation did not prove Yanukovych's direct intent to change Ukrainian borders, aiming for the violation of the country's sovereignty. The court noted that the prosecution did not provide enough evidence that Yanukovych was aware of the fact that his actions would lead to the occupation of Crimea.

The court was not provided with the credible evidence that Yanukovych directly acted with the aim to change the territorial borders of Ukraine, the verdict states.

The court decided that the ex-president was not informed about the goals of his accomplices, the Russian authorities, on further annexation of Crimea.

Thus, the court did not find Yanukovych guilty of the infliction of the harm in the sum of about $36 billion as a result of Russia's annexation of Crimea. The court found Yanukovych guilty of addressing the Russian President Putin and asking him to deploy troops in Ukraine.

Read the original text at 112.ua.
Stiri pe aceeasi tema

- Romania's SARS-CoV-2 caseload increased by 70 in the last 24 hours following more than 32,000 tests performed nationwide, the Strategic Communication Group (GCS) reports on Friday. These are all cases that have not previously had a positive test, the GCS states. As of Friday there were

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- Bucharest City and all of Romania's counties stay in the COVID-19 green zone, the Strategic Communication Group (GCS), the official novel coronavirus communication task force, reports on Friday. In Bucharest, the 14-day COVID-19 cumulative rate is 0.79 cases per 1,000 population, down from

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- A number of 432,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine will arrive on Friday at the "Cantacuzino" National Medical-Military Institute for Research-Development. According to a press release of the National Committee for the coordination of the activities regarding the anti-COVID vaccination, the

- TIR-urile care ies din Romania prin PTF Giurgiu-Ruse, Bulgaria, au de asteptat 240 de minute si formeaza cozi de cativa kilometri pe DN 5, dupa ce energia electrica in punctul de frontiera a suferit intreruperi timp de trei ore si Agentia de control si incasare Giurgiu nu a putut efectua formalitatile
A murit nea Popa, maestrul carnatilor si al produselor traditionale din carne

S-a stins din viata Popa Nicolae, unul dintre cei mai priceputi macelari din Buzau, care a pus bazele unui brand local cautat in toata regiunea. Nea Popa a incetat din viata la varsta de 93 de ani, dupa cum anunta familia acestuia pe pagina [citeste mai departe]
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 48 hours to transfer the domain.

Once you have received access to your account with the domain's current registrar you will be able to move the domain to any registrar of your choosing.

* When a domain is purchased on a payment plan, a registrar-lock is placed on the domain until all payments have been made. This registrar-lock prevents transfers.
Natural Power advises on New Frontier Wind project in North Dakota

Natural Power has provided the finance-grade energy yield analysis (EYA) and associated reliance letter for Capital Power Corporations 99MW New Frontier Wind Project in McHenry County, North Dakota.



Jim Adams, President of Natural Power North America, said: Its fantastic to be involved in a project of this scale which underpins the continued growth of the US renewable energy market. Our EYAs are relied upon for both wind and solar financing, and its encouraging to see widespread market acceptance across the tax equity community and confidence in our work as our team continues to expand to meet the needs of the industry.



The New Frontier Wind facility, featuring 29 Vestas V126-3.45 wind turbines, was completed on schedule and below its original project cost estimate of approximately $182 million (US$145 million), and began commercial operation on December 21, 2020. On December 31, 2020 Capital Power received approximately $125 million (US$92 million) in net tax equity financing from J.P. Morgan in exchange for Class A interests of a subsidiary of the Company.



Capital Power will operate New Frontier Wind under a 12-year fixed price contract with an investment grade U.S. financial institution covering 87% of the facilitys output. Under the contract, Capital Power will swap the market revenue from a fixed volume of New Frontier Winds generation for a fixed price payment over a 12-year term.



Paul Wendelgass, Managing Director at Capital Power, said: Natural Powers role as an independent engineer for energy yield analysis was critical in helping New Frontier achieve commercial operation and tax equity investment within the timescale required.






Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-25 04:02:04|Editor: Yang Yi

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File Photo: U.S. President Donald Trump signs a memorandum declaring his intention to withdraw from Iranian nuke deal at the White House in Washington D.C., the U.S., on May 8, 2018. (Xinhua/Ting Shen)

WASHINGTON, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced Thursday that the United States had imposed sanctions against two Syria-based, Iran-backed militias and two aviation entities linked to Iranian airline Mahan Air.

The Treasury accused that the fighters of the two Syria-based militias, mostly Afghan and Pakistani refugees and migrants residing in Iran, are recruited by Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC).

The Treasury also targeted Qeshm Fars Air and an Armenia-based Flight Travel LLC. The United States believes the two entities have a close connection with the designated Iranian airline Mahan Air, which supports the Quds Forces of the IRGC and its proxies in Syria by transporting personnel and weapons.

"Treasury's targeting of Iran-backed militias and other foreign proxies is part of our ongoing pressure campaign to shut down the illicit networks the regime uses to export terrorism and unrest across the globe," Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement.

According to the statement, all property and interests in property of these entities that are in the United States or in the possession or control of Americans are blocked, and Americans are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with them.

Washington has reimposed comprehensive sanctions against Tehran since U.S. withdrawal from the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal last May, seeking to curtail "Iran's malign influence across the region. "

In an international conference held in Tehran last December, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani criticized the U.S. moves to exert sanctions on Iran as the "economic terrorism."

"We are here to voice that if the United States thinks that it can divide us, then it is making a grave mistake," Rouhani stressed.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-25 04:22:09|Editor: Yang Yi

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Image provided by Venezuela's Presidency shows Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro (C) taking part in a rally in support of his government, at the Miraflores Palace, in Caracas, Venezuela, on Jan. 23, 2019. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Wednesday announced he was severing "diplomatic and political" ties with the United States after the U.S. authorities recognized the opposition leader Juan Guaido as the nation's interim president. (Xinhua/Venezuela's Presidency)

MOSCOW, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin told Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro on Thursday that he supports the legitimate authorities of the country, the Kremlin said.

During a phone conversation with Maduro, Putin expressed support for the legitimate government "amid the worsening of the internal political crisis provoked from outside the country."

He criticized external interference as a gross violation of the fundamental norms of international law.

He suggested seeking solutions within the constitutional framework and overcoming differences in the Venezuelan society through peaceful dialogue.

Maduro told Putin his assessment of the situation in Venezuela and thanked the Russian leader for his stance.

The presidents agreed to continue Russian-Venezuelan cooperation in various areas.

U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Washington had recognized opposition leader Juan Guaido as Venezuela's "interim president," after Maduro was inaugurated as president of the Latin American country earlier this month.

Earlier on Thursday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russia considers Maduro as the legitimate president of Venezuela and he warned against any outside attempts to usurp the supreme power of the country.

The Russian Foreign Ministry accused Washington of totally disregarding the norms and principles of international law and attempting to play the role of "the self-proclaimed arbiter of the destinies" of other nations.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-26 06:33:46|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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WASHINGTON, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Senate on Friday passed a stopgap bill to reopen the government for three weeks, 35 days after the shutdown began.

The measure was approved unanimously and would head for the House of Representatives for approval.

After both chambers of Congress have signed off on the bill, it will reach the White House for final ratification.

The swift passage came after the White House and Democratic party reached a deal to fund the government until Feb. 15, while further discussing funding for a possible border wall.

Trump threatened during a speech earlier Friday that if both sides could not strike a wall deal during this period, he might allow the government shut down again or call for a state of emergency.
Last night, Broad City held the raucous premiere for its fifth and final season. The episode, told almost entirely through the pair's Instagram Story broadcasts, honors a momentous occasion: Abbi's 30th birthday (Abbi Jacobson's real birthday is next week, on February 1st).

To celebrate, she and Ilana decide to go on an all-day walk through Manhattan, "from the tippity top to the tippity bottom." Of course, their jaunt quickly devolves into chaos, not limited to Ilana falling down a manhole (my #1 New York fear!), an unusual run-in, a phone drowning in a river, and being chased by mall cops. Here are a few local highlights from their venture.

Morris-Jumel Mansion

The journey starts at Abbi's apartment in Astoria, where she and Ilana take a (delayed) R train, then the 1 into Manhattan. Their walk begins in Inwood, and eventually they find themselves in front of the Morris-Jumel Mansion, the oldest house in Manhattan. "This has just been here! The whole time, sitting there!" a flabbergasted Abbi exclaims. The Morris-Jumel Mansion is the former residence of Eliza Jumel, once the wealthiest woman in the United States, and who was rumored to have been kicked out of France, among other things. Oh, and apparently her ghost is said to haunt the property! In recent years, the Mansion has made headlines given that Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote parts of his musical Hamilton in the bedroom of Aaron Burr, Jumel's former husband.

Red Rooster

From there, Abbi and Ilana make their way through Harlem. The walk from Inwood to Harlem alone takes about an hour and a half, so stopping for a bite before moving forward is key. Their pick that day is Marcus Samuelsson's Harlem mainstay Red Rooster. The restaurant, named after the former speakeasy of the same name, serves up incredible comfort food not limited to shrimp and grits, crab cake sandwiches, and a porcini pasta with injera. They polish off their four plates, and find some time to livestream Abbi's "finger-skating" routine on the table (narrated by Ilana, of course).

Russ & Daughters Cafe

The next leg of Abbi and Ilana's trip, from Harlem to Midtown, turns out to be a fraught one: Ilana falls into a manhole, where surprisingly she doesn't crack her phone (her ankle has seen better days, though). She can't keep walking in her beautiful but unwieldy 3.1 Phillip Lim shoes, so she and Abbi make a stop at the "Midtown Mall" (Manhattan Mall) to buy a more comfortable pair... only to get chased out by mall cops. They hurry along to brunch at the Lower East Side staple, Russ & Daughters Cafe, a spot that's 100% worth the wait. There's nothing on this menu that isn't a revelation, from wasabi-infused fish roe to chocolate babka French toast. The two are joined by Ilana's sort-of boyfriend Lincoln, as well as Jaime and Johnny, his new boyfriend, for a boozy brunch. It's heavenly, even though the birthday blues hit Abbi while she's there.

Battery Park

I think I remember warmer daysyesterday's rain-drenched, wind-whipped 50-degree spell doesn't countwhere leisurely strolls through waterfront parks were possible! This lower Manhattan park, with its sweeping views of Brooklyn and the Statue of Liberty, is where the pair end their walk. Their respective phones both suffer terrible fates as well (death by river drowning and death by a former friend angrily smashing it). So they're left to enjoy it, and a triple rainbow they spot on the water, without the all-seeing gaze of social media informing their followers what they'd seen.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-26 06:13:43|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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HELSINKI, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- The five Nordic countries signed a joint declaration on Friday in Helsinki on measures against the climate change.

In the declaration, Finland, Iceland, Sweden, Norway and Denmark said they wanted to "lead with their example", and will promote global mitigation efforts to limit the increase of temperature to one and a half degrees Celsius.

The Nordics noted they are able to "combine successfully economic growth and welfare with ambitious environmental policies and sustainable development."

"We must enable Nordic industry and business to take a leading role in the green transformation of the global economy. By working together we can develop zero emission technologies with global implications," they said in the declaration.

Besides technological solutions and financing, the countries also mentioned the high-level education and gender equality as Nordic assets in combating climate change.

Talking to the media, Finnish Prime Minister Juha Sipila said that emission levels began rising again last year and "there are not many years left" to work against it.

"We have to be faster and do more," Sipila said, noting that the Nordic countries have the political will and technological solutions to lead the combat against the climate change.

Icelandic Prime Minister Katrin Jakobsdottir said that even though political leaders have different opinions, they share the Nordic values, which should be "the guiding light". She said she is a little more optimistic now "as it matters to the world that the Nordic countries have signed this statement today".

Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg noted that a point of no return has been reached and the only adequate response after the Katowice meeting is to step up action.

Responding to a media question about the role of Norway as the only oil producer in the region, Solberg said Norway is increasingly switching to the production of natural gas. She also said Norwegian oil production aims at lowest possible emission levels.

Sweden and Denmark were represented by their ministers for the environment at the signing ceremony.

The Nordic Council of Ministers, a co-operative system chaired in 2019 by Iceland, will prepare follow-up measures to the Helsinki declaration.
The file photo shows that U.N. peacekeepers carry the coffins of the three United Nations soldiers from Bangladesh, who were killed by an explosive device during a ceremony at the MINUSMA base in Bamako, Mali, Sept. 27, 2017. (REUTERS/Xinhua)

UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday condemned an attack on a convoy of the UN peacekeeping force in Mali that killed two soldiers from Sri Lanka.

Guterres expressed his deep condolences to the government of Sri Lanka and the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to those injured, said Farhan Haq, his deputy spokesman, in a statement.

Six peacekeepers were injured in the improvised explosive device (IED) attack near Douentza in Mopti region on Friday.

The secretary-general called on the Malian authorities to spare no effort in identifying the perpetrators of the attack so that they can be brought to justice as swiftly as possible, said the statement.

Guterres recalled that attacks targeting UN peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law.

These cowardly acts will not deter the peacekeeping mission's determination to support the people and government of Mali in their pursuit of peace and stability, said the statement.

In a separate IED attack in the same area on Thursday, a peacekeeper from Burkina Faso was injured.

Mali is plagued by a civil war and the rise of Islamist militants. The United Nations set up a peacekeeping mission in Mali in April 2013 to help stabilize the situation in the country.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-26 05:28:33|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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NEW YORK, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Oil prices extended gains on Friday as concerns over tighter global supply amid the threat of U.S sanctions on Venezuelan oil sector outweighed surging U.S. stockpiles.

The West Texas Intermediate for March delivery climbed 56 U.S. cents to settle at 53.69 dollars a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, while Brent crude for March delivery rose 55 cents to close at 61.64 dollars a barrel on the London ICE Futures Exchange.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said on Thursday he will close the country's embassy and consulates in the United States, a day after severing "diplomatic and political" ties with Washington.

The president cut off relations with the United States following U.S. President Donald Trump's official recognition of opposition leader Juan Guaido as interim president.

Traders grew concerned about possible U.S. sanctions on Venezuelan oil trade and tighter global supply amid rising tensions between Washington and Caracas.

"With sanctions already on Iran, further sanctions applied to Venezuela could see the price of oil shoot up very quickly as supply tightens further," said Jasper Lawler, head of research for London Capital Group, who was quoted by MarketWatch.

The global energy supply was in part underpinned by a spike in U.S. crude inventories.

The number of active U.S. rigs drilling for oil, which offers a hint on future production activity, rose by 10 to 862 this week, according to data released by oilfield services company Baker Hughes on Friday.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported Thursday that the nation's crude oil inventories jumped 8 million barrels in the week ending Jan. 18, a two-month high.

At 445 million barrels, U.S. crude oil inventories were about 9 percent above the five-year average for this time of year, according to the Weekly Petroleum Status Report by the EIA.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-26 04:38:22|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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ALGIERS, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- A "terrorist" surrendered to Algerian army in the province of Tamanrasset, about 1,900 km south of the capital Algiers, the defense ministry said Friday.

The "terrorist," identified as Mahjoubi Ahmed, surrendered to the Algerian army with a Degtyaryov machine-gun seized, the ministry said in a statement.

The statement also confirmed the arrest of six drug traffickers with 261.8 kg of narcotics and 990 narcotic drug pills in several provinces in the country.

On Wednesday, the ministry said two "terrorists" surrendered to the army in Tamanrasset.

The two, identified as Shaminmas Mahma and Moussa Husseini, joined terrorist groups in 2009 and 2015 respectively.

They also turned in an RPG-7 launcher, a heavy machine-gun of 14.5-mm caliber, a Kalashnikov rifle, three loaded magazines and 13,160 bullets.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-26 04:38:21|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday condemned an attack on a convoy of the UN peacekeeping force in Mali that killed two soldiers from Sri Lanka.

Guterres expressed his deep condolences to the government of Sri Lanka and the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to those injured, said Farhan Haq, his deputy spokesman, in a statement.

Six peacekeepers were injured in the improvised explosive device (IED) attack near Douentza in Mopti region on Friday.

The secretary-general called on the Malian authorities to spare no effort in identifying the perpetrators of the attack so that they can be brought to justice as swiftly as possible, said the statement.

Guterres recalled that attacks targeting UN peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law.

These cowardly acts will not deter the peacekeeping mission's determination to support the people and government of Mali in their pursuit of peace and stability, said the statement.

In a separate IED attack in the same area on Thursday, a peacekeeper from Burkina Faso was injured.

Mali is plagued by a civil war and the rise of Islamist militants. The United Nations set up a peacekeeping mission in Mali in April 2013 to help stabilize the situation in the country.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-26 04:28:18|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- "Climate change is destroying our tiny island country for years," Abdulla Shahid, minister of foreign affairs of the Maldives, on Friday told a United Nations Security Council meeting on climate.

Addressing the Security Council's open debate on the impacts of climate-related disasters on international peace and security, Shahid said climate change is "eroding our beaches, killing the coral reefs protecting our islands and contaminating our fresh water with sea water."

"We are losing our fish stock. But most importantly, climate change is going to take our home away from us entirely," he warned.

At least 75 Security Council and other member states participated in the meeting, 13 of them at ministerial level.

Climate change has gained some traction in the Security Council's work over the past two years.

The Maldivian foreign minister told the Security Council that on April 17, 2007, when the Security Council held its first-ever debate on the impact of climate change on peace and security, he spoke on this very same matter.

He reminded the Security Council on that day that "climate change is not only an everyday fact of life for the Maldivians, but an existential threat."

"I reminded the Council that a mean sea-level rise of two meters would suffice to virtually submerge the entire Maldives under water. That would indeed be the death of a nation," he said.

"And yet, today, in this Council, 12 years later, I am still repeating the same message," the minister said emotionally.

"Prospects for our future are far worse than we ever imagined," he said, noting that "while we are still busy trying to decide which forum of the United Nations must address which aspect of climate change, our lakes are drying up, depriving fresh water to tens of millions of people."

"Unseasonal draughts are leaving millions of people homeless. Hunger and displacement are leading to conflicts, and entire nations are sinking under water," he continued.

"What is a bigger security threat to us than this?" the minister asked.

Noting that he was "encouraged" by the Paris Agreement with the aim to combat climate change and to accelerate and intensify the actions and investments needed for it, Shahid said he hopes that the Katowice Rulebook "will help improve our collective ambition to deliver on our pledges and keep global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, 1.5 degree Celsius if possible."

"But for the Maldives, waiting and hoping is not enough. We must drastically reverse the current trends in climate change to ensure the future exists for little girls like Aisha and her friends."

Aisha is a five-year-old girl whom Shahid met at the Male International Airport as he left for New York. The girl asked him where he was going and Shahid told her that he was traveling to New York to speak at the Security Council about climate change.

"We had a little chat and she waved me goodbye with a huge smile on her face, holding onto her mother's hands, as I walked away to board my flight," he recalled.

"We need solutions," said Shahid.

"The countries that are on the first line of impact, such as the Maldives, cannot afford to wait," he noted.

"We cannot wait for climate change to force us to abandon our identity and lose our homes," he said.

"We need actions, actions that are consistent with the commitments we have already made. If we don't, we will extinguish the sparkle in the eyes of Aisha and millions of children like her," the minister concluded.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-26 04:28:16|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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ZAGREB, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Croatian state officials laid a wreath on Friday in the Jewish section of Mirogoj Cemetery here in front of Moses' sculpture, marking the International Holocaust Remembrance Day with the message that there is never to be anything like that anywhere else.

Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandrokovic, Foreign Minister Marija Pejcinovic-Buric and Mayor of Zagreb Milan Bandic were present at the ceremony.

They welcomed the prayer meeting of representatives of the Catholic Church and Jewish Community held on Thursday in Zagreb, assessing that this is a step towards the ending of the division.

Zagreb mayor Milan Bandic said that 13,141 members of Jewish nationality had been killed in the concentration camp Jasenovac during the Second World War and that the Holocaust on Jews and all others, committed by the Ustasha regime during the Independent State of Croatia (1941-1945) should be condemned.

President of the Jewish community of Zagreb, Ognjen Kraus, specifically stressed the speech that Cardinal Josip Bozanic, Archbishop of Zagreb, held at a prayer event in which he condemned all kinds of extremism.

"It's time to take away the shame that has been standing over Croatia for several years because of a few people who are doing it at the expense of the state," Kraus said.

At the time of the Independent State of Croatia, more than 80,000 people, especially Serbs, Jews, and Roma, were killed in the Ustasha camp Jasenovac. Historical revisionists in the country try to deny the crimes and reduce the number of victims.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-26 04:08:11|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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TRIPOLI, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary General to Libya Maria Ribeiro and Libyan Minister of Local Governance Milad Taher held a meeting on Friday to discuss the launch of a humanitarian response plan.

"Ribeiro discussed with Taher the cooperation to provide humanitarian and development support to Libyans in the east, west and south," the UN Support Mission in Libya said in a statement.

"They also discussed the launch of the Humanitarian Response Plan 2019," the statement added.

Libya has been plagued with armed conflict, political division, and economic instability since the 2011 uprising that toppled former leader Muammar Gaddafi's regime.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-26 03:58:08|Editor: Yurou

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RABAT, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Moroccan King Mohammed VI and visiting Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov hailed on Friday the in-depth strategic partnership between the two countries, the king's office said in a statement.

The two sides deemed the partnership as "exceptional," and commended the deep and multidimensional development of relations between the two countries since the king's visit to Moscow in March 2016, the statement said.

They also praised the prospects in recent years for enhancing the political dialogue and strengthening the economic and sectoral cooperation, it added.

The two sides showed their satisfaction with the implementation of major projects and actions in priority areas such as agriculture, fishery and tourism.

The talks also touched on different regional and international issues of shared interest, particularly in the Middle East and Africa.

The king reiterated the invitation for Russian President Vladimir Putin to pay an official visit to Morocco.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-26 03:53:07|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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MOGADISHU, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Unknown gunmen on Friday killed six people including soldiers in Afgooye, about 30 km south of the Somali capital of Mogadishu.

A security officer said three soldiers and three civilians were shot dead by armed assailants at a market in Afgooye.

The officer, who declined to be named, said the killing took place after Friday prayers when young men with pistols shot dead three soldiers in the market.

He said three women who witnessed the incident were also killed by the young gunmen who fled the scene after the incident.

No group has claimed responsibility for the killing. Terror group al-Shabab has conducted similar attacks in the Horn of Africa nation.

The group staged attacks despite increased military operations by Somali and African Union peacekeeping forces against the insurgents as part of efforts to stabilize the Horn of Africa nation.
The Federal Aviation Administration has temporarily halted flights at LaGuardia Airport, due to staffing issues related to the ongoing government shutdown. [Updates below]

A spokesperson for the Port Authority has confirmed that the FAA ordered the ground stop at the airport over Air Traffic Control staffing issues at centers in Jacksonville and Washington D.C. That means that flights to and from the airport will be delayed up to 30 minutes.

A spokesperson for the FAA tells Gothamist that they have experienced a "slight increase in sick leave at two facilities," which they've mitigated by "augmenting staffing, rerouting traffic, and increasing spacing between aircraft when needed." The FAA's website indicates that flights coming into LaGuardia may be delayed by an average of 41 minutes, with longer delays possible.

FAA now holding flights at their departing airports into NY LaGuardia due to "staffing issues" in DC, FL. They expect average delays to be 41m, up to 1h 15m. pic.twitter.com/0y5HdyK2D2  Nate Johnson (@nsj) January 25, 2019

There are reports of cascading delays at other airports related to the staffing shortage as well.

This is incredible.



Air traffic is delayed at LaGuardia, Philadelphia, and Newark Airports due to staffing issues at an FAA regional air traffic control center, according to the FAA status website.  Shimon Prokupecz (@ShimonPro) January 25, 2019

LaGuardia is a Delta hub. Newark is a United hub. Philly is an American hub.



Basically, this has the potential to impact the entire air traffic grid very quickly.https://t.co/V31W0YTpZQ  Ian Millhiser (@imillhiser) January 25, 2019

The flight delays come one day after JetBlue Airways CEO Robin Hayes warned that the aviation system was nearing a tipping point" due to the government shutdown, which is now in its 35th day.

Asked about the ground stoppage on his weekly appearance on the Brian Lehrer Show, Mayor Bill de Blasio said he had not heard the news. "I wish I could say I was shocked, Brian, but this is the cost of the shutdown. We've heard for days that the situation with air traffic control and the situation with security was growing more frayed," he said. "If our airports are not functioning well, people will die."

This is ongoing story and we'll update as more information becomes available.



UPDATE 11:00 a.m.: Flights arriving into LaGuardia are now delayed by an average of 1 hour and 26 minutes, while Newark Airport is experiencing an hour-long gate hold and taxi delay, according to the FAA. The agency's website still says that flights into and out of JFK have not been affected, though some passengers have indicated otherwise.

Lauren Sweeney, a passenger flying out of LaGuardia Airport, says that it's a "pretty chaotic scene" at Delta's Terminal C. According to her husband, Dan Sweeney, she experienced a lengthy delay, which officials attributed to "problems with air traffic control." As of 11:00 a.m., they were trying to board everyone at once, he said.



Terminal C at LaGuardia Airport 11:00 a.m. (Provided to Gothamist by Lauren Sweeney)

Last week, Mark Dunlap, a Professional Aviation Safety Specialist assistant, told Gothamist that passengers should expect issues at local airports as a result of the shutdown.

"Is everyone still safe flying? Probably yes, Dunlap said. But as you keep going on, cracks start to form. And we cover so many aspects in aviation safety you cant afford to have any cracks at all if you want everybody to be safe. The longer this goes on the more chances that somethings going to break. Thats what has us concerned.

UPDATE 11:30 a.m.: In a statement, President of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA Sara Nelson said airport employees have been "betrayed" by the government.

"The aviation system depends on the safety professionals who make it run," said Nelson. "They have been doing unbelievably heroic work even as they are betrayed by the government that employs them. They are fatigued, worried, distractedbut they wont risk our safety. So the planes will stay on the ground. This is anything but a sick outit is only about our safety and the air traffic controllers absolute commitment to it."

Do we have your attention now, Leader McConnell? All lawmakers?" she added. "Open the government and then get back to the business of democracy to discuss whatever issue you so choose. This shutdown must end immediately. Our countrys entire economy on the line.

UPDATE 12:00 p.m.: Delta is currently experiencing about 200 flight delays at LaGuardia and other airports in the Northeast region due to the Ground Delay Program, according to a spokesperson for the airline.

A spokesperson for United noted they were working closely with the FAA and airport officials to try to minimize the impact on operations. "We dont anticipate significant schedule disruptions, but it is another good illustration of the escalating impact of the government shutdown and the need for the federal government to promptly re-open.

Southwest Airlines has encouraged passengers to check their website for the most up-to-date flight information.

Due to staffing shortages at FAA air traffic control centers along the East Coast, there are delays at EWR. Please confirm your flight with your airline. [33]  Newark Liberty Airport (@EWRairport) January 25, 2019

UPDATE 1:00 p.m.: Rob Ward was set to take a Delta flight from LaGuardia to West Palm Beach at 8:05 this morning, when he was informed by the pilot that a batch of runways had been closed for unknown reasons. Nearly five hours later, hes now stranded on a plane in Atlanta, unsure about when he will make it to his destination.

At first, Ward said, the pilot sounded surprised, he even said that It cant be weather related. We waited about 45 minutes and we were finally rerouted to an open runway, took off and the circled around NYC until the pilot came on and told us that we were finally going in the right direction.

[The pilot] kept saying he didnt have any info about what was causing all of this. Finally he told us it was due to personnel problems at air traffic control and that we had burned through so much fuel that we couldnt make it all the way to West Palm Beach. So now we landed in Atlanta, refueled and now we are 15th in line to take off.

Ward added that passengers on the plane are just rolling with it and that everyone is pretty calm and good natured.

UPDATE 1:15 p.m.: In an email to Gothamist, Lynda Bloomberg, a National Airspace Operations Manager at the FAA, said that this mornings delays will be a new normal until this shutdown is over.

I also know of many controllers who are ready to pull the plug and either retire or to go work for someone else, she added. Ive also seen many Tech ops employees expressing the same views."

President Trump is reportedly planning to make an announcement related to the shutdown later this afternoon.
Greek riot police clash with protesters during a protest against the Macedonia name deal in Athens, Greece, on Jan. 20, 2019. A mass rally held in front of the Greek parliament in Athens over the Macedonia name deal was marred by violent clashes on Sunday. Syntagma Square was converted into a battlefield when hooded protesters, trying to get into the parliament's courtyard, threw rocks and firebombs at riot police. Police forces used tear gas to repel the attempt. (Xinhua/Lefteris Partsalis)

UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Matthew Nimetz, the UN envoy who brokered a Greece-Macedonia deal on their disputes over the latter's name, welcomed Friday Greek lawmakers' ratification of the accord.

"I welcome the ratification of the Prespa Agreement by the parliament of Greece. I wish to commend the parliament and the government of Greece on this visionary step," Nimetz said in a statement.

"This historic agreement between two neighbors opens the door to a new relationship between them and ushers in a new era for the consolidation of peace and security in the Balkans," added the personal envoy of the UN secretary-general for the name issue.

Earlier Friday, Greek lawmakers ratified the deal with 153 votes in the 300-member parliament, two more than needed.

Nimetz further said he looks forward to completion of the process as outlined in the agreement and reiterated the continued commitment of the United Nations to working with the two parties.

Greece and Macedonia have been in dispute since 1991, when the former Yugoslav republic gained independence. Greece has objected to its neighbor's constitutional name of the Republic of Macedonia, fearing that the name indicates territorial ambitions over the northern Greek province of Macedonia. Greece's objection has impeded Skopje's bids to join NATO and the European Union.

Under the UN-brokered Prespa Agreement reached in June 2018, Macedonia's constitutional name would become "the Republic of North Macedonia."

On Jan. 11, Macedonian lawmakers approved constitutional changes to rename the country North Macedonia, fulfilling its part of the agreement.

In Greece, while Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras had defended the deal prior to the Greek parliamentary vote, his junior ruling partner had broken away from the coalition to protest it. The government narrowly survived a confidence motion trigered by the lawmakers' difference over the deal last week.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-26 01:32:38|Editor: Yang Yi

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Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has a discussion with some foreign experts working in China prior to the Chinese Lunar New Year, which falls on Feb. 5 this year, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 25, 2019. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei)

BEIJING, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said Friday that the country has full confidence and capability to keep economic growth rate within an appropriate range in 2019 despite challenges.

The remarks came as Li had a discussion with some foreign experts working in China at the Great Hall of the People in downtown Beijing prior to the Chinese Lunar New Year, which falls on Feb. 5 this year.

"China's economy has enough resilience, potential and ample room for growth, especially with a huge domestic market and rich human resources of nearly 1.4 billion people, therefore, we are fully confident and capable of keeping economic growth rate within an appropriate range in spite of multiple risks and challenges in 2019," Li told foreign experts.

China's economy, the world's second largest, grew 6.6 percent year on year to reach 90.0309 trillion yuan (about 13.28 trillion U.S. dollars) in 2018, above the official target of around 6.5 percent, according to data issued by the National Bureau of Statistics on Monday.

"The growth rate of 6.6 precent is hard-won, as it is on the basis of China's very high economic output, fairly sufficient employment and continuous improvement of environment," said Li.

China will forge ahead with reforms unswervingly and inspire the vitality and creativity of some 100 million market entities, Li said.

He said China will further streamline administration, delegate more power, strengthen regulation, provide better services, reduce taxes and fees on a larger scale, further ease market access and provide a business environment of fair competition.

China is committed to opening wider to the outside world and learning advanced technology and experience from foreign countries, he said.

As a developing country, China will stick to inclusive development, said Li.

"China welcomes the entry of all competitive commodities and technology in the world, and we will strictly protect intellectual property rights and speed up the market transformation of innovation results," the premier said.

Li had an in-depth exchange of views with renowned experts from the United States, Germany, Britain, Cuba and Sweden about their advice and suggestions on issues including economic growth, scientific innovation, intelligence manufacturing and environment protection.

The experts were Paul Romer, Nobel laureate in economics and professor at New York University; Peter Sachsenmeier, member of the National Academy of Sciences and Engineering of Germany and professor at Oxford University; Konstantin Novoselov, Nobel laureate in physics and professor at the University of Manchester; Juan Jesus Guanche Perez, a Cuban academician and vice president of Hebei Foreign Studies University; and Christopher Flensborg, a Swedish expert in finance.

Welcoming foreign experts to work in China, Li said China will further improve policies to better facilitate their work and life and hopes that they will offer more advice to promote the common development of China and the world.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-26 01:32:37|Editor: Yang Yi

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TRIPOLI, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Khaled Milad, a farmer from the Libyan city of Bani Walid, some 180 km southwest of the capital Tripoli, has a son who suffers from leishmaniasis spreading in his city.

The father struggles to provide medication for his ill son as the hospital in the country lacks proper medication for the disease, making him feel helpless.

"My 15-year-old son, Mohammed, has been suffering from leishmaniasis for months. His physical and psychological conditions have recently deteriorated. He refused to go to school and became clearly antagonistic," Milad told Xinhua.

"Red spots and ulcers appeared on his skin. Then they started to spread heavily on his arms and legs ... We were transferred to the capital Tripoli because the treatment was exclusive there," he said.

However, the father said his son had to wait for treatment in Tripoli because the list of patients was long.

"They told me to get rid of my farm animals as they are direct carriers of the disease," Milad noted. "I am now torn between my son's health and my livelihood."

Leishmaniasis is a pandemic that spreads particularly in the cities of Bani Walid, Tawergha and Sirte, with new infections reported each year. The past few months has been the most severe, with nearly 5,000 new cases reported.haiyou

Ahmed Al-Garrari, director of Joint Diseases Department at the National Center for Disease Control, said the epidemic spread was caused by the lack of medical supplies.

Al-Garrari told Xinhua that the budget allocated for the leishmaniasis control program has been stalled for years.

"We have a team and an action plan to deal with the outbreak in cooperation with the World Health Organization (WHO) and professional teams who are ready in the locations (of the disease)," he said.

The disease can be effectively controlled if necessary means are available, the Libyan official noted.

According to the WHO, leishmaniasis is caused by a protozoa parasite in more than 20 leishmania species. Over 90 sandfly species are known to transmit leishmania parasites.

The UN health agency estimates that there are 700,000 to 1 million new cases and 20,000 to 30,000 deaths annually.

The healthcare sector in Libya has been suffering from a near-total collapse over the past few years because of the lack of government funds, while most foreign medical personnel had to flee the country under the deteriorating security conditions.

Jalal Zayed, a public health consultant, believes the reason for the outbreak of the epidemic in Libya is the "neglect of successive governments."

"There was a plan to monitor the spread of communicable and endemic diseases before 2011, based on a media and environmental campaign," Zayed told Xinhua.

However, Zeyad said international organizations did not fulfill their promises to Libya, as Libya has been suffering worsening security conditions and economic instability since the 2011 uprising that toppled former leader Muammar Gaddafi's regime.

"We need international efforts, mainly from the WHO, which has repeatedly promised to help. However, nothing has been achieved," he said.

Later in 2018, the WHO rehabilitated a medical team to treat 200 leishmaniasis patients in Libya.

Badr Al-Najjar, director of the National Center for Disease Control, said in a statement that leishmaniasis infections have increased after control programs were suspended.

Al-Najjar pointed out that Libya needs 5,000 packages of medicine to treat the disease, adding that the treatment is not expensive, but provided on demand.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-26 00:52:30|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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FRANKFURT, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- German police Friday evacuated hundreds of passengers from an ICE train at the Frankfurt South station amid a bomb threat. After searching the train, authorities later gave the all-clear, local media reported.

According to local public broadcaster Hessischer Rundfunk, police received a bomb threat against an ICE train around 2 p.m. Authorities identified the train as ICE 74, which runs from Zurich to the northern German city of Kiel.

After clearing the train and closing two platforms at the South Station, authorities searched the train with bomb-sniffing dogs, but did not find anything. German police gave the all-clear and the passengers were able to re-board the train and continue their journey.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-26 00:47:29|Editor: Yurou

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MOSCOW, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Russian Foreign Ministry on Friday urged the United States to abandon plans of placing weapons in outer space and thus prevent a new arms race.

"We once again call on Washington to show prudence and abandon such irresponsible adventures that would have extremely negative consequences for the entire international community and for the United States itself," the ministry said in a statement.

It commented on the new issue of the U.S. Missile Defense Review published on Jan. 17, in which a serious emphasis was placed on the formation of a space-based missile defense group, including missile interception means.

According to the publication, the U.S. Defense Department has been instructed to study the most promising technologies, steps that would need to be taken, associated costs and personnel requirements.

The Russian ministry said it regarded this, along with the U.S. decision to create military space forces and funding for the development of space-based missile defense systems, as another confirmation of the existence in Washington of plans "to use outer space in the near future for the purposes of combat operations and ensuring U.S. space dominance."

It warned that the possible implementation of U.S. military space plans will hit the current system of ensuring the safety of space activities, and recalled that all previous U.S. attempts to secure military superiority invariably ended in an increase in tensions and new turns of the arms race.

Russia gives priority to the use and exploration of space exclusively for peaceful purposes, the statement said.

Russia intends to continue active work within the framework of the United Nations Group of Governmental Experts on Further Practical Measures for the Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space, the statement added.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-26 00:42:28|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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LONDON, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- An exchange scheme that gives teachers in England the opportunity to share experiences with counterparts from Shanghai has positively influenced the teaching of maths in British schools, a report concluded Friday.

The long-term study on the Shanghai-England Maths Teacher Exchange, carried out by Sheffield Hallam University, has had a positive influence on the way maths is taught in the schools that took part, according to the report.

The findings have been published this week as the latest delegation of teachers from Shanghai visited schools across England to showcase their mastery teaching approach.

In a statement published by Britain's Department for Education on Friday, the School Standards Minister Nick Gibb said the maths exchange has shown the power of international collaboration.

Gibb said: "Standards are rising in our schools, with 84 percent of pupils now attending good or outstanding schools compared to 66 percent in 2010. We have looked towards the best education systems in the world to help drive this improvement and our work with China has been a key part of this."

"As this report shows, the Shanghai-England Maths Teacher Exchange has been a positive influence on our schools, with the lessons learned from it having demonstrable effects in classrooms. There has, for example, been a marked increase in the number of primary schools using whole class teaching rather than seeing pupils split by attainment."

He added that "we will continue to work with our peers in Shanghai to share the practices that our high performing education systems are based upon."

The report is based on a longitudinal study carried out between 2015 and 2017 that aimed to assess benefits for schools and pupils. It found that British teachers valued the exchange as a positive professional development experience and teachers said they gained enhanced subject and teaching knowledge and increased confidence.

Participants also reported that they could apply experience gained from the exchange to other aspects of the curriculum, according to the report.

The Shanghai-England Maths Teacher Exchange was launched in 2014. Since its inception, over 700 teachers from England and Shanghai have participated in the exchange.

A total of 85 teachers from Shanghai are currently in England taking part in the return leg of the most recent phase of the exchange.

Afshah Deen, who is a year-2 teacher at Parkland Primary School in Wigston, Leicestershire, took part in the exchange. "Seeing maths teaching in Shanghai and observing how lessons are planned and then discussed and refined by teachers there has been the most interesting and rewarding professional experience of my career.

"I've literally questioned everything I've done for the last eight years of teaching. It's really inspired me to be a better maths teacher," Deen said.

The maths exchange program also supports British government's work to take the total number of English schools benefitting from the East-Asian style maths Teaching for Mastery program to 11,000 by 2023.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-26 00:42:27|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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BERLIN, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Traffic-related climate targets of the German government can only be met if "all technical levers" are utilized and additional investments of up to 256 billion euros (291 billion U.S. dollars) are made, an analysis published by the Federation of German Industries (BDI) on Friday shows.

The German government wants to reduce traffic-related greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent by 2030 in comparison to 1990 which the analysis by consulting firm Boston Consulting Group and Prognos describes as "theoretically achievable".

The German economy and society would reach the "limits of practical feasibility" by trying to meet the climate target of the German government for the transport sector, said BDI deputy director general Holger Loesch. The government's climate target would possibly be "beyond what consumers are willing to pay".

Loesch therefore called for a strategy that addresses this "enormously ambitious goal" in a politically, socially and economically justifiable manner.

The switch from combustion engines to electric mobility as well as the availability of CO2-neutral fuels such as hydrogen and synthetic fuels would be an "essential lever" for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, according to the analysis.

Together, electric mobility and a shift to carbon neutral fuels could account for "around three-quarters of the required reduction in greenhouse gas emissions" envisaged by the German government, according to the analysis.

In order to meet the climate targets, 7 to 10 million electric vehicles would have to be registered in Germany by 2030 and the use of CO2-neutral fuels would need to increase "four to five times" compared to the reference year 2015, the analysis reads.

A commission established by the German government is currently discussing the implementation of a general speed limit of 130 km/h on German highways.

German Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer has sharply criticized such a speed limit and described the proposal as "against all common sense" while Cem Oezdemir, former head of Germany's Green party, spoke of a speed limit as a "commandment of reason". The German debate about a speed limit on highways would be "very irrational", Oezdemir added.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-26 00:37:26|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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MOMBASA, Kenya, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan police in the coastal city of Mombasa have arrested seven Ethiopians who were on their way to South Africa in a suspected human trafficking syndicate.

The seven were arrested on Friday afternoon following tip-off from members of public.

A transit lorry dropped them at Jomvu area and they disappeared into the nearby Mwamlai forest, Jomvu area.

Peter Omanwa, Changamwe sub-county police commander, said security officers combed the forest for five hours and arrested the seven who admitted to be heading to South Africa for unknown business.

"They were seen getting out of a container. We suspect it's a human trafficking ring," Omanwa told journalists in Mombasa.

The Kenyan authorities have intensified the ongoing crackdown on undocumented migrant workers that have seen homes raided and hundreds of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers arrested around the country.

The country's immigration department has set up a hotline number for citizens to report irregular migrants in their neighborhoods and the authorities' actions have mostly affected refugees and asylum seekers.

Cases of human smuggling have been on the rise in the region with hundreds of young men from Ethiopia finding their way into South Africa through Kenya in search of employment.

The authorities say several aliens who find their way into the Kenyan police cells have tripled in the recent past, over stretching the capacity of the cells in the East African nation.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-26 00:27:22|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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RAMALLAH, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Israeli soldiers on Friday evening shot dead a 16-year-old Palestinian teenager near the village of Silwad close to the West Bank city of Ramallah, the Palestinian Authority health ministry said.

According to a ministry press statement, the body of the killed teenager, identified as Ayman Hammed, is still kept by the Israeli soldiers.

Another teenager was wounded in the arm and transferred to the Ramallah government hospital, the statement said.

There has been no immediate comment on the incident from the Israeli army.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-26 00:27:21|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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WASHINGTON, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Roger Stone, a former campaign advisor to U.S. President Donald Trump, has been arrested and charged as part of the ongoing Russia probe, according to an indictment unsealed Friday.

Stone has been indicted on seven counts in connection with the investigation led by special counsel Robert Mueller, including one count of obstruction of an official proceeding, five counts of false statements, and one count of witness tampering.

He was arrested in Fort Lauderdale, state of Florida, early Friday, Mueller's office said in a statement.

The indictment relates to Stone's communications with Julian Assange, founder of WikiLeaks, a group that leaked information in the weeks ahead of the 2016 election, which damaged the campaign of Hillary Clinton, then Democratic candidate for presidency.

The charge sheet alleges that Stone, when appearing before investigators, lied about his knowledge of the incident and that he attempted to get others to change their testimony.

The indictment also states that a senior Trump campaign official was "directed to contact Stone about any additional releases and what other damaging information (WikiLeaks) had regarding the Clinton Campaign."

Stone's lawyer, Grant Smith, said in a statement Friday that his client is "vindicated" by the indictment as "they found no Russian collusion or they would have charged him with it."

White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said Stone's arrest "has nothing to do with the president, and certainly nothing to do with the White House."

Stone, 66, left Trump's campaign in 2015, but continued to back Trump for the presidency.

Mueller, who was appointed in May 2017, is looking into the alleged Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election and any potential collusion between the Trump campaign and Moscow, among other matters that may arise from the investigation.

Trump has repeatedly dismissed any collusion between his campaign and Moscow while slamming the Russia probe as a "hoax" or "witch hunt."
A high number of air traffic controllers took sick days on Friday, delaying planes at LaGuardia and Newark airports, as well airports in Washington D.C. and Jacksonville, Florida, and ratcheting up the pressure on Congress and President Donald Trump to reach a deal to end the government shutdown for three weeks. According to one air traffic controller, the sick days were a result of assurances that they would be paid for the days off, and to send a message to the Trump administration.

Presently, I view my position to be a hostage for a racist fantasy, which is what I view the wall as, one air traffic controller, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, told Gothamist, referencing President Trumps calls for a wall along the southern border.

I'm not going to work on both moral grounds and there are bad precedents being set in terms of mistreating workers and specifically federal workers," the air traffic controller added.

Congressional legislation requires federal employees to get back pay once the shutdown is over. On Wednesday, air traffic controllers, who are considered essential employees, received a union directive clarifying what that bill means for them. The notice, which was obtained by Gothamist and confirmed by three controllers, stated that they would now receive pay for any sick or vacation days they take during the shutdown.

Weve gotten, inadvertently a green light from the government to take time off, said the controller, who works at LaGuardia Airport. Were taking time off, which is why youre starting to see what is happening today.

Under the airline workers contract, its illegal to organize a political action, but this worker says others around the country did the same thing. Reportedly some federal airline workers have swapped their social media profile pictures with pawns.

Despite the three-week reprieve Trump announced Friday, this worker described it as freeing one hostage but keeping the rest to show good will for negotiations.

There is no good will if you maintain hostages, its just desperation and manipulation. Im proud our workforce flexed some muscle today, they said after Trumps announcement. I want us to be willing to do it again when this tactic is used.

The National Air Traffic Controllers Association, the union that represents the air traffic controllers, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. But their president Paul Rinaldi released a statement on Twitter.

Luke Drake is the Vice President with Professional Aviation Safety Specialists, the union that represents more than 11,000 employees of the FAA. Drake said he believed todays actions are a response to the pressure everyone has been under during the shutdown.

"People are hitting the breaking point financially, stress levels are through the roof, there's only so long people can go without pay before the stress sets in, he said. He said workers feel undervalued and disrespected.

Lynda Bloomberg, a National Airspace Operations Manager at the FAA told Gothamist said many people are simply ready to quit. I also know of many controllers who are ready to pull the plug and either retire or to go work for someone else, she said. Ive also seen many Tech ops employees expressing the same views."

Asked if the president's announcement inspired any confidence, Bloomberg replied, "Personally I think some are still walking out the door. We are tired of being pawns."

Update: The National Air Traffic Controllers Association released a statement on Friday night, saying they "are grateful and relieved that the President and Congress reached an agreement to temporarily end the shutdown and reopen the government through February 15, 2019. We are hopeful for a long-term appropriations bill."

Additional reporting by Jake Offenhartz.

Stephen Nessen is the transportation reporter for WNYC. You can follow him on Twitter @s_nessen.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-26 00:27:21|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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NAIROBI, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on Friday vowed to intensify fight against corruption, calling for collaboration among agencies to help stamp out the vice.

Kenyatta said in Nairobi that all government agencies mandated to fight corruption are cooperating with each other in holding suspects to account.

"Today I note with a lot of happiness that due to the collaboration that has been there under the multi-agency approach, we see more and more cases being prosecuted," he said, according to a statement issued from the presidency.

The president was speaking at the Directorate of Criminal investigations (DCI) headquarters on Kiambu Road when he awarded state honors to several officers from the DCI and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) for their outstanding contribution in the security sector, especially in the fight against corruption.

He urged police officers to be firm and precise in discharging their duties, adding that the government shall never allow few individuals to trample on the rights of others by perpetuating criminal activities.

Kenyatta mid last year renewed anti-corruption drive which has led to unprecedented arrests of graft suspects and arraignment in court of senior government officials suspected of involvement in the theft of public resources.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-26 00:02:12|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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BEIJING, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- The General Office of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee convened a meeting on Friday to brief deputies on the work of the NPC Standing Committee and make preparations for the upcoming session.

Yang Zhenwu, secretary-general of the NPC Standing Committee, presided over the meeting and delivered a report on the major work of the Standing Committee since the first session of the 13th NPC, the preliminary agenda in the year of 2019 and organizational preparations for the second session.

According to Yang, the 13th NPC Standing Committee has so far enacted eight new laws, amended 47 laws and adopted nine decisions related to legal matters and other major issues.

During the period, the top legislature also inspected details regarding the implementation of six laws, heard and reviewed 23 work reports, conducted three special inquiries, did special research five times and ratified four international treaties.

The 13th NPC will hold its second annual session in Beijing on March 5.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-26 00:02:12|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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SKOPJE, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev on Friday congratulated his Greek counterpart Alexis Tsipras via social media over the Greek Parliament's approval of Prespa Agreement, which will rename Macedonia.

"Congratulation my friend Alexis Tsipras, together with our people we reached a historical victory. Long live the Prespa Agreement! For eternal peace and progress of the Balkan and in Europe," posted Zaev in his official Facebook and Twitter profiles.

The UN-brokered Prespa Agreement, under which Macedonia's constitutional name would be changed to "the Republic of North Macedonia", was passed by Greek lawmakers with a narrow majority of 153 against 146 on Friday.

The deal reached last summer ended the decades long name dispute between the two countries.

Since 1991, when the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) declared independence from Yugoslavia picking the name Macedonia, the same name as a province in northern Greece, Greeks protested, fearing territorial claims by the new Balkan state.

Earlier this month on Jan. 11, Macedonian Parliament members voted in favor to endorse the constitutional changes paving the way to changing the country's name to the Republic of North Macedonia.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-25 23:57:11|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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by Ronald Njoroge

NAIROBI, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- African lawmakers and civil society organizations on Friday urged governments to increase domestic healthcare expenditure in order to end life-threatening epidemics such as HIV, malaria and Tuberculosis (TB).

Stephen Mule, Kenyan legislator and chair of the Africa Parliamentary TB Caucus, told a health forum in Nairobi that African countries have not yet prioritized the health sector in their budgets.

"On average African governments health budgets are less than 1 percent of their gross domestic products (GDP) against an ideal figure of five percent," Mule said during the Conference on Raising Resources for Kenya's Health Pillar Under Agenda Four.

The day-long event brought together African civil society organizations and parliamentarians to share their views on how Kenya can raise resources to deliver universal healthcare to all its citizens by 2022.

Mule also noted that most African states are yet to fulfill the 2001 Abuja Declaration where African Union member countries pledged to allocate at least 15 percent of their budgets to the health sector.

He added that most of the funding for health in Africa comes from foreign donors, a situation that is not sustainable in the long run.

The parliamentarian said that rich countries are also facing pressures from their citizens to reduce overseas development assistance to poor countries.

Rosemary Mburu, executive director of WACI Health, said that Africa should embrace innovative measures to enhance domestic resource mobilization to fund the health sector.

Mburu said that Africa should prioritize the health sector due to its significant influence on national development.

Olivia Ngou, global coordinator for Civil Society for Malaria Elimination, said that in October 2019, the international community will come together in Lyon, France, to raise funds for the sixth replenishment of Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

Ngou said that African countries are key beneficiaries of the global fund and should strongly support this international effort to raise more funds for the global fund.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-25 23:57:10|Editor: Yurou

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Passengers use self-service kiosks to check in at the LaGuardia Airport in New York, the United States, on Jan. 25, 2019. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration on Friday halted flights bound for New York City's LaGuardia Airport, due to staff shortage caused by the historic government shutdown. (Xinhua/Wang Ying)

WASHINGTON, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration on Friday halted flights bound for New York City's LaGuardia Airport, due to staff shortage caused by the historic government shutdown, now in its 35th day.

"We have experienced a light increase in sick leave at two facilities. We've mitigated the impact by augmenting staffing, rerouting traffic, and increasing spacing between aircraft when needed," the FAA said in a statement.

"The results have been minimal impacts to efficiency while maintaining consistent levels of safety in the national airspace system," the statement said.

The FAA pointed to staffing issues at Washington Air Route Traffic Control Center to have led to the decision. Other main airports in the region, including Washington Reagan National, Newark Liberty International and Philadelphia International are also seeing delays.

The White House said U.S. President Donald Trump had been briefed on the situation.

LaGuardia Airport, located in the northern part of New York City, is the 20th busiest airport in the United States. It is a major traffic hub in northeast United States.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-25 23:57:07|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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MOSCOW, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Russia is ready to act as a mediator in improving relations between the authorities and the opposition of Venezuela, a senior Russian diplomat said Friday.

"If our efforts are needed, we are ready for these efforts, (and) we have no problems with that," RIA Novosti quoted Alexander Schetinin, director of the Latin American Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry, as saying.

The news agency did not specify whether Russia had made an official offer.

Schetinin said that right now Russian officials do not plan contacts with the speaker of the Venezuelan parliament, Juan Guaido, who has declared himself the new president of Venezuela and was recognized as such by the United States and several other countries.

On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a phone conversation with incumbent Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, "expressed support for the legitimate Venezuelan authorities amid the worsening of the internal political crisis provoked from outside the country," according to a Kremlin statement.

Schetinin said that the crisis in Venezuela must be resolved by the Venezuelan people by peaceful means and in accordance with the country's constitutional procedures.

"We believe that now the task is to avoid any external influence, especially military on the internal situation in Venezuela," Schetinin said.

On Jan. 10, Maduro was sworn in before the Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ) to begin a new six-year term.

Maduro on Wednesday announced he was severing "diplomatic and political" ties with the United States after the U.S. authorities recognized opposition leader Juan Guaido as the nation's interim president.

The announcement came hours after U.S. President Donald Trump recognized Guaido as interim president in a statement issued by the White House. In addition, Trump has not ruled out the military option. He told reporters later in the day that "all options are on the table."
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-25 23:47:03|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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HANOI, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations (UN) Day of Vesak, or the birth of Buddha, is scheduled to take place at Tam Chuc pagoda in Vietnam's northern Ha Nam province on May 12-14.

The International Council for the Day of Vesak and Vietnam Buddhist Sangha held their second meeting Friday in northern Ninh Binh province on preparations for the event, the Vietnam News Agency reported.

Themed "Buddhist Approach to Global Leadership and Shared Responsibilities for Sustainable Societies," the event is expected to attract 1,500 religious dignitaries, researchers, scientists, and managers from countries and regions worldwide, as well as about 10,000 Buddhist followers and people.

This will be the third time the UN's commemoration of Vesak is held in Vietnam. Previously, it took place in the capital of Hanoi in 2008 and Ninh Binh in 2014.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-25 23:31:56|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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NAIROBI, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Diplomats representing Kenya's bilateral partners on Friday pledged support towards the fight against corruption that poses a threat to economic growth, stability and cohesion in the east African country.

The foreign envoys said in a statement issued at a national anti-corruption summit held in Nairobi they will rally behind home-grown initiatives to eradicate the vice in the public and private sectors.

"As international partners, we are committed to supporting Kenya's fight against corruption. Achieving these goals will happen through strong political leadership supported by zero tolerance for corruption from all Kenyans," said the envoys.

Kenya hosted a two-day national anti-corruption conference to deliberate on innovative strategies to stamp out embezzlement of public funds.

President Uhuru Kenyatta, his deputy, William Ruto and leader of opposition, Raila Odinga joined hundreds of delegates to rally the nation towards zero corruption in all spheres of public life.

Foreign diplomats said corruption was a threat to nationhood and realization of long-term prosperity in Kenya.

"Corruption is theft from the Kenyan people, and it has long undermined the country's prosperity, security and democracy. Until fully dealt with, corruption will undermine Kenya's long-term progress," said the envoys.

They hailed political goodwill that has revitalized the fight against graft and pledged support towards targeted interventions aimed at containing the menace.

"We reaffirm our readiness to support specific commitments Kenyans have made in their pledges to fight corruption. These include establishing strong, reliable and independent institutions that reduce opportunities for corruption and bring perpetrators to justice," said the envoys.

They called for strengthening of investigative and prosecutorial agencies that are key in the fight against corruption at local and national levels.

Likewise, the envoys pledged technical assistance towards agencies involved in tracing and recovery of stolen funds.

The envoys said they will strengthen partnership with key stakeholders like investors lobby and civil society to raise awareness against corruption.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-25 23:26:52|Editor: Yurou

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OSAKA, Japan, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Politicians from China and Japan had an in-depth exchange of views on bilateral relations at an event held in Osaka Friday, calling for sound and stable development of relations between the two countries.

China and Japan are important neighbors to each other, said Chinese Ambassador Cheng Yonghua at the third China-Japan friendly exchange conference of West Japan held by the Chinese Consulate General in Osaka.

Cheng said the long-term, sound and stable development of bilateral ties is in line with the fundamental interests of the two peoples and is also the common expectation of the region and the international community.

He called on all sectors of the society to build consensus and did practical things to deepen pragmatic cooperation and expand people-to-people exchanges, especially among the youth.

Li Tianran, Chinese consul-general in Osaka, said that by hosting a series of exchange activities, the consulate general will help promote the development of China-Japan relations into a new stage, and expects all sectors to strengthen cooperation and deepen regional exchanges between the two countries.

At the conference joined by more than 600 representatives from both sides, Japanese participants also called for seizing the opportunity to further safeguard and develop the friendly bilateral relations.

Fumihiro Kawamika, Japanese consul-general in China's Shenyang, and Deputy Governor of Tokushima Prefecture Dahiroshi Gotou reviewed the development of China-Japan relations based on their own experiences, saying that the exchanges between the two countries play an important role in the development of Asia and the world.

They also said they are expecting greater development of bilateral relations in the future.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-25 23:26:51|Editor: Yang Yi

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PARIS, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- With the European Parliament elections approaching in May, the war of words which intensified between Rome and Paris recently has left no reason to expect a calming of relations between the two neighbors, despite being traditional allies and steadfast trade partners.

The latest verbal attack by Italian Interior Minister Matteo Salvini, head of the Northern League party, was directly leveled at French President Emmanuel Macron.

"He gives us lessons on generosity, goodness, hospitality, solidarity, then he refuses thousands of migrants at the Italian border, at Vintimille and in Piedmont. I hope that the French are soon able to get rid of a very bad president," said Salvini in a video posted on social media on Tuesday.

One day earlier, Italian Deputy Prime Minister Luigi Di Maio, leader of the Five Star Movement, did not hesitate to accuse France of "impoverishing" West Africa and generating mass immigration to Europe.

"If France did not have African colonies... it would be the 15th world economic power," he said.

"France is one of those countries that by printing money for 14 African states prevents their economic development and contributes to the fact that the refugees leave and then die in the sea or arrive on our coasts," Di Maio said Monday.

He was referring to the CFA franc -- a currency used in 14 West and Central African nations, which is tied to the euro at a fixed exchange rate and guaranteed by the French treasury.

Di Maio said the European Union (EU) should sanction France and all countries like France that impoverish Africa and make people leave there.

These explosive remarks prompted France to summon Italy's ambassador to Paris.

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte certainly tried to cool down the tensions.

"This (row) does not call back into question our historical friendship with France, or with the French people. This relationship remains strong and steady in spite of political disputes," Conte said in a statement.

"We will continue to work with the institutions of the French government, with European institutions and other countries, to find shared solutions," he added.

But, at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Conte suggested that the EU should talk about turning France's UN Security Council seat into an EU one if Paris is willing. His remarks came after Germany and France signed the Treaty of Aachen, which defined granting Germany permanent membership in the UN Security Council as a priority of the French-German diplomacy.

France does not intend to play in the competition for whoever is the most stupid, responded French Minister for European Affairs Nathalie Loiseau on Wednesday, describing the statements by Italian leaders as "insignificant" and "unfriendly."

"We have other things to do, with an important neighbor such as Italy, we want to continue to be able to work," she said.

"Is it in any case that the climate allows for all the ministerial visits as if nothing happened? I will go to Italy when the climate will have calmed down," Loiseau said.

"These statements raise questions: do they serve the Italian people, do they contribute to the well-being of the Italian people? I don't think so," she said at a French Council of Ministers briefing.

"In France, we have an expression which says 'That which is excessive is insignificant,' therefore when statements are excessive both by their tone and their number, they become insignificant," Loiseau said.

Relations between Paris and Rome became tense last summer after the Five-Star Movement and the Northern League party came to power in a coalition in Italy last June.

Italy's new government closed ports to migrants rescued in the Mediterranean Sea by non-governmental organizations (NGOs), provoking French criticism.

Rancour between the two neighbors was also accumulated around the attitude toward the "yellow vest" protests that have swept France since Nov. 17.

Both Di Maio and Salvini have explicitly voiced support for the "yellow vest" protesters.

In early January, Di Maio called on the "yellow vests" to "let nothing go," while Salvini said in a Facebook video that he felt "close, with all my heart... to the French people, the millions of men and women who live in France under a terrible government and terrible president."

The fiery response from Loiseau did not take long, with the minister calling on Italian leaders to "sweep in front of their own door," and adding that France restrained itself from "giving lessons to Italy."

Behind the verbal one-upmanship, one thing is certain: the campaign for the European Parliament elections is well under way.
A Brooklyn restaurant manager has died from injuries inflicted by the hammer-wielding man who stormed a Sheepshead Bay buffet last week, according to authorities.

Tsz Mat Pung, 50, was pronounced dead early Thursday morning at NYU Langone Hospital in Brooklyn. He's the third victim to die following the bloody rampage carried out by Arthur Martunovich last Tuesday, police said. The restaurant's 34-year-old chef, Fufai Pun, was killed at the scene, while owner Kheon Ng-Thang, 60, was pronounced dead last Friday.

Martinuvich, a 34-year-old construction worker who lives in Brighton Beach, has been charged with two counts of murder, one count of attempted murder and criminal possession of a weaponand will likely face an additional murder charge for the most recent fatality, as well as potential hate crime charges. Law enforcement sources reportedly believe that Martinuvich attacked Asian workers specifically, and was possibly motivated by his "self-professed affinity for Chinese movies that denigrate Asian women," according to NBC.

In a joint statement released earlier this week, Councilmembers Margaret Chin, Chaim Deutsch, and Peter Koo urged the NYPD and Brooklyn D.A. Eric Gonzalez to "send a clear message that such a clear targeting of the Asian community will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."

"The views espoused by this individual echo lingering racial stereotypes concerning the relationship between men and women in the Chinese community," they added. "Armed with these repugnant beliefs, this man entered a local restaurant and wounded two innocent people and killed another while they were doing their jobs. Lets be clear: no New Yorker should ever fear that someone could end their lives just because they are of a certain ethnicity."

Martunovich, who lives a few blocks from the restaurant, allegedly fled after the attack, but officers found him a few blocks away and took him into custody. A police source told the Daily News that Martunovich assaulted an officer who escorted him to the restroom after his arrest, and that multiple officers sustained injuries while trying to restrain him.

During his interrogation, he was "rambling" and "was saying psycho stuff about space aliens," a source told the Post. Another said Martunovich claimed "voices" in his head commanded him to carry out the attack.

On Thursday, City Councilmembers Margaret Chin and Chaim Deutsch announced they'd be hosting a community unity rally to "support the Asian-American community during this difficult time." That event will take place in front of the Seaport Buffetlocated at 2027 Emmons Aveat 11:30 a.m. on Friday.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-25 23:26:50|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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NAIROBI, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's ministry of agriculture on Friday announced plans to revamp maize and sugar sub sectors to ensure that farmers get their maximum profit.

Mwangi Kiunjuri, cabinet secretary ministry for agriculture, livestock, fisheries and irrigation, said that the taskforce that was set up to identify the challenges in the sector is aimed at finding lasting solution in the sub sectors.

"We are purely going to rely on the views of the farmers in our plans to revamp the sub sector that used to perform well but has nosedived due to manmade problems," Kiunjuri told journalists.

He said that under the new arrangement, farmers will be required to play a major role in the management of the two sectors.

He revealed that the long awaited national maize task force report will officially be unveiled late next week.

"Farmers' concerns, including governance, will be addressed to enable the sub sector contribute to the country's national gross domestic product (GDP) as well as create employment opportunities to the job seekers, " Kiunjuri said.

He said that the taskforce on maize sub sector has completed its public hearings and are currently validating their findings before coming up with the final report.

Kiunjuri said the ministry is awaiting a supplementary budget to get approval from parliament to pay farmers a total of 2.9 million shillings (about 29,000 U.S. dollars).

The Kenyan official however cautioned sugarcane farmers to beware of cartels that are out to ruin the sub sector.

He observed that it is unfortunate that globally sugar industries are performing but in Kenya the five state-owned sugar mills continue to perform poorly even after bailouts by the government. Yet, the six privately owned millers perform so well.

Kiunjuri noted that the government is also realigning the fertilizer industry with the aim of improving food production in the country.

President Uhuru Kenyatta formed the taskforce on maize to address the problems in the sector and find lasting solution in late Oct. 2018.

This followed protests by maize farmers whose payments were delayed by National Cereals and Produce Board despite delivering the commodity.

Kiunjuri also formed taskforce on sugar subsector in late November 2018 to address the challenge of the non performance of the industry.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-25 23:26:47|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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KIEV, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- At least one Ukrainian soldier was killed and four others injured when a Ukrainian army vehicle came under shelling in the country's conflict-hit Donbas region on Friday, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry said.

The vehicle came under attack from a surface-to-air missile system in the village of Katerynivka not far from the contact line which separates the confronting forces, the ministry said in a statement.

The Ukrainian military fired in response, causing losses to the rebels, it said.

The incident marked the latest escalation of tensions in Donbas after a period of a relative lull.

On Dec. 29, 2018, the confronting parties in eastern Ukraine started to observe a fresh ceasefire in the conflict that has been under way since April 2014.

More than 3,300 Ukrainian army soldiers have been killed in the almost five-year-long confrontation with rebels.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-25 22:56:39|Editor: Yang Yi

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BEIJING, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message on the launch of the China-Laos Tourism Year 2019 in Vientiane on Friday, expressing his hope for deepening understanding and friendship between the two peoples.

Noting that China and Laos enjoy mutual political support, comprehensive economic cooperation and constant deepening of traditional friendship, Xi said China views Laos as a good neighbor, friend, comrade and partner. He also said China is willing to work with the Laotian side to better dovetail development strategies, enhance cooperation on Belt and Road construction, and promote the China-Laos comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation to achieve new fruits.

China and Laos both have brilliant cultures and beautiful sceneries, Xi said. People of both countries, drinking water from the same river, have the strong aspiration to deepen mutual understanding and friendship, the Chinese president added.

Xi said he hopes the two countries will take the chance of holding the year of tourism to expand people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and to consolidate the public and social basis for the building of a China-Laos community of shared future.

The agreement to hold the China-Laos Tourism Year was reached during the talks between Xi and visiting Laotian President Bounnhang Vorachit in Beijing in May 2018.

Both sides will jointly hold exhibitions, artistic performances, forums, training programs and other events, to promote mutual understanding and friendship, as well as to make contributions to building a China-Laos community of shared future.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-25 22:41:37|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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GAZA, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Clashes broke out on Friday between hundreds of Palestinian demonstrators and Israeli soldiers stationed on the border between eastern Gaza Strip and Israel, Gaza-based media and eyewitnesses said.

They said that hundreds of demonstrators approached the fence of the border with Israel, waving Palestinian flags, chanting anti-Israel slogans and throwing several percussion bombs at the soldiers.

The Israeli soldiers fired tear gas and gunshots and rubber-coated metal bullets at the demonstrators to disperse them. Paramedics said that several demonstrators were shot and injured, while others suffered suffocation.

No injuries have been reported, according to local media.

Eyewitnesses said that the soldiers opened fire at a group of Palestinian young men who approached the fence of the border, trying to vandalize the barbed wire of the fence.

Security sources in Gaza said that an Israeli army tank stationed at the border opened fire on Friday afternoon at a military lookout post in Gaza, with no injuries reported, according to local media reports.

Tension between Israel and Hamas is growing up after Hamas refused to receive the third installment of the Qatari grant, saying that it refuses to bargain calm for money and insists on carrying on the weekly anti-Israel marches.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-25 22:36:35|Editor: Yang Yi

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DAVOS, Switzerland, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- The 2019 World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting wrapped up Friday here at the snow-covered town of Davos in Switzerland.

Participated by hundreds of world leaders from all circles of life, during the four days of packed sessions, a lot of topics have been discussed, from the current global challenges, the future of Europe, the fighting to save the oceans to setting rules for the AI race.

However, what impressed the world the most might be these for key words -- cooperation, inclusion, AI and re-skilling.

COOPERATION

When 3000 global elites gathered again at Davos on Jan. 22-25 for the event, they were told that the theme of this year's meeting is "Globalization 4.0: Shaping a Global Architecture in the Age of the Fourth Industrial Revolution".

Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman of WEF, explained that since the challenges associated with the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) are coinciding with the rapid emergence of the many problems of the global governance, a new era of globalization is needed to be shaped, and that's globalization 4.0.

That is, the globalization 4.0 is both outcomes and solutions for many of the big issues of our time -- as being listed by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres -- global politics and geopolitical tensions, the slowdown of global economy, climate changes, immigration and digitalization.

In a special address to this year's Davos meeting, Guterres said that in order to achieve a better world, there is no other way to deal with global challenges with global responses, and organized in a multilateral way.

"If I had to select one sentence to describe the state of the world, I would say we are in a world in which global challenges are more and more integrated and the responses are more and more fragmented. And if this is not reversed, it's a recipe for disaster," he noted.

"It needs to be a multilateralism in which not only states are part of the system, but in which more and more, the business community, the civil society, the academia, they are all part of the way to analyze problems, to define strategies, to define policies, and then to implement them."

Under the background of 4IR, Guterres highlighted the "digital cooperation", saying that "we need to find a minimum of consensus in the world on how to integrate these new technologies in existed human rules".

German Chancellor Angela Merkel also presented a full-throated defense of the collaborative development of a new global architecture at this year's Davos meeting.

In her special address, the Chancellor said that all our major problems, including the future of artificial intelligence, will require global cooperation and engagement through a collective architecture.

"I stand here before you as someone who believes fully in the international order," she said.

INCLUSION

Obviously, 4IR, or the Fourth Industrial Revolution was one of the core concepts behind all the discussion during this year's Davos meeting. It is creating huge economic opportunities while also raising concerns on the many changes it will bring about.

According to the latest figure from this year's WEF meeting, the 4IR is projected to unlock 3.7 trillion U.S. dollars in economic value by 2025, and digital flows now exert a larger impact on GDP growth than merchandise trade, making it easier for companies to globalize with less capital-intensive business models.

For IBM CEO Ginni Rometty, one of the major negative effects of 4IR is that it could leave many people feeling disenfranchised and left behind.

How can we ensure the full use of the digital globalization but at the same time avoid the negative effects? The answer is "inclusion".

"There is always a moment in every industrial revolution where inequality grows. We then have to create a social revolution. Without it the industrial revolution keeps misfiring," Hilary Cottam, Author and Entrepreneur, told the forum.

In every industrial revolution, the human beings have a social revolution, she emphasized, and this does not happen by accident. "It happens by design" and the state has a critical role to play in designing that new architecture.

Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of Oxfam International, said at the meeting that according to their study, extreme economic inequality is out of control and at present, 10,000 people will die everyday because they can't access public health.

According to her, even with the tech changes, we are now in an economy that is rigged in such a way that a few get better off and many others don't. "We have to get governments to get behind managing the economies better," she said.

For Robert E. Moritz, Global Chairman of PwC International, business has a huge role to play in this respect.

According to Subramanian Rangan, a Professor of Strategy, since Nordic countries have less inequality and they are the highest adopters of technology, "Technology is not the problem" and how people use technology is the big thing, he said.

"We need moral capital to complement this cyber capital. If you are not willing to sacrifice things, there will be no trust," he argued.

For Alibaba founder Ma Yun, the reason why some people don't believe in globalization is because "it is not inclusive". So, how can we improve it? His answer is to include much more people to this process.

"In the last 20 years, globalization was controlled by 60,000 companies worldwide, imagine if we could expand that to 60 million businesses," Ma said.

AI

At Davos this winter, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been the most popular subject of discussion.

According to the latest figure from this year's Davos, AI has been projected to manage one trillion U.S. dollars in assets by 2020 and will transform the world in dramatic ways and will be the fastest growing trend in business under 4IR.

Saying AI is ensuring efficient operating systems for merchants, Alibaba CEO Daniel Zhang described the excitement around AI amusing given that Alibaba has been using this technology for years.

Amitabh Kant, Chief Executive Officer of National Institution for Transforming India (NITI), said that the objective should be to use AI to transform for the benefit of all, to ensure AI doesn't remain elitist.

Accordign to Jim Hagemann Snabe, Chairman of Siemens, the most important thing is that we should use AI to enhance human capability, but not just to replace them.

RE-SKILLING

Another most attractive topic is this year's Davos is learning today for tomorrow's jobs, or re-skilling.

According to a WEF report released just ahead of this year's annual meeting, a total of 1.4 million U.S. workers might lose their jobs as a result of the 4IR and other structural changes over the next decade.

However, the report found, it will be possible to transition 95 percent of at-risk workers into positions that have similar skills and higher wages through re-skilling.

Figures released from this year's Davos meeting also showed that some 65 percent of children entering primary school today will graduate into jobs that do not yet exist, implying that a new learning and re-skilling revolution will be necessary to prepare workers and societies for the future coming soon.

Even in the educationally-advanced U.S., some panelists at the meeting said, as many as 43 percent of recent college graduates in the United States are underemployed in their first job out of college.

Bill Thomas, Global Chairman of KPMG, said that since the pace of change is increasing, the commitment to lifelong learning is going to become a competitive advantage if companies want to attract new generation to join.

"Today access to capital is easier than access to skills," said Muriel Penicaud, France's Minister of Labor, who also mentioned her re-skilling proposal which includes giving employees 500 euros (568.5 U.S. dollars) a year to choose their own training program.

"Many of our citizens think they are victims of globalization and technology. When you are not in the driving seat, change is always a threat. You need to be in the driving seat, you need to be able to choose your future," she said.

According to Julie Gebauer, head of Human Capital and Benefits at Willis Towers Watson, there are a whole set of human skills that are going to be important in the future -- the ability to interact with clients, global skills, the ability to use digital technology, complex problem solving ability and agile thinking.

"I don't think computers are going to take that away any time soon," she said.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-25 22:31:33|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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MACAO, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Macao was rated as a "mostly free" economy in the Asia-Pacific, ranking the 9th out of 43 economies in the region, the special administrative region's monetary watchdog said on Friday, quoting a report released by the Heritage Foundation.

Monetary Authority of Macao said the 2019 Report on the Index of Economic Freedom rated Macao's economy as mostly free for the 11th consecutive year. Overall score of economic freedom is 71.0, higher than 70.9 recorded in 2018 and well above the world and regional averages, making its economy the 34th freest among 180 economies in the world.

Based on 12 attributes, the report assessed the degree of economic freedom of economies around the world. Macao receives relatively high scores in components such as fiscal health, government spending, trade freedom, investment freedom, tax burden, monetary freedom and financial freedom.

The foundation's report said that as a free port, Macao has long benefited from global trade and investment. The entrepreneurial environment is generally efficient and streamlined, property rights are generally respected, and taxation is low and relatively efficient.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-25 22:06:19|Editor: Shi Yinglun

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BERLIN, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- An estimated 83 million people were living in Germany by the end of 2018, a slight increase from that of 2017, which stood at 82.8 million, the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) revealed on Friday.

Despite a "birth deficit", Germany's population increased again due to migration gains and had reached a new high at the end of 2018 since German unification, according to Destatis.

According to estimates by Destatis, the birth deficit, which is the difference between births and deaths, had been around 150,000 to 180,000 in 2018. In 2017, the birth deficit in Germany had been 147,000.

A long-term decline of Germany's population was set off by more people moving to Germany. The difference of new arrivals and departures from Germany is estimated to be between 340,000 and 380,000 additional people in 2018.

After the extremely strong net immigration in 2015, the migration balance declined for the third year in a row and roughly reached the level of 2012, according to Destatis. In 2017, 416,000 more people moved to Germany than left Germany.

Although the population figures are rising, demographic ageing in Germany is advancing. Destatis estimates that even in the scenario of strong immigration, only 73.1 million people will live in Germany by 2060 and only 16 percent of people living in Germany will be younger than 20 years.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-25 22:01:18|Editor: Shi Yinglun

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BERLIN, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- The German Business Climate Index published by the Institute for Economic Research (Ifo) fell from 101.0 points in December to 99.1 points in January, dropping to its lowest level since February 2016, the Ifo Institute revealed on Friday.

"The German economy is experiencing a downturn," a statement by Ifo president Clemens Fuest read. The Ifo Business Climate Index is a closely-followed leading indicator for economic activity in Germany.

The German construction sector suffered a "clear setback for the first time in years" resulting in a significant deterioration of the business climate, according to the ifo institute. Nevertheless, the current business situation of construction companies in Germany would remain on a high level.

In the manufacturing sector the business climate index fell markedly as well. This would mainly be due to "far more pessimistic business expectations", according to the ifo institute. Manufacturers would assess their current business situation "slightly less favorably".

The business climate index for the sectors of trade and services fell as well. However, despite a gloomy outlook for the future, companies in these sectors were satisfied with their current business situation.

The German government revised its growth forecast for 2019, German media reported on Thursday. Accordingly, the German ministry of economics expects gross domestic product (GDP) to grow by 1.0 percent in the current year.

A weaker global economy and the unclear conditions of Great Britain's withdrawal from the European Union would be among the reasons for the expected lower growth rate. Back in October, the government had assumed growth of 1.8 percent.
Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi (L) and French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian inaugurate a commemoration for the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in Paris, France, Jan. 24, 2019. Wang Yi is in Paris for the 18th consultation of the coordinators for the China-France Strategic Dialogue. (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong)

PARIS, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks here Thursday with his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian on bilateral ties. Wang is in Paris for the 18th consultation of the coordinators for the China-France Strategic Dialogue.

Wang said that 55 years ago, France became the first Western country to establish formal diplomatic relations with China. China-France relations have always been at the forefront of Sino-EU and Sino-Western relations, he said.

Wang said that the existing international systems and rules are being challenged, and the existing consensus on multilateralism and trade liberalization is being impacted. China and France should further cooperate on the basis of fine traditions, he said.

Wang put forward a four-point proposal in this regard, asking the two sides to hold high the banner of multilateralism, open cooperation, dialogue among civilizations and a community of shared future for mankind.

He called for joint efforts to uphold the international system with the United Nations (UN) Charter as its core and the multilateral free trade regime based on rules.

Urging the two countries to work together to build an open world economy, Wang said China is committed to deepening reform and opening-up, which will bring more cooperation opportunities for countries including France. He also expressed the hope that France can provide an open, fair and transparent business environment for Chinese companies.

He stressed that the two sides should encourage different civilizations to respect, appreciate and complement each other, abandon all zero-sum games and egoism, and advocate a new type of international relations featuring mutual respect, fairness and justice, and win-win cooperation.

For his part, Le Drian extended his greetings to the Chinese people who are embracing the Chinese Lunar New Year, saying it is of great significance for China and France to jointly celebrate the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties.

For the past 55 years, the fruitful cooperation between the two countries has continuously promoted the development of bilateral relations and enhanced mutual trust, he said.

At a time when multilateralism is facing severe challenges, it is very important for France and China, as permanent members of the UN Security Council, to work together to uphold and strengthen the multilateral system, Le Drian said.

France is willing to work together with China to keep close high-level exchanges, deepen economic, trade and investment cooperation by promoting progress in projects in key areas, and strengthen personnel exchange by welcoming more Chinese students to study in France, Le Drian said.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-25 21:56:15|Editor: Shi Yinglun

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TEHRAN, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Army Ground Force launched a large-scale war game in the country's central province of Isfahan on Friday.

The exercise, held in Nasrabad region, involves around 12,000 assault forces from all units of the Army Ground Force, Tasnim news agency reported.

During the war game, which aims to evaluate the recent changes in the structure of the Army Ground Force, the participating forces would focus on modern offense tactics.

On Friday, the soldiers from the artillery, armored unit, rapid-reaction forces, mechanized infantry, combat engineering, telecommunication and electronic warfare, and airborne unit were arrayed in the operation zone with the support of the Air Force fighter jets.

During the first stage of the exercise, the airborne unit's drones and choppers carried out a reconnaissance mission before troops from the airborne brigade and rapid reaction brigade parachuted into the target zone.

Assessment of the power, mobility and agility of the troops and the aerial logistics of the airborne unit's copters are among the objectives of the first day of the maneuver.

On Thursday, Commander of the Iranian Army Ground Force Brigadier General Kiomars Heidari annnounced that war game, code-named "Eqtedar," will last for two days.

Iran holds regular war games every year aimed at testing new hardware, enhancing the country's combat preparedness as well as demonstrating Iran's capabilities in the face of threats.
New York City will pay $3.3 million to the estate of Kalief Browder, the young man who spent his late teenage years on Rikers Island for a petty robbery charge that was ultimately dismissed, before committing suicide in 2015. A spokesperson for the city law department said they hoped the settlement would "bring some measure of closure to the Browder family."

Browder was arrested in 2010 after he was accused of stealing a man's backpack, and spent three years waiting for a trial to prove his innocence. His imprisonment, which included more than 800 days in solitary confinement, was the subject of a harrowing New Yorker feature in 2014. It described a cycle of abuse suffered by Browder at the hands of guards and fellow inmates, and months-long stretches in solitary in which he believed he was starving to death. Throughout the process, Browder maintained his innocence, even when it meant spending more time behind bars:

Judge DiMango explained to Browder, If you go to trial and lose, you could get up to fifteen. Then she offered him an even more tempting deal: plead guilty to two misdemeanorsthe equivalent of sixteen months in jailand go home now, on the time already served. If you want that, I will do that today, DiMango said. I could sentence you today. . . . Its up to you. Im all right, Browder said. I did not do it. Im all right. You are all right? DiMango said. Yes, he said. I want to go to trial.

In 2015, two years after he was released due to a lack of evidence, Browder hung himself with an air conditioner cord at his Bronx home. Attorneys for Browder blamed the young man's experience on Rikers for his death.

"I think what caused the suicide was his incarceration and those hundreds and hundreds of nights in solitary confinement, where there were mice crawling up his sheets in that little cell. Being starved, and not being taken to the shower for two weeks at a time  those were direct contributing factors," his attorney Sanford Rubenstein told the LA Times. "That was the pain and sadness that he had to deal with every day, and I think it was too much for him."

Attention to Browder's experience would eventually force Rikers Island to abolish solitary confinement for inmates under 21a practice that continues elsewhere across the state. His case also highlighted the injustices of the cash bail system, which persists to this day.

According to the law department, "Kalief Browder's story helped inspire numerous reforms to the justice system to prevent this tragedy from ever happening again, including an end to punitive segregation for young people on Rikers Island."

In a statement to the Associated Press, Rubenstein called the settlement fair and reasonable.

If someone you know exhibits warning signs of suicide: do not leave the person alone; remove any firearms, alcohol, drugs or sharp objects that could be used in a suicide attempt; and call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) or take the person to an emergency room or seek help from a medical or mental health professional.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-25 21:36:06|Editor: mmm

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HANGZHOU, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- A court in eastern China's Zhejiang Province has ordered an online shopkeeper to pay his business rival 2.1 million yuan (300,000 U.S. dollars) in damages due to malicious complaints.

The plaintiff, surnamed Wang, runs a sportswear shop on Taobao, the e-commerce retail platform of Alibaba, China's e-commerce giant. In December 2016 Wang was complained on by the defendant, surnamed Jiang, of selling alleged infringing products.

Taobao then deleted the links of the involved products based on evidence provided by Jiang.

In January 2017, Wang lodged a complaint with the intellectual property protection platform of Alibaba and won the appeal and his products links were restored. Jiang filed a counter-appeal later, leading to another round of blocks involving links and punishment of Wang conducted by the IP protection platform for selling infringing products.

However, police investigation eventually found that Jiang sold counterfeit products through making fake official endorsement and product certificates and made complaints against Wang with fabricated evidence and malicious intent.

The Hangzhou Internet Court ruled that Jiang's behavior had resulted in a sharp decline in the sales value of Wang's e-shop. It ordered Jiang to pay compensation to Wang for unfair competition.

"China has made more detailed rules to cope with malicious complaints and unfair competition in accordance with the country's first e-commerce law, which officially took effect this month," said Ye Shengnan, the judge who undertook the case.

Online trading activities will be scrutinized more strictly in line with the new e-commerce law, in order to keep China's e-commerce sector on an orderly track, the judge said.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-25 21:26:02|Editor: Shi Yinglun

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NAIROBI, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Kenyans' increased use and adoption of smartphones has fueled the development of home-grown mobile apps to perform various tasks.

From paying fare and electricity bills to borrowing money, hailing taxis, and searching for a house, Kenyans have apps that help them solve nearly every problem.

The number of apps developed locally has been on the rise in the last a few years as east African nation citizens embrace smartphones in droves.

About 67 percent of mobile phones sold in Kenya are smartphones, according to online firm Jumia, with Kenyans using the phones to access the internet.

The smartphones for Kenyans are the devices of choice in accessing the internet, beating tablets, laptops and desktop computers.

As of September 2018, the total number of active internet subscriptions stood at 42.2 million, up from 41.1 million in June, according to the Communication Authority of Kenya.

Of the total, the number of mobile internet subscriptions was 41.8 million. App developers are, therefore, leveraging on the popularity of smartphones to solve Kenyan problems.

Commercial banks in the east African nation are among the leading developers of apps as they push their services online.

Kenya Commercial Bank, Barclays Bank, Equity Bank and Cooperative Bank, among others, all have mobile apps that enable Kenyans to check their bank account deposits, transfer money and borrow at the click of a button.

The banks are recording roaring success with the apps as the number of borrowers more than double.

In the transport sector, one of the latest apps seeks to help Kenyans stop the habit of public bus conductors failing to give commuters change.

"Save your change in M-Koin and pay fare using it without any worries," Sidian Bank, the developers of the app, said on Friday in an online promotion.

Still in the public transport sector, travelers going upcountry from Nairobi or vice versa can now be linked directly to private motorists heading to the same routes through an app dubbed NipeLift.

The app links drivers who have empty seats with passengers looking for convenient, faster and safer rides.

Drivers on the app, however, do not make profit since Kenyan laws prohibit non-public transport vehicles from carrying passengers for gain.

Boniface Githinji, CEO of Sematime Ltd, the developers of the mobile app, noted that they came up with the service to enable travelers to get safer riders, especially during peak seasons when public transport vehicles become scarce.

With so many apps are coming up in Kenya, the only reason some stand out and will be downloaded by smartphones users is because they are helping solve a problem or adding value in the lives of users, according to Mercy Rop, a digital marketer at Legibra Solutions.

Rop categorizes the apps being developed in Kenya and other parts of the world as utility apps, discovery apps, social connection apps, gaming and branded applications.

"App users are leveraging on the high penetration of smartphones, focusing on mobile applications which add value to the consumers' lives while enhancing the long-term engagement," she said.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-25 21:16:00|Editor: Shi Yinglun

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NAIROBI, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- The United States has issued a security alert, urging Kenyans to sustain vigilance in wake of terror attacks in the east African nation.

In its security alert, the U.S. embassy in Kenya reminded the public to stay vigilant in public spaces such as shopping malls, hotels, and places of worship.

The warning came 10 days after al-Shabab attacked a luxury hotel and office complex housing multinational companies in Nairobi that left 21 people killed.

The security forces have rounded up several suspects who are in police custody in connection with Jan. 15 attack at the leafy dusitD2 complex on 14 Riverside Drive.

Somali terror group al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the hotel attack.

The militant group said the Nairobi attack was a response to the "witless remarks" of U.S. President Donald Trump and his declaration of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, and to the "systematic prosecution of Muslims in Palestine."

The embassy asked the public to be aware of their surroundings and stay alert in locations frequented by tourists and Westerners.

The American embassy also advised foreigners to have their travel documents up to date and easily accessible and also advised the public to review their personal security plans.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-25 21:10:59|Editor: mmm

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Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi (L) and French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian inaugurate a commemoration for the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in Paris, France, Jan. 24, 2019. Wang Yi is in Paris for the 18th consultation of the coordinators for the China-France Strategic Dialogue. (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong)

PARIS, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday praised as "brilliant" the development of China-France relations over the past 55 years.

Brilliant years are the decades of the relations between China and France, Wang said during a ceremony to launch the celebrations of the 55th anniversary of bilateral ties, an event he attended together with French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian.

The course of the development of bilateral ties is an embodiment of the spirit of independence, mutual understanding, visionary thinking and win-win cooperation as was stated by President Xi Jinping during his trip to Paris in 2014, said Wang, who is in Paris for the 18th consultation of the coordinators for the China-France Strategic Dialogue.

It was a common pursuit of independent diplomatic policies that made the establishment of bilateral ties in 1964 a brave event of the time, and France the first major Western country having diplomatic ties with China, Wang said.

Mutual understanding has enabled both countries to seek common ground amid differences and negotiate difficulties in their relations, Wang said, adding that "With sufficient mutual respect, nothing can block our steps in moving forward together."

In Wang's eyes, visionary thinking from strategic perspectives on both sides has helped carry bilateral ties through misty scenarios and constantly forward. "France is the first major country in the West to forge a comprehensive strategic partnership with China, and the bilateral relations, by being strategic and groundbreaking, have made special, important contributions to global peace, stability and development," Wang noted.

The Chinese foreign minister also stressed win-win cooperation as a right choice for both sides in developing their relations.

Thanks to win-win cooperation, Wang said, China-France relations are able to power forward, bringing tangible benefits to the two countries and peoples.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-25 21:10:58|Editor: Shi Yinglun

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YAOUNDE, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Five students and two lawyers were abducted early Friday in the two war-torn Cameroon English-speaking regions of Northwest and Southwest, according to local authorities.

The students were kidnapped from a private secondary school in Bamenda of Northwest. The two lawyers were abducted in Buea of Southwest, according to local authorities.

"The students were on their way to school when they were kidnapped and the lawyers were abducted at the Mile 16 neighbourhood in Buea by heavily armed men," a security source told Xinhua.

It is still unclear who kidnapped the students and the lawyers. A "thorough" search by police and army for the abductees is in progress in the two regions according to the source.

An armed conflict is ongoing in Cameroon's Anglophone regions where separatists claim that they want to create a new nation called "Ambazonia."

Cases of kidnapping have become rampant in the regions since the conflict started in 2017.

Cameroon government has blamed armed separatists for the abductions, but the separatists claim that the government is staging the kidnappings to tarnish their image internationally.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-25 21:05:55|Editor: Shi Yinglun

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MANILA, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Philippine government said on Friday its troops captured a base of a terrorist group in Lanao del Sur province of the southern Mindanao island and killed three terrorists.

Colonel Romeo Brawner of the Philippine Army's 103rd Infantry Brigade said the troops gained control of a camp after "an intense gunfight" with 24 extremists belonging to the Maute group on Thursday. The terror group is believed to be led by Abu Dar, he added.

The location of the camp is about 50 km from Marawi City.

Brawner said the fighting lasted 10 hours, killing three terrorists. Three soldiers were also wounded in the assault.

He said civilians tipped off the presence of the terrorists in the area, prompting the troops to launch an assault on Wednesday night.

"Despite the enemy's advantage over the terrain, our troops were able to gain ground and managed to penetrate their defensive lines through timely and accurate supporting fires," Brawner said.

The seizure of the base will further weaken the terror group, according to the military.

After the failed attempt of the Maute group to establish a caliphate in Lanao del Sur province, Brawner said villagers around Lake Lanao have become aware of the impact of violent extremism to the community.

Brawner said the group is no longer capable of mounting large-scale attacks against the military. However, he said the group can still manage to pull off "spoiling attacks to retaliate."

Abu Dhar is allegedly the new leader of the Maute ISIS group. The government offers a 6-million-peso (113,644-U.S. dollar) bounty for his capture.

Lanao del Sur province on Mindanao island is under martial rule. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte imposed martial law on the island since Maute group attacked Marawi City in May 2017.

From May to October 2017, terrorist organizations that pledged support to Islamic State including the Abu Sayyaf Group, the Maute Group, and others occupied and held the lakeside Marawi City in the southern Philippines.

Security forces ultimately cleared the city and eliminated much of the terrorist leadership, including the Maute brothers who founded the militant group called the Islamic State Ranao.

At least 1,200 people, including soldiers and terrorists, were killed in the Marawi siege that lasted from May to October of 2017, which also flattened the city's business center. The government is still in the process of rebuilding the city's central business district.

The congress has granted Duterte's three requests for martial law extension to quell the rebellion in the southern region. Martial law remains in the region until Dec. 31, 2019.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-25 21:05:53|Editor: mmm

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by Mahmoud Fouly

CAIRO, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a "game changer" for world economy due to its influence on economic and trade relations between participant states through win-win partnerships, said Hisham el-Zimaity, secretary general of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs (ECFA), in a recent interview with Xinhua.

"There is lack of communication and sufficient transport to link developing states, but the BRI adds new roads and means of transport through infrastructure projects, development of ports, road networks, railways, etc., facilitating communication and trade among nations," Zimaity, also Egypt's former ambassador to Japan, Hungary, Slovenia and Pakistan, added.

Proposed by China in 2013, the BRI refers to the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, which aim at building a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe, Africa and beyond through the revival of ancient trade routes.

The Egyptian ex-diplomat said that his country is a focal point in the BRI as Egypt's vital Suez Canal is a central waterway for world trade, and the development of the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone) through the upgrade of several ports and the establishment of key infrastructure projects highlights it on the BRI map.

Under the BRI, China has funded many infrastructure projects in Africa, including the railway connecting Ethiopia and Djibouti, the Maputo-Katembe cross-sea bridge in Mozambique and others.

"The BRI helps boost mutual trade between Egypt and other African states, because Mombasa and Djibouti ports developed by China have become very important for international trade and they both have direct links with Egypt's Suez Canal," said Zimaity.

Chinese industrial developer Tianjin Economic-Technological Development Area (TEDA) is currently developing a total area of 7.23 square km in the SCZone in Ain Sokhna district of Suez province east of the Egyptian capital Cairo.

Many tenants and enterprises were attracted to the SCZone, including China's fiberglass giant manufacturer Jushi, which helped Egypt become one of the largest fiberglass producers and exporters in the world over the past couple of years.

"There are dozens of Chinese companies currently investing in the Suez Canal region in various fields that are important to both the Egyptian market and the Chinese investors," Zimaity told Xinhua, stressing the growing Egyptian-Chinese relations in the light of the initiative.

He added that Egypt's special location as a portal for Africa, the Arab world and the Middle East, besides the presence of the Suez Canal, "makes it a main strategic partner in this important initiative."

The ECFA secretary-general noted that the BRI routes pass through states that are not completely stable, such as Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria, adding that "China is among the leading states that work on the stability and development of these countries."

The veteran diplomat also emphasized that the ECFA, most of whose members are former ambassadors and diplomats, thinkers, businessmen and experts, has communications with several think-tanks in China where they exchange visits, dialogues and views, which help in forming a deeper idea about each development stage of the Chinese initiative.

"The ECFA is in constant communication with all state ministries, especially the Foreign Ministry. When we reach any recommendations in the ECFA concerning the BRI, we present them to the Egyptian foreign minister to consider," he added.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-25 21:05:53|Editor: mmm

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LUSAKA, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- The demand for Zambian honey in foreign markets such as China is on the rise, the country's investment agency said on Friday.

Perry Mapani, Director-General of the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA), said the number of Chinese importers looking for honey from Zambia is on the rise.

In a statement released by the investment agency, the official said that the increased demand has forced the agency, working with the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry and the International Trade Center to embark on programs aimed at growing the sector and creating efficiency in the production and supply of honey.

"As an agency, we are working in line with the Seventh National Development Plan to diversify the economy. The honey sub-sector is among the other priority areas which have been pointed out by government to drive the diversification agenda," he said.

The agency, he said, was also working with other sector players such as the financing institutions to provide finance for the entrepreneurs in the honey sector in order to boost their capacity both for the local and international market.

According to him, the opportunities for bee-keeping and agriculture in general in Zambia are immense due to the favorable climatic conditions.

Last October, Zambia officially launched the export of honey to China.

The export of organic honey followed the signing of an export protocol by Zambia and China on the sidelines of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Beijing Summit.

Currently, Zambia's annual honey production is about 2, 500 tonnes and the southern African nation exports 1,000 tonnes to the European and African markets, leaving a surplus of 1,500 tonnes.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-25 21:00:51|Editor: mmm

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BEIJING, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- China's cabinet has released a guideline on upgrading comprehensive bonded zones for high-level opening up and high-quality development.

Improved policies and innovative regulation are needed to foster the competitive edge of the zones in industrial support and the business environment, according to the guideline released by the State Council.

These zones should be developed into "globally influential and competitive centers of processing and manufacturing, R&D and design, logistics and distribution, testing and maintenance, and marketing and services," the guideline said.

Comprehensive bonded zones are areas where preferential tax and foreign exchange policies are applied and are home to firms mainly engaged in export manufacturing and logistics.

A slew of measures will be taken to achieve the goals.

Manufacturers within the zones will be allowed to take orders from domestic firms outside the zones. Cellphones and automobile parts made in the zones will no longer need import licenses for sale in China.

Support will be provided for the development of R&D institutions such as the national industrial innovation centers in the zones.

Logistics will be facilitated with the scrapping of customs clearance for qualified imports. Comprehensive bonded zones capable of importing whole automobiles are allowed to offer car storage and exhibition services.

Global service outsourcing will be supported, and preferential cross-border e-commerce retail import polices will be gradually applied in comprehensive bonded zones.

Government departments should give all-out support to "create first-class business environment" in these zones, the guideline said.

There are 96 comprehensive bonded zones in China currently, according to Li Guo, deputy head of the General Administration of Customs.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-25 21:00:50|Editor: mmm

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XI'AN, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- A court in northwest China's Shaanxi Province sentenced a man to death Friday after it found him guilty of homicide for starting a deadly bus attack in June 2018.

The ruling was handed down by the Intermediate People's Court of Xi'an, capital of Shaanxi Province, in a first-instance trial.

The court heard that Xin Haiping, 40, who claimed that he had been infected with a serious disease after being stabbed by someone with a needle while traveling on a bus, harbored a grudge against members of the public and started an attack with a preempted knife against passengers on an east-bound bus for Line 302 in the city of Xi'an on June 22, killing four people and leaving seven others slightly injured. The court said out of revenge against members of the public, Xin launched the fatal bus attack, causing multiple deaths and injuries, and committed a crime, posing "extremely great threat" to the people.

The court decided that Xin should be sentenced to death for the crime of homicide and be deprived of political rights for life.

Xin said at the court that he would file an appeal.
FRANKLIN, Ind., Jan. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- IBC Advanced Alloys Corp. (IBC or the Company) (TSX-V: IB; OTCQB: IAALF), a leading beryllium and copper advanced alloys company, announced Friday that its Board of Directors has accepted the resignation of Major General David Duncan Heinz from his positions as President, CEO, and Director of the Company.

On behalf of the IBC Board of Directors, and the entire IBC team, I would like to thank General Heinz for his many contributions to the Company over these past seven-plus years. We all wish him and his family well in all of their future endeavors, said Mark A. Smith, IBC Board Chair.

A search for a successor is underway, according to Mr. Smith. In the interim, and effectively immediately, IBC will be led by an executive management committee consisting of Mr. Smith, Geoffrey Hampson, Mike Jarvis, and Simon Anderson, all of whom serve on the IBC Board.

The Board of Directors, the companys major investors, and the entire IBC organization remain singularly focused and increasingly aligned on the urgency of attaining sustained profitability, substantially growing revenue from both our copper and beryllium alloys businesses, and continuing to deliver world-class, industry-leading products and services to our customers worldwide.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors:

"Mark Smith

Mark A. Smith, Board Chair

Contacts:

Mark Smith, Chair

Jim Sims, Director of Investor and Public Relations

+1 (303) 503-6203

Email: jsims@policycom.com



Website: www.ibcadvancedalloys.com

@IBCAdvanced $IB $IAALF #Beryllium #Beralcast

About IBC Advanced Alloys Corp.

IBC is a leading beryllium and copper advanced alloys company serving a variety of industries such as defense, aerospace, automotive, telecommunications, precision manufacturing, and others. IBC's Copper Alloys Division manufactures and distributes a variety of copper alloys as castings and forgings, including beryllium copper, chrome copper, and aluminum bronze. IBC's Engineered Materials Division makes the Beralcast family of alloys, which can be precision cast and are used in an increasing number of defense, aerospace, and other systems, including the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. IBC's has production facilities in Indiana, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Missouri. The Company's common shares are traded on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "IB" and the OTCQB under the symbol "IAALF".

CAUTIONARY 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 this release. This disclosure contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements normally contain words like believe, expect, anticipate, plan, intend, continue, estimate, may, will, should, ongoing and similar expressions, and within this news release include any statements (express or implied) respecting anticipated profitability, increased sales, and the continuing success of the Companys ability to deliver products and services to its customers worldwide. Although IBC believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements, by their very nature, are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties and are based on assumptions, both general and specific, which give rise to the possibility that actual results or events could differ materially from our expectations expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statement. The forward-looking statements made by the Company in this press release are based on its experience, perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors it believes are appropriate in the circumstances. As a result, we cannot guarantee that any forward-looking statement will materialize, and we caution you against relying on any of these forward-looking statements. IBC makes no commitment to revise or update any forward-looking statements in order to reflect events or circumstances after the date any such statement is made, except as required by applicable law. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties is contained in IBCs filings for the quarter ended September 30, 2018, and in its Annual Information Form for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2018, available at www.sedar.com.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-25 20:50:48|Editor: mmm

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HONG KONG, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government on Friday welcomed the Heritage Foundation's high regard for Hong Kong as the world's freest economy for the 25th consecutive year.

In this year's Index of Economic Freedom report, Hong Kong's overall score remained at 90.2. This makes Hong Kong once again the only economy attaining an overall score higher than 90.

Financial Secretary Paul Chan said this achievement reaffirms the government's steadfast commitment to upholding the free market principles over the years.

The foundation continued to recognize Hong Kong's economic resilience, high-quality legal framework, low tolerance for corruption, high degree of government transparency, efficient regulatory framework and openness to global commerce.

"The free market principles have long been the cornerstone of the Hong Kong economy. The government will continue to uphold Hong Kong's fine tradition of the rule of law, maintain a simple and low tax system, improve government efficiency, safeguard the open and free trade regime and build a level playing field for all, so as to create a favorable environment for businesses in Hong Kong and promote Hong Kong's economic growth," he said.

The 2019 Index of Economic Freedom report was released by the Heritage Foundation on Thursday in Washington.

Hong Kong has been ranked as the world's freest economy since the Index was first published in 1995. Hong Kong's overall score in this year's report, at 90.2 (out of 100), was well above the global average of 60.8.

Among the 12 components adopted for measuring economic freedom in the report, Hong Kong achieved high scores of 90 or above in eight categories.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-25 20:40:46|Editor: Shi Yinglun

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ISLAMABAD, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- At least five people were killed and 12 others injured when a speeding truck rammed into a passenger van in Pakistan's southern Sindh Province, local media reported on Friday.

According to the reports, the accident happened on the Indus Highway in Jamshoro, a district in Sindh province, resulting in the death of four people on the spot. One injured person succumbed to his injuries while on the way to a nearby hospital.

Following the crash, police along with rescue teams reached the area and shifted the bodies and injured to the Civil Hospital Jamshoro, where several among the injured are in critical condition, according to the hospital sources.

Women and children were among the injured people, local TV channel Geo News quoted police sources as saying.

According to official data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, around 9,000 road accidents are reported every year since 2011 in the country, killing more than 4,500 people on average annually.

Traffic police officials said 90 percent of the accidents in Pakistan are caused by human error. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-25 20:30:42|Editor: Shi Yinglun

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BEIRUT, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Syrian Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Abdel Karim Ali said Friday that Lebanon and Syria should cooperate in facing Israeli threats, local media reported.

"Lebanon and Syria have one common enemy and they should cooperate in facing its aggressions," Ali was quoted as saying by Elnashra, an online independent newspaper.

Ali said that Israel is very well aware today that Syria is capable of confronting its enemy.

"Syria is much powerful today than it was at the beginning of the war," he said.

Ali added that Israel's insistence on its aggressions against Syria is a clear indication that it has failed to reach its goals.

Israel carried out a series of airstrikes early Monday against Iranian targets in Syria in response to an Iranian missile fired at the Golan Heights.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) struck Iranian targets in and around Damascus, including the city's international airport, munitions depots, intelligence sites, a training camp and more.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-25 20:25:36|Editor: Lu Hui

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People hold placards during a rally to protest against the partial government shutdown at Federal Plaza in Chicago, the United States, Jan. 18, 2019. (Xinhua/Wang Ping)

by Xinhua writers Sun Ding, Xiong Maoling, Liu Yang

WASHINGTON, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Federal employees are queuing up for free food handouts in Washington D.C., goods for sale cannot be shipped without federally approved labels, and delayed corporate investments could be called off.

These represent the ripple effects of a partial U.S. federal government shutdown, which enters its 35th day on Friday. The U.S. political impasse, with so far no end in sight, is expected to inflict mounting damage on the broader economy.

ANGER OVER SHUTDOWN

There are fewer pedestrians or tourists in Washington D.C. due to the record-long government shutdown coupled with wintry weather. What is noticeable are people lining up at a corner of the U.S. Navy Memorial Plaza facing Pennsylvania Avenue that connects the White House and Capitol Hill.

The people belong to the quarter of the U.S. government either forced to work without pay or furloughed. The queue is for hot meals or grocery items offered by World Central Kitchen, an organization that usual responds to natural disasters such as earthquakes and hurricanes.

It is "a disaster nonetheless" for them, said Nate Mook, the nonprofit's executive director. He told Xinhua that his organization has set up an "emergency kitchen" and a "resource center."

Since the government shutdown began on Dec. 22, some 800,000 federal employees have missed one paycheck and are about to miss a second this Friday.

Shavon Givens, a mother of two, said she has called her creditors to ask for a delay in paying her bills. At the resource center, she received some diapers for her 19-month-old son. "We all want to go back to work," said the furloughed employee at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

In less than a week, the emergency kitchen has served about 27,000 meals and is prepared to meet more needs. On the first day of opening, the resource center, which offers raw food materials, drinking water and hygiene products among other things, received about 1,500 people.

Similar aid programs are being run in U.S. cities from Los Angeles to Boston.

"For the first time in their lives, many of them have to stand in line for a plate of food. They are hardworking Americans who serve their government but now they are not able to provide for themselves or their families," Mook said.

Frustration, anxiety, and discontent have turned into anger. Hundreds of federal employees and contractors and union representatives gathered inside Hart Senate Office Building earlier this week to protest.

In silence, many of them held plates reading "End Shutdown," "Let Us Work," or "Do Your Job So I Can Do Mine," and finished the rally in chanting "No more fund banks, they need pay checks."

"We don't want our people standing in line for free handouts," Venorica Tucker, a female protester, told Xinhua. "That's not what we want. We want to work. We want to earn our living."

David Hendrick, president of the American Federation of Government Employees, Local 2463, which represents Smithsonian Institution employees, urged politicians to put people's interests first and make a reasonable deal so that the federal employees affected by the shutdown could return to work.

BUSINESSES FEEL PAIN

Without federally approved labels, kegs of apricot-flavored India Pale Ale have piled up in Justin Cox's craft brewery in northeast Washington D.C., unable to be shipped for sale.

The newly brewed seasonable beer, scheduled to be released on Feb. 1, still awaits a keg label approval by the Treasury Department's Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, which has halted most of its operations.

"The clock is ticking on this beer now ... With the very extreme version of that being, it goes down the drain," Cox, founder and CEO of Atlas Brew Works, told Xinhua. The fermentation of the beer was done about 10 days ago, and it will lose its flavor in 120 days.

"Every day the shutdown continues, the losses multiply," Cox said.

In addition to labels and permits being delayed by the government shutdown is financing for small businesses like Cox's. They cannot proceed with loan applications to a bank or credit union without necessary information from the federal government and neither have access to federal loans due to the closure of the Small Business Administration.

Big companies, including airlines, suffer from the shutdown too. Southwest Airlines said Thursday that it lost up to 15 million U.S. dollars so far this month, and Delta Air Lines last week said the shutdown could cost it 25 million dollars in revenue.

U.S. Chamber of Commerce said Wednesday that "workers and businesses are bearing the brunt" of the shutdown. "The simple reality is individuals and businesses depend in many ways on the federal government to facilitate commerce," wrote J.D. Foster, senior vice president and chief economist of the group.

J.P. Morgan Asset & Wealth Management Chief Executive Mary Callahan Erdoes warned Thursday that American CEOs would soon start to cancel investments that had already been postponed if the shutdown impasse remains unsolved. She said the shutdown is causing a weekly loss of about 1.5 billion dollars in the U.S. gross domestic product.

The preliminary reading of the index of consumer sentiment in January plunged to 90.7 from 98.3 in the previous month, the lowest since October 2016, showed a survey published by University of Michigan last week. The sharp decline could signal weaker consumer spending and economic growth in the months ahead.

Kevin Hassett, chairman of White House Council of Economic Advisers, told CNN in an interview Wednesday that U.S. economic growth in the first quarter could be "very close to zero" if the shutdown extends until the end of March.

On Thursday, the Senate blocked two bills attempting to reopen the federal government, as Republicans and Democrats struggle to reach a consensus to end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.

Blame has once again been lobbed between the two sides for failing to adopt the Republican-backed bill calling for appropriating 5.7 billion dollars to fund a border wall with Mexico, long demanded by President Donald Trump, or of the Democrat-backed bill calling for temporarily resuming government until Feb. 8 without money for the border wall.

The votes were the first major showdown between the two parties in the Senate. Analysts nevertheless call it a step forward, providing a clearer direction in negotiations as well as an incentive for lawmakers to make concessions in hopes of a deal.

(Xinhua reporters Gao Pan, Liu Jie, Jin Yuelei, Hu Yousong contributed to the story.)

(Video reporter: Hu Yousong; Video editor: Cao Ying)
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-25 19:55:27|Editor: Shi Yinglun

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COLOMBO, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Two Sri Lankan army personnel who were deployed for peacekeeping in Mali were killed on Friday morning when their armoured vehicle came under attack, a statement from the Sri Lankan army said.

The army said the armoured vehicle which carried Sri Lankan Peacekeeping troops on patrol in the trouble-torn area of Mali came under a remote-controlled Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attack.

The statement said the attack killed one Sri Lankan Army Captain and another Sri Lankan army trooper. Besides, three more Sri Lankan military personnel were injured in the incident. They were rushed to a hospital in Mali.

Army spokesman Sumith Atapattu told Xinhua that Sri Lanka had deployed a contingent of 200 army personnel for peacekeeping duties in the western African nation of Mali.

"For the first time, two of our personnel were killed. Our contingent has been working in Mali for peacekeeping work for more than one and half years," he said.

He said the bodies of slain soldiers would be flown back to Sri Lanka soon.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-25 19:30:21|Editor: mym

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CHICAGO, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Chinese and U.S. automakers are eager to seek opportunities in two-way automobile trade at the ongoing North American International Auto Show, also known as the Detroit Auto Show.

This is the fifth time for the Chinese Guangzhou Automobile Group (GAC) Motor to attend the auto show. The company is working to get its vehicles ready for the U.S. market and plans to begin sales in the first half of 2020.

In 2013, when GAC Motor attended the show for the first time, it rented a small space outside the main exhibition hall with only two cars on display.

Now the automaker based in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou has announced that it would become the first Chinese automaker to sell Chinese-branded vehicles in the United States.

GAC Motor has already established a sales company and opened three research and development centers in the United States, two in California and one in Michigan, which laid the groundwork for setting up a U.S. dealer network in the future.

The company is working with U.S. regulatory agencies to ensure its compliance with requirements, GAC Motor President Yu Jun told Xinhua on the sidelines of this year's auto show, scheduled for Jan. 14-27.

Yu added that once the U.S. regulators confirm that the vehicles are ready, GAC Motor would begin to carry out its dealers and financing operation.

He believes the GAC vehicles have now met the U.S. regulatory standards, while progressive refinement is still in process.

At last year's Detroit Auto Show, some 130 dealership representatives expressed their interest in acquiring a GAC dealer franchise, Yu said, adding that "there have been ongoing discussions with them" who represented 30 states and more than 1,100 dealers in the United States.

With the same eagerness as GAC Motor has for entering the North American market, U.S. automakers also see great opportunities in China.

"China for us is a relatively small part of our business, so it really represents a significant opportunity. What we're working on is how to unlock that opportunity for us," said Mike Manley, CEO of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.

China surpassed Japan to become the world's second-largest vehicle market in 2006, and overtook the United States to become the largest in 2009. In late 2018, several multinational automobile manufacturers forged partnerships with Chinese manufacturers to make cars in China.

The U.S. tariff hikes on imports and the countermeasures taken by countries in 2018 cast a shadow over automakers worldwide at the show.

"Tariffs will be difficult for us. There is no such thing as an American made car," said Jim Lentz, CEO of Toyota Motor North America.

"This industry is extremely important to the U.S. economy, so it's important that we're able to compete with the rest of the world and keep costs down," Lentz said.

Almost all big automaker executives expressed a certain relief seeing that the trade issue between China and the United States is moving into a new, calmer phase.

"I'm pleased that we're entering into a period where the discussions are going to start up again and we'll see what happens there," Manley told Xinhua.

The good news is that both sides have agreed to "stand down, to not change tariffs, to work together," said Ford CEO Jim Hackett.

Herbert Diess, CEO of the Volkswagen Group, believes that improved relations between the world's two largest economies will benefit not only both countries, but the global economy.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-25 19:00:14|Editor: Shi Yinglun

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ACCRA, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- A change in the agro-technical methods used in the production of cocoa is critical to reversing deforestation and effects of Climate Change in West Africa, an expert told Xinhua here on Thursday.

Richard Asare, Coordinator, Cocoa Research for Development at CocoaSoils, a four-nation West African initiative, said the Cocoa growing countries in West Africa have therefore initiated a Public Private Partnership (PPP) project aimed at reducing the spate of deforestation occasioned by cocoa cultivation.

Speaking to Xinhua to climax the annual forum of CocoaSoils held here, the expert expressed confidence that the UN Supported project will in the long run help farmers in Ghana, Cote d'Ivoire, Cameroon and Nigeria to increase yield but at the same time ensure that forests were also preserved.

"CocoaSoils is to work together with nationals that are involved with cocoa production to improve productivity; and to make sure that we help farmers improve upon their livelihoods."

"And if we are able to do that we produce cocoa on a smaller area compared to expanding into forests to cause deforestation and deprive society of the eco-system and services that these forests produce," Asare emphasized.

Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire produce about 60 percent of the world's cocoa output, but this comes with a heavy ecological price as the expansion of cocoa farms also means mass deforestation.

Because productivity in West Africa ranges between 200 kg and 600 kg per hectare, farmers are compelled to keep expanding their farms year after year in seeking to increase their incomes. This ends up degrading the natural forest and all critical forest products.

Realizing the present and looming dangers of Climate Change, cocoa growing countries are beginning to modify their husbandry methods to make cocoa growing sustainable.

"But in all we realized that the fundamental problem comes from how do we feed the crop to give us the yield that we want. And the agenda was to come up with a program that will solve the fundamental problem of soil fertility management," Asare added.

If the project which adopts an Integrated Soil Fertility Management approach becomes successful, he believed it will help farmers improve their productivity but at the same time reduce the rate of forest degradation.

Emmanuel Agyemang-Dwomoh, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) pledged the support of the state cocoa industry regulator to ensuring the success of the CocoaSoil project.

"With the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG) as the focal point in Ghana and key implementer, COCOBOD will make all the required resources available to ensure the success of the program," Agyemang-Dwomoh added.

Currently, Asian countries including Indonesia as well as Latin American cocoa growing countries have also joined the CocoaSoils initiative, as the projected outcomes look more sustainable than current practices.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-25 18:20:06|Editor: mmm

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ULAN BATOR, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- A majority of Mongolian lawmakers on Friday submitted an official letter calling for the dismissal of Parliament Speaker Miyegombo Enkhbold due to an alleged abuse of power.

The letter, signed by 39 lawmakers in the country's 76-seat unicameral parliament, was sent to Enkhbold after an amendment on dismissing the parliament speaker came into force on Friday.

"We submitted the letter in connection with a scandal that some senior officials of the ruling Mongolian People's Party, including Enkhbold, allegedly used their government positions as a tool to run in the parliamentary election in 2016," Luvsannamsrai Oyun-Erdene, one of the lawmakers, said at a press conference.

A majority of Mongolian lawmakers earlier sent an official letter to Enkhbold, urging him to voluntarily step down, which Enkhbold rejected.

The amendment on dismissing the parliament speaker, initiated by Mongolian President Khaltmaa Battulga, was later approved. According to the amendment, the parliament speaker must step down if more than half of the 76 lawmakers submit a proposal asking him to leave.

The amendment is the sixth legal ground to dismiss a parliament speaker. The other five are death, severe disease, appointment to another position, being found guilty of a crime, and decision of dismissal from the constitutional court.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-25 18:10:01|Editor: mmm

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KABUL, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Afghan National Police have arrested a key local Taliban leader in the country's western province of Herat, Afghan Ministry of Interior Affairs said Friday.

"An overnight police special operation resulted in the arrest of a key Taliban terrorist member named Jalil known as Jalil Tufan in Pashton Zarghon district, Herat province," the ministry said in a statement.

The arrested militant had been involved in a series of terrorist activities and direct attacks against Afghan security forces in the province, 640 km west of Kabul.

A pistol and a telecommunication radio device have also been seized from the arrested militant during the operation.

Afghan security forces have increased ground and air offensives against militants within the past a few months as the Taliban militant group has been attempting to take territory and consolidate its positions.

The Taliban militant group has not still commented on the report.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-25 18:05:00|Editor: mmm

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LUSAKA, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- The following are news highlights in Zambia's major media outlets on Friday.

-- Authorities in Zambia have revoked a mining license of a manganese mining firm following an accident in which three children died last Saturday after the earth collapsed on them as they dug for manganese.

Minister of Mines and Minerals Development Richard Musukwa said the ministry has revoked the mining license of Raah Mining Company which operates in Samfya district in Luapula Province because the owners failed to take possession of the mine premises resulting in the rampant illegal mining activities. (Zambia Daily Mail)

-- About five kilograms of gemstones valued at 317,095.36 U.S. dollars have gone missing at the second largest emerald mining firm in Zambia's Lufwanyama district on the Copperbelt under mysterious circumstances.

Abdoul Ba, Gemcanton Investments Holdings chief executive officer said investigations have since been launched into the disappearance of the gems. (Times of Zambia)

-- A farmers' body has expressed concern that Zambia might not record a bumper harvest of maize during the 2018/2019 farming season due to failure by farmers to access subsidized farming inputs on time.

The Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) said the association had received reports from various parts of the country that agro dealers were refusing to release farming inputs to smallholder farmers under the E-Voucher system because the dealers were not sure of the government's commitment to pay them. (Daily Nation)

-- Forty percent of admissions at Zambia's sole mental hospital are due to alcohol, according to the 2018 Status of Mental Services in Zambia report.

According to the report, 40 percent of patients to Chainama Mental Hospital situated in Lusaka, the country's capital, was due to alcohol abuse, with figures showing that men and women who use alcohol regularly are 32 percent and 12 percent respectively. (The Mast)
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Scottie Resources Corp. (Scottie or the Company) (TSXV: SCOT) is pleased to announce that the Company has received regulatory approval from the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV") of an option agreement dated December 12, 2018 (the "Agreement") with Decade Resources Ltd. (Decade) to acquire a 100% interest in the 471.92 hectare Bow property (the Bow) located in the Golden Triangle mining district of British Columbia. The Bow is subject to a 3% net smelter return royalty.



The Bow is contiguous with the Companys 100% owned Scottie Gold property which hosts the past producing Scottie Gold mine.

The terms of the Agreement call for cash payments totalling $1,000,000 to be paid in five equal installments as follows:

$200,000 within 3 business days of Decade and Scottie receiving TSXV approval of the option agreement;

$200,000 on or before the date that is 6 months after the execution date of the Agreement (the "Execution Date");

$200,000 on or before the date that is 12 months after the Execution Date;

$200,000 on or before the date that is 18 months after the Execution Date; and

$200,000 on or before the date that is 24 months after the Execution Date.

The Company has paid the initial $200,000 due on TSXV approval of the option agreement. In the event that all the payments are not made, Scottie will have no interest in the Bow property.

Edward Kruchkowski, a director of each of Decade and Scottie, abstained from approving the transaction and was not involved in negotiating its terms.

ABOUT SCOTTIE RESOURCES CORP.

Scottie owns a 100% interest in the high grade, past-producing, Scottie Gold property located in the heart of the Golden Triangle. In addition, Scottie owns 100% interests in the Ruby Silver property, the Black Hills property and the Stock property (75% of which is optioned to Jaxon Minerals Inc.) all located in the Golden Triangle.

Further information on Scottie can be found on the Companys website at www.scottieresources.com and at www.sedar.com, or by contacting Bradley Rourke, President and CEO at (250) 877-9902.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

"Bradley Rourke"

Bradley Rourke

President & CEO

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release may contain forwardlooking 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 the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forwardlooking 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. Forwardlooking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Companys management on the date such statements were made. The Company expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forwardlooking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy of accuracy of this release.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-25 17:59:58|Editor: mmm

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BEIJING, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Public companies related to the development of Xiongan New Area saw their share prices go up substantially on Friday as central authorities announced measures to deepen reforms and expand opening-up in the new area.

The sub-index on Xiongan-related companies listed on Shanghai and Shenzhen bourses closed 1.28 percent higher, outpacing the rise of major indices of A shares.

An official guideline said on Thursday China will encourage Xiongan to attract Beijing-based state-owned enterprises and foreign financial institutions, among a raft of favorable policies in aspects including taxation and financing.

In April 2017, China announced the establishment of the Xiongan New Area, which is about 100 km southwest of Beijing and spans three counties in Hebei Province. The new area will undertake noncapital functions of Beijing and help deepen reforms.

The move, dubbed as signs of China's further support for Xiongan's development, boosted share prices of listed companies that have operation or plan to increase presence in the area.

Zhejiang Dun'an Artificial Environment Co., Ltd., a refrigeration and heating equipment manufacturer, surged by the daily limit of 10 percent, while China Fortune Land Development, an industrial city operator, gained 3.32 percent.

Chinese stocks closed higher on Friday, with the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index up 0.39 percent, at 2,601.72 points. The Shenzhen Component Index closed 0.29 percent higher at 7,595.45 points.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-25 17:59:58|Editor: mmm

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HARARE, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- The following are the news highlights in Zimbabwe's major media outlets on Friday.

-- International music icon Oliver Mtukudzi was Thursday declared a national hero, becoming Zimbabwe's first musician to be accorded such status. President Mnangagwa announced Mtukudzi's hero status at the superstar's home in Norton Thursday.

Mtukudzi passed on at the Avenues Clinic on Wednesday after battling diabetes for some time.

He was 66. (The Herald)

-- Normalcy has returned to Zimbabwe's fuel sector as queues have dissipated while the black market has all but vanished.

A survey by The Herald Thursday showed that, after a number of troubled weeks, fuel was now readily available at most service stations, something that has been attributed to President Mnangagwa's interventions that ensured better supplies and stopped wastefulness. (The Herald)

-- President Mnangagwa's bid to rejoin former British colonies' club, the Commonwealth, as part of his re-engagement efforts with the West, appears to have hit a snag after the ex-colonial masters raised a red flag this week over Harare's ongoing brutal crackdown on protesters, including fatal shootings of at least 12 civilians last week. (Newsday)

-- The pharmaceutical sector in Zimbabwe owes foreign suppliers more than 39 million dollars for imported raw materials as well as finished products, resulting in supplies to the southern African country being cut off, an industry official has said.

Zimbabwe imports between 70 percent and 80 percent of its pharmaceutical requirements.

Pharmaceutical Society of Zimbabwe president Portifa Mwendera told NewsDay that the situation in the sector had deteriorated, with medicine shortages on the market being more pronounced. (Newsday)
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-25 17:54:56|Editor: mmm

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SHAANXI, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Archaeologists in northwest China's Shaanxi Province said they will conduct a paleopathology study on the remains of 63 tomb owners that are about 2,000 years old.

Shaanxi Academy of Archaeology said they will work with anthropologists to identify the gender, age and health conditions of the tomb owners unearthed from the Gongxi Village in the city of Xianyang.

They came from tombs between the Warring States period (475-221 BC) and the Han Dynasty (202 BC-220 AD), according to Geng Qinggang, a researcher with the academy.

Paleopathology studies, still a nascent discipline in China, aims to shed light on the diseases and nutrition conditions of ancient residents, offering a glimpse into the agriculture and food cultures of that time, Geng said.

Researchers said among the 63 human remains, only four were relatively well preserved, containing more than 75 percent of the skeletons, while 39 skeletons were less than 25 percent complete.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-25 17:54:55|Editor: mmm

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NAIROBI, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- The following are the news highlights in Kenyan media outlets on Friday.

-- An angry President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday reprimanded the ruling Jubilee Party parliamentary leadership, largely made up of deputy president William Ruto's allies, over perceived intra-party rebellion, interviews with those who attended the meeting in Mombasa revealed yesterday.

Sources said the team had planned to broach the subject of the health of the ruling party amid fears of an implosion, only to be met with the tough talk that they were not toeing the party line, and should do so henceforth. (Daily Nation)

-- Rich and powerful suspects are using the judiciary to evade justice, top officials leading the fight against corruption have said.

In a candid discussion on the state of the anti-graft war, the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) said lenient bail and court orders were the weak links in the fight. The two spoke yesterday during a panel discussion at the National Anti-Corruption Conference held at Bomas of Kenya. (Standard)

-- The National Land Commission has established that Deputy President William Ruto's Weston Hotel is built on public land but will not order it to be demolished. In a decision causing a storm between the NLC and the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority, the commission wants Ruto compelled to pay for the 0.773 ha plot opposite Wilson Airport at the current market rate.

Last year, it was valued at 300 million shillings. But KCAA, which is Kenya's air travel regulator, insists the four-star hotel should be torn down because it is compromising safety. (Star)
A small plane makes a drop on the wildfire near a freeway in Simi Valley, California, the United States on Nov. 12, 2018. The fire in Southern California continued to destroy homes. (Xinhua/Zhao Hanrong)

GENEVA, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Earthquakes and tsunamis accounted for most of the 10,373 lives lost in disasters last year, while extreme weather events accounted for most of 61.7 million people affected by natural hazards, the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) said Thursday.

There were 281 extreme weather events recorded by the Center for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters (CRED) in its EM-DAT (International Disaster Database), the UNISDR said at a UN press conference here.

"No part of the globe was spared from the impact of extreme weather events last year," said Mami Mizutori, UN Special Representative for Disaster Risk Reduction.

Mizutori said that floods, droughts, storms, and wildfires affected 57.3 million people, underlining once more that "if we want to reduce disaster losses, then we must improve how we manage disaster risk."

The country most affected by disasters was India, where there were 23.9 million people hit, followed by the Philippines with almost 6.5 million people impacted, and then China with 6.4 million affected.

The country with the most deaths was Indonesia with 4,535, followed by India (1,388), Guatemala (427), Japan (419) and China with 341 deaths.

The UN official said that time is running out for limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Centigrade or 2 degrees Centigrade.

"We have to be equally active about climate change adaptation which means reducing disaster risk in our cities, avoiding the creation of new risk by better land use, stronger planning regulations and building codes, safeguarding protective eco-systems, reducing poverty, and taking active measures to reduce exposure to rising sea levels," she said.

The 2018 toll of 10,373 lives lost compares with an annual average of 77,144 deaths recorded between 2000 and 2017.

These were averages inflated by the large-scale loss of life in catastrophic events such as the Indian Ocean tsunami (2004), Cyclone Nargis (2008) and the Haitian earthquake (2010).

There were no such mega-disasters in 2018, but the loss of life from significant natural hazards appears to be on the decline likely due to improving standards of living, and better disaster risk management, said the UN agency.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-25 17:09:47|Editor: mmm

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BANGKOK, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Three police officers and three civilians were injured in a bomb blast in southern Thailand's Yala province on Friday morning.

Police said the bomb was detonated when the policemen were on patrol to protect teachers. Three local residents, including a young girl, who were on board a passing pickup truck, were also slightly injured.

Reports said security forces were dispatched to the scene. Authorities blamed insurgents for the blast.

Yala province, together with Narathiwat and Pattani, are the three southernmost provinces in Thailand that have been haunted by ethnic separatist insurgency since 2004. Bomb attack, gun shots are often reported in the restive area, with more than 7,000 people killed.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-25 16:54:44|Editor: Shi Yinglun

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LONDON, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- It's "a bittersweet time" but it is business as usual for the brand, Steve Francis, CEO of Patisserie Valerie announced on its website Thursday.

The announcement follows the news that the British cafe chain Patisserie Valerie has been forced into administration on Tuesday since it failed to secure financing from banks, putting about 3,000 jobs at risk.

The global auditing giant KPMG said that 27 Patisserie Valerie stores, as well as 19 Druckers and 25 Patisserie Valerie concessions, will close immediately, with the loss of about 900 jobs.

The brand has been in crisis since October, When Patisserie Holdings, the parent company who also owns the Druckers Vienna Patisserie, Philpotts, Baker and Spice, among others, reported that it had found a 40-million-pound (around 52 million U.S. dollars) black hole in its accounts related to "potentially fraudulent" accounting irregularities.

Chris Marsh, the finance director at Patisserie Valerie's parent company, was arrested and bailed out in October. He resigned amid the fraud allegations.

First opened in 1926 in central London, Patisserie Valerie is a chain of cafes that operates in the Britain that specialises in hand-made cakes. Its menu included continental breakfasts, lunches, teas and coffees.

According to the KPMG, about 121 remaining stores will continue to operate while a buyer is sought.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-25 16:54:42|Editor: Yurou

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An Indian paramilitary trooper stands guard at a checkpoint near the venue of the Republic Day celebrations in Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir, on Jan. 25, 2019. Authorities in India have beefed up security across major cities including capital city New Delhi in the lead-up to the Republic Day celebrations on Saturday, officials said Friday. (Xinhua/Javed Dar)

NEW DELHI, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Authorities in India have beefed up security across major cities including capital city New Delhi in the lead-up to the Republic Day celebrations on Saturday, officials said Friday.

The security measures, according to police officials, have been taken to thwart possible attempts by militant or terror groups to disrupt the official activities.

"Adequate security arrangements are in place in national capital and elsewhere in other cities to ensure Republic Day celebrations are conducted without any disruption," a senior police official posted in New Delhi said.

Reports said 25,000 security personnel from police and paramilitary have been put on duty across Delhi.

Amid tight security, a full dress rehearsal for Republic Day parade has been held in New Delhi and other major cities of the country.

Police in Delhi claimed to have arrested two suspected militants who, according to them, were planning to carry out attacks in New Delhi during the celebrations.

Police officials say patrolling and frisking have been intensified at vulnerable places.

Unprecedented security arrangements have been also made in northeastern part of the country for the upcoming celebrations.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-25 16:44:38|Editor: Shi Yinglun

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ISLAMABAD, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Several people were injured when a bomb went off in Pakistan's northwest North Waziristan district on Friday, local reports said.

The blast hit a market area during routine commercial activities in Mir Ali town of the district located in the country's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Geo News reported.

The blast happened when some unknown militants detonated explosive materials fixed at a motorbike, by a remote controlled device.

The injured people were shifted to a nearby hospital.

No individual or group has claimed the attack yet.

Security forces cordoned off the area for investigations, following the incident.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-25 15:44:24|Editor: Lu Hui

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DHAKA, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Thirteen laborers were killed and two others injured when a coal-laden truck veered off road and ploughed through a brickfield mess in Bangladesh's Cumilla district, some 96 km east of Dhaka, on Friday morning, a police official said.

Abdullah Al Mahfuz, officer-in-charge of Cumilla's Chauddagram police station, said the accident took place after the driver of the coal-laden truck lost control over the steering and the truck skidded off the road at about 7:00 a.m. local time.

"Thirteen workers of the brickfield died on the spot," he said.

He said two more workers were rushed to Cumilla Medical College and Hospital with serious injuries.
TORONTO, Jan. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited (BlackRock Canada), an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE: BLK), today announced the final January 2019 cash distributions for the iShares Premium Money Market ETF. Unitholders of record on January 28, 2019 will receive cash distributions payable on January 31, 2019.

Details regarding the final per unit distribution amounts are as follows:

Fund Name Fund

Ticker Cash

Distribution

Per Unit ($) iShares Premium Money Market ETF CMR 0.067

Further information on the iShares ETFs can be found at http://www.blackrock.com/ca .

About BlackRock

BlackRock helps investors build better financial futures. As a fiduciary to our clients, we provide the investment and technology solutions they need when planning for their most important goals. As of December 31, 2018, the firm managed approximately US$5.98 trillion in assets on behalf of investors worldwide. For additional information on BlackRock, please visit www.blackrock.com/ca | Twitter: @BlackRockCA | Blog: www.blackrockblog.com/can

| LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/blackrock.

About iShares

iShares unlocks opportunity across markets to meet the evolving needs of investors. With more than twenty years of experience, a global line-up of 800+ exchange traded funds (ETFs) and US$1.7 trillion in assets under management as of December 31, 2018, iShares continues to drive progress for the financial industry. iShares funds are powered by the expert portfolio and risk management of BlackRock, trusted to manage more money than any other investment firm1.

1 Based on US$5.98 trillion in AUM as of 12/31/18

iShares ETFs are managed by BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited.

Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with investing in iShares ETFs. Please read the relevant prospectus before investing. The funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. Tax, investment and all other decisions should be made, as appropriate, only with guidance from a qualified professional.

Contact for Media:

Maeve Hannigan

T  416-643-4058

Email: Maeve.Hannigan@blackrock.com
French Aid Organisation Proposes a State Secretariat for Middle East Christians

( SOS Chretiens d'Orient) Paris (AINA) -- The French aid organization SOS Chretiens d'Orient has called for the creation of a State Secretariat devoted to the care of the Christians of the Oriental East. Hungary could be considered as a model for the establishment of such a State Secretariat at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, says Charles de Meyer, President, and Benjamin Blanchart, Chairman and Director-General of SOS Chretiens d'Orient, in a statement released on their Website.

The statement also urges their community of supporters "to maintain a firm commitment to Eastern Christians," as the "freedom to practice one's faith, the defense of the integrity of their traditions, and the continuity of their role in the state and society are often at great risk."

To effectively fight against the disappearance of Eastern Christianity in the Middle East, the organisations proposes several recommendations, emphasizing that the "Christian communities were at the origin of the creation of many of the States in which they live, and in other cases were always involved."

With respect to the Christian in the Middle Eastm the original French statement adds:

We invite the French government to create a Sate Secretariat by the Minister of Foreign Affairs for Eastern Christians or Christians persecuted. Elsewhere, as in Hungary, this position for sometimes exists. It would allow France to be faithful to its vocation of maternal support to our elder brothers in faith, while refraining from interfering in the sovereign choices of the peoples and the Eastern nations. We emphasize that this government has a majority of qualified people to perform this function.

Such a State Secretariat should:

Advocate, particularly at major international conferences, for the states of the Middle East to accelerate the transformation of their institutions and societies towards full equality of rights among all their citizens, regardless of their religion.

Work for the opening of our embassy in Damascus and fight against the international blockade against Syria and the sanctions, which enrich the powerful and hurt the humble.

Work for the return of Eastern Christians refugees in the Middle East while offering them material conditions for a cautious return to Syria and Iraq. States must affirm that they refuse to move Christians from the land of their homeland and protect their millennial presence in the eastern states. In addition, the return of the Syrian refugees [to their homes] will be a profound aid for Lebanon, which is economically exhausted by a burden which it cannot finance.

Maintain Iraqi sovereignty and respect the integrity of its territory. Peace must be the watchword for the central state's relations with the regional government of Iraqi Kurdistan. States must refrain from using local aspirations to pressure Baghdad. Christians always pay the price of these circumstances.

Bring the Copts and all the Christians of Egypt into the hearts of the French. That the states defend the security of this community, alongside the Egyptian government, rather than ideological claims that will not succeed in a country still beset by the threats of jihadist sects.

Work with the Pakistani government, with the entire international community, to end the persecution of those who suffer the excesses of a fanaticism of certain sections of society in the name of a law on blasphemy.

France could be at the forefront of the fight for religious freedom concludes the statement, as this would be honor "that could bring the country after so many diplomatic mistakes again much sympathy".
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-25 15:19:20|Editor: Shi Yinglun

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KABUL, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Afghan government has launched an investigation to probe an airstrike that left civilians dead in restive southern Helmand province, the Ministry of Defense said on Friday.

"During an Afghan National Army cleanup operation against Taliban in Sangin district, Helmand province within past three days, there has been reports that Afghan civilians were accidentally killed," the ministry said in a statement.

Without giving the exact number of civilian fatalities, the statement said that the ministry has appointed an incident assessment team to investigate thoroughly the incident and share the findings with the government and people of Afghanistan.

At least 13 civilians were killed following the raid which occurred on Wednesday night and it was not clear whether the strike was launched by Afghan Air Force or NATO-led coalition forces, according to local media reports.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-25 15:14:19|Editor: Shi Yinglun

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SYDNEY, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Australian scientists studying lunar rock samples have found one of the rocks' compositions to be highly indicative that it was in fact formed on Earth, causing them to speculate that it was thrown there when an asteroid struck our planet billions of years ago.

The team from Curtin University in Western Australia were studying samples collected by the 1971 Apollo 14 lunar mission on loan from NASA, in association with researchers from the Swedish Museum of Natural History, Australian National University and Lunar and Planetary Institute in Houston.

Professor Alexander Nemchin, from Curtin's School of Earth and Planetary Sciences, told Xinhua on Friday that the team discovered one of the 1.8 gram samples showing mineralogy similar to granite which is common on Earth but extremely rare on the moon.

"The sample also contains quartz, which is an even more unusual find on the moon," Nemchin said.

"In addition, the chemistry of the zircon in this sample is very different from that of every other zircon grain ever analysed in lunar samples, and remarkably similar to that of zircons found on Earth."

Nemchin said that tests also showed that the sample formed at low temperature, probably in the presence of water and at oxidised conditions, making it far more likely to have formed on Earth than on our largest natural satellite.

Their findings led them to speculate that the piece of ancient rock was jolted from Earth by an asteroid impact, roughly the size of that which is thought to have killed the dinosaurs.

Scientists believe that the moon itself was formed around 4.5 billion years ago as a result of a collision between the Earth and another astronomical body approximately the size of Mars.

However, the moon developed its own distinct geological characteristics, making its rocks easily distinguishable from those formed on Earth.

"It's a very high energy formation process, it's not like breaking a piece off and that quietly goes away and becomes the moon," Nemchin explained.

"It's quite a violent process and chemistry changes as a result of that."

While moon rocks have been recorded ending up on Earth as a result of asteroid impacts, the reverse had not previously been observed.

Nemchin is quick to point out that he and his team are not 100 percent certain that the sample originated on Earth although the evidence would suggest that.

"It is possible that some of these unusual conditions could have occurred very locally and very briefly on the moon and the sample is a result of this brief deviation from normality," Nemchin said.

"However, a simpler explanation is that this piece was formed on the Earth and brought to the surface of the moon as a meteorite generated by an asteroid hitting Earth about four billion years ago, and throwing material into space and to the moon."
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-25 14:59:41|Editor: Liangyu

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Staff members of a network technology company operate an e-commerce promotion platform in Yiwu, a city well-known for selling small goods in east China's Zhejiang Province, Oct. 31, 2018. Online retail sales of Zhejiang Province in 2018 reached 1,671.88 billion yuan (246.08 billion U.S. dollars), up 25.4 percent year on year, according to the latest figures released by the Zhejiang Commerce Department. (Xinhua/Tan Jin)
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-25 14:19:11|Editor: Li Xia

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BEIJING, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Like many rural youth across China, Shi Qiuxiang left her remote farming village to find a modern job in the city. Years later, she was among an expanding group who returned home to transform not only their own lives but their villages.

Because of family issues, Shi gave up a management job at a pharmaceutical firm in the metropolitan city of Shenzhen and returned to her hometown, a small village in Miao Autonomous County of Rongshui, southern China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

"I can still recall how out of place I felt when I first returned in 2013," the 32-year-old said. "Suddenly I had to start everything over again."

With no experience in traditional farming, Shi tried to make full use of her knowledge and six-year working experience in the medical industry.

Her small firm, under the brand "Qiuye's Home," started to process and sell Lingzhi mushrooms, a valuable ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine, in 2014. A year later, Shi set her eye on another local specialty -- sweet potatoes, which is said to embody "a taste of childhood."

Shi's Lingzhi business quickly secured a share in the local market with increasing orders from big drug stores. Thanks to e-commerce and social network platforms, Lingzhi mushrooms and fresh sweet potatoes from Qiuye's Home achieved sales of 14 million yuan (2.06 million U.S. dollars) in 2018, with overseas orders reaching as far as Hong Kong and Australia.

Her business has brought opportunities to local villagers, especially those living below the poverty line.

"Planting sweet potatoes is quite a light and profitable job for old people and women in rural areas. Last year we had 426 households as suppliers and 231 of them were poor families," she said.

Last year, her company was listed as a leading company in combing e-commerce with poverty alleviation by the local government.

Millions of young migrant workers from rural areas to cities have greatly fueled China's economic growth in the past four decades, but the outflow of labor has also caused social problems in their hometowns, leaving only the elderly to take care of farming and small children left behind.

The Chinese government has been supporting rural youth to start their own businesses at home and introduce new agricultural and business models, with a raft of favorable financial policies, training sessions and services.

Youth who return home not only bring modern ideas to once isolated traditional communities but help alleviate poverty. For some of them, it is also their aspiration and a need to reconnect with their root.

Unlike Shi in Guangxi, when folk musician Sha Che returned to his home village in southwest China's Yunnan from the provincial capital Kunming in 2017, he was happy and felt "truly home."

Sha's home village Zhalyu is in Jinuo Township of Jinghong City in Yunnan, and home to a small ethnic minority group called Jinuo.

The 33-year-old worked for a music production company in Kunming after he graduated from college. "Although I was starting to make money, I was very homesick and decided to go back to accompany my parents," he said.

Sha tried to link Jinuo people's traditional Pu'er tea planting with the trendy business of ecological tourism, by opening his family tea plantation to tourists. "People from big cities can see our moon and experience our farm work," he said.

Sha and his tea guesthouse even made it onto a popular online reality show "Wild Kitchen" last October, where he served as the guide for the pop stars on the program.

Having attracted over 110 million views, the show brought fame to Sha and many came to Zhalyu for Jinuo cuisine and music.

"It feels like a mission for me to introduce our music and culture to the world. My steps might be slow, but eventually I will get there," he said.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-25 13:49:04|Editor: Liangyu

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BEIJING, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- COSCO Shipping Ports Ltd has reached an investment agreement with a Peruvian polymetallic miner to acquire 60 percent of its stake in a terminal project for 225 million U.S. dollars, China Daily reported Friday.

With an initial payment of 56 million U.S. dollars, the deal was sealed in Davos, Switzerland on Wednesday, according to the company.

After the acquisition, Terminales Portuarios Chancay SA will become the first terminal project controlled by China COSCO Shipping Corp -- the parent company of Hong Kong-headquartered COSCO Shipping Ports -- in South America, as well as the group's second greenfield port project invested overseas, the newspaper reported.

Volcan, the Peruvian polymetallic miner, is engaged in the exploration and production of zinc, copper, gold, silver and lead in Peru's Sierra Central region.

Located at Chancay Harbor in central Peru, about 58 kilometers from the country's capital Lima, Chancay terminal boasts an exceptional geographic location and is conveniently connected with the economic center of Peru.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-25 13:19:00|Editor: ZX

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HOUSTON, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- U.S. crude oil imports increased, while exports decreased during the week ending Jan. 18, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) said on Thursday.

According to the Weekly Petroleum Status Report, U.S. crude oil imports averaged 8.2 million barrels per day last week, up by 664,000 barrels per day from the previous week, while crude oil exports averaged 2 million barrels per day last week, down by 931,000 barrels per day from the previous week.

Over the past four weeks, crude oil imports averaged about 7.7 million barrels per day, down 2.1 percent from the same four-week period last year. U.S. crude oil exports over the past four weeks averaged about 2.3 million barrels per day, up by approximately 1.0 million barrels per day year-on-year.

U.S. total oil products imports last week averaged 2.1 million barrels per day, down by 274,000 barrels per day from the previous week, while U.S. total oil products exports averaged 4.9 million barrels per day, up by 200,000 barrels per day from the previous week.

Over the past four weeks, U.S. total oil products imports averaged about 2.0 million barrels per day, up by 143,000 barrels per day from the same four-week period last year. U.S. total oil products exports over the past four weeks averaged about 5.0 million barrels per day, up by 95,000 barrels per day from the same four-week period last year.

In total, the net imports of crude oil and products in the United States was 3.36 million barrels per day last week, up by about 1 million barrels per day from the previous week.

EIA forecast on Thursday that the United States will become a net energy exporter in 2020 thanks to its increasing output of crude oil and decreasing domestic consumption of petroleum products.

According to EIA's Annual Energy Outlook 2019 released on Thursday, the U.S. position as a net energy exporter would remain from 2020 through 2050 as a result of large increases in crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas plant liquids production coupled with a slow growth in U.S. energy consumption.

During the week ending Nov. 30, 2018, the United States exported more crude oil and petroleum products than it imported for the first time in weekly data going back to 1991. This single-week estimate was considered part of a longer-term trend: the United States is on the way to become a net energy exporter.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-25 13:19:00|Editor: Liangyu

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Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan addresses the 2019 annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Jan. 23, 2019. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

DAVOS, Switzerland, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- China's interests and future are closely linked to those of the world, and it wishes to work with all countries for common development and a community with a shared future for mankind, Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan has said.

Delivering a keynote speech at the 2019 World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland on Wednesday, Wang said "economic globalization represents an inevitable trend of history given the enormous potential that derives from harnessing the comparative advantages of countries and enhancing economic connectivity."

"In response to the problems and challenges in the world today, the international community needs to make a serious and in-depth analysis, and more importantly, take collective actions in line with the trend proactively," said the Chinese vice president.

Wang said that since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, the country has witnessed remarkable achievements in its development over the past seven decades.

China's history, culture and philosophy are key to understanding what has made it possible for China to achieve so much in development and progress and how China will engage with the rest of the world, Wang said.

The Chinese vice president said that China has had an uninterrupted civilization for more than 5,000 years, and that the Chinese nation has both gone through sufferings and made splendid achievements.

Since the beginning of the modern era, the Chinese people have never stopped searching for paths to national renewal and prosperity. Eventually, the Communist Party of China rallied the Chinese people to achieve national independence and liberation, he said.

"We will stay true to the founding mission of the Communist Party of China," Wang said. "From the founding and building of the People's Republic to the launching of the reform and opening-up program and the shifting of focus to economic development, we have moved away from revolution to reform, from a planned economy to a market economy and from isolation to all-round opening up."

"Four to five generations of us Chinese have gone through twists and turns, probing a way forward," creating bright prospects for the great renewal of the Chinese nation, he said.

Drawing lessons from history, Wang said that the profound historical and cultural heritage of the Chinese nation is in the genes of its people, and that what China longs for is to see itself once again gain its rightful place among the nations of the world and achieve great rejuvenation.

"We are a peace-loving, open and inclusive nation that keeps abreast of the times," he said.

"The Chinese culture values the teachings that one should help others to succeed while seeking one's own success, create a world for all, treat others with respect and pursue win-win cooperation. We reject the practices of the strong bullying the weak and self-acclaimed supremacy," Wang said.

Wang said China, while developing itself, wishes to work with all countries for common development and for a community of a shared future for mankind.

He said that China's advances over the past 70 years have been made by the Chinese people through vision, hard work, courage, reform and innovation; and that China has embarked on the right path that fits its conditions and keeps with the trend of the times.

"This is a path we believe in, and we will steadily forge ahead along this path," he said.

Wang said that a targeted approach must be taken to address the problems that have emerged in the process of economic globalization and that development imbalances need to be resolved through further development.

"What we need to do is to make the pie bigger, while looking for ways to share it in a more equitable way," he said. "Shifting the blame for one's own problems onto others will not resolve the problems."

China's choice is to focus on managing its own affairs well, the vice president said, adding that China will pursue development as its top priority.

China will continue to carry out reforms and promote opening-up across the board; advance international cooperation within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative; upgrade an open world economy; and work for a new type of international relations based on mutual respect, equity, justice and win-win cooperation.

Wang underlined that new technologies bring opportunities, but they also create risks and challenges. He called for working together to shape the global architecture in the age of the fourth industrial revolution with the vision to create a better future for mankind, and to uphold the security of all peoples while leaving a broad scope for the dissemination and application of scientific discoveries and technological innovations.

He called for accommodating, in a balanced manner, the interests of all countries, especially of emerging markets and developing countries, and for respecting national sovereignty and refraining from seeking technological hegemony or interfering in other countries' domestic affairs.

"We need to uphold multilateralism" so that all people can gain from technological innovation, and to uphold social equity and justice while ensuring that technological innovations are "guided by us humans, meet our needs and are compatible with our values," he said.

This year's Davos forum gathers global leaders to discuss "Globalization 4.0: Shaping a Global Architecture in the Age of the Fourth Industrial Revolution." More than 50 heads of state or government are attending the event.

While in Davos, Wang met with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde, WEF Founder and Executive Chairman Klaus Schwab, and President of the Brookings Institution John R. Allen. He also held discussions with international industrial and business leaders.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-25 11:28:41|Editor: ZX

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WASHINGTON, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Four people were killed and at least two others injured in a shooting in the U.S. state of Georgia, police said Thursday evening.

Polk County Sheriff's Office confirmed that the shooting took place at two separate places in Rockmart, a town about 70 km northwest of Atlanta, the capital city of Georgia.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-25 11:23:39|Editor: ZX

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CARACAS/WASHINGTON, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said on Thursday he will close the country's embassy and consulates in the United States, a day after severing "diplomatic and political" ties with Washington.

Venezuela's diplomatic personnel will return as soon as Saturday, he said.

"They will land on Saturday. We are going to give them a welcome ceremony," said Maduro.

The president cut off relations with the United States following U.S. President Donald Trump's official recognition of opposition leader Juan Guaido as interim president.

Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department ordered some U.S. government employees to leave Venezuela, according to the website of the U.S. Embassy in Venezuela.

"The State Department ordered non-emergency U.S. government employees to depart Venezuela. The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Venezuela," the U.S. Embassy in Venezuela said in a security alert.

"We'll make the right decision about our team and how many and for how long they can stay," Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in an interview earlier on Thursday.

The move came one day after Pompeo's Wednesday statement that U.S. diplomatic presence in Venezuela would continue.

Washington would conduct diplomatic relations through the government of "interim president," Pompeo said in the statement.

Also on Thursday, Venezuela's Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ) ratified Maduro's legitimate right to govern.

TSJ President Maikel Moreno rejected any move "to usurp a popularly elected post," after Guaido declared himself interim president during an anti-government rally on Wednesday.

"We make our recognition of the legitimate, constituted authority of Nicolas Maduro as constitutional president of Venezuela absolutely clear," said Moreno.

"We disavow any unconstitutional attempt to usurp" the presidency, said Moreno.

The judicial branch joined the armed forces in expressing their support for the elected government, after Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez said the military remained loyal to Maduro.

The opposition's move aims "to ridicule the democratic will of the Venezuelan people" and "break with the constitutional order duly established in the country," Moreno said.

He also warned against any attempt to overthrow the government "with the consent of foreign governments."

Maduro has described Washington's position as "childish."

He welcomed international initiatives to broker talks between his government and the right-wing opposition to overcome the country's political crisis.

Maduro thanked countries that backed his democratically-elected government by refusing to recognize Guaido, and hailed an initiative put forward by Mexico and Uruguay to promote a negotiated solution to the political crisis.

"To the government of Mexico and Uruguay I publicly say: I agree with a diplomatic initiative for national dialogue in Venezuela," said Maduro.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-25 11:08:38|Editor: ZX

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WASHINGTON, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and his British counterpart discussed here on Thursday bilateral ties and key global priorities, the State Department said in a statement.

The pair talked about "countering Iranian malign behavior and next steps on the political process in Yemen," according to State Department Deputy Spokesperson Robert Palladino.

They also discussed next steps on "encouraging Russia to return to full and verifiable compliance" of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, said Palladino.

The top U.S. and British diplomats reaffirmed the special relationship between the two countries, saying it yielded "unparalleled cooperation," the statement added.

The two close allies, however, have been struggling to agree on how to deal with Iran.

The United States and Poland will jointly host an international ministerial conference on the issue in Warsaw next month, which is widely believed to further isolate Iran.

Citing European diplomats, some U.S. media reported that Britain had not decided yet whether to send its foreign secretary or other representative to the Warsaw meeting.

Last November, Hunt and his counterparts in France and Germany expressed their dissatisfaction with the U.S. decision to re-impose sanctions on Iran. Hunt visited Iran later that month, the first Western foreign minister to do so after the U.S. withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal.
NEW YORK, Jan. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Welbilt, Inc. (Welbilt or the Company) (NYSE: WBT) and certain of its officers and directors. The class action, filed in United States District Court, Middle District of Florida, and indexed under 19-cv-00191, is on behalf of a class consisting of all behalf of persons and/or entities who purchased or otherwise acquired Welbilt securities between February 24, 2017, and November 2, 2018, both dates inclusive (the Class Period), seeking to recover damages caused by Defendants violations of the federal securities laws and to pursue remedies under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act) and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder, against the Company and certain of its top officials.



If you are a shareholder who purchased Welbilt securities between February 24, 2017, and November 2, 2018, you have until February 11, 2019, to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com. To discuss this action, contact Robert S. Willoughby at rswilloughby@pomlaw.com or 888.476.6529 (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 9980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.

[Click here to join this class action]

Welbilt was founded in 1902 and is headquartered in New Port Richey, Florida. Welbilt designs, manufactures, and supplies foodservice equipment for the global foodservice industry. Welbilt was formerly known as Manitowoc Foodservice, Inc. and changed its name to Welbilt, Inc. in February 2017.

The complaint alleges that Defendants made materially false and misleading statements regarding the Companys business, operational and compliance policies. Specifically, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) Welbilts internal financial reporting controls were lacking and ineffective; (ii) Welbilt was incorrectly recording the tax basis, as well as amortization of intangible assets, of foreign subsidiaries; (iii) as a result of the foregoing conduct, Welbilts previous financial statements could not be relied upon; and (iv) as a result, the Companys public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.

On November 5, 2018, Welbilt announced in its Current report on Form 8-K with the SEC (the November 2018 Form 8-K) that certain of its previous financial statements should not be relied on because the Company had incorrectly recorded the tax basis of foreign subsidiaries and the amortization of their intangible assets. As a result, Welbilt had understated its U.S. tax liability.

On this news, Welbilts stock price fell $5.06 per share, or approximately 26.19%, to close at $14.26 per share on November 5, 2018.

The Pomerantz Firm, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Paris, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, the Pomerantz Firm pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 80 years later, the Pomerantz Firm continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomerantzlaw.com.

CONTACT:

Robert S. Willoughby

Pomerantz LLP

rswilloughby@pomlaw.com

888-476-6529 ext. 9980
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-25 11:08:37|Editor: ZX

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WASHINGTON, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Four people were killed and at least two others injured in a shooting in the U.S. state of Georgia, police said Thursday evening.
The photo shows representatives of Thailand's eastern Chonburi Province promote their celebration activities at a press conference on celebration of Chinese New Year held by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) in Bangkok, Thailand, Jan. 24, 2019. (Xinhua/Zhang Keren)

BANGKOK, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's tourism body is joining hands with China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Chinese Embassy to launch a most festive Chinese New Year celebration eve in Bangkok's China Town.

Yuthasak Supasorn, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand(TAT), said at a press conference on Thursday that the celebration this year would be distinct as it comes after Thailand welcomed 10 million Chinese tourists during 2018 for the first time.

"TAT expects to welcome over 330,000 Chinese tourists during the seven-day period (Feb.4 to 10). They represent more than 30 percent of the overall total of 1.03 million international arrivals that are expected to visit Thailand over the Chinese New Year," said the governor.

Yuthasak said Chinese tourists are expected to spend more than 10 billion baht (314 million U.S. dollars) out of an estimated total revenue of 24 billion baht from international visitors during the week-long period.

The TAT's Chinese New Year 2019 celebrations are held in destinations popular with young Chinese tourists.

Events are planned in Bangkok's famed shopping mall Siam Square, northern Thailand's Chiang Mai and the southern province Phuket.

All the three destinations will feature culture performances from China and Thailand. There will be demonstrations of various Chinese art forms including paper cutting and calligraphy, fairs selling goods and auspicious food as well as performances by well-known artists and pop stars.

China is sending cultural performances from seven provinces to the southeastern Asia country.

The TAT is also co-organizing festivities with large Thai-Chinese communities at locations with long-standing tradition of hosting New Year activities across the country.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-25 10:28:31|Editor: ZX

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WASHINGTON, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- A total of 25,419 federal employees filed for unemployment benefits in the week ending Jan. 12, up from 10,454 in the previous week, the Labor Department said Thursday.

During the same period last year, only 1,658 claims were filed. Federal employees file jobless claims under a separate program than regular state programs, and the figure is reported with a one-week lag.

While furloughed workers can collect unemployment benefit, the "essential" workers, who are required to work without pay and will likely receive back pay after the shutdown, are not eligible for unemployment benefits, the Labor Department told several states in an email, the CNN reported.

Some states, however, are going against the federal guidance and intend to offer unemployment benefits for all federal employees strained by the shutdown.

In meeting with Transportation Security Administration workers at the Sacramento International Airport last week, California Governor Gavin Newsom called the letter sent to states by the Labor Department "jaw-dropping and extraordinary."

"So, the good news is, we're going to do it, and shame on them," Newsom said, reaffirming that essential workers will be able to receive unemployment benefits in his state.

Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said Tuesday in a statement that she is sending emergency legislation to the city council in order to expand unemployment benefits eligibility to essential workers.

Bowser said she sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta last week, urging the Labor Department to work with the D.C. government to make more federal workers eligible for unemployment insurance benefits, but the request was denied.

Vermont Governor Phil Scott also said on Tuesday that his state will treat essential employees the same as other furloughed employees in determining unemployment eligibility.

Besides filing for unemployment benefits, federal employees are turning to local food banks. Elizabeth Gilkey, director of development from the Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank in Virginia, told Xinhua that her organization and partner agency pantries have seen an growing number of people coming to receive assistance over the past week.

"One of our partner agency pantries had 150 people coming in one day, who were coast guards or people impacted by the furlough," Gilkey said.

She expects the number to go up. "As time goes on, people may go through that little bit of savings that they have or their credit cards or whatever, they're going to need additional assistance."

Economists expect the record-long shutdown will push the unemployment rate above 4.0 percent in January as the furloughed workers would be considered unemployed, the CNBC reported.

Kevin Hassett, chairman of White House Council of Economic Advisers, told CNN in an interview Wednesday that U.S. economic growth in the first quarter could be "very close to zero" if the shutdown extends until end of March, though suggesting a rebound afterwards.

The shutdown, now in its 34th day, has affected a quarter of the federal government, forcing about 420,000 federal employees, who are deemed essential, to work without pay, and 380,000 others to take unpaid leave. Federal workers are set to miss their second paycheck Friday.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-25 10:23:30|Editor: ZX

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CANBERRA, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Australian government has called an emergency meeting to address the country's indigenous youth suicide crisis.

Ken Wyatt, Australia's indigenous health minister, convened the meeting in Perth on Friday, describing the crisis as "one of the gravest and most heartbreaking challenges" faced by the nation.

Indigenous children aged between five and 17 years of age are five times as likely to take their own lives as non-indigenous children of the same age. The rate of suicide for indigenous people aged 15-34 is three times higher than that of other Australians.

"The true picture of loss is a vast canvas of trauma stretching across the nation," Wyatt wrote in a column for News Corp Australia on Friday, saying the meeting would seek to "fast-track practical solutions to save young lives."

"Listening to locals -- especially the young -- must be the first step."

Jacob Corpus, a 22-year-old indigenous mental health trainee from rural WA, said that today's youth are often overloaded with stress at home.

"I was in that space where I didn't have much hope for myself. I hit rock bottom," he said ahead of addressing the meeting.

"I lost a best mate and cousin (to suicide) when I was at school. And early last year, I supported my little brother through his grief when his friend died.

"It's a scary feeling at first for people to get involved; they need to feel comfortable. Getting people to do little jobs around the community is good. They should be employed to get the word out, young people telling young people."
The photo shows Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen addresses the opening ceremony of the China-Cambodia Trade and Investment Promotion Forum 2019 in Beijing, capital of China, on Jan. 22, 2019. (Xinhua/Liu Bin)

PHNOM PENH, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen's visit to China concluded with fruitful results for bilateral ties and cooperation, officials and analysts said here on Thursday.

Hun Sen arrived home on Wednesday afternoon after a four-day visit to Beijing, where he held talks with President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Keqiang and other Chinese leaders as well as business executives.

"It was a successful visit. Through it, the prime minister has brought a lot of achievements and interests to Cambodia and the Cambodian people," Kao Kim Hourn, a minister attached to the Cambodian prime minister, told a press conference at the Phnom Penh International Airport on Wednesday.

A series of cooperation documents in the fields of people's livelihood promotion, transport, and infrastructure, were signed during the visit, he said, noting that one of them was the agreement on the promotion of investment cooperation under China's Belt and Road Initiative and Cambodia's Rectangular Strategy.

Through the visit, he said the Cambodia-China relations, especially in politics, economy, trade, investment, and tourism, would be further enhanced.

INJECTING NEW IMPETUS FOR BILATERAL TIES, COOPERATION

Mey Kalyan, chairman of the state-run Royal University of Phnom Penh's board of trustees, said the visit had added a new momentum to the bilateral cooperation.

"It is our privilege and honor for the Cambodian people that our prime minister was invited to have an official visit to China at time of increasing uncertainties in the international relation," he told Xinhua on Thursday.

"The visit represented as a good occasion for top leaders of both countries to reaffirm their friendship and strong commitment to a win-win and bright relation of the two countries for a long future," he said.

Joseph Matthews, a senior professor at the Beltei International University, said the visit helped further strengthen Sino-Cambodian friendship and cooperation in the fields of infrastructure development, economy, trade, investment and tourism.

"From the prime minister's visit, Cambodia stands to gain a lot in terms of economic assistance, infrastructural development, agriculture system improvement, human resource development, political mileage and last but not least strengthening people-to-people interaction and communication between the two nations," he told Xinhua on Thursday.

"This visit will also help attract more foreign direct investments (FDIs) from China to Cambodia, and encourage more Chinese tourists to Cambodia," he said.

HUN SEN'S TRIP TO CHINA DRAWS LOCAL MEDIA'S ATTENTION

The visit had become the headlines of local media in Cambodia, including the country's largest Khmer-language newspaper, Rasmei Kampuchea Daily, and English-language media.

The Rasmei Kampuchea Daily rounded up all Hun Sen's activities in Beijing, saying that his visit has brought great benefits to Cambodia, especially in politics, trade, investment and tourism.

The newspaper added that the visit would pave the way for Cambodia to export more agricultural products to Chinese markets.

The Phnom Penh Post published a front-page article titled "Hun Sen and Xi herald continued strong ties", mentioning that China and Cambodia would strive to boost the bilateral trade volume to 10 billion U.S. dollars by 2023.

Besides print media, online media and TV channels have also broadly reported on Hun Sen's trip to China.

Fresh News, the kingdom's largest online media website, covered the Cambodian prime minister's activities in China from the beginning until the end.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-25 10:08:28|Editor: Liangyu

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LONDON, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Flights from China to Britain will increase by 24 percent during the Chinese New Year celebrations, figures from London-based official tourism agency VisitBritain revealed Thursday.

The agency said Britain is expecting a boost in visits from China as the Chinese Year of the Pig falls Feb. 5.

The agency said it is expecting 483,000 visits from China in 2019, up 43 percent on 2017, with Chinese visitors expected to spend more than 1 billion pounds (about 1.3 billion U.S. dollars) this year.

"We want the UK to be the number one destination for travelers so it is great to see forward bookings looking strong in the coming weeks and months from China, the world's most valuable outbound market," said VisitBritain Director Patricia Yates.

Xiang Xiaowei, minister counselor for culture at the Chinese Embassy in London, told Xinhua that the British tourism sector has made great efforts to develop the Chinese market, and British traditional crafts, brands as well as lifestyles have been promoted as the key contents for attracting Chinese tourists.

"I believe that China and Britain have a lot of cooperation space in tourism. Britain has its own unique advantages in the development of tourism products, the management of tourism and the formulation of tourism standards," he said.

According to VisitBritain, visitors from China are some of Britain's highest spenders, spending on average 2,059 pounds (about 2,700 U.S. dollars) during their visit, more than three times the all-market visitor average. For every 22 visits from China, one job is created in the British tourism industry.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-25 09:59:30|Editor: ZX

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A tourist watches a babirusa at the Singapore Zoo on Jan. 24, 2019. Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS) on Thursday decorated enclosures of various pig species with Lunar New Year decorations to welcome the Year of the Pig. (Xinhua/Then Chih Wey)
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-25 08:27:40|Editor: Xiang Bo

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Union members, federal workers and other demonstrators protest the partial government shutdown on day 33 of the shutdown in the Hart Senate Office Building in Washington D.C., the United States, on Jan. 23, 2019. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-25 07:32:58|Editor: Chengcheng

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SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Microsoft said Thursday that it has acquired open-source company Citus Data to bolster the competitiveness of its cloud computing business.

Citus Data is a company dedicated to the open-source database software PostgreSQL. Microsoft did not disclose detailed terms of the deal.

Microsoft said its acquisition of the startup company, founded in 2011 with about 40 employees, reaffirms its commitment to Open Source and accelerates Azure PostgreSQL performance and scale.

"Working together, we will accelerate the delivery of key, enterprise-ready features from Azure to PostgreSQL and enable critical PostgreSQL workloads to run on Azure with confidence," said Rohan Kumar, corporate vice president of Microsoft's Azure Data.

Microsoft will continue to build on its promise around Azure as the most comprehensive cloud to run open source and proprietary workloads at any scale, while it hopes to work with the PostgreSQL community to accelerate innovation to customers, Kumar added.

Microsoft launched its fully managed community-based database service for PostgreSQL in March 2018, and it will now provide a version of PostgreSQL that scales more efficiently in response to growing demand.

"Microsoft and Citus Data will further unlock the power of data, enabling customers to scale complex multi-tenant SaaS applications ... with the familiar PostgreSQL tools developers know and love," Kumar said.

Citus Data has become one of the latest open-source tech companies to have joined Microsoft since the Washington state-based internet and software giant announced the purchase of the world's largest open-source coding site GitHub with 7.5 billion U.S. dollars in June 2018.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-25 07:22:55|Editor: Liangyu

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AMMAN, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Ambassador to Jordan Pan Weifang said Chinese companies are interested in investing energy and minerals projects in Jordan.

The ambassador made the remarks during a meeting with Jordanian Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Hala Zawati on Thursday in the presence of trainees who have attended a workshop in China on renewable energy.

"This training program is specifically designed for Jordan in this field and it is the start of exchange of expertise between the two sides," said the ambassador.

China, he said, was keen on increasing cooperation with Jordan and the Gulf states in the field of renewable energy and the training courses held by China are part of China's support to Jordan to provide the kingdom with technical expertise in this sector.

Zawati stressed on the key ties between the two sides in various arenas.

She added that a delegation of the ministry's staff visited China recently where they received a training course in the field of renewable energy and energy efficiency.

The minister voiced appreciation for China's support to Jordan and for implementing energy projects in the kingdom.

The minister said that trainees spoke highly of the training course and how it has greatly improved their expertise in the field.
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP (GPM) announces an investigation on behalf of Nordstrom Inc. (Nordstrom or the Company) (NYSE: JWN ) investors concerning the Company and its officers possible violations of federal securities laws.



If you are a shareholder who suffered a loss, click here to participate.

The investigation concerns whether the Company issued materially misleading business information to the investing public. On November 15, 2018, the Company announced poor same store sales results, weakening sales growth, and that credit card holders charged incorrect interest amounts. On this news, shares of Nordstrom fell sharply in value on November 16, 2018, thereby injuring investors.

If you purchased Nordstrom stock, have information, or would like to learn more about these claims, or have any questions concerning this announcement or your rights or interests with respect to these matters, please contact Lesley Portnoy, of GPM, 1925 Century Park East, Suite 2100, Los Angeles, CA 90067 at 310-201-9150, Toll-Free at 888-773-9244, or visit our website at www.glancylaw.com . If you inquire by email please include your mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.

This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-25 07:22:55|Editor: Liangyu

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AMMAN, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Ambassador to Jordan Pan Weifang Thursday said Jordanian-Chinese ties have witnessed a key development in 2008, reflecting the strategic partnership between the two countries.

In a speech during a celebration to mark the Chinese New Year, which falls on Feb. 5 this year, he said Sino-Jordanian ties are growing rapidly in various arenas, especially in fields of culture, energy, education, commerce and investments.

The celebration was held in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture of Jordan and the Chinese Ministry of Tourism and Culture.

The ambassador added that next year's celebration of the Spring Festival will be held in the Chinese cultural center, which is currently under construction.

Jordanian Culture Ministry Assistant Secretary General Mohammad Al Rashed said the celebration of the occasion is a reflection of development of ties between the two countries.

A photo exhibition was held on the sidelines of the celebration, highlighting aspects of the Chinese lifestyle and culture.

Several traditional dances were performed by artists from China during the event.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-25 07:32:53|Editor: Liangyu

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World Economic Forum (WEF) Founder and Executive Chairman Klaus Schwab speaks with Daniel Zhang (not in the picture), CEO of Alibaba Group, at a conversation during the 49th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, on Jan. 24, 2019. Attended by over 60 heads of state or government, 40 international organization heads and 1,700 business leaders, the four-day WEF annual meeting kicked off on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Xu Jinquan)
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-25 07:41:29|Editor: Liangyu

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Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan (R) meets with International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Christine Lagarde during the 2019 Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Wang delivered a speech titled "Stay Confident and Work Together for A Shared Future" and answered questions at the meeting Wednesday. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-25 07:02:52|Editor: Yang Yi

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DAVOS, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Humankind's insatiable demand for electronic devices is creating the world's fastest-growing waste stream and opportunities at the same time, according to an article jointly published Thursday by two heads of UN agencies.

In the penned article, Houlin Zhao, Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and Guy Ryder, Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO), said that some forms of e-waste are growing exponentially and "the United Nations calls it a tsunami of e-waste."

E-waste is, however, not just a problem, but also an opportunity, they wrote on the same day when the chairman of China's Green Finance Committee, Ma Jun, outlined on a panel how China is fostering the financing of environmentally friendly projects.

"While more electronic devices are part of the problem, they also can be a big part of the solution," wrote Zhao and Ryder.

A more digital and connected world can help the world accelerate progress towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2030, offering unprecedented opportunities for emerging economies.

They said that getting the process right will result in a lot less of the world's precious minerals, metals, and resources dumped into landfills.

"The benefit to industry and workers as well as the health of people and the environment could be enormous. It is crucial we swiftly employ a more circular vision in this sector," said the two UN leaders in their article.

"That's why tackling this issue head-on is now seen as a crucial task for a number of global agencies, including the ITU, the ILO, the UN Environment Program (UNEP) and other members of the E-waste Coalition," they said.

Ma Jun spoke at a panel Thursday entitled "Climate Leadership", whose members included Mark Rutte, Prime Minister of The Netherlands and Rachel Kyte, UN Special Representative for Sustainable Energy.

When he joined the People's Bank of China (PBOC), Ma launched a green task forced with 14 proposed actions "for the government to build what we call a green financial system" to channel money to the right sectors.

His task forced defined green loan, and green bonds that he believes are the first national-level definitions in the world.

To help the implementation of the actions Ma said, "We introduced a disclosure requirement. We said it is going to be a three-year action plan. The last step is that by 2020 all listed companies will have to disclose environmental information -- no excuses. It is not voluntary."

If successfully implanted, Ma said China would become the first large economy that will introduce a compulsory requirement for the environment and climate emission.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-25 06:47:48|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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RIGA, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics Thursday expressed concerns over uncertainties in current global politics, but voiced confidence in the European Union's (EU) future.

In his annual report to the parliament ahead of lawmakers' debate on foreign relations Thursday, the foreign minister said that along with fast digitalization and global openness, the world is faced with great uncertainties in virtually all spheres.

Future solutions after the UK's forthcoming exit from the EU on March 29 are still veiled in "thick London fog", Rinkevics said, expressing concerns about Brexit's international repercussions.

Domestic political processes in several member states can trigger new internal and external storms within the EU, and problems like breaches of the rule of law and democratic norms, difficult negotiations on the bloc's next budget and fresh migration risks do not contribute to Europe's general security, he told MPs.

"Despite the shocks experienced by the EU, I believe the EU has a strong future. There are several practical reasons for this. Only a united EU can compete and be an equal player in the world, especially in the global economy and diplomacy. There is no other way for the EU," he added.

A divided and fragmented EU can only waste its resources. The EU must remain united in its diversity, based on the existence of strong and national states. But in the circumstances of globalization, the EU must not split up into small and argumentative groups of interests, Rinkevics said, calling for a strong European defense identity to complement NATO capabilities.

"We will support bolstering Europe's defense capabilities, but we reject the idea of a European army overlapping with NATO functions. We need a strong and united European foreign policy. We need a united European energy policy. We need steady and strong EU-US relations," he noted.

The minister also called for urgent measures to prevent money laundering and terrorist financing risks in Latvia's banks. "Combating financial crime and compliance with international sanctions is a common norm in the Western financial world. A country that ignores it gets ostracized by market mechanisms and other countries, Rinkevics warned.

"Latvia will keep boosting its domestic and external security, supporting the upholding and development of the existing international system. Latvia will be actively backing a united and secure EU also after the UK's withdrawal," he said, "This will be done based on the Baltic-Nordic cooperation format, which is a strategically important source of Latvia's economic prosperity and security."
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-25 06:17:40|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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JERUSALEM, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Israel condemned on Thursday a vote by the Irish parliament after it backed a bill to ban imports and sales of goods from territories seized by Israel in 1967.

The proposed legislation would ban the trade in goods or services originated from the West Bank settlements and the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights.

Israel's foreign ministry slammed the vote as an "expression of pure hostility."

"It is disturbing and disappointing that the initiators of the law are focusing on a hypocritical attack on Israel, rather than on dictatorships that slaughter their citizens," the foreign ministry said in a statement.

"This is a clear expression of obsessive discrimination that should be rejected with disgust," it added.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the Irish ambassador to Israel will be summoned to a reprimand talk on Friday.

On Thursday, the bill passed the so-called second stage in the Lower House of the Irish Parliament by 78 votes to 45, which still needs to pass several other stages before it could become law.

The Irish government opposed the bill.

Israel occupied the West Bank and East Jerusalem along with the Gaza Strip in the 1967 Middle East war. It also seized the Golan Heights, an originally Syrian territory.

It annexed East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights shortly after the war, an act not recognized by most of the international community.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-25 06:07:38|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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KHARTOUM, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Saudi Arabia on Thursday reiterated support for Sudan, according to a Saudi official who visited Sudan.

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir on Thursday met with Saudi Minister of Commerce and Investment Majid bin Abdullah al-Qasab, who affirmed that the security of Sudan is part of the security of the kingdom and vise versa.

The minister said his visit to Sudan came as part of directives by the Saudi monarch to enhance the relations with Sudan in the economic and investment fields and reactivate the commercial and investment exchange between the two countries.

Sudan has been facing an economic crisis which has prompted popular protests since Dec. 19 last year.

According to government statistics, at least 29 people have been killed during the protests.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-25 05:47:31|Editor: Shi Yinglun

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RAMALLAH, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian prisoners' representatives and Israeli prisons service agreed on Thursday evening to defuse tension which last for three days in the Israeli Ofer prison in the West Bank.

The Palestinian Prisoners Corporation in Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) said in a press statement that the agreement was reached following a session of negotiations between the prisoners' representatives and the Israeli administration of Ofer prison.

"The prisoners obliged the prison's administration to retreat from imposing a series of punitive measures against the prisoners," said the corporation.

The prisoners required the treatment of the wounded prisoners and to normalize the situation as it was before January 20, including taking a break outside the prison's rooms and refraining from any escalation measures.

On Monday, the Palestinian Prisoners Club Association announced that at least 100 prisoners were injured during clashes that broke out between them and the Israeli guards of Ofer prison.

The association, a Palestinian non-government organization, said that six prisoners suffered bones breaking, 40 were injured in their heads and the rest were injured by rubber bullets and tear gas.

Israeli Radio reported that the prisoners carried out riots in the prison and burned fire into one of the cells after the prison's administration punished 12 prisoners for smuggling 12 cellular phones in the prison.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas condemned what he termed as "the serious Israeli escalation against the prisoners" and held the Israeli government fully responsible for their safety.

Israel detains 1,200 Palestinian prisoners in Ofer prison, including 100 children, out of about 6,000 prisoners in total imprisoned in Israeli jails, prisons and detentions, according to official figures.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-25 05:32:27|Editor: ZX

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Capitol Hill is seen in Washington D.C., the United States, on Jan. 24, 2019. A Democrat-backed bill to temporarily open the U.S. government without funding a border wall requested by the White House failed to pass the U.S. Senate on Thursday. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

WASHINGTON, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- A Democrat-backed bill to temporarily open the U.S. government without funding a border wall requested by the White House failed to pass the U.S. Senate on Thursday.

The bill, which would fund government agencies until Feb. 8 and needs 60 yes-votes to process, was supported by 52 and opposed by 44.

No Democratic senator voted to block the bill, while six Republican senators, Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, Susan Collins of Maine, Cory Gardner of Colorado, Johnny Isakson of Georgia, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Mitt Romney of Nevada, voted in favor of the bill along with Democrats.

Senators on two sides of the aisle traded accusations after the votes, blaming each other for the government shutdown and the failure to reach consensus.

"We can absolutely have a conversation about border security once this shutdown ends, but Republicans need to stop covering for President Trump's partisan games and work with us to end this crisis," Democratic Senator Patty Murray of Washington said.

"It's unacceptable that Senate Democrats continue to reject every opportunity to compromise in good faith," Republican Senator David Perdue of Georgia tweeted.

The failure of the bill, along with the failure of another bill backed by the White House earlier Thursday, means that the Senate will need to renew their effort in reaching a consensus on the border wall and reopening the government, which has now been shut down for 34 days.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-25 05:07:20|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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DAVOS, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Yossi Vardi, known as the godfather of Israel's hi-tech industry, has said that China is at the forefront of the digital world today and that he is optimistic about China's role in this field.

Vardi launched Israel's first software company in 1969, and has founded and helped build over 80 high-tech companies in a variety of fields over the past five decades.

"China is at the forefront of cutting-edge technologies, especially artificial intelligence (AI) and other technologies and also the implementation of digital technologies in all walks of life, in transportation, machines, robotics and everything," Vardi, chairman of International Technologies, told Xinhua during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting here on Wednesday.

He noted the rapidly growing number of engineers China has trained over the past ten years. "I am very optimistic about the role of China in this field. We see it happening everyday," he said.

"Technology is as good or as bad as the hand which holds it. You know you can take a knife, you can use a knife to harm other people, you can use a knife to engrave beautiful pictures, do really wonderful works of art. So it's not the issue of technology, it is the issue of intention," he said.

He said people should be given enough leeway to use their imagination and come up with innovative solutions -- but dangerous things should be restricted.

Vardi attended an event aimed at promoting the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou to the world on Wednesday on the sidelines of the WEF annual meeting. He said Guangzhou, as a historically important gateway of China to the rest of the world, has opened up more and will embrace more international partnerships.

As a major city in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay area, Guangzhou boasts of a rising number of Fortune 500 companies as well as growing traffic at the airport. "Guangzhou's role as an important hub has become more and more important each year," he said.

Chen Zhiying, vice mayor of Guangzhou, said the city will work to accelerate the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay area, participate in the Belt and Road Initiative, and build a more open and innovative city to offer more opportunities to the world.

The WEF annual meeting runs from Tuesday to Friday, themed "Globalization 4.0: Shaping a Global Architecture in the Age of the Fourth Industrial Revolution."
English French

MONTREAL, Jan. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kintavar Exploration Inc. (the Corporation or Kintavar) (TSX-V: KTR) (FRANKFURT: 58V), is pleased to announce that the Corporation has entered into a letter of intent (LOI), with an arms length party, with respect to the acquisition by Monster Exploration the 100% interests in the Anik gold project (Anik) for $5 million in shares. Monster Exploration is the proposed spin-out (the Spin-Out) of TomaGold Corporation (TSX-V: LOT) of all its interests in the Monster Lake (joint venture with IAMGOLD  50%) and Irene Lake exploration projects. It is expected that upon closing of the transaction, Kintavar will own approximately 14% of Monster Exploration. For full details, please refer to TomaGold press release from January 25, 2019.



Upon closing of the Spin-Out, the assets of Monster Exploration will be divided as follows:

Monster Lake joint venture: 50% interest in the Monster Lake, Winchester and Lac a leau jaune properties (IAMGOLD 50%)

100% interest in six adjacent properties (Monster Lake East, Monster Lake West, Anik, Lac Doda, Irene Lake and Diego)

70% interest in the Hazeur property

As a result, the new consolidated Monster Lake sector will consist of 610 claims covering 311 square kilometres.

"As Kintavar continues to advance its flagship Mitchi stratiform copper project, the opportunity to sell the Anik gold property and to get exposure to the Monster Lake deposit, which has a high-grade inferred resource of 1,109,700 tonnes at 12.14 g/t Au, for 433,300 ounces of contained gold, brings enormous value to Kintavar shareholders. The combined assets of Monster Exploration consolidate a major land package in what is becoming Quebecs most promising new gold district underpinned by the Monster Lake and Nelligan projects where IAMGOLD is conducting exploration. comments Kiril Mugerman, President & CEO of Kintavar.

The Anik gold project is located 40 km southeast of the town of Chapais and 55 km to the south of the town of Chibougamau, in Quebec. The project consists of 120 claims totalling 6,700 hectares.

Most of the project area can be accessed via the gravel road linking the former Joe Mann Mine to Route 167, a paved road connecting the Lac Saint-Jean region to Chibougamau. The nearby towns of Chapais, Chibougamau and Ouje-Bougoumou provide facilities and a workforce for exploration and mining development. The southeast claims block is crossed by a Hydro-Quebec high-voltage power line.

Located in the Opawica-Guercheville deformation corridor, host to several gold mines and deposits, the eastern portion of the property is located less than 7 km from the Joe Mann mine and the Lac Meston and Philibert deposits. The western portion of the property is located less than 10 km to the south of the Monster Lake and Fancamp gold projects. In addition, the main gold zones of the Nelligan property, a joint venture between Vanstar Resources and IAMGOLD, are surrounded to the north, south and east by Anik property boundaries at a distance of less than 1,500 metres.

TomaGold and Kintavar have entered into a letter of intent whereby Monster Exploration will acquire 100% of Kintavars interest in and to Anik and the related assets and liabilities comprising Anik (the Anik Transaction), including: (i) the right of Societe de Developpement de la Baie James (SDBJ) to be granted a 0.1% net smelter return royalty affecting Anik, which may be purchased for C$125,000, the whole pursuant to the terms and conditions of a financing agreement entered into between Innord Inc., a subsidiary of Geomega Resources Inc., and SDBJ and (ii) the right of Administration Regionale Baie-James (ARBJ) to be granted a 0.1% net smelter return royalty affecting Anik, which may be purchased for C$125,000, the whole pursuant to the terms and conditions of a financing agreement entered into between Innord Inc. and ARBJ.

The consideration for the Anik Transaction will be $5,000,000, payable by the issuance to Kintavar of common shares of Monster Exploration, at a deemed price per share equal to the Financing price, at the closing of the Anik Transaction (the Anik Consideration Shares).

The Anik Consideration Shares will be issued to Kintavar pursuant to a prospectus exemption under Canadian securities laws and will be subject to a hold period of four month and a day in Canada.

The Anik Transaction is subject to certain conditions, including (i) the completion of the Financing and the Spin-Out before or concurrently with the Anik Transaction, (ii) the appointment of two directors of Monster Exploration by Kintavar and (iii) the approval of the TSXV. Kintavar has agreed to deal exclusively with TomaGold until June 30, 2019.

NobleConXV

The Corporation announced that Kiril Mugerman, Kintavars President & Chief Executive Officer, will present at NobleConXV - Noble Capital Markets Fifteenth Annual Investor Conference at the W Hotel, Fort Lauderdale, Florida - on Monday January 28th at 11 am Eastern Standard Time.

A high-definition, video webcast of the presentation will be available the following day on the Company's website (www.kintavar.com), and as part of a complete catalog of presentations available at Noble Capital Markets Conference website: www.nobleconference.com and on the new investor portal created by Noble called Channelchek: www.channelchek.com. The webcast will be archived on the company's website, the NobleCon website and on Channelchek.com for 90 days following the event.

NI-43-101 Disclosure

Alain Cayer, P.Geo., MSc., Vice-President Exploration of Kintavar, is Qualified Person under NI 43-101 guidelines who supervised and approved the preparation of the technical information in this news release.

About Kintavar Exploration & the Mitchi Property

Kintavar Exploration is a Canadian mineral exploration Corporation engaged in the acquisition, assessment, exploration and development of gold and base metal mineral properties. Its flagship project is the Mitchi property (approx. 30,000 hectares, 100% owned) located west of the Mitchinamecus reservoir, 100 km north of the town of Mont-Laurier. The property covers an area of more than 300 km2 accessible by a network of logging and gravel roads with a hydro-electric power substation located 14 km to the east. The property is located in the north-western portion of the central metasedimentary belt of the Grenville geological province. Many gold, copper, silver and/or manganese mineralized showings have been identified to date, with many characteristics suggesting of a sediment-hosted stratiform copper type mineralization (SSC) in the Eastern portion of the property and Iron Oxide Copper Gold (IOCG) and skarn type mineralization in the Western portion. Osisko holds a 2% NSR on 27 claims of the southern portion of the Mitchi property, outside of the sedimentary basin.

About Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

2019 marks Noble Capital Markets 35th anniversary. The Company is an equity-research driven, full-service, investment & merchant banking boutique focused on emerging growth companies. In addition to NobleCon, Noble hosts numerous non-deal corporate road shows across the United States and Canada. In late 2018, Noble launched Channelchek.com which features advanced market data, institutional-quality research, balanced news, videos and podcasts covering more than 6,000 emerging growth companies. There is no cost for investors to join. Members: FINRA, SIPC, MSRB. www.noblecapitalmarkets.com

For further information contact:

Kiril Mugerman, president and CEO

Phone : +1 450 641 5119 #5653

Email : kmugerman@kintavar.com

Web: www.kintavar.com

1 For more information, see the NI 43-101 technical report entitled  Amended NI 43-101 Technical Report and Maiden Mineral Resource Estimate for the Monster Lake Project  and dated as of May 17, 2018 amends the Technical Report  NI 43-101 Technical Report and Maiden Mineral Resource Estimate for the Monster Lake Project  dated as of May 9, 2018 and filed on SEDAR under the profile of IAMGOLD Corporation.

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 this release.

This news release contains statements that may constitute forward-looking information or forward looking statements within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information and statements may include, among others, statements regarding future plans, costs, objectives or performance of the Corporation, or the assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. In this news release, words such as may, would, could, will, likely, believe, expect, anticipate, intend, plan, estimate target and similar words and the negative form thereof are used to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether, or the times at or by which, such future performance will be achieved. No assurance can be given that any events anticipated by the forward-looking information will transpire or occur, including additional closings of the private placement referred to above, or if any of them do so, what benefits the Corporation will derive. Forward-looking statements and information are based on information available at the time and/or management's good-faith belief with respect to future events and are subject to known or unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other unpredictable factors, many of which are beyond the Corporations control. These risks, uncertainties and assumptions include, but are not limited to, those described under Risk Factors in the Corporations managements discussion and analysis for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com; they could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements. The Corporation does not intend, nor does the Corporation undertake any obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking information or statements contained in this news release to reflect subsequent information, events or circumstances or otherwise, except if required by applicable laws.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a360ed66-1608-47ea-b5e2-4eb0752cb192
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-25 04:47:14|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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WASHINGTON, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- A bill backed by U.S. President Donald Trump that will fund a border wall failed to pass the Senate on Thursday.

The bill, which needs 60 yes-votes to move forward, was supported by 51, and opposed by 47.

Two Republican senators, Tom Cotton of Arkansas and Mike Lee of Utah voted no on the bill, while Democratic senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia voted yes.

The Senate will proceed to vote on a bill produced by Democrats which calls for a temporary reopening of the U.S. government without funding for a border wall, it will also need 60 votes to move forward.

The votes are a major showdown between the two parties 34 days into the unprecedented government shutdown, while neither are expected to pass. Analysts believe the votes will be an indicator of the mood among lawmakers and provide a clearer direction for negotiators in the coming days.
Photo taken on Jan. 24, 2019 shows the exterior of the China-aided development center for children with disabilities in the Mongolian capital Ulan Bator. (Xinhua/A Sigang)

ULAN BATOR, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- The handover ceremony of the China-aided development center for children with disabilities was held in the Mongolian capital Ulan Bator on Thursday.

The comprehensive center is equipped with 250 beds and advanced medical devices, and can provide medical treatments for 250 outpatients a day.

Senior Chinese and Mongolian officials, including Chinese Ambassador to Mongolia Xing Haiming, Chief of Staff of the President of Mongolia Zandaakhuu Enkhbold, and Minister of Labor and Social Protection of Mongolia Sodnom Chinzorig, attended the ceremony.

"Sharing a 4,710-km-long borderline, China and Mongolia are long-standing close neighbors. The center for children with disabilities has become a symbol of China-Mongolia friendship," said Xing at the ceremony.

Photo taken on Jan. 24, 2019 shows the interior of the China-aided development center for children with disabilities in the Mongolian capital Ulan Bator. (Xinhua/A Sigang)

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Mongolia, Xing added, expressing the hope that the two countries will take this opportunity to elevate the current level of bilateral relations to a new height in all areas.

For his part, Enkhbold expressed gratitude to the Chinese government and people, describing the development center as one of the largest humanitarian projects in Mongolia implemented with non-refundable aid from China.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-25 03:57:02|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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DOHA, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Qatari Deputy Prime Minister for Defense Affairs Khalid al-Attiya met here on Thursday with Somalian Defense Minister Hassan Ali Mohamed and discuss ways to boost bilateral ties in the military fields.

The two sides discussed means to bolster military and defense cooperation, according to a statement tweeted by the Directorate of Moral Guidance at the Qatari Ministry of Defense.

The Somali minister attended ceremonies in Doha marking the graduation of the 14th batch of officers of the armed forces, interior ministry and other security agencies at the Ahmed bin Mohamed Military Academy.

The Qatari defense ministry had announced on Jan. 17, 2019 that Somalia has received at the seaport of Mogadishu a grant of 68 advanced military vehicles provided by the Qatari armed forces.

The ministry said the grant came within the framework of Qatar's support for the Somali people and government.

The grant would hopefully help the institutions of the state and the internationally-recognized central government to bolster security and combat terror and extremism.

Somalia has been the scene of bloody conflict for years between the central government and the Islamist al-Shabaab Movement, which wages attacks on military as well as civil installations in and outside the capital Mogadishu.

The United Nations' envoy to Somalia Nicholas Haysom warned on Jan. 3 that the al-Shabaab was still the largest source of insecurity in the Horn of Africa country.

Al-Shabaab is a Somalia-based Islamist group, which has split into two groups, with one still pledging allegiance to Al-Qaeda, the other to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-25 01:06:22|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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Photo taken on Jan. 21, 2019 shows the logo of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland. (Xinhua/Xu Jinquan)

by Xinhua writers Shen Zhonghao, Shi Jianguo, Tian Dongdong

DAVOS, Switzerland, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- At the entrance to the main conference hall of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos Tuesday afternoon, the first day of the forum's annual meeting, people crowded in a long queue, waiting for a panel discussion on advancing the Belt and Road Initiative proposed by China.

Since the queue was longer than expected, the organizer only allowed pre-registered guests to enter the venue. For many of them, China's proposals are much more popular in Davos and beyond, when globalization comes to a crossroad.

UNSTOPPABLE TREND

Themed "Globalization 4.0: Shaping a Global Architecture in the Age of the Fourth Industrial Revolution," this year's WEF meeting opened as risks hang over global growth with rising nationalism, protectionism, and political uncertainties in some wealthy countries.

Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan delivered a speech at the forum Wednesday afternoon, elaborating on the Chinese leadership's vision of globalization first outlined by Chinese President Xi Jinping in Davos in 2017, among others.

Wang told the star-studded forum that in this era of unfolding economic globalization, the entire mankind has a common stake, and that only through joint efforts can a great future be created for all mankind.

In his speech two years ago, President Xi warned that any moves to turn back to protectionism runs against historical trend.

"Whether you like it or not, the global economy is the big ocean that you cannot escape from. Any attempt to cut off the flow of capital, technologies, products, industries and people between economies, and channel the waters in the ocean back into isolated lakes and creeks is simply not possible." said Xi.

Delivering a speech at this year's WEF annual gathering, German Chancellor Angela Merkel also told audience that "multilateralism is indispensable for the prosperous development of the world."

She reminded the impact of the global economic slowdown on the existing multilateral system, noting that the current forecasts showing declining growth rates lead to a number of "disturbances and uncertainties in the multilateral system."

Charles-Edouard Bouee, Global CEO of international consulting firm Roland Berger, agreed that globalization is an unstoppable trend and the only way forward.

"Yet, it's not an easy road. It's more like climbing a mountain, and we have to be prepared, we have to be committed, we have to be consistent and we have to be convinced," he said.

CHINA'S PROPOSALS

To meet the challenges that globalization faces, Xi offered China's proposals and solutions while addressing the opening ceremony of the 2017 WEF meeting.

He stressed the importance of developing a dynamic innovation-driven growth model, a model of open and win-win cooperation featuring a well-coordinated and inter-connected approach, and a model of fair and equitable governance in keeping with the trend of the times, and a balanced, equitable and inclusive development model.

Commenting on the innovation-driven growth model, IHS Markit's chief economist Nariman Behravesh highlighted the growing role of high tech, particularly in digitalization, for cultivating new growth points for the world economy by impacting manufacturing and services significantly.

Speaking at one of the panel discussions, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella reminded that the fourth industrial revolution also needs to deliver technology and innovation that can drive economic growth.

"We need to get back to the core challenge of economic growth. This next phase of globalization needs to deliver economic growth so that it is equitable," Nadella said.

As to the open and win-win cooperation featuring a well-coordinated and inter-connected approach, Bas Burger, CEO of BT's Global Services division, told Xinhua that Xi's proposal absolutely resonates with him, saying "we can't really do without each other."

"Globalization 4.0, the fourth industrial revolution, and our day-to-day lives are all influenced by the galloping pace of new technologies," Ueli Maurer, president of the Swiss Confederation, highlighted in his special address.

All of the big issues, namely climate change, migration, health and corruption, need collective approach by the world, Michael Moller, director-general of the UN Office at Geneva told Xinhua.

EMBRACING GLOBALIZATION

For many, the path of China's development can be the key source for both learning experiences and leading the sustainable inclusive growth of the world.

Deeply impressed by the historic change in China over the last few decades, Pakistan's former Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz told Xinhua at WEF that "it is unique and has not been experienced by many countries."

History will tell people that China is a big nation of peace, he said, adding that Chinese have no aspiration to disturb any of the current set-ups, but they can strengthen everybody.

"China embraces globalization. China being the champion of globalization is very important," Managing Director of Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) Simon Galpin told Xinhua.

His colleague Khalid Al Rumaihi, CEO of the EDB, looks upon China as "a model for those who want to stimulate tech ecosystems and go from being importers of technology to net exporters."

"China represents a massive opportunity for the rest of the world to see what's coming -- not only on the technologies of the future but also the way we can leverage technology to foster inclusive growth," Al Rumaihi added.

Contributing to nearly 30 percent of the world's economic growth, the world's second-largest economy grew 6.6 percent year on year in 2018 -- on firm footing, with better quality and improved structure.

"Today China is at the forefront of the digital world. It is at the forefront of cutting-edge technologies," Yossi Vardi, an Israeli entrepreneur and investor, told Xinhua.

(Xinhua reporters Zhai Wei, Wang Huihui, Ling Xin, Nie Xiaoyang and Liu Qu also contributed to the story.)

(Video reporter: Han Chong, Du Yang; video editor: Zhu Cong)
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-24 23:56:04|Editor: Liangyu

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Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and a member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, addresses the commencement of a study session at the Party School of the CPC Central Committee attended by senior provincial and ministerial officials in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 24, 2019. Wang called for resolute efforts to win the battle of preventing and defusing any "major risks" and ensure sustained and healthy development of the economy and social stability. (Xinhua/Ding Haitao)

BEIJING, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Senior Communist Party of China (CPC) official Wang Huning on Thursday called for resolute efforts to win the battle of preventing and defusing any "major risks" and ensure sustained and healthy development of the economy and social stability.

Wang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and a member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks while addressing the commencement of a study session at the Party School of the CPC Central Committee attended by senior provincial and ministerial officials.

He urged for successful work in all respects and a victory over the battle of preventing and defusing major risks, in order to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China with "brilliant exploits.

Through the study session, which started Monday, the participants were believed to have developed in-depth knowledge and a more precise understanding of the profound changes China faces in its external environment and of the new situations, problems and challenges relating to the country's domestic reform, development and stability.

They were also said to have gained a better understanding of the need to improve prevention and control capabilities, with focus on preventing and defusing any major risks and ensuring sustained and healthy development of the economy and social stability, and increased their sense of responsibility to perform well duties.

Ten of the participants made speeches at Thursday's commencement to share what they had gained through the session.

While noting that 2019 was a crucial year for China to build a moderately prosperous society in all respects, Wang called on the officials to go all out to do a good job of major risk prevention and defusing.

He stressed the importance of increasing awareness of risks and sticking to bottom-line thinking, calling for effective efforts to enhance capabilities to spot risks and improve the system to prevent and defuse major risks.
Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-24 23:36:00|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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BEIJING, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Xu Qiliang, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, said on Thursday that China and Australia should further strengthen their strategic communication and exchanges between the two militaries at all levels.

Xu made the remarks when meeting with visiting Australian Minister for Defense Christopher Pyne.

The mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Australia has promoted their respective development and benefited the two peoples, said Xu.

Xu noted that the two sides should respect each other, rationally view each other's strategic intentions and strive to draw on each other's strengths for mutual benefit and win-win results, so as to broaden the path of mutual cooperation.

Pyne said Australia attaches great importance to developing its relations with China and would like to strengthen pragmatic exchanges and cooperation with China in various fields to bring more benefits to the two peoples.

China's State Councilor and Defense Minister Wei Fenghe also met Pyne on the day and told him that China and Australia are important countries in the Asia-Pacific region. To develop a healthy, stable and sustainable Sino-Australian relationship is in the fundamental interests of the two peoples and conducive to peace, stability and prosperity in the region.

Pyne said Australia appreciates China's important role in international and regional affairs and is ready to work with China to develop stronger, friendly and dynamic relations between the two countries and militaries.
SEBRING, Fla. (AP) - A man accused of fatally shooting five women at a small-town bank in Florida had dreamed of hurting classmates in high school and had long been fascinated with killing, police and a former girlfriend said Thursday.

The slayings did not appear to be part of a robbery, and Zephen Xaver had no apparent connection to the SunTrust branch or the four employees and one customer who were killed Wednesday, police said.

"We believe it was a random act," Sebring Police Chief Karl Hoglund said Thursday at a news conference. "Aside from perhaps driving by and seeing it was a bank, we have no known evidence that he targeted this bank for any particular reason."

If the gunman had driven 10 seconds farther, just one more driveway, the victims might have been Carol Davis, who manages a hair salon and spa, and her staff and customers.

"He could have come here. He could have gone anywhere. It could happen anywhere," Davis said.

Xaver, 21, was charged Thursday with five counts of premeditated murder. Just months ago, he moved from northern Indiana to Sebring, about 80 miles southeast of Tampa. He had recently quit his job as a prison guard trainee.

From police and witness accounts, he entered the bank about 12:30 p.m. when the five women were alone. The bank stands apart along U.S. 27, a busy four-lane highway in Sebring, a tourist and retirement city of 10,000 known for an annual endurance auto race that draws some of the worlds top drivers.

The victims were found lying face down, their bodies surrounded by shell casings, according to court documents. Six minutes after the attack began, Xaver called 911 and told dispatchers that he had killed everyone inside, Hoglund said.

Davis said she looked out her window and saw police officers everywhere, many carrying rifles. I have never seen stuff like that except in the movies.

Xaver refused to surrender and would not allow officers to reach the victims, Hoglund said. After more than an hour of negotiations, a SWAT team used an armored vehicle to break through the front doors. Xaver was found in a back office, and all the victims were dead, the chief said.

On Thursday, an Indiana police department released a 2014 report in which Xaver, then 16, said he had dreams of hurting other students in a classroom.

The report from the Bremen Police Department said Bremen High School Principal Bruce Jennings contacted police on Feb. 20, 2014, after Xaver reported having the dream the previous night and again during a nap at school. The report said Xavers mother agreed to take him to a behavioral health center. Police took no further action.

Authorities also released log entries of other incidents involving Xaver, including one in March 2017, when Michigan State Police advised that a girl was receiving messages from Xaver that indicated he was "possibly thinking of suicide by cop and taking hostages."

Alex Gerlach, who identified herself as Xavers former girlfriend, said hes long been fascinated with the idea of killing, but no one took her warnings about him seriously. For some reason, he "always hated people and wanted everybody to die," Gerlach told WSBT-TV in South Bend, Indiana, near his former home in Plymouth, Indiana.

"He got kicked out of school for having a dream that he killed everybody in his class, and hes been threatening this for so long, and hes been having dreams about it and everything," she said. "Every single person Ive told has not taken it seriously, and its very unfortunate that it had to come to this."

Gerlach told The Washington Post that Xaver said he purchased a gun last week and no one thought anything of it because he had always liked guns.

Xaver had no apparent criminal record in the areas where hes lived in Indiana and Florida.

___

Kay reported from Miami. Associated Press writers Freida Frisaro in Miami, Rick Callahan in Indianapolis and Randy Herschaft in New York contributed to this report.
MADISON COUNTY, Fla. (WTXL) - A local school was placed on lockdown Friday afternoon after deputies received reports of possible gunshots near campus.

At about 12:50 p.m., a Madison County Sheriff's Office School Resource Deputy received a report that a "couple" possible gun shots were heard at an estimated distance of two or three miles west of the Madison Creative Arts Academy campus.

MSCO said in accordance with safety protocol and abundance of caution, the Madison Creative Arts Academy initiated Shelter In Place while multiple deputies responded to check the campus and surrounding areas for any type of activity.

According to MCSO, there was no suspicious activity, people, or sounds identified. The Shelter In Place has since been lifted to resume normal school related activities.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Probable cause has been found against Dustin Daniels for "misusing his public position" to secure special benefits for others.

The complainant, Jennings Lawton DePriest, filed the lawsuit in October.

DePriest refers to a 2017 grand jury investigation into a complaint that Mayor Gillum's office had spent about $4,000 on campaign email software using taxpayer money.

Former Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum's former Chief of Staff, Dustin Daniels, is being accused of "misusing his public position" to secure special benefits for others.

In a statement DePriest said:

"The violation of public trust by a public official is a serious matter, especially when that violation involves the misuse of taxpayer dollars for personal political gain. I applaud the Florida Commission on Ethics for holding Dustin accountable. Hopefully, Mr. Daniels takes responsibility for his wrongdoing by settling with the Commission quickly and without any additional costs to our taxpayers."

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - A Tallahassee mayoral candidate spoke out on Wednesday after a complaint was filed against him with the Florida Commission of Ethics.

Mayor Andrew Gillum's former Chief of Staff, Dustin Daniels, is being accused of "misusing his public position" to secure special benefits for others.

Jennings Lawton DePriest filed the complaint on Tuesday.

DePriest refers to a 2017 grand jury investigation into a complaint that Mayor Gillum's office had spent about $4,000 on campaign email software using taxpayer money.

The grand jury found that out of 106 emails sent, four could have been classified as political advertisements, but after the investigation the grand jury found no evidence of official misconduct.

"The grand jury found that Andrew Gillum misused public dollars and that Dustin Daniels was a part of that," said DePriest. "He was the only one who had a password and even though they couldn't prove criminal intent they were already found to have violated the public's trust and I'm asking the state ethics committee to hold them accountable."

"This was an issue that was looked at extensively by law enforcement, by our local ethics committee, and each time it was found to be unfounded. It was found that nothing wrong was done," said Dainels." So again, this is just politics at it's worst. And this is John Dailey working with Republican operatives to slander the name of his opponent as well as Mayor Andrew Gillum, who is going to be our next governor."

Depriest says he filed the complaint to "assure that our public officials are held to the highest standard of ethics."

Daniels says he is going to continue to focus on the issues and not let the complaint sway him in anyway.
SUWANNEE COUNTY, Fla. (WTXL) - No criminal charges will be filed after three children suffocated inside a unplugged chest freezer in Suwannee County.

According to the Suwannee County Sheriff's Office, after reviewing all the evidence, the state attorney's office has decided that no criminal charges will be filed in this case.

The kids, identified as 6-year-old Dawlton Lee Delbridge, 19-month-old Kaliegh Mae Meeks, and 4-year-old Brooklyn Leigh Jackson, died after they got trapped inside an unplugged freezer left in the front yard of their Suwannee County home.

The children were outside playing when they climbed inside the freezer. Investigators believe the freezer lid closed, and a hasp shut, keeping them trapped.

The children's guardians were there at the time of the incident and tried to find the children after realizing that they had gone missing.

The state attorney's office says one of the women maintained custody over Meeks and Delbridge, who are siblings, while another woman living at the home was the mother of 4-year-old Jackson.

Neither woman will face criminal charges.

The state attorney's office sent a letter to deputies saying that "all evidence indicates that the freezer was not in the yard for an extensive period of time," and said that Florida Statue 823.07 doesn't apply because the freezer was not abandoned or discarded.

"There is no evidence of foul play," State Attorney Jeffery Siegmeister wrote in the letter. "There is nothing to suggest the deaths resulted in any intentional or malicious act."

"We understand that some people will not agree with this decision," deputies wrote, "however, it was based upon a review of all of the available evidence in this case and Florida Statutes."

SUWANNEE COUNTY, Fla. (WTXL) - Funeral arrangements have been made for the three children found dead inside a freezer.

According to the Suwannee County Sheriff's Office, Burns Funeral Home in Perry will be handling the arrangements for all three children.

Services for the 1-year-old and 6-year-old siblings is tentatively set for Friday.

The family of the 4-year-old will have a private ceremony at a later date.

Adults could potentially face charges in Suwannee County children's deaths

SUWANNEE COUNTY, Fla. (WTXL) - Felony charges could be filed after three young Suwannee County children suffocated inside a unplugged chest freezer.

The three children, ages 1, 4, and 6, died after they were trapped inside an unplugged chest freezer left in the yard of a Suwannee County home.

Investigators say the mother of the 4-year-old was outside when the kids were playing, but went inside to use the bathroom. When she came back out, she couldnt find the kids. She woke up the grandmother of the other two kids, and eventually, they found the kids in the freezer.

This is an active investigation, but so far, no one has been charged in what the sheriff called a tragedy.

Sheriff Sam St. John confirms the cause of death for all three children is "accidental asphyxiation." He said it wasn't a surprise, and that investigators were anticipating that result.

However, the adults in the case could still be facing charges under Florida law.

According to Florida Statue 823.07, it is against the law to knowingly abandon "any icebox, refrigerator, deep-freeze locker, clothes washer, clothes dryer, or similar airtight unit having an interior storage capacity of 11/2 cubic feet or more from which the door has not been removed.

In Florida, the offense is considered a misdemeanor. But if a child is injured or dies, the charge could be a third-degree felony.

"What we're looking at is naturally, one of them is there's a Florida statute against having these appliances out on your property abandoned where children can get into them to prevent incident just like this here," said Sheriff St. John. "So, any type of freezer, refrigerator, washer, dryer, anything that when the lid closes is airtight, is prohibited on your property."

The investigation is still ongoing, but at this time, foul play is not suspected.

The case has been forwarded to the Third Judicial Circuit State Attorneys Office for review.

Funeral arrangements set for three children found trapped in freezer

SUWANNEE COUNTY, Fla. (WTXL) - Funeral arrangements have been announced for the three children that were found in an unplugged freezer at a home.

According to the Suwannee County Sheriff's Office, Burns Funeral Home on 1400 N Johnson Stripling Road in Perry, FL will be handling the arrangements for all three children.

Services for the 1-year-old and 6-year-old siblings will be tentatively held on Friday Jan. 18.

The family of the 4-year-old will be having a private ceremony at a later date.

If anyone would like to donate to the cost of the services, please contact Burns Funeral Home at 850-584-4149.

Three children dead after being trapped in freezer, authorities investigating

SUWANNEE COUNTY, Fla. (WTXL) - Foul play is not suspected in the deaths of three children found in an unplugged freezer at a home.

This is an active investigation, but so far, no one has been charged in what the sheriff called a tragedy.

Sheriff Sam St. John confirms the cause of death for all three children is "accidental asphyxiation." He said it wasn't a surprise, and that investigators were anticipating that result.

No other signs of trauma were discovered, which he said reinforced the theory that this was an accident.

Deputies and first responders headed to a home on 173rd Place in Live Oak Sunday evening after a woman called 911 to report three children not breathing.

The kids were playing outside and somehow got inside a chest freezer in the yard that hadnt been plugged in. Investigators believe the freezer lid closed, and a hasp shut, keeping them trapped.

Two siblings, a 6-year-old and 1-year-old, died. So did a 4-year-old living with them.

Sheriff Sam St. John said losing these children has devastated this tight-knit community.

"When they hear about it, their heart breaks, you know? Because any time you deal with children and especially something like this when they die from something that, you know, of this nature, it just tugs at your heart strings and its just so, so devastating," said Sheriff St. John.

Investigators say the mother of the 4-year-old was outside when the kids were playing, but went inside to use the bathroom. When she came back out, she couldnt find the kids. She woke up the grandmother of the other two kids, and eventually, they found the kids in the freezer.

Sheriff St. John said he reminds the community to keep a close watch on children in light of what happened.

Meanwhile, the Florida Department of Children and Families is aware of this case, which is now being reviewed by the State Attorneys Office.

SUWANNEE COUNTY, Fla. (WTXL) - Authorities say three young children are dead after being found unresponsive inside a chest freezer Sunday evening.

Sunday evening, the Suwannee County Sheriffs Office says they received a 911 call from a residence on 173rd Place regarding three children that were found not breathing.

Deputies, along with Suwannee County Fire Rescue (SCFR) personnel, responded to the scene where they encountered family members performing CPR on the children. SCFR transported the three children to an area hospital.

Unfortunately, all efforts to resuscitate the children were unsuccessful and all three children died.
Fairfield, NJ, Jan. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- StayinFront, a leading global provider of mobile, cloud-based field force solutions for the consumer goods industry, announced today the release of StayinFront Consumer Goods 12.23, which includes new functionality for system administrators to increase efficiency and reduce total cost of ownership.

TouchCG Admin Portal is StayinFronts operational back office tool that enables systems administrators to manage in-field and telesales teams and allows them to maximize the power of their system. The latest release adds new capabilities for administrators to effectively manage promotional discount rules, in-field assets and associated service requests and data from in-field activities. It supports asset management, planograms and push reports, with additional capabilities for assigning tasks to teams and filtering analytics.

To meet the increasing demand for multi-channel selling in the industry, StayinFront Consumer Goods 12.23 introduces new telesales features. With tight integration, easy data sharing and simple management, using the same TouchCG and Admin Portal tools, the new version provides simplicity with added telesales route-to-market capabilities.

The new Consumers Goods release also includes Digital Merchandizing enhancements to photo taking and an integration with StayinFront Chat to provide support for in-field users, improved photo quality and accuracy of product recognition.

With user management and data security on the forefront of companies minds, TouchCG 12.23 supports user authentication SAML (Security Assertion Markup Language) identity providers for tighter integration with corporate security infrastructure.

Andrew Quinn, Vice President of Research and Development at StayinFront, said, The Consumer Goods 12.23 release continues StayinFronts commitment to delivering functionality that improves retail execution and collaboration between Head Office and field teams and their managers.

About StayinFront

StayinFront is a leading global provider of mobile, cloud-based field force effectiveness and customer relationship management solutions for consumer goods and life sciences organizations. Companies of all sizes, in over 50 countries use StayinFront software to streamline sales operations and reduce the complexity, time and expense associated with field efforts. StayinFront products are seamlessly integrated to provide companies with timely, accurate field data and actionable insights, enabling field reps and management to Do More, Know More and Sell More. Headquartered in Fairfield, New Jersey, StayinFront has offices in Chicago, Canada, the United Kingdom, Turkey, Ireland, India, Australia, Singapore, and New Zealand. Through its 20:20 Retail Data Insight subsidiary, StayinFront delivers stand alone and tightly integrated actionable insights and guided selling by analyzing retail data to brand managers and sales forces around the globe. For more details about StayinFront products and solutions, visit www.stayinfront.com.

StayinFront Contact

Ken Arbadji

Vice President of US Sales

karbadji@stayinfront.com

+1 (973) 461-4800 x3247

Media Contact

Crystal Oliveri

PR@stayinfront.com

+1 (973) 461-4800 x3390
MARIANNA, Fla. (WTXL) - Police are searching for a man who's been performing roof repairs for local Hurricane Michael survivors without a contractors license.

The Marianna Police Department says they have been investigating illegal contracting following Hurricane Michael.

During the investigation, police received information that Total Package Environmental Services Inc. has been acting as a licensed contractor.

The information indicated that 35-year-old Carvell Curry and 50-year-old Thomas Powell Jr. were operating under the business name of Total Package Environmental Services Inc. and performing roofing repairs and total roof replacements which require a contractors license in the State of Florida.

Investigators determined that Curry and Powell did not obtain permits to perform the repairs and replacements.

They say Curry and Powell were completing handwritten proposals or contracts, leading homeowners to believe they were licensed contractors. Both subjects collected cash down payments from homeowners prior to beginning the repairs.

On Thursday, police say warrants were obtained against Curry and Powell for three counts of contracting without a license while under a governor declared state of emergency.

That same day, investigators located Powell at a job site on Fairfax Road in Marianna. Powell was arrested on the warrants and transported to the Jackson County Correctional Facility.

Curry has yet to be apprehended.

If you or someone you know has information into the whereabouts of Curry, you are urged to contact the Marianna Police Department at 850-526-3125, your local law enforcement agency, or to remain anonymous, CrimeStoppers at 850-526-5000.

If you have entered into an agreement or have had repairs completed by Curry, Powell, or Total Package Environmental Services Inc., you are also urged to contact the Marianna Police Department, as the investigation is ongoing.

"We believe there are more citizens that have had repairs completed by these individuals or this business which may result in long term complications as a homeowner.

In order for roofing work to be completed on your residence or business, police say the business and the individual must be a licensed contractor. The contractor then has to obtain a permit before the repairs or replacement can be performed.

You can search the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulations website where you can review contractor license in the State of Florida.
PENSACOLA, Fla. (WTXL) - A Pensacola woman is behind bars after deputies say she assaulted an employee and threatened to shoot up a Waffle House, before leaving to dance naked outside.

According to the Escambia County Sheriff's Office, an employee told 38-year-old Freedom Ryder Zobris to leave the restaurant on Monday because she had been causing trouble, WEAR-TV reported.

Investigators say Zobrist left but returned later, saying she wanted to get a gun, then shoot the employee and everyone inside.

Reports say the employee told deputies that Zobrist then took off her pants, danced naked in the restaurant parking lot and tried to grab his genitals.

The employee said Zobrist also licked his face and poked his chest, according to documents.

WEAR reported that Zobrist was arrested on charges of indecent exposure, simple assault, battery and disturbing the peace. She is being held on $5,000 bond.
Police appeal for help in tracing a missing man from Wrexham

This article is old - Published: Friday, Jan 25th, 2019

North Wales Police have issued an appeal for help in locating a 20-year-old man who is missing from the Wrexham area

A police update on social media states:

Missing from Wrexham. Benjamin McKevitt aged 20.

He was last seen on January 22 at 2pm. He may be in the Connahs Quay or Colwyn Bay areas.





If you have any information on Benjamins whereabouts call police on 101 quoting 24668 or reporting it via the force website follow this link.
Five shotguns and 250k worth of drugs seized in police raid

This article is old - Published: Friday, Jan 25th, 2019

Police have executed a warrant in the Wrexham area, thought to be Llay, with a significant amount of drugs recovered along with weapons.

North Wales Police have said a man was arrested, Robert James Jarvis, and will be presented to Mold Magistrates Court this morning.

Mr Jarvis has been charged and remanded for possession with intent to supply Class A drugs, possession of a shotgun when prohibited, possession of a shotgun without a certificate and acquire/use of criminal property

Police added that the warrant was executed following intelligence, and during the warrant five shotguns were seized along with drugs believed to be class A estimated to be valued in excess of 250,000.





(Article updated  police have told us the raid/arrest took place on Wednesday!)
RALEIGH, N.C., Jan. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The member-funded SECU Foundation recently introduced a new scholarship program in partnership with the North Carolina Community College System  the SECU Bridge to Career Program. The educational initiative is an enhanced version of the Foundations former Continuing Education scholarship. It strives to help remove financial roadblocks for unemployed and underemployed students seeking careers with sustainable wages in their local communities through attendance in an NC Community College workforce development program.



The SECU Bridge to Career Program has two-tiers, a Cohort Pilot and Workforce Development scholarships. The Cohort Pilot provides twenty community colleges with up to thirty $500 scholarships, as well as up to $3,000 in funding per program year for a designated college staff member to navigate scholarship recipients through the educational process, from choosing a defined career pathway to class registration and job placement. The second tier, Workforce Development, provides thirty-eight participating community colleges with up to six $500 scholarships per program year for individuals either currently enrolled or enrolling in an eligible short-term training program that leads to state-regulated or industry-recognized credentials.

SECU members understand the importance and impact that continuing education has made for so many North Carolinians  its an important part of the Foundations People Helping People scholarship program, says Jama Campbell, SECU Foundation Executive Director. Were very excited about enhancements that have been made in the transition to the SECU Bridge to Career Program, further helping our state and its citizens as they work to build a better economic future for themselves and their families.

About SECU and the SECU Foundation

A not-for-profit financial cooperative owned by its members, SECU has been providing employees of the State of North Carolina and their families with consumer financial services for over 81 years. The Credit Union also offers a diversified line of financial advisory services including retirement and education planning, tax preparation, insurance, trust and estate planning services, and investments through its partners and affiliated entities. SECU serves over 2.3 million members through 265 branch offices, nearly 1,100 ATMs, 24/7 Member Services via phone and a website, www.ncsecu.org. The SECU Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization funded by the contributions of SECU members, promotes local community development in North Carolina primarily through high impact projects in the areas of housing, education, healthcare and human services. Since 2004, SECU Foundation has made a collective financial commitment of more than $154 million for initiatives to benefit North Carolinians statewide.

Contact: Jama Campbell, Executive Director

Office: 919-839-5562 | secufoundation@ncsecu.org
Single-Digit Wind Chills This Morning

By West Kentucky Star Staff

PADUCAH - The National Weather Service in Paducah continues to issue a special weather statement for bitter cold conditions regionwide tonight and Friday morning.With another blast of Arctic air coming this evening, low temperatures will include some single digits possible by daybreak Friday morning in southern Illinois and southwest Indiana.Gusty north winds will plummet wind chills early Friday morning. For early Friday morning commuters to work or school, you can expect to be greeted with negative single digit wind chills for much of southern Illinois and southwest Indiana, with wind chills from near zero to the single digits across most of southeast Missouri and western Kentucky.Similar wind chill readings will be felt again next week, with yet another Arctic blast of air expected to arrive next Tuesday through Thursday morning.On the Net:
Three Store Workers Charged in Alcohol Sting

By West Kentucky Star Staff

PADUCAH - The Paducah Police Department says detectives charged three people with selling alcohol to a minor on Thursday evening.The department says detectives sent a teen to buy alcohol at liquor and convenience stores in Paducah. Captain Matt Smith said two of 11 businesses sold alcohol to the girl.The teen who worked with officers reportedly went into the establishments or to the drive-thru window and attempted to purchase alcohol. Two employees of Superway at 649 N. 8th Street and one employee of B&G Liquors at 3821 Hinkleville Road were charged with selling alcohol to a minor, which is a Class B misdemeanor.Police said Superway is not licensed to sell alcohol, but the two employees sold their own beer to the girl.The employees who were charged are Superway employees 41-year-old Etarence Talley of Madison Street and 27-year-old Yazan Alajous of Kevil, and B&G Liquors employee 73-year-old Gordon F. Wheeler of Metropolis.
Paducah Man Faces DUI, Drug Charges

By West Kentucky Star Staff

PADUCAH - A Paducah man was arrested Thursday night after a report that he was passed out behind the wheel blocking traffic.The McCracken County Sheriff's Department says deputies responded at around 10:30 p.m. to a report of a man passed out behind the wheel of his truck partially blocking traffic on US Hwy 60 near Rice Springs Road. When deputies arrived, they reportedly found 45-year-old Robert Evans passed out behind the wheel of his running work truck in a ditch.Deputies arrested Evans and charged him with DUI. After a search of his vehicle he was also charged with possession of meth, possession of oxycodone, possession of a legend drug, possession of drug paraphernalia and prescription not in proper container.Evans was booked into the McCracken County Jail.
TORONTO, Jan. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- With record-breaking freezing temperatures and gloomy skies around most of the country and seemingly no end in sight from de-icing cars and layering up to brave the outdoors, Canadians are looking for a well-deserved break from the doldrums of winter. Sunwing is helping winter-weary travellers escape the cold and get into the sun with the return of its popular Wintervention sale. From now until February 1, 2019, vacationers can get away to paradise for less with savings of up to $1,000 per couple on select packages to some of the tour operators top-rated resorts across the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America. Premium vacation packages are selling out fast; Canadians should book their winter getaway today to make sure they dont miss out and get left behind in the cold.



Sun-seeking vacationers could enjoy a vacation at a steal if they book their getaway to the luxurious Grand Sunset Princess All Suites Resort and Spa during this limited-time promotion. Located on the pristine shores of the Riviera Maya , this top-rated family resort offers luxurious accommodations  including swim-out suite options  a wide range of dining facilities that everyone in the family will love and a supervised kids club. Another top-rated family resort included in the promotion is Riu Bambu , where families can escape the cold and soak up the sun on the sparkling shores of Punta Cana . This recently-renovated resort offers amenities and activities for guests of all ages including the RiuLand kids club and the Splash Water Park with exciting weekly pool parties.

Those looking to elevate their vacation experience can enjoy generous savings at the luxurious Royalton White Sands Montego Bay in Jamaica . Travellers can enjoy an All-In Luxury vacation for less when they book this five-star resort during the promotion and enjoy lavish inclusions such as Royaltons signature DreamBeds, All-In Connectivity and more. Guests can look forward to unlimited complimentary access to the resorts on-site water park included in their stay, perfect for kids and the kids at heart.

In addition to trading in the deep winter freeze for a tropical breeze, travellers who take advantage of this promotion can Vacation Better with an array of impressive resorts offering additional perks. Families can also take advantage of added values such as Kids Stay, Play and Eat FREE deals and no-single parent supplement fees at a wide range of family-friendly resorts.

All Sunwing vacation packages include return flights on Sunwing Airlines where passengers can sit back and relax while on board, with award-winning inflight service, complimentary non-alcoholic beverage service and buy on board selection of snacks and light meals including the brand new Tex Mex Grilled Chicken Wrap inspired by Food Network Canada Celebrity Chef, Lynn Crawford. Passengers also benefit from a generous complimentary 23kg checked luggage allowance.

For more information or to book, visit www.sunwing.ca or contact your travel agent.

About Sunwing

The largest integrated travel company in North America, Sunwing has more flights to the south than any other leisure carrier with convenient direct service from over 33 airports across Canada to over 45 popular sun destinations. This scale enables Sunwing to negotiate the best deals and exclusive offers at all of the top-rated resorts across the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America. Renowned for its award-winning service, Sunwing is consistently voted the top leisure airline by travel agents and is the perennial winner of the Consumer Choice Award. Customers can look forward to starting their vacation off in style with award-winning inflight service, which features a complimentary glass of sparkling wine*, tea and coffee and non-alcoholic beverage service; together with a buy on board menu of light meals and snacks (including kids choices) inspired by Food Network Canada Celebrity Chef, Lynn Crawford. Sunwing customers also benefit from the assistance of the companys own knowledgeable destination representatives, who greet them upon arrival and support them throughout their vacation journey.

*Service may be unavailable on select flights

For all media enquiries, please contact:

Rachel Goldrick

Senior Corporate Communications Manager

Sunwing Vacations

1-800-387-5602 | media@sunwing.ca

https://www.facebook.com/SunwingVacations

https://twitter.com/SunwingVacay

https://www.instagram.com/sunwingvacations

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzjZ-lcuaqBQH7Sq0u3ru7A

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/cde83271-6e78-4437-8242-0a1a35bb77fa
Man Gets 25 Years in Death of Former Roommate

By West Kentucky Star Staff

PADUCAH - A man charged with murder in the death of his former roommate has entered a guilty plea in the case.Court records show 49-year-old Samuel Voorhees pleaded guilty Thursday in McCracken County Circuit Court to murder in the death of 55-year-old Kevin Henson. As part of his plea deal, Voorhees will be required to serve a 25-year sentence.Voorhees reportedly admitted to killing Henson at Hensons South 4th Street home last June. Voorhees has been in custody since Henson's body was discovered by a friend on June 7.On the Net:
Roundtable Discussion with Rep. Richard Heath

Rep. Richard Heath, Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, will be hosting a roundtable discussion at 2 pm on Monday, January 28 at the Graves County Extension Office, 251 West Housman Street in Mayfield.The event is open to the public and will feature a roundtable discussion about agriculture issues and upcoming legislation. Topics may include Hemp and CBD, the H2A worker program, new grain tariffs, and pesticide regulations.If you have a topic that you would like added to the list, please email suggestions to Corey.Elder@lrc.ky.gov.


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Los Angeles, Jan. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  Friday, January 25, 2019  The American Film Institute (AFI) today announced that cinematographer Meg White will be the inaugural recipient of the Screen Australia Onbass Fellowship, the newly established full-tuition scholarship for emerging Australian filmmakers to attend the AFI Conservatory.

Created in partnership with Screen Australia and the Onbass Family Trust, formed by Gentle Giant Media Group CEO Greg Basser and his wife Kiera ONeill, the Fellowships will provide full tuition and fees, as well as some support for living expenses and flights from Australia (courtesy of G'Day USA and Qantas), to one Australian filmmaker entering the AFI Conservatory in the fall of 2019 and one in the fall of 2020  to join the graduating classes of 2021 and 2022, respectively.

The Screen Australia Onbass Fellowships are presented in collaboration with GDay USA, Australias premier public and economic diplomacy program in the United States. Meg White will be introduced as the first Screen Australia Onbass Fellow at the 16th annual GDay USA Los Angeles Gala on January 26, 2019.

"The Screen Australia Onbass Fellowships have opened another door for Aussies looking to add to the ranks of filmmakers in the U.S. market and beyond, and with the benefit of learning quite literally in Hollywood's backyard on the AFI Campus," said Greg Basser.

"Thank you for this unique and extraordinary opportunity to extend my professional development abroad in the U.S., " said Meg White. "I will endeavor to make the most of the relationships, exposure, access and work prospects the Screen Australia Onbass Fellowship and AFI will provide. I am proud to be the inaugural recipient of the Fellowship and look forward to representing the Australian film industry at the AFI Conservatory."

Meg White is an Australian cinematographer with experience shooting features, television and commercials. Originally from Newcastle, Australia, she received a degree in Media Arts and Production at the University of Technology, Sydney. Since graduating, she has worked in Australia and overseas across a diverse range of projects both large and small, digital and film. She was the cinematographer on Remedy, a music video directed by Russell Crowe, which won the Australian Cinematographers Society Silver (ACS) Silver Award. In 2017, White received the ACS Drew Llewelyn Camerimage Scholarship. Her ongoing interest in still photography, primarily of animals and the natural world, informs her approach to cinematography.

Fellowship applications to join the AFI Conservatory as a Screen Australia Onbass Fellow in the fall of 2020 will be due in October 2019. For further information and application requirements, please visit http://www.afi.com/conservatory/scholarships/australia-onbass-fellowships.aspx.

About the AFI Conservatory: The AFI Conservatory has been named the #1 film school in the world. In 1969, the AFI Conservatory opened its doors to an inaugural class that included Terrence Malick, Caleb Deschanel and Paul Schrader. Today, the AFI Conservatory offers a two-year Master of Fine Arts degree in six filmmaking disciplines: Cinematography, Directing, Editing, Producing, Production Design and Screenwriting. Aspiring artists learn from the masters in a collaborative, hands-on production environment with an emphasis on storytelling. Alumni of this elite program include Andrea Arnold, Darren Aronofsky, Julie Dash, Steve Golin, Patty Jenkins, Janusz Kaminski, David Lynch, Melina Matsoukas and Robert Richardson, among others.

About Screen Australia: Screen Australia is the Australian Federal Government agency charged with supporting Australian screen content through development, production and promotion across television, film, documentary and digital originals. The agency administers Australias official co-production program, in addition to the Producer Offset tax rebate which assists eligible television, film and online works to be made. Screen Australia provides a range of resources and opportunities to the industry including access to research, market intelligence plus special initiatives such as its highly successful Gender Matters program. For more information visit screenaustralia.gov.au.

Attachment
Joint Ministerial Council Met in London Today

Over thirty Ministers and officials from the United Kingdom and Gibraltar Governments met in London today to discuss Gibraltar's departure from the European Union in a Joint Ministerial Council.

The Gibraltar team was led by the Chief Minister Fabian Picardo and included the Deputy Chief Minister Dr Joseph Garcia, the Attorney General Michael Llamas and the Financial Secretary Albert Mena.

The UK delegation was led by the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Exiting the EU Robin Walker and included the Minister for Europe Sir Alan Duncan, Armed Forces Minister Mark Lancaster, Treasury Minister John Glen and Mims Davies, Minister at the Department of Culture, Media and Sport.

The meeting was updated on the planning for a no deal Brexit both in Gibraltar and in the United Kingdom. Government said this is in line with their policy to prepare for every eventuality. A general discussion on the future arrangements also took place.

Before the JMC, the Chief Minister and the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, de facto Deputy Prime Minister, David Lidington, signed a Concordat between the UK and Gibraltar Governments. This is part of the package of documents that make clear the context in which the implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement has been concluded between the two Governments.

It is a highly significant document which upholds the primacy of the Parliament, the Government and the competent authorities of Gibraltar. Given the current political situation at Westminster, this is part of the preparations for EU Exit with a Withdrawal Agreement in place.

The Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister will also use the visit to London to meet with senior Members of Parliament.
Sterling Heights, MI (48312)

Today

Isolated thunderstorms during the morning becoming more widespread this afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High around 80F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%..

Tonight

A few passing clouds, otherwise generally clear. Low 58F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph.
English French

QUEBEC CITY, Jan. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Stelmine Canada ( Stelmine ) (STH-TSXV) today announced the results of the annual meeting of its shareholders held in Montreal on this date (the Meeting). During the Meeting, the candidates recommended by management, being Andre Proulx, Isabelle Proulx, Christian Guilbaud, Michel Boily, Normand Goulet and Ann Levasseur, were elected as directors of the Company, Brunet Roy Dube, chartered accountants, were appointed as the Companys independent auditors, and the Corporations Stock Option Plan (Stock Option Plan) was re-approved by the Companys shareholders.

Follow us on www.Stelmine.com and on our Facebook page (Stelmine Canada) where we uploaded pictures of the Courcy camp and of our crew at work.

About Stelmine

Stelmine is a junior mining exploration company which concentrates its activities in the Province of Quebec. Stelmine holds 955 claims spanning 497 km2 on the eastern part of the Opinaca metasedimentary basin, which contains zones with a high potential for gold deposit discovery in geological contexts similar to the one leading to discovery of the Eleonore Mine. Its capital stock consists of 29,648,645 issued and outstanding shares for a current market capitalization of $3 million.

The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.





For more information :
Normal, IL (61790)

Today

Thunderstorms, some locally heavy this morning, then partly cloudy during the afternoon hours. High 87F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Localized flooding is possible..

Tonight

A few clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 67F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph.
The 2019 Commemoration recognizes the 400th anniversary of several key events that took place in 1619 that played a pivotal role in the formation of the United States, such as the first meeting of a representative legislature in English North America and the arrival of the first recorded Africans in English North America. The commemoration features a series of events and exhibitions throughout the state, according to the release.
Under the new map, the 94th House District, a majority-blue district represented by Del. David Yancey, R-Newport News, would become even more Democratic. The 2017 election between Yancey and Democrat Shelly Simonds ended in a tie, and Yancy was awarded the seat after his name was drawn from a bowl.
The bill, sponsored by Sen. Bill DeSteph, R-Virginia Beach, also would have repealed a section of the Code of Virginia that supports federal efforts for natural gas exploration up to 50 miles offshore. Current law allows for the authorization of oil and gas leases on state-owned bottomlands (subaqueous lands within three miles of the shore).
The appeal is learning, but its also being able to go to somebodys home and farm and see what its like to be a farmer, she said. They really like the interaction with the animals and they really like being on a farm, so I started calling it an afternoon at the farm, because its more than learning, its experiential.
"Until the moment they force me to leave this beautiful place, I will do whatever I can - even if it's the smallest of acts - to support these brave people and help them regain their voices," Smith said in his Facebook post. "No one deserves what has been rained down upon them and I for one am proud to say that I will stand beside them - defiantly - until the end."
Big Horn Basin Students Can Access Academic, Career Opportunities at Worland Event

Big Horn Basin students can gain information from agricultural and non-agricultural businesses, four community colleges and the University of Wyoming during the Youth Career Event Tuesday, Feb. 12, in Worland.

The event is from 5:30-7:30 p.m. and is part of WESTI Ag Days Feb. 12-13 at the Worland Community Center Complex, 1200 Culbertson Ave. The detailed WESTI Ag Days schedule is at bit.ly/WESTI2019.

Dinner is provided, and registration is requested by Feb. 11, says Amber Armajo, UW Extension youth educator in Washakie County. To register, call (307) 347-3431.

Businesses representing animal science, sales, seed production, welding, bee keeping, agronomy, aviation and research are scheduled to be present. Officials from UW, Northwest College, Sheridan College, Casper College and Central Wyoming College will answer questions and provide information.

Armajo says the event has grown each year. Convenience is probably one reason, she notes.

One, all of the colleges are right there, she says. You can get information from the four community colleges and the University of Wyoming. And, two, if the students are unsure what they want to do, this is a great opportunity to visit and get real-life advice from people in a business or having worked in that area as a career.

Armajo says businesses may have opportunities for internships or be willing to have students spend a day at their facilities.

WESTI Ag Days keynote speaker and guest presenter Andy Junkin also will attend the event, Armajo says. Junkin specializes in improving how farm families make decisions together and increase profitability.

For more information, call Armajo at (307) 347-3431.
Toronto, Jan. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Ontario Community Support Association (OCSA) is looking forward to working with the government in fulfilling their commitment to create a health care system that works for Ontarians. The home and community care sector has cost-effective solutions to work across the system to help address hallway medicine and restore the provinces finances; however the challenges facing the sector need to be addressed.



Our sector not only prevents unnecessary emergency department visits when used effectively, it also gives people the chance to live independently in their homes and communities. Unfortunately, frontline care workers are in short supply and the sector needs support to implement a sustainable plan so that Ontarians can age in place.



Caregivers are the unseen backbone of our health care system and their unpaid contributions help keep the system sustainable. However, they desperately need additional supports to continue to care for loved ones at home and not burn out. Ontarios not-for-profit home and community care sector provides that crucial support through programs and services that offer relief. Home and community care providers also manage the contributions of 3.1 million volunteer hours, help that is estimated at a value of $78 million.



As stated in our Pre-Budget Submission released today, OCSA believes the government should:

Discharge people out of hospital faster and deliver more client care by increasing home and community care frontline funding by 5% annually, for the next 8 years. Implement a health human resource strategy to attract and retain PSWs, nurses and other care providers to the home and community care sector; so that there are enough frontline staff to help people receive it in a more cost-effective manner at home. Reduce red tape by overhauling funding agreements for home and community care to enable improvements to quality of care. Invest in digital health technology for the home and community sector to enhance connectivity, drive efficiencies in reporting, reduce duplication of assessments and improve client care.

Increased supports for clients receiving home and community care is paramount at this time, says Deborah Simon, CEO of OCSA. While the province looks to build more long-term care beds and facilities, the system is in need of enhanced home care resources to immediately relieve hospital system pressure. This support means investments to shore up frontline workers such as PSWs and nurses. The government has already made some important first steps through consultations held with the Premiers Council on Ending Hallway Medicine. We look forward to working with government to provide a more seamless health care experience for Ontarians.



For more information, please see our pre-budget submission here.

-30-

About OCSA

The Ontario Community Support Association (OCSA) represents nearly 240 not-for-profit organizations that provide home care and community support services to over one million Ontarians. Our members help seniors and people with disabilities live independently in their own homes and communities for as long as possible. These proactive and cost-effective services improve quality of life and prevent unnecessary hospitalizations, emergency room visits and premature institutionalization. They are the key to a sustainable health care system for Ontario. For more information, visit www.ocsa.on.ca.



Interviews are available with OCSA CEO Deborah Simon.



For more information please contact:

Michele Vantrepote

Communications Manager

Ontario Community Support Association

416-256-3010 x 242

michele.vantrepote@ocsa.on.ca
UTSA history professor works with OLLU professor to create a digital oral history archive dedicated to women and war.

(Jan.25, 2019)  UTSA, an urban serving university located in Military City USA, is involved in an exciting research project with Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) to document the diverse experiences of women during different periods of war.

UTSA researcher, Kirsten E. Gardner, and Valerie A. Martinez, assistant professor of history at OLLU, were awarded a $100,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) for the creation of a digital archive of oral histories of women in the military from World War II to the present.

Gardner and Martinez are the co-directors of this two-year collaborative project called An Oral History Project Dedicated to Women and War.

This grant will allow the researchers to expand the scope of traditional military history to include minority women and females from other underrepresented groups. In addition, the project supports experiential learning for humanities students at UTSA and OLLU to get experience conducting oral histories, transcribing, narrating, and organizing historical data.

As women are eligible for all roles within the U.S. military, including combat, and occupy historically exclusive male positions, this project will be one of the first to document and analyze the significance of female military combat participation and how this has impacted their wartime and postwar lives, explained Gardner, an associate professor of history and chair of the UTSA Department of History.

UTSA and OLLU undergraduate and graduate students will interview 50 women to get their firsthand accounts about racial and gender issues they experienced during their time in the military, what influenced them to join the military, and the impact their service has had on them and their families.

The project will span multiple semesters and will launch with the Oral History Institute (OHI) in May 2019. During the OHI, graduate students will get to hear experts on oral history and faculty will learn best practices in collecting female veterans oral histories to implement during their 2019-2020 courses.

Students will learn about the oral history process, how to conduct interviews, transcribing, analyzing and writing a synopsis of the interview during sessions called History Harvests spanning three semesters as they gather the history of womens contributions to the South Texas military. UTSA and OLLU students will also be invited to apply for paid internships to participate in this research project during the Spring and Fall of 2020.

Usually you hear military history from the male perspective and this project is unique because we put womens stories at the forefront. People love stories and can learn so much from the oral histories that students will collect, said Gardner.

UTSA Libraries will host and maintain a digital and archival repository of the oral history interviews. An anthology will be created that includes a series of faculty and student authored articles dedicated to highlighting the best practices in Veterans Oral History, Military History, Womens History and teaching gender and military history

San Antonio is a culturally rich region with a majority Latino population and strong military tradition and is an ideal location to examine the diverse experiences of women in the military during different periods of war, said Gardner.

This project will be a collaboration between UTSA, OLLU, the UTSA Institute of Texan Cultures, UTSA Libraries Special Collections which includes the Womens Overseas Service League archive, and the Lackland History Center.

UTSA, an urban serving university, is leading this project to build San Antonios reputation as a center of research on women and the military, said Gardner.

At the end of the two-year project, an anthology from faculty and students will be disseminated to the larger public.

The goal is to document recent stories and histories so that decades from now people can see what the experience is like for female veterans, said Gardner.
Columns and letters of The Daily Beacon are the views of the individual and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Beacon or the Beacon's editorial staff.
English Swedish

Stockholm, Jan. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --



Background

Vostok New Ventures Ltd. ("Vostok New Ventures" or the "Company") today announced that the Company was about to to sell its holding in Avito AB (Avito) to NC Europe Holdings B.V. (Naspers Russia Classifieds) for a total consideration of USD 540 million (mln), equivalent of SEK 4,842 mln1. The Company can now confirm that the transaction has been completed.

The transaction implies a total equity valuation of Avito of USD 4,000 mln. All minority shareholders of Avito are selling their shares in Avito as part of the transaction.

Avito is the leading online classifieds platform in Russia, and one of the largest classifieds operators in the world. Avito reported revenues of USD 286.5 mln and EBITDA of USD 127.6 mln for its last full fiscal year, April 2017  March 2018. Avito was founded in 2007 by Filip Engelbert and Jonas Nordlander together with founding investors Vostok New Ventures and Kinnevik. Over the last 11 years, Vostok New Ventures has been an active investor supporting Avito and its founders on the journey of becoming the undisputed online classifieds leader in Russia.

Use of sales proceeds distribution to shareholders and redemption of bonds

With the increased liquidity, the Company intends to distribute approx. USD 236 mln or SEK 25 per SDR to its shareholders, by way of a mandatory redemption program subject to approval by the shareholders at a Special General Meeting which is intended to be held on or around February 14, 2019 (the SGM). In the mandatory redemption procedure, the intention is that an existing Vostok New Ventures depository receipt (SDR) will be divided into two depository receipts. One of these depository receipts will be what is referred to as a redemption depository receipt (Redemption SDR). Each Redemption SDR will be automatically redeemed for a cash consideration of SEK 25.

The Company intends to announce a notice for the SGM and issue a press release in relation hereto on or about January 28, 2019. An information brochure about the mandatory redemption program and key dates will be published on Vostok New Ventures webpage, www.vostoknewventures.com, on or about February 7, 2019.

The Company further intends to use part of the net proceeds from the sale of Avito to redeem its outstanding bonds with ISIN SE0010023390 and SE0011337294 in full, in accordance with the terms and conditions for the bonds. Information regarding the redemption of the bonds is expected to be announced through a press release and sent by mail to the bondholders on or about January 28, 2019.

The remaining proceeds will be injected in the Companys ordinary business and will thus be used for future investments and portfolio management.

Financial effects for the Company

For Vostok New Ventures, the transaction will result in gross proceeds of USD 540 mln or approx. SEK 57.3 per SDR.

As per September 30, 2018, Avito represented approx. 61.1% of Vostok New Ventures portfolio. The transaction will have a negative impact of approx. -3.9% on Vostok New Ventures Net Asset Value (NAV) compared to the reported NAV as per September 30, 2018. The NAV per share following the transaction is expected to be approx. USD 10.4 per SDR or SEK 92.9 per SDR, of which SEK 61.6 per SDR or 66.3% will represent cash and cash equivalents.

A pro-forma NAV breakdown, before and after the intended redemption of bonds and intended cash distribution can be found below:*

Before USD mln per SDR, USD per SDR, SEK % of NAV Total NAV 876.7 10.4 92.9 100% Cash and Cash equivalents 580.8 6.9 61.6 66.3%





After USD mln per SDR, USD per SDR, SEK % of NAV Total NAV 636.9 7.5 67.5 100% Cash and Cash equivalents 247.0 2.9 26.2 39.1%

* Based on the Companys assessment and unaudited information as per Janaury 25, 2019.

Company comment

Vostok New Ventures CEO, Per Brilioth, comments:

Avito has been an amazing journey. On the whole of course a massive success producing an IRR of some 37% for Vostok New Ventures shareholders including dividends. A large love bombing SPASIBO goes out to Filip, Jonas and the full Avito team that we have interacted with over the past 11 years.

To part ways with this company which has been the inspiration for what Vostok New Ventures does today is not an easy decision. We think there is upside from this price and wish Naspers all the best for the future as the sole shareholder of this very fine asset. In fact Avito had an all time high in revenues this last quarter of 2019. However, an integral part of our investment work is the backing of entrepreneurial founders and our exit rule of thumb is that we sell when the founders sell. When founders part ways with the company this often is the mark of the transition of the company from a risky start-up phase to a large corporate requiring a different set of leadership both at the company and often also in the shareholder ranks. Avito has been a large company for some time now and the founders did partly exit some three years ago. We opted to stay with our full shareholding which gave us another 61%. Now that the founders have decided to fully exit their remaining shares it is time for us to move on as well.

The proceeds of this exit will be used to pay down the outstanding debt of Vostok New Ventures and to continue our investment work which we will forever benchmark against our track record of Avito. However, this also leaves room for a large distribution, much along the lines of the history of Vostok. I am very glad that the board plans to convene a SGM to vote on a distribution of some USD 236 mln or SEK 25 per share through a share redemption programme.

Finally, I am very enthusiastic of our current portfolio as well as deal flow. I for one will use the opportunity of liquidity to become a larger shareholder of Vostok, firmly believing that we will be able to reproduce the success of Avito in many future situations.

The Chairman of the Board of Vostok New Ventures, Lars O Gronstedt, comments:

The business idea of Vostok New Ventures is to invest in unlisted companies benefiting from network effects. To be successful with our business idea, we do not only, or even chiefly, invest our money. We invest time, experience, and skill in the management of our portfolio. Per Brilioth has lived close to Avito for a very long time. A remarkable part of the remarkable capital gains on this transaction is due to his work. On behalf of all shareholders, I wish to express our recognition of this fact, and our sincere gratitude to Per for his skill, tenacity and sense of business.

For further information please contact:

Bjorn von Sivers, Investor Relations: +46 (0)8-545 015 50

This information is information that Vostok New Ventures Ltd. is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out above, at 18.30 CET on January 25, 2019.

Vostok New Ventures Ltd, formerly Vostok Nafta Investment Ltd, is an investment company with the business concept of using experience, expertise and a widespread network to identify and invest in assets with considerable potential for value appreciation. The company has a special focus on online marketplaces and businesses with strong network effects. The Swedish Depository Receipts (SDRs) of Vostok New Ventures are listed on Nasdaq Stockholm, Mid Cap segment, with the ticker VNV SDB. For more information on Vostok New Ventures, visit www.vostoknewventures.com.







1 Based on a USD/SEK exchange rate of 8.9686.





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New Delhi, Jan 24 (UNI) The Women and Child Development (WCD) Ministry celebrated the National Girl Child Day (NGCD) on Thursday, at Pravasi Bharti Kendra here.

The celebrations also marked the anniversary of 'Beti Bachao Beti Padhao' (BBBP) scheme.

'The theme of this NGCD is 'Empowering Girls for a Brighter Tomorrow' and celebrating with objectives of generating awareness on the issue of declining Child Sex Ratio (CSR) and creating a positive environment around valuing the girl child,' an official statement of the ministry said here.

WCD Minister Maneka Sanjay Gandhi was the Chief Guest, while WCD Minister of State Virendra Kumar was the Guest of Honour for the event.

Kavita Jain, Haryana Minister for Women and Child Development, among other dignitaries, was also present.



Congratulating the award-winning states and districts on the occasion, Ms Gandhi said in the last four years, the Ministry has managed to change the mindset of people towards the girl child.

'With combined efforts of the states and the Centre, the Ministry has been successful in implementing One Stop Centres, Panic Button, measures of cancelling passports of NRI marriages and stopping Sexual Harassment of Women at Work Place,' she said.

The Minister thanked the efforts of all the stakeholders in making it possible.

'Beti Bachao Beti Padhao' has been one of the most successful programmes of the Government, Ms Gandhi added.

Secretary, WCD Rakesh Srivastav highlighted the achievements under the BBBP and steps being taken for all-round development of the girl child.

A booklet on 'Innovations under BBBP' was also released on the occasion, the statement said.

'The Ministry has compiled 38 Innovative Activities from districts across the country, to set an example for the remaining districts. These interventions have been categorised according to five themes, which are Survival, Protection, Education, Participation and Valuing Girls,' it further said.

The occasion also marked the felicitation of the five states and 25 districts under the BBBP scheme, for their exemplary performance.

UNI PY RJ 1836
Meeting of selection committee to decide on next CBI Chief remains inconclusive

New Delhi, Jan 24 (UNI) The meeting of the three-member committee for the selection of the new Chief of the Central Bureau of Investigation on Thursday remained inconclusive, sources said.

The selection committee is likely to meet again next week to finalise the name.

The sources said that the meeting of the three-member panel, held at the 7 Lok Kalyan Marg residence of the Prime Minister, was also attended by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Leader of the largest Opposition party in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge.
Bangladesh PM thanks nation for Awami Leagues election victory

Dhaka, Jan 25 (UNI) Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday thanked everyone for voting the Awami League to power for the third consecutive term in the December 30, 2018 parliamentary election.

"I am grateful to those who have confirmed our victory by voting boat. I am also thanking those, who have not voted us, for taking part in the polls," she said in a speech.

Hasina took oath of office for an unprecedented fourth term on Jan 7 after the Awami League won the elections with an absolute majority in parliament.
As prepared for delivery.

Mr. President, Excellencies, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen.

Thank you to the Government of the Dominican Republic for drawing attention to the impact of climate-related disasters on international peace and security with this Ministerial debate.

Taken alone, climate-related disasters, conflict and insecurity each threaten human security and development. But their convergence can lead to catastrophic impact on people and societies.

In the latest edition of its Global Risks Report, the World Economic Forum ranks environmental threats at the top of the list for the third year in a row - both in terms of impact and likelihood.

Extreme weather events, exacerbated by climate change, are listed as the risk most likely to happen over the next 10 years.

Climate change is a risk multiplier. It aggravates already fragile situations, including in humanitarian contexts where communities have limited capacity to cope with additional shocks.

Climate change also feeds other drivers of insecurity and conflict.

For example, it is driving displacement and forced migration: The World Bank estimates that without urgent climate action, more than 140 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia and Latin America will migrate within their countries borders by 2050, pressing on the coping capacities of already vulnerable communities and cities.

In our work on the ground, UNDP is a witness to the ways that climate change is driving insecurity and conflict.

We see the results and lessons that emerge from our sustainable development work -- including projects in close collaboration with our humanitarian and peacebuilding partners.

Three major themes have emerged:

1. We have the data and the means to be ambitious. Now we need to focus and get the job done:

As the IPCC report sets out, we have 12 years left to reach a 1.5 degree world. This requires more ambition and action than ever before.

There will be more extreme weather events, droughts, floods, rising sea levels, diminishing polar ice, ecosystem collapse, and declining crop yields. Each of these impacts will have untold effects on livelihoods and communities. The threat to coastal communities and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) will be increasingly dire, and the development gains we have achieved together  including fighting global poverty -- will start to reverse.

But we can do what needs to be done.

All countries have Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) that represent their pledges under the Paris Agreement. NDCs can be the gateway to successful climate action.

For NDCs to do their job, they need to be ambitious. They need to be implemented using a whole-of-government approach, breaking through economic, social and political hurdles.

We are seeing strong examples of cross-sectoral NDCs and providing integrated support as UNDP to advance their effectiveness.

Take the case of Iraq  where their NDC to the Paris Agreement focuses on the climate and security nexus, which includes mainstreaming climate risks, ecosystem restoration and solar solutions for crisis recovery in newly liberated areas.

We need to learn from Governments like Iraq that have approached NDCs in an integrated way and find ways to take their experiences to scale across the world.

2. Having an effective and integrated agenda on climate, disaster risk reduction and peacebuilding will only be possible if we collectively reduce emissions.

Integrating efforts to tackle climate change, prepare for and respond to natural disasters and peacebuilding is the right approach. This is a core tenet of what Members States envisioned when they set the Sustainable Development Goals.

That is why fora like this are so important and welcome.

As the UN we are committed to improving our capacity to address the growing threat of climate-related security risks.

UNDP, the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, and the United Nations Environment Programme, are together establishing a climate security mechanism specifically to increase awareness of the role of climate-related security threats, to develop a risk assessment and response framework to address them and leverage existing capacities.

We aim to therefore enhance our integrated support to Member States and look forward to continuing this dialogue with the Security Council to support its early response capacities.

BUT, there is no getting away from the need to tackle emissions.

If we are not tackling greenhouse gases at the same time, then we are only ever treating the symptoms.

Tackling emissions will mean, for example, taking optimized nature-based solutions to scale.

Sustainable land use and forest management offer powerful and cost-effective means to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Maintaining and expanding global forest cover, a natural carbon sink, not only contributes to tackling climate change but also protects against climate impacts, conserves critical biodiversity and ecosystem services, and benefits local economies.

It will also mean making tough choices, including on phasing out fossil fuel subsidies, expanding carbon price markets, promoting energy efficiency, and removing policy, capacity, regulatory and financial barriers to facilitate this transition.

3. Even if we get the first two right, people are still at risk today from the impacts of climate change, so investing in adaptation and resilience must be scaled-up.

Even if we curb emissions for a 1.5 degree world, and even if we improve our climate-security response, for many of the most vulnerable and most exposed people on the planet this will be too little, too late.

A strong focus on adaptation and disaster risk management is necessary to ensure we can sustain and advance national development priorities and achieve the 2030 Agenda.

In our collaboration with over 170 countries and territories, we see excellent examples of this in action that  with the leadership and support of all Member States  can be scaled-up for accelerated impact.

In the Maldives, where rising sea levels threaten fresh water supplies, the government and UNDP piloted an innovative integrated water management system across 3 islands. Building on the success of the pilot, the Green Climate Fund provided financing to scale up the integrated water management system across 45 islands, securing a combination of rainwater and groundwater for 26% of the population.

In the Caribbean, in partnership with the four largest insurance companies in the region, UNDP has supported the government to design an initiative to facilitate financial risk transfer from climate vulnerable households to the private sector.

This initiative will expand insurance coverage in the Caribbean building on UNDPs reconstruction work in the region.

In the Dominican Republic, in partnership with the government and UNDP, a vulnerability Index to Climate Shocks, the first of its kind worldwide, was developed to measure households probability of being vulnerable to hurricanes, storms and other climate phenomena.

It has been used not only in the context of social protection policy systems but also as a tool for disaster risk planning and disaster response.

It is therefore most appropriate that the Dominican Republic as President of the Security Council draws us together today around this critical question.

Climate change is not something that respects national sovereignty or geographic borders. It is not something any one nation can tackle effectively by itself.

If we rise to this challenge, we will have demonstrated the purpose of multilateralism as it was originally conceived  to solve challenges that are bigger than ourselves.

As UNDP we very much look forward to continuing this conversation, to accelerating our own commitment and support, and to working with our partners to take ambitious action.

Thank you, Mr. President, once again.
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An official ceremony marking the launch of construction of the Ashgabat-Turkmenabat motorway was held in Turkmenistan. The motorway construction started in line with President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedovs decree dated 11 January 2019. The document instructs Closed Joint-Stock Company Turkmen Awtoban, a member of the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan, to build the Ashgabat-Turkmenabat motorway and its infrastructure.

The 600-km long motorway will have eight lanes, namely three main and one additional lanes on each side. The motorway will be 34.5 meters wide. There will be built 4 bridges over rivers, 4 bridges over the railway, 22 bridges at intersections with other highways and a special passage for animals along the motorways route. Traffic will be controlled by a special system using continuous video surveillance that collects, stores and transmits all data and information on traffic flow to the road surveillance service.

Under the presidential decree, the motorway construction worth USD 2.3 billion should be completed in December 2023. According to experts, the high-speed motorway will enable Turkmenistan to increase transit freight traffic and transport cooperation with neighboring Uzbekistan. When connected to the Ashgabat-Turkmenbashi motorway, it will provide direct access to cargo flows to the International Sea Port in the Caspian Sea and further to the Caucasus, Europe, the south of Russia and the north of Iran.

 TURKMENISTAN.RU, 2021
TORONTO, Jan. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Ontario Health Coalition is touring a new report, Situation Critical, across Ontario from January 21 to February 5.



Situation Critical is a new report that examines government data to reveal the current shocking state of long-term care in Ontario. Among all the data that the Ontario Health Coalition has collected on long wait lists, inequities, staffing shortages, and medical needs is a statistic that over the last 5 years measured there were 27 homicides. It is part of a rising tide of violence among residents of long-term care facilities. Why is this happening? This Ontario Health Coalition report bases its assessment of the current state of long-term care in Ontario and what the needs of our population of seniors are from available data from the long-term care industry and the Ontario government.

The Ontario Health Coalition will provide copies of the long-term care report at local news conferences and local first-hand accounts of conditions in long-term care locally following the themes of the report. The report is being toured around 30 towns around Ontario from January 21 to February 5.

Monday, January 28

Tillsonburg, Oxford County Public Library, Tillsonburg Branch, Program Room, 2 Library Ln.

10:30 am, Bryan Smith (phone) 519-456-5270

Huntsville, Bullocks Independent Grocer, 131 Howland Dr.

1:30 pm, Peter Cross (phone) 705-646-1029, Devorah Goldberg (phone) 647-631-8811

Woodstock, Southgate Centre, 191 Wellington St. S.

1:30 pm, Bryan Smith (phone) 519-456-5270

Tuesday, January 29

Thunder Bay, 55+ Centre, 700 River St.,

10:30 am, Jules Tupker (phone) 807-577-5946

Kingston, United Church, 82 Sydenham St.

10:30 am, Mathew Gventer (phone) 613-542-5834

Wednesday, January 30

Ottawa, Sandy Hill Community Centre, 250 Somerset St. E.

1:00 pm, Al Dupuis (cell) 613-808-7710

Friday, February 1

Kitchener-Waterloo, Waterloo Public Library Main Branch, 35 Albert St.

10:00 am, Jim Stewart (phone) 519-588-5841

Barrie Public Library, Painswick Branch, 48 Dean Ave.

10:30 am, Patty Coates (cell) 705-321-1441

Pembroke Public Library, 237 Victoria St.

12:00 pm, David Lipton (phone) 613-546-1177

Monday, February 4

Simcoe, Royal Canadian Legion, 200 West St.

10:30 am, Roy Brady (phone) 705-745-2446, Charlene Avon (phone) 705-761-4408

Tuesday, February 5

St. Catharines Public Library Main Branch (Rotary Room), 54 Church St.

10:30 am, Sue Hotte (phone) 905-932-1646

Grimsby, Livingston Activity Centre, 18 Livingston Ave.

1:30 pm, Sue Hotte (phone) 905-932-1646

Cornwall, Benson Centre, 800 Seventh St. W.

10:30 am, Elaine McDonald (phone) 613-330-3117

Cobourg, Horizons of Friendship, 50 Covert St.

12:00 pm, Linda Mackenzie-Nicholas (phone) 905-376-2189

The Health Coalition has toured the report across Ontario with family members of long-term care residents, nurses, PSWs, patient advocates and concerned citizens. In the last week, the Coalition has visited the following towns with the report: Toronto, Chatham, Wallaceburg, Sarnia, Sudbury, North Bay, Smiths Falls, Hamilton, Burlington, London, Peterborough, Windsor, Oshawa, Stratford and Guelph.

For more information: Devorah Goldberg, Campaigns and Research Director (office) 416-441-2502 (cell) 647-631-8811; Natalie Mehra, executive director (cell) 416-230-6402.




Market Data Fees in Focus

Picking up on the debate that began at the SECs two-day Market Data roundtable in October, industry participants at the Security Trading Association of Chicagos (STAC) 93rd Annual Mid-Winter Meeting last week were divided on the scope of the problem with market data costs and the appropriate solution.

While the issue of exchange data fees were the simmering topic throughout the conference, particularly with the announcement earlier this month of plans by nine financial institutions to launch MEMX, the discussion reached a crescendo during Wednesday afternoons market data panel.

If youre a broker who wants to be taken seriously in the execution space, the SIP is simply not adequate, said Dash Financial Technologies Chief Growth Officer Glenn Lesko, a participant on the panel. That means you need to purchase the direct feeds from the exchanges, and the costs on those are considerable.

But Michael Blaugrund, NYSEs Head of Transactions and another member of the panel, disagreed, noting that their subscriber data indicates that many brokers purchase only select feeds.

While we would be happy to sell subscribers our full suite of data products from all of our markets, there are many, many brokers who take only one or two of the feeds. That would indicate to us that brokers have a choice in the matter and that it is very possible for them to serve the needs of their clients by using only the data products they feel they require, he said.

Blaugrund added that NYSE believes that the total cost to trade on its markets -- when taking into account all data, connectivity and transaction fees -- is less than 7 mils per share, a number that is far lower than any point previously.

According to a November 2018 study published by analyst firm Greenwich Associates, only 2% of industry professionals said they would trade with a broker that priced solely off of the SIP, but 34% said they would if there was greater regulatory clarity that ensured best-execution requirements were being met.

Despite escalating tensions, our study suggests a possible path forward for the exchanges, with the industry clearly identifying a role for regulators to play, Brad Tingley, Greenwich Market Structure and Technology Analyst and co-author of the report, said at the time. With greater clarity regarding consolidated feeds and their ability to be used to deliver best execution, we could see a truce develop. In other words, we expect to see a market where enhanced data is available for a fee, but is not required to remain competitive and in compliance.

Tom Wilson, Head of Sales and Business Development at HPR, a provider of ultra high-performance trading technology solutions, noted that data fees are top of mind across the industry.

The issue of market data fees is one of the biggest topics of discussion today, he said. Clearly, there are concerns on the part of many, evidenced by the announcement of MEMX by nine of the biggest payers of exchange data fees. But what comes next is anyones guess. There really doesnt seem to be any sort of consensus forming on a path forward.

For Dashs Lesko, the focus on data costs alone is a case of missing the larger point. He believes Regulation NMSs Order Protection Rule, which requires brokers to ensure they are not trading at an inferior price to one that exists on another market, is the root of much market complexity, and that transparency is the solution.

Ive spent a significant portion of my career working in the equities industry overseas, and I can tell you without a doubt that our markets are the envy of the world, he said. But Reg NMS is over 10 years old now, and many of its provisions, while well intentioned, have resulted in considerable unintended consequences given how different our markets are today than when it was written. We believe there should be a holistic review of the regulation, and if any changes are made, have them be more about adding transparency through enhancements to things like Rule 606.

For more information on related topics, visit the following channels:
A furloughed government worker affected by the shutdown holds a sign that reads "Reopen the Government" during a silent protest against the ongoing partial government shutdown on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2019. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
Joseph Cox, left, is honored by Sullivan County Mayor Richard Venable, right, prior to a recent County Commission meeting. Director of Schools Evelyn Rafalowski and Wayne Cox, father, are in the background.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Just two years ago, Organic & Natural Health Association announced that omega-3 would be its new nutrient of focus for its Nutrient Power campaign to increase awareness among consumers about knowing their levels through self-testing of omega-3 DHA and EPA for improved health outcomes. Results of this campaign and nutrient field study, along with Organic & Natural Healths next 2-year goal for the campaign were announced at the organizations fourth annual national conference, Jan. 22-23, at the Pink Shell Beach Resort & Spa in Fort Myers, Florida, with 66 members and guests in attendance.



In the past two years combined, Organic & Natural Health has generated more than 250 million media impressions on the importance of both omega-3 and vitamin D supplementation and testing. More than 1,200 individuals have enrolled in the omega-3 portion of the nutrient field study run by GrassrootsHealth .

What we have learned so far from GrassrootsHealths omega-3 nutrient field study is that, different from vitamin D, there may be more variables when it comes to how omega-3 is metabolized in the body, what form of omega-3 should be taken, the dosage and duration, as well as the frequency of testing your levels, said Karen Howard, CEO and executive director of Organic & Natural Health. We need enrollment to be closer to 5,000 to have a better understanding of dose response especially with how it relates to the omega-3 index level values. We also need participants to re-test their omega-3 every 3-6 months.

Howard says to get to 5,000 participants will require more corporate sponsorship.

The participants involved in the nutrient field study are motivated to learn about their omega-3 and vitamin D levels and want to help further the research to understand how specific levels of supplementation translate to health outcomes, said Howard. However, the self-test kits do cost participants about $100 each, which can be a barrier for many, especially when you need to get re-tested every 3-6 months. In order to expand this study additional funding to cover the costs of the test kits will help us get there more quickly.

For the next two years, Organic & Natural Healths Nutrient Power campaign goals will focus on determining a clear dose response for the various forms of omega-3 by increasing enrollment in the omega-3 nutrient field study to 5,000 participants who test every 3-6 months; with a five-year goal to link increased omega-3 levels to specific health outcomes.

Its important for companies to partner with us on this specific omega-3 nutrient field study because what we have learned so far explains why there is so much back-and-forth on study results when it comes to omega-3 benefits, said Howard. In order for us, as an industry, to definitively know what the health outcomes are, as it relates to dosage and types of omega-3, we need to rapidly increase participation and frequency of testing in the current nutrient field study with GrassrootsHealth. This will give consumers a specific roadmap to boost their omega-3 levels so the current data on omega-3 does not remain arbitrary.

Other highlights from Organic & Natural Healths conference included a keynote address by Naomi Whittel, author of New York Times best-seller, Glow15; a discussion around supply chain integrity and inspiration featuring Mark Blumenthal, American Botanical Council; leveraging media to support your mission presentation featuring Ronnie Cummins, Organic Consumers Association and Amy Summers, Pitch Publicity; food and supplement ingredients and the business case for regenerative and organic discussion featuring Will Harris, American Grassfed Association; finances for the future presentation featuring William Hood, William Hood & Co; and the future of CBD (cannabidiol) with the recent passing of the 2018 U.S. farm bill discussion featuring Carl German, DCN, CNS.

Organic & Natural Health will hold its fifth annual conference in January 2020, at South Seas Island Resort in Captiva Island, Florida. To become a member or participate as a sponsor in the omega-3 nutrient field study, call 202-660-1345. Applications for membership may also be submitted online at: http://www.organicandnatural.org .

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ffa106d7-5a6c-4fc4-a70e-8813c5ff41af

http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/019ac244-7d33-4e7f-8ea0-5251073909e0
THE SHORTHORN

Is seeking work study student assistants for our reception desk for summer and fall.Prompt, cheerful, students with professional attitudes are encouraged to apply to answer office phones and greet guests from behind a plexiglass COVID barrier.Preference is given to students available to work some mornings. This in-office job offers flexible hours and plenty of time to study.Apply through Handshake for job #4723423 or call 817-272-3188 for more information.
Clearfield, PA (16830)

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Cloudy skies this morning followed by thunderstorms during the afternoon. A few storms may be severe. High 79F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

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A mix of clouds and sun early followed by cloudy skies this afternoon. Hot. High 94F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph..

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Home >Police Enforcement > Drunk Driving Laws > US Supremes To Decide Whether Passed Out Drunks Have Given Implied Consent
SAN CARLOS, Calif., Jan. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alliance Memory today announced that it is offering several end-of-life 8G DDR3L SDRAMs for which Micron Technology Inc. announced a last time buy date of Jan. 13, 2019. For three of the devices, the company is also offering versions with Alliance Memory part numbers that use the same genuine single-die Micron silicon as the Micron-numbered parts.



The following Micron 8G DDR3L SDRAMs are now available from Alliance Memory:

Micron Part Number Alliance Memory Identical Replacement MT41K512M16HA-107:A N/A MT41K512M16HA-107 IT:A N/A MT41K512M16HA-125:A AS4C512M16D3L-12BCN MT41K1G8SN-125:A AS4C1G8MD3L-12BCN MT41K512M16HA-125 IT:A * AS4C512M16D3L-12BIN *Only available in Alliance Memory branded version.

We are committed to supporting our customers legacy SDRAM needs, said David Bagby, president and CEO of Alliance Memory. These are genuine Micron parts with Micron part numbers, and were pleased to be extending their life cycle by making them available from Alliance Memory.



To discuss long term support of the Micron 8G DDR3 SDRAM devices listed above, please call or E-mail your nearest Alliance Memory contact:

EMEA  Sue Macedo

+44 (0)787 634 4055

sue@alliancememory.com Americas  Tom Gargan

+1 514 639 0914

tom@alliancememory.com Asia / Pacific  David Bagby

+1 650 868 1211

david@alliancememory.com

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, Canada, and South America. More information about Alliance Memory is available online at www.alliancememory.com .

All trademarks appearing herein are the property of their respective owners.

Editor resources:

Link to more information:

https://www.alliancememory.com/micron-eol-8g-ddr3l-sdrams-now-available-direct-from-alliance-memory/

Product photo:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/alliancememory/albums/72157702753508692


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Finding a good hostel can be a nightmare, but fear not, Hostelworld have ranked the best hostels of 2018 as reviewed by 1.2 million globe-trotters.

Whether it is your first or hundredth time delving into the hostel experience, these are the hostels you can trust, as voted by other budget backpackers.

Image credit: Hostelworld

Located in the south-

east of New Zealand, Adventure Queenstown Hostel takes the crown as the best hostel for pre-university students and people on gap years

(aged 18-25). The hostel is ideal for people who are looking for adventure in summer or winter and who want to meet people from around the world.

2.

Image credit: Hostelworld

Situated in Medellin, this upscale, stylish hostel has been crowned the Best in Latin America. Full with laidback hangouts, a Spanish school and a rooftop bar, you can experience Colombia's second city in style.

Image credit: Hostelworld

Enveloped by Cinque Terre National Parks rolling hills, it is not hard to see why this hostel gained Best Atmosphere.

Its rustic setting and

panoramic views

make it the perfect place to kick back and relax. The hostel also offers free transfer services.

Dalat Friendly Fun 4., Vietnam

Image credit: Hostelworld

Dalat Friendly Fun a no brainer for budget backpackers, voted Best Value for Money for two years in a row. Dorm room prices start at 3.92.

Image credit: Hostelworld

Lisbon is a growing backpackers hub with more than ever travellers choosing to go solo there. We Love F. Tourists won the Best Solo Female Hostel. Inviting common spaces and daily activities make it a great place for solo females to meet new people!

Image credit: Hostelworld

Winning both the Best in Europe and Best Solo Travel awards, you would be silly to stay elsewhere in Prague. Brand-new with fully-equipped facilities and plenty of communal activities on offer, it is the best base from which to explore the city.

7.

Wombats City Hostel , London

If your travels take you to the capital this year, be sure to stay in Shoreditchs Wombats City Hostel, which has achieved the title of Best in England. A cool hangout with an onsite bar, its central location makes it perfect for backpackers who have partying, shopping or sightseeing on the agenda.

The hard part now is deciding which destination.
International Officer VP Society & Citizenship Wales & Scotland Deputies (2 posts) Wales & Scotland Womens Officers (2 posts) Trans Officer LGBT+ Officer (Womens Place)

Extremely disappointed that @nusuk Turnaround board have decided to defund Full-Time International Students Officer in the year of utmost immigration uncertainty. Transferring international student issues to #Welfare & #education remits is not doing justice. #weareinternational  Riddi Viswanathan (@DiversityMcr) January 22, 2019

Who will represent #internationalstudents at UKCISA, British council, UUK international, PIE etc, APPG for international Students etc. @nusuk - a volunteer?  Riddi Viswanathan (@DiversityMcr) January 22, 2019
Their newest album release, DNA, seeks to re-establish the boys' relevance in the 21st-century pop sphere.

Backstreet Boys - DNA

weak,

The boys performance on Strictly Come Dancing in 2018 was highly anticipated and one of the first glimpses of the bands new image, so many years after their heyday. Tactically choosing to do a medley of their most-loved hits, it was established that Backstreet Boys are definitely back, but it was certainly questionable as to whether theyd still got it. Lead vocalist Brian Littrells performance was noticeablyand the band lacked the charisma and energy that they had back in the day. However, many life-long fans were quick to attribute this to Littrells diagnosis of muscle tension dysphonia , a condition that affects his vocal abilities. DNA is, therefore, an album which exemplifies an acceptance of change both vocally, musically, and in terms of its social reception. New material means that hiding behind iconic, teenage-heartthrob anthems such as I Want It That Way and Shape Of My Heart is no longer an option. As if such a release needed any more anticipation surrounding it, we were teased with a string of singles from the album. Dont Go Breaking My Heart, released back in May 2018 is a straight-up catchy pop banger: an adaptation of the 90s bass-beats and cheesy lyrics of years gone by. Soft keyboard chords are layered with emotional vocals, inundated with reverb and oscillating synth pangs  not entirely dissimilar to what you might hear on the radio.Being the first track on the album, Dont Go Breaking My Heart assures that DNA isnt necessarily going to be a group of 40-something-year-old-dads trying to relive their youth; they too have adapted to the different audience that they are appealing to.

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It is the tracks that acknowledge this change thatarguably the most successful on the album. Breathe is refreshing and masterful, championing stellar vocal ranges and the boys ability to harmonise, in an entirely new, bare and vulnerable framework. Rich and deep Pitch Perfect-esque A Capella  ripple underneath soft and caressing vocal melodies, culminating into a climax when all voices join together in the choruses. No Place glimmers with melting harmonies, this time in a different lyrical framework. Givenby its accompanying video, No Place is an ode to the members wives and children: theres no place like them. Such a heart-warming video allows the boys to tug cleverly on the maternal instincts in their day one. The Way It Was is reminiscent of Olly Murs  swing rhythms meet boy-band pop backing vocals, with reverb-emphasised downbeats and a display of the bands vocal range, whereas Chateau seeps with charismatic nostalgia, shamelesslylyrics, baby I want you back, harking back to its roots in Black & Blue. Chances is rescued by the grit and energy that the vocals bring to it.

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feel

The rest of DNA, however, feel slightly, outdated and misjudged. New Love and Passionate drip with sex appeal, seductive basslines and deep vocal melodies but fail to climax. It's exactly what we feared - commercialised hits that, lyrically, feel empty. Compared to No Place, which felt like it was moving forward, the tracks are trying to make up for lost time to no avail. Similarly, Is It Just Me, The Way U Like It, Ok and No One Elselargely underwhelming and generic, with a heavy reliance on production and auto-tune that the voices often lose themselves in. These tracks lack the charm and cheekiness that Backstreet Boys were loved for in the first place. There's no doubt that Backstreet Boys certainly should be credited for their vocal abilities that are showcased on the more successful songs of the album. In their experimentation, they show they're more than just their late 90s hits. However, the backbone of the record is flimsy and pumped with generic boyband hits that lack much individuality. Backstreet's back... sort of.
Verdict: A touching biopic that deftly mixes melancholy and wit, Can You Ever Forgive Me? boasts a terrific performance from Melissa McCarthy as the late Lee Israel.

Lee Israel, as depicted in Can You Ever Forgive Me?, was a difficult woman to like. We first see her drinking at work, rudely snapping at co-workers and getting herself fired in the process. She's broke, and her alcoholism and anti-social behaviour make it difficult to hold a job or make friends.

In her despair, she turns to forgery, discovering that there's a lucrative market for personal letters from deceased authors and playwrights - and that she has a talent for imitating their voices and personalities.

This very easily could have been a deeply unlikeable character, but the writing, directing and Melissa McCarthy's performance all strike a fine balance that ultimately paint Lee Israel as a sympathetic figure.

The fake letters and correspondence aren't just a way to make ends meet, although they certainly do just that - Lee takes real pride in her work, which ironically is the kind of work that she isn't allowed to take pride in publicly. Her passion for writing is the key to making you root for her.

Her only real friend throughout this ordeal (not counting her cat) is Jack Hock (Richard E.Grant), an openly gay free spirit who shares Lee's love of drink and disdain for people. The two make a wonderful pair and a lot of the movie's laughs come from the way they bounce off each other.

Jack's high energy and Lee's more grounded, cynical nature are a potent mix. It also helps that Grant and McCarthy are very talented and have terrific chemistry.

Lee herself was a lesbian and the movie explores both a past romantic relationship and a potential new one, as she starts to bond with bookseller and aspiring writer Anna (Dolly Wells). It's a touching, bittersweet love story that is doomed from the start - how can Lee be with someone that she lies to in order to sell her forgeries?

The story follows familiar beats. Lee's initial success with forgeries blossoms into a full-blown and lucrative criminal career - but it's not long before the whole thing falls apart. Collectors wise up to her fakes, the FBI gets involved and the knock down effect carries over to her personal life.

The familiar crime story framework works well for a couple reasons. One, it lets the movie focus on fleshing out the characters and two, the unusual nature of the crime itself does keep it from feeling stale.

Can You Ever Forgive Me? is not a gut-busting, laugh-out-loud kind of comedy, nor a deeply moving drama that tries to say something profound about the human condition. It's a consistently entertaining, sweet little film with memorable quips and well-written characters you grow genuinely fond of by the end.

Melissa McCarthy and Richard E. Grant both do great work here. McCarthy is of course, best known for her work in comedy and this performance ticks a few of those boxes, while also letting her show off some very impressive dramatic chops. A courtroom scene near the end that has Lee soberly reflect upon and take responsibility for everything that's happened is a particular standout.

For fans of Melissa McCarthy, Can You Ever Forgive Me? is a must watch. It's also worth seeing by those that have dismissed her work in the past or judged her solely off the back of a few bad comedies - and if you're interested in Lee Israel's story, this is certainly a touching, witty tribute to a fascinating woman.

Can You Ever Forgive Me? arrives in UK cinemas on February 1st.
In recent years Huda Beauty has become known for stunning high-pigment palettes and impossible-to-smudge liquid lipsticks, but cast your mind back just six years and you may remember the product that launched Huda into cult beauty status in the first place - lashes.

Named after women who Huda claims are beautiful, strong and inspiring, the collection has been a staple of the brands offerings and is well loved in the beauty community. It has now been announced that generation number two will be hitting our shopping carts very soon, featuring a number of collaborations who will no doubt include some bad-ass boss ladies.

Image credit: Francesca Thompson-Smith

The news of the new collection dropped on Thursday 17th January on the official Huda Beauty website, but with details of the first collaboration released only three days later, it looks like we might not be waiting too long for more information, or even the release itself.

The first look teased a sneak peak of the Jacqueline lash, a fluttery, classic lash inspired by Bollywood actress Jacqueline Fernandez:

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Huda Kattan (@hudabeauty) on Jan 20, 2019 at 7:01am PST

The Sri Lankan-born beauty began as a television presenter and model before breaking her way into acting, contributing to an impressive amount of charitable work along the way. In 2014, PETA India awarded Fernandez Woman of The Year for her animal rights activism, before honouring her with their first ever Digital Activism Award in 2018. The former Miss Universe Sri Lanka has also been recognised for her work alongside Habitat for Humanity, a global charity combating poverty. It was this work that saw her gain the International Humanitarian Award at the Asian Voice Charity Awards in 2017. Earlier this year, Fernandez was spotted building homes for those affected by floods in Aluva, India, as part of her Jacqueline Builds campaign. She expressed her enthusiasm for being involved the night before on her Instagram page, urging followers to donate to the cause, claiming her previous building efforts would not have been possible without all the love and support of her followers.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jacqueline Fernandez (@jacquelinef143) on Jan 10, 2019 at 9:38pm PST

Its clear that Jacqueline Fernandez is a humble, pure soul and its exactly this kind of inner beauty (as well as her obvious stunning looks) that makes her exactly the kind of muse Huda Beauty needs. If this preview of the collection is anything to go by, were about to be inspired by some truly fierce women in 2019!
ELIZABETH, N.J., Jan. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hayward Industries, Inc., a leading global manufacturer and marketer of residential and commercial pool/spa equipment is diving into the 2019 pool season with a wave of new products offering advanced technology, energy-saving efficiency and a superior pool-owner experience.



The new products will be displayed on Haywards booth at the 2019 Pool & Spa Show in Atlantic City, NJ. The introductions feature a number of Expert Line additions including OmniHub  the easiest smart control solution for existing pools and spas; AquaRite 940 Omni  the worlds #1 salt chlorinator bundled with OmniHub for smart control; AquaVac 6 Series reinventing the robotic pool cleaner category with first-of-its-kind capabilities, including patented SpinTech technology for constant suction power; TriVac 700  the only pressure cleaner that cleans the pool bottom as well as skims debris from the waters surface; and DEP 500 Series Pleated Element D.E. Filter which combines cartridge and D.E. technologies for superior water filtration performance with easy maintenance. A number of additional new Hayward products releasing in 2019 will also be showcased at the Pool & Spa Show.

Haywards wave of innovation will provide dealers with simple and savvy solutions to offer their customers for upgrading pools like never before. The 2019 season will also bring increased marketing communication to consumers from the manufacturer, connecting pool owners to Haywards dealer network. No doubt 2019 will be an exciting year for the industry.

About Hayward Industries, Inc.

Hayward Industries Inc., is a leading global manufacturer of both residential and commercial pool and spa equipment, as well as industrial flow control products which are built on safety and reliability. Headquartered in Elizabeth, NJ, Hayward designs, manufactures, and markets a full line of innovative, energy-efficient pool and spa equipment, with brands including AquaVac, AquaRite, ColorLogic, Navigator, OmniLogic, OmniHub, TriStar, Super Pump, TurboCell, pHin, CAT Controllers, HCP Pumps and Saline C Series.

Hayward products are sold worldwide. For more information contact Hayward at (908) 351-5400 or visit Hayward.com.

For more information, contact:

Nicole Manzione

Phone: 908.351.5400

Email: pr@hayward.com
It is difficult to pin the label of universality on any literary figure, but in the precision with which he uncovered the intimacy behind great historical forces, he came close to expressing something that could transcend arbitrary cartographical divisions.

Image credit: Geograph

Burns did belong to a specific time and place, however, and was not a divinely inspired poet nor a lowly peasant channelling the Volksgeist. Although lowly he was, Burns participated in a literary tradition as much as he went his own way. Even when taxed with physically demanding agricultural labour it was important that his intellectual facility did not go to waste and he made sure to educate himself in the canon (Milton, Locke etc.) and contemporary works including Laurence Sterne and fellow Scot Tobias Smollett. Unionists and nationalists alike have attempted to claim him for their own without great subtlety. Its unlikely he would have thought in such terms, which belong predominantly to the century after Burns eighteenth. He tirelessly lampooned the English, but even in his Scots Wha Hae, he never explicitly calls for an independent state. His quarrel is with ruling foreign powers more generally, sharing, alongside his specific contempt for the parliamentarians who capitulated to the Act of Union (1707), with Thomas Paine a disdain for the beef-witted Hanoverian dynasty whose succession (1714), according to both, exposed the arbitrary and illegitimate nature of monarchical hierarchy.Beyond the idea of border politics, Burns was fundamentally democratic. This is best summed up by the poem that above all the rest should resonate through the ages - A Man's a Man for a' That. It's not the wishy-washy "let's just all love one another" type poem one might assume, but rather one that mocks ceremonial pomp, fiercely attacks the boastful ruling classes and praises critical thinking.A contemporary of Goethe and occupying a similar role as the national bard celebrated during his lifetime, Burns likewise oversaw the process of Scotlands becoming a Kulturnation; that is, a country existing in a cultural/historical sense as opposed to a sovereign state. This was going on at a time when a self-consciously anglicising Enlightened elite was attempting to forge a joint literary culture in which England and Scotland would become South and North Britain respectively; a vision of equal partnership that would never come to fruition, but which at one point seemed possible. Like Goethe, Burns went to the people to source material for his folk songs. This was, however, no exercise in proving the existence of an innate national culture, nor was it the task of restoring to glory a unified authenticity long since scattered. Both Burns and Goethe approached the cataloguing and reworking of folk song as an exercise in journalism, recording and reporting what was there for posterity and enlivening it with their own literary innovations. Many of Burns most famous poems and songs are as much of the people as for them. Burns was a collector as much as he was original. And originality, in any case, was only just emerging as a positive criterium of literary judgement in the latter half of the 18th century.When we go back to Burns, we are often astonished to find a man whose gaze is strikingly modern, a voice that is not yet gagged by either developing upper-class social mores or the 19th-century conception of what a poet ought to write about. Romantic ideas about poetry being a means towards divine truth or poets the "unacknowledged legislators of the world" had not yet come into parlance. For one thing, Burns did not live long enough to become a curator of his own work, dying at 37-years-old. Goethe, who lived to the age of 82, had much more time to adjust his oeuvre to post-Napoleonic sensibilities. One is invited to compare the devastation of the deep heart-wrung tears in Burns Ae Fond Kiss with the switched perspective of Goethes Willkommen und Abschied (Welcome and Goodbye), which transfers the outpouring of male emotion displayed in the earlier version Es schlug mein Herz (It struck my heart) onto the female beloved. Burns is also refreshingly rude, with his Ode To Spring celebrating the bodily manifestation of seasonally renewed life. This radically emotional and politically volatile Burns has been lost in the tradition, which erects a barrier to those who would see him as anything other than a pillar of the cultural establishment. Make this Burns Night something more than the repetition of a mindless ritual. Dig out something lesser-known and remember him as the democrat who refused to be drawn into the aristocratic Edinburgh elite.
Salida, CO (81201)

Today

Partial cloudiness early, with scattered showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon. High 84F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 54F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.
A man from the Bronx has been arrested in connection with the death of his 8-month old son on the Lower East Side this past spring.

On March 22, the childs mother came home to her apartment at the Rutgers Houses, finding Augustin Tinnin face down in a crib, covered with blankets. The boy did not respond. Earlier, he had been left in the care of his father, 20-year-old Claude Tinnin.

The child was rushed to Lower Manhattan Hospital, still alive, but died the following day.

Only this week did the Medical Examiner rule the death a homicide. Claude Tinnin, who was previously facing assault charges, is on Rikers Island. The Daily News reported that there was an order of protection that should have prevented Tinnin from being inside the apartment at the time the child was killed. Tinnin admitted that he wrapped a large blanket around the child, including his face, and put him face down inside the crib, reported the News.

A doctor reportedly told cops that the boy died of a heart attack from a respiratory injury. Police released details of the case on Thursday for the first time after the Medical Examiners ruling. Tinnin could face murder charges when he is back in court next month. Meantime, hes being held on Rikers without bail.
TORONTO, Jan. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aura Health Inc. (the Company or Aura) (CSE:BUZZ) is pleased to announce that the Company has entered into a binding letter of intent (the LOI) to acquire 80% of Pharmadrug Production GmbH (Pharmadrug) for EUR5,000,000.



Pharmadrug is a cash flow positive German pharmaceutical distribution company with over 20 years of operating history. Pharmadrug has a Schedule I European Union narcotics licence that allows the business to distribute medical cannabis to pharmacies in Germany and the rest of the Eurozone as markets become legalized. Pharmadrug has a supply agreement with Bedrocan International B.V. and is expecting its first cannabis shipment next week. Pharmadrug also has a supply agreement with a Western Canadian LP and is currently assisting them in achieving Euro GMP certification.

The seller, Anquor Pharmaceuticals Ug, will retain a 20% interest in Pharmadrug and will continue to participate in the strategy of the company from its Berlin office.

As per the terms of the LOI, the Company will pay for the shares of Pharmadrug as follows:

An advance of EUR1,000,000 as at January 31, 2019;

An advance of EUR1,000,000 as at February 28, 2019; and

An advance of EUR3,000,000 as at May 31, 2019.

Daniel Cohen, CEO of Aura, commented, We are very excited about this transformative transaction and believe that this is a major building block to establishing Aura as a leading medical cannabis supplier to the European markets. Pharmadrug fits well strategically with our Israel business. With the imminent opening of the Israeli export law and Israeli GMP complying with European GMP, we will have a strategic avenue to export cannabis from Israel into the European Union.

The LOI is subject to customary conditions precedent, including but not limited to, satisfactory due diligence, no material adverse change and the entering into of a definitive agreement.

About Aura Health Inc.

Aura Health is building an international network of vertically integrated cannabis assets. Through an established product line of cannabis-infused edible products and oil extracts, Aura is dedicated to building a high margin downstream business in the medical marijuana sector. The company holds convertible debt that converts to 54% equity of HolyCanna, a cultivation and nursery license holder in Israel. The company also owns a 30% interest in four medical marijuana clinics in the U.S. Sun Belt.

For further information, please contact:

Daniel Cohen, CEO

Aura Health Inc.

(647) 202-1824

David Posner, Chairman

Aura Health Inc.

(647) 985-6727

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information:

THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE HAS NOT REVIEWED NOR DOES IT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

This news release may contain forward-looking statements and information based on current expectations. These statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those implied by such statements. Such statements include submission of the relevant documentation within the required timeframe and to the satisfaction of the relevant regulators, completing the acquisition of the applicable real estate and raising sufficient financing to complete the Company's business strategy. There is no certainty that any of these events will occur. Although such statements are based on management's reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that such assumptions will prove to be correct. We assume no responsibility to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances.

The Company's securities have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or applicable state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold to, or for the account or benefit of, persons in the United States or "U.S. Persons", as such term is defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act, absent registration or an applicable exemption from such registration requirements. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in the United States or any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

Additionally, there are known and unknown risk factors which could cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information contained herein. All forward-looking information herein is qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement, and the Company disclaims any obligation to revise or update any such forward-looking information or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking information contained herein to reflect future results, events or developments, except as required by law.
Welcome back pirates! As you make your return to campus The East Carolinian has created a forum that centers around topics within the community where readers can express their experiences and concerns. With the new guidelines set in place by East Carolina University do you feel as these precautions will keep you safe?

Survey
Before the recent announcement from President Donald Trump on the government shutdown, Pitt-Greenville Airport was visited by United States Congressman G.K. Butterfield (D-NC), who met with TSA agents and gave an update on the upcoming plans of House Democrats.

On day 35 of the government shutdown, Trump announced he will sign a bill to temporarily reopen the government for three weeks while the House and Senate debate terms of a budget proposal, according to multiple media reports.

Butterfield came to PGV on Friday afternoon to address TSA agents affected in his district and get more information to report back to his fellow House members.

Im here at the Pitt-Greenville Airport, again, giving hope and encouragement to our wonderful TSA employees who serve this airport and serve everyday with distinction, Butterfield said.

Butterfield said in meeting with the TSA agents at PGV, he heard similar statements he had been hearing across the country regarding the struggles the government shutdown has brought them.

My Democratic caucus has met three times this week and at each meeting our members have been telling anecdotes about what their constituents are saying there and what I heard today was the same that weve heard all across the country, Butterfield said. Theyre feeling the pain of the shutdown, many of the TSA workers have family members who are working, therefore they are able to survive and many of them are the sole breadwinners for their families and theyre feeling the pain.

Butterfield said a number of the workers are worried about making their bill payments, which are typically due at the beginning of the month, as they did not receive a paycheck for the month of January.

Today was supposed to be payday for the TSA workers and they did not get a check, Butterfield said. The fact of the matter is that we have 800,000 federal employees who are furloughed, half of those are being made to come to work without pay, the others remain at home without pay. This is lasted now for 35 long days and its time to reopen the government.

Driving into Greenville Friday morning, Butterfield said he received a confidential briefing on the current air travel situation.

I was informed that Leesburg, Virginia and Jacksonville are the sites that control the air traffic control on the east coast and they are challenged, to say it mildly, Butterfield said.

Butterfield also discussed the current state of the LaGuardia Airport, outside New York City, closure and the ripple effect he anticipates it having on other airports around the country.

LaGuardia is not accepting inbound or outgoing flights at this time because of safety concerns, Butterfield said. Thats bleeding over into Newark and Philadelphia and I suppose it will cascade all across the country and so its conceivable that air traffic control will come to a screeching halt very quickly and that will be bad for air travel. It will be bad for those who depend on the industry for their employment and it will be bad for the economy.

Butterfield said he wants to see Trump and Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) to pass the necessary bills to reopen the government and moving forward in the next three or four weeks, continue to debate border security.

What all of this means is that the president of the United States needs to go ahead and instruct Mitch McConnell to pass these bills and Senator McConnell needs to put these bills up for a vote, get 60 votes and send the bills over to the president for his signature, Butterfield said. Make no mistake about it, Democrats are in favor of heavy investment in border security and we are ready to invest millions of dollars in border security, but not in a concrete wall.

Butterfield said the House Democrats will be working on another bill next week to propose an increase in funding for border security to be used for alternative methods related to monitoring and securing the border.

We will be rolling out another bill next week to increase funding for border security so that we can use technology, so that we can use X-Ray equipment and drones and other 21st century devices to secure our border, Butterfield said. We are not going to capitulate and give the President of the United State 5.7 billion dollars to build a concrete wall at the Southern border. Thats not what we support, thats not what we are going to embrace.
Oil City, PA (16301)

Today

Isolated thunderstorms this morning, then mainly cloudy during the afternoon with thunderstorms likely. A few storms may be severe. High 77F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms likely this evening. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms overnight. Low 64F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
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SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Jan. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Stefanini, a $1B global IT provider, announced today that the company acquires Intelligenti, a solid legal firm in Brazil. The company offers solutions addressed to the management of lawsuits, civil, labor, tax and administrative. Intelligentis portfolio also includes solutions to generate and manage contracts, assist banks, energy companies, telecommunications, retail and other areas that have direct relation with the final consumer to have better control over processes and lower cost of management.

The new company of the Stefanini Group has developed an artificial intelligence (AI) platform that allows it, through integrated software, to generate control of several tools in the processes, as well as provide information that can guide the best decision making.

Currently, Intelligenti has seven clients and accumulates the volume of 200,000 processes. "We offer tailor-made technology for every type of business, both for large corporations (Corporate Solutions), which have legal departments and a large volume of processes, as well as law firms (Business Solutions). We use technology to manage the back office, help make strategic decisions, reduce administrative procedures, generate the economy, and gain quality so that lawyers can focus on legal management, said Thiago Rocha da Palma, commercial director of Intelligenti.

"We are investing heavily in our digital offer and we see in this acquisition the opportunity to expand our participation in the legal sector of large companies. Our expectation is to invest R$300 million ($80 million USD) in acquisitions over the next three or four years, said Marco Stefanini, global CEO of Stefanini.

Corporate solutions are developed into modules and can be deployed tailored to the legal demands of companies, such as large legal departments of financial institutions, telephony, energy, retail, and controlling the large volume of processes within the company with the use of AI. The business solution is directed toward law firms whose software for process automation was developed based on expertise in legal processes. The technology is divided into modules and can be fully customized, enabling automated, standardized and repetitive procedures that consume employee time.

"Intelligenti's solution is fully aligned with the concept of Lawtech, which uses a number of new technological tools to automate legal departments, in addition to bringing more effectiveness and cost reduction," said Alexandre Vomero, Stefanini BPO director for Latin America.

In addition to Intelligenti, Stefanini acquired in 2018 the company Estatistica Segura, which transforms collected data into insights to generate new business, and Magma, a multidisciplinary startup specialized in information technology for the health segment.

Stefanini has become increasingly competitive with its innovation ecosystem and supporting the digital transformation of its customers. "The expectation is to contribute, as well as act more connected and collaborative, with the goal of improving the customer experience, said Stefanini.

About Stefanini

Stefanini ( www.stefanini.com ) is a Brazilian multinational with 30 years of experience in the market, investing in a complete innovation ecosystem to meet the main verticals and assist customers in the process of digital transformation. With robust offerings aligned with market trends such as automation, cloud, Internet of Things (IoT) and user experience (UX), the company has been recognized with several awards in the area of innovation.

Today, the company has a broad portfolio of solutions that combine innovative consulting, marketing, mobility, personalized campaigns and artificial intelligence services for traditional solutions such as service desk, field service and outsourcing (BPO).

With a presence in 40 countries, Stefanini was named the fifth most internationalized company, according to the Dom Cabral Foundation ranking of 2017.

Editorial Contacts

Carla Ferber ( Carla.ferber@stefanini.com )

Vanessa Morais ( Vanessa.morais@stefanini.com )

+1 248 263.8612




PARISIPPANY, N.J., Jan. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- At this years ISM trade fair, BENEO, leading functional ingredients manufacturer, will showcase and sample the first toffees with its functional carbohydrate, Palatinose. The new product concept has been created to offer consumers a healthier toffee alternative. Palatinose replaces more than 30% of the high glycemic sugars contained in a standard toffee recipe, supporting a lower blood glucose response.



The increasing global focus on healthy nutrition means that more and more consumers are searching for guilt-free indulgence. However, worldwide market research has shown that for many this remains a challenge. For example, one-fourth of U.S. consumers, always or most of the time, feel guilty when snacking1. Half of German consumers and nearly two thirds of consumers in Spain, Poland and France agree that there arent enough healthy sweets available2

The team of experts at the BENEO-Technology Center decided to create a healthier toffee to support a lower blood glucose response as alternative to existing toffee products on the market which can contain up to 65% of high glycemic sugars. The toffee and fudge category shows continued growth. The category has increased faster worldwide than the overall confectionery category in the past five years, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.4% compared to 0.9%3. This development is expected to continue, demonstrating an opportunity for confectionery producers looking to develop healthier alternatives.

Thomas Schmidt, Marketing Director at BENEO comments, Traditionally toffees conjure up pure indulgence and nostalgia but at the same time a relatively unhealthy image for consumers. However, the new toffees with Palatinose that BENEO presents at ISM preserve the traditionally creamy-sweet taste and the pleasant bite and mouthfeel of their traditional counterparts but have a significantly better nutritional profile, with a lower blood glucose response. This is BENEOs answer to growing consumers interest in better carbs and their wish to balance blood sugar levels while enjoying an indulgent treat.

Palatinose (isomaltulose) is derived from sugar beet and has similar technological properties as sucrose. With its mild sugar-like taste it allows flavors other than sweetness to dominate, making it well-suited for sweet snacks. Its tooth-friendliness has been accepted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with a corresponding health claim in the Code of Federal Regulations and is an approved health claim within the European Union for being tooth-friendly and lowering blood glucose response. The functional carbohydrate is fully, yet slowly released, and provides glucose in a sustained manner. This ensures that blood sugar levels stay balanced.

Those attending the show can sample the new toffees, made using the below recipe, at the BENEO booth: 10.2G77.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/60d8b5b5-7d4a-44dc-95e1-8d19cb24604e

For further information on BENEO and its ingredients, please visit: www.beneo.com and www.beneonews.com or follow BENEO on Twitter: @_BENEO or LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/beneo

BENEO offers functional ingredients derived from chicory roots, beet sugar, rice and wheat. BENEO is the ideal partner to help improve a product in its nutritional and technological characteristics. Key nutritional benefits are less fat, less sugar, less calories, added fibre, gluten-free and dairy alternatives as well as energy management, digestive, bone and dental health. Key technological benefits focus on taste and texture improvements. Through a unique chain of expertise, including the BENEO-Institute that provides decisive insights into nutrition science and legislation, and the BENEO-Technology Center that consults in application technology, BENEO actively supports customers in the development of more balanced and healthy food products.

BENEO is a division of the Sudzucker Group, employs almost 1000 people and has production units in Belgium, Chile, Germany and Italy.

www.BENEO.com



1 Health Focus International 2018, Global Trend Study



2 Mintel 2017

3 Innova 2018

U.S. Media Contact:

Dawn Fontaine

Ripple Effect Communications

+1 617-536-8887

Email: dawn@rippleeffectpr.com

For further information, please contact:

Thomas Schmidt, Marketing Director BENEO

Maximilianstrae 10, 68165 Mannheim, Germany

Phone: +49 621 421-151

Fax: +49 621 421-160

Email: thomas.schmidt@beneo.com




2018 was fourth hottest year on record: researchers



by Staff Writers



Washington (AFP) Jan 25, 2019



The last four years have been the world's hottest since record-keeping began, with 2018 the fourth warmest on record, according to data published Thursday by US research group Berkeley Earth.

Temperatures in 2018 were around 1.16 degrees Celsius (2.09 degrees Fahrenheit) above the average temperature of the second half of the 19th century, from 1850-1900, often used as a pre-industrial baseline for global temperature targets.

"Global mean temperature in 2018 was colder than 2015, 2016, and 2017, but warmer than every previously observed year prior to 2015," the report said.

"Consequently, 2016 remains the warmest year in the period of historical observations. The slight decline in 2018 is likely to reflect short-term natural variability, but the overall pattern remains consistent with a long-term trend towards global warming."

The US government normally conducts a similar analysis, but the partial shutdown of operations over a budgetary impasse has put a hold on it for now.

The European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service published its own data on January 7 that also found 2015-2018 to be the hottest years on record.



Related Links

Climate Science News - Modeling, Mitigation Adaptation





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Davos, Switzerland (AFP) Jan 24, 2019


Congress blames Modi for Rising Debt

Hyderabad, Jan 24 (INN): The Congress party has blamed the wrong economic policies of Prime Minister Narender Modi which pushed India into huge debts during the last four-and-a-half years.



Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) Treasurer Gudur Narayana Reddy, in a media statement on Thursday, said that India's debts increased from Rs. 54,90,763 crore till June 2014 to a whopping Rs. 82,03,253 crore as on September 2018. He said as per the 8th Edition of the Status Paper on Government Debt released recently, the total liabilities of the government have increased by 49%. He said under PM Modi regime borrowed Rs. 28,92,171 crore in the last four-and-a-half years or an average of Rs. 1707 crore every day since BJP came to power at the Centre.



Gudur Narayana Reddy said that the Public Debt as on June 2014 was Rs. 48,27,486 crore. It included an external debt of Rs. 412,514 Cr and Internal Debt of Rs. 44,14,972 Cr. But under PM Modi's regime, the overall Public Debt rose to Rs. 73,22,311 crore which includes External Debt of Rs. 525,765 Cr and Internal Debt of Rs. 67,96,545 Cr. He said growth in internal debt by 54% and public debt by almost 52% was purely due to economic blunders, mismanagement of resources and wrong policies.



The Congress leader pointed out that the previous UPA regime did not raise money using gold bonds. But the Narender Modi Government raised Rs. 9080.53 crore through Gold Bonds, including Gold Monetisation Scheme.



Gudur Narayana Reddy also expressed concern over decline in Reserve Funds & Deposits which came down from Rs. 221,999.79 Cr in June 2014 to Rs. 214,616.96 Cr. Other liabilities too have increased to Rs. 880,941.97 Cr in September 2018 compared to Rs. 663,277.52 Cr in June 2014.



He said these figures clearly show that the claims of economic growth being made by BJP Government at the Centre were hollow. "Several misadventures like demonitisation and a defective GST coupled with a non-serious approach to country's finances by Modi Government have pushed the entire country into huge debts and economic slowdown," he said.



Gudur Narayana Reddy said while the average annual growth under Congress-led UPA regime from 2003-04 to 2013-14 was 8.1%, it was just 7.2% from 2014-15 to 2017-18. Similarly, as against 10.2% average Gross Fixed Capital Formation under UPA, it was only 6.4% under NDA regime. He said that the UPA regime had ensured a robust and growing economy, NDA regime, led by PM Modi, has caused huge damage to the economy. However, he said that the people of India would take a wise decision in next elections and bring back Congress party to power again.









News Posted: 24 January, 2019








Emmy award-winning Channel 4 News filmmaker, Waad Al-Kateabs feature documentary, For Sama, produced by Channel 4 News/ITN Productions, has been commissioned by Channel 4 and PBS Frontline.



Filmed between 2011-2016 by Waad, the film starts when she was a student at the University of Aleppo. Over the next five years Waad joined the uprising against the regime, fell in love, got married and gave birth to her daughter Sama. Her intimate personal journey is intertwined with her eyewitness account of the destruction of her beloved Aleppo.



As Syrian forces approached Aleppo in 2016, Waad and her husband Hamza made the decision to remain there, despite the huge risk to their young family. For Sama is Waads account of these dark days, and her attempt to explain to Sama why they chose to stay behind after others had left, and to shine a light on the atrocities in the city that they called home.



Director Waad al-Kateab says: "I was afraid I would never make this film. While I was in Aleppo I dreamt of making it for my daughter Sama  to explain to her why we stayed. I feel it does justice to our experience, our sacrifices and the unimaginable pain of what we, the Syrian people, endured during those years of war. Its our story, our voices and Im proud of it. This film is also for the people we lost  a testament to their sacrifices."



Waad started documenting the horrors of Aleppo for Channel 4 News in January 2016 while living in a makeshift hospital run by her husband. The hospital and surrounding residential areas were under attack by Syrian and Russian forces and the short films she made for the UK news programme became some of the most watched news pieces on Syria around the world. Her short news films received almost half a billion views online and won 24 awards  including the 2016 International Emmy for breaking news coverage.



When she was evacuated from Aleppo in December 2016 she managed to get all her footage out.

Nevine Mabro, Channel 4 News deputy editor, said: Waad is one of the most courageous filmmakers we have ever worked with at Channel 4 News. She is dedicated to telling the story of Syrias destruction, the daily struggles, the appalling suffering and loss of life of the people living under siege. Her extraordinary footage has provided some of the most dramatic and emblematic scenes from Aleppo. Scenes which stay with you long after the report has ended.

Channel 4 Commissioning editor, Siobhan Sinnerton, said Channel 4 has made over a dozen documentaries about the conflict in Syria since it began in 2011, but this is the first by a Syrian female Director. We are enormously grateful to Waad for all her work for the channel and believe this film stands out for its mix of horrifying frontline footage and profoundly moving domestic intimacy. Its an over-used phrase but this is indeed an astonishing film.

Director Edward Watts says: I have always been passionate about telling stories from Syria since the uprising began, but Waads story is unique, extraordinary, unlike anything I have ever worked on before. By taking you on a journey across years of the struggle, through such a personal female perspective, it brings out the reality of Syria and its people  their humour, joy and humanity as well as the horrors theyve suffered. It has been a privilege to work on this film and I hope as many people as possible will see it."



For Sama has been selected for its world premiere at SXSW South by Southwest film festival in Austin, Texas. The film is being distributed in the US by PBS Distribution.
The BBC has today unveiled a raft of new programmes for 12-15-year-olds reflecting the highs and lows of their lives in the UK today.



The multi-genre shows explore the challenges faced by young people when it comes to important issues like mental health and sexuality.



The new content, which will air exclusively as box sets on BBC iPlayer from February 10th, will feature established presenters such as Stacey Dooley alongside prominent You Tube stars like Ali A and Mimi Missfit.



The Nine to Five with Stacey Dooley follows five 16-18-year-olds as they experience the rigours of the workplace for the first time. For some it is a complete shock to the system while, for others, its a chance to learn some new skills and discover what direction they want their lives to take.



Teen Taxi shines a light on the daily conversations teenagers and their parents have on life, love, friendships as the teens open up during every day trips in the family cars.



Im Not Driving That! With Ali-A sees vlogger and petrol head, Ali-A, transforming young drivers first cars in return for them improving their skills behind the wheel. The programme also features a host of celebrity clients dropping into the workshop to pick up their own, newly-customised motors.



Documentary series This is My Life showcases two films focusing on the challenges young people face as they move into adulthood. This is My Life: Leaving Care follows Arron and Sulaimaan as they move from a life in care to living on their own and navigating a series of important first time life challenges.



This is My Life: Boys to Men tells the story of three promising teens, Reuben, Leon and Micha. As members of The Manhood Academy  a community based programme that provides mentorship and empowers young men who lack positive male role models  they are all striving to overcome the challenges and dangers around them.



Mini series, Dr Chris and Dr Xand Investigate, uncovers the science behind mental health issues as well as exploring the impact that alcohol can have. In the mental health special, they explore the common triggers for mental health issues and four young people, including Jordan Stephens from music duo Rizzle Kicks, share their personal experiences. In the episode on alcohol, the doctors take a look at why alcohol can be dangerous with Dr Xand having one drink too many while Dr Chris performs a revealing range of medical tests on him. Dr Ronx joins the doctors for another episode, Life Fix, as YouTubers Mimi Missfit, Luke Cutforth and Radio 1 Xtra DJ Yasmin Evans share their life-fixing know-how.



Coming up later in the year are Mimi On A Mission, a mystery drama series Get Even and comedy drama Lauren and Craig.



Mimi on a Mission presented by YouTube star, Mimi Missfit, follows a group of 15-year-olds as they travel to Holland to find out how the Dutch teach about sex and everything related to it, from their own bodies, to falling in love and keeping safe online.



Lauren and Craig are much loved characters from Millie Inbetween and this new spin off series, Lauren and Craig, continues their story. It follows the stepbrother and sister as they are forced to take the next big step into adulthood together  independent living.



Also later in the year, mystery drama, Get Even, follows four teenage girls at private elite school, Vandermere. On the surface the girls appear to have nothing in common except for one passion which unites them  to expose injustice. They form their own secret society, DGM  they Dont Get Mad, they Get Even  and play anonymous and corrective pranks to expose bullies. But when their latest target ends up dead with a DGM card in his hands, the girls realise that theyre not as anonymous as they thought a mystery enemy is seeking revenge on them.



Cheryl Taylor, Head of Content for BBC Childrens, says: It is widely acknowledged that 12-15-year-olds can be a difficult audience to reach. We feel that there should be more public service content specifically for this age group. This new content bridges the small gap between the top end of CBBC and all the amazing content for 16-34s on BBC Three. We are offering a small but carefully chosen slate of programmes on BBC iPlayer which reflect 12-15s specifically and which adds to the broad appeal content they already love elsewhere on the BBC like Strictly, Would I Lie to You and The Apprentice.






TORONTO, Jan. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Platinex Inc. (CSE: PTX) announces execution of a shares-for-debt settlement transaction of an option payment on claims optioned from Skead Holdings Ltd. and Ashley Gold Mines Ltd. in which Platinex will issue 600,000 common shares at a price of $0.05 per share to Skead Holdings Ltd. and Ashley Gold Mines Ltd. The option payment has a cash value of $30,000. The claims form part of the 14,186 ha (35,040 ac) Shining Tree gold property in northern Ontario.



Previous exploration has revealed a very large and significant gold in till dispersion train across the Shining Tree camp in over 450 till samples. As a result Platinex has increased its property holdings and now holds a 21 km strike length of the Tyrrell-Ridout deformation zone, a suspected source of the gold dispersion train, which has received sparse past attention from explorers. The IAMGOLD Cote Lake deposit and the Tahoe Resources Juby deposit are recent discoveries along strike to the west and east respectively.

An Exploration Plan for the Shining Tree property and Exploration Permit have been approved for a three-year period. A NI43-101 technical report was completed in June, 2018 on the expanded property holdings.

Lori Paradis, Corporate Secretary

Tel: (416) 268-2682

Email: lparadis@platinex.com

Web: www.platinex.com

About Platinex Inc.

Platinex is currently focusing efforts on developing various strategies to capitalize on the lucrative growth of the cannabis sector in North America. At the same time Platinex has been focusing its mining business efforts in assembling a very large property in the Shining Tree gold camp, which has received little modern exploration compared to other gold camps in the Abitibi greenstone Belt. Shares of Platinex are listed for trading on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol "PTX".

To receive Company press releases, please email lparadis@platinex.com and

mention Platinex press release on the subject line.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:

This news release may contain forward-looking statements and information based on current expectations. These statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those implied by such statements. Such statements include submission of the relevant documentation within the required timeframe and to the satisfaction of the relevant regulators, completing the acquisition of the applicable assets and raising sufficient financing to complete the Company's business strategy. There is no certainty that any of these events will occur. Although such statements are based on management's reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that such assumptions will prove to be correct. We assume no responsibility to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances.

Investing into early stage companies, inherently carries a high degree of risk and investment into securities of the Company shall be considered highly speculative. Furthermore, the Company seeks to enter the cannabis market in the United States, where some states have legalized cannabis for medical or adult recreational use, while cannabis remain illegal under United States Federal law. As such, the Company may become subject to additional government regulation and legal uncertainties that could restrict the demand for its services or increase its cost of doing business, thereby adversely affecting its financial results.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any province in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities issued, or to be issued, under the Private Placement have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements.

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not passed upon the merits of the Private Placement and has not approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release.
Washington, Jan. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- New Frontier Data, the authority in data analytics and business intelligence on the global cannabis industry, will hold a press conference to release its projections on the potential socio-economic impact of cannabis federal legalization in the United States. New Frontier Data, in collaboration with The Liaison Group, a federal advocacy firm focused on advancing commonsense policy to support a safe and thriving cannabis industry, will further facilitate open discussion with Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) and Congressman Lou Correa (D-Calif.).

DATE: Tuesday, January 29

TIME: 8 a.m.-11 a.m. EST

WHERE: National Press Club/Washington, D.C.

DETAILS:

Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) and Congressman Lou Correa (D-Calif.) will provide perspectives on the regulatory roadmap for advancing federal cannabis policy.

New Frontier Data CEO Giadha Aguirre de Carcer, and Chief Knowledge Officer John Kagia, will present the latest trends on cannabis global impact as well as release the most recent figures on U.S. tax revenue generation, job creation, government health care spending, energy use, and impact on crime.

Dr. Andrew Rosenstein, CEO of Steep Hill Labs, the worlds leading cannabis science and technology company, will elaborate on critical scientific areas to consider, while Michael Harlow, partner at Top 10 U.S Tax and Accounting firm CohnReznick, will provide a more detailed view on the tax structure required to support federal revenue generation.

About New Frontier Data:

New Frontier Data is an independent, technology-driven analytics company specializing in the cannabis industry. It offers vetted data, actionable business intelligence, and risk management solutions for investors, operators, researchers, and policymakers. New Frontier Datas reports and data have been cited in over 82 countries worldwide to inform industry leaders. Founded in 2014, New Frontier Data is headquartered in Washington, D.C., with additional offices in Denver; London; and Hong Kong.

New Frontier Data does not take a position on the merits of cannabis legalization. Rather, its mission and mandate are to inform cannabis-related policy and business decisions through rigorous, issue-neutral and comprehensive analysis of the legal cannabis industry worldwide. For more information about New Frontier Data, please visit: http://www.NewFrontierData.com or contact Media@NewFrontierData.com.
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PHOENIX, Jan. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CopperPoint Insurance Companies Arizona-based Legal Department was named a finalist in the Arizona Corporate Counsel Legal Department of the Year award, sponsored by AZ Business Magazine. Honorees were recognized at an awards reception held Thursday, Jan. 17 at the Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort.



We are honored by the recognition as our entire Arizona-based legal team works hard to deliver value to the CopperPoint Family of Insurance Companies in many ways, said Sara Begley, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer. The expertise our team brings in workers compensation claim litigation is considerable and a way the company distinguishes itself from the competition. We are also proud that so many team members give back to the community. Its tremendous to be recognized for a team award for doing the jobs we are so passionate about by our peers in the industry.

The Arizona Corporate Counsel and AZ Business Magazine presents the Legal Department of the Year Award annually to recognize the important and vital role that in-house counsel plays in the success of a business. Candidates in several categories were recognized for their extraordinary legal skills and achievements across a full range of in-house responsibility, exemplary leadership and for contributions to Arizonas communities.

About CopperPoint Insurance Companies

Founded in 1925, CopperPoint Insurance Companies are dedicated to protecting and empowering conscientious business owners. Our vision is to be a top-tier regional commercial insurance company and the preferred partner for business owners, agents and brokers in every community we serve.

CopperPoint is a multi-line commercial insurance company, offering an expanded line of products to ensure peace of mind to business owners, their employees and customers, building on our 90-year history as a leading provider of workers compensation insurance. As a mutual insurance company with $4 billion in assets, a policyholder surplus of nearly $1.5 billion and no debt, CopperPoint embodies stability and sustainability for over 13,000 policyholders generating approximately $400 million in revenue.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) -- President Donald Trump reacted angrily on Friday to news that his longtime friend and associate, political operative Roger Stone, had been indicted, taking to Twitter to declare Greatest Witch Hunt in the History of our Country! NO COLLUSION!



Border Coyotes, Drug Dealers and Human Traffickers are treated better, Trump said in the tweet.

Greatest Witch Hunt in the History of our Country! NO COLLUSION! Border Coyotes, Drug Dealers and Human Traffickers are treated better. Who alerted CNN to be there?  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 25, 2019

Apparently referring to CNNs exclusive video of Stones arrest early Friday morning, the president questioned how the news outlet appeared to have advance knowledge of the arrest, asking in the tweet: Who alerted CNN to be there?



Stone was indicted Friday on seven counts, including one count of obstruction of an official proceeding, five counts of false statements and one count of witness tampering in special counsel Robert Muellers probe into possible collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign during the 2016 presidential election.



Earlier in the day, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders offered the White Houses initial comment on Stones indictment by seeking to distance the president from the matter.



Look, my first reaction is real simple; this has nothing to do with the president and certainly nothing to do with the White House, Sanders said in an interview on CNN. This is something that has to do solely with that individual and not something that affects us here in this building.



Stone, who has previously taken credit for persuading Trump to get into politics in the first place, served for a time as an adviser to Trumps presidential campaign but left in 2015 amid controversy.



In December, Trump offered praise for Stone after he vowed his loyalty to the president in an interview with ABC Chief Anchor George Stephanopoulos.



There's no circumstance under which I would testify against the President because I'd have to bear false witness against him. I'd have to make things up and Im not going to do that, Stone told Stephanopoulos on ABC's This Week. The president took to Twitter the next day to react to Stones statement, saying its nice to know that some people still have guts!

I will never testify against Trump. This statement was recently made by Roger Stone, essentially stating that he will not be forced by a rogue and out of control prosecutor to make up lies and stories about President Trump. Nice to know that some people still have guts!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 3, 2018

Stone repeated that claim in a news conference Friday, saying, "There is no circumstance under which I will bear false witness against the president."



"I have made it clear: I will not testify against the president," he repeated for emphasis. "I intend to tell the truth. I am one of his oldest friends."



Stone is just the latest in a series of individuals indicted by special counsel Robert Mueller, whose team of investigators has now indicted 33 individuals and three Russian businesses on charges ranging from computer hacking to conspiracy and financial crimes.



Muellers team has been investigating whether there was collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia and potential obstruction of justice over the course of the nearly two-year long investigation.



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OSC confirms VLCC orders

Oman Shipping Company (OSC) has launched a fleet expansion plan after placing orders for two VLCCs with Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME).

OSC's CFO and acting CEO, Michael Jorgensen said the newbuilds are expected to be deployed in the spot market, as the company plans further fleet expansion in other shipping sectors. The Eco-friendly VLCCs will be add to OSCs fleet of 49 vessels, which includes 16 VLCCs, 17 product tankers and four chemical carriers.. They are scheduled for delivery in the final quarter of 2020. The new additions to OSCs VLCC fleet will be amongst the most technically advanced in the world, claimed Jorgensen. They will form a key part of our expansion plan over the coming years, as we prepare for further investment in oil and product carriers in 2019/2020, particularly in the bulk and container market. The new-build VLCC project will involve the very latest Eco-friendly technology to meet and exceed the environmental regulation standards of the IMO. Key elements of the next generation design include highly-efficient engine and fuel-saving technologies. They will also be outfitted with open loop scrubbers bringing addition environmental benefits, while also addressing new SOX, NOX environmental regulations effective from 1st January, 2020. The investment comes as OSC continues to report strong growth, following long-term deals with local refineries and traders. Our crude oil and product vessel portfolio accounts for more than half of the companys national fleet. The latest expansion is a further reflection of the significant upturn in liquid cargoes, including crude, refined petroleum fuels and petrochemicals, being generated by Omans largely hydrocarbon-centric economy. Much of the recent growth has been underpinned by major industrial and petrochemical clusters established at Sohar, Salalah and Duqm. Recent investments in mega refining and petrochemicals schemes in these clusters well for the further growth of OSCs shipping capacity, he concluded. Jorgensen also claimed that significant growth was being driven by a new VLCC spot-chartering desk, which secured more than 100 fixtures with leading oil majors in its first 20 months of operation. This includes new contracts with oil majors and traders. In the domestic market, OSCs growth is being driven by a 20-year contract to transport condensate for ORPIC (Oman Oil Refineries and Petroleum Industries Co) and a 15-year deal transporting methanol for OTI (Oman Trading International) from Salalah Methanol plant. The company is further supporting the export of LPG from the Sohar refinery to Yemen, Sudan, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.




Dispute over Aframax ownership hots up

Libyan Navigator Limited, the registered owners of the Aframax Badr and GNMTC/Libya as operators, have issued a statement regarding the fate of the ship.

In November, 2017, while calling at Bourgas, Badr was arrested by the Harbour Master, as security for a future claim of the Bulgarian partnership Bulgargeomin (BGM), a consortium of three companies - Moran West Ltd, Moran Trade and Tectona Ltd - the Libyan companies alleged in the statement. The secured future claim was allegedly planned by BGM and intended to be based on a Greek maritime mortgage on the Aframax. On 29th January, 2018 the arrest order was unconditionally revoked by The Supreme Court of Bulgaria [SCB] claiming that BGM had no rights to claim and because it had not got corporate legal status to allow the consortium to be a valid party in any court procedures. The eventual future BGM claim against the shipowners was not lodged. On basis of a. Supreme Court ruling on 31st January, 2018, the Harbour Master released Badr but on the same day, he again detained the ship. This second detention was based on instructions given by court bailiff, Totko Kolev, to the Harbour Master. He had asked Harbour Master to stop Badr leaving Bourgas, as BGM had obtained a court execution order dated 12th January, 2018 that was based the direct execution of the Greek mortgage upon the ship. The second detention order was also revoked by The Supreme Administrative Court of Bulgaria [SAC] as illegal. As listed on the official certificate of The Libyan Maritime and Port Administration (where the ship is registered) until now, there were no encumbrances and no Greek mortgages attached to the ship. There was just one mortgage in favour of Libyan Ministry of Finance. Meanwhile, it was revealed that the Greek mortgage was forged, the Libyan companies claimed. The Greek notary officially stated that the mortgage does not exist and was never performed and never registered. Criminal proceedings were started, which is now pending in Greece against the person who allegedly cheated the notary. Kolev initiated a public auction of the ship in Bourgas. The auction was stopped by the Court on 6th February, 2018 and later again with a second Judicial Order dated 20th April, 2018. The court bailiff was ordered to hold the auction because of the suspicious status of the Greek mortgage. Ignoring the law and the court rulings, the court bailiff allegedly continued with the auction. Moreover, on 30th August, he issued an Order for Awarding (writ of ownership), and claimed that the latter was served to Libyan Navigator through his lawyer. It was later revealed that some judicial documents were forged together with the LN lawyers signature. The Order of Awarding did not enter into a valid legal force, the Libyans alleged. At the moment, the appeal proceedings against the Order of Awarding is still pending. The Libyan shipowners have appealed against Tolevs actions. The basic start up of the auction, as well as some of the documents concerned were finally revoked by The District Court of Bourgas on 21st December, 2018, which makes the auction invalid, the owners claimed. Unfortunately, the judgment was dated 21st December but was visible as text until the 27th December. In the meantime, the vessels crew and flag were changed by force applied by Border Police officers and by officers of Maritime Administration together with private security guards, the Libyans said. On the same day, 27th December, 2018, the Panama flag state suspended the provisional Panama-flag certificate declaring that it was issued on basis of false documents served by BGM. Despite these letters and meetings, on 28th December, between midnight and 0100 hours, the vessel with a new crew on board left Bourgas with permission to sail issued by the Bulgarian Marine Administration. During this time, LN claimed that the company was the only valid and undisputed shipowners of Badr. Ignoring the law and specially ignoring the International Law of the Sea and neglecting all the above mentioned obligatory court acts and official documents, unknown persons, actively supported by the Bulgarian Border Police and by the HM and by using private security guards (according to her crew and the Masters reports) on 21st December, 2018, boarded the Aframax. From 21st to 27th December, all the relevant Bulgarian authorities were informed of all the details and were officially notified about these illegal actions  The Prosecution, The Ministry of Justice, The Ministry of internal Affairs, The Border Police, The Marine Administration, The Ministry of Foreign Affairs. At the moment the appeal proceeding against the possession transfer of the vessel is pending. Also, there is an appeal proceeding against Marine Administration Sailing Permission that was allegedly wrongfully and unlawfully issued and that allowed the ship to leave Bourgas under the control of BGM. It was also revealed that based on misleading documents, the flag of the ship was changed to Panama and BGM had claimed to be the new shipowner. On 27th December, 2018, the Panama Maritime authorities suspended the provisional Panama flag certificate. LN claimed it hadnt received a single letter or response to any of its notifications or applications for information, except from the prosecution office who informed, via public media, that there was a criminal investigation underway.




Letter to the Editor

The efforts been renewed to bond for a new school. . Let me state the problem Everybody, including me, wants a new school, nobody wants to ...
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Trademark ownership is important in Spain. Numerous commercial names have evolved from family names, and because they often come from the same geographical area, the odds on duplications are high. We can however be reasonably sure that if in the same village two Garcias make wine, neither of them is likely to go to law about the use of the surname. But when we are dealing with international brands, as in the case of the two 'Moros', matters can be serious. This latest conflict, fought at a very visible level with no stone left unthrown, has attracted a lot of media attention.

WINE OF THE WEEK Pepe Yllera The Yllera family bodega is located marginally outside the official Ribera del Duero region, so although its wines are identical to those produced inside the zone, they have to be referred to as wines of Castilla and Leon. Now their new vineyard inside the hallowed ground has produced this excellent tinto aged for six months and which will keep for years; around seven euros.

It is frankly not easy to follow every twist and turn, but the lawyers of each side are doing very nicely indeed thank you.

In one corner is Carlos Moro (Matarromera and Grupo Carlos Moro) and in the other Jose and Javier Moro (Bodegas Emilio Moro, founded by their grandfather). Since one group was originally based in Ribera del Duero and the other in Rioja, there was no rivalry, but when Carlos Moro recently set up a new winery in Rioja, Emilio Moro decided the time had come to protect his territory. Neither did it help that Emilio Moro adopted for his advertising campaign the slogan, "In the wine world Moro means Emilio Moro."

As there is little possibility of peace in the short term, both belligerents need to be thinking about the broader implications in one of their most important markets - Britain. Although for the last few decades one single trademark registration was valid for the entire European Union area, Brexit will mean that a separate process will be required to guarantee commercial legitimacy in the UK.

So, with a bit of nifty footwork, one or other of the Moros needs to grab the opportunities currently available. A cursory online check shows that Moro Wines is available to be registered, as indeed are the titles Carlos Moro and Emilio Moro.

Quite an opportunity for anyone else even if there is no connection, and a small fee will secure the names for life. The possibility of anyone alleging ownership of the surname is remote. In Britain there are very few Moros.
The British Chamber of Commerce in Spain has sent an open letter to the UK's ambassador in Madrid, Simon Manley, setting out its views on the next stages of the fraught Brexit negotiations.

In the letter, the president of the chamber, Christopher Dottie, outlined why this group, representing companies with links to the two countries, was set against a possible no-deal scenario.

"Leaving the EU without a deal would cause unimaginable difficulties for our member companies with clear, severely negative impacts for society in both the UK and Spain. This scenario being a potential reality within a few weeks is naturally affecting investment decisions," outlined Dottie.

He added that there were only two choices, in the group's view; either call another referendum or seek a close economic alliance with the EU.
Las Vegas, NV, Jan. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NEWMEDIAWIRE -- Renewable Energy and Power, Inc., (REAP) (OTC: RBNW), an LED lighting solutions company, today announced an agreement with vertically integrated Smart Green Tech, a leading CBD oils extractor, to purchase their Colorado grown and CO2 extracted CBD distillate for RBNWs use in their previously announced line of CBD and cannabinoid products, marketed through the companys CBDHealth2U division.



The CBD distillate has been verified to contain no THC or psychoactive components and to be of the highest purity and quality.

The division business plan includes sales at both the wholesale and retail level of CBD Isolate, distillate, water soluble, terpenes, oils, lotions, vape cartridges, nasal and throat sprays. Marketing and sales will include websites, eBay, Amazon and social media channels.

Cannabidiol (CBD) is being increasingly recognized as a powerful health supplement with the potential to reduce anxiety and improve overall well-being without the psychoactive effects of THC.

Renewable Energy and Power has expressed a vision for CBD health so unique that we could not pass up the opportunity to participate with our expertise in this project, commented Dorse DuBois, Smart Green Tech Vice-President. Were confident this collaboration will produce transformative and trendsetting products that can lead the industry.

The quality of the CBD is critical to offering a product that meets customer expectations, commented Donald MacIntyre, RBNW CEO. Were pleased to have secured a CBD supply of such high quality from an integrated source like Smart Green Tech that can meet our long-term requirements.

About Renewable Energy and Power

REAP is a diversified corporation established in 2012 to take advantage of Green Energy innovations for solar and LED lighting. Recently, the companys expertise in commercial farming grow lights, through its LED Lites USA division, has allowed it to enter the exploding CBD cannabidiol products market. Utilizing a new technology for extraction of CBD from HEMP biomass, the company is engaging in product manufacture and sales of CBD cannabinoids, flavonoids, and terpenes.

www.cbdhealth2u.com

Safe Harbor Act: Forward-Looking Statements are included within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements regarding our expected future financial position, results of operations, cash flows, financing plans, business strategy, products and services, competitive positions, growth opportunities, plans and objectives of management for future operations, including words such as "anticipate," "if," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "could," "should," "will," and other similar expressions are forward-looking statements and involve risks, uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control, which may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from anticipated results, performance, or achievements. We are under no obligation to (and expressly disclaim any such obligation to) update or alter our forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Brexpats in Spain, the Brexit support platform, has been hosting a series of informative talks aimed at the British communities living on the Costa del Sol. On Thursday 24 January, the panel of specialists, which included the British Consul for Andalucia and the Canary Islands, Charmaine Arbouin, arrived in Benalmadena.

The town's mayor, Victor Navas, and councillor for Foreign Residents, Ana Scherman, were also present. The mayor offered words of comfort for the British residents, saying that they were "not only British, but citizens of Benalmadena and part of the community."

Ana Scherman expressed her concerns about the outcome of Brexit, claiming that she hoped that common sense would prevail and a sensible solution would be achieved. She reassured the local British community that the town hall was "right by their side".

The meeting was chaired by Anne Hernandez, Brexpats President, and was attended by 200 people, who were advised on the possibilities of what a no-deal situation might mean and how to best prepare for the UK's exit from Europe. Hernandez admitted that she "had no idea" what the future holds. She went on to express her gratitude to the Spanish authorities, saying, "I am quite certain that at the end of the day, Spain is going to defend us: we really do have Spain one hundred per cent on our side."

Clear advice from the consul

The British consul offered advice on the main areas that seemed to be causing the most confusion, like citizens' rights, pensions and healthcare, which, she stressed, have been prioritised in the withdrawal agreement. However, Arbouin warned of the possible dangers for British nationals who were not legally registered, advising everyone to make sure that they possess either the green credit-card-size or A4-size residents' registration certificate, as well as being recorded on the town hall padron. She also suggested that British expats register their wish to vote in the municipal election at their local town hall before 30 January, a right that was secured in a bilateral agreement between UK and Spain last week.

"We still have no concrete answers, but we can be sure that if British residents are legally registered, then little will change at the moment. The Spanish government and local town halls are working to ensure that citizens' rights do not change. Equally, it is your legal obligation to register correctly if you live here permanently," the consul stressed.

Worried locals had the chance to air their concerns after the talk, when Anne, Charmaine, several financial specialists and a representative from HM Revenue and Customs were on hand to answer questions.

David and Heather from Hampshire, who both voted for the UK to leave the EU, have lived in Benalmadena for five years and they claimed that a no-deal situation would not do Britian much harm.

"I voted for Britain, not for myself. The problem is the negotiators. We should tell the EU that we are leaving in March, take it or leave it. We managed perfectly well before we joined 40 years ago," David said.

Ian and Janet have lived in Benalmadena for 16 years. The couple voted to remain and claim that they are losing faith in the government to secure a decent deal that will not affect their rights.

"We didn't want to leave in the first place, but I think there will be a lot of people who will feel betrayed by the shambles at the moment. It's hard to see how those that wanted to leave can have any confidence inTeresa May to deliver a satisfactory result," Janet said.

Hernandez and Arbouin headed to Mijas on Thursday evening in order to host another meeting.
Despite the chaos of protests and taxi strikes outside, the Madrid Tourism Fair, known as Fitur, got under way on Wednesday morning with more stands and more countries represented than ever before.

King Felipe and Queen Letizia opened the 39th edition of the tourism fair which this year has welcomed 8.3 per cent more exhibitors, with the participation of more than 10,487 companies from 165 different countries and regions around the globe.

The fair, which is taking place at the Ifema centre in Madrid until Sunday, is expected to welcome more than 251,000 visitors, of which around 140,000 are expected to be sector professionals.

More than 400 professionals from the Costa del Sol were present on the opening day, attended by new Andalusian president Juanma Moreno in his first major outing since being sworn into the post.

After opening the Andalucia stand, the largest on pavilion 5, the regional PP leader said that during his legislature the Junta would "pay special attention to tourism" as it was an industry in which he had "a lot of faith".

Part of this commitment, he said, was proven by the addition of Tourism to the portfolio of Juan Marin, his vice-president and the Ciudadanos leader in the region, who accompanied him at the opening of Fitur on Wednesday.

The objective for the industry over the coming years, Moreno added, was for it to continue growing, especially in the luxury sector, and to increase competitivity in the face of the resurgent tourist destinations in north Africa.

Moreno told the assembled press and guests that 2018 was a record year for Andalucia which received 30.6 million visitors, who spent 21 billion euros, up 2.6 per cent on the previous year. He also highlighted the growth in employment, up 5.2 per cent, above the national average, with more than 400,000 people working in the sector.

"We want to increase the rate of growth of this sector, which is the leader in the domestic market and has become the object of desire for many of the competing markets," he said. Among the improvements Moreno said he intended to implement was the creation of a council of experts to help boost tourism and remove administrative barriers, as well as to bring in fiscal measures that will benefit this industry.

The legalisation of beach restaurants and bars (chiringuitos), the integration of cultural heritage into the tourism offer, protection for the art of flamenco and the development of a flexible promotion plan that is able to adapt to possible changes, including Brexit, were also among his priorities.

Positive forecasts for the Costa

The new head of Turismo Costa del Sol, Jacobo Florido, for his part, delivered a number of forecasts for the national market for 2019. The provincial body estimates that the growth in visitors from elsewhere in Spain will be 4.8%. Similarly, the number of seats on planes coming from Spanish airports in the first half of the year will grow by 6.1% - just over 47,000 seats compared to the same period last year.

Florido explained that the Costa del Sol, although without its own stand unlike the World Travel Market in London last year, would be presenting 60 different projects and events during the five-day fair.

Malaga, the capital of the Costa del Sol, does have its own stand, in pavilion 3, and it was opened by the city's mayor Francisco de la Torre.

De la Torre said that the city would continue to promote itself as a modern, cultural destination and revealed that the aim for the current year was to increase overnight stays by five per cent.
The regional cabinet of the new Partido Popular (PP) and Ciudadanos (Cs) coalition in the Junta de Andalucia was sworn in this week.

The ceremony took place in the seat of the regional government at the Palacio San Telmo in Seville on Tuesday after the new regional president had announced his choice of ministers on Monday. Six of the ministries were set aside for the PP and five for the Cs under the coalition deal.

In his speech at the swearing-in ceremony, the PP's Juanma Moreno, said that "the ball has started rolling". He asked his ministers for "effort and hard work", adding that "tomorrow, make sure you come in your working gear".

Ministers were sworn in the ornate Hall of Mirrors at the Palacio San Telmo. As the PSOE party had been in power for the last 36 years, most of the people attending the ceremony from the PP and Cs coalition had never set foot inside the striking Baroque building in the centre of Seville. Prior to being acquired by the Junta it had been a priests' seminary.

The Junta now has the regional leader of Cs, Juan Marin, as its vice-president. However, in a relaxed atmosphere, both parties were keen to emphasise their unity to get the job done. "We are one government, one team," said Marin on Tuesday.

The new regional government has said it wants a smooth transition and sent a message of calm to those working at the top of the Junta's many departments as many PSOE political appointees prepared to clear their desks.

The first cabinet meeting will symbolically be held in Antequera, Malaga province, on Saturday. Antequera is where Andalusian politicians first set out their plans for regional devolution in 1978.
Hundreds of people have been involved in the rescue operation since the toddler's fall was first reported on Sunday 13 January.

Engineers, rescue workers and security forces have worked together to get through the rescue plan that involved engineering projects that would normally take months to complete.

related story Julen's resuce operation goes into final stage

Machinery was brought in from around the country, a Swedish firm has helped with geolocation and the specialist miners came down from Asturias. The team of eight miners have been in Malaga for over a week, waiting for their chance to do their difficult and dangerous part of the rescue operation.

Meanwhile the local people have been giving their support to the rescue workers and the boy's family who have been put up in a nearby property in the village to be closer to the operation than their home in the Malaga suburb of El Palo.

On Thursday evening the people of Totalan were due to hold a vigil for Julen, his family and the rescue workers on what was likely to be his last night underground.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Juan Jose Cortes - the father of Mari Luz, a five-year-old girl who was abducted and murdered in 2008, who has been in Totalan since last week - said that they were still praying for a miracle.

The boy's father, Jose Rosello spoke out on Thursday against rumours that were being spread around social media about the family and the events of the day Julen fell down the hole. He said legal action would be taken against anyone who spread false information with regard to the case.
The rescue operation for Julen, the two-year-old boy who fell down a borehole in Totalan, near Malaga city, went into its 13th day on Friday, with engineers and specialist miners working round the clock.

By 2.30pm on Friday the miners had covered 2.5 metres of the four-metre tunnel they need to dig to connect with the hole where Julen was thought to be. A third blast, with explosives brought in by helicopter from Seville, helped the diggers make progress through the hard rock.

At 8.30pm, with more than three metres of tunnel complete, the Guardia Civil spokesperson stated that a fourth controlled blast was required to break through the last few centimetres of hard rock. Further specialists were flown in by helicopter earlier on Friday to help with the precision of this final controlled explosion.

After hours working in cramped conditions at the bottom of a 60-metre-deep shaft, on Friday morning miners had advanced just a metre and a half in their attempts to tunnel four metres through to the hole Julen fell down, despite initial reports that stated they were half way through.

The miners came up against extremely hard rock, which required the intervention of explosives specialists for the third time since the tunnelling began on Thursday evening.

After days of complications, on Thursday afternoon miners were eventually able to go down into the vertical tunnel drilled parallel to the narrow 100-metre-deep hole the boy fell down on Sunday 13 January.

Working in pairs in 40-minute shifts, specialists from the Asturias Mining Rescue Brigade set about digging a horizontal tunnel from the bottom of the shaft to connect with section of the hole where Julen is thought to be.

This work, using a jackhammer, axe and spades, was expected to take around 24 hours, although the hard rock is slowing down progress. On two occasions during Thursday night and again on Friday morning miners had to resort to explosives specialists to carry out small explosions to aid the digging.

Since Julen's accident was first reported the rescue operation has grown to take the form of an unprecedented feat of emergency civil engineering.

After several options were considered, the specialists decided to drill a new hole, or vertical tunnel, parallel to the original borehole the boy fell down.

Drilling to a depth of more than 70 metres would have been impossible however so first the rescuers excavated the hillside to be able to start at a lower level.

This is the first time in Spain that a tunnel of this size has been dug to a depth of 60 metres.

Drilling, using machinery brought from elsewhere in Spain, began on Saturday, although work was slower than hoped, due to a layer of especially hard rock at a depth of 52 metres reached on Monday morning.

The new hole was completed on Monday evening, leading to the next stage of the operation, the insertion of metal tubing to line the walls of the shaft. This was necessary to allow the special capsule built for the operation to travel up and down the shaft in safety.

The uneven surface of the tunnel walls, however, meant that the tubes came up against two obstructions which had to be dealt with.

Engineers found that the wall of the tunnel that was completed on Monday night had a protrusion that blocked the path of the tubes at a depth of 40 metres. To prevent the tubing from getting stuck, it was removed and the drill set to work again, this time with the cutting teeth on the side to smooth the inside of the walls.

The tubing began to be inserted again early on Wednesday morning, however it came up against another obstruction at a depth of 50 metres.

This time the final ten metres of tubing was narrowed by a team of solderers to avoid the protrusion in the wall of the shaft.

Once completely lined, on Thursday morning safety tests were carried out and a platform built at the entrance to the shaft. A Swedish geolocation firm, the same one that helped locate the 33 Chilean miners in the 2010 accident, then confirmed that the "window" at the bottom of the tube that the miners would work through was properly lined up with the hole where Julen is thought to be.
The president of Malaga's Diputacion, the provincial authority, passed the baton to his number two on Wednesday.

Elias Bendodo is now a key minister in the new Junta and taking over, at least until municipal elections in May, is Francisco Salado, mayor of Rincon de la Victoria.

Bendodo said he was leaving the province "a little bit better" than he found it.
With the slogan, 'Benalmadena Sumergete con nosotros', (Benalmadena, dive in with us), the Costa resort launched its latest tourism initiative on Wednesday at Fitur.

Mayor of Benalmadena, Victor Navas, said that tourism related to the sea both above and below the surface, was key to the resort's new strategy.

The council is working with local marine wreck diving company, Nerea Arqueologia, to diversify and expand the existing offer to tourists with investment in so-called Blue Tourism.

Meanwhile neighbouring town, Torremolinos, was presenting its plan to secure a Spanish tourism quality assurance mark for the thirty 'chiringuito' beach bars along its shoreline.

Mayor of Torremolinos, Jose Ortiz, said that the council was working on a 'Torremolinos, Quality Gastronomy' campaign and was meeting national tourism chiefs.
It is a coincidence that the Kazimir Malevich exhibition at Malaga's Museo Ruso should be showing at the same time as Malaga-based British artist Derek Worthington, is putting the finishing touches to a collection of three dimensional abstract collages, all of which feature a black square, similar to the most famous work of the Russian artist, before sending it to London for an exhibition.

Worthington has been invited to exhibit this collection at the Chelsea Art Club, of which he is a member. He says, "It's a pretty daunting venue as the membership has a lot of very well-known artists." Derek will be travelling to London with his work, which will be on show during the first three weeks of May.

While he explains that the London event is by invitation only, he says he hopes "to find a venue" that will exhibit his work in Malaga later this year. Some of the collection was on display at Rincon de la Victoria's Casa Fuerte in 2017, as part of a larger exhibition he held there. However, Worthington says it would be timely to have the opportunity to show the collages again, with the Malevich exhibition in Malaga.

The artist explains that some time ago while working "almost exclusively" on landscapes he "decided to take a break and begin working on an abstract collage." He explains that as his work started to develop he needed a theme and decided to use a black square in each new picture.

Inspiration

At around the same time as he started working on his collages, the artist says that he went to see the "Revolution" exhibition at the Royal Academy in London, which was showing Russian art from 1917 until the 1930 and included a section devoted to Malevich. "The collection represented Malevich's manifesto of 'Suprematism' of which he was the founder of the artistic and philosophical school of thinking. The culmination of this philosophy is his most famous painting, Black Square," he explains.

Worthington says of his own exhibition, "While not exactly subscribing to this, I thought the black squares in my work which increases in size through the series, would give me the title, 'Looking for Malevich.'"

The current collection consists of sixteen pictures, but Derek says it "may go on to be more." He goes on to say that as well as Malevich, there are "several hints of the work of other artists from the same period," including Ben Nicholson, Barbara Hepworth, Piet Mondrian and Noam Gabo, which he says is "intentional" as it allowed him to move into three dimensions for his project.

Worthington says he has been to see the Malevich exhibition in Malaga twice since it opened and confesses that he may have to go back before it finishes on 3 February. "It has been very refreshing to visit the exhibition at the Museo Ruso and to appreciate the work in painting, architecture, theatre and costume design of this very talented and influential artist."
The Norwegian company Fonnafly will be starting helicopter flights around Gibraltar on 1 May, as an added attraction for tourists, especially cruise passengers. The company, which began operating in Norway in 2004, will be deploying one EC130 helicopter with seven passenger seats, and two pilots to Gibraltar and the service will be based at the airport.

The sightseeing trip will last between 10 and 15 minutes, and after flying around the Rock in one direction the pilot will then turn around and reverse direction so passengers on both sides of the helicopter can enjoy the same views. Fonnafly is hoping to expand the helicopter service in the future and offer 'taxi' flights to Malaga Airport from Gibraltar.

Further information can be obtained from www.GibHeli.com or booking@gibheli.com.
TORONTO, Jan. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Volaris Group (Volaris) today welcomes FIVE x 5 Solutions to its expanding portfolio of companies in the global Drinks vertical.



FIVE x 5 provides the craft beverage industry, both distillers and brewers, with a cost-effective and comprehensive SaaS-based solution that manages everything from recipe management, to inventory tracking, to reporting and compliance. The company has over 430 customers across the US and internationally.

With increasing consumer demand for high quality, locally-produced, artisan products, the craft beverage industry has experienced considerable growth over the past few years. A flood of new entrants into the market has challenged producers to become more efficient, in a highly regulated market, while retaining sight of the quality and integrity of their products. FIVE x 5 addresses this competitive challenge with its craft brewery and distillery management software.

Our customers are passionate about the products they create. Likewise, we are just as passionate about this industry and helping our customers succeed, said Jason Lippa, President and Founder of FIVE x 5 Solutions. The timing was right to further invest in our business and our customers. We could have gone the private equity or venture capital route to help realize our vision, but quickly realized that that would not provide us with a long-term foundation. Volaris is different. The company doesnt buy businesses to sell them on again in the future. In addition, Volaris enables us to retain our independence, while investing in our technology and people. It was clear that Volaris would be the right home for our business, employees, and our customers.

FIVE x 5 joins a growing list of companies within the Volaris Drinks vertical. Other Volaris businesses include DRAMS  which focuses on managing stock holdings for some of the worlds most recognized brands for mature spirits, and Gaina  a leading provider of ERP solutions to the Drinks and wider Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) industries.

The opportunity to collaborate and share best-practices with other like-minded companies servicing the global Drinks industry can only be positive for our customers, continued Lippa. We now have a wealth of knowledge to draw upon to help expand our footprint, bring new products to market, and deliver more value to our customers.

FIVE x 5 maintains its brand, independence, and leadership under Lippa.

About Volaris Group

Volaris acquires, strengthens and grows vertical market technology companies. As an Operating Group of Constellation Software Inc., Volaris is all about strengthening businesses within the markets they compete and enabling them to grow  whether that growth comes through organic measures such as new initiatives and product development, day-to-day business, or through complementary acquisitions. Learn more at www.volarisgroup.com .
Changes to the SunCommercial's back end processing means the e-edition is getting a facelift. The biggest change is the e-edition, by default, is now presented in Text view.
Weve been in contact with the crew members family throughout our search efforts and know this is a very difficult and painful time for them, said Coast Guard commander Jason Aleksak. Suspending a search is one of the most difficult decisions we have to make as first responders, and it is never made lightly.
Both ports are experiencing more traffic as new and bigger ships call them home. In November, Royal Caribbeans Symphony of the Seas, which can carry up to 6,680 guests, began sailing from PortMiami. And the Celebrity Edge, which can hold up to 2,198 passengers, also arrived at Port Everglades the same month.
Sheldon Harr, founding rabbi emeritus, Temple Kol Ami Emanu-El

Last week: Our entire community will be enriched as Broward County and especially Fort Lauderdale tackle the moral and legal issues of the homeless. A serious group representing the business community and the political community is coming together in a meaningful manner, making Broward a shining beacon in the way in which it is taking this item seriously. The Broward Partnership is a leading example of a way to allow folks in trouble make their way back into society with a staff of social workers, medical and dental professionals, computer skills classes, deportment actions, job search assistance and so much more. Congratulations to our business and political leaders who have been and, with renewed vigor, will continue to work to solve homelessness.

Looking ahead: Shutting the government down might seem to some people to be a wonderful political move. Perhaps it is, if you have money the bank! But there are close to a majority of citizens who live from paycheck to paycheck. This refers not only to government workers but also to the localized businesses which depend on the 800,000 persons to buy a sandwich at lunch, to go out to an occasional dinner, to buy appropriate school supplies for their children, to afford health care for their smallest of children and their most elderly of parents. And so the beat goes on. Stop playing games. Trump: Send your employees back to work. And then you can talk!
On March 12, the City of Fort Lauderdale will ask its residents to vote to approve a $100 million bond issue to build a new police facility and an additional $200 million to improve its parks. While these might be noble and potentially necessary projects, the City should instead be asking its residents to approve bond funding for improvements to and replacement of its aged and dangerous sewer system- a necessity as opposed to wish list items. Our city commissioners continue to act irresponsibly as they approve new massive real estate projects in the downtown corridor which will further stress the currently inadequate sewer system without permanently fixing a currently real and environmentally dangerous health problem.
But we can share in the disappointment many Seminole County residents must feel right now. Like them, we found Ertel likable, approachable, competent and earnest. We sensed that he believes voting is an act of patriotism that unites us as a nation. And that everyone who is eligible should be given the opportunity to perform that act.
Although we often hear whispers about the outdated marriage laws in other countries, Ill admit to holding the perhaps naive view that this no longer happens here. Then, I read about 49-year-old man bringing in a 15-year-old girl as his bride, and my heart dropped. I vividly remember my own sexual abuse, which began when I was even younger. I, too, felt like a prisoner in my own home. A trusted caregiver stole my childhood, but when I gathered the courage to tell my parents, they immediately swept into action and ensured that my abuse not only ended, but that my abuser was sent to prison. Its horrific to think that thousands of other girls are also being kept prisoner by pedophiles, but in their cases, society normalizes such disgusting abuse because they are married.
In honor and remembrance of the victims of the act of violence committed in Sebring, Florida on January 23, 2019, I hereby direct the flags of the United States and the State of Florida to be flown at half-staff at all local and state buildings, installations and grounds throughout the State of Florida. The flags shall be lowered immediately and remain at half-staff until sunset February 1, 2019.
TORONTO, Jan. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Just Energy Group, Inc. (TSX:JE; NYSE:JE), a leading consumer company focused on essential needs including electricity and natural gas commodities, health and well-being products, and utility conservation, today announced that it will release operating results for the third quarter of fiscal 2019 after market close on February 6th, 2019. The Company will host a conference call and live webcast to review the fiscal third quarter results beginning at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on February 7th, 2019 followed by a question and answer period. Chief Executive Officer, Patrick McCullough, and Chief Financial Officer, Jim Brown will participate on the call.



Just Energy Conference Call and Webcast

Thursday, February 7 th , 2019

, 2019 10:00 a.m. ET

Those who wish to participate in the conference call may do so by dialing 1-877-501-3160 (from inside the U.S.) or 1-786-815-8442 (from outside the U.S.) and using the Conference ID 1676017. The call will also be webcast live over the internet at the following link:

https://edge.media-server.com/m6/p/3b7c2v4v

A webcasted replay for the call will also be archived on the JE investor relations website a few hours after the event.

About Just Energy Group Inc.

Established in 1997, Just Energy is a leading consumer company focused on essential needs, including electricity and natural gas commodities; health and well-being, such as water quality and filtration devices; and utility conservation, bringing energy efficient solutions and renewable energy options to consumers. Currently operating in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Ireland and Japan, Just Energy serves residential and commercial customers. Just Energy is the parent company of Amigo Energy, EdgePower Inc., Filter Group Inc., Green Star Energy, Hudson Energy, Interactive Energy Group, Just Energy Advanced Solutions, Tara Energy, and terrapass. Visit https://investors.justenergy.com/ to learn more. Also, find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release may contain forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations that involve a number of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ from those anticipated. These risks include, but are not limited to general economic and market conditions, levels of customer natural gas and electricity consumption, rates of customer additions and renewals, rates of customer attrition, fluctuations in natural gas and electricity prices, changes in regulatory regimes, results of litigation and decisions by regulatory authorities, competition and dependence on certain suppliers. Additional information on these and other factors that could affect Just Energy's operations, financial results or dividend levels are included in Just Energy's annual information form and other reports on file with Canadian securities regulatory authorities which can be accessed through the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com, on the U.S. Securities Exchange Commissions website at www.sec.gov or through Just Energy's website at www.justenergygroup.com.

Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange nor the New York Stock Exchange has approved nor disapproved of the information contained herein.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:



Jim Brown

Chief Financial Officer

Phone: (713) 544-8191

jbrown@justenergy.com

or

Michael Cummings

Investor Relations

Phone: (617) 982-0475

michael.cummings@alpha-ir.com




Liberals believe in the very simple promise of what I call our collective responsibility. In other words, we are our brother's keeper. We, as a society, have a responsibility to care for and look after each other, he wrote. I'm sick of being demonized by self-righteous right wing zealots who would force our children to pray in school and prohibit a woman from making her own choice regarding her pregnancy, but would allow any kook who wants a handgun or assault weapon to go unchecked.
I was shocked to see these photos, said Anderson, the first African American constitutional officer in Seminole County, in a statement. Personally, I do not believe these pictures are representative of the Mike Ertel I know today. Acts like these are unacceptable, but as we work through issues surrounding race, it is important to understand people can learn and grow from their actions.
Some wish Florida universities would do the same, or at least give test scores less weight. Would I love to see that all of them are test-optional? And look at our kids in that holistic approach, and you know the test score wouldnt hold one of my kids back?  said Erin Wolfgramm, the college counselor at Oak Ridge High in Orlando, a school that has struggled to get students into the states four-year universities. I absolutely would love to see that happen. Because our kids are capable.
"He got kicked out of school for having a dream that he killed everybody in his class, and he's been threatening this for so long, and he's been having dreams about it and everything," she said. "Every single person I've told has not taken it seriously, and it's very unfortunate that it had to come to this."
In an interview with The Post last year about experimentation on dogs in federal research labs, a practice he has publicly opposed, Stone said he and his wife were dog lovers and cat lovers. They owned three cats and two Yorkshire terriers  the latest of nine Yorkies they had owned over the years, he said. Theyd also at one point taken in a Wheaten terrier they found injured on a roadside, he said; its leg was later amputated.
However, the state says he violated his probation by getting arrested for a misdemeanor battery charge Dec. 28. Hes accused of pushing another man in the right side of his face. The confrontation started after Brazzle accused the man, Evan Bacallao, of using a forklift to purposely drop a car on his vehicle. Theres no indication Bacallao was arrested, although Brazzle has petitioned to get a restraining order against him, and a hearing on that is scheduled for Feb. 4.
Koch said in an email that the school district became aware [on Wednesday] of social media posts inviting protesters to the event.  Without knowing how many protesters might gather, whether they were going to be disorderly, or if they might stray from the meeting onto the campus, the district made the decision to cancel the meeting rather than risk the safety of our students or parents.
The rapid ascent proposal is the type of noise abatement that could be considered for recommendation in the Part 150 study, Arnold said. Consultants would have to show the procedure would be beneficial in reducing noise for people in the identified high-noise areas and not just those farther out looking for some relief, he said.
Hoff and Bushman have dialed back the heat since November, cutting down on jalapenos, giving the dish a sweeter, smokier edge. The beef, shredded like pulled pork, is tender and has incredible depth of flavor. Thats because the fat-ribboned meat is first rubbed with spices and a coffee-like powder of burnt onion (dubbed Diablo Negro) before being braised for 12 hours in a mix of carrots, onions, sliced oranges, scotch bonnet peppers, cider vinegar, brown sugar and Modelo Especial beer. The liquid is then reduced by two-thirds into a rich sauce and the meat is finished with a guajillo-pepper glaze.
Dublin, Jan. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "UK SME Insurance: Competitor Dynamics 2018" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



This report looks at which insurers lead the way in the SME segment and how they are developing their propositions. It also highlights how competitor positions vary between micro, small, and medium enterprises. It examines which insurers are winning over brokers and which companies SMEs are placing their business with.



AXA and Aviva dominate the UK SME insurance space across all of the 10 non-vehicle-based commercial products listed in our 2018 UK SME Insurance Survey. However, the pair have slipped within the six motor lines, with Admiral and AA in particular establishing a strong presence at the top of these markets. Meanwhile Allianz recorded a strong performance in the liabilities lines but little impact in the vehicle-based lines. Hiscox and Zurich are liability specialists, although they have both seen their shares decline since 2017. Within the motor lines there is a clear trend of popular personal lines insurers also enjoying success in the SME market. This shows that established relationships are essential and easily transferred from personal to commercial lines.



Scope

AXA's domination has declined slightly in terms of individual lines, but it still heads seven products.

Third-placed Allianz remains over 5 percentage points behind Aviva, which highlights that the top two are still way ahead of other brands despite their declines. But this is offset by Allianz underwriting the products of Barclays, which is the fourth-largest player.

AXA's position in the overall market is not replicated in brokers' preference for business placement, where Allianz and Aviva continue to top packaged and non-packaged respectively.

Key Topics Covered:



1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1.1. AXA and Aviva continue to lead the market

1.2. Key findings

1.3. Critical success factors



2. THE SHAPE OF THE SME MARKET

2.1. Introduction

2.2. The big three continue to lead the way for packaged broker insurance

2.3. Aviva leads non-packaged as the top two pull away



3. PRODUCT POSITIONING

3.1. AXA remains the leading insurer, but competitors have closed the gap

3.2. AXA's decline saw Aviva challenge for top spot despite its static share

3.3. Barclays leads the bancassurance re-emergence

3.4. AXA and Aviva are consistent throughout all 16 lines

3.5. Hiscox remains a specialist liabilities insurer

3.6. Admiral and Direct Line are strong in motor



4. TOP FIVE INSURERS BY PRODUCT LINES

4.1. Top five players for business interruption insurance

4.2. Top five players in directors and officers insurance

4.3. Top five players in employers' liability insurance

4.4. Top five players for key man insurance

4.5. Top five players for personal accident and business travel insurance

4.6. Top five players for property insurance

4.7. Top five players for professional indemnity insurance

4.8. Top five players for public liability insurance

4.9. Top five players for private medical insurance

4.10. Top five players for cyber insurance

4.11. Top five players for company cars (single) insurance

4.12. Top five players for company cars (fleet) insurance

4.13. Top five players for company vans (single) insurance

4.14. Top five players for company vans (fleet) insurance

4.15. Top five players for vehicle: other (single) insurance

4.16. Top five players for vehicle: other (fleet) insurance



5. KEY PLAYERS

5.1. AXA formed partnerships to boost broker offerings

5.2. AXA is focusing on Brexit and modern cyber cover

5.3. Aviva is targeting independent brokers with new community launch

5.4. Zurich is aiming to boost its SME business with new appointment

5.5. Hiscox launched a cyber campaign to raise customer awareness

5.6. Cyber specialists could threaten mainstream insurers

5.7. Digital Risks shows innovation can thrive in the SME sector



6. TOP INSURERS BY NET PROMOTOR SCORE

6.1. Aviva's impressive NPS could help it challenge AXA at the top of the market

6.2. The leading insurers saw strong improvements in NPS in 2018



7. APPENDIX



Companies Mentioned



AXA

Aviva

Allianz

Direct Line

Zurich

Hiscox

RSA

NFU Mutual

Lloyds

LV=

AA

Ageas

AIG

ACE

Barclays

Bupa

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/4zc38t/united_kingdom?w=12

Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research.
The back-to-back concerts are part of DMBs 2019 North American tour that kicks off April 30 in Pensacola. The band will play Jacksonville the next night before hitting the rest of the continent, eventually circling back to Florida for a show in Tampa on July 24 and the West Palm Beach concerts.
Lake Charles, LA (70615)

Today

A good deal of sunshine. Hot. High near 95F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 78F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.
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.
I. Norman Katz, veteran senior professor of electrical and systems engineering in the School of Engineering and Applied Science at Washington University, died Tuesday, Jan. 15, in New Jersey, at the age of 86, according to an obituary posted on the universitys website.

Israel Norman Katz was born April 14, 1932 to Oscar and Gussie Katz in Williamsburg, N.Y. Dr. Katz earned a bachelors and masters degrees in mathematics from Yeshiva University in 1952 and 1954, respectively, and a doctorate in mathematics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1959. Dr. Katz married Judith Katz (nee Batt) on Sept. 17, 1957.

In 1959, Dr. Katz began working at the AVCO Research and Development in Wilmington, Mass., starting in 1959, as a senior scientist, a section chief and as manager of the mathematics department.

Dr. Katz joined Washington University in 1967 as an associate professor in the Department of Applied Mathematics and Computer Science. He served as chair of the Department of Systems Science and Mathematics from 1987-2002, and was co-director of the B.S. program in Systems Science and Mathematics.

Over the decades, he taught thousands of engineering students to develop their reasoning and creative abilities and to think independently through dozens of courses, many of which he personally developed, read the Washington University obituary, noting Dr. Katz also published extensively in peer-reviewed journals.

Katzs research focused on the numerical solution of ordinary and partial differential equations, reliable algorithms, parallel computation and finite element analysis, according to the universitys obituary. He helped to develop the p-version of the finite element method, which is now widely accepted as a reliable computational tool in the finite element analysis of elastic structures, heat transfer and related fields, and is implemented in many commercial computer codes.

Dr. Katz retired in 2015 after 48 years at Washington University and became senior professor.

Dr. Katz was respected and admired not only for his scholarship and teaching, but for his warm and engaging personality and enthusiasm for studying Torah and Talmud and participating in Jewish programs on campus, according to Chabad on Campus Co-Director Rabbi Hershey Novack.

[Dr. Katz] also chanted Torah with the precision of a scientist and the intonation of an artist, Novack told Washington U. He must have done it for more than 70 years, and he was very talented.

On Sukkot, Novack said Dr. Katz would often eat lunch with students in the sukkah, and let them know that he was a scholar of both the sciences and of Jewish law and literature.

Novack noted that Dr. Katz was a student of the legendary Talmudist Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik, colloquially known as The Rav who also officiated at his wedding. Rabbi Avi Block, a grandson-in-law of Dr. Katz, said the connection with Soloveitchik spanned many decades, starting in the early 1950s and was treasured perhaps above any other non-family connection throughout his life.

A memorial service was held for Dr. Katz Jan. 16 in Hackensack, N.J. He was buried Jan. 17 in Jerusalem.

Dr. Katz is survived by his wife, Judith, son Avi Katz, siblings Dr. Murray Katz and Annette Silver, three grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Maidi Katz, his sister, Barbara Dershowitz.

Memorial contributions may be made to Young Israel of St. Louis, Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary  an affiliate of Yeshiva University or Washington University of St. Louis Library (earmarked for the librarys Judaica collection).
Newport Beach, Calif., Jan. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DPW Holdings, Inc. (NYSE American: DPW) a diversified holding company (DPW or the Company) announced it has signed a stock purchase agreement with Ault & Company, Inc., a Delaware corporation.



Under the terms of the agreement, DPW will issue 416,667 shares of common stock to Ault & Company, Inc. at a purchase price of $0.12 per share for total consideration of $50,000. Ault & Company, Inc. is a private holding company controlled by Mr. Milton C. Ault, III the Companys Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. The stock sale is subject to approval by the NYSE American stock exchange.

About DPW Holdings, Inc.

DPW Holdings, Inc. is a diversified holding company pursuing growth by acquiring undervalued businesses and disruptive technologies that hold global potential. Through its wholly owned subsidiaries and strategic investments, the Company provides mission-critical products that support a diverse range of industries, including defense/aerospace, industrial, telecommunications, medical, crypto-mining, and textiles. In addition, the Company owns a select portfolio of commercial hospitality properties and extends credit to select entrepreneurial businesses through a licensed lending subsidiary. DPWs headquarters are located at 201 Shipyard Way, Suite E, Newport Beach, CA 92663; www.DPWHoldings.com .

Forward-Looking Statements
If you see Orthodox Jews walking in University City on a Friday night, you might notice them wearing something else beside a headcovering, suit or a dress. You might notice them wearing reflective vests, belts or arm bands.

And that, of course, is the point: that you notice them. Orthodox Jews walk in greater numbers on Shabbat than the rest of the week because they observe the Jewish law that prohibits them driving or riding in a car on that day. That can also put them at greater risk of being hit by a car.

The challenge we have in University City is that many of the streets dont have sidewalks so many people walk in the street, and they need to wear reflective clothing so that cars can see them, said Rabbi Moshe Shulman of Young Israel of St. Louis.

ADVERTISEMENT

Over the last decade, rabbis in St. Louis and across the country have stepped up their efforts to encourage people to wear reflective clothing. The increased emphasis has been in response to pedestrians being hit by cars.

In December, Dr. Richard Friedman, a surgeon and medical director of a volunteer ambulance service, was killed on a Saturday afternoon in Lawrence, N.Y., while walking home from synagogue.

Dr. Friedman was a wonderful person who gave [of] himself for over three decades, David Shipper, a spokesman for Chevra Hatzalah Volunteer Ambulance Corps told Newsday. Unfortunately, when a life is cut short, it becomes ever more senseless when it is an individual who is responsible for saving hundreds, if not thousands, of lives.

The problem is not unique to the Jewish community. In 2017, there were nearly 6,000 pedestrians killed in the United States  a 25-year high, according to estimates from the Governors Highway Safety Association.

After the New York accident, the Orthodox Union, an umbrella group, sent an email to rabbis across the country offering to send them free reflective belts. Rabbi Zeev Smason of Nusach Hari Bnai Zion ordered 50 and has been handing them out to congregants.

After previous similar accidents, people were more deliberate about wearing reflective gear when walking at night, but the enthusiasm for being careful seems to have faded, said Smason. Probably like with most things there is an initial burst of the enthusiasm and then memory of the story begins to fade.

He and Shulman both said drivers have stopped and thanked them for wearing the gear.

Rabbis in University City have also met with the the local police department about drivers who dont stop at crosswalks. Over the summer, the police conducted a crosswalk campaign all throughout University City to address the issue, Capt. Fredrick Lemons of University City Police Department stated in an email. We believe it was informative and a [good] way to get the message out about the crosswalk safety for [drivers] as well as pedestrians.
Who Will Write Our History  Teaser from Katahdin Productions on Vimeo.

Who Will Write Our History is the question that plagued Jewish-Polish historian Emanuel Ringelblum as the Nazis were sealing up Jews in the Warsaw Ghetto. Ringelblum worried about what false history the Nazis would write about the Jews if they succeeded in wiping out Jewish culture.

In an act of defiance, Ringelblum led a group of journalists, scholars and community leaders determined not to let Nazis write their history and formed a secret project called Oyneg Shabes. Its mission was to fight back against Nazi propaganda by creating an archive of Jewish life.

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Who Will Write Our History is writer/director/producer Roberta Grossmans excellent documentary about that heroic effort, which created the most significant cache of eyewitness accounts of the war. The documentary is based on historian Samuel Kassows book of the same name. Kassow is among the scholars interviewed in the film.

In honor of International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Who Will Write Our History will be shown Sunday, Jan. 27, at Landmark Plaza Frontenac Cinema.

The film will be shown simultaneously around the world in more than 100 locations as part of a global Holocaust Remembrance Day event. The screenings all include a post-film discussion streamed live, featuring Kassow, Grossman and executive producer Nancy Spielberg.

Grossmans previous documentaries include Blessed Is the Match: The Life and Death of Hannah Senesh. This new film has been featured at several Jewish film festivals and opened in New York Jan. 18.

The documentary is a polished, high-quality production that includes interviews with scholars and historians, readings from Oyneg Shabes writings, rare archival footage and stills, as well as excellent dramatic re-enactments, often shot on location. All elements are smoothly blended into a mostly chronological narrative.

The film notes at its start that words spoken by the actors in this film are taken directly from a secret archive in the Warsaw Ghetto, which adds to the films compelling feeling. The first voice we hear is Joan Allen as Rachel Auerbach, a well-known journalist who was one of the Oyneg Shabes writers. Jowita Budnik portrays Auerbach on screen in a re-enactment of Auerbachs return to Warsaw shortly after the war, hoping to find the archive hidden from the Nazis. The film uses that as a framing device to draw us into its remarkable story.

Adrien Brody provides the voice of Emanuel Ringelblum, and several other members of Oyneg Shabes are heard, along with several historians who provide background and narration of events.

The secret organization Oyneg Shabes was formed by Ringelblum shortly after the Nazis herded Jews into and sealed the Warsaw Ghetto. Ringelblum quickly realized that the Nazis were using footage of the misery of the ghetto to create a false record of Jewish life. With the ghettos social aid society as a cover, the 60 members of Oyneg Shabes started collecting writings about Jewish life and culture, as well as supporting documents.

The film generally follows a chronological path, so we see how their work evolved as well as how the situation for the Jews worsened. The film covers the organizations work and life in the Warsaw Ghetto. Even as it documents the courageous efforts of this organization, some of the archival footage, unsurprisingly, is difficult to watch, and audiences should be prepared.

Oyneg Shabes collected stories and documents of ordinary daily Jewish life, following the model of the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research. The secret archive was started with the goal of preserving a record of Jewish life and culture as a counterbalance to what the Nazis were recording and would say about the Jews. However, as Nazi intentions became clearer, it became a way to collect documents and record evidence of war crimes.

Oyneg Shabes also received reports on what was happening to Jews outside the ghetto, providing some of the first eyewitness reports of atrocities.

Some of the writings are extremely moving and inspiring in their defiance. One comes from a teenager as the organization was burying its archive as the Nazis emptied the ghetto.

What we were unable to cry and shriek out to the world, we have buried in the ground, wrote Dawid Garber, 19. I would love to see the moment when the great treasure is dug up, and scream the truth at the world.
Published: 25 January 2019

Household-dwelling units with housing loans are EUR 98,740 in debt

In 2017, household-dwelling units with housing loans had, on average, 219 per cent of their disposable income in debt. Household-dwelling units in the group under the age of 35 had the largest debts in proportion to income. Their debt was, on average, a little over three times their annual income. The average size of a housing loan per household-dwelling unit with a housing loan was EUR 98,740, which was 0.8 per cent more than in the previous year.

Rates of indebtedness of household-dwelling units with housing loans by the age of the reference person in 2002 to 2017, %

In 2017, the total number of indebted household-dwelling units was EUR 1.4 million, i.e. slightly over one-half of all household-dwelling units. Their debt amounted to EUR 120.9 billion in total, which was 1.9 per cent more than the previous year. Since 2002, the number of indebted household-dwelling units has gone up by ten per cent and the debts by 117 per cent in real terms.

Debts grew by 1.9 per cent from the previous year. Household-dwelling units disposable monetary income grew slightly more than their debts, by 2.4 per cent, so the rate of indebtedness of household-dwelling units fell slightly. In 2017, the rate of indebtedness of all household-dwelling units was 112 per cent, while it was 113 per cent the year before.

EUR 86.8 billion, or 72 per cent, of debts were housing loans. One-third of all household-dwelling units, or 878,800, had housing loans. The housing loans grew by 0.7 per cent year-on-year. Altogether 80,260 household-dwelling units had debts taken out for business purposes. They amounted to EUR 7.4 billion, which was 2.5 per cent more than in the previous year. Around one million household-dwelling units had other debts amounting to EUR 26.7 billion, 5.7 per cent more than in the previous year. Other debts include loans for consumption and larger purchases, such as a car or free-time residence, as well as student loans.

In almost one-fifth of indebted household-dwelling units, that is, 269,750 household-dwelling units, the debts were three times as high as their disposable annual income. They held one-half of household-dwelling units' all debts. In 2002, altogether 97,380 household-dwelling units were this much in debt, that is, eight per cent of indebted household-dwelling units. Household-dwelling units that had debts at least five times as high as their annual income numbered 66,740 in 2017.

Two-supporter families with children, where the reference person was aged under 45, often had much debt compared to their disposable income. In childless household-dwelling units with one or two adults high debts were more common in household-dwelling units of those aged 25 to 34. Single-supporters with housing loans often had much debt compared to the income.

Household-dwelling units in Aland, Greater Helsinki and elsewhere in Helsinki-Uusimaa had the highest housing loans. Forty-one per cent of the household-dwelling units with housing loans in Aland, 37 per cent in Greater Helsinki and 33 per cent elsewhere in Helsinki-Uusimaa had debts that were at least triple their annual income. High housing loans are found least in Northern and Eastern Finland, where one quarter of the household-dwelling units with housing loans had that much debt.

Of the household-dwelling units belonging to the lowest income quintile, 43 per cent had debts that were at least triple compared with their annual income, while 24 per cent of the household-dwelling units in the highest income quintile had as much debt in relative terms. On average, household-dwelling units belonging to the lowest income quintile had EUR 64,490 in housing loans and those in the highest income quintile EUR 127,920.

Household-dwelling units paid EUR 1.6 billion in interests in 2017. Household-dwelling units interest expenses decreased by 1.8 per cent from the previous year. From 2002 to 2017, household-dwelling units interest expenses have decreased by 43 per cent in real terms, while household-dwelling units debts have more than doubled in the same time. Altogether 60 per cent, or 853,100, of indebted household-dwelling units paid at most EUR 1,000 in interests and three per cent, or 37,000 household-dwelling units, paid more than EUR 5,000.

Source: Indebtedness 2017. Statistics Finland

Inquiries: Timo Matala 029 551 3422

Director in charge: Jari Tarkoma

Publication in pdf-format (170.7 kB)

Updated 25.1.2019

Referencing instructions: Official Statistics of Finland (OSF): Indebtedness [e-publication].

ISSN=2489-3285. 2017. Helsinki: Statistics Finland [referred: 19.6.2021].

Access method: http://www.stat.fi/til/velk/2017/velk_2017_2019-01-25_tie_002_en.html
First of its Kind Study Published in Peer-Reviewed Journal, Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research



Authors Leveraged Aleafias 10 Million Point Medical Cannabis Dataset

TORONTO, Jan. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aleafia Health Inc. (TSXV: ALEF, OTC: ALEAF, FRA: ARAH) (Aleafia Health or the Company), announces today what it believes to be the first study reporting reduced benzodiazepine use among patients initiated and monitored on medical cannabis. Benzodiazepines, a class of psychoactive drugs, include the most common sedatives and anti-anxiety medications.

The retrospective study, published in Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, a peer-reviewed journal, is entitled Reduction of Benzodiazepine Use in Patients Prescribed Medical Cannabis. It found that 45.2 per cent of patients regularly consuming benzodiazepines had stopped taking the medication within approximately six months of beginning medical cannabis. These patients, following prescription cannabis use, also reported decreased daily distress due to medical conditions.

The cohort featured 146 patients who received physician-led treatment in Aleafia Healths wholly owned Canabo Medical Clinics (Canabo). Aleafia believes it maintains the worlds largest medical cannabis patient dataset and is deploying the data for unique insights in medical cannabis treatment and product development best practices.

The Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse and Addiction (CCSAA) warns that benzodiazepines may lead to serious long-term complications, including dependence, overdose and death. According to a CCSAA study, 10 per cent of the Canadian population takes prescription sedatives. And a study published in The British Medical Journal found that benzodiazepines consumption significantly increased the risk of opioid overdose.

The study results are encouraging, and this work is concurrent with growing public interest in a rapidly developing Canadian cannabis market, said lead author Chad Purcell. We are advising the public to observe caution. The results do not suggest that cannabis should be used an alternative to conventional therapies. Our purpose is inspiring others to advance current cannabis understanding as we collect stronger efficacy and safety data that will lead to responsible policy and recommended practices for use.

Due to regulatory hurdles and lingering stigma, there remains a shortage of medical cannabis research. At Aleafia, we will continue to leverage our IP and leading cannabis data to further advance patient care through advanced treatment methods and specialized product development, said Aleafia Health Chief Medical Officer Dr. Michael Verbora. This studys results will not be surprising to many patients who have transitioned from prescription pain killers and sedatives with the help of physician-led medical cannabis therapy. I thank the study authors for this significant contribution to evidence-based medicine.

Learn more at www.AleafiaInc.com/Invest.

For Investor & Media Relations, please contact:

Nicholas Bergamini, VP, Public Affairs

416-860-5665

IR@AleafiaInc.com

About the Authors:

Chad Purcell BSc (Pharm)

Chad Purcell will receive an MD degree from Dalhousie University in 2019 from which he also earned a BSc with honours in pharmacology and, subsequently, a BSc in pharmacy. He has published in several areas of pharmaceutical research including pharmacokinetics, pharmacy practice and most recently, medical cannabis.

Dr. Andrew Davis

Dr. Andrew Davis received a Ph.D. and M.A. in Economics from the University of Rochester, where he also held both a Sproull and Lionel McKenzie Fellowships. He also earned a B.Sc. from Memorial University of Newfoundland. Dr. Davis has regularly presented research at a variety of seminars and conferences including the Canadian Economics Association, of which he is a member, and is most recently published in Economic Modelling.

Dr. Nico Moolman, MD

Dr. Nico Moolman is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon. He specializes in Otolaryngology - Head and Neck surgery with a focus on Sinonasal, as well as Facial Plastic and Reconstructive surgery. His research has focused on Head and Neck Oncology with publications in the field.

Dr. Mark Taylor, MD

Dr. Mark Taylor, currently a Professor as well as the Interim Head of the Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at Dalhousie University, has 15 years experience as a Head and Neck Surgeon in Halifax. In addition to resident education, his practice focuses on Head and Neck Oncology, as well as Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, in which he is also Board Certified. Dr. Taylor has over 150 peer- reviewed publications to his credit and has developed a particular interest in research into cannabinoid therapy.

About Aleafia Health:

Aleafia, a vertically integrated, national cannabis company, operates major medical clinic, cannabis cultivation and R&D facilities. A federally licensed producer and vendor of cannabis, the company has a planned and fully-funded annual production capacity of 98,000 kg of dried cannabis flower.

Aleafia operates medical cannabis clinics staffed by physicians and nurse practitioners, with over 50,000 patients. The company is highly differentiated, maintaining the largest medical cannabis dataset in the world.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION

This press release contains forward-looking statements and information that are based on the beliefs of management and reflect the Company's current expectations. When used in this press release, the words "estimate", "project", "belief", "anticipate", "intend", "expect", "plan", "predict", "may" or "should" and the negative of these words or such variations thereon or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements and information. The forward-looking statements and information in this press release includes information relating to the implementation of Aleafia Health's business plan. Such statements and information reflect the current view of the Company with respect to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in those forward-looking statements and information.

By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, the following risks: risks associated with the implementation of Aleafia Health's business plan and matters relating thereto, risks associated with the cannabis industry, competition, regulatory change, the need for additional financing, reliance on key personnel, the potential for conflicts of interest among certain officers or directors, and the volatility of the Company's common share price and volume. Forward-looking statements are made based on management's beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date that statements are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ab9e9601-882f-4da8-84f4-7f0bfc1062c0
Ashtabula, OH (44004)

Today

Cloudy early, then thunderstorms developing this afternoon. A few storms may be severe. High 79F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low 62F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%.
English24/01/2019

SDA INITIATIVE ON CHANGING SRPSKAS NAME WILL NOT DO

VIENNA, January 24 /SRNA/ - Republika Srpska President Srpska, Zeljka Cvijanovic, has said that the SDAs initiative to re-examine the name of Republika Srpska will not do, as Srpska with its name is clearly recognized by the Dayton Agreement, i.e. the Annex 4 that is the BiH Constitution.



Cvijanovic has said that this was an attempt to create BiH "according to their recipe", but it will not do, expressing the satisfaction that at least some internationals, such as the high representative in BiH, Valentin Inzko, condemned the initiative.



"This is a fabrication of very dangerous topics that are an attack on BiH. Although the SDA seems to be attacking only Republikaf Srpska, they are actually attacking BiH," Cvijanovic told reporters after a meeting with Chair of the Freedom Party of Austria Caucus in the Austrian Parliament, Johann Gudenus, in Vienna.



She has added that she also raised this issue at the meeting with Gudenus, because it is one of the political topics, and explained that it is abnormal that such political topics "emerge" in BiH, instead of implementing the election results after the elections, dealing with economic-social topics, finishing the questions from the EU Questionnaire and working on some other issues related to the European process.



Cvijanovic has recalled that the issue Related to the celebration of the Republika Srpska Day was also raised a few years ago.



"We now have an attack on Republika Srpskas name and everyone condemning is normal for me, because it is abnormal behavior, fabrication of political hot topics, instead of dealing with real life issues," said Cvijanovic, stating that the SDA in this way wants to hide the fact that they are those who block the formation of the Council of Ministers.



She has stated that the SDA is trying to prevent the implementation of the election results through some kind of political games, because they obviously are interested in having their candidate sitting in parliament, but also the chairman of the Council of Ministers.



"It is especially interesting for them to have in power those Republika Srpska structures that are obviously suitable for them, who are accustomed to nodding their head, not discussing or debating with them," said Cvijanovic. /end/vos
Growing Inequality How Brexit Distracted the UK From Its Real Problems

While British politicians expend all of their energies on Brexit, the country's already troubling levels of inequality have only gotten worse. This could have dramatic consequences for the UK's lawmakers and for its citizens.
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BARCENLONA, Spain, Jan. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- cPacket Networks , a leading provider of next-generation network performance monitoring and packet broker solutions, today announced the cVu 16100 product family, the industrys leading network packet broker family with millisecond accuracy at 100G wire speed, and the cVu 1000, a high-speed, 100G packet brokering aggregator. The cVu 16100 product family and the cVu 1000 meet the needs of the largest service provider and enterprise networks by enabling 100G at the core and edge of the network to support big data, multi-media, and ecommerce.



The new cVu 16100 product family and cVu 1000 offer a wide range of customer benefits which include:

Delivering the right data to the right tools at the right time

Enabling visibility you can trust by quickly drilling down into 100G network problems

Reducing OPEX 5-20x because less headcount is needed to manage fewer security and network tools

Bringing intelligence directly to the 100G port, by inspecting, filtering, and reporting on packets at the port in real time

Reducing network alerts by 3x through consolidation

Integrating network monitoring sensors on each port dramatically expanding the visibility footprint

The cVu 16100 product family is available in 16, 8, and 4 port configurations, offers real-time performance monitoring with the integration of network monitoring sensors at the port level plus network packet brokering to enable organizations to cost effectively and quickly find network infrastructure issues, and reliably feed security tools without dropping packets. The product family delivers all relevant packets at line rate up to 100G enabled by its unique algorithmic IP which allows it to inspect every bit in every packet at wire speed without performance degradation or dropping packets. Combined with the cClear management platform, network wide real-time analytic dashboards, triggers and searches allow you to proactively take steps to mitigate issues before there is a negative or even costly business impact.

The cVu 1000 aggregates multiple network links and optimizes the traffic passed to the monitoring network through filters. It provides an architectural building block for large data center networks delivering load balancing and rate conversion between the production network and the monitoring network for security tools, performance monitoring, troubleshooting, and packet capture applications. A flexible port rate assignment capability allows the cVu 1000 to be configured for topologies that include 32x100G, 32x40G, 128x25G, and 128x10G, to enable scaling as network links are upgraded.

Networks have dramatically changed over the last few years and more and more data is being passed through them, but often at the cost of accurate and real-time visibility, said Brendan OFlaherty, CEO of cPacket Networks. The new cVu 16100 product family and cVu 1000 enable large enterprises to have the needed visibility and security, at wire speed, without losing critical packets - all while reducing overall costs.

As members of cPackets Always-On network monitoring solution stack, the cVu 16100 product family and cVu 1000 work with other cVu products for multi-tier hierarchical solutions that include the cStor high-speed, high-density packet capture devices, and the cClear dashboard to provide the highest level of network visibility and analysis for end-to-end integrated management, capacity planning, and security analytics.

cPacket is demonstrating cVu 16100 product family and cVu 1000 at Cisco Live Barcelona, January 28-February 1, 2019. Please visit us at booth #S01.

Availability

cPackets cVu 16100 product family and cVu 1000 are available today.

For More Information

To learn more, read the cVu 16100 datasheet and the cVu 1000 datasheet or visit www.cpacket.com .

About cPacket Networks



cPacket Networks delivers visibility you can trust through network monitoring and packet brokering solutions to solve todays biggest network challenges. Our cutting-edge technology enables network and security teams to proactively identify issues in real-time before negatively impacting end-users. Only cPacket inspects all the packets delivering the right data to the right tools at the right time and provides detailed network analytics dashboards. Whether you need greater network visibility for security tools or performance monitoring tools, our solutions are designed to overcome scalability issues and reduce troubleshooting time. The result: increased security, reduced complexity, with lower costs, and a faster ROI.

Based in Silicon Valley, CA, cPacket enables organizations around the world to keep their business running. Leading enterprises, service providers, healthcare organizations, and governments rely on cPacket solutions for improved agility, higher performance, and greater efficiency. Learn more at www.cpacket.com , the cPacket blog , or follow us on Twitter , LinkedIn , and Facebook .

cPacket, cPacket Networks, cClear, cVu, cStor, Distributed Monitoring Architecture, and Integrated Monitoring Fabric are trademarks or registered trademarks of cPacket Networks.

Media Contact:

Graham Melville

graham.melville@cpacketnetworks.com

408.607.5731
Boko Haram attacks military bases in NE Nigeria: sources



Kano, Nigeria, Jan 25 (AFP) Jan 25, 2019



Boko Haram fighters attacked three military bases in northeast Nigeria, overrunning two where they carted away weapons, military and civilian sources told AFP on Friday.

The incidents are the latest against military targets in the restive region over several months that have raised concerns about a resurgence of the Islamist militants.

Insecurity is an election issue as President Muhammadu Buhari, who is seeking a second term at polls next month, came to power in 2015 on a pledge to defeat the jihadists.

More than 27,000 people have been killed since the insurgency began in 2009.

On Friday, troops repelled a dawn attack by fighters loyal to Boko Haram factional leader Abubakar Shekau in Banki on the border with Cameroon, a military officer told AFP.

"The attack was successfully repelled and the terrorists were pushed back," said the officer, who asked to remain anonymous as he was not authorised to speak to the media.

There were no reports of casualties.

Banki is 130 kilometres (80 miles) southeast of Maiduguri, the Borno state capital, and houses some 45,000 people displaced by the conflict in a sprawling camp.

There have been several previous attacks on troops and the displaced in Banki, underlining the precarious situation for tens of thousands of people made homeless by the fighting.

On Wednesday, fighters from IS-affiliated Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), overran two military bases in Borno and neighbouring Yobe state.

The first happened at about 5:50 pm (1650 GMT) in Gaidam, in Yobe state, and also saw shops looted and burned down.

One local man said some of the insurgents were known to residents.

Residents reported seeing a charred body near two burnt tanks but it was not clear if the body was that of a soldier or a jihadist.

A civilian militia member in Gaidam gave a similar account and said the insurgents were seen at a petrol station, filling up their vehicles.

The ISWAP convoy of more than 20 vehicles was seen on Thursday heading towards the town of Damasak, on the border with Niger, he added.

The second attack happened about an hour later in Ajiri village in the Mafa area of Borno, according to a military source and a civilian militia leader in Maiduguri.

Three soldiers were reportedly killed but again, there was no official confirmation from the army.
Afghanistan investigates claims civilians killed in air strike



Kabul, Jan 25 (AFP) Jan 25, 2019



Afghanistan is investigating reports that at least 16 civilians including women and children were killed in an air strike in southern Helmand province, the defence ministry said in a statement Friday.

The reports come as civilian deaths from air strikes have risen sharply in the past year, after the Afghan and US forces intensified their aerial bombardment of Taliban and Islamic State group militants.

Afghan forces backed by US air power were conducting counter-terrorism operations in Sangin district late Wednesday when the air strike was carried out, the ministry and NATO said.

"Some reports have been published that civilians were killed and wounded, and the defence ministry formed a delegation to conduct a serious investigation into the civilian casualties," the ministry statement said.

NATO's Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan said the "large Afghan-led, multi-day operation... supported by US advisors and coalition air strikes" was ongoing, and that it was still looking into the claims.

But the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said the reports of civilian casualties, including children, were "credible", and that it was also investigating.

"I have got reports from the residents of the area where the strike took place. Sixteen people -- ten children, four women, two men, all civilians -- were killed," Afghan senator Hashim Alkozay told AFP.

Helmand provincial governor Mohammad Yasin said the strike "also hit an adjacent civilian house".

"A number" of Afghans were killed and wounded, he added.

The strike came as Taliban representatives were meeting with US officials in Qatar this week, with four straight days of discussion raising expectations as both sides seek a way out of the 17-year Afghan conflict.

Civilians continue to pay a disproportionate price in the fighting.

UNAMA says the number of Afghan civilians killed by aerial bombings from January until October 2018 reached a record high of 313, with a further 336 wounded.

The figures represent an increase of 39 percent compared to the same time period in 2017.

UNAMA data shows that in total, 2,798 civilians were killed and 5,252 wounded in the first ten months of 2018.

The Taliban are responsible for about half of civilian casualties, with the remaining deaths attributed to the Islamic State group and coalition strikes, according to the report.

UNAMA is due to publish its full year report on civilian casualties in 2018 next month.
LONDON, Jan. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In 2018, the Global Innovation Index (GII) again rated the UAE as the most innovative country in the Arab world. This standing can be seen in its bold move towards becoming a cashless society  the result of more fintech start-ups entering the market and developing new ways of conducting transactions.



Policymakers, too, are keen to revolutionise the UAE as much as possible, not least because digital payments can have rich rewards for the economy. A report by Visa has found that they could bring $2.2bn in net benefits each year to consumers, businesses and the government in Dubai alone.

One organisation that has led the way in the UAEs financial revolution is Mashreq Bank. It has undertaken a wide range of activities to help the government reach its goals, one of which is to make all of its utility services cashless by 2021. Mashreq has also seamlessly implemented sophisticated technology into its operations. It was the first bank in the region to introduce Alipay  Chinas popular mobile and online payment platform, as well as launching Mashreq Pay, which allows customers to simply tap and pay at retail outlets.

Writing for World Finance magazine, Subroto Som, Executive Vice President and Group Head of Retail Banking Group at Mashreq Bank, discusses the banks latest efforts to digitise. At Mashreq, 95 percent of financial transactions are undertaken via digital and automated channels, such as Mashreq Online and the banks mobile app SNAPP, as well as new generation machines like ATMs, cheque deposit machines and self-service kiosks. Meanwhile, 65 percent of service inquiries are made online or via mobile. There has also been a huge uptake of Mashreq Neo  the UAEs first fully-fledged digital bank to offer a full range of services.

This approach has won the bank a series of accolades, such as Best Digital Bank, UAE, and Best Mobile Banking App, UAE, both for 2018, and awarded by World Finance.

To find out more about Mashreq Bank check out an exclusive article by Subroto Som in the latest edition of World Finance, available in print, on tablet and online now.

www.worldfinance.com

World News Media is a leading publisher of quality financial and business magazines, which enjoys a global distribution network that includes subscriber lists of prominent decision-makers around the world.
From slowing growth to climate panic: hot topics at Davos 2019



Davos, Switzerland, Jan 25 (AFP) Jan 25, 2019



The World Economic Forum wrapped up on Friday, closing out a week of panels, parties and sub-zero temperatures with more serious talk dominated by climate change and gloom over slowing growth.

Here are some of the top quotes on key issues over the past week.



- Climate emergency -



"I am here to say our house is on fire." -- Greta Thunberg, a 16-year-old Swedish teenager whose advocacy against global warming has inspired global youth. She shocked her audience of the business elite in an uncompromising speech on Friday.



"Climate change is running faster than we are. I believe we are losing the race." -- UN chief Antonio Guterres sounds the alarm on global warming at a Davos forum where the business elite faced criticisms of doing too little against the planetary crisis.



"I think people are beginning to realise that there is no business on a dead planet." -- Christina Figueres, founder of the non-governmental organisation Global Optimism.



- No shows -



"She will be focused on matters here." -- The spokeswoman for British Prime Minister Theresa May, announcing the embattled leader was missing the forum in order to address the Brexit turmoil rumbling in London.



"What a great headline: Kerry replaces Pompeo." -- Former US secretary of state John Kerry draws a big laugh after a panel moderator thanks him for replacing the current office holder, the right-wing Mike Pompeo, at the last minute due to the government shutdown in Washington.



"New winds are blowing across the world." -- US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, addressing the Davos audience by video from Washington, celebrating a wave of populist "disruption" across the globe.



- Economic slowdown -



"The bottom line is that after two years of solid expansion, the world economy is growing more slowly than expected, and risks are rising." -- IMF chief Christine Lagarde draws a gloomy picture of the world economy on the opening day of the forum.



"The number is 6.6 percent. I think this is a pretty significant number. Not low at all." -- Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan shrugs off alarm from the world markets about the state of economic growth in China.



- Davos doubts -



"When institutions like the World Economic Forum fail to stand up and speak out, they become complicit." -- Amnesty International chief Kumi Naidoo sends a harsh message to Davos for allowing a large Saudi presence without devoting time to the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.



"It's not pessimistic.... It's just a feeling that it won't be so great this year. It is almost dull. I don't understand it. I'm still trying to sort it out." -- Harvard professor Kenneth Rogoff, a Davos regular, says the early days of the forum lacked the same oomph of previous years.



"At Davos, you don't have to kiss the golden calf. I don't do that." -- EU Economics Affairs Commissioner Pierre Moscovici pushes back on talk that attending the forum is to celebrate the rich and powerful.



- Venezuela -



"Brazil recognises Mr Juan Guaido as Venezuela's interim president." -- Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro tweets from Davos that his country no longer recognises Nicolas Maduro as Venezuela's leader. Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland, also at the forum, expresses her country's "full support" for Guaido.



"Venezuela has a very long road ahead, Venezuela has to be rebuilt, relaunched, rethought, remade." -- Moises Naim, a Venezuelan writer and journalist who was also a minister under the presidency of Carlos Andres Perez.



- Royals and celebs -



"I'd like to say it's a personal treat for me to be sitting here asking you questions. Normally I have to endure people asking me questions." -- Britain's Prince William cracks an opening joke as he begins an interview with Sir David Attenborough, the celebrated TV naturalist.



"Capitalism is not immoral, it's amoral." -- U2 frontman Bono, a Davos regular, providing his usual dose of rock-n-roll rebellion to the forum's jet set at a panel with Rwandan President Paul Kagame and IMF chief Christine Lagarde.
Flood of complaints to EU countries since data law adopted



Brussels, Jan 25 (AFP) Jan 25, 2019



More than 95,000 complaints have been filed with EU countries since the bloc's flagship data protection laws took effect eight months ago, the executive European Commission said Friday.

The complaints have already triggered three financial penalties, including France's record 50 million euros fine Monday on US giant Google for not doing enough inform users on how their data is used.

Google has promised to appeal the French ruling that was applied under the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which was adopted on May 25 last year.

"Citizens have become more conscious of the importance of data protection and of their rights," First Vice President Frans Timmermans and other commission officials said.

"And they are now exercising these rights, as national Data Protection Authorities see in their daily work. They have by now received more than 95,000 complaints from citizens," the joint statement added.

"What is at stake is not only the protection of our privacy, but also the protection of our democracies and ensuring the sustainability of our data-driven economies."

The officials, however, pointed out that Brussels was still waiting for five member countries to adapt the GDPR to their national legislation.

The five are Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Portugal, Slovenia and Greece, a European source told AFP on condition of anonymity.

The GDPR is enforced by national data protection agencies.

The EU has billed the GDPR as the biggest shake-up of data privacy regulations since the birth of the web, saying it sets new standards in the wake of the Facebook data harvesting scandal.

The law establishes the key principle that individuals must explicitly grant permission for their data to be used and gives consumers the "right to know" who is processing their information and what it will be used for.

People will be able to block the processing of their data for commercial reasons and even have data deleted under the "right to be forgotten".

The case for the new rules was boosted by the scandal over the harvesting of Facebook users' data by Cambridge Analytica, a US-British political research firm, for the 2016 US presidential election.

cds-lc/bp

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Tiny killer threatens giant clam, aquatic emblem of the Med



Villefranche-sur-Mer, France, Jan 25 (AFP) Jan 25, 2019



With wing-shaped shells lined with iridescent mother-of-pearl and producing the fibres of rare and delicate sea silk, the noble pen shell clam is one of the most emblematic species in the Mediterranean and a bellwether for marine environmental health.

But the giant mollusc, the world's second biggest, is under mortal threat from a parasite that has ravaged populations since it was identified along Spanish coasts in 2016.

Scientists fear that climate change and warming waters will intensify the devastation, which they now class as an emergency.

The noble pen shells, or Pinna nobilis, can live for up to 45 years and grow to about 1.2 metres (four feet).

They are only found in the Mediterranean Sea, standing proudly upright like ships' sails, their tips anchored in sandy seagrass meadows by sinewy fibres.

On the tranquil surface of the water at Villefranche-sur-Mer, near Nice in southern France, there is little evidence of the carnage below.

But dive down and the seafloor is a graveyard of noble pen shells.

Death has shrivelled the flesh of the molluscs and dulled the mother-of-pearl to a rusted brown inside the shells, in an area abandoned by the usual myriad of tiny cohabitors -- little crabs, shrimps and orange sea fans.



- Weakened, then starved -



"We cannot find a living one," said diver Olivier Jude, emerging, camera in hand, from the bay after an unsuccessful attempt to photograph the Pinna nobilis for his Phoctopus website.

The French Riviera is the latest site of the die-off, caused by the relentless assault of a new parasite that weakens the clam, quickly starving it to death.

The pathogen has almost eradicated the noble pen shell population off the Spanish coast, where it is now listed as critically endangered, and has spread to other coastal areas.

It is now attacking the clams from France to Turkey.

"The situation is deeply alarming," Maria del Mar Otero, a marine expert at the International Union for Conservation of Nature's (IUCN) Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation, adding that the species was "on the verge of disappearing" in Spain.



- 'Everything was dead' -



Fields of the giant molluscs clustered on the coastlines of the Mediterranean have been known to coastal communities for centuries.

In ancient times, fine threads plucked from their tufted beard-like growths were spun into sea silk, an incredibly rare gossamer material that shimmers like gold.

Some believe that this fabric fished from the sea could have been the basis for the legend of the Golden Fleece sought by Jason in Greek mythology.

Now their very existence appears to hang in the balance.

Noble pen shells are seen as an indicator of the ocean's health, recording on their long-lived shells the chemical and physical changes in the waters.

An IUCN map of the affected region, periodically updated since the beginning of the crisis, is studded with a growing number of red dots corresponding to mortality rates of above 85 percent.

The southern Spanish coast is hemmed almost entirely in crimson, while scarlet spots are also clustered around the French island of Corsica, in Italy, Turkey, Cyprus and Greece.

French marine biologist Nardo Vicente, of the Paul Ricard Institute of Oceanography, has monitored a field of noble pen shells off the coast of Corsica since the early nineties.

Nestled on the seabed between 26 and 40 metres underwater, the clams are around 30 years old and have grown to around 80 cm.

"In 2017 the field was in perfect health," he said.

"This year, everything was dead, absolutely a hundred percent!"



- Tiny assassin -



The parasite, found in the digestive systems of several of the dead noble pen shells, is from the haplosporidium genus, blamed in the United States for the mass die-off of oysters in Delaware Bay in the 1950s.

It is not yet clear what brought the tiny killer to the Mediterranean or how it is spreading so fast, although it could have arrived on the hulls of merchant ships.

But the disease appears to thrive in warming waters.

Vicente said global warming was acting to stimulate "a bunch of germs, viruses and parasites" that had lain dormant but "act fully with the rise in temperature".

The waters around the Corsican field he monitored were 20 degrees C even at 40 metres, when normally they would be 13 or 14 degrees C.

"It's completely abnormal," he said.

He said he was "devastated" but hopes that rescue programmes will be able to re-populate the affected areas and save the species.



- Racing against time -



In Spain, a few noble pen shells have been preserved in aquariums -- though not all survived -- while Italy and France have strengthened coastal monitoring.

Lagoon areas are another source of hope, where the noble pen shells appear to be more resilient.

But as experts race against time before summer raises the water temperatures, there are fears that the noble pen shell's fate might be a warning sign for the health of the sea.

In Villefranche-sur-Mer, the coastal waters are relatively well protected with zones where boats are prohibited from dropping anchor.

Lidwine Courard, a diver with the NaturDive association, said the molluscs began to die off in October along the French Riviera.

"Some say it might be the beginning of the extinction of other species."

clr/mdm/klm/kjm
Medford, NJ (08055)

Today

Cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 91F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Thunderstorms likely this evening. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms overnight. Low 68F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%.
Oslo, 25 January 2019: In line with the dividend policy, the Board of Directors have resolved to propose to the ordinary General Meeting of Scatec Solar to be held 30 April 2019, that a dividend of NOK 0.95 should be paid for 2018.

The following key dates for the dividend are proposed by the Board of Directors:

Dividend amount: NOK 0.95 per share

Declared currency: NOK

Last day including right: 30 April 2019

Ex-date: 2 May 2019

Record date: 3 May 2019

Payment date: 15 May 2019

Date of approval: 30 April 2019

This information is published in accordance with the requirements of the Continuing Obligations.

For further information, please contact:

Ingrid Aarsnes, VP Communication & IR tel: +47 950 38 364 ingrid.aarsnes@scatecsolar.com

About Scatec Solar

Scatec Solar is an integrated independent solar power producer, delivering affordable, rapidly deployable and sustainable clean energy worldwide. A long- term player, Scatec Solar develops, builds, owns, operates and maintains solar power plants and has an installation track record of more than 1 GW. The company has a total of 1.7 GW in operation and under construction in Argentina, Brazil, the Czech Republic, Egypt, Honduras, Jordan, Malaysia, Mozambique, Rwanda, South Africa and Ukraine.

With an established global presence and a significant project pipeline, the company is targeting a capacity of 3.5 GW in operation and under construction by end of 2021. Scatec Solar is headquartered in Oslo, Norway and listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol 'SSO'. To learn more, visit www.scatecsolar.com.

This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act


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The Kenyon Leader Editor Terri (Washburn) Malloy earned first place in the Human Interest Story category of the Minnesota Newspaper Association Better Newspaper Contest of 2017-2018.
Ask a 'sotan: How did George Hormel, grandfather of Spam, get to Minnesota?
You are the owner of this article.
English French

GATINEAU, Quebec, Jan. 24, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HEXO Corp. (HEXO or the Company) (TSX: HEXO ; NYSE-A: HEXO ) today announced the pricing of its underwritten public offering of common shares (the "Offering") at a price of C$6.50 per share (the Offering Price). The underwriters for the Offering have agreed to purchase 7,700,000 common shares from the Company for gross proceeds to the Company of C$50,050,000.



The Company has granted the underwriters an over-allotment option to purchase up to an additional 1,155,000 common shares at the offering price, exercisable for a period of 30 days following closing.

The Offering is expected to close on January 30, 2019, subject to the satisfaction of a number of customary conditions including, but not limited to, the listing of the common shares on the TSX and the NYSE American and any required approvals of each exchange.

The Company will use the net proceeds from the Offering for general corporate purposes, including funding the Companys global growth initiatives and research and development to further advance the Companys innovation strategies.

CIBC Capital Markets and BMO Capital Markets are acting as the lead underwriters and joint book-running managers and Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. is acting as the co-lead underwriter for the Offering. The co-managers for the Offering are AltaCorp Capital Inc., Beacon Securities Limited, Bryan, Garnier & Co Ltd, Cormark Securities Inc., Eight Capital, GMP Securities L.P., Laurentian Bank Securities Inc., PI Financial Corp. and Roth Capital Partners, LLC.

The Company will file a final prospectus supplement (the "Supplement") to the Companys amended and restated short form base shelf prospectus dated December 14, 2018 (the Base Shelf Prospectus) with the securities regulatory authorities in each of the provinces and territories of Canada. The Supplement will also be filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") as part of the Companys registration statement on Form F-10 (the Registration Statement) under the U.S./Canada Multijurisdictional Disclosure System. Copies of the Supplement and the Base Shelf Prospectus will be found on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov , and a copy of the Registration Statement will be found on EDGAR at www.sec.gov .

Copies of the Supplement, the Base Shelf Prospectus and the Registration Statement may also be obtained in Canada from CIBC Capital Markets, 22 Front Street West, Mailroom, Toronto, ON, M5J 2W5, by telephone at (416) 956-3636, by email at michelene.dougherty@cibc.ca or from BMO Capital Markets, Brampton Distribution Centre c/o The Data Group of Companies, 9195 Torbram Road, Brampton, Ontario, L6S 6H2, by telephone at 905-791-3151 Ext. 4312 / 4322, or by email at torbramwarehouse@datagroup.ca and in the United States from CIBC Capital Markets, 425 Lexington Avenue, 5th floor, New York, NY, by telephone at (800) 282-0822, by email at useprospectus@cibc.com or from BMO Capital Markets Corp., Attn: Equity Syndicate Department, 3 Times Square, 25th Floor, New York, NY 10036 (Attn: Equity Syndicate), or by telephone at (800) 414-3627, or by email at bmoprospectus@bmo.com .

No securities regulatory authority has either approved or disapproved of the contents of this press release. This press release is for information purposes only and shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

About HEXO

HEXO Corp. is an award-winning consumer-packaged goods cannabis company that creates and distributes award-winning products to serve the global cannabis market. As one of the largest licensed cannabis companies in Canada, HEXO Corp. operates with over 1.3 million sq. ft. of facilities in Ontario and Quebec and a foothold in Greece with plans to establish a Eurozone processing, production and distribution centre. We serve the Canadian adult-use market under the HEXO brand while continuing to provide our medical cannabis clients with consistent access to Hydropothecary medical cannabis products.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws (forward-looking statements) including statements regarding the Offering and its terms, timing, potential completion and the use of proceeds of the Offering as well as statements regarding the Companys future business plans. Forward-looking statements are based on certain expectations and assumptions and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events, results, performance and achievements to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, including that the Offering may not be completed on the terms indicated or at all, the Company may be unsuccessful in satisfying the conditions to closing of the Offering and the Companys use of proceeds of the Offering may differ from those indicated. Forward-looking statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. A more complete discussion of the risks and uncertainties facing the Company appears in the Prospectus Supplement and the Base Shelf Prospectus and the Companys Annual Information Form and other continuous disclosure filings incorporated by reference in the Base Shelf Prospectus, which are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and EDGAR at www.sec.gov . 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 as a result of new information or future events, or for any other reason.

Investor Relations:

Kathy Chow

1-866-438-8429

invest@hexo.com



Media Relations:

Sarah Brown

media@hexo.com

Director:

Adam Miron

819-639-5498
ANNECORDON/iStock(WASHINGTON) -- This week, the presidential field grew more diverse with the entrance of Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., and South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg.



Harris, who was born to an Indian mother and Jamaican father, announced her presidential campaign on ABC News' Good Morning America, and Buttigieg, who could make history as the nation's first openly gay presidential nominee of a major party, posted video about his forming an exploratory committee on Wednesday.



They join a growing and diverse field of Democratic hopefuls, a cadre that could prove too large for a single debate at the first opportunity in June.

Anticipating a crowded field, Democratic National Committee chairman Tom Perez revealed in December that the DNC would set thresholds, including polling and fundraising targets, to pare down the first group of candidates, then "draw lots," should the group still be too large.

However, the DNC has yet to reveal specific targets for those thresholds, but some figures, including Harris, whose aides tell ABC News brought in $1.5 million in her first day as a candidate, are already clearly aiming for one of the coveted spots.



As part of a new weekly feature, ABC News and FiveThirtyEight are keeping tabs on the field as it develops.



Here's the weekly candidate roundup:



Jan. 18-24, 2019



Michael Bennet (D)



The Colorado senator attracted attention Thursday when he criticized fellow Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas. Bennet labeled Cruz's current government shutdown-related concerns "crocodile tears," and reminded Cruz of actions that led to a 2013 shutdown while Bennet's home state was dealing with flooding.



Asked on MSNBC Thursday afternoon whether he was running for president, Bennet said he was "thinking about it ... like every other person in [the Senate.]"



Joe Biden (D)



At a National Action Network Martin Luther King Jr. Day breakfast in Washington, Biden said that white Americans need to acknowledge and admit the fact that systemic racism still exists and must be rooted out.



The New York Times reported Wednesday that in a paid speech given by Biden in Michigan in October, the former vice president praised Republican Rep. Fred Upton, who then went on to defeat his Democratic opponent. The remarks were criticized by local Democrats, who saw it as a damaging error, according to the Times report.

On Friday, at the U.S. Conference of Mayors, Biden defended the speech, explaining that he was proud of Upton's work on a cancer research funding bill and argued that not everything should be viewed through the lens of partisanship.



Michael Bloomberg (D)



Bloomberg spoke at a National Action Network Martin Luther King Jr. Day breakfast in Washington on Monday, during which he joked he would ask former Vice President Joe Biden, who was also in attendance, for tips on living in Washington.

He added, of himself and Biden: "I know we'll both keep our eyes on the real prize, and that is electing a Democrat to the White House in 2020, and getting our country back on track."



The former New York City mayor faced criticism from Democrats this week after defending the use of stop-and-frisk policing during a speech at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland Tuesday, and labeling efforts to legalize marijuana "perhaps the stupidest thing we've ever done."



Cory Booker (D)



The New Jersey senator spoke at a South Carolina statehouse rally on Martin Luther King Jr. Day Monday after brief stops over the weekend in Louisiana and Georgia.

In Georgia, Booker met with former President Jimmy Carter and the pair appeared on an Instagram Live video.

Im very glad to have you here this morning, and I hope you come back, Carter said to Booker. And I hope you run for president.



Sherrod Brown (D)



On Wednesday, Brown told MSNBC that he continues to "very seriously" consider a presidential campaign. As has been the case in past interviews on the subject, the Ohio senator referred to the importance of Democrats competing in the center of the country and a focus on employment and job conditions.



"To win Ohio, to win the industrial Midwest, the heartland, and the Electoral College you've got to speak to the progressive base, to be sure, as I have my whole career, but you've got to talk to workers and live where they live," he said, later echoing the sentiment on Late Night with Seth Meyers where he said his party can't choose between progressives and workers, but represent both groups.



Brown kicks off his "Dignity of Work" tour in Cleveland on Wednesday, followed by a visit to Iowa Thursday.



Pete Buttigieg (D)



Buttigieg announced the formation of a presidential exploratory committee Wednesday, with the 37-year-old South Bend, Indiana mayor explaining that he felt it was time for a generational shift in the nation's leadership.



"I belong to a generation that is stepping forward right now," Buttigieg said in a video announcing the committee. "We're the generation that lived through school shootings, that served in the wars after 9/11. And we're the generation that stands to be the first to make less than our parents, unless we do something different."



Asked Wednesday by KCBS-TV about potential concerns about his youth and experience, Buttigieg said his two terms as mayor and service in the Navy were more executive and military experience than President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence.



Julian Castro (D)



Castro spent Martin Luther King Jr. Day in San Antonio, where he took part in the city's parade, marching alongside his brother Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas.



An adviser to Castro told The Daily Beast that the former Housing and Urban Development secretary's campaign already formulated workplace harassment policies and that it would support unionization among its staffers, should they decide to do so.



John Delaney (D)



Delaney spent last weekend in New Hampshire at multiple meet-and-greet events and attended the Concord Women's March. After speaking with reporters and editors at the Nashua Telegraph last Friday, the newspaper's editorial board described the former Maryland congressman as "somewhat impressive."



Tulsi Gabbard (D)



In an interview with CNN Sunday, Gabbard said she did not regret her 2017 meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, arguing that it is "very important for any leader in this country to be willing to meet with others, whether they be friends or adversaries or potential adversaries if we are serious about the pursuit of peace and securing our country."



Eric Garcetti (D)



Garcetti helped facilitate negotiations in the Los Angeles teacher strike, which ended in a deal that the mayor called "a historic agreement."



Jeff Flake (R)



At a Vanderbilt University panel, Flake criticized the Republican Party for moving away from "traditional conservatism." He also said, "The Trump base is very real, very solid, but politically it's just not large enough to carry ahead. I say that's a good thing."



Despite his differences with the president, Flake said at the event, I hope we dont go through an impeachment process because of what it does to a divided public."



Kirsten Gillibrand (D)



In her first week since the announcement of her presidential exploratory committee, Gillibrand visited Iowa, where she addressed the Des Moines Women's March Saturday.

The New York senator addressed allegations of anti-Semitism against two of the Women's March leaders, saying that there was "no room for anti-Semitism" in the movement and that the movement is empowered when everyone lifts each other.



At additional stops across Iowa, Gillibrand explained the moderate positions dotting her past, including her former defense of the Second Amendment.

"I had only really looked at guns through the lens of hunting. My mom still shoots the Thanksgiving turkey," she said, later noting that the National Rifle Association now gives her an F rating.



On Monday, Gillibrand spoke at the National Action Network's King Day Public Policy Forum in New York, invoking the Bible as she discussed "speak[ing] truth to power," in a moment that NAN's founder Al Sharpton characterized as "preaching."



Kamala Harris (D)



Harris officially announced Monday that she is running for president, telling ABC's Good Morning America that she feels "a sense of responsibility to stand up and fight for the best of who we are" and that she's confident in her "ability to lead" and "listen and to work on behalf of the American public."

She then grabbed a bacon, egg and cheese sandwich, before heading back to Washington and answering questions from reporters at her alma mater, Howard University.



In the 24 hours following her announcement, aides to Harris told ABC News their campaign raised $1.5 million from 38,000 donors.



The California senator hits the campaign trail starting Friday in South Carolina to speak at an event held by a local chapter of her sorority. On Sunday, Harris will hold a campaign launch event in Oakland, California, then on Monday she'll participate in a CNN town hall in Iowa.



John Hickenlooper (D)



On Sunday, the former Colorado governor is visiting Iowa for a stop at a house party and a local brewery, one of his advisers told ABC News.

On Tuesday, he told CNN that he would decide whether to run for president by March, and that he could separate himself from the field by sharing his bipartisan record.



"I'm probably one of the few, if not the only candidate who's actually been able to bring people together who were in conflict, they were feuding, and get them to put down their weapons, take the time to hear each other and then actually achieve progressive goals through their willingness to work together and create a compromise," Hickenlooper said.



Jay Inslee (D)



The Washington governor visited New Hampshire Tuesday to speak with students at Dartmouth and Saint Anselm colleges. He spent much of his time talking about climate change, an issue he claimed wasn't being highlighted by other possible presidential nominees.



"Here's an existential threat to the United States, and they do their rollouts and the words 'climate change' don't appear," he said.



John Kasich (R)



Kasich repeated a position he's shared before when asked about a potential 2020 run during a question and answer session at the University of Florida Wednesday: "If I can't win, I'm not going to do it," he said.



The former Ohio governor wrote an op-ed for the Boston Globe to commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. Day. He decried the political division that led to the ongoing government shutdown and called upon Americans to take personal action to better their communities.



"Instead of sitting around worrying about whats broken and not working in Washington, weve got to get off the couch and figure out what we can do by ourselves -- right here at home, where we live. Volunteer at the food bank. Engage with your schools if something needs to be fixed. Drop in on a neighbor who has no one else to listen," he wrote. "The opportunities are there, but we need to grasp them. Thats the cure for the breakdown in Washington."



John Kerry (D)



Asked during a panel at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, if he had any message for Trump, Kerry answered that he should "resign."



Amy Klobuchar (D)



Klobuchar delivered last week's weekly Democratic address, criticizing Trump for "holding the hardworking people of America hostage by requiring them to pay ransom to reopen their government," referring to Trump's insistence on the inclusion of border wall funding in any appropriations bill to end the government shutdown.



Mitch Landrieu (D)



Landrieu spoke to MSNBC Wednesday where he discussed the government shutdown, saying, "The president is way stuck on stupid right now."



"There is no mayor in America in his right mind, or her right mind, that would ever think about shutting down the government," the former New Orleans mayor continued. "This is why the people of America are really frustrated with Washington."



Terry McAuliffe (D)



Though he didn't definitively commit to the race, McAuliffe told the New York Posts's Page Six of a presidential run: "It's not easy -- but I'm a heck of a fighter."



Beto ORourke (D)



O'Rourke continued his tour of the American heartland, visiting Kansas and Colorado this week and blogging about it -- to some mockery -- along the way.



The New York Times reported Saturday that some Democrats were perturbed by O'Rourke's individualistic style, and his merely lukewarm embrace of fellow Texas Democrat Gina Ortiz-Jones during the midterms.



Mother Jones dug up a video of O'Rourke covering The Ramones in a onesie and a sheep mask.



Bernie Sanders (D)



Sanders spoke at a rally at South Carolina's statehouse on Martin Luther King Jr. Day and remained in the Palmetto State for three additional events on Tuesday.

During a NAACP forum he said of a presidential campaign, "I'm going to look at it; I'm going to assess it."



In a GQ profile Thursday, Sanders detailed what he felt his 2016 presidential campaign was able to achieve, even without capturing the Democratic nomination.

We have had more success in ideologically changing the party than I would have dreamed possible, he said. The world has changed.



Howard Schultz (D)



Advisers to the former Starbucks CEO are probing the possibility of an independent presidential campaign, The Washington Post reported last Friday, citing two sources with knowledge of the conversations.

CNN matched the story Monday, quoting a source who said Schultz is "thinking deeply about his future and how he can best serve the country."



Eric Swalwell (D)



Swalwell visited South Carolina Saturday to speak at the Greenville Women's March and a gala for the Spartanburg County Democratic Party.

During the day, he told the Spartanburg Herald Journal that he is "getting close to deciding" about a presidential run and discussed the role that the state will play in deciding the Democratic nominee.



"Any presidential contender better come through Spartanburg County if they are going to be in the White House," he said. "Its a steep mountain to climb for a Democrat in South Carolina since the state is mostly Republican.



Elizabeth Warren (D)



Though still only in the exploratory committee phase, Warren continues to travel. She held an organizing event in New Hampshire last Friday, attended a Martin Luther King Jr. Day memorial breakfast in Boston Monday, visited Puerto Rico for a "community conversation" Tuesday, and visited South Carolina for another organizing event Wednesday.

On Friday, Warren stops in Las Vegas for an additional organizing event.



The Massachusetts senator was asked about the state of the presidential race in a CNN interview Tuesday, demurring when questioned whether she was "too far to the left."



"I'm out talking about the economic issues, about how government works, about what's happening to middle class families, working families, all across this country -- why the path has gotten rockier and rockier. This is what I've worked on all of my life," Warren said. "I'm delighted that there are lots of Democrats who want to talk about ideas, who want to talk about a way to build a stronger America; I believe in that."



Andrew Yang (D)



Yang, an entrepreneur, was interviewed by Rolling Stone this week about his under-the-radar campaign, where he explained why he was running for president.



"I was stunned when I saw the disparities between Detroit and San Francisco or Cleveland and Manhattan. You feel like youre traveling across dimensions and decades and not just a couple of time zones," he said. "None of our political leaders are willing to acknowledge the elephant in the room that is tearing our communities apart, in the form of technological change."



He additionally outlined a key component of his platform: a universal basic income of $1,000 per month for all Americans 18 and older, which would be funded by a value-added tax, explaining: "If you have a town in Missouri with 50,000 adults and theyre all getting $1,000 a month, thats another $50 million in purchasing power that comes right into that towns local economy -- into car repairs, tutoring or food for your kids, the occasional night out, home repairs. And that money ends up circulating all through that town."



Copyright  2019, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
Corrections Commissioner Paul Schnell gives members of the House Public Safety and Criminal Justice Reform Finance and Policy and House Corrections an overview of the department Wednesday. (Photo by Paul Battaglia)
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/var/cache/mason/obj/1784076917/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj:17

/usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html:149



Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. Trace begun at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Exceptions.pm line 129 HTML::Mason::Exceptions::rethrow_exception('Can\'t call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25.^J') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 160 HTML::Mason::Component::run_dynamic_sub('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7fbff5d47bc0)', 'main') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 951 HTML::Mason::Request::call_dynamic('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7fbff6d176e0)', 'main') called at /var/cache/mason/obj/1784076917/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj line 17 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 138 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7fbff5d47bc0)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1305 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1295 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 958 HTML::Mason::Request::call_next('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7fbff6d176e0)') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html line 149 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 138 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7fbff696cf80)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1303 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1295 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 484 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 484 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 436 HTML::Mason::Request::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7fbff6d176e0)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 165 HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7fbff6d176e0)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 831 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handle_request('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7fbff59545b8)', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7fbff6d1a7f8)') called at (eval 487) line 8 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handler('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7fbff6d1a7f8)') called at -e line 0 eval {...} at -e line 0
System error

error: Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25.

context: ... 21: </%method> 22: 23: % foreach my $c (@categories) { 24: <%perl> 25: my $category_id = $c->get_id(); 26: my @stories = Bric::Biz::Asset::Business::Story->list ( { element_type_id=>1148, category_id=>$category_id , Order=> 'cover_date', publish_status => 't' , OrderDirection=> 'DESC' , Limit=>10 } ); 27: </%perl> 28: <table width="90%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> 29: <tr> ... code stack: /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html:25

/usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm:951

/var/cache/mason/obj/1784076917/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj:17

/usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html:149



Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. Trace begun at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Exceptions.pm line 129 HTML::Mason::Exceptions::rethrow_exception('Can\'t call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25.^J') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 160 HTML::Mason::Component::run_dynamic_sub('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7fbff5e28198)', 'main') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 951 HTML::Mason::Request::call_dynamic('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7fbff62c83c8)', 'main') called at /var/cache/mason/obj/1784076917/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj line 17 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 138 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7fbff5e28198)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1305 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1295 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 958 HTML::Mason::Request::call_next('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7fbff62c83c8)') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html line 149 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 138 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7fbff5e79228)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1303 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1295 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 484 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 484 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 436 HTML::Mason::Request::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7fbff62c83c8)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 165 HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7fbff62c83c8)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 831 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handle_request('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7fbff5954b40)', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7fbff62c5700)') called at (eval 487) line 8 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handler('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7fbff62c5700)') called at -e line 0 eval {...} at -e line 0
System error

error: Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25.

context: ... 21: </%method> 22: 23: % foreach my $c (@categories) { 24: <%perl> 25: my $category_id = $c->get_id(); 26: my @stories = Bric::Biz::Asset::Business::Story->list ( { element_type_id=>1148, category_id=>$category_id , Order=> 'cover_date', publish_status => 't' , OrderDirection=> 'DESC' , Limit=>10 } ); 27: </%perl> 28: <table width="90%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> 29: <tr> ... code stack: /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html:25

/usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm:951

/var/cache/mason/obj/1784076917/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj:17

/usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html:149



Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. Trace begun at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Exceptions.pm line 129 HTML::Mason::Exceptions::rethrow_exception('Can\'t call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25.^J') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 160 HTML::Mason::Component::run_dynamic_sub('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7fbff62c3868)', 'main') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 951 HTML::Mason::Request::call_dynamic('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7fbff62bbfd8)', 'main') called at /var/cache/mason/obj/1784076917/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj line 17 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 138 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7fbff62c3868)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1305 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1295 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 958 HTML::Mason::Request::call_next('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7fbff62bbfd8)') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html line 149 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 138 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7fbff62a8e38)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1303 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1295 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 484 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 484 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 436 HTML::Mason::Request::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7fbff62bbfd8)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 165 HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7fbff62bbfd8)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 831 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handle_request('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7fbff5955068)', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7fbff62584a0)') called at (eval 487) line 8 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handler('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7fbff62584a0)') called at -e line 0 eval {...} at -e line 0
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 24, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Almaden Minerals Ltd. (Almaden or the Company; TSX: AMM; NYSE American: AAU) announces that the independent NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Feasibility Study of the Ixtaca Gold-Silver Project located in Puebla State, Mexico (the "FS"), has been filed on SEDAR. A summary of findings from the FS was announced in Almadens press release issued December 11, 2018. The full report, prepared by Moose Mountain Technical Services (MMTS), can be viewed under the Companys profile on www.sedar.com.



The independent qualified persons responsible for preparing the FS are Tracey Meintjes, P.Eng. and Jesse Aarsen, P.Eng. of MMTS, Kris Raffle, P.Geo. of APEX Geoscience Ltd., Gary Giroux, P.Eng. of Giroux Consultants Ltd., and Clara Balasko, PE and Edward Wellman, PE, PG, CEG of SRK Consulting (U.S.), Inc., all of whom act as independent consultants to the Company, are Qualified Persons as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and have reviewed and approved the contents of this news release.

About Almaden

Almaden Minerals Ltd. owns 100% of the Ixtaca project in Puebla State, Mexico, subject to a 2.0% NSR royalty held by Almadex Minerals Ltd. The Ixtaca Gold-Silver Deposit was discovered by Almaden in 2010.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Morgan Poliquin

Morgan J. Poliquin, Ph.D., P.Eng.

President, CEO and Director

Almaden Minerals Ltd.

Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) nor the NYSE MKT have reviewed or accepted responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the contents of this news release which has been prepared by management.

Contact Information:
In a tweet, the senior BJP leader also scoffed at Priyanka Gandhi's resemblance with her grandmother and former prime minister Indira Gandhi.

: Bihar deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi launched a vitriolic attack on Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday, a day after she entered active politics, saying the Congress was feeling happy "over the induction of a woman with a tainted life partner".

"If a person could become as capable as someone else merely by resembling him or her, by now we would have had many more Virat Kohlis and Amitabh Bachchans. Duplicates do not work in politics. Priyanka might resemble Indira, but there is a big difference," Modi said.

He also compared Priyanka Gandhi's husband and businessman Robert Vadra with Indira Gandhi's spouse Firoz Gandhi.

The deputy chief minister said Firoz Gandhi was a good orator and an upright parliamentarian "who had the guts to speak against his powerful father-in-law", Jawaharlal Nehru.

"Priyanka's businessman husband's irregular land transactions are spread across two states and he is facing probes. If the Congress wants to exult over the induction of a woman with a tainted life partner, it is most welcome to do so," Modi said.

Earlier, talking to reporters in Patna on the sidelines of a function, he had claimed that Priyanka Gandhi's induction into the Congress was aimed at "threatening the SP-BSP alliance".

Priyanka Gandhi formally entered politics on Wednesday with her brother and Congress president Rahul Gandhi appointing her as general secretary for Uttar Pradesh East.
NEW YORK, Jan. 24, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C. reminds investors that class action lawsuits have been commenced on behalf of stockholders of Cheetah Mobile Inc., CURO Group Holdings Corp., and Loma Negra Compania. Stockholders have until the deadlines listed below to petition the court to serve as lead plaintiff. Additional information about each case can be found at the link provided.

Cheetah Mobile Inc. (NYSE: CMCM)

Class Period: April 21, 2015 - November 27, 2018

Lead Plaintiff Deadline: January 29, 2019

The complaint alleges that throughout the class period defendants made materially false and misleading statements regarding the companys business, operational and compliance policies. Specifically, the complaint alleges that defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Cheetahs apps had undisclosed imbedded features which tracked when users downloaded new apps; (2) Cheetah used this data to inappropriately claim credit for having caused the downloads; (3) the foregoing features, when discovered, would foreseeably subject the companys apps to removal from the Google Play store; (4) accordingly, Cheetahs Class Period revenues were in part the product of improper conduct and thus unsustainable; and (5) as a result, the companys public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.

To learn more about the Cheetah class action go to: http://bespc.com/cmcm/ .

CURO Group Holdings Corp. (NYSE: CURO)

Class Period: July 31, 2018 - October 24, 2018

Lead Plaintiff Deadline: February 4, 2019

The complaint alleges that throughout the class period defendants issued false and misleading statements, including ongoing financial guidance, relating to CUROs efforts to transition its Canadian inventory of products from Single-Pay Loans to Open-End Loans. Specifically, the complaint alleges that defendants materially misrepresented to investors the deleterious effect that the up-front loan loss provisioning in connection with the transition was having on the companys financial performance and 2018 full-year company guidance. The truth was revealed after the market closed on October 24, 2018, when the company announced disappointing financial results for the third quarter of 2018 and substantially reduced its guidance for full-year fiscal 2018.

To learn more about the CURO class action go to: http://bespc.com/curo/ .

Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina Sociedad Anonima (NYSE: LOMA)

Class Period: Pursuant and/or traceable to Loma Negras initial public offering on or about November 1, 2017

Lead Plaintiff Deadline: February 4, 2019

The complaint alleges that Loma Negras Registration Statement contained materially false statements and omitted facts including: (1) downplaying and misrepresenting Loma Negras exposure to a massive, ongoing corruption scandal engulfing its majority owner, InterCement Participacoes S.A.; (2) misrepresenting a purported increased demand for Loma Negras cement and other products as a result of economic growth and government funding for public works projects in Argentina, as well as the purported benefits to Loma Negra from that increased demand; (3) misrepresenting events and trends in the Argentinian economy, as well as Loma Negras exposure thereto; and (4) including references to known risks that if occurring might or could affect Loma Negra, despite the fact that these risks had already materialized at the time of the IPO.

To learn more about the Loma Negra class action go to: http://bespc.com/loma/ .

Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C. is a New York-based law firm concentrating in commercial and securities litigation. For additional information about Bragar Eagel & Squire, P.C. please go to www.bespc.com . Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
The Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP), which quit the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) last month, also feels that the Uttar Pradesh type situation in which the BSP and SP kept Congress out of the alliance in Uttar Pradesh, will not happen in Bihar.

New Delhi: After the snub from Samajwadi party (SP) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and amidst reports of rumblings within the Mahagatbandhan (Grand Alliance) in Bihar, a new ally says Congress President Rahul Gandhi is fit to be Prime Minister and the party backs him for the top post.

"Our party is supporting Rahul Gandhi for Prime Minister. This is not the decision of the Grand Alliance but our party wants him to be the Prime Ministerial candidate," RLSP President Upendra Kushwaha told IANS in an interview.

"Rahul is fit to be Prime Minister. In recent times he has matured. He has an understanding of the country. In his family he has seen a lot of ups and downs. He is understanding the world now. He is young and so he should be Prime Minister," he said.

The former Union Minister also said that the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress need to take "a liberal attitude" for an early decision on the distribution of seats among the parties in the Grand Alliance in Bihar for the coming Lok Sabha elections.

"RJD and Congress are big parties. In Bihar, RJD is bigger and at the national level Congress is a bigger party. If both the parties get respectable number seats, the decision will be announced soon," Kushwaha said.

There are apparent differences between Congress and RJD over seats with the former keen to fight at least 12 of 40 seats in the state and latter keen to give only eight.

RLSP is likely to contest on five Lok Sabha seats in Bihar and one in Jharkhand.

Kushwaha, 58, who was a minister in Narendra Modi government and quit the NDA last month, said that key decisions were taken without consultations.

Citing a recent instance, he said that even ministers in the government were not aware that a 10 per cent quota for economically backward among the forward castes was going to be announced.

Kushwaha also accused Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and BJP of trying to destroy his party and said it was the biggest reason for him leaving NDA.

"NDA will not win any seat in Bihar. It will suffer due to Nitish Kumar in Bihar. The health and education scenario have worsened. Law and order situation is worse than what it was before and he has lost credibility by switching sides. People have understood that getting the chair is his priority. The BJP will also suffer due to this," he said.

Asked about reports of merger talks between RLSP and Sharad Yadav's Loktrantrik Janata Dal (LJD), he said it was not about merger between two parties but bringing together those who fight for social justice.

He said Sharad Yadav will fight the Lok Sabha elections from Bihar as a constituent of Grand Alliance. Kushshawa said he will be re-contesting the coming Lok Sabha elections from Karakat.

The grand alliance in Bihar comprises RJD, Congress, RLSP, Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) led by former Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) led by Mukesh Sahni and LJD.
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 24, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP (GPM) reminds investors of the March 12, 2019 deadline to file a lead plaintiff motion in the class action filed on behalf of investors that purchased Markel Corporation (Markel or the Company) (NYSE: MKL ) securities between July 26, 2017 and December 6, 2018, inclusive (the Class Period).



If you are a shareholder who suffered a loss, click here to participate.

On December 6, 2018, the Company disclosed that after having been contacted on November 30, 2018, it is fully cooperating with inquiries by US and Bermuda authorities into loss reserves recorded in late 2017 and early 2018 at Markel CATCo Investment Management Ltd and its subsidiaries. On this news, the Companys share price fell $99.70 per share, more than 8%, to close at $1,048.23 per share on December 7, 2018, on unusually high trading volume, thereby injuring investors.

The complaint filed in this class action alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements, as well as failed to disclose material adverse facts about the Companys business, operations, and prospects. Specifically, Defendants failed to disclose to investors: (1) that the Companys subsidiaries did not appropriately record loss reserves; (2) that, as a result, the loss reserves would need to be adjusted and/or restated; (3) that these misleading accounting practices would lead to regulatory scrutiny and financial loss to investors; and (4) that, as a result of the foregoing, Defendants positive statements about the Companys business, operations, and prospects, were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis.

Follow us for updates on Twitter: twitter.com/GPM_LLP .

If you purchased shares of Markel, you may move the Court no later than March 12, 2019 to ask the Court to appoint you as lead plaintiff. To be a member of the Class you need not take any action at this time; you may retain counsel of your choice or take no action and remain an absent member of the Class. If you wish to learn more about this action, or if you have any questions concerning this announcement or your rights or interests with respect to these matters, please contact Lesley Portnoy , Esquire, of GPM, 1925 Century Park East, Suite 2100, Los Angeles California 90067 at 310-201-9150, Toll-Free at 888-773-9224, by email to shareholders@glancylaw.com , or visit our website at www.glancylaw.com . If you inquire by email please include your mailing address, telephone number and number of shares purchased.

This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules.

Contacts

Glancy Prongay and Murray LLP, Los Angeles

Lesley Portnoy, 310-201-9150 or 888-773-9224

www.glancylaw.com

shareholders@glancylaw.com




Mumbai: The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) on Thursday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure that the government does not to give in to the "pressure tactics" of several global e-commerce players to postpone the February 1 deadline for implementing the new foreign direct investment (FDI) rules in e-commerce.

In a letter to the Prime Minister ahead of the February deadline, CAIT said the new FDI rules in e-commerce will enable millions of traders to return to business and "crores of families who have been adversely impacted economically, will again be able to conduct business in a fair environment."

"It has been observed that several global e-commerce players in association with vested interest chambers and organisations are using all kinds of pressure tactics to halt the clarification issued by the Commerce Ministry," CAIT wrote.

E-commerce giants, Walmart-owned Flipkart and American multinational Amazon, had sought an extension of the FDI implementation deadline of February 1 on the grounds that the changed regulations require extensive restructuring of their business model.

As per the new norms, online marketplaces such as Flipkart and Amazon have been barred from selling products of companies where they hold stakes and the government has also banned exclusive marketing arrangements that could influence product prices.

"Such a step will prove to be much beneficial not only to about 7 crore small businesses in both offline and online but in long term will also be benefited to the consumers of the country," the traders' body said with reference to the new FDI rules in e-commerce.

"It is appreciated that the government has recognised the illusion created by global e-commerce players in the country and under the garb were indulging into all kinds of malpractices including predatory pricing, deep discounting, loss funding and exclusivity which converted the e-commerce market into an uneven level playing field devoid of any fair competition," it added.

At a press conference here earlier this month, CAIT also demanded that the government make it mandatory for the e-commerce companies to obtain a compliance certificate as on March 3, 2019, and companies without such a certificate should face restrictions in operating their ecommerce portals.

"The companies should not be allowed to raise funds until compliance certificate is obtained. Already companies have circumvented law by converting the marketplace to an open market for B2C (business-to-consumer) business, which is against the FDI policy and its letter and spirit," CAIT Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal had said.

CAIT on Thursday said that e-commerce majors are circumventing the spirit of the policy by using artificial companies on their portals for influencing the price of the commodity.

"Millions of families of small businesses have been greatly disrupted due to unethical business practices of such e commerce players and many retailers had to shut their shops and huge job loss happened in the retail sector," the body said.
SHEPHERDSTOWN  Winter may be looming over the Eastern Panhandle right now, but spring will soon be upon us. And with that, comes the need to clean out our homes in preparation for the new year. But what can community members do with their spring cleaning items?

One solution may be to donate them to a local organization, such as Trinity Thrift Shop.

Its good for the environment and its helpful to people in the community, said volunteer scheduling manager Aileen Boyd.

Proceeds from the shop do not benefit the shops landlord and supervising body, Trinity Episcopal Church. Instead, they are donated in $500 increments to local charity organizations, according to Boyd.

We meet two to three times a year, to give away this money, Boyd said, mentioning the monetary donations must be approved by the church before being acted upon. The donations have to pass through the vestry, which is the governing body of the church. At this point, were giving away $12,000 a year.

According to Boyd, the thrift shop tries to maintain a high standard for items on its shelves. However, the donations which dont meet the shops standards are rarely put to waste.

The two main things the shop cannot accept are toys, furniture and technological items, such as televisions and computers, due to safety and storage reasons. An exception may be made for educational toys. But all of the shops other donations are put to use in the store, given to local residents in need or donated to First Baptist Church in downtown Martinsburgs clothing closet.

We try very hard not to throw things away, Boyd said, mentioning the shop does have signs posted, explaining what types of donations the shop will accept.

Every Thursday morning, the volunteers sort through donations dropped off at the shops back porch throughout the week. The items which the store can use must be clean, and include clothing, jewelry, purses, books, movies, house wares and holiday items.

Those who donate to the shop should keep an itemized list, so they can ask for a tax receipt during business hours, Thursdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

And, according to Boyd, if youre looking for some good conversation, dont just drop off donations and leave.

I truly believe that one of the services we provide, is someone to talk to in the community, Boyd said, mentioning the shops volunteers are known for having a good listening ear. Many people will come in just to talk.
HOUSTON, Jan. 24, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Equus Total Return, Inc. (NYSE: EQS) (Equus or the Company) today announced that its shareholders have granted a new authorization to the Companys Board of Directors (hereinafter, the Board) to cause the Companys withdrawal of its election to be classified as a business development company (BDC) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the 1940 Act). Previous authorizations to this effect were given to the Board in 2017 and 2018, all of which have since expired. The new authorization given to the Board by the Equus shareholders expires on July 31, 2019. These authorizations are a consequence of the Companys Plan of Reorganization announced on May 15, 2014 (also referred to herein as the Plan).



In announcing the Plan, Equus stated its intention to implement the Plan which entailed, among other things: (i) the restructuring of the Company by way of an acquisition of, or merger with, an operating company (referred to in the Plan as a Consolidation), and (ii) a withdrawal of the Companys election to be classified as a BDC. Although Equus has been authorized to withdraw and terminate the Companys BDC election under the 1940 Act, it will not submit any such withdrawal unless and until Equus has entered into a definitive agreement to effect a Consolidation.

The Companys Board of Directors, together with management, regularly reviews and evaluates the Companys performance, prospects and long-term strategic plans in light of the Companys business and the industries in which it invests. These reviews have included periodic consideration of potential strategic transactions to maximize value to shareholders. Management of the Company has explored various strategic options to maximize shareholder value that could, if effected, result in the acquisition of the Company by another corporation or a change in the Companys structure from a BDC into an operating company. These efforts culminated in the adoption of the Plan.

Since the adoption of the Plan, Company management has examined a number of potential transactions and strategic alternatives to effect a Consolidation under the Plan. On April 24, 2017, Equus entered into an agreement to acquire U.S. Gas & Electric, Inc. (USG&E), a retail and commercial energy services provider. This agreement was terminated on May 30, 2017 by USG&E when it notified Equus that the USG&E board had received an acquisition offer from a third party that was deemed by USG&E to constitute a Superior Proposal to the terms and conditions offered to the USG&E shareholders by the Company. Since the termination of the agreement to acquire USG&E, the Company has again examined a number of potential transactions in a variety of industries, including energy, natural resources, containers and packaging, technology, and telecommunications.

While Equus is endeavoring to achieve a Consolidation and is presently evaluating various opportunities that could enable it to do so, no assurance can be given that the Company will be able to complete a Consolidation before July 31, 2019 or at all. Moreover, no assurance can be given that the terms of any such transaction that would embody a Consolidation would be acceptable to the Company or its stockholders.

The completion of the Plan and the restructuring of Equus into an operating company are subject to various conditions, risks, and uncertainties, among which include the following:

Although the Equus shareholders have authorized the Companys withdrawal as a BDC, they have not approved a Consolidation, the consummation of which is the final step in the Plan. Moreover, although Company management is presently reviewing various potential transactions, the Equus Board has not, at this time, approved any proposed Consolidation and the Company cannot guarantee that, once such Board approval is obtained, the Equus shareholders will in turn approve the same. Consequently, the Company cannot guarantee that it will withdraw its BDC election, or the exact timing of such withdrawal, or that Equus will otherwise complete the Consolidation and become an operating company not subject to the 1940 Act.



Even if Equus enters into a definitive agreement that would result in a Consolidation, it may not be able to fulfill the closing conditions thereunder and, therefore, may ultimately not complete a Consolidation within the time frame authorized by the Equus shareholders to withdraw the Companys BDC election.



If Equus is able to be restructured as an operating company instead of a closed-end fund, it will continue to be subject to various investor protections afforded to operating company shareholders pursuant to Delaware corporate law and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Further, assuming that Equus, following the Consolidation, meets the operating company listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), the Companys shareholders will also be afforded protections under applicable NYSE rules. Nevertheless, since Equus will not be regulated under the 1940 Act following a Consolidation, the Company will not be subject to a number of limitations and restrictions of the 1940 Act intended to protect shareholders, including, for example, restrictions on leverage, types and domicile of investments, and restrictions on the Companys ability to change its business. Further, even though Equus would continue to be subject to various restrictions concerning its securities and interested transactions under the Securities Exchange Act, applicable stock exchange rules, and Delaware law, it would not also be subject to more restrictive 1940 Act provisions concerning similar issues, such as share repurchases below net asset value, the issuance of Equus securities other than common stock for investments and acquisitions, the ratio of independent to interested directors on the Equus Board, related party transactions, and director and officer incentive compensation.

These risks should be considered in addition to the items identified as Risk Factors in the Companys most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) on April 17, 2018.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements regarding possible future circumstances. These forward-looking statements are based upon the Companys current expectations and assumptions and are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in such forward-looking statements including, in particular, the performance of the Company, including our ability to achieve our expected financial and business objectives, our ability to execute our reorganization (including a possible Consolidation) and complete the transactions contemplated thereby, the other risks and uncertainties described herein, as well as those contained in the Companys filings with the SEC. Actual results, events, and performance may differ. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as to the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. The inclusion of any statement in this release does not constitute an admission by the Company or any other person that the events or circumstances described in such statements are material.

Contacts:

Patricia Baronowski

Pristine Advisers, LLC

(631) 756-2486




This week the Department for Transport (DfT) has launched Maritime 2050, the first ever long-term strategy for the UKs maritime sector. Developed in close collaboration with Maritime UK, the umbrella body for the UK maritime industry, this strategy is obviously good news; it is evidence that the UK Government has recognised the importance of the maritime sector, and it is evidence that all sectors of the industry have successfully worked together to get a cohesive message across. Maritime UK has done some remarkable work  not least in building relationships with politicians and civil servants, and in delivering a well-tuned, coordinated approach.

So what did I do? I clicked on the executive summary (52 pages) and searched for the word Brexit. Readers, it wasnt there. But not to worry. I found EU exit twice:

First, in the introduction: As the UK looks to reframe its relationship with the world, the time is right to set our vision for the future of the maritime sector. We are confident the maritime sector will thrive and strengthen, as it harnesses the opportunities that EU exit brings.

Second, in the section on trade: UK trade operates within a global rules-based framework, to date under the auspices of the European Community and the European Union. Following EU exit we will be able to sign bespoke trade deals and align trade policy with national economic interests. Regaining our independence at international fora such as the World Trade Organization (WTO) will allow us to intensify current support for the rules-based system, maximise our influence on shaping the future of the sector and its role in facilitating global trade.

Oh, the irony of a vision that looks forward more than three decades and publication of the DfTs detailed freight forecasts on the same day, when the UK actually has no idea what will happen in nine weeks time. March 29, the date when the UK is officially due to leave the European Union, looms ever larger.

Read more: Brexit vote defeat - British Ports Association warns on 'disorderly withdrawal' from the EU

Brexit vote defeat - British Ports Association warns on 'disorderly withdrawal' from the EU

But lets put that to one side, except to stay that Brexit has, at least, raised the profile of the maritime sector and the importance of trade.

Maritime 2050 is based around seven themes: technology, trade, environment, people, infrastructure, security/resilience, and the UKs competitive advantage. For each, there are recommendations for short, medium and long-term priorities. Some are for Government, some are for the UK maritime sector, which includes our social partners, and an overwhelming majority will only be achieved through collective endeavour, says the report.

It isnt short on detail, either. The full report, more than 300 pages, considers the opportunities to be grasped in new technologies such as autonomy and clean growth; discusses how to drive coastal economic development to create a coastal powerhouse; highlights the importance of hinterland connectivity, referring to the 2018 Port Connectivity Study which concluded that both ports and the wider economy can benefit from investment to improve hinterland access; emphasises the importance of growing a skilled and diverse workforce; and declares that the Government will work with industry to develop a maritime innovation hub bringing together expertise, support technology development and boost regional productivity.

Just a few examples.

But then I came to the section about the UK flag and the strategys ambitions for global recognition of the UK Ship Registry (UKSR) as a quality brand. It says: Targeted promotion of the UK offer along with ongoing review to ensure the service remains in a leading position are envisaged. Longer term, horizon scanning and government support through the MCA will help support growth.

The trouble is, P&O Ferries has just announced that its fleet of six cross-Channel ferries are to be switched from the UK flag to the Cyprus flag ahead of Brexit  so that they can continue to operate under an EU flag.

Read more: North P&I to insure EU business from Ireland in post-Brexit plan

Then theres the commitment to air quality. The UK will actively drive the transition to zero emission shipping in its waters, moving faster than competitor countries and international standards to capitalise on economic benefits and be seen as a role model in the field.

Air pollution is a significant risk to human health, says the report, and Maritime 2050 is concerned with the impact of maritime air pollution on the marine and the immediate coastal environment.

Suddenly, I was back at that B word. This week, schools in Kent have been warned by the county council that air pollution could be so bad from traffic congestion linked to Dover after a no-deal Brexit that they could be forced to go into lockdown, as well as dealing with potential teacher shortages and disruption to exams.

But I must finish on a positive. Maritime 2050 is intentionally ambitious. It says: If we do not set the ambition high, we risk limited progress. Maritime is truly global and will move where business is best. Therefore, we must maintain and improve our offering. Maritime 2050 is a recognition that our maritime future will not look like our maritime past. While we will not be world-leaders across the entirety of the sector, the expertise we have honed over generations will allow us to lead in certain areas such as technological and environmental innovation, and in high quality maritime business services.
The Yantian Express suffered a fire in container while transiting the Atlantic from Canada on 3 January. The fire spread to other containers forcing the evacuation of the vessel with it taking firefighting tugs a week to bring the fire under control and largely contained.

Hapag-Lloyd said the salvage master from Smit had taken the decision to sail the vessel to Freeport in the Bahamas.

Once there, the recovery and assessment efforts of the cargo can proceed in a safer environment. At present, the container ship is approximately 1,250 nautical miles from the Bahamas and is expected to arrive in Freeport by next week, the company said.

Read more: Unfinished business  a poor start to the year for marine safety

The vessel is sailing under its own power with a tug escort. Originally it had been planned to sail the vessel to Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Hapag-Lloyd said it was not able to make a precise estimate of the cargo damage.
SAN DIEGO, Jan. 24, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- IntelligenceBank, the leading marketing operations platform, today announced another consecutive quarter of double digit year on year growth. The past quarter ending December 2018 resulted in a 96% year on year sales growth compared to the same period in 2017.



For the quarter, over 30 new customers were added from a range of industries including environmentally friendly footwear, government, technology, franchise, health, financial services and construction businesses. IntelligenceBank is delighted to be welcoming these exciting customers who share our passion for making marketing processes more efficient.

A selection of the new customers include; Allbirds, Eyemed, Wisetech Global, Bupa, Minor Hotels Bangkok, American Ag Credit, Yale Club New York, Isuzu and Home Franchise Concepts.

According to Tessa Court, CEO of IntelligenceBank, Our sales performance highlights that our marketing operations platform is addressing a specific and urgent need among marketing departments worldwide  to streamline creative development processes and provide governance tracking and reporting on content.

Throughout the past quarter, IntelligenceBank released several new features to help marketers better manage content marketing initiatives. These included; content scheduling with advanced calendars and timelines, public content sharing tracking and governance, and advanced workflows that comply with financial services creative approvals frameworks.

Contact

Rob Weisz, VP of Marketing, IntelligenceBank, +61 3 8618 7800



About IntelligenceBank

IntelligenceBank is the leading marketing operations platform, helping content marketers better and more seamlessly manage digital assets, creative content approvals and compliance, and creative project management. IntelligenceBanks beautifully designed platform is used by over 400 brands with 250,000+ users in 55 countries. IntelligenceBank has offices in the US, Canada and Australia. For more information, visit http://www.intelligencebank.com
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 24, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Graphite One Resources Inc. (GPH: TSX-V; GPHOF: OTCQB) (Graphite One or the Company) Graphite One announces that it is in the process of implementing an important next step in its corporate strategy to create an integrated graphite products company intended to create value to its shareholders. The Company intends to proceed with a name change to Graphite One Inc. It is also announcing at this time that it intends to seek approval to convert its existing debt owed to Taiga Mining Company, Inc. (Taiga) into common shares of the Company and in connection, the creation of Taiga as a new control person.



The Company will seek shareholder approval at a Special Meeting on February 22, 2019 (the Special Meeting). In connection with the Special Meeting, the Company has filed on SEDAR a Notice of Meeting and Information Circular. Details of the Special Meeting will be contained in the materials that will be mailed out to shareholders of record as of January 17, 2019.

The Company intends to seek shareholder approval to change its name to Graphite One Inc. to present the Company as more than a resource development company as it progresses with developing into a technology and manufacturing entity as well as a resource development company.

The Company also intends to seek disinterested shareholder approval to convert the existing debt owed to Taiga as announced in the press release of December 28, 2018 into 13,300,000 common shares at a price of Cdn$0.05 per common share. Taiga currently holds 62,695,553 shares representing approximately 19.22% of the outstanding common shares and 62,695,553 warrants. In addition, the principals of Taiga also hold 1,000,000 share purchase options in the Company. As such, the conversion of Taigas debt will result in Taiga holding 75,995,553 common shares of the Company being approximately 22.4% of the outstanding shares of the Company on an undiluted basis, 39.5% on a fully diluted basis and Taiga will become a control person (as such term is defined in the policies of the TSXV).

In accordance with the policies of the TSXV and Multilateral instrument 61-101  Protection of Minority Shareholders in Special Transactions (MI 61-101), the conversion of the debt is considered a related party transaction and will be exempt from the formal valuation requirement of MI 61-101 on the basis that the common shares issued will be a distribution of securities of the Company for debt settlement and neither Graphite One nor, to the knowledge of Graphite One after reasonable inquiry, Taiga have knowledge of any material information concerning the Company or its securities that has not been generally disclosed.

Closing of the conversion of debt is expected to occur on or before the end of February, provided shareholder approval is obtained. All common shares will be issued subject to a four month hold period.

Taiga has a long-term view of the investment and may acquire common shares of the Company either on the open market or through private acquisitions or sell the common shares on the open market or through private dispositions in the future depending on market conditions, reformulation of plans and/or other relevant factors.

About Graphite One Resources Inc.

GRAPHITE ONE RESOURCES INC. (GPH: TSX-V; GPHOF: OTCQB) continues to develop its Graphite One Project (the Project), whereby the Company could potentially become an American producer of high grade Coated Spherical Graphite (CSG) that is integrated with a domestic graphite resource. The Project is proposed as a vertically integrated enterprise to mine, process and manufacture high grade CSG primarily for the lithium-ion electric vehicle battery market. As set forth in the Companys Preliminary Economic Assessment, potential graphite mineralization mined from the Companys Graphite Creek Property, is expected to be processed into concentrate at a graphite processing plant. The proposed processing plant would be located on the Graphite Creek Property situated on the Seward Peninsula about 60 kilometers north of Nome, Alaska. CSG and other value-added graphite products, would likely be manufactured from the concentrate at the Companys proposed graphite product manufacturing facility, the location of which is the subject of further study and analysis. The Company intends to make a production decision on the Project once a feasibility study is completed.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS



"Anthony Huston (signed)

For more information on Graphite One Resources Inc. please visit the Companys website, www.GraphiteOneResources.com or contact:

Anthony Huston

CEO, President & Director

Tel: (604) 697-2862

Email: AnthonyH@GraphiteOneResources.com

Investor Relations Contact

1-604-684-6730

GPH@kincommunications.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.

Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as proposes, expects, or is expected, scheduled, estimates, projects, intends, assumes, believes, indicates or variations of such words and phrases that state that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, might or will be taken, occur or be achieved.

This release includes certain statements that may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts included in this release, including, without limitation, statements addressing timing and receipt of shareholder approval and regulatory approvals, exploration drilling, exploitation activities and events or developments that the Company expects, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking information in this news release includes statements about Graphite Ones strategy, future operations and prospects. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, exploitation and exploration successes, continuity of mineralization, uncertainties related to the ability to obtain necessary permits, licenses and title and delays due to third party opposition, changes in government policies regarding mining and natural resource exploration and exploitation, and continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this forward-looking information, which is given as of the date that is expressed in this news release, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking information, except as required by applicable securities laws. For more information on the Company, investors should review the Company's continuous disclosure filings that are available at www.sedar.com.
The observation that Galapagos finches possessed different beak shapes to obtain different foods was central to the theory of evolution by natural selection, and it has been assumed that this relationship holds true across all bird species. However, a University of Bristol-led study suggests bird beaks are not as adapted to the food types the birds feed on as it is generally believed.

In the study, University of Bristol researcher Guillermo Navalon and colleagues used computational and mathematical techniques to better understand the connection between beak shapes and functions in living birds.

By measuring beak shape in a wide range of modern bird species from museum collections and looking at information about how the beak is used by different species to eat different foods, they were able to assess the link between beak shape and feeding behavior.

The connection between beak shapes and feeding ecology in birds was much weaker and more complex than we expected and that while there is definitely a relationship there, many species with similarly shaped beaks forage in entirely different ways and on entirely different kinds of food, Navalon said.

This is something that has been shown in other animal groups, but in birds this relationship was always assumed to be stronger.

This is, to our knowledge, the first approach to test a long-standing principle in biology: that the beak shape and function of birds is tightly linked to their feeding ecologies, said co-author Professor Emily Rayfield, also from the University of Bristol.

These results only made sense when you realize birds use the beak for literally everything. Therefore, also makes sense they evolved a versatile tool not just for getting food, but also to accomplish many other tasks, added co-author Dr. Jesus Marugan-Lobon, a scientist at the Universidad Autonoma de Madrid.

The study is part of a larger research to better understand the main drivers of the evolution of the skull in birds.

We have seen similar results before in birds of prey, but this is the first time we studied the link between beak shape and ecology across all bird groups, said co-author Dr. Jen Bright, a researcher at the University of South Florida.

We looked at a huge range of beak shapes and feeding ecologies: hummingbirds, eagles, parrots, puffins, flamingos, pretty much every beak you can think of.

The teams results appear in the journal Evolution.

_____

Guillermo Navalon et al. The evolutionary relationship among beak shape, mechanical advantage, and feeding ecology in modern birds. Evolution, published online December 8, 2018; doi: 10.1111/evo.13655
Rockville, MD -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/25/2019 -- Air Traffic Smart Tower Solutions Market: Introduction



Nowadays, people are resorting to using airlines to reduce their travel time and increase comfortability. Air traffic is increasing year by year due to the existence of multiple airline companies around the world. Air traffic smart tower solutions are used for voice transmission and reception between two or more aircraft, or between aircraft and traffic management towers. The shift of air traffic smart tower solutions from ground-based navigation surveillance to satellite-based navigation surveillance has created a positive impact on the growth of the air traffic smart tower solutions market.



Most vendors in the air traffic smart tower solutions market are adopting several enhanced technologies like VHF radio systems, air traffic management through 4D trajectory, and wireless communication technologies. Air traffic smart tower solutions are being adopted on a large scale, with large- to medium-sized enterprises operating in the field. These established companies of air traffic smart tower solutions invest significant amounts in their research and development wings in order to develop and manufacture technologically advanced air traffic smart tower solutions for smart airports.



Request For Sample @ https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=S&rep_id=2649



An air traffic smart tower solution provides interaction opportunity to the pilot and the ground station controller, and also between two different pilots. Modernization in air traffic smart tower solutions is also adopted by many organizations.



Air Traffic Smart Tower Solutions Market: Drivers and Challenges



Drivers



As technology is transforming in smarter ways, connected devices in the air traffic smart tower solutions market are playing an important role by providing centralized access to multiple electronic devices. The primary factor which is driving the air traffic smart tower solutions market is the growing demand for efficient logistics and travelling throughout the world. The growth of the air traffic smart tower solutions market is being boosted due to the rise in the number of travellers through airlines, and also due to the acceptance of smart city projects. Defence organisations in different nations are also using air traffic smart tower solutions for advanced security and other purposes. These are the primary factors which are increasing the growth of the air traffic smart tower solutions market throughout the world.



Challenges



Air traffic smart tower solutions are adopted by many organizations to keep track of any aircraft. But there are some challenges which are being faced by these users. High initial investment and elongated approval periods are the major challenges faced by most of the vendors in the aircraft communication systems space. These are the primary factors which are hindering the growth of the air traffic smart tower solutions market.



Air Traffic Smart Tower Solutions Market: Competition Landscape



The names of the companies covered in the air traffic smart tower solutions market are FREQUENTIS AG, Thales Group, Indra Sistemas, Lockheed Martin, Harris Corporation, Presagis, M3 Systems, Saab, Croatia Control, Avitech Gmbh, and others.



Request For Brochure @ https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=B&rep_id=2649



Air Traffic Smart Tower Solutions Market: Regional Overview



On the basis of geography, the North American air traffic smart tower solutions market is expected to capture the largest market share, owing to well-developed air traffic smart tower solution developing companies, and due to the presence of various innovative technologies in the region. The European and MEA air traffic smart tower solutions markets are also expected to gain substantial market share due to the introduction of new technologies and applications. APAC is expected to be the fastest growing air traffic smart tower solutions market, owing to the government initiatives being taken towards the improvement of technologies by emerging economies such as India and China, and the increase in the number of travellers and threats from terrorist organisations.



The air traffic smart tower solutions markets in Latin America and Japan are also expected to witness high growth rates in the coming period, due to an increase in the demand for new technologies in the transportation industry.



Report Analysis @ https://www.factmr.com/report/2649/air-traffic-smart-tower-solutions-market



The report is a compilation of first-hand information, qualitative and quantitative assessment by industry analysts, and inputs from industry experts and industry participants across the value chain. The report provides in-depth analysis of parent market trends, macro-economic indicators, and governing factors, along with market attractiveness as per segment. The report also maps the qualitative impact of various market factors on market segments and geographies.
NEW YORK, Jan. 24, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Brookfield Public Securities Group LLC will host a webcast for the Brookfield Global Listed Infrastructure Income Fund Inc. (NYSE: INF) (the Fund) on Thursday, January 31, 2019 at 4:30pm ET. Brookfield will provide an update on the Fund and on general market conditions.



There will be an opportunity to ask questions about the Fund during the call. Questions may also be submitted ahead of the call by sending an e-mail to publicsecurities.enquiries@brookfield.com.

Registration and Webcast Link: https://edge.media-server.com/m6/p/knjqd289

A replay will be available via this link shortly following the webcast.

A transcript of the call will also be available by calling 855-777-8001 or emailing publicsecurities.enquiries@brookfield.com.

Brookfield Public Securities Group LLC (the Firm) is an SEC-registered investment adviser and represents the Public Securities platform of Brookfield Asset Management Inc., providing global listed real assets strategies including real estate equities, infrastructure and energy infrastructure equities, multi-real-asset-class strategies and real asset debt. With approximately $16.5 billion of assets under management as of December 31, 2018, the Firm manages separate accounts, registered funds and opportunistic strategies for institutional and individual clients, including financial institutions, public and private pension plans, insurance companies, endowments and foundations, sovereign wealth funds and high net worth investors. The Firm is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Brookfield Asset Management Inc., a leading global alternative asset manager with approximately $330 billion of assets under management as of September 30, 2018. For more information, go to www.brookfield.com.

The Brookfield Global Listed Infrastructure Income Fund Inc. is managed by Brookfield Public Securities Group LLC. The Fund uses its website as a channel of distribution of material company information. Financial and other material information regarding the Fund is routinely posted on and accessible at www.brookfield.com.

COMPANY CONTACT

Brookfield Global Listed Infrastructure Income Fund Inc.

Brookfield Place

250 Vesey Street, 15th Floor

New York, NY 10281-1023

(855) 777-8001

publicsecurities.enquiries@brookfield.com




The ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday for the Shelter Island Launch Ramp was spit-shined and polished, from the Port of San Diegos snappy press release, to muckety-mucks with oversized scissors at the ready, to a group of Polynesian dancers.

The moment loomed as huge for the sportfishing crowd, which waited  and waited  and waited some more for the $9.6 million project to re-open the most direct access to San Diego Bay through, the Port maintains, the busiest ramp in California.

Make no mistake, though: This was a breech birth, from the projects bow to stern.

Patience is indeed a virtue, Port Chairman Garry Bonelli said to the assembled crowd. Patience, patience, patience.

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Theres zero doubt the undertaking, a beautiful 10-lane aquatic front porch, will spark activity at a place that already logged in excess of 50,000 documented launches annually before its extreme makeover. Using identical space, engineers increased maneuverability by 80 percent, doubled the dock footage, built an impressive walkway, modernized lights and signs, and addressed ADA accessibility requirements.

The whole of it also reminded us how long it can take a kitchen clogged with chefs to bake meaningful and lasting results.

It took forever, mostly because its California and the regulations, red tape and hurdles you have to jump through, said Scott Sherman, an avid fisherman and San Diego councilman. Then you had to find the funding. It was one of those things in government, it just doesnt happen overnight unfortunately.

Sherman used to eyeball tidal patterns to weigh the risk of using the old ramp to launch or trailer his 25-foot Parker.

At low tide, you wouldnt even consider launching a fairly large boat, he said. Now theres a lot more room to maneuver and a lot more room to tie up down there.

Theres no argument, the ramp was sorely needed. The end product, too, provided a whistle-worthy finish line. The winding, halting, bumpy path to make it happen, however, offers a fascinating glimpse at the frustrating grind required to get there.

Jim Brown, who worked as San Diego City Lakes Manager for nearly 29 years, recalled conversations with then-Department of Boating and Waterways Director Raynor Tsuneyoshi about a full-scale ramp rethink that dates all the way to 2003. Grabbing the ear of Port officials back then proved, um, challenging.

A Boating and Waterways report show that between 1960 and 2000, registered boat ownership in California rocketed from 11.2 per thousand residents to 26.2. The stress and strain in San Diego, a sportfishing mecca, became even more pronounced.

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Those in the fishing community asked and asked and asked themselves hoarse about the ramp debut, which quietly happened on Dec. 21.

People were frustrated, said Catherine Miller, a member of the plucky ramps neighboring Outboard Boating Club whose family helped found H&M Landing. They would check in on a regular basis to see when it would be done. Without it, it was a great inconvenience to get to the water.

Its very meaningful to this whole boating community, commercial and sport. A lot of people were impacted. Mission Bay and Coronado were adversely impacted, because they took up the slack.

Coronado Councilman Bill Sandke explained the ripples felt across the waterways of San Diego. His communitys ramp, which has parking for only 12 to 14 trailers, suddenly was swamped with those willing to cover the additional eight-mile nautical trip to Point Loma just to reach the bay.

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That crush led to a few cranky captains. Sandke said the Port offered help with security during the Shelter Island closure.

On occasion wed have a fracas or two with all the people trying to get their boats out after a long day on the water, he said.

The trickle down revealed itself in other ways, as well.

When the ramp was closed, youd pull up to the (Everingham) bait receiver (in the bay) and sometimes you had to wake the guys up to scoop bait, Sherman said. In the old days when it was open, even with the sub-standard ramp, youd show up during tuna season and there would be a line of 10, 11, 12 boats. So all the ancillary business that goes with it, it makes a huge difference.

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There were so many things that went on with this, government related, it was just nuts. But its finally here. Its great to see it.

Buck Everingham of Everingham Brothers Bait Co. said the stranglehold on the Shelter Island ramp impacted business by 10-15 percent. Boats with permanent slips on the bay stemmed the damage.

Im very glad its open, he said.

All good things to those who wait. And wait. And wait.

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bryce.miller@sduniontribune.com; Twitter: @Bryce_A_Miller
Assemblyman Brian Maienscheins announcement Thursday he is switching from being a Republican to a Democrat is not going down well with leaders of his former party.

Brian Maienschein has shown himself to be the absolute worst kind of politician; someone making decisions based on politics instead of principles,' said Tony Krvaric, chairman of the county Republican Party. By running for re-election (last November) as a Republican, he was making a statement about who he was and now he is switching parties for self-preservation and political games.

Assembly Republican leader Marie Waldron called Maienschein a turncoat.

Its unfortunate that Brians takeaway from his extremely close reelection was that his political future depended on becoming a turncoat. Unfortunately some people run for office simply because they want a job, regardless of political philosophy, Waldron said in a statement. It appears that Brian falls into this category.

In a statement regarding his re-registration, Maienschein issued a rebuke to a political party he feels has become too partisan, specifically mentioning President Donald Trump. However, the former San Diego city councilman also stated that his policy positions have changed, noting his support for labor unions, universal healthcare and a belief that the safety of local communities should be held above the right to own automatic weapons.

Maienschien, whose 77th District includes Poway, Rancho Bernardo and 4S Ranch, narrowly won re-election in November, defeating Democratic challenger Sunday Gover by a margin of 50.2 percent to 49.8 percent.

Maienschein, a Poway High School graduate and Carmel Mountain Ranch resident, was one of the last Republicans representing San Diego County in the Assembly, leaving Marie Waldron, R-Escondido, and Randy Voepel, R-Santee, in that position.

Local Republicans argued Maienscheins move invalidates his re-election, with Waldron calling him a turncoat, according to The Associated Press. The Republican Party of San Diego County went a step further, calling for Maienscheins immediate resignation.

Maienscheins re-registration further strengthens Democrats vast supermajority in the Assembly, which now totals 61 of the chambers 80 seats.

Leaving the Republican Party is not easy, Maienschein said. I can either keep fighting to change the Republican Party or I can fight for my constituents. I choose to use my energy and skills for the people I represent.

The last time a local politician changed parties was in 2013, when Nathan Fletcher, then a candidate for San Diego mayor, announced he was leaving the Republican Party and becoming an independent. Fletcher had represented inland North County in the Assembly from 2008 to 2012. He became an independent after the county Republican Party endorsed Rancho Bernardo resident Carl DeMaio for mayor. Fletcher later switched to the Democratic Party and last November was elected to a seat on the nonpartisan county Board of Supervisors.

- City News Service, with additional reporting by Steve Dreyer.

Email: editor@pomeradonews.com
Enjoy a free concert at the Rancho Bernardo Library with the Neave Trio.

The concert, sponsored by the Friends of the Rancho Bernardo Library, will be at 6:15 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 30 in the librarys second floor community room at 17110 Bernardo Center Drive.

The trio is comprised of Anna Williams on violin, Mikhail Veselov on cello and Eri Nakamura on piano.

The concerts program will include Claude Debussys Piano Trio in G Major, Dmitri Shostakovichs Piano Trio No. 2 in E minor, Op. 67 and Astor Piazzollas Las Cuatros Estaciones Portenas (Four Seasons of Buenos Aires).

The Debussy and Piazzolla pieces can be heard on the groups two most recent albums, French Moments, released in June, and Celebrating Piazzolla, released in November. The former features piano trios by Debussy, Faure and Roussel, while the latter honors the music of Piazzolla and features new arrangements by Leonardo Suarez Paz.

The trio formed in 2010 and has performed worldwide, including Carnegie Halls Weill Recital Hall, the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center/La Jolla Music Society, the Rockport Chamber Music Festival, the Norfolk and Norwich Chamber Music Series in the UK and the Samoylov and Rimsky Korsakow Museums Chamber Music Series in St. Petersburg, Russia.

The trio has also appeared frequently as soloists for Beethovens Triple Concerto with orchestra across the country and held residency positions at Brown University, ArtsAhimsa Chamber Music Festival, San Diego State University and the Banff Centre. In the fall of 2017, the members of the trio joined the faculty of the Longy School of Music of Bard College as Alumni Artists, Faculty Ensemble-in-Residence.

This concert is part of a series of classical and jazz concerts, held on the fourth Wednesday of the month, sponsored by the nonprofit group. The eight shows in the 2018-19 include six classical and two jazz concerts.

Upcoming concerts include The Peter Sprague Group with vocalist Rebecca Jade in February, the Orvieto Piano Trio in March, Holly Hofmann and Mike Wofford in April and the Aviara Piano Trio in May.

Seating is limited, so arrive early. Additional parking is available along the library on the second level. Attendees are recommended to bring a padded seat cushion and a sweater for comfort.

Email: entertainment@pomeradonews.com
Do you have dockless scooters  also known as e-scooters  obstructing walkways around your property or business in San Diego? This new company will get them out of your way for free. Seriously.

Scooter Removal LLC is the brainchild of John Heinkel and Dan Borelli. They say their mission is to help property owners and businesses deal with the of e-scooters and dockless bicycles parked around San Diego. Heinkel and Borelli say they make money by charging the e-scooter companies.

Its an unusual business model, to say the least. But these are unusual times when theres basically an uber-esque company for almost everything you can imagine.

As far as electric vehicles, I think theyre going to transform the transportation industry. The way the scooters have come about without having any guidelines or any user education, I think was the biggest mistake that was made. It was a very big sore thumb for this industry, Borelli told The San Diego Union-Tribune podcast, The Conversation.

The business model is simple: Scooter Removal employees respond to complaints of poorly-parked e-scooters. The company then reports them to the e-scooter companies and give them a few days to proactively remove them. If they dont, Scooter Removal impounds them and takes the e-scooters to a storage facility.

To retrieve their vehicles, e-scooter companies pay Scooter Removal a flat fee and a $2-per-day storage fee. They said they are confident this is fully legal.

In a podcast interview with The Conversation, Heinkel and Borelli talked at length about what motivated them to launch this service, the legal backlash they faced with the e-scooter companies and why they think this type of service is destined to grow.

Find this episode of The Conversation on Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher or wherever you get your podcasts:

Here are excerpts of that interview:

Q: How many e-scooters have you impounded [as of January]?

Heinkel: Around 6,000 scooters.

Q: How many calls do you get?

Borelli: We get about 15 calls a day.

Q: What kind of calls are you getting? Who is calling?

Borelli: Were getting mostly residential calls. We have residents who are fed up all over San Diego, which were trying to help individually each one at a time. Its a process  it takes just a few days to get the process rolling for each person. The commercial side of it, though, is a pretty cut and dried part. We post up the signs and we notify the companies and then well start pulling the products.

Q: How are you keeping up with the demand?

Borelli: We have a couple of employees running around in our trucks  Right now the demand is growing and were looking to expand and hire more people.

Q: Are there areas in San Diego County where you get calls more than others?

Heinkel: Of course. Downtown is a big one. Little Italy  its a big problem down there. Theyre tired of it.

Q: How do you feel about the e-scooters?

Borelli: Im in the bike business and Im a big advocate of electric bikes. As far as electric vehicles, I think theyre going to transform the transportation industry. The way the scooters have come about without having any guidelines or any user education, I think was the biggest mistake that was made. It was a very big sore thumb for this industry.

Heinkel: I generally dont ride them. And I am probably more old school. I still ride a skateboard at my age. I love to bike  Now, do I think they dont have a place in society? No, I think they have a place in society. I think they belong here. And I said earlier, its a great, great concept that has unfortunately been administered by very disrespectful people.

Listen to the podcast and let us know if you agree or not.

Email: luis.gomez@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @RunGomez

Listen to The Conversation on Soundcloud or wherever you get your podcasts.
Hasan Ikhrata knew what he was getting himself into when he accepted the job as the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) new executive director. As San Diego Countys regional planning agency, SANDAG is charged with mapping out and funding transportation projects throughout the county.

But the agency became so dysfunctional that in 2017 the state Legislature intervened to increase transparency in SANDAGs operations and ensure that decisions were made to best serve the needs of the majority of area residents.

The new and improved SANDAG  under Ikharatas leadership  now has a chance to make a game-changing investment in the future of our region. If we build a San Diego County Grand Central transit hub near the airport, our region may finally break out of the gridlock (both political and literal) that has dogged San Diego County for decades.

SANDAG has been studying the need for improved transit for years. As far back as 2009, the agency released a study known as Destination Lindbergh that clearly spelled out the benefits of creating an intermodal transit hub adjacent to the airport.

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Such a hub would serve as the keystone for a truly functional transit system that would serve residents throughout San Diego County, allow for rapid train travel throughout the county and to Los Angeles and, at long last, create a reasonable alternative to car-based transportation for our region.

Ikharatas San Diego Grand Central would allow riders to connect at the airport from trolleys, buses and Amtrak trains, including the regional Coaster and Sprinter lines as well as lines run all the way up to San Luis Obispo along the LOSSAN rail corridor. He envisions a future in which passengers could board commuter trains every five to 10 minutes, which would be a massive improvement over the current twice-an-hour schedule.

Most working people require a car to get from home to jobs because our current transit system is woefully deficient. As Ikharata himself has acknowledged, public transportation is not a real alternative when it takes three hours to complete a journey by bus that takes 40 minutes by car. This situation is unacceptable today and will be unworkable in the decades to come as our regional population continues to grow.

SANDAGs own studies show 85 percent of jobs in the county will be in urban centers by 2050, and that 80 percent of demand for new housing will also be in the urban core. Our region will function significantly better in the long run if build we up our downtown areas in a manner that favors biking, walking and transit over car travel.

Creating a dynamic intermodal hub will make this type of development realistic for the first time. For San Diego to remain competitive with other California cities, we must plan for the future we want instead of more of the lackluster transportation options we currently have.

Investing in large-scale transit projects like an intermodal transit hub near the airport will also create a significant number of well-paying, high-quality jobs for local workers.

If we match these investments with an aggressive plan for increased density in urban areas, San Diego County could find itself home to vibrant cities that complement the seaside towns and east county villages we have today.

Thats not only the smart way to go for our regional economy, its the type of development that will ensure San Diego remains livable for families of all income levels in the decades to come.

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San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer recently called for a reduction in parking requirements for new housing in select areas. This type of transit-friendly housing will be critical if we hope to transform our regions approach to transportation. City-specific policies within the county could go a long way toward supporting the kind of sustainable development that will work hand in glove with a robust intermodal transit system as Ikharata envisions.

We are on the verge of making decisions that could make or break the future of our region.

But for real change to happen, were going to need buy-in from leaders throughout the county and of all political stripes.

Its time for a new way forward, one where we move full speed ahead to embrace affordable housing; reasonable commutes with options that include public transit, biking, walking and driving; and economic prosperity for all.

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Browning is president of Unite Here Local 30 and a native San Diegan. Newsom is political director at IBEW 569, a local labor union representing 3,400 power professionals and electricians in San Diego and Imperial Counties.
For years, broken sewage infrastructure in Tijuana has spewed raw filth into the Tijuana River and then the Pacific Ocean, forcing regular closures at local beaches from the border to Coronado. Yet the U.S. and Mexican governments show a baffling disinterest in fixing a genuine public health crisis. Anything that shakes this lethargy is welcome.

Thats why San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer deserves kudos for publicly urging the City Council to join the lawsuit filed in September by California Attorney General Xavier Becerra and the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board against the Trump administration over its failure to address the toxic effluent coming from Mexico onto our shores. Faulconer believes that federal mitigation efforts may be near and that the lawsuit may force federal officials to act. The city has a Feb. 11 deadline to join Becerras suit. Given the general lack of progress in solving this problem with calm appeals to reason in Washington, D.C., and Mexico City, this decision should be a no-brainer for council members.

The Becerra suit is seen as more likely to produce quick results than a similar suit filed by Imperial Beach, Chula Vista and the Port of San Diego. But Faulconer and the council should consider joining that suit as well. The more pressure, the better.

Twitter: @sdutIdeas

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After hearing San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconers determination in his State of the City address to force San Diegans out of cars and into alternative transportation modes, I immediately assumed he was a regular user of our Metropolitan Transit System (MTS).

If Im wrong about that, Id like to invite him to accompany me on my weekday MTS #2 bus commute from my North Park home to my downtown job. Our field trip would acquaint him with the harsh realities of getting around San Diego without a car.

We would start by traveling the mile from my house to the nearest bus stop. That stretch includes two steep hills. If I walk it, I arrive at the bus stop sweating. My co-workers are lovely people, but they dont appreciate a colleague who reeks.

Without first mile/last mile service, I must drive to the bus stop and park nearby. When the city eliminates that parking, Ill have to rely on ride-share vehicles, and that will be costly.

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Well need to arrive at the bus stop early because the #2 bus has trouble staying on schedule and the GOMTS arrival time phone app is unreliable. And texting the letters G-O-M-T-S doesnt work. You have to punch in the corresponding numbers.

The #2 bus progresses slowly. A disproportionate number of passengers have trouble getting on and off. They include disabled riders in electric wheelchairs and transients with large trash bags or pull carts loaded with their possessions.

Many transient riders suffer from substance abuse and mental illness. Their occasional outbursts can be frightening.

Take King Davids agent, whose muscular strength and erect posture indicate a military background. This very intense man boards the bus with a giant wheeled suitcase. After sitting down, he takes out his smart phone to have a FaceTime conversation with King David.

Apparently, the king is coming back to annihilate all the bad people, and this agent is helping him sort them out. Once, when I was a #2 bus newbie, King Davids agent selected a passenger at random as one of the bad people, and he hectored that man for the rest of the ride.

When the passenger and I got off at the same stop, I asked why the driver didnt step in. He said any intervention would have escalated the situation and put us all at serious risk, especially if King Davids agent was armed.

Finally, because the mayor and I are able-bodied riders, we would sit toward the rear of the bus where I often encounter socially aggressive men who ask me personal questions about what I am wearing.

My family and friends question my decision to commute by bus. Why endure this dodgy 45-minute ride when I could drive to work in 15 minutes in the safety of my car?

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It is because I have felt a deep attachment to public transit since my mother took me on a Philadelphia trolley when I was in preschool. Like many East Coast expats who were mass transit devotees, I am heartsick that San Diego, a global hub of innovation, cant follow the example of less celebrated cities by constructing a viable system for getting people from place to place.

We keep hearing that maybe someday our transit system will somehow catch up to our transportation needs. But weve yet to see a serious plan with a timeline and a firm commitment of resources.

Ive painted a bleak picture of bus travel in San Diego. But there would be one bright spot in my mid-city field trip with the mayor: The driver who greets us as we step onto the bus.

From what Ive seen of #2 bus drivers, I suspect MTS quietly recruits from the ranks of practicing Buddhists. These women and men show amazing grace as they deal with a range of disruptions, including double-parked vehicles that block the street and impatient motorists who cut buses off.

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Watching drivers carefully load wheelchair passengers onto the electric lift and gently strap them into the handicapped berths is enough to bring anyone to tears.

The mayor should come ride with me. He needs to see for himself why so few San Diegans commute by bus. The fare is on me.

Callen is a co-founder of the SoNo Neighborhood Alliance, a community mobilization group serving Golden Hill/South Park and North Park. To learn about the alliance, go to sonoalliance.org.

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Contrary to legend, Marie Antoinette probably never actually said let them eat cake. The Trump administration is saying it loud and clear, though, to government workers who have now gone more than a month without a paycheck.

I dont really quite understand why unpaid employees are resorting to food pantries and other forms of charity, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross told CNBC on Thursday. They should just take out loans from banks or credit unions to pay for necessities, he advised. Of course theyd have to pay some interest, but theres no reason why some institution wouldnt be willing to lend.

Ross, who is a billionaire, should try supporting a family on less than $45,000 a year, like most Transportation Security Administration airport agents do. He would be shocked to learn that banks do not treat every prospective borrower the same. Where is the red carpet? Why are rose petals not being strewn in my path? What do you mean by no?

At least Ross didnt advise unpaid employees to do what President Trump did whenever his real-estate schemes threatened to collapse in ruin: Borrow millions of dollars from Dad.

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Meanwhile, National Economic Council Director Larry Kudlow told a reporter that federal employees who are being forced to work without pay are volunteering. The truth is, of course, that if they dont work, they will lose their jobs.

This is the heartless, clueless worldview with which Republicans in Congress have aligned themselves. They demonstrate no sympathy whatsoever for the 800,000 government employees  plus hundreds of thousands of contract workers  who are being made to suffer because Trump does not understand how the Constitution works.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is teaching the president, but hes a slow learner.

Trump got his latest lesson Wednesday when he sent Pelosi a letter arrogantly demanding that he be allowed to deliver his State of the Union address next Tuesday in the House chamber as originally scheduled. He was, in effect, daring Pelosi to follow through on her threat to postpone the speech until the government was reopened.

Pelosis response reminded me of another San Francisco enforcer, the fictional Dirty Harry, who told miscreants: Make my day. She gave Trump formal notice that she will not take the formal steps necessary to arrange the speech, period, until the shutdown is over. End of discussion.

Trump grumbled about how Pelosi  or Nancy, as I call her  doesnt want ... the American people to hear the truth, and he made defiant noises about giving the speech in some alternate venue. But finally he crumpled like a cheap suit, accepting Pelosis decision that the address will take place after the shutdown ends. Thats her prerogative, he acknowledged.

Just as he threatened not to surrender over the speech, Trump insists he will never cave on his demand that Congress give him $5.7 billion for a border wall. As I said, hes a slow learner. A deal that would let him claim some measure of victory has always been available. The only question is how much more political damage he wants to do to himself and his party before he takes it.

Leading Democrats in both the House and Senate have strongly indicated that they are willing to give Trump $5.7 billion for border security. Some portion of that money could be vaguely earmarked for barriers and fencing  allowing Trump to tell his base that Congress gave him money for his border wall, and Democrats to say they did no such thing.

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This would be a great deal for Trump because  and I cant say this often enough  the big, beautiful wall that he ridiculously promised during the campaign is totally unfeasible and will never be built, much less paid for by Mexico. And it would be a great deal for the president because the Constitution gives Congress, not the president, the power to decide how public money is spent.

All Trump is accomplishing with the shutdown is to send his approval numbers lower, even as measured by friendly pollsters such as Rasmussen. And if the government remains closed much longer, he will be hanging millstones around the necks of Republican senators who must run for re-election in 2020.

The fact that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has emerged from hiding tells me that hes ready to end this farce. He should start by explaining to Trump that the president doesnt always get his way  and that instead of referring to Pelosi as Nancy, he really ought to try Madam Speaker.

Robinson can be reached at eugenerobinson@washpost.com.
The likelihood that a 50-ton canister filled with nuclear waste would have tumbled 18 feet during an accident last summer was very low, Southern California Edison said Thursday, and even if it had dropped no radiation would have leaked.

There would have been no change in local or offsite dose rates, the utility told a U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission conference on Thursday. The canister would have remained cool and safe.

Edison accepted full responsibility for the August mishap, which left the heavy canister filled with spent fuel wedged precariously 18 feet from the bottom of its storage cavity at the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station for nearly one hour.

But the utility also said it responded appropriately to the misalignment by beefing up worker training, adding new safety equipment and strengthening its operational procedures to help prevent mistakes in the future.

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SONGS has performed thorough cause evaluations and implemented extensive corrective actions, the company said. SONGS will ensure sustainability of our corrective actions.

The afternoon conference was held at the regional NRC office in Arlington, Texas, and streamed live on the Internet. It was Edisons opportunity to provide regulators -- and the public -- a fuller explanation of what went wrong and how the company responded.

The conference was important because federal investigators issued a report in November that found Edison had committed three violations and two apparent violations as a result of the Aug. 3 incident.

Among other findings, NRC inspectors said the day of the accident was the first time the crane operator in charge of the transporter that moves the canisters had performed a downloading operation.

It also was the first time the rigger/spotter -- who watches the top of the canister to make sure it is successfully lowered -- had attempted to perform downloading, they said.

According to the November report, the violations persisted from January to August. Inspectors also noted that the canisters came in frequent contact with the edges of the storage vaults they were lowered into, raising questions about possible damage to their long-term integrity.

Tom Palmisano, vice president of external engagement at the plant, acknowledged that many of the canisters had bumped against their vault walls as they were being lowered -- and that may happen again -- but he said the resulting scratches to the steel-lined canisters had been studied and found to be safe.

Some downloads may not have any incidental contact, he told the NRC. Any scratches are well below acceptable limits.

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Edison said it also tested the sturdiness of the canisters to see what would have happened it it had fallen. The analysis showed the canisters could withstand a 25-foot drop with a substantial margin of safety and no release of radioactive material, the company said.

The utility also was cited for apparently violating federal reporting rules, which require licensees to alert the NRC of specific mishaps within 24 hours.

Edison, which did not formally report the accident until Sept. 14, said it was not as familiar with the reporting requirements as it could have been. Management did not encourage, and the organization did not demonstrate, a conservative bias for reporting, the company said.

No penalties have yet been imposed by the NRC as a result of the August incident, but Edison has halted its fuel transport program. Transfers will not resume until federal regulators agree that sufficient corrections have been made.

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The companys plan to move 3.6 million pounds of nuclear fuel from cooling pools into dry storage is a key step in the decommissioning process that began after San Onofre prematurely closed in 2012 in the wake of a small radiation leak in newly installed steam generators.

Critics of Edisons handling of San Onofres spent fuel were not satisfied with the companys explanations or its pledge to improve practices at the closed power plant.

Edison still doesnt get it, said attorney Michael Aguirre, who sued the utility over its plan to store nuclear waste on the San Diego County coastline. Why are they changing everything if nothing serious happened?

Others questioned why Holtec International, the New Jersey company Edison hired to design and build the dry storage canisters, made design modifications to the system without notifying federal regulators.

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At a similar conference earlier this month, Holtec officials called the design changes much ado about nothing but acknowledged they may have violated federal rules.

Admittedly neither the NRC, SCE or Holtec have a plan in place should something go wrong with the canisters, said Len Hering Sr., a retired Navy rear admiral and vocal opponent of the waste-storage plan at San Onofre.

Worse, the NRC falsely assumes nothing will go wrong, Hering said. That is an assumption that should never be presumed. Unfortunately, by their own actions, we should no longer trust the NRC, SCE and most importantly Holtec to protect our safety.

Federal regulators took no action on the Edison presentation. Instead, they said they would evaluate the companys report and response to the incident before determining whether they would impose any civil penalties or allow the fuel-transfer program to restart.

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A decision is expected within the next 45 days.

Last month, Aguirre called on the FBI to open a criminal investigation into how Edison has handled the nuclear waste at San Onofre. The FBI has said it is reviewing the materials.

jeff.mcdonald@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-1708 @sdutMcDonald
A federal judge asked for a hearing behind closed doors Friday before she decides whether Paul Manafort lied repeatedly to prosecutors in special counsel Robert S. Mueller IIIs probe of Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election, setting a hearing for Feb. 4, just days before President Trumps former campaign chairman faces sentencing in Virginia.

If U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson decides he lied and broke his plea agreement, it could add up to 10 years in prison for Manafort when his sentence finally is imposed. Manafort already faces a likely seven- to 10-year sentence in his related Virginia federal case, according to several legal experts.

The Friday hearing left for another day the merits of the governments allegation Manafort intentionally provided false information to investigators since pleading guilty in federal court in September.

But prosecutors also made clear that they will not rule out bringing new charges against Manafort in the future, although they have no plans to do so right now.

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Im not in any way saying its our current intention, its a plan, it will happen, but want to preserve that ability, prosecutor Andrew Weissmann said.

Manafort could hypothetically be charged with lying to the FBI, with perjury in front of the grand jury, or with any of the charges prosecutors dropped in exchange for his plea and cooperation, Weissmann said.

Under the terms of Manaforts plea deal, prosecutors have only to show that they determined he breached the deal in good faith for the agreement to be nullified.

Manafort, 69, who entered court in a suit and tie rather than prison togs and was leaning heavily on a cane, did not visibly react to Jackson during the hearing, which the judge called to nail down what the consequences are or will be of the special counsels determination that Manafort violated his plea deal.

Jackson told a courtroom packed with reporters that she knew the decision to seal the February hearing would be unpopular, but said prosecutors needed to discuss sensitive matters regarding ongoing investigations and uncharged individuals and that she did not see how the parties could address those topics in open court without making mistakes.

Jackson said the court would get as much of the transcript released as possible, as soon as possible.

I have not made any decisions yet, Jackson said, saying she found merit and flaws in both sides arguments.

Some of prosecutors allegations are confusing or lack context, she said, while at times the defense rebuttals were conclusory and short on specifics.

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She said Manaforts arguments that criminal defendants often misstate the facts in debriefings and correct them later have some force. But, Jackson added, there are other instances where Manafort may have lied, pure and simple.

Manafort pleaded guilty Sept. 14, on the eve of jury selection in Washington, to conspiring to defraud the United States and conspiring to obstruct justice, admitting to years of financial crimes related to his undisclosed lobbying work for a pro-Russian political party and politician in Ukraine, Viktor Yanukovych.

He was previously convicted by a jury in August in a separate federal case in Virginia for bank and tax-fraud crimes.

The collapse of Manaforts cooperation deal revealed that prosecutors knew far more about his activities since his October 2017 indictment than he realized.

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Since late November, when Muellers office accused Manafort of lying, the special counsels office has filed 800 pages of heavily redacted exhibits to provide evidence for their claims that, among other things, Manafort gave contradictory statements last August in a separate Justice Department criminal investigation outside of Washington; falsely denied having ongoing contact with Trump administration officials since they took office in January 2017; and sought to deceive investigators about his interactions with a longtime Russian aide and co-defendant, Konstantin Kilimnik, including by sharing campaign polling data with him in 2016.

The FBI has assessed that Kilimnik, a Russian employee of Manaforts consulting business, has links to Russian intelligence, prosecutors said in court papers.

Manaforts attorneys deny he lied, saying he made honest errors and tried to correct them. Failure of memory is not akin to a false statement, attorneys Kevin Downing, Thomas Zehnle and Richard Westling wrote in filings to the court.

Hsu and Weiner write for the Washington Post.
Submitting to mounting pressure amid growing disruption, President Donald Trump agreed to a deal Friday to reopen the government for three weeks, backing down from his demand that Congress give him money for his border wall before federal agencies get back to work.

Standing alone in the Rose Garden, Trump said he would sign legislation funding shuttered agencies until Feb. 15 and try again to persuade lawmakers to finance his long-sought wall. The deal he reached with congressional leaders contains no new money for the wall but ends the longest shutdown in U.S. history.

First the Senate, then the House swiftly and unanimously approved the deal. Late Friday, Trump signed it into law.

Trumps retreat came in the 35th day of the partial shutdown as intensifying delays at the nations airports and another missed payday for hundreds of thousands of federal workers brought new urgency to efforts to resolve the standoff.

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This was in no way a concession, Trump said in a tweet late Friday, fending off critics who wanted him to keep fighting. It was taking care of millions of people who were getting badly hurt by the Shutdown with the understanding that in 21 days, if no deal is done, its off to the races!

The shutdown ended as Democratic leaders had insisted it must  reopen the government first, then talk border security.

The president thought he could crack Democrats, and he didnt, and I hope its a lesson for him, said the Senate Democratic leader, Chuck Schumer. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said of her members: Our unity is our power. And that is what maybe the president underestimated.

Trump still made the case for a border wall and maintained he might again shut down the government over it. Yet, as negotiations restart, Trump enters them from a weakened position. A strong majority of Americans blamed him for the standoff and rejected his arguments for a border wall, recent polls show.

If we dont get a fair deal from Congress, the government will either shut down on Feb. 15, again, or I will use the powers afforded to me under the laws and Constitution of the United States to address this emergency, Trump said.

The president has said he could declare a national emergency to fund the border wall unilaterally if Congress doesnt provide the money. Such a move would almost certainly face legal hurdles.

As part of the deal with congressional leaders, a bipartisan committee of House and Senate lawmakers was being formed to consider border spending as part of the legislative process in the weeks ahead.

They are willing to put partisanship aside, I think, and put the security of the American people first, Trump said. He asserted that a barrier or walls will be an important part of the solution.

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The deal includes back pay for some 800,000 federal workers who have gone without paychecks. The Trump administration promises to pay them as soon as possible.

Also expected is a new date for the president to deliver his State of the Union address, postponed during the shutdown. But it will not be Jan. 29 as once planned, according to a person familiar with the planning but unauthorized to discuss it.

As border talks resume, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said he hopes there will be good-faith negotiations over the next three weeks to try to resolve our differences.

Schumer said that while Democrats oppose the wall money, they agree on other ways to secure the border and that bodes well for coming to an eventual agreement.

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In striking the accord, Trump risks backlash from conservatives who pushed him to keep fighting for the wall. Some lashed out Friday for his having yielded, for now, on his signature campaign promise.

Conservative commentator Ann Coulter suggested on Twitter that she views Trump as the biggest wimp to serve as president.

Money for the wall is not at all guaranteed, as Democrats have held united against building a structure as Trump once envisioned, preferring other types of border technology. Asked about Trumps wall, Pelosi, who has said repeatedly she wont approve money for it, said: Have I not been clear? No, I have been very clear.

Within the White House, there was broad recognition among Trumps aides that the shutdown pressure was growing, and they couldnt keep the standoff going indefinitely. The presidents approval numbers had suffered during the impasse. Overnight and Friday, several Republicans were calling on him openly, and in private, to reopen the government.

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The breakthrough came as LaGuardia Airport in New York and Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey both experienced at least 90-minute delays in takeoffs Friday because of the shutdown. And the worlds busiest airport  Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport  was experiencing long security wait times, a warning sign the week before it expects 150,000 out-of-town visitors for the Super Bowl.

The standoff became so severe that, as the Senate opened with prayer, Chaplain Barry Black called on high powers in the hour of national turmoil to help senators do what is right.

Senators were talking with increased urgency after Thursdays defeat of competing proposals from Trump and the Democrats. Bipartisan talks provided a glimmer of hope Friday that some agreement could be reached. But several senators said they didnt know what to expect as they arrived to watch the presidents televised address from their lunchroom off the Senate floor.

The Senate first rejected a Republican plan Thursday reopening the government through September and giving Trump the $5.7 billion hes demanded for building segments of that wall, a project that hed long promised Mexico would finance. The 50-47 vote for the measure fell 10 shy of the 60 votes needed to succeed.

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Minutes later, senators voted 52-44 for a Democratic alternative that sought to open padlocked agencies through Feb. 8 with no wall money. That was eight votes short. But it earned more support than Trumps plan, even though Republicans control the chamber 53-47. It was aimed at giving bargainers time to seek an accord while getting paychecks to government workers who are either working without pay or being forced to stay home.

Contributing to the pressure on lawmakers to find a solution was the harsh reality confronting many of the federal workers, who on Friday faced a second two-week payday with no paychecks.

Throughout, the two sides issued mutually exclusive demands that have blocked negotiations from even starting: Trump had refused to reopen government until Congress gave him the wall money, and congressional Democrats had rejected bargaining until he reopened government.

Associated Press writers Catherine Lucey, Alan Fram, Andrew Taylor, Colleen Long, Matthew Daly, Laurie Kellman and Juliet Linderman contributed to this report.
President Donald Trumps confidant Roger Stone was charged with lying about his pursuit of Russian-hacked emails damaging to Hillary Clintons 2016 election bid, with prosecutors alleging that senior Trump campaign officials sought to leverage the stolen material into a White House win.

The self-proclaimed dirty trickster, arrested by the FBI in a raid before dawn Friday at his Florida home, swiftly blasted the prosecution as politically motivated. In a circus-like atmosphere outside the courthouse, as supporters cheered him on and jeering spectators shouted Lock Him Up, Stone proclaimed his innocence and predicted his vindication.

As I have said previously, there is no circumstance whatsoever under which I will bear false witness against the president, nor will I make up lies to ease the pressure on myself, Stone said.

The seven-count indictment , the first criminal case in months in special counsel Robert Muellers investigation, provides the most detail to date about how Trump campaign associates in the summer of 2016 actively sought the disclosure of emails the U.S. says were hacked by Russia and then provided to the anti-secrecy website WikiLeaks. It alleges that an unidentified senior Trump campaign official was directed to keep in contact with Stone about when stolen emails relating to Clinton might be disclosed.

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Stone is the sixth Trump aide or adviser charged by Mueller and the 34th person overall. The nearly two-year-old probe has exposed multiple contacts between Trump associates and Russia during the campaign and transition period and revealed efforts by several to conceal those communications.

The indictment brings the investigation even further into Trumps circle of advisers and suggests campaign officials were eager to exploit the stolen messages for political gain. But prosecutors did not accuse Trump of wrongdoing or charge Stone with conspiring with WikiLeaks or with the Russian intelligence officers Mueller says hacked the emails. They also did not allege that Trump aides knew in advance of the hacking.

The prosecution mirrors other Mueller cases in alleging cover-ups and deception, accusing Stone of lying to lawmakers about WikiLeaks, tampering with witnesses and obstructing a House intelligence committee probe into whether the Trump campaign coordinated with Russia to tip the election.

Trump attorney Jay Sekulow said the indictment does not allege Russian collusion by Roger Stone or anyone else. Trump himself on Friday called the investigation the Greatest Witch Hunt in the History of our Country!

CNN aired video of the raid at Stones home in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, showing agents in body armor using large weapons and night-vision equipment, running up to the home and banging on the door.

FBI open the door! one shouts. FBI, warrant! Stone could then be seen in the doorway in his sleepwear before he was led away.

Though not uncommon for the FBI to make early-morning arrests of targets under indictment, its the first time Mueller has used that tactic. In court papers, prosecutors wrote they had concerns that if Stone was tipped off to the indictment, it would increase the risk he would flee or destroy evidence.

Hours after his arrest, Stone appeared in court in a blue polo shirt and jeans. In releasing him on $250,000 bond, a magistrate judge restricted Stones travel to South Florida, Washington and New York City and ordered him to avoid contact with witnesses. Hes due Tuesday in a court in Washington, where the case was filed.

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This morning, at the crack of dawn, 29 FBI agents arrived at my home with 17 vehicles, with their lights flashing, when they could simply have contacted my attorneys and I would have been more than willing to surrender voluntarily, Stone said outside court.

Known for his political antics, conspiracy theories and hard-ball tactics, Stone has reveled in being a Washington wheeler-dealer dating back to former President Richard Nixons administration. On Friday, he mimicked Nixons famous V gesture as he left the courthouse.

Stone, a longtime friend of the presidents, briefly served on Trumps campaign, but was pushed out amid infighting with then-campaign manager Corey Lewandowski. Though sidelined, he continued to communicate with Trump and stayed plugged into his circle of advisers.

The indictment says Stone repeatedly discussed WikiLeaks in 2016 with campaign associates and lays out in detail Stones conversations about emails stolen from Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta and posted in the weeks before Trump beat Clinton.

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The document says that by June and July 2016, Stone had told senior Trump campaign officials that he had information indicating that WikiLeaks had obtained damaging documents on Clinton.

After WikiLeaks on July 22, 2016, released hacked emails from the Democratic National Committee, the indictment says, a senior Trump campaign official was directed to contact Stone about additional releases and what other damaging information WikiLeaks had regarding the Clinton campaign. The indictment does not name the official or say who directed the outreach to Stone.

Though no officials are identified by name, one Trump campaign aide cited in the case is Steve Bannon, who later became Trumps chief White House strategist. Bannon, referred to as a high-ranking Trump Campaign official, exchanged emails with Stone in October 2016 about WikiLeaks plans. The indictment quotes from those emails, which had previously been made public by news outlets.

While the indictment provides some new insight into the Trump campaign, it deals largely with what prosecutors say were Stones false statements about his conversations about WikiLeaks with New York radio host Randy Credico and with conservative writer and conspiracy theorist Jerome Corsi, who rejected a plea offer from Mueller last year.

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The indictment says Stone carried out a prolonged effort to keep Credico from contradicting his testimony before the House intelligence committee. During that effort, prosecutors note that Stone repeatedly told Credico to do a Frank Pentangeli, a reference to a character in The Godfather: Part II who lies before Congress.

Stone is accused of threatening Credico, including through messages in which he called him rat and stoolie. He also threatened to take that dog away from you, a reference to Credicos dog, Bianca.

I am so ready. Lets get it on. Prepare to die (expletive), Stone also wrote to Credico.

Stone has said for months he was prepared to be charged, while maintaining he had no inside information about the contents of the emails obtained by WikiLeaks or the timing of their release.

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Still, he has long attracted scrutiny because of his WikiLeaks-related comments, especially a 2016 tweet  Trust me, it will soon (be) the Podestas time in the barrel  that appeared to presage knowledge that Podestas emails would soon be released.

In a tweet Friday, Podesta turned Stones words against him, writing that it was now Rogers time in the barrel.

Associated Press writers Michael Balsamo in Washington, Jennifer Kay in Miami and Terry Spencer and Kelli Kennedy in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, contributed to this report.
A gunman suspected of holding up at least five North County businesses over the past month was arrested Thursday afternoon in Vista, authorities said.

Michael Alfred Miller, 49, is suspected of pulling off armed robberies in late December and January at businesses in Carlsbad, Fallbrook, San Marcos and Vista, Carlsbad police Sgt. Alonso DeVelasco said.

Investigators are also probing several other recent robberies they believe Miller might be responsible for around San Diego County, according to DeVelasco.

Few details of the alleged heists were immediately available, but all targeted commercial businesses, including two in Carlsbad in early January, DeVelasco said. Banks were not targeted.

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Carlsbad detectives worked with San Diego County sheriffs investigators to identify Miller as the suspect, police said. DeVelasco declined to say what information led law enforcement to Miller, who was arrested around 3 p.m. Thursday in Vista.

Evidence linking Miller to several of the robberies was located during the investigation, DeVelasco said in a statement.

Miller was arrested on suspicion of multiple counts of robbery, burglary, criminal threats and possession of stolen property, the sergeant said. He was expected to be booked into the Vista Detention Facility, but did not yet appear as an inmate in jail records Thursday night.

Carlsbad police are leading the investigation, and anyone with information about the string of robberies was asked to contact Detective Brian Johnson at (760) 473-9252 or brian.johnson@carlsbadca.gov.

Twitter: @Alex_Riggins

(619) 293-1710

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alex.riggins@sduniontribune.com
A 30-year-old Polish tourist who was last seen in La Jolla last week missed his flight home and is considered missing under unusual circumstances, police said Thursday.

Michal Marcin Krowczynski, who was vacationing in Arizona and San Diego, was reported missing on Jan. 18. He last had contact with his family and friends, and last posted on social media, on Jan. 17, and never reported for his scheduled flight back to Poland.

Krowczynski has never been reported missing before and the circumstances surrounding his disappearance are considered unusual, San Diego police Detective Andrea Gilchrist said in a statement.

Krowczynskis last posts on Instagram, under the username michaelexquisite, were posted last Thursday, showing photographs of La Jolla and Pacific Beach. Earlier in the day, he posted a photo showing hed apparently traveled to Tijuana.

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He is described as a roughly 5-foot-9-inch, 180-pound white man with short brown hair and green eyes. His Instagram account shows him with a short beard and braces.

According to his Instagram account, he spent parts of six days in Arizona before flying to San Diego on Jan. 16. The next day was the last anyone heard from him.

Anyone with information about his whereabouts was asked to call the San Diego Police Department at (619) 531-2000, or the Departments missing persons unit at (619) 531-2277.

Twitter: @Alex_Riggins

(619) 293-1710

alex.riggins@sduniontribune.com
For more than 12 years, police searched for a killer, one who had ambushed and repeatedly plunged a sword into a La Mesa man, likely as soon as the man had walked into his own apartment.

Police found blood from an unknown source  possibly from the killer  at the scene. But leads in the June 2006 slaying of Scott Martinez ran dry. Searches of DNA crime databases yielded no matches.

Then last fall, armed with the crime scene DNA data, a team of four genetic genealogists working with Parabon Nanolabs took on the case. It took about a weekend of digging for them to come up with the name of a suspect: Zachary Bunney.

On Thursday, La Mesa police announced they had arrested 39-year-old Bunney in the death of 47-year-old Martinez. They did not discuss a motive and declined to go into details about the investigation. Bunney has not yet been arraigned in El Cajon Superior Court.

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The arrest came out of nowhere and also came as a relief to Martinezs adult daughter, Angelina Martinez, who said Thursday that her dad had been her best friend and that he died on Fathers Day weekend.

Its finally over, she said. I can breathe.

The arrest marks the second known local case in which genetic genealogy led police to publicly identify a murder suspect. In November, Carlsbad police said the method had led to the name of a suspect in a 2007 killing of Jodine Serrin. (The suspect had killed himself in 2011.)

When genetic genealogists came up with Bunneys name, it was news to me, said La Mesa police Detective Ryan Gremillion, the lead investigator on the case. It had not been a name on his radar.

Angelina Martinez, left, and La Mesa police Detective Ryan Germillion addressed reporters Thursday during a press conference at the La Mesa Police Department. Police had announced the arrest of a suspect in the 2006 stabbing death of Martinezs father, Scott Martinez. (Teri Figueroa)

Genetic genealogy came to the forefront as a crime-solving tool in April with the announcement that it had been used to catch the suspected Golden State Killer  so named for a crime spree that included at least 13 murders and more than 50 rapes in California from 1974 to 1986.

After that case made headlines, Gremillion asked his bosses for permission to give the method a try in the Martinez case.

Heres how genetic genealogy works: Police upload DNA from a crime scene into a public repository of DNA profiles in hopes that the evidence shares enough markers with whats already in the database. If there is enough of a family connection between the crime scene DNA samples and a profile in the database, experts might be able to figure out whose DNA was left at the site of a homicide.

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Police do not use and do not have access to databases of consumer DNA sites such as Ancestry or 23 and Me.

Instead, law enforcement-based searches are done in public databases  GEDmatch, with 1.2 million DNA profiles, is the biggest.

Consumers must intentionally upload their data into sites like GEDmatch to be a part of its database. Many of the users are eager to figure out who their ancestors were. But some are genetic genealogists working with police to solve a violent crime.

In the Martinez slaying, the name the genealogists came up with was not that of a close family member, said CeCe Moore, chief genetic genealogist with Parabon. It was a more distant relative.

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We had to do quite a lot of work to pull the pieces together, Moore said.

Once armed with a name, Gremillion followed up using more traditional investigative methods.

The detective learned that, at the time of the killing, Bunney was a 26-year-old La Mesa resident. He had since moved to Oregon and was living in Hillsboro, outside metro Portland.

Gremillion secured a warrant that allowed him to obtain a DNA sample from Bunney.

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La Mesa Police Chief Walt Vasquez said investigators found a lot of evidence at the crime scene, including blood they believed came from the suspect. Testing revealed that the DNA Bunney provided matched DNA left at Martinezs slaying scene.

A judge issued a warrant for Bunneys arrest. He was picked up Jan. 10 and jailed in Oregon on a charge of murder.

It was not immediately clear whether Bunney has an attorney.

As of Thursday, Bunney was still in an Oregon jail. La Mesa police said he will be brought back to San Diego County and was slated to be arraigned on Friday.

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Justice may have been delayed, but we will do out best to make sure it is not denied, District Attorney Summer Stephan said.

Although an arrest has been made, the case is still under active investigation, authorities said.

Tipsters with information about the case can contact Gremillion, the lead detective, at 619-667-7537 or rgremillion@ci.la-mesa.ca.us.

Anonymous tips can be left by calling San Diego Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477 or go to sdcrimestoppers.org.

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teri.figueroa@sduniontribune.com

(760) 529-4945

Twitter: @TeriFigueroaUT
A state appeals court upheld a lower court ruling that threw out a libel lawsuit filed by former Rep. Darrell Issa against his 2016 re-election opponent over two campaign commercials aired in the last weeks of the tight race.

In a unanimous ruling, a three-judge panel affirmed a March 2017 ruling by San Diego Superior Court Judge Richard E.L. Strauss that dismissed the suit under the states anti-SLAPP law, a measure designed to stop lawsuits that were brought in order to dissuade people from voicing critical opinions on public issues.

Issa, a Vista Republican, initially sought $10 million in the suit. He defeated Democrat Doug Applegate by 1,621 votes in the 2016 election, the closest congressional race in the country. Issa did not seek re-election in 2018 and was nominated in September to be director of the U.S. Trade and Development Agency by President Donald Trump.

At issue in the lawsuit were two campaign commercials. One made the allegation that Issa had profited personally from his time in Congress and referenced a 2011 New York Times article that examined the congressmans finances. Issa has long disputed the accuracy of that report, and while the newspaper had to make several corrections, it never retracted the article and Issa never sued the paper over it.

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The second attacked his voting record and commentary in Congress on legislation that would pay additional health care expenses for 9/11 first responders. He said the ad twisted his remarks to make it appear he was opposed to providing healthcare to first responders to the Sept. 11, 2001 attack.

Overall, the appeals court concluded the suit was correctly dismissed because Issa could not show in either ad that the statements about which he complains are demonstrably false statements of fact.

As to the first commercial, the panel said the ad was well within the range of fair commentary, and that its main assertion  that the article in the New York Times said Issa gamed the system to line his own pockets was substantially true and not libelous. The second ad did not distort what Issas comments were so that it was provably false, the court said.

A lawyer for Issa did not respond to a request for comment.

In the ruling from the lower court in 2017, Issa was ordered to pay his opponent more than more than $45,000 in attorney fees and other legal costs incurred as a result of the lawsuit.

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Twitter: @gregmoran

greg.moran@sduniontribune.com
Neighborhood leaders from across San Diego say a city proposal to spur housing construction by wiping out parking requirements is unrealistic and too aggressive for a city that lacks quality transit and was built for automobiles.

The leaders said this week that Mayor Kevin Faulconer, who is proposing the new policy in areas near transit hubs, has exaggerated how quickly a large number of San Diegans will give up their cars and opt to commute by trolley, bus, bicycle or on foot.

Weve been building out this city based on the automobile, said Barry Schultz, of Carmel Valley, during a joint meeting of community planning group leaders from more than 40 communities. Now we want to shift it to this Utopian idea that we can get around the city without a car. The reality is that we cant.

Faulconer and his staff stress that the new policy wouldnt mean all new housing projects would lack parking spots, only projects where housing developers are confident they can find tenants or buyers who dont want or need reserved parking. Developers wouldnt risk millions of dollars building projects without parking spots unless market studies show there is adequate demand in a particular neighborhood for housing without parking, they said.

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An increasing number of young professionals are looking to decrease car ownership and reliance, said Alyssa Muto, a deputy director in the citys Planning Department.

The proposal is based on a similar relaxation of parking requirements in Seattle and Portland, two cities also built for automobiles where officials have managed to significantly reduce car ownership in recent years.

The main goal is to help solve the citys affordable housing crisis by reducing developers cost.

Developers now must include either one or two parking spots per housing unit, depending on the number of bedrooms and other factors. That spikes project construction costs by $35,000 to $90,000 per unit.

The proposal wouldnt retroactively wipe out parking requirements for existing housing projects; it would only apply to new construction.

The vast majority of projects in every city neighborhood would still provide parking for residents. The proposal would affect only neighborhoods within a half mile of a trolley or a high-frequency bus route that is already operating or will operate within five years.

Faulconer says the policy would help San Diego meet the goals of its legally binding climate action plan, which requires the city to sharply reduce the number of people commuting by car within the next 15 years.

A small number of neighborhood leaders endorsed the mayors plan, calling it a bold but reasonable proposal that could help the city move toward multiple goals.

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It feels drastic, but this really is about providing options to individuals who dont wish to own a car, said Jonathan Frankel, representing Mission Valley. I think this will be a very incremental change.

Frankel said the policy will likely have more impact in urban neighborhoods with quality transit, bike lanes and nearby job opportunities, because thats where developers are likely to take advantage of softer parking regulations.

In addition, the proposal would require developers who dont include parking spots to pay for transportation amenities, such as wider sidewalks, transit passes for residents and on-site bicycle repair stations.

The vast majority of neighborhood leaders criticized the proposal during the joint meeting, which took place Tuesday night at City Hall.

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Wally Wulfeck, of the Scripps Ranch Community Planning Group, said most San Diego neighborhoods lack the transit necessary to support the proposal.

Just say yes to urban ghettos, Wulfeck told his colleagues.

Transit has to come first -- density first gives you slums, not quality of life. Most of the residents around me, if they wanted to live in Manhattan, they would.

Gary Weber, the leader from Normal Heights, agreed.

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Eliminating parking and telling us that well use transit, when San Diego is a city that really doesnt have a great transit system compared to cities that do have great transit systems, is a little crazy, Weber said.

Other neighborhood leaders said they also have significant concerns about the goal of spurring high-density housing construction across the city.

A lot of folks in Clairemont are very scared about up-zoning and density, said Nicholas Reed, who represents that neighborhood.

Jose Reynoso, representing neighborhoods near San Diego State, noted that transit commutes typically include a lengthy walk to a final destination.

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One of the things thats missing in San Diego is the mindset to walk more than a quarter of a mile, Reynoso said.

Leaders from Rancho Bernardo, Sabre Springs and Carmel Mountain Ranch said walking is nearly impossible in their neighborhoods because of dangerous, fast-moving traffic on local parkways.

The only neighborhood leaders endorsing the mayors proposal, other than Mission Valley, were representatives of North Park, Pacific Beach and Tierrasanta.

A majority of the joint committee of neighborhood leaders voted to recommend the city soften the proposal by making it a short-term pilot project and exempting all beach communities because of parking scarcity there.

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Their amended proposal would require city officials annually analyze how many housing developers choose to include no parking spots in their projects and how the change affects parking scarcity, car ownership and housing affordability.

David Moty, chairman of the joint committee and leader of the Kensington/Talmadge Community Planning Group, said the amended proposal was prompted by concerns that city officials are moving too fast.

I dont think we will see wholesale abandonment of the car in the near future, he said. And Im very concerned the people who move into these apartments will keep their cars.

The backlash from neighborhood leaders isnt unexpected. Faulconer said in his annual State of the City speech last week that neighborhood opposition is the biggest hurdle to San Diego solving its housing crisis.

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Obstructionists must never again be able to halt the housing that San Diego needs, he said. We must change from a city that shouts not in my back yard to one that proclaims yes in my backyard.

The Planning Commission is scheduled to discuss the proposal next Thursday and the city council will take it up Feb. 25.

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david.garrick@sduniontribune.com (619) 269-8906 Twitter:@UTDavidGarrick
Federal workers who have gone a month without getting paid during the longest government shutdown in U.S. history expressed relief Friday that a deal had been reached to end the impasse, but are worried theyll be in the same spot in a few weeks.

Ivan Tauler and his wife spent an exhausting three weeks calling, researching and haggling to get relief from government agencies, schools, banks and utility companies to scrape by during the shutdown that caused him to be furloughed from his cartographer job at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in West Virginia.

For Tauler, the end of the shutdown was far from a cause for celebration. The deal announced Friday by President Donald Trump only reopens the government for three weeks while negotiations continue over the presidents demands for money to build his long-promised border wall.

We wont be spending money like we normally would, said Melinda Tauler. We will be more cautious about our finances than normal until we know that the government is not going to be closing every couple of weeks.

Tauler was one of about 800,000 furloughed federal workers thrust into weeks of uncertainty and financial hardship  leading many to take out loans, apply for unemployment, do temporary jobs and launch online campaigns asking for donations.

The end of the 35-day impasse came on what would have been the second payday with no checks for federal workers. The deal includes back pay federal workers who have gone without paychecks, with Trump vowing that they will get paid very soon.

Alecia Lane, a management analyst with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration from Laurel, Maryland, said shes excited shell get a paycheck soon but said the only luxury spending she might do right away is taking her two sons, 12 and 8, to the movie theater.

Lane was among hundreds of federal workers who launched GoFundMe campaigns to get financial help during the shutdown. She needed help to pay her own bills and send money to help her autistic brother and mother who live in Kentucky. She said it was embarrassing to have to make that public plea.

Im saving every dime. I never want to be in this position again, said Lane, a U.S Navy veteran. Im worried that well be right back in this situation in three weeks. He (Trump) wants that border wall. To be honest: I was shocked that they even reached this deal.

Lane scoffed at President Trumps assertion in his Friday announcement that federal employees agreed with him and werent complaining.

Who was he talking to? Lane said. Everyone was complaining, lets be real.

Single parent Leisyka Parrott, a Bureau of Land Management employee in Arcata, California, was driving with her son Friday when she heard a radio news broadcast about the deal to reopen the federal government for three weeks. Her cellphone immediately began buzzing with congratulatory text messages from friends, who know she has been furloughed from her job since Dec. 21.

Rebecca Maclean, a housing program specialist for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in Pittsburgh whose furlough began Dec. 21, was washing dishes and listening to NPR when the news broke of a deal to temporarily end the shutdown. She isnt celebrating quite yet.

Until (Trump) puts ink to paper, Im not going to check my bank balance, she said.

She and her husband have been grateful for the outpouring of support from neighbors. Some dropped off food. Twice, somebody anonymously dropped off grocery store gift cards on their front porch.

The Taulers were approved for food stamps and arranged for free breakfasts and lunches from the schools for their four children, and Ivan Tauler had already submitted his unemployment application.

He said the family is left with hard feelings for politicians and a deep desire to keep more money in savings.

This seems to be a recurring theme so were definitely going to be prepared for it, Tauler said.

Associated Press Writer Michael Kunzelman contributed to this report.
A documentary about so-called dreamers, unauthorized immigrants who came to the U.S. as children, will be among those showcased at this years Human Rights Watch Film Festival at the Museum of Photographic Arts.

One of five films to be screened at the festival, The Unafraid follows the lives of three participants in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA program, which temporarily protects such immigrants from deportation and allows them to work.

The three dreamers live in Georgia, where state law blocks unauthorized immigrants from attending selective public universities and requires them to pay out-of-state tuition at colleges where they are allowed in. California, in contrast, is among the states that allows unauthorized immigrants who are long-time residents of the state to pay in-state tuition.

Undocumented folks have it difficult period, said Anayansi Prado, one of the films directors. I hope this will bring an awareness that there are levels to that difficulty.

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Prado and co-director Heather Courtney spent about four years filming the documentary, which premiered last year in April. Neither lived in Georgia, and spending time in the south helped them realize how much of a difference state and local policy can make in the lives of unauthorized immigrants, Prado said.

There are many things states can do to make life more humane, more equitable, said Clara Long of Human Rights Watch.

DACA recipients in Texas are planning to use the documentary to lobby their state legislature to keep in-state tuition for unauthorized immigrant residents.

The documentary illustrates the strength of the unauthorized immigrant youth movement in a moment when many in its ranks are pushing back on the current administrations proposals that would exchange their protections for border wall funding, Long said.

The film highlights the activism of three DACA recipients pushing for access to higher education, but it also focuses on personal struggles and triumphs of each, Courtney said.

It was only a matter of days after the duo arrived in Georgia to look for the subjects for their project that they settled on the three DACA recipients who appear in the film, Courtney said.

That doesnt happen all the time with documentary, Courtney said. We met them right away. It speaks to how amazing they are, these kids.

The festival runs from Jan. 31 to Feb. 2 in Balboa Park. The Unafraid is the festivals final film and will show on Saturday, Feb. 2 at 7 p.m. The documentary will also air on PBS later this year, Prado said.

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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

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kate.morrissey@sduniontribune.com, @bgirledukate on Twitter
While area law enforcement agencies are making an effort to include more homeless people in this years point-in-time count, some are accusing San Diego police of trying to decrease the number in one neighborhood.

Homeless advocate Michael McConnell took to Twitter and Facebook this past week with claims that police were cracking down on homeless people in East Village in anticipation of the annual count scheduled for early Friday morning.

Police and city officials called the claim unfounded, and said there had been no change in enforcement of laws against encroachment and tents on sidewalks.

Municipalities that receive federal funds for homeless programs conduct counts around this time each year as a requirement of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

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In an effort to make this years count more accurate, the San Diego County Sheriffs Department scheduled helicopter flights with thermal imaging technology to detect homeless encampments in Lakeside.

Chula Vista police used drones on Thursday afternoon to fly over several areas, including The Jungle  an open area near the Westfield Plaza Bonita Mall  to find homeless encampments. Using photos taken by a drone, officers from the departments homeless outreach team planned to walk into the area in the predawn hours Friday morning to count and interview homeless people there.

What probably would take five or 10 officers an entire day to do, we just did in 10 minutes, said Sgt. Lamar Barrett after one flight.

The Chula Vista Police Department has nine certified drone pilots and seven drones. On Thursday, Officer Chris Bearss flew a drone with a remote control connected to a touch-screen monitor that took videos and still photos of images picked up from an attached camera.

On one flight, he manuevered the drone to fly over what appeared to be a blue tarp in the far distrance. The high-powered camera zoomed in and revealed a significant campsite, and the tarp was one of two large tents held up with sturdy internal frames.

A drone detected a large homeless encampment that is unseen by motorist who pass by it every day on southbound I-805 in Chula Vista. (Nelvin C. Cepeda)

People drive by this every day on the freeway, and they dont even know whats there, he said.

As the drone flew over Chula Vista on Thursday, homeless advocate Michael McConnell chronicled what he called a crackdown on homeless people by San Diego police around 17th Street and Imperial Avenue.

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The sweeps theyre doing are the largest theyve done in a long time, he said about police activity. For some reason, they have decided that their success rests on how East Village looks.

McConnell posted photos on Twitter of officers arresting homeless people and said he believed the actions were directed by the Mayors Office and timed to clear homeless people from streets before the Friday count. McConnell said the sweeps had been happening for about a week, and the extra effort involved officers who were not usually assigned to the neighborhood.

Attorney Scott Dreher, who has represented homeless people in lawsuits against the city, agreed with McConnell.

Common sense says theyre pushing the people away so theyre harder to count, and theyll say, See, what were doing is working, he said.

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On Twitter, Greg Block, senior press secretary in Mayor Kevin Faulconers office, called the claim ridiculous.

Capt. Scott Wahl, who oversees the neighborhood policing division that includes homeless outreach teams, also said the claim was unfounded.

This is Michael McConnell making things up, he said.

Wahl said monthly counts by the Downtown San Diego Partnership have shown that there has been an overall decrease in homeless in the East Village for the past six months, so there would be no need to reduce the population further. He said the enforcement did not include officers who do not usually work in the neighborhood, and was not connected to the count.

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The crackdown, he said, was in response to a number of tents that had gone up during recent rains. While they are not allowed, Wahl said that out of compassion, they were left alone during the rains.

Now that the rains have stopped, officers were responding to complaints about tents on the sidewalk, Wahl said.

It had nothing to do with the homeless count, Wahl said. There was nothing different in enforcement. Their assignment was the same as every other day.

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gary.warth@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @GaryWarthUT

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Mark Wilson/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) -- As other Democrats announce their 2020 plans, and speculation builds about whether he, too, will run for president, Joe Biden is making one thing clear: if he does, hell chart his own course and do it his way.



But the question remains: Will Biden's bipartisan style align with the Democratic Party in 2020, or will it cause progressive Democrats to look elsewhere?



In a speech to the U.S. Conference of Mayors in Washington, D.C., Thursday, the former vice president addressed a recent New York Times report about another speech he made -- to the Economic Club of Southwestern Michigan -- in which he praised a GOP incumbent just before the 2018 midterms.



I read in the New York Times today that one of my problems is, if I were to run for president, I like Republicans. Okay, well, bless me, father, for I have sinned, Biden said to laughs, reciting what Catholics say in the confessional.



According to the Times, Biden was paid $200,000 for the speech and praised Michigan Republican Rep. Fred Upton -- in attendance but unaffiliated with the event-- as one of the finest guys Ive ever worked with, for his work on a bill providing cancer research funding. The measure was passed in 2016, shortly after Beau Biden -- Bidens eldest son -- died from cancer.



Bidens praise for Upton puts him at odds with some in the Democratic Party hoping to win the Midwest battlegound -- especially since Biden did not endorse Uptons Democratic opponent. Upton won his race handily.



He brushed off the idea that his comments could be a liability if he decides to jump into the growing 2020 field.



I dont know how you get anything done unless we start talking to one another again, Biden continued. I went out and spoke at an event and [Upton] was there and I praise him and he was in a race, but I praise him about the fight against cancer. His vote and his ability to join me -- it mattered -- saved people's lives and he stepped up and three other Republicans stepped up and helped us pass it.



But Bidens approach might not be what other Democrats see as the way to win 2020. Many have questioned if Bidens bipartisan approach will make it difficult for him to gain support with the liberal wing of the party, who want to serve as a check on Republicans, rather than work with them.



It could set up for a make-or-break strategy for Biden -- gambling that voters will respond to a seasoned politician who touts his success at reaching across party lines, and wants to win back blue-collar voters Democrats lost to President Trump in 2016 -- over a new, outsider candidate.



Middle-Class Joe isnt backing away from his bipartisan roots.



Vice President Biden believes to his core that you can disagree politically on a lot and still work together on issues of common cause, especially issues as essential as the fight against cancer, Biden spokesperson Bill Russo told ABC News.



While Bidens not apologizing for his bipartisan ways, he has acknowledged issues from his political past have raised questions about his future, including his votes on criminal justice.



In the 1980s, Biden supported several bills that increased penalties for drug users, including one that essentially lengthened sentences for crack cocaine users, most who were African-American, compared to those who convicted of using powder cocaine, who were mostly white.



On Monday, at the National Action Networks annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Breakfast in Washington, D.C., Biden acknowledged he'd made a mistake.



It was a big mistake when it was made. We thought -- we were told by the experts that crack  you never go back; it was somehow fundamentally different. Its not different, he said. But its trapped an entire generation.



I haven't always been right. I know we haven't always gotten things right, but I've always tried, Biden said.



Despite his silence on his 2020 plans, Biden has captured the top spot on several prospective 2020 polls of the Democratic Party.



Biden has previously said he feels he is the most qualified person in the country to be president, and will make his decision with his family in the early months of 2019.

Copyright  2019, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
A San Diego foundation that lightens the burden of kids and their families coping with cancer will hold a yoga retreat fundraiser in La Jolla Saturday to raise money for its main annual events.

CalledGet Well Soon, the four-hour gathering features a range of wellness-focused activities from gentle guided yoga to medication instruction at the Soledad Club, a special event venue with picturesque bay and ocean views.

Proceeds fund Seanys Camp Reach for the Sky, a collection of free events for kids with cancer and their siblings designed to bring joy to hundreds of participants struggling to push through challenging diagnoses.

First held in 2012, the camp, and the Seany Foundation that runs it, is named in memory of Sean Lewis Robbins, a San Diego-area youth who died on Nov. 17, 2006 after a battle with Ewing sarcoma, a rare form of cancer that affects bone and soft tissue.

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To date, the foundation has raised nearly $4 million to support a range of programs. This year, donations will support six different camps in Julian, Balboa Park and other southern California locations. Camps are equipped with medical personnel and equipment that allow young cancer patients to safely participate.

The foundation also operates Art from the Heart, an annual kid-created art exhibit held at Rady Childrens Hospital, and Seany Movie Nights a program that screens blockbuster movies for young families fighting cancer. In November, the program scored an early preview of Fantastic Beasts: Crimes of Grindelwald the then upcoming second installment of author R.K. Rowlings popular Harry Potter prequel series.

The Get Well Soon event is scheduled to run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. General admission tickets are $90 with VIP passes available for $125. A group of five can attend for $250. To register, visit www.theseanyfoundation.org/getwellsoon

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paul.sisson@sduniontribune.com

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Democrats last year nearly won the Assembly district that was represented by Republican Brian Maienschein. Now they have. On Thursday, the six-year incumbent and former San Diego City Council member announced he has left the Republican Party and become a Democrat.

In November, Maienschein avoided defeat to a relatively unknown Democrat, Sunday Gover, by all of 607 votes. He likely would have lost that bid for a fourth two-year term had it not been for the unofficial support from much of San Diegos Democratic establishment.

Not only did powerful figures including Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez and Senate President Pro Tempore Toni Atkins decline to endorse Gover, they had expressed appreciation for important bipartisan votes by Maienschein.

Maienschein cited President Donald Trump, shifts in the Republican Party and his own evolving views as reasons for his decision.

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Donald Trump has led the Republican Party to the extreme on issues that divide our country, but his leadership is not the lone reason for my change in party affiliation, he said in a statement.

I too have changed. As the Republican Party has drifted further right, I  and my votes  have changed. As a single father to two girls I am guided by my hopes and dreams for their future.

Theres another shift thats hard to ignore: His district has gone from solid red to purplish-blue in just six years, reflecting a trend throughout San Diego County.

The 77th District stretches from Kearny Mesa up through Poway and the northern San Diego city suburbs of Rancho Penasquitos and Rancho Bernardo, and over to Rancho Santa Fe and Carmel Valley. In November 2012, when Maienschein was first elected, Republicans held an eight-point voter registration advantage. That shrank to less than half a percentage point by the June 2018 primary and come November had flipped to Democrat by nearly a percentage point.

Voters registered with no political preference held a plurality of about one point in the district last fall.

State and local Republican leaders issued blistering condemnations of Maienschein.

Its unfortunate that Brians takeaway from his extremely close re-election was that his political future depended on becoming a turncoat, said Assembly Republican leader Marie Waldron of Escondido. Unfortunately some people run for office simply because they want a job, regardless of political philosophy. It appears that Brian falls into this category.

Brian Maienschein has shown himself to be the absolute worst kind of politician; someone making decisions based on politics instead of principles, said Tony Krvaric, chairman of the Republican Party of San Diego County.

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. . .Blaming President Trump doesnt cut it as we had the same president in 2018 as today. I call on Brian Maienschein to do the honorable thing and resign immediately, allowing voters to elect someone under honest pretenses.

That wasnt the unanimous take from Republicans, however.

Brian Maienschein is a good man with a principled heart, said Assemblyman Chad Mays of Yucca Valley, a former Assembly Republican leader. Hes a great legislator that represents his (district) well. Im sure this decision did not come easy for him. He didnt leave the Republican Party, the party left him.

Maienschein told reporters in Sacramento that he had been thinking about changing parties for a while.

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His switch grows the Democratic Assembly majority over Republicans to 61-19.

Maienscheins move gave a jolt to the California political world, but in retrospect doesnt seem that surprising. There was the tacit support from big-name Democrats and some labor organizations, the changing district and his reputation for bipartisanship.

Maienschein has sided with Democrats on various issues such as equal pay in the workplace, protecting womens reproductive rights and certain gun control measures. He cast a crucial vote to pass a bill to fund affordable housing that was perhaps Atkins top legislative priority in 2017.

Regardless of party affiliation, he has always been someone I could work with and sometimes find common ground, Atkins said in a statement. She said she has known Maienschien since they both first ran for City Council about two decades ago.

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But he still voted like a Republican on many bills.The Gun Owners of California last year gave him a 75 percent rating, the same ranking he received from the American Conservative Union in 2017.

Gonzalez, a former San Diego labor leader who chairs the powerful Appropriations Committee, has been good friends with Maienschein for years. Given his views and where the Republican Party is at today, she regularly questioned him about why he still belonged to the GOP. They discussed whether he would change parties.

To suggest we havent talked about political ideology would be a joke, she said in an interview. We discussed it a lot. He is to the left of many Democrats in the Legislature.

Im really proud of him, she continued. This is a hard thing to do.

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She should know. Her husband, county Supervisor Nathan Fletcher, left the GOP to become an independent as an Assembly member running for mayor in 2012, and eventually became a Democrat. He has been harshly targeted by San Diego GOP forces ever since.

Gover, who had been considering another run against Maienschien, issued a measured statement.

Clearly our campaign had a massive impact and its good news that Mr. Maienschein has finally left the Republican Party, but simply switching parties doesnt address the issues our community needs championed in Sacramento, she said, leaving the door open for a rematch.

In December, Gonzalez explained that her stance in that race stemmed from her friendship with Maienschein, his votes and his views.

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Then she added, The demographics of his district have clearly changed, and Im certain electing a Democrat there will be a priority in 2020 for all of us, she said.

No doubt.
For more than 12 years, police searched for a killer, one who ambushed and repeatedly plunged a sword into a La Mesa man, likely as soon as the victim walked into his own apartment.

Police found blood from an unknown source  possibly from the killer  at the scene. But leads in the June 2006 slaying of Scott Martinez ran dry. Searches of DNA crime databases yielded no matches.

Then last fall, armed with crime-scene DNA data, a team of four genetic genealogists working with Parabon NanoLabs took on the case. It took about a weekend of digging for them to come up with the name of a suspect: Zachary Bunney.

On Thursday, La Mesa police announced they had arrested 39-year-old Bunney in the death of 47-year-old Martinez. They did not discuss a motive and declined to go into detail about the investigation. Bunney has not yet been arraigned in El Cajon Superior Court.

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The arrest came out of nowhere and also came as a relief to Martinezs adult daughter, Angelina Martinez, who said Thursday her dad had been her best friend and that he died on Fathers Day weekend.

Its finally over, she said. I can breathe.

The arrest marks the second known local case in which genetic genealogy has led police to publicly identify a murder suspect. In November, Carlsbad police cited the method when naming a suspect in the 2007 killing of Jodine Serrin. (The suspect killed himself in 2011.)

When genetic genealogists came up with Bunneys name, it was news to me, said La Mesa police Det. Ryan Gremillion, the lead investigator on the case. It had not been a name on his radar.

Genetic genealogy came to the forefront as a crime-solving tool in April with the announcement that it had been used to catch the suspected Golden State Killer  so named for a crime spree that included at least 13 murders and more than 50 rapes in California from 1974 to 1986.

After that case made headlines, Gremillion asked his bosses for permission to give the method a try in the Martinez case.

How genetic genealogy works

Heres how the method works: Police upload DNA from a crime scene into a public repository of DNA profiles in hopes that the evidence shares markers with what exists in the database. If there is enough of a family connection between the crime-scene DNA samples and a profile in the database, experts might be able to figure out whose DNA was left at the site of a homicide.

Police do not use or have access to databases of consumer DNA sites such as Ancestry or 23andMe.

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Instead, law-enforcement-based searches are done in public databases  GEDmatch, with 1.2 million DNA profiles, is the biggest.

Consumers must intentionally upload their data into sites like GEDmatch to be a part of its database. Many of the users are eager to figure out who their ancestors were. But some are genetic genealogists working with police to solve a violent crime.

In the Martinez slaying, the name genealogists came up with was not that of a close family member, said CeCe Moore, chief genetic genealogist with Parabon. It was a more distant relative.

We had to do quite a lot of work to pull the pieces together, Moore said.

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Traditional methods cement the case

Once armed with a name, Gremillion followed up with more traditional investigative methods.

The detective learned that, at the time of the killing, Bunney was a 26-year-old La Mesa resident. He had since moved to Oregon and was living in Hillsboro, outside metro Portland.

Gremillion secured a warrant that allowed him to obtain a DNA sample from Bunney.

La Mesa Police Chief Walt Vasquez said investigators found a lot of evidence at the crime scene, including blood they believed came from the suspect. Testing revealed that the DNA Bunney provided matched DNA left at Martinezs slaying scene.

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A judge issued a warrant for Bunneys arrest. He was picked up Jan. 10 and jailed in Oregon on a charge of murder.

It was not immediately clear whether Bunney had an attorney.

As of Thursday, Bunney was still in an Oregon jail. La Mesa police said he would be brought back to San Diego County and was slated to be arraigned Friday.

Justice may have been delayed, San Diego Dist. Atty. Summer Stephan said, but we will do our best to make sure it is not denied.

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Although an arrest has been made, the case is still under active investigation, authorities said.

Tipsters with information about the case can contact Gremillion, the lead detective, at (619) 667-7537 or rgremillion@ci.la-mesa.ca.us.

Anonymous tips can be left by calling San Diego Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477, or go to SDCrimeStoppers.org.

Figueroa writes for the San Diego Union-Tribune.

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teri.figueroa@sduniontribune.com
After several months of studying religion in Bali, Julian Adame was looking forward to seeing more of the world.

The 22-year-old University of Redlands senior headed to Japan in May and planned to meet a friend in Thailand a few days later. But when he didnt show up, fellow student Kate Emmons got worried.

After numerous calls and messages to embassies in different countries, Emmons learned that her friend had been jailed in Shibuya, Japan, after officials said he resisted arrest.

Nine months later, Adame is still overseas  now in a Tokyo detention center. His next court appearance is scheduled for mid-February.

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Emmons, 22, also a senior at the University of Redlands, has been collecting donations to assist with Adames return to the States, coordinate visits and keep in touch with government officials.

Officials at the University of Redlands have been in contact with local and international law enforcement agencies, a university spokesperson said, and some of Adames professors have written to Japanese authorities, testifying to his character.

The U.S. State Department said that consular officers are assisting Adame and that state officials visit him regularly at the Tokyo detention center.

Adames ordeal started as a night out with people he had met in his hostel, Emmons said. The night he was arrested, Adame had a few beers and fell asleep in a bar. His new companions had taken off and Japanese police officers woke him, but Adame was distrustful of the men, Emmons said. His friends had warned him before they left the hostel to beware of Japanese gang members dressing like police and extorting or kidnapping travelers.

So when officers told Adame that he owed $900 for breaking a lamp, Emmons said, her friend didnt believe them.

He was convinced they were gang members, she said.

Julian Adame has been jailed in Japan since May. (Kate Emmons)

Adame was taken first to a community police box and then driven to his hostel to pick up his passport.

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According to Emmons, a video submitted as evidence shows Adame repeatedly telling officers, Youre going to kill me. He called 911 more than a dozen times during his confrontation with Japanese officials, she said.

When Adame retrieved his passport, officers began handcuffing him, Emmons said.

He was really startled by this, so he turned around and accidentally scuffed one of the officers chins, she said, leading to a charge of the obstruction of the performance of official duties.

Emmons slowly learned the series of events after piecing together information from U.S. embassy officials in Tokyo, letters from Adame and a five-minute conversation during one visit she made to the Shibuya jail in May.

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Adames mother, Leah Smith of Sacramento, said she didnt immediately know her son was missing because they had been estranged and hadnt talked for two years. When she learned of his incarceration from Emmons social media postings, Smith said she went through a roller coaster of emotions.

First, he was missing, then he was found, then he was in jail. It was literally the worst day of my life, she said. My son had never gotten in trouble with the law in any way.

Smith said her sons ordeal has rekindled their relationship, and she hopes that once hes released, they can make up for lost time.

Meanwhile, after months of delays and postponed court hearings, Emmons is trying to raise $6,000 through a GoFundMe campaign in preparation for Adames release.

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I dont think Ive ever cried so much than over the past few months, she said. Its been this really heartbreaking cycle of let-downs. Imagining him being alone in a cell for this many months fills me with a deep sorrow.

alejandra.reyesvelarde@latimes.com

Twitter: @r_valejandra
The Navy is commissioning a stealthy $4.6 billion destroyer Saturday at Naval Base North Island in Coronado.

Some 5,000 people are expected on the base to celebrate the future USS Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001).

Thursday the Navy offered a sneak-peek of the vessel, one of three in its arsenal, and talked about its namesake, Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Monsoor.

Monsoor, who was from Orange County, enlisted in the Navy in 2001 and attended Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) school in 2004.

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He was assigned to SEAL Team 3, based out of Coronado, in 2005 and deployed to Iraq, where he was killed in 2006.

In his short time there, Monsoor distinguished himself among the SEALs, considered the most distinguished fighters in the Navy. In May 2006 he was awarded the Silver Star after he helped rescue an injured SEAL in a firefight.

A photo of Navy SEAL Michael Monsoor is on display in Hall of Heroes on the future USS Michael Monsoor. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in Ramadi, Iraq, on September. 29, 2006. (Howard Lipin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

Four months later, on Sept. 29, Monsoor was on a Ramadi rooftop with other SEALs and Iraqi soldiers when a grenade was tossed into their position, striking him in the chest and dropping to the ground in front of him. Monsoor yelled grenade and jumped onto it, absorbing the explosion and saving the lives of his comrades.

He died soon after and was buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery. In March 2008 he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

That October, the Navy announced its second Zumwalt-class destroyer would be named for Monsoor.

The SEALs fingerprints are all over the ship.

1 / 22 The future USS Michael Monsoor, named for Michael Monsoor, a Navy SEAL who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in Ramadi, Iraq, on September. 29, 2006, when he was killed in action, is the Navys newest Zumwalt-class destroyer. Docked at Naval Air Station North Island with the San Diego downtown skyline in the background, the ship will be commissioned Saturday, January 26. (Howard Lipin / The San Diego Union-Tribune) 2 / 22 One of the photos of Michael Monsoor, a Navy SEAL who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in Ramadi, Iraq, on September. 29, 2006, when he was killed in action is on display in the Hall of Heroes on the future USS Michael Monsoor, the Navys newest Zumwalt-class destroyer, named for Monsoor. Docked at Naval Air Station North Island, the ship will be commissioned Saturday, January 26. (Howard Lipin / The San Diego Union-Tribune) 3 / 22 The cover Michael Monsoor wore when he was in BUD/S training to become a Navy SEAL, and wrote, You Never Quit inside the cover, and is now bairly visible, is on display in the quarterdeck of the future USS Michael Monsoor, named for him. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in Ramadi, Iraq, on September. 29, 2006, when he was killed in action. The USS Monsoor is the Navys newest Zumwalt-class destroyer and will be commissioned Saturday, January 26 at Naval Air Station North Island. (Howard Lipin / The San Diego Union-Tribune) 4 / 22 The cover Michael Monsoor wore when he was in BUD/S training to become a Navy SEAL, and wrote, You Never Quit inside the cover, and is now bairly visible, is on display in the quarterdeck of the future USS Michael Monsoor, named for him. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in Ramadi, Iraq, on September. 29, 2006, when he was killed in action. The USS Monsoor is the Navys newest Zumwalt-class destroyer and will be commissioned Saturday, January 26 at Naval Air Station North Island. (Howard Lipin / The San Diego Union-Tribune) 5 / 22 The cover Michael Monsoor wore when he was in BUD/S training to become a Navy SEAL, and wrote, You Never Quit inside the cover, and is now bairly visible, is on display in the quarterdeck of the future USS Michael Monsoor, named for him. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in Ramadi, Iraq, on September. 29, 2006, when he was killed in action. The USS Monsoor is the Navys newest Zumwalt-class destroyer and will be commissioned Saturday, January 26 at Naval Air Station North Island. (Howard Lipin / The San Diego Union-Tribune) 6 / 22 Lucina Reed attaches red white and blue bunting on the rails of the deck on the future USS Michael Monsoor, named for Monsoor, a Navy SEAL, who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in Ramadi, Iraq, on September. 29, 2006, when he was killed in action. The USS Monsoor is the Navys newest Zumwalt-class destroyer and will be commissioned Saturday, January 26 at Naval Air Station North Island. (Howard Lipin / The San Diego Union-Tribune) 7 / 22 A photo Navy SEAL Michael Monsoor is on display in Hall of Heroes on the future USS Michael Monsoor, named for Monsoor who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in Ramadi, Iraq, on September. 29, 2006, when he was killed in action. The USS Monsoor is the Navys newest Zumwalt-class destroyer and will be commissioned Saturday, January 26 at Naval Air Station North Island. (Howard Lipin / The San Diego Union-Tribune) 8 / 22 A photo Michael Monsoor, on the left, when he was in BUD/S training to become a Navy SEAL, hangs on the wall of the Hall of Heroes on the future USS Michael Monsoor, named for the SEAL who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in Ramadi, Iraq, on September. 29, 2006, when he was killed in action. The USS Monsoor is the Navys newest Zumwalt-class destroyer and will be commissioned Saturday, January 26 at Naval Air Station North Island. (Howard Lipin / The San Diego Union-Tribune) 9 / 22 A photo Michael Monsoor, when he was in BUD/S training to become a Navy SEAL, hangs on the wall of the Hall of Heroes on the future USS Michael Monsoor, named for the SEAL who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in Ramadi, Iraq, on September. 29, 2006, when he was killed in action. The USS Monsoor is the Navys newest Zumwalt-class destroyer and will be commissioned Saturday, January 26 at Naval Air Station North Island. (Howard Lipin / The San Diego Union-Tribune) 10 / 22 A crewmember boards the future USS Michael Monsoor, the Navys newest Zumwalt-class destroyer, named for Michael Monsoor, a Navy SEAL who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in Ramadi, Iraq, on September. 29, 2006, when he was killed in action. Docked at Naval Air Station North Island, the ship will be commissioned Saturday, January 26. (Howard Lipin / The San Diego Union-Tribune) 11 / 22 A crewmember leaves the future USS Michael Monsoor, the Navys newest Zumwalt-class destroyer, named for Michael Monsoor, a Navy SEAL who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in Ramadi, Iraq, on September. 29, 2006, when he was killed in action. Docked at Naval Air Station North Island, the ship will be commissioned Saturday, January 26. (Howard Lipin / The San Diego Union-Tribune) 12 / 22 A crewmember boards the future USS Michael Monsoor, the Navys newest Zumwalt-class destroyer, named for Michael Monsoor, a Navy SEAL who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in Ramadi, Iraq, on September. 29, 2006, when he was killed in action. Docked at Naval Air Station North Island, The ship will be commissioned Saturday, January 26. (Howard Lipin / The San Diego Union-Tribune) 13 / 22 Lucina Reed attaches red white and blue bunting on the rails of the deck on the future USS Michael Monsoor, named for Monsoor, a Navy SEAL, who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in Ramadi, Iraq, on September. 29, 2006, when he was killed in action. The USS Monsoor is the Navys newest Zumwalt-class destroyer and will be commissioned Saturday, January 26 at Naval Air Station North Island. (Howard Lipin / The San Diego Union-Tribune) 14 / 22 Navy Capt. Scott Smith, commanding officer of the future USS Michael Monsoor, the Navys newest Zumwalt-class destroyer, named for Michael Monsoor, a Navy SEAL who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in Ramadi, Iraq, on September. 29, 2006, when he was killed in action, in the ships quarterdeck. Docked at Naval Air Station North Island, the ship will be commissioned Saturday, January 26. (Howard Lipin / The San Diego Union-Tribune) 15 / 22 Navy Capt. Scott Smith, commanding officer of the future USS Michael Monsoor, the Navys newest Zumwalt-class destroyer, named for Michael Monsoor, a Navy SEAL who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in Ramadi, Iraq, on September. 29, 2006, when he was killed in action, in the ships quarterdeck. Docked at Naval Air Station North Island, the ship will be commissioned Saturday, January 26. (Howard Lipin / The San Diego Union-Tribune) 16 / 22 Navy Capt. Scott Smith, commanding officer of the future USS Michael Monsoor, the Navys newest Zumwalt-class destroyer, named for Michael Monsoor, a Navy SEAL who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in Ramadi, Iraq, on September. 29, 2006, when he was killed in action, in the ships quarterdeck. Docked at Naval Air Station North Island, the ship will be commissioned Saturday, January 26. (Howard Lipin / The San Diego Union-Tribune) 17 / 22 The future USS Michael Monsoor, named for Michael Monsoor, a Navy SEAL who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in Ramadi, Iraq, on September. 29, 2006, when he was killed in action, is the Navys newest Zumwalt-class destroyer. Docked at Naval Air Station North Island. The ship will be commissioned Saturday, January 26. (Howard Lipin / The San Diego Union-Tribune) 18 / 22 Wallace St. John, and Lucina Reed attach red white and blue bunting on the rails of the deck on the future USS Michael Monsoor, named for Monsoor, a Navy SEAL, who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in Ramadi, Iraq, on September. 29, 2006, when he was killed in action. The USS Monsoor is the Navys newest Zumwalt-class destroyer and will be commissioned Saturday, January 26 at Naval Air Station North Island. (Howard Lipin / The San Diego Union-Tribune) 19 / 22 Navy Petty officer 2nd Class Anthony Cociffi, left, and fellow Petty Officer 2nd Class Tarell Flowers, on the deck of the future USS Michael Monsoor, named for Monsoor who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in Ramadi, Iraq, on September. 29, 2006, when he was killed in action. The USS Monsoor is the Navys newest Zumwalt-class destroyer and will be commissioned Saturday, January 26 at Naval Air Station North Island. (Howard Lipin / The San Diego Union-Tribune) 20 / 22 The future USS Michael Monsoor, named for Michael Monsoor, a Navy SEAL who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in Ramadi, Iraq, on September. 29, 2006, when he was killed in action, is the Navys newest Zumwalt-class destroyer. Docked at Naval Air Station North Island. The ship will be commissioned Saturday, January 26. (Howard Lipin / The San Diego Union-Tribune) 21 / 22 Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Kevin OConnell passes behind a Navy SEAL flag hanging in the future USS Michael Monsoor, named for Monsoor who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in Ramadi, Iraq, on September. 29, 2006, when he was killed in action. The USS Monsoor is the Navys newest Zumwalt-class destroyer and will be commissioned Saturday, January 26 at Naval Air Station North Island. (Howard Lipin / The San Diego Union-Tribune) 22 / 22 Navy Capt. Scott Smith, commanding officer of the future USS Michael Monsoor, the Navys newest Zumwalt-class destroyer, named for Michael Monsoor, a Navy SEAL who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in Ramadi, Iraq, on September. 29, 2006, when he was killed in action. Docked at Naval Air Station North Island, the ship will be commissioned Saturday, January 26. (Howard Lipin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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The 3rd class petty officer head cover that Monsoor wore at BUD/S is displayed on the ships quarterdeck in a glass case. Inside the hat, faded but still legible, are words Monsoor wrote to keep himself motivated: You never quit.

Those three words have become a rallying phrase, said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Misty Rambo, the Monsoors public information officer.

Our official motto is I will defend, she said. But on our ship...we do not quit.

The cover Michael Monsoor wore when he was in BUD/S training to become a Navy SEAL, and wrote, You Never Quit inside, is on display on the quarterdeck of the future USS Michael Monsoor. (Howard Lipin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Photos of Monsoor, as well as other SEALs killed in action, line the ships Hall of Heroes corridor just forward of the hangar deck.

Chief Erik Prager, the Monsoors damage control assistant, said he has served on a number of ships before, but the Monsoor name is special.

(It) has an incredible impact on how we do our day-to-day business, knowing folks who have known Monsoor, Prager said. That colors the way we act as a crew and how proud we are to be plank-owners on board USS Michael Monsoor.

Plank-owners are the first crew of a new ship.

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The Monsoor is the second of three Zumwalt-class destroyers joining the fleet. The Zumwalt program, originally slated for 32 vessels, went through several rounds of cuts as costs skyrocketed.

A 2008 shift in naval strategy re-focused the force on an earlier class of destroyers  Arleigh Burke  and Zumwalt orders dwindled from 32, to 24, then to seven and finally three. The next ship, the future Lyndon B. Johnson, will be the last; it is expected to be commissioned in 2022.

Zumwalt destroyers were designed to be stealthy  low profile and with little to no antenna or radar arrays protruding from the superstructure  and to attack targets on shore.

However, in 2017, after the cost of ammunition for the ships 155mm Advanced Gun System jumped to $800,000 per round, the Navy said it was reorienting the class as a surface-to-surface combatant, with more conventional guns and missiles.

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Cost overruns werent the only things plaguing the experimental platform. The lead ship of the class, the Zumwalt, broke down near Panama in 2016 on its way to San Diego.

And last year the Navy had to replace one of the Monsoors $20 million engines after it was damaged during sea trials. The Navy accepted delivery of the ship  despite its broken engine  from General Dynamics Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine, to keep its San Diego delivery schedule.

The technology on the vessel is the future of the surface Navy, said Captain Scott Smith, the commanding officer of the Monsoor.

The ship looks like nothing else on the waterfront. Its tumblehome hull is designed to help the ship cut through waves, while its steep sloping sides mask the ships radar signature.

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This is the leading edge, but it is only the edge, Smith said. Theres much more to follow.

Lucina Reed attaches red white and blue bunting on the rails of the deck on the future USS Michael Monsoor, in preparation for Saturdays commissioning. (Howard Lipin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

The advancements are more than skin deep.

A consolidated ship mission center, the so-called nerve center of the ship, sits almost directly aft of the bridge and incorporates a combat information center as well as damage control central. On most other ships, damage control central is located far below decks in engineering.

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Another difference between the Zumwalt class destroyers and the Arleigh Burkes is the way their missiles are arrayed. The older Arleigh Burkes launch missiles from centralized missile bays, while on the Monsoor, theyre launched along the edges of the forward and aft decks.

Its called Peripheral Vertical Launch System, Smith said. There are different advantages to that. One, it creates almost a double-hull  armored on the outside and armored on the inside. These (missiles) are also larger than the ones on the Arleigh Burkes and on the cruisers.

Smith could not say when the new ship might deploy, saying the schedule isnt fixed. Its more than a year out, he said.

 the Navy is going to continue to outfit us with new things, Smith said.

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This ship will change the way we fight. Because its that leading edge, everything that follows will be impacted by what were doing.

Contact Andrew Dyer via email or Twitter.
The San Marcos City Council on Tuesday approved a $15 million loan to the developers of an affordable housing project that will bring new apartments to the citys Richmar neighborhood.

The project, located on Mission Road at Pleasant Way, will replace older apartments in the area, and is part of an ongoing plan to revitalize the neighborhood in central San Marcos. It is one of the final projects in a suite of housing upgrades aimed at making the once-blighted neighborhood cleaner and safer.

The El Dorado II project is a key component toward the initiative to create a family-centered, safe environment in what was once an area of blight and underdevelopment in the City of San Marcos, according to a report on the project.

The project includes a plan to demolish 17 aging apartment units, and replace them with 71 new units. In addition, the company will also remodel and update 12 older apartments. There will also be an additional unit for the apartment manager, the report stated.

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Current residents will get first priority for the new or renovated apartments. Although the project is designated for affordable housing, it can also be described as workforce housing, geared toward people who are employed, but struggle to pay market rents, said developer Todd Cottle, a principal for C&C Development.

The majority of our tenants are employed, Cottle said. It may just be people who make enough to afford market-rate housing.

Although the company doesnt plan to restrict the apartments to people who are employed in San Marcos, Cottle said the city could request that it include that as a priority for evaluating applicants.

Total cost for the project is estimated to be $44.7 million, according to the report, and the city approved a loan of $15,126,837. The developers also plan to apply for affordable housing tax credits to fund the project.

The project will displace the adjacent restaurant, Mr. Taco, and council members asked about plans for the popular eatery.

Mr. Taco, its on everyones mind; whats going to happen with that, Cottle said.

The new structure will include 2,000 square feet of mixed-use commercial space, and the taco shop will be invited to relocate to the new site once the project is finished, he said.

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deborah.brennan@sduniontribune.com Twitter@deborahsbrennan
A group of Vista middle-schoolers is enjoying the sweet taste of success this week after developing a mint brownie candy bar that so inspired Chuao Chocolatier co-founder Michael Antonorsi that a version of it is moving into worldwide distribution this week.

Mintfully Brownie, a 2.8-ounce Signature premium dark chocolate bar, was developed by Antonorsi last summer after a sixth-grade science class at Vista Christian School came up with its intriguing combination of flavors and textures as part of a classroom project.

On Wednesday, Antonorsi invited the 16-student class  now all seventh-graders -- back to his Carlsbad headquarters and factory to unveil the new bar, which went on sale the same day. Besides handing out trays of the finished bars to the 12- and 13-year-olds to sample, Antonorsi had a few other surprises up his chef coat sleeves.

If the Mintfully Brownie bar is a success  and Chuao sales director Tomas Pineda said early feedback from retail buyers is outstanding  Antonorsi said he hopes to donate a portion of the sales to the school.

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He has also included a dedication to the students on the back of the bars white-and-green foil wrapper that concludes with the words: This one is for you, future chocolatiers!

1 / 12 Vista Christian School seventh-grader Karlee Mejia shows off a Mintfully Brownie Bar during its unveiling at Chuao Chocolatier headquarters in Carlsbad on Wednesday. Her science class helped provide inspiration for the bars ingredients as part of a class project last spring. (Bill Wechter / San Diego Union-Tribune) 2 / 12 Chuao Chocolatier CEO Michael Antonorsi reads the back panel of his new Mintfully Brownie chocolate bar to seventh-graders from Vista Christian School during a company visit Wednesday. Antonorsi dedicated the bar to the students, whose class project to create a similar bar in April 2018 inspired his own idea. (Bill Wechter / ) 3 / 12 Vista Christian School seventh-grader Moerani Wight gets a high-five from Tomas Pineda, director of sales at Chuao Chocolatier during a company tour Wednesday. Chuao developed its new Mintfully Brownie chocolate bar after being inspired by a candy bar the students created in class last spring. (Bill Wechter / San Diego Union-Tribune) 4 / 12 Chef Michael Antonorsi talks to Vista Christian School seventh-graders Wednesday at the Chuao Chocolatier headquarters and factory in Carlsbad. (Bill Wechter / San Diego Union-Tribune) 5 / 12 CEO and head chef Michael Antonorsi at Chuao Chocolatier in Carlsbad serves Vista Christian School seventh-graders samples of his Mintfully Brownie bars, which were developed after the students came up with their own mint brownie candy bar recipe as a science class project last spring. (Bill Wechter / San Diego Union-Tribune) 6 / 12 Vista Christian School seventh-graders enjoy a sample of a Mintfully Brownie Bar, a candy bar produced by Chuao Chocolatier in Carlsbad, on Wednesday. The bar was inspired by a similar bar they created as a school science project in spring 2018. (Bill Wechter / San Diego Union-Tribune) 7 / 12 Vista Christian School seventh-grader Kasey Valdez enjoys a sample of Chuao Chocolatiers Mintfully Brownie Bar, inspired by a chocolate bar her class developed last year, during a visit to the companys headquarters in Carlsbad on Wednesday. (Bill Wechter / San Diego Union-Tribune) 8 / 12 Vista Christian School seventh grader Elena Redwine enjoys a sample of Chuao Chocolatiers Mintfully Brownie Bar during a visit to the companys headquarters in Carlsbad on Wednesday. It was inspired by a chocolate bar her class developed last year as a science project. (Bill Wechter / San Diego Union-Tribune) 9 / 12 Vista Christian School seventh-grader Claire McLeod enjoys a sample of Chuao Chocolatiers Mintfully Brownie Bar during a visit to the companys headquarters in Carlsbad on Wednesday. The new Chuao bar was inspired by a chocolate bar McLeods class developed last year as a school science project. (Bill Wechter / San Diego Union-Tribune) 10 / 12 Boxes of newly manufactured Mintfully Brownie bars on display during a premier of the product Wednesday at the Chuao Chocolatier facility in Carlsbad. (Bill Wechter / San Diego Union-Tribune) 11 / 12 Chef Michael Antonorsi introduces the newly manufactured Mintfully Brownie chocolate bars to seventh-graders from Vista Christian School at the companys Carlsbad headquarters on Wednesday. Antonorsi was inspired to create the bar after the students created one with similar ingredients last spring as a science class project. (Bill Wechter / San Diego Union-Tribune) 12 / 12 A seventh-grader from Vista Christian School holds one of Chuao Chocolatiers new Mintfully Brownie chocolate bar on Wednesday at Chuaos headquarters in Carlsbad. Sixteen science students from the school created a mint brownie candy bar last year as a class project and it served as inspiration for Chuaos new bar. (Bill Wechter / San Diego Union-Tribune)

Student Grace Gonzalez, 13, was the class projects photographer and videographer and said she cant believe shes had her own Willie Wonka experience.

This whole thing was awesome, she said. It was very challenging and also inspiring. Our dream really did come true. Now I want to come work here some day.

The Chuao candy bars genesis stretches back to late 2017 when Antonorsi said hed become creatively stuck in his effort to create a brownie-based chocolate bar.

Every one of the companys Signature bars incorporates chocolate and two other layers of flavor that are designed to re-create either a childhood memory or an aromatic experience. Some of the companys 18 Signature bars are Baconlicious, Potato Chip, Ravishing Rocky Road, Caramel Apple Crush and Cinnamon Cereal Smooch.

Antonorsi, whos CEO and head chef at the 17-year-old company, tried mixing caramel and other flavors with chocolate and thin, crunchy brownie cookies but nothing worked. Then last May, he got a letter from Rachel Flores, science teacher at Vista Christian School.

Last spring, Flores was looking for a fun, hands-on project her class could do for open house that incorporated all five elements of the STEAM curriculum: science, technology, engineering, art and math. She came up with the idea of having the kids create their own candy bar flavors. Her husband, Angel, works in Chuaos e-commerce department, so he arranged for the company to donate several pounds of cooking chocolate for the students to experiment with.

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Over the next several weeks, the students dreamed up their own flavors, polled the 175 students on campus on their favorites, graphed the data, and set to work inventing the three top finalists: Mint brownie, French toast and coffee toffee.

Student Claire McLeod, who aspires to be a chef someday, was in charge of the cooking project. She said it was much harder than she imagined. As Antonorsi told the students Wednesday during their return visit, making a candy bar isnt as easy as stirring together a few items. Some ingredients lose their texture or flavor, some items arent the proper bite size and many arent shelf-stable.

Its like experiencing fresh-popped popcorn versus popcorn that has been sitting in a bag for months, Antonorsi said. My goal is to translate that experience. Its not always literal. It just feels like what its promising.

McLeod, 12, said she experimented for weeks with different batches of brownies and various mints, finally discovering that the crispy overbaked edges of brownies and chopped up Andes-brand mints worked best. Meanwhile, 12-year-old Bria Livingston designed packaging inspired by previous Chuao Signature bars, with the main ingredient, brownies, covered in a bath of melted chocolate and a mint leaf.

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After the open house last April, Flores sent a letter and video of the students experience to Antonorsi as a thank you for the chocolate. He said opening that letter and reading about the students mint brownie bar came like a bolt from the blue.

It just happened out of nowhere. That was it. Mint was the perfect flavor, he said. It has that freshness, it adds another layer to the bar and its a taste that lingers in your mouth afterward.

Last May, he invited the class to the factory for a tour and thanked them for helping him with his long-gestating idea. Then his team went to work formulating their own bar, which is topped with crunchy mint sugar crystals. Senior brand designer Carly Cruickshank came up with the bars name and brand manager Sebastian Gomez oversaw the packaging, which includes the student dedication and a cover design that also features chocolate-dripping brownies and a mint leaf.

After more than eight months of development, the Mintfully Brownie bar was introduced Jan. 13 at the Winter Fancy Foods Show in San Francisco and it was an instant hit. Sales begin this week and the $6 bars should start appearing on store shelves in four to eight weeks.

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Antonorsi said he hopes the Mintfully Brownie bar is just the first of many collaborations between his company and Vista Christian School students, who hes calling his outsource R&D department.

On Wednesday, he gave each student a chocolate goodie bag and asked them to fill out a questionnaire on ideas for his now-in-development non-chocolate snack product line. He also asked them for some other candy bar ideas. They came up with mochi, wasabi, pina colada, arroz con leche and creme brulee.

I love collaborating with children, he said. Theyre not as restricted in their creativity as adults. Theres more of a free flow of ideas.

Flores said its been an eye-opening experience for all of the students.

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Michael is a passionate person and he inspired the kids, Flores said. He told them that if you have a passion you can make a career out of it. To see the process of something going from an idea to creation was great for them.

pam.kragen@sduniontribune.com
Carlsbad schools will be getting a makeover over the next three years, as the district launches the first phase of projects under its $265 million school bond proposal, Measure HH.

The bond measure, which passed in November with the approval of 62.5 percent of Carlsbad voters, will fund upgrades to some of the oldest elementary schools, finish modernization of Carlsbad High, and add campus security features to all sites.

On Wednesday, the Carlsbad Unified School District board discussed some of the upcoming improvements, including the addition of perimeter fencing, security cameras, new relocatable buildings, and construction of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) labs at the districts elementary schools.

The first series of school improvement projects will also include expanding Hope, Kelly and Magnolia Elementary Schools to accommodate growing enrollment, upgrading the science lab and air conditioning building at Carlsbad High, and installing solar panels and power storage at all Carlsbad campuses, Superintendent Benjamin Churchill said.

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We have basically a 15-year construction program, broken into five phases, Churchill said.

The district will issue the first and largest bond series for $82 million this spring, and complete the projects over three years, he said. School officials plan to begin design work for all the Phase 1 improvements in 2019, start construction by summer 2020 and finish the projects by 2022.

As part of that, the district aims to ramp up security by installing fencing and security cameras at its school. Fencing will go up at Calavera Hills, Hope, Pacific Rim and Poinsettia Elementary Schools, Calavera Hills and Valley Middle Schools and Carlsbad High School, according to a list of the projects.

Each of those will be enclosed by 8-foot-tall, wrought-iron fencing with security gates, said Kelly Fleming, director of facilities and construction management. She added that the extra height and material choice will make it harder to enter those campuses without authorization, which could buy time for school staff to respond to attempts at campus violence.

Being able to breach an aluminum fence versus a wrought iron fence, you gain about two minutes, she said.

School violence has become a grim part of educational planning since mass shootings claimed numerous lives at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., last year, and at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. in 2012. Earlier, in 2010, Carlsbad Unified School District faced its own threat when a gunman shot into a crowd of students on the playground of Kelly Elementary School, wounding two girls in their arms before construction workers stopped him.

Still, the district recognizes the challenge of maintaining a welcoming environment and community access, while safeguarding students in schools, said Chris Wright, assistant superintendent for business services.

What we hear is, Dont make things look like a fortress, dont make it look like a prison, he said. We want it to look nice and clean. So were really trying to find that balance.

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The district will also install security cameras on all its elementary and middle school campuses to ensure student and staff safety and deter vandalism. And it will add relocatable buildings on campuses, including some that will serve as STEAM labs for the schools. Although relocatable, or portable buildings, have traditionally been deployed as temporary classrooms, officials said newer modular construction techniques allow the buildings to last up to 50 years, and provide long-term learning space on campuses.

We can get them in a two-story facility, different sizes, with different features that allow us to use them for restrooms, or music rooms or STEAM rooms, which is what were doing, Fleming said. With the new technology in how theyre being built, they can last for 50 years, instead of the previous 20 to 25 years, so we can sturdy up the foundation and make them more of a permanent feature.

The buildings also have different architectural features and amenities, with bigger pricetags for higher-end modular structures, she said. School trustees said they are interested in saving money on design features, but not skimping on components essential to the learning environment such as large windows, flexible space and electrical connectivity.

There is a trade-off in terms of (costs), especially for the STEAM labs, to have an area for the students with open windows, and having natural light for those students to work in, said school board member Veronica Williams. They need to be creative and have those aesthetics.

During the first phase of bond construction, STEAM labs will go in at Buena Vista, Kelly, Hope, Magnolia, Pacific Rim and Poinsettia Elementary Schools, according to the districts presentation.

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The board also discussed how to inform community members of the milestones and progress on bond projects.

Measure HH authorizes the district to issue $265 million in school bonds over a 30-year period, at an annual cost of $34 per $100,000 of assessed property value. An analysis by the San Diego Taxpayers Association concluded that its total cost, with interest and principal, would be $508 million. In light of that investment, they said, Carlsbad voters should be kept up to speed on the improvements.

The district will consider sending mailers, using social media and speaking with community groups. as well as posting updates on its website. In addition, it will hold a series of public meetings to seek feedback on upcoming projects. A list of community information sessions, is available on the district website.

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deborah.brennan@sduniontribune.com Twitter@deborahsbrennan
As federal air safety workers and their union leaders were mounting a protest Friday morning at the San Diego airport, President Donald Trump was announcing a deal to temporarily reopen the government.

While the announcement that they would soon be receiving the back pay owed them was welcome news, some remained concerned that less than a month from now theyll once again be fretting about unpaid bills amid a revived government shutdown.

Its a start but it still keeps us an edge, said Ron Gerber, a TSA worker at the San Diego International Airport. This is only until Feb. 15. Its the unknown that really hurts. Thats what scared everyone up until now.

So OK, you have a little respite and you can catch your breath and it can happen again Feb. 15. They should get on the stick and fund us forever. Pay these people for the job they do.

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Gerber was among dozens of workers and union leaders representing not only TSA workers but also aviation safety specialists employed by the Federal Aviation Administration who gathered outside Terminal 1 for the protest. As they raised signs imploring the government to End the shutdown and Pay us for our work, drivers passing by honked their horns in support. Members of other San Diego unions participated in the protest.

Like Gerber, Rep. Scott Peters, D-San Diego, who spoke at the morning rally, said the temporary reprieve was good news but it doesnt go far enough.

I cant imagine anyone is going to be opposed to reopening the government, even for three weeks, but thats not a satisfactory answer, Peters said. We should never have gotten to this point. We can agree about how we spend federal tax money but we should do that while the government is open and were keeping the skies safe, were keeping terrorists out of our country, and screening cargo. Im sick and tired of beating up on public employees who are just doing their jobs, so of course this is progress but it should be for the rest of the year, it shouldnt be for just three weeks.

Friday marked the 35th day of the government shutdown that began Dec. 22 when Trump refused to sign any government spending bills unless he received $5.7 billion for a border wall. It also marked the the second paycheck that 800,000 federal employees would not be receiving.

For us, our main thing is we wanted people to get paid and to get back to work, so anything that can get folks their paychecks so they can take care of their families makes us happy, said Ryan Nims, legislative political organizer for the American Federation of Government Employees, District 12, whose representation includes TSA workers.

Earlier Friday morning, the Federal Aviation Administration had temporarily halted flights into LaGuardia Airport in New York because of a shortage of air-traffic control staff. While it prompted flight delays across the Northeast, it was not having a ripple effect in San Diego, according to an airport spokesman.

According to the FAAs website, some arriving flights into LaGuardia were experiencing delays averaging one hour and 15 minutes Friday afternoon. Meanwhile, the FAAs flight delay map was showing no disruptions for most of the country, including San Diego, with general arrival and departure delays averaging 15 minutes or less.

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So far, theres been no impacts because of whats happening on the East Coast, but were closely watching the situation because it can change, said San Diego airport spokesman Jonathan Heller.

In a statement posted on Twitter, the FAA said, Weve mitigated the impact by augmenting staffing, rerouting traffic, and increasing spacing between aircraft as needed.

As for security lines at Lindbergh Field, TSA worker Gerber said he has not noticed any longer-than-normal delays.

The TSA on Friday reported a 7.6 percent rate of unscheduled absences across the nation Thursday compared to a 3 percent rate one year earlier. It said that many employees were reporting that they were not able to come to work due to financial limitations.

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For the San Diego airport, it reported maximum wait times of 14 minutes, well under national average wait times of up to 30 minutes.

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lori.weisberg@sduniontribune.com

(619) 293-2251

Twitter: @loriweisberg
DeskHub, one of the oldest coworking spaces in San Diego, has been acquired by a Santa Monica-based chain called Cross Campus.

The purchase includes DeskHubs location in Little Italy and its Scottsdale office. Financial details were not disclosed.

The acquisition, announced Thursday, comes as the coworking trend continues to barrel along in San Diego. When DeskHub opened in Little Italy in 2015, there were few players. Founder Jay Chernikoff said he thinks DeskHub was among the earliest coworking spaces in town, just after local pioneer Co-Merge (which closed in 2016). But today the city is home to more than 90, including Carlsbads CommonGrounds, which just raised $100 million on an aggressive growth plan.

Chernikoff said consolidation is wise when going up against big players like WeWork and Regus.

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Theres power in numbers, Chernikoff said. This will allow us to have more support, infrastructure and a larger network. It will also let us step up our game when it comes to operations.

Chernikoff, who founded DeskHub alone and has worn many hats over the past four years, said its a relief to join others in leadership. He will step into a new role at Cross Campus, serving as chief marketing officer, responsible for marketing and brokering partnerships for the company.

The two DeskHub locations total about 40,000 square feet, bringing Cross Campus total locations to seven across two states  California and Arizona  and about 220,000 square feet.

Chernikoff said the acquisition will also benefit his tenants. The 300 people who lease office space on India Street will now have access to Cross Campus locations in Los Angeles.

For example, our members will have a place to take meetings while in the area, Chernikoff said. We like the idea of connecting LA and San Diego to make a West Coast network and regional brand.

Cross Campus has locations in Pasadena, Beverly Hills, South Bay, Santa Monica, and Downtown LA.

The buyout will result in a rebranding of the local office with cosmetic upgrades planned for down the road, but Chernikoff said most everything else will stay the same for tenants.

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brittany.meiling@sduniontribune.com 619-293-1286 Twitter: @BrittanyMeiling
Mayor Kevin Faulconer used his State of the City address a few weeks ago to propose new housing goals, primarily around transit. The plan would eliminate building height limits in many neighborhoods, wipe out parking requirements and make it more profitable to build low-income housing.

Question: Do you think Mayor Kevin Faulconers housing plan will work?

Phil Blair, Manpower

YES: San Diegans need to realize we are an urban environment and now need to think higher density wherever it makes sense. It is especially true around public transportation hubs like trolley stations. We know that two thirds of all of our growth in San Diego County is from our own children and grandchildren wanting to continue to live in San Diego. We need to make room for them.

Kelly Cunningham, San Diego Institute for Economic Research

YES: Changes are clearly needed since current policies are not working. Any new development is challenged to obtain public support from residents. The mayors plan eliminating height limits in many neighborhoods, easing parking requirements, lowering costs and streamlining project approval, especially for low-income housing, should help improve the needed supply of housing. Not requiring low-income housing in every new development also helps since it has the perverse effect of increasing housing prices to subsidize those units.

David Ely, San Diego State University

YES: Eliminating restrictions on building height and parking in some areas of the city will allow for more units to be profitably built so these steps could contribute toward easing the housing shortage. Unfortunately, the proposed changes are only a partial solution. They will not help expand housing for everyone who does not want to live in high density areas near public transportation or in parts of the county outside the city of San Diego.

Gina Champion-Cain, American National Investments

NO: The proposal designed to stimulate density near mass transit is long overdue. Unfortunately, small opposition groups have enjoyed strong influence over our elected officials, effectively obstructing much needed residential development. Our inability to attain density approval along our $2.1 billion trolley line illustrates the problem. All currently approved trolley corridor projects will be built with less density than allowed. In one case only 150 units will be built on a 6-acre former trailer park site. Shame on us.

Alan Gin, University of San Diego

YES: It will help the housing situation, but not completely solve it. Given the limits on land locally, increased density is a must. The proposals to eliminate height limits and parking requirements and allow developers to build projects as large as they want if they include low-income housing will increase density, which will help. But the housing problem will never be completely solved because, as affordability improves, more people will be attracted to San Diego and prices and rents will be driven up again.

James Hamilton, UC San Diego

YES: Mayor Faulconer correctly understands that the best way to deal with San Diegos housing problems is new construction. But we need to do that without aggravating traffic congestion and urban sprawl. None of us want to see San Diego become another Los Angeles. I like the mayors strategy of coordinating growth plans with transit solutions. Even so, much more needs to be done.

Gary London, London Moeder Advisors

YES: The mayors proposal is nothing short of a sea change in terms of achieving new housing by accepting height and density. It may be a good political calculation, as well, as the City Council might support it, although the devil is always in the details. I wish that the linkage to housing was proximity to jobs, however, as that would better address the duel problem of reducing the need for commuting, as well as support economic prosperity.

Norm Miller, University of San Diego

NO: I applaud the intent of the mayor and agree with some of his proposals, such as eliminating height limits near transit-oriented development, but I doubt many developers would agree to significant affordable housing components, unless the whole development is subsidized affordable housing with tax credits and/or other incentives. I also believe the NIMBYs, and BANANAs (build absolutely nothing anywhere near anyone) will politically strategize ways to inhibit Faulconers proposals.

Jamie Moraga, IntelliSolutions

Not participating this week.

Austin Neudecker, Rev

YES: The plan seems directionally correct; it will be interesting to see the details. Eliminating building height limits in areas that have public commuting options could make sense, yet I worry about the traffic and parking impacts. Regardless, I believe that we will have to rethink many of our urban planning strategies as self-driving car services become part of our lives. We should look to leap into the future vs. slowly react to existing conditions.

Bob Rauch, R.A. Rauch & Associates

YES: Mayor Faulconers housing plan can work but only if everyone works together. That means reduction of both state and local regulations, reduced impact fees and a broader definition of affordable housing so that we can catch up with demand. Getting locals to change their mindsets from not in my back yard to yes in my back yard is a quantum leap, especially since many NIMBYs are really CAVEs (citizens against virtually everything).

Lynn Reaser, Point Loma Nazarene University

YES: Removing some of the barriers to more housing in the city is a positive step. Ending height limits and ending parking requirements near rapid transit could allow sizable additions of new units at more affordable prices. Streamlining approval processes for housing projects and allowing greater densities would be helpful. Housing policy can involve mandates, incentives, or breaking down the roadblocks. The last of these options is best. If you give builders the chance, they will produce more homes.

Chris Van Gorder, Scripps Health

NO: I dont think it will work. Building high density housing without consideration for parking needs would require both a culture of using mass transit along with readily available mass transit and we have neither. This might work in just a few areas like downtown but could not be used in most locations without negative results. The mayor's plan is commendable in its intent, but perhaps too audacious.

Have an idea for an EconoMeter question? Email me at phillip.molnar@sduniontribune.com.

Follow me on Twitter: @PhillipMolnar
The Catholic Church ordained six new Deacons at the Immaculate Conception of Mary Cathedral, Mulivai, yesterday.

The service was led by Archbishop, Alapati Lui Mataeliga, who was accompanied by various Catholic Priests.

Families and friends of the new Deacons joined the church service with songs performed by the Choir of the Catholic Church at Malie.

The six new Deacons are: Paulo Tuli Afamasaga, of Vaivase, Mika Auvaa, of Falealupo, Ralph Nofoasaefa Solomona, of Vaivase, Siolosega Kapeli Sua, of Lalovaea, Usitasio Musu, of Lotofaga, and Iosefa Atonio Taimalie Frost, of Leulumoega. During the service, Archbishop Mataeliga spoke about the importance of asking God for help.

Newly ordained Deacon Siolosega Kapeli Sua, expressed joy about the new step in his life.

I give back the glory and thanksgiving to our Heavenly Father for his guidance and love throughout my journey and also to the Catholic Church in their decision.

I have chosen this path in my life on my own free will and no one made it for me and it was through God guiding me that gave me courage to pursue it.

My father who has passed away, played a key role in our church, and so I always wanted to follow his footsteps but I also wanted to serve our church and God as well, he said. The 33-year-old said that he is aiming for his priesthood at the end of this year.

This year marks seven years of studies to be a fully ordained pastor and so I will be returning to Fiji to continue my studies and hopefully graduate at the end of the year.

In all honesty it is not an easy journey but I am only able to overcome all obstacles through Gods guidance.
A research carried out by the University of the South Pacific, Alafua Campus, offers another solution for local farmers to control pests and insects that damage their farm.

The research involves the collection of different insects from across Samoa and the Pacific region and stored in the Pest museum at the university, which now houses hundreds of insects, with the collection started in the 1970s.

Lecturer in Plant Protection Leslie Ubaub, from the Philippines, said they will soon be collecting insect-pathogenic nematode from around the country to become biological control agents, and hopefully use them to control insect pests.

With pest management, its not quick, its not easy, and its collaboration between the USP, farmers and Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. It takes time, diagnosis takes time. Some diseases can be identified and managed quick, most of the time it really takes time, especially now that the climate is changing, Ms. Ubaub said.

Going into her second year at the university, Ms. Ubaub said she has already established a pest clinic.

The clinic and pest museum are related because for example some farmers will have pest insects from the farm and they want to confirm the species so that they can correctly control or manage the pest. So they will come in here.

It will be easier for us if we have the sample already, confirmation is just like getting the exact specimen and identify them, and so with our collection, its better and its easy to confirm.

In the advent of having new species coming from another country to Samoa and elsewhere, it will be a good data collection, if you have these already. If ever the sample that the farmer or other institution will come and present to us its new and we dont have it, it's easy to say its new, because sometimes we dont have collection yet, we need to start from the bottom, we need to dig deeper on the history of the insect.

Ms. Ubaub is also encouraging students to take up agriculture courses as it is a field that is relevant to every aspect of life.
The second Chinese Medical team has arrived in Samoa, with team members eager to start work.

The team is part of an agreement between Samoa and China, where China provides medicine, equipment and a medical team to help Samoa.

The second medical team comprises of: Dr. Zhang Jichang  cardiology, Dr. Mu Yan  dermatologist, Dr. Xu Feng  nephrologist, Dr. Xin Ding  ENT (ear, nose and throat specialists), Dr. Mei Xiang Lin  pathology, Dr. Zhan Peng  urology.

According to the team leader, Dr. Zhang, they have been in Samoa for a week.

The first medical team has left Samoa last week and we had the chance to exchange a few conversations and advices before they left, Dr. Zhang said.

I am very happy and honoured to have the opportunity to work in Samoa. I think that my specialty will be of great service to the hospital because there are a lot of patients that suffer from cardiovascular disease.

I have a lot of experience in treating patients with cardiovascular disease and I am also looking forward to working with the local doctors in sharing our experiences and knowledge to help improve our services to the people of Samoa.

Another member of the team, Dr. Xu, specializes in nephrology.

I specialize in the treatment of Chronic kidney diseases, such as the construction of vascular access for hemodialysis (include internal arteriovenous fistula and central venous indwelling catheter) and the treatment before hemodialysis.

I also had the chance to work as a post doctor in America for two years and I am also excited to experience the challenges that Samoa has to offer.

The team will begin at Motootua Hospital next week. During their six months in Samoa, they will also visit and help other hospitals.
Member of Parliament for Anoamaa West, Lauofo Fonotoe Meredith, yesterday pointed to the eligibility criteria for the Director General of the Ministry of Health.

This is outlined in the proposed Health merge bill tabled and discussed in Parliament yesterday.

Lauofo was particularly interested on the part, which lists people who qualify to apply for the position  which includes Samoan traditional healers (taulasea) among other health professionals.

Lauofo commended the Government for affording the opportunity to traditional healers to apply for such a prestigious position.

But this did not sit well with Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi, who called the suggestion a stupid idea.

Tuilaepa said a taulasea could never become the Director General because there are clear guidelines about the qualifications for a Director General.

Lauofo said there was no need for the Prime Minister to be upset as he was merely pointing to the list that is on the bill.

It is not a suggestion on my part as these health care professionals are outlined under the proposed measure, he said.

The Prime Minister said its a stupid suggestion; when it is not. The health care professionals I called out are in the bill.

The Prime Minister again interjected, noting that when it comes to ones eligibility for any position, there is always the aspect of "common sense."

Do not worry, he told Fonotoe, whenever Cabinet receives a panel decision on a certain position, thirteen people will scrutinize this decision and we will make the decision accordingly.

He was referring to himself and his Cabinet Ministers.

The Bill before Parliament seeks to amend the Ministry of Health Act 2006 and repeal the National Health Services Act 2014.

It proposes to regulate the additional functions, roles and responsibilities of the Ministry of Health.

It will also give the Ministry new responsibilities, functions and duties  due to the merger of the healthcare services and the administration  of the health service.

Furthermore, the bill seeks to provide for the functions, roles and responsibilities of a Director General and Deputy Director General of Health. The bill also gives effect to the transfer of the role of the National Health Service to the Ministry of Health.

In Parliament yesterday, the Minister of Health, Tuitama Dr. Leao Tuitama, noted that $26 million from the World Bank would be used to fund the merge.
The outcome of a Public Service Commission investigation into the security and release of Court files from the Ministry of Justice and Courts Administration remains unknown.

Emails from the Samoa Observer to the Public Service Commission Chairman, Aiono Mose Sua, last December have yet to be responded to.

Last year, the Public Service Commission appointed Tabitha Salima to carry out the Inquiry.

The terms of reference also looked at any material evidence relating to the use, allocation and management of Government assets.

The Inquiry was also tasked to look at the internal policies and procedures on managing the use and access of Government vehicles and assessment during daily operations.

Also to assess and determine any breaches of the Public Service values, principles and code of conduct in the discharge of official duties by any person appointed under the Act.

Issues relating to human resource management within the Ministry was also part of the terms of reference.

The investigation is the result of a formal complaint made by Ministry of Justice and Courts Administration employee, Tulima Pio, in relation to files that he allegedly delivered to the Ministers office.

The Minister for Justice and Courts Administration, Faaolesa Katopau Ainuu, denied the allegations that Court files were removed from within the vicinity of the Court and taken to his office.
For first time visitors David Schramm and Kelly Richardson, the sight of litter in the streets of Apia was a surprise.

The New Zealand couple flew into Samoa last Saturday and are in the country for a week, hoping to make the best of their five-day vacation.

Kelly said she couldnt help but notice the rubbish around the town.

What surprised me about Samoa was when we went around town, there was just so much rubbish everywhere. Like all on the street and gutters and all over the bench. I was actually quite surprised? I thought it would be a lot tidier than how it is, so thats probably my biggest shock, she said.

Rubbish was everywhere and I couldnt see a single rubbish bin in Apia anywhere to put the rubbish. So Im guessing thats why people are just dropping it everywhere.

But for David, he finds Samoa relaxing and said he is having a great time, despite the increasing heat.

Were really just here for a holiday, to chill and hang out in the sun and go for a swim and Samoa has definitely ticked off all those boxes, he said.

Kelly added: I really like it here and people are very friendly but its super hot. There are not too many people and its nice and short for us from New Zealand, so its good.

As a frequent traveller, David had been to other Pacific destinations except Samoa.

Ive been to Fiji, Cook Islands, Tonga and so forth. Its been really good, definitely something to come back to. Probably come around June, July or August when its cold in New Zealand, to get a little sun, he added.

When the couple were asked how they settled on Samoa as their holiday destination, they said it was by word of mouth through Samoans who live in New Zealand.

There are so many people from Samoa in New Zealand, and theyre always talking about it, so we figured, yep we have to go there and try that, David added.

The vacation experience so far has been good with tours of the markets in town and a tour of Upolu, which they both said they loved. Not forgetting the comforts of the Taumeasina Island Resort, which they both described as really lovely.

Its just very relaxing and we both got massages for like an hour, they said.
Fusi Anoamaa villagers have received three 10,000 litre tanks from the Latter-day Saints Charities of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Elder and Sister Cameron, missionaries of the L.D.S Charities, villagers, and chiefs witnessed the presentation ceremony.

The programme began with a hymn and a word of prayer by Bishop Solo Muiava of the Nuumau ward followed by a speech by Elder Cameron.

Fusi was one of the many villages that requested aid, specifically water tanks from the Latter-day Saints Charities.

There are a number of families in the village, who live on elevated ground, which makes it difficult for them to access water. Consequently, they asked for water tanks.

Elder and Sister Cameron handed over the three 10,000 litre water tanks to the village to assist those families in need.

Speaking on behalf of the village, water committee president Fuatavai Euta said they were grateful for the donation by the L.D.S.

We are so grateful for the water tanks L.D.S Charities have provided for us today. We have needed one for such a long time until today, our village and families are all very blessed. Thank you, he said.

The ceremony was held uphill where the new tanks were positioned, but that did not stop senior villagers and couples from walking up. Senior member of the village, Oloitoa Asovale, cut the ribbon to mark the official handing over of the three water tanks.
Child vendors participating in the Samoa Victim Support Group Juniors Buddy Up programme visited the Samoa Observer Group headquarters at Vaitele yesterday.

The programme promotes the education of child vendors and is an initiative of the Samoa Victim Support Group (SVSG) Juniors.

It is funded by the International Labour Organisation (I.L.O.).

The Editor of the Samoa Observer, Mataafa Keni Lesa, took the visitors on a tour of the newspaper and explained how a newspaper company operates.

The Samoa Observer newspaper was first established in 1978 and it serves to inform, educate and be a watchdog for the public, he said.

The group were also given insights on the role of the newspapers Marketing department and how advertising generates revenue for the company.

They were then taken up to the newsroom, where they met some journalists, and taken down to the printing press  the engine room of a newspaper company.

While the newspapers are printed, there is also an online edition of the newspaper, which the Editor said caters for a growing online community.

Mataafa appealed to the youngsters to believe in themselves and the power of education to change ones life.

Dont look down on yourselves, he said.

Education will secure you a better future through whatever chosen career you will decide on.

It is important to keep striving despite challenges that you face and do not let anyone tell you that youre worthless or you wont amount to anything.

We all come from humble beginnings, he added.

Speaking of his own childhood experiences, the Editor said when he was young he helped his mother sell coconuts and leis at the market.

A member of the SVSG Juniors, Sione Fetuai said it is important to build the self-esteem of child vendors so they can choose a better future through education.

The programme aims at lifting the spirits of child vendors with the hope of showing them that there is a bigger world out there for them.

And that living their lives on the streets is not an only option, through education; it can empower their lives to being successful employees of various companies that is the reason behind the visits, he added.
The Government is moving to legalise the obtaining of information from deportees and tracking their movements upon their arrival in Samoa.

That is the purpose of the proposed Returning Offenders Bill 2019, which the Police Commissioner Fuiavailiili Egon Keil gave details on during an interview with the Samoa Observer. The bill is stated to be introduced in parliament this week.

This bill seeks to monitor the return of deportees that come back from other countries such as Australia, New Zealand and U.S. and right now we dont have any laws that track the movement of these people who are deported back to Samoa, for various reasons.

Mind you, these people have been convicted of crimes overseas and these crimes could be violent, sexual, drugs and it could be numerous of things and it could also be over-stayers. We are not concerned about over-stayers  just those who have criminal background, he said.

According to Fuiavailiili, the bill if passed will protect the people of Samoa. He said there is an increase in the number of deportees returning to the Pacific, and not just Samoa.

Also there are crimes that have been committed by returnees and we want to address the issue head on and keep Samoa a little bit safer. But there are also those who have become productive members of society.

Acknowledging the work of the Samoa Returnees Charitable Trust, who assist deportees assimilate back into Samoan society, Fuiavailiili said their work is important as it strives to ensure they dont reoffend.

Provisions in the bill will include giving powers to a police officer to detain a returning offender, for the purposes of obtaining information. The police commissioner will also have powers to apply to the Court to issue a warrant to enter any premises  where a returning offender is residing  for the purposes of serving a determination notice or to avoid being served a notice.
The National University of Samoas School of Medicine will have full-time teaching staff in the 2019 academic year.

And the education of Samoas medicine students will include live online lectures in partnership with the University of Otago Medical School.

This was according to the NUS Vice Chancellor, Professor Fui Asofou Soo, in an interview with the media yesterday.

The development comes five years after the establishment of the School of Medicine and four years after the teaching of the first course.

Partnerships between the School of Medicine and The University of Otago, Yale and Brown Universities in the United States, the Scientific Research Organisation of Samoa (SROS) and the Universitys Faculty of Science for joint teaching and research in medicine and health science will also benefit the School and its students, added the Universitys Vice Chancellor.

Our School of Medicine started in the 2014 and our first programme was taught as from 2015. In 2017 we brought together the School of Nursing and Health Science and the School of Medicine to form the Faculty of Health Science. At the moment Health Science consist of two schools, School of Nursing and Health Science and School of Medicine, he said.

The important development is that for the first time since we started our own Medical School within the National University of Samoa we have a full time teaching staff. And we were only able to do that with the assistance of other institutions  which is the University of Otago Medical School.

They have always assisted us since we started back at the time, we had the Oceania University of Medicine at the time we established ourselves as a national medical school, school of medicine in the 2014, with our new programme 2015 this is the first time we have full staff on board.

Professor Fui Asofou Soo said with the continued support of the University of Otago Medical School, this year the students will be able to have live online lectures from Otago University.

So we have the continued support of the assistance of the University of Otago Medical School, as from this year they will be teaching live from Otago some of the courses in our medical programme.

We will also have the assistance of our highly qualified researches from Yale and Brown University in the States. We will also have as from this year the assistance of SROS, he added.

The NUS School of Medicine approached SROS for assistance, in relation to the engagement of its staff as lecturers, which Professor Fui Asofou Soo said has been approved by its CEO Dr Seuseu Tauati. Consequently, three staff will also lecture at the university including the CEO, Dr. Seuseu Tauati.

We have requested and got the approval of the CEO that we can have the assistance of three of their staff members, who will be helping us in teaching of the School of Medicine as from this year.

Professor Fui Asofou Soo said professional staff development is also important for the university, consequently the creation of a professor position within the School of Medicine.

Another important development in our staff development, we have a first time established professor position at the School of Medicine  our founding Professor Aiono Dr. Alec Ekeroma, who has a joint appointment with the University of Otago, so he is a Professor here at the School of Medicine and also in the University of Otago Medical School, he added.
Army's spokesman: coalition insists on position of non-respect for Sweden's agreement, continues violations in Hodeidah [25/January/2019] SANAA, Jan. 25 (Saba) - Spokesman for the Armed Forces Brigadier General Yahia Sarie on Friday said in a statement to Saba that the mercenaries of the US-backed saudi-led aggression coalition insist on their position not to fulfill what they committed to in the Swedish agreement and try to avoid the agreement.



Brigadier Sarie referred to the continuation of the aggression and their mercenaries for their intensive violations in Hodeidah and the clear unprecedented escalation in the other fronts which reflects the enemy's unwillingness to cease fire and bring peace to Yemen.



He pointed out that despite the commitment of the army and the Popular forces to respect the ceasefire in Hodeidah, the aggression and its mercenaries continue to commit violations.



They have committed 158 violations in Hodeidah over the past 48 hours, including the firing of 101 artillery shells, 15 rockets and 31 shooting attacks from various medium and heavy weapons towards houses, farms of the citizens and the positions of the army.



He added that that the shelling focused mostly on Saffron, Al-Sheikh, Al-Kouei, Al-Shijun, Al-Ittihad, Al-Qumah and Al-Waha areas.



He pointed out that the monitoring of mercenaries who were building fortifications and developments at Falla, their reinforcements and movements between Akd and Shaab city, north of the Hashidi and among 22 May, Shabaka and Ghirsy.



He added that movements of pick-ups, cars and armored fighting vehicles of the mercenaries among Ghirasy, Moudamara Imar, and Kasar were monitored while the reconnaissance and war aircraft of the enemy were continuing to fly over the city of Hodeidah and a number of districts.



The spokesman of the armed forces added that the artillery of the mercenaries of the aggression bombed one of the silos of the Red Sea mills and that led to the fire in a cowardly action which reflects the extent of hatred and indifference to life of citizens.



The warplanes of the enemy launched 31 raids on various areas, including five raids on Haradh, Hajhah, a aid on Nehm, 25 raids on Saada, including a raid on Al Azhour, three on Malahidh and nine on the Kitaf while a raid hit Boka and 11 others targeted Baqem and Joumla.



The army foiled an infiltration of the mercenaries in Thabit hilltop, launched four attack on the enemy's sites in Aweed, Bas site, Taiz, and another offensive in Khab Wa Shaaf, Jawf.



Another attack targeted the mercenaries' sites in Boka, where the army liberated new sites and the air force launched drones'airstrikes on the saudi army's sites in Asir.



He pointed out that the heroes of the army and the popular forces carried out a large-scale and surprising offensive military operation on the sites and gatherings of the mercenaries south of Jabal al-Nar causing great confusion and panic state among them.



He added that the army imposed full control on sites where the mercenaries were stationing north of Majrabia, as well as areas leading to hilltops south of Khazan hilltop.



Brigadier Sarie said that the heroes of the army and the popular forces carried out an incursion into the mercenary sites in Wazaia junction in Taiz and five quality operations targeted the sites, gatherings and movements of mercenaries in the desert of Al-Ajashar in Boka, in Al-Jahliliyah in Taiz and Rasheh and in Boka in Saada and in Al-Khalifin in Jawf.



The spokesman for the Armed Forces confirmed that the armed forces have inflicted heavy losses on the mercenaries of the aggression and dozens of them were killed and injured, including snipping of two mercenaries in al-Jahlehiyah, one in Razih, and six others off al-Sudais in Najran and Tala in Boka.





AA



Saba
Vodafone Group plc (VOD,VOD.L) said Friday it is suspending the purchase of components made by Chinese tech giant Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. for its core telecom networks. The announcement marks the latest setback for Huawei amid worries that the company's telecom equipment poses security risks.

Vodafone said it will "pause" the purchase of Huawei gear for use in its 5G networks amid uncertainty over whether some governments in Europe will ban the Chinese company.

"Given that, we have decided to pause further Huawei in our core whilst we engage with the various agencies and governments and Huawei just to finalise the situation, of which I feel Huawei is really open and working hard," Chief Executive Officer Nick Read said.

Read added that the suspension of Huawei equipment purchases would affect only its European networks, though his company uses Huawei equipment in Spain and other smaller .

Several countries, including the U.S., Japan, Australia and New Zealand, have already banned Huawei from supplying equipment for their domestic telecom networks.

The U.S. has serious concerns about the security risks posed by Chinese companies, including Huawei and fellow Chinese telecommunications firm ZTE.

Intelligence agencies are concerned that Huawei and other Chinese companies may be beholden to the Chinese government or the ruling Communist Party, raising the risk of espionage.

The U.S. government has initiated an extraordinary outreach campaign to foreign allies, trying to persuade wireless and Internet providers in these countries to avoid telecommunications equipment from Huawei.

Federal prosecutors in the U.S. are also reportedly pursuing a criminal investigation of Huawei for allegedly stealing trade secrets from U.S. partners.

Sabrina Meng Wanzhou, the Chief Financial Officer of Huawei Technologies Co., was arrested in Canada in December 2018 on charges of violating U.S. trade sanctions against Iran.

Meng Wanzhou, who is the daughter of the Chinese telecommunication giant's founder, faces extradition to the U.S. to face fraud charges, which she denies.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Telia Lietuva, AB, the Lithuanian telecom unit of Swedish telecom company Telia Co. (0H6X.L, TLSNY.PK), reported Friday that its fourth-quarter profit dropped 4.9 percent to 13.5 million euros from last year's restated profit of 14.2 million euros.

EBITDA, excluding non-recurring items, was 33.1 million euros, an increase of 0.7 percent over prior year's 32.8 million euros.

Total revenue amounted to 96.8 million euros, down 2 percent from restated revenue of 98.7 million euros in 2017.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
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Greenville, NC (27833)

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A mix of clouds and sun. Hot. High 94F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph..

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Rain. Potential for heavy rainfall. High 73F. Winds E at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a half an inch..

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Detention ordered for convicted Vneshprombank ex-president in new embezzlement case

 RIA Novosti, Kirill Kallinikov

14:08 25/01/2019

MOSCOW, January 25 (RAPSI)  Moscows Tverskoy District Court on Friday held to place convicted ex-president of Vneshprombank Larisa Markus in detention until March 24 as part of a new criminal case launched against her, the courts press service told RAPSI.

Markus, sentenced to 8.5 years in prison for stealing 113.5 billion rubles ($1.7 billion), has been recently charged with large-scale embezzlement.

In May 2017, Markus was sentenced to 9 years in prison for embezzling 113.5 billion rubles and later was declared bankrupt on the request of VTB24 bank. In August, her sentence was reduced by 6 months.

Investigators and court found that Markus along with her brother Georgy Bedzhamov, who once co-owned Vneshprombank, created an organized crime group to siphon money from the bank. The group including former vice-president of the bank Yekaterina Glushakova allegedly granted loans to sub-companies and did not refund money to Vneshprombank. From May 2009 to December 2015, conspirators managed to embezzle about 114 billion rubles.

Glushakova has been sentenced to 4 years in prison. Bedzhamov has been put on the international wanted list. An arrest warrant has been issued for him in absentia.
Ex-accountant involved in Serebrennikov case confirms cash-out in court

 RIA Novosti, Vladimir Astapkovich

13:55 25/01/2019

MOSCOW, January 25 (RAPSI, Kirill Ryabchikov) - Ex-chief accountant of Seventh Studio stage company Nina Maslyayeva, a defendant in a multimillion embezzlement case involving the Gogol Center theater director Kirill Serebrennikov, confirmed cash out transactions while giving testimony in court on Friday, RAPSI reports from the Meshchansky District Court of Moscow.

Maslyayeva said during interrogation that Seventh Studio managers initially expected that they could make money from Platforma project oriented to the promotion of art.

Moreover, she stated that the stage company was meant to win a tender for the project realization with the assistance of then official of Russias Culture Ministry and current director of the Russian Academic Youth Theater Sophia Apfelbaum.

Maslyayeva also testified that all defendants were cut in on and ordered her to cash in funds allocated by the state for the project.

Other defendants in the case are ex-Seventh Studio head Yury Itin, ex-general producer Alexey Malobrodsky, ex-official of Russias Culture Ministry and current director of the Russian Academic Youth Theater Sophia Apfelbaum. Producer Yekaterina Voronova, has been put on the international wanted list and arrested in absentia as part of the case.

Serebrennikov was arrested in late August 2017 and then placed under house arrest. In early November, Moscows Basmanny District Court seized assets belonging to Serebrennikov including apartment, car, and money in the amount of more than 360,000 rubles ($5,300), over 60,000, and $4,000.

Investigators believe that he was an organizer of the budget money embezzlement. He allegedly created Seventh Studio stage company to actualize Platforma project for promotion of art and called alleged accomplices into the organization. He pleaded not guilty.

According to investigation, the defendants have embezzled 133 million rubles ($2 million) of 214 million rubles ($3.2 million) allocated from the budget to Seventh Studio for promotion of Russian contemporary art.

Investigators claim that Itin, Malobrodsky, and Maslyayeva were falsifying data for the Platforma projects plans in 2011-2014 on the theater directors request. This data was provided to the Ministry of Culture as the rationale for financing from the state budget.

Maslyayeva has testified against Serebrennikov. She said that Serebrennikov, Malobrodsky and Itin organized embezzlement of money allocated for a cultural event. Serebrennikov and Malobrodsky cashed the money with the assistance of Maslyayeva. The woman also said that she entered falsified data in financial reports

Apfelbaum, according to investigators, signed contracts on state grants in the amount of more than 214 million rubles with Serebrennikovs stage company on behalf of the Russian Culture Ministry, and provided further agreement of received reporting documents, which contained overstated information on quantity and cost of the held events, thus abetting the embezzlement.

Apfelbaum admitted that she controlled the movement of cash but denied involvement in the crime.




Five prosecuted entrepreneurs allowed to return to Russia  business ombudsman

 RIA Novosti

12:42 25/01/2019

MOSCOW, January 25 (RAPSI)  Deputy Prosecutor General Victor Grin has notified business ombudsman Boris Titov of lifting of restrictions on return to Russia for five wanted entrepreneurs, RAPSI has been told in Titovs press service.

According to the statement, four men and one woman have no barriers to return and appearance in the Investigative Committee.

In 2018, Titov submitted the so-called London list which comprises more than 20 persons evading Russian justice in Britain to the President. He also asked Prosecutor General Yury Chaika to render assistance in return of Russian businessmen under investigation from abroad. The ombudsman reminded Chaika of Vladimir Putins order to handle each case and asked Prosecutor General for help in the impartial investigation.

According to the ombudsman, Russian tycoons living in the UK have asked for safe coming back home without being arrested and detained until the end of investigation. Several years ago, criminal cases over economic crimes were opened against each of them. Later, the cases were shelved, but they can be reopened at any moment, Titov said. Defendants in economic crime cases should not be detained, the ombudsman believes.




Three Uzbek natives accused of extortion freed from jail with input from Russian ombudsman

 RAPSI, Vladimir Burnov

10:30 25/01/2019

MOSCOW, January 25 (RAPSI)  A court in Simferopol has released three Uzbek nationals charged with extortion from detention following intervention by Russias ombudsman Tatiana Moskalkova, according to the rights commissioners press service.

The defendants have been placed under house arrest, the statement reads.

Moskalkova has supported a motion by defense seeking softening of the restrictive measure due to the defendants elderly age, health condition, first crime and permanent residence.

According to the ombudsman, four citizens of Uzbekistan were arrested and detained in November 2017. Later, one of them was placed under house arrest.

Currently, all of them are under house arrest.

The defendants stand charged with extortion; one of them is additionally accused of illegal acquisition, delivery, sale, keeping, transport or bearing of weapon.




New York City, NY (11385)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun during the morning will give way to cloudy skies this afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High near 90F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms early, mainly cloudy late with a few showers. Low around 70F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
US Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas): I understand from whats been testified to the Forest Service and the BLM [Bureau of Land Management], you want very much to work on the issue of climate change. We know theres been significant solar flare activity, and so  is there anything that the National Forest Service or BLM can do to change the course of the moons orbit, or the Earths orbit around the sun? Obviously that would have profound effects on our climate.

Jennifer Eberlein, associate deputy chief for the National Forest System, responded that she would have to follow up with you on that one, after a brief pause.

Gohmert: Well, if you figure out a way that you in the Forest Service can make that change, Id like to know.
Sterling Heights, MI (48312)

Today

Isolated thunderstorms this morning, then mainly cloudy during the afternoon with thunderstorms likely. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 81F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

A few passing clouds. Low 58F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph.
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HONOLULU (AP)  U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, a Hawaii Democrat known for bucking the party establishment and for criticizing U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East, formally launched her campaign for president with a video posted online Thursday.

Gabbard joins a growing field of Democrats seeking their party's nomination. U.S. Housing Secretary Julian Castro recently announced a bid, and Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Sen. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York and Sen. Kamala Harris of California say they are running.

"We have people in positions of power who are not thinking about the well-being of the people and our planet," Gabbard said in the video . "Where is that conversation about the needs of our people?"

Gabbard, 37, has represented Honolulu's suburbs and rural Hawaii in the U.S. House since 2013. She is a combat veteran who served in Iraq and Kuwait with the Hawaii National Guard.

She was an early, vocal supporter of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders during the last presidential campaign, which has made her popular with progressive Democrats.

Gabbard indicated in an interview with CNN earlier this month that she would be a candidate. She said she would follow it up with a formal launch, which occurred Thursday.

Critics have focused on her past advocacy against same-sex marriage.

In one example, she spoke at a news conference in 2004 when she was a state representative about federal judges "tearing apart our U.S. Constitution in order to force same-sex marriage down the throats of the people of Hawaii and America."

She appeared on behalf of Alliance for Traditional Marriage and Values, an organization founded by her father to lobby against same-sex marriage.

Lee Cataluna, a columnist for the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, wrote last week, "the unedited truth is that she didn't just slip and say a bad word, she actively, passionately worked against the legalization of same-sex marriage. She belonged to a group of rabid advocates of 'traditional' marriage."

To address such criticisms, Gabbard released a nearly four-minute-long video statement on YouTube last week explaining how she grew up in a socially conservative household but has since formed her own opinions shaped by her life experiences. She apologized for her past statements and the harm they caused.

"I look forward to being able to share more of my story and experiences growing up  not as an excuse, but in the hopes that it may inspire others to truly live aloha; to love and care for others," she said.

Amid the blowback, Democratic state Sen. Kai Kahele announced last weekend he would run for her seat in Congress. Gabbard hasn't indicated whether she would run for re-election as she also seeks the presidency.

Gabbard has said she's motivated by U.S. foreign policy that has led the country into military conflict in Iraq, Libya and Syria.

She said the actions have in the Middle East have destabilized the region, made the U.S. less safe and cost thousands of American lives. At the same time, terrorist groups like Al Qaeda and the Islamic State group are stronger than before the Sept.11 terrorist attacks, she said.

In her new video Thursday, she said all Americans have paid the price for what she called "interventionist, regime-change wars."

"We have spent trillions of your taxpayer dollars to pay for these wars, taking those dollars away from our communities and our people who need them right here at home," she said.

In 2017, she traveled to Syria to meet with Syrian President Bashar Assad. She came under intense criticism for the trip, including from some Democrats, because of accusations Assad's government is guilty of war crimes and even genocide during the country's civil war.

Gabbard also got heat from Democrats for meeting Donald Trump to talk about Syria when he was president-elect.

Gabbard stands out from other candidates in many ways. She's the first Hindu to be elected to Congress and is the first born in American Samoa. She's also an avid surfer.

Shes among the youngest, along with Pete Buttigieg, the 37-year-old mayor of South Bend, Indiana, seeking the presidency.
Since Dec. 22, nine federal agencies have been forced to close because of the partial shutdown of the federal government. Affected are the Departments of Agriculture, Homeland Security, Interior, State, Housing and Urban Development, Transportation, Commerce, and Justice. The previous longest shutdown, which occurred during the administration of President Bill Clinton, lasted 21 days, ending on Jan. 6, 1996.

The Issue

President Trump and Congress are at an impasse over the presidents request for a $5.7 billion appropriation to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. The most-recent spending bill passed by the Senate did not include money for the wall, and the president refused to sign it. He already had signed bills to fund about 75 percent of government operations, but not the 25 percent of the budget that would pay for the nine affected agencies.

Who is affected

About 800,000 federal workers have gone without their regular paychecks since the shutdown began, with more than 400,000 essential employees required to work without pay. More than 40,000 federal employees work in the Philadelphia region, which has one of the highest concentrations of federal workers outside Washington.

Ordinarily, Friday would be payday.

A variety of agencies, institutions, groups, and individuals have offered assistance to furloughed workers ranging from financial help to sandwiches.

Philadelphia labor-union members plan to rally at Philadelphia International Airport on behalf of TSA workers.

Whats closed

Independence National Historical Park, including Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, is closed. (The Independence Visitors Center is open, since its not a federal facility, but has shortened hours and the National Park desk will not be staffed.)

Valley Forge National Park is open, but all park buildings and restrooms are closed, and no educational programs are being conducted.

Immigration Court in Philadelphia is accepting only emergency filings for people who are already in detention.

And not closed

The African American Museum, the Museum of the American Revolution, the National Museum of American Jewish History, the National Constitution Center, and Carpenters  all in the vicinity of Independence Park  are among the privately operated institutions that remain open.

Government functions considered essential, including law enforcement entities, such as the FBI, airport security, Customs, and military and government-run hospitals are operating. Mail is being delivered.

Will it ever end?

Presumably, but not soon.

The Senate turned down two bills on Thursday that could have ended the stalemate. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R., S.C.) later said he spoke with Trump and that the president would consider a resolution to reopen government temporarily. But his press secretary said it would only work if there is a large down payment on the wall.

But according to Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the resolution would only work if there is a large down payment on the wall.
WASHINGTON  Republican senators clashed with each other and confronted Vice President Pence inside a private luncheon on Thursday, as anger hit a boiling point over the longest government shutdown in history.

"This is your fault," Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., told Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., at one point, according to two Republicans who attended the lunch and witnessed the exchange.

"Are you suggesting I'm enjoying this?" McConnell snapped back, according to the people who attended the lunch.

Johnson spokesman Ben Voelkel confirmed the confrontation. He said Johnson was expressing frustration with the day's proceedings  votes on dueling plans to reopen the government, both of which failed to advance.

The people who attended the lunch spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe a closed-door session. Aides to McConnell, citing regular policy on GOP lunches, declined to comment on the gathering.

The argument was one of several heated moments in a lunch that came just before the Senate voted on the opposing plans to end the shutdown offered by President Donald Trump and Democrats.

The outbursts highlighted the toll the shutdown has taken on Republican lawmakers, who are dealing with growing concerns from constituents, blame from Democrats, all while facing pressure from conservatives to stand with Trump in his demand for money to build a wall on the border with Mexico.

The votes the Senate cast on Thursday were the first on the shutdown since it began Dec. 22, with McConnell and other GOP lawmakers refusing to vote on anything this year unless it had Trumps approval  a policy that has drawn widespread criticism.

The day ended with some limited signs of progress. After the votes, McConnell and Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., engaged in a face-to-face negotiation that senators hoped would lead to a solution in the near future.

The first proposal, which Trump put forward, would have allocated $5.7 billion for wall funding in exchange for temporary protections for some immigrants. Only one Democrat voted for it. Two Republicans rejected the plan.

One of the Republicans, Sen. Mike Lee of Utah, also spoke out in the lunch. He explained that if Thursday's votes were merely a party line exercise, there should be more reforms to the nation's asylum laws, according to one of the people who attended the lunch. Lee also expressed concerns about getting assurances for votes on his amendments.

Six Republicans broke ranks to vote for the Democratic plan, which would have reopened shuttered government agencies through Feb. 8, without any wall money. Among them was Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, who explained in the lunch why he planned to vote for both bills.

Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., who voted for Trump's bill but opposed the Democratic plan, started to interrupt him and Romney snapped back, according to one of the people who attended the lunch and another person familiar with it. The exchange was lively but not particularly angry, they said.

Representatives for Romney, Tillis and Lee did not immediately comment.

Senators also voiced their concerns about the shutdown directly with Pence, who was in attendance.

"Nobody was blaming the president," said Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, speaking about the lunch to reporters afterward. "But there was a lot of frustration expressed about the situation we find ourselves in."

Also during the lunch, McConnell made clear to Pence, and others in the room, that the shutdown was not his idea and was not working. According Republicans familiar with his comments, he quoted a favorite saying that he often uses to express his displeasure with government shutdowns: "There is no education in the second kick of a mule."

McConnell started using that saying after the 2013 shutdown, which lasted 16 days and ended after the public largely blamed Republicans.

That specific exchange was first reported by The Hill.
Can a show of strength signal a secret concern about vulnerability?

Political allies of Mayor Jim Kenney sent Clout a two-page internal polling memo this week showing he has an excellent chance to win a second term this year.

Were not complaining. We love to pore over polling data. But why now? Is this a political brush-back pitch fired in the direction of State Sen. Anthony H. Williams, who finished second to Kenney in the 2015 Democratic mayoral primary and now appears ready for a rematch?

The poll, paid for by Building a Better Pennsylvania Fund, predicts Kenney winning with 58 percent of the vote in a three-way primary, with Williams taking 16 percent and former City Controller Alan Butkovitz taking 8 percent.

Pollster David Gold of Global Strategy Group said the remarkable thing was that Kenneys numbers stayed steady even after the 500 likely Democratic primary voters polled this month heard four different 30-second simulated attack ads about him.

It tells a pretty straightforward story that Kenney is in a dominant position, Gold said.

Williams, who spent nearly $33,000 to test the mayoral field last August and plans to announce next month if he is running, sees Kenney as vulnerable on issues like public safety and taxes. And Williams, who didnt release his polling, said all local elected officials should be concerned.

My approach is to listen to the voices that dont show up in polls, the majority of Philadelphians who are working class or poor, who have challenges in their lives and dont believe in any of us right now, Williams said.

Butkovitz, who entered the race in November, countered with his own polling memo this week that found roughly the same outcome if a three-way primary was held today. His poll, also conducted this month, viewed Kenney as vulnerable if a challenger could raise the substantial resources needed to attack the mayors record for dealing with gentrification, public safety, education, the soda tax, and public corruption.

Butkovitz particularly predicted that talk of corruption issues could be all the rage. We asked if he meant the long-running federal probe into Local 98 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

You said that, not me, he answered.

Building a Better Pennsylvania Fund is an independent expenditure political action committee funded by local building trades unions and closely tied to Local 98s leader, John Johnny Doc Dougherty. The PAC raised $1.8 million in 2015 to support Kenney for mayor.

Deadline day in the 190th District to challenge candidates on the ballot

The field for the special election in West Phillys 190th state House District is set. For now.

Democratic leaders of the seven wards in the district on Saturday selected Darryl Thomas as their candidate. Two Democrats not selected, Amen Brown and Pastor Pam Williams, collected enough signatures on nomination petitions to get on the March 12 ballot. Michael Harvey is the Republican nominee.

Friday is the deadline to file legal challenges to a candidates eligibility. And all eyes appear to be on Thomas, a barber who ran unsuccessfully in the 2016 primary for the 190th District. Thomas lists as his address a Powelton rowhouse he sold nearly four years ago to a woman described by his campaign as his girlfriend.

Records from the Delaware Department of Elections show Thomas was registered to vote in that state from 2001 until 2017 at an address in Bear. Thomas, who is listed on the deed to that property, said it is his mothers home. He insists he never voted in Delaware. That states records list him as doing so in 2002 and 2010.

Philadelphia voting records show Thomas casting ballots in most elections here for more than a decade. Together, the records show Thomas voting in the 2010 general election in Philadelphia and in Delaware, something he also denied.

We dont believe he voted in the same election twice, said William Dunbar, Thomas' campaign manager. That would be voter fraud.

The 190th District seat is open because former State Rep. Vanessa Lowery Brown, a Democrat, resigned in December after being convicted on bribery charges. Sonte Reavis, a lawyer, had been considered a front-runner for the Democratic nomination until Clout last week raised questions about whether he lived in the district.

A note on political irony

We are in the last year of Anthony Clarks third term as a city commissioner. Hes expected to be busy. For a change.

Clark, whose primary duty is to oversee elections in the city, has stirred controversy in the past for not showing up to vote and also rarely showing up at his office.

Clark is retiring, but his colleagues, Chairwoman Lisa Deeley and Vice Chairman Al Schmidt, are expected to run for reelection. Since commissioners arent allowed to oversee their own elections, they wont serve on the Board of Elections this year.

The Common Pleas Court president judge is expected to appoint two judges to serve in their place. They will join Clark, who recently shrugged off questions about his work ethic.

If a person came past my office and I wasnt there, I was still at work, always in communication with my office, always made sure everything was signed, all documents in order to promote the election, and that the elections have always run smooth and fair," Clark said.

Clark, who is paid $130,668 as a commissioner, said he plans to travel after leaving office. Hes enrolled in the citys Deferred Retirement Option Plan, known as DROP, which will pay him a lump sum of $419,301 when his term ends.
For a decade, Philadelphia has had a law on the books that could have slowed down the flow of illegally obtained guns and put a dent in the citys escalating epidemic of gun violence. But it wasnt enforced, and straw buyers sold guns to felons  barred by their prior convictions from possessing firearms  with impunity.

But this week, District Attorney Larry Krasner, the police, and city Law Department announced that they will start enforcing the ordinance to slow down the underground gun trade that helped fuel 351 homicides and more than 1,200 shootings last year.

There are innumerable theories on why the ordinance hasnt been enforced, ranging from a Police Department so overwhelmed it didnt have the time to go after small-time gun traffickers (also known as straw buyers) to a former district attorney who was afraid of the National Rifle Association.

The 2009 ordinance, sponsored by Council President Darrell L. Clarke, doesnt regulate guns. It rightly requires gun owners to report when their weapons are lost or stolen, and penalizes them when they dont. The first time gun owners are caught failing to report a missing weapon, they would be fined $2,000. Future offenses carry criminal charges and can result in 90 days in jail.

The city has given gun owners 30 days, starting Jan. 23, to report their lost and stolen guns. After that, when a crime gun is traced back to an owner who has failed to report a missing weapon, the owner will be charged.

And, they should be.

When police trace the ownership of a crime gun, they often hit a dead end when the owners of record say their guns were lost or stolen. Krasner and others say theyre just lying, and are often selling those guns to felons who use them in crimes. They say responsible gun owners do tell police when their weapons are lost or stolen. Philadelphia officials say more than half of the guns used in crimes are in the hands of someone other than the original buyer. The actual number isnt known for sure because Philadelphia does not release its gun trace statistics to the public. Chicago, which does release gun trace data, reports that 95 percent of its crime guns are traced back to someone other than the original purchaser.

Like Philadelphia, Pittsburgh is bearing the brunt of violence and doing something about it. Following the October massacre at the Tree of Life Synagogue, Pittsburghs City Council introduced a package of bills banning assault weapons, armor piercing bullets, and kits that can be used to convert guns into automatic weapons. Members plan to vote on the bills next month.

Other Pennsylvania towns should rally around Philadelphia and Pittsburgh as they step up to protect residents from rampant gun violence. Both cities expect gun manufacturers and gun rights groups to fight back in the courts and exploit the states weak gun laws. Every community that cares about public safety should pressure the legislature to protest us from gun violence by toughening Pennsylvanias gun laws.
As National School Choice Week comes to a close, the School District of Philadelphias new governing board is set to review and vote on its first set of new charter-school applications. What better time to reflect on how charters have affected the citys education landscape since they arrived 22 years ago?

Our organization, Research for Action, has been studying public education reforms in Philadelphia and across the country for 25 years.

As we consider the state of school choice in our city, here are five revealing takeaways from research and policy analysis to keep in mind:

First, parental demand for charter schools remains high in Philadelphia. Even with more than 85 schools and enrollment of over one-third of the citys public-school students, many charter schools report long waiting lists as families seek admission into what they perceive to be a better option for their children. While demand alone should not determine school policy, it is impossible to ignore.

Second, 20 years of school choice has not increased racial or economic integration in our schools. Disappointingly, research on this issue in Pennsylvania has suggested the opposite. Those with means continue to access the most exclusive schools (be they private, magnet, charter, or neighborhood public schools in gentrified communities). In contrast, choices for the most vulnerable students are too often limited to struggling schools (district and charter) already serving high concentrations of needy students.

Third, compared with district schools (neighborhood and magnet combined), Philadelphias charter schools (traditional and Renaissance combined) serve proportionately fewer students with the most extreme needs  students in deep poverty, English-language learners, students with severe high-cost disabilities, students experiencing homelessness, and students in foster care or returning from juvenile justice. For example, a recent RFA study found that Philadelphias traditional charter schools serve only one-third the number of students experiencing homelessness compared with district schools. An important caveat is that in recent years, as the Renaissance charter sector has grown, these overall demographic disparities have gradually decreased.

Meanwhile, generalizations about the quality of charter schools vs. district schools are particularly difficult, as differences in student demographics and other operational differences complicate comparisons. In both sectors, average performance indicators mask wide variation. In fact, both demographic disparities and gaps in student outcomes are larger within each sector than between sectors.

Fourth, the charter sector overall has done no better at attracting and retaining racially diverse teachers or administrators. The teacher-student racial disparities are stark in both sectors. This is a troubling finding because research has firmly established that black and Latinx students  and all students  learn better when they have contact with diverse teachers. Recent studies have shown that the adults in front of students in Philadelphias charter schools are even more white and less black than in district schools. Research has also found that principal mobility and teacher inexperience are higher in the charter sector, though daily teacher attendance is higher than in district schools.

Fifth, Harrisburgs charter policy has largely failed Philadelphia. The legislative intent of the charter law is to improve learning for all pupils, provide expanded choices ... within the public school system, and to serve as a model to other public schools. However, policymakers have treated them as a replacement, rather than a supplement. To begin, the legislature has failed to provide adequate funding to accommodate charter expansion without negatively impacting district schools. It turns out that you cant add new choices without adding new cost. RFAs recent study estimates that, even with massive layoffs and school closings, new charter expansion costs the district approximately $8,000 per charter student in year one and still $4,000 per student by year five.

Pennsylvania used to provide over $219 million per year to partially offset this impact. But in 2011 the state eliminated that line item and walked away from its obligation. In its place is now a charter weight in the basic education formula that provides Philadelphia less than 4 percent of the prior charter reimbursement. The impact has essentially pitted charter schools against the district as charter growth drains resources and it struggles to make ends meet.

Meanwhile, school districts are mandated to authorize charter schools but not provided actual authority to control growth in a responsible manner. Some of this stems from flaws in the charter law, some from questionable legal reasoning by the Charter Appeals Board, and some from an unwillingness of school districts to test the limits of their authority.

We should not begrudge families for demanding better choices for their children. But its important to understand how the introduction of charters to Philadelphia has affected the entire education ecosystem. If Pennsylvania is to live up to the intent of the charter law to improve public education for all, it will need policy reforms that take a systemic approach to providing adequate resources for all schools and ensure needy students get the same access to high-quality education as our most privileged.

David Lapp is director of policy research at Research for Action. Kate Shaw is Research for Actions executive director. Research for Action is an independent nonprofit education research organization in Philadelphia.
If its one thing Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney is famous for, its that hes all about the kids. Doing it for our kids, or some version of that, is a go-to rationale for many city leaders, including the mayor, particularly when he finds himself boxed in by policy critiques. Its a major explainer to a city overwhelmed by the legacy of high tax burdens. More prominently, its his public reasoning for a controversial soda tax to fund universal pre-K and an ambitious half-billion-dollar Rebuild effort to refresh city libraries, parks, rec centers, and playgrounds.

But that narrative has yet to fix Philadelphias most tragic contradiction: Its a historic and appealing metropolis with one of the highest concentrations of world-class academic institutions, yet with a sorely lacking public school system. Collectively, both elected officials and voters have failed to do anything about that. Each passing citywide, statewide, midterm, and presidential election becomes another missed opportunity to have a needed Education Election: a moment when the citys education crisis is the defining issue that voters decide on, recognizing it as the core problem in Philly.

That void, however, presents the favorable moment we need as 2019 elections near. Winning candidates can revive education from its slumber and project it as both the current crisis and a future opportunity. These city leaders must paint an inspiring portrait of what this city could and should be. Education, beating out other issues, would be that paint brush.

This is a tricky political task, requiring a vision rather than an agenda. That means it cant be stuck to or affiliated with any one interest group, either the teachers union or so-called education reformers. Something more constructive can be built from a transparent, innovative, and direction conversation between candidates and citizens, the type of exchange that creates an out-in-the-open movement.

The city needs one. Phillys schools remain an extension of Phillys destitution and poverty when they should be an escape or pathway from them, especially when so many of its students are economically disadvantaged. Philadelphia schools make up the majority of the top 50 Pennsylvania public schools with the highest dropout rates. Bullying remains an ongoing crisis lacking adequate response from the district, as education advocates formally complained in 2017. The overall district graduation rate of 67 percent is far below the official national average of 83 percent. Nearly a quarter of the citys residents lack basic literacy skills, and as much as 20 percent of adults lack a high school diploma. A troubling 11 percent of city teens between the ages of 16 to 19 are not in school and not working.

Education is the one truly intersectional topic, in that when fixed, it creates enormously positive ripple effects that span across all aspects of peoples quality of life. It can help eviscerate poverty, increase jobs, reduce violent crime, and heal public health crises. And it can generate growth, parity, and sustainability while further positioning Philadelphia as the global magnet it can be.

A 2015 Pew survey found that more residents polled  32 percent  named education as the citys top issue than they did crime, jobs, and government corruption. Yet nearly quarter of the population is under 18 and cannot vote on this issue that most directly affects them. Education can also be a difficult sell to voters who arent parents or, if they are, seem consumed with other economic worries. Nationally, in the recent 2018 midterms, voters didnt even pick education as a top issue in exit polling  and only 30 percent identified themselves as parents.

But a winning campaign never relies on polling alone to dictate strategy. The worthiest candidates will find a way to illustrate to voters that education is the one worry everyone can agree on. Everyone benefits from a city better educated  and everyone, including non-parents, benefits from not paying the social costs that pile up when we ignore it altogether.

Charles Ellison is host of Reality Check, a daily public affairs program on WURD radio, principal of B|E Strategy in Washington, and a contributing editor for The Philadelphia Citizen. @ellisonreport
Thirty-five years ago, while visiting the University of Notre Dame, former New York Governor Mario Cuomo gave a landmark speech on the topic of abortion. Decades later, the speech has been cited by Catholics who support abortion to establish their legitimacy as both people of faith and good citizens of the United States. The rhetoric is powerful, sometimes even approaching poetry, but the message is quite clear: A politician is not free to supplant his personal morality for public policy. Cuomo ended his address with these words:

We can be fully Catholic; proudly, totally at ease with ourselves, a people in the world, transforming it, a light to this nation. Appealing to the best in our people, not the worst. Persuading, not coercing. Leading people to truth by love. And still, all the while, respecting and enjoying our unique pluralistic democracy. And we can do it even as politicians.

I have always had a problem with Cuomos philosophy, because I believe it gave short shrift to the importance of personal morality in our actions.

If we do things that clash mightily with our own beliefs and values, we are hypocrites. We cannot, for example, say that we oppose racism but then abide by laws that codify that evil. If someone cant live a life where their public and private selves coexist, they dont deserve to be in public office.

That said, I do believe that Mario Cuomo had a good heart, and a good mind. I never got the impression that he felt anything but nausea when it came to the termination of a pregnancy. In his speech, he talks about the fetus having a unique and different status than an organ of the body, and its pretty obvious that he could never support or defend the taking of an innocent childs life. He just didnt want to impose that belief on other people.

Fast forward three and a half decades, and another man named Cuomo is talking about abortion.

This time it is Marios son, Andrew, who is the current governor of New York. Unlike his father, Andrew has abandoned the pretense  or in the case of Mario, the sincere belief  that abortion is wrong, a sin, a crime, or even something to be avoided. On Tuesday, the anniversary of the Supreme Courts abortion-legalizing decision in Roe v. Wade, Andrew signed the Reproductive Health Act into law. The law expands the states already liberal abortion laws to allow late-term abortions when the patient is within 24 weeks from the commencement of pregnancy, or there is an absence of fetal viability, or the abortion is necessary to protect the patients life or health.

Its no secret that the Supreme Courts decision to legalize abortion is more vulnerable now than it has been in the past 40 years. With the appointment of pro-life Judge Brett Kavanaugh, there are five justices who are likely to vote in support of overturning Roe. And with two of the courts more liberal judges clocking in at 80+ years old, its possible that President Trump will get to add another pro-life judge, further increasing the likelihood that abortion could once again become illegal in the United States.

Thats a problem for people in blue states like New York, where many people are pro-choice. Elected leaders are feeling the pressure to step in to protect abortion rights.

So Andrew Cuomo stepped in, with a vengeance.

The law passed this week makes it impossible for the government to prevent a woman from choosing an abortion during the first six months. The state cannot step in to stop her. This could be catastrophic. Take Iceland, for example, where close to 100 percent of women who find out their babies have Down syndrome choose to have an abortion. Imagine if women in America could wait up to six months to choose abort their babies for issues even less devastating than Down syndrome. What if a woman chose to abort because she wanted a boy instead of a girl? Thats feasible under Cuomos law.

The law also legalizes abortion up to the moment of birth if the mothers life is in danger. In short: The law values the life of the mother more than the life of the child.

Mario Cuomo was opposed to abortion personally, but would not deprive others of that right.

That was bad enough, but at least he seemed apologetic.

Andrew Cuomo embraces abortion rights, celebrates the victory, and rejects the fundamental values of his faith without blinking an eye.

This Big Apple fell very far from the tree.
A former Philadelphia police officer admitted Friday in federal court to sexually assaulting a woman while on duty three years ago and threatening her in his squad car with his service weapon and a knife.

Thomas ONeill, a 24-year veteran of the force, pleaded guilty to one count of deprivation of rights as part of a deal struck with prosecutors that would limit his sentence to one year behind bars.

Ultimately, though, it will be up to U.S. District Judge Juan R. Sanchez to decide whether to accept the terms of that agreement at a sentencing scheduled for May.

During a brief hearing Friday, ONeill, 53, blamed alcoholism for clouding his judgment.

I recognized that I was an alcoholic, and it contributed to the actions of that day, he said, adding later: Ive thought carefully about this decision, and it is my decision to plead guilty.

ONeills accuser  whose name is being withheld because she was the victim of a sexual assault  came forward within days of the July 3, 2016, attack.

She told police Internal Affairs and later the FBI that she had met ONeill when he responded to her apartment building during a robbery call several days earlier. When he spotted her later on her bike, he pulled up his squad car and ordered her to get inside.

ONeill drove the woman to an isolated spot in Rhawnhurst near Northeast High School and sexually assaulted her inside and outside the vehicle for nearly an hour, she said. For much of that time, she alleged, ONeill had his service weapon pressed against her inner thigh and forced her to touch it.

In a lawsuit filed in 2016, the accuser, a white woman in her mid-30s, also alleged that ONeill, who also is white, made racially charged comments, saying he fantasized about beating, raping and shooting a n in the head. He also described having sex with other women he had picked up in his squad car.

She did not feel she could refuse to get into [ONeills] patrol vehicle, Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Morgan said.

In court Friday, ONeill sat silently next to his lawyer as the prosecutor recounted the details of his crime  one compounded by the amount of evidence he left behind.

Parts of the assault were caught on security camera footage, and the shorts the woman wore on the night of the assault tested positive for ONeills DNA.

His accuser also provided text messages she received days after the attack from a cell phone number that traced back to ONeill.

Its sexy cop, he said in one message. Moments later he sent her another, asking her to send him naked photos of herself.

I want you, it read. Dont want to scare you.

After the department began investigating, ONeill abruptly retired in September 2016.

He is almost certain to lose his retirement benefits and pension as a result of his guilty plea.

His admissions Friday are also likely to help an ongoing civil case that his accuser has lodged against him and the Police Department.

We are pleased that he pleaded guilty so we can put this behind us, said the womans lawyer, Gregg L. Zeff. We look forward to the civil trial against the City of Philadelphia, where we think there will be more wrongdoing exposed.

ONeill could have faced up to 10 years in prison had he not agreed to plead guilty Friday and accept a one-year term of incarceration, said his lawyer, Lloyd Long III.

Mr. ONeill resigned from his position as a police officer and accepted his responsibility for the conduct that led to these charges today, Long said.

If the judge rejects the agreement between ONeill and prosecutors in May, the former officer would be able to withdraw his plea and take his case to trial.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story incorrectly reported the race of ONeills accuser. She is white.
Authorities say a 21-year-old gunman opened fire at a hotel bar in State College, killing a man and wounding two other people, before breaking into a home while fleeing, fatally shooting another man and then taking his own life.

The initial shooting happened about 10:30 p.m. Thursday at P.J. Harrigans Bar & Grill in State College, about two miles from Penn State Universitys main campus.

Authorities said Jordan Witmer, of Bellefonte, shot and killed Dean Beachy, 62, of Millersburg, Ohio, at the bar and critically wounded another man as well as a woman with whom he apparently had been in a relationship.

Witmer then drove away from the bar and later broke into a home, where he fatally shot homeowner George McCormick, 83, before turning the gun on himself. Police said McCormicks wife locked herself in a room and called 911.

Centre County Coroner Scott Sayers called the shootings an isolated incident, adding that investigators were trying to determine if Witmer knew either of the men he fatally shot.
When Rabbi Jeffrey Myers steps on stage at the Kimmel Center next month, it will be in a role he once could not have fathomed.

The rabbi and cantor had been the spiritual leader of Tree of Life/Or LSimcha Congregation in Pittsburgh for a mere 15 months when, on a Saturday morning last October, a gunman shot his way into Sabbath services at the synagogue and killed 11 people who had come to mark the traditional day of rest and prayer.

Myers escaped and guided others to safety. Ever since, he has coped with guilt and grief while nurturing his congregants through a healing process that occurs in fits and starts.

>>READ MORE: Pittsburgh massacre leaves 11 dead

There is no one set of adjectives to describe" how the congregation is doing, Myers said this week. Each member of the community is in a different place with this horror.... Some still shake their heads in disbelief, some in shock. Some are still traumatized. It covers the entire range of human emotion and experience.

The Pittsburgh massacre thrust the rabbi onto the public stage as a spokesperson against hate speech, at a time when anti-Semitism and hate crimes are on the rise. He is bombarded with requests to make appearances, give interviews, and speak before crowds; he delivered an invocation at the swearing-in of Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf to a second term earlier this month.

And now comes an invitation to sing.

On Feb. 20, Myers will be one of 165 vocalists featured in Sing Hallelujah, a concert celebrating the immigration of Jewish people to America and the evolution of the communitys music, songs, and chants.

Myers, who formerly served as cantor at what is now Shirat Hayam synagogue in Ventnor, N.J., will lift his sweet tenor to praise a God who, for him and his congregation, has been a refuge amid harrowing despair.

It was about 9:50 a.m. on Oct. 27 when Robert Bowers entered the synagogue in Pittsburghs Squirrel Hill neighborhood, where three congregations  Tree of Life, Dor Hadash, and New Light  shared space.

Myers was conducting Shabbat services in an upstairs chapel when he heard what he thought was a falling coat rack, but was in fact the crack of Bowers semi-automatic weapon. As the gunman got closer, Myers recognized the sound and told the gathering of about 13 to drop to the floor.

The rabbi, who immediately called 911, was able to guide three people to safety, but seven of his congregants were killed, along with three members of New Light and one from Dor Hadash, before Bowers was wounded by police and arrested.

As Myers has helped the 250-family Tree of Life congregation cope with the tragedy, he has had to manage his own heartbreak, a period in which, he says, there are good days and bad days.

At the Kimmel Center, Myers will not only sing, but also give a short speech  a request from Cantor David F. Tilman, who is choir director at Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel in Elkins Park and conductor of the second annual Sing Hallelujah event. Tilman, who was Myers teacher at the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York, invited the Pittsburgh rabbi and cantor to be part of the program, which will feature Evening Service for the Sabbath" by composer Yehezkel Braun and a performance by cantor Alberto Mizrahi.

>>READ MORE: Keneseth Israels choir cirector leads vast Sing Hallelujah

I want him to speak to us about how we as a Philadelphia Jewish community can help him in his battle against hate and evil, said Tilman, who also is cantor emeritus at Beth Sholom Congregation in Elkins Park.

Myers says he is not yet sure what he will say, but there is one word he likely wont use: hate.

At a recent rally at Point State Park in downtown Pittsburgh, he pledged to banish what he called a four-letter word and an obscenity from his vocabulary. For him, it is now the H-word.

I believe if we tone down our speech, we can also tone down our actions," Myers said. "Perhaps if more people would be thoughtful of what they say, we can have less violent acts against other human beings.

>>READ MORE: How the Pittsburgh shootings shaped the views of six young Jews

Myers, 63, grew up in Newark, N.J., the son of a lawyer and a homemaker who later joined the workforce. He began singing in synagogue as a youngster, and led choirs and services as teen. He earned a bachelors degree in Hebraic studies from Rutgers University in 1977, and a masters degree in Jewish education at the Jewish Theological Seminary, where he studied at the H.L. Miller Cantorial School. He was ordained as a rabbi by the Mesifta Adath Wolkowisk rabbinical academy in New York.

>>READ MORE: President Trump and his family pay respects at Tree of Life

Hes a brilliant guy, said Rabbi Charles Agin, dean of the rabbinical academy. What happened in Pittsburgh startled and saddened us. We still havent gotten over it, but he is representing the synagogue, the community, and [the school] beautifully.

Myers served at a synagogue in New York for over 15 years, and later joined then-Congregation Beth Judah in Ventnor before the Conservative synagogue merged with Temple Emeth Shalom, which is affiliated with the Reform movement, to be become Shirat Hayam. Myers joined Tree of Life in August 2017.

With that move, his life changed forever.

>>READ MORE: Ventnor synagogue congregants describe Rabbi Myers' quiet strength

Since the shooting, Tree of Life congregants have intensified their commitment to their faith and the life of the synagogue, Myers said. The congregation is worshiping at Rodef Shalom Congregation, little more than a mile away from Tree of Life, while members decide how they will rebuild.

We will not," Myers vowed, "let the H-word chase us out.
The head of Philadelphias police union unloaded a barrage of invective against District Attorney Larry Krasner on national television Thursday, telling host Tucker Carlson on Fox News that Krasner has decimated the prosecutors office, turned it into the public defenders office, and harbors great disdain and dislike for law enforcement.

Hes running his own show here, and its like a carnival act, John McNesby, president of Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5, said of Krasner.

During a four-minute segment on Carlsons show, McNesby gave voice to a number of familiar criticisms that Krasners detractors have leveled against the citys top prosecutor since his swearing-in last January, such as his firing of 31 prosecutors during his first week and new policies aimed at reducing incarceration.

Krasners spokesperson, Ben Waxman, did not respond to requests for comment Friday morning. But Rochelle Bilal, president of the Guardian Civic League, an organization of black police officers that endorsed Krasner during his reform-driven campaign, said that she did not agree that Krasner disliked law enforcement, and that people need to stop pointing fingers at one another.

You cant just blame one entity, one person, [for] the ills of the city  you just cant do it, said Bilal, who is running for sheriff. She added: The justice system needs to be reformed. When youre talking about all the situations that happen with people of color, there needs to be reform.

McNesbys broadsides are the latest chapter in a relationship that has been contentious since Krasners campaign.

In November, the FOP sued Krasner and the city over the district attorneys decision to create a list of cops with potential credibility problems. A month earlier, when Krasner charged ex-Officer Ryan Pownall with murder over an on-duty shooting, McNesby called the decision an absurd disgrace. And last March, the two sides got into a public spat over a speech by Krasner to recruits at the Police Academy.

McNesby, during his interview with Carlson, criticized the fact that Krasners office pursued fewer cases last year, and several times he mentioned 4,000 felons being released from prison, an apparent reference to the citys years-long effort to reduce its jail population. Krasner and other city officials have long contended that the reduction has not caused crime, pointing out that the citys overall crime levels have simultaneously decreased.

McNesby also said crime is up under Krasner, although police statistics show that the citys violent crime tally  which counts homicides, robberies, rapes, and aggravated assaults  was down 5 percent in 2018 compared to the year before, and overall crime was about level.

It is true that the city recorded more homicides in 2018 than any year since 2007, and that non-fatal shootings in 2018 were higher than any year since at least 2014, police statistics show. Officials including Krasner and Police Commissioner Richard Ross have attributed the spike in homicides, at least in part, to a rise in drug-related killings.

McNesby said Friday that he last spoke with Krasner about a year ago. Asked if the two had maintained any kind of relationship, he said: No. None at all.
The Philadelphia District Attorneys Office on Friday appealed a judges ruling that convicted cop killer Mumia Abu-Jamal should be allowed to reargue his appeal before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

The decision is the latest development in the long-running post-conviction saga of Abu-Jamal, 64, a former Black Panther and sometime radio reporter serving a life sentence for the Dec. 9, 1981, shooting death of Philadelphia Police Officer Daniel Faulkner, 25, at 13th and Locust Streets.

The District Attorneys Office did not comment beyond filing its notice of appeal.

Judith Ritter, an attorney for Abu-Jamal, said in an email that she was very disappointed by District Attorney Larry Krasners decision.

Krasners appeal only risks delaying our opportunity to make our case to an appellate court untainted by bias, Ritter said.

Common Pleas Court Judge Leon Tucker ruled last month that Abu-Jamal could reargue his appeal before the high court because former Chief Justice Ronald D. Castille  who previously served as Philadelphias district attorney  did not recuse himself when Abu-Jamals case came before the court.

Tucker denied for lack of evidence an argument by Abu-Jamal that Castille had personal involvement in the prosecution.

Abu-Jamals case has moved slowly through the appeals process, which has frustrated Faulkners widow.

John McNesby, president of the Philadelphia police officers' union and a frequent Krasner critic, said Friday that the district attorneys decision to appeal was the right thing to do.

Good," he said when told of the decision. "I applaud them for doing that.
PITTSBURGH (AP)  A Pennsylvania airman killed last year in Afghanistan has finally been laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery.

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Dylan Elchin was buried Thursday with full military honors.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports more than 300 people attended a short service before the burial.

Elchin was eulogized by his commander as an airman who willingly accepted tough assignments, adding that he loved the military and died fighting for freedom and security for his country.

In December, a memorial was held for Elchin in his hometown of Hookstown in Moon Township so local friends and family could say goodbye.

Elchin was one of three service members who died when their vehicle hit a roadside bomb in Afghanistan in November. A fourth  Sgt. Jason Mitchell McClary, from Export, Pa.  died at a hospital after the attack.
Students at Pennsylvania State University on Friday complained on Twitter that the school had failed to alert the campus about a Thursday night shooting at an off-campus hotel in which the shooter was still on the loose.

Two people were killed and one  the 21-year-old shooters ex-girlfriend  were wounded at P.J. Harrigans at the Ramada Inn on South Atherton Street, about two miles from campus, according to news reports. The shooter later broke into a residence and killed the homeowner and then himself.

Penn State spokeswoman Lisa Powers told Onward State, an online student news site, that the university, as required under federal law, puts out alerts when incidents occur on campus property, public property within or adjacent to campus, and non-campus property that the college owns or controls.

State College police responded to the shooting in the borough last night as it was not on Penn States campus," Powers told Onward State. "The alert system includes incidents that are within Clery-reportable locations. Nevertheless, we understand our community concerns and the university will continue to review processes.

Early Friday afternoon, Powers issued another statement, noting that the university and borough police had been closely monitoring the situation Thursday evening.

After careful consideration based on the circumstances known to law enforcement at the time, location of the incidents, and the lack of an imminent threat to Penn State students or the campus, it was decided that an alert would not be sent, she wrote. The decision to send an action alert is made on a case-by-case basis for each situation, and is based on information available to Penn State police at the time of the event.

While Penn State may not have been required under federal law to send out an alert in the Ramada case, schools are encouraged to consider having a policy for notifying students about potential threats, even in areas not required to be reported on, according to the Clery Center, which advises schools on campus crime.

I cant determine whether or not they were in compliance, said Abigail Boyer, interim executive director. But its an ongoing conversation at institutions when there are incidents that fall outside of Clery compliance but still might impact members of the community. Does the institution have a system for communicating about that?

Temple University sends out alerts when incidents occur on campus or other areas patrolled by campus police, including the west side of Broad Street, where a significant number of students live, said Ray Betzner, university spokesman.
HARRISBURG  Senate Democrats said they have hired an outside law firm to investigate a complaint by a woman who alleges that State Sen. Daylin Leach sexually assaulted her nearly three decades ago, when she was a teenager and he was a lawyer defending her mother on an attempted homicide charge.

Senate Democrats said their decision to investigate was triggered when Cara Taylor, an Allentown-area woman, distributed to them this month a private criminal complaint she filled out but has not been formally filed with the Lehigh County district attorney. In the complaint, Taylor alleges that Leach lured her into oral sex in 1991, when she was 17. Taylor said she had spoken with Lehigh County prosecutors about it, but District Attorney Jim Martin said Thursday night that he had not seen a formal complaint.

The Inquirer and Daily News do not identify victims of alleged sexual assault unless they agree to be named, which Taylor did.

Leach, a Democrat who has represented Montgomery Countys 17th Senate District since 2009, has denied the allegations. He did not return phone calls Thursday night seeking comment on the inquiry, first reported by PennLive.

However, in a seven-paragraph statement posted on his Twitter account Thursday, the senator promised to file a defamation lawsuit in Philadelphia Common Pleas Court against some of the leaders of the effort to defame me. He did not name them, but referred to a small group of about 6-8 people that he said has harassed him. Earlier this month, for instance, protesters burst into a Pennsylvania Medical Cannabis Society dinner in Harrisburg where Leach was the keynote speaker.

I have spent my career as a lawyer, an activist and a legislator fighting injustice, he wrote. This is an injustice.

He said the situation has been extremely difficult for me, my family my staff, and my friends.

In an interview, Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa (D., Allegheny) said he decided to hire the law firm Eckert Seamans to remove any perception that Leachs colleagues are directing the outcome of this" investigation.

If we did it internally, there could be some who would say we manufactured the outcome we desired, said Costa. Listen, whatever happens, there will be findings, and they will be reported back to me.

Costa said Leach has indicated that he will fully cooperate with the investigation. The Democrats say they intend to make the findings public.

Before he joined the Senate, Leach worked as a lawyer, and in the early 1990s represented Taylors mother, Kathleen Speth. Speth was charged with attempting to kill her then-husband by attaching a hose onto the exhaust pipe of her car and snaking it into his bedroom while he slept.

In her complaint, Taylor, previously known by her maiden name, Kunz, said that she made a decision to falsely take the blame for her mothers crime  a move that later led to a perjury conviction.

Before the trial, Leach picked her up at her home and drove her to his apartment telling me we had to talk about my mothers case," she said in the complaint.

Taylor wrote that Leach got a himself a drink, disappeared into a room and then called my name. When she went into the room, she said, Leach was naked with an erection and asked her to come help me out, according to the complaint.

I did as I was told and engaged in oral sex with him, she wrote.

Taylor wrote that she decided to come forward with the allegations after the Inquirer and Daily News reported in late 2017 that Leach had engaged in questionable behavior with young female staffers and volunteers, from highly sexualized jokes and comments to touching they thought inappropriate.

At the time, he blamed the accusations on an unnamed political opponent and denied ever inappropriately touching women. He noted that he sometimes does touch people when he is talking to them and that some people subjectively find such touching unpleasant.

Taylor wrote that she was renewing her allegations in hope that this type of behavior can be prevented from happening to someone else.

This is not the first time these allegations have been leveled against Leach. Taylors mother, who was convicted, filed a 1993 complaint to the state disciplinary board that oversees attorney conduct. The board said in a letter that there was not enough independent evidence to verify her complaint.

Her mother also raised the issue again in a petition for post-conviction relief. During a 1999 hearing in the matter, Leach took the stand and denied an inappropriate relationship with Taylor.

He maintained that position in multiple interviews with the Inquirer and Daily News last year.

In the interview Thursday, Costa said that there was no timeline to wrap up the review, and that Leach will remain in his position as the ranking Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee and continue to participate in Senate meetings and affairs.
Almost four years after the rapper Nicki Minajs tour manager was fatally stabbed outside an East Germantown bar early on Feb. 18, 2015, a Philadelphia man went on trial this week on murder charges.

But hes not the Philadelphia man originally charged in the case.

Pierce Boykin of Stenton had been held for trial at a preliminary hearing on April 28, 2015. But prosecutors say new evidence points to Khaliyfa Neely, 37, who is now being tried in the slaying of DeVon Pickett, 29, the hip-hop stars tour manager, in a fight outside Che Bar & Grill, 6364 Stenton Ave.

Prosecutors dropped murder and other charges against Boykin in August 2016, records show. He pleaded guilty to a remaining aggravated assault charge and was sentenced to serve up to 23 months in state prison.

Pickett was in town from New York City with members of Minajs band for rehearsals for her European tour, along with Eric Reese  who was wounded in the fight  and Marcus Kincy, 31, of Chicago.

On Thursday, the second day of Neelys trial, Kincys testimony was different from what he had said at Boykins preliminary hearing. Then, he said he saw a man fitting Boykins description  thin build and average height with glasses  stab Pickett.

But on Thursday, he told the jury, I did not see the man with the glasses stab Day Day. I never saw anyone thrust a knife.

Trauma from seeing the crime affected his ability to recall details, Kincy said.

I believe at that time I was just trying to make sense of my friend being gone ... but I believe I answered everything honestly according to what I thought to be true, Kincy said Thursday.

Instead, Kincy testified, he saw a man fitting Boykins description approach Pickett for a fistfight, and assumed that he had seen Boykin stab Pickett.

We just went where the evidence took us in this case, said Adam Geer, an assistant district attorney prosecuting the case with Ed Jaramillo.

Travia Allen, who has known Neely for almost two decades and was bartending at Che that night, testified Thursday she had previously maintained an on-again, off-again friends-with-benefits relationship with him. On Feb. 17, Neely came to the bar with Boykin and another friend to meet a woman.

Pickett, Kincy, Reese, and two other friends also came to the bar that night to visit Allen, who was romantically involved with Reese, Allen testified.

The fight resulted when Pickett and his friends tried to walk Allen to her car past Neely and his friends when Allens shift ended.

Neely is charged with murder, conspiracy, and related counts. The trial is expected to conclude next week.
ATLANTIC CITY  The battle for Miss America moved from its usual grand venue of Boardwalk Hall to a third-floor courtroom Friday, and a judge in this first preliminary round ruled in favor of the Miss America Organization and controversial board chair Gretchen Carlson.

In a ruling issued from the bench, Superior Court Judge Michael Blee declined to issue an injunction requested by former Miss North Carolina Jennifer Vaden-Barth and four state organizations, challenging what they described as Carlsons bad faith takeover of the Atlantic City institution.

The injunction would have stopped the Miss America Organization from pursuing new state organizations in its quest to overhaul the competition as Miss America 2.0, without swimsuits and focused more on individual achievement.

The organization faces an uncertain future as funding from the State of New Jersey has expired, and there are no set pageant date, venue, television rights agreement, or financial subsidy in place. Numerous state organizations had their licenses terminated, though some, like New Jersey, appealed and have been reinstated with new executive directors.

The judge acknowledged the dedication of state organization directors and volunteers and devotion to Miss America  their lawyer described it as losing something, almost like a child  but said the organization (MAO) owns the trademark and the right to license its state competition partners, who run the feeder pageants that deliver contestants to Atlantic City.

Plaintiff state organizations do not own ... the brand, Blee said. They do not have a right to continue with this brand. MAO and not state organizations own the trademark. The state organizations are limited to a two-year-term. MAO has no obligation. Theres no guarantee of long-term involvement.

The courtroom was filled with representatives of state organizations from all over the country, including Georgia, Tennessee, and West Virginia, and the hearing was followed closely on social media by Miss America fans. Former Miss America Suzette Charles, who has opposed the current leadership, also attended.

The idea that state organizations were merely licensees was met with sharp objection from across the Miss America community. Merely licensees?!? said one observer on Twitter. More like heartfelt VOLUNTEERS who once believed in the greater good of this organization.

The lawsuit was filed after Carlson and executive director Regina Hopper exerted control over the new board of trustees, installed after an email scandal ousted former director Sam Haskell. Carlson moved to force Vaden-Barth off the board and, the plaintiffs said, improperly cut off a meeting at which her decisions were being challenged by hanging up during a conference call.

Neither Hopper or Carlson was present in the courtroom Friday.

The plaintiffs' attorney Paul Perkins portrayed the case as a fight for the soul of Miss America, waged by its true defenders against a leadership that has ruled by intimidation and retaliation. Were not fighting over money, he said. Were fighting for the survival of an institution.

But attorney Timothy Davis, representing the Miss America Organization, described the plaintiffs as meddling and interfering with the new organizations and trying to prevent them from getting the pageant off the ground.

The case will continue, with the next hearing set for Feb. 12.

The judge said he did not find that any irreparable harm would occur if he did not grant the injunction request. He said there should not be any effect on the availability of scholarship money at the state level because under state organization agreements, scholarship funds must be transferred to new organizations.

He did rule that Vaden-Barth had legal standing to file the lawsuit and to make her case that the Miss America Organization had been damaged by the actions of Carlson and current leadership.

In a statement following the ruling, the Miss America Organization called the judges ruling complete and total victory.

We are pleased that the new licensees in these states can continue their work unencumbered by these meritless legal challenges, it said.

Vaden-Barth, who works for Google, said the plaintiffs would continue to press their case because we believe were fighting for the right thing, for thousands of volunteers.

She said the dispute was not over changes to the pageant instituted by Carlson, like the elimination of the swimsuit competition.

By the way, we all commit to the newer mission of Miss America," she said. "But we want it with integrity and good governance. Thats what weve been fighting about. Change isnt that hard, we just need integrity and good governance.
WASHINGTON (AP)  The remains of a U.S. soldier believed to have been captured by Chinese forces in North Korea in December 1950 and later died in a prisoner-of-war camp have been identified, officials said Thursday.

The soldier, Sgt. Frank Julius Suliman, is the third American service member to be identified from among 55 boxes of bones and other material that the North Korean government handed over to the United States last summer. Efforts to identify them are led by a Defense Department laboratory in Hawaii.

Suliman, a member of the headquarters and headquarters company of the 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, was from Nixon, N.J., and was 20 when he died in the POW camp, according to Charles Prichard, spokesman for the Defense POW-MIA Accounting Agency. Further details about his background were not immediately available. Sulimans remains were identified on Jan. 15.

The return of unspecified numbers of Korean War remains was among commitments made by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during his summit meeting with President Donald Trump in June. Kim also agreed to work toward denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, but efforts to move that deal toward an elimination of the Norths nuclear weapons have been stalled. A follow-up summit is expected to be held next month.

Although the Pentagon wants to make arrangements to recover additional U.S. battlefield remains from North Korea this year, the North Koreans thus far have been unwilling to agree to face-to-face negotiations.

By the Pentagon's account, Suliman was captured by Chinese forces on Dec. 1, 1950. He had been riding in a vehicle convoy when it was halted by a roadblock south of Kunu-ri, North Korea. Fellow soldiers later reported that Suliman was captured after they abandoned their vehicles to proceed on foot.

Hundreds of thousands of Chinese soldiers entered the Korean War on North Korea's behalf in the fall of 1950 after U.S. forces gained the upper hand with the Inchon landing in September. The Chinese pushed the Americans and their South Korean allies south; thousands were buried in shallow battlefield graves or perished in POW camps.

By the Pentagon's account, Suliman was taken to a Chinese-run camp at Pukchin-Tarigol in northern North Korea, and he died there in March 1951. The camp was in a narrow valley that the Americans called "Death Valley." Soldiers who survived captivity there recalled harsh conditions, with little food and rampant disease.

The Pentagon says the remains of 350 Americans may be at the "Death Valley" camp. In all, the Pentagon believes the remains of more than 5,000 U.S. servicemen who perished in North Korea could be recovered.

The Pentagon says it has not yet determined how many U.S. servicemen may be identified from the remains in the 55 boxes returned by North Korea last August. Prior to Suliman, only two had been positively identified. They are Army Master Sgt. Charles H. McDaniel, of Butler, Mo., and Vernon, Ind., and Army Pfc. William H. Jones, of Nash County, N.C.
LOS ANGELES (AP)  Being stranded on a remote snow-covered road in the West doesn't always end as well as it did for a couple on a mountain north of Los Angeles.

The pair and their two dogs were plucked by helicopter and taken to safety after they ran out of food and water and phoned for help from a camping trip that turned into a snowbound two-week test, authorities said Thursday.

The man and woman in their mid-30s were in good condition and didn't need to be hospitalized after being airlifted from Alamo Mountain on Wednesday.

They were tired, [sun] burned, dirty, but definitely glad to see me, said Los Angeles County Sheriffs Deputy Charles Miranda, a paramedic who was lowered down to assess their condition. Neither had any complaints other than Were tired, were hungry. 

By the measure of winter ordeals, their experience was mild.

In 2006, a San Francisco family of four got stranded on a snowy road in southern Oregon while trying to cut from Interstate 5 to the coast. The mother and two daughters were rescued nine days later, but the father, James Kim, who had walked more than 16 miles in the cold and snow for help, was found dead in a creek.

In 1992, a young California couple with an infant son bound for a family funeral in Idaho took a shortcut through the Nevada desert and got marooned in a blizzard. Jim Stolpa walked 50 miles for help, and he and his wife, Jennifer, lost all their toes to frostbite in a tale that was turned into a TV movie.

In the case of the Southern California campers, whose names have not been released, their trip was intended for fun near the 7,400-foot peak that is about 60 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles.

The area is not far from Interstate 5, but the mountains are rugged and remote and mainly only accessible on dirt roads that aren't plowed in winter.

Miranda said he thinks the couple misjudged the weather forecast. A series of storms brought four days of rain and snow to the area last week.

"Typically the news kind of over exaggerates the coming storm and you get a little sprinkle," Miranda said. "I think they underestimated what was going to happen and they got dumped on."

The couple camped in their Dodge Dakota pickup and ran the engine intermittently for warmth, Miranda said.

They had warm clothing and only ran into problems when their food ran out and they no longer had fuel for their stove to melt drinking water.

The couple hiked about 2.5 miles to get cell-phone reception and then returned to their pickup to retrieve their Chihuahua and midsize dog after speaking with officers.

The helicopter crew had the coordinates of where the couple made the 911 call, but it took a while to follow faint tracks in the crusty snow to find the truck, Miranda said.

The truck was parked in the road, blocked by snow and a large pine tree that had fallen down. The man had managed to shovel a short distance, but "had miles to go," Miranda said.

Another camper stranded on nearby Mount Pinos was rescued after calling for help Jan. 14, the first day of the storm.

Deputies couldnt initially get through deep snow in four-wheel drive vehicles to reach the 24-year-old woman, but another team in snowcats, which have tank-like treads and are used for grooming ski slopes, rescued her, the Ventura County Sheriffs Department said.

The road to Alamo Mountain and campgrounds in the area are currently listed as closed.

When the helicopter finally spotted the pair, they were jumping up and down.

Miranda, who usually responds to cases involving major injuries, said it was nice to have a more "benign" rescue.

They were very glad to see us, he said.
SEBRING, Fla. (AP)  Investigators have found no obvious reason why a man accused of fatally shooting five women picked a small-town bank in Florida as the place to carry out his attack, authorities said Thursday.

Zephen Xaver's attack did not appear to be part of a robbery, and he had no apparent connection to the SunTrust branch or the four employees and one customer who were killed, police said.

There was also no evidence that Wednesday's attack was planned, although a former girlfriend said Xaver often talked of killing people.

"We believe it was a random act," Sebring Police Chief Karl Hoglund said Thursday at a news conference. "Aside from perhaps driving by and seeing it was a bank, we have no known evidence that he targeted this bank for any particular reason."

That randomness hit Carol Davis, who manages the hair salon and spa next door, hard. If the gunman had driven 10 seconds farther, just one more driveway, the victims would have been her, her staff and her customers.

"He could have come here. He could have gone anywhere. It could happen anywhere," she said.

Xaver, 21, was charged Thursday with five counts of premeditated murder. Just months ago, he moved from northern Indiana to Sebring, about 80 miles southeast of Tampa. He had recently quit his job as a prison guard trainee.

From police and witness accounts, he entered the bank about 12:30 p.m. Wednesday when the five women were alone. The bank sits apart along U.S. 27, a busy four-lane highway that connects south and central Florida, passing mostly through farms and small towns like Sebring, a tourist and retirement city of 10,000 known internationally for an annual endurance auto race that draws some of the world's top drivers.

The victims were found lying face down, their bodies surrounded by shell casings, according to court documents. Six minutes after the attack began, Xaver called 911 and told dispatchers that he had killed everyone inside, Hoglund said.

Victor Sparks told the Highlands News-Sun he walked up to the bank and found the door locked. He peered inside and saw people lying on the floor while someone walked around and between them. As he turned away, he heard gunfire and called 911.

Davis said she looked out her window and saw police officers everywhere, many carrying rifles. "I have never seen stuff like that except in the movies."

Xaver refused to surrender and would not allow officers to reach the victims, Hoglund said. After more than an hour of negotiations, the chief ordered a SWAT team in. They used an armored vehicle to break through the front doors. Xaver was found in a back office.

By then, all the victims were dead, the chief said.

Hoglund identified three victims: customer Cynthia Watson, 65, and two employees: 55-year-old Marisol Lopez and 38-year-old Ana Pinon Willliams, a mother of seven.

Tim Williams said his sister-in-law was a devout Christian "and family to everyone she knew." She had recently started working at the bank, and she quickly came to love the job and her co-workers, he said.

"We do not know what was going on in the mind of the individual who committed this atrocious act, but we do know he was influenced by the darkness in this world," Williams said. "We will not try to understand the darkness, but with God's help we will overcome it."

Lopez's family posted a note on their door asking not to be disturbed. The Associated Press could find no contact information for Watson's family.

In compliance with a newly passed victims' rights law in Florida, Hoglund withheld the names of the other two victims at their families' request.

The community is mourning the loss of "our sisters, our mothers, our daughters and our co-workers," Hoglund said. Flags around Sebring were lowered to half-staff Thursday and some electronic signs outside business expressed sympathy for the victims and asked for prayers for the community.

Xaver was arrested in a beige T-shirt depicting the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. On Thursday, he wore a black-and-white striped prison uniform as he was appointed a public defender and ordered held without bond.

His father said he's "heartbroken for the victims" and that his son "wasn't raised to be like this."

"He's always been a good kid. He's had his troubles, but he has never hurt anyone ever before. This is a total shock," Josh Xaver told CNN. The AP sought interviews with both of Xaver's parents but received no immediate response.

The shootings were not a shock to Alex Gerlach, who identified herself as Xaver's former girlfriend. She said he's long been fascinated with the idea of killing, but no one took her warnings about him seriously. For some reason, he "always hated people and wanted everybody to die," Gerlach told WSBT-TV in South Bend, Indiana, near his former home in Plymouth, Indiana.

"He got kicked out of school for having a dream that he killed everybody in his class, and he's been threatening this for so long, and he's been having dreams about it and everything," she said. "Every single person I've told has not taken it seriously, and it's very unfortunate that it had to come to this."

Gerlach told The Washington Post that Xaver said he purchased a gun last week and "no one thought anything of it" because he had always liked guns.

Xaver had no apparent criminal record in the areas where he's lived in Indiana and Florida.

Florida Department of Corrections records show he was hired as a trainee at Avon Park Correctional Institution on Nov. 2 and resigned Jan. 9. No disciplinary issues were reported.

The bank attack was at least the fourth mass shooting in Florida resulting in five or more dead in the past three years. A gunman killed 49 at an Orlando nightclub in 2016. Five died at the Fort Lauderdale airport in 2017, and 17 died in February at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in a Fort Lauderdale suburb.

___

Kay reported from Miami. Associated Press writers Freida Frisaro in Miami, Rick Callahan in Indianapolis and Randy Herschaft in New York contributed to this report.
CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP)  A suspect in four fatal shootings in Nevada was accused in court Thursday of being in the United States illegally and selling jewelry stolen from some of the dead.

Wilber Ernesto Martinez-Guzman, a 19-year-old immigrant from El Salvador, appeared in court in Carson City in shackles with a Spanish-language interpreter and a public defender at his side.

The judge spent more than 25 minutes reading aloud a 36-count criminal complaint that suggested property theft as a motive for the slayings. He set bail at $500,000.

Martinez-Guzman was not charged with murder and did not enter a plea to charges of burglary, stolen property, and weapons offenses that are punishable by decades in prison. Authorities in nearby Douglas and Washoe Counties, where the four victims lived, have said they plan to file murder charges against him soon, perhaps as early as Friday.

The Carson City case focuses on possession and sale of stolen property and alleges that, because of his immigration status, Martinez-Guzman was prohibited from having 12 guns that were stolen from a couple found dead Jan. 16 in their south Reno home.

Prosecutor Melanie Brantingham told the Associated Press that none of those guns  several shotguns and bolt-action rifles, at least one military-style weapon, and a handgun  was used in the slayings.

"This is not your run-of-the-mill property crime," Brantingham told the judge. "Most of the property alleged in the complaint belonged to homicide victims."

Even if Martinez-Guzman posts bail, immigration authorities could take him into custody pending deportation proceedings. The judge scheduled a Feb. 8 hearing to determine if there is enough evidence to send the case to trial.

A pawn broker told AP that Martinez-Guzman used his passport for identification at the Carson City store where he is accused of selling jewelry allegedly stolen from some of the dead.

Martinez-Guzman did not speak English well, "but there wasn't anything that just made us say, 'This is odd or weird,'" said Allen Rowe, owner of several Northern Nevada Coin stores. Rowe said routine receipt paperwork that goes to local sheriffs, along with store video, led authorities to Martinez-Guzman last week.

"We had him on camera. We had his ID. They could pinpoint who he was," Rowe said. "Because we do everything aboveboard, it led to this person being caught. Had he sold it online or met someone somewhere else, it could have gone unreported."

Court documents allege that between Jan. 12 and Jan. 17, Martinez-Guzman made $412 selling jeweled rings from one victim and $126 selling an engraved ring that belonged to another.

The murder investigation began Jan. 10, when 56-year-old Connie Koontz was found dead in her Gardnerville Ranchos home south of Carson City. Three days later, the body of 74-year-old Sophia Renken was discovered in her home not far from Koontz's house.

The dead Reno couple was found less than a week later. Gerald David and his wife, Sharon, who were 81 and 80, respectively, were prominent members and officers of the Reno Rodeo Association. One felony charge against Martinez-Guzman alleges he had several belt buckles bearing their names that were valued at up to $3,500.

Carson City Sheriff Ken Furlong has said federal immigration authorities told investigators that Martinez-Guzman was in the United States illegally. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials have not provided details about how he entered the country.

The killings became part of the national immigration debate when President Donald Trump cited them as evidence of the need for the proposed U.S.-Mexico border wall at the heart of a partial government shutdown.

Since the first days of his presidency, Trump has repeatedly pointed to crimes committed by immigrants in the country illegally to argue that the United States needs a border wall and tougher immigration policies.

Many academics and Trump's critics have pushed back on this narrative, citing studies that have found immigrants are less likely to commit crimes than people born in the United States.

Associated Press writers Scott Sonner and Elliot Spagat contributed to this article.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP)  Floridas top elections official abruptly resigned Thursday after a newspaper obtained pictures of him in blackface dressed as a Hurricane Katrina victim at a 2005 party.

The Tallahassee Democrat obtained pictures taken at a Halloween party 14 years ago that show Secretary of State Michael Ertel in blackface while wearing earrings, a New Orleans Saints bandanna and fake breasts under a purple T-shirt with "Katrina Victim" written on it.

The photos were taken two months after the deadly storm ravaged the Gulf Coast region and eight months after Ertel was appointed Seminole County supervisor of elections. The newspaper has not said how it got the photos or identified the source.

Ertel, who had been on the job less than three weeks, resigned just hours after he testified about election lawsuits before a state legislative committee. He didn't immediately respond to a message seeking comment.

"There's nothing I can say," he told the paper.

The Republican was Seminole elections supervisor until last month, when new Gov. Ron DeSantis picked him to take over the state department that oversees elections. At the time, Ertel's appointment was praised by some Democrats who noted his lengthy tenure as a central Florida elections official.

DeSantis said Ertel regretted dressing up in blackface but was right to step down after the pictures surfaced.

"I want people to be able to lead and not have any of these things swirling around," said DeSantis, who was in Marianna to discuss relief efforts for areas hit hard by Hurricane Michael in October.

Ertel played a role in DeSantis' decision to suspend Palm Beach County supervisor of elections Susan Bucher last week. Ertel recommended the governor take action against the Democratic official, contending that she had violated state election laws and was incompetent. Democrats have sharply criticized Bucher's suspension as being politically motivated.

DeSantis last year defeated Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, who was seeking to become Florida's first black governor. Gillum questioned DeSantis' association with people seen as racially divisive.

DeSantis also came under fire in late August when he said voters should consider Florida's economy and not "monkey this up" by choosing the "socialist agenda" of broader public spending he says Gillum espoused.

Then-Gov. Jeb Bush appointed Ertel as Seminole County elections supervisor in February 2005 and Ertel won four elections to keep the office. Ertels background includes an eight-year stint in the U.S. Army and public relations work for government agencies and a bank.
On Friday, the 35th day of the partial government shutdown and the day that 800,000 federal workers missed their second paycheck of 2019, roughly 100 federal workers and their supporters rallied at Philadelphia International Airport to protest the shutdown.

Brothers and sisters, welcome to the world of indentured servitude," said Matt Culbertson, a 16-year veteran of TSA, surrounded by local members of Congress including Rep. Brendan Boyle, Rep. Dwight Evans, and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick.

TSA agents have worked without pay for the entirety of the shutdown.

Not long after the rally ended, reports emerged that Washington had possibly reached an agreement for a temporary re-opening of the government.

The rally, which began shortly after the Federal Aviation Administration reported flight delays at LaGuardia and Newark airports due to a shortage of air traffic controllers in facilities near Washington, D.C., and in Jacksonville, Fla., was the latest action organized by local unions to raise awareness during the shutdown of issues that workers fear can be easy to overlook by people not directly affected. Air-traffic controllers passed out leaflets to travelers in the bitter cold last week. Federal workers rallied at Independence Mall alongside politicians earlier this month.

Some have encouraged workers to go on strike -- a highly unusual move, said Sarah Lawrence College labor historian Patricia Murolo -- but union officials insisted there would be nothing of the sort, as it is against the law for federal employees to strike and striking could cost them their jobs.

We are not gonna advocate for people to be fired in this terrible situation," said Phil Glover, national vice president at federal workers union AFGE.

Joe Shuker, president of Phillys TSA union, pointed to Reagans 1981 firing of 11,000 air-traffic controllers who did not return to work after they were ordered to. The specter of that time looms large.

Meanwhile, offers have poured in from all corners of the region to aid federal workers: Temporary work, no-interest loans, free SEPTA rides for TSA agents, even food trucks for TSA agents bearing pizza and burgers sent by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Democratic congressmembers and some Republicans, like Fitzpatrick, have expressed their support for the workers.

I think the message is very simple, Evans said. Pay the workers.
Giant Heirloom Market, the first urban format store from Carlisle, Pa.-based Giant Food Stores LLC, will open at 7 a.m. Friday at 23rd and Bainbridge Streets, bringing nearby residents kombucha on tap, a produce chef to cut vegetables and fruits on demand, a sampling station, and a place to create your own olive oil and vinegar blends.

The first 250 customers to arrive will receive a free Giant Heirloom Market tote bag. There will also be free samples and demonstrations throughout the day.

The 9,500-square-foot store will be open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week and provide about 60 full- and part-time jobs, the company said. It will have self-service and mobile checkout options, along with iPads to place orders for items not in the store, to be delivered the next day.

The new store is part of a trend of grocery retailers trying to reach city residents by increasing their presence in urban mixed-use projects. When creating the concept for the smaller-format store, Giant found inspiration in Amsterdams smaller grocery stores (Giant is owned by a Dutch company), and used group listening sessions in nearby neighborhoods to design a store to meet the needs of the local community.

Weve had the privilege of getting to know our neighbors, and they are the true inspiration for our new store, manager Angel Cordero, who has worked in the grocery business for 20 years, said in a news release. I am thrilled to soon officially open the doors to Giant Heirloom Market, and Im sure our neighbors will be just as excited to experience a store that connects them to real food, where every trip will inspire them to eat better and for less."

Giant, which has more than 170 stores in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia, announced plans for the Heirloom Market concept during its 95th anniversary celebration at Dilworth Park in October.
Hundreds of flights at Newark Liberty and LaGuardia airports were delayed Friday because of an increase in sick leave, causing staff shortages at two air traffic control facilities, the Federal Aviation Administration said.

The delays, aimed at spacing out flights so they could be tracked by fewer personnel, came as air traffic controllers and thousands of other federal workers entered their 35th day of working without pay because of the partial government shutdown. On Friday afternoon, President Donald Trump agreed to reopen the government temporarily.

Flights to LaGuardia were delayed by an average of nearly 90 minutes during the day, while planes out of Newark waited up to 45 minutes to take off. Some flights to Newark also were delayed up to an hour by wind, the FAA said.

Flightaware.com reported that about 500 flights were delayed into or out of LaGuardia and about 250 at Newark.

The ripple effect of the traffic management plan in place due to the staffing shortages was felt at other airports, including Philadelphia International, where planes experienced gate and taxi delays of between 16 and 30 minutes, according to the FAA.

About 70 flight delays were reported at Philadelphia International.

Early Friday night, the FAA reported delays of 15 minutes or less for all flights at Philadelphia. Arrivals at Newark were experiencing delays of about an hour, with wind continuing to be a factor.

In a statement, the FAA said, "We have experienced a slight increase in sick leave at two facilities. Weve mitigated the impact by augmenting staffing, rerouting traffic, and increasing spacing between aircraft when needed.

The results have been minimal impacts to efficiency while maintaining consistent levels of safety in the national airspace system, the statement said. The public can monitor air traffic at fly.faa.gov and they should check with airline carriers for more information.

The Washington Post said the statement was significant because it was the first time the FAA had reported a shortage of air traffic controllers.

The White House at the time said it was monitoring the situation.

United Airlines said it was working with the FAA to minimize the impact on its customers.

At this point, we dont anticipate significant schedule disruptions, but it is another good illustration of the escalating impact of the government shutdown and the need for the federal government to promptly reopen, the airline said in a statement.

American Airlines, the biggest airline at Philadelphia International, said it had not experienced significant impacts to our operation or schedule at this point, but continue to monitor and are working closely with the FAA.

John Murdock, a local leader with the air traffic controllers union, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, said Philadelphia was not seeing any controller staffing shortages.

The delays stemmed from a lack of controllers in Virginia and Jacksonville, Fla., who oversee routes between flights, he said.

Murdock said that he didnt know anything about why there were staffing shortages in the other facilities, but that there are rules around when controllers can work. If they are sick and have taken cold medicine, for example, they arent allowed to work. he said.

Unscheduled absences approximately doubled this week compared with the same period last year, the Transportation Security Administration said, adding that many employees are reporting that they are not able to report to work due to financial limitations.

Staff writers Catherine Dunn, Juliana Feliciano Reyes, and Ray Boyd contributed to this article.
HARRISBURG  Top Senate Democrats were notified about a sexual assault allegation against Sen. Daylin Leach nearly a year ago but launched a formal investigation only after the woman contacted nearly every senator earlier this month, according to emails obtained by the Inquirer and Daily News and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Cara Taylor, who lives in the Allentown area, wrote in a February 2018 email to Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa (D., Allegheny) that Leach sexually violated her nearly 30 years ago, when she was a teenager and Leach was representing her mother in a criminal case. Costa forwarded the information to the chief legal counsel for Senate Democrats, who responded to Taylor that neither Sen. Costa nor the Senate of Pennsylvania have the authority to review your claims under the Senates Workplace Harassment Policy, according to a copy of the email exchange.

The chief counsel, C.J. Hafner II, noted that the accusations predate Sen. Leachs legislative service and told her she could contact several organizations that offer counseling and referral services.

I believe they have the experience and resources to assist you, Hafner wrote.

Earlier this month, Taylor traveled to the Capitol and delivered to nearly every state senator copies of her private criminal complaint against Leach. That is when Senate Democrats decided to hire an outside legal firm to investigate the allegations, which Leach, a Montgomery County Democrat, vigorously denies.

On Thursday night, Costa said he was only vaguely aware of the allegations last year. Now that Taylor has submitted a complaint to him and other senators, members are looking into it and asking questions, Costa said.

Its contrary to where we were before, he said. It was not elevated to the point where the alleged victim here was filing a private complaint.

In her complaint, which has not been formally filed in the court system, Taylor alleges that in 1991, when Leach was a lawyer defending her mother in an attempted homicide case, he lured her into oral sex. At the time, she was 17 and trying to help her mother, she wrote. Taylor falsely took the blame for the attempted homicide  a decision that led to a perjury conviction.

The Inquirer and Daily News and the Post-Gazette typically do not name victims of alleged sexual assault unless they agree to be identified, which Taylor has done.

In an interview Friday, Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin said Taylor spoke about the matter with an attorney and an investigator with his office late last year. He said Taylor was told that the allegations fell outside the statute of limitations.

Although his office has not received a formally filed copy of Taylors criminal complaint, he said it would have to reject it because the alleged events are too old to prosecute, which would preclude his office from even opening an investigation.

There would be no purpose in going further, Martin said.

Senate Democrats this week said they had asked the law firm of Eckert Seamans to conduct a separate investigation on their behalf. It is unclear whether the firm has a timetable for completing its work, the results of which Senate Democrats have promised to share publicly.

Lawyers for the firm did not return requests for comment Friday, and Senate officials did not respond to requests for documents describing the scope of the firms work and its cost to taxpayers.

Leach has not responded to requests for comment about the Senates inquiry. A statement posted to his Twitter account Thursday night indicated that he intends to file a defamation lawsuit. A spokesperson for Leach did not provide further details, saying that the legal documents were still being finalized.

Asked about the Senates investigation, Leach spokesperson Frank Keel said, Sen. Leach is grateful for any opportunity for due process, as long as it is a fair proceeding.

The allegations by Taylor have a lengthy history. Her mother, Kathleen Speth, after being convicted of attempted homicide, raised the assault claim in a 1993 complaint filed with the state disciplinary board for attorneys. The board wrote in a letter that there was not enough independent evidence to proceed.

Speth raised it again in an appeal of her conviction. In a hearing, Leach took the stand and denied an inappropriate relationship with Taylor.
WASHINGTON -- He presided over some of New Jerseys first same-sex marriages. He was a leader in the push to ease sentences for low-level drug offenders and has amassed a liberal voting record on nearly every major issue. And he tirelessly campaigned for fellow Democrats in 2016 and 2018.

Yet as Sen. Cory Booker prepares to jump into the Democratic presidential race, some liberals still dont trust him.

For the most part he votes the right way. He really went out there in 2018, went above and beyond, said Rebecca Katz, a progressive political strategist based in New York. But I do think progressives are wary of his record.

Liberals have long questioned Bookers ties to wealthy interests, including Wall Street, Silicon Valley, and pharmaceutical companies; his coziness with former Gov. Chris Christie, a Republican; and his advocacy for charter schools. Now, as Booker prepares to launch a 2020 presidential campaign in the coming weeks, those issues could weigh on him as he competes with an array of contenders, including liberal champions such as Sens. Elizabeth Warren and, likely, Bernie Sanders.

But the long-standing questions about Booker also arrive with some new context, after six years in the Senate in which he has embraced many of the lefts most ambitious ideas, including Medicare for all, a federal jobs guarantee, and a proposal to give every newborn a taxpayer-funded savings account. Even some critics have taken note, though interviews suggest they are not entirely convinced.

"Its nuanced, and I hope that comes through, Katz said. I do think hes done a lot for the party, but I do think theres reason for progressives to be skeptical.

Recent straw polls by the liberal Daily Kos and MoveOn found Booker at or near the bottom of the pack among big-name Democratic contenders, garnering less than 3 percent support. In MoveOns December survey he was even a step behind former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, a onetime Republican.

Few doubt that Booker supports liberal causes. But some progressives wonder if Booker is truly a progressive crusader at heart, or if he is just following where others, like Sanders and Warren, have led.

Sen. Booker has admirably been proactive in making progress on issues related to big pharma and Wall Street, said Adam Green, cofounder of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, which has supported Warren. But, Green added, I think voters will want to not just know [candidates'] on-paper positions, but also understand their worldview enough to reliably predict their positions on future unanticipated issues.

Other Democrats also face a reckoning over past stances.

Former Vice President Joe Biden recently admitted it was a big mistake when he backed a 1994 crime bill now blamed for mass incarceration. Sen. Kamala Harris (D., Calif.) has taken heat over her work as a prosecutor. And Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D., N.Y.) is answering for past stands on illegal immigration and guns.

Many of the candidates that are going to announce are going to be tested and theyre going to have to answer for their record," said Karine Jean-Pierre, of the grassroots liberal group MoveOn. We have moved as a party and as a country."

A Booker spokesperson pointed to his work to help boost economic opportunities in Newark, build new parks, and increase access to affordable housing, along with Senate initiatives on jobs, the environment, economic inequality, and prescription-drug costs.

Senator Bookers progressive record is unimpeachable, Kristin Lynch wrote in an email. He has put forward groundbreaking proposals that have driven the national progressive agenda forward.

Its unclear whether the skepticism about Booker is far-reaching, or limited to a vocal minority. He easily won a 2013 Democratic primary against three credible opponents, including two congressmen who had campaigned as liberal fighters. Democrats across the country have called on him to fly in and rally their supporters  suggesting that they see only upside in standing alongside the New Jerseyan.

But for some grassroots skeptics, suspicions about Booker crystallized during the 2012 presidential campaign, when, on NBCs Meet the Press he condemned Democratic attacks on Bain Capital, the firm once run by then-GOP nominee Mitt Romney.

This kind of stuff is nauseating to me on both sides. Its nauseating to the American public. Enough is enough. Stop attacking private equity, stop attacking Jeremiah Wright, Booker said, referring to Barack Obamas former pastor. "This stuff has got to stop, because what it does is it undermines, to me, what this country should be focused on. Its a distraction from the real issues.

Critics still fume at that defense of private equity firms, while Booker allies say he was making a broader point.

Another flash point comes from Bookers work with Christie to reshape public education in Newark by vastly expanding charter schools, backed by a $100 million gift from Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg.

Booker allies say he was making a bold move to help at-risk children in failing schools  a cause liberals should support. But many on the left believe charter schools undermine traditional public education, and reporters who analyzed school budgets found that much of the money went to consultants, not teachers.

Education-wise, hes not far removed from a Betsy DeVos philosophically, said John Abeigon, president of the Newark Teachers Union, referring to President Donald Trumps education secretary. Its sad because we support him on most issues. But thats a major issue.

Booker served on the board of DeVos Alliance for School Choice, which advocated public money for charter, private, and religious schools.

Booker aides point to a Harvard study that found that after initial declines in achievement, Newark students had improved significantly in English, though not math. Most of the gains happened after Booker had left the mayors office and moved to the Senate.

Bookers significant fund-raising from people who work on Wall Street or at major pharmaceutical companies, both major employers for New Jerseyans, has also fueled liberal concern. The Wall Street Journal recently reported that of all the major Democratic contenders for 2020, Booker has relied most heavily on those who can write massive checks rather than everyday people who give $20 or $30 at a time.

Booker supporters bristle at questions about his core beliefs. They point out that after graduating from Stanford, Yale Law, and Oxford he moved into a Newark housing project to work on the difficult issues in a city racked by crime and poverty.

They draw a distinction between him and DeVos by noting that the Newark charter schools remained public, not the private schools she favors. And they point out that he spoke out against DeVos' confirmation. The New Jersey Education Association, the statewide teachers' union, endorsed Booker in 2014.

On the core issues like LGBT, abortion, and marijuana reform and criminal justice reform, hes like A-plus-plus-plus-plus-plus, said Jay Lassiter, a liberal activist from Cherry Hill who supported Sanders in 2016.

Booker has used his fame to lead a rally on the Capitol steps to support the Affordable Care Act and help organize a filibuster for tougher gun laws. In 2017 he testified against then-Attorney General nominee Jeff Sessions, breaking Senate protocol by speaking out against a colleague.

But two days later, Booker opposed a Sanders proposal to allow the importation of prescription drugs from Canada. It was a symbolic, nonbinding vote, but liberals were outraged, again concluding that Booker had sided with moneyed interests.

Booker said he had concerns about the plans safety controls. Since then, he and Sanders have teamed up on several bills to lower drug costs. They introduced their latest earlier this month, with Booker standing next to his potential 2020 rival.
The City of Camden is about to spend $1 million to transform illegal dumping sites into public art spaces.

On Thursday, officials announced that Camden was one of four cities, out of 200 that applied, to receive grants from the Bloomberg Philanthropies Public Art Challenge. Cities with at least 30,000 residents were invited to submit proposals for projects that address civic issues and demonstrate an ability to generate public-private collaborations, celebrate creativity and urban identity, and strengthen local economies.

Seven eyesores near walking and bicycle paths, the PATCO High-Speed Line, and the NJ Transit River Line will be reborn as art attractions, city leaders said.

Perception is sometimes reality, said Kris Kolluri, president of Coopers Ferry Partnership, a nonprofit that supports the preservation and growth of Camden and is partnering with the city and the Rutgers-Camden Center for the Arts.

No longer will they be seeing trashed tires. Now they will be seeing pieces of art, Kolluri said.

The artists have not been selected. Works could include fountains, sculptures, murals, or mosaics, officials said.

At Thursdays news conference, officials described the trash city workers constantly clean as vacant lots are filled with tires, televisions, and piles of rubbish time and time again.

Three sites, at Coopers Poynt Waterfront Park, on Erie Street, and on Federal Street are along the Camden Greenway, a network of pedestrian and bicycle paths. Another is along the River Line at the East State Street Bridge. The three other sites border PATCO at Pershing Street, Chestnut Street, and the Walter Rand Transportation Center in the heart of Camden.

Anyone taking a PATCO train through the city can see the destruction and decay caused by criminal dumping in Camden, said Camden County Freeholder Jeffrey Nash, liaison to the Camden County Department of Public Works. We are going to work to not only create art installations, but craft and construct places where our community can thrive, and what we hope to be the very definition of a third place for residents to congregate outside their home and workplace.

The grant is part of A New View, funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies, founded by former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Public art has the power to bring people together to strengthen their communities. Camden is harnessing that power by transforming dumping sites into works of art along the citys public transit routes, which will symbolize and further spur the citys ongoing resurgence, Michael Bloomberg said in a statement.

Near the Pershing location, Kevin Johnson, 69, was on his way to visit his grandmother. He said he was glad to hear about help for the area. He worked at the used-tire business at Pershing and Chestnut that is now a vacant lot surrounded by several homes and lots littered with garbage.

But Johnson said he worries that drug dealers and people in addiction will turn a park into another location to sell and buy drugs and shoot up.

I hope Im wrong, he said.

At the announcement, officials said the city alone cannot police the locations, some of which are in remote areas. Neighbors must be vigilant about keeping the newly refurbished areas clean and reporting problems, officials said. The locations will be cleaned and prepared this year, and the art installations will come next year.

Vedra Chandler of Coopers Ferry said artists will submit proposals and there will be community input. She hopes to see proposals that include recyclable items.

Mayor Francisco Moran said, Illegal dumping is unsightly, unlawful, and costs the city over $4 million annually. This winning project provides a unique way to bring together residents and artists to address this issue with creativity and create a brighter future for Camden.
HARRISBURG  Republican leaders in the state House of Representatives on Friday called on a Western Pennsylvania lawmaker to resign following allegations that he sexually assaulted a woman who was incapacitated in late 2015.

In a statement, the leaders said they recommended that State Rep. Brian Ellis, a Republican from Butler County, also "take care of his family and address the allegations raised against him that are currently the subject of a criminal investigation by the Dauphin County district attorney.

They also suspended Ellis from the chairmanship of the Consumer Affairs Committee.

The action was in sharp contrast to their position Thursday, after the Inquirer and Daily News and the Caucus first reported that the Dauphin County District Attorneys Office had opened an investigation into the matter.

Initially, House GOP leaders, while claiming they had zero tolerance on sexual assault or harassment, said they would only call for Ellis resignation if he was charged. No charges have been filed.

Ellis, 49, has not responded to multiple phone calls, emails, text messages, and letters over several days seeking comment. Dauphin County District Attorney Fran Chardo declined comment.

Asked about the Republican leaderships reversal, spokesperson Mike Straub said: Weve said zero tolerance, and upon further discussion of the allegations  which we the leaders learned much more details through your and other media reports  the leaders believe its in the best interest of Rep. Ellis that he resign in order to fully address the allegations.

Gov. Tom Wolf, a Democrat, also urged Ellis to resign. The allegations against Rep. Ellis are outrageous and unacceptable, said spokesperson J.J. Abbott.

In an interview Friday, Jennifer Storm, head of the states Office of the Victim Advocate, said the woman believes she was drugged while she at a Harrisburg restaurant in late October 2015 with a friend, because she has no memory of what happened to her after she consumed fewer than two alcoholic drinks.

She had 1 drinks, and then lost 12 hours of her life, said Storm, who is working with the woman, a state employee who does not work for Ellis. She was not voluntarily intoxicated in any shape or form.

Storm said the woman was not out with Ellis early in the evening at the restaurant, where she ordered a drink. After that, she said, she has no memory, but has been told she ended up at a different bar, where Ellis was present. The two left the second bar together.

The woman has alleged that the lawmaker told her the next morning that they had sex. Prior to that evening, she has said, Ellis had pursued her and she had made it clear she did not want to be involved with him.

Storm said that the day after the alleged assault, the woman went to a hospital, where she reported to staff that she had no memory of the previous evening and that she believed she had been sexually assaulted.

At the hospital, she was examined and treated for a concussion and pain, said Storm.

Experts said they believe prosecutors will examine the possibility of date rape drugs.

Steve Turner, a longtime lawyer for Pennsylvania state agencies and a former special federal prosecutor, said that without toxicological evidence, a prosecutor would need to build a case with circumstantial evidence, including the victims testimony about her normal alcohol intake, the effect of a few drinks, and whether she had blacked out before. It would include her last memory and her first memory, said Turner.

Essentially, absent other witnesses who might have seen someone tamper with her drink, it comes down to her story vs. his, Turner said.

Physical evidence, such as of date rape drugs, would aid the prosecution, said Turner.

Kristen Houser, spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape, said theres a dearth of data on how often drug-induced rape occurs. Much of it is anecdotal evidence. There are a lot of people who have memory lapses that are not equal to their other drinking experiences, she said.
A woman and a toddler were killed and four other people were injured in an early morning fire Friday in a South Philadelphia rowhouse, officials said.

The fire was reported around 2 a.m. in a two-story rowhouse on the 2600 block of South Third Street. Firefighters encountered heavy smoke on the first floor upon arrival.

At least three of the survivors were injured jumping from the second floor of the house, officials said. One survivor reportedly was taken to the burn unit at Crozer-Chester Medical Center. There was no official word on the conditions of any of the injured.

Firefighters found two residents, a woman and a male child, dead inside the rowhouse after beating back the flames, officials said. The fire was declared under control around 3 a.m. Its cause is under investigation.

Fire Commissioner Adam Thiel told reporters at the scene that with four fire deaths reported so far in January, compared to 19 all of last year, 2019 has gotten off to a tragic start.
Amtrak crews began preparations Thursday night to take down the clacking, 1970s-era analog schedule board from 30th Street Station, which will be replaced this weekend with a temporary digital screen.

U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle, a Democrat who represents Northeast Philadelphia and parts of North Philadelphia, and has been advocating for a modern version of the split-flap sign, said he was told that the digital screen may be temporary. At his urging, Amtrak has been exploring the possibility of replacing the old sign with a modern split-flap board that could provide real-time train information.

Late Thursday, after the website Billy Penn posted images of workers in orange vests cordoning off the area just beneath the flipboard, Amtrak issued a statement saying the temporary digital screen would be supplemented by Amtrak staff, who will be on hand to direct customers.

The statement also said its new Passenger Information Display System would be completed in late February. The statement, however, did not describe what that system would be.

Last fall, railroad officials announced that the black-and-white schedule board would be taken down sometime in January. Boyle said that Amtrak officials alerted him Thursday that the swap would begin over the weekend, when Philadelphias main train station is less busy.

Although the sign has obvious functional issues, Amtraks decision to replace it with a digital screen disheartened many Philadelphians, who consider it a local fixture. Built by Italys Solari company, the sign is also revered as a design icon. Solari boards were once standard in train stations around the world, but the Philadelphia sign is the last working split-flap sign in Amtraks system.

Amtrak began replacing the split-flap boards with digital screens after it became clear that the old signs could not satisfy the requirements of the Americans With Disabilities Act. Since Solari boards do not have the capacity to provide detailed real-time information about train delays, they discriminate against people who are unable to hear Amtraks audio announcements.

While the existing board may not meet federal standards, there are newer versions that can. At Boyles urging, Amtrak officials met with the owners of Oat Foundry, a Philadelphia company that manufactures modern flipboards that can be fully integrated with Amtraks information software.

Mark Kuhn, the companys chief executive, said he had met several times with Amtrak officials over the last month.

We sent them all our technical information, and they are now vetting it with their IT people, he said Thursday. Were going to make a business case for it. It will have to go through the meat grinder, but I still feel optimistic.
VANCOUVER, Wash. (AP)  The number of confirmed measles cases near Portland grew to 31 on Friday  an outbreak boosted by lower-than-normal vaccination rates in what has been called an anti-vaccination U.S. hot spot.

Public health officials in southwest Washington, just across the Columbia River from Portland, Oregon, said people may have been exposed to the dangerous disease at more than three dozen locations, including Portland International Airport, a Portland Trail Blazers game, an Amazon Locker location, and stores such as Costco and Ikea.

Twenty-six of the confirmed patients had not been vaccinated against measles and the vaccination status of four others who were infected is unknown. One person has been hospitalized. Authorities say nine additional cases are suspected.

One case also has been confirmed in King County, which is home to Seattle and one was confirmed Friday evening in Multnomah County, which is home to Portland.

Most of the cases involved children younger than 10, the Clark County Public Health Department said in a statement. One adult is infected, and the rest are teenagers. Oregon officials didnt provide the age of the adult infected there.

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, a Democrat, declared a statewide public health emergency for his state on Friday and authorities in neighboring Oregon and Idaho have issued warnings to residents.

Inslee said the number of cases "creates an extreme public health risk that may quickly spread to other counties."

The measles vaccine has been part of routine childhood shots for decades, and measles was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000.

But measles is still a big problem in other parts of the world. Travelers infected abroad can bring the virus into the country and spread it, causing periodic outbreaks.

Last year, there were 17 outbreaks and about 350 cases of measles in the United States.

Clark County, which includes the Portland bedroom community of Vancouver, Wash., has a measles vaccination rate of 78 percent, well below the 92 to 94 percent rate required for so-called herd immunity, said Marissa Armstrong, the departments spokeswoman.

Herd immunity happens when unvaccinated individuals are protected from infection because almost everyone around them has been vaccinated and is immune to a disease.

The measles vaccination rate for 2-year-olds in Multnomah County, home to Portland, was 87 percent in 2017, according to state data. The measles vaccine consists of two shots, one given by age 2 and the second usually between ages 4 and 6.

Data on Portlands vaccination rate for both shots were not immediately available.

Two doses of the vaccine in childhood are 97 percent effective and provide lifetime immunity. One dose is about 93 percent effective.

Both Washington and Oregon allow vaccine exemptions for personal and philosophical reasons. Armstrong said the vaccine exemption rate in Clark County for nonmedical reasons was high, at 7.5 percent.

People who have the measles can be contagious for four days before showing symptoms.

The virus, spread by coughing or sneezing, can remain in the air for up to two hours in an isolated space. Ninety percent of people exposed to measles who have not been vaccinated will get it, public health officials said.

Every time an unvaccinated person who has been exposed to measles goes out in public, it starts that clock over again, Armstrong said. Thats the fear.

Earlier this week, authorities were successful in identifying several people who had been exposed but were not sick yet. Those people stayed home and later got ill, Armstrong said.

"We're taking that as a win. That's how we're going to be able to slow this down is keeping these people out of a public setting," she said. "People are helping us and staying home."

Officials still are not sure where the outbreak began.

The first known patient sought medical care on Dec. 31, but it is unknown if other people may have gotten sick before that and did not seek treatment.

Those who may have been exposed should watch for early symptoms of fever and malaise and then a rash starting on the head and moving down the body. Serious complications such pneumonia and brain infections can arise from the disease in some cases.

People who think they may have the measles should contact their health care provider before visiting to avoid exposing others.
Ten Stephen Starr-owned restaurants in Philadelphia and two in New York City have joined chef Jose Andres' #ChefsForFeds initiative, which is offering free meals to furloughed federal workers.

Starting Monday, Jan. 28, the restaurants (list below) will offer preset dishes to workers showing current ID. With the government returning at least temporarily, Starr will extend the offer through Friday, Feb. 1

Dozens of restaurants in the Philadelphia area began their own giveaways last week to help ease the workers' financial sting. Separately, Michael Schulson is offering free Italian sandwiches (customers' choice) at Giuseppe & Sons, from 2 to 5 p.m. weekdays, from Friday, Jan. 25 through Feb. 1.

The ever-growing list of Philadelphia-area restaurants is here.

Last week, Andres expanded #ChefsForFeds from an emergency kitchen near the U.S. Navy Memorial to a national effort. Andres, who won a James Beard Award last year for his humanitarian efforts, called the shutdown a national food emergency.

Here are the Starr restaurants and their offerings:

El Vez, 2-5 p.m. weekdays: Tortilla soup and chicken/cheese quesadilla

El Rey, 2-5 p.m. weekdays: Tortilla soup and pork pastor quesadilla

Jones, 2-5 p.m. weekdays: Grilled cheese and tomato soup

Frankford Hall, 5-6:30 p.m. weekdays: Frankfurter and sauerkraut

The Dandelion, 2-5 p.m. weekdays: Soup and grilled chicken sandwich

Continental Midtown, 2-5 p.m. weekdays: Soup and grilled cheese

Parc, 2-5 p.m. weekdays: Mushroom soup and roast beef sandwich

Continental Old City, 2-5 p.m. weekdays: Soup and grilled cheese

Pizzeria Stella, 2-5 p.m. weekdays: Large soup

Pod , 2-5 p.m. weekdays: Miso soup and banh mi

In New York, El Vez and Upland are part of the giveaway.
Is the Wu-Tang Clan something to [mess] with?

Obviously not. That was made abundantly clear on Thursday night at Franklin Music Hall (the music venue formerly known as the Electric Factory) where the Staten Island hip-hop collective performed in all its oversize glory.

To what did Philadelphia owe the distinct honor and pleasure of witnessing a rare gathering of the complete complement of the Wu, all the way from star-quality leaders RZA, Method Man, and Ghostface Killah down to unsung heroes Cappadonna and U-God?

Two things: 2019, or actually late 2018, marks the 25th anniversary of Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). The groups raucous, up-from-the-underground debut album is a classic of the genre that forced its way into the mainstream with a not-to-be-denied burst of creative energy that expanded hip-hops conceptual parameters while demonstrating fans' undying appetite for music from the streets.

And also, it turns out, the Wu-Tang have always regarded Philadelphia as a home away from Shaolin, as they renamed their native New York borough, in keeping with the martial arts mythology in which band members rap superhero personas grew out of warrior legends from Chinas Yuan Dynasty.

RZA, the groups musical and epistemological mastermind born Robert Diggs, made that point repeatedly. Back in the day, when Wu-Tang was getting off the ground, Philadelphia was the second biggest market for the group after New York. In the groups unique way of doing things, there have only been a total of four shows on the books to mark a quarter century of Enter The Wu-Tang: opening night and again Friday at the Franklin, followed by Saturday and Sunday gigs at Terminal 5 in Manhattan. (Thatll be followed by a short European jaunt with Public Enemy and De La Soul, deemed the Gods of Rap tour).

On Thursday, the headlining set was preceded by an hour-plus DJ set that had the racially diverse, mostly male packed house of old heads happily bobbing along to Biggie Smalls and Kurtis Blow records until energy started to flag and the crowd collectively started to wonder where the Wu was.

Then, shortly after 10 p.m., RZA walked out with a bottle of celebratory champagne. And with the aid of Ghostface, Raekwon, Inspectah Deck, and GZA, the crew leaped into Bring Da Ruckus, Enter The Wu-Tangs opening track that served as a statement of purpose and worked as a promise kept on Thursday night, as Inspectah Deck vowed to verbally assault with the tongue  and shot your knot like a stun gun.

What followed was an hour and 45 minutes of something the Wu-Tang are seasoned practitioners of: controlled chaos.

Yes, there were often as many as 12 people on stage, including the late Ol Dirty Bastards son Young Dirty Bastard, unofficial member Mathematics handling DJ duties and gray eminence Popa Wu, who imparted words of wisdom to the crowd: Dont let anyone take your mind away from you. What you love is what you love.

A Wu-Tang show feels anything but choreographed, but Thursdays performance was nonetheless a smooth-running operation. You sometimes wish that the members were wearing name tags so it would be clearer whos rapping when, but considering how much talent is assembled on stage, its remarkable how effortlessly the Wu ran, with momentum rarely flagging.

Its tempting to say that the Wu-Tang are like a family, but that cliche doesnt really fit, because families rarely get along with this little dysfunction. Maybe the key to their success is that they dont get together that often.

Popa Wu also railed against the evils of cell phones, but the crowd wasnt paying him much mind. Mobile devices were held high throughout the set, as Enter The Wu-Tang was performed in its entirety more or less in order, and fans were fixated on capturing the historic moment.

Which meant they caught Raekwon on camera on Protect Ya Neck making it clear that hes the rap assassinator, rhymes rugged and built like Schwarzenegger. And also Method Man convincingly explaining the various ways that Wu-Tang Clan Aint Nuthing ta F- Wit while the crowd held W-shaped fingers in the air.

More than any of his crew members, Meth serves as both a charismatic, powerful-voiced MC and group hype man, insisting that the crowd match the Wus energy by shaming them with the info that the average age on stage is 48.

He also expressed his preference for Carson Wentz over Nick Foles, and seemed eminently sensible in comparison to the supposed Zen master RZA, who handed a bottle of Grey Goose vodka into the crowd for otherwise well-baked audience members to pass around. Meth wasnt sure that was such a good idea: Thats a weapon, he cautioned, only half joking.

After 36 Chambers was complete, the group carried on with later Wu material, and expressed camaraderie as they made their way through highlights of group members' solo careers: Raekwons Ice Cream, Method Mans Bring the Pain, and YDB doing a respectable job on ODBs Got Your Money.

Considering the momentous occasion, the show was notably unslick in its packaging: A video screen showed various permutations of the bat signal-like Wu logo, the words Hip and Hop and Strong and Weak lit up on either side of the stage.

That not-a-big-production style is thankfully in keeping with the groups unvarnished aesthetic. The Wu-Tang special effect is their ability to work as a collective artistic organism. Its been a long time since you saw the Wu-Tang Clan all together at once, is how Method Man put it in a not-idle boast. No additives. No preservatives. Just pure hip-hop.
Cars will begin rolling into the Convention Center toward the middle of the week as the annual Philadelphia Auto Show gets ready for the public on Saturday, Feb. 2.

Well, maybe not so many cars  SUVs, trucks, and crossovers make up the bulk of sales these days, as U.S. sales trends keep their inexorable drive toward taller vehicles.

Two years ago, I think it was 50-50, and now were at 70-30, trucks vs. cars, said Kevin Mazzucola, executive director of the Automobile Dealers Association of Greater Philadelphia. Some major manufacturers say theyre not going to make passenger cars anymore.

The auto show runs from Feb. 2 through Sunday, Feb. 10, and features 750,000 square feet of display space  or, as Mazzucola puts it, One ticket, 700 rides.

Still, expect to find almost every car available from participating manufacturers on the show floor  SUV or not.

And while trucks, SUVs, and crossovers have strengthening sales, sales of all vehicles continued to rise in 2018, said Jessica Caldwell, senior analyst at the car website Edmunds.com.

2018 surprisingly was a little higher than the expectation; it was higher than 2017, Caldwell said.

Sales reached 17.2 million for 2018, but she expects them to fall back to 16.9 million in 2019.

A big trend for last year was more fleet sales  think Hertz, Avis, Enterprise  and I think that padded the numbers a bit, Caldwell said. Thats generally a sign of trouble for manufacturers, who usually dont get favorable prices on fleet sales.

For trucks and crossovers, the strongest brand growth in the Philadelphia market for the last five years has been Jeep; its up 111 percent, Mazzucola said. The second? Subaru, up 60 percent.

Naturally, many of the new models coming to the Philadelphia Auto Show aim to broaden SUV lines to fill niches  small, medium, large, or luxury.

They want a full pallet, so to speak, of vehicles in this growth area, Mazzucola said, noting that new models are coming, from a new Kona from Hyundai to a Lamborghini [the Urus] and everything in between.

So whats coming to the Philly Auto Show? Heres a closer look (subject to change, of course):

Room at the top: The three-row Kia Telluride/Hyundai Palisade SUV siblings expand the South Korean brands' lineup at the large end, which until now had stopped at the smallish Sorento/Santa Fe models, tight three-row vehicles. The eight-passenger rides are expected to be available in spring.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator will bring its three-row luxury to the Philadelphia show as well.

The 2019 Ram Heavy Duty pickup also adds a whole lot of oomph for truck buyers, with 1,000 pound-feet of torque, which means some serious hauling and towing capability.

Something in the middle: Chevrolet will add the 2019 Blazer to its wide range of SUVs and crossovers, and Honda will reintroduce the Passport for the 2019 model year. Both vehicles add to the larger two-row segment of SUVs, with more off-road capability than typical crossovers.

For a change of pace, Audi will bring the 2019 E-Tron, an all-electric SUV, to the show floor as well.

Certainly only small by comparison with the rest of the pickup truck class, the new 2020 Jeep Gladiator and 2019 Ford Ranger add more competition to the midsize truck category. This segment had been left for dead just a few years ago, with just the Toyota Tacoma and Nissan Frontier on the market, but General Motors renewed interest by adding the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon a few years back.

Filling out the bottom: The Hyundai Kona adds to the niche at the smaller end. The strange-looking vehicle has been out for 2018 but will still garner a place alongside the newer entrants as well.

Lexus plans to show the new UX crossover, a little but luxurious entrant in the crossover contest.

Bread and butter: A couple of best-selling vehicles are coming to the Philadelphia Auto Show sporting long-awaited redesigns  the 2020 Toyota Corolla and the 2020 Ford Explorer. Explorer hadnt gotten a redesign since the 2011 model year, so its definitely overdue.

Lots to do: Dont forget that the Philly Auto Show also features Camp Jeep, an indoor off-road simulation track, where visitors can ride along. Ride and Drives will allow licensed visitors to test vehicles from Mazda, Toyota, and Volkswagen.

Classic cars will be on display from a variety of collectors and clubs. The Hollywood Cars exhibit brings such worthy rides as the Griswold family Truckster and Scooby Doo Mystery Machine. And Philadelphias Simeone Museum will bring special cars from around the world for display as well.

Missing characters: Cadillac will again be a no-show at the Philly Auto Show, and its joined on the sidelines by BMW and Mini in sitting out the 2019 event.

Philadelphia Auto Show

Feb. 2-10 at the Convention Center, 1101 Arch St.

Hours: Saturdays: 9 a.m.-10 p.m; Sunday, Feb. 3: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; weekdays: noon-10 p.m.; Sunday, Feb. 10: 9 a.m.-8 p.m.

Admission: Adults, $14; children 7-12, $7; children 6 & under, free; seniors (62), $7; military, $11.

Information: phillyautoshow.com
Robots' infiltration of the workforce doesn't happen gradually, at the pace of technology. It happens in surges, when companies are given strong incentives to tackle the difficult task of automation.

Typically, those incentives occur during recessions. Employers slash payrolls going into a downturn and, out of necessity, turn to software or machinery to take over the tasks once performed by their laid-off workers as business begins to recover.

As uncertainty soars, a shutdown drags on, and consumer confidence sputters, economists increasingly predict a recession this year or next. Whenever this long economic expansion ends, the robots will be ready. The human labor market is tight, with the unemployment rate at 3.9 percent, but there's plenty of slack in the robot labor force.

This next wave of automation wont just be sleek robotic arms on factory floors. It will be ordering kiosks, self-service apps, and software smart enough to perfect schedules and cut down on the workers needed to cover a shift. Employers are already testing these systems. A recession will force them into the mainstream.

A new analysis from Mark Muro, Robert Maxim and Jacob Whiton of the Brookings Institution, a nonpartisan think tank, finds much of the nation will be susceptible to the upheaval caused by automation in coming decades, particularly young people, minorities, and Rust Belt workers.

The total number of jobs will rise in the long run, but many workers will be forced to adapt. Robots will continue to roil the long-suffering manufacturing sector, Brookings finds. They will also move into low-skill service jobs such as food services workers once considered too cheap or too difficult to automate.

Economists generally focus on workers performing repetitive tasks, including rote mental or clerical work in an office cubicle and rote manual labor on a factory floor, to measure the influence of technology.

Middle-income work has evaporated in recent decades. Americans are now divided between the high-paid employees who design machines, the low-paid workers who sweeps up after it, or the even lower-paid service workers who serves fast-casual sandwiches to the other two.

In an upcoming paper from Review of Economics and Statistics, economists Nir Jaimovich of the University of Zurich and Henry Siu of the University of British Columbia found that 88 percent of job loss in routine occupations occurs within 12 months of a recession. In the 1990-1991, 2001 and 2008-2009 recessions, routine jobs accounted for "essentially all" of the jobs lost. They regained almost no ground during the subsequent recoveries.

Firms in cities hit hardest by the Great Recession raised their skill requirements for new employees and invested more in technology, according to economists Brad Hershbein of the W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research and Lisa Kahn of the University of Rochester.

Their 2018 American Economic Review analysis of almost 100 million online postings collected by Burning Glass Technologies in 2007 and 2010-2015 found strong signs companies were replacing workers who performed routine tasks with a combination of technology and more skilled workers. The effect was especially pronounced for cognitive workers such as office clerks, office administrators, and salespeople.

The economy is near full employment  the point at which everyone who wants a job has one. The unemployment rate has been at or below 4 percent for 10 straight months.

But the labor market for robots has room to grow. As wages rise and human help gets pricey, companies have experimented with alternatives.

The Washington Posts Peter Holley has tapped into a deep vein of corporate automation efforts in recent months. Cooler-sized robots deliver food for $1.99 at George Mason University in suburban Washington. Tall, slim robot assistants patrol Giant supermarkets in search of spills and hazards. Walmart planned to install 360 floor-cleaning robot zambonis by the end of January. A start-up called Robomart hopes to start running mobile supermarkets in robotic minivans in the Boston area in partnership with Stop & Shop.

But while many businesses dabble, few have gone all-in  yet.

"While you begin to see more kiosks in Panera in the boom period," Muro said, "the real urgency may occur for companies if there's a recession in the next two to three years."

The big players are lining up. Amazon reportedly plans to add as many as 3,000 cashierless stores by 2021 to augment its cashierless digital storefront. Sams Club and what Bloomberg calls a fleet of competitors are following suit. (Amazons chief executive, Jeff Bezos, also owns the Washington Post.)

It may seem odd that automation progresses most rapidly during and after recessions, when unemployment is high and humans are cheap. But as Muro and Whiton point out, workers start looking much more expensive during recessions once you account for businesses' declining revenue.

Because of the work they tend to do, young workers are most susceptible. They comprise 9 percent of the workforce but 29 percent of food-service workers. Men, who hold seven out of 10 production jobs, will likely face more upheaval than women.

Hispanic workers are more exposed than any other race or ethnic group, Brookings found. American Indians and black workers also face elevated risk of their job changing or vanishing due to technology.

The Rust Belt areas hammered by the Great Recession remain automation's likeliest targets. Technology will shake up Toledo, Ohio, more than any other metro area in the country, Brookings found. Much of the rural South and Midwest will also face further transformation.

There are lot of questions about how the next recession will work, Muro said. It could be a rough next episode.
An Orchestra of Minorities

By Chigozie Obioma

Little, Brown. 448 pp. $28

Reviewed by Katherine A. Powers

Newsday

Chigozie Obiomas second novel comes three years after his celebrated debut, The Fishermen, the story of a Nigerian Igbo family bedeviled by a fatal prophecy. That novel, a finalist for the Man Booker Prize, was superb in its sense of time and place, and in projecting a worldview very different from a Western one. The present book takes the Igbo understanding of the human predicament much further, in that the entire story unfolds within a frame of Igbo cosmology. (The essentials of this are laid out in an introductory chart of its entities and ontological relationships.)

Chinonso Solomon Olisa is a young poultry farmer living in Umuahia, Nigeria, and his story is narrated as a form of testimony to Chukwu, the supreme deity of the Igbo people, by Chinonsos chi, his guardian spirit. This particular chi has been around for hundreds of years and is a rueful commentator on human passions  on obsessive love, jealousy, anger, and, above all, fear, the subaltern god, the silent controller of the universe of mankind. He  we will call this spirit he  constantly remarks on his and Chinonsos inability to see the future and to recognize actions that will have cascading consequences and, in time, spell doom.

When we first meet Chinonso he is grieving for his father, nine months dead. In fact, he has never really gotten over the death of his mother, who died giving birth to the sister from whom he is now estranged. Chinonso, we soon see, is a lonely fellow who does not easily bear up against loss. His only solace is his chickens. One day, on his way back from buying additions to his flock, he comes upon a woman on a bridge who seems intent on throwing herself into the river, and he manages to dissuade her. She is, we learn later, Ndali, the daughter of a wealthy family. She is distraught because she has just been jilted by her fiance. Some time later, she and Chinonso meet again and fall in love, conducting their affair amid power outages and the bustle of his beloved chickens.

On occasion the birds strike up a mournful song, a dirge that Chinonsos father referred to as an orchestra of minorities  the only response small, insignificant creatures can make to cruel fate. Chinonso is, as things go, a small creature himself: Less educated and much poorer than Ndali, he is rejected and humiliated by her family. Hoping to elevate himself, he accepts the offer of an old schoolmate, Jamike, to arrange for him to attend a university in Cyprus. Thus, reports his chi, the black seeds of his undoing came to root in his life.

Chinonso sells his house, land, and chickens, all that had been part of him. He would live on from this moment like a living animal of the present whose tail is stretched permanently into the past. He hands the money over, only to arrive in northern Cyprus, a wretched quasi-state under Turkish occupation, to find that he has been swindled. He receives kindness from a fellow Nigerian and a German nurse, but a tragic momentum propels him onward through a grotesque sequence of calamities.

An Orchestra of Minorities is big novel of exile and tribulation, acted out, at one level, in a mythical realm, a cosmological territory crammed with spirits unfamiliar to most Western readers. At another level, the novel teems with people busy with down-to-earth matters of daily living, these often described by our disembodied narrator with dry, gloom-dispelling humor. The presence of this kindly chi, so concerned for the welfare of his hapless charge, makes this rich and tragic story bearable and rewarding.

This review originally appeared in Newsday.
Boss stepping down from Pirate football Perryville football will have a new boss on the sideline this fall.Thats because the current one is moving on.Blane Boss, the Pirate football coach for the previous four seasons, 

Piranha boys win opening meet of the year, girls finish third The Perryville Piranhas kicked their first meet off with a bang Saturday.The boys earned first overall with 254 team points finishing ahead of the Ste. Genevieve Stingrays who finished with 214 
Police tape off a crime scene in Montreal on Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019. Tony Magi, a businessman with reported links to organized crime in Montreal, has been shot dead, according to multiple media reports. Police said they received a call shortly before noon today about an unconscious man lying on the ground at the entry to a garage in west-end Montreal. Officers who arrived on the scene found the man suffering from at least one gunshot wound. Police say the victim, a man in his 50s, died in hospital. No arrests have been made. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz
The Netflix logo is shown on an iPhone in Philadelphia on Monday, July 17, 2017. Netflix says it shouldn't be forced to pay into funds that are designed to support the creation of Canadian content, arguing that the country is better served by market competition than by regulating foreign online services.THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Matt Rourke
Mr. Livingstone Etse Satekla, alais Stonebwoy has been named 2019 sanitation ambassador for the Ashaiman Municipality.



The Ashaiman Municipal Assembly (ASHMA), named him the sanitation ambassador at a special ceremony during which a citation was presented to the Ghanaian dancehall musician for his selfless and meritorious service to the Municipality.



Reading the citation, Mr. Albert Boakye Okyere, Ashaiman Municipal Chief Executive, noted that, the Ashaiman based musician had "put the name of Ashaiman on the global map through his music and artistry hence the need to appreciate his effort".



Mr Okyere called on the youth to emulate the lifestyle of the musician and do something meaningful for themselves to earn decent living and respect.



Stonebwoy, on his part, expressed gratitude to the Ashaiman Municipal Assembly for the recognition and assured that would help to improve sanitation in the area.



The Ghanaian dancehall artist noted that, "Ashaiman was a nice place and people from the area must be proud to mention it anywhere they found themselves".



He advised residents to use available resources to make Ashaiman a safe haven for humanity.

He reminded residents that, bad sanitation practices could endanger the lives of innocent people and urged them to keep their communities clean and avoid diseases that cost so much to cure.



Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Mr. Patrick Tsigbe, Ashaiman Municipal Environmental Health Officer, Ashaiman Municipal Assembly, said the ASHMA would prosecute offenders of its sanitation by- laws.

Source: GNA









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Legendary American rapper, DMX is expected to be released from prison today.

The veteran rapper born Earl Simmons went to jail in January 2018 on a bail violation after previously pleading guilty to tax evasion in November 2017. In March 2018, DMX was sentenced to one year in prison for felony tax evasion.



DMX was scheduled to be released on 27 January, but in a report by Vulture, inmates are allowed to be released on Friday if their release date falls on a weekend.



His lawyer Murray Richman told the news site yesterday: "He's coming home tomorrow. I spoke to him; he's very happy.



"He's looking forward to being home. He's never been hotter than now - people have been seeking him out all over.



Mr Richman added that DMX was 'terrific' in jail and didn't become a target because of his celebrity status.









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The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has appealed to all sons and daughters of Dagbon to unite behind the new Yaa-Na, Mahama Abukari II, describing him as a man of experience and dignity who will discharge the duties of his new office with distinction.



Speaking at the enskinment and outdooring ceremony of the new Ya-Naa at the Gbewaa Palace, in Yendi, on Friday, 25th January, 2019, President Akufo-Addo urged all to give Yaa-Na Mahama Abukari II all the support he requires, as he sets about to administer the affairs of the state of Dagbon.



Naa, I know you are a man of peace and unity. I know, from a few decisions you have taken since your selection as Ya Naa, you are a man of reconciliation. I believe you are the man to reconcile Dagbon, and blunt the age-old rivalry of Abudu versus Andani, and put Dagbon back on the path to sustained progress and prosperity, as was envisaged by one of the greatest figures in the history of Dagbon, the 18th Ya-Naa, Naa Zangina, the President said.



Describing the enskinment as a truly historic ceremony, President Akufo-Addo stated that the ceremony should put paid to a long struggle, over several decades, for the namship of Dagbon, which has brought in its wake death, destruction and retrogression of the Dagbon State.



For me, as President of the Republic, I feel a sense of excitement because it is under my tenure of office that Dagbon, hopefully, finally, finds the path to lasting peace, he added.



In admonishing citizens of Dagbon, President Akufo-Addo urged them to bear in mind that there would be a small minority who will not be happy with the new status quo.



He explained that there are a handful of malcontents who have benefited, for a long time, from the conflict, and never wanted to see its end.



We are not to rest on our oars and assume that every citizen of Dagbon is elated about the new peace and the enskinment of a new Yaa-Na. Indeed, there is a new term for people who profit from conflict. They are called, conflict-preneurs. We have to be resolute in warding off such people by strengthening the process of reconciliation amongst the people of Dagbon, the President said.



He continued, We are not to fear the strategy of our enemies, but our own mistakes. Dagbon does not have to fear an external enemy. Dagbon is a great state, one of the most ancient traditional states of our history. It has survived many marauding forces, and repelled many enemies. Dagbon can only be brought to its knees by internal malcontents, and it is our collective duty and in our collective interest to fend them off.



Development of Dagbon



President Akufo-Addo noted that the newly found peace in Dagbon is already bring in its wake good things.



He announced that Cabinet, last week, approved a $30 million water supply project that will replace the old and dilapidated water system in Yendi and its catchment area.



My Government is working to put in place the infrastructure that will allow us to exploit the iron ore deposits in Sheini. On the back of that exploitation, we shall put a railway line to run from Accra through the Volta Region and the new Oti Region and through Yendi to Burkina Faso, the President added.



Upon the completion of these projects, the President anticipates Yendi becoming a hub for trade and commerce, explaining that this will bring considerable prosperity to the people of Yendi, and help eradicate the poverty that gives the Northern Region the unenviable title of being one of the poorest regions of our country.



To the new Yaa-Na, President Akufo-Addo made a commitment to him, stating that he do everything in his power, as President of the Republic, to assist him to administer the State of Dagbon in an atmosphere of peace and tranquility.



As I have said before, I am neither Abudu nor Andani, I am an Abudani, a person who stands for unity, reconciliation and progress in Dagbon, he added.



Names written in gold



The President congratulated, again, the Committee of Eminent Chiefs brilliantly chaired by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, together with the Overlord of Mamprugu, the Nayiri, Naa Bohugu Abdulai Mahami Sheriga, and the Overlord of the Gonja State, the Yagbonwura, Tuntumba Boresa Sulemana Jakpa, for their untiring efforts in bringing us this far.



He also applauded the wisdom of the 2nd President of the 4th Republic, His Excellency John Agyekum Kufuors decision to establish the Committee of Eminent Chiefs as far back as 2002, in order to find the instrument to deal with the crisis in Dagbon in accordance with customary laws and usages, stressing that his decision has been vindicated.



To all the chiefs and members of the Andani and Abudu Royal families, especially the recent Regents, Yakubu Abdulai Andani, formerly the Kampakuya Na, and Abdulai Mahamadu, formerly the Bolin Lana, President Akufo-Addo stated that you have written your names in gold for your constructive contribution to the success of todays events, and when the chronicles of Dagbon are written and told to generations unborn, you shall each be mentioned with pride.



The President was hopeful and expectant that the new Yaa-Na will move quickly to accord Yakubu Abdulai Andani, formerly the Kampakuya Na, and Abdulai Mahamadu, formerly the Bolin Lana their rightful positions in the State of Dagbon to seal the process of reconciliation.









Source: Peacefmonline.com









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Former President John Dramani Mahama has expressed his excitement over the peace that has finally been restored at Dagbon following the peoples acceptance of the new Ya-Naa, the Savelugu Naa, Abubakari Mahama.



According to him, this is an effort by successive governments worth celebrating after years of the protracted disputes.



So happy for this day, and we should be eternally grateful to Allah that Dagbon has finally seen peace.



John Mahamas full post



So happy for this day, and we should be eternally grateful to Allah that Dagbon has finally seen peace.



After many years of hard work, negotiations, long meetings, disagreements, traditional considerations and agreements, we celebrate the efforts of successive governments for this day.



Working together, the Eminent Chiefs appointed to help resolve the very challenging Dagbon chieftaincy dispute, the Andani and Abudu Royal Families and the people of Ghana, this major success has been achieved and we have a new Yaa-Naa.



Congratulations to the two royal families and the Eminent Chiefs led by Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.



Congratulations to Yaa-Naa, Abukari Mahama II, and I pray for greater wisdom for you as you begin your reign.



Lets continue to work together for lasting peace.



Nana-Addo congratulates new Ya-Naa Abubakari Mahama



President Nana Addo Akufo-Addo has congratulated the people of Dagbon for working to bring to an end decades of division in the area.



According to the President, [the day] was a significantly happy day for Ghanaians as decades of tension and conflicts have come to an end by the acceptance of the new Ya-Naa elect, in the person of the Savelugu Naa, Abubakari Mahama.



The President in his statement also congratulated the Andani and Abudu Royal families for successfully ensuring that the funerals of Ya-Naa Mahamadu Abdulai IV and Ya-Naa Yakubu Andani II were held peacefully.



The President did not leave out the committee of eminent chiefs chaired by the Asantehene Otumfuo Tutu II whose job was to ensure a successful and peaceful funeral rite of the Ya-Naa Mahamadu Abdulai IV and Ya-Naa Yakubu Andani II.



The people of Dagbon, especially the Andani and Abudu Royal families, are to be congratulated for this achievement, and for ensuring that the funerals of Ya-Naa Mahamadu Abdulai IV and Ya-Naa Yakubu Andani II were held and concluded peacefully, bringing us to this very happy day.



I thank the Committee of Eminent Chiefs chaired by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, together with the Overlord of Mamprugu, the Nayiri, Naa Bohugu Abdulai Mahami Sheriga, and the Overlord of the Gonja Kingdom, the Yagbonwura, Tuntumba Boresa Sulemana Jakpa, for working so hard and with such determination to help us realise this memorable occasion. I salute their high sense of statesmanship and patriotism.









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The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) is taking steps to retrieve $25,000 from a rental company that bought cars from Bawku Central MP, Mahama Ayariga.



The amount according to EOCO, is monies accrued from the use of the three cars by the rental company, Atlas Rent A Car.



Mr Ayariga is under investigations by the Office of the Special Prosecutor on accusations of tax evasion and fraud in the importation of the vehicles.



Already, the Special Prosecutor, Martin Amidu who is pursuing the case for possible prosecution has secured a court order to access Mr Ayarigas call records within a specified period in connection to specific numbers.



The incensed MP has issued a statement vowing to challenge the Special Prosecutor in court.



In letter sighted by Joy News, EOCO who appears to have already been in touch with the rental company said In your statement to the Economic and Organised Crime Office on 10th July 2018, 14th August 2018 and 9th January 2019, you indicated that you have realised an amount of USD 25,754.00 during the period the three Toyota Landcruiser Vehicles worked.



The investigation considers the said amount realised as an exhibit. You are therefore to produce the said amount to the Executive Director on Friday 18 January 2019 at 10:00 AM, the letter added.



But Atlas Rent A Car in its response to EOCO says they will not release the amount requested.



We do admit that per section 19 of the Economic and Organised Crime Office Act, 2010, Act 804is clothed with the power to request for information and documents. However, we do not agree that this power extends to asking for the sum of $25,754.00 which is the proceeds from a legitimate business venture.



The company through its lawyers added that they are also unable to produce the amount because, this amount of money was used to cover salaries and allowances of drivers, operational costs, repair and servicing of the three Toyota Landcruiser vehicles.



The company believes EOCO is overstepping its mandate by requesting for the amount, adding In any event, if the said amount forms part of the evidence of the matter you are investigating, you are well within your rights and powers to obtain an order from the court to freeze the said amount in our accounts.



In its concluding response, the company said EOCO is not clothed with the legal powers to request for profits made from a legitimate business transaction, which you described as information to be tagged as an exhibit.



The Minority has jumped to the defence of Mr Ayariga, describing the courts order for his call records to be released as an invasion of his privacy.



Ningo-Prampram MP, Samuel George Nartey said although the court is within its rights to ask for the information, there is the need to be mindful of the principle of overreaching and the privacy of citizens.



He is of the view that the courts can be misled and at times uninformed about certain positions, especially when they involve certain technicalities.

Source: myjoyonline.com









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The Senior Minister, Mr Yaw Osafo-Maafo, is leading a five-member government delegation to China to seek financial and technical support for the establishment of an e-records management system for the country.



The project, if implemented, would enable the Public Records and Archives Administration Department to provide digital and electronic services to its clients.



The project forms part of the programmes under the public Sector Reforms Strategy of 2018 to 2023.



This was in a news release from the Office of the Senior Minister, a copy of which was made available to the Ghana News Agency.



The delegation, which is expected to be in China for five days, would hold discussions with officials of Beijing Global Safety Technology Company Limited for the implementation of the project.

Source: GNA









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The Government of Ghana has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Novartis, a global pharmaceutical company, to create a new public-private partnership aimed at improving diagnoses and accelerating the treatment of people with sickle cell disease.



The Minister of Health, Mr Kwaku Agyemang-Manu, signed for the Ministry of Health, while the Director General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr Anthony Nsiah-Asare, signed for his institution.



The President of the Sickle Cell Foundation of Ghana and Programme Coordinator of the Newborn Screening Programme for Sickle Cell Disease, Prof. Kwaku Ohene-Frempong, signed for the other allied institutions, with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Novartis, Dr Vas Narasimhan, signing for his outfit.



MoU



The signing was done on the sidelines of the ongoing 2019 edition of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.



Mr Agyemang-Manu said the collaboration with the pharmaceutical company would help improve healthcare delivery, as well as reduce preventable deaths.



We are pleased to partner the Sickle Cell Foundation and Novartis to address sickle cell disease in Ghana, he said.



Dr Nsiah-Asare, for his part, noted that the partnership with Novartis would come with many benefits for persons with sickle cell disease, as it would reduce treatment costs and improve access to cutting-edge research materials.



The collaboration, according to him, would also enable Novartis to test innovative sickle treatments in the country, a move which he said would also provide data for further studies.



He explained that the partnership was already yielding results, with Novartis submitting, in October last year, Hydroxyurea, the current general standard of care for severe sickle cell disease, for registration of the specific indication of sickle cell disease in Ghana.



He hinted that the Food and Drugs Authority had since granted marketing authorisation for Hydroxyurea to be available to patients in Ghana this year.



Discussions are underway for the inclusion of medicine and associated laboratory testing in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), as well as prioritise this as a national programme, with direct distribution through the Ministry of Health, Dr Nsiah-Asare noted.



Sickle Cell Foundation



Prof. Ohene-Frempong said Ghana was one of the few African countries that had a newborn screening programme, adding that there was not a single country that tested all their children for sickle cell disease.



As a result, he said: We are losing hundreds of thousands of babies across Africa each year without even a diagnosis of the disease and, therefore, this collaboration will bring global attention to this disease.



Dr Narasimhan said his organisation had a long-term commitment to ensure that its medicines and health care in general were accessible to as many patients as possible.



Veep



Vice-President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, who is attending the World Economic Forum, thanked Novartis for working with the Government of Ghana to improve access to and the quality of healthcare delivery.

Source: Daily Graphic









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The National Union of Ghana Students(NUGS) paid a working visit to the Embassy of Hungary to Ghana, to discuss comprehensively, the condition of Ghanaian students studying in Hungary and how the Union can better relate with them. The delegation from NUGS led by Mr. Tinkaro Asare Osei was met Mr. David Bekesi, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Hungary.



The visit was necessary because there is a bilateral relationship between the Ghanaian and Hungarian Governments on education to fully fund fifty (50) Ghanaian students to study in Hungary annually. The contract was signed in the year 2016 and by far, one hundred and fifty (150) students have benefited, ranging from undergraduate to Doctorate degrees of which some have graduated. This year, fifty (50) more students will get the opportunity to study in Hungary as beneficiaries of the bilateral relationship existing between the two countries.



The Union, having had series of engagements with the Ghanaian students in Hungary, is determined to further enhance the relationship between the two governments to the benefit of more Ghanaian students. The Embassy also finds it important to make sure that the students are further involved in the bilateral activities in their study-related sectors.



The President of the Union, Tinkaro Asare Osei in his speech commended the Hungarian Government and made mention of some of the feedback the Union has received from the students in Hungary. He further stated it will be in the best interests of the Union for both governments to increase the number to a hundred (100) as H.E. Peter Szijjarto Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary projected for the year 2020 onwards. The Union is committed to engaging the Ghanaian Government to that effect in order to meet the requirements. Creating a magnificent relationship between the Union and the Ghanaian students in Hungary is again a topmost priority for this administration.



Tinkaro lastly sought the help of the Embassy to help create a link between the largest student union in Hungary and NUGS all in the spirit of building quality student leadership through sharing the experiences and knowledge of leadership of both countries.



The Deputy Head of Mission, Mr David Bekesi was privileged to meet the delegation led by Tinkaro Asare Osei, NUGS President and assured the delegation of the Embassy's commitment to ensuring that beneficiaries of this educational opportunity are given the maximum attention and benefits they are entitled to. He further stated that their doors are always opened to assist the Union in communicating with the Ghanaian students in Hungary.



NUGS is always committed to helping students who would want to study outside our home country with the hope that after their return they will be successful builders and leaders of the Nation.



Thank you.



Signed



Kobby Otchere Marfo

(Press & Information Secretary, NUGS)



Tinkaro Asare Osei

(President, NUGS)









Source: Peacefmonline









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SKPMG, Receiver of Sovereign Bank, has revealed a number of factors that contributed to the revocation of the banks licence.



A recent report by the Bank of Ghana (BoG) on some five banks  Beige, uniBank, Construction, Sovereign and Royal  which are currently under receivership, also attributed Sovereign Banks high non-performing loans to inconsistencies in recovery efforts.



It said as at August 1, 2018 when the licence of Sovereign Ban was revoked, it had total assets of GH191 million, while the banks loans and advances as well as government and other securities constituted 73% of its total assets.



It advanced loans to 132,058 corporations and 3225 individuals.



The top 50 loans of the bank amounted to GH129 million and constituted 96% of total loans.



26% of the top 50 loans were classified as non-performing based on BoGs prudential guidelines.



94% of collaterals provided for the top 50 loans had not been perfected while investments amounting to GH200 million held with other financial institutions that matured have not yet been paid back to the bank. GH123 million of this amount matured in 2016 and was considered impaired.



Placements amounting to GH78 million that could not be repaid on maturity were shown as part of cash and cash equivalents.



These have been reclassified to other assets with appropriate levels of impairment.



It said mortgages constituted 63% while personal loans formed 37% of the loan book.



Furthermore, it said former directors of the bank took a decision to pay out most of the balances on current accounts to the account holders in the third week of July 2018, adding that the total amount advanced to staff was for mortgage and personal purposes.



The report further said 92% of the banks cash were made up of balances with local banks and the Bank of Ghana (BoG).



Construction Bank



The report further revealed that nine employees of the Construction Bank took loans to the tune of GH620,000.



These term loans amounted to three percent of Construction Banks total assets, which stood at GH24.7 million.



Also, 70% of property and equipment were made up of furniture and fittings and capital work-in-progress on a data center expansion project while 92% of cash and cash equivalents were made up of balances with local banks and Bank of Ghana (BoG).



An amount of GH2.1 million, representing both principal and interest paid to another bank on 1 August 2018 for the liquidation of that banks investment had not been recorded in the banks books.



Various items and equipment paid for, amounting to GH 835,000, had not been recorded in the Banks books. An amount of GH 48,000 paid for EFASS implementation had not been recorded in the Banks books. A difference of GH798 was noted between total USD cash counted (US$ 200) and the trial balance (US$ 30). An amount of GH500,000 approved by the Board and paid for coverage of the Banks voluntary liquidation had not been recorded in the books.



Royal Bank



In the case of the Royal Bank, the report said it had asset of GH376 million out of which loans and other securities constituted 56% of the total assets.



The Receiver attributed the high percentage of loans to the banks non-adherence to credit administration policies and inadequacies in recovery efforts.



Beige Bank



According to the report, total assets of Beige Bank were GH494 million while loans and other securities stood at 282 million, representing 57% of the asset.



The bank advanced an amount of GH274 million, representing 31% of total loans to related parties.



The Receiver said Beige Bank did not stick to credit administration policies and inadequacies in its recovery efforts just like Royal Bank.



Unibank



Commenting on uniBank, the report said that it had total asset of GH2.2 billion as loans and other securities constituted 82% of its total assets.



It continued that most of its debtors were in the construction sector and owed GH934.3 million while the financial sector was also indebted to it to the tune of GH558 million.



The manufacturing sector followed with a debt of GH283 million, same as the services sector which owed it GH283 million.



Barely 9% of the banks asset was cash and cash equivalent of GH187, 164 million.



Unibanks overall net liability of GH7.2 billion as at August 1, 2018 was attributed to accumulation of losses from operations, deterioration in asset quality and money given to related and connected parties.

Source: Daily Guide









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Iranian Lawyers Demand Release Of Jailed Colleagues

01/25/19

Source: Radio Farda

In an open letter addressed to the head of Islamic Republic's judiciary, dozens of prominent Iranian attorneys have called for the immediate release of their colleagues, jailed on trumped up charges related to their defense of civil rights.

Referring to the pressures imposed on lawyers by the judicial and intelligence authorities, 49 signatories to the letter have insisted, "Any sort of discrimination, restrictions, and threats against legal counsels is illegal and leads to partial, unfair, and unjust trials."



While several Iranian lawyers are currently behind bars, many more of them are free on huge bails, lined up for their trials.



Meanwhile, the signatories to the letter have asserted that a note added to the Article 48 of the Islamic Penal code is a source of discrimination against most lawyers.



The note limits the job of defending suspects in primary legal stages of national security-related cases to only twenty vetted lawyers, endorsed by the head of Islamic Republic's judiciary, Ayatollah Sadeq Amoli Larijani.



"This note practically deprives the majority of defendants of having access to independent and honorable lawyers, and is also a source of unfairness," the attorneys have reminded.

Though the judiciary chief has not yet responded to letter, he said on Thursday, January 24, that a greater number of prisoners are predicted to be pardoned by Khamenei this year, which marks the 40th anniversary of Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution.



It is not clear if any political prisoners and activists jailed for various offences under Islamic Republic's anti dissent laws will be freed.



Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei pardons or commutes the prison terms of non-political convicts sentenced by various Iranian courts on different occasions, in particular on the anniversary of the Islamic Revolution, February 11, 1979.
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New York State Sen. Brad Hoylman, D-Manhatan, center, speaks at a news conference following the passage of the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act protecting transgender people from discrimination on Tuesday, Jan 15, 2019 at the Capitol in Albany, N.Y. Next to Hoylman are New York Assembly members Deborah Glick, D-Manhattan, left, and Richard Gottfried, D-Manhattan, right. (Tim Roske/AP Images for Human Rights Campaign)
In this Sept. 6, 2017, photo, President Donald Trump pauses during a meeting with Congressional leaders in the Oval Office of the White House, Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2017, in Washington. From left, Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, R-Wis., Vice President Mike Pence, Trump, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. The tortured relationship between Trump and Ryan has gone cool again, with the Republican president making clear he has no qualms about bucking the GOP leader to cut deals with his Democratic foes. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
There will be a total of nine seven-night Rhine trips on AmaMora. Six of those will be between May and August, with the first one in May an adults-only option as well as three food-and-wine cruises just for adults in September or October. Cruises will once again visit France, Switzerland, Germany and the Netherlands.
Facebook: Correct only if the headline or text that appears in the post was wrong. Do it by refreshing the post so the new headline and text appears, and then edit the intro wording and include the word UPDATE: at the beginning of the intro wording. Add an editors note at end of text to explain what was incorrect in earlier version of the post, using same guidelines for an online correction. Twitter: For small corrections or story updates, keep the tweet up, but respond to the tweet with the updated information and include wording that explains what the correction is. Then quote-tweet the tweet with that same update wording. A small correction would be something like a misspelling or wrong date or location.
He allegedly went there the day before as well, saying, "The U.S. needs to rid the country of all of them," the report states. He also said on Monday, "We'll get rid of them one way or another," and allegedly threw screws at a car belonging to Hakeem's brother-in-law, in hopes he'd run them over and flatten his tires.
The [ethics] advocate says that he was hanging out with these people who are lobbyists who had [a city] interest, but there is no evidence in this case and theres no allegation that he ever did anything in response  as a quid pro quo for receiving a gift, Richard said.
Henderson stressed that no TSA personnel are asking for donations and no cash or Visa cards can be accepted from travelers or anyone else. Only managers will take gift cards and not within the vicinity of the checkpoints, he said.
Regardless of the councils ruling, Shaw already was cleared in 2006 to build a 75-foot hotel there and could still do that. Or he could turn to Orange County Circuit Court, where a lawsuit was already filed but was stayed until the magistrate process plays out.
Roger Stone is absolutely innocent of any charges that he colluded with the Russians, his attorney, Grant Smith of Fort Lauderdale, told the South Florida Sun Sentinel. The special counsels office would have charged that could they have charged it but instead they looked for something to charge him with, which was due to a lack of remembering and was completely immaterial to the investigation. Roger intends to fight the charges as this is nothing more than going after him for 40 years after Watergate and being a friend to the president.
She said the statue should be placed in proper context with information about the war, its origins and impact, and the lingering debate over whether the statue belongs in Lake County, to which the slave-holding general had no apparent ties.
The 46-year-old is among 13 Lake County artists out of 298 in all who will compete for cash prizes totaling $21,000. She and her husband, David Leidy, 48, moved to Mount Dora two years ago with their two teenage boys from Glens Falls, N.Y. Hes also an artist  glasswork is his medium  and had been coming to Florida for shows, so they decided to get away from the cold. They wanted to avoid the coasts to minimize the possibility of being impacted by hurricanes.
Figuring out how many youths  ages 13 to 24  have no safe place to sleep is tricky. Still, folks who work with the homeless tried this week during the annual Point in Time count conducted across Central Florida and the rest of the country. The results of the snapshot wont be out for months, but the experts know the number will be rising. Consider that the number of homeless youth in Atlanta tripled from 2015 to 2016, and Seattles King County saw its count jump more than 700 percent between 2016 and 2017.
She immediately began collecting food and clothing for the homeless. Quickly, her house overflowed, and she was fired from her job for using work time to promote her ministry. She was the breadwinner at her house, so her husband got a job in the maintenance department of a retirement community to support her and their seven children so she could keep on with the Come As You Are ministry.
Detectives said the St. Petersburg woman took photos of the victim wearing only panties and a tank top and encouraged the girl to have sex with men for $180 per client, and that Seymour kept more than half the money for herself.
Fortunately, the animals were all rescued with barely a scratch. But Albert Waterford, who owns Waterford Stables in Lithia along with his wife, Kate Wells Waterford, can't afford to repair or replace the structure while the family is living on one income, according to a report by Fox 13 News.
WEST PALM BEACH  An autopsy shows a man who died after falling on a cruise ship in October had been drinking and plummeted 45 feet down a stairwell.



The Palm Beach County Medical Examiner released its autopsy report for 29-year-old Christopher McGrory on Thursday.



McGrory was airlifted to a West Palm Beach hospital from the Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line's Grand Classica on Oct. 21.



The Palm Beach Post reports a nurse told investigators McGrory had been "drinking heavily" when he attempted to jump up a stair but lost his balance and fell backward. The autopsy showed his blood alcohol level was 0.256, about three times Florida's legal limit for declaring a driver impaired.



Brian McGrory of Palm City said his son had been celebrating his bachelor party on the cruise from Palm Beach to the Bahamas.
Brandon Denmark and Jared Whitcher witnessed the accident and flipped the vehicle before rescue crews arrived to take Bauer to the hospital, where she is still recovering from a broken jaw and fractured bones in her skull, the report said.
Webb bought the lucky ticket at the 7-Eleven store at 83 E. Colonial Drive in Orlando. The store will receive a $2,000 bonus for selling the winning ticket.
Orange County deputies took a 47-year-old man into custody Thursday night after he told his boss he had stabbed another man, according to a sheriffs office spokeswoman.
Winter Park police detectives are trying to figure out who broke into more than 30 cars on Wednesday night.
But a day after the verdict, the jury foreperson emailed the judges assistant. The foreperson wrote that another juror had talked about his close family member joining a gang and being raped as a teenager, defense attorney Joshua Adams said. Though the cases are not related, Adams said he was concerned that the jurors personal experience could have clouded his view of the case to the point where he could not be impartial.
When something like this happens close to home, it can bring up a range of emotions such as anger, guilt, anguish, or even hopelessness, said Tony Jenkins, Florida Blue Market President in Central Florida, in a news release. Everyone processes tragedy in their own way, and we want to offer a resource to the Highlands County community to help address their feelings after this tragedy.
For Whittaker, the forfeited bonuses amounted to $34,012 for 2018 and would have totaled as much as $88,281 for 2019. Merck would have received about $22,000 for 2018 and as much as $71,757 this year. Those payments, which are calculated based on three-year cycles, comprise the remainder of the unpaid bonuses Merck would have been eligible for during his time at UCF.
An inspector closed China 1 in Leesburg on Jan. 11 because of roaches found in the restaurant, including 10 dead roaches by the front register. There were also live roaches found in the kitchen and prep areas. It reopened the following day. The owner of the restaurant said a pest control crew was hired to fix the issue.
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Cyprus Reached a Record Number of Guests in 2018

Cyprus has always been a popular destination. The third largest island in the Mediterranean, Cyprus is a wonderful vacation destination all year round. It appeals to different categories of travelers  families, romantic couples, travelers interested in nature and cultural landmarks. That said, there is nothing strange in the growing popularity of the island.



According to the information published by the Ministry of Tourism in Cyprus, 2018 was a record-breaking year for the hospitality industry of the island. The number of global visitors added 7.8%, and the number of tourist arrivals almost reached 4 million (3,938,625). An interesting fact  a third of these arrivals (1,327,805) were from the UK. That is 5.9% higher than a year ago. In 2017, the number of tourist arrivals from the UK reached 1,253,839.



The United Kingdom and Russia remain the major source markets for tourism to the island. The proportion of visitors from these countries is 33.7% and 19.9% respectively. Greece and Israel are also important source markets for Cyprus. The share of these countries in the total arrivals reached 4.7% and 5.9% respectively in 2018.



July 2018 was the best month for hotels in Cyprus as the island enjoyed 539,626 global arrivals. August had the second highest result that is slightly behind July - 534,847 visitors. Again, tourists from the UK were the most significant group. For example, as many as 175,904 guests from this country visited Cyprus in July 2018. In December, the number of arrivals was smaller compared to summer months, but it was still higher than in 2017 - 106,563 vs. 98,924. That is an increase of 7.7%. The growth in the number of guests from the UK was outpacing the average results  13.6% more Brits visited Cyprus in December 2018 compared to December 2017. Greek travelers had a similar result with the growth of 13.5%.



Most travelers visit Cyprus for leisure travel purposes. For example, more than a half of visitors (51.1%) in December 2018 stated holiday as their purpose of visiting the island. 36.9% visited their families, and only 11.9% visited Cyprus for business purposes. In their statement regarding the record year for Cyprus, the Ministry of Tourism expressed their delight with this important achievement. With such advantages as rich cultural heritage, clean Blue Flag beaches, delicious local cuisine, and traditional hospitality, the island has much potential and 2019 has everything to become another year of success.

25.01.2019Stay in touch with the latest news of a worldwide hotel industry. All up-to-date analytics, reports , and news about hotel business trends on OrangeSmile.com.
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Stone is doing that too. Having seen his old partner-in-crime Paul Manafort convicted after decades of graft and pillage, Stone is determined not to go gently into his coming time in the barrel. After all, a guy whod been dunned out of country club Republican political work after being exposed by the Pulitzer-worthy National Enquirer as a racially obsessed sexual swinger and then reduced to scuffling for the likes of Al Sharpton and the woman who claimed to have been Eliot Spitzers madam before seeing his decades-long pipe dream of President Trump come true doesnt have much to lose.
The man was alright that was driving the other car, so I saw a lady sitting in the other car, Clark said. I went over and said, Are you alright? kind of thing, you know, and helped her out of the car, kind of got a hold of her arm and helped her out. She said, Oh yes, Im alright thank you, hows the other chap? or Hows the other fellow? or something. It was all a little bit confused. Someone said to me, Thats the Queen! kind of thing, so I jumped six feet back here and left it at that.
The bone does not appear to be a result of recent trauma and had no skin or other particles surrounding it, an Essex Police spokesperson told The Guardian Friday. We are liaising with the store who, in turn, are speaking to their suppliers for more information on this incident.
Doing so could expose the isolated tribe  one of several dozen in Brazil that have had virtually no contact with the outside world  to diseases new to them that could possibly kill them, FUNAI said.
.        .      ,   ,      .       -         .  ,                  ,  ,     ...
In the beginning, I was not allowed to be close to Mr. Joaquin, the witness said, adding that his supervisor warned him not to even approach or come close to where he was because he still did not trust me.
It also alleged that the hackers, under the name Guccifer 2.0, communicated with people in the U.S. about the release of the stolen emails. One person was identified in court documents as a person who was in regular contact with senior members of the presidential campaign of Donald J. Trump.
I am falsely accused of making false statements during my testimony to the House Intelligence Committee, he said, struggling to be heard over the booing of a large crowd that gathered outside of the Fort Lauderdale courthouse where he was released after posting $250,000 bond.
Manafort pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy in September as part of a plea deal. A month earlier he was convicted of bank and tax fraud related to millions he stashed in offshore accounts. That trial was the first undertaken by prosecutors working under Mueller.
The ground stop of flights at #LaGuardia is going to make NYC a nightmare traffic-wise for a couple of reasons. As bad as flying into the airport can be, having it not be an option for the foreseeable moment means that JFK is going to have to take on the brunt immediately, tweeted Christopher Smith. I live near JFK and I already can see the throng of cars beginning to pile up on the highway nearby. so you can imagine as the news sets in now when you've got international flights getting their schedule set how worse it'll be. and rush hour? WHEW
Memin, arrested himself on drug charges in 2014, said he personally witnessed Chapo pull the trigger during the side-by-side slayings and saw the ruthless narco assassinate a third badly-tortured man around the same time between 2006 and 2007 in the Sinaloa mountains.
As time went on, our relationship took so many different changes, from being boyfriend and girlfriend and being lovers to being best friends to being just straight homies like, somebody that you know you can count on. Somebody that has your back, you have their back, he said.
Kids today, right? she said in the video dated March 28. They need some education on the notion of freedom itself. Predictably, Im sure the response would be, Wed like the freedom to not die in our schools. OK, perfect, I would like the freedom to not be raped in the parking lot if I happen to stop by the grocery store late.
"It's like if we were experiencing an attempted coup where people want to depose the president, or the National Assembly to be dissolved," Laurent Soulie, one of the organizers, told the RMC channel. "This is a march to defend our freedom, and to ask for the end of violence."
But the utility might still have to fork over damages from 2018s Camp Fire, the states all-time most devastating wildfire. PG&E has stated it will likely file for bankruptcy because of potential claims that could range as high as the tens of billions of dollars, reported CNN.
kali9/iStock(STATE COLLEGE, Pa.) -- Three people, including an 82-year-old man, were killed when a gunman attacked a bar and a home near Penn State University Thursday night, police said.



Jordan Witmer, 21, allegedly first shot three people at the P.J. Harrigan's bar -- about two miles from campus -- according to State College Police Chief John Gardner.



Dean Beachy, 62, was shot in the head and died at the scene, Gardner told reporters Friday afternoon. Beachy's 19-year-old son was shot in the torso and hospitalized, and he died on Friday, the police chief said.



A 21-year-old woman who was at the bar with Witmer was shot in the chest and survived, according to Gardner, who added that the Beachys were sitting on the other side of the bar across from Witmer and the woman. Her condition Friday was not clear.



The suspect then fled the scene, crashed his car nearby and shot his way into a home, where he fatally shot 82-year-old George McCormick in the head as the victim's wife locked herself in the bathroom and dialed 911, Gardner said.



Witmer had an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head by the time police arrived at the home, police said. McCormick's wife was not hurt.



What led to the shooting is not clear, police said Friday, and it appears the suspect randomly chose the McCormick home and did not know the couple.



Some Penn State students tweeted their frustration that the university failed to send out updates as the shooting unfolded.



Penn State said in a statement Friday, "We understand that the tragic events that occurred last night may have instilled fear and concern in members of the campus community. We are deeply saddened by the senseless acts of violence that have occurred and our thoughts are with the victims and their families."



"University police, working with State College police, were monitoring the rapidly unfolding off-campus incident," the university's statement continued. "After careful consideration based on the circumstances known to law enforcement at the time, location of the incidents, and the lack of an imminent threat to Penn State students or the campus, it was decided that an alert would not be sent."



Penn State said the decision to send alerts is "on a case-by-case basis."



"We always review our responses to these incidents and will adjust our processes as needed," the university said.



"It's Happy Valley, we like to think these things can't happen here," Gardner told reporters Thursday night. "But one of the things it makes you realize is that it can happen here and it does happen here. I guess it's a sign of the times in the world we live in.

Copyright  2019, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
Colorado man arrested after threatening to kill 'as many girls' as possible because he was a virgin

https://trib.al/wsV19gh
Leifson herself has had to deal with a few mini scandals of her own. Her husband Lee had to step down from his dog catcher job in 2017 as town laws prohibit more than one family member from being on the payroll. Leifson said shed previously been told that wouldnt be an issue, but was later pressured to adhere to the rule.
It's Happy Valley, we like to think these things can't happen here," State College Police Chief John Gardner said in a press conference. "But one of the things it makes you realize is that it can happen here and it does happen here. I guess it's a sign of the times in the world we live in."
I am appalled. I am disgusted. My heart hurts, says family friend Chelsie Loose. When thats all you can think about is that poor baby going through that with nobody for him to be his voice and say stop, youre hurting me. It just breaks my heart.
The first incident occurred around 8 p.m. outside a home on Williamson street, where they discovered the first two victims dead and another person suffering from a gunshot wound, according to a GBI press release. Authorities just moments later were called to a second location a few blocks away on Rome street, where two more victims were found with fatal gunshot wounds.
However, Watkins said the December report does not offer us reason to believe this tragedy could have prevented. Instead, she said, it gives solutions for how the university can improve.
"We have an incident in the 107 precinct regarding an individual again apprehended, who stabs his common-law son-in-law, causing his demise, Chief of Detectives Dermot Shea said. There is a history between these individuals, the father and the son-in-law.
They dropped Cardona-Hernandez off near Nicoll Ave. and Messina St. As he the teen got out of the car, Castellanos repeatedly shot him from behind.
A Lyft driver says he did his best to fight off a crazed bicyclist who smashed his windows, bashed him in the head with a bike lock and jumped on top of his car to crow like a madman in a crazed confrontation caught on video.
He was locked in his cell 23 hours a day, food was delivered to his cell late, cold or simply missed due to kitchen (conditions), his friend, Dora Kovacs, a Budapest-based defense lawyer, wrote the judge. There was no hot water in his cell, not even showers, and he suffered bites from bugs during his stay.
Japanese restaurant Makana on First Ave. and E. 115th St. got a postcard-perfect mural of sunrise over a desert oasis, with the Hawaiian expression of gratitude, mahalo. BP A List Cutz on Second Ave. and 124th St. got its security gate transformed with a stylistic blue-and-red-striped barber pole, scissors and clippers against a green background.
The lawyer had an obligation to act in his clients best interest, but instead, he chose to exploit the faith his clients placed in him by stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from the sale of their historic Harlem church, Manhattan DA Cy Vance Jr. said in a statement.
It is my understanding that theres a potential conflict of interest regarding Mr. Baez and Mr. Sullivan, who you have requested to represent you, since they have recently represented actress Rose McGowan, who has been one of your most vocal accusers, is that fair to say? Justice Burke said to Weinstein, who was seated at the defense table surrounded by new and old attorneys.
Friends and colleagues said Hamburg had all the technical and artistic skills to take a show-stopping picture, but what made him stand out from the rest were his contacts. Access, he said, was everything.
At the time, Sellecks premises license was allegedly under scrutiny within the division because he was living in a hotel, according to a source. It was unclear if Selleck ever got the full-carry permit, which is the most permissive available. Lemer ultimately handled the application directly with Endall, the source said.
"It just felt like a weight was officially lifted, Burton, 46, said after a hearing Thursday in Bronx Criminal Court. "My mother was one of the strongest people Ive ever known. One of the things that she did was respect the law and respect law enforcement. But at the time of her death she wasnt respected by the law or law enforcement.
Following his release, DMX, 48, went out for breakfast with his fiancee and son, according to TMZ. The outlet also reports hes been writing songs from the slammer and is set to soon drop an album.
Rome, GA (30161)

Today

Rain likely. Potential for heavy rainfall. High around 80F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch..

Tonight

Rain. Potential for heavy rainfall. Low 69F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall possibly over one inch.
Cedartown, GA (30125)

Today

Rain. Potential for heavy rainfall. High 79F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall around a half an inch..

Tonight

Periods of rain. Potential for heavy rainfall. Low 68F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%. 1 to 2 inches of rain expected.
Cape Corals city manager has named the citys public affairs manager to the administrations No. 2 spot.

City Manager John Szerlag on Wednesday named Connie Barron assistant city manager, a position she has held on an interim basis since August.

Barron replaces former assistant city manager Michael Ilczyszyn, who was reassigned to Public Works in June.

I am honored to be selected as the Assistant City Manager for Cape Coral. We have many exciting projects on our plates, and I look forward to working with our City Council, City staff and the community to keep Cape Coral moving in a positive direction, Barron said Thursday.

Connie will assist greatly in moving the organization forward, Szerlag said in the press release announcing the promotion. She is a problem-solver and operates at the speed of now. Im confident her performance will be stellar in the capacity of Assistant City Manager.

According to an email to Council, Barrons responsibilities will include supervision of Human Resources, Information Technology, the Clerks Office and Public Affairs.

A job description for the post states the position pays between $113,526 and $187,324 annually.

Barrons salary as public affairs manager was $109,928. As per the citys personnel ordinance, she received 10 percent more while serving as interim assistant city manager. Her starting salary in her new position is $142,001.60.

Barron, who has a Bachelors degree in Public Affairs and a Masters in Public Affairs from Indiana University, has served as public affairs manager in Cape Coral for more than 20 years, establishing the citys CapeTV government access channel in 1999.

Before coming to Cape Coral, she worked in the public information field with the city of Indianapolis and state of Indiana, the release states.

The assistant city manager position, which was posted publicly but open to internal candidates only, drew two in-house applications, Barrons and one from City Financial Services Director Victoria L. Bateman, CPA, CGFM.

Requests made Wednesday for the job posting and advertisements of the position, if any, as well as any applications submitted remained in progress at press time Thursday.

Szerlag did not respond to requests for additional comment.

Editors Note: This story has been updated and edited to include salary and other information provided by the city Friday morning.
Cape Coral City Council will discuss Monday the possible sale of beer, wine and wine-based smoothies at Sun Splash Family Waterpark.

The sales  limited to two per adult  would provide additional revenue to address park maintenance, allow for new amenities, open the door for corporate events and reduce dependency on general fund tax dollars to subsidize the facility, officials said.

The city owned water park has seen a decrease in attendance since reaching a high of 114,348 visits in 2015.

The following two years saw numbers crash to 87,000 as a result of a fire and Hurricane Irma before a rebound in 2018 to 96,220 despite issues with its Pirates Cove attraction and some rebuilding.

The staff presentation will cite industry professionals who have reported a 10 percent increase in attendance once alcohol was offered.

Volcano Bay in Orlando and Adventure Island in Tampa are water parks already selling light alcohol, with some municipally owned parks doing the same.

One of the compromises proposed will be a two-drink maximum per person.

Based on the average profit of $4 per beverage, selling 250 adult beverages a day (a conservative number) could net $1,000 daily, with an approximate revenue of $120,000. Fixed expenses and start up costs would eat a little into that total.

The serving of alcohol would be controlled with staff training, a drink maximum and wristbands, the presentation to be made Monday states.

Councilmember Rick Williams said he hadnt made a decision on the proposal, as he can see both sides of the argument.

Its a kids park, but they also rent the place out for adult-based events. I can go either way, but I want to hear from the people and what their objections are, Williams said. Its something were going to kick around and see if the city manager wants to pursue it further.

City Council is also expected to discuss the Parks & Recreation Master Plan and improvements to be paid for with the GO Bonds that Cape Coral voters approved in November at Mondays workshop session.

Williams said the discussion will begin on what projects will be prioritized and solidifying what the city wants to do.

Right now, we have ideas. The concept is not hard and fast, so we need to get more input from the public and what people want to see where, Williams said.

In other business at the meeting to begin at 4:30 p.m. at City Hall, Jeff Pearson, utilities director, will give the annual utilities report, which is expected to state that the city is meeting or exceeding its goals.
A Cape Coral man faces multiple drug charges after an investigation into a suspicious mailing revealed the package contained drugs.

Printiss Lavon Garlin, 43, was charged with trafficking in MDMA and smuggling illegal narcotics into the state, according to a release issued by the Lee County Sheriffs office on Thursday.

Garlin was additionally charged with being a felon in Possession of Firearms, the release states. adding that $6,715 of U.S. currency was seized for forfeiture.

On Wednesday, the Lee County Sheriffs Office Highway Interdiction Team, along with agents from the Department of Homeland Security and the Cape Coral Police Department, concluded a joint narcotics investigation involving Garlin.

A suspicious package, destined for a residence in Cape Coral, was intercepted coming from a foreign country, the release states. Agents quickly discovered the package contained more than 500 grams (1,000 tablets) of the highly dangerous drug MDMA, commonly known as Ecstasy.

Detectives obtained a search warrant for Garlins residence at 1706 N.E. 2nd Street,.

The subsequent search then revealed additional narcotics, including 16 grams of Fentanyl, two firearms, drug paraphernalia, and the cash police believe to be proceeds from illegal drug sales, officials said adding Garlin is a convicted felon in Lee County, with almost 40 prior arrests.

This is yet another great example of the Lee County Sheriffs Office along with partner agencies combating illegal, dangerous drugs stated Sheriff Carmine Marceno in the release. If you push poison on our streets I have a room for you at the Lee County Jail.

Source: Lee County Sheriffs Office
Transparency International in Nigeria has described the federal governments TraderMoni scheme as vote buying. Speaking on a Chann...





Transparency International in Nigeria has described the federal governments TraderMoni scheme as vote buying.





Speaking on a Channels Television programme, Awwal Rafsanjani, chairman of the anti-corruption organisation, said the policy was ill-advised and ill-timed.





TraderMoni is a collateral-free loan for petty traders and artisans. It is under the federal governments National Social Investment Programme (N-SIP).





Rafsanjani said the N10,000 loan under the guise of TraderMoni to small-scale traders is an abuse of public funds.





It was not a part and parcel of the manifesto of the ruling party and it is not in Nigerian constitution, he said.





It was not done three years ago. It was only started close to election time. So, the allegation by many Nigerians that this is clearly a case of vote buying using public funds goes contrary to our constitution and to having a free and fair election.





That is why the Independent National Electoral Commission itself has seen this danger. The vote buying we are seeing has transformed to have more official recognition through the acts that unfortunately we are seeing performed by some of the agencies using public funds.





This is despite the statement by the president that public funds will not be used for his re-election campaign. But this, unfortunately, is contrary to what Nigerians are seeing.





Clearly, this is vote buying, as far as I am concerned.




Members of the House of Representatives on Thursday faulted the Council of State for approving N27,000 as the new minimum wage when th...





Members of the House of Representatives on Thursday faulted the Council of State for approving N27,000 as the new minimum wage when the agreement reached by the government, organised labour and the private sector was N30,000.





The lawmakers, therefore, expressed their readiness to adopt the N30,000 proposed by the tripartite committee, whose report was presented to President Muhammadu Buhari.





At the plenary on Thursday, the Speaker, Mr. Yakubu Dogara, had read a letter by President Buhari to the legislature, seeking an amendment to the Minimum Wage Act 1981, to reflect a new minimum wage of N27,000.





The President said the amount was proposed by the tripartite committee and ratified by the Council of State.





The Deputy Chief Whip, Mr. Pally Iriase, called for the approval of N30,000 wage for workers.





He said in part, The Nigerian worker earns too much less. Go to the market, because of the noise of N30,000, go and price the items today. But now, it is N27,000.





This bill must be dealt with in accordance with what the tripartite committee came up with. Not even Mr. President himself could deny what the tripartite committee presented.





While saying that the revenue allocation formula is overdue for a review, the lawmaker charged his colleagues to stand up for once in defence of workers.





Mr. Speaker, N30,000 will be what this House will pass. This House should pass N30,000 instead of this rigmarole, Iriase stated.





Similarly, another lawmaker, Mr. Oluwole Oke, said, I want to observe that no Nigerian worker earns a minimum wage. Ive tried to compare the minimum wage here with other climes and arrived at an average of N900, assuming the worker works for eight hours. The N27,000 is grossly inadequate.





Also, Mr. Chika Adamu, who noted that an increase in the minimum wage was a welcome development, said, The N27,000 arrived at is grossly inadequate.





According to him, the economic indices and the imminent rise in the prices of commodities as well as the move by the Federal Government to impose new taxes as part of its revenue drive, would not make a N27,000 wage realistic.





This money is grossly inadequate. By the economic indices that we have on the ground, this money will have no value by the end of the year, Adamu stated.
The Police Command in Osun on Friday, confirmed the death of one of its officers, an Inspector, during an attack on a commercial bank by...

The Police Command in Osun on Friday, confirmed the death of one of its officers, an Inspector, during an attack on a commercial bank by gunmen in Ila-Orangun.









Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the command, Mrs Folashade Odoro, confirmed the incident in a statement in Osogbo and said that it occurred at about 4:30 p.m. on Thursday.









At about 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, a gang of armed men attacked Polaris Bank in Ila-Orangun.









One police inspector and two other civilians were shot and injured during the robbery operation, while an unspecified amount of money was stolen by the suspects.









The injured police inspector later died at the hospital, while the other injured persons are responding to treatment.








Nigeria Employers Consultative Association, NECA, has faulted the National Council of States decision to approve two minimum wage. ...

Nigeria Employers Consultative Association, NECA, has faulted the National Council of States decision to approve two minimum wage.





The National Council of State presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari had on Tuesday approved N30,000 for federal workers and N27,000 for states and the private sector.





NECA said it was alien to have two minimum wage.





It urged the organised labour to lobby the National Assembly for a minimum wage of N30,000 across board.





Ordinarily, a recommendation is not cast in stone, but advisory to the President. The International Labour Organisation, ILO, Minimum Wage Setting Mechanism as domesticated in Nigeria, permits the National Economic Council and, of course, the National Council of State to take a further look at the recommendations and make their inputs to the President.





While it is desirable that they accept and adopt the recommendations of the committee, it is also within their rights to make their own independent recommendations.





The process never envisaged a situation of rubber stamping the recommendations of the Tripartite Committee.





The National Minimum Wage process also gives the National Assembly the liberty to tinker with the figure in the interest of the nation and the citizens. Such tinkering could be an upward review of the recommendations, which would be desirable to the workers.
Paul Usoro, President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), has slammed President Muhammadus decision to suspend Walter Onnoghen as ...





Paul Usoro, President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), has slammed President Muhammadus decision to suspend Walter Onnoghen as the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).





In a statement posted on his Twitter page, Usoro described it as an attempted coup against the Nigerian Judiciary.





He also called on Buhari to reverse Onnoghens suspension and demanded the National Assembly to assert its constitutional authority and powers and prevent this slide into chaos and erosion of the Rule of Law.





The new media has been awash this evening with the news of the purported suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Honorable Mr. Justice Walter S C Onnoghen, GCON by President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR and the swearing in of Hon Justice Ibrahim Tanko Mohammed as the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria. We are told that this was pursuant to an Ex-Parte Order that was issued by the Code of Conduct Tribunal on Wednesday, 23 January 2019.

The Nigerian Bar Association unequivocally rejects and condemns this attempted coup against the Nigerian Judiciary and evident suspension of the Nigerian Constitution by the Executive arm of the Federal Government. The action of the Executive portends a slide into anarchy and complete deconstruction of the Rule of Law and due process.





It amounts to an absolute breach of the Constitution and the usurpation of the powers of the Senate and the Nigerian Judicial Council.





It is unfortunate that the Executive Branch of Government purports to suspend the CJN on the basis of an alleged ex-parte order of the Code of Conduct Tribunal  the same Tribunal that, to the knowledge of the Executive, had, only the previous day, Tuesday, 22 January 2019 adjourned its proceedings to Monday, 28 January 2019 and has before it a Motion on Notice that is yet to be argued, seeking the same reliefs as were contained in the purported ex-parte application, to wit, the suspension of the CJN, amongst others.





We call on the Federal Government to avert the looming constitutional crisis precipitated by its ill-advised action. In particular, the Nigerian Bar Association demands the reversal of the purported suspension of Honorable Mr. Justice Walter S C Onnoghen, GCON.





We also call on the National Assembly to assert its constitutional authority and powers and prevent this slide into chaos and erosion of the Rule of Law, Usoro said.





Buhari had on Friday suspended Onnoghen and immediately appointed Tanko Mohammed as acting CJN.




A 45-year-old auto mechanic, Olakunle Oladejo, on Friday appeared before an Okitipupa Chief Magistrates Court, Ondo State, over alleged...

A 45-year-old auto mechanic, Olakunle Oladejo, on Friday appeared before an Okitipupa Chief Magistrates Court, Ondo State, over alleged illegal marriage with a housewife.









The defendant of no fixed address is standing trial in the court on the one-count charge of illegal marriage.









The police prosecutor, Ayodeji Omoyeigha, told the court that Mr Oladejo and two others now at large on October 10, 2018, around 12:00 p,m. at a marriage registry in Okitipupa, unlawfully did illegal marriage with Dupe Moroke without the consent of the court.









Mr Omoyeigha said that the defendant did the marriage with a valid marriage certificate which has not been dissolved between the complainant, Olakunle Moroke and Dupe.









He said that the offence was contrary and punishable under Section 370, Criminal Code, Cap. 37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State, 2006.









The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge levelled against him.









The Chief Magistrate, Dickson Ogunfuyi, granted the defendant a N50, 000 bail and a surety who must be blood-related in like sum.









He said that the surety must be a blood relation of the defendant and should also present a one-year tax clearance certificate as part of the bail conditions.









Ogunfuyi adjourned the case until February 13 for further hearing.












A federal high court in Abuja has upheld the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to accept the list o...





A federal high court in Abuja has upheld the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to accept the list of candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara state.





The commission based the action on the inability of the ruling party to conduct primary election before deadline.





Crisis had stalled the primary as supporters of Abdulaziz Yari, governor of the state, and Kabir Marafa, a senator, clashed over the exercise on different occasions.





INEC had refused to accept the appeal of the leadership of the party which argued that candidates could be adopted through consensus.





Some supporters of the party had headed to the court.





At the court on Friday, Ijeoma Ojukwu, the presiding judge, said it was not the fault of INEC that APC failed to conduct a valid primary within the scheduled period.





Onjukwu said INECs action was intended to curb impunity among political parties and politicians.




The Independent National Electoral Commission says it will require 11,000 security personnel for the conduct of the 2019 general electi...

The Independent National Electoral Commission says it will require 11,000 security personnel for the conduct of the 2019 general elections in Adamawa State.









INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Adamawa, Mr. Masim Gaidam, said this at a workshop organised on election security in Yola on Friday.









We need no fewer than 11,000 security personnel to man the 4,102 voting points across the state.









We need the security personnel to ensure free and fair elections; they are also expected to maintain peaceful atmosphere during the elections, he said.









Gaidam said that during the elections, the security personnel would be deployed across the state to safeguard the lives and properties of the citizens while maintaining law and order around the polling and collation centres.









He said that adequate security arrangements would be put in place to ensure the safety of election officers and materials during and after the elections.









Gaidam said that the workshop was aimed at equipping the security personnel, who would be involved in the elections, with the requisite skills and knowledge about election security.









He also said that the training was also planned to enhance the service delivery of the security personnel in the forthcoming elections.









He charged the participants to endeavour to report at their duty posts punctually, adding that they also be aware of the stipulations of the Electoral Law while discharging their respective duties.









I want you to display a high level of professionalism; you should not exhibit any form of partisanship or interfere with the electoral process, he said.









Reporters confirmed that more than 100 senior security personnel attended the two-day workshop.












A new report by the National Pension Commission has shown that only 12 states of the federation have been remitting contributions into...





A new report by the National Pension Commission has shown that only 12 states of the federation have been remitting contributions into the retirement savings accounts (RSA) of their workers.





According to the third quarter report of the commission released on Wednesday, 24 states had passed laws on the contributory pension scheme (CPS).





As at the end of the third quarter of 2018, twenty-four (24) States of the Federation had enacted laws on the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) while six (6) States were at the bill stage, the report read.





Five (5) States had, however, decided to adopt a pension scheme other than the CPS. In this regard, two (2) States had already drafted pension reform bills that were undergoing legislative processes. One (1) State had not commenced reforming its pension system.





The report said Lagos, Ogun, Kaduna, Niger, Delta, Osun and Rivers states have started remitting pension into workers RSA and funding their accrued rights.





It said Zamfara, Kebbi, Ondo and Anambra have been remitting RSA but have not been funding the accrued rights.





In the case of Imo, PenCom said the state government is yet to commence remittance of its workers pension contributions but that the Imo State University has been implementing the CPS under the 2014 Pension Reform Act.





It stated that Kano state had yet to transfer its pension assets or commence the funding of accrued rights while Jigawa had transferred assets to six pension fund administrators for management.





Here are the states that have not been remitting workers pension contribution:





 Imo Imo

 Sokoto Sokoto

 Ekiti Ekiti

 Kogi Kogi

 Bayelsa Bayelsa

 Nasarawa Nasarawa

 Oyo Oyo

 Katsina Katsina

 Akwa Ibom Akwa Ibom

 Edo Edo

 Benue Benue

 Kwara Kwara

 Plateau Plateau

 Cross River Cross River

 Enugu Enugu

 Abia Abia

 Ebonyi Ebonyi

 Taraba Taraba

 Bauchi Bauchi

 Borno Borno

 Gombe Gombe

 Yobe Yobe
Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has reacted to the withdrawal of Oby Ezekwesili, as the presidential candidate of the A...





Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has reacted to the withdrawal of Oby Ezekwesili, as the presidential candidate of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria, ACPN.





Fani-Kayode said Ezekwesili never stood a chance to win even a polling boot, let alone win a ward or one local government area.





In a post on his Facebook, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, chieftain said the former Minister of Education was a spoiler candidates with malevolent errand of mischief.

He also called on Kingsley Mogahalu to also step down and endorse the PDPs presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.





Fani-Kayode wrote: Oby Ezekwesile has finally opted out of a presidential race in which she had little chance of winning even one per cent of the votes.





It would have been easier for a pregnant Somalian chimpanzee or a four-eyed Zambian frog to be invited to Buckingham Palace for lunch with the Queen than for this so-called presidential aspirant to win one polling booth, let alone one ward or one Local Govermment Area, in the race.





The fact that Obys running mate, one Galadima, and her political party endorsed Buhari three hours after she opted out of the race speaks volumes.





She, Fola Durotoye and Omoyele Sowore were clearly spoiler candidates who were on a malevolent errand of mischief, who were never to be taken seriously and whose hearts secretly lay with the tyrant all along.





I have no doubt that those who claim that Oby and the other not too young to run presidential aspirants, with the possible exception of Kingsly Moghalu, were just a front for Buhari and a futile attempt to take votes away from Atiku Abubakar and the PDP.





The wisdom of Atiku refusing to participate in a debate with these unconciable jokers and desperate pretenders cannot be faulted or questioned.





They did not deserve the attention that they so desperately sought and their motives for participating in the presidential race are, to say the least, questionable.





The only one amongst them that had anything meaningful to say or to offer and that spoke from the heart and with full sincerity of purpose was George Moghalu. This is a deeply courageous man that I have come to respect.




Former Governor of old Anambra State, Senator Jim Nwobodo has spoken on his defection to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Nwodo ha...

Former Governor of old Anambra State, Senator Jim Nwobodo has spoken on his defection to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.





Nwodo had early today dumped the All Progressives Congress, APC, during a visit by the partys stakeholders in the Southeast.





He has now issued full statement on his decision.





Read full text below:

At this stage of my life, I see myself more as an elder statesman than a partisan politician and I speak from this standpoint. I have served our country both at the state and the federal level. In the course of my political journey from second republic till date, I have had my fair share of ups and downs. I made mistakes and learned from my mistakes, I have learned a lot from my experiences and feel qualified to speak on burning issues confronting us as a nation.





I cannot pretend that all is well in our country today with the escalating crisis, ranging from the economy, insecurity, tension among the three arms of government  executive, legislative and judiciary. Dangerous divisions along tribal and religious lines, and different militant groups arising from the hues and cries of marginalization.





What we are seeing are symptoms of deep rooted issues that should be brought to the table for discussions on how to address them. I am a democrat and a strong believer in democracy. Those of us who claim to be democrats have a duty to tell the president the truth and advise him appropriately. I have been chief executive of a big state and I appreciate how difficult it could be for the chief executive of a state or a country to know the true situation of things with the people you govern.





Just a few of the many undemocratic moves and sayings that are capable of igniting crisis:





As a member of APC and a democrat, I got visibly worried when I heard party members boasting we have won the election and just waiting for results to be announced. My question was how? How? How was the election won when the elections are yet to take place?





One of the tenets of democracy is the division of power among the different INDEPENDENT arms of government, namely Executive, Legislative and Judiciary. The desecration of any of these arms of government portends danger to democracy. The ongoing attempts to arraign and prosecute the chief justice of the federation in disregard to due process is a mockery of the judiciary,which is the last hope of the common man. It is even more worrisome to read in the papers that President was not aware of such moves.





Now that the President is aware, he should please intervene and stop the desecration of Judiciary and restore respect for the rule of law. We are all aware of the implications of disrespect for the rule of law and its dangerous consequences. No genuine investor will take us serious and our image as country will seriously bruised.





My expectation had been to see an inspiring new hope and values for the younger generation of leaders in our country. But a situation where current leaders of political parties and public office holders disparage former presidents and former leaders in the media shows we have learnt nothing from history. Is that how we intend to groom and mentor the not too young to run and prepare them to take over the mantle of leadership?





On the return of democracy in 1999, by the grace of General Abdusalam Abubakar, the then Head of State, I was one of founding fathers of PDP. One of the wise decisions we took was to rotate and zone the presidency between north and south. It was a great idea for inclusiveness and to avoid any part of the country feeling marginalized and left out.





Chief Dr Olusegun Obasanjo took first slot from the south and became the first beneficiary of that zoning formula. At the end of his tenure, he supported and handed over to late AlhajiUmaru Musa Yaradua, from the north. Dr Goodluck Jonathan completed the unexpired two years of Yaraduas term and went on to contest and worn. At the end of Jonathans four years, he lost the election to President Muhammadu Buhari from the north.





Of the three zones in the south  South West, South South and South East,South East is the only zone that is yet produce a Nigeria president. It has been our hope that Nigerians will support our dream of producing a Nigerian President from South East, the way we supported and voted for Presidents from other zones and regions.





I had hoped the route to presidency of Igbo extraction would be the APC, but statements from some top government officials and top APC party leaders gave me a food for thought. As I was processing these statements and struggled to come to terms with them, prominent political leaders from South East led a delegation to meet with me in Abuja on the same issue. I asked for time to think about their mission and the meeting was rescheduled for today Friday January 25th. In addition, I received numerous telephone calls from both political and non-political South East leaders.





As you can see, they are here today in a larger number, after their meeting with Ohaneze. It is difficult for me to ignore their call and turn my back on them when they have a genuine worry about the fate of Igbos in Nigerian polity.





I will do the same for any other zone that feels excluded because I am a true Nigerian in all sense of it. I was born in Lafia, spent my childhood and my early education there. Thereafter, I moved to Kafanchan in Kaduna state, where I had part of my education before going to University of Ibadan and thereafter taught at Kings college Lagos. From Kings College, I went to work for Shell BP in Portharcourt. I have friends and relationships across all parts of Nigeria.





As a governor, I worked had to reconcile the late Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe and the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who had not sat together since after 1952 as a result of their political difference. I succeeded in bringing the two great leaders of blessed memory to my private residence in Enugu and they sat together, had lunch and discussed at length. Thereafter they communicated and attended political meetings and rallies together under the Progressive alliance we had in the second republic.




The Peoples Democratic Party has said President Muhammadu Buhari is too weak to lead the country. The PDP National Chairman, Uche...

The Peoples Democratic Party has said President Muhammadu Buhari is too weak to lead the country.









The PDP National Chairman, Uche Secondus, stated this during a presidential rally of the party at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna on Thursday.









The PDP chairman stated that Buhari had tried his best and should go home and rest.









According to him, if Buhari is allowed to continue to lead the country, he will hand over the government to a cabal.









Secondus said, Now is the time for you to take a stand and firmly too, to know that it is time for us to ask President Buhari to go home. Let him go home. Baba has tried. Let him go home. The energy is no longer there. And we know that by the grace of God, we need somebody with a lot of energy. We need somebody who will work for 24 hours.









We dont need Buhari to give this government to a cabal. If you vote for the APC, the cabal will still be in control. There will be hunger in the land. The man is weak. President Buhari is weak. He cannot rule. We advise him to go home.









They have been sleeping on duty, that is why we have security problem in the country. They have been sleeping; that is why we have hunger in the land. Now, it is time for us to ask President Buhari to go home. Let him go home, he has tried.





We need somebody who has experience in the private and public sectors with a lot of capacity and competence. When Atiku comes, he will provide jobs and food on your tables.









Secondus warned against rigging the forthcoming general elections.









He said, Never again will anybody rig the election in Nigeria. INEC, be warned; you cant rig this election.









Speaking, Atiku said with him on board as the President, he would not only tackle insecurity in the land, he would also return the country to the path of progress.









He said, The APC lied to Nigerians. They promised to revamp the economy in 2015. Today, Nigeria is said to be the headquarters of poverty. The APC promised to tackle security challenges if elected but have they fulfilled the promise? Today, there are security challenges in the North-West, North-East and the North-Central.









Earlier in his remarks, the Director General of the Atiku Abubakar Campaign Organisation and Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, said the APC was running out of lies as the ruling party had not fulfilled any of its campaign promises to the people.









He said, Today in Nigeria and the entire North, there is no security. No jobs. Many years and months of lies, the truth must come out. Nigerians are seeing the truth now.








Uche Secondus, national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), says it is time for President Muhammadu Buhari to leave. A...





Uche Secondus, national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), says it is time for President Muhammadu Buhari to leave.





Addressing supporters of the PDP at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna state on Thursday, Secondus said the president is tired.





He alleged that Buhari and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have failed Nigerians.





He warned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against rigging the elections in favour of the APC.





Never again will anybody rig elections in Nigeria. INEC, be warned, you cannot rig this election, especially on IDP camps, he said.





Buhari and the APC have been sleeping on duty, that is why there is insecurity and hunger in the land.





It is time for us to ask President Buhari to go home. Let him go home, Baba has tried, let him now go home. We need somebody with a lot of energy, somebody who will work for 24 hours.





We dont want Buhari to hand over to the cabal. If you vote for APC, the cabal will still be in control and there will be hunger in the land.





Secondus said the nation needs a leader who has experience in the private and public sector, adding that the country can no longer celebrate incompetence.





President Buhari is weak and we advise him to go home, we dont want the cabal again. He handed over the government to a cabal. That is why there is confusion and thats why there is hunger in the land, he said.





We need somebody who has experience in the private and public sectors, with a lot of capacity and competence.





We cannot celebrate incompetency. When Atiku Abubakar comes on board, he will provide jobs and food on your table.





Did you watch that interview on NTA? You know the image of Nigeria is down we need somebody who can speak.





We need somebody who can face Donald Trump, we need somebody who can face Theresa May, speak and they will understand.




The Biafra Nations Youth League, BNYL has appealed to the people of the Southeast and Southsouth regions to be mindful of politicians an...

The Biafra Nations Youth League, BNYL has appealed to the people of the Southeast and Southsouth regions to be mindful of politicians and campaign promises.





This was in reaction to recent launch of Political campaigns in Southeast by President Mohammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and Peoples Democratic Party, PDPs Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.





The National Leader of BNYL, Princewill Chimezie Richard, in a statement on Friday, advised the people not to allow themselves to be used as political tools to kill people for selfish interests.





BNYL also lambasted apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo for turning into a political group.





Ohanaeze Ndigbo endorsed Atiku on Thursday during a meeting of Imeobi, the highest decision making body of Ohanaeze.





Ohanaeze endorsed Atiku whom they believed has restructuring agenda.









But BNYL said that Ohanaeze ought not to have involved in politics, adding that it endorsed a wrong candidate that doesnt have Igbo interest.





The group added, northern politicians, after this election, our people will totally be forgotten for another four years, and it goes on like that.




The All Progressives Congress (APC) says the Igbo will not gain anything if Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Demo...





The All Progressives Congress (APC) says the Igbo will not gain anything if Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is elected.





The ruling party said this in reaction to the endorsement of Atiku by Ohaneze Ndigbo.





The Anambra state government has since distanced itself from the endorsement of the PDP candidate.





Speaking with journalists on Friday at the partys national secretariat in Abuja, Lanre Issa-Onilu, APC spokesman, said the ambition of the PDP candidate does not enjoy the support of most people of the south-east.





With a few members of Ohaneze falling for Atikus antics, it has now become clear that the purported endorsement of Atikus presidential ambition does not enjoy the support of most of the Igbos, Issa-Onilu said.





One of such proofs is the statement by the Anambra state governments dissociating the state from the dubious endorsement of Atiku contained in the equally disputed communique.





It would now seem that few people in Ohaneze are trying to misrepresent the interest of the Ndigbo and we wonder whether these people are part of Atikus friends that he has promised to make rich as a cardinal policy of his government?





Many questions beg for answers. Besides the deceitful restructuring promise, what else do the Igbo stand to gain from an Atiku presidency? Nothing!





Could it be that Atiku and the PDPs restructuring rhetoric is selective and bespoke for specific audiences? The answer is yes! Atikus restructuring rhetoric is simply a convenient, simplistic and populist gimmick aimed at whipping up and exploiting perceived sentiments ahead of the 2019 elections.





The spokesman said Nigerians should be wary of Atiku and his PDP ilk who in their desperate quest for power are ever ready to play fraudulent political games and parade themselves as ethnic champions to the gullible.













Atiku has refused to speak on the nature of the restructuring that he is cashing in on. But little wonder because he is transactional in nature. Atiku has no plan for this country and he is not pretending about it, he said.





He has said it clearly and on many occasions that he is seeking power to be able to sell off national assets to make his friends and himself rich. There is no doubt that Atiku only intends to use and dump the Igbo people.





Ndigbo should not forget that it was during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Atiku as vice that Nigerias political history witnessed the frequent manipulated changes to the Senate Presidency and setting of Igbo brothers against one another for political gains.





Without playing to the gallery, the President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC administration has pursued a deliberate policy of probity, inclusive governance and national spread in the allocation of our national resources and developmental projects across the country.





Issa-Onilu said the APC remains the most sincere political platform working to ensure better inclusion of all geo-political zones in the country.





Their antecedents does not synchronise with the image they now purport which is dangerous. They are latter-day converts on the issue of restructuring who hitherto occupied public offices and did nothing on the issues of restructuring, he said.




Residents of the Apapa area of Lagos State have threatened to take legal action if the Federal Government fails to relocate trailers cau...

Residents of the Apapa area of Lagos State have threatened to take legal action if the Federal Government fails to relocate trailers causing gridlock in the area.









The Chairman of the residents association, Brig. Gen. Sola Vaughan (retd.), said the residents had decided to issue a 21-day ultimatum to the government on the matter.









Vaughan, who spoke during a protest march to the Area B Police Command, Apapa, said if nothing was done at the expiration of the ultimatum, the residents would take legal action against the Nigerian Ports Authority and all the shipping companies.









A statement on Thursday said a letter for President Muhammadu Buhari was delivered to the Area Commander by the protesters.









Vaughan lamented that residents of Apapa and its environs over the years had abandoned their homes and business due to the hardship caused by indiscriminate parking of trailers and tankers in the area.









Another resident, Mrs Ronke James, said hoodlums had taken advantage of the situation to unleash terror on the residents at will.








Awusam Bassey, media aide to Walter Onnoghen, chief justice of Nigeria (CJN), says his principal has not resigned. Bassey said thi...





Awusam Bassey, media aide to Walter Onnoghen, chief justice of Nigeria (CJN), says his principal has not resigned.





Bassey said this in reaction to speculation that the CJN may have stepped down.





In a statement on Friday, the aide said the rumour is fake news.





He said Onnoghen sat in court on Thursday and will swear in members of the national assembly, governorship and state assembly election petition tribunals on Saturday.





As part of his duties, the Hon CJN will be swearing in members of the 2019 national assembly, governorship and state assembly election petition tribunals tomorrow (Saturday 26th January 2019).





(CCT) to answer the charges against him. Onnoghen is accused of false assets declaration. He has failed to appear before the Code of Conduct Tribunal(CCT) to answer the charges against him.





On Tuesday, Aliyu Umar, counsel to the federal government, urged the tribunal to give a temporary order asking the CJN to step aside.





The Abuja court of appeal has ordered the tribunal to stay proceedings in Onnoghens case.





The CCT trial has been adjourned to February 4.




Kathmandu, January 24

The United Nations Office in Nepal and nine other Kathmandu-based foreign diplomatic missions have called on the government to take the countrys transitional justice process forward, keeping the needs of the victims at its heart.

Embassy of Australia, Embassy of Germany, Delegation of the European Union, Embassy of Finland, Embassy of France, Embassy of Norway, Embassy of Switzerland, Embassy of the United Kingdom, Embassy of the United States of America, and United Nations in Nepal on Thursday issued a joint statement, telling the government to clarify to the public its plans to take the transitional justice process forward in 2019.

The statement comes few weeks before the current term of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Commission for the Investigation of Enforced Disappeared Persons is set to end. Media reports have said that the government is preparing to replace them with a political body, which could give amnesty to the culprit of conflict era cases.

But, the western powers have said, We are united in the view that without broad public trust in the process, Nepal will not be able to bring closure to the wounds and grievances that persist from the conflict era, nor be able to complete the peace process.

To achieve this, we encourage the government to engage in broad-based, meaningful consultation with conflict victims, civil society and wider stakeholders that allows space and time to discuss and address issues raised before action is taken and helps shape a course of further action that reflects the will of the people.

Maintaining that they support a Nepali-designed, Nepali-led process that is consistent with the 2007 and 2015 judgements of Nepals Supreme Court and the countrys obligations under international law, they have said, Supporting Nepal in establishing a credible transitional justice process and ensuring the stability and prosperity of Nepal remain priorities for the international community.
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>Nepals Chitwan National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is home to the worlds second largest population of greater one-horned rhinos, as well as nearly 100 Bengal tigers and more than 54 other mammal species.

After a 2016 mission, UNESCO warned that Chitwan could be placed on the World Heritage in Danger list if a number of planned infrastructure projects were completed as proposed.

>Since then, the largest projects have been suspended or rerouted; now, conservationists say they are more concerned by the impacts of unplanned urbanisation and local flood-control projects.

>Local officials often struggle to balance protecting Chitwans ecosystem against the popular demand for infrastructure development projects.

KUMROJ, Nepal  In March 2016, a team of experts from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) arrived in Nepals Chitwan National Park. Dispatched at the request of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, the mission was charged with investigating a series of transportation infrastructure projects planned for the area.

Home to some 600 greater one-horned rhinos (Rhinoceros unicornis)  the worlds second-largest population of the species  as well as more than 93 Bengal tigers (Panthera tigris tigris), 54 other mammal species and more than 550 varieties of birds, Chitwans extraordinary biodiversity led to its inscription as a World Heritage Site in 1984.

What the IUCN team found alarmed them. If all of the planned projects were completed, the park would have been fragmented into eight to 10 parts, with potentially dire effects on its ecosystem.

The mission notes with significant concern that the proposed East-West Electric Railway, the Terai-Hulaki Highway, and other proposed road developments could have significant direct, indirect, and/or cumulative impacts on the OUV [outstanding universal value] of the property, the team wrote.

In other words, these plans could put Chitwan on the List of World Heritage in Danger, putting a black mark against the parks name for both conservationists and tourists. At its 2017 meeting, UNESCO formally warned Nepal that moving forward with any of the road and rail projects highlighted by the UNESCO team would land Chitwan on this list.

The warning, along with opposition from local conservationists, seems to have had an effect in this region, where the economy is highly dependent on tourists coming to enjoy the park and its wildlife.

The Department of Railways has announced a change in the alignment of the East-west railway to bypass the national park, says the departments spokesperson, Aman Chitrakar. Likewise, Shyam Kharel, who was until recently the head of the Terai-Hulaki Highway project, said that while the roads exact route was yet to be determined, it was beyond his imagination that the new east-west highway would go through the national park.

Nearly three years after the missions visit to Nepal, conservationists say the big state-led projects that alarmed the IUCN experts are no longer a major concern. Now, local experts say they are most worried about smaller-scale developments that were considered minor back in 2016, but have since become serious problems.

Local demand for flood control

During the 2017 monsoons, Chitwan National Park frequently made headlines due to inundations by the swollen Rapti River.

According to unofficial estimates, hotels and lodges in the area incurred losses to the tune of $10 million. Wild animals, including the iconic rhinos, also suffered. Around 15 rhinos from the park were swept away to India, one of which died.

One area, however, was spared: People living near Kumroj Community Forest on the northeast side of Chitwan were protected from the floods by 4-meter (13-feet) -high dikes, which line a 1.3-kilometer (0.8-mile) span of the Rapti. The project was inspired by a similar structure just upriver, which was completed in 2003 with funding from the Asian Development Bank and the governments Irrigation Sector Project. In 2016, Kumroj community leaders secured Swiss government funding to extend the dike into their area.

Every year, the Rapti, which serves as a border between the park and the community forest, is flooded and it enters the forest as well as the settlement, says Hira Bahadur Gurung, chairman of Kumroj Community Forest. But when we built dikes on the banks of the river, we feel safer, he adds. Last year when large swaths of land were flooded, the water could not enter our settlement.

While such flood-control measures provide peace of mind for people on Chitwans fringes, they have become a worry for conservationists.

The Rapti River is as essential lifeline for the ecosystem of Chitwan National Park. But floods can be costly, and even deadly, for human settlements nearby.

The IUCN mission noted problems with the dike during its 2016 visit, reporting that it already appeared to be changing normal flood patterns, causing changes in grassland and wetland habitat and pushing rhinos out of their traditional habitats. Population data presented by Chitwan National Park authorities showed that rhinos were already shifting out of the parks northeast and into the western sector.

The river is vital for the rhinos in Chitwan, says Narendra Man Babu Pradhan, former warden of Chitwan National Park. Dikes may make the locals feel safe in the short term, but they can have a devastating effect on wildlife, he says. The flooding of the plains along the Rapti is vital for the rhinos. The regular flooding of riverbanks keeps the land fertile, supporting the grasses that rhinos and other animals depend on.

With the apparent success of the dikes in the eastern sector, local people from other areas near the park are now demanding that similar structures be built to protect them from the floods. If more of the river is penned in, it will have far-reaching consequences for the rhino population in Chitwan, says Pradhan. But it is difficult for authorities to find the right balance when conservation policies and the needs of local people come into conflict.

Local demand creates pressure on authorities to relax rules, Pradhan says. During my tenure at the park, we would restrict the movement of traffic on important road sections near the park from 6 p.m. every day. However, under pressure from locals, we had to extend the time to 10 p.m.

Mohan Shakya, the head of the Narayani River Management Project, the government body responsible for preventing floods in the river, says his office would have to consider building dikes on the Rapti, if local mayors and village chiefs recommend doing so. Shakyas office is vulnerable to public pressure in an area where floods regularly cause a lot of damage and building dikes is a populist move that helps local politicians win favor with the electorate.

About 3,500 greater one-horned rhinos can be found today in northeastern India and Nepals Terai grasslands. Chitwan hosts the second largest population, after Indias Kaziranga National Park, which has about 2,400 rhinos.

Increased urbanisation

While Pradhan says he is alarmed by the building of dikes along the Rapti River, mammologist Shant Raj Jnawali says he is concerned by the rapid development of unplanned settlements upriver from the park.

A recent study on land use and cover in the Gandak River Basin, of which Chitwan is a part, says the built-up area has increased significantly in the lower parts of the basin, indicating rapid urbanization. Another study on population and land use in the Terai, the southern plains of Nepal that include Chitwan, found that while the amount of forest in the area was relatively unchanged between 1989 and 2016, urban areas increased by around 700 square kilometers (200 square miles) at the expense of cultivated land  a shift in land use that contributes to erosion and siltation.

There has been a considerable rise in settlements in the headwaters of the river. This has led to land degradation and more silt in the water, Jnawali says. This sediment has reshaped the riverbed and buried waterholes previously used by rhinos.

The way forward

Pradhan says that in the case of dikes, the local people, who are heavily reliant on tourism, should be made aware of the consequences of the development of infrastructure along the river. He says that when people understand that their actions will affect the rhino population, the main tourist attraction in the area, they will look at things differently. While the needs of the park and the desires of local people can sometimes appear to conflict, he says the parks contribution to the economy means that whats good for wildlife is ultimately good for people too.

The same public pressure that forced authorities to build dikes on the river could be used to prevent the building of more dikes in the area. The people of Kumroj have already seen that although the flood spared their settlement, the number of rhinos living near them has declined. Such a decline could have an impact on the number of tourists coming to the area.

Jnawali says it is now time for the government to enforce appropriate land-use policies to manage settlements and take action, even if such moves are unpopular with locals. The government needs to enforce zoning regulations so that the river is conserved and settlements are built in a sustainable way, he says.

Man Bahadur Khadka, director general of the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, says his office was charged with preparing a report to update the World Heritage Committee on the situation in Chitwan. The report, formally requested by UNESCO in July 2017, was due on Dec. 1, 2018, but has not been released publicly.

According to Khadka, the confidential report calls on UNESCO to allow Nepal to build and upgrade roads that local communities need, but not at the cost of the parks outstanding universal values, the parameters by which UNESCO determines what makes a World Heritage Site special. He says the government has asked UNESCO to understand the local peoples transportation needs, and asked that a new mission visit Chitwan to take stock of the situation and help formulate a plan.

We are ready to conduct an environmental impact assessment of the projects as prescribed by UNESCO, Khadka says. In a country like Nepal, people have many development needs. Meeting those needs and conserving nature is always challenging. But we remain committed to the cause.

This story was first published on Mongabay. Read the original story here.
The sons of former drug kingpin Joaquin E l Chapo Guzman killed Mexican journalist Javier Valdez because he insisted on publishing an interview with a drug trafficker, who told of the murder in court Wednesday. Damaso Lopez Nunez, known as The Lawyer, testified that the slain journalist -- who specialized in drug trafficking reporting -- disobeyed the threatening orders of my compadres children and thats why they killed him.

The testimony came as part of Guzmans trial in New York, where he faces trafficking, firearms and money laundering charges. Valdez was an AFP stringer and co-founder of the weekly Riodoce de Sinaloa. One of the most prominent chroniclers of the drug war, he was gunned down in May 2017. He was 50 years old. Lopez worked for the ultra-violent Sinaloa cartel, and was convicted last year of trafficking by a federal court in Alexandria, Virginia.

He had been arrested days before the journalists murder. According to the US Department of Justice, Lopez was the deputy head of a Mexican maximum security prison in 2001 when he helped Guzman escape. He then joined the cartel as Guzmans lieutenant. He told the jury that another Mexican journalist had mentioned his name in connection with an operation against Guzmans children -- an accusation he said was totally false.

To disprove the information he decided to grant Valdez a telephone interview, which Guzmans children discovered and were against. They threatened Valdez and commanded him not to published it. But he, complying with his ethics, published it anyway, Lopez said in court. The witness, Guzmans former right-hand man, denied in cross-examination that he had ordered the murder after the publication of a critical article about his son. He also suggested Guzman, 61, was unaware of his sons involvement in the killing. Valdezs murder rocked Mexico, which is considered one of the most dangerous countries in the world to be a journalist.
Germany plans to ban Iranian airline Mahan Air from its airports, media reported Monday, in an escalation of sanctions adopted by the European Union against Iran over attacks on opponents in the bloc. The Federal Aviation Office (LBA) will this week suspend the operating license of Iranian airline Mahan, reported Munich-based daily Sueddeutsche Zeitung.

A spokesman for the foreign ministry in Berlin told the paper it does not inform about internal political decision-making processes. Mahan, Irans second-largest carrier after Iran Air, flies four services a week between Tehran and the German cities Duesseldorf and Munich.

The EU earlier this month targeted sanctions at Irans security services and two of their leaders, accused of involvement in a series of murders and planned attacks against Tehran critics in the Netherlands, Denmark and France. Brussels measures included freezing funds and financial assets belonging to Irans intelligence ministry and individual officials, but did not target any companies.

By contrast Mahan Air was blacklisted by the US in 2011, as Washington said the carrier was providing technical and material support to an elite unit of Irans Revolutionary Guards known as the Quds Force.
Gunmen in Thailands deep south shot dead two Buddhist monks and wounded two others inside a temple, police said yesterday, capping a week of deadly violence as the prime minister vowed to punish those responsible. Black-clad assailants carrying rifles crept into Rattanaupap temple in Narathiwat province near Malaysias border on Friday evening and started firing, local superintendent Pakdi Preechachon said.

The attack took place around 7:30 pm (1230 GMT) when an unknown number of gunmen dressed in black entered the temple through a rear area via a creek, Pakdi said. Two monks were shot dead at the temple while two others were wounded. Since 2004 clashes between ethnic Malay-Muslim rebels and the Buddhist-majority Thai state that annexed the region a century ago have killed nearly 7,000 people, mostly civilians of both faiths. In the past, Buddhist monks have been targeted only infrequently. But they have been told to suspend morning alms collection starting from Saturday in three southern provinces and the southern army commander has instructed security officials to step up safeguards of Islamic leaders who could also be at risk. Junta leader and prime minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha condemned the temple shootings.

The prime minister denounced such a brazen attack and instructed officials to investigate and find the assailants to punish them, said government spokesman Buddhipongse Punnakanta.
The joint Bahrain-Egyptian military exercise Hamad 3 will play a vital role in enhancing the capabilities of Bahraini and Egyptian forces in tackling various challenges, said BDFs top commander yesterday. Bahrain is always keen to boost its standards as well as help its affiliates in mastering advanced military techniques, said Field Marshal Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, the BDF Commander-in-Chief. Shaikh Khalifa during a visit to the Royal Bahrain Navy Force also expressed Bahrains readiness in exchanging military expertise with brotherly forces.

The Commander-in-Chief praised the high standards set by Hamad 3 Joint Military Exercise which, he said, will open various horizons regarding war and combat techniques to build strong forces capable of highly-efficient performance. The exercises, described by the Egyptian army as one of the Gulf regions most important joint drills, are aimed at improving joint air and sea combat management with the use of advanced air and naval tactics.

The three-day exercise, jointly by Bahrain Defence Force (BDF) and Egyptian Armed Forces, was held at Salman Air Base and Isa Air Base on the shore of the southern Gulf. The joint military exercises aim to further consolidate strong relations between the two countries and people, the armed forces said in an earlier statement on its website. The exercise included various drills and classes to allow members of both armies to train on different combat methods.

Egyptian ministry in a statement said that the drills in different disciplines of air, sea and land contribute to enhancing military cooperation and honing the skills of the participating forces of both countries. Earlier, upon his arrival, the Commander-in-chief was received by Chief-of-Staff Lt-General Dhiab bin Saqr Al Nuaimi, Egyptian Naval Detachment Commander Major-General Yasser Ezzat AlAsi, Commander of Royal Bahrain Navy Force Commodore Mohammed Yousef Al-Asam, senior BDF officers and participating Egyptian officers.

The Commander-in- Chief was accompanied by Assistant Chief-of-Staff for Logistics and Catering Major-General Yousef Ahmed MalAllah, Major-General Ghanim Ibrahim Al-Fodhala. Recently, the Royal Bahrain Air Force (RBAF) - Air Defence Wing - successfully carried out a live-fire exercise with Hawk missiles at a Shooting Range at Al Macatra, Abu Dhabi.
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Fairbanks, AK (99707)

Today

Rain likely. High 67F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms in the evening, with mostly cloudy skies overnight. Low 52F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
(Newser)  Thousands of workers ordered to return to their jobs without pay by the IRS have not done so, Politico reports. Many of those employees recalled to help with the tax-return filing crunch have claimed financial hardship. IRS officials told House staffers, per the AP, that as of Tuesday, about 12,000 of 26,000 workers recalled were on the job. Of the rest, 5,000 invoked the hardship exemption under their union contract, and another 9,000 could not be reached by managers. The Trump administration had planned to bring about 46,000 furloughed employees, more than half of the IRS workforce, back to work despite the partial government shutdown. That would help the administration keep its promise to pay taxpayers their refunds on time.

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The IRS and its employees are feeling the effects. Only about one-third of phone calls to the IRS were being answered, and the wait time is now 25 to 40 minutes. The agency also has lost around 25 IT employees during the shutdown, Politico reports, to retirement or other jobs. Shannon Ellis, president of the National Treasury Employees Unions Kansas City local, tells the Washington Post that fewer than 600 of the 1,700 accounts management workers, who help with refunds, have returned since being recalled. Workers are missing shifts because they cant pay for child care or their commute, she says. "People are panicking," she adds. "Its scary. Its getting worse every day." (Read more government shutdown stories.)
(Newser)  A Twitter troll went after Patton Oswaltand the comedian managed to turn it into one of the most uplifting stories of the week. It started Wednesday, when Oswalt made fun of President Trump on Twitter, which provoked snarky reactions from 64-year-old Michael Beatty, including saying he was happy Oswalt's character had died in Blade: Trinity. Oswalt briefly clapped back, but he then visited Beatty's Twitter feed and made a sobering discovery: the Alabama resident was trying to raise $5,000 after serious medical issues, including sepsis and an eight-day coma he'd been in from diabetes complications, per the Washington Post. That's when Oswalt changed his tune. "He's been dealt some s---ty cardslet's deal him some good ones," Oswalt tweeted, asking fans to donate. The San Francisco Chronicle notes it appears Oswalt himself gave $2,000.

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Beatty's response: "Patton. You have humbled me to the point where I can barely compose my words. You have caused me to take pause and reflect on how harmful words from my mouth could result in such an outpouring." He also acknowledged his "rather rough" original tweets and noted he's deleted other offensive posts (including one to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez). Some say that, based on other questionable comments Beatty has made online, there are more deserving people that Oswalt could have crowdfunded for; others used the story as evidence that the US needs a better health-care system. But the amount of money that flowed into Beatty's GoFundMe seems to suggest that many were indeed inspired to donate: More than $32,000 had been amassed as of Friday morning. Beatty says he's now an Oswalt fan, calling him "a man of character." (Read more Patton Oswalt stories.)
(Newser)  As if 50-degree temperatures and heavy rains werent enough of a threat, a 300-foot-wide, perfectly formed ice floe that has been drawing crowds to Westbrook, Maine, suffered chopping and hacking Thursday by a man who said he wanted to turn the disk into a giant peace sign. Christopher Angelo, 44, of Lavallette, N.J., brought a pickax, a hatchet, an umbrella, a tarp, and a small chain saw with him aboard an inflatable raft and set out on the Presumpscot River, the Portland Press Herald reports. The disk formed last week and was rotating in the river before freezing in place Tuesday. "I want it to spin around so bad, Angelo told WGME, "and create that visual for the world to see, of peace making the world go around right here in Westbrook. Angelo wasn't able to pull it off, however, and it wasn't clear if he would try again.

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Ice disks have evoked crop circles and UFOs, but the Washington Post detailed the science of their creation, saying theyre natural a natural occurrence, though only in certain places. The Westbrook one, which now has its own webcam, is bigger than most. Its not clear how long it will stay that way; its scarred but still locked in place after the visit by Angelo, who also said he wanted to study it. The citys Facebook page conceded it was "a rough day for the ice disk. Police received complaints while Angelo was at work, but Capt. Sean Lally said theres no law against chopping river ice. He did say he cant imagine why someone would travel there to cut out the disk, which has been good for business in the city. I do know that the river will continue to flow and the Maine winter is far from over, he said, "so Mr. Angelo might want to seek long-term accommodations. (Read more Maine stories.)
Kathmandu, January 25

Nepals Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has objected to a joint statement issued by the United Nations, the European Union and Kathmandu-based diplomatic missions of eight western countries, claiming they held an ideological bias against Nepal.

Oli says the ambassadors act of issuing the joint statement was a practice of factionalism.

In their Thursday statement, the diplomatic missions had urged the government of Nepal to make public its plan to conclude the transitional justice process, keeping the victims at the centre. They had warned that the countrys peace process could not be accepted by the international community upon failure to do so.

Commenting on the statement, PM Oli, who is currently in Switzerland for the World Economic Forum annual meeting, said during a reception hosted by the Nepals Embassy in Geneva, No embassy needs to form such an alliance. No country needs to do so. Why do they need it?

Claiming that Nepals peace process was moving towards a right mission, he added, We managed the conflict and the fight is now over. Some wounds have been left, but we will cure them as well.

He was of the view that the western powerhouses held an ideological bias against the Nepal government as it was led by a communist party.
(Newser)  A US Navy veteran detained in Iran is being held in connection to a "private complaint," the semi-official Mehr News Agency reported Friday. Michael White, 46, has been held since July, the first known American to have been detained in Iran since President Trump took office, per the AP. His family says he traveled to Iran to visit his girlfriend, whom he met online, and was arbitrarily detained. The Friday report quoted prosecutor Gholamali Sadeghi as saying the case is still "under investigation," without elaborating. He didn't confirm reports that the man faces security charges. Under Iranian law, a private complaint would refer to allegations made by a citizen, not the state. White worked as a cook for the Navy and left the service about a decade ago, per a family spokesman, who insists White wasn't a spy and had never been one.

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The spokesman says White had recently worked as a janitor. Joanne White, the detainee's mother, issued a statement earlier this month calling on the Trump administration to secure his release. She said her son was undergoing cancer treatment and feared he wouldn't survive prolonged detention. Iran in the past has detained Westerners and dual nationals to use them as leverage in negotiations. There are at least four other known US citizens being held in Iran on espionage charges, as well as a US permanent resident. Former FBI agent Robert Levinson, who vanished in Iran in 2007 while on an unauthorized CIA mission, remains missing as well. Iran says Levinson isn't in the country and that it has no further information about him, but his family holds Tehran responsible for his disappearance.

(Read more Iran stories.)
(Newser)  A family booted off an American Airlines flight while heading home from vacation says it was due to their religion, while the airline cites a completely different reason: an unpleasant scent. Per an American Airlines statement to Local 10 on Wednesday, Yossi Adler, wife Jennie Adler, and their toddler daughter were asked to leave a flight headed from Miami to Detroit because "several passengers complained about their body odor." The Adlers say they were told their luggageincluding their daughter's stroller and car seatwould follow them, but it didn't. Yossi Adler insists there was "no body odor" and that he wants the airline to "own up to what really happened," which he thinks may have to do with the fact that they're Jewish.

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Per NBC News, Yossi Adler recorded on his cellphone an interaction he says backs up his suspicion. On the recording, Adler can be heard pushing back on the body odor story to ground crew workers, after which a worker can be heard saying: "Now you told me for religious reasons you don't shower, is that what you said?" Adler's retort: "No, I didn't! I shower every day. I said you kicked me off because of religious reasons." American Airlines says it gave the family hotel and meal vouchers and rebooked them on a Thursday flight. When the family arrived back at Miami International Airport on Thursday morning, "we stopped several people in the airport and, it's embarrassing, but we asked them, 'Do you think we smell?'" Jennie Adler tells Local 10. The Adlers say they, and their luggage, made it back to Detroit later that day. (Read more American Airlines stories.)
(Newser)  All Americans should "strongly consider departing" Venezuela, the US State Department said late Thursday as it ordered all non-emergency government staff to leave the country torn by a power struggle. "We are prepared to do the things we need to do to make sure we keep our people safe," a rep says, per the Guardian, while NBC News reports the embassy remains open. The US previously ignored an order from President Nicolas Maduro to remove consular staff amid the crisis. However, the State Department directive came as the head of Venezuela's armed forces accused the US and allies of collaborating with the opposition to launch a "criminal plan" to unseat Maduro, to whom he pledged his full support. The Guardian calls the military's decision to back Maduro a "significant blow" to Juan Guaido, whom the US recognizes as interim leader.

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"We are here to avoid, at all costs  a conflict between Venezuelans," said defense minister Vladimir Padrino in an address to the nation Thursday. He called for dialogue. The UN's human rights chief has already called for an investigation into "excessive use of force by the authorities" given reports that at least 20 people have died and more than 350 have been detained in the unrest, per Reuters. The US has called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on Saturday, but Russiaholding veto powerappears to be on the side of Maduro. President Vladimir Putin, who spoke with Maduro by phone, agrees the crisis was "provoked from abroad" and should be handled internally, per a Kremlin statement. (More on the unrest here.)
(Newser)  The queen's calming voice has been heard over the stormy seas of the Brexit process, calling on MPs to stop bickering. Without explicitly mentioning Brexit, at a speech to her local Women's Institute, the 92-year-old Elizabeth urged lawmakers to "seek common ground," reports Reuters. The date set by law for the UK to leave the EU is March 29th, and with that deadline looming, the country is stuck in a deep political crisis. Politicians are unable to decide how, or even whether, to exit the European Union. Elizabeth's words were widely taken as what Reuters calls a "secretly coded message." "I for one prefer the tried and tested recipes, like speaking well of each other and respecting different points of view; coming together to seek out the common ground; and never losing sight of the bigger picture," the queen said.

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MPs are set to vote again next week, and unless they can agree on a way forward, the UK will leave the EU with no deal. This is the second time in five weeks that the queen has "dipped a rhetorical toe in the raging waters of the Brexit debate," per the BBC. The speech had echoes of one she gave at Christmas, reports the Guardian. "Even with the most deeply held differences, treating the other person with respect and as a fellow human being is always a good first step towards greater understanding," she said then. Even without mentioning Brexit, the BBC says it has been "crystal clear" what she is talking about. Many ministers praised the speech, with several Conservative MPs taking to Twitter to express support for the queen's words. (Read more Queen Elizabeth II stories.)
(Newser)  Roger Stone, a former adviser to President Trump, was indicted Friday as part of Robert Mueller's investigation. The 66-year-old was arrested in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and charged with seven counts, among them witness tampering, obstruction, and giving false statementssome to the House intelligence committee, per the indictment. The New York Times notes it's Mueller's "first public move in months"with months also being how long Mueller has reportedly been digging into Stone's ties with WikiLeaks, which released hacked Democratic emails in the run-up to the 2016 election. Per the indictment, the charges are related to that release of Hillary Clinton campaign chair John Podesta's emails.

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Mueller's office has accused Russian intelligence officials of being behind the hack; Stone is not accused of any coordination with Russia by Mueller, reports the AP. Stone has previously repeatedly claimed to have a line of communication with Julian Assange but has said he had no knowledge of what was in the emails; CNN in 2017 published this timeline of Stone's WikiLeaks-related comments. Stone has panned the Mueller investigation and repeated President Trump's line about it being a "witch hunt." A colorful line from the Times: "His brash behavior made him less of a subject of news media scrutiny than other current and former aides to President Trumplike the character in a whodunit who readers immediately dismiss as too obvious to have committed the crime." Stone is set to make a court appearance at 11am Friday. (Read more Roger Stone stories.)
(Newser)  Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman was the kind of boss who wasn't afraid to pitch in and get his hands bloody, a former bodyguard testified Thursday at the drug lord's trial in New York. In what the BBC describes at the trial's most gruesome testimony yet, Isaias Valdez Rios recounted how the Sinaloa cartel boss tortured three members of rival cartels before shooting them dead. Valdez said Guzman beat two members of the Zetas cartel for hours until they "were completely like rag dollstheir bones were totally broken. They could not move." He said the men were then driven to a bonfire where Guzman cursed them, shot them in the head, and told his henchmen to throw the bodies in the fire.

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Another victim suffered an even worse fate, Valdez testified. He said the victim, a member of the Arellano Felix cartel, had been severely tortured with an iron and a lighter before he was brought to Guzman, the AP reports. Valdez testified that Guzman locked the man in a shed for a couple of days then brought him, bound and blindfolded, to a graveyard. The drug lord then interrogated the man and shot him. Valdez said the man was "still gasping for air" as he was dropped in a hole and buried alive. The former bodyguard, a 39-year-old veteran of Mexico's special forces, has been in a US jail since his arrest on drug trafficking charges in 2014. (On Wednesday, another former Guzman employee testified that the kingpin's wife, who has attended the trial, helped plan his escape.)
(Newser)  Australia has been mired in quite a heat wave, and the snakes are taking to the toilets to cool off. Newshub reports that a Brisbane woman found that out, um, "midstream" after a carpet python hiding in her porcelain throne apparently freaked out when she went to take care of business. Per the BBC, 59-year-old Helen Richards was relieving herself in the dark on Tuesday when she suddenly felt a "sharp tap" on her rear. "I jumped up with my pants down and turned around to see what looked like a [long-necked] turtle receding back into the bowl," she tells the Courier-Mail, via the BBC. It was no turtle, howeverthe bum biter was a 5-foot-long carpet python, which left Richards with minor puncture wounds that she cleaned up with antiseptic.

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Carpet pythons aren't poisonous, but experts do recommend those bitten by them get a tetanus shot. "Unfortunately, the snake's preferred exit point was blocked after being spooked by Helen sitting down, and it lashed out in fear," an animal handler who came to help Richards out tells the BBC. The python wasn't the only terrified party: Richards told the snake handler that her "toilet habits have forever changed" as a result of her experience. Meanwhile, despite the potential trauma of having a human butt forced upon them, the snakes might have the right idea in terms of staying cool: The BBC notes that other animals have perished en masse during the Down Under heat wave, including bats, fish, and horses. (The Australian heat just a set a record.)
(Newser)  Police in Pennsylvania are trying to determine the motive behind a Thursday night shooting spree that left three people dead, including the gunman, and two others hospitalized in critical condition. Police say it began at 10:30pm at PJ Harrigan's bar in State College, when a gunman identified as 21-year-old Jordan Witmer shot and killed 62-year-old Ohio man Dean Beachy, the Centre Daily Times reports. Witmer also shot and critically injured a man and woman in the bar, police say. State College Police Chief John Gardner says the only victim Witmer had any known connection with was the woman in the bar, who was a current or former girlfriend, WJAC reports.

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Police say that after the shootings in the bar, which is less than two miles from the Penn State campus, Witmer fled and broke into a nearby residence after crashing his vehicle. He then shot and killed 83-year-old homeowner George McCormick before taking his own life, police say. Gardner says McCormick's wife hid in a bedroom after her husband was shot and called 911. Witmer had shot himself by the time officers arrived. "We're still trying to piece together this tragedy and try to make sense of it," the chief told reporters. "But the more I think about it, there's no sense to it." (Read more Pennsylvania stories.)
(Newser)  A father and son in Alaska have been sentenced in what prosecutors said was "the most egregious bear cub poaching case" they had ever encountered. Wasilla residents Andrew Renner, 41, and Owen Renner, 18, illegally killed a sow and her two cubs on an island in Prince William Sound last April, the Anchorage Daily News reports. Prosecutors said that after the men skied up to the den, Owen Renner shot the sleeping mother bear twice with a rifle. Andrew Renner then shot the two "shrieking newborn bear cubs" at point-blank range. The men did not realize that the bears were part of a state wildlife study or that a motion-activated camera at the den captured their actions, KTUU reports.

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The men butchered the sow and took meat away in game bags, then returned two days later to take the bodies of the cubs away, prosecutors say. The elder Renner later told wildlife officials that he had legally killed a sow bear and he didn't see any cubs. For the poachingand the lieshe was sentenced to three months in prison, fined $9,000, and had his hunting license revoked for 10 years. He also had to "forfeit his 22 Sea Sport ocean boat and trailer, 2012 GMC Sierra pickup truck, two rifles, two handguns, two iPhones, and two sets of backcountry skis," according to a state press release. His son, who was 17 at the time, was sentenced to community service and suspended jail time. (Read more Alaska stories.)
(Newser)  Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez isn't alone in wanting more taxes on the wealthy. Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren is expected to propose an "ultra-millionaire" tax, the brain child of University of California-Berkeley economists Emmanuel Saez and Gabriel Zucman, reports Politico. It would impose a 2% tax on each dollar of net worth above $50 million and a 3% tax on every dollar above $1 billion. "We estimate that about 75,000 American households (less than 0.1%) would be liable," yet the plan "would raise around $2.75 trillion" over a decade, the economists wrote in a Jan. 18 letter to Warren. Per Bloomberg, some say the tax would do more to relieve income inequality than a 70% income tax on the wealthiest Americans since most of their wealth comes "from private business profit taxed at lower rates and appreciated assets that go untaxed until they're sold."

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"The top 0.1% of American families ... now have nearly the same amount of wealth as the bottom 90% of American families combined" and "we need structural change to fix it," Warren says in an email to supporters. The former Harvard law professor, who's established an exploratory committee for a presidential run in 2020, intends the revenue to bolster the middle class, perhaps in paying for child care or student debt relief, per Bloomberg. Critics have concerns about feasibility, however, noting the daily fluctuations in the value of assets of large privately-held companies. Americans For Tax Reform says the tax would also "harm economic growth" and "incentivize the investment of money overseas." Jeff Bezos probably isn't a fan, either. Bloomberg reports the world's richest person would have to pay $4.1 billion in the first year under Warren's tax. (President Trump has been targeting Warren.)
Kathmandu, January 25

Flower traders of the country have said they are importing rose stems worth Rs 15 million for the Valentines Day this year. The country will buy around 160,000 stems of roses for the celebration.

The domestic production will be restricted to around 40,000 stems.

Kathmandu will consume around 60 per cent of the rose stems on the Valentines Day.

Traders have expected a rise in the price thanks to the increased demand. Kumar Kasaju Shrestha, President of the Floriculture Association Nepal, says the price has increased in the international market as well.

He informs that one stem costs Rs 50 to Rs 100 this time.

The country had imported rose stems worth Rs 12.5 million last year, according to the Association.

The countrys annual turnover in the flower business is worth around Rs 200 million, and the domestic production covers just around 10 per cent of it, the Association informs.

Though criticised for being an apparent western culture, the festival is popular among the urban youth of Nepal.
(Newser)  Both Anthony Maggert and Colin Powell got a bit of a surprise WednesdayMaggert, an Iraq and Afghanistan veteran, by seeing Powell stranded on the side of the road with a flat, and Powell by seeing Maggert, who lost his leg while in Afghanistan, pulling over to help him, reports CNN. Powell relayed the tale Thursday on Facebook, noting that even though he considers himself a "car guy," it was cold on Wednesday when one of his front tires blew out as he drove along Interstate 495 on his way to the Walter Reed military hospital; the lug bolts on the tire were also "very tight." Enter Maggert, 42, who says the former secretary of state was somewhat "shocked" to see him and his artificial leg, even asking Maggert, "Why are you helping me?," Maggert tells Today. "I said, 'You can wait around for a two-legged guy, but right now you got a one-legged guy.'"

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Maggertwho says he hadn't known it was Powell who was stranded until he got closerhelped the 81-year-old finish the job, took a selfie with him, then drove off without leaving his name. After Powell posted the selfie on Facebook, Maggert reached out via his website. "Gen. Powell, I hope I never forget today because I'll never forget reading your books," wrote Maggert, who was an Army contractor in Afghanistan in 2011 when he contracted a flesh-eating bacteria; his leg was amputated four years later. He tells CBS News Powell's words inspired him to enlist: "[He] 100% didmaybe 1,000%." Now Powell is inspired as well. "We are still a good people, but we can do better," Powell says in a statement to Today. "Teach our children, tell our politicians, media, and celebrities that we are fed up with coarseness, belittling each other, and forgetting that not one of us is really superior to anyone else." (Read more Colin Powell stories.)
(Newser)  Michael Jackson has been dead for almost a decade, but he apparently still has fans fanatical enough to worry police. Authorities in Park City, Utah, say they have increased staffing levels because they are worried about protests at the Sundance Film Festival premiere of Leaving Neverland, NBC reports. The controversial four-hour documentary tells the stories of Wade Robson and James Safechuck, two men who say they were sexually abused by Jackson as children. Jackson relatives have slammed the film as an "outrageous and pathetic attempt to exploit and cash in," and Jackson estate representatives have called it a rehash of "dated and discredited" allegations.

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Sources tell Deadline that director Dan Reed has received death threats. "Tensions are higher for this movie than anything Ive ever seen at Sundance before," a law enforcement source says. "No one is going to be prevented from exercising their constitutional rights, but we are not going to allow this to get out of hand, in any way." He says theater security checks will be stepped up when the movie premieres Friday. The Sundance festival wrote to corporate sponsors last week, saying it planned to proceed with the showing despite protests on social media. "We dont currently plan to comment publicly or engage in the discourse ... and would recommend that you do the same," the festival said. (Sam Smith faced a backlash after dissing the King of Pop last year.)
(Newser)  Commerce secretary Wilbur Ross took much grief on Thursday when he said he didn't "really quite understand" why furloughed federal workers were showing up at food banks when they could take out a loan instead. Given that Ross is worth somewhere in the neighborhood of $700 million, the comments were immediately seized upon by critics as being out of touch. Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi, for instance, both described them as the modern equivalent of "let them eat cake," reports the Daily Beast. Later in the afternoon, however, Ross did another interview in which he took pains to say that he knew furloughed workers were struggling, reports the Hill. "We're aware, painfully aware, that there are hardships inflicted on the individual workers," Ross said on Bloomberg TV.

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"All I was trying to do is make sure theyre aware there are possible other things that could help somewhat mitigate their problems," said Ross. He was referring to the fact that banks and credit unions have begun offering low- and zero-interest loans to federal workers, loans that can be paid off when back pay arrives. Ross said his earlier comments were to "make sure that workers who are experiencing liquidity crises know that may be a source that they could go to." However, as the Hill notes, not all federal workers will be getting back pay. The Washington Post, meanwhile, reports that the Commerce Department's own federal credit union is charging 9% interest for emergency loans. (Two bills to end the shutdown failed in the Senate Thursday, though the failures could lead to new negotiations.)
(Newser)  In the annals of job-interview mistakes, Laura MacLean of Scotland just notched herself a permanent spot. The 21-year-old knew she had an interview at 11am on Feb. 18 via Skype with the company's University Recruitment team, explains the Scottish Sun. And yet, she opened her laptop for the interview at 11am on the 18th of January. Not because she got the month of the interview mixed upbut because she thought it was actually February. Her exchange with a tactful Microsoft employee has since gone viral, reports BuzzFeed. MacLean herself first shared it online here. At 11:15, she typed: "I haven't received a Skype call yet for my interview? Just wondering if it's working?" The Microsoft employee then informed her the interview was on Feb. 18. Because MacLean thought it was Feb. 18, she persisted.

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"It is the 18th of February and it was scheduled for 11am," she wrote, adding, "I am just slightly confused." At which point, the Microsoft worker politely informed her that it was January, not February. "Possibly the biggest noob on this planet," MacLean wrote of herself in her tweet sharing the exchange. Still, the gaffe doesn't seem to have ended her hopes of landing a job. Microsoft caught wind of the gone-viral post, and tweeted, "Can't wait to laugh about this on the 18th. Of February." And a company recruitment exec tells BuzzFeed that one thing they look for in candidates is the capacity for "recognizing our mistakes." (Read more job interviews stories.)
9 Went Tubing on the River.

Only 4 Have Come Back
The military is considering sending a helicopter to respond to any further Japanese spy planes buzzing Korean warships. The chopper would block the flight path of any Japanese patrol plane if it came close to a Korean destroyer, as happened on several occasions in the past few weeks.

The idea was mooted by the Joint Chiefs of Staff during a briefing of the ruling Minjoo Party on Thursday. After a meeting of the National Security Council at Cheong Wa Dae the same day, an official said, "We're very concerned about the repeated threateningly close flybys of Japanese patrol aircraft and decided to respond firmly to prevent a recurrence."

Navy destroyers and new patrol corvettes are capable of carrying choppers. "No chopper is a direct match for a patrol plane," a military spokesman said. "But no fast-flying plane would come close to a warship if a chopper was hovering nearby since the plane cannot swerve fast enough.

The military is also considering sending stronger warning signals to Japanese aircraft. "Warning signals are sent in stages as [Japanese patrol aircraft] come closer and closer ," said Cho Jeong-sik, a Minjoo Party lawmaker who attended the JCS' briefing. "The JCS wants to send signals earlier than it does now."

That means warships could start sending warning signals when a foreign patrol aircraft comes within 10 miles of them instead of just five as at present.

The JCS could also scramble nearby patrol aircraft if Japanese coat-trailing continues. A JCS officer said, "We are working to come up with more elaborate responses when allies' planes perform a threatening maneuver over our warships."
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Champaign, IL (61820)

Today

Thunderstorms likely this morning. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 87F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%..

Tonight

Widely scattered showers or a thunderstorm this evening. Then partly cloudy. Low 69F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%.
By Bloomberg

American Navy vessels sailed through the disputed Taiwan Strait, the U.S.s first known show of force in the area since November.

The warships sailed north through the strait on Jan. 24, Taiwans Ministry of National Defense said in a statement on Thursday. Its the U.S. Navys fourth passage since July last year, the islands Central News Agency reported. An October sail-by prompted China to express concern to the U.S.

Chinese aircraft, including H-6 bombers and KJ-500 airborne early warning and control systems, also flew from the mainland Thursday through the Bashi Channel for far-sea training before returning to their base via the same route, Taiwans defense ministry said.

This routine transit through international waters of the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the U.S. commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, Pentagon spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Logan said in the CNA report. The U.S. will continue to fly, sail and operate anywhere international law allows.

Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying urged the U.S. to abide by the one China principle at a briefing in Beijing on Thursday.

We already expressed our concerns to the U.S. side, she said. We urge the U.S. side to abide by the one China principle and our three communiques so as to avoid harming bilateral relations as well as the stability across the Taiwan straits.

The U.S. vessels transit comes during a period of rising tension between Taiwan and China, which considers the island one of its provinces. Since the election of Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen from a pro-independence party in 2016, Beijing has cut off formal communication with Taipei and stepped up military exercises in the area.
Kim voiced "great satisfaction" on receiving the letter and told officials to make preparations for his second summit with the U.S. leader, according to KCNA.

Kim was quoted by the North's official Korean Central News Agency on Thursday as saying, "We trust the positive mindset of President Trump and will wait with patience and good faith."

Kim's right-hand man, Kim Yong-chol, was seen in a KCNA photo briefing the leader on the results of his trip to Washington. Next to Kim was the former North Korean ambassador to Spain, Kim Hyok-chol.

This is the first time that North Korea's state media has reported on the second U.S.-North Korea summit. But there was no mention of the date and location.

Meanwhile, Lee Sang-soo, who heads the Korea Center at the Institute for Security and Development Policy in Sweden, told Radio Free Asia that the North Korean leader may have offered to hand over his intercontinental ballistic missiles to China in order to get Trump to agree to a second summit.

Gary Seymour, a former White House official in charge of dealing with weapons of mass destruction, said the U.S. could be willing to accept that, although the best-case scenario would be to either scrap them or giving them up to the U.S.
ABC/Randy HolmesThe first trailer for the film Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile -- about serial killer Ted Bundy -- is now streaming online, and it features James Hetfield's dramatic acting debut.

In the movie, the Metallica frontman plays Officer Bob Hayward, the Utah highway patrolman who first arrested the infamous serial killer in 1975. The trailer features a few clips of Hetfield's character pulling over and interrogating Bundy, who's played by Zac Efron.

Extremely Wicked, which also stars Lily Collins, Jim Parsons and John Malkovich, is directed by Joe Berlinger, who also co-directed the 2004 Metallica doc Some Kind of Monster. The film will premiere Saturday at the Sundance Film Festival.

While you wait to see him on the big screen, you can catch Hetfield live in person on Metallica's current tour, which continues Monday in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Copyright  2019, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
By PTI

WASHINGTON: Roger Stone, a long-time Trump associate, was arrested by the FBI on Friday after being indicted by Special Counsel Robert Mueller, probing alleged interference by Russia into the 2016 US presidential elections.

The former Trump campaign adviser was later released on bail by a Florida court after posting a USD 250,000 bond after he was produced in the court.

He later told reporters outside the court that he would plead not guilty to the charges.

As per the order issued by Magistrate Judge Lurana Snow, Stone has been prevented from travelling outside of South Florida, Washington, DC and New York City.

Also, he has been asked by the court not to contact any witnesses.

Stone's arrest is being seen as a setback for US President Donald Trump at a time when he is fighting a major political battle with the opposition Democrats funding for building a wall along the US-Mexico border to check the flow of illegal migrants.

In his first reaction, Trump reiterated his allegation of "witch-hunt" and said that drug-dealers and human traffickers were being treated better.

Greatest Witch Hunt in the History of our Country! NO COLLUSION! Border Coyotes, Drug Dealers and Human Traffickers are treated better. Who alerted CNN to be there?  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 25, 2019

"Greatest Witch Hunt in the History of our Country! NO COLLUSION! Border Coyotes, Drug Dealers and Human Traffickers are treated better," he tweeted.

Trump also questioned on the presence of CNN to shoot the arrest of Stone in Florida.

"Who alerted CNN to be there?" asked the president.

White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders also told reporters that this has nothing to do with president Trump.

Stone was arrested from his Florida home early Friday morning.

Stone has been indicted on seven counts including obstruction of official proceeding, false statements, and witness tampering.

Stone said that he would plead not guilty.

"I will plead not guilty to these charges. I will defeat them in court," he told reporters outside the court.

"There is no circumstance whatsoever under which I will bear false witness against the president nor will I make up lies to ease the pressure on myself. I look forward to being fully and completely vindicated," Stone said.

He said: "I will not testify against the president because I would have to bear false witness," he asserted.

According to the indictment, Stone was an official on Trump's presidential campaign until in or around August 2015, and maintained regular contact with and publicly supported the Trump Campaign through the 2016 election.

READ HERE | Post Comey's firing, FBI opened probe into whether President Trump was working for Russians: NYT

Special Counsel alleged that Stone obstructed the investigations by the House Intelligence Committee and the FBI into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.

Mueller, in his 23-page indictment, alleged that Stone made multiple false statements to House Intelligence Committee about his interactions regarding "Organisation 1.The unnamed organisation matches the description of WikiLeaks. My first reaction is real simple. This has nothing to do with the president and certainly nothing to do with the White House. This is something that has to do solely with the individual and something that not affects us here in this building," Sanders told CNN in an interview.

She repeated her remarks to other news channels and to reporters at the White House.

Stone, she asserted, is somebody who's been a consultant for dozens of Republican presidents and candidates and members of Congress, but conversations between those individuals have nothing to do with the fact of what these charges are about, and that's about whether he made false statements.

"We'll let the courts make that decision. I think a bigger question is if these - if this is the standard, will the same standard apply to people like Hillary Clinton, James Comey, Clapper? Will we see these same people who we know have also made false statements, will that same standard apply? And that's a question that we'll have to see what happens on that front," she said.

Sanders said the charges are about whether or not he gave false statements, and that's no that individual.

"That has nothing to do with the president. Those are the changes that they have brought against this individual. When you want to get into specific questions, you'll have to talk to the president's outside council on that," she asserted.

The opposition leaders were quick to slam the president on the latest development on Russian investigation.

Democratic Senator Mark Warner, Vice Chairman of Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, said that Stone has been indicted for covering up his engagements with Wikileaks, an organisation that US intelligence officials and the Senate Intelligence Committee have publicly designated as a hostile intelligence service, regarding the public release of emails stolen by the Russian government.

"It is clear from this indictment that those contacts happened at least with the full knowledge of, and appear to have been encouraged by, the highest levels of the Trump campaign," he alleged.

Warner claimed that Stone and Trump have known each other for nearly forty years.

"Mr Stone played a key role in recruiting Paul Manafort to run the Trump campaign, and he publicly claimed on several occasions to remain in regular contact with then-candidate Trump throughout the 2016 presidential race, even after he formally departed the Trump campaign," he said.

"It appears Stone also lied to Congress and tampered with witnesses in order to obstruct these investigations into the Trump campaign  yet another example of senior Trump officials concealing the truth about their Russia-related contacts during the 2016 election," Warner said.

READ HERE: Trump's attacks on the FBI make America less safe: James Comey

The Democratic National Committee Chair Tom Perez alleged that Trump campaign "was a willing and active participant" in a conspiracy with Russia and WikiLeaks to influence the 2016 election.

"There are more conspirators yet to be held accountable, and at least one of them is named Donald Trump."

Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Dianne Feinstein said that the indictment and arrest of Stone is the latest sign that the special counsel investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 elections is having real, tangible results.

"The indictment of Roger Stone, a friend and advisor of then-candidate Trump, charges him with lying to Congress about the release of Democratic emails hacked by Russians. These are serious charges," Feinstein said.

Notwithstanding the denial by the White House, the top Democratic lawmaker from California said that the phrase 'Trump campaign' appears in the indictment 24 times, with specific details about a senior Trump campaign official reaching out to Stone regarding leaked emails.

Mueller has so far brought 37 indictments, obtained seven guilty pleas and has secured the cooperation of several key individuals.

"His work to uncover what really happened during the 2016 election has been thorough and objective, and he must be allowed to complete his job without interference," Feinstein said.

Appearing on the CNN, former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper claimed that there appears to be connection with the Trump Campaign.
By PTI

LONDON: An Indian-origin man has been found guilty of a 60,000 pounds conspiracy to supply illegal drugs after a trial in the UK this week.

Baljit Gill was convicted of two charges of conspiracy to supply class A drugs, one charge of conspiracy to supply class B drugs and one charge of conspiracy to supply class C drugs at Southwark Crown Court in London on Thursday.

The 38-year-old was convicted alongside Alex Von Nidda aka Alex King, 42, in absentia on the same charges.

"The investigation by officers from the Met's Trident Unit identified that King was involved in a conspiracy to supply significant amounts of drugs with Gill, who was subsequently arrested on August 12, 2016," the Metropolitan Police said in a statement.

"Gill was linked to the conspiracy by his fingerprints being found on one of the boxes that contained the drugs and he was also linked to the phones used for drug dealing," the statement added.

The force executed a Misuse of Drugs Act warrant in June 2016 and a large quantity of Class A, B and C drugs were recovered including cocaine, MDMA powder, ecstasy pills, crack cocaine, ketamine and diazepam.

The street value of the drugs was approximately 60,000 pounds.

Gill and King were subsequently charged and several court dates were set at Southwark Crown Court for trial during 2017/18 which have then been vacated due to medical reasons or changes in legal defence and legal aid by King.

The Met Police said medical information was provided by King to the court to corroborate that he was suffering any medical condition.

Detective Constable Dharmesh Bakrania of the Met's Homicide and Major Crime team said: "After being charged with conspiracy to supply class A drugs, King has repeatedly delayed and frustrated attempts to bring him to justice".

"King was caught with a significant quantity of illegal drugs and he is likely to be sentenced to a number of years in jail. I would urge anyone that knows of his whereabouts to contact police immediately".

In late August 2018, King breached his bail, which required him to stay overnight at his home address in London, after he travelled to north Wales and purchased a boat from Holyhead Marina, which he then sailed out to sea.

King returned to London and was subsequently arrested in September 2018 for breaching his bail conditions.

He was remanded to Westminster Magistrates' Court on the same day.

King was granted bail but with further conditions of an electronic tag curfew and to sign on daily at a London police station.

A warrant was issued for King's arrest after he failed to appear at court in November last year.

At the start of his trial last week, as King was voluntarily absent and could not be located, the judge determined that King was going to be tried in his absence due to his belief that King had made numerous attempts to frustrate the trial process to avoid trial.

An application was made by Gill's legal team to be tried on his own and the trials were split, with Gill now facing a jail term.

King remains absconding and will be sentenced on being apprehended.
By Online Desk

A gay conversion therapist who was a leading member of a widely criticised "ex-gay" movement in the US got a divorce and has come out as gay.

Utah-based David Matheson said he is "choosing to pursue life as a gay man" and that he has "embarked on a new life-giving path that has already started a whole new growth process."

A 2007 New York Times article reported that Matheson ran a full-time therapy practice in New Jersey with about 50 clients. He was also a co-organizer of a weekend program called 'People Can Change' and ran an organization called 'Center for Gender Affirming Processes'.

Matheson claimed that his practice used "cognitive therapy and emotion-based therapy, standard therapeutic approaches, with an emphasis on helping them feel more comfortable in their masculinity."

Now, in a public Facebook post, he has acknowledged that his work was hurtful to people and blamed his previous conservative views on the "shame-based, homophobic-based system" of the Mormon church in which he was raised.

Matheson told LGBTQ non-profit Truth Wins Out on Sunday that he has decided to quit the "ex-gay" movement.

The organisation also released details that another conversion therapist, Rich Wyler, posted on a private Facebook group. He said that Matheson had "gone from bisexuality to exclusively gay" and was "seeking a male partner."

In his post, Matheson wrote that he had to make substantial changes in his life. "I realized I couldnt stay in my marriage any longer. And I realized that it was time for me to affirm myself as gay," he said.

He added: "I enjoyed a happy and fulfilling marriage with my wife for many years. Overall, it was a beautiful relationship and being straight became a core part of my identity. But I also experienced attractions to men. Much of the time these were in the background. But sometimes they were very intense and led to pain and struggle in my marriage."

According to a report, Truth Wins Out founder Wayne Besen was quoted as saying: "When your expert is now coming out of the closet and dating men, I think that speaks volumes about how [the] therapy is damaging and ineffective."

Despite the practice being dismissed by major health organisations, nearly 700,000 LGBTQ adults in the US have reportedly received "conversion therapy".

Google is now hosting an ex-gay app targeting children and it has not been taken down despite drawing widespread flak.
By Associated Press

LUANDA: Angola's parliament has decriminalised homosexuality, removing a notorious "vices against nature" provision in its penal code and banning discrimination against sexual orientation, in a reform hailed by rights watchdogs.

On Wednesday, 155 parliamentarians voted for Angola's first overhaul of the criminal statute books since independence, while seven abstained and one voted against.

"Angola has finally shed the divisive 'vices against nature' provision in its law," Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in a statement.

"In casting aside this archaic and insidious relic of the colonial past, Angola has eschewed discrimination and embraced equality."

While Angola had no known prosecutions under the old law, HRW said the contested provision harmed the rights of gay, bisexual and transgender people and exposed their lives to painful scrutiny.

The new legislation is the first overhaul of Angola's criminal code since it gained independence from Portugal in 1975.

The new law also aims to shore up protection against sexual discrimination.

Anyone who refuses to employ individuals or provide services to them on the grounds of sexual orientation will be liable to a jail term of up to two years.

"The 69 other countries around the world that still criminalise consensual same-sex conduct should follow its (Angola's) lead," HRW said.

In a historic moment last year, Angola gave legal recognition to a gay rights lobby group called Iris Angola, marking a major breakthrough in a closed and conservative society.

Angola has been led since September 2017 by President Joao Lourenco, who succeeded Jose Eduardo dos Santos, the country's ruler for almost four decades.

Lourenco has sought in several ways to distance himself from his predecessor.

He has launched a campaign against corruption that has netted several top officials from the last government.

He has also sought to mend fences with the international community, which has long been critical of Angola's human rights record, and expressed interest in joining the Commonwealth and international francophone community.
By PTI

DHAKA: At least 13 brickfield workers were killed and two others injured when a truck loaded with coal overturned and crashed into their huts on Friday in south-eastern Bangladesh, police said.

The truck was supplying coal to the brickfield Kazi and Co' in Cumilla's Chauddagram area that had a hut for workers next to a pile of coal, Fire Service Official Nazir Ahmed told bdnews24.com.

The driver of the truck was backing the vehicle to dump the coal on that pile when it overturned and fell on the hut where the workers were sleeping, the official said.

In the accident took place early morning 13 workers, all men, were killed while two were injured, a police official said.

The two injured workers have been admitted to Cumilla Medical College and Hospital.
BINITA JAISWAL and C SHIVAKUMAR By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Taiwan based Delta Electronics will be investing Rs 4,000 crore in Krishnagiri to set up an electronics hardware plant. The plant will come up in 120 acres of land and the production will start from the second quarter of 2020.

It is learnt that Delta was planning to invest in a neighbouring state but found the conditions in Tamil Nadu favourable and shifted to open a plant here, said executive vice chairman of Industrial Guidance Bureau, M Velumurugan.

The plant will be set up in two phases. We will be constructing a domestic plant in 60 acres of land and on parallel lines, we will be building a plant in another 60 acres of land for exports, said Hsieh Shen Yen, president, Delta Electronics Thailand.

In the first phase, 28 acres will be allocated for the Special Economic Zone and the remaining 32 acres for domestic tariff area, said Yen.

The products which could be churned out from the plant will include small mobile chargers, large inverters etc, he said.

Meanwhile, Schwing Stetter India, one of Indias leading concrete equipment manufacturers, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Tamil Nadu government. As per the MoU, Schwing Stetter India has committed an immediate investment of Rs 237 crore in a new plant in Cheyyar on SIPCOT land and will be scaling it up to Rs 350 crore over a period of four years.

The state government is giving the land through SIPCOT on a 99-year lease. The facility will be spread over 53 acres of SIPCOT land and will be used for producing truck-mounted concrete boom pumps, self-loading mixers and XCMG road machinery. Schwing Stetter India has also committed to employ 200 personnel over the investment period of four years.

The new unit, is a step towards strengthening Schwing Stetters commitment to the Indian market and focus to meet the emerging infrastructure boom in India and export potential in Asia and African markets.
By Express News Service

THANJAVUR: The very first voyage undertaken by 23-year-old Pattukkottai marine engineer A Avinash ended in a tragedy. The Tanzanian ship he was working caught fire while transferring fuel from another vessel, in the Black Sea in Russia on Monday. Three days later, Avinash is still missing.

A native of Madukkur, Avinash was attracted to sailing right from his days in school, recall his friends. He used to always talk about sea, ships and sailing, says Prakash, who is from the same village. Even his Facebook account is named Avin Sea Rover. Seeing his passion, his parents put him in a marine engineering college in Coimbatore, says Prakash.

Avinashs father M Anandsekar is a CRPF personnel. He is posted in Jharkhand currently. His mother Allirani is a teacher in the panchayat union middle school. His mother has not eaten or slept for the last three days, a relative told Express. Anandsekar said that he had contacted the company officials and requested them to deploy more helicopters for search and rescue operations.

READ HERE: Six Indian crew died in Russia ship fire: External Affairs Ministry

A few of Avinashs friends have reached out to foreign minister Sushma Swaraj on Twitter. They have been given a response that the Indian government was closely monitoring the issue.

Missing Kumari sailors family seeks govt help

The family members of a sailor from Kanniyakumari who was reportedly missing after two ships - LPG/C Maestro and LPG/C Candy - caught fire in the Black Sea submitted a petition to Collector Prashant M Wadnere, seeking help to trace him.
By Online Desk

Cinema is a huge part of our lives and influences us to a great extent. In the past, we have seen fans of movie stars idolise their heroes by erecting huge banners and on the day of the movie release, they even worship the cutouts by pouring milk on it.

However, this Kollywood hero's fans are not just celebrating the feats of their hero. In a heartwarming gesture, actor Vijay's fans from Tiruppur have launched an initiative to help school children.

Owing to the indefinite strike called by the Joint Action Council of Tamil Nadu Teachers Organisations and Government Employees Organisations (JACTTO-GEO), a majority of government schools in Tamil Nadu have been hit as teachers abandoned schools to participate in the strike.

As teachers did not turn up, over 90 primary class children studying in Tiruppur's Chinnaiya Goundan Pudhur were affected. According to a Puthiya Thalaimurai report, Vijay's fans have appointed two teachers to teach the kids in the school and are planning to pay them through crowdfunding. Amidst the cutout culture, lending a helping hand to children has set these fans apart, with the move coming in for praise among parents.

In other news, two graduates in Tamil Nadu's Ariyalur have come to the rescue of school children by taking up teaching jobs in the absence of the actual teachers. According to News7, Vidhya and Sabarinathan from Ariyalur's Thoothoor offered to help the village kids with their lessons.

Like the lyrics from a famous Tamil motivational song, 'Aayiram ilaignargal inainthu vittal, aayutham edhuvum thevai ilai,' meaning there's no bigger weapon than a 1000 youngsters joining hands together, these youth are the proof that we are marching towards fulfilling APJ Abdul Kalam's dream.
By Express News Service

VIJAYAWADA: A Class III girl student was allegedly sexually assaulted by a teacher of a government school at Agiripalli in Krishna district on January 22. However, the incident came to light on Thursday after the girls parents filed a complaint with Agiripalli Police about the incident. The health condition of the girl is stated to be stable.

Responding to the issue, Human Resources Development Minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao directed Commissioner of School Education Sandhya Rani to suspend the 42-year-old teacher. He also ordered the officials concerned to submit a detailed report on the incident.

On knowing about the incident, locals held negotiations with the parents of the student and the teacher. With talks not yielding any fruitful result, the parents of the victim complained to the police after two days. Relatives of the girl said that since it is a sensitive issue, the victims family took time to file a complaint with the police. Agiripalli SI N Rajasekhar said the teacher had beaten up the girl student on January 22. After reaching home, the victim narrated the harrowing incident to her parents. After which, the girls parents took her to a nearby hospital for treatment, where they came to know that there were some injuries on her private parts. The girls parents requested us to initiate stern action against the teacher for resorting to such heinous act. Based on the medical reports, a case under POCSO Act will be registered against the accused, the SI said.

Minor girl abused by degree student

Vijayawada: A first-year degree student was booked for sexually assaulting a minor girl at Tiruvuru in Krishna district on Thursday. According to Tiruvuru police, the girl on Wednesday told her mother that the accused, M Venkata Nagaraju, repeatedly assaulted her. The girl kept quite all these days as the accused allegedly promised to marry her. On observing the girls health condition, her mother admitted her to a hospital for treatment, they said. Based on the complaint filed by her mother, the accused was booked under Section 376 of IPC (Punishment for Rape) and Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes Atrocity Act. Based on the health reports of the girl, action will be initiated against the accused, officials added.
The arrest warrant for Yang (70) was issued by the Seoul Central District Court.

Former Supreme Court Chief Justice Yang Sung-tae on Thursday became the first judge in the country's modern history to be arrested and thrown in remand jail.

Yang faces over 40 charges, most of them related to accusations that he rigged cases in favor of the government of disgraced ex-President Park Geun-hye and sidelined judges considered unfriendly to her.

The presiding judge said the allegations against Yang are clear and serious, and there are concerns that he may destroy evidence.

One key charge is that Yang intentionally delayed decisions about compensation for victims of forced labor under the Japanese occupation in order to spare Park a diplomatic headache.

As a former head of the judiciary, Yang will probably be kept away from other inmates, as was the case with Park herself.
Santwana Bhattacharya By

Theres a well-known modern fable about passengers on a train that every Indian has probably experienced, but is universal enough for even German thinker Hans Enzensberger to have described as a way to analyse social behaviour. Imagine yourself travelling comfortably in a compartment, when suddenly another passenger comes and tries aggressively to intrude into your space. You obviously react equally aggressively and try to resist, but eventually fail and resign to travelling together with a distinct air of acrimony between the two of you. Now, suddenly, at the next station, another passenger comes and pushes to create space for himself in that same zone.

At this point, the first two, who has been cohabiting with a degree of tacit animus till now, suddenly turn into allies and try jointly to resist the new entrant. And if they too fail, and the third man also squeezes in, the pattern of hostility turning into cohesive behaviour continues when a fourth man arrives and tries to entrench himself. The story of opposition politics at this stageespecially in Uttar Pradesh but even beyond, across states resembles this fable somewhat, with just minor variations. Foes turning into allies, and assuming the shape of a united phalanx against a third trying to make an entry. The variation lies in the fact that real politics does not offer a straightforward, linear equation.

The first passenger can ditch the second and team up with the third, or whoever. If you think of Mayawati and the Congress, for instance, it is clear that theoretically speaking, since no alliance exists as of now any coming together can only be temporary. The sheer logic of lebensraum (literally, room to live) dictates thus. They not only need to share a coupe, they are rivals for the same seat.

If you think of Uttar Pradesh as a crowded train compartment, which is not far off the mark, it is easy to see why the status of the Congressregardless of its old history, its an outsider now, seeking a way inresembles a new claimant in the fable. Till early December, it had been hoping to subsist on the munificence of potential allies in a proposed (and much-touted) mahagathbandhan that the anti-BJP spectrum was hoping would fructify. The Assembly contests in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan put that equation off-balance, with the BSP and Congress palpably falling out over seat-sharing, having realised that its a zero sum game, and each can prosper only at the others expense.

That bit of sabre-rattling was in reality a bit of preparatory show for the difficult match-making that loomed in UP. Mayawati had been among the first to react negatively to the prospect of Congress president Rahul Gandhi, then just a heir apparent, aiming for prominence with his well-publicised visits and stayovers at Dalit homes. It was clear as air: her basic votebank would be under threat in the event of any Congress resurgence.

Now, the arrival of Priyanka Gandhi on the stage, as a general secretary in charge of eastern UP, marks a tacit uptick in the level of hostilities. Her natural flair with people makes her an even more clear and present danger for the BSP supremo. Recall only that, of the relatively healthy haul of 21 seats the Congress managed in UP in 2009, a good portion came from the eastern part of the state, which also happens to be the BSPs stronghold. This relative escalation of Congress aggression, in the shape of Priyanka, was of course brought about by Mayawatis intransigence on the question of admitting the GOP into the anti-BJP axis formed unilaterally by the SP-BSP. But that too had a larger reason.

Priyanka has always been considered a potential Indira reincarnation, perhaps a more amiable version of the woman potentate prototype. But shes hardly the first. Jayalalithaas exit from the stage still leaves two very powerful women politicians who can, justifiably, aspire for the highest office of the land. Both Mayawati and Mamata Banerjee are would-be prime ministers.

And it is no coincidence that it is the same duo who are the main stumbling blocks behind a real, all-inclusive anti-BJP front that contains the Congress, whether or not in a leading role. Mamata, like Mayawati, naturally wants to maximise her harvest of Lok Sabha seats from the 42 seats West Bengal has, so as to bolster her claims post-May. Her unwillingness to cede even an inch is reflected in the fact that Mausam Noor, niece of the titanic A B A Ghani Khan Chowdhury, who had been till now sitting pretty in the pocketborough of Malda, the sole holdout of the GOP in Bengal, is now rumoured to be eyeing the TMC for sheer survival.

There are other obstacles, of course, most arrantly in the shape of Telangana Rashtra Samiti supremo K Chandrashekar Rao. All these are parties that will not particularly cherish the thought of a Congress resurgence, because it will inevitably eat into their own sources of sustenance. Here, one may even add the oddball figure of Arvind Kejriwal. Though negotiations have been on between AAP and its one-time bete noire (Congress), and Rahul himself had been willing to share seats in Delhi and elsewhere, this time its Punjab CM Capt Amarinder Singh whos proving unwilling. And for the same reason: its a zero sum game. This intense backstage rivalry is what really undercuts all the on-stage bonhomie and handholding by opposition stalwarts.

Santwana Bhattacharya

Political Editor, The New Indian Express

Email: santwana@newindianexpress.com
Amit Agnihotri By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Compassionate, strong-willed, fun-loving, stylish and yet graceful. This is how people who have observed Priyanka Gandhi Vadra from close quarters prefer to describe her.

She is strong-willed, said a party insider recalling how Priyanka anchored the family after the assassination of her father and former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1991.

She took care of her mother Sonia, who had refused to join active politics as brother Rahul went abroad for higher studies, he said.

Her style and sense of dressing, carrying off both western wear and traditional saree with equal grace, added to her charm and made her stand out as she grew into an adult.

After her marriage to businessman Robert Vadra, Priyanka remained focused on raising her two children  daughter Miraya and son Rehan  letting her political ambitions take a back seat.

However, she did keep an ear to the ground and was there to help her mother, who became the Congress chief in 1998.

A few years later, she was instrumental in rolling out a scheme to organise local women self-help groups in Amethi and Rae Bareli, considered the pocket boroughs of the Gandhis, and regularly monitored its progress along with Rahul.

She does not hesitate to squat on the mud-paved floor while interacting with rural women, a senior party leader in UP said.

Having grown up under a tight security cover, Priyanka ensured her children enjoyed normal thrills of school life and often took them to some malls in South Delhi.

Now a politician, Priyanka has a spiritual side too, as attends Vipassana sessions occasionally for inner peace and calm mind.
By PTI

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court Friday decided to examine the Centre's decision to grant 10 per cent reservation in jobs and education to poor candidates belonging to general category.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice Sanjiv Khanna issued a notice to the central government on various petitions challenging the validity of the Constitution (103 Amendment) Act, 2019, which paved the way for grant of quota to poor belonging to general category.

"We are examining the matter and hence issuing notice returnable within four weeks," the bench said.

The bench, however, did not stay the operation of the Centre's decision granting quota to the poor in the general category.

In the poll year, the Narendra Modi government had come out with the constitutional amendment bill giving quota benefits to the poor among general category candidates.

ALSO READ: Economic reservation policy still cooking, creates confusion in educational institutions

The petitions were filed by parties including organisations like Janhit Abhiyan and Youth For Equality challenging the Centre's decision.

The petition, filed by Youth For Equality, has sought the quashing of the bill saying that the economic criterion cannot be the sole basis for reservation.

The plea has said the bill violates the basic feature of the Constitution as a reservation on economic grounds cannot be limited to the general categories and the 50 per cent ceiling limit cannot be breached.

A similar plea has been filed by businessman Tehseen Poonawalla seeking to quash the bill, saying that backwardness for the purpose of reservation cannot be defined by "economic status alone".

ALSO READ: No 10 per cent reservation to those who settled in Gujarat after 1978: Government

The quota will be over and above the existing 50 per cent reservation to SCs, STs and Other Backward Classes (OBCs).

Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha cleared the Bill on January 8 and 9 respectively and it has also been signed by President Ram Nath Kovind.
By PTI

KOLKATA: The West Bengal government Friday suspended for 60 days the two nursing students who were accused of killing 16 puppies in the compound of a state-run hospital, virtually ending their dreams to become nurses.

"The two students have been suspended for 60 days on grounds of moral ethics and grave indiscipline," a senior official of the health department told PTI.

During the period of 60 days, there would be several inquires to be held against the two students - Moutusi Mondal and Soma Burman, he said.

The two students of Nil Ratan Sircar Medical College and Hospital here were arrested on January 15. They were released on bail after which they attended their classes.

Asked whether the two would be able to resume normal classes after serving the suspension, the official said, "It's quite unlikely because there will be other inquires during this period which will have different outcomes."

Union Minister Maneka Gandhi had called up senior officials of the Nil Ratan Sircar Medical College and Hospital last week and asked them to immediately suspend the two nursing students.

The students could not be reached for their reaction.

Carcasses of 16 puppies were found in plastic bags in front of a hostel at the hospital in the Sealdah area on January 13. Preliminary reports had said the puppies were beaten to death, triggering an outrage among animal lovers.

The police identified some students and security guards on the basis of CCTV footage and interrogated them for hours. Of them, two nursing students admitted to their involvement in the crime and they were arrested.
By ANI

AMRAVATI: It is horrible to see the youths of the country opposing the concept of marriage and even if they are married, they are not interested in conceiving a child, said Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday.

Speaking at an event here, Chief Minister Naidu said: Nowadays, youth are reluctant to get married. Even after getting married, the couple is least interested in conceiving a child. It is horrible.

Sadly, birth rates are decreasing while deaths rates are increasing in our state, he said.

Stating that Indias family system is very unique and respectable, Chief Minister Naidu said that Indian couples have to take up the responsibility of bearing at least one child.

Countries like China and Japan are witnessing a downfall of the young population. At present, India is not facing such a problem but it may occur in the future, Naidu said while comparing Indias population growth with China.

The Chief Minister also spoke about the age restriction that he has set for those who want to contest the Panchayat elections.

Recently, I have set a condition that those having more than two children are not eligible to contest Panchayat elections. However, now, we decided to remove that clause. We have decided to encourage them even if they have four children, he said.

This comes in contrast to the statement given by Baba Ramdev on Thursday over rising population in India that if things are not brought under control, the situation will worsen in the next five-six decades.

The Central government should snatch away the voting rights and government jobs of the people who give birth to more than two children, the yoga guru had said.
By ANI

NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Health has released a statement saying that the National Immunisation Day (NID) which was scheduled for February 3 has been postponed. The rescheduled date of NID will be convened soon.

On January 18, a letter was issued to the Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare of all states barring Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Kerela stating postponement of Polio National Immunization Day for the time being due to some unavoidable circumstances. The letter further state that the rescheduled date of the said activity will be communicated in due course.

READ| Pulse Polio camps to be conducted only one day this year

Ministry said that more stringent testing of the vaccination will be done which will be dispatched to states for public usage after getting clearance from the national testing laboratory for each batch.

The ministry also stated that India is already polio eliminated and has also introduced Inactive Polio Vaccine (IPV) in its universal immunisation program as per global guidelines.

Moreover, the ministry said that there is neither a shortage of IPV nor any shortage of funds for its procurement for Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP) in the country.

Due to steep hike in IPV price, India approached Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisations (GAVI) for partial support for further procurement, as India is also a Gavi eligible country and the same has been agreed to by the Gavi Board, said ministry.
Hemant Kumar Rout By

Express News Service

BHUBANESHWAR: All India Congress Committee (AICC) president Rahul Gandhi lambasted Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for believing in bureaucratic dictatorship and centralisation of power.

Delivering a Town Hall talk here on Friday, Gandhi said there is a connection between Modi and Patnaik. Modi has leverage over Patnaik because of corruption cases and the later tacitly supports Modi throughout various issues including GST, demonetisation and different bills in the parliament, he said.

"The Biju Janata Dal's model to develop the Odisha is similar to the BJP's Gujarat model. Patnaik is a version of Modi. My target is to take Odisha out of the one-man bureaucratic regime and hand it over to the people of the State," the Gandhi scion said.

Though Patnaik is autocratic and centralises power, the AICC chief said, he is not as hate-filled as Modi. Unlike the Congress, which has a dynamic process and always listens to people, Modi thinks he knows everything, and hence, there is no scope for feedback with him in power.

"This is the basic difference between the Congress and BJP. When we run a State, we listen to the people. That is not how Modi or Patnaik thinks," he said. Coming down heavily on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Gandhi said, the outfit wants to control all the institutions in the country. RSS is the mother-ship of the BJP, which believes it as the only institution and wants to systematically penetrate into all other institutions.

"The Congress always respects the institutions, be it judiciary, election commission or education system and their individuality. We believe that institutions should be independent and India should be run by its 1.2 billion people. We are completely against the assault on institutions taking place nowadays. We will not allow it. We have to do a lot of repair work, because whatever has been done to the country in the last five years is actually devastating," he said.

The Congress party chief criticised Modi for failing to understand the intent behind Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), which created an economic structure in rural India and transformed millions of people.

"MGNREGA is a labour market correction. It was fantastic move that allowed India for the first time in history to have minimum wage. It not only helped the poor, it supported a large number of manufacturers who supplied goods to the buyers. It was a comprehensive strategic move, which paid huge dividends," he pointed out.

Laying out a vision for the Indian economy, Gandhi emphasised on job creation over the growth of the economy. China has outpaced India in job creation. Modi has failed to deliver on his various promises. What is the meaning of growth when youth struggle to get into jobs, he asked.

"Every State in the country has a job crisis. When automation is a problem in Europe and India, it has no impact on China, which is producing 50,000 new jobs every 24 hours. India produces only 450 jobs in the same period. Production today has been completely dominated by China. India has to focus on producing things. In fact, it is the only country which can take over others, " he said and called for a revival of the manufacturing sector and for easy access to credit for small and medium businesses.

Gandhi said the businessmen in the country have a complete capture of the banking system. Around Rs 12.50 lakh crore is in the hands of 30-40 businessmen. Vijay Mallya can run away with Rs 9,000 crore. Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi can run away with Rs 30,000 crore and Ambani can be given as much. But If you are a small or mid-sized businessman, you deal with demonetisation and GST and you are not forgiven your loans, he said.

Alleging that demonetisation is a crime and massacre of small and medium businesses, he said, small and medium enterprises generate jobs, not the large business houses. Everybody is forgetting agriculture. A huge number of jobs can come from agriculture if there is a transformation in the system, he said. On abuses by the BJP, the Congress party chief said the best thing that happened to his as a politician and human being is the abuse he got from BJP and RSS.

"It has been the biggest gift they could give me. When Modi abuses me, I feel like giving him a hug. He is upset with the Congress party. But we have no animosity towards him. That's our nature, we don't hate people. India's culture is not to abuse someone," he added. Gandhi predicted that the opposition will win the 2019 elections. There are two things in Indian politics that are absolutely fickle. One is when the people start to believe that the person in power does not listen or respect their view. Secondly, when there is complete opposition unity. Now we are at a point when the opposition is so united that it is practically impossible for BJP to win the election, he observed.
Express News Service

PATNA: A senior BJP leader and minister in Bihars NDA government sparked a row on Friday by saying that newly anointed Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi is very beautiful and has no other skills, prompting the states Opposition Grand Alliance to call for his dismissal from the cabinet.

Priyanka Gandhi is very beautiful. I see no other skills in her. She has no political experience. Even though she is 37 or 38 or maybe 44, she has no political attainments. God has given her beauty, but how much can that gift be exploited? asked Vinod Narayan Jha, the public health and engineering department (PHED) minister.

Hitting out at Congress for formally inducting the latest Gandhi family scion into the party, the 61-year-old minister further said: Priyanka Gandhi is the wife of the corrupt Robert Vadra, who is an accused in a land scam. He faces several cases for corrupt deals and illegal means of income.

Congress leaders in Bihar, already enthused by Priyankas formal entry into the party, condemned Jha for his statements and demanded his dismissal from the state cabinet. They also warned of statewide protests unless Jha apologises.

This is a very inappropriate and condemnable statement. There will be repercussions of such statements. It will be difficult for people like Vinod Narayan Jha to travel in Bihar. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar should either sack him from the state cabinet or provide him extra security, said senior Congress leader and MLC Premchand Mishra.

Congress MLA Bhavna Jha, who had defeated Vinod in the last Assembly polls, said: God has made Priyanka Gandhi beautiful and smart. If he (Vinod) does not find his own looks smart enough, it is Gods decision. If he had done good work in his constituency, he would not have shifted his constituency.

I myself defeated him (Vinod) in Benipatti. When a person like me could defeat him, only one Priyanka Gandhi is enough to defeat the entire BJP, she added.

Senior RJD leader Bhai Birendra dubbed the ministers words as very cheap and said: Before making such cheap statements, he should have thought of the looks of his own mother and sisters.

BJP leaders are setting a trend in making unseemly remarks about women. They used to ridicule Sonia Gandhis fair skin and now they are ridiculing Priyanka Gandhi. This minister should be dismissed from the cabinet, said RJD legislator Ejya Yadav. I warn BJPs women MPs and MLAs to beware of men in their own party as they are anti-women, she added.

RJD vice-president Raghuvansh Prasad Singh said Nitish Kumar would have to bear the consequences unless he dismisses the minister. Political parties differ in ideologies, but there is no place for such crude comments about a woman, he added.

While BJP leaders maintained silence on the matter, senior JD(U) leader Ashok Chaudhary dubbed the ministers statements as inappropriate. No political leader from either the ruling parties or the Opposition should speak such words. They should choose their words carefully.
Namita Bajpai By

Express News Service

LUCKNOW: The Congresss carefully-crafted soft Hindutva electoral strategy, which many feel paid dividends in the recent Assembly elections, is likely to continue in Uttar Pradesh with the party lining up temple visits for Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra ahead of the elections.

Those in the know said the brother-sister duo is likely to seek the blessings of Lord Ram at his makeshift abode in Ayodhya, visit the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Prime Minister Narendra Modis constituency Varanasi and pray at the Gorakhnath temple in Yogi Adityanaths turf.

Sources said the itinerary will be revealed to the media only at the last moment. Besides the temple visits, the partys campaign in the most populous state will also centre around wooing the Hindu voters majorly. Whether this will be in the form of promising gaushalas, or cow shelters, in the party manifesto is still being worked out.

In Madhya Pradesh, the Congress manifesto included the construction of gaushalas and the development of a Ram Van Gaman Path in Chitrakoot to recreate the route Lord Ram is believed to have taken during his exile.

READ HERE: In detail: Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's political journey in Congress so far

All options are being weighed by the party think-tank, a senior UP Congress leader said. This not-so-subtle wooing of Hindus could damage its image among Muslims but the party feels it will help counter Adityanaths aura, which the BJP often flaunts.

The decision to continue soft Hindutva comes in the backdrop of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad offering support to the grand old party if it includes Ram temple construction in its election manifesto.

Though VHP leader Alok Kumar later retracted his statement, senior Congress leaders feel the VHPs overtures should be taken forward as the saffron outfit has substantial clout among Hindus.

Bifurcation of UP Cong on cards

UP Cong unit could also be divided into two - east and west - with two PCC chiefs to assist Priyanka Gandhi and Jyotiraditya Scindia, the AICC general secretary for west UP.
Prasanta Mazumdar By

Express News Service

GUWAHATI: There is seething anger seen against the ruling BJP in Assam over the NDA governments move to get the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 passed in Parliament but much to the partys satisfaction that anger has not touched it.



The state has been on the boil for the past year over the Centres move to grant Indian citizenship to six persecuted non-Muslim communities from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan who migrated till December 31, 2014. However, ironically, the anger has least affected BJP. This was evident from the partys landslide victories in the states panchayat and North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council (NCHAC) elections held recently.



Seventy organisations, led by peasants body Krishak Mukti Sangram Samitee, besides a section of intellectuals, students, activists, film personalities and others are on the warpath expressing their resentment against the controversial Citizenship Bill. They fear if the immigrants are granted Indian citizenship, it will threaten the existence of indigenous communities in Assam.



There are no official figures to suggest the number of immigrants, irrespective of faith, in Assam. Some organisations claim it is anything between 20 lakh and 50 lakh. A little over 40 lakh people, including locals, were left out of the complete draft of National Register of Citizens (NRC) after they had failed to submit relevant documents to NRC authorities. However, a good number of them are likely to make it to the list when the final draft NRC is published later this year.



The BJP had gone to panchayat elections amidst the din against Citizenship Bill. The polls were an opportunity for the party to gauge the mood of people vis-a-vis Citizenship Bill. However, contrary to public perception, the party swept the polls, winning over 42 per cent of the seats. The partys state leadership is convinced the locals at the grassroots level were not opposed to the Bill. Subsequently, the Bill was introduced in Lok Sabha by the Centre and passed.



The second and immediate test for BJP was the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council (NCHAC) elections. It grabbed 19 of the 28 seats. In the 2013 elections, BJP had failed to win even a single seat although 18 of the elected members from across parties defected to the saffron party in due course.



After the results were declared, minister and senior BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma tweeted: Assam reposes its faith in the leadership of Sri @narendramodi and Sri @AmitShah. The results of North Cachar Autonomous Hills Council amply prove this.



On Friday, he agreed that people at large were not bothered about the Citizenship Bill, pointing out that had it not been the case, BJP would not have won the two elections.



Despite BJPs sterling performance, Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), which was an ally of BJP but severed the ties and then pulled out of the state government recently, and Congress tried to put up a brave face.



They (BJP) are in power and as such, they should have won 80 per cent of the seats, senior Congress spokesman Apurba Bhattacharya told this correspondent.



He alleged that there were a lot of anomalies in the panchayat elections which adversely affected the opposition parties.



They won the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council elections as they are in power in the state as well as at the Centre. It has been a trend in Assam that the ruling party wins in council elections as the councils heavily depend on the ruling party for funds. However, BJPs twin victories will not impact our Lok Sabha poll prospects, Bhattacharya added.



The AGP echoed him



Usually, the elected members of a council defect to the party which is in power in the state. It happened in the previous NCHAC election. BJP did not have a single member but the party eventually managed to run it (following the defections of some members to it), AGP leader and former Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta said. He cited the same reason for BJP winning the panchayat elections.



Total number of panchayat seats  26,748



BJP 11,325

Congress 8,918

AGP 1,949

AIUDF 1,317

Others 3239



Total number of NCHAC seats  28



BJP 19

Congress 2

AGP 1

Independent 6


Genres : Comedy



: Comedy Running Time : 111 min.



: 111 min. Directed by : Lee Byoung-heon



: Lee Byoung-heon Starring : Ryu Seung-ryong, Lee Honey

Synopsis : A team of narcotics detectives goes undercover in a fried chicken joint to stake out an organized crime gang. But things take an unexpected turn when the detectives' chicken recipe suddenly transforms the rundown restaurant into the hottest eatery in town.
By Online Desk

Amid Centre's flagship health insurance plan -- PM Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) -- under the Ayushman Bharat programme touching the 100-day mark, as many as 7.5 crore personalised letters from PM Modi have been printed by the NDA government at a cost of Rs. 15.75 crore, sources said.

The two-sheet letter in an envelope marked "Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana" also comes with details of Modi government's other flagship schemes, NDTV reported.

"I have experienced poverty very closely in my life ...The best way to uplift the poor is by empowering them. For this reason, ever since people elected me as PM and gave me the opportunity to serve them, my endeavour has been to empower the poor, the common people and women. We have taken many steps from building houses to income generation, from education to health...," says a message from PM in the letter.

He has also talked about the benefits of other programmes like the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, the Saubhagya Scheme, Pradhan Mantri Jeevan and Jyoti Bima Yojana, before ending his letter with a note on the PMJAY.

Ayushman Bharat's CEO Indu Bhushan told the media that the letters were billed as administrative expenditure and it hasn't affected the patients' budget allotted under the scheme.

But the Opposition has termed the whole move as a poll gimmick. Many non-BJP states are also upset about the letters being sent to beneficiaries without the respective governments' consent.

CPI(M) MP from Kerala's Palakkad MB Rajesh said, "The Prime Minister is talking about every possible central government scheme in a letter meant to address health insurance beneficiaries. Each letter is being sent as speed post from the post office to the recipient's home, which can cost upto Rs. 40 for each envelope. The budget for this health insurance is just around Rs. 2,000 crores. Where is this money coming from."

A Kerala government official said that none of the 12 lakh letters sent to the state should be undelivered or returned and the whole process should start the day the letters reach their addresses.

The first batch of the letters landed on Sunday and the delivery process also started on the very same day.

However, Indu Bhushan said that because of the above letters, people across all Indian states are now going for treatments under the PMJAY scheme.

The letters written and signed in Bengali by PM talked about the personal struggle with poverty. The West Bengal Health Department objected to this and shot a letter to the Union Health Secretary.

The letter reads: "To our surprise, the entitlement letter/card issued by your ministry mentions the name of the scheme as PMJAY, which is not only a violation of the stipulation of the said MoU, but has created unnecessary confusion at the state level.... Under the above-mentioned situation, this is to inform you that the government of West Bengal is withdrawing from Ayushman Bharat-Swasthyasathi scheme with immediate effect."

BJP has already defended the mega outreach just before the crucial 2019 Lok Sabha Elections.

"The government is doing this as an outreach programme and taking the government to the people. And if someone feels that this is political, it's because they must have misused money when they were in power. The taxpayer's money is being used so that more people come to know about it, so more people can benefit," said the party's Rajya Sabha MP V Muraleedharan.

He also said that the Modi government decided to organize the awareness drives since funds for most of its schemes were underutilised due to poor knowledge among the people.

How the non-BJP states have reacted to the Ayushman Bharat scheme:

Odisha CM and BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik during last year criticized the Centre on the Ayushman Bharat and said that his government's Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY) is far better the Centres flagship healthcare scheme.

The Mamata Banerjee government in West Bengal walked out of the above scheme on January 2019, with the CM saying that she won't let taxpayers' money to be spent on the programme.

The scheme was merged with Bengal's Swasthya Sathi health scheme under which the TMC government provided 40 per cent of the total cost.

With the move, Bengal became the sixth state to discard the Modi government's healthcare scheme, joining Telangana, Odisha, Delhi, Kerala and Punjab.

The newly-elected Congress government in Chhattisgarh, on January 2019, decided to bring its own healthcare scheme in place of PMJAY. The state health minister TS Singhdeo stated that he WAS not in favour of the Ayushman Bharat, as the expenses (on insurance) are more but the output is less.
By Online Desk

Director and Naam Tamilar Katchi chief Seeman took a dig at Ajith fans during a recent public meeting.

The NTK chief, who is knows for his fiery speeches, appreciated Ajith for advocating road safety in his movies. He also welcomed the 'Viswasam' actors recent statement that shot down rumours of him and his fans associating with any political party.

But, Seeman did not stop there as he went on to state that Ajith should have issued a statement regarding the accident that involved his fans who sustained injuries after falling off from a massive cut-out erected in Villupuram.

Seeman lashed out at fans for involving in activities like erecting banners and 'pal-abishekam' (milk pouring). He even went on to question whether the ones who have stood outside the movie halls for early morning special shows will come and fight for a social cause.

Although Ajith dissolved his fan club in 2011, his fans still continue to celebrate his films and show their love for him in whatever way possible.
Shilajit Mitra By

Express News Service

Kangana Ranauts Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi goes beyond anti-war  its anti-water. Characters lost in deep, stately thoughts flare up when offered a glass of refreshment; one of them, a brute Britisher, hangs a little girl who brings him a drink of water, only because she shares a name with the belligerent Indian queen. Hoarse with warcry, these throats must remain droplessly dry  the writers seem to insist  and taste only the first splatter of blood. How else can they attain the peculiar croak of angered religiosity?

Kangana stars in and co-directs this sandy opus with Telugu filmmaker Krishna Jagarlamudi, who allegedly left the film midway. The story remains the same. After the death of her husband Gangadhar Rao, Rani Laxmibai of Jhansi takes centrestage in the rebellion of 1857 and bathes herself in the blood of the lobsterbacks.

ALSO READ: Will not apologize to Shri Rajput Karni Sena: Kangana Ranaut

At a textual and sonic level, this is period filmmaking by the books: Amitabh Bachchan does the voice-over, Kulbhushan Kharbanda squeezes in fake dramatic tension with his patently stressful voice, swords clash on swords amid thunderous cannonballs, while Shankar Mahadevan cuts in with melodic sermons on desh-prem vs self-love, appropriately penned by censor board chief Prasoon Joshi.

Visually, too, the film is instantly identifiable: it opens with a display of blackened warships, not unlike the ones in Vijay Krishna Acharyas Thugs of Hindostan, and it borrows its majestic forts and darkened entryways from that disastrous 2018 film. But this is no ordinary movie about wannabe pirates leading a half-baked rebellion. This is, mind you, a Kangana Ranaut movie  an actor of formidable spunk and mythology, who adopts the mania and ignition of her similarly-mythicized character with an unceasing, unsettling rage.

The first-half is just set-up. We are introduced to a young, eco-friendly Manikarnika who hunts to rescue a village from a stray tiger, not kill the beast entirely. Married into the Jhansi royalty, she gallops into a British outpost and literally picks a beef with the officers, having arrived to rescue a stolen calf. Quite the linguist, she scolds an arrogant extra, Of course I know English. Its a mere language. Language, without culture, is empty.

The calf is then returned to its owner Jhalkaribai  a brave Dalit warrior of Koli ethnicity who fought alongside Rani Laxmibai and is immortalized in Bundeli folklore, played here (with an easy grace) by TV star Ankita Lokhande. Bengali actor Jisshu Sengupta appears as Kanganas husband Gangadhar Rao, a king with artistic inclinations who is embarrassed about not seeming butch, and thus wears bangles to stoke his pride. The most interesting character, though, remains a battle-ready Danny Denzongpa, as black-clad freedom fighter Ghulam Ghaus Khan. The actor doesnt seem to age, and it hurts to see him take a bullet in the back or get knifed by a fellow (read: "Muslim") tribesmen.

To those excited by the films trailer, its advisable to walk in post-interval. You wont miss much, and  unlike many of us lulled by the drab writing  will enjoy the butchery you came for. Kangana morphs into an inflamed apparition in the second-half. Her whole demeanour takes on the aura of a vengeful slasher-goddess, beady eyes burning with the rage of a thousand slain mercenaries, the kind of eyes you are likely to spot in a mob, or WhatsApp videos of a certain, violent-kind. In the final battle scene, she performs a spectacular sword limbo  like Neo in Matrix, only funkier  before springing back into action and beheading two soldiers at once. Har Har Mahedev, she bellows, like in the trailer, as the sky turns a vicious brown.

The film begins as a biopic, but derails quickly into a surreal showdown of unbridled carnage. The facts, if any, get chewed up in the mess. The writers are too busy rhyming 'shanti' with 'kranti' to fill us in on the details, and the only comic scene in the film is reserved for the Scindia of Gwalior, in an unsubtle jibe at his (politician) descendants.

Released in the wane of January, Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi picks up the slack of Sanjay Leela Bhansalis Padmaavat. Like that eventfully messy film, it offers warmth and madness to a nation perpetually frozen in parochial pride, eschewed moral and empowerment systems, and a spreading swell of religiously-coloured nationalism. Brace yourselves, for this is a trend here to stay. Those similarly themed endings are not a co-incidence; they are signs. Indian cinema is about to go up in flames.


By IANS

LOS ANGELES: Streaming platform Netflix is working on getting a visa for Jorge Antonio Guerrero, the Mexican actor who played Fermin in 'Roma', so that he can attend the 91st Academy Awards.

According to sources, now Netflix is helping him come to the US for Oscars, reports variety.com.

ALSO READ | 'Roma,' 'The Favourite' lead with 10 nods, 'Black Panther' and 'Bohemian Rhapsody' also in race

Guerrero has applied for a US visa three times and has been denied each time. He was initially rejected a tourist visa and two subsequent attempts were denied despite support from Netflix and the filmmakers.

In an article published on Tuesday, Guerrero told the magazine that Quien that he had been unable to attend the Golden Globes or gala screenings. He said he had a written invitation from the producers, but that didn't help.

"I brought a letter that they didn't want to read," he said.

"On my second try, they said that I was going to work, and I answered no, that I was going as a guest. And that last try was a little memorable because it seemed like there was anger on the part of the woman who interviewed me."

The State Department said it could not respond to a request for comment on the matter due to the government shutdown.

'Roma' was nominated for 10 Academy Awards on Tuesday, including Best Picture and Actress for Yalitza Aparicio. The Oscar ceremony will be held on February 24 and will be aired in India on Star Movies.

In an interview with the Mexican newspaper El Universal published Thursday, Guerrero said he is not offended by the visa rejection.

"I have not felt at any moment offended, angry or victimised," he said.
Harish Murali By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Fourteen of the 17 accused in the Ayanavaram child rape case have approached the Madras High Court, seeking trial by a different judge. They have alleged that R N Manjula, the judge of the Mahila Court currently conducting the trial, has been acting in a biased manner.

The case of sexual assault of a child with disabilities shocked the State in July 2018 when the city police arrested 17 men working as staff in a gated community at Ayanavaram.

The trial of the horrific case has been pending before the Mahila Court and relatives of some of the accused had already claimed that their kin had been implicated in a false case.

While the examination of the witnesses was taking place on a daily basis, on Thursday, counsel representing 14 of the 17 accused submitted before the trial court judge that they have filed a transfer petition in the Madras High Court seeking trial by a different judge.

One of the main allegations levelled in the petition was that during the examination of the victim child, her sister was continuously tutoring the child.

During the chief (examination) the sister (name withheld) kept prompting the victim about thrice and the counsels for the accused kept objecting to the same. The prompt was heard by the victim and she answered as per the prompt and the same was recorded (as the victims statement by the court), read the petition filed by the counsel of the accused in the Madras High Court. The petition alleged that the special public prosecutor of the case has been putting words in the mouth of the victim.

The petition alleged that the court and the prosecution are not even considering the accused and their counsels as human beings.

READ HERE: Hearing-impaired 11-year-old girl in Chennai allegedly raped by 18 men over six months

12th accused slammed for appealing for discharge

The Madras High Court has pulled up one of the 17 accused in the teenage girl rape case in Ayanavaram, for approaching it with a plea to discharge him from the case. It is indeed an audacious move to file the present revision petition against the order passed by the trial court in dismissing the discharge petition, when, prima facie, there exist materials to proceed against him by the prosecution, Justice V Parthiban said.

The judge was dismissing a revision petition from Deen Dayalan, the 12th accused in the case, on January 11 last.

His discharge petition was rejected by the Mahila Court, on December 12, 2018.

The judge said that instead of facing the trial to prove his innocence, the petitioner has approached the trial court to discharge him from the offences charged against him, expecting the trial court to pronounce his innocence at the very threshold. His involvement in the incident, which gave rise to the charge of his and others, was not the run-of-the-mill criminal case of sexual assault, which normally comes up for scrutiny before the criminal Court.

It is the case, which shocked the moral conscience of the society at large when 17 perpetrators have committed an act of abominable sexual assault on the disabled girl who was below 12 years. The way in which the crime was reported to have been committed by the perpetrators, prima facie, appear to be a despicable act of giving vent to their carnal desire leading to commit horrendous sexual assault on the hapless victim girl.

The alleged act of the perpetrators, to put it appropriately, is outrageously inhuman, wickedly laced with unalloyed perversion of the inconceivable kind. Such crimes in society need to be viewed strictly to save the children from the predatory sexual instinct of such men. Each one of such men, if found guilty, is the evil personified, the judge said and dismissed the petition.
Meera Bhardwaj By

Express News Service

BENGALURU: The rampant dumping and burning of waste at night in several outer wards of the city is posing fire safety threats to the parks, trees and grasslands in the surroundings. Residents of these areas complain that BBMP has a lackadaisical approach towards collection and disposal of waste here.

On Tuesday night, fire engines had to be rushed to Poorna Prajna Nagar in Uttarahalli to douse a fire on the main road, which may otherwise have spread to a nearby park. The office-bearers of the Poorna Prajna Housing Cooperative Society noticed the fire on the Uttarahalli-Kengeri Road, and informed the fire services. Some mischief-makers had set the garbage dumped here ablaze, after which the dry bamboo grass growing nearby also caught fire.

Many wards, such as Uttarahalli, Vasantpura, Hemmigepura, Gottigere and Begur, are facing such problems as waste is not cleared by BBMP for days together.

Residents have been complaining about the menace, but no action has been taken by the civic agency so far. The many sites lying vacant are used not just by pourakarmikas but also residents as small landfills.

Uphill task

The stretch from Uttarahalli-Poornaprajna Road towards NICE Road underpass in BEML Layout, RR Nagar, presents a sorry sight. The once pristine hilly area has turned into a waste dump. The vacant sites facing Mantri Alpyne complex are owned by real estate developers who have fenced their lands in parts, but people still throw waste here.

On this road itself, there are two private waste collection units. A worker here says, We are not aware of who comes and dumps garbage on this narrow, uphill stretch of road. But every morning, we see the road full of waste. Unable to bear the foul smell, we sometimes burn it as this land falls neither in Uttarahalli nor RR Nagar ward.

Poorna Prajna Nagars woes

In Poorna Prajna Nagar, the vacant sites have turned into dumping ground. To tackle the problem, residents burn the waste, which includes plastic, glass, metallic parts and medical waste.

H Anilesh, secretary, Poorna Prajna Nagar Resident Welfare Association (PPNRWA), says, We face problems of waste disposal every day, as there are seven pourakarmikas who do the work at their own will. Although biometric attendance is mandatory for them, you can hardly see them working. BBMP has given them no tools for waste collection. The one vehicle allotted for the whole layout is usually away for repairs.

Indifferent BBMP

Residents living across from 1-4th main road and near BMTC depot no. 33 complain that they have never seen any BBMP worker collecting waste in the last five years.

Sudha (name changed), a resident of 3rd main, said, The pourakarmikas can be seen only on 29th main road where the corporator lives. The corporator is indifferent to peoples complaints and claims he is doing his best to address the problem.

There are 90-100 apartment complexes with 40-80 flats per complex in Poorna Prajna Nagar. Only a few complexes of more than 40 flats have a tie-up with a bulk collector.
C Shivakumar By

Express News Service

Sixteen memorandums of understanding (MoUs) have been signed between Japanese companies and the Tamil Nadu government as Japan plans to diversify its business interests in the South Indian state with a focus on tourism and setting up of Japanese language training centers to enhance the skills of youngsters so they can be employable for Japanese companies.

Chennai has a lot of Japanese firms and we want to have Chennai firms in Yokohama too, said an official from the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO). He also stated that under the twin city agreements and promotion of business, the Kanagawa Prefectural Government of Japan is focusing on Mumbai and Chennai to attract manpower and investments.

Tatsushi Tamoto, director general of JETRO, told Express that 14 memorandums of understanding, worth 1,180 crores, had been signed by Japanese companies. The Yanmar Engine Manufacturing Company, which is opening a plant in Chennai, and Yamaha Music India, which is tapping the music market in India by starting commercial operations next month, have also signed MoUs. However, the value of these deals could not be ascertained.

Yanmar was targeting Chennai as the city had developed component supply chain and could be helpful in the supply of engine components, said Hajime Hirai, director of Yanmar Engine Manufacturing India. The plant, which will be set up in Gummidipoondi at Mahindra Industrial Park, will not only cater to India but also to global markets, said Hirai, while refusing to provide details of the investment. We will be starting production by 2020 and rolling out 80,000 units, said Hirai, who is also planning to tap the skilled labour force of Chennai.

Katsunobu Suzuki, general manager of Yamaha Music India, said that after opening their first factory in Gurgaon, Yamaha had planned to open a plant in Chennai at One Hub. Under the Chennai factory project, musical instruments will be manufactured in India and sold in India. By 2022, we have committed an investment of 500 crore which will generate jobs to 800 people, said Suzuki, thanking the state government for helping in starting the project on schedule. Under phase I the company will be manufacturing acoustic guitars and portable keyboards. From 2020, the company will diversify to producing to portable audio speakers.

The contribution of Japanese companies to Tamil Nadus economy has been huge. According to Hiroshi Shibasaki, president of Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Japanese companies contribute about 9.22 percent of FDI in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. Kenji Hiramatsu, Ambassador of Japan to India, said that Japan was planning to diversify its business interests in Tamil Nadu and said that it was one of the prime reasons to have a direct flight from Chennai to Tokyo.

Starting from cotton business to automobiles and spare parts, Japan is planning to diversify into food services, textiles, IT and small and medium enterprises (SMEs). It is learnt that Japan is trying to lure its SMEs to invest in Tamil Nadu as there is a huge potential here with the state government creating a better atmosphere for SME investment. Interestingly, through SMEs, Japan is not only trying to tap the domestic market but is also looking at exports, he said.

(With inputs from online Desk)
Arshad Khan By

Express News Service

Joining the bandwagon of carmakers that have announced electric cars for the Indian market, Japanese carmaker Nissan recently said that it will launch its highly successful electric car Leaf for Indian buyers this year.

Leaf is a proof-point (that) we want to bring to India because this is a direction of leadership in EVs we have in the world, noted Nissans senior vice president and chairman of its management committee for Africa, Middle East and India Peyman Kargar recently. It is expected that Nissan will bring the second generation version of the car to India. The first Leaf made its global debut in 2017.

The more recent generation of the Leaf is powered by a 148hp EM57 electric motor which takes power from a 40kWh battery. It is claimed to have a range of 380 km, 129 km more than the previous generation. However, the model is not intended as a mass market product and will be introduced at a high price.

Nissan has said that the Leaf will come at a special price point only in metro cities, and the automaker will target institution and government sector sales, besides focusing on a few influencers.

Other much awaited EVs set to be launched this year include the Hyundai Kona Electric, which will be assembled at its Chennai plant. Expected to be priced under `30 lakh, Kona will be sold in the top 10 metros initially.

Besides Nissan and Hyundai, domestic carmaker Mahindra & Mahindra also has plans to launch electric vehicle in 2019. Mahindra is currently the only manufacturer in India which commercially retails electric cars  the E2O Plus and e-Verito  and will launch the eKUV100 by June 2019. Other top players such as Maruti Suzuki India and Toyota have plans to launch EVs in 2020.

In the luxury segment, German carmaker Audi has announced launching its luxury electric SUV, the e-Tron, in India in 2020. The SUV, which exclusive shuttle partner at the World Economic Forum in Davos, can do a 0 to 100 km per hour sprint time in just 3.5 seconds and is claimed to have a range of 400 km on a single charge.
A vote in Greece's parliament to end a name dispute with neighboring Macedonia, set to take place late Thursday, has been pushed back to Friday.

A deal reached between the two countries last year would have Macedonia change its name to North Macedonia in exchange for Greece allowing Macedonia's bid to join NATO.

Macedonia's parliament backed the constitutional amendment to change its name, but for the deal to be complete, the changes must also be passed by Greece's parliament.

The vote, initially scheduled to be held after midnight Thursday, was pushed back several hours to Friday to accommodate the large number of Greek lawmakers who wished to speak on the issue before the balloting.

The announcement on the delay came as protesters from the Greek Communist Party draped giant banners outside the Acropolis which read "No to the Tsipras-Zaev agreement."


New Castle, PA (16103)

Today

Cloudy early, then thunderstorms developing this afternoon. A few storms may be severe. High 76F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms likely this evening. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms overnight. Low 64F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%.
SOUTHINGTON  Town officials are considering ways to combat racism that could include forming a group similar to STEPS with representatives from Southingtons religious, business, education and government sectors.

The Town Council and the Board of Education plan to form groups following complaints of discrimination from minority residents and students at a school board meeting earlier this month. Southington Women for Progress, along with area NAACP chapters, brought suggestions for combating racism to the school board at that meeting. In December a Snapchat video circulated online in which a Southington High School student threatened black students.

Southington Women for Progress held a discussion on race Wednesday, which was attended by six Town Council members and two Board of Education members. Facilitators from the Harriet Beecher Stowe House in Hartford led a discussion on why color blindness doesnt work. The discussion started with the groups definitions of race, racism, equity and other terms as well as ground rules for the evenings conversation.

Victoria Triano, a Republican councilor, said she wants to form a group that would begin meeting in late February or early March to start changing the towns culture. She attended Wednesdays meeting and found it helpful but also wanted to take action.

We must attack a problem within a culture systematically and using every sector within our community, Triano said. As policy makers in this community, theres more responsibility on us to ensure that the process continues.

She cited the model of STEPS and said a group to combat racism could focus on small, attainable goals that build toward a greater acceptance of multiculturalism in Southington.

STEPS, Southington Townwide Effort to Promote Success, is funded with a federal grant and combats substance abuse among youth.

School Superintendent Tim Connellan is also working on forming a task force following the board meeting earlier this month. Board members said they want students and parents to have an opportunity to share concerns and experiences.

Erica Roggeveen Byrne, founder of the women for progress group, said Wednesdays community conversation on race was scheduled before the video and that the discussion was part of a series.

We were expecting 20 people, she said Wednesday night. The event drew more than 70 and the group had a waiting list.

Next month Southington Women for Progress will hold a meeting on talking to children about race.

Southington Women for Progress officials asked members of the media to leave before attendees began the discussion. Cheryl Hilton, a Southington Women for Progress member, said town officials might be more likely to speak honestly and openly without media in attendance.

Chris Poulos, a Democratic councilor, said Wednesdays meeting was a good chance for him to reflect on his views of race as well as to hear the experiences of other residents.

Its really been important for me when theres a situation like this to go out and listen to what the residents think and say. It guides me in my thinking, Poulos said. No one was passing judgment. Everyone was honest.

Even though Poulos believes most town residents are trying to be good and kind, comments can still exhibit unrealized biases.

There is the possibility of an unconscious micro aggression, he said.

Hilton said Wednesdays meeting was encouraging but was more skeptical about the education boards efforts. She questioned who would be on the task force set up by the school district.

My concern is that the people theyre putting on the task force are not the right people, Hilton said. If you dont have different voices in the room, thats how you got into this position in the first place.

jbuchanan@record-journal.com

203-317-2230

Twitter: @JBuchananRJ
MERIDEN  A Waterbury man faces three years in prison after he pleaded guilty Thursday to engaging police in a pursuit and drug charges.

Christian Hernandez, 24, of 30 Meriden Road, pleaded guilty under the Alford Doctrine to two counts of possession of narcotics with intent to sell, engaging police in pursuit and three counts of violation of probation. Under the Alford Doctrine, a defendant does not admit guilt, but acknowledges the state has enough evidence for a conviction.

A plea deal calls for him to be sentenced to three years in prison. He is due back in court on March 7.

Hernandez was charged in late March with two counts of possession of narcotics, first-degree reckless endangerment, reckless driving, assault on police, engaging in pursuit, and motor vehicle offenses.

On Feb. 14, police on Springdale Avenue saw Hernandez driving a tan Lexus without a front license plate. Police pulled their cruiser next to Hernandezs car, but he maneuvered around and accelerated on Springdale Avenue, according to his arrest warrant. Officers did not follow Hernandez because they said he was driving recklessly.

On March 18, police saw a tan Lexus being driven on Andrews Street and recognized the driver as Hernandez, the warrant said. As police turned around toward Hernandez, he started driving at a high rate of speed, passing other vehicles in the opposite travel lane. Police saw the Lexus about an hour and a half later on Chamberlain Highway and attempted to conduct a motor vehicle stop, but Hernandez fled from police and got on Interstate 691.

The drug charges stem from separate incidents on March 27, 2018 and Jan. 4, 2019. In the former incident, Hernandez was found with 4.3 grams of cocaine. In the recent incident, he was found with 10.4 grams of marijuana and about 3 grams of cocaine.

lsellew@record-journal.com

203-317-2225

Twitter: @LaurenSellewRJ
CHESHIRE  A Doolittle student who died in December fought with a classmate the previous month and was disciplined, according to a police report on the incident.

Anjelita Estrada, 11, died on Dec. 23. Officials ruled her death a suicide.

Cheshire police released a report Wednesday on the Nov. 26 fight this week. The names of students and the last name of a parent who reported his daughter had been attacked were redacted. Estradas role in the fight was identified in a report on her death also released by police.

According to officers, the fight occurred during recess in an area with no teachers present. A student was pushed and grabbed by the hair and neck.

Since the childrens names are redacted, its unclear who initiated the fight. Estrada received an in-school suspension the following day and the other student received no discipline.

According to Principal (Russ) Hinckley, this type of discipline is consistent with the discipline served in the past for similar incidents and is consistent with Cheshire Public Schools policies, said police officer David Maliar in the report.

Estradas father Anthony Estrada, who lives in Arizona, said his daughter had been called names based on her ethnicity. While the report on the November fight mentioned insults between students, none involved race or ethnicity.

According to the police report on Anjelita Estradas death, a teacher had reported the girl as a victim of bullying prior to her death. A family member also said Anjelita Estrada "felt bullied in school because she is Hispanic." Details of bullying were not included in the November report.

The family member told police in December that the November fight was with one of the girls who had been bullying her.

School Superintendent Jeff Solan said he couldn't comment on specifics of the case due to privacy laws surrounding students and student discipline.

The father of the unnamed girl involved in the fight initially wanted Anjelita Estrada arrested, according to the report, but later withdrew the complaint saying he was only upset at what had happened to his daughter.

According to police interviews, the 11-year olds death followed a fight with a family member at home during Christmas break.

Faith Vos Winkel, state assistant child advocate, said the child fatality review panel met Wednesday and started a preliminary review of the case. The panel is still gathering reports and other information on the case and will likely make a decision whether or not to conduct a full investigation at its March meeting.

Vos Winkel said the panel reviews all child fatalities but doesnt do full investigations on all deaths. Panel members are looking for systems implications and whether procedures failed in a particular case.

jbuchanan@record-journal.com

203-317-2230

Twitter: @JBuchananRJ
The Indian Navy said on Thursday that it will open the third military base in the far-off Andaman and Nicobar islands to beef up surveillance of Chinese vessels and ships entering the Indian Ocean via the nearby Straits of Malacca.

Some foreign media are provoking the situation, saying that India intends to "confront China." In this regard, Ding Hao, deputy director of the Asian-African Military Affairs Office of the Foreign Military Studies Department under the Chinese People's Liberation Army's (PLA's) Academy of Military Sciences, said that the Andaman and Nicobar islands, adjacent to the Straits of Malacca, are overseas territories of Dominion of India and that it is a normal move for the Indian military to establish military bases there.

Ding also stressed that all the "going global" behaviors of the Chinese military are to safeguard the peace and stability of the world and safeguard China's own overseas interests, not to threaten any country or region.

Indian experts and scholars said the purpose of Indian Navy was to strengthen the surveillance of Chinese ships and submarines entering the Indian Ocean through the Straits of Malacca, according to a report on Thursday by Reuters.

In response to Indian concerns about China's military presence, Ding said that China has always advocated enhancing strategic mutual trust with India at all levels, so it is not necessary to exaggerate Indian military use of their third naval base or Chinese Navy's entering the Indian Ocean.

The "China threat" theory is repeatedly mentioned whenever Chinese ships appear in the Indian Ocean. Ding commented that India regards the Indian Ocean as its own "backyard" and thinks relevant security issues should be handled by India. Therefore, it is inevitable for India to have some negative views toward China, Ding added.

However, Ding stressed that the main purpose of the Chinese Navy's entering the Indian Ocean is to maintain the safety of the maritime channel. Given that Pirates are very active and Chinese ships sailing to and from Africa, the Middle East and South Asia all need to go through the Indian Ocean, the aim of the Chinese Navy's entering the Indian Ocean is not only for its own interests. Instead, it also aims to protect the safety of ships from all countries, said Ding.

Disclaimer: The author is Ren Zhong, reporter with the Global Times. The article is translated from Chinese into English and edited by the China Military Online. The information, ideas or opinions appearing in this article are those of the author from the Global Times and do not reflect the views of eng.chinamil.com.cn. Chinamil.com.cn does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.
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ROK Military budgets in the next five years (The information shown above as follows): Defense spending of the ROK in 20192023 will reach KRW 270.7 trillion Annual military expenses: KRW 46.7 trillion in 2019; KRW 50.3 trillion in 2020; KRW 54.1 trillion in 2021; KRW 57.8 trillion in 2022; KRW 61.8 trillion in 2023 Funds appropriated: KRW 94.1 trillion, the proportion will increase from 32.9% in 2019 to 36.5% in 2023; the proportion of domestically-made equipment in the procurement will increase from 72% in 2019 to 80% in 2023; Expenditures on high-tech weapon systems and related technology research and development: KRW 21.9 trillion Adjustment of national defense manpower structure: The ROK military will cut back is standing troops from 599,000 to 500,000.

Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of Korea (ROK) issued the Mid-Term Defense Program for 2019-2023 on January 11th, 2019. According to recent changes in the situation on the Korean Peninsula, the Mid-Term Defense Program set up an overall plan for the ROKs national defense in the next five years, and includes specific policies to support its "Defense Reform 2.0".

The defense spending plan is undoubtedly of positive significance to strengthen the ROKs own military strength and accelerate its process of achieving "self-defense". However, its results remain to be seen due to the constraints of multiple factors.

Intending to regain wartime operational command

The Mid-term Defense Program is part of the ROK's efforts to promote national defense reform, and embodies the spirit of "Defense Reform 2.0", that is, strengthening military strength of the ROK and accelerating the realization of "self-defense".

As Ministry of National Defense of the ROK has said, the release of the Mid-term Defense Program is based on the firm will of the Moon Jae-in government to reform, and aims to build a strong army as soon as possible, so as to provide powerful support for national peace and prosperity.

The ROK is the only country in the world that has handed over wartime operational command to another country. The US military controls the ROKs wartime operational command, and the transfer of it has been postponed several times, which is mainly out of considerations for the ROKs security.

Nowadays, with the easing of the situation on the Korean Peninsula and the strong promotion of the Moon Jae-in government, the ROK has accelerated the pace of retrieving its wartime operational command. And surely the improvement of its own military strength is a pre-requisite for the command transfer.

In other words, the ROK needs to actively promote its "Defense Reform 2.0", and build a smaller-sized but more efficient armed force with more sustained and adequate defense investment, with a view to accelerate the realization of the "self-defense" that the ROK is striving for.

The Mid-term Defense Program is the phased achievement in advancing the "Defense Reform 2.0." In the next five years, the ROK will not only significantly increase its defense spending, but will also vigorously upgrade the level of its domestic weapons and equipment procurement and enhance the competitiveness of its own military industry.

Meanwhile, the ROK has continued to improve its ability to rush to attack before war, to intercept during war, and to retaliate after war, attempting to reduce its dependence on the United States, including the nuclear protection, extended deterrence, and early warning systems for various missiles provided by the United States.

Obviously, this has gone beyond the ROKs simple purpose to respond to military threats. All in all, the fundamental goal of the Mid-term Defense Program is to continuously enhance its ability of "self-defense", so as to get the ROK prepared for regain of wartime operational command during the presidency of Moon Jae-in.

In addition, the recovery of wartime operational command and speeding up the realization of "self-defense" are based on a broad public opinion foundation in the ROK.

The current president Moon Jae-in has promised during his election campaign that if elected, he would retrieve wartime operational command during his term of office. Failure to respond to the concerns of voters will definitely affect the grassroots support for Moon Jae-in.

Therefore, when he took office, he submitted a report to the National Planning Advisory Committee, and subsequently set up a Special Committee for National Defense Reform to discuss specific schemes for retrieving wartime operational command.

Too much reliance on the US is a constraint

It is undeniable that the Mid-term Defense Program of the ROK is conducive to enhancing its military strength under the support of sufficient defense budget. However, the mid-term program gets intertwined with the transfer of wartime operational command and the sharing of expenditure of United States Forces Korea (USFK). Both factors will exert influence on the ROK-US military alliance and become an important variable affecting the fulfillment of the Mid-term Defense Program.

Although the Mid-term Defense Program has increased investment in the construction of "self-defense", the ROK military has yet to establish an independent command system. Its intelligence acquisition relies almost entirely on the US military. Among others, the strategic intelligence accounts for 95%, and the tactical intelligence 70% to 80%. Besides, all kinds of weapons and equipment in the ROK are also provided by the United States. Although the ROK can produce some fighters and warships on its own, its core technologies and components are still derived from the United States.

Even if the ROK military regained its wartime operational command, it would merely be a formality, and it is very likely that the ROK would hand over the power to the US military again in the face of sudden large-scale military conflicts.

At present, the United States and the ROK have reached a deadlock on the expenditure sharing of the USFK, bringing many uncertainties to the transfer of wartime operational command from the US to the ROK.

From March to December, 2018, the two countries conducted 10 rounds of long and arduous negotiations on the 10th US-ROK Special Agreements on the Expenditure Sharing of the USFK. Due to the differences in the "overall scale" of the above mentioned agreements, the two parties ultimately failed to reach an agreement.

The breakdown of the negotiations is likely to put the ROK in "lockout" in 2019. This will in turn have a certain impact on the ROK-US military alliance and the power pattern of Northeast Asia. Even worse, it may seriously restrict the ROK to realize "self-defense".

It should be pointed out that the autonomy of a country's national defense can't be achieved by simply increasing defense spending. If the ROK wants to take back wartime operational command and realize "self-defense" as soon as possible, it will also need to determine the status and scale of the USFK.

However, these definitely can't be solved by a five-year Mid-term Defense Program. Whether the ROK military can successfully realize its "self-defense" remains to be observed.

Disclaimer: The author is Mu Xiaoming, reporter with the www.CRNTT.com. The article is translated from Chinese into English by the China Military Online. The information, ideas or opinions appearing in this article are those of the author from the www.CRNTT.com and do not reflect the views of eng.chinamil.com.cn. Chinamil.com.cn does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same. If the article carries photographs or images, we do not vouch for their authenticity.
Sayre, PA (18840)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun during the morning will give way to cloudy skies this afternoon. A stray severe thunderstorm is possible. High near 85F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Rain showers this evening with clearing overnight. Low 59F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
Lansdale, PA (19446)

Today

Scattered clouds with the possibility of an isolated thunderstorm developing this afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 88F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms. Low near 65F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
The Chinese and Australian militaries will deepen mutual understanding and trust, expand practical cooperation and maintain positive growth in military relations, senior military officials said on Thursday.

General Wei Fenghe, state councilor and minister of national defense, made the remark during a meeting with his Australian counterpart, Christopher Pyne in Beijing. It is Pyne's first visit to China after taking office in August.

Experts said the visit is a much-needed change given the recent chill in China-Australia relations over security matters such as espionage, cybersecurity and the South China Sea. They also urged Australia to view China's military development "objectively and rationally" without foreign influences.

Wei said the Chinese and Australian militaries have had a lot of practical cooperation over the years, ranging from high-level visits to joint exercises and training. China hopes Australia will continue to jointly expand military exchanges and cooperation based on mutual respect, fairness and win-win principles, he said.

Pyne said the two militaries have maintained cooperative relations in recent years. Australia is willing to work with China to deepen mutual understanding, trust and respect, and push for strong, positive development in military to military relations as well as bilateral ties, he added.

General Xu Qiliang, vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission, who also met with Pyne on Thursday, said both countries have a long history of friendship, and China has always valued the traditional bond between their peoples.

Xu said he hopes Australia will rationally perceive China's strategic intent and expand practical exchanges and cooperation, thereby contributing to the growth of the China-Australia comprehensive strategic partnership.

Xu Liping, a researcher of Southeast Asian affairs at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said Pyne's visit will send a positive signal in China-Australia military relations and will be beneficial for building mutual trust and maintaining regional peace.

"China and Australia have had a long history of friendly cooperation, and continuing this trend is in the interests of both countries and their people," he said. "It will be a lose-lose situation if Australia takes a confrontational approach toward China."

Zhang Junshe, a senior researcher at the People's Liberation Army Naval Military Studies Research Institute, said because the United States and Australia are allies, Australia has recently sided with the US in criticizing China on defense issues such as cybersecurity and the South China Sea.

"It is crucial that Australia objectively and rationally evaluates China's military development and strategic intent. China does not seek hegemony or wish to threaten any country," he said. "Pyne's visit is very timely as it can enhance mutual understanding, allowing proper management of risks and differences between the two nations," he said.
Turkey shells YPG in N. Syrian Tal Rifaat for 3rd day, Erdogan sees security zone in few months

Turkey shells YPG in N. Syrian Tal Rifaat for 3rd day, Erdogan sees security zone in few months

Turkish forces shelled YPG militia positions in the northern Syrian region of Tal Rifaat for a third consecutive day, Anadolu reported Friday. Tal Rifaat is some 20km west of Afrin, which has been under the control of Turkey and its Free Syrian Army (FSA) allies since an operation last year aimed at driving out the YPG militia. The YPG still controls the small region of Tal Rifaat, wedged between an area under Turkish control to the north and areas controlled by the Syrian government and anti-Syrian government rebels to the south, Reuters said. Ankara considers the YPG to be a terrorist organization and an extension of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). Turkish howitzers fired five shots against YPG positions in Tal Rifaat on Wednesday, followed by 12 on Thursday and more than 20 on Friday, according the report, which did not mention any casualties. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Friday he expected the creation of a security zone in Syria in a few months as the US withdraws its troops from the war-torn country, AFP reports.Source : RT - Daily news
Spain urges elections in Venezuela, or interim leader Guaido should organize vote

Spain urges elections in Venezuela, or interim leader Guaido should organize vote

Spains foreign minister, Josep Borrell, said on Friday that if Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro does not call free, fair elections soon, opposition leader Juan Guaido should be recognized as interim president to call elections, Reuters reports. Guaido declared himself interim president on Wednesday, winning support from US President Donald Trump and some Latin American countries. Borrell made the statement in Madrid just as an EU foreign affairs meeting was taking place at Spains request, AFP said. Spain is closely linked to Venezuela, a former colony, as around 200,000 of its nationals live there.Source : RT - Daily news
The detention of scores of Saudi royals and businessmen in Riyadhs Ritz-Carlton hotel, where some were reportedly tortured, may be one of the most creative and efficient ways of tackling corruption, according to Morgan Stanley.

The Wall Street investment banks CEO and chairman James Gorman added that businesses should not be dissuaded from engaging with Riyadh despite last years murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

The murder of Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul was utterly unacceptable, Gorman said during a panel at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos.

Also on rt.com I know how to UT WELL  Erdogan, quoting one of Khashoggis murderers

But what do you do? What part do you play in the process of economic and social change? he continued.

There are many countries that are tackling corruption issues in lots of creative ways. That is certainly one of the most creative. You could argue one of the most efficient, Gorman said to a laughing audience.

Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed al-Jadaan who was present at the discussion panel said the kingdom was absolutely sad about Khashoggis killing.

Knock on any door in Saudi Arabia and people will tell you how sad they are," he said, adding that what had happened had been alien to our DNA and totally against our beliefs, culture and religion.

Also on rt.com Saudi Arabia could be bankrupt by 2020  IMF

Meanwhile, Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East and North Africa director at Human Rights Watch, accused the WEF of helping to normalize Saudi Arabia's actions.

As if hundreds of the countrys business and media leaders werent just arbitrarily jailed  with some tortured, one killed  and forced to forfeit their assets in a massive shakedown of $100 billion, outside of any apparent legal process, she said.

Two years ago, the swanky Ritz-Carlton hotel in the Saudi capital was turned into a prison for the royal elite accused by the ruling regime of corruption. Hundreds of people, including businessmen, officials and 17 princes were arrested as part of the purge which reportedly aimed to recoup as much as $100 billion from them.

Also on rt.com Riyadh used coercion & physical abuse to seize billions in anti-corruption purge, witnesses claim

The arrests were led by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who claimed the move was an attempt to reform the Saudi economy and stamp out corruption. Bin Salman's critics claim it was a move to cement his power.

Among the detained were billionaire Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal, owner of global investor Kingdom Holding, and Waleed al-Ibrahim, who controls influential regional broadcaster MBC.

Alwaleed, who is the nephew of Saudi King Salman, was ranked as the worlds 64th richest man, and was once dubbed the Arabian Warren Buffett.

For more stories on economy & finance visit RT's business section
OPEC and allied oil giants led by Russia have not proposed an emergency meeting in response to the political turmoil in Venezuela, according to Russian Energy Minister Aleksandr Novak.

However, events in the Latin American country, which is one of the main crude exporters in the region and an OPEC member, may still impact the oil market, Novak told the TASS news agency on Thursday.

The market is very complex. And its difficult to forecast how it will react, the Russian minister said.

Also on rt.com United States considers hitting Venezuela with oil embargo

Earlier this week, the confrontation between government and opposition forces in Venezuela escalated after opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself acting president following calls for a regime change from the US.

The world is split over the crisis, with Russia, Turkey, Iran, and China vowing to support President Nicolas Maduro, who was sworn in for his second term earlier this year.

The US, Canada and some Latin American nations, including Brazil, Colombia and Argentina, backed Guaido. Meanwhile the EU called for new free elections but did not explicitly recognize the opposition leader as president.

Meanwhile, Washington is mulling sanctions on Venezuelan crude exports. The potential embargo would reportedly target around 500,000 barrels of oil that Venezuela exports to the US daily. Asked about the potential consequences of the move for the market, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said it is still too early to discuss that.

Russia has several joint projects with the Latin American country, including in the energy, agricultural and defense sectors, among others. The countrys investment in Venezuela exceeds $4.1 billion, with Russian energy giant Rosneft accounting for most of it. Trade turnover between Moscow and Caracas rose 48 percent in January-February last year, compared to the same period in 2017 and reached nearly $85 million.

Venezuela is one of the major crude exporters in Latin America and its oil revenues account for about 98 percent of export earnings, according to OPEC. However, oil output fell 33,000 barrels daily from November and hit a new low in December, with 1.15 million barrels per day produced in contrast to more than 2 million in 2017.

For more stories on economy & finance visit RT's business section
Horrifying colonies of rats have settled near the Vatican, Romes municipal council warned Thursday, as increasing numbers of rodent infestations pop up around Italy in an alarming threat to human health and hygiene.

The rat colonies are running rampant in different parts of Italys capital, with sightings in Castel SantAngelo and Cyprus, near the Vatican museums, which has suffered from the alarming infestation issue for more than a year, Radio Colonna reports.

READ MORE: Enemy of the poor: Catholic Church slams Romes mayor over Trevi fountain coins

Locals have spotted rows of rats running brazenly around the streets, and there have even been reports of rodents inside peoples homes in recent weeks.

The Barberini cinema in Rome had to be evacuated and closed this week when a number of dead rats were found inside by school children on an outing. A rat was also spotted in Federico Caffe school in Fonteiana earlier this month.

In Rome the rats no longer only frequent garbage bins, but they invade public places like cinemas, demonstrating that the situation in the city is degenerating, Codacons consumer advocacy group president Carlo Rienzi told Radio Colonna.

Footage shared by il Messaggero shows a number of rats running across a sidewalk as onlookers watch in horror. The video was filmed on Via della Meloria, near St Peters Basilica and the Vatican Museums.

It is unthinkable that an entire colony of mice can run undisturbed on roads and sidewalks, putting at risk the health of citizens and offering a painful sight in the eyes of tourists, Rienzi told il Messaggero.

Also on rt.com Playboy model arrested for naked crucifix photoshoot at the Vatican

Rome has long had a rodent problem and its citizens are finally fed up. The recent increase in rodents on Romes streets has been blamed on the rubbish left outside thanks to an ineffective trash collection system. While the council has made a number of interventions to deal with the rat and mice infestations, rodents continue to rule the streets.

On Tuesday, a series of road signs depicting rats were hung outside the Cyprus metro station, where rat sightings have become a problem.

READ MORE: Rome escalator collapse: Over a dozen Russian CSKA Moscow fans injured & hospitalized (VIDEO)

Residents in Cesenate, in northern Italy, have also reported rat infestations, with some desperate locals resorting to calling the fire brigade to report crazed rodents in their homes. Rats were seen biting each other and jumping on cars, Sky TG24 reports, and many were killed by motorists as they scurried across roads.

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Greek MPs have supported the name-change deal with Macedonia with a narrow majority. The agreement, which resolves the lengthy dispute blocking Macedonias accession to the EU and NATO, sparked massive protests in Greece earlier.

Athens managed to secure the parliamentary backing of the deal with 153 votes in favor to 146 votes against, amid mounting public opposition. The parliaments decision was welcomed by Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, who helped hammered out the deal last year.

After one year of negotiations, discussions and exhaustive dialogue, we are reaching the end of a tough and painful process, Tsipras told parliament during a heated debate ahead of the vote on Thursday night. However, the agreement, which is aimed at ending a 28-year row between Athens and Skopje by allowing the Balkan state to name itself the Republic of North Macedonia, apparently does not sit well with the Greek people.

Athens repeatedly saw massive protests as people flocked to the Greek capital to decry the deal ahead of the vote. Greeks believe the agreement allows the neighboring state, which has been known as the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), to appropriate their cultural heritage, as Greece also has a region named Macedonia  historically considered the birthplace of Alexander the Great.

On Sunday, thousands of people marched through Athens. Tensions ran high and the demonstrations spiraled into violent scuffles between the protesters and police, prompting law enforcement to use tear gas against the crowds.

Just ahead of the vote, on Thursday, police once again used tear gas to disperse large crowds gathered in the center of the Greek capital. More than 2,000 protesters gathered outside parliament during the debates.

Separately, the Greek Communist Party held a rally in front of the US Embassy in Athens to protest the deal. Demonstrators burned the flags of the US, EU, and NATO to show their discontent with the agreement, which is actively supported by the West and is seen as a way to allow Macedonia to join the alliance.
Florida Secretary of State Michael Ertel has been forced to resign in disgrace just weeks after taking office after photographs of him dressed as a Hurricane Katrina victim, in both blackface and in drag, appeared online.

The offending photo was taken in 2005, just two months after Hurricane Katrina, which killed 1,836 people and caused a rough total of $125 billion of damage, devastated New Orleans. Ertels face is painted black and he is wearing red lipstick, earrings, fake breasts, a New Orleans Saints bandana, and purple T-shirt emblazoned with the words Katrina Victim.

Ertel, 49, was appointed to the office of Secretary of State by Governor Ron DeSantis, an ardent Trump supporter who won a bitter and hard-fought victory to become governor. The campaign was marred by racist robocalls made against African-American democratic candidate and Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum.

READ MORE: What privilege? CNN analyst accuses BLACK radio host of white privilege

While DeSantis campaign distanced itself from the white supremacist group found ultimately responsible for the automated calls, the entire campaign left residents divided. DeSantis also made controversial remarks during the campaign in which he urged voters not to monkey this up.

Ertels blackface photos were obtained by the Tallahassee Democrat and sent to DeSantis office on January 23.

The governor accepted Secretary Ertels resignation, the Governors Office said.

Its unfortunate. I think hes done a lot of good work, DeSantis said later on Thursday.

I dont want to get mired into kind of side controversies, and so I felt it was best to just accept the resignation and move on.

When questioned by the Tallahassee Democrat about the images, Ertel was lost for words.

Theres nothing I can say, he said.

The photos are apparently the only blemish on an otherwise successful career in public office, with Ertel increasing voter registration and improving overall access to the elections office.

Ertel has a background in media relations, providing expertise in the aftermath of the 2004 Florida hurricanes for Visit Florida. He previously served in a PR role for the US Army, working during the 1992 LA riots and during US intervention in Macedonia and Bosnia.

Despite this, his all-advised costume choice has incurred the wrath of Twitter users.

A small few did defend the offensive costume, however.

This isnt the first time the issue of blackface has emerged in US public life. Former Fox and MSNBC host Megyn Kelly sparked a tidal wave of backlash for questioning whether the practice of dressing in blackface was indeed racist at all.

What is racist? Kelly said in late 2018, just days before her unceremonious (though lucrative) firing from her new network, NBC. You truly do get in trouble if you are a white person who puts on blackface at Halloween or a black person who puts on whiteface for Halloween.

Also on rt.com What is racist? Megyn Kellys blackface comments spark backlash

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Videos shared on social media show people running scared as several explosions rock a high-rise shopping mall in Changchun in northeastern China.

Videos shared on social media show people running scared as several explosions rock a high-rise shopping mall in Changchun in northeastern China.

One of the clips circulating online on Friday shows what appears to be a blast occurring at one of the top floors of the building. Several people can be heard screaming.

Another video, reportedly filmed at the same street, shows fumes of smoke filling the area near the building. A separate blast can be seen on the street.

A witness told local media that she heard several explosions in Wanda Shopping Plaza on Hongqi Street, after which the evacuation was ordered. Firefighters are reported to be arriving at the scene.

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The indictment alleges that in the summer of 2016 Stone told senior Trump campaign officials he knew WikiLeaks had information that might damage the prospects of Trumps rival in the presidential campaign, Hillary Clinton. WikiLeaks, referred to as Organization 1 in the indictment, released the DNC emails on July 22, 2016, after which an unidentified senior Trump campaign official allegedly was directed to contact Stone about other damaging material. According to Bloomberg News, that senior Trump campaign official was Steve Bannon.
One can imagine how the British and U.S. systems could meet this first challenge if government was properly working. We do understand a set of policies that could address those inequalities, with health, education, and regional development, says Mallaby. If ideological extremists or a base-obsessed president wouldnt block the bipartisan compromises that once were possible in Washington, on immigration or health care for example, U.S. inequalities could be lessened. At least, in principle.
In a 4-hour video he left them on the day he died in 2013, Michael shared in great detail some of the things he witnessed in Afghanistan, particularly the deaths of 10 members of his unit, and how that tormented him. He asked his parents not to tell others that he suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder because he said its considered a sign of weakness and he didnt want it to reflect poorly on soldiers.
The deal came only hours after air travel was disrupted into the commerce center of New York City because of a lack of air traffic controllers, and there was a ripple effect at other airports.
The Refugee Act of 1980 reinforced the Immigration and Nationality Act. Although rarely mentioned in the press, these laws are a result of some mistakes our country made in previous eras when we sent people back to their country of origin, where they were jailed, tortured and killed.
A solution that would work, but will not be implemented, is the government shutdown should be only in the form of all members of Congress and Cabinet members, the president and vice president continuing to work, but with no pay until they reach a compromise.
After the bomb threats, another gamer named David told the Lafayette student a gamer named Gavin was responsible for the tweets and emails. When contacted by the FBI, Casdorph admitted he had made the threats on behalf of Neuroscientist, the agent said. He also allegedly boasted about the steps he had taken to conceal his identity, which included buying untraceable phone numbers from a Russian website.
Early Aug. 5, Nieves was kicked out of a bar in the Best Western hotel in Hanover Township, Northampton County, after he tried to sneak in an underage woman, police said. As he was being escorted away, he dropped a handgun that he later racked and used to threaten the bars bouncers, police said.
On Friday, Jennifer Storm, head of the states office of Victims Advocate, said she has been working with Ellis alleged victim. The woman and Ellis were not in a romantic relationship and she was not drunk the night of the incident, Storm said. The woman believes she was drugged, Storm said, because she drank one-and-a-half alcoholic beverages of hard cider and lost 12 hours of her life.
Senate Democrats said their decision to investigate was triggered when Cara Taylor distributed to them this month a private criminal complaint she filled out, but which has not been filed with the Lehigh County district attorney. In the complaint, Taylor alleges Leach lured her into oral sex in 1991, when she was 17. Taylor said she has spoken with the Lehigh County prosecutors about it, but District Attorney Jim Martin said in an interview Thursday night that he had not yet seen a formal complaint.
First, homestead/farmstead was passed as part of the Taxpayer Relief Act of 2006. It is applied to the primary residences (homestead) of all homeowners regardless of income or age. Nor are there age or income restrictions on the farmstead, defined as all taxable buildings on a farm of at least 10 contiguous acres.
I am deeply relieved that this shutdown will finally be over but this all could have been avoided - the damage to our economy, the severe anxiety of hundreds of thousands of families and furloughed public servants, and the danger our country was in - all by approving this funding bill 35 days ago. This is no way to govern. Our federal workers, Coast Guard members, and federal agencies need to have the certainty that our government wont just shut down because of a policy disagreement. We all agree that securing our border is a top priority, now its time to have a real conversation about the most effective way to do that without holding the American people hostage.
"This was in no way a concession," Trump said in a tweet late Friday, fending off critics who wanted him to keep fighting. "It was taking care of millions of people who were getting badly hurt by the Shutdown with the understanding that in 21 days, if no deal is done, it's off to the races!"
The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists was founded by veterans of the Manhattan Project who were concerned about the consequences of their nuclear research. One of them, nuclear physicist Alexander Langsdorf, was married to artist Martyl Langsdorf, who created the clock and set it at seven minutes to midnight, or 11:53, for the cover of the group's magazine. Her husband moved the time four minutes ahead in 1949.
After a tip is submitted, it is sent to a 24-hour call center in Harrisburg and assessed there for viability and legitimacy. It then is referred to the appropriate school district and police departments for action.
The senior class has lost about 30 percent of its students from the first year, which directors previously showed concern about. Thats still below the districts overall transiency rate of 40 percent. Many of the districts schools often lose and add students throughout the school year. Building 21, however, does not replace classroom seats opened by students who leave the district or opt to go to Dieruff or Allen.
This is the kind of thing thats really going to put lives in danger if our airports are not functioning well. People will die. Its as simple as that, de Blasio said. So what a tragic reality, were supposed to be the greatest nation on Earth and we cannot keep one of our biggest airports open because of the shutdown. Thats horrendous.
Nick J./iStock(WASHINGTON) -- The Navy has decided to deny more than 4,400 civil claims totaling more than $63 billion related to water contamination at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.



Speaking at the Pentagon on Thursday, Navy Secretary Richard Spencer told reporters that he made the decision earlier this week after the Navy judged it had "exhausted our avenue of satisfaction for the claimants."



He cited three separate legal rationales -- including a 2016 district court decision related to the principle of sovereign immunity, an exemption to the Federal Tort Claims Act and the Feres doctrine -- for why he made the decision after his own review and at the advice of the Navy's Judge Advocate General's Corps, Navy General Counsel, and the Department of Justice.



Two drinking wells at Lejeune -- one of the Marine Corps' largest bases -- were found to be contaminated with industrial chemicals in 1984 and 1985 before they were shuttered.



The Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that as many as 900,000 individuals were affected between 1953 and 1987, many of whom became eligible for disability benefits after the Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012. Spencer said his decision this week has "no impact" on those benefits.



One of the chemicals that contaminated drinking water at Lejeune was Trichloroethylene, more commonly known as TCE. The chemical is used to degrease metal and is listed as a "known human carcinogen" by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Environmental Protection Agency.



For the last 20 years, more than 4,000 claims of adverse health effects related to the water contamination have been filed against the Navy "with new claims submitted literally every week," Spencer said.



The VA has linked the following eight diseases to exposure to the contaminants in Lejeune's water supply during that 34-year period: adult leukemia, aplastic anemia and other myelodysplastic syndromes, bladder cancer, kidney cancer, liver cancer, multiple myeloma, Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and Parkinson's disease.



"This is a difficult decision to be very frank with you," Spencer said, adding, "This is not a happy outcome but it is fact that we had to decide on to move on."



The secretary emphasized that service members and veterans affected by the water contamination receive healthcare and disability benefits and that they can now seek other remedies through congressional action. He said the Navy did not have the "legal ability" to set aside other funds for the claimants.



Copyright  2019, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
Avery Moorhead Berry, 34, did not show up to work Monday morning, police said. She was last seen at her home on the 1300 block of Oak Lane in Springfield Township.
Upon the draw of the weapon by Mr. Decker, she dives out of the way and begins yelling to all that there is an active shooter, Powell wrote in an email Friday. Her actions caused the entire office and warehouse to enter into a lockdown.
Family members of an unarmed man shot to death by a rookie South Whitehall police officer near Dorney Park last year will not be allowed to wear shirts with his photo to the officers trial, and police officers supporting the officer may not attend the trial in uniform, a Lehigh County judge ruled Friday.
"We cannot uncritically ally ourselves with someone with whom we share the policy goal of ending abortion," Stowe wrote. "The pro-life movement claims that it wants more than the policy change of making abortion illegal, but aims to make it unthinkable. That would require deep changes in society and policies that would support those who find it difficult to afford children. The association of our young people with racist acts and a politics of hate must also become unthinkable."
Activities include a Mobile Planetarium Show by Stars on the Move at 10:30 a.m. and 1, 3 and 4 p.m. There is a limit of 35 people per show and seating is on the floor only. Presentations will be by Jennifer Levasseur, a curator of astronaut artifacts at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C., at 11 a.m., and Sera Cremonini of Lehigh Universitys physics department, who will talk about her work with black holes and string theory.
We're introducing so many other options for our customers, Easterbook said. They can now choose whether they go to a self-order kiosk. They can order through mobile order and pay. They can even come curbside and well run it out to you in the car, as well as the existing traditional ways. And you can pay in different ways and you can customize your food in different ways. So, I think were just trying to add much more choice and variety.


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Mankato, MN (56001)

Today

Sunshine to start, then a few afternoon clouds. High 82F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy this evening followed by increasing clouds with showers developing after midnight. Low 64F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
The Presidential Commission on Good Government has reached a deal with a British billionaire who bought a Monet painting that was once owned by former First Lady Imelda Marcos to drop a lawsuit still in litigation in New York in exchange for a $30-million (P1.579-billion) payment, ABS-CBN News reported Friday.

An ABS-CBN source in New York privy to the initial talks between the PCGG and billionaire Alan Howard said the payment is part of what could be a compromise agreement to settle government claims to the painting. The Le Bassin aux Nympheas (Water Lily Pond) by French painter Claude Monet was one of the hundreds of artworks formerly owned by the widow of the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos and allegedly amassed over their two-decade dictatorship. The Duterte administration endorsed the plan for a compromise agreement in a memorandum dated Jan. 8, 2019. Signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, the memo authorized acting PCGG chief Reynold Munsayac to close the proposed agreement. Howard bought the Le Bassin painting for $43 million (P2.26 billion) at Hazlitt, Gooden & Fox Gallery in London in 2010, unaware that the painting was still the subject of litigation in New York involving the Marcoses ill-gotten wealth. The Office of the President interposes no objection to the PCGG entering into a settlement agreement involving Howard for as long as it is not disadvantageous to the government, Medialdea said. ABS-CBN News said it has not gotten any word if Howard agreed to the proposal or made a counter-offer. The Standard could not reach Mrs. Marcos for comment at press time. But the Britons counsel has reportedly begun reaching out to New York court executives and American human rights lawyer Robert Swift, counsel of Marcos martial law victims for the proposed agreement, according to the networks source. Philippine officials confirmed to ABS-CBN News they were pursuing a settlement with Howard. The ABS-CBN source said a compromise agreement was nearing completion, short of saying that Howard had agreed to the plan, boosting hopes of collecting $30 million from the billionaire. There is already an agreement in final form, the ABS-CBN source said. Otherwise, the Office of the [Philippine] President would not have approved. In a 2013 story in the New York Times, Howard invoked protection under US and British laws to free him from any lawsuit as buyer of the Le Bassin in good faith, but he was also willing to enter into an out-of-court agreement to settle it once and for all.When he first spotted Le Bassin at Hazlitt, Howard was assured by the Gooden & Fox Gallery in London that its title was clean, according to the Times report in November 2013.Mr. Howard bought the painting in good faith from a reputable gallery and received expert legal advice on the purchase, the Times reported, quoting Howards spokesman Anthony Payne. Howard wants to keep the painting, the ABS-CBN source said. Munsayac told ABS-CBN News late Wednesday night that the compromise agreement will have to be approved by the Department of Justice and the Office of the Solicitor General. This is to ensure that any agreement will be for the best interest of the State, he said in an email. He said the DOJ was already organizing a meeting between all the government agencies concerned to discuss the proposed settlement and to determine whether the terms will be acceptable to both OSG and DOJ. We are continuing efforts to recover other artworks and there is, in fact, another case pending before New York involving some paintings, he said. That meeting was set for two days beginning Jan. 23, according to Justice Undersecretary Emmeline Villar in an interview with ABS-CBN News Wednesday afternoon. But the meeting had to be reset to a later date, Villar said because the OSG was not available for the meeting. And I am still waiting for some other important matters [on the PCGGs proposed settlement]. It is premature at this time to talk about a compromise agreement because there is still none, she said. Villar said the meeting among DOJ, OSG and PCGG officials was to ensure that the terms of the settlement shall not be prejudicial to the pending cases and existing claims of the Philippines against the Marcoses and their ill-gotten wealth.
In order to appease any suspicion of an alleged miscarriage of justice, the Sandiganbayan has decided to reopen the case of Ambassador Lauro Baja for alleged misuse of funds for the repairs at the Philippine Missions townhouse in New York. In a resolution dated Jan. 10, the anti-graft courts Fourth Division granted the motion for leave to reopen the proceedings against Baja. In order to appease any suspicion of an alleged miscarriage of justice, the accused is allowed to present his additional evidence, the Sandiganbayan said. The court said Section 24, Rule 119 of the Revised Rules on Criminal Procedure allows the reopening of the case as Bajas conviction as long as it is not yet deemed final. Jurisprudence states that the only controlling guideline for the re-opening of cases is the paramount interest of justice, emphasizing that the remedy was meant to prevent a miscarriage of justice, the anti-graft court said. The anti-graft court set the presentation of evidence on March 4 and 5.Baja, in his motion, urged the Sandiganbayan to reopen the case to allow the testimony of representatives from the Commission on Audit and Lexington Insurance Corporation. Baja, a former Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations, was meted out with 16 to 24 years of imprisonment after the Sandiganbayan found him guilty of graft and malversation of public funds. Court records said Baja have deposited the $17,542.27 insurance money to an account to accommodate the payment made by an insurance company for the repair of the broken second floor heating system pipe at the townhouse. Baja should have deposited the money to the Philippine Missions account. But later on, Baja withdrew the insurance money he had deposited in the account he opened in several transactions. Baja said the reopening of the case will prove that he did not violate any COA rules on the disposal of the insurance proceeds and that there was no misappropriation of funds.
No Me Olvides presents a story of a wife whose husband is diagnosed with an early onset of Alzheimers disease endures the pain of watching him lose his memory.

Dulce Venganza is a story of a simple wife who transforms herself into a powerful and seductive woman to lure her ex-husband back with the intention of getting her revenge.

Una Nueva Oportunidad dramatically narrates how an opportunity can change someones life, and that indeed, we all deserve a second chance.

GMA telenovelas are gaining popularity in Latin America due to the successful partnership between GMA Worldwide and distributor Latin Media Corporation (LMC).Three of the networks top rating dramas are currently airing in the region namely the phenomenal hit) via Oromar Television in Ecuador;(S) via Panamericana Television in Peru; and) via Monte Carlo TV in Uruguay. GMA telenovelas were launched in Latin America in 2017 via the hit serieswhich first aired in Peru by Panamericana Television. The series was a surprise ratings success and this marked the beginning of the rise of telenovelas and series from the Philippines.Panamericana also aired) followed bynow on its second run. Oromar Television in Ecuador also picked upand). Since then, the network has continuously aired Spanish-dubbed GMA telenovelas in its timeslot for Asian series, including aired),),), and currently, the hit revenge serie).Uruguay is the latest country betting on a Filipino drama following growing interest across Latin America.) breaks new ground in the region as the first GMA telenovela to be aired in the country through Monte Carlo Television. Latin American viewers continue to rave about Filipino telenovelas on social media. With three of its best telenovelas airing across Latin America, it is encouraging that interest in GMA dramas is picking up. It proves the global appeal of GMA content as it tackles universal conflicts while exploring uncharted themes, combining all the elements needed for capturing viewers.) airs in Uruguays Monte Carlo TV, Mondays to Fridays, 2330H,s) airs in Ecuadors Oromar Television, Mondays to Fridays, 2000H, while) airs in Perus Panamericana Television, Mondays to Fridays, 2400H.
Kochi : Actress Manju Warrier has denied the reports that she will be making a political entry into the upcoming Lok Sabha Polls.

Earlier, many reports surfaced that the actress will be the star campaigner of the Congress party. The report further stated that she even hold a meeting with senior congress leaders.

However, quashing the false rumours, the actress told a media that she had no plans for a political career since 'art' is her politics. Meanwhile, the actress is currently busy with the shooting of Priyadarshan- Mohanlal movie Kunjali Marakkar in Hyderabad.
Thrissur : National Award winning Malayalam director Priyananadan faced an attack from RSS activist on Friday,

As per the reports, he was assaulted over his controversial Face book post on the Sabarimala women entry. After manhandling him, cow dung water was also poured on him.

Responding to the assault, the director said that he will be moving legally against the planned attack. He also accused the RSS as responsible for the act.
Thiruvananthapuram : Kerala Governor Justice P Sathasivam began the 14th session of the Kerala Assembly with the customary policy address at 9 am on Friday.

Talking about the worst flood that hit the state in a century, the governor thanked all people and organisation who extended a helping hand during the time. He also expressed his gratitude towards the central rescue force and fisherman community who participated in the missions.

The governor also hailed the developments of the state including Kollam bypass, GAIL pipe line and High range HighWay. However, he pointed out that the State-Central relationship was not a cordial one.

While talking about the sensational Sabarimala issue, Governor pointed that the state government will ensure gender justice and it's their duty to implement the Supreme Court order.

Finance Minister TM Thomas Issac is scheduled to present the annual budget on Jan 31.
Malibu, CA (90265)

Today

A few clouds early, otherwise mostly sunny. High around 70F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Mostly clear. Low 59F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph.
Exton, PA (19341)

Today

Some clouds and possibly an isolated thunderstorm this afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 88F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms likely this evening. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms overnight. Low 66F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%.
Job interviews will be held at the Workforce Services office on Harvey Couch Boulevard.
Weather Alert

This product covers Southeast Louisiana and South Mississippi **HEAVY RAINFALL AND GUSTY WINDS AFFECTING COASTAL MISSISSIPPI AND PORTIONS OF SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA** NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - None * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Ascension, Assumption, Eastern Orleans, Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Livingston, Lower Jefferson, Lower Lafourche, Lower Plaquemines, Lower St. Bernard, Lower Terrebonne, Northwest St. Tammany, Southeast St. Tammany, Southern Tangipahoa, St. Charles, St. James, St. John The Baptist, Upper Jefferson, Upper Lafourche, Upper Plaquemines, Upper St. Bernard, Upper Terrebonne, and Western Orleans * STORM INFORMATION: - About 40 miles southwest of New Orleans LA or about 110 miles west-southwest of Gulfport MS - 29.6N 90.7W - Storm Intensity 45 mph - Movement North-northeast or 15 degrees at 12 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ Tropical Storm Claudette has made landfall and will continue to move across Southeast Louisiana and Southern Mississippi through the morning hours. Tropical storm force winds of 30 to 40 mph with gusts over 50 mph, heavy rainfall, minor coastal flooding, and a few tornadoes can be expected as Tropical Storm Claudette passes through the area. POTENTIAL IMPACTS ----------------- * FLOODING RAIN: Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across portions of coastal Mississippi. Remain well guarded against life-threatening flood waters having additional extensive impacts. If realized, these impacts include: - Major rainfall flooding may prompt many evacuations and rescues. - Rivers and tributaries may rapidly overflow their banks in multiple places. Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches may become dangerous rivers. Flood control systems and barriers may become stressed. - Flood waters can enter many structures within multiple communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed away. Many places where flood waters may cover escape routes. Streets and parking lots become rivers of moving water with underpasses submerged. Driving conditions become dangerous. Many road and bridge closures with some weakened or washed out. Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across portions of the Northshore in Southeast Louisiana. Remain well guarded against dangerous flood waters having additional limited to significant impacts. Elsewhere across Southeast Louisiana and South Mississippi, little to no impact is anticipated. * WIND: Potential impacts from the main wind event are now unfolding across Southeast Louisiana and South Mississippi. Remain well sheltered from hazardous wind having possible limited impacts. If realized, these impacts include: - Damage to porches, awnings, carports, sheds, and unanchored mobile homes. Unsecured lightweight objects blown about. - Many large tree limbs broken off. A few trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted. Some fences and roadway signs blown over. - A few roads impassable from debris, particularly within urban or heavily wooded places. Hazardous driving conditions on bridges and other elevated roadways. - Scattered power and communications outages. * TORNADOES: Potential impacts from tornadoes are still unfolding across coastal Mississippi. Remain well braced against a tornado event having possible limited impacts. If realized, these impacts include: - The occurrence of isolated tornadoes can hinder the execution of emergency plans during tropical events. - A few places may experience tornado damage, along with power and communications disruptions. - Locations could realize roofs peeled off buildings, chimneys toppled, mobile homes pushed off foundations or overturned, large tree tops and branches snapped off, shallow-rooted trees knocked over, moving vehicles blown off roads, and small boats pulled from moorings. Elsewhere across Southeast Louisiana and South Mississippi, little to no impact is anticipated. * SURGE: Potential impacts from the main surge event are now unfolding across the immediate coast of both Southeast Louisiana and Coastal Mississippi. Remain well away from locally hazardous surge having possible limited impacts. If realized, these impacts include: - Localized inundation with storm surge flooding mainly along immediate shorelines and in low-lying spots, or in areas farther inland near where higher surge waters move ashore. - Sections of near-shore roads and parking lots become overspread with surge water. Driving conditions dangerous in places where surge water covers the road. - Moderate beach erosion. Heavy surf also breaching dunes, mainly in usually vulnerable locations. Strong rip currents. - Minor to locally moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers. A few small craft broken away from moorings. Elsewhere across Southeast Louisiana and South Mississippi, little to no impact is anticipated. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS ---------------------------------- * OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION: Now is the time to stay inside and away from windows. Listen for updates and be ready in case you lose electrical power. Keep a battery-powered radio, charged cell phone and flashlight handy. During the peak of the storm be ready to move quickly. Keep your shoes on and rain gear handy. Boots and athletic shoes offer the best foot protection if you become unexpectedly exposed to the weather. Keep your cell phone charged and in power-saving mode. If you lose power, use it sparingly and mainly for personal emergencies and check-ins. Do not be a thrill seeker or risk your life for senseless photos or videos. If you are prone to flooding or in an area under a storm surge watch or warning, be prepared for the possibility of a quick and dramatic rise in water levels. If a tornado warning is issued for your area, quickly move to the safest place within your shelter. Protect your head and body. * ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION: - For information on appropriate preparations see ready.gov - For information on creating an emergency plan see getagameplan.org - For additional disaster preparedness information see redcross.org NEXT UPDATE ----------- The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather Service in New Orleans LA around 11 AM CDT, or sooner if conditions warrant.
Opposition leader Felix Tshisekedi was sworn in as Congos president Thursday, marking the countrys first peaceful transfer of power since independence from Belgium nearly 60 years ago, and immediately announced plans for the release of all political prisoners.

The 55-year-old Tshisekedi succeeds Joseph Kabila, the autocrat who governed the largely impoverished and corruption-riddled Central African country for 18 years before stepping down under pressure.

We are committed to building a modern, peaceful, democratic and caring state for every citizen, the new president said, a state that will guarantee the happiness of all.

He called on the troubled nation to engage in a new battle, one for the well-bring for each citizen of this beautiful country.

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Kabila watched from behind mirrored sunglasses as the extraordinary scene of an opposition figure becoming president unfolded. When Kabila left the dais, some in the crowd booed.

Tshisekedi also called for national reconciliation in the wake of the disputed Dec. 30 election. The balloting was marked by allegations of large-scale fraud and suspicions of a backroom deal by Kabila to install Tshisekedi over another opposition candidate who, according to leaked electoral data, was the real winner.

But many Congolese appeared satisfied just to see Kabila go and relieved to witness a peaceful change of power in a politically repressive country, formerly known as Zaire, with a history of violent coups. Supporters of Tshisekedi stormed the Peoples Palace, which houses the legislature, for a glimpse of the inauguration.

The new president declared that the Democratic Republic of Congo will not be a nation of division, hate or tribalism and spoke of fundamental rights. He vowed to take on corruption, asserting that $16 billion to $20 billion is lost each year to graft, and rid the country of its dozens of rebel groups. And he surprised observers by announcing his government will free all political prisoners.

It is unclear how many political prisoners are held in Congo simply because they keep changing  they arrest people in Congo every day for nothing and release some hours later, said Jean-Mobert Senga, a researcher with Amnesty International. More than 100 were arrested in postelection violence, some arbitrarily, he said.

I have no reason to doubt the release will happen, Senga said. It is in his interest to do what he promised to do. Otherwise, people will quickly lose trust.

The largely untested Tshisekedi has inherited much goodwill from his father, the late opposition icon Etienne Tshisekedi, who pursued the presidency for decades. In his inaugural address, Tshisekedi referred to his father as president to wild cheers.

Tshisekedis charismatic father had posed such a challenge to Kabila that after he died in Belgium in 2017, Congos government did not allow his body to be brought home. His sons spokesman has said that will be corrected soon.

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Many Congolese hope Tshisekedi will bring change after Kabila, who in his final address on Wednesday night urged the country to unite and support the new leader.

But Tshisekedi faces the challenge of working with a legislature dominated by members of Kabilas ruling coalition. That could hurt efforts to bring about dramatic reforms in Congo, a mineral-rich country of more than 80 million people.

Few had expected an opposition victory in Congo, where Kabila had hung on for more than two turbulent years of election delays.

Declared runner-up Martin Fayulu mounted a court challenge to Tshisekedis win, alleging widespread rigging and demanding a recount. The Constitutional Court on Sunday rejected it. Outside court, Fayulu accused Kabila of making a deal with Tshisekedi as it became clear the ruling partys candidate did poorly at the polls.

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Observers have said Fayulu, a businessman outspoken about cleaning up corruption, posed a bigger threat to Kabila and his allies.

The new president saluted Fayulu in his speech as a veritable soldier of the people.
Workers with Brazilian mining company Vale were eating lunch when a dam that held back waste collapsed, burying the restaurant and surrounding community in reddish-brown sludge, killing at least seven people and leaving up to 200 missing.

The status of the workers and others in the city of Brumadinho was unknown late Friday, hours after what President Jair Bolsonaro and other officials were describing as a tragedy.

Seven bodies had been recovered by late Friday, according to a statement from the governors office of Minas Gerais state. But the fear was that there would be many more as rescue and recovery teams dug through feet of mud.

Vale CEO Fabio Schvartsman said he did not know what caused the collapse. About 300 employees were working when it happened. About 100 had been accounted for, and rescue efforts were underway to determine what had happened to the others.

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The principal victims were our own workers, Schvartsman told a news conference Friday evening, adding that the restaurant where many ate was buried by the mud at lunchtime.

After the dam collapsed in the afternoon, parts of Brumadinho were evacuated, and firefighters rescued people by helicopter and ground vehicles. Local television channel TV Record showed a helicopter hovering inches off the ground as it pulled people covered in mud out of the waste.

Photos showed rooftops poking above an extensive field of the mud, which also cut off roads. The flow of waste reached the nearby community of Vila Ferteco and a Vale administrative office, where employees were present.

Ive never seen anything like it, Josiele Rosa Silva Tomas, president of Brumadinho residents association, told The Associated Press by phone Friday night. It was horrible...the amount of mud that took over.

Silva Tomas said she was awaiting news of her cousin, and many she knew were trying to get news of loved ones.

Another dam administered by Vale and Australian mining company BHP Billiton collapsed in 2015 in the city of Mariana in Minas Gerais state, resulting in 19 deaths and forcing hundreds from their homes.

Considered the worst environmental disaster in Brazilian history, it left 250,000 people without drinking water and killed thousands of fish. An estimated 60 million cubic meters of waste flooded rivers and eventually flowed into the Atlantic Ocean.

Schvartsman said what happened Friday was a human tragedy much larger than the tragedy of Mariana, but probably the environmental damage will be less.

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The state fire department told The Associated Press that about 200 people were missing. The Minas Gerais governors office said 150 were missing.

Bolsonaro, who assumed office Jan. 1, said he lamented the accident and sent three cabinet ministers to the area.

We will take all the possible steps to minimize the suffering of families and victims, Bolsonaro said in a speech, which he posted on Twitter.

Bolsonaro planned to tour the area by helicopter on Saturday. The far-right leader campaigned on promises to jump-start Brazils economy, in part by deregulating mining and other industries.

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Environmental groups and activists said the latest spill underscored a lack of regulation.

According to Vales website, the mine waste, often called tailings, is composed mostly of sand and is non-toxic. However, a UN report found that the waste from the 2015 disaster contained high levels of toxic heavy metals.

Vale is Brazils largest mining company. Two hours after the accident, its stock fell 10% on the New York Stock Exchange.

Just before midnight Saturday, firefighters put out a list of 187 people who had been rescued throughout the afternoon.

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Of the 427 workers who were on hand when the dam collapsed, 279 had been accounted for, Vale said in a statement.

More than 100 firefighters were on the scene and 200 more were expected to arrive Saturday.
Egypt is currently undertaking a major reform of its education system. By declaring the year 2019 to be the Year of Education, President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi has clearly underlined the importance of such an initiative as one of Egypts top priorities for building a stable and productive society.

In that regard, wisdom prevailed among the drafters of the Egyptian Constitution when they emphasised the importance of education by incorporating seven articles, 19 to 25, mainly dealing with the states obligation to support the right of every citizen to education, notably by providing free education, encouraging technical education and scientific research, and eliminating illiteracy.

To achieve these goals, the Constitution says that the state must allocate seven per cent of total national product to spending on education and gradually increase this so that it corresponds to international standards.

This approach was based on the realisation that education has become an essential component in the building of a successful society based on knowledge, ingenuity, non-discrimination, tolerance and moral values.

Let us also remember that education is a part of the Arab and Muslim tradition. The first verses of the Quran start with the words read in the name of God.

This underlines the importance of reading for every Muslim, since education can contribute to making a better world where people live together in harmony.

Moreover, Taha Hussein, one of Egypts most prominent modern writers and thinkers, believed that education was as essential to human development as air and water were to the body. He was a great proponent of free education, helping to make it available to all.

Throughout history, the Arab contribution to knowledge through education has been enormous. Western culture was influenced by Arab knowledge in numerous fields such as mathematics, chemistry, astronomy and architecture, for example.

Another important aspect of education relates to the Arabic language, which binds the Arabs together and is the basis of their common culture.

The importance of the Arabic language is further derived from the fact that it is the language of the Quran. It thus binds together 1.3 billion people around the world for whom this is their holy book, in addition to other millions who belong to Arab culture and speak the Arabic language.

On the international level, the Arabic language has since 1974 been one of six official languages of the United Nations.

Arabic has become one of the most sought-after languages in Western academic institutions today in response to a public desire to understand that language and to master it.

However, in spite of its glorious past history, the Arab world faces major challenges relating to knowledge and education today. The World Bank Annual Report on Education in the Middle East and North Africa issued last November referred to obstacles and challenges facing education in the Arab region, along with growing opportunities for reform. In addition, the Arab Human Development Reports published by the United Nations have frequently described the knowledge and quality gap in education in the Arab world.

They have referred to the enormous rate of illiteracy in the Arab world, unfortunately with a particularly high rate among women.

On the other hand, the Arab region has the highest proportion of young people in the world. This underlines the importance of addressing the problems of education and illiteracy.

At an Arab regional conference held under the auspices of UNESCO recently, it was recommended that in order to overcome the illiteracy problem a variety of methods and tools could be adopted through schools and the media, seminars and meetings, the creation of libraries, the wider use of childrens books and the translation of educational materials.

In such a wide field, both UNESCO and ALESCO, the Arab organisation concerned with education, have vital roles to play.

I strongly support the idea of giving the reform of education top priority in Egypt today. It should be supported financially to enable educational institutions to effectively perform their roles.

The rights to education, equal opportunity and non-discrimination must be recognised and implemented. The levels of education and teaching should be improved.

Any new system of education should focus on teaching students the skills they need to enter the labour market. It should also help students to be more creative and innovative and prepare them to deal with the latest scientific and technological developments.

In this context, the Egyptian professional expatriates who met recently at a conference in Hurghada could provide useful guidance and advice.

In carrying out reform of its education system, Egypt is reaching out to the experience of other countries, including Japan.

However, Egypt remains aware that any foreign system of education must be adapted to local needs and the local environment. It also must be consistent with the values of the society and with its culture and heritage.

Finally, together with educational reform, Egyptian efforts should continue to focus on promoting cultural moderation and tolerance, rejecting extremist ideas and preserving human values and religious beliefs. This is the roadmap for an enlightened and stable society.

* The writer is a former assistant foreign minister.

* A version of this article appears in print in the 24 January, 2018 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly under the headline: Education a priority

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Formed in 1983, the Red Hot Chili Peppers onstage antics quickly built a loyal following. Late in 1983, original members Jack Irons and Hillel Slovak left  joining another band.

The two remaining members, bassist Flea and vocalist Anthony Kiedis, added guitarist Jack Sherman and drummer Cliff Martinez.

This group portrait accompanied an article by Jeff Spurrier in the Feb. 12, 1984, Los Angeles Times. Spurrier wrote:

 That Oingo Boingo has a cruel new-wave audience.

Flea, who plays bass for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, is recalling a show in Pomona where the second-billed Chili Peppers found that the Oingo Boingo crowd didnt respond well to the Peppers brand of high-energy funk. Boos and objects thrown by the audience rained on the musicians throughout the set. As the Peppers prepared to leave the state, Flea turned his back to the hostile crowd and, in a parting gesture, lowered his pants.

Not exactly the way to win friends and influence people, but winning friends has never been a problem for the Red Hot Chili Peppers. In the nine months that the band has been together, the power-rapping of vocalist Anthony (Swan) Kiedis and the frenetic stage antics of Flea (who also plays bass for Fear) have made the band a must-see among Hollywood hipsters. 

Like Hendrix, the Red Hot Chili Peppers have gained a reputation for putting on wild, over-the-top performances that frequently startle audiences and sometimes result in damage to equipment  particularly mike stands. In fact, the Pomona mooning incident was actually pretty tame for the Peppers. At one show, they painted their bodies blue. At another, they came out dressed only in strategically placed socks.

Says Flea: We do [that sort of thing] because its fun, not because its a gimmick. 

Flea and Anthony Kiedis are still with the band. The Red Hot Chili Peppers are one of the bestselling bands of all time. They have been nominated for 16 Grammy Awards  winning six. In 2012, the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

See more from the Los Angeles Times archives here
Roughly 8,000 volunteers countywide participated in the count, which began Tuesday evening and ended Thursday, inspecting the regions 2,160 census tracts. This team focused on riverbeds and places such as gated alleyways where volunteers might be at risk.

Last years count found 52,765 homeless people in Los Angeles County. The numbers help determine how money is disbursed throughout the region, including $350 million in sales tax revenue generated annually from the Measure H homelessness tax, which was passed in 2017.

Downtown Los Angeles

The count provides us with a profile of the state of homelessness, Tom Waldman, a spokesman for the homeless authority, said There are parts of the homeless population that are stable in the sense that they stay in a particular place, but this count helps us see shifts.

Volunteer Ampaipan Tanwongprasert, right, speaks with two people counted in downtown Los Angeles. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times) Volunteer Barbara Petersmeyer, center, and Jerry Couch, right, a supervisor for Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, count homeless in the Skid Row area of Los Angeles. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times) Tents on Skid Row were counted during a three-day 2019 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times) Tents on Skid Row were counted during a three-day 2019 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times) Clockwise from top left; Volunteer Ampaipan Tanwongprasert, right, speaks with two people counted in downtown Los Angeles; Volunteer Barbara Petersmeyer, center, and Jerry Couch, right, a supervisor for Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, count homeless in the Skid Row area of Los Angeles; Tents on Skid Row were counted during a three-day 2019 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)

The volunteers will begin inspecting 2,160 census tracts Tuesday evening starting in the San Fernando, Santa Clarita and San Gabriel valleys. Glendale, Long Beach and Pasadena conduct separate counts.

Homelessness declined 3% in the county and 5% in the city of Los Angeles in 2018. Still, the number of tents, vehicles and makeshift shelters increased. The homeless authority was created in the 1990s to oversee programs for the city and county relating to homelessness.

Boyle Heights

Gilbert Jimenez, left, and Louis Mendoza, members of LAHSA's Homeless Engagement Team, participate in the Greater Los Angeles County Homeless Count in a alley just off Altlantic Boulevard in Boyle Heights. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) Gilbert Jimenez, right, and Louis Mendoza, members of LAHSA's Homeless Engagement Team, participate in the Greater Los Angeles County Homeless Count in a alley just off Altlantic Boulevard in Boyle Heights. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) Gilbert Jimenez, left, and Louis Mendoza, members of LAHSA's Homeless Engagement Team, participate in the Greater Los Angeles County Homeless Count in a alley just off Altlantic Boulevard in Boyle Heights. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) Gilbert Jimenez, right, and Louis Mendoza, members of LAHSA's Homeless Engagement Team, participate in the Greater Los Angeles County Homeless Count in a alley just off Altlantic Boulevard in Boyle Heights. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

On a night when temperatures dipped into the 40s in Los Angeles, Mayor Eric Garcetti joined thousands of volunteers documenting the areas homeless population.

Its time for the federal government to step up too, he said, noting that there are more homeless people per capita in the nations capital than in Los Angeles.

Theyre right next to the White House, right next to city hall, Garcetti said. This is something where every government leader needs to put down partisanship and produce results.

North Hollywood
Explore the rugged coastline, fjords and islands of western Norway on an independent tour that features coastal travel by ferry and inland transportation by private minivan.

The new, eight-day 50 Degrees North tour begins in Bergen, where participants tour the city and then board a ferry to Kalvag, a picturesque fishing community. From there, the group travels overland on a hop-on, hop-off minivan, visiting deep valleys and small communities.

Travelers can hike glaciers, see waterfalls, and visit small towns and local museums. The tour concludes in Alesund, a port town known for its Art Nouveau architecture.

Date: Weekly from May to September, with Friday departures from Bergen.

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Price: From $2,207 per person, double occupancy. Includes seven nights hotel accommodations, some meals, transportation between destinations, activities and tours. International airfare not included.

Info: 50 Degrees North, (888) 880-0286

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You can get a round-trip fare to Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide or Brisbane, Australia, or Auckland, Christchurch or Wellington for less than $700 that also includes a stopover in Fiji.

Fare: From LAX, $699 round trip, including all taxes and fees, to the cities listed above plus a stopover of 72 hours or less, if you wish, on Fiji Airways.

Restrictions: The fare, subject to availability, is for travel Jan. 30-Dec. 10. Tickets must be purchased by Feb. 8.

Info: Fiji Airways, (800) 227 4446

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Source: Airfarewatchdog

travel@latimes.com

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At Gov. Gavin Newsoms request, California filed a lawsuit Friday against the city of Huntington Beach over what state officials describe as the citys failure to allow enough homebuilding to accommodate a growing population.

Newsom said the suit is needed to address rising housing costs that threaten economic growth and deepen inequality. The lawsuit accuses Huntington Beach of defying a state law that requires cities and counties to set aside sufficient land for housing development.

The California Department of Housing and Community Development issued letters to the city in 2015 and 2018 requesting that it comply.

Many cities are taking herculean efforts to meet this crisis head on, Newsom said in a statement. But some cities are refusing to do their part to address this crisis and willfully stand in violation of California law. Those cities will be held to account.

The state is asking that an Orange County Superior Court judge order Huntington to comply with the law. It also seeks attorney fees and other costs.

But Huntington Beach City Attorney Michael Gates contended the city has been, in fact, complying with all applicable state housing and zoning laws.

Huntington has been and will continue to work with the California Department of Housing and Community Development regarding meeting the citys Regional Housing Needs Assessment, Gates said in a statement Friday. Any delay experienced by the city in its ability to amend its zoning and/or make additional progress has been caused by the city fighting lawsuits and court appeals filed by plaintiffs such as the Kennedy Commission.

He pointed to recent court victories in an ongoing lawsuit in which the Kennedy Commission, an affordable-housing advocacy group, alleged that an amendment to the citys development plan for the Beach Boulevard-Edinger Avenue corridor violated state housing law.

Gates called the states lawsuit timed poorly because it interrupts months of discussions between the Department of Housing and Community Development and the Kennedy Commission toward reaching a resolution of outstanding disputes.

He said it also raises questions about the states motive, as 50 other cities in California have not yet met their RHNA targets.

Gates said the city is reviewing its options on how to respond to the lawsuit.

The case against Huntington Beach is a rare legal action by the state against a local government over housing laws. In 2009, when former Gov. Jerry Brown was attorney general, the state intervened in a lawsuit against the Bay Area city of Pleasanton, where voters capped the amount of housing allowed. The case ended with Pleasanton getting rid of its cap, zoning for more homes and owing about $4 million in attorney fees.

Though cities and counties do not build homes, local restrictions on development, such as high fees or a lack of land zoned for residential use, can prevent construction that might otherwise occur. Higher-income coastal communities, including Huntington Beach, often maintain some of the tightest development rules in the state, even as housing costs have soared in the past decade.

The median home value in the beach city of 200,000 people tops $834,000, according to real estate website Zillow. More than half of Huntington Beachs tenants are rent-burdened, meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on housing, according to U.S. Census data.

Huntington Beach put itself in a shortfall toward its state-mandated target for low-income housing units when the council in 2015 amended the Beach and Edinger Corridors Specific Plan, which was adopted in 2010 to help revitalize Beach Boulevard and Edinger Avenue by streamlining the building approval process.

The amendments reduced the cap on new residential development from 4,500 units to 2,100 and imposed stricter height and setback requirements after many residents complained about the high rate at which high-density residential projects were popping up.

The original Beach and Edinger plan is tied to Huntington Beachs housing element, a guideline in the city general plan that it uses to identify ways the city can address housing needs for all economic segments as the community grows.

The amendments meant the city no longer had enough land zoned to accommodate low-income residents under state requirements, prompting a lawsuit two months later from the Kennedy Commission.

According to the states lawsuit, the Department of Housing and Community Development began working with the city to prepare an amended and legally compliant housing element shortly after it issued its first letter in 2015.

But the Kennedy Commission sued Huntington in the midst of the state and city partnership.

Were concerned about the opportunities for affordable housing, being that Orange County is among the least affordable counties in the nation and in California, Cesar Covarrubias, the nonprofits executive director, said in 2015. We believe that every city should have appropriate sites to create opportunities for housing all its residents, especially low-income residents.

The city argued in court that it was working to amend its housing element and that the Kennedy Commissions lawsuit was unnecessary and would soon be moot. But a proposed plan was unanimously rejected by the City Council in 2016.

Councilman Erik Peterson said at the time that the city should prepare to fight the state regarding the mandated amount of low-income housing in the city.

The legal battle with the Kennedy Commission is continuing, though a state appeals court ruled in favor of the city in 2017 because Huntington is a charter city, exempting it from some state zoning laws.

After Housing and Community Development issued a second notice of noncompliance in 2018, the city said it would create a new housing plan after it resolved its dispute with the Kennedy Commission.

The time for empty promises has come to an end, the states lawsuit says. The city should not be allowed to avoid its statutory obligations any longer.

Huntington Beach has issued permits and filed inspections for more than 2,500 new housing units, including about 100 very-low-income and low-income deed-restricted units, since 2014, according to Gates. The city also established a Tenant Based Rental Assistance Program designed for extremely low-income and homeless people, he said.

State Assemblyman Tyler Diep (R-Westminster) expressed support for Huntington Beach, part of the area he represents, and said litigation isnt the solution to the housing shortage.

There are reports on cities in California stating they will not meet their 2040 housing goals until the year 2295 or after, Diep said in a statement Friday. Huntington Beach has had a 4% population increase since 2004; meanwhile, some of the fastest-growing cities in California are required to build less housing than this city.

State Sen. John Moorlach (R-Costa Mesa) said in a statement that he was befuddled that Newsom  a former mayor of San Francisco, a city with high housing costs  singled out Huntington Beach with litigation instead of engaging in goodwill gestures to help cities reach their housing goals.

Once this approach is started, then it must be applied to all other cities not in compliance, Moorlach said. He should have a policy of no better, no worse. Otherwise, these are strong-arm tactics.

Priscella Vega is a Daily Pilot staff writer. Liam Dillon writes for the Los Angeles Times.

UPDATES:

This article was originally published at 9:10 a.m. and has been updated throughout.
Costa Mesa officials are looking into alternative sites for a long-term local homeless shelter after learning that a sought-after location is off limits.

The City Council directed staff last week to explore the possibility of placing such a facility at 3115 Red Hill Ave., near John Wayne Airport. However, after further investigating the property, the city has learned that it is no longer an option, city spokesman Tony Dodero said Thursday.

We are actively pursuing other properties in the airport area, he added.

The Red Hill property is near Mariners Christian School in a heavily commercial and industrial area. Its currently used by the Orange County Health Care Agency to provide behavioral health services.

The county has informed us that they need that space and they have a lease there  so its not an option for us, Mayor Katrina Foley said Thursday.

RELATED STORY: Costa Mesa moves ahead with plan for temporary 50-bed homeless shelter; long-term site is still undetermined 

Foley added that she traveled to Sacramento on Wednesday to meet with Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Laguna Beach) and representatives of Gov. Gavin Newsoms office to discuss our solutions for homelessness and potential sites, as well as funding sources.

Though City Council members had singled out the Red Hill property as an option worth exploring, they also told staff last week to continue looking into alternatives. Foley said the city is working diligently with a real estate consultant to identify possible sites.

Weve cast a wide net for any suitable site in the city, but I think we shared at the meeting and I remain confident that the airport area is likely the most suitable area for our needs, Foley said. [It is] the least impactful, most suitable and provides an opportunity for buildings that are of the right size and can accommodate some of the parameters and criteria that we set forward.

Meanwhile, city officials are negotiating with Lighthouse Church of the Nazarene to develop a temporary 50-bed facility on its Westside property.

Under that council-approved plan, city staff will work with the church at 1885 Anaheim Ave. to improve and expand its inclement-weather shelter and homeless check-in center to function as a bridge shelter, with the goal of opening that facility in April.

City officials will further discuss those plans during a community open house from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Costa Mesa Senior Center, 695 W. 19th St. For more information, visit costamesaca.gov/homeless.
Shes considered an essential part of American musical royalty, but she insists on carving her own path.

Rosanne Cash, the eldest daughter of country music legend Johnny Cash, recently released a new album, She Remembers Everything. She is on tour performing songs from the record and makes her debut at the Musco Center for the Arts at Chapman University on Feb. 2. She will appear with her husband and longtime musical collaborator, John Leventhal.

Before She Remembers Everything released in November, Cashs last album was the Grammy-winning The River & the Thread, a 2014 recording that explored the American South and her own ties to the territory. The River & the Thread won three Grammy Awards, including Best Americana Album. Altogether, Cash has earned four Grammys, 15 Grammy nominations and has recorded 11 No. 1 singles.

It was kind of the end of a trilogy of themed records, she said in a phone interview from her home in New York City. People were saying, You really should do another themed record. I was resisting that with everything I had. I wanted to do the opposite of that. I wanted to do some really personal songwriting. I have more to say at this point in my life, and less time to say it.

Cash, 63, was born in Memphis, Tenn. She and her three sisters were raised in Southern California (mostly Ventura) by their mother, Vivian Liberto Cash, who separated from Johnny Cash in the early 1960s and divorced in 1966.

After high school, Rosanne joined her fathers road show and occasionally performed with him and solo. She recorded her own, self-titled solo record in 1978 and released the country chart-topper and crossover hit Seven Year Ache in 1981.

While she was classified as a country artist in her early years, she would drift from that sound. Shes now considered more Americana, roots rock and folk.

In 2015, she was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, and on Feb. 26, she will receive the 9th annual Visionary Leadership Award, which honors the late Jean M. Handley, the founding director of the International Festival of Arts & Ideas, which takes place in New Haven, Conn.

I feel a little awkward about it, Cash said about the Visionary Leadership honor. I dont know if Ive been a trailblazer in any way. Its probably that I gave up a successful career in order to be a successful songwriter.

Shes also a pretty successful author, penning four books and articles in The New York Times, Newsweek and Rolling Stone.

Rosanne Cashs husband John Leventhal will be joining her onstage at the Musco Center for the Arts show in Orange on Feb. 2. Its romantic and incredibly satisfying, she says of performing together. (Photo courtesy of Musco Center for the Arts)

She Remembers Everything has a melancholic, reflective sound to it, exploring mortality, gun violence, memory and the kind of love thats been tested by time and hardship.

I was really attracted to Gothic feminine art. Those were my instincts, she said. Theres a lot of reckoning with mortality in this record.

The song 8 Gods of Harlem features Elvis Costello and Kris Kristofferson, who also helped write the lyrics. A lament about the effects of gun violence, 8 Gods was inspired by a sad Latina whom Cash encountered on the subway. She thought she heard the woman sigh, Ocho Dios.

She was very heavy-hearted, and I couldnt get it out of my head, Cash said. Its about gun violence, obviously, and how that ripples out, not just in the immediate family, but to the world.

I was thinking about separate gods for different parts of the city, she continued. I kind of got deep into the mythology and the gods, and the concepts of rebirth.

Cash has been a longtime advocate of gun control, and that has occasionally put her at odds with country music fans and NRA supporters.

As far as policy, I can refer you to a specific list, she said. We need background checks, closing gun-show loopholes. The [politicians] say its not a gun problem, its a mental health problem. Well, we need better health care for mental health patients. And it is a gun problem. No other developed nation has these mass shootings at schools. It does not have to be this way.

Cash wrote many of the songs on the new album just as the #MeToo movement was spreading across the nation.

I was feeling that, she said, that culturally, womens memories are questioned and treated with suspicion. There was such a deep reception [to the movement] in the country. A lot of us spend our lives trying to repair, avoid and override trauma, and the rage and sense of loss that comes with that.

The albums title track, She Remembers Everything, is both a warning and an expression of love, Cash said.

Its a threat, she said. But its also about a woman who remembers everything about her partner. It can be really precious, and its a gift.

Cash will mostly be performing songs from her latest album. On the Musco stage, it will just be her and Leventhal, who helped produce the record, co-wrote some of the songs and played a number of instruments in the studio.

Weve worked through a lot of our stuff at this point, she said. I honestly think that if we didnt perform together  and we have for 25 years  we wouldnt be together anymore. You can work stuff out that way. Its romantic and incredibly satisfying.

IF YOU GO

What: Rosanne Cash with John Leventhal

When: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 2

Where: Musco Center for the Arts, Chapman University, 415 N. Glassell St., Orange

Cost: $35-$65

Information: (844) OC-MUSCO (626-8726); muscocenter.org
In the first move of a promised battle between Gov. Gavin Newsom and local governments over Californias housing affordability crisis, the state sued the city of Huntington Beach on Friday and accused it of failing to allow enough new homebuilding to accommodate a growing population.

At Newsoms urging, the state attorney generals office filed a lawsuit in Orange County Superior Court against the community over a state law that requires cities and counties to set aside sufficient land for new residential development. The governor said in a statement that the suit was needed because rising housing costs threaten the economy and deepen inequality.

Newsom indicated that the case, the first filed under enhanced authority given last year to the governors office to investigate compliance with the housing law, could be just the beginning.

Many cities are taking herculean efforts to meet this crisis head-on, Newsom said. But some cities are refusing to do their part to address this crisis and willfully stand in violation of California law. Those cities will be held to account.

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Gov. Gavin Newsom threatens to cut state funding from cities that dont approve enough housing 

The legal action is part of a push by the governor to flex the states muscles over homebuilding, an issue that has long been the domain of local government. In his budget announcement this month, Newsom threatened to withhold state transportation dollars from cities and counties that reject development and proposed allocating $1.3 billion as incentive for local governments to accommodate growth and homeless services.

Although cities and counties do not build homes, local restrictions on development, such as high fees or a lack of land zoned for residential use, can prevent construction that might otherwise occur. Higher-income coastal communities, including Huntington Beach, often maintain some of the tightest development rules in the state, even as housing costs have soared over the last decade.

The median home value in the beach city of 200,000 people tops $834,000, according to real estate website Zillow. Over half of Huntington Beachs tenants are considered rent-burdened, meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on housing, U.S. census data show.

The failure of local governments to plan for the necessary housing supply has been a key factor contributing to this crisis, the lawsuit states.

For more than three years, Huntington Beach has ignored the state law aimed at encouraging housing production.

In 2015, its City Council reduced the amount of housing allowed under zoning codes along two major streets by more than 2,000 homes. Residents had complained that the city was growing too quickly and took aim at plans that allowed for apartment and condominium development.

We want to reclaim our town, resident Lilli Wells said at the 2015 council meeting, according to the Orange County Register. We want to keep the culture and flavor of our community.

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The decision meant the city no longer had enough land zoned to accommodate low-income residents under state requirements, prompting a lawsuit from affordable-housing activists. An appellate court ruled in Huntington Beachs favor because its one of a small number of California cities organized under rules that give it sweeping authority over its own practices, including land-use policies. The city has yet to pass a new plan to comply with the state zoning requirements.

Huntington Beach City Atty. Michael Gates contended the city was following the housing law and argued that officials havent been able to develop a new zoning proposal because of the prior litigation. Fridays lawsuit, Gates said, will further stall efforts to do so.

Now instead of making progress in discussions and negotiations, good productive communications with [California Department of Housing and Community Development] representatives will be cut off because of this new state lawsuit, Gates said.

Gates also noted that Huntington Beach is one of 52 local governments that dont have state-approved housing plans.

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That raises questions about the motivation for this lawsuit filed only against Huntington Beach, he said.

The city has long had a contentious relationship with state officials. Huntington Beach sued the state over Senate Bill 54, the 2017 legislation that greatly limited whom state and local law enforcement agencies can hold, question and transfer at the request of federal immigration authorities. Forty percent of voters in Huntington Beach are Republican in contrast to Newsom, a Democrat whose party also controls the state Legislature.

Coverage of California politics 

State officials said Huntington Beach is one of just three cities  along with Clovis and Selma in Fresno County  that backtracked on housing plans they submitted, which were approved by the state. The cities each later decreased the amount of land set aside for housing and fell below the goals they reported to the state.

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Newsom spokesman Nathan Click said the lawsuit should not be construed as retaliation against Huntington Beach officials.

The city is egregiously and flagrantly in violation of state housing law, Click said.

Affordable housing advocates said they were encouraged by renewed state efforts to sue. The last such case was filed in 2009, when former Gov. Jerry Brown was attorney general. The state intervened in a lawsuit against the Bay Area city of Pleasanton, where voters capped the amount of housing allowed. The case ended with Pleasanton eliminating its cap, zoning for more homes and owing about $4 million in attorneys fees.

It is unprecedented, said Cesar Covarrubias, executive director of the Kennedy Commission, the Orange County affordable housing group that previously sued Huntington Beach. Were seeing that the state is using all its resources to address the housing crisis. We need all local governments to do the same.

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Newsom also pledged to revamp the states housing supply goals, which would probably force communities to set aside more land for new homes. A 2017 Times investigation showed that although state law requires local governments to zone for housing, it does not hold them accountable for resulting homebuilding.

Legislators have recently taken steps toward strengthening housing laws by forcing cities that are behind on their supply goals to approve specific projects and giving the state Department of Housing and Community Development greater authority to investigate compliance.

Under a 2018 law by Sen. Bob Wieckowski (D-Fremont), a response to the prior Huntington Beach court decision, cities can no longer eliminate areas zoned for low-income housing if doing so conflicts with their state housing plan.

Wieckowski was also pleased that the state filed suit, and he believes the case reveals Newsoms priorities in addressing housing problems.

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Hes setting a tone in this administration, Wieckowski said of the governor. Hes sending a message to Huntington Beach and all the other cites, saying, I mean business.

liam.dillon@latimes.com

Twitter: @dillonliam
Roger Stone, a longtime Republican operative who helped launch President Trumps political career and later served as an informal political advisor, was arrested before dawn Friday on a federal indictment that outlined efforts by Trumps 2016 campaign to seek Democratic Party emails hacked by Russia.

Stone said he would plead not guilty to seven felony charges and was released on a $250,000 bond. He emerged from the courthouse smiling, his arms outstretched in a V-for-victory pose made famous by his political idol, President Nixon, who resigned from office during the Watergate scandal.

Stone had numerous conversations with high-level Trump campaign officials about WikiLeaks plans to release the stolen emails after obtaining them from Russian military intelligence officers, according to the indictment obtained by special counsel Robert S. Mueller III.

The emails were hacked as part of what U.S. intelligence has described as a Kremlin-backed effort to undermine U.S. democracy and boost Trumps candidacy. Trump routinely cited the emails on the campaign trail as he railed against his opponent Hillary Clinton.

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After WikiLeaks posted thousands of stolen emails shortly before the Democratic National Convention in July 2016, a senior Trump campaign official was directed to contact Stone about what else WikiLeaks might have, according to the indictment. The document does not say who gave the order to contact Stone.

Stone allegedly updated people connected to Trump throughout the campaign, at one point telling a supporter that the payload is still coming. He also fielded an inquiry from Stephen Bannon, the Trump campaigns chief executive, who was identified in the indictment as a high-ranking member of the team.

Days later, WikiLeaks began releasing emails hacked from the account of John Podesta, Clintons campaign chairman.

Other suspects in the Russia investigation were allowed to surrender to law enforcement officials after an indictment. But heavily armed federal agents arrested Stone at his home in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., early Friday and he was brought to court in handcuffs.

He was charged with one count of obstruction of an official proceeding, five counts of false statements and one count of witness tampering. The charges stem from his testimony to the House Intelligence Committee, which conducted its own investigation of Russian political interference.

I will plead not guilty to these charges, Stone said at a raucous news conference outside the courthouse as supporters and hecklers shouted in the background. I will defeat them in court. I believe this is a politically motivated investigation.

He also pledged not to incriminate Trump, whom hes known for four decades.

There is no circumstance, whatsoever, under which I will bear false witness against the president, Stone said.

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Trump reacted angrily on Twitter, calling the Mueller investigation the Greatest Witch Hunt in the History of our Country!

He also criticized how the FBI had arrested Stone at his home, tweeting Border Coyotes, Drug Dealers and Human Traffickers are treated better.

Jay Sekulow, a lawyer for Trump, downplayed the significance of Stones arrest.

The indictment today does not allege Russian collusion by Roger Stone or anyone else, he said. Rather, the indictment focuses on alleged false statements Mr. Stone made to Congress.

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Sekulow did not respond to a question about whether Trump directed a campaign official to contact Stone about WikiLeaks, but Democrats made clear they planned to investigate the matter.

Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank), chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, said his panel will be eager to learn just who directed a senior campaign official to contact Stone about additional damaging information held by WikiLeaks, one of the publishing arms of Russian government hackers.

Tom Perez, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, described the indictment as further proof that the Trump campaign was a willing and active participant in a conspiracy with Russia and WikiLeaks to influence the 2016 election.

There are more conspirators yet to be held accountable  and at least one of them is named Donald Trump, he said in a statement.

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During the campaign, Stone sometimes suggested he had inside knowledge about the WikiLeaks plans. But since then hes adamantly denied any wrongdoing and downplayed his previous claims as empty hype.

Stones political career began in scandal when he volunteered for Nixons reelection campaign in 1972, gaining a reputation as a dirty trickster. Nixon resigned in disgrace in 1974, but Stone got a large tattoo of Nixons smiling face on his back.

He also cultivated a reputation as a bare-knuckle political operative willing to cross lines others would not, much like Trumps late mentor, the disbarred New York lawyer Roy Cohn.

Stone met Trump while raising money for President Reagans campaign in 1980, and Stone soon began encouraging the New York real estate developer to run for the White House himself.

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Stone did not play a major role in Trumps insurgent presidential campaign  whether he was fired or quit is a matter of dispute  but he said they stayed in regular touch.

During the race, Stone drew attention by claiming he was in contact with Julian Assange, the WikiLeaks founder. He famously tweeted that Podesta would soon face his time in the barrel shortly before his hacked emails were released.

Stone has since said that he didnt talk to Assange himself and that his tweet about Podesta was taken out of context.

According to the indictment, Stone sought information from WikiLeaks through an intermediary, Jerome Corsi, a far-right writer and conspiracy theorist, and then updated members of Trumps campaign.

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At one point, Stone told Bannon to expect a load every week going forward shortly before WikiLeaks started releasing Podestas emails.

Stone denied those conversations when asked by the House Intelligence Committee, the indictment charges.

He also allegedly tried to persuade an associate, Randy Credico, to provide false testimony to the House Intelligence Committee about their conversations involving WikiLeaks.

Your lawyers should have told them you would assert your 5th Amendment rights if compelled to appear, Stone allegedly texted Credico, a radio host who had interviewed Assange on his show.

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Stone later suggested Credico imitate a character in The Godfather: Part II who lied to Congress and later committed suicide, then told him hes a rat and a stoolie, according to the indictment.

The indictment follows months of scrutiny for Stone, who watched a parade of his associates be brought before a grand jury. All along, Stone insisted he had nothing to do with any Russian schemes to interfere in the U.S. election.

There is still no evidence of Russian collusion, Wikileaks collaboration or evidence that I knew the source or content of the allegedly stolen or hacked emails published by WikiLeaks, he wrote in a column published by the Daily Caller, a conservative website, in November 2018. Enough already.

chris.megerian@latimes.com

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Twitter: @chrismegerian
Ever since his partys loss in Novembers midterm elections, the dominant story line in Washington has been walls closing in on President Trump.

This week ends with the walls tightening on two fronts  the government shutdown and the Russia investigation.

On Thursday, the Senate rejected the plan Trump had offered as his compromise to end the shutdown. A Democratic alternative got more votes in the Republican-controlled chamber. On Friday, Trumps longtime advisor Roger Stone was arrested in the Russia probe.

Both actions occur against the background of a small but significant drop in Trumps already low standing with the public and underscore the presidents parlous political position.

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Shutdown: The final chapter?

The Senate defeat of both Trumps proposal and the Democratic alternative came as no surprise. But the vote count mattered, nonetheless. The fact that six Republican senators broke ranks to vote for the Democratic plan, as Jennifer Haberkorn noted, sent a clear message to the White House.

Republican senators reinforced that message behind closed doors in a meeting with Vice President Mike Pence in which they chastised the administration and insisted the time was now long overdue to bring an end to the shutdown, now about to start its sixth week.

Friday morning brought a sharp amplification of that message as a shortage of air traffic controllers, who are working without pay, forced the Federal Aviation Administration to close LaGuardia Airport in New York to incoming planes and to slow traffic across the Northeast.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer met on Thursday to start negotiations  their first public talks on the issue  and on Capitol Hill, legislators seemed to believe the stalemate was nearing its final phase.

McConnell, in particular, has made a point until now of keeping his hands off the shutdown. He publicly said in December what he had privately told White House officials all along  shutdowns never work and only inflict political damage  and had worked with some success to keep himself and his Republican Senate colleagues out of the public line of fire.

McConnells public involvement in talks indicates that he believes a negotiated solution may now be achievable. And the White House statement that Trump would consider a short-term measure to reopen government agencies, which would allow some 800,000 federal workers to get back pay, provided further evidence, although Trump is still holding out for a down payment on his proposed border wall.

As always, the unknown variable is Trump. Any settlement will require him to back down from his insistence that he will not sign a government money bill unless it includes funds for the wall. Democrats wont give him that although they are willing to provide more money for border security, some of which would go to more border barriers.

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Trump has laid the grounds for a retreat, saying, I have other alternatives if I have to  an allusion, perhaps, to declaring a national emergency on the border and trying to use that as a way to shift money from other government programs to pay for building barriers. Whether any such move would survive a court challenge is unknown, but it would, at least, allow Trump to back away from the current standoff without admitting defeat.

But whatever rhetorical formulation Trump uses, the fact of defeat will be hard to avoid.

As McConnell predicted, the shutdown has not worked. Democrats have maintained an impressive degree of unity, despite White House expectations that they would desert the position taken by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

The longer the shutdown has gone on, the more the public has seen it as a serious problem and has blamed Trump for it, again contradicting what White House officials had predicted.

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Fox News Poll: Voters see shutdown as bigger problem than border situation (Dana Blanton, Fox News) details: https://t.co/ulpPW88HzO pic.twitter.com/nbVVDv9JeC  OpinionToday.com (@OpinionToday) January 23, 2019

Early in the week, Trump attacked Pelosi, saying she was acting irrationally. By midweek, she had forced the president to publicly back down over giving his State of the Union speech, a highly public and symbolically potent humiliation. And Trumps standing with voters has suffered.

When the shutdown began, the Real Clear Politics average of polls showed the public with a negative view of Trumps job performance  43% approving, 52% disapproving. By the end of this week, Trumps standing had dropped to 41% approving and 56% disapproving.

Thats not a huge shift  Americans views of Trump are so firmly entrenched that his numbers never move a lot  but it puts him back near his all-time low and puts his standing below where it was on election day in November, when his party lost 40 seats in the House.

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Exactly how the standoff will be resolved remains unclear, but as government workers braced for a second missed paycheck on Friday, the end seemed to be coming into sight.

Russia: The next chapter

The end isnt here yet for the Mueller investigation.

Mueller may be close to wrapping up and submitting a final report, as has been widely reported. But Fridays arrest of Stone, the long-time Trump advisor and self-declared dirty trickster, showed theres more business to complete before that happens.

As Chris Megerian reported, the charges against Stone had been repeatedly forecast, by the defendant, among others. So the accusation that Stone lied to investigators about his communications with WikiLeaks came as no surprise.

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What stood out in the indictment were statements showing that Muellers investigators had evidence of high-level Trump campaign interest in WikiLeaks and its publication of emails that Russian agents had stolen from Democratic campaign files.

A senior Trump campaign official was directed to contact Stone about any additional releases by WikiLeaks, the indictment said, without identifying either the senior official or who directed him.

Thats not evidence of criminal conduct, but it ties the campaign more directly to WikiLeaks. By doing that, it puts the spotlight back on what Democrats have long seen as a central part of the case  whether Trumps aides directly or indirectly played a part in Russias efforts to harm Hillary Clintons campaign by hacking her files and using WikiLeaks to release embarrassing emails.

Stones arrest was the second major eruption of news on the investigative front this week. On Wednesday, Trumps former lawyer and longtime fixer, Michael Cohen, announced he was postponing his scheduled testimony before the House Oversight Committee. He blamed threats from Trump and his lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, directed at his family.

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House Democratic leaders responded with suggestions that they might issue subpoenas to Cohen and with warnings to Trump not to try to intimidate witnesses.

Meantime, Trumps former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, was back in court Friday for a hearing on prosecutors accusations that he had lied to them after accepting a plea-bargain agreement. If a judge agrees, Manafort could face a harsher sentence.

Democratic field  Harris an early front-runner

Sen. Kamala Harris announced her long-anticipated presidential bid on Monday, and as Melanie Mason reported, started immediately as a top-tier candidate.

A straw poll of Democratic activists by the Daily Kos site showed Harris with an early lead in the Democratic field. That sort of survey isnt a random sample and probably doesnt reflect the sentiment of Democratic voters more widely, many of whom dont know much about the first-term California senator.

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But at this stage of the campaign, a year before the first votes come, such measures of enthusiasm do provide meaningful information. If nothing else, its testimony to a campaign rollout thats gone almost entirely without a hitch.

Friday night, Harris plans a trip to South Carolina, a state whose primary in February will be key to her campaign plans. Shes scheduled to attend a gala thrown by Alpha Kappa Alpha, the countrys oldest African American sorority, which she joined as a student at Howard University. Evan Halper will be there.

Harris learned her political skills in the rough crucible of San Francisco politics, Michael Finnegan wrote in a look back at one of the candidates formative moments.

Harris made her announcement on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, but she was far from the only Democratic hopeful trying to use the holiday to connect with voters. Trump, by contrast, made only a very brief, almost perfunctory, public appearance, posing for a photograph at the King memorial in Washington.

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Janet Hook and Eli Stokols looked at the contrast in handling MLK Day and what it said about the two parties.

Meantime, another potential California candidate, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, refocused on his potential White House bid, giving a speech in Washington in which he said his role in helping settle the Los Angeles teachers strike showed his ability to lead.

As Halper wrote, the speech laid out the mayors know best theme that Garcetti would use in a presidential contest.

Halper also looked at a dilemma facing several of the Democratic hopefuls, including Harris: Run to  or away from  big donors?

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The rest of the weeks news

The Supreme Court waded into the transgender debate but avoided other tough issues, as David Savage wrote. The courts actions illustrated Chief Justice John Roberts approach of trying to avoid divisive issues when possible.

One issue the court has put off until next year was the question of whether Trump has the unilateral authority to end the Obama-era DACA program, which shields some 700,000 young immigrants from deportation. Lower courts have blocked Trumps actions, and the high courts decision not to speed ahead on the case pretty much guarantees that DACA will remain in effect well into 2020, at least.

The administration is proceeding with another part of its immigration agenda, however, pushing asylum seekers back across the border as part of its new Remain in Mexico policy, Molly OToole and Kate Linthicum reported.

Don Lee looked at the effort by the administration and congressional investigators to raise questions about the Confucius Institutes that the Chinese government pays for on many college campuses.

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Administration officials have warned that the institutes are tools that China can use to influence the U.S., even, perhaps, to hide espionage. Critics accuse officials of mounting a red scare campaign.

As Megerian wrote, intelligence officials warned in a major threat assessment that isolationism and weakening support for Western institutions are threats to U.S. security. The report showed the vast gulf between the countrys intelligence agencies and Trump.

Finally, speaking of threats, former Gov. Jerry Brown was back on the public stage this week warning of nuclear apocalypse and the dangers of climate change. Brown was in Washington in his new role with the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists and said he planned to spend the next several years raising the alarm over proliferation and global warming.

Logistics

That wraps up this week. Until next time, keep track of all the developments in national politics and the Trump administration at our Politics page and on Twitter @latimespolitics.

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David.lauter@latimes.com

@davidlauter
The true economic challenge confronting Egypt today does not concern either our fiscal or our monetary policy  both are well addressed by our economists and are advanced further by international experts.

Egypts fundamental economic challenge, which our government is not addressing efficiently, is the Egyptian workforces low productivity. As a society, Egyptians need to adopt a work ethic that truly values hard work, diligence and productivity.

Culturally, Egyptian society is probably one of the few societies that does not resort to working more when subjected to financial stress. Instead, Egyptians tend to rely on casual loans from friends and relatives or to apply for formal loans from their employers or the banks.

The options of seeking to extend working hours or take a second job are rarely explored. What our country needs is to raise the current low ceiling of peoples willingness and capacity for work.

The creation of public policy in Egypt is often the outcome of a technical economic debate that does not address our workforces competence and attitude towards work, yet even so we tend to eventually blame the workers for the failure of our economic policies.

The government needs to reverse its approach: it must view the workforces capabilities and willingness as an initial platform and then produce policies that will stimulate it to be more productive.

Nowadays, most casual home repairmen charge an average fee of LE200 for a small maintenance job completed in half an hour, thereby certainly earning more than many famous academicians and thinkers.

These high-earning careless workers are fully-fledged beneficiaries of the states fuel, food and transportation subsidies. They dont pay taxes, and they expect the government to cover their medical expenses when needed. This is a social status that must be altered.

Meanwhile, the government could apply policies that would incentivise young people to train as professional technicians and compete with these amateur workers for the better of society.

Providing vocational training, endorsed with a state license, for our unemployed young people and enabling them to purchase the necessary tools through easy installment plans would introduce better-qualified technicians into a stagnant market.

The job of security guard on EgyptAir flights is an essential one, but it is currently performed by unproductive workers.

By creating a new steward/security position, the airline would benefit from a full-time steward who could also act as a capable security guard should the need arise.

Our national carrier would be better off assigning a single employee to undertake two jobs, and an undercover security guard is probably more effective than a uniformed one.

Similar working arrangements certainly exist in many commercial enterprises.

Many Egyptian economists anticipated that Egypts exports would increase substantially following the devaluation of the currency over two years ago.

This did not occur because our industries are not competitive enough, even after devaluation. Our incompetence has led to additional subsidies on exports, which should in fact have been waived after the devaluation.

Penetrating international markets requires highly competitive companies that should not need government compensation.

We need to tackle our socio-economic challenges as a package with an eye to stimulating people to work more.

For example, Egyptian hotels located in isolated destinations could easily offer single-room housing accommodation to young couples who are eager to get married but cannot afford to rent a house.

Such a business proposition would privilege the hotels with two young committed workers who would do their best to keep their jobs.

More than one million graduates join the Egyptian workforce every year  young people who are eager to settle down by getting a permanent job, buying an apartment, and having access to free medical care.

Yet, once they have achieved their goals, they become dissatisfied and complain that their incomes are not sufficient. This cultural trait should prompt the government to break this vicious work cycle by expanding citizen productivity.

Those nations that manage to achieve rapid progress tend to rely on their most promising industries and their most motivated citizens who have a true desire to excel.

The combination of both acts as a catalyst that lifts up the entire society. Our government must create policies that will privilege productive citizens, enabling them to advance more rapidly. Offering equal incentives to all is a waste of resources that will not move us forward.

* The writer is a liberal politician.

* A version of this article appears in print in the 24 January, 2018 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly under the headline: How effective is Egypts public policy?

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To the editor: Congratulations to L.A. teachers and their union for winning on behalf of students and securing a commitment by the Los Angeles Unified School District to smaller class sizes. Now its time for teachers to deliver on their assurance that the strike was mostly about serving children.

Since the UTLA contract comes up for renewal again in 2022, why not base initial negotiations on improvement of the students grade level reading and math proficiency? With the current attrition rates to charter schools helping reduce class sizes, this should be a slam dunk since teachers will be able to devote more time to each student.

Its time to prove to mom and dad that this strike was not only about securing a 6% pay raise.

Vic Miranda, Agoura Hills

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To the editor: If California were a nation, we would rank among the wealthiest. Despite our wealth, the state keeps its schools underfunded.

Teachers demonstrated tremendous leadership and sacrifice, marching in the rain to draw our attention to Californias persistent education underfunding.

Students need Gov. Gavin Newsom to determine funding strategies  such as a statewide parcel tax, closing Proposition 13 loopholes for corporations or utilizing our state found money account  to ensure California takes big and measurable steps in per-student funding gains.

We need the governor to establish benchmarks. For example, by the 2020 budgeting cycle, California should rank among the top 20 states in per-pupil funding; by 2021, in the top 15; by 2022, in the top 10; by 2023, in the top 5; and by 2024, California takes a serious run at being No. 1.

Imagine our classrooms with many resources and a true opportunity for all students to be successful.

Justo Avila, Diamond Bar

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To the editor: As a 70-something who attended mid-quality public schools in St. Louis County, Mo., I find the whole notion of teacher strikes abhorrent.

Way back then, teachers were dedicated professionals. In conduct and appearance, they set a standard for students to emulate.

Recurrent images of teachers rah-rah, fist-in-the-air jubilation, and their distinctly casual attire, do not set any standards or bespeak professionalism.

Given the academic performance of L.A. Unified students, I would suggest that the teachers could garner a lot more sympathy for their cause, and for public schools in general, by upgrading their image and behavior to a more professional level.

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Ronald Masson, Topanga

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To the editor: Nearly 400 years ago, the British monarch was informed that if he wanted to enter the peoples house, also known as the House of Commons, then he must knock on the door to ask for admittance.

To this day, the queen (or king) must rap on the door of Parliament and request permission to enter in order to address the peoples representatives.

Now, theres a dispute between President Trump and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) over the State of the Union address. I say, fight on, Speaker Pelosi  let this president learn his place in this democracy.

Zena Thorpe, Chatsworth

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To the editor: I do not see the need for Trump to deliver a State of the Union address. With the government partially shut down, isnt the state of our nation obvious?

Scott McCarty, Ventura

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To the editor: Columnist George Skelton, who believes Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) was wrong not to have taken a position on two ballot initiatives regarding the death penalty while she was Californias attorney general, appears to have missed her interview this week with Rachel Maddow.

When questioned about the death penalty, Harris said unequivocally that she was opposed to it, and that she never sought it when she was district attorney of San Francisco.

Harris said she felt it was inappropriate for her, as Californias attorney general, to take a stand on ballot proposals concerning the death penalty. Her reasons for doing so were credible, and her neutrality seemed appropriate and not merely politically expedient. When she was a prosecutor, however, Harris actions spoke volumes about her opposition to capital punishment.

Skeltons criticism of Harris on the death penalty is not persuasive.

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Marcia Goodman, Long Beach

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To the editor: Harris has decided to enter the presidential race after just a short time in the Senate. Will she be receiving pay while she gallivants around the nation campaigning?

Federal workers are not getting paid during this political stand-off, so why should she get paid while not on the job in Washington? California taxpayers should get service for her pay.

Mike Williams, San Diego

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On Jan. 15, at least 21 people were killed in a complex terrorist attack at a popular hotel, restaurant and office complex in Nairobi, Kenya. An American was among the dead, and other Americans were trapped at the scene for hours.

In the wake of the attack, despite the U.S. government shutdown, dozens of embassy staff worked day and night to gather information on the attack, provide public guidance to Americans in the country, respond to Americans in need and assist the Kenyan authorities with evidence collection and intelligence.

I know the scene well. Until a year ago, I worked for the State Department as a Foreign Service officer based in Nairobi, and it can be a dangerous place to serve. In 1998, the embassy became one of the first American facilities targeted by Al Qaeda for a major attack. Weve worked closely with the Kenyan government on counter-terrorism efforts in the country and in neighboring Somalia ever since.

Federal employees overseas often have to work and live in the shadow of terrorist threats. In Nairobi, as in many other dangerous locations, federal workers are taught to look for exits when they enter a mall or restaurant. They learn trauma first aid skills and evasive driving tactics in required counter-terrorism training. They work long hours for less pay than they would earn for comparable positions in the private sector.

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Government workers perform an array of services we all depend on. In the foreign policy arena, this includes global security itself.

And in recent weeks, many have received no pay at all.

Two days after the attack, the Trump administration called all embassy employees back to work, acknowledging the critical importance of the State Departments national security mission. But they have no idea when theyll receive the pay theyve already missed.

While Im no longer in government employment, I have a sense of how a government shutdown can feel when youre far from home in a dangerous place.

In 2013, I was a U.S. Foreign Service officer posted to Juba, South Sudan, when the government shut down for 17 days. As essential staff, we were required to continue working -- without paychecks. During that period, I reported on human rights abuses, political developments and violent conflict in the lead-up to a civil war, I also visited American citizens wrongfully imprisoned and facilitated their release and medical care, and I helped the family of a deceased American recover and repatriate his body. The work felt essential.

We were eventually paid. But working long hours without a regular paycheck in a hardship post, far from family and friends, not to mention good medical care, takes its toll, and the casual manner in which Congress treated the work we were doing then made me question whether it was valued.

Like many other professionals working for the federal government, I took a significant pay cut to join because I sought to serve a greater cause. But if your employer doesnt take your work seriously, what can you really achieve?

In 2013, the shutdown was an insult, but we did not face the same disdain from our leadership that federal employees face today. Morale among State Department employees was low even before this shutdown, thanks to the disrespect President Trump has consistently shown them. Many of the best and brightest have already headed for the door. We should all be grateful for those who continue to show up to serve, but no one could blame them for not doing so, and at some point, they wont.

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Enter the Fray: First takes on the news of the minute 

Government workers perform an array of services we all depend on. In the foreign policy arena, this includes global security itself. In shutdowns, things are likely to slip through the cracks. And the longer-term potential for harm is even greater.

The huge risk when the government shuts down and cant seem to find a way to reopen is that the appeal of government service will fade. It will seem insecure, unreliable and disrespected.

Those who serve our country and its citizens have earned better. In a statement to the media, a State Department spokesperson said that the department needed its full team to fulfill our commitments to the American people.

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How about our government fulfilling its commitment to its public servants? Whether its to diplomats and other national security officers overseas, air traffic controllers who maintain the worlds safest skies, inspectors at the Food and Drug Administration or any number of other agencies that protect our health and safety at home and abroad, trust me, youll notice when theyre gone.

Elizabeth Shackelford was a U.S. diplomat until December 2017. She served in Somalia, South Sudan, Poland, and Washington.
On Friday around noon, Roger Stone preened in vain for a crowd in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

President Trumps close friend and advisor, freshly sprung from shackles on a $250,000 bond, had been indicted in the special counsel Robert Muellers investigation into Trumps Russia ties.

Stone tried to hide his panic with bravado, a boy whistling in the dark. But his shtick seemed moth-eaten and creepy. He struck the moribund Nixon two-V-hands victory/corruption pose. He smiled nervously. He broke out an old chestnut: The only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about!

Sure, bud. He sounded like private-sector cons Elizabeth Holmes (of Theranos) and Billy McFarland (of the Fyre Festival), who are sunny and delusional even as theyve been revealed as stone-cold frauds.

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Lock him up! chanted the crowd.

America, it seems, has had more than enough of Roger Stone.

Stones indictment on seven counts, including false statements and witness tampering, comes not a moment too soon.

The bumptious Trumpworld carny wore out his welcome in, oh, probably 1992 (some say 71). He is not as charming as he thinks he is.

How Stone passes off his deviant ideology and contempt for American values as somehow conservative is anyones guess.

And then theres the special prosecutors disclosure that Stone served as a liaison between WikiLeaks and the most senior echelons of the Trump campaign. WikiLeaks is, of course, the Kremlin-connected hacktivist organization that published material evidently stolen by Russian military intelligence in 2016. By staging the ill-gotten material in an effort to smear Hillary Clinton, WikiLeaks substantially aided the Russian effort to sway cognitively vulnerable voters and install Donald Trump as president.

Thus, if Stone was indeed running info between WikiLeaks and the Trump campaign, for which he was an informal advisor, he is a keystone in what Muellers office has called the conspiracy to defraud the United States.

Rudolph Giuliani, Trumps screw-loose volunteer lawyer and hypeman, has operatically denied Trump-Russia collusion. But on CNN last week, he said that his denials applied only to the president. I never said there was no collusion between the campaign, or people in the campaign, Giuliani said.

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As a campaign advisor, then, Stone could have colluded  and Giuliani wouldnt deny it. Fortunately for Giuliani and Trump, Stone, using mob-speak, has said he will never roll on Donald Trump. Stone told the Fort Lauderdale assembly, I am one of [Trumps] oldest friends. (More cries of Lock him up!)

(Then again, another formerly loyal Trump friend  disbarred lawyer and former Trump Organization Vice President Michael Cohen  used to say the same thing. Now a convicted felon, Cohen these days seems to make rolling on Trump his full-time pre-prison job.)

Trump, who on Friday caved to the demand of Democrats that he reopen the government, cannot have been super-pleased to have Stone remind America of the two mens longtime intimacy.

Evidence of Stones treachery should surprise exactly no one. For decades, Stone has styled himself as a natty, pervy, dirty-tricksy operative for the Republican Party and foreign torturers.

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Having preyed on the gullibility and racism of American evangelicals and senior citizens for years, doping them alternately with Christian platitudes and xenophobic uppers, Stone is widely considered the poltergeist in the machine of the Republican Party.

How he passes off his deviant ideology and contempt for American values as somehow conservative is anyones guess. But the campaigns he worked on  Richard Nixons, Ronald Reagans, Bob Doles, George W. Bushs and dozens of others  seemed to appreciate his extensive dirty work.

In 1992, Pamela Brogan of the Center for Public Integrity named Stone one of the linchpins of the torturers lobby. With his former partner, Trump campaign manager and convicted felon Paul Manafort, Stone lobbied in Washington, D.C. for warlords and human-rights abusers abroad.

Over the years, Stone and his firm have worked on behalf of such sweethearts as murderous, looting dictator Mobuto Sese Seko in Congo; kleptocrat and convicted killer Ferdinand Marcos in the Philippines; and Rupert Murdochs News Corp., which owns Fox News. Stateside, Stones firm repped the disgraced Tobacco Institute and, since the 1980s, Donald Trump.

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Only a few years after being exposed as a concierge to torturers, Stone started pushing Trump to run for president. After all, for the torturers lobbyists, the only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about.

Enter the Fray: First takes on the news of the minute 

And then there are Stones personal perversions and burlesque. Not much of it merits more than an eye-roll emoji. But a quick review: Stone has a broad, muddy-blue tattoo of Richard Nixons face on his back. He has placed ads in swinger mags looking for sexual partners for him and his wife. He formerly lived with Kristin M. Davis, the so-called Manhattan Madam, who ran a sprawling illegal sex-work operation and has also been convicted on drug charges.

Family values, folks.

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Much of the rest of Stones tedious pose can be seen in the Netflix documentary Get Me Roger Stone, which shows Stone trying to frame his vulgar sadism as charisma.

Of course, you can also just read the special counsels indictment, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. ROGER JASON STONE, JR., Grand Jury Original 18 U.S.C.  1001, 1505, 1512, 2.

Its less colorful, but, for fans of justice, far more charming.

Twitter: @page88
The Democratic Republic of the Congo was within reach of what would have been its first democratic and peaceful transition of presidential power since 1960. Unfortunately, after the flawed handling of the countrys December election, this long-sought goal has eluded the Congolese people once again.

In what may appear a positive turn of events, an opposition leader, Felix Tshisekedi, was named the winner of the countrys recent election and sworn in as president. According to the official line, Tshisekedi supposedly defeated Emmanuel Ramazani Shadary, the hand-picked successor of outgoing President Joseph Kabila.

But Tshisekedi most likely did not get the most votes. Most experts believe that a different opposition leader, Martin Fayulu, received upward of 60%. It appears that Tshisekdi, who is the son of a legendary opposition leader, made a deal with Kabilas regime to pretend that he won the election.

The Kabila regime may not have installed its preferred choice. But the notion that it can simply pick a different candidate is completely unacceptable. Among other things, it means the supposed winner, Tshisekedi, is completely beholden to Kabila and his cronies.

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The current moment provides an opportunity to make it plain that the U.S. is not interested in picking up the old playbook.

This charade constitutes yet another tragedy for Congo, the scene of unspeakable tragedies for nearly 150 years. It is almost certain to lead to increased instability within the country and throughout much of Africa.

The United States has a special responsibility to ensure that a legitimate presidential succession takes place in Congo. Sadly, we are falling short.

Beginning in 1960, the U.S. played a key role in repeatedly undoing the will of the Congolese people. After a truly free and fair election that year, the U.S. was complicit in, if not primarily responsible for, the brutal assassination of the winner of that election, Patrice Lumumba.

The U.S. then supported an inexperienced military officer, Joseph Mobutu, as he executed a coup and became absolute ruler using increasingly violent tactics. Washington did not abandon this dictator until after the fall of the Soviet Union.

After decades of war and no peaceful transitions of power, hopes were high that Congo would finally hold a legitimate election in December. It soon became clear that the long-delayed election was not a model exercise.

Kabila and his allies first altered the countrys election laws to allow a candidate who wins a mere plurality of votes to become president. This precluded the possibility of a runoff between the top two contenders, in a country that has a plethora of political parties.

Then the regime chose Shadary, a relatively unknown Kabila loyalist, as successor, evidently on the presumption that, one way or another, he could win a plurality in a multi-candidate election. The government also excluded from the ballot two other candidates who had broad national appeal.

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Nonetheless, an election was finally held. When the early vote counts started coming in, even the Kabila regime couldnt pretend that Shadary had done better than third place. The Roman Catholic Church, with its extensive efforts to monitor the election, came to the same conclusion, as did all the exit polls.

The people had clearly chosen a new leader from a non-ruling party in a relatively peaceful election. But, after dithering for a few days, the government declared Tshishikedi, the apparent second-place finisher, as winner.

The U.S. had been pushing for fair elections in Congo for many years. In early January, the State Department issued a statement calling for the will of the voters to be respected and warning that those who undermine the democratic process may find themselves not welcome in the United States and cut off from the U.S. financial system.

Then, in a strange reversal, the State Department issued a different statement a few weeks later, delivering the exact opposite message from the one that Congolese voters desperately need. It welcomed the certification of Tshishikedi and lamely encouraged him to address reported election irregularities.

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This is a terrible wrong turn. The U.S. should have made concerted efforts to resolve Congos election crisis. At a minimum, Congress should urge the Trump administration, as Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.) recently suggested, to apply visa denials, sanctions and other tools against those complicit in election fraud.

The history of the U.S. in Congo is a powerful reminder of just how wrong things go when Africa is treated as a venue for great power competition where political legitimacy is irrelevant, a discredited idea that the Trump administration seems puzzlingly eager to revisit.

The current moment provides an opportunity to make it plain that the U.S. is not interested in picking up the old playbook. Control of Congos future belongs in the hands of the Congolese people  not with favored elites, not with external powers, not even with the African leaders now offering their congratulations to Tshishekedi.

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Rarely has the will of the Congolese people been expressed so clearly. Whether the mechanism is a recount, or an admission from the Congolese electoral commission that it reported the wrong results, the U.S. must use its influence not to dictate outcomes, but to insist on the outcome that the voters already chose.

Russ Feingold was special envoy to the Great Lakes Region of Africa from July 2013 to March 2015. He was previously chairman of the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on African Affairs.

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The details are sketchy at this point  when arent they when it involves this White House?  but border agents reportedly are beginning to send asylum seekers arriving at the San Ysidro crossing at the U.S.-Mexico border to Mexico while their applications are considered, a move that doesnt seem to have any basis in law.

But acting contrary to established law is nothing new for President Trump. We need a national office pool to pick the time and date of the first federal court injunction stopping the plan.

According to news accounts, the administration is enacting a policy trotted out several weeks ago under which it said it will accept asylum applications from people appearing at ports of entry, but then make them wait in Mexico while the applications are considered  a process that often stretches out for years.

San Ysidro apparently will be the first test of this, and it raises some serious questions, beginning with whether asylum law even allows the government to do this. Apparently, the administration is relying on an interpretation of the so-called contiguous territories provision of immigration law, a murky bit of statute that seems to allow the government to return migrants who enter from Mexico or Canada while they await expedited removal proceedings.

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This is just one more wall.

But court interpretations of that measure are few and far between, and although it seems inapplicable to asylum seekers  whose rights are delineated elsewhere in the law  it doesnt appear that any court has ruled on that, either.

Cue the lawyers. For those interested in the legal questions, theres a good dissection here.

And even if there is a legal foundation for this (idle thought: What if Mexico wont let them back in?), forcing people to wait in another country while they are going through proceedings here raises significant due-process issues.

The immigration courts could use video appearances, but that places a barrier between the migrant and the legal help to which they are entitled. Vox reports that immigration officials plan to escort the migrants from the border to a San Diego courthouse for their hearings (in a backlogged system thats getting worse under Trumps partial government shutdown).

But how will the migrants receive legal notification if they dont have a lawyer and are moving around shelters? How will they gather the documents they need to make their case? What happens if border backups make them late?

Enter the Fray: First takes on the news of the minute 

From a practical standpoint, the Mexican side of the border already is a burgeoning humanitarian crisis as thousands of migrants fleeing violence and poverty in Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador try to enter the U.S. and petition for protection. Cartels control neighborhoods, and murder rates are high.

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Under federal law and international agreements, government cannot force someone to go to a country where they will be in jeopardy of persecution or violence. Sending someone fleeing gang violence in Honduras to a place rife with violent gangs in Mexico while courts consider an asylum request seems contrary to the whole notion of asylum. As it is, two Honduran youths were killed in Tijuana last month, a measure of just the kind of danger in which asylum seekers should not be placed.

Of course, fulfilling humanitarian obligations is not something the Trump administration spends a lot of time contemplating. But it has devoted significant resources to erecting ever more barriers to immigration into the U.S., both sanctioned and unsanctioned.

This is just one more wall.
The long-expected filing of charges against the flamboyant political operative Roger Stone will cause a lot of President Trumps detractors to believe that the legal noose around the president is tightening. Not necessarily.

Its not surprising that White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders reacted to Stones arrest by saying: The charges brought against Mr. Stone have nothing to do with the president. Thats too categorical a dismissal, but if what she means is that the charges dont implicate Trump, shes correct.

Stone is charged with one count of obstruction of an official proceeding, five counts of false statements and one count of witness tampering. The charges in the indictment returned by a federal grand jury relate to Stones alleged contacts with WikiLeaks, which released Democratic emails that were hacked by Russian operatives during the campaign.

The indictment also contains these tantalizing assertions: 1) Stone was contacted by senior Trump campaign officials to inquire about future releases by Organization 1, a reference to WikiLeaks. 2) Stone spoke to multiple individuals involved in the Trump campaign about what he claimed to have learned from his intermediary to Organization 1. 3) After the July 22, 2016, release of stolen DNC emails by Organization 1, a senior Trump campaign official was directed to contact Stone about any additional releases and what other damaging information Organization 1 had regarding the Clinton campaign.

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These allegations more than hint at the possibility that figures in the Trump campaign were, at a remove, conspiring with WikiLeaks (and by extension Russia) to harm the Clinton campaign. But was Trump one of them? The indictment doesnt say so.

But surely, the charges against Stone, like previous indictments of campaign officials Paul Manafort and Rick Gates, must be viewed as steppingstones along the way to an accusation that Trump engaged in wrongdoing. Isnt Trump the ultimate target of special counsel Robert S. Mueller IIIs investigation?

Actually, no. Although both Trump and some of his critics seem to think Muellers investigation is all about the president, Muellers mandate from the Justice Department doesnt say that. The special counsel is charged with investigating any links and/or coordination between the Russian government and individuals associated with the campaign of President Donald Trump and any matters that arose or may arise directly from the investigation.

These directions obviously permit Mueller to scrutinize Trumps conduct and state of knowledge, but the investigation was never narrowly about the president, despite what many people  apparently including Stone  believe. (On Friday, Stone promised that he would not bear false witness against the president.)

For now, the president and his defenders can argue that the president is not in Muellers sights. Obviously that could change. But no one should assume that Mueller is inexorably proceeding to a devastating accusation against Trump that will lead to the presidents impeachment and removal. Trumps detractors should keep their wishful thinking under control.

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Gov. Gavin Newsom isnt playing around on housing.

The governor already shocked the status quo when  during his first week in office  he threatened to withhold transportation dollars from communities that fail to build enough homes to meet their needs.

On Friday, he ramped up the pressure with an announcement that the state would sue the city of Huntington Beach for standing in the way of affordable housing production and refusing to meet regional housing needs.

Its rare for the state to sue local governments over housing laws. In fact, until recently, the state took a mostly hands-off approach to housing, allowing cities and counties to control land use and make development decisions. That didnt work, as Liam Dillons investigation in 2017 found. Far too many local elected officials gave in to NIMBYism for far too long. Now California is deep into a housing shortage that is fueling homelessness, poverty and inequality.

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State lawmakers have begun clawing back some local control over land-use decisions and adding teeth to existing housing laws. And now Newsom, who ran for governor on what seemed to be outrageously ambitious housing goals, is cracking down on local obstinance as well.

Cities and counties are important partners in addressing this housing crisis, and many cities are making herculean efforts to meet this crisis head on, Newsom said in a statement. But some cities are refusing to do their part to address this crisis and willfully stand in violation of California law. Those cities will be held to account.

Perhaps as a former mayor of San Francisco, Newsom understands that local officials, barraged by angry NIMBYs and slow-growth activists, need state leaders to bring the hammer. The threat of a lawsuit or losing transportation funding gives city council members cover to make unpopular decisions for the greater good: See, we have to plan for more apartments and denser housing, or well get sued.

Huntington Beach and the states Department Housing and Community Development have been in a standoff for several years over the citys refusal to rezone enough properties for denser development to accommodate more apartments and condominiums.

The states fair share housing law requires cities and counties to produce lengthy reports explaining how and where they could allow both the affordable and market-rate development needed to house their share of an ever-growing state population.

Huntington Beach officials adopted a plan in 2013 to allow taller, denser buildings on certain corridors, with more units for low-income tenants. Residents rebelled, complaining about monstrosity development and warning that more apartments would bring crime and traffic. In 2015, the city slashed the number of units that could be built  meaning the city was no longer in compliance with the fair share housing law.

The lawsuit, which will be filed by Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra, will seek to require Huntington Beach to amend its plans to allow for the development of more affordable and market-rate housing.

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Huntington Beach may just be the first city targeted; there are more than two dozen jurisdictions that have failed to comply with state housing law. Newsom is making it clear that his administration wont tolerate NIMBY towns.
Some addiction recovery experts believe that its easiest to kick a habit once youve hit rock bottom, which is the nebulous region just before the point of no return.

After watching the California Republican Partys long self-destructive downward spiral, Im starting to understand what they mean. The state GOP might not have bottomed out yet, but the party seems intent on clinging to its bad habit of alienating Californians to the bitter end.

That end may not be far off. Republican registration has been declining for years but hit a new low last year and lost its second-place status to no party preference. That was followed naturally by a drubbing in the November election, in which the GOP lost half of its congressional seats and left the Democrats with not just a supermajority (two-thirds) in the state Legislature, but a super-duper majority (three-fourths). When the California Legislature convened in December, Republicans occupied only 31 of the 120 total seats.

Enter the Fray: First takes on the news of the minute 

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On Thursday, that number dropped even lower when Brian Maienschein, a moderate Republican from San Diego, announced he was switching teams, blaming the GOPs rightward tilt. This makes two high-profile defections in as many months. In December, California Supreme Court Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye shared with reporters that she re-registered with no party preference after witnessing the hyperpartisanship of the Brett M. Kavanaugh Supreme Court confirmation hearings.

Newly elected Assembly Minority Leader Marie Waldron (R-Escondido) had a less-than gracious response to the departure, calling Maienschein a turncoat and suggesting that joining the Democratic Party was act of naked self-preservation after a close reelection race in November. That may be part of the equation; but if so, then at least Maienschein is smart enough to recognize that his constituents arent as interested in the GOP brand as they used to be, and he is responding accordingly.

When people are abandoning a ship in large numbers, it makes more sense to look around for the looming iceberg rather than curse those swimming to safety.

Will the California GOP change course before it crashes and burns? We may get a clue next month when the party picks a replacement for outgoing state chairman Jim Brulte.

Incredibly, one of the top contenders for the job is Travis Allen, the former state Assemblyman from Huntington Beach who ran such a Trumpian gubernatorial campaign that the Los Angeles Times editorial board told him to cut it out already. He didnt, and the extreme rhetoric seemed to turn off even the states Republicans. They overwhelmingly backed a candidate, businessman John Cox, who didnt vote for President Trump.

Allen apparently learned nothing from last years election results, as he continues to insist that if the California Republican Party wants to win again it must get fully behind President Trump.

If this is the future leader of the states GOP, then rock bottom wont be far behind.
The Korean Cultural Centre in Cairo hosted a delegation composed of the wives of the military attaches in Egypt, as part of the framework of Ahlan Korea (Welcome Korea) events organised by the centre to promote Korean culture.

On 23 January, the South Korean Ambassador to Egypt Yoon Yeo Cheol welcomed the delegation, expressing his appreciation to the Military Attaches Association in Cairo (MAAC).

Ambassador Yoon said that Korean culture has gained popularity through combining originality and modernity, and has a large audience in various countries around the world.

Drama, movies and K-pop together make up the most important Korean cultural components. Korean food as well has become well-known around the world, thanks to its enormous health benefits and fresh natural ingredients, said the ambassador.

The director of the Korean Cultural Centre (KCC) Yang Sang Keun accompanied the delegation in a tour at the centre to introduce them to its cultural activities and programmes, including Korean language courses and cinema screenings.

Later the wives of the military attaches enjoyed wearing the traditional Korean hanbok.

The Korean Embassys chef Daniel Park introduced the delegation to Korean cuisine in a special session, in which he explained how to prepare bulgogi, a grilled beef dish, dak-galbi, and spicy stir-fried chicken.

Ahlan-Korea events are scheduled to continue this year on a monthly basis.

Short link:


The longest federal government shutdown in history came to an end  at least temporarily  on Friday after President Trump agreed to do what Democrats and numerous Republicans had been urging him to do for quite some time: approve a temporary funding measure and negotiate over border security after the government reopens. The House and Senate were expected to pass a bill by the end of the day to fund nine shuttered federal departments and dozens of agencies through Feb. 15, with no money yet provided for Trumps coveted border wall.

That was the right, woefully overdue, result. In addition to causing hardship for federal workers, whose last two paychecks were put on indefinite hold, the shutdown damaged the economy and disrupted the lives of the general public  witness, for example, the major delays Friday at LaGuardia Airport in New York that were caused by a shortage of air traffic controllers. Worse, it was gallingly unnecessary.

Trump triggered and sustained the shutdown by insisting that Congress provide billions of dollars for his wasteful and costly pet wall project, along with hundreds of millions of dollars for other border-security needs. Trump could easily have gone back to Congress in October and asked for an emergency spending bill to address those priorities, as presidents do seemingly every year when they run into unanticipated problems. Rather than bargaining in good faith over how best to secure the border and address the increase in families seeking asylum, however, Trump took 800,000 federal workers hostage to try to force lawmakers to bend to his will.

Trump took 800,000 federal workers hostage to try to force lawmakers to bend to his will.

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The fight was often portrayed as a battle between Trump and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) and other Democrats whod dug in their heels about the wall. Yet as an institution Congress couldnt afford to let Trumps shutdown tactic succeed, because that would only invite him to repeat it. Besides, the public has shown again and again that it doesnt like shutdowns, and that it will blame whichever entity took the government hostage to advance a policy goal. Such was the case here, as numerous polls showed a growing majority of Americans disapproving Trumps conduct as the shutdown stretched on.

Now its imperative that the two sides reach a deal on effective, not symbolic, border security. That wont happen if Trump stays wedded to his wall  and Democrats to defying him. Trump threatened Friday to pursue either of two bad courses of action if he didnt get his way in the negotiations: shutting down much of the government again in mid-February, or using emergency powers to fund the project even though Congress will not.

The president sought to present himself Friday as the soul of reasonableness, saying he was looking to build the wall only in predetermined high-risk locations that have been specifically identified by the Border Patrol to stop illicit flows of people and drugs. Yet he continued to portray the wall as a magical crime-fighting solution while painting a hyperbolic picture of criminals and terrorists pouring over the southern border.

The debate cant be grounded in scare tactics. Walls and fences make sense in places, and the border already has nearly 700 miles of them. Does it need more? Do we need more electronic surveillance? More agents? Lets base those answers on sound professional assessments adapting to the changing situation along the border  where illegal crossings are way below modern peaks despite the recent increase in Central American migrants  not on the presidents reflexive resistance to immigration and his cynical fanning of passions among immigration hard-liners.

Enter the Fray: First takes on the news of the minute 

The immigration system, on the other hand, has been undeniably broken for years, and Trump has remarkably managed to make it even worse. According to the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse at Syracuse University, the backlog in the immigration courts has more than doubled under Trump, if you include the more than 300,000 previously closed cases that this administration has reopened. But there are many interlocking and complex issues to be resolved, including whether to change the countrys priorities in determining who gets visas, how to accommodate the need for seasonal workers and what to do about the estimated 11 million people already living in the country illegally, including the Dreamers who arrived as minors and in many cases have been raised as Americans.

Trump has sought to draw some of those issues into the negotiations over the wall, among them his contentious proposal to bar minors who come to the United States from seeking asylum. Its hard to see how lawmakers could reach agreement on all these issues in three weeks; whats needed is a comprehensive approach to the web of immigration issues, and Congress has yet to prove itself up to that job despite years of trying. Trump can and should hold lawmakers feet to the fire on the need for immigration reform. But thats a far bigger job than building a wall, and he must not take the government hostage to try to force the outcome he desires.

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The teachers are off the picket lines, the kids are back at their desks and all is well with the Los Angeles Unified School District  for the moment.

But the very serious financial problems that schools Supt. Austin Beutner warned about continue to loom dangerously over the district. That wasnt just alarmist rhetoric or a negotiating posture. An independent study commissioned under former Supt. Ramon C. Cortines laid out L.A. Unifieds shaky situation several years ago. The state has raised similar concerns. The Los Angeles County Office of Education weighed in with much the same message in November.

We emphasize the need for the Board to recognize the long-term impact of the Districts structural deficit spending and are concerned that time-sensitive financial decisions are being postponed, the county said in a letter to the district. Over the course of the next three years, the unrestricted General Funds reserve is projected to decrease from $778.3 million to $76.5 million, a decline of 90.17 percent.

The strike clearly increased awareness of the districts financial needs.

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Yet the district, desperate to resume instruction, its bargaining position weakened by the strong showing of parent and public support for the teachers union, has tentatively agreed to a plan to boost nursing, counseling and library staff at schools, and to reduce class sizes as well. Whats more, it agreed not to raise raise class sizes in the future even if it faces financial duress.

Were all for better staffing. But there could be a sober reckoning ahead for the district. By lowering class sizes gradually over the next four years, the contract commits the district to more than $400 million in additional spending. At first the money will come from the districts shrinking reserves, but over time that money will disappear. Meanwhile, the districts enrollment is expected to continue to decline, reducing the per-pupil revenue the district receives from the state.

New infusions of revenue will be required. Those could come in the form of a local parcel tax, tentatively planned for placement on the 2020 ballot. Would it pass? The strike clearly increased awareness of the districts financial needs; the question is whether the support built during an emotional week-long walkout would translate into two-thirds of voters agreeing to an additional long-term tax.

And not just any parcel tax proposal deserves public backing. A worthy measure would include clear language and restrictions on how the money can be spent, strong citizen oversight as well as guaranteed robust funding and authority for the districts Inspector General to investigate spending and district operations.

Another potential source of revenue is the split-roll property tax initiative on the ballot next year. If it passes, its estimated that it would bring in more than a billion dollars a year for the district. If it fails, the district can still lobby for more funding from existing state sources, but with forecasts of an economic slowdown for California, this is an iffier proposition.

In other words, the new contract carries a strong element of calculated risk, and the outcome could be deeply problematic if the district loses the bet.

Enter the Fray: First takes on the news of the minute 

Unquestionably, California schools are underfunded, especially in comparison with those around the nation. The states per-pupil spending is in the bottom 10 in the nation; its student-to-teacher ratio is the fourth highest. The tentative deal has risks, but it has been struck and it needs to go through.

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There are other options to pay for some of these new hires. The Board of Supervisors is looking at using its mental-health funds to help with nursing and/or counseling needs at the schools. If that moves forward, there should be clear rules for how the funding would be used; the supervisors also must consider that there are many students around the county who need these services, not just those enrolled in Los Angeles Unified.

Also, Mayor Eric Garcetti should be more involved in the schools, looking at ways to leverage city services at school sites.

It is great that Angelenos appear to recognize the needs of L.A. Unified and its students, and that the strike built support for better funded, higher quality schools. But it wont come cheap.

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook
Good morning, and welcome to the Essential California newsletter. Its Friday, Jan. 25, and heres whats happening across California:

TOP STORIES

A bit of good news, but not enough for Pacific Gas & Electric Co.: A long-awaited state investigation released Thursday concluded that the 2017 Tubbs fire was caused by private power lines, not those owned by the utility giant. The wine country fire killed 22 people and destroyed thousands of homes in Santa Rosa. PG&Es electrical systems were found responsible for numerous destructive Northern California fires in recent years. In many cases, heavy winds downed power lines that sparked the blazes. Los Angeles Times

Plus: Californias largest power company plans to file for bankruptcy as soon as next week. But a growing chorus of shareholders, ratepayer advocates and lawyers for fire victims says theres no need for PG&E to enter bankruptcy. Los Angeles Times

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The teachers strike is over, but ...

Despite resolving its labor dispute, the Los Angeles Unified School District is still faced with a series of critical problems that pose an existential threat. The nations second-largest school system remains beset by declining student enrollment, lagging academic achievement and serious financial problems. Perhaps biggest of all, privately operated charter schools still can still hobble the district, and a solution goes far beyond the negotiating table. Los Angeles Times

 The teachers strike, seen from the right. Wall Street Journal

 The teachers strike, seen from the left. The Nation

-- The action now moves to Sacramento. CALmatters

Big change at the border

U.S. border officials finalized plans Thursday to require asylum seekers to remain in Mexico while their cases are considered in the United States, the latest escalation of the Trump administrations immigration crackdown. Los Angeles Times

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L.A. STORIES

White House ambitions: Even as troubles in Los Angeles have muddied his case for a presidential campaign, Mayor Eric Garcetti has made clear in Washington that he is still very much preparing to launch one. Los Angeles Times

I just want to do my job: An L.A. County sheriffs deputy who learned to live his own truth as one of the departments transgender deputies. Los Angeles Daily News

Its a crowded, small world: With Disneyland expecting a surge in attendance when it opens its Star Wars land this summer, the Anaheim park is relying on a plan to ease congestion by improving or eliminating visitor chokepoints rather than putting strict limits on attendance. Los Angeles Times

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Bill Plaschke on the boys in blue: The news is that the Dodgers have signed free agent outfielder A.J. Pollock. The story is that they wont be signing Bryce Harper. Los Angeles Times

CRIME AND COURTS

Never mind? A man is backing away from his lawsuit that leveled a rape allegation against the late Brad Grey, the former chairman and chief executive of Paramount Pictures, and accused a former MTV executive of sexual assault. Los Angeles Times

Keeping it secret: A Los Angeles County judge granted a temporary restraining order Thursday to block some police use-of-force and misconduct records from being released by the county, marking the latest step in an effort by California police unions to bar access to records following the passage of a landmark transparency law. Los Angeles Times

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POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT

Affordable housing in the Bay Area? Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerbergs Chan Zuckerberg Initiative and other organizations and companies are raising money to fund programs intended to protect and produce affordable housing in the Bay Area amid calls from regulators and voters for tech companies to help solve the states housing crisis. Los Angeles Times

Doomsday warning: Former Gov. Jerry Brown may be out of elected office, but he has no intention of exiting public life. On Thursday he launched the newest phase of his career in signature style  standing before a giant clock in Washington to warn that the world lies dangerously close to catastrophe. Los Angeles Times

Crossing the aisle: In a political move that caught some San Diegans by surprise and could have a statewide impact, San Diego Assemblyman Brian Maienschein announced Thursday that he was switching his political party allegiance from Republican to Democrat. San Diego Union-Tribune

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History lesson: Could this case haunt Sen. Kamala Harris in her run for president? San Francisco Chronicle

CALIFORNIA CULTURE

Hollywoodland: Pixar pioneer John Lasseter may be the first real-time trial balloon for a comeback in the #MeToo era. Los Angeles Times

Food for thought: Josiah Royce, Californias original academic rock star, offers some advice still relevant in 2019: When evaluating your life, dont ask, How happy am I? Ask, How loyal am I, and to what? New York Times

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Intriguing project: Ron Howard is making a documentary about the Paradise fire and rebuilding. Press-Democrat

Fandom 101: Your Los Angeles Rams are in the Super Bowl, but the your part of the sentiment leaves a lot to be desired. There are too many visiting team jerseys in the Coliseum, says LZ Granderson. Los Angeles Times

Why so mysterious? Netflixs ratings reveals have rivals riled up. Los Angeles Times

CALIFORNIA ALMANAC

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Los Angeles area: partly cloudy, 75, Friday; partly cloudy, 77, Saturday. San Diego: partly cloudy, 72, Friday; partly cloudy, 74, Saturday. San Francisco area: sunny, 62, Friday; cloudy, 61, Saturday. San Jose: sunny, 66, Friday; cloudy, 66, Saturday. Sacramento: sunny, 62, Friday; cloudy, 61, Saturday. More weather is here.

AND FINALLY

Todays California memory comes from Phil Wood:

Moved to La Canada in 1950 from a little town in the East Bay called Orinda. At 13, I thought L.A. was a wonderland. My friends and I hung out at Oak Grove Park, just down the hill from St. Francis School. Across the vast and empty Arroyo was this weird conglomeration of buildings we knew only as JPL. We didnt know what they did over there except that it was very creepy and very secret. My old house  which sat on what used to be the old Flintridge Country Club golf course  is no longer there since they paved paradise for the new freeway through La Canada. It was a great time to be a kid.

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If you have a memory or story about the Golden State, share it with us. Send us an email to let us know what you love or fondly remember about our state. (Please keep your story to 100 words.)

Please let us know what we can do to make this newsletter more useful to you. Send comments, complaints and ideas to Benjamin Oreskes and Shelby Grad. Also follow them on Twitter @boreskes and @shelbygrad.
A bank employee escaped a massacre that killed four co-workers and a customer at a SunTrust branch in central Florida, running out a back door when the gunfire began, according to authorities.

The employee was in a back break room when the attack began in the Sebring bank, Highlands County Sheriffs Office spokesman Scott Dressel said Friday.

Upon hearing the shots, the employee ran out a back door and contacted law enforcement, Dressel told the Associated Press. No additional information about the employee was released.

Four female employees of SunTrust and a female customer were killed in the banks lobby. Suspect Zephen Xaver, 21, was arrested after a standoff with police and faces five counts of premeditated murder. Brian Haas, Florida state attorney, has said it is likely he will seek the death penalty.

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The death penalty is reserved for the worst of the worst first-degree murder cases. Given what I know about this horrific case, I certainly anticipate that the death penalty will apply, Haas said in an email to the Ledger in nearby Lakeland, Fla.

SunTrust banks planned to observe a moment of silence Friday to honor the five victims.

In a Facebook post, SunTrust said the moment of silence would begin at 12:36 p.m. Eastern time. That was when Xaver called 911 on Wednesday and told dispatchers he had shot everyone inside the bank, authorities said.

Zephen Xaver, 21, could face the death penalty, a prosecutor said. (Highlands County Sheriffs Office)

The shooting appeared to be a random act, not part of a robbery, and Xaver had no connection to any of the victims, Sebring Police Chief Karl Hoglund said Thursday at a news conference.

Xaver recently moved from northern Indiana to Sebring, about 80 miles southeast of Tampa. He also recently quit his job as a prison guard trainee.

An Indiana police department released a 2014 report in which Xaver, then 16, said he had dreams about hurting other students in a classroom.

The Bremen Police Department report said the Bremen High School principal contacted police after Xaver reported having the dream the previous night and again during a nap at school. The report said Xavers mother agreed to take him to a behavioral health center. Police took no further action.

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Authorities also released log entries of other incidents involving Xaver, including one in March 2017 when Michigan State Police advised that a girl received messages from Xaver indicating he was possibly thinking of suicide by cop and taking hostages.

An Indiana woman who identified herself as Xavers ex-girlfriend told reporters that he long had been fascinated with the idea of killing, but no one took her warnings about him seriously.

His father told CNN that Xaver had his troubles, but he has never hurt anyone ever before.

Authorities have identified four of the victims: customer Cynthia Watson, 65, and three bank employees: 55-year-old Marisol Lopez, 31-year-old Jessica Montague and 38-year-old Ana Pinon Williams.

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In compliance with a newly passed victims rights law in Florida, police have withheld the name of the fifth victim at the familys request.

Xavers arraignment is scheduled for Feb. 25 in Highlands County court.
The Venezuelan lawmaker who declared himself acting president set about consolidating his tenuous hold on power and building support where he could find it amid the national chaos on Friday, as U.S. diplomats and their families began leaving the country.

Juan Guaido vowed to convene street protests to force President Nicolas Maduro to resign, and told cheering crowds that if he were arrested they should continue without him.

In his first public speech since Wednesday, when he proclaimed himself Venezuelas legitimate leader in a massive protest march in the capital, Caracas, the 35-year-old president of the National Assembly tried to capitalize on discontent with the Maduro government while making the case that a better future was within reach.

On Jan. 23, all Venezuelans awoke from a nightmare and from thinking we were trapped, Guaido said. The regiment tries to plant doubts, but when hope is born, doubts dont matter. They are mistaken if they think this movement will collapse or that we will tire. We will recover not only the Venezuela we had but also the one we will have in the future.

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But tensions between Guaido and Maduro, who won reelection in a vote widely criticized as a sham, deepened as Maduro showcased his backing from Venezuelas top military brass hours after President Trump and much of Latin America sided with Guaido. Maduro insisted he was not going anywhere.

Reasons for discontent in the country are varied, with Venezuelans daily lives in disarray. The health system has virtually collapsed, public transport is almost nonexistent, and a crime wave has emptied streets in the capital after dark. Electricity and water services regularly break down, and food scarcities have forced thousands of Venezuelans to scavenge garbage dumps for sustenance.

In his discourse, Guaido has mixed cool defiance while offering hope for a better future amid a polarized political scene. That and his fresh face have vaulted him to a leadership position among Venezuelans longing for a way out of the crisis that has sent more than 2 million people fleeing the country in search of better lives.

On Friday, he repeated his demands that a transitional government be formed and that new, free elections be held. Banners that festooned Bolivar Plaza read President Guaido and Venezuela Liberty.

More than liberator, I want to be a public servant for you to transform the country, Guaido said.

He has urged nonviolent protest, though the Wednesday marches have led to some confrontations. At the start of his talk he called for a moment of silence for 26 people who have died since Wednesday in clashes with police and the national guard. According to civil society groups, 369 people have been arrested.

The United States, which agreed with findings of a rigged election, began to evacuate its embassy of nonessential personnel Friday in response to Maduros expulsion order this week. The decision was an apparent reversal of the U.S. governments initial decision to defy Maduros order and retain the embassy staff. Guaido said he was encouraging U.S. diplomats to stay.

In Washington, Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo announced Friday he was naming Elliott Abrams to be point man for the Venezuela campaign. Abrams, who served in the Reagan and George H.W. Bush administrations, was caught up in the Iran-Contra scandal of the 1980s that exposed illicit U.S. government support for rebels trying to overthrow the leftist government of Nicaragua. He pleaded guilty to withholding information from Congress.

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Guaido thanked the dozens of countries that have recognized him as Venezuelas legitimate president, including the United States, some members of the European Union and several Latin American nations. He said he would not permit the Maduro government to squander Venezuelan assets abroad, a possible reference to the Citgo refining operation in the United States that the Maduro government has loaded with increasing debt in recent years.

Guaido spoke at an event billed as a news conference that became a political rally attended by about 3,000 supporters in Bolivar Plaza in the affluent Chacao area of Caracas. Before addressing the crowd, Guaido stopped in a church adjoining the plaza for a brief prayer. Despite having waited more than 2 hours past the scheduled start for Guaido to appear, the crowd greeted him enthusiastically.

Maduro also held a news conference Friday in which he called on his base to remain firm, attributing Guaidos popularity to the international media that has made invisible the chavista power that supports me, in the face of what I consider a coup detat. Chavista is the general term for Venezuelan socialist policies named for Maduros late predecessor, Hugo Chavez, who promoted the countrys Bolivarian revolution.

I have broken relations with the government of Donald Trump, but not with the United States, Maduro said, adding that his government would continue to sell oil to U.S. refineries, its principal destination. Russia, China, Bolivia, Nicaragua, Cuba, Turkey and Mexico have said they support Maduro.

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Guaido promised to call for another nationwide march next week to keep the pressure on Maduro. He called for supporters to print versions of a new law guaranteeing amnesty to members of the armed forces who contribute a reestablishment of the democratic and constitutional order and deliver them to police stations and army bases on Sunday. The law was widely interpreted as a means of encouraging the armed forces to resist Maduro.

We will return to the streets. Those who think the streets have cooled off will be disappointed, Guaido said. We will keep with the struggle until the usurpation ends.

But the Maduro government has so far paid little attention to the oppositions demonstrations. Nationwide protests in 2017 were put down with violently repressive measures, leaving 156 dead, 15,000 injured and 4,000 arrested.

Guaido said he was aware that he might be arrested to halt the movement for change, in which case he urged his supporters to continue with peaceful tactics.

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In Miraflores [the presidential palace], they think this movement will collapse, but no one is tiring; here no one is giving up, Guaido said.

They may be able to cut the flower, but never will they keep spring from coming.

The Trump administration will make the case for recognizing Guaido at a special session of the United Nations Security Council in New York on Saturday. Russia and China are likely to veto any Security Council resolution.

Mogollon is a special correspondent. Times staff writer Tracy Wilkinson in Washington and another special correspondent in Caracas contributed to this report.
John Mason, a California sculptor known for groundbreaking, large-scale, ceramic abstractions, died Sunday at his home in Carlsbad at age 91, said his wife, Vernita Mason.

Mason was known for a quiet, gentle demeanor that belied a grand, daring and tenacious creative vision that detonated the conventions of ceramic art. He was a central figure in a major Southern California shift in the 1950s and 60s, when ceramics turned away from traditional craft, decorative objects and functionality and moved toward abstraction, monumentality and human emotion.

John Mason was one of a small group of artists, and that included Peter Voulkos and Ken Price, who made Southern California the epicenter of the clay revolution, said Suzanne Isken, executive director of the Los Angeles museum Craft Contemporary. They forever changed the landscape for clay.

Gallerist Thorsten Albertz, whose New York-based Albertz Benda gallery has represented Mason since 2016, said the artist really pushed ceramics into a new realm.

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He worked with the material of clay to create sculptures, objects, art  nothing that could be of use, Albertz said. They were powerful and energetic works. He took the clay and literally smashed it into the floor. And he just created abstract fields of clay that he construed as sculptural objects or wall relief.

Early on, Mason drew attention for his massive walls, towers and monolithic rectangles. In the early 70s, he began creating more conceptual installations of firebrick before turning back to clay a decade later with his geometric vessels and sculptures.

One of Masons best-known works is the sprawling, abstract expressionist Blue Wall (1959), considered a landmark in ceramic art. It was exhibited, among other places, at the 1962 Seattle Worlds Fair. Another key work is Red X (1966), a nearly 5-square-foot, 1-foot-thick crimson sculpture that the Los Angeles County Museum of Art owns.

Combining the X-marks-the-spot finality of treasure maps with the stubborn solidity of fire hydrants, David Pagel wrote in a 2000 Times review, this snub-nosed sculpture boldly declares: This is it! Ceramics is an art form on par with any other. 

Other Mason works are in the collections of the Museum of Contemporary Art in L.A., the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, among many others.

John Masons sculptures, from left, Blue Spear (2000), Black Figure (1998) and Charcoal Figure (2002). (David Kordansky Gallery)

Mason was born in 1927 in Madrid, Neb., and lived in North Platte when he was very young, the only son of Alva John Henry, who worked in construction, and Florence Mason. After his parents separated when he was 10, Mason moved to Hazen, Nev., with his mother. She married Albert Mason, a farmer who adopted Mason and a younger sister. Mason learned about construction from his biological father and farming from his adoptive father, but he knew he wanted to be an artist.

I knew early that was the thing I preferred to do over everything else, he told The Times in 1997.

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When he was 22, Mason ventured to Los Angeles to study at what later became the Otis College of Art and Design. A few years later he transferred to the Chouinard Art Institute, where he met Price and studied with the potter Susan Peterson. He returned to Otis in 1954, focused on clay and studied with Voulkos, a mentor and friend.

In the late 1950s and early 60s, along with friends Price, Ed Moses and Billy Al Bengston, Mason showed at the influential Ferus Gallery, a hub for artists who shaped the burgeoning Los Angeles contemporary art scene. Mason had three solo shows there, paving the way for a solo exhibition at LACMA in 1966.

To me, as a young ceramicist at the time and later, his work just left me in awe, Bengston said. He was one of the greatest  and possibly most creative  ceramicists of all time.

Mason taught sculpture at Pomona College  James Turrell was among his students  and at UC Irvine, where he founded the sculpture department. He was a visiting professor at UCLA and USC.

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In 1974, Mason left for New York, where he taught at Hunter College and, in 1978, produced his ambitious The Hudson River Series, organized by the Hudson River Museum. The projects 10 site-specific firebrick installations appeared in six museums. Mason returned to L.A.  and to fired clay works  in 1984.

Mason continued to make art until he was 90. He showed in the Gettys 2011 Pacific Standard Time: Crosscurrents in L.A. Painting and Sculpture, 1950-1970, as well as in the Whitney Biennial in 2014 and at Yale University Art Gallery in 2015.

John moved clay off the wheel and onto the wall, onto the floor, building sculptures that might span 30 feet, might stand 5, 6, 7 feet tall, said Kirk Delman, collections manager at the Ruth Chandler Williamson Gallery at Scripps College, which presented Masons last exhibition, Meditation on Material, in fall 2018. These were true sculptures. They just happen to be made of clay.

Delman called Masons central work in Meditation on Material  a diamond-shaped sculpture composed of 5,000 firebricks  quiet, powerful, meditative. It was a golden tan. The bricks werent manipulated, painted, glazed or fired; they were just stacked, and they formed a quiet landscape in the gallery.

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Masons connection to the raw material of clay was profound.

It was more than just liking it, he told The Times. I knew I had found something important and that I would be able to realize something. It was not just sensual pleasure. It was, This is a material that has meaning for me, for a long time. That insight was important, and its what really maintained my interest.

Masons sister, Barbara Ann Machado, died in 1987. He is survived by his wife and their children, Jairlyn Mason and Stuart Mason.

deborah.vankin@latimes.com

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Twitter: @debvankin
Private criminal defense lawyers appointed to defend the poor in federal courts in California have not been paid since Christmas Eve.

If the federal government shutdown continues into next month, federal jurors in California may not receive their pay or be reimbursed for expenses until the government reopens.

An association that represents FBI agents says the shutdown has impeded investigations, making it impossible to pay some confidential sources or forensic experts.

Still, the doors to federal courthouses in California will remain open, even when funding scraped from fees and other sources dries up next month.

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We are fortunate that the judiciary has been able to maintain operations and that people have been paid, David Madden, a spokesman for the San Francisco-based U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, said Thursday. The courts will continue to fulfill their constitutional duties for as long as they are able.

The uncertainty over the length of the shutdown nags, though. We have never been down this road before, Madden said. Who knew it was going to be this long?

The U.S. Department of Justice has said that law enforcement will continue working, though federal lawyers are asking that civil cases be postponed until the government reopens. The government plans to pay back all workers who have gone without paychecks, regardless of whether they worked without pay or were furloughed.

Rukelt Dalberis, a spokesman in the FBIs Los Angeles bureau, declined to answer questions about the shutdowns impact on the bureaus investigations and operations, citing an order issued bureau-wide not to disclose such details publicly.

In a statement from the agencys headquarters in Washington, officials said, FBI operations are directed towards national security and violations of federal law, and must be able to continue during a lapse in appropriations. As such, all FBI agents and support personnel in field offices are considered excepted from furlough.

Earlier this week, the association that represents FBI agents, who are working unpaid, released a report warning of the deepening impact the shutdown is having on investigations.

Unnamed agents said the shutdown had hamstrung them in several ways, according to the report.

Agents working on Native American reservations, for example, said they had been prevented from seeking warrants and indictments from grand juries, and that they no longer had access to specialists who perform forensic evaluations of victims in child sex assault cases.

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A team of agents working on a large narcotics investigation was unable to pay informants or conduct undercover drug deals, the report said.

One agent cited in the report coordinates a terrorism task force. He said the inability to pay confidential sources has meant we have lost several sources who have worked for months, and years, to penetrate groups and target subjects.

The Justice Department has said its civil litigation staffing has been trimmed to the minimum level needed to comply with court orders and protect life and property.

The Los Angeles-based U.S. Attorneys office said that 70% of its civil lawyers have been furloughed and three-quarters of pending civil cases have been put on hold.

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The overwhelming number of people working every day are not being paid, said Thom Mrozek, a spokesman for the office.

The Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts has managed to pay court staff and keep operations afloat by deferring non-critical expenses and using court filing fees and other funds.

But the office said the money would run out Jan. 31 and asked courts to develop contingency plans. The federal district courts in California plan to remain open, with employees working without pay, until the government reopens.

The 9th Circuit will continue to hold hearings, and attorneys will continue to file their briefs electronically.

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District and 9th Circuit judges also will be paid, as required by the U.S. Constitution, and federal law says that bankruptcy judges and magistrates may not be furloughed without pay.

Still, Madden said some 9th Circuit courthouses could be shuttered on days when no hearings are scheduled

Delays in covering jurors expenses, including hotel costs if overnights are required, also might make it difficult for jurors to report for service, he said.

Courts will have to stop holding naturalization ceremonies and various training and education programs, he added.

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Noting that court employees are uncertain about the future, Madden said everyone is tightening their belts.

Daniel Spohr-Grimes, a spokesman for the Sacramento-based federal Eastern District court, said workers are all painfully aware of the situation.

We are all doing what we need to do to support our families and maintain our lives as best we can if the paychecks stop, he said. We are hoping it doesnt get to that.

He noted that California state government will offer unemployment benefits to unpaid federal workers on the condition the money be repaid once the federal government reopens.

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Some utilities and mortgage companies also are willing to allow deferred or reduced payments to unpaid federal workers, he said.

maura.dolan@latimes.com

Twitter: @mauradolan
A Los Angeles County judge granted a temporary restraining order Thursday to block some police use-of-force and misconduct records from being released by the county, marking the latest step in an effort by California police unions to bar access to records following the passage of a landmark transparency law.

The move comes two days after The Times and Southern California Public Radio filed a lawsuit against Los Angeles County alleging the Sheriffs Department violated the state public records act in failing to timely disclose records about two deputy sheriffs.

The order issued Thursday by Judge Mitchell L. Beckloff after a request from the Assn. for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs means the records sought by the media organizations are temporarily blocked from release.

Law enforcement unions in Ventura, San Bernardino and Riverside counties as well as the city of Los Angeles have also persuaded courts to temporarily restrict access to records of incidents that took place before Jan. 1, when the transparency law went into effect.

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A similar move by the Walnut Creek Police Officers Assn. in Contra Costa County is pending.

The police unions argue that Senate Bill 1421  which opens up records of shootings by officers, severe uses of force and confirmed cases of sexual assault and lying by officers  would violate officer privacy protections if applied to cases predating the beginning of the year.

Before the law went into effect, California had the nations strictest protections on internal police files, barring even prosecutors from directly accessing them.

Jacob Kalinski, an attorney representing ALADS and other police unions seeking temporary restraining orders, said its unfair to change the rules on officers who made career decisions based on their files being confidential.

Kalinski said officers wrongly accused of misconduct might have been more willing to appeal their discipline if they had known that their records would one day become public.

But now if the activity is brought to light, that could be detrimental to a career, Kalinski said.

The police associations say there is nothing in the laws language specifying that it applies retroactively.

But an attorney for The Times and SCPR, which seek to intervene in the ALADS case, argued the law allows for the release of certain records if they are currently in an agencys possession, regardless of the date on the documents.

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Its disappointing that these restraining orders are being granted because they interfere with the publics right to know and the clear intention of the Legislature, said the attorney, Kelly Aviles, adding that she understands the court may need more time to evaluate the matter.

In issuing his order, Beckloff said if the statute is not intended to cover records of events prior to Jan. 1, there would be great harm to deputies if their documents were to be released. He did not elaborate.

A hearing to further examine the issue is set for Feb. 15.

Lana Choi, an attorney for Los Angeles County, told the judge the county was prepared to provide records under the new law and sought the courts guidance on the matter. She said the county did not oppose ALADS request for a temporary restraining order.

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Several agencies including the San Luis Obispo County Sheriffs Office and the San Bernardino, Santa Barbara, Burlingame and Cathedral City police departments have already disclosed records under the new transparency law.

The separate lawsuit filed this week by The Times and SCPR, which operates KPCC 89.3 in Pasadena, says the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department has violated the state public records act by not disclosing records about two deputies. The media organizations argue the documents are subject to release under the new transparency law.

The Times seeks records pertaining to Deputy Caren Carl Mandoyan, who was fired in 2016 in connection with allegations of domestic abuse and stalking and was recently reinstated by Sheriff Alex Villanueva. Mandoyan worked as a campaign aide to Villanueva.

SCPR has requested records about Deputy Gonzalo Inzunza, who shot at four people within a seven-month period and was the focus of the podcast Repeat, which examined the Sheriffs Departments handling of shooting investigations.

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County spokeswoman Lennie LaGuire said the county doesnt comment on pending cases. Nicole Nishida, a spokeswoman for the Sheriffs Department, said the agency has not received the lawsuit and also declines to comment on pending litigation.

Times staff writer Ben Poston contributed to this report.
The Los Angeles Times and the Sacramento Bee sued the Sacramento County Sheriffs Department on Friday over the release of documents about misconduct or significant use of force by deputies, marking the latest maneuver in what has become a statewide legal battle over the disclosure of law enforcement personnel records.

The lawsuit alleges that the department violated the states Public Records Act by denying requests from both newspapers.

Disciplinary reports have long been secret in California, but a landmark law that took effect Jan. 1 requires the disclosure of records of shootings by officers, severe uses of force and confirmed cases of sexual assault and lying by officers.

Law enforcement unions in Los Angeles and several other counties have obtained temporary restraining orders stopping agencies from releasing records, arguing that Senate Bill 1421 does not apply to records from incidents that took place before 2019.

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In denying requests for the documents, the Sacramento Sheriffs Department said it was withholding records until there was clear legal authority to release such records because Senate Bill 1421...was not expressly made retroactive.

There are no restraining orders preventing the Sheriffs Department from releasing the records.

The newspapers lawsuit cited two deadly shootings by Sacramento police officers last year that set off protests. In one, Stephon Clark, an unarmed 22-year-old, was fatally shot in his grandmothers backyard as police looked for a vandal in the neighborhood. In the other, 19-year-old Darell Richards was shot after allegedly pointing a pellet gun at SWAT officers.

Neither shooting was by Sacramento County sheriffs deputies. The lawsuit mentioned the incidents and the protests they sparked as an indication of public sentiment regarding police shootings in the area.

The public interest in monitoring police conduct is especially strong in Sacramento County (as in the rest of California), where officer-involved shootings which claimed the lives of Stephon Clark and Darell Richards, have ignited public protests and criticism of police, the lawsuit said.

The lawsuit notes that when SB 1421 was being developed last year, one of the bills opponents, the Los Angeles County Professional Peace Officers Assn., acknowledged the measure would be retroactive. The group, which represents some Los Angeles County Sheriffs deputies, argued that some police records could become public even if an officers actions were justified.

Moreover, our reading of Senate Bill 1421 is that making the records of an officers lawful and in-policy conduct is retroactive in its impact  (an officers) records are available for public inspection irrespective of whether or not they occurred prior to the effective date of SB 1421, the association wrote. The comments were cited in a California senate public safety committee analysis of the bill.

The Times also requested records under the new law from the Sacramento Police Department. The agency said it would provide some records by the end of next month.

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Until last year, the states powerful law enforcement unions repeatedly blocked attempts to make any disciplinary records public. But lawmakers approved SB 1421 amid a heightened debate over how officers use force and interact with communities of color.

Proponents of the measure say restricting its reach to records of incidents after Jan. 1 severely limits the laws impact and shields misconduct by some officers who remain on the job.

Sen. Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley), who wrote the law, said she intended for it to apply to any records in a departments possession. She added that if a court decided otherwise, she believed the law would still increase transparency surrounding police activities.

In response to the lawsuit, the Sacramento County Sheriffs Department reiterated its position that it could not provide records of pre-2019 incidents due to ongoing litigation over whether SB 1421 is retroactive.
HiCaliber Horse Rescue is gone.

The controversial operation that earned the wrath of horse lovers, animal rights activists and rival rescues last year amid allegations of fundraising fraud, improper euthanasia of old and crippled horses, and mistreatment of animals ceased operation last month.

Michelle Cochran, the brash leader of the rescue, and her supporters were evicted from the property they leased in rural Valley Center and are being sued by the owner, who is seeking $4 million in damages.

The HiCaliber signs are gone from the 15-acre ranch, replaced only by the name of property owner, Brenda Markstein, on a lone mailbox.

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According to the lawsuit, filed Nov. 26 in Vista Superior Court, Cochran, who also goes by the last name Knutilla, failed to pay the monthly rent of $6,000 from July to November of last year as well as additional rent for use of a tractor.

Cochran, according to the lawsuit, further breached the lease, which was first entered into in 2014, by damaging the property in an abusive vexatious manner including irreparable damage to residential structures, farmlands, barns and ranch buildings, pens, stalls, landscaping trees, drainage and otherwise, wrote attorney G. Richard Green in the complaint.

Court files indicate Cochran has yet to responded to the allegations. She declined to comment when reached by a reporter.

Things began to fall apart for HiCaliber in 2017 when online attacks targeted the rescue. Numerous investigations by various local and state agencies began, and HiCalibers extensive online fundraising abilities were crippled.

Cochran called her detractors haters and said the accusations were borne from jealousy about the success of her operation. She said her personality also made enemies in the horse rescue world.

In April, Cochran announced the ranch would close by June and the more than 100 horses on the property would be adopted out. By Dec. 13, when sheriffs deputies came to the property to execute the eviction, there were still a couple dozen horses on the property and volunteers said conditions at the ranch had deteriorated dramatically.

Cochran and co-defendant Romney Snyder were allowed to take 22 horses to another ranch in Valley Center. The location of that property has not been revealed.

Later that day, according to published reports, Markstein and others toured the property and found the main home and other buildings trashed. A spokesman for Markstein and her husband, Travis Fox, said the ranch was filthy.

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Markstein told the nonprofit news organization inewsource.org that the damage to the main house was extensive and included urine-soaked floors. A spokesman said after the eviction the body of a baby horse was found buried in a pile of manure.

In a statement, Fox said that when a professional cleaning company came onto the property following the eviction, workers wore hazardous material suits while cleaning the main house.

That was $20,000 down the drain just to make the home livable again, he said. We have two more units that still need to have the animal and human feces cleaned out.

Markstein told inewsource she had been trying to get Cochran and the others off the property for months, but the legal process took time.

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We shared so many beautiful memories on the property prior to renting it out, she said in the statement. Now it brings tears to my eyes when I walk through here. How could someone live like this? How could they treat innocent animals this way? I only hope we can get it back to where it was and put this nightmare behind us.

Back in 2014, things were far different. HiCaliber was about to be evicted from a smaller property in northern Escondido where a monastery that had been leasing some of its land to what was then a much smaller rescue operation decided it needed the property for expansion.

An article in a horse-related magazine depicting HiCalibers need for a new home came to the attention of Markstein and her husband, at the time Los Angeles residents, who agreed to lease the property to the rescue. Cochran called it a Godsend at the time and for several years the ranch flourished.

Horses came to the ranch in various ways. Some were neglected horses that had been seized by authorities. Some were starving or abandoned horses. Many were purchased by HiCaliber at auctions, outbidding what Cochran called kill buyers who purchased horses with the intent of reselling them to slaughter houses in Mexico.

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But by early 2018, there were about 150 horses on the property, far more than were permitted by the county. As online criticism increased, and complaints were filed with the county and other agencies, officials began looking closely at the operation.

The county noted numerous minor violations of county code, all of which were handled administratively. In March, the state attorney generals office suspended the nonprofit rescues ability to raise funds because of improper tax filings. Cochran admitted there had been paperwork issues. Less than two months later, after the proper paperwork had been filed, fundraising efforts were reinstated. But by then, the bad publicity surrounding the rescue had doomed the enterprise.

The controversy surrounding Cochran and HiCaliber appears to have been based at least partly on a fundamental difference of opinion about what a horse rescue should be.

Cochran believes putting a sick horse out of its misery is a viable, even sacred duty.

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Critics said some of the horses Cochran would kill, usually with a gunshot to the head, could have been saved. They said her euthanasia practices were out of control and her fundraising techniques questionable.

Cochran denied all wrongdoing.

Various agencies opened investigations, but no charges have been filed and it is unclear if any are still ongoing.

In the statement, Fox said he and his wife thought they were doing a public good by giving HiCaliber a discount on rent to help horses in need.

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Instead, our 15 acres has been reduced to a landfill, he said. At least 30 truck loads of manure are still piled up, the homes are unlivable, and there were animal carcasses all over the property. This place has become a death camp and we are doing everything we can to help heal the land.

Jones writes for the San Diego Union-Tribune.
Egyptian Minister of Supply Ali El-Moselhi said on Friday that a cooperation protocol will be signed on Monday with France's Rungis International Market, which is considered the largest wholesale food market in the world.

The protocol, which will be inked during French President Emmanuel Macron's upcoming visit to Egypt, aims to outline a plan to develop wholesale markets in Egypt, said the minister.

The minister made the remarks during his inauguration of Bonjourno instant coffee factory, which is affiliated with Nestle SA. The factory was built with investments worth EGP 250 million.

Moselhi said that his ministry has worked on drawing up a strategy to develop Egypt's internal trade sector and establish trade and logistic zones nationwide.

There are 100 million consumers in Egypt with only three major markets that do not utilise modern technology, Moselhi noted.

Moselhi asserted that it is high time for Egypt to benefit from the successful experiences in developed countries to promote its internal trade and boost its exports through following strict rules and providing products at the highest quality.

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A bill submitted to the state Legislature on Thursday seeks to close the book on a centuries-old livelihood and vestige of old California: commercial trapping of native mammals for their pelts.

Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher (D-San Diego) introduced the Wildlife Protection Act of 2019 in response largely to the concerns of wildlife advocates, who say fur trapping is cruel and anachronistic. Trapped animals are strangled, shot or beaten to death, with care taken not to damage pelts before skinning them.



For the record: An earlier version of this article gave the name of the lawmaker who introduced the wildlife protection act as Lorena Gonzalez-Fletcher. Her name is Lorena Gonzalez.

Gonzalez Fletcher, however, said there were also financial reasons for shutting down the industry.

Not only does the cruel fur trapping trade decimate our increasingly vulnerable wildlife populations, she said, running this state trapping program doesnt even make fiscal policy sense.

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The proposal argues that the roughly six dozen trappers still working in the state  down from more than 5,000 in the 1920s  cannot afford to pay the full cost of implementing and regulating their industry as required by law.

Taxpayers are subsidizing this unnecessary commercial activity, because the cost of running this program isnt even covered by the revenue from trapping license fees, Gonzalez Fletcher said. The revenue generated by the sale of trapping licenses only covers a fraction of the costs of even a single warden.

The proposal points out that wildlife viewing in California has become a larger source of income than fur trapping. It argues that because individual trappers concentrate their operations in limited geographical areas, they run the risk of depleting targeted species in those areas. Depleting those species could impair an areas ecology and diminish opportunities for wildlife viewing, the bill says.

The minimal revenue generated by the sale of furs of the animals killed by trappers is dwarfed by the millions of dollars that wildlife watching generates in the California economy, Gonzalez Fletcher said.

A total of 68 trappers reported killing 1,568 animals statewide in 2017, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Among the 10 species reported taken were coyote, gray fox, beaver, badger and mink. Reported capture rates that year were highest for coyotes, followed by gray foxes, officials said.

Of the animals lawfully trapped and killed, 1,241 were reported sold, generating an estimated $4,531 for trappers, or an average of $67 per trapper.

The price a trapper can get for a coyote pelt on the world market is about $73, officials said; a gray fox pelt fetches roughly $11.86.

The total revenue received by the Department of Fish and Wildlife for the sale of those trapping licenses was $15,544, and $709 for the sale of fur dealer licenses, officials said. Some of those licenses were held by pest-control companies, officials said.

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The proposed legislation is backed by the nonprofit Center for Biological Diversity  which led a successful earlier campaign to prohibit bobcat trapping statewide  and the nonprofit group Social Compassion in Legislation, which spearheaded a bill more than a year ago to ban the sale of mill-bred dogs, cats and rabbits. That bill went into effect Jan. 1.

Historically, even before Californias population ballooned to roughly 40 million people, fur trapping played a significant role in the extirpation of wolves and wolverines and the severe declines of sea otters, fishers, martens, beavers and other fur-bearing species.

The time has come to ban the practice in California, Judie Mancuso, founder and president of Social Compassion in Legislation, said. Thats because it is cruel and because our dwindling populations of native animals are under siege from development, drought, unnaturally frequent wildfires and people in Russia, China and elsewhere who wear their pelts as a vanity.

Four years ago, the California Fish and Game Commission voted to ban all commercial bobcat trapping in the state, citing two reasons:

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The estimated 100 commercial bobcat trappers working in California could not afford to pay the full cost of regulating their industry as required under the Bobcat Protection Act of 2013, which required that commercial trapping programs be self-funding.

In addition, they could not determine whether trapping jeopardized the species because they had no current scientific data on the health of the state bobcat populations.

The state Department of Fish and Wildlife declined to comment on the pending legislation. Fur trappers were not immediately available for comment.

But Gary Michelson, a physician who has donated $250,000 to the effort to eliminate fur trapping, said, Killing animals for their pelts in this day and age is a horrible thing.

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louis.sahagun@latimes.com

Twitter: @LouisSahagun
Sotto, Steve Samsons nearly 8-year-old Southern Italian restaurant in Pico Robertson, will close Saturday.

We want to thank you for your continued support of our special little restaurant, Sotto said in an Instagram post Thursday afternoon. We have other exciting projects in our future and cant wait to share the details as they materialize.

The closing of Sotto, which was Samsons first Los Angeles restaurant, follows a split with the restaurant group Sprout L.A. (the company behind Republique, B.S. Taqueria and Redbird).

It was kind of like an amicable divorce, Samson said in an interview. Sprout has all of their own projects and we are going in different directions. Thats basically it. No bad feelings.

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Instead Samson and his wife, Dina, will start their own hospitality group, he said.

Sotto, located four steps down from street level on Pico Boulevard (hence the name Sotto, which means under in Italian), quickly gained a following and accolades for Samsons leopard-spotted pies, cannoli (which Jonathan Gold called some of the best in the city) and excellent cocktails when it opened in 2011. It was one of the first restaurants to transform Los Angeles into a respectable pizza city.

Steve Samson might be known best for the leopard-spotted pies at Sotto. Pictured is a pizza topped with spicy salami and honey. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

There is definitely a lot of Sotto that I love, Samson said. I love Southern Italian food. Its a ripe ground if we do something new to tap back into.

Samson and his wife have partnered with Hans Luttmann to start San Julian Hospitality. Samson opened Rossoblu, his Bolognese-inspired restaurant in the Fashion District, with Luttmann in May 2017.

San Julian Hospitality Group is named after San Julian Street, where Rossoblu is located.

9575 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, (310) 277-0210, sottorestaurant.com.

jenn.harris@latimes.com

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Instagram: @Jenn_Harris_
At around 7 p.m. in Mexico City the days rhythm slows to a torpor. Cars are stuck in traffic and its pouring, rain flooding the streets as it does at twilight for most of the year. There are so many days of rain in Mexico City, a good reason to go, sings Julia Holter, reasonably. The moment calls for something to eat. (This is not dinner; dinner is still a couple of hours away.) Its time for esquites, time for street pancakes, time for a quick fix at 7-Eleven or Oxxo. Its time for tacos: It always is.

The options are as endless as the city. At Don Guero in Cuauhtemoc, influential food writer Pedro Reyes gets his usual: tongue, cheek and bistec tacos. Each one, he says, calls for a specific salsa: cooked green salsa for the lengua, red morita for the cheek, and pico de gallo for the bistec.

Over in San Cosme the venerable Califa de Leon gets its third wind of the day and it still has one left in the old smoky lung. Heres where gaoneras  filet mignon tacos  were supposedly invented; the beef served on handmade tortillas, sprinkled with sea salt and finished with salsa verde cruda, pounded with the mighty tejolote. Consider the writing on the wall at Califa de Leon: Out of respect for the others, and yourself, DO NOT blow your nose. Some of the good new wave taquerias are just getting going around this time: Visit Tizne in Del Valle, where the charred eggplant taco is king, or Paramo in Roma, which slings a meatball taco to rule them all.

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Charred eggplant taco from Tizne Tacomotora. (Andrea Tejeda Korkowski / For The Times)

But, importantly, 7 p.m. means tacos al pastor are getting there. Of course al pastor can be found at any time of day, but this taco is truly a creature of the night, a yellow-red moon that shines over chilango cuisine. There are at least four iterations of tacos al pastor in the the city: Theres the proto-pastor, purist pastor, red pastor and stewed pastor.

The proto-pastor  called taco oriental on most menus  are the taco arabes most recognizable offspring. (Tacos arabes are, of course, the direct antecedents of the al pastor family of tacos.) In these proto-pastor tacos you see the evolution of shawarma into a more distinctly Mexican food: lamb shifts to pork, pita gives way to corn tortillas, and yogurt-tahini sauce is swapped out for greenish salsas. Still, the taco will welcome you with the piquant spices youd expect in a shawarma, the veritable great-great-great-aunt of all al pastor. Try one at Hayito Tacos Arabes in Narvarte or at Baltazar in the Centro Historico.

Baltazar taqueria, which specializes in tacos arabes, on Bolivar Street, downtown Mexico City. (Andrea Tejeda Korkowski / For The Times)

You can taste the next step of al pastor evolution in purist al pastor, as served by the likes of El Huequito and Taqueria Arandas in the old citys center. Youd never mistake their seasoning for that of a shawarma; they are gently scented with achiote, chiles and adobo. They are the taco equivalent of a fetus on an ultrasound screen, future undecided as yet, waving to its parents who dont know what to expect. Purist al pastor does not contain pineapple, although most places will have it around  and there is no reason to deny yourself that pleasure if it appeals to you.

Review: At Konbi in Echo Park, Japanese sandwiches with a cult following 

If the meat in a purist pastor is still the color of flesh, charred in parts, the meat in a red pastor is fully tinted by the achiote, the reddest of adobos. It has been said that red pastor tacos were born with the emergence of taquerias al carbon  taquerias with charcoal fires to scorch their trompos, or vertical rotisseries  such as El Farolito, El Kaliman and El Tizoncito sometime in the 60s. This taqueria triumvirate is responsible for the popularity of red pastor. El Tizoncito, especially, got to be an extremely famous taqueria. Last time I checked, there were 16 of them at all points of the citys compass rose.

Of course al pastor can be found at any time of day, but this taco is truly a creature of the night, a yellow-red moon that shines over chilango cuisine.

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The original El Tizoncito in the Condesa neighborhood. It claims to have created the taco al pastor. (Andrea Tejeda Korkowski / For The Times)

The history of al pastor tacos inspires all manner of conjecture. Some surmise that El Tizoncito  the original Tizoncito, that is, which still stands at the corner of Campeche and Tamaulipas in Condesa  is responsible for the miraculous appearance of the first slice of pineapple on the al pastor taco, one of the great gifts chilango cuisine has bestowed on mankind. No one truly knows where it first happened.

The stewed pastor is probably the least widespread variation, possibly born of necessity at taquerias that are not outfitted with the vertical rotisseries and big chunks of charcoal that have come to define al pastor. Its meat is not roasted, but cooked over medium heat in its own juices and fat. These tacos are heavy on the achiote and obviously light on the char. Pineapple, when available, is optional. El Paisa de Coruna, in Viaducto Piedad, has one of the most famous. El Paisa is always packed, which never guarantees anything but tends to be a good sign. These tacos, fully loaded with onion, will stay with you several days, if not in your memory then at least in your digestive system.

Preparation of an al pastor taco at El Tizoncito. (Andrea Tejeda Korkowski / For The Times)

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There is always someone saying that we are witnessing the decline of al pastor tacos. Film critic Leonardo Garcia Tsao wrote, back in 1991, that he no longer made the obligatory post-cinema ritual at El Tizoncito because nowadays those tortillas taste like cardboard. Industrial tortillas in particular are met with derision. All these people dont know what a good tortilla is, ranted Diana Kennedy, a historian and cook in her 90s, in a 2014 interview with writer Daniel Hernandez. Joaquin Cardoso, the young chef behind Roma Bistrot, when asked the 693-year-old question, what is your favorite food to eat in Mexico City?, told this to Ambrosia magazine:

Review: Homey Hayats Kitchen, starring Lebanese meats and sweets, goes Hollywood 

Tacos. Al pastor is one of my favorites. But then you talk about specific places. Its kind of sad, that in the city in which tacos al pastor were created, you have to think twice about where to have good ones, right? It should not be like that. The tortilla is declining in quality. They dont pay much attention to the meat. They pay more attention to cost or what kind of music they will have at the taqueria.

Arturo Rivera Martinez, a grill master at Califa de Leon. (Andrea Tejeda Korkowski / For The Times)

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Al pastor tacos were not created in Mexico City. They were created nowhere: They have sprung up in many cultures, many cities, many times. They are universal. Al pastor can be found in paintings of 14th century meat roasters in the Luttrell Psalter; in photographs of 19th century Ottoman donerci or Lebanese proto-taqueros in the 1950s. Al pastors legacy is truly never ending. Nothing comes from nothing, and al pastor tacos are part of an unremitting history of translation and remix, copy and plagiarism, of roasted meats wrapped in some kind of bun.

But the lines of people eating tacos at all times all over the city that did not create al pastor pay little attention to such grievances. Of course there are conservative people of all ages, and they will always talk about the good old days, be it 20 or 40 or 60 years ago. There will always be people who think their city is robbing them of something they once had, or thought they had. But in Mexico City, the city of a million tacos, no time is better than another. The city suffers no nostalgia: tacos change, people change. That is all. One can rant against changes, but the city is not listening.

The city wins. The city always wins.

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Alonso Ruvalcaba is a a writer, editor and critic based in Mexico City. This is an adaptation, rewrite and update of 24 horas de comida en la ciudad de Mexico (Editorial Planeta, 2018), Chapter 12.

Addresses

Tacos Don Guero: Rio Nilo 66, Cuauhtemoc, 06700 Cuauhtemoc

Califa de Leon: Av. Ribera de San Cosme 54, San Rafael, 06470 Ciudad de Mexico

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Tizne Tacomotora: Diagonal No. 39, Col del Valle Centro, 03100 Ciudad de Mexico

Paramo: Av. Yucatan 84, Roma Nte., 06700 Ciudad de Mexico

Hayito Tacos Arabes: Av. Universidad S/N, Benito Juarez, Narvarte Poniente, 03020 Ciudad de Mexico

Baltazar: Simon Bolivar 100, Centro Historico, Centro, 06000 Ciudad de Mexico

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Tacos El Huequito: Ayuntamiento 21, Centro, 06050 Cuauhtemoc

El Farolito: Altata 19, Hipodromo Condesa, 06100 Ciudad de Mexico

El Kaliman: Calle Ensenada 74, Hipodromo Condesa, Hipodromo, 06100 Cuauhtemoc

El Tizoncito: Av. Tamaulipas 122, Condesa, 06140 Ciudad de Mexico

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Taqueria Arandas: Calle de Bolivar 91, Centro, 06080 Cuauhtemoc

El Paisa de Coruna: La Coruna 302, Viaducto Piedad, 08200 Ciudad de Mexico

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Behind a white picket fence in Highland Park, Clementine Creevy is waking up. Its 2 p.m.  late morning for most college kids, but Creevy skipped college. Now 22, shes fronted her rock band Cherry Glazerr since high school.

Five years ago, signed to Orange Countys Burger Records, she would take interviews after classes. While shed bring two original bandmates  bassist Sean Redman (now in The Buttertones) and drummer Hannah Uribe (now a tattooist)  it was all about Creevy.

For the record: An earlier version of this post incorrectly stated that Clementine Creevy was raised in Boyle Heights. She grew up in Los Angeles.

A couple years later, on 2017 album Apocalipstick, the acts Secretly Canadian debut, Creevy appeared alongside a different duo: drummer Tabor Allen and synth player Sasami Ashworth. They matched her sophistication and joy, and Apocalipstick was an important record for the band, graduating them from lo-fi kids to anthemic punks with dreams of loftier venues.

On this day, Creevy is alone.

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Online interaction isnt real, says Clementine Creevy of Cherry Glazerr. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)

A retooled Cherry Glazerr lineup will release a new album, Stuffed and Ready, on Feb. 1, but the albums artwork is a portrait of just her holding a guitar, which is currently attached to a wall. Her one-bedroom apartment is generously decorated. Youd never want to leave: Vinyl is everywhere, an image of Jackson Browne looms from a bookshelf, an acoustic guitar grazes the floor, and an enormous settee eclipses the front room.

Her bedroom is behind a kitchen she never uses. This is where the magic happens, she jokes, pointing at the studio  her bed. In the back, she has a washer, which in 2019 L.A. is the pinnacle of aspirational rockstar living.

There are moments on Stuffed and Ready that are incredibly gloomy in their depiction of Creevys solitude. Ive showed it to friends who cried. Theyre sad I feel this way. But Im comfortable working through my problems publicly and Im not looking for any particular response.

Self-Explained is her most literal song yet: I dont want people to know how much time I spend alone, she sings. But there are more nuanced ways in which Creevy has experienced aloneness.

Take Daddi, which hollers about paternalism and having to ask men for permission.

Theres nothing more gratifying than exploring myself in the world on my own, she says. Yet I feel discouraged from that all the time. Ive definitely been told: Oh, youre gonna go by yourself? Youre gonna try to do that? Im an able-bodied 22-year-old person. What else should I be doing?

Ive showed it to friends who cried. Theyre sad I feel this way. But Im comfortable working through my problems publicly. Clementine Creevy

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Since the age of 15, Creevy has evolved in the publics eye, but Stuffed And Ready feels like her first grappling with major growing pains. Where Apocalipstick was an outward reaction to Trump, Stuffed and Ready is a study of her own shortcomings and societys shortcomings. Today she offers a perspective on how we socialize ourselves now: online but not IRL.

Online interaction isnt real, she says. There are symbols of connection. Texting somebody a heart is a symbol of connection. Its not real connection. Its easier and you cant get hurt if its not real. Were aware that its a painful thing to navigate.

The pain of it has not only inspired Creevys most emotional songs but also her most rational. Ive been gravitating towards rational thought, she says. Im obsessed with social media. I delete Instagram every couple days, so I can remember what its like to live my life. Its such a neurotic place  a string of cries for help. So Ive been gravitating towards people who speak rationally. It keeps me grounded.

Clementine Creevy performs at FYF Fest in Los Angeles, Calif., on July 23, 2017. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)

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Creevy feels less alone in Glazerr. Shes inviting more feedback. Creevy has always been the leader, muse and decision-maker, but shes found people who can challenge, even educate her. Im questioned about my lyrics and meticulously comb through them, she says. I wasnt open to that before. It takes lying on the floor in agony, but I need a hard-ass in my life, and I dont get angry. Im not a defensive person. I need that to write the best songs I know I can write.

Allen, whom she calls her ride-or-die homie with a smile, is one of those people who challenges her. Her third member is now bassist Devin OBrien, whos toured with Glazerr for years. Ashworth has her own solo career. Creevy is as measured explaining her departure as she has been with others.

I didnt need a full-time synth player any more, she says. Sasami is killing it. That makes me real happy. I hope shes happy.

Still, Creevy struggles. I struggle with loneliness.

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::

Music-making keeps Creevy secluded, but its her best pal. Her days are taken up by writing. She does pop out from time to time, though. I love walking down York [Boulevard], she says. Thats what I do for fun. I go walking.

Every night, she hangs at local spots. Shes been known to break conversation and sing into her iPhone when ideas come to her. Ill be at the bar, drunk, doing that. Then Ill go, So anyways'. Whatever. Writers deal with that.

Ive been gravitating towards rational thought, says Clementine Creevy of Cherry Glazerr. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)

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Creevys workmanlike approach is at odds with early descriptors of Cherry Glazerr as some fashion band. Creevy grew up in Los Angeles, the daughter of parents who are artists and writers  her father, Nicholas Wootton, is known for his work on Scorpion and Chuck  and she dabbled in modelling and appeared in Amazons Transparent.

Now, she has tunnel vision. She wants to set the world ablaze with guitar. Im a guitar freak. She takes the Stratocaster off the wall to finger-pick her way through her answers about making this record.

I try not to worry about whether a new direction would be harmful to my popularity, she says.

Stuffed and Ready is not a drastic departure, but its slicker and more widescreen. They made an album with musician-producer John Vanderslice last year. At the last minute, they hired Carlos de la Garza, who worked on Apocalipstick, to redo everything.

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I wanted an album of bangers, not an art-rock record, said says, adding she cared not about the labels money.

I wanted it to sound massive in an arena where it could stand the test of time, she says. Her simple, punchy guitar lines are among her strongest. She was listening to metal: Ozzy and Unwound. I really got into the Cure too.

Creevy once rejected pop hooks. She thought that made her smarter. A good song is a good song, she says now. If it sucks, throw it away. Dont try to put harmonies on it. I hate harmonies. Youll write another song; youll be fine.

Id rather have a public fumble than be stagnant. I set my expectations low; otherwise, you find yourself in an ego loop not doing anything with your life. Clementine Creevy

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In the past, shes been anxious about creative dry spells. Oh my God, what if I dont write another song? she says. I struggle with that every day. All the time. I constantly think about it. Then I always end up doing it in the most unexpected times. I write like a mad man.

This self-checking mechanism is part of Creevys defiance of her own generational tropes. She has no problem being an unfinished article or putting out music before shes fully realized.

My philosophy is that you cant, she says. Constantly seeking perfection is not as smart as just working. Youre not gonna get good at anything if you sit around and wait.

Theres a refreshing lack of validation-seeking too. Id rather have a public fumble than be stagnant, she says. I set my expectations low; otherwise, you find yourself in an ego loop not doing anything with your life. Privacy and routine have allowed her to escape the outside noise. Its cheesy, but the most important thing in combating self-doubt is being nice to yourself.

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In an ego-driven age, Creevy is pleasantly transgressive. On Stupid Fish, she shrieks: I see myself in you and thats why I  hate you. The song concludes that were all just hairy people trying not to die. I dont know anything more than anybody else, she says. It might seem like I have my ... together, but Im just shooting in the dark, trying to be happy. Were always putting on this mask, not admitting that we dont have the answers to happiness. Thats interesting.

Her philosophy is to say yes, Say yes to everything.

Thats why theyve never canceled a show. Is that hard? No, she scoffs. No, no. Its so easy. She starts effusing about celebrity chef Christina Tosi. Creevy doesnt know how to use her own stove, but Tosi is her hero.

She moved to New York and didnt see her family for years. She was busting her ass trying to open up a shop. It can feel lonely. Its an aspect of drive, and its complicated, but it rules.
Kasie, the quietly spiraling heroine of the drama Ms. Purple played by newcomer Tiffany Chu, spends her days caring for her dying father in the cramped Koreatown apartment they share.

Her brother, Carey, left home a while ago. Shared sorrow unites them through the distance. But now bills are mounting, and Kasie refuses to turn her dad over to hospice care.

So at night she goes to work plying businessmen with booze and attention as a doumi, or paid hostess, in the dimly lighted karaoke joints of Los Angeles.

And in writer-director Justin Chons sophomore feature, premiering in the U.S. dramatic competition at the Sundance Film Festival, those swirling pressures of family obligations, cultural expectations and the looming impossibility of survival are slowly, invisibly, suffocating Kasie.

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Mainstream awareness of doumi life is virtually nonexistent. To most audiences the film will be an introduction to the under-the-radar practice common in L.A.s Korean nore bangs, or private karaoke rooms, in which young women are paid to party with men.

Free-flowing soju and patriarchal power dynamics inherent to the scene can lead to illicit activity and assault, which is why the LAPDs vice squad started cracking down on late-night karaoke establishments in recent years. For the mostly cautious Kasie, its an extension of the gendered expectations shes grown up with and one of few options she thinks she has to keep the lights on at home.

Chon, who was raised in Orange County and spent his life in and around Koreatown, saw the nore bangs as an untapped backdrop for the kind of humanistic reflections of Asian American life he seeks to tell.

I felt like, lets talk about it. Asian cultures specifically are very male-dominated, and I felt like it was such a great conduit to parallel how she deals with her father, the director says. Its this vicious cycle of finding comfort in not the best situations.

Ms. Purple director Justin Chon (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)

Chon, an actor known for his roles in The Twilight Saga, 21 & Over and many other films, initiated a career evolution starring in 2017s Gook, which he also wrote and directed. That film, about the friendship between an African American girl and a Korean American on the eve of the 1992 L.A. riots, premiered at 2017s Sundance Film Festival, where it won the Next category.

By the time Gook won Chon the Film Independent Someone to Watch award, the director had his next feature in his sights.

Instead of going bigger, I wanted to go more intimate and more specific and more tribal  because I feel that the more specific it is, the more universal it tends to be, Chon says.

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Co-written with Chris Dinh, Ms. Purple is set in present-day Koreatown, telling a story of cultural expectations, generational guilt, toxic masculinity and liberation. Filmed across the heart of the city from Ktown to Pico-Union, Kasies journey plays out across concrete strip malls and bustling residential blocks familiar to Angelenos but rarely seen onscreen.

Ms. Purple tracks Kasies gradual awakening through her relationships with the men in her life: the Korean immigrant father broken by his own failed American dream (James Kang); the wealthy boyfriend who sees her as an object to be controlled (Ronnie Kim); Octavio, the charming new friend who breaks down her walls (played by a charismatic Octavio Pizano); and brother Carey (Teddy Lee), who would rather waste away his life at an online cafe than confront the traumas of the past.

Chu, the daughter of Taiwanese immigrants who hails from the Bay Area, was only a few years into her acting career when she landed the role in Chons intimate indie drama. A self-described former shy kid and only child, Chus unshowy gravitas lends a melancholic undercurrent to Kasies emotional isolation.

To better understand Kasies world, Chu worked as a doumi for a night, answering a Craigslist ad that led her to an interview with a recruiter. It was basically just showing up at the Dennys on Vermont to make sure that youre not fake, she says.

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Chu was later picked up at the same Dennys and driven in a Mercedes with other girls from karaoke joint to karaoke joint across town, given a quick rundown by a driver and other hostesses: Watch your drinks, and watch your dollar bills.

Obviously its very unpleasant, Chu says. The guys are pretty gropey. They ask to kiss you  I was really being cautious of what I was doing, what other girls were doing, asking them their experience, and [I learned that] everyone has their own reasons.

FULL COVERAGE: 2019 Sundance Film Festival 

Ms. Purples Justin Chon and Tiffany Chu. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)

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More important, Chu and Lee spent extensive time together before filming to develop the complex sibling bond between Kasie and Carey, young adults wrestling with filial duty and frustrations who each have their own complicated relationship to their father.

At its heart, Ms. Purple is a story of siblings  the kind of story Asian American filmmakers havent had much chance to tell before, says Chon.

Some of my favorite movies, like You Can Count On Me or The Savages, are always [centered around] white people, he says. And I always felt like were not allowed to tell those stories because we dont have enough bankable actors to warrant a budget to be able to tell it properly.

But while Ms. Purple is at once universally relatable in its familial dynamics, its also specific to Kasies unique second-generational L.A. existence  caught between cultures, expectations and obligations, unseen in a predominantly Latino Koreatown, seemingly alone in a city of 4 million.

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A lot of it is her mental struggle of what shes battling against, what she wants, what other people want, what her father wants and what she thinks her family wanted for her, says Chu, who can currently be seen in the Twitch original series Artificial. A lot of Asians, they go it alone and dont want to reach out for help. It was important for me to show that shes not alone.

Even now, sitting in an empty party room at Soopsok Karaoke and Restaurant on 3rd Street, where they filmed much of Ms. Purple, Chon and Chu have flashbacks to the impossible 34-day shoot last May. The proprietors of Soopsok, a K-town fixture, were one of many local supporters in the community, including musician-actor Dumbfounded, rapper Rekstizzy, actor Sung Kang and executive producer Daniel Dae Kim, whose support made the scrappy low-budget indie possible.

They opened their doors to us, and if they hadnt done that this movie wouldnt have been possible, he says with a smile, jokingly grateful to not be sitting in the upstairs party room where they staged a difficult moment of intense violence during a hectic schedule of night shoots. Ultimately Chon says he hopes Ms. Purple encourages conversations about finding identity within communities free of external expectations, a thread that manifests symbolically in a purple traditional Korean gown, or hanbok, that Kasie is given as a gift.

The question I raise for the audience is, what are the cultural things that are great for us to bring with us from our old country  and which can we leave behind? he says. But its not just Korean culture. For all of us Asian Americans, it represents the baggage that we bring that we dont need to carry with us.

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Its also a story of melting together, which is why it was important to Chon that his Koreatown also represent the city and neighborhoods Hispanic population.

I feel like were living in a time that is so segmented, like, This is our thing. Thats your thing. And we need to have our own things, says Chon, who plans to continue to act, write and direct. But through my storytelling my agenda is, how do we exist as a whole?

Ms. Purple screens at the Sundance Film Festival on Jan. 25, 5:45 p.m., at the Library Center Theatre in Park City; Jan. 26, 8:30 a.m., at the Egyptian Theatre in Park City; Jan. 27, 3 p.m., at the Salt Lake City Library Theatre in Salt Lake City; Jan. 30, 5:30 p.m., at the MARC Theatre in Park City; Jan. 31, 6 p.m., Sundance Mountain Resort Screening Room in Sundance; and Feb. 1, 3:30 p.m. at the Eccles Theatre in Park City.

Sundance 2019 Film Festival: See the latest video interviews On Now Video: Jake Gyllenhaal exposes the art world's dark side in 'Velvet Buzzsaw' 4:03 On Now Video: Behind the scenes of the L.A. Times 2019 Sundance photo/video studio On Now Video: The 2019 Sundance Film Festival Boomerang Supercut On Now Video: The importance of telling the story of the Bobbitts in the documentary 'Lorena' 3:05 On Now Video: How do you make the most of a small budget? On Now Video: Cast and filmmaker discuss trusting each other while shooting 'Premature' 3:12 On Now Video: 'Brittany Runs a Marathon' breaks conventions and stereotypes On Now Video: Jillian Bell is tired of getting scripts about body image issues On Now Video: Jillian Bell lost 40 pounds for her role in 'Brittany Runs a Marathon' On Now Video: 'Brittany Runs a Marathon' actors break out of their sidekick roles
Megan Mullally will host the 25th Screen Actors Guild Awards this weekend, but ran into major issues dressing herself for the occasion, a plight she chronicled on social media last month.

The Will & Grace star, beloved for her role as the wisecracking Karen Walker, talked to The Times last month about how few major designers were willing to dress her  despite her high-profile hosting gig  and how she resolved the issue.

Mullally, who has won four SAG Awards, also talked about how she hopes to lift up her colleagues and how her woodworking husband, fellow actor Nick Offerman, might pitch in when the ceremony takes place at the Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall in Los Angeles on Sunday night.

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I heard youve had some issues in the wardrobe department. Hows that going?

When I found out that I was hosting, I told Lori [Eskowitz-Carter, costume designer for Will & Grace], and I said, Can you help me? She said, Yeah. Over the course of those many weeks, she reached out to every designer, every recognizable design brand. Not one person sent one dress, except for Alexander McQueen, who sent two dresses. I thought that was very nice. Nobody else sent a dress. Were used to that.

Very excited to be hosting the 25th Screen Actors Guild Awards! January 27 @tntdrama @TBSNetwork  (now: will literally ANY designers send me a dress...? i mean, im hosting it. i will DEF be on camera, so... ) pic.twitter.com/U44V0KdE1z  Megan Mullally (@MeganMullally) December 12, 2018

I think that Ive never been  even in the heyday of Will & Grace  I was never anybodys like, Oh, you have to dress her. You know, I was already almost 40 when that show started. Im not saying that they dont wanna send me a dress because Im 60 or they dont wanna send me a dress. I have absolutely no idea why. I just think its kind of funny and interesting. ... It would be nice if it were a little more egalitarian maybe.

We ended up getting a couple of dresses from smaller designers. I think were gonna use a couple of those.

Is this something that happens once you have four SAG Awards of your own? Theyre like, We cant give her any more statues. Can we just have her host?

Thats really sweet. I always have such fond memories of the SAG Awards. Well, I was lucky enough to win a few, but also just the event itself is fun. You sit at a big table and you get to see all your friends. I love actors so much...Thats true. Its in the press release, but its so true.

I always love just going and seeing people we already know, but then also ... I really wanna meet [The Favourite star] Olivia Colman. Theres a big part of me thats a fan. I love actors. I feel like Im a big encourager of talent.

Eric McCormack, from left, Debra Messing, Sean Hayes and Megan Mullally in Will & Grace. (Chris Haston/NBC)

The complete list of 2019 SAG Awards nominees 

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Talk a little bit about working as an ensemble on Will & Grace versus doing your own thing?

At this point, 20 years in, I feel like we are such a well-oiled machine. I think we probably were saying that the first time around, little did we know. I think now its even gone to the next level of knowing each other and understanding each other and knowing each others strengths and weaknesses. Even just in rehearsal or in a run-through, to laugh at each others jokes, laugh at each others punchlines. Thats the only group of actors that I ever have worked with for that length of time and probably ever will.

Are you terrified of hosting?

No. Im rarely terrified. I think itll be good ... The whole show is celebrating and lifting up actors. I want it to be light and funny too. If I can come up with some jokes, Id definitely like it to be funny and fun and kind of smart.

If all else fails, Nick can come out and build a bird house, right?

Yeah. I would like that.

Just keep that in your back pocket.

I mean, I could just be playing it on a loop behind me for the whole [show].

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This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Libby Hill is a former Times staff writer. Staff writer Nardine Saad contributed to this report.

 Workers at the Shrine Auditorium unload a large SAG statue and wheel it toward the venue to be placed.
Patton Oswalt just proved that kindness can grow on Twitter by contributing to the medical bills of one of his online detractors.

The A.P. Bio star came under fire on Twitter by Michael Beatty, a Republican Alabama resident who criticized Oswalt for chiding President Trumps Wednesday rhyme about building a wall.

I just realized why I was so happy you died in Blade Trinity! Beatty wrote Thursday afternoon, referencing the 2004 vampire thriller that featured Oswalt, and referred to the actor as a sawed off little man.

The Vietnam veterans response had been colored by his own ire over a two-week hospital stay during which he had fallen into a coma due to complications from diabetes and sepsis. But he didnt expect the comedian to read it, let alone respond, which he did, philanthropically.

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Aw, man. This dude just attacked me on Twitter and I joked back but then I looked at his timeline and hes in a LOT of trouble health-wise. Id be pissed off too. Hes been dealt some  cards  lets deal him some good ones. Click and donate  just like Im about to, the actor wrote.

Oswalt directed his 4.5 million followers to the retired vets GoFundMe account, which had only accumulated about $600, and the comedian donated $2,000. As of Friday morning, more than $34,000 had been donated and Beatty was moved to tears, which prompted the comedian to profanely joke that the display of emotion would result in him canceling the donation.

I would never have [imagined this] based on what I tweeted to him. If anything, I expected a scathing retort or just to be ignored, but thats not what happened, Beatty told the Washington Post.

Replying to Oswalt on Twitter, Beatty said the comedian humbled him and earned a new fan.

Oswalt managed to not only let me slide on a rough tweet to him but started something that has me reevaluating friendships and productive dialogue regardless of political affiliation. Hes a good man and I hope that I can meet him one day to cement a relationship.

Beatty has continued to address the outpouring of support, replying to many of the positive tweets that came his way.

Your comments are worth more than any money, he wrote to one user. I am humbled by the number of people from other political arenas who, as humans and good people, have given me encouragement. This point onward I look forward to productive dialogue to learn more about what we all want.

Oswalt, in turn, said to pay it forward and find a GoFundMe account for a worker furloughed by the government shutdown or donate to a food bank.

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I want to thank everyone who came to my aid with generous outpourings- and also to @pattonoswalt without whom I would not be the recipient of so much love and support. I'm not a man who ever cries but I had to wait to send this. And to quote Stuart on Big Bang "meat tonight"! pic.twitter.com/r4Kc9zYk7E  Michael Beatty (@MichaelBeatty) January 24, 2019
Oscar nominations have arrived (finally!), bringing glad tidings to fans of the movie about Dick Cheney, bad news for the documentary about Mr. Rogers and 10 nominations each for Roma and The Favourite.

Now we can roll up our sleeves and think about what movie will prevail at the Oscars next month.

Welcome to the Gold Standard, the newsletter from the Los Angeles Times that helps guide you through the ins and outs of the awards season leading up to the Oscars.

Im Glenn Whipp, The Times awards columnist and your newsletter host.

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How the Oscar nominations made history

Marvel Studios earned its first best picture nomination with Black Panther. Netflix joined the best picture club with Roma. Spike Lee picked up his first nomination as a director for BlacKkKlansman. Yalitza Aparicio became the first indigenous woman nominated for lead actress for her beautiful work in Roma.

Pull up a chair and, if you have a few hours, you can run down all The Times Oscar coverage, including critics favorite surprises and heartbreaking omissions, interviews with newly minted nominees Lady Gaga and Rami Malek, and why Glenn Close doesnt need an Oscar but this year she deserves one.

Mahershala Ali and Viggo Mortensen in Green Book. (Universal Pictures)

Green Book takes Producers Guilds prize

When you make Dumb and Dumber, you dont ever expect to get an award, said producer Peter Farrelly, who also directed and co-wrote Green Book, which took the Producers Guilds top honor Saturday night.

The win represented another high point in Green Books roller-coaster ride through awards season. The movie has taken top prizes at the Golden Globes and Toronto International Film Festival, but has also been dogged by controversy along the way, including the resurfacing of a controversial 2015 tweet from co-writer Nick Vallelonga that supported Donald Trumps false claim that Muslims in New Jersey celebrated the destruction of the World Trade Center.

I attended the ceremony at the Beverly Hilton, and the Green Book love was evident in the room, with one producer even wearing a green dress in the films honor. As I noted in my Oscar nominations analysis, there has been, among some awards season voters, a backlash against the backlash.

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Did I mention theres still another 30 days until the Oscars?

Roma actresses Yalitza Aparicio and Marina de Tavira arriving at the 76th Golden Globes. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Five Oscar nominations that surprised  and how they happened

Parsing the Oscar nominations, everyone loves to focus on the snubs,even though these omissions arent really pointed slights but just the inevitable outcomes when you have too many worthy candidates for too few spots.

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Instead, I like to focus on the surprises, nominations we didnt see coming  or if I did, they felt like an exercise in optimism.

I wrote about Roma actresses Yalitza Aparicio and Marina de Tavira, longtime Spike Lee collaborators Terence Blanchard and Barry Alexander Brown earning their first nominations, Cold War director Pawel Pawlikowski and the love shown toward The Ballad of Buster Scruggs. Perhaps one of the nominees from the Coen brothers western anthology will find a better earthly reward than the movies title character.

Feedback?

Id love to hear from you. Email me at glenn.whipp@latimes.com.

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Cant get enough about awards season? Follow me at @glennwhipp on Twitter.

glenn.whipp@latimes.com

Twitter: @glennwhipp
Sometimes a production can wrest a seemingly outdated play from certain retirement. Director Stephen Daldry did just that when he was a young gun storming the London theater scene in the early 1990s.

The play in question was J.B. Priestleys An Inspector Calls. Daldrys neo-Hitchcockian staging, built around a cockeyed dollhouse of a set by Ian MacNeil, became a transatlantic hit, winning four Tony Awards. A remounting of what is being billed as the National Theatre of Great Britains landmark production has come to the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills, where it runs through Feb. 10.

If what was once so bracing now seems quaintly nostalgic, the work hasnt lost its popular charm. The theatrical effectiveness of Daldrys An Inspector Calls, even in a somewhat faded touring copy, is undeniable. Those who loved the show before will like it a good deal again. And newcomers, while perhaps wondering how the directorial stagecraft could have ever been considered edgy, should find enough dramatic enticement to hold their interest.

Priestleys theatrical warhorse has all the elements of an engrossing whodunit. In the middle of a dinner party celebrating the engagement of an industrialists daughter to the son of his chief manufacturing rival, an inspector arrives with word that a woman in the area has died by swallowing disinfectant.

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Christine Kavanagh, left, Jeff Harmer and Lianne Harvey in An Inspector Calls. (Mark Douet)

An inquiry is opened into what motivated this desperate act, but the real crime being investigated is unconstrained capitalism. This mysteriously knowing detective sets out to show how each member of the elegant gathering, a port-splashed repast of snobs sealed off in an upper-class bubble, is implicated in the tragedy.

Imagine Agatha Christie crossed with George Bernard Shaw then doused with a touch of surrealism and youll have some idea of this 1945 play, which premiered in the wake of World War II but is set in 1912, just a couple of years before that other great global conflagration.

Priestley could be forgiven if he was in a didactic frame of mind. The world had been ripped apart and had to be put back together again. Could society at long last learn from its mistakes? (Spoiler alert: Dont count on it.)

An Inspector Calls is not subtle. The sensibility is more Edwardian than modernist, but Daldry serves it up with expressionistic elan. Rather than shy away from the moralizing, the production embraces a critique of inequality that never seems to lose any of its pertinence.

HELLO, DOLLY!: Betty Buckley on finding her own Dolly Levi 

The dining room of this large suburban home is no longer the center of the drama. MacNeil miniaturizes the house and places it at an askew angle. As the play unfolds, the action moves outside to a dank landscape of fog and filth. England seems to have caught a bad Dickensian cold.

A street urchin at the start of the show runs onto the stage and, startled by an air-raid siren, wraps himself in the stage curtain. The blitz anachronistically hangs in the air of a production that regularly calls attention to its own theatrical artifice.

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Theres nothing realistic about the characters, all of whom are presented in this staging with a sharp caricaturists pen. At first, we eavesdrop on the insufferable dinner conversation, glancing through the windows to peek at the arrogant swells whose lives revolve around getting and spending. Eventually, the house cracks open, exposing its privileged inhabitants to the moral weather.

Arthur Birling (Jeff Harmer), the overbearing patriarch, treats the upcoming marriage of his entitled daughter, Sheila (a vivid Lianne Harvey), to snooty Gerald Croft (Andrew Macklin), scion of Crofts Limited, as a business merger. Just as this former Lord Mayor brags to his future son-in-law that, barring an unexpected scandal, he will likely be knighted, Inspector Goole (an appealing Liam Brennan wielding a Scottish brogue like a scalpel) arrives, jeopardizing Arthurs hopes for an aristocratic pedigree.

More spectral than ghoulish, Goole unearths each and every persons relationship to the dead young woman, who after being fired by Arthur for demanding fairer wages at the factory, loses her job at a boutique when Sheila complains out of jealous spite about the manners of this attractive clerk. Gerald, aroused to play the hero for a time, toyed with her affections. Eric (Hamish Riddle), Sheilas reliably drunk brother, was drawn to her good looks and desperate vulnerability. Sybil (an arresting Christine Kavanagh), Arthurs peremptory wife who finds impertinence everywhere, fails her in her own chilly way.

As the inquiry proceeds, the music of Stephen Warbeck italicizes the melodramatic suspense. Edna (Diana Payne-Myers), an old servant, silently scurries to clean up the growing mess that Daldrys production physicalizes. Ragtag figures from the neighborhood, looking on from the margins of the stage as Inspector Goole in effect puts this family on trial, hint at a brewing class war.

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Who is this otherworldly Goole? That is a question that Arthur and Gerald will try to solve using all the powerful connections at their disposal. But the guilt the inspector exposes isnt so easily concealed again.

Priestleys point, while as timely today as it was when he wrote the play, is heavy-handed. But Daldrys spry production makes the lesson sting with liveliness.

          

An Inspector Calls

Where: Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, Bram Goldsmith Theater, 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills

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When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays, 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays; ends Feb. 10

Tickets: $35-$105

Info: (310) 746-4000 or TheWallis.org

Running time: 1 hour, 45 minutes

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charles.mcnulty@latimes.com

Follow me @charlesmcnulty
There can be no real statistics to back up any of this, but it is surely obvious that John Williams has written by a long shot the most widely heard orchestral music of our time. How could it be otherwise with his scores that have all but defined blockbuster after blockbuster, decade after decade?

Certainly no living composer has had more orchestral concerts devoted entirely to his music. At 86, Williams himself may have lost count of his honors, to say nothing of his 51 Academy Award nominations, five Oscars, 23 Grammys and all the rest.

Is he the most popular film composer of all time? No question. Is he the most popular composer alive, period? Can you think of anyone other than the dean, king and, for some, deity of musical Hollywood?

All of this is to say that it takes a lot to make a John Williams tribute stand out. Again, I cant prove it, but there could be little question that Gustavo Dudamels Los Angeles Philharmonic celebration of Williams at Walt Disney Concert Hall on Thursday was the greatest.

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The program itself was like most, sticking mostly to Williams hit scores  Star Wars, the Indiana Jones and Harry Potter movies, Jaws, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, etc.  along with the fanfare and theme that he wrote for the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games and that has been the motto of Olympics telecasts ever since. All of this left but one remaining question: Which theme would infect you with an earworm the next morning? I happened to catch the Indiana Jones bug.

The orchestra was large and the playing, spectacular. That too was expected. The L.A. Phil is Williams hometown band. The players all know him. Hes written music for them, conducted them regularly. Some record on the studio sound stages with him. Hes been close to several of the orchestras music directors.

But Dudamel is different, and so was this tribute. Dudamel brought out a sonic grandeur that Im willing to wager went beyond all that has, Williams-wise, come before. The difference between hearing Stars Wars in a Dolby-inundated movie theater, or on TV, or (heaven forbid) on your phone, or in Disney Hall is as great as skimming through amateur Instagram nature photos and actually being in the woods.

But something else was at the heart of the program, which continues through Sunday and is being recorded live for release in a month or two on Deutsche Grammophon.

Williams has a magical sense of writing music that sends a message  a message of hope and glory and wonder and joy. This resounds especially well in children and makes them identify with Luke Skywalker, with Harry Potter, with the children in E.T. and Close Encounters, with a world that is wide and full of possibilities. As Dudamel noted on Hollywood Boulevard on Tuesday morning at the unveiling of his star on the Walk of Fame, he was one of those kids growing up in Barquisimeto who was besotted by the movies, particularly the Steven Spielberg and George Lucas epics with Williams soundtracks.

Wow, Dudamel said, after having been introduced by  you guessed it, Williams  at the ceremony. Magic does happen in Hollywood.

Who could imagine, he went on to say, that someone whose only marketable skill is waving a stick in the air could be standing here today?

Two nights later at Disney Hall, the message these scores sent him in Barquisimeto had become messages he was now sending back to Venezuela on a day of the countrys massive demonstrations, the failing country taking to the streets in hopes of achieving regime change. Im with you, Dudamel said Tuesday of what he insisted must be peaceful demonstrations.

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What Dudamel evoked in his Thursday tribute was a Williams world where good triumphs over bad, where vistas open and where sounds produce enchantment.

And so Williams great fanfares and ceremonial marches, like the Imperial March from The Empire Strikes Back and the Olympics music, resounded with new purpose. Thats probably why the march from Raiders of the Lost Ark stuck so persistently.

Dudamel made Williams love music especially rhapsodic, as love in the time of war tends to be, and as Sayuris Theme from Memoirs of a Geisha was in particular, thanks to principal cellist Robert deMaines solo. Meanwhile, in the most serious selection of the evening, the young violinist Simone Porter brought a soulful dark richness to the main theme from Schindlers List.

But what made this the most memorable and meaningful of Williams tributes was Dudamels message of responsibility. He paid attention to detail, such as in the inner sonic and surprising harmonic experiments in Close Encounters and the equally surprising Bartok-ian counterpoint in, of all things, the Shark Cage fugue from Jaws.

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Through all this was a continual emphasis on Williams capacity for musical transformation. His ways of developing his themes may be his greatest gift, finding ever more value in presenting a character or situation in a new light. It is this that most humanizes so many of the films hes scored, that makes music a symbol of hope.

That is why Williams music can make you feel a little bit better than you did before. That is also why one synonym for transformation happens to be, and seemed necessarily so in Dudamels John Williams performances at this crucial historical moment, revolution.

Celebrating John Williams

When: 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday

Where: Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., L.A.

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Tickets: $97-$254

Info: laphil.com

mark.swed@latimes.com
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Egypts Minister of Trade and Industry Amr Nassar on Thursday said the volume of British investments in the Egyptian market stands at $5.4 billion.Those investments cover 1,567 projects in the sectors of industry, services, constructions, tourism, financing, telecommunications and information technology, he added.The minister's statements came during a meeting with the United Kingdom's International Trade Secretary Liam Fox, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in the Swiss Alpine town of Davos, which runs from January 22 to 25.During the meeting, the two sides discussed means of boosting bilateral trade and investment ties over the coming period, especially as the UK is set to leave the EU in March.Nassar stressed that Egypt is keen on keeping relations with Britain at the present time and in the event of the UKs departure from the European bloc.The trade minister said that he sought information from the British trade minister on the latest developments on Brexit and the UK's vision for the future of Egyptian-British relations.Nassar updated Fox on recent economic measures with regard to facilitating investment in Egypt and available projects that British companies could build in the Egyptian market.In this regard, the two parties stressed the importance of reaching new economic agreements, which in turn could contribute to cementing trade, investment and industrial ties between the two countries.For his part, the British trade minister affirmed that his country is keen on continuing relations with Egypt and elevating them to distinguished levels.Egypt's stable economy encourages British businessmen to pump further investments in different fields of the Egyptian market, Fox said.
YouTube said Friday it was retooling its recommendation algorithm, which suggests new videos to users, to prevent the promotion of conspiracy theories and false information, reflecting a growing willingness by the company to quell misinformation on the worlds largest video platform after several public missteps.

In a blog post, YouTube  a division of Alphabet Inc.s Google  said it was taking a closer look at how it could reduce the spread of content that comes close to  but doesnt quite cross the line of violating its rules. YouTube has been criticized for directing users to conspiracies and untruths when they begin watching legitimate news.

The change to the companys recommendation algorithms is the result of a six-month technical effort. It will be small at first  YouTube said it would apply to less than 1% of the sites content  and affects only English-language videos, meaning that much unwanted content will still slip through the cracks.

The company emphasized that none of the videos would be deleted from YouTube. People who search for them or subscribe to channels that post them will still be able to find them.

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We think this change strikes a balance between maintaining a platform for free speech and living up to our responsibility to users, the blog post said.

Tech companies gave massive platforms to conspiracy theorists like Alex Jones. Is the crackdown finally here? 

YouTube, which has historically given wide latitude to free speech concerns, does not prohibit conspiracy theories or other forms of false information. The company does ban hate speech but defines it somewhat narrowly as speech that promotes violence or hatred of vulnerable groups.

Advocates say those policies dont go far enough to prevent people from being exposed to misleading information, and that YouTubes own software often pushes people to the political fringes by feeding them extremist content that they do not seek out.

YouTubes recommendation feature suggests videos to users based on the videos they previously watched. The algorithm takes into account watch time  or the amount of time people spend watching a video  and the number of views as factors in the decision to suggest a piece of content. If a video is viewed many times to the end, the companys software may recognize it as a high-quality video and automatically start promoting it to others. Since 2016, the company also has incorporated satisfaction, likes, dislikes and other metrics into its recommendation systems.

But from a mainstream video, the algorithm often takes a sharp turn to suggest extremist ideas. The Washington Post reported in December that YouTube continued to recommend hateful and conspiratorial videos that fueled racist and anti-Semitic sentiment.

More recently, YouTube has developed software to stop conspiracy theories from going viral during breaking news events. In the aftermath of the Parkland school shooting in Florida last February, a conspiracy theory claiming that a teenage survivor of the shooting was a crisis actor was the top trending item on YouTube. In the days after the October 2017 massacre in Las Vegas, videos claiming that shooting was a hoax garnered millions of views.

YouTubes separate search feature has also been called out for promoting conspiracies and false content. This month, for instance, a search for RBG, the initials of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, returned a high number of far-right videos peddling conspiracies  and little authentic content related to the news that she was absent from the court while recovering from surgery.

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Six months ago, YouTube began to recruit human evaluators to review content based on a set of guidelines. The company then took the evaluators feedback and used it to develop algorithms that generate recommendations.

Dwoskin writes for the Washington Post.
As the oldest suburb of Los Angeles, Lincoln Heights has been at the center of the citys history for nearly 150 years.

First subdivided in 1873 as East Los Angeles, it was carved out of the 17,000-plus acres of the old Spanish pueblo by developers seeking to create a middle-class residential neighborhood.

To overcome the perception of most Angelenos that the region east of the river was a rusticated wilderness, lacking the amenities to which the burghers of Bunker Hill had grown accustomed, the developers installed water pipes to serve the new subdivision. They also initiated a horse-drawn streetcar  one of L.A.s first  to ferry commuters to work and back.

(Los Angeles Times)

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Lots in the new tract went for $100 to $150, netting buyers 6,500 square feet of suburban land.

Many of the early residents were middle class, so the homes they built were in the Folk Victorian style, a more affordable version of the ornate mansions of the wealthy. Builders used pre-manufactured decorative elements shipped cross-country to be assembled on site, rather than expensive, bespoke carved gables and eaves.

In the beginning, the residents of those homes were mainly commuters, but soon the new neighborhood had its own employment centers. The public hospital that became Los Angeles County General opened its doors to patients in 1878, and in 1902 the Southern Pacific Railroad relocated its railyards to the new suburb.

The manufacturing of libations also played an important role in the neighborhoods economy and continues to leave its mark today. An influx of Italian immigrants in the 1910s led to the area becoming a center of wine-making, of which the family-owned San Antonio Winery is an enduring example. And the former Pabst Blue Ribbon brewery and steam plant is now a 23-acre artist colony.

Even the nascent Los Angeles movie industry had an outpost in the neighborhood. The Selig Polyscope Co., producers of silent films starring Harold Lloyd and Fatty Arbuckle, moved there in 1914 from Edendale, an area named for a streetcar line that encompassed parts of Silver Lake and Echo Park.

In 1917, the neighborhood changed its name from East Los Angeles to Lincoln Heights, in honor of the local high school. Likewise the neighborhoods Eastlake Park, which dates from 1881 and is one of the citys oldest parks, became Lincoln Park.

Neighborhood highlights

A citys story: With County General, the Lincoln Heights jail, the Brewery Art Colony, Lincoln Park and more within its boundaries, Lincoln Heights is a repository of Los Angeles history.

Architectural richness: Lincoln Heights diverse housing stock has something for fans of every classic L.A. residential architectural style, from the 1800s to the postwar boom.

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The heart of the city: The proximity to downtown that made Lincoln Heights a popular suburb in the 1800s is still a prime feature, especially given the central citys resurgence.

Neighborhood challenge

A lagging economy: The industries that created good jobs for residents of Lincoln Heights have long ago departed, leaving the neighborhood with one of the citys highest poverty rates.

Expert insight

Stephanie Serrano, who spent 15 years buying and selling in the neighborhood, said home prices have slowly risen over the last five years, but an expensive house in Lincoln Heights is still a steal relative to the rest of the city.

Most homes sell for somewhere between $400,000 and $600,000, she said. It makes for cheap house payments for families, and many of them rent out rooms for extra cash.

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Serrano added that the Brewery Art Colony and USCs Keck School of Medicine attract students and young creative types, giving Lincoln Heights a bit more nightlife than neighboring communities.

Market snapshot

In the 90031 ZIP Code, based on nine sales, the median price for single-family homes in November was $632,000, down 16.7% year over year, according to CoreLogic. That ZIP Code includes both Lincoln Heights and Montecito Heights.

Report card

Of the seven public schools in the Lincoln Heights boundaries, Albion Street Elementary scored the highest on the 2013 Academic Performance Index at 811. Other highlights include Gates Street Elementary at 797 and Griffin Avenue Elementary at 746.

Abraham Lincoln Senior High, the neighborhoods largest high school, scored 693.

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Times staff writer Jack Flemming contributed to this report.

hotproperty@latimes.com
Wells Fargo & Co. has jettisoned a longtime strategy of growing its own leaders in favor of importing them as part of the effort to clean up its image.

The San Francisco-based firm hired Steve Troutner  a veteran of Citigroup Inc., Bank of America Corp. and Wachovia  to lead the community banks U.S. Western region. And it brought in Nyron Latif from Goldman Sachs Group Inc. as the head of operations for Jon Weiss wealth and investment management unit.

The appointments, announced this week, are the latest of more than 10 big-ticket outside hires over the last two years as the bank works to prove to regulators, investors and the public that it has changed after a rash of consumer abuses came to light. Until now, Wells Fargo had historically promoted from within.

For their credibility and for their standing in customers eyes  in anyones eyes  it has to be fresh blood, Jeanne Branthover, a managing partner at New York-based executive search firm DHR International, said in an interview. It has to be new people that are not connected to this institution that has had scandal after scandal after scandal.

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Earlier this month, the bank announced that Saul Van Beurden would join from JPMorgan Chase & Co. as the head of technology, landing him on the operating committee as a direct report to Chief Executive Tim Sloan. He joins Chief Risk Officer Amanda Norton, general counsel Allen Parker and human resources head David Galloreese as the outside additions to the 10-person leadership team over the last two years.

Wells Fargos outstanding leadership team benefits from both external talent with fresh insights and perspective and internal talent with deep knowledge of the company, spokesman Ancel Martinez said in an emailed statement.

The scandals erupted in 2016 on the revelation that bank employees had opened as many as 3.5 million bogus accounts without customers knowledge, in an effort to meet sales quotas. The practice was first reported in 2013 by the Los Angeles Times. Before then, operating committee members worked at the bank for a median of 28.5 years. Now, that number is 16 years and likely to go down as the chief auditor position on the committee is still open.

Last year, Wells Fargo also brought in Sarah Dahlgren, a McKinsey alum and former regulator, to lead regulatory relations, and three outside hires to beef up lobbying. The jobs are central to the firms navigation of regulatory scrutiny, including a Federal Reserve-imposed asset cap, and as it works to improve its image with lawmakers.

Also among Wells Fargos recent outside hires: Lisa Frazier, who has worked at Commonwealth Bank of Australia and McKinsey, to lead innovation within the tech payments unit, and Chief Compliance Officer Mike Roemer from Barclays. Both joined last year.

For Wells Fargo employees who have devoted their careers to the bank with the goal of rising to the top  a la current CEO Sloan  the banks new strategy may prove worrisome. Branthover said the question now is: How does Wells Fargo recruit from outside while maintaining credibility internally?

It wouldnt surprise me to see people exiting due to lack of career [mobility] and growth, Branthover said.

Levitt writes for Bloomberg.
The nations airlines are blaming the partial federal government shutdown for putting another dark cloud in their path, with few federal workers and contractors taking to the skies and stalled federal agency approvals causing delays in expansion plans, including Southwest Airlines much-anticipated service to Hawaii.

The Washington impasse comes at a time when the travel and hospitality industries have been reporting healthy profits but face strong headwinds from higher jet fuel prices and increasing costs for employee salaries and benefits.

The airline industry echoed the complaints of other business leaders in the U.S., who are saying the federal deadlock threatens to weigh down an otherwise thriving economy.

Airlines for America, an industry trade group, and the U.S. Chamber were among 645 national state and local business groups that sent a letter Thursday to President Trump and members of Congress urging them to reopen the government.

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The time to act, the time to end this shutdown is now so that we can keep the economy moving forward, the groups said.

The airlines concern also was voiced during earnings reports in the last few days.

We have seen some impact, but there is a lot of uncertainty with what is going to happen going forward, Donald B. Casey, senior vice president for revenue management at American Airlines, said of the shutdown during an earnings conference call with analysts Thursday. So, we have not yet put a dollar value on it.

Other airlines have been more specific about revenue lost because federal workers and contractors have canceled trips to attend conferences and meetings.

Southwest Airlines, the nations largest domestic carrier, estimated Thursday that the shutdown has cost it $10 million to $15 million in revenue so far in January. Delta Air Lines forecast last week that the shutdown would cost the Atlanta-based carrier $25 million in revenue in January.

We need to get the business moving again, said Ed Bastain, chief executive of Delta Air Lines, during an interview on CNBC.

The shutdown, which began more than a month ago, has left about 800,000 federal workers furloughed or working without pay. For airlines, that also means federal regulators have stopped inspecting new planes to put into service.

Southwest Airlines had been expected to begin service to Hawaii early this year, a development that many travel experts predicted would push down air fares charged by all carriers flying to the Aloha state.

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But in discussing earnings Thursday, Southwest executives said the plans to begin flying to Hawaii were held up because a federal procedure to certify the airlines planes to make the trek across the Pacific Ocean has been halted because of the government shutdown.

Our remaining work is currently suspended until the government reopens and the FAA is allowed to resume normal certification activities, Chief Executive Gary C. Kelly said in a statement. We are anxious for the government to resolve this shutdown so we can bring low fares and a boost to Hawaiis travel and tourism industry.

Southwest Airlines has been planning to fly to four airports in the state of Hawaii from Oakland Metropolitan Airport, San Diego International Airport, Mineta San Jose International Airport and Sacramento International Airport.

Meanwhile, a coalition of unions representing pilots, flight attendants and other airline workers issued a statement Thursday, calling for an end to the impasse, saying it is threatening the safety of the industry.

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The longer the shutdown goes on, the greater that threat becomes, the coalition, dubbed the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO, said. Lawmakers have a responsibility to preserve the safety and integrity of our nations aviation system by re-opening the federal government.

The FAA has repeatedly said that the nations airspace is fully safe and operational.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce said Thursday that the partial shutdown could have a major effect on about 41,000 small businesses across the country that do contract work for the shuttered federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, the Agriculture Department and NASA.

Those businesses have about $2.4 billion in contract funding at risk based on an analysis of last years spending data from the agencies. In California, 5,185 firms have about $183 million in federal government contracts at risk, the U.S. Chamber said.

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During the government shutdown, affected agencies are not procuring goods and services from these small businesses, the U.S. Chamber said. This not only impacts the cash flow of small businesses during the shutdown, in some instances small businesses will be unable to make up the lost contract work or sales.

In addition, companies awaiting payment from agencies closed by the shutdown might not get checks processed because federal employees who do the work are not on the job, said David J. Berteau, president of the Professional Services Council, which represents government contractors providing various services.

We have companies that have invoices back to October and November and they have not been paid for that, Berteau told reporters on a conference call. Many companies dont have cash reserves or credit lines to sustain it.

hugo.martin@latimes.com

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To read more about the travel and tourism industries, follow @hugomartin on Twitter.
The National Labor Relations Board made it easier Friday for companies to treat their workers as independent contractors excluded from federal labor protections, overturning an Obama administration precedent. However, the ruling has limited impact in California.

By a 3-1 party-line vote, Republican board members sided against shuttle van drivers for SuperShuttle, who were seeking to unionize at Dallas-Fort Worth airport. The NLRB ruled that they were independent contractors, not employees, and therefore werent protected by a New Deal-era law enshrining workers right to organize.

The board overruled a 2014 case, FedEx Home Delivery, in which a Democratic majority on the NLRB had established a standard making it easier for workers to be considered employees rather than contractors. The majority in Fridays case wrote that the Obama-era ruling had impermissibly altered the boards traditional common-law test by severely limiting the significance of workers entrepreneurial opportunity when analyzing whether they were contractors or employees.

Wilma Liebman, who chaired the NLRB in President Obamas first term, called the new ruling the latest example of the current board ignoring worker realities and constricting labor law rights.

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The labor board ruling does not appear to alter the impact of a controversial California Supreme Court decision last year that toughened the test for companies to classify California workers as independent contractors in cases of wage and hour violations.

The NLRB decision has no impact on state law, according to Shannon Liss-Riordan, an attorney who represents workers suing Uber, Grubhub and other gig-economy companies in California. The test adopted by the California court in April, ruling on a drivers case against the courier company Dynamex Operations West, will remain in effect, she said.

Richard Reibstein, a management-side lawyer who specializes in independent contractor cases, agreed. The NLRBs decision is extremely limited to determining only if certain individuals are employees that can be represented by a union, he said. It has no application to state or federal wage and hour laws.

However, Reibstein added, transportation companies worried about being unionized have less to be concerned about after this decision today by the NLRB.

A showdown over the independent contractor issue is gathering steam in the California legislature. The Chamber of Commerce, backed by Silicon Valley companies that rely on contractors, is pushing legislation to override the courts decision. The California Labor Federation, meanwhile, is promoting a bill to adopt the Dynamex test as state law.

The three-pronged test, which simplified an earlier, more ambiguous standard, only allows a company to classify workers as independent contractors if the worker is free from the control and direction of the hirer in performing the work; if the contractors work is outside the usual course of the companys business; and if the worker is customarily engaged in an independently established trade, occupation or business.

Staff writer Margot Roosevelt contributed to this report.
On a normal day, an 82-minute halt in landings at a single U.S. airport would be a headache for travelers, a complication for airlines and barely a blip on the radar for everyone else.

But Friday mornings hiccup at New Yorks LaGuardia Airport wasnt caused by adverse weather or an errant drone. And it was a galvanizing moment.

It made tangible what had, to many, been esoteric: the effects of the partial shutdown of the U.S. government, which was in its 35th day.

During the shutdown, hundreds of thousands of federal government workers have not received paychecks. Small businesses and home buyers havent been able to get federal loans. Taxpayers have faced the possibility of delayed tax refunds. National parks, federal courts and FBI investigations have taken a hit.

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But when the Federal Aviation Administration temporarily halted flights into LaGuardia  one of the nations biggest transportation hubs  because too many air-traffic controllers called in sick Friday, that created an immediate and concrete problem for a swath of Americans who felt distant from the shutdowns other consequences.

The flight delays were more frustrating because they were caused not by extreme weather  an act of God  but by a political feud. People are angrier than normal because most of the flying public knows that it was something preventable, said Kate Hanni, founder of passenger rights group Flyersrights.com.

Air-traffic controllers are among the federal employees who havent received paychecks since the shutdown began but are required to keep working anyway. Many controllers have reached the breaking point of exhaustion, stress, and worry caused by this shutdown, the president of their union said in a statement.

The freeze of landings at LaGuardia ended after an hour and 22 minutes, but the disruption rippled through airports nationwide  and raised the specter of future disruptions.

Union leaders and top bosses of U.S. airlines had warned of the rising toll on the aviation system Thursday; JetBlue Airways Corp. Chief Executive Robin Hayes said the situation was reaching a tipping point.

Hours after the LaGuardia incident, President Trump announced that he and congressional leaders had reached a deal to temporarily reopen the government.

Michael Steel, a former advisor to Republican House Speaker John A. Boehner, said the incident may have been the final factor that led Trump to agree to reopen the closed federal agencies.

You have rising political pressure. You have the presidents own [approval ratings] polls dropping. And as kind of an exclamation mark, the LaGuardia shutdown, Steel said.

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Trump had insisted that any plan to reopen the government include funding for a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. Fridays stopgap deal includes a three-week extension of government funding through Feb. 15 and an agreement to continue negotiations on border security. Federal workers will receive back pay for the time they were furloughed. The deal does not contain funding for a border wall.

The LaGuardia stoppage was definitely the most visible impact [of the shutdown] that weve seen thus far, particularly for a president whos from Queens, Steel said, noting the airports location in Trumps home borough.

The FAA said the effects on the aviation system Friday morning were moderate. Still, travelers felt them.

Steph Courtney, 26, was traveling to New York from Atlanta to visit friends, but her flight  scheduled to take off around 9:40 a.m.  was delayed repeatedly, she said.

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It wasnt until around noon that Courtneys plane arrived at the gate and passengers began to board, she said.

Officials first attributed the delay to weather in New York, she said, but then an official announcement came that a shortage of air-traffic controllers was the cause.

About three hours after the stoppage at LaGuardia ended, the airport posted a tweet announcing that on average, arrivals were being delayed by an hour and a half, departures by 45 minutes and airborne flights by an hour.

Some people at LaGuardia had to turn to news reports to learn what was leading to delays.

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Daniel Kelley said that as he sat in a plane on the airports tarmac, his fellow travelers were trying to figure out why they were stuck. Their pilot attributed the problem to a lot of ground traffic, he said in an email.

Nearby, he said, his seatmates began watching the news on their TVs and learned of the air-traffic controller shortage  and he saw a split in how they processed the situation. To his right, one row up, a man watching Fox News was convinced it was Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosis doing, he recalled, while to his left, a man watching CNN was blaming Trump.

Kelley, the owner of a financial firm, was traveling from Tampa, Fla., with a layover at LaGuardia before continuing to Rochester, N.Y. He said the flight delay meant less time with his children.

Snow shutting down an airport is out of everyones control, Kelley, 41, said in an email. Delays because our [government] is broken is very frustrating.

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Neither the FAA nor the National Air Traffic Controllers Assn. union said Fridays delays were specifically due to the shutdown.

Air-traffic controllers are prohibited by law from participating in a coordinated strike or slowdown, but the Air Current, an online aviation publication, posted a story Friday saying that the increase in workers calling in sick may have been triggered by a federal memo circulated Thursday among air-traffic controllers. The memo appears to clear the way for workers to call in sick without losing sick days they had accumulated during the regular course of their work, the story said.

The FAA said Friday in an emailed statement that it mitigated the impact by augmenting staffing, rerouting traffic, and increasing spacing between aircraft as needed. The results have been minimal impacts to efficiency while maintaining consistent levels of safety in the national airspace system.

The crimp in air-traffic control operations Friday morning was caused by absences of workers at a regional facility: Washington Center in Leesburg, Va., which oversees mostly high-altitude flight routes in the central region of the East Coast.

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The FAA frequently uses a variety of air-traffic delay programs to keep the system functioning as efficiently as possible. They are mostly put in place to handle weather issues that reduce the number of planes that can land at an airport, but controller staffing can also trigger such delays.

Although there was little evidence so far of safety risks, airline CEOs and labor leaders warned this week of an uptick in worrisome signs as workers including air-traffic controllers and airport security screeners faced a second pay period without getting a paycheck.

Additionally, Southwest Airlines Co. said it lost out on as much as $15 million in sales this month because of the shutdown, and Chief Executive Gary Kelly called the closing maddening. Delta Air Lines Inc. said last week that the political standoff was costing it about $25 million a month.

Times staff writers Melissa Gomez and Jim Puzzanghera contributed to this report. Bloomberg was used in compiling this report.
Doing your taxes isnt just about placing the correct numbers in the boxes of a form and then, as many hope, collecting a refund. Theres also how you feel about your taxes.

Its a very emotional transaction, said Kathy Pickering, executive director of the Tax Institute, the research and analysis arm of tax-preparation giant H&R Block Inc.

People are really happy when they get a big refund, she said. Or theyre either sad or distressed or confused if theyre not getting the refund they were hoping for  or end up owing.

And this year many Americans are expected to be less than happy because of last years sweeping federal tax overhaul, which has Block and the rest of the tax-preparation industry bracing for plenty of sour reactions now that tax filing season is about to start ahead of the April 15 deadline. Theyre doing things such as extra customer education, employee training and even role-playing exercises to prepare for the financial mood swings ahead.

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The tax overhaul represented the biggest change in the U.S. tax code since 1986, altering the tax situation for many of the 154 million people expected to file individual federal returns this year with the Internal Revenue Service.

The latest redo, among other things, lowered tax rates for many individual income levels and raised the standard deduction. But it also eliminated many deductions that people had itemized to lower their tax burden  such as union dues and the fees that tax preparers charge  and it placed caps on others, such as state and local income tax deductions.

The upshot: While some filers will owe less or get a larger-than-expected refund, many others will be in the opposite camp, especially if they did not adjust their W-4 form that determines how much of their weekly income is withheld for taxes.

In other words, people who did not change their withholding might have enjoyed more take-home pay during 2018 but now they wont get the refund they might have expected. Uncle Sam in effect gave them more money throughout the year instead of waiting to return the cash with a refund.

That refund averaged about $2,800 for the majority of individual taxpayers last year, the Internal Revenue Service says, but thats likely to change for 2018 returns.

Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc., a tax-preparation firm with nearly 6,000 U.S. offices and 20,000 preparers, said it took a recent survey that found that 72% of respondents had not updated their paycheck withholding since the tax revamp took effect, meaning that taxpayers or their employers payroll systems could be using incorrect numbers.

Taxpayers have heard they may see more money as a result of the tax law changes, but more money doesnt necessarily mean in their tax refund, said Lisa Greene-Lewis, a tax expert at TurboTax, the unit of Intuit Inc. that makes do-it-yourself tax software used by more than 36 million filers. They may have seen it throughout the year in their paychecks because the tax rates were lowered.

Thats why the IRS and the tax-preparation industry has been trying for the last several months to persuade people to adjust their W-4s if necessary, using calculators theyve provided that incorporate the tax changes. (The IRS calculator is here.)

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Further clouding matters was the federal governments partial shutdown, which initially left the IRS with a skeletal staff. The Trump administration said it would call about 36,100 additional IRS employees back to work  without pay  so that on Jan. 28 the agency could start processing returns and issuing refunds.

But with a deal reached Friday to end the shutdown, that cloud was lifted.

Theres also this wrinkle: Although the tax changes were partly intended to simplify filing federal taxes  for instance, many people who had itemized are now expected to use the standard deduction  the same cant be said for state income tax rules.

Its going to cause enormous problems this year because the states are in a much different position, which could result in some taxpayers taking the standard deduction on their federal return and itemizing on their state return, said Mark Steber, Jackson Hewitts chief tax officer.

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Tax rules in California and other states were not a piggyback onto the federal changes, he said.

The tax-preparation firms know that some customers tend to blame them, and not new tax laws, when the filers dont get the refund they expect or end up with a larger tax-due balance than anticipated. That can send miffed clients away and cut into the preparers revenue.

We have had to do a lot of work to prepare our tax preparers for that actual conversation, in addition to the massive job of training preparers and rewriting tax-preparation software, Pickering said. It has been all hands on deck ever since the law got passed.

Block has nearly 10,000 U.S. offices handling returns during tax season, along with its brand of tax preparation software. Between the two, Block handled 23.3 million returns last year.

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For many people, the filing event is the largest financial transaction of the year, and they really look forward to getting a refund, Pickering said. Its what they use to pay bills, catch up on late bills or pay off their holiday expenses, for example.

If theyre used to getting a refund of, say, $3,000 and now theyre getting one of $2,000, that could have a pretty significant impact, she said.

Thats one reason why Jackson Hewitts training has included role-play exercises, so that preparers can correctly respond to clients gripes, Steber said.

Maybe their overall tax liability actually is lower, but they got their money during the year with more money in their paycheck, Steber said. But because their refund is $1,000 less, they had an unhappy client experience.

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To avoid that problem, the IRS for months has been urging taxpayers to check their withholding to adapt to the changes, and the agency will keep beating that drum.

We definitely will continue to urge people to check their withholding going forward, so that filers avoid surprises later, IRS spokesman Raphael Tulino said.

Gerard Cannito, president of the National Assn. of Tax Professionals, noted that a lot of tax preparers werent even in the business in 1986, when the last major tax overhaul occurred and will face a big test when they meet with clients this year. They have not gone through something as wide-sweeping as this.

Taxpayers see us after the year is over and everything has transpired, and then they want us to wave a magic wand and fix it all, Cannito said. Theres not a whole lot we can fix once the year is over.

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james.peltz@latimes.com

Twitter: @PeltzLATimes
Seventy miles north of downtown Los Angeles, where the Mojave Desert gives way to the San Joaquin Valley, three newly built wind turbines stand atop a ridge overlooking State Route 58. Strong gusts emerge from the mountain pass below, making this an especially windy spot in one of the windiest parts of California.

A few new turbines arent normally a big deal in the Golden State, which has been building wind farms for decades.

But these particular machines are at the heart of a revolution in Californias energy industry, which for millions of people, homes and businesses could mean an end to buying power from monopoly utilities such as Southern California Edison.

The three wind turbines at the top of the ridge  and three others nearby  recently started generating electricity for Clean Power Alliance, a government-run energy provider that is replacing Edison as the power source for more than 1 million homes and businesses across the Southland. Twenty-nine cities have joined Clean Power Alliance, as have unincorporated areas in Los Angeles and Ventura counties.

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Residents of those areas will start receiving electricity from Clean Power Alliance in February. Edison will still distribute power over the poles and wires of the electric grid, and the Rosemead utility will send out the bills. But the alliance will buy and sell power, set rates and decide what incentives to provide customers for reducing their consumption or going solar.

Areas served by community choice aggregators (Los Angeles Times)

Clean Power Alliance launched for a small group of customers last year, rolling out electric service to city governments and 30,000 businesses in parts of Los Angeles County. But next month will serve as the alliances grand opening. By the end of February, it will be Californias fifth-largest power provider, after Edison, Pacific Gas & Electric, San Diego Gas & Electric and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power.

That fact is especially striking given Clean Power Alliances start-up-like working conditions. The alliance has 13 employees and is based in a WeWork shared-office space in downtown Los Angeles, with living-room-style lounges and Instagram-worthy neon lights.

Were not a bunch of people who were running some other public-sector something or other. Were bringing a business savvy to this that is really important for our size and our ambition, said Ted Bardacke, Clean Power Alliances executive director and a former infrastructure director for Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti.

Clean Power Alliance customers can choose among three electricity rate plans: one with a 36% renewable energy mix thats slightly cheaper than Edisons base rate, one with 50% renewables thats on par with Edison and one with 100% renewables thats more expensive than Edison. They can also opt out of Clean Power Alliance service and return to Edison at any time.

Local governments across the state have been forming these so-called community choice aggregators, or CCAs, to reduce rates and increase the use of climate-friendly energy sources such as wind and solar.

The CCA push started in the Bay Area a decade ago and more recently spread to Southern California, where efforts are also underway to establish community choice programs in San Diego, Riverside County and other areas.

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San Diego mayor calls for government alternative to SDG&E, says itll save ratepayers money 

Community choice providers are different from municipal utilities such as the DWP or Burbank Water and Power. Unlike municipal utilities, theyre not responsible for owning or operating the electric grid. Their role is to buy and sell the electrons that flow through power lines controlled by investor-owned utilities such as Edison.

Advocates say CCAs are an improvement on investor-owned utilities because they shift control from private monopolies to local governments, giving communities the ability to set their own rates, buy as much clean energy as they want and find creative ways to encourage clean energy technologies including rooftop solar, electric cars and microgrids.

There are now 19 community choice programs operating in California, 14 of which have launched in the last two years, according to the Center for Climate Protection, a nonprofit advocacy group.

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Wind turbines generate electricity that is transmitted through power lines in Californias Tehachapi Wind Resource Area. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

What does community choice mean for clean energy?

Although CCAs are an increasingly popular option, the rapid expansion of community choice has caused some renewable energy developers to worry about potential unintended consequences.

California has tripled its use of renewable energy in the last 15 years, in large part by requiring utilities to replace fossil fuels with solar, wind and other renewable power sources. Most of the work has been done by Edison, PG&E and SDG&E, which serve about two-thirds of electricity demand statewide.

In 2017, Edisons power supply was 32% renewable, PG&Es was 33% and SDG&Es was 44%, according to the California Public Utilities Commission.

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The rise of community choice  and the loss of customers for the monopoly utilities  has fundamentally changed that model. State officials estimate that Edison, PG&E and SDG&E could lose 85% of their energy sales by the mid-2020s. With far fewer customers, they wont need nearly as much clean electricity to meet the states upcoming targets of 60% renewable energy by 2030 and 100% climate-friendly energy by 2045.

California set a goal of 100% clean energy. Now other states may follow its lead 

Edison already has enough projects under contract or in development to meet the 2030 mandate, said Colin Cushnie, the companys vice president of energy procurement and management. And with uncertainty over how many Edison customers will ultimately depart for CCAs, its not clear if or when the utility will sign more renewable energy contracts, which typically have a life span of 20 to 30 years.

Since were meeting our statutory requirement, Cushnie said, were taking a hiatus at this point in time.

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Community choice providers are required to meet the states renewable energy targets too, and theyve been picking up some of the slack as the monopoly utilities sign fewer contracts. Overall, CCAs have signed long-term deals for more than 2,000 megawatts of new renewable energy capacity, mostly solar and wind farms.

Clean Power Alliances six new wind turbines in Kern County are a small example.

A lot of new steel has gone into the ground thanks to the CCAs, said Don Vawter, director of origination and development for Terra-Gen, a New York-based energy developer that built the turbines for Clean Power Alliance.

Joshua trees and wind turbines near Mojave, Calif. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

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But some renewable energy developers arent sure the CCAs can meet the states goals over the next few years. They say the newly formed entities dont have credit ratings or much of a financial history, which can make it difficult to persuade lenders to fund construction of solar and wind farms.

The vast majority of the long-term clean energy contracts signed by CCAs so far have been inked by Marin Clean Energy and Sonoma Clean Power, the two community choice programs that have been around the longest.

All the new ones that are being stood up today are struggling to figure out how they can obtain creditworthy status and contract for power, said Bill Miller, an executive at Anschutz Corp., which has been working to build a huge wind farm in Wyoming and sell the electricity in California. They can do some near-term, short-term contracts ... but to enter into long-term, reliable contracts is very difficult for them.

Short-term contracts to buy clean electricity from existing projects can help CCAs meet their renewable energy goals for a few years. But in the long run, the states next climate change target  reducing carbon emissions 40% below 1990 levels by 2030  will require huge amounts of new renewable energy capacity to be built.

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The Large-Scale Solar Assn., a Sacramento-based trade group, estimated in September that CCAs needed to strike deals for an additional 5,000 megawatts of clean power by 2021 to meet the states long-term contracting requirements.

Theres market uncertainty in terms of whos going to buy, when are they going to buy, said Rick Umoff, California director of state affairs for the Solar Energy Industries Assn., a national trade group. Its unclear if the CCAs are even equipped to buy the energy they need to meet the [renewable energy] targets.

You have to figure out a way to get comfortable

Community choice advocates say those concerns are overblown and dont reflect the views of most renewable energy developers. They say the CCAs have met or exceeded the states clean energy targets so far and will continue to do so.

Nick Chaset, chief executive of East Bay Community Energy in Alameda County and a former chief of staff to California Public Utilities Commission President Michael J. Picker, noted that several of the countrys biggest clean energy developers, including NextEra and EDF, have done deals with CCAs. He said community choice programs have shown banks that customers will pay their bills and are unlikely to opt out of CCA service and return to the investor-owned utilities.

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Chaset suggested that renewable energy trade groups skeptical of community choice were behind the times and havent caught up with the reality that their members are figuring out how to work with CCAs.

Theyre used to a certain system, Chaset said, and theyre struggling with the fact that the system is changing.

Its no longer just well-established CCAs that are signing long-term contracts. Silicon Valley Clean Energy and Monterey Bay Community Power, which launched in 2017 and 2018, respectively, have entered into three long-term contracts together, including deals with the developers Recurrent Energy and EDF for solar farms paired with battery storage.

The CCAs say those projects are the largest solar-plus-storage facilities ever contracted in California. Silicon Valley and Monterey Bay also signed a contract with Pattern Energy for 200 megawatts of wind power from New Mexico.

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There are other examples of CCAs banding together to buy energy. Several CCAs have joined the Lancaster-based California Choice Energy Authority, which has negotiated contracts on behalf of its members.

Clean Power Alliance was able to get its first six wind turbines built because theyre part of a larger wind farm development, with more established buyers committed to buying most of the energy. But now the CCA is evaluating long-term contract offers from more than 50 developers, including proposals for solar, wind and battery storage.

The alliance might not have gotten so many offers a few years ago. But banks and energy companies are coming around on the CCAs, said Matt Langer, Clean Power Alliances chief operating officer and a former Edison employee.

The developers have recognized that if you want to be developing renewable energy in California and the West, then whos buying? Its the CCAs, Langer said. So you have to figure out a way to get comfortable.

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sammy.roth@latimes.com

@Sammy_Roth
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), a newly declared presidential candidate, has turbocharged the progressive attack on income inequality with a proposal for a wealth tax aimed at Americans with net worth of more than $50 million.

Warren herself hasnt issued many details of her plan. But according to UC Berkeley economists Emmanuel Saez and Gabriel Zucman, who advised her on the proposal, the tax would be 2% on net worth above $50 million and another 1% on net worth above $1 billion. They say it would affect about 75,000 U.S. households, or less than 0.1% of the total, and raise $2.75 trillion over 10 years. Thats about 1% of gross domestic product per year.

Warrens announcement, made Thursday via Twitter, is certain to be met with two big questions: Is a wealth tax constitutional, and is it necessary? Legal scholars say the answer to the first is yes, and economists (and the evidence of your own eyes) say the answer to the second also is yes.

Whenever there is ... unemployed poor, it is clear that the laws of property have been so far extended as to violate natural right. Thomas Jefferson, 1785

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Lets take the questions in turn.

The notion that a wealth tax is unconstitutional derives from a provision of the Constitution prohibiting direct taxation unless its apportioned among the states. Thats generally taken to mean that the amount raised from each state must be proportionate to its population.

That means a direct tax can raise the same amount from Connecticut as from Mississippi because they have roughly the same population (3 million), even though the first is the richest state in the union (with per capita income of more than $36,000) and the second is the poorest ($20,000).

We need structural change. Thats why Im proposing something brand new  an annual tax on the wealth of the richest Americans. Im calling it the Ultra-Millionaire Tax" & it applies to that tippy top 0.1%  those with a net worth of over $50M.  Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) January 24, 2019

But two legal scholars say this constitutional interpretation is wrong. Theyre Dawn Johnsen of Indiana University and Walter Dellinger, a former U.S. solicitor general, of Duke University. Their analysis appeared last year, and is regarded as the leading work on the issue, though their position isnt unanimously held. (Thanks to Bruce Bartlett for bringing it to my attention.)

Johnsen and Dellinger dismiss the constitutionality issue as conventional wisdom that is casually repeated but is the product of faulty constitutional understanding. Its partially the result of a Supreme Court ruling in 1895 known as Pollock that was narrowly  and they say wrongly  decided, and that has been undermined by a string of subsequent Supreme Court decisions.

Its also generally disdained by legal authorities. Among them is Bruce Ackerman of Yale Law School, who wrote in 1999 that before Pollock, the court used a very narrow definition of direct tax, and has returned to that narrow view since. As a unanimous court declared in 1983, he noted, Congress power to tax is virtually without limitation.

The direct tax language in the Constitution, Johnsen and Dellinger observe, was murky even to the drafters. The Constitution refers explicitly only to a capitation or head tax, which is levied on each individual and thus can be easily apportioned by population. The authors assert that the clause wasnt the product of any principled decision to limit Congresss authority to tax income, property, or wealth.

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In any event, the court rejected Pollock only a few years later, by upholding an estate tax and a gift tax  that is, a tax on net worth. After the 16th Amendment, which declared an income tax constitutional, was ratified in 1913 as a response to Pollock, discussions of the constitutionality of taxes other than the head tax dropped off the Supreme Court docket.

Still, since debate over the constitutionality of a wealth tax might gum up the process of enacting one, it might make sense to avoid the issue by strengthening taxes that already have passed the courts muster. Thats the argument of Miranda Perry Fleischer of the University of San Diego.

Fleischer proposes several second-best alternatives to short-circuit the debate. These include raising the tax rate on capital gains, which is lower than that on ordinary income, and taxing capital gains at death  rather than allowing heirs to avoid embedded capital gains tax by stepping up their cost basis upon the bequest.

Under current law, if a taxpayer bought, say, a stock at $100 and leaves it to heirs when its worth $1,000, that $900 gain never will be taxed. Fleischer proposes to levy the tax when the taxpayer dies. Since the Supreme Court hasnt objected to estate taxes, problem solved.

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That brings us to the question of whether a wealth tax is needed. The answer here is unmistakably yes. The concentration of wealth in America has reached levels that make the gilt of the 19th century Gilded Age look like dross. Theres sound economic and social sense in taxing the hell out of excessive incomes and excessive wealth.

As Saez and Zucman observe, the top 0.1% today control almost as much wealth as the bottom 90%. Wealth disparity on this scale has a distinctly corrosive effect on society and democracy. As political economist Benjamin Friedman wrote in 2009, its grave moral consequences include racial and religious discrimination, antipathy toward immigrants, [and] lack of generosity toward the poor  all features of our current political landscape.

Thats not even to mention the economic consequences of placing so much wealth in the hands of people who cant use it productively, while the majority of Americans struggle to make ends meet on working-class wages.

The top 0.1% now control almost as large a share of U.S. wealth as the bottom 90%. (Saez and Zucman 2016)

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The Founding Fathers were unnerved by this very phenomenon. Thomas Jefferson wrote to James Madison in 1785, whenever there is in any country, uncultivated lands and unemployed poor, it is clear that the laws of property have been so far extended as to violate natural right.

In his autobiography, Jefferson wrote of the bills he had advocated or passed to form a system by which every fibre would be eradicated of antient or future aristocracy; and a foundation laid for a government truly republican. His goal was to prevent the accumulation and perpetuation of wealth in select families.

Perhaps fortunately, we dont have to go far to see and hear these consequences spelled out. The Trump administration has done much of the work for us, especially in its response to the pain its imposed on government workers deprived of paychecks by the government shutdown. These are people who are never shy about nominating someone else for martyrdom.

The top 0.1% now control almost as large a share of U.S. wealth as they did in the 1920s, which did not end well. (Saez and Zucman 2016)

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Start with Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, whose fortune is estimated at $700 million. In an interview Thursday he advised furloughed workers to take out short-term loans. People might have to pay a little bit of interest, he said, but the idea that its a paycheck or zero is not a really valid idea. He said credit unions were stepping up with low-interest loans. What he didnt say was that the credit union at his agency, the Commerce Department, was charging workers 8.99% interest per year on emergency loans of up to $5,000.

Larry Kudlow, Trumps chief economist, told reporters that government employees working without pay during the shutdown were volunteering out of their love for the country and the office of the presidency and presumably their allegiance to President Trump. And Lara Trump, the presidents daughter-in-law, commiserated with unpaid workers by counseling that it is a little bit of pain, but its going to be for the future of our country.

The super-rich havent been shy about speaking up for their prerogatives. Asked at the Davos economic conference this week about the suggestion by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) to raise the top marginal income tax rate to 70% on high incomes, computer tycoon Michael Dell dismissed it out of hand.

Name a country where thats worked. Ever, Dell said. To which Erik Brynjolfsson of MIT, a member of Dells speaking panel, promptly replied: The United States. Brynjolfsson schooled Dell by informing him that from the 1940s through the 1960s the top rate on income ran as high as 94%. Those were actually pretty good years for growth, he said.

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Dell also said he contributes to society via a family foundation, adding: I feel much more comfortable with our ability as a private foundation to allocate those funds than I do giving them to the government.

Its proper to observe that Dells multibillion-dollar fortune is based on mail and online orders of computers  in other words, on infrastructure created and funded by the government he disdains.

The question boils down to whether you want society funded out of the whims of Michael Dell or the debated judgments of your elected representatives. Thomas Jefferson would vote for the latter, and the extinction of inherited wealth by taxation if necessary. Anti-tax crusaders who never tire of dragooning the Founding Fathers into their arguments should take that one to heart.

Keep up to date with Michael Hiltzik. Follow @hiltzikm on Twitter, see his Facebook page, or email michael.hiltzik@latimes.com.

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Return to Michael Hiltziks blog.
Jim Acosta, the CNN correspondent who was temporarily barred from the White House last November following a tense exchange with President Trump, is writing a book about the presidents relationship with the media.

Harper Collins imprint Harper will publish Acostas The Enemy of the People: A Dangerous Time to Tell the Truth in America this spring, the publisher said in a news release.

Simply put, I am writing this book to share what Ive experienced covering President Trump during his first two years in office, Acosta said. This sobering, bewildering, and sometimes frightening experience has made it absolutely clear that this is a dangerous time to tell the truth in America. The president and his team, not to mention some of his supporters, have attempted to silence the press in ways we have never seen before.

Harper said the book will detail Acostas view from the frontlines of Trumps relentless war on the media.

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He details never-before-revealed stories of this White Houses rejection of truth, while laying out the stakes for how Trumps hostility toward facts poses an unprecedented threat to our democracy, Harper said. With fresh portraits of infamous administration officials such as Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Stephen Miller, and others, Acosta, a veteran of reporting on four administrations, presents a damning vision of bureaucratic dysfunction, deception, and danger, offering a fly on the wall view of the White House communications during one of the most dramatic and contentious, but consequential, times in the countrys history.

Acosta has worked for CNN since 2007, and became the networks chief White House correspondent in January 2018.

Last November, the White House suspended Acostas press credentials after a heated exchange with Trump over a question about a caravan of immigrants headed through Mexico to the U.S. border.

The White House accused Acosta of placing his hands on an intern who was trying to take a microphone away from Acosta. The reporter responded to the White Houses accusation, calling it a lie.

CNN sued the White House in an effort to get Acostas press pass restored. A federal judge ordered the White House to restore his press credentials, saying that the reporter was denied due process.

Harper publisher Jonathan Burnham said Acostas book was required reading.

Jim Acostas account of his experience as CNNs Chief White House Correspondent takes the reader into the world of reporters who are seeking accuracy and openness in a time when the freedom of the press is under threat, he said.

The Enemy of the People, which is Acostas first book, is slated for publication on June 11, 2019.
Longtime Donald Trump advisor Roger Stone is the 34th person indicted by Special Counsel Robert Mueller as part of the investigation of possible ties between the US president's election campaign and Russia.

The ongoing probe by the former FBI director has led to six guilty pleas by Trump associates but so far no charges of outright collusion between the Trump campaign and Moscow.

Stone, 66, a veteran Republican operative, was arrested at his Florida home by FBI agents on Friday on charges of making false statements to Congress and witness tampering.

The six Trump associates who have pleaded guilty so far are:

- Paul Manafort -

Manafort, 69, a veteran Republican political consultant, was Trump's campaign chairman for several months in 2016. He is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to tax and bank fraud connected to his work for pro-Russian politicians in Ukraine.

- Michael Flynn -

Flynn, 60, a retired US Army general, is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to lying to the FBI about his contacts with the Russian ambassador in Washington. Flynn stepped down as Trump's National Security Advisor after just three weeks on the job.

- Michael Cohen -

Cohen, 52, Trump's longtime personal attorney and fixer, was sentenced to three years in prison in December after pleading guilty to tax evasion, violating campaign finance laws, making false statements to Congress and other crimes. He is to report to prison on March 6.

- Rick Gates -

Gates, 46, Manafort's business partner, served as Trump's deputy campaign manager. He pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI and financial fraud and testified against Manafort at his trial after reaching a plea deal.

- George Papadopoulos -

Papdopoulos, 31, is an oil industry analyst who served on Trump's foreign policy advisory team and tried to set up meetings with Russian officials. He was sentenced to two weeks in prison after admitting he lied to the FBI.

- Other indictments -

Others indicted by Mueller include Alex Van Der Zwaan, a Dutch lawyer who got 30 days in prison for lying about his work with Manafort, and Richard Pinedo, a California man who admitted to selling stolen bank and credit card numbers to the Russians.

In June 2018, Konstantin Kilimnik, who worked with Manafort in Ukraine and allegedly has ties to Russian intelligence, was charged with obstruction of justice.

- Russians charged -

Mueller has also charged 12 Russian intelligence officers with hacking Democratic Party emails and 13 other Russians with engaging in an online campaign to influence US voters in the 2016 election.

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EDITORS NOTEBOOK:

If you call yourself a San Diegan and yet have never toured our great landmark  the USS Midway Museum at 910 N. Harbor Drive  you better get there soon! Wear your walking shoes and be prepared to become emotionally engrossed in military history for more than 4 hours!

The aircraft carrier is a miniature city and a must-see for the able-bodied; youve got to be nimble to traverse the various decks and all their nooks and crannies. Its an awe-inspiring, wondrous way to learn about  and understand  life at sea during war time. You get to stand in the same tight spots that held admirals, officers, sailors and pilots as you wander through the sick bay, wardroom, galley, chapel, command center, bunk and bath rooms, laundry, brig and massive engine room. There are well-over 60 carefully restored exhibit areas to experience.

On the flight deck you can explore 29 restored fighters, bombers and helicopters that took naval aviation into the jet age.

The best part (and a big thank you to) are the retired naval volunteers who  standing at strategic points  answer questions and offer eye-witness testimonies to how it was!

Admission is $8-$21 (based on age) and hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (I was the second in line at 10 a.m. to avoid the lunch and tourist crowds). The Midway closes at 5 p.m. Details at midway.org

Call for People in Preservation nominations

Speaking of history ... If you know of a person or a project team working hard to save and preserve our historic sites, buildings and landscapes, take a few moments by 5 p.m. Friday, March 29 to complete a nomination form for Save Our Heritage Organizations (SOHO) 2019 People In Preservation (PIP) Awards. Youll find it online at sohosandiego.org

SOHO invites you to help recognize individuals, agencies and firms that are exemplary stewards of our heritage in its many forms  from restoration and adaptive reuse to original research for publication. Winners will be announced in May and a banquet follows.

 Editor Susan DeMaggio can be reached at (858) 875-5950 or e-mail: editor@lajollalight.com
Every year around Christmas, for the past 65 years, you could find restaurateur John Pernicano dressed in full Santa Claus-gear  a costume made for him by one of the waitresses when he first began his side gig at Pernicanos Family Restaurant, 711 Turquoise St., just south of La Jolla s Bird Rock area in Northern Pacific Beach , San Diego.

And every year for the past 65 years, Pernicanos would be packed during the holidays with families bringing their kids to sit on Santa Johns lap, tell him what they want for Christmas, sing along to his harmonica-playing and receive a present.

2018 marked Santa Johns last year in the role, making it a bittersweet experience for the generations of families whove made it a point to never miss a Christmas with him. According to John, it was his last year as Santa Claus because his kids want to retire from the restaurant business and they want him to settle down, too.

Although he most likely wont return as Santa Claus in 2019, he maintains that hes not going to retire totally  he plans on finding the right person to lease the restaurant to, but has no intention of selling it.

No ones gonna tell me what to do, not at 91 years old, John says with a laugh.

On Thursday evening, Dec. 20, Pernicanos was packed full of families, many of them three-generations strong, all there to get one final  and deeply nostalgic  holiday experience with Santa John.

Everybodys just part of the family, Santa John told PB Monthly. Generation after generation. And nothing changes.

Sitting in the center of the restaurant on the sea-worthy boat he made with friends more than 50 years ago, Santa John was surrounded by excited children (and many excited adults as well), eager to interact with The Man in the Red Flannel Suit.

These are the people Ive been serving for (65) years, he said. The children grow on me. Theyre part of me.

Johns heart for children  and the PB community over the years  has made him a beloved icon who will forever be in the hearts of those touched by his fun-loving, generous spirit.

Chris Yen smiles with Santa John. (Savanah Duffy)

Santa John plays harmonica for children in the boat he made specifically to entertain them. ( Savanah Duffy )

Carolina and Bruno Mathias are students at La Jolla Elementary School. (Savanah Duffy)
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Chinas foreign ministry on Friday urged the United States to abide by its one China principle, after Washington sent two warships through the Taiwan Strait on Thursday, the first such operation this year.

The US naval maneuver risked further heightening tensions with China, which considers Taiwan its own and has not ruled out using force to bring the self-ruled island under its control.

Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying made the remarks at a regular briefing, adding that China closely followed the US warships passage through the Strait.

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UK spokesman Jay Blanton speaks to the University Senate in the White Hall Classroom Building on Monday, Jan. 14, 2019, about the UK public relations response to a bomb threat directed at campus in November 2018. Photo by Rick Childress | Staff




Hungarian-born US investor and philanthropist George Soros delivers a speech on the sideline of the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting, on January 24, 2019 in Davos, eastern Switzerland. AFP
Lotte GRS' fast-food brand Lotteria, left, and coffee chain Angel-in-us are seen at an arcade in Seoul, in this Dec. 20 file photo. Yonhap



By Nam Hyun-woo





Lotte Group Chairman Shin Dong-bin
Liu Wenwen, a famous social media star with over 1.69 million followers on her Weibo account, shoots a photo of Samsung Electronics' Metal Cooling refrigerator before posting it on Weibo, China's equivalent of Twitter, during a conference in Beijng, Thursday. / Courtesy of Samsung Electronics
Cho Won-hong, fourth from left, executive vice president of Hyundai Motor's customer and marketing division, poses with Lionel Barber, third from left, chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Tate Modern and other officials from the British art museum, in this photo provided by it, Friday. Hyundai announced it had agreed to establish the Hyundai Tate Research Centre with the Tate Modern to focus on global art. / Courtesy of Matt Stokes for Miranda Parry Photography


By Lee Seong-hyon





China was not present but its presence was "felt" in the recent whirlwind of diplomatic meetings between American and North Koreans officials in Washington and Sweden have reportedly generated some good vibes in paving the way for the second Trump-Kim summit.



North Korea seems to be emitting a renewed sense of confidence in dealing with the Americans since Kim's fourth meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping last month, in which they discussed "the matter of joint research and coordination of the denuclearization negotiation."



Its significance was not duly appreciated at that time. Kim will naturally use this Chinese backing as leverage with the U.S. It also makes sense for Kim to use China to hedge against the possibility of slow progress with the U.S., by making sure that he maintains good relationship with President Xi.



But it is more than that.



In Kim's New Year address, he made a veiled warning to the U.S.: "If the U.S. doesn't keep the promise it made in front of the world and misjudges the North Korean people's patience, imposes unilateral concessions and continues with sanctions and pressure, we also don't have any other choice but to explore a new path."



Many experts at that time interpreted Kim's "new path" as North Korea returning to missile launches and nuclear tests. But now, it is increasingly clear that the "new path" Kim meant was to align North Korea closer to China.



But how closer?



I noted in my institution's policy analysis at that time that Kim's visit was "qualitatively" different from his previous three visits to China. The previous three could all, more or less, be characterized as Pyongyang's efforts to mend ties with China and build mutual mojo, and reclaim emotional affinity and ideological bonding, after several years of an estranged relationship.



This latest visit also reveals that North Korea may have made a strategic shift. It has begun to look to China as a viable alternative to the United States.



Last year's prolonged negotiations stalemate taught a lesson to Kim. As the leader of a smaller and weaker party, it made him realize the limits of negotiating power vis-a-vis with Washington. Kim needs China's help. That's the reality.



For the past 25 years of nuclear negotiations, North Korea largely ignored China, bypassed China, even humiliated China, to directly reach out to the U.S. However, when it hit a wall with the U.S., it came to an awareness that it couldn't solely rely on the U.S. to have its needs met and its problems solved.



Kim's prime needs are twofold: economic and security. Theoretically speaking, China alone can satisfy North Korea's entire needs. China could meet North Korea's economic needs while Washington refuses to lift punitive economic sanctions. China could also meet North Korea's security needs by shielding it from possible kinetic operations by the U.S.



There is a deep-seated sense within Beijing that as long as China strongly opposes the U.S. military option against North Korea, Washington will not go on the path to attack the North. Otherwise, the very likely scenario will be the second Korean War, which Washington also wants to avoid.



From the Chinese side, Beijing will welcome Pyongyang's warming gestures. Amid worsening rivalry and competition between the U.S., North Korea's strategic value to China is bound to increase in the region's geopolitical chess game.



Given that this is the 70th anniversary of the establishing diplomatic ties between Beijing and Pyongyang, there will be a raft of high-level exchanges between the two, unprecedented in recent decades. Xi will visit North Korea for the first time since he became the top leader of China in late 2012. The last time, a top Chinese leader visited North Korea was more than 10 years ago  Hu Jintao in 2005.



In Asian culture, you don't visit your neighbor without a gift. In addition, there are accumulated Sino-North Korean pending agreements, including economic projects that could be signed off on at the top levels of the two nations. Xi's visit will naturally serve the occasion to do this.



All in all, China is North Korea's "new path." As China's economic power and national strength has soared over the last 25 years, now as the number two country in the world, North Korea is increasingly seeing China as an alternative to the U.S.



Even if the negotiation deadlock persists between Washington and Pyongyang, North Korea will be less likely to secretly reach out to the U.S., as it did in the past, seeking dialogue. This may be the first time in their nuclear saga that "the U.S. factor"will be less relevant from North Korea's strategic perspective.





Lee Seong-hyon (sunnybbsfs@gmail.com), Ph.D., is director of the Center for Chinese Studies at the Sejong Institute.




By Trudy Rubin





President Donald Trump's sudden decision via tweet to pull all U.S. troops out of Syria opened the door for a massacre of our Kurdish allies by the Turks.



Stung by angry GOP critics, he and administration officials have been scrambling to show they won't leave Syrian Kurds in the lurch. In a series of tweets and phone calls with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Trump has called for a "safe zone" to protect the bulk of Syrian Kurds who live near the Turkish border. The president seems blind to the fact that Erdogan interprets the "safe zone" to mean Turks can cleanse our Kurdish allies from it.



Indeed, Trump's Syria tweets have only increased the chances of bloodshed on the border. The president's hasty pullout decision (opposed by his entire security team) has the administration scurrying for a strategy to prevent Iran, Russia, and ISIS from profiting from the U.S. exit.



Meantime, the unplanned U.S. pullout has already emboldened a latent insurgency by remaining ISIS fighters; four Americans deployed to Syria were killed by a suicide bomber this month.



The tale of Trump's proposed "safe zone" illustrates the chaos caused when an ill-informed president makes policy by tweet.



Trump tweeted his call to "create a 20 mile safe zone" for Kurds, with no further explanation. Trump emissaries traveling the region were blindsided by the proposal. And it has become clear that the Turkish definition of safe zone is entirely different from Trump's.



The Kurdish region of Syria, which has functioned as a virtually autonomous area since the start of Syria's civil war, runs along the border with Turkey. The main Kurdish political party, the Democratic Political Union, or PYD, fields a militia, known as the YPG which was the main ground force that defeated the ISIS caliphate in Syria. It works closely with the 2,000 U.S. forces in the country.



However, the Turks call the YPG fighters "terrorists" and view them as allies of Kurdish rebels inside Turkey. The United States disagrees, distinguishing Syrian Kurdish fighters from their Turkish cousins. And, indeed, Syrian Kurdish fighters have never attacked Turkey across the Syrian border.



Bottom line: Erdogan views "the safe zone" as an invitation for Turks to invade Syria and smash America's Syrian allies. Erdogan told Trump last week that "a 20-mile security zone along the Syrian border will be set up by us."



To get the Syrian Kurdish view on the "safe zone," I phoned to the Kurdish capital of Qamishli and spoke with Salih Muslim, former co-president of the PYD party. Muslim quickly replied: "Turkey talks about a zone that means there would be a Turkish occupation. If Turkey came across the border, its main aim would be to kill Kurds, throw all of them out, and replace them with Arab refugees living in Turkey, including jihadi families."



Muslim pointed out that the main Syrian Kurdish cities of Qamishli and Kobani would fall within that 20-mile zone.



As a warning, Muslim pointed to the experience of Afrin, a once predominantly Kurdish town and district west of the main Kurdish region. No U.S. troops were stationed there. So Turkish soldiers crossed the border and drove out much of the Kurdish population, replacing them with Syrian Arab refugees.



Muslim says Syrian Kurds would welcome a safe zone if it were monitored "by the United Nations, by the United States, or anyone." But not occupied by Turks.



U.S. officials have been visiting Turkey trying to get Erdogan's agreement to protect the Syrian Kurds. But he refused to meet Trump's national security adviser, John Bolton, after Bolton publicly insisted that our Kurdish allies must be protected. He continues to label the YPG as terrorists.



Trump tweeted that "Will devastate Turkey economically if they hit Kurds," which Secretary of State Mike Pompeo interpreted to mean sanctions. But neither Trump nor Pompeo has clarified that our Kurdish fighting allies will be protected. Nor would sanctions help if Turkey had already invaded the Kurdish region.



And given Trump's habit of changing his mind, this vague warning is unlikely to impact Erdogan's determination to crush the Kurds.



Sadly, Trump's policy-making via tweet squandered any chance of getting a quid pro quo for a U.S. withdrawal. "This administration failed markedly to condition withdrawal on something," says Aaron Stein, who heads the Middle East program at Philadelphia's Foreign Policy Research Institute. "Now we are negotiating if or how Turkey should enter Syria. This should have happened before the withdrawal."



Rather than use a planned withdrawal strategically to pressure Russia or the Syrian regime, or Turkey, Trump gave away America's leverage for nothing.



"Tell the American people," said Muslim, "that for four years we worked together. This mutual trust, you can't find it elsewhere in the region. We don't want to lose that trust between both sides just because of Turkish tricks."





Trudy Rubin (trubin@phillynews.com) is a columnist and editorial-board member for the Philadelphia Inquirer. Her commentary was istributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.






By Michael R. Czinkota





Since World War II, U.S. firms were the most aggressive in the world with a zenith in the 1960s. Therefore, the U.S. private sector appeared not to need any help in its international trade efforts.



The result of this overall philosophy was a continuing effort by the U.S. to aid countries abroad in their economic development while U.S. domestic firms were overlooked. The policies of helping to stimulate foreign economies were quite successful in the 20th century. However, the climate of the international market is quite volatile. As the U.S. continued to encourage trade abroad and not to aid the international ventures of its domestic firms, U.S. firms were placed in an unfavorable position.



American companies were assured that because of its size and the diversity of its resources, the American economy could satisfy consumer wants and national needs with a minimal reliance on foreign trade. The availability of a large U.S. domestic consumption power and the relative distance to foreign markets resulted in many U.S. manufacturers simply not feeling a compelling need to seek business beyond national borders. Subsequently, the perception emerged within the private sector that exporting and international marketing were simply too risky, complicated, and not worth it.



This perception also resulted in increasing gaps in international marketing knowledge between managers in the U.S. and those abroad. This gap shaped different incentives to innovation. The late-developing advantage theory can illustrate those differences, not only at a national, but also at a firm specific level. A less favorable position can always be an opportunity and motivation. While business executives who deal with small market sizes are willing to learn about cultural sensitivity and market differences, many U.S. managers remain blissfully ignorant of the global economy. Given such lack of global interest, inadequacy of information, ignorance of where and how to market internationally, unfamiliarity with foreign market conditions, and complicated trade regulations, the U.S. private sector became uninterested and fearful of conducting international business activities.



However, conditions have changed. Traditional education institutions are becoming more attuned to the international dimension. Universities and particularly business programs are emphasizing responsibilities and obligations at the international level both in theory and in practice. Meanwhile, some government agencies are paying closer attention to the international needs of the U.S. business community. The U.S. Department of State offers training and instruction in business-government relations to domestic firms.



Newly emerging economies also accelerate the process of rising public attention. For instance, electronic commerce has made it more feasible to reach out to the global business community, whether a firm is large or small. International events can lend a new focus to business. In 2018, Alibaba generated $30.69 billion in sales on Double Eleven or November 11th, which is known as a day of special promotions, and now includes a large share of international sales. Related industries and supply chains, such as transportation and logistics, are prospering with the growing volume of international trade as well.



In effect, U.S. corporate interests given to international markets both as an opportunity find both customers and suppliers to be growing. How can the U.S. maintain a sustainable competitive position? How can the managers further learn from what used to be former students? The need and demand for international marketing expertise can be expected to rise substantially. Overall, avoiding ignorance is the first step to becoming wiser.





The writer (czinkotm@georgetown.edu) teaches international marketing and trade at the University of Kent in Canterbury and Georgetown University.






China is planning to send a space probe, a lander and an orbiter to Mars in 2020.

China has reiterated is plans to send a space probe, a lander and an orbiter to Mars in 2020 on the heels of landing a mission on the far side of the moon, state-run media agency Xinhua reports.

Wu Yanhua, deputy chief of the China National Space Administration, made the announcement in a press conference on Monday, Xinhua reports.

The mission is being called the Mars Global Remote Sensing Orbiter and Small Rover, or HX-1.

According to the State Council of the People's Republic of China's website, China's Mars 2020 mission will be launched on a Long March-5 carrier rocket from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in Hainan province.

A lander along with an orbiter and a rover will be deployed to the Red Planet. The lander is designed to operate for three Martian months. It will touch down on the northern hemisphere of Mars and will contain a rover that has six wheels and four solar panels that will explore Mars.

The rover will feature a remote sensing camera as well as a ground penetrating radar and is expected to collect Martian soil and bring it back to Earth by 2030, according to Futurism.com.

The news comes after the success of China's moon mission earlier this month. (Next Animation via Reuters)








Strained by sky-high housing prices and notorious working hours, more and more young people in South Korea are choosing 'fur' babies over real ones. That means fancy pet food, puppy photo shoots and even dog funerals. Like a son, but cheaper.

That's what young South Koreans now say when it comes to pets. With sky-high housing prices and notorious working hours, many of them are choosing "fur" babies over real ones.





A picture of a pet dog decorated with flowers is seen on a tablet at a pet studio in Seoul, South Korea, January 17, 2019. Picture taken on January 17, 2019. Reuters



Pet Owner, KANG SUNG-IL SAYING:

"We both work and don't have the time, so the thought of having a baby never crossed our minds. It seems like too much pressure."

Kang Sung-il and his wife say they can't afford a child.

Instead, they're focusing their energy on their 5 year-old Pomeranian - Sancho.

PET OWNER, KANG SUNG-IL SAYING:

"Whenever I go on business trips abroad, I always bring something back for Sancho because I'm his dad."

On average, the couple spends about 90 dollars a month on Sancho. Private schooling alone for a child would cost almost three times that amount.

But it's not just the Kangs. Experts say Korea's pet population is growing, as more people choose not to have babies - or to even get married.

That's why time-old Korean traditions, like taking photos of your baby's first birthday, are translating into pictures of pooches instead.





A photographer takes a photograph of a pet dog at a pet studio in Seoul, South Korea, January 17, 2019. Picture taken on January 17, 2019. Reuters





A woman looks at pictures of her and her pet dog at a pet studio in Seoul, South Korea, January 17, 2019. Picture taken on January 17, 2019. Reuters



Pet Photographer, HONG SEONG-HYUN, SAYING:

"People think of pets as members of their families, so some take pictures like these every year as their puppies grow up."

South Korea has one of the lowest birth rates in the world, and its economy is flatlining. However, the country's pet business is booming.

The 1.5 billion dollar industry has been growing quickly, bumping up about 7 percent last year - making it one of fastest growing, globally.

That includes everything from fancy pet food with ginseng, air purifiers for puppies or even dog funerals - a service that's become increasingly popular in the country.

Pet Owner, LEE JAE-HWAN, SAYING:

"I always introduced my dog as my only son. Even my friends don't understand me, but my dog did."

And - the pet boom is only getting bigger. Experts say, the pet business in South Korea is expected to grow three-fold - in the next decade. (Reuters)




US President Donald Trump last week tweeted that a buffer zone would be created in northern Syria to protect the Kurds.

This is not the first time that the idea of such a zone has been proposed, but Trumps proposal this time round carries more weight.

The issue is a priority for Turkey, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan quickly announced that the two powers had reached an historic understanding regarding a safe zone in northern Syria.

Erdogan said he was positive about Trumps plan to create a 20-mile (32 km) safe zone in northern Syria, which can later be expanded.

He said the goal was to provide security for Syrians receiving financial and logistical support from Washington and the International Coalition and noted that the safe zone would be created in consultation with the guarantors of the Astana Talks on Syria, namely Turkey, Russia and Iran.

Erdogan said he had refused to accept the participation of separatist Kurdish militias in the operation, including the Kurdish Peoples Protection Units (YPG) which Ankara lists as a terrorist group.

He also said he would postpone a military operation against Kurdish fighters in northern Syria after the recent US decision to withdraw its troops from Syria.

The regime led by Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad rejects the Turkish presence in Syria and asserts that it is illegal, but the Turkish media has promoted the idea of a safe zone to guarantee security on the countrys southern border.

The Turkish Daily Sabah newspaper quoted investors as saying that the zone would also host development projects that would provide local people with jobs and help Syrian refugees to return to their homeland.

The Kurds said they were ready to support a safe zone in northern and eastern Syria, and they hope to reach an agreement with Turkey to guarantee stability and security in the border areas.

They said they would provide assistance in creating a safe area with international guarantees under UN supervision.

The Kurdish declaration coincided with a bomb attack in Manbij in northern Syria that killed 19 people, including four Americans. Erdogan said the bombing had aimed to put pressure on the US to keep its forces in Syria since they are the sole supporters of the Kurds.

The US decision to create a 20-mile safe zone will include all the major cities under Kurdish control, which will become neutral areas not serving Kurdish interests.

As a result, it seems likely that the Kurdish approval is only verbal and that the Kurds will insist on preconditions that are hard to accomplish due to the complicated situation on the ground and the presence of multiple players with contrary agendas.

It is not clear who will guarantee the security of the safe zone, since while Turkey wants this area under its control, some European diplomatic circles said there might be an Arab role or direct US supervision.

Ankara has been firm with Washington and will not allow Kurdish military forces to remain on its borders. Erdogan refused to meet with US National Security Adviser John Bolton on 7 January, sending a message to the US that he would not abandon his countrys security interests and hoping to exploit possibly diverging views within the administration.

Turkey wants to convince the US that it is a partner in fighting the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group in Syria and that Kurdish Peshmergas forces should be deployed in the safe zone.

The Peshmergas are the forces of the National Kurdish Council, which is part of Syrias political opposition, and the rivals of the separatist Kurdish militias led by the Democratic Union Party (PYD) affiliated to the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) that Turkey lists as a terrorist group.

This step could pave the way to creating local councils with Syrian members in the region and guarantee stability in northern Syria.

Turkey supports US plans for the east of the Euphrates River in Syria, but it wants to ensure that it has a primary role in managing the area after the US troops withdraw. The intention is to tighten the noose on the Kurdish militias and protect Turkeys national security.

When the Syrian regime had free rein to use its military arsenal against the countrys opposition some years ago, creating a safe zone was one of the demands of the Syrian opposition.

Turkey and members of the Friends of Syria group repeatedly made this demand, but the former US administration refused it on the pretext that terrorist groups could be encouraged to take power from the Al-Assad regime.

However, in reality the US position was based on its desire to see Syria bleed, serving Washingtons interests, weakening all the parties in the war and serving Israels security interests.

The US has declared the war against IS in Syria to be finished, meaning there is no justification to keep US forces on the ground in the country. As a result, it seems that the US will now delegate the safe zone in northern Syria to Turkey as well as the fight against remnants of the terrorist groups.

However, US and Israeli disputes have caused confusion about the actual date of the US withdrawal and the future of a safe zone. When Erdogan declared he would bury the Kurdish militias and expel them from the area, Trump warned Turkey against attacking his Kurdish militia allies and threatened to destroy Turkeys economy.

A safe zone in northern Syria will benefit Turkey because it will take control of the area. Russia now controls some areas of the country and the regime others, while Iran and its militias dominate other parts.

The Syrian opposition will not have a role, whether in the proposed safe zone or elsewhere, which will likely force it to come up with plans to become a viable force or risk increasing marginalisation.

The danger is that the end of the Syrian Revolution will see the division of the country among the regional and international powers at the price of nearly one million dead Syrians.

* A version of this article appears in print in the 24 January, 2018 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly under the headline: Safe for non-Syrians

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lavendertime/iStock(MIAMI) -- A family vacationing in Miami said they were booted from an American Airlines flight this week due to complaints about their odor.



Yossi and Jennie Adler said they were forced off a flight from Miami to Detroit on Wednesday because passengers said they smelled bad.



The couple, along with their 1-year-old daughter, said they were escorted off the plane and told to book another flight due to several complaints, according to ABC affiliate WPLG-TV.



"All of a sudden, as soon as they took us off, they closed the gate and then they said, 'Sorry, sir, some people complained you had body odor and we're not letting you back on,'" Yossi Adler told WPLG-TV in an interview from Miami International Airport on Thursday.



"There's no body odor that we have. There's nothing wrong with us," he added. "I want them to own up to what really happened and to tell me the truth."



Airline officials also told them that their luggage would be taken off the plane, but the couple said it never happened.



"They have our car seat, stroller, everything," Jennie Adler said. "We stopped several people in the airport and, it's embarrassing, but we asked them, 'Do you think we smell? Because we just got kicked off a plane for smelling."



American Airlines confirmed the family's story in a statement on Thursday and said it planned to cover their hotel and meal expenses for the night.



"Mr. Adler and his wife were removed from the flight when several passengers complained about their body odor," the airline told WPLG. "They have been booked into a hotel for the night and given meal vouchers. They have been rebooked on a flight Thursday."



The Adlers said they made it home to Detroit late Thursday and were reunited with their luggage.

Copyright  2019, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
Environmental protection in outer space

On earth, environmental protection has the primary goal of ensuring the availability of clean water and clean air for human beings in the future. Human interests usually take also precedent when it comes to protecting more developed animals and plants. Lower life forms such as bacteria, on the other hand, are considered worthy of protection only in exceptional cases.

Claudius Gros, professor for theoretical physics at Goethe University, has now investigated the degree to which the norms for the protection of planets can be derived analogously from issues that arise in environmental protection on Earth. The international COSPAR agreements on space research stipulate that space missions must ensure that any existing life - such as possibly on the Jupiter moon Europa - or traces of previous life forms - perhaps on Mars - are not polluted, so that they remain intact for scientific purposes. The protection of extra-terrestrial life as valuable in and of itself is not stipulated.

The COSPAR Guidelines apply to our solar system. But to which extent should they be applied to planetary systems beyond our solar system (exoplanets)? This will become a relevant issue with the advent of launch pads for miniature interstellar space probes, such as of the type in development by the "Breakthrough Starshot" initiative. Gros argues that the protection of exoplanets for the use of humankind could not be justified. Apart from fly-bys, we could carry out scientific studies only with space probes able to slow down in an alien solar system. Using the best technology available today, this would require magnetic sails and missions lasting thousands of years, at the least.

According to Gros, the protection of exoplanets would also be irrelevant if these planets were lifeless, even if they were otherwise habitable. This probably includes planet systems such as the Trappist-1 system, whose central star is an M-dwarf star. Planets orbiting in the habitable zone of an M-dwarf star have a dense oxygen atmosphere that was formed through physical processes before cooling. Whether life can develop on such planets is questionable. Free oxygen acts corrosively on prebiotic reaction cycles, which are considered prerequisites for the origin of life. "Whether there is another way for life to form on these oxygen planets is an open question at this time," says Gros. "If not, we would find ourselves living in a universe in which most of the habitable planets are lifeless, and thus suitable for settlement by terrestrial life forms," he adds.

###

Publications: Claudius Gros: Why planetary and exoplanetary protection differ: The case of long duration Genesis missions to habitable but sterile M-dwarf oxygen planets, Acta Astronautica 2019, in press. https:/ / arxiv. org/ abs/ 1901. 02286

Claudius Gros: Developing Ecospheres on Transiently Habitable Planets: The Genesis Project, Astrophysics and Space Science 361, 324 (2016) http://link. springer. com/ article/ 10. 1007/ s10509-016-2911-0

Further information: Professor Claudius Gros, Institute for Theoretical Physics, Riedberg Campus, Tel.: +49 69 798 47818, gros07[@]itp.uni-frankfurt.de

Current news about science, teaching, and society in GOETHE-UNI online (http://www. aktuelles. uni-frankfurt. de )

Goethe University is a research-oriented university in the European financial centre Frankfurt The university was founded in 1914 through private funding, primarily from Jewish sponsors, and has since produced pioneering achievements in the areas of social sciences, sociology and economics, medicine, quantum physics, brain research, and labour law. It gained a unique level of autonomy on 1 January 2008 by returning to its historic roots as a "foundation university". Today, it is one of the three largest universities in Germany. Together with the Technical University of Darmstadt and the University of Mainz, it acts as a partner of the inter-state strategic Rhine-Main University Alliance. Internet: http://www. uni-frankfurt. de

Publisher: The President of Goethe University Editor: Dr. Anne Hardy, Referee for Science Communication, PR & Communication Department, Theodor-W.-Adorno-Platz 1, 60323 Frankfurt am Main, Tel: (069) 798-13035, Fax: (069) 798-763 12531.

This story has been published on: 2019-01-24. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.